#this is my gift to all of you go forth and be sneaky

[rocketonthemoon]

#I call people ‘friends from my online writing group’

rocket. you’re a genius.

THANKS I don’t know how I came up with it but I’ve been using it for LITERAL YEARS. And it’s such a good cover cause then they only ask you what you write about and you can use the broadest strokes like “oh some of us do romance so of us do sci-fi we just kinda like to read each other’s work”

AND THEN THEY LEAVE YOU ALONE AND YOU LOOK SOPHISTICATED FOR HAVING WRITER FRIENDS

[vigilantejustice]

ebbs and flows. a week ago responded to the group chat for the first time in two entire years + then responded to my friend who was definitely joking about me dropping her off some snacks by doing a sneaky surprise drop + am now feeling very flat + apathetic about everything :(

[dainangel]

holiday scenarios with: ENHYPEN 🎄

w. fluff, flirty stuff, mentions of food(?) | not proofread! | author’s note: just some cute scenarios <3 and happy holidays my loves!!!!

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yang jungwon (양정원): shopping

yall would definitely go pre-holiday shopping

like i mean early as in october

you guys both got friends and family to get gifts for

jungwon would def try to be sneaky and get gifts for you behind your back

casually just asks you to try on certain rings or bracelets (hes tryna get your sizes 🤭)

fails miserably cause you get distracted by all these bright colors and trinkets

has to watch you flail your arms in public while gasping and running off to a different store across the street

gets a little embarrassed from all the stares youve earned, but doesnt care in the end because he loves you

you two would be curious shoppers together <3

yall would def get compliments from the old asian ladies calling you guys a cute couple

“you should get married!!!” 

that causes him to turn bright red while he tries to hide his face from you

he’ll really appreciate being able to go outside in the cold with you (for shopping ofc)

sharing a scarf or him bundling you under his jacket is a must

or he just puts your hand inside his pocket, his hand intertwined with yours !!!

lee heeseung (이희승): gaming + ramyeon

gamers unite🗣️ (and ramyeon enjoyers)

he makes you guys ramyeon, trying to plate it nicely in a bowl rather than a plastic container

finds those youtube “hacks” as to how to enhance your ramyeon

a disaster is formed

he ends up spilling soup everywhere in the kitchen

somehow ends up with a noodle on his sleeve

how can you get mad at him though?

he got his bambi eyes ready to get him outta trouble 

you just sigh, giving him a kiss while removing the noodle from his sleeve 

you can feel him smiling sheepishly through the kiss

you guys sit on the soft couch together, both under a blanket after eating 

you both agree to play the switch instead of the wii

he explores your animal crossing world for a while, fishing next to you<3

tries beating up your villagers for some reason (plz help him) 

then all of a sudden its mario kart time and you are VIOLENT

he lost every round, making the excuse “im just letting you win.. you havent seen my full potential” while laughing

park jongseong (박종성): cooking

yall decided to host a holiday party: meaning when theres a party, theres a lot of prepping

jay definitely wishes he could spend this day with you another way

but he sees how happy you are cooking and decorating

he definitely volunteers to help around the house

he finds himself having more fun in the kitchen with you, though

some soft tunes are coming out of his phone (like some r&b keshi vibes ykyk)

slowly presses his chest against your back while youre slicing carrots

holds onto your waist and sways you back and forth with him

def places some warm kisses on your shoulders and neck 

you eventually hum along to the current song, giving in to his actions 

you lower your knife onto the cutting board, letting him turn you around and kiss you

he spins you around chuckling

pecks at your cheeks and forhead a lot (aka his way of showing his appreciation towards you)

“okay, okay, jay. i love you but i really need to work on this” you give him one more quick kiss

little do you know hes admiring your hardwork and the way you look under the kitchen light

sim jaeyun (심재윤): gingerbread houses

it started off with jake saying he could build a better ginger bread house than you

and he said that damn well knowing how competitive you are

which leads to your current situation

youre hands are covered in icing, so the only thing to do is to rub your hands all over jake’s face

“hey!!” hes basically giggling crazy at this point

you point at him laugjing (even wheezing bro)

an hour later, you guys both finished your gingerbread houses

so you both take the extra candies and eat them together

you also just chat about your day and have some cute moments together

jake grabs your face with one hand, opening your mouth and putting a peppermint in it

you do the same but with a gumdrop, returning the favor

he got his cheeky ass smile on now

he’d probably kiss you even with the gumdrop in his mouth (i mean whats new between yall)

but this mf still has the icing on his face so you cant take his flirty moves seriously

it looks like he just murdered someone 

you end up taking a bath with him with gingerbread scented candles burning away on the windowsill (wow how romantic)

park sunghoon (박성훈): ice skating

idc what anyone says an ice skating date is a must

youve told him multiple times youre not that good at ice skating, but hes your boyfriend so he can help you, right?

nope, because after letting go of your tight grip for a second youre stumbling like a newborn giraffe 

even with him as your personal walker, or the ice skating rink’s walker, its not working 

everytime you fall he just skates back to you elegantly, lifting you off the ground like hes some angel gaurdian that came to save you

“and who are you? do you have a girlfriend?” you say wiggling your eyebrows while he helps you up for the 34th time

he just laughs and kisses your cheeks and head in the middle of the rink (other ppl had to watch this bro 🧍‍♀️)

eventually you get the hang of it and you can glide without holding onto the wall

a lot of people end up leaving so sunghoon shows off a bit to you

mans is doing flips and spins and tricks for you girl

you just clap and yell excitedly meanwhile hes feeling all shy in front of you

somehow he didnt fall once but also looked elegant 

sunghoon skates over to you sitting on the cold ice floor, plopping down next to you

he looks a little worn out now, but doesnt mind cause all that matters is youre having fun <3 

ofc afterwards you guys get some hot coco or a hot latte to share 

kim seunwoo (김선우): bunny café

honestly i could see him being up to going to a bunny café with you

considering youve been begging him for ages

being surrounded in cute bunnies and your boyfriend sitting next to you, feeding one

youre basically in heaven

ofc you had to gossip with him there

“no way he cheated on her…” he says gasping

sunoo smiles looking at you, and blush creeps onto your cheeks

after playing for a while yall wanna eat something sweet

you both decide on getting a mint choco ice cream smoothie (btw im a mint choco lover)

the great thing about you and sunoo is, you both have the same interests making it impossible to fight

once you guys are done with the smoothie, he opens the lid and scoops out the clumped ice cream from the bottom of the cup

he feeds it to you across the table <3

meanwhile the bunnies are just at the bottom looking up (👁️👁️) wondering if its for them

after the bunny café hes super worn out and tired

so you guys go to your shared apartment and cuddle and sleep on the couch !

nishimura riki (西村 力): movie binging

movie binging nights in bed are bound to happen

not even just holiday related movies, like every movie available on netflix

you guys were watching everything from horror to like cute cartoons (rilakkuma 😭)

niki made popcorn for you and ofc you have to share with him

he acts like a child during some movies, shrieking at scary things or crying over a character dying

i feel like he’d be laying on your lap

really enjoys it when you play with his hair

niki would probably start whining if you ever pause the movie to go do something

then all of a sudden this boy wants to watch megamind 

so you obviously comply 

you dont remember finding megamind that interesting of a movie

he makes it funnier, randomly adding sound effects or comparing certain characters to his members 

“yah! jay kind of looks like megamind!” hed start laughing crazy

you could only sigh and smile

afterwards youre tired af, so you fell asleep in like 5 minutes

niki hugs you from behind, his face snuggling against your neck before he goes off to dream land <3

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i hope you guys enjoyed!! i wanted to post something for the holidays 

-xoxo,

chubbles

[luimagines]

That Dragon Au Part 12

Flowers are a love language. @cafecourage

Masterlist

First Chapter/ Previous Chapter/ Next Chapter

Content under the cut!

Chapter 12: Pasts Reawakened

Wind smiled and pulled Enno out of the store as fast as he could just in case.  "That guy likes to over sell the flowers all the time. The build-your-own-bouquet doesn't have set prices since they sell by the ounce. He likes to over charge and get as many people on those as he can. That being said, if it was  another person, I would have let you go for it. Those you can enchant and get the flowers to glow in the dark or repeat messages and stuff. There's a lot more but I remember those the most."

"Figured much. I recognized that tactic." They started swinging their hands together. "Either way, thank you for having my back, Sailor." It's a nice time overall now. "Wanna go back and finish training with Twi and Sky? I probably should be in the room when the chest arrives."

Wind gladly swung their hands back and forth with exaggerated movements. "Hmm... Maybe? That sounds like a good idea for you. Warrior should still be working. He said he wouldn't finish until some time around dinner time. Apparently it was worse than he thought."

Enno hummed in agreement. They needed to also talk to Warrior about what the doctor said. After he finishes, of course. "Ok! Then let's go back."

"Alright." Wind loses himself to his thoughts and absentmindedly leads Enno through Castle Town and back to the castle. They both ended up back in the garden where Twilight and Sky were now fighting against Wild and Legend. This group smelled bad.

Wind's frowns and makes a face. "You all should shower."

Wild grins. "Wind! Your turn! Let's go! You and me!"

Enno gave Wind a push. "Have fun, don't push yourself too hard." 

They waved the others goodbye and headed up to the room. They wanted to beat the furniture people but also get there with enough time to annoy Warrior. Both are equally important.

Wind grinned and waved them off as well. By the time Enno reached Warrior's room they could hear a minor commotion on the inside.

They closed their eyes, sighing for a moment before knocking on the door and opening it "I'm baaaack!"

"Enno!" Warrior calls out gleefully. "You're just in time! I forgot you wanted to go shopping. The guys here are just setting it up."

He walked over to them and kissed their forehead. "Did you have fun?"

"Mhm. Here, we got these for you since you've been holed up in your room." Enno gave him the flowers and peaked behind him to see the movers putting the ottoman down. "I was hoping to beat them here just in case you still were working."

Warrior looked taken aback by the gift. He hesitated to take them.

"Oh.... thank you..." Warrior gets a bit choked up and teary eyed. "They're beautiful."

He laughed a bit and nervously scratched behind his neck. "My favorite. …Umm... The desk and vanity should be done soon as well. They had to take it apart and reassemble the both of them for easier travel. Good colors, sturdy wood. You picked well."

“It’s not really a custom where I come from but I like the idea of getting your partner flowers occasionally.” Enno was too busy trying to explain the flower before they registered what else Warrior had said. They blinked at him, confused. “But I only bought-….”

Enno remembered then, that they left Wind loose in the store. “That sneaky little-” They laughed out loud, not mad at all. They smiled. “Wind went to look at other things. I didn’t expect that he would buy things.”

"Oh Wind did that-?" He snorts and covers his mouth with one hand, holding the flowers in the other. "I guess he really wants you to stay."

Warrior softened and turned to go back to his desk. "So do I to be honest."

He placed the flowers on his desk, moving some papers around so that he'd have the room. "Daffodils....." He mumbles. "Mom, you would have loved these."

Enno paused for a moment, seeing the workers out and paying them if they weren’t already. Once they closed the door, I turned back around. “It’s funny. When Wind suggested Daffodils, I thought about how me and my dad would look after the wild ones we had growing in the yard.”

They came over to hug him from behind. “I was happy to find something with Tulips since we always made a day out of picking the bulb and planting them. Seems like we have a little more in common than we thought.”

Warrior gets a bit choked up again. His hands rest on theirs.

"My mother had a patch of daffodils next to our house before.... It was her pride and joy. We didn't really have much compared to other families but she took good care of it. My sister actually has tulips by her house. She lives with our grandmother. Daffodils... were my mothers favorite flower and I'm inclined to agree with her."

Warrior turned and hugged them properly. "No one has gotten me flowers before. Thank you."

He kissed their hair.

“I noticed your attempts with dragon courting so I wanted to do my own thing.” Enno held him, purring in an attempt to comfort him a bit. “I am happy that they mean a lot to you.”

They swayed a bit, trying to not make him cry. “You.. mention your mother a lot. I won't ask about what happened and will wait until you tell me, but I want you to know that I’m here for you if you need a moment to let your emotions out. It's ok to cry no matter how long it's been.”

Warrior's breath hitched and he held them tighter, tensing up. He laughed a bit. "I love you."

Something wet landed on their shoulder. "I still miss them. It was my fault."

He took a deep breath. Enno was inclined to think that he wiped his eyes from where they couldn’t see it. "You're incredible and amazing and sweet and I'm so... happy that I met you... that you like me back."

He giggled and swayed with them some more, peppering their head with kisses. "You're so important to me."

They wanted to argue that it wasn’t his fault, no matter what happened but they didn’t want to pry further. “It’s bad to hold in things, but I know that it's hard to open up to someone.” 

They spun him around so he could sit in his chair. They sat on his lap, making it easier for themselves to hold him. “Your amazing, you know? I don’t think you realize that. Not everyone has the balls to run out into battle without thinking. You also make Wind really happy now that he can call you Dad more freely. There’s so much you do even with the other boys. You take care of them all.”

Warrior choked on his spit when Enno had just placed themselves onto his lap. A blush bloomed across his face and he struggled to maintain eye contact.

"A part of me wants to argue with that, but you won't hear it, will you?" He softened and gently placed his head on their shoulder. "I know you’re right... I just wish...." Warrior takes a breath. "I never got to grieve."

His arms came up to hold them and he pulled them in close. "What's your family like? You mentioned your father and you planting the flowers."

Enno didn’t respond right away. “Well… it’s just my dad, my sibling and my mom.My family has been pretty chaotic.” They said simply as this wasn’t a conversation yhey really wanted to talk about freely. “It was always fun to have my sibling around in middle school as I was pretty stupid in my choices.”

