#visited my favorite bookstore again! got one too!

[cashmerecrow]

𝔚𝔢𝔩𝔠𝔬𝔪𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔈𝔫𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔡 𝔄𝔯𝔠𝔥𝔦𝔳𝔢𝔰...

[call-me-strega]

Dc x Dp Prompt #24: The Midwest Prince(ss)

Danny is a Singer/Siren/Banshee au where he’s basically a Chappel Roan-type figure.( Also, I'm Dead on Main trash so Strangers-to-Friends-to-Lovers, Celebrity x Civilian romance for two of my favorite boys)

Danny’s Ghostly Wail develops into vocal manipulation bc he’s a siren or banshee. Ember teaches him to sing and control the power. He finds music is a good outlet for his emotions and decides to pursue music as Danny. It takes him a few years but he develops a style and brand that he bases off the Realms. However, he doesn’t anyone to connect him to Phantom so he uses parts of his ancestors’ names to become “Walker Gale”(shout out to my beautiful mutual @mirigold-mayflowers for helping me pick that name), ordinary small-town midwestern boy turned Music Icon. He hires Val as his personal bodyguard, Sam as his manager, and Tucker as his head stage tech.

He dresses in really campy clothes the low-key mimic his ghost form as well as other ghosts he’s met. The outfits change to match the vibe of the song. So a rock ballad with an outfit inspired by Ember, Show Tunes-Murder Mystery-type-beat with a costume for Amorpho, EDM-techno-hyperpop themed song styled after Technus or Skulker, etc. He just has a lot of fun experimenting with his appearance and he’s an icon for it. He even makes friends with Star and Paulina through this and they give him feedback and help with new looks. The eventually join the team as his PR and Styling team.

Since he’s a banshee/siren all his songs have this underlying despair/sadness even if they have a fun and bubbly beat. He also references his feelings about being/hiding as Phantom and being partially dead and shit but vaguely so no one actually knows or assumes it’s a metaphor. Many of the themes are actually things lgbtq people identify with, specifically trans and bi fans. He also references battles he’s fought and ppl assumes he’s talking about mental illness or abuse which attracts another category of fans altogether. Again inspired by Chappel Roan his first album his called "The Ascent and Downfall of a Midwest Prince" gaining him the nickname the "Midwest Prince".

He’s weird and unfiltered and full of emotion and he gains a few fans in the hero community too. Raven and Zatanna start a fan club for him, well aware he’s some type of banshee/siren but knowing that the extent of his powers are being used to deliver beautiful performances. The are staunch supporters of him and his music and spread it to their friends. The current fan club is Co-Presidents Zatanna + Raven, VP Greta(Secret, a.k.a: a ghost hero), Starfire, Bart, Cassie, Tim, Kon + Jon, Steph, Cass, and Billy.

His identifying features are a signature make-up look and white underdye (when the color is on the underside of the hair). He’s grown his hair longer so it’s not super visible when he has it down and not styled. He also looks different without make-up so he can totally go unrecognized in public and live life semi-normal (as normal as a half-ghost vigilante powerhouse superstar can be). He actually planned it to be that way so that he could still go to college and stuff even though he’s doing it mostly online. All this to say that Danny has low-key got a Hannah Montana thing going on. Also, let's mix it up a bit and say he's based in Star City.

One day Danny goes to a second-hand book store because he's looking for a cheap textbook when he bumps into an absolute hunk of a man who doesn't seem to recognize him. Jason had been in Star City to visit Roy and Lian. He stopped at a second-hand bookstore to see if he look for some older editions of books (one time he found a second edition copy of Persuasion so he likes to peruse) and ran into a super pretty boy who made his chest feel funny and doesn't realize he's a Wayne. They got to talking about started really connecting. They decided to exchange numbers and kept in touch, meeting up every now and then when they had the chance. Danny gave him his private social media accounts so Jason never learned much more beyond that Danny worked in the music industry but not his exact role in it.

Eventually Danny moves to Gotham, either bc he switched labels or to be closer to Jazz whose doing her doctorate thesis on reforms that need to be made in Arkham. He and Jason begin meeting up in person more frequently and start catching feelings. Danny really wants to ask him out but feels sleazy doing it without telling Jason about his past and superstar alter ego. However, he also doesn't want to lose the mostly normal friendship they have. On the flipside Jason wants to date Danny but doesn't want to drag him into the life of a vigilante or the life of a Wayne. Both of them Pine and Agonize over this. In the end Danny decides to bite the bullet and tell Jason who he is, every part of who he is. He invites Jason over for a movie night and tells him he's got something important to tell Jason.

That same day Starfire decides to introduce Walker Gale's work to the other Outlaws and Jason really resonates with his work. He identifies with the lyrics on a literal and physical level and recognizes the underlying emotions that usually only other ghosts or liminals can. Starfire overjoyed that her friend likes his music decides to show Jason some of his music videos and photos. Jason, not being blind or an idiot, recognizes not only the props and costumes but his crushes face under that (very well done) make-up.

Jason is stunned and conflicted: it’s not like Danny lied to him about who he was, but he was entirely truthful either. Did he assume Jason knew? Or did he just not trust Jason? Why did he even bother with Jason, a seemingly regular guy, if he had such a claim to fame? And Jason keeps listening to his music and it’s speaks to him the same way hanging out with Danny does, making him feel seen and connected. It makes him all the more sure that someone incredible as Danny doesn’t need someone like Jason. He heads to Danny’s place that night very subdued.

He gets to Danny’s place and the smile that greets him twists him up inside. He puts on a mask and tries to act normal but Danny can tell somethings up but persists as he has made up his mind to be clear with Jason. He sits him down and tells him there is something important he wants to tell Jason. He starts by letting Jason know that he cares about him very much and appreciates the normality and closeness of their friendship. He confesses that he doesn't normally get that bc well, he's the superstar "Walker Gale". Danny goes onto say that the reason he didn't say anything earlier was because he treasures the simplicity of what he had with Jason and the reason he's telling him now is because he couldn't continue a relationship that he wants more from without being completely honest.

Jason's heart thunders in his chest and he stares at Danny with a slightly constipated look. Danny asks Jason what's wrong and on an impulse Jason word vomits his feelings. That he actually found out through a friend earlier today, that he really connected to his music the same way he did with Danny, that he's never felt seen the way Danny sees through him, that he's never felt the same way as deeply before, that he's completely and utterly in love with Danny but was scared to say anything and get him involved with his crazy life and the Waynes. And Danny sits and listens shellshocked.

And the only thing Danny can think to do is kiss this incredible boy senseless and tell him that if he likes him back then they can figure it out.

[sometimesiwritebadly]

Out of the Spotlight (Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader)

Summary: Garcia does a little totally harmless snooping and discovers Spencer’s secret girlfriend is a movie star.

Word Count: 3.2k

Notes: has it been almost two years since i posted on here? maybeee don’t worry about it. this is just pure fluff and some penelope/derek shenanigans

Masterlist

~~~

Penelope Garcia is, occasionally, too curious for her own good. She really doesn’t mean to snoop in her friend’s lives like this, but to be fair, she didn’t know she was snooping in Spencer’s life when she started. She thought she was just learning more about her most recent celebrity obsession; rising star and incredible actress, Y/N Y/L/N. She hadn’t even gone too far with it yet, really! It all started after she’d left the movie theater, where she finally got to see Y/N’s newest movie with Derek. He dropped her off at home, and she decided to follow the actress on instagram and scroll through some of her posts. Which is when she found one from three months ago that looked weirdly familiar. It was just a picture of some bookshelves, but she couldn’t shake the feeling. Then she saw that Y/N had tagged the location, and it was in D.C. The celebrity hadn’t given up the exact name of the bookstore; a slight annoyance for Penelope, but she knew it was probably just so Y/N would be able to visit the place again without a crowd of fans or paparazzi, so she’d let it slide this time. Penelope isn’t one to frequent bookstores, but she remembered Spencer had taken herself and JJ to a small bookshop when they had decided their new year's resolutions would be to read more often. Spencer kept trying to get them to read the classics, but both women were shopping the romance section, much to Spencer’s annoyance. So, she called an amused Derek back to her place so he could take her there.

“So we’re doing this because some actress may have been to the same bookstore three months ago?��� He asked, driving with one hand as he talked to Penelope. 

“Well when you say it like that it sounds silly!” She said, still scrolling through the instagram page. “Besides, it’s not just that, a lot of these pictures are in Quantico! What’s a big name actress like her doing here?” Since the discovery of the bookshop picture, she’d found 3 more that were obviously in the city; a well known coffee shop, a mall Penelope has spent way too much money at, and a picture of a sign from the nearest highway. There were some others that she thought might be, but there was no definitive proof to be found.

“She probably just has family here, baby girl.”

“Um, do I look like an amateur to you, hot stuff? The first thing I looked for was her family, who are all happily living far, far, away, thank you very much.” The next picture she scrolled to gave her pause. It was a picture of a TV with a still from Y/N’s breakout show on it, but a coffee table, with someone’s sock-clad feet on it, was just barely visible. The socks were covered with the logo for her show. It was captioned “Will it ever stop being weird to see myself on TV?”

“Does this look familiar to you?” Penelope held the phone in Derek’s line of sight, causing him to swerve the car a little and push her hand out of the way.

“Do you think that could wait until I’m not driving?” Penelope just rolled her eyes, taking a screenshot of the picture for future reference. In just a few short minutes, they were pulling into the parking lot of the bookstore. Penelope rushed in, with Derek strolling behind her. She quickly found the spot that was featured in Y/N’s instagram post. 

“See! Told ya it was here!” She said, showing Derek the picture so he could compare it himself. 

“Yup, definitely it is the same place. I still don’t see why this is a big deal though.”

Penelope opened her mouth to argue with him, but was interrupted by the store’s owner; a little old lady. “Can I help you two find anything today?” 

“Oh, no ma’am. I just saw your store on my favorite actress’s instagram, and wanted to see it for myself.” Penelope explained, feeling a little bad for wasting the woman’s time. Maybe she’d find a book to buy, even though she’s not even finished with the last book she bought here.

“Oh! Miss Y/L/N, right? She and her boyfriend are around here all the time! What a nice little couple; her boyfriend is a little skinny though, I really need to make some cookies for him the next time they come by.” The woman explained, walking over to the wall of the store to point to a framed picture of herself and Y/N, signed and all. 

“She has a boyfriend?” Penelope asked, shocked that she hadn’t at least figured it out. In all her snooping of Y/N’s instagram, she hadn’t seen a hint of a boyfriend. 

“Oh, yes. They’ve been coming around for, goodness, six months now? They always buy each other books, it’s so adorable. He always buys her one of the classics, I think it was Romeo and Juliet last time. She usually gets a romance of some kind.” That made sense; the most recent picture on her instagram was one of two books; Romeo and Juliet, and The Duke and I. Eventually, Penelope and Derek made their way out of the bookstore, and that was the end of Penelope’s investigation of Y/N Y/L/N’s life.

Well, the end of Penelope’s investigation for that week.

It’s not like Penelope could track down Y/N Y/L/N’s secret boyfriend…not without seriously abusing her FBI database and maybe breaking a few privacy laws. She almost forgot about the trip to the bookstore, but during a rare case where she actually got to join the team on the jet, she noticed Spencer was reading something out of character. 

“Uh, Reid?” He looked up from the book he was reading.

“What’s up?” He said, quietly, as everyone else was sleeping after the long case.

“Why are you reading The Duke and I? I thought you were a total book snob?” She asked, sitting across from him.

“Oh, um,” Nothing could hide the slight blush that appeared on his face. “A friend of mine told me to read it.”

“Like a girlfriend?” Penelope teased, watching as his blush became even more noticeable.

“Y-yeah. Uh. Like a girlfriend.” Spencer opened the book back up, hiding behind its cover and promptly ending the conversation. He brought his feet up onto the small table in between them, causing his pants to ride up just enough to show off his socks. One sock was just plain black, but the other one was covered in the logo for a familiar TV show.

“Are you a fan of Y/N Y/L/N too?” Spencer just looked up in confusion.

“What?”

“Your sock, that’s her show right? It’s really good, I watched it in like a day.”

Spencer’s eyes went back to the book. “Uh, yeah. It’s a great show.”

Sure, Penelope thought he was acting a little weird, but that’s just Spencer. He doesn’t talk about his life outside of work too often, but she was glad he at least told her about the girlfriend. Even if he wouldn’t tell her her name, she was sure she could figure something out. So the next day, she updated Derek on her new information about Spencer.

“Wait wait wait, Spencer was wearing socks with the show’s logo? And reading The Duke and I?” The two of them had been walking towards the BAU kitchen to get a cup of coffee to help them get through the paperwork day, but Derek had stopped walking abruptly when Penelope gave him those details.

“That’s what you’re most interested in? Not the fact that Spencer has a girlfriend?” Penelope asked.

“C’mon baby girl, it’s obvious that Spencer’s been dating someone.”

“What! You knew! And you didn’t tell me?”

Derek laughed, resuming their walk towards coffee and letting Penelope hurry along behind him. “Sorry cupcake, I figured you knew too. He’s just been so happy for the past few months, in the way only a lady would make him.”

“Ugh, ok, well some of us aren’t profilers, Derek. What’s so important about the socks and book?” 

“Well,” Derek grabbed the coffee pot, pouring some into Penelope’s mug as he spoke. “Just a few weeks ago you dragged me to a bookstore, where we learned about a certain couple. A couple where the guy likes classics and the girl likes romance, right?”

“Yeah-Oh! No! There’s no way you’re suggesting what I think you’re suggesting.”

“And didn’t Spencer get flustered when you mentioned her?” He asked, now pouring the coffee into his own mug.

“Oh my god! The socks!” Penelope pulled her phone out of the pocket, quickly making her way to the picture she’d saved. She showed it to Derek once again, this time zooming in on the coffee table. “Those are the socks he was wearing! On her instagram!”

“Uh, why are you staring at a picture of Spencer’s living room?” Penelope jumped, not having noticed that JJ was standing over her shoulder, looking at the picture on Penelope’s phone.

“Wait, you’re sure this is his living room? Like, 100%?” Penelope had never actually been to his place before.

“Uh, yeah, he babysits Henry a lot. Why, what’s the big deal about it?”

“Oh my god, Spencer is dating a movie star. Spencer Reid is dating a movie star!” Penelope couldn’t help but jump up and down, almost spilling her coffee.

And then Spencer walked into the room, promptly ending the gossip between coworkers before Spencer could hear. 

Derek had made her promise to wait until Spencer was ready to talk about his relationship, but after an agonizing week, she felt like she was going to burst at the seams. So when she got a notification on their night off that Y/N had posted a new picture, she was aching to get more information about the secret relationship. This was, again, a picture in what she now knows is Spencer’s living room. This time, there was an open box of pizza on the table. It was captioned, “Lovely night in.”

So, naturally, Penelope immediately headed to Spencer’s.

