#this didn't feel long when i typed it out

[muqingslover]

Hi! If you're open to requests, what would you think the lads men (or just one guy of your choice!!) would do in the following scenario?

They are out with mc when they run into mc's ex, and mc's ex says, "Damn, your taste in men changed a lot" in like a condescending manner. (Or something along those lines)

I hope you have a great time!! I love reading your stories!!

[ Thank you for the request! <3 I did a little of everyone so enjoy! ]

Sylus

"Your tastes sure have changed since the last time I saw you." is the first thing that actually catches his attention during the otherwise boring conversation.

Sylus is not an overly jealous person simply because he is very secure of his love for you and how good he is to you. The only thing your ex does is greatly amuse him because the difference is too great to even be considered fair.

"Naturally. You surely don't expect someone to eat trash forever, do you?" He would answer for you in a smooth voice while he towers over the both of you with that confident expression of his on his face.

He feels almost sorry for you, who had to make do with such men, but, not to worry, he's here now and he's not going anywhere.

Xavier

Taunting his jealous side is the same as playing with fire while knowing you're going to get burn.

"Is that the type of guy you prefer?" He'd ask the second the two of you are alone again. His hands pin you to the closest surface so you're unable to run from the conversation and he keeps his face very close to yours to watch for even the smallest reactions "Do you like him more than me?"

My advice? Say no as quickly as possible and give him a kiss to shush him otherwise you're in for the long, loooooong haul. Xavier is not easily soothed once he's worked up and he WILL hold grudges.

The next time your ex shows up he is quick to cut the conversation before they can even get a good morning in and makes it clear you belong to him now.

Rafayel

"What did you just say?" His head never whipped back faster mans almost twisted his own neck.

Arguably the most aggressive per se because he's SO obvious. To him it's just staggering you ever went out with anyone else, especially a thing like that, and that it's here, again, approaching you. Does it not see him? He's right there for god's sake!

"She's on duty so she can't talk to you right now. Or ever." He'd grab you by the shoulder as he sized the guy up and down with the most condescending and judgmental look on his face before scoffing. what a diva

He'll nag at you later for being "distracted while on the job" and say you're supposed to pay attention to him at all times otherwise how will his dear bodyguard protect him? Please be more mindful!

Caleb

It was a school reunion party when your old high school sweetheart came up to the both of you.

"Oh hey, I remember you! Weren't you the guy who got kicked out for cheating on his graduation exam?" He says with an innocent grin on his face knowing full well the guy is a deadbeat and making sure others heard it too.

It's canon he kept track of all crushes MC had while growing up and I'm sure he goes out of his way to show you their bad points so you won't even consider looking their way.

In some cases, Caleb had to get rid of them by manipulating things behind the scenes if they didn't take the hint and this one was one of those cases.

The guy was struggling with his grades and who is he to deny a helping hand? All he did was slip the sheet of answers to the test without anyone knowing, it's not his fault if the idiot accepted it knowing it was against the rules. Such an angel, isn't he.

This interaction will lead to him being even more territorial around you and he wants you to just stay home with him where it's safe. Pretty please?

Zayne

He will step in if they are bothering you by pretending he needs your immediate help in the office but otherwise Zayne merely listening in the background.

Once they're gone the silence is so loud.

You can basically feel that he's bothered by something, but he won't open his mouth even if you ask him about it because it's 'petty and childish'.

"Are you happy with me?" He'd eventually ask you after stewing in his own thoughts for the day. What if your tastes hadn't changed and you were just too nice to tell him he's not doing enough? That he is not enough.

Please reassure this sweet man that you're happy in the relationship. Especially so if your ex is the type that is super extroverted and easy to get along with since that's one of the points he struggles with the most.

The problem goes away on its own after some good quality time together and affectionate words.

[pinkyqily]

ONLY YOURS - JUJU WATKINS X READER

Summary: Because of recent speculation, online, it makes you rethink your relationship with juju.

Warning: cursing, angst to fluff, reader bluffing, miscommunication from r

Author's note: this fic was requested by @atditsitzjt and I hope you enjoy reading this, we love Otto in this house, I just needed someone who juju is close to build up fic tension.

feedbacks are always welcome and happy readings readers 💐

To be honest, you had no reason to think that juju would cheat on you.

But overthinking is a bitch and that how you and juju found yourself in this messy position in you're relationship.

It all started with when you saw a comment about how juju is always with Otto and doesn't she have a girlfriend to go to.

That comment didn't bother you at all until the sudden change of your algorithm.

You started seeing post of people shipping them together, pictures that looked way too intimate.

how they are always together from practice to hanging outside of campus together.

You felt like your heart got twisted and toyed with. You waited until she would come over to your place to try and bring it up, not wanting to jump into conclusion yet wanting to give her the benefit of doubt.

Juju came around, and she could tell something was wrong, but she didn't want to push your buttons after the long day she had.

You both enjoyed each other company, but the sense of lingering tension was obviously in the air and if anyone was to enter the room they would most likely feel suffocated.

You were laying on your girlfriend as she scrolled through her phone on Instagram.

But you couldn't keep quite anymore and got off her, she looked at you a confused.

you cleared your throat to speak.

"So you and Otto hang out with each other a lot." You started with.

"Yeah, she's my best friend, you know that." She said.

"You guys are really close for best friend".

"What point are you trying to make?". She said, looking irritated.

"I'm gonna be straight with you, Juju are you cheatin-. Before you could finish you heard her cut you off. "Don't you finish that sentence, what made you come to this." The way she reacted caught you off guard.

"Oh, I'm sorry that my supposed girlfriend loves hanging out with her best friend more than her actual gf, that it has the internet speculating if you guys are dating".

"You have to be serious, you're getting your claims from delusional people on the internet?". She said looking really hurt by the not so accusation you put against her.

"Yeah because they make more sense than whatever your fucking saying juju".

"What can't you understand she's my best friend just because we're always together, means nothing to me." You heard her say, she tired grabbing your hands but you simply moved back creating more space between the two of you.

"But it does to me do you ever think about how I would feel huh, you don't see me always hanging out with my best friend like that". You told her getting upset that she couldn't understand your point of view.

"One she's been with me since day one, she works with the team too, so of course we're always gonna be at the same place two just because we're always together means nothing to me". She explained to you. Grabbing both your hands as she continued speaking

"You're my girlfriend, not her, the person I love and adore you make me feel all sorts of things when we're together."

You felt a little shakend, she was someone who was always straight foward but doesn't to pushy with it. You had nothing to say to her they only thing you could do was leave the living room.

where you both we're staying so you could get some air.

You felt like a huge asshole for doubting her. What type of partner accuses there significant other, onto of that you use the internet as some type of excuses just because of your insecurities instead of communicating with her.

Oh you felt bad, after what felt likes hours but was only a few minutes you went back inside after staying outside. Juju was just how you left her, she was sitting on the arm of the couch fidgeting with her fingers.

You stood in front of her, but there was still the lack of distance between two of you.

You started by saying

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have accused you like that I don't know what wrong with me everything people were saying just got to me". You told her.

"I'm not gonna lie, your accusations hurt me, especially when you know I would never do you like that." She said, pulling you closer as she laid her head on your shoulder.

After your conversation with her that night, you expected her not to stay over like she normally does but she did.

You're both laying down in bed you couldn't fall asleep yet.

"Baby, I just wanted you to know I'm really sorry, and I feel so stupid thinking about it." You said, thinking she fell asleep.

"It okay, just go back to bed mhm". You heard her say as she pulled you closer by your waist.

"Goodnight, I love you." You said to her as you slowly able to fall asleep and be at peace without your mind playing tricks on you.

"I love you too." She said her arms stil wrapped around your body.

[steddieas-shegoes]

lone stars

for @steddiemicrofic prompt 'ride'

rated m | 453 words | cw: implied sexual content | tags: cowboy/western-ish au, eddie is a sweetheart, getting together, first kiss, lowkey horsegirl steve harrington

🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎

He's sipping on the last of his broth when he hears it.

It sounds like a group of people, heading right for his spot near the river. He didn't expect to get interrupted this late in the evening, most intelligent travelers knowing better than to continue walking in the forest after sundown.

He stands and starts to mount Grit, his horse since childhood, but is interrupted by a hand on his leg.

"Stay quiet."

The shadow of a person is standing close to him, long hair tied back in a low ponytail. His eyes are glowing, but nothing else about him stands out. He must be wearing all black.

That's never a good sign.

"Let go of me. I'm not standin' around to see if they're friend or foe," Steve whispers as he tries to jerk the reins so they can ride off into the night.

"They're neither, but they'll bother ya for days if they see ya," the man whispers back.

Steve pauses. "You got a horse to get outta here?"

The man shakes his head, and he's becoming a bit clearer as Steve's eyes adjust.

"Hop on. What's your name?"

"Eddie," he says as he hops up behind Steve. Grit huffs, but seems to understand that he shouldn't make any other noises. He's always been an attentive horse. "Where ya headin'?"

"Not sure yet. You?"

"Anywhere you're goin'."

Eddie's hard to shake.

Steve doesn't really try too hard.

They ride together for a few weeks, getting to know each other. Eddie's past is dark, but so is Steve's in its own way. They're both loners trying to find a place to call home, maybe find others to help them feel a little less lonely.

Eddie's funny, and charming, and tactile. He's unlike anyone Steve's been around before. Even as a child, his friends were more of the burly boys who didn't hug type, but Eddie always finds reasons to touch him, to reach out to comfort or keep him warm or show him joy that can't be contained in a smile or laugh alone.

Steve doesn't know why he does it. The fire is warm, the stars above are stunning, and Eddie looks like the sun.

He kisses him.

Eddie hesitates. Steve thinks about being killed here, hopes Eddie will at least care for Grit.

"You too?" Eddie asks, voice shaking with what seems like fear.

"I s'pose so," Steve shrugs.

Eddie kisses him, he strips him down, covers them both up with the sheet they picked up at a general store a week ago. They push and pull, touch and kiss. They find each other and themselves.

"Want this every night," Eddie gasps.

"Take it, then," Steve bites his shoulder.

