#those three are my top three favorite bands(?)

[puthyflapps]

baby stop teasing us with fics 😩

I mean I could expand upon my ideas a little bit if you were like into that sort of thing

[cursed-elo-images]

I’ve listened to the song I tagged in my recent post.

If anybody sees this post and hasn’t seen the post I’m referring to, and has NO idea what I’m talking about, I drew something cursed you can find on my blog and the song I’m referring to is “Confusion” by of course ELO.

It’s not one of my most favorites, but it’s a really good one.

Well, I think I just ruined the song for myself. (half jokingly)

While I said the above phrase in jest, there is some truth to it.

But first, I must mention my backstory.

The Backstory of the One and Only, cursed-elo-images Herself

My relationship with ELO started in March 2020. This was right before lockdown, and a parent of mine showed me a copy of ELO’s “greatest hits all over the world” CD, and we decided to play it in the car. I did like them, but I didn’t really listen to them much that month (really just a little bit of Elton John and some David Bowie too who are also good), but I decided to in April that month. I fell in love with them. I did however discover them in 2018 but didn’t feel like trying them out since I wasn’t into classic rock during that time besides Queen, since I listened to a few vocaloid songs. I also had “Don’t Bring Me Down” stuck in my head in late 2019, for some strange reason, but again didn’t feel like trying them out at the time, since I just liked Queen then. (Also a very good band, and I should also mention I stopped liking vocaloid music in early 2019 and Queen was what brought me back to classic rock)

Since then, I’ve listened to this band a lot, usually during the spring-summer because those seasons I find “enhance” the experience, I suppose it’s to invoke the nostalgia I felt when they first touched the neurons in my ear canals. I have went on a hiatus in 2021 though, because I temporarily replaced them with British rock band Sweet, which are arguably MORE underrated than them, but came back to ELO since… not to slander Sweet but, ELO is just more interesting and sensorily pleasing. I wasn’t really interested in the members, just the music. This lasted from 2020 to March this year. I did try to memorize the members of the band last year, but again I wasn’t really into the fandom, I just liked them as background music/shoving their music into my ears whenever I feel like it, which was a lot, but not on the same level as me immersed in David Bowie’s many personas and the fandom side of THAT.

I don’t know what got me interested in drawing ELO members or reading fandom posts about them, but here I am. I love being this way, and it gives me more people to be interested in so I take this as a win. They just have that adorkable charm to them.

Why I’m Obsessing over ELO’s Confusion

Now the context is out of the way, let’s discuss why I’m obsessing over their “Confusion” song. Like I previously mentioned, I liked the song to listen to sometimes, and to use as background music. Yes, even when I was blissfully unaware of the members and the fandom, and the future that was to come of me drawing the most bizarro cursed nonsense shlock (affectionate) regarding the band. It’s a nice song, detailing the (in my interpretation, yours might differ) confusion, shock, and sadness one feels after breaking up with their significant other. However, I, being the equally cursed weirdo that I am, decided to use that song for the dreaded (affectionate) Melvyn bread train doodle. Why? Because that was the theme of the drawing. Did I need to add the song? No, but I thought it would be funny and look cool. Then when I clicked on the Spotify link I heard a snippet of the song and I unfortunately applied the lyrics to the drawing, implying that the band lost… Melvyn’s… human(?) form and became that cursed abomination (affectionate) and have their feelings about it.

Now, instead of being at peace with their music (specifically Confusion) I am now going to think of that drawing every time I listen to it. Just great (lightheartedly sarcastic).

[certifiedlovergirlsstuff]

maybe a lil fic with steve yk like he thinks you're together but r just thinks that they're just friends cuz she thinks he acts that way with everyone (he doesn't). so when he's like "we're going on that dinner date, right?" and she's just so confused and flabbergasted "since when did we start dating??"

I've missed your writing on my dashboard ily<3

i’m glad someone misses my writing. i hope this is okay🩷

steve harrington x fem!reader (this ended up being long… i’m shocked)

masterlist

“here comes loverboy.”

your brows pinched together at max’s words. looking over your shoulder to see steve leaving the register, heading back towards your booth with a pastel pink box in hand.

the boy slid into the open seat beside you. shoulder to shoulder and thigh to thigh. his warmth radiating off his body blankets you from the february chill that seeps into the diner’s walls.

“what’s in the box?” robin questioned while making a grab for it. steve quickly slapped- gently tapped- the approaching hand away. robin making a scene for no one.

“not for you, buckley. for my favorite girl.” and steve looked directly at you.

“aw, thanks steve-o.” max fawned. a simple giggle slipped from your mouth while steve rolled his eyes. “not for you either, rugrat. only for my favorite, most special girl.” finally sliding the pastry box in front of you.

steve tapped his fingers against the table top, “they had your go-tos so i got one of each.” your cheeks warmed as you opened the top, “you didn’t have to, stevie.”

“yeah, stevie. what about us?” robin pointed between her and max, a twisted pout to her face.

steve eyed them, “what about you two? get your own stuff.” huffing like they were insane to think steve would do anything of that level for them.

eyeing the different options you grabbed a donut and proceeded to spilt the item into four small bites. handing off two for max and robin, replacing them with another two, one for you and the other for steve. hand waiting for steve, he wrapped his fingers around your wrist delicately as he bites into his awaiting treat. you chuckle at the silliness.

“you too are gross.” robin declared with her mouth full. steve copied her actions, “says you. close your mouth while chewing.” placing his hand over his mouth in after thought.

“so,” speaking up to change the subject, “any nice plans this week?” referring to valentine’s day on wednesday.

“lucas says he’s taking me some place special, which might be the arcade.” max played it cool but you could tell it affected her in a good way.

“band practice is my special valentine. can’t complain too much.” robin punctuated her sentence with a sip of water.

“what’s the dynamic duo gonna do on the day of love?” max teased, batting her lashes while cupping her cheeks.

you shrugged, “don’t think we have plans-“ “yes we do.” steve is quick to fix you misunderstanding.

there was a surprised spark in your eyes, “we do?”

steve’s brows furrowed, “yeah. i told you about the dinner date i scheduled.” now your bows scrunched, “yeah, but i thought you were going on a date.”

steve leaned towards you, “i am. with you.” punctuation on those two words, letting every letter hit you in the face.

you sat shell shocked, eyes focused over steve’s shoulder while robin and max almost jumped from their vinyl seats.

“for real?” “since when were you dating?”

at the word dating you shook away any incoming thoughts and waves away their curiosity. “we’re not dating. we’re just friends. steve’s like this with everyone.” knowing that would end any discussion.

three sets of eyes stared you down, you wanted to shrink into the ground from the attention. “what?” a squeak at their baring eyes.

“steve is only sugary sweet to you. do you not remember five minutes ago? when he bought you treats, without you asking, then told me and max to fuck off.” robin questioned.

“language-“ “i didn’t say that-“

max waved you both off, “whatever. what robin is trying to get at is, you are dating. steve openly flirty banters with you, you reciprocate in a flustered mess, and steve has hearts beaming from his corneas.” max’s palms smack onto the table.

your mouth opened, then closed. open, close, open, close. “i just,” you hands flapped about, “i- i thought he just- you know…”

“no we don’t, but please, tell us.” robin eyed you wolfishly.

anxiously you pinched the skin around your fingers, teeth biting into your bottom lip, eyes darting everywhere not knowing what your next move was.

“alright, enough teasing. let’s just get everyone home.” steve broke the silence. sliding out beside you then holding a waiting hand out, you couldn’t help but just to stare at it, like it might bite you or something.

“it’s alright, sweetheart. we’ll talk later.” soft, kind filled brown eyes watched your movements as you set your palm to his and he help you exit the booth smoothly. steve gave a squeeze before releasing his hold and your chest felt heavy again.

he called you sweetheart. he usually throws pet names about, but this one just felt… different. your brain connected to it differently.

robin and max were silent on the drive to their houses, radio at medium volume, but they kept the backseat of the bmw silent as a church mouse.

you could barely look steve’s way, barely glance at him from your peripheral. he didn’t seem tense from your words just… dejected. a gloomy cloud hanging over his head and it’s because you friend zoned him while he thought you both were together.

no chance he wants to be with you now, blew it for yourself before you even had a proper chance. you wallow in silence.

robin was the first to be dropped off. steve came to a slow stop in front of her tiny house, shifting into park so he could look back with a gentle smile, “call if you need anything. and try not to do anything clumsy.”

robin rolled her eyes in a playful manner, “i’ll try not to dad.” and she left with a comforting squeeze of your bicep.

steve waited until robin waved you off an closed her front door. “okay mayfield, home or someplace else?” he always asked when driving her.

“umm, wheeler’s. please.” yeah, she felt sorry about earlier. her please and thank you’s were a bit sparring.

again silence. you wanted to speak, but with max still in the car you held your tongue. pinching at the material of your jeans while eyeing the scenery passing by in a blur, you couldn’t help flinching at the touch of skin covering your own. you looked down cautiously to see steve’s right hand resting over your fidgeting one, stopping your mindless action.

the fifteen minute drive pasted into two minutes when you saw the big two story home come into view. you saw a couple of bikes laying in the front yard and suspected the boys also were invading the family home.

“thanks for the ride. i’ll be fine to get home later.” shuffling mixed with her words before popping the left back door open. a soft thud followed her exit then she stopped outside your window and lightly tapped.

you rolled it down with concern at her sorrow filled expression. “i’m sorry. about earlier. i wasn’t trying to-“

“max,” cutting her off, “it’s okay. i know you didn’t mean harm and plus, might’ve opened my eyes today.” playing coy with your words.

a smile flickered at her lips while her eyes looked over your shoulder. she left with a pep to her step and you were finally alone with your steve.

“so wanna-“ “did you really think we weren’t dating?”

you could help your light chuckle, “getting straight to the point i see.”

steve sputtered, “i just- it felt like we’ve been on multiple dates. and- and we’re very touchy with each other, always there for each other. i just- i just thought we were dating after the trip to chicago.”

that did turn into a pretty romantic trip now that you thought back on certain scenarios. “i think i’m just blind to romantic advances. didn’t think i was your type.” mumbling the last part.

you’ve seen the girls steve’s been with in the past. all perfect, petite, not quite hair out of place and makeup painted over delicate skin. you weren’t those things, you were messy at times, flyaways sticking up from nonexistent static, stains appearing on your clothes without knowing.

you didn’t deserve steve, he deserved someone-

“hey.” a finger crooked under your chin and moved your head from its slumped position. steve homely brown eyes darted over your face, your imperfections. you wanted to flinch away. he must’ve read your mind since her cupped your cheeks with his warm palms.

“you are none of those things i know your thinking too much about. you are completely deserving of being loved deeply and i’m happy to be that person to pour his soul into yours. if you’ll verbally say yes so we’re on the same page this time.”

your own hands wandered to hold onto steve’s wrist, “that was quite romantic of you. didn’t think of you to be a sap.” deflecting a bit from nerves.

steve smiled brightly, “for you i’ll always be a sap. practically turn into honey for you.” leaning over his console to press a kiss onto the tip of your nose. “so what do you say, wanna give us a proper go?”

you bit into your bottom lip, “i guess i could try.” smiling so wide your cheeks ached as steve dotted kisses over your face, not suppressing your giggles of glee.

[bluebutterflytattooed]

Loser Lesbian Ellie Williams x Mean Girl Reader

CHAPTER THREE

The next day, you feel like an absolute mess walking into school. Your hands are shaking, your eyes are darting around in search of Ellie. Shit, you were too stressed this morning to even make your daily chai.

Of course, you don’t look like a mess. You have on low waisted jeans from Hollister, paired perfectly with a pink crop top which no one will ever know that you thrifted. Your lips are perfectly glossed, your jewelry shines, your hair is straightened and flowing down your back.

No one will know about the terrible mistake you made last night.

Except for Ellie, of course.

The girl that you see immediately, the very moment you walk through the school doors. She’s wearing her usual weird emo get-up, black jeans, extremely fucked-up Conversse, and a flannel over her band t-shirt. The same band t-shirt from the post you liked last night. She looks happier than usual, satisfied with herself almost. It’s like she’s waiting for you.

Your suspicions are confirmed as she immediately approaches you. You curl your lip at her, hating that you have to look up at her slightly.

“What the hell do you want, Williams?” You snap, adjusting the tote bag that’s slung over your shoulder. You know exactly what she wants, but you will not give her the satisfaction of even more satisfaction.

“I think you know, Y/N,” She says, grinning. You hate her stupid smile, all toothy and genuine. It’s like she’s teasing you, instead of the other way around. “What were ya’ up to last night?”

“It’s creepy that you want to know so much about me,” You say, staring straight ahead as you walk towards the girl's bathroom. You don’t need to use it, you’re just trying to find an escape from this conversation. “Especially about my night time activities.”

You realize all too late that some could take that sentence in a sexual way. You wince at yourself as Ellie raises an eye brow. She could use some eyebrow gel, you think to yourself.

“Um, alright…” She trails off awkwardly. “I’m talking about the, uh, post you liked. On Instagram.” Her voice has turned into practically a squeak. You smirk at how high pitched her tone has become, at her nervousness, at how small she seems despite the couple of inches she has on you.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” You shrug, still refusing to look directly at her.

“Yes you do, I know you do!” She protests. “Why were you stalking me?” Her formerly mouse-like voice becomes accusatory.

You swallow hard. There’s no getting around this. She’s going to become persistent and more annoying than usual, like a pesky little bug. A mosquito, perhaps. A fly that just won’t die no matter what. “Because your account is so fucking stupid, and I needed something to laugh at. You’re like a Disney princess, with all those animals,” You finally turn to look at her, crossing your arms and looking Ellie up-and-down. “You don’t look like a Disney princess though. Maybe one of the Seven Dwarfs, though.” You laugh at your own joke, even though it sounds more like a giggle than you intended.

“More of a princess than you are,” It’s rare that she’s sassy back to you. She usually just takes your words and disposes of them as soon as you leave her alone. “But are you su-u-u-ure you didn’t like my account? That one post?”

“Oh my god, Williams,” You roll your eyes so hard it hurts. “You’re so desperate.”

She opens her mouth to retort back, but the bell rings for first period, cutting off her words. You shrug at her, walking off to class and swiping lipgloss over your perfect lips, pleased that conversation is over and done with.

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You should’ve known that your time without Ellie and the constant reminder of the ‘Instagram Incident’ wouldn’t last for long. It’s your last class of the day, one of your favorites to be honest since you get to be creative: Film. It’s rare in school that you get to let loose a bit, lose the popular, mean girl persona and be creative and fun.

The only downside to this class is that Ellie Williams takes it too, ever the nerd.

You sigh heavily as you take your seat in the classroom, surrounding my quiet gossiping conversation and laughs from classmates that don’t have to worry about concealing themselves for the sake of social status. Not long after you do, Ellie comes into the class, her stringed earphones in as always, likely playing some indie band no one has ever heard of. You scoff at her, the noise barely audible. Somehow, Ellie notices and casts you a dirty look. You ignore it.

The class begins soon enough, the teacher, Miss Hanson, talking for a while before she announces a group project: a short film on a life changing event of your choice, fictional or not. It’s a prompt that you like, considering that you have had many life changing events yourself. You’re ready and excited for the project, already coming up with ideas in your yellow notebook, until Miss Hanson begins to assign groups of four, reading off of her attendance list. It’s not as if you dislike the people in this class, but you don’t exactly like them either. Most of them are weird and don’t wear deodorant, which happens to be your greatest pet peeve of all time.

Everything is going well, you’re still excited, until Miss Hanson’s voice rings out through the room: “Y/N, Ellie…” Followed by two other classmates: Dina and Riley. They’re both friends with Ellie, which makes this so much worse. You’re about to be surrounded by people that, some time throughout high school, you have made fun of.

It feels like it’s been years by the time you finally make your way over to Ellie, Dina, and Riley’s table. You drag your feet, refusing to look up from the floor, and once you’ve sat down, refusing to look up from the notebook in front of you. The chattering at the table dies down as soon as you settle into your seat.

“Y/N,” Dina says curtly, addressing your presence with a civil hello.

“Hi,” You mumble. Your usually larger-than-life voice and persona has been diluted to nothing. Is it guilt you feel? No, it can’t be. You are anything but a guilty person filled with regret.

“We’re going over ideas for the topic,” Riley tells you. You finally look up, nodding at her. With a glance around the table, you can tell that Riley is not happy to see you, Dina looks indifferent, not even negative about it, and Ellie?

