#what sucks is the moment someone is super nice to me ��� i start to liking them a lot

[asterafroditis]

hey so how do you think the house wardens would deal with a s/o who they find out is from rsa. They met outside of colleges. S/o was super nice and there wasn’t any competitive nature once s/o found out where their bf went too, most of the boys bragged at some point about going to their college. S/o is like “oh looks like we go to rival colleges :D”. “If anyone’s got a problem with me dating you they can suck on a lemon for all I care”?

𐔌 . ⋮ romantic rivals .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱

☓┆ Housewardens x gn! reader

𓏵 1297 words

ᝰ.ᐟ headcanons, no pronouns used, fluff

hopefully this fulfills your request! idk anything about RSA so I hope the info fits well enough (´◦ω◦`) feel free to like, reblog, or comment!

ᝰ.ᐟ masterlist

Riddle had always taken pride in his education. Night Raven College was a place of discipline, order, and prestige. So when he found out that his significant other—kind, supportive, and always willing to listen—attended Royal Sword Academy, he wasn’t quite sure how to react.

He finds out by accident when you come over to visit him at NRC. The two of you are sitting under a gazebo in the rose garden, your hands brushing slightly as you flip through a book of classical magic theory.

“You know,” you say offhandedly, “we studied this last year at RSA. My potions professor was obsessed with theoretical applications.”

He blinks. “…RSA?”

“Royal Sword Academy,” you confirm casually, flashing him a peace sign. “Looks like we go to rival schools.”

Riddle stiffens. His eyes narrow ever so slightly, his mind already racing through past conversations—had you ever mentioned this before? How did he miss it?

“You’re from RSA?” he repeats slowly.

“Yup! If anyone’s got a problem with me dating an NRC student, they can suck on a lemon for all I care.”

That derails his internal panic completely. “S-Suck on a—?!” He splutters, scandalized, but your smile doesn’t waver. There’s not a trace of competitiveness in your tone, not a shred of superiority.

You don’t see him as a rival. You just see him.

Later, when he walks you to the mirror, he brushes your fingers with his.

“I suppose… I shouldn’t be so shocked. You’re incredibly capable, regardless of where you study.”

You smile. “Thanks, Riddle. And for the record, I think NRC’s lucky to have you.”

His ears flush red. He huffs. “Flattery is unnecessary… but appreciated.”

─────────────────────────

When you finally told Leona you were from Royal Sword Academy, you expected him to scoff or roll his eyes. What you didn’t expect was the long silence.

You were curled beside him in the sunlit corner of the botanical garden, the warm afternoon breeze rustling your shared blanket.

“Mm, the campus flowers remind me of home,” you murmured. “RSA keeps theirs all organized and trimmed. Very picturesque. I miss it sometimes.”

He cracked open an eye. “RSA?”

“Yeah. Royal Sword Academy.” You stretched. “We’re technically rivals, right?”

He groaned. “You’re one of those goody-goodies in white suits?”

You grinned. “One of them, yeah. But don’t worry, I’m not here to compare your school to ours.”

Leona side-eyed you for a beat. “And you’re dating an NRC student like me, knowing the entire school system paints us as ‘troublemakers’ and ‘delinquents’?”

You shrugged. “You’re hot and smart. If someone’s got a problem with that, they can sit on a cactus.”

He laughed. A real one.

“Damn herbivore,” he muttered, fondness creeping into his voice. “You’re alright.”

And from that day on, he started calling you “RSA brat” with something like pride.

─────────────────────────

The moment you mentioned “Royal Sword Academy,” Azul’s pen froze mid-signature. You were helping him with some Mostro Lounge invoices, sorting papers with a cheerful hum.

“Ah, these contract formats remind me of home. Our student council at RSA uses something similar.”

“…RSA?” Azul repeated, slow and wary.

You looked up, innocent. “Yeah, Royal Sword Academy. Why?”

He went very still. “You’re a Royal Sword Academy student.”

“Technically, yeah. But we met off-campus, remember? You didn’t exactly introduce yourself as NRC’s rising businessman either.”

He stared, calculating. “Do you… intend to use this against me?”

You blinked, confused. “What? No? Azul, I like you, not your résumé.”

He sat back in his chair, processing.

“…You don’t care?”

You leaned forward, resting your chin in your hands. “Nope. You’re smart, dedicated, and always think five steps ahead. I admire that. And if anyone’s got a problem with you being from NRC and me from RSA, they can take it up with the sea.”

His lips twitched. “That’s not how the expression goes.”

“It is now.”

Azul laughed softly. “You’re a very peculiar person.”

You smiled. “You love it.”

“…Perhaps I do.”

─────────────────────────

You never really meant to hide being from RSA from Kalim. The topic just never came up until someone mentioned something offhandedly in passing.

“Wait—you go to Royal Sword Academy?!” Kalim turned to you, eyes wide with surprise.

“Yup,” you said with a laugh. “Didn’t mean to surprise you. I just didn’t think it mattered.”

He grinned. “No way! That’s so cool! We’re like—inter-school sweethearts!”

You blinked. “That’s one way to put it.”

He twirled you around like you were ballroom dancing. “You must have so many stories! And don’t worry, I don’t mind at all that you’re from RSA!”

“Even if people think we’re rivals?”

He shook his head, still smiling. “If anyone’s got a problem with me dating you, they can look away and cry about it!”

You snorted. “Is that your version of telling them off?”

“Yup!” he chirped. Then he pulled you close. “Besides, no school rivalry matters more than how happy I am with you.”

And you knew he meant every word.

─────────────────────────

When Vil found out you were from RSA, he didn’t immediately react. You were seated on a balcony after a shared modeling shoot, your legs swinging over the edge.

“Reminds me of campus,” you said softly. “Our towers at Royal Sword Academy overlook the mountains too.”

His brow twitched. “Royal Sword Academy?”

You blinked. “Yeah. Didn’t I mention?”

He sat back with a sigh. “No, you didn’t. Not that it matters much.”

“Do you… think less of me?”

He gave you a sharp look. “Don’t be absurd. You’re poised, well-spoken, and dress better than most NRC students. I just… didn’t expect that.”

You chuckled. “Well, rivalry or not, I’d pick you every time. If anyone’s got a problem with that, they can go exfoliate their negativity away.”

He smirked despite himself. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Admit it. You like me ridiculous.”

He brushed your hair aside, lips brushing your temple. “You’re tolerably radiant.”

─────────────────────────

Idia didn’t do well with surprises. So when you casually mentioned you were from RSA while gaming with him, he froze mid-button press.

“Wait. You go to Royal Sword Academy?”

You paused the game. “Yeah. Is that… bad?”

His hair flared blue. “Wha—you’re like—my arch-nemesis school!!”

You tilted your head. “So… are you breaking up with me?”

His jaw dropped. “NO?? I mean—no!! I just—I—omg…”

You laughed. “Chill. I don’t care about school rivalries. I care about you. If someone wants to judge that, they can either duel me and my god-built characters or shut up.”

He blinked. “…Okay that’s kinda hot.”

You winked, acting like the love interest in an otome game. “I know.”

He didn’t stop blushing for the rest of the night.

─────────────────────────

Malleus found out when he tried to invite you to a gargoyle lecture and workshop and you hesitated.

“I’d love to, but… my schedule at RSA is packed this week.”

He turned. “You attend Royal Sword Academy?”

You nodded. “Is that… bad?”

He thought for a moment. “No. I’ve always been curious about that institution.”

You smiled. “If it makes you feel better, I don’t care that we’re from rival schools. If anyone has a problem with that, they can go argue with the wall.”

He chuckled. “You are as fearless as ever.”

And when he next walked with you through the moonlit forest, he told you gently:

“School boundaries are mortal things. My regard for you is not so easily constrained.”

You beamed. “Good. ‘Cause I’m not going anywhere.”

[exhaslo]

Over-Time

CEO!Miguel x Shy/Clumsy!Reader!

Warning: MINORS DNI, eventual smut, slow-burn, mentions of sex, bullying, cussing

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"Dear, (Y/N), you have been selected to join us for a group interview at Alchemax. Please arrive at appointed date and time below. Read and follow all instructions to ensure your interview. We can't wait to meet you."

Unable to fathom what you had just read, a loud gasp escaped your lips instead. All you really read was interview. Everything else blurred out since you were so excited to finally have a chance to leave your current job.

"Oh my gosh! Do I even have the proper clothes for an interview there?! I can't believe it!" You whispered, resisting a squeal.

This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Alcehmax was one of the biggest companies in Nueva York. Everyone in their right mind wanted to get even a chance to work there. Hell, some people were happy just being a janitor there.

It was all anyone wanted to gloat about. Getting an interview was nearly impossible and yet, your clumsy ass managed to get it. You had prayed to every God you could think of. The questionnaire was a nightmare and where people failed the most.

"Okay, okay! I have to prepare...I have to practice..." You told yourself.

Interviews were hard for you. You were nervous around new people and freaked out when asked hard questions. Glancing at yourself in the mirror, you just smiled. You got this far. You had an interview to take and succeed in.

---------

"Lyla, have we found anyone decent enough within the last two group interviews?" Miguel asked with a grumble.

Lyla, Miguel's private assistant, just laughed. She took off her designer glasses and placed them on Miguel's desk. Miguel was the CEO of Alchemax. One of the richest men in all of Nueva York, and a man with a quick temper.

"We have some potential candidates for the open slot in Marketing, but no one to replace me for when I go on my vacaaaation~" Lyla sang happily. Miguel felt his eye twitch,

"Yes, I know. You haven't stopped bragging about your damn vacation all week. Would have been nice if you mentioned it sooner-"

"Oh, don't give me that, Migs. I had it pop up on your calendar every week for the past three months reminding you! It isn't my fault you don't look."

"I am a busy man. You know that because you make my schedule," Miguel hissed lowly then pinched the bridge of his nose, "Just-Ugh, I just find me someone who won't try and suck my dick within the first week."

Lyla just snickered as she typed on her tablet, "You need to find someone. Maybe it will make you less of a grump." She mocked.

Miguel exhaled loudly, glaring towards his assistant. It was a good thing that Miguel could tolerate that woman. Lyla was a close friend of his and knew how to push his buttons.

Leaning back in his seat, Miguel closed his eyes as he took the moment to rest. Lyla was going to be gone for a few months. She sure knew how to utilize her vacation time. Hell, Lyla had a tough job dealing with him. She deserved it.

"I just need someone....quiet."

---------

How could a building give off such an intimidating presence? It was as if all those powerful inside were warding off the weak and frail. The start of a challenging, yet welcoming part of your life. If you managed to do good in the interview.

Inhaling deeply, you gripped onto your folder and finally had the courage to make your way inside. You heard the stories, but Alchemax sure was a force to be reckon with. The inside of the reception floor felt like another world.

You had arrived super early. You were scared of being late and well, knowing yourself, you were probably going to get lost. Hopefully, your clumsiness won't get in the way of your interview.

"Ah-"

Magic words. Just thinking of it alone caused you to goof up. You had accidently bumped into someone while admiring the inside of the building.

"I-I'm s-so sorry!" You stuttered, panicked that you were fucking up already, "I wasn't looking! I'm sorry!"

"It's alright. Are you okay?" The man spoke as you picked up your paperwork that fell.

Tears were starting to form as you thought of running away. Glancing up at the stranger you bumped into, you sniffed and tried to compose yourself. The man before you had bend down and helped with your paperwork.

"No need to be afraid, I won't bite." The man said with a warming smile. You gulped, finding him very attrative,

"I'm sorry again."

"Oh? An interview?"

"Ah, yes. I'm a little early, but since I've never been here I wanted to make sure...I wouldn't get lost," You admited as he handed your paperwork, "Thank you. My name is (Y/N)."

"Miguel,"

You stood up, staring at the towering man before you. That name sounded familiar, but you were so focused on your goof up to remember. Everyone was probably staring at you, laughing and knowing that you were probably going to flunk the interview now.

"Come, I'll take you to the floor you're going to be at. There are drinks in the lobby once you arrive. Help yourself."

"Ah, thank you."

You were just lucky to have bumped into someone as nice as Miguel. If it were anyone else, they would have probably made you feel worse than you already do now.

---------

Miguel stayed quiet as he led you to the elevator. He won't lie that it was slightly amusing to find someone who didn't immediately recognized him. That and quite refreshing. Miguel wondered what you would think if you found out that he was the CEO.

Glancing ever so slightly in your direction, Miguel couldn't help but smile. It was like you were in your own little world. You were fumbling with your fingers while you had a slight look of panic on your face. Honestly, that was how people should look for an interview.

Alchemax was not a place to enter with confidence.

"What position are you applying for?" Miguel asked, wanting to ease your nerves.

"Oh!" You gasped lowly, "Marketing."

"Hm. How good are you with planning and scheduling?" He asked casually. Your shoulders raised slightly,

"I, um, I like to...It's easier for me when I have everything in an itinerary. Makes for unnecessary distractions and delays. I find myself at ease with a schedule," You admitted with such a carefree smile.

"And organization?"