~~~

Y/N doesn’t think it’s possible to be any more happy than she is right now.

8 months ago she’d just ended what was possibly the most disastrous relationship in the history of humankind. She’d made the classic mistake of dating a co-star; an older guy who was well known to be a bit of a playboy. The relationship had been extremely public; everything from their dates to their fights were somehow captured by paparazzi. His fans hated her, her fans hated him, and worst of all, the network was pushing them to be even more public in the hopes of gaining more viewers. At the end of it all, she was insanely grateful her character wouldn’t be returning for the next season as she was already booked for a movie. The only thing worse than breaking up with your co-star is having to continue playing his love interest. 

And just when she was at her absolute lowest, having sworn off of ever dating someone in the spotlight again, she ran into Spencer. 

After wrapping filming for a movie in Atlanta, the only reason she was even in D.C. was because her flight was forced to land early; a sudden storm was arriving and there was no way the plane would safely make it to New York. What started as an hour delay turned to three, then four, and before she knew it Y/N was stuck in town for a weekend. 

She spent basically an entire day hiding away in her hotel room, so Y/N just had to get out and do something. It was still raining cats and dogs, and she’d never been in the city before, so she just googled the closest places that were still open. Luckily, there was a small bookstore just down the street, and there were a few books she’d heard about that she hadn’t had the chance to buy yet. So she put on her coat and practically ran to the store. 

She was drenched and already regretting the decision to leave the hotel room by the time she walked into the building, but there was no point in turning back now. The place was practically empty anyways, Y/N only spotted an older woman reading a novel at the cash register. She slowly began browsing the shelves, not looking for anything in particular.

When she rounded one of the corners, however, she ran right into someone’s chest.

“Shit! I’m so sorry!” She immediately apologized, looking up to find a cute man staring back at her. “I wasn’t paying any attention, I assumed I was the only one in here.”

“That’s alright, I, um, I wasn’t paying attention either.”

The guy standing before her was holding various books, all reminding Y/N of the books she was supposed to read (but never actually read) for her high school English classes. “So, do you exclusively read books written before the 20th century or are you just taking a college class in-” She read the title of the book on top of his pile; a collection of short stories by Edgar Allen Poe. “-depressing gothic short stories?”

He laughed, rolling his eyes a bit. “I just like a bit of a challenge when reading. And it’s a rainy day, which calls for ‘depressing gothic short stories,’ not–” He glanced at the one book she’d picked up, a cartoon covered book called Red, White, and Royal Blue. “What I can only assume is a cheesy romance.”

Despite his insult of her choice in books, Y/N couldn’t help the smile on her face. “Well maybe I like reading books that are actually entertaining, not reading so I can be confused by convoluted metaphors.” 

Just as he opened his mouth to respond, their conversation was disrupted. “Y/N Y/L/N? Aren’t you from that doctor show on television?” Y/N turned to see the woman that had been at the register earlier slowly walking over. 

“That’s me! It’s nice to meet you!” Y/N’s real smile suddenly switched to a smaller, more practiced one. It’s not that she didn’t love meeting fans–she’d just been enjoying a conversation with someone who wasn’t treating her differently. 

“Oh I knew I recognized you! My granddaughter loves her show, she was so upset when you decided to transfer to that fancy british hospital and…” The woman started rambling on a bit about the stuff her character had done and how her granddaughter reacted to it. Y/N glanced over at the guy she’d been talking to, who seemed entertained by the whole interaction. “...Anyways, do you think we could take a picture? My granddaughter will just never believe you were here!”

“Of course, um, do you mind taking it for us…?”

“Spencer. Yeah, I’ll take the picture for you. Do you have a camera, Mrs. Waverly?” Clearly the guy, Spencer, was a bit of a regular here if he knew her by name. 

“Yes, yes, it’s around here somewhere…” The woman scrambled off, muttering to herself about where she’d last seen the camera.

“So…” Spencer spoke first, breaking the somewhat awkward silence while they waited for Mrs. Waverly. “You read cheesy romances and star in cheesy Grey’s Anatomy knockoffs?”

“Hey! It wasn’t a Grey’s-” His pointed look made her stop. “Ok, it was totally a Grey’s Anatomy knockoff, but I’m not on the show anymore so you can’t make fun of me for it!”

Mrs. Waverly finally reappeared, with an old polaroid camera in her hands. The two quickly took a picture, which Y/N happily signed for the woman. By the time both Y/N and Spencer had bought their books, the rain had slowed to a light drizzle. 

“So, um…” Spencer started, but trailed off, not knowing what to say.

“My hotel is just down the street.” Y/N said, pointing in the right direction. Spencer’s eyes widened a bit before Y/N realized what she’d said. “Not that I’m like, inviting you to my hotel room, I’m not, that’d be crazy, I just-” She cut herself off, trying to not ramble anymore. “Do you wanna walk with me? Tell me more about your depressing book?”

Luckily, Spencer wasn’t put off by her rambling. “I’d love to. Poe isn’t always depressing, really…” He started, as the two of you walked slowly towards your hotel.

From there, the short walk turned into a coffee date the next day, which turned into long FaceTimes while one or both of you were in different cities, which lead to where you are now; 8 months deep in a relationship and finally in town with Spencer. He’d still have work of course, but you’d be in town for the next two months as your next job wasn’t starting for a while. 

The two of you were basically in an extended honeymoon phase. Only your closest friends knew that you were dating anyone, so you never had to worry about it leaking to the press. You figured when the two of you got more serious you’d eventually have to go public with the relationship, but for now it was nice having something just for you. 

You were in Spencer’s apartment, scrolling through Netflix looking for something new to watch, when Spencer arrived home from work.

“I think my team knows that we’re dating.” 

“What?”

Spencer made his way to the couch, laying down next to Y/N as he continued, “Well obviously JJ knows, but she said she wouldn’t tell anyone. I’m sure Hotch and Rossi at least have figured out that I’m dating someone, but I don’t think they care enough to figure out who. But today Garcia and Morgan were just acting weird. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if-”

Spencer was cut off by a knock at the door. “Spencer Reid if you don’t open this door right now I’m making Derek kick it down!” 

“Let me guess…that’s Garcia.” Y/N said, laughing as Spencer rolled his eyes and got up to open the door. 

“Spencer, are you actually dating a movie star? And you didn’t tell me?” Garcia complained, not yet seeing Y/N sitting on the couch as she entered the room, solely focused on Spencer. Derek walked in next, immediately noticing Y/N and smiling at her. Y/N made her way over, trying not to laugh at Garcia’s widening eyes when she noticed her. 

“Sorry, I think it’s my fault that he didn’t tell you. We’re just keeping things quiet right now.” You explained, “I’m Y/N, by the way.” 

Derek was the first to grab your hand. “Derek Morgan. I’m sorry about all this, she was just curious.”

“I’m Penelope! And you’re Y/N and I love your work so much you don’t even know!” Penelope began rambling, taking Y/N’s arm in hers and leading her over to the couch as she talked about her favorite parts of Y/N’s movie. Derek and Spencer slowly followed, talking amongst themselves.

“So…Spencer Reid and Y/N Y/L/N. How’d that happen?” Derek asked. 

Spencer smiled, thinking back to that night 8 months ago. “We met in a bookstore last year.”

Derek laughed, because of course Reid would meet a girl at a bookstore. “You happy?”

