#we should show them how much we love it and that we love it BECAUSE it’s queer

[itsrlymine]

How Many Times Do You Need To Be Told It Already Happened To Know It's Done Now?

Make it simple because it is. Remember it already happened because it did. When we manifest something, WE LITERALLY BEGIN TO TALK ABOUT HOW IT MANIFESTED SO DO THAT SHIT NOW!!!  When something happens, we all naturally recount it. We explain it to ourselves afterwards in whatever way we can. If you want something to happen, tell yourself that it did.  I want a new job. Omg I love my new job. I want to receive tons of money. No way I just received so much money wow. I want a new apartment. Omg I love my new space.  The physicality of a thing isn’t what makes it real. It’s your perception that does. I don’t need to know what device you are reading this on to know you are reading. I don’t need to know when you started, how you pronounce the words, I don’t need to know anything but I know you are. It’s the same with everything else. 

Your mind’s eye sees EVERYTHING FIRST. That doesn’t mean it “takes long.” If you just saw something in your mind, IT HAPPENED. If you just thought of something you would like to experience, YOU ARE EXPERIENCING IT NOW. The only reason you “aren’t” is because you say so. Literally.  Again, when you think about memories, you experience them within you. You can feel like you are experiencing past feelings or thoughts by thinking about them yet you don’t question it. Now when it comes to things you do want, you act all weird about it??? Make it make fucking sense.  This whole entire thing is just about whether or not you trust yourself. Whether or not you believe in yourself. To believe in you is to believe in everything because you are everything. There is nothing outside of you. No power or being dictating whether or not you are worthy of something. The power is you.   I wanted to hear from someone I hadn’t heard from in years last night and then I had to remember “umm?? I’m pretty sure we just got off the phone what the heck.” They called me and we spoke as if there hadn’t been any time that passed at all between us. It had been over 3 years but should I have let that determine if I’d hear from them? NO. It doesn’t matter. The story you tell about yourself is the experience you live. Think back to before you found out about the law (you). You can literally see how your thinking and who you thought yourself to be created situations you were in as a result. There’s no need to sit and beat yourself up about the past because it’s also now just what you say it is.   Give yourself that peace you want. Give yourself the stress free space to enjoy life. There is nothing you can’t achieve as long as you have an open mind.  The world is constantly showing you who you say you are and what you believe about it. Whatever you say you are, you are.  You’ve accepted the fact that you can read and understand the words on this post so what’s stopping you from accepting the fact that you now have what you previously wanted. Be still and fucking know. It’s yours already damn. 

[adragonsfriend]

I think this is time loop movie for our times, actually. Instead of some lame asshole who mainly needs to figure out how to be polite (eg. Groundhog Day, a lovely movie, no shade to it), the protagonist is some person beaten down by having basic needs denied, and through the time loop they get the freedom to get out of the stress state for a while (maybe they were specifically expecting to wake up on the day they weren’t going to be able to make rent/other stressful event). They’re kind of a boring loser at first, but gradually they encounter they regain energy and creativity starts showing through they never knew they had, and they can take lessons, eat what they want, turn the heat up, get their hair done, tell their landlord and boss to fuck off as much as they want (all the stuff Groundhog Day guy could’ve done whenever he wanted if he’d been less of an asshole). Instead of the usual limits like Groundhog Day guy not being able to leave the tiny town, the protagonist has enough time/random malfunctioning ATMs spitting money to buy whatever they want and travel basically anywhere they want in the world. Coincidences line up to let them in to odd places, talk to people that wouldn’t give them the time of day usually. We see them explore and achieve so much without the pressure of necessities. They revel in that for a long time.

The turn back toward the real world is in how the protagonist gets to know people. Their neighbours and community, maybe they call their siblings they haven’t talked to in ages. They get to know what everyone is struggling with and what they’re great at. There’s suddenly time to do all the research people on TikTok are saying you should do about finance or applications or whatever. In fact there’s time to do it for your neighbours too. So Sue who ends up on the hospital everyday loop can know they can challenge the hospital a couple of dumb charges just by calling, and Dion knows about that scholarship he got in one of the loops, and Louisa can find out about she really shouldn’t sign that contract with the bank.

Basically protagonist finally comes out of the time loop with a lot of things still sucking, but in a position to suddenly have a giant leg up in community organising. Even for their own situation, it’s not totally fixed, but they know at least a couple people they can call on to alleviate it, because they’ve actually had the time and space for thought to find those people instead of being trapped in endless stress and necessities. It’s so far from fixing everything.

But the audience sees all this person would be capable of if they just . weren’t . trapped .

Unfortunately I think I would legitimately enjoy being stuck in a time loop unless the events of the day itself were super horrifying or tragic. Once I figured it out I would be so relieved just to not be overwhelmed by time pressures and responsibilities that it would take me 1000 years to get bored

[cheriladycl01]

hi love!! i just read your "Funny Gaming moments with Lando and Max (F) x QuadrantStreamer! Reader" and I absolutely loved it. this is me requesting more content like that! specifically again lando x streamer who plays val. maybe lando showing up to her competing in vct and its in the same city as a grand prix weekend. if not then maybe stream moments (thinking of like Tenz and Kydae🥹)

i love your content so i'm excited for literally any content you put out!! thank u!!❤️

Chat, what is this? - Lando x Streamer! Reader Part 1

Plot: More moments of you, trying and failing to teach your boyfriend Lando how to play games as good as you

Warning: This probably wont be for everyone but if you love gaming and Lando fluff you will enjoy this. It is very technical about Valorant as a game, but this request despite being sat in my drafts for a while has been one ive wanted to complete for ages! Its based around VCT 2023, Sao Paulo. Reader takes of from FNC Leo so if your confused why he isn't there thats why!!

"Chat, how good was that game? We Match MVP'ed and what did we go, 34 - 12 - 8. God climbing has been hard but did we finally do it chat?" you ask looking at the comments rolling in before you click to see if you rank had changed and finally put you back in radiant.

-Yes lmao

-Radiant time <3

-Gorl we know its gonna be good, just show us!!!!!

-Bits Donated

"Okay chat and omg Radiant Number 346! Now i don't know how long ill keep that for because ... well I've got to leave for VCT soon because my team actually made it through!" you exclaim, you'd been in game changers for a year when Fnatic asked you to become a sub for their team. Leo going on longterm sick meant that you were currently playing with them.

It was perfect timing for VCT Lock in if you were being honest. It was running from February till the start of March which meant that Lando could join you before you went to his first race with him in Bahrain. He was to stay in the hotel with you, which was payed for by the team but he wasn't invited to the team meal that Riot payed for, for each team.

"Ahhhh baby" you come back to the hotel after your meal out with the team having had a few too many drinks.

"Hello beautiful, did you have fun" he smiles running his fingers through your hair as you place your bag on the sofa.

"So much fun, its nice to just hang out with them you know? Sometimes even when were playing games it feels like its my job" you sigh in your drunk voice that Lando couldn't help but find adorable. He helps you take your shoes off as he continues to talk to you.

"Mmmmm well it kinda is your job baby" he chuckles knowing that he enjoying goofing around with his friends like George and Alex when they'd go cart together or he'd go out clubbing with Max or biking with Daniel.

"I know but i still should have fun right?" you almost moan as your shoes finally come loose and you can breathe. He helps you take your makeup off and change you into an oversized shirt off his before bringing you to the bed and tucking you in placing a kiss on your forehead before climbing in himself.

February 24th 2023.

Lando was there cheering you on as you went into your first match against Sentinels. Which was funny as you were actually really close to TenZ who was the star player of the opposing team and always made a pretty hard match for you whenever you guys played together or against each other. You were first friends with his girlfriend Kydae who you'd met streaming and then when you met irl was when you met the legendary TenZ.

"Ready?" you ask over to him after your walk on and he chuckles nodding.

"You bet i am, bring it on" he grins first bumping you before heading to his seat.

"It's so nice to see despite them being on opposing teams, NA and EMEA that they are still really good friends and ... you know what Bren its just nice seeing this level of Sportsmanship in our sport" Commentator Sideshow says.

"I agree but the question is, will Y/N be able to finally put an end to his streak? He's never been outplayed by her and maybe that is the downfall of playing with the enemies, he knows her and what she thinks and how she plays because who knows how many hours they have played outside of the teams, so this will really show" Brenn adds.

Haven was the first pick and Lando watched on anxiously as his girlfriend talked to her teammates through her headset, discussing strats going forward and what was going to be best for them.

He'd never admit it but he didn't know what he preferred, seeing her in her own team shirt or in his team gear but right now you looked so beautiful to him, the way your glasses sat perched on your nose and the team top tucked into your trousers.

Pearl hadnt been a map that you guys were doing well on when practicing so it was your first ban against Sen who'd been doing well in Masters through the year. You were hoping that they wouldn't ban Icebox as you guys had a pretty cohesive agent line up but to all your dismay it was Sen's first ban.

The first map pick was Haven, a three site map, different from the standard two which was your guys go too. You as a team when it came to practicing found that you guys commed better on this map than any other and with the amount of hours put into it, it would be hard not to have this as your guys best map.

And as if the Valorant gods were listening you see Sen's pick of Split come up, you hadn't been playing it much in front of people but behind closed doors you guys actually had your second best map on split. You guys ban Ascent knowing TenZ was a chamber demon on that map and you guys didn't wanna risk a throw away.

Sen then bans Fracture which you were glad about personally because it was one of your worst maps and you didn't have an agent you felt truly comfortable with there. Your goal for this year was to play more Fracture and make it a better map of yours.

And of course that left Lotus which three site maps seemed to be in favour of your guys team so this would be interesting.

Defending of Haven was up first.

"Okay im guessing were having Derke on Jett?" you ask knowing you'd be happy to Raze and Judge on Split later if it came to it.

"Yes, and I think we should go with Team C composition, how you guys feeling about that?" Boaster asks and you all nod before Chronicle changes his mind.

"I don't think double sentinal will work. Better doing double initiator" he argues and Boaster thinks for a second before agreeing.

"Okay so that leaves Plan B which is Derke on Jett, Chronicle on Breach, Alfa on KillJoy, Nyxie on Sova and me on Astra is that good with everyone?" he asks and you're all happy locking in your agents.

You spend your credits getting a Frenzy and two darts, knowing playing B should get you decent info you head there talking about darting first before you get any rotates to your site.

The round starts and with your reveal dart already loaded up you track two enemies seeing them in window.

"B Main smoke Boaster, two in window" you request and he places down a smoke hiding you on the left of site.

"Skye Dog coming through" you say as you here the yapping coming through the smoke making you and Boaster rotate to backsite. The dog thankfully doesn't grab anyone and leaves them with no info apart from the fact that you are on site.

TenZ dashes onto site right to where you and Boaster are immediately getting picked off by your British counter-part. As they rotate to C Chronicle and Alpha sit patenitly their util ready for use. Boaster gets another pick travelling on C site while you remian watching garage.

Derke flanks from A killing of the Skye meaning spikes down and only two are left as you play it safe moving back onto B keeping your eye on garage so you can swing off Boaster.

