#common wireless

[arachnerd-8-legs]

im going to be so fr amethyst is the most useless shit ever unless you mod the game in a way that just so happens to give it a reason to exist

[cuz-reasons]

I fuckinnn dropped my earbuds somewhere!!! I hope it was work cuz I just bought those a few months ago!!!

[kommabortsig]

Metro_Wireless_Node.jpg

[sephrxn]

🚨any "5G cell tower" conspiracy theorist needs to read this.🚨

people hear "radiation" and think that its inherently bad and therefore 5g towers must cause cancer when radio waves are NON ionizing meaning that they are not high energy enough to cause sustained damage as they physically cannot knock out electrons in your body.

Ionizing radiation (like UV rays) CAN actually do tangible harm tho. actual radioactivity comes from alpha, beta, and gamma decay, where nuclei changes from ground to excited states where particles are emitted and photons are discharged (thus leading to decay from nuclei destabilization), that. is ACTUAL radiation.

radio waves however DON'T cause that (as they don't carry the energy required to carry out the processes of decay). the most they can do is cause a little bit of heating.

sorry to burst your bubble but i think you are better off wearing sunscreen than a tin foil hat. stay safe out there fam. this is nothing crazy even literally just basic physics.

[jefth3kilr]

naruto boys and one of their random and insanely specific kinks (lol) 🍃🎋

Includes: Kakashi; Gai; Jiraiya; naruto; sasuke; kiba; shino; neji; lee; shikamaru; gaara; kankuro

warnings: NSFW (MINORS DNI) bit of bdsm and rougher topics all charecters are aged up!! naruto and students are around 19-20

not proof read! requests are open!!!

Kakashi

power play.

I know it might seem a little ooc, but trust, I feel like he'd be really into power play.

and while yes he loves it when you call him master and get all obedient for him; I also think he would really like calling you mistress and submitting to you.

Like yes he will definitely get on his knees and kiss your legs and 'earn' your permission to fuck you. He's down for all that freaky shit.

but if you tell anyone about this he'd probably jump off the nearest building LMAO he would get so embarrassed.

Gai

praise praise praise.

please praise him LMAO.

Gai already likes praise in general, but praise from you!? he's already nutting in his pants.

Also I'm giving him another: fake rivalry.

Clearly Gai is obsessed with having a rival (cough cough Kakashi)

So if y'all kinda role-play and pretend to be rivals while fucking, he will be so hype. He would feel accomplished lolll

Jiraiya

Exhibitionism

I mean like what the hell doesn't turn Jiraiya on?

I think that he definitely likes being a little public with it, it exciting and it also turns him on knowing he's the only who can do this to you.

I don't think he'd like having full on naked sex out int he open, but he would definitely like teasing you and stuff.

Jiraiya would definitely put one of those wireless remote control vibrators in your before taking a 'nice' walk around the village at night. He would random turn it on, messing with the intensity constantly before turning it off again. It would suck for you, but he loves watching you fall apart and have trouble walking.

He also makes out with you in public. sorry not sorry. He doesn't care who tf y'all are in front of off, he will kiss you silly wherever and whenever he wants.

Oh in bar bathrooms...for get about it. You've probably been bent over evert bathroom counter int he village at least twice by now. You'd think because of his age he wouldn't have so much stamina....but trust he does.

Naruto

Breathing

Naruto is so happy that you chose him a lover, so it only makes sense that he obsessed with everything about you. And the loves listening to you breathe.

While yes, it helps him fall asleep and night to hear your sleepy breathing and listen to your heart beat in your chest.

But it also heavily turns him on when he sees your chest deeply heave after your coming down from your high And it definitely turns him on to hear your breathy, desperate, little gasps when your trying to reach that said high.

Like yes please make out with him and breathe in his ear while your hump this shit out of him. He goes crazy for stuff like that.

After your done with a training session, and your breathing all heard and your chest is going up and down, expect Naruto to drag you to the nearest bathroom LMAO.

Sasuke

his ears

hear me out

Sasuke's ears are sooo sensitive, but he would rather die than admit it.

One day you decide to test out something you read; something about how licking the other shell of someone's ear can be hot. So while you and Sasuke are making out, you test it out. And he will dead ass cum in his pants. From then on, you do it all the time.

If your want to tease him, whisper something in his ear, even if it's super casual. Just feeling your lips by his ear and listening to your soft voice is enough to drive him up the wall.

And if you nip his ear...he's a goner.

Shikamaru

Sexting

I mean Shikamaru is like super lazy, so texting each other becomes a very common thing. Even if y'all are in the same house, cuddling each other on the same damn bed, he will still text you instead of actually talking. (he claims it saves his energy)

Surprisingly, Shika is really good at dirty talk, he just doesn't do it because he's lazy. But texting you all that dirty talk...he can def do that.

You'll be in class and get a text from him, expecting just a casual 'wyd' message and instead get a whole paragraph like: 'when your get home I'm gonna ******* and the I'm gonna ******** you're so fucking **** I can't wait to *****.' you can never catch a break with this guy.

And if you lock eyes with him in class after reading that, he will look super casual LMAO

Kiba

scent.

i mean we all know Kiba has a crazy sense of smell, so obviously he would be able to track your scent no matter where you are. so he knows what you smell like. he knows how your natural musk is and what your perfume smells like too.

Kiba would definitely know right away if you switched perfumes. he’d probably pout about it at first because he liked the other one but after a couple of days he’ll get used to it. also if you wear too much of it, expect him to sneeze A LOT.

but anyway, he loves to smell you during sex. wether that be shoving his face into the crook of your neck and taking in your scent, or being all gross and sniffing your panties (which you always yell at him for but you secretly like it) he LOVES your scent.

sometimes, when he’s really desperate for you, he’ll beg you to let him smell you.

“Just a sniff baby, i need it. I need you.”

how can you say no to him when he’s looking at you with those sad puppy eyes? 🥺

Shino

hickeys

since no one can really see his neck because of his big ass coat, feel free to leave as many as possible.

I think he finds it very romantic to be able to mark each other like that. He also finds the feeling very sensual to kiss and suck on someone's neck. He also enjoys that's feeling on himself.

If you were to ever to show off your hickeys, wearing nothing but a tank top outside in public. He would pass tf out LMAO he loves it.

He's secretly very possessive.

Neji

hair pulling.

this goes both ways.

First of all, he has that long ass hair. I also feel like Neji can get a bit bossy sometimes, so if you want him to shut the hell up, just pull him by his hair.

The first time you did it, it was probably an accident. But when you saw his blushing face and a tent forming in his pants, you knew you had to do that again.

I also feel like Neji is a bit quiet during sex, but trust if you pull on his hair, he will start moaning like a girl.

But second; he also loves to pull your hair. When he's feeling extra dominant and he wants you to submit, he will definitely pull your head back by your hair while giving your the nastiest back shots known to man kind.

He is also the type to put your hair into a makeshift ponytail while you blow him.

Lee

Overstimulation.

I think Lee really likes it when you guys treat sex like training. (I read a fic about this lmao)

Like please let him finger you into oblivion, it gives him a good arm workout. But don't expect to be done after he's made you cum 5 times on his fingers, he still needs to work out the other arm too!

Lee is someone who can NEVVERRR do a quickie, since he has so much stamina from training, he can go round and round after round.

Literally, you could have done like 9 rounds and he is still amped up on energy.

And do NOT squirt around him, he be determined to make your squirt at least 6 more times before letting you take a break.

But of course, if you really need a break or want to stop, he will gladly give you as much time as you need, he's still a sweet boy. (call him sweet boy and he will nut instantly)

Gaara

dry humping

sometimes it just takes so much energy to get fully unclothed and actually commit to having sex. Also since Gaara isn't a super sexual person in the sense that he doesn't really like to get undress and all that other stuff, dry humping is such a good alternative.

I also HC that Gaara is a bit submissive, I mean he will def Dom you sometimes but regular he will usually submit to you and listen to you (bc you love him and he feels like this is a way he can prove that he loves u too)

Imagine after a long day, your both exhausted but still so pent up. So your just in his lap, grinding away while your heavily makeout and pull at each other's hair. Trust he will be nutting in his pants.

And if you also whisper sweet nothings to him...he's done for.

Kankuro

bondage

need i say more?

trust he will tie you up with his chakra strings and eat you out until your sobbing....

He definitely finds it hot that your comfortable enough with him to allow him to tie you up and be at his mercy (he also lokey has a power complex soooo)

[parasocial-paradox]

"Heart-eyes Howell" actually common misconception. Dan perceives the audience and/or real human faces via refraction [1] off the Phil, who effectively functions as a wireless conduit for his thoughts, paradoxically dampening intelligence via blonde photo-resistor and amplifying homosexual signals through the mirrored perception of the self. [2]

References: [1] one-quarter of an engineering degree

[2] trust me bro

[colouredbyd]

Kiss, Marry, Avada Kedavra

james potter x fem!reader x regulus black

summary: A game of Snog, Marry, Kill unravels a truth none of you were ready to face. You’ve always loved both James and Regulus—and maybe, just maybe, they’ve always loved each other too. In the quiet after the fire dies,, truths slip out, kisses linger, and love, finally, settles in.

warnings: emotional vulnerability, mutual pining, light angst with a soft resolution, miscommunication, jealousy, fluffy ending :D

wc: 6.2k

a/n: i love jegulus so much like hello??? expect a ton of jegulus content bec they are my guilty pleasure.

masterlist

The Gryffindor common room glows golden with low firelight, charmed lanterns swaying gently with the crackle of the wireless in the background. It's a late night and everything feels hazy at the edges, like the evening is suspended in time, not quite real.

The curtains are half-drawn over the windows and it smells like parchment and smoke and something syrupy sweet, maybe the cider someone poured into their firewhisky. There's laughter echoing up the stairs, but no one else is coming down tonight. Just you and the Marauders and Regulus Black, who shouldn’t be here but is anyway.

Sirius sprawls across an ottoman with one leg thrown dramatically over the arm, a half-empty bottle dangling from his fingers and a grin that's all teeth. His cheeks are tinged red and he keeps toasting nothing in particular. Every time someone laughs, he acts like he planned it.

James is flushed and leaning too heavily against the side of the couch, talking over the wireless with one hand tangled in your throw pillow and the other gesturing wildly. He’s got that shine in his eyes, the one that only comes out after two or three drinks and something worth fighting for. He’s beautiful in that way that makes your heart ache—too golden, too good.

Remus sits in the corner like a tired professor, legs crossed, drink untouched on the table beside him, eyes scanning the room with the kind of quiet amusement that only grows when everyone else gets louder. Every now and then he mutters a sarcastic comment that makes Sirius bark laughter loud enough to draw attention.

You’re curled on the couch, one knee tucked up and an arm braced behind you, your glass warm in your hand. You’re not drunk, not really, but the heat has settled beneath your skin like sunlight and there’s a slow thrum in your chest that’s not just from the firewhisky. You feel golden too, like if someone looked at you too long, you might light up and reveal something you shouldn’t.

Regulus is beside you. That alone would be enough to set the room tilting. He doesn’t belong here, not in Gryffindor Tower, not with your legs nearly brushing, not with the light catching in his lashes. But he’s here, in jeans and a too-soft jumper with the sleeves pushed to his elbows, sipping slowly like he’s pretending not to taste it. His thigh rests just barely against yours. He hasn't moved it. You haven't either.

He shouldn’t be here, but Sirius didn't throw him out. In fact, Sirius hasn’t said much to him at all, which is more unnerving than outright bickering. There’s history between them, stitched into silences and half-glances. But tonight, Sirius is pretending. Everyone is pretending, in their own way.

You feel Regulus's gaze even when he's not looking at you. Every time you laugh, every time you lean in to speak to James or Sirius or even Remus, there’s a shift, a weight, a pull.

The fire pops. Sirius lurches upright and claps his hands. "Right, I’m bored. We’re playing something."

Remus sighs without resistance, already resigned.

You hide your grin in your glass. Regulus shifts slightly beside you.

And so it begins, the game that always breaks something. Someone is dared to dance on the table. Someone else has to reveal their last kiss. Remus pretends not to care. Sirius throws in increasingly unhinged dares that border on reckless but not cruel. James says something about Quidditch and ends up getting dared to take his shirt off, which he does with an overdramatic flourish.

You put your drink down, stomach flipping.

The warmth in your skin has gone cold.

It begins with Sirius, naturally.

The common room is thick with gold-tinged shadows, the fire popping in protest every time someone shifts too loudly or speaks too sharply. The air feels syrupy, time stretched thin, like everything might dissolve if you reach too hard for it.

Sirius leans forward with a feral gleam in his eyes, cheeks flushed crimson from drink and mischief, looking like the prince of something reckless and collapsing. “Alright,” he says, voice slicing through the lull like a wand slash, “I’m bored of all this sentimental rot. Time to raise the stakes.”

James groans, running a hand through his hair, wild curls catching in the flickering firelight. “Pads, you said that ten minutes ago and someone had to drink ink—”

“Worth it,” Sirius cuts in gleefully. “It’s character building.”

Remus, curled in the armchair like a scholar on holiday, gives a long-suffering sigh and doesn't look up from his drink. “If someone makes me eat another Bertie Bott’s I swear on Merlin’s mismatched socks—”

Sirius snaps his fingers and points. “Moony, howl.”

“No.”

“Come on,” Sirius wheedles, “just once—”

“No,” Remus says again, but softer, and this time he’s smiling despite himself. “You’re drunk.”

“You love it,” Sirius grins, then dramatically swings his attention to James, who’s lounging beside you, elbow on the couch’s back, eyes bright. “Prongs. Dare. Go flirt with that plant in the corner.”

