#this experience was... a lot. changed my chemistry maybe even

[gotta-winwin]

b(a)d chemistry | j.ww

⭐ starring: jeon wonwoo 💌 genre: fluff/crack | wc: 2.2k 💬 preview: he had brown eyes that looked up at you from behind black-rimmed frames and a voice that scolded your intelligence so infuriatingly right.

cw/tw: chem major! wonwoo x lit studies! reader, sassy man apocalypse, crack, a lot of swearing

🪽fic rating: pg 13 ☁️ masterlist & a/n: i’m writing this in the library with my brightness all the way down. no shame. (maybe just a little shame). the great gatsby x wonwoo agenda is going to haunt every narrative i ever write :)) thank you to @gyubakeries for betaing!

now playing: she by harry styles, the way i loved you by taylor swift, party 4 u by charli xcx

this is an addition to my 500 followers event: click here to read the masterlist!

If heaven was for real, you thought it must look something like him. 

He had brown eyes that looked up at you from behind black-rimmed frames and a voice that scolded your intelligence so infuriatingly right. His fingers emphasized each page flip and his lips pursed against the side of his pencil, eyebrows furrowed with intense concentration and deep seeded fury. 

Jeon Wonwoo was a beast in the classroom and it made your wandering mind wonder how that passion might translate in bed.

“That’s wrong.” He always said it so simply, as if your mistakes were simply unsurprising and a fact. “Change it.”

You roll your eyes. There was a reason Wonwoo was still single despite being one of the most revered guys in your university, and it was because no one had yet to stand their ground when facing his stupid superiority complex and lack of tact. 

“This is dumb.” You poke at your test papers with the butt of your pen, slumping further down your seat. “Why do I have to take chemistry anyways? We’re not even in the same department.” 

He raised an eyebrow at your complaints. “You’re the one who signed up for the week-long major switch experiment.” 

Right. You let out a louder groan than the last. “Boooo..”

Wonwoo laughs, and your lips quirk into a suppressed smile.

“You won’t be laughing when it’s your turn. You swapped with me, remember? I’m a lit major.” 

Wonwoo pales. “I forgot about that.” 

There’s a shared smile that passes between the two of you, as if you were trading some silent understanding of a joke. He’s awfully pretty when he smiles. 

Wonwoo slaps your test paper and it jolts you out of your bubble of bliss. “Back to work, rookie. Your values are still wrong.” 

Never mind. He’s definitely heinous and ugly on the inside.

You watch his glasses slip down his nose. He looks so awfully pretty asleep. 

Shaking your head, you reach over to remove it, placing it on the table in front of him and returning back to your workbooks. 

Five hours later and chemistry was still gibberish to your eyes. 

“Hey, Y/N.” Seokmin stops at your table on his way out of the library, arms ladened with his own workbooks. You vaguely remember that he had switched majors with Seungkwan, trading in his music major for environmental science. It had to be some sort of sheer luck that the two had been paired together, for you knew both boys would succeed at either major anyway. 

“Hi Seok.” You smile lazily his way, glancing at the sleeping Wonwoo next to you. He had not stirred. 

“How’s the swap going?” 

You snort. “I hate chem. And Wonwoo’s berating is not helping.” 

“He’s just trying to help in a way he knows how to.” Seokmin defends the classroom beast and you realize you’ve forgotten that they’re actually pretty good friends.

“I don’t know how you put up with him, Seok. I’ve only been alone with him for less than a day and I want to rip my eyeballs out. Or his eyeballs, I don’t know yet.”

Seokmin laughs. “You’re funny.” He starts walking towards the exit, looking back at you with a smile on his face. “Good luck! Maybe finally having someone smarter than you will do you some good.” 

You’re offended, but you know he jests. “He is not smarter than me!” You protest. “I’m smarter than him, the fuck?” 

You fail to notice Wonwoo’s eyebrows furrowing in his sleep, his lips parting to counter your remark before closing again. 

“Good.” You give your sleeping project partner one last glance before returning to the stupid chemistry question. “Still sleeping. I hope it stays that way.�� You mumble the last part mostly to yourself, your eyes already glazing over from the word problem. “Why is Sally mixing so many fucking liquids, just drink water or something.” 

Wonwoo snorts in laughter but passes it off as a snore. He peeks an eye open. You look awfully pretty when you’re frustrated. 

Wonwoo swears he’s not looking at you in an obsessive way. He insists it’s a perfectly normal way to be looking at someone, ignoring how it definitely feels more like a stare than a look. 

You’re hunched over the latest book in your repertoire, pen scratching whatever thoughts down in the margins. 

“Quit it.” Mingyu bumps his shoulder to catch his attention. “You’ll scare her. Hell, you’re scaring me.” 

“Shut up.” He ignores his friend and continues to look. You’re too engrossed in the novel to register his stares anyways. “I bet it’s some stupid book about yearning for love and way too much making out.” 

Mingyu rolls his eyes. “It’s about some guy who throws parties every night hoping one girl might show up.” For a sports major, Mingyu knows a surprising amount about books. 

Wonwoo frowns at the idea. “That’s dumb.” 

“Yeah.” 

He forces himself to look away, staring down at the sandwich in his hands instead. 

“You’re kind of doing that though. Don’t pretend like you didn’t beg Professor Choi to partner the two of you together so you could speak to her. You hate literature.” Mingyu smirks. “You know I’m fucking right.” 

“Shut the fuck up, bro.” 

You see Wonwoo smile a real smile for the first time when you show him your chemistry test grades. 

“Holy shit.” He grabs the papers from you, pushing his glasses up as if it could change the score he was seeing. 

“It’s good, right?” 

He smiles, and it’s one that’s full of teeth and so unguarded. “Yes. You did so well. I can’t believe-” He shuts up the moment he realizes he’s rambling. 

You point a finger at his face, the brightest expression on your face. “You were happy for me. You’re happy for me. You fucking smiled.” It’s a bigger win for you than the actual test score. 

He grabs the hand still pointing in his face and gently pushes it down. “Shut up.”

“Admit it.” You pester on. “Admit you’re happy for me.” 

“I’m happy you didn’t fail miserably.” 

“Shut the fuck up, Jeon.” You laugh when he grimaces. “You–”

His heart lurches because– just for a second– he thinks you’re about to say you’re in love with me. And you’d be right. 

“--smiled.” 

His shoulders sink along with his heart. 

He looked so awfully pretty happy. And you looked so awfully pretty when you were annoying him. 

You look at Wonwoo and realize you can see a future with him. He no longer enrages you with just one glance. You see him and he looks awfully boyfriend shaped. 

You mime a gag at the thought and he turns to look at you. 

“You good?” 

You nod. “Yeah, fine.” 

He’s mindlessly playing with the pages of the book you had given him. “Do I really have to read this? You know I’m going to ace the exam either way.” 

You frown. “You don’t read for the exam, you read to read.” 

“That’s the dumbest thing you’ve said all day.” 

You know he means it as a joke, yet the words sting anyways. “That’s mean.” You tell him. 

“It’s true though. It’s just words.” He pushes the book back to you. “I’m not wasting time on this.” 

The future you saw shatters right before your eyes. You shove the book back towards him. “Why do I even bother?” 

He watches as you leave, your hair bouncing in the afternoon wind. He frowns. He’s always been the smartest in the room. He’s always known exactly what to say. Yet one look at you and he’s rendered as dumb as any other guy. 

He hears you talking about him to his friends the next day. Mingyu has his hand around your waist, and although he knows how close you are with his roommates, it still rubs him the wrong way. 

He figures it hurts him more than usual because he knows he has no right to be feeling any sort of ownership towards you. 

“He’s an idiot.” He hears you complain to Seokmin and Mingyu. 

They nod solemnly. “It’s been known.” 

He fights the urge to roll his eyes. He hated when you insulted his intelligence. 

“And we all know I could’ve aced that chem test without him.” 

Now you were just lying. Wonwoo frowned at your words. 

“You know he’s hopelessly in love with you.” Mingyu tells you, and Wonwoo lets out a low groan. 

You roll your eyes. “Right. And Professor Choi’s in love with Professor Yoon.” 

“Yeah, that actually happened.”

Wonwoo ignores your shocked expression, cranking up the music blasting in his ears. It drowns out whatever Seokmin was enthusiastically telling you, his arms waving passionately in the air. 

Wonwoo knows you’d never love him back. He’s not that much of an idiot. 

His resolve breaks on the third day. Wonwoo’s confronted with the fact that he misses your usual bickering and the way you’d glare at him from behind your computer screen. He misses the sound of your nails clacking on the keyboard, how they’d grow more furious the more frustrated you became with him. He missed riling you up. But most of all, he missed those rare moments where you’d put your rivalry aside and smile at him in a way that made him believe– for a split second– that you could love him. 

Wonwoo finishes the book you gave him in two days. It would have taken him half the time, if it hadn’t been for the time he had taken to read your handwriting in the margins. 

It was the book Mingyu had been talking about, the book he had watched you read in the school courtyard that one time. 

“Angry, and half in love with her, and tremendously sorry, I turned away.” 

He liked that line, and the things you had written in the margins on the side. There is beauty in conversing in a language only two can understand. To the world it looks like fighting, to them it feels like finally finding a worthy opponent. 

Wonwoo can’t help but feel as if the whole novel was one long love letter from you, to him. 

“Y/N!” 

You turn to face him. Your body reacts to his voice despite your brain telling you not to. “What do you want, Jeon?” 

He pushes a battered copy of The Great Gatsby into your hands. Your copy. 

“I finished.” He’s a little breathless as he speaks, looking at you for a reply. 

“I thought–” 

He doesn’t let you finish. “I’m sorry. I was crass. And rude. And I’ve always been a little pretentious.”

“Yes, you have.” You turn to walk past him, but he steps in front of you, blocking your path. 

“Let me finish.” His brown eyes plead with yours, and you relent. 

“I’ve always been those things, you know that. You’ve called me out for it since preschool. But it doesn’t change the fact that you’re the only person I can spar with word for word. You throw my shit back harder and witter and the only time I truly feel alive is when I’m with you. Yes, I’m mean. I’m rude. I make fun of you all too much. But I-” 

He pauses. He can’t say it. That he loves you. 

“Read the book.” He says instead. “Please.” 

He looks awfully pretty begging. 

things i wish i said

god, i have a lot of that

got a bad habit of shoving my foot in my mouth

when i’m around you

like my mind’s spinning far too fast 

i swear i’m not usually like that

i wish i had told you how much i cared 

in such a way that made me fear

wish i had taken a moment to explain to you my mind

that i really do love you despite what it might look like

– that’s what i tell everyone

wish whatever i had to say you already knew

if you could hear exactly how i meant it

see exactly how i see you

feel the jumble of whatever i feel

when i said that i hated you

there were other things i left out

like the fact that i hate you because there was nothing else i could’ve felt

that would’ve made us make more sense 

that i really didn’t hate you, and my words were too harsh

i hated you cause i love you a little bit too hard

i hated the ten foot drop i feel when i see you

not you

i could never really actually hate you

Wonwoo sees you smile a real smile for the first time when you meet him for coffee after his literature exam.

You have an irritatingly smug expression on your face as you greet him. “I heard you failed your exam.” 

“Shut up.” He had failed his exam. “Words are not my forte, alright?”

“Look at that, Jeon Wonwoo, finally admitting he’s not good at something.” 

He laughs, and the sound echoes somewhere deep in your chest. “I guess I’m learning.”

“Nice juxtaposition in the poem, by the way.” You smile at him from behind your coffee mug. 

He frowns. “A what now?” 

You laugh and it feels like the fucking sun shining on his face. 

“I love you too, Jeon. Even if it was a shitty ass poem.” 

He smiles. It’s unguarded and full of teeth. 

[jacks-manidiary]

Also, I think this story should go on this blog! I mentioned it vaguely to some friends, but it may be an interesting read to someone else!

Recently I took to rewatching old Jack streams, especially ones I missed while the dsmp was still going, but also just as a general refresher because I felt like my memories were getting too distant and blurry. It did help! Can recommend, please go rewatch your favourite streams for the Feels (TM).

Particularly though, the stream that had me most emotional turned out to be Jschlatt's funeral stream. Won't even touch the way it affected my Quackity veritbond (not that much really, they weren't the focus) but considering one of my friends is a huge fan of Jack's and Jschlatt's dynamic, I already was more attached to their so few and in-between interactions.

Watching the stream had me shaking and, especially after discussing in depth the parallels and unfairness of how Schlatt got a grave and I didn't, I ended up spiralling a bit (not in an upsetting way, more of a strong catharsis. Don't worry for me!)

I ended up with a very strong feeling of wanting to go dig myself a grave and just lie in it, on the cold dirt. Physically. It was the realest feeling I've probably ever had, it felt similar like when it's raining outside and you want to step out and go stand under the rain. It was STRONG. I felt like doing so would help the emotions pass through and ground me, like if I lied down on the floor.

I confessed these feelings in a kincord I'm in and Tommy offered to do a Minecraft funeral for me with a speech, especially considering he had a dsmp world recreation. We did so, and he even sent me a screenshot he took of the grave. Gamertag blurred out because it needs changing anyway.

Thank you, Toms. You needed a funeral as well. I appreciate you so much even if you won't see this.

[ghostlyferrettarot]

♥︎Pick a Picture: 🖤☎️How is your Future Spouse's first date with you?☎️🖤

•Pile 1 •Pile 2 •Pile 3

❗️This is a collective reading, take what resonates and leave the rest❗️

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☎️Masterlist☎️

🧡Pile 1:

Hi pile 1! This date will be outdoors, especially if you live in a big city. Spending time enjoying the views and outdoors activities will allow you to open up to each other in a unique way; maybe one lf you it'snot really into nature things but this experience will change your mind. During this, you will have the opportunity to chat and get to know each other better, the natural environment will provide you with the peace you need to share your thoughts and feelings. It is a perfect time to see beyond the superficial and truly connect. After this lovely evening, you could end your first date with some snacks and a glass of wine, before heading home; at the end of this night, it is very likely that you will end up sharing a kiss or some kind of closeness that marks the beginning of a love story. That connection that is generated in such a special environment can be the first step towards something deeper 💖

🌌Pile 2:

Hi pile 2! The date will be a perfect opportunity to connect through shared interests. You could enjoy a day at an amusement park, watch a movie you both love, or just relax at a restaurant or cafe you both like. The important thing is that you choose something that makes you both feel good and that allows you to enjoy together. I imagine that during this time, you will realize how many things you have in common, which will make the conversation flow naturally and fun. There is also the possibility that you will decide to explore a hobby together, such as attending a pottery class, enjoying a concert, or even taking classes in something you are passionate about. These types of activities will create a relaxed and comfortable environment. You will both feel at ease, which will make it easier for you to open up to each other and feel more connected. The chemistry between you two will be evident, and that will make the date even more special. At the end of the date, your date will most likely send you a text expressing how much fun they had with you. That connection you've created will surely lead you to plan a second date, as you'll both want to continue exploring what you've started.

