#ty for sending this in!! this was fun to consider

[shadow-kid-cole]

hello friends i wanted to ask for help from those with a better memory for lore/details from the games than i have. a friend of mine is doing a presentation party soon, and i want to do mine on da2 - why my favorite game kind of sucks and how i’d fix it lmao i’ve got a lot of ideas and have been replaying it to find extra details, but my memory isn’t great and i know there’s a lot of great meta posts about it on here, so i wanted to give y’all a chance to chime in! what are some things you think i should include? what are your favorite or least favorite aspects of the game? what parts are really cool and what parts do you hate? specific examples of scenes/quests/dialogue would help - also, if you know of any posts or anything else that have this type of info, send them my way! i love da2 and i’m very excited to talk about the game that it is and also the game that it could have been, so i want to be sure i have enough for it to make sense!

[boxowo]

HII I saw ur tags on my post and I was like Woah.... I thought it might be a good idea to message u first considering what you said :') hello honk how are u doing !!!

HIII HELLO I AM DOING GOOD👍PEACE AN LOVE🌟🐬🌈

[helaintoloki]

Hello and good evening,

I saw you opened requests so I'm dropping by!

What about an infinity stone mishap that has multiple Bucky variants be at the compound at the same time. (Let's just have Winter Soldier be not entirely murderous for the sake of Tony's heart) and literally no one can seem to keep some apart except Steve and reader, who goes off on a rant about all the teeny tiny, to her very obvious details that differ between the Bucky's and accidentally in doing so admits she has a huge crush on him/them??

I hope that made sense omg

And as always, only if it speaks to you and you're up for it! ♡♡

a/n: hi hon, ty for sending this in! i’ll admit this was a bit challenging to tackle but still fun! hope you don’t mind that i changed a few details in the process <3

warnings: light angst, lots of pining, fluff

summary: a multiversal mishap leaves the compound teeming with Bucky variants, and Steve entrusts you with helping him figure out which one is the real deal

“I think I had a nightmare like this once,” Sam shudders as the two of you survey the plethora of Bucky’s taking up space in the compound. A multiversal mishap had led to an overflow of variants into the compound, and now your team found themselves working vigorously to determine which Bucky was your own and which ones needed to be sent back to their proper dimension.

Getting rid of the Winter Soldiers had been the easiest, the red stars on their arms giving away their identities and also giving Tony a heart attack in the process. You could tell apart the Bucky’s with hair that was too long or too short, the one’s that had brown or green eyes instead of blue, and the ones that went by Jane instead of James. The real work, however, came when there was only a handful of variants left that looked identical to your own Bucky.

“We can’t take any chances,” Steve says after having approached you and Sam. “All of these men are going to insist they’re our version of Bucky, and we can’t risk sending back the wrong one. I’m really going to need your help on this, y/n.”

“Why me?” You retort with furrowed brows, nervously peeking your head out of the office to observe the variants that sit restless in the common room.

“Out of everyone here, you and I know Bucky best,” the blond states truthfully. “I think if we work together we have a better shot at cleaning up this whole mess. The sooner the better.”

“You got that right,” Sam scoffs, prompting you to roll your eyes in response.

You couldn’t exactly deny the truth in Steve’s words. Other than Captain America himself, Bucky considered you to be one of his closest friends. Your kindhearted nature made it easy for him to gravitate towards you when first joining the team, and after saving each other’s asses on multiple occasions, he knew you were someone he could entrust with his life. You tore down his walls with ease, you brought out the best in him, and he’d forever be indebted to you for your friendship.

You decide with Steve that the best course of action is to spend one-on-one time with each Bucky you cross paths with to detect any abnormalities in their behavior. The Captain makes it abundantly clear that you cannot let them cloud your judgement with pleasantries, and it’s pertinent you trust your gut with each decision you make. The pressure is on, and you feel the nerves settling in your gut as you approach the Bucky that has made himself at home in the communal kitchen.

“Hey, stranger,” you call gently, a pleasant smile on your face as you seat yourself at the island counter. You note with interest how the man visibly relaxes at your presence and sets aside the pot of tea he’d just finished brewing. His eyes are bright like your Bucky’s, full of adoration and relief when he sets them upon your face.

“Y/n,” he breathes out gently before coming to meet you at the counter, “you have no idea how glad I am to see you, doll.”

“Rough day?” You prompt understandingly.

“Where do I even begin? Being around so many versions of myself is more unsettling than I ever could have imagined.”

“Well, Steve and I are doing our best to fix that,” you assure him. You watch as the man turns back to his pot of tea and begins to pour you both a cup. There’s nothing unusual about this considering your Bucky also enjoys drinking tea; it helps him keep calm and relaxed before retiring for the night.

“How many are left?” He asks before handing you your mug.

“Around ten. Steve and I are making our rounds to figure out which Bucky is ours.”

“Am I your Bucky?” The man prompts with a raised brow while taking a careful drink from his cup.

“You tell me,” you reply with a faint smile, ignoring the way your heart begins to flutter when he refers to himself as ‘your Bucky.’

“I know you have a scar on your stomach from being stabbed by another Widow in the Red Room, and the reason I know that is because I accidentally walked in on you changing in the shower room once,” Bucky admits with a sheepish laugh, prompting your face to heat with embarrassment.

“God, don’t remind me,” you groan while hiding your face in your hands. It’s not exactly comforting to know that Bucky has accidentally seen you naked in at least two different universes, but it also doesn’t make it easier to determine if this man is an imposter.

“I know you like your tea with a tablespoon of honey,” he continues before gesturing to your cup. You hum thoughtfully and set the mug down before meeting his gaze.

“I do, and I know you only like chamomile tea,” you reply, prompting Bucky to stiffen in front of you as you look down at the mug in front of you. “But this is green tea.”

Sighing, the doppelgänger sets his cup down with a defeated frown before meeting your gaze with pleading eyes. “Don’t make me go back.”

“I’m sorry, but it has to be done. We can’t risk the effects that come with having two Bucky’s in one place.”

“Then can I ask you a favor?” The man says solemnly.

“Of course.”

“Before you send me back, can I… is it okay if I hug you?” He asks, catching you by surprise. Noting the confusion on your face, Bucky gives you a dejected smile that doesn’t reach his eyes before explaining, “We don’t talk anymore in my universe. I was an idiot, and you rightfully cut me out of your life. This is the first time in years you’ve looked at me with love and not utter disgust, and I just want to enjoy it a little longer before I have to leave.”

Your heart aches for this poor Bucky who very clearly misses you, or at least his version of you, so you can’t find it in yourself to deny his request. You wordlessly rise from your seat and allow him to wrap his arms around your frame. His hold is tight, his nose brushing against your neck as he savors the feel of your touch, and you feel terrible for the fact that there isn’t anything you can do to help him.

“I’m not sure what happened between the two of you,” you utter quietly while rubbing comforting circles into his back, “but if she’s anything like me, I know she probably misses you but is too stubborn to admit it. Don’t give up on her.”

You release him with a smile and find his eyes shining with tears as he lets your words settle. You bid him a final goodbye before escorting him to Tony and Bruce so that he can be properly transferred back to his own time. That’s only one Bucky down with several more to go, and you know now that you really have your work cut out for you. This is going to be much more difficult than you anticipated.

You stumble upon the next Bucky quietly ruminating in your room, and it takes him a moment to detect your presence as you lean against the doorway and simply observe his mannerisms. You can already tell this isn’t your Bucky by the way he anxiously taps his fingers against his knees; your Bucky’s tell is the anxious bouncing of his leg. This Bucky also wears his hair pulled back into a ponytail, whereas your Bucky prefers to tie his hair back into in a half-up style.

His eyes widen in shock when he finally notices you standing there, and you’re taken aback by the way he nearly flings himself at you. His strong arms wrap around your midsection and lift you off the ground, holding you impossibly tight against him as if you’ll disappear otherwise.

“жена,” he whispers in a trembling voice while combing a hand through your hair.

“I don’t speak Russian…” you voice with an uncomfortable laugh, struggling to take a breath due to how tightly you’re pressed against him. “Buck, you’re kind of suffocating me here.”

The man finally releases you after your admission, but his hands immediately find their way to your cheeks as he cups your face and rests his forehead against your own. You’re startled by the closeness, but there’s no denying the rapid beating of your heart when you stare into his troubled eyes. You’ve had daydreams like this before, but it’s jarring to experience it in person.

“When I arrived here and came across your room I thought it was too good to be true,” he utters shakily, “but you’re here. You’re alive.”

“Bucky, I-“

“You’ve come back to me, жена.”

“жена?” You repeat unsurely. His panicked features melt into a fond smile at the sound of your botched Russian, and he carefully pushes back your hair before gifting you a nod of confirmation.

“Wife.”

Your eyes widen at his proclamation, your heart dropping to your chest while you process the weight of his words and struggle with the turmoil inside of you. You thought dealing with the Bucky from the kitchen was difficult, but this is way out of your playing field.

“Oh god,” you breathe out before carefully removing his hands from your face. He frowns.

“What’s wrong?”

“I know this is all really confusing, but I’m not…” you start to say, grappling with your guilt at having to crush the man’s hopes of being reunited with his version of you, “I’m not your wife.”

The man’s features become sullen at your confession, brows furrowing in disappointment and confusion. “What do you mean? You aren’t y/n?”

“I am, but I’m just not the same y/n you know. This is a different dimension, and you were sent here by accident.”

“So you’re not… she’s not really alive, then,” he murmurs dejectedly, eyes casting towards the floor in despair.

“No, and I’m so sorry I’m not the one you’re looking for,” you console, resting a comforting hand on his bicep. Bucky’s eyes flutter shut at the feel of your touch, something he’d been lacking since your death. You aren’t his wife, but in spite of that, he is grateful to be able to speak to you and see your face once more. “Can I ask what happened to her?”

“Hydra wanted revenge for my desertion and for aiding Captain America in their destruction,” Bucky utters lowly, eyes hardening at the memory. “An eye for an eye. She paid the price for my mistakes, and I’ve spent every waking moment avenging her death.”

A chill runs through your spine as you hear the recounting of your counterpart’s death, but you do your best to remain composed while in the presence of this alternate version Bucky. Your heart aches for the man, and you once again find yourself completely useless at trying to help him.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” you express solemnly. Despite this, Bucky looks to you with a tender smile before carefully taking your hand in his own.

“Don’t be. I know you’re not her, but seeing you again, hearing your voice- It’s the most precious gift I could ask for. Thank you for giving me some semblance of peace.”

You’re a wreck when this Bucky is returned to his own timeline, and after multiple instances of running into Bucky’s who believe you’re their y/n Steve assures you that he’ll take over moving forward. It seems that each Bucky you speak to cares so fondly for you, they adore you even, and yet in this universe you’ve been designated as a close friend and nothing more. It’s killing you to see all the ‘what if’s,’ because deep inside you know that you’ll never be with your Bucky the way you want to.

You’re not sure when your crush on the super soldier had first developed, but you know that you’ve harbored these romantic feelings for him for quite a while now. You’ve never told anyone, though you can guess Steve was smart enough to figure it out on his own, and you have no urge to act on such feelings in fear of how complicated things will become if he doesn’t reciprocate your emotions.

Your rumination leaves you in deep thought as you sit out on the balcony and enjoy some quiet after all the chaos you’ve endured. You hear the sliding door open and shut behind you, but you make no attempt to see who it is until they seat themselves beside you. You peek at Bucky from the corner of your eyes before returning your gaze to the New York skyline, simply enjoying his presence without making an effort to speak.

“You doing okay?” He asks, effectively breaking the silence between you.

“I didn’t think being around multiple versions of you would be so exhausting,” you confess with a humorless laugh, but it prompts his lips to quirk up slightly into a smile.

“You’re starting to sound like Sam,” he teases with a careful nudge to your side. While you’d normally laugh at his jokes, Bucky doesn’t even get a smile out of you. You feel him shift closer to you and hope he can’t detect the way your heart picks up a beat in response. He nudges you again softer this time and asks, “Talk to me. What’s eating you?”

“Every Bucky variant I met today looked at me like I moved heaven and earth together, like I was their reason for getting up in the morning, and I guess it just reminded me of the fact that my own Bucky doesn’t really look at me that way.”

You pull your knees up to your chest and let your chin fall on top of them with a melancholic sigh. A part of you feels embarrassed to be voicing your disappointment aloud, but you figure there’s no harm in telling a variant since you’ll never have to see them again after today.

“Do you want him to look at you that way?”

“Of course I do,” you avow incredulously like the answer isn’t already obvious. “I love him so much that Steve trusted my judgement enough to have me help him sniff out the doppelgängers. I know how he likes his tea, how he does his hair, what his favorite movie is- the list could go on forever. But of course, I live in the one universe where Bucky and I don’t end up together.”

You feel his hand come to rest on the small of your back and shudder at the feel of his cool metal hand seeping through your sweater. You can’t help but to lean against him so that your head is rested on his shoulder, and you’re able to find some comfort in his presence. You hear him let out a thoughtful hum beside you.

“You want to know something?” Bucky pronounces. He feels your head nod against him and smiles. “I know the exact moment I fell in love with you.”

The confession has you lifting your head to peer up at him questioningly. “You do?”

“Of course I do. We were on a mission, and you picked up Steve’s shield to stop a bullet from hitting me straight on before using it to knock out three bad guys in a row. You looked so strong, so beautiful. My heart was yours from then on.”

“I didn’t think you remembered that,” you confess quietly, stomach fluttering with nervous butterflies.

“Haven’t stopped thinking about it since,” he asserts with a fond smile. “Any Bucky would be lucky to have you, and I’m sorry yours has been too chicken to make a move.”

“I guess it’s not totally his fault,” you relent with a meager shrug. “I’m chicken, too.”

“You shouldn’t be,” Bucky suggests, tone light and inviting. “I know I’m not the most obvious about it, but I love you too.”

You open your mouth to answer only to be interrupted by the sound of the sliding door again. You turn to see Steve standing there, surprise on his features when he sees you two sitting on the balcony together.

“Y/n, I’ve been looking for you,” he says suddenly. “I wanted to talk to you about the variants-“

“Don’t worry,” you interrupt him with a passive wave of your hand before gesturing towards Bucky with your head. “I found another one for you. This Bucky just told me he loves me which means he’s definitely not ours.”

“Actually,” Steve says with an amused grin, “I was just coming to tell you we sent the last of them back to their own dimensions.”

“What?” You gape in shock, heart immediately dropping to your stomach as you slowly shift your gaze towards the Bucky sitting next to you. He flashes you a bashful smile and a small wave that fills you with embarrassment.

“I’ll give you two a moment,” the blond says with a knowing smile before making his exit, leaving you alone once more with the man you’d just poured your entire heart out to.

“I thought you knew,” Bucky offers apologetically. You take a nervous swallow before forcing yourself to meet his gaze again.

“So you’re saying that you do love me?” You ask hesitantly, almost afraid that this is all some sort of joke.

“I may not be as romantic or straightforward as the other Bucky’s you met, but I love you just as much as they do if not more,” he professes earnestly, gently resting a hand on your cheek to pull you closer. “I think we make a great team, but we’d make an even better couple.”

“I think so too,” you utter with a giddy smile, waiting with bated breath as Bucky slowly begins to lean in. The anticipation is killing you, but you’re finally rewarded for your patience when his lips meet your own in a tender kiss. Your lashes flutter shut as you melt into his touch, reveling in the moment you’ve dreamed of since discovering your feelings for Bucky.

No matter the timeline and no matter the universe, Bucky is destined to fall in love with his y/n. And you wouldn’t want it any other way.

[ahgasegotarmy116]

Who Is My Heart Waiting For? | Jeon Jungkook | One Shot

Summary: Getting closer to one of the staff members on tour didn’t seem like such a bad idea…that is until Jungkook realizes that his feelings for her are more than just platonic. Pairing: Staff f!reader x Rockstar!Jungkook (pov) Word Count: 14k~ (I've legit been working on this since July lol) Warnings: Explicit language but that's it a/n: I made this with Jimin in mind (since it's his song) but no one was really vibing with it (unfortunately) so I figured I'd change it to Jungkook. I hope you guys like it! Inspired by Who by Jimin (Rock Remix)

"Ayo JK!" our keys player Tyler calls out as we all stumble through the green room doors, throughly exhausted after playing our third encore of the night. "Did you see the way that little hottie in the front row was looking at you?" he says, his description of whatever girl he's talking about incredibly vague.

"You'll have to be a little more specific Ty, there were plenty of hotties in the front row" I throw back, rolling my eyes and opening the water bottle one of the staff gave me. "The little blondie in the red dress?" he offers, his description yet still vague helps me sort through the girls that had been screaming our names throughout the show.

"She was practically drooling" he continues poking fun at her and I can't help but want to shift the attention away from her. "I mean I would too if I were her" I say, throwing out a cocky comment like I always do. It's no secret that I know I'm hot and after that concert high it takes a second for me to come back down to earth.

"You're the front man for a reason I guess" our drummer Zach says, sticks still in hand, tapping on whatever surface he can reach. "Don't give him a bigger head than he already has Z" Asher our lead guitarist says, rounding out the rest of our band with Leo our bassist chiming in soon after.

"Gotta give the man some credit though. I think I saw a girl pass out after he made eye contact with her" he teases, leaving Zach clapping me on the back making me stumble from the sheer force of it.

Leo chuckles when he sees the glare I send Zack's way but it's gone when he slumps down on the couch next to him. "Thanks" I grumble while rolling my shoulder, him being the one chuckling now, the intensity he had been using while banging on those drums still in full effect.

"Anyways" Tyler says, bringing the conversation back to where it had started "I bet she's still out there...waiting for you...hoping she'll be your girl for the night" he taunts winking to add fire to flame my protest against the idea.

"You know I don't do that anymore" I mumble, walking over to grab my phone and seeing that Sage is still blowing it up. "Why don't you just block her? She's obviously psycho if she thinks that you're still gonna go back to her after all the shit she put you through" he says, bringing up past memories from my last relationship that I would really rather forget.

"Ty stop" Leo warns, coming to my defense when he sees how tense I've gotten from the way he's been bad mouthing my ex. "Why? We all know she deserves it" he presses, leaving me balling my hands into fists, seriously considering shutting him up but when I turn around Ash's hand is already clamping down on my wrist.

"Just let it go" he mumbles, leaving me relaxing my hands knowing that he's right but I'm still ticked off.

"I need some air" I huff, pulling my wrist out of his grasp and shoving the back door open, leading to the fenced off parking lot behind the venue, a convenient place where I can breathe in the cool night air. 

It's become a routine I'm accustom to whenever Tyler gets on my nerves at this point and after clearing my head for what feels like mere moments I hear footsteps making their way over to me.