James raises an eyebrow. “Flirt with it?”

“Like your life depends on it,” Sirius says solemnly, one hand over his heart. “Make it swoon.”

“I hate you,” James says, already rising.

“I know,” Sirius calls after him, beaming.

You watch James walk toward the enchanted fern, his steps wobbly but determined. He launches into some horrible, flowery monologue involving leaves and longing and shared root systems. You’re giggling into your drink, shoulders trembling with the effort to keep quiet, and beside you, you feel Regulus shift—just slightly. His arm brushes yours again, but he doesn’t pull away.

He hasn’t moved from your side once.

And James—when he returns, triumphant and grinning—glances not at Sirius, not at Remus, but at Regulus. Just for a moment. Like a flicker of something. Like a question.

Sirius claps as if he’s just crowned a king. “Ten points to House Potter. And now—now, my dear friends—we reach the true heart of the night. The pinnacle of chaos. The moment where reputations die and secrets are born.”

You’re laughing, eyes crinkled and head tipped back, the kind of laughter that feels like exhale after a long, held breath. The firelight flickers soft on your skin, and everything feels just a little golden around the edges. The room is warm in that slow, honeyed way—frayed and familiar, like an old jumper that still smells like home. You can feel the glow of the drinks, the haze of comfort that only comes with people you trust, people who’ve carved their names into your nights over and over again. You’re tucked between them, knees tangled with someone’s, shoulder brushing someone else's, and it feels easy. Safer than it should.

Then Sirius leans forward, and the air shifts.

There’s a glint in his eye, mischief sharpened into something dangerous and gleaming. He says your name, and your heart stutters because it’s Sirius, and he only says your name like that when he’s about to throw you into something wicked. You meet his gaze, cheeks flushed with wine and warmth, and he grins like he already knows he’s won something.

“Snog, Marry, Avada Kedavra,” he says, voice rich with amusement, chin propped on his hand. “Me, James, Reggie.”

And suddenly, everything is quiet. Not empty quiet—heavy quiet. Like the moment before a storm when even the air holds its breath.

You blink, lips parted slightly. You weren’t expecting that. Of course you weren’t. No one was. Not like this. Not with Regulus beside you, his shoulder warm where it brushes yours, his leg just barely resting against yours like an accident that neither of you have corrected. Not with James just across the room, golden and glowing and trying not to look too hard. Not with Sirius, grinning like he wants chaos and knows he’s just handed you the match to light it.

Regulus goes still. Completely. Not a blink, not a breath. His whole body tightens like someone pulled a thread through him and tied it too tight. You can feel it in the way his thigh stiffens against yours, like he wants to disappear into the floorboards or flee entirely.

“Pads,” James warns, low and quiet, like a tether trying to stop a ship from drifting too far.

Sirius just shrugs. “It’s just a game,” he says, but his eyes gleam. He knows exactly what he’s done.

You look around, heart beginning to pulse louder in your ears. Remus is watching you with a raised brow, quiet and exasperated, like he’s seen this train before and knows exactly how it crashes. James is unreadable—shoulders loose, lips curved at the corners—but his fingers are tight around the neck of his bottle and he won’t meet your eyes. Regulus... Regulus is marble. No expression, no movement, only the softest twitch at the corner of his mouth, like a muscle trying to remember how to feel.

You try to laugh, but it doesn’t come out right. It catches in your throat like something sharp. You swallow. Then you say it. Before you can think. Before you can stop.

“Marry James,” you murmur, and your voice is soft, nearly trembling. “Snog Regulus. Sorry, Sirius.”

It’s meant to be playful. Lighthearted. You try to say it with a smile, like it’s just a silly little answer in a silly little game—but the room hears it like it’s scripture. It lands like thunder.

Sirius gasps, hand flying to his chest with mock offense. “Betrayal,” he cries, dramatically throwing his head back like he’s just been shot.

But no one laughs. Not really.

James chuckles—low and short and too quiet. He still doesn’t look at you. Instead, he raises his bottle and takes a long drink, lips tight at the corners, something unreadable flickering in his eyes before he swallows it down like the firewhisky burning in his throat.

And Regulus.

Regulus stands.

No words, no protest. Just movement—silent and smooth and deliberate. He places his drink down on the edge of the table with a care that feels like violence, and then he walks out. Straight-backed, shoulders tense, head high, like if he pauses even for a second, everything inside him might spill out. He doesn't look at you. Doesn’t look at anyone. He’s gone before the room even understands what happened.

Silence crashes in his absence like glass.

You sit frozen, fingers curled too tightly around your own glass. Your heartbeat feels too loud, like it’s echoing through your bones. Sirius blinks, confused now, like he didn’t think the game would draw blood. James finally turns to you, and there’s something stormy in his eyes—soft and hurting, like a bruise still blooming beneath his skin.

Remus exhales, long and low. “Well done, Pads,” he says, voice dry and quiet.

No one speaks. No one moves.

There’s nothing left of the game but ashes.

No look back. No expression. No parting word. Not even a sarcastic remark to Sirius or a glance at James or you or the firelight that still touches the curve of his jaw.

He’s gone.

Silence follows him like a tide. It rolls in over all of you, choking the warmth from the room.

Sirius sits up, blinking. “Wait, I didn’t think he’d actually—”

You are frozen. Your glass is heavy in your hand. You don’t trust your voice. You can’t feel your fingertips.

James looks at the door for a long, long moment. Then finally at you. And for the first time all evening, you see his eyes clearly.

They are full of things you can’t name.

You set your glass down.

The warmth has fled. The firelight feels too bright. The silence is pressing against your throat, and all you can think of is the way Regulus didn’t look back.

He walked out like he didn’t want anyone to see his face.

And you—

You let him.

he door clicks shut behind him with a softness that somehow hurts more than a slam. Like even in his exit, Regulus was careful. Deliberate. He didn’t want to wake whatever part of you he just walked away from.

No one speaks.

The fire crackles in the hearth, and suddenly it feels far too loud, like it’s laughing in a room where no one else is breathing. The warm light that once made everything feel golden now paints the room in bronze regret and stretched shadows. You stare at the space where Regulus sat, where his thigh had brushed yours like a secret. The ghost of that closeness still burns along your skin.

Sirius breaks the silence, because of course he does.

He shifts on the ottoman, clears his throat, and forces out a laugh that rings a little too sharp in the heavy air. “Well,” he says, raising his glass in a half-hearted toast to no one, “that escalated quickly.”

No one responds. James doesn’t even look up. Remus is staring at his drink, thumb tracing lazy circles into the condensation on the glass like he’s waiting for it to give him answers. The atmosphere crackles with something unsaid, thick as smoke.

Sirius tries again, voice louder, brighter—too much so. “Come on, it’s just a game. You lot look like someone died.”

Still nothing. He forces a grin that wavers at the edges. “Reggie’s always been dramatic, anyway. Probably went off to write moody poetry about betrayal in his little snake dungeon.”

You don’t laugh. No one does.

The silence stretches, unkind. You can feel Sirius deflating beside it, feel the weight of what he’s trying to ignore, but even he can’t chase the ghosts away this time.

Your heart is thudding like it’s been thrown down a staircase.

“I didn’t think he’d…” you murmur, trailing off. You swallow hard. “I didn’t think he’d leave.”

Sirius shrugs, though there’s a flicker of unease in the motion now. “He’s Reggie. He does that. Gets all twisted up inside and broods like a stormcloud.”

“It wasn’t just the game,” Remus says quietly, and all heads turn. He hasn’t looked up, hasn’t shifted in his seat. “It was the answer.”

That lands like a stone dropped in water, rippling through the room. Sirius stiffens. You open your mouth, then close it again. And James—James finally moves.

He sits up slowly from where he’d slumped against the couch, legs spread, arms resting on his knees like he’s suddenly remembered how to carry weight again. His eyes find yours across the flickering light. They’re soft, dark, and unreadable.

“Do you fancy him?” James asks, voice quiet—so quiet it almost disappears into the fire’s crackle.

The words catch you like a hook. You blink, startled. “What?”

His gaze doesn’t waver. “Regulus. Do you fancy him?”

You could lie. You could joke. You could throw the question into the fire like it never mattered. But something in his expression stops you. There’s no jealousy there. No anger. Just something hollow and waiting. A kind of sadness that looks like it’s been living in him for a long time.

You deflect instead. “It was just a game.”

James doesn’t push. He just nods slowly, eyes dropping to his hands. “Right.”

Sirius makes a noise in the back of his throat, loud and desperate. “Can we please not turn this into some tragic bleeding poetry circle? Regulus overreacted. It’s nothing.”

“It’s never nothing with him,” Remus mutters, still tracing the rim of his glass.

Sirius rounds on him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Remus lifts his eyes then, slow and tired, like he’s been watching a storm build for years. “He’s always been bad at running from things. Especially when he cares.”

The words echo like a prophecy.

You sink further into the couch, heart twisting. The thrum of the firewhisky is gone now, replaced with a cold that lives behind your ribs. You didn’t mean for it to go this far. You didn’t think a silly game, a stupid answer, would splinter everything in two. But you remember the way Regulus looked at you sometimes, like he was memorizing your laugh. Like your warmth was the only thing holding him to the earth.

Maybe you should have seen this coming. Maybe you did, and you just didn’t want to believe it.

You reach for your glass, but your hand trembles, so you let it fall back into your lap. The room is full of people but feels emptier than it did when you first walked in.

Outside, the wind howls softly against the tower walls, as if carrying some echo of the boy who left too quietly and too soon.

James is still watching you.

And in his eyes, you see the question again—not just about Regulus, but about everything. The way you laugh, the way you choose, the way you burn. The way you mean it.

You look away.

And somewhere in the castle, you imagine Regulus still walking, still angry, still bleeding quietly through all the places you didn’t know you’d touched.

Sleep is elusive, slipping between your fingers every time you think you might catch it. The fire’s low, casting flickers of gold and shadow over the room, but it’s not enough to soothe the restless energy humming in your chest. Your blanket is twisted around your legs like it’s trying to anchor you to the bed, but you can’t stay still. You keep running through tonight in your mind, replaying each moment, each kiss, each fleeting glance. Regulus’s sharp breath, the weight of his eyes as they searched yours in the dim light of the common room. James, quiet, hurt, too. You never meant to hurt him. Not like that. But how could you keep pretending that what you felt for Regulus wasn’t real? That your feelings for James weren’t just as deep, just as consuming?

It’s a tangle, a knot of affection, jealousy, and fear, all wrapped together in a way that makes you feel like you’re drowning and floating all at once. Maybe that’s what love is. Maybe it’s just the mess. Maybe it’s more than that, too.

You slip out of bed, your feet brushing the cold floorboards. The silence of the dormitory surrounds you, punctuated only by the soft creak of the house and the rustle of your own breath. The fire downstairs crackles faintly, the heat rising in the house like a whisper. You know the others are asleep, or pretending to be. James, probably wrapped in his own thoughts, somewhere in his mind still turning over the moment in the common room when you picked Regulus, when everything shifted. Regulus, who might be lying awake, waiting for a moment like this, but unsure whether it will come.

You’re not sure what you’re hoping for when you go downstairs, but you know you can’t stay where you are. Not with all the things unspoken between you, and the ache still pressing against your ribs, your heart still throbbing in time with the memory of that kiss. You reach the bottom of the stairs and pause, feeling the weight of the night around you.

A soft knock.

You stop.

You recognize it immediately—the hesitation in the knock, the softness like someone afraid of disturbing the quiet. Regulus. You don’t need to ask. You know him too well. You walk to the door, and before you even reach for the handle, the door opens, and there he is.

Regulus stands before you, his hair messy, like he’s run his fingers through it a hundred times, his eyes rimmed with red, a faintness to his posture like he’s been holding himself together with sheer will. He looks at you, his expression unreadable, but there’s something vulnerable in the way he stands—unprotected, as though the walls he’s built around himself are beginning to crumble.

You stand still, waiting, as his eyes flicker from the ground to your face. The room is quiet, the only sound is the distant crackling of the fire in the other room. And then he speaks.

“Did you mean it?” His voice is hoarse, as though he hasn’t spoken in days, like the words are coming from a place too deep to touch.

You blink, a little lost, a little confused by the rawness of his question. For a moment, you don’t even know what he’s asking. But then it hits you, the weight of it, the way he’s looking at you.

“Snog. Marry. Kill,” he repeats, and there’s a thin edge to his words, but it’s not sharp—just the remnants of something fragile, something broken. “You picked me. Always me.”

You swallow, your throat suddenly tight. You don’t even have to think about it. You know. You know what you’ve always known, deep down. You’ve always picked him. You’ve always felt him, a part of you, even when you shouldn’t have. Even when you tried to pretend it was all about James, that it was easier to stay in the familiar.

But Regulus… Regulus is never easy.

You open your mouth to answer, but the words come out like a confession instead.

“It wasn’t a game to me.” You see his expression flicker—something like relief, and then guilt. The walls are starting to come down, but so is he. You can see it in the way his body language shifts, in the way his hands twitch at his sides, like he’s unsure if he should reach for you or stay where he is. The ache in your chest only deepens.

Regulus’s eyes soften, a crack appearing in the armor he’s been wearing for so long, the carefully crafted mask that keeps him distant from everyone who’s ever tried to get too close. He steps forward, slow, almost cautiously, and for a moment, it’s like time pauses. You don’t move. He doesn’t move. You just breathe, and the world feels small, the space between you tight and yet infinite. And then his hand reaches for you, as if you were something delicate, something fragile. His fingertips graze your cheek, and it’s almost like he’s checking to see if 

He exhales shakily, his lips parting like he wants to say something back, but nothing comes. And you wonder how long he’s been holding it all in. How long he’s wanted to ask, do I matter to you?, and never found the courage.

