#we have to deal with painfully hot summers

[piracytheorist]

Can mosquitoes like. die already. It's November. It is actually getting cold, not as cold as it used to, but cold. Just fucking die.

[sassenach77yle]

“You thought you were dying when we brought you up here, didn’t you?” I asked. My voice sounded more bewildered than accusing. It took him a moment to answer, though he didn’t look hesitant. It was more as though he was looking for the proper words. “Well, I didna ken for sure, no,” he said slowly. “Though I did feel verra ill.” His eyes closed, slowly, as though he were too tired to keep them open. “I still do,” he added, in a detached sort of voice.

“Ye needna worry, though—I’ve made my choice.”

“What on earth do you mean by that?” I groped beneath the covers, and found his wrist. He was warm; hot again, in fact, and with a pulse that was too fast, too shallow. Still, it was so different from the deathly chill I had felt in him the night before that my first reaction was relief. He took a couple of deep breaths, then turned his head and opened his eyes to look at me. “I mean I could have died last night.” He could, certainly—and yet that wasn’t what he meant. He made it sound like a conscious— “What do you mean you’ve made your choice? You’ve decided not to die, after all?” I tried to speak lightly, but it wasn’t working very well. I remembered all too well that odd sense of timeless stillness that had surrounded us. “It was verra strange,” he said. “And yet it wasna strange at all.” He sounded faintly surprised.

“I think,” I said carefully, keeping a thumb on his pulse, “you’d better tell me just what happened.” He actually smiled at that, though the smile was more in his eyes than his lips. Those were dry, and painfully cracked in the corners. I touched his lips with a finger, wanting to go and fetch some soothing ointment for him, some water, some tea—but I put aside the impulse, steeling myself to stay and hear. “I dinna really know, Sassenach—or rather, I do, but I canna think quite how to say it.” He still looked tired, but his eyes stayed open. They lingered on my face, a vivid blue in the morning light, with an expression almost of curiosity, as though he hadn’t seen me before.

“You are so beautiful,” he said, softly. “So verra beautiful, mo chridhe.”

My hands were covered with fading blue blotches and overlooked smears of buffalo blood, I could feel my hair clinging in unwashed tangles to my neck, and I could smell everything from the stale-urine odor of dye to the reek of fear-sweat on my body. And yet whatever he saw lit his face as though he were looking at the full moon on a summer night, pure and lovely. His eyes stayed fixed on my face as he talked, absorbed, moving slightly as they seemed to trace my features. “I felt verra badly indeed when Arch and Roger Mac brought me up,” he said. “Terribly sick, and my leg and my head both throbbing with each heartbeat, so much that I began to dread the next. And so I would listen to the spaces between. Ye wouldna think it,” he said, sounded vaguely surprised, “but there is a great deal of time between the beats of a heart.” He had, he said, begun to hope, in those spaces, that the next beat would not come. And slowly, he realized that his heart was indeed slowing—and that the pain was growing remote, something separate from himself. His skin had grown colder, the fever fading from both body and mind, leaving the latter oddly clear. “And this is where I canna really say, Sassenach.” He pulled his wrist from my grip in the intensity of his story, and curled his fingers over mine. “But I . . . saw.” “Saw what?” And yet I already knew that he couldn’t tell me. Like any doctor, I had seen sick people make up their minds to die—and I knew that look they sometimes had; eyes wide-fixed on something in the distance. He hesitated, struggling to find words. I thought of something, and jumped in to try to help. “There was an elderly woman,” I said. “She died in the hospital where I was on staff—all her grown children with her, it was very peaceful.” I looked down, my own eyes fixed on his fingers, still red and slightly swollen, interlaced with my own stained and bloody digits. “She died—she was dead, I could see her pulse had stopped, she wasn’t breathing. All her children were by her bedside, weeping. And then, quite suddenly, her eyes opened. She wasn’t looking at any of them, but she was seeing something. And she said, quite clearly, ‘Oooh!’ Just like that—thrilled, like a little girl who’s just seen something wonderful. And then she closed her eyes again.” I looked up at him, blinking back tears. “Was it—like that?” He nodded, speechless, and his hand tightened on mine. “Something like,” he said, very softly. He had felt oddly suspended, in a place he could by no means describe, feeling completely at peace—and seeing very clearly. “It was as if there was a—it wasna a door, exactly, but a passageway of some kind—before me. And I could go through it, if I wanted. And I did want to,” he said, giving me a sideways glance and a shy smile. He had known what lay behind him, too, and realized that for that moment, he could choose. Go forward—or turn back. “And that’s when you asked me to touch you?” “I knew ye were the only thing that could bring me back,” he said simply. “I didna have the strength, myself.” There was a huge lump in my throat; I couldn’t speak, but squeezed his hand very tight. “Why?” I asked at last. “Why did you . . . choose to stay?” My throat was still tight, and my voice was hoarse. He heard it, and his hand tightened on mine; a ghost of his usual firm grip, and yet with the memory of strength within it. “Because ye need me,” he said, very softly. “Not because you love me?” He looked up then, with a shadow of a smile.

“Sassenach . . . I love ye now, and I will love ye always. Whether I am dead—or you—whether we are together or apart. You know it is true,” he said quietly, and touched my face. “I know it of you, and ye know it of me as well.”

He bent his head then, the bright hair swinging down across his cheek. “I didna mean only you, Sassenach. I have work still to do. I thought—for a bit—that perhaps it wasna so; that ye all might manage, with Roger Mac and auld Arch, Joseph and the Beardsleys. But there is war coming, and—for my sins—” he grimaced slightly, “I am a chief.” He shook his head slightly, in resignation. “God has made me what I am. He has given me the duty—and I must do it, whatever the cost.”

“The cost,” I echoed uneasily, hearing something harsher than resignation in his voice. He looked at me, then glanced, almost off-handed, toward the foot of the bed. “My leg’s no much worse,” he said, matter-of-factly, “but it’s no better. I think ye’ll have to take it off.”

The fiery cross

[sparrowrye]

Demi Demon || Alastor x Reader, part 22

Synopsis: soulmate AU where you have the same mark on your body as your soulmate, and if your soulmate dies, you die too. Alastor needs to make sure that his soulmate is safe so he can continue his reign - whatever that takes. Though it looks like we have a couple secrets of our own.

Previous part

Part 22: in your nature

WARNING: a little graphic/gruesome; also very long lol

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You doing okay?" Husker asked.

We were sitting out on the porch again. He had his bottle of liquor in hand and I had his phone. I was looking through for more shirts since I—well, Alastor—had gotten blood on some of mine. I was using my Human form and resting my cheek on my fist.

"Always," I responded. I kept scrolling through the website in search of my size. Most of the stores didn't have mine in stock at their locations. I had read an article some time ago, when I had snuck Husker's phone, about how clothes could be ordered in any size at any time to be delivered within a few days. That was before the Great Collapse.

Husker and I stayed outside in the cool summer breeze until dusk. He managed to coax me into talking about the ring fights when I was a kid and I managed to get him to talk about his own life.

He grew up on the surface with his mother, never knowing his father, and got himself into gambling at casinos. He was born after the collapse and supposedly worked with Human Alastor at some point. He wouldn't go into detail because it eventually lead to his deal with the Radio Demon. Since serving Alastor, he's been spending a lot of time in Hell until he was brought up to watch me.

I tried a different store through his phone for clothes. He disappeared inside for another bottle of alcohol. Now that the pretty sky had turned dark, I was about ready to follow him inside. I let out a heavy sigh and stood up.

Then I froze.

I could hear something. It was a buzzing sound. It was close, as if right beneath me but the floorboards were the only thing there. I let my Demon ears show to hear better, quickly discovering the noise coming from Husker's phone.

I clicked open the phone to see a bright blue screen. Rings of red pulsed through the screen and I felt a strange buzz going through my jaw and into my head. I felt a weird, spikey energy pushing into my shields. I immediately strengthened them and shoved the presence away, my eyes never leaving the screen.

The phone began to grow hot. I tried to let go but I couldn't force my fingers to unravel. Something sharp pinched my hand and ran all throughout my body. I tried to retract but my whole body felt like it was being electrocuted. Everything shook uncontrollably.

I fell backwards, my entire body painfully tense as the spikes of electricity faded from my bones. I opened my eyes to a large, extravagant, and bright red room. There were huge windows on one side of the room and everything outside seemed just as red.

"Well hello, my dear." Vox stepped in my view and held out a blue clawed hand. "Welcome to the Vees." He put his hand in my face until I finally took it and let him help me to my feet. He stood a head taller than me.

"Why am I here?" I asked. I caught sight of two Overlords sitting on the couch behind him. One of them was the ring owner who had tried to drug me. Ponytails was the other one.

"I tried to send you an invitation but you know how Alastor is with technology," Vox laughed, his smile wide across his flat screen face. "We never got to properly meet with the whole ring fight and all."

That's when it clicked. He had been the announcer. I knew I recognized his voice.

"What do you want?" my tone hardened.

"Just a friendly chat. Is that too much to ask these days?"

"You tried to kill me."

"I tried to have you killed," he clarified, sticking his claw close to my face, "I didn't lay a finger on you." My expression didn't lessen, my tail whipping side to side behind me. I could feel the ring owner trying to push through my shields.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"Did Alastor not tell you about me?" He put his hands over his heart.

"He doesn't really talk about himself." I scrunched my nose so my sharp teeth poked through my lips.

"Surely he told you about his dear old pal? His best friend?"

"I didn't know he had those." That made all three Ovelords laugh. They laughed for awhile and Vox fell onto the couch wiping away an electronic tear.

"Wow, you really are his soulmate."

I grimaced at Vox's words. My ears fell back a little and I shifted my feet, ignoring the offer to sit beside him.

"You know~," the ring owner lulled his word, making the room serious again, "we could keep you out of his hands if you hate him so much."

"I don't need to be kept anywhere. And please stop trying to get in my head." I shoved against his presence again and he backed off, finally putting some space between us.

"It's my understanding you hate being with Alastor," Vox said, "Husker is quite the good cop, isn't he?"

The hair on the back of my neck stood up. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I've heard anything and everything you've been saying. I know how you want to learn magic. How youuu...want to be at his level one day but that'll take hundreds of years. Am I getting that right?"

My scowl grew.

"Alastor can't and won't kill me, and certainly not the three of us together. You'd be safe here to do anything you want."

"In exchange for what?" I snapped. Something wasn't sitting right with me about this conversation. There was something hiding.

"Work for us. We don't need you to do a ton of work but it would only make it fair to let you stay here."

Ponytails was looking at her phone half the time and the ring owner stared at me through his ridiculous tinted glasses.

I didn't trust that Alastor wouldn't kill Vox and his friends. Vox sounded incredibly egotistical and too proud to admit someone could better him. Yet if they were good friends, would Alastor spare his life? I couldn't even trust that information either.

"I would need some time to think," I said. I needed to get out of here, out of Hell. I had no idea how to get out of Hell or teleport anywhere. But I could run to Rosie's. She's an Overlord, too.

"Oh of course," Vox stood, "I wouldn't want you to feel pressured into anything. I can show you to a secluded room to give you time to think." He stepped closer to me.

"That's not necessary," I tried to play off. I backed up until my tail touched a door.

"Canibal Town is on the other side of the Pentagram, my dear. Where do you intend to go?"

How was he reading my thoughts? All three of them were still outside my shields. Unless he's been watching and listening since the beginning.

"This isn't my first time in Hell," I feigned. The others had stood up and I could feel energy and magic building up in the room. It felt like three cats ready to pounce on a cornered mouse. I grabbed the handle behind my back and subtly tested it.

"The broadcast will start in a few hours, surely you'll want to hear it." Vox's smile was big and his one eye pulsed black and red. I felt a buzz down my spine and looked at Ponytails. The buzz went away as I kept them well outside my shield.

"Husker and I plan to listen, don't worry." My claws were digging into my palm and I swore I could feel blood crawling down it.

"That wasn't a request, dear."

The room went still. The three of them stared at me, his pulsing eye stopped, and I held my breath. My grip was painfully tight on the door handle, probably smearing blood on it in the process. My shields still held. It felt like they were pulling back a slingshot, waiting to let go.

So I moved first.

I casted a gust of wind and slipped out the door. My foot claws tapped on the floor as I sprinted down the extravagant hallways. I didn't know where I was going. How do I get out? There were other Demons around but none of them stopped me.

Vox appeared like lightning out of various security cameras. His laugh vibrated through the hallways as he tried to herd me in a certain direction. I slid down various staircases, using my wings to brace my falls.

Vox appeared in front of me again. I skidded to a halt and lowered myself to the ground on four legs. I snarled at him through my heavy breathing. His toothy smile was wide across his screen as he told me running was useless.

Sweat dripped down my nose. I gathered it together and casted it into the wind. I brought it around his head and into the back where his circuits were. His screen turned a fuzzy white then a rainbow. His whole body jerked violently and collapsed into the wall.

I jumped past his body and finally came to a lobby. I could see the red buildings through the glass walls. An alarm went off and gray walls started moving down the glass ones. I went down on all fours again and sprinted for the exit. I casted fire first then a freezing gust of wind. I turned my head and braced.

I threw my body into the glass right under the closing wall. It cracked and gave way, making me land on the top of my shoulder and onto my back. I felt the glass shards sticking into my back as I scrambled to my feet.

Demons around stopped to stare. I didn't. I ran down the nearest street and then the next. I zig zagged, slipping past small and huge Demons on the way. I needed to get up to find Rosie's territory. So I jumped on the nearest dumpster and onto a roof.

Hell was a city. I had thought it would be much bigger.

A drone buzzed overhead. I recognized the color as belonging to Vox. I started jumping over the roofs in a desperate attempt to find Rosie's. Everything looked the exact same in this horrid shade of red.

I landed on the next roof and was thrown off my feet. I hit the opposing wall and fell into an alley. Everything hurt as I slowly pushed myself up to my feet. Three large Demons and several small ones stood on either side of the alley. They had various weapons in hand, most of which were a bright white.

I stood on two feet and put my back against the wall. My shadow stretched above me, opened her wings, and let out a howl. Eyes turned to her and I took the opening. I casted wind and debris down both sides to push them off their feet. I opened my wings and flapped up to the roof.

A gunshot went off and my leg hit the edge. I dug my claws into the rooftop as the pain and my own weight dragged me down. A rope wrapped around my wing and a sharp jerk brought me all the way back down. I landed on my side with a snap somewhere in my ribs. I clung to my injured leg and pulled myself against the wall.

The group crowded around me, holding the bright white weapons. I snarled and imagined myself getting bigger. I lunged forward and closed my jaws around one of their legs. I casted the others away like nothing and lifted the Demon up by his leg. His screams filled my ears and he desperately failed to pry open my jaw.

I turned my head mad threw him down the alley. I towered well over the others now, my shadow three times it's usual size. It started attacking one group of Demons as I turned my attention to the other one. Their eyes were wide with fear, hands shaking. I licked the blood from my lips and found myself wanting more.

I was huge now. A true dragon. I trapped many of them under my huge claws and caught more in my large mouth. Their little knives were bug bites and their blood a sweet nectar. I pulled apart, crushed, and swallowed each and every one of them. Their energy faded from their bodies and joined with mine, spurring me on even further.

I searched for more victims but there were none left. I turned in circles several times, limping slightly from the bullet wound on my leg. My broken rib pinched something with some of my movements. My shadow had bright white eyes and teeth, desperately searching for victims too.

Then I saw a figure. I took one step then stopped. It was Striker.

"Well well, ain't this a nice surprise." His one tooth glinted when he smiled. I felt the fear rising in my chest and making my new form grow smaller. I pushed the fear down to replace it with anger. I swayed from side to side as I waited for him to act first. "Had no idea you were a Demon."

My lips pulled back in a snarl.

He reached behind him and pulled out a bright white rope. He started looping it and moving it at his side, ready to throw. I lowered my head and tensed my working muscles. I could feel my fear reaching through my arms and into my fingers. I could do this. I bet his blood tasted sweeter than any other Demon.

A knife buried itself in my thigh. I howled and turned to bite the Demon in half. Rope caught my upper jaw and jerked it back. I dug my claws into the ground and pulled sharply, dragging Striker closer. I reared up on my good leg and slammed my front claws down on him. He jumped out of the way, casting another rope over my head. It tightened around my throat and I felt my magic slipping from my fingers.

He threw another one around my good leg, swiftly pulling me off my feet. I rolled over in an effort to crush him but he was too fast. He cast more rope around my other limbs and tossed them to other Demons. Where did they all come from?

I tried casting wind but nothing happened. My magic was gone. No energy, no magic, nothing. I felt cold.

Striker jumped on my horns and his weight pulled them back. I tried rolling again but I only tangled myself further in the rope. He jumped on top of my head and his weight plus the rope brought it down on the ground. I felt like a fly caught in a spider's web.

"Still no match for me." Striker stepped off my face, whipping his tail against my snout. He knelt down and pressed his claws into my scaly skin. I winced at the pain and tried pulling free. Demons were all over me, pulling from in front, behind, overhead, and on top of me. "I will always surpass your magic. You're not skilled enough to take me on."

My lips pulled back in a smile, though it looked like a snarl. I didn't have the magic skills, but I had other skills.

I let the fear overwhelm me and my figure shrunk back to its normal size. I pulled my limbs free and my shadow threw the ropes far away. Striker lunged and I rolled backwards, sending him over my head with my good leg. He rolled forward then snaked back in seconds.

I grew my tail and hit him into the wall. I choked on another rope that was still wound on my neck. I slipped my hands under and threw my body forward. I leaned back to loosen it and pulled it off. I casted a huge gust of wind that sent the Demons back.

The white ropes stopped my magic.

Striker countered the wind and pierced through my funnel. He threw a knife into my tail and reached for my throat. My tired leg couldn't hold him back. His claws closed around my neck and my vision started to blacken. I raked my own claws down his face and he howled, pulling away.

I dragged myself to my feet and leaned everything into the wall. He came again, bleeding black ooze, and clocked me in the side of the face. He wrapped an arm around my neck but tucked my chin and threw my elbow up into his chin.