"I don't wanna hear it Ash, I'm fine" I sigh, my back resting against the side of the building, head hanging low, focused on the rocks I'm toying with.

"I'm not Ash" the voice says and my head pops up, watching as the familiar form gets closer. "And I didn't come here to lecture you" she says, mirroring my posture and leaning up against the wall beside me.

"Hey Strings" I mumble the name I gave y/n, one of our newish staff members. "You probably heard all that huh?" I ask and she shrugs her shoulders. "Not all of it but I'm pretty sure I got the gist of it" she admits, shoving her hands in her hoodie to shield them from the cool breeze that's blown our way.

"You should head back inside. I don't want you to catch a cold" I nod towards the door and she scoffs. "I should be the one saying that to you Mr. Lead Singer. Last time I checked we still have a couple more shows left" she scolds and I chuckle under my breath, shaking my head.

"What happened to not lecturing me?" I raise a brow at her and she crosses her arms, biting her tongue and going back to keeping her promise.

"As long as you're out here, I'm out here" she argues and I mirror her posture.

"Don't come crying to me when you feel like shit in the morning" I say and she scoffs in response "Then you better not come crying to me either" she says and I smile, knowing that she'll be at my mercy if I need her.

"That's your job though isn't it Princess?" I say, my voice dropping and I relish in the reaction she gives me. Her eyes widen a bit but if you blinked you would've missed it and she turns her head to hide the fact that my words effected her.

"Don't call me that" she mumbles and I laugh, bumping my shoulder against her's, "You know I was just teasing you y/n" I say and she shakes her head. "Don't call me that either" she protests and I can't help but want to keep toying with her.

"Why not? That's your name isn't it?" I say, poking her in the side, making her jump and whack my arm without hesitation. "It's Strings, anything else sounds weird coming out of your mouth" she says and I smile.

"I thought you hated that name" I chuckle and she sighs, "It's...grown on me" she mumbles and I hum, content that it seems we've gotten closer.

"Seems like you've gotten a lot better at restringing our guitars though so I might have to come up with a new nickname for you. Perhaps Sticks" I say, tapping my chin and remembering how she dropped a box of Zack's backup drum sticks the other day.

"Strings is just fine since it might as well be carved into my skin from all the times they broke on me" she says in reference to the many many times she had messed up when she started working with us on our last tour.

"I'll never forget the day we met" I say and she cringes, "One hell of a first impression huh?" she scoffs, still embarrassed to this day.

"Well when your first impression of your new crew member is a shy 'Hello' and the next second their thumb is getting sliced open by a rouge guitar string then yeah I guess you could say that's one way to be remembered" I chuckle and she slides down the wall, resting on her heels and curling up into a ball.

"Oh come on it wasn't that bad" I say, crouching down next to her but she shakes her head, "I'm never gonna live that one down huh?" she groans. "Probably not, but it was a great ice breaker...or I guess skin slicer" I say, trying to make a joke out of it but it doesn't go over well when she groans again and refuses to say anything else.

"You're lucky I was able to take you to the hospital since everyone else was busy" I say, my teasing nature with her relentless as always. "I wouldn't call it lucky since I had to listen to your whiney singing the whole way there" she retorts and I gasp, feigning offense but this is the same song and dance we have every time this memory is brought up.

"People would pay to hear this whiney voice sing. Oh right...they do" I retort and she huffs, standing up to lean against the wall again and I follow her in suit.

"You alright though?" she asks and I breathe out, trying to figure out how to keep my temper in check. "I swear that man is more interested in getting me laid than he is in himself" I say and she chuckles, listening wordlessly and waiting for me to get it all off my chest.

"I don't understand why he's so obsessed with the fact that I'm not sleeping around. Sage and I broke up right before we went on tour and all he's been doing is trying to pawn me off to whatever girl he's noticed has got her eye on me. If he doesn't have a girl on his arm yet then he's concerned about getting one under mine" I ramble and she nods along.

"He claims it's gonna help me blow off some steam but the only time I feel the need to do that is when he's ticking me off again" I finish, trying to slow my breathing so I don't get myself too worked up again.

"He's just trying to look out for you but I will admit he's probably not going about it in the healthiest way...but he means well" she tries to remind me and I know she's right, but something about the way he goes about it just rubs me the wrong way. 

"Yeah I know" I mumble running a hand through my hair in an effort to brush off the emotions this whole ordeal is bringing me.

"You wanna get out of here?" she asks making me chuckle. "That's my line" a wicked grin spreading across my lips making her push off the wall and walk away. "Suit yourself" she says, brushing off my teasing as me declining her invitation. 

"Hey wait up! I didn't say no" I protest jogging over to her and draping my arm around her shoulders, leaning on her so she stumbles and tries to push me off.

"You're pushing your luck here" she says but I wrap my other arm around her as well and follow her to the car that's parked next to the tour bus. "Liz gave you the keys?" I ask, surprised that our manager is letting her take the car for a spin.

"Not in so many words. She told me to look after you so I figured I would need a car to do that properly" she relays and when I walk over to the drivers side first and hold out my hand she tosses me the keys.

"If she tries to chew your ass out about it just tell her it was my idea" I say and she rolls her eyes before we both sink down into our seats. "Can't have my favorite staff member getting fired now can I?" I say and she sighs. "Don't let Liz hear you saying that or I'll really get fired" she warns and I turn the key in the ignition to start the car.

"Everyone knows you're my favorite, Strings" I say and she crosses her arms over her chest and slumps down into the seat. I take that as a good reaction since she usually gets shy when I say stuff like this but I'll have mercy on her this time and just enjoy our night together.

"So what's the plan?" I ask, putting the car in reverse before heading to the exit and out onto the street. "Turn left" she says and I smile, "So it's a surprise huh?" I say and she rolls her eyes. "It's more of you don't need to know until we get there, plus it's not anything crazy so don't get your hopes up" so I do as she says and follow her directions that take us to a diner on the other side of town.

"How did you know where this was without looking it up?" I ask, getting out of the car and walking with her to the entrance. "I have my ways" she says and picks up the pace, leaving me walking behind her and watching her make it there before me. 

She's a peculiar one I'll give her that.

"Come on loser let's go! I'm hungry" she calls out and I scoff and jog over to her. "Hungry? From what?" I say and she glares, looking me up and down. "From taking care of you guys all day. What else?". 

I know she works hard but it's fun to tease her like this.

"Sitting back and relaxing while admiring me" I say and she rolls her eyes, so much so that I would be concerned that they would get stuck at the back of her head if she tried to do it again. 

"More like running ramped and being at all of your beck and call. Do you know how difficult it is to take care of five man childs and one very strict overlord?" she scoffs, the last part in reference to our manager.

"Man child?" I say crossing my arms and she nods her head without hesitation. "You sure there's five of them? And all this time thought we were friends" I pout but she doesn't give in.

"What would you call what we're doing right now?" she asks, sitting down at the booth that the waitress leads us to. "A date?" I say with a smirk on my face and she shakes her head and starts looking through the menu.

"More like feeding a whiney hangry baby who needs my help to survive" she say and now I'm the one rolling my eyes. "I swear, your favorite insult is getting a little bit tired isn't it?" I say and she smirks. 

"Well what would you call that thing that you do when you're singing then?" she asks "A cry or sometimes a growl depending on the song" I tease, throwing an arm around the back of the booth leaving her sliding away from me to create some distance but I slide towards her to keep her close against her best efforts.

"Why do you always feel the need to be so close to me?" she grumbles, accepting defeat once we're almost all the way at the other end of the booth with one good scoot, had she taken it leaving her falling on her ass.

"Because I like being close to you. Plus you're always mumbling whenever we're in public places so this is the only way I can hear you" I reply while making excuses and she scoffs, muttering something inaudible under her breath.

"See I couldn't even guess what you could've possibly said" I say to prove my point. "Because it wasn't for your ears dumbass. Now figure out what you're gonna eat before I let you starve" she says, shoving a menu towards me.

I chuckle and flip through it and eventually we're giving the waitress our orders leaving me turning to face Strings once she's gone.

"Why do you always treat me like a nuisance when we're out in public?" I question and she takes a very long sip of her water to avoid answering right away. "Because you are" she answers and pulls her phone out to check a message that just came in and when I see the name 'Alex' pop up on her screen I get a little disheartened for some weird reason.

When she unlocks her phone I catch a quick glimpse of their conversation and it's full of messages planning for them to meet up. "Who's Alex?" I ask and she locks her phone immediately.

"A friend, not that it's any of your business" she replies curtly and her pointed answer kicks me in the gut. "What kind of friend?" I ask, trying to get more information before making assumptions but she gives me nothing.

"Just a friend alright?" she says and takes another drink of water making me let out a sigh, scooting back and giving both of us some air to breathe. She takes it as a chance to respond to the messages and when more come in I catch a hint of a smile and I scoff.

"What?" she asks, clearly confused with my reaction. "Seems like they're a lot more than just a friend from the way you're smiling at their replies" I nod towards her phone and she locks the screen again and places it in her bag.

"Fine, happy?" she says, showing that she'll give me her full attention now in hopes to change the subject and before I have a chance to try the waitress comes back with our food. "Did you two lovebirds need anything else?" the middle aged woman teases, trying to lighten the mood since she can clearly sense the hostility between the two of us.

"Oh we're not toge-" "Could we actually get some hot sauce? My girl loves her food extra spicy" I say, cutting off her denial of our suspected relationship. "Of course" the woman says and takes a bottle from another table and places it right next to Strings. "Just give me a shout if you need anything else" she says and I thank her before she heads off to help another table.

"I don't like hot sauce" Strings says, pushing the bottle away from her and I chuckle, "Yeah I know, but I do" I say and add a few drops on my burger. "You're so weird" she says before popping a fry in her mouth. "At least I don't eat like a child" I retort and she glares at me.

"Chicken strips and fries are the safest option okay? They're hard to fuck up. Unlike the monstrosity of a burger you got. Can you even fit that thing in your mouth?" she asks, watching as I pick it up and smush it down, trying to make it a little easier on myself.

"Only one way to find out" I say, opening wide and doing my best to take a bite but half the topping spill out the other side and she chokes on the water she had been sipping, finding my struggle hilarious. "Yeah yeah laugh it up" I say, rolling my eyes at her and grabbing some napkins for the both of us.

After we both clean up to a certain extent she looks between me and the burger, "You know famous people are supposed to keep up some sort of an image right?" she teases. "Don't remind me" I groan and rest my head against the wall behind us.

"Come here" she says a few seconds later and I look at her questioningly but sit up nonetheless and when I get close enough she grabs my chin and looks at my lips. "What are you do-" I start off but the next second she's placing a damp napkin on the side of my mouth to wipe off whatever sauce that was clearly still on my face.

"Now hurry up and finish eating. Liz will kill me if I'm the one that's keeping you out too late this time, plus I told her I'd bring something back for the rest of the guys too" she informs, tossing the napkin to the side as if that didn't just happen.

I clear my throat and sit back again, eating a fry or two, thankful that my hair is a little longer now otherwise she would've see how red my ears had gotten from something as simple as that.

I stay pretty silent through out the rest of the meal, nodding and humming when a verbal response is somewhat needed since I'm trying to limit the need for me to talk to her after she threw me off like that. Constantly keeping food in my mouth as an excuse to hide my flustered state.

"You're gonna choke if you don't slow down" she says and an image comes to my mind that I would rather not admit leaving me fulfilling her warning and choking on the rest of the burger I had in my mouth.

"I swear it's like you need me to take care of everything at this point" she teases, rolling her eyes at me and giving me the rest of her water so I can clear my throat after half of that bite got lodged in my windpipe.

After getting it all down and being able to breathe again I thank her sheepishly, thoroughly embarrassed with the scene I just caused but luckily the eyes that were watching us were little to none. Our only audience being some men who clearly just got off their overnight shifts and a few drunkards trying to sober up before going home.

"You alright?" she asks after having waved the waitress over to take our to-go order as well as bring over a couple more glasses of water. "Yeah I'm fine, it's just really good" I say, coming up with a subpar excuse and she narrows her eyes at me but takes my word for it.

"Just take smaller bites if you're gonna finish the rest of that, I can't have you throwing up when we get back to the hotel" she warns and I nod my head before taking another bite and making sure to do as she says this time.

"I'm glad you like the food though, I've been here a few times but I've always just ordered the same thing so I was scared that you wouldn't like it. Plus it was the only place around here that was still open so there wasn't really any other option" she admits and when I'm about to ask her why she knows about this place the waitress comes back with the order.

"That was fast" I say and she thanks the waitress before responding to me. "I placed the order a while ago so they were almost done with it and just waiting to box it all up" she says and I nod.

"You know you're really good at this stuff" I compliment and she looks over at me, clearly confused. "Ordering food? It's a pretty simple skill I would think" she says after standing up and grabbing one of the bags but when she tries to grab another I'm quick to carry the rest.

"Well yeah, but like planning things out so that everything is there on time and having back up for everything no matter if it's something like equipment or even a wardrobe change if the guys are being more careless than usual" I say and she nods her head, now understanding a bit more but she just shrugs.

"It's kinda my job to be good at that stuff otherwise I would've gotten fired a long time ago" she says and I shake my head and thank her as she holds the door open for me since I'm the one with my hands completely full otherwise I would argue for it to be the other way around, even though she hates when I do stuff like that.

"I'm here to take care of you and your needs so I'm pretty sure I'll survive if I open the door for you" she would argue but I always win no matter what she says. Although we've come to a compromise with me graciously allowing her to open the car door for herself but even that was a struggle.

"Strings I know you're all independent or whatever but that doesn't mean I can't be a gentleman" I would say when she first started working for us but she would be so against it no matter what.

"Just go live your rockstar life and let me fade into the background alright? I don't need anyone staring at us because you're the one taking care of me" she argues back and although she's right I'm not the kind of guy to let this all go to my head.

Have we had some mishaps because people have seen the two of us alone together? Yes, but that's not something I was ever worried about. 

Well maybe not until tonight...

"Do you know where we're going?" she asks me, referring to the hotel we're staying at but I honestly have no clue so I toss her the keys and get in the passenger seat this time and throughout the whole drive I can't help but steal glances at her.

"What's wrong?" she asks when we hit a red light and I'm shocked that she caught me. 

So much for being sneaky about it. 

"Nothing. Why?" I ask, playing the fool but she doesn't fall for it. "Am I the one with something on my face now?" she chuckles and starts driving again when the light turns green, the roads almost empty making the red lights only last a second.

"No" I say and look out my window so I'm completely turned away from her. "Then why do you keep looking at me?" she asks and when I try to come up with something I luckily find a questions that's been bugging me all night.

"How come you know your way around town already? I mean we haven't had to pull up directions or anything. It's as if you somehow memorized the whole city" I say and she chuckles. "Maybe I did" she teases but I don't believe it for a second. "That's a bit of a stretch even for you Strings" I chuckle and she scoffs at me.

"I thought you said I was good at my job?" she counters but I can't hold my laugh back. "I think I've known you long enough to know that navigation isn't your strong suit" I tease and she shakes her head.

"Remind me to never take you out again" she grumbles and I coo at her. "Aw come on, I'm only joking. You can't just leave me alone to fend for myself with those guys" and she turns into the parking lot and turns off the car once she's parked it around the back next to our bus.

"Aren't you supposed to like your bandmates?" she asks, unbuckling her seatbelt and opening the back door to grab some of the food while I do the same with the rest of it. "Of course I like them, but not as much as I like you" I tease and she rolls her eyes at me.

"Sweet talking will get you nowhere Jeon" she says, using my last name to create some playful distance between us. "Aw come on Strings don't call me that...unless you want me to start calling you y/n again?" I taunt and she shakes her head.

"Do and die" she warns and opens the door to the suite a few of the guys are sharing which happens to be where everyone is waiting for us with baited breath from the looks on the guy's faces.

"Where have you guys been? We thought you had left us here to starve" Leo whines, playing it up as if they hadn't already ate the food Strings ordered for them after the show.

"Didn't you guys eat like five pizzas already?" y/n asks placing the food down on the table and stepping back real quick, learning from past experience how they like to pounce whenever there's food around.

"We did but we're growing boys" Tyler says, his face already stuffed with a huge bite of his burger. "You're twenty six" y/n argues and he furrows his brow, "So? I grew five inches the last time I checked my height" he says after swallowing his way too big of bite and drinking one of the sodas that came with their meals.

"That's because the last time you measured yourself before then was when you were sixteen" Zack teases and Ty throws a napkin at him but the smile is wiped off his face once he sees the glare Asher gave him, daring him to throw something again. "Whatever" Tyler mumbles and focuses on eating his food while the rest of the guys pick up the conversation.

"Aren't you guys gonna eat too?" Ash asks but when y/n tries to respond I jump in and hook an arm around her shoulders. "She took me out on a date so we took our sweet time eating together" I say pulling her closer to me when she tries to get away.

"No, I had us eat there since you guys had already devoured all the food I had brought after the show and I was starving and couldn't wait to eat until we came back" she argues while trying to push me and wriggle out of my hold leaving me eventually loosening my grip when she pinches my side.

"Enough, no fighting with the talent. If you wanna fight someone you can fight Zack" Liz scolds while coming out of no where and picking up one of the drinks, absorbed in her phone no doubt checking in with the venue for the next stop on our tour.

"You're only saying that because you know I can't take him huh?" y/n points out and Liz hums in response, grabbing the bag out of my hand that y/n had set aside for her leaving Zack teasing y/n trying to convince her to arm wrestle him or something like that but I leave them behind, opting to follow Liz to see if she knows anything about this 'Alex' character.

"Haven't heard of 'em but from what you've told me it's probably some guy she likes" she offers before taking a bite out of her burger. Looks like all of us were craving burgers tonight but I can't help but notice how unsettled my stomach has been ever since I saw those texts.

"They talked about meeting up though so I'm a little bit confused about that since she's still working for the next few days right?" I ask, having taken note that her days off are usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

"She asked to switch her days to tomorrow and Monday. Now that you mention it though she had talked about bringing a friend to the show. I guess you'll figure out who this mysterious Alex is then. Or you could always, ya know, ask her" she says nodding towards where Zack has somehow convinced Tyler to arm wrestle him instead while y/n is on her phone again, trying so hard to ignore them but losing the battle and peering over ever once in a while.

I can't help but shake this weird feeling again and it's driving me nuts. What it could be I have no clue but I decide to just push it aside and head to bed for the night, hoping I can somehow sleep it off.

"I'm heading to bed" I announce to no one in particular but y/n jumps at the chance to follow, her being just as eager to get away from the madness as I am. "Take me with you" she begs and I chuckle and nod, both of us looking over at Liz for approval. "Yeah you're done for the night" she says, waving her off and y/n visibly slumps in relief.