“You’ve always mattered,” you say, answering the unspoken question. “Even when I shouldn’t have let you.”

Regulus closes his eyes for a beat, then opens them slowly, like it costs him something. “I didn’t mean to leave the room like that,” he says, voice hoarse. “I just—I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t—” He cuts himself off, shaking his head. “I heard you say my name and I forgot how to exist.”

You laugh, watery and trembling. “You idiot,” you say, stepping close enough to touch him now. “You could’ve just asked me.”

“I didn’t think I had the right to.”

You reach up, gently brushing your fingers along the edge of his jaw, and he leans into the touch like it hurts him to be touched and hurts worse not to be.

“Well,” you say quietly, “you do.”

He looks at you for a long time. Really looks. And then something in him shatters softly, the way glass fractures beneath snow.

He kisses you like it’s not the first time. Like maybe it’s the thousandth in a dream he’s been having every night since the day he met you. It’s slow and hesitant at first, the kind of kiss that asks for permission more than it demands anything—but then it deepens, and he holds your face like he’s afraid you’ll vanish between his fingers. You kiss him back just as carefully, just as desperately. And it’s not perfect. It’s messy with emotion and too much silence. But it’s real.

When he pulls back, barely an inch, his forehead rests against yours. His breath mingles with yours in the quiet. He still hasn’t let go.

“I should’ve told him,” Regulus whispers. “I should’ve told James before this.”

You nod, lips brushing his as you speak. “He knows. Maybe not everything, but he knows something’s shifted.”

Regulus closes his eyes again, pain flickering across his face. “He deserves more than this.”

“So do you,” you say.

He opens his eyes. And for the first time, you see it. Not just the softness or the sorrow. But the love. Raw and honest and terrifying in its intensity.

you’re real.

He leans in, his breath catching for a moment, and then his lips meet yours. Soft, hesitant. And it’s not like the fiery kiss you imagined. It’s gentle, almost afraid, as if he’s afraid that touching you, kissing you, will make everything real in a way he doesn’t know how to handle.

But when he kisses you, it’s like the world shifts. Like the pieces finally fall into place. It’s like coming home, and yet it’s terrifying, too. Because this isn’t just a kiss. This is a confession, too, one that you’ve been holding back for far too long. The guilt is there, clinging to the edges of your mind. The guilt for not telling James sooner, for making him feel like he was second when you know, deep down, he’s not. But the love that threads through the kiss is undeniable, pure, as much a part of you as your own heartbeat.

And then, when you pull away, there’s a breathless pause. Regulus’s forehead rests against yours, his eyes closed, his breath shallow. His voice is quiet, almost a whisper, but you hear the words clearly. “I haven’t told James.”

You don’t say anything right away. You know. You’ve known for a while. You’re not sure how James doesn’t see it, how he doesn’t feel it too—the way things have shifted between the three of you. The way love seems to thread between all of you, not just in pieces, but as something whole, something tangled and real.

“I think he already knows,” you murmur, the words carrying a weight that you don’t fully understand. But you know James. He’s always been observant. He must have felt it, too.

Regulus doesn’t answer. He just opens his eyes and looks at you. There’s a vulnerability in him now, something laid bare. And, in that moment, you realize something else—that this isn’t just about him and you. This is about all three of you. The three of you tangled in a mess of affection and longing, and you don’t know how it happened, but it has.

You pull him closer, your hand sliding to his wrist. “I think he loves you too,” you whisper. The words feel like they’ve been waiting to be said, like the tension that’s been simmering finally has a name. You can feel Regulus’s pulse under your fingertips, racing like his heart is trying to catch up with the revelation.

Regulus’s lips press together in a thin line, like he’s trying to hide the emotions that have suddenly overtaken him. But it’s too late. You can see it in his eyes. The way he’s looking at you, like you’ve given him something he wasn’t ready to accept, but now that it’s out in the open, he can’t run from it. Not anymore.

The silence that follows is thick with the unsaid, the three of you standing on the edge of something undefined, something neither of you knows how to navigate. But you feel it, and it feels like the truth. All three of you, tied together by something deep and messy and beautiful.

And when the moment passes, and Regulus steps back, he doesn’t leave. Not this time. He stays with you, and it feels like you’ve taken the first step. But this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.

Love like this doesn’t fade. It grows. It bends, it stretches, it aches. But it’s there, in the quiet, in the night. It’s always been there. And it will be there when James wakes up tomorrow, and when Regulus finally decides to face what’s been building between all of you. It’s always been more than a game, more than a dare.

After Regulus kisses you—soft, desperate, like it’s something he's not sure he deserves—he doesn’t pull away immediately. His forehead rests against yours, his breathing uneven, like he’s trying to commit this to memory in case he has to run again. Like this moment might not be real.

And maybe it isn’t. Maybe you’ve fallen asleep by the fire and you’re dreaming. Because this doesn’t feel possible. His hands are cold, but they hold you like he’s afraid to let go. His voice is barely a whisper when he says, “It’s always been you.”

And you’re about to answer when the creak of a floorboard stops both of you cold.

You look up.

James.

He stands in the doorway like a ghost summoned by grief, barefoot and quiet in the dim light. A hoodie’s been thrown hastily over his pajama shirt, the sleeves too long, swallowed in shadows. His curls are mussed like he’s run his hands through them over and over again, like maybe he’s been pacing outside the door for longer than you’ll ever know.

His eyes move—slowly, carefully—from Regulus’s hands on your waist to your flushed cheeks to the fragile, invisible thread stretched taut between all three of you.

Regulus jerks back like he’s been burned, like just touching you in James’s presence is some sort of betrayal carved into bone.

“James,” he breathes, voice fraying at the edges. “I didn’t—”

“It’s alright,” James says. But it isn’t. Not really. His voice trembles, cracking on the last syllable like a note gone sharp. There’s something rigid about him, something braced, as if he’s holding up a dam with his bare hands and praying it doesn’t burst.

“It’s alright,” he says again, softer now. But his eyes betray him. They’re too bright.

You move before you even think to. You don’t know if it’s instinct or guilt or just love reshaping itself, but suddenly you’re standing in front of him, the silence pulsing loud between heartbeats.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” you say, the words rushing out like they’ve been waiting all night. “It wasn’t some joke, or some passing thing. It wasn’t—God, James, it wasn’t a game.”

He nods, slow, like he’s trying to absorb it, trying to believe it. “I know,” he murmurs. “I know it wasn’t. But I didn’t know…” His voice catches, a flicker of something breaking loose in his chest. “I didn’t know where I fit.”

And maybe that’s the worst part. Not the kiss. Not the love. Not even the secret of it. Just that he doesn’t know if he belongs anymore.

Regulus steps forward, the movement hesitant, like approaching a wounded animal. His fingers twitch at his sides, aching to reach for something but too scared he’ll only make it worse.

“You fit,” Regulus says, and it’s not a plea—it’s a truth. A steady, unwavering truth that shakes anyway. “You always fit. You were the part that held everything together.”

James blinks hard, lips parted, but says nothing.

Regulus swallows. His next words come slower, as if they’ve had to fight their way out. “I didn’t just run from her,” he says. “I ran from you, too.”

The silence that follows is loud. Heavier than anything said aloud.

James looks at him—really looks at him—and you watch something flicker in his eyes. Not forgiveness. Not yet. But something like recognition. Something ancient. Shared.

“You didn’t have to,” James says, finally. “You were always allowed to stay.”

Regulus’s expression crumples. His jaw clenches, but the guilt is already written across his face. “I didn’t know how. I didn’t know how to stay when everything felt like it was slipping through my fingers.”

“I would’ve held you,” James says. “Both of you. I would’ve—” He cuts himself off, pressing his fingers to his mouth like the words are knives now, too sharp to voice.

You reach for his hand, and this time, he lets you.

“Then let us hold you now,” you whisper.

And for a moment, all three of you just stand there. Breathing the same air. Holding the same hurt. Three people who loved each other in different ways, wrong ways, true ways. Three people who broke each other just enough to still bleed when they speak.

James exhales shakily. His fingers tighten around yours.

“You both drive me mad.” he mutters.

Regulus huffs a laugh that sounds too close to crying. “That’s fair.”

James looks at him, and for the first time, there's no accusation in it. Just weariness. And maybe a little bit of hope.

“I’m tired of pretending this doesn’t matter,” James says, voice low.

And so you let everything unravel.

You all end up on the floor in front of the dying fire, the three of you pulled by something quieter than gravity, something deeper than exhaustion. It's not planned. No one says it. You simply stay. Because to move would be to break the fragile magic that's settled over the room like snowfall.

The fire burns low, all heat and flicker, painting the walls in strokes of amber and gold. It crackles softly, like it’s trying not to wake you. The world outside the common room doesn't exist anymore. There’s only this space, this hush, this breath between heartbeats where nothing has to be said, because everything is understood.

Regulus is the first to settle, curling in close to your side like he’s done it a thousand times in secret dreams. He tucks his face into the crook of your neck, his breaths slow and uneven, as if he’s still trying to believe this is real. His hand rests against your waist, fingers twitching once, then stilling, like he’s afraid to be the one who lets go.

James drapes himself over the other side of you, his head resting on your chest, curls brushing your chin. His arm winds beneath your back, warm and steady, and his other hand—without even thinking—reaches out to touch Regulus’s wrist. Just a graze, a whisper of skin on skin. But Regulus doesn’t pull away. He exhales instead. Like he’s finally let himself breathe.

For a long while, no one speaks. The silence is soft, companionable. The kind that only comes when people trust each other enough not to fill it.

And then, somewhere in that half-lucid drift between waking and sleep, James mumbles, “So… does this mean I get to kiss you both now?”

His voice is thick with drowsiness and a hint of cheek, curling at the edges like a smile under warm blankets. You let out a soft laugh, startled and fond, and feel the way your chest rises beneath him. The sound stirs Regulus too, who lets out a quiet huff that might be a sigh or might be a yes. Maybe both.

You press a kiss to James first, tilting your head to find him in the firelight. It’s slow, unhurried, all warmth and wonder, the kind of kiss that blooms like spring after a long, aching winter. His lips are familiar, but tonight they feel new, reverent. Like he's not just kissing you—he's thanking you, forgiving you, choosing you all over again.

When you pull back, his smile is sleepy and so terribly soft. You stroke your thumb across his cheek, brushing a bit of ash or maybe starlight, and turn toward Regulus.

You kiss him next, and it feels different than the others—like you’re anchoring him. Like you’re steadying his hands that still tremble slightly when they touch you. There’s no urgency this time. No fear. Just the truth you’ve both been circling for years. The truth that says, I see you. I want you. I’m not running anymore.

And then you watch, heart fluttering like a bird in your chest, as Regulus shifts, just slightly, to face James.

They hesitate. Of course they do. There are years between them made of silence and sharp glances and things unsaid. But something in the air tonight—maybe it’s the firelight, maybe it’s you, maybe it’s the way James hasn’t stopped touching him even once—makes the hesitation soften.

Regulus leans in first. Their noses bump awkwardly, and Regulus pulls back with a grimace like he’s about to mutter sorry, but James is already laughing quietly. He reaches up, cups Regulus’s cheek with one hand, and tilts their faces together.

Their kiss is clumsy. Gentle. New. But it deepens, slow and tentative, until even the fire seems to hush for them. Regulus melts into it like he’s surprised the world didn’t end. James kisses him like he’s been waiting for this since before he even knew he wanted it.

When they break apart, neither of them says a word. They don’t need to. James rests his forehead against Regulus’s for a moment before slumping back against your shoulder, and Regulus follows, the three of you falling into each other like the pieces of a puzzle that have finally, finally clicked into place.

You fall asleep tangled like that—limbs draped over limbs, heads resting against chests, breaths syncing in rhythm. There is no plan for tomorrow. No fear about what comes next. Just this: the heat of the fire, the warmth of skin, the safety of love freely given and finally returned.

When you wake, it’s to sunlight streaming through the windows, soft and golden. It spills over all of you like a blessing, like forgiveness. Regulus is still tucked beneath your arm, his hair a mess of black curls, his face more peaceful than you’ve ever seen it. James is sprawled over both of you, one leg thrown carelessly across Regulus’s, his fingers still laced with yours.

The common room is silent. Still. Except for the rise and fall of three chests breathing the same air.

And for the first time in your life, there are no masks left to wear. No hiding. No pretending. Just this moment. Just this truth. Just love, quiet and real and infinite.

…And for the first time in forever, it feels like all of you are home.

A peaceful silence settles again, golden and slow. You think maybe you'll all drift back to sleep, wrapped in this strange, perfect warmth—until James, without opening his eyes, mumbles:

“So now that we’ve all snogged… are we playing kiss, marry, kill? 'Cause I call dibs on marrying both of you. But I will kill whoever stole my blanket last night.”

Regulus, eyes still closed, deadpans, “It was you, Potter. You cocooned like a moth.”

You burst into laughter. James groans. And just like that, the morning begins—ridiculous, tangled, and perfect.God, for once you were grateful for sirius’ stupid muggle games, because home never felt quite like this before.