Enno looked away so they could look out the window. “Anyway, right now it's calmer. My dad and sibling and I  are all still close-ish. He would tease the hell out of you as My dad would just be shocked to see me socializing.”

"Hm..." Warrior began to rub their back and purred. "I'm sorry it wasn't as peaceful as it should have been. Our fathers might have gotten along.. My sister is still around. She doesn't remember much, but I bet she'd love to meet you.....But what's a middle school... or a high school?"

“It’s basically how we do our education. I was like… 14? When I started middle school? My memory is pretty bad from back then. High school is like 16 - 18 years old. I would love to meet your sister. A warning if you meet my dad. He tends to talk a lot. Get him going and he can keep up a one sided conversation, big technology guy.” They purred with him as they pulled back, calming themselves down in the process.

"That's alright." Warrior laughed some more, easier and lighter this time. "Sounds like my sister. If they're anything alike then I'm sure we'll get along just fine."

He hummed a bit and started to play with their hair. "You never told me how your check up went. I want full details."

“Ah…. Right so… basically what I have is called Chronic Magicailial syndrome? From what I can tell, the gland I have that stores the magic, loses magic too much before I can produce more to replenish. There is apparently a low risk surgery I can get but I didn’t really want to make a decision just yet. The doctor also wants to see us tomorrow in the morning, and by us I mean me. I just need to bring someone along.”

Warrior nods. "I thought so... I know a guy. He had a similar thing. More mild though. I... don't know what to say about the surgery to be honest. That gland plays a role in dragon flight but I don't currently remember what it does exactly." He sighed and leaned against the chair. "What time tomorrow?"

“Ahahahaha- I aammm terrified of heights.” Enno laughed awkwardly. “Honestly, she just told me to arrive before sun down since it takes 18 hours after the collection to get the results. Going in the morning is probably the best bet since we do leave tomorrow. I was actually thinking about getting surgery later if we come back here.”

Warrior nodded. "Well whatever you decide. I don't know what we'd have to do for a surgery if you choose it. You have to set a date for those and we might not be here for that."

He tries to think for a moment. "Did they give you any other options to deal with it? Or is it the only thing to fix it?"

“I have to take magic potions, I believe on a schedule. They took that sample to see what type I am before deciding on the said schedule.” Enno laid their head back down on his shoulder, giving a few kisses to his neck. “After getting that, I would want to tell the others about my other condition. That's what I normally do just in case.”

"That would be a good idea." Warrior admits. "In that case, we should stock up before we leave on potions. Hyrule would need a few but I'd like to know if your going to be ok until we can make it to the next town or city."

Warrior arches his neck to give them better access to his neck. "Did you have anything planned today? It sounds like all there is left to do it wait."

“Nope, I did everything I wanted to do today.” Enno continued their venture lazily since they didn’t want to move their head too much. “I was hoping you’d let me spend the rest of the day with you while you work. I can start moving your horde into the ottoman if you want.”

Warrior purrs louder. "I'd love that. It might get a bit boring here though."

He ran his jaw against their shoulder. Enno felt a surge of his scent waft into their nose in the process. "Where's Wind by the way? You leave him all by his lonesome?"

They buried their face into his shoulder, purring up a storm. They were very happy right now. “He is with Twi, Sky, Wild and I think Legend? They were all still practicing in the garden.” With more energy, they give him more affection, “I just want to spend a little more alone time with you before we hit the road.”

Warrior purrs at their tempo in response. Satisfaction was radiating off of him. "I'd like that."

He took a deep breath. "I'm not done though..."

He made no moves to get back to work.

Enno doesn’t move either. 

“How much do you have to do?” They asked, starting to kiss his jaw and face. “I can wait until you're done. It's not that much to put away.”

Warrior took a deeper breath, relaxing under their touch as they spoke. "I have at least five more pages to write. I'm almost done but there have been times in the past where I’ve miscalculated. I assumed I'd be done by dinner time but with lunch up and gone, I don't know how much I actually left to do."

Underestimating how much they missed him, Enno didn’t let up on the attacks of affection. They rubbed their wrists and hands up into his hair, getting their scent on him in a possessive claim. “How about you check to see how much longer it will take and I will get started on getting all the horde together in one place? Then we can take a break for dinner and see what to do from there.”

He growled before it fell into a purr and rubbed more of his jaw against them before pulling away. "Alright...ok... That sounds like a decent plan."

They finally noticed the scent coming from his jaw. "Is this your scent gland?" I asked, tipping his head up, giving his jaw a few extra kisses. "Anyway, time for work, Soldier Boy." 

Enno moved to get up.

A deep and low growl ripped through Warrior before he could stop. He didn't look upset....more like- "That's a sensitive spot, Sweetheart."

His face was red and his features were soft. "You are a tease."

Enno could see him fighting the grin from his face. He's losing.

They cupped his face in response. "What are you going to do about it?"

They used their thumb to give his jaw a soft rub. "Ok, I think it's time for work for real now." They let go and officially got up. "We can continue that later."

"I'll look forward to it." Warrior's gaze turned heavy before he forced himself around and back into his work.

Enno heard him take in a long breath before he fell silent.

Enno started to put the other dragons' (the noble dragon that Time had all but ripped to shreds) stuff away, since it was less meaningful than the other things. It then came to their realization that Warrior didn't know that they knew where his horde actually was.

Warrior filled the silence with gentle scratches against the paper as well as the occasional flip.

After an hour or so he sighed and stretched. He looks back at them and smiles. He turned back to his work and finished up the document relatively quickly all things considered.

The organizing was all that bad honestly since they put everything in piles earlier. Enno got rid of the gold pile first and moved over the extras. They weren’t paying attention to what Warrior was doing in the meantime.

Warrior finished the document at last and put all of his papers in order. He shoved them in a folder before he stood, popping his back as he went. 

"I'll be right back Sweetheart. I have to turn this in."

"Mhm, when you come back I need you to show me where your actual horde is. I don't want to move it without you here." Enno looked up from where they were. "Also be safe."

Warrior paused by the door and he turned to look at them. They could feel him physically hesitate before he spoke.  "It's the top and bottom two drawers of my dresser. It's not much. There should be space."

He opened the door. "I'll be back."

Enno waited until he left before continuing their organizing again. Like they told him, they weren't going to touch what he already had in there until he was there to oversee it. Not their sentimental stuff though. Why bother moving it? They do know now, however, where the horde is.They would be able to protect it, just in case.

Moments passed and suddenly, without warning someone tried to open the door.

It doesn't work.

Like it's been locked.

Enno could hear a muffled sound from the other side before the person on the other side tried to open it more forcefully.

They weren’t successful.

Enno let out a sigh and shut the ottoman loudly at the first sign of people. Annoyed, they shout. “Links not here at the moment, have some patience please before almost hitting someone with the door."

Enno opened the door before they had the chance to attempt to force the door open again. They nearly collided with each other.

"Oh my goodness, that boy!" Zelda sighed and cursed.

Very unlady-like.

"Would you be so kind as to tell me where he is?" She said afterwards. "I have an urgent matter to discuss with him. Is he in his office? He hates the place but I must find him."

Enno struggled to hold back their amusement at the princess.

“Link said that he went to file the documents he just finished so I can only assume yes. Is this something I should worry about or-?…” They asked, wondering if they should be concerned or not. It seemed like something was always happening in this castle.

Zelda sighed and rubbed circles into her temple. "Im.... not at liberty to say. But... You're his lover, yes? Im aware this little group of yours leaves soon enough bit please be careful. Cia is nearly fully healed and she's still intent on running rampant through my castle."

She turned and bowed a bit. "Well, I'll have to track him down I suppose." She paused before she left. "....He means a lot to us.... Please look after him."

And then she walked away.

Enno once again closed the door and relocked it, sighing. Already knowing that they had to finish up fast before Cia gets out, they wished that there was a way for them to contact Pinky throughout all of this but they didn't think their phones would work since there was no wifi or cell service. It had been days since they had talked decently and there were clearly some very important things happening where neither of them could see each other. They went back to putting things away, knowing full well that Warrior wasn’t coming back anytime soon.

There was a smaller knock on the door and it opened easily. "Moma? Are you in here?"

Wind walked in hesitantly. "Dad?"

"I'm here, Sweetheart." Enno called from their spot on the floor. "Are you done sparring?" They asked, dropping the rest of the gems in the ottoman before patting the floor next to them for Wind to sit. "Did you take a shower yet?"

Wind jogged over and sat down. "Nope!" He grinned. "I had fun though. I got to throw Wild around."

"That- sounds fun." Enno continued to put the treasure into the ottoman once Wind was situated. "I see you bought more furniture while we were at the store. You are a sneaky little pirate."

Wind grinned and laughed. "Now you have stuff for you!"

He rocked back and forth subtly. "I didn't think you'd want to mess with Warriors stuff even if he would be ok with it. So you get your own space."

Enno teared up  but looked away, trying to not let Wind see their emotional state. They hugged him. “Thank you, Wind. That means a lot more than you think.” They let go quickly. “But you need a bath. Go wash up, mister.”

Wind groans. "I don't stink that bad."

"Yes you do." Warrior snorted, startling the both of them. "Did you have fun?"

"Yup!" Wind grinned and stood up to greet him.

"Good." Warrior ruffled his hair. "Take a shower."

Wind pouts. "Fine."

“Oh- Hello sir.” Enno looked up at him, smiling. “Zelda was looking for you. Did she find you? Also, I didn’t move your horde yet, I wanted you to take care of it since it’s sentimental.”

Warrior's smile was wiped off. "She was-?.... oops... Well Lana found me. And uhh..." He waited for Wind to get in the bathroom before he took his spot next to you. "Cia is expected to make a full recovery... yay.... and also, she's threatening homicide. So that's fun."

He sighed and looked at Enno pensively. "....I... don't want to make your life difficult. If..." He took in a struggling breath and lowered his voice. "I want to think about this... us... I would have you by my side in a heartbeat but it seems unfair to you to deal with all of this."

“Not the first time my life was threatened.” Enno put their head on his shoulder. “Nor is it the first place I’ll live in where someone threatened me so it's fine. Honestly I don’t think you realized this but I’m not leaving your side. Yeah, there's Cia, but honestly I’m not scared of her like… someone else… If anything I  find her sad because I know she wasn’t always like that. I’m afraid you need to break my heart to the point of it being unusable to get rid of me.”

Warrior tenseed and wrapped his arms around them tightly. "Hmmm... alright. I'll have to take your word for it."

He nuzzled them closely with his head and sighed. "It just feels selfish on my part. I can't give you the life I'd want to.... not with Cia in the picture, I'm afraid." He kissed the top of their head. "I wouldn't ever give a reason for your heart to break.... I just didn't want my baggage to push you away. Emotional or otherwise."

“Honestly, there have been moments where I’ve been tempted to flat out ask you to mark me. I don’t think your baggage is an issue at all.” They hugged him back, purring. “We both need help and a bit of tender love and care. But that's ok. We can take it one day at a time. Cia will have to get used to it.”

Warrior started to purr at their first sentence alone. "That's.... quite the declaration, my dear.... That's virtually the human equivalent of marriage."

[justkending]

Found Memories. Chapter 2.

Finding Memories Sequel: (I advise you to read the 1st series for context).

Series Summary: Following the aftermath of Finding Memories, Bucky tries to complete goals he feels she would have discovered for herself as a way to let her memory live on. However, he never expected to find someone very close to who he believed she would have been if given the chance of normalcy. A journey of mourning someone he lost turned into a journey of discovering someone new happens upon the soldier. Maybe this whole normal thing isn’t as bad as he had pictured it in his mind. Maybe he had a better shot at it than he ever tried to imagine.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x (Teacher) Reader 

Word Count: 4700+

Playlist Song: Magdalene by: The 502's

A/N: I know I said I wouldn't post another chapter until I finish writing the entire series, but I checked the follower count for the first time in a while and realized we passed 3000 followers recently!!! So I'm posting this in celebration of the 3155 people that have been kind enough to follow my writing journey and interact with stories that I put a lot of my time and effort into :) I can not explain how thankful I am for each and every one of your support!! XO

Chapter Notes: This chapter is written from the perspective of the reader. Each chapter will (for the most part) switch back and forth from Bucky and Y/N Clark's 1st person. I've read some books recently that did it in this format, and it was fun to read that way and see all points of view ;) Plus, I thought it was only fair that we saw Y/N's perspective from the last chapter, and you can get an idea of the character she will play. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it because this REALLY IS THE LAST chapter I'm posting until the series is complete. As always, please feel free to comment, even if just emojis or a few words. They all mean the world to a writer!!

Chapter 2:

I hadn't planned on going to the compound anytime soon, but Tony Stark had proved to be a sneaky man when it came to getting his way. 

When I saw Morgan Stark on my enrollment sheet, my principal made a special visit to my room during the last week of summer when we reported before the kids. I was nervous about the kind of parent relationship that was to come after how serious she made the endeavor.

My principal, who is also one of the reasons I'm not staying at this school for another year, made it a big deal and practically scared me shitless that if anything was not to Mr. Stark's liking when it came to his daughter's education, it was on me to fix or else I'd be screwed.

It was a lot of pressure, considering this was a man who had saved humanity more than once and was likely to continue to rack up that number. 

But the pressure was quickly taken away when he showed up to meet the teacher, and he and his wife, Pepper, were nothing short of kind and supportive parents every teacher hopes to work alongside of. 

Now was he a little forward and slightly egotistical? Yes. But I was prepared, considering his reputation. Pepper balanced him perfectly and quickly put him in his place if he started getting a little too brash. 

And it was quickly shown during any minor and major holiday that they were big-time gift-givers and loved to shower those that worked with them with random treats and thoughtful, yet overpriced, 'appreciations' as they called them.