🎀Pile 3:

Hi pile 3! The date will be in the evening, or at least later in the day. I have a feeling it will be an intimate and meaningful time, where your special person might take charge of organizing everything so that you just have to enjoy it. It's obvious that this date is something they've been looking forward to, so they'll surely put a lot of effort into planning every detail. I imagine they might surprise you with flowers or a gift, which would add a sweet touch to the date; this person feels so sweet. I feel like instead of going out, he or she could prepare a romantic dinner at home and then take you somewhere where you can have fun and just hang out. This date will be something very personalized for you, designed to make you feel like a true king or queen. The attention to detail and effort this person puts into planning reflects how much they care about you and i feel this would be the kind of thing that you will remember forever.

☎️Thank you for reading and tell me if it resonated☎️

[magical-reid]

Chemistry in Chaos

Pairing: Stiles Stilinski x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 9.4K

Warning: Not Proofread

Summary: Even in the darkest moments, when the Nogitsune’s whispers clawed at the edges of their minds, Stiles and Y/N found light in each other, a quiet reminder that love was stronger than fear. Together, they rebuilt what was broken, proving that even in the chaos, hope could bloom.

Stiles’ Perspective

The air in the chemistry lab always smelled faintly of sulfur and old textbooks, a mixture that clung to the back of my throat. I wasn’t really paying attention to Mr. Harris droning on about covalent bonds; my pencil was stuck between my teeth, bouncing slightly as I tapped my knee against the underside of the desk.

It wasn’t like I didn’t care about chemistry—I mean, science is kind of cool in a “fun-fact-you’ll-never-use” way. But lately, focusing on anything for more than thirty seconds felt impossible. Especially when I was… me. Or whatever I was becoming.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her. My chemistry partner. You. You sat two seats to my left, your elbow propped on the desk, chin resting on your hand. The sunlight streaming through the windows caught in your hair, creating a halo-like glow that made my chest tighten uncomfortably.

Not that you noticed. Not that we ever talked, except for the bare minimum required to get through Mr. Harris’ impossible lab instructions. You’d lean in with quiet questions, like, “How many milliliters does he want for this?” or “Did I add too much sodium hydroxide?” And I’d stammer out a reply, feeling like a total idiot because my heart started doing backflips every time you spoke.

But that was it. Outside of class, we were practically strangers.

I wanted to change that. I’d spent too much time convincing myself I didn’t care. But now? With everything that was happening to me? With the blackouts, the creeping sense that I wasn’t entirely in control anymore, I couldn’t help but wonder: if I was running out of time, would it be so bad to just… say something to you?

“Stilinski,” Harris snapped, jolting me out of my thoughts. “Maybe if you spent less time daydreaming and more time working, you’d actually pass this class.”

The laughter that rippled through the classroom was sharp and humiliating. My cheeks burned as I ducked my head, muttering an apology.

When I glanced back at you, your lips twitched—not a laugh, but a faint, amused smile. And for some reason, that felt worse than the humiliation. Like you were untouchable. Like I’d always just be the awkward guy in your peripheral vision.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Reader’s Perspective

You didn’t mean to smile, really. It wasn’t fair that Harris always singled Stiles out. But there was something so… endearingly ridiculous about the way his head jerked up like he’d been caught sleeping in class when you knew for a fact he’d been wide awake the whole time.

He was a puzzle, Stiles Stilinski. All flailing limbs and sarcastic quips, but with this odd, quiet intensity beneath the surface. You noticed it in the way his brows furrowed when he worked through problems, his eyes darting between the formulas like he was connecting dots no one else could see.

You noticed a lot about him, actually. Too much, maybe.

Like how he’d scribble notes in the margins of his textbook, things that weren’t even about chemistry—doodles of stick figures or rambling ideas about whatever supernatural chaos was consuming Beacon Hills that week. Or how he never seemed to sit still, even when he was trying to.

You noticed, and yet… you never said anything. What could you say? It wasn’t like you and Stiles were friends. You were just two people who shared a lab station.

So why, lately, did you catch yourself watching him more than you should?

Mr. Harris called for the class to pair up for the day’s experiment, and you felt a flicker of nerves. Not because the experiment was hard, but because working with Stiles always threw you off balance in a way you couldn’t explain.

“Hey,” he said softly as he slid into the seat beside you, the word accompanied by an awkward little wave.

“Hey,” you replied, trying to sound casual as you adjusted your notebook.

For a while, you worked in relative silence, exchanging the occasional question or observation. But when Stiles’ hand brushed yours as you both reached for the same beaker, you flinched.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, pulling back quickly. His voice was strained, like he was embarrassed.

“It’s fine,” you said, forcing a small smile. But your heart was racing for reasons you didn’t want to unpack.

What you didn’t notice was the shadow flickering in his eyes—the way his hands trembled slightly as he gripped the edge of the desk.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Void!Stiles Perspective

It was almost too easy.

Watching the way he looked at you, so full of longing and hesitation, was pathetic. Stiles was so busy tying himself in knots over his stupid crush that he didn’t even notice me slipping into the cracks of his mind.

Her.

The word thrummed through him like a heartbeat. Quiet, persistent, and utterly vulnerable.

You were his weak spot, whether he realized it or not. And oh, I was going to have so much fun with that.

When he reached for the beaker and your hands brushed, I felt the sharp jolt of adrenaline that shot through him. The way he recoiled, stumbling over his words.

It would be funny if it weren’t so sad.

And then there was you. Sweet, oblivious you. You didn’t even realize how easily I could destroy you—how I could twist this fragile connection into something far darker.

I grinned. Not that anyone could see it, but I grinned.

“Time’s up,” Harris announced, snapping everyone’s attention back to the front of the room.

For now, I stayed quiet. But I’d already made my decision.

The game was about to begin.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Reader’s Perspective

The rest of chemistry class passed in a blur. You tried to focus on balancing equations, jotting down formulas, and double-checking measurements, but you couldn’t shake the unease that prickled at the edges of your thoughts.

It wasn’t Stiles, exactly—well, not just him. There was something off about him today, a weight in the air around him that hadn’t been there before. It made your stomach twist, though you couldn’t quite explain why.

When the bell rang, you packed your bag quickly and muttered a quiet, “See you tomorrow,” to Stiles, who nodded distractedly. His hand twitched at his side, like he wanted to say something but didn’t know how.

You didn’t wait.

Walking down the hallway, you replayed the last hour in your head. It was the little things that stuck out: the way his eyes had lingered on you longer than usual, dark and searching. The way his fingers had trembled slightly when he handed you a graduated cylinder. The way he seemed… fractured.

It wasn’t your problem, though. You told yourself that as you wove through the crowded hallways, heading toward your next class. You barely even knew Stiles Stilinski outside of chemistry. Whatever was going on with him, it wasn’t your responsibility to figure it out.

Still, you couldn’t shake the feeling that something was coming. Something bad.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Void!Stiles Perspective

She was nervous. I could feel it, the way her pulse quickened as she glanced at him during class. The way she practically bolted out of the room when the bell rang.

Good. Fear was the foundation of control. And control… control was everything.

I followed her as she moved through the hallways, slipping into the shadows just beyond her line of sight. Stiles would’ve hesitated, would’ve worried about what people might think if they caught him trailing her like some lovesick puppy. But I didn’t have those limitations.

I wasn’t Stiles.

She wasn’t paying attention as she opened her locker, pulling out books with mechanical efficiency. Her cheer uniform peeked out from beneath her sweatshirt, a bright contrast against the dull gray of the hallway.

“Y/N,” I said, my voice low and sharp, letting the syllables cut through the air like a blade.

She jumped, spinning around to face me.

“Stiles,” she breathed, clutching her notebook to her chest. “You scared me.”

I smiled—or rather, he smiled. It was the kind of smile that didn’t quite reach the eyes. The kind that made people squirm.

“Sorry about that,” I said smoothly. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”

Her brow furrowed. There was a flicker of hesitation in her eyes, like she wasn’t sure if she should believe me.

“Uh, it’s fine,” she said after a moment, shifting awkwardly from one foot to the other. “Did you need something?”

I tilted my head, studying her. She was so… vulnerable. So unguarded.

“Actually, yeah,” I said, stepping closer. “I was wondering if you had a minute to talk.”

She blinked, clearly caught off guard. “About what?”

“Chemistry,” I said, letting the word hang in the air just long enough to make her uncomfortable.

It was a lie, of course. But she didn’t need to know that.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Reader’s Perspective

Something wasn’t right.

Stiles was standing too close, his gaze too sharp, his smile too cold. It was like looking at a stranger wearing his face.

“Uh… sure?” you said hesitantly, clutching your notebook tighter. “What about chemistry?”

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he leaned against the locker beside yours, his arms crossed casually over his chest. But there was nothing casual about the way his eyes bore into you, like he was dissecting you piece by piece.

“You know,” he said slowly, “you’re a lot smarter than people give you credit for.”

The compliment caught you off guard, and you felt your cheeks flush. “I—thanks, I guess?”

“Don’t mention it,” he said, his smile widening. But there was no warmth in it.

The unease in your stomach grew, twisting tighter with every passing second. You glanced around the hallway, hoping to spot someone—anyone—who might interrupt. But the crowd had thinned, leaving you alone with him.

“Look, if this is about the lab,” you said quickly, trying to fill the silence, “I can double-check the notes for you tomorrow. I’m kind of late for—”

“Do you ever get tired of pretending?” he interrupted, his voice dropping an octave.

Your heart skipped a beat. “Pretending?”

“You know,” he said, leaning in closer. His breath was cold against your skin, sending a shiver down your spine. “Pretending you don’t notice the way he looks at you. Pretending you don’t like it.”

Your mouth went dry. “What are you talking about?”

“Come on, Y/N,” he said, his tone almost mocking. “Don’t play dumb. It doesn’t suit you.”

He reached out then, brushing a strand of hair from your face with a gentleness that felt entirely out of place. You flinched, stumbling back against the lockers.

“Stiles,” you said, your voice trembling. “You’re freaking me out.”

For a split second, something flickered in his eyes—something dark and hollow and wrong.

And then he stepped back, his expression shifting so quickly it was like the moment had never happened.

“Sorry,” he said lightly, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

But the damage was already done.

You didn’t say anything as he turned and walked away, whistling softly to himself.

And you didn’t notice the way he glanced back over his shoulder, his grin sharp enough to draw blood.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Stiles’ Perspective

I was losing time again.

One second, I was in chemistry, sitting next to Y/N and trying to convince myself that the slight brush of her hand against mine wasn’t the best thing to happen to me all week. The next, I was sitting in my Jeep with the engine running, staring blankly at the steering wheel like I’d just come out of a fog.

My heart was racing, my hands gripping the wheel so tightly that my knuckles ached. I didn’t know how I’d gotten here. I didn’t know where I’d gone.

But I knew who had been driving.

“Get out of my head,” I muttered, my voice cracking.

The Nogitsune didn’t answer. Not verbally, anyway. But I felt it, coiled deep inside me like a viper, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. It had been quiet for a while, letting me think—falsely—that maybe I could regain control. That maybe I could keep the people I cared about safe.

But I should’ve known better.

My phone buzzed on the passenger seat, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts. I grabbed it with trembling hands and saw a text from Y/N.

“Can we talk?”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I stared at the screen, my thumb hovering over the keyboard as panic surged through me.

What had he done?

I could barely remember the last hour. The flashes I did recall—the locker, her wide eyes, the sound of my own voice dripping with malice—made me feel sick.

I typed out a response with shaky fingers:

“What happened?”

I hit send before I could second-guess myself, the knot in my chest tightening as I watched the message go through. Seconds stretched into what felt like hours, and I had to remind myself to breathe.

When her reply finally came, my stomach dropped.

“You know exactly what happened. Meet me at the bleachers after practice.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, the phone slipping from my grip onto the passenger seat.

“You’re slipping,” a voice purred from somewhere deep inside my mind.

“Shut up,” I muttered under my breath, digging my nails into my palms until the pain cut through the chaos.

The Nogitsune laughed, a sound that was somehow both inhuman and eerily familiar. “You should’ve seen her face. The fear. The confusion. She looked at you like you were a monster. Because that’s what you are, Stiles.”

“No,” I said firmly, my voice barely above a whisper. “I can fix this.”

The laugh grew louder, echoing in my skull. “Fix it? Oh, Stiles. I don’t think you understand the rules of the game. There is no fixing this. You’re already too far gone.”

I gritted my teeth, gripping the steering wheel so hard I thought it might snap. But I didn’t argue. What was the point? Deep down, I was terrified the Nogitsune was right.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Reader’s Perspective

The bleachers were empty, the late afternoon sunlight casting long shadows across the field as you paced back and forth. Practice had ended twenty minutes ago, but you barely noticed the other cheerleaders filtering out one by one, their chatter fading into the distance.

Your thoughts were a storm, swirling with questions you didn’t have the answers to.

What the hell had happened in the hallway? That wasn’t Stiles. At least, it hadn’t felt like him. The boy you knew—awkward, sarcastic, endearingly clumsy—had been replaced by someone colder. Someone sharper.

And yet… it was him.

You wrapped your arms around yourself, trying to shake the chill that lingered long after he’d walked away. You didn’t know what you expected to get out of this conversation, but you couldn’t let it go. Not until you knew the truth.

The sound of footsteps pulled you from your thoughts. You looked up to see Stiles walking toward you, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his hoodie. He looked… hesitant. Nervous.

Almost like himself.

But the memory of that cold smile was still fresh in your mind, and you took an instinctive step back as he approached.

He noticed, and something in his expression cracked.

“Y/N,” he said, his voice soft. “I—”

“What’s going on with you?” you interrupted, your voice sharper than you intended.

He flinched, like the words physically hurt.

“Nothing,” he said quickly, too quickly. “I mean, everything’s fine. Why wouldn’t it be?”

You stared at him, your jaw tightening. “Are you serious right now? You’re going to stand there and act like nothing happened?”

He opened his mouth to respond, but you didn’t give him the chance.

“You’re different, Stiles,” you said, your voice trembling. “The way you looked at me today—the way you spoke to me—it wasn’t you. So if this is some kind of joke, or if something’s wrong, you need to tell me. Now.”

For a moment, he just stood there, his mouth opening and closing like he didn’t know what to say. And then he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“You’re right,” he admitted, his voice barely audible.

Your heart skipped a beat. “What?”

“You’re right,” he repeated, finally meeting your eyes. “Something’s… wrong. I don’t know how to explain it, but I—”

He stopped abruptly, his body stiffening. His gaze flicked to something just over your shoulder, and the blood drained from his face.

“Stiles?” you said, glancing back. There was nothing there.

When you turned back to him, his expression had changed. His eyes were darker, colder. The slight tremble in his hands was gone, replaced by an unsettling stillness.

“Sorry about that,” he said smoothly, his lips curving into a smile that made your skin crawl. “Where were we?”

Your stomach dropped. “Stiles?”

He tilted his head, his smile widening. “That’s my name. Don’t wear it out.”

“No,” you whispered, shaking your head. “You’re not—”

“Not what?” he interrupted, stepping closer. His voice was soft, almost playful, but there was an edge to it that sent a shiver down your spine.

“Not Stiles?” he continued, his tone mocking. “Oh, sweetheart. You’re smarter than that. You know who I am.”

Your breath caught in your throat. “The Nogitsune,” you said quietly, the word tasting bitter on your tongue.