He kicked behind my good knee and I fell. He slammed my face into the ground before holding it up by my hair. His knee dug into my shoulders, contorting my body in different directions. I let out a cry from the pain.

"You can't beat me," his hissed in my ear. My energy was gone. I just wanted to stop. But I couldn't.

"No," I struggled, "but I can fight you." I reached up and poked him in the eyes. I pulled against his tight grip and shoved off the wall. I fell on him and he threw me off into the opposite wall. I tried to get up to my knees but my limbs wouldn't support my weight anymore.

Striker stepped toward me. His head jerked to the side as something caught his attention. His eyes widened and he took a few steps back. I could hear Demons screaming and being torn apart. He looked between me and it, trying to decide once again if I was worth the new threat.

A shadow—Alastor's shadow—crawled up the wall. It's wide mouth opened in a screech at Striker. It smothered around him, attacking and throwing him off his feet.

"This isn't over radio fossil!" he yelled, disappearing down the street.

I let out a sigh. The pain was slowly reaching my mind, telling my brain that everything was hurt or broken. I swallowed and slowly, carefully, pushed myself on my back. My chest heaved for air but my ribs wouldn't let me inhale enough oxygen.

Alastor walked over to me, his arms folded behind him with his cane. I couldn't tell which smile he was wearing so I assumed he was angry. My claws scratched the concrete as pain pulsed through my body.

"Alastor...I..." It was getting harder to breathe. "I didn't...he took me. I...I didn't leave—" pain cut off my words. I squeezed my eyes shut as it rocked through my spine and into head.

"I'm aware." He pressed his claws around my temples and I felt the pain dull. He slipped his arms under my shoulders and legs, lifting me up effortlessly. "Take a look, my dear."

I opened my eyes to see the alley littered with dead and deformed bodies. There had to be at least thirty dead Demons.

"That was all you."

My shoulders fell with my spirit. I had killedall of them. I had even eaten some of them. Their sweet blood still lingered on my tongue and I found myself wishing for more. I could see their scared faces in my mind and feel my heart quicken at the mere thought of them being terrified. They had all been so scared when I had transformed.

Alastor turned the other way but I stared at the site over his shoulder. I actually wanted him to let me go so I could do it again. The energy from all of them still buzzed in my body despite the overwhelming exhaustion.

"I told you dear," my ear flicked at his voice, tears streaming down my cheeks and claws digging into his shoulders, "it's in your nature."

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Author's Note:

Only like one more chapter before we get to the gooood stuff :P

[c3stlav1e]

ALL-AMERICAN BITCH! ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ THE PRE-RELEASE SINGLE

All-American Bitch! is the first pre-release single by Mari Bang off of her upcoming album Cherry Pie. The song was released by MGM Records in partnership with Rainbow Entertainment on June 4th, 2024.

This single was Mari's most controversial release to date, for several reasons, including the timing of the release and the subject matter of the song. Fans on all sides of the issue were at each other's throats online, yet the girls involved were largely silent on the issue, only adding fuel to the fire. But as they say, any publicity is good publicity, and all the buzz surrounding the song only made it that much more successful. The song peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, while also charting in over 10 other countries, including South Korea.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ i. the music video

♡ . The music video opens with a pristinely blonde Mari waking up in the morning, stretching and climbing out of bed almost cartoonishly perfect in Coca-Cola can curlers and a silk nightgown. As she sings the beginnings of the first verse, we see her getting ready in the mirror, spraying her curls with hairspray and touching up perfect red lips. She's depicted as the perfect housewife, 1950s style. She's lounging about her house, reading magazines, popping berries in her mouth, and sipping from perspiring glass Coke bottles (Mari earned a brand deal with Coke for this video, and it's a bit painfully obvious throughout the video). However, as the song carries on, picking up it's pop-rock tones, Mari begins to get more and more manic. Instead of cooking and cleaning like your typical housewife, she's destroying the house, knocking over furniture and smashing vases, even taking a hammer to the vintage-looking TV in the living room running a Coca-Cola ad with her own face pictured. As the bridge builds, she's seen aggressively eating a cherry pie with her hands, running the bright red filling down her cheeks and over her face as she screams, sitting on the linoleum kitchen floor. As the song comes to a slower close, we see her wandering through the mess she's made, an unsettling smile on her face, until the last note where she runs her messy, cherry-red fingers across the camera lens, blurring the scene from view.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ii. the styling

♡ . heavily vintage americana inspired

♡ . red, white, and blue, ruffles, lace, bows, gingham, short and sweet

♡ . she's here to bring back real coquette!

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ iii. the highlights

♡ . whew! this one was divisive!

♡ . the controversy started when the single was announced only 2 days after the announcement of la vie's new album... and the release date was set for only 3 days after the album's release date...

♡ . fans were immediately thrown off by this and even some loyal mari stans were questioning the timing

♡ . it only got worse when the day of la vie's release, mari announced the upcoming release of her own album

♡ . of course, it was all stan twitter could talk about, even non-kpoppies and non-lovies were choosing sides

♡ . then, when the song actually released, everyone had an opinion on it

♡ . k-netz and k-lovies were furious over the title, claiming she was disregarding her korean heritage and beginning her career in kpop

♡ . while certain people in the western media believed she couldn't possibly dub herself "all-american" when she's still essentially just a kpop girl

♡ . in an interview with teen vogue for her summer cover spread, she had this to say:

♡ . "i know, it's ridiculous! i'm too korean for america and too american for korea? i don't understand why i have to pick a side when in my heart, i'm equally both. it's like they're proving the point of the song even more. clearly i'm not perfect, and this society only makes that more suffocating. just let me be me!"

♡ . she appeared on several live shows to promote her single release and her upcoming album including jimmy kimmel, good morning america, and snl

♡ . in her appearance on snl, she appeared in 2 sketches, one as a middle school chorus kid, and one with bowen yang spoofing how native english-speaking kpop idols are treated in the states ("wow, your english is so good!")

♡ . she made her first music festival appearance on day 2 at gov ball!

♡ . she made quick friends with both sabrina carpenter and tyla, featuring in each other's instagram posts from the event as well

♡ . despite all the controversy among fans regarding her relationship with the other members of la vie, she never made any statement regarding the topic

♡ . she did mention the members casually in her teen vogue interview, although very briefly

♡ . many were left wondering why the sudden coldness after it seemed everything was good again during their previous comeback?

♡ . despite the divisiveness, this single release was very successful for her and only bodes even better for the upcoming release of her 3rd album, cherry pie !

[k-femdove]

First Love : Day 1 || H.RJ

pairing :: sub!renjun x afab!reader 

warnings :: first love au, light kissing/making out, drinking, light profanity

word count :: 2k | not beta read

sypnosis :: In a world where your family can see who their first love is going to be, you are unable to love anyone until you end up with that person. Not a big deal, right? The only problem is that your first love is moving and you only have a week to make him fall in love. 

or; my take on the soulmate au

playlist link here! or listen to ‘lover’ by taylor swift

prologue, day 1

You looked up from the table. Sitting across from you was Renjun. He quickly avoided eye contact, looking down and fidgeting with his thumbs. You looked back down.

Despite your seemingly confident manner, you were never the most social person. If you were being incredibly honest, most of your friends were people that had been introduced to you.

Then there was Chenle. Chenle had been your friend for years now. You could remember the day he moved here perfectly.

It was a hot summer day, and your AC was on full blast in your home. Being a young teenager, you were more than bored. The older kids would play basketball under the scorching sun, laughing over god knows what. The small kids would play in the community pool, their colorful floaties and chatty parents crowding the area.

You had only moved a year before and had yet to make any friends. No one in your neighborhood was around your age. You were too old to play with stuffed animals, but not mature enough to hang out with the others.

You sighed, glancing outside the window and shielding your eyes from the sunlight. A loud ding suddenly interrupted your thoughts and you ran to the door.

When you opened it, you were met with the sight of a young boy, only a tad bit shorter than you. He smiled, reaching a hand out to you.

“Hi, I'm Chenle! I'm 13 and I just moved next door. I heard you were my age, so why don't we hang out?”

Ever since then, Chenle and you were stuck together like glue. Not only that, but he constantly dragged you to places with him, resulting in a lot of interesting encounters.

That's why you and Chenle had a very similar friend group. He introduced a plethora of people to you, and they just so happened to vibe with you.

You usually weren't awkward with potential friends because Chenle was there, which made interacting with Renjun even harder.

Your embarrassing cycle had been repeating for a good 5 minutes. The silence was painfully awkward.

You cursed under your breath. The day began when Chenle invited you over. He claimed that Renjun wasn’t home, and he wanted to talk. It’s fine, right? Wrong.

The moment you walked into the apartment, you knew Chenle had lied. He wasn’t even home.

So here you were. Renjun was sweet, so he couldn’t bring himself to chase you out. He regretted that decision now. After he saw you yesterday, he was hoping to avoid any confrontation.

Not only that, but he felt ashamed. He was looking forward to meeting you, but now he was acting like a child. So what if you were fucking his best friend? As inexperienced as Renjun was, he knew that wasn’t something to shame people for.

You could practically hear his thoughts from across the table. Sighing, you spoke up.

“I didn’t fuck Chenle.”

Renjun’s head shot up.

“It’s a long story.” You continued. “I know you’re thinking about it. Don’t worry. I wouldn’t have sex on your couch- I’m not that reckless.”

“Oh,” Renjun muttered, embarrassed. “If that’s not it… then why are you here?”

Well shit. You couldn’t tell him the truth. Racking your brain for ideas, you tried to remember what Chenle had told you about this guy.

“Uh…” you said, attempting to pull something out of your ass. “I heard you’ve never been to a proper party before?”

“Uhm, yeah, I haven't,” Renjun replied, a puzzled expression on his face.

“Well, one of my friends is throwing a crazy one tonight, but he says everyone has to bring a friend...” You explained slowly, gauging his reaction. When he didn’t show any signs of discomfort, you continued. “And I was wondering if you’d like to come with me? You know, just for fun”

He didn’t reply quickly, but you could hear his unspoken words. “Why me?”

You didn’t want to come off too strong, so you tried to clarify. “I would’ve asked someone else, but nobody I know is up for it.”

Luckily for you, Renjun believed your explanation.

“Are you sure? I'm not the biggest party person.” He explained sheepishly.

“Yeah, it’ll be fun! You don't even have to stick with me the whole time- I think most of your friends will be there.”

Renjun thought about it before hesitantly agreeing. Besides, he had nothing better to do.

The rest of the meeting went smoothly. Renjun thought you were just bored, and you grabbed his number.

Chenle called you around an hour later, your phone ringing for at least 5 minutes before you felt like picking up.

“God y/n. You need to pick up my calls!” He scolded. “Anyways, have you explained things to Renjun?”

“Even better,” you replied. “I got his number.”

You heard shocked silence on the other line before Chenle let out an odd but excited sound.

“Really? You're surprisingly good at this. Tell me what happened.”

Chenle laughed when he heard about the conversation, his dolphin-like laugh just as loud through the phone.

“You invited Renjun to Haechan’s party? You know those are crazy as hell.”

“Don't make fun of me!” You said as Chenle was practically busting a lung. “You're turning into Mark right now.”

“Oh, shush.” He said, still giggling. “Continue with the story?”

Once your story finished (and Chenle stopped laughing), he finally got a little more serious about it.

“I'm surprised that you got him to go, though. You do know that I would’ve gone with you, right?”

“I don't know about that,” you replied. “You wouldn't say no to Jisung.”

“I mean,” Chenle said, “that's different! Don't act like you wouldn't choose Mark over me!”

Then you heard another voice over the line.

“Ooo, would you choose me over Chenle?” it said, a teasing tone underneath the amusement.

The next thing you heard was Chenle’s exaggerated groan.

“Shut up Mark!”

You texted Renjun at 12 with the details for the party. 10 pm, casual. You insisted on picking him up; besides, you were already stopping by for Chenle, Jisung, and Mark.

It was only 9 when Renjun became annoyed. Chenle was chatting his head off and Jisung was dropping everything in their kitchen. Renjun always wondered how things turned out like this. He loved all of his friends, but they were all a little annoying sometimes.

Speaking of his friends- Renjun was shocked by the number of friends you had. He originally thought that you were only friends with Chenle and just a casual talker with the others. He was wrong.

When he mentioned that he was going with you, he was bombarded with questions. According to Mark, you were one of his close friends. Jisung knew you as well; you were so close with his family that they took you on vacation with them and a few other friends.

As if it were on cue, you rang the doorbell. Mark hurriedly answered the door and tried to dap you up, but was beaten by a hyper Chenle.

You let the others talk on the way back to the car, walking with Renjun.

The car ride itself was great. Renjun sat in the passenger seat as you drove, the other three squeezing into the back.

You turned on the radio and listened to their singing, which never failed to amaze you. Chenle’s voice was beautiful as always, and Mark’s Khalid impression was just as bad as the first time you heard it.

Street lights reflected on the windows as you cruised through town- Haechan’s parents’ house happened to be a little far from yours. They were out on a trip, so he was holding it there.

Due to the cool weather, the sky was already dark when you got there. There were tons of people; Haechan outdid himself this time.

He greeted you enthusiastically when you arrived, hugging you until it was hard to breathe.

“Renjun!” He exclaimed, jumping onto the boy. “You came!”

Renjun laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. “Hey, Hyuck.”

You led the boys into the house as Haechan went off to socialize some more, dragging Mark off with him. Soon enough, Chenle had swept Jisung away, and you were left alone with Renjun.

The house was dark, the only light coming from bright and colorful lights. The ambiance of the place was strangely comfortable, complete with a pink tint.

It was crowded, people swarming the halls. Loud music blasted throughout the house, providing a pretty good dance floor.

Renjun looked at the crowd hesitantly and turned back to you. You could feel the awkward energy, so you led him to the kitchen, which was surprisingly empty.

“What do you want?” You asked, already rummaging through Haechan’s cabinets.

“What?” Renjun asked back.

“To drink.” You answered, already pouring your share of tequila and soda into a red cup. “I can check the fridge for soju too.”

“Oh, I don’t drink much.” He replied, leaning onto the countertop.

You hummed softly, sipping your drink.

Turning back to Renjun, you smiled. “Wanna get out of here?”

You led him into the main room, drinking with Kun. After mingling for a while and talking to your other friends, you spotted Renjun laughing with Doyoung. Doyoung saw you from across the room and flashed his sweet smile. Renjun made eye contact and made his way toward you.

He followed you through the crowd until you found a distant corner, away from prying eyes.

“This was… better than I expected.” He admitted.

“And you said you weren’t a party person.” You said, smirking. He laughed.

There was silence. Renjun looked into your eyes, admiring the way that they glowed. You looked into his. The noise was reduced to nothing but a quiet buzz. Soon enough, your gaze traveled to his lips.

You walked closer to him until you were only inches away from his face.

“Can I kiss you?” You asked quietly.

Renjun hesitated. “Don’t say things you don’t mean.”.

“I’m serious.” You answered, inching closer and tracing his jaw with your fingers.

He looked at you, the blush on his cheeks barely visible in the dim light.

His heart began to beat faster as you cupped his chin and led him closer, lips meeting against one another.

Renjun’s eyes fluttered shut as he melted into your touch, back pressed against the wall. He pulled you in closer, deepening the kiss. You nibbled slightly on his bottom lip, slipping your tongue into his mouth lightly.

You tasted bittersweet, the peach-flavored tequila still lingering in your mouth. Renjun’s lips were soft and pillowy, melding against yours perfectly.

The kiss was sloppy and inexperienced, clashing in a somewhat awkward manner. Neither of you knew what you were doing, but everything felt so right.

It was short and sweet. You pulled away, heart hammering in your chest. Renjun looked bewildered by what he had just done, face flushing a deeper shade of pink, the taste of alcohol still prominent on his tongue.

“I thought you didn’t drink?” You teased, surprised by his eagerness.

“This is an exception.” He whispered breathlessly, still gazing into your eyes.

The moment was interrupted by a crazily drunk Jisung, falling on to you and knocking you off Renjun. Chenle was just as drunk, wrapping an arm around Renjun. You rolled your eyes, pushing Jisung off of you, but supporting his body.

You saw Mark hurry over apologetically, offering an awkward laugh.

“Sorry, y/n. Do you mind taking them home?”

“Yeah, sure.” You said, turning to Renjun. “Let’s get out of here.”

One car ride later and two wasted friends forced into bed, you bid yourself goodbye. Just as you slipped on your shoes, Renjun stopped you at the door.

“I had fun.” He said, hands in his pockets. The look in his eyes told a thousand words, but nether of you were ready to say them.

“Me too,” You replied. “I’ll look forward to next time.”

That night, you both went to bed with a smile on your faces, the kiss replaying in your heads.

a/n: day 1 is here! It’s a little fast paced. Renjun is very confused about his emotions rn so give him some time! 

tagging (taglist open): @canigetaglassoffullsun​ @cathy-1997 

[torreshalstead]

On a crowded street in 1944 - Chapter 5

Summary - The four walls of Upton’s General Store were all Hailey knew although she longed to see what else life had to offer. When a handsome soldier walks through the door, she thinks he might just be the answer to the life she wants to have. But it was 1944 and the country was at war. Would fate smile on her or would her heart be another casualty of the war?

Chapters - 5/15

Notes - we are now fully entering our letter era so happy reading! ❤️ AO3 Link

July 1944

Waiting for Jay’s next letter felt like waiting for rain in the middle of summer, painfully slow and every letter through the mailbox felt like the next cloud that would end the long drought. The first week she had almost grabbed the letters out of the mailman’s hands until her father had scowled at her for opening the door in her nightgown. After the first week the days seemed to drag, anytime she failed to see the newly familiar handwriting adorning an envelope, her stomach would drop a little further and her smile would shift from her face.

She had tried to write a letter to him so when his arrived she would be able to mail it back to him immediately and not put him through the torturous wait that she was enduring. But she found she didn’t have the words. How do you write a response to a letter you are yet to receive? How do you explain to someone that you only got to experience a short amount of time with, that they have forever changed your life?

Dear Jay

That sounded too impersonal.

Dearest Jay

That sounded like she was just repeating his words back to him.