"If I'm not overwhelmed I'm great with organizing things." You chirped, "Oh, um, will I get a lot of people talking and asking me questions if I do get hired here? I...I'm just a little shy and if I get overwhelmed I do tend to be clumsy."

Miguel resisted a chuckle, finding you quite entertaining. After another second of silence, Miguel watched as you gasped and covered your face with your folder.

How cute.

---------

How embarrassing!

Just because he was a handsome face and kind to you, doesn't mean you could get comfortable! It took you hours to practice talking to yourself in the mirror to prepare for an interview and now you were blabbing away nonsense to a stranger!

Feeling the elevator come to a stop. You gasped lowly, admiring the lobby before you.

"Here is your stop." Miguel spoke.

"Thank you," You bowed your head slightly, still embarrassed from rambling off.

As you stepped off the elevator, you gulped. Nerves started to kick in as you took your first step to a better future.

"Oh, and (Y/N)," Miguel called out, causing you to turn, "Best of luck."

"T-Thank you!"

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Next Chapter

@timidquindim @decentsoupperson

[invincibledc]

What if the superson trio swapped bodys like superman, batman and stargirl did in justice league action?

“Swapped bodies”

Summary: swapping bodies was the worst thing ever to happen to the future trinity of heroes.

Pair: Superson trio

“Ugh! Catch him Robin!” Wonderboy yells, flying with superboy who trying to reach Mr Mxyzptlk who keeps swerving in the air. Robin clicks his tongue in distaste at the impatient Amazon. “What do you think I’m doing you brute.” Robin sasses as he keeps his eyes on the imp. He was on a roof, readying his grapple before Y/N spotted him. Y/N picked Robin up who “tt” at the male. Mr Mxyzptlk sticks his tongue out at the ten year olds. Superboy frowns, “Hey. That’s not nice dude.” Mr Mxyzptlk smirks. “If you think that’s not nice, then get a load of this!”

The imp randomly has a bender in front of the children, the flying boys stop. You still held Robin in your arms who was ready to aim his grapple right there. But sadly the imp had already put his action into phase as the souls of you and the supersons got sucked in the blender. Mr Mxyzptlk laughed his head off, seeing the ten year old boys scream and get their souls swapped. As the imp poofs away, laughing. The souls enter their not rightful place.

Y/N opened his eyes to see he was still flying, but turned his head to see that his body was holding Damian. Or was it Damian? “What the?!” Jon yells looking at the Amazon male. They had swapped bodies. And Damian doesn’t know how to fly, making him fall with a yell with Jon still in his arms. “Damnit!” Y/N yells, he immediately swooped down and held the two boys by their waist. “I hate this.” “Me too Prince.”

At the bat cave, Y/N were in Jon’s body, Jon was in Damian’s body, and Damian was in his body. Y/N immediately grabbed onto his body. Shaking the boy, “get out of my body Damian!” Y/N yelled. He was angry, confused, and annoyed. His eyes turned red, indicating heat vision that’s about to burst. Damian quickly pushed your head aside, the laser shooting off and damaging something. Jon awkwardly stood there, he felt happy he couldn’t hear things far away or even see through things accidentally. But still, he couldn’t do anything at the moment as the two super strong boys argue.

“If you were a little bit more patient, we would’ve succeeded in this mission!” Damian yells in Y/N’s body. Y/N gritted his teeth, pushing Damian from him. “Right, but you took your sweet time didn’t you Damian!” Y/N yells. Damian flew across the cave, before immediately tackling Y/N. Jon’s eyes widen, he tried to move towards the two angry boys. But with how they both were pulling hair and using their excessive strength. Jon said “nope, fuck this” and went to find the adults.

As y/n and Damian were tumbling around and wrestling. Jon came back with Batman and Superman. “Holy!—” Clark immediately tears the boys apart from each other. Y/N was still feral along with Damian. Trying to claw at each other. “Boys!” Superman yells out. The two stopped, looking at the kryptonian. “What is going on?” Jon, aka who’s in Damian’s body start to explain the situation that had happened.

“We sneaked out to do our own mission for this patrol but we caught this weird little goblin looking dude, can I say he was rude because he stuck his tongue at me and—”

“JON! Get on with it man!” Y/N yelled out impatiently.

“Oh right! Okay but like then he popped this blender out and switched our souls so now I’m in Damian’s body, damian’s is in Y/N’s body and Y/N is in mine and they started to fight so I got you guys here to se if yall can fix this.” Jon says, finishing in one blow. Clark and Bruce looked at each other and sigh.

What will they do with these three.

Time passed with the trio as Bruce went to contact someone. Firestorm soon walked in, smiling as he held Mr Mxyzptlk like a stray cat. The imp was nervously chuckling. “Ah Pooh, guess my fun is over.” Batman leaned his face at the imp. “Fix them.” Batman points to Jon who stands there with Superman holding two angry boys. Glaring at the imp, eyes filled with rage and distaste. Firestorm smirked, “or else professor would like a little talk with you.” Mr Mxyzptlk shudders again the thought of the professor in his head. “Fine! Here kids.”

“Kltpzyxm” the imp poofs away, not wanting to deal with the professor like last time. The souls of the boys went back to place. Jon smiled seeing his hands, Damian scoffed meanwhile Y/N rolled his eyes but smiled. “Awesome, we’re back to our bodies. You can put me down man.” Clark frowned. “Can’t do that sport.” The boys raised a brow as Jon looked at his father. Batman walked up to the trio. “You snuck out to do your own mission. You failed and got yourself in trouble. You are all grounded,” Brufe then points to the Amazon boy. “And I’ll be contacting your mother Y/N.” Y/N’s eyes widened, Jon frowns. And Damian scoffs.

“AH WHAT?!”

[gay-dorito-dust]

could you do a lil drabble for each of the batboys with a ghost!reader who haunts the mansion? like the ghost is super nice and chill, and they help out in minor ways (help finding small items, cleaning up places, fixing someone’s clothes).

All the boys at some point knew the mansion was haunted, but not by the ghosts of Thomas and Martha Wayne, no but instead of a different person entirely who had no ties what so ever to the manner but thankfully you’re rather helpful and chill in comparison to how movies tends to stereotype ghosts as…something you take full offence to…

Jason

Ironically he reacted the least to you when you showed up in front of him one day, his red helmet in hand.

‘You’ve got to stop dropping this dude, it can only take a couple more drops before you break the fucking thing completely.’ You tell him as you set the helmet aside on his bedside desk.

Jason only looks at you with intrigue. ‘How did you get in the manor?’ He asks. You crossed your arms over your chest. ‘I’m a ghost, there is no getting in when I’ve been here for a little over a couple months.’ You replied

‘How?’ He asks.

You shrugged. ‘Dunno, I died a few feet from this manor and yet I got stuck here regardless, it sounds like the start of a shitty horror movie.’ Jason chuckled as he sits back on his bed. ‘Yeah it really does but aren’t you ghosts meant to be, you know…vengeful towards the living?’ He teases and you shot him a look.

‘First of all those ghosts are old cunts who are have a thing for killing young people and kids for the sake of enforcing their hatred towards the newer generation. I on the other hand don’t fucking care because what purpose does it serve me to frighten people into paranoia? None and besides you lot are a messy bunch that don’t know the first thing of keeping your stuff in your own rooms, you and dick are the worst for that.’

Jason raised his hands in defence. ‘Guilty as charged but they always seem to come back to our rooms regardless, so I’m assuming that’s you?’

You hummed.

‘Why?’

You shrugged again. ‘I’m bored and got too much time stuck here doing fuck all. So now I clean up after you lot to pass the infinite time I’m now cursed with.’

‘Must suck.’ Jason said as he looked at you. ‘Being dead and I should know but unlike you I was brought back against my will.’ You waved a hand at him as you sat next to him. ‘It’s not all bad being dead but I think coming back to live is an even worse fate to have.’ You then look at him with concern for his wellbeing. ‘How do you do it?’

Jason stayed silent as his steely gaze locked onto the wall in front of him. ‘I’m still trying.’ Was all he said and you decided they your time here was over as you walked over to his doorway but looked back at Jason before leaving. ‘Talk to your brothers, before you regret not doing so later…I know I regret not saying anything to my family before…you know.’ You tell him with a weak smile.

Jason was left mulling over your words that night.

Dick

He fainted the moment you handed him his weapons to him. This wasn’t the first time he did it either.

You weren’t amused as you sighed. ‘Okay big guy, let’s get you back to bed.’ You settled aside his weapons on the kitchen counter where you found him, before focusing all your effort and energy into lifting him up and carrying him back to bed, tucked in tight like a baby that he was when it came to horror movies.

You often left dick’s stuff in places he frequently visited or in his room rather then stay long for him to see you, all in the hope of not having to hear him scream and potentially faint on the spot, for in all honestly after the first few times it was beyond ridiculous, and you couldn’t be bothered to make an attempt to ease his anxiety about you if he wasn’t even conscious for you to do so.

He was the one you interacted the least but would keep an eye on from afar like you did with the rest of the boys.

So when he finds himself in his bed, he’s confused, he thought he was in the training room before but then he remembered that his encounter with you sent him into unconsciousness. He wasn’t the biggest fan of horror movies and ever since his first one, his fears and worries towards ghosts has grown since his siblings love horror movie nights, much to his dismay.

There was a ghost in the manor…but you didn’t seem hostile or as angry and violent as the ones he saw in movies, if anything you were the exact opposite but still his worries that this was all just a ruse was enough to have him on edge whenever he heard a creak in the floorboards or shutting of a random door.

‘Christ you’re hopeless boy wonder.’ You say out of instinct and dick, who had gotten out of bed at this point and wandered down the hallway, straightened up and looked over at you with wide eyes.

‘You!’

‘Me!’ You replied sarcastically. ‘Now before you faint on me, your weapons are in the training area where you fainted before I had to drag your ass back to bed, if not ask Tim as I left him the responsibility to tell you where they are.’ You add and within a matter of minutes, dick fainted and you sighed once more as you were forced to carry the man back to bed, more then ready to do this all over again should he cross your path once more.

Tim

Didn’t fully encounter you until he was on a hunt to find his missing computer charger, growing ever more annoyed when he couldn’t find it, only to hear someone from his doorway say;

‘Looking for this?’

Tim looks up to find your translucent hand hold out his charger, it almost looked as though it was floating in midair in front of him as though it was the carrot on the stick and he was the donkey, destined to be lured by the illusion of one day eating the carrot only to always be mere inches away from that reality but never getting any closer then those mere inches.

‘What the-‘ he begins but you raised your other hand.

‘Don’t freak out dude, I’m just a ghost who’s trying to help you find a charger, no need to reach for the phone and get a fake medium, nor call that John Constantine dude Christ.’ You said as you threw his computer charger onto his bed. Tim was still very much in a state of surprise at how you could intersect with objects, for as he was aware ghosts had to be able to muster the anger to do so, but here you were doing what other ghosts couldn’t so effortlessly and easily as breathing.

‘Thanks?’ He then says and you shrugged your shoulders.

‘No problem, also when dick comes and ask you where his combat sticks are, they’re in the kitchen…where he left them the night before, I would do it but I’m pretty sure he fainted when I held them t to him.’ You told Tim but before he could say anything else, you disappeared through the wall across his room and it left him with a cold sensation travelling through his body upon witnessing it.

He’s now going to sleep with one eye open in the instance you came back to watch over him like a sleep paralysis demon. That and he found out your death with a quick search.

Damian

Didn’t believe in ghosts until he caught you sorting out his art supplies in a neat and orderly manner.

‘Hey!’ He’d bark.

‘At least arrange your paint brushes from thickest to thinnest,’ you groaned, ignoring his bark, ‘it’s a pain in the ass to keep cleaning after you and keep the art desk clean also.’

Damian faltered and his anger subsided to confusion. ‘You’re the one who’s been doing that?’ He asks. You looked at his as though he grew another head. ‘Duh, of course I do. Also don’t wear anything that can get into acrylic paint, it doesn’t come out, like at all that shit ruins any good shirt you have forever see!’ You then showed him your paint covered sleeves with a smile.

‘How did you get in here without setting off the alarms?’ Damian questioned and you then sighed as you balled up a fist and threw a punch that went straight through the set desk, you leave it there for Damian to realise what your situation was before pulling it out. ‘You’re a ghost.’

‘In the flesh! Well flesh for you not me as I’m dead and all-‘

‘Yes I get that but-‘

‘Damian.’ Dick’s voice could heard through the door as the pair of you froze. ‘Who are you talking to?’ Damian was about to answer but when he looked over at where you stood, you were gone as though you had never existed and slowly Damian closed his mouth. ‘No one.’ He replied as he looked over at his art desk to see that you had cleaned his paintbrushes, organised them from height order and even brought a fresh canvas out for him too.

Something told him that this won’t be the last time that he saw you.

Congratulations you’ve gained his interest.

[forestleavescat]

Moominvalley: Or Not at All

A long post about Moominvalley through the different seasons. Planning, potential, promises, and outcomes.

