#this one took over my brain for 2 weeks. i had a fucking great time with it

[fourteenfifteen]

predator instinct

M // 4k // interview with the vampire (TV) - daniel/armand

The first time takes some doing. He’s- well, he’s never done this kind of shit before. Research, sure, lots of research, but even then he was better at the interviews and social deduction sort of research, and the other parts had primarily been microfiche and encyclopedias, and not all of those things turn out to be skills that apply to finding the location of a man who could be, truly and genuinely, anywhere on the fucking planet.

Not to mention, when said man was a vampire.

(After Dubai, Daniel finds Armand. A few times, actually.)

written for fic in a box 2024. read now on ao3!

[moodriingz]

Waiting Room pt. 2 | Q. Hughes

Summary | part one it’s Quinn’s turn to pine over the reader while she tries to move on, but can she do that when she’s still in love with Quinn?

Pairing | Quinn Hughes x reader, Elias Peterson x platonic!reader, reader x oc

Warnings | Angst?, mutual (but blind) pinning, cursing maybe 

Author's Note | Thank you so much for all of your support for part one! I feel so bad that it took me forever to write part two, but this semester really kicked my ass. I hope this lives up to the hype. I honestly just wanted to get it done to move on if that makes sense? I’m hoping to continue writing so feel free to send requests! I’ve also recently gotten into F1 so you can send requests for that too!! xx

Masterlist

“You were so right, me and Evan got along so well. He’s great. We’re going on another date too.” 

Quinn felt sick to his stomach. Not only had your friendship dwindled out of nowhere, but now you’re with someone else. Worst of all there was no explanation to why you pulled away. Quinn racked his brain for any reason why you would stop hanging out with him. 

Now he had to watch you give your attention to someone else. He was so jealous of this random guy. Quinn wondered what made Evan better than him? All he knew was that the bright smile and light blush you seemed to always have was for some other guy now. 

A couple of weeks passed and Quinn barely spends time with the team outside of practice and chooses to spend his time going through old photos and videos of the two of you or watching anything you’ve ever suggested to him. He’s halfway through one of your favorite movies when there’s a knock on his door. His heart flutters hoping it's you, but is immediately let down when he realizes that it's Elias and Brock at his door.

“What do you want,” He asks begrudgingly, leaving the door open as he returns to his couch.

“We wanted to make sure that you’re alive,” Elias said.

“Well now you know bye,” Quinn quips at them.

“Dude something is up with you and we’re not leaving until we find out,” Brock said.

“Is this about Y/N?” Elias asked.

“Fine yeah it’s about Y/N. I just really miss her,” Quinn admits after taking a deep breath.

“We used to talk almost everyday and that all stopped on the last road trip and now she’s seeing that new guy. I was finally going to ask her out and she just shut down.”

“Wait you were? You told me you didn’t see her that way and she overheard,” Elias says confused.

“She heard me? Why didn’t you say anything?” Quinn asks as his heart shatters all over again. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt you.

“She was so upset and I didn’t think I could change your mind. She had been pinning after you for months and you never did anything, so I just believed you,” Elias said with a shrug.

“I didn’t think she felt the same way so I was just putting my feelings aside because I cared more about our friendship,” Quinn says, putting his head in his hands. “I think I royally fucked up.”

“Maybe not, Y/N and Evan don’t seem super serious yet. You might be able to wiggle your way back in with her,” Elias says sitting down with Quinn.

“I don’t even know where to start.”

“Maybe bring her coffee? Start there and see what happens,” Brock suggests and Quinn just nods making a game plan to get his girl back.

The next morning he gets up early for practice to go pick up your coffee from the cafe you always go to. He knew where to go because the cafe printed their logo on their cups and he had plenty of time to take note of it. As he walked in he immediately recognized your silhouette waiting in line.

“Looks like you beat me to it today,” Quinn says walking up to you in line.

“Beat me to what?” You ask confused why after not talking to each other for a month he decided to come to your cafe.

“I was going to bring you coffee today,” He says awkwardly with a small smile on his face.

“Oh well you can still pay if you want,” You suggest as a joke.

“Yeah I guess that’s true,” Quinn says, hoping a conversation would start on its own. After a minute of silence he gives in and asks, “So what’s new with you I feel like we haven’t really talked that much recently.”

“Nothing much, you know filming you guys all day,” You say wondering if you should mention Evan. It’s still so new and you don’t know if it's going to work out, but he makes you so happy.

“I actually just started seeing this guy. His name is Evan, I think you would like him actually, he's really nice,” You say, deciding to rip off the bandaid.

Quinn knew he wouldn’t like Evan because he was getting with the girl of his dreams.

“Yeah maybe you should bring him out with us after a game or something. I'd love to meet him,” Quinn says kicking himself because that’s the last thing he wants, but anything to get back in your good graces. 

You give him a smile at his comment thinking of what to say next. Luckily for you the barista calls for you two to order. And just like you suggested, Quinn paid. He offers you a ride to the arena before you even start walking back to the metro station to get to work.

You both sit in silence trying to think of anything to talk about. You finally start the conversation by mentioning that an author you had recommended to him a while ago put out a new book and how excited you were to pick it up. 

Just like that the two of you fell back into conversation like you hadn’t missed a beat. You arrive at the arena way quicker than you thought you would and almost don’t want to get out of the car and leave Quinn again. You walk inside and as you are about to separate, but Quinn stops you.

“Would you like to go stop at a bookstore after work today to pick up that book? I could take you home after so you don’t have to take the metro home,” He asks hoping you would say yes.

Yeah that would be really nice. I’ve really missed hanging out with you,” You say with a smile and leaving to go get your work started.

“What’s got you smiling like that? Evan?” Megan, your coworker, asks jokingly.

“Actually no I ran into Quinn this morning when I was getting my coffee and we just talked for a while. Now we’re hanging out after work,” you say, taking a sip of coffee. Hoping to hide your smile behind your cup.

“Wait, really I thought you two were going to avoid each other forever.”

“Well I guess not. He said he was going there to pick up my coffee which was really sweet of him.”

“Oh he’s so into you,” Megan says sitting back in her chair. 

“No he’s not, why would you say that?”

“Think about it, he stops talking to you right after you start seeing Evan and out of nowhere he’s doing all of these nice things for you?” 

You stop and think about it, but there’s no way he told Elias that he could never see you that way. You brush it off and get on with your day. You didn’t have to shoot any content today so you didn’t see any of the guys during their practice, but Quinn was waiting for you after work to take you to go find your book.

You try not to think about what Megan said to you today, pushing it to the back of your mind. Once the two of you get to the bookstore you feel like a kid in a candy store showing Quinn all of the books you had on your reading list but haven’t gotten yet. Without you paying attention he grabbed a basket and started throwing them in there to pay for them himself.

He finally leads you up to the counter and insists on paying for all of the books he grabbed for you. You try to convince him that he didn’t need to but you were cut off by the clerk.

“Girl just let your cute boyfriend pay for your books. That’s what I would do.” You try to deny the accusation from this random teenager, but before you could they were announcing the total and Quinn was inserting his card. He grabbed the bag and walked you back out to the car.

“Sorry if what they said was weird, but just think of it as a payback for all of those coffees you got me,” Quinn said, trying to make you feel better.

“No it’s fine I think it’s kinda funny actually.” You say finally realizing you were there for several hours and were too tired to make dinner.

“I think I’m just going to order take-out for dinner if you want to keep hanging out at my place,” You say with a blush creeping up your cheeks.

“Yeah that’d be great,” Quinn says as you start ordering. He stops at the restaurant while you run in to pick it up. He decides to text Elias and Brock an update and that he’ll tell them more later. 

The drive to your apartment was filled with playful banter about what you should watch and Quinn just watches you as the streetlights illuminate your face. The two of you finally arrive and settle on a new movie you just saw. It really didn’t take much convincing for him to give in; he just wanted to push your buttons a little bit.

Later, they are surrounded by take out tins and you’re starting to drift off. At some point during the movie your head ended up on Quinn’s shoulder and you started to doze off. Quinn wasn’t complaining, but felt like it was time for him to go as the credits started to roll.

“Hey Y/n/n wake up,” He says quietly as you groan and cuddle into him further. “Y/n/n you have to get up-the movie’s over.”

When there’s no sign of you moving he decides to just pick you up and bring you to your bed. Thinking you’re asleep he decides to give you a “friendly” kiss on your forehead and says goodnight. You feel the butterflies that you thought were now reserved for Evan coming back all over again. Quinn grabs the trash from the takeout and sees himself out, and can’t seem to wipe the smile off his face. On his way home he decides to call Elias.

“Elias I’m in so deep I don’t know what to do,” Quinn says concerned because he doesn’t want to break you and Evan up and ruin something else for you.

“Wait what happened?” Elias asked confused because all Quinn had told him was that they were heading back to her place.

“I kissed her-” Quinn said before Elias cut him off.

“You what? You move fast, man.”

“Well I kind of kissed her. She fell asleep on my shoulder and wouldn’t move so I carried her back to her room and then I kissed her forehead. Now I’m going home,” Quinn says still with a deep smile on his face. “I just don’t know what to do.”

“I guess act like nothing happened. She was asleep right? Just leave it be for now and still hang out with her. I can talk to her and see what’s going on with Evan and then you can go from there.”

“Yeah good point thanks Elias, I’ll see you later.”

The next day you walk into work reminiscing last night with Quinn hoping you could relive it again soon. Silly crush aside, you missed your best friend and wanted things to go back to normal. 

Elias practically corners you just to ask questions about Quinn.

“Quinn told me you two hung out last night, so you aren’t ignoring him anymore?”

“I was never ignoring him I just was busy,” You say trying to move around him to get to his office.

“Yeah alright. Anyways, how is it going with Ethan?” Elias asks, teasing you.

“Evan is great. I think I might invite him to a game or something soon,” You say, rolling your eyes.

“Oh wait, really?” Elias asks as you start to walk away. “For the record I think that would be a great idea. Maybe next week against Winnipeg?”

“Yeah I’ll have to ask him. Now if you will excuse me I have to go to my desk.” You say finally walking away. 

You set your things down and open your computer and Megan starts questioning you about your evening with Quinn.

“It really wasn’t anything crazy. We just went to the bookstore where he bought all of them for me and then we went back to my place and got dinner,” You tell her leaving out the fact that he brought you to your bed and kissed you goodnight.

“The fact that he bought all of your books is enough to tell me that he’s into you. I know you had a long list you were slowly buying for yourself.” Megan may have set you up with Evan but she wasn’t blind to how much Quinn was into you and vice versa. 

“I’m thinking of inviting Evan to a game. What do you think?” You ask to change the subject.

“I think it would be a good idea if you weren’t afraid of what your work husband would do,” Megan says, teasing you.

“I- what are you talking about,” You ask, hiding your blush.

“Y/N you can pretend to be oblivious, but Quinn really likes you and you should think about his reaction to having your new boyfriend at a game.”

“Who even knows if Evan would want to go,” You say before locking in on your work for the day.

You had already made plans to go out with Evan later that night so you figured it would be the best time to ask him then. You go home and get ready for your date thinking about what Megan said to you earlier in the day. 

Soon enough you leave to go meet Evan at some new restaurant you would never pick out because it was too fancy for your taste. He greets you with a kiss to your cheek asking you how your day was.

“It was good I just had to deal with Megan and Elias berating me all day,” You say, aiming to leave the questions about Quinn out.

“Why would they do that?”

“Oh I was just thinking about inviting you to a game soon and they were just making fun of me,” You say sheepishly.

“That would be so cool! Would you be able to hang out with me or would it be like a wag situation where I just watch you do your magic,” Evan says with a chuckle as you start to look over the menu.

“I could probably get the night off and sit with you. Do you think you’d be free for the game next Saturday against the Jets?”

“Yeah that would be great! I’m looking forward to it!” He says closing his menu to signal he’s ready to order.

You continue to hang out with both Quinn and Evan, but choose not to tell Quinn about your invite for Evan to come to the upcoming game.

Saturday’s game finally rolls around and Quinn notices your absence during the warmups. You usually can be found on the bench shooting content but tonight it’s Megan in your place. 

“Hey Petey do you know where Y/N is tonight?” Quinn asks hoping Elias might have some insight.

“Yeah she’s in the crowd tonight with Evan,” Elias says pointing towards Y/N and Evan in their seats.

Quinn’s heart drops. You had mentioned that you were thinking about inviting Evan but didn’t think it would be so soon. He tries to forget that you brought your boyfriend to the game, but he can’t forget the fact that you’re wearing his jersey. He can’t help but feel a fire ignite when Evan leans in to say something to you. The sense of jealousy does not go away, but there is a sense of pride knowing his name is the one on your back.

You spot Quinn looking at the two of you and give a shy wave like you had been caught. Evan leaves to go grab some water and you are stuck worrying about what Quinn is thinking about you bringing Evan. 

Honestly since you started hanging out with Quinn again you just felt like your heart wasn’t in it with Evan anymore. You were planning on ending it but he kept talking about how excited he was for the game, so You decided to wait until after to end it with him.

There were no goals by either team after the first period, but something about Quinn seemed off. He was checking the other team left and right and was obviously agitated. The crowd is electric even though the Canucks are down 3-2 half way through the third, but it doesn’t seem to help his mood.

Quinn continues to instigate against the Jets and eventually gets himself into a fight against some player who was aggravating him all night. It doesn’t last long, but enough to get himself a penalty. He looks even more upset than before watching over the play.

Y/N was worried for Quinn. He never was this short tempered and she couldn’t figure what made him that upset. Evan can feel the nerves radiating off of her and rubs her shoulder to try and calm her, but he can’t help but feel like he is the last thing she needs right now.