[niningtori]

clementine | preview

pairing: choi beomgyu x you

summary: after your explosive breakup and wordless, thorough disappearance from beomgyu's life, he's surprised to see that you've moved back to his town. when he happens to meet you again, beomgyu wants to apologize, maybe make amends for his unforgivable behavior, but he's devastated to find out that you've erased every memory of him. you don't want to remember him—or the love you once held onto so desperately—anymore. he knows that to be the case, so why is it so hard for him to feel the same way?

genre: angst, romance, potentially second chance, asshole!beomgyu to groveling! beomgyu (who saw this one coming...), inspired by eternal sunshine of the spotless mind tho i've never seen it and only know major plot points through cultural osmosis

warnings: angst, previous toxic relationship

word count: tbd

release date: really far in the future probably

notes: i received a request for this a while ago and i said i'd think about it then received an ask a couple of weeks ago saying another author was working on something based on the same movie. again, i've never seen the movie and i haven't read the author's work (or any new fanfiction rlly in the past few months cuz i haven't been in the headspace to enjoy it) so i will be making it up based off of the general concept of having memories of an ex erased. i said i'd wait to post it and i have every intention of doing so but i wrote this in a moment of inspiration and i've been posting previews so i thought i'd post this just as a teaser! it won't be out for a long time cuz i have so many wips and i don't want to be inconsiderate or invite weird, unsolicited comparisons. i just want to post previews bc i'm excited to get back into consistently writing after almost quitting 🥹

-

it’s jarring, to say the least, to see an estranged ex you used to love more than anything else in any unexpected context; but it's especially jarring for beomgyu as he watches you chatter away on your phone in the middle of the cafe he finds himself in. he catches your eye for just a second before you look away, and it's like he can't breathe. after your phone call, you smile as you type away on your screen. beomgyu gulps, because he knows that since you two made eye contact, it would be weird to just leave and pretend he didn't see you, though that's exactly what he wants to do. besides, no matter how much of a coward he is, he can't keep living with his unspoken feelings when he finally has the opportunity to express them, no matter how resolutely you might reject them. he hesitantly rises from his seat and walks over to you with unsure steps.

“hey,” he says unsteadily. you look up from your screen and give a forced smile, a far cry from the easy affection you used to give him. only him.

“uh, hey?” you reply. beomgyu worries he did the wrong thing by approaching you, especially because you seem confused that he said anything at all. you probably expected him to exit the cafe without a word, and the thought that you thought that he, who was once completely and utterly in love with you, would brush you off so easily brings a sharp pang to his chest.

“i… i know it’s been a while, but i… i want to, um, apologize for… everything.” he wants to lay down and die at his awkwardness, but he's wanted to say these words for so long, and no matter how much he’s compelled to swallow them down and safely tuck them away in the home they've carved out for themselves in his stomach, he knows this is the right thing to do. especially since you blocked him on everything before changing your number. especially since you moved away without a word after your disastrous breakup. especially since he hasn't seen you in so long, and he doesn't know if he'll ever see you again after this. your eyebrows furrow, and he braces himself for impact. but no amount of contrived mental fortitude could ever prepare him for your next words.

“... do i know you from somewhere?”

notes pt. 2: might delete this preview so be prepared for that possibility 🫰 peace and blessings :,) but please don't be mean or weird like actually

[lunammoon]

What type of plant would Harding gift your Rook? Probably something that they can put in food. Like Basil or Rosemary. Just not mint because they already have Too Much in a way that anyone who has planted mint will understand. Harding still tries to give them mint. Again, for reasons anyone who has grown mint can understand.

Do they like Harding's cooking? Harding's Yam and Jam slams are not that bad, but Harding gets bonus points for the thoughtfulness of the gesture more than anything. During the first couple of months where Ezra is legitimately trying to figure out how to separate Lucanis and Spite after the first attempt, but before the second and last attempt (because if anyone could do it without hurting either of them they're sure that they could) in trying to express how fucked up what Zara did to them was on a purely metaphysical level says calls the Ossuary experiments "Facinating in the same way that what Harding does to potatoes is fascinating. "

What animal/monster would Davrin carve for your Rook? I'm torn between some kind of cat, and some kind of dog. If it's a dog, then it's specifically a grim.

Does your Rook like the walks in Arlathan with Davrin? Ezra loves the fresh air and the sunshine and the way Arlathan feels alive. They also enjoy spending time with Davrin and Assan. Sometimes they'll invite him out instead of waiting for him to invite them.

What is something Neve could call on your Rook for if she needs certain expertise for a case? Things related to spirits but unrelated to the deceased. Particularly blood magic, which is used to bind spirits to objects. In like, an au where Ezra is Ezra and not Rook, and Neve was hired by Caterina to locate her grandson (maybe in a timeline where the Inquisitor and Varric successfully talk Solas down long before the 9:51) and she had picked up enough info to know what was happening down there, she would have asked Ezra to assist.

Does your Rook share Neve's love of fried fish? No. While fish is the only meat they eat and they basically only eat if if they're out in the wilderness and it's the easiest food to access. They tried it once since they'd already been given to them by Neve and didn't particularly like them.

Does your Rook join Bellara in her technical talks about the Fade and various artifacts or are they more content to listen? They might join in if it intersects with something that they know about. Or if they're helping Bellara work out an issue. Otherwise, they just sit and listen. They like to listen to Bellara work through a problem.

Do your Rook and Bellara read serials together? Yes. Ezra goes out of their way to find good ones for them to read with, as many containing happy endings as they can.

What is your Rook's favorite dish that Lucanis cooks? I don't know what the exact dish is, but it's either some kind of stew or some kind of pastry stuffed with vegetables.

What would Lucanis buy for your Rook at the Grande Market? An empty notebook small enough to fit in their coat pockets. They end up filling it entirely with information pertaining to helping him and Spite. It's a coincidence that it's the notebook Lucanis gave them mind you. They just need a separate notebook for it since the plan is that when they're done they give the notebook to Lucanis to either keep or burn instead of submitting the contents to the Mourn Watch as part of their research like they normally do.They don't want Lucanis to feel like a thesis project.

What dragon would Taash think your Rook would like the best? The Vinsomer. They are correct.

Do they bring your Rook 'round the Hall of Valor to drink often? Yes absolutely. Ezra doesn't drink much, but Spirits like them and so they'll sit and talk with them for a while.

Would your Rook like Emmrich's mother's hazelnut torte? They adore it.

What kind of tea would Emmrich make for your Rook? If Ezra is making themself tea, it's always mint. But I feel in my heart that if Emmrich is making it, then the answer is a strong black tea. Something so strong that they can taste it and nothing else.

Bonus: What is one thing a companion does to cheer up your Rook if they're feeling down? Davrin - When Ezra is reaching a point where it seems like they're going to lose it, Davrin will come up with some excuse why the three of them (Davrin, Rook, Assan) need to go to Arlathan forest so that they can Touch Grass.

Small Rook & Companion Questions:

What type of plant would Harding gift your Rook?

Do they like Harding's cooking?

What animal/monster would Davrin carve for your Rook?

Does your Rook like the walks in Arlathan with Davrin?

What is something Neve could call on your Rook for if she needs certain expertise for a case?

Does your Rook share Neve's love of fried fish?

Does your Rook join Bellara in her technical talks about the Fade and various artifacts or are they more content to listen?

Do your Rook and Bellara read serials together?

What is your Rook's favorite dish that Lucanis cooks?

What would Lucanis buy for your Rook at the Grande Market?

What dragon would Taash think your Rook would like the best?

Do they bring your Rook 'round the Hall of Valor to drink often?

Would your Rook like Emmrich's mother's hazelnut torte?

What kind of tea would Emmrich make for your Rook?

Bonus: What is one thing a companion does to cheer up your Rook if they're feeling down?

[gamergirlwrites]

Title: Expecting

Pairing: Leon Kennedy x Female!Reader

Synopsis: You invite Leon over to tell him some news.

CW: mention of pregnancy

Your heart was pounding in your chest as you waited for Leon. He was on his way to you, possibly panicked in the same way you were. He didn't know yet, but you'd have to tell him. Leon had been gone for long enough that you were pretty sure that he could take one look at you and figure out what this was all about. He had left you months ago without much word, but the fetus growing inside of you was definitely his. You hadn't slept with anybody else, not when you were still holding out for a change of heart.

"(Y/n), open up. It's Leon!" He called out over a couple of quick knocks. You took a deep breath to steady your heart, but it wasn't much use. You were still absolutely freaking out when you opened the door to see him.

Leon looked good. He had never showed up to your door looking bad, but this was a nice change from the usual suit you saw him in. The leather jacket reminded you of the guys you had always been too scared to date in college. His chest was practically straining against his shirt, as were the muscle in his legs with his jeans. You were sure that a big part of his affect on you was hormonal, but all you wanted to do was climb him like a tree.

"Come in, and you'll probably want to sit down for this," you warned. Leon seemed skeptical, but still did as you said. "Okay, so, um, I'm pregnant."

"I've been gone for a long time," Leon said. He didn't seem upset, which was a good thing. However, you noticed that he didn't exactly seem happy either.

"There hasn't been anybody else in almost a year, so I think it's safe to assume that you're the father," you told him. You didn't mean to sound so short with him, but you couldn't help it. "I know that you're not the relationship type, so I don't expect anything special. I just wanted to let you know, give you that option."

"I won't just leave you to raise our baby by yourself. I've been staying in Colorado, but it's definitely time that I come back to DC again. There will always be secrets, but if you give me a chance I won't throw it away," Leon promised you.

"Alright, I like the sound of you being around more. And Colorado, seriously? Not even a phone call." You shoved his shoulder back, and Leon just flopped back against your couch. You turned away to hide the evidence of your amusement. Everything considered, Leon always knew how to make you laugh.

"Do you know the sex yet? If you'd let me, I would love to help with the name and some other stuff. I can put the nursery together here, I'm pretty capable with my hands." You paused for a moment as you listened to Leon. He was offering himself up, that much was obvious. The man who had run at the first sight of feelings before was openly asking for involvement.

"A girl, and some help with the name would be great. I've been driving myself crazy trying to come up with one. I know it's short notice, but I've got a doctor's appointment tomorrow if you wanted to join me?" You tried not to sound too hopeful, but Leon didn't hide his excitement at your invitation at all.

[redwinelew]

Smau for Lewis where love interest is either a creative director for a football club/fashion house or a film director. Don’t know if this sounds interesting

THE SILVER WAR

type social media au (with written parts)

pairing lewis hamilton x black + plus sized + director!reader

summary lewis' director wife is nominated for the oscars for a film about brocedes.

face claim da'vine joy randolph

warnings a bit angsty bcs brocedes yk

author's note putting my film degree to good use 🫡🫡 this was the first ever requested i gotten!! i'm sorry it took so long to write this bb but i thought it'd be better to post this around the time when the actual oscar ceremony takes place!! i hope u like it <33

english is not my first language. all pictures taken from instagram, pinterest and twitter. credit to owners.

masterlist | request info | requests are OPEN!

twitter!

2 years ago...

twitter!

today...

transcript from the stephen colbert show!

SC: so! if you have been following the world of formula 1, you'd know that one of the most famous rivalries in the history of the sport is between two former mercedes drivers, nico rosberg and sir lewis hamilton. but if you don't, not to worry because there is a film on it which has been out for sometimes. and we have the director herself with us tonight, who is also sir hamilton's wife. so y/n l/n, tell us everything that you can about this film.

Y/N: you know, stephen [chuckles] i always told myself that i'm never gonna do a biopic because it feels like such a cheap way to win awards, you know what i'm saying? because hollywood loves that shit! [audience applause] am i right, people?