Ellie’s freckled face has turned bright red.

Not that you’ve noticed she has freckles. Because you have not noticed that.

“What was your idea, Els?” Dina turns her attention to her best friend. “You were saying it a minute ago.” Ellie’s face gets even redder, which makes you almost laugh.

She mumbles something indecipherable under her breath, looking anywhere but at you. Dina giggles at her shyness and holds a hand to her ear, almost mocking Ellie. “What was that? Couldn’t quite hear you.” She says in a sing-songy tone.

Ellie rolls her eyes at Dina. “We could do something like, apocalypse-y, y’know? There could be a sickness, or zombies, or a creepy fungus. That’s a super life changing event, since it’s on a large scale. It could be about a girl, who’s travelling around and…” She trails off, realizing the incredibly stupid rant she just went on.

You smirk and stare at her, leaning back in your seat, all confidence and bravado come back to you. “Oh my god, you’re a nerd. A fungus? That’s-”

Riley cuts you off with a snarl in her voice. “Amazing, Ellie, it’s a really good idea. Kind of a coming-of-age thing, yeah?” She’s smiling at her friend warmly. This wholesome exchange causes a burn to run through your body. You’ve never had a friendship that close, so understanding and true. You’ve never let anyone know you well enough to experience something like it.

“Yeah exactly!” Ellie smiles back, which you take notice of. It’s not a toothy smile, but her lips press together and turn up at the edges. You can tell that it’s genuine. It makes her look-

No! Ellie Williams is not cute, you’re just tired from stressing all of last night and getting no sleep.

“And Y/N, you could be the actor. You’re photogenic enough to be filmed.” Dina adds. Your stomach drops. You don’t want to be filmed being vulnerable and moving through life as an innocent girl in a world of trouble. You’ve done that enough in real life.

“Um, I-” You start, but Riley cuts you off again. Your eyes narrow at her in frustration.

“That’s perfect! What do you say we go to Ellie’s house after school and really get started on stuff? I can bring milkshakes!” She says, filled with enthusiasm. Your stomach drops in terror. Ellie’s house? Today? Being filmed?

Although milkshakes do sound good…

You think for a while as Ellie and Dina agree to the plan for after school. Is it really worth it to put yourself through this? Who knows how long you’ll be at Ellie’s, surrounded by cameras and people who hate you. You could just pretend like you have plans after school, or-

“Y/N?” Dina asks kindly, snapping you out of your thoughts.

“Huh?” You look at her, embarrassingly confused, your cheeks turning pink.

“So, can you come to Ellie’s?” She asks, cocking her head at you.

Without even thinking, you say: “Yes.”

——————————————————————————

…heyyy. so i KNOW i already posted a chapter today BUT i’m just so excited about this series. it’s about to get so so exciting next chapter, i’ll probably post it tomorrow.

a few things

PLEASE i need a name for this book, preferably something film related

how slow-burn do you want this to be?

i adore you guys so much!

-blue 🦋

@macaroni676 here’s your tag!!

[wandering-pirate]

Headcanons on each of the crew members' music taste

(cause I've got nothing else to do during vacation, ig)

Capt. Curly

The Captain and his Wham!, A-ha and Westlife obsessions

Rooted from his childhood and teenage years idolizing his older brothers (and also him being a hopeless romantic)

Still not December nor winter, but has Last Christmas on a constant loop

Was forced to have earbuds on the Tulpar due to Jimmy's I-can't-take-all-those-lovey-dovey-lyrics, are-those-even-real-songs complaints

Definitely knows all the lyrics of his favorite bands' songs (he insists that a true fan must not only know the top hits, but also the more obscure songs... whatever he means by that)

Mechanic Swansea

You ain't gonna deny this gruff man's love for country songs

Definitely a fan of ACDC and Guns 'n Roses back in 'his golden days'

The older he got, the more he appreciated the Carpenters and Air Supply. Secretly memorized half of the bands' top hits.

Always playing slow country songs after their dinner date with his wife and slowdancing her (yeah, he a gentleman like that, unlike others *side eyeing u Jimboy*)

Co-pilot Jimmy

The type to always play Metallica, KISS, and Nirvana on speakers at max volume to cover up his one true music taste: emo--

Secretly has a playlist of My Chemical Romance and Backstreet Boys... and dozens of albums

Curly once heard Jimmy singing I Want it That Way in the showers. Ended with constant denial from the latter

"Come on Jimmy, there's nothing ba--"

"IT'S POPULAR ALRIGHT!? WAS JUST STUCK TO MY HEAD!"

"Tell me why! Ain't not--"

"DAISUKE, GET THE FU--"

Intern Daisuke

When I say Pop music, I mean it

Whatever's trending and whoever the artist is, leave it up to him to make the crew suffer

"APT, APT~ APT, APT~ AP--"

"ONE MORE OF THAT ALIEN WORDS OF YOURS, BOY!"

Definitely suffers from last song syndrome

Definitely responsible for the Tulpar being full of 'No singing the same line for more than three times' signs

Introduced Anya to Japanese City pop songs, took pride after she loved them

Nurse Anya

Baby girl's got solid music taste

You can tell her current mood with whatever she's currently listening

Loves 70s and 80s soft rock bands, like the Beatles and Eagles, all by her uncle and dad's addiction to them

Influenced Daisuke's love for Queen, definitely contributed to his severe LSD of 'We Will Rock You and Don't Stop Me Now'

Hid from a raging Swansea for a week after that

Also listens to Aurora, Laufey and Imogen Heap whenever she wants an earbreak from a full-on band (told you. SOLID TASTE.)

Always switching between the two ends of the spectrum. No in-betweens

[rrezshifts]

𝓜𝙚 𝖔𝙣 𝙨h𝙖y𝙣e 𝙜u𝙚𝙨s𝙚𝙨

i𝙣 𝙢y ꜱᴍᴏꜱʜ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴛʏ

Rating My Cowrokers’ Desk Setups

04/11/23 screenshot from the video:

synopsis: as i started at smosh barely a couple months before this video was filmed, shane had immense difficulty guessing mine, which no one could blame him for. he tried to look up close at different elements of the setup because there was a lot there. but at the end of the day he made a educated guess and missed the mark. when he found out it was mine he complimented it then moved on.

Can Shayne Guess Our Favorite Games?

05/16/23 screenshot from the video:

synopsis: again he hasn’t known me for very long at this point, so he doesn’t know much about my video game taste. what he does know is that i play too much stardew valley. and since my picks were towards the end of the video, he was able to accurately guess me.

Can Shane Guess Our Favorite Movies?

08/25/23 screenshot from the video:

synopsis: at this point, my time at the office has included a few instances of me trying to convince our coworkers to watch twilight or reveling about twilight with a cast member. and this would often occur during a video shoot. so shayne was well aware of my love for twilight. i’m also an open star wars cinematic universe enjoyer, so adding those two movies up he guessed it was me confidently.

Can Shayne Guess Our Favorite Shows?

09/08/23 screenshot from the video:

synopsis: he honestly had no god damn clue. i don’t talk about the shows i love because i don’t have many favorite shows. he guessed based on the energy of the shows displayed and who in the office he thinks matches it. but he guessed wrong! when spencer pointed out the greek mythology aspects, he felt stupid. (ignore how echo hadn’t come out yet… in this reality her show was prioritized and actually given effort and love in the mcu)

Can Shayne Guess Our Music Taste?

11/08/23 screenshot from the video:

synopsis: while i had been known to answer with this band as my favorite artist anytime someone asked as they were getting to know me, shane was stumped. the three artists were all three different genres and he couldn’t figure it out. and spencer tried helping him by stating it was obvious and even sharing the same facts i would spill about them to people. eventually he got it and guessed me correctly.

Can Shayne Guess Our Fav YouTubers?

01/19/24 screenshot from the video:

synopsis: he was genuinely lost, i don’t talk much about what i consume on youtube to him. spencer? yes. but spencer didn’t know that, so when he was giving hints he wasn’t as helpful as shane needed. i wasn’t the only one with a reaction channel on their list, but he remembered i was weirdly into those kind of channels, and he was at the start of the list so he threw me out as a guess. and he got it.

Can Shayne Guess Our Favorite Books?

03/06/24 screenshot from the video:

synopsis: i’m known for my love of twilight and its campiness. my gushing about the series of movies continues into when i talk about the books, which i have also read. and also hated the more i went on reading them. shayne knows i don’t read many books, but he also knows twilight were the only books i annotated. so he confidently answered me when he saw my picks.

Shayne Guesses Our Celebrity Crushes

04/17/24 screenshot from the video:

synopsis: as soon as shayne saw mine he burst out laughing, and as spencer was the one who helped create the slideshows, he knew why he was laughing and laughed with him. by this point, i’ve been a part of smosh for over a year and am known for “jokingly” having a crush on spencer and consistently flirting with him. so shayne knew immediately that this was my top 3. though neither of them said anything about it, just a “yeah… okay, yeah” while chuckling.

Can Shayne Guess Who Drew Him?

07/24/24 screenshot from the video:

synopsis: he had no clue. i do not draw. can not draw. he knows this. he could see the artist of this drawing could not draw. and he pulled an educated guess out and hit it straight on.

Can Shayne Guess Our Fridges?

09/11/24 screenshot from the video:

synopsis: when he first saw the fridge, the organization of it all threw him off my scent. but then he saw the red bulls and the apple sauce and he was just like “yeah this is theo”. everyday i slurp on apple sauce! and everyday im drinking a red bull, and it will kill me!

Can Shayne Guess Our Kids Photos?

10/02/24 screenshot from the video:

synopsis: he was so ass at this one he couldn’t even guess the most obvious of the children’s photos. and since this is a photo of me pre transition, the little girl photo wasn’t what he was expecting to be associated with me, so he was out of luck to begin with. he didn’t comment on if it looked like me or not when it was revealed to be me, out of respect i believe.

Can Shayne Guess Our Wish Lists?

12/13/24 screenshot from the video:

synopsis: i am like well known around the smosh office for being the office witch (aka pagan). and on top of that, at all times i have an oracle deck with me. i don’t often take it out to do readings for other people, but i will if someone asks. but as soon as shayne saw an oracle deck, he thought of me. and when he read the other items, he was sure it was me too.

this took me WAYYYYY too long to make!!! i edited all the screenshots myself to reflect my answers to the prompts, with only some minor timing mistakes. it was a lot of work all together, but really enjoyable to do!! so thank you for any attention this gets or you can give !!

© rrezshifts last updated. 03/16/2025

[starlightkun]

i do not allow reuploads, reposts, or translations of my works. i cross-post to ao3 and wattpad. i do not take requests. i write for fun and for free. feedback is of course welcome and greatly appreciated, please feel free to send me an ask, reblog, or comment!

if you're looking for a fic and can't find it, check my archive masterlist

PLEASE READ/INCLUSIVITY: unless explicitly stated otherwise in the genre tags, all of my reader-inserts use she/her pronouns, and are commonly referred to with gendered language such as girl, woman, etc. i do not make references to the reader's skin tone. i tend to avoid describing how the reader-insert takes up space (height or size) but if i do, the only members that i may explicitly depict as taller than the reader-insert are those that are 180cm or above (johnny, jaehyun, jungwoo, sungchan, jisung, and maybe sicheng if i'm feeling extra nice)

taglist | recent work | recommended work

word count 2025: 21.6k | blog word count: 1.228M

nets: blankjournal

KEY

f - fluff a - angst m - mature/heavy themes (i do not write smut, but not everything here will be appropriate for all ages, proceed with caution and read all warnings provided at the beginning of fics) h - humor/crack fic ✦ - author favorite

the starlightkuniverses

➺ series of multiple fics that take place in the same universe. pick your favorite member or read them all

➺ the strawberry sunday anthology (f, m, h, ✦)

modern magical creatures au, modern fantasy au, college au ── fairy!jungwoo, vampire!kun, werewolf!jeno, dragon!jisung, werewolf!sungchan, human!renjun, basilisk!mark, dryad!jaemin, and siren!shotaro * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ venue:hell (f, a, m)

band au, punk/alt au ── drummer!sungchan, frontman/lead singer!shotaro, and retired floprockstar/venue manager!kun * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ the ayakashi series (f, a, m)

based off the otome game 'ayakashi romance reborn,' modern yokai au ── tengu!jeno, oni!kun, human!jaehyun, and snow spirit!doyoung * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ sleepless cinderella (f, a, m)

based off wayv's dream launch plan videos and the otome game 'sleepless cinderella' ── pilot!kun, surgeon!ten, actor!sicheng, director!dejun, robotics engineer!kunhang, and f1 racer!yangyang * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

special events

➺ 2023 hallmark movie marathon (f, a)

christmas-themed, new year's-themed ── three (and a half) fics with very cheesy hallmark movie-esque premises and tropes for the holiday season, all starring kun * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ 2024 hallmark movie marathon (f, h)

christmas-themed, new year's-themed ── three fics with very cheesy hallmark movie-esque premises and tropes for the holiday season, all starring jisung * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

qian kun

➺ frankenstein complex (f, m, ✦) ── 67.9k, completed

sci-fi, near-ish future, black op mission captain kun, ?????? reader, humans and aliens and robots ── in which the crew of the vision finds you as the sole survivor of a classified research facility and there's more gaps in your memory than memories themselves. on top of that, you've got this weird feeling that the captain of the crew you've found yourself with isn't exactly what he seems... * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ sweet girl (f, m, ✦) ── 53.9k

from the ayakashi series, oni!kun, onmyoji!reader ── in which you have to juggle love, friends, school, and a great evil that could destroy your city * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ the bite (f, a, m) ── 25.5k

single dad!kun, single mom!reader, e2l, slice(s) of life ── in which kun's son bites yours at preschool, and you want nothing to do with this 'mr. qian' * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ romance is dead (f, m, h, ✦) ── 19.4k & 10.3k sequel

part of the strawberry sunday universe, vampire!kun, human!reader, "uh-oh one of us drank a love potion" but with a twist, strangers(ish) to lovers ── in which there’s a mix-up with a love potion, and you're suddenly being courted by a several-hundred-year-old vampire. it's not all sonnets and bouquets, though, as you're keenly aware that kun's love could turn to thirst. and maybe you wouldn't mind if it did * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here | sequel

➺ flopstar (f, m) ── 18.3k

part of the venue:hell universe, band au, retired floprockstar/venue manager!kun, rookie/keyboardist!reader, age gap (older kun) ── in which your band finally gets a break in the form of a recurring gig at a local underground punk venue. when you realize the manager is the former keyboardist of your favorite band from a decade ago, though, it becomes even harder to keep your cool * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ sleepless cinderella (f, a) ── 11.4k

from the sleepless cinderella series, pilot!kun, journalist!reader ── in which you become your own cinderella one night, with six prince charmings to choose from * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ chasing love across the receivers (f) ── 9.3k

sci-fi, near future, falling in love without seeing each other ── in which you go to your job as a space traffic controller every day looking forward to your shifts with one specific coworker who you might be falling head over heels for. and sure, you don't know quebec's real name, nor what he looks like, but you two talk for hours a day between guiding landings and take-offs, and you know him better than anyone else. you're perfectly happy, until his end of the comms falls silent one day and won't reconnect * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ hopeless for the holidays (f) ── 8.7k

strangers to lovers, new years-themed, attorney kun, wedding planner reader, aged up kun & reader (mid/late thirties) ── in which your friend drags you to a singles mixer being thrown by the local bar association, and you're less than thrilled. in between betting her coworker that he won't find someone to kiss by midnight and helping her avoid her ex from law school, you hardly expect to meet someone like qian kun * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ much mistletoeing about nothing (a, f) ── 7.6k & 1.9k sequel

exes to lovers, christmas-themed, getting snowed in trope, cuddling to share warmth trope ── in which your first mistake was saying yes to christmas dinner with your ex. your second mistake was being late to said christmas dinner. and your third... * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here | sequel