[tunaricebowl]

i don’t know which autistic/adhd/any kind of neurodivergent person needs to hear this but: make a “just in case” bag

this is a pic of mine. it contains:

loop earplugs on the zipper

prescription glasses with a clip on sunglasses attachment

my public transport discount card

a pen

a glasses cloth + wet glasses wipes (which can also be used to clean my hands if needed!

wireless earbuds in case my headphones give out

tips for my apple pencil + silicon covers if i need a different texture/the sound is too loud

a sanitary pad (not for me, as i had a hysterectomy, but i like carrying one around for my menstruating friends)

a pouch with hair ties for when my hair bothers me

autism lanyard (not pictured, as i put it in after i took it)

will i use these every day? not necessarily. but it’s good to have these all in one place in a little pouch so it’s easy to throw into my bag as i use different ones for different occasions. that way i don’t have to think about all these things individually.

it might seem like common sense for some people, but i didn’t think of this until recently. so i wanted to share this in case it could be handy for other people. some more ideas for what to put in your bag under the break. you can make this as big or as small as you like so some ideas may seem a bit big

powerbank + cables (preferably a powerbank that has a LOT of charge)

snacks (do keep an eye on the expiration date)

painkillers/emergency meds (same thing about the expiration date)

sewing kit

deodorant/perfume

mini fan

hand warmers

scissors/nail clippers (for when tags/threads/your nails are bothering you)

tweezers

lucky charm (i have my lucky cat keychain. it just calms me to have)

plushie/stress ball/fidget toy

mints/a mini toothbrush and toothpaste

extra pair of underwear (for if you suddenly need to stay somewhere overnight or if an accident happens)

comb

band-aids + disinfectant

hand cream/soothing cream

soap/soap leaves

similarly, some mini shampoo or mini body wash (again for if you suddenly need to stay the night. there’s probably already some wherever you’re staying but again. this is a just in case bag)

q-tips

chapstick

makeup remover wipes

razors

hand sanitizer/general sanitizer

wet wipes/tissues

foldable bag

ruler/tape measure

this is a lot but keep in mind, these are just ideas. you don’t have to use everything, just pick out which things you think would be handy for you and make your bag accordingly. do feel free to add onto the list if you have any other ideas.

[shuaflix]

driving lessons for dummies

❝ i can't parallel park, but i know all the lyrics to 'driver's license' by olivia rodrigo now. ❞

PAIRING ▸ kwon soonyoung x fem!reader

GENRES ▸ fluff, humor, smut, strangers to lovers au, college au

WARNINGS ▸ profanity, weed consumption, mc has the worst luck imaginable, soonyoung is down horrendous, there is a minor car crash, very minor description of blood, hurt/comfort, almost car sex, unprotected sex (wrap before you tap), grinding, oral (fem. receiving), praise, lots of teasing, overstimulation, pet names (both sexy and unsexy), friend group shenanigans

SUMMARY ▸ you've finally passed your written test and gotten your permit after six failed attempts. eager to get your license while attempting to avoid overpriced driving lessons, you enlist the help of kwon soonyoung, who only requires a STIIZY pod as payment.

PLAYLIST ▸ new romantics by taylor swift • see you again by tyler, the creator, kali uchis 

WORD COUNT ▸ 16,834 words

AUTHOR’S NOTE ▸ this is representation for all the girlies out there who can't drive. not me but

ONE OF THE MOST COMMON STEREOTYPES PERPETUATED AGAINST WOMEN WAS THAT THEY WERE DEEMED TERRIBLE DRIVERS. 

That, or they just flat-out couldn’t drive to save their lives. 

This sexist notion dated back to when the automobile was created, when driving was physically demanding work and men insisted they handled operating the vehicles themselves. Now, though, plenty of women drove just fine, but misogyny was the only thing keeping the stereotype relevant. 

After all, the only reason why women were considered ��bad drivers” was because a man decided they were.

Screw all the women who revolutionized the automobile industry, right? Despite them being highly discouraged to take on the labor required of men, it was Bertha Benz who drove the furthest in a motorized carriage than anyone else. It was Anne French who was the first woman to receive a driver’s license. It was Marget Wilcox who invented the car heater, Mary Anderson who created windshield wipers, and Hedy Lamar who designed the wireless transmission technology that made the innovation of the GPS possible.

No matter how high that glass ceiling was, even if a woman demolished and obliterated it to pieces, there would always be a man out there who would push her right back down. 

Unfortunately, you were nowhere near smashing that glass ceiling because you had failed your permit test six times. 

Yes, it was embarrassing, but you were determined to get your license. At your age, it was getting ridiculous that you had consistently failed your permit test this many times. Plus, you were getting tired of asking all of your friends for rides. You envisioned picking them up in your new car with your shiny new license, grinning smugly at the shocked looks on their faces.

“I don’t think God wants you on the road,” Wen Junhui, your best friend since middle school, said as he dropped you off at the DMV. “If you fail a seventh time, I would personally just use public transportation for the rest of my life.” 

“If a sixteen-year-old can pass it without studying, then I can pass it,” you insisted. “Plus, I read the entire manual last night.”

“Yeah, except the sixteen-year-old passed it on their first or second try, and this is your seventh.” 

“Well, seventh time’s the charm, right?” 

“Right,” he replied, doubtful. He stopped the car in front of the DMV to let you out. “Well, good luck. I’m gonna go get gas and I’ll come back for you.”

“Thanks, Jun!” you chirped. “I swear I’ll pass it this time.”

“Sure.”

“Have some faith in me, please.”

When Junhui drove away, you steeled your nerves to mentally prepare yourself—not for the test but for interacting with the DMV employees. You weren’t a fan of being verbally abused by them, especially after having them roll their eyes at you the last six times you had to tell them you failed. 

But today would be different. 

Thankfully, the DMV wasn’t too busy today. You only had to wait twenty minutes until they called your number. After handing them the proper paperwork, you were directed to the computers to take the permit test. 

Since you were an adult, you only needed to get 30 questions correct out of 36. You had learned your lesson by now, so you actually studied the handbook this time. It took a while to admit to yourself that you weren’t blessed with common sense. 

First question. Wrong. 

Second question. Wrong. 

Third question. Wrong. 

What was happening?

By the time you had gotten five questions wrong in a row, your hands were shaking. The pressure started to set back in, and you were terrified about failing this exam a seventh time. Junhui would be so disappointed if you told him you failed again. 

You felt the back of your shirt cling to your skin once the sixth question was incorrect. This was ridiculous; you had studied, but these questions were strangely specific. It was like someone at the DMV had it out for you. 

Maybe Junhui was right. Maybe God didn’t want you on the road. 

You felt like your brain had entered auto-pilot to protect yourself from the discouraging loss of your permit yet again. You clicked through the rest of the questions mindlessly, hardly thinking about anything until— 

You passed! 

The white screen flashed in your face for about a minute before you could register it properly. All you could do was blink and stare until you pinched your wrist to make sure you weren’t seeing things. 

Had you really gotten the rest of the 30 questions right after your consecutive failed attempts? You were so worked up over the six you missed that the rest felt like a blur. Maybe the problem was that you had been overthinking the test this entire time. 

“I did it,” you breathed out to the woman at the counter, still in disbelief. “I passed.” 

“Congratulations,” she replied with little enthusiasm. She turned to grab papers from her printer, stapled them together, and handed you your brand new permit. “Have a nice day now.” 

“Thank you so much,” you replied, slightly distracted as you inspected your learner’s permit with wide eyes.

You had been waiting for this day for so long, and here you were, holding the permit you had spent years trying to obtain. You could only imagine how thrilled your parents and friends would be once they found out. 

Speaking of friends, when you checked your phone, you saw that Junhui had texted you five minutes ago that he was parked outside. He probably expected you to walk out with a gloomy expression and slumped shoulders, but you had a skip in your step this time. You finally had good news for your best friend. 

“Jun!” you yelled before you even opened the door to the passenger’s seat. “Jun, Jun, Jun, Jun!”

“It’s okay, Y/N,” he said sympathetically, but something about his automatic response definitely felt practiced, “you’ll get it next time.”

“No, Jun, I passed!”

His eyes went wide. “You did?!” 

“I did!” You squealed and practically jumped into the seat. Sinking back, a wide grin stretched across your face. “I finally did it.” 

“Yo, congrats.” Junhui grinned. “I guess the seventh time really is the charm, huh?” He started his car to pull out of the parking lot. “Well, now you just have to pass the driving test.” 

Your face fell.

You had been thinking about the permit test for so long that you forgot there was an actual driving component, too. 

First of all, you had never driven a vehicle in your life, not even illegally with friends. Second of all, you had terrible depth perception, which was probably not a great flaw to have if you wanted to drive. Thirdly, everything you prepared for the permit test had completely ejected from your brain. Your road sense was back to utterly clueless. 

“I’m gonna fail,” you said, defeated. “Jesus Christ, Jun, I didn’t even think about the actual driving test!”

“Relax, driving’s easy once you get the hang of it,” he replied. “What you should really be worrying about is how expensive those lessons are.” 

“How much are they?” 

“Uh, like, close to a few hundred.” 

“Total?” 

“No, per lesson.” 

“Per lesson?!” you cried. “Just for someone to tell me where to turn and brake? I can’t afford that!” 

“I’m guessing most of it is because they’re willingly sitting in a car with someone who doesn’t know shit about driving,” he explained, “but, yeah, it’s a crazy price. You do need to get that license before your permit expires, though, and you should probably get it done while you’re still here for college so you don’t run over the elementary schoolers back home.” 

You buried your face in your hands and let out a loud groan. “How am I gonna dish out hundreds of dollars? I don’t have that kind of money to spend when I have rent to pay off.” 

The corner of Junhui’s mouth lifted, more so exasperated than amused when he said, “I think I might know a guy.” 

Kwon Soonyoung. 

Junhui sent you his number after he dropped you off at your apartment. Apparently, Soonyoung was one of his good friends who also happened to have a side gig where he gave out driving lessons at a discounted price. Of course, the downside was that Soonyoung wasn’t exactly certified to teach people how to drive, but he was allegedly a good driver.

His lessons were normally for high schoolers, and he charged their parents around a hundred. For adults over the age of 21, though, he had a special offer that you couldn’t resist. 

You texted him to ask if he had any open spots for you. He took a few days to reply, but you eventually got a two-hour slot for the next week. You weren’t sure how effective his lessons would be, but you figured you would give it a shot since he was your age and giving out classes for cheap. 

When the day of your lessons rolled around, you were slightly anxious while you were waiting for him to arrive. You needed Junhui to reassure you for hours last night, promising that no, Soonyoung was not going to kidnap and murder you. He was a student at your university, actually, and he was a public health major who never had a murderous thought in his life.

soonyoung (driving instructor): i’m outside your house 

Okay, if he wasn’t a murderer, then the least he could do was not text you like one.  

After replying with an omw that autocorrected to On my way! and left you feeling very distressed that your communication sounded overly-enthusiastic, you worked up the courage to walk outside to his Honda Accord. 

“Hi,” you greeted shyly when you opened the door. “You’re Soonyoung, right?” 

Honestly, you didn’t care if he was Soonyoung or not. The man sitting in the driver’s seat was probably one of the most attractive people you had ever laid eyes on. Even if he wasn’t Kwon Soonyoung, you would happily let him kidnap you. Maybe you’d even blush a little because he picked you of all people to kidnap. 

He turned to look at you, seeming a little surprised that you opened the door but smiling nevertheless. “Yeah, that’s me. You’re Y/N?” 

When you nodded, he got out of the driver’s seat and motioned for you to take it. You skirted around the car to sit inside while Soonyoung took the passenger’s seat. 

You also got a glance of his off-brand, beige Fear of God Essentials sweater that read M.I.L.F. Hunter instead. Classy. 

“So, you came to me because you didn’t wanna give up your semester’s worth of college tuition for driving lessons,” Soonyoung said with an overwhelming air of confidence. 

“Yeah, pretty much.” You huffed. “Here, I heard this was your payment.”

You handed him a paper bag, not bothering to take out the receipt from the dispensary. Inside was the King Louis XIII STIIZY pod. One gram. 

“Ah, good. You know your stuff.” 

Soonyoung hummed as he examined the box, and you were just wondering when he would get to business and start showing you the controls in his car. You were slightly overwhelmed by his impressively relaxed demeanor. Maybe it would have been better if you settled for an uptight woman in her sixties. Pretty boys were always trouble. 

“You made the right choice coming to me. I’m a much better driver than those hags from the driving schools around here,” he continued. It was like he could read your mind; it was almost terrifying. “Plus, way less likely that I’ll get a heart attack in the passenger’s seat.” 

He was a total weirdo, but he was hot, so you supposed it canceled out in some obscure, mathematical sense. 

“That’s… good to hear, I think,” you replied. “So, are you, like, good at this?”

“Are you kidding? I’m basically the Lebron of driving.”

“I see.” You nodded along, unsure. “I don’t watch football, so…” 

“He plays basketball, but close enough.”

After spending about thirty minutes explaining all of the controls—from hand signals, to the dashboard, to the indicator—Soonyoung decided it was time for you to start driving on your own. You didn’t expect to move this quickly; actually, you didn’t think you’d even start driving until your second lesson. Thankfully, you gathered most of what Soonyoung had taught you, so you mustered up the courage to press your foot on the brakes and move the gear shift into drive. 

You looked over at Soonyoung expectantly, waiting for him to give you the green light to start driving. The boy only raised a brow at you, wondering why you hadn’t started driving yet. 

“Today would be nice,” he remarked.

“Uh, should I start now?”

“Sorry, I don’t have a starting pistol for you or anything.” He made a finger gun with his hand and pretended to fire. “On your mark, get set—”

“Okay, going,” you replied quickly, flushing with embarrassment. You pressed down on the accelerator and gasped as the car lurched forward. “Sorry!”

“Slowly!” Soonyoung cried out, holding onto the ‘oh shit’ handle, which you found highly unnecessary and felt somewhat offended about. “Press down slowly—gentle.”