“Hey Y/N I hate to do this here but I think we should probably end this,” Evan says and you finally take your eyes off Quinn. There is nothing you can do but sigh.

“Evan I’m so sorry I really wish I could’ve been better for you.”

“No it’s ok we had a great time and I’m happy being your friend I just think you have feelings for someone else,” Evan says with little to no hurt in his voice.

“Yeah I would love to still be your friend,” You say with a small smile as he gets up to leave.

Quinn sees Evan get up, but he just assumes that Evan is getting you something from the concessions. He realizes he needs to stop focusing on your date tonight and lock in for the rest of the game.

Unfortunately the Canucks lose 4-2 and Quinn looks like a kicked puppy, but luckily he isn’t assigned to interviews so he can just clean up and get ready to head home. He hopes he can just forget this night, especially seeing you with Evan. 

Little does he know that you’re already waiting for him in the hallway all but pacing the area hoping he’s not too upset to talk to you. Quinn keeps his head down not wanting to see all of the sweet reunions of the couples and families until he hears you call his name. 

He almost doesn’t want to stop worrying Evan would be with you, but you ran up to him to get his attention. Quinn turns around surprised to see you alone with a worried look on your face.

“Where’s your boyfriend?” He asks, his voice laced with annoyance. His comment leaves a sting in your chest.

“Um we actually ended it, but I just came to see how you were doing. I was really worried about you. I've never seen you so upset,” You say with worry lacing your voice.

“Well thanks for checking on me but - wait you ended it with Evan?” Quinn asks, lighting back up.

“Yeah we were better off as friends. I honestly wanted to end it a while ago because I kind of have feelings for someone else, but he was really looking forward to the game,” You say rubbing your arm hoping he might start catching on.

“Oh?” Quinn says with a glimmer of hope in his eyes, but still guarded in case it is someone else.

“Yeah he’s some goofball who was stupid and got himself a penalty tonight,” You say, stepping closer to Quinn.

“Well hopefully he can get that under control for the rest of the season, I’m sure you don’t want to be stuck with someone spending time in a box the whole game,” Quinn says with a smirk and leaning in.

You decided to close the gap and the kiss was all you had ever hoped for. There was a mix of fireworks and something that just felt like home as he grabbed your sides to pull you in closer. Neither of you wanted this feeling to end, but unfortunately you had to come back up for air. 

Quinn has the slightest pink tinge and smile on his face as he pulls back far enough to scan your face for any regrets.

“I’ve been waiting to do that for so long,” He says.

“Finally!” Elias says as he rounds the corner to see the two of you still wrapped up in each other's arms.

“I never thought he would make a move,” Elias adds as Quinn tries to hide in your neck.

“Well maybe we should get out of here and talk a little bit,” You suggest and Quinn excitedly nods, grabbing your hand to lead you out.

The two of you get into his car and you leave the arena stealing kisses from each other at stop lights and looking forward to your future together.

[serqphites]

HEAR ME OUT….

Lee harker x single mom!reader 🤯🤯🤯🤭🤭🤭

STOP BC I COULDN’T IGNORE THIS UNTIL TOMORROW (yes it’s 2:40 while i’m writing this rn) you have given me such bad brain rot with this 😭

—✦—✦—✦—✦—✦—✦—✦—✦—✦—✦—✦—✦—✦—✦—✦—✦—

okay so let’s say you have a daughter around the age of 3. things had been rough before meeting lee, life pretty much being put on hold for you as you couldn’t go anywhere without your child.

you met lee in your local store, just minding your business when your daughter decides it’s time to play matchmaker!

despite calling for her as she runs and runs further away from you, she still doesn’t listen until she finds herself hiding behind a very stiff lee harker’s leg.

girly is stressed LMAOOO, like where the hell has this random child come from and oh my god why is her mother so beautiful??

“oh my god i am so sorry!” you’re trying your best to remove your daughter from lee’s leg, but apparently your child has super strength and forgot to tell you.

“no no-“ GULP, “you’re fine” you’d honestly think someone was holding her at gunpoint and forcing her to smile, why is she just showing off her teeth instead of smiling with them?

i can SMELL her gay panic.

once your daughter eventually lets go, you continue apologising profusely as you begin walking away.

“wait!” lee calls out, her voice shaky. she does an awkward little jog over to you, her arm extended towards you as she waves a small elephant teddy in the air.

oh yeah that’s when you decided to get her number. the baywatch jog to hand deliver the toy to you reallyyyy did it.

fast forward a few months and things are going great! lee comes over every friday after clocking out and doesn’t leave until she has to. your weekend sleepovers are consistently the highlight of her week.

she’s definitely… interesting when it comes to your daughter.

“sooo, this is your room.”

and your kids just sat in her bed like “ya.”

yeah you dragged her out of there. “lee you don’t need to talk to her like she’s a suspect, just be normal”

“that was me being normal” and she hits you with the :/

she defo sends you money for stuff like sitters and daycare to help with your part time job. it also frees you up for date nights!

(lee keeps tabs on the babysitter and every single person who works in the daycare your daughter attends, she came to stand on business)

when things start to get really serious between you two, lee decides to move you into her cabin! this cutie even changed her study into the cutest little forest themed nursery you’ve ever seen.

“lee it’s perfect! thank you” you’re literally on the verge of sobbing and she’s just stood in the doorway like 🧍‍♀️🙂

lee does become better around your kid, acting more loving towards her and not being as afraid of her LMAO

also she’s so fucking overprotective.

lee never asked why you were a single mother, she didn’t really think it was her place. it took you quite a while to open up to her about it, her holding you as you finally let out all of your emotions for the first time since falling pregnant. men fucking suck.

NSFW:

jumping straight into it, it turns her on so much that you’re a single mother.

i can picture her sat at her desk that’s now in the corner of your bedroom, her fingers hooked into the loop of your jeans as words of adoration spill from her lips.

“i think you’re so strong”, “it’s so hot that you did that all by yourself”, “you’re so amazing”.

before you know it she’s trailing kisses down your stomach, one hand coming up to rub the center of your chest as the other undoes your belt buckle…

[l3viat8an]

Rooo!!! I have Levi brain rot rn, and I need to share Grand Admiral! Levi thoughts with u :/

As an important figure in the military, Levi has to go out sometimes to check up on the outskirts bases of the Devildom. Make sure that everything is working as they should.

This usually lasts for weeks, and today you had found out how long 2 weeks can feel when your loser gamer boyfriend is out on assignment.

Finding solace in his uncharacteristically empty room, you cuddle up in the bathtub bed, desperate to feel anything that reminded you of your beloved player 1. Using his favorite jacket, watching replays of his old streams, sleeping in his bed, that's slowly losing his scent and feel.

But one day, while curled up in his gaming chair, rewatching his old clips for the thousandth time. Levi comes home. Still in his uniform as he marched into his room, not expecting to find his PC on.

Once you realized he was there, you quickly jumped into his arms, peppering kisses all over him. When you pull away, you expect to see the usual sight; Leviathan a blushing mess, stammering about something you can't quite make out. But now, he wasn't blushing at all. He barely changed his stoic demeanor.

"L-levi...?"

You asked confused, removing yourself from his embrace to look at his attitude. Giving a hurt look as you basically pouted. Throwing a small tantrum that he didn't miss you at all

Unbeknownst to you, Levi was freaking out. After weeks out on field he just wanted to sleep and go back to his shut-in lifestyle. What he didn't know was that what he needed was to see his player 2 dressed in his jacket. Being an adorable tsundere as she pouted.

"On the bed, and strip. Leave the jacket on"

Levi commanded, looking serious as you stood there. Shocked at his words.

"E-excuse me?"

"Did I stutter? Strip, on the bed."

"W-wait–"

Shocked and confused, You stood their unsure of what to do. And why the hell that turned you on so much

It wasn't the first time Levi was in control, but he was usually so sweet and gentle. Not this... demanding. You're not sure if it's the uniform, the attitude, or the fact it was Levi being so assertive. But you followed without hesitation.

And you're so greatful that you did, because the two weeks waiting for him were quickly rewarded. Levi being as merciless with you as he took what he wanted. Leaving you a blushing mess, passed out in his bed, as for the first time in two weeks, you slept with him again on his bed.

The next day, he profusely apologized at how rough he was, while all you could think about was when could you bring that side of him out once more

(AHHH IM SORRY FOR GOING ON FOR SO LONG BUT I NEEDED TO SHARE IT SO BADLYYY 🙏 IDK IF THIS IS SMUT OR FLUFF BUT I JS LOVE HIM AHHHH)

Nsfw!

Looks like fluffy-smut to me- holy shi 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 ‘n idk what happened but my add-on is definitely smut helpjdksj

Levi didn’t actually expected you to obey his command so quickly. He watched as you stripped down, leaving the jacket on like he had ordered. Fuck you look so good It took his breath away and he has to shake his head a bit, collecting himself as you climbed into his bathtub bed.

He quickly joined you, climbing on top of you in the bathtub before pulling you closer and kissing you, moaning softy as he deepens the kiss, sliding his tongue to tangle with yours.

His hands didn’t stop either, roaming over your body, exploring every inch of it, as if trying to burn it into his memory again.

Honestly there was something about this side of Levi that you couldn't resist. It was as if you were being taken by a completely different person, one who was confident and assertive…the grand admiral....it’s really hot-

You moaned when his fingers finally found their way between your legs, pressing against your already dripping cunt. He thrust two fingers inside you, causing you to moan loudly.

"You- you look so beautiful like this." Levi breathed into your ear, his voice low and husky. "I've been waiting for weeks to feel you again…..and I can’t wait anymore.”

He lines his cock up with your ready pussy, waiting for you to nod before sliding in and letting out a little whine he just can’t stop from slipping out, “S-so, good, messed you so m-much..”

He wanted nothing more than to keep you close, to let you feel how much you meant to him, as he fucked you faster, harder-

It was as if he had been holding back for weeks, waiting for this moment to release all the passion that had built up inside him.

“G-gonna cum soon….need, need you to cum with me.” as he leans down to kiss you, one of his hands slides back down to you clit and his thumb rubs against it roughly. Making Levi moan against your lips as you tighten around him, soon as he feels you orgasm take over your body Levi cums. rutting his hips into yours, riding through your orgasms together.

Panting Levi hides his face in your neck for a moment and he can hear you let out a little giggle, before whispering "I've missed you too, Levi." and Levi laughs, pressing a few soft kisses along your neck~

The next morning you’ll wake up to your, sweet boyfriend acting like his usual self. Looking over your body and apologizing endlessly, he promises he’ll be more gentle next time!! Wait no- he didn’t mean it like that!!- he did-

[faegoddessog]

Follow up on 200 Follower poll!!

Oh my goodness, my loves. You'll never guess what happened! So I opened my doc for More fun to Miss and started writing for you guys... and I wrote and I wrote and I wrote. (I'm still not done and I've not even started on Mardi Gras-When In Rome. ) I just couldn't hold on to it any more!

So More Fun to Miss is gonna be at least 2 more installments. Apparently, when it rains, it pours for my darling followers.

Here is the OG story on Ao3 "More fun to Miss" (I'll get that put up on tumbler for cohesion at some point)

So here we are... Please enjoy

More Fun to Miss (Part 2)

Warnings: Some Adult Material 18+ , mentions of cock sucking and fucking... and teaching 'lessons'

Austin insisted that he’d leave it up to her if she wanted to see him again.

“You text me, I’m leaving it in your hands,” he had said as they parted ways that night.   It might have been fueled by a little anxiety that he'd pushed her a little. Lord she just pushed some little button in his brain.

Mel found the next two days were amazing for her. Her mood was light and relaxed, nothing seemed to bother her and everything seemed to fall into place. Despite this, she found an underlying coil of doubt to her happy. Yeah she felt great, but did she want to see him again or not. Was he worth the headache of a relationship? She decided that if he showed up in her everyday life like he had annoyingly done since the beginning, she’d take it as a sign.  It didn’t occur to her that him NOT showing up could be a sign too. 

Ironically, she didn’t run into him all week even when she tried. Not that she would admit to herself that she was trying. He wasn’t at yoga nor in her coffee shop. She looked everywhere for the tall blond. This did very little to reassure her worrying mind that he wasn’t just ghosting her. 

She drug Bee to the bar that Thursday, where he was again frustratingly absent. She spilled  to her best friend, glossing over the part where he spanked her. 

“How could he be ghosting you? He said you had to text him first,” she said, “If anything Mel, you are ghosting him!”  Bee did NOT point out just how shortlived her resolution had been because Bee was an amazing bestie.

By Friday night Melissa knew, come hell or high water, she was gonna lay eyes on him again. She wanted to see if it was just a fluke or if he really held some kind of  magic key. 

In desperation, she decided to buy her own ticket to his show. She was able to get the same seat as last time.

As she sits in that dark  liminal space between house lights off and stage lights on, she wonders if he’ll even notice her there. 

When he made his entrance, her mouth filled with saliva. She squirmed in her seat during the intense moments especially when he was gesticulating with his hands. She knew now what those hands could do.  The whole show took on a different meaning for her as she watched his body language with hunger instead of hostility. She was honestly worried she’d leave a puddle on the seat. 

He gave no indication that she was there throughout, same as last time. No note appeared at intermission in the hands of an usher, no text came to acknowledge her presence. She could feel the imaginged annoyance bubbling in the pit of her stomach, like maybe he already got what he wanted and was ignoring her. The second half of the show, her brain was having both arguing and enticing conversations with the imginary Austin.

After he bowed at curtain call, he looked directly at her with a wide smile and gave her a little fingertip wave. She just about fainted with relief. All her fear changing to desire in her belly. After the curtain went down, she sat back in her seat as other patrons gathered their things and made their way out.  

