#though all the bachelors and bachelorettes are so charming

[the-travelling-witch]

time for therapy (this will fix me™️)

[studentinpursuitofclouds]

Can I request some Bachelor/Bachelorett's of your choice asking the farmer to be their partner at the flower dance? It'd be cute if they could ask us instead of the farmer always taking the initiative

Bachelors/ettes of my choice? Hmm, since it's my choice here, I've chosen.... All SDV marriage candidate :D

Thanks for the ask, dear anon! Enjoy! 🫰💕

_________________________________________

SDV bachelors/ettes asking Farmer to be their dance partner at the Flower Dance:

SDV bachelors:

Alex:

Alex tries to make Farmer's question sound casual.

Something like, "Hey, I'd like to ask you to be my dance partner, but if you say no, that's okay, it won't hurt me in any way."

(He can't fool himself, It will make him sad if Farmer says no).

So the athlete almost jumped up on the spot with joy when Farmer agreed. But he tried to play it cool.

"So, shall we go and take our place on the dance floor?"

Alex was so happy, and started to get a little nervous not to mess it up.

Elliott:

"Farmer, my friend! I've been preparing for this celebration for a couple of days now, and I would be immensely happy if you would honoring me of agreeing to be my dance partner."

Elliott hopes the invitation wasn't too pompous. Otherwise, the writer was already worried he'd ruined everything.

Maybe Farmer already had a partner and Elliott with his speech made them feel pressured and awkward?

But Farmer's smile and nod of agreement said otherwise.

"Really? Oh, delightful! Then let's go rehearse our moves before the festival starts." Words can't describe how happy Elliott is.

Sebastian:

Because Sebastian doesn't really like dancing in public, asking someone to dance is a big step for him.

No, for real. Farmer must be a very dear friend to him (or maybe something more), if the local emo stepped out of his comfort zone to ask them to dance.

And his efforts paid off - Farmer agreed without delay.

Now, even the spring sun and heat will not spoil Sebby's mood.

Sam and Abigail start teasing Sebastian a little bit (affectionate) that he'll now have a silly smile on his face all day long.

Sam:

Sam is simply the epitome of a golden retriever who can get anything he wants with his charm alone. (Sam doesn't realise it himself, but still).

And even though he's a little nervous, it doesn't hurt his charm at all.

"Hey, Farmer. I've been thinking... Would you be interested in becoming my dance partner? If you don't mind."

Look at his puppy dog eyes, warm smile and slightly pink cheeks. How could you say no to him?

Here, Farmer didn't refuse either.

"Super! Thanks a lot! Let's take our positions then, we're about to dance!"

Harvey:

It took Harvey about fifteen or twenty minutes to gather the will to dare to ask Farmer to dance.

It seemed like an easy task for a doctor, but his throat was immediately dry and his heart was pounding frantically in his chest.

"Farmer, I was wondering if you'd like-" "To dance with you? Sure thing, Harvey!"

Well, that was easier than he thought. And why was Harvey getting worried over nothing?

Now, the only thing left for him to do was to wait for the dance to start and hope Harvey didn't step on Farmer's foot out of excitement.

Shane:

To be honest, Shane didn't dare ask Farmer for fear of rejection.

But eventually Jas intervened, telling Farmer that "uncle Shane wants to talk to you" ("Jas!").

Well, since the conversation is already inevitable, Shane has to ask them.

"Do you want to be my dance partner?" "Of course, Shane, I'd love to!"

The heck, what... Why was it so easy?

Now they're both dancing, he can't believe it! Shane is pleased.

(In the background, Jas smiles at her uncle and Farmer as they both walk to the dance floor).

SDV bachelorettes:

Leah:

Probably, of all the candidates present, Leah is the calmest. Why make something up when you can just ask them straight out?

"Hey, Farmer. If you don't have a dance partner, we can dance together."

The artist was quite okay to take no for an answer.

Still, glad that Farmer agreed to her request.

"Cool. I'll get us a good spot so we don't bake directly in the sun while dancing."

Honesty and calmness are key to her success.

Penny:

Yoba, give her strength and courage...

Penny was embarrassed to even look in Farmer's direction, let alone start a conversation with them.

Someone she knows should help nudge her to ask Farmer (Emily or Maru).

The young teacher was so nervous, she didn't even notice that Farmer smilingly agreed to her offer to be a dance partner.

Wait, what? She heard everything right? They said yes?

Oh well... then Penny went to get prepared (get prepared mentally not to faint from happiness).

Abigail:

"Ugh, stupid Flower dance... Mum made me wear this dumb dress again..." *notices Farmer* "Hey, Farmer~ Do you have a dance partner already?"

Abigail isn't really shy, to be honest.

Won't ask Farmer directly about dancing, but her hints are impossible not to recognise.

She was terribly relieved that Farmer agreed and immediately grabbed their hand, dragging them towards the dance floor.

Abby hopes her mother wouldn't think that she liked dancing now, or Caroline would want to take her to aerobics later.

Maru:

Maru was still practising her speech to Farmer from a day ago. She was really hoping that they would agree to dance with her at the festival.

That doesn't change the fact that even though she was prepared, Maru was a little nervous for fear of rejection.

Still, until you ask them, you won't know, right?

When Farmer approached her on their own, Maru finally asked them.

The young inventor's fears were in vain: the Farmer said yes immediately!

Oh, she couldn't wait to take her place to dance with Farmer!

Emily:

Emily is just overjoyed! A beautiful day, a beautiful atmosphere, a beautiful forest... The spirits are favouring them today.

Oh, there's the Farmer! She immediately ran up to them to ask them to dance.

The blue-haired girl was too excited to even think about the fact that Farmer might refuse her....

But that wouldn't happen, because Farmer agreed without hesitation!

Emily, even more overjoyed, immediately took them to the dance floor, letting them rehearse the dance together before festival starts.

Haley:

"Farmer. I'm you want, I might dance with you~"

Haley doesn't know if her charm will work, since last year she refused to dance with them. Yeah, awkward...

So she won't be surprised if they turn her down. But will be surprised when Farmer immediately agrees.

"Great! Then we need to rehearse to make everything perfect. I've already been Flowers Queen for a few years, I don't want to give up the title."

Haley doesn't care about the title anymore, she's dancing with Farmer! Hee hee~

[gaybae1021]

Well since my bachelorette designs were received so well, I decided to complete the marriage set! Here’s my bachelors!

Individual pics and thought processes under the cut:

I’m drawing these from the perspective of how they’d look on day 1, but I’d definitely like to do a post-Joja higher heart design for Shane at some point. Overall for this one I just tried to make him look unkempt and dull, I desaturated his skin tone to make him look sickly and he’s the only one without eye shines, signifying how he’s lost the spark for life.

Also sorry about the socks and Birkenstocks.

Decided to make Alex mixed, since there’s absolutely no diversity in the bachelors. Had a lot of fun translating his canon hairstyle into those short locs. Other than that the biggest change was turning his jacket into a proper varsity jacket. Short Alex gang unite!

Okay sorry Haley, Elliot takes the win for the most changed design. Like it’s so obvious he’s meant to have a Victorian jacket and fancy trousers and all that, but after I drew him all tall and slender and I gave him little braids and beach waves he just started taking on a Boho vibe? When I drew the jacket it just looked tight and restrictive. So I decided to let the beach influence carry and we ended up with this fancy yet comfy loungewear with sandals. And I love him?

Also this was heavily inspired by ginjaninjaowo’s male espeon design

Sebastian was honestly a pain, like I know his design plays off the emo teen archetype, but compared to the others npcs he’s actually got a lot of variety. Like he’s obviously got some emo influence, but there’s also some nerd thanks to his interest in coding and ttrpgs, and he’s also a bit of a tough guy with the bike and the smoking. So there were a lot of directions to lean. Still, his sprite is clearly going for a dark hoodie and dark jeans, so I didn’t think I could change it up without making it not feel like Sebby. Does he have a muscle tee underneath for working on the bike? I’ll never say.

Biggest change is probably the hair, just wanted something less stereotypical, and have some variety in bachelor hair length. Definitely leans into the biker side a bit lol. Otherwise I just tried add detail to his dark outfit and adorn it with his interests. So frog embroidery on his shoes, a patch on his jacket and some motor oil stains on his hoodie. Also as promised he and Maru have matching dimples.

Also happy pride month, enjoy trans Sebastian and also the head canon that he and Sam start dating provided the farmer doesn’t get there first lol.

And with Sam the ASS trio is complete! Now with matching chokers because I said so.

Just like with Sebby I wasn’t sure which direction to go for Sam, whether to lean more into skater boy or rockstar. Ultimately he ended up more rockstar, though he’s still always roughed up from skating (probably because he refuses to take off the platform boots). He thinks the torn clothes make him look more legit though.

I had fun making his shape language compliment Sebby; he’s very top heavy from the giant hoodie so I made Sam bottom heavy with the baggy jeans and jacket. Also I had so many thoughts about him and Kent, given that Sam and Sebby are a thing and Sam isnt exactly gender conforming.

And last but not least, Harvey. He’s sweet, he’s simple, all his heart events are charming. And yet he is always the last one I reach max hearts with because I can’t be bothered to go to the doctors office. Sorry bby, I hope I can make it up to you by designing you as an adorable cherub of a man.

I know I’m being super controversial, giving him a pushbroom mustache when the sprite is obviously a handlebar /s. But like, he’s such a square; it fits him so well. My little lawful good guy.

Ya know, I think I gave him a sweater so Elliot’s jacket would stand out, then proceeded to not give Elliot his jacket. Huh.

Anyway bonus of the boyfriends together to close us out, thanks for reading!

[rocksibblingsau]

I been having a lot of country Brickory and general Hickory thoughts and wanted a place to ramble. So where we go

This is kinda of an unpopular opinion, but I always loved how Hickory acted after his liar reveal. He looks so sad revealing himself as a liar to Poppy, like a pathetic wet kitty really and even after that, he still has this goofie and stupid smile on. There no bravado or confidence anymore, he kinda just a pathetic failure of a guy. And I love that about him.

Anyways, country Brickory. How I view that their relationship plays out is that Branch IS attracted to the confident, work working, competent and charming bounty hunter that unashamedly flirts with him, but that's as deep as it goes. That is nothing uniquely appealing about Hickory that Branch can't find on almost every single bachelor and bachelorette in town (hard working? competent? fearless and possibly deathly? that could describe literally anyone on Lonesome Flats)

No, what makes Branch really fall for Hickory is what he sees when he's vulnerable, a kinda pathetic boyfailure of a german boy, who has a too wide and honestly kinda ugly grin, who screams "HAYOOOOO" when Branch finally allows Hickory to take him out on a date and that tears up a little bit when his latest attempt to make his mother-in-law like STILL doesn't work. Someone who he can see himself in.

Because, just like Hickory, Branch may not be putting up a facade (they are both truly very competitive, confident, hard working and honestly? deathly people), but he's still has a part of him that he conceals. Branch IS the ideal of country troll, but there will always be a part of him that still is that vulnerable troll that wants to be held and loved, that deep-down still hopes his brothers will come home to him and live with him a underground hideout, that giggles of the thought of Hickory tenderly kissing him on the cheek and singing foo uim.

Because, no matter how much Branch tries to pass himself as purely this hardcore and ruthless troll, when taking being loved and loving, he is always be the biggest sap. He's tender, caring, thoughtful, kind and affectionate, and most importantly, he is vulnerable. Branch can never truly love someone and get close to that someone if he can't let his guard down and be very single part of himself with the one he loves. And there is probably still a part of a Branch that is afraid to be vulnerable with the rest of his community, I mean let's be honest it's Branch we're talking about.

Branch looks around at all these confident and charming trolls from his town and likely its feels a part of him that is still afraid of rejection. Will these trolls still like him if he's vulnerable? If he still afraid of rejection and craves the love of people who abandoned him years ago? Who doesn't truly care about big shows of competence and skill, who just wants to hold his partner's hand and talk about nonsense in the dead of night? It's too much of a risk for Branch, to hypothetically lose the respect and sense of belonging he worked so hard for. But not with Hickory. And not only he could easily ran Hickory out of town if he rejected him or broke his heart without anyone questioning him (though that certainly helps)

Because with Hickory he doesn't have to wonder anymore if he can show something besides all of the charm and skills. He seen the side of Hickory who is unattractive, goofy and vulnerable, the side that feels real, raw and imperfect. Branch is very attracted to Hickory's bounty hunter attitude, hunting with him, flirting over a bound criminal, confidently throwing bickers and pick up lines to each other. But what he loves about him? The Hickory who gingerly kisses him on the cheek like some teenager boy with his first love, who still wants to impress his older brother and make him proud, who burned down the kitchen trying to bake Delta's favourite pie and who stutters over a love poem that likely sounded better in german. Who tenderly holds his calloused hands and calls them soft.