This won’t go super far into detail about season 4 but it will talk about a certain outcome as well as handling of characters and relationships. If you don’t want any spoilers or info on the fourth season steer clear

(I’m not the best with titles)

I watched season 4 of moominvalley last night and I was pretty dang disappointed in how certain things were handled. Don’t get me wrong. There was some nice stuff. But it still felt like it was largely missing what made me love the show so much from the start. As well as things I had been looking forward to from the books. Above all else, I feel like their handling of the fandom’s favorite pairing was bad. I can’t even begin to put into words how upset I am since gutsy and by extension moominvalley felt like a company that wouldn’t do this. I want to put my thoughts on paper so to speak. 

It’s insanely disappointing to know that this company has been queerbaiting since day one. This show is a huge comfort to me and it was nice to watch since it helped me feel more at ease with my own sexuality. But now that feeling has been largely reversed because I know that those moments were manufactured to sell the show only for them to drop them by the end. So let’s look at things

Queer coding has existed for a long time. It’s helped creators give hints and nods to a character’s identity or hints of a relationship when times and places don’t exactly allow for it. There are many stories that have queer coding and give this beautiful subtext that those in the community can enjoy. Even though it would remain ambiguous whether a character was gay or two men or women were dating, the coding allowed it to be suggested even when it wasn’t allowed given the time period. 

Queerbaiting is almost the opposite of this. Queerbaiting comes about more from existing in a time or place where it is accepted but instead of giving genuine representation, a person uses the desire to see that representation to sell a product. Moments between characters that are clearly more than friendship only to disappear - often replaced by a hetero pairing. (Tbf the character who was implied to have feelings for someone of the same gender would still be bi or pan but it stings when the idea of something between two people of the same gender was suggested but removed) Queerbaiting has been an extremely frustrating thing to experience in fandom spaces. Series like voltron, sherlock, supernatural, etc. You get invested in these characters. There’s a possibility and every moment that suggests it could be more gets you hooked. Similar to how miraculous viewers became invested in the romance that’s hinted since day one. If you put the time and effort into using that for a story and draw people in with it only to take it away it’s bordering false advertising. It sucks because you spent time caring about it and waiting to see how it would play out. 

I mean just look at this. The moominvalley team did this deliberately. I mean, they included that one scene in the teaser which made it seem like more snufmin. It felt like a taste of what the season would offer but in reality it was one of few crumbs. And I mean crumbs. Because compared to the other seasons there was hardly anything. Their moments didn’t have this underlying feeling that they usually did. Every other season felt like it had underlying feelings to be explored. But here it became hollow. And snufkin took a backseat to a lot of the action this season

 But they definitely knew that the fans were interested in this pairing. It’d be tough to get into the moomins without knowing about this part of the story and community. And they acknowledged this idea of moomin and snufkin multiple times in interviews and qnas. 

And voice actors aren’t the ones who decide but there were more than just vas discussing this.

This series started off with their relationship. Episode one ended with the first mention of snufkin who’d be returning to the valley in the very next episode. That entire second episode gave a clear look into how their relationship would develop throughout the series. Moomin waiting for snufkin longingly while snufkin took his time until showing up felt right all while missing moomintroll. This episode has a sort of sense that there could be something more to them. Especially seeing as moomin is more focused on snufkin than snorkmaiden, his love interest. The following episode gives us this:

And while moomin wants the dragon to be his loyal pet, we know that “And just promise me this, that you'll give me all your kisses Every winter, every summer, every fall”

is referring to somebody other than that. This leaned much heavier into the potential for something beyond friendship between them.

There are the usual moments that could go either way, with focus between them and close contact.

This is more similar to other adaptations where they have a clear, close relationship. But in most of those you could come to love the pairing but you generally know they won’t do something unambiguous. Just the occasional scene that could be read as potentially romantic.

Moominvalley doesn’t strictly stick to this though. It feels similar to the original works where there is something ambiguously there. Then it further implies that there will be something important between them storywise. You get Tooticky saying that there are other lost souls waiting to be heard before the camera cuts to Snufkin leaving the valley alone.

And this didn’t really get fulfilled in any real way. Yet it implies that the future of the series will go in a direction where moomin is the one to help snufkin in some way. That part isn’t even romantic, but it goes to show that they stopped focusing on this important connection between them.

Their relationship in season 2 continues very beautifully. Moomin immediately wants to go make sure snufkin is okay when the volcano’s gonna erupt. There’s an entire conversation that highlights their difference of perspective with loving vs possessing in regards to the ruby and the hobgoblin. Something that is linked to their relationship and things they need to figure out. Then when they have to leave the valley, moomin wonders if he’ll ever see snufkin again. On top of that, he and snorkmaiden have their break up.

Which I want to talk about their relationship a bit. A majority of the episodes that feature them as leads do it with a wedge between them. Their relationships is honestly not great going both ways. They clash and are generally unhappy. And usually moomin has to apologize for something that doesn’t exactly feel is entirely on him. Little My I get. I mean he didn’t think the note would get to mymble but this was still a genuine mess up on his part. But he ended up on a rock in the middle of the sea over the ghost episode. And snorkmaiden spends much of their time making a home together getting angry because he misses his family and hasn’t come to terms with saying goodbye to them. There are times they’re together where he’s selfish and she’s just angry at him. They don’t feel like a happy couple to cheer for. Back in 90s moomins I actually did like them. They were cute. I was a bit divided between that and snufmin because there were these moments that really did count for a lot and had such a wholesome feeling. But moominvalley honestly made me cheer for a break up. Meanwhile, he and snufkin have this relationship that they’re navigating in moominvalley. They don’t argue much even when they have different perspectives. Moomin admires snufkin and in some ways tries to emulate him. But all while still being his own moomin and figuring himself out.

The two are still given parallels in little moments such as zooming in when they take each other’s hands.

So back to season 2 and how it handled snufmin. When moomin leaves the valley we see snufkin dealing with that absence for a change. He begins to understand how moomin feels when he’s gone. While he’s at the moomin house he seems pretty in his element for the most part. He seems happy to play along and give toffle an idea of what the moomin family was like. But in that there are scenes where he’s looking for a note. We see bits of how much he misses moomin and wants to know where his friend has gone and when he’ll be back. This is the beginning of a shift in their relationship. Because snufkin gets to feel what moomin feels like. And when he hears that the moomins are coming his face lights up the way moomintroll’s would.

They’re often portrayed in a way that shows that they’re the most important person to the other. There’s this sort of soft undertone that seems to suggest feelings. And all while their relationships grows and changes and they become all the better for it.

Also there’s this

Season 3!

Season 3 felt like there was a change in direction. I feel at this point that there was deliberate queerbaiting but I also know that there was a shift somewhere around season 3. We got the music cut. The voice actor for moomin changed. There were some adjustments with the writing team. But they still deliberately put in scenes with this duo. And with romantic framing. I could be convinced that season 1 and 2 were made with the idea of them as endgame in some capacity. That the queerbaiting wasn’t from day 1 and that it began here. There were really great moments with them. But it feels like they shoehorn snorkmaiden in as a romantic interest again. A lot of episodes with her here don’t exactly make it explicit but there are some that nail it in. They reunite and it almost feels like they’re back together again without a full conversation. Especially with the final episode. I feel like the narrative would’ve been richer if they hadn’t done that considering the way they’ve been building snufmin up.

But I’ll focus on moomin and snufkin for now. When snufkin sees moomin again moomin goes for the greeting he’s been used to but snufkin gives him a hug. That description alone won’t do it justice though. The music rises as it zooms in on their eyes as they make their way to each other. When snufkin hugs moomin you can see the joy from both of them. It shows how their greetings and by extension their relationship has evolved over the seasons.

And then it cuts to snorkmaiden.

This becomes a notable pattern in season 3. It’ll give a really meaningful scene that pushes snufkin and moomin in a more romantic light only to undercut it by reminding you that snorkmaiden is here. It’s at this point where it feels like they know a ton of fans are here for snufmin. They include the pairing. But they also seem to be reminding us that snorkmaiden is here to stay and in a more romantic way. But there’s still this hope, especially if you recall everything from seasons 1 and 2 and the way that they felt. Especially if you rewatch them right before watching season 3. And the show very clearly uses that and makes it feel like there’s a chance. Makes the viewers hope and stick around to find out.

So let’s go through season 2. Moomin and snufkin make some progress on their relationship. They’ve switched positions now and have more of an idea of how the other feels when one of them leaves. And from there they communicate that. Especially moomin. This is shown to a degree in the episode with the fairgrounds. Again in lonely mountain. There are also little nods here and there about their relationship. But again. Lonely mountain is the big one. It starts with little my getting on moomin’s case for worrying over his ‘precious snufkin’

As usual moominmama also seems to act like she knows there’s something more to his relationship with snufkin. Papa remains oblivious though. There’s a parallel between the parents and snufmin too. But the most well known part is this

look. there’s nothing remotely platonic about this. This is one of those things that someone straight and homophobic could detect. The point where they’d stop arguing ‘they’re just friends’ because there’s no way that’s all. I mean just listen to moomin’s “yes” when snufkin goes to add something. There’s so much hope and feeling in that word that I would love to get my hands on the script to find the voice direction for that. I mean come on

And better yet it ends with an interruption so we know they’ll have a whole heart to heart later. A conversation where they lay out their feelings. The feelings that were clearly present here.

Except they don’t

Anyway the season goes on. Moomin, snufkin, and obligatory third wheel sniff go on a journey to take the sun back after it was stolen. They get it back and the season ends with a beautifully queer scene that promises more to come from these two.

Except that a few minutes prior snorkmaiden calls moomin her soulmate and they have their usual thing. And even after snorkmyden really did get some good content this season.

Look, I know that snorkmyden was probably not on their minds throughout production. There’s a difference between the way they handle snufmin and the way they handle snorkmyden. Both duos get great development in their relationships but while there are a ton of cute moments between snorkmaiden and little my, it never feels like there’s a focus on making that endgame. It feels more like snufmin did in some of the other adaptations - something with cute moments and a genuine bond that could be seen as romantic but it’s highly unlikely it won’t be. I want to say this since this series didn’t feel that way for snufmin. It felt like the first chance of it working out fully. I put a lot of scenes in here showing it but the first two season really show it in a way clips and gifs can’t. There’s just so much there and it’s beautiful and sweet. It feels hopeful for them.

Until season 4. Season 4 feels like the team shrugged off all of it. They step even further away. It’s like season 3 but without any of the scenes between them. Suddenly, you’re looking at scenes between them where they talk and have physical contact but the deeper feelings are completely gone. It’s like the anime. Where you can smile about it and think ‘aw them’ but you know it won’t happen. They heavily lean to snorkmaiden and moomin instead. This is the final season. They know people will watch to see if moomin and snufkin go anywhere romantically. And even if people don’t finish it, they’ve got people paying for memberships just to see if it happens. So it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t happen. Because they’ve secured the views and the money.

I do want to say that when I refer to it as becoming canon I don’t know if they’d call each other boyfriends or even kiss. But I would expect them to acknowledge it as there being something more. Like the series ending with them having a discussion about how much they mean to each other. Something that shows they’ll go into the future and continue to get close. Physical closeness like a hug or one putting his hand on the others or even just leaning against each other. Whatever it would be I’d expect more than this. Because they very clearly built these two to be inseparable in that one required the other to undergo their full arc. The show starts with a promise that their relationship will be close to the story. But then season 4 hardly shows snufkin at all

This is what queerbaiting is. And I never expected it to happen with this series. Not after the team talked about it with care. It’s such a gut punch after waiting for five years to see how it’d turn out. I don’t know if they always intended it to be a way to bring in customers. Maybe it was initially going to work out but they changed it between season 2 and 3. I don’t know. But this. This really is queerbaiting. We live in a time where gay relationships are more accepted. They show up in the media more. We’re finally at a time where this relationship could be made more explicit instead of having this ambiguously romantic subtext. And if someone made a new adaptation of moomins and didn’t do that, that would be perfectly and completely fair and okay. If they didn’t consistently imply that there could and even would be something more. But here they used a very old and well loved pairing to gather fans and make money only to never have it come to fruition. Season 4 of moominvalley felt like companies on july 1st. I literally can’t think of a better comparison for how it feels. The first video starts with the quote “The Spring Tune is where we say that this series is going to be different. That you’re going to have to wait and give it time and just be patient. And wait for the story to unfold.”

And so many people did. But then it turned out like this. And I don’t know if that was always the intention. Because it feels like that interview was suggesting that it would go in that direction. But heck. The whole series up until season 3 felt like it would go in that direction. And then it didn’t.

Gay representation is something that has a huge positive impact on the lgbtq community. Even more so on the world overall since it allows people to see these relationships and shows that it’s okay for people to be gay. And it would be even nicer for a series that started off with that subtext got the full representation now that we’re in more accepting times. And it felt like it would be even more meaningful with recent treatment of gay stories.

Our flag means death was cancelled, shadow and bone, the owl house had its final season drastically shortened, good omens is only getting a single episode for their finale

Many are just getting dropped and in a time where this community needs them more than ever. These are shows that make people feel seen. Shows that bring a feeling of joy and comfort and acceptance. And it’s even worse to see that there’s still queerbaiting now. This could’ve had such a beautiful ending and likely would’ve been loved for many years to come if they committed to what they’d built up all this time. How could someone take a series created by a woman who not only added subtext in her original stories but was bi, and use it to build up a romantic story just to bring in money and then toss all that development away. I don’t know what else to say other than this is queerbaiting. And the gay community deserves better. I really did believe that moominvalley would do better by us.