SC: [chuckles] looks like they agree with you.

Y/N: they should! because i know i'm right! also making biopics is hard because it's about real people's lives. there's always gotta be some shit they the studio wants us to alter in the film. and that ain't me. that's not what i do. but i do respect people who do biopics from the director to actors to the crews.

but i was watching "rush". you know, it's about niki lauda and james hunt back in like 1970s or something. incredible, incredible film. loved it. lewis liked it too. and you know, he has a production company. they just did the F1 film with brad pitt. and he says he wants to do more racing films. so as a joke.... i was like, "you know they did a film about lauda and hunt, you should do one about you and nico."

and lewis, he laughed and was like "who's gonna direct it? you?" and i'm like "i don't mind. i can do it." because i know i can! usually when they do biopics, it's about people who died like 50 years ago, you know? like christopher nolan with oppenheimer. his reference was a book and nothing else. but with lewis and nico, it happened around only 10 years ago. and f1, they used to show us so much more back then especially post-race. there is a lot of footage and of course nico and lewis they both are still alive. i have my materials. that's what i told him. and so the next thing i knew, i was in the meeting room with lewis and producers from warner bros.

SC: but- but of course it wasn't that easy to make this film, right? because there is still so much bad blood between these two men, as far as i know.

Y/N: yes. i remember after that meeting i asked lewis if nico knows about this film and he says no. and i remember telling him.... "i know what this is for you but this is work, for me. i'm gonna do this film, and imma do it right. i don't know about other directors, but i'm not gonna sit in that chair telling a false story. i'm not gonna let you take over the narrative. because this is not just about you, this is about nico as well. from you two were children up until he retires. it wouldn't be fair if this film only follows your point of view."

and we didn't speak for two weeks after that.

SC: two weeks?!

Y/N: yeah.... it was either he was busy with racing or that he was sulking. [audience laughs].

but anyway after that, i was in germany to interview nico. he was surprised that we were making a film about him and lewis but he was cooperative. he answered all my questions. it was a very emotional topic for him, remembering those times.

SC: wow. okay. and another thing i want to talk about is the cast. a stacked set of cast you have here. uh jacob anderson, famously known for his role as grey worm in game of thrones then as louis de pointe du lac in interview with the vampire tv series on amc+. hr plays lewis hamilton in this film and nico rosberg is portrayed by tom glynn-carney who you might know as aegon targaryen in house of the dragon which is a game of thrones spin-off! that's interesting.

Y/N: yeah, i'm a huge fan of both shows, which i know... that's what people always say but my two good friends got me into interview with the vampire and house of the dragon, separately and i was rewatching them with lewis and the thought crossed my mind and i said to him, "you know, that aegon guy... like the actor... he can play nico". and so we keep tom glynn-carney and jacob anderson in mind as we go through every audition tapes and it was a very extensive search, lewis himself was very meticulous about who the wants to play himself but in the end lewis told me "you know what, that guy from you show? get his agent. i wanna meet him". and i guess the rest is history.

SC: that's amazing. and thank you so much for being here. Y/N L/N, ladies and gentlemen! The Silver War opens in theaters this friday! [audience applause]

twitter!

and the oscar for best director goes to.... y/n l/n!

Y/N: oh my god.... i'm shaking. i'm sorry, let me just collect myself for a moment. ugh, can't cry now. this makeup took ages to be done [audience laughs]. god, um.... thank you, the academy. i am deeply, deeply humbled by this incredible recognition. to my fellow nominees. ridley scott, emerald fennell, chloe zhao, martin scorsese! it has truly been a privilege to get to share this category with you for the past few months. um, it took a lot of effort to make this film so i want to thank universal, our producers, writers, the amazing cast that we got.

but i especially want to thank the light of my life. lewis, we hit a tough moment during the making of this film but we got through it. thank you for being the most supportive partner a girl could ask for. you know, you tease me for always taking americano but the truth is you made my life a whole lot more sweeter, honey. i love you so much.

and last but not least, i just want to address.... more than 90 years since the first academy award was held, and i am the first black woman to win for best director and i hope that i am not the last! this is just the beginning! thank you academy! thank you everyone! [audience stands up and applause]

twitter!

[justnatoka]

When you don't say 'I love you' back

The Lost Boys headcanons

A/n: Marko gave me a hard time not gonna lie, and I'm still not 100% satisfied with his part, but I didn't want to chew on this any longer. Hope you enjoy!

Warning: nsfw themes, allusions to smut

David

He’s not really the type to shower you with phrases of love, he much rather shows his feelings to you through his actions. So on the rare occasion when he says ‘I love you’, he expects you to say it back.

You were lying in his arms one night, your body aching deliciously, his hand stroking your bare thigh in slow, lazy motions.

“When do you think the boys will be back?” you wondered.

He raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.

“You’re seriously thinking about them right now?”

You snorted and playfully smacked his naked chest.

“Nothing like that. I was just wondering how long the peace will last.”

As if on que, the distant sound of stomping and Marko’s hollering broke the silence of the cave. David levelled you with a flat stare, basically saying without words that this was your fault. You just shrugged your shoulders. Nothing you could do about it now.

He made a move to get up, but as he looked back at you, still tangled in the sheets, your body all soft and pliant, baring the marks of his affections from before, staring back at him with those pretty eyes, he couldn’t help himself. He leaned down, one hand keeping himself upright, the other finding the plush skin of your hips, still tender from his previously bruising grip, and giving it a gentle squeeze. His lips chased after yours, capturing them in a slow kiss. The corner of his mouth quirked up at the little sound you made as he deepened it, his tongue stroking against yours, teasing you just a bit before he pulled away. He chuckled as you let out a huff at the abrupt ending, and pressed a quick peck on your pout.

“Love you,” he murmured against your lips before he got up to find his pants.

He froze. There was no answer, nothing, just silence. Did you not hear him? Were you playing with him? You thought you could be cheeky, huh? Now this would not do.

He turned around and strode back to the bed. He towered over you, trapping you in with his gaze. Leaning down, his hand caught a firm grip on your jaw.

“Was I not clear enough, kitten? Do I have to show you again? Because I don’t care if the boys hear you this time, I’m going to make sure everyone knows how much you love me.”

Dwayne

Dwayne wasn’t as sparse with the use of those three words as David was, but he also didn’t feel the urge to shout it from the rooftops like Marko did. Instead, he reserved them to intimate moments between you two, special occasions when the mood was just right.

You were having a quiet night in with Dwayne, since the boys decided to give you some privacy. You may or may not have threatened them to make themselves scarce for a few hours. You spent it in an armchair in the cave, one the two of you specifically got for yourselves, because it was wide and comfortable, allowing both of you to snuggle in against each other.

You’ve been sitting in Dwayne’s lap for most of the night, napping against his chest, playing with his hair or reading the book he had in his hands alongside him.

He was also in an affectionate mood, one of his hands always wrapped around your waist, his fingers soothing over your skin or rubbing it absentmindedly. He even occasionally paused his reading to press kisses on your face and your lips.

Feeling a craving for some snacks, you moved to get off his lap for the first time in hours. His hand was quick to get a hold of yours, pulling you right back onto him. Marking his progress in the book he put it aside, focusing his full attention on you now.

He took in the sight of you, illuminated by the fires burning around the cave. His dark eyes shone with adoration, the corners of them creasing as a smile stretched across his handsome face. His fingers cupped your chin, bringing your face closer as his lips found yours, moving slowly, savoring each moment, his teeth nipping your lower lip playfully.

“I love you,” he sighed as you broke away from him with flushed cheeks.

You send him a warm smile, before once again moving to get up. With your back already turned, you didn’t see the frown that came over his face. You hand was still firmly in his grip, and he used that leverage to pull you back in once again, this time with a bit more persistence.

“Did you not hear what I said, sweetheart? Or do you need a reminder?” he muttered into your ear, his words a deep rumble in his chest. You felt his breath fan out on your neck just before his lips attached themselves onto your sensitive skin.

Now you were even more grateful that the boys wouldn’t be around for what was in store for you.

Paul

Paul is definitely the type of lover who shows his affection, both physically and verbally, any chance he gets. It’s well understood that he’s incredibly handsy, always touching you in some kind of way. What you didn’t count on however was how often he said ‘I love you’.

Did you just wake up? I love you. Did you just get off his bike? Love you, dollface. Did you just kill someone to feats on their blood? You’re so hot, babe, I love you!

It was a constant thing in your relationship. He didn’t necessarily expect you to say it back every single time, but he absolutely started pouting if you missed it a few times in a row. Yes, he was needy, and yes, he was keeping score.

You didn’t feel like going out tonight, so the two of you stayed in, cuddling on your bed. Paul was lying on top of you, his arms circled around your torso, his head resting on your chest. You were leaned back against the myriad pillows you accumulated over the years, your fingers running through his hair, playing with the blond strands absentmindedly.

“You would make a nice pillow, know that, babe?” he mumbled.

“Yeah? How’s that?” you asked while trying to work out a particularly stubborn knot in his hair.

“You’re soft and you smell nice,” he emphasized his words by pressing a small kiss near you collarbone, before snuggling back in, nuzzling into you, squishing his cheek against your chest and inhaling deeply.

You chuckled, gently massaging his scalp, and you could swear you heard him purring. He mumbled affectionate “I love you’s” into your skin, his arms squeezing you just a little bit tighter. When you didn’t say anything, a frown appeared on his face, and he turned to look up at you.

“Babe?” he started.

“Hm?” you met his eyes and discovered that he was pouting.

“You didn’t say it back.”

You gave him a noncommittal hum, and his eyes narrowed. You barely had time to catch on before he started attacking you with a flurry of kisses all over your face, making you burst out in giggles.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry,” you squealed between bouts of laughter. “I’m sorry, I love you too.”

He leaned back with a satisfied little smirk on his face.

“You better,” he replied cheekily, and the next thing you know is he moved further down, his breath tickling your neck before his lips found a particularly sensitive spot, pressing hot kisses on your skin. A moan threatened to escape your mouth when you felt the graze of his fangs.

You had no problem teasing him a bit if this is how he retaliates every time.

Marko

Just like Paul, he wasn’t shy to show his affection for you. He had a loud personality, so why not make his declarations of love just as loud?

The two of you separated from the boys as soon as you got to the Boardwalk that night, opting to spend some time together before joining them again for feasting. You were strolling between vendors’ stalls, looking at all the knick-knacks they sold, cracking jokes and just having a good time.

Your ears perked up when you walked past a shop that was blaring some cheesy popular love song, and just one glance at Marko told you he noticed it too. The corner of his mouth perked up and a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes as he looked back at you.

The next moment he was wrapping you up in his arms, and started swaying with you right then and there, not a care in the world. Thankfully, there were not many people around you, so you didn’t have to worry about bumping into anyone, not like Marko would care.