I remember getting a card during Thanksgiving break that seemed simple and like any other card a parent sends as a thank you, but inside was a gift certificate for a spa day. 

And no, not just a mani and pedi or a massage. It was an entire spa day treatment including; mudbaths, facials, full body massage, hot rock therapy, mani-pedi, acupuncture, and a list of other things I had never even heard of or knew as options. They had already paid for and scheduled it for me, and they had handed it to me like a Mcdonald's gift card. 

I didn't feel right taking something like that from a parent even if I knew they were billionaires and it was equivalent to a Mcdonald's gift card to them. So I attempted to give it back and handed it back to Happy, who usually picked up Morgan and told him it was a kind offer, but I couldn't accept it. 

The next day I had a bouquet of flowers waiting for me in the front office and a card that said;

"Sorry for leaving Tony in charge of your holiday gift. He doesn't realize how intense he gets in that department… But please do treat yourself to a spa day! I changed the package so that you and your sister can enjoy it together, and it's not nearly as overwhelming as the things he added to it. We appreciate all you do for our family. You deserve the pampering!"

It was a sweet gesture, and it felt rude to not take it after they had sent it back to me. I asked my assistant principal about it, who had Tony as a parent for the last 5 years, and she also said to take it. I wasn't used to the private school demographic as much, and she assured me that though it was nicer than what most parents gift, she's seen him gift more outrageous things that Pepper had to fix in the past. 

"I had to talk him down from donating a hot air balloon ride for our field day last year. A spa gift certificate is nothing compared to what I've seen that man do…" she had said. 

So though it still felt weird, I took advantage of it and took my younger sister to the spa, and we enjoyed the massages, mani-pedi, and facials we were kindly given.

All that to say, I've learned this semester that Tony was an ornery man. He reminded me of my father when it came to how he joked in conversations and how blunt he could be about his thoughts and ideas. 

I had thrown something back to him during our first parent-teacher conference by the complete mistake of not filtering my thoughts. And when I thought I was going to get fired, he let out a loud laugh and told Pepper, "Finally, someone who can dish it back and not get butt hurt," he had laughed with a giant grin. 

I apologized quickly and rambled about how he has remarks like my dad, and it was just a reflex to say what I countered with, and Pepper laughed too. 

"It's ok, Ms. Clark. Tony needs the sass to keep him in line as often as possible."

"Yeah, it gets boring when people walk on eggshells around you. Where's the fun in etiquette?" 

That got a quick eye-roll from his wife and a slap to the arm, which he laughed at, and we continued our meeting.

Since then, I have kept a professional demeanor around him, but I also don't hold back when he needs a quick sarcastic remark to put him in his place. 

Now his sliding a resume into Morgan's homework folder was also on the list of things I was not expecting. Right next to the custom-made Stark iPad he gifted me for Labor Day. (Which who gives gifts for Labor Day?)

The resume was an offer to be a personal tutor for Morgan once she got to middle school. She was in 5th grade right now, and she was a bright girl. I don't know why he was worried about her having the extra help, but nonetheless, he offered me a job to be her full-time one-on-one tutor for next year. 

He was willing to pay me enough that I wouldn't need a second job as a teacher. I would solely be Morgan's tutor, and the benefits and pay would be enough for me to work little hours for a salary that a top surgeon in New York would make. 

A part of me struggled with the offer. I knew money-wise it would take care of everything I struggled with; rent, medical bills, helping my sister through college, and the list went on. 

I should have jumped at this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work under one of the wealthiest and most admired men alive, but my heart could never accept something like that merely because it was such an outrageous opportunity to fall in my lap. 

I kept saying in the back of my head that I hadn't joined this career for the money. It was never about the money.

The only reason I took a private school job this last year (which a friend was kind enough to get my foot in the door for) was that money was tight, and I needed the slight boost that public school funding couldn't give me. But I wasn't giving up teaching; I was just moving to a different group of kids to teach. A lot more privileged and supported demographic, but I was still influencing kids' lives.

Though after the last few months, I realized it wasn't a fit for me. As much as I wanted to make it be that and push my morals aside to continue so I could keep paying for things without going into debt, deep down, it wasn't what I signed up for. 

I was meant to help the underprivileged and poverty-level kids. I was that kid that grew up with one parent working more than one minimum-wage job to make ends meet and the other being underpaid as a school teacher themselves for most of my life. The educators who aided and encouraged me to be where I am now made me passionate about the same efforts. 

With all that to be said, I was moving back to the public school in New York after this year, and Tony had found out. 

It wasn't that I didn't care for the kids at this school. I loved them. My group of 5th graders had become 18 of my own personal children. I wanted the world for them and everything in between. The difference was they could have the world and everything in between. They had access to those resources. 

The kids I was going back to had lived in a world I knew far better than the one I was in. I wasn't of major aid to my upper-class students as much as I was to the lower class. And at the end of the day, my job wasn't about the money; I continued to remind myself. It was about the next generation getting the support they needed and deserved. 

So when I saw that Morgan had left her sweater in the classroom before the break and I had the resume in my hand, I called and asked if I could come to talk with him about it. 

I hadn't been to the compound, and the size and security of it all was nerve-racking. The number of guards, levels of clearance, and private entrances I had to go through just to meet him in the lobby was intense. 

I couldn't help but marvel at the architect and the sufficiency the place ran on while walking up the steps outside into the building. 

People were walking around in grey and neutral-colored attire, and I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb with my bright red and checkered winter coat. Though I like neutral colors, I was never one to keep strictly to that. It was near impossible for me to pass up an accessory or statement piece that popped with color. Hence why I always got the comment, "Oh, you're an elementary teacher? You definitely have the wardrobe for it." 

Thank God I spotted Tony only a few seconds after entering the foyer because there were three different reception desks, which I'm sure went to all kinds of departments of the massive establishment, but I wasn't sure which one to approach. 

He approached me with open arms and gave me a hubristic smile as I gave him a keen one in return. 

"The homework folder is meant to hold Morgan's work. Not your side hustles," I said with a raised eyebrow as I handed him a new folder with just the resume in it.

"It's work from a Stark; does that not count?" he said back, his grin never leaving. 

"Yeah, but the work I'm supposed to review is usually based on story elements and division facts. I don't think Morgan is worried about salary levels and insurance benefits at her age."

"With a work ethic like her mother and a brain like her mother… She'll be managing a place like this in no time," he placed his hands in his pockets, not taking the folder just yet. 

I handed off the sweater instead and held onto the folder, knowing I wouldn't be leaving with it either way. 

"That I can't argue. But she may want to get her math down before she starts something like that up," I held onto my tote bag with one hand and dropped the other with the folder. 

"Which is why I had that in her folder, so math and whatever else she needs help in, she can have you to h-." 

He was cut off when a tall, dark-skinned man approached abruptly. I recognized him as one of the Avengers but didn't want to seem shocked or freaked out, considering I was in their home, basically. 

"Hi," he said. 

Running to his side was a second Avenger I somewhat recognized, but he seemed more hesitant and nervous compared to the man with a sweet gap-toothed smile in front of me. 

Tony's light and teasing mood seemed to disappear with his interruption, and he took a breath before saying, "I told you I would help you after I talked with-." He was cut off as the man patted him on the arm and went to introduce himself. 

"Sam Wilson," he smiled kindly, offering his hand, which I smiled back and took. 

"Y/N Clark. Nice to meet you." 

Sam seemed to give his friend a silent look that communicated something else, and the blue-eyed man extended his hand as well. 

"James Barnes," he gave a tight-lipped smile like he was being forced to converse, but I returned a firm handshake and responded. 

"Mr. Barnes. Nice to meet you." 

I realized then I had seen this man earlier today at the coffee shop I stopped at before my errand here. I didn't have my head on straight at the time cause my sister had called saying that the repair man who was supposed to fix our balcony door had once again canceled and rescheduled. This was the fourth time now, and it felt like our apartment was crumbling beneath us with the 20 other things my landlord had kept pushing off. 

I thought I saw him staring then too, but like most strangers, I see in public, I just gave a brief smile and moved on with my day. Though in New York, I'm still learning that isn't a regular thing here. Many native New Yorkers could go the whole day not making eye contact with a single soul on the overpopulated streets. 

I brushed past the fact he was studying me like I was him, as if we were both looking for an answer to a question we didn't even know.

Tony turned all of our attention back to him as he introduced me to them briefly and promptly gave them death glares. Clearly, they were waiting on something from him, and he wasn't showing patience for what I assume were usual antics between the two with how they talked to each other. 

"Cyborge and Birdman, this is Ms. Clark. She's Morgan's teacher. Ms. Clark, these are two of my most impatient co-workers. Who I asked to give me a second before I talked with them…" 

"Thank this one for the interruption," James said while childishly shoving his friend to the point he teetered on his feet. 

"Just seemed rude to not introduce your colleagues," Sam gritted. 

"It's fine," I spoke up, attempting to break some of the tension building. And instantly, Mr. Barnes's eyes were back on me like they had been in the coffee shop. But I acted like I didn't notice and turned to Mr. Stark. "I was here to just drop off these two things anyway." 

I handed the folder off successfully this time since his attention was turned to the other two, and he took it while staring at them still. 

"Yeah, well, I had a few things I wanted to discuss without… This interruption." If looks could kill, his co-workers would be in a casket 6 feet under right where they stood. 

"I appreciate what you're offering, but I've already told you I have a job set with another district after this year."

James Barnes was grinning like a child who just got revenge, but why, I wasn't sure. 

"Yeah, but… Money." Tony said the last word like it was a magic word that would make me reconsider everything instantly and fold. 

"Money is great and all, but it's not what this is about, Mr. Stark." I couldn't help but laugh even if deep down I knew the risk I was taking not accepting his proposal. I went to readjust my tote on my shoulder as a nervous tic. "Maybe after winter break and I get some paperwork back from the new school I'll be at, we will better understand what I'll have on my plate."

"That sounds like a well-worded way to put this conversation off," Tony smirked. 

He wasn't wrong. I had worded it specifically as a way to keep it on the table for him knowing he'd never relent, but also to be able to walk away from the conversation and not get convinced out of my already made-up mind.

"It's Christmas break, Mr. Stark. Have a great vacation with your family, and happy holidays," I nodded, starting to turn out to walk, but before I was completely turned back, I looked at the other two men. "You two as well. I hope the world is kind enough to give you all a break as you deserve during this time." 

It was true. Crime and bad guys never ended, from what the news showed, and I couldn't imagine what big holidays looked like around here. 

"If I know anything about teaching, I know you'll need a break just as much," Sam shouted towards me after I was a few feet away, making me laugh.

"Happy Holidays," I said a final time before moving for the exit, thankful that the two men were there to distract Tony from trying to convince me to join his payroll. 

___________________________ 

"Oh sweet loving sister of mine, I'm home," I shouted in a sing-song voice but was abruptly cut off when I shut the door, and she stood on the other side like a damn statue. "Mother Fu-! Hallie!" I shouted after a scream let out of me first. "Why the hell are you acting like a Victorian ghost-child and standing there like that?" 

"Why didn't you tell me where you were going?" she said, quickly bypassing how she made my heart practically stop beating for 5 seconds too long. 

"I told you I was going to run errands," I answered vaguely, already knowing where she was going with this but not wanting to give her the advantage. 

"Yeah, errands don't normally involve going to the Avenger's Compound!" she shouted with her arms up as she watched me walk into the kitchen and follow me. 

"Jesus, lower your voice. We have neighbors," I grumbled, throwing my bag on the hooks on the wall and taking my coat off as well. 

"Answers, please," she crossed her arms like a mother who had just caught her daughter sneaking out to a party. 

"I had to drop off something that Morgan left at the school. I figured she'd want her coat for winter break," I answered honestly, just leaving out a few other details. 

"Like she wouldn't have a whole room for winter coats alone. Why did you really go?" Hallie continued to interrogate. 

I looked at her, and she was unwavering. I let out a huff of air, going to the fridge to grab a Dr. Pepper and the sweet cream to make my favorite drink after an eventful day. 

"I'm not lying when I said I went to drop that off," I said, pouring the soda into a glass and waiting for the foaming bubbles to go down. "And you know exactly why I didn't tell you I was going there." 

"You act like I'd go insane if I stepped a single foot on that estate," she groaned, pulling a stool out at our island/ kitchen table in the tiny New York City apartment we shared. "Even if Captain Roger's has walked on those tiles and maybe breathed in the same air and all…" 

"Here we go…" I mumbled, shaking the creamer bottle as I waited for what I knew was to come. 

"And so what if Natasha Romanoff has probably sat in the chairs or road the elevator that leads to what I assume are suites and apartments they have to themselves on the top levels?" she paused for effect as if waiting for me to confirm or deny as if I would know. But I just stared at her, and she continued without hesitation. "It's no big deal that Sam Wilson has probably flown the EX0-7 Falcon wingsuit in the field that surrounds the compound. Or maybe even hearing Steve playing an old jazz record. I know that cause there was a girl who used to live on his street when he stayed in the city, and she said there were a few nights that he would play all kinds of old songs with beautiful trumpet solos. Oh, and!" 

I absentmindedly poured the practiced amount of sweet cream into the Dr. Pepper, grabbed a straw to stir it, and took sips of it as I patiently waited for her to finish her fantasies. 

She went on about Clint Barton, Tony Stark, Wanda Maximoff, and any other Avenger that came to mind until she noticed me stop sipping my drink and start to slow-blink at her. 

"Stop. I know that look," she pointed, stopping in her rant abruptly. 

"What the you-just proved-my-point look?" I fluttered my eyelashes at her and took another sip. 

