#went to hang out and was instantly reminded that I was in fact not better 💔

[star-centric]

Lord please I am TIREEEDDDDDDDD of being sick 😭😭😭😭

[going-to-ikea-for-the-fries]

It's a Match! || 141 x reader

[ Chapter 5 ] || [ Chapter 7 ]

Pairing: Price x gn!Reader || 141 x gn!Reader Words: 1.4K~ cw: firing guns, i guess (but John's teaching you). Summary: While overcoming recent heartbreak, you decide to join Tinder in search of a rebound. Your friends advise to just Swipe Right indiscriminately... What happens when 4 soldiers from the same squad match with you?

Chapter 6: John.

You crossed the entrance to the small pub, head held high, in your most honest attempt at feigning confidence.

After you had accepted, jokingly, to meet with this ‘Captain John’, only as an opportunity to roast the three men behind the account some more, Kyle had reached out to you, through John’s account, saying he also accepted and wanted to meet you today, Friday night, at 8 P.M.

You almost backed out. 

Keyword, almost.

Because when you went to your groupchat to ask for support from them, your girlfriends encouraged you.

You almost set a Siri reminder to get better friends.

Either way, you have to admit that it feels… better to meet up John. Your heart is still a bit sore, the wound of heartbreak still struggling to swell closed… 

Meeting with Simon or Kyle or Johnny would’ve meant rehashing it. You couldn’t risk getting attached to them after a night of casual sex. But there’s no expectations here… John is older than you, than them. This is just drinks, according to Kyle. He had insisted, in fact, that it be just drinks.

It felt more comforting to know you weren’t expected to go home with him at the end… Even though he’s handsome enough that you wouldn’t exactly refuse had your heart not been in its current state.

So, here you are. You keep his Tinder profile open on your phone, like it has been since you left the house, trying to memorize his features so that when you spot him, you recognize him instantly.

In a way, this feels like a blind date… And it’s strangely exciting.

You spot him from the door the moment your eyes scan the room. He’s at a table in the far corner, his back against the wall, taking up a bar stool. You stop by the bar before making your way over, getting yourself a drink.

You’re not sure if he’s spotted you, if he knows who you are. So you take the time to get a proper look at him that isn’t through a grainy picture on your phone.

He’s about as wide as he is tall and his forearms are covered in hair (“built like a bear”, check.). He’s got a tumbler of ambar liquid in front of him, you can infer it’s whiskey (“likes Whiskey”, check.). His beard is a bit thicker than in the pictures you were sent, and he looks knackered, his eyes surrounded by heavy dark circles.

He sits with his back straight, however his head hangs low and he keeps looking around through his eyebrows like he’s suspicious of everyone. His legs are spread, heels hooked on the footrest of the stool, the jeans he wears clinging tight to his strong thighs. His hands hang limply between them. He’s wearing a maroon button-up atop a white crewneck t-shirt, the sleeves rolled up to show a black watch on his left wrist.

In short, he’s handsome. And does not look his age.

Stopping in front of the table, you offer him a smile. “John?” You ask, as if you don’t already know it’s you.

He seems to finally notice you, and his harsh face softens with a smile that scrunches his nose.

“Hi. How are you?” He asks politely as he pulls back the stool on his right side for you. You take the seat, squirming a bit as you look for a good position.

“Can’t complain. You alright?” You return and you catch how he looks at you, up and down, his head hanging low, as he glances at you.

“What are you drinking?” He asks.

“Oh, just… a Sprite.” You answer as you keep glancing at him.

He goes quiet and nods, looking away for a moment, giving you every indication that he’s not interested in being here.

“I get it, you know.” You say after a beat of long, strenuous silence.

John’s blue eyes immediately flitter over to you, eyebrows raised in confusion.

“Get what?” He asks with a mix of confusion and disdain in him.

“Being forced to go out… Meet someone.” You explain as you sip your Sprite through the black straw the bartender gave you.

“Oh, really?” He retorts as he leans his left elbow on the round table and swivels to look over at you.

“Oh, yeah.” You say with a nod. “Recovering from a break-up.” You tell him. “My friends put me up to the whole… dating app-get laid thing. So, I get it. It’s… awkward.” You add. 

“Hm.” He says with a nod and presses his lips together a bit, as if conceding to you.

“We don’t have to make this a whole thing, if you don’t want to.” You tell him and smile a bit. “I can leave, if you’d like. Or you can.” You offer, noticing how his eyes soften a little. 

“No… it’s alright…” He tells you. His eyes slip away from you and he looks down at his lap, blinking a little. He seems… a bit lost in thought. He goes quiet again.

“Okay, then.” You say simply. “I just figured you needed a distraction, you know… Your lads were complaining about you being stressed…” You add, your eyes stuck on him, to try and spot his reaction.

He curls his fists closed and then uncurls them, running his clammy palms over his jeans for a moment. Then, he inhales sharply before slapping his hands on his thighs and turning to you swiftly.

“You ever shot a gun before?” He asks you, causing your brows to raise in surprise.

“No?” You answer, watching as he downs the rest of his whiskey and jumps down from his stool.

“C’mon. I’m teaching you.” He demands as he contours the table and helps you down, guiding you back out of the pub.

-

“Bend your arms about 10 degrees at the elbows.” John tells you from behind you, his big rough hands adjusting your shape with tender but determined touches.

John’s driven you to a firing club’s range just outside of London. You’ve been at this for an hour now and it’s… surprisingly fun.

You’ve yet to land a proper shot, your arms always shaking a little out of aim… But you’ve landed them in the target, which is more than you thought you were going to succeed.

“How the fuck do you handle this every day? This damn rifle is heavy, my arms hurt and we’ve only been practicing for an hour!” You tell him after firing another shot that did not land. 

“Lots of practice, love.” He replies, his tone amused. He stepped up behind you, once more fixing your stance, giving little taps to your hip with one of his large hands to force you to stiffen.

John’s been trying not to snicker every time you fire. At first it was because you were flinching, but now it’s because your aim is that bad. But you don’t mind the mockery. He’s got a smile on his face, his smile lines and nose all crinkled.

“Go on, again.” He demands as he helps adjust you, his breath brushing against your ear, the warmth of his torso against your back, and his eyes above the rifle, to try and see if you’re in target. He makes some last second adjustments and then you fire.

This time it was a bull’s eye. “THERE WE GO!” You cheer for yourself and shimmy your shoulders a little while holding the rifle steady. This time, John doesn’t contain himself, and fully laughs. Deep and rich, right next to your ear, making you shiver a bit, your skin covered in goosebumps.

“Good job.” He praises you and gived you another little tap on your hip, this time, sort of catching the side of your ass. Your eyes widen a bit in surprise and you bite your lip before looking up at him.

“You’ve had enough yet?” He asks you with a cocked brow as you lower the rifle into a safe handle, pointing down and to the side. 

“Depends.” You find yourself saying as he takes the rifle from you to return at the rental counter.

“On what, love?” He asks you, eyes locked on yours as you turn to face him fully. He seems to be in a much better mood.

“Me having enough of shooting…” You trail off. “Will that end the night? Are you going to drop me off at home?” You ask him.

His eyebrows raise for a bit, but then they lower and his eyes narrow as a ghost of a smirk tugs at the corner of his lips. “Oh no, I’m taking you home, but not dropping you off. I’m spending the night with you.” He assures you.

Then, he walks off out to the armory counter, as if he hasn’t just said that.

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[i-care-4u]

QUIT | J. FÉLIX

PAIR: JOÃO FÉLIX X FEM!READER

REQUESTS ARE CLOSED | MASTERLIST

you loved joão the way he loved his past lover. from the first time dating joão, you couldn’t help but to feel lucky that you’re in a relationship with the rising star. however, it wasn’t the same case with joão. in simple terms, you were just his rebound.

during the course of your relationship, joão would think about his past relationship with his ex. everything reminded him of her where even doing the simplest tasks like going to the grocery store was a sign that he just misses her presence.

your friends noticed the body language between you and joão. while you were being too attached to him by resting your head on his shoulder, he wouldn’t lay an eye on you. rather, he would think about his ex, and a memory involving a moment like this.

you remembered the conversation you had the next day with your friend.

your friend, clara, argued, “y/n baby, that man didn’t even laid an eye on you.”

you were feeding into your delusions, believing that joão loves you, “maybe he’s just tired, okay?”

“tired? he was very much outgoing when i saw him with his friends while you were asleep on the couch,” clara sighed, “y/n, i don’t care about his status, but you can do better.”

“i can’t.”

you were well aware of the people’s opinion of you. when the internet found out that you and joão were dating, people began comparing you to his ex, where you were considered the “better” girlfriend. of course, you didn’t liked being compared to his ex, who had a history of cheating. joão had been cheated on a couple of times, therefore making you feel bad for him.

“what do you mean you can’t?”

you repeated, “i can’t let him go like that.”

clara looks at you, “y/n, isn’t it obvious? joão hasn’t moved on.”

that sentence was engraved in your head for the next month and forward.

there was a thing that people say: your first love is unforgettable.

-

as predicted, you and joão broke up the following month. around this time was when his ex came back to the city.

you had a hard time ignoring the interactions between joão and his ex. you were upset that he came back to her after what she did, but you were so defensive of joão, who will experience heartbreak once more.

everyday, you come on instagram to check up on joão to see what he’s up to. in recent events, he was seen hanging out with his now girlfriend at a nearby restaurant. that girlfriend being the same one that cheated on him months prior.

“he’s with her again?” your friend, isabel, looked at the picture of joão and the girl. you knew who she was talking about instantly.

“yeah…” your voice softened, sensing insecurity.

isabel puts her phone on the coffee table.

you sighed, “i just don’t get why he came back to her after everything she did. i just want to see him happy.”

“i know you want to see him thrive again, and it’s not your fault that he went back to his old ways. there’s going to be someone else that’ll truly love you.”

isabel was right, and you knew that. however, you were constantly reminded about the things you and joão did during the course of your relationship.

as days turned into months, you couldn’t help but to continue to view how joão was doing online. he seems perfectly fine, according to his posts on instagram. the more you scrolled down, the more you realized that you could’ve been there. spanish grand prix? that was your idea. miami, florida? that was originally a trip you planned with him.

you couldn’t help but to tear up. as you set your phone down, you thought about everything that is going on in your life. you keep agreeing with your friends telling you to move on, but the process was hard for you.