➺ hold my red heart (f) ── 3.4k

christmas-themed, fake dating trope, f2l ── in which you need some help getting rid of a very persistent coworker, and what better way than bringing your boyfriend to the office christmas party? only problem, you don't have a boyfriend. enter kun. * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

kim doyoung

➺ snowflake (f, a, m) ── 75.3k

from the ayakashi series, snow spirit!doyoung, onmyoji!reader ── in which you experience both great love and great loss, and learn how to battle hypothermia * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

ten

➺ sleepless cinderella (f, a, m) ── 13.8k

from the sleepless cinderella series, surgeon!ten, journalist!reader ── in which you become your own cinderella one night, with six prince charmings to choose from * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

jeong jaehyun

➺ s.c.s. (f, m) ── 66.2k

from the ayakashi series, human!jaehyun, onmyoji!reader, childhood friends to lovers ── in which jaehyun's just always been a family friend, the son of your dad's friend. so why are you so nervous around him now? why are you thinking about kissing him so much? and oh yeah, what's up with all those evil wraiths? * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ valentine boy (f) ── 5.0k

rich kid!au, childhood friends to lovers ── in which you’re reunited with your childhood friend and refuse to let him go this time * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

dong sicheng

➺ sleepless cinderella (f) ── 13.5k

from the sleepless cinderella series, actor!sicheng, journalist!reader, fake dating, e2l ── in which you become your own cinderella one night, with six prince charmings to choose from * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

kim jungwoo

➺ finders keepers (f, a, m) ── 37.8k

sci-fi, alien!jungwoo, human!reader, soulmate au but make it aliens ── in which you've never been good at keeping your nose out of trouble, and a spaceship crashing a few meters away from you is right up your alley. the alien inside claiming that you're his soulmate might finally put you out of your depth, though * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read part one | two

➺ strawberry sunday (f, ✦) ── 28.4k

part of the strawberry sunday universe, fairy!jungwoo, human!reader, f2l, one (1) tease and one (1) idiot to lovers, slow burn ── in which you, all your friends, and your stupid massive crush on jungwoo go stay in one beach house together for spring break. you're determined to make it out with your secret in tact. but... has jungwoo always looked at you like that? touched you this much? like that? he can't be... flirting with you? * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ second first kiss (f) ── 2.0k

new year's-themed, model!jungwoo, childhood f2l, drabble, gn!reader ── in which you spend every new year's with your best friend jungwoo. except the past couple years he's missed the target on his friendly new year's peck on the cheek, and you can't get him out of your head now * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

mark lee

➺ baby fangs (f) ── 26.7k

part of the strawberry sunday universe, basilisk!mark, sphinx!reader, strangers to lovers, age gap (older reader) ── in which a desperate mark knocks on your door one night when he gets locked out of his friends' apartment, and you get way more than you bargained for in return. you hardly expect that the cute infatuation he displays for you immediately would be anything more; nor that you'd ever find yourself falling for the basilisk and his baby fangs too * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ invested (a, f) ── 23.1k

ft. donghyuck, love triangle, matching tattoo soulmate au ── in which you're convinced that you don't have a tattoo, and that you're in love with lee donghyuck * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

xiao dejun

➺ sleepless cinderella (f) ── 14.4k

from the sleepless cinderella series, director!dejun, journalist!reader, childhood friends to lovers ── in which you become your own cinderella one night, with six prince charmings to choose from * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

wong kunhang

➺ savior (f, h, ✦) ── 24.3k

royal au, prince!kunhang, princess!reader, "you saved me, so now i'm your problem" ── in which you really should've read up on the customs of your neighboring kingdom before visiting * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ sleepless cinderella (f) ── 11.1k

from the sleepless cinderella series, robotics engineer!kunhang, journalist!reader, e2l ── in which you become your own cinderella one night, with six prince charmings to choose from * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

huang renjun

➺ dr_magic2303 (f, h, m) ── 18.3k

part of the strawberry sunday universe, human!renjun, siren!reader, academic rivals to lovers ── in which a mysterious user by the pseudonym of dr_magic2303 starts popping up on your university’s online forums. you’re determined to get to the bottom of their identity, so you decide to enlist the help of your academic rival for the past four years, huang renjun * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

lee jeno

➺ featherbrain (f, m) ── 48.3k

from the ayakashi series, tengu!jeno, onmyoji!reader ── in which you can't believe you've fallen for this stupid, stupid tengu * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ tongue-tied (f) ── 17.4k

strangers to lovers, model!jeno, journalist!reader, reworked version of old sleepless cinderella route ── in which you find yourself getting sucked deeper and deeper into an article in order to ignore the scarily personal part that won't seem to leave you alone * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ pupsick (f, m) ── 11.8k & 8.8k sequel

part of the strawberry sunday universe, werewolf!jeno, human!reader, f2l, bakery au ── in which jeno's sick and insists that you're the only one that can take care of him. but according to your only other werewolf friend, you're also what's making him sick * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here | sequel

lee donghyuck

➺ invested (f, a) ── 23.1k

ft. mark, love triangle, matching tattoo soulmate au ── in which you're convinced that you don't have a tattoo, and that you're in love with lee donghyuck * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

na jaemin

➺ the golden fruit duology (f) ── 32.0k

nades au, hades!jaemin, human!reader, persephone allegory ── in which you think you're trading away a third of your life for your dream job but get much, much more * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ [NEW] savvy (f, h) ── 12.2k

part of the strawberry sunday universe, dryad!jaemin, human!reader, summer camp counselors au, strangers to lovers ── in which you and jaemin end up as co-lead counselors at camp pineleaf this summer, and it's hard to deny that you two seem to just click. he thinks it's your great chemistry, but you know better. and by the time you realize what's happening, it's too late to try to keep him at arm's length * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

liu yangyang

➺ speedometer (f, ✦) ── 14.1k

street racer!yangyang, college au ── in which you meet someone who sends your heart racing * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ sleepless cinderella (f, a) ── 12.9k

from the sleepless cinderella series, f1 racer!yangyang, journalist!reader ── in which you become your own cinderella one night, with six prince charmings to choose from * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

osaki shotaro

➺ sugarcoated brain (f, a) ── 13.7k

part of the venue:hell universe, band au, punk band frontman!shotaro, venue manager!reader ── in which you're assigned to take care of the band who will be filling the weekly performance slot at your workplace. you're warned their scatterbrained frontman can be a handful thanks to his tendency to misplace everything he owns. what nobody could have prepared you for is his inexplicable one-track mind when it comes to you * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ [WIP...] drawing you on the crashing waves (f) ──

part of the strawberry sunday universe, siren!shotaro, human!reader, strangers to lovers ── in which you're saved from a near-drowning by friendly siren shotaro, who also happens to be the cute bobarista that had caught your eye at the boba tea place near campus. everything seems to be falling into place in the bubbly beginnings of your new relationship, but you just can't shake the image of the sea monster that you swore you saw that day in the murky ocean depths * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

jung sungchan

➺ buzzer beater series (f, m, ✦) ── 75.1k, completed

college au (and after), hockey captain!sungchan, chronically ill!reader (migraines) ── in which you swear you’re only going to the joint halloween party being hosted by the hockey team and nu chi tau for a few minutes just to say hi to sungchan, but as can be expected with your life, something goes horribly, horribly wrong * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ the soulmate factory (f, a, ✦) ── 28.9k

science fantasy au, soulmate au (red string), star crossed lovers, mystery ── in which you work at the soulmate factory, pressing all the buttons when you’re supposed to, changing strangers’ fates. until one day a red string appears on your finger, and you know something has gone horribly wrong. employees of the soulmate factory are explicitly barred from participating in the program. on top of hiding it from your coworkers and bosses, you also have to investigate how this even happened and undo it, before you lose your job and before you meet your soulmate * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ changer (f, a) ── 22.3k & 25.5k sequel

part of the strawberry sunday universe, werewolf!sungchan, human!reader, slowish burn, blind date ── in which you and sungchan are set up on a blind date, and it goes terribly. but a chance second meeting could reignite the spark of... friendship? well shit. * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here | sequel

➺ that hot (f) ── 17.2k

meet-ugly, strangers to lovers, forced proximity (long car trip, vacation, etc.) ── in which you first get introduced to sungchan at a friend's party, but you just don't trust guys who are that hot. scene cut, and he's driving you to a cabin in the mountains that your entire friend group will be staying at for two whole weeks. then you miss your exit. then his car gets a flat tire. * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ filler episodes (f) ── 16.6k & 9.5k sequel

part of the venue:hell universe, band au, drummer!sungchan, normie!reader, badboy x good girl but make it loserboy x girlfail ── in which your whole life has felt like filler episodes, and you're tired of living like that. enter jung sungchan, part-time bookstore worker, part-time tea shop employee, and part-time drummer for a local underground punk band. he's everything you're not, and as soon as he's wedged himself into your life, you find that you don't want him to go * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here | sequel

➺ weddings & funerals (a, f) ── 9.9k

exes to lovers, second chance romance ── in which you and sungchan keep ending up as each other's plus-ones to weddings and funerals, despite the fact that you broke up months ago * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ tourist trapped (f) ── 2.4k

enemies to lovers (or are they...) ── in which your day out at the fair with your friends somehow ends up with you stuck at the top of the ferris wheel with the one person you'd been avoiding, sungchan. but you're not avoiding him for the reason that all your friends think you are... * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ [WIP...] soulbound (f, a) ──

two bodies one soul au, acquaintances of extreme inconvenience, e2l ── in which you and sungchan share one soul between you, a fact that has been the literal bane of your existence since your birth. while the two of you personally get along like oil and water, physical distance would kill your soul and both of you with it. when you land a lucrative new job in a different city, you never expect sungchan to actually agree to uproot his entire life for your dreams * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

park jisung

➺ pur autre vie (a, f, m) ── 26.1k & 17.5k sequel

paranormal/supernatural au, ghost!jisung ── in which you inherit your stepdad's house under the condition that you can live there for as long as you take care of your mother. at first, you think her belief that the house is haunted is just her declining mind playing tricks on her. but the longer you're there, the more you start to think something isn't right... * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here | sequel

➺ the dragon's happily ever after (f, h) ─��� 17.4k

part of the strawberry sunday universe, dragon!jisung, human!reader, f2l, secret relationship/fake not dating trope ── in which you and jisung sort of forgot to tell your nosy friends that you're dating, but realize it's the perfect opportunity to give them a little taste of their own medicine. they're trying to set you two up, while you're trying to see how long it takes them to notice that you're already dating. cue the shenanigans * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ out of left field (f) ── 16.3k

christmas/new year's-themed, college au, brother's best friend trope, baseball player!jisung, rich kid!reader, slowish burn ── in which a missed connection in the library during finals week turns into two weeks at your family's winter home with your brother's cute friend on the baseball team. as long as you and your brother don't kill each other before you even get there, this could be the best christmas ever * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ mistletoe while you work (f, h) ── 6.9k

christmas-themed, established relationship, secret relationship, meddling coworkers & equally unhinged reader & jisung ── in which you and jisung truly had only meant to keep your relationship private from your colleagues until jisung's new employee evaluation. then two of your coworkers tried to convince you to sleep with jisung for his own good, and who were you to pass up the perfect opportunity for some workplace hijinks? * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

➺ want from me (f) ── 1.7k

christmas-themed, sleeping with a stranger at the office holiday party and oops! they're your new coworker trope ── in which you did not plan for the handsome stranger that you took home from the office holiday party to end up also being the new transfer to your team. you also did not plan for a repeat of that night. but you had also never planned for park jisung. * :✧˚ ·♡. ─── read here

[sgrplumditz]

Simon falls for Johnny’s wife…

render by @ave661

a/n: I’ve been working on this for a hot minute, but ended up having it sit in my drafts for a couple months :(. these images were released and it definitely struck a chord in my delulu mind. hence why i decided to finish it..

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

"I've got a bad feeling about this one, Johnny," she said to the Scott with a shaky breath. Their toddler clinging to his mother's leg while keeping a tight grip on his father's finger. His little hand too small to grip the entirety of his hand.

She couldn’t help but notice his worrisome sigh as he looked for the comforting words, "Eh, don't you worry, Darling. I always come back don't I?" he replied enthusiastically as he embraced her figure, his chin resting on the top of her head and his free hand caressing the back of his son’s head. Johnny always knew how to comfort her, but she couldn’t shake her nervousness and doubtful thoughts as he said goodbye to her husband and the father of her only child.

The memory of their final interaction as a family replayed in her head continuously as the rain created soft tapping noises on her black umbrella. The pattering of the water creating an almost hypnotizing effect on the new widow that kept her mind on the only aspect that was left of her late husband -- memories.

The toddler, a three-year-old boy, who like most of the time clung to his mother's body. Except this time he was fully embracing his mother, his little face placed into the crook of her neck as the pair stood together at the outdoor memorial service. She could only stare blankly at the urn that held the remains of the love of her life. Through her observant stare she took note of the simple, yet lovely set up of white roses, numerous awards and medals. All of which surrounded a framed photo of her Johnny — her favorite photo. A candid picture snapped of the blue eyed, dark haired man by his wife — the woman he kept a secret from his work life. Not out of shame, or malicious secrecy — Johnny loved his wife and his child. Love them so much that he couldn’t be bothered ever putting them in any sort of danger.

She could feel numerous pairs of eyes prying into her and her son as she stood amongst the medium sized crowd of individuals. She assumed all of them were teammates, Co-workers, or people simply paying their respects. she knew he was a highly decorated soldier, but he was far more than that. None of them knew about his personal life, and nobody knew about the widow and small boy he had left behind. Nobody but Captain John Price knew about Soap’s little family. In confidence, Soap had asked Price to maintain word of his wife and son under the rug of the sake of their safety. Although they were hidden, he always carried pieces of them with him wherever he went — attached to his dog tags were two small and silver flat pendants that had been engraved with his wife and son’s fingerprint, his wedding band usually accompanying them on the same chain whenever he was deployed.

When Johnny was home he never removed his ring. He would often complain about how difficult and stubborn the piece of jewelry was when it came time to remove it for work. Johnny thought he was as discrete as he could be when it came to protecting the two most important people in his life, but there was a certain masked individual who took notice of the tan line that marked his left ring finger, the sudden dark under eyes and disheveled appearance that started 3 years ago when they would meet early in the morning for briefings, and when he caught sight of a vomit stain decorating the left shoulder of his black t-shirt — he just wasn’t one to pry.

Those same observant eyes were glued to the grieving widow and the blue-eyed toddler.

Her mind was pulled out of thoughts as Price approached her with a warm and tender expression in his eyes. In his hands were the dog tags, along with his keepsakes of his beloveds and in a small box was the wedding band. All of his personal belongings packed neatly into a box. Price knew he didn’t have to say anything to her for her to know that he was paying his respects to Johnny’s wife. Prior to the memorial service she had made it clear to Price that she wanted him to keep his ashes. She found they would get at least some closure from releasing them.

As Price drew her small frame in for a polite hug her son grew restless in her arms. She knew he was too young to understand that his father was gone, but it was clear that he was uncomfortable and upset from the lack of him. "Mama, it's cold" he fussed as he smushed his face farther onto her neck, "and your feet are getting wet. You're gonna catch a cold". She gave Price an apologetic smile as she turned her attention to her son now — Price had taken it as a signal to retreat. He now stood with two other men.

She couldn't help but smile at the innocence and kindness that exuded from her son. She gently patted his back to soothe his discomfort, "How about we get out of here and get some lunch?" she tried to speak in her most joyful tone, but even then it was coated in sorrow. The boy did not catch on to her somber response, and instead eagerly nodded his head as he perked up to look at his mother. That is when she realized how similar their son, Samuel, looked to his father. He mirrored him in nearly every aspect -- the eye shape and color, the dark hair, and even the mannerisms were similar. This could all be a fragment of her imagination -- she thought. Maybe it was part of her grieving process. She missed him so much that she began to look for him and could only find him perfectly in their Sammie. She was so consumed by her thoughts, that she had not realized the single salty tear that slipped out of her eye and down her cheek. Samuel hated to see his mother cry, he quickly brought his tiny hands up to her cheek and wiped it away with a slightly heavy palm. Usually, he would verbally comfort her — as best as a toddler could do, but all he did was lean forward to place a gentle kiss on his mother's forehead, "This always makes you feel better when Daddy does it". Does -- in present tense.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

She could not tolerate being at the memorial service for much longer, and neither could Samuel. She had buckled him into his car seat and handed him a strawberry and banana squeezable fruit pack and crackers to ease his rumbling tummy in the meantime.

However, as she closed the car door and turned her back to face the crowd of people one last time she was instead met with a tall, burly build of a man. His face was hidden by a balaclava, leaving only his eyes on display. But the rest of his face was not necessary to note that he was also grieving. She noticed him within the crowd of the memorial service as well -- she assumed that was one of Johnny's friends, but did not bother to congregate with anyone since Johnny kept his personal life completely separate from his work life. And if she was being honest with herself, she did not have the emotional stamina to socialize with people that spent months out of the year with her late husband.

