#(pre-relationship though)

[kaenith]

That manga omake with Shadow's blog is very funny. I've often thought that if put on the spot about his made-up "girlfriend," he would get flustered and claim "her" name is Viola / Violet / some variation on that xD

[ciderjacks]

despite Laios low self esteem making him think that if he’d been eaten, Chilchuck and Marcille wouldn’t have helped Falin,

theres a small part of me that thinks the reason Chilchuck stayed with the party and went back in the dungeon in the first place was because he didn’t want to leave Laios alone. That Laios was moreso the reason he stayed.

[stiltonbasket]

I was thinking about the #qiu haitang shen yuan au (it lives rent free in my head rn) and sy’s probably even WORSE about assuming they’re sticking to canon and that it’s all inevitable than in svsss.

because he has, to his knowledge, done jack shit to change sj no matter what he did. He still went to brothels and beat his disciples and while sy probably understands more WHY it doesn’t at all mean he condones it. I expect he was even optimistic for a short while, thinking he’d changed things, only to have the whip scene happen, which probably crushed all those dreams.

so why would he think that anything else he did mattered? This WILL bite him in the ass later. (Esp Jinlan City)

on a lighter note, does liu mingyan still write rpf porn of them in this universe, or are they too straight for her tastes here?

Shen Yuan believes that the plot can be changed through random chance (for example, him being the one in the Lingxi Caves with Liu Qingge, instead of SJ); but after finding out that Shen Jiu was still a raging child abuser, he lost all hope/belief that anyone's character could change. Re: Jinlan, Shen Yuan ends up dead because he assumed that 1) Luo Binghe was responsible for the sowers and 2) that he set the whole thing up to frame and ultimately get revenge on Shen Jiu.

Luo Binghe was so heartbroken by this assumption that he qi deviated on the spot, which led to Shen Yuan self-destructing and dying to protect him (with no expectations of ever coming back to life, unlike in canon). The qi deviation was worse in this AU because Binghe honestly thought his Shizun still loved and believed in him, only to get hit with the revelation that she believed him to be responsible for the plague all along.

Liu Mingyan does write Bingyuan RPF, but only 1) during the last year or two before the Abyss arc and 2) after Shen Yuan is revived, not while he was dead. Shen Jiu's refusal to fight Luo Binghe for "Qiu Haitang's" remains caused a scandal that rocked the cultivation world, and "Qiu Haitang" gained a reputation as a woman who was horrifically mistreated by her husband in life and completely abandoned in death. Her story (in the public's eye) was heartbreaking from beginning to end; and under the circumstances, Liu Mingyan didn't have the heart to keep writing about her finding a happy ending with Luo Binghe.

[gothicrepetitions]

I’ve often seen with children who live in households where they feel helpless and without any autonomy in their households, they tend to verbally lash out for a sense of control, especially in situations where the adult exerts their authority or power over them (such as demanding they do something or making decisions for them without regard to their own wants). Very true for Sam Winchester (from what we know in pre-series and what we see in at certain points of S1) but imo this often gets misunderstood and misconstrued both by fandom and by other characters

[yap-city]

Okay but do you know what it’s like??? When you and your sibling only share one parent?? And then your whole relationship ends up defined by that person????

Like let’s just say, hypothetically, that you and your brother both have the same dad. And the two of you have RADICALLY different feelings about your dad. But you both love him, and you both want his attention SO BAD, even if you won’t admit it. So every time you talk to your brother while your dad is in the room, it just becomes this weird performance. Because you KNOW your dad is watching. And you KNOW he has opinions about everything you say and do. So you talk to your brother and there’s this unspoken competition in every word you both say, this layer of insincerity in your every action, because you can feel your father’s eyes burning a hole in the back of your head and despite your best efforts, even after all these years, that man’s opinion still means the world to you.

Then sometimes, once in a blue moon, your dad isn’t around. So you talk to your brother alone, just the two of you, no audience. And it’s both so much easier and a hundred times harder. Because you can be real with each other, now. No one is watching. But also, why should you? Do you really have anything in common outside of the man who raised you?

You look at the stranger in front of you, this odd creature someone told you was your brother, and you realize that you do love him. Even without someone hovering over your shoulder ordering you to be family, you still love him. You love him, but you don’t know him. You don’t know his favorite ice cream flavor, what movies he likes to watch when he’s sick, the shape of the monsters underneath his bed. You love him, but does it matter? Does that love mean anything, when there’s nothing to tether it?

You want to say it does mean something. You want to tell him he matters, that he is more than a lump of clay for your father to twist into shape. But then your dad walks back in the room, and you watch, helpless, as your brother builds his walls back up brick by brick. You sigh, but you follow his lead and slip your own mask back onto your face. You begin the performance again.

And I just. Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, okay? Discowing and Jaybin. That’s all I’m saying, okay?

[morganski-19]

The One with Shaved Legs

Eddie walks into Steve and Robin’s apartment, planning on asking if can borrow a charge since Nancy has banned him from borrowing hers. But instead, he’s stood there staring at them with a hand on the door handle.

“Oh, hey Eddie,” Steve waves a greet as if what’s happening is completely normal.

“If you’re going to ask for a charger, the answer is no. Nancy already told me you’re blacklisted.”

Eddie opens his mouth to say something, closing it and reopening it a few times. “I’m sorry, what are you doing?”

What they are doing, in question, has Steve with his leg on a chair, wearing the shortest shorts known to man, with shaving cream rubbed all over his leg. Robin is standing next to him with a razor, delicately shaving the hair off.

“Yeah that. Robin’s shaving my leg,” Steve rolls his eyes.

“Yeah,” Eddie says, finally able to step into the apartment. “But why?”

Robin stand upright, rising the razor off in a bowl and glaring at Steve. “Do you want to tell him why or should I?”