"Just try to keep your phone near you tomorrow. I'll try not to need you bu-" "I'll be there if you need me. Thanks for switching things up for me" y/n says cutting Liz off and she sighs. 

"The fact that you're leaving me with this miserable lot on a show night is inconvenient but you've been working hard so go enjoy your time. We'll still see you at the show though right?" she confirms what we had talked about before and y/n nods.

"I'll put your name down for two tickets at the front" she says leaving y/n thanking her again before the two of us leave, throwing a goodnight over our shoulders on our way out.

"So two tickets huh? You bringing Alex?" I ask, addressing the elephant in the room and she hums, not giving me much to work with so I nod as we make the trek back to our rooms which happen to be right across from each other this time around.

"Are we okay?" I ask, hating the air that's settled between us making her look at me, utterly confused as to why I'm asking this. "Yeah...why wouldn't we be?" and I let out a sigh of relief yet I still don't fully believe her.

"I don't know. I feel like it got a little awkward between us back at the diner so I just wanted to double check" this is weird, I've never cared about stuff like this before. I usually just let the misunderstanding stew until things boil over or we eventually stop caring about it.

But not with her...I need to make sure that everything's alright.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow night yeah?" she asks, cutting the night short as we stop in front of our rooms while she fishes her room key out of her tote bag. I don't want to leave things like this between us. I want to spend more time with her, just to make sure that things really are okay.

"Do you-" I start off, making her turn to face me since she had already turned away to open her door. "Do you think you could introduce me to this Alex guy? Wanna make sure he's alright, you know? Can't have my girl hanging out with a loser now can I?" I tease and she smiles a little wider than I was expecting which somehow confuses me even more.

"I'll introduce you after the show" she agrees and I'm shocked that there's no push back about it. From the way she was responding to me earlier you would think that she wouldn't want to bring him anywhere near me. 

"I'll be the one in the spotlight" I smile and she rolls her eyes, 

"Goodnight Jungkook" she says and disappears into her room before I get a chance to reciprocate her sentiments.

"Goodnight y/n" I mumble, staring at the place she once stood before turning around and getting my key card out to open my room.

"Well that was pathetic" I hear Asher say as he makes his way down the hallway. Did I mention that we're sharing a suite...per usual? "Fuck off Ash" I grumble, opening the door and considering locking it behind me but I don't want y/n to hear us bicker.

"What? I'm just sayin" he holds his hands up in surrender but he's quick to back down since he knows how touchy I can get sometimes, especially after what Tyler pulled earlier tonight. "Yeah well don't" I say, walking through the common room and into mine.

"So who's Alex?" he asks, pushing a bit but I know he's just trying to talk me through all of this since I clearly need to. "Strings says he's a friend or something. She's bringing him to the show tomorrow night but that's all I really know" I say, taking off the rings and the rest of the jewelry I'm still wearing before kicking off my boots and getting a bit more comfortable.

"I thought she said she was single?" Ash says and I come out of my room and lay down on the couch, my mood getting worse and worse as this conversation progresses.

"Yeah I thought so too but she was smiling and giggling at her phone which I've never seen her do before so it makes me wonder..." I say, trailing off as Ash sits on the arm chair next to the couch, the set up to an onlooker resembling some sort of therapy session.

"So you're not gonna tell her?" he asks, his vague question making me sit up just enough the rest on my forearms. "Tell her what?" I ask and he rolls his eyes as if the answer was so obvious. "That you like her?" he says and I sit up completely, looking at him as if he had grown two heads.

"You're joking right?" I scoff and he shrugs his shoulders. "I saw it coming from a mile away dude. I'm surprised you haven't even admitted it to yourself yet" he says, getting up and taking his jacket off, throwing it on the bed and following suit in taking his jewelry and boots off too.

"I don't like her. I mean she's a friend and I like having her around but I do not have feelings for her" I deny, making my stance clear but it takes a lot of effort to actually say that and even when I get it out it feels as though I'm lying to him. I don't like her though...right?

"Whatever you say man" he says turning his shower on and walking back out to talk until the water heats up. "But from what I saw back there" he nods towards the door, the one just on the other side being to y/n's room. "It seems like you were about ready to tell her to not bring that guy to the show tomorrow night" he finishes and I shake my head.

"I think you've been watching too many dramas dude. Y/n and I are just friends, I'm just looking out for her" I explain and I watch as he puts a sympathetic hand on my shoulder. "Keep telling yourself that...but don't forget to thank me later when you realize that I'm right" he finishes and heads into the bathroom without another word.

I scoff and head into my room to take a shower as well and wash off all the sweat and smoke that are no doubt stuck to my skin and try to let the memories of everything that had happened after the show wash away. 

The words that Asher said keep echoing in my mind though and I can't shake the fact that maybe he's right, leaving me analyzing and over analyzing everything about y/n and I.

Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that night.

~~~~

"Rise and shine gorgeous" I hear Ash say, turning my lights on and casually tossing a pillow at me. "Fuck off" I groan and he laughs, the same old song and dance every morning that we're on tour. To be honest though, I'd prefer that over Tyler jumping all over my bed like the hyper active knucklehead he is and I especially prefer it over Zack abandoning me and leaving it to Liz to come wake my ass up. 

My ideal wakeup call would be Strings coming to get me but the last time she did I pulled her into bed and she retaliated, kicking and punching me until I let her go. After that there were no more wakeup calls from her, and even if there were she would opt for a tactic similar to Asher. 

"What time is it?" I groan, rolling around to grab my phone but of course it's dead. "It's eleven thirty. We need to leave in thirty minutes so we can head to the venue for rehearsal" he says and I hum in response, rolling out of bed and dragging my feet until I'm dressed and ready to head out.

~~~

"Alright everybody that's a wrap" Liz calls out after we've finished up rehearsal, the staff all clapping politely before heading out, only to return a few hours later for the show. 

We stumble into the green room like we did last night, slumping on the couches and resting after a good two hour rehearsal and my voice is shot to say the least. 

"You gonna be okay tonight?" Liz asks, handing off the hot cup of tea one of the venue staff gave her. "I just need to rest my voice for a while" I say and she places a hand on my shoulder, trusting me and going to address the rest of the guys.

"You guys sounded great today so I think we're all good to go for the show tonight. Anyone got any complaints?" she asks, knowing there's always something someone's gotta say. 

"Yeah, where's y/n?" Tyler asks making my ears perk up even though I know the answer already. "She's taking the day off but she's gonna be at the show tonight" Liz says and the group sighs, making her cross her arms over her chest. 

"Is that a problem?" she cocks her brow, daring someone to say something and the brave soul this time being Leo pipes up. "Well she just usually has all the food ready for us back here when we're done with rehearsals" he says, trailing off when he realizes how stupid his little comment is.

"Food's on it's way children. I swear people would think I starve you from the way that you're all acting" she mutters and pulls out her phone when a notification pops up. "But some of us didn't eat breakfast!" Tyler whines and she holds up her hand to silence him. 

"Not my fault that you slept through it" she finishes and leaves the room when her phone rings, no doubt another person asking her the millions of questions they might have about us and the next stops on our tour.

"Did you guys see y/n before she left this morning?" Leo sighs, slumping back into the couch, this conversation getting a lot more interesting now. 

"No" I respond, needing to know more about it. "She was wearing this flowy dress with her hair and makeup done. She looked...girly" he says and Asher chuckles. "I mean she is a girl" he teases but Leo keeps going. 

"Well yeah I know, but she never dresses like that. As far as I knew her whole wardrobe consisted of converse, jeans, baggy hoodies and our band tshirts. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen her wearing makeup before" he says and I roll my eyes. 

"You obviously don't pay enough attention to her" I mumble and I know I've fucked up as soon as those words left my mouth. "And you do?" Zack asks, clearly way more interested in the conversation than he was moments ago. 

"I mean yeah, cuz we're friends" I say, grabbing a water bottle off the table and chugging half of it and I watch with horror as they exchange knowing glances between each other. "Right... friends" Leo says, clearly unconvinced.

"So you guys really were on a date last night huh?" Tyler asks, clearly getting the memo as to why I've always denied his suggestions of hooking up with some of the girls from our shows. 

At least he'll give up on that mission now but he's got another one in mind without even trying to find it.  

"No, she just took me there so I could get away from your nosy ass for a while" I say to him and he scoffs as if he was offended when he knows damn well what he did.

"Makes a lot of sense now that I think about it. You guys have been getting pretty close this time around. I guess I never really thought that you would be into a girl like her" he continues and the more I come to defend her the more obvious it is to everyone how I feel about her. 

"Oh yeah? And what kind of girl is she?" I say, gearing up to tell him off since she's not here to do it herself. All of us knowing that she wouldn't accept any of our help no matter how stupid he's acting. 

I would say out of all of us the two of them are the one's who have a clearly fabricated sibling rivalry. 

Although everyone of us fights with him every once in awhile. It's never anything deep but he tends to jump at being annoying as hell at any opportunity that arises.   

"Well a little bit more on the boyish side in terms of fashion, up until I saw her this morning. Kind of standoffish at times, nags all of us" He lists off and I honestly can't deny that that's the way she comes off but the fact that it's Tyler talking about her behind her back bugs me. 

"That's because that's her job" I come to her defense which makes all of them smile wider. "Whatever, fuck you guys" I grumble, admitting defeat this time since I want them to stop looking at me like that. 

"So that's why you're stressed about her bringing a date to the show tonight huh?" Leo chimes in and I scoff. "It's not a date, according to her they're just friends" I say, not believing a damn word of it.

"You know this is her hometown right?" Zack chimes in, connecting all the dots now. "It is?" I ask for confirmation just in case they're fucking with me. "You think he would've known that by now" Leo taunts, gaining a glare from me.

"We don't talk about stuff like that" I say, trying to figure out some sort of excuse as to why I haven't bothered to ask her a simple question like that. Makes me feel like shit honestly. Some friend I am. 

"And what do you talk about?" Tyler asks, teasing me again. "Everything...nothing, can we change the subject?" I ask nicely, choosing a different tactic this time but it's no use. 

"You sure you don't like her?" Leo asks leaving me shaking my head.

"Nope" I deny.

"She's just a friend yeah?" Zach chimes in. 

"Yep just a friend" I say getting up to make some more tea to hopefully help me relax after this inquisition.  

"So you wouldn't mind if I asked her ou-"

"Finish that sentence and I'll chop your dick off" I cut off Tyler, surprising even myself with how quickly I responded

"Right, friends" He smirks, satisfied with how he got me to pretty much admit it with the other guys as his witnesses.

"You better make a move dude otherwise when the tour is over and she comes back home she's gonna end up with that Alex guy" Zack says, patting me on the back like he always does and yet I'm still never prepared for it,  stumbling and almost dropping the cup of lukewarm tea I was planning to refresh but honestly all I feel like having now is a stiff drink.

I open the door to the green room and head out with Asher planning to follow after scolding the guys but I bump into the person that was coming in. I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her close before she falls and as a result we're met with a bunch of 'ooos' and 'awwws' from all the guys but I can't be bothered to shut them up yet.

"I'm sorry I should've paid more attention to where I was going" I apologize to the woman in my arms and it takes me a second to realize that it's y/n. "Strings?" I question and she rolls her eyes, pushing against my chest and stepping back, putting some much needed space between us from her perspective. 

"A girl changes up her appearance for one day and suddenly she's unrecognizable" she mumbles and pushes past me and into the green room with me immediately trailing behind her, forgetting what I had planned to do mere moments ago. 

"What are you doing here? I thought you had the day off" Leo asks the question all of us clearly want the answer to. "Liz told me that one of you guys weren't feeling well and asked me to bring over some cough medicine" she says, holding up the bottle of said medicine. 

"Look at that JK, she came all the way here to give you some medicine so you'll feel better tonight" Leo taunts and I make a motion to show that if he keeps on running his mouth he'll regret it. He's not a vocalist so he wouldn't mind if I knocked a few teeth out of his mouth now would he?

"Of course it's you" she says, turning around and shoving the bottle towards me, clearly in a rush to get out of here. "I told you you were gonna get sick" she scolds, Tyler's description of her coming back to me after witnessing it myself. 

A white flowy dress with a matching white bag and sandals is what I'm met with, a casual but appropriate look for a spring day but she shoves me, stopping me from checking her out as it seems that I had been doing it longer than what would be considered even semi appropriate. 

"Come on Jeon I don't have time for this. Take your medicine and get back to the hotel so you can rest. We can't afford to cancel last minute so hurry up" she says, checking her phone and glancing over at Asher. 

"Can I trust you to make sure he does as he's told?" she asks, one hand on the door already to leave so he nods, assuring her he'll take care of it. "See you at the show" she says over her shoulder to no one in particular as she walks out of the club with all of the guys yelling out their various goodbyes to her.

"What's with her?" Leo asks, all of us caught off guard by her behavior since she's usually not this rough with us, at least not for something like this. She takes on the care giver role when any one of us is sick so this harsh treatment kinda threw all of us for a loop. 

"She's probably just irritated by the fact that Jungkook was clearly undressing her with his eyes" Tyler jabs and I glare, the only sort of response I have the energy to give at the moment with him granting me a sickeningly sweet smile. "Fuck off" I grumble, my frequently used phrase when it comes to him. 

I open up the meds that she gave me and take them real quick, cringing at the disgusting taste making Leo chuckle. "We should probably get you back to the room tho. Doctor's orders and all" Asher says, grabbing his jacket, phone and wallet while doing the same for me. "I feel like shit anyways so there's no point in hanging around here anymore" I grumble and take my jacket from him. 

"You guys are just running away because you're scared of y/n huh?" Tyler taunts and I roll my eyes. "Isn't it obvious?" I grumble and he laughs, leaving me scoffing and walking out to head to the car. 

"You gonna be alright tonight?" Asher asks while we wait for them to bring the car around, him having hung back for a couple of seconds to grab the medicine that I stupidly left on the table back there. "Yeah I just need to lay down" I sigh and slump into the car when Asher grabs the door for me and I give him a small nod in thanks. 

He rounds the car and gets in on the other side and within the next ten or fifteen minutes we're back at the hotel again, trudging through the hallway to our room. 

"You good?" Asher asks again to the point where it's starting to annoy me. "Yes Ash, for the love of God yes I'll be fine" I scold and he holds his hands up. "Alright alright I'll stop. Do you want anything for lunch? I'm gonna check and see if Liz can get one of the staff to get us something. Or we can just order room service?" he offers and I go with my gut on this one. 

"I don't care just get me some chicken soup or something please? I need to get this shit out of my system asap and I don't think I can stomach anything other than that" I say, dragging my feet into my room and tossing my shoes and jacket off before getting in bed. 

"You're really that sick huh?" He asks, leaning against the doorframe and seeing how my state has gotten worse since we left. "Yes I am so can you go order food and leave me alone?" I say and he shakes his head. "I'm sorry I just feel like shit right now" I reiterate and he hums in acknowledgment. "I know" he says and pushes his weight off the frame and turns to leave. 

"Sweet dreams sleeping beauty. I'll wake you up when the food gets here" he says before closing my door behind him and I sigh, happy to be alone so I can pass out for a while...and pass out I do. 

~~~~~

Once we've finished eating and I'm starting to feel better Ash starts talking about y/n again.

"So are you gonna tell her?" he asks after cleaning up. "Tell her what?" I groan, not wanting to suffer through this but knowing that if I at least tell him he can tell the other guys for me so they'll hopefully hop off my dick about this. 

"That you like her" he says and I sigh, the conversation being a twin to the one we had last night. "I don't know" I mumble and he nods his head. "You probably should just in case this whole Alex thing goes any further" he offers up. 

"It just sucks because I'm just barely starting to realize that I like her because I've been put in this situation where I could potentially lose my chance with her if I don't tell her tonight. Who knows, she could've been talking to this guy this whole time and I just assumed that she was single since she's always been so focused on our band and the tour. I mean, I can't even keep a stable relationship going with all the shit we have to do" I say and he sighs.

"That was because of her. Not you" he says, him being the only one I let talk freely about Sage. "I know" I rub my temples, trying to coax this low grade headache away before it gets any worse. "Take the time that you have left to think about it and I'll tell the guys to back off, even if that means putting a muzzle on Tyler" he jokes and I scoff.

"Can't we permanently muzzle him?" I grumble and he laughs. "I'll take it up with Liz. If anything we can get him a shock collar or something and give him a couple volts every time he pisses us off" he offers up and the image alone makes me smile. "Keep the remote far away from me otherwise we might end up with a barbecued bandmate" I joke.

"Noted" he chuckles, "I'm not gonna tell you that you have to tell her but if I were you...I would" he sighs and gets up to finish getting ready to go to. 

Should I really tell her?

~~~~~~

As we make our way through the backdoor of the venue and into the green room again we're given our outfits and the rundown one last time. 

"Okay, everyone know what they need to do?" Liz asks, the staff having joined us for this little pow wow and everyone looks at one another and nods, all of them more or less having an understanding of what's expected of them. 

"Alright guys thank you very much. I need people to double and triple check that the mics and speakers are ready but other than that if you have any questions feel free to ask me or the owner and if you see y/n in the crowd try not to bother her. It's her night off so let's just treat her like a normal ticket holder. Okay?" Liz finishes and the nerves of seeing y/n tonight and potentially telling her how I feel all come back.

"You okay?" Ash asks, having noticed how I've tensed up a bit and I nod, breathing deep and relaxing my body as best as I can. If only it was that easy to relax my mind...

"You guys ready to go? Any last minute wardrobe malfunctions or bathroom breaks?" Liz asks, her tone being a little softer with us this time around since y/n isn't here to ease the burn. "Yeah I think we're good" Zach says, nodding his head after assessing the group for a second and she takes that as her answer, not having time to check up on all of us individually. 

"I've gotta get going but break a leg...not for real this time" she says, backpedaling and narrowing her eyes at Tyler who sheepishly scratches the back of his head. "Got it" he mumbles and after a second or two of her making sure he's understood she's out the door without another word.

"So y/n-" "We're not talking about y/n unless Jungkook brings her up alright?" Asher says, cutting Tyler off before he can say anything to piss me off but everything has got me on edge tonight. "Bu-" "Tyler, leave it alone" Zach warns and the subject is dropped, with Zach's word being law per usual and this time I'm thankful for it.

"Let's just focus on the show like we always do" Asher says, breaking up the tension and reminding us that there are more important things in play here. "Right" Tyler mumbles and soon we're walking on stage. 