Branch hates being called soft or pretty, except when Hickory does it, because it's not a hidden insult or a denial of his hard work as an adult. Hickory knows how much Branch works and does his all for his community, but he also sees the Branch who tenderly tucks his niece in, who feeds his sickly grandpa soup every evening, who bakes and knits for his own enjoyment and who lovely wraps Hickory's bandages no matter if they came from a dangerous hunt or a scrapped knee and kisses them when he's done. He doesn't ignore the rough feel of his skin and the strength that could only came with hours of backbreaking work, he just thinks that despite it all they still have the capacity do be soft and caring, like Branch. He also doesn't ignore the fact Branch was grey or loves him despite it, he runs his fingers through his hair and calls it as pretty as midnight, because he genuinely finds it as pretty as midnight or thunder clouds.

Sorry if this is absurdly long, I just love how even in canon Branch went from this emotionless hard working and rude troll to this affectionate and silly troll with Poppy and how country Branch, while still in a WAY healthier state of mind, should still likely have this hidden tender and vulnerable side to him. And then I thought of how pathetic and unconfident Hickory acted after the real and my mind just made the connection. I love them so much, need to lock them in a box and lowly feed them lettuce. My little mentally ill 6 cm tall stupid creatures.

(also anyways, I didn't explore much of Dickory and Branch relationship but wanted to include as an ending note that I really think that Dick absolutely loves Branch as a brother-in-law. He probably likes Branch more than he likes Hickory as brother lmao)

I don't have anything to add to this, I just love it and need everyone else to read it

[changbins-hot-wife]

Second Time’s A Charmer

Chapter 1

the london season is upon us! all eligible bachelors and bachelorettes are in attendance at the first event of the season: The Worthington’s inaugural ball!

word count : 3,290

pairing : seo changbin x fem! reader

genre : slow burn, forbidden love

- master list -

Worthington.

A name that was unanimously agreed upon to carry much weight. If one were a Worthington, one had not only wealth, but dashing good looks and intelligence unmatched. Generations of Worthingtons had set the standard for excellence in every realm they touched—business, politics, and the arts. Their opulent estates, sprawling across the countryside, stood as monuments to their enduring success. The family crest, a symbol of honor and distinction, was a mark of both privilege and responsibility.

From a young age, children born into the Worthington family were groomed to uphold this illustrious tradition. Tutors were engaged, private lessons were given, and expectations were set sky-high. The Worthingtons were not merely a family; they were a legacy in the making, with every action and decision carefully considered to preserve the reputation they had meticulously built.

As the anticipation surrounding the birth of Lord and Lady Worthington’s first son grew, the society buzzed with speculation. Would this new addition live up to the family’s storied reputation? Would he embody the charisma, intellect, and grace that defined the Worthington lineage? The whispers became a symphony of curiosity and hope.

When the young lad was born, the initial uncertainty was palpable. Yet, as he grew, it became increasingly clear that he was not merely a Worthington by name. By age three, he carried himself with an innate elegance, and his early accomplishments—mastering complex concepts and displaying a remarkable charm—affirmed that the family’s reputation was in capable hands.

The next two children born into the Worthington family were equally remarkable, with the youngest surpassing even her older brothers in charm and grace. If that could be chalked up to the fact that the Worthington’s youngest child was female, then so be it.

And as was expected, none of the Worthington children lacked for intelligence. Whether it was due to the unparalleled education they received or a hereditary gift from their parents, their intellectual prowess was undeniable. Each child exhibited a remarkable acuity well beyond their years; the second child, in particular, had been so advanced that he had skipped an entire grade, further underscoring the family's exceptional intellectual legacy.

One thing was for sure: the legacy of the Worthington family name was surely in the right hands.

However, despite the children’s seemingly endless blessings, it seemed quite impossible for any one of them to obtain a spouse. Y/N Worthington, the youngest and only daughter, was, in fact, in her second season, having failed to secure herself a husband the previous year. The grand balls and high-society gatherings, usually a showcase of youthful romance and potential unions, had yielded little progress for her.

Y/N had been raised with the highest expectations of securing a marriage that would further elevate the Worthington name. She was well-versed in the art of conversation, skilled in the latest dance steps, and possessed a beauty that was frequently admired. Yet, the season had brought an onslaught of disappointments. The eligible bachelors she encountered seemed either indifferent or unsuitable, their attentions fleeting and superficial.

It was only the first event of the season, and already this year’s prospects seemed as bleak as ever. Though the evening often proved less than enjoyable, with suitors jostling for every dance, they held a certain nostalgic charm for Y/N. Her family had always hosted this inaugural event, and while she hadn’t truly grasped the experience until the previous year—when she had made her debut into society—she fondly remembered the raucous laughter and melodic strains of music that would drift through the ballroom doors during her childhood.

Y/N stared out at the crowd, a sea of opulent fabrics and glittering jewels, each member of high society engaged in the intricate dance of courtship and intrigue. The chatter and laughter that filled the room felt distant to her, a stark contrast to the growing despondency she felt within. Each glance and smile from potential suitors seemed to pass her by, as if she were an observer rather than an active participant.

Part of her wished that she could go back to those simpler times, when one wasn’t being constantly bothered by one’s parents to “Pin down a man!”. Back then, she could enjoy the festivities from a distance, savoring the celebrations without the weight of expectation.

She wouldn’t dare cause a fuss about it though. It had always been told to her that when she came of age, it was important she marry as quickly as possible. Why it didn’t matter as much that her brothers marry quickly, she would never know. It seemed as though men could simply take their time with these sorts of things.

There was only one man she was certain was bursting at the seams to find his future wife: The Honorable Felix Hanilee.

The second son of a Earl, he didn’t have much to look forward to in terms of estate. Nevertheless, Y/N had witnessed that Felix had quite an abundance of love and kindness in his heart, something she all but respected and hoped for her future husband.

In all honesty, had he been born the first son of the Earl, Felix would have been an exceptional marriage prospect in her eyes. His striking features and effortless charm far outshone most of the eligible bachelors Y/N had met. Equally adept in conversation and possessing a natural elegance, he embodied the qualities of a distinguished gentleman. Yet, despite these attributes, he still fell short of her parents' lofty expectations. His status as a second son and his comparatively modest prospects rendered him insufficient in their eyes, regardless of his undeniable appeal and grace.

It was a harsh reality that Y/N grappled with often. In a society where lineage and wealth were paramount, the value of personal attributes seemed to be diminished. Felix’s charm and sophistication were overshadowed by the rigid standards of social standing. Y/N found this discrepancy both frustrating and disheartening, especially when she considered how rare it was to encounter someone of his caliber.

As she pondered these thoughts, she glanced around the bustling ballroom, feeling the weight of her own constraints pressing upon her. The glittering crowd seemed to mock her own romantic frustrations, with the contrast between genuine affection and societal obligations growing ever clearer. Just as she began to lose herself in her reflections, a familiar figure caught her eye.

Almost as if she’d summoned him right out of her thoughts, the young man appeared by her side, his freckles on full display in the late afternoon light.

“Lady Worthington, how wonderful to finally greet you tonight!” His voice boomed loud, much louder than was appropriate for how close he was but Y/N simply laughed it off.

“Felix, there’s no need for formalities. I’ve all but given you permission to use my given name.” Felix smiled softly, his face crinkling in all the right places. “Why you insist on you using my title, I’ll never understand.”

He simply waved her off, instead bowing then moving to stand beside her. “My mother would have my head if she heard me call a lady by her given name.” He looked over at Y/N, the smile forming on his face almost mischievous. “Even if that lady was only in diapers when I was first acquaintanced with her.”

While it was true that the Worthingtons were esteemed pillars of high society and placed a great deal value on their children’s futures, this had never deterred Y/N's mother from maintaining a close friendship with the Hanilee family. Despite the Worthingtons' prominent status, Lady Worthington had long since been acquainted with Lady Hanilee, before either had been married. Their connection had endured through years of social gatherings, mutual support, and shared interests, transcending mere social convenience.

Though however close her and Felix’s families were, she couldn’t stand to hear him utter such embarrassing remarks in public. In the privacy of her mother’s drawing room perhaps, but not in the company of the ton. Y/N frantically placed her hands over Felix’s mouth, although the shaking in her shoulders did not hide her laughter well. “Hush! This is no place to be talking of such things!” She huffed slightly, trying to push down the giggles that threatened to bubble out of her throat. “If someone should overhear you!”

Y/N’s hands were little deterrent to Felix. “You’ll die of embarrassment?! Don’t want the entire ton knowing you were once a child who needed to wear diapers?” Her attempt to hush him was only met with Felix’s loud and obnoxious laughter. A few heads turned in their direction, and a murmur began to ripple through the crowd.

Despite the commotion, Y/N couldn’t help but find a moment of amusement in Felix’s irrepressible humor. She glanced around, noting the curious glances from nearby guests. Her smile remained pleasant but felt increasingly strained as she caught sight of the bewildered faces in the crowd.

With a sigh, Y/N leaned closer, her voice dropping to a sharp whisper. “I’m sure that’s information they’re all well aware of, but not necessarily information they need to be reminded of.” Her gaze narrowed as she looked back at Felix, the amusement in her eyes giving way to a more serious expression. “You’d be smart to shut that gaping mouth of yours.”

Felix’s eyes widened in mock horror, though he couldn’t suppress the mischievous grin that lingered. “Threatening me? This early in the season?” He laughed again, this time much more subdued; her attempt to maintain decorum was a stark reminder of the delicate balance she had to keep in such social circles. “That must be a new record you’ve just set.”

Y/N could not help but roll her eyes. He finally settled, turning his gaze towards the crowd. “Anyone standing out to you yet?” He looked in the direction of Y/N’s mother, who was happily chatting away with some of the older women of the ton. “Or anyone your mother has determined you speak to?”

Y/N shook her head. “No, not yet.” She sighed a little. “Although that’s almost certain to change. She was quite distraught over last season’s outcome, more so than myself…” Her voice trailed off and she snuck a glance at her mother. Thankfully, she was preoccupied enough that she wasn’t aware that Y/N was standing off to the side of the floor, and not on it being swept off her feet by some gentleman.

She turned back to Felix, momentarily shoving her worries to the back of her mind. “Nevermind me. What about you Felix? Any ladies of the ton you wish to court this season?”

He only allowed himself a curt nod. “A few, yes. Most my mother would be quite happy about. Although…” He didn’t turn away from her, but his eyes did not meet hers. “It seems that most ladies would rather the attentions of my older brother.”

Y/N looked out across the crowd, scanning for the eldest Hanilee son. She quickly found him, as he was surrounded by many bodies, all desperately trying to make conversation with him. He looked overwhelmed, a bead of sweat forming on his brow and his couiffed brown hair was a slight mess from the continued ruffling of his own hand running through it.

Lord Jisung Hanilee had been out two years earlier than Felix, and yet, Felix was the only son of the Hanilee family who seemed to want to settle down and sire an heir, even though he was only three and twenty years of age.

Y/N turned her attention back to Felix. His demeanor had changed, to one more somber. She gingerly placed a hand on his shoulder, doing her best to reassure him. “Surely there are some young ladies who wish to answer your affections.”

The sigh from his lips was so audible, it was quite possible the entirety of the ballroom had heard it. “For a short while, they entertain them. But eventually…” His shoulders shrugged then slumped. “They start to inquire about Jisung and lose all interest in me.”

Y/N was at a loss for words. There was a sense of comparison she could make: there were some women she’d made conversation with who eventually asked about her older brothers. And truly, she couldn’t begin to count how many men had approached her due to the Worthington title alone. But there was never a single man who’d approached her, feigning interest, only to inquire about another woman.

She couldn’t begin to imagine the pain it would cause a person. Rejection was one thing, disingenuous interest coupled with it was another.

“I’m sure that when the time is right…” Y/N thought carefully about her next words, being ever so picky about how to reassure him. “Your future spouse will find you so incredibly important, so interesting, that she’ll stop at nothing to discover every word you have to say.”

Felix brightened at her words, and Y/N patted herself on the back mentally. Words could easily lift one’s spirits, if the person speaking wove them in just the right way. And of course, it all but helped that the words she’d spoken to reassure her friend were of the utmost truth. When the time came that Felix finally did secure a wife, it was quite clear that she would be one of the luckiest women among the ton. “Yes…yes, I suppose you’re right.”

He straightened finally, and Y/N let her hand fall away from his shoulder. His brown eyes seemed a little misty, but she decided not to draw attention to the fact. “I find it most intriguing…” Felix mused, changing the topic of conversation effortlessly. “…That as the only daughter of the Worthington family, your dance card is surprisingly empty.” He motioned towards her wrist with a gloved finger, which she quickly moved behind her back.