"There in garage, there in garage im holding from box" Derke says and you come through B to join him and by the time you've got there he's wasted no time and got the last two kills.

"Nice! Fnatic pistol round for the win!" you say fist-bumping Chronicle who your next to.

Your next buy is a Stinger, light shield and full util. This should be an easy win where Sen are on a save round but ... you never know. Shaking things up a bit you move to A with Derke positioning ready to dart down long.

"Util on C, coming long" Boaster comms and you start to rotate, knowing Derke can hold down A if they decide to Early rotate. And just as you get to B ...

"A, All A. What do you mean coming long, yes they are coming long on A! Not C" Derke shouts from Boasters earlier call out. Knife out and your running back to A as Derke gets another 3 picks.

"Okay Derk when i said hold the fort this isn't what i meant but pop off!" you say as you get your dart out, just as Chronicle gets the last kill in Sewers.

"Nice work!" you shout, a fist lightly tapping the desk. You pull a face at the camera on you with Boaster on the other side of you before buying for the next round.

Next round however goes to shit. Derke lerks Sewers getting picked off immedielty leaving you and Chronicle who had rotated early.

You replace Derke watching Sewers, Boaster smokes for you and you spam through the smokes getting two kills, switching to the classic seeing their Omen pushing you kill him off as Tenz kills you off after Chronicle and Boaster die on site. They proceed to win the round.

You boyfriend jumps up for joy seeing your 3k pulled back down by Max Fewtrell as you died to TenZ of all players.

"Guys what happened, I was watching sewers and before i know it TenZ is kissing my ass" you say looking between Boaster and Chronicle.

"It was just poor timing on our half sorry, but great round for economy guys!" Boaster tries to keep up Moral.

2 - 1

Next round was a blur, starting on A and dying over on C all within 15 seconds of the round was ... humbling to say the least.

However, it was close with TenZ being the only one standing once again as he trades off Zekken to get the kill on your teammate.

2 - 2

You remained on A despite it seeming like it wasn't working as its where you were getting the best darts and getting the most kills, Breach alt sent you sky high and not long afterwards with another kill under your belt it was a 2 v 1 situation with Sacy as the only one remaining and you with Alfa.

"Amir, swing off me, ill bait" you call and you both swing, you from behind box and Alfa in heaven, Sacy can only concentrate on one and thats unfortuanlty you.

"Nice one!" you say and Amir fits his hand on the air.

3 - 2

"Bit of jumping and running and gunning from Nyxie" the commentators says as you jump into and out of the smoke getting a kill before being killed instantly by their Killjoy who Boaster finishes off in a smoke.

"Despite some wacky moves from Nyxie this game, the comms from her have been phenomenal. The minute she dies her team are right there getting the revenge"

4 - 2

Your alt being available this round leaves Derke hard dashing up into window you think with the smoke he's got somewhere only to be picked off by their breach. With comms you pop your alt but the enemies seem to expect that managing to dodge it.

You all rotate to C using your reveal and then your drone you see three on site. Immediely managing to hit TenZ. You continue on, not thinking that you've just killed him in pro play.

Going deeper into cubby you get a pick on Skye just as Omen alts away probably onto A. Immedielty on the rotate heading through Attacker spawn and into Sewers, you're killed first and sit back comming for you teammates as Alfa clutches the round.

"Guys, i just got a kill on TenZ!" you exclaim and look over to Tyson, sending him a heart with your fingers where he rolls his eyes at your joke.

5 - 2

After some whiffs from both you and Derke, Boaster and Alfa clutch the round.

6 - 2

Again after some silly mistakes and being caught in util Alfa is the last one standing and left to save standing back away from site letting the bomb tick away.

Boaster is left a little frustrated asking what the hell we're doing despite having 3 plus rounds on Sen. IGL mentality for you! He knew you guys could and should do better.

6 - 3

You play safe with Chronicle on A trading kills off each other leaving Boaster a nice 3k on site, playing a little more aggressively than he usually would as the two of you die.

"Sorry Boaster, i don't know whats going on man" you sigh, knowing you arent playing your best right now.

"It's fine, it's all good we've got this!" he smiles at you, fist bumping your hand.

7 - 3

Next round you're told to early rotate straight to see thanks to Derke's spot and the fact that they stuck coming up C long rather than rotating worked in your benefit. You get a pick, before TenZ outplays you as your reloading.

Derke and Boaster clutch the round, cheers all around as you go to ...

8 - 3

A very slow paced round where both the Jett's were opping and so many ults were available. You were running between side, jiggle peaking and jumping to try get any info. You guys rotate to see when Alfa's alarm bot it destroyed seeing their coming through garage you wait at the top getting a kill on the Omen, just after Derke's op kill and Alfa's ratty move of hiding in cubby.

Alfa finishes them up in garage and you guys call it a day.

"YES! GOOD JOB!" you scream, fisting the air.

9 - 3

SWITCHING SIDES

Now it was your time to shine, you much preferred attacking on Haven. You guys agreed to start baiting A while the rest make their way to C. After a Sova reveal you guys make your way to C long Boaster in the back with spike.

After managing to plant TenZ gets onto sight with his Sheriff destroying the three of you remaining.

"FUCK THAT GUY!" you cry into your mic, head going into you hands hating the fact that you actually only did 20 damage to him.

9 - 4

You guys get fucked in sewers again.

9 - 5

This round you wiped the sweat from your forehead and locked in. Taking a quick swig of water before buying your util. You lurk getting a nice ratty kill on Skye before using the opportunity to reposistion gaining another kill. You peak TenZ but he avoids the fight leaving you to get a kill on Kill Joy instead while Boaster goes after Jett.

"Some incredible work there from Nyxie, she's really great at reading the map and once getting a kill repositioning to catch off her opponent and she's just incredibly quick with it too" the commentators admit.

Lando was biting his lips hard from how close this game was feeling despite it being 15 rounds in and 10 of them being for your team.

10 - 5

This round felt like it hadnt even started, you don't even know what you did but you were just there supporting. You tab to realise your actually 2nd on the leader board which only spurs you on further. You had this!

11 - 5

You and Derke wait together, storming onto sight getting three kills between you and managing to get the spike down. You guys have an incredible round all serving and keeping your guns, running off just as spike explodes killing the last player.

12 - 5

MATCH POINT

You wanted to cry, you were left standing last and whiffed so hard. Whiffed so hard not only did you let spike be diffused but you got yourself killed too. You could have finished this game there and then and called it a day.

12 - 6

After a stressful round you guys won the last round meaning you'd won the first map. You were the person who had the final kill which felt like a redemption after your previous bad round.

"YES LETS GO!" you cry pulling Boaster into a hug. Chronicle comes up fistbumping Derke before you hug him.

"Nice going Nyx" he grins. You use your hand to look out into the crowd spotting your boyfriend sat there with Max in the VIP section.

You wave at him as you leave the stage knowing he'll come see you in the room you guys had snacks and breaked in before the next map.

"You did so well, argh im so proud of you and i know you've got this next map!" he grins pulling you into a hug, kissing your forehead before moving down to hold your face in his hands bringing you into a full kiss.

"Ew" Chronicle comments smirking at the pair of your while Boaster covers Alfa's eyes.

"You guys all did really well. Got a feeling this ones yours!" Lando admits, keeping you close to his side.

"Thanks mate, oh wait have you guys seen Yinsu?" Jake (Boaster) asks.

"Mmmm she was in the crowd but haven't seen her yet!"

"Whose Yinsu?" Lando whispers to you.

"His girlfriend" you laugh.

"Mmmm she's with Angelina i think" Chronicle nods.

"Whose Angelina?" he asks

"Chron's wife?" you laugh as if Lando didn't believe your teammates had partners.

"You know ... this is a sport so technically you are my WAG... or HAB i guess?" you giggle before the others all tilt there heads confused.

"What is a WAG?" Derke asks head tipped to the side.

"Its a sports term, feel like its mostly used in F1 though. WAG is like Wives and Girlfriends of the sport person so im known on the screen when they show my face as Y/N FNC Nyxie Y/L/N Pro Valorant Player, Streamer and Girlfriend of Lando Norris" you explain and they nod.

"We should have something like that!" Alfa exclaims!

"Maybe" you laugh, preparing yourself for the next round.

Taglist:

@miffywoo @littlebitchsposts @hockey-racing-fubol @laura-naruto-fan1998 @22yuki @simxican @sinofwriting @lewisroscoelove @cmleitora @daemyratwst @lauralarsen @the-untamed-soul @thewulf @itsjustkhaos @purplephantomwolf @chasing-liberosis @summissss @gulphulp @starfusionsworld @jspitwall @sierruhhhh @georgeparisole @youcannotcancelquidditch @tallbrownhairsarcastic @ourteenagetragedy @peachiicherries @formulas-bitch @cherry-piee @spilled-coffee-cup @mehrmonga @curseofhecate @alliwantisadonut @dark-night-sky-99 @i-wish-this-was-me @tallrock35 @butterfly-lover @barnestatic @landossainz @darleneslane @barcelonaloverf1life @r0nnsblog @ilove-tswizzle @laneyspaulding19 @malynn @landosgirlxoxo @marie0v @yourbane @teamnovalak @nikfigueiredo @fionaschicken @0picels0 @tinydeskwriter @ironmaiden1313 @splaterparty0-0 @formula1mount

[geeeemmmmmmm]

"Maybe I do know"

Summary:When a little white cat rushes into your apartment, you didn't know what it could bring you

Warnings:Alpine gets her own warning for being a trickster, fluff

A/N:I'm planning to add a couple more parts to this because I love how in so many Bucky fics Alpine plays a big part in them so I thought I should join the trend. Just pretend beefy Bucky has his memories back and is friends with Steve and Sam. As always sorry for any mistakes and enjoy!

WC:1.3K

It was a typical Sunday for you - you left your front door open, only for a moment as you grabbed your laundry basket. Evidently you forgot to do your laundry last week so it was very safe to say it was a struggle carrying the basket from your room. The moment you were about to reach your door, a white flash appeared in your peripheral vision. Confused by the sight you put the basket down and tried to investigate and soon enough as you went to your couch - you saw a big pair of bright blue eyes peering at you from underneath your couch. "puss, puss come here little kitty" your attempt to coax this little white fur ball out from under your couch was not working but luckily you were met with a mysterious voice coming down the hall "Alpine! Where are you? C'mon girl come here!" After hearing the voice you thought maybe the voice you heard was looking for the cat that sprinted like lightning into your apartment. "Uhm are you by any chance looking for a cat, white fur, blue eyes?" you asked stepping out into the hall to see this mystery person, completely taken aback by the sight of a handsome man wandering in the hall. Definitely something you weren't expecting. "Yeah have you seen her anywhere?" you watched as he nodded observing how his hair framed his face "Oh well she must've ran into my apartment" you told him "I'm so sorry ma'am, I'll go get her right now, may I?" he gestured towards your door as you stood in front of it "Oh of yea yea sure go ahead, she's just set up camp under my couch" you tried to joke as you let the man follow you into your apartment, to your couch. "Yep this is her" he smiled at you before trying to reach under the couch in such a comical way, you had to hold back a laugh as the cat would not relent into his grip. "Here I'll try to help" you said while walking to the back of the couch also trying to get the cat into your grasp - "I'm Y/N by the way" "I'm Bucky, this trickster here is Alpine" he said in a warm tone back to you. You were so grateful that he couldn't see the way you blushed at him talking to you. A jolt of electricity flowed through you as you both fumbled around accidentally touching his hand, you both stayed like that, just for a second. Even if it was a small touch, it felt different? Your pulse slowly went back down to its normal rate as you puffed out an awkward laugh while Bucky stayed silent not knowing if you felt the way he didn't want to pull back from you. "Got ya now little girl" he said in a mischievous tone as he stood up with Alpine sitting in his arms looking quite proud of herself as she kept looking at you. "Thank you for helping me find her, she's always been an escapee but I thought she might stop when we moved but I hope we haven't disturbed you too much" he sheepishly admitted to you "Oh no no, this was nothing don't worry" you replied back in such a sweet tone of voice that it made Bucky's pulse quicken. "Well I better get her back inside before she runs off again" Bucky said as he started to make his way outside into the halls "Cya you two" you smiled sweetly following him out "Maybe I'll see more of two, I can show you around if you're new to the area?" You don't know what came over to you to be so bold but something about Bucky just drew you in. "Yea I'd like that" he said in a shy tone as he gave you a quick flick of his hand trying his hardest not get one more look at you as he walked back down to his apartment.

