#we also have times where the fun and exchange of ideas is flowing

[itspileofgoodthings]

Nina and I are unfortunately like dynamite and gunpowder. something happens and we’re just like oh yeah? You wanna go? Let’s go! Meet me in the ring bitch!

[ifortom]

Bad Decisions - T. H. (3)

frat!Tom x Reader - Fake dating AU

Chapter Summary: Friendships are made, questions are answered, and hearts race.

MASTERLIST

W/C: +5K

• DAY 3

"Hey, newest hot topic on campus." You heard it as soon as you left the classroom.

Amber positioned herself by your side as you walked down the university hallway.

"Hey! Is that what people are calling me now?" Amber laughed lightly.

"Well, being seen swapping spit with one of the star players comes with certain consequences." She said, slipping her arm through yours. "Where are you headed now?"

"Uh, I thought I'd grab lunch and then probably head home. I need to catch up on some things I let slide over the weekend." Amber smirked.

"I bet you made good use of that time." You looked at her, wide-eyed. "Oh, stop it! I bet you and Tom spent the whole Sunday snuggled up together."

"Actually, I was nursing a hangover. He suffered having to listen to me complain and swear I'd never drink again."

"That won’t be the last time you’ll have to deal with a hangover if you keep going out with us." She smiled. "Can I join you? I’m starving, and I’ve got some assignments to do too. I’d love the company. Plus, your genius brain could help me out, if you’re up for it, of course!"

You pretend to think for a moment, pouting as if you're contemplating her idea, even though you already know the answer.

"Hmm, I don’t know..." She stops abruptly and stares at you, her caramel eyes pleading. "Alright! No need to look at me like a lost puppy," you say, laughing.

"My lost puppy eyes have gotten me far in life. Where are we going?"

"I was thinking of going to Joe's, do you know it?" She shakes her head. "No way! You're about to try the best carbonara in the world. Let’s go!"

"I have to admit, I haven't eaten this well in a while." Amber said while rubbing her belly.

"I told you."

Despite what people say around campus, Amber is one of the easiest people to talk to that you've ever met. Maybe it helps that you share a lot of mutual interests, but the way she keeps the conversation flowing, never letting an awkward silence settle between topics, proves once again that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

The girl with long red hair has a strong personality and big dreams. College wasn’t one of them, but for her parents, she pushes herself harder each day to keep going. She told you that ever since high school, she's had a passion for music and even joined the choir, but she always heard she had no future in it. Harsh words from people who should have been supporting her.

To her parents, a degree has always mattered more than genuine happiness.

She didn’t go into much detail, but she said she joined the cheerleading team to stay at least a little closer to what she enjoys. She knows the girls she hangs out with don’t have the best reputation, and as a result, she carries that same label. But she says she doesn’t care, that she’s happy with what she does, has fun, and has met some lovely people.

You don’t completely agree with the last part, since several people she hangs out with have proven not to be so great after all. But Amber has more contact with them than you do, so there’s not much to discuss.

During lunch, you gave her your full attention, but at the same time, you wondered why she wanted to spend this time with you. It wasn’t something you had imagined would happen. To you, she was just another girl you made friends with at a party, someone with whom you’d never exchange words again, like so many times before.

But Amber also seemed genuinely interested in what you had to say, asking about your major, what motivates you, and your interests.

She walked you back to your apartment and sat down on the floor near the coffee table, with a book and notebook open as she worked on an assignment. You sat down next to her, focusing on the page in front of you.

An hour later, Amber slammed the book shut and poked you with the tip of a pencil.

“I’m bored.”

"You know that phrase is something I hear regularly? In this same position."

"Do you have a lot of study dates?" She says, raising an eyebrow.

"It’s Tom, actually. We spend a lot of time studying together, and after a few minutes, he gets tired and says he’s bored."

"You two spend quite a bit of time together, don’t you? That’s how you got close."

"Yeah, you could say that. We worked on a project together and became friends. It ended up being a routine for him to be here."

"And now you’re dating."

"Oh, we don’t have a label yet. We’re... testing things out."

Amber watched you for a moment before speaking.

"Can I be honest?" You nodded. "It isn't strange to see Tom bringing a girl to one of those events and joining our group for the night. But most of the time, it doesn’t go beyond that. One night. You're his friend first and foremost, and you know how he behaves."

Amber sighed and looked at the table in front of her, her gaze unfocused.

"I don’t want you to end up like one of those girls. I know we barely know each other, but I like you, and I pushed aside my ego to get closer to you because... you seem real. It’s ridiculous, but I don’t know what I’m saying anymore."

"Amber, it’s okay." Your hand found hers and held it. "Take your time."

"I and Tom are friends. He’s one of the few people I can really talk to, you know? Like I said, the people I hang out with aren’t bad, but Tom is genuine. He doesn’t hide, and he is who he is, even if people talk about him." Her eyes returned to your face, and you finally noticed the tears forming. "And he talked about you. He told me how much you support him and what you do together, how you talk about everything and really listen to each other."

"I never had the chance to get to know you before, and my fear was that you would treat me poorly because of who I am, even knowing you wouldn't do that." She took a deep breath to regain her composure. "And when you showed up at the party and I got to talk to you, I understood Tom. I understood why he keeps you around. And today you took me to lunch at a new place, brought me to your home, and helped me with an assignment that isn't even part of your course. And we barely know each other."

"Amber, I did that because I like you too. It’s all good!"

She sniffled and released your hand, bringing them to her face to dry her tears.

"That was intense, and now I’m embarrassed." She started to get up, and you followed her. "I need to go."

"Amber, wait. You don’t have to leave."

"Y/N, I need to." She quickly packed up all the materials she used back into the bag she was carrying. "That was more than I expected."

Knowing you wouldn't be able to change her mind, you just watched as she gathered her things.

"Amber, wait." You tried one last time as she approached the door to leave. She paused but didn’t look back. "Do you want to go shopping on Friday?"

Her shoulders trembled slightly, and she turned to you with a shy smile on her face.

"I would love to."

Tom was sitting at his desk in his room while you were lying on his soft comforter on the bed.

"Were you two out to lunch together?" he asked.

"Yeah, she asked if she could join me, and I didn’t say no. It was actually pretty nice."

"Until she freaked out in the middle of your living room."

"It wasn’t a freak-out." You sat up on the bed defensively, staring at him. "She vented. I didn’t understand much, but the emotional weight of her words… it was a lot."

"Amber is pretty straightforward."

"I don’t think so. She still has a lot bottled up inside her, and I don’t think she’s going to share it anytime soon."

"Y/N, she’s not a patient. Don’t overanalyze."

"I know that," you replied. "She said you two are friends. Has she talked to you about her parents?"

He raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Let’s stop right there. That’s not our business."

"Ah, okay, sorry." You flopped back onto the bed, arms spread wide. "But did you know she said you talk a lot about me?"

"Did she?" He stood up from his chair. "What did she say?"

"Nothing too specific. But I think it’s problematic because you’ve created a fantasy of me for her."

"Me?"

"Yes! I’m not that special, and the way she talked… you really need to watch your words or it’s going to seem like I’m the center of your universe."

"Ha! You would like that, wouldn't you?" He gets up from the chair and sits on the edge of the bed.

"That's your life wish, Holland. Not mine," you joked back.

"So you think you’re that special, huh?" he says.

"I know I am. If I weren’t, I wouldn’t be right here now, and you wouldn’t be talking about me to other friends."

"You hurt my feelings talking like that. I don't have such a cold heart." he says, placing his hands over his chest.

"Aww, poor thing. Tommy gets his feelings hurt when he hears the truth." You reply, pouting and sitting again to face him properly.

"Why are you so sassy, huh?" He says, laughing and leaning closer.

"Life taught me to be this way."

"Stop that," he says, chuckling. "A few hours with Amber and you’re already just like her."

"We're friends. We have a date together on Friday!"

"I don’t know what to think, but I’m glad."

"Yeah, it's going to be fun," you smile.

"So, I've been thinking… actually, I heard some comments today about last Saturday."

"Yeah, I heard about it too. Apparently, you can still be the talk of the campus at any occasion."

"Oh, Y/N, you know not everyone cares about that. The ones who talk the most are the ones close to you or who want to be."

"I know, I was one of those people, remember? You can be sure I didn’t care at all about what you did or didn’t do until we had to work together."

"Yeah, if it weren't for social psychology, we might never have even exchanged a hello." That wasn’t exactly true. "Anyway, it turns out everyone thinks it was just that. Just a fling."

"Hm, what do you suggest?"

Tom smirked and pulled his phone out of his pocket.

"Time to make it Instagram official."

"How do you want me?" you asked, and he stared at you, a new smirk appearing. "Not like that, you perv! You know what I meant."

He laughed and got up, offering his hand to help you up from the bed.

"I'll lead you," he says.

You both walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window in his room, the sunset bathing the space in natural light. Tom positioned you in front of him and wrapped one arm around your shoulders.

"Okay, now turn your face to the left. Pretend you’re distracted." You did as he asked.

Tom's free hand held the phone in front of both of you.

"Got it. I think we have the picture for the official announcement," he said a moment later, pointing the phone to catch your attention.

In the photo, Tom's face was resting on your head, his arm wrapped around you while you pretended to look at something in the distance.

"Tom, do you think this is good?"

"What? What do you mean?"

"This looks so forced."

"What a lie. I've never taken a more perfect couple photo." You put your hands on your head when you heard him say that.

"Thomas… you've never taken a couple's photo in your life!"

Tom might have posed with countless girls at parties and other events, but none of them carried any deeper feeling.

"Well, it's what we have." He clicked a bit more on the phone screen. "Done, I even tagged you. Are you going to repost?" He said just as you heard the sound of a notification coming from your phone on his bed.

"We should have taken another one."

"Y/N, then it will look forced. It needs to be natural."

"Ha, and you think this is natural?"

"Stop complaining."

You huffed and returned to his bed, grabbing your phone and opening the app.

"Hey, it's okay if you don't want to repost it because you didn't like it…" he says lightly.

"That's not it, Tommy." You meet his gaze, lowering your phone. "It's just that all my acquaintances are going to see it. And it will be real. My family, friends from home. I know that was the plan and what we agreed on, but I just don’t know…"

Tom moved closer to you and cupped your face in his hands.

"Hey, any time you want to stop, that's fine! I’ve already told you I’m not going to force you into anything. Just say the word, and it's over."

You let out a breath and rested your head against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around you in a comforting embrace.

"You too, Tommy. At any moment." You said, your voice muffled by his shirt pressing against your face.

A few seconds later, you slipped out of his arms and reposted the photo, blocking and silencing your phone immediately afterward.

"See? That wasn’t so hard. We’ll deal with the consequences later." He laughed softly. "Now let’s go, we need to get there early if we want to leave early."

Even though it was a Monday, Tom had managed to convince you to go out with some of his friends to celebrate the start of the new game season. The only condition you had set was not staying out too late. They had decided to meet up at a bowling alley for the night.

When you both arrived, Harrison and his date for the night Jessie along with Tyler, and his girlfriend Mabel were already there, having reserved a lane for the game.

Harrison started the game, followed by Tyler and Mabel, who asked her boyfriend for help with the only move needed in bowling. Next up was Jessie, who made the same request to Harrison—good first-date strategy.

"Ok, smartiepants, your turn," Tom said turning to you, pointing to the lane.

You got up from the couch in your section and walked over to the platform to choose the ball you'd use.

"Tommy, you're not being very smart right now," Tyler said, pointing in your direction.

"What do you mean?"

"Be a gentleman; your girlfriend is about to bowl. Don't you think you should help her?"

Tom laughed loudly. "My girl? Oh, she doesn't need help. She knows what to do."

And as if you sensed his words even without hearing them, you knocked down all 10 pins in one go, making him shout in celebration.

"That's what I'm talking about!"

The night continued, and Harrison emerged as the winner of the game, receiving victory kisses from Jessie. Before heading out, everyone decided to grab a quick snack at the same bowling alley.

After a while of laughter, you said goodbye to the group and everyone went their separate ways.

"I have to admit, these people aren't so bad." You say as you buckle your seatbelt and Tom starts the car.

"Yeah, Tyler and Harrison are my closest friends, which is why I wanted you to come tonight. I know some of the guys on the team can be jerks, but a few of them are worth it."

"The girls were really nice too, even with their performance of not knowing how to play and getting all cozy with the guys," you say, laughing.

"I don't know about Jessie, but Mabel has been with Tyler for a while, so it's likely you'll see her again," he replied.

"Hm, I wish Amber had come," you said, looking down at your hands in your lap.

"Haz said she was busy, that's why she couldn't make it."

"I see…"

"Hey." Tom called your attention, placing his hand over yours. "Don't think too much about it; that's Amber for you. She has a strong personality and is very intense. And she gets scared by things she can't control."

A few minutes later, Tom parked in front of your apartment.

"Have you checked your phone?" he asked, and you shook your head in response.