“Bingo,” he said with a grin, spreading his arms theatrically. “And here I thought you weren’t paying attention.”

You stumbled back, your heart pounding as the reality of the situation hit you like a freight train.

“I wouldn’t run if I were you,” he said, his voice dripping with amusement. “It’s so much more fun when you play along.”

“What do you want?” you demanded, your voice shaking.

He smirked, taking another step forward. “Oh, it’s not about what I want,” he said. “It’s about what he wants.”

Your chest tightened. “What are you talking about?”

“Stiles,” he said simply, his voice softening in a way that made it even more chilling. “He wants you. Always has. Didn’t you know that?”

You froze, your mind racing. “You’re lying.”

“Am I?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Why don’t you ask him yourself?”

For a moment, his expression flickered. His grin faltered, replaced by something raw and desperate. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, his whole body trembling like he was fighting to stay in control.

“Y/N,” he said, his voice strained. “Run. Now.”

And then the grin was back, sharp and cruel as ever.

“Too late,” he said with a laugh, his dark eyes gleaming with triumph.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Reader’s Perspective

You didn’t run. You should’ve. Every instinct screamed at you to turn and bolt, to get as far away from him—or it, or whatever that was—as possible.

But you couldn’t move. Your legs felt like lead, your heart pounding so hard it drowned out everything else. You stayed frozen until the thing wearing Stiles’ face—Void, Nogitsune, whatever it was—turned and walked away, whistling a haunting, familiar tune.

It left you there, alone under the bleachers, the cold wind biting at your skin.

And for the first time in a long time, you felt truly terrified.

The next few days were a blur. You went to school, went to practice, and tried to act like everything was fine. But you avoided the chemistry lab at all costs, making excuses to Mr. Harris about needing to work in the library or staying late to make up assignments.

You didn’t want to see Stiles.

Or the thing inside him.

When you did catch glimpses of him in the hallways—his familiar, lanky frame, his wide brown eyes scanning the crowd—your stomach twisted painfully. You didn’t know if it was fear, anger, or some awful mixture of both.

You kept your distance, walking the long way around campus if you thought you might run into him. But that didn’t stop him from trying.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Stiles’ Perspective

It was unbearable.

Every time I saw her—Y/N—in the hallway, my chest felt like it was caving in. She wouldn’t look at me. She wouldn’t even glance in my direction.

Not that I could blame her.

The memories of that day were fuzzy, fractured into pieces I could barely fit together. But I remembered enough. I remembered the way her voice shook when she said my name. The way she stumbled back, her eyes wide with fear.

I remembered the smile. That awful, twisted grin that didn’t belong to me but somehow felt carved into my face.

I hated myself for it.

“Are you even listening, Stiles?” Scott’s voice snapped me back to reality.

We were standing by the lockers, Scott looking at me with that patented mix of concern and exasperation. He’d been hovering ever since I told him about the Nogitsune. I appreciated it, but it didn’t make the weight in my chest any easier to carry.

“Sorry,” I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. “What were you saying?”

Scott sighed. “I was asking if you’ve talked to her yet.”

I tensed. “She doesn’t want to talk to me.”

“Stiles—”

“I can’t,” I said sharply, cutting him off. “I don’t even know what I’d say. ‘Hey, sorry about the whole creepy possession thing. Hope you’re not too traumatized.’ Yeah, that’ll go great.”

Scott frowned. “You can’t just avoid her forever. She’s already scared, and if you keep ignoring the problem, it’s only going to get worse.”

I knew he was right. Of course he was right. But the idea of facing her, of seeing the fear in her eyes again, made my stomach churn.

Still, I couldn’t let things stay like this.

“I’ll talk to her,” I said finally.

Scott gave me a small, encouraging smile. “Good. You’ve got this.”

I wasn’t so sure.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Reader’s Perspective

You’d just finished practice when you saw him standing by the bleachers, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his hoodie.

Stiles.

Your stomach twisted painfully, your grip tightening on the strap of your bag. You thought about walking the other way, but the look on his face stopped you. He seemed… lost. Nervous.

Not the boy you’d seen under the bleachers.

You hesitated, your pulse quickening as he caught sight of you and straightened.

“Y/N,” he said, his voice soft. “Hey.”

You stayed where you were, keeping a few feet of distance between you. “What do you want, Stiles?”

He winced at the sharpness in your tone, his shoulders hunching slightly. “I just… I wanted to talk. To explain.”

“There’s nothing to explain,” you said quickly, your voice trembling. “I know what’s going on with you. Or with… whatever that thing is inside you.”

He flinched, and for a moment, you felt a pang of guilt.

“I know you’re scared,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “And I don’t blame you. But it wasn’t me, Y/N. You have to know that. It wasn’t me.”

“Wasn’t it?” you shot back, your throat tightening. “It looked like you. It sounded like you.”

“I know,” he said, his voice cracking. “I know, and I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m trying to fight it, I swear, but it’s—it’s stronger than I thought.”

You looked away, your chest aching. You wanted to believe him. You really did. But every time you closed your eyes, all you could see was that cold, mocking smile.

“I don’t know if I can trust you,” you admitted quietly, your voice barely audible.

The words hit him like a physical blow. He staggered slightly, his face crumpling in a way that made your heart ache.

“I get it,” he said after a long moment, his voice hollow. “I do. I just… I wanted you to know that I would never hurt you. Not on purpose. Not if I could help it.”

You swallowed hard, blinking back the sting of tears. “I want to believe you, Stiles. But I don’t know if I can. Not yet.”

He nodded, his jaw tight. “Okay,” he said softly. “Okay. I’ll… I’ll give you space. As much as you need.”

He took a step back, his hands raised in surrender. But before he turned to leave, he looked at you one last time, his eyes filled with an unbearable mix of longing and regret.

“I’m not giving up on us,” he said quietly. “I don’t care how long it takes. I’ll prove to you that you can trust me again.”

And then he walked away, leaving you standing there with a lump in your throat and a storm raging in your chest.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Reader’s Perspective

You told yourself it wasn’t a big deal.

The way Stiles lingered outside the locker room after practice. How he waited at your usual bench in the library, even when you didn’t show up for study hall. How he kept sliding carefully folded notes into your locker, short and desperate things that you couldn’t bring yourself to throw away.

It wasn’t a big deal.

Except it was.

You didn’t open the first note right away. Or the second. But by the third, your curiosity—or maybe something deeper—got the better of you.

“I’m sorry. That’s probably not enough, but I don’t know what else to say. I’ll do anything to make this right. Please just give me a chance.”

You read it twice, then shoved it into the bottom of your bag.

You didn’t answer.

Over the next week, you couldn’t avoid him completely. Beacon Hills was too small for that. But you made sure to keep your distance whenever you could.

In chemistry, you avoided meeting his gaze, keeping your head down as you scribbled notes or pretended to focus on the day’s experiment. Stiles didn’t push. He kept his voice low and his words few, careful not to overstep.

And yet, you could feel his eyes on you, full of things he wasn’t saying.

It was exhausting.

Your emotions were a tangled mess—fear, anger, guilt, and something softer that you didn’t want to name. You couldn’t forget the way he’d looked at you under the bleachers, dark and dangerous. But you also couldn’t forget the way he’d looked at you since then, with quiet desperation and raw sincerity.

You were caught between the two, unsure which version of Stiles was real—or if either of them were.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Stiles’ Perspective

I was losing her.

Every time I saw Y/N—every time I caught her avoiding me in the hallways, her shoulders stiff and her head down—it felt like another piece of me was breaking.

The Nogitsune hadn’t even tried to hide its amusement. It whispered to me in the quiet moments, taunting me with images of her flinching away, her eyes wide with fear.

“Why do you even bother?” it hissed. “She’ll never trust you again. She shouldn’t trust you.”

“Shut up,” I muttered under my breath, slamming my locker shut.

But no matter how hard I tried to tune it out, the voice was always there. Twisting. Digging.

And the worst part? It was right.

The tipping point came on a rainy Thursday afternoon.

You were sitting in the library, headphones on and a textbook open in front of you, though you weren’t really reading it. The rain drummed softly against the windows, filling the silence with a soothing rhythm.

When you felt a presence beside you, you looked up instinctively—and froze.

Stiles was standing there, holding two steaming cups of hot chocolate. He hesitated when he saw your expression, his grip tightening on the cups.

“Hey,” he said softly.

You didn’t respond, your heart pounding as you weighed your options. Part of you wanted to tell him to leave, to walk away and stop making this harder than it already was. But another part of you—the part that still remembered the old Stiles, the one who always knew how to make you laugh during labs—couldn’t bring yourself to say it.

So you stayed silent.

He took that as permission, sliding into the seat across from you. He set one of the cups in front of you, then wrapped his hands around the other, like he needed something to anchor himself.

“I figured you could use this,” he said, his voice low. “It’s from the place by the field. You know, the one that always burns their coffee but somehow makes the best hot chocolate?”

You stared at the cup, your chest tightening. You used to stop there after practice sometimes.

“How did you—” You stopped yourself, shaking your head.

“I remember stuff,” he said quietly. “About you.”

That admission hit you harder than you wanted to admit.

“Why are you doing this, Stiles?” you asked finally, meeting his gaze.

He didn’t look away. “Because I’m trying to prove to you that I’m still me,” he said simply. “That I’m not… I’m not just what you saw under the bleachers. I’m not the Nogitsune. I’m me. And I care about you.”

Your breath hitched, your fingers tightening around the edge of the table.

“Don’t,” you said softly, your voice cracking. “Don’t say that.”

“Why not?” he asked, his voice full of quiet desperation. “It’s true. You can pretend all you want, Y/N, but you know it is. I’ve cared about you for months. And I know I screwed up. I know I scared you. But I can’t let you go without at least trying to fix this.”

You didn’t know what to say. The words hung between you, heavy and impossible to ignore.

“I don’t know if I can trust you,” you whispered after a long moment.

“I know,” he said. “And I don’t expect you to just… forgive me overnight. But I’m not going anywhere, okay? I’ll do whatever it takes, for however long it takes, to prove to you that you can trust me again.”

His voice was steady, but his eyes were pleading.

You looked down at the cup of hot chocolate, your vision blurring slightly.

“Stiles,” you began, but your voice wavered. You didn’t know what you wanted to say.

“Just think about it,” he said softly, standing up before you could respond.

He didn’t wait for you to say anything else, leaving the hot chocolate on the table as he walked away.

For a long time, you just sat there, staring at the cup as the rain continued to fall outside.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Reader’s Perspective

You didn’t drink the hot chocolate.

At least, not right away. You sat in the library until the rain stopped, staring at the cup like it held the answer to a question you were too afraid to ask. Eventually, you picked it up, the faint warmth reminding you that Stiles had been there, that he’d gone out of his way to bring it to you.

That night, you tossed and turned, the words he’d said echoing in your head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

You weren’t sure what scared you more—his determination, or the possibility that he might actually mean it.

The next day at school, you felt like a live wire, jittery and on edge. You’d barely slept, and the thought of seeing Stiles again made your stomach twist uncomfortably. You didn’t know what you were supposed to say to him.

But fate—or Beacon Hills—had other plans.

The attack happened just after third period.

You were walking through the empty hallway outside the gym when you heard it—a sharp crack, like something heavy slamming against the wall.

You froze, your heart pounding. “Hello?” you called out hesitantly, your voice echoing in the stillness.

No answer.

Another noise—this one louder, closer. It sounded like someone was fighting, the scuffle of shoes against tile followed by a low, guttural growl that sent a chill down your spine.

You took a step back, but before you could move any farther, something slammed into the lockers just ahead of you.

It wasn’t human.

You didn’t even get a good look at it before it lunged, a blur of claws and teeth heading straight for you.

You screamed, stumbling backward and throwing your arms up in a desperate attempt to shield yourself. But before it could reach you, another figure slammed into it, knocking it away with a force that rattled the lockers.

“Get out of here!”

The voice was familiar. Too familiar.

You lowered your arms just in time to see Stiles standing between you and the creature, his chest heaving as he braced himself for its next attack.

“Stiles?” you whispered, your voice shaking.

He glanced back at you, his expression tight with fear—and something else. “Y/N, run. Now!”

But you couldn’t move. Your legs felt like they were made of lead, your body rooted to the spot as the creature lunged at him again.

“Stiles!” you screamed.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Stiles’ Perspective

She wasn’t running.

Why isn’t she running?

The thing—a chimera, maybe, or some other supernatural experiment gone horribly wrong—was fast, but I was faster. Adrenaline coursed through me as I dodged its claws, my focus split between the fight and the girl behind me.

“Y/N, go!” I shouted again, barely ducking in time to avoid a swipe aimed at my head.

But she didn’t move.

I didn’t have time to think about it. The creature charged again, and I threw myself at it, slamming my shoulder into its chest. We hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of me.

For a second, I thought I had it under control. But then it twisted, its claws slicing across my arm, and I cried out in pain.

“Stiles!”

Her voice was sharp, panicked, and too close.

I turned my head just in time to see her rushing toward me, a fire extinguisher in her hands.

“Y/N, don’t—”

But she was already swinging it, the metal canister connecting with the creature’s head with a sickening crack. It stumbled, letting out a snarl as it turned its attention to her.

“No!” I scrambled to my feet, ignoring the pain in my arm as I threw myself between them again.

The creature hesitated, its dark eyes flicking between the two of us. And then, with a low growl, it turned and bolted down the hallway, disappearing into the shadows.

The silence that followed was deafening.

“Are you okay?” I asked, turning to her. My voice came out rough, strained.

She was staring at me, her chest heaving, the fire extinguisher still clutched in her trembling hands.

“Stiles,” she said, her voice cracking. “Your arm.”

I glanced down, barely registering the blood soaking through my sleeve. “It’s fine,” I said quickly. “What about you? Did it—”

“I’m fine,” she said, cutting me off. “But you’re not. You’re bleeding, and—and you could’ve—”

Her voice broke, and before I could stop myself, I reached for her.

“Hey,” I said softly, my good hand brushing her shoulder. “It’s okay. I’m okay. You’re okay.”

Her eyes filled with tears, and she shook her head. “No, it’s not okay, Stiles. None of this is okay. You could’ve died, and I—”

She stopped abruptly, her gaze dropping to the floor.

“And you what?” I asked, my heart pounding.

She didn’t answer at first. But then she looked up, and the raw emotion in her eyes made my breath catch.

“And I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Reader’s Perspective

The words hung between you, heavy and impossible to take back.

You hadn’t meant to say it—not like this, not with blood on his shirt and adrenaline still coursing through your veins. But it was the truth, and you couldn’t pretend otherwise anymore.

Stiles stared at you, his expression unreadable. “Y/N,” he said softly, his voice tinged with disbelief. “Do you mean that?”

You nodded, your throat tight. “I’m still mad at you,” you admitted, the words tumbling out before you could stop them. “And I’m still scared. But… I care about you, Stiles. More than I want to admit.”

For a moment, he didn’t say anything. And then he stepped closer, his hand still resting gently on your shoulder.

“I care about you too,” he said, his voice steady despite the chaos around you. “So much it hurts. And I swear, Y/N, I’m going to do everything I can to keep you safe. From the Nogitsune, from everything. I promise.”