The roar of the crowd hitting us like it always does with the high being just as good as it always is but it's paired with something different this time and I can't tell if it's a good or bad thing.

~~~~

As the set plays on I finally catch just a glimpse of her in the crowd, her cheeks flushed and her eyes glassy, the heat and alcohol being the culprit but the smile on her face is so much freer and genuine, a sight I've only seen a few times and when the song we're performing comes to a close I whisper in Ash's ear to see if we could switch things up.

"Do you think we're ready?" I ask, hoping he thinks we are and when he gives the guys a look they all know, all of them passing on the message so we're all in sync. "Yeah we're ready, you sure you wanna play it though?" he asks, hesitant since the crowd reaction to this switch up is unpredictable but I can't shake the feeling that now is the time that this song was made for and so I nod, the guys go quiet waiting for me to introduce this next song.

"So this one isn't something you guys have heard before but it's one that's been stuck in my head since I wrote it" I say and I watch as the crowd all turns to each other, buzzing with excitement of hearing an unreleased track. 

"It's one that's meant a lot to me but I didn't really know why..." I continue and I can tell that they're even more invested now, some of them clearly waiting with bated breath. 

"I know my words seem cryptic but I hope that the right person will understand" I end and the murmurs through out the crowd continue, looking left and right to see who I might be talking about...but now I know, I know who she is.

'We never met but she's all I see at night' I start, the strong chords of the guitars and the crisp beats on the drums add power, the crowd cheering at the opening line already.

'Never met but she's always on my mind'  and as the lyrics continue I see y/n's brows furrow in confusion, knowing that this song wasn't on the setlist, the sound being familiar to her nevertheless.

'Wanna give her the world and so much more' I continue, locking eye contact with her when she realizes my eyes have never left her.

'Who is my heart waiting for'  I sing and the roaring of the crowd brings me back, the first verse drawing my attention back to the fact that I'm still performing. My eyes glance over at her whenever they can and I can see I look of confusion but she sings along and enjoys it with the crowd, not knowing if she's reading my signs correctly. 

I focus back on performing, the excitement and reaction from the crowd being something greater than I've experienced in a while. This being our encore tour with no new songs added but I couldn't hold onto it, not tonight.

'I'll take her places they ain't found yet, I'll put it all on the line'  I continue, my intentions and understanding behind the chance of pursuing her conveyed in the song without me even trying. 

Had I really been writing this about her?

'Is she someone that I see everyday?'  I sing, purposefully looking for her in the crowd but when my eyes land on her I see her looking down at her phone and then looking around, making my heart sink at the thought of her not seeing the importance of this.

'Is she someone a thousand miles away?' I continue, turning my attention back to performing and when the mantra of the song plays all the instruments cut out except for the drums and the rest of the guys direct the crowd to clap along with the beat.

'Who is my heart, heart waiting for?'  is chanted over and over until we finally kick back into the chorus, a high note I've been dying to sing live being something I fall a little short of in hopes of finding her but to the untrained ear being something you couldn't catch.

'Wanna give her the world and so much more' I sing, coming to a close and finally my eyes meet hers again. 

'Who is my heart waiting for?'  I end, the crowd's reaction of jumping and shouting in excitement makes me lose sight of her again showing me that I should really try to focus on the performance but all I want to do is run to her.

I turn back towards the crowd and thank them right along with the rest of the band and luckily we're able to take a break since I managed to time it perfectly with the intermission and as always we all tumble back into the green room. 

We all reach for the waters laid out for us and down them in entirety, the stage lights feeling so much hotter tonight but I know deep down that it was the nerves that got me feeling like this, just the sight of her making my heart race. 

How have things changed so rapidly from me being able to be close to her without a care in the world to me in shambles from just being in her presence. I'm not able to mull over that thought for long as I watch Liz come in behind us. 

"Great first half guys but why the hell didn't you tell me you were playing that song? That's not coming out for weeks!" she says, her half praise, half scolding manner being hard to decipher but when I try to own up to it Tyler takes the blame. 

"It was my idea. I wanted to keep the attention of a girl I saw in the front row that had been making eyes at me" he says, the statement not being true but I'm sure he still did use the opportunity to his advantage. 

"You've got plenty of other songs that make the girls go wild for you so just stick to the setlist next time, got it?" she says, addressing all of us since we all literally played a part in it and so we accept her scolding with promises to never do it again. 

"Anyways Jungkook you've got a visitor" she says and I'm perplexed, her never allowing anyone to come back here especially in the middle of a show but when she opens the door and y/n comes into view I quickly take her hand and pull her outside into that same parking lot we had been in just last night, not wanting an audience for this.

"What are you doing?" she asks, dragging her feet now that we're out, not wanting to be pulled along any more but I want to make sure we're out of earshot, the thought of future teasing being painful enough as it is so I just want some privacy even if it's just for this one moment now. 

"I just wanted to talk...alone" I say and she nods her head but we stand there in silence until both of us try to say something but I encourage her to go first. 

"You guys sound amazing tonight" she says and I wordlessly thank her since I can tell she's got more to say. "That song um...I thought you guys weren't done with it yet" she says, bringing up the obvious elephant in the room and the cause of the tension between us. 

"We are, we just weren't sure if we wanted to release it as a single or as part of the next album. Liz wants to kill us for spoiling it...but it felt like it was something I needed to do" I admit and she nods her head and looks down at her shoes. 

"You said that the song meant a lot to you but you weren't sure why?" she asks, repeating the words I had said on stage and I nod, waiting for her to complete her thought. "So what's changed?" she asks, the opportunity to do what I had planned to being handed to me so after taking a deep breath I finally just go with what feels right. 

"I've never thought of myself as a romantic guy or one that has a way with words but when it comes to song writing things just feel different. That song felt like I was calling out to something...well someone that I didn't have but was longing to meet. Which is pretty obvious from the lyrics huh?" I say, nervously proving my point.

"What I'm trying to say is that I've found my 'Who' so to say, but I'm not sure if it's right of me to say this already since I've only realized recently" I admit and she smiles. 

"Recently being...?" she asks, her tone being laced with amusement. "Yesterday" I answer truthfully and she laughs, confusing me. 

"This isn't funny" I scoff but it only makes her laugh more, the tips of my ears going pink but I can't deny that her laugh is one of my favorite sounds. "I'm sorry I'm sorry, go on" she says, stifling back her laughter and waiting for me to continue. 

"You're insufferable" I huff which only amuses her more. "And yet here you are confessing your love to me" she says, connecting the dots before I have a chance to and I'm left there speechless, neither confirming nor denying her suspicious which makes her start to doubt herself. 

"Unless that's not what you're doing...?" she asks tentatively, disheartened at the thought of misreading all of the signs I sent her. "No, it is" I murmur, making her smile again, my heart skipping a beat like a love sick school boy.

"So you like me?" she asks and I have no choice but to nod my head, still unsure of myself but I needed to admit it. 

"I know it's selfish of me to say this since you have a new guy in your life so if you don't feel the same way I understand" I say, not wanting to pressure her into it, "I just wanted you to know" I whisper and when she tilts her head in confusion I start to second guess myself. 

"New guy?" she asks, scrunching her brows together, the reaction endearing. "Yeah, Alex?" I say tentatively since I feel as though something is definetly wrong here. "Oh! Oh, Alex. Right" she nods her head but I'm still very much confused about her reaction. 

"You should probably come inside" she says nodding towards the building and so I suspiciously follow her, this unknown Alex no doubt waiting inside but when all I see is the addition of another girl inside that the guys are all crowding around I know now that my suspicions were very very wrong.

"Alright guys give her some room" y/n says and pulls the girl away from the very engaging conversation she seemed to be having, granting y/n with a pointed glare but she ignores it. 

"Jungkook meet Alexis" she says and the girl I now know as Alexis cringes. "Ew don't call me by my government name" she protests making y/n shake her head but Alexis, I mean Alex's vibe changes up completely once she addresses me, an almost nervousness taking over her but I guess it kind of is a given when you meet someone famous. 

"Hi Jungkook it's really nice to meet you. Y/n has told me so much about you" she says holding out her hand for me to shake which I do but my eyes are now turned towards y/n who has face palmed at her friends admission. "Oh yeah? Does she talk about me all the time?"

"I mean, well, she might've mentioned you once or twice" Alex quickly backtracks, chuckling nervously when she makes eye contact with y/n as she's giving her a glare that clearly screams 'stop talking' which I can't help but chuckle about. 

"I'm just gonna go over here, um you guys have fun" Alex says and politely excuses herself in favor of going to talk to the guys again who have amusedly been watching our exchange. 

"Once or twice?" I smirk when we're finally back in our own little world. "Shut up" she hisses and punches my arm leaving me wincing in pain. "I didn't know you would get so violent when you're embarrassed" I tease gaining me another punch on the other arm to even it out. 

"Okay okay I'm sorry I give up" I hold my hands up in surrender making her cross her arms over her chest, still not convinced but putting her guard down a little bit nonetheless. 

"So you like me too then huh?" I say unashamedly, the way her friend alone gave a few subtle hints at that making me confident in my perception. "I never said that!" she counters but her defensive nature is adorable at best. 

"You didn't have to" I say and when she tries to punch me again I grab her wrist before she can make contact and bring it up to my lips, placing a kiss on the inside of it, feeling her elevated pulse through her skin.

"I could think of a better way to expel that energy princess so why don't you hold off on that anger until after the show" I tease and from her many blinks and open mouth at my suggestive wording it's apparent that she got the message.

"I could report you for sexual harassment" she says through gritted teeth, her cheeks no doubt heating up in embarrassment. "It's not harassment if you enjoy it" I say placing another kiss on her wrist which she quickly rips out of my grasp making me chuckle. 

"Better get back to the crowd otherwise you won't be able to see my pretty face anymore" I taunt and she scoffs and goes to storm out but stops, stomping over to where Alex and the guys are, ripping her away from them again leaving the boys as the ones protesting this time and seconds later slamming the door behind them.

"So?" Asher asks, the other guys engaging in a conversation that no doubt revolves around Alex making me sigh in thanksgiving, glad I don't have to confront all of them at once. "She hasn't said it...but she basically did" I shrug, acting as if it's no big deal but praying that this show will wrap up sooner rather than later.

"Told you" he says and gives me a friendly punch in the arm. "Yeah yeah I know I should believe you more often" I sigh and rub the area he abused. "So what are you gonna do?" he asks, now bringing the reality of the situation back around. 

"All I know is I don't wanna mess this up" I say and he nods, placing his hand on my shoulder to give me silent encouragement but leaves me with my thoughts a few seconds later leaving me grabbing some water and a shot or two to calm the nerves before we're back on stage.

~~~~

The rest of the show is a blur but thankfully from the crowd's reaction it seems as though they're enjoying it leaving me feeling fulfilled once we wrap up for the night. 

After the crowd has slowly dissipated and I find it safe to go out and walk around I search the venue on the hunt for a certain girl that's been running around my head for the past twenty four hours.

I duck my head into a few unlocked rooms and even some closets but come up empty handed, thankfully not stumbling upon some people hooking up inside of them but who am I to judge?

"Looking for someone?" I hear her playful voice behind me, calming whatever nerves I felt before confronting her after everything that was said...and sung. 

"Maybe" I say, turning around to face her and leaning up against the wall behind me leaving her doing the exact same across from me in this narrow hallway, away from prying eyes. "Just maybe?" she asks and I chuckle. 

"No use looking for someone that I already found" I admit making her bite her bottom lip in a seemingly unnoticeable way unless you were staring at her lips...which I am.

"You guys played a really good show tonight. I'm proud of you...well all of you" she says, backtracking a little in favor of being shy making me smile. "Thanks, means a lot Strings" I say in a huskier voice than I had planned on, her physical reaction quick but noticeable at this proximity. 

"You nervous?" I cock my head leaving her going into a defensive state. "Why would I be nervous?" she asks, looking away and further proving my point, giving me a clear view of the expanse of her neck, temping me oh so innocently to mark her as my own. 

"Oh you know, a fan can get a little intimidated talking to their favorite rockstar" I say, pushing off the wall and taking the few steps that separate us, resting my hand up against the wall, the proximity between us clearly one that would be shared between lovers. 

"You're not just some rockstar" she counters, straightening up her posture and in turn making the space between her lips and mine all the more smaller. "No...I'm not" I say, my eyes shamelessly staring at her lips before dragging them back up to her eyes. 

"Have you thought about what I said?" my warm breath fanning her face making her shiver, goosebumps clearly visible from the sleeveless nature of this now black fitted dress, a dichotomy to the one she wore earlier. 

She hums in acknowledgement, her eyes now the ones flickering down to the way my lips curve around the words making the corner of my mouth turn up.

"And?" I ask, her silence driving me insane, the torture of finishing the show alone making me impatient beyond belief. "And?" she echoes, her coy nature making me chuckle dryly. "You're not gonna say anything?" I ask, my nose nudging against hers, playing a dangerous game before she's even given in. 

"You said I didn't have to" she counters, referring to our previous conversation backstage. "I did, didn't I?" I scoff and she hums again, clearly amused with this push and pull between us. 

"So if I were to want to do this..." I ask, moving impossibly close, to the point of where if I moved my lips ours would surely touch. "Would you stop me?" I ask just above a whisper leaving her eyes fluttering closed and her lips parted slightly giving me my answer. 

"Guess not" I chuckle before pressing my lips against her's in a bruising kiss that leave both of us gasping for breath afterwards. 

"I've been wanting to do that for so fucking long" I murmur against her lips making her smile. "I thought you only just realized you liked me yesterday?" she points out again. 

"Just because I only realized my feeling for you yesterday doesn't mean that I didn't want to kiss you before then" I say making her eyes open up in surprise leaving me chuckling and pushing off the wall, taking her hand in mine and walking towards the venue exit. 

"Wait, where are we going?" she asks, her swollen lips and breathless state making me want to do something that I know I shouldn't making me bite back the original response I had in mind. 