"It's been on silent since we left your place."

"Y/N, I'm here for you. You know that."

"I really appreciate you, Tom. I know you have your reasons for being part of this craziness we've gotten into, but seriously, thank you."

"Anytime, smartiepants." You smiled at him.

"I'm going now."

Before you could open the car door, Tom held your hand. "Wait, Y/N."

"What?" You looked at him.

"I need to ask you… about the party, what happened at the party." he said. "I don't… what was that?"

"Tom, I'm not understanding."

"We… we kissed."

"Oh, about that." You looked away. "I know you didn't expect it, but… when I came back from the bathroom with Amber, everyone was saying you had gone somewhere with Taylor, and when I went to look for you, I bumped into her, and she started saying all sorts of things, and I wasn't exactly in my most sober state either."

He didn’t respond and let go of your hand.

"I know we hadn’t agreed on anything, but it felt like the right thing to do at the moment. I needed to prove that we were together there."

Tom continued in silence, staring at the road ahead.

"I'm sorry. We talked briefly about this, and I thought…"

"So it was an act?" he asked. "Just to prove we were together?"

"Well, yes. It’s not what we usually do when we’re together," you replied uncertainly. "But Tom, if that bothered you, let’s set some boundaries. It's funny because you joked about it yourself and…"

"No, it's fine. You don’t need to. Just… I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" he said.

"Alright, drive safe," you said before getting out of the car and watching him drive away.

As you lay down and finally allowed yourself to check your phone, you felt a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Notifications began to pop up on your phone, and you quickly realized that the repost of the photo with Tom had generated a lot of attention. Messages from friends and acquaintances started flooding your feed, and you couldn’t help but smile at the positive reactions.

Your sister replied with a simple "WTF?"

You couldn’t avoid feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Your relationship with Tom was becoming more real every day, and it brought a whirlwind of emotions.

Among the messages, one notification caught your attention: a direct message from Amber. “I saw the photo! I’m so happy for you. Let’s talk soon?”

You smiled as you read the message and felt relieved. But one notification, in particular, caught your attention even more.

Sean: Seems like I wasn’t wrong after all.

Seeing that message from Sean made your heart skip a beat. You hadn’t expected him to reach out, especially not like this.

TAGLIST: @feelinglikeineedlotsofnaps @un06 @lnmp89 @hoodharlow @let-me-luve-you @erule @smoofine @smile2345 @itsdoni @helen-on-earth @kagtobis @appleypi @jennifersworldsblog @marajillana @hufflepuff-n-fluff @aol19 @milasexutoire @watarmelon212 @miniaturetreecollectorfan-blog @twsssmlmaa @drquinnzel0217qqqqqqqqqqq @purplerose291 @princessria127 @jackiehollanderr

[lurveinn]

I’m so curious about Wizarding fashion. JKR isn’t very physically descriptive- we just know that wizards wear robes, which are outlandish to muggles, and pointy hats, but what does that really mean? What kind of robe? Magical fashion clearly isn’t very gendered, since Harry remarks on a man at the Quidditch World Cup wearing a dress and insisting that it’s unisex (certainly not the case in Britain at the time), but we don’t have any other parameters. Keeping in mind the uniform from the movies, and the fact that in SWM, Snape isn’t wearing any trousers, here’s what I think wizards wear:

1. Flowing silhouettes and cloaks; clearly, wizards love a good statement cloak. Think tassels and frills (not like Ron’s Yule Ball fit!), massive extended sleeves and lots of draping.

2. Skirts: let’s be honest, just one singular robe, without any layering, doesn’t give us much to work with. Skirts go with the general silhouette, explain why the World Cup wizard thought muggle men wore dresses, and keep with the no-trousers thing from SWM. I’m South Asian, so I like to have a little fun with it and think of wizards in ghararas (my favourite item of clothing); the Wizarding World is quite insular, travel is relatively unrestricted (hello, they have magic!), everyone has a common enemy in muggles (and other species- goblins, house-elves) etcetera, so race probably doesn’t function the same way and I headcanon a lot of cross-cultural exchange. Plus, wizarding fashion isn’t restricted by weather- they have warming charms- so wearing clothes made for hot climates in England, for example, wouldn’t be a problem.

Plus, I actually think saris are a natural fancy dress option- flowy, drapey, colourful. Speaking of which-

3. If there’s one fanon idea that I hate (aside from fanon!Sirius, of course), it’s this image of wizards (specifically high society wizards) as reserved. Sorry, did we read the same books? Wizards, even posh, rich wizards, like the Malfoys and Blacks, are camp and very outlandish. They do house-elf taxidermy, they keep their wands in canes. Just because Hogwarts uniforms are black doesn’t mean that people dress like they’re in mourning all the time. People can be total snobs and obsessed with their image and still wear bright pink, insane robes, because guess what? They have different social conventions than we do. Men and women dress basically the same, so there is no reason to believe that a man wearing a flowing robe would be against the norm. I say this as someone who believes misogyny and homophobia are well and truly alive in Wizarding society, especially in pureblooded families where the emphasis is on continuing the line; they definitely exist, but they probably look different.

4. My personal obsession and headcanon: rich wizards wearing bones. Look, I might not think of them as racist in the traditional sense, but they are undeniably speciesist, if that’s a word? They think of themselves as superior, and other sentient magical species either work under (goblins) or are enslaved (house-elves) by wizards. We only see Veelas very briefly, but despite them being admired for their beauty, I doubt wizards treat them very well. So- show me blood-purists wearing corsets made of goblin bones and teeth. Show me Veelas being hunted for their blood to stain and dye clothes with. Show me exotic “magical creatures” that are humanoid and capable of reasoning and should have rights, like mermaids and werewolves, being hunted for their scales and pelts while also being ostracised for being ‘non-human’. It’s terrible, but that’s the kind of archaic jewellery and fashion the old families that the fandom likes to fetishise would like to wear.

[humbledragon669]

S1E3 – Hard Times Write Up P5 - Friday (One day to the end of the World) up to "the break up"

So, here we are, more than halfway through the episode yet only just getting to the credits. That really threw me the first time I watched this episode! I do think it’s a very clever way to handle the format of this episode though – you couldn’t exactly break the flow of the historical scenes to make way for the credits, and those scenes definitely don’t belong nestled in amongst the main storyline, particularly as all of those scenes were additional material written specifically for the show (as described by Neil in the introduction to the Script Book – this was do with ensuring consistency for seeing Crowley and Aziraphale in every episode of the season). Despite the fact that the storyline covered in these scenes is newly created, the information we learn from them is crucial to understanding the motives, emotions, and thought processes that the angel and demon show throughout the show, and I genuinely don’t think the rest of the episodes, or our relationship with the two main characters, would have been the same without them.

I also think the crazy-fast montage of scenes that we see immediately following the credits is a great way of bringing us back to the main storyline of the show, picking up right where we left off at the end of episode 2, which in fairness does seem like an awfully long time ago – after all, we’ve just been through a whistle-stop tour of 6000 years of history.

The entire sequence takes 5 seconds and appears to use a different image for every frame of film, which means it consists of approximately 130 different tableaus, in chronological order of their appearance in the season. Some editor had fun doing that I’m sure.

Knowing that I should be looking at any instances of writing whenever it’s used, I paused my rewatch of this episode at the point where we’re shown Aziraphale’s little planning board. Whilst most of it makes perfect sense (a map, notes about Adam’s name, relevant prophecy numbers), there is also a sheet of paper covered in writing that, to me at least is completely ineligible:

If anybody knows what this writing is, or even if it’s just made-up scribblings to look cool, I’d love to know the answer.

The conversation between Adam and Anathema has always struck me as slightly odd. I mean, it’s nice that Adam stops to ask if she’s OK (when she clearly is not), but there doesn’t appear to be any recognition from either party that they actually met just the day before. And forgive me for imposing modern-day suppositions on to work that was written a few decades previously, but a fully grown adult inviting a kid into their house for something to drink just feels creepy to me. We know she’s perfectly fine to be around though so we’ll let it go. What I do like about the conversation is that there’s an echoing of the exchange that Crowley and Aziraphale shared as they were leaving Tadfield Manor (about angels not being occult but ethereal) but this time the labels in contention are “witch” and “occultist”.

ADAM: Are you a witch? ANATHEMA: No, I’m an occultist.

It’s a nice nod to the notion that words have power. Both parties are describing the same idea but choosing what connotations they want to associate with it. And what’s really important to note on that matter is that changing Anathema’s label completely changes Adam’s opinion of her immediately.

Side note: anybody else find the juxtaposition of some manky old thumbscrews right next to a colourful birthday candle to be a beautifully accurate summation for what an oblivious shitshow the Witchfinder’s Army really is?

I find the choice of location for Crowley’s meeting with Shadwell to be an interesting one. The café they meet in proudly declares itself to be the “Best Café in Wandsworth”. Wandsworth is a long way from Crouch End, where we know Shadwell lives, and Mayfair, which is where the book states Crowley’s flat is located. And just so we’re covering some of the other possibilities, it’s nowhere near Soho and Aziraphale hasn’t set up the meeting at the 3rd rendezvous point yet for it to be a precursor location for the meeting on the bandstand. Why Wandsworth?

There are a couple of Easter Eggs in Crowley’s newspaper here, and perhaps one on the TV playing in the background. Let’s start with the newspaper. It’s no surprise that Crowley would be reading the Infernal Times, but who knew that demons would consider a bit of hiking for their holidays:

It’s a bit hard to make out, but I’m pretty sure that the headline reads something about walking trails. And it’s a pretty pathetic sounding front page headline:

In case you can’t read it (again, it difficult to make out), it says “SOUL MUSIC: Catalogue your collection of Souls?”. As a headline it doesn’t make a great deal of sense, but I think this is probably a reference to Crowley’s soul music collection mentioned in the book.

He was very proud of his collection. It had taken him ages to put together. This was real Soul Music. James Brown wasn’t in it.

The last of the headlines I can actually make out is the following:

Again, if you can’t quite make it out, this one describes some latest research that suggests exorcisms are on the rise in Wales. Just who has done the research, and why specifically concentrating on Wales, remains a mystery. Now let’s have a look at that TV in the corner of the room:

This was really tricky to get a clipping of something that made sense but the footage on the screen looks like it’s set in Puritan times. The guy on the right in this image is even wearing a costume reminiscent of Adultery Pulsifer’s clothes in the previous episode, so perhaps this a witchfinder? I couldn’t get anything concrete, but I think it’s probably a little Easter Egg nonetheless.

It’s nice that we have an acknowledgement of Shadwell’s involvement with Crowley going back decades during the conversation where we discover the demon is sponsoring the Witchfinder’s Army. We know, from the 1967 historical scene, that Crowley has been dealing with this dense oaf for 50 years by this point. I suppose in a show where character recognition, or rather the lack of it (see previous scene with Adam and Anathema, or even the use of the same actors to play different characters as we see in season 2) happens regularly, it was probably necessary to script something that explicitly states that these two characters are aware of the “resemblance” that Crowley bears to someone Shadwell knew many years previously.

Moving back to Anathema and Adam now (this episode does fair rattle through the sub-plot development doesn’t it?!). What’s with the whale obsession please? This isn’t the first time we hear about how whales have big brains (Crowley already raised this point when he was very drunk in episode 1), and it won’t be the last. I mean, I’m not denying that they do have huge brains, I just didn’t realise it was a thing that so many people thought about. I wonder if it’s one of those questions you supposedly can ask men about to get an unexpected response, like how often they think about ancient Rome? Regardless, the whale comment is just one of a bunch of foreshadowing Clues in this scene for later on.

They’ve got it all covered – ley lines, nuclear power stations, the Kraken, Atlantis, and Tibet, all mentioned or seen in a very short space of time. There’s even mention of the destruction of the Brazilian rainforests, something Adam tries to resolve in the book.

Up in Heaven, which looks like an incredibly boring place in my opinion, Aziraphale is busy telling his superiors things they’re either not interested in or already know. I don’t know whether Uriel’s line “what’s happening” is a little reference to Jesus Christ Superstar (the song “What’s the Buzz” uses this phrase repeatedly throughout), but if it is it would effectively put Aziraphale in the role of Jesus, with the archangels being disciples. Not exactly fitting with canon, so maybe this is a little Easter Egg. Or maybe it’s nothing at all.

Whilst I was doing this write up, I noticed that Aziraphale is the only one of the angels to be wearing a patterned garment – his trademark tartan. It’s a nice way to subtly distinguish him, or more precisely his relationship with the concept of free will, from the other angels, and whilst we know he has been exercising his own free will for centuries, his addition of a non-standard item of clothing to angelic attire would suggest he is becoming more comfortable with his stance. Looking back through the historical scenes (including the ones from season 2 we are yet to see), I think the tartan first makes it appearance in 1862, but I’m happy to be corrected on that.