"Shut up," she sneered, even though she knew I was right. 

As if he had just realized people were home, her small senior brown-haired and deaf dog came hobbling around the corner and yipped when he looked at me. 

"Hey, Chuck Norris," I sighed, and he came up to me, barking at my leg like I was an intruder in my own home. "I still don't think he's used to me."

"You say that like you didn't live with him for 10 years," Hallie laughed, walking over and picking him up with one hand and cradling him in her arm. 

"Three of those years were just visits back home. I figured after a month of you being moved in here, his memory would catch up to realize I'm still the same person when we first rescued him." 

Chuck Norris was a tiny little mutt my sister had found behind a dumpster in the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel close to where we lived when we were younger. 

The vet had said he was already about four or five when we brought him in, but he had no microchips or anything showing he belonged to someone. He was also malnourished from only eating scraps that fell out of the dumpster since he wasn't big enough to scrounge through it himself. So he came with a laundry list of things he needed fixing with his tiny weak body. 

We only ever had one cat growing up, so it was a responsibility my parents weren't too sure about taking on. But my sister being who she is, made a presentation the next night and was able to persuade them to let her keep him for at least a month to show she could handle it. 

After a month, they saw how special of a dog he was to her and how she was practically the only one he trusted, and they couldn't just send him to the pound after that. 

The laundry list of illnesses and help he was going to need to get him back on his feet led to a lot of medical bills in his future. But luckily, an old friend of mine I had gone to high school with went into Veterinary school and helped my family out a few times since we were still close. 

Now Chuck Norris lived here, and he didn't care that I, even if I was paying most of the bills, lived here along with him. He only trusted one person wholeheartedly in his life, and that was my sister. 

Now being 14, possibly 15 years old, his eyes weren't great, and he was almost a hundred percent deaf besides sharp noises he happened to hear every once in a while. I'm almost positive he had some form of dementia, too, cause he treated me like a stranger most of the time.

He must have been sleeping when I came in cause a lot of times, if he sees my walk in, he's at my feet barking and acting like he's going to be the one to bring an end to the big monster that teases and picks at his mom. 

As for the name… Don't ask. My sister's an anomaly, and that's the only answer I have to give for that.

"Back to the question at hand," my sister continued, and I groaned overdramatically before walking to the couch with my drink and turning the TV on. "Why didn't you tell me you were going to see the Tony Stark?!"

"First off, I think you answered that question when you went on your little tangent of extremely specific details. You've for sure daydreamed about the Avengers, you nerd," I started, looking up at her where she stood by the coffee table with the glossy-eyed brown mutt in her hand, who I couldn't tell was looking at me or the window that was behind me. "And second, who's to say I even saw Mr. Stark? I was just dropping off a sweater, and I could have very well just left it at reception and carried on with my day." 

"It's the fact you're saying it all as a 'could have' scenario instead of just saying you did," she deadpanned. 

She had me there, and that one was on me. 

"It's not like it's the first time I've ever met him. He is the parent of one of my students, so it's not a big deal to me anymore," I brushed it off and looked to the TV, and started mindlessly scrolling through the evening shows. 

 She immediately cut off my view by standing right in front of it.

"Move," I said, peeking my head around her body, which she quickly blocked again. 

"Once, I'm asking once, that I get to meet him," she bargained. 

"Eventually. Just not before the break. We're all tired and have been busy, him, I'm sure more than anyone, and I don't think the compound is where he wants to worry about crazy obsessed fans bombarding him," I looked at her with a big-sister stare. "Now, the whole thing is already over and done. Can I please just drink this and watch an episode of this documentary I've been waiting to decompress to all day?" 

As if I was asking too much and the universe needed to humble me, the coat rack I had hung my coat and tote bag earlier fell to the floor with a harsh crash. 

I didn't even look in the direction of the latest home improvement added to the list, but instead closed my eyes and sat up some. 

"Classic," I mumbled and started to move to the closet we kept our toolbag in, but before I could stand up, Hallie stopped me. 

"Don't. I bargained with the building repair man to come tomorrow instead of making us wait another week," she said, looking back at the damage. "He can do that as an extra fix for being an ass."

"How'd you manage that?" 

I looked at her, impressed, considering the guy was a nuisance and very much a man's man. In other words, "How could two girls on their own ever manage without a big strong man to come and save them when things fell apart?" I think he got off on being able to make us wait for him when it came to things we couldn't actually fix. Talk about a savior complex.

"I said I had to bake some cookies for one of my classes and said I would bake some extra if he came sooner," she shrugged. 

"You're a musical theater major. What class is having you bake cookies?" I gave her a weird look. 

"None. I just didn't want him to think I was baking them just for him," she said with a witty smile. 

"Attagirl," I chuckled, patting the couch next to me. "Just for that, I'll let you pick which documentary we binge tonight." 

"Why is it always with the documentaries?" she huffed, sitting next to me despite acting like she was upset with the option. 

"Don't lie and act like you don't get sucked in." I stood up and put the now half-empty drink down. "I'm going to change, but look through the ones we've already started and pick from those."

"Does Unsolved Supernatural with Shane and Ryan count?" I heard her shout as I turned into my room. 

Normally the answer was no, but I could go for something fun and not so serious. 

"Sure, but pick a good episode!" I shouted back. "Let Christmas break commence…" 

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[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Opinion  Lifelong lessons in coping with fear and humiliation

Age and time usually offer us the gift of learning to take ourselves a lot less seriously.

By Anne Lamott

+

As a woman of faith and cranky optimism, I am usually afraid of only a dozen or so things at any given time, which is a major improvement since childhood. I was the single most scared child on Earth in the 1950s. For instance, I was habitually afraid of being murdered while I slept, so I’d practice looking dead. Then the murderer would peek in my room and think, Hmmm, no one to kill in here; the little girl is already dead.

I don’t do that anymore (very often).

Now I am mostly afraid of my son and grandchild dying before me, beside which all other fears pale. I do worry about falling and breaking my hip. Gravity is a killer. I am, as we speak, on a long airplane flight, hearing a loud mechanical rattle, such as what a wing might make as it works itself off toward freedom. Also, I fear inheriting my mother’s Alzheimer’s, my father’s brain cancer, snakes, the election and the guy behind me coughing.

Maybe worst of all, I have to get my driver’s license renewed fairly soon, which means I have to take the written test. I would rather go to my periodontist and let her do the deep gum planing that she seems to enjoy. Even five years ago when I last went to the DMV to renew my license, I was full of dithery fear, bumbling around like Mr. Magoo on crack cocaine looking for the right counter. To my astonishment, I passed the test.

But now, only five years later, I have to do it again. It’s so wrong.

I notice a difference now: Back then, fear felt like a swamp inside, with Burmese pythons swimming around, patiently, so I sloshed through the DMV. With age, it is more shadowy, a sneaky menace. Ahh — gotcha! — and I’ve learned to quiet it one fright at a time.

They say that babies are born cute so that their fathers won’t eat them, and I think a similar thing takes place when we age. As we look older and somewhat more frail, we have a last chance to coax forth compassion and kindness from the world. As we surrender to the reality that, as we age, most of the systems of body and mind start to go on the fritz, we invite humility into our lives. There is no greater strength.

I am definitely running out of time, and I have (mostly) made peace with that.

When I was a child, one of the most important events of the year was the county fair. My friends and I would go on all the carnival rides and eat all the carnival food. But around 10 p.m., someone would notice the time. We’d have only an hour until our parents arrived. Suddenly we had a new clarity of purpose. We stopped wanting to ride the Gravitron or eat more cotton candy. We wanted to get one more funnel cake and then head for the Ferris wheel. This is what aging feels like. You suddenly realize you’ve got one hour left at the fair, and you get serious about how you are going to live.

Twenty-five years ago, my then-9-year-old son inadvertently helped me see the way: I was racing to an appearance at a theater on the docks of San Francisco Bay, holding a purse, a coffee, a batch of papers and my latest book, and trying to get Sam to hurry up behind me. Suddenly, some pages blew away toward some bored cormorants on the pilings. Sam caught them and then glared at me. “Mom,” he said, “you’re carrying too much, and you’re going too fast.”

You get away with this manic, burdened way of living for the first two-thirds of life, but as you transition to the third third, you start to wonder whether this pattern argues a wasted life. You slow down. You start to actually be here for your life. What a concept.

After all the losses, disappointments and deaths that every older person has experienced, we usually discover how life miraculously goes on, reshapes itself toward homeostasis and more grace than we could have imagined. We learn to look beyond our dire imaginings and trust that this miracle might just happen again. I once heard someone say that hope is faith with a track record.

Take this morning. Something humiliating happened to me professionally. It was not ideal, as I was nearly 3,000 miles and many days away from home.

I felt a kind of cold, vibrating sheet metal fear. It was way too early to wake my husband and close friends back in California. What to do? How to get through the morning, let alone my godforsaken life?

I cried for a moment, then fluffed up the despair with some rage and plans for revenge, which is the Christian way. This steadied me.

Then I remembered something: Deep breath! Oh, right — breathe. Get outside and look up. I dressed and raced out.

The morning’s icy blue sky told me that even though it was very, very cold, the blue was burnished by the sun and was an invitation. More warmth and light was on the way. I usually love the mysticism of clouds more than what I sometimes call the sky’s tyrannical blue, but some days you just can’t beat the brightest blue.

George Saunders said that what he’s learning as he ages into retirement is that “kindness is the only non-delusional response to everything.” I stroked my shoulder like the best mom, who knew how to keep the little patient comfortable.

Next, an overly large, gloriously unhealthy breakfast. Sometimes you need to lift off and fly, but sometimes you need ballast.

Back inside, no longer gasping like a fish on the dock, I picked up the 200-pound phone and risked waking my husband. He was apoplectic on my behalf and then helped me with my plans for vengeance — snake attack, of course, and hemorrhoids. Next I called my Jesuit friend Tom Weston. He said I had to arrange for a burnt offering at my next destination, to appease the ancient Canaanite gods. (They love barbecue.) Also, that the god of his understanding is very willing to help Protestants, most of the time.

His love made me a bit teary, but I found myself laughing with him.

Age and time usually offer us the gift of learning to take ourselves a lot less seriously. We smile ruefully at ourselves more often. And laughter is the Dippity-Do of the spiritual life, jiggly at first and then holding us firmly. The wiggle and jiggle play with your toxic internal attempts to control life, loosening the membrane between you and the moment, you and the ocean, you and your armored intellectual head; you and me. The hold held me like a rock.

[tainoidiot]

Scenario with Riddler: He strolls through the park with Y/N while there is fresh snow, and Y/N gets the idea of hurling a snowball at him. While Y/N is laughing their ass off their beloved rouge throws snow back at them. The war is on, and they both go back and forth with their snowball fight. The end is up to you.

Happy Holidays everyone! I hope everyone is staying safe and warm after that winter storm.

Riddler X Reader: Snowball Fight

It was a chilly day in Gotham city. Just the night before, the clouds gave us the gift of a snowstorm that lasted hours upon hours, giving us the perfect opportunity for the city's inhabitants to finally do winter activities. Ice skating, sledding, and who could resist making a snowman?

You and Edward certainly couldn't. "The base looks more cylindrical than circular." He huffed, patting the sides down with his gloved hands. "You look cylindrical." You teased, sticking your tongue out as you stabbed twigs into the sides of your snowman. Ed just rolled his eyes at your comment. "Okay, I found some pebbles earlier that we can use for the mouth and eyes. They're a bit rough, but I feel like smooth rocks would just.." that's when his surroundings got eerily quiet.

Edward looked around, but there was no sight of you. "Darling? If you're looking for decorating items, I grabbed so-" THWAP! Ed stumbled, not realizing what he was hit with. He patted his head and realized that it wasn't a weapon, but a snowball. ".. you sneaky snipe-" THWAP! Alright, it's on!

Ed, despite his lanky looks, was good with his hands. He gathered snow, quickly creating a pile of snowballs to strike back. That's when he smiled, for he heard an all too familiar giggle. "You're in for it now!" Ed yelled. A moment of silence, a slight mood change, and there, he spotted the top of your hat.

With the snowman caught in the middle of the crossfire, it was an all out battle between you and the riddler. The air filled with the sound of snow hitting jackets and laughter, Ed couldn't exactly remember the last time he had this much fun outside. It wasn't until he heard approaching footsteps that he got worried. "AHA! You fool no one!" Ed giggled as he saw you stop and try to run away. Unfortunately, you hit a black ice spot and slip onto your side. This sent you howling in pain, gripping at your arm.

Edward quickly changed his tune and ran toward you "Oh my god, what happened? This is all my fault, I'm so sorry." He whimpered, almost in tears. You winced "Ed, call 911.." Staring right at his face now, you smirked deviously. "Just not for me." You laughed, shoving snow in his face.

After Edward wiped all the snow off, all he could do was laugh alongside you. "You little jokester!" He shook his head and held you close. What an exciting day.