You believed him.

For the first time in weeks, you let yourself believe him.

And when he pulled you into a careful, hesitant embrace, you didn’t pull away.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Reader’s Perspective

The moment between you and Stiles in the hallway didn’t solve everything. It couldn’t—not with the Nogitsune still lurking inside him, waiting for a chance to strike.

But it was a start.

You walked with him to the parking lot that afternoon, his arm draped carefully over your shoulders as you supported his weight. He tried to shrug off the injury, brushing it off with his usual humor, but you weren’t having it.

“Stiles,” you said firmly as you helped him into the Jeep. “You need to get that stitched. No arguments.”

He grimaced but didn’t fight you.

By the time you reached Deaton’s clinic, your resolve had only hardened. If Stiles was going to keep throwing himself into danger, you’d make damn sure he didn’t do it alone.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Stiles’ Perspective

The clinic was quiet, the only sounds the soft hum of machinery and the occasional clink of Deaton’s tools as he worked. I sat on the exam table, biting the inside of my cheek as he cleaned and stitched the gash on my arm.

Y/N sat across the room, her arms crossed over her chest and a stubborn set to her jaw. She hadn’t said much since we arrived, but her presence was enough to keep me grounded.

“I’ll give you a moment,” Deaton said once he finished, his gaze lingering on me with quiet concern before he left the room.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Y/N stood and walked over to me.

“You’re reckless, you know that?” she said, her voice sharp but not unkind.

I winced, rubbing the back of my neck. “Yeah, I’ve heard that once or twice.”

“I’m serious, Stiles.” She stepped closer, her eyes searching mine. “You can’t keep doing this. You can’t keep putting yourself in danger like this. What if I hadn’t been there today? What if—”

“Hey.” I cut her off gently, reaching for her hand. “I’m okay. And you were there. That’s what matters.”

She shook her head, frustration flickering across her face. “It’s not enough. You can’t fight this thing alone.”

“I’m not alone,” I said quietly, squeezing her hand.

Her gaze softened, and she let out a shaky breath. “Then let me help you,” she said. “I don’t care what it takes. We’ll figure it out together.”

Something in my chest ached at her words, but I nodded. “Okay,” I said. “Together.”

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The first step was figuring out how to weaken the Nogitsune’s hold.

Scott and Lydia joined the effort the next day, meeting with you and Stiles at his house. The four of you huddled around the kitchen table, pouring over books and notes that Deaton had loaned you.

“Is there a way to keep it from taking control?” you asked, flipping through a weathered tome on Japanese mythology.

“It feeds on chaos, pain, and fear,” Lydia said, her voice calm and analytical. “If we can starve it, maybe we can weaken it.”

“Easier said than done,” Scott muttered, running a hand through his hair. “There’s no shortage of chaos in this town.”

“Then we keep it focused,” you said firmly. “If it wants chaos, we make it chase us. We keep it distracted while we figure out how to get rid of it.”

Stiles looked at you, his expression a mix of admiration and worry. “That’s risky,” he said.

“So is doing nothing,” you shot back.

He didn’t argue.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Reader’s Perspective

Over the next few days, you and Stiles fell into an uneasy routine. You stayed close to him whenever you could, your presence a steady anchor as he struggled to keep the Nogitsune at bay.

It wasn’t easy. The thing inside him didn’t like being ignored.

Late one night, you were sitting on his bed, helping him sort through Deaton’s notes, when he suddenly stiffened.

“Y/N,” he said, his voice tight.

You looked up, your stomach twisting at the sight of his clenched fists and the flicker of darkness in his eyes.

“It’s trying to take over,” he said through gritted teeth.

You moved without thinking, sliding off the bed and kneeling in front of him. “Stiles,” you said firmly, taking his hands in yours. “Look at me.”

He shook his head, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. “I can’t—I can’t stop it—”

“Yes, you can,” you said, your voice steady. “You’re stronger than it is, Stiles. You’ve proven that over and over again.”

His eyes met yours, and for a moment, the darkness receded. “What if I hurt you?” he whispered, his voice breaking.

“You won’t,” you said, squeezing his hands. “I trust you.”

The words seemed to ground him, and he let out a shaky breath, the tension in his body slowly easing.

“Thank you,” he said softly, his voice barely audible.

You gave him a small, reassuring smile. “We’ve got this,” you said. “Together.”

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Stiles’ Perspective

Y/N was saving me.

Every time I felt the Nogitsune clawing at the edges of my mind, she was there, pulling me back. She didn’t have to say much—sometimes just hearing her voice was enough.

But I couldn’t shake the fear that it wouldn’t last.

The Nogitsune was patient. It was always waiting, watching, biding its time. And I knew that one day, it would strike.

But until then, I had her.

And for now, that was enough.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Reader’s Perspective

By the time the confrontation was inevitable, the exhaustion had already settled deep into your bones.

The days leading up to it blurred together, a constant haze of sleepless nights, endless research, and fleeting moments of fear and hope. Stiles’ strength amazed you, even as it terrified you. He fought the Nogitsune with everything he had, but you could see the cracks forming—each flicker of darkness in his eyes lasting a little longer, his voice slipping into that sharp, mocking tone more often than before.

You couldn’t help but wonder how much time he had left.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Stiles’ Perspective

The Nogitsune was growing restless.

It had stopped whispering and started screaming, clawing at the edges of my mind like a caged animal. It wanted out. It wanted chaos.

And I could feel it getting stronger.

Every time I blacked out, I woke up with blood under my fingernails, bruises I couldn’t explain, and memories that didn’t belong to me. The others didn’t say it, but I knew they were scared.

I was scared, too.

But I didn’t tell them that.

Especially not Y/N.

She was already carrying so much—watching me like a hawk, staying up late to help with research, putting herself in danger just by being near me. I hated that she’d gotten dragged into this mess, but at the same time, I couldn’t imagine going through it without her.

She made me feel like me again, even when the Nogitsune tried to tell me I wasn’t.

And I wasn’t going to let it hurt her.

No matter what.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

It happened on a cold, moonless night.

You were at the animal clinic with Scott, Lydia, and Stiles, poring over Deaton’s latest notes. The idea was to lure the Nogitsune into a trap—a series of wards and ash barriers designed to weaken it enough for Lydia to use her banshee powers to sever its connection to Stiles’ mind.

But the Nogitsune had other plans.

One minute, Stiles was flipping through a book, his brow furrowed in concentration. The next, he froze, his entire body going rigid.

“Stiles?” you said, your voice sharp with concern.

He didn’t respond.

“Stiles,” Scott said, stepping closer.

And then he turned.

His eyes were darker than you’d ever seen them, his expression cold and twisted. When he smiled, it sent a chill down your spine.

“Well,” he said, his voice dripping with malice. “Isn’t this cozy?”

“Stiles, fight it,” you said, stepping forward despite the warning look Scott shot you.

“Oh, he’s fighting,” the Nogitsune said, tilting its head. “But not very hard. It’s amazing what a little despair can do to a person, isn’t it?”

“Let him go,” Scott growled, his hands clenching into fists.

The Nogitsune laughed, the sound sharp and cruel. “Let him go? Oh, Scott. You don’t seem to understand. He’s not yours to save.”

Before anyone could react, the Nogitsune’s gaze snapped to you.

“Ah, and here she is,” it said, its tone mocking. “The little spark keeping him tethered to reality. I wonder, what would happen if we snuffed it out?”

Your blood ran cold.

“Don’t,” Stiles’ voice broke through suddenly, strained and desperate. His body jerked like he was fighting against invisible chains, his hands clenching at his sides. “Don’t touch her.”

“Oh, but it’s so tempting,” the Nogitsune purred, its gaze locked on you. “She’s such a pretty little weakness, isn’t she?”

You didn’t move. You couldn’t. Your legs felt like stone, but your heart was racing, pounding so loudly you could barely think.

“You’re not going to hurt her,” Scott said, stepping in front of you. His voice was steady, but his claws were out, his body coiled to spring.

The Nogitsune smirked. “Perhaps not yet,” it said. “But it’s such a fun thought, isn’t it? Watching her break? Watching all of you break?”

“Not today,” Lydia said suddenly, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

The Nogitsune turned to her, its smile faltering slightly.

“Scott,” Lydia said, her gaze steady. “Get the ash.”

Scott moved quickly, his claws scraping the floor as he grabbed the container of mountain ash from the counter. He started spreading it in a circle, his movements precise and methodical.

The Nogitsune laughed again, but there was an edge of something else in its tone now—something that sounded like uncertainty.

“Oh, I see,” it said, stepping back as Scott worked. “You think this will stop me? You think he wants to be saved?”

“Stiles does,” you said, your voice steady despite the fear clawing at your chest. “You’re wrong about him. He’s stronger than you think.”

The Nogitsune’s eyes narrowed, its expression twisting into something ugly. “We’ll see about that,” it hissed.

And then it lunged.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Reader’s Perspective

You didn’t think. You didn’t have time.

The Nogitsune moved faster than you thought possible, its hand outstretched toward you like a claw. But before it could reach you, Stiles’ body jerked violently, his entire frame trembling.

“No!” he shouted, his voice raw and anguished.

The Nogitsune froze, its grip on Stiles slipping as he forced himself back. His eyes flickered, the darkness in them receding as his hands shot out to grab yours.

“Y/N,” he said, his voice trembling. “I—I can’t hold it much longer. You have to finish this. You have to—”

“Stiles, I’m not leaving you,” you said firmly, gripping his hands tightly.

“You won’t have to,” Lydia said suddenly. She stepped forward, her eyes bright with determination as she let out a piercing scream that reverberated through the room.

The Nogitsune roared, its grip on Stiles breaking entirely as Lydia’s scream grew louder, sharper. Scott finished the circle of ash, and the Nogitsune stumbled, its movements erratic and uncoordinated.

“Now!” Lydia shouted.

Stiles collapsed to his knees, his hands clutching yours as the Nogitsune’s shadowy form was ripped from his body. It howled in rage, thrashing against the barrier of ash as Lydia’s voice carried it farther and farther away.

And then, suddenly, it was gone.

The silence that followed was deafening.

“Stiles,” you whispered, kneeling beside him. “Are you—”

“I’m okay,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I’m okay.”

You wrapped your arms around him, holding him tightly as he buried his face in your shoulder. For the first time in weeks, you felt like you could finally breathe.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The days following the Nogitsune’s defeat were eerily quiet.

The chaos it had left behind—the broken trust, the physical and emotional scars—was still present, hanging in the air like smoke after a fire. You didn’t think you’d ever forget the sound of Stiles screaming, or the cold, mocking tone the Nogitsune used when it spoke through him.

But you also couldn’t forget the way he fought. The way he clawed his way back to you, holding on with everything he had until the Nogitsune was ripped from his body.

Now, you found yourself sitting next to him on the steps of the Stilinski house, your shoulder brushing against his as the early evening sun dipped below the horizon.

Neither of you had said much since you arrived, and the silence between you was heavy but not uncomfortable.

“Y/N,” he said finally, breaking the stillness.

You turned to look at him, your heart squeezing at the vulnerability in his expression. His hands were clasped tightly in his lap, his thumbs nervously fidgeting with the hem of his hoodie.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Stiles—”

“No, let me say this,” he interrupted, his eyes meeting yours. “I need to say it.”

You nodded, letting him continue.

“I hurt you,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. “Even if it wasn’t me doing it, it still happened. And you were right to be scared. I was scared, too. But you… you didn’t give up on me. You stayed, even when you didn’t have to. And I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank you enough for that.”

You felt your throat tighten, tears pricking the corners of your eyes. “Stiles, I stayed because I knew it wasn’t you. I knew you were still in there, fighting. And I—”

You stopped, the words catching in your throat.

He tilted his head, his eyes softening. “You what?” he asked gently.

You hesitated for only a moment before taking a deep breath. “I care about you, Stiles. I think I always have, even before all of this. And seeing you like that, knowing what you were going through… it scared me because I couldn’t imagine losing you.”

For a moment, he just stared at you, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he reached out and took your hand in his, his grip warm and steady.

“You won’t lose me,” he said firmly. “I promise. No more Nogitsune, no more chaos. Just… me. If you’ll still have me.”

You let out a shaky laugh, a tear slipping down your cheek as you nodded. “Of course I will,” you said, your voice breaking slightly.

His lips curved into a small, hesitant smile. “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.”

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Stiles’ Perspective

I couldn’t stop looking at her.

The way the setting sun painted her features in soft golden light, the way her eyes shimmered with unshed tears but still held so much strength. She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen, and for some reason I still couldn’t quite wrap my head around, she’d chosen to stay.

The Nogitsune was gone, but its shadow lingered. There were nights when I woke up gasping for air, the memory of its voice ringing in my ears. Nights when I thought about what could’ve happened if Y/N hadn’t been there—if she hadn’t held onto me when I needed it most.

She saved me.

And I was going to spend the rest of my life making sure she knew how much that meant to me.

“You’re staring,” she said, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.

“Sorry,” I said sheepishly, though I didn’t look away. “I’m just… I don’t know. Grateful, I guess.”

“Grateful?” she echoed, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” I said, squeezing her hand. “Grateful that you’re here. That I’m here. That we’re… okay.”

Her expression softened, and she leaned her head against my shoulder. “We are okay,” she said quietly.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, I believed her.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Reader’s Perspective

The nightmares didn’t go away right away.

There were nights when you woke up in a cold sweat, the memory of the Nogitsune’s cruel smile etched into your mind. But those nights became fewer and farther between, especially with Stiles by your side.

He still had his own demons to fight, but you fought them together. On the bad days, you reminded him that he wasn’t alone. And on the good days, he reminded you why you stayed.

One afternoon, as you sat on the bleachers after practice, he handed you a familiar cup of hot chocolate.

“From the place by the field,” he said with a small smile.

You took it, your chest tightening as the memory of that day flashed through your mind. “Thanks,” you said softly.

He sat down beside you, his knee brushing against yours. For a moment, neither of you spoke, content to just sit in the quiet.

Then he glanced at you, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “So,” he said, “does this mean we’re officially chemistry partners for life?”

You laughed, rolling your eyes. “I think we’ve earned that title,” you said.

“Good,” he said, his smile widening. “Because I don’t plan on letting you go anytime soon.”

You didn’t plan on letting him go, either.

No matter what came next, you knew you’d face it together.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Epilogue:

Reader’s Perspective

Months passed, and the scars the Nogitsune left behind—both visible and invisible—began to fade. Life didn’t return to normal, exactly. Beacon Hills had a way of making “normal” feel like a foreign concept. But you and Stiles built something new, something stronger than the chaos that had tried to break you.

Your relationship wasn’t perfect. There were moments of doubt, of fear, when you both struggled to fully trust that the darkness was gone for good. But every time, Stiles would reach for your hand, grounding you both in a way that words couldn’t.

“Together,” he’d remind you, and you’d nod, letting his warmth chase away the lingering shadows.

One Saturday afternoon, you sat with Stiles in his Jeep, parked at the overlook just outside of town. It had become your unofficial spot—a place to escape when things got overwhelming.