You huffed a small chuckle watching the pair walk back which reminded you of what you were meant to be doing right now which was your enormous load of laundry. It was a struggle to say the least, having a massive basket down 3 flights of stairs. Of course this would happen and right when the elevator is out of order you thought to yourself as you finally made it to the laundry room which was tucked in near the letterboxes on the ground floor. 30 minutes was how long your machine had left, you figured you might as well go back into your room, hoping you'd see Bucky again as you jogged up the stairs. 

Bucky stirred upon hearing your voice in the distance as you greeted a neighbour of yours. He didn't know what had taken hold of him but he rushed out the door - careful not to let Alpine escape as he kept his foot in the door to push her away as he closed the door. You noticed Bucky emerge from his apartment just before you entered yours "Keeping Alpine inside?" you called out to him watching him let out a small chuckle at your remark "Yep, hopefully she grows out of it" he replied walking over to you, just waiting to your hear your sweet voice in reply "Ya know what they say old habits die hard" you joked while nudged his right shoulder. Friendly touch - something Bucky has had in a long time but he was most thankful you didn't reach for his metal arm, the arm he's ashamed of every time he wakes up, the arm he desperately tried to claw off. "Are you free tomorrow by any chance" he blurted out without thinking "Yea I think I am" you hummed, slightly dumbfounded on how bold he was especially for not even knowing you for 24 hours, but hey who were you to complain especially when it's a very handsome and seemingly kind man doing it. "Great, should I meet you out here at 12PM? I'll make it up to you since me and Alpine disturbed you" he grinned with a boyish expression "Sounds great! You two weren't a disturbance I promise, it was quite entertaining for a Sunday afternoon" you reassured him, noticing how he relaxed into himself just a little bit after hearing you tell him that. It was a comfortable silence after that, quickly interrupted by the sound of clawing coming from the direction of Bucky's apartment "That bloody cat, I wonder why I rescued her everyday" he grumbled looking back at his door "Someones jealous" you teased playfully "Well I better get Alpine but I'll see you tomorrow" "See you tomorrow Bucky" you still spoke in that sweet tone which made his heart melt. His door quickly closed as he ran in so that was your cue to enter your apartment. You felt so giddy about the fact that you had plans with someone after what felt like years of being single again. You ran to fetch your phone from your room with the only purpose to inform your best friend.

Guess who's got a date tomorrow!!

No fucking way omgg tell me everything

I promise tomorrow I will!! too giddy to talk, I have to prepare my outfit!!!

You smiled at your conversation with your bestie as you chucked your phone back on your bed and started to try find some clothes only to find nothing cute to wear

Damn it I have to get my laundry, you suddenly remembered so you sprinted out your door and down to the laundry room, already planning your outfit. 

You sighed as you grabbed everything out of the machine, hoping that Bucky was anticipating tomorrow just as much as you were. He was. Bucky was in a panic rushing around his apartment not knowing what to do with himself, he debated texting Sam and Steve but he didn't want them to annoy him and ruin his mood with their antics  so instead he tried to organise what little furniture he had in his 1 bedroom with no bed, small kitchen and living room apartment while Alpine purred sitting on his bench in the kitchen "Maybe I do know why I rescued you" Bucky whispered as he gave Alpine a scratch on the chin.

A/N:Ugh I love it when fics have Alpine in them so I hope you guys relate! I do want to turn this into some more parts so feel free to tell me if you'd read more of this or not:)

[misshuntereevee]

The Winner Takes it All, part 2.

( part 1. )

Synopsis: You look like the MC, and you actually remember bits and pieces of the myth (not all.) But MC finally shows up, with no memory, and Sylus can’t help but be drawn in. What will happen?

Notes: Thank you guys so much for the love. Part 3 will be coming probably in a few days as I prepare to start a new series for Raf. However, there has been some interest in a taglist for this series. I won’t be doing this at this time, but I will keep considering. Comments, likes and reblogs are encouraged but not necessary. Enjoy the groveling. (Also don’t forget I’m not beta-read.)

Sylus knows he fucked up. The moment you were gone -- Miss Hunter ceased to exist. Multiple calls from her went unanswered. And he didn’t even wonder once if she was okay. But every moment since you’ve been gone, Sylus has been searching.

If you’re mad at him, that’s one thing. But he has a duty to you to make sure that Ever never lays a hand on you. And no matter how mad you are at him, he refuses to let that promise go. If he has to rebuild the trust… he will. Brick by brick.

But the pit in his stomach doesn’t subside when he sees you. He’s not a jealous man, never felt the need to be. But right now -- he understands he’s the closest he’s ever been to losing you. And he is feeling envy creep up into his veins.

You were flirting with the cashier. Well, he started it but you definitely were returning it. In all honesty… the attention felt nice. It had been a few weeks since you felt like you got this sort of attention.

The cashier is already blushing. “You know, I get off around -,”

“We don’t care,” a smooth voice comes from behind you, and a shiver runs down your spine. Sylus. You hate that it elicits such a reaction, but there would never be a day it didn’t. Your memories of your past life were hazy at best, but his voice — you don’t remember a single time it didn’t made you fall head over heels.

A hand comes to rest on your shoulder but with a loud huff, you yank it off spinning around. You’re angry. Passionately so. “Don’t you dare,” you hiss at him. “You don’t have a right—,”

“Keep the change,” Sylus tells the cashier, ignoring you.

The cashier looks between you both before he lets out an awkward low whistle and backs up. “Sorry, ma’am, but I’m not risking my life for a date with you.” And with that he leaves the customer service desk, leaving the two of you alone. You swivel around to face him, and you notice a swirl of emotions around his face.

Relief. Anger. Annoyance. Relief again. Adoration. And then finally in lands on one thing you didn’t expect —

“You were actually flirting with him,” he points out, his eyes looking… hurt somewhere underneath an accusatory jealousy. You don’t say anything. In fact, you grab the book you purchased and start walking out the door. He follows you, and you try to put your earbuds in. He takes them immediately with his Evol. You scowl at him and yank him into a nearby alleyway.

“What the hell are you doing?” You spit at him. “Leave me alone. If I wanted to talk to you, I’d answer my phone.”

A flicker of hurt crosses his face for a moment. But finally, he forces a calm look on his face. “My little bird, I know I forgot our —,”

A flicker of surprise crosses his face when you laugh loudly and bitterly. “Are you kidding me? You think that’s all I’m upset about?” He stays quiet, seeming to realize you aren’t done with him yet. In all honesty, he needs to hear what you say. Sylus knows he can’t fix anything until he knows how you’re feeling.

You frown at him before continuing: “She comes along and just because she looks like me she grabs your attention? Oh and that stupid fucking linkage bond thing ---,” How could you forget? You could resonate with him, yes, but there has never been any physical bondage connecting the two of you. That was new -- something only Miss Hunter had. And you had wondered —

Was it enough that you should doubt? Your fears were confirmed when he forgot your anniversary to take her home after a mission.

“And Ever wants you both,” he adds, his eyes narrowing. “Which was enough for me to wonder if you left… or disappeared.”

“Ha, no, more like your ego couldn’t handle that I left!” You say, poking his chest. He scowls at you. “And you know what -- I fucking remember. Does she?! I might not remember everything, but I remember! She can’t… she’ll never —”

You stop, your voice about to shake with tears. A lump forms in your throat, your chest tightening. You remember when he forced the blade through his heart. You remember slaying the dragon. And you remember the pain your past self carried -- everywhere. “Does she remember losing you like I do? However hazy it may be, she doesn’t carry that pain.”

And that’s when you turn away from him. A hand comes up, pushing tears away. “Oh, my little bird,” he murmurs behind you, his voice sounding raw. He can’t stand the fact you’re crying… over him. Self-loathing was the only thing swirling in Sylus’ red eyes right now. “I’m sorry.”

“No. I don’t forgive you. I’m not willing to fight with another version of myself for you. Go away,” you spit. You need time. And you start to walk away from him. However -- You’re only about two feet away from him when you’re yanked backwards. Something is tethering around your wrist, pulling you back.

“Stop it,” you hiss at Sylus. “Let me go!” But as you turn around completely, you can tell — this is not his Evol. You’d be able to resonate with him and make him stop. This isn’t that.

Sylus stares at it for a moment before there’s a small smirk on his face. “Well,” he says. “It looks like you’ll have to hear me out now.” A linkage.

***

“No, don’t you even start,” you say to him, staring at the link. “I’m sure if I just resonated with you — when you finally resonated with her, it went away right?”

You try to resonate with him but —

“You’re blocking it!” You accuse him. “You’re trying not to resonate with me.”

“What can I say? If my little bird flies away before I can tell her how sorry I am, that just won’t do,” he nearly purrs.

“Oh, I hate you. Stop this!”

“You have every right to be angry,” Sylus starts. Granted, you weren’t expecting that, so your response doesn’t come quickly. He keeps talking. “I admit… seeing her threw me off. But anything drawing me to her was pure curiosity, nothing more. Any other pull I felt — it felt empty. Like it belonged to you. Because it does.”

You cross your arms, pretending not to be fazed by his declarations. He leans down, gripping your chin. “You’re right, my Queen. You remember me,” he says. The other hand — the hand linked to yours by the bond — laces fingers with yours. You don’t lace them back right away.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “If you wish for me to never see her again, I’ll let someone else investigate her appearance for me. I have to know — for both our sakes why she’s here. Just please -- I can’t lose you. You’re right.”

“Sylus —,”

“Please. You don’t understand. These last two weeks have been — eye opening.” He lets out a deep, ragged breath. “I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to you that I mean it.”

A deep breath. Your thoughts are so consumed with confusion. Because you’re also curious to why there seems to be two of you - albeit two crazily different lives. You mean, she had her life and you certainly had yours.