[gh0stpapa]

So, we have little writing prompts at work that are hand written, little nudges of inspiration to use or ignore during free time, and one of them stuck with me, and I think, considering the moment, I will make use of it. "What would you say to the last person who hurt you?" and it's beautifully broad enough to be a polite, nothing of an answer. Someone bumps into you at the grocery store, maybe you get your heel ran over by the cart of someone a little too close, or in such a hurry they're blind to acceptable spacing, or whatever. It becomes a quick "It's okay, no big deal." but that's not what we'd ever assume the prompt is asking for. We're not children. What would I say to the last person who altered my mind, judgement, changed the way i view the world, who hurt me in such a way that guards were hired, on 24 hour surveillance, never to rest. What would I say to her, she, who broke my heart in ways that cannot be undone, that deemed herself unforgivable, and did all the things she swore she'd never do? Honestly, I thank her. I realized so much, because of her decision making, how bold she was, how sneaky, and how my instincts kept me from being blind to her bullshit. I figured out the kind of liar she was, fairly early on, the reasoning behind it, and her desire to keep her options open while saying all the right things to keep all parties interested. She was just trying to fill up her days with people who saw her for better than she felt about herself. Um, long story short, she made me realize I cannot entertain a liar, cheater, someone who doesn't seem to own up to mistakes, someone who blames others for their own decision making. I need commitment, in due time, obviously. I can't do the back and forth of wanting me then distancing yourself, just to make me chase you. If you want me, say it, show it, and be loyal and committed. If you're keeping options open, do not say you're "all mine". I take words literally, more often than not. Uh, I fucking hate liars, I'm sorry. Just thinking about the whole thing again, it bothers me how well she did it, for as long as she did, but, being me, I knew there was a possibility that she might not be the most trust worthy, there was something off about her, something didn't sit right in my soul about her, and came to realize she was doing literally everything I was afraid of. It's funny how being right about the worst possible scenario seems to play out for me. It's more of a curse, being right, than a gift. Okay, haha sorry, okay, so, I'd thank her, ultimately. She made me realize what I truly want, and it became everything she wasn't. Go figure.

[planetdream]

— PAY ATTENTION !

this post contains; smut [unprotected sex. pussy & ass eating. fingering. impact play & pussy slapping. cum & spit play. dom/sub-elements. a lil manhandling. dirty talk. daddy kink], reader referred to as a ‘good girl’

pairing: seo changbin x (fem) reader | words: 1,934

💌 this is purely a product of the talks we’ve had about changbin in the last week. i tried to give this a plot but 🤡🤡anyways besties, thank you for 1K <3 here is my gift to you :) this is the longest smut I've written in a very long time so pls pls lmk any feedback/thoughts you have on this bc it's v helpful and i was a bit nervous to post this ngl !!

“Baby pay attention to me,” this is the nth whine to come from Changbin’s mouth. Though, if you were actually paying attention to him you wouldn’t hear the complaints so often.

He had been attempting to get your attention, but you’d been so occupied by your phone for the past few hours. And Changbin requires your full attention, not half or partial. So he thought, maybe if he nagged you enough you’d give into him.

“After this round, Bin.”

“But you said that last time. come on,” This would prove to be a never-ending back and forth, and neither party—well, mostly Changbin—was happy about it. He exits the room, going off to occupy himself while he thought of his next course of action. This was OPERATION: GET Y/N’S ATTENTION.

He’s back in the room in no time, smiling down at you. You look so cute and comfortable—laid out on the bed that Changbin has fucked you in more times than he can count on his two hands. A tiny throw blanket hanging around your shoulders while you’re cuddled up on your phone. You catch him out the corner of your eye but decide not to say anything until he makes his move.

He sits onto the bed, carefully calculating his next steps. There’s got to be some way he can work his way in between your legs without raising some sort of suspicion. But instead of trying to be sneaky, he peels the blanket off of you, ignoring the look you give him.

“What are you doing?” You ask. You’d been left to peace and quiet for a few minutes before he came back. Not thinking too much of it, just assuming he was playfully upset at your lack of attention towards him. Seemingly nothing that you couldn’t patch up later.

“Just touching you. Go back to your stupid game,” He’s now laying on his stomach, inching your shorts off of you. He’s a man on a mission right now and the only thing you can do is roll your eyes and spread your legs wider for him.

Now that he’s got your shorts off and you’re spread out for him, he waits a moment. A finger running along from your clit to your slit, daring to push into you. He doesn’t, choosing instead to place his thumb up to your clit, massaging tiny circles onto the bud.

“Bin,” The nickname flew out of your mouth in the form of a moan. The exact opposite of the warning and threatening tone you were attempting to put out. Only he ignores you, giving you the exact same energy he received. If you wanted to play games, he knows a few that the two of you could play.

His thumb presses down onto your clit, halting his movements. Leaning closer to your cunt, you could feel his breath tickle against you and that alone was enough to make you squirm. He puckers his lips a bit, spitting down onto your cunt. His thumb working between your folds and over your clit, dragging his spit all over your pussy.

“Such a pretty pussy,” He bites his lip. Your cunt had an almost sparkly glint in the light from your wetness and Changbin’s excess spit—further enticing Changbin to dip his head between your thighs and devour you.

Changbin places his hands onto your thighs to spread you open and hold you down, diving into your cunt. It was at this point that the game you'd spent a few hours playing was long forgotten.

His tongue laps up your wetness, licking and sucking onto your clit. Your hand instinctively goes up to his hair to tug on it but he swats it away, taking your wrists and pinning them down at your sides. Changbin ate you as if he was starved, refusing to come back up for air until he licked every inch of your cunt—eventually moving to press light pecks all over your cunt.

His head dipping down once more, this time to lick around your asshole. Spitting onto the hole before circling his tongue around it. But every time you squirm around or buck your hips into him, he pulls away from you. As much as he loves the taste of you, his need to be a tease is slightly stronger.

"Binnie, don't tease me," You pout, attempting to move free from his hold. “I need you.”

“Begging for me to fuck you when you paid me no mind earlier?” So that's what this is about. A laugh erupts from deep in his belly as he sits up. “Didn't know you were a comedian. Now count for me,”

You’re left with no time to think before the palm of his hand comes down, striking your cunt. You jolt, the first number coming from your mouth in a yelp. The sting of pain is immediate and is further prolonged by three more slaps to your lower half. Changbin’s hand comes down on your cunt for a fifth time before he changes his attack, slapping at your inner thighs.

“Good fucking girl,” He moves his palm along your inner thigh to soothe the pain, purposely ignoring the place you want him to touch you most. “Now give me a kiss.”

His hand comes to your jaw, gripping your face and pulling you to him. During the kiss, his free hand slips down your abdomen and directly over your cunt. Two fingers slip into you, being coated in your arousal. He slides his fingers in and out of you, curling them up every so often until he feels you clench around his fingers, pulling them away from you and giving your cunt one extra slap for good measure.

He breaks the kiss to get up from the bed. He unbuckles his belt and the thought to wrap his belt around your wrists crosses his mind for a split second. But honestly, Changbin is way too needy for that, shaking the thought from his mind. All the while still making a mental note to do it, soon. His pants and underwear are off in no time, cock being freed from its prison; the tip red and dripping with pre-cum. Changbin couldn't deny how much he wanted to fuck you if he wanted to, the way his cock was hard proved that point.

His cock is just so pretty too. The mere sight of it is enough to make your mouth water. It's thick with a slight curve, perfect for stretching you out and fucking you. Your eyes flicker from his dick to his pretty brown eyes. An all too familiar sparkle in his eyes as he looks down at your half-naked body. He's hungry for you and although he wants to toy around with you, the thought of sinking his cock deep inside you is way too compelling.

Changbin flips you over to position you on your stomach, leaving two pillows beneath you—slightly arching you up. His left hand grabs your wrists, holding your arms behind your back. And before you know it he’s sliding his cock into you and the hand that was once free is now around your neck, holding you up.

The stretch of his cock is so familiar and comforting. Just the right amount of pain that becomes blissful, especially as he fucks into you. His thrusts are painfully slow, not wanting to give you too much too soon. Eventually, he picks up the pace, rocking his hips into yours.

He gets closer to your ear, licking at your lobe before whispering to you. “You’re gonna take it like my good girl, right baby?”

You clench around him at the nickname. His cock twitches just slightly and he feels like he’s about to lose his mind at how your pussy grips around his cock; daring him to cum and he’s only been inside of you for a few seconds.

"Just wanted my baby's fucking attention. Could've been getting fucked like this all day." He drives his cock deep in your cunt, the tip gracefully nudging at your spot.

“So fucking good,” Is all he can say as he fucks you. Unable to form any sentences that don’t include any obscenities as he uses you as a means to get himself off. His eyes roll to the back of his head. You're so warm and wet, the only thing Changbin wants to do for the rest of his life is split you open with his dick.

“Please, make me cum.” He marvels at the way your voice cracks through moans. But he’d be a fool if he let you cum, and if he does: you’re going to have to work for it. He removes his hands from you completely, his thrusts slowing down by the second.

“I don’t know if you deserve to cum,” Bringing his hand up and swatting down at your ass. He ponders the request, making up his mind. “If you want to cum, do it yourself.”

Halting all movements, Changbin stills inside of you, smacking your ass once more. “Fuck yourself on my dick,”

His voice was deep and his tone harsh, leaving you no other choice but to obey his orders. Gripping onto the sheets as you look back at him and throw your ass back on his cock. He’s oddly quiet, save for his grunts, too concentrated on the way you’re fucking yourself on his cock.

“Come on, I know you can do better than that babe.”

He pushes you back down onto the bed and his hands are back on you immediately—one pressing your head into the pillow and the other pressed on your lower back. At this point, he’s fucking into you faster and you’re being pushed into the bed with each thrust.

His cock repeatedly hits your spot head-on. Squeezing around his cock as the feeling begins to become too much for you. Unable to run or pull away from it since Changbin has you pinned down. "Fucking take it,"

A choked-out plea escapes your lips, begging for him to let you cum You can feel his cock twitching inside of you, just knowing that he wouldn't last long inside of you. All it takes is one more squeeze around his cock, one more moan, and one more plea for Changbin to let you cum.

"I'm gonna fucking cum daddy."

“Cum all over this dick,” He holds you down as his thrusts get faster and deeper, slightly sloppy in an attempt to hold out on his own release to fuck you through yours.

The feeling of Changbin's cock inside of you, fucking you through your orgasm was a bit much. Air seemingly trapped in your lungs as you tried to moan out for him. A thick haze clouds over your mind as you continue to cum around him, a layer of your cum coating his cock.

He soon pulls out, flipping you onto your back. Pumping his cock in his hand, deep and heavy groans exit his mouth as he paints his cum all over your cunt, slapping his cock over your clit. "Look at that. So fucking pretty painted in my cum."

Changin plants a kiss on your lips, moaning into it. When your break the kiss, his eyes leave yours to look down at the mess he made of your cunt.

"So... What did you need my attention for so badly?" You ask, breaking the brief silence.

"Don't remember, honestly." Now he's playing shy as if he wasn't rearranging your guts one minute ago. "But now that I have your attention, round two?"

"Whatever,"

"Come onnnn."

© PLANETDREAM 2021

[hannahhasnofriends]

happier | dream

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

summary: based off the song happier by olivia rodrigo!

pairing: dream x reader

warnings: angst, break ups, this is just fucking sad lmao, real names are used (srry not srry)

word count: 1.2k

a/n: i love olivia rodrigos new album i literally have not listened to anything else since it came out omfg😎 also i think i like this fic?? idk gimme some thoughts n feedback :)

We broke up a month ago Your friends are mine, you know I know You've moved on, found someone new One more girl who brings out the better in you And I thought my heart was detached From all the sunlight of our past But she's so sweet, she's so pretty Does she mean you forgot about me?

"Hey guys! I've missed you all so much." I hug Sapnap tightly and move on to the next person I was greeting.

A "reunion" we were calling it, it'd been a year since the SMP ended and everyone wanted to get into touch again. It was bittersweet seeing everyone , it seemed like we'd grown up so much since then. Hell, I know I have.

"Hey darling, " I turn and see Niki, I missed her so much. We were the first female streamers on the SMP, she'd been my best friend. "How are you?"

"I'm good, really." I could see the sympathy in her eyes. I pretended not to notice when everyone did a double take when I walked into the room, they really thought I wasn't going to come today.

"That's good, I've missed you." She had a tight smile on her face. "You know he's coming today, right?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat, I knew someone was going to ask. It was fine, I had prepared myself for the questions and stares. It'd been 6 months, half a year, 6 damn full moons since we'd ended. We share the same friends, it was hard knowing they were going to pick sides, we both knew it wasn't going to be mine.

"Clay? Yeah, I know. Don't worry, we've both moved on. We're adults and I don't need to hide from him. We're friends!" I was lying through my fucking teeth. I saw his instagram posts, the subtweets, and everything else that had her named burned into it.

"Ok, I just wanted to check in. I know we all took the erm- break-up pretty hard." Her eyes avoided mine but I know she truly meant well by everything she was saying. "Anyway, I'm going to say hi to a few others. I really want us to talk more, ok?"

She squeezed my arm as she was walking off, I nodded my head even though I probably wouldn't be able to bring myself to message her after this.

I took a deep breath and eyed my other company. I was sticking out like a sore thumb, everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves. Honestly, it'd probably be best to make a cowardly dash before he showed up.

Just as I'd made up my mind, I saw it. The main doors opened and there they were. Well. Too damn late for that.

He was as tall and gorgeous as he was 6 months ago and she was stunningly perched on his arm. The worst part wasn't how goddamn good they looked, it was how you could just tell they were right. You could simply glance in their direction and tell she was nice and kind and he was completely devoted to her.

Oh, I hope you're happy But not like how you were with me I'm selfish, I know, I can't let you go So find someone great, but don't find no one better I hope you're happy, but don't be happier

Just like that, all the air in the room had been sucked out. I was doomed.

As he made his way around the room, his eyes finally found mine. His smile faltered and I could tell he was taken aback. I averted my eyes quickly, this was so stupid.

“Y/n! Hi!” I jumped as I heard his voice, sneaky little bastard. I forced my best smile on my face as I turned to face them. She was standing next to him, still arm in arm but she stayed silent.

“Hey! How’s it going.” I pressed my lips together, he seemed so… ok? His eyes no longer had those dark circles and the cuts on his knuckles look healed.