Again, he smiled. “I’ve never been happier.”

~~~

taglist

@avada-kedavra-bitch-187 @kenzi-woycehoski @esposadomd @andreasworlsboring101 @peculiarinsomniac 

[night-daily]

It's a date | Spencer Reid x fem!reader.

summary: The bookstore have a limited edition of your favorite book and you are on your way to buy it but you aren't the only one who wants it.

warnings: none.

a/n: i loved it writing this one!! :]

You were ready to take your break from work when a notification pop up on your phone, it was a new post from the bookstore you go to almost every day.

“NO WAY!” You yelled excitedly and jumped out of your seat.

“ARE YOU OKAY?” Your friend and coworker, Karina, asked you worried.

“Sorry, I just got excited because the part two of my favorite book has finally arrived at the bookstore and it's a limited version so I have to go right now before there's no more” You explained, grabbing your jacket from your desk and begin walking fast out of the office.

“Good luck!”

Indeed you needed the good luck, the taxi driver was driving so fucking slow and after 15 minutes you arrived at the bookstore, from outside you could clearly see how crowded was, you wondered if it was because of the book or just a bunch of people who wanted read their books in there, after all, it was a very cozy place.

You entered the bookstore, greeting some people you met there. You walked to the cashier lady ready to ask for the book, when a guy with curly hair and a cardigan -which was pretty but you have never seen around - was talking to her.

“Excuse me, where can I find the limited version second part of-”

“Fantasy section.” The cashier cut him off without even looking at him. He just nodded mumbling a thank you.

You were ready to complain to her for being rude but you saw how the boy just nodded his head almost as if he was used to it to people interrupting him.

He started walking to the fantasy section and even if you didn't want to ignore what just happened, you notice from your position that there was only one book left so you walked faster catching him up, now walking by his side, he turned his head to look at you and you met his gaze, you offered him a little smile which took him by surprise, you were beautiful and you smiled at him, why?

He blushed furiously and he avoided your eyes.

“Wow, there's only one book left, and would be sold out.”

Spencer hard swallowed. Your eyes met again but this time it felt different, like a challenge. The two of you ran to the bookshelf, pushing the people aside not so gently. Some people complain, others just watched the two of you with fun.

You both reached the bookshelf at the same time, but there was a problem, you can't reach the book, the shelf was too high. But for Spencer? It was perfect. He grabbed the book and you whined.

“You two, you can't run in here and make noise!” Spencer gets distracted by the cashier lady and you took this opportunity to grab the book out of his hands. You didn't care, you were shameless, you ran back to the register but Spencer wasn't to give up so easily either, he was chasing you across the bookstore, you didn't notice when but the two of you were smiling.

“How much?” You were catching your breath.

“22 dollars.” She said looking behind you, Spencer was there watching the conversation.

“Fuck.” You muttered. You forgot your wallet at your desk. “Look, you know me, right? I come here almost every day so I can pay you later for the book I just-”

“Sorry, but I can't do that, if you don't have the money just leave the book to someone who can pay it.” That was all she said and you clenched your jaw.

“I would pay for her book.” Spencer said, you turned your head to look at him, waiting to see a cocky smile or a triumphal look, but he was wearing a gentle smile, now you were feeling embarrassed for your recent behaviour that you didn't dare to say something to him.

He paid for the book and walked to the exit door without expecting anything in exchange from you.

“Wait!” He froze in his place. “We can share the custody of the book!” You exclaimed nervously, some people turn to look at you and you walked closer to him.

“And as far as I know, you can visit- read the book while I'm here too, so what do you say?” Spencer was nervous, do you want to read the book with him, it was just because you were grateful? Anyways he hums in agreement.

You lead him to an empty table in the corner of the bookstore, that place was quiet and peaceful. He sits close next to you, not touching you, but you could felt the warmth of his body making you feel comfortable with his presence.

“I have to warn you, If a character suffers I suffer too, so I apologize beforehand” You opened the book carefully.

“It's okay, I do that too and actually it's called theory of mind which consists-” He stopped talking.

“Why did you stop?” You raised a brow.

“I want to hear it” I want to hear you, that's what you wanted to say.

He didn't know if you meant it but he keep talking.

“The theory of mind has shown that people who read literary stories that explore the inner lives of characters, show a heightened ability to understand the feelings and beliefs of others.” And you really paid attention to him, always looking at his eyes. It made him feel special.

“I truly learn something new every day, thanks...” You make a little pause, waiting for him to say his name. “Oh, my name is Spencer.” He holds his hand out to you. “Spencer” You say his name and you took it his hand and shook it. Spencer felt his heart melting by you saying his name.

“Shall we start reading?” He asked, trying to not blush.

“We shall!” You said cheerily.

You opened the book and you both started reading, Spencer wouldn't tell you but he can read at 20,000 words per minute so while he waited for you to end reading, he would look at you memorizing your expressions, he may be reading the book but he also wanted to read you to get to know you.

You both keep reading for 30 minutes and sharing your opinions about the characters and the novel, it was magical how the world seemed to stop when you were with him that even made you forget about your job. How crazy was that? You didn't even know him.

Your phone buzzed with a new message from Karina ''you get the book? I'm trying to cover you but the boss will be here any minute, please hurry!'' what would you do without her?

“Oh, I have to go back to my job right now,” You were disappointed, you really wanted to spend more time with Spencer. “but we can keep reading together, tomorrow at the same time and place, what do you say?”

“Yes!” He responded quickly and you laughed, he was cute “I mean, I would like to see you here to keep reading.” He cleared his throat.

“Then it's a date.” Your cheeks hurt for smiling.

And Spencer felt like the luckiest guy in the world.

[jaeminmp4]

what if we read manga together, then what? (m.lee)

synopsis - you have a love for reading mangas, and you made it your goal to visit your town’s local bookstore to relax after a grueling finals week and to check out the new bungo stray dogs manga that was just put on sale. however, you didn’t think that having a tower display of mangas falling onto you would lead you into having a friendship with the nerdiest (and cutest) boy ever. member - mark lee x fem!reader word count - 3.1k warnings - just some cursing, SOME my hero academia slander but it's not bad i promise!!! genre - college au, fluff, humor, strangers to friends to lovers authors note - wow casually dropping my first written scenario here hehe and it's for your favorite canadian boy, mark lee!! idk i was watching and consuming mark lee content like my life depended on it and it lead to this,, uh monstrosity of a fic, it isn't my best work, but i wanted to put out something before i start procrastinating, hope you somewhat enjoy it at least :D

You definitely weren’t the clumsiest person on the planet, and you knew this for a fact after witnessing your friend Minjeong trip over her own feet and spill the contents of her lunch tray all over the floor. Then when she attempted to get up from the ground, her foot had stepped right onto the apple sauce left on the ground, then she tumbled over again, this time almost hitting her perfect face right onto the tiled floors of the cafeteria. At the time you were too busy laughing at her demise to be of any help. You guessed karma came back to bite you in the ass. Stupid karma.

You had just finished your last exam of the semester and all you wanted to do was rot in your dorm room and sleep until the RA’s kicked you out to go home for break. You, however, didn’t do any rotting or any sleeping. For weeks you had been eyeing up the small bookstore near campus because you knew for a fact that they had just put up a sale for the new volumes of Bungo Stray Dogs and you couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see your beloved Chuuya Nakahara. You’d do anything for that red-headed son of a bitch. Which means sacrificing the rest you so desperately needed. You could sleep anytime you wanted now that it was break, but that sale was going to go soon (and you were a broke college student so you couldn’t let this opportunity go to waste), so you needed to get into that bookstore ASAP. You knew that they were closing at 6 pm. But by the time you got back to your dorm room to change it was 4:30 pm and it was a good twenty-minute walk. 

You came barreling through the door of your dorm room scaring the life out of your roommate in the process. You were throwing stuff around the room looking for more comfortable clothes to change into, and to find that stupid discount coupon your literary professor gave your entire class months ago to buy books that would “enrich your mind”. You had scoffed when he turned around after giving you the coupon, stuffing that damned paper into a random pocket of your bag. Now that you needed that coupon it was nowhere to be found. Now, you could go without the coupon but you only had like 25 bucks to your name, and you needed to take what you could get. You were about to give up on your search because you were running out of precious time, that is until your roommate, Yoo Jimin, or Karina as she liked to be called, waltzed up to you with a very familiar paper in between her pointer and middle finger. Your eyes lit up, your hands moving to grab the coupon from her. But Karina snatched it back so fast before you even had the chance to blink. “Hey! Do you even need that coupon? Last I checked the last book you read was your physics textbook but you turned to the first page before nearly bursting out into tears.”, you whined. Karina gives you a dirty look as a warning to shut the hell up, which you do knowing she’s the only one with a coupon.

 “I’ll give you the coupon if you get me a volume of Jujutsu Kaisen.”, she bargained. You give her an incredulous stare, “That’s all you wanted? Okay, that’s fine Rina, but please give me the coupon they’re gonna close in like an hour and won’t be open till Monday, and I need to read something other than a lab report or I’m going to go insane.”, you stressed. Satisfied with your answer and her plan to make you do something for her, she hands you the coupon and blows you a teasing kiss before walking over to her side of the room and plopping onto her bed. Rolling your eyes you scramble to gather the rest of your belongings before running out of your dorm room, the door slamming, giving your conniving roommate her second scare of the day. 

That’s what brings us to present time and your current predicament. You had to run like three blocks to get to the tiny bookstore in your university’s town. It was nestled in between a cafe (which is quite convenient) and an arcade. You stood in front of the building wheezing your lungs out, you attempted to catch your breath so you looked less like a crazed person who was struggling to breathe and more like a normal person getting ready to purchase books. When you entered you had a good forty or so minutes to grab the two volumes, pay, and get out. What could go wrong? 

There were very few people left in the bookstore, only about one or two people that were still perusing the many aisles of books. You knew exactly where the volumes you wanted were located. Gripping the coupon in your hand tighter you walked towards the manga section of the bookstore. This section was by far the smallest section of the entire store and the only place they kept the manga, for obvious reasons. 

You had only taken one step into the section when the strap of your bag decided that latching onto the manga tower was a good idea. Thus bringing the entire display down onto your unsuspecting form. 

You first felt a spike of pain on your backside, and it hurt like a bitch. You looked behind you to catch a glimpse of the cause of the pain and noticed it was that display of My Hero Academia volumes you saw placed right at the entrance of the aisle. Of course, it had to be that god-forsaken manga Chenle and Jisung were talking your ear off about all the time. But like god damn, what were these books made of? You had landed on the ground on your knees in the most ungraceful way possible, and you knew for a fact that you probably had a bad case of carpet burn on your knees. It didn’t help that you looked like an idiot, and it also didn’t help that you were quickly garnering the attention of the other customers in this tiny ass bookstore. Of course, you’d humiliate yourself right when they get a sudden influx of customers. 

You felt your face turn hot in humiliation, and you moved to try to get up to attempt to save yourself from this embarrassment. However, the damn display wasn’t done with you yet and didn’t want to budge. Why was this display all of sudden so heavy? You turn your attention to the people walking over to check out the commotion you created. However, none jumped to your aid. You sighed in disbelief and were about to attempt to get up by yourself again. Before you could, you felt the relief of the heavy display being lifted off of you and you swear to god you could hear the angels ascending down to Earth and singing to you. You turned to look at your savior and you came face to face with the cutest stranger kneeling next to you, his facial expression showing deep concern. He was saying something to you but you were too busy gaping at him like a fish out of water.

He puts one of his hands on your shoulder finally snapping you out of your dazed stupor. The cute stranger’s face had contorted to one of panic, “Did you hit your head too? Do you have a concussion?” You frantically start waving your hands out, shaking your head no, “N-No, I’m fine! Perfectly fine, peachy actually.” you say, your voice cracking by the end of your sentence. The boy next to you doesn’t look convinced but he nods anyway and he lets out a small laugh at the oddity of all of this. You laugh too, one because his laugh is infectious and you couldn’t help but laugh along, and two, you thought it was stupid to think this, but you couldn’t help it, all that was going through your mind was, you didn’t know who to thank for giving you the chance to meet this cute stranger, your incessant love for Chuuya Nakahara or Deku’s silly superhero gang.