She cleared her throat, keeping her gaze averted from his. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

A sly smirk slowly formed on his face, the most mischievous expression the ton would ever be graced with. “If you’re going to go about avoiding dances, might I suggest you stand in a less conspicuous spot?”

She scoffed, waving him off. “I’m the daughter of the host. Anywhere I stand is conspicuous.” She lifted herself onto the tips of her toes, craning her neck to see if either of her brothers were in earshot. Decidedly they weren’t, so she continued, “Besides, even if I weren’t, I’d doubt my brothers would let me have a moment to myself. They seem almost as determined as my mother to secure me a husband this season.”

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “It sounds like you’ve been cornered by family expectations.” He said, his tone sympathetic yet playful. The smirk seemed to widen on his face. “Pity…And a poor shame you don’t know a single soul who’d be willing to distract them for you .”

Y/N couldn’t believe what she was hearing. He’d truly give up a part of his night so she may enjoy some soltitude away from the watchful eyes of her mother? He’d have to be mad to do such a thing. “You jest…” She gawked, her jaw open in the most unladylike of fashions.

“Do I~?” He murmured, his voice trailing off with an enigmatic lilt as he cast a final, lingering glance at her. With a deliberate grace, he strode across the room, his movements fluid and purposeful. He deftly sidestepped any attempts at conversation from those who ventured to engage him, almost as if he were gliding on air. Her gaze followed him with a mixture of curiosity and excitement as he captivated one of her brothers in a light, engaging chat, and then seamlessly shifted to charm the other.

In the blink of eye, she was left standing alone on the edge of the floor, able to make any sort of decision she wished. The sudden overwhelming freedom of the thought glued her in place. It was one thing to hope for solitude and freedom, but to gain it so quickly…Why the sudden change left her utterly woozy.

The cacophony of laughter and clinking glasses seemed to drift away as she surveyed the room. The grandeur of the ballroom, with its opulent chandeliers and gilded moldings, felt stifling in the moment. Her heart pounded in her chest as she fought the overwhelming sensation of being trapped. Perhaps some fresh air, and some soltitude would do her some good. After all, Felix’s sacrifice needed to be worthwhile, didn’t it?

As quietly as a mouse, she maneuvered her way towards the entrance to the terrace. There were still some people milling about, but not nearly as many as there had been in the ballroom.

She slowly made her way to the staircase at the far end of the terrace, which was even less crowded than the terrace itself, watching as the last golden rays of the afternoon disappeared beyond the horizon. It was moments like this that she missed most while attending events. Simple, earthly moments. It was most likely that not a single soul had bother to look towards the direction of her family’s gardens. And it was almost certainly impossible that had anyone looked out at the gardens, they’d stop and appreciate the setting sun.

As Y/N’s heels touched the grass, she couldn’t help but wonder what it might feel like to remove her shoes and promenade through the gardens in just her stockings. A silly thought, of course. She’d get quite a lashing from her mother if she’d found out that Y/N had frolicked about in front of the ton with no shoes on.

Then again, where she was standing wasn’t in clear view of the house, nestled in a shadowy corner of the terrace where the dim lighting provided a comforting shield. Her gown, cascading in layers of rich fabric, flowed gracefully around her, its length enough to conceal her bare feet from view.

She bent down and carefully slipped off each shoe, one by one, before placing them discreetly in a nearby bush. She didn't want any unexpected visitors coming down the stairs to find a pair of abandoned shoes with no owner in sight. The subtle placement ensured that her brief moment of escape would remain undisturbed and unnoticed.

The absence of shoes, while a small rebellion against the formalities of the evening, was something she relished in this moment of solitude. Perhaps, she mused, this brief escape from the constraints of social expectation was exactly what she needed. The sensation of the cool grass beneath her feet, though imperceptible to anyone else, felt liberating. It allowed her to take a deep breath and embrace the stillness of the evening, far removed from the clamor and artifice of the ballroom.

As she walked, she marveled at how the air carried the faint scent of jasmine, mingling with the distant, muffled music from inside. Each footfall on the grass was a small, defiant assertion of her own comfort and freedom, a fleeting reprieve from the expectations and pressures that had been crowding her mind.

She paused to take in the view of the garden, the setting sun casting lovely golden rays across the landscape. The tranquility was a balm to her senses, a momentary escape from the relentless pace of the evening. With a deep breath, she felt her tension ease, the burdens of formality momentarily lifted.

She’d only walk around a bit, then she’d head right back and no one would be any the wiser. This brief foray into the gardens was a small indulgence, a chance to reclaim a fragment of personal space amidst the chaos of the celebration.

Nothing could ruin the bliss she felt in this small glimpse of freedom.

“Going for a stroll, my lady?”

Well, almost nothing.

[ash5monster01]

Truths of Our Past Part 6

Pairing: Older!Charlie Dalton x FemReader

Warnings: 18+, sex talk, mentions of nudity, mentions of suicide, depression, depressing thoughts, past trauma, facing trauma, romance, understanding, fluff.

Summary: You had met Charlie in University, were married shortly after, and had become accustomed to a beautiful life together. When you receive a wedding invitation to one of Charlie’s previous classmates weddings you discover that Charlie had a dark past, one he had been trying to forget. In the midst of it all you try to help him through it while finding out that he’s not the guy you thought you married at all. Maybe he’s even better.

word count: 2.3k

Part 5 ←→ Part 7

Masterlist

10/8/69

Day 6/8

Thankfully that night you hadn’t gotten drunk enough to be down for the count. You were too busy being proud of Charlie for overcoming and working through his emotions over Neil. By the end of the night it had actually felt like Neil had been at that table with them and you knew that was comforting for Charlie. Tonight you hoped would be the same because he was to go out with the boys for a Bachelor party. If Todd had set aside a seat for Neil at the engagement party he definitely had something up his sleeve for the bachelor party. As for you, it was Ann’s bachelorette party, and you had planned to party like you never had before. Which at the moment was proving to be very successful.

“Chris, you did not!” Ann drunkenly squealed, her blonde hair frizzing from the crown she had to keep adjusting on her head.

“Listen, I have no care about what Todd’s appendages look like but I figured if you were promising yourself to them for the rest of your life I’d at least provide one bound to be good” and Ann blushed firetruck red as the penis shaped cake was placed on the coffee table.

“For your information his appendages are more than fine” and your hands were flying to your ears, eyes squeezed shut, and humming as if to tune her out. You could still hear her giggles though at your reaction.

“Todd is sweet, quiet, innocent Todd. He doesn’t have any appendages” you were telling her, shaking your head, and praying the alcohol buzzing through you would make this conversation go away.

“Oh don’t be such a prude Y/N. You’re with Charlie” Rachel pointed to you and you felt yourself gasp lightly.

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” you asked, a giggle bubbling past your lips.

“Oh Charlie loved and breathed sex majority of his life” Chris groaned out and Ann was nodding right beside her.

“Todd told me he was the one to show him his first centerfold” Ann tipped her drink at you and you blushed at the mention of dirty magazines.

“Yes and Knox learned most of how everything works from him” Chris nodded along and Maggie giggled drunkenly from across the room.

“He was legend at Henley Hall, he was too confident. He oozed this personality that had most of us crossing our legs” Rachel informed you and a deep blush rose to your cheeks.

It was fact Charlie was overconfident, charming, and knowledgeable when it came to women. When you had gotten to know him he warmed up to that behavior around you fairly quickly. It was just hearing about how he was legend for these things shocked you considering Neil’s death has mellowed him out, made him so much more unspoken. He was much different from the legend of the kid who got a phone call from God saying they should allow girls at an all boys school.

“You knows girls, Todd once told me Charlie would use red paint to put a lighting bolt on his chest. Something about it being a sign for virility and attracting women” Ann giggled, clearly one too many drinks deep. You on the other hand found this of interest. You actually had never known Charlie had done such a thing, and the thought made you giggle and warm over because now you were missing your husband.

"Please don't hold out on us Y/N. I've been single for so long" Maggie whined after slugging back the rest of her drink and you sighed which to them was an instant sign of you caving to their prying questions.

"Fine, if you must know Charlie is good. Really good" you said hoping that this answer would be enough but the groans and boo's coming from the drunk girls said otherwise.

"Details! We need details" Rachel told you and a deep red hue found it's way to your cheeks because Charlie may not openly talk about his confidence towards women as much as he used to but he sure as hell still had it when it came to the two of you alone.

"Her and Charlie did it two mornings ago" Chris tattled on you and you gasped before chucking a pillow her way just for her to loudly laugh at it.

"In Chris' house! Did you get caught?" Ann inquired and you rolled your eyes at Chris before turning to Ann.

"No we were quiet. I woke up to him kissing my neck and then when we were making out I realized he wanted more. I tried to tell him we could get caught but he promised me we wouldn’t" you said, already feeling like you had shared enough details of your sex life with your friends. Being married to Charlie without kids required a very busy sex life that you weren't used to discussing. Charlie was very hard to turn down, the kind of guy that once you had a taste you couldnt stop. It was no wonder he was such a ladies man, he made sure he knew what he was doing and sometimes you just couldn't get enough.

“Gosh. I don’t think I’ve ever been woken up by a man kissing me” Maggie hummed delightfully, eyes shut and mind buzzing with the idea. The other girls giggled lightly.

“My first kiss with Knox was dizzying” Chris gushed and everyone tuned into her quickly. “I wasn’t sure why I couldn’t quite get him out of my head, I was still with Chet. Then he kissed me and it all just made sense”

“I love love, I wish I could marry Todd every day the rest of my life” Ann grinned widely and Rachel snorted, knowing what it was like to be in love with the Anderson gene.

“No you don’t” Rachel told her and Ann rolled her eyes.

“Todd is much gentler than Jeff, you wouldn’t get it” but the rest of the girls were laughing anyway because they knew pretty soon Ann would be out of the honeymoon phase even with a guy like Todd.

“Alright I’m getting a refill, anyone else?” you asked and the girls all shook their heads, continuing to tease Ann for her minor obsession with her soon to be husband.

As you refilled your drink in the kitchen you tried to remember what the week before your wedding was like. Just like Ann you were head over heels for Charlie, you almost had no room to tease. You had spent that entire week with Chris and college girlfriend drinking and mooning over how lucky you were to have him. It almost felt like a life time ago but it had only been three years ago. You had known the boy six years now and even though six years can be a lot of time it was nothing compared to the forever you vowed to each other. You were still learning things about him, especially now. This town brought out parts of him that he was hiding most of the time.

Before heading back to join the girls in the living room you stopped in the bathroom. Bound to make this trip multiple times tonight with the way you were drinking. As you washed your hands your eyes caught the tube of lipstick left on the counter. More than likely Ann’s but between the alcohol, thoughts of your husband, and the story of Charlie, you found yourself grabbing it. Taking one glance at yourself in the mirror you slowly unbuttoned your blouse before uncapping the lipstick and placing it on your skin. If you knew your husband as well as you thought you did he was going to go nuts when he saw this.

“Hey what took so long?” Rachel inquired as she noticed you come back first.

“Bathroom” you explained before returning to your previous seat and it didn’t take long to notice the deep blush on Maggie’s face and Ann’s not so innocent giggling. “What’d you do?”

“Nothing!” Ann squealed, struggling to stop laughing when she began to defend herself.

“She was telling Maggie in detail the very dirty things she’s done with Todd” Chris tattled and you snorted out a soft laugh, knowing you’d be wearing the same face as Maggie if you had been here.

“Maggie, you do know what single bridesmaids do right?” you found yourself asking and Maggie gave you a confused look, sitting up now safe from Ann’s words.

“No, what do they do?” she asked and you tried to suppress the evil smile on your face into the rim of your drink as you took a sip.

“They get with the single groomsmen” and a gasp was falling out of the innocent brunette girl as the rest of you laughed loudly.

“That can’t be true” but Rachel was shaking her head with amusement, hand landing on her shoulder.

“It is dear, I remember my first single wedding party. I found myself with a man named John Lester, back of the reception hall, tongue down my throat. He always tasted like saltine crackers” and Chris’ face was twisting in disgust over this.

“Lucky for you Mags there is two single groomsmen. You can take your pick” Ann told her and Maggie pouted.

“Not the red head” Maggie said and Rachel gasped loudly.

“What’s wrong with red heads?” she accused, her own red hair and vibrant green eyes shining back at the girl.

“Nothing, he’s just short. The other one though, he’s tall. I like tall” Maggie said and all the girls were laughing again.

“Whatever one you pick they are both lovely people. I’ve know those boys since I was seventeen” Chris was telling her and you nodded right beside her.

“She’s being honest, both are sweethearts. Those boys have a really great friend group” and now you all could tell Maggie was genuinely considering it.

“I’m not making any promises, but we’ll see” and you all were squealing like teenage girls over the prospect of Maggie finding true love with either of the two boys.

