#and it's something I really really hope we get to see more of in later chapters

[kiyuhai]

summary: You overheard his friends encourage him to confess to his crush (you). feat. Iwaizumi, Akaashi, Osamu Miya

I. IWAIZUMI HAJIME

“Bathroom break! I’ll be right back.” You tell Iwaizumi, chair screeching as you get up. He just nods, and returns his attention to the video playing on his phone, one that you searched up in hopes of roping him into the fandom of Alien Stage. 

You take about five minutes, before heading back down to your classroom, but there are new voices inside. Oikawa, Hanamaki and Mastukawa. You peek through the windows, but shrug, deciding that whatever they came to the classroom to bother Iwaizumi for is none of your business. 

The door slides open, quietly, then you freeze. 

“C’mon Iwa-chan!” Oikawa whines. Loudly. “When are you going to confess? It’s been ages!”

Hanamaki nods along, “Make a move at least, man.” 

Confess? You swallow. Hajime likes someone? 

They still don’t notice your presence, and you can see Hajime’s face contort into one of annoyance, but his ears are red. You bite your lip, not wanting to bring attention to yourself. “It’s none of your business.” He grumbles. 

“Really? I mean, I’m pretty sure [Name]-san likes you too.” Matsukawa shrugs. 

You choke. Me?! 

“[Name]-san does tend to favor Iwaizumi more than us when we go out…” Hanamaki mumbles. “That and you always favor [Name] over us. What are you even watching??"

“Yeah! Just shoot your shot, Iwa-chan. What’s the worst that could ha…” Oikawa’s eyes flit over to the door, and he pauses. “...ppen.” 

You raise a hesitant hand and wave. “...Hi? Am I… interrupting something?” 

Iwaizumi’s eyes widen, and he stares, before glaring at the other three. “Out.” 

“Yes sir!” Hanamaki and Matsukawa are quick to get on their feet and leave, glancing between you, and Iwaizumi, dragging a frozen Oikawa out of the classroom, but not before shouting “Sorry Iwaizumi!” and a “Goodluck!”

You’re still frozen by the door, and Iwaizumi is covering his eyes with his hand. “I’m sorry about them.” He manages to say, moving his hand downwards to cover his mouth, before sighing loudly, hand dropping to the desk. “...how long were you standing there?”

You smile, shy and unsure, and take your seat next to him. “Uhm, since Oikawa-san said confess–”

Iwaizumi groans. “Of course. That idiot.”

You laugh, “Hey! Don’t beat him up. I- so, Uhm.” You pause, before glancing at the paused video on his screen to his definitely embarrassed face. “... You like me?” 

He blinks, and you see his face redden, but he nods, hand covering the lower half of his face as he avoids your eyes. “Yeah. Uhm. For a while… now.” Then he mumbles, “I didn’t want you finding out like this… stupid Oikawa.” 

You flush, and let out a sheepish chuckle. “Really?”

He nods, and you smile. “That's… great. Cuz, uhm– I like you too.” You cough, feeling extremely awkward, but when you see his face light up as he looks at you, you feel like this is a moment you would look back on fondly in a few years. 

“Yeah? You do?”

“Uhuh.” You smile turning shy. You can see his grin widen, and he inches his seat closer to yours. 

“Then I guess I don’t have to beat up Shittykawa later.”

You let out a laugh.

II. OSAMU MIYA

You were just passing by the gym to drop off your cousins’ things before you left. You really didn’t mean to eavesdrop on Atsumu and Osamu’s talk near the vending machine. 

“I dunno, ‘Tsumu.” The moment you heard Osamu’s voice right by the corner, you pause. In your hands are Shin's things that he asked you to drop by the gym, but you look terrible right now, and your friend and also simultaneous crush, Osamu Miya is right by the corner. 

“Really, Samu?” Tsumu sounds serious. “Ya really gonna pass up the chance to admit your feelings ‘ta [Name]?”

You freeze. What?

Samu sighs, the sound of a drink clinking as it hits the metal of the vending machine. You hear the sizzle of soda, and silence for a minute before Samu speaks. “I don’t wanna ruin our friendship, that’s all.” 

“Yeah, well, you’re kind of an idiot, ‘Samu.”

There’s silence, before Astumu lets out a loud “Ow!” and Samu grumbles, “The hell you mean by that, dumbass?”

“Ow– you don’t have to hit me, man!” 

“Yeah, well yer deserved it.”

“For calling you an idiot?!” 

You can tell that Atsumu was going to start another fight, and that Samu has a grin on his face, but Tsumu seems to have reigned in his urge to punch his twin, instead continuing his sentence. “Look, ‘Samu. It’s clear to everyone that [Name] likes yer back, so shoot your shot.”

You blink. WHAT?! You were going to stay still for a few more minutes, but let out the loudest shriek of your life when you feel a hand on your shoulder from behind. 

Turning, wide eyed, hands clutching your chest, you glare. “SHIN!”

Your cousin just blinks at you, and you can tell he’s judging you slightly from the way his lips turn downwards, eyes sharp as he looks at your panicked state and just states, “What’s taking you so long?”

You stammer, “Oh, uhm, well, you see–”

The shriek you let out earlier unfortunately told the Miya  twins that you were there, and had turned the corner, both faces turned in both worry and confusion. “[Name]?” 

You curse, turn to them and smile. “Hi.” Then you turn back to Shin and shove his things to him, before taking off, yelling out a “Okay, See you, Bye!” Face burning red as you think back to the fact that Osamu Miya has a crush on you, too.

You leave a confused Shinsuke Kita behind, and twins that stare at your retreating back, before exchanging glances. 

“She heard us, didn’t she?” Samu says. His twin nods, and lets out another loud “OW!” when Samu fully punches his side.  “What the hell, Samu?!” 

He does confess to you another day, but that was after a good week of you barely meeting his eyes.

III. AKAASHI KEJI

Bokuto is LOUD. 

Because you didn’t need to be close to the gym to hear the snowy haired’s booming voice, “WHAT?!”

You pause, hands midway to reaching for the gym doors. Brows furrowed, you slowly open the door, but Bokuto is loud, excited, basically vibrating in joy, as he talks to Akaashi Keiji.

You were looking for Akaashi to ask a few things regarding your shared project before you left, but what you didn’t expect is to hear Bokuto’s next words.

“You're finally partnered with [Name]?! That’s great bro! Maybe you’ll get to confess while you work on that project!!” You blank out. 

What. 

Akaashi’s back is to you, but Bokuto hasn’t even noticed you yet, continuing to ramble despite Akaashi’s embarrassed, “Bokuto-san.” 

“Say, Akaashi– you should take this chance to confess, yknow? I have a hunch [Name] likes you…” He trails off, Bokuto finally realizing you are there, standing frozen as your face reddens. 

You clear your throat, and you swear you never saw Akaashi’s head snap towards you that fast. You meet his wide eyed gaze with a small smile. “Uhm, Hi, Bokuto-san, Akaashi-san.” 

Akaashi’s composure is still stiff with what you can tell is embarrassment at the fact you heard everything Bokuto said, and his ears are red. “... [Name]-san.” 

“.... I’m so sorry, Akaashi.” Bokuto says, frozen in place as his eyes flicker from you to Akaashi. You just smile, awkward, but you continue, “Uhm, Akaashi-san, can I talk to you for a sec? It’s about.. Uhm, our project.”

“Ah. Yes, of course.” He nods his head, and you head out of the gym. 

The air is awkward, and you’re silent for a while, before Akaashi clears his throat. “What are your questions, [Name]-san?”

“Ah. Right.” You converse normally, but you can tell that there’s an awkward air the moment you have eye contact only for both of your heads to aggressively turn the opposite direction. 

“... That’s about it, Akaashi-san.” You smile, and he nods, offering you a smile of his own, and you think wow pretty. You internally kick yourself. “Ah- I’m sorry if I took away a part of your practice time.” You realize how long it took to discuss your project, already hearing the squeak of shoes from inside the gym, and quickly apologize.

“Ah, no, It's okay [name]-san.” He smiles again, reassuringly, and you hesitantly nod. “Okay.” 

It’s silent again, and you quickly excuse yourself, before Akaashi stops you with a quiet, “[Name]-san?” 

“Hm?” You look at him, and you can tell that he’s a bit nervous.

“About what Bokuto-san said… I hope you aren’t burdened by my feelings.” He flushes, and you blink. His hand nervously rubs the back of his nape, “You don’t have to return them. I just hope it won’t be more awkward with this project we have to finish….” 

You nod, slowly, “Uhm, Ah.. Okay.” You pause for a moment, then you quietly say, “I don’t think you have to worry about me not returning those feelings, anyways.”

His head snaps up to meet your gaze, but you smile. “I’ll chat with you later about the project again, Akaashi-san. Have fun at practice! See you!” 

And you run off, leaving Akaashi with wide eyes. He lets out a disbelieving chuckle, but he says to your retreating back, “... See you.” 

[robbysreaders]

i needed to write something outside of the series i've been doing recently and this just tumbled out of me. I worry Jack is a little ooc here but guess what! idc! ;)

pairing: jack abbot x f!reader

word count: 700ish

You keep a similar schedule to Jack. Well—not exactly. That would be a bit nuts. But you are a night owl, which is why it’s not the least bit surprising when your phone buzzes with his name at 1 a.m. And why you don’t hesitate to pick up.

“An actual booty call? How retro.” “Hiiiiiiii,” he drags out, cutting you off mid-sentence. There’s a smile tucked into every syllable, the kind that always makes you feel like he’s happy you answered. You catch the faintest slur in his words.

“How much have you had to drink tonight?” you ask, laughing. “Heeyyyyy, I’m being good. I’m being soooocial. I’m bonding with my coworkers. I thought you’d be proud of me, not judging me.” “I could never judge you, Jack. If anything, I’m jealous of you. Or maybe just your coworkers…” “I would like to see you. But also, I can’t take my truck…”

“You can come over,” you offer. “I’ll call you an Uber?” “Welllllll that’s the other thing. I don’t wanna get towed… and we’re near your place. So I could walk to you, and then we walk back, and you drive my truck.”

You hear a voice in the background—Robby, you think—grumble, “You don’t even let me drive your car.”

“Jack, this is a lot of logistics for 1 a.m.” You rub your eyes. “Drop me a pin. I’ll walk to you and we’ll figure it out.” “Baaaby, you know I don’t know how to do that sober, much less in this state. And you’re not walking alone.” “Okay, compromise: you text me the name of the bar and we stay on the phone.” He sighs. “Fiiiiiine.”

Four blocks later, you step into a packed bar to the sound of cheers. Way more of Jack’s coworkers than you expected. You would’ve changed out of your sweats if you’d known. But then Jack spots you, and his whole face lights up like you’re the damn sunrise. He wraps his arms around you like he’s been waiting all night.

“Let’s get a drink for the lady!” someone yells. You wave them off. “I’m gonna have to pass. I have work in six hours, so I’m just here to get this drunkard home. Anyone else need a ride?” A chorus of playful boos goes up before Jack cuts them off with a single look. “Alright, call your Ubers. Be safe.”

You leave together, and he steers you two blocks toward your apartment—where his truck is parked.

“For a man who spent an ungodly amount of time in school,” you say, “you might be the dumbest person I know.”

He opens the driver’s side door for you. “What’d I do this time?” “We’re two blocks from my apartment. You could’ve parked in my guest spot. There’s always room.” “I didn’t want to assume,” he says, suppressing a hiccup. You roll your eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”

You climb into the truck, and he shuts the door behind you with exaggerated care. He fumbles his way around to the passenger side and climbs in, sighing loudly as he slumps into the seat.

It smells like him in here—clean and faintly smoky, like laundry detergent and cedar and something a little spicy that lingers in the upholstery. You reach over and buckle his seatbelt for him because he’s too busy humming along to whatever classic rock station is playing low from the speakers.

“You’re so helpful,” he says, leaning his head against the window dramatically. “I don’t deserve you.”

“No,” you agree, starting the truck. “You don’t.”

You drive the two blocks mostly in silence, save for Jack softly singing along to the guitar solo. When you pull into your building’s guest spot, he doesn’t move to get out. Just turns toward you, slow and heavy-lidded.

“You look really pretty,” he says. “Like… offensively pretty.”

“Okay, now I know you’re drunk.”

“I’m serious.” He leans his head back against the seat and sighs. “I was watching the door all night. Every time it opened I thought—maybe that’s her. You didn’t even know where we were or that I was out but I was hoping. Isn’t that dumb?”

You glance at him. He’s half-asleep already, lashes brushing the tops of his cheeks.

“No,” you say quietly. “It’s not dumb.”

You sit there for another minute, the engine ticking as it cools. Then you shake his arm gently.

“C’mon. Let’s get you upstairs.”

[txniesha]

Complication Sylus x Non!MC Reader Pt 5

Synopsis: You wanted to get away but he dragged you back like he always does. The only question is, why don't you leave, why do voluntarily stay?

cw: angst, typos, grammar

word count: aprox. 3000

A/N: finally got my macbook charger replaced so im back to writing. I'm excited to get back to updating this regularly and even starting a new one. I hope you guys enjoy and sorry for posting this so late at night.

part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 part 6

The ride back was a lot more awkward than you had expected. You expected screaming and anger, not pure silence. He didn’t even have music on; he was just staring quietly out of the window. It deeply unnerved you as Sylus was a quiet man but not like this. Usually his silence spoke volumes, but you couldn’t tell what he was thinking at that moment.

When you arrived back to the N109 zone you felt a sense of nervousness, you couldn’t stop fidgeting with your hands and you really wished you could smoke a cigarette. Your phone was shattered and was barely functioning, so you didn’t even have that to distract yourself during the ride. “Here” Sylus says, and you look over at him. He was holding a box, a new phone. You accept the phone hesitantly. “Don’t worry, I didn’t even start it up. I heard how angry you were when we were talking and figured you would do something stupid… like break your phone” he says, his tone a bit disinterested, nodding at your shattered phone.

You just nod and give him a silent thank you. It irritated you that he waited the entire ride back from Linkon to finally give you the phone, but it was whatever. You spent the remainder of the ride setting up the phone and transferring your things over. You weren’t really surprised when you got the service set back up and your phone lit up with missed calls and text messages.

You looked over to see Sylus' reaction to the flurry of messages but were surprised to see him still staring out of the window. This behavior unnerved you. Usually, he would make some slick remark about your ‘boyfriend texting you’ or take your phone and power it off. You decided to ignore it and respond to the messages. You weren’t surprised to have a few from Xavier asking you to please tell him you were okay. You sent back a quick message telling him you were fine and not to worry. Zayne had also sent you a message, but you decided not to look at it. You didn’t know why but you felt like seeing a message from him would make you regret agreeing to go with Sylus.

The car came to a slow stop in front of the main base of Onychinus. This base holds Sylus’ multi-story penthouse at the very top. The driver opens the door for you, and you thank him as you step out of the car. You did not miss the cold dark city of the N109 and longed to be back in Linkon already. Sylus walked ahead of you, and you couldn’t help but follow behind him like a lost puppy.