The next hour of your lessons was a learning curve, to say the least. In your defense, it was your very first time driving, so you didn’t know you were actually supposed to look behind you before you switched lanes. Although Soonyoung kept reminding you, his instructions kept slipping your mind because you were focusing on several things at once. 

You sucked.

You were probably honked at around eight times and flipped off twice. It was a humbling experience, really. There was only so much a DMV victim could take, so you eventually had to pull over and try not to cry while Soonyoung consoled you. 

“C’mon, you probably didn’t even do anything wrong. It’s just their road rage,” he said, trying to duck his head to get a better look at you while you had your hands covering your face. “Plus, all those assholes were driving way over the speed limit. You were the responsible one back there.”

You sniffled, sucking in a shuddering breath before you gathered your composure. It wasn’t like you to be so vulnerable in front of a stranger like this, but it was probably the nerves of your first time driving coupled with the nerves of driving (and potentially damaging) someone else’s car. 

“You’re right.” You wiped at your damp cheek. “Fuck them. They couldn’t pass a driving test if they tried.”

“Well, technically, they already have.” 

“Not helping.”

He smirked. “Are you good to keep driving? Or do you wanna wrap this session up for today?” 

“Let’s keep going.” You set the car in drive again, but you looked over at Soonyoung before you did anything else. “Thanks, by the way. I’m guessing most of your students don’t usually pull over to cry during their lesson.” 

He shrugged. “Wouldn’t say it’s happened before, but it’s not a bad thing.”

It was a good thing that you were able to hide your blush from Soonyoung. With the clearly embarrassing impression you were making on him, it would have been mortifying if he found out that he was also making you flustered. 

For the next thirty minutes, you slowly started to get more comfortable behind the wheel. Soonyoung was thankfully not overbearing as most instructors normally were, so you didn’t end up flinching every time he spoke. 

He made light conversation to make you feel at ease, which you appreciated greatly. At first, you just nodded or hummed in response, as you were too afraid to do anything but stare at the road ahead, but you eventually steeled your nerves and replied with actual words. Soonyoung was a natural conversationalist, so you didn’t have to worry about your awkward pauses or stumbling over your words. He led the conversation, sharing random tidbits of his life that you wouldn’t expect to hear from someone the first time you met them. 

Everything seemed to be going perfectly normal until Soonyoung started queuing songs to play. 

The problem wasn’t the music. The problem was that Soonyoung had stopped teaching you to drive, allowing you to fend for your life while he sat back and relaxed. You weren’t sure if normal people were able to loosen up so easily while being driven by a complete amateur. 

Soonyoung must’ve been from a different planet, you decided. Some planet out there that deemed him the Lebron of driving. 

“Uh,” you started, “aren’t you gonna tell me where to go?” 

Soonyoung opened his mouth, as if he was going to ask what you meant, but then his demeanor completely shifted. 

“Pull over to the curb,” he instructed, “now.”

“What?” Your pulse raced, and you were scared that you had fucked up somehow. You checked your mirrors to make sure you hadn’t cut anyone off or anything, but there was no one behind you. Swallowing thickly, you pulled over to the curb as best as you could and parked the car, shooting your driving instructor a nervous glance. “Did I do something wr—”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Soonyoung whispered, silencing you with a wave of his hand. “This is the best part.”

Your jaw clenched as Olivia Rodrigo’s vocals were drowned out by Soonyoung’s off-key singing. This was why he wanted you to pull over? 

“I knew we weren’t perfect but I’ve never felt this way for no one!” he belted out. “C’mon, sing with me—oh, and I just can’t imagine how you could be so okay now that I’m gone!”

You folded your arms across your chest. With a reluctant sigh, you gave in and started singing along with Soonyoung. 

You weren’t exactly ready for your driving test, but after two more lessons with Soonyoung, you felt more confident about being on the road. Sure, you almost ran over a pedestrian once and drove on the wrong side of the road the other day, but at least you were capable of handling a vehicle mostly by yourself. 

There were times where you wondered if your driving lessons would be more productive with a proper instructor, not Soonyoung. He surely knew how to drive (save for when he went over the speed limit and only slowed down when he saw a cop car), but he was more focused on messing around instead of actually teaching you. You were pretty sure that he saved his proper instruction for high school students with parents, and you were just someone he liked to mess around with. 

That didn’t stop you from scheduling another lesson with him, though. It was going to be another trip to the dispensary for you.

“How’re the driving lessons going?” Junhui asked, still nose-deep in his anatomy textbook. 

The two of you were preparing for your upcoming midterms in a study room, but all you could think about was the little notification on your phone screen telling you that Soonyoung requested to follow you on Instagram. How long were you supposed to wait until you accepted his request? Would it be weird if you followed him back right away?

“I can’t parallel park, but I know all the lyrics to ‘Driver’s License’ by Olivia Rodrigo now,” you answered. “I’ve also been honked at thirteen times.”

You counted. Mostly because each honk kept you up at night, staring up at your popcorn ceiling, wondering why everyone (a driver who probably didn’t even remember your face) hated you. 

“Ah,” Junhui mused, smiling a little to himself, “so it’s going well.” 

“I wouldn’t say that,” you mumbled. “But he’s nice. He doesn’t make me feel like crying. I think my dad would make me cry.”

Your phone buzzed while Junhui started going off on a tangent about how your dad was, indeed, a scary man. (There was an incident during parent’s weekend in freshman year where your father walked into your dorm room to see Junhui sitting on your bed. Completely misunderstanding the situation, your poor friend got lectured for almost an hour.) Soonyoung’s contact name flashed across your screen, and you were itching to read his text. 

Once you and Junhui settled back into studying, you turned on your phone to check your messages.

soonyoung (driving instructor): i see you in the first floor study room soonyoung (driving instructor): come to the second floor study room for a good time

Terrifying. But you were intrigued. 

After excusing yourself for a moment, making some lame excuse about needing to use the bathroom, you slipped out of your study room to head upstairs. You realized you had never actually seen Soonyoung on campus before, so a strange feeling of excitement consumed you, making your body feel light and your chest feel giddy. 

Outside one of the study rooms, you heard echoes of laughter and conversation, which made you feel instantly nervous. You were invited, though, so you steeled your nerves and opened the door cautiously. 

“Hi,” you greeted quietly, glancing over at the three strangers before your eyes landed on Soonyoung, who grinned once he saw you. 

The four of them weren’t exactly studying. Two of them were fiddling with the flatscreen fixed to the wall, trying to connect a Nintendo Switch to it; one of them was sliding joy-cons into controllers; and Soonyoung, who had his legs kicked up on the table previously, was standing up to walk over to you. 

“You came!” His tone made it seem like he was doubtful that you’d actually show up, so you were glad to prove him wrong. “Oh, yeah, this is Seungcheol and Mingyu”—he gestured toward the two who were setting up the TV, and then he pointed at the guy with the joy-cons—“and this is Seungkwan.”

“Hey,” the three of them chorused in broken unison. 

“Wanna play Smash Bros with us?” Soonyoung asked. “Perchance.”

“You can’t just say ‘perchance,’ dude,” one of the guys setting up the TV said. 

“I think it’s applicable, Mingyu,” the other guy said, whom you now deduced was Seungcheol. “Conceivably.”

“There’s no reason for either of you to use the words ‘perchance’ or ‘conceivably’ at all,” Seungkwan chimed in. 

“Ignore them,” Soonyoung said, holding the door open wider for you before you even gave him an answer. “They’re just idiots.” 

“You’re the biggest idiot here!” Seungcheol protested. He turned to you and explained, “He’s, like, the final boss idiot.” 

Mingyu snickered. “Final idiot.”

You found yourself giggling a little, distracted by their banter as you walked inside the room and sat down in one of the empty chairs. Soonyoung slid into the one next to you, even though he was sitting next to Seungkwan earlier. You were glad that none of his friends made you feel like your presence was strange or unwelcome, but you still couldn’t help but feel awkward. 

While Soonyoung was asking Seungcheol if he had finished connecting his Switch to the TV, you pulled out your phone to text Junhui. 

y/n: i’m playing smash bros??? with soonyoung on the second floor y/n: wanna join?

jun: my anatomy midterm is in 3 days, 2 hours, and 26 minutes and all i know rn is that tissues are to wipe my tears after i fail this exam, negative feedback is all im getting back from my professor, and brain cells r what im deficient in  

y/n: ok damn i’ll take that as a no

jun: i’ll be in here for the next 3 days whenever u decide to come back 

y/n: it’ll take an hour tops y/n: pls don’t camp here for 3 whole days 

“Jun’s not coming,” you announced. 

You heard a chorus of groans. 

Great. They were all Wen Junhui fanboys. 

After Mingyu and Seungcheol finished setting up the Nintendo Switch, you watched Soonyoung and Seungkwan play the first match. Seungkwan chose Villager (which was sort of fitting for him, actually) and Soonyoung chose Donkey Kong. You honestly had no idea how Smash Bros worked, so you were completely lost while you watched their characters fly around and knock each other off the platform. 

Soonyoung was screaming at one point, threatening Seungkwan with several promises to knock him out, which never happened. Seungkwan, taking a calmer approach, focused on using several commands while Soonyoung was already jumping out of his chair and on the floor. Mingyu and Seungcheol were on the sidelines, yelling out strategies for them at random and laughing occasionally. 

The match ended with Seungkwan being victorious. Soonyoung had gotten so riled up during the game, but he took his defeat like a champ, congratulating his friend and laughing off his loss. 

You were just amused at how quickly he switched up. 

“You want a turn?” Soonyoung asked you, handing you his controller. 

You hesitated. “Uh, I’m not really good at these kinds of games.”

“I’ll help you.”

You were up against Mingyu. He was a formidable opponent at first glance, but you hoped he wasn’t as competitive as the others. Maybe he would show you mercy because it was your first time playing. 

You held the controller with stiffly-bent arms, holding it up like you were reading a map. Soonyoung didn’t laugh at you, to your relief, but he gently pushed your hands down and showed you what all of the controls were. 

You chose the pink blob named Kirby. You weren’t a gamer by any means, so you had no idea what purpose the pink blob served other than being cute. No one judged you for your selection, though, which you assumed was a good sign. 

“Don’t go easy on me,” you mumbled to Mingyu, who grinned in response. 

“Wasn’t planning on it.”

Your heart raced when the countdown started. It felt like the longest three seconds of your life, and you were starting to regret choosing Kirby, who looked harmless in comparison to Mingyu’s character: Samus. You kept telling yourself that it was okay if you lost; you knew how to handle failure since you were pretty bad at virtually everything. 

Soonyoung was cheering for your victory as soon as the match started. He was an absolute angel for doing so, but you were afraid you were going to disappoint him. 

In Mingyu’s defense, you did tell him not to go easy on you. Unfortunately, the guy really wasn’t holding back at all. In the blink of an eye, you were already astral projecting off the screen. 

“Oh,” was all you could say. 

Maybe you should have swallowed down your pride and asked Mingyu to go easy on you.

Seungcheol playfully punched his friend’s shoulder. “C’mon, dude, it’s her first time.”

“Yeah, why’re you being a dick?” Seungkwan joined in, seeming more excited over having an excuse to target Mingyu than to actually defend you.

“She told me not to go easy on her!” he exclaimed, but no one allowed the poor boy to stand up for himself. With a pout, he turned to you and said, “I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t apologize.” You laughed. “I’m just bad at this.”

“Here, I’ll help you for the next round.” Soonyoung scooted closer to you until his knee brushed against yours. You couldn’t help but feel a little hot all of a sudden, but you made no effort to move away. 

The next round started with you dropping from the revival platform. You felt like your brain went into autopilot. You just heard Soonyoung talking in your ear while his fingers kept brushing against yours, telling you which controls were best for fighting Samus. Everything was going in one ear and out the other; you were so flustered that you could hardly think straight. 

You snapped back into reality when you heard three of them screaming, and you looked over with wide eyes to see Mingyu looking shell-shocked himself. 

You won. 

Soonyoung smiled. “See? You’re a natural.”

“No, it was all you,” you replied, shaking your head. It really was all thanks to Soonyoung because you had no idea what the hell you did. “It was probably just beginner’s luck.”

But, even so, a smile tugged at your lips, and you felt elated from your triumph. You thought back to Soonyoung’s hands brushing against yours, nearly swamping yours in comparison, and your chest felt a little warm. 

A little too warm. 

You put a pause on driving for a week and a half, informing Soonyoung that you had to focus on midterms before you could think about your driving lessons. Both caused you extreme distress, so you needed to cut one out temporarily.

Junhui really did camp out in the library for three entire days. You brought him food every day and forced him to go back to his apartment to take a shower. When you watched over his study room for him, Soonyoung would swing by and ask how you were doing. 

Brief interactions, but they were nice. 

You managed to get through your midterms without a single cry session in a bathroom stall. It was honestly a bigger success than your first Smash Bros win. 

Soonyoung and you grew a little closer. Two weeks ago, if someone told you that you would be FaceTiming your driving instructor every night before bed, you wouldn’t believe them for a second. Mostly because you assumed you would get a driving instructor who was pushing retirement age, and video calling someone that old at night sounded a little concerning and borderline adulterous.

You learned a lot about him. His go-to breakfast or midnight snack was Frosted Flakes, and he felt a little empty inside if there wasn’t a box of the cereal in his cabinet. He was loud most of the time, but he often got shy or quiet in loud settings; it was highly dependent on the crowd he was with. His love language was sending you pictures of cute animals and saying it was you two. (You also didn’t like calling this a “love language” because that implied there was something deeper than platonic feelings, which you were too afraid to come to terms with.)