-

you flew to barcelona with clara and isabel, where you three were going to stay for a week.

the third day, you three attended the fc barcelona game. you were a fan since childhood, and you were overjoyed at the fact that you’re finally seeing your team live.

“i can’t wait to see pedri play,” isabel looked at the field where all the players are standing.

some big names showed up on the lineup. lewandowski, pedri, de jong, gavi, but one of them stood out to you. as you paid close attention to the player’s face, you felt disbelief. the number 14 jersey belonged to someone that you used to know. that face looked familiar, as it belonged to joão félix. joão, the one who dreamed about playing for fc barcelona. and it was the same joão who had left you for his cheating ex.

“oh…” you didn’t know what to say. rather than saying something about joão to your friends, you instead kept it to yourself.

however, joão is an important part of your love life. of course, your friends brought it up.

“félix is playing for barça now?” clara asked you and isabel.

you avoided clara’s question and remained focused on the field. meanwhile, isabel nods, “yeah.”

they both turn to face you. as you see their eyes staring at you, you chose to ignore them.

isabel pats your shoulder, “hey, i know joão is in the same place right now and if you want, we can leave the stadium and go explore other parts of the city, no?”

focusing on the game, you didn’t want to exit the game. it didn’t even hit half time yet. “no, i’m good where i’m at. i don’t want to waste any of our money because of him.”

-

after the game, everyone including the three of you, started exiting the stadium. as you were on your way out of the seats, a pair of eyes looked at you. you ignored what was going on in the background and ignored that joão was playing for your childhood team for now.

on the field, joão was ready to end the night. he was giving hand shakes to the opposing team, and entered the locker room before leaving the stadium for today.

in the locker room, joão couldn’t stop thinking about what could’ve possibly been you in that audience.

“you’ve been quiet today joão. what’s up?” ferran sat down next to him.

“i saw her. she was with her friends just now.”

“joão, you need to leave her, she’s no good for you. are you aware on how many times she has cheated on you?”

“it’s not about her. it’s another girl.” joão sighed.

“please don’t tell me. y/n?”

joão nodded silently, his thoughts racing. maybe ferran was right: he needed to move on from his past, the cycle of grief and longing. however, facing reality proved more difficult than he had anticipated. ferran placed a hand on joão's shoulder, conveying concern. "joão, you should let go. you can't keep clutching onto something that isn't meant to be. i’ve seen the body language between you two, and turns out, it’s not meant to be.”

-

listening to ferran's words, joão rather ignored him. instead, he decides to navigate the crowds of barcelona. glancing around, he noticed a familiar woman standing in the crowd, her presence both comfortable and alarming. it was you.

time appeared to stand still as their gazes locked, the air thick with unspoken words and lingering feelings. joão experienced contradictory emotions, including longing, remorse, and hope for the future. joão approached you with confidence and a fast heartbeat. "y/n," he said softly, his voice full of apprehension. you were surprised and concerned. "joão," you replied softly.

you and joão were struck by the shared history and feelings while standing in the city center. It was as if time had folded in on itself, forcing you guys to confront memories from their past. joão interpreted your eyes as a reflection of his own sadness and longing. he wanted to reach out and bridge the gap between you and him, but he wasn't sure if he had the right to beg for forgiveness.

you were also suffering with your own inner turmoil, torn between the sorrow of the past and the light of hope in your heart. you hoped joão had changed and was ready to go forward, but feared disappointment. joão broke the silence with a mumbled plea. "y/n, i understand i made mistakes, but i want to make things right. i want to show you that i've changed and that i'm no longer the same person i was before."

as joão's comments hung in the air, you felt a knot in your gut, hanging down like a heavy load from your shared history. you wanted to believe him, trusting his good intentions, but you knew some wounds were too deep to repair. your voice was trembling with emotion. "joão, i've seen you repeatedly go back to her, not once, but three times, and i won't accept it. i cannot be seen with someone who has not been healed from their past relationship."

your statements broke joão and revealed the brutal reality of their situation. he wanted to protest and beg you to give him another chance, but he knew it would only exacerbate his impending sorrow. joão bowed deeply, burdened by his wordless regret. he realized he had lost you not only now, but possibly forever.

“as much as i love you, all i can tell you is good luck finding someone.”

as you turned away, your footsteps echoing in the deserted streets, joão was left alone with his thoughts, grappling with the bitter taste of regret and haunting echoes of what may have happened.

[ktaerssoi]

summary: you never check your phone, so when the team is live and you forget once again, the secret is out.

paige bueckers x reader

forgetfulness is better forgotten

(664)

it was a basic friday night, usual to the ones you had been having all year. your girlfriend, paige, had practice earlier so she was unable to hang out with you tonight. you had decided to go out with some friends from your psych class, knowing that by the time you got home paige would be too.

you guys went to some bar, ordered a few drinks and hung out for a few hours. you were, and always had been, one of those people who forgets to check their phone. this habit has posed a few problems for you, you never know where to be, when to be there, or who is even there, but the worst situation you had ever found was the one that took place later that night.

❛ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ❜

walking down the hall to your shared apartment with your girlfriend, you hear fimiliar voices coming from inside, the basketball team. you smile as you unlock the door, seeing them all and greeting them, you had yet to realize the fact that your girlfriend and one of her fellow teammates was missing.

you had been talking to nika for almost twenty minutes before you decided to go into your bedroom, what you had failed to notice was the text from your girlfriend saying she was live and ice's reminder before you walked in.

you saw KK and paige sitting by the desk, happy to see your girlfriend you walk over wrapping your arms around her waist kissing her forehead before looking up at her phone, quickly realizing what you had done.

you had just kissed your girlfriend on live.

You had just kissed your girlfriend who was not out to the internet, on live.

instantly you back up, and kk picks the phone up making up some lame excuse of a topic change. you bring yourself to look at paige, seeing a smile on her face. "why are you smiling? i feel so bad, i just messed up your plan." you talked quietly, number one to not be picked up by the mic and number two because you had just felt bad.

"baby its okay, it was just some silly idea, people knowing about us does not change the fact that i am with you." you nod at her words, looking to KK as you hear another "girl boo" come from the corner of the room. you nod, walking over to sit next to her and chat, choosing not to look at the flood of comments not only asking who you were but what you and paige were.

you and kk were on the topic of whether or not we think we could fit our whole head into our shoes if they were combined, you turn around when you hear your girlfriend, "kk, be so serious, we all know those ears aren't fitting in a shoe let alone your head." you laugh, giggling at a few funny comments that go by adding onto paige's joke.

its eventually brought up again that when you walked in you had kissed paige, and you're quick to lie. "y'all, i am drunk, trust me, me and paige would never date, but keep them edits rolling if you know what i mean," you mubble the last bit, laughing to yourself as you turn and see paige's cheeks a little pink.

a little after you guys end the live, you walk out to the team, and laughter fills the room.. "you guys would never date?" aubrey questions your lie, trying to hold back her laugh. you roll your eyes, "i didn't know they were live! i forgot to check my phone!" the whole team groans at this, all of them having dealt with the consequences of you and your forgetfulness.

"y/n if you don't start checking your phone more often im going to chuck it at your head." paige mutters, her hand around your waist as she rolls her eyes at your behavior.

guys i might be losing it. anyway, double upload who am i? this is so cheeks im sorry 😭 -kate

[billthebullfrogs]

sure thing.

“Hey, firecracker,” a voice—unmistakable, to you, at least —calls from behind, and you instantly knew who it was. “Need to talk to you.”

There was only one person that would call you that nickname. Luke Castellan, the bane of your existence, thought it was extremely funny to remind you of that one time you almost burnt down the pavilion. The moment they figured out it was you; you had earned the nickname you dreaded so much. He loved reminding you of embarrassing stuff you did. You desperately wanted to wipe that self-satisfied smirk off his face. What did he even want? Didn’t he have something better to do than to bother you?

He leaned against one of the posts in the arena, eyebrows raised expectantly. He just needed a change from training the newbies. He wanted to go all out, and the best person to do that with was sadly you. Well, at least the satisfaction he’d get from beating you—because he would beat you, obviously, was totally worth it.

You sighed, “What?”

“Need a sparring partner, that's all,” he said, a smirk still tugging at the corner of his lips, now accompanied by a raised eyebrow. “And I'd rather have you than anyone in this camp.”

“That sounded too nice for your standards... Are you that desperate?” Your eyes narrowed; you were skeptical.

“Desperate to beat your ass, yes," he said, an easy laugh breaking past the steely look on his face. Luke was aware of the fact that he often annoyed you, and maybe he liked it just a little. "Besides, I wanna try some new sword techniques I came up with. So, whaddya say? Pretty please?" His head tilted a little when he said that, he was giving you that look.

You were silent, biting your lips just like you always did when you were focused. After a moment, you gave in. “Fine,” you said. Maybe you’d benefit from this, too.

"That’s my girl," he said as he casually walked toward you. "I promise not to go easy on you. If you feel like you're gonna trip and impale yourself with my sword, just say the word, alright?" A smirk flitted past his lips, though his words seemed genuine enough. Luke knew you would never stop being rivals. But the feeling of respect he had for you was real. He trusted you and even cared for you, but he’d rather commit war crimes than admit that.

“Fuck you,” you spat as you got into your signature fighting stance. Maybe this was a mistake, but if you gave up already, he’d think you’d gotten cold feet.

“If you ask nicely.”

That smug bastard. You hated him with all your heart. You hated his stupid smile and the way he made everyone around him feel comfortable, even you. You hated the butterflies he gave you. You hated his guts.

With a smooth slashing motion towards his torso, you started the fight. He blocked it with ease. Without a further word, Luke went in towards you with a quick and precise strike, sword arm extended forward in a tight grip with the tip aimed towards your sternum. He wanted to overwhelm you, thinking you hadn’t improved since the last time you sparred. But oh, was he wrong.

You’ve been watching him, his rather aggressive style of fighting, and the look in his eyes when he tried a certain move for a long time now. You’ve fought him many times before, and you were getting the hang of it. You’ve been training a lot, and while he was busy with the new campers, you had developed your own, unique fighting style. He knew you as a pretty good fighter, who could almost keep up with him on a good day. Almost. But now, you’d surpass his expectations. You blocked his hit, your body moving smoothly like liquid. Instead of using all your strength to try and withstand his attacks, you just gave in. Let loose. You used the force of his hit and channeled it, transferring it into your own with ease. He did not see that coming.