Before you could even take in what was happening, he started singing too. You had no idea how he knew the lyrics, it wasn’t quite his genre of music, but he always managed to surprise you. He was off-key, his dance moves not very smooth, but his hold on you was tight, his eyes full of warmth with a wide grin on his face. It was silly and loud and obnoxious, but you couldn’t help the giggles escaping your mouth at the ridiculousness of it all.

Looking back into his eyes you smiled warmly at him, and he leaned in to nuzzle your cheek, his hands squeezing you just a tad tighter.

“Love you, sugar,” he mumbled against your skin as he pressed a kiss to the corner of your mouth. You let out a happy sigh.

He drew back for a second, eyes searching your face. You didn’t say it back. The smirk that stretched across his lips then promised nothing but trouble.

Then he started singing again, this time very loudly, drawing the attention of everyone passing by. Your boyfriend serenading you a love song would have been sweet any other time, now you just felt heat rising to your cheeks at all the attention.

He ignored your little protests, bellowing out even louder. So you did the only thing that came to your mind. You kissed him square on the mouth. That shut him up quickly, his hands sneaking dangerously low on your hips, squeezing you against him. His mouth was hungry, his kiss searing and possessive, teeth nipping at your bottom lip, his tongue caressing yours. You couldn’t help the little whimpers and sighs escaping you at his heated affection.

When he finally drew back, his eyes were hooded, and you almost melted into a puddle at the intensity of his gaze.

“Next time you better say it back, sugar.” The smirk on his face grew wider. “Unless you want me to demonstrate before all these people.”

You couldn’t deny the thrill that run through your body at the thought.

Tags: @stinkydove @pandemoniavenus @000-colby @lunarwhitewolf7 @notalwaysa @binightowl @darlingnikkisixxxx @skrimblo-blumpkgo @wpdarlingpan

Let me know if you want to be added to my taglist!

[bibuwaspancaked]

some of y'all act like kaiser didn't literally study psychology to manipulate other people/his teammates to his own benefits.

in the egoist bible, it is said that his hobbies are reading psychology and philosophy and he says that his own strenght is looking down on all other "humans".

his past is meaningful to him and only him and is not an excuse to be manipulative towards others, specially ness. And I mean ness by their first time meeting, where kaiser saw ness as an opportunity to use what he learned against him to start scoring at the BM pro exam, since he wasn't getting any passes from ther other players. I am not talking about what their relationship has grown into after that.

most important, y'all are acting like isagi has any knowledge of kaiser's past like the reader does. as long as we, readers, know, there's no characters that know any of kaiser's past besides kaiser himself and ray dark. isagi manipulated kaiser's game, not his feelings (if anything, he predicted those).

also, even kaiser admits he enjoys seeing other people lose, hurt them and has a thing for faces of despair (info taken by the egoist bible), it would be no different if he was the one winning the bet between him and isagi during the BM vs PXG match, if not worse than isagi was with him.

he even compares himself to his own father, whom has physically abused and beat him countless times; how he "understands" why he used to do all of that to kaiser because, now, he is the one doing it, but in soccer.

kaiser bet everything he had with isagi, and isagi did the same. it would be the end of the other regardlessly of who would win. both of them knew it. it's not isagi's fault kaiser had unadressed feelings towards his past and isagi's soccer made him come to terms with it.

isagi only played the game kaiser accepted to play. isagi only said what kaiser told him once. if anything, kaiser was the one who taught isagi this type of ego, he tasted his own malice.

besides, kaiser was the one who told ness not to follow him anymore. to find a new player to play as a vassel to. exactly because he wanted the restrictiveness and uncertainty of other players. it wasn't on isagi's plans and much less any of his fault. it was a decision made purely from kaiser's egoist feelings. he did it out of his own will.

ness playstyle and passes weren't fit for kaiser's purpose during mid-to-end game. ness gave kaiser freedom to do whatever he wanted, but he knew he would only evolve in a different and uncomfortable environment. that's the future he wanted to his game, and ness obviously wasn't on it, in his point of view. kaiser willingly chose to, as the owner of the post said, "trust" isagi more than "the person who cared about him the most".

and even after that, in the end, ness stil believed in the new kaiser to get his pass. that pass was for the new kaiser, it just happened that kaiser didn't get any better nor new butisagi did it. and did it fast.

so there is no "isagi put kaiser against ness".

kaiser chose to push his past as a reason to keep playng with isagi while isagi only aimed for his own goal. that's what he was taught to do during the 1st and 2nd selection of blue lock, specially during the blue lock vs japan's u-20. that is what blue lock is all about, even.

on chapter 291, not only kaiser, but hiori and yukimiya, too, talk about how isagi brought their egos to it's maximum. that's relevant to bring up because it shows that kaiser is not the only one who isagi "manipulated" into accepting their past. isagi doesn't manipulate people to trust him, he makes them trust themselves to use their full potential to his own game. after all, his main goal still is to be the best striker worldwide.

and even besides all of that, I could just say kaiser was the one who started this beef against isagi and, in the end, lost it due to his own mistakes.

do not play kaiser as a victim when he could easily be the one on the throne.

michael kaiser's downfall is, certainly, the definition of how karma can be a bitch.

I mean no hate to the owner of the post;

I am not aware if the post is meant to be rage bait;

I am no psychologist, I just hope I brought up the obvious;

There is actually a lot I didn't write about, I recognize that. I am not going to since it would take me longer and would get too much for a light discussion (if it's not already);

I am open to discuss and receive any criticism, as long as it is constructive to the discussion;

This post was meant to discuss about how Isagi Yoichi is not the villain some of you want him to be just because he outsmarted your fave.

But seriously, Isagi really said "Thanks for your hard work, greatest clown" to Kaiser??? BROOOOO you literally manipulated him into trusting you and threw him against the one person that cares about him the most this isn’t being a brat or cocky, this is straight-up being an insensitive, psychopathic son of a bitch

(Kaiser just came to terms with his past, faced his deepest emotions, and for the first time in his life actually enjoyed playing football… AND THAT IDIOT RAGE BAIT HIM??? Pls kill isagi in his sleep)

[cosmic-evening]

ᯓ★ enigma

college au!dabi x gn!reader

a/n: reader is roommates with toga! also dabi & reader both study literature bc i said so

mha m.list | gen m.list

DABI was known as the 'enigma' around the college.

he was in your year, and you'd heard all the stories about him in high school. everyone either had a crush on him or was intimidated by him—or both. he was the enigma—no one knew what course he did or how he even got into this college. you almost never saw him around campus, except when you finish you lecture, when you could see him sitting on the bench outside your classroom.

you never talked to him. you never needed to.

until he finally showed up to your literature lecture.

it's monday morning, and you're still rubbing the sleep from your eyes, when he steps into the classroom. you're shocked when you see him walk in, and you can't help but stare. it had been two months since you'd started this course; how had you never noticed him in your lecture?

he glances at you as he walks in, but takes a seat at the very back of the classroom.

there's a twinge of something in your gut that feels a little bit like disappointment. don't be silly, you think. why would he even think about sitting next to you?

throughout the lecture, you feel someone's eyes on you the entire time.

you don't think too much about the encounter until a week later.

your roommate, toga, had some friends who were throwing a flat party, and she desperately wanted you to come.

"please, y/n? it'll be fun, i promise. it's the weekend, we don't have anything better to do anyway."

and really, you think, how bad can it be?

so you show up, in a semi-fancy outfit, hair deemed 'perfect' by toga, not knowing quite what to expect.

as soon as you enter the flat, your eyes immediately latch onto one person.

dabi.

he was looking at you already, and made no effort to hide it. unsure of what to do, you smile at him.

he smirks back, and lifts a hand in greeting.

but the interaction is short-lived; before you can fully process what's happened, toga's already dragging you away to meet her friends.

so much for that, then.

whoever planned a literature lecture at 8am on monday morning must be a sadist.

you're still in a state of half-delusion, still waking up, before you realise that someone's decided to sit next to you.

from the corner of your eye, you see dyed black hair and a leather jacket.

you stiffen slightly.

there's no way. you knew you should have gotten more sleep last night.

"everything alright, doll?"

his voice is scratchy, like he's just woken up too.

you panic.

"i— uh, yeah, i'm alright, i just didn't know you took this class—"

shut up, you think. you decide right then and there that you should never speak again.

dabi laughs.

you'd never seen dabi laugh before. not without mockery.

but this?

he sounded full of mirth.

and you decide right then and there that you would cherish the sound forever.

dabi opens his mouth to speak, but the teacher had already walked in.

then you feel that twinge of disappointment again.

for some inexplicable reason, you start to notice dabi everywhere. suddenly, he's not just sitting outside the classroom after your lecture, but in the class too. he's showing up at parties, studying in the library, hanging out on campus more and more. suddenly, dabi has a social life.

you start seeing him at every party toga drags you to. every time, it's the same: he smirks at you, raises a hand in greeting, and then disappears for the rest of the night.

it confused you.

why was it that he'd hidden from everyone for so long? why now is he making his presence known?

he really was an enigma.

no, you think. he's a different type of enigma now.

before, he was an unknown. back then, you were questioning who he was. but now, after he's started hanging out with the other students, you're starting to question his intentions.

every literature lecture, dabi would slide into the seat next to you. you'd exchange some words before class. it ranged from the books you were studying to your plans for the day. and on monday mornings, right before the worst lecture time on earth, dabi would hand you a steaming cup of your order from the café across the campus.

and little by little, you start to learn little things about dabi.

like that one time he told you his favourite food was soba. or the other time he told you his birthday was in january. or the time he showed up to class, a little too quiet for your liking, and told you about his dad.

and slowly, but surely, dabi becomes less and less of an enigma to you.

the final step of the puzzle—your puzzle, the one you've been mystified by since the start—is given to you one monday morning.

dabi's not there, but you're not surprised; he tends to get to class later than you do. what did surprise you, though, was the rose and note that sat on your desk.

dearest y/n, i know that we haven't known each other for that long, and i know that sometimes, you're still confused by me. i see it in your eyes when i sit next to you in class, or when i catch your eye at a party—your gaze is calculating. i feel like every time you look at me, you've figured out a secret of mine. like you know something about me that even i don't. you feel like you've only known me for a short time; i feel like i've known you much longer. i feel like i've known you since the day of the first literature lecture; when i saw you from the window into the classroom and couldn't find the courage to go in. because you're so insanely beautiful, y/n. i felt intimidated by you—the only thought in my head at the time was 'what if you hated me?' and i was too much of a coward to find out the answer. in fact, i was so much of a coward that i couldn't find the bravery to step into that classroom until two months later. and then i got to know you. you're so incredibly smart and eloquent and so interesting to talk to. you made me want to be just as intelligent or expressive or as delightful as you, and when i thought i could never be, your words gave me motivation. so i guess what i've beeing trying to say is—i really like you, y/n. you're the first person who's ever made me feel like this, and i'd really like to take you out to the café across from campus tonight, if you'd let me. or any time you'd like. yours, dabi

when you look up, dabi's standing by the door. he's nervous, you can tell—his hands are fidgeting with his backpack strap, and his smile is a little wobbly.

when you nod, his beam is blinding.

you've solved your enigma.