The air here felt different, and you could tell everyone in the base was more on edge than usual around him. You felt bad that everyone had to suffer the backlash of your actions and walked with your head down. The elevator ride up was tense and awkward also, with Sylus not even looking at you, just staring blankly at the elevator doors.

The doors opened up to Sylus' luxury penthouse and you stepped out into the cold dark hallways. You were surprised to see Luke and Kieran leaning against the wall talking. They had somehow managed to make it back before the two of you. They perked up at the sight of you two and rushed over to Sylus. “We did well right boss!” Luke asks in an excited tone.

Sylus nods and waves them off. “Yes yes, the two of you are free to do whatever it is you both do for the rest of the evening.” Luke and Kieran high five each other and excitedly hurry to the elevator doors. “See you later boss lady” Luke shouts after you. “Don’t get in too much trouble” Kieran adds before the sound of the elaborate doors closing symbolizes the isolation of you and Sylus.

He turns and starts walking down the corridor and you follow behind him. You’ve known Sylus for years but had never actually been inside this property of his. The ambience here was so much different than the other properties you had been to. This one felt more like home. The place was a lot more decorated and smelt distinctly of him. You followed behind him like a lost puppy, hot on his trail, not really sure about what to do and not sure if you should do anything.

He led you to a big door with immaculate craftsmanship in the wood and it opened for him as if it sensed he was there. The room was beautiful, with a couch placed against a wall and a bookshelf lined with records behind it, both placed in front of a beautiful fireplace with leather chairs surrounding it. A gold record player was set to the side of the couch and behind that was a bed in front of a full-length window, red velvet curtains positioned to the side showing you the N109 zone in all its glory. You looked to the side and saw a small bathroom positioned behind a glass wall. The room was too grand to be a guest room. It was his.

You looked at Sylus confused as he took his blazer off and placed it over one of the chairs. “This is where you will be staying” he says as he loosened his tie, his back turned to you. “Sylus I can stay in a guest room” you say quietly. You started to speak again, but he raised his hand, silencing you. He turned and looked at you, his face stoic.

He walks towards you and corners you against one of the chairs, making you fall back in it. He grabs your face and makes you look up at him. “You left me. Lied to me. Slept with another man. You don’t deserve a guest room.” He lets go of your chin and grabs your hand. He reaches into his pocket and slips out a ring. Your ring. He slips it back onto your finger and kisses it. He leans down and gets face level with you. “Don’t try to run from me again. I need you” his voice is painfully full of emotion.

He gets up and gestures toward the in-room bathroom. “Go, take a shower. I’ll have dinner and clothes waiting for you.” He then leaves the room, and you get up and walk towards the bathroom.

It wasn’t much of one, just a shower and a toilet. The walls were lined with various body washes, shampoos, conditioners, scrubs, and facial products. You were not really shocked as he was a man who very much cared about his hygiene. What shocked you was the number of feminine products in the shower that were clearly used. You sighed, biting your lip in anger. This was just another sign that she had been here—frequently, at that.

You took your time showering and did a petty thing, pouring all of the products he had used down the drain and putting them back in their place. You used some of Sylus’ unscented washes and exited the shower.

When you left the bathroom, there was a plate sitting on the table and a pair of clothes—women’s clothes. You guessed that those were hers, and you refused to even put them on. You sat on the couch and ate dinner as you waited for Sylus.

He came back into the room as you were almost finished, and he looked at the pile of untouched clothes. He smirks slightly. “Do you plan on being naked for your entire stay?” he says as he sits next to you, crossing his legs.You roll your eyes. “No. But I'm not going to wear her clothes or use the things she showers with. You say you need me, but numerous things in here scream her.”

He rolls his eyes. “You’re always so busy worrying about other people and what I do and who I see when I’m not with you. If it displeases you so much, I’ll get rid of all of it.” He reaches into his pocket and throws his wallet on the table. “Go buy the things you need tomorrow. I'm done with this conversation and we’re not having it again,” he says, his voice ice cold.

He gets up off the couch and walks to the bathroom.You get up and walk toward the only other door in the room that wasn’t the one that led to the hallway, guessing it was the closet. You were correct in your assessment and started looking around for what you expected to be there.

Sure enough, there was an entire section in the closet designated for her. You grab the clothes and begin throwing them out of the closet onto the floor. As you were digging through some of the drawers, finding more of her things, Sylus came in. “What the hell are you doing?” he says, his voice full of confusion.

“Well, if I'm going shopping tomorrow, I need space, right?” you say, continuing to throw her things out of the closet. “That doesn’t mean you go trashing my room,” he says, irritation now present in his voice. “I'm not trashing it. I'm going to pick them up and throw them away when I'm done,” you say, now turning to him.

He was wrapped in only a towel, much like yourself, his hair still wet and dripping water down to his torso. You had to look away, reminding yourself you were very much upset with him and would not be tempted.

He sighs heavily. “I told you I would throw it all away. Why are you making a scene?” he says, stepping deeper into the closet and grabbing your arm to make you look at him. “I don’t trust that you mean it,” you say, scoffing and pulling your arm out from his grasp.

His jaw tightens and you can see the irritation on his face now. “You think I would keep her things around just to what, taunt you, make you feel like she’s still a choice?” You nod your head, lips pursed. “Yes. I think that is exactly what you would do, because you’re a terrible person when you feel wronged or hurt.”

His face drops into one of stoicism and his grip loosens. He grabs your face gently. “Is that really what you think of me? Some manipulative dickhead who goes to extreme measures just to keep you around?” Yes, you say to yourself in your mind.

“I know what I’ve done to you in the past twenty-four hours is a bit extreme, but I just don’t want to lose you. I can’t lose you. I don't know what you want from me, and I don’t know how to ask you without you blowing up on me. If you didn’t matter, if I didn’t…” he looks away, sighing, and drops his hands.

He turns and grabs a shirt off of a hanger, his shirt, and gives it to you. “I’m tired. Let’s talk in the morning. Sleep in here,” he says, and then leaves.

You stopped your rummaging and sat in silence, contemplating what had just happened. You sighed and decided to go and lay down, putting on the shirt. The bed was a luxurious one with silk sheets. Everything smelt just like him, and it brought you comfort strangely. Your moment of calmness made you realize that you weren’t just angry at him; you were angry at yourself for caring about him. For still feeling something for him, letting him get under your skin, drag you back to him. You close your eyes, deciding sleep is your only option now.

A week of awkwardness went by. A week of glances, unsaid words, and awkward dinners together. He worked in his office when he wasn't down in Onychinus base handling business. You had grown so tired of the awkwardness that you had started talking to his private chef as he made meals just to hear someone speak. Zayne and Xavier had been calling and texting, trying to get ahold of you, but you couldn't bear to talk to them knowing how much it would hurt. How you gave up on the two who cared and tried to protect you just to go back to the one who hurt you the most.

You walked into the kitchen expecting his private chef to be gone already and the kitchen to be empty, but were surprised to see Sylus in there pouring coffee, his hair messy and looking like he had been up all night. You turned to leave, but a red mist quickly pulled you back around to face him.

“No more avoiding. Sit,” he says, and your body involuntarily takes a seat at the kitchen island. He places two cups of coffee on the table and sits across the island from you. “I wasn’t avoiding you,” you say, taking the coffee and blowing the hot drink.

“Not talking to me for a week, awkward side glances, leaving the room every time I'm in there. If that's not avoiding, I don't know what is,” he says with a sly smirk. You sigh and shrug. “Maybe I just need some time to think about all of this. I don't know what you want from me, Sylus,” you say softly.

“You could've left a week ago. Could've run away again, hid better this time. I want you to stop acting like you're not here by choice,” he says softly and grabs your face. “I... I care about you a lot, more than I would like to admit.” You leaned into his touch, not ready to say the words held in your chest. “Sylus, I can't allow myself to be hurt by you again,” you say.

“I won't. I know I haven't given you much reason to trust me, but baby, I promise you, I will do better.” Before you could say anything, the elevators to the penthouse dinged. You both looked over, probably expecting the loudness of Luke and Kieran to grace your presence, but were instead surprised to see her walking down the hallway like she owned the place. Her hair was put up in a ponytail, and she dressed casually with a cup of coffee in her hand.

“Sylus,” she called out, not looking up from her phone.You look over to him and roll your eyes. “Doing better starts now. If you don't handle this, I’m leaving,” you say to him, irritated.

His jaw sets and clenches as he looks toward the doorway where she approaches. She finally looked up and saw you. You were dressed in his clothes, both of your hair messy. It wasn’t hard to guess what she was thinking.“Sy... what's going on here? Why is she here?” she asked.

You get up off the stool and walk out of the kitchen. “I'm serious, Sylus,” you say as you walk out of the kitchen. You stayed in the hallway, obviously going to eavesdrop.

“I told you it wasn’t a good time to come here right now,” Sylus says with a sigh.“What do you mean not a good time? Is it because she's here? You’re not involved with her, are you?” she says, her voice shaky and confused. There was a long and tense silence. “MC, right now is just not a good time. We can talk about this later. Just please leave,” his voice was desperate as he pleaded with her.

You hear a huff and then she comes storming out of the kitchen, not even noticing you as she walks toward the elevators and leaves. Sylus came out of the kitchen, rubbing his face. “Why didn't you tell her we're involved?” you ask.

“Please, just don't right now,” he says, rubbing his temples.“No! I'm just confused. You want me here but can't admit to her that you have feelings for me?” He grabs your arms and makes you face him. “It's more complicated than that. She... she's fate. You're—” he stops speaking and looks away.

“Say it, Sylus. Say what I am to you,” you ask desperately.

“You're a choice. My choice. Not one predestined for me. I want you, all of you,” he says softly.

You look at him and don’t see the put-together man that you usually do. You see one that was unraveling, struggling to come to terms with what he wanted and what he felt like he had to do. You don't know the extent of what he felt for her or how far back it went, but you knew those feelings would always be there.

“I know I'm selfish for wanting you... but I... I love you,” he finally says.

His ruby red eyes bore into yours with such intensity you felt like you were drowning in them. “Sylus, you make it sound like loving me is some kind of rebellion. You call her fate and me a choice, but you're hiding. I don't want to be loved privately like some kind of secret that will break the world. I want you to love me unashamedly, claim me, and show me off. And until she's out of your life, that will never happen.”

tags: @sillyfreakfanparty @crimsonmarabou @z3vl @96jnie @perqbeth @justpassingdontworry @malleus-draconias-rose @sleepykittyenergy @aboobie @syluslittlecrows @scrambledhuevos79 @madam8 @fandomenbylover@insidious-innocence @etherealsoul90 @xsammijoanneex @acasualattempt  @sylusgirlie7 @jasperjokester @animegamerfox @jae48 @goldenbirdiee @zoezhive @rxelarailuj @huuvu @simphoursonly  @athanasia-day @asakiyu @thirstblogforaparchedgirl @eolivy @caramelizedpopcirn @auraficial @dilf-destroyer-04 @hebreeee @noxus123 @satansdaughter123

[platypus-brained]

Is Linda a bad Mom?

Is this a “yes” or “no” question? Is it more complicated? Ultimately, that’s up to you!

Is she the best cartoon Mom? No, she has obvious flaws but in my opinion she’s not all bad! Especially compared to Doofenshmirtz’s Mom!!!

But I understand why some people don’t like her and viewer perspective plays a key role. A younger audience is more likely to see Linda as a bad Mom, while an older audience is more likely to see the bigger picture (and it can depend on the amount of times you’ve watched the show)

Angry that Linda doesn’t see what the boys do? Yes, it can be very annoying but it’s not really her fault because the show intentionally keeps Linda unaware if we apply real world logic, so the real blame is the “mysterious force” and the script

Also Linda’s in her 40s to 50s so it makes sense she’s struggling to believe or keep up with her hyper 15 year old daughter (16 in the revival) but she still continuously answers her phone to come home and lets Candace drag her to the backyard

Think that Linda calls Candace “crazy” or is a “dismissive” or “neglectful” Mom? Yes, there are instances that support this but think about real world logic again because we the viewers see everything but Linda doesn’t. Also think how when Candace screams at Linda that the boys have build some crazy thing EVERY single day and Linda repeatedly doesn’t see anything then those words lose all meaning

How you’d feel if you had someone who kept interrupting you every time you were shopping, cooking, watching a movie, hanging with friends, at the dentist, sleeping, etc to try to show you something you never actually see? Linda has dealt with that for months if not YEARS

You can roll your eyes at me, but admit there’s truth in the points I’ve made! If you can’t see it then you’re in denial just like how Linda’s in denial that her kids have more than “overactive imaginations”

Anyway, I’m going to go over some episodes in non-chronological order that indicate Linda is a good parent (not perfect but not bad)

Don’t like long posts? Then this isn’t for you😅

(By the way, I’m not counting what Linda does in “Phineas and Ferb get Busted” because that was a dream within a dream within a dream)

• In the episode “Mom’s Birthday” Linda is shown to love and appreciate everything that her kids do for her! And even though she's unaware that Candace’s efforts were unintentionally overshadowed by what Phineas and Ferb did, Linda does mention more than once that she doesn’t want the boys to overdo it:

“Oh, wow. You boys really outdid yourselves.”

“Oh, those boys are too much!”

“Oh, I hope the boys don’t go overboard with my present.”

And she asks where Candace is because she wants to spend time with her too: “Candace? Candace? Where’d she go?” Then later she asks Candace to sit next to her: “Candace, honey, come join us. The boys have put together a little video.”

Then Phineas and Ferb’s video reveals the song Candace wrote:

Phineas: “But a true testament to what a great Mom you are, is that your daughter would take the time to write this song.”

*The video reveals Candace practicing her “I Love You Mom” song in the music room*

Linda shreds a tear and goes over to hug Candace then says, “What a beautiful song, honey!”

And tells Lawrence on a video call: “The boys threw me the greatest party. And Candace wrote me this really amazing song.” Which brings a smile to Candace’s face!

(-> Here’s Candace’s full song on YouTube <-)

• Speaking of birthdays, in “Candace Loses Her Head” Linda makes Candace a birthday breakfast: “Happy birthday, Candace! I made you a special breakfast!” *holds a plate with a stack of pancakes with whipped cream, syrup, and a birthday candle on top*

Then the boys make them go to Mt. Rushmore and Linda offers to buy Candace anything she wants in the gift shop (at least she’s trying)

Linda: “Okay, Candace. It’s your birthday, you can pick out anything you want. Ooh, what about the Mt. Rushmore bobble head?”

Candace: “Mom, that's lame.”

But during the end credits Jeremy gifts Candace the same Mt. Rushmore bobble heads because he saw her looking at them and she immediately loves it and calls today the best birthday ever

Also before Linda can see the statue of Candace’s face it explodes with lava but Linda mistakenly believes Candace was talking about the president monument and says: “You're right! It's beautiful! *hugs her* Happy birthday, honey. *kisses Candace on the cheek* Now let's go find your father.”

• Another birthday episode is “Phineas’ Birthday Clip-O-Rama!” where Linda is shown frosting the cake for her son’s birthday party: “Where are you, Candace? You promised you’d help frost the cake after you got Phineas’s present.” And later serving it to the party guests: “All right, everybody. *standing next to a cake with a Phineas ornament on top* Who wants cake?”