You'd always had a strong sense of intuition and your body would respond accordingly, as if it had a mind of its own. Luke was quick to counter, his body leaning back with a fluid motion to avoid any of your quick strikes, all the while trying to find an opening. The back-and-forth movement that was once just a spar has now become a deadly dance of swords, the two of you constantly in motion, no pause in sight. There is a certain excitement in the air, almost a spark that has ignited your mutual hostility and aggression.

Your movements were fluid as if you could predict all of Luke's moves in advance. You were a master of timing, of anticipating all of the demigod's strikes. Not once could he match your fluidity, his movements jerky compared to your graceful flow. There was something about the way you both fought so elegantly that made you feel like you were part of an agile performance, each of you matching the other's movements perfectly. It felt less like a fight and more like an art.

Yet even as you moved with effortless ease, the clash of swords kept you both on your toes, your bodies moving in such perfect sync that neither could find a flaw in the other's defense. Your movements almost appeared as if you were both working together, but this was not the case—in fact, Luke was becoming more frustrated by the second as he strained to find a way to slip past your guard.

“You’ve improved,” he breathed out while you fought. “I like it.” The way he said that sent shivers up your spine. It was embarrassing how these words affected you so hard that you made a small mistake. It was a mistake that could happen to even the best swordsmen in history, but a mistake nonetheless. And it led to his sword held at your throat. You fucked up. And he made you feel it, the cold tip of his sword gently tapping your chin, forcing you to look up at him. You prayed that he didn’t notice the color on your cheeks.

“You're distracted too easily.” He looked serious for once, that glint of smugness had left his eyes for just a moment. “I win again.” And there it was again, that stupid smile of his. He dropped his sword and held out a hand to help you up. You let him pull you up, trying to ignore the butterflies in your stomach. “Did you get what you wanted out of this fight?” You asked, and he nodded. “Much better than trying to teach the newbies not to drop their swords while fighting.”

“Good,” you turned to walk away, but he grabbed your wrist. “Same time tomorrow?”

You could’ve said no, could’ve walked away, could’ve done ANYTHING, but instead, you looked at him and said, “Sure thing.”

[sseastar]

성훈  、PARK SUNGHOON !

— THE ONE WITH THINGS THAT BLUR THE LINE BETWEEN FRIENDSHIP AND MORE

info. sunghoon x reader. fluff. childhood bffs to lovers.  warnings. playful physical touch. not proofread. listen to. tokyo by lyle kam

teasing each other. 

i’ve never gotten the childhood friends to lovers energy from park sunghoon but i woke up this morning thinking about how he’d be the friend to always tease you or scold you or whine about something you did but then immediately comfort you to make sure he didn’t cross the line because he doesn’t want to hurt you (exhibit a: his dynamic with sunoo) and now i want to cry. he’d be the type of person to chase you around with a huge smile on his face, just so he can grab you from behind and pick you up so your legs and feet flail out in front of you while you’re screaming at him to put him down but everything just merges into a bunch of sweet laughs. one time, you were baking a cake together for jake’s birthday and you start chasing him with a spatula of icing, but he suddenly turns on you with the entire bowl. sunghoon never fails to giggle (giggle) whenever he thinks about the way your eyes widened in horror before you turned to run away from him. same deal as before - he managed to catch you and pretend to smear a bunch of icing on your face before swiping just a little (there was still the cake left to do) on your cheek. he can only laugh his sweet laugh as he sees you pout before letting you swipe some icing on his cheek as revenge. i just - please. one chance. 

holding things for each other. 

it’s not rare for you and sunghoon to find each other’s things in your possession. as the two of you hang out, it’s easy for one of you to forget things in each other’s room or backpack or car. if he’s not wearing his jacket, you’ll be the one holding or wearing it, and if you don’t have a free hand, he’ll be the one to hold your water bottle. you know how people always seem to lose hair ties or chapstick? it’s because sunghoon always picks them up for you when you forget them, and all you have to do is ask him for chapstick and he’ll give it to you. it’s come to the point that the two of you just ask each other for your own respective items because if you don’t have it, you know the other does. it’s not rare for someone to ask if they can borrow some of your hand sanitizer or hand cream and you’ll say it’s with sunghoon. if you happen to forget your tablet or laptop at his place, it’s already charged 100% when you come pick it up. 

going skating together. 

okay, am i over the fact that sunghoon used to skate? not at all. the idea that you’ve been sunghoon’s biggest fan since he started skating is so so sweet to me. you always went to as many tournaments you could to support him alongside his sister at the edge of the rink, and he always seemed to do better when you were there watching. he would let you hold the plushies he received after his performances (you once refused to give him back a penguin plushie because you said it remind you of him and he gave it to you instantly after you said it was a mini version of himself - it still sits front and center against your pillows on your bed). as thank you’s for always supporting him, he would of course go to any event that you had to support you as well, but would also offer to take you skating every week (if possible). his guard is always up to make sure you aren’t getting hurt and holds you by your arms (like he did for jay and niki) to make sure you don’t fall. his heart beats a little faster when he sees you smiling wide when you get a trick he taught you how to do, and he wonders if it’s because he needs to take a break. initially, when you were first learning how to skate, he would pretend to let go just to make you panic a little, and his eyes would crinkle as he laughed at your wobbling state before immediately returning back to you and letting you hold him. he ended up not wanting to let go as he taught you to the point that you had to beg him to let go so you could skate on your own. 

subtle skinship. 

i feel like a lot of other people can agree with me on this but sunghoon isn’t the clingiest member. sure, he has his moments but i feel like it’ll be very subtle. there’s a clip from the behind the scenes of enhypen and hi where the boys are playing pictionary and sitting cross-legged on the floor. mans literally had his knee on top of sunoo’s for no reason. he has so much space next to him but sunghoon has to rest his knee on sunoo’s thigh just to be in physical contact. he would be the same when it comes to you, somehow always making sure his body is touching yours in some way. a lot of times it’s like that, where you and sunghoon are sitting next to each other and even though there’s so much space, he’ll slightly shift his thigh or shoulder towards your own as if saying “i’m here. just let me know if you need anything.” it’s second nature to the both of you now that neither of you flinch if you suddenly realize your foot is resting on top of his when sitting next to each other or his pinky is just resting on top of your own. 

remembering the smallest things about each other. 

sunghoon, although he refuses to admit it, made an effort to remember all the small things about you. early on in your friendship, he realized how much you remembered his favorite snacks or his favorite character from the show you used to watch - even if he had only mentioned it once to you in passing. so, as he grew to care more and more for you, he made it a point to learn and remember the smallest things about you just so he could help make your life a little easier, or just to cheer you up. at some point, it become second nature for the two of you to just know little details about each other - like how you always seemed to run into the stair railing in front of your apartment, so sunghoon made it a point to either cover it or move you to the side away from it whenever you brought him to your place. or how you remembered how much he loved one of the body washes you had stocked and he borrowed, so you keep a stash of it for whenever he stays over. there’s so many of these little things that has your hearts melting for each other that you don’t know how you could’ve ever gotten throughout your friendship without falling for the other. 

making dumb excuses for each other. 

whenever the two of you find yourselves in trouble or needing an excuse for something, you and sunghoon always make the dumbest excuses. most of the time, it’s the two of you making them in order to spend time together, like when you had joined him, jake, jay, and heeseung at an amusement park. the five of you were fighting over who would be sitting alone every ride you lined up for, and you and sunghoon found yourselves defending each other so that you wouldn’t have to sit apart. “sunghoon said he’s allergic to jay’s cologne and has to sit next to me so he can hold my hand cause he’s scared,” was what you said, and sunghoon, though defeated, had to agree. “what yn said.” the three other boys couldn’t do anything but roll their eyes and continue to fight over who sat alone. you were only laughing at you and sunghoon’s antics when you felt a hand intertwine with yours. you only stiffened, turning to meet the eyes of your best friend. “might as well, right?” sunghoon said with a little smirk. “right,” was all you could let out. 

⌕. author’s note ; been so long since i was planning to post this but never got the chance to get to it! i’ve been trying to finish in our own but i’m very stuck on the hockey aspect of it so if y’all know anything about hockey, please let me know 😭 hope you enjoy, and pls remember to give feedback! it’s really what helps me to keep going with writing as i’ve been losing motivation recently, and feedback is something that always helps me to pick back up!

⌕. taglist ; @soobin-chois @koishua @enhacolor @chrysbibi @acaiasahi

[pjoxreader]

Hey! Doing good I hope?

I’ll make this quick, I would like to request a child of Hecate reader who has powers that are similar to the Scarlet Witch? (So they’re really damn powerful 👀😬), and I was thinking they can be paired with: Jason, Leo, and Percy? So, everyone else fears the reader, but those three.

Thank you!

Powerful Reader Feared By Camp

((I'm hanging in there thanks for asking! Reminder to everyone that all nighters suck lmao))

Jason Grace

-You were used to people being scared of you, that’s just how things were. Even your own siblings had come to avoid you. You didn't mind too much, you were used to being alone. That was until he showed up.

-You had helped with the war and were working on recovering when he walked into the infirmary eyes instantly landing on you. “You’re amazing!” he says, going to your side. You pause looking around to make sure he was talking to you.

-Once you were sure he was in fact talking to you, you stare at him in surprise. “uh… Thanks…?” you manage to get out but feeling the stares of the others in the infirmary you tense up. “You… Shouldn’t talk to me… You’ll end up an outcast…” you mutter softly anxiously rubbing your arm avoiding looking him in the eyes.

-Despite having fought for your camp it just seemed to make people more scared of you. Jason goes quiet with that seemingly debating his words. “Well… It’s a good thing I’m already an outcast.” he says and sits down beside you with a little smile, offering you a water bottle.

-”Maybe we can find our place together.” you stare in surprise at that but can’t help a little laugh a subtle blush on your cheeks as you take the water. “That’s cheesy...” But you couldn’t deny you liked it.

Leo Valdez

-You were just enjoying your privacy talking a walk through camp when you bump into him. “Ah, sorry.” you say quickly assuming the person would go into a panic. However they just lift up their goggles from their face and stare up at you.

-”Woah, you are one fine king, queen, or monarch.” He says as he gives you a little grin trying to lean against the cabin and missing proceeding to fall. He at least quickly recovered, getting up and leaning against it correctly.

-You kinda just stare at him not expecting that, but you can’t help the laugh that bubbles from your throat. That just seemed to encourage him as he got a big grin on his face. “Oh I have so many more of those.” 