“I didn’t know, ok I didn’t know. How was I supposed to know?”

“Did he not show up to parent teacher conference?”

“Fuck he did, I forgot.” Steve runs his hands over his face, mortified.

Eddie clears his throat. “Explanation, please. Clue in the person not connected to your weird twin telepathy thing that you have.”

“Steve’s on a sex ban,” Robin informs. “He slept with one of his student’s parents, again.”

“Divorced,” Steve clarified, “I knew that much. And he was very hot, could you blame me?”

“Yes, always.”

“How hot?” Eddie asks.

Steve reaches for his phone on the counter and almost falls over in the process, swiping through his phone to pull up the guys dating profile.

Eddie takes it and stares at it. “Yeah, very hot. Not for me, but I can see why you went for it.”

“Thank you.”

Nancy walks into the apartment. “Oh, there you are Eddie.” She takes one look at what’s happening and immediately gives Steve a deadpanned look. “Sex ban again, seriously, Steve.”

And because the timing couldn’t be more perfect, Jonathan and Argyle show up and walk into the apartment unphased.

“I forgot, ok. I wouldn’t have slept with the guy if I knew.”

“Parent again?” Jonathan asks while already knowing the answer.

“Wait, how many times has this happened?”

“Too many,” Nancy says annoyed. “The first time was in college when he slept with the TA to get a better grade.”

“That was not why, it was not grade motivated,” Steve depends.

Nancy rolls her eyes. “Either way, he got a weird grade boost so we invented the sex ban.”

“It happens like once every year or so,” Jonathan fills in.

Eddie crosses his arm, still confused. “How exactly is this a sex ban?”

“We only shave one leg,” Robin explains.

“Yeah, shaving both would do nothing, now I get so disgusted by the feeling of my legs rubbing together that I won’t want to sleep with anyone. I can do with both having hair, or both shaved, just not one with both.”

“Oh, yeah that makes sense.”

“I shave my legs all the time,” Argyle says unprompted.

Jonathan nods. “It’s true, he does.”

“I like how soft they get.”

“Very soft.”

“You’ve touched his bare leg to feel how soft it is,” Eddie questions.

Jonathan shrugs. “Hard not to when he does that thing where he shaves and then makes me feel how soft it is.”

“Because I want someone to appreciate it,” Argyle reasons.

“Just because I didn’t say anything doesn’t mean I didn’t appreciate it.”

Argyle rolls his eyes. “Well, you could have said it.”

“Your relationship still confuses me.”

Robin finishes the last stripe on Steve’s leg, swishing the razor in the bowl of water. “Done, go rinse it off.”

Steve brings his leg off the chair and walks to the bathroom with a wide stance, so he doesn’t get any of the shaving cream on his other leg. He comes out with a clean leg.

“You missed a spot.”

“Even better.”

Tag list (let me know if you want to be added or taken off) @slowandsteddie, @annieofhearts, @cacdyke, @ubpd, @captain--low, @thespaceantwhowrites, @goodolefashionedloverboi, @anne-bennett-cosplayer, @lunaticparisianlady, @apomaro-mellow, @dolphincliffs, @dragonmama76, @maggiebug417, @stevesbipanic, @fearieshadow, @mentallyundone, @eightpackdiaz

[starkissedhyacinths]

Prompt 10 - April 10 - Vulnerable

@rosekillermicrofic - 224 word count

Barty had never let himself be vulnerable around anyone. He could act like a cocky asshole, and, to be honest, he was one, but he was never vulnerable. Until Evan. 

“Bat, I swear, if you’re just trying to plan something…” Evan trailed off as he saw Barty. 

He was sitting on his bed in the dorm room, blessedly alone, though at the same time his thoughts weren’t leaving him alone. Until Evan. 

Barty tried for a smile. “Hey, Rosy.”

Evan sat down on the bed next to him. “What’s wrong? Your not fooling me, so don’t try.” 

Barty let his smile drop, letting himself be vulnerable with him. This was Evan after all. Barty felt as though someone had taken half of his soul and given it to Evan. He’d always felt that way. That’s how good friends they were. 

“My dad wrote a letter,” he said. 

Evan nodded in understanding, hovering a hand over his cheek. Barty leaned into it. Evan didn’t push Barty any further. 

They stayed in peaceful silence for a bit, and Barty was grateful that Evan was the one who’d found him like this. He was the only one he could be vulnerable with, and that was enough for now. 

They stayed sitting like that until Barty fell asleep, and Evan soon followed, their limbs tangled with each others. 

[corviiids]

'loves me not' - corviiid (unsungillumination) - persona 4 [archive of our own]

YU: Are you free after school?

YOSUKE: dude y ru txtn

YOSUKE: ur gna c me @ skool in lyk 10min

YU: Are you free, though?

YOSUKE: yer y

YU: I’ll tell you at school.

YOSUKE: WATS DA POINT OF DIS DEN

-

“You went through all that song and dance,” Yosuke ground out as they walked through the shopping district, “just to ask me to go to the stupid river? We could’ve just gone to the stupid river.”

Yu stopped and looked around. “Does anyone sell flowers around here?”

“Flowers? Uh… Junes probably has some. Why do you need flowers?”

--

p4, 1.6k. saki konishi casts a long shadow.

(or: yu narukami figuring out how to talk to a guy you met like a week ago about his dead friend who hated him a bit, normal shit like that.)

[qoldenskies]

ngl ive never seen a depiction of leo in a romantic relationship where ive looked at it and thought Yeah that's exactly how leo would act. and maybe thats why he's so aro to me

[ff7-has-taken-me-over]

An AU where trooper Cloud found a homeless Denzel and took him in. Zack doesn’t know about the kid, nobody does quite frankly, and Cloud passes off his need to live outside of the company as a mental thing.