“Okay,” Stiles said, breaking the comfortable silence. “Picture this: aliens invade Beacon Hills, right? But instead of fighting, they challenge us to a trivia contest. What’s the one fact you’d bet your life on?”

You laughed, shaking your head. “That’s the dumbest scenario I’ve ever heard.”

“Come on,” he said, nudging you with his elbow. “What’s your go-to fun fact?”

You thought for a moment, tapping your chin dramatically. “Okay. Did you know octopuses have three hearts, and two of them stop beating when they swim?”

His jaw dropped in mock amazement. “What? No way. That’s so unfair. Humans only get one, and half the time it’s broken.”

You rolled your eyes, but you couldn’t stop the smile tugging at your lips. “What about you? What’s your big trivia fact?”

He grinned. “Easy. Did you know that my girlfriend is the smartest, most badass person in Beacon Hills?”

You groaned, shoving his shoulder playfully. “That’s not a real fact!”

“It’s real to me,” he said, his grin softening into something sweeter.

You looked at him, your heart swelling at the sight of his easy smile. He was lighter now, freer. The weight he’d carried for so long seemed to have lifted, and seeing him like this made everything you’d been through feel worth it.

“You’re impossible,” you said, shaking your head.

“And you love me anyway,” he shot back, leaning closer.

“Yeah,” you admitted, your voice soft. “I do.”

His expression shifted, his eyes searching yours like he was trying to memorize every detail. “Good,” he said quietly. “Because I love you, too.”

You didn’t need any more words.

Leaning in, you pressed your lips to his, your hand sliding to the back of his neck as his arms wrapped around you. The kiss was slow and steady, filled with all the things you didn’t know how to say.

When you finally pulled back, your foreheads rested together, both of you smiling like fools.

“Together?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Always,” you replied.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the town in shades of gold and orange. For the first time in a long time, the future didn’t feel so uncertain.

Whatever came next, you knew you’d face it side by side.

[bekolxeram]

I'm usually very block happy, but sometimes a couple of hot takes from the opposite side of the fandom manage to slip through. I'm no saint, I admit I do get quite worked up at first, but after some time, I realize they give me new perspectives to scenes I've watched countless times and discover things I didn't pick up before. So this one is for all of you, staunch Tommy haters, thank you for enriching my viewing experience.

In 7x04, when Tommy goes to Buck's loft to talk things out, this line gives some people the ick, because it echoes what Taylor said in 5x05. In that episode, Buck thought his team was off because they blamed him for Chimney leaving. He talked to Taylor about it, she shared her own experience with her boss being sulky around her, and it turned out her boss was just in a lot of physical pain, she ended the conversation with "maybe not everything is about you". While what she said was absolutely right, and she made an effort to make Buck feel appreciated at the end of the episode, but I can also see Buck not feeling supported emotionally at the time the conversation occurred. In a fashion true to her profession, Taylor delivered it in a very blunt, direct and advisory way. Her being right did not cancel out Buck feeling insecure about everyone acting weird around him and him not knowing why.

What Tommy says here though, is in a a completely different context.

Before all of this, Tommy has already reassured Buck that he's not trying to replace him, that his place in Eddie and Christopher's life is irreplaceable.

Look at Buck's smile, he's apparently in a better mood than before. It's like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

So going in this next part, Buck is more receptive to what he frankly needs to hear: Eddie isn't hanging out with Tommy because Buck did something wrong, he just enjoys Tommy's company.

We've witnessed Buck's growth over 7 seasons, now he can recognize that getting jealous easily is one of his character flaws, he tends to overthink and make other's action personal when he's feeling insecure in a relationship. He's telling Tommy this probably to signal that he understands he messed up and he understands what he did wrong. He never expected Tommy to validate his feelings.

But Tommy does empathize with his predicament.

Buck doesn't understand what Tommy, the cool, confident (and hot) pilot would be jealous over. And he almost can't believe Tommy gets what he's been feeling.

Tommy tells Buck that he's envious of the ride-or-die familial bonds within the 118 nowadays, as if he didn't also put his career and life in danger just to save Athena and Bobby (probably Hen's career as well), after one phone call from Chimney.

Now it's Buck's turn to reassure Tommy.

Another hot take I've seen from the other side goes like "if Tommy was nicer to Hen and Chimney back in the days, he wouldn't have to be jealous over what the 118 has now". You know what? Judging by Tommy's face here, he probably would agree. This is not the face of a man who is proud of what he did. This is the face of a man who is burdened by guilt and regret, this is a man haunted by his past, this is a man who doesn't think he deserves the praise.

Buck even cites fake mouth static as an example of Tommy's effort in aiding the 118's clandestine rescue mission, and they naturally fall into a flirty dynamic. I have no explanation for that, except, your honor, this is exhibit A against the "no chemistry" allegation.

Buck then spells it all out for Tommy that he also put everything on the line just for the 118, without hesitation. Tommy looks like he still has a hard time accepting it as an act worthy of redemption for his past behavior.

We've all made mistakes, and we all know we can't go back to the past and change what we did, so the best way forward is to change ourselves and be better. Judging by Tommy's "and [Gerrard] didn't make me a better person" line in 7x10, he quite possibly reflected on this a lot. Yet, sometimes you still can't help but doubt yourself over if you've learned enough from your past, if you're a good enough person now. I can't imagine how good it feels hearing Buck say out loud that he actually likes the person Tommy is now.

Apparently Buck likes Tommy so much that he came up with excuses just to hang out with him and get to know him.

Tommy is pleasantly surprised, because he did tell Buck to call him when he wants to go up. In fact, Buck can call him for whatever reason, Tommy accepted the Harbor tour request, there's nothing indicating that he would feel weird just hanging out with Buck. Tommy just doesn't know how much of a overthinker and bi disaster Buck truly is yet, but that's the story for another time.

Buck and Tommy really don't know much, if anything, about each other at this stage, as you can see in 7x05, but they're already validating each other's feelings. We've seen Buck get his feelings ignored, hurt, dismissed and kind of fetishized for 6 seasons, now this is something he's been looking for the whole time, for someone to understand what he's going through. At the same time, this interaction must also be quite freeing for Tommy, who's been haunted by demons from his own past.

[tealvenetianmask]

Why Stolas's Story Is a Neurodivergent Story

And what that means for what's ahead.

Like a lot of fans, I see Stolas as autistic. This isn't a diagnosis post. But yes, something something special interests, dinosaur arms, persistent difficulty fitting in with his own social class, anxiety about social situations, frequent difficulty reading people and/or noticing others' emotions (especially when caught up in his own thoughts), masking, etc. etc. etc.

I want to talk about how Stolas's character arc tells a really well written (and potentially very uplifting) story about what it's like to be neurodivergent.

So what would be in my ideal neurodivergent story? Well I'd rather stay away from true utopia and have it reflect what it feels like to be neurodivergent in society today. So the character would struggle, not because their traits are bad, but because society isn't built for them. As the story progresses, the character might find happiness in unexpected ways and begin to look beyond society's rigid expectations for what a "good life" looks like. And then, hopefully, after some twists and turns, this character reaches a kind of self-acceptance where they are more themselves than ever, proud of who they are, and maybe even able to help change their society for the better.

Stolas's character arc IS this story.

Act 1: It's hard trying to fit into a neurotypical world.

Stolas is taught to mask his true emotions and follow strict social expectations as a child. He isn't living in just ANY neurotypical culture. The Goetia are old and set in their ways, and have rigid expectations for what one does and does not do. He's playing the social game on "hard mode" from the beginning.

I think one thing that helps make Stolas high masking is the way in which his special interests are socially acceptable within his social sphere. Stars and plants? Books? Well he's a nerd, and no one wants to be his friend, but of course a guy with his particular destiny-assigned-in-childhood would like things like that.

Stolas develops a few different types of masks. One is the "I'm fine" mask where he pretends not to be emotionally affected by what's going on around him.

The other is this sort of "powerful" mask. A character who is in control of everything and plays into his society's ideas of how a Goetia should interact with the rest of the world. It usually means acting demeaning toward Blitz in order to preserve the facade of what a powerful prince of Hell is supposed to be. And he's conscious of putting on an act when he uses it.

But anyway, the masks cover up a person who is deeply unhappy in his prescribed role and doing his best to act correctly for others . . . his father's expectations and then his daughter's wellbeing, instead of for himself. I like that HB has him STILL not fit in among the Goetia despite his best efforts. It's an experience that a lot of neurodivergent people know too well.

By the way, I LOVE how Mastermind brings us Stolas doing something truly subversive with this "powerful" mask, playing into his society's expectations in order to, in a small way, undermine their power. BUT that's me getting ahead of myself.

Act 2: The neurodivergent character learns that there are other ways to be.

I think that Stolas has been dipping his talons into this part of his story for two seasons now but has been hesitant to envision himself as anything but a prince of hell. We're going to see him fully engulfed in working through these questions in Season 3 because of his banishment.

Blitz is of course the major catalyst for Stolas questioning his commitment to conformity and acting outright rebellious at times.

I think it's neat that Blitz is so clearly neurodivergent himself. We tend to find each other . . . if you're reading this and are neurodivergent, take a look at your closest friends. And these two share a kind of chemistry and appreciation for one another that most of Hell seems not to see in them.

BUT until he's banished, Stolas doesn't really reach for a situation where he doesn't need to act out his prescribed role. Even when he pursues a relationship with Blitz in earnest, he does so with the expectation that he'll somehow balance this relationship with satisfying the expectations of his upper-class peers.

Act 3: Radical Self-Acceptance?? Hopefully!

Now we can only speculate.

I think that despite realizing that he wants something else, Stolas still fundamentally believes that something is wrong with him. He doesn't understand yet that his enthusiasm for his interests and his emotiveness, for instance, are part of what makes him wonderful. He doesn't see yet that being different might even help him change a society that is deeply flawed.

I can't wait to see Stolas truly have fun in Imp City, and do things there that he's truly proud of.

Whatever happens with his literal powers, he might figure out that he's most powerful when he doesn't act like a "powerful prince" but instead acts like himself and proudly questions his society.

And there's a lot of "The Circus" in this post because @akirathedramaqueen and I had a major brainstorm while we were rewatching that episode. More new ideas about old material to come soon hopefully!

This post is a follow-up on this literal fever ramble from yesterday about Blitz as a neurodivergent character. And yes, I think neurodivergent stories map onto queer stories quite nicely.

[deesseshesca]

PILE 1

His veiny hands, his strong bicep, his tattoo and the fact that everything he does screams masculinity. He’s amazing knowledge in alcohol or the fucking way he drive a car with so much assurance. His signature perfume and the way he never talks loud but always what's right. Did you ever find a man in finance this secure in himself with no God complex…yeah no that doesn't exist. But it's only right that he feels for you. The more I spend time observing you … I understand why he's falling… I am 2 .. I guess. Let’s start by the creativity that breathes out of you with everything you do. Is like you are in love with the whole woman's experience which can be seen by the way you take care of your hair ; long and healthy. You don't just stop there, you color them and style it  anytime you want. The freckles that decorate your face like you are living painting. Your perfect nose and small but luscious lips. Is the way you are fine not being everyone's type and you don't care to change. You with your long and beautifully manicured nails. The way you love on your body unapologetically even though is not the standard in modern beauty. You never complain about your boobs being too big, your butt being too small or even your hips being too wide. Nah you wear whatever you want. Flowing dress, deep cut shirt with no bra not caring that your tits are sagging. What makes you even more intrigued is the complexity that lives beneath your beauty, elegance and confidence. You fucking love cars, passionate about it. I would have never guessed it, I would think you were an artist or even a mua but nah mamacita is trying to become an engineer. Is almost like life never hurted, never controlled, never took the best out of you. You decide to be your own person no matter what and your authenticity can be seen, admired, and envy by many including me. In my case I was pushed into this bimbo character. Need to act, look and be always be perfect since I could remember. Making sure to eat properly so I don't gain to much weight, making sure to message my skin so my boob dont sag, make sure to shave everywhere on my body, make sure to straighten my curls because curly ain't sexy, making sure to never skip a leg day so the butt stay juicy, making sure to have a clear skin. And it does not stop there … making sure I moan seductively, make sure I know how suck good, making sure I am submissive enough. I did it all to please … the one I want, stay unimpressed while the other treats me like lesser women because all they can think of is having sex. Actually you guys are so cute together, the way you like to act like you don't see him applying  pressure. Always touching you any chance he gets, always looking at you across the room, always having your back when you need a ride back home even when the party's at his place. While you tease him, give him kisses across his face every so often, while giving him compliments with your beautiful voice, seducing him with your healthy femininity. Today, in the bathroom, too many drink in my system, hiding while writing this fucking email … I must admit that you have influence me. Because the man I love, loves you for you. Not a version of you made to please, made to seduce, made to only be relevant for the other sex. Maybe it is time for me to admit that all this is in vain … because being the standard did not make me pick, choose or even love. In all fucking honesty I am tired to prove that I am nice enough, fun enough, sexy enough, kind enough … Fuck… can I not just be enough ? (tears on the screen, somebody calls her name) 

Fuck is not like you are even going to read this anyways…

VIBES: New beginning, fresh start, new couple, love at first sight, red string theory, cant get enough of each other, a lot of tension, chemistry and perfect match. 

A lot of people are happy y’all find each other because you were both unfulfilled in love.

[agentravensong]

how do i enjoy rosencrantz & guildenstern are dead? is there a good way to experience it

IMO, if you're entirely new to the play, the best first impression you can have of it is the 2017 National Theater Live production, viewable here. That link also has a copy of the script, though I'd recommend waiting until after you've watched the play to read it. Because it's an absurdist work, if you're just reading the script as your first exposure to the story, it can be hard to follow or connect with. Watching a performance of it, watching two people embody Ros and Guil and seeing their chemistry, it's much more likely to hit emotionally. Even if you're just as lost as the protagonists, when you're watching and hearing it, you can latch onto the Vibe and get it on that level, you know?

If you end up enjoying the show, my next recommendation would be to check out the 1990 film version. I love that Ros and Guil just as much as NTL's, and it features my favorite version of the main player/tragedian. A lot of small things get changed because of the different medium and it's interesting to compare back to the play.

And if you're still hungry for more after that, a) congrats on getting bit by the RAGAD bug, b) sorry, c) check out this post for more tumblr peer-reviewed productions!

One extra note: Because the play is about two side characters from Shakespeare's Hamlet, knowing at least the basic outline of what happens in Hamlet will fill in some gaps and make the show easier to follow. If you don't have that knowledge already, I wouldn't say you're required to look it up before watching this show; like I implied earlier, it is a kind of special experience to watch it while being just as out of the loop as the protagonists. But for further delving into the play, the more you know about Hamlet, the more allusions and such you'll find in RAGAD that make it all the deeper. Maybe look into it in between watching the NTL and movie versions? Up to you.

[dragqueenstarscream]

hey, its me again, back with more Starscream thoughts, so you just know things are about to get uncomfortably real and introspective! Again, prefacing by saying that a lot of my analysis is based on my own eerily similar experiences to Starscream, so I'm not 100% sure how much of this actually rings true and what is just me projecting.