-You really didn’t expect this to be the way you spent your day, having Leo Valdez, hero of Olympus following you around and giving you horrible but adorable puns. He did start to run out so just went on to horrible jokes. -”This one is Percy’s favorite. What is the best tool in the ocean?” After a dramatic pause he gets a dorky grin. “A hammerhead shark.” You groan loudly and dramatically but also give him a little chuckle at least.

Percy Jackson

-You were enjoying a quiet moment by the lake, dipping your feet into the water to cool them down during the hot summer. You lay back on the beach with a small sigh of relief looking up at the sky to cloud gaze.

-”You can come swim, you know that right?” A voice calls surprising you. You sit up quickly, eyes going red as you get ready to use your magic but Percy puts his hands up in surrender. “Woah, sorry, didn’t mean to surprise you.” he says with a little laugh.

-Seeing it was just Percy you calm down sighing a little. You had seen him around camp but hadn’t gotten to know him that well… “Yeah… Yeah I did know that just… No one really wants to swim with me and I’m not that strong of a swimmer.” You admit, a bit embarrassed.

-Percy hums softly in thought. “I’ll teach you then! Swimming is a really important skill after all.” he grins offering you a hand to help you into the water. “Who better to teach you than the son of Poseidon! Come on, I'll have you swimming laps around the other campers by the end of the week.”

-You can’t help but huff a laugh at that. “I’ll hold you too that.” you decide on taking his hand to join him in the lake and that’s how your swimming lessons with the son of Poseidon began.

~Masterlist & Rules~

Like my writing? Please consider sending me a Ko-fi! ☕

[pain-is-too-tired]

Leeluke rambles since I'm finally up hdgd

Lee arrived at camp a couple days after Luke, despite how tired he was from his journey to camp he was excited to get to know other campers. He got close to Luke almost instantly.

Of course it wasn't that long after they got to camp that he was claimed, but it didn't stop Lee from trying to hang out with Luke.

When Luke first got his wound that become his scar, Lee was he one to tend to it and make sure it healed properly. When Luke would be angry about the gods after,Lee often spoke more cool about the gods. Instead talking about stuff he wanted to do for camp and fellow demigods when he was old enough. Safe houses and lessons about mortal world life. It was hard for Luke to stay angry when seeing how Lee eyes sparked talking about it.

They became Head Counselors around the same time, and again were practically inseparable. Lee helped Luke with his cabin as much as they could, helping new kids test out archery and music. Even before Luke left Lee still took care of everyone.

Some nights it was clear that Luke was stressed over something, and Lee would pull him to a secluded spot and sit with him. Letting Luke relax and distress. Combing a hand through his hair as he sung to him, not too differently then what he often did for his siblings.

How could Luke not fall for him?

Lee had started to like Luke around that first year at camp. He was fully aware of his feelings too. But he didn't think Luke would ever return those feelings, and he was too scared to come out really. So he kept it to himself mostly, just enjoying the relationship they did have.

Luke technically liked Lee since they met, and that feeling only grew as time went on.

Thing was, Luke didn't realize it. Despite that, he still had it bad. Like. Really bad.

Struggling not to get distracted watching Lee helping with training in the archery range, getting jealous and defensive when anyone else tried to flirt/ be bit too friendly with Lee, trying not to melt anytime Lee even leans on him, etc

Yet my guy was in full denial. Despite the fact he spent part of the night daydreaming about Lee- but that's totally normal-

When Chris first came to camp, and latched onto Luke like a baby chick, Luke did not know what to do. He was use to Annabeth looking up to him like that, sure,but Chris was the first person other than her to latch onto him.

Lee,however, couldn't help but find it adorable. He already kinda got close to Annabeth through Luke, and honestly it was close to most of the Hermes cabin, so it wasn't hard for Lee to click with Chris too.

"He keeps following me around."

"He looks up to you!"

"I mean yeah- but-"

"Come on! It's cute!"

Bluescreening "Shut up-"

Definitely became even funnier once Clarisse became Head Counselor of the Ares cabin. Luke could somewhat get her to back down, but the only one she actually seemed to listened to was Chris and sometimes Lee. Which Luke was completely confused by.

Lee found it amusing, Luke had kinda gotten use to most of the newer campers listening and looking up to him at that point, so he had no idea how Lee and Chris managed to get on Clarisse better side.

Chris was completely oblivious to the fact, why Lee just playfully teased Luke.

"You can't be great at everything, Luke!"

Actually saw someone mention this, think I might've shared it a bit back, but someone mentioned the idea that Luke hadn't like the Stolls all that much because they reminded him too much of Hermes and the fact Hermes went to their mom twice.

I imagine he wasn't like completely obvious about it, but I can see Lee noticing and assuming Luke was just too overwhelmed to give the twins much attention so Lee helped out in that regard.

Luke goes to the Archery range one time and Lee, Michael ,and the Stolls are testing out traps with Charles.

The Stolls get into lot of trouble (mainly trying to get Luke's or their father's attention in any way-) and often end up in the infirmary. Lee always tells them to be more careful, he doesn't want them to get badly hurt, why Luke's chewing them out for causing me work for Lee. Lee tells them it's fine and sends them back out, and one of the Stolls ends up calling Lee mom before stumbling out of the infirmary.

Luke's immediately embarrassed about his brothers, Lee's loving it.

"Mom?"

"I'm so sorry-"

"Do they call you dad?"

"Please don't encourage this."

"Oh I'm definitely encouraging this."

"Dear gods-"

[wordsandrobots]

Seasoned

Series: Wishing on Space Hardware [extra]

Fandom: Iron-Blooded Orphans

Rating: T

Pairings: Yamagi/Shino

Summary: Sometime after the events of Wishing on Space Hardware, Yamagi and Shino see in the new year.

Notes: As promised, here's a short ficlet for the end of 2024! It references events in one of the audio plays (which @lilenui put me on to a couple of years back -- thank you!): my own interpretation of how Yamagi ended up a mechanic didn't quite square with the play, but it's close enough to fudge.

May you all survive and thrive in 2025. Make art. Enjoy art. Be who you are and wish to be. And stay safe.

----

It's Dwindling Season, which means everything is cold and dark and mornings basically aren't happening, and if there's a better argument for hibernation, Yamagi has yet to hear it. When he wakes to see not a single chink of light coming through the shutters, his first instinct is to bury himself back under the bed-covers and take full advantage of the on-site heating.

The problem is, where Shino ought to be there's only a chilly, cover-less patch of mattress.

Whining at the betrayal, Yamagi rolls the other way and checks the clock. Disgustingly, it is in fact a reasonable hour to be out of bed, even if the weekend means it isn't currently required. He pulls the pillow over his head, just to be dramatic, then checks Shino's side more closely. Must have been gone a while. But there's no sound from the bathroom, or the rest of the apartment…

Maybe he went for a jog? Even if the idea of exercising outside during Dwindling Season is appalling, Shino has different standards and also the capacity for radiating heat that makes his current absence so frustrating. He'd probably have fun, running up a sweat in the middle of winter, just to prove he could.

Yamagi curls into a ball, shuddering, and that's when the second thoughts come worming in. Because of course his nightmares these days are all about Shino not being there come the morning. As if the last five years might just puff out of existence at a second's notice. As if bringing him home was the dream and hard reality is waiting to wrench it away.

Which is dumb. Yamagi only has to turn on the light and he'll see Shino's clothes scattered around the room, the extra side-table by the bed, the posters pinned on the wall 'so we'll have something cool to look at while we make out' – said with the biggest, goofiest grin that was begging to be kissed stupid, and was, as a reminder of where attention ought to be focused…

Breathing deep, he sticks out his arm, groping for the switch. It clicks and there the signs of their life together are, present and correct. Still no noise or other clues, though. The only way he's finding out where Shino went is by getting up to check.

All things considered, he thinks he's very restrained, only swearing every other step as he jitters his way across the floor to the door and the massive, thick robe hanging there. Technically, it belongs to Shino – a gift from Merribit, who found something similar for Yukinojo at a sale and discovered that it came in bright pink as well. It's Shino-sized, without a doubt, and swamps Yamagi entirely as a result, which is why he wears it on days like this.

Suitably armoured, he opens the door. This instantly dispels any lingering fears because Shino is sitting on the sofa, large as life and twice as beautiful, a mug of tea in hand. He's staring into space. Whatever he's thinking, it's occupying him enough to dull his sense of his surroundings. Yamagi has padded right over to him before he stirs, big brown eyes lighting up. “Hey there, sleepy-head! Happy New Year.”

“Mn,” Yamagi agrees, dropping down beside him.

“Didn't wake you, did I?”

“Nh.” Leaning against Shino's shoulder, he surrenders to a jaw-cracking yawn. “You a'right?”

Nightmares are not a limited resources in this household and Shino deliberately taking himself away from other people to think isn't usually a good sign.

“Yeah! I just…”

“Mm?”

Shino swigs some tea, gaze roaming the room, settling eventually on the shelves they put up next to the vid screen and the lovingly-painted model Shiden perched there. He sighs. “I'm going to be thirty this year. Or I already am.”

Huh.

He's never let them make a fuss over his birthday, on top of nobody being sure the date in his ID record is close to accurate to begin with, so it's a bit hard to keep track. But, yes, give or take, that must be about right. “It's only a number. You don't need to feel bad just because –”

“I don't! I don't feel bad. That's kinda what I was… I like it? I like that I'm gonna be old.”

“Oh.” The part of Yamagi concerned with practicalities and accuracy even when the rest of him is changing gear mid-conversation has him add, “I don't think thirty counts as 'old'.”

“Older than I ever thought I'd get.” Shino rests his mug on his knee, tilting it slightly to one side. “I mean, most of the First Group guys weren't thirty, were they?”

Honestly, it's hard to remember. Maruba aside, they tend to blur together, lacking any personal details beyond 'bigger' and 'meaner'. “I guess.”

“Seemed like forever away. And I, um…”

We could have all died tomorrow. Why waste today on wishing when I could be having fun?

Looking back, Yamagi suspects he was guilty of thinking that way too, in his own pessimistic fashion. Not that Shino's version was especially optimistic, boiled down to its core. Another of those things they shared without realising.