She pulled out her phone: 

‘I want to come backstage’ 

She stared at her phone, waiting for the three little dots to appear. It wasn’t until a few minutes later that she wondered if he had saved her name from the one text she sent him. She was about to thumb in ‘it’s Mel’ when the ominous dots appeared. 

‘No, wait in your seat. And don’t be a brat to the ushers.’

A breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding leaves her, but then resistance fires in her chest. Men didn’t tell her no, she told men no. What if he had some other woman in his dressing room?! She feels herself on a precipice. Her logic says, ‘why should we care? We have no hold on this man.’  While the whiny inner child says 'but what about me!'

She finds herself standing, stalking to the end of the row, not sure what she is doing or why, when her phone buzzes in her hand. 

‘And take off your panties, I want them.’

“Yeah right,” her mouth puts on a front for no one to witness while heat radiates from her lower belly. It spreads to her legs and makes her knees go weak. She can’t help but sit down, telling herself she’s gonna give him a piece of her mind.

She sits there for five minutes. Ushers walk through the house checking seats and picking up left behind programs. The young man that makes his way into her row smiles and nods at her. 

“Good evening Miss, the doors close in fifteen minutes,” he says politely. 

“Yeah, well I’m waiting on someone,” she gestures to the proscenium. Her tight-lipped smile does little to cover her shrewish attitude. She realizes too late that it’s the same usher that handed her the envelope last week. Fuck, she could have handled that better. 

“Sorry” she mutters, trying not to be embarrassed. 

He nods with raised eyebrows and continues on.

Tell me no, make me wait, now I’m a jerk and have to justify what I’m doing here.  She thinks to herself, arms crossed, fuming. 

About ten minutes later, everyone has left the theater. The velvet fabric rustles and Austin is there, a slight smile on his face. His hair is combed back and damp.  He’s wearing jeans, boots and a white tee. His leather jacket is in his hands.

Just the mere sight of him makes her breath hitch in her throat. All her anger threatens to sink past the pit of her stomach, to alchemize into something else. 

His eyes glance over her original seat, then land on her at the end of the row. His hands float to behind his back as he walks to stand in front of her, boots thudding on the stage. 

Suddenly, the air in the big space changes, charged by his presence, by his silent dominance. 

Mel has the sudden impending feeling that she is in trouble. She stands up and blurts out, “I don’t like waiting, Austin.” 

His eyebrow raises, “Hello to you too. Mel, no one made you wait. No one made you come tonight,” not yet anyway he adds in his head. 

She opens and closes her mouth as he steps down the stairs at the edge of the stage. He’s right, she could have left, but here she is. Why is that again? Oh yes, giving him a piece of her mind. 

“Well you don’t own me, I do what I want,” somewhere in her mind she knows this statement has little to no bearing on the discourse.

“I never said I did,” he steps closer to her, “and what is it that you want?” 

“I wanted to meet you backstage, instead of waiting out here having to explain myself to ushers!” Ok, yes now she is getting back on track. 

“That wasn’t possible, I had to share my dressing room tonight, there was a pipe burst,” he explains calmly. 

“Oh, you just could have said that,” all her bluster starts to deflate. 

“You could have asked. You could have told me you were coming. You could have said ‘Hello Austin, nice to see you’.”  His voice drops low as he steps in, leaning close to her ear, “but I assume that you are being a bratty little thing on purpose.” His voice drops even lower “and where are my panties?” 

His hot breath flows down her neck, leaving her without any at all. He leans back, looking down at her speechless face. She should be shoving  him aside, storming off, forgetting any of this ever happened. But she is frozen in place.

His clipped ‘hm’ is part judgement and part dare to prove him wrong. "Well, if you want to discuss it over drinks" he slides seamlessly from Dom, into Gentleman, offering her his arm.

She looks from his face, to his arm and back again. “Only if  they are drinks at your place.” she can’t believe of all things THAT is what falls out of her mouth. 

His perfect mouth lifts up at the corner. Somehow he manages to not make it a smirk as he nods and she takes his elbow.

The cab ride is rife with awkwardness. She tries to be extra polite and make small talk with things like ‘You were good tonight.’ and ‘how long is the run?’ 

His answers were short and to the point, though not clipped, not angry. ‘Thank you’ and  ‘another 4 weeks.’  

In truth, he was struggling to keep his hands to himself. He was having visions of pulling out his cock and pressing her head down to suck him. But he was erring on the side of caution after last week. He’d never jumped into a scene so fast like he had in the dressing room. 

In fact, he rarely if ever plays that way.  When his ex had suggested trying out Dom/sub play, he had taken it seriously. He’d thrown himself into the research and, not surprisingly, created a dominating character to help him get into the right headspace. He had been excited to use his acting training for something personal.   She had ended up not liking it, it drove her nuts to not be in control. He found, to his surprise, that he actually liked it. He just hadn’t had much chance to lean into it.   

When Mel had failed to call or text, he had been mentally kicking himself all week. He assumed he had terrified her. Yeah he liked spanking her, but he hated to think that he’d actually hurt her in any way. 

“Can we talk about this?” she asks finally.

“We will,” is all he gives her.

She huffs and crosses her arms and watches the city out the car window. 

Her quiet little tantrum makes his cock twitch. It’s like she’s begging to be disciplined. 

Mel considers just getting out at the next stoplight and telling him to go fuck himself. The slamming of the door would be quite satisfying, but the chance doesn't come. 

When they pulled up to the door of his building, he offered her a hand out of the cab then didn’t let go. His strides were long and he practically dragged her through the hallways to his door. 

She doesn’t resist. Maybe those drinks will help lubricate this situation and she can get to the bottom of this whirlwind of emotions. That’s the excuse she gives herself anyway, but deep down, she knows why.

At a glance, his apartment  seems comfortable and lived in.  It’s not fancy per se, but the square footage alone kicks it up a notch, this is New York after all. He doesn't give her a chance for more than first impressions though. He shut the door with a finality that doesn’t register to her brain for at least 5 seconds, and by then he is standing in front of her.

“Alright, Melissa,” his arms fold across his chest, his stance just a bit wide.  “You wanna talk about this? How about this for starters: You ghost me all week, then show up unannounced at my work. You demand to come backstage without so much as a hello, then are rude to the first person that talks to you after I expressly told you not to be a brat.  Your first words to me are a complaint about having to wait when I had rushed like hell under cramped and stressed circumstances. Honestly, I didn’t bring you here just for drinks. I let you in because you need to be taught manners.  So, I’m going to give you one chance to explain yourself.”

He stops and waits, nails digging into his palms to keep himself from pushing his body against hers.

At first, her chest and defenses puff up as he lists her infractions. Denial and counter accusations spring to her tongue.  But the way he says ‘you need to be taught manners’ pings that underlying part of her that hunted for him all week, that pushed her to buy the ticket, that waited for him in the theater.  Under his disapproving gaze her bravado crumbles. 

“I didn’t mean to ghost you. Actually, I looked for you all week,” she confesses. “I thought that if you popped up again like you had been, it’d be like a sign.’ Oh god it sounds so lame when she says it outloud.  "I wanted to see you again before I texted, wanted to see if it was a fluke, the effect you had on me. I didn’t want to seem…. pathetic.” She finishes lamely. What the hell. What is it about this man that makes her just fold.

“And,” his word is full of expectation. 

“And I could have been nicer, I did say sorry to the usher,” she looks at him hopefully. His face is immovable. “I-I should have asked if we could meet up somewhere after the show, been more patient.”

He nods, his eyes narrowing. All he wants right now is to fuck the words ‘I’m sorry’ out of her and have her actually mean it. 

“Well Missy,  you have a lot to atone for. So here is my offer. You can stay for that drink, with the understanding that I WILL be teaching you those manners, within the boundaries of consent and care, of course. But if you don’t want that, if you don’t want to learn that etiquette, if you don’t want to keep a civil tongue in that pretty mouth? Well then there is the door.” he gestures behind her. “But know that if you leave now, there are no second chances, no showing up at the theater, no running into each other, no texts. No bad feelings either, but we will be done.”  

The use of her childhood nickname strangely softens her insides, while at the same time his ultimatum makes her indignant. 

“But-” she starts like a petulant child .

“There are no buts Melissa,” he holds up his hand, stopping any argument, “it’s either go and be done or stay and learn your lesson. It’s up to you, you get to pick, ball’s in your court. I’m gonna go to the bathroom, you decide which you want.” He leaves her in his entryway still holding her coat and purse and all her conflicting emotions. 

She watches him walk to the recesses of his apartment, then looks  back at the front door. One is the familiar safe option and the other is unknown territory. 

“If I leave now, I’ll never know if it was just a one-off moment in time, a fluke.” 

But if she stays? 

I have no idea what he’ll do to me. What if he… is some kind of sexy as fuck serial killer?” Crap, that sounded just like her mother in her head. She pulls out her phone and texts Bee her location, who she’s with and if she doesn’t respons to a text in a couple hours to send in the cavalry.  Better safe than sorry.

---

Austin leans on the sink, looking into his own eyes and blowing out a breath.

What the hell dude? What are you doing? his visage seems to be saying. It’s as though all his common sense had dissipated the minute he saw her in the audience tonight. Thankfully he hadn’t seen her until curtain call, or it might have thrown him off his stage groove.  What if he goes out and she’s gone? He kicks himself for being so black and white before it dawns on him that it has to be that way. He will be unable to treat her like the average woman, like a normal date. Her bratty little ways instantly cause his Dom to roar to life unbidden and nearly ungovernable. He both hates it and loves it.  It has to be one way or the other and he could not be the one to decide. 

She hears the water running, the door handle click open. His eyes are cast down to his feet, like he didn’t want to see yet what choice she had made. Her brain arrests the perception of his movement, slow-motion style. The sight of his rolling gait sends an involuntary shiver up her spine. When he does meet her eyes his nostrils flare, his shoulders shift back and breath expands his chest. The wave of authority that comes off him drowns the text sound from Bee.

Mel knows exactly what she wants to do.

Austin waits across the room, not trusting himself to be within arms length of her.

“So?” he asks, trying hard not to assume. She could still bolt like a frightened deer. 

“I’ve never had anyone do to me what you did," she blurts out. "It was unnerving just how good you made me feel, even into the next day. Hell, the next few days.”

She can’t quite bring herself to say ‘I’ll stay’, instead, she sets her purse and coat down on the floor. She reaches down and pulls off her heels. An unexpected sense of calm comes over her in the demonstration of her choice. 

It’s a short lived thing as he bursts from his stance and covers the ground between them in three long strides. His hand snakes behind her neck and up into her coiffed hair, fisting maybe a little too tight. He pulls her head back to look up at him. Her heart rate jumps, breath suddenly short.  His lips are millimeters from her own, electricity palpable over the tiny span.

“You have to say it, do you actually want this?” his voice shaking slightly.

The question hangs heavy in the air as she swallows. 

She can smell him now, like a clean, masculine vanilla with a hint of that same essential oil.

“Yes, I do, I want it,” she says, letting her mouth bypass all caution.

><><><><><><><><>><><><><><

Stay tuned for part 3!

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[readychilledwine]

Eris Week Day 7 - Free Day

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Happy Day 7 of @erisweek2023. It is a double post day. 💙

Summary - Ophelia Archeron, the youngest of the Archeron sisters, is forced to meet with Eris and the Batboys, causing her to miss a day in the Summer Court with Amren That doesn't stop her from finding some fun in the water, though.

Warnings - Giving into intrusive thoughts and kissing strangers, OC tries to do the math for angles and trajectory, but the brains behind the OC hates math, angles, and formulations OC's thoughts are choatic and all over the place. Ophelia is an OC one of my close RL friend's asked for. She had wanted to know how sophisticated Eris would have handled a wild and carefree OC, so she has a few hidden pieces from me based on our book club coffee dates, but she said I could share this one. Also, she was listening to Geronimo by Sheppard when she asked me to write this.

Word count - 1203

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

"I don't know what the Littlest Archeron is thinking, but I would consider speaking with her, Rhysand." I continued staring through the red-haired heir of Autumn, grinning at the close distance from the edge of the waterfall he was. This wasn't a great first impression, but I really didn't care.

If I just get a good running start and jump….. 

I felt Rhysand's eyes drift to me again before refocusing on the important meeting he and the other two bat boys had brought me to.

Azriel had ignored my protests, arguments, and pleads for Nesta to go instead of me. I understood the whole seeing and ripping people's souls was a rare gift, and Rhysand was always super excited to try to use to intimidate people, but I had been promised a day in the sun and surf with Amren. I was missing Tarquin, and Tarquin's beautiful beaches, and oceans for this.

He's approximately 2 feet from the ledge. If I hit him running fast enough, we would land approximately… far away from any potential rocks. Maybe. 

Azriel looked over at me with his eyes narrowed as he watched me do math on my fingers. Eris also began to narrow his eyes at Rhysand. Cassian, though? His smile had grown. Being the bat I had spent the most time with, he knew the second I saw Eris on that ledge overlooking the waterfall, exactly what I was thinking.

Do I yell "Geronimo?" No. That'd be dumb. Focus, Ophelia. 

Eris took a step closer to the ledge and made eye contact with me for the first time. For a brief second the aloof higher than thou expression left his face in favor of something softer. The conversation between him and Rhysand came to a full pause. Rhysand  was holding back his grin the best he could while trying not to laugh as he entered my mind and quickly left after figuring out what I was thinking. I felt Azriel's shadows begin to steal my hidden daggers. 

Maybe I should make sure I land first so he doesn't potentially get hurt. Lucien would laugh at that, though. And Lucien's laugh is my favorite.

Rhysand began the conversation again with his eyes meeting mine every so often. Mischief was shining in them like the reflection of the sun on the waterfall. It was almost as if he was daring me to do it.