• In “Out of Toon” Candace tries to call Linda and her voicemail says: “Hi, this is Mom. Leave your psychotic rant about the boys when you hear the beep.”

And before you go Ah ha! Proof Linda’s a bad Mom! listen to the voicemail Candace leaves: “Uhh! Mom, come home quick! There’s a giant mob, I’m a super fiend, I’m roasting them with laser vision! Hey, what do you mean, psychotic rant?”

Candace is talking about how Phineas and Ferb made her the super villain in their cartoon show (ironic) but her wording definitely doesn’t help her case of it not being a “psychotic rant” and at the end of the episode this exchange happens:

Linda: “Well, I’m here. Now, where’s this giant animation studio?”

Candace: “It got up and it danced away.”

Linda: “It what?”

Candace: “It got up and it danced away.”

Linda: “It got up and danced away…?”

Candace: “See? It even sounds crazy when you say it. I'll be in my room.”

• Another time Candace says something unbelievable to her Mom (that I want to bring up because it’s funny) is in “Split Personality” when Candace tells her the boys “made” her:

Busting Candace: “Mom, Phineas and Ferb made me!”

Linda: “Um, I’ve got some stretch marks that would say otherwise.”

Busting Candace: “No, I mean, they split me in half! Well, not like I’m cut in half, but they’ve made another me.”

• In “Tour de Ferb” Linda just got out of the shower and Candace picks up her up against her will and puts her Mom in her bicycle basket while Linda’s only wearing towels and a robe but instead of getting super mad about this (wouldn’t you?) Linda is glad that she picked that day to wear her bike helmet into the shower

Candace: *picks Linda up* “I know where the last obstacle is. Hee-hee-hee-hee.”

Linda: “Whoa! Whoa! *gets placed in the bicycle basket* Candace, I'm not even dressed!

Candace: “Sorry Mom, it’s an emergency!”

Linda: “Luckily, I picked today to wear my bike helmet into the shower.”

• In “Lawn Gnome Beach Party of Terror” Linda gets worried when Candace hasn’t called her like usual and leaves the spa to go see what’s wrong: “Something is very wrong. Not a single call from Candace. *checks her phone* Not even a text message. Oga hose me down. I'm going home.”

Then she calls Candace while driving home:

Linda: “Uh, Candace? Is everything okay?”

Candace: “Ohh, everything is just wonderful...”

Linda: “And...Phineas and Ferb? What are they doing?”

Candace: “Ohh, such wonderful things...”

Linda: “Candace, honey, I’m coming home.”

Candace: *breaks out of trance* “Wait, WHAT?”

Linda: “I’m right around the corner; I’ll be there in two minutes.”

Candace: “Wait! No Mom, you can’t!”

This is the first time we see Candace have fun with her brothers instead of trying to bust them, but her unusual behavior worries Linda enough that she leaves in the middle of her spa day to go home to see what’s going on to cause this change in routine. Sure, she “ruins” Candace’s time with Jeremy but it's mostly out of concern

• Something similar happens in “Tree to get ready” where Phineas and Ferb and Candace and Stacy are having a treehouse robot fight but Linda wonders why Candace hasn’t called:

Linda: “Hmm. That’s funny. I haven’t gotten the usual call from Candace.*gets phone out and calls her* Candace, honey, I’m at the car-wash, and I’m be heading home very soon. Bye bye.”

Candace: “Oh, no!”

Again Linda unintentionally “ruins” the fun but it works out in this episode since they all race back home and the treehouse robots break into normal treehouses before Linda gets there:

Linda: “Looks like you’re having fun.”

Phineas: “Well, Mom, you know what they say-” *Candace and Stacy throw a water balloon at him*

Ferb: “Fun never falls too far from the tree house.” *Also gets hit by a water balloon*

• In “It’s a Mud, Mud, Mud, Mud World” Linda goes to her cooking class and her cooking instructor breaks her phone after Lawrence called her about the boys having a monster truck in the backyard:

Chef Guilbaud: “Ahem. Madam Flynn, I have told you a hundred times, *uses meat tenderizer to break phone* No phone calls in class!”

Funny enough, his phone rings but it’s actually Candace asking to speak with Linda, implying this happened often enough that she has her Mom’s cooking instructor's contact information but Linda still picks up the phone despite being glared at and threatened

Candace: “Mom, I think the boys are building a monster truck.”

Linda: “Um, honey, I gotta go. No- B-Big chef. Big meat tenderizer in front of Mommy! Bye bye.”

• In “Ask a Foolish Question” she makes Phineas and Ferb homemade granola bars:

Linda: “Hey boys, want some fat-free whole-grain granola bars? They're still warm from the oven.”

Phineas: “Whole-grain and fat-free? *They each take a granola bar* You know us so well.”

Linda: “Yes, yes I do.”

Then the boys end up building a super computer just to ask it what’s the nicest thing they can do for Mom that day:

Phineas: “You know, Mom's always doing nice things for us. I think it's time that we did something nice for Mom!”

Then Linda goes out to use a coupon for a free hair styling from a new salon but she comes home with bags under her eyes and ugly yellow hair 

Candace: “Mom! Mom! Mom! Mo…*Stops when she sees Linda’s hair* Uhhhh....”

Linda: “I’m having a bad day.”

Candace: “Uh, never mind. Come on, come on, come on! *Pushes Linda into the backyard with eyes closed* It’s over here! It’s over here! See?”

And when Linda doesn’t see the giant super computer she complains that it’s too much that day: “You know, Candace, most days, this is just a little disturbing. But today, with the free coupon and this whole awful thing with my hair…”

But if you remember Phineas and Ferb had followed the super computer’s instructions and unknowingly fixed her hair:

Phineas: “We did something nice for Mom! We fixed her bad hairdo. Apparently.”

• In “Journey to the Center of Candace” (and in most other episodes) Linda takes an interest in what her kids plan to do that day

Linda: “What a beautiful summer day. Do you boys have anything exciting planned?”

Phineas: “We’re either gonna make this nuclear-powered submarine or this incredible shrinking ray. But for some reason, Ferb and I can't seem to make up our minds.”

Linda: “Well, I’ve made up my mind. *hugs Phineas and then hugs Ferb* You two have the most wonderful imaginations.”

But she’s in denial that her sons aren’t playing pretend so there’s a clear disconnect (too bad she’s unaware she’s a cartoon character)

Candace: “It’s real, you know.”

Linda: “What’s real, dear?”

Candace: “The submarine? The shrinking ray? They’re really gonna build that stuff.”

Phineas: “Well, actually we haven’t decided yet- *Candace uses her spoon to push Phineas away by his nose*

Candace: “Anyway, when I try to bust them, everything will just magically disappear. Always happens. you’ll see. Well, you won’t see. I'll see, trust me.”

Linda: “As usual, the imagination in this room is astounding!”

Hey, at least we know where Phineas gets his “oblivious genes” from

Also it’s hinted that her kids enjoy Linda’s cooking:

Phineas: “Ah tacos. You know who makes the best tacos? Mom!”

• In “Bee Day” Linda mentions how she and Candace played in an inflatable wading pool when she was little after seeing one: “Oh, look at that, an inflatable wading pool. Oh, it’s just like the one I used to play in with Candace when she was little. Remember, hon?”

This gives Phineas and Ferb the idea for what they’ll do that day. Then when Candace takes a teen identity magazine test and it tells her that she’s emo Linda is supportive: 

Linda: “Hi, honey. Love the new look.”

Candace: “You obviously don’t know me. Nobody does. And if somebody did, I’d just deny it.”

Linda: “Sweetie, I went through a similar phase when I was your age. Try writing some poems.”

Candace: “Whatever. I don’t care, No one gets me... Except my hair.”

Linda: “That's my girl.”

Candace is later seen writing poems under the tree, which means she followed Linda's suggestion. Bees deflate the giant inflatable wading pool before Linda comes outside to offer everyone iced tea, but she joins some kids in Candace’s old Ducky Momo one:

Linda: “Hey, kids! *Comes out with a tray with a pitcher and glasses of iced tea* Anyone up for some iced tea?”

Phineas: “Sure! Thanks, Mom!”

Linda: “Oh, look! You kids found Candace’s old wading pool! How sweet!”

Phineas: “We’re gonna have a pool party! Go ahead, wade away!”

Linda: *Dipping feet into the pool with Isabella, Holly, and Gretchen* “Aw, it’s just like old times.”

• In “Rollercoaster: The Musical!” Linda does call her “crazy” but Candace is getting in the way of her going grocery shopping for the who knows what time and she does suggest that Candace yell at the cheese in the grocery store until she feels better (which is funny since Candace is allergic to dairy and shows that Linda does care)

Candace: *Pulls Linda to where the poster used to be* “Here, look, look, look, look, look, see? I told you I'm not crazy! I told you!”

Linda: “And you’re not crazy because...?”

*Candace screams when she opens her eyes to see the poster’s gone*

Linda: “I see your point, Candace. No crazy person would scream at a post like that. I’ll be in the dairy section if you want to come yell at some cheese. *goes off-screen then comes back* Would you like that, honey? Would you like to yell at some cheese?”

Candace: “A little.” *takes Linda’s offered hand*

Linda: “Well, c’mon, then.”

• In “What A Croc!” Linda is shown trusting Candace to be in charge while she’s not home more than she trusts her husband after seeing him watching “Horse in a Bookcase” with the boys

Linda: “Alright, Candace, I’m headed out to the zoo to do my volunteer work.”

Candace: “Which means I’m in charge.”

Linda: “Well, not really, ‘cause Dad’s here. Right, honey?”

*Cuts to Lawrence, Phineas, and Ferb in the living room watching Horse in a Bookcase*

Lawrence: “That’s right, dear.”

Linda: *Looks at Candace* “You’re in charge.”

Candace: *Smiles and opens the door for Linda* “Bye, Mom! Have fun at the zoo!”

• In “Backyard Aquarium” it’s shown that Linda’s favorite author wrote the book series “You & Your High-Strung Teen” which implies that Linda reads a lot of books to try to understand her daughter (with varying degrees of success)

Linda: “I’ve gotta tell you, I read your first book and I love it.”

Bridgette Oshinomi: “Do you have a high-strung teen at home?”

Linda: “Uh, you could say that. *her phone beeps* Oh, this must be her.”

Bridgette Oshinomi: “She sent you a picture? Lemme see.”

Linda: “Well...okay.”

Bridgette Oshinomi: “How bad can it be? After all, I've been through with my own- *sees picture of Candace’s up close face while screaming* Oh. I think that maybe you need the rest of the set. *gives her two books* Uh, and why don't you take a whack at that first book again?”

Funny enough, this Bridgette Oshinomi character is also a news reporter who reported about Phineas and Ferb’s Perry the Inaction Figure in “Toy to the World”

• In “Phineas and Ferb Interrupted” Linda wants to spend the whole day with Candace:

Linda: “Hey hon, I was just reading this article about mothers and daughters, and really listening to your teen. And I realized I’ve hardly seen you all summer, so for the whole day today, it’s you and me. Whatever you want to do, I’m all yours. Anything at all.”

Although they end up sitting there watching the boys do nothing exciting after they got hit by Doof’s Dull-and-Boring Inator:

Candace: “Phineas, come on! What is wrong with you guys?”

Linda: “Candace?”

Candace: “Mom...”

Linda: “How about if I go get some lunch and bring it back for us?”

Candace: “No, no, no, stay, stay! I'm really enjoying this quality time with you.” *kisses her on the cheek*

Linda: “Me too, sweetie!”

• In “Hip Hip Parade” Linda and Candace have a girl’s day out but Linda understandably wants Candace not to try to bust or obsess over her brothers:

Linda: “Candace, you have to promise me that you won’t obsess about Phineas and Ferb.”

Candace: “Yeah, sure Mom, I promise.”

Linda: “Don’t just promise this time. Raise your right hand. Do you, Candace Gertrude Flynn, solemnly swear not to obsess about your brothers, or you’ll suffer the Pharaoh’s Curse?”

Candace: “The Pharaoh’s Curse?”

Linda: “Yes or no?”

Candace: “Okay, yes.”

Linda: “Okay, now we can have fun.”

And Linda says how she enjoys spending time with Candace!

Linda: “See Candace? Isn’t this nice to just get away and enjoy a day together?”

Candace: “You’re right Mom, this is the best. I’m not even going to think about– Mm, you know. I’m not even going to say their names.”

Linda: “That’s the spirit.”

But Candace is Candace and she can’t resist her busting instincts:

Linda: “Candace, I’m having a great time with you today. See how relaxing it is when you’re not obsessing about your brothers?”

Candace: “I can’t take it anymore! Mom, I really tried my best to give you a day, but it’s… the boys. The boys! They’re in the parade! With giant floats! So come on, you gotta bust them.”

• The whole “Ladies and Gentlemen, Meet Max Modem!” episode where Candace learns her Mom was Lindana:

Candace: “Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom! You never told me you were a pop star!”

Linda: “Oh yeah! Well, that was long before you were born. It was fun, but I was happy to give it up to raise a family.”

Then Candace comes with Linda to a revival concert (-> Here’s a video of that on YouTube <-) and she wants her daughter to sing with her onstage:

Linda: “I wouldn’t be here without you, honey. You backed me up all the way. So it’s only right that you should back me up onstage.”

Candace: “Me? Sing?”

Linda: “Just relax. You'll do fine.” *Candace grins and gives her a thumbs up*

Candace then had the time of her life! She and Linda even dance together during “Alien Heart”

(There are more but I’ll end this post here)

[nogutsnogloria]

summary: there’s always someone to believe in you when you don’t believe in yourself.

a/n: this is just strictly platonic all around-family telling you you can do something even when you don’t think you can.

michael robinavich x jack abbot x dana evans x reader

your standing at the nurses station getting your cases ready for handover when you are brought out of your work by your favourite drink being waved in-front of your face. you look up to see dr. abbot leaning over the counter with the drink in his hand looking like he needs to ask you something.

“what’s that for?” you ask with eyebrows raised, because even if he’s brought you a treat for no reason before the look on his face screams this one comes at a price.

“we’ve been called up” he’s extending the drink in his hand so you finally decide to take it. “called up?” you’re at the end of your shift and you know if you thought about the sports reference long enough it would maybe click but you need him to spell it out for you.