You wouldn’t mind coming back together so soon for another wedding. You had come to enjoy and love the group around you. In fact you loved coming to Vermont all the time. The city was big and exciting when you were eighteen and exploring the world on your own for the very first time, but now it was just the city. It was big, noisy, smelly, and full of rude and crowded people. You longed for quiet nights in your shared apartment with Charlie but you longed for a large townhouse surrounded by autumn trees with your kids running through the yard more. You longed for the life Chris had here and you wouldn’t mind being so close to them and having your hand chosen family all in one place together. If you were to end up lucky enough to bear a child you knew deep in your bones you’d come here. The city was no place for a child, it was barely a place for you.

These thoughts stayed with you when the boys had appeared to pick you up. They had gotten Todd sloppily drunk, he has half asleep, arms slung over Knox and Meeks shoulders as they practically dragged him into the house and left him on the couch. Ann seemed to sober up instantly at the sight of him and began to take care of him. You could only smile as you found Charlie and wrapped yourself up in his arms. He smelled of pine and tobacco and you missed him more than ever for some reason. “Let’s get you home Mrs. Dalton”

“Sounds like a plan Mr. Dalton” you hummed back and allowed him to guide you out to the car and back to Chris and Knox’s place for the night. You pretended it was your actual home though, with all the room and smell of nature around you. No footsteps from the upstairs neighbors, just peace.

“Someone got a little drunk huh?” Charlie teased as he eased you down into the bed and you just giggled as his hands slowly grazed up your leg as he went to pull off your shoes.

“Only a little” you told him, toes wiggling as both heels had been removed and he was now dropping his blazer off his shoulders and to the ground. He watched as your hands reached for the buttons of your blouse, fumbling lightly as you struggled to unbutton each one.

“Need help” he smirked devilishly at you and suddenly your fuzzy brain remembered the sticky red symbol laid under your top. It wasn’t hard considering what you imagined cocky teenage Charlie was like, was smirking above you.

“Somehow he always makes it to third base folks” you teased as if you were talking to a crowd and Charlie just grinned as his own steady hands reached to free you from your blouse.

“It’s cause you simply can’t get enough of me doll” he told you and you rolled your eyes despite it being true. Charlie was a drug, one you were addicted too. You figured it would always be that way and you were lucky enough to end up with him.

Once he had the third button undone you knew he had spotted the red mark under your shirt. It was noticeable by the sharp intake of air he sucked in, his hands suddenly moving faster to undo each button and see more of the lighting bolt drawn steadily through your breasts. “Like what you see?”

“Baby” and then his hand was tucking under you, unhooking your bra with one hand like he always did just to impress you. Once both the bra and blouse had been removed you stared back at his blown out eyes, unmoving from you beneath him.

“Say something handsome” you urged and finally a soft smile broke across his face as he dipped down and met his mouth with your own.

“I love you so much” he grinned, a look of awe written all over his face.

“I love you more” you were telling him but he was shaking his head, kissing you hard until you were absolutely dizzy.

“That is absolutely not possible”

[re-dracula]

I was listening to another podcast at some point a while back where they had an interview with you guys to advertize re: dracula coming out. And you guys said some stuff about Lucy that hit a weird nerve with me as a history buff.

So the VA described her as polyamorous, and it triggered some conversation about how her character gets pretty maligned for it. And that last part is an adaptation issue not present in the original text.

See, victorian era courtship did not come with a presumption of exclusivity the way modern dating does. You were not off the market until you were formally engaged to be married. So the general gist of it for upper and middle class folks (like the Dracula characters most likely are) is that there is this thing called the social season. And during the season there would be all kinds of parties and events where you would meet people. And the general structure was that if you went to a dance, you should dance with a lot of different people. Get a sense of the eligible bachelors/bachelorettes. And if you were a young man, you would be expected to go and visit each of the young women you danced with that night at some point during the week after. If you hit it off, you would then start courting (visiting back and forth attending other events together etc). But, as I said above, it wasn't exclusive. So a man would court a few women, and a woman would be pretty disappointed to only be courted by one man. As the season went on couples would get engaged (anding any other ongoing courtships).

So Lucy's situation, in its original context, goes something like this: Lucy is pretty and charming. A perfect victorian maid. She has many suitors. Three of them decide she's the perfect women for them. They each want to pop the question but they are good gentlemen so they agree to all ask her the same day so she can choose between them on her own terms. She is thrilled because of course she is. Any woman in her position would be! But! Before she can make her choice Dracula comes to steal her away. She gets terribly sick and dies. But then she is not dead after all. She came back all wrong and corrupted. Even such a bright, innocent, young woman as Lucy is not immune! It's tragic what she becomes.

By the time early film adaptations roll around though, courtship was mostly replaced by dating especially in America where it hadn't been so institutionalized. And now there is an assumption of exclusivity. Those poor men being strung along by that harlot Lucy when in the end there can be only one husband. No wonder she fell victim to Dracula's charms! And like, that was the exact opposite of the point in the books. But the culture was too different by that point to read the same way. So Hollywood made Lucy an example instead of a victim.

But yeah. I heard the polyamorous comment, and had a weird mix of "yay poly representation! That rarely happens," and "put that woman back in context, or so help me!" So when I saw you guys had a blog, I had to send a little mini rant. Feel free to disregard.

Thanks for the historical context! It is hard with historical texts to keep from bringing your modern ideas to our interpretations, but as an almost completely queer crew, it was hard to ignore the subtext in:

LUCY: Why can't they let a girl marry three men, or as many as want her, and save all this trouble? But this is heresy, and I must not say it.

That’s what we’re talking about, we’re talking about subtext in a very sexy very queer-coded book. I believe the VA you’re talking about is Beth Eyre? As a professor, she knows this too and is playing with it in her performance. And she does brilliantly.

We’re not changing the text, as we’ve said before, we’re just having fun with what’s already there.

We’ll talk some more about this in our bonus eps, which I’m very excited about.

[oddballwriter]

Noted, okay here we go.

Steven Grant

As we know our boy loves puzzles, so if the game is big on puzzles and figuring out something to progress the story then he’s all over it

He also likes a good story too, with twists and elements that keep it alive or give it some type of charm

He'd love Portal. My god this man would love the Portal franchise so much. It is an amazing puzzle game with a great and charming story

Steven quotes it all the time ie "Speedy thing goes in, speedy thing comes out" and various Wheatly quotes. He loves and relates to Wheatly so much and warms up to GLaDOS in the second game

I also like to think that he would love the Phoenix Wright trilogy games. He'd think the name puns are funny and likes the story

His taste is more in indie games. To Steven, they have more love and dedication put in them

Steven would definitely like Undertale and Deltarune because of how well-rounded and deep the characters and stories are, along with it's weird humor (he does not know the horrors of the fandom though, and he should never know, he must never know)

Horror games are a no or a maybe that is heavily leaning towards no. If he's intrigued enough and then he'l gather the courage to play it till he gets too scared

Marc Spector

Marc is more into the classics and nostalgia-inducing games, something he'd remember playing as a kid so maybe the long-existing franchises

I don't really think Marc is much into games now but I think maybe Steven and Jake convinced him into taking up something and then later on it becomes a pass time

I feel like Marc would like fighting games, platformers, and games where he can make a plan like a dungeon crawler, maybe even a Pokemon Nuzloke

Marc always plans things to the point that he'd have an itch of it and so Steven and Jake help him find something to scratch it

Marc is good at combos and can plan out things really fast so long as he knows the mechanics of a game

As soon as Marc learns a trainers line up and types, it's over

He's great at secrets too. If he finds out that a game has secrets then he will make it his job to find all of them

Marc is mostly a casual player and won't spend too much time on video games but if he's up for it then he'll play an hour or two if he has nothing better to do

Jake Lockley

Jake plays both chill and laid-back games and horror games at the same time. There is no in between

The laid-back games are for just chilling and the horror games are for taking the edge off

He plays Animal Crossing New Horizons, Stardew Valley (he has successfully dated every bachelor and bachelorette in town), Unpacking Simulator, if it's a calming and chill game then he's played it

His Stardew farm and ACNH island is the most well sculpted and planned out thing ever, they look so nice and aesthetically pleasing

As for the horror games. He's played a whole spectrum. Spooky's Jumpscare Mansion, Silent Hill/PT, Little Nightmares, the Supermassive Games (Until Dawn, Little Hope, House of Ashes, The Quarry), Detention, and classic RPG Maker horror games.

Speaking of RPG maker, I lied there is a middle and that's indie RPG Maker games

Of which his favorites are Hylics 1 & 2 and OFF

He's also played To the Moon and he cried a little bit

So I have these little hc of the moon boys and video games they might like. Would anyone be interested.

[valriety]

SDV: Bachelor Physical Touch HCs

Post Type: SFW, Fluff, Platonic/Romantic x Reader, Mentions of Family In Alex, Shane, and Sebastian. Characters: Sam, Elliot, Harvey, Alex, Shane, and Sebastian. GN Reader (You/Yours).

Hi! Felt a little sad today so figured i'd write some short and cutesy non-sexual phys touch headcanons for the SDV bachelors. Just a few lines each :P - Enjoy! Also, all characters would absolutely ask before touching!

'SDV: Bachelorette Physical Touch HCs' can be found here.

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Sam:

Touchiest bachelor in town, loves physical touch so much - practically thrives off of it.

His favourites include hugs or wrapping his arm around his friend's shoulders. But he also really enjoys high fives, or having his hair played with (when it's not gelled anyways).

Abigail and Sebastian are a little touchadverse, but they don't really mind at all when it comes to Sam - they're who he'll initiate physical touch with the most.

If you're friends, he'll do a lot of the same things he does for Abigail and Sebastian, but if he has a crush on you... suddenly, everything's ramped up tenfold.

This guy will make every excuse under the sun to touch you - patting your hair when you make a good shot, or offering to walk you home and hold your hand, even though he knows perfectly well you've made the trip alone safely before.

Ball of sunshine and contagious about it - when he's particularly excited he'll hold both your hands in his and jump around.

Will think you're so cute if you're shy about asking to touch/hold him <3

Elliot:

Very casual with his physical affection, but will save some things (like hugs or kisses) for those he cares for the most.

His favourites include anything to do with hair, loves patting it, ruffling it, or brushing the strands away from the face. In return, he likes small, comforting touches the most, like having someone trace a small pattern somewhere into his skin.

Closest with Leah in terms of physical touch, and will offer to redo her braid every chance he gets.

He also tries his best to be close with Harvey and Shane too - gently slaps their shoulders whenever a joke is made. It took a long time for Shane to warm up to this.

If you become friends, he'll offer out his hand for you to hold often. He'll also want to do your hair for you, asking if he can braid some seasonal flowers in.

If he develops a crush on you, he'll try to be a bit obvious with his skin ship - starting off by asking for hugs before you part ways, or placing his hand on the small of your back when he's leading you somewhere.

Despite his coolness and charm, he's quite flustered by you. So, in those moments where he manages to gather the courage, he'll take your hand in his, and bring it to his lips for a chaste kiss. Makes an effort to make eye contact with you the entire time in hopes that it'll help get his feelings across <3

Harvey:

Way too shy for it. He's calm and professional on the job, but the second he's off the clock, he's antsy, even if it's one of his friends. Don't take that to mean he doesn't like it though! He's just shy.

His favourites by far are handshakes or placing a firm hand on another's shoulder - especially when he's trying to make a point. He really likes it when his mates give him a friendly pat on the back.

Not really close with anyone in terms of physical touch, though Shane and (moreso) Elliot, will sometimes attempt the odd contact. Wants to be closer to Maru.

If you become friends, it'll take him a long time to work up to courage to initiate anything. Honestly, you'll probably end up asking first.

This will be overidden if he's proud of you though - giving you a curt pat on the back when you come to him excited about a particuarly good harvest, or something else.

If he develops a crush on you, and especially if he knows you don't mind physical touch, he'll hype himself up in hopes of inititating something, even if it something minor, like a stiff shoulder pat. Would love to give you a farewell kiss on the cheek one day, but has to work out how to ask first <3

Alex:

Another casual toucher, but a slightly more reserved. Doesn't really properly hug anyone, except maybe his grandparents.

He loves holding hands and intertwining them together the most, but would prefer to save it for someone really special. Also likes recieving high fives, or anything that involves a show of strength, like arm wrestling.

He's closest with his grandparents, but is a bit embarrased about it. Pretty casual with his guy friends, and Haley will occasionally initiate/accept a high five with him when he's particuarly excited about something.

If you become friends, he'll treat you similarly to his other friends. He'll also want to play a game of gridball with you, or at least a game of catch. High fives you after.

If he realises he has a crush on you, he'll reel it back for a bit, worried that he might get too flustered if he tries anything. But once he calms down a little, he'll try to be casual about it again.