"Back to the hotel" I say, giving the obvious answer and she goes quiet at that, unsure of what exactly lies ahead but her stronger grip on my hand once she's come around to the idea makes me smile. 

~~~~~

I wanna pull that rockstar shit on her. I want to give into those desires that both of us are clearly craving but she's different. She deserves more than just a lust filled first time together, I want to do this right so when I kiss her goodnight and turn to head back to my room she pulls me back with a puzzled look on her face. 

"What are you doing?" she asks, her brows furrowed together in confusion, almost asking if she had done something wrong. I sigh and come back to her, placing my hands on her hips and resting my forehead against her's. 

"I don't wanna go too fast" the admission something I hadn't planned on but the need to quell her worries being more important than my vulnerability. "Why?" she asks, her fingers lacing through my hair to hold me close, making my resolve crumble just a bit. 

"You're worth more than that. You're worth more to me..." I say the last part a little quieter, hoping my genuine intentions comes out from the change in tone. 

"You're too sweet for your own good Jeon" she giggles making me let out a breath, happy that she isn't taking this the wrong way. 

"I may be a rockstar but I'm a romantic at my core" I say just to make her laugh more which works as she decides to burry her face into my neck to stifle her laughter. "Please don't ever say that again" she chuckles, her laughter slowly dying down. 

"Why not?" I ask, my grip on her hips the slightest bit tighter to bring her focus back to me. "Because it's gonna taint your whole discography with cringe, that's why" she teases making me tongue my cheek. 

"You know I have half a mind to put you in your place for that smart mouth of yours" I growl making her shiver at the thought, her lip caught between her teeth again making me drag it down before rubbing my thumb along it, pulling it back when I can see that she's contemplating putting it in her mouth just to egg me on. 

"But I won't" I say and pull away leaving her groaning in frustration, the look on her face priceless. "Come on" she groans further, crossing her arms over her chest making her cleavage look all the more tempting. 

"Let me take you out on a few proper dates first Princess" I chuckle leaving her angrily muttering to herself as she turns to unlock her hotel room. "What was that? Couldn't quite hear you" I taunt, taking a few steps back over to her. 

"I said this was a waste of a dress" she repeats, her angered look adorable. "And why's that sweetheart?" I tilt my head, thoroughly amused by her frustration with me. "Because I hadn't planned on being the one who would take it off tonight" she says and unlocks her door before opening it and slamming it in my face. 

I can't help but smirk at her efforts to get me into bed with her tonight, her embarrassed confession endearing. "Sweet dreams Strings" I say through her door hearing what I can only assume is a pillow hitting it with a soft thud in retaliation. 

"You're gonna have your hands full with that one" Asher says, popping up out of nowhere scaring me half to death. "Don't do that" I growl and push past him into our open hotel room door that he just came out of. "You guys were the one's that were making a lot of noise. I just wanted to come and enjoy the show" he laughs, shaking his head and closing the door behind us.

"Yeah well better get used to hearing some other kinds of noises from us soon enough" I taunt making him cringe at the thought. "Maybe now Liz will finally let me get my own room" he rolls his eyes leaving that as his final goodnight.

I flop down on the couch in our shared living room and stare up at the ceiling, trying to figure out if this was the best plan of action. The ghost of a feeling of her lips on mine and that alluring look she had been giving me after the show makes me grit my teeth, trying to block the memory.

I get a text seconds later though from Strings knocking me out of my train of thought and smashing me into another one when I open the image of her taking a picture of her reflection. Her dress now discarded leaving her bare torso exposed but the picture only affords me an image of her back, the thoughts of what else she's purposefully hiding from me making my pants grow tight. 

'Careful Strings' is all I manage to type out, my willpower waining as seconds pass waiting for her response. 

'You knew from the beginning I was never a careful one'  she sends putting a new connotation on the name 'Strings'.

'I'm really trying to be a gentleman right now but you're testing my patience' I respond, getting up and pacing back and forth, weighing the pros and cons of what might come of this if I give in. 

'I never asked you to be a gentleman' she replies making me groan in frustration, her tactics of temptation were not ones I had expected to have this big of a pull on me. 

'Be a good girl Strings and let me treat you right. You'll get what you want. Just wanna take my time with you' I send back, hoping that'll keep her at bay and for the moment it does but when I try to stand up and get ready to pass out she's sending me another message that makes me chuckle.

'Can you at least come over here so we can kiss for a little bit? :(' she's fucking adorable. A temptress but adorable nonetheless.

'No Strings, we both know that it won't end in just kissing' I send back and she just replies with an angry face as expected. 

'Goodnight Princess x' I send back and lock my phone, tossing it on my bed and getting out of these clothes so I can take a shower, smiling to myself and thinking about seeing her again.

I want to do right by her and no matter how sulky she might get but we both know that 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder' or whatever that Shakespeare dude said. 

In this case meaning I want her to be putty in my hands and begging for it by the time I give in. 

'Just a couple of dates Jungkook. You can wait that long' I coach myself after a notification pops up telling me she sent me some more pictures but it leaves me debating on if I should or shouldn't look but I ultimately lose the battle and open our conversation. 

My fingers tighten around my phone as she sends me more pictures, still not completely nude but close enough to make my dick rival the wants in my brain, almost tipping me over the edge.

'Behave!' is all I manage to get out before I strip my clothes off and get in the shower, leaving my phone behind but the images of her imprinted on my mind are enough to make this shower a lot longer than intended.

I guess Asher is right, I really am gonna have my hands full. 

Taglist: @jkslipppiercing @trina864 @kaitieskidmore97 @goddesofimortality @coolbluedude @coralmusicblaze @whoa-jo @pastelpinkjoon @joonwater Taglist continued in the comments 💜

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[xazse]

I LOVE YOUR HYBRID WRITINGS SO MUCH IM GONNA NUT💦

I KEEP THINKING ABOUT MEAN TOJI X PUPPYHYBRID!READER 🤤

He's so mean to puppyhybrid!reader whenever she's in heat or is just horny:(( but he coos and sooths/apologizes to reader after (sweet aftercare 🥹) Toji would be so mean to reader because he's always horny around reader but instead of feeling guilty about it, he tries to make the reader feel bad for being needy,,.. that's what I thought of rn 🤯🤯

TY FOR REQUEST GLAD YOU ENJOY MY WRITING<333 I LOVE TOJI

Toji doesn’t consider himself to be a mean man, he considers himself to be a hard type, not the ones who constantly berate those around them but discipline and offer words of encouragement to get them on the right path. Why is that completely thrown out the window when interacting with you? He’s realized it during your third heat but he has quite the mean temper on him when you’re being extra needy.

It’s impossible for you to be held responsible when ur grinding down on him in one of ur lusty moods, yes his cock is hard and absolutely he wants to fuck you through this couch but why not mess with you? Within five minutes he’s calling you a greedy little thing, always taking what you want instead of asking.

He makes fun of how wet your panties are just from merely grinding, he knows he’s getting to you by the way you slow down your hips and look up at him with the most pitiful expression hes ever seen, he doesn’t feel bad that just spurs him on. He teases you to keep going because he knows you don’t want to stop until you’ve satisfied that greedy pup in you.

He laughs so crudely when you actually do keep moving agaisnt his thigh, your wet pussy gliding on his muscled thigh, it feels too fucking good and he knows it, every bump of your clit sends a thrill through your body, its magnified a tenthfold because of the on-slaughter of your heat.

He makes sure you don’t see or feel his cock, you can’t know how he’s actually going insane, he needs you to be the only one being so desperate.

He tells you to hurry it up because he has work to do.

You finally slip over that edge with a loud howl and within that same breath the waterworks start up, he brings you to his chest and begins to coddle you, remarking how he was just joking knowing later that night he’s gonna do it all over again but actually bury his cock in you for that extra flare.

[neeeooon]

I was wondering if u could write what it'd be like to make a joint playlist with nagi, reo, yukimiya, shidou, karasu, ness, and kurona. Ty

this is such a creative idea!!! love it TYSM FOR THE REQ <3

when you make a joint playlist together

bf bllk x gn!reader. some (shidou’s) are slightly suggestive

nagi seishiro

-> though he listens to the playlist more than you, most of the songs were added by you. he’ll have maybe two contributions every ten songs, but you don’t mind

-> you shared your on repeat playlist with him, and though it’s not one you created together, he’ll listen to it all the time. your music taste is yours, and he’ll grab onto anything that reminds him of you

mikage reo

-> you two have so much fun making playlists together! you share a spotify account, so most of your playlists are joint

-> you love finding new music and have several playlists because of it. “y/n, listen to this song i found! i’m not sure if it should go in the ‘hanging out the window at 120 mph’ playlist or the ‘tangerine cloud vibes’ one. what do you think?” “oh, definitely tangerine cloud vibes.” “i was leaning that way, too!”

yukimiya kenyu

-> his music taste is so nostalgic, but also so him?? it’s hard to explain, but you can look at any joint playlist you have together and easily point out every song added by yukimiya

-> honestly, his taste is better than yours. can listen to sweet romance songs from the 50s, then add a frank ocean song, and for some reason the two slow together perfectly. it amazes you

-> “babe… how?” “how what?” “how are you so musically gifted? where do you even find all these artists?” “oh, i don’t know. around?” “we live in the same house, quit gatekeeping.” “😅”

shidou ryusei

-> there’s a clear split between your music and shidou’s. he doesn’t even listen to the songs he adds often, he just likes seeing your reaction to them

-> “og one direction, destiny’s child, baby bieber, and sir mix-a-lot. one of these is not like the rest.” “agreed. bieber’s looking a lil suspicious if you ask me, y/n.” “😐”

karasu tabito

-> he takes his job very seriously. will think about it for literal days before adding a song to the playlist. he knows he’s succeeded when you send him a funny or cute emoji

-> you genuinely do not understand why karasu gets so stressed over your playlist, so anytime he adds a song, you reward him with a random emoji

-> sometimes you forget or don’t realize he’s added anything, and when you do, the song is already gone?? you figure he changed his mind. miscommunication at its finest <3

alexis ness

-> you love making playlists for him, since ness’s taste in music is very centralized. if you can get him to want to listen to something new, you consider it a win

-> when you make a playlist together, you keep your picks tame and choose songs most similar to the ones he added

-> you’ll always light up when you catch him listening to or liking a song you added. “okay, so this one’s a keeper.” “i like the beat… it’s nice.” “i will find you every single song with a beat like this, mark my words!”

kurona ranze

-> not organized at all. the point of the playlist was to add songs that remind you of each other, but kurona will add any song that pops into or won’t leave his head

-> “babe, how do i remind you of the ketchup song?” his response is to start singing at you in portuguese. “i—how—what?”

[tojirights]

aa i don't usually do asks but could u do 68 with alastor? tysm for considering!! feel free to ignore or delete

prompt: "kneel."

a/n: finding out alastor is 7ft tall isn't helping me lose my mind any less. ty anon 🩷 requests open!

alastor loved to push people's buttons, loved to get a reaction out of everyone. he was efficient in finding out just what made someone tick within a few interactions. what he noticed about you was that you hated being told what to do. now, what alastor found equally funny is that you actually loved being told what to do. especially when you were told to do anything for him.

oh, he was going to have fun with this new information.

he sent for you to meet him in the broadcast tower quite a bit earlier than usual, but you assumed maybe he needed some help setting up and, of course, showed up even earlier than expected. alastor spins around in his chair when you enter, a smirk already tugging at his smile. "ahh, there's my good girl." he coos, his voice making your blood heat in a way you convince yourself is anger.

"ugh, fuck off. you refuse to text so i always assume you send early for me because of something important." you grumble, watching his eye twitch at the mention of your cellular device. the room seems to get colder as alastor stands, taking slow steps towards you. the look in his eyes is almost sinister, and his smile unnerves you.

he places a finger under your chin and forces your gaze up to meet his. "watch that mouth of yours, my dear." there's a low, threatening tone in his words and it makes you want to bite back but as soon as you open your mouth to tell him off, he's reaching around for a fistful of your hair and tugging your head back.

his mouth finds your ear, warm breath ghosting over your skin. you can't control the way your body shakes, a shuddering pant leaving your lips. you're not sure if its arousal or fear, to be honest. but then, alastor breaks out into a grin.

"kneel."

your eyes widen, and your breath catches in your throat. heat pools low in your stomach, as well as adrenaline. he's got you, and he knows it. your knees shake with desire to drop, to do anything this man tells you, and when you slowly start to lower yourself, alastor laughs. "now see?" he smirks, his fingers running through your hair as you descend. "i know you're my good girl. it can be our little secret." he hums, petting your head as you kneel at his feet.

"you can continue to be a brazen little brat to everyone else, but you and i both know this is who you really want to be." you look up, seeing alastor towering over you and you bite your lip to silence yourself. the primal urge to obey courses through you, making your hands shake with desire. "now, are you going to continue to mouth off or put that mouth to good use?" he snickers when your eyes darken. "you'll be rewarded for your good behavior, don't you worry."

[m4rv3l-girl]

Vanilla - Part 2

Bucky x Y/N

Bucky gets the rope out….

Note: Plenty of you guys asked for it 😉

Part 1 if you missed it

Requests Open!

Warnings: Smut. Fingering. Unprotected P in v sex. Rope play.

Bucky’s thumb brushed over the length of rope in his hand, glancing toward the bedroom where the soft light spilled out into the hallway.

He’d spent weeks considering how to approach this, almost as long as he’d kept his promise to her, with his mind turning over possibilities and wondering if this might be the perfect answer to her casual suggestion one evening to “spice things up.”

After a few conversations and a fair share of nerve-steeling, he’d finally worked up the courage to present the idea. His palms felt a bit clammy, and a rare touch of nervousness flickered through him. Bucky wasn’t exactly known for restraint once he was certain about something, but he wanted tonight to be careful, to listen, to read every signal she might send.

Bucky stepped into the bedroom, watching her gaze shift from the paperback she’d been reading to the length of braided silk in his hands. He had barely even spoken a word, but your lips curved upward slightly, cheeks already warming.

“Bucky,” she murmured, sitting up against the headboard. “What’s that?”

“Just a little something I picked up,” he replied, his voice low and easy, though his pulse felt anything but. “Figured I’d keep my word. Thought this might be fun, but I want it to be perfect, too. So… if you’re interested?”

She set her book aside, tilting her head as her eyes scanned over him, a playful glint surfacing. “Oh, so we’re really doing this,” she teased, arching a brow. “Go on, tell me what you had in mind.”

Bucky’s grin widened as he moved to sit beside her on the edge of the bed. He took her hand, running his thumb along the back of it slowly. “I’d be taking my time with you,” he murmured, his tone velvet. “Tying you up, doing what I want to you. You’d feel safe, yeah?” His eyes searched hers, waiting for any sign of hesitance, any flicker that might suggest otherwise.

When none came, his confidence swelled.

“Close your eyes for me, Kitten?” he whispered.

She hesitated for only a beat before obliging, settling back as her lashes fluttered shut, and Bucky took a moment to study her like this. Completely relaxed, utterly trusting, each breath she took grounding him as he felt the warmth in his chest settle into something far deeper. He brushed his knuckles along her jawline, leaving a delicate trail as his voice filled the silence.

“Now, if you ever feel uncomfortable… you’ll tell me, right?”

Y/N nodded, barely suppressing a shiver at the deliberate slowness of his touch, his hand ghosting over the curve of her shoulder before resting at her collarbone. He took his time, letting the moment stretch. Then, with almost ceremonial slowness, he looped the rope around one of her wrists, keeping his motions precise and featherlight.

His voice softened, barely above a whisper. “Does this feel alright?”

“Perfect,” she murmured, the word rolling off her lips almost dreamily. her skin tingled, every little movement and brush of his fingertips amplified as he continued working with skill and patience, never once letting the rhythm falter. It wasn’t long before he was binding her other wrist, each knot soft yet securely in place, made for her alone.

He watched her reaction, noting every shift and breath, studying her like he was trying to memorize each response. “I told you I’d keep it interesting, didn’t I?” His words were a gentle tease, but beneath them lay a genuine affection that pulsed in the space between them.

He took her hands in his, leaning close until his breath fanned over her cheek. “You know we can stop if you want.”

When he finally secured the knot with a flourish, she tested the bind, finding it firm yet yielding to the touch. "Ready?" he asked, his eyes searching hers for one final nod of consent before the real fun began.

Her heart racing with a mix of excitement and trepidation, Y/N nodded her reassurance.

Bucky's eyes lit up with a gentle thrill at her trust, his touch growing bolder as he trailed the rope up her arm, his fingertips leaving a delicious friction in their wake. With the same meticulous care, he began to bind her other wrist, the rope whispering against her skin. Each loop and tug was a silent promise of pleasure yet to come, a dance of restraint that thrummed with a newfound intimacy

As he worked, he leaned in closer, his warm breath fanning across her face. "Relax," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm."I'll take care of you."

The final knot was tied, and he placed a tender kiss on her bound wrist, the gesture a silent reassurance that she was safe with him. With both her wrists secure, Bucky took a moment to admire his handiwork, his eyes lingering on the stark contrast of the rope against her pale skin.

He could see the goosebumps that had risen in response to his touch and the quickening of her pulse in the vein at the base of her throat. Satisfied with her comfort and his own growing desire, Bucky stood, the rope in his hand pulling her gently towards the edge of the bed.

He had more plans for the rope, and for the bound beauty before him, eager to explore the new dimensions of trust and desire that this playful bondage had introduced into their relationship.

Guiding her with the rope, Bucky directed Y/N to stand in front of the full-length mirror that dominated one wall of their room.

He secured her bound wrists to the top of the bedpost, ensuring she was standing with her face to the mirror.

The position allowed her to see everything that was happening in the reflection, which only heightened the excitement coursing through her body. His eyes never left hers in the mirror as he stepped back to appreciate the erotic tableau they created together. He could see the way her chest heaved with each shallow breath, the way her pupils had dilated with anticipation.

"Spread your legs," he instructed softly, and she obeyed, the rope around her wrists pulling taut as she leaned back slightly. The anticipation grew as he picked up the trailing rope, using it to create a soft, figure-eight loop around one ankle, then the other, before securing them both to the bottom corners of the bed. The tension in the ropes created a delicate tug, keeping her legs apart and exposed to his hungry gaze.

Y/N felt vulnerable yet incredibly powerful in her submission, and the look of admiration and desire in Bucky's eyes reflected back at her only amplified her arousal.

The air was charged with a new kind of energy, one that promised an unforgettable experience that would deepen the bond between them.

With Y/N now fully bound and exposed before him, Bucky took a moment to appreciate the beauty of her vulnerability. The ropes framed her body like an erotic sculpture, accentuating her curves and leaving her most sensitive areas open to his exploration. His heart raced with a mix of excitement and tenderness as he took in the sight of her, the trust she placed in him making him feel more connected to her than ever before.

He stepped closer, his hands tracing the rope that held her in place, his fingertips brushing lightly against her skin. "You look absolutely breathtaking," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. He could see the reflection of her blush in the mirror, the way her eyes darkened with desire.

Moving with the grace of a predator, Bucky leaned in to kiss her neck, his teeth grazing her sensitive skin just hard enough to make her gasp.

He felt the shiver that ran through her body and knew he had her full attention. With the rope as his guide, he began to explore her body, his hands following the path the restraints had laid out for him. His touch grew firmer, more demanding, as he cupped her breasts, teasing her nipples until they peaked beneath the fabric of her shirt.

The moan that escaped her lips was music to his ears, spurring him on. His hands moved lower, tracing the contours of her torso, the fabric of her clothing the only barrier between them.

He watched in the mirror as her hips swayed, searching for the friction she craved, and he knew it was time to remove that final obstacle. With a deft twist of his hand, he pulled her shirt over her head, revealing her nakedness to the cool air and his heated gaze.

With a low groan of need, Bucky stepped back, his eyes never leaving Y/N's reflection.

He took a moment to appreciate the art he had created, her body bound and open to his every whim. He reached down, his hand caressing her inner thigh before sliding up to graze the damp fabric of her panties.

Y/N's hips bucked in response, and he knew she was ready. With a wicked smirk, he bent down, his breath hot against her skin as he whispered, "Patience, darling." He gently slid her panties aside, revealing her glistening folds. His thumb began to circle her clit, the pressure just enough to keep her on edge. "Like this?" he asked, watching the play of pleasure on her face.

Her eyes fluttered closed, and she nodded, the only answer she could give as she focused on the sensations building within her. Bucky's other hand slid behind her, one finger slipping inside her with a slow, deliberate ease that had her gasping for more. He watched as she strained against the ropes, the tension in her body echoing the tension in his own.

His movements grew more insistent, his finger curling to find that sweet spot deep within her.

The room was filled with the sounds of their breathing and the faint rustle of the ropes against the bedpost as she writhed in response to his touch. The whole situation had her teetering on the edge of release within seconds. He knew he had her on the precipice, and with one final, firm stroke, he sent her hurtling over the edge, her body convulsing with the force of her orgasm.

As she rode the waves of pleasure, Bucky removed his hand, giving her a moment to catch her breath.

As the final tremors of Y/N's climax subsided, Bucky couldn't resist the temptation any longer. He stood up, his own desire clear in the tightness of his jeans.

He stepped closer, his erection pressing against her thigh as he reached up to gently brush a strand of hair from her face. "Ready for more, Doll?" he asked, his voice gruff with need. She nodded eagerly, her eyes pleading for him to continue. With a smirk, Bucky took the rope attached to her ankle and began to loop it around his hand, creating a physical bond between them.

The sight of them bound together in such a primal, intimate way was almost too much for her to handle. He leaned in, capturing her mouth in a kiss that was filled with the promise of more pleasure to come. His hands began to explore her body once again, his touch growing more urgent as their passion flared.

He knew that the next steps in their erotic dance would push them both further, but the trust shining in her eyes was all the reassurance he needed to proceed.

His fingers trailed the ropes up her legs, caressing her skin and leaving a trail of fire in their wake. With a gentle tug, he guided her closer to the bed, the rope still taut between them.

He leaned down, his breath hot against her ear, "On the bed, on your back."

He watched as she complied, the rope around her ankles stretching with the movement, keeping her legs open and accessible to him. Bucky climbed onto the bed, his gaze never leaving hers, and positioned himself between her thighs. He knew he was going to give her a night she would never forget, a testament to the love and trust that had grown between them. With a final, lingering kiss, he began to unbuckle his belt, the sound of it hitting the floor like a starting pistol for the passionate marathon that was about to unfold.

As Bucky freed himself from the confines of his pants, his erection stood proud and ready, a clear reflection of his desire.

He reached down, stroking her cheek with the back of his hand before his fingers slid down her neck, tracing the curve of her collarbone, and then further down to tease her hardened nipples. She arched her back, gasping into this neck as his thumb and forefinger pinched and rolled the sensitive flesh.

The anticipation was exquisite, her body trembling with need.

With a low growl, Bucky leaned over her, his eyes dark with passion. He claimed her mouth once again, the kiss deep and demanding, as he positioned his hips in alignment with hers. He felt her wetness against his shaft, and the heady scent of her arousal filled the room.

He knew she was ready.

With one swift movement, he pushed into her, the ropes holding her in place as she moaned into his mouth.

Her inner walls clenched around him, welcoming his intrusion, and he knew in that moment that this was where he belonged – deep inside her, connected in every way possible. The feel of her bound and open to him was intoxicating, and he began to move with a rhythm that matched the racing of their hearts.

He grabbed the rope in his flesh hand, pulling it up, pinning her wrists above her head as his hips continue relentlessly.

Each stroke was deliberate and powerful, as if to claim her soul with every thrust. He watched her eyes roll back, her breaths come in shallow gasps, and knew she was lost to the sensation as much as he was.

Their bodies moved in a symphony of passion, the ropes that bound her serving as a silent testament to their mutual surrender. His strokes grew deeper and more urgent, each one setting her nerves alight with pleasure that built higher and higher.

Her hands gripped the bed sheets, pulling them taut as she tried to hold on to something amidst the whirlwind of sensation.

Bucky's eyes never left hers, the connection between them growing stronger with every shared moan and every intimate touch. His metal thumb found her clit, and with expert precision, he began to rub it in slow figure eights that had her hips squirming up against him, seeking more of the delicious friction.

The intensity of their union grew as Bucky's thumb continued to tease her, his eyes dark with desire and focus. He could feel her body tightening around him, each pulse of her core a silent plea for release. He increased his pace, the slap of their skin filling the room, echoing the pounding of their hearts.

Suddenly, Y/N’s body tensed, her eyes widening as the first waves of her climax crashed over her.

She cried out, her muscles clenching around Bucky's shaft as he felt her release, her entire body shuddering beneath him. The sight of her pleasure was his undoing, and with a final, powerful thrust, he too found his release, their mingled cries of ecstasy piercing the quiet of the room.

For a moment, they remained connected, both of them lost in the aftershocks of their shared passion. Then, with a gentle kiss, Bucky pulled out and reached for the ropes, releasing her from her bonds with the same care with which he had bound her. They collapsed onto the bed, their limbs tangled, hearts racing, and bodies slick with sweat.

Bucky had carefully untangled the ropes from her body, his movements tender and caring.