"Sorry. Can I help you with something?" she asked the brute man. She stared up at him with her eyes slightly shut to avoid water from getting into them.

"He’s Johnny’s" was his only reply. For a moment she only blinked and stared at him and noted the heavy English accent. The mention of her late husband’s name stung as she now was fighting back tears. Yes, he is Johnny's son. His pride and joy -- was what she wanted to say, but she could barely muster up the strength to nod her head.

She could tell that the individual's lips tightened into a line by the way the fabric of his mask slightly stretched. "My name is Simon. I was a friend of Johnny's..." he attempted to continue speaking, but all he did was nervously rub the back of his neck. "Johnny meant a lot to me, a real friend of mine..." he trailed off again.

She knew he was grieving, but it was a different type of pain. She sensed guilt within his sadness, but she knew better than to ask about any specifics. Her kind nature and maternal habits took over as she saw Simon struggling to find his words. For whatever reason this man decided to make himself emotionally uncomfortable to introduce himself, she figured there would be no harm in easing his mind.

She knew who Simon was since Johnny would bring up his friend "Ghost" every now and then "I know who you are" she smiled warmly trying to be the emotional rock between the two, "How about you join us for some lunch. I think Sammie would love to talk to and get to know his Uncle Ghost" she spoke eagerly in an attempt to lighten the mood -- something that was usually Johnny's role.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

The three of them sat in a booth within a homely diner. The rain had completely let down at this point, the large drops of water hitting the roof of the diner with loud individual pats. Her hands were wrapped around a warm mug of coffee as she stared out the window watching blades of grass be temporarily smooshed by the inclement weather. The waitress had refilled her mug causing her gaze to turn towards her, her eyes softened and she gave the waitress a subtle nod to thank her. It was then that she realized that her son was wearing the ghost mask that was once on Simon. There was a glimmer of joy in Sam's eyes as he stood on the booth and gently hopped toward his mother to show her the "cool mask".

"I look so cool!" he exclaimed which only caused a chuckle to leave both her and Simon's mouths as the toddler's face was completely exposed through the eye hole on the mask -- his features obviously too small to fill the mask in the same manner. Upon hearing the slight laugh she turned to look at Simon, who she was surprised to see with dirty blonde hair. He was overall a handsome man, something that anyone would notice at first glance, but his eyes always conveyed a lot of emotion. Right now it was amusement tinged with pain as he stared at Sam. She knew he also noticed how strongly he resembles Johnny, and a part of her found comfort in knowing that she was not grieving alone. The way he looked at Sammie made her feel warm. She sensed that Simon knew Johnny deeper than most of the people at the memorial service — knowing that she found herself smiling at the thought of her being able to cherish Johnny’s memories with someone else.

The waitress had arrived with everyone's meals. Sam did not hesitate to dig into his plate. The toddler abruptly grabbed the bottle of syrup and drenched his pancakes in it. His careless behavior causing some of it to spill onto to the table, "Use your table manners please" she spoke sternly, but softly to the boy as she slipped him a napkin and a set of covered utensils.

"He looks just like him" he spoke in a gentle and respectful tone. His eyes rested on Sam -- who was now too focused on using his utensils properly to pay attention to the conversation happening in front of him.

Her hand wiped a strand of dark stray hair away from his forehead before she turned her attention toward Simon, who was now looking at her, "Yeah. Carried him for 9 months and he's got the nerve to look just like his father" she shrugged with a pained smile — her attempt to lighten the mood once again failing, "but I wouldn't have it any other way".

Simon took note of the sorrow hidden within the smile as his own face mirrored it out of empathy.

A few minutes had gone by and Samuel was still working on his meal, Simon had quickly eaten his, and she played with her food, tossing it around all over her plate in a desperate attempt to distract herself. How embarrassing would it be to break down at a family diner. "You should eat your lunch" he spoke. The deep voice dragging her out of her spiraling thoughts.

She glanced down to look at his empty plate and her contrastingly full one. Casually shrugging off his suggestion she set her fork down and let out a soft sigh, "I'll just take it to go. I don't really have an appetite at the moment" she spoke in a casual tone — too causal of a tone. She was normally a social person, the type to be able to engage in conversation with any type of person for hours. Her personality was magnetizing in the sense that she was an incredibly open minded person, which only made her a vessel for hundreds on conversations, all of different topics and tones — a quality that Johnny loved about her. She was one of the few that would keep up with his mindless thoughts and nonsense ideas. That is where she was at the moment. In her mind she was thinking about the woman she was before she got the gut wrenching knock at her door. The knock where she was told by Laswell and Price that her husband was gone. “Killed in Action” were the words they used. “He died saving the world” was something Price added.

Sure he had died saving the world, but her and her son’s was destroyed. She was never a selfish person, but in that moment she wished the world would burn if it meant he was in her arms instead of merely a memory. She hadn’t noticed until recently that tears were flooding her cheeks and spilling onto her meal. Simon had been observing her for a moment as she watched her fall into deep thought, but once he saw her tear stained face he acted quickly.

He swiftly took his wallet out of his pocket and placed a $50 bill on the table to cover their meals and a decent tip, “Come on” he spoke in a demanding voice, his tone remaining soft enough for her and Sam to remain calm. Sam was oblivious to his mother’s current state as he had now distracted himself with the crayons and the kids menu.

She looked at Simon as she attempted to regain her composure. It was long gone, she was an emotional mess at the diner — exactly what she was trying to avoid. “It’s alright.” he coo’d as he took Sam into his arm. With his free hand he guided her out of the booth and to the exit.

He took the initiative to get the mother and son home as soon as possible. The three of them approached her car, “Get in and take a few deep breaths, yeah?” he instructed while simultaneously holding the door open for her. Sam had been buckled into his car seat, which Simon struggled to figure out, but the toddler being incredibly intuitive had seen his mother and father do it hundreds of times and was able to talk Simon through it.

If that had happened under different circumstances she would have been able to congratulate Sam and let him know how proud she is of him, but she was far from being in that state of self awareness and state of mind.

She was a wreck in the passengers seat of her own car. She was heartbroken in the passengers seat of her own car. The severity of it all finally setting in making it nearly impossible for her to get ahold of herself.

Is she just exhausted from the days leading up to the funeral? A weeks worth of concealed emotions finally spilling out in front of her. She is definitely overwhelmed, but this time she subconsciously feels safe and secure enough to let go of her broken front.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Months had gone by since her meltdown in front of Simon, and he never once brought it up. He was well aware it wasn’t something she was proud of, nor did she want to talk about her grief. Simon had been coming around her and Samuel a couple times a week just to check in on the pair. He felt it was his responsibility to keep them safe now — the least he could do for his recently deceased friend. Everyday he spent with the two of them he realized why Soap had kept them a secret. They were truly too special to put into any risk; especially her. She was a walking breath of fresh air, not something anyone encounters often in their lifetime, especially not in their line of work and the lifestyle it supplies. Now it all made sense. Johnny was always the most eager to return home when they’d be out in the field, said he had “something special” waiting for him, but everyone would shrug it off.

He grew to understand Soap’s decision to keep his family hidden from the world he worked in.

Even though Simon was consumed in his own thoughts he was still able to be completely alert as the mother and son played on the playground.

Her laugh. It stripped him away from his spiraling memories and muses. His gaze snapped to her body on the floor covered in wood chips, she had clearly tripped and stumbled while playing with Samuel. She was laughing at her clumsiness, laughing at how attentive Samuel was to his mother as soon as she hit the cushioned floor, “Sammie, I’m okay” she soothed him as he clung to her — small and gentle laughs leaving her full lips as she reacted to the entire scenario.

That was the first time Simon had heard her laugh.The sound of her sweet tone intoxicating to him. He couldn’t get enough, is what he mentally told himself as he walked over to her to help get back on her feet. Her soft and polished hand nestled and firmly gripped onto his rough and calloused one as he pulled her off the ground.

Guilt lingered in his being upon realizing how much he liked being around her, but he needed to be there for them. The conflict was clear within him, and something he figures he’ll eventually learn to accept and move forward with. He knew he would have to set aside his audacious feelings to respect her and more importantly to respect Johnny. He would be there to protect them as much as she allowed him. He wasn’t planning on getting emotionally attached to the the pair, or her alone.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Later that same evening, Simon had made the decision to pay her and Sammie a visit. He stepped out of his car with a bag of Chinese takeout in his hand. Chinese food had become the only thing she would willingly eat ever since Johnny passed. A swift hand smoothing his plain black t-shirt before he began walking toward her front door, but as soon as his hand left his clothing he realized what he was doing. Bringing her favorite food to her and her son with no real reason to be seeing her, checking his appearance — something uncommon for the typically aloof man. A lingering hint of guilt settled in the pit of his stomach as he treaded towards the front door of her house. No, Simon was only supposed to be there for the mother and son duo as an aide during this severe loss. He felt that’s what he owed to Johnny since he felt partially responsible for his death. A cocktail of traumatic thoughts and memories invaded his mind . The grip on the take-out bag grew stronger, the same strength being felt in his chest as his heart pounded in its cavity

Upon reaching the front door he heard what sounded like a glass had broken — as if it had fallen off of a surface, which isn’t a big deal, she had a bad habit off leaving glasses on the edge of countertops and tables, but the yelp that followed only made Simon react in the most instinctive manner. He rushed inside the house and into the kitchen where she was found with a dish towel wrapped around her hand and a grimace on her face. Her nose scrunched in reaction to the pain.

Simon raised an eyebrow at her as he approached her with swift and long strides. His demeanor was urgent, alarmed and slightly panicked as his body was still in a reactive state from his memories, but how could she know that? She stared at him with the same expression, but she had more reason to. His breathing wasn’t heavy but it was slightly sporadic. At the same time, it was still controlled, his body was tense, but most significantly, his eyes looked panicked and unsettled. “I didn’t know you’d be visiting tonight. You should have let me know,” she spoke casually as she continued holding pressure on her fresh wound, “Or else I wouldn’t have-“ her words stopped flowing when Simon grabbed her hand and began to examine the brand-new cut. She watched his concerned expression lighten when he confirmed that the abrasion was small enough to heal on its own, “- let my mom take him for the weekend.” She finally completed her sentence when his large brown eyes met hers.

She knew exactly what was happening to him. She recognized the wide, alert eyes, uneven breathing, and tense mannerisms. This was a common occurrence that she witnessed Johnny experience. Her husband was gone, but there were constant reminders of him everywhere -- and one thing she hated seeing was Johnny struggling with his PTSD. Just like Johnny, she couldn't tolerate seeing Simon in the same condition.

Using her unharmed hand, she grabbed Simon's calloused one. Her movements were gentle and fluid as she guided their hands to the left side of her chest. With his palm now resting on her chest she looked into his eyes before speaking in a nurturing tone. "Slow and steady. Count it for me" she said as she placed her own hand over his chest. It was then that she noticed how hard and fast his heart pounded. "I’ll count yours until we match pace. One, two, three..."

Eventually, Simon counted with her, his heart rate slowing gradually as his mind remained distracted from the trauma and focused on her. On her beating heart, on her nurturing voice, on her full pink lips, on her long dark eyelashes, on her soft delicate hands. Her. His mind consumed by images of her, his newfound serenity.

Simon cannot help but feel guilty, but his pleasure and serene state strongly blinds him from this feelings. This is exactly what he didn’t want, but he can’t help but relish in it.

[skelswritingcorner]

POV: You got kidnapped by Decepticons, and you're also on your period

(If you're wondering if you saw this before, you probably did! Tumblr's just being wonky and didn't show it, so I'm reuploading it)

Cast (of the TF characters): Skywarp, Thundercracker, Shockwave, Megatron, Soundwave, Rumble, Frenzy, Jazz, Prowl, Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Blaster, and a bit of Lazerbeak at the end

Synopsis: You’re on your period, and took a pretty strong painkiller before you went to class so you could focus without curling into fetal position from the pain. However, you didn’t think that you’d be kidnapped by alien robots. Luckily, you were using a cup. However, the painkiller is starting to wear off while you’re captive, and you’re hoping that you can be saved fast. Ideally, without these alien robots seeing you cough up endometrium.

A/N: I made the heights based more on G1 Transformers. I like the big bois, and g/t (mostly because I’m barely 5'2 but that’s irrelevant), but Rumble does not deserve to be 21 feet tall. He and Frenzy should be tiny menaces. Also, I think the size difference between the reader character and Blaster is more than enough. Also, this isn’t really for any specific Transformers continuity or series, more of my own headcanons if anything. Also, if you want to ask about the reader character, use the name Lorelei. Also, my endometriosis is not in my lungs, I just thought "Hey, do you know what would really fuckin suck?" and gave poor Lorelei endometrium in the lungs.

Word Count: 4.8K

Warnings: Menstruation, Endometriosis, Anatomical words for reproductive organs, Kidnapping, Vulgar Language, mentions of medical neglect.

You woke up dreading the day. According to the tracker, your period starts today, which is bad because the cramps get severe enough that you’d be bedridden if you didn’t have your painkillers, and also because you had class today. College life and all. At least today was Saturday, so it was only one three-hour class.

Going to the bathroom first, you checked your underwear for any signs of blood. There was only a bit of blood, but if you didn’t act quickly the bloodfall would begin. You grabbed one of your menstrual cups, folding it then pushing it in through your vulva. When it was in place, you used some toilet paper to wipe some of the discharge and blood off your fingers, flushed, then washed your hands.

You felt a cough coming up. Grabbing a tissue, you coughed into it. There was a bit of what looked like blood from where you coughed. If this was your first time, you would’ve panicked. However, you knew it was the stupid endometrium in your lungs because of your stupid endometriosis. Better pack some extra tissues, maybe buy some from the convenience store on your way to class.

Going into the shared space, you noticed a bag with a note. Must’ve been one of your roommates. The note had your name on it, so you decided to read it.

Y/N, I got you a snack. You mentioned in the group chat that your period starts today. I don’t know if you’re supposed to eat something with your painkillers, so I got you one of your favorite snacks just in case. Toodles! - Emily

It was chocolate covered pretzels. You took the bag, grabbed a beverage from the fridge and went back to your room to grab your medication before eating. It’s best to take it now, so your cramps don’t get so severe that you end up curled up in fetal position sobbing from pain once it fully starts.

After eating in the common room, you went back to change into your clothes. Fortunately, you didn’t share a room with anyone, so you could change in your room. You picked out an oversized black band tee and blood red sweatpants after putting on a tank top. If you weren’t on your period you would’ve picked something that looked a little cuter or fashionable, you don’t want to ruin those clothes if you need to cough up blood. You don’t know if hydrogen peroxide works that well with the materials.

Besides, most people that know you can easily predict whether or not you woke up feeling good based on how styled you look. If you’re wearing something more styled, with multiple layers and accessories, you’re likely in a more positive mood. If you’re not, either you’re on your period or doing something that requires some dirty work.

You packed your messenger bag with the things you needed: stationary, wallet, charger with power bank, tissues, a plastic zipper bag in case you can’t throw any bloodied tissues at the current moment, a small hammer, the tools that tech people carry, extra menstrual cup in a 3D-printed cube container that requires the opening to be twisted to get to it, a spray bottle of hydrogen peroxide, the usual things.

Luckily for you, all you had was a single class that only lasted two hours today. No rehearsals for the color guard, since the field is still wet from yesterday’s downpour. Maybe you’ll do some sketches after class.

Putting your shoes on, you left your dorm room and walked to your class. You made sure that your dormitory was close to the main campus, given your medical problems. Unlike yesterday, it was a gentle sprinkle of water, so you didn’t rush yourself. Class was in half an hour anyway.

Walking into the lecture hall, there was only one other person. You sat at a seat closest to the door, and turned to the other student. Like clockwork, you both got out your phones, pointed a finger at each other, and took a picture. Neither of you know each other's names, yet the bond is indescribable. Bonding through mutual goofiness without a single word exchanged. After that, a few more classmates came in, and once the clock hit noon the lecture began.

♢♢♢

After class ended, you packed up your things. Before you could get up, someone tapped on your shoulder.

Turning around, you saw one of your classmates with a furrowed brow. “Do you know about the recent sightings of alien robots?”

You shook your head, “I haven’t checked the news.”

“You haven’t heard anything?! They were spotted really close to campus two days ago. It looked like a bird, but obviously no birds nearby are that large! Be careful out there, hopefully nobody gets abducted.” She waved goodbye and sped out the room.