[thewritetofreespeech]

Can I request an hold me back scenario with gojo, where someone is like being cruel to reader and gojo has to protect his soft girlfriend? Pretty please

Gojo sighed, long and loud, as he leaned back on the bench with his legs stretched out in front of him. “This is boooorring…..”

Gojo hated these co-academy events. ‘Goodwill Event’ his eye. There was no goodwill between any of them. Kyoto sucked, and was just a bunch of puffed shirts, and he couldn’t understand why they came all this way just to get their asses kicked.

Still, it was a nice break outside of classes.

“They’re gonna start soon.” Geto told him. Handing his best friend a melon soda, as sugar usually helped calm him down. “Would it kill you to be patient?”

“It might.” Gojo quipped back before sipping his soda. “You’re not a doctor.”

“No. I’m not. Speaking of, where’s Ieiri and [Y/N]?”

“They went to the bathroom I think?” Gojo replied. “Or something girl related like that.”

The Tokyo team this year was just the 4 of them. Which honestly meant it was just going to be the 2 of them. Gojo loved Ieiri and [Y/N] but their combat skills were no where near what his and Geto’s were. They were better at ‘behind the scenes’ stuff. Healing, cloaking, super sneaky stuff that was really of use to him because he always just smashed in since he was the strongest.

Still, he wasn’t worried about them against the curses they caught for the game. Nor anyone on the Kyoto team for that matter.

“Oh. There they are.” Geto commented dully as he saw girls faces come up over the hill. They had iced drinks. So they must have left and come back before the start of the ceremonies.

Just as they crested the stairs, however, a male blocked their path and started talking to them. Gojo didn’t recognize him. But based on his dumb, old-timey outfit he was wearing he figured he had to be from the Kyoto team.

The conversation goes on for a little while longer, before the man pushes into [Y/N]’s shoulders with two fingers. “Oy!” Gojo snapped. Jumping to his feet. Who the hell did they think they were touching [Y/N] like that?? They did it again and Gojo took a step forward before Geto caught him. “Let me go! You think I’m gonna let some goon touch [Y/N] like that!”

“If you kill him now, we’ll get disqualified.” Geto told him. Face pressed against his ear as he held him in a near choke hold.

“Like I care about that!”

The boys struggle for a moment longer. Gojo trying to break free and Geto desperately trying to hold him back from doing something stupid (like always), until they both stopped as the man suddenly fell to his knees with a groan of pain and the girls walked over to them. “What are you guys doing?”

“Trying to save Satoru from getting expelled.”

“What did that guy say to you?!” The boys reply over top of one another.

“I don’t know. Show of dominance I guess? I wasn’t really paying attention until he poked me. Which was just rude. I told him not to do it again and he did, then asked ‘what are you gonna do about it, so I kicked him in the balls.” [Y/N] took a sip of her drink before she added. “You really shouldn’t ‘assert dominance’ with your legs open like that.”

The boys flinch in sympathetic pain, then look over to the guy still on the ground, before they both laugh. “Well, I guess the Kyoto team is gonna be a man down, eh?”

“Let’s get going before we miss the opening ceremonies. Or he rallies and starts to pick a fight.”

“Trust me. No one is gonna ‘rally’ after a full kick from [Y/N].” Gojo replied. Before he linked hands with her and the 4 of them ran away.

Maybe it wasn’t going to be such a boring day after all.

[ladycauthon]

Okay so I know Siuan's death is overshadowing a lot of conversation about the finale (and perhaps rightly so?) But I want to share what I think the three biggest failings of the finale were for me:

1. The Tanchico crew - so they basically found one of the bracelets and the collar for Liandrin, and then left Tanchico immediately after? Nynaeve's block breaking was underwhelming, mostly because I don't care for her Accepted test fake daughter stuff, but also because she breaks it and then just leaves? Doesn't go after Liandrin to take the collar back? No fight with Moghedien? I am incredibly disappointed.

While I enjoyed getting the Finns for Mat, we don't get anything more, and Min saving him so quickly kind of ruins the tension of the moment for me. I wish we'd seen Chesmal try to channel at Mat and the medallion stop it, and that potentially be the cliffhanger for Mat. I don't know what they're doing with the memories so I won't comment on it.

Elayne and Thom's scene was nice, I like how he pointed out Gaebril was clearly a Forskaen, especially after learning how Nynaeve and Elayne just had their memories worked over by Moghedien in ep 6. Balefire looked a little goofy to me, but eh whatever.

2. Alcair Dal - this confrontation sucked. I really needed it to get more intense between Rand and Couladin. When Rand starts talking about how the Aiel followed the Way of the Leaf, I wanted Couladin screaming and calling Rand a liar. I wanted the Aiel reaction to be more than just splitting down the middle like that. The scene in the book reads so much more frightful and high stakes that this felt incredibly weak in comparison.

Also I wanted the clan chiefs to accept Rand as the Car'a'carn for him knowing the truth of Rhuidean. The show made it look like they accepted him for making it rain? And Couladin already disappeared before the chiefs proclaim Rand. Why do that? I just think, overall, the scene was rushed and underplayed, and somewhat overshadowed by the Moiraine and Lanfear fight.

3. The Moiraine/Lanfear fight - I don't get this fight. I'm not someone who thinks the show shouldn't change things from the books or whatever, but this change sucked. Obviously they can't do the exact scene from the book when Lanfear appears screaming about Rand's lovers or whatever, but the fact they set a trap for Lanfear kinda bugs me. Especially when it seems awfully contrived. They set up that Lanfear wants the sakarnen but then when she initially fells Moiraine she doesn't just take it? To me, this scene seems like it's trying to replace the Rand/Asmodean fight scene from book 4, but that one makes more sense because neither has a sa'angreal and are somewhat evenly matched in the power at this point, so their vying for the sa'angreal is more tense. Whoever gets it will win the fight. In Moiraine's fight, she already has the sa'angreal and should, quite frankly, win easily. Tbh, I don't think Lanfear should even be fighting her. Why would she openly confront someone with that sa'angreal?

Also, I really hate how they implement Warders in fights with channelers. The show makes every channeler seem super incompetent. Both the Black Ajah and the Forsaken should just be offing the Warders immediately and with no thought, like Tsutama did in ep 1 of this season btw, but they just shield every time. Lanfear should have killed Lan swiftly, and then in Moiraine's Warder death induced anguish, taken the sa'angreal and then the Light has lost pretty much.

Also while we're at it, Moiraine should have died. They were clearly setting up for her to die all season and I knew they wouldn't actually do it, but I'm still annoyed. What is she going to do from now on (if the show is renewed)? Take on Cadsuane's role? I sincerely hope not, and I don't think it would work. Siuan's role? Why not just keep Siuan alive then if that's the case? Something else? Well, maybe, but I didn't like the story they made up for her in season 2 and so I don't trust the writers to do a good job of something else, and it would also mean a lot more time taken away from the other characters who are still severely lacking in screen time and purpose at this point, so I hope not.

Anyway, that being said, it was still the best finale so far. Low bar though, and s1 and s2 finales were objectively bad. I still think episode 6 was by far the best episode of this season, with episode 4 a happy second. Probably overall a 7/10 season for me as I still feel the pacing is pretty bad and Perrin's storyline was pretty butchered imo which is a shame.

[hellonerf]

through it all caname having the same face is pretty crucial to it all. because i'm crazy

under the cut because i'm a little crazy and i don't want to deal with people going why are you so crazy. i was just thinking about how they behave to each other and concern and selfishness. i think i portray them a certain way because i rarely think when i draw but anyways. they still project onto each other to insane degrees and them having the same face doesn't help it at all. in their worst moments they'll see the other as more of a "___ version" of them. it really is like that image with the model of someones model in someones head What okay

i actually think cana is guilty of this a lot but i'm gonna be honest i think about canada's stream of thought more these days because ame is too much of a coping freak to me sometimes. i think he displays a lot of concern and worry for ame but it's not entirely selfless. i don't think he's that selfless. like i think if ame met someone and for whatever reason that other person made ame improve himself and actually be better cana would feel pretty empty about that. well ok i just think they're crazy with each other. it's not even really that he wants to be responsible for him it's just if he, as he is, as his relationship with ame is, turned out to be completely unremarkable to ame he'd like shoot himself or something. no that was a joke i bring up suicide too fast Sorry. sometimes i think his anger with ame is more about himself. not to say he has no reason to want to beat his shit in but more that he himself is also an enabler and not an innocent person it feels reflected back to him 😇 and he crazy hates himself. cana living in his own head and mumbling all his frustrations about himself and other people only to himself is the kind of cause for a tunnel vision self centeredness. when he gets aware of this he starts slamming his head in the wall. it's kind of a feedback loop with being reclusive...

i'm too assed to string into words what i think their deal with what they desire from one another is. i actually think they want similar things but if not a lack of communication then the way they'd want it is too different from each other to work. caname can never work guys it's so over. i have to yandere kill everyone else on their behalf to force them together it's so over. like i think cana thinks ame is a psycho unreliable arrogant asshole and ame thinks cana is a stupid lying coward bitch with no spine but they're also bffs and also the same person(wrong)(this is why everything is wrong) and they want the other to Understaaand them. in the true way. in the True way 🌤️ ame is like ohhh i'm eternally alone ohhhhh this fucking sucks and this spineless fag i call my brother is my last hope 😭😭😭(exaggeration) and he still doesn't know anything. ohhh you don't know anything about about This worlddd this world we're in....(attempts suicide for the 1000th time) and cana is like all my relationships are pointless and nobody likes each other including me. and there's my brother who doesn't care about anything but himself and mindlessly causes harm to everything. what do i even do😭😭😭 i'm tired. i think at random cana will be like No OMG this is horrible i can make this not horrible(yes?maybe?) which is like the context for that drawing where he hugs ame and doesn't let go when he yells and pushes him i think. you genuinely have to rip their skins off to get them anywhere. wow. KILL YOURSELF CANAME 😭😭😭😭😭

they're too cringe aware that's why they will never even kiss. that won't stop me from drawing them kissing and getting married because i don't care i like to play with dolls. caname is good. caname is a net positive. caname is actually so sweet and encouraging and super nice to each other and i'm a maniac

[swiss-mrs]

EDDIE MUNSON X SINCLAIR!READER

just me rambling on again about how Eddie loves a black woman from infinity to infinityyyy

there's a 'face claim' under the cut because i said so. you've been warned

okay, listen here.

Ever since your family moved to Hawkins, life has been... different

You just turned 13 when your family uprooted to the small town in Indiana. Lucas was 10, and Erica was only 6.

It was a bit easier for your younger siblings to adjust, but you had to start fresh during your last year of middle school, going into high school. That sucked like a bitch.

Transitioning from a larger city with a decent mix of races to a predominantly white town was about as smooth as it sounded, not at all.

Though racism was not terrible, there were plenty of backhanded compliments, passive aggressiveness, and snarky comments.

You were always so "well-spoken", "well-mannered", "presentable".

You didn't "sound black".

You didn't "act black".

You were "pretty for a black girl."

Whatever the fuck that means.

You knew that begging your parents to move elsewhere was not an option, waste of time, so you always knew that the moment you had the chance, you weren't gonna stick around for too long.

Going into high school at the end of '82, just shy of a year after moving into Hawkins, was how yours and Eddie's paths crossed, just barely.

Since you could practically count on one hand how many black families were in Hawkins's population, not knowing one another by name was near impossible.

You know Jeff by proxy.

Your parents knew each other, and you were the same age, so of course you knew each other.

You wouldn't call him a friend per se, but you were friendly enough to exchange quick greetings in passing.

Jeff was with three older kids when you passed him in the hall.

A chubby, curly haired, white boy, a pale brunette girl, and a slim, lanky kid who looked like he was trying to grow out a bad haircut, all of which were decked out in jean and leather.

The polite smile and wave he gave made the lanky boy to turn and see who Jeff was waving at.

As soon as you caught each other's eyes, his curious expression turned into a lovestruck one.

You didn't pay much attention to it, though.

"Who is that?"

"Oh, no one. She's just the daughter of some friends of my parents."

Since you were in separate grades, you didn't regularly cross paths with any of the people you saw with Jeff often, but you did end up having an elective class with the brunette girl.

It was a couple of weeks in when you were partnered up with her for a project.

"Veronica is my government name. Call me Ronnie."

During lunch, Ronnie mentioned to Jeff how adorable you were.

"You got to meet her?!"

Ronnie would then go on about how you were so nice and polite, but you were also extremely smart and sassy.

She got to witness your wit first hand when you made a sneaky comeback at someone who gave one of those stupid 'for a black girl' comments.

"I think Eddie is going to blow a fuse."

"You got to meet HER?!"

The boy was starstruck every time you would unknowingly pass him in the hall or when he saw you from across the cafeteria.

"Would you just go up and talk to her, numbnuts?" Ronnie would say as she smacked the back of his head when she caught him staring a bit too hard.

"I can't just 'go up' to her!"