Isn't as casual as he would like to be about it though. Ramps up the shows of strength - challenging you to an arm wrestle, or bragging about how easy it would be to pick you up, and trying to fluster you by picking you up bridal style when you say yes. Would probably like spinning you around in his arms later on too <3

Shane:

Not big on touch at all. Highkey hates it from most people, and will get properly mad at anyone trying to cross any boundaries. Won't mind it from certain people though, so long as it's in private and he's in a good mood.

Prefers firm touches if absolutely necessary. Will tolerate more from Jas and Marnie, and occassionally his drinking friends during their nights at the saloon. Gives plenty of pats and cuddles to his chickens.

Will hug Jas and Marnie once in a blue moon. No one else though. Jas is also the sole reciever of headpats.

If you're friends, it's pretty safe to assume that you won't really get a good chance to initiate any physical touch. It takes a while for him to get comfortable with anyone, and even then, he'll need to be in a good enough mood for it. Most of it will be brief, or accidental.

Even if he develops a crush on you, it might still take a while, because while he does find himself thinking about it more, he'll need to work up the courage first - especially since physical touch wasn't really a thing between the two of you prior.

Probably took him brushing his fingers against yours as you were passing him a can one day for him to realise just how much he likes it. Will try to playfully initiate more after this - gently pushing you as a joke, or messing up your hair but playing it off as if he just wanted to annoy you <3

Sebastian:

Touch-adverse, he has some sensory issues and can get pretty shy sometimes, so he doesn't really like it most times. Kinda touch starved tbh.

Accepts affection the most from Sam and Abigail, and will hestitantly accept it sometimes if Robin and Maru ask. Absolutely will not allow Demetrius to though, and will outright rudely deny him if he ever tries.

Actually really likes hugs, and REALLY likes cuddling. He's a big spoon, but will occasionally want to be the small spoon. Prefers gentle touches rather than firm ones. He fidgets a lot, so he'll often be seeing fidgeting with his friend's clothes or even playing with their hands and fixing their nailpolish.

If you're friends, it might take him a little while to warm up to any physical affection with you, but he's spurred on if he sees you engaging in it with others - he's shy, but he doesn't want to be left out!

Will really ramp it up if he can use it to tease others, like if you beat Sam at pool, or if you team up with him during the egg hunt to beat Abigail.

If he has a crush on you, he'll start initiating subconsciously a lot more - not moving away when your arms or legs touch, or playing with your hair when you're close by. Will get flustered when he realises what he's doing or if someone points it out, but it'll eventually just become the norm for him. Grabs your sleeve to get your attention sometimes <3

A/N: That's it! Hope you enjoyed, lemme know if you liked these.

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[shespeaksinsongs]

🎀 my melody - send me a sfw idea hc about a hp character and i'll either write a hc list, or tell you what i think of it!

Draco has to be litteraly one of the best if not the best Bachelor of the wizarding community and he pretends he doesn't know it

he def pretends he doesn't know it. he's so smug w it too. like, if you're in an actual relationship with him, but the media doesn't know it yet, he'll be like:

"darling, you shouldn't forget i'm the most eligible bachelor in london..." and you'd swat his head and be like, "uh, yeah, of the year! you won't be pretty forever, draco." you said it like a joke, and you were glad draco laughed. he wasn't ever very serious with you.

literally would wear his BEST outfits, i'm talking DRIPPED UP, and go out to "run errands", when he could have sent for maids to do all those things. he just wants the attention.

SO smug, like you will NEVER catch his confidence lacking because he knows he's rich, and young, and hot, and that so many people either wanna be with him or be him

he does interviews, where they usually ask or talk about him being dubbed sexiest man alive by people 2022, and he LOVES talking about it.

"draco, draco, draco, what're your skincare tips?" a paparazzo would ask, and he'd look up and to the left, to "think" about it and go: "drink lots of water, meditate, and have good genes"

above all, though, he's actually v charming, which is why suitresses all over the continent are seeking to marry him. narcissa rolls her eyes at the amount of FANMAIL she gets every day.

when he finally meets you, he treats you as if you're the most eligible bachelorette in the wizarding world T-T a force to be reckoned with indeed

[mangosimoothie]

The Bachelorette: Episode 13 - Ready, Set...

Welcome back to The Bachelorette! In episode 13, the guys do a group challenge to decide the next elimination. As the competition gets tighter, it seems that there are some new alliances forming, while others are falling apart...

Relationships are all about overcoming obstacles together, so what better group challenge than an obstacle course?! All contestants must complete the obstacle course in the top 3 to continue, while the last two will be up for elimination.

The guys all get ready, set...

Go!

Instead of following the other guys' "running" approach, Atticus takes advantage of his vampire abilities and transforms into a bat, completing the course in a very impressive 15 seconds.

...But some of the guys don't like that. Ryan: Hold on, hold on hold on. He can't do that! Can he do that?? Zeke: It does seem like some foul play.

Atticus: The rules state 'all contestants must COMPLETE the obstacle course in the top 3.' Nowhere does it specify that we are required to run, climb, or jump, and nowhere does it bar flying. Is that not correct? Ryan: Unbelievable. Cooper: Um then can I be excused? My wrist is still sprained, so I'm not sure if I can climb...? No you may not, Cooper. Alright, settle down. Let's let Aja make the call.

"I'll allow it. I think it's smart!"

Soundtrack (lmao)

After a little bit more complaining and whining from the mortals, they set off on the course. Cooper does his best and tries not to hurt himself again, while Bastien breezes forward.

Zeke is making good time but notices Ryan behind him on the verge of passing out. Since his fight with Atticus he's seemed a little weak and sick. We can't say for SURE but we can only assume that stopping his "blood transfusions" so quickly can't be good for his health condition.

Zeke can't in good conscience just leave Ryan behind while he looks so sick, so he decides to help him continue.

With Zeke's help, Ryan is able to make it to the finish line. They finish last together, meaning they're both up for elimination.

"Hi, boys. Wow that obstacle course looked HARD. I'm happy I got to sit in the shade and watch. Definitely would've smoked yall if I had to run it though. Anyway, all relationships have obstacles, but solving them shouldn't be a huge mountain to climb everyday. I like working smarter, not harder, and compromise means being creative and flexible. So, I'd like to give today's first rose to...

Atticus!

Because they were last in the race, that leaves Ryan and Zeke as the bottom two. Who will Aja send home? "Frankly I think this is a bullshit way to decide the top 4 and if it was up to me I wouldn't send either of you home. But the producers leave me no choice. This was a really, really hard decision. But after a lot of thought, I've decided that today's final rose will go to...

"Aja, wait!"

"Both of these gentlemen care deeply for you. You are a fascinating, beautiful, and very special woman who deserves someone whose heart belongs solely and entirely to you. But...my heart belongs to someone else. So I ask that you spare these two and send me home instead."

"Atticus...I don't know what to say. But if that's really how you feel, then I'll respect your decision and let you go."

"I can't tell you how deeply sorry I am, Aja. The last thing I want is to hurt you, or anyone else." "It's ok Atticus, I understand. You need to follow your heart."

And with that, we say farewell to our charming vampire, Atticus Winthorpe. He certainly knows how to make a dramatic exit! 

"I did feel a connection with Atticus, so I can't say I'm not disappointed. But I'm not upset with him or anything. I just hope whoever he was talking about knows how lucky they are and what a special person he is...I gotta say though, next week are the hometown dates and I was VERY nervous about meeting Atticus's lineage so...maybe it's for the best."

Soundtrack

With only four bachelors remaining, we are getting closer and closer to Aja's final decision. Next week, Aja will travel with each of the bachelors to their hometowns and meet their families. What will Aja learn about the remaining four? Find out next week on The Bachelorette!

NEXT | PREVIOUS | BEGINNING 

[xslytherclawx-writes]

The Charm Offensive & plagiarism

I've been mulling this over for a while, and while I did make a brief post about this initially, I'd like to name names because, frankly, I don't see any reason why not

Allison Cochrun, the author of The Charm Offensive, a widely-praised LGBT romance novel, seems to have based her novel on a Harry Potter fanfiction I published between 2018-2019.

I never gave consent for publishing my work or using my work as a base to edit for publication.

The main plot of my fanfiction is the same as the novel - though the novel also "borrows" many minor details to a point that it is impossible to believe that it is simply coincidence. My fanfiction predates the actual novel by over a year. In the fanfiction, a Harry Potter character goes on the Bachelorette and falls in love with one of the crew members - and then announces it on the televised finale.

Sound familiar?

Details below.

The fanfiction was the result of an inside joke with a friend, and I only posted it on AO3 (rather than keeping it in my google drive, in which case I can just about assure you: there would be no Charm Offensive) because I thought a handful of people familiar with some of my original characters might be interested in reading what is doubtlessly one of the silliest things I've ever written.

I wrote the fanfiction over the course of a few weeks in October 2018, while I was between jobs and looking for something to occupy my time waiting for HR to process my upcoming job offer.

At the time I found The Charm Offensive on Barnes and Noble's website, the fanfiction had around 700 hits. It isn't widely read, and, frankly, this isn't the first time that someone has ripped off my fanfiction, but this is the first time I've seen it monetized and acclaimed.

It is, quite honestly, an infuriating position to be in. I write fanfiction as a hobby; this is not my career, but why should that mean that I should sit idly by while someone else gets praise for my idea?

I found The Charm Offensive while looking for books to add to my cart so I could buy another romance novel without feeling guilty about paying for shipping. I saw the description and thought it sounded uncomfortably familiar, so I managed to get my hands on a copy without giving the person who ripped me off money. Because I needed to see if it was, perhaps, a strange coincidence.

It was not.

That became even more evident the more I read it.

The changes made are the sort of deliberate changes that are apparent when one reads other fanfiction that has been turned into published novels - but the key difference here is that Cochrun did not write the fanfiction, I am not her, and I did not consent to this.

And like, to be clear, this is a non-exhaustive list of the similarities between this novel and my fanfiction that was published between October 2018-January 2019 - so also before Cochrun says in the acknowledgments that the novel was actually written:

- bachelor-style setting - relationship is a participant on the show/a member of the crew (the “bachelor”/his handler vs a contestant/make up artist) - character A is a minority and specifically one often seen as a Model Minority (Indian vs Jewish in the fanfic) - character B is white & culturally christian and grew up with super homophobic parents - character A, however, grew up with super loving and supportive and slightly hippie parents who sought diagnoses and treatment for his neurodivergency and mental illness from a young age - all main cast in mid-late 20s (almost exactly the same age; they're 28 in the fanfiction and I believe 27 in the novel?) - character B went to a top university (Stanford vs Columbia) - character B (appears to? in the novel) speak German - special reassurance scene at a home visit with character B and someone who isn’t character A - character B has severe anxiety including panic attacks and thinks he’s unloveable (which isn’t unique but come on) - character B’s best friend is a woman who takes no shit and is also LGBT in some way (Pansexual vs lesbian) - character B is super into science fiction and exercise - character B is drop dead gorgeous and muscular with grey eyes - character B is sexually inexperienced - character A is very tall and skinny and often wears shorts (to a point where other characters use it as a defining thing) - character A is a hopeless romantic who desperately wants to find true love but can’t seem to find it - character A is sexually experienced (especially compared to character B) - character B / character B’s brother leaves home at 15/16 to get away from abusive, homophobic parents (LITERALLY. WHAT. THE. FUCK.) - subplot of the producers / show runner trying to make an extremely chill bisexual contestant’s sexuality into drama fodder - the entire plot about editing the footage after the fact to include scenes with characters A & B together because… - character B comes out on television, and says the words “I didn’t expect to find love here” (or similar) and then details that he did fall in love with one of the crew - also one of the women is a bisexual medical student (novel) / doctor (fanfiction) which is just. a lot. It’s a lot of little things that all seem to add up to more than coincidence, and given the way I've seen the author react to claims about the Desi rep in the book (it's not good, and I can tell you that much as someone who has just had Desi friends since she was 9), I doubt anything will come of this, but I thought I'd say it outright and make it clear that this is not anything I signed off on or was aware of prior to publication.

But hey! Don't just take my word for it. I've kept the fanfiction up with a disclaimer, so you can read it here! (Edit: originally linked the wrong fanfiction; the link has been fixed!)

[bluesylveon2]

My My, I Could Never Let You Go

Summary: Sasha Zoe just wants her dad to walk her down the aisle. There is only one problem: she doesn’t know who her dad is! Sasha invites 3 men in hopes of finding out which one is her father. What could possibly go wrong?

Pairings: Levi x Hange, Sasha x Niccolo, and other background relationships

Disclaimer: This is a Levihan Mamma Mia au. This fanfic is inspired by Mamma Mia which is directed by Phyllida Loyd, written by Catherine Johnson, and uses music from the pop group ABBA. Attack on Titan is a manga/anime series written by Hajime Isayama and published by Kondasha

A/N: Another chapter y'all! I was supposed to publish this yesterday with ch 10, but I needed to edit it. Also, there's a thunderstorm happening rn in my area so I’ll update this on AO3 later. Enjoy!