Turns out that cute stranger’s name was Mark Lee, an employee of that bookstore. A cute name for a cute human, you had thought. After the whole fiasco, you had gotten an ice pack from him and assurance that he’d be the one to clean up the display you destroyed. You sheepishly told him you didn’t mind cleaning it up yourself since it technically was your fault. But he insisted that a pretty, injured girl like yourself shouldn’t be doing any cleaning at all. That shut you up real quick, a red hue taking over your face. You were just glad he didn’t notice. You ended up staying till the store closed, talking with Mark about different animes and mangas you two enjoyed, and other interests you had.

Karina had texted you a couple of minutes after the bookstore closed wondering where you were. 

rina<3: hey where r u, its been like yearssssss y/n: ive been gone for like two hours max, u’ll survive rina<3: i just want my dose of jujutsu kaisen :/ 

You snicker at the message and shut your phone off choosing to tell her what had happened when you arrived back to your shared dorm. Standing in front of the bookstore, you put your phone into your back pocket. You look up right on time to watch Mark fumble with the keys as he tries to lock up the store for the night. You laugh quietly, who knew the boy who’d come to your rescue was also clumsy, granted his clumsiness was cute and yours was more on the, I’d rather crawl into a hole and die than have to go through that again, sort of clumsiness.

Mark turns around to look at you after he finishes locking up the shop and he gives you a small grin, and you were sure your stomach was a terrarium with the amount of butterflies flying about in there. You barely knew the guy, you seriously couldn’t be forming an infatuation that fast. Right?

 “Y/N, you said you lived on campus right?”, he asked as he walked over to stand next to you. You nodded in response to his question. “That’s great! I live on campus too, it’s sort of crazy how we never really saw each other before though. If you want, we can walk back together?”, he suggested.

You were getting ready to refuse not wanting to waste any more of Mark’s time, at this point, you assumed he was just doing all this to be polite, and if it were you in Mark’s position, you sure as hell wouldn’t exactly be so chipper and willing after having to clean someone else’s mess. But once you glanced over towards him, you were so done for. He was giving you one of those doe-eyed stares, like a cute little puppy wanting something from you. So you folded, like a piece of paper, but like come on, how could you say no to a face like that? That’s how you ended up with an entertaining walk home, an amused roommate, and a new contact in your phone.

Turns out that Jisung and Chenle knew Mark as well. They both had met him in one of their many shared classes (you realize a majority of your friends really enjoy the arts), and they use him as a means to get a discount at the bookstore Mark works at. You wish you had thought of that, but you supposed you already used all of Mark’s sympathy the moment you tumbled down to the ground with his meticulously arranged display of books. Speaking of the bookstore, when both of those two gremlins found out how you two had met they both laughed their big heads off, both boys in literal tears after Mark was finished retelling the encounter. You wish the ground would just open up and swallow you whole but life never wanted to go your way, did it?

You cursed them both out in embarrassment and a bit of anger as Mark sat in between you and the two boys, attempting to cover his small amused smile from you, but it didn’t really work. “Do you find me getting hurt so funny? I’m glad my demise will forever be a joke.”, you lamented. Chenle laughed again, his laugh higher in pitch now, and you had to restrain the urge to reach over the table and throttle his giant head. You felt a slight pat on your back and you looked over to see Mark smiling at you with his cute little smile and you felt your heart melt, “Don’t be too sad, I don’t find it that funny.”

Mark looks at his watch and he looks at it alarmed, he starts hastily getting up from the table you four were sitting at, pulling his backpack onto his shoulders, “Sorry guys gotta go, I promised Donghyuck I’d help him with recording his new cover of some song he found on Youtube.” He turns to look at you, “Catch you later? Heard there’s a new manga coming out soon, maybe we can read it together?” You nod dumbly at his question, Mark sends you one last smile and a thumbs-up before he leaves. His figure moved farther and farther away from the three of you.

Chenle was the first to break the silence. “Have you finished drooling over Mark yet?” You spluttered, “What are you talking about? I was not!” You crossed your arms over your chest as you looked at the boy. He had a shit-eating grin on his face, and you groaned covering your probably red face with your hands. You peeked through your fingers and Jisung was also looking at you expectantly. Okay, so maybe you should have throttled Zhong Chenle earlier.

Being friends with Mark Lee is exhausting, and that’s only one of the many words you could use to describe your friendship, but you didn’t feel like delving more into that territory.

Mark was excitable at times and was always passionate about the things he had an interest in. In your words, he was a huge nerd. So when he found out there was going to be a convention in a town near yours he was practically bouncing off the walls. He had called you at three in the morning with the news, you, on the other hand, answered the phone half asleep mumbling “mhms” and “uh huhs” to his excited rambles.  

When the day of the convention had come, he had convinced you to come along, and even dress up as a character. You decided to dress as Yosano from Bungo. It was a simple outfit really, just a button-up blouse with a black tie, a black skirt, and some black tights. Your hair is adorned with Yosano’s signature butterfly clip. You had to say, you cleaned up nicely. You exited out of your dorm and walked down to the parking area of your dorm’s building.

Mark was supposed to come over and pick you up ten minutes ago but he still wasn’t here. For someone excited about all this, you’d think he’d be the one to come early. You pulled out your phone getting ready to text him, but the boy in question pulled up to where you were standing. Looking up at him you noticed he was dressed up as well, as Ranpo, from his hat, down to his little detective cape. 

That is so adorable. You just wanted to pinch his cheeks at how cute he looked, but you threw the thought out the window. You clambered into Mark’s passenger seat, closing the door trying not to get your skirt caught as you closed it. Mark looked over at you and chuckled, “Hey what are the odds we’re two characters from the same manga?”

You giggled as you playfully hit him on his shoulder, “I literally told you who I was going as ages ago, you literally did that on purpose.” Mark turns to look back at the road as he starts to pull out of the parking lot onto the main road. “Maybe I did.”. he says nonchalantly. You glance at him, “You wanted to be matchy matchy?”, you chirped. He beams at you and nods. You felt those butterflies in your stomach start again, just like all the other times you’ve hung out with Mark, but somehow this felt different. “Any reason as to why?”, you asked slowly. 

Mark sucks in a breath, and you worry you’ve offended him. You start to take back what you had said, but he places a hand on one of yours that was in your lap, and that’s when you notice how clammy your hands were. You were praying to anyone that would listen so that he wouldn’t notice. If he did he didn’t mention it at all but not that that mattered at all because the next few words he uttered nearly knocked the wind out of you, and made you forget the fact that you had gross hands. 

“I like you, Y/N. To be honest, I thought I was being obvious in my feelings for you, but forgive me if I was a little awkward, I’ve never really done anything like that at all.”

You stared at him not knowing what to say, and this felt a little too familiar to your unceremonious meeting, where even back then you had stared at him like he’d grown two heads. Mark was beginning to feel a slight bit uncomfortable under your gaze and started to pull his hand back, “If you... don’t return my feelings that’s fine too! We can forget this happened, stay as friends and we can go back to reading our silly little mangas together.”

You grabbed his hand back and held it in yours. His hand was warm, and it felt nice, and you liked it a lot. “You know, Mark Lee, I like you too, probably a lot more than you think, plus you were quite literally my knight in shining armor.”

“Oh thank god you like me back, I thought you thought of me as some nerd pestering you all the time.”, Mark gushed. You jokingly put a hand on your chin pretending to think, “Welllllllllllll………..” 

“Hey, I was making a joke!”

“I’m just kidding.”, you say, grinning from ear to ear. “So does that mean, you’re my girlfriend?”, he asks giddily. “If you want, I can be.”, you breathed. “Then, it’s official.”, Mark says, while drawing delicate circles with his thumb on your hand.

Mark turns to take another look at you before adding, “I’m glad your clumsy self got nearly crushed by a My Hero Academia display stand.”

“Okay, well now you’ve ruined it.”

[nicoline1998enilocin]

Fluffcember Day 12 | All the reasons why I love you

Pairing | Husband!Chris Evans x Wife!Fem!Reader

Word count | 2K

Summary | Today is your wedding day, and Chris recalls some of his most fond memories of you, his wife. From the moment you first met to the moment he first heard your laugh, not a single moment is forgotten by him. It is at that moment that you realize how much he paid attention to all the little things, and why you have fallen for him in the first place all those years ago.

Rating | General (G)

Warning(s) | RPF, Established relationship ~ Husband & Wife, use of nickname ~ Beautiful

A/n | This one-shot is written for day 12 of my Fluffcember 2023 Challenge! I want to dedicate this to @cevansbaby-dove, I truly hope this will make your day just a little brighter in the tough time you're going through right now. I want to give a massive thank you to @ccbsrmsf1 for proofreading this one, it is truly appreciated 🎄

Events Masterlist | ''That's the first time I ever heard you laugh | @buckys-wintersoldier Masterlist | Love at first sight | @ultimatechrisbingo

Banners: @vase-of-lilies | Divider: @firefly-graphics | GIF: Owner

Main Masterlist | Chris Evans Masterlist | Read on AO3

You're seated at the big table, ready for dinner, when your brand new husband, Chris, looks at you and gives you a reassuring smile before standing up and reaching for a microphone.

''Can I have everyone's attention, please? Because I would like to take this moment to tell all of you something about my beautiful partner in crime and wife, Y/N Evans-Y/L/N,'' Chris starts as he looks back at you, now standing in the middle of the dance floor.

His light blue suit compliments his eyes beautifully and matches the decor around the wedding venue, tying the whole outfit together. His beard and hair are styled in his usual way, making him look handsome, and you feel like you have found heaven on earth in this man.

Your husband. The more you think about it, the harder it is to believe, but it's true. You married your best friend, the love of your life, your partner through thick and thin.

''I'd like to start by telling you all how I met the most beautiful lady I have ever met, and who turned my world upside down from the moment she came into my life nearly 15 years ago.''

You just finished your work for the day, and now you're walking home from the school where you teach. Having a job only 10 minutes from your home is perfect, and being an elementary school teacher has always been one of your biggest dreams.

But today, you decide to stop in the bookstore on your way home as if something was pulling you into that building. The door swings open, a familiar warmth engulfs you, and you feel instantly at home.

You have spent many rainy days here and are good friends with the owners.

''Y/N! What a surprise to see you here; how is everything going?'' May asks; she's one of the two owners with her husband, Jason.

''It's good to see you again, May. I'm so sorry I haven't been here lately, but it's hectic at work now that we're nearing the end of the school year again. But I decided to revisit two of my favorite people; I have missed you both a lot,'' you tell her, and May nods in understanding.

''You're always welcome here, Y/N. We got a few books over the last few weeks that might be right up your alley. I stored them in the back until you would visit again,'' she says before walking off and getting said books.

Meanwhile, you're on your way to browse your favorite store section: True Crime. Something about this topic never ceases to amaze you, and you have spent many hours browsing the section.

Your eyes glide over the books until you spot one that immediately piques your interest. It's a little too high for you, but you try to reach for it anyway, but to no avail. You can't reach it even when you're standing on your tiptoes and let out a frustrated sigh.

''Can I help you with that?'' a deep voice on your right asks you, and when you turn your head, you look right into the eyes of the most handsome man you have ever seen. You stare at him for a few seconds until it dawns that he asked you a question, and your cheeks turn bright red in embarrassment.

''Oh! I'm so sorry! Uhm... Yes, please, can you hand me that one?'' you tell him as you point towards a book about Jeffrey Dahmer. The man reaches for it and grabs it off the shelf effortlessly, handing it to you with a charming smile.

''Here you go, Beautiful,'' he tells you, and you take the book from his hands with a shy smile and a chuckle leaving your chest.

''Thank you, uhm-'' ''Chris!'' ''Well, thank you, Chris,'' you tell him, and just as you're about to turn around and see if May is back, he stops you.

''I hope I'm not too forward here, but you're beautiful, and I was hoping we could get some coffee sometime if you're up for it,'' he tells you, and you happily agree.

A few days later, you're having coffee with the man you fell for in the bookstore, and you've never believed in love at first sight until you met Chris. He felt the same way and told you exactly that a few dates later. You two have never looked back and been together ever since that moment.

''I still remember that day like it was yesterday. That was the first time I ever heard you laugh. It has become one of my favorite things to hear, and I know I will never get tired of hearing it. It makes me feel like I'm home because you're nearby. And you're my home,'' he tells you before blowing a kiss your way.

''One of my favorite moments we have experienced together has to be the moment she met Dodger for the first time,'' Chris starts as he paces over the dance floor, his arms moving to emphasize his point.

Are you ready to meet him, Beautiful?'' Chris asks as you're sitting on his living room couch. You've always loved dogs, and ever since Chris told you about his furry friend, you couldn't wait to meet him.

He has told you about how he rescued him after filming in a shelter, and it warms your heart each time. You're getting a little impatient to see him now.

''Been ready for ages!'' you tell him with a chuckle, and that's when you hear it: his excited taps on the floor as he runs to the new person in his house, curious as ever.