"The fuck not?"

He'd reply with silence, not really knowing what answer to give.

You were too good for him? He'd have no chance? You'd dismiss him? Reject him? What would he even say?

"I wouldn't know what to say..."

"Maybe try, 'Hello'."

He spent the next four years pining over you from a distance.

Now, in your senior year, you were more excited than anything to get out of this shit hole.

The cute super super senior with the loud mouth, long hair, and less than stellar reputation had always caught your eye, but you both still had yet to actually say anything to each other. Paths never crossing further than beyond the hallway.

You never bothered to make a move on him.

You were convinced that you weren't his type, or anyone's type for that matter, especially not here.

But you're both seniors now.

Much to Eddie's surprise and delight, you now had classes together.

He never once liked being in high school for longer than necessary, but here he was, oddly thankful for being held back.

Your schedules are almost completely aligned, save for the fact that you had a couple honors classes.

For the first few days of your senior year, Eddie was a ball of anxiety every time you were around.

He sat either behind or beside you in the back of all your shared classes.

It wasn't until one fateful Tuesday, in the second week of that school year, that your pen ran out of ink, and you finally said your first words to him.

"Hey, do you have a pen I can barrow?"

You were turned around in your seat to look at him behind you. He was stuck for a few beats before he blinked away his shock.

"Uh, y-yeah. Here." He handed you the very pen he was using to doodle in his notebook instead of actually taking notes.

The small smile and the gentle brush of your fingers against his nearly made his heart stop on the spot.

He was absolutely gone.

It was in that moment that he realized he'd never properly heard your voice before.

He wanted to hear it again.

You even remembered/bothered to give him his pen back at the end of that class.

He spent every single one of his classes for the remainder of that day coming up with a full ass tactical plan to approach you.

Every day that passed, he for some fucking reason just couldn't find the right moment to put his plan in action.

It wasn't until a few weeks later when you threw his plan through a loop.

You showed up to a Hellfire meet just as they were all leaving out the drama room.

He heard your voice coming from outside once some of the freshman members walked out the door.

"Hey, Baby Bro! How'd it go? Have fun?"

Eddie eyes widened, and he stilled for a second before he dropped what he was doing to rush out the door.

He tried to play off his stumbling by leaning against the wall right outside the door.

"Oh, Hey! You're in this club too?"

"This is Eddie. He leads the club." Your little brother's curly haired friend, Dustin, clarified immediately.

Before Eddie could give Dustin a look to 'shut the fuck up before he ruined his shot', you raised your brows with somewhat of an impressed look on your face.

"Oh, so you're Eddie."

The way his name rolls off your tongue makes him want to melt into the floor.

All the false confidence he once had completely depleted, and he was back at a loss for words. Thank God you didn't leave room for him to make a fool of himself.

"The boys talk so highly of you. Thank you for looking after them for a couple hours after school. See you tomorrow!"

He watched, awestruck, as you walked away with your brother and his friends.

"Y-Yeah, no problem!" He'd finally yell after you a you made it to the exit doors.

You turned to wave bye before fully exiting the building to the mostly vacant parking lot.

Eddie waved back weakly.

"See you tomorrow." He says to himself in the empty hallway, still waving even after you couldn't see him anymore.

A cheesy grin would grow on his face as he went back into the drama room to collect his DM stuff.

"Holy shit. You actually exchanged words!" Jeff would say.

"~See you tomorrow~" Gareth mocks, clasping his hands together, resting them on his cheek and batting his eyelashes.

Eddie glares at the younger drummer. "Shut up, asshole."

Early October is when he finally leaned forward to ask you a question.

"Hey, I don't really understand what's going on. Could you help me?"

There it was.

You accepted, falling right into his hands.

His plan was now officially in motion.

You were smart and nice. Of course, you would help tutor him.

Eddie knew that would work.

You were well aware of his academic status, or rather lack thereof.

You couldn't help but let that little 'I can fix him' part of your teenage brain take over.

You really wanted to help him pass and graduate, ESPECIALLY since he reached out to you for help.

You couldn't say no. wtf

You two had spent all of October studying together.

Even though he was distracted by you most of the time and always going off topic to get to know you, he actually was kind of learning something.

A win-win for him.

"Hey, so, uh, you know, Halloween is right around the corner, and, uh, there's a special rescreening of 'Alien' this weekend. Would you, uh, you know, if you're into it, would you like to go see- watch it, like, with me, I mean?"

The question came at the end of your recent study/tutoring session.

Over the last few weeks, you had shown nothing but kindness towards Eddie. You two even had conversations with one another out in the open, outside of the safe privacy of the library.

He finally had the courage to ask you out.

You hesitated.

"Oh, uh..."

Your apprehension was not for the reason he was thinking, but it was enough for his mind to start caving in on itself.

"I mean, I just want to show you my appreciation, you know, for all your help. There's no- no pressure at all. I get it if you don't wanna be seen with me too much. I won't blame you."

His response takes you aback.

"Hold on. That's not what I was trying to get across at all."

Your firm tone made his chest tighten with anxiety. If that wasn't it, what was it? Did you have plans already? Maybe with a boyfriend? Shit, why didn't Eddie make sure to get your current relationship status out of you before asking.

"It's just that, uh, I'm kind of a... wuss... with scary movies. The sci-fi part of it seems intriguing enough, but I heard that it was pretty scary... The Boys snuck the VHS during one of their movie nights a couple years ago. I just remember Lucas being on edge for weeks after watching it." You chuckled nervously.

Eddie chuckles, relieved by your answer.

"Don't worry about it. I'll be there to protect you from all the monsters." The use of his DM voice at the end goes straight to the pit of your stomach like hot coals.

You hold back a girlish giggle, not wanting to show how much that effected you.

"Okay, fine, but if I fail our test due to a lack of sleep, I'm blaming you."

After you agree to go on a date with him, he fully unleashes his inner flirt.

His surprising change in attitude towards you makes butterflies erupt within you.

His overt flirting brings out your sassy side as you two go back and forth.

That movie-dinner date was the first of many.

Eddie wasn't huge on physical PDA.

He was always super respectful and reserved in public, but he almost always made a show of you.

"There she is! The most beautiful woman to ever exist!"

"Look at her. A goddess among us mortals!"

"Here she comes! Make way for the queen!"

You eventually got used to his over the top antics, going from telling his to "shut up" with a shy grin to just embracing your new 'royalty status' with your head held high and a bright smile.

You'd been dating for months.

Your tutoring actually helped raise Eddie's grades, especially after you told him how much you wanted him to graduate with you this year.

Come spring, Lucas is now unsuccessfully splitting his time between Hellfire and basketball.

When Dustin and Mike bring in the third Sinclair into the drama room, Eddie can't help but cave quickly once she shows off her dnd knowledge.

Erica definitely gets her sass from you, though she's a lot more blunt with it.

Eddie can't help but form a huge soft spot for her, even after the game is over.

While Erica, Dustin, and Mike were waiting in your car to leave, Eddie stopped you.

"So, you know, we've been dating for quite a while now-"

"Five months and counting." You beamed.

Eddie grinned happily. So, you were keeping count.

"Yeah, soon enough it'll be six, then seven, then ten, then 12, then-"

"OK, OK" you giggled. Eddie's smile only got bigger.

"So, I was wondering..." That shy boy who could barely ask you on a first date returns, bringing a soft grin to your face. "Do you... Would do... I... Will you be my... my girlfriend?"

"Of course." You smiled without missing a beat.

"Really?!"

As the news sunk deeper and deeper, it became harder and harder for him to physically contain his excitement.

He jumped up and down, grabbing you by the shoulders to pull you into a hug, bouncing up and down with you in his arms.

Your shared laughter filled the empty parking lot of Hawkins High.

From that moment on, the word 'girlfriend' was used in place of your own name for months.

"I'm convinced you've forgotten my name."

"I could never forget such a thing, girlfriend~"

He introduced you to metal music.

You introduced him to leave in conditioner.

You two were high school sweethearts, ones that would last forever.

🥹🥹🥹

[sombredancer]

Fu Ling and Chong Zhao: all in one. Part 1 of 2

The relationship of these two is fated, but a viewer understands it only when the drama is over: Chong Zhao was destined to meet Fu Ling, in one way or another, because she was his doom. There is an infinite amount of versions how this story could go if they met as enemies, but it goes another way: a righteous immortal Chong Zhao meets a vicious demoness Fu Ling in the moment she is severely wounded, and, not knowing she is his enemy, out of compassion, saves her (which is ironic).

Bridal carry [1], as an immortal. Being him an immortal, a demon or a deity, he carries her bridal-like, which is a beautiful parallel, joining all the versions of his identity together. Being treated nice for the first time in her demon career and feeling something familiar in Chong Zhao (of course there is something, but it's not what you think, darling 😭), she falls for him, in a very demonic, obsessive way.

She teases him as they meet on the battlefield, but saves him from attacks of her cruel and merciless master. Eventually, her master notices it and orders her to turn her love interest into a demon within a month, or he will be killed, because demon servants need to have only one attachment - their master (😏).

"Hello there! Still don't want to become a demon, huh?" In order to save him from death, she enthusiastically tries to seduce him into becoming a demon (and causally saves him a couple of times more). As a demoness herself, she thinks being alive is more important than staying righteous. Chong Zhao has another opinion on it (and stabs himself in order to destroy a demonic protective token she cast on him to save him once again), which gets a demoness frustrated.

"As far as I'm in hell, I want you to keep me company here".

And maybe Chong Zhao would prefer to die rather than to become a demon, but his treacherous shifu tells him to stay undercover in the demonic den, so Chong Zhao tries to pretend he agrees to stay in hell. But just saying "I agree" is not enough, so the demoness forces him to kill his fellow immortals, promising the others could be free if he kills one, but, of course, she has lied and later kills everyone else of the prisoners.

So she breaks him, and he becomes a demon himself (It's super cruel on her part, but demon's love is ugly and twisted, alas).

She cares for him, so treats him with (twisted) love, but he is not happy about it at first.

It's the most erotic scene in this drama (because goners can afford it). Yet the demoness still looks like someone who is ready to be bedded by a person she is in love with even if he doesn't care about her at all. It obviously pains her. But it is not what you think it is, she just sucks him (the poison) off (of his shoulder) (😏).

And he rejects he after sex. She takes responsibility for his failed mission and endures the punishment that should have been his, so it awakens a good guy (or Stockholm syndrome) inside of the broken demon-like former immortal, so he takes care of her in return.

Bridal carry [2], as a demon. And from now on they start mutually caring for each other.

The deity's huadian on his forehead is to no good... He says, he has taken this blow for her because he doesn't want to owe her, but it looks like there is something else underneath his wish to be even. And this time he deliberately allows her to treat his wounds, it's not as erotic as before, but more intimate.

"I didn't want to owe you". So, it could have been an interesting dynamics: Chong Zhao starts feeling something towards his capturer, who broke his will, forced him to lose his innocence (not in that way, alas), but genuinely cares about him. But the screen writer put the cheat-code out of their sleeve: the demoness Fu Ling turns out to be Chong Zhao's childhood friend Bai Xi, whose memories were erased by the evil demon master of hers, who abducted her 10 years ago. It makes Chong Zhao think that she is a victim of circumstances, just like him, and isn't guilty of any evil deeds she committed the previous 10 years (and she did a lot, her name is widely known in Jianghu, people recognize her as vicious demon general Fu Ling just by throwing a look on her spiritual weapon). OK, it could be his logics because of who he is (the devil god's shell), but the screen writers think it's OK, too, so... But let's return to our couple. Now, as Fu Ling regains her memories and remembers that she was in love with Chong Zhao even as they were children (they were destined to meet, remember?), they run away from the evil demon master and join The Team Main Heroes to have their little nice moments of being together (because why not, if the demoness is not a demoness anymore, right?) before the plot turns into Hell.

"As we were children, my sister and I often sat like this and looked at the stars". They look at the starry sky [1], Chong Zhao x Bai Xi version. Here is Part 2

[hannyoontify]

morning dew be damned - kim mingyu

member | mingyu x reader

genre | meet-cute, nonidol!au, strangers to lovers au, crack/humor?

word count | 1315 words

synopsis | why was morning dew romanticized in writings so much? all it did for you was make you slip and fall for a man you just met.

warnings | cursing, kkuma’s a bitch but also the best wingdog(?)

notes | I FINALLY. FUCKING. FINISHED. my first attempt EVER at a meet cute so pls bare with me if this sucks 🥲 i actually wrote this bc i saw this super cute guy at the park during my morning run the other day and i was like “i wonder what would happen if i actually had the balls to talk to him” and hence this fic was born LMAO i’m not fully satisfied with the result so i might rewrite it in the future but hope you enjoyed!!

It was the same every morning. At exactly 7:45 am, your alarm would go off and you would get ready to go running. You always made sure to wear the same hat. It was one of a kind, a custom made hat you made back in high school with your friends.

Your local park was perfect for morning runs. There was plenty of shade provided by large, looming trees, benches for resting, and a smooth, paved cement floor. Today’s weather was nice, rays of sunshine peeking through a few clouds as the sky and the rest of the world slowly began to wake up and greet the day.