He can remember – it was early on. He'd been reading maintenance manuals as fast as humanly possible, skipping meals and cutting sleep for the sake of an education. Shino caught him napping, exhausted, curled around an ammo case. For a second, he thought he was in big trouble. Only, of course Shino bubbled with enthusiasm at the idea of him learning be a proper mechanic. And not to repay Yukinojo for taking pity, oh no. Yamagi needed to aim higher, to fight alongside everyone, like the Old Man did, keeping each weapon in perfect condition. Then, one day, when Shino got his own mobile suit, they'd be a perfect team!

Ridiculous, as was standard for Shino's out-sized encouragement. The CGS had one mobile suit and it hadn't moved for years. Still, at the time, those words meant the world. Someone believed in Yamagi, in his potential as something other than an infantry drop-out. If he'd not already been half in love with Shino, he certainly would have been after that.

But there's something painful about realising how narrow their horizons were, that 'aiming high' meant nothing more than becoming better fighters.

“Sorry,” Shino murmurs. “I don't want to talk about miserable shit I'm over and make you sad too.”

Yamagi elbows him. “That isn't a reason not to tell me if something's bothering you. I was just thinking about when you got me to stop calling you 'Mister' all the time.”

“Oh, shit, yeah! Geez, it really was all the time. Mr Shino this, Mr Shino that, yes Mr Shino, definitely Mr Shino.”

“Hey, I wasn't that bad.”

“No. But I was glad I got you to stop.”

“Me too.” The change felt both wrong and surprisingly easy, thanks to how Shino had beamed at him. He's always found it desperately hard to say no to that smile. “I'm glad you're happy.”

“I am!” Shino puts his mug down at his feet and slings his arm around Yamagi. “I'm gonna get old and I get to do it with you and Eugene and everyone. Isn't that great?”

“Yeah. It is.” More than great. The highest they could possibly aim.

Oh, that's so incredibly soppy. If Yamagi weren't so incredibly comfortable, squashed against the great, warm mass of Shino's body, he might break the moment from pure embarrassment.

Then again Shino has a habit of making embarrassment feel like a colossal waste of time.

“I think… maybe… I'd like to have a birthday party this year.” Smiling at Yamagi, he gestures with his other arm, which would certainly be throwing out a hand to encompass the whole of their family if he had his prosthetic on. “Get everyone together, have a big cake. What do you think?”

Yamagi snorts. “You expect me to say anything except 'yes'?”

“Hey, I still gotta ask!”

“How about I wrap myself in ribbons this time? Will that make it clear?”

“…am I supposed to say 'no'?”

They sit there a while, daydreaming, pressed together snug as rats in a nest.

Then Shino asks, “You don't mind, do you?”

“Mind?”

“Me getting old. What if I start getting wrinkly? What if I get a beer gut?”

Smothering another yawn, Yamagi rolls his eyes. “You barely drink any more. And so what if you did? Are you planning on giving up exercise?”

“No?”

“Then I don't see what the problem is.”

“…so I only need to worry when I can't carry you around any more. Gotcha.”

He turns to plant a kiss on Shino's cheek. “You've nothing to worry about at all.”

“Thanks. Still need to hear that, sometimes.” The hand on Yamagi's shoulder squeezes once. “Speaking of exercise, you want to come for a jog? The streets should be clear right about now.”

Making a pained noise, Yamagi tries his best to disappear inside the robe.

“Heh. OK, OK. How about I stay here and make breakfast for my amazingly hot husband instead?”

And really, who'd want to say no to that?

[twigg96]

Would it be okay if you could write some headcannons about how Dethklok would comfort their s/o if they were crying? Nothing really happened, they were just thinking about past mistakes and memories. It’s totally fine if you’re uncomfortable with this ask, just disregard this if you are. Thank you so much and I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

Hello my sweet anon I absolutely can write some H/Cs for a sad S/O. The boys can seem so gruff and tuff most of the time but when it comes to the ones they love they really are so sweet and kind 💕

Nathan - Soft sniffling and sobs grab his attention as he passed by his room to grab his third coffee of the night. Peeking inside his darkened room Nathan felt his heart break and shatter. Shit. His S/O was laying on his bed clinging to a pillow for dear life softly crying. He didn’t remember doing anything earlier to piss them off or make them upset or anything… still… he better check to be sure they’re ok. Walking in hesitantly Nathan rapped his knuckles against the doors metal frame to announce himself. “Babe…” Nathan muttered lowly and calmly, walking over to the side of the bed he sat on the edge of the bed. “Talk to me.” He whispered rubbing their shoulder and back lovingly. Nathan was a fantastic listener when it was important and this. This was important. He’d hang on every word his partner had to say. He’d nod his head and help his partner to rationalize with what they were thinking. He was a realist after all. And if they didn’t want to talk that was ok with him. He completely understood nonverbal communication. He’d lay down next to them on the bed and hold them close and tight to his chest, rubbing sweet loving circles into their back. Once in a while he’d kiss their head or their face while he whispered sweet nothings into their ear about how much he loved and needed them in his life. Reminding them how important they were in this world before letting them drift off to sleep.

Pickles - Life was one hell of a fucking drug. Pickles knew this more than anyone. That’s why he chose to stay high for most of it. One night while he and his S/O smoked he noticed they were a little more quiet than normal. Staring up at the stars Pickles rattled on through the night trying desperately to get any type of response from his partner. That is until a tiny hiccuped sob came out. It startled Pickles more than anything. Turning to face them he watched as they covered their own face with both hands and began to cry. He felt like a failure of a boyfriend to not have noticed that his partner was in so much pain. In an instant he’d scoop his partner into his arms and hold them tight rocking them back and forth. He wouldn’t say anything else for a moment fearing that he had said something to provoke the tears. Simply he would stroke his lovers hair and kiss their cheek letting them unfurl themselves and wrap around his body. He wait patiently for them to tell them what was wrong. And if they never wanted to. That was ok to. He understands that sometimes people just need to cry.

Murderface - The bassist was an emotional stone wall on a good day. Emotions were a mystery to the man, especially complex ones. His bandmates were astounded by the simple fact that he managed to fall so hard so fast in such a real way for his partner. He was always extremely protective of them, ready to run and fight for them at a moment's notice. So whenever he found them hyperventilating and crying in the hallway he instantly went into protective boyfriend mode. Who did it?! What happened?! Kneeling down and taking them into his arms he held them tight rubbing their shoulders. At first he tried everything in his power to make things right. He begged to understand what was happening and how he could make it better. He tried deep breathing exercises he had learned from Twinkletits. The only thing that seemed to calm his partner down even remotely was when he made them laugh. It was completely on accident on his part. He had bashed his elbow into the brick wall behind him and made "the funniest face" his partner had ever seen from him. After a very wet make out session and line of clarifying questions, Murderface and his partner laid down some ground boundaries as to how to handle the next panic attack as well as what Murderface could do to help that wouldn’t cause him bodily harm (cuddling them close like always, asking fewer questions, and relaxing so they could relax were just a few on his partner’s list).

Skwisgaar- The Swede’s love language was and always has been touch. Once he garnered the strength to ask his S/O out he couldn’t keep his hands off of them. Holding their hand in public places, touching their back to escort them through a door, running his hand through their hair as they sat silently. The love they felt for one another was always shared openly and physically. But as his partner laid with their head buried in their own knees, rocking back and forth on their shared bed, begging him not to touch them… Skwisgaar suddenly felt helpless. He wanted to help anyway he could. Reaching below the bed he pulled out his guitar, watching them nervously he began to play, softly, lovingly. A song he would come up on the fly with. One that came truly from the heart. Letting his fingers guide his tale he would close his eyes once he was sure they were calmer, breathing normally. Maybe even asleep. In the morning he would ask if they were ok. They would come to him if they wanted to. He trusted that. But for now he wanted to be the tune to end their sorrows.

Toki- The poor boy is a major worrier. On any normal day he would have an anxiety attack worrying over whether or not his S/O got enough sleep the night before they went to work. If he happened to walk past the bathroom door to hear his partner crying he would stop and press his ear to the door and listen just to be sure. He’d call out his partner’s name and wait patiently for a response. If there were no response he’d slide down the door, leaning back against it. He’d tell his partner about his day to try and distract them from what was going on in their mind. He’d tell them about the cute kitty he saw on his morning run. How he really wanted to pick her up and bring her home for them to see but figured that the kitties mommy would really miss her if he took her with no warning. He’d tell them about the real cool friend he made while walking around the city who he was pretty sure offered him drugs but it was fun talking to him anyway. As the door would open he wouldn’t ask anything of his partner. He understands more than anyone trauma and the devastating impact it held on the psyche. He understood that people just needed to cry it out sometimes and that his partner was no exception. He’d open his arms and let his partner know if they ever needed him. He was there. Always.

[nahisummerhold]

[TT] Is she ready to return to the field when and if the crew is called back out?

Nahi was packing her gear, the call out had come and they would be headed to the Undermines sunday. The military had shipped out and already there were rumors of what they had been facing circulating. The black blood again. 

In a pocket of her mind getting ready to go back with the company made her think of one of the friends she had when starting this chapter of her life. It was her deepest hope that Kyeanadril was alright and that the black blood stopped making the bond with his demon weak. His cousin, Pathyn, had stopped talking to her about Kyean, and then to her altogether after she asked him to spend time with her when she went on leave and he refused. She knew both of them would have been in the Undermines the moment they could, or at least Pathyn would be. Their work wasn’t like her company’s, they went down to do the type of things no one knew about but them. They hadn’t told her, she just assumed what they did after picking up a hint or two when they all drank together in Dornagal one night.

Her comm sounded off and she smiled expecting a text from either Alla or Kelz. She had asked them if they would watch over her place while she was gone and needed to get them keys. Picking  it up and reading the message, it was not who she was expecting, it was actually from Pathyn and it set her back on her heels. To think of someone and have them instantly text was the type of coincidence that happened to way more people than her, or else they would have literary sayings for it. ‘Speak of the demon and who should appear’ but it still caught her off guard.

Pathyn: Hello Nightengale.

Nahilvi: Hello Pathyn. Long time no hear.

Pathyn: I know, I know. Sorry alright?

Nahi: What are we sorry for this time?

Pathyn: This time?

Nahi: This time. You have apologized before, you know.

What was causing his need to apologize, she assumed, was the fact that he had told her he cared for her in the same text as telling her he didn’t want to see her. She had spent a lot of time processing that. Pathyn and Kyean were the first people she decided to let close in her attempt to let her guard down with others, and both, in their own way, betrayed and hurt her enough that she wondered if being vulnerable was worth it.

Path: Fuck Nahi, you know my reasons, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t bother me too. I think about you a lot.