[inawickedlittletown]

Decided to rewatch S8 and I made it to 8x06.

Ugh. This episode.

This is the first time I'm rewatching it since it aired and I couldn't make myself rewatch it before, but I'm watching it now and gah the writing.

Under a cut because this got long...

I'm not even too bothered by the anniversary dinner. The woman approaching them is whatever in the long run...Buck is awkward but it's very Buck to be like that so that doesn't bother me. Tommy's reaction to it also not a problem. Buck acting like he doesn't know his boyfriend is gay? Writers WTF. This is the type of conversation that would be normal a few dates in not 6 months in. It's actually very reminiscent of stuff from their first date.

It's the way they didn't know how to bring up Abby and so gave us this convoluted way to bring it about and it's very clear to me on a rewatch that they're trying to make sure the casual heterosexual audience understands things. Like they want to reestablish that we know for sure that Tommy is gay and Buck is still attracted to women but also lets not use the word bisexual. And oh the shock value of it because take out the Abby of it all and the break up still works the same way...they did the Abby thing just for the hell of it.

It's bad writing.

The next thing that makes me cringe is Buck's scene with Maddie and Josh. In the past we've seen Maddie listen to Buck and maybe poke fun at him a little but always in a kind way and then she gives him advice.

Maddie in this scene is acting so strange (actually Maddie this whole episode is not acting quite herself). I know some people have an issue with Josh's speech about Glee but tbh I don't think it's that bad and I didn't the first time I watched it. I think he has good motives in saying it. My issue is with Maddie.

Her joke about Abby turning men gay, the way she explains to Josh that Buck slept with Tommy's fiance changing the facts entirely just to mess with Buck, the way that she just very clearly thinks Buck is being dramatic and ridiculous. She just doesn't take Buck seriously at all and when Buck calls her out on it she turns it around on him because as she says she doesn't think there's a problem. But it's not about if there is a problem with them having both dated Abby, it's how Buck feels about it that he needs advice on.

Josh for all that I do think he is helpful, he also does not know Tommy and shouldn't speak to what Tommy experienced. Buck voices his concerns that he thought he knew who Tommy was but now he's finding out that Tommy lied and hurt Abby and it's thrown him because he's having to meld those two versions of Tommy.

Buck doesn't think that Tommy will do the same to him and Tommy doesn't. He doesn't lie to Buck or string him along. He's actually very honest with him and that honesty contributes to the break up. Yet another way in which we see that Tommy has changed from who he used to be.

The thing is that Josh doesn't know Tommy and admits as much but he gives Buck some broad thing about glee and what the world was like before it and after but he's basing it on his own experiences and the queer experience is not a shared trauma...and he puts in Buck's mind that he can't judge Tommy and also that he should thank him. Buck clearly internalizes this. He also I think it suddenly forced to think about what he wants from a future with Tommy and he jumps at wanting to live with him.

Now onto the actual break up.

The whole scene is actually good. They're cute together and silly and flirty and even after the Abby thing is revealed to Tommy nothing has fallen apart. It's all kinda good and their conversation is actually great. When Buck says he admires him, Tommy seems to like that...or at least he takes it how Buck intends it.

This is where it falls apart. And considering I refused to watch this again until now I didn't really think about it like this until now.

Yes I think Tommy had his eyes opened a little bit with everything Buck said...but Tommy also could have ended the conversation at the point where Buck tells him he admires him and they could have gone to the movies and just continued their date night. Why? Because Tommy already sorta knows this and it's what's he's expected from it...he already knows this is Buck's first relationship with a man and that as such Buck must feel some gratitude for what Tommy has given him and he's clearly in his mind already decided that it will end eventually because as he tells Buck first is not last (Tommy, who hurt you?).

But then Buck asks Tommy to move in. And Tommy can't.

It's one thing for him to date the baby bi guy...for him to get feelings for him that maybe go deep but that are manageable. He can handle that...but moving in together? For Buck to dangle that to him and offer him a future when Tommy doesn't expect that Buck will be able to deliver it? That's where Tommy just can't because he knows it will hurt when they break up...but if they live together and form deeper attachments and routines and they become intrinsically a part of each other's lives in a home they share then that's not heartbreak he's prepared to face. It's heartbreak he knows he won't survive.

I actually don't see the break up as bad writing. Everything else surrounding it absolutely is, but that scene is heartbreaking because they both want the same exact thing but Buck couldn't reassure Tommy that he really did want for them to be together...he didn't even tell him he loved him...and Tommy needs more from Buck to be secure in thinking that in this instance first could also be the last.

I think we learn so much about Tommy in this episode and I wish we had been able to dive in deeper.

This episode still hurts. Tommy's face when he says "Buck" hurts. The way Buck is left behind hurts.

The writing is a mixed bag of bad with some alright moments. It also leaves so much open. I remember that night being optimistic because it is so clearly a storyline left open to be continued. Some interviews turned that optimism right around but without that there is no real reason for any of us to think that this is finished.

Do I think it was a bad idea to break them up? Absolutely. Do I think there are other forms of tension for them to explore? Yes. Do I think they will manage to give this story and Buck and Tommy a happier ending? I have no idea, but I hope so.

Buck himself calls his relationship with Tommy the most transformative since Abby. He misses Tommy so much he spends the next couple of episodes baking and wanting to reach out. We also know that Tommy wants to reach back out too. These are indications that it isn't over and I just hope that they stick to being a little cliche and following the romcom trope right through to the end where they get back together.

I guess that's where I am going into 8b. Hopeful, but not holding my breath and well aware that fanfic exists and so much of the scenarios we want for our blorbos will only ever be possible there. Oh, and I'll be shipping Buck with Tommy because that is definitely not changing no matter what the show does.

[aquanutart]

I was talking and I mentioned that I have my old Game Boy and original Pokemon cartridge. I said, "I think they still work."

I was told, "The internal batteries on the Game Boy cartridges have run out. They're all dead."

"Oh," I said, trying not to show how crestfallen I was. I felt like I was losing nerd cred for not knowing that, although I never kept up with that type of info anyway. I'm here for the fantasy and imaginative aspects of games, and tend not to follow the competitive or technical details.

I tried not to feel anything as I went home. If they were real animals, I reminded myself, I would have had to say goodbye long ago.

But like so many other people, Pokemon was my childhood. It was all I thought about and dreamed about, and the closest thing I could imagine to heartbreak was the knowledge that they weren't real. I spent nearly all my time writing longhand self-insert Pokemon fanfiction--far more than I spent actually playing the game. My Pokemon were with me in my imagination wherever I went. I started playing Pokemon Blue when I was 5, and the last time I had played it was probably when I was 9 or 10. I remembered I had turned it on again one more time after that, not to play it, but to look at my childhood Pokemon.

It was during high school, after a move overseas that completely upended my life, and I was struggling with the crushing blow of being taken away from everything I knew and trying to make sense of anything (least of all adolescence) in another language. All I wanted was to go back to childhood and have everything go back to how it was before.

Seeing my Pokemon, just as I'd left them, had comforted me. I had looked at their stats pages, taken photos of them with my digital camera (that I don't even know if I still have), and then turned it off without doing anything.

That was probably 9 or 10 years after the games came out. It had been a long time since then. I had long since taken the AA batteries out of my Game Boy Color and left it untouched. I didn't even have AA batteries anymore.

It had worked then. But now it had been 27 years... I thought about not trying to turn my cartridge back on. As long as I didn't turn it on, I could believe my Pokemon were still there, the way I remembered them.

On my day off, which happened to be Pokemon Day, I googled and read that some people on forums and Reddit were still able to play their original Pokemon games.

Then... it was possible. I went out to buy toothpaste. At the store, I asked where I could find AA batteries.

It was a big thing for me to be able to go to the store and buy things myself. When I moved at age 13, I felt like something went wrong with growing up. It was difficult to follow what people were saying, and people didn't always understand what I said either. I had been introverted even in English, but now I had enough negative experiences that I became afraid and stopped trying to talk to people altogether.

I threw myself into video games and reliving childhood memories. The internet was where I could communicate in my first language and understand. I lived online and didn't interact with the real world. On the internet I felt like I was understood and could find people who shared my interests the way I did, but in the real world it always felt like I could get hurt if anyone knew me.

I realize now that I could have had a better experience overseas if I'd known how to adapt and socialize, but this was not something I knew even in English, and trying to learn in another language made it ten times harder. I'm sorry now for missing out on interactions that I know I could have had, but I just didn't know how. I wouldn't know how until I learned, and it took me a long time to learn.

I grew up online, in the company of others who had trouble fitting in with the real world, even in their own language. Those experiences shaped me, and the friendships I've made and support I've received online are invaluable to me. The internet gave me a way to live, and through it I learned how to interact with others. But in many ways, for many years, it felt like my life was put on hold and I stopped growing up.

Several years ago I moved back, to not far from where I was born, and I was able to work for the first time. I began to interact with people and feel like I had a place in the real world.

After shutting myself away for so many years, every little step I made out in the world felt terrifying. But every little thing I did on my own made me feel like I was living for the first time.

Even something as little as going to the store and buying a pack of batteries.

I was directed to a shelf at the end of an aisle, and found myself looking at a rack of lithium AA batteries. Did they not sell the old kind anymore?

I walked around to the other side and was relieved to find the familiar black and brown Duracell batteries I'd known from my childhood. I felt more confident about putting in a battery that looked the same as I remembered. The smallest pack they sold was an 8-pack for $12.99. I really didn't need 8 batteries. I didn't have any other devices that used them.

I thought, what if I turn it on and it doesn't work and I'll have wasted $12.99?

I also thought we might already have batteries. I might be able to say, "Mom, do we have any batteries?" and she'd pull out two AAs from a drawer somewhere and I'd save my money.

But somehow I felt like part of what was important about this was being an adult and being able to buy my own batteries.

Yet... what if it just ended up making me sad? Was it better not to know?

I went to the checkout with just the toothpaste and stood hesitating at the edge of the checkout line.

If I didn't get the batteries now, and it turned out we didn't have any batteries, I wouldn't try it. I knew I would just put it off until even more time passed, and then... "Are you in line?" someone asked me.

"No," I said, and I turned around and went back to the shelf.

I bought the batteries.

At home, I took out my original Game Boy Color from the drawer where I left it, the one my dad had surprised me with when I was 5 years old and that I had brought overseas and back.

I put the batteries in and turned it on without a cartridge first to make sure the batteries were inserted correctly. The Game Boy logo scrolled across the screen and it made the familiar blinging Game Boy startup noise. I turned it off again, satisfied.

I took out my original Pokemon Blue cartridge, momentarily having to remember which way it went in, and slotted it in.