It's a good job that the archangels are a somewhat dense bunch because Aziraphale does not do a good job of hiding when he’s hiding something here. He has a tendency to overact when it comes to the discussion around Crowley, and the pause he puts in before his non-committal answer to Gabriel’s questioning is almost painful.

It should be obvious to them that he’s covering something up but luckily they’re totally oblivious and Aziraphale actually manages to buy himself some time. Credit to him here – he went to Heaven with preconceived ideas of how this conversation was going and he not only manages to adapt to the deviation from his expectations, he also considers what this means, how it changes his plans, comes up with a plan for how to achieve his new objective, and executes that plan very convincingly. There’s a lot of talk about how Aziraphale can often be pretty dense at times, but this little scene should tell you that that’s only really true when it comes to Crowley – outside of the blinkers of friendship and love, this is one quick-thinking and intelligent angel.

We’ve had a couple of mentions of Crowley being “fallen” before now in the show, but I think this is the first time we get any clues as to why that might have been. And surprisingly for such an important piece of information, it’s delivered in an almost nonchalant way.

There was war in Heaven, long before the Earth was created. Crowley and the rest were cast out. Not nothing was ever really settled.

We already knew that Crowley wasn’t the only fallen angel (see Hastur’s comments in episode 2) but this is the first mention of him being involved in all-out war against Heaven. Hastur talks about rebelling in the previous episode, so we can only assume that these are two puzzle pieces that fit together. I don’t know whether season 3 will bring us a fuller answer for Crowley’s fall, but I hope so. I feel like it’s a huge part of his history and who he is; as a fan it would be nice to be able to put it all together for an even better understanding of his character.

Gabriel’s comments about the war and Armageddon make for some interesting discussion points. He says that even though the fallen angels were cast out of Heaven, nothing was settled. What exactly were they hoping would be the outcome of that war? If it was the destruction of those who rebelled, why only cast them out? Why not destroy them at that point? And why exactly does Earth have to get tied up in all of this? His parting line about Earth’s destruction offers little to the debate about what Earth’s role is in the whole Heaven/Hell war, only that Heaven is determined to destroy it, regardless.

The Earth isn’t going to just end itself, you know.

Charming. And unfortunately for Aziraphale, his lack of enthusiasm for another war has triggered the suspicion of the archangels – it’s interesting that he was able to cover his intentions through his talk of Crowley and poorly disguised buying for time but what really makes them think he can’t be trusted is that he clearly isn’t fully on their side when it comes to war.

There is a line in the book about anybody who meets Aziraphale believing him to be “gayer than a tree full of monkeys on nitrous oxide”. I can see how this might have been a little difficult to get into a TV show, but I think the double entendre delivered by the following exchange probably serves as a suitable alternative:

AZIRAPHALE: Do you have any men free? I need them to poke about a bit. SHADWELL: Poke, eh? And where exactly do you want them poking?

And if it wasn’t clear what Shadwell’s thoughts on Aziraphale were, calling him a “great southern pansy can probably fill in the blanks for you.

Remember what I was saying about Aziraphale not being dense earlier? Well this is one of those moments when he proves the exact opposite. He genuinely appears to believe all the stories Shadwell has fed him about the soldiers of the Witchfinder’s Army. I suspect he simply can’t bear to think that somebody would lie to him for financial gain, something which Crowley appeared to be fully conscious of when he dismissed Shadwell’s presentation of the ledger in the café earlier on. Whatever the angel’s reasons for this gullibility, we as the audience can now see that both of our hero pair are not only funding the Witchfinder Army (for the paltry combined sum of £500 per year according to the Script Book) but making use of their services, and hiding the organisation from the other for fear of reprimand. How very Shakespearian.

There are a few little things I’d like to show appreciation for in the Famine scene. First off, and I did have to look this up, but the word “sable” can be defined as “black”. So Famine’s chosen name consists of 2 words that describe black. Given that one of War’s alternative names is Red (or Carmine, which means crimson, as well as her chosen surname of Zingiber, which is another name for ginger – a word you might use to describe a red-headed person), this is hardly surprising. Next up. I love how beautiful the plate of non-existent food in the fine dining restaurant is. I have eaten at a Michelin starred restaurant and I can assure you, that isn’t far off the mark at all.

Next little Easter Egg – there’s a picture of the Bentley, albeit in red, on the wall of the burger joint that Famine and his assistant go to:

And how many times have we heard/read terms and conditions that sound very similar (scratch that, there are some phrases that are word-for-word perfect) to the ones for Chow for any/all new health product that comes to market with the sole purpose of making money out of gullible/vulnerable people. Neil really nailed the wording and delivery in the script there. Elvis’s presence in the restaurant is a cute bit of humour too, and halfway makes up for one of the lines in the script that didn’t make it to the final cut but made me guffaw like a loon – it’s Death’s response to a question about the year of Elvis’s death from the quiz machine:

I DON’T CARE WHAT IT SAYS. I NEVER LAID A FINGER ON HIM.

Lastly, I’d like to think there’s another instance of script mirroring in the use of the word Chow here. Cast your mind back, all the way to episode 1…

LIGUR: Wassat mean, “Ciao”? HASTUR: It’s Italian. It means “food”.

Except to anyone actually eating Sable’s prized invention Chow isn’t food at all, but eating it might result in you having to say “goodbye” to a lot of things like “hair. And skin tone. And, if you ate enough of it long enough, vital signs.” Beautiful word play.

Side note for the next scene: the Witchfinder Manual actually has a price on the cover (I can’t quite make out what it is, but it’s “old” money), which means at some point that sack of crap was actually sold to people.

One last tiny note: Crowley tells Aziraphale to meet him at the 3rd alternative rendezvous. Not the 3rd rendezvous or the alternative rendezvous. And Aziraphale can’t remember which location it maps to, though he can list off three possibilities, much to Crowley’s annoyance. I’d quite like to know how many formally named rendezvous locations they have, and why they think that referring to them in “code” prevents their respective superiors from knowing they’re meeting in the first place.

I am going to call it on this part of the write up at this point. I had intended for this part to be the last one for this episode, but I’m already at nearly 3000 words and I haven’t covered the “break-up” scene yet. I think I’m partly just putting off the inevitable by not including it here because I find the last scene of this episode very difficult to watch. Nevertheless, I hope you’ll forgive me. I’d hope I can give that scene the attention it deserves if I split it out into its own write up. So for now… comments, questions, discussion, all welcome, as always.

[zapreportsblog]

The ideas just keep flowing from me! I have another fun one!

When Garrett meets the Cullens and Renesmee there is one human in the house. Bell's sister or cousin(whichever you choose) lives with the Cullens as Carlisle is her doctor. She is on the tail end of a cancer treatment and while she's recovering she chooses to wear a scarf as most of her hair has fallen out.

Her blood isn't tempting to the other vampires due to the chemicals in her blood from the therapy. I can imagine Garrett just keeping her company. She wants to change into a vampire but only after she's recovered. Stubborn like Bella. 😊😊 please and thank you!!

Oh my what a wonderful idea :) thank you for requesting and enjoy

↳ the end of the road ↲

✭ pairing : garrett x reader

✭ fandom : twilight x reader

✭ summary : (y/n) much like her sister is highly stubborn so it must be a trait in their family, she was diagnosed with cancer at the ripe age of sixteen and has been battling it for three years. Now at the age of eighteen one can only hope they’ll get better enough to heal and join their sister in her undead life surrounded by those she loves and care for

✭ authors note : oh wow this is finna be sad with some angst but also some fluff

✭ twilight masterlist

**Prologue:**

In the quiet town of Forks, where the misty forests and overcast skies painted the landscape, lived (Y/N) Swan, the younger sister of Bella Swan. Their lives had taken divergent paths after their parents' separation. While Bella had chosen to live with their mother, (Y/N) decided to stay in Forks with their father, Charlie Swan.

Time seemed to pass in its own rhythm, and (Y/N) found herself facing a challenge that was both unexpected and daunting. At sixteen years old, she was diagnosed with cancer, casting a shadow of uncertainty over her previously ordinary life. The weight of her diagnosis hung heavy, yet (Y/N) approached each day with a determination to fight.

One beacon of hope in her journey was Dr. Carlisle Cullen, a skilled and compassionate doctor who had recently come to town. His calm demeanor and expertise had been a source of comfort for both (Y/N) and her family. The medical treatments were a challenging journey, punctuated by the unknowns of whether a cure was possible.

As her eighteenth birthday approached, (Y/N) found herself reflecting on the twists and turns her life had taken. She had watched Bella leave for Arizona, and their once-close bond had faced the strain of distance. Yet, the love they shared remained unwavering, and Bella's visits back to Forks were cherished moments of reconnection.

Dr. Carlisle Cullen had become a trusted figure in (Y/N)'s life, not only for his medical expertise but also for his genuine care. Each visit to his office became an opportunity for (Y/N) to find solace in his presence, to discuss her fears and hopes, and to gain a better understanding of her condition.

As (Y/N) stepped into Dr. Cullen's office, the room radiated a sense of calm. His warm smile greeted her, and she took a seat as he reviewed her latest test results. The exchange was more than a doctor-patient interaction; it was a meeting of two souls navigating uncharted waters together.

"(Y/N)," Dr. Cullen began gently, "I want you to know that we are doing everything we can to fight this. Your strength and resilience are remarkable."

Tears glistened in (Y/N)'s eyes as she nodded. "Thank you, Dr. Cullen. I know you're doing your best. It's just... the uncertainty is hard to bear."

Dr. Cullen leaned forward, his gaze unwavering. "I understand, (Y/N). While we may not have all the answers, what we do have is a commitment to your well-being. Your journey is not one you have to face alone."

The bond between (Y/N) and Dr. Cullen had grown over time, forged through shared moments of vulnerability and hope. Their connection extended beyond the realms of doctor and patient, embodying the essence of companionship and support.

As (Y/N)'s eighteenth birthday approached, her thoughts were filled with a mix of emotions. She longed for a future free from the grip of cancer, a life where she could embrace the world with the same enthusiasm as before. While the journey was uncertain, the presence of caring souls like Dr. Cullen and her family provided the strength to carry on.

In the midst of uncertainty, one thing remained clear: (Y/N)'s journey was a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the unwavering bonds that transcended challenges. The pages of her story were still being written, and each day was an opportunity to add a new chapter filled with hope, determination, and the unwavering support of those who stood by her side.

**Current Timeframe:**

As time rolled on, the quaint town of Forks underwent changes that would forever alter the lives of those residing within its borders. Nearly a year had passed since Bella Swan returned to live with her father, Charlie Swan, and her younger sister, (Y/N) Swan. In the interim, Bella had found love with the enigmatic Edward Cullen, and the two were now married.

While Bella's life seemed to be reaching new heights of happiness, (Y/N) had been battling a relentless adversary of her own: cancer. The disease had woven itself into her life, creating a challenging tapestry of medical treatments, emotional highs, and lows. Yet, despite the adversity, (Y/N) remained resilient, determined to embrace each day with grace and courage.

It was amidst these challenges that (Y/N) learned of the Cullens' closely guarded secret, a revelation that added an unexpected layer to her already complex life. The news had come as a shock when Bella, now pregnant, confided in her younger sister about the truth behind her in-laws' supernatural nature.

Sitting on the porch of the Swan household, the air was thick with a mixture of emotions as Bella recounted the story of her transformation into a vampire, of the existence of werewolves, and the intricate dynamics of the supernatural world she was now a part of.

"(Y/N), I know this is a lot to take in," Bella began, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon. "But I wanted you to know the truth. Edward and his family, they're not like other people. They're vampires, and there are also werewolves in the Quileute tribe."

(Y/N) listened intently, her heart heavy with both the enormity of the revelation and the knowledge that her sister's life had taken such an unexpected turn. As the words settled in, (Y/N) realized the weight of the burden that Bella and her new family had been carrying, a secret they had managed to keep hidden from the rest of the world.

"I can't believe it," (Y/N) finally whispered, her voice barely audible. "All this time, and I had no idea."

Bella turned to face her sister, her expression a mix of concern and understanding. "I wish I could have told you sooner, (Y/N). But it's complicated, and I wanted to keep you safe."

Tears welled up in (Y/N)'s eyes as she shook her head. "Bella, you've been through so much. And now you're pregnant... I can't even imagine."

Bella's hand reached out to gently clasp (Y/N)'s. "We're family, (Y/N). We'll face whatever comes together."

And so, as the days turned into weeks, (Y/N) found herself navigating a new reality—one that intertwined the everyday challenges of battling cancer with the extraordinary world of the supernatural. The Cullens, who had initially remained at a distance, began to embrace (Y/N) as a member of their extended family, offering support and camaraderie that transcended their differences.

While (Y/N)'s health remained a delicate balance, her relationship with her sister grew stronger, fortified by shared secrets, challenges, and an unbreakable bond. As Bella's pregnancy progressed and the supernatural world continued to unfold around them, (Y/N) clung to the hope that each day brought—a hope that, in the face of adversity, would serve as a beacon of light and a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

In the wake of Bella's transformation into a vampire, the dynamics of the Swan household had shifted dramatically. Bella's once-pale skin and crimson eyes marked her entry into the immortal world, while her daughter, Renesmee, born half-human and half-vampire, added another layer of complexity to the Cullen family.