Pulling on your headphones, you started a light jog as you made your way through the park when you noticed an unfamiliar figure sitting on your usual bench. You run so early in the morning, there are only a handful of people who you see regularly and the stranger was not one of them. Curious, you slowed down as you pulled off your headphones to see who it was.

Even from behind, you could tell that the stranger was tall. He had broad shoulders, and you could see his long legs outstretched in front of him. His heels were grounded on the floor, and he swung the rest of his feet side by side, the top of his shoes touching and making a soft click sound. You smiled, thinking that the action was quite unfitting for a man built like himself, and found it endearing.

“Excuse me, I-” You choked on your words the moment you saw the stranger’s face. When your eyes met, you felt your heart catch in your throat. The man sitting in front of you was definitely sculpted by the gods themselves; his sharp eyes twinkled as they looked into yours, and his lips and oh my god his jawline- How could someone be this attractive?

“Is everything alright?” The stranger asked. You mentally shook yourself out of the daze you were in, and smiled. Even his voice was attractive.

“Yeah, sorry. It’s just-” You fumbled for your words, suddenly nervous because of the attractive man in front of you. “I’ve never seen you around before so I was wondering if you were new to the neighborhood or…”

He smiled. “Yeah! I’m new, my name’s Mingyu, by the way.” You shook his outstretched hand and returned his smile as you introduced yourself.

“Nice to meet you, [Name],” there was an awkward pause before he motioned to the empty spot next to him. “Would you like to sit down?”

You glanced down at your watch. You still had 9k steps to complete, but how could you say no to having a conversation with the most attractive man you’ve ever met in your life? “Sure.”

After taking a seat, you took off your baseball cap and set it down to the side before running a hand through your hair, trying to make yourself presentable.

“I like your hat. That’s a really cool design I’ve never seen before, where’d you get it?” He asked, a sweet attempt at starting a conversation.

“This old thing? Oh thank you, it’s actually custom made! When I was in high school, my friends and I saw this cool vintage shop where they personalize hats and shirts and stuff for you, so we all got matching hats. I was actually the one who drew the design,” You said, a hint of pride in your voice. You loved to talk about the story behind your hat, it was one of your favorite stories to tell.

Mingyu nodded and smiled. “That’s really cool. So I’m guessing you’re an artist?” 

“Kind of? I draw for fun, but I major in journalism,” You shrugged. “I’m taking a gap year right now because of finance stuff but I’m hoping to return this upcoming fall so I can get my master’s and get a stable job. What about you?” 

“Me?” Mingyu pointed to himself and you nodded. “Well, I’m a film major, and I recently started working as a producer for this upcoming film and- hey that dog just snatched your hat and is running away.”

You turned away and saw a white blur running away at high speed, with your navy baseball cap in its mouth. “KKUMA WHAT THE FUCK?!”

Before Mingyu could fully process what was happening, you bolted out of your seat and chased down the white, fluffy dog that was now almost on the other side of the park. Although he couldn’t make out what you were saying, he could definitely hear you screaming and yelling at the tiny dog.

Mingyu’s body moved on its own and he broke into a full sprint, his long legs allowing him to have longer, more powerful strides than your own. Soon enough, he passed you with ease and if you weren’t so out of breath, you would’ve laughed at how comical everything seemed. 

With extra force in your step, you jumped at Kkuma, preparing yourself to (gently) tackle her–but morning dew be damned. You silently cursed out every work of literature and its author that has ever romanticized the morning dew on blades of green grass as Kkuma easily jumped out of your grasp and you slid sideways–on your stomach–at least 3 feet before you stopped.

“GET THAT FUCKING DOG,” You yelled at no one in particular. Mingyu kept running, holding back a laugh as the white dog continued to sprint down the asphalt like it was nothing. You got back up quickly and caught up to Mingyu and you two continued to chase down Seungcheol’s dog.

This time, it was Mingyu’s turn to take a leap at the dog. Needless to say, it was a fruitless attempt and resulted in him rolling in the wet grass similar to you. And to his luck, he even got a couple blades of grass in his mouth. With a look of disgust, he spit out the vegetation and continued to run.

As you ran after the dog, you suddenly remembered why you liked to run so much. This was it. The thumping of your racing heartbeat in your ears, your erratic breathing and that rush of endorphins that you can almost feel in your system. 

Just as you thought were getting the hang of it, Kkuma abruptly paused and dropped the hat. She looked at you and Mingyu who were now doubled over, each trying to catch their breath, and barked. After a single bark, she ran to Seungcheol, who you could see waiting in the distance and you inwardly cursed out your friend and neighbor. 

Now that the runner’s high was wearing off, you felt exhausted. You collapsed on the floor and Mingyu followed your example, spreading out his limbs into a shape resembling a starfish. You felt a little lightheaded as you felt blood rush back into your head and you tried to even out your breathing.

“Is… is your hat okay?” Mingyu asked, still slightly out of breath. His random question had you giggling that soon turned into peals of laughter as you gripped your stomach because of how hard you were laughing. Mingyu joined in on your laughter, and soon, the two of you were just rolling in the grass, laughing your asses off.

You wipe your tears of joy away and glance at Mingyu, who’s looking up at the sky with a bright smile and the sight of him makes your cheeks heat up. And no, it wasn't from the weather or the workout you just had. The fast thumping in your chest seemed to speed up and you suddenly felt like floating, your heart soaring above the clouds. 

This definitely wasn’t because of your runner’s high. 

reblogs and feedback is always appreciated ^-^

[crow-hoards-things]

The Bad Batch Series Finale

FULL DISCLOSURE: This is a vent post. I’m angry and hurt. After I get this out of my system I’ll be more open to discussing the positives of the episode.

Warnings: Ranting, Spoilers

Hooo boy. Okay. I am… less than satisfied?

Quick rundown since I haven’t posted much of anything Bad Batch related: Tech is my favorite Batch member, immediately followed by Crosshair. I’m also a HUGE Republic Commando Nerd (read all the books, played the game, despised Bad Batch as a whole initially because I felt the commandos were being unfairly ignored, can sing + translate Vode An, etc.) and Scorch was my favorite Delta. The Bad Batch grew on me shortly after Season 1 finished up, and I immediately latched onto Tech when I began watching. He’s the reason I watched the first two seasons. (Crosshair + delusions about Tech were the combined force behind watching the final season)

NOW, onto my actual thoughts on the episode, in no semblance of order because my brain is still trying to process, Ft. Cry count:

• Wish Tech was here. He would’ve loved the Zillo being freed.

• “‘Cause I’d do the same thing” no you wouldn’t. Fives would’ve. The you I fell in love with would’ve yelled at Fives about it being a terrible idea and then promptly gone along with it anyway. That said it was a really cute moment and I loved his nonchalant little “come on” afterwards.

• C: “Echo or Omega?” W&H: “Omega” THEY KNOW THEIR GIRL SO WELL

• When Hemlock went to get the operatives I got excited thinking maybe, just maybe we’d get Tech back.

• CROSSHAIR LOST HIS FREAKING HAND!?!? WHAT THE HECK!?! I will never stop being salty about this. He’s been through enough. [Near Tears]

• Rampart sucks

• Nala Se got to blow stuff up and I appreciate that even if I don’t really like her

• I’m glad Wrecker’s okay. He had me scared for a bit. Hunter, conversely, never really did? He’s Omega’s Dad, he had to survive.

• Did anybody else see that one operative whose helmet seemingly had goggles built into it? We had a lingering shot on his helmet for a few seconds and they looked like a red version of Tech’s goggles.

• SCORCH IS DEAD AND YOU’D BETTER BELIEVE I’M MAD ABOUT IT! [First shedding of tears]

• HECK YEAH, HEMLOCK IS DEAD!!! [Tears of relief combined with grief over Scorch]

• I’m so glad Omega hugged Crosshair first. I fully expected her to just run to Hunter, and Crosshair needed that hug.

• Echo’s goodbye was disrespectful. 0/10. He’s family and they don’t even care that he’s leaving???

• SOMEONE IS MISSING FROM OUR NICE LITTLE GROUP SHOT!

• I never really got super invested in the dynamic between Omega and Hunter, but the ending between them was cute I guess.

• We were robbed. We could’ve gotten Crosshair and Wrecker as old men and we were robbed.

• Tech is dead. Like, seriously, really and truly, dead. As a delusional “Tech’s alive guys, trust me” fan, it feels like he just died all over again. I’ll talk more about this later because I’m not over it. [Que sob-fest]

alright, circling back around to my main gripes, in order of appearance:

#1. Scorch.

I hate how they handled him. At first when he showed up I got super excited. That was my boy! In the Bad Batch show!! He’s making an appearance!!! Maybe they’ll do something with the Delta boys!!

Even as the episodes went on and I started to suspect where his path was leading, I consistently would go “Scorch!!! <3” every episode, because that is my boy and I love him dearly.

The levels of offended I am on Scorch’s behalf are not within my ability to express with words. The complete and utter disrespect he was shown over his time on the show is appalling. Why bring him in if you’re going to drain him of all his personality, make him have zero plot relevance, and then murder him?! They could easily have made a new clone for that, as seen by the number of operatives who exist and got 0.5 minutes of screen time.

But no. They brought in a beloved character with 10 seconds of canonical screen time prior, stripped him of everything that made him lovable, didn’t even have him DO ANYTHING, and then murdered him. It feels like a spit in the face and a kick to the gut all at once.

I will mourn. I’ve already cried and I’ll probably cry again. But right now I’m angry and I think Scorch deserves to have people be angry about how he was treated.

#2. Tech

Yes. I admit to having been a “trust me guys, Tech’s alive” person. I will also admit that at the end of episode 13 I wanted him to stay dead because I had zero faith they could satisfactorily bring him back.

My gripe is not with him staying dead. Yes, it feels like losing him all over again. Yes, I will mourn him again. Yes. That sucks. It’s not what’s making me mad.

What makes me mad is how his death was handled.

• It served ZERO purpose narratively other than to up the stakes and make us worry about whether anyone else would die (Spoiler alert: They didn’t. Tech was the only one who died) • Nobody mourned him. No one seemed affected by his death at all. No one cared. I don’t care what anyone says, that will NEVER be okay. • The first actual mention of Tech *dying* was in the finale. Sure, we’ve had name drops and goggle appearances, but actually talking about what happened? One line. One. Freaking. Line.

I feel like I’ve been slapped in the face, you know? He deserved better and so did we. He was a part of that family and they couldn’t even be bothered to address the responses to his death. He was beloved by many of us and they couldn’t even respect him or his fans enough to treat his death like something to be mourned.

That’s wrong, no matter how you look at it.

[befuddledcinnamonroll]

Perfect 10 Liners episode 8! How has it been 8 weeks already? Gah, time is insane these days.

Nicely done A-ngun!

When the guy you like has a crush on another guy, just be super chill and hit up the hot buddy he is neglecting. A+ work.

I like how emotionally aware Sand is when it comes to his friends. He's such a good boy.

I will never understand hashtagging and shipping real life people. It feels so invasive. And I don't even want to think about what it does to you mentally if you get shipped with someone who is a jerk, or even coercive/abusive, and you have to deal with ignorant people going "oh but you'd be so cute together".

Oh, Arm. I know this is from his past relationship hurt, but at this point Arc has done everything but propose to him.

Eeee, I love that the friends are still sleeping together.

Their teasing of each other is so cuuuute.

Oh noooo, not the wind sound effect and sad music for Po getting left on his own. I feel you Po, people in love are super annoying.

Very smooth Pun, very smooth.

When the whole bar is singing to you but you only see one person.

See, Arm, literally all he thinks about is dating you.

Respect for Pond's flirt game.

Oh god, Sand making direct eye contact with Pond while saying truth felt so intimate. Does this count as foreplay?

Warm really deserves Wingman of the Year award, this man is always hustling for his friends.

Pond is just like Arc, he is so ready to lock this boy down. I bet he already has a key ready for Sand too.

To be fair, if someone as cute as Sand wanted me to shower with them, I would also be running.

Also props for finally showing some genuine horniness in our college boys.

Hey, what dipshit told Sand no one would fall for him!? He's so fucking sweet and cute!

Look at his little face! The cuteness!

Ooh, little bit of spice from our boys.

Oh that's a super abrupt fast forward. Year 2, I guess!

Lol, not the lineup of boyfriends waiting to pick them up!

See, this is why people in love suck. There is no reason they couldn't also give a ride to Po! YOU ARE ALL GOING TO THE SAME PLACE.

Arm's continued reticence is a little frustrating, but I do love how Sand and Po are being such good friends, and not letting him get away with staying in denial. As Sand says, games are not for real life, and Arc has been extremely honest by this point.

Real friends will push back at times, and this is such a good example of that.

Oh, baby. We have such big feelings that we've been trying to hold back.

That moment when the damn bursts can be so overwhelming.

Oh my heart.

Arm, the man came out in the middle of a storm to find you because you didn't text, and is now piggybacking your giant self back home. Of course he still feels the same!

I know we all want to see ForceBook in more adult fare, but I have to say, they are doing so much with the material here. They make a meal out of everything they are given, and I really appreciate that about them.