He could feel the delicate balance between her post-orgasmic bliss and the beginnings of her sleepyness. He didn't want her to feel cold or uncomfortable, so he scooped her up into his arms, feeling her weight settle against him comfortably. "You okay, Doll?" he murmured into her ear, the warmth of his breath sending shivers down her spine.

She nodded, her eyes still closed, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Where are we going?” She murmured.

He carried her to the bathroom, the cool air brushing against her skin making her shiver. “You need to pee, Kitten.” He set her down gently beside the toilet, his hand never leaving her waist to ensure she was steady on her feet. He watched with gentle concern as she did what she needed to do, his own satisfaction momentarily forgotten as he focused on her well-being.

When she was done, he picked her back up, cradling her against his chest, and walked back to the bed, placing her down gently before climbing in beside her.

He pulled the covers over them both, wrapping her in his warmth as they lay there, hearts gradually slowing, bodies still humming with the echoes of their shared ecstasy. He kissed her forehead, stroking her hair back from her face, and whispered sweet nothings into her ear as she curled into him, feeling cherished and protected.

“You’re so perfect, Honey. My best girl.”

——————————————————————————————————

Soooo…You all wanted Bucky to get the rope out, did he do well..? 🤔

[igglemouse]

Week 3 ~ Just A Smile ~ Thursday

Thursday is an off day for me so of course I wake up in a mood that is just a bit brighter. You have to make the most of these days, y'know? Your mind needs the rest. That's it, that's the Sasism for today, your mind needs the rest. Take advantage of it when you get it.

Your mind needs a good breakfast as well and today that will be yellow jasmine rice.

As for the plan today? Not sure, actually, but Citra wants to hang out tomorrow and I'm down for that, as long as she's not trying to get me to smoke weed or something it should be fun, I hope!

When it comes to my health I don't just rely on yoga as I also do a bit of jogging. You can never go wrong with it since one, it's free to do and two, you don't need any equipment for it, just your legs and a good sunny day!

While it is important to do some cardio our bodies are not also meant to do it all day. Especially not with how hot it was out today and so the first thing I do upon getting home as slip right into a shower and turn the temperature to as cold as possible. Just needing to chill out a little, just a little!

And then I'm not sure what else I'll do for today so naturally I clean a little, don't want these dust bunnies taking over the place after all. With little else to do the idea was that I'd vacuum a little, maybe wash the dishes, just knock out a few chores but with a knock on the door it looks like that will have to wait another day.

And it was Cha! Hadn't seen him in a while! It sounds like work has been a bit overwhelming for him and that I had been on his mind, whatever that means, but it's clear that he was happy to see me again. I do like Cha, he's a man with a plan, and I think I've mentioned before that he runs a restaurant? I think it's a small place, actually, I've never seen it before so I suppose that should be on my list of things to do. It's nice of him to come and say hello all the same!

Cha is right, there is a whole world out there and so many new experiences to be had and honestly, I've thought about it too.

It's hard to move from home though but I can't seriously consider it right now. I have one too many concerns here, too many things that need doing, loose ends that need tying. Like, my book for example. Starlight Exodus? All I need to do is settle on an ending and guess what? Done! I'm proud of it, happy enough at least. It's not perfect, nothing ever is, but again, I'm happy with the work. I might send it off tomorrow and see what the world thinks of it.

I do get a call from my brother, Kapp, and its about the little love triangle he's in. I tell him or rather warn him that this is only as complicated as he makes it. I can't give him too much advice on romance because honestly, I'm no expert on it and I've certainly never been in a love triangle...

Friday might be a little more exciting! Summer rolls on and I can only imagine what the first weekend of it might bring!

Index ~ Next

[casually-eat-my-soul]

Thoughts on a WALL-E Sterek AU? Like, a serious, no-nonsense, advanced robot sent to a dystopian Earth on a mission to find signs of life meeting a little junker robot who sifts through trash, collects Rubik's cubes, and watches movies with his cockroach best friend, before the little trash robot is blasted into space for the first time when chasing after the scouting robot?

Ooh this is a hard one, as I’ve seen WALLE once when I was like 5.

Little trash robot is just a little too human and slowly teaches the other robot to have fun. Stiles would obviously be WALL-E, and Ava would be Derek.

OR

But like also consider WALL-E is Roscoe, a robot that stiles helped build with his mother and is desperately trying to keep alive.

Ava is a robot given to the hale family, Derek doesn’t really think all that deep about it until he meets stiles.

The rich were able to leave the dying planet but the poor had to stay behind. Stiles family weren’t so lucky. He grew up hearing stories of the green plants and life that used to fill the earth. When his mother starts getting sick, he tries his hardest to grow even the smallest plant to make her smile again. Stiles is finally able to create a plant after burying his mother and years of trying.

Derek was born on the ship, has never thought of a life out the stars. He’s heard stories about the planet that his ancestors came from. This all changes the day a boy with dirt under his eyes breaks into his families home looking for a robot. Said robot is beeping happily at Ava.

He helps stiles chase wall-e and Ava around the ship, falling in love with how lively and open he is. Nothing like the elegant and cold people he grew up with. He greedily watches the emotions flicker across Stiles face. Drinking them in, like a parched man. The robots also accidentally created trouble that force Derek and stiles in close situations, like tying their feet together. (The robots ship sterek) Derek sees how desperately stiles tries to keep wall-e and the small sprout 🌱 alive. He greedily watches the emotions flicker across Stiles face.

Together they run across the spaceship creating chaos and shenanigans, (releasing rouge robots, falling into water fountains, running away and fighting against the dictator who controls the ship). In a desperate act to keep stiles alive Derek sends him home in an espace pod. Stiles screaming and pounding at the doors of the pod, trying to get them to open again. The last thing he sees is watching being forced to his knees, with a gun against his head.

Ava misses wall-e and she pulls up evidence of proof of life on earth and the ship starts to return.

Stiles has already returned and is distraught because he thinks Derek, the boy from the stars again is dead. He will never really know or have the chance to mourn. Well until dereks spaceship comes crushing into stiles back yard.

Cue dramatic and heartfelt reunion kiss. — “I thought you were dead!!”— and they live happily ever after creating new life on planet earth

[arknights-imagines]

Pink Ribbon Event Special 🎀🫶

Hiya everyone! 🫶

Happy end of May lsoosjsks!! I hope you’ve all kept safe and happy this month... please remember always take care of yourselves 💞!!

Anywho! With me back and properly settled now... It's time now for the event I've been yapping a bit about on here sbshhs 🥰!

Since May is also the month of the Arknights-imagines blog's anniversary (My first EVER post on here was on May 3rd!) I figured this month would be the perfect time for the event 🥹🎊!! Happy Anniversary to the blog 🥹🥰🎉!!

So!

NOW PLAYING: Let The Light In - Lana Del Rey 'Cause I love, to love, to love, to love you / I hate to hate, to hate, to hate you

From May 28th to June 8th will be Exe's Pink Ribbon Event 🥳🎀!! This whole idea was inspired by that "coquette" TikTok trend of s/o's tying pink ribbon bows on their s/o's bicep + the similar trend of everyone tying pink bows around everything lololksos 😭 (see HERE for context bajahaja)... So for this, it'll be just like that trend, but for our Operators!!

During this event, you can send in a request with the name of an Operator and a place to tie your ribbon, and I'll write a tiny scenario of their reaction to your little pink bow gift on them snsksoakjsb 🥹🫶🎀

Here are the rules and guidelines for this event:

･ Send me a name of an Operator and a place on their body (the main TikTok trend was all about tying it on the bicep lololsjs but, to make it more fun, I'm expanding it!) and you'll receive a mini scenario with that Operator 🎀

･ One Operator per Pink Ribbon event request please! Send in as many as you want if you would like to tie multiple ribbons lolol, but keep them all separate please 💕

･ Some other possible places you can leave your bow gift, other than their arm could be: in their hair, around the neck, on their halo for a Sankta Operator, on their ear/tail for any Operator with an ear/tail, on their antlers for any Operator with antlers, the thigh... If you could reasonably tie a ribbon around it, then I'd say it's a candidate place lololsjs!!

･ Example asks for the event: "I wanna tie a ribbon around Executor's halo!!" or "I wanna tie a bow into Pramanix's hair!"

･ Please keep the requests SFW! I'm happy to lean into more suggestive areas (ex. Tying a ribbon around the thigh... Ofc, will expectedly a little suggestive lolsksks), but nothing explicit!

･ I will not be accepting requests to tie ribbons around any villains, Reunion members (W of course does not count as Reunion, nor does Ines or Hoederer!) any other npc outside of Rhodes Islands’ Operators, nor any Operators who we haven't met on the EN server yet! (I love Lemuen already sbsjhs.. And would love to adorn her with a bow, but unfortunately sbsjsh I don't want any spoilers just yet so 🥹 I can't read her files yet!) Please only send in a Pink Ribbon event ask for an EN-released Operator 🎀! (also shsjhs!! If they have an alter, please specify if you'd like to tie the ribbon on their alter or non-alter 🤲!)

･ Please don’t request any exact specifications (ex. 'I want Executor to act embarrassed about the ribbon') besides where you'd like to leave your ribbon bow!! If you do I will discard your request; I’d like to have full creative control over that aspect of the scenario since that's where all the fun will be for me loslskks 🥹🙏

･ By default, I’ll assume the Operator requested is in an established relationship with you, the reader 💕 if you’d like the relationship between you and your chosen Operator to be different, just say so in your ask!

･ Also by default, I'll assume all scenarios will be romantic! If you wish to request something more platonic, just say so in your ask! (though I would prefer romantic requests considering the x reader nature of the blog, and that this whole concept is a bit more romance-y!)

･ I will be writing all of these for a gender-neutral reader or a reader with no gender mentioned; this way, any reader can fully enjoy all of these scenarios!

･ By default, I will write the letter assuming the reader is the Doctor; if you'd like to be a fellow Operator instead, just include that sort of stuff in your ask! 💕 (though, I'm not sure how much this would change the scenario lololsbjs? 🤔)

･ As usual, I will not accept event requests with too many specifications (especially ones involving mentioning details of the reader’s appearance, the reader’s gender, giving the reader an actual name, anything making the reader into a self-insert or an OC insert, etc.) Stuff like that isn’t applicable to a wide audience of readers and is more appropriate for commissions!!

･ I’ll be doing the Pink Ribbon requests before my other requests for now, until the event ends and I may not get to every Pink Ribbon event ask, so please be patient! 🥹🙏 I'll be choosing the ones I like the best/the ones I think create the best scenario to write for! Ofc I promise I'll do my best and try and write as many as I can 🥹🤲

･ And!! Please have fun with the requests lolsjsokss 🥹🎉!! Tie ribbons in places a bit silly, even ridiculous; or tie ribbons in places more romantic... Sbsjhs I'd love a variety of energies for these lololskksks 🤲💕

･ Gahavhsgss I basically say this every event... this isn’t really a rule and I think most of you guys that follow me know how much of a favourite of mine he is buuutt… if you request to tie a ribbon bow around any part of Executor.... tysm in advance, and dw because I will 100% get to your request svshsghs lololol 😭🥳

That’s it! 🥰 If you still have any questions dw! Please feel free to ask me them sgjshhs

Ribbons await to be tied 🤲🎀 So please take as many as you want, we made sure to buy extra! (for Verdant's tail... Joking sgshshs)

Tysm to all of you guys as usual for the continued support to the blog 🥹🫶 its sgshshs absolutely incredulous to me that I've been around here, writing for AK's characters, for five years now svshgs 😭?! And people are still here to enjoy my stuff... It really warms my lil heart, tysm for your patience, understanding, and love aaaabjshs omg 🥹🥰🫶 I never thought I'd find this kind of sweet community!!

I really hope people enjoy this event as much as they did last events events svshsbs 🥹💕 I’m v eager to receive requests for the event and I hope you guys will enjoy what I come up with aaaa 🤲🥹

Anywho, tysm for reading! Please remember to take care of yourself and have an amazing day!!

Yours truly,

- An Exe who's looking forward to seeing everyone adored with pink bows.... Lomsksksks 🎀🥹

[singular-ghost-sound]

Hi there, my lovely friends! I kindly ask that you read all the way through as this post is about KOSA

I would also like to apologize in advance for any grammar or spelling mistakes. That is unfortunately not my strong suit lol also, please send me any updated information that anybody has. As unfortunately, I am very bad about getting any information as I am not allowed to have discord and be in the anti-KOS a discord chat. 😭

Hi! My name is Bella, and I run The one, and only singular ghost sound gimmick blog on Tumblr :D

A fun fact about me I am a queer teenager who happens to live in a very homophobic part of the US, and in a part of the world, that would be directly affected by the KOSA act 

Thankfully—as far as I’m aware with my own research and what I’ve read— I would not personally be as much affected by the kids on the safety act in the same way that other people would be. As I fall just outside of the age that the bill is meant to affect the most (16 and younger)

However, my two younger brothers, both who are in the LGBTQ community would be.

Now for those of you who don’t know what the kids online safety act (KOSA) is:

The kids online safety act is in law currently being discussed in the Senate of the US that would make it to where parents and the government would have full control over what anybody under the age of 16 could consume on the internet.

This would mean things like

LGBTQ representation, POC representation, mental health resources, certain religions, and information about anything, considered taboo in any way, shape or form, would no longer be accessible to people who are under the age of 16. And on top of that online safe places would be completely eradicated.

 The kids, online safety act we take away the safe place of MANY people in the world. Including those over the age of 16, as the Internet would be HIGHLY restricted.

I grew up, lucky enough that I had parents that were willing to share with me and my siblings about sex, Ed, the LGBTQ+ community, many different religions, the good, and the bad of history, and many different things. 

There are so many people that I know personally, who did not grow up with that kind of family. So many people who would have been kicked out if their family knew that they were gay or trans in any way shape or form.

There is so many people that I know who has been physically mentally or even sexually abused by guardians and people who should’ve protected them, and who only learned what happened to them was wrong BECAUSE of the Internet.

I know so many people who only learned about what safe sex was because of the Internet, or through ME as they did not have people who would’ve been willing to teach it to them.

The kids on the safety act would take away so much from the people who really need it the most. And on top of that, it would give their parents or guardians access to all the stuff that they see online.  and so they would be unable to access any safe place on the Internet. 

KOSA is designed not to help those who were accidentally or purposefully coming across porn and access to drugs and other illegal things.(like the people in power saying it is)

But is designed to keep those who need LGBTQ representation or POC representation in mental health resources from getting the Information and representation that they need.

I am urging everybody to please contact your senators, and have your family and friends, contact your senator and ask them to say NO to the KOSA bill.

Please know that you don’t need to have a long lengthy speech. They don’t act on those. They act on the quantity of what they get about the same subject.  

I would also like to GREATLY thank @dragonoftheunderground for letting be know that this was back. So ty my friend :D

Ty for reading :D here are some ghosts for the long post :D



[helaintoloki]

Can you write a Bucky x reader fic where Reader doesn’t know she’s pregnant but Bucky and Steve hear a second heart beat before going on a mission? You could also have it that maybe Steve notices first and congratulates Bucky by pulling him aside and Bucky is slightly confused because he didn’t hear it right away since he’s always with reader. Thank you

a/n: hi lovely! ty for sending this in and for your patience. this was a fun prompt and i hope you enjoy <3

warnings: mentions of pregnancy, nausea, fertility issues, fluff

summary: after being out sick for a week, Steve feels he has no choice but to bench you from the team’s next mission. However, a moment alone with you allows the Captain to discover it isn’t a stomach virus that’s responsible for your illness

Your stomach is churning with what you believe to be nerves as you fumble to secure your weapons belt around your waist. You’re struggling more than usual to make it fit, but you chalk the difficulty up to your lack of training sessions this past week due to a random bout of illness. Sudden waves of nausea had plagued your daily life, but Bruce had assured you it was most likely some type of stomach virus considering Tony had suffered a similar fate right before you started showing symptoms.

Though your health wasn’t exactly at a hundred percent just yet, you were adamant about being well enough to join the team’s next mission. You would swallow down whatever antacids you needed to in order to ensure you weren’t barred from going out into the field, and you would let no one catch on to the fact that your nausea had yet to ease up on you.

You finally get your belt on just as your bedroom door opens, letting out a breath you didn’t know you were holding as you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. Your suit feels tighter than normal around your torso and puts your figure on display in a way that’s never happened to you before, but you’re just grateful for the fact that it doesn’t seem to restrict your movements too much.

“This view never gets old,” Bucky compliments with a flirtatious grin as he leans against your doorframe and takes in the sight of you.

“You don’t think I look… different?” You prompt him with uncertainty, shifting around in front of the mirror to get a glimpse of yourself at all angles. “It feels off.”

“You look just as good in that suit as you always do,” he reassures you, softly shutting the door behind him as he makes his way towards you and moves to take your hands in his own. “But if you feel off, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to sit this one out.”

“Are you kidding? No,” you scoff indignantly, almost offended by his well meaning suggestion. “Absolutely not. I’m going.”

“Y/n,” Bucky sighs gently only for you to firmly shake your head in defiance.

“I’m just in my own head, I’ll get over it,” you assure him as convincingly as you can. “Everyone gets nervous before a mission sometimes.”

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?” He presses you with a raised brow and firm squeeze of your hands.

“I’m sure,” you avow sincerely. A beat passes before Bucky finally accepts your words as the truth and gives you a faint smile in return for your effort.

“Alright, but the minute you start to feel off in the field you tell me. I can’t have you getting hurt because you tried to push yourself too hard too soon. Understood?”

“You got it, Sarge,” you reply with a playful salute that has Bucky rolling his eyes in response, a quiet chuckle tumbling past his lips as he pulls you in by the waist and leans down to steal a kiss from his favorite girl.

“That’s what I like to hear,” he quips with a cheeky grin before finally releasing his hold on you. “Steve wants us on the Quinjet in ten. I’ll see you there.”

You watch your partner shut the door behind him as he makes his departure before you finish arranging the rest of your ensemble. You take the extra precaution of hiding some ginger chews and antacids in the smaller pockets of your uniform to help you keep your nausea at bay during the mission, and after taking a final look at yourself in the mirror you determine you’re ready to go.

You manage to make it onto the Quinjet with a minute to spare, able to evade another lecture from Steve about your usual tardiness as you seat yourself next to Natasha and secure your restraints. You try to discreetly toss back a ginger chew to prepare for the long flight, but you’re unable to get anything past the former assassin.

“You sure you’re up for this?” She asks with a quirked brow, watching you chug down a water bottle to rid your mouth of the strong medicinal taste.

“Why is everyone doubting my capabilities today?” You protest indignantly with a huff, prompting her to raise her hands in surrender.

“I’m not doubting you, I’m just being a concerned friend,” she assuages you amiably. “Barnes isn’t the only one allowed to worry about you.”

Her comment prompts a small laugh to leave you as you partially ease up from your tension. “I know, I know, I just- I’m just feeling a little on edge today, but it’s probably because I’ve been out of commission for a week. I just need to get my head in the game is all. I’ll be fine.”

You’re not fine.

Despite the handful of stomach settle drops you take, the flight to the designated coordinates is excruciatingly nauseating. Your face is drained of color, droplets of sweat beading down your forehead as Bucky kneels before you and coaxes you to drink another bottle of water. It’s clear to everyone that you’re nowhere near ready to be out on the field, but you’re too stubborn to accept your fate.

“Y/n,” Bucky murmurs softly once you hand him back the empty bottle, “I really don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be out there in the state you’re in.”

“I’m fine,” you insist through gritted teeth as another wave of nausea overcomes you. “It’ll go away once we land. I swear-“

“Y/l/n,” Steve’s voice calls from the cockpit, interrupting your sentence and immediately filling your stomach with dread. “Can I have a word?”

You feel like a scolded child being called to the principal’s office as you quietly rise from your seat and make your way over to the Captain. All eyes seem to be on your stiff figure as nervously avoid their gazes in shame and do your best to put on a confidant front for the man in order to avoid being benched from the team.

You hesitantly seat yourself beside him and clear your throat of your nerves before innocently speaking. “What’s going on, Cap?”

“I know how much you want to be on this mission today, but I can’t let you fight in good conscious when you’re clearly still not at your best,” Steve says regretfully, voice firm yet remorseful at depriving you of a chance to join the action. Your throat feels tight as you swallow down your disappointment and attempt to put on a brave face in response to his confession.

“Look, I know I’m not a hundred percent,” you begin to argue, noticing the way in which Steve’s brows seem to furrow immediately as you speak. His eyes seemed honed in on your figure as you try to argue your way back into the mission, and you absently wonder if he too has taken notice of the way your suit seems to cling to you in a way it never had before. You shift awkwardly, almost losing your train of thought as you continue, “But I can do this, Steve. You know I can.”

A heavy pause fills the air as you sit waiting with bated breath for some type of response from your Captain. He seems taken aback and uncertain, and you’re not sure what has caused the sudden change in demeanor. You don’t think you’ve said anything to offend the man or disrespect his authority as the team’s leader, but it’s almost as if he seems unsure how to proceed in your conversation.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs absently after finally regaining his composure, faintly shaking his head before meeting your gaze. “I know you can, but I think it would be best if you stayed on the Quinjet and did surveillance for today’s assignment. You won’t be in the action, but you’ll still be able to help the team by keeping an eye out for any incoming threats and having the jet ready for a quick exit. Understood?”

Despite your clear discouragement, you manage a meager nod in response. Steve simply offers you a faint smile and comforting squeeze to your bicep before rising out of his seat and allowing you to take over as pilot. You’re not exactly thrilled by the change in plans, but you suppose being somewhat involved in the mission is better than nothing at all.

As you’re left in the quiet of the cockpit to pilot the plane, Steve seems to find himself in a daze as he walks towards the cargo load where Bucky sits checking over the team’s weapons supply.

“How’d she take it?” Bucky prompts at the sound of footsteps, never once removing his eyes from the rifle he works to put together. However, his friend’s inability to respond has the soldier faltering in his movements. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s… great,” Steve breathes out with a shaky laugh, fighting to keep back the smile that attempts to play itself upon his lips. A whirlwind of emotions is whirling within him, and he isn’t sure how to approach such a precarious situation. He firmly claps a hand on Bucky’s shoulder and gives it a loving squeeze. “I’m really happy for you, Buck.”

“Happy for me?” Bucky repeats unsurely, brows furrowing with confusion at Steve’s sudden change in demeanor.

“Of course I am. All I’ve ever wanted is for you to get a second chance at life after everything Hydra put you through.”

“Right…” he drawls quietly. His chest pangs with guilt at the mention of Hydra, tightening at the reminder of all they’d taken from him, but he still isn’t sure what his friend is getting at.

“While I support your new start in life, I can’t understand why you’d let y/n on this mission knowing her condition,” Steve points out with a disapproving frown, attempting to keep his tone void of any judgement. “I know how much being an Avenger means to her, but you can’t risk putting her and the baby in danger like that-“

“What?” Bucky chokes in shock, clearly taken aback by Steve’s comment.

“I know y/n’s pregnant,” the blond reiterates with a raised brow.

“No she’s not,” Bucky argues with an adamant shake of her head. “She just has a stomach bug, the same one Tony had.”

“Buck,” Steve utters, giving his friend a pointed look that signals his complete sincerity, “I heard a second heartbeat when I was with her in the cockpit. It was faint, practically drowned out by her own heartbeat, but it was there. She’s pregnant.”

“Oh, god,” Bucky breathes out uneasily, stomach already beginning to twist itself into nervous knots. “Oh, god, how could I have missed that?”

“You’re telling me you didn’t know?”

“Of course not!” Bucky cries defensively before immediately lowering his voice after earning himself a few curious stares from his other teammates. “I would never have let her step foot on the Quinjet if I knew that. This whole time I just thought she had some sort of stomach virus… I should have known, Steve. I’m her husband.”

“Hey, come on, don’t do that to yourself. I was barely able to hear it myself, and you probably tuned it out because you thought she was just sick. You know now, and that’s what’s important.”

“She told me she felt off before we left headquarters. I should have tried harder to get her to stay,” Bucky laments despondently, head hung in shame for putting you in danger once more.

“You and I both know there’s no stopping y/n from changing her mind,” Steve reminds him humorously, prompting a faint quirk of Bucky’s lips. “All we can do for now is complete this mission and make sure everyone on this jet gets home safe.”

“She doesn’t even know,” he replies halfheartedly as the two super soldiers focus their gazes on your figure in the pilot’s seat.

“You just have to keep this secret until we’re home,” Steve encourages him gently. “We can’t have any distractions.”

“I just can’t believe it… We’d tried so many times in the past, gotten countless negative tests. We both just decided to accept that it wasn’t going to happen for us, and now… now I’m going to be a father.”

“You’re going to be a great father,” the Captain affirms wholeheartedly, “and I’ll be there to help you both with whatever you need. I’ve got your back.”

A faint hum leaves Bucky as he hones in on your figure, focusing his concentration on the sound of your heartbeat as he does his best to block out the noise. The rhythm was steady in spite of your current predicament, and it was a familiar sound that brought comfort to his panicked mind. His state of focus allowed him to finally detect the unusual stutter that followed your own heartbeat, a fluttering sound that desperately tried to match your pace.

Bucky could do nothing but keep a watchful eye over you for the duration of the flight and hope that this mission went smoothly so you could return home as quickly as possible. You were going to be parents, and every second he kept that secret to himself was torture.

It was going to be a long day.