Amidst these changes, (Y/N) Swan's battle with cancer continued to cast a shadow over her life. The disease had taken its toll, and (Y/N) often found herself grappling with the reality of her mortality. As her health deteriorated, the clock seemed to tick louder, and (Y/N) became acutely aware that her time was limited.

In the midst of preparations for Renesmee's introduction to the vampire world, the Cullens were making arrangements to call upon other vampire clans to bear witness to this extraordinary event. Among those invited was Garrett, a free-spirited vampire known for his independent nature and his open-mindedness.

When the time came for the various clans to converge at the Cullen residence, (Y/N) watched from the sidelines, her presence a blend of quiet strength and vulnerability. As the interactions among the clans unfolded, she couldn't help but feel a sense of isolation, knowing that her own fate was uncertain.

Garrett, with his rugged charm and striking presence, caught (Y/N)'s attention immediately. Their initial conversation was marked by an easy rapport, a connection that seemed to transcend the boundaries of their respective circumstances. Their shared laughter and genuine conversations offered a respite from the weight of (Y/N)'s illness.

As they strolled through the lush Cullen grounds, Garrett's curiosity led him to inquire about (Y/N)'s well-being. The question hung heavy in the air, and (Y/N) met his gaze with a mixture of honesty and vulnerability.

"I've been battling cancer for a while now," (Y/N) admitted softly, her eyes reflecting a lifetime of challenges. "And lately, it's been getting worse. I fear I don't have much time left."

Garrett's expression softened as he listened, his gaze unwavering. "You're a fighter, (Y/N). I can see it in your eyes. But... you don't want to be turned into a vampire yet, do you?"

(Y/N)'s nod was accompanied by a sigh. "It's not that I'm against the idea, but I want to be sure. I want to live a life without the constant weight of illness, to experience moments of joy without fear."

A thoughtful silence settled between them, the weight of their words echoing in the quiet air. Garrett's hand found (Y/N)'s, a gesture that spoke of understanding and empathy.

"(Y/N), you deserve to make that choice on your terms," Garrett said gently. "But know that you're not alone. There are others who care about you, who will stand by your side no matter what you decide."

As the days passed, (Y/N) found solace in Garrett's presence. His unwavering support and the companionship they shared became a source of strength, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, connections could be forged that transcended the boundaries of time and circumstance.

With the impending arrival of the other clans and the pivotal moment of Renesmee's introduction to the vampire world drawing closer, (Y/N) found herself at a crossroads. The future remained uncertain, yet the presence of a kindred spirit in Garrett offered a glimmer of hope, a reminder that life's complexities could be faced with resilience, camaraderie, and the power of choice.

On the day of the anticipated battle with the Volturi, the cold, snowy field outside the Cullen residence was a scene of tense anticipation. The assembled vampire clans, including Garrett, stood ready to defend against the Volturi's threat. The tension in the air was palpable, every eye trained on the looming confrontation that could change the vampire world forever.

In a quaint home not far from the battlefield, (Y/N) Swan waited, heart heavy with concern for her loved ones. She had chosen to stay behind, feeling that her fragile condition rendered her unable to contribute to the impending clash. Instead, she had chosen to hope and pray for the safe return of the vampires she held dear.

As the hours stretched on, a sense of unease settled over Garrett. His connection with (Y/N) had grown stronger over time, and a gnawing feeling in his gut warned him that something was amiss. Excusing himself from the battle preparations, Garrett made his way back to the Swan residence, the icy wind carrying his troubled thoughts.

Upon entering the home, Garrett's worst fears were realized. He found (Y/N) lying peacefully in her sleep, her once vibrant spirit now stilled. The realization that cancer had finally claimed her life was a blow that hit him like a physical force, his heart aching with grief.

Kneeling beside her, Garrett's hand found (Y/N)'s, his fingers tracing the contours of her features. He had grown to love her in ways he hadn't anticipated, and the thought of her absence was unbearable. In that moment, he made a choice that would forever alter both of their fates.

With a mix of desperation and determination, Garrett's fangs descended, and he sank them into his own wrist. Gathering his venom, he carefully injected it into (Y/N)'s body, a desperate attempt to save her from the clutches of death.

As the vampire venom coursed through her veins, (Y/N)'s body underwent a transformation unlike anything she had ever experienced. The pain was intense, yet a glimmer of hope threaded through the agony. In a desperate bid to save her, Garrett had condemned her to the life of a vampire, but he had done so out of love.

Time seemed to blur as (Y/N)'s body adapted to the change, her senses awakening with a newfound intensity. Her eyes opened to a world of colors and details she had never imagined, and the sounds of the forest outside were a symphony of life.

And then, as her mind fully awakened, (Y/N) realized that her once-ailing body had been replaced by something powerful and immortal. Her gaze met Garrett's, and a rush of emotions flooded over her—gratitude, awe, and an unexpected connection that defied explanation.

"(Y/N)," Garrett's voice was a mixture of relief and uncertainty, "you're alive. I... I couldn't bear to lose you."

Tears filled (Y/N)'s eyes as she realized the depth of what Garrett had done for her. Their journey had taken a path neither could have predicted, and now they stood at the precipice of a new existence.

As they ventured back to the snowy field, (Y/N) felt a blend of emotions—gratitude for her newfound life, grief for what she had lost, and a growing connection to Garrett that defied logic. The battle with the Volturi raged on, but amidst the chaos, (Y/N) and Garrett's story had taken a unique turn, one marked by sacrifice, love, and the unbreakable bond between two souls intertwined by destiny.

The Cullens returned from the snowy battlefield, the tension that had hung in the air slowly dissipating as they relayed the unexpected turn of events to Garrett. The Volturi had not engaged in battle; instead, they had recognized the uniqueness of Renesmee's existence—a child born of both human and vampire heritage. As the Cullens explained this, Garrett's silence spoke volumes, his thoughts hidden behind a mask of contemplation.

Concerned about (Y/N), Esme asked, "Where's (Y/N)?"

Garrett's gaze remained steady for a moment before he shifted uncomfortably. His silence only deepened their concern.

"(Y/N), where is she?" Bella's voice was tinged with urgency as she glanced around the room.

It was then that Bella's eyes fell upon a sight that made her heart drop: (Y/N)'s body in the midst of transformation. Shocked and angry, she turned to Garrett, her emotions erupting.

"What have you done?!" Bella's voice trembled with fury. "You had no right to make that choice for her!"

Garrett's expression was one of remorse and helplessness. "Bella, I couldn't bear to lose her. I know it was reckless, but..."

Bella's anger wasn't quelled, her eyes narrowing as she stood beside the transformation table. "(Y/N) should have had a say in this. She deserved to choose."

As the transformation neared its completion, (Y/N)'s eyes fluttered open. Her gaze met Bella's, and confusion gave way to realization. The truth hit her like a physical blow, and a mixture of anger, grief, and frustration welled up inside her.

"(Y/N), I—" Garrett began, his voice laced with guilt.

"You did this without asking me!" (Y/N)'s voice was sharp, her eyes brimming with tears of anger. "You took away my choice!"

Garrett's words were a mix of regret and honesty. "You were dying, (Y/N). Your body was failing. I didn't want you to suffer."

"Suffer?!" (Y/N)'s voice was a mix of desperation and bitterness. "You didn't think I'd rather die on my own terms? You robbed me of that choice, Garrett!"

Tears streamed down (Y/N)'s face as her anger and grief collided. She had been stripped of the one thing that was truly hers—the right to decide her fate. The room seemed to close in around her, the weight of the transformation overwhelming her.

Garrett's voice was soft as he reached out to her, his eyes filled with sorrow. "(Y/N), I thought I was saving you. I didn't want you to suffer any longer."

"Suffering is a part of life!" (Y/N)'s voice was raw with emotion. "I wanted to live until the end, to experience every moment, even the painful ones. You took that from me."

The room was filled with the echoes of (Y/N)'s anguish and Garrett's regret. As (Y/N) fled from the room, the anger and confusion that roiled within her seemed to fuel her determination.

Garrett stood there, a heavy sense of guilt settling over him. The path he had chosen, fueled by love and desperation, had brought about unintended consequences and shattered the bond that had once united him and (Y/N).

As (Y/N) disappeared into the night, the Cullens exchanged worried glances. The decision to save (Y/N)'s life had come at a steep price—one that tested the boundaries of love, choice, and the consequences of actions taken in the name of preserving what was most dear.

[aro-culture-is]

More of a question, hope it’s okay to ask this type of stuff but as a polyamorous fluitic aroaceflux person, does it seem valid to also have times where you want to date many people because you desire the many connections beyond friendship but due to being aflux fluitic, disabled/nd, and busy with personal life, you may not be able to interact much/do many activities that most people have expectations of in relationships? I’ve always found that so draining and restricting on me having the expectations but i want a relationship with people without the high expectations or worrying about seeming disinterested in the relationships. I just want an easy go with the flow wavership. Does it seem wrong if I were to have many relationships with my limitations, or is it understandable?/gq /nfta

(gonna be real, no idea what nfta stands for as a tone tag - probably not any of the various niagra related or trade association related things we found lol)

generally speaking: it is always valid to want certain types of relationships, but I suspect the question you're asking is if this is practical.

there's some good and bad news, in my personal opinion: first, yeah, bad news, that sounds hard as fuck to manage and find partners who want it. the good news though? tbh someone who is already good enough in your books with responding to shit as an a-spec disabled person is much more likely than the average person to at least consider it, if not try.

i think the best thing to say here is this: relationships are always gonna involve some exchange of energy and preferences. i'm not here to tell you exactly how to go about that, but i would advise that if you wanna be in any sort of polyamorous relationships, especially in a wavership, you're gonna want to brush up on communication skills, boundary setting, and conflict resolution. You're gonna need the ability to recognize that sometimes your partner(s) will want something like your time and attention when you really don't have the desire. You'll need to be able to respond effectively to that - in the moment, can you step back mentally, assess the situation, and say to yourself, "I think in this situation, even though it is uncomfortable, this is necessary.", or "I feel like I can't do this right now, but we've discussed alternate options like reminding them of a resource."

It can be hard to find the line between disability and comfort zones, personally. I won't try to advise you on that type of matter - only that you'll want to ensure that you practice awareness of discomfort that is bad for you and discomfort as your brain setting off unneeded alarms at something new, something that once was associated with bad things, or all sorts of "fun" little things. This is incredibly important when in relationships with unique formats or expectations, since you'll often be exploring territory without a map; learn how to navigate discomfort as a sign rather than a roadblock.

I hope any of this helps? it's mostly just... my thoughts spat out onto a page. Generally speaking, I anticipate that you know most of this, but it might be helpful to see another person's take on it. I wish you luck, kindness, and spoons.

[kairoscler]

AkiKasa fic where Tsukasa wants to teach his boyfriend some classic WxS style moves, and Akito is too embarrassed. So Tsukasa does something more embarrassing to him so Akito wouldn't be embarrassed of dancing like the theatre kids.

lee!Akito

ler!Tsukasa

DANCE!! AND!! SING!!

Rehearsal was over, but that day was particularly unusual because Akito and Toya had come to watch the group rehearse this time. Emu and Nene had exchanged knowing looks because the four boys were obviously dating with how they teased each other. The girls didn't mind, though.

Akito had stood still to answer a text from Ena while Emu and Nene ran off, planning a next date and Toya and Rui went to Rui's place because Toya took interest in the machine Rui was testing out this rehearsal.

So Tsukasa waited until Akito finished his rather long text before calling over to him with a bright smile, "Hey, Akito-kun! Wanna learn the new choreography we just came up with??"

"Now? Why?" Akito tilted his head at the blond, seeming rather hesitant.

"Come ooooon~" Tsukasa whined, "I wanna teach you some moves, Akitoooo~"

"What makes you think I'd want to dance like you lot, Tsukasa-senpai?" Akito challenges back puffing his cheeks a little in a pout, "You guys move like idiots compared to Vivid Bad Squad!"

Tsukasa lets out an overdramatic gasp with his hand over his chest, taking a step back in faux offense, "Akito-kun! How dare you?!" But Tsukasa couldn’t stop the small smile that made itself known right after, thinking that Akito's pout was adorable.

“What?” Akito raises an eyebrow at Tsukasa quizzically, though he was also smiling a little now at his boyfriend’s dramatic act, “It’s true, though! I get second hand embarrassment just watching you idiots!”

And thus, Tsukasa steps even further back with an even more dramaticly surprised gasp, “Seriously?!” He practically yells.

“Well that’s just unacceptable! As a future star, it is my duty to make sure my friends and boyfriends can have fun with me!” Tsukasa was still speaking loudly, and that made Akito blush a little and cringe because, “Tsukasa, you know we’re still technically in public, right?”