Zack only finds out about any of it cause he comes across Denzel, out after dark and utterly lost, on one of his patrols. He takes the kid home, knocking on the door and halfway through a lecture before the door’s opening abruptly.

Cloud’s standing there, phone held up to his ear with a jacket half on, ridiculous hair pinned back with some hair clips and an absolutely frantic look in his eyes. He barely spares Zack a glance before his gaze is locking onto a guilty Denzel, relief becoming palpably obvious as he hangs up the phone and swoops in to pull the kid into a hug.

Denzel stiffens for a moment before he’s sagging, shoulders hitching as he quietly begins to cry and grips onto Cloud like the blond could disappear at any moment.

Cloud is much the same, arms tight around the kid as he whispers quiet reassurances, taking a deep breath every now and then like he’s trying to hold back his own tears.

Zack feels like he’s intruding, gaze averting as he scratches at the back of his neck. He considers just leaving the two but he accidentally catches Cloud gaze, the younger giving him a grateful look as he stands, picking Denzel up near effortlessly.

[anxiousalienwriter]

I woke up mad and had to write this down right away. It's not like super edited, and still kind of rough but if the show won't give me what I want, I'll do it myself.

---

Bobby blinked his eyes open, wincing at the harsh glare. He immediately shut them again. Where was he? He tries to take stock of himself, remember where he last was.

The lab. Blood. Buck's broken screams rattling in his mind. Athena's quiet presence, her fierce eyes demanding he stay.

The way her face shifts as she realizes he can't.

He blinks his eyes open again, the bright light around him less harsh now. He's in a... hospital bed? He can hear beeping around him, hushed voices. He tries to look around, but everything is blurry. He blinks a few more times, trying to clear his vision.

"He's waking up."

Bobby is wide awake at that voice. Because that can't be. That sounds like -

He turns his head to the side to see Brooke smiling her toothy grin at him. "You're awake!"

Tears immediately spring to Bobby's eyes as he stares at his daughter. It's been so long since he's seen her face. He reaches out slowly, letting his fingers drift over her forehead, cheeks. He's worried she's gonna disappear under his touch. But as soon as he makes contact - feels the warm skin beneath his hand - he can't help but let out a sob as he cups her cheek.

"Nice going, Brooke! You made him cry!"

Bobby turns his head to the other side, smiling at the pout Robert Junior is giving his sister. He's sure Brooke is sticking her tongue out at her brother. Chuckling, he wipes his tears with his free hand- useless as more just begin to fall - before reaching out to cup his cheek as well. He has his kids, back with him, alive under his hands. He always hoped he would see them again, but to actually have it now?

He's unsure how long they sit there for. His gaze bounces back and forth between them, constantly worried that they'll disappear as soon as he's not looking. At some point, his hands had drifted down to hold theirs, Brooke playing with his fingers as she smiles at him. Junior squeezing his hand fiercely, protectively.

"Mom told us you'd be like this," Brooke says, voice teasing. Bobby almost tears up again.

"Yeah, we gotta go meet her. It's time to get up, Dad."

As soon as Junior says that, Bobby has a flash of... something. Bright lights and harsh voices. As quickly as they come, they disappear.

He shakes his head as his kids stand up from their chairs at his bedside, pulling insistently at his hands. He lets himself be pulled, sitting up in bed before standing on shaky legs. He glances down at himself, notices he's in his uniform. Brooke and Junior lead him out of the room.

One second, he's in a hospital room. The next - it looks to be Hen's kitchen.

Brooke and Junior look up at him, patient by his side in a way he doesn't remember his kids being. "Why are we here?"

"You tell us." Junior shrugs at him. "You're the one leading this."

What?

How is he leading this? What even is this? He wants to ask, but he can't as he hears a door open and close softly. He watches as Hen comes in, shoulders dragged down by an invisible, heavy weight. Karen is close behind her.

They're silent as they move about the kitchen. Karen pulling out food from the fridge. Hen pulling out Tupperware containers.

"Where is the wake?"

Karen's quiet question feels piercing and loud in the somber stillness of the kitchen. Hen stops what she's doing - a flinch in her movements. She stares down at the Tupperware in her hands.

"The house."

Neither of them have to say what that means. Bobby understands. He wonders why Athena would have it there and then thinks it makes perfect sense she'd have it there.

This would be a goodbye to Bobby and everything she built with him.

He feels his eyes well up, letting go of his children's hands so he can wipe at them. He knew he had to go. But this? Knowing he's left them with this?

His eyes follow Karen as she moves over to Hen. She puts one hand on Hen's shoulder. The other tugs Hen's hands away from the Tupperware she now has a death grip on. Once the plastic is free, Karen sets it on the counter before wrapping her arms around Hen, tight. Hen's shoulders shake in silent sobs as she clings to her wife. Even now, it's obvious she's trying to hold it together.

Until Karen whispers, "It's okay, baby. I got you."

Bobby feels like he's intruding now as he sees Hen give herself into breaking down. Her shoulders shake more violently, body trembling as her voice begins to crack with her cries. "He should be here! We were supposed to have more time. He was supposed to have more time!"

Karen tries her best to calm her wife, quiet reassurances too soft for Bobby to hear over Hen's wrecked sobs. Bobby isn't sure he should be seeing this. But maybe this is his punishment. He's the one that left this grief behind. It's only fair he should have to witness it.

He glances down at his children, but they aren't looking at him. They're watching Hen, frowns on their faces. Brooke seems to sense her father's stare as she peeks up at him, mouth twisting slightly up in the corners. An attempt at a smile.

"They're gonna offer her the captaincy."

Bobby's not surprised about that. He can't imagine the onslaught of emotion and responsibility Hen is feeling. The feelings he caused in her by leaving.