I turned it on, watched the whole Pokemon Blue intro out of nostalgia, and then pressed START.

My heart leaped for joy.

MY POKEMON!!!! MY POKEMON ARE ALIVE!!! 🥺🥺🥺

My original Pokemon, that were with me in 1998 when I was 5-6 years old, are still with me 27 years later. I want to cry!!! I love the old sprites, I'm SO happy to see them again 😭😭😭 the Pokemon look so little and cheerful at the same time, which I love 🥺🥺🥺 I know there are people with many more hours on their games, who have leveled all their Pokemon to 100. But these are my Pokemon who were with me through my childhood, and I spent many more hours making up stories about them than actually playing the game. I'm so happy to see them again 😭😭😭

All I want is to see my Pokemon. My other Pokemon are in boxes. Now, how do I get to the nearest PC? Where am I?

Oh... Oh. I have to confess something. When I was a kid, I was scared of the dark cave areas, and whenever I got to them, I stopped playing for a while. (I was stuck at Mt. Moon until I was like, 7.) So I never actually beat the game.

And here I am on Victory Road, with the team of Pokemon I was taking to the Elite Four, without an Escape Rope.

The only way for me to see my other Pokemon is... to finally make it through Victory Road, after 27 years?!

[sunrisecaminus]

Hi hi! I read a few of your posts and love the way you write. I was wondering if I could request a fav duo of mine Knockout and Breakdown x nonbinary reader. SFW or NSFW, wherever your creativity takes you!

I had a blip of a dream where KO and Breaks were analyzing the aftermath of an emergon mine and come across the reader half buried in the rubble outside. Half dazed and panicked, begging, asking the two if they see anyone else in the rubble and if they can get them out (they are a ranger who was helping a search and rescue, and have no idea if anyone else made it out after them). I can't recall what happened next, but the reader lost half of their left leg and was recovering, going to physical therapy when the duo wanted to stay and check up on them. Feeling guilty that they passively caused the accident and help the reader recover.

But the thing is... what would happen during their time together? Love? Friendship? A new understanding of earth?

The reader, best to my meory, was very loyal, honest, selfless, and kind. Though they had the vibes of a punk, think tattoos and piercings along with the spiky jacket - the hard shell to keep their very sweet and soft side safe.

Thank you! 💗

Message - Not me listening to sad music while writing this. I got a bit too deep in the story. Sorry if it gets a bit sad ;-; (ALSO LOOK AT THE SCREENSHOT!!! IS KNOCKOUT DOING A uwu?!)

Breakdown x Injured Reader x Knockout SFW

Summary - Knockout and Breakdown take care of a Cybertronian search and rescue soldier. All three get together after a rough night.

Warnings - Hints of Depression

Fanfic Type - Hurt/Comfort

You have been stuck in the Medbay for far too long. Your leg was shredded, your chassis ached, and one of your servos needed surgery. Laying here in bed and doing nothing was one of the worse things that could happen! Well…except you being blasted by an energon mine that got you in this mess in the first place. It doesn't matter! You need Knockout to hurry up with the fixing so you can go back out there to help others. Your duty was to rescue and protect, the job meant everything to you, as the war has made you lose so many comrades. Cybertronians everywhere were dying by Autobot hands and needed someone to hold them when they travel to the Allspark. Everyone needed someone to care for them, and that was what you were going to do once you GET OUT THIS BED!

Knockout has a chart on how many times you have tried to desperately break out the Medbay. Breakdown is basically a bouncer now, making sure you stay in bed and force you into it when you try to leave. It was annoying for them both, but now it has become a regular task for them, so they have now known you personally for a few months. A Decepticon who wants nothing more than the comfort people around them. It was spark breaking to tell you there was no survivors at the mine. Nothing could make you guiltier, knowing you couldn't be by those soldiers to help them rest or even maybe save them. After the news the first week you were hospitalized, you didn't say a word to anybody. You had to load in everything in your processor and tried not to be disturbed to help yourself heal mentally. Breakdown was a soldier you knew more than Knockout, so Breakdown had to tell Knockout himself who you were and your function was. Knockout saw you as a naive child, nothing more. He couldn't care anymore about the people he lose everyday, so many lives lost because he couldn't do his job right. You only got one chance to save someone's life on the operating table, and in war, most of the time it is a failure. He could understand your pain, but honestly he wants you to be like him and shut the guilt out before it hurts more people. Being a Doctor, Search and Rescue, or anybody that has the job of saving another life…is hard.

Megatron has more than once told Knockout that you were a lost cause, telling him to shut you down and throw you out the airlock when he had the chance. He was going to do it the first month…but hesitated. Knockout hates himself for not ending your life sooner, as you have been diagnosed with PTSD and depression from the incident. Unfortunately, you have been so nice to Breakdown whenever you weren't trying to break out of the medical bay. Breakdown told you many stories of fun times to help you forget what happened, and it helps a lot. You tell him stories about your days in training, and how people usually were goofing around. Knockout couldn't take Breakdown's friend away, so he sucked it up and hid you. After the second month passed, you were in a private medical lab to hide you from Megatron. Knockout lied to him about getting rid of you and slowly give you successful surgeries to repair you. Nothing can give them more pleasure than to see you smile, knowing you are one step ahead to get out and do your job again. Having a free hand to do stuff with, you help Knockout with folding stuff and reading new edition medical books when he is busy. He doesn't have enough time to learn more about being a medical doctor when Megatron is keeping him at work 24/7. Knockout may be a sassy know it all, but he actually goes in stasis only 4 to 5 hours daily. Knockout rarely has time to sleep, and needs to keep going on missions or testing some chemicals that Megatron wants him to have.

It has now been five months, the leg surgery is tomorrow and you see Breakdown coming in after a scouting mission. He gives you the news that Knockout is going to be late for dinner today (you all have been eating together everyday now to catch up on things). You understand Knockout's busy schedule, but it was still sad to see him not be able to do things he likes now a days. "I have had it with Lord Megatron and keeping him away from his birth! Let me speak to hi-" You were going to sit up when Breakdown puts a hand on your shoulder and leans you back on the pillow. "Nope, he would kill all three of us if he figured out you were alive y/n. Keep yourself at bay." He hears you give him a joking huff and grabs his servo with yours. You look up at him and give him a supportive pat on the servo. "Once I heal, I will dump a whole bucket of scraplets on that man." Both of you get a little chuckle, knowing damn well you would never do such a thing.

Breakdown gave you food and both of you started to drink what you had when the topic got serious. Breakdown asks you if you really would want to go back to being a search and rescue. You put the cube down on your lap, looking at him like he just asked you a simple math question. "Of course! It was one of the many things in my life that I pride myself in doing." Breakdown looks down at his energon he didn't drink. "No I mean, what if you get into another accident? You won't be able to live next time it happens." You stop to think about what he said. Well yeah, it was a surprise that anyone could find you the first time. Knowing you could even live with your injuries was lucky. Some would even say you were given a chance by Primus. "I can be more careful next time." Trying to comfort Breakdown was the best you can do. The war is nothing, but death. There is always a way for you to be injured again even if you don't go back to your job.

"No you won't." Breakdown and you both hear a stern tone and look to see Knockout, who had just come back from Megatron's talk. He gives you a glare. "Don't lie, when all you have been doing was injure yourself every time you try to leave this place." You didn't know where this was coming from. Knockout usually wouldn't say anything or make a snarky comment to you whenever you say you were ok. He doesn't seem to be in the mood for light hearted responses from you. Breakdown gets up and sets his drink down. "Knockout what happened?" You see Knockout's expression changed from serious, to grumpy real quick. "Nothing, but I don't want to hear anything about you, y/n, wanting to go back to your old position again." You put your free healed hand up in surrender. "Look I was just saying I can do lighter jobs! I can stay clear of mines for now and just go back to the basics. I use to just come into battle fields after they ended to find people. I can start doing that again." You tried your best not to get on Knockout's bad side. You have no idea this would trigger him. You never saw him angry before. He walks over to his desk and tosses a few files next to the computer. He does not sound anymore calm than he was a few minutes ago. "That will just turn into you doing dangerous stunts again. I am not stupid." Breakdown walks to him from behind and sets a servo on him, about to say something, but got interrupted by Knockout turning to face you. "Y'know I have the authority to take you out of the position? I can right now sign your time of death and send you out of the solar system to keep you from trying to destroy yourself again?" Your optics turn narrow, giving him a serious look. "You better not! I can't leave when I can do something for our peopl-" Knockout interrupts you again. "Stop caring about lives that don't matter anymore!"

…

It has been a few days after the argument. Your surgery was delayed and the only person who has been visiting you was Breakdown. You still have no idea where Knockouts anger came from. Breakdown tries to tell you he didn't mean it, but you told him you didn't want to hear it from someone else. You wanted to talk to Knockout about it, but he has been avoiding your room ever since. Your leg has been needing another dose of medication to stop it from hurting. The pills were next to the Medbay birth, in reach for you to grab. You sleepily try to grab it with your free servo, hissing when you feel your leg stinging from rubbing against the blanket. Your digits nudge the medicine bottle, when it drops to its side and rolls off the table. "Frag". You look back up at the ceiling, now having to wait for a few hours before Breakdown can come back in. You wish you could get Knockout's attention, but him not being in the room is going to be hard to get him here. You already tried to com him, but he won't answer. You thought first that it was because he is still in a sour mood, but honestly the Star that human's call a sun just came out of the clouds, he probably just got back to sleep after a full night of missions.

Closing your optics, you try to get yourself some rest as well, but you hear footsteps walk in the room. It was odd because Breakdown shouldn't be here this early in the morning. Thank primus they were light footsteps, because you would assume Megatron found you if they sounded heavy. You feel your servo being gently grabbed by another. You open your optics to see Knockout next to your side, having the medicine that was on the floor in his other servo. You don't know if you should speak, his face shows he hasn't really slept good (worse than usual). He looks at you with his red pupils and his expression goes soft. "Hey…" You gave him a supportive rub on his servo with your digits, motioning to him to continue. "Y/n…how do you do it?" You gave him a look of confusion, lifting your head just a bit to show him that he has your attention. He stops looking at you and looks down at your leg, grabbing a cup and opening the medicine bottle. "How do you not feel…empty after so many lives taken from you." The feeling of sorrow and love washes over you. Was this why he was mad? Was he jealous of your hope? You let go of his servo and press your hand against his cheek. "Oh Knockout, you think I haven't lost my will yet?" He looks up at you, his ears twitching a bit of hearing your words. You give him a soft smile. "When I find people who haven't perished yet, I don't try to prolong their pain anymore. I use to…but now, I try to hold them and say whatever they want to hear before they pass. Some mechs just need to hear how proud their mentors are, how they will meet their friends again in the Allspark, others just wanting to be promised to have a respectful burial." You rub your digits on Knockout's upper cheek. "My job is to give them closure…nothing more."