The alien robots are something you’ve heard about only in passing. Your roommates have mentioned them before, one of them took a picture that was so bad in quality you thought it was fake. Why are they going near a college, out of all places? There’s no local government facilities or anything that you think would interest them. Except for the telescope the astronomy majors use. They might be curious about that. It’s not related to your major though, so hopefully they won’t try taking you.

Walking out of the building, you decided to walk around a bit. It was nice, the sun wasn’t too harsh, the drizzle stopped, and there were basically no people around. Your painkiller should last a few more hours, so you have time to chill and walk slowly.

You couldn’t enjoy the scenery for long. You should’ve realized why you didn’t see anyone, not with that giant robot who almost crushed you, and is now looking down at you.

The creature was massive, quadruple your size at the very least. Black, purple, and annoyed.

“Who… are you?” you took a step back, ready to zoom away at any moment. They didn’t answer you, though, only grabbing you. Before you could react, you saw a bright purple light consume your vision, and you closed your eyes so your retinas wouldn’t burn.

♢♢♢

When the light was no longer visible, you were somewhere you didn’t recognize. The walls were metal, and there were more… people? Whatever they were, but they were looking at you. One looked identical to the one holding you, but almost entirely blue. An all-purple robot with a single yellow eye stared down at you, emotionless.

“I found one. I barely saw anyone at the location.” the one holding you said.

“Strange,” the blue one pondered, “shouldn’t there have been more of these squishies at that place?”

You wanted to retort so bad, but you also knew that the moment you start speaking you might cough. And honestly? What goes on in your body is none of their business. It’s Saturday, you thought to yourself, no shit there’s barely anyone there.

“Hey, tiny squishy!” the blue one put his face close to yours, “Tell us how we can access that telescope!”

You sighed in defeat. “I don’t know, I’ve never been to the building it’s in.” Well, that was a half-lie. You have been to the science building, just not the room the telescope was inside of.

“You WHAT?!” Oh, they’re annoyed.

At this point, you were pissed. You wanted to get away before the pain gets you, and you started getting snippy, “I dunno, maybe you should’ve asked before kidnapping me BECAUSE MY MAJOR DOES NOT INVOLVE THE FUCKING TELESCOPE! My major is in tech AND NOT ASTRONOMY!”

There is a cough coming up. Wriggling an arm out from the giant hand grasping you, you coughed into the crook of your elbow. Blood, as per usual during shark week. For you, that is.

“What is that red thing that came out of her intake?!” The blue one’s blood red eyes widened.

“Do we have anyone who knows how to fix organics?” the one holding you asked.

You yelled, “I’M FINE! This is normal for me, at least my painkillers are in effect!”

“Coughing internal liquids is abnormal for any being.” The purple one with the yellow eye spoke. “Thundercracker, inform Lord Megatron at once.”

The blue one ran out of the room. That one was Thundercracker, from what you could tell.

“Put them on the table, Skywarp. I’ll check their systems.” the one with the yellow eye ordered. The hand gripping you plopped you unceremoniously onto the table, leading you to cough yet again.

When you got up, you noticed the blood you coughed up on the table. Guess you gotta clean that. Opening your bag, you got out the hydrogen peroxide spray and a few tissues. It was a familiar procedure; spray the bloodied surface, and then clean it.

“What even is that?” Skywarp asked.

“Hydrogen peroxide. It’s used to clean blood off things, including clothing. I’d use a paper towel, but all I have are tissues.” you replied.

A hand held your face, opening your mouth and pressing your tongue down with their thumb. The one-eyed robot tilted your head up, and observed.

“No anomaly in the intake pipe. Finding the anomaly might require an invasive approach or scans.” they removed their hand from you.

Oh hell no. If this was an OBGYN, you’d be fine with it. However, you are not, and giant robots probing your lungs and uterus and just anywhere inside you is the last thing you want happening.

“Absolutely NOT!” you yelled, “I’m not letting you do that to me! Just bring me back to campus before my painkillers wear off!”

“I don’t think I’ll allow that.” Wait, who the fuck said that?

“Lord Megatron!” Skywarp turned around, bowing down at a gray figure. You could see the red glow of their eyes from where you stood.

“So, this is the one you found. She’s smaller than Soundwave’s cassettes.” Great. Just great. They’re calling you small. “She will do just fine, even if she’s not the one we hoped for.”

“How in Cybertron can this squishy help us if she’s never been to the building that the telescope is in?” Thundercracker asked.

“You. You’re a student of the university, correct?” Megatron asked, looking at you.

“Yes?” you replied, unsure of what the gray robot was going to ask you to do.

“Good, good. Then you should be able to get to it for us.”

Pardon?! “I’m one of the tech majors, if I just walk into the building and go to where the telescope is, the staff will find it suspicious!” you protested, “The only time I’ve even been in the science building is when I was being shown around campus, and we never went into the room that the telescope is inside of! If I’m to go in that room, I’m going to need to explain to the department head as to why I need to go in there.”

“Along with that,” you glared at Megatron, “I want to know exactly why you want access to the telescope.”

Skywarp huffed, “Why would we tell you about that?”

“Because y’all kidnapped me! If you want me to cooperate, you need a damn good explanation.”

“It’s rather simple. If you humans have access to such technology, wouldn’t we be curious about how it works? Such technology would be useful to our cause.” Megatron explained, and you hated the condescending tone he was using. It reminded you of the times you’ve been to the hospital, begging for an answer to all the pain and too-heavy bleeding only to be spoken down to like a toddler. Claiming that what you experienced was normal when it very much was not.

You sighed, “Fine. If you want my assistance, I will only help you if you follow a few basic rules. Do not damage any part of the school campus, try to abduct anyone else, or even think of trying to destroy the telescope. If you violate these rules, I will not help you any further. I will lecture all of you about your behavior without hesitation if you do that.”

“But what if the Autobots start the fight?”

“I’ll lecture them too. Don’t fucking try me.” You countered. It’s been a long time already, you can feel the pain creeping up to a painful level. After grabbing another tissue from your bag, you coughed up more blood.

You need to get back to your dorm soon, if the painkillers fully wear off you don’t know how you can escape.

“Now, I’d like to return to campus before my painkillers wear off. Can you please bring me back?” you tried your best to be polite, but right now you’re starting to get desperate. It must have been an hour at the very least, and you need to get back before you’re paralyzed by pain.

“Not so fast, young lady. We never got your name, and based on what Thundercracker said, I’d rather have you be under supervision.” Megatron turned to the purple robot, “Shockwave, bring her to your lab and prepare the scanners. I’ll leave her in your hands.”

Oh no. Oh no no no no NO. That’s the last thing you want happening.

♢♢♢

A group of Autobots were on the campus, talking to various humans.

“I was looking outside the window during lab. This purple and black robot picked someone up, turned into a purple light and just… disappeared with them!” a tall brunet said, gesturing to the spot the abduction happened.

Prowl frowned. He knew it was Skywarp, no other Decepticon had that ability. He’ll have to inform Optimus Prime once he finished speaking to who he was speaking to.

“Do you know the student who was kidnapped?” Optimus Prime asked the young blonde-haired woman standing in front of him.

“Yes. Y/N L/N is my roommate. I know that today she’s starting her cycle, which for her is incredibly painful. She needs to take pretty intense painkillers so she can function during this. I didn’t see her before I left for work, but I made sure to get her a snack so that she could eat something when she got up before I left.”

“What is that cycle? Is this something that organic life experiences?” He asked.

She tapped on her phone for a bit before looking back up at the Autobot leader, “All animals with a uterus and ovaries have an ovarian cycle, in order to prepare for a potential pregnancy,” she showed the diagram on her phone’s screen, “the uterus creates a lining, which sheds if a pregnancy doesn’t happen in a period called menstruation, or just a period, for humans. This lining is called endometrium. This lining, however, can end up outside the uterus, and in rare cases can go all the way up to the brain. This is called endometriosis, and is what Y/N has and what causes her the intense pain.”

“For her, there is endometrium in her lungs. She coughs it out during her period sometimes.”

Ratchet approached the two. “You mention that, and earlier the painkiller she takes. How long ago was that?”

The woman checked the time, “About five hours ago, based on the time she usually wakes up on this day of the week.”

“And when does it wear off?”

She paused. “After six hours, she’s back to regular unmedicated pain.”

Optimus got up. “Thank you, Miss Emily. We will find her as soon as we can.”

“Can I come with you? I don’t know how willing Y/N is going to be while she’s in pain around strangers.” Emily asked, “I’ll do my best to stay out of danger, and keep close.”

Ratchet grimaced, “It’s going to be dangerous. I doubt we have any weapons that you can use, if you can even hold them.”

“I understand your sentiment, old friend. However, she has a point. I doubt that Y/N will be pleased to have more Cybertronians trying to take her. Especially if she’s in terrible pain.”

Sighing in defeat, Ratchet turned to Emily, “Fine. We’ll bring her along.”

♢♢♢

Before you could protest, Shockwave grabbed you and started walking away. You thrashed in his hand, trying to wriggle out to run away and hide. Your efforts, however, bore no fruit, and only made Shockwave hold you tighter.

He put you in some kind of container, too tall for you to climb out.

“Soundwave, can you come to my lab with Rumble and Frenzy? Lord Megatron requested me to do scans of the human Skywarp found. She’s being difficult, I need those two to restrain her so I can do the scans without her attempting an escape.”

“Understood.” a voice was heard, likely coming from Shockwave.

After some time, a cobalt blue figure walked into the lab. They were the same size as Shockwave. Two significantly smaller figures followed them in tow; one purple, one black.

“So,” the blue one looked at you, “this is the human?”

“Yes.” Shockwave replied, grabbing you and putting you on some kind of table. They removed your bag, so you couldn’t grab a hammer and thwack anyone even if you tried.

“Rumble, Frenzy, restrain the human so we can do the scans.” The blue one ordered. The small figures jumped onto the table, grabbing your limbs and pushing them into the table. Honestly? That’s pretty painful. You tried to fight, kick, anything, but their grip was unrelenting.

“Stop wiggling, fleshy!” one of them tightened their grip.

Some kind of scanner descended to your chest, stopping a few centimeters above you. It whirred to life, and a red light shone onto your chest. It shifted around, scanning from your chest to your pelvis. After a few minutes, the light turned off.

“Peculiar.” Shockwave stated.

“Is this what human internals look like? How strange.” The cobalt one tilted their head, then looked at you.

“Rumble, Frenzy, release.” They ordered, and the two robots holding you by the limbs released you. However, you couldn’t run, as Shockwave grabbed you. The change from laying down to being vertical made you feel the menstrual blood leak out of your cervix, sending shivers down your spine.

“Do you even know what you’re trying to look for? There’s nothing that you can base it on!” you yelled.

“Intuition.” Shockwave rebutted, putting you back in the container. Jarred once again.

The pain creeps up once more. The whole restraining debacle distracted you for some time, but now you realized that the medication is almost out. In a few minutes, you’ll be in fetal position from the pain. Even breathing is a struggle.

Alarms.

“Autobots infiltrated the base, I repeat, Autobots have infiltrated the base.” the announcement rang.

Shockwave and the others left, leaving you alone. This was your chance. Opening up your bag, you grabbed a hammer. Can you even break the glass? Might as well find out.

Walking to one of the corners, you slammed the hammer. A crack formed, and you continued to slam and slam and slam until a large enough opening was made. You walked out of it after putting your hammer away. After going to the side opposite the hole, you dropped and rolled onto the floor. It was time to run and find a small enough place to hide.

You ran out of the lab, zooming through the halls to find somewhere small. Somewhere you could fit and they could not. After a few minutes of running, you found a small slit in the wall that you could just barely squeeze into, so you went in it. It took some time, and your chest especially was squashed, but the slit went to a tiny area, where the slit was the only exit. Curling up into a corner, you waited. The slit is too short for the two who restrained you to fit anyway.

You heard fighting and yelling approaching you. From where you were, they couldn’t see you. After a bit of time, it quieted down.

Voices.

“We haven’t seen the missing person at all. Where could she be, Prowl?” one asked.

“Who knows? Y/N might be trapped somewhere.”

They know your name. Why do they know your name? You didn’t tell any of them your name.

Unless… they’re a rescue party? Moving was a struggle for you, the pain was getting too much. You doubt you could speak right now either.

“Wait. That tear in the wall. Could she be in there?” the voice pondered, getting closer to where you were.

“I’m checkin’ it. Emily’s with Blaster ‘n’ Wheeljack, right? If Y/N’s here, contact them.”

They know Emily? Your roommate? Well, that complicates things.

A large black finger entered the slit, widening it just a tiny bit. “Hey! Are you in there?” they asked. All you could do is whimper in reply.

“Don’t worry, we’ll get you out of here!” they promised.

“Jazz, I contacted them. They should arrive in a moment.”

More footsteps.

“We’re here!” a familiar voice trilled. They are indeed talking about that Emily, the one who is your roommate. Both of you are enrolled in the university’s STEM program, so you have a few classes together. You’re both part of the color guard as well, which is pretty well known for the futuristic masks that the marching band wears as well.

“Do you think you can fit through that? I mean, Jazz, he made it bigger, but it still looks small.” An unfamiliar voice asked.

“If Y/N can fit it, I can.” Emily said, and you heard her step in through the slit.

“That bad?” Emily asked. You turned to her and gave her the stink eye.

“Hey! STEM girlies gotta stick together, y’know? Stop giving me that look.” Emily retorted.

She took out your painkillers from her bag. “I hope yain’t mad about me yoinking your painkillers, I knew that by the time you were found the meds would’ve fully worn off and you’d need to take them again. Here,” she gave you the bottle. You did your best to remove the lid, took one, and swallowed it dry. Ideally, you would’ve had something to drink since it tastes absolutely horrible, but eh.

You put your painkiller bottle in your bag. Emily grabbed you by the waist, hoisting you up to your feet, “C’mon, up at it. Let’s get back.” Both of you walked toward the slit, and left the hiding spot.

There were four of the alien robots. They all had blue eyes, unlike the ones who abducted you.

“Prime, we got ‘er!” The one with a blue visor and black hands said. “We’re gonna get ‘em back now.”

“I’ll hold them.” A red robot said.

Emily introduced them, “The red one’s Blaster, the one with the two trapezoids where his ears should be is Wheeljack, the cop car lookin’ guy with the red eyebrows is Prowl, and the one with the visor is Jazz. They’re all good dudes, even if Prowl’s grumpier than my pawpaw.”

“Don’t call me old.” Prowl growled.

“How old are you again? You’re a peepaw in my eyes.” you could hear Emily’s smirk, it made you chuckle.

“At least she sounds better!” Jazz jokes, “At Prowl’s expense, that is.”

“Shockwave’s lab is nearby. I’ll catch up to all of you later, I think there’s something there that might be useful.” Wheeljack stated.

“Alright. Don’t get killed, Wheeljack.” Prowl ordered, and Wheeljack ran to the lab you escaped from.

Blaster brought a hand to you and Emily, “Well? Hop on, I won’t bite.” Emily brought you to his hand, and he brought you to one of his shoulders and put Emily on the one opposite you.

“Let’s go.” And so, the five of you left. You gripped onto one of Blaster’s neck cables, mostly for reassurance on your part. The bouncing of Blaster zooming made you bounce a little bit, but you knew he was trying not to make you two bounce too much.

♢♢♢

After you got on the small ship, you were met with a few other of the Autobots. The tallest of them was red and blue, with windows on his chest. Next to him was a mostly white with orangish red accents.

“Good, you found her.” The blue one said, smiling.

“Optimus, should I look at her? They might’ve injured her.” The red and white one asked. You coughed into your elbow again, and let go of Blaster’s neck cable.

“Y/N’s not injured from what I can tell, Ratchet. I was able to give her the painkiller.” Emily told the Autobot.

“Which tastes AWFUL.” you added.

“Right. I forgor, sowwy.” and now Emily is UwUing. Great. That’s usually reserved for when color guard practice happens, or when she pops into the band room to bring you and the other brass members some cursed snack that the store she works at sells. Usually with some kind of beverage for you. Emily may be cursed, but she’s an awesome friend and roommate. You remember the time she recorded you and several other brass members doing a reenactment of I Want It That Way by the Backstreet Boys. She’s a champ when she wants to be.

“Well, since you coughed up some endometrium, I’m going to take a little sample.” Ratchet grabbed some kind of scalpel, grasping your arm and using it to scrape some of that sweet sweet lung endometrium.

“I’ll ask Perceptor to look at it.” Ratchet walked away.

“Where’s Wheeljack?” Optimus asked.