Jay

She had scratched that out as quickly as she had written it, the scrunched up piece of paper ending up being singed by the candle to save herself the embarrassment of her parents finding the remains of the letter.

My Dearest Jay,

Everyday I have waited for your letter to arrive, to read your words again and know that you are okay and what we have isn’t just a dream.

Thank you doesn’t seem enough for the gift of the book, Mr Periot really does know how to solve a murder and Agatha Christie writes like no one I have ever read before. I shall keep it safe for you so when you return, we can read it together back on our bench.

Life in Chicago is just how you left it, the summer is hot and unfortunately you are the only person to ever have offered me a cold soda. I wouldn’t accept one from anyone else now anyway. My father is at least being kept busy with his new business deal which gives me plenty of time to read and reread your notes. I think I know them by heart by now.

I hope this letter brings you joy and makes you smile, just as yours does to me.

I eagerly await your response.

Yours forever,

Hailey

It wasn’t perfect and her handwriting wasn’t as neat as it could be, if her mother ever saw it she would probably be rapped across her knuckles, but it was honest. She had left enough space between the final paragraph and the sign off to include a response to anything he had written in his. The letter was carefully folded and hidden in the book along with the one she treasured from him.

The newspapers were full of stories of the war, of the pride of the nation who was fighting for freedom overseas. But among the positive, there was always a list of names of those who would not be returning home to their loved ones.

Every night when her knees hit the floor and she clutched her hands tightly together she prayed he would come home safe. Come home to her.

——————————————————————————

Hailey had made a decision that checking the mail for his letter was the reason it had yet to arrive, somehow she was the cause of the delay. So she pushed the thought of him and his letter to the back of her mind and continued to work through her everyday life, ignoring the fact the feeling of his lips on hers was still filling her dreams every night when her head hit the pillow and her eyes fluttered closed.

‘Letter for you Hailey,’ her father said in passing, dropping the letter onto the counter as he headed to the back door. He must have picked them up this morning and forgotten to hand them over, it was already past 2 in the afternoon. He had Jay’s letter in his possession for hours before giving it to her.

There were hours when his words were within her grasp and she hadn’t known.

‘Thank you father,’ she choked out as she picked out the letter with trembling fingers. It was his handwriting. It was finally here.

‘I’ll be late tonight, help you mother clear up after dinner,’ he grunted as he closed the door behind him. Hailey didn’t know why he wasted his breath, she always helped her mother. It was he who always seemed to fail to remember that the dishes did not wash themselves in the same way that the food was not magically cooked or his clothes magically cleaned and mended.

She folded the letter and slipped it into her pocket - she couldn’t read it now, the store was still open and a customer could appear and need assistance. But she could feel it burning a hole in her dress, the need to rip open the envelope and read it immediately was almost more than she could bear.

But she also wanted, no she needed, to read it alone.

Getting through the rest of the day was like trying to walk through molasses. Every customer seemed to need more help than the previous one. Hailey spent 20 minutes trying to explain the difference between evaporated milk and milk powder to an elderly gentleman who decided to buy neither. She had to clean up a spill from where two kids had decided to shake up their bottles of pop after purchasing them and causing them to spray all over the front of the counter. Each task was more painful than the next.

‘Hailey dear,’ her mother appeared downstairs just before the shop was due to close. Her mother usually stayed upstairs and away from the store, Hailey was never completely certain why but she seemed to find many a task to occupy her time upstairs.

‘Yes mother,’ Hailey smiled, her fingers brushing the corner of the envelope tucked into her pocket. Warmth spreading through her chest at the contact.

‘I was wondering if you’d like to take a walk with me this evening?’ She asked with a gentle smile.

Hailey was taken aback. She loved her mother but similar to how she didn’t come down to the store often, she frequented the outside of their small bubble even less. The idea of being even more delayed from reading Jay’s letter was not appealing but spending time with her mother, that she valued deeply.

‘I’d love to,’ she said softly, knowing that the words on the page would still be there later.

‘I’ll pop down again in a couple of minutes when you’ve closed up,’ she said before turning heel and walking back upstairs.

Hailey wondered what had brought it on but she wasn’t going to question it, they very rarely got to spend any time together.

——————————————————————————

The pair strolled in a pleasant silence down the street, glancing through shop windows and smiling at passers-by.

‘Shall we pop into Mrs Smith’s? Her mother offered and Hailey’s mouth fell open in shock.

‘Really?’ Her mother knew of her love for reading but also knew of her father’s distaste for it.

‘Your birthday is not far off, if you find something you like, maybe it can be an early present for you,’ she smiled, holding open the door for Hailey who passed through it with a wide smile.

‘Miss Hailey, how lovely to see you,’ Mrs Smith said loudly from her position behind the counter. There were stacks of books towering around her, to the untrained eye it looked like chaos but Hailey knew that Mrs Smith knew where every single book was in her store - give her the title or author and she could point to it immediately.

‘Afternoon Mrs Smith, mother and I are just going to have a look around if that’s okay?’ She asked, aware it must be close to closing time for her as well.

‘Of course dear,’ she winked warmly and settled back down to continue to organise the stacks.

This was one of Hailey’s favourite places, the smell of the books, the walls covered with stories that could take you out of Chicago and to somewhere else entirely, she’d spend every hour here if she could.

‘Anything you like Hailey,’ her mother whispered to her with a gentle squeeze to her arm.

‘Are you sure?’ She confirmed, it was so unlike her family to offer to buy her anything. In the back of her mind she wondered what had brought this on. Yes her birthday was coming up, her 18th birthday, but still she expected some material which her mother would fashion into a new dress for her. That’s what she got every year, and she treasured each one even though she knew they always choose the material with the cheapest price tag. Frivolous spending was not something the Upton patriarch approved of.

‘I’m sure,’ her mother nodded.

Hailey pulled her into a tight hug before letting her go just as quick and almost bounding down the aisle. As she walked through the stacks, her fingers dragging along the untouched books, with their perfect spines and untouched pages, she was struck by a sudden thought.

Jay had promised to buy her a new book. She had never owned a new book before and she desperately wanted her first to be from him. She wanted all her firsts to be with him. To accept a new book from someone else, even from her mother, it felt like a betrayal.

But how could she explain to her mother that she didn’t want to accept her very generous gift because she was waiting for a gift from someone she couldn’t know for sure was ever going to return home. That felt rude.

Rude or betrayal. Neither were qualities that Hailey ever wanted to embody.

But her heart won out.

She headed to the back corner where Mrs Smith kept the second hand books. If she could select one of these then she could persuade her mother it was the one she desperately wanted, and as long as Mrs Smith didn’t admit to having a new copy tucked onto a shelf, her mother needn’t know the difference.

Some of these pre-loved books were in a better condition than the ones she had hidden in her wardrobe. She read through the different titles, pulling a few out to flick through their pages before settling on an almost pristine copy of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. She had been wanting to get her hands on it for a while but the deliveries always arrived in perfect condition so she had been out of luck.

‘Did you find something Hailey?’ Her mother asked as Hailey found her down the home help section looking at the culinary books.

‘I did,’ she said, holding out the chosen book with a smile.

‘This is used,’ her mother noted, ‘it’s your birthday, I can get you a new one.’ She offered with a smile the hid the shame that she wouldn’t normally buy her daughter something unless someone else had owned first.

‘This is the only copy Mrs Smith has,’ she lied and hoped that she wasn’t about to be caught out, ‘but it’s almost new,’ she said with a smile. ‘And I really want to read it,’ she added.

‘If you’re sure,’ her mother asked with a smile. ‘If it’s what you want then it’s what you get.’

With her almost new book tucked under her arm and Jay’s letter still safe in her pocket, they headed back towards the store. Once they were back inside their little apartment, Hailey turned to her mother.

‘Thank you,’ Hailey said, meaning it truly. ‘I’ve had a lovely time with you this evening.’

‘As have I Hailey,’ her mother smiled. ‘I’m sure you are desperate to start to read that book so how about I give you a call when dinner’s ready?’

‘You don’t want me to help?’ Hailey asked, again shocked by her mother’s kind offer.

‘I’ll be fine,’ she said, hanging up her purse on the hook by the kitchen door and swapping it for her apron. ‘I’ll see you in a short while.’

Hailey didn’t question her again and hurried down to her room, closing the door quickly behind her and placing the book on her nightstand. Pulling out Jay's letter, her hands were trembling again.

She had spent weeks imagining what he had written but now the moment was here, a tiny part of her was worried. What if it didn’t contain the beautifully crafted words of love that she had hoped for, what if it was short and blunt and impersonal. All the possibilities swam through Hailey’s mind.

Swallowing deeply, she carefully pried open the envelope, careful not to rip the return address - 3rd Battalion. She would need that to ensure her return got to him safely.

My dearest Hailey,

Firstly please accept all my apologies that this letter is so delayed in getting to you. I won’t bore you with the details but it took us a while to get settled, I shall leave it at that. But please know that every day I wasn’t writing to you, my thoughts were full of you and the short time we spent together.

I hope you liked your present and the book has provided you some hours of enjoyment. I meant what I said, when I return I shall buy you the books you deserve. You deserve everything good Hailey.

All the boys over here have pictures of their sweethearts that they keep in the pockets over their hearts, they say it keeps them safe but I believe it’s so they feel close to them. I don’t want to ask but if you ever wish to gift me a picture of you, please know I will keep it by my heart every moment. You have left a permanent mark there already.

I hope summer is treating you well and you are enjoying yourself and smiling a lot - a smile like yours deserves to be worn with pride.

I do hope you meant it when you said you would write to me, I patiently but eagerly await your response.

You have my heart,

Yours forever,

Jay.

Hailey fell back onto the bed, clutching the letter over her heart.

He had her heart as well and she knew in that moment that he always would.

[swinging-stars-from-satellites]

Fever Whump Bingo: Tepid Bath for Robin! you can combine it with others if you want >:)

ohoho I'm going to combine it with "glassy eyes" for something vaguely adjacent to some actual canon plans!

Dany's hands don't shake. She's not a freaking coward. The hotel is too quiet when she steps back inside, having set herself at ease with a quick loop around the exterior. There are several exits and no one around. She slings the rifle off her shoulder as she walks back into the room, leans it in the corner next to the door. Her pistol will stay on, anyway.

Robin is sitting on the edge of one of the double beds, hands hanging limp between his legs where his arms are propped on his knees. He's bent over awkwardly, head hanging. His back is to Dany, shoulders rising and falling heavily with labored breaths. She can hear his breathing from the door.

"Outside's clear," Dany reports, pausing for a moment that she's glad Robin doesn't see before bending to untie and take off her boots for the first time in... she doesn't know how long. They haven't slept indoors for days. The conversation is normal enough. That's why she says it, even when Robin doesn't respond. "This room opens outside, but there are general exits on either side of the hall out the other side, and one from the front lobby. The pool is gross, but it's indoor/outdoor, so it could function as an escape route if we needed it."

Dany walks into the bathroom. No lights, obviously, but she blinks at herself in the mirror. Her hair's gotten longer, her face pale since summer — she never tanned, just burned and wound up paler than before. There are circles under her eyes belying her lack of sleep and more fear in the gray than she wants to admit.

Robin isn't doing well. There's a part of her that's afraid to check his fever. If she doesn't know how bad it is, how much he's been pushing through, then they don't have to deal with it. If she doesn't know, it can't be as bad as she fears. Schrodinger's Robin, she thinks suddenly, ridiculously, and snorts quietly. The uptick of her mouth in the mirror looks like it belongs to somebody else. Somebody she was before all this. Before the world ending and meeting Robin and nearly dying and jumping on trains. She turns away from it.

"Robin?"

"Yeah?"

Some of the tension in Dany releases when he finally responds, though his voice is weak and painfully raspy. They'd had to stop several times walking today while he caught his breath, coughing into his elbow until Dany worried he was going to fall over. She steps over to the bed, crouches on front of him.

"You doing okay?" She asks, already knowing the answer.

Robin looks up at her with glassy, vacant eyes. His hair droops over his forehead, damp with sweat. He blinks slowly at her. It doesn't add much more awareness to his gaze. "'M'fine," he whispers. It's a lie that Dany knows all too personally. A moment later he's toppling forward and Dany's catching him, scrambling to support his awkward weight as his strength gives out.

"Clearly," Dany says sharply, snapping out her fear with sarcasm, "You're not." Even his nose, poking into the side of her neck, is hot. She struggles to move onto the bed beside him, cradling his limp form against her. "You're burning up," she says, you know, like a cliché. "You with me at all?"

"D'ny..?" He mumbles, shifting slightly. "I don' feel good..."

"I hadn't noticed." The slurring isn't a good sign. He's barely, barely conscious and raging with fever.

She has, and Dany knows this, antibiotics and fever reducers, tucked safely away in the medical bag she'd dropped on the far side of the other hotel bed. But her fear is, and it's gripping her almost tighter than she's holding Robin right now, is that he's deteriorating too quickly, won't last the time it takes for the dose to enter his system. At least, won't last without permanent damage. She finally understands what Robin must have felt month prior, watching her suffer. Only, he depended on her. She can survive without him. But... can she really, anymore? She doesn't want to think about that.

Water, out here, is most often run off of wells. She'd seen the septic pipes as they came in. If she's lucky, or incredibly blessed, they're far enough off the grid that the pump doesn't require electricity. Where she grew up, most people living off-grid had solar well pumps. Funny, how things have changed with the weather: she prays there's been enough sun.

"Come on," she urges, wrestling Robin into a semi-standing position. "Robin, hey, you gotta help me out here." Robin isn't particularly big, but he's mostly dead weight and unwieldy. She manhandles him into the bathroom, where he collapses onto the lid of the toilet, barely holding himself up.

Dany holds her breath as she twists the lever, thinks pleasepleaseplease too desperately in the silence. She gasps in relief when she hears the rumble of water flowing, when it starts pouring out of the faucet. The heating won't work, and she knows you're technically not supposed to use cold-cold water for this, but it's all she has. It's the best only chance of keeping Robin okay.

She plugs the drain and turns back to Robin, once again kneeling in front of him. This time he doesn't look up at her; it must take too much effort that's being expended on just breathing.

"Neither of us is going to like this, I don't think," Dany mutters. She's basically talking to thin air, and his glassy greenish eyes, but she feels the need to say it anyway. "Sorry."

As quickly as she can with hands that even she has to admit are now shaking, she strips him down to his boxers. Robin doesn't even respond until she tries to maneuver him into the tub. All he does is mumble her name again, which he made hers in the first place, in between ragged breaths.

"Yeah, it's me," she whispers back. "I've got you."

She realizes with a sinking feeling that the only reason she, as strong as she may be but still skinner than she'd been four months ago, is going to get Robin's lanky, limp form into the tub is by getting in there herself. So she says screw it, pulls off her socks and resigns herself to soaking these leggings, and through some feat of willpower or a miracle, manages to get them both into the water.

It isn't freezing cold, isn't even that unpleasant, but Dany likes cold, has a higher tolerance to it, and against Robin's fever-hot skin it must feel like ice. She's positioned behind him, arms around him to keep him still as he writhes in the chilly water. He struggles against her blindly, even as Dany tries to tell him to relax, it's okay, she's trying to help him. When the last vestiges of his strength finally abandon him, he slumps back against her and shudders with a coughing fit.

His head lolls back against her shoulder. Dany shuts her eyes for a moment, prays not for the first time today. She is scared. She doesn't know if she's more afraid of losing Robin, or afraid of the fact that she's afraid of that. She rests a hand on his chest, where she can feel his heartbeat, and forces herself not to think about it. He'll be okay. He has to.

[wabbles-art-folder]

‎‏I am mohammed ayyad of Gazans, living in very difficult conditions because of the war that the Gaza Strip is under. Since the outbreak of the war on the seventh of October we have been evacuating .

‎‏Then the journey of suffering and separation began,because my children were separated and evacuated from our home without covering or clothes., From here they became infected with diseases, and what increased our fatigue was the constant upbringing due to the different areas in which we were displaced, as we were displaced 9 times, and this was very expensive, the last of which was the 9th of this August from Hamad Town. In addition to that, we have lived in the summer season in a tent that did not exceed three meters, closed with nylon, so it is like an agricultural greenhouse atmosphere. It is very hot. All in all, we live difficult days that no human beings can afford

We have no work because of the war, and we do not have any kind of money and this is accompanied by a crazy and horrible rise in prices.

Although water is not suitable for drinking, this is the cause of many diseases

The last suffering is that we are out of Hamad without taking our purposes or our tents and now we are searching the earth in the roads and our children and our elderly parents are suffering..So we use direct donation including what they can or share links fully so people can know our tragedy and pain. Remember a small contribution can make a difference in the lives of many children who are dealing with their health condition all. Leave their details and make them happy with your generous contribution.

I painfully cannot donate to the cause myself, but I'll share it around to anyone who can. I very much hope you all may soon find relief. PLEASE CHECK OUT THEIR CAMPAIGN AND SUPPORT IT IF YOU CAN:

[ziquidzmooth69]

Genesis

Hallé...

She’s a mess. A beautiful, pitiful, scary, naive mess.

Not that I mind…Her boyfriend certainly doesn’t. Dickhead.

Her name’s Hallé. Hallé Priscilla-Mae Hanako. If she sounds beautiful to you, you’re right. She is absolutely gorgeous. But I don’t want her…Well I didn’t. Then I did. Then didn’t and now- fuck- I don’t know…But shit she does. She’s sure as shit…Until she isn't. Are you sensing a pattern yet? Nothing in this story is consistent. Except for the utter psychoticness of this shit. And our libidos…I mean fuck. And that we do. 

It all started, like all great stories with an absent mother. Mine was a Bipolar cunt. Self absorbed didn’t even begin to cover what she was. Hopefully she’s somewhere dead as hell. And I’m not being harsh…She left me and my poor sexually frustrated father to fend for ourselves. My dad’s in corporate…Marketing and shit. And the place he worked at kept moving buildings so he left to go somewhere more fancy, Hell Michigan. Yea dad what the fuck were you thinking?? He got a bonus his first week and I got a skateboard cuz of it so Can’t complain. 