“robby and gloria are conducting interviews for dana’s replacement with the dayshift nurses who are on this morning, they need some backup until about noon. that’s us. we are the backup. it will only be five extra hours and yours have been pre approved for double time. the job is just covering the nurse having their interview, like a floater.” you nod at what he is telling you and answer “okay no problem, you didn’t need the drink to ask that but i do appreciate it”

you’re honestly shocked at the news that they haven’t picked a replacement yet. any nurse you talked to about the posting had applied as soon as they heard about it, and it feels like said posting went up forever ago.

dana’s final days as a contracted charge nurse are coming to an end. she has decided not to fully retire, but to be given casual privileges so that she can choose when she wants to work and be with her family more. you are happy for her, if anyone deserves to slow down it’s dana. she has been there for you since your first days in your practicum as a nurse, and she is the reason why you picked emergency medicine when you finished nursing school almost ten years ago. however the first line you got was for night shift and you never looked back, you occasionally covered days when asked, but you were comfortable on the night shift.

the raise becoming a charge nurse would be nice, but you decided to not apply because dana will have some unbelievable scary, huge shoes to fill.

your standing at handover listening to the doctors speak on the cases you’ve been working with all night. when night shift breaks off and day shift can have a pre-shift meeting. it’s the usual updates on the standard of care that upstairs is really pushing down here. robby finishes up the meeting with “and remember we have the outdoor patio reserved at the pub down the road after shift today. i hope everyone can stop by and enjoy time with each other away from the hospital.”

you hang back to check in with dana. “anywhere specific you need me?” she smiles at you over her glasses. “nah kid i know you know what your doing. hop in wherever you see fit, we do have some baby nurses on today who might approach with questions, and if you tell any of the other nurses here i will deny it-but you give the most approachable energy so i am just warning you in advance with that one. oh and i really appreciate your help here, if you want to stay even later than they told you be my guest.” she looks at you to let you know that she’s kidding she doesn’t expect you to stay after an extended shift “oh, thanks for the offer dana but no thank you, i am taking my five hours of double time and im running” you both laugh at that.

you’re finishing up checking on vitals on an intubated patient waiting on an icu bed when one of the aforementioned baby nurses is approaching you looking like someone stole her puppy. “are you available to help me? the patient is a bit agitated and is making it really difficult to get an iv started.” you completely understand being in the emergency room stinks but you aren’t going to let some asshole ruin a new nurse’s whimsy. “of course! lead the way. i will just be there as back up okay? you know how to do the job you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t. don’t let some grump tell you how you should be doing it.” you say to her as she leads you to the exam room.

she opens the curtain and the guy looks less than impressed to see you with her and raises his voice at you. “look i already told the little bitch, unless there’s a painkiller in that drip no one is coming near me with a needle, she didn’t need to call mommy to come help.” you see jack and robby making their way over to the commotion. you put your hand up to signal that you’ve got it. the other nurse turns to you a bit shaken. “dr. mohan didn’t prescribe a painkiller. it’s just fluids, he was brought in by the police unconscious and inebriated-he can’t leave until care is done.” you now feel the need to protect the younger nurse after his little outburst so you step in between her and the hospital bed and look at the patient in the bed with a raised eyebrow.

“mr. roberts you really shouldn’t speak to my nurse like that. she’s just trying to help you. your doctor didn’t prescribe a painkiller but she did prescribe a bag of fluids that will help with the headache. now you can cooperate and let her do her job or i can get someone in here to restrain you, and she still does her job, either way she’s giving you the fluids. one of the ways doesn’t give you mobility to get up and use a bathroom when the fluids start working. you give him a bit of a screw you smile to tie the whole thing together. the patient sits back and grumbles but ultimately lets the nurse start the iv, you spend extra time with her to show her the easiest way to stick a dehydrated vein and both of you leave the exam room.

“thank you for that, honestly i was losing the battle in there.” you look at her “it takes time to stick up for yourself, we can’t make everyone happy, some people just enjoy being miserable.” that makes the new nurse relax a bit. “well thank you again for helping.” you pat her shoulder and head in the opposite direction.

next couple of hours pass and you just float where needed. noon is approaching which means your long awaited shower and bedtime is also approaching. “hey we need your help on an incoming gsw to the abdomen, four minutes out. surgery is meeting us down here.” dr. langdon rushes past you with dr. santos and dr. king following behind.

you meet dr. abbot at the trauma bays and get gloved and gowned up. you do your job while langdon, santos and garcia bicker. you watch as they do, but you can tell its becoming a bit much for dr. king so you tell her she’s doing a great job, once the patient is stable enough they are still puffing their chests with one another battling over who actually stabilized the patient so you finally pipe up. “what does everyone need? gold stars? applause? we’re backed up enough as it is down here can you get this guy upstairs and into surgery please?” that gets everyone moving. you didn’t notice robby sneak in and stand with jack to observe at the end so when your turning around and disposing of your gown you bump right into him. he’s biting back a laugh at your comment to the duelling doctors. “oh dr. robby sorry i didn’t see you there.” he catches you so you don’t bounce right off him. “no worries kid, just came to let you and jack know you’re free to go. interviews are all finished, thanks for the help today.” you walk towards the locker room to grab your things.

jack and you live pretty close together so you usually walk to and from work with one another when you can. while waiting for him by the desk you pull on your hoodie pulling your ponytail out from the neckline. “are you coming to the pub later?” dana asks you. “oh that seemed like a dayshift thing.” you say non committal. jack walks up behind you “and what shift exactly are you getting off of?” you raise your eyebrow and grab your bag putting it over your shoulder. “an extended night shift.” you give him a look you hope conveys you absolute dummy. that makes everyone laugh including robby. “no the invite was extended to everyone in the team huddle, abbot seems to think he was included, that means you are more than included as well.” you nod “yeah, sure i can come for a bit after i take a nap, i guess i will see you all later.” with that you head home.

its about eight when you find yourself heading to the pub. you are quickly greeted by jack “i owe you a drink for today” you roll your eyes at that “you really don’t, but i won’t say no” he gets you a beer and you two head over to where robby is sitting and take a seat. “how were the interviews today man? you have someone lined up yet?” jack asks as you both sit down. “well we actually had 56 out of the qualified 57 nurses at the hospital apply so it took a bit to get through it all.”

you can feel both their eyes on you as you take a pull of beer from your bottle trying to look anywhere else but at either of them. abbot has argued with you every time you told him you weren’t applying, and now you are starting to suspect that he went behind your back to throw your hat in the ring anyways. “well lucky you that’s a huge pool to choose from, i’m sure someone fits.” your kind of afraid to look at robby because now you think the two attendings are about to interrogate you about your choices so you decide to get ahead of it.

“was today some weird audition. jack was telling you lies about how i could be a charge nurse so you set this up to see me in action. did you even have interviews today?” you take another stressed pull of your beer.

“see robby i told you she was smart.” jack can’t help himself. he put a hand on your shoulder “and i’m not kidding or lying when i say you could do the job and you could do it well.” you turn to look at him “you really don’t want to work with me anymore?” he shakes his head at you “that’s not it, just can’t stand to see you waste your potential.” you groan and lay your head on the table. “who are you? my dad?” you can now here dana laughing behind you too. “oh great! were you in on this too? is there no one i can trust?” dana sits on your other side and rubs your shoulders. “kid i hand picked you years ago when i first met you, you can blame jack and robby but i am being the difficult one here.”

you lift your head up from the hiding spot. “there is seriously no one else? i don’t believe for a second that watching me work for a handful of hours made up your mind about me” robby shakes his head. “we could offer it to someone else but from all the stories i have heard about you from these two, you just picked up the extra hours today without complaining about it, the way you helped anyone who asked and kept everyone on track that is exactly what i am looking for in a charge nurse. the job is yours.” you sigh. “what if i crash and burn? can i go back to my old job?” robby nods. “all of us just want you to succeed, and if you try and it doesn’t work-which i don’t see happening by the way, you are more than welcome back to your old job.” you bite your lip and then release it, thinking. “okay so do i need to officially apply? or is hr going to reach out with the contract?”

[sergeantbuckybarnes]

REMEMBER YOU YOUNG // bucky barnes

CHAPTER 1: WELCOME TO NEW YORK

Summary: You end up stuck in 1942 without a way to come back, but when you meet the young and charming version of Bucky Barnes, do you really want to go back to the present?

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Word count: 3.9k

Warnings: mentions of war, lack of 40's knowledge, mentions of back to the future & the butterfly effect (with spoilers)

A/N: As always, remember English is not my first language. I'm sorry for any grammatical or spelling errors. No proofread or beta-ed.

It’s been an eternity since I've written for Bucky… I posted this fic I a few years ago, and I was going through it again, but I wasn’t happy with how I wrote it back in the day, so I decided to start it over. Reader how travels back in time and falls in love with Bucky is one of my favorite tropes 🙈 Hope you guys like it!!!!

marvel masterlist | series masterlist

It was supposed to be an easy mission.

In and out.

Easy. Risk-free.

You'd had the warehouse under surveillance for weeks, every corner carefully analyzed, the plan memorized like a mantra.

Steve had repeatedly said, “Do not touch the crystal.” To be honest, he'd repeated it more times than necessary. And even if you'd never admit it, you knew you were the reason for it.

Impulsive.

Reckless.

Hot-headed.

You were a good agent; that was indisputable. But you had the flaw of having trouble keeping your restlessness and curiosity at bay.

And that's why, when you entered the room, with Wanda behind you, your eyes were drawn to the glass resting on a pillar in the center of the room. It radiated an almost hypnotic white glow.

Steve's voice warning that the crystal shouldn't be touched without proper protection echoed in a remote corner of your mind, like an echo fading into the distance. And even closer, Wanda's voice was a murmur urgently calling your name.

You couldn't help it. It was like a magnetic pull, and the Chrono Crystal was chanting your name.

Your hand extended slowly, almost subconsciously. The moment felt frozen in time, as if the world had stopped spinning for a split second. When your fingertips finally made contact with the raw edges of the crystal, a pulse rushed through your body, leaving you paralyzed.

And then it happened.

The first thing was a powerful flash of light, so powerful that when you faced it, you had to close your eyes and shield your face with your arm.

The next thing was a tremor, the vibration of the ground resonating through your bones, and with a shudder, you lost your balance, collapsing next to Wanda on the cold concrete floor.

Then, a gust of wind blew toward you, a whirlwind that carried with it a force that defied logic. The white light intensified even further, enveloping every corner of the room in a flash so bright it was impossible to see anything. A few seconds later, the chaos ceased, and everything went black.

As your vision cleared, you realized something was wrong. The cold walls and concrete floor of the warehouse had been replaced by the grimy walls and floor of a dimly lit alley.

You slowly got up from the ground, wincing in pain as you touched your side, feeling it slightly bruised from the fall. Dazed and disoriented, you struggled to process your abrupt displacement. You found yourself standing in a narrow alleyway, surrounded by decaying posters plastered on the walls. The clamor of bustling city life and indistinct chatter filled your ears.

Your mind raced as you tried to make sense of the situation. “What the hell just happened?”

You heard Wanda groaning while getting up on her feet, brushing the dust off her jacket. When her sight gathered back its focus, her expression morphed into a confused one, which you were pretty sure matched yours.

“Where are we?”

You took tentative steps, your eyes darting from one end of the alley to the other, searching for any semblance of familiarity. The disorienting shift in your surroundings fueled a growing sense of unease within you. Your heart raced as you tried to recall what could have caused this bewildering displacement.

Then it hit you.

“The crystal,” you murmured.

“Steve warned you not to touch it,” she reprimanded.

“Actually, he warned all of us.”

“He just said it because of you.”

And you knew she was right.

You turned around to see Wanda, who was holding a newspaper in her hands with a frightened expression on her face. 

“What is it?” you inquired, curious as to what had disturbed her so deeply. She put out the newspaper for you to read, and dread settled in your gut. 

“THE BATTLEFRONTS OF THE WAR IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PACIFIC JAPANESE CLOSING PINCERS ON JAVA”

And the date.

February 18, 1942.

“We’re… We’re in the past.” The realization tumbled from your lips, heavy and surreal.

Was it actually feasible that you had gone back in time? 

Is this why they kept the crystal secured?

“What do we do now?” Wanda looked at you as if she expected you to come up with a solution; after all, you were responsible for this situation. If you had followed Steve’s orders and not touched the Chrono Crystal, you would not be here right now. Instead, you would have finished the mission and be back at the compound, safe and enjoying a cup of ice cream while watching some shitty show on Netflix.

You sighed. “I don’t know.”

“They’re going to come for us, right?”

You could hear the tremble of anxiety in her voice as she spoke, and it matched your own mounting fear. The weight of the moment pressed down on your shoulders, with each second extending into eternity as you tried to come up with a plan.

“Yeah, eventually,” you replied, though your words were coated with uncertainty. “They must have realized something had happened. Tony and Banner would quickly figure out what the crystal can do.”

“What do we do until then?”

For the time being, you concluded that looking for a place to stay was the best course of action. You stepped out of the alley and onto the streets of Brooklyn. 

The air was filled with the sounds of streetcars clattering down the rails and people discussing the latest news. The sidewalks were bustling with activity, lined with oak trees and lampposts. 

Men in hats and suits, women in gowns with nicely coiled curls, all going about their daily routines. Stores displayed their goods in small windows, luring passersby with flashy signs. The aromas of freshly baked bread and fried fish wafted from corner delis and bakeries.

You noticed the advertisements painted on brick walls, touting things that have long ago disappeared or evolved, and the newspaper boys shouting headlines about the ongoing war, and mothers rushing by with their children.

Everything felt so familiar yet completely foreign.

You understood how Steve felt when he walked into Times Square for the first time after being defrosted.

As you went through the crowd, you could see people giving you weird looks, attempting to get out of your way, and avoiding walking near you at all. 

“Why are they looking at us like that?” you inquired.

Wanda halted walking and grabbed your hand, dragging you to the side of the roadway. “I think it’s the clothes,” she pointed out.

“What’s wrong with our— ” You stopped your words when you took a look at what you were wearing. “Oh.”

You couldn’t stroll down like that. It was drawing attention, which was the last thing you two needed right now. Wanda paused for a moment, unsure if she should do what she was contemplating or not; it was a good option, the only one you had. 

Wanda sighed. She did not have a choice. 

You glanced at her and immediately knew what she wanted to do. It was one of the many reasons The Scarlet Witch was your closest friend—there was no need for words to communicate what the other was thinking.

With a snap of her fingers and just a few seconds later, you glanced down to see your new garments. Your twenty-first-century clothing had been swapped for simple, period-appropriate attire, resembling those commonly worn by women in those days.

You looked at her with the fascination that you’d always held whenever you saw Wanda utilize her powers. You couldn’t understand why people could be afraid of her when she could do such wonderful things.

The next day, you were lying in the bed of the hostel you were staying in, and the ceiling had never looked more interesting. It had been more than 24 hours, and you still hadn't heard from your friends.

You hadn’t left the room since you arrived and were beginning to feel suffocated.

“Let’s get out,” you said as you rose from the bed. Wanda averted her attention from the book she was reading and glanced at you as if you’d grown a second head.

“Are you crazy? We can’t just wander around the city like that!”

“Why not?” You pouted and sat in her bed next to her. “What is the harm?”

Impulsive.

Reckless.

Hot-headed.

Careless.

Wanda sighed and shut the book in her hands. “We aren’t home! We cannot parade around the city as if we belong here.”

“I just want to have some fun!”

“You wanting to have fun is what brings you into trouble, and let the rest of us deal with the consequences.”

She was not trying to be mean. She loved you; you were her best friend, her shoulder to cry on, and the only consistency in her life, but your persistent negligence drove her nuts. No matter how many times you burned, you never learned.

Like right now— you were stuck eighty years back in the past because of your reckless behavior, and you wanted to go out and have fun as if it were any other Friday.