“You have to start driving again now that your midterms are over,” Soonyoung said over the phone one night. He was sulking while you were doing your skincare routine, keeping your phone propped up on your desk. “You’re gonna start forgetting what you learned, and then we’re gonna be back to square one.”

He was (slightly) high tonight and you were the first person he called.

You were pretty sure that had to mean something. Unfortunately, you were too guarded to connect the pieces that were laid out perfectly for you.

“You just miss me, huh?” you joked. 

“Yeah, I guess I do.”

Nothing could have prepared you for that response. 

You felt your cheeks burn, and you had to physically turn around to hide whatever expression was betraying you. You pretended to examine something behind you, but there was clearly nothing there, so you just looked like an idiot. 

You didn’t know what you were feeling. There was a clear difference in your emotions when you spoke to Soonyoung versus when you spoke to his friends. 

You didn’t want to compare Soonyoung to Junhui, who you knew since middle school, but you knew that you didn’t feel anything funny in your chest when you interacted with Seungcheol, Seungkwan, or Mingyu. They were great to be around, of course, but it was only Soonyoung who made you walk with a little skip in your step.

You hadn’t had a proper crush in years. Now, you felt like you were overthinking everything and analyzing every little interaction that could possibly be meaningless. 

It had only been a few weeks, but you supposed there was no exact timeline for these sorts of things—whatever this thing was. 

Whatever it was, though, you were in danger.

“Tomorrow, then,” you said once you regained a sliver of your composure. “Pick me up after your classes.”

“Sure.” He rested his chin in his palm, staring at you with an amused expression. “I’ll bring flowers.”

Possible Ways To Respond: 1. “You’re too sweet! Thank you.” 2. “Flowers? What’s the occasion?” 3. “Wow, you really know how to make a girl feel special, huh?” 

You went with a secret fourth option.

“Please don’t. I’m allergic.”

True to his word, Soonyoung picked you up after his classes the next day. 

You were pretty sure your lessons had gone over the regular quota, so you stopped by at the dispensary earlier to pick up another pod for Soonyoung. He didn’t look as though he was expecting anything when you got in the driver’s seat, though. In fact, he was perplexed when you handed him the paper bag. 

“What’s this?” he asked, growing sheepish. 

“Your payment,” you replied. “Also, I sort of lied about being allergic to flowers. I’m not allergic to flowers. I don’t know why I said that. I’m allergic to penicillin, though, but I don’t think that sounds remotely close to ‘flowers.’ Maybe I got confused? I don’t know.”

If this was an otome game, you had surely picked the bad relationship ending. Soonyoung’s face fell a little—just enough for you to notice—and you immediately felt guilt swallowing you whole. You meant for your words to sound lighthearted, but maybe they didn’t come across that way. 

But, at the same time, you didn’t know where you stood. Wouldn’t it have been unfair to not repay Soonyoung for the lessons? Was it unreasonable that you weren’t actually expecting him to bring you flowers for no reason?

Soonyoung recovered quickly, though, his smiling eyes crinkling at the corners. “So I can bring you flowers.”

“Hypothetically, you could.”

“But you don’t have to pay me anymore.” He looked into the paper bag, examining the STIIZY pod before scoffing. “If I keep stocking up on these, people are gonna think I’m a stoner.” 

“Well, I have to pay you for the lessons somehow,” you said. “So, if you don’t want the pods anymore, then I’ll have to start sending you money. I mean, what about gas?”

“You don’t have to worry about my gas tank.” He chuckled at your words and sat back to get comfortable. “What you should worry about is not hitting the curb.”

You flushed hotly. “Right.”

The first hour went smoothly. Soonyoung was impressed that you were gradually getting more and more comfortable behind the wheel, and he even congratulated you for changing lanes without muttering prayers under your breath. You were beginning to feel less overwhelmed with everything you were supposed to focus on, and you were certain that you were so close to everything clicking at once. 

That was, until a car crashed right into you on a local road. 

Thankfully, you and the other driver weren’t going too fast, but the force was sure to leave a dent in Soonyoung’s car. The collision wasn’t hard, by any means, but the impact jerked your body forward so that your mouth hit the steering wheel. The sting of pain radiated throughout your gums seconds later, and you winced and cradled your jaw. 

You immediately bubbled with rage as you pulled over to the curb, knowing that you had the right of way and he was supposed to stop and wait for you to pass, but you were still stiff with shock. Soonyoung’s eyes were fierce, looking back at the driver as if he was about to cuss him out, but then he turned his attention to you.

Before you could feel immense, crushing guilt over crashing Soonyoung’s car, you whipped your head around to make sure he wasn’t hurt. You wouldn’t be surprised if he completely ghosted you after this. You were probably the worst student he had ever come across, which was saying a lot considering most of his students were high school teenagers. 

“Y/N, are you okay? Are you hurt?” he asked, sounding as frantic as his hands were. You felt his palm against your cheek and his other hand atop your head, making sure you weren’t hurt anywhere. 

“Are you okay?” you blurted out. Your breathing was erratic, and you hardly registered the metallic taste of blood in your mouth. “Oh god. Your car. Oh god, I—” 

“It’s okay, Y/N, it’s not your fault,” he said. “You had the right of—” 

When he turned to look at you again, he just stared, eyes wide and jaw hanging open—almost comically. It almost looked like he was more bewildered by you than the fact that his car was rammed into by another car. 

He was wordless for far too long that you had to ask, “Everything okay?” 

Maybe that was a stupid question. Clearly, everything wasn’t okay, and it had everything to do with the fact that you two had gotten into a car crash.

“I think you loth a tooth,” he lisped—a seemingly joking remark, but his expression was dead serious.

For a split second, a laugh bubbled up in your mouth. You thought Soonyoung must have been messing with you, but it was ridiculous that he could joke around in such a situation. It was when you touched your lip and pulled your hand back to see blood, though, that cold reality washed over you.

Your eyes went wide as saucers as you turned to examine your teeth in the rear-view mirror. 

The worst possible thing that could happen to a woman was happening to you right now. 

Your front left tooth was gone. 

“I-it’s not that bad,” Soonyoung tried, although he sounded unconvinced himself. “It’s cute! It’s like, uh, that dragon—from, uh… How to Train Your Dragon.” 

Your eyes were burning and your throat was closing up, but tonguing the bloodied gap between your teeth sent you over the edge. You had tears streaming down your cheeks and you were gripping the wheel so hard that your knuckles turned pale.

“Toothleth?” you cried, which led to a few choked sobs when you realized that you had a lisp now. Then, you were full-on crying into your hands because sure, you could get over being the reason why Soonyoung’s car had a dent in it, but you were pretty sure there was no replacing a missing tooth. The more you cried, though, the worse you felt as you tasted the blood and heard the faint whistles coming from the gap in your teeth. “I’m tho thupid!” 

Soonyoung was clearly short-circuiting, but you could tell he was desperate to calm you down by the way he was rubbing your back in soothing circles. “Y/N, you’re not stupid. It's okay, we just—”

“Thoonyoung!”

Soonyoung slapped his hand over his mouth to suppress his laughter. He was trying to take you seriously, but the little bursts of laughter that bubbled up in his throat were betraying him. 

You swallowed down your sob and continued, “Ith not okay! I loth my tooth!” 

“Okay, no more talking,” he ordered. “I know you’re very hurt right now, but you’re gonna feel even worse if I start laughing at your lisp, so don’t make this harder for me.” 

You scowled at him, but you kept your mouth shut because Soonyoung was right; you were not in the proper headspace to be laughed at right now. 

“Okay, I’m gonna go outside and talk to the driver who ran into us,” he explained slowly. “I want you to calm your breathing and find your missing tooth. We can drive to the dentist right after, okay?” 

You sniffled and nodded, craning your neck to watch Soonyoung get out of the car to talk to the driver. Then, you sucked in a sharp breath and examined the floor to find your loose tooth. Lo and behold, it was laying next to the gas pedal. You cringed as you picked it up, frowning at how bloody it was in your palm. There were a few napkins in Soonyoung’s glove compartment, so you wrapped your tooth in one and kept it in your pocket.

You heard some yelling from the other driver—something about having kids in the back and how you were going way too fast—and it all just made you feel worse. You felt horrible that Soonyoung had to deal with the repercussions, and after they exchanged insurances and the guy drove off, you got out of the car to see the damage. 

Surely enough, there was a decent-sized dent in the side of his car. It was right where the back door opened, and you burst into tears at the sight of it. Soonyoung wouldn’t have to deal with all of this if he wasn’t teaching you to drive.  

Still, he wrapped his arms around your shaking body and pulled you in close. He rested his chin on top of your head and sighed. 

“It’s okay,” he murmured. “The insurance will cover the damage. You don’t have to worry about anything.”

“What about my tooth?”

“Okay, maybe there’s one thing to worry about.”

You leaned into his touch when you felt his hand carding through your hair. His motions were slow and gentle, as if he was trying hard to make sure you didn’t notice the gesture. You did, though, and you appreciated it. 

You started, “I’m—”

“Don’t say you’re sorry,” he interrupted. You thought he was going to say something cheesy about how you had nothing to apologize for, but he continued, “You’re gonna say thorry, and I’m not gonna be able to take you seriously.”

With your face buried in his chest, you reached your hand out to punch his shoulder. 

Still, despite his snarky comment and the emotional distress you were experiencing over your missing tooth, a big smile crossed your face and his embrace left a warm, fluttery feeling in your stomach. 

Your heart was beating so fast that you almost thought it would stop. 

“Ew,” was Wen Junhui’s first reaction upon seeing your swollen lip. You could only see the top half of his face over FaceTime, but you were sure he had a look of disgust on. “You look terrible.”

“Thanks,” you replied dryly, holding an ice pack to your cheek. 

Before Soonyoung drove you to a dentist, he scolded you for leaving your tooth wrapped up in a tissue. Apparently, your tooth was going to be fucked if it dried up, so his solution was to leave it in his half-empty water bottle that was left sitting in his car. You weren’t quite sure about this, but the dentist informed you that Soonyoung saved your front tooth. 

If he was with you in the room, you probably could’ve kissed him then and there—bloody mouth and all.

Thankfully, since you didn’t fracture or break any part of the tooth, the dentists were able to replant it into your gums without any complications. They told you it was a good thing you went straight to the dentist instead of waiting. Your front tooth would’ve been a lost cause if you waited another hour. 

It was really all thanks to Soonyoung. 

The procedure was quick and you were told that your avulsed tooth would be back to normal in about a week. The news filled you with relief because you were so sure you were going to be toothless for the rest of your life. 

Not that it was a bad thing. While Soonyoung was driving you to the dentist prior to the replantation, you had come to terms with the fact that you would be missing a front tooth for the rest of your life. You would grow old and tell your children the harrowing tale of how you got your driver’s license and sacrificed your front tooth for it. 

It couldn’t be all that horrible. Maybe you would grow an affinity for whistling.

Thankfully, that was all just your overthinking and your tooth was probably fine now. In seven days, everything was supposed to go back to normal, so you had your fingers crossed for a full recovery. 

“Of course that would happen to you.” Junhui laughed at your misery. “Shit like this only happens to you.”

“Yeah, I get it. I’m the pinnacle of terrible luck.”

“So, what happened after? Did you make out with Soonyoung or something?” 

“No!” you exclaimed. Your cheeks started to burn just at the thought. “How do you expect me to make out with someone when I look like this? Soonyoung drove me home like a gentleman. He’s not into me like that.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Shut up.” You rolled your eyes. “I don’t think I’ll be seeing him for a while, anyway. I don’t wanna start driving again until my tooth is fine.”

“Then maybe you can go on a different kind of ride with him instead.”

“You need to stop.”

You didn’t see Soonyoung much over the next week. He told you that he had a few papers to finish before his schedule would clear up, so you were only able to text him occasionally and see him in passing, exchanging a greeting before one of you had to go. 

You saw his friends a lot, though. They were always in the study room next to the one you and Junhui liked to use, so you would stop by their room often to see what they were up to. They were usually either messing around or using the whiteboard for everything but its intended purpose, so you enjoyed taking study breaks with them. Junhui was the type to not take breaks because he was locked in on his work once he got in the zone, so Soonyoung’s friends were a breath of fresh air. 

Your Current Opinions on Soonyoung’s Friends:

Mingyu: Kind. Approached you whenever he saw you. Pleasant conversations. Swiped up on your Snapchat stories sometimes. Was unfortunately the only person you forgot to block from your story once when you posted a semi-thirst trap just for Soonyoung’s eyes.

Seungcheol: Friendly whenever he talked to you. A little awkward because you once saw him taking selfies at the gym instead of working out. 

Seungkwan: Not super buddy-buddy but sweet enough. Liked making fun of Soonyoung with you. He brought you McDonald’s once and you imagined a future with him momentarily.

Word also got around that your front tooth had been knocked out clean. Seungcheol let it slip when he accidentally referred to you as ‘Toothless’ the other day. You made a mental note to kill Soonyoung later.

The next time you ran into your driving instructor on campus was outside one of your lecture halls. You walked out in the middle of class to fill up your hydroflask. It was especially hot today, and you were seconds away from heat exhaustion. Soonyoung’s brows lifted in pleasant surprise once he saw you, and he missed his elevator to walk up to you.

“Whoa.” You paused for a moment, unblinking. “I keep forgetting you go here.”

“I’m the hall monitor.”

“This is college. We don’t have hall monitors.”

“Self-elected,” was his response. “Speaking of, I don’t see your bathroom pass.”

“I’m not going to the bathroom. I’m filling up my water. Anyway, why would I—”

“Just this once, I’ll let you off with a warning,” he interjected, pulling out a card from the pocket of his jeans. He handed it to you, and you accepted it after a moment of hesitation. “There’s your bathroom pass. Don’t let me catch you loitering around here again.” 