But you also missed him. Your dragon. And the look on his face. You found it remarkable how this crime boss of a man could look like a kicked puppy, begging for forgiveness. And you absolutely hate how much you’re softening. How much you’re still attracted and pulled to him.

“Mhm. Fine. Come back tomorrow and apologize again just as passionately… and I’ll think about it,” you finally say.

His mouth opens and closes. “My little bird — okay. If that’s what you want.” And he takes your hand, ready to resonate and undo the linkage so he can leave you for the night. Sylus doesn’t want to. He doesn’t want to give you a single chance to overthink it and -- not forgive him. But he also knows -- if he pushes this, he could lose you forever.

The glow of resonating begins — but nothing happens. Your heart drops. It’s not working. So… it wasn’t Sylus that was holding it together. A brief moment of confusion flits across his face.

He remembers what the scientists had told him when he failed to resonate with the hunter. That they wouldn’t be able to resonate because she was disgusted and angry with him. And in striking clarity -- he knows for a fact that it’s not him holding them back from resonating like he previously thought. It’s you.

“What’s happening?” You says, seeming a little panicked as the bond only tightens the more you try to pull away. In fact, the link tightens so much that you stumble forward into his arms. The more you try to get away from him, the closer you get.

“Hm.” Sylus says, staring at it. He’s currently trying to make sure he isn’t smiling -- this might be a small win, and he knows he has more opportunities to remedy your relationship. “I have a theory.”

“Okay -- so spill,” you say, your eyes widening at him. “I have work tomorrow, and I can’t bring you with me! You’re a crime boss!”

“We’re linked because you’re mad at me,” he finally says. “Or disgusted. Or --- you hate me.” He almost can’t get the words out. Because you can’t. You can’t hate him. There is so much he never got to do with you. You blink at him several times before it clicks -- you’re both bonded until he can fix what he broke.

[scoupsakakitty]

little sister reader (scoups or mingyu) where she gets verbally attacked by fans for being close with ateez (wooyoung or San)?

Just Friends | idol!Scoups x sister!reader| angst, fluff | mentions of Wooyoung

Y/N had been through internet drama before. It came with the territory of being one of the biggest influencers in Korea—and, of course, being the little sister of Choi Seungcheol. She knew how quickly rumors spread, how fast people turned on you, how suddenly the internet could love you one second and hate you the next. But this? This was something else entirely.

It all started with a shopping trip.

Y/N had spent the afternoon with Wooyoung, one of her closest friends, just casually strolling through the streets of Seoul, laughing, chatting, and occasionally stopping to snap pictures of cute accessories and clothes. They weren’t hiding. Why would they? It wasn’t like they were doing anything wrong.

But when you had millions of followers, and your friend was an idol from one of the biggest boy groups, every little thing turned into a scandal.

By the time Y/N got home that evening, her phone was buzzing nonstop. Her social media was exploding.

[BREAKING] ATEEZ’s Wooyoung spotted shopping with influencer Y/N! Dating rumors ignite after viral photos surface. #WooyoungY/N #NewCoupleAlert

Y/N groaned as she scrolled through Twitter (or rather, the battlefield formerly known as Twitter). The pictures were everywhere. Some of them were innocent—just her and Wooyoung walking side by side, laughing. But others…

One particular shot showed Wooyoung playfully fixing a strand of her hair while she smiled up at him. Another caught him holding her wrist gently as they crossed a busy street.

And of course, the internet lost its mind.

Some fans were thrilled, gushing about how cute they looked together. Others? Not so much. Hate comments flooded her notifications.

“She’s just using Wooyoung for attention.” “She’s not even an idol. Why does she get to hang out with him?” “I knew she was a clout chaser.”

Then there were Carats who had mixed reactions. Some were protective, defending her, while others were… less kind.

“Why is S.Coups’ sister getting involved with idols? This is embarrassing.” “She needs to stop bringing scandals to Seventeen.”

Her stomach twisted uncomfortably. She hated this. No matter how much time passed, no matter how much she grew, people still saw her as nothing more than “S.Coups’ little sister.”

A loud knock on her bedroom door made her jump. Before she could respond, the door swung open, and there stood her brother, arms crossed, an unimpressed expression on his face.

“Y/N,” he sighed, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him. “What the hell were you thinking?”

Oh boy. Here we go.

She tossed her phone onto her bed and crossed her arms, mirroring his stance. “I was thinking that I’d spend the day with my friend. Didn’t know that was a crime.”

Seungcheol exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You know exactly what I mean. You and Wooyoung, in public, acting all… close. Did you really not think people would start talking?”

“Acting close? We were literally just hanging out.”

“Tell that to the internet,” he shot back. “Do you have any idea how much of a mess this is? My phone’s been blowing up all evening. The company is already getting questions about it. Not to mention, people are dragging Seventeen into this because you’re my sister.”

Y/N clenched her fists. “So what? I should just stop having friends because people might make up stupid rumors?”

“That’s not what I’m saying, and you know it,” Seungcheol said, voice softer now. “But you need to be more careful. You know how this industry works. People see what they want to see. And Wooyoung—”

“What about him?” she snapped.

Seungcheol hesitated before shaking his head. “I just… I don’t get it. Why are you so close with him? Since when?”

Y/N rolled her eyes. “Since forever? You know Yeonjun, right? Well, he introduced us a while back, and we just clicked. He’s fun, he’s easy to talk to, and he doesn’t treat me like I’m some fragile little sister who needs to be protected all the time.”

Her brother’s jaw tightened. “That’s not—”

“It is,” she interrupted. “I get that you’re worried, but Wooyoung is one of my best friends. That’s all there is to it.”

Seungcheol studied her for a long moment, then let out a sigh. “Don’t lie to me, Y/N. I know you have feelings for him.”

Her breath hitched, but she quickly masked it with a scoff. “So what if I do?” she muttered, avoiding his gaze. “It doesn’t matter that I have feelings for him. We are still just friends.”

Seungcheol’s expression softened. “Y/N…”

She shook her head. “No, seriously. It doesn’t matter. It won’t change anything. He doesn’t see me that way, and even if he did, it wouldn’t make a difference. The world wouldn’t let it.”

Seungcheol looked like he wanted to argue, but instead, he just sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. “You should still be careful. Not everyone will believe that you’re just friends.”

“I know,” she muttered, suddenly feeling drained. “But I can’t live my life based on what strangers on the internet think.”

Seungcheol’s expression softened even more. “I get it. I really do. But if things get worse, let me know, okay?”

She managed a small smile. “Yeah. Okay.”

As her brother left the room, Y/N picked up her phone again. Her notifications were still a mess, but this time, she saw a new message at the top of her chat.

[Wooyoung]: You good? Don’t let the haters get to you. Yeonjun and I are ready to fight if needed.

She laughed quietly, shaking her head.

No matter what the internet said, she knew one thing for sure: she had real friends who had her back.

[licorice-and-rum]

Something that really hit my like a punch about SOTR is how Suzanne Collins decided to write Haymitch's relationship with the women in his life because (in a clear contrast with Snow) even in his times of doubt over them, even when he's talking about Drusilla (fuck her btw), he still has a level of respect Snow didn't show for any of the women in his life in TBOSAS.

He sees Maysilee and Louella as sisters and each of them have strengths he admires deeply — in contrast with Snow thinking of Tigris (his actual cousin) as someone whose appearance "invited abuse."

Even Lenore Dove's most worrisome characteristics come for Haymitch from a place of care and love for her, from a desire to keep her safe, not to control her. Haymitch loved Lenore Dove for who she was, regardless of her rebelliousness maybe causing trouble for him. I don't even have to mention the contrast to Snow, right?

Even Effie, whose alienation certainly annoyed him, is talked about in a way thay shows and extensive highlights her empathy beneath her propagandized opinions. Haymitch never disrespects Effie or thinks of her disrespectfully despite the fact that is hinted that she has some behaviors that annoyed him. Snow, however, thinks of his female classmates with a irritated tone that visibly undermines them and their good traits.

Even the contrast between Drusilla and Gaul. Right, Drusilla is not as powerful as Gaul when they're presented to the reader, and Haymitch and Snow come from very different places, but Drusilla is the closes thing Haymitch will get to a powerful ally from the Capitol. Yet, he rejects her (in a quieter way than Maysilee does but still does it) almost right away because of her obvious cruelty. It doesn't appeal to him is the slightest like it does to Snow.

Also, the contrast between how Snow and Haymitch see the sacrifices the women in their lives make with the former disgusted at Tigris and the later showing how much he loves his mom (also) because of all the sacrifices she made to keep him and Sid alive and well, even if it devastates him (like the fact that they don't have a cake in the birthdays in fairness to him not getting a cake or the loss of the shirt his mother had so carefully sewn together for him).

Suzanne Collins didn't just made her mission to say a big fuck you to people who were romanticizing Snow, she showed us what we all should expect from a man (again btw) and you gotta respect her for it.

[yannaryartside]

Carmy’s guilt arc in s3 is incredibly unearned.

I am not against a guilt arc, but the way the show presented Carmys, the length they brought to it, and the analogy of it all...its extremely out of place/theme.

Many people have mentioned this..

Carmy didn’t do anything to Claire.

He had the bad luck of her hearing a mental breakdown/suicidal ideation episode. The whole of him feeling bad for it throughout the whole season and saying he cannot apologize is like saying it is your fault that your significant other read your diary and was troubled by its content. Like saying a person should feel bad for what they confided in a friend or therapist. Even if he were to break up with Claire later, we can all agree he would not have used those words; that's not Carmy.

It is awful to hear that a relationship was a waste of time for your significant other. Still, Carmy could only be guilty for hurting her if he said that to her, like, on purpose, more, even if he ever had the intention to hurt her.

Also, that scene when he is in the anon meeting and hears an abuse victim being (rightfully) guarded around their abuser and Carmy comparing himself to that, feeling he was a bad person not worthy of forgiveness….He is comparing himself to Donna and how Donna hurt him so much and for so long.

That’s is so fucking unearned. Incredibly out of place. Like giving 80 years of prison for an unarmed robbery.

He is missing a relationship that was shallow but made him feel less defective, and now that he is spiraling and hallucinating his previous abuser, he doesn’t have any option but to think back on Claire as the only one who could fix him/love him. He is mistaking the comfort and absence of mind Claire gave him as peace.

But he is ultimately just using the loss of this relationship to hate himself even more because how could he let go of this good thing? He thinks he is inherently a bad person, an unworthy partner, and a bad son. It's funny how is Donna who planted the idea that once you make a mistake, you should be (unjustifiably) punished to no end; that is the point of gaslighting.

For a show that seems to care and understand the subject of abuse, how all redemption has to respond to the gravity of your acts, making Carmy go on such a self-destroying/self-deprecating cicle for just basically thinking out loud while he was also dealing with a triggering event and thought he has in a safe space just venting to an old friend...It’s honestly horrifying.

The analogy just doesn't hit. He is comparing himself to an abuser (Donna) who actually used her struggles to manipulate people around her to make them feel guilty so they would do things to please her.