Hen's sobs finally quiet down. After a while, she pulls back from Karen, wiping at her face. She gives Karen an unsteady smile that looks more like a grimace as her wife gives her a tissue. Hen wipes her face, taking a few deep breaths, following Karen's exaggerated breaths to get her calm again. Once her breathing is mostly back with the occasional hitch, she returns to fiddling with the Tupperware on the counter. "He should be here," she repeats again quietly before beginning to pack the food into containers.

Karen watches her for a second before jumping into help her. Bobby notices she purposefully tries to knock into and touch Hen as much as she can as they move around each other. The kitchen is back to silent with only the occasional sniffle from Hen.

Bobby looks down as he feels a hand tug at his. Junior flashes him a slight smile, gone as quickly as it appears. "It's time to wake up, Dad."

And right as he says that, Bobby swings his eyes back up to Hen's, only for them to lock. They both stare wide eyed at each other, stunned still. Hen drops the food dish she's holding.

"Hen! What -"

Karen's question is cut off by her muffled curse as she hurries to grab napkins. Hen is left frozen, staring at Bobby, mouth agape.

"Bobby."

Bobby opens his mouth to respond, but then Brooke grabs his other hand, and in a blink, he's gone.

The next area is not entirely what he's expecting. It's the roof of the 118.

"Still wanting to make some stops, Dad?" Junior asks.

"Mom will understand. She said this would happen too," Brooke says in that matter of fact way all 9 year olds like to do.

Bobby can't really focus on them, though, as he spots Chimney, leaning heavily against the wall edging the roof. His hands are dangling over the side, vodka bottle hanging loosely from his hands.

Bobby immediately gets the urge to walk over and smack the bottle out of his hand. This is the last thing he wanted for Chimney. But he should have known. He should have known the man would be drowning in his guilt. In his anger.

He understands it better than most.

He looks behind him as the fire escape door bangs open. Chimney is obviously startled by it, jumping as he turns around. Once he sees Maddie emerge, breathing heavily with a hand on her stomach as she leans against the wall, he moves into action.

He sets down the vodka bottle on the ledge. Rushing over to his wife, he gently takes her hand, peeling her away from the wall and leading her over to a chair. Once she's settled, he flutters his hands over her, obviously unsure what to do next.

"Maddie! What are you doing, there's no elevator up here! That's too much! Are you okay? Do you need anything, water? I should get you some water -"

"Howie," Maddie almost whispers his name with how soft it comes out. "I'm okay." She grabs his arm, squeezing it once.

That seems to settle Chimney as he carefully sits next to her, scooting his chair closer so he can easily hold her hand. "What are you doing up here?"

"Looking for you. Buck told me you might be up here. Very rude to hide away somewhere so inconvenient for your wife to find you." She squeezes his arm again. "We hide away together, remember?"

"I'm sorry, I just." He gives his head a jerky shake as if trying to dispel his thoughts. "I needed a minute."

Maddie eyes the vodka bottle sitting on the edge. "Howie -"

Chimney stands abruptly, running his hands through his hair. "It's not right, Maddie. He should - he should be here! Fuck, he should be here." He shoves his fingers into his eyes, rubbing harshly. "He left us here to deal with his choices. He left me here! I have to deal with knowing I get to live because he fucking saved me. And I can't even be mad at him because he's dead. Because he sacrificed himself! I can't yell at him! I can't punch him! I can't shake him and tell him what an idiotic choice he made! I can't -" He pauses, a slight tremor working through him as he catches his breath. "How dare he save me." His voice breaks.

"Hey." Maddie's tone is harsher than Bobby's ever heard it. "Don't say that. I am so grateful to him that he saved you. Do you know how guilty that makes me feel? That I have this happiness that he's the one dead and you're alive. That you're still here with me." Her voice shakes as she covers her mouth. Chimney looks at his wife, heartbreak written all over his features. He pulls her into a careful hug as she continues, "It's so hard to look Athena in the eye. To know that there's a part of me, happy her husband died so that I can keep mine. I mean, how fucking selfish of me, right?"

Chimney hushes her gently, rocking her slowing back and forth. "No. It's not selfish. It's human. I'm so sorry, I've been so wrapped up in my own shit." He takes a deep breath, pausing his rocking as he presses his lips to the side of Maddie's head. "I didn't even think about how you've been feeling. If anyone's selfish here, it's me."

"Howie. I wasn't saying that to make you feel bad." She leans back, wiping her eyes as she meets Chimney's. "I just want you to know you aren't alone. That you don't have to deal with this alone. It's understandable how you're feeling. You're pissed. You wish there was another way, a way he could have been saved. I wish there was too. But I also know Bobby wouldn't want you to keep torturing yourself like this. To wonder if there was some miracle you could have found. If you could have done more. There was nothing you could do." She grabs his hand, holding it so tight her knuckles turn white. "The worst thing you can do, is let this consume you. To run away from it and try to ignore it. To ignore the people still here. That's unfair to Bobby and to you."

A tear falls from Chimney's eye as he sniffles. He doesn't say anything as he leans his head on Maddie's shoulder. She hums softly, running her fingers through his hair. Bobby almost doesn't hear her next words. “You're not alone. I'm right here.”

"It's time to wake up, Dad."

Bobby's eyes jump away from the scene in front of him down to Brooke. He can barely make out her features through his blurry eyes. He quickly wipes at them, unsure when he started crying himself.

That's when he feels someone is staring at him.

He snaps his gaze to lock with Chimney's across the roof. He wishes Chimney took this time to yell at him. Bobby can only hope Chimney can see the remorse on his face. He doesn't regret what he did, not for a second, not if it meant Chimney got to live. He's just sorry that he's left him with this in the process.