TW: mentions of a panic attack

Need to catch up? Catch up here! 

Chapter 11: Voulez-Vous pt. 2

Annie can not believe what she was seeing.

One minute, she was sneaking away to the bar despite the awkward interaction with Erwin earlier. The next minute, Hitch (no surprise) drags Annie to the courtyard. Now here she is, watching Niccolo's bachelor party looking at Sasha's bachelorette party like prey while said party screams their butt off.

She really needs a drink after this.

Annie watches as the girl's screams increases as the males swing down to the courtyard. She watches Mina and Hitch magically make their way to their respective partners based on their squeals and jumps of excitement.

She watches her friends pair up, unaware of the male landing behind her. She feels someone tap her shoulder and her instincts kicked in.

Annie immediately turns and kicks the male's side hard, causing him to fall to the ground. 

She moves in a defensive stance, ready to strike again when the male removes his mask—Annie gasps in shock.

"Armin?!"

"Hey, Annie," he replies weakly and groans with pain.

She leans forward to pick up her boyfriend off the ground. "I am so sorry, Armin! I did not know." she apologizes and blushes with embarrassment.

Armin laughs and waves her off. His face winces slightly. "Hey, it's ok, Annie. It's my fault for surprising you like that."

He extends an arm out for her to take. "You can pay me back by dancing with me."

Annie smiles, forgetting her initial plan to let loose and have fun. "Of course."

---

Mikasa stares at the male in front of her. She is too focused on paying attention to her friends pairing up and beginning to dance around her. She knew who he was even before he took off the mask covering his emerald green eyes.

She runs into his open arms.

"Eren!" She says gleefully as she jumps into his hug.

Eren chuckles and spins her around, careful enough to not have Mikasa accidentally hit anyone nearby. 

"Mikasa!" He sets her down and looks down at her with admiration. 

"What are you doing here?" she asks with shock. First, Sasha's dads appear and now Niccolo's bachelor party! Today is just full of surprises.

Eren laughs at the look on Mikasa's face. He admires her surprised look and everything about her. Of course, Eren had a crush on Mikasa ever since they first met.

She is so cute

"Well, this was all Niccolo's idea. Everyone else joined in to prank the girls, but I wanted to see you again." He confesses bashfully and rubs the back of his neck in embarrassment. 

Mikasa grins at Eren's bashfulness. 

He is so cute

"I'm glad to see you, too." 

This causes Eren to blush and look away from Mikasa's eyes. It was then when he realizes what he needs to do next. He extends his arm out to Mikasa and bows slightly. 

"Do you want to dance, my lady?" he grins boyishly and with a terrible British accent. 

Mikasa laughs and places one hand on top of his. "With pleasure."

Eren grins as he leads Mikasa to the dancefloor. 

---

"Rico is not here at the moment. Sorry about that lover boy, you're stuck with me." Hanami glances around the dancefloor in search of Rico. She should have been out now, so Jean can dance with her. 

"Hey, it's ok." Jean smiles and takes off his mask. It's a good thing Hanami didn't freak out and recognized him immediately. It was probably from his facial hair.

(It was actually from their height difference)

"Let's dance for a bit, ok?" 

Hanami smiles. "Ok."

She starts by twirling first, followed by Jean. They both place one hand on the other's shoulders and the other on the other's waist. Both of them move their hips to the beat.

"You're not as stiff as before. You have improved." Jean compliments Hanami's dancing.

She chuckles and winks at him. "That's because I had a good teacher."

They continue dancing until Hanami notices Hange and her friends enter the scene. She excitedly grabs Jean's shoulders, causing the both of them to stop dancing. She points to where Rico was.

"Jean, look!. Rico is here! Now is your chance to go speak to her!" she says with excitement in her eyes and starts pushing him in Rico's direction. 

However, Jean did not share the same sentiment. He does not move and looks at her worryingly instead. 

"What about you?"

Hanami stops and frowns a bit. "What about me? I appreciate your worry but worry about yourself right now. Your plan is almost done, Jean!"

She searches his face to see if he was convinced. He is not.

She sighs. "Look, I got this under control. Go and have some fun with Rico." She places a hand on his shoulder reassuringly and looks into his golden-brown eyes. 

"I'll be fine. I already talked to Colt earlier, so I'll have a dance partner."

Jean sighs, finally giving in. "Ok. I trust you, Hanami." Hanami chuchles in relief.

"Thank you. Now go have some fun." Hanami grins, and Jean smiles as well.

He leaves Hanami to go search for Rico. It is part of the plan, after all. He only turns around once to find Hanami getting swept away Colt and back to the dancefloor. 

---

Rico watches everyone while Hange and Nanaba go their separate ways. She watches like a hawk watching its prey. She is searching for one man ever since the big revelation from Hange. 

Her eyes scan for Erwin since she last saw him in the crowd. Her eyes widen when she spots his disheveled blonde hair and the woman laughing next to him.

Does she know who she is sitting with?

Does she not recognize him?

Rico laughs to herself and crosses her arms across her chest. Of course, Marie does not notice who Erwin is. The Marie she knew back in university would go guy hunting with Rico, but it seems she grew out of it now. She does not keep up with the "Most Handsomest" magazines anymore.

She smiles at Erwin and Marie's interactions. She is happy for her, really. Although, Rico wants to talk to Erwin at least once during this trip. 

"Ahem."

Rico turns to the source to find the same male from earlier at the bar. Ah, it's Jean.

"Hey," he says nervously.

"Hey to you too," Rico smirks and uncrosses her arms.

Jean shuffles nervously in his spot, causing Rico to laugh. She places one hand on her hip.

"Are you inviting me to dance with you?" she points her nose to the courtyard where everyone is dancing.

Jean rubs the nape of his neck and nods his head. He then extends a hand out for Rico to take.

"Yeah, so do you want to?"

Rico smiles. She will let Jean entertain her for a bit.

"Of course." 

She takes Jean's hand and lets him lead her back to the dancefloor. The two get into position and begin moving to the beat.

"You're an excellent dancer, Jean," Rico compliments after he twirls her. 

Jean chuckles. "Learning and teaching dance can do a thing or two for someone."

Little did Jean know about the two pairs of eyes; briefly look at him in shock as he laughs with Rico. The two did not notice a third pair watching the other two with suspicion on her face. 

---

Nanaba excitedly leaves Hange's side in search of one man, Mike. She knows Rico would scold her for even looking for him. She just wanted to catch up with him. 

Yeah, catch up.

Mike is Nanaba's first love. It was more than love at first sight or the face that Mike owned a yacht. She fell for his personality, charm, and his quirks. He was the ideal man in Nanaba’s eyes. She never told him her feelings since her eyes were focused on Hange. She's not mad about that, though.

Luckily for her, it does not take her long to find him. He was heading in her direction (Hange is a few feet behind her).

"Mike!" she calls out and waves her arm to get his attention. It breaks Mike out of whatever he was in earlier to look at Nanaba. His eyes widen with recognition as he walks up to her. 

"Nanaba. I didn't expect to run into you." He chuckles. He notes how she still smells the same as before. 

Nanaba laughs and looks up at Mike. 

"I see you're still tall as always." Her eyes scan the rest of Mike's body. His clothes looked slightly wrinkled compared to when she saw him earlier.

"Did you get jumped while I was away?" she teases him and places her hands on her hips. She leans forward a bit to examine him. 

"More or less." Mike and Nanaba laugh.

Both of them turn to the crowd where everyone dances. Mike turns to Nanaba and notices how she watches the group with a longing look. He extends a hand out to her.

"Do you want to dance? Miss Best Selling Author?" he smirks, and Nanaba looks at him with shock. 

"I didn't know you knew about that," she blushes and places a hand on top of his waiting one. 

"Of course I know. You’re pretty famous and your books always sell out before I can get my hands on a copy." He and Nanaba get into position and begin dancing with everyone else.

"I'm proud of you." he quietly adds for only Nanaba to hear. Everyone else is too busy dancing to even listen to what Mike said.

Nanaba swears that moment was the moment where she could not stop blushing. She also prays that Mike could not hear her heart pounding in her chest.

---

"Sasha!" Everyone yells as Sasha faints from all the pressure. 

Hange pushes the nearest person away and runs towards her daughter. Luckily for her, Niccolo was fast enough to catch Sasha before she hurt herself. Hange sighs in relief, but she still had a frantic look on her face. 

"Everyone, make some space," she calls and turns to Niccolo.

"Niccolo, check to see if Sasha is breathing or look for a pulse."

She turns to Sasha's friend's nearby and points to the males first. 

"You, prepare Sasha's room and get a lot of water and some food for her. Niccolo, you go with them too."

Niccolo nods and sets Sasha down with Historia, who sat next to him. He follows the rest of the group back into the hotel.

She points to the females next. "You all can reposition Sasha and check on her breathing to make sure she is ok. You do know what to do, right?"

The girls nod in understanding.

"Good."

The girls run off to do their duties. Hange stands up and turns to the crowd, who was watching in silence. 

"The party is officially over. I want everyone to go back home and rest for the big day tomorrow." 

She turns to Rico and Nanaba, who is standing nearby. "Go escort everyone out of the hotel safely."

Rico and Nanaba nod along and head off to their respective station.

Hange turns to her ex-lovers with an angry face. The aura around her changed from tense to cold. She points to them, causing the men to flinch.

"I want to talk to you three. Alone," Hange says in a calm but chilling tone. The men shiver in fear.

She walks away from the trio and starts heading out to a private area. Hange stops and turns around when she notices that the men were not following her. 

"C'mon. I don't have all day." 

She gestures for them to move, and so they did. Mike gulps in fear. Levi sighs and guides Erwin along. He has experienced Hange's anger before, and Erwin is too drunk to make any comments. 

The group walks away from the crowd, unaware of the pair of eyes watching them worryingly.

---

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING" Hange yells, shocking Erwin and Mike. Hange had stopped walking once they were far away from the party. She let out her anger the moment she decided she walked far enough. 

"Could you three not tell that my daughter was stressed. I don't know your goal, but stop being selfish and open your eyes for once! She was fine before you three decided to show up!" 

Hange huffs from her yelling, and a moment of silence pass between all of them. The trio was too intimidated by Hange to say a word. She begins pacing around and running her fingers through her hair, making her hair even messier than before. 

Erwin, being a brave soul, decides to speak up first.

"Hange, We're sorry for-" 

Hange's head shoots up and glares at Erwin. Levi notices the stress and the tears threatening to fall down on her face. Levi steps in and grabs Erwin's shoulder before Hange decides to yell at them again.

"Erwin. I think it is time for us to take our leave."

Erwin and Mike look at Levi with astonishment. Why is Levi trying to stop them? Meanwhile, Hange taps her foot anxiously, waiting for Levi's response. 

"But Levi. We should at least apologize to her."

Levi nods in agreement. "I agree, but trust me. Hange is in distress right now, and we should not be selfish. Besides-"

He points to Moblit, standing off to the side watching the scene. Moblit flinches from Levi, noticing him, and he moves his stance to show that he is ready to intervene.

"Hange is in good hands."

Erwin moves his mouth to argue but stops after seeing the look in Levi's eyes. Levi looks down at the ground with sadness and defeat. Erwin understands what Levi was dealing with.

"Ok." he nods. "Let's go." 

Erwin and Mike begin heading back to the yacht, with Levi following a few feet behind. His head was down, and his bangs cover his eyes. Yet, Erwin and Mike make no move to ask. They both understood with one look. 

Moblit immediately jumps in and checks up on Hange, asking if she is ok or needs anything. Hange nods and begins heading back to the hotel.

Levi stops and turns to watch Hange's figure get smaller and smaller, his heart aching from sadness, guilt, and defeat.

---

Erwin, Mike, and Levi walk back to the yacht in silence. They were almost at the dock but stop when they hear the sound of footsteps running their way.

"Erwin! Stop!"

Erwin knew that voice from anywhere. "Marie?"

Levi and Mike stop and look at Erwin in shock. 

"You know her?" Mike asks.

Erwin nods, his shock never leaving his eyes. 

"We met at the party." He says. His eyes never leaving Marie's figure, getting closer to them every second.

Marie stops running once she is in front of the trio. She stops to catch her breath before speaking.

"I saw you all leaving with Hange. You don't have to tell me what happened, but I want you three to listen to me."

The three nod their heads, and Marie smiles. Suddenly, her happy demeanor changes to a stern one. 

"I don't know what you guys did to make Hange mad, but you guys better not think about leaving this island with your tails tucked between your legs."

She walks up to Erwin and looks at him deep in his blue eyes. 