People can go on periods of reflection on the people that they hurt and what they meant to them, but it doesn't help to this supposed analogy of ‘earning love’ when every clairexcarmy scene is just shallow as fuck. It doesn't help that he hasn't earned her resentment, acting out of ignorance, his flaws or malice, just bad luck.

He hasn't even gotten to reflect on the things he is actually doing wrong, like pushing away his loved ones, isolating himself, and betting the whole house and their futures on a trip to defend himself from his abuser, former chef (Chef David) standards. An even when he gets to do that, reflection has to be more on the "you can do better, we are here for you" because he is not acting out of malice. Carmy has never, ever been an abuser. The way the script constantly shows him being kind to people who were inferior in the culinary industry, even when he wanted to be the best, speaks volumes on how he is incapable of becoming Donna precisely because he is not a bad person. He is not manipulative, selfish, or dismissive.

I think this is all on purpose, for the sleight of hand that would come later.

I think this is a trauma bonding "love" that carries an unearned punishment because codependent and toxic relationships are precisely that. We may get to that later. I have to find more time for reading.

[sowhatwereyousaying]

Prologue

summary: The calm before the storm...

warnings: age gap (reader is in their 20s and gong yoo is in his 40s); fake dating, pr

Her Perspective

I just wanted to go home.  

That was the only thing keeping me sane as I wrapped up one of the most stressful presentations of my career. Weeks of preparation, late nights, early mornings, and more caffeine than the human body should consume had all led to this moment.  

I should have felt proud. I should have wanted to celebrate.  

Instead, I was exhausted.  

As soon as the meeting ended, I barely held back a sigh. The moment I stepped out of the conference room, I knew exactly how I wanted to spend my night:  

Step 1: Get into the comfiest pajamas I owned.  

Step 2: Open a bottle of wine because, frankly, I had earned it.  

Step 3: Put on a feel-good rom-com to fill the gaping void of love in my life.

Step 4: Pass out halfway through and get the best sleep of my life.  

It was a perfect plan.  

Then Mia happened.

The second I pulled out my phone, her message popped up.  

📲 Mia: I JUST GOT A PROMOTION. WE’RE GOING OUT. NO EXCUSES.   📲 Me: CONGRATS!!! But also, no. Pajamas and wine are calling my name.   📲 Mia: Do you think I care??? You’re coming. I will drag you out of your apartment if I have to.   📲 Me: …I hate you.   📲 Mia: Love you too. Be at my place in an hour.  

I groaned, already knowing there was no escaping this. When Mia made up her mind, there was nothing in this world that could change it.  

So instead of heading home, I found myself begrudgingly making my way to Mia’s apartment, wondering how I had let myself get talked into this.  

By the time I got to Mia’s place, she was already in full celebration mode. Music blasted through the speakers, her vanity was covered in an explosion of makeup, and three different outfit choices were laid out on her bed.  

The second she saw me, she shoved a dress into my hands.  

"You’re wearing this."  

I held it up. It was short. It was tight. It was not what I had planned.  

I blinked. "This is a crime against comfort."  

"This is hot. And you will be HOT in it." Mia grinned. "Now go change before I do it for you."  

There was no winning.  

I sighed and changed, trying to ignore how much of my legs were on display.  

As I did my makeup, Mia absentmindedly flipped through TV channels before stopping on a celebrity talk show. 

I barely paid attention—until I heard his name.

Gong Yoo.  

I glanced at the screen. There he was, looking annoyingly good, lounging in his seat like he owned the world. His expression was somewhere between amused and exasperated as he stared at the talk show host.  

"You’ve had quite a reputation over the years," the host teased. "Lots of flings, lots of rumors. But no serious relationships."  

Gong Yoo smirked, lazy and completely unbothered. "I didn’t realize I was here for a life intervention."  

The audience laughed.  

"But seriously," the host continued, "are we ever going to see you settle down? Or is this playboy phase permanent?"  

Gong Yoo leaned back, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. "Tell you what—the next person I kiss? That’s it. I’ll marry them."  

The audience erupted.

Mia let out a dramatic gasp. "Oh my god. Whoever that is, Oh they will be lucky."  

I snorted. "Yeah, because look AT him"  

Little did I know, fate was planning a little something

His Perspective

I was supposed to be fishing right now.

That was the plan.  

I had just wrapped up my latest drama—a massive hit that had drained the life out of me—and was finally ready to disappear for a while.  

No cameras. No interviews. No scandals. Just me, a boat, and absolute peace.

Then the internet decided to ruin it.  

An old fling—someone I barely even remembered—decided to go viral.

💬 "I thought we had something special, but I never even got a callback." 💬 "Typical Gong Yoo, right? He’ll flirt, he’ll make you feel like the only girl in the world, and then—poof. Gone."

By the time my PR team got involved, the damage had already spiraled.

"You need to fix this," my manager said, pacing around my living room. "We need an interview. A statement. Something."  

I groaned. "I don’t care what some random woman says about me online."  

"Yeah, well, the public does."  

And that’s how I ended up on that stupid talk show.

The host wasted no time.

"You’re known for being a bit of a heartbreaker, aren’t you?"  

I forced a smile. "That’s what they say."  

"Do you ever plan to settle down? Or is this just who you are?"  

I clenched my jaw, already done with the conversation.  

If I denied it, they'd say I was lying. If I played along, they’d say I was an arrogant jerk.  

So I made a joke.  

"Tell you what—the next person I kiss? That’s it. I’ll marry them." 

The audience went wild.

I thought that was the end of it.  

I had no idea what I had just set into motion.

At The Club

I wasn’t supposed to be there.  

But my friends insisted. "One night out," they said. "Relax a little," they said.  

So I went.  

I stood in the corner, minding my own business, until—  

She crashed into me.

Soft lips. The scent of perfume and something sweet.

It was so fast, I barely had time to react.  

But then—then—I realized: she had no idea who I was, at least not right now  

And just like that, something in me clicked.  

So I kissed her back.  

And when she finally opened her eyes and realized her mistake—when she looked at me like she was about to have a full-on breakdown—I smirked.  

"Guess that means we’re getting married."

It was meant to be a joke.  

Then the flashes started. The whispers. The cameras.   And suddenly, it wasn’t a joke anymore

a/n: I knew I wanted to give a lil background of what happened before the lil club incident, and the trashy tv program viewer in me LOVES to build suspense hehehehehe. I hope yall enjoy this <3

taglist: @preppyfella @muchwita @shadow-tumbler @dyingswanpavlova @ririgy @lariem-blog2 @uurtekass @elliette-laine1 @breakmeoff @sarah-bear706318 @voxslays @celestialstar111

[victias]

Why, I, as a Demisexual, think Lucanis' romance was beautifully written (briefly as I could manage)

First, I'm going to say that demisexuality, like all human sexuality is a spectrum, my experiences are not universal through all ace people. This is my perspective on Rookanis, no other relationships - canon or not.

Secondly, I am not here to speak negatively about something someone enjoys, I'm just happy people have found something that brings them joy. I've seen too much of people taking a giant dump on things others are enjoying and honestly they should be ashamed of themselves.

Third, I do not play games for romances, they are a bonus to the roleplay. Often I skip them altogether, im demi and usually dont get that same rush others seem to about this option in games. Recently there have been two which I've really related to and enjoyed- Lucanis Dellamorte and Hans Capon. Both of these are not based on big sexy flirts but rather just letting them know you care. This is my take on Lucanis romance as a demi person, and if other disagree that's fine.

- my biggest enjoyment is that the whole relationship is just built on showing they care - none of Rooks lines are particularly flirty after the coffee with illario, none of his responces are either until the wall lean where Rook is mildly flirty (more just trying to reassure him) and he comes to them- that man makes the move and Rook responds, maybe a bit too eagerly but it is definitely him that makes the move. Rook is patient, isn't overly pushy with the romance and let's him move at his own pace - this is the perfect start to a relationship to me.

- A complaint I often see is that Lucanis flirts with Neve and not Rook (again I am speaking of a world Lucanis ends up with Rook not Neve), I personally don't see it as particularly flirting, I, as a demi, am far more overt and flirty with my friend than he is with Neve on the daily. He has a friend, a friend who is safe to have a bit of flirty banter with and he enjoys that. He does the same with Rook in the first coffee scene with Illario and only when he starts to develop real feelings does that stop. This is exactly how I process relationships- friends are fun to flirt with, they are safe and eveyone giggles and enjoys themselves, only once have I experienced attraction and it was overwhelming, I didn't know what to do with these new emotions of both love and lust and I barely spoke to the other person- yes I probably seemed closed off but I needed time to process and adapt to a new way of being. Also i had to learn how to read the other persons emotions, not that I'm bad at that in general but as it's all new and I'm processing my own.

- on that note, yes we can flirt, yes we can pull off wall leans, flirting and seduction and 'rizz' are not the same as feeling attraction, as wanting to take it further, as experiancing love and lust. Lucanis' wall lean scene, whatever your read on it, is in character and someone who used to work as a bartender in a strip club there is no way Lucanis, if read as demi himself, would be some naive man who doesn't understand human sexuality just because he doesn't enjoy it and hasn't indulged (depending on read). I did. I was tipped well because I knew how to flirt without wanting more.

- I go from 0 to 1000 too. Once I become certain in what the other person was feeling/ wanted I'm confident to express my emotions but until then I was very guarded and unsure, this is how I see Lucanis' , he had the trauma of the ossuary on top of all the new emotions and physical desires, he doesn't want to overwhelm himself and Rook, but once he's confident in his feeling and theirs he goes all in, he's not scared anymore and gives all of himself, willingly and openly and he isn't afraid to take the lead.

- I too show my love by sharing things I enjoy - he cooks Rook desert, under the guise of it being for everyone because he's still not certain of their feelings, he's self doubting, but he wants to try so he shares something he loves doing by making something to go with what Rook loves (chocolate in my Rooks case), I will say that I think this scene could have been written better esp if you have the coffee option as that can just read like he made it for himself, but this, to me, is a completly natural and normal way to express care for someone. Again, in the mind prison he escalates the relationship by saying 'it's better i stay here than risk losing you' and again with desert, he makes the move, Rook is patient, Lucanis makes all the big moves and Rook just responds with comfort and support. On that note, he would know what flowers Rook would want, if they would want so the line he has about Neve would contradict what we know about his relationship with Rook - the man is observant and he would know already.

Regardless of how to read him, I am so happy to finally have a romance in a game I can enjoy - not everything is designed to appeal to everyone, and that's ok. Lucanis was for me and people like me, for once I got to feel excited about a game romance and nothing can take that from me! 🫠🤣

[harmonicpearl]

Something i don't know how ppl still dont understad is how OBVIOUS it is that no Mark is gonna outtake the other, no love (neither for Gemma nor Helly) is gonna outgrow the other. And it's not only a matter of if that is possible (it is, its a tv show) it's a matter of narrative and thematic ideas.