Maddie notices Chimney's stare, turning around but obviously not seeing Bobby. She looks back to Chimney with concern. "Howie? What is it?"

“Bobby.”

At that moment, Bobby feels both of his hands be grabbed again and the roof blinks out of view.

He's in a house again. It's Buck's. No - wait, Eddie's.

He's standing in the living room. The house is still.

"Not many more stops now," Junior comments. Brooke shushes him. Junior shushes back.

Bobby pays them no mind as the front door opens, Eddie leading a despondent Buck into the house.

Eddie's eyes are drawn, distant as he toes his shoes off. Buck doesn't even bother, walking over to the couch and sitting down. His stare is vacant, eyes rimmed with red. He hasn't cried - Bobby can tell. But he's close to breaking.

Quietly, Eddie disappears into the kitchen, emerging a few moments later with a glass of water. He hands it to Buck as he takes a seat beside him on the couch. Neither of them say a word, and Buck doesn't drink from his water. They both stare absently ahead.

Eddie is the one to break the silence. "I'm going back to Texas."

Buck flinches so hard, water sloshes over the side of the cup. He turns accusing eyes on Eddie, betrayal obvious on his face. "You're leaving again?" His voice is rough, scratchy from unshed emotion.

Eddie nods, avoiding Buck's gaze. He fidgets with the sleeve of his suit jacket. "I can't stay here. Everywhere I look, I see him. I see how I failed him. How I failed everyone and I can't stay here. Not with that on my shoulders."

Buck slams the water glass down on the coffee table as he stands up. He paces away from Eddie as he rubs his hands over his face. "You think I can? Everywhere I look, I see him, Eddie. He is all over LA. But I can't leave! I can't leave him!" He turns back to Eddie, his mouth a harsh line. "You can't either. You know you can't handle this alone. You don't have to handle this alone! Lean on me, I'm right here!"

Eddie shakes his head, meeting Buck's eyes for the first time. His eyes are round, pleading. "Buck. It's not that simple for me."

"Bullshit!" Buck practically yells as he runs a rough hand through his curls, tugging at the ends. "You weren't there, right? That's why you're feeling guilty. And I'm sorry but that's bullshit! You can't erase the fact that you weren't here." Guilt crosses Buck's face at Eddie's wince. It makes him falter but he continues on, determined. "But you can make up for it now. By being here now. The 118 needs you. Chimney, Hen, Athena, they need you. Hell, I need you!"

Eddie is silent for a moment before standing up and walking over to Buck. They stare at each other, Buck's erratic breathing the only sound in the room. There is so much in their faces that Bobby can't even begin to untangle it all. Buck's breathing calms slightly when Eddie places a hand on his shoulder. The hand slips around his neck, pulling him in until their foreheads rest together. Buck closes his eyes, breathing slowing, missing the way Eddie's eyes soften.

"It's okay. You can let go. It's just us."

Buck's shoulders slump at Eddie's words. He leans more fully into Eddie, letting him support his weight. Eddie moves his arms to wrap around Buck's waist to hold him more securely, looking more like he's holding him up at this point. Bobby wouldn't be surprised if he was.

Eddie leads them back to the couch, the two falling onto it. Buck immediately buries his face in Eddie's neck but Bobby still sees the first tear fall.

"He said to be strong. He said they needed me. He doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about. I need him. He should be here!"

Eddie just runs his hand up and down Buck's back in a slow, soothing motion. "That's why you haven't broken down. You feel like you can't."

Bobby feels winded with the rush of guilt he feels. He never meant for Buck to shut himself down completely. Though, maybe he should have guessed he would. He just needed Buck to be strong. To see that he could carry on without him.

Buck lets out a wounded sound, clinging to Eddie as he finally allows himself to break down. "He should be here. He should fucking be here! But he's not. He left me. He left me behind." He pulls away from Eddie to glare at him through his tears. "Don't you dare run away. You can't run away, Eddie. You need us like we need you and I can't - I can't."

Eddie tucks Buck back into his side as he nods. "I won't, Buck. I'll stay. I'm here."

"It's time to wake up, Dad."

Brooke pulls at his hand to get his attention. It seems she's been doing that for a while, given the slightly impatient look on her face. He hears a gasp and a shout, bringing his gaze back to Eddie and Buck on the couch.

They're both sitting up straight, staring directly at him with disbelieving eyes. Eddie is frozen in shock. Buck doesn't seem to have that problem as he scrambles up, desperate to get to Bobby.

"Bobby!"

Right before he's in reach, Junior grabs Bobby's other hand, and the room disappears from view.

The next room is one he never thought he'd see again. Their unfinished kitchen/dining room. He's hit suddenly with the memory of that fateful morning. A cup of coffee in his hands as he discussed with Athena what needed to be tackled next. Painting was high on the list, his wife had opinions. He was happy to sip his coffee and listen, hiding his smile at Athena's strong reactions to her swatches.

He feels an ache somewhere deep inside of him. He never wanted to leave. He wasn't ready to go.

Athena was sitting there now, at a round dinner table she must have just set up recently. There's a glass of wine at her elbow, phone off and silent next to it. Her head is in her hands.

His wife always had such a big personality, taking up all the attention in the room as soon as she walked in. It was wrong to see her so small and defeated.

"Oh Bobby." Her quiet voice shattered the stillness. "Why aren't you here, baby?"

Bobby couldn't control the way his feet moved him over to her. He was sure he couldn't touch her. But maybe she would still feel him nearby.

She seems to sense something as he sat down next to her. She lifts her head up, dropping her hands to the table. Bobby hovers a hand over hers before letting it fall, delicately. Carefully. He curls his fingers around her hand, tight. He's not sure if she can feel it at all.

He can't feel her.