First day in Hell and- “wow there's a lake!” My father is overjoyed. I don’t mind heard drowning’s the worst way to go might as well go out painfully slow! “Wow dad…Cool beans.” I grew up in chicago so i have no idea how to swim, only dodge bulle- Snowballs. It’s the hottest month in summer in Michigan at least… July 4th, It’s like fucking vietnam. Feel bad for any vet out here. Dad said I should go meet some people…Pretty sure he’s already fucking one of the neighboors… 

We bought some illegal fireworks, 25 for 5 dollars. Wow what a deal…Saved so much money and got half of your hand now after lighting one of these bitches wrong. But I digress…I go and walk around, watching the fireworks when I see a nice home. Waaay nicer than our shack, so of course I come a little closer…Who the fuck Is that in the bushes??? Someone beat me too it seems… 

A cute coquette bitch…The fuck she robbin houses for? Whatever…”Uhh you can come out now I won’t call the cops, sug.” She gets up and stares at me as if I’m an uncut dick. She looks like the most innocent thing ever yet so whorey…Because why the hell does she look like a Dead By Daylight character?? I feel underdressed…A minecraft creeper shirt, some long ass jorts and an American flag…Meanwhile she looks like hello kitty…Who am I? Garfield…? Whatever… “Um this is my house…” She says so politely… “Uh then why’re you in the bushes??”, “There was a bunny…” This bitch pulled out the easter  bunny and put it on my shoulder. “What’s your name? You seem new here…” 

“Uhh Charlie.”, I tried not to cry at the beast on my shoulder. It growls and drools all over my minecraft shirt! What the fuck?? “Yo get this thing off of me.” She’s staring up at the firework filled sky, “Hello?? Fluttershy?? Get this bitch off!” That must’ve snapped her out of her day-dream or whatever because she immediately pries the bunny off of me and it settles itself into her arms. “Sorry…” Her cheeks go rosy and she seems sheepish. “No no I’m sorry…I obviously tore you out of what seemed to be you brooding?” I raise a brow wanting to learn more about this strange girl. "I wouldn't call it that...Just...Thinking." uh huh sure... "Abouut??" Tell me more... "My old life..." Okay we're getting somewhere...

An!!! Lmk if yall fw this. I'll give up on it so quick and just write strict smut if yall want. I DO COD CHARACTERS AND MARVEL CHARACTERS AND HOT CHARACTERS NO REAL PEOPLE BC EW.

[yoonpobs]

bad boy good thing | drabble i. | m

WARNINGS. jealous jk, jk's gf is hot and he's not the only one who thinks that, jimin and tae as instigators, i swear jimin and jk love each other, fucking in public spaces aka a car in a parking lot, jk luvs his gf, appearance of perpetrator jin!

NOTE. i missed this couple 🥺oc is living her hot girl summer life and jk does nawt know how to deal with it Lol. hope u enjoy loves!!!!

WORDS. 3k+

“I’m okay,” Jungkook murmurs, eyes fluttering shut as he repeats his own personal mantra. “I’m good. I’m fine—I’m chill. Chillest person ever. I’m good—”

“He’s not okay,” Taehyung snickers.

Jungkook blocks the negativity out, purposefully and intentionally. Nothing could ruin his day—not on his watch, especially as the sun shines over bodies across the beach while the waves break into beautiful fragments that he’s yearning to dip his feet into.

Personal affirmations came first.

“I’m good, I’m fine, I’m okay,” he chants like a crazy person, definitely earning some form of side-eye from the people next to him but he can’t be bothered. Another person thinking that he was insane wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to him—not when—

“You should open your eyes,” Jimin says, “How are you going to fight them if you don’t know thy enemy?”

Immediately, Jungkook’s peace is disturbed by the mouth of Park Jimin, who painfully reminds him of why he’s got into the entire personal mantra and affirmation thing. He used to think it was redundant, unnecessary. How could the universe return your wishes just as you’ve uttered them into the atmosphere? It didn’t seem logical to him.

But right now, that didn’t matter—not when he had bigger things to be worried about.

“Don’t disturb my peace,” Jungkook snaps.

“They did it first,” Jimin retorts, cocking his head towards the flock of people at a certain part of the beach, specifically towards where the water meets the shore.

Jungkook’s eye twitches. His peace is disrupted, his happiness is compromised and it’s all Park Jimin’s fault. He spent a good amount of time getting into his zone, reaffirming himself that he was in fact, fine, good—he was okay! But now, he feels all his resolve dissolve when he realises he can’t even see the main thing that was responsible for his dilemmas.

“You’d think a celebrity was on this beach,” Taehyung snorts.

“Not helping,” Jungkook says dryly.

“So isn’t your crazy person chanting,” Jimin points out, “but yet, here we are—listening to you reciting your own version of a biblical verse.”

“I’m fine,” Jungkook grits for the umpteenth time, and no less is his assertions any more convincing than it was a moment ago. The flicker of his irises towards to crowd is enough to prove that fact. “I’m just enjoying my day at the beach with my friends and my girlfriend.”

“See, there are two false statements in that,” Taehyung tilts his head downwards, offering a smug smirk that Jungkook wishes he could shove into the sand beneath him. “You’re definitely not enjoying this because I can see the veins protruding out of your neck at how hard you’re clenching your jaw, and”—the older boy makes the effort to taunt Jungkook further by letting out a low whistle the moment the crowd seems to grow slightly bigger—“you’re partially right about the friend part. Your girlfriend though … where is she?”

I’m good. I’m okay. I’m cool—

“Oblivious, as usual,” Jimin sighs, plopping back onto the beach towel beneath him while shooting Jungkook a pointed stare. “It’d be sad if you only called her your girlfriend for six months when you’ve been in love with her for seven years.”

“Okay that’s it. I’m going there,” Jungkook declares, huffing as he pushes himself off the ground while Jimin makes an effort to grab at his ankle, halting the younger boy from causing any damage and potentially getting them banned from ever returning.

“Not with that temper you aren’t,” Jimin snaps, “Sit your ass down. God. Can’t you take a joke?”

“A joke?” Jungkook splutters, abhorred. “You literally just said she’s going to break up with me!”

“I said that it’d be sad if—”

“Same fucking difference,” he hisses, rubbing a hand across his face before he kicks Jimin’s petty grip off his ankle while levelling him with a menacing glare. Jungkook’s eyes slowly drift to the side where you finally enter his vision, still smiling like the soft and sweet person you were as you help Namjoon with whatever crab hunting mission he had.

See, Jungkook’s mature enough to know that you and Namjoon were good friends, great ones, even. The two of you were smart and clicked well, and if anything, Jungkook was more envious of the fact that the two of you shared such a wholesome and meaningful friendship than anything else.

The fact that Namjoon used to have feelings for you didn’t bother Jungkook anymore, not when he knew where your heart truly laid. He also trusted Namjoon with his entire life and his firstborns (not that he’d ever tell you that, and God—did he hope that day would eventually come when it came to you). But still, Jungkook was mature—he did some growing up, and he was proud of that.

But Jungkook’s human, a flawed, ever-learning and constantly improving human. A human who’s crazy in love with his pretty girlfriend that he’s longed for years—and a human who isn’t blind. A human who can’t ignore the fact that, apparently, he wasn’t the only person that was trying to keep himself in check at how stunning you were. Every day—and especially today, with how your dainty yellow bikini drapes over the curves of your body.

Jungkook nearly cries. Yellow was his favourite colour. You wore it for him.

Not for—

“Maybe you should head over,” Taehyung murmurs, snapping Jungkook out of his love-filled mind as his eyes clear, immediately catching what his friend was referring to.

Some dude. Talking to you. Smiling at you like you carried all the answers to all the world problems as you giggle a tune comparable to birds chirping. Maybe Jungkook was exaggerating but it always sounded like you were singing his favourite song even if you were just explaining economical concepts to him like a soothing e-book.

“God, why couldn’t she have been ugly,” Jungkook groans.

“You wouldn’t have dated her otherwise,” Jimin retorts.

Jungkook gawks, affronted as he gives his two friends a scandalised expression as he places his hands over his chest to indicate the offence he took to that statement.

“I’m not superficial,” he huffs, “I fell in love with her because of her—”

“Personality, yada yada,” Jimin mocks him in a lower tune that has Jungkook glaring at him. “Yeah, okay. But don’t tell me that her being pretty doesn’t help you bust a nut every once in a while.”

Jungkook flushes.

“Well, yeah, but I’m her boyfriend—”

“Thank you for reminding me that you are in fact, still a boy,” Jimin rolls his eyes, “Men. Mansplaining everything, really.”

Jungkook’s jaw slackens as his eyes briefly land on Taehyung’s figure who doesn’t look too bothered with how the conversation turned out as he shrugs in response.

“How about you do the typical manly thing of being a jealous prick and go over there and stomp over all her fan club members,” Jimin says sarcastically, resting his arm over his eyes to shield them from the sun.

There’s a brief rustle from where the sand meets the towel, and a relatively long period of silence while the only thing that permeates the air is the sound of waves with laughter coming from a family a distance away.

“He did exactly that, didn’t he.”

“You need to stop giving him ideas,” Taehyung sighs, plopping a grape into his mouth before occupying the space next to his friend. “Should we find another beach to frequent?”

“Really?” you laugh, “That’s so cool! I’m actually planning on landing an apprenticeship there over the summer.”

“Oh?” The man is leaning way too close to you for comfort, but you’re unfazed. Jungkook doesn’t even want to know where the hell Namjoon had gone, leaving you with this broad-shouldered, terrifyingly handsome man. “I could definitely put a good word in for you if you’d like.”

You beam, appreciative rather than brazen. But Jungkook thinks the man doesn’t know that.

“I don’t think I can accept that, Seokjin.”

And of course, you knew his name.

“Why not?” Seokjin smirks, and Jungkook knows that it’s definitely done him justice in other situations. “For a beautiful—”

“____,” he interjects, smoothly (or not quite) sliding next to you as his arms wrap around your waist before his glare rests on the man before him, who looks both shocked and unbothered at his appearance. “Who’s this?”

You jump slightly at Jungkook’s arrival but relax when you realise that it was just him and not some other beach weirdo.

“Jungkook, this is Seokjin! He actually attended our university—”

“Really,” he says dryly, “That’s nice.”

“Is this your …?” Seokjin looks Jungkook up and down before settling with a rather unimpressed look. “Do seniors usually bring their shadows out for playdates?”

Your eyes widen at his patronising tone, and before can even think to correct him with a tilted frown, Jungkook’s fingers dig into your waist, a precursor to his jaw that clenches while he engages in his own version of a staredown with the man before you.

“Boyfriend.”

Seokjin raises a brow.

“Me,” Jungkook blinks, unnerved and quite frankly, tired. He’s crossed this bridge enough times, and it’s always the same. Some older dude who thought that you were doing charity work by having Jungkook tag along with like some puny little brother. “I’m her boyfriend.”

“Jungkook—” you start, softly reaching to grip his arm.

“Interesting,” Seokjin says offhandedly and Jungkook knows it’s anything but. “Well, my offer still stands.”

He’s directing it to you as you peer up at him with your notoriously innocent eyes. Jungkook hates that this douche is still unaffected by his blatant declaration of the fact that you were—taken.

“I—that’s fine, Seokjin,” you say softly, lips curling into a thankful smile before he nods.

The look he sends Jungkook is nothing short of unimpressed, and Jungkook’s thinking of clamming the dude into the sand and quite literally, bury the hatchet with him. Sure, he was handsome and broad, and undoubtedly ripped—but Jungkook trained to benchpress twice his weight so he could beat up assholes who tried to hit on his girlfriend.

Right before he leaves, Jungkook calls for his name—intentionally calling him Seokmin—noting the way his face drops into a scowl.

“You’re not her type.”

He scoffs.

“And you are?” he throws back, brows raised as a challenge.

“That’s why I get to hold her and you’re walking away.”

With that, Seokjin doesn’t bother responding to Jungkook, especially in the way that you gawk at your boyfriend’s blatant warning to the older man.

He titters off, and it’s effectively just you and Jungkook standing by the shore while you briefly see the way Namjoon stutters before deciding to return to where Jimin and Taehyung lays.

Jungkook’s still seething in his rage, clenching and unclenching his fists even though he got the last word. It wasn’t that he thought you’d elope with Seokjin and leave him—he trusted you wholeheartedly and vice versa. He knew you loved him and so did he.

It had more to do with the fact that Seokjin saw you, and eventually, him—and thought that Jungkook wasn’t fit to be your boyfriend. That he saw a gorgeous girl on the beach and expected her to be single, and if not—to be with a boyfriend that had his shit together and not … not Jungkook.

“Jungkook?” you say quietly, tugging at his elbow while you peer up at him with wide and apologetic eyes. “I’m sorry.”

It’s no good, the fact that you’re apologising. As if you were responsible for his insecurities when you’ve done nothing but shower him with love and support ever since the two of you started officially dating.

“Don’t apologise,” he says stiffly, though his heart isn’t angry—he can’t help the way his words get out. “It’s not your fault.”

“But—”

“If you apologise then you’re gonna piss me off, baby,” he says lightly, peering you down with a small smirk as your eyes widen.

“I—okay,” you say weakly, and before he knows it, you’re intertwining your fingers with his, eyes suddenly twinkling in a way he’s grown all too familiar with.

“You have the keys?” he murmurs softly.

You nod, blind and in love as you sigh.

“Take care of me?” you ask sweetly, and Jungkook forgets all about Seokjin when he has you right in front of him.

“O-Oh, fuck—Jungkook—ngh—”

Maybe Jungkook really was a crazy person, but he’d argue that you were equally as crazy to oblige to indulge in his lewd fantasies. He was crazy, for you and your cunt that was like nirvana, and it’s proven further when he fucks into you at a brutal pace, uncaring whether or not the car shakes with the exertion of the activities that were taking place in it.

It could be the fact that he had a decade worth of fantasies to play out, but he knows that he plays a huge part in opening your sexual nature and he couldn’t be happier about it, especially when you unabashedly throw your head onto your chest, whimpering with the dirty squelches of his thrusts that echo in the vehicle.

“You’re mine, aren’t you?” he growls, hand wrapping around the back of your neck to force your glassy eyes to look at him.

The look on your face is enough to get Jungkook even more riled up, your flushed cheeks and swollen lips while you nod your head manically, crazy—and his.

“Y-Yours,” you whimper, and just about then, Jungkook brings your hips down with his free hand and meets you with a sharp thrust that has your mouth dropping open and your face scrunched up in pleasure. “F-Fuck, J-Jungkook.”

“No one gets to fuck you like this,” he hisses, pressing a hot kiss to your neck as you whine, hips involuntarily swivelling to meet his fast pace. The car is shaking and it’s all too risky, Jungkook knows that—but his rationale is clouded with the antagonising face of Seokjin. “No one gets to see you like this. Only I do.”

“Y-Yes!” you sob, clutching onto him as he feels your pussy tighten viciously around him, the walls of your inner linings spasming as Jungkook hisses at the feeling. “Only you K-Kook. Only ever want you.”

Jungkook believes you, especially when you desperately hold onto him as he feels himself slowly reach the edge. He knows you are too, especially when your whines get higher in pitch, and your tugs against his shoulders get tighter. He knows because he’s learnt about your body as your boyfriend—and he’s the only person that will ever get to have you like this.

The thought, paired along with the risk of your situation only fuels his determination to get you off, his strong arms immediately wrapping around you to root you into place as he shoves his cock deeper into you.

“Come on, pretty girl,” he croons as you mewl in pleasure, breathless whines turning more desperate as your eyes flutter shut. “You wanna show me how much you want me?”

You nod manically, your pussy fluttering around his length as he grunts in exertion.

“G-Gonna—pleasedon’tstop—fuck, I-I’m cumming—!” you cry, tugging your face into the crook of his neck as Jungkook bites his lips in focus, all ready to accept your hot pleasure and his own.

“Come for me,” he encourages, lips hovering over your earlobe as you obey his orders, head thrown back as he watches your mouth drop wider and your eyes roll to the back of your head, pussy tightening around his length.

Jungkook thinks you’re beautiful. On days where you don’t feel like you do, but he may be biased to say that he thinks you look absolutely stunning for him like this. When he knows that he’s the one responsible for your reddened cheeks, the way you so desperately cling onto him whenever you’d orgasm (the only person that would ever know this fact about you), and the way that you’re left breathless, satiated and with that hazed expression after his resolute efforts.

Jungkook cums shortly after, with those exact thoughts plaguing his mind. He was so whipped. He really only had to think of you and he would get hard, and having you right above him, soft and warm with your arms draped loosely over his form made his heart all mushy and soft despite the way his cock stands erect.

You mewl in oversensitivity although you don’t complain. You never do, whenever Jungkook cums after you. Even now, when Jungkook comes down from his high with pants of his own, his own mind-clearing while his cock softens in you—you remain patient. Patient like the ever-loving, wonderful girlfriend that you were—one that Jungkook wasn’t sure he deserved.

“Wow,” you giggle, forehead resting against his as you return from your own post-orgasmic bliss. “I can’t believe I let you fuck me in a parking lot.”

Jungkook flushes, reality sinking in when he realised that the two of you weren’t hidden from plain sight. While the idea of being caught was definitely arousing, Jungkook knew he wasn’t too keen on having anyone see you delirious, even if it was all for him. He was lucky enough that your bikini top remained on the entire time, but both your sweaty bodies were enough of a dead giveaway.

“I just,” Jungkook tries to explain, words slurring in embarrassment as you raise a brow at him. “You look really pretty today.”

You stare at his forlorn expression as if admitting that pained him. Jungkook feels slightly embarrassed at how he reacted, and if you notice this, you don’t point it out—yet.

“Wore this for you,” you murmur, pressing a soft kiss to the mole under his lip. Jungkook’s heart soars at your admission even if he knew that. “You know it’s only for you, right?”

Your question is purposeful and Jungkook shamefully looks to his lap, and even then—you’re still connected. He slowly pulls out, wincing when his cum threatens to pool out of your pussy, but before he can pretend to clean you up, you’re putting your bikini bottoms back in place and clamping your hands over his cheeks so that he’d look at you.

“Jungkook,” you say sternly.