The writers have briliantly gave Mark and Gemma a 5-year marriage and Mark s and Helly a half life relationship (because even if they are very young they have known each other for a huge portion of their concious life). This balances the stakes and validation for each Mark, and makes their battle so interesting, because they are literally equally deserving. And since they are equally deserving, having one of them "win" would be contradicting that claim. It doesn't matter if you as an individual have a preference, as liking one of the Marks more (hell, i myself like one of them more, that's human) but ethics dont work like that, ego death doesn't work like that either and obviously the show is trying to say that. This opens two crucial themes to discuss:

First things first, this impossible-winner situation is the fucking dramatic drive of the show. I wouldnt phrase it as Helly and Gemma because they're characters in their own right, but Mark's relationship with Helly and Gemma is there to represent a battle of the ego and conflicted desire. I really think the show chose to make this a romantic conflict because, yeah who doesn't love romance, but most importantly because we are so monogamous as a society that it was the clearest way to show how these two Marks are different people. We can't fathom the idea that you can love more than one person romantically at the same time (it doesn't matter if it's true, it's the predominant thought of our society). And i think they use this aknoledgement of how society works and they were so right to do so because look what everyone is talking about. That's why im so really shocked that some people are trying to bend the laws and philosophy of this show to theorize which Mark will win or which love will he choose at the end. Neither will, and both will. And simply because narratively, thematically, thats the only coherent choice. One of the Marks "winning" or Mark choosing completely either Helly or Gemma, would destroy the very points this show is trying to make. The love for Helly needs to be a rightful pushing force just as equal as the love for Gemma, just as Mark S needs to keep existing as a foil to Mark Scout. The show is trying to say that (to put this coloquially) doesn't matter how shitty or brief or undeserving your life is to a system or to others you are deserving of human rights, freedom and autonomy.

Which gets me to the second point: This goes both ways. Because even if Mark Scout belittles Mark S's experience, lumon did the same to him when they kidnapped Gemma and lured him into severance. They are both being used. After all, i very much think this is a postmodern show dealing with the residue of modern capitalism. This is a show about the problematic and complex relationship between revolution vs establishment. A modern show made in the past century would have framed this as a straight up victim vs victimizer problem but this is different. Capitalism creates this micro-power relationships. Corporations expoit the white collar worker and the white collar worker exploits the cleaning lady. And even if they are both clogs in a machine, the white collar worker and the cleaning lady may have different ideas on how a revolution should play out, or even if a revolution should occur in the first place. And sometimes revolutionaries can have disregard of the lower classes in the name of grater good. With all the shipping stuff (that i also fully enjoy) we forget that THIS is also the conflic that's taking place between Mark Scout and Mark S. Even if they clearly arent aware of all this shit at the moment.

Even so, they, again, are equally deserving of happiness and compensation. And to put Mark Scout in the position of opressor and opressed at the same time is amazing. They both need to win. But how can they both win? Will they both win? And how would a win-win situation look like? This is why i think severance really is something else. I'm at the edge of my seat because i don't have a fucking clue how they will resolve this. But i trust this show to be better than simply make him choose one of his loves or make one Mark overrule the other. They won't do that, mark (jk) my words. Both Marks need to truly work as one, to understad the other's struggle and see it as equally valid and well, negotiate. Just as the white collar worker will have to negotiate with the cleaning lady if they truly want to make an impact should a revolution actually happen. Both Marks need to understad they are not the real enemy and even more, that the real enemy is the cause of this friction in the first place, a friction that only diverges them from the real goal. Helly's and Gemma's love is only the cathalyst to put in motion this conflict. A GREAT choice because just as the Marks, they too will have ideas of their own on how to navigate this situation, yes, but they will also have a say in the innies vs outies vs lumon conflict and well i think these four are gonna surprise us.

[ratatoilett]

at this point, sukuna has accepted that you are an unavoidable disaster in his life.

like an earthquake. or a tornado. or a really persistent telemarketer that keeps calling even when he explicitly tells them to stop.

he doesn't know when it happened. one day, you showed up. the next, you never left.

and the worst part? he let's you.

not without protest, of course. plenty of "get out before i throw you out," and "touch my stuff and you lose a hand," and "if you breathe near me while i'm eating, i will make sure you regret it."

none of which work.

because here you are, again, sitting on his couch, eating his chips, watching his TV—wearing his hoodie (at this point he doesn't even care how you got that in the first place).

you're kicked back, feet on the coffee table, and way too damn comfortable for someone who has been explicitly told to leave at least 500 times.

sukuna scowls.

"okay", you announce, popping another chip into your mouth. "new plan."

he doesn't even look up from his phone. "no."

"you didn't even hear it yet!"

"and yet, i already know it's gonna be fucking stupid."

you ignore him, as always. "hypothetically speaking, what if we got married?"

his head snaps up so fast you think he might've given himself whiplash.

"the hell did you just say?"

"i said—"

"i heard what you said," he growls, tossing his phone onto the coffee table. "the question is, why do you insist on making me suffer?"

you tilt your head, lips curling into a grin. "oh, so you admit the thought of being my husband affects you?"

"i admit that the thought makes me want to set myself on fire."

you hum, unbothered. "well, that's not a no."

sukuna pinches the bridge of his nose. "explain. now."

"well," you begin, dramatically tossing a chip into your mouth, "if we got married, i'd finally have a legal excuse to annoy you forever."

"you don't need a legal excuse. you're already doing it."

you ignore that. "plus, think about it! you, me, joint bank accounts—"

"absolutely fucking not."

"—matching outfits—"

"i will end you."

"—and cute little pet names! i'd call you 'suku-bear'."

sukuna glares. "i will throw you off my balcony."

"come on! you'd have cute nicknames for me too."

he smirks, and for a second, you think you might've won.

then—

"yeah. it's 'nuisance.'"

you gasp, pressing a hand to your chest. "how dare you? i was going to give you my last name, and this is how you treat me?"

sukuna levels you with a flat look. "you break into my apartment on a daily basis. you eat my food. you talk too much. you leave your crap everywhere. i should be charging you rent."

"that's actually a great idea! hypothetically speaking, what if i just moved in permanently?"

sukuna exhales so hard you think he might combust. "get. out."

"but i brought dinner," you chirps, holding up a takeout bag. "your favorite."

silence.

a long, long, long silence.

"fine. you can stay."

you grin in victory, setting the food down on the table. "that's what i thought."

sukuna rolls his eyes, snatching the takeout bag like you might change your mind and steal it back. "for the record, i still hate you."

"for the record, you love me," you counter plopping down beside him. "and someday, hypothetically speaking, you'll admit it."

sukuna doesn't respond, too busy stuffing food into his mouth.

but later, when he thinks you're not looking, you catch it—

the way his eyes linger on you, soft in a way they never are with anyone else.

the way his finger twitch, like he wants to pull you closer but refuses to give in.

the way his lips curl just slightly at your stupid jokes, even as he scowls at you.

the way, when you eventually fall asleep on his couch (again), he doesn't wake you up.

he just sighs.

long. heavy. defeated.

then he grabs the blanket off the back of the couch and tosses it over to you.

not gently, of course. that would be admitting things.

but he lingers. just for a second.

and when you mumble something in your sleep—something ridiculous, something about hypothetically marrying him—he just shakes his head.

because someday—someday—he's going to give in.

he already knows it.

and, damn you, so do you.

[crowleysgirl56]

Something that I’ve noticed, about the two times Crowley and Aziraphale are on a bus together.

The first time is a few year prior to Adam/Warlock’s 11th birthday where Crowley approaches Aziraphale on the bus to say how he’s concerned the boy is too normal. He sits behind Aziraphale, obviously keeping up the pretence he’s not “with” Aziraphale.

The next time is after the Non-Apocalypse when they sit next to each other. Side by side. Their side.

What I find frustrating about this second scene however is how this is the moment when Crowley and Aziraphale hold hands. If you look closely you can see Crowley reach out and Aziraphale reach down, but the angle completely covers this. (I’m loathe to point it out here, but this moment was also confirmed by a certain piece of shit when he answered one of his asks)

My question is why? Why should this moment be obfuscated? Especially considering we know that they hold hands, during the almost Apocalypse:

Why do we spend so much time over the season establishing that there is a clear underlying love between them, only to still continue to cover it up for the audience? I get that they may still be worried about their former sides, but this moment shows they’re more interested in comforting each other than caring what heaven and hell might possibly think if they happen to be caught.

Therefore this moment is purely being hidden from the audience. So why? Also why cut the hand holding from the Tadfield airport scene? (though I know it’s because they move the lines about being a bastard/a little bit of a good person to the end at The Ritz. Then again they don’t even hold hands at the Ritz!) Is this still an editing decision by a company that just didn’t want to confirm the, shock horror, GAY moment?! Or is there something else going on? I honestly don’t know and I don’t know how to figure it out.

Anyone out there have any ideas?! I’d love to hear your thoughts.

[totallynotslothhh]

ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?

pairing: joost klein x fem! reader

word count: 3,824

warning: angst, cursing, fighting, crying, lil fluff

author’s note: I wrote this, and it took me a long time to get back into the rhythm of writing. I hope you like it! Just know that I’m thinking of writing a second part—I can’t leave you with this bitter taste. I need your opinions!!! Tell me what I should improve, if it moved you, and if you’d like to see more. Requests are always open!!!

Big kiss!

(sorry if there are grammatical errors, I tried my best, English is not my first language!!!🙏)

——————————————————————

“I can’t take it anymore!” she shouted, exhausted, exasperated, misunderstood. Her hands were trembling, her skin was pale, her vocal cords stretched in a shiver of tension, cold sweat running down her forehead and over her frightened hands.

Tear… Joost saw them streaming down, carving paths along the face of the person, who stood before him, locked in a silent battle against him.

-person?-

-a simple person?-

No… she was the girl who had always given him a reason to keep going, in life, in music.

She was y/n. y/n, his beautiful girl, who for the past four years had taken care of him every single day, showered him with affection, held him close, had the courage to love him.

-four years?-

When did all that time pass? Weren’t we just eight years old a few memories ago?

Wasn’t it only yesterday that we were drawing our thoughts in the grains of sand? Running through the shimmering blades of grass and the wheat fields near our neighborhood? Weren’t we sitting in our elementary school desks, secretly holding hands? Wasn’t it just a few days ago that I was tending to the scrape on your right knee…the one you got when you fell off my bike. How stubborn you were, insisting so much on riding it, only to end up in a puddle of tears on the hard concrete.

-When did all these problems arrive?-

When the responsibilities came, Joost.

When you found yourself alone.

When you were diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

When you were overwhelmed by the attention of almost a million people, without anyone preparing you for it.

-what about her?- she, who? -y/n-

y/n, the pure, dream-filled soul I fell in love with. The person who stands before me now, yelling at me about our problems. She has always looked at me with those big eyes of hers, comforting me, making me laugh, showing me that life isn’t just rejection and pain.

She’s the girl who has always taken my hand, who, despite her own suffering, has always worried about me. Always. I don’t have a single memory of a life without her in it.

You know what they say? Sometimes, it only takes one person who can save you from the human desert present around you.

Just one single person can be your warm, woolen blanket in the coldest storms. One and only one person can make you hold on to the hope of being loved.

“What the fuck happened to you?!”

Another scream scarred through the thick silence that had settled between us. Between these two heavy shells that could no longer find the perfect puzzle piece to fit together and be able to complete their picture.

“Huh? will you explain it to me joost? stop looking at me like that and answer me! for once fucking time answer me!" The heavy step she took toward me made me hold my breath.