With that, Soonyoung walked off, leaving you utterly confused. 

You flipped the business card around to see his name and number printed neatly in the middle, and you frowned in response. There was some other fine text on the back, but you didn’t take the time to read it properly as you were still baffled. 

“I already have your number!” you called after him, but you just heard your driving instructor laugh to himself in response as he disappeared behind the elevator doors.

Later, after your classes ended, you went back to your study room with Junhui. He had been in the library since morning, deciding to skip his classes to prepare for his second round of midterms that he still had a few weeks for. 

You told him about your encounter with Soonyoung, noting how strange it was that he casually had business cards on hand. Junhui asked to see the card, so you handed it over to him. 

Upon closer inspection, Junhui raised his eyebrows, impressed. “Hall monitor rizz.”

“How was that rizz? He told me it was a bathroom pass and left.”

“Well, I’d consider it rizz since he’s asking you out on a date.”

Heat rose to your cheeks. “You think he’s asking me out on a date?” 

“No, I know he’s asking you out on a date.” Junhui flipped Soonyoung’s business card around to show you the fine print: Schedule our first date with the number provided on the other side of this card. The corner of his mouth lifted. “Says it right here. He’s just shy, Y/N.”

“Shy? Him? He doesn’t look like the shy type.”

“He’s shy,” he affirmed, “around you, at least. I mean, you’d get shy around the person you liked, wouldn’t you?” 

“I guess, but…” you trailed off, shaking your head. “No, this is normal, right? Dates are normal. We’re just two normal adults going on a normal date. Nothing weird about that, right? I shouldn’t feel so weird about this. Do I sound weird? Am I weird?”

You didn’t realize you had gotten up and started pacing until you turned to see Junhui looking at you with concern hanging in his brows. You sucked in a sharp breath and sank back into your seat, burying your face in your hands. 

“I’m in way over my head,” you mumbled. 

“You’re nervous ‘cause you have a crush on him,” he replied. “Nothing weird about that.”

“I have a crush on him,” you echoed, more so to yourself than to Junhui. 

Although you were partly in denial, still tossing and turning the prospect of crushing on Soonyoung around in your head, Junhui took your words as confirmation. He hummed knowingly and turned back to his textbook, leaving you to ruminate for the next thirty minutes in silence before you excused yourself. 

You were currently speed walking to your usual bus stop, hoping you would be able to stop thinking about Soonyoung and the business card tucked into your pocket. However, you couldn’t stop thinking about the possibility of you developing a tiny crush on him. 

You hadn’t had a proper crush in ages. The last time you had strong feelings for someone was in high school, which promptly ended following your first date—after an eight month talking stage. You proposed going to the fair, which seemed fine until you threw up on the ferris wheel and received an ‘I don’t think this is going to work out’ text later that night. 

And why were you so flustered over this, anyway? After all, you had been anticipating the day Soonyoung would make the first move. Plus, you were an adult; overthinking your feelings like this was so high school. 

Whatever. You had nothing to lose.

You pulled out your phone to text Soonyoung, a small smile crossing your face once you caught sight of his profile picture again. It was a picture of him with all his hair flying every which way in the wind and his mouth open to yell some profanity. 

y/n: date. y/n: this week any day 

soonyoung (driving instructor): WHOA!!!!!!

y/n: what day what day what day what day what day what day what day what day what day what day what day what day what day

soonyoung (driving instructor): tomorrow night

y/n: okay

soonyoung (driving instructor): okay

y/n: okay.

soonyoung (driving instructor): okay. soonyoung (driving instructor): can’t wait

y/n: me neither

soonyoung (driving instructor): pick you up at 8

y/n: i’ll be ready

soonyoung (driving instructor): i’ll be even more ready

Your heart didn’t stop pounding for the rest of the day.

To be a woman was to perform. 

You were currently performing an illegal U-turn. 

Soonyoung held onto the ‘oh shit’ handle fixed to the ceiling, his face contorted in absolute fear as he repeated, “Wrong lane, wrong lane, wrong lane, wrong lane, wrong lane—”

“Sorry!” you exclaimed, swerving back into your correct lane after checking your mirrors. You swallowed thickly before saying, “I’ve got it under control now, I think.”

Of course, you had been nervous the entire day and a half leading up to your date with Soonyoung, but how you felt right now had completely reigned over every emotion you were feeling before. 

Throughout the day, you had butterflies in your stomach and a little skip to your step, but now you were terrified of things you had never even worried about before. The reason you took a U-turn in the first place was because Soonyoung told you that you missed the parking lot entrance, causing you to panic in the middle of the road (which, on your part, was not very smart.) 

In short, Soonyoung should not have let you take the wheel, and you should not have gotten this worked up over him planning to take you to the local fair. 

What were the odds that you were back in the place where you had an awful last date? You could almost feel the bile rising up your throat.

Soonyoung’s voice was unnaturally high-pitched when he asked, “A-are you sure you’re ready to schedule that driving test?” 

“Yes! I’m ready,” you said, “but, to make things clear, my driving today is not representative of my driving any other day.”

Somehow, you and Soonyoung wound up making it to the fairgrounds’ parking lot in one piece. You deflated upon hearing the sigh of relief escape Soonyoung’s lips once the car was in park, but it was well deserved. You were surprised he even let you drive in the first place. 

The fairgrounds were packed with people—mostly students—so there were several couples going around with their fingers interlocked. You were now hyper-aware of your fingertips, wondering if you’d get the chance to brush them against Soonyoung’s and slowly slide your hand into his. 

He ended up paying for your ticket, and you didn’t have much room to argue about it because the employee was already taking his card before you even noticed. You told Soonyoung you would pay for something else—food, rides, raffle tickets—but he ended up covering everything for you. Of course, you were sure Junhui would have scolded you because turning down a guy paying for you was apparently equivalent to turning down the guy himself. So, you swallowed your pride and let Soonyoung take the lead. 

You went on a few rides with Soonyoung, shared a churro, and you took a picture in front of the ferris wheel. You were having a great time, actually, and almost all of your nerves had all but melted away. All that was left to deem this a perfect date was to actually ride the ferris wheel, which was exactly what you were absolutely terrified of. 

“Not good with heights?” Soonyoung asked as you two were getting into the seat, pulling down the lap bar for you two. 

You wondered if you looked as ghastly as you felt. “Not so much.”

You weren’t good with a lot of things, to be fair.

Smooth talker Soonyoung took that as his opportunity to slip his hand into yours, lacing your fingers together with a shy smile on his face. “You can close your eyes if it gets scary, or just keep looking at me.”

Honestly, that sounded scarier than the possibility of plummeting to your death from the top of the ferris wheel. You weren’t sure your heart could handle staring at Soonyoung, especially with how flustered his gaze made you feel. 

“Hey, could I ask you something?” you asked, nearly shying away when Soonyoung fixed his gaze on you. “When did you start liking me? I mean, I had no idea.”

“Uh…” The ride started moving backward as Soonyoung hummed in thought. “Probably that first time you were in my car?”

Your eyes went wide. “You mean our very first lesson?”

“Yeah, I thought you were cute—a little weird, but cute.” He grinned. “I think it was when you fell asleep over FaceTime that one night when I started catching feelings.”

Your cheeks burned. You weren’t sure if you could pinpoint a specific moment like he did; you just remembered your heart started beating faster when you saw him one day, and the rest was history. It was almost incredible how blindsided you were by his feelings, even though he had integrated himself into your daily life so naturally.

“And then you posted that one picture on your story once,” he continued, voice growing shy once he realized what he admitted out loud, “and that was when I knew I was really in too deep.”

You blanched with embarrassment. He must have been talking about the thirst trap because that was the only time you ever posted yourself so confidently. How were you going to explain that you blocked everyone else from your Snapchat story just for him to see that?

A nervous laugh bubbled from your lips. “About that—”

Before you could get any other words out, though, you became painfully aware of your surroundings. Your seat started swinging with the strong winds, and you realized that you were at the very top. If you leaned over enough, you were pretty sure your seat would tip over and drop you and Soonyoung right out. The very thought paralyzed you to the core. 

Just as Soonyoung was in the middle of asking if you were okay, the ferris wheel started moving faster, and you yelped and clung onto him as you two went down. You were fine with the slow pace with breaks in between, but now that you were moving at full speed in one go, it was downright terrifying. 

Soonyoung seemed to find it hilarious, though. He laughed and wrapped an arm around you while you were the very picture of fear. You buried your face into his chest and dug your nails in so hard that you were afraid he would feel them through his sweater. 

Finally, it came to a stop. The ride operator started letting people out one seat at a time, but you and Soonyoung had ended up at the very top again. You raised your head to sit upright again, letting out an exasperated breath, but Soonyoung drew you closer. He was still laughing, and it made you blush uncontrollably. 

“Just so you know, I’m good with any other ride!” you tried to defend yourself. “Well, actually, save for roller coasters and drop towers… oh, and—”

“Y/N,” Soonyoung cut you off with a smile, his voice hardly a murmur. Before, you could barely hear him over the excited cries and shouts in the fair, but now your attention had zeroed in on him. You felt disoriented as he placed his warm hand on your cheek, tilting his head and leaning in. “C’mere.”

You were too shy to admit it, but you had fantasized about making out with Soonyoung before. Of course, you never knew what type of kisser he was, so you just settled for whatever fantasy played out in your head.

Now, though, with his lips pressed against yours, you felt something hot and needy stir up inside you as he tugged you impossibly close to his body. Your stomach fluttered when you let slip a whimper, which Soonyoung didn’t let go unnoticed. He pulled back for a moment, his gaze darkening, promising to return to that later, and he returned to kissing you. 

When you were almost near the ground, you and Soonyoung pulled away. There were definitely far too many children and parents around for you two to be kissing like that, but now you were anticipating how things would be once you two were alone. 

“You two have fun?” the ride operator, who appeared to be an older teenager, asked with a teasing lilt to his voice. 

All you could do was nod and duck your head in embarrassment while Soonyoung beamed brighter than the flashing lights. 

You spent some more time with Soonyoung on a few more (tamer) rides before you two decided to call it a day. Your feet were getting sore, so he courteously offered to drive the both of you home. However, you had an itching feeling that he just didn’t want you behind the wheel again. 

“Wanna get something to eat?” he asked once you both were inside the car, and he turned his head around as he reversed. “There’s a good froyo place down the street.”

“Yeah, let’s do that,” you agreed quickly. Deep down, you were hoping this date wouldn’t end just yet.

Soonyoung played Olivia Rodrigo’s new album as he drove, rolling the window down so that the wind tousled his hair. You thought he looked cute that way, and you had to keep your hand under your thigh to keep it from reaching over and running it through his locks. 

When he parked in front of the froyo place, it appeared completely dark inside. It was also evidently clear that the only cars parked in the lot were the overflow crowd of people from the fair who couldn’t get a parking spot at the fairgrounds. 

“Did we miss it?” He frowned, pausing to look up the store hours on his iPhone. “Man. I didn’t want our date to end like this.”

“I don’t want it to end, either.”

Soonyoung looked over at you, studying your expression carefully before asking, “Do you wanna chill in the back for a while, then?”

You knew what that meant. And you had specifically worn your matching lingerie set just for this moment. 

You unlatched your seatbelt, and Soonyoung followed suit right after. “Yeah, I’m down.” 

“Wait, there’s something I need to do first,” Soonyoung said in a soft voice, looking down at you with gentle eyes. 

For a moment, your heart jumped to your throat. The way he was looking at you sent butterflies to your stomach, and you couldn’t even imagine what he was going to do next. Something about his tone was so sincere that you were sure he was going to kiss you, especially when he started leaning down. 

You let your eyes flutter shut, waiting for his soft lips to meet yours. Your heartbeat felt like a drum in your ears. 

But nothing happened. No kiss. Nothing. 

You opened your eyes to see what Soonyoung was doing. When you saw him hunched over, fiddling with something near his ankles, your face deadpanned—not a flicker of amusement. 

Soonyoung had put his Crocs in sports mode. 

First of all, wearing Crocs on the first date was absurd.

Second of all, putting your Crocs in sports mode on the first date was absolutely preposterous. 

Yet, it was the perfect thing Soonyoung had done to put your nerves completely at ease. You ended up bursting into laughter at the very sight, making his head shoot up while his eyebrows were drawn together, perplexed. However, he happened to hit his head on the steering wheel as he did so, which only made you laugh even harder. 

Your sudden surge of confidence spurred you to crawl over the gear stick and straddle his lap. Shocked, Soonyoung gripped your thighs and straightened up. Before his lip could curl up in amusement, you wrapped your arms around his neck and slotted your lips with his. 

He broke for air for a moment, breathing out, “Well, hi.”

“Hi.” Your nose gently bumped against his. “Having second thoughts?” 

“No!” he exclaimed, rubbing his hands up and down your sides. “I just didn’t wanna start anything because I wasn’t sure if you were ready.” He threw a glance over his shoulder before looking out the window. “Plus, this place isn’t exactly private.” 

You looked out the window while Soonyoung’s warm hands returned to your thighs. It was true that there were empty cars around, but there weren’t any people in sight. It was still early in the night, so you were sure people would stay at the fairgrounds until midnight. 

“Hey,” Soonyoung started again, “what was that you were gonna say on the ferris wheel? Before we, uh, made out.” 

“Oh.” Shame bubbled in your chest when you realized what he was talking about. “Nothing important.”

“Tell me.”

Moonlight shone in from the window, illuminating the side of Soonyoung’s face and his neck, showing off his prominent collarbones. His low voice reached your core in a way you had never experienced before. You flushed with embarrassment because you were certain Soonyoung could feel how you clenched. 