He sighs.

“Yes,” he groans, feeling a lot like a child who’s being berated. “I just—God. He was such a prick.”

“I know,” you say gently, fingers combing through his hair while he melts into your touch. “There are a lot of pricks out there, but you know that I only love you, right?”

Your confession is the same as the one you’ve made six months ago, and just last night before the two of you fell asleep—but it’s a confession that Jungkook never grows tired of.

“I know,” he mumbles as you giggle at him. “It’s just that … he really thought he had a chance with you, and when he saw me it was like—”

You frown, finger pressed against his lips to stop his rambling as he peers up at you with doe-eyes.

“None of that,” you chide lightly, “I don’t care what people think. The only person I care about is you, and no one will change that, okay?”

Jungkook feels himself relax into your touch, especially when you lean forward to capture his lips in a soft kiss that isn’t set to lead anywhere. He remembers. He remembers the times where you were unsure and all too worried of the words of others—and here you were, with him and with your gentle and loving soul, the embodiment of comfort as you tell him the words he’s always known but needs to be reminded of.

“I love you,” he says quietly as you grin widely at him, “Sorry for—you know.”

You roll your eyes, lifting your leg to get off his lap as you wince at the cum that threatens to escape your lips.

“I mean, it was kind of hot,” you shrug with a small smirk.

“God, I’ve created a monster,” Jungkook snorts, looking over at you when you shoot him a devious grin.

“You love it,” you throw back cheekily, leaning into his shoulder as he wraps an arm around you with a sigh.

He does. And he knows that he’s the only one that you’ll love back.

[jacobsnsfw]

half time, dream

NSFW! MINORS DNI ISTG

PAIRING  football!dream x fem!reader

PRONOUNS she/her

WARNINGS unprotected ( wrap b4 u tap! ) hate sex, choking spitting, degradation, hair pulling,

SONG REC girls need love, summer walker

WORD COUNT 2.28k

NOTE  this is fully inspired by @/slapnap , @/whoranges , & their wonderful anons.  football!dream my love </3 it's been months since i've written smut bare with me pls😩. it’s written kind of weird, i wrote it almost in past tense? they’re both 18 and seniors

wattpad      

     HALF TIME HAD FINALLY BEGAN all the players from each team had went to hydrate and talk amongst themselves, (y/n) watched clay's cocky smirk form on his face as the other cheerleaders on her cheer squad surrounded that gorgeous bastard, and showered him with compliments about how good he looked or how well he played.

she hated everything about him, the way he obnoxiously flirted with every girl to ever enter the school's front doors, hell he's even tried on multiple teachers. he made her skin crawl but yet, he was unimaginably attractive. clay's green eyes gazed pasted the heads of the girls in front of him, the smirk on his face grew as his eyes raked down (y/n)'s a beautiful figure in her uniform that fit her body perfectly, her hips and tits on full display only covered by the short skirt and tight top.

once their eyes met the cheerleader was quick to break eye contact praying he didn't get the wrong idea, but his long legs carried him quickly to where she was leaning against the metal pole holding up the stands, "staring isn't very nice y'know" she hated the way he spoke and the effect he had on her.

"why don't you go fuck yourself" she more-so told him then asked, "oh come on.." he trailed off a faux pout pulling at his lips that (y/n) rolled her eyes at.

"why don't you and i take a trip to the locker rooms, hm?" he asked. something that damn near no one knew, was the fact that they had gotten together at clay's friend karl's house, in his bed, but they never talked about it, and if niki, one of (y/n)'s close friends, were to bring it up, (y/n) would say it was some mistake, but she never forgot the things clay made her feel that night, maybe it was the adrenaline she was feeling that made her overly sensitive, but he was.. different.

her eyebrows raised and her thighs clenched at the memory, "what are you thinking about?" clay asked his voice huskier than before. he placed his index finger under her chin, making her look him in the eyes. how the hell are you supposed to tell someone you're daydreaming about the sex you had with them, maybe if he wasn't so full of himself now, she would've told him, but no.

"thinking about how you're on my last nerve" she snapped putting on her best angry look, as if she wasn't soaked from his voice and her thoughts alone, pulling her head away from him quickly. "feisty... i like it" he tutted running his thumb over her bottom lip. he pulled her into him by her waist, "come on, you had fun last time.." he continued, he wasn't wrong but, (y/n) would never admit that.

his lips met hers as shock crossed her brain, but when his teeth sunk into her bottom lip and slipped his tongue inside her mouth, she moaned, as if there were parents and their peer's siblings just above them on the bleachers, but that didn't matter at the time. their mouths slotted together euphorically, teeth and tongue clashing.

clay's muscular thigh lifted to meet her pussy that was covered by a thin, skimpy pair of panties and short spandex, and he pressed into it so she could feel him through the clothing.

(y/n) quietly protested when his lips left her own, "come on" he mumbled pulling her behind him to what looked to be the boys' locker room, "i can't go in there" she stopped in her tracks, standing just outside the door, clay rolled his eyes and grabbed her wrist pulling her in.

"as if you coming in the locker room's a big deal. no one's here to snitch and no one will find out" he mumbled like they weren't about to have sex where any of his teammates or coaches could walk in.

he pushed her up against the cold lockers, the cold metal and clay's mouth back on hers sent chills up her whole body. god, the thought of someone walking into his hands gliding down her body, and gripping her ass under the inappropriately short skirt, made her brain fog.

(y/n) reached down and tugged the clothing on her lower half off, leaving a pair of black panties thin enough to not see through the spandex that pooled at her ankles that she had on only so no one could see what she didn't want them to.

they pulled away from each other, clay palmed his erection through his pants, (y/n) grabbed him by his shirt, and pulled him back into her by his shoulder pads, "are these staying on?" she asked quietly and clay nodded in response, they only had around fifteen minutes left of their thirty

the football player's hands trailed from where they sat on her waist, to her throat, he wrapped them tight but not too tight, just enough so she could breathe, "what do you want me to do" clay teased, he knew what she wanted, but he wasn't going to just fuck her, he wanted her to beg.

"fuck you, i'm not doing it." (y/n) said, it's almost like she could read his mind if she did beg he would brag about it for the remainder of the time they fucked around together.

"oh.. okay" he replied nonchalantly pulling away from where he had her pressed against the lockers, and heading towards the door, "wait, clay!" she walked quickly after him, grabbing his wrist pulling him into her.

their chest colliding just before she reached up and pulled his head- more specifically his left ear, whispering, "clay, please fuck me~" she moaned loudly and obnoxiously squeaky into it and he almost lost it.

his hands that were at his side, came back to her waist and her throat, "listen, we both know how much of a slut for me you are, and don't pretend any different, got it?" he asked his tone was serious and that's what made it even hotter, c'mon if a greek god were to be in your face telling you how much of a slut you were, how would you act?

she hummed, acknowledging what he said. his grip on her throat tightened ever so slightly, "words, whore" he hummed his calloused hand left her hip and trailed teasingly down her thigh, and slapping it roughly.

"yes," she gasped when his hand met her flesh soothing the stop he hit, "i'm.. a slut for you" her hands met his broad shoulders, her nails digging into the clothing that covered them.

a deep grunt left his agape mouth, and he pulled the top off the cheer uniform up enough to expose her tits to him. his mouth as quick to attach to the left one, her hands tangled in his dusty, blond locks, when his teeth barely grazed over her nipple, her breath caught in her throat and her hands tugged at his hair.

(y/n)'s head tipped back and met the lockers, with a so much force a small clang bounced off the walls of the large room, "careful doll, don't wanna hurt that pretty little head of yours." clay spoke up his mouth releasing her breast with an audible 'pop'.

his hands reached to pull the pants from upon his hips, but before he did, he glanced up at (y/n) for permission, she nodded with a dopey smile on her face. the bare minimum just hits different when he's with her.

"ya'sure you wanna do this?" he asked, he didn't want to force her into anything she was uncomfortable with, i'm sure if she had an issue she would've said or done something sooner, but just in case she didn't.

"m'sure" she mumbled out, her dainty, slender fingers tugged at his hair again trying her best to make him hurry and fuck her before time ran out, to say she was eager would be an understatement.

clay laughed at her neediness, "for someone who hates me, you sure don't act like it. all needy for me, hm?" he was so painfully conceited he knew how hot he was and he knew how to treat someone mentally and physically.

the pants he wore for the game, were quick to be tugged down his hips, and his boxers as well, fully exposing himself to (y/n) and anyone who could walk in at any time.

he wrapped his hands around his cock, stroking it slowly almost like he was teasing himself, a grunt passed his lips and his hips pressed more into his hand, though (y/n) didn't want him to get to into it and grabbed his wrist causing his hand to almost halt and his eyes locked with (y/n)'s.

"use me not your hand, please" she cooed under her breath wiggling in his tight hold. he laughed once again at her neediness.

"you want me to fuck you? use you like a toy?" teasing, teasing, and more teasing, he enjoyed watching her struggle and rub aimlessly against him, it was hot to him at least.

she continued nodding, like that was the only thing she could do, "please. pl-please" the high-pitched moan that followed her stumbled words made clay almost want to edge her until she was crying in his arms, but then he remembered the time crunch.

he grabbed her chin making eye contact with her as he rubbed his cock against her slit trying his best to get a reaction and pushed slowly into her.

"clay~ hngg" she moaned, her plan to keep at least a little bit quiet was crushed when he slowly started thrusting into her, his pace speeding every time he pushed back in

his thumb rubbed against her bottom lip, opening her mouth slightly, clays brows raised expectantly waiting for her to open it the rest of the way, when she did, the spit that pooled on his tongue transferred to hers, "swallow it, bitch" he spoke through gritted teeth.

his cock nudged that spot deep inside her, and her back arched from the locker and her moans stuttered, "right there- fuck!" (y/n) gasped as her legs wrapped impossibly tighter around his hips pulling him closer, just to make him hit it again. 

his thrusts were almost animalistic at this point, and the words that streamed from (y/n)'s gorgeous lips were echoed throughout the room, her mind ran so fast she could barely keep up, maybe this is why they called him dream, ‘cause fuck was this is like a erotic fantasy. it was almost embarrassing how fast he could make her cum.

her brain became more foggy than when this started, her thigh started to quiver ever so slightly, “you g’na come?” clay taunted, his hips slowing. she didn’t even reply her legs wrapped tighter around his hips, pulling him into her, as she ground herself against his cock. 

her velvety walls enveloped around him tightly, pulling a strangled gasp from clay, his left hand reached to tug the ends of her hair exposing her neck to him. his lips attached to her neck, “no marks, someone’ll see” (y/n) mumbled threading her fingers through his hair.

“ ‘ts baffling how you think i give a fuck.” he muttered continuing his harsh thrusts and his mouth sucking red marks that would be soon become a deep purple color. (y/n)’s vision blurred slightly and she swore she could see stars, the ahegao-like expression present on her features reminded clay of the hentai he’d seen that sapnap had sent him, drool dripped from her tongue and down her chin, like a child. 

a white ring could be seen every time clay pulled out to thrust back in, he fucked her through her orgasm, attempting to chase his that was so close he could practically taste it, his hips stuttered and his pace slowed quite a bit.

his body slumped against hers, and his head fell into her shoulder as he breathed in the overly expensive perfume and matching lotion she wore all the time, it was her go, kind of fruity and coconut-y, not too sweet but sweet enough to get the point across. 

the afterglow they were basking in was cut short by the banging on the door from someone, “clay? are you in there” what sounded like clay’s good friend alex on the other side of the door, “yeah, i’ll be out in a sec” he yelled back pushing off of where he was leaning against (y/n). 

a dopey smile pulled at her lips as she pulled her skirt up from on the floor, "what's so fuckin' funny?" clay asked with his brows furrowed. "nothing, just had sex with a hot guy in his locker room at a football game" she mumbled pulling her top over her boobs and walking past him making sure their shoulders brushed when she did. clay stared at the door, dumbfounded, she just walked away as if he didn't just ruin her, if she didn't feel it now she definitely would later.

[the-dream-team]

Can I Try Again

Another ridiculously fluffy one-shot for @efkgirldetective's summer of jily week four prompt: picking berries // I know I've kissed you before, but I didn't do it right // the entire song, pink in the night <3

She is beautiful and he is in a perpetual state of falling. Down and down and down the goddamn rabbit hole, but somehow the further James plummets, the brighter his life becomes. It’s the kind of brightness that blinds him- somewhat painfully- and leaves his vision spotty, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Lily Evans walks ahead of him, a spring in her step, sunshine pouring through her hair. She’s cut it short for the summer, just above her shoulders, and he’s mesmerized by the way it bounces around her neck as she walks through the gardens of his family’s home. It’s an image he’s played over in his head an infinite number of times, but his rosiest daydreams don’t hold a candle to the real thing. The afternoon light hits his glasses just right and suddenly there’s a halo of glowing stars framing her as she tucks a dark red strand behind her ear. He can’t even see her face, but it doesn’t matter. I could stare at your back all day.

He is the luckiest boy in the world and every moment is made up of the sweetest form of torture. Agony and exuberance whipping his heart back and forth like a rogue Bludger.

She must know, he thinks. Must have some sort of clue that she’s occupied every corner of his mind for well over a year now. Even more so now, after the platform. He wishes more than anything for the ability to read minds as she glances over her shoulder with those startlingly green eyes, that friendly grin.

He can’t help but smile back- or maybe he was already smiling before she even turned around. It doesn’t matter. By some miracle, she’s here, and he can only marvel at the kindness of fate.

***

It had been a passing comment. One of those early morning conversations as his friends frantically scribbled out unfinished essays while shoving waffles down their throats. Chatter muffled by mouthfuls of eggs and yawning. Remus had commented offhandedly about the fruit bowl being passed around, and then-

“Oh, raspberries are my favorite.”

He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t already looking at her when she spoke. But truthfully, he was always looking at Lily, a habit he’d long since stopped fighting once he realized how fruitless his efforts were. She was beautiful and he was hopeless. Simply lucky to be in her presence. She was the sun, and he, but a lonely planet, entirely reliant on and endlessly seeking out her light.

Sirius spoke the words James should have if his mind hadn’t gone fuzzy from hearing her voice.

“You know, the Potters have a raspberry patch in their gardens.”

“Oh, really?” She glanced from Sirius to James with a brilliant smile and excited eyes, so purposefully glued to his that he had to duck his head and rake a hand through his hair to hide his heating cheeks.

“That’s right,” he said more to his plate of sausages than to her. “They’re usually ripe to pick by early August.” When he peered back up, she was still looking his way.

“You should come over this summer and take some off our hands,” said Sirius casually, turning towards James as if it had been his idea.

“Yeah,” he jumped in a little too eagerly. “I mean- if you’d like, you’re more than welcome.”

Her smile widened, rounding the apples of her cheeks in a way that made his stomach flip pleasantly. “That sounds like fun.”

He assumed she’d forget the conversation, it had been just another morning, just another casual chat among housemates, but that didn’t keep him from daydreaming about the potential of a far-off day in August rather incessantly during the following months. But then as the school year ended and summer rolled on painfully slowly (and Lily-less), an owl arrived. And her handwriting crawled across the page like a message written in the clouds.

***

Lily swings the woven basket back and forth in her pursuit of the best raspberries. There’s already an impressive bounty growing in her basket, far more than he’s managed to collect- too busy watching her kneel down and pluck berries off their delicate branches to pick any of his own.

He turns to a leafy bush, green and lively and swaying slightly in the warm breeze, and quickly pinches off a handful of berries in an attempt to catch up with her. When she spins around, he’s thankful for the distraction. A minute earlier and she would have caught him staring. Again.

She smiles pleasantly and brushes her fringe off her sweaty forehead with the back of her wrist. James’ heart leaps into his throat.

“You’ve been quiet,” she says, but not accusingly.

“No I haven’t,” he responds, voice gravelly from underuse. “Just been busy picking raspberries.”

She glances at his measly basket, then back to his face with arching brows and an amused smirk.

He can’t help his own guilty grin. “Alright, Evans, I’m sorry we can’t all be unreasonably talented at everything we do.”

“It’s berry picking, Potter,” she laughs, “not advanced Arithmancy.”

In retaliation, he plucks a raspberry off of the nearest branch and playfully throws it at her. She somehow has the gall to lean her head back and catch the goddamn berry between her teeth. His brain short circuits. He’s quite certain his jaw is on the ground. She acts as though this is no big deal, swallowing the fruit with a satisfied smile, her tongue brushing her lower lip before tossing another into her mouth.

“Oh, these are delicious!”

He can’t form a response even if he wants to. Even if it was a matter of life or death, which it sure as hell feels like. He can only stare at her mouth, at her lips stained raspberry-pink, and lose himself in the knowledge that he knows how they feel against his own- even just briefly.

***

The platform teemed with students stretching their legs after the long journey home from school, saying their goodbyes to friends as their families greeted them for the summer.

A pit sat in James’ stomach- heavy and demoralizing- the entire train ride back to London. He knew she’d be gone soon. Back with her parents in Cokeworth for two excruciating months before their seventh year began. He’d taken their close proximity for granted during the school year, and as he faced a summer without the promise of her warmth, he wondered if it was even possible living in the dark.

He laughed loudly at a joke Peter told, overcompensating for the fact he’d missed the punchline while his thoughts were spiraling over her. Sirius shot him a look that suggested he wasn’t doing a great job of masking his emotions. Had it been so obvious the entire way home? Could she have noticed the despondency in his eyes, heard the heavy thumping of his heart? He rolled his eyes at Sirius and mustered up the most unbothered smirk he could manage.

But then, without warning, she was in front of him.

“Alright, Potter, don’t let your head overinflate while I’m not around to keep you grounded.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Evans,” he laughed, thankful his voice sounded steadier than he felt. “Just so long as you promise to consider switching your loyalties to Puddlemere. There’s no way the Harpies even make it to the semi-finals this season, and I can’t bear seeing you heartbroken again.”

“Oh, piss off, Potter,” she replied, but the way she threw her arms around his neck seemed to argue she didn’t mean what she said. Instinctually, he hugged her back, and thank Merlin he had her to hold onto as the wind was knocked out of his lungs at her touch. An overwhelming warmth sparkled across every surface their bodies met, and it took every ounce of control he had to restrain the truly pathetic sigh that threatened to escape his throat.