“I’m good! How about you?” He tilts his head, curious.

“I’m doing good, too. Pretty busy, but you know.” I nodded along to what I said, it wasn’t a complete lie.

Abruptly, she clears her throat and side eyes Clay, obviously wanting something. “Oh, right! This is Grace.”

“Hi, I’ve heard great things about you.” She smiles so warmly, she seems so great. I could feel the jealously sinking into my skin, it was suffocating.

“Hello, it’s really nice to meet you.” This time I really was lying. But I couldn’t tell her the truth. How I couldn’t let her boyfriend go.

And do you tell her she's the most beautiful girl you've ever seen? An eternal love bullshit you know you'll never mean Remember when I believed You meant it when you said it first to me? And now I'm pickin' her apart Like cuttin' her down will make you miss my wretched heart But she's beautiful, she looks kind She probably gives you butterflies

She kept up the small talk with me. I learned she was an artist and slightly older than him. She taught art to kids on the weekends and her parents were still married. She even volunteered to help me move.

I noticed the rings she wore and thought about whether he gave them to her. If he gave her the same gifts he gave me. Maybe she knew too. Maybe she knew he took her to the same places we went. Did the same things, laughed at the same jokes. I hope she did.

But the conversation continued, and I kept searching for a flaw. Something to make him realize she wasn’t meant for him. Something I could point out and have my aha moment.

But she was perfect. And I had nothing that would make him pick me instead of her.

I wish you all the best, really Say you love her, baby Just not like you loved me And think of me fondly when your hands are on her I hope you're happy, but don't be happier

The music picked up again and they excused themselves to the dance floor. It was a sappy, corny love song. It fit them perfectly. I could see him whisper in her ear and rock her back forth to the beat. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes.

As they swayed, I was hoping he was thinking of me. I hoped he would drop her right then and there and grab my hand and lead me out of this mess. I hoped he would lock eyes with me and pretend none of this happened. I hoped they weren't as happy as they looked.

I hope you're happy Just not like how you were with me I'm selfish, I know, can't let you go So find someone great, but don't find no one better I hope you're happy, but don't be happier

As I watched them, I swear every memory we shared came fleeting into my mind. Every smile, every laugh, every fight, everything. The way he’d let me wear his sunglasses in the car and the time we danced in the rain and we’re sick for days after.

As I watched them I wondered wether they were truly happy together. If he was in love, if he loved her more than he loved me. If he ever thought of me when he was with her.

I wonder if he watched me as I left.

[loneworldgazer]

Reader Who Likes Giving Gifts

reno x gen!reader and rude x gen!reader

a/n: these are the only two that i'll start with since i could kinda grasp at their personalities!!

also this is where reader gives acts of services to them

(love reno with his friend pitbull😔🤟)

Reno

a man who clearly is a big baby, acts tough but is a huge child that wouldn't pay attention if you asked him to sit down

he teases you for how clingy and affectionate you are but you keep him grounded cause you know he wanted more

please compliment this man nonchalantly and innocently! eventhough he knows you're putting on an act and clearly knows what you're doing, why did it suddenly get so hot for him and why is his heart racing?

he cursed you out everytime you do that and tbh don't care about it, stick your tongue out at him and doubt he won't chase you around

you're always buying little trinkets and things for him and he fully appreaciates it, i hc him to be a biggest simp with the most cliche act of acting unbothered and makes fun of you for it

but make sure to make fun of him when he starts going on his little rants in the shower about how cute you are and don't wet the towel when you throw it at him when he forgets to bring it in the bathroom and when you're shocking him

going home to reno just kicking back and relaxing with the tv on and the fan on blast when his shirt crumples on the floor.

because of summer, he's just fanning his shirtless self and questions how you can go out with energy to buy your stuff.

"i'm home!" you greeted where he greeted you back and you breathed in when the summer heat sinks in and you rushed in the kitchen for drinks, yelling from the kitchen if he wanted soda pop or coke.

you crawled onto his lap and place the freezing can on his cheek and he hisses at the cold sting and he does it back to you with your can and you played around a bit with the drinks.

after fighting with him a bit, you shift in his lap constantly made him groan cause he wanted to watch tv but your head was in the way so you flopped over and placed your head on his chest. he tries to ask what you've been up to and you told him that you bought him something.

"lemme guess,, flowers?" the quirk of his eyebrow didn't match his confused expression afterwards when you said yes and carefully pulled out a bunch of different flowers from your bag and walked over to him.

you told him the flowers reminded you of how pretty he was, second due to you being the first (imagine with sparkles around you when you place your hand under your chin) but he stilled, his eyes closing slightly to your compliment which he obviously turned pink to

"geez how cheesy can you get?" he huffed and you pinched his cheek and kissed his face all over and countinued on with your speech an explained how every flower matched his description, which how hot summer was for the both of you, the cheese defitenely was melting as reno pestered in every pause of breath from on how predictable you were.

this was a battle of trying to compliment him and him shutting it down by making fun of you, if he didn't enjoy your comments then why was he turning more pinker with every sentence you threw at him? defitenely not the summer heat.

Rude

when he starts noticing all the little notes you leave, he would cover half of his face to hide his blush

you would sneak in notes whenever you go by his office at lunch and slip them on his table when he's busy talking to you while filling out papers with his head down

you thought he wouldn't notice with how much they're piling up, well you did it on purpose since he didn't bring up about your notes

(poor him, he appreciates it but he's just too shy to admit how your flowery language about loving him was a little too suggestive!)

you would so hide it in sneaky places but he hasn't said anything after you have left two so you 'hid' it in hideous and obvious places

just like any normal day, it's time for you to place more sticky notes and maybe a small lunchbox for him to enjoy

he excused himself in the middle of your small talk with him because he had to go somewhere

you quickly left the lunchbox and notes on his table when the doors swung shut, directly on his papers cause you were done with the ignorance. feeling giddy about the whole thing, you skipped on out of the office.

a firm thumb on your forehead shocked you out of your state and you tried to yell at the person but a familiar sticky note was falling off your forehead as the poor excuse of the glue quickly exposed rude who was tapping the floor with his foot.

you opened your mouth, also shocked at the audacity that this man have for even wanting an explanation but he shuts you down with a finger to your lips and you tilted your head in confusion.

"a-ah um." he was flustered! you almost screamed at how adorable he looked right now, you picked up the note that you wrote and it was doodles of you and him and a lot of 'i love yous' and you cooed at his bright face.

"cmonn rude! you couldn't possibly be that sheepish to all my messages!" you held his face and his tough facade was falling apart and if he actually broke out of it, he would litterally shake with how you close the distance between him and you rubbed his face with your thumbs while staring at his tender eyes trying to look elsewhere to not break.

"beat it lovebirds, not infront of the office" reno karate chopped both your heads lightly and slipped a hand through the space of you and rude to push you two apart to walk into the office to do his bussiness and boy, were you two embarassed.

rude excused himself with a dry cough right after he gives a peck on your lips and you rocked yourself back and forth because his reaction was one to remember and you skipped on out there to.

"sooo what happened back there?" rude did not respond but he broke down, rubbing his face, you'll forever be the death of him, right next to reno (maybe)

bonus

you slide into the elevator right after rufus and tseng entered and hummed quietly to yourself, settling in the comfortable silence.

rufus whistled out of nowhere to get your attention (as well as tseng) and you swiftly turned your head back to him to pop a question to him but he commented before you could.

"tone down the displays of affections, your man is having trouble in the office because of you" damn did that made you sputter.

[greenygreenland]

Date: Jean Havoc x Reader (w/ Big Brother Roy Mustang)

REQUESTED

-PRETEND ROY IS YOUNGER FOR THE SAKE OF THIS ONE-SHOT (say, like 20-ish) -sorry this took so long. I had an internship and it got a little crazy

-idc about the timeline because this is a one-shot and i’m not gonna use my big brain lmaooo

Summary: Overprotective Roy? Yes. You’re dating Jean Havoc and your bro watches your first date from the shadows.

Nervous. That was the first emotion you felt when you stepped out of the front door. Today was a big day, maybe more so than you’d like to believe. The sun shimmered overhead, where the sparse clouds drifted lazily across the sky. “Bye, Roy,” you called. “I’ll be back around sixteen o’clock.”

Roy was your elder brother by four years. If a guard dog had a human personification, it would definitely be him. For all your life, he wrote himself off as the responsible sibling. He acted like his grades were better than yours, like he was the one to take out the trash, or finish all the dishes before cockroaches decided to make home in them.

Anyone would have thought that to be true. After all, Roy was young and rose up the military ranks at an alarming rate. But you knew better, along with his close colleagues. Roy was stupid, overprotective, and impulsive. He would do anything that interested him, and if it didn’t, he’d pay no mind to it.

You prayed your brother would pay no mind today.

The front door slammed open with a creak. “Where do you think you’re going?” Roy inquired. He squinted at you as if you were about to do something stupid. “And what are you wearing? I hope you have shorts under that.” You rolled your eyes and adjusted the purse slung over your shoulder. 

This sun dress was a gift from Jean for your (age) birthday. The skirt flowed in the passing breezes like a flower, illuminating all the vibrant colours under the rays of sun. It was a beautiful dress. If Roy thought otherwise, you’d make him understand. “It’s called a dress, doofus.” you sarcastically replied. “Not like you’d know when you only see Riza in the Command Centre. Poor you. Haven’t gotten the chance to see her in a skirt, huh?”

Roy averted his gaze to the sky with a haughty huff. “What are you talking about? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” Heat rose up his cheeks. “If you’re implying I harbour romantic feelings for my First Lieutenant, then you’re--”

“A hundred percent correct.” you stated with a smug smirk. “I’ll be back around sixteen o’clock. Don’t burn down the house.” If Roy accidently did, you wouldn’t be surprised. He was the Flame Alchemist, and above all, your stupid big brother.

“Where are you going (Y/n)?” Roy called. You flung your hair over your shoulder with a bright smile that could have blinded even the sun. “A date, of course.” Okay, maybe it wasn’t a good idea to rub salt in a wound. What Roy didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. But then you saw look on his face. Nevermind, it was totally worth it to rub in his face: jaw agape, eyes as wide as saucers, and shoulders hunched down.

Ah, it was good to be you.

The city bustled with life. With the sun shining, and the beauty of living in your palms, you trotted down the street. There was nothing that could ruin your date.

"Jean!" Your tone was light as a laugh escaped your lips. "It feels like I haven't seen you in a while." 

Cherry red dusted his cheeks. He stuffed the unlit cigarette into his pocket and offered you a hand. In his other, he placed a single (f/c) flower between your hairclips. "I saw you yesterday," he said with a bashful smile. "What do you mean it's been a while?" You bumped shoulders playfully and intertwined your fingers together. "Hyperbole, Jean."

"Well, it's one hyperbole too many." He remarked with a grin. "Do you want to have sandwiches today or a hot meal?" You shrugged, leaning against his shoulder. It was comfortable to have him hold you like this as you made your way down the street. He always had this secure way of linking your arms with his.

Off to the side, Roy couldn't say the same. It wasn’t like he planned on following you. Curiosity just swept him out of the house. And besides, what you didn’t know, wouldn’t hurt, right? Right.

Roy wished Jean didn’t hold you like you were some stuffed animal. For all he knew, Jean was just playing you. It wouldn't be the first when he had over fifteen other girls in the past four months. If Jean broke your heart, he'd be sure to fry the man up to a crisp. "Damn him," Roy grumbled. He pulled down his fedora and adjusted the glasses over his nose. "What makes him think he can touch (Y/n) like that?"

You suddenly laughed loudly at some joke. “Stop!” you cried, playfully smacking his arm. “That’s the worst one I’ve heard all week!” 

Roy slinked out of the shadows with a low huff. He shouldn't have worn such a thick jacket. It had to be over twenty something degrees today. But that was no matter because you were being whisked away to the park--by Jean! Roy hurried down the street. Since when did you get lunch? And what was Jean going to do to you?

"The park's a good place." you noted. “Let’s go there.” The bag from Sally's Sandwiches hung from Jean's arm. It swung back and forth as he happily pranced along the street with you hand in hand. "Good thing I remembered to bring a blanket this time. We can sit under that tree."

Oh, what was Jean going to do to you? Roy couldn't stand the thought of you walking with him like that. There had to be an ulterior motive to this 'date'. Maybe Jean wanted to leech off you for money, or maybe he would try seducing you in the park? Roy shook his head. No, no.

Jean wasn't a bad guy. Maybe Roy was thinking too far ahead. But what if he wasn’t? What if Jean pulled some sneaky plan?

You crossed the street just as a car wildly swerved. Its tires screeched against the road like nails on a chalkboard, grinding against stone until it came your way. Roy frantically popped out of his hiding space. "What kind of idiot would--"

Suddenly, you slammed a hand into the ground. The stone transmuted, blocking the car from any unnecessary collisions. It smacked straight into the wall, smoke and steam rising from its engine. "(Y/n)!" cried Jean. "Are you okay?" He frantically placed a hand on either of your shoulders and looked you up and down. A smile rose to your lips. "I'm fine. Not even a scratch."

A sigh escaped Jean's lips. "That's good. I don't know what I'd do if you got hurt." You placed a gentle hand to his cheek and pecked it (Roy wanted to gag). "I'm an Alchemist. It'd be a shame if I went down by a car."

"Don't joke about that," Jean chastised. He hooked his arm with yours again and led you away from the screeching onlookers and police. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."

Roy blinked. Did he hear Jean right? 'I don't know what I'd do if I lost you'? What was that supposed to mean? “Look at them, being all lovey-dovey...” Roy continued after the couple. They passed through a field of forest green grass, where flowers bloomed in straight, uniform lines all around. It was a beautiful spot to have a picnic. 