I was in my pajamas, but I felt anything but comfortable. It was as if the white tank top I was used to wearing was too tight for the emotions my chest held trapped; as if the soft red checkered pants were too loose to let me run if there was a need to run after the woman who had always been mine.

-Why am I acting like this?-

Because you’re afraid.

-Afraid of her?-

Afraid of being alone again. Afraid of facing that human desert around you on your own. Afraid of taking off the warm, woolen blanket just because it’s starting to itch. Afraid of feeling that fragile thread of hope snap in half, right as you’re trying to stay still so it won’t break.

-It’s my fault.- Mine? Is it my fault? Is it my fault that she is leaving me now?

when and how did I make her feels bad like this? what happened, wha-

“If you have nothing to say, I can leave.” Her voice echoed in my skull, finally pulling me out of the flood of thoughts pressing on my mind.

I had stood looking at her for minutes…long, sluggish seconds chiming in the clock of our house.

Looking at her. Looking at those eyes full of anger and disappointment. Looking at the tense expression on her face, her dry, parted lips, her unsteady breathing, the way her hands moved as she spoke. At how my oversized T-shirt hung off her frame, how my gray shorts looked even bigger on her.

Looking at her maybe for the last time in my life.

“Wait, please…” I said, my voice shakier than I had expected, it came out as a pained whisper. A tiredness repressed for months, months filled with arguments and hidden frustrations, all swallowed down just to keep from breaking.

I followed her with my eyes, then with my body: my anxious steps almost run after her, my tattooed hand reaching up to her wrist to make her stop.

She was going to our bedroom to get her belongings: to take her shirts, her pants, her perfume from the nightstand, her glasses, her bracelets, her rings. To erase her presence from that room that had never been cold, not with her essence, her presence, her personality.

“Oh, so now you speak!” she said, turning around with a bitter laugh that wished it could stay trapped in the folds of her throat, if only the situation had been different.

The feeling she felt as soon as joost's grip became firmer and more urgent was one of total loss.

Lost. That’s how she felt, realizing that the same touch that had always calmed her down from any panic attack taking over her body at three o'clock in the morning, was now holding onto her just to check if, despite the coldness, there was still a layer left for him to reach.

Him, who had always been her refuge in the darkest moments, who had always been the source of inspiration for her art, who had always been a constant presence in her life.

“I can’t lose you. You can’t leave like this.”

The plea in his hoarse voice was almost veiled, but it reached her stomach like a stab. Seeing his eyes fill with those same bitter, knowing tears stirred something deep inside her, something painful, something different.

-That is guilt.-

Yes, that is guilt. I couldn’t make things work between us. I couldn’t understand him.

My body moved almost on his own, making him lose the grip he had on my wrist. The guilt, the regrets, the anger toward him… all of it blurred together.

“I can’t keep going like this. It’s always the same story. We fight over stupid things and end up acting like children. Love isn’t enough to make a relationship work.”

A year ago, the problems between them had begun. A year in which their language had become completely different, incomprehensible to each other.

She felt sidelined, in the background, like she no longer truly mattered in Joost’s life. The lack of attention weighed on her chest like a boulder, feeding her insecurities, letting thoughts silently seep into her mind.

He felt overwhelmed, drowned by a new wave of popularity he didn’t know how to handle, burdened by a new responsibility as an artist. He felt like he had failed at that damned festival he had always held close to his heart, only to watch it slip through his fingers overnight. During that time, he couldn’t even be present and clear for himself, let alone for his girlfriend.

Silence and misunderstandings were the only thing left between them.

The two had met as children, at a playground, to be exact.

y/n was four years old, and Joost almost five. He was the one who saw her first, from a distance, while holding a soccer ball under his arm. She was alone on the swing, murmuring something to herself: a little song, one of those probably addictive cartoon theme songs.

-Why is that girl alone?- was the first thought that crept into joost's mind. And when he walked closer to the small, delicate figure of y/n, she looked at him with a curious gaze. There was something about her that in his eyes seemed curious. He wanted to know why she was alone, why she seemed like a lonely figure.

A lonely figure who, as soon as she saw that boy with messy, long, golden-blond hair, froze completely, thinking what such a seemingly sociable child wanted from her. But deep, conscious thoughts and complex psychology aren’t things that find a home in the minds of children.

It didn’t take long for them to become friends.

And so from being a loner, the now smiling figure of y/n had found a friend: a really fun friend in her eyes. A friend with whom to make up stories, to pretend they were warriors and end up rolling around on the grass until one of them got bored.

A pure, innocent friendship, typical of children, especially the most empathetic ones.

After some time, their families became friends too. They ended up in the same elementary school and discovered that they even lived quite close to each other, in the same neighborhood in a northern province of the Netherlands.

Needless to say, they spent their adolescence together as well: Time passed, words brought them closer, shared experiences even more. They watched their bodies change, their goals take shape and become clearer, their minds expand to new understandings about life, the world, human relationships. They had always been each other's reference point, especially in their worst times.

It was as if in the chaos of adolescence, despite everything, there was always one certainty. Namely their friendship.

y/n had a passion for art, for painting, and she dreamed of following that path into adulthood. Joost was her inspiration. He supported her, always softening her insecurities with his words.“Will you stop discrediting yourself so much? You know that’s not true. You know you’re good enough, you’re just looking for a way to sabotage yourself.” He would say it gently, brushing away the tears that had inevitably rolled down her rosy cheeks as she opened up to him on any given afternoon of a hot August, on the terrace of her house; the place they often found themselves throughout their teenage years.

y/n realized she felt something more at the age of twenty-two, when his words, his gestures, his touches, and his glances started giving her that wonderfully sickening sensation of butterflies in her stomach.

His lips, his mustache, his bright blue eyes, and his disastrously discolored hair were all she could think about during the day.

Meeting him had become the moment she looked forward to the most. Being with him was all she wanted to do and then, she would have spent entire hours wrapped in his arms, listening to him talk about new songs and the projects that excited him.

“What’s wrong? You seem off.” His curious voice, tinged with a hint of concern, echoed through y/n’s cozy room.

Joost wasn’t stupid, he could easily notice if something was not going right and it had been a while since he perceived his best friend to be increasingly distant and mentally distracted.

When their eyes met, a shiver ran down her spine. She quickly looked away, forcing herself to focus on the sketch she needed to finish for a commissioned piece on social media.

“I’m fine,” she said, did not expect her voice to come out in such an insecure way, so much so that she instinctively bit her lower lip.

“Bullshit. You know you can’t hide anything from me,” he pressed on, now with his gaze focused solely on the crumpled figure of y/n on top of the swivel desk chair.

Meanwhile, he was sprawled comfortably on her bed, his laptop open in front of him: not so much to work on anything specific, but more to search for inspiration or, more realistically, to dick around as he used to do on days like that, spent lazily stretched out on her bed.

“I’m fine, just a little tired,” she sighed, keeping her eyes locked on the tip of the digital pen she was using.

Joost thought she looked so beautiful, especially when she was drawing:

He loved watching her get lost in her work. He adored the way she sometimes let the tip of her tongue peek out between her lips while concentrating. He found it impossibly cute when strands of her hair fell over her face, forcing her to tuck them behind her ears.

If only he could have, he would have kissed her.

He would cup her face in his hands, those soft cheeks he always loved to pinch and kiss. He would feel their breath mix, the warmth of her skin against his, her fingers running through his hair.

He would have loved to let her know he desired her, but he was too afraid to destroy their friendship.

“Wanna play Mario Kart?” he suggested after spending a few moments trying to think of a way to cheer her up and help her relax: she was tired, and he was bored, there was no better solution than video games.

His proposal made her chuckle. She spun her chair around first to face him, then toward the TV in her room, positioned right in front of the bed. “One game, then I’ll get back to work,” she answered, giving in to those pleading eyes of his, the ones she could never say no to.

After all, what could go wrong?

She needed a break after almost three hours of concentration.

But that game of Mario Kart wasn’t just a simple game, a quick distraction from work. It held within it their first kiss, which happened completely spontaneously.

y/n had come second to all the tracks and at the end of the game, with a sigh, she went back with her back, lying down on the bed and abandoning the controller between them.

“I’m not playing with you anymore, you always cheat,” she mumbled in a sulky grumble, which only made Joost laugh as he teased her.

“Me? Cheat? Or maybe you just don’t know how to play?” he shot back provocatively, turning his head toward her lying figure beside him. He was still sitting with his legs spread out, the second controller resting in his hands.

She rolled her eyes with a chuckle and stuck her tongue out at him. It was hard to stay mad at him, even in a playful way.

His presence had become so comforting, so deeply woven into her life, that the little lovestruck smile on her face appeared almost instinctively.

It was a feeling that almost suffocated her.

As her thoughts spiraled, she didn’t realize how long their gazes had remained locked, just a few seconds too many.

Joost’s rough palm barely hesitated before reaching her flushed, soft cheek. He just watched her, his body now leaning in ever so slightly.

“I can’t stay mad at you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, without breaking the intense eye contact that made her heartbeat race.

It was a moment almost cut out of real time, it was as if their thoughts had merged.

-What if I can’t resist? I’d ruin our lifelong friendship, and everything would crumble under a wrong crush: wrong timing, wrong person-

in fact, he didn’t waste another second, he leaned in, pressing their lips together, finally tasting those soft petals that framed a smile so genuine that he would have painted it if only he had the skill.

A held breath. Closed eyes. The fear of having ruined something so vast and so fragile at the same time, all contained within that fleeting instant.

The Mario Kart theme played in the background, blending with the quiet sounds of their lips seeking each other again, once the initial hesitation and nervousness had faded.

After what felt like centuries, y/n pulled back slightly, her eyes opening immediately to search for answers to the questions swirling in her mind. She looked into his.

“Was this what’s been on your mind?” he asked, the only words that managed to leave his lips, still just inches from hers, now flushed and warm.

“Maybe,” she whispered, threading her fingers through his short, messy hair, gently gripping it. And when she caught the faintest hint of a smile on his face, she couldn’t help but smile, too.

A smile now vanished from the creases of her face, giving way to a disappointed and worried expression.

“I’m sorry, I know I’ve been absent lately-”

“Lately, Joost? Lately? It’s been a year since you touched me the way you used to, since your career became the only thing you see, since you stopped making me feel loved” Harsh, impulsive, trembling words spilled uncontrollably from y/n’s lips, the same lips that only ever found peace when they met their twin. Her body was tense, a bundle of nerves, brows furrowed in frustration.

“I’m sorry… y/n, what do you want me to do? Huh? Tell me! Tell me how I’m supposed to handle my career!” His voice rose in provocation, mixing with the sight of tears welling up in his eyes.

He was frustrated. She could feel it.

His hands clenched suddenly, his body pulling slightly away from hers, so different from just moments ago.

He couldn’t explain himself. He couldn’t find the right words. “Me!? If you don’t know how to handle your life, don’t ruin mine!” Her voice was even louder, sharp words cutting through the air, sharp enough to make tears fall from her own eyes.

Words so bitter they hurt her, too.