“And I haven’t forgotten,” she spoke into his shoulder, breath hot thorough his t-shirt, “you promised me berry picking this August.”

It would be impossible to miss the rapid beating of his heart through his chest pressed up against hers. “I’m already counting down the days.”

When she pulled back, hands resting on his shoulders for a beat longer than expected, his body moved faster than his brain could keep up with. He leaned forward, aiming for her cheek, but miraculously landing against her mouth- connecting for the briefest of moments before parting again, as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened between them. If it weren’t for the ghost of her lips still burning against his own, he might have thought he’d dreamt it.

“Lily, I’m not waiting any longer, we’re leaving, now,” came the unpleasant voice of her sister from across the platform.

Lily’s disoriented smile faltered slightly before she composed herself again, meeting his eye. “I’ll see you in August?”

“Yeah, August,” he somehow said with his mouth still tingling, forever changed by what they now knew.

***

The memory of her lips, how they feel pressed between his smile, is harder to ignore when they’re in front of him. He can remember the warmth where they touched him over a month ago and absentmindedly he brings a raspberry to his mouth so he can imagine how she must taste.

His emotions were hard enough to control before he knew what he was missing, but now they are impossible to reign in. He forgets how to breathe, and as a result, his head spins maddeningly. Unsure of how much longer he can stand up straight without making a fool out of himself, he walks forward and lays a hand on Lily’s back- partially to lead her forward, partially because the desire to be connected to her in any way is driving him mad.

She lets him guide her through the rows of bushes, under an ancient wooden archway, and across a courtyard of blossoming poppies and forget-me-nots enclosed by walls of hedges. Yellow and purple petals reflect brilliantly in her green eyes, creating their own fields of wildflowers within her irises. He walks her towards a wide, circular fountain in the middle of the grass where bubbling water spills over onto stone tiers and pours into the basin below, its floor littered with glinting coins, dancing under the water’s rippling surface.

He sits down and she follows suit on the stone ledge surrounding the water, partially shaded by an impressive plum tree. Cool droplets spray off the fountain, refreshing like summer rain singing I love you, I love you, I love you. Lily glances his way and he wonders if she can hear his thoughts.

“Are we finished picking berries?” she asks, eyes squinting and nose crinkling in the sun.

“I figured you had enough to feed a village.” He reaches over and grabs a raspberry from her basket and she gasps in faux outrage.

“Are you really stealing my raspberries, Potter?”

He adores his name on her tongue. “My apologies,” he says, pulling a silver Sickle out of his pocket and sliding it over to where she sits. She looks at him like he’s lost his mind. “For your troubles. Go on then, make a wish.”

“Oh!” Her eyes light up and she takes hold of the coin, lifting it to her heart as she closes her eyes in search of a wish.

He thinks he could look at her forever. Happy, sunkissed, an unconscious smile playing across her lips. With her eyes shut, he uses a minute to take a deep breath, attempting to calm his racing heart and compose his dopey grin. They’re sitting close together, knees almost touching with the basket of berries between them. As she tosses the Sickle behind her shoulder, he smells the faint scent of her vanilla shampoo.

She noticeably tries to hide her smile when her eyelids flutter back open.

“What did you wish for?” he asks, unable to stop himself.

She freezes with her eyes locked on his. A pink blush spreads across her cheeks, growing darker the longer he stares back at her. “I can’t tell you,” she says, words sounding choked, “or else it won't come true.”

Her flushed face awakens something in his chest, a confidence that blooms magnificently, turns his nervous, pattering heartbeat into a steady, powerful drum.

His voice drops to a hoarse whisper when he asks, “Can I guess?”

Her breath hitches. “I think you might already know, James.” Her words, the sound of his name, melts him down to a puddle. By some miracle, she continues speaking. “Look, I know I’ve kissed you before-”

“But I didn’t do it right,” he says frantically, his hands finding her face and brushing through her hair. He starts to understand why people advise against looking directly at the sun because being this close to her fills him with such astounding emotion he thinks he might explode. She stares up at him, blush deepening, lips parting, and he takes a ragged breath. “Can I try again?”

This time, when she smiles, he knows exactly what he’s doing.

He leans in slowly, letting their breath mix together, their noses bump lightly before he closes the space between their lips. She’s soft and warm and beautiful and radiant and he’s never felt a happiness quite like this one, never experienced a kiss this perfect. His fingers travel over her scorching skin and brush her neck as he deepens the kiss, tasting the raspberries on her tongue, his heart soaring as she responds blissfully until they’re both left breathless.

“And again?” she asks, pulling him back with a smile against his lips.

“And again,” he smiles back, marveling, once again, at the kindness of fate.

[seriouslysnape]

One and Only

__

Severus Snape x Fem! Reader

Warnings: None.

Request: Hi! Could you write something about jealous reader with Snape? I wonder how would he react if he find out she got jealous even though they have healthy relationship and trust each other (〃°ω°〃) (fluff, smut whatever you feel like to write) Thanks! 🐍💚

Word Count: 1,632

“Really? So, you’re just being short with me for no reason?”

__

The early days of summer had brought sun warmed days and moon cooled nights with each rotation of the Earth. The joyous season had brought beautiful weather this year, and you had been in high spirits since the season had arrived. Summer always filled you with such merriment and thrill that it was no doubt that it was your favorite time of year.

Which was why Severus couldn’t figure out why you were in such a bad mood.

A sour scowl had been plastered on your face all afternoon, robbing your demeanor of its usual glee and pep. To put it in simplest terms, you were pouting. 

It didn’t take Severus long to notice that something was bugging you. You refused to look him in the eye and you were only responding with short sentences with a flat tone. He felt a twinge of hurt when you brushed him off every time his hands were on you. You were upset with him, which was why he wanted to get through to you. 

“What do you want for dinner, love?” Severus called sweetly from the kitchen. 

You were curled up on the sofa in the living room with a book in hand. You heard him loud and clear, but ignored him. Your eyes continued to scan the pages from line to line, but you weren’t really sure how much you were actually comprehending. 

When he didn’t get a reply, Severus appeared in the doorway. He could feel the tension from all the way where he stood which sent a shiver down his back.

“Did you hear me, angel?” He asked in the same light voice he had used before.

You didn’t look up from your novel, only raising a brow to subtly let him know that you were acknowledging his presence. He spoke again.

“I asked what you want for dinner tonight.” He repeated.

You looked up from the words on the pages, annoyance clear on your face with pursed lips and dim eyes. 

“I don’t know. Whatever is fine.” You said almost in a growl.

You went back to your book, avoiding the concerned look on his face. You felt a little bad for making him feel guilty. Maybe you were being a bit childish, but your stubborn nature almost always seemed to win out. 

“I’ll cook whatever you want. Vegetables are always so fresh this time of year so I-”

“Severus, I really don’t care what we have.” You cut him off, closing your book in defeat and putting it on the coffee table in front of you.

“Okay...well, how about we go to the park and watch the sunset after we eat? It’s been clear skies all day.” He offered gently.

Normally, you’d perk up at the sound of a summer evening walk in the park, but you remained unchanged. Something had really pissed you off.

“Fine with me.” You replied curtly.

Severus was rather fed up with your snarky behavior, but he was more worried that he had done something wrong. He discarded the thought of dinner and your evening plans for now, taking his place in the living room to join you.

“[Y/N], have I done something to upset you?” He queried, taking a seat on the adjacent sofa cushion.

Your irritated frown was still prevalent as ever, the slight roll of your pretty eyes telling him that he had indeed ruffled your feathers. 

“No.” You lied.

Severus hummed.

“Really? So, you’re just being short with me for no reason?” He acquired.

“I’m not being short.” You huffed, crossing your arms over your chest. 

Severus looked doubtful at that, because you were definitely aggravated. 

“I know I haven’t missed your birthday. It’s not your time of the month. You were fine this morning so it’s something that happened earlier this afternoon.” Severus rattled off.

You went silent, because he was right. Every summer, Headmaster Dumbledore would host a summer luncheon type event for all the Hogwarts professors and their significant others. It was a party of sorts to celebrate another successful year of teaching that was always a hit.

“It wasn’t the lunch party, was it? You had such a nice time.” He wondered.

“Yeah, so did you and McGonagall.” You snapped.

The words left your mouth before you could even process them. Severus’ head twitched in surprise at the sudden confession. He was confused only for a moment before his puzzlement melted into realization. He couldn’t even hide the smirk in his face.

Severus was usually the one to get jealous. You were a strikingly gorgeous woman with a lot to offer. Men ogled over you often, and Severus found himself fighting off desperate suitors. You had a wonderful relationship with him, one that had changed him in the best of ways. You always reminded him of that whenever he grew jealous over someone else, which offered him comfort.

It was interesting to him now that the shoe was on the other foot.

“Are you jealous of Minerva?” He asked.

Your answer wasn’t immediate. Your hesitation gave you away.

“No...” You lied again.

“Oh, you so are.” Severus said lowly.

You continued to refuse to look at him, not giving into him. You weren’t necessarily jealous of Minerva herself. She had always been super kind to you and was a wonderful friend. You sometimes felt a little insecure about the relationship she held with Severus. The term “work wife” had flown into your ears a couple of times from various people, and while you knew that Severus’ friendship with Minerva was strictly platonic, it still bothered you sometimes.

Severus had chatted with Minerva throughout the afternoon, and it seemed that every time you looked over they were laughing or immensely enjoying each other’s company. It put a twist in your gut that you hated the feeling of, and it had landed you in a bad mood for the rest of the day.

“What did Minerva do that has you so uptight?” He questioned.

It felt silly and even a little humiliating to admit that she hadn’t done anything more than speak to him to get you so fired up.

“I’m not telling you.” You mused. 

Severus quirked a brow, and shrugged.

“Fine. If you won’t tell me, then I suppose I’ll have to force it out of you.” He remarked, suddenly creeping closer to you.

Before you could stop him, his hands were at your sides, tickling your sensitive skin and areas that he knew could have you sputtering for air. You broke out into loud giggles and shrieks, a smile plastered on your cheeks. You wriggled underneath him, trying to get away from his attack of kisses and tickles. It wasn’t long before your lungs were painfully constricting and gasping for oxygen, your face going red hot as you pleaded.

“Okay! I’ll tell you!” You screeched.

Heavy breaths of relief sounded out when he stopped. He watched in slight amusement as you regained yourself, your body now sprawled out against the couch cushions. Your laughter dwindled out, the tone in the room changing. You lazily dragged your fingertips along his forearm as he looked down at you from where he straddled you. 

Insecurity was a difficult thing to grasp, and even harder to deal with. You had coaxed Severus through his bouts of it before, but you were now seeing firsthand how kicking it is easier said than done.

The annoyance was gone from your face, but it was replaced with perturbation and even a little sadness. He cradled your face in his hand, running the pad of his thumb along your cheek.

“What is it, sweetheart?” He persuaded you to speak.

“You love me, right?” You pondered, eyes wide and puppy like.

The pang in Severus’ heart was overwhelming. It was such a simple question, but with such heartbreaking implications. Feeling neglected or unloved was the last thing that he ever wanted for you. Severus had plenty of experience with feeling alone in a world of people who always seemed to have their lives figured out. Hearts are meant to provide life and spend their best energy on loving others.

It was a damn hard feeling when your heart didn’t have anyone to love...or when your heart didn’t feel loved.

“Darling, what’s all this? Of course I do,” He hushed; “I love you more than anything. You’re my wife.” 

“I know.” You said shortly, but not in the same way you had earlier.

“I mean it, [Y/N]. Every time I’ve ever told you that I love you, I meant it. You’re my world and my reason for breathing,” He proclaimed, thick with sincerity; “If I made you feel unloved or unworthy, I assure you that wasn’t my intent.”

You shook your head.

“No, no. It wasn’t you,” You replied; “I just care about and love you so much that if I ever lost you to someone else...” 

It was too hurtful of a thought to even finish saying out loud. Severus was glad you didn’t, because he wasn’t sure he could’ve handled it. He had committed to a life of love with you, a commitment that he was determined to stick with. 

“You’re the love of my life, my one and only. I’ll love you forever and beyond.” He professed.

You leaned upwards, catching his lips in a reassuring kiss. They felt like the warmth of the summer sun and the sweetness of your favorite summer fruit. A comforting feeling that you’d go running back to every time. It could always feel like your favorite time of year with Severus.

“So...dinner?” You asked once he had pulled away and was looking into you again.

He shrugged, a devious grin beaming on his chiseled face.

“I say we skip to dessert.”

[twstheadcanons]

Self-Indulgent TWST Geography

A long post of generalised geography headcanons for the world of TWST complete with continents for my own personal needs.  The post divides locations by Continent.

Anyway why is there a homeland whose name is just the definition of a desert.

Continents (and ocean)

Errant - a western continent in Twisted Wonderland. Mzunguko - the second largest continent in Twisted Wonderland.   Yalmae - the largest continent in Twisted Wonderland.   Abíní - a continent West of Errant. Tridente Ocean - the largest ocean in Twisted Wonderland.

Errant

Rose Kingdom – a country in the western region of Errant. It isn’t a particularly large country, and traveling from it to its neighbouring countries is possible via buses or car. Crownsshire – a county in Rose Kingdom Crowns – the capital  of Crownsshire. It is the town Riddle, Trey, and Che’nya live in.  

Land of Pyroxene – a large country in Errant.  Known for its cold, snowy winters and history with legends pertaining to five of the Great Seven. Waldburg – province Vil’s family is from.  Largely influenced by another country within Errant. Argent – a province in Land of Pyroxene.   Verre – a city in Argent.  Trein and Cater are from here.  Félicité Cosmetics originates here. Miroir – a province in Land of Pyroxene.  Has a large outlet mall popular with fashion-lovers and shopaholics.  The Ténèbres brand originates here. Enchantée – a town in Miroir. Jack and Vargas live here, whilst Vil and his father move here. Scharlachrot - a province in Land of Pyroxene. Epel’s Village of Harvest resides here, and is famous for its widespread organic produce.

Isle of Lamentation – island country, its popularised global name is a translation from the isle’s original Nísos Thrínos.  It has robust technological advancements and is the homeland of the popular idol group On the Edge, known for having concerts with elaborate imagery and visual effects from some of the best technicians available.  Due to legends of the God of the Underworld,  dogs are extremely popular on the Isle of Lamentation. Kapnós – capital of the Isle of Lamentations where the Shroud family resides.  

Valley of Thorns – an isolated country small in population, largely consisting of a large mountain range.  The closer one is to where its Queen resides, the colder it gets.  It is said the Valley of Thorns can go weeks with nothing but moonlight. Geimhreadh - technically the name of the forest near the Valley of Thorns’ mountain range, where the Queen makes her home at its peak.  Its name spread to the residential areas nearby.

Mzunguko

Afterglow Savannah – country in Mzunguko,  ‘Afterglow’ acts as a loose translation of its name, Baadaye.  It lies in eastern Mzunguko.  Famous for its royal guards and leading role in nature conservation. Kiburi – a county in the east of the Afterglow Savannah. Mwamba – capital of Kiburi, where the Kingscholar royal family lives. Maisha – a county in Afterglow Savannah, with its capital sharing the same name.   Jioni – a town in Maisha.  Ruggie and his family live here.

Manyoya – county in Afterglow Savannah.  Well-known for a famously expansive library and a high population of avian beastfolk. Uzuri  – a city in Manyoya, where Rook is from.

Yalmae

Land of Hot Sands – one of many countries in the continent of Yalmae,.  Within the country, it’s referred to as Aldif’.  Rich with its magical history and origins of astrology, Aldif’ nurtures Magicians skilled in divination.  It has a vivid musical scene as well. Misbah - governate of Aldif’. Yatamanaa – capital of Misbah, a largely lucrative city within Aldif’ and city where Kalim and Jamil live.

Abíní

Port of Jubilee - a diverse nation where Sam’s family lives, owning an extensive emporium.  A vast amount of cultures reside in Port of Jubilee, many sharing common ancestors and languages with one another. Nanm - province in Port of Jubilee. Sekrè - port town in Nanm that Sam is from.  His family owns an impressive emporium popular with locals.

Tridente Ocean

Coral Sea - a sea within the Tridente Ocean.  Many of coastlines range across countries within Errant, Mzunguko, and Yalmae.  Beneath its waters lies a kingdom sharing the same name as the sea.  

Name Trivia

Continents (and ocean)

Errant - the continent of Errant has the homelands based off movies such as Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Hercules, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, and Cinderella.  The name stems from certain scenes in the movie marking a particular moment the protagonists feel out of place or stray off the expected course.

Alice in Wonderland: Alice’s misadventures begin when she makes the decision to follow a strange rabbit, straying off the course of simply reading and studying as her sister wished, where the curious and at worst annoying strange creatures and nature of Wonderland take a turn when she meets the Caterpillar, who questions Alice’s place and identity, and the stress of her situation and being unable to return home overwhelms her emotionally.

Snow White - the horrific moment Snow White, in a state of panic, rushes through a dark forest, where her fears envision hidden horrors within the trees and wildlife.

Hercules - after refusing to listen to Phil’s warnings about Megara being in cahoots with Hades, Hercules faces the devastating fact that Megara (reluctantly) deceived him, and loses his superhuman strength and faith in himself.

Sleeping Beauty - shortly after meeting a man she falls for, Aurora becomes devastated and resigned to her fate being betrothed to a complete stranger out of responsibility for her future and country.

Beauty and the Beast - Maurice’s ventures through a mysterious forest consequently leads him to the Beast’s castle in a desperate attempt to escape cold, only to be imprisoned by the Beast for intruding, ultimately putting the story into motion.  After Belle makes a deal to swap places with her father and free him, Belle starts off terrified and in over her head despite saving her father’s life.

Cinderella - after the mice’s hard work creating a fitting ballgown for Cinderella to enjoy the ball, her stepsisters ruin the dress and Cinderella’s chances of leaving her oppressive family’s home.  Her distress and tears lead her to meeting the Fairy Godmother.