You got up abruptly from the bed and made your way to the door.

“Where are you going?”

You did not respond to her as you exited the room, closing the door behind you and leaving the building and onto the streets of New York. You knew you were acting childishly, and Wanda was correct, but you were too proud to admit it.

You wandered through the streets with no particular destination in mind; all you wanted was to feel the breeze on your face. You had been walking for at least twenty minutes when you spotted a building that caught your eye.

‘The Lindy Lounge’

A dance hall.

You crossed the street and headed towards the building. 

The doorman, dressed in a clean white shirt, a black vest, and a bow tie, smiled and nodded to you in greeting.

A live band playing a fast tune, the beating of tap shoes on the shiny wooden floor. The aromas of perfume and tobacco smoke hung in the air.

Couples swayed in perfect sync with the music on the dance floor. A half-moon-shaped bar circled one wall of the room where patrons gathered, sipping cocktails and chatting.

The scene was completely different from the clubs you used to go to in Brooklyn nowadays.

As your eyes kept exploring the room, you spotted a short man standing out from the crowd that you couldn’t help but recognize. You narrowed your eyes, trying to get a better glimpse of him.

He was so much different now, but you could still recognize Steve Rogers anywhere.

You turned away as soon as you recognized him. Steve could not see you—yes, he didn’t know who you were yet, but he would meet you in the future, which could have a wide range of consequences. 

What if you do something that changes the past and influences the future?

You’ve watched ‘Back to the Future’ enough times to know that one small action could create ripples across time. 

The butterfly effect was no joke. 

What if you do something that alters the past and impacts the future?

Like when Marty unintentionally interfered with his parents’ first meeting, almost wiping himself out of existence.

Or that other movie with Ashton Kutcher, where he realized he could travel back to key moments in his life by reading his journals. Every time he modified an event in his past to achieve a better future for himself, he discovered that the repercussions of his actions were far more intricate and catastrophic than he ever anticipated.

You groaned inwardly at the thought; you couldn’t let that happen.

That would be your biggest screw-up ever.

You began to panic, your mind racing as you made your way back to the exit, only to turn around and clash with someone.

“Careful, doll.” 

That voice, why did it sound so familiar to you? 

You looked up, heart pounding, and found yourself staring into the piercing steel-blue eyes of a much younger version of Bucky Barnes.

His gaze was soft, devoid of all the sorrow he had become familiar with these days, and the charming smile across his face contrasted sharply with the ever-present frown he wore now.

The Bucky Barnes you knew was nothing like the man who currently stood in front of you.

“Bucky?” You stammered, your lips moving before you could control them. 

Here it goes, the second mistake of the night.

Confusion washed over his face. “Do we know each other?”

Your brain short-circuited, searching for a plausible response.

“Um– I mean… Is there any single lady in Brooklyn who doesn’t know who Bucky Barnes is?” You said, forcing a hollow laugh from your mouth.

He chuckled lightly, and the sound shot a thrill through you. It was so rare to hear Bucky laugh, “Guess you have a point there. I’m hard to miss.”

You sighed internally, relieved that your somewhat picky line had worked. 

His hand was still resting on your shoulder, having caught you when you collided with him and kept you from falling. It felt warm and reassuring, in sharp contrast to the chaos in your mind. You couldn’t believe you were standing in front of a version of Bucky who wasn't burdened by the weight of years of HYDRA’s torment. 

A Bucky that was on the verge of becoming what he would inevitably turn out to be. 

“Uh, are you alright?” he inquired, tilting his head slightly, a hint of concern creasing his brow, and then it was then that you realized you had been staring at him for far too long, lost in contemplation.

You hurriedly averted your gaze, muttering, “Y-yeah, sorry.”

You tried to get by him and keep to your original plan of leaving the club. If letting Steve see you was a bad idea, talking to Bucky was far worse. But he gently grasped your upper arm as you were about to depart, turning your heels back to face him.

“C’mon, doll. You can’t leave me like that,” he said with a smile that never left his face. 

It was so odd to see him happy. Bucky rarely smiled these days, not that you could blame him given what he'd gone through. And now you couldn't get over how wonderfully beautiful he looked with a smile on his face.

“You owe me at least one dance.”

He offered his hand to you, and you knew you should have declined because it was a bad idea and may have long-term ramifications, but there was something about him that drew you in, even if reasoning told you to go. Your gaze darted between his outstretched hand and his boyish smile. 

“Just one dance?” 

“Just one,” he assured you, his voice smooth and soothing. “I promise.”

Your brain was shouting at you in every way conceivable, reminding you of the butterfly effect, the temporal paradox, and how just a few minutes before, you were attempting to flee to avoid any irreversible damage. 

However, you were not known for making sound decisions. 

Against your better judgment, you shut off your brain and placed your hand in his. His grip was firm as he guided you to the dance floor.

Here it goes, the third mistake of the night.

It was late when you walked into the hostel room, but Wanda was still up, perched on her bed like a mother waiting for her daughter to return from a late-night rendezvous. 

“Where have you been?” she demanded.

You bit your lower lip, a habit you developed when you were nervous. Wanda knew you like the palm of her hand, and one look at you told her something was up.

“What have you done?” Even though her voice sounded fatigued, it remained steady.

“I fucked up… again.”

Wanda raised an eyebrow, the twitch of her lips betraying a hint of empathy despite the sternness in her expression. “You know that’s not an answer, right?” she asked, sitting up straighter and folding her arms. “You’re going to have to give me more than that.”

You took a seat on the bed opposite to hers, fiddling with your hands as you struggled to find the right words to recount your evening to your friend.

His hands were on your back, with yours wrapped around his shoulders. You swayed

to the slow melody the band was playing as the soft notes filled the air.

“So, you know my name, but I don’t think I got yours.”

Giving him your real name was definitely not the most sensible idea, but at this point, you might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb.

A smile formed on his lips as he tasted your name. “It suits you perfectly. Beautiful name for a beautiful girl.” 

His unabashed flirting made you chuckle. You’d heard the stories from Steve about Bucky’s amazing luck with the ladies. But now that you had that man in front of you, his hand wrapped around your waist and dancing so close to you, you could see why so many women fell for him.

He really had a game.

His gaze remained fixed on you as you continued to dance to the music. He tightened his grip on your back and leaned in to get closer to you.

“How is it that I have never seen you around before?”

“I’m just passing by,” you simply stated, not technically lying to him. You still held hope that your friends were working on a way to bring you back home.

“Does that mean I’m not gonna see you again?” His voice sounded disappointed.

You peered into his deep blue eyes and felt the warmth of his gaze pulling you in. "Well, that depends," you replied playfully, a smile teasing your lips.

"Depends on what?" He prompted, tilting his head slightly as if hoping to catch a peek of the thoughts swirling behind your eyes.

You waited a few seconds to respond, weighing your words carefully. “Depends on whether you can convince me that it’s worth seeing you again.” 

Bucky chuckled, a low, rich tone that sent shivers down your spine. "I see how it is. A challenge, huh? I like a challenge," he replied, his grip firm but gentle as he drew you in closer, his heart beating steadily against yours.

The band shifted into a new song, one with a faster tempo, but he didn’t let go. Instead, he led you around the dance floor, expertly weaving between couples.

“Oh, do you? Or do you just like collecting pretty faces for your scrapbook?”

Bucky laughed, genuinely. “If that were the case, I'd have a whole wall dedicated to you by now." His forehead almost touching yours. “But I’m more interested in the stories behind the faces. What makes you… you.”

Your breath hitched in your throat as you stared back at him. The world around you faded away, and for that fleeting moment in the dance hall, it was just the two of you.

“So, what’s the real reason you’re just passing through?”

The question lingered in the air, and you hesitated. “Let’s just say I’m taking a little detour from my usual routine.”

“A detour?” His eyebrows raised in playful skepticism, and he leaned in again to keep the moment private. “You mean to tell me a girl like you doesn’t have a regular hustle?”

“Sometimes life has a funny way of making you take unexpected paths,” you said, your voice steady but playful enough to deflect the question without losing his attention.

“You should stick around these paths a little longer,” he suggested. “I have a feeling, if you do, you'd find more than just a dance.”

You searched his gaze, feeling the weight of his words linger in your head. “What if I don’t?” You asked, a touch of a challenge lacing your tone.

“Then I’ll just have to make sure I make every second count.” 

He brought one of the hands that were resting on your back to your face and gently caressed your face. Cupping your jaw, he stared into your eyes, silently asking for permission to close the small distance between you. 

When you did nothing to stop him, he leaned in closer, his eyelids fluttering shut as his lips brushed against yours. Bucky's lips were warm and surprisingly soft, coaxing you into the moment. Time seemed to stand still, the music around you fading into a background hum, and it felt as though the entire world had zeroed in on just the two of you.

His fingers curled gently around the back of your neck, deepening the kiss. You couldn’t help but smile against his lips. You wanted to hold onto this memory. This version of Bucky has only known you for a few hours, yet his kiss was more meaningful than any kiss you have experienced in past relationships. It was something you hadn’t realized you craved until now, so you let yourself get lost in the kiss.

And here it goes, the fourth mistake of the night.

“What the hell!” Wanda exclaimed your name, raising her voice at you. “Do you have any idea of what you have done?”

“I couldn’t help myself.” You ran your hand through your hair and exhaled sharply. “He was just—”

“Since when do you have feelings for Bucky?”

“I don’t!”

Wanda crossed her arms, her face one of incredulity and frustration. “Really? Because it sure doesn’t sound like it, and it certainly doesn’t look like it.”

“I swear, Wanda, it was just a moment!” You threw up your hands in exasperation. “A dance, a kiss… nothing more than that!”

You were not lying. You’d scarcely spoken to the man since Steve brought him to the compound. You knew nothing about him aside from the basic information that everyone else knew.

He was quiet, reticent, and brooding most of the time, with a heaviness that appeared to follow him like a shadow. He spent the majority of his time locked in his room. And the times he finally came out, he sought to remain out of everyone's way to avoid being a burden.

Wanda stepped closer, her green eyes narrowing as she studied your face for any signs of duplicity. “You don’t just dance and kiss someone like that. Especially not Bucky! You have no idea what that might signify in the future. Messing with the timeline like that... You really outdid yourself with this one."

“I didn't mean to! I didn’t plan it!” You ran your fingers through your hair again, pacing the small room. “You think I wanted to end up here, in the past, making a fool of myself over a guy I barely know?”

“It’s not just about you,” Wanda insisted. “What if he starts to feel something for you? What if he remembers this? You might end up erasing part of his past or—”

“Or what? It’s too late to take it back now,” you interrupted. "I know I screw up alright?"

Wanda’s shoulders fell slightly as she glanced at you, frustrated but concerned. “What did you do after you kissed him?”

You hesitated, the recollection returning in a maelstrom of emotions. “We just stood there for a moment, looking at each other. It felt like time stopped still.”

Wanda lifted an eyebrow, clearly still on edge. “And then?”

“And then I panicked!” You flung your hands up again, feeling the weight of the situation fall on you. “I wasn’t sure what to say! So I just… I pulled away and ran.”

[dfroggofarson]

Your room is dark and still. It is well past midnight, the slow muffles of the city coming inside through your half-opened window only lulls you more into your dreams.

But not the man sitting in your chair.

You jolt awake, eyes runnig around your room, and your uneasiness becomes justified as soon as you meet with the hazel eyes fixed on your form.

"What the...?!" You panic even more when you realize who's eyes you're looking into.

Kento Nanami sits in your chair in the corner of your bedroom, all leaned back, legs crossed, fingers intertwined in his lap. Your breathing is ragged, you're feeling transparent, see-though and bare - you are just in your pajamas.

So many questions flood through your head, but you don't start yelling.

No, not when it's him.

"Nanami, why... why are you here?"

You instinctively tighten the blanket around you when he moves. He stands up slowly, straightens his suit, and makes his way to your bed. You want to run, scream for help, but his gaze mortifies you.

Nanami sits on the edge of your bed, just inches away from you, and slowly reaches out. You want to pull away, but before you could do that, he grabs your face in a flash. He is not violent, doesn't squeeze your cheeks at all, just holds it.

If you weren't terrified to your core, you would have said that in his eyes, you saw love.

But you aren't going to mistake it for obsession.

He tilts his head, still not letting go of your face. He, instead, starts carressing your skin with his thumb. "You have no idea how beautiful you are. The things I would do for you..." He trails off, getting lost in thoughts you knew no way in hell were healthy.

"Nanami..." you begin, but stop again when his eyes meet yours.

You only realize there is something splattered across his face when you look closer.

Your blood runs cold.

"Nanami, what happened?" You ask, and hope to God it was just some syrup or anything else than what you know suspect is on him.

He humms in question, then reaches for his face. He smudges the liquid and looks at his hands. "Ah, sorry, sweetheart. Had some business to tend to before I came to see you."

You watch in horror as he licks the blood off his thumb, then frowns. "Yours is so much more tasty."

He tries to reach for your face again, expression still firm and cold, but you grab his palm mid-air. He watches as you set it back on his thigh. "Nanami. Why don't we talk about this in the morning? I'm really tired now."

You want nothing more than to have him out of your room, your whole life, but you are alone in your apartment in the middle of the night, with your phone out of reach. And you know well how he gets when something upsets him. So instead, you yawn, pretending to be sleepy - in truth, your heart is racing, nerves just a move away from snapping. But you give him a small smile you know he'll notice despite the dark.

Nanami blinks, then snickers (which sounds more like a scoff). "Sorry, I got ahead of myself. I know you like your sleeping hours undisturbed," you almost sigh in relief when he stands up from your bed. "Then I'll meet you in a few hours. I'll get you some coffe and a croissant."

"Okay," you just reply, and fake a yawn again.

"Good night then, sweetheart," he waves you goodbye, but before exiting your room, hand already on the handle, he stops. "I can see right through you, love. You don't have to go around lying to me all the time."

You freeze again, and he turns to face you this time.

His stare is gravely sharp.

"Don't lie to me."

A second later, the door closes, and you don't dare to collapse onto the bed and start sobbing until you're sure he's out of your apartment.

You have no idea he's still standing outside your bedroom door.

I realized I only post CB and random shitposts, which is not cool. evil!Nanami has been bugging me for exactly three days, so inspired by Erika Lundmoen's song Yad, I wrote this little thing. Do you like it?

Read chapter one of I want it All here >>

dividers by @strangergraphics and @cursed-carmine

[deardaichi]

025. whistles, warmups, and wandering eyes — oikawa toru.

wc: 0.5k cw: gn!reader. seijoh 4 friendship. oikawa has a crush ^.^ a/n: sorry of this is a little ooc. can you guys tell i really love the seijoh 4. i love them more than anything. i hope you enjoy <3 requested by @sxnnee

you don’t notice him at first.

there’s too much going on — tape rolls, clipboard sheets, tanaka forgetting which knee he’s supposed to wrap. the gym’s full of echo and movement, stretching mats shuffled across the floor, someone setting to no one in particular just to feel the rhythm of the ball.

but when you finally glance up — towel bag slung over your shoulder, heading toward the bench — oikawa is already looking.

he doesn’t look away fast enough.

just shifts his weight and starts talking to iwaizumi like he wasn’t staring in the first place. but you saw it. clear as anything.

iwaizumi jabs him lightly with his elbow, the kind of jab that says you’re obvious. matsukawa catches it too and grins behind his water bottle. hanamaki says something under his breath that makes oikawa flick his towel at him in protest.

you don’t dwell on it.

you stack towels, check your rotations, make sure the bench is clean and water bottles are full. oikawa doesn’t look again. or if he does, he’s better at hiding it now.

but a few minutes later, once stretching ends and teams shift into more focused warm-ups, you catch footsteps near your bench.

not one person.

four.