Am I even fast enough to do this? I'm totally fast enough. Cassian makes me run everyday. I can do this. 

"Enough! What is the little brat plotting?" Eris began to glare and move another step away from me. A few inches. 4 inches was maybe all that remained between him and that ledge. "I swear on the Cauldron itself, if you so much as look at my soul, I will -"

Fuck it.

I didn't hear the rest of Eris's threat as I broke into a full sprint directly at him. I jumped straddling his torso, effectively pushing him back hard enough for us to fall off the ledge. I felt his arms grab onto me tightly as we fell. Something inside of me snapped as he placed a hand on my head and cradled me for my protection.

His hands are so warm. He'd be wonderful to snuggle. This should be terrifying. Wait. He's laughing. Eris is laughing.

The collision with the pool of water came before I could process the sound of his deep laughter or even brace myself for how badly this could hurt. I felt him grab my hand in the cold, deep waters swimming us to the surface. When we emerged, he pulled me to him by my waist. He was smiling, and I felt myself melt under his gaze. His amber eyes searched my blue ones before he began to laugh again.

No one should look this perfect with hair stuck to their face.

Laughter rang from the ledge above us. Eris and I both looked up to see the bat boys leaned over the ledge. Cassian had his head thrown back, "Did you see his face?!" 

Rhys was smirking down at us, "You never said she couldn't physically attack you, Eris!"

Azriel was shaking his head trying to hide his amusement, "You know, Ophelia, if you wanted Eris to take you for a swim, you could have nicely asked."

I heard Eris hum next to me as his warm arm kept me close to him by my waist, "Ophelia. So the Littlest Cauldron Made does have a name."

My brain desprstely wanted to respond. To answer him and talk to him, but shadows and light dancing had caught my attention. The waterfall seemed to sparkle from down here against a dark background. What's BEHIND the waterfall?

I wiggled from his grasp before ducking back under the waterfall. I surfaced in a small cove and pulled myself up onto the rock. Eris appeared behind me and pulled himself up on the rock beside me. I heard Rhys yell for me before seeing two winged males land on the bank across the water. Rhys appeared beside them seconds later.

He's so warm. 

I felt a hand come to my chin as Eris moved my face to look at him. "Well, little Archeron, do you have something to say for yourself?" I followed the glittering silver thread that attached Eris and I at the heart. I felt it tug, so I tugged it back causing warmth to spread throughout my body and soul. A soft smile came to his face. The hand on my chin moved to the back of my head. Inches separated my lips from his.

Can he feel my heartbeat? Is my face getting really red? Is he about to kiss me?

"I can, yes, and only if you want me to." My eyes widened at the sound of his voice. "Mating bond," his voice was soft and warm as his other hand came, and his thumb began to brush my lower lip. The intensity of his stare began to set my soul alight. 

Kiss me.

He pulled me to him the second the thought came. His lips were as warm as the rest of his body and so soft. I sighed deeply as he deepened the kiss and pulled me onto his lap. My hands came to his face, holding him to me. We broke apart at the sound of Rhysand yelling for me again.

"It would appear that big brother is no longer enjoying your antics."

My only response was to kiss him again. I felt my legs wrap around his waist as we sat chest to chest. He took control and dominance over the kiss quickly. One hand tangled into my soaking hair, and the other held me around my waist, locking me where he wanted me. A shadow pulled me from Eris before taking me to Rhysand leaving Eris and Azriel alone in the small alcove. 

Rhysand snapped and changed me into dry leathers as he studied my face. I averted eye contact from him as a single brow raised. He stated softly, "You have got to be fucking joking."

Pain radiated down the bond, causing me to grip my jaw. Cassian's eyebrows shot up. He stared at Rhys, eyes slightly glazed over before muttering softly. "Ness is going to kill me."

Eris and Azriel appeared in front of the three of us. Eris was rubbing his jaw, smiling at me softly until a growl came from Az. Rhysand snapped his fingers to also give Eris dry clothing before leaning his head against a nearby tree. Eris smirked at me as the 3 Night Court males moved away to discuss the situation.

"Can we do it again?" I looked over at him, studying his red hair, angled face, and soft smile.

He rose his chin towards the ledge and looked my direction, "Jump from the waterfall?"

"No. Kiss."

Eris moved to me, a warm hand gently gripping my face and angling my head towards him, "I would kiss you until my dying breath left my body, Ophelia Archeron."

[jujutsubaby]

final round (part 1)

☆ pairing: eren x afab!reader ☆ summary: you have a very important interview coming up that basically dictates whether or not you have a job after college. and you're sure you're gonna ace it...as long as your arch-nemesis doesn't have anything to do with the interview... ☆ warnings: 18+, not nsfw in this part but has suggestive themes, former TA/student relationship, eren is kinda mean to you (but you're kind of mean to eren), a hint of power dynamics ☆ a/n: hiiiii my very first blurb on this site ~ yes this is my brain rot from trying to find a new job. also should i do a part 2? i kinda did this to tease the relationship a bit bc i didn't want my very first thing to be smut haha o(≧▽≦)o

you hear a ping from your laptop indicating a new email. you read the subject line:

Paradis Labs, Inc Final Interview - Next Steps

you couldn't believe your eyes. your dream company wanted to interview you for their final round and suddenly, you weren't able to even focus on hearing about your best friend sasha's latest hookup at delta phi last weekend.

"hey y/n? you listening? he took me to pound town and back...what's more important than this?" sasha inquired, snapping her fingers in front of your face.

"uhh..i got into the final round interview for paradis labs! AH!" you squealed.

sasha remained seated but elated. "i'm not the least bit surprised. you're the smartest, hottest girl i know after all", she winked. "but wait... doesn't you know who work there now after he graduated..." she trailed off, not wanting to illicit any alarm bells off of you.

you groaned, thinking about you know who. you knew him unfortunately very well in the worst way possible. the guy who was your TA last semester and absolutely crushed you while grading your midterms and finals. not only did he never answer any of your questions during class, he actively ignored you? and would only talk to some sleazy girls he was planning to hit on after the class ended. he had berated your final project, purposefully skipped over you on the waitlist queue multiple times during office hours, and you could've sworn he gave you the wrong advice once on a lab.

eren fucking jaeger.

you groaned just even thinking his godforsaken name out loud. "it's okay sash, paradis labs is like one of the largest companies in the nation. the odds of you know who being my interview is basically slim to none." you surmised unsuspectingly. you always had a way of attracting the worst luck, but you couldn't bear to entertain that for even a second.

~ two weeks later ~

okay, you got this. you've been studying for this final round nonstop for the last two weeks, you thought to yourself as you rode the bus to the elusive paradis lab headquarters. you've turned down every party, every study session, every potential "date" sasha tried to set you up with for this one interview. and you felt great about it.

you arrived at the headquarters 30 minutes early, thanks to your fear of being late, and you started to feel your stomach growling, clearly indicating that the glass of orange juice you chugged before you left was not enough. the smell of freshly brewed coffee hit your nostrils, and you found yourself at the paradis cafe at the lobby of the building you were interviewing at. you ordered your coffee and pastry, but as you're waited, you heard a distant, yet familiar voice in the background. you dared not turn behind you, because you knew if you saw him, your day was fucking over. you know exactly who it was. hell, you could recognize that laugh in a room full of people, easily.

ignoring the mild annoyance, you looked at your watch and started getting anxious. you grew increasingly annoyed and worried about bumping into you know who, and you just wanted to grab your stupid coffee and go upstairs and get this interview over with.

"one iced matcha latte with oatmilk for y/n!" the barista chirped, as you dashed to the front to grab the order. you heard the familiar laughter die down, but as you turned around to beeline to the elevator, someone's torso knocked you out and you spilled your iced matcha all over your freshly dry cleaned blouse and someone else's shirt.

"oh my god, i'm SO sor-", you stopped cold. wait, no. it's not just anyone's shirt i spilled coffee on. no it can't be-

"hey, doofus", eren glared. you detected a hint of playful mischief in his dark eyes, but it went away almost immediately. were his eyes always so mesmerizing? stop, what the fuck, don't think that! "always makin' a fuckin' mess, are we?"

you rolled your eyes. this could not be happening to you. matcha stained blouse, and you were hungry, and the worst person you knew was here. "fuck off, asshat", you retorted. "i literally have a meeting in 10 minutes and i look like a fucking idiot because of you."

"for what it's worth, you always looked like a fucking idiot." eren said.

you flipped him off before you beelined to the elevator, aiming to head to the change room immediately. you didn't have an extra blouse, but you were wearing a sleeveless black shirt underneath, which hid the stain well but it was a bit tight. even you had to admit your boobs looked amazing in it. tucking it into your loose grey slacks, you stepped outside the washroom and composed yourself. your interview was in 3 minutes, but you could do this. you knew you can. you passed eren's class last year, and that was with his ass constantly throwing you curveballs. this was nothing.

you entered the waiting room for the interview, waiting your name to be called in. shortly, a dark haired man wearing a white shirt and black slacks called you in. "y/n? there you are." he said nonchalantly as his narrowed in on you. "come into my office, please." as you walked next to him, you realized he's way shorter than he looked from across the waiting room.

"i'm levi, and i'll be conducting your interview today. please take a seat." he motioned to the chair across his table.

"hi levi. i'm y/n. i just want to say that i am so grateful to have had this opportunity to come onsite and be interviewed by some of the most magnificent minds of our-" you're interrupted by a loud phone call coming from levi's desk.

"i apologize miss y/l/n. let me just quickly answer that. they should know i'm in the middle of interviewing candidates..." he said, sounding slightly annoyed by the phone call.

he answered it, and you heard him groan and say "i'll be right there. send him to my office to take over." he looked over at you, partially annoyed and partially apologetic about the fuss happening. "i apologize. some brat fucked up the program we were releasing today, and now i have to clean up some one's mess." he pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing deeply. you thought you heard him say that he's going to fire the brat at the end of the say.

"someone else will be coming to conduct the interview, but don't worry. he can be a bit much, but he's unfortunately one of our best recent hires in a while. i'm sure you'll be in good hands." levi said, before he grabbed his stuff and headed to the work emergency.

you were left a bit confused, but ultimately grateful that you had more time to calm yourself down after what happened in front of the cafe. out of all the people who work here, why did you have to run into him. you just can't catch a fucking break can you? you thought to yourself.

as if right on cue, levi's office door opened, and your thoughts were interrupted by the person who once again, occupied an unnecessary amount of thoughts in your head. your jaw dropped, and you practically had to stop yourself from yelling at the universe for this sick, cruel twist of fate that destiny was putting you through.

eren fucking jaeger.

you heard him chuckle deeply. "oh, this is going to be so much fun." eren smirked, his eyes staring at you deeply. he looked at you up and down, and suddenly, you really wished you hadn't taken off your blouse in the changing room, feeling suddenly exposed in this tiny hot (hot? when did this office get hot?) office.

you took a deep shaky breath and buried your head in your hands, groaning and letting out all of the bad emotions you were holding in. "eren, if you're just going to flunk me on this interview, just tell me right now. i'll go home and we'll both just move on." you pleaded. what else can you even do at this point? you should've known this interview was over the minute you heard his stupid laugh in the cafe.

"woah there, slow down doof," he said teasingly. he moved in front of you, partially sitting on levi's (quite expensive) mahogany desk. "you can't just leave an interview before it even started. and who said i was gonna flunk you on this? do you reaaaally think i'd do something like that?"

"umm, you literally did! last year on my midterm, stupid", you yelled exasperated. you were trying hard to keep your cool and calm disposition, but eren always loved to test your limits.

eren pretended to think about it for a second before he shook his head. "nope, doesn't ring a bell. anyway, first question of this interview: why do you want to work at paradis labs?" he asked.

"well, if you must know, i-", you started, before being interrupted by eren.

"i actually don't care. i don't know why anyone asks that." eren laughed, eyes skimming over the files on levi's desk. oh, you could slap him right now. your patience was wearing thin. "hm, well look at this here. your resume says you took a chemical engineering lab last year with professor zeke.?" he asked, knowing damn well the answer was yes. he tried to hold back the smile he had while he watched you visibly tighten up at the sound of the class. "care to tell me about that?"

"not really since you were my TA for that class and went out of your way to almost fail me." you retorted back, fuming at what was happening. no way was he trying to bring this shit up in the middle of an interview. but you were not backing down from this fight. it had been a long time coming. i'm not getting the job anyway at this point. might as well go out cursing eren while i'm at it, you thought to yourself.

"god, i don't know why you think that," he mused teasingly. "if anything, i helped make sure the other stricter TAs didn't grade your work. i dunno where you're getting this idea i hated you." he shrugged. you could swear he almost sounded...honest while saying the last part.

"oh wow, you're really too kind," you said sarcastically as you rolled your eyes. where does this guy get off?

"no, really y/n. i'm being serious," eren said earnestly. a slight genuine smile formed on his lips.

wait, is he? also, why is his smile so...cute? no, stop it, y/n! compose yourself! you quickly snapped out of your thoughts.

"you also ignored me every single time i came to your office hours and every time i came to your lab for help. you literally helped every single girl but me", you accused. you didn't mean to sound harsh and annoyed, but deep down, you felt your chest tighten up and you didn't know why. who cares if he helped other girls, he hates your guts anyway. why were you feeling so sour about it?

"don't give me that shit. i didn't help you because you were the cutest girl in lab and i couldn't make it seem like i was being inappropriate." he said without skipping a beat. eren wasn't sure what made him say it, but it was true.

your eyes snapped to him, and you felt heat rise to your cheeks, and you momentarily forgot what you were even doing here as your head felt dizzy all of sudden. no way you just heard what you thought you heard. you jaw fell and you were at a loss of words to respond. "i...uhh...well.." cough. "um, o-o-okay..." you trailed off, desperate to find the words to respond to eren. you thought back to your class lat year with eren. was he ever really that mean to you? or were you just a bit desperate to do well in an important class? no, wait, he's just being asshole.