“Yeah, why? It’s not like anyone else would still be hanging around here this late!” The blond’s bright smile almost blinded Akito for a moment when he fully looked at him, and the redhead rolled his eyes just to have an excuse to look away. And then Tsukasa came up with an idea. His smile turned determined while Akito was looking away.

“Ne, Akito-kun~ I can’t just leave that alone, it’s no good if you’re so embarrassed about your boyfriends~” Tsukasa slowly approached Akito, wiggling his fingers teasingly.

Akito tenses, growling out a “Don’t you dare…” as Tsukasa slowly approached.

The redhead stepped back as Tsukasa approached, but it didn’t take long for his back to hit the stage, then he made a dash for it, his partner hot on his heels. He made the attempt to trip Tsukasa up by jumping a couple of the benches because of course Akito would be the type to try and look cool with parkour. But Tsukasa was also quite athletic, despite acting like quite the klutz.

Over benches, through an isle, and up on stage, the chase went on. Upon jumping onto the stage, Akito didn’t exactly get the best footing and fell backward, giving Tsukasa the perfect chance to catch him, arms around his torso, chest against his back, and it causes them both to fall.

Both boys freeze for just a moment before Tsukasa tightened his grip on Akito, arms wrapped around and hands moving down to tickle his boyfriend’s abdomen.

"Pfft-" Akito squirmed, coverings mouth with his hands and already blushing as he made his attempted escape, but with Akito laying on top of Tsukasa, unable to use his arms, and Tsukasa's arms firmly wrapped around Akito, it was fairly obvious the redhead had no escape.

"Ath- thahahat- that's nahahat how it wohuhuhrks, you i-idihihiot-" his laughter flows from between his fingers which were still covering his mouth.

"Akito-kun! I know it's embarrassing, but if something even more embarrassing happens then you won't be as embarrassed to dance with me, right?" He reasoned, logic so ridiculous to the redhead that he couldn't help but respond, yet the second he opened his mouth to speak, laughter came bursting out with the words, mixing with the slight breathlessness from running.

Akito was attempting to wiggle out of Tsukasa's grip when the blonde's fingers slid down to Akito's hips. That made him buck his hips up with a sudden squeal that surprised both Tsukasa and himself, suddenly pausing as the blonde also paused in surprise.

"Akito... you just-"

"No, stohop, shuhut up, Tsukahasa-" Akito interrupts, causing Tsukasa to feign a bit of a frown as he re-strengthened his grip around Akito, and it causes the redhead to start to struggle again.

And Tsukasa went to town on Akito's hips again, interrupting Akito's words.

"Don't be rude, Akito-kun! That was absolutely adorable!"

"Nohohuhahahaha- AAH!" When a finger dipped into his navel suddenly, it made him kick out with his legs and slam his feet back to the ground, voice raising as he almost couldn't stand the sensations both on his hip and in his navel, "AHAHAHAHAHA- AH NAHAHAHAHA"

And yet, the redhead wasn't struggling all that much. If he really wanted to, he might actually be able to break free from Tsukasa, yet he didn't. His hands were even still clasped to his mouth, though his hands were hardly doing much to keep the giggles within the boy.

Tsukasa noticed this lack of struggling and smiled brightly, "Akito-kun doesn't seem to be TOO desperate to escape... could it be that you actually like being tickled?"

The blush that had already formed from laughing deepened at the tease, only obvious to Tsukasa because of the blush spreading to Akito's ears and neck.

And when Akito felt fingers move to his thighs, his struggling renewed, stomping down his feet multiple times as he practically screamed his objection.

"AHH- NAHAHAHA MERHERCY MERHERHERCYHEHE-"

Only then did he move his hands away from his face, actually trying to grab at the hand with a finger dipping into his navel. He missed a couple times, but when he finally grabbed Tsukasa’s arm, the blond stopped and gave Akito a moment to catch his breath.

“Fine, fihihine…” Akito spoke through phantom ticklish sensations as soon as he caught his breath, “… fihine, I’ll join you, but only this once because there’s no one else around.”

Akito secretly very much enjoyed that… though it wasn’t much of a secret to Tsukasa.

[typewriteringalaxy]

fanwork creators self rec, or your five favourite fics/art/podcast etc

thank you for the tag @letters-to-rosie 💕 your answer reminded me that The Fire Next Time has been on my tbr for too long and I need to rectify that lol. anyway here we go in chronological order

everything's better with a friend (Ekko/Jinx, E, 7/7)

my magnum opus so far! more than 85,000 words of an AU where Powder doesn't joins Silco but faces many of the struggles Jinx does. This fic just flowed right after watching Arcane, it was a joy both in creation and readers' reception. I'm particularly happy with Powder's pov and the relationship's progression. Healing isn't linear, and love alone isn't enough to heal, though it does help. That ended up being the theme, and I managed it fairly well in the story, as well as a happy, domestic timebomb ending💕

(I did hint at a sequel of sorts, and the idea still spins in my head. Maybe by the end of summer?)

With Less Inhibition (Astoria Greengrass/Blaise Zabini, E, 5/7)

This one can be read on its own despite being an AU of another fic, The Platinum Collar. Honestly I prefer it from TPC: Blaise's pov and the focus on their friendship's development made the story better. Astoria's letters were also very fun to write. With both of them minor characters in canon (and in a not respectable canon to boot), I had a lot of creative freedom in their characterisation, so this ship is very dear to me. Also this fic was written with @hypernovaesx 's love, enthusiasm and moodboards (Blastoria being our gondola💕) and I love it all the more for it. I haven't left it at a cliffhanger, rather the complete opposite. (And someday I will finish it.)

touch as a form of comfort (Tandy Bowen/Tyrone Johnson, E, oneshot)

I wrote this one after watching Cloak & Dagger Season 2, whose ending made me so happy and thus the fic is a happy memory too. It's short and sweet, going along with the finale's wholesome vibe. I hope to share longer fics for this ship too.

howling hearts (Rey/Ben Solo, T, 7/7)

I returned to my roots with this one lol. First time taking part in the RFFA Valentine's Exchange, I'm happy to have completed the fic within the deadline, and the Beauty and the Beast prompt with Rey as the Beast was really inspiring. Thus I wrote a feral, angry Beast Rey, a nerdy smuggler Ben Solo, a pack of Sith Wolves as the Knights of Ren, and had the opportunity to toy a bit with the reasoning behind the Beast's transformations. It was fun.

party girl (multiship, E, oneshot)

An exploration of Jinx that I'm proud of particularly since in all my other fics of her I either wrote her as Powder or somewhat downplayed her canon viciousness and sheer chaos. And she's a damn difficult character to pin down. Parings include: Jinx/Thieram, Caitlyn/Jinx, Ekko/Jinx.

tagging, if you'd like to play:

@hypernovaesx (if you're still on tumblr; you know I loved your stories before I started writing mine and I love you💕)

@blueinsomnia (curious about your favourite Firelight Stories)

@linearao3 (I've admired your writing from Kohelet to Child Ballad, curious about your favourites)

[dulcewrites]

I’m not strong enough to read something by you based on the last five years, that musical absolutely kills me every time I listen to it. To imagine Cass and aemond 💔💔💔

It’s so sad. And fuck Jamie fr. I really hate when people are like ‘but Cathy was jealous of his success’ as if that compares to Jamie cheating on her then leaving her. Ok anyway here are some songs from the show that are Cass and Aemond coded to me. Also yes… i prefer the movie soundtrack to the stage play version but both slay

This song is so them. Cass can see the red flags, she feels something is off… but it’s Aemond. I actually like the idea of this being while she’s pregnant with Daella. The sort of flow of marriage is gone, Cassandra is scared to what is to come. But man she loves that man

I don’t know what industry yet but I like the idea of Aemond being a creative. A writer, a poet, a composer, a painter idk. Maybe them meeting after he has been essentially given an ultimatum by his father: get serious or no more money (honestly Alicent probably wouldn’t let that happen but the threat is enough to anger Aemond)

Now I’m torn between what Cass does in this universe. I do sort of like the idea of taking from the djats au and making her a fashion designer that never got to reach her potential while married. She’s more than likely a stay at home pre divorce. Two creative sounds fun to me. They bond over that

:((((( im just gonna present the song

Gaslighting masterclass. I can imagine this in their universe. Aemond almost admonished Cass for not being the same woman despite her molding herself was for HIS benefit. He was fine with that for some time but now that it affects his bottomline he doesn’t like that. This is def post alaric, Cass more than likely has postpartum, Aemond is at the height of whatever job he has. And yeah she does resent his success 🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️

Ok so Cass and Aemond def meet in college or when they in college. This is the first time she’s away from her parents, and like yeah she loves them. But the life they live seems like her worst nightmare. Her mom would never paint it that way but Cass imagines the things given up for their relationship… and then BOOM she gets mom’d.

“Often father and daughter look down on mother (woman) together. They exchange meaningful glances when she misses a point. They agree that she is not bright as they are, cannot reason as they do. This collusion does not save the daughter from the mother’s fate.”

But she thinks she can do so much better… and during this time Aemond is better 🥲. And the end ‘we can do better than that’ :(((

One person is at the end of the relationship, the other person is the beginning (or in this case thinks there is more to do). They are just so disconnected, Cassandra finally feels like she has the courage to leave.

I sort of already have the scene where she tells him she wants a divorce (ok so like they go this fancy event or dinner thing, daella is at a friends out and alaric is with grandmother or aunt or uncle. They come back home.. have sex which is not a great decision on Cass’ part. She eventually tells him…. Chaos ensues :/)

[theharrowing]

So it was you!! I should change my name into Sherlock lol

Hello, my dear (ex) Pumpkin Spice

Feels strange and exciting being the one sending you an ask, but I just wanted to stop by and tell you that I read your gift first thing first this morning yesterday it was kinda late and I was too sleepy and just... listen. LISTEN. I want to leave you a review and I'm going to, but right now? My brain is a giddly mess and all I could put down are pterodactyl screeches, nonsense blabberings and just please picture me kicking my feet in the air and giggling and hugging the phone to my chest basically every two sentences.

If you want me to say it more explicitly: I ABSOLUTELY love it. I really felt like a kid opening their presents on a Christmas morning when I read the summary and the fic itself made me a puddle of feels and dreams. It's so beautiful (and long. Oh my stars it's so long and I am a sucker for long fics) and I loved everything about it. Your writing flows so perfectly, the way you describe feelings and fears really hits me in a good way, the banter and friendship between reader and Jiya it's everything I want in a friendship with a coworker, ONYX!! Where is my real life Onyx?! Sigh

The gasp of pure joy I let out when I finally found out why you asked me about gems and stones. I really never saw it coming and I just love the idea of a penpal friendship. It's so original and, really, this is the first time I read something of the sorts. I really never wanted it to end, I was dreading the end.

Also, I don't know how to put into words the comfort I felt reading their exchanges and I just loved finding bits and pieces of what I told you in there.

I say it rarely, but this fic is from now on my comfort fic.

If tumblr eats this ask, I'm gonna cry

Thank you, really. Thank you so much ♡

!!!!!! aaahhhhh i’m so happy! and so excited!!!!!!!

listen: i had maybe 2,000 words written on Thursday morning and then i just sat down and wrote basically the entire thing. like my fingers just couldn’t stop once i got into a groove. i expected part one to be a cool five or seven thousand and then i came stumbling out of Google docs covered in sweat and clutching ten thousand words to my chest. this was such a fun, charming fic to write and i’m so over the moon that you like it. 🥰 and you said you want angst so 😈 i plan to deliver on the promise.

also, can we talk about the Jiya character haha. she became a character because i messaged her the second i was told i was writing for you and i was like “i don’t know them help” and she was like “AAAHHH I LOVE THEM AND I LOVE YOU AND YOU WILL DO GREAT” lolol.

i don’t know what else to say right now lol as much as i enjoy writing and love to receive the praises i never have words to say in response haha. but i’m so happy that you like this. and honestly, Jin is hard to write but when it was settled that it would be him i was like…*cracks knuckles* we both have the sense of humor of a dad I CAN DO THIS.

i am going to try to write part 2 asap because i am honestly dying to know what i do with them next lmao. i never really outline i just see where the writing takes me. (i have a general idea of the ending.)

i may have more questions for you as i conclude this. i hope the similarities between you and mc weren’t too heavy handed but it just felt so natural to weave the story together. i can’t state enough how much joy writing this has brought me 🥰💜

HAPPY HOLIDAY MEI!!!! 🥰🥰🥰

[cyb3rtarot]

hello! i’m a new follower here for a reading from u! could i pls know what i need to know in regards to love? and my question would be, how does the future of my connection with S look like? tysmn -P🫶

Hello! You got tails, a reading on your question!

Raidho, Ace of Hearts, 6 of hearts, 10 of spades

Remember this is a snapshot of current energy and can be subject to change based on free will and life!