“karasuno’s manager,” hanamaki greets, hands in his pockets, expression entirely too casual. “nice to finally meet you up close.”

“we’ve decided you should transfer,” matsukawa adds. “come to seijoh. cooler jerseys. better snacks. cleaner benches. better view.”

you raise a brow. “view?”

“oikawa,” hanamaki supplies, nodding at him. “he’s a little obsessed.”

“i am not,” oikawa says immediately, in that calm, practiced voice that only cracks a little at the edges.

iwaizumi, predictably, looks done. “we told you not to come over here.”

“i came over here to say hi,” oikawa mutters, before correcting himself. “we came over here. as a team. to be polite.”

“and to scout,” hanamaki adds. “don’t forget that part.”

matsukawa leans in slightly, voice light. “you don’t scare easy, huh?”

“i’m used to worse,” you reply, tone even. “we practice with hinata.”

oikawa huffs a laugh at that — the real kind. soft, surprised.

you look at him then, fully. he’s calm again. composed. like he didn’t get caught looking before. like he’s been doing this a long time.

“good luck today,” you say, not teasing.

he nods. “you too. not too much, though.”

a whistle cuts through the gym — sharp and short — seijoh’s coach signaling warm-up rotations. iwaizumi gestures toward the court with a tilt of his head.

“coach’s calling.”

“saved by the whistle,” hanamaki sighs. “see you around, manager-san.”

they turn to go — all four of them, shoulder to shoulder, seijoh blue moving back across the court like they never stopped being a unit. but oikawa glances back once.

just a flick of his gaze.

like maybe he thinks this won’t be the last time.

you watch him go.

and you think he might be right.

taglist (open. ask to be added <3): @tangerinelovr @oligbia @megapteraurelia@iwantfoodpleasebuymefood @dira333 @kcandyliciouss @beee1221249qq

© deardaichi | everything here is written with care — please don’t repost, copy, or alter my work without permission.

[littlejoels]

notes: hi guys! this is my new account (old acc was littlesoulshine/littlejackles) where i’ll be posting more jackles + other content. i wasn’t really feeling motivated on my old account and, honestly, it just started to feel draining; so here we are on a new acc! if you have any jackles or jared ideas or requests, my ask box is open! i hope you guys enjoy!!

𝜗ৎ dean mentioned early in the morning that he had a surprise, and that alone meant you should’ve put a helmet on. instead, you followed the sound of the electric air pump whirring in the backyard, and found him hunched over a deflated kiddie pool. seeing your figure near him, he leaned back on his heels and grinned up at you. “okay, now go put on your swimsuit.”

𝜗ৎ you blinked, trying to wrap your head around the scene: a full-grown man, dead serious, inflating something clearly made for toddlers. a minute later, sam rounded the corner with two heavy bags of sand slung over his shoulders. he caught your eye and raised an eyebrow, the kind of look that said 'i have no idea what's going on either,' but also 'screw it, let's see where this goes.'

“he’s serious,” sam said, dropping the bags by the plastic edge. “he’s calling it ‘project beach’.”

𝜗ৎ dean made a dramatic pssshhhhh noise with his mouth and slapped the side of the pool. “that’s ‘project bitchin’ beach’, actually. and i need you two in swimsuits. now.”

𝜗ৎ you tilted your head, squinting at him despite the glare of the sun, then spun on your heel and walked back inside without a word. fine, if he wanted to play whatever bizarre game this was, you’d play.

𝜗ৎ you went straight for the smallest bikini you owned—shimmery black with a micro-triangle top that tied behind your neck and bottoms were as cheeky as can be. barefooted, you strutted through the bunker halls ready to tease dean and sam out of their swim trunks.

𝜗ৎ from the open patio door, the smell of cut grass and cheap rubber pool toys floated in as you walked through the opening. dean’s jaw dropped as soon as you came out. “jesus christ.”

𝜗ৎ sam didn’t gawk—he just let out a small sigh, somewhere between a groan and a laugh, like here we go again. he knew you. while dean looked like his brain had short-circuited. his tongue darted out over his bottom lip before he even realized he was doing it.

𝜗ৎ you strolled right up to the edge of the kiddie pool. it had a few sad inches of water and was surrounded by those bags of sand sam had lugged in earlier. honestly, it was dumb and adorable.

𝜗ৎ you stepped one foot into the cool water, watched it ripple around your ankle, then dipped the other in and turned around, water lapping at your calves. “what now, project leader?”

𝜗ৎ dean stood there like he’d forgotten how his legs worked. “fuck—get in here.”

𝜗ৎ sam muttered something about needing a drink, but you caught the way his eyes lingered a second longer on the curve of your ass as you bent to sit in the pool. the water barely reached mid-thigh, sun-warmed and just a little slippery from that cheap plastic feel.

𝜗ৎ you leaned back on your hands, stretching your legs out in front of you, toes brushing dean’s shin when he finally climbed in. his swim trunks were blue with black palm trees all over it—but that's all that you noticed until your gaze traveled to his meaty thighs as he settled in. the younger winchester came back with a beer, and a damp white tank showcasing the abs he worked hard for.

“this is ridiculous,” he said, yet he didn’t leave.

𝜗ৎ you looked up at him through your lashes, “then take your trunks off and make it worth the setup.”

𝜗ৎ sam blinked with the bottle paused just shy of his lips. you smiled as dean rubbed a hand over his jaw, eyes going dark.

“getting to the point huh," you nod with a smile at his remark. "you serious, baby?” he asked, but he already knew.

𝜗ৎ you pushed yourself up onto your knees, water sloshing over the sides of the plastic rim. “dead serious.”

𝜗ৎ you leaned in to kiss dean first—your fingers curling into the waistband of his trunks and tugging them all the way down. he groaned into your mouth as you straddled him, knees sinking into the pool bottom, water slapping against your thighs. your bikini bottoms were gone with a flick of his fingers, tossed somewhere onto the damp sand.

𝜗ৎ you could feel sam watching, the bottle he so desperately wanted was forgotten at his side. you held dean’s cock in your hand, then sank down onto him in one smooth motion, water rippling in low, gentle waves. your mouth fell open with an ‘o’ expression at the feeling—a moan curling from your throat as dean grabbed your hips and grounded you on to his.

“fuckin’ hell,” he growled. “you feel good, sugar.”

𝜗ৎ you rolled your hips, letting him watch your face twist with every motion. once you started getting use to his cock, hands—sam’s hands—slid around your waist from behind, pulling your body back, pressing his chest to your spine.

𝜗ৎ you didn’t stop moving. well you couldn’t, dean's eyes fluttered closed, and his grip was tightening so much, your movement away was limited. you instantly felt sam’s cock, nudging between your cheeks—so, as the best girlfriend that you are (or the horniest) you reached back, lined him up, and helped him push in; the full feeling of them making you moan loud enough the neighbors would’ve called the cops if they weren’t so far away.

𝜗ৎ you were filled and full. dean’s cock in your cunt, sam’s pushing into your ass, both stretching you open like you were a toy made just for them. your legs shook as you rocked forward and back, caught in the pressure between them. the pool squeaked under the motion, water splashing up over the rim, soaking the sand.

𝜗ৎ dean was panting, groaning out lewd words, “jesus, you’re gonna make me cum just lookin’ at you—fuck—move, baby, c’mon, just like that—”

𝜗ৎ sam whimpered against your neck. “you take both of us so good. fuck, this tight little ass—shit.” you continued to ride them despite the creaking plastic and the water slapping against all three of you and to be honest, you were enjoying every second.

#tags below

@soldiersgirl @iloveeveryoneyoureamazing @legalmente-loca @bluemerakis @whisperingdaze @cherrygirlfriend @bruisedfig @sunsbaby @ambiguous-avery @bocadelinfierno @sunnyteume @bejeweledinterludes @zepskies @k-slla @lunaleah @pieandflannel @liiiilsss @that-stanford-girlie @lanasgirlfr @angelicjackles @mostlymarvelgirl @nymphet-quenn @thesevnthseal

[theotherrookie]

"I sure hope so. Things start going bad when we don't care anymore what happens to children."

"It must be quite interesting whenever you and the rest of your brothers meet up. With such a wide array of professions, you may never be at risk of running out of conversation topics." Willow chimed in. It was a touchy matter for Erica and she didn't want her to upset herself with the current topic too much.

"We have to take turns and there's just four of us!" The trick had worked perfectly. "Well, I didn't feel much pain as a zombie, but elves like me are just born with a hollow back. I don't know what it was for, it didn't really do anything. So I let Willow get rid of it."

"It was merely an aesthetic change that didn't interfere with Erica's magical affinity, as we have now confirmed."

"Yeah, it's no big deal." Erica reassured, "But I guess that's why we didn't know about it. I'm glad Rook met Russell, though. We wouldn't know all of you guys if she hadn't!"

"And for that, we're both thankful."

Erica nodded fiercely at Willow's words, before looking ahead. "I think I've seen this part of the city before."

Right on cue, Willow started giving out directions.

"I had to do it for my own peace of mind. Imagine dropping anything in here. The noise will bounce back and forth for days." Rook said, before eyeing Antonio, "And I had to think of my guests. After all, if you're too sassy while in the void, the void will eventually sass you back."

Luckily, there weren't signs so far of the pocket having any level of awareness. Perhaps its artificial nature meant it'd never fully go beyond reacting to the presence of those tied to it.

"Oh, I really panicked at first." Rook admitted, "Because I kinda sneaked in to see where mum was going and I got left behind. But then I just got bored of the panic and started poking around again. I guess it's just the effect this place has on you after you've been here for a while."

It did help that after a while it occurred to her she wasn't feeling hungry or tired. Not being directly affected by the passing of time while being in that glorified broom closet took part of the urgency away.

"Alchemy and herbalism are different disciplines. The ability to directly control the temperature and intensity of our fire is however a major advantage." Veronica replied, "I wouldn't mind sharing some of my knowledge on the subject. It can be very useful at times."

It wasn't just good for creating huge piles of precious items they could treat like Lego, after all. Rook was glad to see her gift was being appreciated.

"Anything for my big bro. But that coin you picked," She paused to point at it, "that's a lucky one."

She proceeded to pass more pouches around, even holding one up so it could be stored in the drone for the time being. They'd figure out a way to get it over to Simon's place later.

"Thanks, Leofric." She offered a second bag, "I can't wait to see what he'll make with these. It seems like he really likes smithing."

"I'm no expert, but I'll do my best with it." Lucien said, standing up, "Russell deserves to have something that shines at least half as much as him."

Rook rolled her eyes, "You guys are so mushy. I bet it's all those sweets you two eat."

Still, she was very happy for what Russell and Lucien had going for themselves. It was clear it made both happy and that was all that mattered.

"Well, let's catch up with Bill. He should be almost at the exit by now."

"They never do. I don't get why adults are like that with kids." Erica grumbled, "Well, that served him right. He should be thankful he can still see other people holding mops or anything else. I used to scratch those who picked on isolated survivors."

She tried liking everybody, but she simply couldn't stomach bullies. They should be better people if they didn't want their butts kicked.

"Oh, I just dress comfy for myself and for Smokey. He used to sleep in the hole on my back, but I don't have it anymore. So we need pockets now." Erica explained, "Oh, I see! Russell always gets in trouble, uh? But I'm glad he's going to be okay."

She scratched at the tip of her ear as she tried to recall anything about the accident Travis had mentioned. "Hey, Willow, how long have we known Russell?"

Willow, of course, provided an answer without hesitation. "Rook met Russell about six years ago. However, the accident in question was never mentioned to me, which might imply she isn't aware of that particular misadventure. It isn't the sort of topic one would so casually discuss with a person they only recently met."

Rook would have definitely brought it up at some point. The topic of Russell's ability to get in dangerous situations and narrowly escaping it had been discussed often over the years and neither had been able to provide an explanation on how he managed to do that.

"And I met him later because I was still figuring stuff out after Willow found a way to reverse my zombieness."

"We were all very busy at the time." Willow said, leaning back, "To think I was only two years old then. Time really does fly outside the matrix."

"You know, we could watch that show together." Erica offered, "It'd be the first time for me!"

Rook stopped to look around while the pocket kept shifting to create a suitable way out of there.

"That would become unbearable quickly. The first thing I did when I learned there was a way to interact with this place was removing the echo." Rook said, "I really didn't have a great time the first time I got stuck in here. It took mum half a day to notice I was missing."

"I only had control over a limited portion of this place. Chick had to keep busy rearranging all my supplies." Veronica added.

But of course, everything had changed when Rook had retrieved one of their lost books from the clutches of the Brotherhood. They finally had access to a powerful tool that made their activities far easier and were a bit closer to unlocking other hunting techniques previously lost to time.

The last few blocks fell into place just as Bill was sent off to enjoy the panoramic view. Veronica figured she would make herself useful while they waited for Rook to tend to her business and shifted her focus to keeping their surroundings stable while they lingered there.

"Alchemy has always been one of our strongest suit. I dare say Erika has a natural talent for it." Veronica said, pride evident in her tone.

Rook wasn't feeling particularly proud of herself, but still managed a small nod. "I'm alright. I see you guys found my pile of gold without the rainbow. Do you want some?"

The coin shined and felt like the real deal. It was made of gold of the highest quality and with both sides decorated with a crude rendition of a bird's foot.

Rook went ahead and dug up a candy scoop she then used to fill a small bag with coins under Lucien's very intrigued gaze. She closed the bag by pulling the strings at the sides, then offered it to Antonio.

"I've got plenty to spare. I really don't mind."

"The one he picked might be worth more than the entire pile, dear."

"Let me splurge, mum. I'm trying to ignore my feelings right now."

Unable to resist to the shiny himself, Lucien quietly took the scoop from her and started filling another bag for himself.

"Oh, please, don't make compliments." Rook said, nudging him with her boot.

"Get off my back. I can make a lovely pendant for Russell with these." The half fae hastily pushed back with his arm, before scooping up a few more coins.