He gives you a look of understanding. Breakdown walked in as you were talking and now has his servos on Knockout's shoulders for support. Knockout lets a sigh out. "I just wish you could give the same care to yourself." You nod. Honestly you needed to hear that. There has been no self care for you in years. It was just other people that was your priority, but having a break to yourself was always seemed useless to the cause. Breakdown, Knockout, and you eat together, finally back together after a bit of a bump in your relationship. You think for a moment and look to Knockout. "Were you angry from what I said or was it something else?" Knockout smiles to himself, knowing his anger was from something dumb. "No, Starscream told Megatron I do nothing and is just lazy. Megatron talked to me about demotion, but I saved it by showing him my paperwork." You look back at your energon cube and think for a second before looking at Breakdown. "Hey that bucket of scraplets wasn't too bad of an idea after all."

[zeel-zzz]

Red Rose Surprise

[a rosekiller kid fic]

BARISTA BARTY | ROSEKILLER | WC: 2.7k

i'm not sure why no one's written a rosekiller kid fic, but i give you this. i will definitely expand on this because i just love this idea so fucking much.

"Stupid strawberry milk."

If Barty was allowed to say one thing publicly without the risk of being fired from his place of employment, he'd probably say fuck big companies who ruined coffee shops for regular ass people. 

Sure, the big coffee chains have been around for years and it’s not like he knew what ordering coffee was like before them, but it didn’t mean he couldn’t despise them.

At least they were taking away the really insufferable customers, or that's what his boss liked to say. The only reason she can say that is because she doesn’t have to deal with them. 

Barty’s known to have a shit attitude. This is especially known in the coffee shops that employed him so many years ago. He doesn't take shit from anyone, and who have been going long enough know that Barty doesn't fuck aroud. 

He’s pretty sure Rosmerta is using his bad attitude in some marketing scheme.

“Stop by The Three Brews and get uniquely insulted by our prickly barista as he makes you latte art.”

He has to give it to her if that is actually what she’s doing, it’s one hell of a marketing tactic.

Still, it doesn’t mean he enjoys dealing with the annoying customers, and sure, he does know how to make the complex orders, and yeah he technically can make them, but it's not like he wants to. There’s a menu for a reason. Barty was not going to make a triple shot latte with a fraction of every type of milk substitute they had in stock. 

I mean, he could use the syrup pumps when people wanted hyper specific orders, but there’s a reason why they were placed so far back. Barty wasn’t going to walk all the way back there when the next customer just wanted an espresso. Getting orders out quickly got him tips and tips were what paid for his lunch.

What really worsened them was Rosmerta's seasonal menu, because now if Barty said they ran out of something they could just point to the menu’s seasonal options. 

“If you’re out, why are you still offering it? The least you could do is take it off the menu."

Apologies Susan, he wasn't aware someone could simply wipe off the words from their laminated menu that was placed in front of the cash register.  

He also hated the menu because it meant he had to put even more effort when serving. It’s not like you could serve a ‘Heart Flutter’ with a frown. It ruins the atmosphere or whatever.

Sometimes he wishes he would’ve just taken Regulus’ money, at least then he wouldn’t be forced to work the morning before Valentine's Day listening to the same romantic pop songs as he wiped down the coffee machine for the umpteenth time. 

One more hour, he just had to hold off for one more hour.

The door chimed and Barty only rolled his eyes when he heard the soft clicking of metal rings rubbing against each other.

“If you're not gonna order, you can make your way out, Sirius. I'm not dealing with your shit today.”

Barty could feel the judgemental stare of a mother on the other side of the counter. If it wasn't for the fact that he was still on the clock he would've flipped her off already.

“You can't kick me out Crouch, Rosmerta loves me.”

“Rosmerta loves using your face to draw up business. Hurry up and get behind the counter before we get told off again.” Barty threw him an apron that Sirius was just barely able to catch.

So, the thing was Sirius didn't actually work here, and technically he wasn't allowed behind the counter, but it's not like Sirius needed the money and Rosmerta wasn't going to keep him from working for free. 

“Are you still pissed off that I'm ditching you to go out with my super tall, super smart, super hot boyfriend tomorrow.” 

Sirius pulled his hair back carelessly before tying it up. Only Sirius Black could present an effortless look with no actual effort.

“Do I need to remind you that I've already had the pleasure of enjoying your super tall, super smart, super hot boyfriend.”

Barty had in fact had a go with Sirius’ boyfriend some couple months back. They hadn't known each other at the time, and Barty was certain that if he hadn’t hooked up with Lupin that night, Sirius and Remus would have never even met. Sirius’ entire relationship existed because of Barty.

“Don't talk about Moony like he's a piece of meat.”

“Oh, so only you can objectify him?”

Sirius nodded as he took off his jacket to hang on a hook and tied his apron. “Boyfriend privileges, but you wouldn't know about that would you Crouch.”

He wouldn't actually, Barty Crouch Jr wasn't known for settling. Not a single one of his relationships lasted longer than three months, at least if you didn’t count Emmeline Vance, who Barty tends to go back to every couple months when she’s single.

Sirius didn't count Emmeline as a relationship.

Barty could only roll his eyes before he started on the next order, cappuccino, no foam. He wanted to kill someone.

And so it went for the next half an hour, Barty rotated from creatively insulting one of his regulars and resisting the urge to pour the frothing milk on some prick's head. 

“Fuck this, I'm taking a break, call me if you don't know what your doing.”

Sirius waved him off before he turned to the cash register with a bright smile, his loose curls falling to frame his face. Barty wasn’t even surprised when the woman began to stumble with her order, Sirius had that effect on everyone.

He was sitting across the counter when a little girl walked in all by herself.

Bright blonde hair held in two crooked pigtails. A set of plastic butterfly wings that were sliding off her shoulder, her face decorated with glitter and star stickers. He was pretty sure that the smudged paint around her eyes was supposed to resemble wings as well. It was the sparkling princess skirt and mismatched shoes with untied laces that really pulled the whole thing together.

She was already heading towards the display case, eyes focused on the pastries that had been delivered earlier that day by the local bakery.

Sirius leaned over the counter when he noticed who Barty was looking at. 

“Hi sweetie, you see something you like.”

The girl looked up at Sirius with a nod before she pointed at one of their last brownies. Barty bit the inside of his cheek, he was really hoping that someone wouldn't take it before his shift was over.

As if to sense his despair Sirius looked over at Barty in question.

Would Barty be generous for the first time in his life and sacrifice the last brownie to the little girl who had her face pressed against the glass, or would he be a selfish prick and break this little girl's dream?

Barty sighed before gesturing for Sirius to give it to her.

He hated kids. He hated seeing their round faces with their big eyes.

Oh, but the smile that broke out the moment Sirius handed it to her in a napkin was heart melting. Barty couldn't help but laugh at the way she began to jump around in joy. Her little wings flapping with each jump she made.

“Luna, there you are. What did I tell you about running off on me?”

The girl turned around proudly presenting the brownie she had just received, “Evie look, brownie!”

Barty hadn't even noticed when the guy walked in, too focused on making sure she didn't slip on her untied shoelaces.

He was tall, and that was saying something because Barty was tall. He might not have been Remus Lupin tall, but he was definitely tall. He also had blonde hair, nearly platinum. Barty was almost in awe of how good it looked on him. He didn't know many people who could pull off platinum.

Silver septum ring with plenty of other piercings on his ears. Each one carrying silver jewelry. Barty couldn't help but think that gold would've suited him better.

“I can see that angel, but I only have enough for one treat right now. You're going to have to choose if you want this or your red rose surprise.”

The girl, Luna, pouted, and Barty wanted to groan. Kids were his weakness.

Sirius looked over at Barty unsure of what to do. Barty only mouthed his response.

“The brownie's on the house.” Sirius gave the customer that charming smile of his as he rested his arms on the counter. This was the real reason Rosmerta kept him around. Always so charming that Sirius Black, no one could resist him. 

“My boss just loves fairies, and she told me that every fairy who visits is supposed to get one treat for free.” 

Luna beamed up at Sirius before turning around to the guy, Evie, and sticking her tongue out before turning back to Sirius.

“I want a red rose surprise.”

“I don't think we have those here.”

Evie let out an exaggerated sigh before he kneeled in front of her. “Imma have to work my magic little moon. Why don't you go pick a seat and enjoy your brownie while I get that red rose surprise.”

Fuck it all to hell, ‘little moon’. Kill him, kill him now. End his existence before he ends up falling in love with a complete and utter stranger.

There was something that needed to be known about Barty.

He found people who were good with kids attractive. And he didn't mean it in a ‘Oh, wow. That's so cute. You're sweet and protective.’ kind of way, but more like, ‘I don't care if it's biologically impossible. I want to have your kids so that I can see you do this for the rest of my life.’ kind of way.

Regulus says he's absolutely mental and this is a result of his daddy issues, while Sirius says that it's perfectly reasonable because it's exactly how he feels about his own boyfriend.

Seeing this super hot guy talk to this little girl like she was the only good thing in the world made his heart race a little. A strangely weird feeling because even though he's felt this way before, it's never gotten this intense.

His friends find the dichotomy between what he's like and what he finds attractive absolutely hilarious, because Barty liked pretty people. He liked sweet looking people who take control of a situation with a smile on their face. A big contrast to Barty who was covered in tattoos, used cheap black box dye, and had a shitty ass personality, or so he was told.

His last boyfriend would disagree, but Sirius refuses to listen to anything James Potter had to say in regards to Barty. Skewed perception was his reasoning. 

“Cute kid, is she your's?” Sirius stood back up and eyed Evie as he stood up, blue eyes following Luna as she sat down at one of the booths.

“My sister's, actually. I’m babysitting today.” 

“Oh, and what, no girlfriend to help you out.”

The guys smiled at Sirius and Barty wanted to roll his eyes. 

Although in a fully committed relationship, Sirius Black was incapable of not flirting with their customers. He's probably the reason why Barty has to deal with so many annoying customers. Charmed by Sirius and insulted by Barty, only at the Three Brews.

“No one at the moment, but Luna’s a good help in getting people interested. Someone's bound to find me worth sticking around for.” He smiled at Sirius and although Barty couldn't see just how lethal it was he could definitely see its effects by just how red Sirius was getting.

It wasn't by much, but no one's been able to get such a reaction from him since he's gotten with Lupin. It wasn't often when Sirius Black could be brought to blush, and if someone ever did manage it, it was a sure fire way to get Barty interested.

Sirius looked over at Barty and Barty took it as his cue to go save his friend from possibly ruining his newly established relationship.

The transition was quick and simple. Barty pulled Sirius back and told him to check on that order Rosmerta had placed for sandwiches for the incoming lunch rush. Sirius barely had time to wish him luck before he was pushed to the back where the phone was.

“Good morning, I'll be serving you since my coworker doesn't know how to keep from drooling when he sees a pretty face.”

And fuck did he have a pretty face. Barty was going to need more than luck to get through this.