"I'm so sorry, Thena. I wasn't ready to go. I didn't want to leave you alone." He hears his voice turn rough as a tear falls from his eye, landing near their joined hands.

Athena shakes her head and blinks. "Bobby..."

"It's time to wake up, Dad."

No. No, he's not ready to leave. He doesn't want to leave. He feels terrible even thinking it, knowing his children are here. Knowing Marcy is waiting for him. But he can't leave.

Gentle, small fingers pry his hand off of Athena's, squeezing once it's in their hold. He glances up to see Junior smiling at him sadly. "It's time."

Bobby looks back at Athena who is now looking around the room wildly, searching for something.

He knows she's searching for him.

"I'm so sorry, Athena. I'm so sorry, love." He gets up, leaving a lingering kiss on her forehead as he does. "I love you so much," he mumbles against her head, hoping somehow, someway, she can feel it. Brooke grabs his other hand once he's standing, tugging insistently.

And just like that, his dreams are gone.

He's standing in the middle of a park. One that was by their old apartment. Brooke learned how to ride a bike here. Junior played baseball with his friends here. He would take countless strolls with Marcy down the trails, on beautiful perfect days, just like today.

Brooke and Junior are still standing beside him, holding tightly onto his hands. They let go as a woman appears in front of him, emerging out of the tree line.

"Mom!" The children shout, running to her side.

"Calm down, calm down! You act like you haven't seen me in years."

Bobby breaks down at hearing Marcy's gently teasing voice. He falls to his knees, finally taken out by all the emotion he's witnessed and felt for however long he's been on this journey. He feels beyond exhausted, wrung out of every last bit of emotion. Seeing Marcy, his children, so radiant, happy and alive is the final straw.

"Dad had so many stops to make, Mom. It took a while," Junior explains.

Marcy just hums, all three of them making their way to where Bobby is still collapsed on his knees. He looks up, blinded by a bright light. He hears ringing and harsh voices.

"He's waking up, sir!"

He blinks and it fades, replaced by Marcy's gentle smile. "Bobby." She reaches a hand out to run through his hair, just like she used to. It works like it always did to settle him. He closes his eyes as he feels her fingers scratch lightly with each pass through. "You're really fighting this."

"I'm sorry, I don't -"

"I know. You aren't ready." Marcy's smile turns understanding. "It's not your time."

"I don't want to leave you! It's just -"

"Your family needs you," Marcy finishes, pulling lightly at his hair.

He shakes his head, turning a pleading look up to her. "You're my family," he stresses.

Marcy just smiles that same understanding smile. Bobby is sure he doesn't deserve it. "I know. But they are too. And right now, they need you a lot more than we do."

Bobby closes his eyes, seeing a murky image form of that kitchen/dining room. He sees Athena, slumped back in her chair, stare vacant. He sees her snap out of it as Hen walks in with Karen, both laden down with food. Chimney and Maddie arrive next, exchanging hugs and soft smiles. Buck and Eddie are the last to arrive, both looking shaken up. He can't make out what they're saying, everything too blurry and distant. But he knows.

He knows Buck is the first to bring it up. He knows they all talk about their own experiences. He knows how that morphs into sharing memories, laughing and crying together. Coming together in shared grief. He can't see it but he knows it with startling clarity.

He blinks open his eyes again. He's standing now, Marcy's hands on his shoulders. "It's time to wake up."

He nods, finally understanding. He presses a soft kiss to Marcy's forehead. He bends down to squeeze Brooke in his arms, pressing a kiss to her head. He ruffles Junior's hair before pulling him into a hug, ignoring his giggling protests as Bobby presses a kiss onto his cheek. He misses them fiercely.

He steps back, taking a look at his family. Soaking in their smiling faces. "I'm coming back. This isn't goodbye."

"Of course it isn't. It's a see you later!" Brooke says with a sad smile.

"We'll see you later, Dad. When you're ready, this time," Junior adds with a bittersweet grin of his own.

"Take your time, Bobby. We'll be here." Marcy blows him a kiss before taking hold of their children's hands. "Now get out of here, already."

Bobby blinks back his tears, unwilling to let his family leave his view until he has to. He commits their faces to memory, the way they look now. Happy.

Another blink. Bright lights. Harsh voices.

"He's waking up, sir!"

He's in a hospital, surrounded not by family. But by men in uniforms, poking and prodding at him. He sits up slowly, wincing.

"Robert Nash. Welcome back to the land of the living."

[walkingstackofbooks]

Miles and Kira actually have such a lovely relationship in s2e1 The Homecoming... Definitely going to be watching out for more of them as I continue rewatching this season, because I hadn't realised how early the mutual respect between them came in.

--

(I started to add things to the tags but they spiralled and I can't be bothered to copy and paste them all so, sorry, but gonna leave them here as a screenshot...)

[morganski-19]

The One with the Child

Robin and Nancy walk into the café after a long day of work. Stopping when they see Jonathan sitting on the couch reading a book with a toddler sitting next to him, playing with a toy. They share a confused look before walking around the couch.

“Hey Jon,” Nancy leads.

Jonathan looks up from his book. “Oh, hey guys. How was work?”

“Uh, fine,” Nancy says, still confused. “Just one, tiny, quick question.”

“Whose child is that?” Robin points at the toddler looking up at them with big eyes.

“Oh, right, this is Argyle’s niece, Stella. He’s in the bathroom, so I’m watching her for a minute.”

Robin flops on the armchair. “Oh, thank God. I thought that was just a random kid.”

Jonathan gives her a weird look. “Did you think I just stole a child? What gave you the impression that I would do that?”

Robin shrugs. “Someone could have just left the child here. You don’t know. That happens. You would be surprised how many times Steve has had to stay afterschool to sit with a kid whose parent forgot to come pick them up.”