"Apologize to Hange, separately." She jabs a finger on Erwin's chest

"If she ends up the same way as Sasha earlier-"

She brings her finger in front of one side of her neck and quickly moves it to the other side as if she is cutting something: the trio, especially Erwin, shivers in fear.

"I will not hesitate to make your trips end terribly. Do you understand?"

The trio nod in agreement, and Marie smiles. She stands up straight and sighs in relief.

"Anyways, I am parched from all of this running. Can I get some water before I head back to my hotel room?"

Mike and Levi look at her in shock. To them, Marie was like a rollercoaster. She started off sweet, then went to threatening them, and now she is back to being sweet. They look up at Erwin to see if they share the same opinion. Apparently, Erwin did not. He looks at Marie like she is Aphrodite herself.

Erwin clears his throat and gains back his composure. 

"Of course. We have some on the yacht. I can also walk you back to your hotel room after." Erwin smiles at Marie with his charm that impresses both Mike and Levi. Erwin extends a hand out for her to take.

"I can take you there now."

Marie looks at Erwin's hand and then back at Erwin. She smiles and nods in agreement.

"I would like that," she says as she grabs his hand. Erwin leads her back to the yacht, and Levi can swear she can see a pink cloud forming around their bodies.

Mike chuckles at the potential new couple walking away. Levi watches them leave while silently wishing it was him and Hange in their place. 

"Look at Erwin growing up. Earlier this morning, he was hesitant to take risks, and now look at him. He is now becoming more spontaneous every hour."

Mike grins like a proud dad and turns to Levi. He notices an imaginary storm cloud forming on the tip of Levi's head. An idea forms in his head, and he elbows Levi.

"How much do you want to bet that Erwin is getting laid tonight?"

Levi looks up at Mike with disgust. "Get your mind out of the gutter, Mike. Let's call it a night before I have to clean you as well."

Levi begins walking back, and Mike laughs instead. "You never answered my question, Levi. Do you want to put in 100? 500? 1000?"

Mike continues to list numbers while Levi continues his trek back to the yacht. The couple is now long gone to hear Mike's antics. In reality, Levi is ready to jump or push Mike into the sea. Either one works for him. At least it slightly suppressed his depression from earlier.

Yet, Levi can still hear Hange's words and see Sasha fall replay over and over in his head.

©: This is where I insert all rights reserved stuff. This story belongs to me. Do not modify or republish. Hanami is my OC and she belongs to me. 

I originally intended for Nanaba to stop the trio, but it would not make sense so I switched her for Marie.

I added the Annie part to give a realistic POV of what would happen if some guys randomly crashed a party.

The plot will move quicker next chapter! We will even get to see Pieck and Porco!

[morrisredemptionarc]

the marriage candidates as la croix flavors

thank u to @doctordumptruck for this idea, even though la croix is not my choice of sparkling water brand so I don't know what some of these flavors even really taste like! :') so it's less la croix flavors and more what flavors they remind me of lmao

All marriage candidates are under the cut!

Bachelors

Alex - Coffea Exotica

This is definitely not a flavor for everyone, and sometimes it feels like this coffee + cola mix of flavors is trying to figure itself out

But if you give it a chance, you can see that the two flavors actually work together in an unexpected way

Have I actually tried the Coffea Exotica flavor? No. But I have had the Coca Cola + Coffee drinks and I'm a fan of the caramel one specifically

Similarly to the fact that I've only ever gone after Alex when I'm not basing my farmer off of myself. You have to find out what mixture of coffee + cola is best for you to really enjoy it

Elliott - Pomme Bayá

Elliott reminds me of fall, and so does this mixture of flavors, but that's probably because his birthday is in fall

Apple and cranberry together is such a good mixture, very classic for staying inside and relaxing, which is the vibes that Elliott gives off

Is this one that many people will rank as their favorite? Not really. In fact, I never even really see this flavor at the store often

Personally not really one I would actively get, but I will not complain if it's in front of me lmao

Harvey - Tangerine

An absolute classic

It's gonna give you up, never gonna let you down

Never gonna run around and desert you

People tend to overlook it because "the other flavors are so much better!!!" and "there are already so many citrus flavors"

Well listen here, I think tangerine is better than orange

It's a reliable flavor, a good one to return to when you just want something that you know won't hurt you

Sam - Piña Fraise

I asked one of my friends for help, and he said Sam would be a White Claw instead of a la croix

I agree but if Sam had to be a la croix flavor, he'd be Piña Fraise

Reminds me of summer, and his beach scene with his brother is one of my favorites

A sweet boy, just like this watermelon and strawberry mixture

Not really the go-to for many people, but it's always a fun treat when you finally do go for it

Sebastian - Berry

Honestly he's a hard one to figure out, both in general and just trying to choose a la croix flavor for him

The title of "Berry" is very vague, and you'll either grow to love it or try to find something else that suits your taste better

Personally, I love my berry boy even though I still can't completely figure him out and I marry him half of the time

I am, however, indifferent to berry la croix lmao

Shane - Pamplemousse

You either love it or hate it, but you can't deny the fact that it's a popular flavor

Somewhat of an acquired taste? The more you try it, the more you get used to it

People tend to have strong reactions either way. Lots of people who will defend pamplemousse to the ends of the earth, and also lots of people who will actively show that they hate pamplemousse

Bachelorettes

Abigail - Kiwi Sandía

The sweet smell of the kiwi watermelon la croix is one I find to be strong, but the flavor of the drink itself isn't as strong (what did I expect, it's la croix)

I feel that's the same with Abigail. When I first got the game, I was unsure on if I'd like her or not, but she slowly started charming me

Also not la croix flavor related, but i do love kiwi watermelon together, and they remind me of being younger because those are two fruits my parents buy that were usually present for convenient snacking lmao

Emily - Apricot

Am I making Emily apricot because of her quest where she requests a farm fresh apricot? Possibly

However, I do also think that apricots do fit Emily

Ngl I have never had the apricot flavored la croix, but I do like apricots

I am also biased because I remember my family having apricot and plum trees in our backyard that we didn't know the old owners had. One year, we picked the fruits and I got to use them for pie

I think Emily would enjoy that, so this is her flavor

Haley - Passionfruit

Like the apricot la croix, I actually can't tell you what the passionfruit la croix tastes like, but I do love passionfruit in general lmao

Tropical, sweet, and sour? That's our girl right here

I find passionfruit when used as a flavoring to be one that typically hits strong at first, but eventually mellows out

The flavor definitely grows on you, but I am once again talking about actual passionfruit and not the la croix flavor

Leah - Limoncello

I know that Leah's all about health and nature and stuff, but she's also a big fan of like wine and cheese, so I felt like limoncello is perfect for her

Limoncello is a great change from the typical lemon flavor. Still has that citrusy flavor, but with a bit of sweetness to balance it out a bit

Now, I don't think Leah would actually drink this flavor of la croix, but it do think she likes actual limoncello

Also, this flavor was so hard to come by when it first hit the stores, which is accurate to Leah because I always have a hard time finding her when I actually wanna see her

Maru - Múre Pepino

Blackberry and cucumber together are such fresh flavors, an absolute treat together

Yet not a flavor I see people talk about often????

The cucumber is so unexpected since I don't think any other la croix flavors have cucumber, but it works so well

Please, appreciate blackberry cucumber more

This one is so good PLEASE

Penny - Key Lime

I LOVE key lime

A citrus flavor, so it is more of a classic, reliable flavor

But I find that the key lime just has something in it that makes it distinct from regular lime

Do I know exactly what it is? No. Am I going to keep returning to key lime? Absolutely

My love for Penny is the same as my love for key lime sparkling water

I cannot explain to you why I think it's good, but it does make me feel happy so I'm keeping it

[lonelyreputation]

Twenty-Four Hours

a/n: Hello!!! I’m back again with some more fluff!! Yay! Not even a touch of angst 😌 In this little piece of writing we have Fiancé!Shawn!! Enjoy! ALSO major thanks to @saysweartogod-og who came up with this idea when I was at a loss at how not make this prompt a cliché of saying bye to Shawn before he leaves for a tour!! Emily always showing up with her creative ideas😌😌

Also, all your nice words make me cry 🥺I love reading your thoughts!! THANKS A MILLION FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT! 💞😊

REQUEST: Pulling away from a hug that you wish would last longer

Let’s Chat!! | MASTERLIST

Warnings: None!

Word Count: 3.2K

With a wedding, there comes a lot of traditions.  The bridal shower, bachelor and bachelorette parties, picking out that one dress that feels magical, rehearsal dinners, and the old wives tale of not being able to see your future spouse twenty-four hours before you walk down the aisle.

A whole twenty-four hours.

It was insane really, you had friends who had just gone the night before their wedding without seeing their future and they seemed to be doing just fine.  But your mom got yourself stuck in your head with traditions this and traditions that. You didn’t know how much you believed in the myth that your marriage with Shawn would be doomed before it started if you saw him before your wedding.  But you weren’t willing to take the chance.  Just in case.

You had spent the day with Shawn and the bridal party, enjoying each other’s company like you did when you were teenagers.  There were a lot of drinking games involved that you barely participated in, but would partner up with Shawn if he gazed at you with gentle, pleading eyes.  It was going to be a long marriage if you couldn’t start saying no to him.

With having an early afternoon ceremony, it was the night before your twenty-four hours would go into effect, the last night you would spend with Shawn as his fiancé.  It was a curious feeling; definitely one of excitement because you would finally be able to call Shawn your husband.  But a bit odd because the more you thought about it, the more you realized that nothing would really change.  You two already lived together, already had sex, and already acted like a married couple.  The only change would be your last name and the extra band on your left hand that would leave your skin considerably paler than the rest.

You had just finished getting ready for bed and looked at the time.  It was nearing ten o’clock and you had about fourteen hours left with Shawn until the twenty-four hour rule would come into effect.  Spending a whole day a part from him seemed like torture, but it was a small price to pay for a lifetime with him.

The sound of the toilet flushing and the sink running brought you out of your thoughts.  You were curled into the hotel room’s duvet when Shawn appeared shirtless from the bathroom, sweatpants hanging on his hips.  He turned off the bathroom light and then made his way to the front of the room to turn all of the lights in the room off.

The darkness blanketed the room like the duvet weighing you down, but soon enough, the duvet lifted slightly off your body and you felt the mattress dip down.  Shawn inched his way closer to you so you were able to feel his breath hit your face, “Hi.”

You let out a small laugh, “Hey there.”

Before you knew it, Shawn’s strong arms reached out and pulled you in close to him.  A loud laugh escaped through your lips as Shawn nuzzled his head into your shoulder and pressed soft kisses on your neck.  You were so content with your life right now; every heartbreak you went through before Shawn, every heartbreak you went through with Shawn…everything led you to this moment, laying in bed, with Shawn as your fiancé, feeling like everything was perfect.

“So close,” Shawn mumbled into your shoulder before he brought his head up to look at you.  His face was so close to yours that you could see the excitement in his eyes, even through the pitch black, “Can’t we just elope? I wanna be able to call you my wife right now.”

You let out a laugh as you brought a hand up to his face, brushing away some of his curls, “I think both of our parents would murder us if they weren’t there.”

“Fair point,” Shawn fell back onto the mattress with a thump.  The warmth that radiated off him caused you to close your eyes and scoot closer to the heat of his chest, “It’s just so close.”

You nodded her head against his chest, “Just a little over a day now.”

“And you want to do that twenty-four hour thing?”

“I mean, yeah,”  you lifted your fingertips up to his stomach and started lightly drawing shapes, “Don’t want to jeopardize anything.”

He let out a deep breath, “If you really want to…” He sounded hesitant on the tradition and you poked his chest until he offered up more information, “It’s just––I think it’s a bit silly is all.  We’ve been together for years, and supposedly not seeing each other for twenty-four hours will make or break our marriage?”

“We’ve gone longer without seeing each other before,” you alluded to all the times Shawn had gone on tour and you wouldn’t see him for months, “and besides,” you pressed a kiss to his cheek, “Just think about how exciting it’ll be to see me walking down the aisle.”

A fond smile crossed over his face as he brought a hand behind his head, “I’ve been dreaming about that for years now.”

A smile lit up on your face, much like Shawn’s, when the two of you thought about meeting each other at the end of the aisle.  Like him, you had been dreaming of that moment for years now, probably longer than he has.  

Your dreams were full of him standing with his back to yours, styled up in a sharp black tuxedo, as Brian stood by his side whispering in his ear how breathtaking you looked walking down the aisle.  You could already feel it in your stomach, the giddiness mixed with the nerves that came with walking down the aisle toward a new future with the person you would love forever.

And as you fell asleep in Shawn’s arms, you dreamed of the hydrangeas lined up by the pews, the blue charm bracelet Shawn gifted to you on your first Valentine’s Day together that would be clasped around your wrist, and the look on Shawn’s face when you two were finally able to look at each other after twenty-four hours.