~~~

Much to Bucky’s relief, the mission goes by smoothly. Other than a minor explosion and a cut to Wanda’s forehead, the team leaves relatively unscathed. You’re still in a sullen mood over your lack of involvement, but Bucky is glad no harm had come to you during the trip.

At your return to the compound Steve is quick to excuse you both from the mission debrief, and this time you don’t have it in you to protest your exclusion as a sudden wave of fatigue washes over you. You don’t know why you feel so tired considering all you did was keep watch of the Quinjet and pilot the team home, but your body aches and the comfort of your bed is calling you. You have no objections to your husband escorting you to your shared room and helping you get settled into bed.

You swap your constricting suit for one of Bucky’s shirts after a quick shower and nearly collapse into the mattress with a groan. You feel awful and want nothing more than for your stomach virus to finally go away, but it seems that won’t be happening any time soon.

“Drink some water,” Bucky coaxes while gently brushing his fingers across the expanse of your cheek. “Once your stomach settles we can try to get some food in you.”

“Why do I feel so awful? Tony didn’t even have it this bad,” You whine pathetically, prompting Bucky to stiffen uncomfortably as he’s reminded of the current predicament he finds himself in. “Isn’t there a way to make it better?”

Sighing, features full of guilt and chest tight with agony from having to keep such an enormous secret from you all day, the man carefully seats himself on the edge of the bed beside you and takes your hand in his own. You watch with piqued interest at his sudden shift in demeanor, reminiscent of the way Steve had behaved towards you on the jet. The cool metal of his fingers is soothing enough to alleviate some of your tension, but you’re a bit unnerved by your husband’s behavior.

“James?” You press gently, slowly sitting yourself up in bed to meet his gaze. You know him well enough to detect even the slightest of changes in behavior, and now that it’s just the two of you in your bedroom he can’t hide from the truth any longer. “What’s going on?”

“You don’t have a stomach bug,” he says with finality. Your features immediately contort in confusion at his words, but he doesn’t give you any time to argue or question him. He figures it’s best to just rip the bandaid off. “The reason you’ve been feeling so awful lately is because… you’re pregnant.”

“Pregnant?” You retort with a disbelieving scoff. “That’s impossible! You know we can’t have kids. We’ve tried, James. It must be something else.”

“Y/n,” he utters gently, eyes pleading for you to believe him. “You know I would never get your hopes up like this by telling you something I wasn’t completely sure about. Steve and I- you know our senses are dialed to a hundred, and we can pick up on things that regular humans can’t. We heard a second heartbeat coming from you. It’s faint, but it’s there.”

“So I really am pregnant?” You murmur quietly. Your eyes are wide, lips parted with silent shock as you try to process the news your husband has just given you, and Bucky isn’t sure how to properly decipher the emotions fighting within you.

“You are,” he affirms, giving your hand a reassuring squeeze while allowing you the moment to organize your thoughts. “I know this might be scary considering we didn’t plan for this, and I know it changes so many things for us, but I’m here for you, and I support whatever you think the right move is.”

“I think…” you begin to say after swallowing down your nerves and resting your watery gaze on your husband. “I think we should do this.”

Bucky can’t help the wide grin that quickly spreads across his face at your words, his own eyes beginning to grow watery with tears he fights to keep at bay. He wants to be strong for you, but he can’t help the joy that overcomes him at the thought of finally starting a family with you. All he’s ever wanted is to settle down with his perfect girl and live the life that had once seemed so far out of reach, and now it feels like all the pieces are finally starting to fall into place.

“You really mean it?” Bucky asks hopefully.

“I mean it,” you reply, letting out a tearful laugh when he practically throws himself at you and pulls you tightly against his chest in a hug. “If you’re in, I’m in.”

“I’m all in,” he breathes into your neck before pulling away to pepper your face in tender kisses. “I wouldn’t want this with anyone but you.”

The news of your pregnancy fills you with an amalgamation of emotions. You’re so overjoyed yet so terrified of what is to come as you start to think of all you need to do to prepare for your child’s arrival, but your nerves are easily melted away as you remind yourself that you’ll always have your husband by your side. You’ve both endured grueling challenges in the past, dangerous missions and heartbreaking loss, but this new journey was yours, and no one could take that away from you.

As terrifying as becoming new parents may be, you know that you can get through anything so long as you have each other, and that single thought fills you with hope for the future.

[queewp]

So what's Ford's motivation of research in your Monster Falls au? Is he fascinated by humans and wants to study them without bias? Does he want to publish a paler that would make monsters consider coming out of hiding? Are they even from the same dimension??? What would this au's version of Weirdmageddon look like?

HEHE SO- Ford's motivation:

Ford’s motive for research is similar to the original–he wants to document the weird and the unknown. Even as monsters, I can imagine there’s ALOT that has yet to be discovered–I can imagine Ford is also just rlly into that stuff in gen! He ofc still has the journals, tho they are ofc gonna differ slightly in content cuz some of the stuff in the Journals would already be ‘normal’ occurrences/creatures in his everyday life

Is he fascinated by humans and wants to study them without bias?

Yes and no. He is indeed fascinated with humans, but he’s smart enough to not barge into human settlements. The only reason Ford ended up trusting Bill is because Bill, surprisingly, nursed him back to health when Ford stepped into a trap (which may or may not have been a trap Bill had set up lol). Ford decided that humans couldn’t be THAT bad if Bill had helped him (he was incredibly wrong). Thus, he started feeling comfortable enough to ask questions, draw humans, write them down in his journals, etc. So yeah but also, it wasn't his initial plan--he is indeed incredibly fascinated in them, but part of it was also because the human he was researching was also Bill Does he want to publish a paper that would make monsters consider coming out of hiding?

Kind of!! Not exactly a paper, but he wanted monsters and humans to work together instead of being fearful of each other. He saw how Bill and himself worked and he thought; 'why were we so afraid of humans?' Ford and Bill, instead of working on the portal, were trying to figure out a way for humans to find / cross the barrier protecting Gravity Falls.

Are they even from the same dimension???

Yes!! In my version, Gravity Falls is a town of monsters w/ a barrier protecting them from humans. It's impossible for human to find the town on their own (if a human tries finding it, even with directions, they'll end up walking in circles and never finding it), and they’re also unable to cross it even if they DO find it. They found this out when Ford insisted that he come to Gravity Falls, so that they could go further into their research (Bill at this time, offered to help, and has been helping Ford with his journals and research); with Ford’s guidance, Bill ‘found’ Gravity Falls. However, it quickly became apparent that while Ford could step through this barrier, Bill could not. The next part of the research is like I had said before, trying to make Gravity Falls accessible to humans.

What would this au's version of Weirdmageddon look like?

HEHE basically a free for all hunting ground!! I’d imagine that Bill’s Henchmaniacs are also humans, and also monster hunters :3 They get free rein of a town FULL of the thing they hunt, what else do u think they're gonna do? /silly

I'm still tweaking a lot of the smaller things (and... a lot of other plot points) but that's basically around what I have :D Ty for asking this, this was so fun to answer <33 if anyone else has more questions, or ideas, defo send an ask >:D

[mewnewew]

Oni!Sir Crocodile x Reader: The proposal?

Hey hey hey! Yeah I've been running from playing the yakuza game series (I'm on yakuza 3 rn) to college work, to my other ongoing fic series with Croc, and reading a whole bunch fanfiction! So yeah that's a lot. Here's something which will probably turn into a series as well (good grief). Have fun! Crocodile in this series is sort of a half-crocodile demon. It' was supposed to be based after this one art I saw of @/sengoku03100905 on X. Yeah I can't find it anymore cause they post a lot but goddamn they have art about Crocodile. Anyway, take the outfit which kind of started this brainworm. It's from this site: https://www.dreamshop18.it/prodotto/crocodile-treasure-cruise-world-journey/

You were the daughter of two desperate parents. Two poor, desperate parents who also had two other children. You all lived in a region which was plagued with giving tribute to a oni. Well, he was considered an oni, but according to the mumblings of the local shaman, he didn't really look like one. According to the gossiping housewives and village drunks, you heard that he had two parts. His upper half was like a man having traces of green scales scattered across his torso, and the lower half was scaled, like a lizards but wider and a more powerful tail. He had the ability to conjure up large storms of sand, and almost swallow you whole with that sand, killing you.

The tribute was to sacrifice a some grain or wealth to the demon's lackeys who would come to collect at the first of every 3 months. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem, however the recent winter had been absolutely horrible leaving behind no chance for anyone to either take care of their crops or save some of their wealth for anyone other than travelling merchants who would trade their grain and food for wealth. This meant drastic measures. You weren't supposed to have gone, but the whole village was desperate and that included your parents. So with you sat at the shrine where the demons lackeys collected the usual tribute from, decked in the village's prettiest kimono, with the one thing your family could give as a final send off, a comb. This comb had apparently been given by a ronin to your great great grandmother as thanks for feeding him. It was made out of bone with with a design of a cherry tree onto it. It sat in your hair, with along with your mixed feelings to the whole situation.

You were quite aware that most of the villagers didn't care about whether you lived or died. You were chosen over another girl since her family had a cow and therefore more authority to say no. However you were still given a pretty kimono since they hoped you would be enough to settle the debt.

Soon you saw them. A skinny man with an odd hairstyle, with a blue coat and a white lining. He had a yellowish brown kimono inside with a black sash. He walked alongside a young girl who walked with a pink kimono, holding a tied up bundle in her hand. The man frowned as he came close and in a shrill and squeaky voice spoke.

"Who are you? Where's the tribute?"

You shifted uncomfortably, but sat straight. Well, if you died, at least you died with your dignity intact.

"They...couldn't pay this time's tribute. So they sent me"

He scowled and eyed you top to bottom. "We can't accept-"

"She's the tribute" chimes the young girl.

He snaps his head to her, raising an eyebrow. "But he expects-"

"Her village has sent her tribute, hence she is the tribute. We have to take her in as is" She says in a solemn voice.

He cups his chin with his hand, looking down in thought for a few seconds. You shift uncomfortably. He sighs in the end, shaking his head.

"Okay then."

And off you went. Turns out they had a horse driven cart, where you sat along with bags of gold, wheat and even jewels. They didn't see the point in tying your hands and legs together, as you had thought they would.

"No point in you running, really. We know where you come from." Says the man, sneering at you.

You didn't know whether to scream at him and attack or to break down crying from the obvious ridiculousness of your current situation.

You sat and watched hills, towns and cities go by. About a week later, you arrived at the banks of a wide river, with forests surrounding it. The girl hopped down from the carriage, and came to untie your feet. Minutes later, you're led through the surrounding forest, to a clearing with a cave facing it. They set the tributes down in front of the cave, and you sit, hands in your lap. A second later, a bald man with a white, simple kimono comes with his arms folded, swords at his hip. He stares at you with his brows furrowed and gives you an appraising look. Slowly you see him.