Their anger was pushing them toward a breaking point, a collision that would end in tragedy if neither of them took a step back.

“Ruin?” The whisper that left Joost’s lips was shattered, almost in disbelief.

-Maybe it was true.-

-Maybe this really was the last time he’d see her.-

“Do you really think I ruined your life?” He asked it with fear. Fear that the answer might be yes.

His eyes looked at her body language, and he saw her hand immediately wipe away more tears, the ones betraying just how much y/n’s strength was crumbling into a thousand pieces.

-Do you really think that?-

“You’re ruining it. The more time passes, the more I feel like we don’t fit together anymore… I-I have my art to focus on, and you have yours… Our worlds don’t intertwine the way they used to. Ever since you started working on that damn album, I feel like I’ve been pushed aside!” She crossed her arms, her voice weighted with the same frustration they had been throwing back and forth like a ball.

His chest tightened. He felt the need to defend himself.

“I never put you aside! And you know that! Don’t accuse me of things that aren’t true!”

The desperation in his voice was shifting, turning into anger.

Being accused like this? His ego was stepping in, replacing the guilt, trying to protect him from falling into a poisonous spiral he subconsciously knew would be dangerous.

It was a defense mechanism they both knew too well.

“I’m just telling you how I feel, but you’re so caught up in yourself that you refuse to accept it.” y/n muttered, rubbing rapidly the back of her hand against her cheeks, as if wiping the tears away would also erase the pain swelling in her chest.

Their bodies were so close, yet their minds had never felt so far apart.

“I’ve always put you first. You’re the one who never tells me how you feel, and then you drop something like this on me.” Joost stood in front of her, breathing hard.

She shrugged, then suddenly turned away, walking through the hallway of their shared home, heading for the bedroom.

“Oh yeah? So you’re just gonna leave!?”

He called after her, immediately following, feeling a new wave of fear wash over him, one that reminded him of how he had felt at the start of this fight. y/n’s movements were frantic as she grabbed the suitcase from beside the wardrobe.

She didn’t hesitate.

She unzipped it and started shoving in clothes, grabbing at random in the chaos of the moment. Joost stood frozen in the doorway, watching his girlfriend.

That suitcase.

The same one that had traveled the world with them.

The same one that had listened to their late-night conversations before every trip.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to fill the whole suitcase.” Joost’s voice, incredulous yet fond, reached her ears just as she was busy deciding between two pieces of clothing. She turned around with a smile, shrugging, knowing full well that he already knew the answer. “Babe…” He let out a small chuckle, stepping closer and finding her soft waist with his hands, his fingers brushing against the thin fabric of her shorts. “Come on, Joost, you know I’m indecisive. Why do you even care?” She placed her hands on his shoulders, locking eyes with his before closing them again, laughing softly as his lips and mustache brushed against her neck, tickling her skin. “I don’t care,” he murmured, warm voice against her throat, “but I already know you’re going to end up wearing the same things as always and then complain that you don’t have enough space for all the souvenirs you’ll want to bring home.” His lips left a trail of damp kisses along the curve of her neck. A sigh slipped past her lips. “You’re such a buzzkill,” she teased, threading her fingers through his messy blond mullet, tugging playfully.

-Is this really how it’s going to end?-

The tightness in Joost’s chest grew unbearable at the memory of their last trip. He couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“y/n…” His voice wavered, his face tensed, breath uneven.

“y/n, please…” he murmured, his words cracking under the weight of everything unsaid.

“Are we still friends, Joost?”

-Are we still friends?-

The question hung in the air, cutting through the cold stillness of the room, lit only by the soft glow filtering through the window.

She turned to face him, finding him in a state beyond wrecked. Her fingers clutched the fabric of one of her shirts, the one she had been about to toss into her suitcase.

“Are we still those teenagers who couldn’t go a day without each other? Are we still those kids who looked for reassurance in each other’s eyes over the smallest things?” Her voice softened: empty of hope but still full of feeling.

Joost’s dulled gaze remained fixed on the floor. He no longer cared to wipe away the regret streaking down his cheeks.

“Maybe we should break up for now,” she said, finality lacing every syllable.

“We lost ourselves trying to find each other.”

And with that, the final blow was struck.

Neither of them had stepped back.

And confusion had won.

————————————————————

[brightlotusmoon]

I receive interesting calls.

A very upset parent called to complain to me - evidently, her school was teaching her child "pronouns". She was appalled. She asked me to do an Ask Mary Jo column on what she called "gender ideology".

I did what I always do when someone calls me with a question for the column. I listen and try to assess the problem. There's often a 'question behind the question'.

I also try very hard to not judge.

In this case, the parent was upset because she was certain her child's teacher was "trying to make my daughter trans".

I asked which pronouns the teacher taught.

The parent was confused by my question. "Those trans pronouns" she said.

I asked her if she knew any pronouns. She told me with certainty that they did not use pronouns "in our house."

I then gently explained the definition of a pronoun. And a noun. And a verb.

I asked if the teacher had taught these parts of speech as well. The parent was suddenly silent. I explained that pronouns stand in for a noun, as in he, she, you, me, I, we, us, this, them, and that.

She blurted, "I feel foolish. I didn't understand."

We had a lovely conversation about misunderstanding (which we all do) and pre-judging (which hopefully we try to avoid).

She then asked me about gender. Surprised, I took a deep breath and told her I would be happy to share what I knew. I also shared that I spoke from my heart, and from nearly 5 decades of experience (I met my first gender-fluid child at Children's Hospital in 1972; we also cared for children with Turner Syndrome, Kleinfelter's Syndrome, ambiguous genitalia and adrenogenital syndrome. I worked on the Clinical Studies unit). She was interested. She had many questions. I explained all those chromosomal differences in humans.

When I finished explaining she had more questions. She asked about trans kids. I talked about how few truly trans kids exist, and how challenging gender dysphoria can be, and how young people do not become gender non-conforming or trans because they hear about pronouns. I shared how a study as recent as 2022 showed that 82% of transgender individuals have considered killing themselves and 40% have attempted suicide, not because of their gender but because they feel ostracized....and how other studies show how much the presence of only one caring adult can improve a gender non-conforming young person's mental health....

She said she'd never heard any of that.

I told her that, ultimately, I believe each young person is worthy of respect. She very softly said, "That's a good thing to believe."

She added, "There's a lot I don't understand." I told her I was still learning at 75 and that there was a lot I didn't understand, but I read as much as I can. She asked if we could chat again if she had other things that confused her and I said, "of course."

I thanked her for her respect and for asking.

I thanked her for listening with an open heart.

I assured her there are professionals who have studied pediatric endocrinology who know how to best support these young people, so she didn't need to do so, but she should try to respect each person's worth. She agreed.

We spoke nearly an hour.

She asked how she could donate to our Teen Center, and said she wanted me to share our conversation, "not in your column, but some place where people like me can read and learn."

I'm doing so now.

My papa said we have a chance to reach each person's heart every time we encounter someone. He taught me to lead with love and kindness.

The final thing she said to me was, "I think I'll go watch Schoolhouse Rock!" We both laughed.

Is it possible to connect with those who are adamantly misinformed about something? Not always. I've failed many times.

But I keep on trying.

#EachPersonIsAPersonofWorth includes those who are misinformed.

[sweetdispatch]

May I request passionfruit macaroons, 2, with fresh berries?

Act - J. Woll

v' bakery pairing: Joseph Woll x fem!reader summary: You and Joseph were pretending to be a couple until feelings won warning: NSFW, oral (f receiving) taglist: @bunbunbl0gs @hwalllllllelujah

It started by mistake. Joseph needed a plus one and you agreed to go with him. You were acting like a couple to show everyone that you two are dating. In reality you were just good friends but this dynamic stayed. When he needed a pair, you were going with him and vice versa. Pretending that you are together was coming very easily for both of you. 

People were assuming that you two are dating and you were always saying that you are in a relationship. It was always an act but you preferred to keep it this way. With time, the feelings started to show up. You saw what a great guy Joseph is and how lucky his future girlfriend will be with him. You wished to be her but you knew it’s only platonic.

That’s why you needed to confront him. You were in love with Joseph and you wanted him to know. You wanted to be honest with him and not be hurt. You needed to know if you should move on with your life. You hoped that maybe he had the same feelings for you but you weren’t trying to convince yourself about it. 

Joseph called you and asked if he could come today to see you after the training. You agreed and thought to yourself that this is the perfect time to tell him about this. You wanted to have this conversation behind you. Nervously, you’ve been waiting for him to arrive at your doorstep not really sure what you should exactly tell him. 

All your worries disappeared when you heard the ring bell. You opened the door and Joseph kissed your cheek. He always greeted you this way but you wished he would kiss your lips. You two sat on the couch in the living room and he was telling you about his day until he noticed that you’re acting off.

“What’s worrying your pretty head?” Joseph asked you. You took a deep breath. It was now or never.

“I need to tell you something but you need to promise that this won’t change our friendship if you won’t like it” Joseph looked confused at you but nodded his head, giving you sign to continue. “I’m in love with you” You confessed.

Joseph was looking at you, not sure what to tell you. He didn’t expect these words from you but he was delighted to hear them. He has having feelings for you since your first fake date but never addressed them to you, scared that you see him only as a friend. 

“I need to break our promise…” You looked at him mortified that you just ruined your friendship. “Because I’m in love with you too” Joseph told you. 

“Prove it. Please, prove it that I’m not delusional and I’m not making up this confession” You said and Joseph smiled at you. He leaned towards you to finally kiss you. 

You two melted during this kiss. You got lost in a moment and started undressing each other. It wasn’t hectic but it was passionate. This was something both of you wanted for a really long time. You were sitting only in your underwear when you heard Joseph.

“We can stop if you want” But you only pulled him into another kiss. 

Joseph took it as a confirmation and unclipped your bra. You laid on the couch while his lips were still attached to yours. He was going lower with his lips not wanting to miss any spot of your body. He placed a kiss on your stomach and gently took off your underwear. He spread your legs as much as he could and licked his lips.

You put your hands into Joseph’ hair and pushed him on your pussy. He licked you and you moaned at this feeling. He was careful with you like you were the most fragile thing in the world. He wanted to show you and prove to you how much he appreciates you and wants you as his. His lips were glued to your clit and he sucked it. 

You never felt that good like right now. It was an act full of love and worshiping. You enjoyed every second of it. Your left hand grabbed your boob by instinct and you were playing with it while Joseph was eating you out. He looked at you and saw you doing it and could feel how his dick is tightening in the underwear. 

Joseph put one finger into you while still licking your pussy. He could feel how tight you are. You were moaning under him. You didn’t want him to stop, you were craving more and more from him. From your body, he could feel it and added another finger into you. You pushed his head even closer to your clit. 

You could feel that your orgasm would come any minute but you were out of words to even say this to Joseph. You were breathing heavily from the sensation. He didn’t slow his moves, he wanted to give you the best orgasm he could. You cum around his fingers and he helped you to get rid of your high. 

You tried to catch a breath when Joseph towered over you and kissed your lips. He could swear that he’ll never get tired of kissing you. He lifted you up and took you to the bathroom where you had round two under the shower with him.