I have entirely fallen down the StarOp rabbit hole thanks to you, at a speed I never could have expected. When I first finished TFP and started browsing the tags, I'd see the occasional StarOp post and at best be like "alright, sure" and at worst a little confused on where it was coming from, given the infrequency of interactions between the two after like, early season 1. But since I sent that first ask in it just clicked and like.

Before, I was always of the opinion that Starscream joining the autobots was something that could never really work from a character perspective, not just because of his dependency on Megatron like I talked about last time, but like, even if Megatron was completely out of the picture I never felt like the full on redemption and becoming a functioning member of post-war society that becoming an Autobot would entail would particularly be desirable to Starscream (if even possible for reasons both in and out of his control.)

I sorta felt like any good ending for Starscream would have to entail him moreso escaping the narrative than anything else, given the extent to which he's stuck in this cycle almost on a cosmic level, with how he's unable to escape it in any universe, any continuity, which of course ties into wider thoughts on how this franchise seems uninterested in letting Starscream ever escape that cycle. A sort of El Camino style ending, where leaving behind everything you know and running away to Alaska is considered a good ending, all things considered. That naturally led to me shipping him with Knockout, given their chemistry and the fact that they were this close to running away together, it just felt like the most compelling option, narratively speaking.

But now that I've caught onto the StarOp agenda, I've sorta cracked the code and realized that you can make a compelling and believable path to Starscream becoming an Autobot by having him getting together with Optimus initially be on a subconscious level an outlet to recreate the cycle he was in with Megatron purely because he's used to it and doesn't know how to live without it.

Outside of the obvious ideological and moral differences, Optimus and Megatron have a lot in common, especially from the perspective of Starscream. They're both big, strong, masculine figures, and natural-born leaders that effortlessly compel those around them to fight for their respective causes. They both radiate power in a way that I imagine you can almost feel when around them (and in a way I know it, because that's often how it felt being around my personal Megatron, it's why it was so easy to fall back into his arms over and over.)

All this to say, when Starscream gets with Optimus, he's not escaping the cycle, he's changing his target. If he became an autobot he would instantly become the most dedicated autobot, not out of any ideological reasoning or particular desire to be good, but out of an intense loyalty he effortlessly placed in Optimus. But of course, the loyalty phase is only half of this cycle.

This next part I'm heavily basing on what I've realized about my own experiences, so bear with me for a second, (I also doesn't think it exactly applies to TFP as much as it does some other continuities, G1 maybe but I haven't seen much of G1 so idk for sure) but I feel like sometimes Starscream almost tests Megatron in a way when he feels like Megatron's priorities are drifting away from him, (since remember, he needs to be the most important bot in his life, Starscream is desperate for Megatron to be as obsessed with him as he is with Megatron.) so Starscream will sort of do something stupid, maybe he comes up with some harebrained scheme that's probably not gonna work, or he makes some tactical or administrative decision entirely based on what he's feeling on an emotional level, to see "will Megatron back me on this?"

because Megatron does stuff like that all the time, he's far from being a better tactician than Starscream, (notice how the moment Starscream leaves in season 1, the decepticons stop winning like, at all until he comes back?) and he makes rash decisions out of anger all the time, and Starscream goes along with all of it, every single time, so it's only fair that Megatron lets him get away with doing something kinda stupid this once. and when Megatron inevitably doesn't, either because it would work against the Decepticons own goals, or purely because he doesn't want Starscream to think he has power over him, (and despite how good he is at hiding it, Starscream does have power over him in a lot of ways, I might talk about that some other time.) Starscream lashes out, betrays Megatron, and leaves, because once again all the loyalty he gave to Megatron got him nothing in return.

and let's be clear, Starscream doing this is toxic as fuck, but at the same time of course it is, it's almost impossible not to become toxic in an environment like this. And that really comes back to bite you when you get out of that environment, but on a base level still have these habits and base level impulses that might have helped you survive back then but are terrible for the actually decent people you've surrounded yourself with now.

With that, we cut to today, where Starscream is an autobot and he tries to pull one of these "tests" on Optimus because the honeymoon phase is over and Starscream is instinctually ready for things to start getting worse, maybe they had like, one minor argument and Starscream instantly assumed the worst. and I imagine Optimus "fails" the test, says "no, I'm not backing you on this, I'm not gonna let you do that", but unlike Megatron who does so while prioritizing his own ends and his control over Starscream, Optimus is saying no for moral reasons. And I imagine he tries to explain that to Starscream, but that answer isn't hitting him properly because again, Starscream's only thinking in loyalty.

Everything Optimus thought was progress on Starscream's part in living up to autobot ideals was really just newfound intense loyalty to Optimus, his growth was really just him doing what he thinks Optimus would want him to do and what he thinks would gain him Optimus's loyalty in return. and, from Starscream's perspective, it didn't work, so he's thinking "obviously Optimus doesn't care about me at all, fuck him, I'm out of here." so he makes this big display of betraying the autobots and running away.

and from there, it's the question of if Optimus sees through what this is really about. The other autobots are probably no help in that regard, they all probably fall into one of two groups, the "At no point in time was I not 100% sure that this inevitably was going to happen" group, and the "I mean, I had hope for him, and it seemed like he was doing good, but I'm still not that surprised" group.

But of course, Optimus isn't Megatron, he does care about Starscream and wants him to know that, so I imagine he actually tries tracking down Starscream to have an actual conversation with him to try and figure out where his mind has really been at these past few months, and if he catches on to even a little bit of the subtext of what I've been saying here, he's gonna be like "oh shit, there is a lot more we need to work on than I thought."

and yeah, Megatron fucked up Starscream in ways that its gonna take years to properly unpack, so Starscream is lucky to have found quite possibly the best person to help him through it in Optimus. It's gonna be a rocky road, but Optimus is in for the ride.

and I do think this relationship could eventually become healthy, and I like reading fics where they've managed to make it healthy, but I do think at first it really wouldn't be, and as someone with the autism that makes you obsessed with themes and motifs and subtext, the process of seeing it become better, of seeing Starscream have to unlearn these old harmful defense mechanisms, THAT is really what makes my brain vibrate, especially because I've had to go through that same process myself after finally getting away from my personal Megatron for what I'm thankfully certain now is the final time.

also kinda realizing a lot of this kinda sounds like borderline personality disorder, which. that might be something I have to look into in regards to myself, damn. anyways, yeah, thanks for letting me kill the vibe again, appreciate it! I'll probably try and keep these shorter in the future, I imagine it's kind of a lot to suddenly have 1500 words of deep character analysis with hints of traumadumping suddenly thrown in your askbox lol. If this actually was a bit too much then I'm sorry, you can tell me to dial it down a little if you want.

and this, right here, is why starop is my favorite transformers ship.

you really hit the nail on the head with this one. when done well, it's not only cute and fun to explore, but it's also a deep dive into starscream as a character and what could possibly lead to a redemption arc. sure, you don't need starscream to fall in love with optimus to redeem him, but how that would actually play out is so fascinating.

sure, i love aus where starscream is an autobot spy the whole time. yes, i love aus where they were in love in the past and got separated. but the idea of starscream replacing megatron with optimus in his mind fits him so well, because, as an abuse victim myself, it's easy to find yourself drawn to people who remind you of your abuser.

and that's where optimus' kindness sets him apart, because when starscream pushes back on him, optimus doesn't do what starscream expects. he doesn't lash out or hit him or verbally berate him. he responds with honest concern, trying to figure out what's wrong.

and that kindness, that sincerity, is something starscream doesn't even realize he's been missing the entire time.

i do believe they have the potential to be healthy, but the fight towards them actually becoming healthy and helping starscream get out of his toxic mindset is part of what makes these two so damn compelling.

always happy to have another starop fan.

(also you don't have to worry about toning it down lmao, gods know i ramble like a maniac about my favorite things. i'm not gonna be the one to judge)

[the-great-fusilli]

I’m pro-delulu and I too believe in shipping characters that don’t canonically end up together BUT… I will never get behind Zutara (my mind changes often, but rn no🙅🏽‍♀️.)

Maybe it’s because I don’t take colonization and eithnic clensing lightly, or maybe it’s because I disagree with the “Katara is like Aang’s mom” statement. Either way they should not be end game. People often bring up how Zuko helped Katara release a lot of pent up emotions concerning her mother’s death and who killed her, but the Fire Nation (his people) were responsible for that death. And up until that specific arc Zuko was upholding the beliefs of those people.

“Zuko doesn’t need Katara to be his mother like Aang and the rest of the group do, they’re on equal footing.” Except Aang and the rest of the group don’t need Katara to be mother either. People just view Katara as a maternal character because of her personality and that’s the only role they’ll acknowledge her having in the group. Katara’s mother showed her a love so deep and protective that she died so Katara could live. Of course the trauma of losing her mother in that way at such a young age would cause her to take on the role her mother had. Whether it be because of obligation, or simply because that’s all she knew.

Aang and all the other characters have experienced a lot of trauma, but Aang was raised by monks. He doesn’t need a mother figure because he’s never experienced gender roles in the way the other characters have. His idea of a family is being shaped as the show progresses because aside form Monk Gyatso, they are the first real family he’s had. He’s curious, fun-loving and light hearted because that’s how Monk Gyatso raised him to be, not because he’s an irresponsible little 12 yr old without a mother. His people were eradicated, so Katara doesn’t raise Aang she guides him through grieving the loss of his people. A loss she knows all too well.

Toph is blind and her family is overly protective. They don’t give her the space or freedom to be her own person or earth bend. Another experience that Katara knows all too well. Her grandmother never let her leave the southern water tribe or water bend so she gives Toph the same thing she gives Aang. Sokka is Katara’s brother… he also experienced the loss of their mother except Sokka is a boy. He’s been made painfully aware of gender roles because he watched their father leave to fight in the war instead of staying to help him and Katara. He wanted to be more like his Father because be believed that was his role in the family (to fight). So the responsibility of taking care of the both of them fell on Katara.

Katara and Zuko are not on “equal footing” especially not before he leaves the Fire Nation. He’s a prince from the Nation that has been opressing her family, her people and the world for 100 years…(he literally calls my good sis “water tribe peasant” meaning at some point he believed she was inferior because he had royal blood.) He has changed now of course and I love both Zuko and Katara, but them being end game makes no sense to me. Even in terms of chemistry… I don’t think they have any at all. Majority of their screen time together is just them fighting with each other (verbally and physically.)

People also like to use the episode where Zuko takes Katara to find the man who killed her mother as proof that Zuko was the only one who truly helped her grieve and get closure. Which honestly I don’t understand. I think he definitely aided in helping her move past what happened, but it could’ve went painfully wrong & I think it was a bit misplaced. For one, Zuko’s whole reason for doing that was to get on Katara’s good side. He said himself that everyone else had forgiven him already except Katara. He understood that his role in the group was teaching Aang to fire bend, and helping the gaang defeat his father. Which is why he couldn’t grasp why she wouldn’t put her personal feelings aside for the sake of the team. He needed to gain Katara’s trust for the sake of better team work when they fight. Katara was also extremely hypocritical that episode, and spoke from a place of anger and hurt. Aang wasn’t invalidating her feelings, he only did for her what she’d done for him. He reminded Katara that her rage and anger needed to be fueled into defeating the Fire Nation, NOT revenge. Because revenge doesn’t help you grieve & it wouldn’t help them achieve the REAL goal. {Not to mention she was so disappointed and upset with Jet for wanting revenge (a character who truly reflects her), but because the man she was going to kill wasn’t innocent somehow her revenge was different and therefore justified?…No.}

Katara would tell Aang all the time how much seeing him so enraged in the Avatar state genuinely hurt her. Yet for some reason she couldn’t fathom that he’d feel the same way seeing her blood bend in the same emotional state? No…I think in that moment she just didn’t care & wasn’t thinking about it. Zuko was counting on that, and he used Katara’s pain to get her to trust him (it was smart and it worked but still not cool.) Zuko understands Katara’s pain to an extent, but it’s not the same at all. Zuko’s mother was banished, but Katara’s mother was killed… and by Zuko’s nation at that. The only people in the group who TRULY understand Katara and that pain… are Sokka and Aang.

Aang and Katara to me are like 2 halves that make a whole. Their characters are tailor made for each other and I love it. I’ve believed they were soulmates since the moment she broke him out of that Iceberg. Katara felt a higher calling, not only to be a water bender fighting for her people, but also to be apart of something bigger than herself, fighting for everyone. Her first time experiencing freedom is when she was took on a mission to give that same freedom to others around the world as well. Its not a coincidence that in the first episode where she feels her biggest emotions, she showcase her strongest bending yet at that time in her life, AND she broke THE Avatar out of an iceberg he had been in for 100 years. It was FATE. Katara helps Aang grieve, gives him a family after losing the one he had, teaches him water bending, teaches him that the world may be counting on him, but the amount of death and pain he sees is not his fault and most importantly teaches him how to use his power to stand up for and fight for the people who can’t fight for themselves. She shows up when he needs her the most. Aang also helps Katara finally step into her own power. His arrival gives her the things necessary for her development… freedom, fun, opportunity to master water bending, a new addition to the family after the loss of her mother, and a partner in justice. The way Katara is capable of truly seeing and understanding Aang, speaking to his soul when they had just met… reflects how meeting him helped her heal. They connect so much because despite their differences they understand each other. Some of Aang’s own words were “Why would i choose cosmic energy over Katara?” He had an opportunity to master the avatar state land directly in his lap, but instead he chose her.

IM TEAM KAANG TIL I DIE

Also I think personality wise Zuko and Katara are too much alike for it to work romantically imo. They’re both sassy as hell, sarcastic, stubborn momma’s babies, who resent their fathers a lil and went through hell for a couple years because of their siblings (+ losing their moms.) In some ways they ARE opposites (especially their bending & colors,) and i agree they have character development arcs that fit together like puzzle pieces…BUT they are more alike than they are opposite. I absolutely LOVE both characters, but I fear people look at Zuko with rose colored glasses on alot of the time. Especially when it comes to Katara. Zuko did what needed to be done for the world’s sake, but he’s no super hero when it cones to Katara and she has a deep wound related to getting revenge on people people who harm her family. The main reason Zuko broke her trust in the first place was because he helped Azula kill Aang after letting Katara believe he was on their side… Aang is her family It was never about her mother when it came to Zuko’s forgiveness. She even said she would kill him if he even thought about hurting Aang when he first joined the gaang.

With that being said… I don’t have a problem with people who just like to see them together, but pls stop with the justifications because… It genuinely makes no sense to me at all.

[auras-moonstone]

okay okay hear me out this is a good one WHAT IF!!!! WHAT IF!!! reader x jack play love interests in Freaky Tales, and like everyone on set KNEW they were obviously into each other right? right. so, sundance film festival comes along a year-and-a-lot-of-pinning-later, and when the kiss scene between their characters comes up they’re both just blushing and smiling and they’re so cute during the interviews the internet goes CRAZY anyway pedro ends up talking some confidence into jack and he asks the reader out 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

from friends to this — jack champion

word count: 1,6k

pairing: jack champion x actress!fem!reader

summary: after months of not seeing each other, jack and y/n reunite at the sundance festival. with feelings still in the air, jack is persuaded to finally ask her out.

warnings: fluff.