''Who's that, Buddy? Say hi to her; she won't bite you!'' Chris tells him enthusiastically. Dodger can't contain his excitement, and he jumps on the couch where you're sitting, greeting you excitedly as Chris looks at the two of you.

''See? I told you he would like you,'' Chris tells you, and deep inside, you knew he would because he's the absolute best dog in the world. And to have Chris as his owner makes him the luckiest dog in the universe.

''Aren't you an excited little boy? Yeah, you are! God and you're so cute too, just like your Daddy,'' you say, and you look at Chris from the corner of your eye, seeing him turn bright red at your compliment.

''You two are way cuter together, though,'' he tells you, making you smile. From that moment on, wherever you went, Dodger went with you. He would be by your side anywhere inside the house; if you went outside, he would always want to accompany you.

That year, naturally, you had to take a photo of yourself, Chris, and Dodger in front of the Christmas tree, which is still your favorite photo of the three of you. Your own little family was enjoying their first Christmas together.

''I wouldn't want it any other way,'' you tell Chris when he's done telling the story, and once again, he blows a kiss your way. He's head over heels in love with you, and so are you with him. You can never get enough of him telling stories.

''The fondest memory I have of her, however, will have to be the moment I proposed to her while we were on vacation in Mexico,'' Chris tells everyone in the room, and a big smile adorns his face.

You and Chris have been together for a little over 13 years now, and even though you have discussed the idea of marriage a few times, it only became concrete now.

A few weeks before your departure on your yearly vacation with Chris, he started his search for the perfect engagement ring. He has visited several shops but eventually found the perfect one for you.

Now, all that's left is to pop the question.

You two just had dinner in an authentic Mexican restaurant and had some fantastic food, and now Chris is offering to take you on a walk on the beach. What you did not know, however, is that Chris's mom, Lisa, has prepared the place of the proposal for both of you.

''God, that food was amazing! I'm glad you chose that restaurant, Beautiful,'' Chris tells you as his fingers are interlaced with yours. The restaurant you initially wanted to visit was closed due to a personal emergency, so you decided to hit up an authentic Mexican restaurant nearby.

''I don't know what the other place would have been like, but I'm so glad we decided to go here because I would eat here again if I ever have the chance!'' you tell him, and Chris can't help but smile.

All he can think about is how that might be your go-to restaurant every time you come back to visit to relive your memories of the day he proposed to you.

He turns to you and admires how your dress flows in the wind, making you look nothing short of angelic. After you have walked for about 20 minutes, you spot the proposal site, and your head shoots over to Chris.

Is this happening?! You ask yourself, and you soon find out that it is happening. Right here, right now.

''Y/N, I'm not sure how I would have gotten where I am today without your encouragement and joy, without listening to your singing and watching you dance when you think no one is watching,'' he starts.

''I enjoy dreaming with you because you understand me like no one else could. I enjoy being sick now that you're there to care for me. You inspire me to get out of bed each morning, no matter how difficult the day ahead may be, and you make me want to accomplish the impossible,'' he tells you, and you're trying your hardest to conserve your make-up as the tears are escaping.

''We both want to live a colorful, memorable life, and we can make our wildest dreams come true if we work together on them. And that's why I want- no, need you for the rest of my life,'' he finishes his speech.

He grabs the ring out of his pocket, clutching the little box tightly before going down on one knee, and you put your hands over your mouth to stifle the sniffles coming out.

When he's down on his knee, he opens the small velvet box, revealing the engagement ring he picked out for you, and he asks the question you've been dying to hear ever since you realized he's about to propose.

''Y/N Y/L/N, will you make me the happiest man on earth and become my wife?''

''Oh my god, YES!'' you exclaim, and Chris takes the ring out of the box and gets up before grabbing your face gently, sealing your moment with a tender, sweet kiss.

''I love you so much, Chris, and I can't wait to marry you,'' you tell him, and from that moment on, you're going through life as the future Mrs. Evans.

''And now, here we are all gathered on our wedding day. Honestly, I couldn't have done this without you, Beautiful. You're the reason I am where I am today, and to have you by my side to witness it all is the cherry on top of the wedding cake!'' he says, and you have to wipe some tears away.

Your road may have been challenging, but you wouldn't change it for anything. If your relationship with Chris has proven anything, you can go through anything as long as you have him by your side and want to prove that to him every single day of your lives together.

When he's about to let everyone know they can start their dinner, you get up from your chair and jog over to him with the front of your wedding dress raised so you don't slip and fling yourself around his neck when you arrive.

''I love you, Chris, and thank you for that. Now you have made this day truly unforgettable,'' you tell him, his arms wrapped around you to pull you close to him.

''I love you too, Beautiful, and I will show you just how much every single day of the rest of our lives.''

And with that, your promises to each other are sealed with one more kiss. Your lips move as if they are made for one another, fitting together like two pieces of a puzzle. You have found heaven on earth in your husband, and you're officially the happiest woman in the universe.

[chu-diaries]

140 days of productivity: day 31/140

No class today! I got a little anxious in the morning because of my suddenly-very-free-Saturday but it got better as I started doing household chores. What is your favorite one? I love to cook and to do laundry. Today I cooked some pasta with homemade tomato sauce, green beans, fries and steaks. It was delicious.

I finished my tasks early since there was lots of dark clouds in the sky and I didn’t want to get caught in the rain. I lay on my bed and read the last chapters of Deathly Hallows. I cried again and again because I just love this book so much. I kept thinking about when I was 12 years old and I bought it at a bookstore that no longer exists. I used to read it at the bathroom floor while pretending to take a shower because my mom wouldn’t allow me to read before bedtime. This book means so much to me. I’m so glad I got to read it again after so many years. Also, now I’m allowed to read whenever I want to and it’s so much more comfortable to read in bed lol.

I had dinner at my parents’ house and my aunt and uncle were there too. We celebrated my mother’s birthday and I got to eat some delicious food that my aunt prepared. She’s very skilled when it comes to cooking.

🥀: day 25/29

💧: 2 L at least

🏋🏻‍♀️: 🚫

🏃🏻‍♀️: 🚫

🕯️: finished some candle tests while cleaning my house

🪘: 🚫

🇰🇷: 🚫

📚: hp and the deathly hallows

🎧: one piece lo-fi

📺: I started watching that video where Kyungsoo visits Youngji but didn’t finish it

🛑: 2 days pick free

💊: 🚫

[holylulusworld]

Favorite Spot

Summary: Let's go to your favorite spot.

Pairing: Mobster!Bucky Barnes x Librarian!Reader

Warnings: fluff, implied smut, mentions of an accident (nothing happens)

A/N: Words in italics are not mine. They are taken from the fellowship of the ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

Soft Spot masterlist

<<Secret Spot

“Imagine, the bookstore won’t close,” you excitedly tell Bucky about your beloved bookstore. The one he bought for you not weeks ago. “The owner said he’ll keep it open because he found an investor.”

“I’m happy for you, doll,” Bucky softly says. He loves that you find happiness in the simplest things. A flower, a new book, or the fact that the bookstore won’t close. “Do you want to visit it today?”

“I already did,” you point at the new books on his desk. “I bought you some books about motorcycles for you. I know you want to buy a new one.”

“That’s sweet of you,” he smiles at you. “And very attentive, Y/N. I thought about buying one but decided against it. At least for now.”

“Why?” You question. “You are passionate about bikes. I know you and Steve talked about going for a ride more than once.”

“I got a girl at home and can’t just jump on my bike.”

You wrinkle your forehead. “Bucky, what’s wrong? Do you think that I don’t want you to have fun without me? Steve is your friend, and I’m happy that you have good friends.”

“Steve had an accident with his bike.”

Gasping loudly, you grab Bucky’s hand. “Did he get hurt? What happened? Is he in the hospital?”

“Breathe, baby doll,” Bucky cups your face and tells you to breathe with him. “He’s got a few scratches. Only his pride got hurt.” Your boyfriend grins. “But his accident made me realize that I could get hurt too.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt,” you murmur as he leans closer to kiss you softly. “Never. Please don’t get hurt.”

“I know that you don’t want to see me get hurt. That’s the reason I don’t want to buy a bike. This, and that I wanted to go for a ride with you. I couldn’t handle seeing you get hurt only because I crashed my bike.”

“No bike then,” you wrap your arms around Bucky and hide your face in his chest. “Maybe we find a less dangerous hobby for you and Steve.”

“Reading?” He grins when you look up at him, pouting.

“Do not underestimate the danger of reading. If a book is dusty you sneeze. Even worse when you are allergic to dust. You can get a papercut at your finger too. A papercut is painful!”

“Wait! Reading is dangerous.” Damn him, he smirks this irritable smirk he reserves only for you. Mostly to tease you. “I think you must stop reading immediately in that case.”

“No.”

“Hmm…or I’ll wrap you in a blanket and read to you from now on.”

You giggle at his words. Bucky is in a playful mood again. “Only if you let me sit in your lap and whisper in my ear while reading the book.”

True to his words Bucky wrapped you into a warm blanket and you are sitting in his lap. His warm chest is pressed to your back, and one strong arm wrapped around you, he keeps you warm.

Mesmerized by the deep timbre of his voice you sigh deeply. You feel warm, safe, and comfortable close to Bucky. 

Bucky chose one of his favorite books to read to you. The fellowship of the ring, by Tolkien.

“I will take the Ring", he said, "though I do not know the way.” Bucky reads out loud. You wiggle in his lap to get even more comfortable. “Elrond raised his eyes and looked at him, and Frodo felt his heart pierced by the sudden keenness of his glance.” He continues.

“I love this book,” you yawn, “and Frodo. He’s so…brave, yet naïve. Poor guy doesn’t even know what he got himself into. Maybe next time, he should just shoot the bad guy.”

Bucky chuckles. “He’s not that kind of guy. But I appreciate your enthusiasm. Now, do you want to hear more about Frodo and the fellowship or…”

“We should go to my favorite spot,” you dip your head to glance over your shoulder. “Our bed.”

“Uh-huh…” Bucky flashes you a cocky smile. “What do you want to do in the bedroom, miss?”

“Everything that’s not safe for work…”

[all-the-things-2020]

Late Night Talking

A Dieter Bravo x OFC fic

Notes: Title comes from the Harry Styles song. I heard it on the radio one day and the line “Now you’re in my life, I can’t get you off my mind” just screamed Dieter to me.

My Dieter is (mostly) sober and trying to put his life and career back together after hitting the bottom during the filming of Cliff Beasts 6. He is still a menace but he’s working on it. There will be comedy, angst, fluff and possibly some smut (not sure how explicit my narrator will get).

Narrator is an original female character loosely based on myself. She is around Dieter’s age, not thin, and introverted. He turns her life upside down and she’s not quite prepared for it.

Tagging @rhoorl because her Dieter in “Working Title” inspired me to start this fic!

Chapter One below the cut

I met him in a bookshop, of all places. Not exactly the environment you’d expect, but sometimes fate works in mysterious ways. Bookshops are one of the few places I frequented where it’s even remotely possible to meet a man. I’ve never liked bars or clubs; too noisy, too many creeps trying to be charming and getting too hands. As an introvert, I prefer quieter surroundings, like bookshops, museums, and botanical gardens. Not exactly hot spots for single guys, but I wasn’t trying to meet anyone. I was always open to whatever might happen, though.

I was in The Last Bookstore in downtown L.A. It was the first day of my summer break and I’d challenged myself to get out of my box a little and do things I’d never done before. I’d taken the train into the city, which I’d never done by myself. Of course, once I got into L.A., I ended up in my preferred habitat, surrounded by books.

I had spotted a book on my to-be-read list on the top shelf. Being petite (the polite way of saying I was short), I couldn’t quite reach it. I was debating whether the shelves were structurally sound enough for me to try standing on the bottom shelf to reach it when I heard a low, warm voice behind me say, “Let me.”

An arm reached up, easily plucking the book off the shelf and handing it to me. “Good choice,” the voice said. “That’s one of my favorites.”

I knew that voice. Turning to see the man who stood next to me, my suspicions were confirmed. It was Dieter Bravo. He was wearing a baggy gray t-shirt, a well-worn pair of jeans and some god-awful Crocs that had seen better days. His hair looked like he’d forgotten to comb it that morning and his scruffy beard and mustache could use a trim. But he was wearing glasses and his deep brown eyes were looking directly into mine, so that was all I saw.

“Thanks,” I managed to say, hoping I wasn’t blushing or anything ridiculous like that.

“No worries,” he said with a smile. He indicated the small stack of books in my hands with his chin. “You’ve got good taste.”

“Oh, yeah, thanks,” I said. Real smooth, doofus, I told myself. I tried to start over. “I read a ton of YA for work, so I’m trying to read more ‘grown-up’ stuff during the summer.”

He leaned against the bookshelf, his broad shoulders blocking the aisle. “YA?,” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Young Adult,” I explained. “I work in a high school library. A lot of it is really good, but after nine or ten months of dystopian love triangles and hot werewolves and teenagers with weird diseases falling in love, I find myself craving something more substantial.”

He smiled again. “I can imagine,” he said. “So, a librarian, huh? Oh, I’m Dieter, by the way.” He held out his hand and I shook it. It was huge and warm and made my knees melt.

“Um, yeah, I know,” I stammered. “I recognized you. I’m, ha, a big fan of your work.” I felt like a complete idiot as I stumbled over my words. “I’m Emily.”