"well, if you liked me so much why did you hook up with those sorority girls after the semester ended?" you said incredulously. this was some big fucking joke and you were not going to lose this game.

"oh c'mon, y/n. don't act like you never had a one night stand before." eren explained, his voice lacking any hint of teasing or malice. "besides, you were the only one on my mind, anyway...", eren whispered under his breath so lowly that you weren't able to make out what he said.

well, actually, you haven't ever had a one night stand like that. in fact you never actually...had sex with anyone before. you've always been too focused in school to really date around, and the most action you've gotten was hearing about sasha's escapades. and you sure as hell weren't going to let eren know that.

"umm...well...", you said as you flustered your words. you took a bit too long to compose yourself and respond, which was all eren needed to connect the dots.

"oh shit. y/n...are you a virgin?"

"u-umm...of course not...i-i just...i just never found...or had the time...", you dropped your gaze. that's it, eren had just found his trump card, after he played the cruelest joke on you. you couldn't even think of a witty one liner like you usually did to get out of something like this. you were tired and shocked by eren's confession (which you didn't even believe fully). and not only that, but you were talking about your v-card with your worst enemy.

"hey, hey, hey, it's okay. i'm sorry, y/n. i shouldn't have brought it up, that was weird. and...", eren trailed off. he wasn't sure what to say next, but he said it earnestly and honestly. "i'm sorry for treating you like shit when i was your TA, and i'm sorry for bumping into you and spilling your matcha all over us," even though eren would've done it again if it meant he could see you in the form fitting top you currently have on, but he dared not to comment on that.

you sighed, partially out of relief and partially because you felt vindicated through his apology. your eyes glanced up to his, and both of your gazes softened. "so, you really do like me?" you teased eren, finally cracking a slight playful smile and releasing the tension in the atmosphere.

"shut the fuck up and don't make me say it again, doofus." eren mumbled, as he leaned closer into you. your heart started beating faster and you swear even eren could hear the pounding in your chest as you sucked in a deep shaky breath. you didn't mean to break eren's gaze and look at his lips, but you did and eren noticed. his smile curved up slightly as he leaned closer to you. you felt his hot breath near you lips, and just as his lips were about to crash into yours, the door bursted open to a slightly disheveled levi.

eren immediately snapped back to leaning on levi's desk, and you let out a breath you didn't even know you were holding. you prayed that levi could not see how flushed you looked or the goosebumps on your arm.

"how did the interview go?" levi asked eren.

eren gave a quick warm glance to you before he said, "y/n did great. answered every question with ease. i think we should extend an offer." you noticed the slightest hint of a smile in eren's professional demeanor, but you were more surprised that he'd do this for you. bit by bit, you felt your hard shell crumbling for eren, and you wondered how you will survive working at paradis labs after graduating.

eren walked you back to the elevator, his hand lightly touching the small of your back as guided you across the hallway. "well, i guess i look forward to working with you and picking back up where we started." eren said with a wink.

you turned around and touched eren's shirt, softly tracing the matcha stain you gave him. "hm, maybe i'll start off my first day dumping coffee on you first thing in the morning." you playfully teased, your breath accidentally hitching as you realized his chest was way harder than you expected it to be. oh my god, no way he's actually built under the shirt. embarrassed, you quickly buried that thought deep where it came from.

"hm, maybe i'll take you to the bathroom and make you help me clean it up," he replied, his eyes filled with warmth and invitation. something that was new to you, but you weren't complaining.

god, you couldn't wait to graduate.

[dvilsdesire-a]

// Now that I am somewhat settled in a bit more to the house, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who reached out to me the other day when I wasn't feeling great <3 I think seasonal depression just kind of kicked in as well. Christmas is always a bit depressing and lonely for me as I live interstate and my partner's family is all still in the US. It's just us, and that's okay! but I do miss feeling like Christmas is Christmas.

I also wanted to actually say happy new years to everyone as well, and a big thank you for sticking by me.

Last year, I decided one day that I was randomly going to make a Haarlep blog after I was stalking some article about Raphael on the net, and hadn't yet KNOWN about the HoH and what happened (I was only in Act 2 at the time, but I already had my eyes set on Raphael lol). I went on YT and I watched the Haarlep encounter, and I laughed, and I thought this is amazing, and then I couldn't wait to encounter him in game.

This was entirely a case of "I didn't choose the muse, the muse chose me." Haarlep and I honestly just... clicked. I was in a pretty low place for a long while previously, especially since tumblr RP had generally been very slow since I used to RP in the DA fandom. Unfortunately, 10 years gone without any new things, and as an old timer in the fandom, it had died off exceptionally, and every time I went on my dash, it was just depressing and a ghost town. Everyone I knew pretty much moved on save for a couple of us, but even then, we were all so quiet and had all of our own real life stuff happening and other special interests starting to take over.

So I dabbled in the BG3 community with Sornin and made his blog, but Sornin is such a drastic change from my Inquisitor, Kaaras, who I had spent YEARS writing and crafting, delving into deep metas for him and putting a lot of heart and soul into him. Seriously, guys... if you know me from the DARP community... or if you were active like a good...7 years ago? I'd be surprised if you hadn't known Kaaras. He was a big muse with a lot of traffic, and I had multiple (amazing!) people tell me that he was their canon Inquisitor for their companion muses. The love I have put into him as a muse and character was well worth every bit to share that love in the community. He was a hero, and a big soft, lovable ram.

Sornin was everything that Kaaras wasn't, though. Sornin is a tough muse to write because he's very antisocial and doesn't really care to interact with others. So even though I had found comfort in a new fandom and RP community, Sornin didn't quite give me the unf I once had.

Then all of a sudden... Haarlep just... consumed me. He was this bright little ball of energy and fire for my soul, and this muse that I just was like omg should I? I'll probably write with like... 2 people with him, but that's okay! I was so fucking wrong.

Haarlep took the damn stage, and I have met SO MANY amazing and wonderful people through writing them. This wasn't a character I thought I would spend HOURS studying and delving into, despite the fact that we only see TEN FUCKING MINUTES of them on screen. But here we are, months later, and I'm so, soooo happy that I made him and that I've met so many of you through this silly incubus <3

Suddenly, I was writing replies almost every day again. I was scrolling my dash every day, loving and sharing content, and sending in silly memes. And I won't lie... if I hadn't started writing Haarlep here, then I doubt I would have started writing my long fic Raphlep series (which is now on 36 CHAPTERS!???).

So I just wanted to say, thank you all so, so much, for not only making me feel welcome when I joined a new community to RP in, but for putting up with such a naughty little gremlin of a muse and allowing me to throw Haarlep at you and getting all of that pent up energy out that he has in my brain, lol.

For weeks, I had wanted to make a Raphael blog, but I was too anxious and nervous, and insecure with writing a character that was so poetic and well spoken (and that I didn't KNOW a lot of lore about since the world of DnD is SO large). Haarlep was sort of a stepping stone I wanted to make to TASTE how far I could go and see if I could close that gap and finally write Raphael. But let me tell you, this damn incubus entirely stole my soul, and the centre of the stage. But I am thankful, so, so thankful, because without them, I wouldn't be learning more, reaching out more, and overall being creative again. <3

I hope to continue getting to write with you all in the new year, and I hope 2025 is kind to us all <3

[cursezoroark]

like ok i think about green so much. i think about green and red and just. god. canonically for some fucking reason he's 13-14 as viridian's gym leader???????????????????? which. does not match his appearance tbh but its pokemon what the hell do i know. imo he looks like 16. but eh.

like ok my personal timeline is. following canon to an extent also disclaimer this is primarily green pov, sliding pokemas to the side im not putting it here. also btw Leaf does exist here but im gonna focus on green and his pov of Red particularly:

______________________________________________________________

5 years - 10 years: tiny babies :'] they get along great at first. pokemon nerds. Green becomes a bit more astute. u know the usual fandom hc of pokemon oak's not the Greatest Parenting. Like He's Trying but Green being a kid notices and a bunch of misunderstandings and mistakes pile yk? kids notice. and kids also assume. and Green assumed. Green starts to antagonize Red more, shifting him from a friend to a rival. the rivalry is starting to bleed out the friendship. Red notices, but not aware of the familial situation, is just hurt.

10 years old - 11 years: whatever the fuck happened in frlg. insane preteen angst between the two. i like to think they got in a fistfight. poor kids.

11 years - 12 years: red disappears around this time. 12 year old kid learns how to be a caveman. Green goes to school. Kind of mumbles through the process of becoming champion, and losing it in less than an hour. he's like halfway through a process of whatever happened when he gets the opportunity and he pounces. school is paused.

13 years old - 14 years old: Apparently a girl named Leaf took over the old champion position. From pallet town too. Not that he rlly cares. Green only hears rumors about Red being at the top of the mountain, repressed whatever had happened and the whole situation of their relationship, doesn't rlly want to confirm for himself rlly. cause. well. don't ask. shut the fuck up.

15- 17 years old: what the fuck do you mean the rumors are true. Green gets egged on to finally check after confirmation of Ethan/Lyra. By Red's mom, Daisy, Professor Oak, the whole fucking town jesus christ- and. really he shouldn't be here. doesn't really deserve to be here. but he finally sees red. its an awkward as hell 2 years, warming up a cold 5 year old friendship. they don't talk about it.

18 years old: it almost felt like nothing ever happened. for a while. he had visited monthly, bringing supplies, warm wishes. the usual topic had been about the gym, the family, pokemon battles, people in pallet town, safe topics. The only one he's willing to breach is how to get Red off the damn mountain, but as you can clearly read, hasn't been successful. red's grown taller than him. annoying as hell, but his eyes still sparkle when he talks about new pokemon. Green restarts his education, and lucky for him his brain is still sharp enough to catch up. He applies for a university in Kalos.

19 years old: he got in, awesome. he breaks the news to Red. he leaves in five months. Red....doesn't seem happy, but he congratulates Green anyways. on a whim to try to cheer him up, Green makes an shitty joke attempt: come down for a dinner celebration in Pallet Town in a week. Just Red's mom, Red, Daisy, Green, and Professor Oak. No one else, and afterwards we can send you right back to your happy cave home mountain, yeah? Red doesn't respond. The next day however, he agrees. Green doesn't know how the fuck that worked.

The dinner: Green breaks the news to his family and Red's mom, and helps a frantic Daisy prepare the food, where he confesses his doubts over Red's reaction. Daisy suggests that Red may have been used to his company, seeing as he was the only human willing to trek Mount Silver monthly just to see him. Green decides to phone Ethan/Lyra to ask them a favor.

The favor: ok so you've been looking for a challenge right. right ok. i thought you would rebattle Red or something. where the hell are you nowadays. why? oh idk just wondering, cause he just got a new team member and I thought you-no? aw man ok cause I can't go to the mountain for a Long While. He needs a training partner. Ok! thanks, smell ya later.

The Dinner Cont.: Red appears with his mom, and. Green notices the redness around her eyes. Red's hand was carefully clasped around hers. Red's eyes flitted almost anywhere but their faces, but he nods a greeting to Gramps and Daisy on the way in, before sitting at the table. the roast duck was ready. Professor Oak lobs his questions at Red, almost automatically. How was he, his pokemon?? How was Mt. Silver's eco-climate, did you know how the league operated- yadda yada yada yada yada Green began to buzz out in the middle of chewing some potatoes. It wasn't until Oak grasped his shoulders, commenting about Green's recent success could Green finally grasp whatever expression was on Red's face.

outside, the dishes were being washed, and the two friends elected to take a walk.

hesitation wrangles his hands, before signing. "I thought you and Professor Oak weren't getting along?"

a waved hand. "he's better. Helped me with the whole application process, so I had no choice but to kind of had The Talk.

"and?"

"It went shit. we got into another fight, but I think I got something through."

"...."

"He still asks about you though. That didn't change. And, don't worry, I stopped him from trekking over there himself. I think he's getting like, old old. He only holes up in his lab now."

"I thought he still trekked into viridian forest to collect metapod shells."

"He only did that to make sure we didn't somehow end up there. we were seven- you know how we were."

"we could've ended up there."

"HA- no- yeah. yeah actually. I think I would have somehow been dragged by you. You used to chase rattatas for crying out loud. It's a shock how you weren't infected by a disease."

"You told me they were strong."

"what did you think 'strong' meant to a 7 year old?"

"......I thought they meant they were the best."

"....yeah well, me too."

"I'm sorry, Green."

"I should be the one saying that, you asshole."

"...."

"I think I should have said that from the beginning. I'm sorry, Red. I'm so sorry."

The walk ended with a silent beat.

After the Dinner: weird clean up, Green feels like the ice had finally, chipped around Red. He hasn't seen Red's mom kiss her son's forehead for a long time. He hadn't seen Red in his childhood room where they used to play pretend for a long time. He hadn't seen Red smile like that..... in a long time. He takes him back to Mt. Silver.

There are 5 visits left until Kalos.

5 visits left: Red makes a face and comments about Lyra/Ethan's sudden visits again. It's kind of funny, seeing a mildly aghast look on his face as he signs about their new look, team, personality even. His eyes shine as he talks about pokemon he has never seen before, what do you mean there's a different form of slowbro????? He almost looks younger, hands now more lively as he talks strategy with Green.