Your connection to this person centers on a sense of curiosity and growing. This connection brings out courage to face life, perhaps a lesson, or this could help you grow internally and expand your mind!

Your present card is the Ace of Hearts. This is at its very beginning, I'm not sure if you're not on regular interacting terms with this person yet? But this is ground zero of budding feelings or interest in any kind of relationship. The first seed of a connection which has not really germinated, only been planted. Your card for the near future is the 6 of hearts. This indicates a choice or path. Since this has not yet taken far off the ground, you may have to choose whether you're going to invest more energy into S. Especially if S is male, I see your curiosity being drawn to them and you may wish to get closer or go see them, which could be a fun or new experience. Between now and the near future, there are optimistic feelings. Farther into the future, we have the 10 of Spades. Just going to rip the band-aid off: this is the most definite "end" or "no" card you could get in regards to anything. This is a firm closed door as an end card. There's a shift from budding hope to closed energy or disappointment. If you do see them in person, this could also represent the end of a trip; after spending time in person you could realize later there's not much more to the connection. In general, the current energy for this connection is not carrying it far into the future. Energy is changeable; be aware 10 of spades requires strong effort to overturn. You may find a different perspective on the whole connection along the way. The numerology of your card combinations suggests these things to keep in mind: certain things are pushed together or drift apart as that is where the flow of life leads them [fate]. And, be aware of ideas which develop in one's mind but not in reality. Sometimes the beauty of a connection comes from our temporary energy exchange.

Thank you for participating!!

[eloisamariemonaresduron]

Blog 1: Into the Spotlight with CMUans

Within the sphere of academic endeavors, there are moments that stand out—moments where we must step out of our comfort zone to which excitement and apprehension intertwine, propelling us into uncharted territories of learning and growth. Without further ado, I'm pleased to present our Entrepreneurship Interview with our fellow CMUans.

Experience.

Roaming around the campus whilst deciding who to interview and interview it—for real.

"Can I really do it?"

"Yes, of course, you can! Other students are also just mere humans; they won't eat you alive. Just breathe, approach people, speak, and go with the flow. You'll be fine." I mumbled under my breath, striving to reassure and boost my confidence.

A sigh escaped from me. Just thinking about the idea makes me feel dizzy, close to fainting. Thankfully, I survived the interview. At first, I was a bit nervous approaching random students and asking them about their common problems on campus. But as soon as I got into the groove of it, the excitement took over. I must say it was not that scary at all, it was actually fun and memorable. Walking up to students and initiating conversations about their daily struggles on campus was both nerve-wracking and thrilling. Ultimately, I am grateful to have Yzan as my partner. Her extensive network of acquaintances greatly contributed to our encounters and interviews, enabling me to adjust and feel more comfortable during interactions.

🌻before interview.

This is us before the interview—our preparation phase. During this phase, we strategically assigned ourselves to roles that leverage our individual strengths, aiming to streamline the process effectively under the leadership of Yzan.

🌻during interview.

Our group initially aimed to conduct interviews with 100 students; however, owing to time constraints, we revised our target to 55 respondents. To accommodate this adjustment, our group devised a strategy: two pairs (consisting of Yzan and myself; Donna and Shaila) and the remaining members (Nhicka, Jann, and Fatima) merged together. Furthermore, each team member was tasked the responsibility of reaching out to 7 or 8 respondents to ensure comprehensive coverage, a goal which we have satisfactorily achieved.

Each student presented a unique perspective, and hearing about the diverse challenges students face was eye-opening and somehow relatable. From issues like prevalent waste management to difficulty finding quiet study spaces, the range of problems students shared was vast. Some talked about the struggle of printing due to very far printing locations, while others expressed concerns about transportation and the need for better mental health resources.

What amazed me the most was the creativity and insight students had when it came to potential solutions. Many offered innovative ideas like biodegradable packaging to exemplary services. It was actually inspiring to see how passionate and engaged my fellow students were about improving campus life.

🌻after interview.

After conducting our interviews and consultation with the instructor, we exchanged ideas, recommendations, and data outcomes. With waste management emerging as the predominant concern at the university based on our interview findings, we began exploring potential solutions. With thorough prior preparation, including extensive research and our brainstorming session after the interview, we presented three innovative solutions to our instructor. These proposals were met with approval, ultimately paving the way for the endeavor, in which leaves emerged as the primary raw material, ranked highest among the three options.

Results of the Interview.

The pie chart illustrates the outcomes of our collaborative interview, highlighting the identification of 8 distinct challenges among the students which includes: (1) Tambayan Hub, (2) Mental Health, (3) Ventilation, (4) Printing, (5) Educational Tools, (6) Waste Problems, (7) Transportation, and (8) Illegal Businesses; having waste problems, transportation, and ventilation as its top three. Concurrently, within the merged data that is shown through line chart, it became evident that waste management remains the foremost concern among CMUans. Consequently, we have chosen to pursue an innovative and EcoVenture product, naming it "EVERLEAF," which means everlasting leaves, as we will primarily utilize leaves as our main raw material for the product.

Reflection.

Embarking on an entrepreneurial endeavor is akin to stepping into a thrilling rollercoaster ride, where—indeed the twists and turns of excitement and apprehension intertwine, creating such an unforgettable experience. The experience was enjoying and exhilarating, filled with highs and lows that tested my resilience and determination. From the initial stages of conceptualization to the execution of interviews, every step brought with it a sense of excitement, fueled by the prospect of bringing a novel idea to fruition. However, amidst the thrill, there lingered moments of apprehension, reminders of the uncertainties inherent in the entrepreneurial landscape. Nevertheless, alas! because we successfully accomplished our goals (as of the moment).

Reflecting on the journey, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to have conducted these interviews and embarked on this entrepreneurial endeavor. It has been a transformative experience, shaping my perspective on entrepreneurship and instilling in me a deeper appreciation for the power of innovation. As I look towards the future, I am filled with excitement and anticipation, eager to see where this project takes us and the impact it will create in the world.

Learnings.

This interview has served as a mirror reflecting my weaknesses and strengths. While acknowledging my shortcomings and weakness, particularly in confidence of public speaking and approaching strangers, it has become a catalyst for self-improvement. Moreover, I must conform that conducting interviews proved to be the cornerstone of this journey, offering invaluable insights into the needs and aspirations of potential customers. Each conversation was a revelation, providing a deeper understanding of the challenges they faced and the solutions they yearned for. It was through these interactions that I grasped the essence of entrepreneurship—the ability to empathize with customers and deliver innovative solutions that resonate with their desires.

With all of this being said, allow me to express that I am ready to continue this journey with the company of the girls. I am spurred on to venture beyond my comfort zone, embracing new experiences and unraveling further layers of my potential.

[deripmaver]

laurent is a good person - book 1 meta

one of the most amazing things about captive prince is how the reveals in book 3 recontextualize all of the scenes leading up to them, including about laurent himself. in book one, all we see is damen pov as he’s being abused and humiliated by this supposedly spoiled, vile ice prince. when the regent comes to damen and subtly (and not so subtly) insults laurent, calling him unfit to rule - well, why would he think anything different? laurent has insulted him, had him whipped within an inch of his life, and even attempted to (and later successfully lmfao) have him raped while drugged out of his mind. 

after book 3 we can reread most if not all of book 1 as a very traumatized boy who has finally been confronted with the man who killed his brother, leaving him alone with his abusive uncle, and who he clearly has made into a complete monster in his own mind. damen of course sees him as a complete bitch, but there’s textual/subtextual evidence that laurent is well liked, and that his behavior during book 1 was actually pretty out of character for him. i’d like to provide some examples of that now!!!!

“Laurent had stopped dead the moment he had seen Damen, his face turning white as though in reaction to a slap, or an insult. Damen’s view, half-truncated by the short chain at this neck, had been enough to see that. But Laurent’s expression had shuttered quickly.” Captive Prince, Chapter One

i couldn’t resist adding this one in hehe. laurent recognizes damen!! he’s come down, knowing his uncle has devised another truly horrendous and triggering “gift” and that he’ll lose support if he calls it our for what it truly is, only to find out that it’s fucking damianos of akielos sent to him as a sex slave. a jab at laurent’s trauma about auguste and also a jab at laurent’s frigid sexuality - which ofc is completely the regent’s fault. fuck that guy so much lmfao 

“‘It’s so rare to see you at these entertainments, Your Highness,’ said Vannes.” Captive Prince, Chapter Two.

this is right before the fight between govart and damen in the ring, of course. damen sees laurent as depraved and vile as the sexual sadism on display by the veretian court, and considers him to be a willing purveyor of it. this is wrong, of course, as said by vannes here. laurent has only shown up because he wants to humiliate damen lmfao.

“He did remember being supported by two of the guards, here, in this room, while Radel stared athis back in horror. ‘The Prince really . . . did this.’ ‘Who else?’ Damen said. Radel had stepped forward, and slapped Damen across the face; it was a hard slap, and the man wore three rings on each finger. ‘What did you do to him?’ Radel demanded.” Captive Prince, Chapter Four

this scene, to me, was the most telling lmfao. it’s right after damen is whipped. you could argue that radel is just a servant in the employ of the royal household, so is of course going to be loyal to the prince, but he seems genuinely surprised of the prince’s cruelty towards damen. not only that, but he slaps him and immediately assumes damen must have done something. which - i mean, technically he did lmao. not necessarily enough to deserve having the skin flayed from his back, but you know. if laurent was in the habit of torturing pets and slaves, why would the overseer react this way?

“The men guarding him were the Prince’s Guard, and had no affiliation with the Regent whatsoever. It surprised Damen how loyal they were to their Prince, and how diligent in his service, airing none of the grudges and complaints that he might have expected, considering Laurent’s noxious personality. Laurent’s feud with his uncle they took up wholeheartedly; there were deep schisms and rivalries between the Prince’s Guard and the Regent’s Guard, apparently.” Captive Prince, Chapter Four

laurents relationships with his guards are also some of the biggest indicators that he isn’t just a spoiled brat, but can insire a deep loyalty in his men. even if they do all want to fuck him. ah, sexual harassment. it’s also hilarious that damen immediately assumes they’re loyal to him because they want to fuck him - nice projection there, dude. we know a bit more about laurent and his guards thanks to green but for a season, but this little bit here is interesting.

“Laurent was indeed good at talking. He accepted sympathy gracefully. He put his position rationally. He stopped the flow of talk when it became dangerously critical of his uncle. He said nothing that could be taken as an open slight on the Regency. Yet no one who talked to him could have any doubt that his uncle was behaving at best misguidedly and at worst treasonously.”  Captive Prince, Chapter Five

idek what to say here. laurent my beloved <3333

“‘When someone doesn’t like you very much, it isn’t a good idea to let them know that you care about something,’ said Laurent. Damen felt himself turn ashen, as the threat sank in. ‘Would it hurt worse than a lashing for me to cut down someone you care for?’ said Laurent.” Captive Prince, Chapter Seven

this isn’t really relevant to my thesis lmfao i just love this exchange bc it gives SO MUCH information about laurent and his uncle in just three lines of dialogue. what has the regent done, who did he cut down just to hurt laurent? when and how did laurent learn that? p a i n 

“Laurent’s fussy horse began acting out again, and he leaned forward in the saddle, murmuring something as he stroked her neck in an uncharacteristically gentle gesture to quiet her.” Captive Prince, Chapter Nine. 

HORSEY NO- lmfao this scene just hurts so badly on the reread. especially later on, in book 3 i think, where laurent says something like “i provoked my uncle.” he’s really blaming himself for his uncle KILLING HIS HORSE, his horse that his murdered brother trained, one of the only living connections to auguste... all because his uncle could not let a single miniscule plan laurent had set go through without some kind of repercussion. literally all laurent did was do something to stop an innocent group of people from being abused, nothing to undermine his uncle’s rule, but because the regent is VILE he could not let laurent have even this. he’s so good with her, too. he must have known by this point and also known that there was no way to stop this. P A I N

“‘I know that you have somehow arranged this,’ said Erasmus. He was incapable of hiding what he felt, and just seemed to radiate embarrassed happiness. ‘You kept your promise. You and your master. I told you he was kind,’ Erasmus said. ‘You did,’ said Damen. He was pleased to see Erasmus happy. Whatever Erasmus believed about Laurent, Damen wasn’t going to dissuade him. ‘He’s even nicer in person. Did you know he came and talked to me?’ said Erasmus. ‘—He did?’ said Damen. It was something he couldn’t imagine. ‘He asked about . . . what happened in the gardens. Then he warned me. About last night.’ ‘He warned you,’ said Damen. ‘He said that Nicaise would make me perform before the court and it would be awful, but that if I was brave, something good might come at the end of it.’ Erasmus looked up at Damen curiously. ‘Why do you look surprised?’ ‘I don’t know. I shouldn’t be. He likes to plan things in advance,’ said Damen.” Captive Prince, Chapter 9.

this is the first in-text confirmation we have that laurent has a good heart beneath his layers and layers of trauma-induced lashing out. book one often skeeves people out because of its graphic and, honestly, yes, kind of sexualized depiction of rape, slavery, and depravity, but beneath it all you meet these two protagonists who are going to have all of their most deeply held views about each other challenged. laurent from very early on is shaken to his core when damen refuses to rape nicaise in the ring - it cracks the very foundations of the person he’d built up in his head as this horrible monster who killed his brother in cold blood. and damen keeps defying laurents expectations by being a good person through and through. on the other hand, laurent spends the first part of the book taking out years of anger on damen, but here for the first time we see him do something just because its the kind thing to do. yes, torveld is an ally against his uncle, but laurent has clearly been scheming with him for a while now, and he’s now overlooking his hatred of damen and working with him just because none of the slaves deserve whats happened to them. it’s such a sweet moment.