You swung your arm, hand in hand with Jean. The sun kissed your heads from the Heaven’s, illuminating a bright happiness Roy couldn’t look away from. Urgh. He wanted to kick something, or better yet, set a tree on fire. How could you two look so perfect? You were only (age) and that was far too young to be dating. 

Besides, you had a career in the military. If your little ‘relationship’ was sealed with a ring, you’d be separated. “Did they even think that through?” Roy grumbled to himself. He gritted his teeth together and ducked behind a bush. 

“Excuse me sir.”

Roy glanced over his shoulder with a false smile. “Ah, what is it?” A little boy ball up and down in his hand. The glare on his face could have been intimidating, but Roy was Roy Mustang. He wouldn’t let some kid look down upon him. “Are you lost?”

The kid clutched the rock so tightly his knuckles turned white. “My mama said to watch out for creepy people. I think you fit well, Mr. Pervert.” He took a step back and launched the ball at Roy’s head. “Take that!”

“What are you talking about?!” Roy exclaimed. He jumped out of the bushes and brushed the leaves from his jacket. Boy, it was getting terribly hot in the sweltering heat. Poor Roy found himself losing what little patience remained. “I’m not a creep, kid! Where are your parents? If I was a creep, you would have been kidnapped already. I’m just trying to make sure my sister...!”

At that very second, you so happened to come to a stop. At that very second, you so happened to stare. At that very second, you so happened to recognise a face among strangers.

Roy was royally screwed. 

The little kid pointed at Roy as if he were the most wanted criminal in all of Amestris. “Lady!” he screeched. “I saw this guy watching you since you got here! He’s a creep! Call the cops!” Jean squinted at Roy. At first, he actually believed the kid was telling the truth. What kind of normal person wore a winter coat, a fedora, and a pair of sunglasses if not to deal drugs in the alleyways?

“Hold up...” Jean blinked owlishly. “Colonel, is that you?!”

You released Jean’s arm. “Oh, it’s him alright.” A menacing glare rose to your face as you cracked your knuckles. What was Roy supposed to do? The wrath of his sister was not something he could brace himself for, especially when she could be just as impulsive as Edward Elric.

Roy waved his arms in denial. “I don’t know what that kid’s talking about. I just happened to pass by, and in the process, I ended up dropping my wallet, which turned out to be in the bushes, so--”

“Save it.” You cracked your knuckles and pulled on a glove. “It’s time to crank up the heat, because we’re having fried Alchemist tonight.”

Anger. That was the only emotion you felt as you chased your big brother around the park. Today was supposed to be a big day. You planned to walk around, maybe go shopping, and spend the night wandering around with Jean for a whole day. But no. Your stupid, idiotic, big brother had to be the creepy party crasher.

[thedragonnerd]

Rayaari headcanon - let's go back to school with a rival teachers AU

(inspired by this lovely anon)

When it comes to science teachers - and indeed, teachers overall at the school - Miss Raya is one of the most popular. She's not much older than the oldest students themselves, full of a somewhat chaotic energy that keeps the classroom energized, and a willingness to blow things up in the name of science and education, no matter how much it exasperates Headmaster Dang Hai.

Miss Raya is also popular thanks to her legendary (at least amongst the students, although arguably also in the teachers' lounge) rivalry with the History teacher Miss Namaari, whose classroom sits opposite her own.

Miss Namaari is simultaneously feared and admired by the students. She rarely cracks a smile, and there are so many stories about how scary she can be when angry, that no-one tries to misbehave in her class. Despite this, she keeps classes interesting with her lesson plans, forever challenging her students and ensuring they are engaged enough to receive some of the highest marks in the school.

There are all sorts of rumours as to why both teachers seem to be in an endless rivalry, starting from the week they both began work at the school.

Some students believe it's because they are always in competition to win the "Teacher of the Year" and the "Best Department" trophies at the school's annual award shows, and are therefore trapped in a battle to see who can encourage their students for the best grades and feedback.

Others think that it's simply because they have very different views of the world. Between classes, when the students are shuffling to their next subject, it is common to see both teachers standing on guard beside their own classroom doors, arms crossed and glaring at each other from opposite sides of the hallway. Most of the time, this is accompanied by an ongoing debate of the day, where they argue with raised voices over the general noise of the students on a dizzying array of topics. There seems to be no coherent theme to their debates, but no doubt whatever they are discussing, they'll be on opposite sides of the argument.

The most believed, and perhaps most simplistic answer, is that Miss Namaari is simply and consistently annoyed by Miss Raya and her unusual ways of teaching, and in return, Raya thrives on annoying her further. At least once a week, and undoubtedly after one of her signature loud scientific experiments, the door to Raya’s classroom will bang open, and Miss Namaari will be peering inside with a glower on her face, saying ‘Yet again, Miss Heart, your classroom is being utterly disruptive to my students.’

Sisu however, has a very different theory as to what is going on between her two teachers. ‘Sexual tension,’ she says wisely, between mouthfuls of her lunch. Noi makes a disgusted sound next to her – at her eating habits or her theory, it isn’t clear. ‘Can’t be sexual tension,’ she refutes. ‘Firstly, because ew. And secondly, because Miss Raya is happily married.’ Sisu doesn’t have an argument for that second point – Miss Raya indeed does seem very in love with her wife.

It was something the students discovered early on in Raya’s time teaching at the school. She wears a small and simplistic silver band around her finger – not something that appears to be a wedding ring at all. But one day, a student makes a joke about her ‘husband’, causing Miss Raya to flush bright red. ‘Wife, actually,’ she mutters, and then continues on with the class as if nothing happened. But her smile in that moment lights up the room.

A while later, one of the braver students asks her about her wife, and the ring. It’s so unusual for them to meet an adult in a non-straight relationship, and there are many teenagers who hang onto her words curiously and hopefully as she explains the origins of the ring. ‘We were 18 and had no money,’ she explains with a faraway smile on her face. ‘She proposed anyway, because we didn’t want to wait. And this ring was all she could afford. She’s asked me several times if I want a new ring now we have money all these years later, but there’s no need to change perfection.’

Students are smart, and students are sneaky. They are quick to notice if they ask at the start of the lesson about Raya’s wife, even a quick ‘how is she?’, then Raya will be a lot happier and cheerier during class…leading to more chaos and excitement.

‘My wife made me watch an entire marathon of Star Trek,’ she says one day, with a bright smile, when they ask about her weekend.

‘She tried to make you all cookies, but accidentally set the oven on fire,’ she explains another day, when she comes in looking slightly tired and smelling faintly of smoke.

‘She beat me in sparring – it was a very impressive one-two kick-punch,’ she tells them another morning, when they notice a bruise on her face. The faraway look in her eye tells them that she is now thinking fondly of her sparring fight with her wife, a strange habit it seems to the teenagers, but clearly something Miss Raya enjoys.

One day, Miss Raya comes in looking extremely upset. Her wife is ill, and she’d much rather be home than teaching for the day. The students are almost as upset as she is – ‘Miss Raya’s wife’ has become a beloved figure to them, someone they’ve never met but feel as if they know anyway. They send her home with get well cards by the end of the day, and for the rest of the week, Miss Raya takes vacation days so she can play nurse.

‘Miss Namaari won’t know who to yell at today,’ Noi jokes, but Boun leans over his desk while shaking his head. ‘Miss Namaari’s class has a substitute also,’ he informs them. Sisu’s eyes narrow slightly. ‘Must be something going around,’ she says slowly.

The discovery comes several months later, and purely by accident. Sisu is on the other side of town to her usual haunt, searching for the perfect gift for Tong’s birthday, when she decides to get some caffeinated fuel for her shopping mission. She slips into the nearest café, lining up for her order before something out the corner of her eye catches her attention.

Miss Raya is here, sitting on one of the comfy couches and drinking coffee. Her clothes are casual, and her hair falls loosely around her face as she laughs loudly at whatever her companion has just said, leaning forward to lay a hand on the person’s knee. Sisu is just about to call out a greeting to her teacher, when she suddenly notices who exactly is with Miss Raya.

‘Come on, dep la,’ Miss Namaari says, standing up and then bending down again slightly to grasp Miss Raya’s hands and pull her up also. ‘Let’s go home.’ Miss Namaari wraps an arm around Miss Raya’s shoulder, kissing the side of her head softly, and Sisu, hiding behind the person in front of her in the queue, witnesses the same bright smile flash across her face as Miss Raya’s whenever she talks about her wife. Miss Raya’s nose crinkles in amusement, and then two women walk out of the café slowly, eyes only for each other.

The next day at school, Noi and Sisu are walking together towards Miss Raya’s classroom when they hear the unmistakable voices of their two teachers, bickering back and forth in yet another debate of the day. The bell rings loudly, making them hurry their footsteps so they aren’t late, but before they reach the door, Sisu sees a bright smile on Raya’s face as she winks to her debate partner across the hallway.

‘You know, you’re right,’ she whispers to Noi as they settle into their seats. ‘Can’t be sexual tension – Miss Raya is far too in love with her wife.’

[writertitan]

Midnight Snacks

pairing: eren x reader 

words: 2058

themes: college au, lots of fluff, eren being a little embarrassing with his gas station order 

requested by anon

Finals week had both you and Eren on high alert and in high panic. Truth be told, you didn’t need to really worry that much; you had prepared yourself for this all semester and had really kept up with your workload. Mostly, you were just stressed about the finals themselves and how, well, final they were. And so close together. A gift and a curse. You’d be done before finals week was even over. 

What really had you in a panic was Eren. The boy, bless his heart, was not apt for cramming. He’d kept up with his work like you had, but you knew him like the back of your hand; he was prone to leaving the harder things until the last minute. 

You glanced at your phone to check the time as Eren flipped back and forth between a page in his biology textbook, grumbling to himself under his breath. It was almost 12:30 in the morning and both of you had been at it all night, cramming and rememorizing things just to be prepared, and Eren especially was deep in concentration. You smiled to yourself as you watched his brows furrow even more than they already were, a feat you thought impossible. Just as you set your phone down to continue your own last-minute preparations, Eren sat up straight with a growl and pushed his textbook off your bed with his knee. 

“I feel like my head’s about to explode,” he complained, flopping over onto your lap. His eyes found yours immediately and he pouted as he reached up to stroke your cheek, then turned his head to glare at your textbook, as if personally offended by it, and pushed it off your bed to join his own. 

“Eren,” you whined, about to push his head off your lap, but he stopped you by reaching both hands up to cup your face. 

“C’mon, let’s just take a small break. We’re probably gonna be at this for a few more hours,” he said, fingers lightly caressing your jaw to entice you into going with his plan. You pondered it, then thought about arguing back with him about needing to study, but then realized he was probably right. All of this endless cramming with no break was just going to end up in you not retaining any of it. 

“Just a small break,” you relented, giving him a warning stare. He sat up, much brighter now, and pulled you off your bed immediately. He stretched his legs out and then reached his arms up to the ceiling for a full body stretch, already in a better mood. 

“Let’s go buy some snacks,” he suggested, wrapping an arm around your shoulders to pull you in. “That’ll help with the brain juice.” 

You hated Eren’s term, brain juice, but you knew he had a point. You had to keep up your energy. 

“Okay, let’s go to the vending machines and pick something out,” you said, moving to put some shoes on. 

“There’s a convenience store just down the street, babe. Please can we go? Your dorm’s vending machines aren’t gonna cut it,” he said, the pout back again. You rolled your eyes playfully but again relented, happy to just get out of your dorm room for a second. 

“Okay, fine. But you’re not supposed to be here, remember? It’s way past visiting hours. We have to be so sneaky,” you said, voice already lowering to a whisper. If you’re RA found out you’d been holing Eren up in your dorm well past 10pm, she was going to lose her mind. 

Eren made a show of zipping his lips and acting stealthy, which made you snort. You grabbed his hand after putting on shoes and jackets, and carefully slipped out to start your trek to the convenience store. 

You had to admit, it was a nice idea. And Eren was right, your vending machines didn’t hold a candle to all the other savory treats you really wanted. 

The night was a little breezy, but the impending summer weather kept the spring chill at bay. Eren had your hand engulfed in his, fingers laced as he swung your hands lightly, other hand messing with his loose bun. The night wrapped around him beautifully, streetlights casting glows that defined the most handsome parts of his face. 

He caught you staring after a minute of him being deep in thought, and you flashed him a mischievous grin which he returned.

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” he teased, the lame phrase making you giggle. 

“Okay,” you said cheerily, which took him off guard. You pulled your hand from his and giggled again at his confusion, before moving to stand behind him, hands reaching up to grasp his shoulders and give a small tug to make him stop walking. He knew immediately what you were getting at and crouched down enough to let you hop on, catching you easily and gripping your thighs as you wrapped an arm around your shoulders. Your other hand reached into your pocket to pull out your phone and you wasted no time in pulling up the camera app, jutting your arm out so you could capture Eren’s face right next to yours, the two of you flashing cheesy and ridiculous smiles as you snapped the picture. The automatic flash activated due to the low lighting and Eren whined and blinked, squeezing his eyes shut as the flash went off. 

When you looked at the end result, you showed Eren with a pleased laugh. You looked fine, all smiles and bright eyes. Eren, on the other hand, had blinked a little too soon. His eyes were shut, eyebrows raised, a dopey grin on his face that matched yours. 

“Delete that,” he complained, letting go of one thigh to try to reach for your phone. You were too fast, however, and eased it back into your jacket pocket. “Babe, delete it!”

“Nope! That’s my new favorite picture of us.” 

“I’m not buying you any snacks once we get there.” 