And she had thought about him and Kyean, but more about him. That circle of friendship had been a mess. Kyean was an old one night stand that she was still attracted to that decided, due to the black blood causing his demon to have more influence than it should over the demon hunter according to Path, to stalk her, hanging at the edge of her camp to watch over her. It wasn’t until Stellan observed him a few times that Talon was told, a group  had gone to the other camp, confronted their small, mostly family, group with the issue, then Nahi was taken over and Talon told her she had to make him stop or he would fire her. Well, and shoot him the next time he came to the camp, shoot him then fire her, what a joy that would have been for her emotional state. 

It was part of why, to this day, Talon scared the fuck out of her. That what she was learning to care for could be ripped right out from under her for something that wasn’t even her fault, was a reminder of how precarious all her life had become.

She had summarily kicked Kyean out of her life, but her and Pathyn kept chatting via text. It was a lifeline for her, a tie back to the fact that she hadn’t lost everything when Dalaran fell, she still had a friend. 

Nahi: I do, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t sting, and it wasn’t the first time you turned me down when I could use a friend.

They had been drunk together enough times for him to know how hard it was for her to really mean friend, especially at that time of her life. She was trying to get better at defining it, but she struggled between what she called friend shaped people, those that could be, maybe considered themselves to be, friends, who in her mind were not too far above acquaintances, but not true friends. 

True friends she trusted with knowing things about her that she hid,. Even dumb things like the fact that she would replace dinner with a box of donuts if she was feeling down, or which one of their company she would happily drag to her bed. They also knew that she didn’t do exactly that because she was driven to prove herself as a member of the company before she started having post fight endorphin sex that would make her very happy for sound proof magic spells for tents. 

Pathyn: I know, Nahi, I am sorry. 

Nahi: it is alright, I know we are complicated. I have missed talking with you though and regret that things got awkward.

Nahi: And you do not have to apologize more, Path, it sucks but I do understand. Wish it wasn’t that way, but I understand a desire to protect family, even if it means you are hurt in the process.

Pathyn: You know, we really should have fucked before.

Nahi: You didn’t want to, being a big damn hero looking out for me. You and your cousin have that complex alike you know, as much as you give him shit about it. 

Path: Not my fault you attract assholes and I tried to not just be another one that hit on you at work.

Nahi: My Big Dumb Hero, not asshole then just asshole later, bartender.

Asshole was what he and his cousin called each other in cousin bonding and she had fallen into the habit with them. She wasn’t given to calling people such things randomly, but as a term of endearment she bought right in on.

Path: Aaannnnnyyyywwwaaayyy… My friend contacted me, said your armor was done.

Nahi: Think I just glee’d a little in my pants.

Path: What the actual fuck did you just say?

Nahi: You read it. Made you laugh huh? 

Path: You have that effect on me, you turn me on and make me laugh in equal measure. No wonder you drive me crazy.

Nahi: Wormed right into your heart with my brilliant sense of humor and sexy body.

There was a pause, a text was not shot right back to her. 

Path: Actually, you sure the fuck did, and don’t apologize for it. You are an amazing woman, and I am glad we got closer than just work buddies.

Nahi: Me too.

Nahi: I am excited about the armor, it is perfect timing. Will be the last piece of my kit in place, we ship out Sunday.

Path: Wait until you get here, this place is a trip. Not actually sure if you will love it or hate it. 

Nahi: Well that is a ringing endorsement. 

Path: Just wait.

Path: Kyean says hi.

Nahi: Tell him hi back.

Nahi: And you stop being a stranger. Just because you are too good of a man to bang the woman your cousin is obsessed with doesn’t mean we can’t still talk. 

Path: Only via text, because we would starve if we could never leave the bed.

Nahi: Well you have a nice kitchen counter.

Path: Shit… wicked little thing…

Nahi: Another reason you like me.

(Thank you for the ask @kaisinasunblade sorry it took me forever to respond. Yes, once she picks up her armor she is ready) (Soft mentions to @kyeanadril @pathyn @kelzthalasbandtherion @allasticus @talonoa (stop scaring Nahi!) @inistellan )

[team-oliv]

Part 1: Expectations

The new weekly supply runs had begun just as they had the night of the team’s first celebration. Taking Violet’s initial suggestion, they split up and went off in pairs partly to get things done quicker and partly to learn to better tolerate one another.

Violet and Onyx had drawn the lot for this week’s trip. Despite letting her imagination getting the better of her, she had to remind herself that a guy and a girl alone out on the town didn’t automatically equal ‘date’. As much as the thought of being whisked off by a charming wealthy stranger would be in a book, the reality of the whole thing was a grounding experience. The unfortunate fact of the matter was, not only was this more a team building exercise than anything else, but her team leader was deceptively infuriating.

Violet was thankful that the shopping wound up taking them mostly to the more reasonable end of the city. Everything was still more expensive than she was used to, but Onyx had once again ensured he would cover it. It was more than strange being around someone who was on the exact opposite end of the economic spectrum from her. To say it felt unfair was a huge understatement, but she tried her best to not let it bother her. That was harder than it first sounded. Onyx had spent most of their trip picking up the things everyone needed, taking the speaking lead and flouting his money and status as often as possible to the point where it quickly grew annoying. When he began posturing in front of the fourth store clerk when they were buying the ammunition, she finally cut in.

“Can we go to one store without you talking about how important you are?” She had opted to carry some of the bags they had gathered. All that was left was the candy store. Since it was the one thing everyone managed to agree on at the end, it made sense to end each trip with it picking up an order for the whole team. That part Violet had insisted that they each pay for themselves. It was the one piece of equal footing they had so far.

Onyx only gave one of his characteristic sly sneers. He never appeared to not be smiling, as if he knew some joke that the people around him weren’t in on. “My dear, Violet. Remember, I’m not like the rest of you. I am a Cheshire. I have expectations to live up to as someone with a modicum of the public eye on them.”

“You’re not the only one who has someone else’s standards to live up to.” Violet counters, “You know who my brother is. You think the rest of the academy doesn’t look at me and instantly compare me to Robin? You think the teachers who saw him graduate won’t? I’m not going to pretend my family is some kind of big deal but…”

“People know the name and will judge you accordingly.” Onyx finishes, “Let me give you a piece of advice about how to handle that. You don’t have your every move judged when you’re at a party, or have whom you speak to analyzed for the sake of politics or business deals, but the fact remains that if you are being held to a standard it helps to act the part and make sure they see what they want to see.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” Violet says letting the bags she held hang lower to the ground and slowing her step. “You’re not expected to be held to the standard of a Vytal Festival tournament winner. I can’t act my way through that. If I screw up or I’m just not good enough, that’s it. I’ll always just be Robin’s sister who wasn’t as good as he was.” 

Onyx lets the smile drop from his face for a rare moment and motions gently to a row of holographic displays by an electronics shop. An Atlas news site was broadcasting a story that he knew was going to be going for at least another week. “Believe me, I understand this a little more than you may think. Watch."

“Mr. Cheshire,” The commentator began, “Thank you for joining us again. It’s always a pleasure to have you.”

“Thank you, Robert.” A strongly built man with a greying hair and beard sat comfortably on the couch with a rich white and red suit; a matching red half cape draped over one shoulder. By his side was a large steel briefcase that lay on the floor with a lion emblem with a blade coming from its mouth clearly visible- the Cheshire Financial group logo. The former huntsmen turned financial mogul looked as measured as the perfect politician. “As you know, the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Cassandra Cheshire Memorial Home for the Rediscovered is almost here. I had hoped to do something unique to honor my late wife’s memory.”

“Why don’t you tell us a little about her, Tyrael? For the sake of the folks at home. Her family dates all the way back from before the War, right?”

“That is correct. The Baskervilles were an old and proud family, though one not without its faults as the controversial and short time her father spent on the council will attest. I can personally say I never got along with my wife’s family as much as I would have liked, however…” 

Violet stopped listening to the droning public relations speech Onyx’s father had started and turned to her team leader. The words ‘late’ and ‘memorial’ told her all she needed to hear to connect the dots. “Can I… ask what happened? About your mom I mean.”

“Another time perhaps.” His tone lost that background luster of superiority and pride for a short while. He hated reliving that memory. Spending weeks in the hospital after the accident that destroyed the vehicle he and the late Cassandra Cheshire had been in was suffering enough with his physical injuries. Spending that entire time knowing he was the only one who made it out was the real difficulty. Lilac, his older sister and secretly the only biological child of the two, took it even harder. Even his father, otherwise a man with impeccable control over his emotions, lent himself to grief. It was the only time in his life Onyx had seen Tyrael Cheshire cry.

Violet wasn’t too sure how to continue her line of questioning now. She felt it might be better to just drop it, but that might make the walk to the last part of their trip awkward and tense. Again, she needed to search for some kind of common ground. First they needed to keep moving again, though. She reached out for Onyx’s sleeve to urge him forward but he jolted back, which caused her to react in kind. “Are you okay?”

Onyx leveled a tense stare for a moment before brushing himself off. “I am perfectly capable of walking on my own, thank you.” He puts his smile back on after turning away from the newscast and started walking, gently tucking his fingers into his pockets. “It would be best not to keep the other two waiting.”

Violet followed, keeping herself next to her teammate as they got farther away from the display window and its broadcast. She turned to look at it one more time. The voices were muffled now and she couldn’t read the captions at this distance, but she swore she heard the word ‘mercenary company’. Some huntsmen would refer to themselves as mercenaries, she knew, and many were in all but name. It probably meant nothing but something about it felt meaningful. She caught back up to Onyx quickly- thankfully he wasn’t walking very fast. “Can I ask you something?” She said after a brief silence.

“I suspect you will anyway.” Onyx replies, twirling a hand in the air.

“No offense, but… why are you here? You said it was something about business and Uncle Cobalt said he was your dad’s friend, but it doesn’t really make a lot of sense.”

Onyx didn’t seem as bothered by this question as he was the last one. He didn’t break his plastic grin or flippant gesturing. “Are you aware of how my father rose to the prominence that he did? You aren’t the only one on this team who has hunstmen in the family. My father was quite an accomplished one long before going into business and likes to maintain good relations with the academies. He insists that huntsmen are vital to the safety of the kingdoms and that it’s important to understand them. I was required to join Atlas Academy to understand this. Strangely enough my sister was not, though she came of age when Mother was still alive.”

”Let me guess, she didn’t want you to enlist.”