3 visits left: It's Red's 20th birthday. Green and Lyra/Ethan make a trip this time together. Somehow, through Reds mom magic, the cake stays preserved throughout the entire trip. They munch through strawberry cream cake in silence, occasionally breaking into conversation about the travels, preparations, and global news. Red's eyes stay shiny under the candles until blown out. Green gets him a pokemon egg. What it is, he won't tell Red. Lyra/Ethan gets him a new pokegear. the first number he adds is Green.

2 visits left: Red keeps staring at Green. it's pissing him off. He stares as he cooks, as he rants, when he's tending to his pokemon. Green decides to play cool, talking more and more about the process of moving. He has to license his pokemon, contact his mentors, pack all of his stuff. Kalos apparently has good fashion too, did you know, maybe I could finally install a change to your godawful outfit- Red just keeps staring. The egg remains unhatched, yet the signs tell him that its near time.

1.5 visits left:

Red: The egg hatched.

Green: LMAO did you like it??????

[ a blurry photo is sent, barely depicting the picture of a shiny mimikyu, surrounded by Pikachu and venasaur.]

Green: IS THAT A SHINY???????

Green: RED.

Green: OF FUCKING COURSE.

Red: :)

1 visit left: They sit in silence by the open fire, cozy and in their own world. That is, until a finger jolted Green awake. Red only stared back with a serious expression.

"I think I forgave you a long time ago."

"It took me a while, to connect everything together." Red seemed to be reciting this, almost as if he practiced this speech.

"But I wasn't sure. you never brought it up, which wasn't the best. You weren't....good when we were kids. but you were my friend. You are my rival. "

"I understand, why you were like that. and I saw you again, and it was really good. Really good." Red emphasized.

Green blinked. "like we were kids again?"

Red nodded. "It was back to before then. before the championship. We used to talk more. You didn't avoid me, and we battled like usual. we didn't have to worry about league management, or team rocket. I thought maybe we could start over again."

Green grimaced. "But?"

"You're leaving." Finally, with the wind taken out of him, Red deflated right in front of Green, seemingly worn. He almost looked like a limp balloon. Vaguely, Green wondered what his 11 year old self would thinking looking at him. Probably not a nice thing.

He's not 11 now though.

"You....could come with me?" Green froze under Red's incredulous look. "Look, I was an asshole, still am an asshole times 100 there is no denying that. I'm surprised you even let me on this mountain. I thought you would never talk to me again, and I would totally get it. I would maul myself."

"But I want to start over too. If you could just. think about it. You can't room with me, but given you're a champion I'm pretty sure you're able to get some sort of bonus, but only if you're really really REALLY sure, this cold ass mountain never seemed to lift its grip from you-" A pair of hands swiftly covered Green's mouth, muffling him.

A silence swept over the two, before slowly, Red's hands lifted from Green's lips.

"....Let me think about it." Red signed.

"All the power to you, buddy."

A snort. "Buddy?"

"shut up."

Three days later, Green flew to Kalos.

A year later, Red moved to Kalos.

Post Kalos: so you may have noticed i have not rlly pushed on the romantic agenda. yeah i rev the engines slow here. but point is its not my forte most of the time. either way they do get together inbetween kalos and sm. Green writes a hell of a thesis paper on pokemon research, they still have things to hash out and properly explain, but its a working process. Red gets invited to every champion event ever when he finally cracks out of mt silver. If you ask me who catches feelings first, i'm going to say they both did at the same time cause its funny and they annoyed the hell out of every surrounding colleague with their pining.

Misc

red's mimikyu is a girl, like his pikachu

Leaf and Green meet at Kalos, she helped him make an arrangement when Red was moving over. They became rlly good friends with all three of them!!! :D They also found out they wall lived in pallet town, just never met because Leaf entered school rather than their reckless 10 year old adventures.

Professor Oak's whole issue is saying the wrong things when he means one thing. Which causes Green to snap back and then he gets mad at the disrespect and yaknow. they're slowly getting better though. this also did Numbers of Green's self-esteem.

Red does live with his mom before leaving with Green. They visit Kanto as often as possible.

Green and Red's mom had a talk when Green was about 16, about his whole deal. Green wonders how she could smile at him afterwards. But Red's mom is understanding and observable as her own son. Not to say she isn't letting Green go scot-free though. it's what finally cracks Green to reflect.

"Hey so why didn't Green try to get Red off the mountain when he was visiting over and over again?" I did consider that. I think they were so close to teetering off the edge when they battled it out on Mt. Silver that teenager Green was just deathly afraid of fucking things over and scaring Red away from contacting Pallet town again. It was a slow process for him to get Red curious enough about the outside world to goad him into even considering visiting places.

Does Red Sign? Yes! I'm not completely sure how to properly write it cause i am a Novice. (u are free to give sources, though i'm not a writer I will look through yes yes) He's selectively mute in my eyes!

The Viridian Gym Leader position got shifted a few months before Green moved to Kalos, but Lance has always told Green that the position is open if he rlly wants it.

Lyra/Ethan could be whatever u wish. is lyra and ethan the same person and they have incredible gender and two names? sure. are they separate people on their own and they're just a duo? if u want. go ham.

note: i didn't expect this to be THIS LONG but also forgive me i just vomited word thought and it evolved to semi-writing. I'm a completely beginner at this. this is just my interpretation of the red/green whole spiel cause i had brain worms. if urs is different that is cool!!! rad!!!

[steveisagay]

Hello, on behalf of my friend who doesn't have a Tumblr account \•<•/, could you write about an Eddie x Male Reader? Where reader is bisexual but before going out with Eddie he had a girlfriend who left and no one knew where he was not even her parents, a while later he begins to date Eddie but the Ex returns with a baby (who is the son of a reader) he is fascinated with the news since he always wanted a family and with several children, so he begins to give all his attention to the The baby, reader doesn't know what to do, he loves his baby more than anything in the world but he also loves Eddie and feels confused with the return of his Ex. That's the context of everything, I hope you like the idea!

Co-parenting Requires Effort

Eddie Munson x Reader

I really tried to get to this request but I feel like I really only did half of your request so of course I apologize for that but writer's block has been fucking me over so I hope you are satisfied with what I got Y/N's ex comes back after struggling with raising their baby and Y/N needs to figure out how to tell his boyfriend, Eddie Warnings: swearing, not much else I don't think, not proofread

Eddie was amazing, he was perfect compared to anyone else Y/N had ever dated. I mean sure there were a few people that came close, but that didn't matter. Eddie was his present, his now, and the past didn't matter. He'd been getting more serious as his relationships went on. Y/N just guessed that he was finally getting ready to settle down.

Last relationship he was in was good, well great actually, but they just didn't really see eye to eye. The sex was amazing, he treated her well and they always made sure to make time for each other. But then she decided out of the blue that they were better apart, so there wasn't much he could do. For the first few weeks he racked his brain trying to figure out what went wrong, but then he started feeling things for Eddie, so it didn't matter anymore.

Y/N was content with his sexuality, so what if he liked guys and chicks, whatever he did in his free time was his time. Most of his partners knew that, and those that didn't had a good reason not to know. Since Eddie was flagging in a small town he figured it was fine to tell him, and then the two started to become friends. After awhile they got closer, and closer, and close enough that one time they were hitting a blunt, they kissed. It didn't mean anything at the time, but it was hard to believe that with where they'd gotten.

Eddie was always fine with Y/N dating girls in the past, it didn't make him any less gay or lessen how he felt for him.

Almost a year ago, Y/N's now-ex-girlfriend broke up with him for reasons she didn't tell him. But now, 2:45 pm on a Sunday, she was back. Before he could even greet her or ask why she was there she spoke suddenly.

"I have a kid." She was blunt and dead serious, her voice seemed like it could stop working at any moment, "well a baby, and she's yours, I wasn't with anyone else so,"

Y/N was curious and caught off guard, so he invited her inside, once they made it to the couch he took her hand as a form of comforting her. It was like instinct.

He'd waited until she pulled herself together a little more. "Listen, I know that you moved on but I don't think I can do this on my own," Her voice started to wobble again as her eyes watered. "And I'm not asking to get back together with you-"

"We can co-parent, between the two of us we can work something out, It's gonna be fine," the words flew out of his mouth before he could think of anything else. If he really had a kid of course he'd wanna be present, what other reason would she come here for?

"Yeah, yeah we could work that out," She wiped the tears from her eyes, Y/N brought her into his arms. Who the hell cared that they were over, she needed him.

-------------------------------------------------------

It was Y/N's week with Alessandra, but Eddie had no idea about her existence, so he had to deal with that. As he put her down for her afternoon nap he heard the door unlock. Of course this was the time he came over unannounced.

After making sure she was all swaddled up and sleeping soundly he went downstairs, taking a few extra breaths. Eddie hadn't been over in awhile since Y/N had been working and preparing for his daughter to be a part of his life and that preparation was more exhausting then the average day at work. When he got to the last step he watched Eddie's face turn for his usual excitedness to confusion.

"Y/N are you babysitting or something?" He looked between the various baby toys to the little play mat.

Y/N sucked in a breath of air before going over to the couch and patting at the cushion beside him. "Well, no actually I... I have a kid now."

Brief panic flashed across Eddie's features "When? Is there someone else?" His tone was hurried.

Y/N was quick to shuffle closer to his boyfriend, pulling him into his arms. "Baby no, no she was from my last relationship I swear. My ex came by around a week ago and she said Aless was mine and that she needed me." There was a moment of silence before he continued going on, "Eddie listen I love you but I understand if you want to leave or-"

"Y/N, sweetheart I never wanna break up it's just gonna be hard with the kid and your ex but I swear I don't want anything other than to be with you and I'll try to help as much as I can."

"No Eddie if you wanna leave you can, it's fine I understand with all of the bullshit with your dad and all of that."

Eddie grabbed his face so he could try to get his point across, "I am never going to leave you as long as I have a choice in the matter, yeah my dad was a piece of shit but I'm not gonna let that affect this." He paused, just gazing into Y/N's eyes, "I mean, if you want me to help you parent."

"Yeah, that'd be amazing,"

[blueboybump]

Freshman Year Recap Pt. 2

It had been a few weeks since I hooked up with Jackson. I hadn’t stopped thinking about it. I wanted more. I couldn’t wait for the next one. I eagerly texted back every Grindr notification I got.

I had just started freshman year, so of course, I was busy. I only had free time in the morning, but it also felt like the morning was the only time my body could process things. I was in a new town living a completely different life. It was scary, overwhelming even. Every morning, I woke up sick. I didn’t feel nervous in my day to day, but my body did. It made sense I’d wake up sick, vomiting if not coming close to it. If I didn’t spend my mornings hunched over a toilet, I’d be following through with plans.

Thankfully, I had one night to myself. It was a Saturday night and my roommate was off visiting a friend in the next town over. I finished my work and was ready to have fun for once, but no one seemed to be available. No one except Gary.

Gary was… an example of my desperation, sluttiness, and impulsiveness all wrapped in one. He was a polite enough, 50 year old man. He was the image you imagine when you think construction manager with 2 young grandkids. Gary was (mostly) bald headed, a short white beard, thick short frame, with a potbelly hanging over his belt. We messaged a few times on a whim.

It was 8pm on a Saturday and he was available. And I didn’t care. He sent me his address and I was on my way.

He lived in a small house with lawn chairs scattered up front with a ball or two. Nothing impressive but nothing to run from.

“I don’t know how to start these things,” Gary said plainly. I laughed weakly.

“I’m not great with small talk either… we can skip that part,” I smiled. The age difference made the pleasantries a bit awkward. I mean he was older than my dad. I tried not to think about it.

I tore off my pants and boxers and spread my legs. I didn’t want to think about anything, I wanted to be a slut. Gary stood at the entrance way of his kitchen to his living room stunned. I brought my hand to my crotch and massaged my bottom growth. Gary’s cheeks grew pinker at the sight. I felt myself getting wetter as he watched me. I liked this. I liked feeling like I was on display for him.

I touched myself more, showing him what soon would be his. I was dripping. His erection was being poorly held back by thin, cheap boxers. I used my fingers to spread my cunt out for him, exposing my entrance.

“You gonna keep watch or are you going to fuck me?” I asked boldly. The old man eagerly waddled over to me and took off his boxers. His cock was average, more modest than Jackson’s, but I wasn’t going to complain.

Gary’s hands were thick and strong. His calloused fingers grabbed me and positioned me closer so that he was one thrust away from being inside me. I continued to touch myself and looked up at him.

“I need you,” I begged him. Gary’s face grew into a big cheeky smile. He thrust his hips into me. He was a lot easier to take in than Jackson. His heavy body slammed into me hard. The couch slammed into the wall with each thrust. I don’t even think he knew how hard he was thrusting, but it was good. My mouth flew open as he continued to pound deep inside me.

I felt like The #1 Slut. I touched myself as I let this old guy drill my brains out and basically begged him to make me cum. Which he did. Many times. Gary’s face was red and his hairy shoulders were beaded in sweat.

“Do you like anal?” Gary grunted.

“Huh?” I replied. I was shocked.

“You just sent pictures of your ass earlier. I’d just love to fuck it,” he growled between strokes.

I thought about it. I had experimented with anal, but never thought of actually doing it.

“Uh, you can try…” I shrugged. Gary flipped me over in a doggy-like positioned and continued fucking my cunt. It felt even better than missionary and almost like he could get deeper. Suddenly, stars. As Gary fucks my cunt, he maneuvers a finger into my ass. I feel a bit fuller than before now, but it’s good.

“Fuck, more! Give me more…” I groaned. The more he used my body, the sluttier I felt. He slid a second finger in, then a third. I was biting the pillow as he stretched my asshole. And then he stopped. Gary removed his fingers from behind and his cock from my cunt. Before I could ask what he was doing, I felt the head of his cock against my ass.