“Well, Emily, this might be a dumb question, considering your line of work, but do you come here often?” He chuckled as he seemed to realize how cliched his questions was.

“Actually, this is my first time here,” I said. “I’ve always wanted to visit this shop, I never got around to it. I live out in the boondocks, so I don’t get into L.A. very often.”

“It’s great,” he said. “I don’t get here very often, though. Always too busy, it seems.”

We chatted for a bit, about the books we were buying, and favorites we’d both read (and made a few recommendations to each other when we mentioned titles the other hadn’t read). Then the conversation turned back to bookshops.

“I usually end up at Barnes & Noble,” I admitted. “There’s a good indie bookseller in Riverside, but it’s kind of small. My absolute favorite bookshop is Vroman’s in Pasadena. I don’t get there as often as I’d like, though.”

“Vroman’s,” he said, wrinkling his forehead. “I think I’ve heard of it but I’ve never been there.”

“Oh, you should go!” I said. I loved talking about my favorite bookshop and started rattling on. “They have all kinds of great stuff besides books. Plus a wine bar.”

“Whoa, books and booze? Sign me up.” He smiled that radiant smile I’d seen in a million photos, the one that always made me feel funny inside.

“Then you should definitely go.”

“Is that an invitation?”

I was stunned, but managed to speak without stumbling too much over the words. “Sure, why not?” Holy crap, he’s flirting with me!

Dieter pulled out his phone. “Let’s see,” he said, scrolling through the phone. “Um, I’m free Friday evening. I have a meeting at two, but I should be out of there by four at the latest. It’s in Burbank, I can probably make it to Pasadena by five, if that works for you?”

My tongue felt like it was swollen to twice its normal size. Was he actually asking me out? Or had I accidentally asked him? “Um, yeah,” I stammered. “Friday’s good, yeah.”

“Okay, then.” He tapped away at his phone and then slipped it back into his pocket. “It’s a date. Friday, five o’clock, Vroman’s.” He winked and now I knew I was blushing like a fool. He glanced at his wristwatch. “I have a meeting with my agent in an hour, so I’d better go pay for these and get going.” He pulled his phone back out and opened up the Contacts app. “Here,” he said, handing the phone to me. “Put in your number.”

I did and handed the phone back to him. He put it back in his pocket (oh, how I tried not to look too closely at that pocket, afraid he’d think I was checking out his crotch), then held out his hand again, wiggling his fingers. “Your phone?”

“Oh, yeah.” I pulled my own phone out of my purse and handed it to him. He opened my Contacts app and typed in his name and number. As he handed it back to me, our fingers brushed against each other and he smiled.

“See you Friday.” He turned and walked away, heading for the cash registers on the ground floor. I stood in the aisle for several minutes, staring at my phone. I had a date with Dieter fucking Bravo, and he’d given me his phone number.

I waited until he’d left the store, then went to the register myself. “Hey, you just missed Dieter Bravo,” the clerk said. “I got his autograph.”

I got his phone number, I wanted to say, but I didn’t. The kid behind the counter was thrilled to have had an encounter with a celebrity; he didn’t need me rubbing his nose in my good fortune. That didn’t keep me from texting my best friend Sam once I was back on the train headed for the IE. We’d been friends in elementary school before her family moved back East the summer before junior high. We’d kept in touch over the years, first by letters and now by text and Facebook.

<Went to downtown L.A. today. You’ll never guess who I ran into>

&lt;somebody I know?>

<Dieter Bravo>

&lt;Get out! Where were you?>

<The Last Bookstore, really cool shop.>

&lt;Were you cool about it? Please tell me you were cool about it>

<As cool as I could be, lol. Must have done okay. We have a date Friday night>

Sam replied with a string of emojis and punctuation marks. &lt;Don’t fuck with me, Em. It’s not funny>

<Totally serious. I have his phone number and everything.>

I clicked over to my Contacts and stared at the screen. The name “DB❤️” stared back at me. It was real.

<I want details!>

I sketched out the encounter for her.

&lt;You’re living in a rom com, I swear. But be careful. Heard he’s a bit of a wild child. Make him wear a condom. You don’t know where he’s been>

<Shut up. I’m not going to sleep with him on the first date. Eww.>

&lt;I know, you’re Miss Sensible Shoes. LOL>

It was joke between us that Sam had grown up to love wearing stiletto heels and clubbing while I preferred flats and quiet evenings. We always said it was a good thing we lived so far apart or we’d never have remained friends. And yet Sam was the one who was married with three kids and a job in finance, while I was still unattached and basically living paycheck to paycheck.

<I’ll tell you all about the date, I promise. Luv u>

I put away my phone and stared out the window, watching the backyards and alleys of Southern California flash by. What a world, where I woke up in my tiny condo thinking the highlight of my day would be a new book and lunch at Olvera Strett, and now I had a date with a famous actor. Only in L.A. I mused. It really is La La Land.

[dramatisperscnae]

@normaltothemax asked for this >w>

"Hey, Jay. It's been a while."

Dick pauses in front of the headstone, staring at the name carved on it. He knows it by heart, of course, has done since the moment he saw it, but that doesn't make looking at it any easier. Jason doesn't belong here, not if there was any justice in this world. He ought to be still alive, still laughing and being a general little shit and bouncing over trips to the bookstore or new deliveries from Wilde's in Kensington, not…not here, beneath a granite cross.

And it has been a while since Dick's been able to visit. Everything with Bludhaven kind of devoured his life - almost literally, especially over the past half a year - and now with Bludhaven gone…well, here he is. And feelng guilty as hell about it. Sure, it's only been a year since his last visit, but even so. He could have made time earlier.

With a soft sigh he settles on the ground beside the headstone, laying the small bouquet of flowers he brought at its base. Jason's favorites; he can still remember that, even after all this time. Leaning against the stone Dick stares at the grass, lost in thought. Where should he begin…?

"Bruce is doing okay," he says quietly. "Alfred, too, and Babs. She and Alfred trade recipes sometimes; she gave him one for a cinnamon cookie the other day that you would've loved. I'm back in town now, at least for a while, so I'll try to come visit more."

A pause. Dick's hand runs over the grass idly. "…I miss you, y'know. We all do. I know I've said it before, but I-…I should've been there for you. More than I was. Hell, I should've been there at all. You were a good kid - a helluva good kid - and I was…I was too busy being angry at Bruce to bother seeing it. I've…I've tried to make up for that, with Tim. Tried to be there for him, so I don't fail him the way I failed you. I think it's been working, for the most part, so there's that."

He falls silent then, hand still tracing over the grass. At this hour, with the sun's last rays shining over the horizon, the cemetery's deserted except for him; there's no one to really hear if he keeps speaking aloud. That's why he chose now to visit, to ensure he won't be disturbed. The words keep coming after a few more moments.

"…A part of me wonders if you hate me for that. For not being there. For failing you. You've got every right to; you deserved better than that. I should've been better than that. I should've been there. But I wasn't. Not even when you needed me most. I'd hate me for that; I can't blame you if you do."

He laughs softly then, hollow and mirthless. "I've let everyone down, it seems…You, and now Babs, and Bruce…and Bludhaven…But hell, you don't want to hear me whining about that," he adds with a shake of his head. "I know I wouldn't. And you're probably tired as hell of me apologizing, but…what else can I do? I can't change the past. Can't make it up to you, not really…best I can do is just try to learn from my mistakes and not fuck things up again. Doesn't feel like enough, some days, but what choice have I got?"

Dick sighs again, eyes sliding closed as his head rests against the gravestone. "…I miss you, little wing. I'm sorry I never told you that before. I'm sorry I'm saying it so late now. I'm sorry I couldn't be the brother you deserved. And I promise I'll visit more often now I'm back in town. I owe you that much at least."

[angelwishess]

🌎 AND 💕 FOR THE ASK GAME PLS

Questions for the Fankid asks are here!

11. 🌍 ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ If one of the parents is a Yuu, has your fankid ever been back to their home-world? How connected to it are they?

Despite Kyra’s absolute hatred for her original “home”, she definetly would take the chance to visit it now that shes free. She basically gets to explore the world she always dreamed of exploring when she was younger, and with her family too! After all, her past doesnt matter anymore… The only place she wont visit, though, is her kingdom. Would rather die than go anywhere near there.

Marven is definetly curious about his Mama’s home country, but whenever he asks she gets this almost sad look on her face, so he never asks again. He once jumped into the water at the beach and caused a whole fiasco online and on the news about the clear sighting of a Merman… Kyra and Floyd weren’t mad, of course. They bought they newspaper of it and put it in a picture frame. The photo was Marven, in clear daylight, scaring EVERYONE off of the beach by just sitting there. He turned into a local cryptid and theres very much merch of him and people dedicated to finding him again… Kyra and Floyd buy all of the merch of it. Marven doesnt know how to feel about it but Evelio just laughs while drinking out of his Marven-Cryptid mug 😭

Evelio … Doesnt care that much. Because of course he doesnt. Although he is interested in the literature he finds there! He adores the bookstores— but what the hell is booktok and why are there ladies with cameras following him. Someone help him. Theyre gonna get him EVELIO RUN—💥💥💥

Alora LOVES it there!! She adores all of the haunted houses and ghost hunting videos, but she did get into a bunch of fights about what ghosts are like with some other people while she was there, and she said that they were an “embarrassment to the ghost lovers!” And since then shes been banned from any meetings. That still doesnt stop her from indulging in the local myths and folklore, though! Absolutely sneaks off to a graveyard to try and talk to ghosts, and probably also scared some random civillians with her ghosts. (Assuming she can still use magic there.)

14. 💕 ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Did they have any childhood friends? Who were they, and are they still close?

Evelio was always surrounded by people, it was hard to keep track. He hung out with them sure, but he never actually considered them “friends”. They were just… People that happened to hang around him, and since they got along with Marven, they were fine. Not people he’d call friends, though. He was surrounded by people that weren’t even Marven’s friends— actually, everyone just… was attracted to him for some reason? Always surrounded by people yet always feeling so distant. Hes a charmer through and through, but he never cared for any of them.

Marven, on the other hand, had a lot of actual friends! He can get along with just about anyone as long as they accept his rambunctiousness and troublemaking tendencies. There was one, though, he considered his bestfriend! He was a halfmer, too! And they’d hang out almost everyday! They’ve kept contact up until the present timeline where the Leech kids get accepted into NRC.

Oh, my poor baby Alora… She never really had any friends. She was always the odd one out, the kid no one wanted to group up with and always ended up working alone. She was just too “weird” for them, and always scared away any potential friends with pranks that go a little too far. Her only friends are the ghosts that she makes, but even they dissappear eventually. Atleast she has Ghostie, the first one she ever made that resides in her favorite plushie.

(She wont ever say it outloud nor admit it, but shes always been so jealous of how easily Evelio can get people to like him. Even more so that he doesnt even like them back.)

[lustnluv]

devil night - angel and john b

present

angel

there was a loud annoying ringing in my ear as I woke up.grabbing my phone I realized that the noise was me missing a call from nico. along with him I missed a call from andrew and mrs routledge.

why was everyone calling me so early? they couldn’t be that concerned for me already? it hasn’t even been a full day yet. that would be fucking ridiculous.

that was before I realized that time it was.

ten forty. I was supposed to meet with my advisor ten minutes ago.

I jumped out of bed and quickly head to the bathroom, noting that I didn’t have time to take a shower. I did my best to freshen up and think of what kept me up late last night. rage.

after john b made that comment and treated me like dirt again, I threw my own version of a tantrum and painted and painted until I tired myself out so much that I basically crawled to bed.

red. the color of christmas, the dress of my mom’s favorite dress growing up, and the color of the flames from the matches. i always loved that color.

I even hung up the blade even though deep down it was a warning. especially after getting chased last night. it could be from all of the horseman or only one.

there were in outer banks. or at least I thought so.

grabbing my bag, I rushed out the house and headed downstairs. hoping and praying i can convince my advisor to squeeze me in.

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walking out of the bookstore, i finally took a deep breath and got to admire the beauty of the city i was living in.

i got everything i needed to get done today. meeting with my advisor, declaring my major, and getting books for new classes that i needed.

now i can just relax and walk.

the city like outer banks had its dark secrets. but unlike outer banks the secrets weren’t buried by glamour and lies and secrets. they were out in the open.

the city also held secrets. in the dark alleyways you wouldn’t dare go into, in the shadows that turn the green grass grey as you walk down the street, and the huge buildings that make you wonder goes behind the walls.

it’s what i loved about visiting here when i was younger. why i was so drawn here in the first place.

my phone ranged in my picked and I quickly picked up, noting that the number was unlisted but I figured who it already was. i gotten used to weird numbers over the summer because of it.

“hey andrew.” i answered, hoping that he wasn’t still mad at me for what happened at the party.

“angel. how’s the city treating you?”

he’s being nice. asking about my well being.

that was always a good sign.

“not too bad.” i started throwing my stuff in the trash and continued to tell him about my classes and how excited i was for school.