“One of the other men, eyeing them, approached a moment later. ‘Don’t mind Jean. He’s in a foul mood. He was the one had to stick a sword through the mare’s throat and put her down. The Prince tore strips off him for not doing it fast enough.’” Captive Prince, Chapter Nine.

HORSEY NO- pt 2. this is just another really sweet and sad detail - laurent being so upset that the horse’s death could have been more painless. it must have hurt so much to see her in pain, and to know that the only way for that pain to end was being put down as quickly as possible. i wuv him. im sad

that’s it, though there are still a few more chapters left in the book. this isn’t providing any new information, of course, the path of the three books is to show that laurent isnt the man we meet in book one, that he’s actually sweet, and earnest, and he’s been fighting his own battle practically alone against his abuser since he was fifteen years old. also, the reveal that laurent knew who damianos was from the start makes it clear imo that all of his violence in book 1 was supposed vengence, not... him being evil. he apologizes explicitly in-text, and also, all of the acts of violence he commits cause serious problems for him in terms of his future alliance which he then needs to fix. i just love how layered these books are, how there’s so much information in them that makes rereading almost more fun than reading them for the very first time!

[diavolosthots]

Hello♡ I'd like to request a small fic where Diavolo is finally invited out on a fun activity. The boy is always so lonely and busy he needs time to relax! Maybe shopping with MC or just a walk in the park. Just some wholesome fun for the lonely man. ♡♡ thank you.

He is lonely boy but not with me around ! 😤😤😤 also I kinda came up with a separate idea

You Got a Friend in Me (DIAVOLO X GN!READER)

The rules were simple: Diavolo is to draw from a hat that had several folded pieces of paper in it, all of which have different activities written on them. Things like hiking, stargazing, going to the club, making homemade pizza, having a movie marathon, among other things have all been taken into consideration and you hoped Diavolo would choose one that he actually liked. “You can only pick one but if you absolutely hate it then tell me so we can switch it out.” He’s honestly just excited that anyone is willing to spend time with him so even if it was something that wasn’t quite up his alley, he would still do it because it came from you, a very considerate and kind person, and because it will get him out and about. Barbatos approved all the fun activities first hand so Diavolo knows it can’t be anything terribly bad. Although, you did find it weird that Barbatos had to monitor what you wrote down? Did he actually think you’d put Diavolo in danger? Something tells you that even the thought of putting the future King in danger could get you executed and you’re not too keen on that. 

“Did you get one?” He’s had his hand stuck in that little hat for ages now and you were growing just a tiny bit impatient from it, but he only laughed a bit before jumping on his feet once. “I have to make sure it’s the right one! Feel it out a bit!” But then he pulls his hand out, holding one of the folded pieces of paper with a grin on his face before wiggling his eyebrows at you, “I feel like this is the one…. I’m so excited! I wonder what it is?” You rolled your eyes, although you were smiling. His happiness was truly contagious and you can’t help but be just as curious as him. The hat was put on the table before you moved a bit closer and urged Diavolo to unfold the tiny piece of paper, nudging his arm a bit, “open it!” And he did, but oh so slowly. He’s messing with you at this point but whatever, you had all day and you’re sure the demon just loved the idea of free time and potentially getting away from the castle, depending on the paper he chose, but you also wouldn’t mind staying inside. 

“Make ice cream cones for each other….” He’s reading it with less excitement than you would have hoped but your own excitement started to show and you quickly snatched the paper from his hands and then jumped up in front of him with a grin, “yes!! You like ice cream right?! Great!” You didn’t even give him time to answer before grabbing his hand and dragging him off to the castle’s kitchen where Barbatos already had several pints of ice cream flavors laid out. Sneaky butler and his stupid ability to look into the future, but whatever. Diavolo started to smile behind you although he doesn’t fully see yet how this could be exciting. You seemed happy though, so that made this a little bit better. “Okay, so! Basically you and I are going to take one of these…. “ You turned around and pointed at Barbatos who pulled out two waffle cones but instead of cones they were in the shape of boats. Clever, right? “And we’re going to take these flavors of ice cream and some of the candies to decorate and basically make an ice cream boat that represents us. So I will make one that I believe represents you and you’ll make one that you believe represents me! I made sure it’s human world ice cream since Barbatos couldn’t guarantee that Devildom ice cream won’t kill me.” You smiled sheepishly, handing him one of the waffle boats before stepping back. 

“So your station is over there and mine is here. We all have the same ice cream flavors and the same candies for decoration. You can try some of them if you’re unsure on what they are but… have fun with it, okay? And after we exchange boats, we can eat them!” Seriously, how is this not exciting? Diavolo was still staring at his waffle boat, trying to comprehend everything you told him. “So… I’ll make an ice cream boat that I think represents you…. Got it.” He’s just mumbling and acting kind of serious but not because he thinks it’s lame or he wishes he would have picked something else, no. “Okay. But mine will be better than yours, (Y/N).” He grins at you and you couldn’t help but grin back, adding a wink too. “We’ll see about that, hot shot.” A soft blush was tinting his cheeks when you winked at him and he quickly turned around to start looking at the ice cream flavors. 

To you, the best part about this is that you can let your creativity flow and also eat it afterward. You get to work and be rewarded immediately after. This is definitely a win-win situation, at least in your eyes. Diavolo reminds you of fun times and way too many responsibilities that you’d rather hand to someone else, like Lucifer! So you decided to build a little man. You started with three scoops of raspberry ice cream on the bottom of the boat before stacking it with one pistachio and one cotton candy before topping it off with one scoop of chocolate. It made you smile because it’s so colorful but also somewhat serious with the raspberry and chocolate. An idea for using M&Ms as eyes and pretzels as arms came into your mind and of course you used airhead extremes as a tongue because Diavolo is a silly man. One Reese's cup was used as a hat because if anyone would wear something silly, it’s him. Lastly, you filled the boat with gummy bears and more M&Ms before taking a piece of a twizzler and using it to make a smile. “I’m done! How is yours going?”

Diavolo honestly thought this was kind of silly at first but you seemed happy so he did his best. “One moment….” He’s been trying some of the candy because he was unsure what all of them were. Some were good and others he secretly spit out again, but now he has finished his masterpiece as well and proudly holds it up, turning around to look at you, “Here. Do you like it?” He managed to do something similar to yours, kind of. He filled the bottom with pretzels to kind of imitate grass before making a little person. He used vanilla, orange, strawberry, and lemon ice cream on his because you remind him of bright, happy days and he likes it like that. For the eyes he used blue M&Ms and a piece of a twizzler for the smile, just like you. However, he also used some of the twizzler to make something that resembles hair and then he managed to make a little bouquet of flowers that the ice cream you is holding. Pretzels, marshmallows and skittles go a long way, you know? 

“Wow… wait… that’s… I love it.” You smiled happily and stepped closer before looking at him sheepishly. “I chose some of the colors based on your every day life…. You always look so happy but you also have so much responsibility, which is why I used some of the darker ice cream colors like chocolate and raspberry… but there’s still brightness and love inside so those are the brighter colors. And then you’re really silly so I gave you a hat and a long tongue with the candy. I kind of ran out on what I should do with the bottom but… I hope you like M&Ms.” Your words touched him in a weird way. No one ever pays attention to him outside of what they need to pay attention to, but you managed to make a whole ice cream sculpture of what you view him as and that makes him feel super special. “Thank you…” and he actually leans down to kiss your head before pulling back with a smile and handing you the boat he made before taking his own. “You’re always bright and happy, too, which is why I used only the bright ice cream colors. I don’t know what they are but they look like they represent fun and excitement, which is what I get when I’m with you. The stick thingies on the bottom are supposed to be grass…. And then you’re holding a little bouquet because every wonderful person deserves flowers… I do hope I got your hair right, though.”

You giggled a bit, holding the boat up higher and then looking at it with a smile, nodding. “I love it. Thanks…. I really hope you like your ice cream boat. Do you want to eat them? And then you can maybe pull something else from the hat since this wasn’t super exciting.” But Diavolo shook his head, snorting a bit before wrapping an arm around you and pulling you in tightly, making sure that the boats didn’t get crushed, “Please do tell me you’re joking. No one has ever done something so extraordinary, yet so silly with me. I would love to eat them with you.” Honestly when you’re so close to him and he’s showing gratitude and happiness, how can you say no? You pulled back just enough to lean up and kiss his cheek before setting your boat down and going off to find some spoons. “We should take a picture with them before we eat them…” “Actually…. They’re missing one more thing.” you turned back around to look at Diavolo confused but as soon as you did, he sprayed a huge chunk of whipped cream on your head and then your lips before leaning down and licking it off of them. 

“I knew it. Your lips do make everything taste better.” 

[tsunderedoctor]

Helloo, how are you? I hope you're well ☺️ I loved your shanks, ace and law with a "childish" s/o. If you can, may we have the same HCs with killer, mihawk and doffy?

Thank you so much! Take care and drink water. And by the way: I lovee your work! 💕

Oh, this sounds so fun!! Thank you so much for your kind words!!💕 And you too, boo! Drink all that water! 

Babes Below~!

Killer

Killer is a low-key soft boy, change my mind! The man will probably do whatever you ask from him, even if it seems embarrassing or ridiculous. Want to braid his hair? Here’s a brush. Night time slumber party? Will take a nap midday to stay up longer with you in the night.

I like to think, similar to Law, he has a soft spot for cute things, and your childish nature is just too cute for the man. He may die from a heart attack, if you aren’t too careful-

He also has that calm about him that just goes with the flow, but of course will react if needed. Kid will sometimes have to drag him away from you, and you two will argue over who has rights over the man. Will legit just leave you both while you argue and handle the situation himself.

He likes the pictures you draw of him and you together, it reminds him of his childhood in a way and helps him stay grounded and remind him he’s human. I headcanon that he doesn’t like all the names he gets or his large size, so praise this man for being the perfect size for piggy back rides and call him cute names!

He probably won’t talk to any animals with you, but will stand by you as you pet them, think of the meme where the couple just watches the ants do their thing. 

Won’t tolerate people making fun of you or stating you are annoying due to your childish antics, he finds you pure and angelic, so takes personal offense when someone states negative thoughts about you.

Dracule Mihawk

Another one who is quiet, but also would enjoy a childish s/o at times! I say at times, because he knows he is a dangerous entity and has lots of enemies. He doesn’t want someone who is innocent in nature to get hurt due to his actions. 

If he was in a situation where he didn’t have any enemies or threats after his life, than I would say he would relish in being with you. He appreciates the positivity you bring into his usual quite and lonesome life, he also appreciates that you get along with Perona and you two tend to run off causing childish antics together (that part he doesn’t like so much-). 

Never gets annoyed or irritated with your questions, and always answers them in ways he knows you both understand. He doesn’t think of you as dumb or foolish, just knows that sometimes he can speak in ways that are too confusing. 

If you give him drawings, he will give you poems and love songs in return. He finds these little gift exchanges to be more romantic than any fancy gift or jewelry he could buy you. 

Due to his quiet, laid back nature, you might find yourself bored at times and if Perona is not around you can get even more bored and antsy. He can feel it in the air and sighs to himself, offering to entertain you in a tea party or some form of dress up. 

Will not mention you to anyone or anything, not that he is ashamed of you, rather he is terrified of losing you. So you bet your butt you are staying in the castle when he has to go to Warlord meetings, no you cannot talk your way out of it. 

Donquixote Doflamingo

Now Doffy is a tricky one, he finds your childish behaviors and antics to be amusing and relatively cute. However, when he is a bad mood, he might use your innocent nature for his own advantage.

He has a corruption kink, and loves the idea that no matter what he does or says to you, you still stick by his side and never seem to change your behavior either. He supposes your childish nature also makes you stubborn, but deep down he loves that loyalty.

When he’s not in the mood to deal with you, he will suggest you play with Sugar or Dellinger. If you persist you want to stay with him, or even play with him, your only response will be a Joker grin and him getting rough with you. You will probably leave with regret and bruises if you aren’t too careful.

Sometimes your behaviors remind him of his childhood and Rosi, so he can be even extra sour and bitter at times, don’t take it to heart too much, he does appreciate your loyalty and dedication, he just wishes you didn’t remind him of such rotten memories.