“Are you ready?” Gary growled. I didn’t get a chance to answer. In a matter of seconds, Gary rammed his whole cock into my ass. I screamed into the pillow. He moved slowly. Once my body began to relax, he picked up speed. I was cursing and crying, but mostly, I was moaning.

With every thrust, Gary rammed his cock into my G spot. He laughed as I lost control of my body. He laughed when my legs shook as I came. He laughed when tears rolled down my face. He laughed when he’d pull out and I’d squirt all over his couch. I was a wet, shaking mess. Eventually, Gary made one last powerful thrust. I felt his cum shoot deep inside me. There it was again. Bliss.

Gary pulled out and admired the scene proudly. I had fallen on my side on his couch, cum dripping from my ass. Sweat and tears covered my face and my cunt was dripping all over. Gary gave me a big, sweaty kiss on the top of my head before waddling to the kitchen.

Gary came back with paper towels, a beer, and a Dr Pepper. He handed me some paper towels and the soda. “I know you college kids love these…” he smiled. He looked a little awkward, “Uh, the recliner isn’t dirty. I have a few blankets in the back if you want to sleep things off”.

“I think I’ll take you up on that… sorry if you hear me sick in the morning. It not you, I’ve just been nervous I guess,” I replied. Gary cocked his eyebrow up.

“Like morning sickness?” He asked a bit concerned.

“No! No, nothing like that. Just anxiety, you know?”

Gary shrugged. “I leave at 6am anyways so I won’t hear it. Don’t feel like you need to rush out anyways.” Gary waved off and made his way off to his room. I didn’t want to think about morning sickness. I didn’t even want to entertain the thought. But it sat with me just a little longer than I’d have liked…

[smittywing]

FicBit: Jason Todd/Tim Drake

A little rough but it'll get cleaned up in beta. BRUNCH.

Previous parts: 1 | 2 | 3

~

Sunday rolled around just as Jason was rolling some human traffickers out of Gotham and he loitered in the garden, trying to get blood out of his shirt before going inside. 

“Hey.”  It was Tim. Jason's chest tightened. 

“Hey,” he said. He glanced over at Tim’s bike and the single helmet and said, “No Cannon Fodder today?”

“I'm not sure he's ready for brunch at the Manor,” Tim admitted. “At least not Sunday brunch.”

“Wnat?” Jason protested in mock horror. “You cannot possibly think I - or the rest of this family - would embarrass you, and your little sidekick, too?”

“You? Never,” Tim deadpanned. “But I’m not putting anything past the rest of them. Is that blood on your shirt?”

Busted. 

Tim pulled his purely decorative scarf (it was 70 degrees for fuck’s sake) over his head.  “Here,” he said.  “This will help with both the blood and the outfit.”

“Fuck you,” Jason said resignedly.  Being dead was not great for a guy’s fashion sense, okay?

Not caring also didn’t help.

He didn’t fight when Tim looped it around his neck but swatted his hands away when Tim tried to arrange it.  “I got it,” he said.  Unfortunately he did not “got it,” and ended up with one end unnecessarily long while the other part was choking him.  It wasn’t his fault that was where the blood was.

“Okay, come on,” Tim interrupted after another few minutes of arrangement.  “Let me.” 

Jason held up both hands in supplication because it was fair to say that leaving him to it would keep them outside forever. Tim’s hands were deft and quick and patted Jason on the chest when he was done. 

“There,” he said. “You’ll do.”

Dick and Barbara were the only others there, sitting across the table and caddy-corner from each other and were both staring at their phones.

“Hey, when did you get here?” Tim asked, angling for the coffee samovar.  

“About twenty minutes ago,” Dick said.

“But not together,” Barbara added.

Yeah, that didn’t sound suspicious at all.  They must be shacking up again.

“Hey Little Wing,” Dick added.  “Glad you could join us.”  He sounded sincere but Dick Grayson had virtually no other setting.  

“Yeah, lost a bet,” Jason said, helping himself to some coffee when Tim gave the samovar some breathing space.  

“Hi Jason,” Barbara said, looking up from her phone.  “It’s good to see you.”  

Before he could respond, someone yelled, “OH MY GOD!  IS THAT JASON TODD?” and he turned just in time to catch Steph coming at him with a hug tackle.  

“Argh.”  She was heavier than she looked, thanks to all those deceptively lean muscles - like Tim, Jason’s brain volunteered helpfully, and it took him a minute to make sure he could grab her without any accidental contact that would get his head knocked off.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded, hopping off him and confiscating his coffee.  She took a sip and made a face.  “The last time you made Sunday brunch was when Alfred pulled a bullet out of you the night before.  We *missed* you!”

“We did, indeed,” Alfred says, coming through the doors from the kitchen with a platter of fruit. “Strawberries are still your favorite, I hope?”

“Ahh,” Jason said because yes, but the room was skewing increasingly chaotic as Bruce and Duke came in through another door. “Yeah?”

“Jason! Good to see you, man!” Duke gave Jason a fist bump and walked off with his second cup of coffee. 

“What the hell?” Jason muttered under his breath.

He gave up on coffee and got himself a cup of Earl Grey. Alfred was putting waffles on the table - waffles! Wasn't there a rule? - the only seat left was between Tim and Blondie. Jason eyed it warily. He wasn't sure what their deal was now that Tim was dating dudes but it would be really obvious to retreat to the end of the table. 

“I'm grateful to have you all here this morning,” Bruce said, unfolding his napkin. “I'm sure Kate and Cass will catch up with us next week. Tim? Maybe you could finally bring - “

Jason felt Tim tense up next to him. Shit. He owed the kid a good turn. 

“Dick and Barbie are back together,” he announced, overriding Cannon Fodder's name. 

“Oh!” Bruce said, glancing between them like he was maybe being pranked. “Are congratula - ?”

“Okay, well,” Dick interrupted. “Jason wants to know why we care more about who he kills than who he fu - “

“Oh shit,” Stephanie breathed beside him. 

Jason reversed his grip on his fork and raised it far enough for Dick to see. 

Tim piped up, [something to turn back on Dick]

~

Jason passed the last piece of silver over to Tim to tuck back in its big fancy box. 

“Thanks,” Tim said automatically and then looked up at Jason.”Thanks for real,” he said softly. “I know you were covering for me.”  

Jason shrugged. “You were covering for me, too. I didn't expect Barbie to go for the jugular.”

Tim laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He looked young and sweet and *happy* and it was a good look on him. “Fortunately, you had a very stylish scarf to protect you.”

“Oh, yeah,” Jason said, pulling it over his head. “Thanks for the loan. Not sure it's my vibe.”

“Not sure anyone besides you still has a vibe,” Tim shot back. 

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” 

“So, um.”  Tim scrubbed a hand over thr back of his neck. “Look, I know Dick was just trying to rile you up but. If you ever want to talk about…whatever? I know a guy who went through that kind of thing recently.”

“Yeah? That guy have any wisdom to impart?” Jason challenged. 

Tim flushed. “Probably not but he might be able to listen.”

Jason really needed people to stop caring about him so damn much. 

“Yeah,” he allowed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

[arielleej]

Sometimes you have to write it down to get it out of your head.

Hello, it's been a while.

So I've spent the last ~33 hours trying to wrap my head around the ending to Arcane (If you haven't watched Season 2 then vacate this post NOW).

*****************************************************************

My brain has been running full-tilt to try and understand what I witnessed. Most specifically the last scene with Caitlyn and Vi in the epilogue.

Before I get to that though, I feel like I need to provide some (a) context and (b) background on why I just didn't get it originally.

To start off with I'm a Caucasian, cis-het, straight, single man. That makes me not even close to the target audience for the portrayal of this relationship and as such I've always relied on takes from queer reactors to make sure I was actually getting it. This time around we can thank Kelly and Ceni ( https://www.youtube.com/@XiaoLongMedia ) whom you might recognize from RWBY or LVOM. I've followed their work for years and have always enjoyed their content.

For some rather personal context, my personality - or at least my interpretation of it - is very close to Vi's. I'm very avoidant (I think less so now, but when I was younger I was avoidant to the extreme), assume people's words are largely worthless unless they have the actions to back them up, and have similar love languages (physical touch and acts of service). Since I see so much of myself in Vi, it becomes easier for me to put myself in her shoes and understand her reactions.

I'm going to start at S2E4 because we all knew the breakup in Act 1 was coming. When I first saw that opening scene with Maddie and Caitlyn I legitimately thought that was it, there was no way back. Caitlyn had gone so far off the deep end that there was no possible redemption. I thought to myself "If I was Vi I would legitimately never want to see her again." However that thought changed dramatically over the course of the week between Act 2 and Act 3. Let me explain, and again it will require some more personal context.

I've only had one serious romantic relationship in my life, from when I was 18 to 21. She was younger than me and for the first year and a half to two years it was great - or at least I thought it was. Remember this was in my omega-avoidant phase when I blatantly refused to communicate in a healthy way or talk about my feelings. Anyway, I forget the exact timeline but she eventually committing what felt like an act of betrayal at the time (i.e. sleeping with someone else) and it was a while before I found out about it. To make matters worse I blamed myself (in retrospect this was obviously a stupid way to think but I was 20 and stupid) because it happened at a party that I had left because I needed to take care of some chorse at home. I was upset obviously but the first time I saw her again after I had found out I just didn't fucking care.

You see where this is going?

One of the common criticisms I've seen directed at the show and the writing of Vi in particular is that her trauma is never addressed on screen. I have a hot take here. I think that was intentional, but not in a neglectful way. I think Vi as a character was simply never in a position where it could be addressed in a healthy way, which led to her unhealthy coping mechanisms culminating in her throwing herself at Caitlyn in S2E8 after Jinx gives her permission to be happy.

It took me a second to understand what motivated Vi to all but declare her love for Caitlyn in that moment - and let's be honest they do love each other even if the words are not actually said - I actually had to go back and listen to Caitlyn's line a couple of times and then I got it. Caitlyn wanted to give Jinx a second chance but she knew that Vi had to be the one to deliver that chance so that Jinx could give Vi that permission to be happy. Caitlyn let Vi take the cell keys, removed the guards, and let Jinx leave without a fuss. This was Caitlyn telling Vi that she was giving Jinx - and by extension their relationship - a second chance without saying those words. Instead she did it in a langauge that Caitlyn knew Vi understood - actions.

So I understand why Vi was able to forgive Caitlyn of everything in that moment - that's what her character has always been all about. Trying to save everyone, even from themselves.

Which brings us to that final scene.

I spent a long time trying to figure out why Caitlyn didn't appear happy when she was cuddling up to Vi, and why she used the words "still in this fight". I think the second one is easier to answer than the first so I'll start there. Fighting is just a language that Vi understands and judging from Vi's response, she seemed to understand the question Caitlyn was really asking "Are you going to stay?"

As for the look on Caitlyn's face, I think we know that she knows Jinx is alive but doesn't know where she is (we as the audience obviously know that Jinx sailed off on an airship somewhere - the prevailing theory is she ends up in Demacia). I think the look on Caitlyn's face is twofold. First (and this is just what it looks like to me) that looks like a possessive and protective Caitlyn who wants to make sure that Vi never gets hurt again. Second, I think Caitlyn feels guilty that she knows Jinx is alive but is scared to tell Vi because she's afraid Vi will immediately chase after her sister.

I don't think what Vi and Caitlyn have now is what could be called a 'healthy' relationship, certainly given how it began. But it could definitely get there.

The only other thought I want to offer up is this: We know from S2E7 that there are parallel universes. In any one of those universes Vi and Caitlyn could be together in a happy and healthy relationship and I think that's worth celebrating even if we didn't get everything we wanted from the version of them that we saw on-screen.

[carmenized-onions]

Oh we were fed good today. I obsessively check on this story and was so surprised this morning.

Ya had me crying in my bed like a baby on a Wednesday morning.

Jeez, this chapter was intense. In a fantastic way! Your brain is so big and I am in awe of your talent!

I’m definitely going to reread this whole story and come back with my theories so keep an eye out.

For now let’s hit some quick headlines.

1. Carmey deserves to get a good slap to the back of the neck. Self destruction mode was at a record breaking high.

2. You write guilt and sorrow so well, it genuinely made my stomach hurt. Not to get too personal but I had a friend take their life and the survivors guilt is intense. This chapter brought up some real emotions.

3. Richie x Tony remind me of how you’d defend a sibling in a fight. The way they would both go to war for each other, wow wow wowie wow.

4. Earlier I couldn’t see the Tony x Syd ship but boy can I see it now. Happy pride!!

5. Leaving the number to the chef up to Carmey was devious. I love it.

Love it, love you, hope you have a great day!

It took me. Forever to get to this one thank you FOR WAITINNN

First of all-- If you haven't read Something to Do yet-- PLEASE do babe I WANNA KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS SO BAD I LOVE YOUR BRAIN!!! I LOVE THE WAY YOUR BRAIN INTERACTS WITH MY BRAIN!!! THIS IS US!!!

Anyways. Into the headlines of Just Dropped we go.

Category FIVE LEVEL DESTRUCTION!!! I think I really compacted like a whole kind of like-- Season honestly of Bad Behaviour Carmen into one day and it really did make for the most unstable motherfucker of ALL time

!! I am simultaneously sorry and thankful to hear it resonated-- I think this chapter is very special to me for the way it shows like the three different forms of survivor's guilt and grief-- Like the way Richie/Carmy/Tony held it down VERY differently. And then two outta three of them being able to reconcile over it... It's just very special to me, and I'm both sad and glad we got that sick feeling out of it-- I know you know what I mean. Again. See above photo.