“To be fair, my mom did that a few times when I was a kid.” Nancy pulls one of the other chairs closer. “Only a few times though.”

“My mom did that too. Happens when you’re a single mom.”

Argyle comes back from the bathroom, hair braided down his back. “Hey dudes. You meet Stella?” He sits down on the couch, Stella grabbing his arm and hiding behind it. “She’s a bit shy.”

“Robin thought I stole her.”

Robin makes a high-pitched noise. “I did not. I thought you were picked by a lazy parent to be entrusted with their child. That is far different than stealing.”

“Still doesn’t make it any better.”

Robin rolls her eyes, getting up to go order a coffee at the bar.

“Which sister is Stella’s mom?” Nancy asks, trying to change the conversation.

Argyle tries to get Stella to loosen her grip on his arm but fails. “Julia. She has a job interview in the city today so I’m watching her.”

“And you brought her here?” Robin sits back down with her coffee.

“Hey, this is a family friendly establishment until seven and by then she will be back with her mom. She should be done soon to come pick her up.”

Eddie walks into the café, waving as he orders a coffee at the bar. Doing a double take when he sits down, eyes wide.

“I know I’ve only known you guys for like a year but none of you had a secret kid, right?”

“No, this is my sister’s kid. I’m watching her for a few hours.”

Eddie relaxes in his seat. “Oh, thank God. I could not have dealt with that twice in one week.”

Nancy perks up. “Twice?”

“Yeah, remember my buddy Jeff from high school. Apparently, him and his girl are expecting. Sent me into a whole crisis.”

“Oh, that’s why you were cleaning your room a few days ago.”

“I’m offended that’s why you think I was cleaning, but you’re correct.”

“Why were you having a crisis?” Robin asks over her coffee. “It’s not like we’re not at an age where people we know start having kids.”

Eddie makes a large gesture. “That’s why I was having a crisis. It was the first one of my friends that is taking that next step in life. While I’m still stuck between two jobs, not in a relationship, and a giant fucking mess. Sorry,” he apologizes to Argyle.

“She’s two, she doesn’t know what that word means,” Argyle assures.

Steve comes into the café and sits on the chair next to Eddie. Covering his face in his hands. “If I see another first grader, it’ll be too soon.”

“Bad day.” Robin gives him a sympathetic look.

Steve nods. “Three kids had to be sent to the nurse because they were sick. Three, like visibly sick. They shouldn’t have even been sent in at all. And then the rest were just on edge and didn’t want to settle down after recess. And.” He finally spots Stella on the couch. “One of your sister’s kids?”

Argyle nods. “Yeah. Her mom should be here soon, so don’t worry.”

“I said first graders for a reason. They are monsters. What’s her name?”

“Stella. Do you want to say hi?” he asks her. Stella gives Steve a small wave.

Steve melts a little bit. “You have just made my whole day, Stella.”

A woman who looks a little like Argyle walks into the café. Argyle notices her and stands, picking up Stella from the couch. “Hey, Jules. How was the interview?”

“Pretty good. Thanks for watching her again, I appreciate it.” She takes Stella out of Argyle’s arms. “Did you have a good time with Uncle Argyle?” Stella nods into her mother’s shoulder. “Hope she wasn’t too much trouble.”

Argyle shakes his head. “Not at all. Right Jon?”

“Yeah, not at all.”

Julia nods, finally realizing the rest of the group.

“Oh right, Julie, these are my friends. You’ve met some of them. Dudes, this is my sister Julia.”

The group gives a mix of greetings before going back to separate conversations. Julia says hello back before Argyle walks her out of the café.

“It was seriously no trouble watching her, it was nice to see her. And you.”

“I know. Wish I could stay more, but we got to get back.”

“If you need a place to stay, you can chill at our place. I’ll take the couch so you can have a bed.”

Julia shakes her head. “That sweet but I didn’t pack an overnight bag. If we leave now, we might make it before the next rush hour. I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you and Jon.”

“Nonsense. You know you’re always welcome at our place.”

“When are you two finally going to cut the crap and get together already. The whole family’s been waiting for it.”

Argyle groans. “Tell me there’s not a betting pool.”

“You already know the answer to that.”

“Jesus. I’m not sure we even ever will. He’s like the first best friend I’ve ever had, I don’t want to lose him over some stupid feelings.”

Stella coos, grabbing at her mom’s hair. “We should go before she starts getting fussy. For what it’s worth, I don’t think you will. You might not believe me, but there’s more hope than you think there is. From an outsider’s perspective.”

“So, I can blame you when everything goes up in flames. Nice.” Julie gently slaps his arm. “Call me when you get back, alright.”

“I will. Wave goodbye to Uncle Argyle, Stella.”

“Bye, bye,” Steve whispers with a small wave.

Argyle smiles. “Bye, Stella. Nice seeing you both.”

They walk down the street to where Julia parked as Argyle returns to the café.

Tag list (let me know if you want to be added or taken off) @slowandsteddie, @annieofhearts, @cacdyke, @ubpd, @captain--low, @thespaceantwhowrites, @goodolefashionedloverboi, @anne-bennett-cosplayer, @lunaticparisianlady, @apomaro-mellow, @dolphincliffs, @dragonmama76, @maggiebug417, @stevesbipanic, @fearieshadow, @eightpackdiaz, @au79burger @bookworm0690 , @practicallybegging, @potato-of-the-lord, @autumncrocusandladybug, @estrellami-1

[sabbathbloodysabbeth]

A repost of something that I wrote, and put on my second account before here :)

Eddie was crouched on the curb of the building when one of the back doors to the mall suddenly flung open. He was behind the mall near the dumpsters, so it wasn’t uncommon for people to slam the door with their legs while their hands were full of garbage bags. What was not normal, however, were the tiny shorts on this guy's ass.