“Went to look in Shockwave’s lab, I think he should be here around…”

The doors opened, and footsteps ran inside and the door closed.

“Now.” Prowl finished.

“Wheeljack, what did you find?” Optimus asked, with everyone turning to the Autobot.

“Well, there was a clear container that was broken in the corner. Guess that’s where Y/N was put. Along with that,” he showed a hologram, likely the result of the scans, “I noticed this on the screen.”

Optimus approached, looking at it. “Show this to Ratchet once he gets back.”

“We should bring these two back. I’ll inform the authorities that Y/N was found, and has sustained no injuries.” Optimus ordered.

“Jazz, navigate the ship to the university.” Optimus ordered, letting Jazz leave to the cockpit.

After a few more orders, and Blaster placing you and Emily down on the floor, the both of you were left with Prowl.

“Miss L/N, I have a question for you.”

“What’s the question?” you asked.

“Is there any way to reduce the pain, or how long it lasts without your medication?” Prowl asked.

You’d answer, but that involves telling Prowl about sex. And, to be perfectly honest, fucking anyone you barely know is a turn-off to you, especially a giant alien robot that is literally thrice your size. You do not feel fuckable right now, try again later when you’re not bleeding from the cervix and lungs my dude. Do they even have penises? Well, they could use their fingers… No, don’t be horny, Y/N. Are you still ovulating? That likely explains the fact that you actually considered explaining sex and possibly… let’s stop that thought.

“Well, heat can help a little bit.” Good save, Emily. Good save. “It all depends on the person, though.”

“Also, Jazz and Blaster wanted me to ask you this, but what is this… trombone suicide thing Emily mentioned?” Ah. Emily snitched to Prowl.

“It’s a very complex move involving multiple brass instruments, usually trumpets or trombones. If you turn the wrong way, you’ll either bonk trombones or smack your fellow brassist in the face. There’s also the trumpet suicide, sousaphone suicide, and I’m trying to figure out how to do it for the color guard. Also, you’re playing the instrument while doing this.” you explained.

Prowl sighed, most likely in relief, “It isn’t literal, at the very least. That’s a relief.”

After a few more questions, and fortunately sex did not come up during that time, Optimus came back.

“We’ve arrived, let’s get these two back.” Optimus announced.

Walking with him and Prowl, you got tackled by one of your band mates. A good chunk of the brass section and color guard were there.

“Glad you’re back, Y/N!” the one who tackled you said, helping you get up.

After some time, and a little bit of discussion, you and Emily left to go back to the dorm with the others. The sun was setting, and the events of today left you tired and having menstrual munchies. Hopefully you won’t have to deal with the alien robots again.

A mechanical bird observed from a lamppost, watching the two figures enter the building. Even though the Decepticons failed to keep the student from the Autobots, there was still an opportunity to use her. Once they were fully gone, the black and red robot flew away.

[solbaby7]

Seen

[part 2 of the “Seen” mini-series]

pairing: azriel x reader

warnings: stranger danger, mentions of alcohol, some swearing, tension, probably typos

summary: Danger lurks around every corner but you've found friends in the shadows.

—

Your feet really fucking hurt.

You’d told yourself countless times to stop wearing these shoes when working the bar but for some reason, whenever you were in a rush and scrambling to screw your head on straight, your feet always seemed to subconsciously slip into these death traps.

They offer no resistance against the slick floors and you’d nearly dropped three pitchers when turning to serve them but something had steadied you; cool and quick and gone when your head snapped back to catch the culprit. “When are you off?” Your regular asks over the rim of his beer; his hands always wrapped in thick bandaging, around the tips of his fingers and this time there was a butterfly bandage near his nose.

“You know me, off when the last person leaves.” The rag is warm in your hands, the strong smell of disinfectant burning your nose but it’s better than leaving the suspicious stick of whatever had been left behind from previous customers on the countertops. “You been sharpening those swords without your safety helmet again?”

His cheeks go red, a little smile pulling at his mouth. “Don’t start—you’re sounding like my missus.”

“Sounds like she’s a smart woman.” You’re off before he can answer, falling into the usual rhythm of greeting and pouring—the occasional disappearing to lug in more ice before wiping the bar down and repeating it before the tables were moved for the band to settle in.

“Have you fallen on your ass yet?” A familiar voice drawls out from behind you, arms crossed on the bar top.

The smile pulls immediately, life seeming to pour back into you when Nesta comes into view and you’re preparing her a beer in seconds. “Not yet but the night is still young.”

“You should just throw them away—you’re going to complain all night about the blisters.”

“I’ll throw them away the second you throw out that dress; the moth bitten holes in it makes you look like a spinster.”

She huffs out a laugh over her beer, shoulders relaxing and form leaning in closer as she mumbled something about that being fair enough. There’s casual conversation, quick catch ups since her last visit and the usual muttered apologies for not coming sooner but it’s always waved off by that warm smile of yours. “Don’t explain yourself. Life happens, I get it.”

Maybe that was why Nesta always found herself coming back here; even when she didn’t really like the beer or the ambiance because people dry humping against one another on the open floor didn’t exactly categorize under one of her favorite things. You just understood—no pressures, no forced words and explanations; just motherly smiles and hands that felt safe when patting atop Nesta’s own. “So, you and Azriel?”

The glass you were cleaning slips from your hands and crashes to the floor, the grin pulling on Nesta’s face the picture of pure mischief. Those grey-blue eyes never leave you as you rush for the glass broom, sweeping away your clumsiness and waving off the male customers who liked to act as your security guards. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“No?” She hums, flicking at a stack of napkins. “Then, why’d he ask me about you?”

You’re caught red handed when you whip around to face her, obviously intrigued and unable to hide the curiosity when you take a step closer, hands leaning before her against your side of the bar. “Asked about what?”

“Asked who you were and what I knew about you.”

“And what did you say?”

“I told him the truth.”

Your brows furrow, the bell on the front door ringing to life and a group of rowdy men begin to filter in when you shout out a, “Sorry, bars closed.” Your eyes are back on her in an instant, ignoring their groans of displeasure before going back there they came to find a place who would serve them. “What’s that mean, you told him the truth?”

Nesta shrugs, annoyingly aloof and it takes your hand smacking against the bar for her to continue, a pleased look in her eye; she loved riling you up, always crooning some patronizing comment about being adorable when you’re upset. “Relax, I just told him your name—how we met. He seemed satisfied enough.”

“Satisfied enough with what?”

“With the fact that you’ll probably be around often since we’re such good friends.” She continues when picking up on your blush, fingers busying themselves with organizing items that already had a home. “Which is why after you’re off; you’re spending the night with me.”

“But what about, Marco?”

Nesta’s amusement fades at the mention of your cat; a slinking ball of inky black fur and jade green eyes that seemed to follow her every move—it was the only thing she’d found remotely intimidating. “Not a chance.”

“Then, I can’t go.” You sigh. “I’ve been gone all day, it’s unfair for me to leave him alone all night too.”

She doesn’t any anything; mouth screwed up into a snarl while she watches you actually begin close the bar down and when she glances at the clock she notices there’s at least another two hours left of your shift. “Fine, I’ll send someone for him but if I wake up and he’s staring down into my soul again I’ll make Elain cook him for breakfast.”

Her drink is paid for and her cloak is heavy on slender shoulders but no one dared bother her as she left, hair billowing behind her with the gust of wind that poured through the open doors. It takes a few seconds to start moving normally again, your mind too consumed with the swelling excitement and anxiety that resulted from thinking about the shadowsinger but the night finishes fairly quickly. Without more drinks flowing, the guests are hasty to close their tabs and stumble out; that same disinfectant burning your nose as you clean the tables and seats; an old broom sweeping away peanut shells and beer caps.

Exhaustion begins to settle when flipping chairs, tipping out the band and locking the back door behind them. Nesta was right about the shoes though—you definitely should throw them away. Especially with the slight limp that forms from the pain of skin and cloth rubbing against cheap leather.

It’s prickly outside as you lock up, fingers grazing against the light switch when you hear the footsteps start behind you. The hairs on the back of your neck stand at attention, heart thudding in your chest the closer they get, the inebriated mumbling and heavy breathing. “Look what we’ve got here.” His voice carries through the night and you’re quick to start walking towards the light; towards where people might still be lingering but it was awfully late and the promise of safety seemed to grow more slim the further he followed. “Why are you running? I just want to talk.”

You don’t dare look back, feet moving so quickly you were sure you’d start flying but that doesn’t happen and when a heavy hand clamps down on your shoulder, the reaction steals your breath away. Cool shadows appear from out of your cloak, wrenching the man’s hand away so hard he lets out a yelp. Another shadow covers his mouth as two others drag him off between two dark buildings but you’re frozen in place—feet cemented to the ground and eyes so wide you thought they’d roll clean out of your head.

You look around for the master of the shadows, searching for that golden brown skin and dark hair; those hazel eyes and giant membraneous wings.

He’s not there.

Not when you gain the courage to whisper his name and not when the shadows return—alone. They don’t retreat back to hiding in your cloak, instead they sift through your hair and over the spot where the man had grabbed you, all circling around as if assessing for damage before one nudges at the bottom of your spine, pushing you in the direction of their choice.

And without another word, you follow.

—

Nesta is quick to link arms when you arrive, not bothering to thank the giant soldier with shoulder length hair that she’d sent out to get you just outside of town. He’d peered down at you closely, smelling the anxiety permeating from your form, the shaky hands and jumpy demeanor that you’d brushed off with a kind smile. Cassian; she later reveals with a look you’d never seen on her face before but when you raise a brow she’s quick to return it—averting the conversation with little issue. “I think I like Marco a little more now; he put up quite the fight when I sent Cassian to retrieve him.”

“Is that what those scratches were?” You keep your voice down, unsure if he could still hear. “I thought he was just a little freaky in bed.”

Nesta lets out a bark of a laugh, quickly guiding you into her room and shutting the door behind her. Marco is already at your feet, front paws stretching and butt up in the air as his tail swished back and forth around your ankle. A quick scratch behind the ear and he’s already off again, smoothly jumping up on a desk and carefully weaving through stacked books. “You close up okay?”

Briefly, your mind flashes back to the man—to the shadows that had protected you and urged you away when your head tried to turn and see what had become of the stranger who dared reach for you. You hadn’t seen them since Cassian had come for you, hands rustling through your clothes for any sign of them but nothing. “Yeah, everything was fine.”

There's a second where you're sure she's caught you—her recently acquired fae hearing always clueing her in on any slight change of your heartbeat or when the scent of your chemistry shifted when under emotional duress; but Nesta is quick to fill the silence with words. You'd listened earnestly when she rambled about her books or how much she hated when her sister kept poking and prodding at her to open up but Nesta had gotten especially riled up once you'd mentioned Cassian. "Is he the one you say is just so infuriating?"

"He's a brute— a complete animal. There's no way anything could ever happen between us."

"Are you telling me or convincing yourself?"

Nesta shoots you a stare, gaze hot when she stomps to the door, house slippers nearly flying off her feet in her haste as she flipped you the middle finger. "I'm going to grab us some drinks, stay put."

Only a minute had passed, maybe less.

You truly had every intention of listening until Marco slipped through the sliver sized crack in the door and disappeared down the hallway. "Marco," You call out, voice hushed and motions frantic as you rush to retrieve him before he wandered off somewhere you couldn't save him from. "Get back here, right now."

You hadn't realized how large the home truly was, long hallways lined with door after door. Generations of wealth showed proudly in the gold crown moulding and runner carpets so soft your toes sunk into the plush material. A piece of you yearns for another shadow to whisk you away to wander around and gaze at the wonders acquired by Azriel and his friends—his family.

You nearly forget the objective, thoughts straightened out when your peripheral catches the movement of inky black fur slipping into a room on the right. Light still glowed from under the door, heart thumping wildly in your chest as you prayed it were empty when you slip inside. You're not even fully in the room, the end of your nightgown just barely missing getting caught when you whisper out. “Marco?“

“We really should stop meeting like this.”

A shout pulls from you, hand smacking over your chest and the breathless laugh the follows is filled with relief. "Mother above, I thought I was done for."

Azriel doesn’t answer, wings pulled high behind him as Marco studies him throughly, whiskers taut when creeping forward to sniff at him. “This belongs to you?”

“He.”

Marco doesn’t give in easily; not until a shadow pulls forward and the feline instantly relaxes, body easing into the floor and soft belly exposed in submission. “Interesting.”

You’re unbearably aware of the lack of clothing you’re wearing and your arms subconsciously cross over your chest. “He’s gotten pretty used to them,” You confess softly, eyes darting about the room. Dark curtains draped over tall windows, a giant bed fit for giant wings with a thick duvet that probably costed more than you made in a whole month. “—a few have been lingering around.”

Azriel raised a brow, golden eyes sliding to the darkness that appeared at your feet, seemingly making themselves smaller behind you. “I had wondered where they went.”

Bare toes pat quietly against glossy floors, the soft satin of your nightgown swishing at your thighs and you don’t bother hiding the way you’re staring at his things; the assortment of weapons hung on the wall near his bed, a book laid flat against the table, a few pages noticeably dog-earred and curiosity spurs. “Aren’t they your shadows? I thought they were supposed to do as you wanted.”

“Usually, yes.” He watches as you slowly stroll about his room, fingers hovering over wooden carvings and daggers purchased purely for display. “But, it seems they’ve taken a certain—interest in you.”

You turn to face him with intent to respond, a smile growing until you see his brows furrow, golden eyes squinting and in three strides he’s before you. You freeze when his hand raises, pushing aside the strands of hair covering your shoulder.

“What happened here?”

You move to pull away, hands flicking at your hair to cover the bruise but the light has already caught it, hazel-eyes finally comprehending the shape—a hand. “Oh, that's nothing." It was superficial, sure to fade in a few days time. "Really, I’m perfectly fine.”

“That doesn’t look fine.” Azriel's polite tone alters, cadence dropping low and cold and the cobalt siphons on his hands glow under the mood change. He's still touching you, undeterred by the feeble attempt to shake him off and he effortlessly brings you in closer, fingers grazing over the injury. "Who did this to you?"

"I don't know."

"Don't lie to me."

Your head shakes twice, hand curling around his wrist and you make no move this time to push him away. Instead, you bask in the warmth of his skin on your own, the casual touch that sent your body into flames regardless of the conversation at hand. He was just so handsome and his room smelled so good and Marco seemed to like him; the slinking ball of onyx fur sprawled out comfortably on the large duvet. "I truly don't know." You mentally curse the shake of your voice but Azriel seems to pick up on the fact that it wasn't due to fear. His gaze bores holes into your face, shifting from male to spy in a matter of seconds; catching the way your eyes dart over to the shadows behind him. "They handled it for me."

Azriel doesn't miss a beat. "Who is they?"

You don't answer, too lost in the warmth of eyes like burning embers and they follow the finger you point behind him. "There were four of them, they came out of my cloak when he grabbed me—“

“You were alone?”

Something unnameable grows inside your belly at his concern, at the fire that blazed behind that gentlemanly disposition; the care at which skilled fingers trace over marks not meant to be on your body. “I was closing up after work. Nesta sent Cassian to get me, I was fine.”

“This is not fine,” He insists, tone low and body poised for a fight; a shadowsinger shifting into a spymaster, one who could kill in ten different ways before you could even fully inhale a breath. The touch of his hand disappears and you hope he doesn’t catch the way your body subconsciously takes a little step closer, chasing the warmth when he walks away, disappearing into a closet.

“I think your shadows felt the same way,” You whisper back, unsure if he’d even heard you but you continue anyway, frozen in place and yearning for time to go back just so you could have a reason to touch his skin once more. “I’m pretty sure they killed him—though I can’t be certain. They wouldn’t let me look.”

That captures his attention; the rustling of items moving around slowing to a halt until his towering frame fills the doorway and his heart clenches when he sees the shadows circling you, twisting around your legs and grazing against your cheeks to comfort. You don’t shy away, leaning into the ghost of a touch as if you hadn’t just admitted they’d possibly committed murder for you.

"I truly don't even know what I would've done if they weren't there."

Azriel's steps are silent when he approaches, a dagger held in his grasp and he presents it to you with more softness than anyone had ever regarded you with. "Take this—and keep them, they seem to like you more than me anyways."

“I couldn’t,” You’re quick to deny, hands raising to object but Az is stubborn. “They’re yours.”

The metal is cool in your palms, the weight new and foreign in your grasp. “They are,” Azriel’s finger reaches for the shadow around your shoulder and unlike the others hovering around his tall frame, these don’t rush to attach to him. They stay close by your side, alert for potential dangers but undeniably comfortable around you. “—but they want you and it would make me feel a lot better knowing you’ll be safe.”