”Precisely. Mother always felt the army and the huntsmen were disposable bodies to keep the lives of their betters easier. She came from an old family that still believed themselves to be modern aristocracy. My father and his team had formed a successful mercenary company before he moved to business- after wooing and marrying my mother of course. My sister, Lilac, was forbidden from such dangerous work but once Mother was killed, Father decided it was time I step up and learn the trade as well, just to be safe. The entire household began training in using aura at a bare minimum. Ivory and I were both of age to join the academy, but as I said before-”

Violet cut him off once the phrase ‘was killed’ registered with her. That wasn’t a normal set of words to use when talking about a loved one passing. “Wait. What did you just say? What do you mean ‘was killed’?” 

Onyx stops. “Pardon. It was a poor choice of phrasing. What about you? Do you mean to tell me you have no personal ambition beyond upholding a family tradition?” 

“It’s more like I have a really high goal to reach. My brother, my parents… they’re all more skilled than I can wrap my head around. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to keep up. I know the rest of you are more here for yourselves and that's fine... but I want to help people, Onyx. I want to join my Mom and Dad with their rescues and I want to make my brother proud- wherever he is now.”

“What are you implying by that?” Onyx asks, it being his turn to pry to see how she liked her personal life being examined. “Is he missing somehow?”

“Well, kind of…” Violet replies with less difficulty than she expected. “He took some job out in Mistral after graduating. We didn’t see him much after that, but he would send money home. He would never talk about it, though. We’re worried…”

Onyx found that a small bit strange, but it was entirely possible the former tournament champion found himself in some lucrative, if less than savory work. Onyx knew the type well enough- his family had enough of their own illicit behind-the-scenes deals for him to pick up the patterns and Mistral was notoriously full of illegal syndicates. He wasn’t going to say anything, though. He didn’t want any more awkward questions- most of which would likely lead with ‘How or why do you know that?’. “Back to my initial point, if I may? Remember when I said my father was a mercenary with his former team?” After a nod from Violet, he continued. “As it happens the reason Major Ymir knows my family is because he was one of that team- the only one to enlist in the army instead of joining the company. Watch him in the field should we ever be so lucky to do so. That will be the level of skill I am being personally held to by my father. I have a duel waiting for me once I graduate and that is being used to determine what I will be doing in the company as absurd as it sounds.”

Violet took a moment to process the information. She was pretty curious as to how they’ve never actually met before if her uncle was so close to his family. She’d have to ask about that later. “You know… my dad keeps trying to reassure me I don’t have to hold myself to Robin’s standard but I know everyone else will be. Maybe we could train together. We both have a lot to live up to.”

Onyx chuckles and vanishes, reappearing at the other side of the briefly confused Violet with the break of laughter. “Are you suggesting a team rivalry? An eternal struggle to see which of us will be able to surpass the other?”

Violet raised her hand and snapped her fingers, creating a series of small flashing lights that popped loudly when they flared right in front of her team leader’s face. “You know what? That could be fun. Ready for a race, then?” Without warning, she dashed ahead to the candy store down the block.

[hlmowrer]

Weeks 23 & 24: Exchanges and transitions and impressions, oh my!

These last two weeks have been marked by some pretty strong highs and lows.  I've really struggled (as always, but it's gotten harder somehow) to decide for myself whether or not I'm doing enough.  I think it's because I really wanted to do better this transfer (remember: a transfer is a 6 week period with a certain area and companion) since I slipped in a lot of my habits last transfer as well as the fact that I'm now a trainer.  I've been pushing myself harder, but with greater effort comes greater reward...and potential for burnout.  We have received President Peckham into the mission, and I met him at a recent conference downstate.  He spoke about how if we truly believe that Heavenly Father knows us perfectly, and always knows exactly what we need and where we are, then surely He could just tell us where the people who are prepared are?  How efficient would that be?  The point being, as long as we are in a position where we can receive that information through the Holy Spirit, then we'll be able to maximize our efforts to teach and help people.  As someone who is getting pretty burnt out talking to strangers who would rather not take my calls, I like this concept.  Getting to the point where I'm focused enough to hear those spiritual promptings is easier said than done though.

I really do feel as if a lot of what's happening right now is for my own growth as well...I'm getting *quite* a lot of experience multitasking, taking responsibility for others, working with people who I may or may not agree with, working even when I'm tired, and so on.  Every now and again I realize just how far I've come in my mental endurance and basic life skills.  I always feel really accomplished when I think about that.  Anyway, on to some bright moments!

I've had two exchanges since you last heard from me.  The first was with my zone leader, Elder Nelson.  Elder Nelson has been my ZL the whole mission so far, and he is really good at working hard.  I was able to have a really good talk with him about where I was at, and he shared a lot of interesting perspectives that help him do the good work he does.  I went into the exchange hoping he could motivate me to grind out some finding (finding = seeking new people to teach), and the Lord must have noticed my effort because we found 6 new friends in an hour.  That does not happen..we are usually lucky to meet 1 or 2 new friends in a week.  It was a great blessing, and a much needed faith booster for me.

The second exchange was with my district leader, Elder Gray.  I have always gotten along really well with Elder Gray, and we struggle with many of the same things so it was really, really nice to just hang out with someone who I could relate to.

As we were driving home from a conference, it was raining...as we drove I noticed cars coming the other way with hazard lights on, and I wondered why.  I found out why about two seconds later as the heavens opened and dumped more water on us than I've ever seen in my life.  Visibility was reduced to about 2 meters in front of my car almost instantly.  I asked Elder Sines to pray for safety, and just seconds after he concluded his prayer the rain subsided.  It was a really nice reminder that we are truly looked out for. :)

We've been supporting a family in our branch that immigrated from Ukraine a few years ago.  Their oldest child was recently baptized, and he is the coolest kid ever.  He's very into cars, and that's very fun for me because I was exactly the same way at his age.  I've genuinely never met a kid that reminded me more of myself.  He's awesome.  He's working on a project car with his dad, and he showed us around every single inch of it.  

Until next time, dear friends. <3

-Elder Beren Mowrer

[sagau-my-beloved]

Just a late night drabble

-

Well, here you were again, faced with the sight of your lover clinging desperately to your arm at the local tavern, babbling incoherently what you could make out to be a mixture of pet names and pleas.

"Please, please please love me." Venti was practically slurring his words now, falling into you as you hastily looked around at all the people trying to catch glances at the scene. You almost felt the need to glare, surely this particular Bard being incredibly drunk wasn't an unusual sight here.

"Venti, I do love you, ok, now can we go home?"

He looked up at you, eyes wide and full of tears, trying hard to hold back obvious sobs. It was certainly a rare sight.

"Hey! Hey hey, it's ok, you're ok, no need to cry!" You were becoming increasingly alarmed with his out of sorts behavior, trying to brush off some of the stray tears as he went on babbling in that same slurred manner.

"You can't, you can't get rid of me, I'm too useful you know..."

The way he said it, as if it was a matter of fact thing, a casual reminder thrown to quell certain unrest.

He then stopped a moment, expression morphing into one of intense thought, as if he was pondering the weight of his own words. It didn't seem as though he reached a satisfying conclusion, as fresh tears clouded his vision almost instantly.

"Venti—"

"I'm not useful enough to you, I'm a god but that's not worth anything if I can't use it to help you."

You took a quick glance around the room at his words, thankful to find that most of the other patrons eyes had wandered back to their own drinks.

"You can't just say that stuff in public." You scolded with a harsh whisper, causing Venti's eyes to widen, as if he only just noticed there was more people in the tavern than just the two of you.

You were starting to piece together where this might have stemmed from, and your tendency to take on a lot of other people's problems without even considering asking him for help might just have been the cause.

Letting out a quick sigh, you quickly grabbed your drunk lovers hand and pulled him to the upper floor of the bar, away from prying ears. Venti practically fell on top of you after stumbling to a secluded table in the corner, he didn't seem particularly discontent with the position and opted to stay there, choosing to rest his head on your shoulder as you tentatively tried to provide touches of comfort.

"Listen," he immediately perked up at the sound of your voice, looking up at you as if he was hanging on to every word, "You are useful, but I would like you even if you weren't."

The words didn't seem to come out exactly how you intended them to, but it was better than saying nothing.

He seemed to contemplate them for a moment.

"Rely on me, please rely on me I need you to." It was more akin to a desperate plea than an actual request, spoken as if he couldn't take another breath without knowing that you would.

Your silence didn't spark confidence, "I promise I can take it, whatever it is, I'd take it a thousand times for you."

You could practically feel his breath against your neck as he mumbled the last line, causing you to shiver.

This had been bugging Venti for awhile, every time you asked another friend of yours to help you out with a commission, every time you came back home stressed or tired or god forbid injured, every time you refused to go into detail about exactly how your day was spent, skirted around his persistent questions on how you were doing mentally.

Did you simply not trust him? Did it have to do with the fact he didn't appear strong enough to take on whatever burdens you bore? He would prove his strength to you, his dedication, if only you asked him to.

"I'm worthless if I can't be useful to the one person I care about."

You stiffened slightly at the implications behind that, your grip loosening to push him back so that you could see eye to eye.

"Don't speak like that, you have worth outside of me and I certainly can't be the only person you care about."

That's what you wanted to tell yourself at least, but his expression of hazy confusion mixed with the smile of someone telling a well kept secret caused only doubt to bloom.

"I love you more than all of Teyvat, no all the stars and life in the entire universe. I love you more than every single living thing combined." He continued rambling on for a few minutes, listing off things bigger and smaller than the next, slurring almost every word.

"I would do anything for you," Venti sighed out when he realized you were no longer paying attention, "Please, let me do anything for you."

You knew that this had the possibility of leading in to a rather serious conversation, one that wouldn't exactly prove to be beneficial if he didn't remember it the next morning. So you simply responded with a hum of acknowledgement, mentally filing it away for a later date.

Of course Venti interpreted that hum as dismissive, taking it as yet another sign of your refusal to share any part of your internal world with him.

He chose to let out a whine, collapsing back on top of you, mentally begging you to say anything at all.

The odds didn't seem to be particularly in his favor as silence continued to linger.

"I'll do anything you want, anything at all, there's nothing I wouldn't do for you."

You knew that, you knew it and you didn't want to take advantage of it, of him. Wouldn't it be kind of excessive to bring a god along on a simple hilichurl camp clean out commission? It almost felt insulting, like a waste of his talents or status.