“Well, I'm not complaining. One pretty face replaced by another, nothing to be disappointed about.”

Red alert, red alert! This is not a drill! Why the hell is this guy flirting with him?

“Um– what would you like to order? We have plenty of Valentine's Day specials if you're feeling festive, but we do have regular coffee if you aren't looking for anything fancy.”

Barty looked over at the little girl who was carelessly kicking her feet as she broke off a piece of the brownie. He was kinda regretting giving it to her now. He could really use some chocolate to ease the nerves that were eating at him. 

“Do your Valentine's specials have strawberries?”

No, no, don't do this to him. He really didn't want to make anything too difficult. He already had to make three of those today and tomorrow that all he would be doing.

“Some do.”

“Okay, then, do you mind just putting regular milk in a cup, adding some diced strawberries and whipped cream with strawberry syrup on top. It's my niece's birthday today and I always get her one of these, but the last place we went to ran out of strawberries.”

“So, the red rose surprise is just strawberry milk.”

He shrugged a little, “It's what my parents used to do for my sister and I on our birthday. I guess I'm just following the tradition.”

Oh, he was so fucking screwed.

“Yeah, I can make it work, Evie.”

He laughed and Barty could only stare at him as he covered his face in embarrassment. 

“It's Evan actually.”

“Barty.”

“Well, thank you Barty, you just saved my day and made her birthday ten times better. How much would it be?”

And Barty knew the moment he made eye contact, he was done for.

“It's on the house, a gift for the birthday girl, and you if– if you want something?”

“No, I'm good for now, but thanks.”

Evan smiled and Barty swallowed nervously.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck.

“Yeah, no problem. I'll have your drink ready to go in a moment.”

Evan nodded his head before he turned around and sat next to Luna who was now staring at him with wide eyes and head tilted to the side. As soon as Evan sat down she turned to him and pointed at Barty before gesturing at her cheeks. 

Evan laughed for a moment before looking over in Barty's direction. They made eye contact, Evan winked at him and Barty quickly turned around to get that drink ready.

Strawberry milk, strawberry milk, strawberry milk.

How the hell was he supposed to make strawberry milk?

“Hey Barty, are you okay? Your face is all red.” 

Barty jumped at Sirius' words

“Relax, it's just me.”

“You know how to make strawberry milk right? I mean the pretty kind that you see all over Instagram and shit.”

“Yeah, I used to make it for Reggie. Why?”

“Teach me.”

“What?”

“Teach me how to make your stupid strawberry milk.”

“I can just make you some.”

“No, you have to teach me so I can give it to that little girl and then when Evan sees how good I'm at making strawberry milk he'll have no other choice but to marry me so I can keep making strawberry milk.”

Sirius blinked at him before laughing. 

“Evan? Is he the reason why your face is all red like that?”

Barty wanted to strangle Sirius or drop to the floor and die, preferably both, but not necessarily in that order.

“Fine, I'll teach you how to make it, but first go wash your face. You're as red as a strawberry right now.”

Barty could only hang his head in embarrassment when he saw his reflection on the mirror. Bright red, strawberry red.

Stupid red rose surprise. 

Stupid strawberry milk 

Stupid Barty for falling for some guy named Evan.

tags: @the-person-that-did-that @saiichai

[astroyongie]

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚ Special March Podcast ˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚

➤ Note: Yesterday on my podcast we have covered quite a few things! To celebrate my birthday I decided to share a sum up of what was shared.

➤ All was done live through tarot. Take with a grain of salt. Names censored for obvious reasons.

➤ NCT 127: X has been known in the industry for being quite an opened person when it comes to relationships. Although he has done several age ranges (all legal ones), it seems like X now only go for people around the 20-24. At least, that's his preference of age.

➤ Red Velvet: X back in the day, was super close to another member's partner who was an idol all of you know about. However, despite X not having a crush on this idol or anything, there was some type of attraction here. X became way too close with that idol which made her member break up with the idol.  

➤ Stray Kids: Many people asked why did X finally gave in into a relationship after so long of not accepting one. That's maybe because the people who wanted a relationship with him never made him feel safe enough and probably overwhelmed him. He is dating an idol.

➤ Aespa: X feels like her idol image is unrealistic and she feels really sad and pity when people compliment her looks or when she hears fans telling her that they want to be like her. Because X knows that everything she shows isn't the reality and that her idol image is very different from who she is. Also there's a lot of jealousy and competition between her and the other members for spotlight and opportunities

➤ TXT: X keeps repeating the cycles. Back in 2021-2022 when he was dating that well known idol, she broke up with him because she thought he had cheated on her with her best friend. which wasn't the case. Recently, X went to a private airy with his partner and a few friends. During that party one girl friend got really drunk (passed out). He tried to be a good man, and take her to a private room so she could rest, but the scene might have looked very wrong when his partner got inside the room.

➤ Gidle: X had had such a hard life when it comes to men that it is really good to see her being happy with someone finally. She is making peace with her traumas and getting better

➤ Seventeen: X is married since 2024 (elope). He isn't the only idol who have small "marriages through paper signing". 

➤ Blackpink: X's relationship is a serving one, where she can get what she needs from her partner and he can get his fetishism. X also does not enjoy the fan contact (people bothering her in the street, asking for hugs or pics can often annoy her).

➤ BTS: X's dating rumor was at the beginning nothing but a marketing move. However the more it went the more it had severe consequences in his personal life

➤ Itzy: You can expect some great news for Itzy as a global (this summer from what I gathered). Either a solo (not Yeji's), a tour, a full comeback, a member leaving or a disband. X is also currently dating someone twice her age

➤ Ateez: X has been for the past months having a fling with a woman who wasn't married but she had a kid and was around the baby daddy (he seemed to be quite toxic and not present). This girl didn't wanted to be in a relationship with X for obvious reasons. But it seems that recently they got together, simply because X showed what it meant to be present, to provide and to love.

➤ IVE: X is currently in a. very discreet/secret relationship because she is seeing a political man (who seen to be older and married). Red party from what we gathered int he podcast.

➤ The Boyz: X has been having this fling with someone who was in a relationship. However X must have either been too much, too overwhelming or they might be too scary for this person as they decided to leave Seoul just to get away from X who might have been forcing them to be around.

➤ Le Sserafim: X has been the cause for a recent divorce and also she is currently in a relationship with brown hair male idol. his last performance he was dressed in full white 

➤ Enhypen: X is really conservative when it comes to his values, his morals and his way of leaving. despite being someone extremely loyal to his partners he also expect from the to be the typical traditional Korean house wife. He doesn't get in relationship with women who aren't "pure"

➤Twice: X might be planing either a marriage or moving out together with her idol partner

[niklaus-hargrove]

"He said your last name is Hargrove?"

Monday morning. Nik was in the gym, located on the eighth floor of their company's building. In the central portion, there was an expansive area covered in thick gym mats with the walls lined with lockers and benches. Nik was seated on the edge of a bench, wrapping his hands in preparation for sparring. Tyler had asked him to train with two new recruits. Both were former military - marines. The woman had a buzzed head and was heavily tattooed. She had about two inches of height on Nik, but that wouldn't help her much in the ring. The man was similar in appearance and height, but bulky -- the type of bulk that can only be achieved with severe steroid usage. 

The man, Will, had asked the question. In fact, he'd been asking Nik a lot of questions. 

Nik didn't bother looking up from the bench. "Yeah -- Hargrove," was all he replied, staying focused as he continued to wrap his hand. 

There was a moment of silence as the three continued preparing for the ring. Nik neatly finished the wrap, then flexed and enclosed both hands a few times over, testing his work. Then, he heard Will ask, "Damon's little brother?"

Nik clicked his tongue as he rose from the bench. "The one and only," he replied to Will in a cool tone as he started to walk past. 

"So that's how you're here then," He heard Will say under his breath.

The comment wasn't a lie. Most of Nik's colleagues had extensive military backgrounds. If Damon hadn't been who he was, Nik wouldn't be a part of the company. 

Nik stopped dead in his tracks, his jaw stone. He'd begun to turn around when Tyler Silva walked in. 

"Let's begin," Tyler announced. 

Nik and the woman sparred first. She was good, but slow. Nik easily took her down each time, having her tap out under the three minute mark every round. 

Tyler and Will were in the ring adjacent to them. Will won two rounds. Tyler won three. After each completed their five, the pairings were switched. 

Will was almost smiling as he stepped into the ring with Nik. He looked excited, even. "Little Hargrove... I think that's what I'll call you," He called out with a toothy grin. 

Nik had just taken a swig of water, then casually set the bottle down before he rose and turned to face his opponent. "You know, now that you're one of us, they won't let you keep up with those steroids," Nik replied in a cool tone. “Against company rules.”

Will rolled his eyes, forced a fake laugh, then boisterously said, "Are you ready to see what you would've been taught if you'd been military, kid?" 

Nik's lips curled into a smile, and stepped forward. 

The spar began.

For the first two minutes, the men seemed evenly matched. Where there was a hit, there was a dodge, or a block. Each time one went in for a headlock, the other was able to quickly break free. Sweat began to drip down from Will's brows. His chest heaved with heavy, quick breaths. Nik, on the other hand, showed no signs of fatigue. 

Will took a stumble back, and in that moment, that's when he noticed the state of his opponent. Nik was going easy on him. His brow quivered just slightly, and eyes narrowed. "COME ON," Will hissed, seething now, then barreled toward Nik. 

Nik dodged and blocked several blows, then the moment Will took a second too long to bring his next punch, Nik's right fist met Will's jaw, forcing him back a step. But, Will's recovery was not going to be allowed. Nik's left fist was next, then his right again. Now Will was stumbling back, but Nik reached out and yanked the man's arm back behind him with such force and precision he could feel one of Will’s muscles snap out of place. With Nik's bicep held against his windpipe, restricting his breathing, Will went down -- his knees to the mat. Will struggled against the hold, but Nik had him. Finally, Will's hand began tapping desperately against the mat, signaling he was tapping out. 

Nik didn't release him. 

Instead, Nik leaned down further into the hold and said, “Damon taught me everything I know," in a cool, low tone to his opponent slowly losing consciousness. 

Maybe it was Nik's focus that wouldn't allow him to hear Tyler raging -- yelling at Nik to let go.

A moment later, the Silva family crest that Tyler wore as a ring was imprinted into the side of Nik's cheekbone. He was knocked back from the brutal blow, and Nik's head hit the mat -- his vision going in and out. 

Will crawled away, coughing and taking in massive gulps of air. "Fucking psycho," he could hear through the coughs. 

"Stay down, Hargrove," he heard Tyler hiss. 

"He had it coming," Nik bit out, slowly sitting up. The world was spinning. His hand went to touch his cheek and was met with a searing pain. 

"Just go get that looked at," Tyler demanded as he began to walk away. "Your zygomatic is probably broken," He added, half-looking back before he continued on. "I'll go deal with yet another mess you've made..."