You can smell the mint of his toothpaste, eyes dashing down a second to take in full lips before quickly averting your gaze. “Thank you.” Words don’t feel like enough. “I’m not sure how I could ever repay for your kindness.”

You’re halfway out the door when he answers, Marco hot on your heels and knife safe in its leather holder. “Just promise that every time you’re over, you’ll come looking for me.”

A smile pulls at the corner of your mouth, cheeks going warm. “It’s a deal.”

When you find your way back to Nesta’s room she’s already waiting, two cups of tea steaming hot before her and the book in her grasp is closed without being marked when she hears you enter. She says nothing, grey-blue eyes lighting up with mischief when they catch on the top of your arm and a manicured nail points at the dark ink that swirled there. “I hate to admit it but it suits you.”

You hum, fingers running over the intricate vines looped around like the arm cuff you’d been staring at the first night you’d met the High Lords shadowsinger. “I thought so too.”

[lacrimosathedark]

The Radioapple Haters™️ are at it again.

This time they're attacking shippers with the newly released Playbill.

There's so many issues with that. Beyond harassing people for ships is dumb.

This is what people are pointing at.

This is on the cast info page. It says Lucifer misses his wife.

So, three things about that.

Firstly, We Been Knew, babe.

His very first appearance, after his daughter says her parents split up, he's in a room covered in pictures of not just said daughter, but her mother too, and he's still wearing a presumed wedding band. If that's not "showing not telling" with a goddamn airhorn, idk how more clear it could get without Lucifer flat out saying he misses Lilith. So like...this is not new info. So there's nothing to really rub in. We knew this.

Secondly, this is in-character Lucifer saying this.

I'm not a professional, but when I was in high school performances, we wrote our own little Playbill bio info things. That seems to carry into professional ones too. If you can read the actual cast, some of the the actors less entrenched in the fandom culture have basically an IMDB of their relevant previous roles, while the ones you see at cons are more personable. Those were written by the actors. So, logically, the character bios are written as if by the characters. This could not be made more obvious.

So, logically, you can read that little above as Lucifer himself actually saying he misses his wife. Which leads me to--

Third, break-ups are messy and painful and Lucifer not moving on, unwilling to remove his ring or call Lilith his ex, doesn't mean they are still together. Hell, they could still even be technically married, doesn't mean they're still romantically entangled.

Look, I know the only seeming one-sided relationships in the show is Vox/Alastor and Adam/Lilith and every other "pair" are together or at least friendly (Chaggie, Huskerdust, Cherrisnake, Staticmoth, Guitarspear) but not every separation has to be a violent resentful split. Lucifer is explicitly Depressed™️ which can be hard for any partner to deal with, especially someone as ambitious as Lilith. It wouldn't be surprising if she, not even cruelly, thought she'd be more successful away from him even if he still loves her.

And all this is on top of the fact that most Radioapple shippers don't expect their ship to happen (some hope it does, some hope it doesn't, I'm personally neutral on the concept), and that a lot of writers and artists explicitly acknowledge and use Lucifer's love for Lilith in Radioapple because people love the drama.

I have several posts listing why one might ship Radioapple so I won't go off about it here, but suffice to say the entanglement between Lilith and Alastor and how the two are similar and different makes interacting with Lucifer interesting from any angle.

This also hurts me personally a bit because a lot of these people are Lucilith shippers and, yall, I'm one of you. I don't want them to get back together for many reasons, but I would love to see endless flashbacks of them obnoxiously in love. Most of my favorite works of fanart aren't even Radioapple, my primary ship, but Lucilith, in large part because of how adorable they are. How indulgent or smitten Lilith can look. How adorably excited or flustered or just happy Lucifer can be.

I love Lucilith. I adore Lucifer. I just also think his interactions with Alastor are funny and intriguing.

We don't need to hate each other. We can try to keep our little sandboxes separate, but we can play nice when we spill into each other, can't we?

I am really just so sick of the silly in-fighting. It costs zero dollars and zero energy to not be a dick. Need to type out a rant to get it out and off your chest? cool. But you can post it privately or delete it instead of going into peoples' ask boxes and and posts to be nasty. Not having the self control and wherewithal to not go out of your way to be a dick to people is honestly pretty pathetic. If you think you're so much better, prove it by being better, or being smug in your space. Making people feel like shit for a nonexistent fictional relationship does literally nothing for anyone and makes YOU look worse.

Dislike the ship all you want. No one cares either way. Just don't waste your limited time in this life making your distaste everyone else's problem.

[harmshake]

For Your Eyes Only

Rhea interrupts her girlfriend's livestream to record a different kind of show...

Rhea Ripley x Mali (fem!black!oc) | 18+ ONLY, NSFW, smut | 2,276 words

Happy reading! Read my other Rhea stories here, if you'd like. ✨

"Welcome queens, kings, and everyone fabulous in between to Mali's Lit Adult Slumber Party. I'm Mali, your host, your homegirl, and your favorite wine enthusiast as it's not an adult slumber party without gettin' a little lit."

Mali sat on the furry, burgundy rug with her iPhone mounted in the center of her ring light on the coffee table, her pink-crystal wine glass filled to the brim with the evening's fan-voted choice of white zinfandel that she tipped to the camera to toast with her audience before she took a small sip. Her brown eyes scanned the comments that whizzed by on her Instagram livestream feed and she did her best to shout out her returning followers who commented with wine glass emojis as they greeted her.

"Yesss, y'all know the vibes! We're gonna get into the usual tonight. A little sippin', a little gossipin', and a lot of fun," Mali said with a charming smile on her glossy, red, thick lips. 

It was nearly midnight yet her makeup was on, her honey brown, curly coils were gathered up into a top knot, and she wore a silky, pink pajama two-piece that showed off the chocolate brown skin of her shoulders. That was the vibe of her adult slumber party: Cute, a bit sexy, and lively. It matched her vibe in the daytime as well as she was a model who often kept those three adjectives at the front of her mind as she posed for magazine and Instagram ad campaigns wearing the latest designs from either established or upcoming lux clothing brands. Mali was grateful that she'd found a career that allowed her to express herself—and even more grateful to share it with her adoring fans who supported her work at every turn.

Her Lit Adult Slumber Party was a newish creation, only three months old, but it was a hit with almost five thousand people viewing her livestream as she asked how everyone's day was before she got into her routine. 

Yet Mali would be remiss to pretend the near-overnight popularity of her Friday night show wasn't also partly due to her girlfriend. It would be impossible to pretend otherwise as her lovely viewers flooded her feed with questions about her every two seconds.

Is Rhea home tonight?

Will Rhea say hi to us tonight or is she busy??

Where's Rhea???

Mali simply smiled as it came with the territory of dating a world wrestling champion...and one of the hottest women she couldn't escape seeing thirst fancams of on her TikTok. She and Rhea had met at a red carpet event last summer and Mali couldn't take her eyes off seeing the tall, brawny, and stunningly gorgeous woman in person after only watching the compilations of her slamming girls to the mat and looking hot while doing so.

The feeling was mutual as Rhea's eyes kept finding hers throughout the night before she finally approached Mali, told her she found her just as stunning, and that she would love to have her number. And after a couple of weeks of texting, sexting, and FaceTime calls when Mali told her she would love to see if she was as strong and dominant in the bedroom as she was in the ring, their relationship blossomed into a love affair that had everyone talking.

Including her audience as they bombarded her with the same questions about Rhea's whereabouts to the point where Mali responded, "Yeah, she's home. She's still in the shower, I think. She has an early flight, though, so don't expect to see her. Now that I think about it, she might already be in bed."

Just then, Mali heard footsteps pad across the tile of the hallway that led to their living room where she was streaming. She saw the comments zip with people typing in all caps and heart-eye emojis before she looked over her shoulder to see her girlfriend walking toward her. She wore nothing but an oversized, black band tee that hardly covered her slender, yet muscular, tatted thighs, her hand pushing back her longish, damp, and dark hair off her bare and beautiful face as a small smirk touched her pink, plump lips.

"You still up?!" Mali asked in gentle surprise as Rhea knelt behind her to rest her chin on her shoulder. She stared into the camera with that adorable smirk as she waved hello to Mali's viewers.

"Still up. Not tired just yet." Rhea chimed in her husky, slightly raspy accent. Mali found it attractive each time her girlfriend opened her mouth, and it made a tiny thrill shimmy down her spine when she added with a swift, soft kiss to her neck, "But I think you're ready for bed, right, baby?"

"Wha—" Mali tried to ask but Rhea grabbed her chin to steer her lips to hers for another kiss...except this one was slow and sent that thrill through her body with heat that simmered between her thighs. Rhea then had the nerve to carefully flick her tongue along hers in a way that she knew her viewers could see and would make Mali struggle not to moan on camera.

She was so shocked yet aroused by Rhea's behavior that she was stuck and couldn't pull herself away to ask her why she decided to give her fans a peep show out of nowhere. Mali knew despite her girlfriend being on television just about every week, Rhea enjoyed her privacy and scarcely appeared on her livestreams as she told her she didn't want to "intrude on her thing."

Yet as she slid her fingers into Mali's messy bun to control the kiss as it deepened before she gently yanked her head back to plant a little peck on her throat, Rhea seemed to enjoy all the eyes on them. But she kept her eyes on her and cooed in a gruff yet sensual murmur, "Time for bed, yeah?"

"Umm, now?" Mali whispered and bit her lip as she caught her drift, mystified by her demeanor but mesmerized all the same as she gaped at her through low, pink-painted eyelids and held her girlfriend's dreamy, blue gaze. She gradually found the strength to rip away from it and return her attention to the camera with an apology to her fans who were probably just as confused as her. Yet when she saw all the comments encouraging and urging her to hurry to bed with Rhea, she felt her cheeks warm up with a blush no one could see before her girlfriend nodded and pressed kisses to them. "Uh, I-I guess we'll try this again tomorrow, y'all? Good night, queens, kings, and my fabulous people in between."

Mali blew a kiss to the lens with a final glance at the comments full of every horny emoji there was as she tapped her screen to end the livestream. "Did you sneak some of my wine?! What's gotten into you?" she asked with a giddy grin as Rhea wrapped her arms around her waist to squeeze her from behind her with more kisses on her nape that tickled, making a slight giggle jump out of her. 

"Nope. I just didn't want to wait three hours for you to wrap it up. And I surely didn't want to wait 'til I got back from work to do this..." she replied with her hand slipping down Mali's tummy, the silk fabric of her pajamas making it easy for her touch to also slip beneath the hem. She wasn't wearing panties...which made her girlfriend's soft, wandering fingers sink right between her lower lips, warm and slick from Rhea's kisses. "Ah, my baby...damn near drippin' and we haven't made it to the bed yet."

"It's...your fault. Mmmm. Impatient ass." Mali's lips parted with a smirk and a hitched breath as a moan escaped them when Rhea delicately rubbed her middle fingers up and down her wet slit before she coated her clit with twirls that made her whine. She gripped the edge of the coffee table as her head fell back onto Rhea's shoulder, letting her hips lightly rock against her palm as their lips met for a heavy kiss.

"I sure am. And you know what? Fuck the bed. Get on the couch. On your hands and knees."

Mali didn't have enough time to follow Rhea's demand as her girlfriend then scooped her up into her arms to rest her on the couch in the position she needed to have her round, thick ass in her face. She smoothed her hands over it, kissing the silk before rolling it down her thighs to hit the rug next to her knees. Rhea's lips kissed her soft skin then, her softer hands squeezing and parting her cheeks to unveil her wet, brown, and pink lips she took her time kissing, too. 

Mali couldn't help but roll her hips to catch the long, greedy flicks of Rhea's tongue as she lapped up her nectar that spilled down to her thighs and mound touched with hair light and soft like peach fuzz. Her girlfriend's fingertips grazed that fuzz with teasing strokes before she glazed them over her slippery, tender clit, making Mali cry out to her—especially when she used her other fingers to spread her just a bit more so she could glaze her tongue over her little hole. 

"Unnhh, shit...mmm, you like how this pussy taste, baby?" Mali reached a hand around to lace her fingers in the silky hair on the back of Rhea's head, trying to taunt her yet her voice cracked with a whine when Rhea slowly thrust her tongue inside her.

"Damn right. And you thought you could keep me waitin'." Rhea playfully spanked her ass and breathed a moan that touched Mali's wet folds and made them spasm. "Ooh. I wish you could see how sexy that looked...your pussy all juicy and twitchin' for me. Actually..."

She pulled her delicious touch away and Mali pouted, craning her neck to fuss at her. Yet she gasped at her instead, studying Rhea tapping her phone still perched on the coffee table behind them. Mali saw her head peeking from behind her ass on the screen before Rhea's head floated into the frame with more kisses on her cheeks that led to her glistening pussy. And when Rhea hid her fingers between her thighs to tease her clit again and hold her lips open, she saw how she twitched when the tip of her tongue lazily prodded and pushed back inside her.

Mali let out a long whimper that filled the room, her eyes fixed on the lens, on them as she was hypnotized by the sight of Rhea tongue-fucking her—entranced by the feel of it, too, as her knees felt weak with a slow-burning orgasm that grew hotter and hotter around her girlfriend's tongue until she couldn't contain the flames any longer.

"Right there, baby...unhhh, I'm...I'm 'bout to cum for you." Mali wanted to bury her face in the cushions to hide the loud, rasping squeals that erupted from her as she came and gushed, but she couldn't look away from how captivating they looked on camera. Her gaze met Rhea's on the screen who also watched them, pulling back to admire how she made her girlfriend squirt as her pussy hole fluttered.

"That's my pretty baby. So fuckin' pretty..." Rhea groaned with her fingers still wagging over her clit as Mali's spilled down her wrist. "Love makin' you cum, baby...love how your cum tastes..." She then swirled her long tongue into Mali's twitching, wet mess to make out with it, make her dribble onto her chin, make her louder, and make her convulse harder.

"Ffffuck, I love your mouth...I love you," Mali managed to moan as her heated bliss threatened to snatch her voice away. She caught her girlfriend's eye again as she licked her lips and caressed her thigh with jet-black nails that had a sheen from more than her top coat.

"Yeah? Mami loves you more," Rhea replied with a sultry smirk and kiss on her thigh. She then licked the spot where she accidentally smudged Mali's nectar before gathering it from her chin, too, unhurriedly licking her fingers one by one while peering into the lens with those dreamy eyes. She used those fingers to then stop the recording, turning to Mali who wearily flopped onto her side to add with a raised, arched eyebrow, "Ready for bed for real this time, baby?"

"Only if you are...'cause where in the world did that come from?" Mali panted, still shocked that her usually reserved-off-camera girlfriend turned into a thot-on-camera tonight. It plastered a sleepy grin on her face as she knew Rhea to be a thot for her eyes only, save for those occasional moments she liked to tantalize her fans while in character on television.

"I told you, babe. I wasn't gonna wait a week to eat that pretty pussy," Rhea purred as her hand slid up Mali's bare thigh and made her tremble. 

"You must wanna watch the playback while you're on the plane," she said with a little giggle when Rhea tickled her belly with her prying fingertips.

"Yeah, I do. I like a good movie to lose myself in..." she replied with her own giggle when Mali reached for her to pull her on top of her. 

Their mouths came together for a sweet kiss that Mali lost herself in, yet when Rhea's hand slid around her throat with a lusciously tight grip, her eyes flitted open with a moan as her girlfriend mumbled onto her lips, "...Which is why we're nowhere close to done yet, baby."

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Thanks for reading! 💜

🫶🏾 Tagging: @wrestlingprincess80 @visionarymode @theninthwonder @cyberdejos2 @southerngirl41 @babybatlover @rhea-ripley @seeingstarkss @alyyaanna @afterdarkprincess @domripley @sassginaswanmills @woahdude9481 @dayjlovesromance @bloodripleygal @annoyedkayah2395 @empressdede

[the-east-art]

Oh, wait I think I misread the post. My apologizes, I thought that was in reference to those two clothing shop drama. Though I am willing to hear out the other indie clothing shops that you keep a eye on.

Alright! Easts' big post about indie clothing brands I like!

Worth noting that while I’ve been keeping my eye on a lot of these brands for a while now, there is a possibility there is some kind of discourse around them that I missed - if so please let me know so that I can look into it myself!

Mayakern!