He's much taller than the bald man, with a maroon kimono. His feet are bare, openly showing clawed feet akin to a lizards'. One of his hands are replaced with a gold curved piece of metal, bearing a sharp end at the tip. You feel dwarfed and akin to a mouse in front of a snake in front of those eyes. Those vibrant purple eyes, bearing both appraisal and disdain for your mere presence. His face bore a long scar stretching across the tops of the bones of his cheeks. His other hand holds a Kiseru, the smoke leaving the pipe in an unorganized pattern as he raises it to his mouth to take a breath. Behind him, trails a long, and wide tail, not exactly like a snake, but different.

"What's this?" Comes his voice, low and casual.

"A tribute, sir. From the region after the low hills, before the waterfall."

He steps closer to you, and you have to crane your head to look up at him, he's most definitely an oni.

"Why, are you the tribute?" He asks.

"My village suffered a bad winter sir. We don't have grain nor gold to offer" You answer in a clear voice though Internally you're screaming with fear.

He kneels, cups your jaw, his hand almost being as big as your face, clawed and scaled.

"What stops me from just killing you, and destroying your village anyway?"

You fought to keep your eyes to his, nails pushing into your palm to keep from trembling or trying to struggle out of his grasp.

"I can be your personal assistant!" You yelped.

He raises an eyebrow. "I have a helper already."

His tails sweeps to the other side revealing an elegant woman in a purple kimono, who almost looks like a geisha with her beauty. She gives you an inscrutable smile, her eyes blue like the darkening sky.

Your mind races, and you blurt out another answer. "Y-your wife then!"

Everything suddenly stops and internally you screech at yourself. But another part of you debates that what else could you have said and now there's someone in your head starting the funeral rites-

"Ku-ha-ha-ha-ha!"

You blink baffled at him. What was he-oh. He was laughing. He was laughing at you?

He grins, and you finally see it. His mouth somehow stretches beyond the normal amount so that you see that he doesn't have the normal amount of teeth like any human does, but two wide jaws full of teeth, splitting the skin apart. His kiseru sits comfortably between his teeth. You mildly wonder if it hurts.

"Fine then". Wait what?

He leans closer, kiseru smoke blowing into your face. A dangerous gleam of amusement dancing in his expression.

"I'll marry you."

[jinnaizaemon]

I've been thinking a lot about Doi and how the third movie, Dokutake Ninja Corps' Strongest Tactician, really is a brilliantly executed love letter to his character and what he represents for the narrative, the characters, and the audience too, so I wanted to write about it a little. I'm going to talk about Nintama as a franchise in the larger sense, and how common motifs are used to portray Doi across different media, but since I feel the third movie manages to crystalize it all in its story, I will focus on it a lot. So if you haven't watched Dokutake Ninja Corps' Strongest Tactician and don't want to be spoiled, please stop reading here! Also, this is just me having fun tying different motifs together. Consider it just food for thought or, the rambling of a nerd who's a little too passionate. Finally, I might edit this post later when the movie becomes available and I get my own copy so I can add screenshots to illustrate. Again, it's not available to watch at home yet, so everything about the movie I write about is from memory. That's another thing I might need to edit later in case of inaccuracies!

The manga and anime being aimed at children, it's rarely in your face, but the setting is central to Nintama, it justifies both the existence of the Academy and the characters' motivations. It's war out there for unifying the country, and it's important context to know it lasts for more than a century before the relative long peace of the Edo period. The franchise plays with history, of course, but by its rules ninja are either soldiers loyal to a specific castle or mercenaries, making Ninjutsu Academy a school made in response from a need to produce more trained soldiers for the ongoing wars.

I find it interesting that Doi runs away from his ninja duties and ends up teaching instead, because while it gives him a break from actively participating in battles, in the end he's still eventually sending kids to the Sengoku meatgrinder. My point is that Doi as a person is far from perfect, but is actively trying to better himself. I'd say he's in the process of finding ways to repent for his past life : showing gratitude to the Yamada family, teaching children, "adopting" Kirimaru... there's a lot of talk about tsudoi and Doi opening an orphanage in the future, and while it's not canon at all, he's an inherently nurturing character with no interest in the war, so this kind of epilogue makes a lot of sense for him, doesn't it?

Doi's backstory from volume 50.

Contrasting with his early characterization that is more like a sometimes immature older brother to Rankirishin, Doi got wise with time and is known as a caring teacher to the ha-class, and parent/caretaker to Kirimaru. His shift to a nurturing figure might have started when the author of the manga, Amako Soubee, started associating him with Hounen in her mind. Doi has had ties with Buddhism for a long time now, something that is made quite explicit in the third movie. I remember thinking Doi is kind of like of a boddhisattva (one delaying his own state of Buddhahood to help others reach enlightenment) to others, as a teacher to the nintama, but also as an inspirational figure to more characters. But as well-meaning as Doi can be, he's not quite there yet isn't he? He's young and prone to failure, something he acknowledges at the end of the movie, making a point to apologize to his students. Also obviously, despite all the goodness in his heart, he was a ninja before being a teacher, and worked for an aggressive castle according to Ninmyu 12. It's never made explicit, but the story takes place during wartime, so it's easy to imagine what Doi had to do for the sake of his job.

In his quest for betterment, Doi not only appears as an anchor for many characters, the ha-class, Kirimaru all especially, Rikichi too- but also ends up offering an interesting alternative to the cast : teaching instead of ninjutsu, nurturing instead of killing, peace instead of war. Ninjutsu is what Nintama is all about and the reason for being for most of the cast, and yet Doi goes against it... And he's probably right in that peace and happiness are to be found beyond ninjutsu. When children look at professional ninja like Rikichi for example, it's with stars in their eyes, but episodes that focus on the characters' adult worries show stories more grounded into reality. Rikichi has a troubled relationship with his family and ninjutsu, making him jaded about his job, Teruyo and Bouta struggle to find proper work, Demoshika wants the comfort of an office job above anything else, and then you've got Tasogaredoki and their mutual suicide ideation out of loyalty, etc etc. When you start thinking about what kind of future awaits the nintama it can get bleak pretty fast... which is probably why the franchise is stuck in a status quo. We do get peeks at what life could be like for nintamas after graduation, like for example with Ouji and Kouun in Ninmyu 14 being tasked with... going against Ninjutsu Academy and harming their juniors, or Seiemon and Kanbei getting violently beat up by Zatto in The Strongest Tactician.

In short, outside of the safe bubble that Ninjutsu Academy represents during wartime, things aren't so great right now. Which is why Doi is such an important figure, and key to a happy end for the cast.

From 30-35. "I think that young man would make a fine teacher. He might even become even better at it than you, dear."

30-35 is such an important episode because it shows a turning point for Doi that ends up being a huge butterfly effect on so many characters. Doi may have relied on Yamada then and still does, but Yamada's wife showed great insight here. It's thanks to her Doi ended up teaching after all... When Doi plays with Rikichi, it's the first time he offers a child "an alternative" to the warrior path. He doesn't do it consciously, it's something he has in him without his knowledge (and 32-64 shows us he still has a lot to learn), but his influence becomes a central part of Rikichi's character (more on that later).

My general point being made, let's get into some more specific aspects of Doi's character. Since the mangaka mentions shugendou's relationship with ninjutsu, let's take a look at Doi's alter ego in The Strongest Tactician, Tenki, and his design ;

Tenki, scanned from The Strongest Tactician's limited pamphlet.

After Doi loses his memory and becomes Tenki, it's important to know he doesn't become an "evil" version of Doi or a new person altogether ; he's who Doi would have been had he not met the Yamadas. When Doi regains his memories at the end of the movie, the very first thing that comes back to him is a vision of the Yamada family. If Doi's work outfit is all black, as Tenki he's dressed all in white. It signifies a complete tabula rasa for his character and the development he went through since meeting the Yamada, back to a warrior in a blank state. But the white color and this specific headscarf is also reminiscent of yamabushi, mountain ascetics and practictioners of shugendou. The manga takes a shortcut by calling shugendou "mountain buddhism", it actually takes beliefs and practices from multiple sources such as Buddhism, Shinto, Taoism, and local folklore. Practices involve magic and fortune-telling which historically influenced daimyo's decisions during war, so there's no doubt that as Dokutake's tactician, Tenki, dressed as yamabushi with his background of having a religious education in the mountains, used such practices too to establish military tactics! The headscarf he wears is called houkan, literally a jeweled crown, and seems to hold multiple symbolisms. Overall, the white color of the yamabushi outfit expresses a symbolic death to be born anew, and the knotted crown around the head symbolizes afterbirth, placenta... I've seen others sources relating it to shimenawa, the purifying rope in Shinto you've probably seen in shrines, or around significant trees or stones.

The Strongest Tactician continues to tie Doi/Tenki with religion with two specific statues appearing at two points during the movie: when the sixth years are investigating Doi's disappearance, there's a shot of a statue on the roadside of Hayagriva, or Batou Kannon, the wrathful form of the compassionate female boddhisattva Avalokiteśvara. Similarly, in the room Tenki occupies at Dokutake, there's a statue of Daikokuten, a deity of good fortune and abundance in Japan, originally Mahākāla, a wrathful deity destroyer of all things.

Not related to religion, but another obvious motif of duality is in the moon, of course : at the end of Sonnamon and Doi's duel, Doi jumps into the river and what he thinks is the reflection of the moon in it (...It ends up being Happousai's bald head.), and this is when he loses his memory. The typical motif of a rabbit on the moon pounding mochi is replaced with a much more ominous rabbit grinding skulls into its mortar.

...Of course, it turns back to normal at the end of the movie.

I keep talking about how Doi actively chose to dedicate his life to peace and nurturing, and with all these symbols of duality, the movie manages to show us what it would have been like had Doi decided to remain a warrior. Tenki still dreams of peace and justice, and it's how Dokutake manages to manipulate him, but ultimately nothing good comes from participating in war. Had Tenki not been stopped in time (not by force like Zatto attempts, but ~by the power of love~ from Rankirishin), he would have committed the irreparable by murdering children, then not being able to revert back to his old self, and perpetuating the cycle of war and violence.

This is quite a simple pacifist message in a children franchise I think, but I find it interesting how it's delivered through different visuals!

The moon brings me to another thing The Strongest Tactician does a brilliant job portraying, and it's the passage of seasons.

The movie starts with a flashback scene and red spider lilies symbolizing splatter of blood. In Japanese, these flowers are called 彼岸花 higanbana, the higan part refers to the equinox week in March and September when Buddhist services are held and people visit the graves of family. The red spider lily, growing in September, is associated with the dead due to being planted in and around cemeteries.

Soon after, when Sonnamon and Doi are having their duel, it's in a field of susuki grass, associated with tsukimi, the moon-viewing celebrations held in September (that can be related to the Chinese Mid-Autumn festival). Later in the movie, more red spider lilies are seen blooming on the roadside, and people are busy with the harvest. The story is definitely set at the beginning of autumn. Interestingly, the second movie takes place after summer break. In this story, the villagers are in a hurry to get a protection decree probably because harvesting season is coming soon, and the pressure that the lord of Tasogaredoki is exercing on them is a mean to tax more crops from them in the upcoming harvest... Anyways, it's interesting that the third movie takes place soon after. The franchise is over 30 years old, but everything happens during the same school year! there's never a boring day in Ninjutsu Academy lol.

On a practical level, the beginning of autumn means that most people are too busy with harvesting crops to be conscripted at war (back then, most foot soldiers were hired farmers, etc), which explains why Tenki chooses to bluff an attack against Suppontake with the fake branch castle and all, since he had little troops to use.

But I want to focus on the seasons on a more symbolical level this time.

Ninmyu 12 tackles Doi's backstory and the complicated relationship he has with Nue, the ninja who kidnapped and raised him as a child. The canonicity of Ninmyu is discutable, so if one chooses to not take into account Doi's history with Nue and Kaentake ninja it's understandable, but I want to talk about Doi's solo song since Amako Soubee wrote it. It's called 半助春秋 Hansuke shunjuu, literally "Hansuke's Spring and Autumn", but expresses the idea of "the years of Hansuke", "Hansuke's life and times", something like this. I absolutely love this song, but it's a difficult one. I tried translating it and now that I look back at it I already see mistakes haha.. ha. Anyways, the lyrics are divided into two parts ; Doi first describes an dream-like spring scene which seemingly never happened, making it his own picture of peace itself. The figure of a young girl picks up flowers in a field, but that idyllic scene is cut short : "Had that warm spring day been longer," flowers would bloom, and all of nature would bear witness to Doi "returning home with you." The second part mirrors the first, but this time is more grounded into reality. On an autumn night, "remnants of a battle are buried in the overgrown ruins of a castle" ; it makes Doi reminisces the past. This time, the stars and the moon comfort Doi that "he will return home someday". There's that idea of high and low here, where everything dies in autumn and nights become longer with the upcoming winter. And of course, that recurring hopeful idea of "returning home" that is so so so dear to Nintama.

I want to relate this to The Strongest Tactician first, with Doi's symbolic death and rebirth in autumn, the spider-lilies, etc. During the climax of the movie, in an effort to make Doi-sensei remember, Rankirishin try to get a reaction out of him with lines such as "We haven't learned it yet!" "I value money over my life!" and such. But what finally makes Tenki go back to being Doi again is Kirimaru telling him through tears, "Let's go home together." That idea of home is dear to Kirimaru obviously, but it's something Doi has always longed for too. Doi and Kirimaru's back and forth of "let's go home / i'm home / welcome home" comes up repeatedly in the anime, and Ninmyu 12 as well. Did he not stay with the Yamada because he didn't want to impose, or does he wish to have a family of his own? I genuinely think that meeting Kirimaru made Doi more certain of what he wants to do with his life. After autumn comes winter, which is depicted in the movie through a visual of a young Kirimaru trying to keep warm wrapped in straw and taking shelter from the snow. A snowflake falls on his eye, and when you think that all hope is lost, Yuuki 100% starts playing and it cuts to him together with everyone at Ninjutsu Academy. If Doi didn't get to have springs, he'll give some to Kirimaru! The idea of Doi trying to preserve the little childhood Kirimaru has left and that he himself never got to have is so so so important to me lol. Happousai says "If I have Tenki cut these threes[Rankirishin], even if he were to remember who he is, he wouldn't be able to ever go back to Ninjutsu Academy." It goes back to my initial point that Doi is so central to everyone in Nintama ; with him gone, so is the alternative to war for a good chunk of the cast. It's something I talked about before, but another character who has a strong independent mindset regarding peace and ninjutsu is Isaku. The movie does a great job showing how important Doi is to Isaku as well, but his "health committee" philosophy seems to come from elsewhere...? I talked a little about it in my post about the second movie.

I'm not done with Hansuke's Spring and Autumn yet, I also want to relate it to another song Amako Soubee wrote, 利吉のテーマ Rikichi's theme. The two songs have very similar motifs, depicting nature and the idea of going home. But while in Hansuke's Spring and Autumn, nature is depicted as friendly and comforting, in Rikichi's theme it's a lot colder and distant. For Rikichi, he "has no need for stars" / "the moon is an enemy." For Doi, "the stars whisper / the moon reveals / that someday, I will come back home here" The wind "smiles" for Doi, while it just "makes sound" to Rikichi. In the end, Rikichi only finds comfort hiding in the darkness and turning his back to the dawn... But both songs end with hope among ruins, and both express the same wish to go home.

I talked about Doi being in a personal process of betterment, his relationship to Kirimaru and the influence they have on each other, but I believe it's important to address his relationship with Rikichi too. Little Rikichi showed Doi that he had it in him to teach and care for children, having innate pedagogy even Yamada lacks / lacked at the time?. Rikichi was taught ninjutsu and martial arts in his secluded home with high expectations from his parents that are ninja themselves. He barely got any childhood, the marriage situation of the Yamada is so messy it deserves its own post, so much that a picnic together and away from ninjutsu meant everything to little Rikichi... If there's one thing that characterizes Rikichi in my opinion it's loneliness that follows him into adulthood, and the tragedy of his character is that Doi showed him an alternative to the life he had always led thus far, only to leave soon after. Of course, Rikichi is younger, but I think he's mentally much more fragile than Doi is - again, The Strongest Tactician did an amazing job showing how much of an anchor Doi is to Rikichi, portraying both his anxiety and his relief brilliantly, I love how expressive he is in this. The most telling scene, that shocked a lot of people too lol, is of course when Tenki draws his sword at Rankirishin, Zatto is about to throw him a poisoned shuriken, and a desperate Rikichi grabs his wrist to stop him. First, poison is dripping from that shuriken, so Zatto is wearing a leather glove to protect himself, but Rikichi grabs him without hesitation. Second, and most of all, in the spur of the moment, Rikichi clearly made his choice between Doi-sensei and the children..... It's tragic how Doi has no responsibility to Rikichi in the end, beyond showing gratitude to his parents for saving him. Realistically, had he stayed at the Yamada household, it might have done Rikichi a lot of good growing up, but it would have put Doi in a very uncomfortable position, stuck in the middle of a very shaky and bizarre marriage. Back then, Doi probably didn't picture himself as a teacher, or caring for kids at all, so it makes me wonder how he would tackle little Rikichi's situation had it happened in present time. Would he feel more involved? Could he have "saved" little Rikichi? I have no doubt Doi sympathized with Rikichi's loneliness back then, but did he grasp the extent of it?... What is sure is that while it's certain Doi has a strong influence on Rikichi, Rikichi is also extremely important to Doi. I said it before, but the very first thing Doi remembers when he regains his memories is little Rikichi, after all. I don't want to diminish the bond between Doi and the Yamada at all ; the third movie makes a point of showing Denzou's concern and affection for Hansuke, that he named himself, making him a son of sort. The Yamadas are home to Doi, and even if he wishes for independence and maybe even a family of his own, time spent with the Yamadas and Kirimaru might be far from what he envisions in Hansuke's Spring and Autumn, but it works perfectly as a picture of peace, doesn't it?

Anyways, all that to say that despite the bleak implications of its setting, Nintama manages to remain so cheerful and hopeful in great part thanks to Doi. He grew both as a character and as a person throughout the story, pays for past mistakes and actively tries to do good in the present, symbolizing peace in time of war. Isn't it interesting that what causes his "defeat" against Sonnamon is him trying to protect a bird and its nest? Again, it's quite the simple message, but I'm so charmed by how it's delivered through his influence on the rest of the cast, and how he's portrayed especially in The Strongest Tactician. Doi is also a great bridge between the children and adult audience of Nintama, families watching together of course but in general, him being a reminder of the responsibility we have as adults towards children moves me a lot personally...

That was quite the long rambling.. ahhh.. I love Doi-sensei.