[buddyhollyscurls]

wanna make an appreciation post for Yor for a moment bc in anticipation of me getting Vol 5 soon, I saw a preview of it and it's the part when she's trying to learn to cook right, and it got me to thinking about what I've seen of her arc so far, of her feeling insecure about her place in the family, about how she doesn't feel capable, how even Anya jokes she's strong but not good at much else (even tho Anya LOVES how strong she is) and I feel like she needs a little more love

because Yor is obviously the protector of the family, Anya knows her mother would KILL for her, she knows that she is Mama Bear when it comes to her, Loid may not know the whole truth, but Yor cannot hide how strong she is from him but also she is so much more than that

She is the soul of the Forger family. She is their warmth. Who else can bring an overworked, overstressed spy to his knees after a long day just by looking at her because he is immediately comforted by her presence, and the mere sight of her relaxes him and literally physically releases the tension he carries? It's Yor. Who, after being up all night on a mission on a cruise ship, spends her entire free day playing with her daughter? It's Yor. Whose brother is so obsessed with her (we can debate on their relationship and his codependency of Yor and if he's really in love with her - personally I don't think he is but that's for another time) and is an angel in his eyes because she gave up her childhood to raise him? It's Yor.

Yor is the sweet, kind, and nurturing soul of the family, and I hope that's something they help her realize as the story progresses.

I also think her being underappreciated is something that happens a lot with mothers, particularly those like Yor who put their all into their families. I really hope at a certain point we see this established like I know Loid has told her before that she's doing a great job within the family, but I also hope there is more ... vulnerability? I guess is the right word later on. She isn't just told that she's doing well, that the Forger's need her. They need her warmth and kindness and heart. Because that is what she deserves

[scrapyardboyfriends]

Episode Thoughts…

Continuing to like this Vic. I want to keep her forever. She finally makes sense. Haha. I just really like her being there for Robert and wanting to help him so much. That and telling off John. He’s a walking red flag, Vic, open your eyes!

Loved her blatantly telling John he was insecure. Understatement but very painfully true.

I’m glad they’re still talking about therapy for Robert. The plot needs to give him money for that and to buy Eric’s house.

The Aaron scene was definitely rough in the second half. But I actually really liked the way they did the switch. You could see Aaron being concerned and caring in the first part of the conversation, using his soft voice to ask if Robert was okay. It was only when Robert, perhaps inappropriately implied it was Aaron he wanted to talk to about not being okay that he started pushing back.

I mean yes, it probably wasn’t fair of Robert to ask all things considered.

But I like the implication that Aaron only started to push back when the idea of spending any real time with him came up because he knows that he would cave so fast. A vulnerable Robert standing there asking him for help and wanting to open up? That’s the Robert of Aaron’s dreams right there. Haha. But no, he can’t be that person for him because he can’t trust himself so he has to exhaustedly break up with him for the four hundredth time.

And so poor Robert gets himself a date. His awkward flirting was mildly painful to watch. Also date rapist Owen and Mike the Chef seem to have the same awkward flirting style back.

It was a good kiss though. Let’s have a repeat of that with Aaron down the line please. Good practice for a reunion kiss?

I do kind of wish we saw more of a private reaction from Aaron instead of him telling John it was tragic and walking away. But hey he did get out of there fast. So maybe that’s something.

And I love that Robert is still just like “yeah no I can’t actually sleep with you” to these guys. They don’t stand a chance. Not even when Aaron rejects him.

But anyway, fuck Owen and his drugging him. And why does everyone have a creepy murder van?!? First I thought he was putting him in the back of John’s van until I realized the doors were different.

Speaking of John. I really wish the drugging had been his doing. Unless they’re going to reveal a twist later. I know part of his thing is just manipulating situations as they come to his hero benefit but sometimes I just wish his actions were a little more villainous and intentional.

I mean we don’t know what he’s going to do exactly now other than monologue and stand over him with a syringe. I imagine he’ll play the hero and fake find him or something. I just hope Robert doesn’t really fall for it.

Speaking of Robert not falling for John’s BS, his face during that scene where John was telling Vic to come to him if she ever feels unsafe was great. He was like “who the fuck does this guy think he is?!” Also he said it directly in front of Robert. Not that he cares but still. Haha.

Overall good stuff. Looking forward to the rest of the week.

[cercess]

Beneath New Skies - Chapter III

Death's Door

𖤓 Tags: Depictions of violence, mentions of death, depictions of injury, depictions of blood, angst 𖤓 Rating: Explicit 𖤓 Word Count: 3.3k 𖤓 Notes: hey all! Sorry or the time it took to get this out, I really struggled writing some parts. I want to add a trigger warning for this chapter: it depicts scenes of the city being attacked, as well as descriptions of a wound on a character's arm. If these make you uncomfortable in any way, please skip this chapter. When I upload chapter four, I will include a summary so you don't miss any critical information moving forward. I'm hoping to get chapter four out either tonight or tomorrow, because I know this one took me a long time. This chapter isn't my favourite writing-wise, but it was important for events that will come later. Please excuse any clunky parts, as this is not the type of story I typically tell; I'm much more of a slice of life/romance author. Thank you all for your continued support, and I hope you enjoy the chapter! 𖤓 Previous Chapter / Next Chapter 𖤓 Read on AO3

The day started like any other, with you working the counter at the apothecary. Kyros, the restaurant owner, was browsing the wall of dried herbs, while your father helped Akmonides with some ailment in the back room. 

“What do you think they’re talking about in there?” Kyros asked as he smelled a vial of crushed ginger.

“Is gossiping about the gossip-monger really a good idea? He’ll find out eventually.”

Kyros laughed, as he added the ginger to his basket, “not unless you say anything.”

“That depends on how much coin he offers.” 

It was just a cough. You knew because your father had grabbed eucalyptus on his way back. In your business, the answers to people’s suspicions were often much more boring than what they’d imagined. One day, you planned on taking over your father’s position and treating patients yourself. But, seeing as the man was still as spry as ever, there was still time before that happened. Sometimes he’d test you pool by simply stating the ailment. It was then your job to figure out what ingredients needed to be used. After doing it your whole life, mixing the proper tonics and ointments came as naturally as breathing. Peppermint for colds, feverfew for fevers, valerian for insomnia, ginger for mild pain, and poppies for severe pain. Those were the common afflictions you saw, but every once in a while, there would be a curveball, and you’d have to consult your journal. 

“These are pretty,” Kyros held up a blue flower, “maybe I could use those as a garnish.

“Those are flaxseed flowers, and we use them as laxatives. Probably not something you want your customers eating.” You grin as you fiddle with the necklace Phainon had given you.

He would have found that funny. 

It had been a few days since he’d left for the ruins of Janusopolis, and you’d spent most of your time yearning for his return. It was almost sickening how much you longed for him; like a lovesick teenager who had to be glued to their partner’s side at all times. 

The door behind you opened, and out walked Akmonides and your father. The former held a vial of what you assumed to be a tonic for his cold. The other telltale sign of his affliction was his nose, which had been rubbed raw from wiping mucus away.

“Could you run to Demetria’s?” Your father asked, placing a hand on your shoulder as he slipped behind the counter. “We need oranges.” 

You nodded and hopped off your stool, taking the opportunity to emphatically stretch your arms and legs. He sometimes sent you on errands throughout the day, knowing that you appreciated a break from the mundanity. 

As overwhelming as Marmoreal Market could be, you could never shake your love for it. You had lived your whole life with the bustling stalls right at your doorstep. The sound of customers haggling echoed in the back of nearly all your childhood memories. 

The walk to Demetria’s was short, and when you arrived, the grocer was quick to welcome you with a hug. 

“Have you grown since I last saw you?” She asked. 

“Maybe,” you say brightly, knowing full well you stopped growing years ago. 

When you placed the oranges in your basket, she took a long pause, before adding a bundle of grapes. “That doesn’t quite seem heavy enough, here. A treat from me.” 

“Thank you,” arguing with the old woman was futile. She was too kind for her own good. 

Before returning to the apothecary, you made a detour to find an old friend. She was usually easy to find, as she spent her days running along the streets. 

“Serena,” you called down a row of plant-adorned homes. It wasn’t long before she poked her head out from behind a pot. You waved, beckoning her closer. 

She scanned the street before running over to you with a smile on her face.

Gaining the girl’s trust had taken considerable effort. The first time you met her, she robbed you blind. After returning home from The Grove, you were unfamiliar with certain changes, namely the orphaned children that used the market as their hunting ground. When you told your father, he merely laughed; apparently everyone had fallen prey to her antics. At the time, you were angry, and spent two days searching for the thief. After clamouring over the rooftops, you eventually found her hideout on a balcony overlooking the market. Your anger immediately subsided when you saw her huddled in the corner, surrounded by empty boxes and various stolen mementos. A sudden appreciation for your stable childhood had blossomed since then, especially as more desperate children arrived from Castrum Kremnos.

Serena was from Icatus, and had no means of supporting herself. She insisted her parents would return, but the disillusionment of maturity told you otherwise. Since then, you made an effort to leave her food whenever you could. When you and your father had leftovers, you’d set them outside the shop for her, and in the morning there would be a flower on your windowsill. 

“Were you looking for me?” She asked, trying to get a better look at the gift you held behind your back. 

You laughed, and showed her the bundle of fresh grapes. “I thought you could use a treat on a hot day like this.” 

The little girl’s eyes widened with excitement, and she snatched the fruit from your grasp. She looked at the gift like it was a rare gem, “this is all for me?”

“Of course, I-”

An earth-shattering scream cut through the gentle moment like a knife. Instinctively, you pulled Serena behind you, her hand tightly grasping yours. “What was that?”

“Stay close, and don’t run ahead,” you instructed in a harsh whisper. 

Keeping your back against the wall, you carefully shuffled to the end of the building to peer down the main street. The lone scream had multiplied into an overwhelming rumble of panic. Ahead, people were fleeing a towering figure clad in blue and white. You’d learned of the Titankin through Phainon, but had never laid eyes on one. It’s marbled skin was exactly as he had described, and the golden dagger it brandished was far from an inviting image. 

“What’s happening?” Serena tugged at your arm. 

Primal fear overtook you when the Titankin turned its head in your direction, it’s stiff, inhuman movements only adding to your terror. Had it seen you? Was it coming your way?

“We need to run,” you pulled the girl further down the street, away from your possible assailant. 

“To where?” She asked shakily as she struggled to match your pace. 

You slowed down slightly, needing a moment to think. What you needed was to get to your father. For all you knew, he was alone in the shop. He was not a trained fighter; neither of you were. A feeling of hopelessness began to gnaw at your confidence as you realized the dire nature of the situation. 

“We need to get to my father,” your attempt to keep your voice steady failed. Getting to your father meant returning to one of the main roads on opposite ends of the street. The southern road was blocked by Titankin, and the other route would still be a gamble, especially with Serena in tow. Still, you refused to abandon the child. 

“We can get there from the roof!” Serena pointed to a set of stairs leading up to a nearby balcony. 

A low groan sounded from around the corner you had previously checked, and it became abundantly clear that you had to make a choice; risk finding more Titankin on the main road, or follow Serena’s plan. While you had about a hundred logistical questions about Serena’s route, you decided that a petty thief probably knew all the cutie’s secret passages better than you. 

“Up the stairs then, and don’t look back.” 

She nodded, and led you up the nearby building. From above, you could see the extent of the chaos. It turned out following Serena’s idea was for the best, as a particularly burly Titankin stood guard on the northern road. 

“What are those things?” The little girl was trembling, so you knelt down to meet her eye. 

“Those are Nikador’s Titankin. They are very dangerous, and want to hurt us. If one gets close, you run. Do you understand?” You hated how grave your voice sounded, knowing it would only make her more afraid. But fear no longer mattered; survival was your only priority. “Can you still get us to my father?”

To your surprise, she didn’t cry. Instead, Serena furrowed her brow and led you across a nearby canopy. You rushed after her, eager for your feet to once again stand on a solid building. 

“We can climb down here,” she gestured to the ledge below. 

You realized that she was pointing at the protrusion under your bedroom window. The route you had taken must have been how Serena left flowers for you. 

The girl scrambled down the side of the building, using the uneven stone as foot grips. Given you were larger than a child, the drop was a nonissue. You thanked yourself for leaving your window open, and slid inside your bedroom after Serena. 

“Let’s find my father,” you instructed as your anxiety became almost unbearable. You had no idea what you would find, and prayed that the worst case scenario had not yet occurred. 

The two of you crept down the stairs to the shop, the sound of your racing heartbeat thundering in your ears. Everything was painfully normal; the herbs neatly arranged, the phials on the alchemy bench perfectly in order. The only thing out of place was your father, who was nowhere to be found in the main area. 

Serena trailed you, her eyes widening as she took in the shop. If it were any other time, you might have felt a bit of pride at her reaction. Alas, posturing was hardly appropriate during an attack. 

“I need you to stay ducked behind the counter, I’m going to check the exam room.” 

She nodded and did as she was told, curling into a ball. You took a breath, and opened the door. Inside, your father sat at the desk, hunched over a book. 

“Father! What are you doing?” You asked, equal parts relieved and dumbfounded.

“I didn’t think it would take you so long to get back, I-“

“Do you not realize what’s happening? The city is under attack by Titankin.” 

He adjusted his glasses, “if this is some kind of joke, I do not find it funny.” 

Exasperation threatened to overtake you, but the urgency of the moment far outweighed your irritation. “No, it’s not a joke. We need to run now.” 

Your father rose from his chair, and followed you out into the shop where Serena remained under the counter. “You’ve found a child.” 

“Father, this is Serena. I was visiting her when the attack started. She got us here safely.” 

“Then I owe you my thanks.” He smiled warmly at the girl.

“Where do we go now?” 

Before your could respond, your father jumped in, “I suspect they've started evacuating the market. We need to get out while the guards still have a foothold. Otherwise, we’re trapped waiting for the Titankin to find us.” 

You were relieved to have the pressure of responsibility lifted from your shoulders. It was something your father always bore well, and you trusted his intelligence wholeheartedly. 

“Stay in between us,” he guided Serena to stand in the middle of himself and you. Then, your father addressed you, “did you notice where the Titan were gathering? 

“There's one on both the south and north road. We almost had a run in with the southern one.” You shuddered at the thought of that encounter going any other way. “It was farther up, though, so if we make a run for it then we may reach the guards quicker.”

“Good idea,” he nodded, “it’s also closer to the gates. Follow me.” 

The two of you trailed your father as he exited the shop. “Leave the door open. We don’t want to make any more noise than necessary.” 

He crept forward, checking around the corner as you had earlier. The angle of the building made it difficult to see the rest of the street, but you noticed him straining to see past the restaurant. 

“Now,” your father instructed, grabbing Serena’s hand. They took off down the street with you floating close behind.  

As you ran, you found yourself clutching your necklace, your grip so firm that it left star-shaped indents in your palm. If Phainon were here, you’d all be safe. If you can hear me, please come home. I need you. 

The sudden realization of your own mortality was frightening. You thought of everything you had left unsaid, to your father, and to Phainon. He’d never know just how proud of him you were; how lucky you felt to call him yours. All of the little things you were too afraid to say would die along with you.

Your thoughts were soon interrupted by your companions coming to a stop. By the time you slowed down, the cause for their interruption was clear. A Titankin, larger than the other two, blocked your way with its massive sword. 

Serena trembled behind your father, her shaky hand clenched around his pant leg. 

As for the man himself, he slowly raised a hand, “we mean you no harm! Just let us pass.” 

The Titankin’s growl seemed to encapsulate the area in cool air, freezing everyone in their place. At its feet were discarded weapons; a warning for any who wished to challenge its mighty authority. 