Mzunguko - “circle” in Swahili, the language prominent in Lion King’s names, lyrics, and Rafiki’s dialogue, as well as the official language of Kenya, where much of the movie’s settings take inspiration and blatantly feature.  Taken from the iconic “Circle of Life” song.

Tridente Ocean - “trident” in Italian.  Yes, I hear you.  The author is from Denmark.  The statue is in Denmark.  The movie references the statue in Denmark.  However the surname Ashengrotto and Azul’s mother running a ristorante screams Italian and there’s the overall edgy mafia vibe the Octatrio has going on.  I win this one.

Yalmae -  “shine” in Arabic (يلمع).  I wanted a name that illustrated the vibrant, lively diversity of the continent’s many countries, cultures, flora, and fauna.  Something akin to a name that inspires a welcoming feeling.

Abíní - “morning” in Navajo.  I wanted a name that inspires energy and enthusiasm, like a sunrise in summer.  

Homelands

Rose Kingdom

Crownsshire - just the most painfully English name I could think of.  “Crown” refers to, naturally, the crown of the Queen of Hearts.  Also decided to make the Rose Kingdom its own, smaller, more limited country, instead of allowing its apparent monarchy to leech off 20+ different countries Crowns - do you have any idea how genuinely shocking it is we don’t actually have a town here named this.

Afterglow Savannah

Baadaye - “afterglow” in Swahili.  The official and native name of the Afterglow Savannah.  Interestingly, my findings found translations of it meaning “future” as well, which I consider fitting. Kiburi - “pride” in Swahili, can refer to a ‘pride of lions’ or confidence (often overconfidence). Mwamba - “rock” in Swahili, alluding to the Pride Rock that Mufasa’s pride resides in. Maisha - “life” in Swahili. Jioni - “evening” in Swahili.  This refers to where anywhere the sun doesn’t reach, Simba shouldn’t wander, because it’s too dangerous. Originally, I wanted to go with “Kivuri”, which means “shadow”.  However when I went to double check that ‘shadowland’ was a thing in Lion King, referring to where the Elephant Graveyard is, it’s actually a song from the Broadway musica called “Shadowland”, sung by Nala (Heather Headley). It both mourns the desolate state of the Pridelands under Scar’s tyranny, and narrates Nala’s resolve to leave and find a way to save her people and their land.  The song is absolutely gorgeous, solemn, and powerful, and contributes more than any live-action CGI Disney movie could ever come up with.  Its instrumental composition features the melody lei-motif prominent in the animated film (yes, That song.  the heartbreaking one).  It’s one of my favourites in Lion King alongside “He Lives in You” and “Not One of Us” because I like the ones where the chorus goes off. Please just listen to the Lion King Broadway soundtrack it makes me cry with how gorgeous and heartfelt it is.   Anyway in their money-grubbing ways I hope Disney puts the Broadway on Disney+ so some brave soul takes one for the team to pirate it Manyoya - intended to mean “feather”, but to my understanding it also encompasses “fur”. Uzuri - “beauty” in Swahili.  Nothing too deep here, just something pertaining to Rook.

Land of Hot Sand

Aldif’ - “warmth” in Arabic (الدفء).  Meant to allude to a comforting warmth, kind of hinting that the popularisation of “Land of Hot Sand” more or less leaves the official name lost in translation. Misbah - “lamp/light” in Arabic (مصباح), naturally referencing the magical lamp sought after throughout the movie. Yatamanaa - “wish” in Arabic (يتمنى).  Meant to be bit a bit of a cheeky play on words.  The “wish” inside the “lamp”.

Land of Pyroxene

Waldburg - Wald is "forest” in German.   References the forest that Snow White runs away into after being warned of the Evil Queen’s intentions. Argent - “silver” in French.  References Cinderella’s silver dress. Verre - “glass” in French.  References Cinderella’s glass slipper. Miroir - “mirror” in French.  References both the Mirror of Snow White and the enchanted mirror Beast gives Belle. Enchantée - “enchanted” in French.  Ties into the theme of enchantments, curses, and charms prominent in French fairy tales, and specifically makes me think of the Enchanted Rose from Beauty and the Beast.   Scharlachrot - “scarlet” in German.  References the red colour that hides the infamous green of the poison apple’s true nature.

Isle of Lamentation

Nísos Thrínos - Greek for the isle’s name. Kapnós - “smoke” in Greek.  References Hades’ iconic appearance surrounded by black smoke.

Valley of Thorns

Geimhreadh - “winter” in Irish.  References the winter court of Unseelie fae in Celtic folklore.

Port of Jubilee

Nanm - "soul” in Haiitan Creole.  References the importance of determination and drive prominent in Princess and the Frog.

Sekrè - “secret” in Haitian Creole.  References Dr Facilier’s ulterior motives.

[onestowatch]

19 LGBTQIA+ Artists You Need to Listen to This PRIDE

PRIDE is all about self-empowerment and self-determination. It’s about not just being comfortable with who you are but showing the world that there is pride to be found in being unapologetically you. And that’s why, this PRIDE, we wanted to shine a light on a small handful of our favorite LGBTQIA+ artists. Ranging from rapturous hyperpop, revelatory bossa nova meditations, romantic rave music, and everywhere in between, these are 19 LGBTQIA+ artists who deserve a spot on your PRIDE playlist and every playlist for that matter. 

girl in red

In her debut single, “i wanna be your girlfriend,” a teenage girl in red unapologetically sings of young queer love over a mesh of lofi production and jangly instrumentation that would come to define much of the bedroom pop genre. It is a standout moment of unrelenting honesty, and a serenely simple three-minute confession that would go on to strike a chord with millions who were afraid of what it meant to be something more than friends. Now, a few years later and following the release of her critically-acclaimed debut album, if i could make it go quiet, Ulven still writes with that same emotional honesty, putting forth every ounce of herself for the world to see. 

Meet Me @ The Altar

“the little lonely black alt girl i was in the 00s is living rn, she never even dared to hope she might see this 💖💖,” reads the top comment on Meet Me @ The Altar’s music video for their single “Garden.” It is a sentiment shared by much of the rising band’s fanbase, who are used to the mainstream alternative scene championing cis white males. Existing in the space between pop-punk and hardcore, Meet Me @ The Altar exists to challenge the notion that queer women of color don’t have a place in punk. And after penning a record deal with Fueled By Ramen, home to the likes of Paramore, Panic! at the Disco, and nearly every pop-punk band that made up your middle school playlist, chances are this is just the beginning for our new favorite punks.

THE BLOSSOM

For Lily Lizotte, better known as THE BLOSSOM, music exists as the synthesis and subsequent recontextualization of a host of past experiences. From the sound of their dad belting away in his home studio to stumbling upon niche Internet subgenres, THE BLOSSOM transforms all this and more into a sound that is instantly recognizable but impossible to perfectly place. The culmination of this host of influences takes sweeping sonic form on their debut EP, ‘97 BLOSSOM, a perfectly imperfect introduction to one of the most fascinating rising artists of recent memory.

BIMINI

You may recognize BIMINI as Bimini Bon-Boulash, the runner-up on the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. And now you should familiarize yourself with Bimini, brit-pop extraordinaire. Releasing their debut single “God Save This Queen” earlier this June, Bimini deftly channels late ‘90s brit-pop and punk to deliver a single that has us absolutely living for the ensuing chaos. Serving up multiple looks throughout its eye-catching music video, “God Save This Queen” is not just a non-binary anthem but a veritable 2021 lookbook.

Hope Tala

With a sound that falls somewhere between turn-of-the-century R&B and bossa nova, Hope Tala’s music is expectedly a dream given sonic form. Perhaps that’s why much of the UK singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist’s music is able to so deftly weave imagery of love, heartache, and teenage fistfights into tightknit tracks that feel simultaneously transcendental and deeply personal. And with the release of her 2020 EP, Girl Eats the Sun, Hope Tala poses one all-important question, “Why have a life if you’re not going to do something crazy and make a difference in the world?” 

chloe moriondo

For much of chloe moriondo’s avid fanbase, watching her transform from budding ukulele sensation to pop-punk phenom very much meant watching her grow up. Getting her start on YouTube, moriondo's fanbase witnessed her evolve as both an artist and person. Coming out in the aptly titled “a ramble about self identity, growth, and being a lesbian,” to be a fan of the artist often feels like trading secrets with a close personal friend. It is a sentiment that rings all the more true upon delving into her debut album, Blood Bunny. Grappling with coming-of-age at the axis of empathic pop and euphoric pop-punk, Blood Bunny sees moriondo taking yet another impressive step forward.

Godford

Little is known about Godford beyond what can be garnered from a handful of interviews online and his succinct Spotify bio, and chances are he’s happier that way. The anonymous DJ and producer aims to make non-binary music that exists outside of the confines of genres, overly-simplified classifications, and even himself. What is important are the emotions his music hold and what his listeners take away. Fusing romanticism and rave in his debut album, Godford: Non Binary Place, the anonymous artist does just that. He provides a space that exists simultaneously everywhere and nowhere, like an ephemeral night spent out on the dancefloor with a stranger or close friend.

Joy Oladokun

Joy Oladokun is at the core of her music. It may at first glance appear to be a painfully obvious statement, but as her sincere songwriting seeps into every corner of your soul, it is a notion that becomes undeniable. In her major label debut, in defense of my own happiness, Oladokun writes with an unabashed authenticity, never turning a blind eye to the world around her. These shared reflections and recollections of life are often heartbreaking and uplifting in the same breath, but in their candidness, we can begin to piece together what it means to be human, imperfections and all.  

Allison Ponthier

Allison Ponthier may only have a handful of singles to her name, but her unmatched potential is clear as day. Raised in the outskirts of Dallas, Texas, Ponthier’s moving songwriting and emphatic vocal prowess speak to her country roots. Pair that country sensibility with some of the most pristine pop songwriting we have heard in quite some time, and you begin to understand just how exciting Ponthier is as a rising artist. With only two singles to date, there’s not much else we can say beyond do yourself a favor and play “Cowboy” on repeat.

Rina Sawayama

It feels like no hyperbole to call Rina Sawayama an inevitable pop icon. First garnering critical acclaim with singles like “Cherry” and her 2017 debut EP RINA, the Japanese-British singer-songwriter staked her name on her immaculate ability to capture all the glamour and larger-than-life appeal of early ‘00s pop. Building on what was a nostalgic yet forward-thinking vision, Sawayama returned with her 2020 eponymous full-length debut. From nu-metal, club beats, to veritable pop anthems, SAWAYAMA emerged as a genre-defying showcase of an avant-garde pop star.

Arlo Parks

Listening to Arlo Parks’ music is akin to sipping on a hot cup of chamomile tea as you watch the world slowly pass by your living room window. It is a testament to the British poet and singer-songwriter’s subtle yet beautiful way with words, the way in which each lyric serves as a glance into a tightly-held memory or passing observation. These poetic musings come to life in her debut album, Collapsed In Sunbeams, which layers lyrical revelations over some of the most tender R&B of recent memory. Parks’ is more than a must-listen; she feels like the birth of a new wave.

Claud

Claud has spent the past few years making a name for themselves in the indie pop world, and the culmination of it all arrives in their debut album, Super Monster. The acclaimed album sees Claud reckoning with coming-of-age and love with an irresistible charm. Pair that with a penchant for grounded, affective songwriting and infectious, dreamlike melodies and you have one of the best debuts of recent memory. In case you somehow need any further convincing that Claud is one to watch, Super Monster marks the debut release from Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records.

UMI

Equally as inspired by R&B and neo-soul as she is by her generation’s penchant for blurring genre lines, UMI and her music exist as a form of spiritual healing. Half-Black and half-Japanese, her work explores everything from identity to self-introspection, such as on the aptly-titled Introspection. It is a fondness for self-exploration that UMI delves headfirst into on her 2019 EP Love Language, a sublime blend of identity struggles, love, and anime that tackles the issue of always feeling like an other, never Black or Japanese enough.

Joesef

Sad boy summer. It’s the simplest way to being explaining Joesef’s serene albeit somber sound. Emerging out of Glasgow, the quickly rising star often wears his still bleeding heart on his sleeve, even when the underlying sonics seem to be moving onto greener pastures. It is an exquisite balancing act that comes to life on his 2020 EP, Does It Make You Feel Good?. Blending elements of soft-spoken R&B, jazz, and ethereal pop, Joesef sets himself apart as an artist whose influences and appeal know no bounds.

Serena Isioma

At the top of the year, we named Serena Isioma one of our top artists to watch in the year to come, and for good reason. The self-proclaimed “nonbinary rock star” experienced a breakout moment with “Sensitive,” a track that is difficult to perfectly encapsulate but think along the lines of fusing modern-day R&B and woozy indie-pop with reckless abandon, and you’ll be about halfway there. It was an impressive standout track that was only buoyed by a pair of EPs, Sensitive and The Leo Sun Sets, in 2020, officially cementing Isioma as an artist like no other.

Khai Dreams

Khai Dreams’ music is effortlessly easygoing. With its straightforward guitar lines and understated production, every track from the Pacific Northwest singer-songwriter flows out as naturally as breathing. Maybe it’s that laid-back approach that begins to explains Khai Dreams’ universal appeal and millions of monthly listeners, despite releasing most of his music independently. A hallmark of the DIY generation and its massive homebrewed potential, it would be a crying shame if you didn’t let Khai Dream’s serene meditations transport you somewhere far from here.

Frances Forever

Like much of their Gen Z cohorts, Frances Forever’s exponential rise was not the result of a well-executed marketing plan but by the pure chance of a single song finding a home online. The song in question, “Space Girl,” was originally part of NPR’s Tiny Desk Content before soon blowing up on TikTok, and it’s not hard to see why. Short, sweet, and to the point, “Space Girl” is a saccharine love letter to that bubbly feeling of floating on cloud nine. Now signed to Mom+Pop and with their debut EP, Paranoia Party, due out later this year, this is the perfect time to get familiar with Frances Forever.

Dorian Electra

Unapologetically playing with gender norms and stereotypes while seeing just how far they can push the limits of pop, Dorian Electra has long maintained a cult following in the world of experimental, highly addictive hyperpop. And it’s not hard to see why. Having collaborated with the likes of Charli XCX, 100 gecs, Village People, Pussy Riot, Rebecca Black, and more, Electra’s music ranges from off-the-rails hyperpop to introspective pop slow burns. All of this and more reaches a fever pitch in their 2020 album My Agenda, a devious showcasing of one of pop’s most explosive figures.

MAY-A

Maya Cumming, professionally known as MAY-A, is no stranger to the hustle it takes to make it in the music industry. The Australian artist got her start entering numerous singing competitions in her hometown of Byron Bay and started busking on the streets at the tender age of 11. Now, she has a breakout single under her belt in the form of “Apricots,” an anthemic indie-pop ode to queer love. And since that breakout moment, MAY-A has continued to release impressive single after single—the latest being the collaborative “American Dream.”

[bucky-hues]

stucky fic recs

here are some stucky fic recs! as always, be sure to read the warnings for each fic <3

one shots

finding home | @thedamageofherdays

cap steve x modern bucky

After he is caught in a terrible rainstorm while hiking, Bucky is glad to find shelter at the cottage Steve shares with his daughter and his dog. Bucky ends up finding so much more than just a safe place to spend the night.

x | @dreadlockholiday

steve x bucky

Request: Bucky looking through a glossy magazine and saying something like "God, can you imagine being paid for just looking cute?" And without thought Steve replies, "you'd be a millionaire" and Bucky just blushes furiously while Steve's all like 😳 *oh no, I just said that out loud*

x | @dreadlockholiday (18+)

steve x bucky

Bucky finds his BFF Steve's sketchbook... and it's full of nothing but sketches of Bucky... naked.

sweethearts | @musette22

steve x bucky

Steve confesses his feelings to Bucky using sweethearts

my moon, my man | @musette22 (18+)

steve x bucky (modern au)

AU meet-cute. Strangers on a Train, but with less murder and more sexual tension.

make it till you fake it | AggressiveWhenStartled (AO3)

steve x bucky

“Ned,” Peter said, like a drowning man sighting land. “Ned. Captain America and the Winter Soldier are fake dating right now and it is the most painfully awkward and obvious thing I have ever seen, all of us want to die, Ned.”

things my heart used to know | Nightwing11 (AO3)

steve x bucky

In a world where soulmates can communicate telepathically with their partners, Steve Rogers has always had Bucky Barnes with him, a calming voice in a sea of turmoil. And, when Bucky falls off the train during World War II, Steve experiences deafening silence for the first time.

Now, after crashing a plane in the Arctic to save the world and being frozen for 70 years, Steve’s still trying to figure out how to live without Bucky there. His new friends are trying to help him adjust, to move on. And he thought he was doing better, he really did.

So, why is he suddenly hearing Bucky’s voice again?

catfish | @buckmebxrnes (18+)

steve x bucky (modern au)

Steve Rogers is a famous movie star, known for his role as Captain America. Bucky Barnes is a bored law student who drinks too much wine. Bucky gets on match.com to boost his confidence. What he doesn't expect is a guy using Steve Rogers' pictures on a dating profile. Bucky decides to mess with the guy. After all, what idiot uses Steve Rogers' pictures on a dating site?

Not like it's really him, right? Bucky may need more wine.

let's go have fun | @sebastanbucky

steve x bucky

“Nat wanted me to-” Nat clears her throat and he rolls his eyes. “I wanted to tell you something.” He looks at Steve with a look he hopes says ‘play along’. “Okay. What did you want to tell me?” Bucky has to take a deep breath to keep from laughing again, it helps with his performance as Nat nods encouragingly at him. “I’m gay.” He says, making his voice sound shaky and weak.

the way you came around | sokaless (AO3)

steve x bucky

After a while, Bucky says, “You know, this song sounds like it was written for you.” “That's funny,” Steve remarks. “I chose it because it reminded me of you.” Steve gives Bucky an iPod full of his favourite songs from the 21st century to help him deal with his nightmares. Bucky has a new mission- to find out who Steve is in love with, because there are a few too many unrequited love songs on that iPod.

stuck on you | wearing_tearing (AO3)

steve x bucky (modern au)

“Bucky? You don’t look so hot.”