A dream soon to be a reality.

•••

The morning you woke up you were already wishing that you stuck to only not seeing Shawn the night before your wedding instead of the full twenty-four hours.  The realization came to you when you woke up before him and lifted your head up to see him slightly snoring, one hand on his stomach as his chest moved up and down, with the corners of his lips turned upright.

Your heart ached that you were going to have to go a full day without seeing him.  But you already had your rehearsal ceremony and dinner last night, so there was no excuse to have a gathering of people again.

Shawn woke up not long after you, a lazy smile on his face as he pecked your lips after saying one word that made your insides explode; tomorrow.  You didn’t want to go down to the morning breakfast that was being held somewhere in the hotel for just you and your wedding guests.  You wanted to spend all the time you could with your future husband.

The moment just after the two of you were fully awake were spent in silence, enjoying each other’s presence, snuggled up under the covers.  It wasn’t until you were both texted by each of your mother’s requesting your presence in the breakfast room before all of the guests started showing up.  Reluctantly, you two trudged to the bathroom, getting ready side by side.

You followed Shawn out of the room and reached for his hand after he pressed the down arrow for the elevator.  You leaned into his side and rested your head on his arm, wanting to be as close to him as possible with your time ticking down.  When the elevator came, the two of you silently stepped in as he pressed a kiss to your temple.  

Even after years together, butterflies still erupted in your stomach after every gesture of affection Shawn made, and you knew that it would still ring true when you’re seventy and graying.

Thankfully, the elevator didn’t make any stops to pick anyone up, so you continued to enjoy Shawn’s company in silence.  When the elevator dropped you off at the lobby, you quickly walked past the glass doors, a few screams erupting for Shawn were faintly heard, and while he would normally go out and say hi to his fans, you were his only priority for the next few days.  

Once you were in the private room that held the breakfast, you saw a few family members already sitting down and eating.  When your mom and Karen saw the two of you walk in, they took their napkins off their laps and walked to you with beaming smiles.

“There are the love birds,” your mom said in a sing-song voice, “How was your last night together as fiancés?”

“Relaxing,” you said as you pulled away from Karen’s hug, “We were both exhausted so we passed out.”

“Likely story,” Aaliyah said with a smirk as she passed your little group with a plate of scrambled eggs and an assortment of breakfast meat.

“Aaliyah,” Karen reprimanded her daughter, as you and Shawn both let out an awkward laugh, “If they said they fell asleep, then they fell asleep.” Karen’s hard stare on her daughter softened when she turned to face you and Shawn, “I hope you two just slept.”

“Mom,” Shawn whined as you felt your face reddened, the carpet becoming more interesting than either of your mother’s questioning gazes.

You piped up, “I swear we just slept.”

Karen patted your cheek, “Oh, honey, I believe you,” she gave you a warm smile, one that gave off the impression that she had accepted you into the family a long time ago, “I believe you more than this one,” she jabbed her thumb over at her son, which only caused him to whine even more.

As family members and friends slowly trickled in, you and Shawn would greet them together or part ways for a brief moment to make sure you thanked everyone for coming.  Even though you would only be separated for a split second before you wrapped a hand around his arm, it felt too long.  The rest of the morning went like that, slow and always being by each other’s side.  

Breakfast was over and now you and Shawn were checking with your wedding planner to make sure everything was good to go for the big day tomorrow.  Part of you was worried that something was going to go wrong.  It almost seemed too good to be true that nothing had gone wrong yet, but you trusted your wedding planner when she informed you that everything was set.  Only a teeny tiny weight that was lifted from your shoulders.

After the meeting with your wedding planner went better than expected, you were in a car to one of your favorite restaurants.  It was just past noon, you had just under three more hours with Shawn.  And much like the rest of the day, you spent the car ride in silence.  This would be your final thank you said together to your guests before you were Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Mendes.

The lunch went off without a hitch; jokes shared by friends, toasts said by both of your parents, and stories told by your grandparents.  You had not stopped smiling throughout the whole ordeal and that was partly due to the fact you kept gazing at your husband-to-be who sat next to you.  Every time he rested a hand on your knee out of habit, you smiled.  Every time he stole a piece of food off your plate, you smiled.  And every time he leaned in close, his breath tickling the side of your face, to whisper how much he loved you, and only you, into your ear, you smiled.

Guests were coming up bidding you farewells and saying how they couldn’t wait for the big day tomorrow.  You would laugh and agree with them; I’ve been waiting for this my entire life, Shawn would always say in response as he looked down at you with a glint of love he always held for you in his eyes.

It was quarter to three and your mother kept reminding you every ten minutes how much time you had left with Shawn. Now, it was only your closest friends and family left in the back room where lunch was held.  While your families mingled and your friends laughed, you and Shawn were still sitting at your seats, chairs facing each other, knees touching.

“Can’t we just do the thing where we don’t see each other the night before?” Your voice was shaky as you squeezed the top of Shawn’s hand that was resting on your knee, “Tweak it just a little.”

Shawn let out a small laugh, “Last night you were going off about how you didn’t want to jeopardize anything, what’s changed?”  You shrugged your shoulders and broke eye contact with him.  “Hey, look at me,” Shawn softly whispered with care in his voice as he lifted your chin up with the tips of his fingers, “Not getting cold feet, are you?”

“Shawn,” you weren’t in the mood for joking.  It was the day before your wedding and you should feel the happiest you’ve ever felt in your life.  But for some reason you felt devastated.  There was a weight in your chest that became heavier whenever the clock ticked closer and closer to three o’clock.  You couldn’t wait for tomorrow––to finally be able to call Shawn your husband––but you didn’t want to be separated from him.

“Sorry, sorry,” he offered you a smile, but you failed to return it, “But what’s up?”

You were silent, focusing your attention on your breathing.  You opened your mouth, but closed it back up quickly when you felt it go dry.  You tried to swallow down your emotions, pressure building in the back of your throat as you told yourself you weren’t going to cry.  You didn’t care that your jaw hurt from clenching your teeth so hard, or that the stinging behind your eyes was causing your throat to feel scratchy.  

You weren’t going to cry.

With one more try, you opened your mouth to share your worries, but your mother had successfully cut you off, “Okay, lovebirds!” Her voice was far off, not wanting to disrupt the moment you two were sharing, “Officially less than ten minutes! Time to start saying your goodbyes!”

“Shawn.”

But instead of saying his name in a berating tone, you said his name out of desperation.  A single tear leaked from your eye, voice cracking, as your breathing grew heavier.  It seemed to click with him that you were upset about parting ways with him.

He immediately pushed his chair back, reaching down to your hand, and pulling you right up into his chest for a bone crushing hug.  You pressed your cheek tight up against his chest, hands clutching the back of his shirt, no doubt wrinkling his navy button down shirt.  His taut arms were wrapped equally as tight around your waist.  It was a bit difficult to breathe, but that didn’t matter to you at the moment, spending time without Shawn before the wedding already felt like you were suffocating.

With each kiss he pressed to the top of your head, a tear would fall from your eye.  There was no emotion other than joy that described how you felt about marrying Shawn.  He was your person––your home––and you felt safe in his embrace.  From the first time he hugged you, you could feel the care.  He was gentle with his touches, but there was always a firmness to his hugs, a need for him to protect you.

His hugs felt like home; a place you were able to confide your deepest sorrows, a place where he made you feel safe and appreciated for the person you are.

He pressed another kiss to the top of your head as he went to pull away, but you weren’t ready, so you only wound your arms tighter around his torso.  He let out a deep sigh, not wanting to be away from you either, “It’s just twenty-four hours,” he whispered only for you to hear, “Twenty-four hours in exchange for a whole life time together.”

A lifetime together.

You smiled through your tears and loosened your grip around his waist.  He took advantage of the little room you gave him as he slightly bent down and wiped his thumbs under your eyes, “I can already picture you walking down the aisle,” his eyebrows were pulled together, eyes glistening with tears that had yet to spill over as he smiled, “You’re going to look so damn beautiful.”

You choked out a laugh, tears still spilling out over your eyes.

“My dreams are coming true,” a tear finally slipped past his eye, “In just twenty-four hours, I won’t need anything else in the world.”

Instead of a cry of sadness, a cry of happiness passed through you as you dove your head back into Shawn’s chest.  You could feel a few pairs of eyes on you, but that didn’t concern you.  Your only concern was to be as close to Shawn as possible before your mother interrupted one of your moments again.

You savored everything from the hug; the fast thump of his heart against his chest, the scent of his shirt that had made its way into your clothes that were mixed in the wash, and the security that his hands brought when he rubbed up and down your spine…you tried to memorize everything.

Your mother didn’t have to come over to break up your moment; you knew that ten minutes was up and that it was time to part ways.  Shawn was first to pull away, and while you hummed into his chest in protest, you would rather have your moment ended by Shawn than your mother who was politely staying a distance away.

With his eyes closed, Shawn tilted his head to press a soft kiss to your lips, the last kiss before your wedding.  The kiss tasted salty from the small tears that continued to slowly fall from both of your eyes, but you still felt him pour all of his love into it.

Reluctantly he pulled away and gently rubbed his nose against yours, “See you in twenty-four hours, Mr. Mendes.”

It was the first time today where you felt the pre-wedding jitters in your stomach disappear.  The weight you felt on your shoulders, the anxiety you felt creep up your stomach; it all disappeared in that moment.  

“See you in twenty-four hours, Soon-to-be Mrs. Mendes.”

[genevievemd]

For the ship love questions

3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 for both Gen x Ethan and Bryce x Nat

I need some fluff 😂🥺

Honestly, same. 

Gen x Ethan

3. Who uses cheesy pick-up lines? Gen. Hands down, Gen. Especially when she’s had too much to drink. She makes it her personal mission to make Ethan laugh from using the cheesiest and worst pick-up lines ever. 

And no part of him wants to find them funny, but he always laughs because its coming from Gen. If anyone else used a cheesy pick-up line on him, Ethan would roll his eyes and walk away. But coming from Gen, he smiles and laughs. She’s entirely too cute and he’s powerless to resist her charms. 

6. Who’s the big and little spoon? Ethan is always the big spoon. He’d never admit it to anyone but Genevieve, but is favorite thing is holding her. Gen adores it even more. She could happily stay tucked away in his arms forever. 

7. What are their favorite things to do together? They enjoy cooking together, cuddling on the couch or in bed. Gen loves when he reads to her, either from the book he’s currently reading or a medical journal.

They also love working together, mulling over a case in the office just the two of them. It reminds them of how they got together in the first place, working on Naveen’s case.  

8. Who’s better at comforting the other? In the beginning it’s Gen. She has a weird ability to see exactly what people need in times of distress without the person ever saying so. 

It took Ethan a little longer to figure out the best way to comfort Gen. It’s not that she’s complicated, but what he needs in those moments is not what she needs and it takes him a bit to understand that. 

But once they’re together for real, it’s pretty much even. There’s no need to even say they’re upset. The other can see it and jumps right into comforting them. 

9. Who’s more protective? I’m going to say Ethan. But it’s fairly even. Both would do anything to protect the other. 

10. Do they prefer verbal or physical affection? I think Ethan didn’t realized that his love language was physical affection until Gen (MC). It startled him at first, how much he desired to touch her, hold her hand, kiss her forehead, etc. He loves when she tells him she loves him, or compliments him, or whatever. But he much prefers to touch her. Be able to physically see that she’s right there beside him.  Holding her hand is his favorite and he always strokes the back of her hand with his thumb. A silent “I’m here, I love you.” 

Gen prefers physical as well and is not shy about it. But she knows he has a disliking for over the top PDA, so she keeps it pg and minimum in public. But when they’re along she reaches for him all the time. 

Bryce x Natalie

3. Who uses cheesy pick-up lines? Bryce. Natalie sometimes but mostly Bryce. 

6. Who’s the big and little spoon? Bryce is usually the big spoon, but sometimes its Natalie. Though they prefer to face each other when cuddling in bed or on the couch. 

7. What are their favorite things to do together? They love going out together, either to a bar or to dinner. They also enjoy watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette together and place bets on whos going home and who stays 

8. Who’s better at comforting the other? Bryce. Natalie never knows what to do or say, but Bryce always knows. 

9. Who’s more protective? It’s even. 

10. Do they prefer verbal or physical affection? Natalie prefers verbal, it’s something she never received as a child and now she craves it. Even something as simple as a “how was your day” makes her feel incredibly cared for and loved. She loves physical affection, but she loves to hear it more.  Bryce I think is fairly similar? Maybe more physical than verbal. But in the same boat as Natalie, just getting an “I was thinking of you” or “How was your day?” makes him very happy. 

— SHIP QUESTIONS