Freaky Tales had been a completely different experience for Jack. Until that movie, he had done roles where his character didn’t have a love interest, much less a kissing scene. It was a thing that had made him nervous since the beginning, because he knew that his co-star, Y/N, had been involved in several romantic comedies so she had experience.

However, his fears were soon erased once he got to know her. Y/N made him feel comfortable and one thing he loved about her was the way she complimented him every time they finished filming a scene together. Jack was immensely glad to call her his co-star and was happy with the chemistry they showed on camera.

The two teenagers relationship soon started resembling their character’s one. Lucid and Vicky were two friends who were obviously into each other, but were too scared of rejection so they kept their feelings to themselves. For that reason, it wasn’t hard for the actors to get into their characters and nail the sentimental parts. And even though both of them were excellent at their job, the whole cast knew there was something deeper there, that there was more than just acting. The two friends could fool each other, but everyone in that set was aware of the way they basically radiated happiness when they were together. Hence why they were all sad when the last day of filming arrived and there hadn’t been any changes on the relationship.

And now, one year later, the cast was finally going to reunite for the premiere of the movie at the Sundance Festival. Y/N and Jack had been looking forward to the event because it had been months since the last time they saw each other.

“Oh my god.” Jack heard a familiar voice speak. He turned his head to the side, spotting his friend who was smiling like the Cheshire cat. Forgetting about the flashing lights and the interviewers, he made his way to her and instantly wrapped her in a hug. “The mullet is back.” she said against his chest.

Jack laughed and stepped back. “Hello to you too.”

“Sorry, hi.” she chuckled. “The mullet is back!”

“Yeah, I heard you the first time.” he rolled his eyes. “I kinda had to bring it back, you were harassing me.” he said in a playful tone.

“I did not harass you, idiot.” she softly pushed his shoulder.

“You have been sending me daily texts for a month, telling me to bring it back.” he pointed out.

“I was doing God’s work.” she shrugged. “You look really good, Jack.”

He felt the warmth spreading on his cheeks. “Thanks, Y/N/N. I missed you.”

“Missed you, too. And Jesus, have you gotten taller?”

He smirked “Maybe you’ve shrunk.”

“Fuck off.” she rolled her eyes.

“Let’s go, smurf.” he grabbed her hand, guiding her towards the carpet to take pictures. “You look gorgeous, by the way.”

They smiled at each other, the butterflies in their stomachs let them know that despite not having been able to see each other often, their feelings were still intact.

Y/N and Jack sat next to each other for the movie screening. It was the third and last day of the festival, and the two friends were sad they were going to be apart again. They hadn’t acknowledged it because they didn’t want to ruin the mood, but their hearts sure felt heavy.

The kissing scene was approaching and they began squirming on their seats, remembering that day at the set and most importantly, how good kissing the other had felt. They both replayed those moments more often that they’d like to admit, and they’d be lying if they said they didn’t want to experience it again.

When the kiss was shown on the big screen, Jack and Y/N couldn’t help looking at each other. They exchanged love-sick smiles and began blushing when they felt the cast’s eyes on them. Trying their best to ignore it, they set their focus on the movie until the credits rolled in.

Now was the part Y/N dreaded the most. not matter how many times she had gone through them, interviews still made her anxious.

“Hey, it’s going to be okay. This time, we’re doing them together.” Jack rubbed her arms. His words calmed down her nerves, and after giving him a quick nod, they walked towards the interviewers.

They started with simple questions, regarding their characters and the movie plot and then the male interviewer finally asked the expected question, “How did you feel during the kissing scene?”

Jack spoke first, “When i first got the script, I was super nervous about the relationship between Lucid and Vicky. It is my first character with a romantic interest, and that made me worry I was going to act awkward, especially because Y/N was used to it. But I soon realised I was being silly, she never once made me feel insecure about it. She helped me a lot, never judged, and always asked if I felt alright. And when the day of the kissing scene came, she basically tired herself out by reassuring me it was going to turn out perfect. So I felt very comfortable during the kissing scene. I’m very glad it was with her, she’s not just an amazing actress, she’s also the best co-star in the world and the sweetest girl I’ve ever met.”

She looked up at him in awe, wondering if he realized he was the most perfect man to ever exist. Okay, maybe she was a little biased considering she was head over heels, but Jack truly was incredible.

“Wow, how could I ever top those words?” she laughed, “I really don’t know what to say. I never doubted he was going to nail his performance, and I’m really glad he felt comfortable with me, because I sure did feel comfortable with him. Since the very first day. I mean, just one look and you can tell he’s got a heart of gold. There was nothing awkward about the kiss because we trust each other so much and we knew that there would be no judgment or weirdness after the director yelled ‘Cut’. We have an amazing friendship.”

“Well, shit- oh sorry, shoot.” he apologised. “You didn’t have a problem with topping my speech, that’s for sure.” he smiled at her, wrapping one arm around her shoulders. “But yes, she’s right. We formed an amazing friendship, and she’s stuck with me forever now.”

God, I hope so, Y/N pleaded internally.

“Kid, come here.” Pedro told Jack once he saw Y/N was nowhere in sight. “I think it’s time. I beg you, ask that girl out.”

“W-what?” Jack squealed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Come on.” the older actor sighed. “Everyone knows it. To be honest, we expected you to end up together before the filming ended but it’s already been a year and you’re still stuck on the friendzone with her.”

“I don’t know… what if she says no? I might die, and I’m not even kidding.”

“She’s not going to say no, kid. She’s down as bad as you. Ask her out, you’re not going to regret it. Trust me, okay?”

Jack thought about that conversation for the rest of the evening, and he decided to risk it. If Pedro was right and everyone else thought the feelings were mutual, there must really be something between him and Y/N, right? There was only one way to find out.

“I can’t believe it ended.” Y/N pouted.

“Me neither. I had the time of my life.” he smiled. then, after taking a deep breath, he tugged her arm. “Y/N, I need to tell you something.”

“Yeah?”

“I… If I’m wrong, things might turn uncomfortable, but I honestly have a really good feeling about this. And before I ask you, I need you to know that there’s no pressure and that no matter what you say, I’m still going to be here. You’ll always have me, okay?”

“Okay… you can trust me. You’ll always have me too.”

Jack nodded and looking her straight in the eyes, he said, “I really like you, Y/N/N. I’ve liked you for a whole year, and it’s insane the amount of times I wanted to tell you, but fear got the best of me. I just, I don’t want to keep on hiding my feelings. I like you so much it’s consuming me. and I need to ask you, would you like to go on a date with me?”

Y/N had daydreamed about this day for a year, so it felt a bit surreal. but Jack was actually there, in front of her, telling her he liked her and wanted to be more than friends. “It was that day you brought me breakfast at the set.”

“What?” Jack frowned.

“Remember that day I forgot to have breakfast?” Jack nodded. “You told me to wait, and then appeared fifteen minutes later, with my favorite coffee, that vanilla muffin I love and the most beautiful smile ever. That was the day I realized I liked you.”

“For real?” he asked, unable to hide his happiness.

Y/N nodded and quickly raised onto her tip-toes to hug his neck. “I like you so much it’s consuming me.” she repeated his words. “And there’s nothing I’d love more than to go on a date with you.”

He let out a breath of relief and hugged her tightly. “By the way, you’re so good at speeches. This is the second time tonight I’m trying very hard to stop the tears.”

Y/N laughed “Oh, prepare yourself for cheesy posts on instagram with even cheesier captions.”

“You make the posts, I make the playlists. Deal?”

“Deal.”

spiderboyjack if those two don’t start dating soon, i’m going to jump off of very tall somethings…

landrysweetthing great, i’m crying over two actors being in love with each other.

deadpoets i will watch the movie for jack and y/n and for jack and y/n only.

aurasmoonstone someone put these two on a rom-com already!

fearlesslandry i already made a folder on tik tok for their edits. bring them on!

liked by jackchampion and y/n.y/l/n

y/n.y/l/n share the links <3

jackchampion with taylor swift songs please, those are y/n/n’s favorites

aurasmoonstone okay but are you two dating or not? the people need to know jack champion y/n.y/l/n

y/n.y/l/n we’re just friends

jackchampion SMURF DON’T NEGLECT ME 😡 y/n.y/l/n

y/n.y/l/n i love you, boyfriend jackchampion

jackchampion love you too, girlfriend y/n.y/l/n

[myrsinemezzo]

Haladriel Positivity Post #2

Okay my darlings, my dears! Haladriel has changed our brain chemistry, clearly. For the better?? I think so. This post is a shout out to the fandom for changing my very outlook on guilt and morality and art. Because of the creative works from amazing haladriel writers, artists, and editors, I went from “no thank you I will certainly NOT be having a helping of any dove, dead or otherwise. Or kink. Or abo. Or or or…” Seriously, my bookmarks on ao3 were so tame. Because to me, ETL and Haladriel made loads of sense as a brand of ship that had nothing to do with my moral standing.

They were more than the sum of their parts. He wasn’t just evil, she wasn’t just good. They were a mess of squishy complicated emotions and parts. (And none more squishier than you, gooron post-Adar slaying, amirite?)

But I turned my nose up at a whole heap of other things even as I loved these two crazy kids/immortal beings. Then I dove deeper into fandom and discovered that there were whole worlds I had closed off. And those worlds were shockingly good.

Because if I can enjoy “Sauron shoving the ultimate Morgul blade into Galadriel’s chest in an erotically charged manner and then getting very lip wobbly emo about it afterwards”, then I can also read and write and view a passel of things that force me to look (or that tilt my chin up gently with a sword point — potato potato) at things that push my boundaries.

So thank you to all who create literally anything for this fandom but in particular today to those who love to experiment with pushing buttons and boundaries.

Bonus: Some recs! And please if you’re reading this feel free to share your own if so inclined. I love encountering new things and being reminded of things to revisit!

This fic, “the law is reason (free from passion)” by @hazelmaines was I think my first abo fic ever? I would read hazel’s grocery list and find it enthralling so I gave it a shot and to my surprise was fascinated by the world building involved with abo and wowee did it bring the hot sauce when it came to haladriel as a pairing. Lawyers with voracious appetites for each other? Sign me up. I didn’t even burst into a pillar of flame afterwards (or I mean, I did but not like that…)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/50193469

Next up is the BDSM fic series that rewired my brain by @softlighter the one, the only “catharsis”. Reading about a powerful woman learning to accept herself for who she is and maybe even love what she sees in the end(??) is something that makes me weep and broke a lot of barriers for me, including realizing I wasn’t going to turn into a pillar of ash or salt or whatever other biblical metaphor you like from reading it. Whoever recommended this, I want to kiss you right on the mouth.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/47895979

Getting into the dead dove side of things, nothing lives rent free in my noggin and made me think about how art can be disturbing and beautiful and incredibly effective at making you look inward at the same time like “the shark in your water” by @bad-surprise. Holy wow. Poeticmemory’s Halbrands always fascinate me but this one is the embodiment of that one shot in that one haladriel scene in that one gif 👇where I absolutely cannot look away and feel every emotion in the book

Treat yourself with care if you decide to try this treat of a fic.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/45286258

I am still absolutely blown away by the two most recent works I’m including in this list. The first is this beautifully disturbing edit by @snezhjeyka set to alt-j’s “breezeblocks”. It is the definition of lyrical and haunting.

The second is the fic it later inspired by @czernyfanclub aka bluececilia on ao3. (That dedication makes me weep, pal 😭) The dove is dead as all get-out and yet the language?? The imagery?? As admirable as old Mairon himself.

Ok. That’s it for now! I’ll try to post again whenever I have another brainwave of what I love about this fandom, because damn do I love what it has done for me personally and for so many others.

Eat, Pray, ETL. Or something.

[ametunns]

THIS CONCEPT IS SO FAMILIAR WITH THE CAGE. And this idea can't leaving me-

Below I'll discuss the character Keeper in the BATDR; some guesses about the role of this new character in the Cage. Enjoy reading!

# The Keepers. In the BATDR >>>

ofc in the ink world this versions of the Keepers are works because -

a giant gear in the spine is not bad for balance when picked up a weight stuff in forward;

the third hand is nice for supporting a thing or a person (not just for correcting its back lol/j);

ability to flying is actually about movement, way to make a painful high-speed strike by massive left hand / catching by right hand. Рerhaps "crawling" on appendages rather than legs makes it easier to walk around the ruins of the studio. And once again - they can fly.

Despite the fact that they have yellow inside, which indicates the presence of a soul, they do not react to the Signal Towers. I can only suggest that Wilson created "Yellow ink", and inside Keeper are not "Golden ink". Otherwise the Golden ink would have provided a link to Demon power, and metal octopus would have been against Wilson sooner or later.

...I personally think that it is easier to get the lost one's soul with the help of saws, and then start changing the soul in order to place it inside something. Like make a "soul semblance" - "Yellow ink" as I called it; get fairly similar minds, which is ideal for Keeper.

In case he's design looks silly, slowly moved, pretty blind because of the game mechanic-

but if you take them as those who can:

performs certain tasks,

move through space almost without interference,

catch the intruder,

conduct an experiment,

or even performing small construction work (for example, conducting power grids through a train tunnel)-

Within the framework of the lore of the world, these creatures, as they are, have done a lot.

# But what about the previous version of Keeper? Let's check out >>>

This creation is much more complex than would be seen...

Yes, we saw how Boris was turned into Brutal. That the mind can be partially rewritten. The sawing process also has a rewriting process. But-

A hybrid of a living mind and metal structures for the first experiments...it sounds like rewriting biology so that the body doesn't go crazy and start self-destructing because of unperfected souls and the realization of what they has become. And even Wilson can't make a perfect soul if he invited Audrey in the Cycle.

...Aaa-and also can tell about the REAL HUMAN in IT'S CREATION AND BLOOD...but a little later-

Attempts to create Wilson own being is unstable...and that is why we'll can meet them in a Cage!!! :D

# Details in the photos >>>

First thing - is another hoses behind;

Second - he had 3 hands, and maybe one of them (as possible 4 hand) is free from the lockers; you can also see that the lower hand is thinner and the plate on the outside of the palm glitters;

Last thing - a familiar detail.

Nothing more...

but a general similarity to the concept

# His role in the Cage. Theories and thoughts >>>

It's interesting things...Let's back to the thought that it can be a human. How much it will affect the story? Well-

Role #1 - He's a living proof about experiment of humans.

...the Gent corporation literally drowned people in ink ("Fade of Black");

And there is a temporary antidote to ink in the form of the chemical "iron oxide", which also resembles blood ("The Lost Ones");

It seems that through chemistry and past research, Wilson was able to create colored ink, a way to get back to the real world, and in collaboration with Alice, who lives in half of his house, and with Ink Machine, he was already beginning to think about creating a Keeper. About getting "the first good soul"...Pick out the right clothes, became anyone from Arch Gate Pictures, not just a humble cleaner. But after understood the difficulties (let's say, with blood) and maybe managed to update the methods for creating ink creatures...And my theory "Yellow ink" from Lost Ones.

Due to the details, a human being in the creature is doesn't't look like something unexpected, but it would definitely be intriguing.