before we dated, we were bestfriends and always had these type of conversations. I hoped he wouldn’t expect anything more.

“that’s good. i was nervous that you wouldn’t like it.” more like hoping but I kept that thought to myself.

“how can I not like it especially with what your parents set up for me.” i teased, smiling to myself.

“what did my parents set up?” he questioned and i laughed. i was naive sometimes i can admit that but I wasn’t stupid.

“me living in doise. a penthouse was a bit excessive but still I appreciate it. maybe they thought we needed the room when you come to visit. if you come to visit.” I explained, rolling my eyes at the setup he was still trying to play.

“you’re living in doise? since when did you know about this?” he asked, his voice carrying a edge to it.

“well since your mother sent me the link. i told you that I was looking for places in the city to live. you could’ve told me you guys had a place instead of tricking me.” even though I wanted to completely on my own and not taken care of, i couldn’t tell andrew that. it would just make him even angrier.

“move out of there. I didn’t tell you about it for a reason.” he barked his order and usually I would follow but not today. it was my turn to be happy.

sure I was tricked into this situation but I could live with it. I could still make friends and I could sure as hell live wherever I wanted to. i didn’t live to please him anymore.

“no.” I said and the phone went silent before I heard him repeating back to me. “no?”

“no I can live wherever I damn want to. it’s almost the beginning of the semester so I have classes to start and outside our fucking bubble wrap things don’t happen with the snap of our fingers. i’m not gonna break my lease and be homeless to please you.” I snapped and felt a little guilty afterwards.

I shouldn’t because it was about time he for used to the new place in my life. we dated and it didn’t work and I shouldn’t feel guilty about that.

“angel. you do as I say. you have enough money to stay in a hotel while you look for another space. don’t be so stupid.” he growled and usually I would’ve definitely not have pushed back.

“no. are you listening to yourself right now?”

why does he still have to so controlling? we tried to date and I wasn’t happy. if he really cared for me, he would’ve let me do this on my own. that’s what a decent bestfriend or ex boyfriend would do.

he interrupted my thinking with chuckling and I froze in my steps. a mother gave me a look as she swerved her stroller to avoid me.

“of course you don’t want to leave. still begging for my brother’s attention even though he treats you like shit huh?” he phrased it as a question but spoke it like it was the truth.

“you’re delusional.” I gritted out and he laughed again. “i’m not but you keep thinking that. it’ll do me a whole lot of good when you come running back after they’re done with you.”

“what are you talking about when they’re done with me?” taking a deep breath, I changed tactics. “listen I know you’re upset but I got to do what’s best for me.”

“god I can’t wait for them to finish. you’re gonna wish you never left me.” and with that he hung up.

what the-?

he was losing it. i knew he was mad at me for ending the relationship. i took full responsibility for it but this?

accusing me of trying to hook up with john b?

he was just mad that I kept not doing what he wanted. first the breakup. then me wanting to move to somewhere that I knew it would be the only place he didn’t want to go to, that he would never follow. and now refusing to do what he wanted again.

the fucking audacity.

pulling up google, I looked up some fencing clubs. I had to get all of this anger out of my body somehow.

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“hi I’m here about your fencing club.” I told the man at the entrance of bell-lincoln’s. it was the only place that had a fencing club and even though it screamed white older man supremacy I needed something to do.

“um.” he started and kept looking at me like I was someone who had two heads.

“if there’s no room, then can you tell me when the bouting nights are.” still no response, still the same look. “I’ll even pay a membership if I have to.” I said and started to dig through my bag.

“angel?” a familiar voice called from behind me and I turned to face john b. he was wearing a tight black compression shirt. grey sweatpants.

“you fence?” I asked and he looked at just like the guy.

“no. you know that. what are you doing here?”

“to join their fencing club.” i said with a big smile and he shook his head.

“it’s not a fencing club.” he said and i looked at him confused, looking back at my phone. “but it said it was on google.”

“well google.” he said in a mocking tone, waving the front desk man away. “was wrong. this is actually a gentleman’s club.”

“like strip club?” I asked slowly to make sure we was on the same page. he shook his head and used a tone like he was talking to a child. “no more like a facility for only men to be in.”

“well that’s just useless. a lot of places before were just for men.” i stated and he sucked his teeth before answering. “yet no one complains when women decide that they need their own space. even get whole nights to themselves at clubs.”

he had a point but still. it sucks that the one thing I wanted to do I had to be excluded from.

“yeah.”

“can you go home?”

“come on. do you know any fencing clubs around for me?”

“no. do you need a ride home?”

I shook my head and looked around one more time. seeing what I loved not being available to me.

“no. I’ll walk.” I said and looked around when I saw a hat lying around. “but first-.”

“angel.” he warned but I was already running away, hat going on my head. there was a door down the hallway and I went to it. climbing the stairs.

“angel!” I heard him yell but I was already on the second story, opening the door.

I darted around the hallway, keeping my head down knowing that my figure won’t do good enough to hide who I’m really am.

i ran into a room when i saw john b’s face peek out a corner.

it was red and when he spotted me, he staggered to mouth something before the door closed blocking our view of each other.

he couldn’t be that mad at me. he likes my curiosity all those years ago. deep inside, he must’ve liked it now.

the room I was in was full of lockers. i weaved in between them, a smile on my face.

i hoped john b remembered that night. that night we showed each other who we both really are. before all the bad.

i waited as two men walked out the door and then entered it as i heard john b’s footsteps looking for me and his voice apologizing to others. using the excuse that he was looking for a friend of his.

giggling, I ran in the door and found myself in another locker room but this one also had showers.

I snuck around the lockers, going deeper hoping that John b would go to another room so i can look around for a place to hide until I can sneak out.

I wanted to see the training facilities for fencing at least even if I couldn’t be here.

hiding behind another column, I heard a voice calling out to someone else. “mr cameron you can’t smoke in here.”

“fuck off.”

it can’t be.

but when I peeked out, I saw that it was. rafe cameron chest bare, a towel wrapped around his waist as water dropped down his chest. a cigarette between his teeth as he took a puff before taking it out and blowing the smoke out. making it look like fog around him.

I was happy that I wasn’t close enough to smell it. it took me three showers to get that smell off at me that night.

but another part was fearful.

he was out.

I wasn’t imagining anything.

a hand grabbed me and pinned me against the locker. 

I know who it was but I couldn’t care less. even though when I started this chase I wanted this to happen.

he glared down at me and covered my mouth as he spoke. “what the hell was that angel? why the fuck do you insist on disobeying me?”

I pushed him away and glared at him. “why didn’t you tell me that rafe was out?”

“why do you care?”

why do i care?

for one, i was with them the last night his friends was free. even later that night.

i’m not sure that john b knew that though.

and two. the blade. the figures in my driveway.

i was in danger.

I couldn’t say that though. so I went the safe route.

“because I thought it would a bigger deal. you know the town still worship you guys.” even though the boys were convicted felons. they gossiped over the charges but then the town went to missing them.

“they wanted to adjust to life.”

that made sense. leaving me a blade didn’t.

“you still should’ve told me. it would’ve been nice to know.” I said and he shook his head. “they wanted privacy that’s their right.”

“still-.” he shook his head. “can you stop being stubborn? not everything revolves around you. this isn’t outer banks. not everyone is gonna take your feelings into consideration.”

“I didn’t say that.”

he rolled his eyes. “you didn’t have to. god angel. you’re not wanted here. it’s none of your business if my friends our out or not. mind your business okay? if I wanted you around and in my space I’ll invite you alright?”

tears started swelling up in my eyes as the words digged their way into my skin.

“do you understand? god a kid can listen better then you. let me make it clear. you. are. not. wanted.”

“I understand.” I snapped the frustration taking over for a bit but the hurt took over soon enough. “you don’t have to be so..so.”

“so what?” he pressed and I looked up at him. his eyes were hard. he never looked at me like that before.

“so mean.”

“angel.” he started but I wouldn’t even give him the chance. I ran back up where I came from. I kept my head down trying my hardest not to cry.

I bumped into someone on the stairs and they put their hands on my waist. “watch where you goi-. angel?”

jj. way more muscular from the last time I saw him. but still the same jj. they really are all here.

I backed out his grip immediately and ran down the stairs. I had to get away from there as fast and as soon as possible.

but my running was unnecessary. john b caught up to me when I got outside and yelled at the doorman. “get my car!”

I tried to run but he grabbed my bag and threw it in his car and then opened the door for me. if I didn’t have my birth certificate in the bag, I would’ve walked. should’ve walked.

I plant my ass in the seat and as soon as John b got away from my door, I scurried to grab my bag and leave but my plan failed as soon as I felt his hand on my waist, pulling me and pinning me down.

“why are you being so stubborn?”

“if I’m so stubborn let me walk then.”

“so you can cry to my mom and I get in trouble! no.”

“i wasn’t going to call your mom.” just mine.

his voice got even more irradiated. “yeah sure. I’ll make sure to keep that in mind when she calls yelling at me. let me take you home so you can do it faster.” he said rolling his eyes and I kept quiet.

“it’s pathetic how you follow me around do you realize that?”

I have and that’s why I stopped. that night three years ago I stopped bothering him. I gave in to what everyone expected me to do and I never been unhappier on my life.

“what do you see in me anyway?”

what i saw in him? he would’ve be serious.

it was the same thing he saw in me. the same thing i saw on myself. the need to escape. the urge to live before I died. to jump without looking and not care where I fell. to be fucking free for once in my life.

but i couldn’t tell him that. i kept my head down instead.

“nothing. i’m just a stupid kid and I’m sorry for wasting your time.” i heard my voice cracked and I hoped he had the decency to pretend he didn’t.

“angel.”

i shook my head at him. “I’m sorry for running off. i’ll stop bothering you. I’ll walk home.” i said before getting out his car and jogging away. the rain mixing with my tears.

[deathcupcake]

Food & drink places we visited on our trip, September 2024.

Richmond, VA

The Answer: always a favorite of ours, love their beer and the Vietnamese food offerings. Seating was fairly normal for breweries (meaning not the most comfortable).

Raleigh, NC

Aunt Betty's Gin and Absinthe Bar: Highly recommend if you like cocktails/liquor. They have a lot of amari, and the bartender let me test some liquor that I had never tried, like Malort; she also gave me great bitters recommendations, and also made me realize how much I need Allspice Dram. Seating: comfy chairs/sofas, but lower to the ground.

Brewery Bhavana: Beer was decent but the Shanghai-style mooncakes were *chef's kiss*. The used bookstore/restaurant/brewery theme was interesting. Seating was fairly normal, not very comfortable.

Gas station in South Carolina

Oreo Coke Zero: I'd give it a 4/10

Atlanta, GA

A Mano restaurant: Highly recommend. We made reservations before our trip because they offered amaro flights, and their Italian menu looked delicious (it was). I had two flights, all amari that I have not tried previously. Seating was comfy.

Halfway Crooks Beer: A+ music, nerd rock that the husband and I loved). I wasn't as interested in the beer but the husband enjoyed them. The ambiance was great, really liked the feel, but seating was cheap/uncomfortable.

Big Softie ice cream: Well worth a side trip. Delicious with the cornflake crumble on top.

Birmingham, AL

Dreamland BBQ: The classic white bread and ribs. I ordered the Rib "sandwich" (spoiler alert: not really a sandwich) and it was very tangy. Seating was standard, not that comfortable.

Monday Night Brewing: Visited this place during a tornado watch (hurricane/tropical storm Francine came through). Very windy night. I really liked the Oktoberfest beer, had a bit of honey flavor. The food was pretty good, too (Mexican-ish). I liked that they were holding an event the night we went for women in tech. Seating was fairly normal, not very comfortable.

Hero Doughnuts: Recommend! They had apple cider donuts already! I got two, plus an apple fritter. The husband got the three filled ones. I am always on the hunt for great fruit fritters, with the right fruit/dough/crispiness/glaze ratio. Hero's fritter was pretty good, I give it 7/10. The apple cider donuts were better, though, and really tasty two days later (we took the donuts to go as we left Birmingham for Asheville). I could go on about my donut quest but I'll stop here.

Asheville, NC

Eda Rhyne Distillery: I insisted we go here once we got into Asheville, since I'm always on an amari journey. Had two flights of their spirits and purchased three: Amaro Oscura, Rustic Nocino, and Bitter Tooth. Eight tasters of hard liquor without any food other than a donut was a bit much, I haven't felt tipsy like that in so long. So we headed to

Burial Brewing Forestry Camp Taproom: for dinner (and ok, a cocktail for me). Delicious pastrami sandwich hit the spot. Seating was fairly normal, but at least not those terrible ice cream parlor-type chairs.

DSSOLVR: Seating was slightly more comfortable than the usual fare, and I liked the Emo Nightmare beer.

Wicked Weed: Final meal in Asheville was at Wicked Weed brewing. I had just one cocktail, husband had four half portions of their beer. I'd rather wax lyrical about their shrimp and grits omg it was so delicious (also too salty, but man, so delicious). Now I'm obsessed with making the grits with a roux-based gravy - I always forget how much I love grits.

(not pictured: the very Southern spread and drinks prepared by my friend when we stopped by to hang out at his house in NC - and thanks to him, I am now obsessed with peppadews).