Bucky makes a tiny little sound in the back of his throat, only to start coughing. Of course he doesn’t look hot. He’s sick and he’s dying and Steve obviously isn’t attracted to him.

you have the place next to my place | justanotherStonyfan (AO3)

cap steve x modern bucky

prompt: “We live in adjacent apartments and our bedrooms are on opposite sides of a very thin wall and one night I heard you crying and talked to you through the wall” AU

Captain America helps the Vet next door.

you’ve got (30) new matches | williamkaplans (AO3)

steve x bucky

When everyone finds out Steve's bi thanks to Bucky's recovering memories, Natasha kicks up her match-making into high gear. Steve has zero luck, but Natasha won't give up, especially when Sam (jokingly) suggests online dating. It isn't long before Steve finds someone, a someone who seems eerily familiar.

perfectly right wrong number | melonbutterfly (AO3)

cap steve x modern bucky

It all starts because Steve is too dumb to handle his smartphone.

A wrong number AU in which Bucky Barnes doesn't enter Steve's life (meaning: Bucky wasn't born until the eighties, but Steve is still Captain America) until Steve accidentally dials the wrong number. Wherein there is a lot of texting, some advice via Natasha and Darcy, a bit of pining, and a first date in an amusement park. Oh, and on top of being a disabled veteran, Bucky is a professional catwalker. Literally.

put your number in my phone | MacksDramaticShenanigans (AO3)

steve x bucky (modern au)

Steve tucks his phone back into his pocket and turns back to the computer. He only has to click a few times before he finds the link to the questionnaire and opens it, inputting the participant number before hitting next. The beginnings of the consent form fills the page, and all Steve has left to do now is wait for the participant— one James Barnes, according to the website— to show up.

Thankfully, Steve doesn’t end up having to wait very long. James Barnes shows up ten minutes early and knocks on the door before cracking it open and peeking in.

“Oh, hi,” he says, when he spots Steve sitting at the desk. He pushes the door open all the way and steps into the room just as Steve spins in the chair to face him.

“Um, I’m, uh, a bit early, but I’m here for the decision making study,” James continues, clear blue eyes flickering around the room before landing on Steve again. The skin between his eyebrows crinkles up a little, and god, Steve probably shouldn’t find his uncertainty as cute as he does. “Am I in the right place?”

wouldn’t it be nice | MacksDramaticShenanigans (AO3)

steve x bucky (modern au)

"You are never going to believe what just happened," Bucky bemoans, shaking his head. He's at Steve's side in a moment and doesn't bother to give any warning before he dramatically falls into Steve's lap. Steve just barely manages to save his book from getting squashed.

"What is it?" Steve asks, matching Bucky's dramatic tone. "What am I not going to believe?"

"I just got off the phone with Natasha," he starts. "She cancelled on me!" Bucky throws his arms up, nearly smacking Steve in the face in the process.

Steve carefully places his hand on Bucky's forearm and lowers it away from his face.

"You're kidding," he says, a frown curving onto his lips at the news.

"I wish I was," he sighs. Bucky presses his lips together into a disappointed line and deflates against the back of the couch, slinking down Steve's thighs a little. "Who goes to Coney Island alone? How pathetic is that?"

Steve snorts, earning a glare from Bucky, and pats Bucky's thigh. "Aw, don't be such a sourpuss, Buck," he says. "Who said anything about going alone?"

all jokes aside | darksknight (AO3)

steve x bucky

"Before we know it Banner’s gonna be makin’ insinuations.” (Everyone "jokes" about Steve and Bucky being in a relationship until, eventually, they admit that they are.)

barnes & rogers and the goddamn truth

steve x bucky (teacher au)

There are three well-known facts at Shield High:

1. The history teacher Mr. Barnes is a stone-cold terror, and it’s not even because he only has one arm. 2. The other history teacher, Mr. Rogers, is a mysterious enigma, and it’s something to do with the body of a Greek God and contradicting stories of his past. (They’re all rumours, anyway.) 3. Mr Barnes and Mr Rogers hate each other.

Bucky wouldn’t have it any other way.

in the shadows | DragonWannabe (AO3) (18+)

steve x bucky

Five times they thought they were almost caught, one time someone found out, and one time they didn't have to hide.

OR:

Bucky and Steve grew up in a time when people like them went to jail.

single and looking | Jaiden_S (AO3) (18+)

steve x bucky

"Bucky held his place with his index finger and turned the magazine over to check the date on the cover. It was brand new, just out this month. An unexpected cord of anxiety tightened in Bucky’s chest. Single and looking? Frantically, he flipped back to the article. What exactly was Steve looking for? According to the article, Steve’s dream girl should be intelligent, altruistic, well-versed in current events and have a wicked sense of humor. Oh, and he had a thing for high heels and red lipstick. Bucky’s stomach churned as he re-read the article. Was that really what Steve wanted? Make-up and stilettos?"

A slightly sappy tale of two utterly besotted super-soldiers who excel at miscommunication.

these american dreams (ain’t no white picket fences left for me) | kariye (AO3) (18+)

steve x bucky

In which Bucky has a house, a dog, an herb garden, and a serious case of insomnia. Welcome to Havensport, Indiana (population 8,294), where Tom’s Neighborhood Grocer stays open all night, little old ladies call the car shop to get their refrigerators repaired, and the heat of summer days and the length of summer nights can make you think that this perfect world will last forever.

i’ve been careless with a delicate man | paraxdisepink (AO3) (18+)

steve x bucky

Steve lets SHIELD think he and Bucky were boyfriends so they’ll let him see the Winter Soldier in medical.

knock on wood | 74days (AO3) 

steve x bucky (modern au)

Steve Rogers lives a quiet, steady life, until his next door neighbour moves in and starts having incredibly energetic sex every night. All Steve wants is for him to move his bed away from the wall so the damn headboard doesn't knock a hole through his wall.

progressively bigger keys | spinawren (AO3)

steve x bucky

“A very little key will open a very heavy door.” ― Charles Dickens, Hunted Down

Steve and Bucky, it appears, have less need for a key and more use for a battering ram in trying to come out of the closet.

(The one where Steve tries to do one thing (one thing!) without causing a national ruckus, but the press are determined to see Bucky as Steve's best friend. And nothing more.)

stucky discover gay rights | Alicia_Borealis (AO3)

steve x bucky

“Then, why-” Steve stopped himself and looked at Bucky, who had tears rolling freely down his cheeks. “We’re- we’re not sick?”

“Wait, what?” Tony asked.

“Being a homosexual, it isn’t… wrong?”

-

The story of how Steve Roger's loved and lost Bucky, then how he got him back and then how he realised he was allowed to love him after all.

thursday nights with bucky barnes | Ellessey (AO3)

steve x bucky (modern au)

Steve has a comfortable, well-worn routine for his Thursday nights, until the old man who runs the laundromat breaks his hip.

Then Steve has Bucky instead.

to seek a nood-er world | jehans (AO3) (18+)

steve x bucky

Send noodz

Steve has been staring at his phone for the last six minutes, eyes narrowed so much they’re almost closed at this point, trying to figure out what the hell Bucky means. Noodz? What the fuck are noodz?

Listen, Steve is at least marginally aware of modern pop culture. He’s heard of nudes — not that nudes are exactly a modern invention; artists have been creating them for millennia — and he does know that people tend to misspell words to be cute or funny. They did that when he was young, too. Because time is a flat circle, apparently.

But, wait—does that mean…?

No. Not possible. Bucky isn’t asking Steve to send him…nudes.

Right?

tied ‘round your throat | sleepypercy (AO3) (18+)

police officer steve x serial killer bucky

Steve's a small-town police officer trying to track a serial killer who's been in Steve's bed the whole time.

much tattoo about nothing | Deisderium (AO3) (18+)

cap steve x modern bucky

Steve Rogers gets a lot of email requests, but never one like this: James Barnes wants to use his healing factor to practice tattoos.

Turns out tattoos give Steve boners.

the perfect man | Ellessey (AO3) (18+)

steve x bucky (modern au)

Setting up a dating profile is decidedly not in Bucky's skill-set, but against all odds he manages to connect with someone who makes the one-night stand he thought he wanted feel like not nearly enough.

kiss me and take off your clothes | steveandbucky (AO3) (18+)

steve x bucky (modern au)

Steve Rogers is dared to send a dick pic to a blog which critiques dick pics (run by none other than Bucky Barnes). Hilarity ensues.

i can’t dare to dream about you anymore | steveandbucky (AO3) 

steve x bucky (modern au)

Steve considers himself to be a pretty open-minded guy, which is why he can't quite understand why he feels so uncomfortable whenever he sees his gay roommate kissing guys. He's not homophobic, but how else can he explain the way his stomach twists at the sight?

It takes him a while to catch on.

exam room b | steveandbucky (AO3)

modern steve x nurse bucky

“Wait, what do you mean he asked for me?”

“He asked if the cute male nurse with the ponytail was working today. I assume he meant you.”

kickstart my heart | Kalee60 (AO3) (18+)

doctor steve x modern bucky

Bucky’s Wednesday wasn’t off to a great start. Not only did he wake up in a hospital with his annoyed best friend staring down at him, his treating Doctor just happened to be way too familiar, and the reason for that was slightly mortifying.

With misunderstandings in the air, a snarky nurse who is a pain in his butt and the ugliest neck brace known to man attached to his body. There was no way his Wednesday was ever going to improve. Could it?

you make me feel.. | kalika_999 (AO3) (18+)

cap steve x modern bucky

All Steve wanted was to take a breather, decompress after a mission and go out for a jog in the rain. He wasn't expecting to hide out in a bookstore filled with new and used books or that the employee that worked there thought he was an absolute loser and didn't even realize he was insulting Captain America.

nothing in the world that could stop it | rainbow_nerds (AO3) (18+)

steve x bucky (modern au)

Bucky just wanted to send his best friend a picture of his cat being an idiot while he was taking a bath. Was it really his fault for forgetting the full length mirror right opposite the tub?

rescue me and hold me in your arms | 74days (AO3)

steve x bucky (modern au)

Bucky is on the worst date of his life, and what he really needs of for this waitress to get the message he's sending her with his mind to rescue him. She doesn't, but she does send someone to extract him from a night of torture...

odd ways | peterbparker (AO3)

steve x bucky (modern au)

“And it would have been an amazing night with my son if he wasn’t distracted by the hot guy on the other side of the room,” Sarah sighed, shaking her head. “He’s been looking over at you for the past fifteen minutes.”

Bucky choked on the mouthful of beer he had just taken.

“What?” he croaked. Things were starting to make a little more sense now.

“Right?” Sarah said, waving her hand towards her son. “He completely ignored my garden stories because he’s been making eyes at you so I decided to come over and introduce myself.”

series

rare is this love (keep it covered) | @musette22 (18+)

cap steve x modern bucky

It’s 2014. Captain America has been out of the ice for three years and is trudging along, saving the world and trying to get used to living in the future. Steve thinks he knows how the rest of his life is going to pan out – a life of duty, which he chose when he signed up to be Erskine’s science experiment. But then, he meets Bucky Barnes: the out-of-this-world-gorgeous mechanic and war vet, who turns Steve’s life upside down and makes him question everything he thought he knew. Slowly, Steve comes to realize there is more to life than duty and punching Nazis. Just one problem though: how on earth does a 96-year-old virgin who only just realized he may not be entirely straight make the transition from crush to relationship? Cue healthy amounts of self-doubt, awkward flirting, pretty blushing, existential crises, emotional growth, and maybe, possibly, a sexual awakening.

coming up easy | @musette22 (18+)

steve x bucky (modern au)

“Listen, I was just thinking,” Steve says, his face open, eyebrows raised in a tentatively hopeful expression. “Why don’t you come stay at my place for a while? I’ve got an office that I barely use, and a change of scenery might do you good, right? Help you beat that writer’s block?” With a crooked smile, he adds, “I promise I’m not a serial killer.”

While Bucky would normally crack a joke about how that’s exactly what a serial killer would say, right now, all he can do is blink at Steve in surprise, heart tripping over itself in his chest. Steve wants him to come and stay at his place. In Massachusetts. Just the two of them.

"Oh," Bucky croaks. "I- Wow."

“I mean, no pressure,” Steve says hastily. “Totally fine if you don’t wanna. I just thought I’d offer, in case it might help, y’know?”

“Yeah.” Bucky ignores the little voice in his head that sounds an awful lot Nat and Becca, telling him he’s setting himself up for heartbreak. “I mean, if you’re sure, that would be amazing.”

4 minute window | @cesperanza

steve x bucky

"Look, if they catch me," Bucky muttered, "they're either going to kill me or they're going to put me in a box with a little window and—Steve, I can't."

swapped | writeonclara (AO3)

steve x bucky (modern au)

if u wanted my number u couldve just asked

u didnt have to steal my whole phone ;)

Steve stared down at his phone, confused. He didn't recognize the number – except, oh wait, he really did. That was his number. On his phone.

He flipped the phone over, then slid one hand down his face. Not his phone.

“Fuck,” he muttered.

[stupid fucking] brooklyn hipster bros | relenaflanel (AO3)

steve x bucky (modern au)

Bucky's mother gives him an ultimatum. Bucky doesn't respond well.

All Barneses are stubborn assholes, Steve observes, as though he doesn't see the irony of calling someone else stubborn. Or an asshole.

And Bucky can't even deny he is a total asshole for lying to his mother about dating Steve just so he doesn't have to bring someone else to her wedding, but damn if he's not going to give the lie everything he has.

brought to brightness | eyres (AO3)

cap steve x modern bucky

Army veteran Bucky Barnes has fallen in love with Steve, a guy he met online a few months after he returned from Afghanistan. Only problem is, he doesn't know Steve's last name or even what he looks like.

When his sister helps him send his story into MTV's Catfish, he's hoping they can help him meet Steve or, at least, let him move on with his life if Steve isn't real. Little does he know, Steve and Captain America have more in common than just a first name.

slide to answer | relenaflanel (AO3)

steve x bucky (modern au)

"What do I do?” Steve appealed into the phone. “I’m freaking out.”

There was silence on the other end of the line. It lasted so long that Steve pulled the receiver away from his ear and frowned at it. Pay phones were old. Maybe this one wasn’t working despite the obvious dial tone when he picked up.

“Ok,” a stranger’s voice said over the phone. “First acknowledge the fact that you dialed the wrong number, but be quick about it because my cab is a few blocks away from my own plans and I’m about to drop some truth bombs on you.”

how to woo the winter soldier | writeonclara (AO3)

steve x bucky

“I think I’m ready to date again,” Steve said.

“What,” Natasha said.

“What?” Clint said, lowering his binoculars. He blinked at the dumbstruck look on the Captain’s face, then followed his gaze to where he was staring dopily at—at the Winter fucking Soldier.

“Steve, no,” Clint groaned.

Or: Steve courts the Winter Soldier.

all these things that i’ve done | @not-withoutyou 

steve x bucky

Steve was the patron saint of waiting too long. Bucky was atoning for his sins. Maybe they’d both been forsaken, abandoned by the light. Maybe they’d find a way back to each other again.

Post civil war, if things had gone differently.

find a way (to make it back home) | belwrites (AO3) (18+)

steve x bucky (college au)

Fresh off a year abroad, Head Resident Assistant Steve Rogers finds his senior year of college to be full of changes, and he's not just talking about the growth spurt. He's more concerned with the fact that his best friend...isn't talking to him? Is dating his ex? May or may not be missing an arm?

In which Steve has no fucking clue what's going on, but he's trying, Bucky learns how to communicate with his best friend again, and everyone quietly panics about the future.

is it pretending if i already want you? | OhCaptainMyCaptain (AO3) (18+)

steve x bucky (modern au)

Based on prompt: Pretend Boyfriends AU where one of their families is always wondering why they're never in a relationship, so the other offers to pretend to be their boyfriend for some family event

the roommate | layersofart, Niitza (AO3)

cap steve x modern bucky

In which Steven G. Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America, gets a roommate. Who rapidly turns into his "roommate"—in the euphemistic sense of the word.

It takes SHIELD and the rest of the Avengers an absurd amount of time to notice.

dear mr. postman | odetteandodile (AO3)

steve x bucky (modern au)

Steve and Bucky revive an old friendship, get married (but totally just as friends, for reasons), and navigate a few of the many trials of the heart that come with falling in love with your best friend.

fate will play us out | steveandbucky (AO3) (18+)

cap steve x modern bucky

Bucky has landed himself a job with Stark Industries. He doesn't know yet that the job is actually being the PR manager for the Avengers.

Bucky has also started dating Steve Rogers. He also doesn't know yet that Steve is Captain America.

Bucky's life is about to get a whole lot more exciting.

the avengers hate club | notebooksandlaptops (AO3)

pop star steve x modern bucky

Bucky falls hopelessly for Steve and starts an Avengers hate club with the lead singer of the Avengers.

songbird | chicklette (AO3) (18+)

modern steve x musician bucky

At 43, James Barnes is a washed up old man. He’s got a dozen Grammys in the hall closet, an agent that can’t get him a deal, a decade-old case of writer’s block, a moody teen-aged daughter, and the gorgeous actress Natasha Romanova for an ex-wife. Well, one of them anyway. He’s a man who’s given up on finding joy in his life, and if it wasn’t for his kid, he’d have probably found a way to quit the world a long time ago.

Enter Steven Grant Rogers, struggling twenty-something, orphan, and someone who has no idea who Barnes is, other than some musician his mom liked a lot. The two men meet by accident, doing nothing more than passing the time in a quiet bar. But when a pap gets a shot of the two men embracing, Bucky takes it as a chance to finally come out as bisexual, and his agent makes him a proposition: Ten new songs and one very sweet boyfriend will get him a new record deal that will maybe, just maybe put him back on top.

Now all he has to do is write the songs, convince the kid, and not fall in love. Should be easy, right?

the right partner | LeeHan (AO3) (18+)

cap steve x ws bucky

Steve meets a beautiful man with a bright laugh on a sunny day in Italy. Captain America meets the elusive Winter Soldier moments later.

Date Bucky Barnes. Defeat the Winter Soldier. Bring down Hydra. How hard could it be?