You mulled over that line of thought for a little bit, unable to keep it fully off your face.

Venti picked up on it.

"Tell me what you're thinking, please."

You hesitated moment with your words, trying to find the easiest non-offensive way to say you didn't want to use him because you felt you weren't his equal.

"Those commissions would bore you, it would just prove to be a waste of time."

Venti, even in his incredibly non-sober state, managed to read between lines.

"Do you feel guilty asking me for help?"

The softness of his tone combined with the bluntness of the statement itself caused you to tense up slightly, that was answer enough.

"My beloved," it was whispered this time, softly as he wrapped his arms around your neck, resting his head just above your collarbone, "I want to dedicate all of myself fully to you, you don't have to reserve calling on my help for world saving situations only, the rest of the world doesn't even matter when compared to you anyways."

You felt your body heat up at the words, and you could absolutely feel the lopsided grin that formed on his face in response.

A minute passed, and then another, followed by a few more, all without a single word spoken between the two of you. How could you even begin to respond to that?

It was around the seventh or eighth minute mark in which a sound was actually made, and it was none other than Venti snoring.

Ah.

He fell asleep...

Well, it looked as if this would be yet another night in which you carried him home from the Tavern, another night where the words spoken between the two of you wouldn't be remembered in the morning, or at least that's what you assumed.

This particular time, however, you would find yourself to be mistaken, as a particular Archon made sure every single word you spoke was committed to memory.

And when the morning came, maybe it was finally high time said Archon found out exactly who made it so that you felt you couldn't rely on him, the person who made the mistake of making you feel inferior.

Venti had a few choice words set aside for just this occasion, and it really would be a shame to waste them.

[i-heart-slashers]

Sky Full Of Stars

(David x Human!Reader)

David always met you on the boardwalk, where Paul and Marko teased the two of you about your 'date days'. Your platinum blond vampire always took a day out of the week for a date with you.

Just you and him, no wild boys running around causing trouble.

You blushed heavily while David just watched them with a dry expression already used to their jesting. 

You're the only human for whom David has a soft spot, so he had no problem telling the boys off for teasing you. "If you two idiots want to meet the sun, I can help make that happen."

Their teasing stops instantly, but the cheeky smiles can't be hidden or changed.

Don't get them wrong; they already loved you like a sibling, but you were so fun to play with. Dwayne usually watched with a small smile, pushing them away when he thought they'd go too far.

"Kitten," David calls, revving his bike as he holds his hand out for you. Taking his offered help, you quickly get behind him and remind yourself to hold on tight, knowing how reckless he can get.

Although he may have a soft spot, you aren't exempt from David's teasing.

Getting further away from the sounds of screaming, carousel music, and the boardwalk lights, you could not help but wonder what David had in mind for tonight.

The revving of the bike engine was the only sound to be heard when your vampire drove to a deserted area. It was distinctly different from the loud and crowded boardwalk you were used to.

If you didn't know your boyfriend, you might have thought this would be where he would kill you. The classic trope of victim follows a hot guy only to be killed...

"Uh-" your dates with David weren't typically so secluded, sure it was always just the two of you, but the boys were usually around somewhere making sure no surf nazi's crashed your dates looking to pick a fight with David.

The blond just helped you off the bike while guiding you to the grassy area of the cliff top you were on. His mouth had turned into a slight smirk hearing the trepidation in your tone.

You know he would never hurt you, but your human senses still went haywire, knowing that you were close to a predator. It was like putting a bunny next to a fox.

David sat on the ground and silently pulled you into his lap, your back against his chest as he angled you both to look up at the stars. Being in such a bright place, light the boardwalk, you often miss the stars.

Pointing at different stars, you begin telling David facts about each constellation as he quickly hums behind you.

He unconsciously rubbed his cheek against your face as you spoke softly, smiling when you felt the scruff scratching you but said nothing. Any affection from David could be taken back just as quickly.

"You know Star tried to teach me about that astrology shit, but none of us wanted to listen" you rolled your eyes at Star's treatment before you met the boys. "It sounds better coming from you anyway."

Star was often treated as a glorified babysitter for laddie and treated poorly by the boys when you joined their group. The two of you becoming friends helped the guys develop the sisterly bond that Max had intended.

Hours went by with the two of you cuddling and generally just being together. David, when alone, wasn't a big talker. He felt no need to keep up his walls and show off his dominance. 

So being on a date where the two of you can just sit together without having to fill the silence was comforting. The softer side of your boyfriend wasn't often shown, but right now, he seemed so calm and peaceful that you didn't want it to end.

The drooping of your eyes, however, told a different story. You still weren't used to David and the others being 'nocturnal,' and hanging out with them took a toll on your sleep schedule.

"Come on, Kitten, let's get you home" He breathed into your ear, tapping you on the thigh. His breath makes you shiver as the blond pulls you up to stand next to him.

He sees your shiver and rolls his eyes, you couldn't even count the times he'd told you to put a coat on, but you never listened. Not because you wanted to be cold but because you knew what happened when you left home without it.

Halfway back to David's bike, you hear him sigh before a heavy material was draped over your shoulders. You turn your head with a grin seeing him put his long duster back on, only now the jacket from under it was now keeping you warm.

"Don't say I never do anything for you," He grumbled, helping you get on the bike behind him. You knew it wouldn't be long before 'vampire leader' David was back, so you just placed your head on his back.

"I never do," you whispered with a smile as he quickly squeezed your hands wrapped around him before the bike roared to life, taking you back to wild chaos.

[comicaurora]

(Now I would have used Tumblr's handy dandy reblog function on my last ask, but I felt too self conscious making a long post Even Longer over a single section, BUT!)

'If I put Falst in a notably hostile and unjust city and then just… left him alone, that risked turning the in-universe established fact of people being casually shitty to ferin into a tell-don't-show thing. The last thing I wanted was for it to seem like Falst was being oversensitive, that things weren't that bad or that he could've been hanging out in cities this whole time. ... It was very important that I not shy away from showing the gross, bad side of his experience, because doing so could risk producing the opposite effect.'

Y'know as (half of) a black person, this honestly never occurred to me, like I just Instantly grasped from the way others talked about Falst in his intro arc when he wasn't there "Oh. Oh I Know That." And so seeing him in active peril in the city as opposed to him playing cards with Alinua in the one spot he knew was primarily safest didn't register to me at all as a big difference in presentation because you're not allowed to just Forget that people can and will treat you worse than you are due on sight when you're in Falst's position. But the audience watching a story is allowed and very likely to forget or not register danger levels unless they are being actively shown those things at prudent intervals. Like the silent pressure constantly on Falst is something I Fully Get without having to be given examples, but also it's a silent omnipresent pressure on top of all his other issues that he refuses to bring out of himself, so in crafting a story around All Of That, you gotta shake the jar or else the glitter at the bottom will become such a non-thing that people might just kinda go 'I mean it's just a jar with something at the bottom, I don't see what the deal there is.'

Yeah, it's… a tough balance to strike. I'm not a fan of stories that aggressively fire off nonstop reminders of in-story prejudice (netflix's shadow and bone went so hard on the in-universe anti-"shu" racism I kept cringing away from the screen wondering how this world seemed to be composed 95% of people with nothing else going on in their lives except being racist), but on the flip side you get stories with, as I like to call it, Elf Racism, where some demographic of gorgeous superhumans like elves or angels or catgirls will be allegedly discriminated against or hated by some specific in-universe group and it will usually either be brought up (a) only once in a Very Special Episode where someone is taught quickly and cleanly that Racism Is Bad, (b) literally never, except maybe the token elf/angel/catgirl will be like "you think my ears/wings/kawaii kitty vibes are beautiful? but……… all my life I was told they were hideous", or (c) solely in the context of Radical Anarchist Rebels whose reasonable points about "racism is bad" are obscured by their startling habit of committing random atrocities for our heroes to morally oppose without addressing their actual moral thesis.

My biggest complaint with these executions is that they are wildly, wildly unrelatable. "My life is hard because I have adorable kitty ears, angel wings or superpowers" is the kind of thing that needs supporting evidence before an audience will buy it. "This world is prejudiced, by which I mean elves and dwarves hate each other - but not THIS elf and dwarf, they're besties, but all other elves and dwarves hate each other and in those cases it's just a fun quirk we will never attempt to address" produces a setting that can't decide if prejudice is a moral failing or a funny quirk. "There is prejudice in this world, by which I mean all the bad guys are racist and all the good guys are 100% enlightened and unproblematic" isn't much better, because it's being used as just another flavor of Good Vs Evil - plus the execution on the bad guys' part tends to be so cartoonishly over-the-top as to be completely implausible.

This is a problem, because if the "prejudice is bad" story is trying to communicate, for instance, the complex moral message "prejudice is bad," the prejudice enacted in the story probably shouldn't be so cartoonishly implausible that the audience has no chance of recognizing it within themselves or within anyone whose flavor of bias is anything less blatant than foaming-at-the-mouth-and-cranking-the-hate-crimes-dial-up-to-11. Most people will accept the idea that "people being ridiculously terribly prejudiced is bad," but when the image of prejudice the story paints is so divorced from any sort of lived experience, they will not see prejudice as a harmful flaw that real human people are capable of perpetuating, and they won't recognize it when they see it from the outside in real life - they'll see it as another hypothetical flavor of evil villainy that some bad people intrinsically do.

Prejudice is such a widely experienced issue, especially the "omnipresent invisible uncertainty of whether or not I am safe right now" thing, that it's baffling to me that so many of these stories don't seem to… get it? While the specific nature varies in every case, there is fundamental overlap in the experience! Like, I absolutely do not experience it the same way a lot of other people do - I am very white-looking, and too blonde for the garden-variety antisemites to figure me out, so race-based harassment has never targeted me - but I've been an underage woman in creepy-older-male-dominated spaces, I spent about half my middle school years as the target of nearly-nonstop bullying (a lot of it from people who I otherwise got along fine with and knew were ultimately well-meaning with a blind spot for casual cruelty), and in the past I've been cyberstalked and harassed by random entitled weirdos for long periods of time. I am very aware of the feeling of "there is a target on my back, and I just hope nobody hits it too hard today," and it seems to me that that specific feeling cannot possibly be this difficult to communicate.

It's like these writers read about how prejudice worked and were like "some people hate people for how they were born, got it" and just put that in their world without any nuance. Actually, I say it's like that, but considering the demographics dominating publishing, that's probably exactly why it happens so much.