Role #2 - If he's able to talk, new information about the corporation. Maybe even about Alan Gray. Maybe gives some hints of how getting away from the Cage idk just a thought-

A human being who was trapped into a monster for someone else's purposes it's pretty similar to Henry...ahem

Role #3 - Abilities of the blood. Perhaps we'll see hints of blood power in Lone Wolf. But in essence - there will definitely be something new...and something more powerful.

...What role will he play for the Henry.. it's unclear:

It's easy to say - this is the enemy who thoughtlessly wants to kill the hero.

It's easy to say - we can have a possible "free it" quest for game necessaries.

Possible to say - two points together 🤝

The last thing what I wanted to say:

‼️ I'm praying LIKE HELL he's not leaked FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS like it was with all the new BATDR characters. Like Sammy-🥲

---

thank you for reading! If you have any ideas or thoughts, comments please! I'll be interested ⭐

☕ Have a good time!!

[kortsitron]

Domestic life with Niran

✮ PARING Niran Pruksamanee × Gender Neutral! Reader

✮ WARNINGS/TAGS  fluff, established relationship, overwatch agent! reader, anxiety (just a bit), suggestive moments but no smut, domestic headcanons

✮ SUMMARY You and Niran leave Overwatch to live together

✮ A/N This was in my mind because yes, no explanation needed, lifeweaver lives understand me and that's all I need. Whoever decides to read it, enjoy! 🩷

ao3 masterlist requests

❁ Working for Overwatch was not a peaceful job by any means, neither for you or your partner. It was really stressing for both parties, especially when you were the one who was going to the mission more often than Niran, which resulted in him being worried that you might not come back

❁ And this repeating made Niran realize that maybe something should change. And after a lot of thinking he came to you to talk about it. The it being leaving Overwatch behind and starting a peaceful life together. And you, being stressed because of the constant dangers missions - you happily agreed. Living together with the love of your life, having some peace seemed like a dream

❁ You two have decided to come out with your announcement and after that, with help of your friends from Overwatch, you were ready to leave and start a new life

❁ It took a while to get a house where you wanted, Niran wasn't that much into having an apartment because he dreamed about having a garden with as many plants and flowers as possible, maybe even a pond. And he definitely wanted to grow vegetables for you and him to eat

❁ At last, you finally you moved in. You both were excited to finally have a place for just the two of you, doing what you wanted whenever you wanted. Could it be more perfect?

❁ Niran was excited about having a garden and the moment he could, he bought as many seed and all the beautiful flower he lays his eyes on. He looked so excited about it all, it was adorable to see him all giddy

❁ Soon the whole house was covered in plants wherever your eyes landed. But it wasn't bad, it made the place feel more cozy, more homey. It was nice how much he was trying to make this place feel like home. And obviously, he was more than happy to see what kind of decorations and things you wanted to add to make the place feel like home for you

❁ Being able to finally sleep in one bed felt like a dream, being able to hold each other close, have some conversations before bed or maybe something more. It was a while since you had a moment of privacy like that, where you could get close with each other like that

❁ Next morning was event better, seeing your lovely partner sleeping peacefully in the same bed as you, his hair messy, but he looked ethereal when the sun rays hit his face. You couldn't help yourself from gently caressing his face until his eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the light from the window. He smiled softly, being able to see you in bed with him and not waking up alone in the small bed like in Overwatch. It was nice.

❁ And it was even nicer to cuddle in the morning on the free days, when you two don't have to work and could literally spend the whole day in bed if you wished to, doing nothing more than cuddling

❁ Not unless you own pets that demand to be fed. Niran couldn't imagine a home without any kind of pet, especially a cuddly one and neither could you. But Niran was open to more pet propositions, even if the pet might not be as cuddly. As long as you have money to be able to keep the dear animal, he was in!

❁ You couldn't always have a fun grocery experience with Niran because both of you worked. Niran sometimes spent more time at work. (I can definitely imagine him working in place that is chemistry related, after he's very intelligent)

❁ But groceries with him were fun. The atmosphere was always nice and he was not afraid to goof around with you a bit. Not even in public, he's shameless after all

❁ This man loved farmers market. Obviously he doesn't have all the vegetables and fruits in his garden, or at least they weren't grown enough to be harvested, so the farmers market was his favorite option. Plants, vegetables, fruits, seeds and more of the best possible quality. How could he not love this place?

❁ Obviously he is not that opposed to buying things from grocery store, but Niran knows that everything from the farmers market will have better quality than things at the store. And the stuff will be obviously healthier than the store bought one, who knows what they put into these things! (Niran being dramatic but he's right)

❁ Niran was definitely not a perfectionist, but hey, he learnt his lesson back in Vishkar with Satya and now he's not really a messy guy. Unless it's when he’s working in the garden, but that doesn't count, he often said that working in the garden can get a little messy, but he can clean himself up after the work is done.

❁ Does he like cooking? Absolutely! Niran is in for 50/50 cooking (sometimes you cook, sometimes he cooks), but he definitely is more into it than you. He enjoyed cooking with you, but there are recipes that he prefers to do alone because he can focus better. It's not about not trusting you, sometimes he prefers to do it on his own so he doesn't get distracted and mess something up by accident. After all you're his partner, you can be pretty distracting

❁ Niran is very happy to introduce you to Thai cuisine, if you never ate anything from it before. He's happy to have you interested in it and he doesn't mind doing anything you would like to try. Even when he has never done the meal before, he doesn't mind trying. He also will be happy to try something from your home country!

❁ Soon, the routine comes, but it's not exactly a bad routine. It's nice to know neither of you has to worry about their life too much. It's a peaceful routine, but still a routine. So once in a while you two try to spice things up a bit if possible. Spontaneous change of plans, dates sometimes in a fancy restaurant, sometimes it's just eating lunch together in the park, enjoying the sun and each other's company. Going to the cinema to watch a movie, going to the park for a walk or doing something as simple as buying an ice cream as if you two were a teenagers

[biancadoes1]

I've been following your blog for a few months, but this is my first ask... A very long one, but I think this is a realistic guess at what has transpired between our beloved S3 leads. At the core of my thoughts is that these are two people who have worked very hard for the success they've had in a profession they both truly love. This colors both of their decisions and has made their situation complicated. I also liken their situation to college kids who go to study abroad. The experience changes you and you come back and can't really explain it to your friends and family at home, but you're always connected to the people who shared the experience with you in a special way, even if you're not as close as you once were. Interested to know your thoughts on this.

During Filming S3 - I really think they are being truthful when they tell us that they just let out their repressed chemistry during filming and gave it their all. As we know, our male lead was committed for most of the filming time and I suspect they kept things flirty, but professional. This was a HUGE career moment for both of them and there was NO WAY on God's green earth either was going to throw away all their years of hard work during filming. They also both love their characters so much and I think we see that come through in the care they took with their portrayals.

After S3 Filming Wrapped - I think their connection was so intense and they were so in their feelings about it. The picture we saw of our male lead supporting his scene partner on her last day really shows that. I think as many have said before, they needed to have some time apart after the intensity of filming to detach from the relationship in the show and reconnect to their lives at home. HBS ensued and everyone's favorite dancer came into the picture, but nothing was serious. The homecoming of re-shoots was, in my opinion, when they realized they wanted more.

Press Tour (aka the extended honeymoon) - Beginning with all the London press and Valentine's Day flirting, I think our leads acted on their feelings for the first time around Australia. It seemed like they felt the safety of their tour bubble and not filming together as C&P maybe made it more professionally acceptable for them to explore their feelings while traveling together. I think that their time together on all the stops was joyful, but not without hiccups (i.e., NYC premiere).

I believe at some point (maybe in Italy) they agreed that they would have fun together during the tour, but that once they got home from the tour, they needed to get back in the right headspace to film S4 to remain professional. I think our Bridgie Boy told his hanger to back off not long after that.

This is why when they got to Galway, we saw that sadness, the honeymoon was ending and they knew it. Picking up THE RING made that all the more apparent. I truly see the ring as a reminder and a promise of their accomplishment together and their relationship.

The London premiere brought the mood back up since it was the culmination of all the work and the whole cast was together, but in the madness of it all, you could still tell something was different.

Lastly, I think that once they agreed to keep it professional after the tour, our Sexiest Man Alive got back in touch with his dancer lady as I believe him to be a serial monogamist.

PAPGATE - Since I believe our leads agreed that they would need to back off after the tour, I think tiny dancer was actually invited to attend the party with the friends since she and our hunk were back in touch. I do think she planned the photo op without his knowledge. Our leads were pissed that the attention was diverted from the accomplishment of the cast and the show, but I would think the GA didn't really notice all of this and it really did blow over.

Summer - I do think our leads were separated all summer in a "cooling off" period of sorts. I also think they both had a lot of fun planned with their friends and family after not seeing them for the better part of a year and a half. We also know our tiny Irish princess was working her cute little butt off. I think this timing coincided with our other young side character falling on some hard times after the cancellation of his show. Knowing the challenges of staying in London and remaining in the hustle, our benevolent female lead offered him a place to stay and to help him make connections while he got back on his feet as she saw his talent and kindness and didn't want him to experience the same hardships that she did around a similar age. The fact that he was already part of her friends group made it possible for him to be trusted quickly.

Back to Filming S4 - I'm really just going to focus on the Polin pic we got and the quote in the Time article. I think they both demonstrate love and longing. While they look beautiful in the Champagne Friday selfie, you can see a tinge of sadness in their eyes. I think this is 100% because they have to keep things professional while filming intimate scenes together. The quote in Time about "a lot of people want me to marry Luke" made me think they really are "just friends" for now, but that the special relationship really leaves opportunity in the future.

Now - I think they've settled into the awkwardness of "there is real love there", but we can't act on it because we're professionals and there is a side plot that needs to run its course. They're there for each other as friends and colleagues, but things aren't the same.

Looking Ahead - I think they will continue to support each other in all their professional pursuits and continue to be friends, but if something is to happen, it won't be until Bridgerton actually wraps for good. I'd hate to see them leave the show, but for the sake of them maybe pursuing their feelings, I'd like for that to happen after S4.

Phew, I've been spending WAY too much brain power on these thoughts for so many months. Here's to hoping 2025 brings selfies, content, and a return to some of the silliness we used to see from them on SM.

.

[suika-suigetsu]

Quick question what are your fav Yaoi and Yuri Ships in The Narutoverse? Just curious lol

Sorry to answer your quick question with a long text, but I'm just like this... 🥹

So, since I was a kid, I never watched Naruto thinking about couples, I was never a "stan", as they say. I just loved the story and the characters.

It was only very recently, when I started to like the character Suigetsu and researched everything about him, that I saw how perfect I think his relationship with Karin is.

I say this because, as much as I like the cannon couples and defend the story of some of them, I do it more because I respect Kishimoto's decision of the ending and because I think it's cute, but I didn't research it in depth to ship it faithfully like I do with SuiKa. But I like to respect what is cannon, even if some have destroyed other ships that I liked more (but I'll never say... 😭)

I ship when I think that, based on the character's story and the context, they make a good couple.

So, here are some same-sex couples I ship (using information that I think makes them perfect for each other):

Itachi x Kisame

I never really thought about it because I'm not a fan of Itachi, but I like Kisame, so I never saw them together romantically. But I've been thinking and researching about it for a few months now, and after seeing some cute art of them, I'm even more convinced.

I think Kisame fell in love first, and like Sasuke, I don't think Itachi was emotionally mature enough to reciprocate, but as an artist, I plan on pretending that they had a lot of loving moments together and I'll draw them as soon as I have time (I already have some sketches). 🩷

Gaara x Rock Lee

I don't like shipping characters that I feel have a more "innocent" aura. Rock Lee, Jugo, Mitsuki... I see them as babies. But I like to hear everyone's opinion and, sometimes, they convince me.

I like GaaLee nowadays, even though I don't have much information for it, but I just like the idea that the two of them are single parents who share a mutual love for each other and their children, and I also think that Rock Lee's energy would make Gaara's life happy, since he has such a sad past...

Izumo x Kotetsu

I don't need to say anything, right? They've been cannon since the first chapters they appeared, that's just a fact. They're stuck together like nails and flesh, nowadays they must be living together and traveling the world on a never-ending honeymoon. 💖💖💖

A little steal on the list: Sakura x Karin

This one doesn't make any sense, I only shipped them when I was younger, I didn't care about Suigetsu and I hated Sasuke. I just wanted them to use their love for Sasuke to get closer and form a couple, and they were my favorite female characters 🥹🥹 Obviously I don't think that way anymore nowadays, but I'll still draw them together a lot just because I really like it lol.

Another little steal: SuiKarin

Haha, I know it doesn't fit here, but I just think they love each other too much and have enough experience to have tried a lot of things together. After Naruto invented the Sexy jutsu, anything is possible, right? I still want to draw SuiKarin yaoi and SuiKarin yuri... I'm looking forward to it 🫣🫣

Now, other couples that I find cute when I see them, but I don't have enough information to ship them:

Kakuzu x Hidan (I think Hidan would be easy with Kakuzu, but Kakuzu seems too shallow to be with anyone...? Although Hidan seems to be very convincing when he wants to be...), Sasori x Deidara (I'm not just talking about sexuality here, but also about feelings. If Sasori still loves his parents, he can love someone romantically, and I think it's cute to think of him with Deidara. But that said, I didn't feel any chemistry between them in the scenes where they appear together. I'm rewatching Naruto now, maybe my opinion will change, and I hope it does, because I think the art of them together is really cute...), Jiraya x Orochimaru and Tsunade (This is another steal from the list, I shipped them when I was younger, haha. I just think they're a trio that only works if the three of them are together, and if it's just two of them, it doesn't work, you know? It's a hc I've had for a long time. Unfortunately, it didn't come to fruition... In fact, I have another ship with 3 people that I think would close the anime with a flourish, but I'll never be able to say which one it is publicly... 🥹)

Just about Kiri and the Swordsmen of the Mist

I think that just like in Akatsuki, they (the Seven) must have had romances between them too. And unlike Konoha, Kirigakure doesn't seem to care so much about marriage, starting a family and things like that... In fact, I don't know if it's cannon (I don't think so), but it really struck me when I saw in the anime that one of the call girls that Jiraya went out with was married to one of the men that Jiraya captured to get information about Pain. I still think to this day "wow, the people of Kiri are so bold..." .

Anyway, thinking about Kisame's story, they even avoided that (love someone). So I think there had a lot of "quick romances", maybe with more than one person at the same time. They weren't very emotional, you know? Life was hard, just killing and missions... So relationships were just a way to de-stress. That's one of the things that made me ship ItaKisame, because I think that even though he thought that way just because he grew up among the cold population of Kiri, Kisame ended up falling in love with Itachi after knowing him more than he knew anyone else.

Spending time with companions ends up breaking the coldness, even of assassins, so I think there must have been couples who loved each other within the Seven, but I just don't have enough information to know who would end up with who. Give me information, Kishi... 😭

I'm sorry for being so annoying about ships 🥹 But I really like having evidence that makes me like the couple. There are cannon couples that I don't like at all, even though I drew them...... And there are others that I love, but like with SuiKarin, we'll never have confirmation... But since things are complicated on the internet, I prefer to keep my opinion about them to myself.

Thanks for reading. 🩷