A lie, completely. If anything, Eren would play the little devil on your shoulder and egg you on in just a few minutes, into making not-so-smart choices. Why choose between the chocolate and the gummies when you can have both? 

You moved to hop off once you were in front of the store, but Eren’s grip tightened on your thighs. You angled your head to give him a confused glance, which he ignored, but he turned his head to peck your lips. 

“We’ll be quick. You’ll be my hands,” he said, and you rolled your eyes at his words, but hid your big smile into his shoulder. You knew he could feel the way your lips turned up over the thin fabric of his jacket and even thinner shirt. 

“Alright, what do you want?” you asked him, letting him lead you where you knew he’d go first: the Lunchables. 

“Ham and cheese and crackers, please,” he requested, but you already knew that and were grabbing at it with one hand. He kissed your wrist as a thank you and then asked, “Okay, what are we getting you? The usual?” 

“Yes, please,” you hummed, nuzzling into his neck as he made his way over to your preferred snack of choice. And, after grabbing two drinks, your hands absolutely full, you made your way to the counter to pay. The clerk gave you a bored look, not at all interested in the sight in front of him, and rang up your items slowly and announced your total. 

A contest as always, you and Eren both reached for your wallets. He somehow managed to be quicker, mostly because you were trying your best not to lose your balance as you held onto him with one arm and fished around for money with the other, and you grumbled as he paid for both of you. 

You held onto the bag as you exited the convenience store, again trying to hop off, and again being secured in place by Eren’s tight grip. 

“Aren’t you getting tired?” you asked him, genuinely curious, but Eren nearly guffawed at the question. 

“Are you joking? I wouldn’t even consider this a warm-up, babe. Carrying Jean’s blacked-out ass home after a party, though... that’ll make me break a sweat. I don’t know how he’s so fucking heavy.” 

You giggled, vividly remembering one of those times, and you rested your head on Eren’s shoulder after letting a yawn slip out. 

“I wish we didn’t have to go back to studying after this,” you pouted, pressing a pouty kiss into Eren’s shoulder. “I hate finals.” 

“Let’s eat our snacks before we get back to it,” Eren compromised. “My brain still feels heavy with knowledge. I gotta let it soak it all up.” 

“Always saying the weirdest things,” you teased him, squealing at the pinch on your thigh. 

Sneaking up to your dorm room was as easy as sneaking out, and you pulled Eren for a quick kiss as soon as the door locked behind you. You tossed the bag onto your bed and then began fishing your snacks out once your shoes and jacket were off and you were both able to situate more comfortably on your bed. Eren held you in his lap as he leaned back against your wall and browsed through his phone, the two of you watching dumb compliations on YouTube while you snacked. It was nice to turn your brain off just for a while, to rest up and come back to studying rejuvenated. 

His hand would occasionally sneak up your neck and grab at your hair, lightly massaging your scalp as he pressed tender kisses to your temple. You shared your snacks and really took your time with finishing, letting yourselves soak in your study break. 

“Thanks for making me take a break,” you told him, leaning your head back against his chest. “I forget sometimes.” 

“I know you do,” Eren chuckled, squeezing you into a hug and pressing you into his chest even more. He noticed yet another suppressed yawn from you and hummed in acknowledgement, and you knew what he was going to say before he said it. 

“I can’t go to sleep, I have to keep studying,” you said, beating him to it. 

“You’re studying for your final tomorrow and it’s not even until noon. You know a really important habit before taking a big test is to get enough sleep before it.” 

Damn it. You hated when he used logic against you. 

“Fine, but just a nap,” you grumbled, sitting up to grab at your trash and discard it in your bin. You set an alarm and gave Eren a tired smile. “I’m gonna drag you down with me, though. You need to sleep too.” 

Eren scoffed, his voice a little panicked when he spoke again. “No way. Unlike you, I have to cram. I’m nowhere near ready for my final tomorrow.” 

“Yours isn’t until the afternoon,” you pointed out, hitting him back with the logic he’d used on you. “Like you said, a good habit is to get plenty of sleep before a test.” 

Eren sighed, but you could tell he wasn’t going to argue with you. He looked just as tired as you and the two of you arranged yourselves in your cramped bed to doze off, if only for a little bit. 

His hands found your hair and he played with it softly as you both curled up into one another. 

“Love you,” he murmured, drowsy already, and you smiled to yourself, head on his chest with your hand tracing loving circles at his torso. 

“Love you too,” you answered, warming at the soft touch of his hand on your chin. He tilted your head up to steal a quick kiss to your lips, then to your nose. You closed your eyes and let yourself relax, about to really drift off when you felt Eren shift under you. 

Your ears picked up the quiet sounds of Eren taking your phone from your nightstand. You peeked an eye open, careful to stay quiet lest you arouse suspicion, and resisted the urge to let a huge grin overcome you as you watched him go to your camera roll, tap on the ridiculous picture you’d taken earlier, and send it to himself. 

[spanishskulduggery]

Descriptive Word in Spanish #10

tener don de gentes = to have people skills, to be sociable, to be a social butterfly [lit. “to have the gift of peoples”; it means someone is very good with people and handling social situations]

la pericia = skill, ability, expertise

la calumnia = slander, lie / a false or defamatory accusation, libel, slander (legal)

adusto/a = grim, dour, severe

el desperdicio = a waste

sigiloso/a = stealthy, sneaky

tapar = to cover, to put a lid on / to conceal, to cover up taparse = to clog, to become clogged / to put a cover on taparse los oídos = to cover/plug one’s ears / to refuse to listen

la cólera = fury, rage, wrath, ire el cólera = cholera [disease]

la garra = claw, talon (of a bird) las garras = “clutches” [like “I’ve got you in my clutches”; that’s garras] en las garras de (algo/alguien) = in something/someone’s clutches

creciente = growing, increasing, rising / waxing (moon) el creciente = crescent

a su paso = “in its wake”, “in its path”

fugaz = fleeting, brief, only there for a short time, ephemeral la estrella fugaz = shooting star

obstaculizar = to obstruct, to block, to put obstacles in (someone’s) way

(algo) sin salida = dead end, no way out el callejón sin salida = a dead end street, a dead end, no way forward un laberinto sin salida = a maze/labyrinth with no exit

tambalearse = to wobble, to be shaky, to teeter/totter

auxiliar = to lend aid, to aid, to help el/la auxiliar = helper, assistant auxiliar (adj) = secondary, ancillary / auxiliary

aferrar(se) = to grab, to hold, to take / to cling to, to hold onto, to latch onto

arisco/a = unfriendly, surly

sediento/a = thirsty / “hungry”, “thirsty for” [in the sense of “wanting more”, usually for power or knowledge] sediento/a de sangre = bloodthirsty

merodear = to lurk, to prowl / to maraud

implacable = ruthless, relentless, merciless / implacable, “unable to be pleased/placated”

llamativo/a = flashy, eye-catching

la vuelta = a turn, rotation / return sin vuelta atrás = “no turning back” de vuelta = return, coming back dar (la) vuelta = to turn around dar vueltas = to agonize, to go back and forth / to toss and turn

desencadenar = to unleash, to let loose, to trigger, to set off [lit. “to unchain”] desencadenar el infierno = “to unleash hell”, “for all hell to break loose” [you can also use desatar which is “to untie” literally]

el núcleo = center, core, hub, “heart” / nucleus

el aluvión = flood, rush, surge / a surge, influx, bombardment [in the sense of “a lot all at once”]

el cisma = schism, rift [often used in religion, or different ideologies/movements/schools of thought, but usually implies an irreconcilable difference between two things/groups]

menospreciar = to look down on / to disdain, to scorn / to underestimate, to not value highly

colarse = to sneak in, to get in without permission, to infiltrate / “to crash” (a party)

por las buenas = “the easy way” por las malas = “the hard way”

[drabbles-mc]

Christmas Surprise

Bishop Losa x Reader

Request by @bishopslosawife​: What if (Y/N) gifts (your choice of Mayan) a present on Christmas but inside is a baby onesies or something like that?

Warnings: so much cuteness that it might actually hurt

Word Count: 1.3k

A/N: I chose Bishop for this prompt because I am??? Soft for him. And the idea of him being a dad?? Love that shit.

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“You’re sure you’re alright with doing Christmas at the clubhouse?” Bishop searched your face as the two of you got into the car. He knew that Christmas was a big deal to you, and he didn’t want to make you feel like you had to give up the things you wanted to do because of the club.

You laughed and nodded, “Of course! I just want to spend Christmas with you, no matter where we are,” you reached over and took his hand in yours, “Besides, it’ll be nice to see all the boys in the holiday spirit.”

He looked at you for a moment longer before giving a slight nod and turning the car on. He reached over and rested his hand on your thigh as he drove, and you smiled as you settled back into your seat. Truthfully you were excited to spend the holidays with the club. You knew that family situations were tough for a lot of them so it was nice that they all had each other to spend time with this time of year. It wasn’t always easy and that was something you understood as well as anyone.

Bishop helped you grab the gift bags out of the trunk and he couldn’t help but to laugh at the way you excitedly made your way up the steps of the clubhouse. The guys opened the doors for you and wrapped you in hugs as you made your way inside. He shook his head slightly with a smile as he walked in after you, his welcome not nearly as warm as yours had been. He preferred it that way, though—he loved seeing two the sides of his life blend so well together.

Chucky and Felipe had been put in charge of baking and cooking, respectively. You were a little surprised that Felipe came by to be part of the celebration knowing that he had mixed feelings about the club. But you saw how happy it made Angel and EZ and it all made sense rather quickly. Chucky came over instantly to help you, trading you your gift bags for a small plate of cookies that he had made.

“You never cease to amaze me, Chucky,” you smiled and hugged him.

He beamed, nodding slightly, “I accept that.”

The whole day was fun, and very low-pressure which was a nice change of pace compared to the holidays that you had spent with your family. It had always been your favorite time of the year, but they made it difficult to enjoy it sometimes. This was only your third Christmas since you’d moved across the country, and you still weren’t totally used to being able to celebrate in a t-shirt and shorts, but it was so much more enjoyable since you had sort of started over.

Once dinner was done, it was time for presents. Everyone was shuffling around, handing out boxes and gift bags. You laughed as they started throwing balls of crumpled wrapping paper at each other. It caused more than one beer bottle to get knocked over but it didn’t stop them.

“I’m grabbing a drink,” Bishop gave your leg a light squeeze as he stood up, “You want anything, hermosa?”

“Just water, please,” you flashed him a smile.

He raised his eyebrows, “You sure? I can drive.”

You chuckled, nodding, “I know you can. But water is good, seriously.”

He smiled and nodded before walking away. You nervously gnawed at the inside of your lip, fighting the urge to spill the news about Bishop’s biggest Christmas present. You didn’t want to do it in front of the club, though. That was a moment you wanted to just share with him, so you held your tongue.

Despite the fact that it was your first Christmas at the clubhouse, it felt like you had been part of their little traditions for years. The club had always been kind and accepting towards you, even before you had gotten together with Bishop. Finding such a warm and loving second family was something you never took for granted.

When the night started to die down, you and Bishop started to clean things up so you could head back home. You exchanged smiles and small touches as you restored the clubhouse to its former glory, knowing that the guys weren’t going to take care of it on their own.

By the time you both got back to the house, you were both tired. It had been a fun day, but a long one. Before you let him get ready for bed, though, there was one more thing that you had to take care of. You knew that you couldn’t wait any longer.

“Obispo,” you smiled, interlocking your fingers with his as you tugged him towards the living room, “I do have one more present for you.”

He raised his eyebrows in surprise, “You really don’t need to go through all this for me for Christmas, Y/N. I’m happy just to spend it with you.”

You chuckled as he sat down on the couch, “I know, I know. But I think you’re really going to like this one,” you reached underneath the small tree in your living room and pulled out the last box. It wasn’t large, and you could tell that Bishop was very intrigued as to what the final mystery gift was.

“I didn’t even notice this was still under there,” he chuckled as you sat down next to him and handed him the box.

You winked playfully, “That’s ‘cause I’m sneaky,” you laughed, “Open it!”

You felt like your entire body was vibrating as he tore the paper. You had never been good at keeping things from Bishop, which usually was a great quality, but trying to keep this surprise to yourself had been killing you. You were holding your breath as he lifted the lid off of the box.

He removed the top layer of tissue paper and you saw confusion flash across his face for a moment as he lifted the gift out of the box. The neatly packaged fabric unfolded to show a baby onesie and his eyes grew wide. You’d gotten it custom-printed shortly after you found out that you were pregnant—it had Prospect and Santo Padre patches on the front, and on the back Bishop laughed when he saw that it said, “Patching in, in 2021”. You were beaming, hands resting over your mouth to contain the squeal building up in your throat.

There were tears of happiness in his eyes as he looked over at you, smiling bigger than you had ever seen, “You’re…?”

You nodded, letting out the joy that you had been suppressing all night, “Yes!” you tackled him in a hug, “We’re having a baby, Obispo!”

He held you tight to him, covering your whole face in kisses, “Holy shit,” he laughed as he hugged you, “We’re having a baby.” He let you go, instantly reaching forward to rest his hand on your stomach, “This is amazing.”

You smiled, resting your hand over his, “Merry Christmas.”

He laughed, nodding, “I fee like that’s an understatement, but yea, Merry Christmas to us,” he leaned in and kissed you, “I love you.”

Your whole body felt warm as you heard him say that, “I love you too.”

He chuckled, looking back and forth between you and the onesie that was resting in his lap, “We’re gonna be parents.”

You laughed, “We are.”

There were a few moments of silence as the two of you soaked up the moment. This changed everything and you couldn’t be more excited about it. The thought of having a family with Bishop made your heart swell, and judging by the smile on his face and the tears in his eyes, he felt the same way.