Your eye was drawn to a spear that laid a few feet away, its blade shining in the midday sun. It called to you like a weapon of legend, beckoning you to be the hero your father and Serena needed. 

If I die today, I will make him proud. 

You lunged for the spear, albeit not as gracefully as you would have hoped. Still, when you regained your footing, the spear sat in your hands, sharp blade pointed towards the looming Titankin. 

It shifted its attention to you, sword prepared to strike. 

“What are you-“

“Run!” You interrupted your father as the monster lifted its sword high in the air. 

You shut your eyes, bracing for the impact against your defensively positioned spear. The weight that bore down on you was unbearable. Upon impact, you were sent stumbling backwards, but your spear remained raised. 

The Titankin grunted, and shifted more of his weight to the sword. You could hear the wood of the spear splintering under the force, and you focused on moving out of the way of the opposing blade. 

Behind the beast, your father shouted your name. His desperate tone almost brought tears to your eyes. You wanted to tell him you loved him, but the Titankin had successfully broken through your spear, causing you to lose your balance. 

The weapon’s two halves stared up at you sadly, and you almost felt the need to apologize for reducing the beautifully crafted weapon into such a sorry-state. However, there was no time for that, as the Titankin had raised its sword once again. 

You scrambled backwards, holding your arms in front of your face. The pain that exploded through your left forearm as the blade cut through your skin was unbearable. A pained cry escaped you as your vision blurred. Had you been hit elsewhere? You dropped to the ground, cradling your injury close to your chest. 

“Don’t touch them!” Your father cried, before a loud thump echoed through the streets. You wanted to go to him, to see if he was alright, but your legs wouldn’t work. 

Instead, you squeezed your eyes shut and waited for the end to come. I love you father. I’m sorry I failed to protect you. I hope I made you proud Phainon. I’m sorry I never told you-

An awful sound, like nails on a chalkboard, overwhelmed your senses, but the impact never came. You blinked open your eyes to see a blade sticking out of the Titankin’s chest. It stumbled as that sound filled the air once again, and collapsed into a pile of dust. 

For a moment, the debris shrouded your saviour in mystery, but when they ran forward and took you in their arms, you knew your prayers had somehow been answered.

“What are you doing? Your arm, it’s…” Phainon’s voice trailed off as he observed the gash in your skin. You wanted to wrap your arms around his shoulders and never let go, but decided upon remembering your bleeding injury and his white coat. 

“Phainon?” His name fell pathetically from your lips as tears clouded your vision. Your whole body numbed, until the pain in your arm was nothing but a dull ache. 

“I’m here,” he cupped your face in his hands, “I should have gotten here sooner, I’m-“

“Ahem,” an unfamiliar voice chimed in, interrupting your tender moment. 

Behind Phainon stood a beautiful woman with golden eyes. She held some sort of stick in her hand, its shiny material covered in the same dust-like material the Titankin had been reduced to. Her short skirt and accessories were unlike anything you’d ever seen in Okhema.

“Are you going to introduce your friend?” She grinned down at you and Phainon, slugging her weapon over her shoulder. 

“Leave them alone, Stelle.” An equally exotically dressed man called as he helped your father to his feet. You noticed he had a small scar under his right eye, although it did nothing to detract from his handsome features.

“You’re no fun,” the woman huffed, nudging his shoulder.

You turned your attention back to Phainon, who was watching the duo with as much confusion as you. “Who are they?” 

Before Phainon can speak, the grey woman responded: “we’re visitors from beyond the sky, come to rescue you in your hour of need.” 

Once again, the man tried to real-in his companion. “You can’t tell everyone that,” he hissed, which was met with the woman—Stelle—rolling her eyes. 

“Is she being serious?” You asked Phainon, as he and your father hoisted you off the ground. 

“Yes… Kind of,” Phainon answered once your feet were securely on the ground. “They really are from beyond the sky. And they helped me get to you.” 

You and your father exchanged confused looks as he examined your arm. “It’s nothing major, but we need to get this stitched up.” His hand lingered on yours. 

“The path ahead is cleared, find the guards, and get yourselves to safety.” Phainon orders, having adopted his “hero” persona.

“What about you?” 

A mere touch momentarily shatters his mask. “I’ll come back to you, I promise. We need to clear out the rest of the city and get to Nikador.”

“Nikador is here?” Your father suddenly seemed uneasy. 

The man from beyond the sky ushered Serena to the exit, “leave the Titan to us, sir. Get your children to safety.” 

“You’re facing Nikador? Now?” Your voice wavered with emotion. 

“The Chrysos Heirs will defend the city from this threat,” Phainon’s words were rehearsed, his mask slipping back into place. 

“They’re right,” your father placed a calming hand on your back. “We need to get to safety. Let the Chrysos Heirs do the fighting.” 

Phainon patted your hand reassuringly, “we’ll be okay. I promise.” 

There was much more you wanted to say, but the pain in your arm had returned. Your head was starting to feel fuzzy, and from the trail you left behind while walking, it was clear you were losing too much blood. 

“Good luck,” you told Phainon as your father led you from the market. As you left, the city’s mortician passed, but said nothing. 

Death had come to Okhema, and all you could do was pray that Phainon remained on its good side. 

[nalyra-dreaming]

I feel like I've been bombarding you with many asks 😅 But unlike myself, you seem to still be caught up with TVC books and the IWTV tv show, and I love how much thought you put into your answers. I'm hoping you can help me with another ask about the tv show, as I am now getting confused here!

I know, canonically, Armand is Daniel’s maker and that Devil's Minion will be in the show... but I started noticing people theorize that Armand is not Daniel's maker in the show. These theorists point out the scene where Daniel asks Louis if he has heard from his maker (of course I automatically thought Armand), and then state why would Louis hear from Armand after the fallout they had.

They also pointed out the scene where Louis is revealed to have lied about how Claudia's turning went, and then he tells Daniel to go with Lestat's version--implying that Daniel is already in contact with Lestat. As far as I know, Daniel has yet to even meet him? Did I miss something??

Mhhhh. So I do not see that as an implication that Daniel is already in contact with Lestat - for me it seemed very clear that Louis was referring to what Lestat told during the trial there.

Also, the thing about why Louis would hear from Armand... is circumstantial and conjecture at best (as an argument), imho.

Remember, there is a time jump at the end of season 2 - whenever the reunion happened (or not), and when the interview ended to vampire Daniel killing someone and communicating with Louis there is at least two to three years.

A LOT can happen in those years.

I do NOT think that the show will have Daniel be turned by someone else than Armand. I also do not think that Daniel will have eyes other than the book-canon purple.

The show is too good in the details for that. All the characters have their eye-colors (if they were given in the books), why-ever would they choose to do it differently there... except, of course, it is a clue. A hint. Like so many things in season one were, and I remember people calling others delusional for pointing them out, and lo and behold - they were.

So, with that in mind, let me get to why I emphasized Daniel here... as we know, the "body switching" parts have already been set up - Raglan is there, certain comments re body switching, Daniel asked what he had to "pay" for getting the trial script. @cbrownjc has talked about it all as well, but there is imho a real chance that the "vampire Daniel" we see there... and who could definitely have been turned by someone else (!) ... is not really Daniel.

Rolin Jones has talked about establishing the concept of a soul, which will be important in the upcoming arcs. Not just for Claudia, but also for the body switching arcs.

So, what if that is not really Daniel? What if Louis does not know though? What if Daniel has asked him to contact "his maker"? What if ... more has happened?

There are a lot of little puzzle pieces floating around right now, a lot will click into place as soon as we know if Daniel interviewing Lestat is still mortal... or not.

Even more will click into place if and when we will know for sure if Daniel... is, in fact, Daniel. Because in the VC there is a canon difference between body-somebody, and soul-somebody, and I have a feeling that will come into play rather heavily, as it does in the books, something that I talked about with Cbrownjc, and the details of which she actually came up with first.

I think by now, that, in the "present time" we are already in the middle of the body switching plot mixed with the PL era plot and the QotD-Akasha-rising plot. Which does not mean that they won't do the books book-by-book - but they are setting it all up already, so they can hook into it all later.

[ilchulsoleil]

DO NOT TRY MANIFESTING A BEATLES BOYFRIEND!! PLEASE!!! YOU HAVE BEEN SEVERELY WARNED!!!

I HAVE ACCIDENTALLY MANIFESTED THREE JOHN LENNON LOVE INTERESTS IN THE PAST YEAR ALONE!!! I have learned my lesson.

(first and last ones are genuinely uncanny)

Each scenario and how it affected me:

Ok I lied, the first guy I've known for longer than when I first started liking John Lennon (I know. I KNOW.)

First guy, I highkey thought he was a girl when I met him (for a whole two months) and I was really intimidated by him at first but then we became friends and he got me into making music & I've wrote songs about him but he has no idea and he's kind of f-cked up by his youth & we've known each other since we were teenagers. We've tensed up our tight-knit friend group more times than I'd like to admit & the best I can describe our relationship is like enemies to something grander than lovers in a constant cycle only comparable to doomed yuri, but I love him & he loves me back even if things get between us.

This is literally Paul and John guys. He's my John. Like, my official one.

The second guy, my gosh, guys, (derogatory) I started becoming friends with this guy who is literally 1970 raggety, greasy ass John Lennon, and I swear to you I didn't know him for longer than a week and he asked me out without even remembering my name </3 Something's definitely up with this guy but after I ignored him for half a year we became friends again.

Guys. Honorable (or dishonorable) mention is actually this freak ass guy I hung out with ONCE at a volunteer thing for a stageshow and he wasn't even PART OF IT. He just WALKED IN AND SAT AROUND. And he was really bad at everything but he was funny and I guess that got to him cause I never spoke to him again but I saw him last month at a party and the weirdo was in HEAT 😒genuinely hate him. Looked like 1970 John, acted worse than what 1968 mutton chops looks like.

Sigh..

The last guy. Man. This was simmering in the pot of lore, man. I sort of knew this guy, and the first time any of my friends said anything about him, it was NEGATIVE. So naturally I just avoided him but also naturally to myself, I picked up on casual chats with him as I do with everyone, and I realised this guy wasn't as bad as he was put out to be. He was just sort of out there. He had a very distinct (and annoying) voice, and he just acted off. Definitely theatrical by some points. But I didn't judge, and he introduced me to his friends, and I even hung out with them when they all did their music stuff. I never spoke much when it was all of them, but I did when it was just the two of us (do you see where I'm going). This guy spoke more about his best friend more than he ever did anything else, and they were really close and touchy. Like, I thought they were the ones dating at some points. I didn't know him before his past relationships, but according to everyone they were pretty bad, and he wanted to be better than how he used to be with me. So I guess my manifestation of a later John guy was on its way to me. However, he was a little too much for me, and he cut me off because I wasn't romantic enough. Maybe this is his Lost Weekend & we'll meet some other time. I hope I never see him again, though, honestly.

I like being John-less. Even if I have my original still in my life. Love that guy.

I'm gonna start manifesting a Paul McCartney husband now I guess. Just kidding, I learned after the first four times. Leave me alone, Beatles.

[dioslesbianwife]

hello! So, do you remember that school that giorno went to before he became a passione member? When he fought polpo’s stand? So, i was thinking about a giorno x reader in which, reader was giorno’s friend and when giorno disappeared to become a passione member, she got got confused. And when giorno came back to get his things from his room because, well, the students lived in the school, in the anime, we can see giorno’s room, they confess to each other and it’s super cute!! Please and thank you <3

hi, sure! hope you enjoy and thank you for requesting 💛🩷

It had been three days since Giorno vanished.

You’d waited in the dining hall for him that first morning, sitting with your untouched breakfast as your eyes flicked toward the entrance, over and over again. You’d told yourself he’d just slept in. That maybe he’d gone to the city for an errand.

But he never came back. Not that day. Not the next.

And you felt stupid for noticing it so much- more than anyone else did. The other students hardly cared. Giorno was quiet, a little too aloof, the type that stayed out of trouble while somehow still stirring it. But to you?

To you, he’d mattered.

You shared lunches on the roof sometimes. You helped him brush the back of his hair when it got tangled. He helped you patch up your cracked phone screen with a faint smile and a soft “Try not to drop it again.”

He was kind. In his own quiet way. And you liked him. Maybe more than you were ready to admit.

So when he disappeared, he took a piece of your heart with him.

Three days later, you saw him again.

You didn’t even hear the door open. You had just stepped into the shared dorm hallway when you caught a flicker of blonde from the corner of your eye. You turned your head sharply, and there he was.

Standing in front of his room, the door cracked open, his hand resting on the knob.

“...Giorno?”

He looked at you like he hadn’t expected to be caught. Like a ghost standing in the place he died.

Your breath hitched. “You- where the hell have you been?”

He blinked once. Twice. Slowly.

“I had to leave,” he said carefully. His voice was softer than you remembered. "There was something I had to do."

Something about him was different. He looked taller, older. Sharper around the edges. His uniform was perfectly pressed. His hair shined like sunlight.

“Was it that short boy?” you asked, stepping closer. “The one with the white hair you were talking to last week?”

Giorno’s smile was faint. “You always were too observant.”

You frowned. “You didn’t say goodbye.”

“No,” he said quietly. “I didn’t.”

There was a long pause. Just the hum of cheap fluorescent lights overhead. Your fists clenched at your sides.

“I thought you were dead, you jerk,” you mumbled, voice cracking at the edges.

Giorno stepped forward. His eyes, impossibly warm, met yours. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to lie to you. But I couldn’t tell you the truth yet.”

“About what?” you whispered.

He hesitated.

And then, in a rare flicker of vulnerability, Giorno said: “I’ve joined something dangerous. Something that will change this city, I hope… but it’s not safe. Not for people I care about.”

You stared at him. That phrasing…

“People you care about?”

His eyes flicked down. “You were the first person here who was kind to me. I always noticed you. I just…” He trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn’t think I deserved to be noticed back.”

You laughed softly. “You’re an idiot.”

“Maybe.”

You took a step closer, close enough to feel the heat of him. “I liked you. Before you left. I still do.”

He looked stunned for a moment. Then something soft bloomed across his face- hope, maybe. Longing.

"I came back to get my things," he said, almost apologetically. "I didn’t know if I’d see you."

You gave a crooked smile. “Well. Lucky you.”

He nodded. “Very lucky.”

You looked at him for a moment- really looked. The cool curve of his jaw, the way his uniform hugged his frame like it had been tailored for royalty.

And then you reached up, threading your fingers gently through the front of his hair, brushing it back like you used to.

He closed his eyes.

“I missed you,” you whispered.

“I missed you, too.”

And then he kissed you.

It was hesitant at first- tentative, like he was afraid you’d pull away. But you didn’t. You leaned into him, hands curled in his uniform as he cradled your waist like you were something breakable.

He tasted like something sweet. Something new. Something dangerous.

When you pulled back, he rested his forehead against yours.

“I have to go,” he said quietly. “But I’ll come back for you.”

You smiled, even though your heart ached. “You better.”

He kissed your hand- like something out of a storybook- and walked past you.

You didn’t stop him.

But you waited.

And he kept his promise.