Suffolk, VA

Decoys Restaurant: Cocktail was meh, something in it tasted spoiled to me. However, their crab and corn chowder was so delicious, I would 100% drive back there to have it again.

Sojourn Fermentory: We specifically stopped in Suffolk just to try Sojourn, because one of the owners is one of our neighbors, and owns a Taiwanese Street Food restaurant near us. I was sad they were out of their Asian Glow collab, but the beer was decent, and I liked their dark lager a lot.

Bonus items we brought back from the trip.

[elenajohansenreads]

Books I Read in 2023

#10 - Beyond This Dark House, by Guy Gavriel Kay

Rating: 4/5 stars

I've always struggled to write reviews of poetry collections, much the same way I do about short story volumes. Inevitably, I like some poems/stories and don't like others, and sometimes the difference between quality and likeability from best to worst (or favorite to least favorite) is so vast that rating the work as a whole seems meaningless.

When I was a teenager, my mother was going through some of her old notebooks and found one where she had copied out her favorite poems from a wide variety of poets, back in college. Before that I knew my mom was a voracious reader (I got that from her) but I hadn't known she had ever been interested in poetry, so that's when I got into it, too. I read it, I wrote it (usually poorly), I bought a blank book from a bookstore and copied out my own favorites, and ended up taking a few college courses on it despite my science-based major.

I tell this story to say, I'm not sure if I still had that book that any of these poems would get copied. (I don't have it, and I think it was full anyway.) But I did enjoy many of them, and as a collection divided into parts with clear thematic links, this might be the most successful grouping of poetry I've had the pleasure of reading.

Some of the themes didn't speak to me: there's a vibrant sense of place, as many of the poems noted the location where they were written, and while I have traveled a fair bit in my life, it's not a strong drive I have. (I generally travel to visit people, and incidentally get to a be a tourist where they live.) There's also a great deal about broken passion and what sound like long-distance relationships, which might lead me to assume some things about Kay's life that I haven't made and wouldn't make any attempt to verify; the tone of many poems is clearly autobiographical and I'll leave it at that, but little of it reflects anything in my life.

But what I did find here was something I'd been missing from modern free-verse poetry: a sense of the poet caring how the words sounded together, rather than just spilling feelings onto a page without meter or form to contain them. I didn't read any of these out loud, but I spoke them in my head, because that's how I've always read poetry, and they generally sounded good, while still having the clarity and sincerity of the feelings-spilling poets. A handful of poems were less clear, more deliberately obscure in their meanings, and those tended to be the ones I liked less, but even those didn't feel like I'd peeked into some angsty teen's diary (like my own, before anyone thinks I'm throwing stones, I wrote very bad poetry in those years.)

What I also found was inspiration. In the last week, I've roughed out two poems about aspects of myself in a similar style to Kay's, which are the first two poems I've written in probably fifteen years. I thought about my poetry professor from college and wondered if she'd be pleased or horrified to find out I've written romance novels in the years since her classes. I dredged up memories I hadn't visited in quite some time to see how I feel about them as an adult looking back. I thought a lot about what an autobiography in poetry form would say about me, and how that might differ from the person I want to be going forward. And I still want to write more poetry about that, though as I continue I hope to develop my own style again, possibly even ditching free-verse for structured forms as I revise. I did use to love the challenge of fitting meaning into those forms with careful word choice, it was like a puzzle I created for myself, and I love puzzles.

I can't give this work five stars because I don't love it the way that rating implies, but any poetry that served me as both entertainment and an invitation to reflect on myself is good poetry.

[ripperdoc-is-daddy]

Fluffy prompt list

Request what ya want. Reader is always BIPoC/PoC.

1. Watching movies together on a rainy night.  

Singing both of your favorite songs at karaoke night with friends.  

Having a study session together that ends up as a cuddle session.  

Having a random night out on the town.  

Making your favorite meal together.  

Reenacting a scene from your favorite movie and even though it doesn’t go as planned, you two still have fun.  

Accidentally falling asleep on the other person in public.  

Self care

Laser Tag/Paintball

Let's go on an Adventure!

They are too hot when you sleep

Bookstore fun

Having a snowball fight

Having a late-night video game session together.  

Waking up and they aren't there

Sleeping in

Going to their hometown and exploring all of the local areas together.  

Sneaking in a kiss

Doing a project with them

Streaming a cute couples’ activity to their fans

Surprise!

Taking care of them when they are sick 

Going to a cosplay convention together.  

Having a cute date with them  

Stargazing with them and a shooting star happens

Visiting them and giving them love even though they’re busy.  

Cheering on them at one of their games.  

Visiting their Animal Crossing world and having fun/video chatting with one another despite being far away from each other.  

Going on a vacation retreat with your (___) and their friends and finally getting some alone time.  

Spending a morning in together

“Can I kiss you!” “Is that your attempt at a pick-up line?”  

“How did I get so lucky?”  

“Are you serious?” “Oh yes, incredibly serious”  

“How about that kiss?”  

“Can I braid you hair?”  

“You make me feel loved”  

“Just admit it! You are so in love with me.”  

“I am so proud of you!”  

“You make me the happiest I have ever been  

 “I wanna keep him!”  

“You’re just as beautiful as the day I left you…”  

“No! The cat has had enough cuddles it is my turn!”  

“This is where I sweep you off your feet, but I forgot how to dance.”  

“Just one more kiss?”  

“Marry me!” “I just met you”  

“Your eyes are beautiful”  

 “Will you marry me?” “We’re already married. Lay down you’re drunk”  

“What are you staring at? Do I have something on my face?”  

“Pretty…” “What?” “Nothing!”  

“I bought this because it reminded me of you!”  

“You have never been a burden.”  

 “What’s your favorite color?” “What’s the color of your eyes again?”  

 “Another Romance Novel? You know I’m right here right?”  

 “Would you still love me if I was a worm?”  

“I knew from the end of our first date that I was going to marry you.”  

 “What does LMAO mean?”  

 “I… I tolerate you…” “I love you too”  

 “Hey I got you some flowers!” “Isn’t it suppose to be the guy who gets the flowers?”  

 “I heard that you liked someone! Who is the lucky guy?” “…” “Or girl…”  

 “You are my candy girl~” “Is that a song reference?”  

“Do you have to proclaim your love every time we are out?”  

 “What is the craziest thing you have ever done?” “Love you…”  

“Is there anything you can’t do?” “I can’t tell if that is an insult or a complement…”  

 “What would I do without you?” “Crash and burn.”  

 “Do you have anything to say?” “…Um… I love you?”  

 “I said no!” “And puppy says yes!”  

 “You need to drink water.” “No… What I need is a kiss, and one of your best pastries!”  

 “Yes!” “No!” “Yes!” “No!” “Yes!” “Oh m- Fine okay!”  

 “Is there anything in there?” “My heart…” “…  I mean in the other chest numb nuts!”  

 “I need…” “What is it? What do you need!” “A… Kiss…” “Now is not the time you are dying!” 

[mt-musings]

Bluebell

Chapter 14

After being abruptly transferred to the BAU at what she suspects was Gideon's request, Cassie Boann struggles to find her footing. Shy and solitary by nature, the transition is made all the more difficult when Dr. Spencer Reid seems to take an almost immediate dislike to her. Unfortunately for them both, their respective areas of expertise leave them paired off more often than not. But when Cassie's past literally starts hunting her, Spencer is forced to consider that he might, in fact, not hate her at all.

Quite the opposite, actually.

Spencer Reid x OC

Warnings: Canon typical violence, kidnapping, stalking, drug use, blood, injury, death, PTSD, eventual smut, more tags to be added

Series Masterlist

Read on AO3

14. Fade into You

Spencer hesitated, his thumb hovering over the enter button that would dial Cassie’s number. Hotch gave them the next two days off to rest and recover, something they all were grateful for. He’d spent the first day doing little more than catching up on all the sleep he’d lost over the weekend, sometimes waking long enough to watch an episode of Star Trek: Next Generation and wolf down some takeout. 

He’d planned on visiting his favorite book shops again, fresh out of new reading material and found himself wondering if it might be a good idea to invite Cassie along. They both were avid readers after all, and she had said that she didn’t know many of the smaller shops in DC. Of course she might rather stay home and do—whatever it was that she did in what little spare time they got. 

Maybe she was busy perfecting the dissertation she had so clearly wanted Dr. Garvey to have never mentioned. He doubted she was asleep—he sometimes doubted she slept much at all. 

Of course he wouldn’t know until he called.

“Fuck,” he hissed, pressing enter before he could talk himself out of it. It rang half a dozen times before she picked up.

“Do we have another case already?”

“No, not that I know of. I was just going to check out some bookstores and wasn’t sure if you’d want to come. You said you hadn’t been to Lost City before.”

“Um—“

“Yo don’t have to, I just thought—“

“No, I’d love to—It sounds like a really cool shop. I’m just currently drowning in my own sweat. Can you give me like an hour to get home and shower?”

“It’s 28 degrees out.”

“I’m on mile nine and I wore too many layers.”

“You’re what?”

“I need an hour. Where should I meet you?” 

“Hey!”

Spencer looked up to see Cassie jogging towards him, one hand raised in a tentative wave. Her hair was still damp and streaming down her back, though she’d pulled on a grey beanie to keep her ears warm.

“Hey—aren’y you going to freeze like that? I could’ve waited for you to dry your hair.”

“I’m fine, it’s not a big deal.”

“Oh, well, if you say so,” Spencer said, pulling open the door to Lost City. Cassie’s face immediately lit up and he couldn’t help but smile, glad he’d found the guts to call her. 

They spent the next three hours scouring the shelves, each lugging around a slowly increasing pile of books, though his was nearly three times the size of hers. She took a lot longer to decide whether or not it was worth bringing home—he tended to pick up anything he found more than mildly interesting. 

He found himself watching her nearly as much as he spent searching for new finds, eyes flicking back to her of their own volition. She’d dug her glasses out of a pocket of her puffer vest, glasses he’d only ever seen her wear outside of work, away from the team. She furrowed her brow when she was really engrossed in a book, head cocked to the side as she scanned the pages. She still angled herself so she had an eye on the door, but her gaze flicker towards it less, her shoulders relaxing from their usual stiff posture. 

A cell phone broke the quiet serenity of the bookstore, playing a tinny version of the X Files theme song. Cassie sighed, closing the book she’d been perusing and pulled it free from her pocket. 

“I’m sorry, I have to take this. Can I leave these with you?” She asked, motioning to her pile of books. 

“Yeah, of course.” She dropped them on top of his own stack with a smile, her gaze holding his for a moment, long enough for him to notice the flecks of gold in her eyes. 

“Thanks,” she replied, answering the call and ducking out of the shop, leaving the light tinkling of bells in her wake. 

She stayed by the door, shoulders hunched against the cold, the wind whipping her hair. A large part of him wanted to revisit the shelves by the entrance and see if he could eavesdrop but he resisted, instead turning his attention to the books she’d placed in his hands. 

There were only four—Voroshilovgrad, The Optimist’s Daughter, The Museum of Abandoned Secrets, and Fieldwork in Ukrainian Sex—none of which he was familiar with. He couldn’t help the slight flush that the last book brought to his cheeks, a flush that was unwarranted considering, at least according to the back, it focused more on a dichotomy of power imbalances rather that the act itself. 

Even if it had it shouldn’t have left him flustered—they were both adults, after all, adults who could do whatever they wanted with whoever they wanted. 

Spencer was just glad no one else had to listen to the mortifying monologue in his head. 

The bells over the door rang out again and he whipped around, too fast. Cassie reentered, face scrunched up in the way that he knew meant she was frustrated with something out of her control. She sighed and crossed back to him, taking her books from his quickly-becoming-precarious pile. 

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” she said, shaking her head. “There was a fuckup at the lab and they ruined a DNA sample.”

“Which case? We got a confession out of Buford so it shouldn’t be an issue.”

“It’s not a BAU case. It’s just a cold case I’ve been working.”

“Something left over from CASMIRC?”

“More or less,” she replied, though she focused on her stack of books rather than meeting his eyes. There was an emotion broiling just under there surface, something he couldn’t quite define. 

If he didn’t know better, he might have thought she was about to cry.

“What’d you find? Anything special?” She asked, nodding at his books. He took a second before he answered, wondering if he should say something to comfort her. He thought better of it and began a rundown of the books he’d found. She smiled at him as he did, eyes flitting over each title as he told her why he’d picked it. 

She was the only one on the team that never told him to be quiet, that he was rambling. She just listened, butting in with her own two sense, sometimes pulling a book from the stack to leaf through. 

They reemerged on the street just as the sun was beginning to set, the wind whipping through the narrow street. She shivered as the cold hit her, zipping up her vest to her chin. 

“Thanks again for showing me this place.”

“I’m glad you liked it.”

“It’s a bookstore, Spence, there wasn’t much of a risk,” she laughed. She had such a nice laugh.

“Did you have any other plans for the night? Because I still have that documentary I was telling you about saved on my DVR and I could order takeout—if you wanted. I totally get if your busy and it’s last minute,“ Spencer blurted out, stumbling over the words. 

“Sure,” she replied, wrapping her arms around herself, “That’d be fun.”

“Yeah,” he said, face splitting into a grin.

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