Gets a kick out of you defending him, and telling others he is a good person. It definitely feeds his ego, that someone as cute and innocent as you, sees something in him. He muses he should get your eyes fixed or replaced, but decides against it. 

Similar to anyone in his family, he does not take kindly to others mocking you or patronizing you for your actions. If he didn’t find it annoying than neither should others. He tells you he has to discipline his followers better if they think they can get away with hurting a family member, hurting you.

Tag List: @chloe-nanami @musical-apple @macdonaldsmanager @luxiditea @onepieceya @undercoverweeeb and whoever else wants to join in!

[turtle-go-brrrr]

Scratch my shell, I scratch yours

A/N: Heya! So remember two posts ago where I said I wouldn't write fics because I'm not confident enough in my writing to post it? Yeah, me neither. I started writing this at 6 am because I couldn't sleep and kept working on it during the day, so enjoy ^^(I got a little tired at the end, and i think you can feel it ;w; hope it’s good enough anyway!)

Also, I’m a sucker for platonic intimacy, and there is a severe lack of platonic x reader in this fandom

Fun fact: the Shell is both the Dorsal (part on the back) AND the Plastron (part on the front).

Requested: No

Pairing: None, platonic

Word count: 2500 +

Triggers: None

Summary: You make an embarrassing suggestion that they surprisingly accept.

_____________________________________________________________

The idea came to you in a random conversation you had as you sat on their couch.

"But wait, you can really reach everywhere? Like if I touch here-", you point to a crevice in the middle of his shell. "You're telling me you can bend your arm enough to get here?"

Leonardo gently takes your wrist and pull your hand away. "I mean, we have some of those telescopic scrubs to help, you know? Or we can just ask each other to get to the hard places if it's really complicated."

Oh.

"Oh. Yeah, that makes sense."

You have been asking a few questions about their shells after Raphael started showing off some of his scars, fascinated by the intricate patterns you could see on your friends. The topic of cleaning has be brought up, and as your curiosity took charge, your brain decided to embarrass you as much as it could.

"Do you think I could help?"

Only the faint background music Mikey had set up earlier could be heard as your mutant friends looked at you, eyes wide open.

Oh, that came out wrong.

"Wait, that's not what I-", you start to explain your line of thoughts when you get interrupted by the smug look Mikey sent you, as he harbored a teasing smile.

"Oh? I didn't realize that's what you meant when you said you wanted to hang out more," he wiggles his eyebrows as your nervous laughter fills the room.

"Hold on, I can explain."

Silence again.

"Oh, you're actually listening?"

"I mean, I think we're all dying to know why on earth you'd want to take a shower with us. You're not usually this upfront with your affection," Donatello chimes in. He's not even looking at you in the eyes, but doesn't really try to hide that stupid smirk.

Bastard.

You take a deep breath, trying to focus on not letting the embarassement take over, but your voice shakes imperceptibly, and you can feel youself start to sweat. Great.

"Okay, so I was thinking : you guys always do so much for the city and never get anything in return. I remember Mikey told me that you guys love shell scratches, and now I can see that you have some trouble cleaning it, so maybe I can help with that ? Kinda like a massage sort of thing, it doesn’t have to be weird if no one makes it. Now obviously we’ll be wearing swimsuits, we’re not close enough for… you know… actually taking a shower together, " you try clearing your throat discretly. You hear a muffled laugh from Raph.

"Anyway, I think Casey knows where to buy the best animal care product. I think human stuff might not be suitable for your shells, and I read somewhere that water was the best way to clean a turtle shell anyways, but if you have suggestions just let me know what you usually use. Do you even have swimsuits ? Doesn’t matter, I’m sure we can find you some-"

As you rambled on, the slight shame started to wear off and you were able to explain your line of thoughts more clearly. The awkwardness of the situation seemed to settle down, even if your friends were absolutely going to tease you about it later. Leonardo seemed hesitant, though.

"I don’t know, man. Are you sure about this ? I don’t want you to feel like you have to. We can take care of ourselves, you know."

"I’m not gonna force you if you don’t want to, I’m just offering because I want to do something nice for you guys. You can’t really take a break, but you could at least relax a bit."

"I’m up for it." You didn’t expect Raph to agree so quickly, but maybe you should have anticipatd that as you look at the bags under his eyes. "I mean, the worst thing that could happen is falling asleep while getting a massage from a friend. Kinda sounds like a dream if you ask me. "

‘Well that was easy,’ you think as your face lightens up.

"Besides, we can laugh at them for wanting to shower with us. Didn’t think you’d want to be so intimate, " he purrs as he gives you a side glance.

Oh. Bastard number two.

"Alright. Sure. You know what, fair game, " you laugh it off. Mikey puts a reassuring arm around your shoulders as Donnie places his legs on your laps.

"We do have swimwear, so you don’t need to worry about that. And you were right about using only water to clean it, as human products tends to make us itchy afterwards. There are some types of oil we use sometimes to nourish our shells, however. I think the only thing we might need to look into is new brushes. The ones we have are, hum, barely hanging on."

You send a quick text to Casey and April to let them know about the plan after making a short list of supplies with Leo, who ended up agreeing.

It didn’t take that much convincing.

____________________________

Saturday came fast. After getting all the necessary supplies with Casey, you both made your wait to the lair to join April. They had both agreed to help you in your task, because 'damn, they really need some appreciation'.

"When do you think they'll be back?" You ask Splinter as he offers you a cup of spiced tea.

"Usually around one in the morning, unless they were delayed."

Unless something went wrong.

But those dark thought quickly faded away as you heard the faint echo of Mikey's laughter as he recalled their night. Light chatter filled the room as they took off their gear and put away their weapons, and April hushed them to get changed and take a quick shower so they could get started and finally have some sort of a break.

You could see they were excited as they each went their own way, waiting for their turn to the shower.

When you live in the sewers and try to turn it into a living space, you have to do what you can with what you have. And sometimes, what you have is a large space that you can turn into a huge bathroom, with multiple showers and a large bathtub; but what you don't have is privacy. So big communal bathroom it is.

In this specific case, it's a good thing, because it means you can all chill together as you get to work on their shells. Once everyone was settled in, April motioned them to sit on some of the chairs you put up. She opens the bag Casey and you brought and starts getting the multiple brushes and bottle out.

"You have to understand that you guys are, uh, gigantic. So try to stay at our level, okay? And stay put, please. Anyway, here is what we've got for you: there are multiple brushes - one of each type for each of you - and some are harder than the others. Don't worry, we'll try not to scrub your shell off of you," she winks at that, and holds back a laugh at Raph's worried expression.

She continues. "We also found the oil Donnie told us about, and we bought multiple bottles. You'll have a stack for next time." She then gets one last bottle out that she puts aside.

"That one is for Splinter. To make his fur all soft and shiny," you butt in with an innocent smile. The old man deserves a treat too.

Casey laughs at that and says, "So, there's tree of us and four of you. Who is okay waiting for his turn?"

Silence.

After a solid minute, Leonardo sighs and volunteers to let his brothers enjoy a well deserved spoiling session. Mikey, instead of sitting on a chair like a normal person, choose instead to lay down on the bathroom floor.

"You said it was basically a massage, right? Now it really feels like it!"

"Oh, good idea. I'm this close to getting a pillow and having the nap of my life," Donnie says, putting his fingers together.

"Your fingers are touching."

"I know," he gives you a side smile as he starts to get up, but you quickly bring him back to reality. "But there's gonna be water everywhere?" You sit down next to where he just was and watch as he goes back to where he sat, sending you a disapproving side glance.

"Let a turtle dream, will you?" He lays down on his stomach, puts his head on his arms, and scouts closer to you.

You watch Raph get settled on a chair next to Casey, putting his arms on the backrest as April hands you one of the harder brushes. Leo makes a quick trip to the kitchen and brings back some water, a few snacks, and a copy of Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne.

"Again," you start. "There's gonna be water everywhere. Are you sure bringing a book here is a good idea?"

He gives you a sly smile. "Gotta live up to my name."

What?

"What?"

"You know," Mikey interrupts. "Fearless."

"Oh. Right. Well, don't come crying when you drop it into a puddle then." But you offer him a plastic bag anyway, to hold his book with it in case he wets his hands.

"You sure you're okay waiting?" Casey asks him as he starts pouring water over Raph's back.

"Yeah, don't worry. I have things to keep me busy anyway."

______________________________

It took one swipe of the brush from April for Mikey to start... what was the word? Churring.

A low rumble coming from his throat that had kind of the same function as a cat's purr, Donnie explained. It was an expression of contentment or happiness, that sometimes even happended when they needed reassurance.

Adorable.

"I can't believe you guys can purr and never told me." Raph doesn't even bother opening his eyes when he answers you, "We knew you'd take advantage of that. Didn't want to be babied by the tiniest human we ever met."

Asshole.

You went back and forth with the gruff turtle, always in good spirit though. Conversations flowed, laughter were exchanged, and everyone managed to lighten up. Master Splinter joined the group at some point, and was just glad to spend some time with his family - all of it. He also started to take cared of Leo’s dorsal, to his delight.

You don't exactly know when, but some time after Donnie started to let go some soft churrs as you scrubbed the dirt off of his shell, you stopped listening to the current topic and started to really focus on your task.

Scrapping the dirt hidden in between every crevice, rubbing the largest scales, you were surprised by the look of the bare shell of your nerdy friend. You never really stopped to observe this particular feature the four brothers harbored, not only out of decency, but also because it was always covered. Gear and clothes, backpack and tech, dirt and blood, there was always something hiding the intricate patterns of their shells.

You unconsciously slowed down to really take in what you were seeing, your fascination and curiosity taking over your wish to help.

"I don't know why, but I never expected your shell to be so colorful," you say after wiping away the dirty water from the left side of his back. You didn’t mean to say it at loud, but he doesn't answer you. However, you do get something from Mikey.

"Man, you should see mine! Don helped me create an organic paint so I can paint my shell without hurting myself with a bunch of chemicals, and it looks sooo damn good-"

"Shh!"

"... Did they- Did you just shush me?"

"Shhh!" You whisper yell this time. You then give a side glance toward the sleeping turtle under you.

"Annw. Good luck waking him up."

"Yeah, I'm... not doing that. He needs his sleep," you laugh quietly.

______________________________

It took the three of you around an hour to deep clean their shells. Even Raph was finally letting go and softly churring at the end. Mikey was loud enough to have trouble speaking, and Donnie was still asleep. Splinter was still working meticulously on his son, who, he could tell, had a hard time holding back the content churrs that threatened to spill out.

You get up and strech, feeling your joints crack and already anticipating how sore you’ll be tomorrow. The muscles in your arms were burning, and you couldn’t feel your butt anymore, but it was worth it. You’ve never seen the four mutants so relaxed before.

Remembering the oils, you went toward the towels to dry your friend’s back and give the final touch to, what you’d grow to refer to, your work of art. You gave a few head scratches to Raph, who was dozing off with a lazy smile, and went back to Donatello. You slowly dried his dorsal when you felt him shift under your hands.

"Hey buddy," you speak softly. He whispers a ‘hey’ you can barrely hear.

"I’m almost done. I just have to put the oil, then you can let it dry and go to sleep, okay ? " You open the bottle and get a paintbrush, with which you start coating his shell with a thin layer of oil. You can hear his soft churrs start again.

Casey accidentally dropped the bottle of oil on Raph’s back and was desperatly trying to gather as much as he could. "Shi- Fuck, wait-"

"Here, give me some. Thanks to you, I don’t have to open mine, " April said with a smirk. She helped him clean up before going back to Mikey, who raised himself on his forearms and watched the scene unfold with a tired smile.

It took only around twenty minute to put the oil on their shells and get it almost dried up. Once it was done, you helped Splinter and Casey clean up as April let her dizzy friends hold onto her, guiding them on their way to their room. Once it was all done, you waved Leo good night as Raph ruffled your hair and went to sleep. Mikey gave you a big hug and thanked you for the ‘bonker idea’ and made you promise to do it again soon, which you agreed on.

April was already sleeping in the big armchair next to the couch, Casey in a sort of little nest of blankets and pillows at her feet. As you made your way to the couch – your makeshift bed for the night – Donnie was passed out cold on it already. And, boy, does he takes up a lot of space.

You felt a hand on your shoulder and turned to see Splinter standing next to you. "I’m sure he wouldn’t mind you borrowing his bed for the night. "

"I– are you sure ? "

"He stole yours. He’ll live. " A gentle smile tugged at his lips as he guided you to your friend’s room, offering you a spare blanket and pillow. "Have a good night, Y/N. You know where to find me if you need anything."

”Thank you, Master Splinter.” You can feel your eyelid close on their own, and decide to finally call it a night. You got settled as best you could in the bed, and fell asleep as soon as your head hit the pillow.

A warm breakfast would await you in the morning.