EXACTLY!!! EXACTLY!!! I think those two are very like,,, This is so fucking stupid but they're like everything to each other? Richie and Tony I mean? Like that's my fucking best friend and my dad and also my brother and my road dog and my divorced husband and also my regular husband. They're just kinda? All the stuff. All the stuff, I think. I wish I wrote Carmen getting grand slammed. There's still time ig.

LETS GO WE GOT A SQUID INK CONVERSION BOYS SOUND THE ALARM!!!! They were awful cute, in this chapter. They're cute in every chapter but like-- Ah. Syd grabs Tony's face so much. Twice but like. That's like so much. I love em.

I HADDD TOOOOO, I think as unpetty as Tony was trying to be, that was her one that she got to have. Like she earned that. And it's a good litmus test! You gonna let yourself get fuckin cucked carmy come on!!!! sock that fuckin guy!!!

LOVED THIS love you HOPE YOU'VE HAD A GOOD COUPLE WEEKS SINCE SENDING THIS AGAIN SORRY IM LATEEE

[krsive-writes]

Better Out Than In

Title: Better Out Than In

Author: krsive

Rating: T+

Tags/Warnings: Angst, toxic episode, suicidal ideation

Rick had been drinking for a full week, counting out the minutes of Morty’s absence in bitter quaffs. He was dissolving his brain hour by hour; maybe soon what was left of it would ooze out of his nose and this would all be over.

The room spun like a top every time he closed his eyes, even after he had vomited every drop of bile from the very bottom of his stomach. Alone in his cot, the thickness of a quiet night cradling him like cotton batting in a package, Rick lay regretting every decision he had ever made.

A cursory examination proved that he couldn't read the screen of his phone. He couldn't even make out the photo of himself and Morty that was his wallpaper, now just a bleeding aura of yellow and blue. An attempt to peruse his contact list proved fruitless. The letters had all turned blurry like raindrops.

"You there, hot stuff?" Rick slurred. The AI liked a bit of flattery.

>>As always.<<

"Call somebody."

>>Would you like to be a bit more specific?<<

"SuUurprise me."

The phone began to ring. While Rick waited, he gave a stern talking to his stomach, which was threatening to turn itself inside out again though it was well and truly empty.

"I don't know who this is, but lose my number." The voice was youthful, feminine, familiar.

"Redheaded bitch," Rick greeted expansively, reaching his hand up towards the ceiling.

"Morty's grandpa?" Jessica sounded baffled. Rick took some pleasure in being the only one who knew what was up.

“I have a name."

"So do I." Jessica sighed. "Why are you calling me at 2 in the morning."

"Why does anyone do anything, really?"

"This is real fun, Rick, but unless you have a point, I'm going back to sleep."

"Rude much?"

"Two in the morning, Rick. Is this just a drunk dial?"

"I’m too drunk to dial," said Rick, giggling at his own clever joke.   

"Ugh, whatever. Don't call back, I'm going to bed," Jessica said, and abruptly hung up.

"Told you," Rick said to no one. "Megabitch."

***

"I told you not to call back," Jessica sighed, three nights later. He could hear her breathing into the phone.

Rick wanted to wipe that sass right out of her mouth. Who was she to take that tone with the great Rick Sanchez? He put the beer bottle to his lips and drank. He had let it grow warm and go flat, but that was fine. He wasn’t drinking for the taste. His hands were shaking, and he had a pungent flop sweat going. The sour scent was thick around him, but he couldn't be bothered with a shower. He had business to attend to, feelings to drink away.

"You're not the boss oOof me. I can call anyone I want."

A pause, longer than it should have been. Long enough for Rick's mind to start prickling with anxiety at the edges.

"Then call Morty." she said.

One shot, just one shot from the stupid girl, and Rick collapsed in on himself like a Jenga tower. His breath hitched. He quickly swallowed the rest of his beer and threw the bottle with the others on the floor.

"Morty won't answer my calls." His jaw felt tight, his voice thick. "Out there living his best Gwyneth Paltrow life. No room for grandpa."

"He dumped you."

Rick made a point to audibly scoff. "No one dumps me, o-ok? Not that that's even what this is. I don't really care, it's just—you're the one who brought it up!"

"Maybe it's just healthier for him to live his life without you, and you should decide to be happy for him.”

"Little fuck has no idea what's good for him. That's why he ran off—his dumbass thought it was better to run away from the people who—“ Rick pressed his lips together, trapping hrs words inside.

"Who care about him?"

''Fuck that," Rick snapped. “‘Care,’ how gross. Sappy bullshit.”

"If Morty wants to reject people caring about him, maybe you should ask yourself where he learned that."

"Fuck you," Rick snarled.

He hung up and tossed the phone on the foot of his cot, as if it might bite him like a snake. Jessica sure had some audacity, talking to him that way. What did she know? Morty wasn't like him. Rick hadn't ruined him, not totally. Not by himself, anyway. Morty had just been watching too many movies, that was all. Blame that James Bond marathon last month. Blame Jerry for making caring look so blatantly lame. For once this was not Rick's fault. Morty was just a moron who thought Tyler Durden was the paragon of health.    He had watched one too many sigma male grindset tiktoks.

Rick's care for Morty was toxic. It was sick. It wasn’t the care that a grandfather had for his grandson. Rick had done the right thing to excise it in that stupid machine. All of that made sense. Morty was different, though. His sweet, benevolent heart was beautiful, and he knew how to love without disease in his soul. Morty's uncaring ‘healthy' self was all wrong. Rick knew what was best for him, knew him better than he knew himself. If only he could make the idiot listen, if only Morty would call him back, then he could fix this in ten seconds or less.

If only, if only, if only.

***

The ship needed a tune up; she rattled a bit, the vibration warming Rick's ass uncomfortably. Though, really, that was a moot point because he had come here to kill himself. For the past few days he had feasted on a diet of ketamine, meth, and oxycontin. He felt good, now. He was doing the right thing. Truthfully, he was excited. After everything that had happened, at least he had some perspective on his ever-present desire to take his own life. His raging insistence on holding on, the part of him that would tear worlds apart just to live another day, was undoubtedly toxic. This was really better for everyone. So here he was, idling just outside the event horizon of his favorite black hole, ready to drive in.

The phone in his hand rang and rang. He thought she might not pick up, but eventually Jessica's voice greeted him.

"What is it this time? I have an English test in the morning, you know."

"I'm killing myself, now." He said, and why was his voice so clear?

"Woah. This is way above my pay grade. I'm gonna call 911—“

''Don't bother. I'm in space."

Rick dug a half-finished pack of cigarettes from the glove box. He wanted to feel the smoke in his lungs one last time.

"Why would you call me? This is super fucked up; I’m just a teenager." Her anxiety was palpable.

"Planetary minded." Rick took a deep, thick drag. His Morty would have been able to take the call. His Morty knew what life really was, thanks to Rick. "Suicide is morally neutral. There are hundreds of intelligent species that commit suicide to reproduce. There are entire planets where you can go kill yourself on stage at Coachella in front of a cheering crowd."

"I'm not comfortable with this, Rick."

"I didn't call you to stop me. I want to leave a message in case... i-in case Morty ever..." Really? After all that, Rick was going to cry? He pinched his nose and tried to tell himself it was just the smoke.

"Then talk to his mom!"

"No way. Not happening."   

The cigarette burned down while Jessica sat silent on the other end of the line. That was alright. Rick had time to wait.

"What do you want me to tell him?" She was shaken, but Rick had to hand it to her; she was pretty brave under the circumstances.

''Tell him...tell him..." Rick belched, nearly vomited. He took a shaky drag. ''Tell him it's all his fault. Tell him…"

"I'm not saying that! That's way too fucked up. No way."

"Tell him I'm sorry. But also fuck him. Tell him he had his chance—tell him I had my chance...tell him it's too fucked up now—“

"No. This is too much. If you do this, if he calls me I won't even tell him you ever called. I won't even tell him you're dead."

''That's pretty messed uUup. You won't grant a dying man's wish?"

"You're not dying. You're killing yourself and putting the burden on a kid. I'm done with this conversation, Rick." There was a shaky breath, a rustling. "Call me tomorrow, ok?"

Rick felt shame like lead in his gut. "Yeah ok. I will."

***

Rick lay on his side, curled around himself, shaking with his sobs. The bar of his cot was digging into his ribs. He could just barely hold the phone to his ear.

"I said it to him when he was so scared, right in my arms.” The bitter memory haunted him. "I said he was gonna be fine. 'Grandpa's h-here'…" He choked on a sob, mouth full of saliva. "Grandpa's here, I promised...”

"It's ok, Rick," said Jessica, so gently.

"I just wanted to save him. This time all I wanted was to do a good thing but I fucked it up, I always fuck up..." He tried to wipe his wet, snotty nose. "Grandpa's here," he sobbed.

"You did your best. And he's ok. He's alive and stuff.” Even so out of her depth, Jessica was trying.

"Not all of him. Not the part of him that needs his grandpa." Rick kept chasing after the next breath, lightheaded from his sobs. "He doesn't need me."

"Maybe that's good. Like he's growing up or something."

"He knows that caring about me is a fucking mistake. He threw me away. Didn't even look over his fucking shoulder." Scrunching up tighter, he whimpered. "I love him so much. I just want him back."

"O...k... Not touching that."

"If he would just come back I’d be better this time." Rick's tears fell in a never ending stream. "He should come back and I'll be so good. I love him. I want to tell him. He needs to give me a chance."

"Morty's kind of given you like a million chances, Rick. You're always a dick to him."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

"It's too late, I think."

"Please, you have to help me get him back. Please, you have to."

"I don't really think that's a good idea."

"I don't feel so good..."

When was the last time Rick had eaten? The world was turning dark at the edges.

"If you want, I can stay on the phone while you go to sleep.”

''Fuck you. I'm not a baby." Rick's eyelids were growing heavy. "But don't hang up."

"I won't."

"I don't wanna... be alone..."

"I know, Rick. I can tell."

Rick wasn't really sure what she meant by that, but he didn't like it. He let his eyes fall closed. In his dreams Morty would be waiting for him, and it didn't much matter whether it would be with open arms or accusing eyes. Rick would take either if he could just see him again.

***

The rest of the family had fled when Jessica arrived, which was fine with Rick. He was sober, he was focused, he was ready. The others would just have fucked him up. Jessica, for her part, looked calm. Good. She wasn't going to wimp out.

"Just keep him on the phone for one minute. That's all that matters so do it no matter what."

"So you've said. Like fifty times.” Jessica cocked her hip out and gave him a painfully teenage look.

"Just dial. Hurry up. I want to get this done."

"Yeah. I know." She held up her phone to show it dialing.

Please pick up, please pick up...

''Hi, Morty. It's Jessica. Look, can we just talk for a minute?"

Rick's heart was in his throat, his portal gun clutched in his hands. He watched the dial narrowing in on Morty's location as the seconds ticked by.

"Come back, Morty. I miss you." Jessica shot Rick a meaningful look while she listened to Morty's answer. "How do you know I don't want to love you?"

The quiet stretched out, but the call didn't go dead. For the first time in weeks, Rick felt something like hope bloom in his breast.

Morty hadn’t hung up.

Morty wanted Rick to find him.

[dragontamerno3]

DS9 S3 E12 - Past Tense 2

Another rough one but for the right reasons.

I knew this one would be more character driven stuff, given that the first part was heavy on the set up, but I am happy where everything took us.

I'm gonna start with BC. I wanted to punch that dude in the face most of the time he was on screen but the episode did such a good job from taking him to brutal Ghost to a dude willing to do what was right. He didn't really have much left for him and I didn't expect him to live, so it wasn't a surprise to see that he died. I wasn't sad really, and I didn't think of his character as a waste IRL, but pretending I was in this timeline and in this actual episode, it did feel like a waste in a "maybe he could have turned over a new leaf" kinda way.

Vin was the other one that I was super surprised and happy about to watch his character grow. There have been times when I've had to forcefully sit down with a relative and point to all the things wrong with the world and how it hurts me specifically (disability, queer topics, being broke, etc) and to slowly chip away at their stubbornness so they can actually see whats ACTUALLY wrong with the world. He felt like that. It was hard to sit through his scenes at first, and they're supposed to be, but I'm very glad he was the character at the end fighting for those in the Sanctuary Zone.

Webbs death actually made me sad. He was a damn good man just trying to do what was best for his family, for all those trapped inside those fucked up zones. He didn't deserve death. I get why, from a story stand point why they did what they did but still, it was sad.

I wanted to laugh every time that Webb and Sisko were dealing with the government, but one of those cold bitter laughs. The way the government was going to hand out pebbles in a way to try to appease folks without actually listening to any of the problems. I was happy to hear later when she was on the phone with the governor that other uprisings were happening in other Zones.

I think the scene that got me the most was when the people from the Zone were telling their stories. Simple stories about who they were. Little two minute things of what they did, why they were sent there to begin with, and maybe of the family they had. Real people telling real stories. Something the public couldn't hide from. It made Jadzia's whole deal with the rich folks in the previous episode kinda worth it.

Also, side note, the whole "aliens want to suck our brains out" scene was supposed to be funny, I think, and it some ways I can see how others might see that, but I can't. Mental illnesses getting ignored because no one wants to care about healthcare sucks. I do think it was sweet that he saw Jadzia as a "good one" though instead of fighting them.

Kira and Miles popping in and out of times, though, was funny. Kira being awkward in each of them and Miles just trying his best to not to make it worse. It was the breath of air between heavy moments.

I once again thought they ended the episode a bit too soon, Bashir and Sisko went through some hardcore shit, it felt like they rushed through dealing with it, but overall it was a great episode.

This is the year of the Bell Riots and they apparently start a week after my birthday this year... with a literal Nazi running for office, I'm wondering if the episode might be onto something.

8.5/10 - would be a 9 but I am a little unsatisfied with the ending