Brief pause for my "distracted by Force's eyelashes" moment of the week.

Also, can we talk about how well-shot this scene is with the mirror angles?!

I will never understand how both Joong and Force are able to hoist their giant boyfriends and make it look like nothing, such an impressive skill set from our GMMTV boys.

Damn, that was a good scene.

Ooh, next week we start on the PerthSanta track! I'm excited to see how they work as a couple.

[a-killer-obsession]

Wavelengths [Killer x Reader, Heat x Reader]

🔞 Minors DNI 🔞

A search for a rumored Vegapunk weapon leads the Kid Pirates to an unexpected new crewmate, with a bloodlust that rivals their own and an incredible power.

CW: Please check AO3 for all current warnings, but general warning for smut, slow burn, serious gore, and really dark themes. AFAB reader, she/her pronouns.

Masterlist || AO3 || Chapter 1

Chapter 21 - Talk

Maybe things don't always have to hurt, it's about time you had that talk.

WC: ~3.5k

Taglist: @h0n3y-l3m0n05 @tremendoushorsepatrolgoth @iggy5055

The night after running from Killer's room fucking sucked. He still wasn't at dinner that evening but you didn't stay for long anyway, you didn't have much of an appetite. The others were thankful that you'd at least tried, even if it hadn't worked. You showered and went to bed early, mostly because Heat was on night watch and you had both hoped you could fall asleep before he had to leave. It was helpful for him to get a little sleep as well before he had to go. Unfortunately though you woke up when he left, and try as you might you simply couldn't get back to sleep.

Finally around three in the morning you caved and decided to go do something else. You thought maybe you might just join Heat for the watch, until you spotted Kid's workshop light on. It wasn't super unusual for him to be burning the midnight oil, but 3am seemed late even by his standards. Normally you wouldn't even consider going to him, but since you'd woken up in the infirmary he'd been so much softer with you, and you started to feel like there was a real friendship forming there. Maybe he needed someone, you thought, while Killer was ‘unavailable’. Maybe he was lonely, even.

You knocked on the door, not sure if he would even answer. He opened it with his devil fruit, not looking up from whatever he was working on at his desk. You'd only been in here once, when he gave you the bracelet, so you still had the same curiosity, peering around the room to observe everything that it contained. You noticed now the red velvet couch that sat up against the far wall, you weren't sure if it was new or if you just hadn't noticed it last time.

“What's up Heat, something wrong?” he asked without turning around. Ah, he must have thought Heat had something to report, since he was on watch.

“I, um... sorry maybe I should just go,” you said nervously, turning to leave.

“No, wait!” He closed the door with his fruit as he swivelled on his stool, “Stay, please.” Your heart ached for him, he really did sound lonely.

“Okay, I'll stay,” you forced a smile for him and sat on the couch, “you're up late” you pointed out.

“Couldn't sleep,” he sighed, “you?”

“I can't seem to get to sleep these days without someone holding me,” you admitted, kicking a small screw on the floor, “it's too hard to shut my brain off. Usually Heat stays with me, but he's on watch”

“I get it,” he fiddled with something on his table but he wasn't really paying attention to it, “do you… want me to hold you? I know you're maybe still scared of me but we can just stay here if it makes you more comfortable, you can sleep on the couch if you want, I don't think I'll be getting any sleep any time soon anyway”

You thought about his proposal for a minute before giving him a shy nod. He stood and strode to the couch, sitting on the other end so his metal arm hung over the side, and opened his other arm out for you. You slid in nervously, wrapping an arm around his waist and nuzzling in to get comfortable. He was so warm and wide, with a soft layer of fat that covered his muscles and made him nice to cuddle up with. You got the sense he didn't do this often though, and he let out a little sigh when you gave him a gentle squeeze, his arm starting to stroke your back soothingly. There was nothing sexual about this, but it was a sweet, tender moment you didn't expect from someone with such a rough exterior. The Kid Pirates always found ways to surprise you.

“For the record, I don't think I'm scared of you anymore,” you whispered as you got comfortable. There really was no fear in you right now, you felt perfectly safe with Kid in this moment, “I know we got off on the wrong foot given my history with authority figures, but you've never actually done anything to hurt me, it just took some time for me to realise that. Nobody in charge of me ever actually cared about me before, but I know now that you do. I feel safe here”

“I'm glad,” he let out a breath that sounded like relief, “a captain should always make you feel safe. This is your home, you shouldn't ever be scared in it”

“I'm sorry about Killer,” you sighed, “I tried to talk to him but I ended up blowing up like I always do”

“He'll come right,” Kid stroked your back softly, “thank you for trying though. Get some sleep girlie, I ain't going anywhere”

You hummed softly in response and closed your eyes, listening to Kid's rhythmic heartbeat as it lulled you into a much needed sleep.

A few hours later, driven by his curiosity after seeing you enter the workshop, Heat snuck in quietly after being relieved from his watch. You and Kid were both deep asleep, snoring softly. Kid was still sitting upright, his head lolled back and resting against the back of the couch, and you had slid down, now using his thick thigh as a pillow. It warmed his heart to see the two of you together after worrying that you'd never be able to feel safe with Kid. He took Kid's coat from where it sat discarded on the floor and laid it over you like a blanket, before turning the light off and leaving you both to sleep.

You were woken by the soft whispers of a conversation you weren't a part of, your tired head heavy against Kid's leg, his flesh hand on your back over the top of what seemed like a thick, fluffy blanket. One of the voices was his, the other a soft baritone coming from your level. You realised Killer was here, sitting on the floor with his head resting on Kid's other knee while they talked quietly so as not to wake you. Judging by the unmuffled quality of his voice you guessed he wasn't wearing his mask.

“This isn't your fault Kil, you need to stop blaming yourself,” Kid whispered.

“I know I hurt her so badly though,” Killer sighed, “nobody else can be blamed for that”

“You were just doing what you thought was right,” Kid replied, “you're not well, and I know how you think, you just didn't want to burden her. You couldn't have known how deep your feelings both ran”

“I want to get better though,” Killer whispered, “I want to be good for her. But I don't know if she'll ever forgive me”

Killer's eyes suddenly widened and his head shot up, spooking Kid, as his haki alerted him to the fact you were awake. You blinked at him sleepily, then reached out a hand to touch his unmasked face tenderly. The frightened look in his eyes faded a little at your touch but he still looked nervous.

“Kid, can you give us some space?” You asked as you sat up on the couch. He gave Killer a reassuring pat on the back before standing up and quietly leaving. He didn't need to be asked twice, he wanted nothing more than for the two of you to finally talk. Killer looked like he was about to bolt so you calmly pat the space Kid had left on the couch, indicating for him to come sit next to you. He did so hesitantly, and you moved the blanket, that you now realised was Kid's coat, so it covered both of you as you shuffled in to rest your head against his chest. It was partially because you were a little cold with the absence of Kid's warmth and wanted him to hold you, but also partially because it'd be harder for him to flee if you were on him. He was tense at first, but noticeably relaxed when you wrapped an arm around his waist and gave him a little reassuring squeeze.

“Are you feeling any better?” You asked him with a little yawn.

“Uh, yeah,” he mumbled, trying to decide if this was some sort of trick, or if maybe he was dreaming, “thanks for bringing the meds”

“Mmm,” you replied, nuzzling in to him sleepily, “I think its time we have that talk”

Killer sighed but put a arm around you as the other ran through his hair. It was noticeably tidier than last night, and he smelled like he'd recently showered, all good signs in your books. “I'm not sure what to say,” he admitted.

“Its okay, neither did I,” you replied, “but I thought long and hard about it, and I had good talks with Kid and Heat after I woke up, and I think I understand now. I think you're right, we're not good for each other. But that doesn't mean we can't be”

“I don't think I'm following,” he sighed.

“We're sick, Kil,” you explained, “not just you, both of us. I went through a lot, not just the last few weeks, but my whole life. I thought I wasn't capable of ever feeling happy till I came here, I even told Heat once that I didn't think I was capable of love, but you proved that wrong for me. But, especially after recent events, I'm not ready to be in a relationship, I'm not ready to open up fully and make myself vulnerable by bareing it all, and I think that's maybe how you feel as well. But that doesn't mean I don't want to. I know you regret how things ended on the island, but I understand how you feel and why you made that choice at the time. I thought when we got home that I could just ignore it, I thought it was just a crush and I'd get past it, because I didn't think I was capable of feeling more. But no matter how much I ignore it, the feeling doesn't go away. It's like a grass seed, digging deeper and deeper, and I feel like its going to kill me if I don't say something”

You sat up to look him directly in the eye. His icy blues were flicking between yours with uncertainty, waiting for you to finish explaining. “I love you, Kil, I know that now. It's not just some puppy love crush, I love you. But I'm not ready to open up right now. I want to, I really do, I just need some time. And I think you do too, I think maybe we're both hurting ourselves and each other like this because neither of us thought the other would be willing to wait, neither of us thought ourselves worth waiting for. But I am willing, Kil. I'll wait forever if I have to. I just need to know that you'll wait for me too”

Killer looked like he was about to cry as he nervously nodded. “I love you too, and I'll wait as long as it takes, please keep waiting for me. I want to get better, I really do. I'm taking the meds now, I'm following Mohawk's advise, I'm trying, I really am”

“I know baby,” you stroked his cheek and wiped a stray tear that had fallen, “I'm going to talk to Mohawk and ask him for meds as well, I want to get better too. Right now, this is enough for me. Just being close to you, and knowing that you're healing. I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere, we're going to get better, together”

“Can I kiss you?” He asked shyly. His eyes flicked between yours and your lips.

“Just this once,” you said, “I don't want to risk things getting out of hand until we know we're both in the right headspace for it”

He nodded and leaned towards you, pressing a gentle, loving kiss to your mouth. You sighed into the kiss and pressed back, the two of you staying like that for a few minutes, just quietly pressing soft kisses and rubbing your noses together, till you finally pulled away.

“I missed you,” you mumbled into his chest as you nuzzled back into it. “If this is going to work though you have to accept that I'm in a really delicate place right now, so Heat has been staying with me to help me sleep. There's nothing between us though, just friendship, just like last night with Kid, I'm sure walking in on me sleeping on him can't have been nice for you”

“He explained,” Killer replied, “I was more surprised than anything that he was being so soft with you. He usually only treats me like that”

“Kid is soft with you?” You couldn't help but snort, “I find that hard to believe. Then again, I have only recently discovered this more tender side of him”

“He's the only one who can handle me when I'm having a manic episode,” Killer explained, “he holds me through them”

“The relationship you guys have his so sweet,” you mused.

“We've known each other since we were kids,” Killer explained, “I basically raised him, neither of us had our parents around. He's been with me since well before my first breakdown, he made me the mask to try and reduce them”

“I see,” you mused, “so it's your fault hes such a shithead”

“Oi,” Killer half laughed, “we didn't have a great childhood but I did what I could”

“Jokes aside, he's a good man, and I'm sure that's your doing,” you replied, “you're both good men. I'm glad to have met you”

“I'm glad the two of you are getting along now,” Killer hummed, “he said you told him you feel safe now”

“Cos I do,” you smiled, “this is my home. I thought maybe you guys had abandoned me when it took so long to come get me but Wire explained why you had to wait”

“I'm really sorry we weren't there sooner,” he sighed.

“It's okay, I had your sash to keep me company,” you hummed, “and to be honest, the kiss was what kept me going. I think I would have given up a lot earlier if I didn't have the hope that you loved me”

Killer sighed and pulled you closer, almost into his lap, so he could wrap both arms around you. You burried your heads in each other's shoulders as he breathed you in. “I'm sorry for running when you woke up, I just got so scared”

“You weren't in a good headspace Killer, it's okay,” you said softly, “it's all in the past now. And for the record, it wasn't your fault I couldn't breathe, I had a broken rib and not enough painkillers”

“Oh,” Killer cursed himself for his over reaction.

“Mohawk has me on some good stuff now, so its okay,” you gave him a reassuring squeeze, “everything is healing well, I'll be back to normal in a few weeks”

“And what about… your mental health?” He tried to phrase it in a way that wouldn't trigger you, “Have you talked to anyone about what happened? Did you want to talk?”

“I'm okay Kil,” you smiled, “well, I mean to be honest I've been having some dark thoughts lately, but it's not exactly new for me. I've been having them since I was a kid. But that's why I'm gonna ask Mohawk for help. I never had any metric for what it feels like to be happy, so it was definitely a lot scarier and more traumatic this time compared to before I joined the crew. But at least now I know that I'm safe and I'm held and I have people around me who care. It sucked, but I'm gonna be okay I think. It's not as hopeless as it used to be, I have people to live for now”

Killer sniffed and you realised he was crying. “Aw, Kil, do you want to talk?” You held his face and wiped his tears with your thumbs.

“No, I'm okay,” he sniffed and smiled at you, “I'm just so glad that we found you”

“Hey, there's that smile I love,” you smiled back at him. You expected him to pull away at the mention of his smile like he had on the island, but instead the smile widened, which only made you beam more. “You're so beautiful Killer, I hope I can help you learn that for yourself”

“You're already helping,” he sniffed.