There were no shorts that needed to be that short. Though it was the eighties, crop tops, and short shorts on men were a trend. That didn’t mean Eddie had to enjoy it. If anything, he enjoyed it so much that it did a full one-eighty into a bad case of loathing.

But this sailor, in his short blue shorts, maybe one in a million because Eddie's enjoyment was doing a full three-sixty on repeat. He’s pretty sure his eyes were doing that silly animated thing too, where they continuously popped in and out of his skull.

As he kept watching this fine-looking sailor, he noticed the other man struggling to carry three garbage bags in his two hands. His arms were visibly straining from the weight. The man was also purposely stumbling to the dumpster to avoid one of the leaking bags, leaving a trail of melted ice cream behind him. He was a walking disaster just waiting to happen and Eddie found himself slightly more into that than he had previously thought.

What can Eddie say? He has a thing for dumb men and nice asses. And this gorgeous, gorgeous fool in front of him was the epitome of dumbassery.

Eddie was so distracted by this man that his cigarette burned to the nub, and he wasn’t paying attention to the heat slowly beginning to reach his fingers. Not until it was too late did he notice the tiny lit flame against his skin. Some of the ash landed on his pants, hands, and even his favorite ‘Ride the Lightning’ tee.

“Fuck,” he yelps as he hops up and purposely drops the nub under his show to put it out. His right hand, which got burnt, was doing a dramatic jazz hand skit, while his left made a feeble attempt to brush off the ash. He then looks back up to see the sailor, who had been two-thirds of the way to the dumpster before Eddie did his small fire dance, was now looking at him.

From where he stood, Eddie could hear the other chuckling at him. Embarrassment washed over him before it slowly turned to anger when he finally comprehended who he was looking at.

Standing almost ten feet away from him was Steve Harrington, the same Harrington who was a complete douchebag in high school. Now, said douchebag was holding back soft laughter. The asshole even opened his mouth, probably to give Eddie shit, when the bag that had been leaking the entire way to the dumpster finally broke.

Ice cream and trash go everywhere, most landing on Steve's shoes and hairy legs.

Eddie doesn’t hold back the laughter that catches him by surprise, his anger leaving him before he can say anything too stupid. However, he quickly stops when the other boy's gaze falls back on him.

He’s afraid he’ll have to run away from a trash-covered king, but that fear quickly dissolves when he hears Steve's laughter slowly join his.

“I suppose that's what I get for being an asshole.” Steve comments, scrunching his nose in disgust as he steps out of the puddle of sour milk at his feet.

He looks back up, about to say something to Eddie, but the door he exited less than five minutes ago flings open. This time, a disgruntled girl with a slight bob and matching sailor suit emerges.

“Hey, asshole-” She stops mid-sentence, her expression morphing into disgust as she processes the mess surrounding Steve.

Eddie glances back at Steve who is now frantically moving much faster than before. He throws the garbage over the dumpster and quickly begins to pick up what he can, which isn’t much before he runs back to the girl at the door.

“Sorry, I didn’t see the bag was ripped until I was like five feet away from the exit, and I was hoping to get it all mopped up before you noticed, but the bag broke and–” Steve’s words were flying a mile per minute, each hitting his coworker in the face all at once.

Once again, Eddie is surprised by the boy's behavior and so is Robin, whose name tag he had managed to catch when she takes a step back from Steve. Who now reeked of garbage and seemed oblivious to this fact along with what personal space was.

“Ok, ok, I get it, dingus.” Robins's hand moves up in a stop motion. Both she and Eddie watch as Steve’s anxiety train slows down to a halt before it goes too far off the rails.

“We can get a janitor to clean it up or something, but I need you to get back in there before I piss myself. I’m having one of your kids watch the booth while we are away and I don’t think we have enough time to piss and get you cleaned up before they start robbing us clean.” Robin rambles out.

Eddie can’t help but think that the two were perfect for each other because they sure did ramble a lot.

Eddie’s existence is again ignored as the two sailors head back in. Before Steve is completely gone though, he sends a small finger wave Eddie's way.

And at that moment, Eddie decided he was going to loathe that boy's ass forever.

[edettethegreat]

Ive posted about this a hundred times and I'll post about it again

the fact that edmund knew that if he were to hold a letter, gloucester would demand to read it-- the fact that edmund knew that no matter how reasonable of an explanation he could give, gloucester would assume the worst--

[sariahsue]

This is the outline of a story I will probably never write. (I’ll never write it because it doesn’t really have an ending. It just… kind of ends. You’ll see.)

The prompt I stared with was “Note,” and it’s Adrien’s point of view. Have fun with it.

So, they just shared identities.

He, of course, begins with a romantic spiel, which is overwhelming for Marinette, especially considering everything that's just happened. She's the most awkward mess he's ever seen in his life, so he stops.

She doesn't give the response that he is expecting, just gives him a thumbs up and says, “That's… nice.”

He doesn't know that she meant it unironically, but she comes across as totally disgusted and only being polite because she doesn't want to hurt his feelings.

For the next few days, she's a tongue-tied mess around him at school and on patrol and during akuma attacks. A complete disaster, as Marinette would say.

But he can tell she's trying to communicate something the whole time. He tries to help her spit it out by encouraging her, and being patient while she tries to talk. Maybe offering her a pencil and paper. (Which he doesn’t explain and only serves to make her confused.)

While he's listening, he tells himself that he has to get over her. But seriously, she's the most adorable thing he's ever seen. Probably the most adorable person on the entire planet. And the most creative and courageous and selfless. (insert dreamy sigh) 

He gives up very quickly on trying to get over her. He's never going to get over her in a million years.

She must figure out what the paper and pencil are for, because it ends with her giving him a handwritten note. It's a beautiful love note, and he loves her so much, and it's mushy, and the end.