I like Mayakern a lot because they cater a lot to plus size bodies! They have plus size models and Mayakern themselves is plus sized! Recently they’ve been expanding beyond skirts to things like dresses and shirts. This makes me very excited because not only are these shirts cute as heck, but some of them are even more standard/essential shirts but are made with bigger body types in mind. So often fat people have to just settle for good enough,but its clear that Mayakern makes her stuff so that anyone wearing it can be confident! There’s also ton of customer pics you can see to tell how clothing lays on various body types. 

(Rest Under The Cut)

Umvvelt

Umvvelt focuses on fish/ocean themes and I absolutely love how creative they get - they’ve done a bunch of different fish lines focused on rays to jellyfish to sharks. I particularly adore their pinafores - I own three of them and they’re very comfortable AND have pockets. 

Carmico

A classic - I think the brand that got me really invested in indie clothing brands? Carmico does themed drops a couple times a year where they design a myriad of clothing pieces that all have a similar vibe/theme. I think they do a good job at getting creative while still having the clothing be something I would wear! From button-ups to sweatpants to jackets Carmico has the variety and the style. A lot of their clothing gives the vibe of something you would draw on a character and wish existed in real life - except now it does exist in real life! 

Morningwitch 

Another classic, if you haven’t checked them out by now PLEASE do. Morningwitch has SUCH as eye for design and patterns and color. Chiefly known for their creative button up tops (of which I own several) they also have expanded quite a bit recently. Their skirts are probably my favorite style of all the skirts on this list because they have a thicker band. They also do some relief print shirts, the CUTEST jackets (if you’ve seen pics of brownies pomegranate jacket this is where they got it) and on their twitter they have a lot more fun stuff brewing. Much like Mayakern they’re starting to branch out beyond their ‘standard’ (the button up tees) into new avenues and I personally look forward to what that brings! 

Knockthrice

This indie store blends concepts and casual wear together into something extraordinary. From their knight cardigans, to their ‘tea’-shirts, to their themed over-the-garden wall collections they have some of the most beautiful pieces you may ever see. Knockthrice does a great job at blending ideas into clothing in a creative way so make it something that I would wear in daily life. Their shirts are a good, durable, thick material - although maybe a little warm for the summer. A lot of their stuff gives me fall vibes, and as someone who loves fall the most out of all season - I eat it up! 

Envygreen Manor

More of a newcomer on the scene as far as I am aware, envygreen manor also does themed drops once or twice a year. However, their clothing it usually more of a mix between casual tees and more formal elements - their vests or poet shirts come to mind. I instantly fell in love with them when I saw their mock-neck designs and felt like they somehow knew me and exactly the kind of shirt I would want from them. 

Vetiverfox Apparel/Witch Vamp

Putting these two together because they kind of occupy the came part of my brain! They’re both skirt focused brands much like Mayakern. Vetiverfox typically has more intricate designs or patterns, while Witch Vamp usually has bolder themes - not that thats a hard rule or anything! I own I believe a skirt from each of them (soon to be two from vetiverfox!) and highly recommend at least taking a peak and seeing if anything catches your eye from either brand! 

Mothsprout

Mothsprout only has a few clothing options, but I absolutely HAVE to mention them. Mothsprout has two muscle tank designs that I literally wear like once a week - I’ve actually considered getting a second of the wolf design just so I can wear it more often. Their designs vary from intricate to fun, and honestly I would never pass up a chance to wear their beautiful art as clothing. 

Other indies I keep an eye on but don't have a lot to say about:

Motel777

Bison Wares

Snowlattes

Fiveboos

JeanaDraws

Howl Out

Bandaid Brigade

and if you have any other indie clothing brands you want added to the list lmk!

[tinylongwing]

Four days ago I left Rota in the hands of my very capable banding technicians, and now am on a much needed vacation in Japan.

I know I owe bird pics, but first here are some Japan photos for those who have been wondering why I've gone dead silent during the new LH single release haha (I'm enjoying it, I'm just on a very different time zone!)

I have an absolutely unreasonable number of photos I could share, but here are several highlights of the first half of my trip:

Southwest tower of Nijo Castle, Kyoto

Todai-ji, Nara

SO MANY DEER, Nara Park, Nara

Isonokami Jingu shrine - one of the oldest shrines in Japan, built around the 2nd or 3rd century AD if not older. The chickens here are believed to be messengers of the gods

Uchiyama Eikyuji ancient temple ruins (1114 AD), Tenri, on the Yamanobe-no-michi (oldest road in Japan, dating back to at least the 700s AD, which connects villages and ancient historical sites, mountains and farmland around the Nara basin)

Winter orchard, Tenri, on the Yamanobe-no-michi. Evidently these are persimmon trees planted on the tomb of an emperor from so long ago that the date of construction has been forgotten (but other similar tombs around here are from the 200-300s)

Nenbutsudera Temple cemetery, Yamanobe-no-michi. The lotus petals are ancient headstones from people whose names are long forgotten.

Just a really cute collection of Buddhist trailside figurines on the Yamanobe-no-michi. Figures like this can be found all over the country, tucked away on trails, inforests, and at the edges of neighborhoods.

Fushimi Inari and its famous thousands of torii gates, Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto. Overwhelming number of people here so I had to take a photo just to show how nuts it was. Great temple, not so great crowds. I feel bad for the temple attendants. A monk I briefly spoke to had more patience and so much more kindness than some of these unruly crowds deserve.

Ryozen Kannon temple, Kyoto. This is a modern temple built to honor the unknown soldiers who died in WWII. Really gorgeous and moving place.

Goshuin stamp and yatagarasu figurine from Kumano Nyakuoji, Kyoto. Shinto shrine dedicated to the three-legged raven god? Hell yes. I've been collecting goshuin as I go and this is for sure one of my favorites (though I have many favorites).

Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto. I read Mishima's Temple of the Golden Pavilion in high school and have wanted to see it in person ever since, but I didn't think I was going to have time this trip (it's kind of in a weird out of the way place). Managed to find time anyway. 10/10 zero regrets I cried about a building covered in fucking gold leaf. It's so over the top, yes, but shockingly beautiful in person.

I'll possibly do another photo dump later if you guys want to see more but tl;dr there are some tourist hotspots that are ABSOLUTELY worth it (Fushimi Inari, Nara park, Kinkaku-ji) but the most memorable by far was my hike through miles and miles of countryside. If any of you are heading to Japan in the future and are up for a long walk through some of the nation's richest history, kindest people, and most gorgeous landscapes, the Yamanobe-no-michi is worth every single second of the journey.

[willowlevulett]

Punk Divorce Era Jayvik teaser.

This AU slams Jayce and Viktor into my particular taste of West Coast punk. A teeny tiny Jayvik interaction plus some angst.

Vi is one of my favorite characters, so I also added an excerpt that I have written of Jayce and her. I think they would've been lovely friends so that will be reflected in this fic.

-

"What happened to your leg, Jayce." It was unfair of him to keep saying his name. Especially like that, saying it like he always used to.

"I fell."

"You fell." Viktor says the words as if tasting them, 'fell' rolling around on his tongue.

"Yes, fell. My altitude rapidly changed. An unconsented descent" Jayce brings up his hand above his head and gestures sharply downwards to belabor his point. He realizes too late that he's trying to get Viktor to laugh, like he used to. To get Viktor to scoff at any old ridiculous thing Jayce was doing at the time, his eyes alight with a smile all the same. But it's all wrong. It's been 5 years since they've seen each other, his tone is too harsh, and Viktor only looks annoyed.

The corspe of who Jayce once was rolls over in its grave. The man who survived stares hollowly forward.

-

Viktor is visibly trying to reign his emotions in. Jayce bets that the temptation of learning what happened to crack him down the center is enough to stay his tongue. For now.

Jayce takes the opportunity to drink him in. People like them tend to change visually faster than others, so he catalogs all the ways Viktor now differs from his memory of him. He has an eyebrow piercing on top of the new throat tattoo. Jayce can see the same tattoo lines that cover his back now lick up and over his shoulders. He now wears simple smoked out eyeliner. His clothes are still earthy tones with a splash of red but he now wears purple. It weaves through his outfit. A little in the bandana tucked in his back pocket. A lot in the array of earrings and rings that decorate him. Some in the eye shadow he smoked out his water line with.

He wants to say that Viktor looks good. Jayce stays silent.

-

Before he can reach the blessed front door, a hand grips his shoulder and yanks him to a stop.

"Viktor, I can't -"

"What are you doing here, pretty boy?"

The playful blue of Vi's eyes comes into view instead of the heated gold he expected.

"Oh god, Vi" He pulls her in for a brisk, tight hug. He can feel her muscles tense under her leather jacket. He takes a moment to inspect her face. She has a new scar just under her eye, cutting across the roman numerals there. There's three more piercings tucked into her left ear. She's favoring her left side like she always has, but it's not any worse than last he saw her.

"You look good."

"Ah, you're looking pretty good yourself. The haunted look, suits you. Rugged." She emphasizes the last word by planting her hands on his shoulders and giving him a small, rough shake. One of her hands then moves to tug on the long hair that hangs over his forehead now.

"The old you would've fucking hated this."

Jayce huffs a laugh. "That's the point."

Vi gives him a strange look at that. She simply stares at him for a long moment, the pulsing music of the grungy punk band on stage washing over them both. Whatever she finds in his eyes in the low light makes her scrunch her nose. Before Jayce can offer a platitude, she pulls him forward into another hug, this time threading her strong hand into the locks at the nape of his neck.

They figured out early on in their friendship that they both craved touch beyond normal people required. When he was younger, Jayce couldn't help himself. He would reach out and clasp his hands on shoulders, lean down into someone's space while they talked, drag his hand down their arm while pulling away from a hug. Vi on the other hand, tends to suffer in silence. Every part of her begs for touch, but she only touches those who work for it. But once you've earned it, once the dam is broken, you are awash with the joy that is Vi's sturdy touch.

He realizes all at once he has missed her terribly. He collapses into her arms and buries his head into her shoulder. She still smells like motor oil and cigarette smoke. He can feel a rumble of her saying something where their chests touch but he can't hear it over his desperate attempt to not burst into tears and the crashing crescendo of the music. He pulls away before this can get much worse for him.

[eliashirsch]

God Tier Top Gun Fanfictions. A Masterlist. (4/3)

More Top Gun fic recs:)) Different pairings ahead.

Winner Categories:

1. Best of the Best Authors (1/3)

2. Best of the Best Series (2/3)

3. Best of the Best Fics (3/3)

4. Honorary Mentions (4/3)

REMINDER! READ THE AUTHORS' TAGS AND WARNINGS!!!

Honorary Mentions

gold rush by gamerring @asimmutableasgravity

All his life, Jake Seresin has wanted to live his life as loud as possible. So that when he dies, people can place flowers on his casket. When the light hits him, sunbaked and smiling and grinning. He's whole and happy and everything he could ever want. He bites down on his teeth. Later, he hunches over the porcelain, petals falling out of his mouth, and is already one step in his grave. - Flowers, fighter pilots and the true fatality of your feelings spilling out.

Jake angst:)) And here’s another one from gamerring:

it's nice to have a friend by gamerring

"Will you marry me?" Ice is on his knees. His posture screams military, but his face is genuine. His eyebrows are furrowed in worry and a hesitant smile plays at his lips. The ring sits in a green velvet box. The band is gold and shiny, with a diamond inlaid in the middle. The rock seems to glow under the sunset, and Maverick's heart starts beating against his chest. This- it's spectacular. It's breathtaking. It's not for him. He bites his cheek for a microsecond, and then forces a smile."That's great. She can't say no to that." And a traitorous part of his soul hopes she does. - Three times Maverick should have said something, and the one time he did.

Just read the summary:) (This is canon.)

Lessons in pushing boundaries by will_thewisp

Maverick never needed lessons in pushing boundaries. Not if those boundaries are about going faster, further or screwing up on an ever increasing scale, because he'd run off the edge of the world before he'd let a thought that scared him shitless take root in his mind. It was enough that it was already in his heart. Or Maverick crashes the Darkstar and needs a very long time to learn that there's things that can and should be fixed. And that he's always had the tools to do it.

Don’t forget a tissue when reading this!

Amen by demiclar @demiclar

"What do you want done with your body when you die?" Pete Mitchell grieves his best friend.

Can you tell I love Mav angst?:)

Vanilla Milk by Specter_Ross

After the mission, Rooster is struggling to sleep so Maverick pulls some old methods out from when Bradley was a kid, in hopes of helping him.

I never get tired of reading MavDad and Bradley:)

A Perch Built for Two by chase_acow @cowsalot

Rooster is well known for keeping his own company, but between Maverick's reemergence and the suicide mission, Hangman manages to weasel his way into Bradley's attention. He's never let an alpha so close to him before, but Hangman might be the best choice - experienced and unlikely to ask for more than Bradley was willing to give. Unfortunately for him, it's Bradley who wants more, and he has no idea how to ask for it.

Another win for Hangster!

A Little Unconventional by McDanno50

Maverick didn’t know how he ended up here a month after the mission – on his back with his legs spread for not one, but two, hungry alphas. These alphas wanted Maverick so much that they no longer fought but worked together all in the name of mutual pleasure. It felt too good to be true, like a fevered dream conjured up by a broken mind. But even if he couldn’t believe his eyes, he had four other senses to rely on. A self-indulgent fic in which Omega!Maverick gets fucked by Alpha!Bradley and Alpha!Jake. That's literally it.

Mav/Bradley/Jake:)))))

Not Clamorous For Pardon by Arsenic @arsenicjade33

Okay, but what if the Navy didn't outlaw flogging as a punishment in 1896? Asking for a friend.

Another one of my favorite tropes: Mav being bullied by the Navy:(

still dangerous by cygnettine

Where was he? Jake was to his right, Bradley in front of him, the girls between their dads. Someone was missing. He was missing. Why was he missing? He was supposed to be there; that was a family dinner and he was family, he was his whole soul, why wasn’t he there? *** Maverick loses himself and wanders helplessly in his own mind until someone finally comes to his rescue.

Mav has Alzheimer's Disease:(

take a chance on the edge of life by Lacerta

It was a suicide mission. Of course they didn't succeed on their first try. - When Maverick dies, he loops back to the morning before.

An Edge of Tomorrow AU. Love this one. 

you've got the win in your bag by discosleaze @paulmezcal

“I’m going to go in and get something pierced, and if you’re a good boy, it’ll be my nipple. If you’re not, it’ll be my tongue.” Speaking of tongues, Bradley just about swallows his. “Why would that be a bad thing?” he croaks out, not enjoying how amused Jake is, mocking, even. “Well, Bradshaw, because I wouldn’t be able to blow you for weeks afterwards.” Jake contemplates a second piercing, Bradley contemplates nothing.

asdfghfghjkjhgfdsadfg. This one’s too hot for me.

How Big? by thenofutureshoe

"Most people would have had to give themselves a pep-talk, most people would have been nervous or unsure of the whole thing, Maverick Mitchell was not most people. He was a fucking power bottom and proud of it. This was not his first rodeo, pun intended. And he always got his man." Once Maverick hears the story behind Slider's callsign, it sounds more like a challenge than anything else.

This one… I never thought their difference in size could be this hot…

a dream of crashing by thefireplanet

Maverick buys a plane. Somehow, this becomes Iceman’s problem.

THIS ONE’S NOT COMPLETED! But it’s still so fun to read and the characterization is spot on!

and the bunny goes 𝒽𝑜𝓅, 𝒽𝑜𝓅, 𝒽𝑜𝓅 by Meadow_Wanderer

Contrary to expectation, he rarely measures time by the number of years he's lived without his father. Instead, he appraises in happenings. Every birthday, school graduation, and precious firsts; every milestone passing as the memory of his father becomes fainter and fainter until finally he reaches the last occasion where the end and the beginning meet, the son and the sire a breath's width apart, like reaching to touch one's reflection in the mirror. The very same one he'll face in just shy of a few hours.

Weird and fun!

you are not alone (i watch over you) by redwithlove

“Bradley, do you remember the time when you were eight and you wouldn't let me near your Pops for two days?” “What, really? Why?” “Yeah, for two whole days, can you believe it? And it all started over a can of Pringles.” Or—Bradley with Ice and Maverick over the years.

Mav and Ice and Bradley being family:) My favorite genre of topgun fics:))

PHEW! That's all the fics I've got! Thanks for reading until the end! Don't forget to leave a comment on these fics if you enjoyed them!

Here's my google doc for all four categories! >> God Tier Top Gun Fanfictions: A Masterlist