“Speaking of learning, I think you should teach me to read again,” you cuddled back into him, sliding on to his lap to sit across it so you could wrap your arms around him better and rest your head against his chest. “Don't get me wrong, I want Heat to keep teaching me too, but it wouldn't hurt to have twice the lessons, I feel like I'm really getting somewhere with them”

“I'd like that,” he rested his chin on the top of your head, “I missed you so much”

“I missed you too, Kil,” you hummed, “we should go get breakfast though, I'm not the only one that missed you”

“Ah, you're probably right,” he sighed, “okay, let's go then. But I want more cuddles later”

“Deal,” you smiled as you stood and offered him a hand to pull him up.

The tension in the air noticeably lifted as you approached the breakfast table, the other commanders all visibly perking up as they noticed Killer in tow behind you. Some of them hadn't seen him all week, and relief washed over the group. Heat squeezed your hand under the table as you sat, unbelievably thankful that your talk last night had gotten Killer out of his room after all, and you gave him a sincere smile in response. Moods were much improved with the return of the first mate, and everyone made enthusiastic conversation around you. No longer afraid of looking at him, you caught Killer watching you, and gave him a cheerful smile in response, tapping his leg with your foot under the table. He gave a huff in reply, but you could tell he was smiling under the mask.

“What's the plan now then, cap?” You hummed.

“Well that depends, Mohawk, how's her recovery looking?” He replied, pointing a knife at the doctor before shovelling eggs into his mouth.

“Her rib was already healing when she got back, and the rest of her wounds are also healing well now that she's free of infection,” he was waving his fork in your direction to indicate to you as he spoke, “best guess is she'll be fighting shape in another week”

“Good,” Kid huffed, “Double tells me we'll be hitting a resupply island in a couple of days, after that I'd like to explore one of the islands Killer and Yin retrieved a map for. It looks like it may have been used as a halfway point for marines to stash weapons and supplies, it's not on any of our maps but we have a matching eternal pose for it. Could be an easy win. Double thinks probably only the marines know about the island, so they won't be expecting us, might not even be guarding it”

“How far off from the resupply island is it?” Wire asked.

“Hard to be exact,” Kid replied, egg flying out of his mouth and hitting your mask as he spoke. You huffed in annoyance and saw Killer's shoulders move in silent laughter, he was the only one who had noticed as you wiped the egg indignantly from your visor. “He's been watching the pose to see how it shifts as we move, so he has a pretty good guess on where it is. He estimated three days from the resupply, but he couldn't give me an exact”

While Kid was talking you noticed his almost full tankard of beer and decided to play a prank in response to the literal egg on your face. You nodded your head at Killer, getting his attention, before gesturing it towards the tankard. When you were sure he was watching you made most of the beer invisible, making it look almost empty. He looked back at you, shaking his head very slightly, warning you it was a bad idea. You nodded back, a mischievous smirk on your face as you pushed your chair away from the table just a little, in preparation to flee.

“I'll get started on the resupply list then,” Heat added, “I think we're low on bullets after the marine base, the last island didn't have a great black market”

“The books are looking good though,” Wire noted, “we got plenty of sellable loot from the base, we shouldn't have need for a raid for a while”

“Good, good,” Kid hummed as he picked up his tankard. You watched with bated breath as he looked inside, a confused frown on his face, before tipping it almost upside-down to get the last drops left, just as you had planned. Immediately he was soaked with beer, and you broke into a fit of giggles, fleeing before he could put two and two together. He roared behind you as you ran, the rest of the commanders bursting into laughter as they realised what had happened. Later he'd finally catch you, and you'd be forced to clean the toilet in his room as punishment, but it was worth it in your mind.

[NEXT CHAPTER]

[celestie0]

omg yay i loved finally getting to see a little into gojo's thought process! it was so insightful!

first off... mari???? the way she was purposely ignoring that ring on his finger until he verbally rejected her invite? ma'am what is wrong with you??? i know he's fake married but she doesn't know that 😠

i love that he chooses to walk the 10 minutes with Juno because it was one of his favorite memories with his own dad. it's so nice that he's able to relive that with him filling the role his father had when he was kid, it's just tragic that her own father isn't the one having these moments with her. it's so telling that Juno's immediate reaction to seeing her father isn't one of joy and that she sticks to gojo. ugh, it's just nice that juno has a safe space and people she can count on in gojo and reader. i'm so attached to this fictional child it's insane.

something about jun is so... insidious. the way people around him describe him as all smiles, charismatic, etc. he's so amiable to everyone else, yet the two people who probably know him the most shirk away from him. it makes me sad to think about what might potentially be going on at home. sana had to go back to work and juno is aware of money problems at such a young age 😭 as a child that was also aware of this, it really fucking sucks. but the whole facade he's got going on seems to be cracking since both reader and gojo are growing wary of him. like did he actually think gojo wouldn't find out about his new business if he gave reader (HIS WIFE) a business card? i'm confusion? the build up to this side plot has me anxious in the best way possible so i can't wait to read more and we figure out what the hell is going on.

i also adore that we know a little more about gojo's opinion on reader. i feel like she symbolizes his fresh start from whatever happened in the city. she seems to bring out something in him he's been maybe repressing? ignoring? his entire life, so why not indulge in these desires now that he relocated far away. it was also nice to know that he truly trusts reader, which makes his line to Juno, "No matter what, family will always have your back" so much more impactful, because she's someone that he trusts, which he also admits isn't easy to do in current times. (HMM I WONDER WHY! i can't wait until we figure out what the drama was 😭 ) i love that he armchair psychologized (idk if that's a word) her and it worked? until he fucked it by telling her he was going to hang out with choso... he couldnt have dropped that bomb on her when she wasn't three words away from committing manslaughter? 😭

anyway i'm taking bets on how long this contract is gonna last, i give it... a week or two tops before reader says fuck it (by it i mean gojo) 🙂‍↕️

i feel like i repeat myself with every thesis i send in after every chapter but i love the way you write dialogue. it feels so natural and i love imagining these conversations play out in my head. can't wait to read the next chapter and i super appreciate you for sharing your work of ARTS with us! pls have a great rest of your week, ILYSM and i hope life is treating you amazingly 💙 (i'm sorry if some parts weren't coherent, i wrote this all on mobile after scrambling to my phone to read this as soon as i got an email for a new chapter 🥰)

makimaaiisss dearrr 😭😭 you literally spoil me so much w these ihm chapter reviews!!! i cry everytime i swear

ikr bahhaha i swear some single moms be sooooooo desperate n have no shame like i get that they've got it tough but like damn girl! back away! he's taken!

it's so telling that Juno's immediate reaction to seeing her father isn't one of joy and that she sticks to gojo.

yesss tbh that scene was heartbreaking to write. kids truly wear their hearts on their sleeve and it's hard for them to fake a reaction like that, so just picturing juno feeling hesitant to approach her own dad made me die a lil inside. she def has a safe space w gojo n also w reader n tbh i can't waaaitt to write a chapter where all three of them hangout haha

something about jun is so... insidious. the way people around him describe him as all smiles, charismatic, etc. he's so amiable to everyone else, yet the two people who probably know him the most shirk away from him.

girl your use of the word "insidious" had the author in me reeling that's such a sexy word.......i fear i may have to steal that. but oh yeah for sure, and i think that's kinda why ihm gojo was a little offended to hear reader compare him to guys like jun as if it's all just different shades of the same color because there truly is a difference between the two of them at even just first glance. but yeah...money seems to be a stressor,,, and people can wind up doing crazy things for it. especially when you have a family to think about

i feel like she symbolizes his fresh start from whatever happened in the city. she seems to bring out something in him he's been maybe repressing? ignoring? his entire life, so why not indulge in these desires now that he relocated far away.

yes!!!!! absolutely!!!!! i'm so glad it comes off that wayyy bc i wanted to hint at it without outright saying it, but yes. i think ihm gojo has spent most of his life in the city kinda pretending like he knew what he wanted and needed but only really sees the life that he truly kinda wants once he moves to dayton county n meets reader. n i guess it's kinda brought up in ch7 w the dream home sequence in reader's pov where she's all confused about why gojo wants to live in some random house in the middle of nowhere as opposed to bustling city life like he's used to. but idk i think like in life sometimes we get so swept up in things that we don't really realize what we truly want until we take a step away and live in silence for a little bit, if that makes sense. anyways i'm getting carried away here but i was so happy to see your reflection about that

i love that he armchair psychologized (idk if that's a word) her and it worked? until he fucked it by telling her he was going to hang out with choso... he couldnt have dropped that bomb on her when she wasn't three words away from committing manslaughter? 😭

armchair psychologized is also just a fantastic phrase i can't 🤣🤣 i've gotta use that too bahahah. and ikr. like he's kinda smart but also so dumb at the same time bahahha. it's like he WANTS to die 🤣🤣🤣

anyway i'm taking bets on how long this contract is gonna last, i give it... a week or two tops before reader says fuck it (by it i mean gojo) 🙂‍↕️

🌝🌝🌝 the possibility is........ very possible indeed

and thanks darling :'') i'm so happy the dialogue comes off well i genuinely enjoy writing the dialogue for ihm so much

i appreciate you sooooo much for thinking so deeply of my fic n for investing your time into it :''') it means smmmmm to me lowkey when i write i'm like i bet makimais will pick up on this motif 🤣🤣 ILY TOO YOU HAVE A LOVELY REST OF YOUR DAY AND HOPE LIFE IS TREATING YOU AMAZINGLY TOO!!! <3 <3 <3

[memento-rory]

- - - - FAX INCOMING - - - -

Dude dudeduedude

I read something and it got me flustered for a good minute, sooooooooo.....

You and Kalynn doing each others make up, almost like that one photo. This is as friends but you both feel super tingly from how beautiful she looks and how you have to keep yourself together or you'll ruin the look they want!!

Sincerely, someone who barely uses make up

🖨!

oh printer anon this is juicy <3

✭ author's note: kalynn is down bad for reader, who has no idea, but is also kind of down bad.

kalynn huffs out a sigh as she pulls away from the mirror, eyeshadow smudged in a skewed line. she pulls a makeup wipe out of its packaging, running it over her eye, removing all of her hard work.

"you okay?" you ask, looking away from your own compact to look at kalynn.

"yeah," kalynn says, a little unconvincingly, "just can't get my eyeshadow right."

"c'mere," you tell her, patting the spot next to you on the bed, "lemme see if i can help."

kalynn gives you an appreciative smile as she stands up from her spot on the floor, making her way over to you with her eyeshadow palette in hand. she hands it to you before sitting down beside you, angling her body to face yours.

with your makeup brush in your hand, you tilt kalynn's chin up with one finger, trying to get a better look at her face. (kalynn's cheeks go a little pink.)

"hm," you hum under your breath, eyebrows furrowed, "the lighting in here kind of sucks. do you think you could tilt back a little more?"

"if i tilt back any more, i'll be laying down." kalynn laughs, and you think on that for a moment.

"honestly, that might work out best." you say, and kalynn smiles and shrugs, obliging you. she leans back until her head hits the pillow, resting her hands on her chest.

"oh, much better," you tell her, as you lean over her with a smile, "the light is so much more direct like this."

not even giving it any thought, you throw one leg over her midsection, just barely straddling her in order to get a better angle. (kalynn sucks in a surprised breath, trying to keep her calm beneath you.)

you dip the brush into a nice, rich brown color. "close your eyes." you murmur, leaning over kalynn. you're so close to her, you can practically feel her breath on your face.

kalynn's eyes flutter closed and you drag the brush over her eyelid, though you're a little distracted by how beautiful and serene she looks beneath you, her cheeks tinted pink and a soft smile on her face.

you shake your head, telling yourself to lock in, blending the eyeshadow out. kalynn keeps her eyes closed as you work, one eye now done and the second one nearly there. at one point, you nearly lose your balance, and kalynn puts her hands on your thighs to steady you, pushing just enough to get you to fully rest against her body. your skin is ablaze under her fingertips.

when you finish, you lean back, admiring your work. kalynn opens her eyes, smiling up at you. "how do i look?" she asks, and your heart skips a beat.

"absolutely beautiful." you breathe out, before realizing what you've said. you clear your throat awkwardly, trying to cover up your vulnerability with humor. "i'm just that good."

you hand kalynn your mirror and she holds it up above her, admiring your work. "you are just that good. thank you so much, i was really struggling there for a minute."

"any time." you say, and the two of you sit in silence for a beat, before you remember you are literally straddling your best friend who you definitely have a crush on.

you start to get off of her, but she moves at the same time, surging upward to press her lips to yours. completely taken aback, you don't move, not entirely sure you're not dreaming.

kalynn senses your hesitation and pulls away, cheeks fully red, eyes wide in shame. "oh my god, (y/n), i'm so sorry. i don't know why i did that. i just— you looked so pretty and you're on top of me and i think i got caught up—"

"no, kalynn, no." you take her hands, a smile spreading across your face, "no, i liked it. i was just surprised. i didn't know you liked me too."

"too?" kalynn breaks out into a shy smile, "you like me?"

"duh." you giggle, and kalynn leans up to kiss you again, dissolving into giggles with you.