You looked out the window, as if you could mentally escape through it. Find a way to get out of the situation you were in. 

“Fine.” He huffed lightly before placing a hand behind your neck and drawing you closer. “I’ll just get it out of you, then.”

Notably flustered, you gasped when Soonyoung’s lips latched onto the side of your neck, biting and sucking the tender skin. You croaked out some lame lie about forgetting what you were trying to say, but Soonyoung persisted. He ravaged the column of your neck like it was the only thing keeping him grounded. 

You scooted up on his lap, sitting right on top of his growing bulge, which roused a throaty groan from him. You could feel Soonyoung twitch under you, and it was all that was needed for you to start grinding your hips slowly on his lap. And then he started guiding your hips down onto him. Your breath hitched when you felt his fingers dig into the grooves of your hips to take control of your motions. 

“Tell me,” he beseeched, and you shivered when you could feel his smile against your jawline.

You let out a whine. “It’s embarrassing.” 

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, distracted as he looked up at you like you were the most precious thing in the world. His hands never left your hips as he watched you grind down on his lap. Soonyoung’s eyes were unfocused for a moment before clarity bled back into him. “It was about the Snapchat story, right? That one picture you posted.” 

“I don’t remember what that was,” you attempted to lie smoothly, but you were pretty sure your expression betrayed you once Soonyoung slid a hand under your shirt to cup your chest. 

“Yeah, you do. The one where you were wearing those thigh-high stockings.” You saw a flash of darkness in his eyes. “Can’t believe everyone got to see you like that.”

“I wouldn’t say everyone,” you muttered. 

“Hm?”

His thumb, after his hand managed to creep under your bra, found purchase on your nipple, rolling and circling around the supple flesh as he pleased. You only managed to let out a cry before Soonyoung was pressing you further, ordering you to answer him before he made you fall apart. 

You were so caught up in your own pleasure, practically chest-to-chest with Soonyoung, that you hardly noticed the knock on the window until Soonyoung jolted upright and straightened his back. 

“Fuck,” he cursed under his breath, voice still thick with lust that was ebbing away. Thankfully, you both were still mostly clothed, but Soonyoung had his pants nearly down and you had your shirt riding up past your waist.

The officer stopped knocking to give Soonyoung the opportunity to roll the window down after he was decent. It was evidently an uncomfortable situation for both parties. You turned your head to the side, screwing your eyes shut and hoping you would blink out of existence if you tried hard enough. You never thought you would have a cop at your window before even getting your license. 

“Hi,” he greeted sheepishly once the window was down. “Sorry, we’ll get going now.”

“Yeah, uh…” The officer trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck with a long-winded sigh. “I’ll let you off with a warning this time, but keep it in the bedroom, please.”

“Thanks…” Soonyoung trailed off, looking for some sort of identification tag. 

“Officer Hong,” he answered flatly. 

“Thanks, Officer Hong.”

“Don’t let me catch you two again.”

“Oh, probably not me, but once she gets her license then it’s over for—ow!” Soonyoung yelped when you pinched him in the side, effectively shutting him up. He immediately apologized, “Sorry, Officer Hong, it won’t happen again.”

The encounter with the police officer was awkward, yes, but somehow, Soonyoung was unfazed once you two had gotten off with the warning. He coolly looked up at you and asked if he could come over to your place tonight. You agreed, of course.

The drive home was perfectly fine. Soonyoung made sure you weren’t too startled by the officer and asked how you liked the fair. You thought it was all pleasant conversation that would continue once you were in your living room, but Soonyoung pinned you up against your front door as soon as you were inside. 

His strong arms caged you in his hold, and you could only helplessly look up at him and warble out some pathetic question, asking if he wanted water or snacks. He turned the offer down, obviously. 

Since you two had already gotten this far, you figured you might as well let Soonyoung in on your little secret. Although it was slightly humiliating to admit, you realized tonight that far more embarrassing things had happened to you. 

“You really wanna know, don’t you?” When he nodded in response, you sighed and explained, “What I posted on my story… I blocked everyone else so that only you’d see it.”

Well, him and Mingyu, but the latter was purely accidental. 

Hearing your words flipped a switch in Soonyoung and he completely froze up, as if he had stopped functioning altogether.

“Well, technically, you and Mingyu,” you rambled on, “but that’s only because I forgot to block him from my story. You know, I have, like, two hundred people on Snapchat, so I figured I’d accidentally skip over someone, anyway. But I don’t think he even paid any attention to it. I feel like he’d—”

He cut you off by sealing his lips over yours, and all the noise in your head simmered down. All the fluff filling up your brain billowed and sank back down. You remembered when you were a middle schooler, giggling and replaying the scenes in movies that were exactly like this. Now that you were actually living in it, though, you couldn’t get enough of Soonyoung. 

He broke away for a breather, lips hanging barely an inch from yours and your foreheads touching. His heavily-lidded eyes found yours, gazing at you longingly through his lashes. 

“No offense,” he started with a smirk, “but I don’t really care about Mingyu right now.”

You opened your mouth to respond, but you shut it as soon as you realized that you had nothing intelligent to contribute. You recognized that most of your mindless ramblings probably killed the mood—for you, at least.

He pressed a kiss to your cheek, then your jaw, then the side of your neck. As he moved down to your chest, Soonyoung’s kisses grew sloppier and open-mouthed. He tugged at your shirt, and you helped him remove it with ease, snapping your bra off in the process and letting it fall to the floor. His hungry gaze upon seeing you bare before him made you ache for more. Soonyoung let out a groan and let his tongue drag over your nipple, circling and flicking around the sensitive skin until you were moaning shamelessly.

With his head ducked so that his lips could ravage your chest, Soonyoung bent down just a little bit more to wrap his arms around your thighs. He scooped you up in his arms swiftly, making you yelp, and he walked you to your bedroom after you whispered where your room was. He was so strong that you hardly had to hold onto him, but his strength was a double-edged sword because he had you pinned down on your bed in seconds. 

A grin crossed Soonyoung’s face as his lips returned to your chest. This time, his lips made their way down your body, to your stomach. You curled your hand in his hair, tugged hard because you wanted more, but Soonyoung was relentless with his teasing. He pressed hot, open-mouthed kisses that made you squirm under him and ache for more. They were slow and torturous, and you only grew more needy as he made his way down. 

“Can I take these off?” he asked, fingers slipping into the waistband of your pants. 

“Only if you take your clothes off, too.”

You heard him chuckle before you felt cold air starting to hit your bare skin. Soonyoung unzipped your pants and tugged them down your legs until they were bunched up at your ankles, which you struggled to kick off until he bent down to move the fabric off your heel. You shuddered when he snapped the band of your underwear, hooking his fingers at the sides and twisting the fabric. He sure was enjoying toying with you, and you weren’t sure you could handle any more teasing. After what felt like forever, Soonyoung pulled the last of your undergarments down and marveled at your bare body.

“You’re unbelievable,” he all but growled, running his hands down your sides, to your hips, and past your thighs. “I can’t believe I get to have you like this.”

You sat up, looking up at him with a pout, which only seemed to drive Soonyoung to the brink of madness. 

“You’re still clothed,” you observed.

“Yes.”

“Take it off.” You folded your arms across your chest. “I can’t be the only one naked.”

“Whatever you say, princess,” he replied with a laugh. You supposed he could see your expression falter, nearly letting some pathetic sound fall from your lips, so Soonyoung cooed at you and ran his thumb over your lower lip. “Oh, you like that? Like it when I call you princess?”

You did like it. You liked it too much for your own good, and it was almost humiliating.

Soonyoung towered over you as he peeled off his shirt, grabbing it from the nape of his neck and slipping it off in seconds. Your eyes ran over his beautiful expanse of skin, from every defined muscle in his abdomen to the little goosebumps that pricked his arms. You reached out to run your fingers down his abs, letting them trace each groove and dip in muscle. Soonyoung shivered at your very touch, but he allowed you to make your way down to undo his belt and pants. 

Your fingers were fumbling, but you managed to remove the latch after several failed attempts. He guided you with his steadier hands, but you were determined to do it yourself. Finally, you pulled his belt free and pushed his pants down his legs. 

He seemed to be slightly embarrassed, but Soonyoung was already rock hard. His cock sprang up so that the tip pushed past the waistband of his boxers. 

“Don’t worry about that,” he grumbled, sinking to his knees and placing his hands on your thighs. “I’ll take care of you first.”

He grabbed your knees and pushed them apart, staring at your soaked cunt like it was everything he ever wanted. Soft kisses peppered the inside of your thighs, working up to the apex of your legs. You felt the cold air hit your core and shivered, but then it was hot all over again once Soonyoung licked one long, slow stripe that made you writhe and cry out in bliss. He had to press your hips down to keep you from moving too much. 

But his movements were so slow and torturous. You were going insane by how much Soonyoung was teasing you with his kitten licks and lazy drags of tongue. Tears welled up in your eyes by the time you had been edged away from another impending orgasm, with him letting his dissolve as soon as the heat bloomed under your skin. 

Kissing your cunt. Plunging his tongue into your core. Licking at your walls until they trembled and shook with the warning of release. You were agonized by how good Soonyoung was making you feel.

“Please,” you begged, your voice breathless as your body felt lightweight, “let me cum, please.”

“Hm.” He seemed to consider it for a moment before saying, “Tell me three things you like about me, and I’ll let you cum.”

You laughed, but it died on your tongue as soon as you realized there was no amusement on his face.

“You’re kidding, right?” You swallowed hard, knowing you had your answer already. “Oh, you’re not kidding.”

He was making you work for your orgasm. This was mortifying; you never expected Soonyoung to be so cruel, and you never expected it to be so hot.

“Three things, baby,” he said. “Start with number one.”

“One,” you started, your voice shaky as Soonyoung returned to snaking his tongue past your folds, “I like how you treat me so well and look after me, like—oh, right there—yeah, like that.”

“Two,” you continued, more so in a whimper because Soonyoung was skillfully using his tongue to reach places you never thought to stimulate before. “I, ah—I like the way you look at me and when you tell me I’m beautiful.” You sucked in your teeth when you felt him press his tongue flat against your clit. “Soonyoung, please.”

“One more,” he murmured.

“T-three,” you breathed out, and by this point, your legs were already shaking. Your brain was turning to mush and you couldn’t help but clench at Soonyoung lapping at your soaked cunt. The tremor in your voice was unmistakable when you admitted, “I love how you’re so much better at this than I ever could’ve imagined.”

He breathed out a laugh against your cunt. “Am I really?” He tightened his grip on your hips to suck on your clit, making your back arch and your chest feel light. “You think about me that often, princess?”

“Mmhm,” you confirmed with your eyes screwed shut. “Thought about you whenever I was—”

“Don’t finish that,” he warned, though it almost sounded like he was pleading with you, “or I’ll go crazy.”

Your nerves felt like they had tangled themselves into several knots that kept tightening in your stomach. You shuddered and moaned with each motion of Soonyoung’s tongue that brought you closer to your release. He was merciless with the way he dipped his tongue in your core, rubbing your clit with his thumb in slow circles.

Your walls tightened one last time before you were finally blinded by your white-hot orgasm, and you hardly even realized that hot tears were streaming down your cheeks. Soonyoung was eating you out unabated, not even giving you a break between each wave of pleasure that hit you. After your climax subsided and coherency gradually bled back into you, Soonyoung finally pulled back and pressed a kiss to your forehead. 

You grabbed his arm before he could say anything. Soonyoung looked you in the eyes for a moment, alarmed, but the worry knitting his brows together melted away once you pulled him down for a proper kiss.

With your arms wrapped around his neck and his knee between your legs, Soonyoung eventually found himself lowering his body until your chests were pressed together. He kept himself up by his elbows and pulled away to look at you. He brushed your hair out of your face and leaned in for another kiss.

As you two became a tangled mess of limbs, wrapped up in each other and far too occupied to care about anything but making out, you moved your hand down Soonyoung’s abs to wrap your hand around his cock. He groaned against your lips and rocked his hips against your touch. 

“You’re so fucking hot,” he murmured, his voice low and thick with lust. After reaching back to tug his boxers down, freeing his cock from the restricting fabric, Soonyoung looked down at you with desire glazing over his eyes. “May I?”

“Please do,” you answered.

You cried out when he started rubbing the head of his cock against your cunt, teasing your folds like he did before. You were aching already despite your previous orgasm, and you thought you were going to die on the spot from how needy you were.

“Turn onto your stomach,” he ordered. You were confused for a moment, but you ended up being manhandled by Soonyoung, anyway. He flipped you over and positioned himself at your entrance, keeping one hand on the back of your neck. “Good girl.”

The side of your face was pressed into the sheets, and your hands were desperately reaching for anything that gave you proper leverage. You ended up grabbing onto the pillows just as Soonyoung started pushing his cock inside you. You swallowed down the gasp that dared threaten to escape, and Soonyoung pressed kisses to your face and made sure you weren’t crying from how big he was.

With more filth and praises whispered into your ear, you were clenching and unclenching around him, making Soonyoung groan whenever he felt you tighten. It took a while for him to ease his way into you, but once Soonyoung had finally nestled inside of you, it was as if a switch flipped in him.

He was thrusting as soon as you gave him the green light. You were blindsided by how intense he was, hardly having any control over your own body as you held onto the sheets for dear life. Soonyoung held your hips with a bruising grip as he fucked into you.

Hot.

Everything felt hot and sticky. Your sweat-matted hair clung to the back of your neck, and you felt like your sheets were uncomfortably damp. Despite it all, though, you couldn’t get enough. You needed more, wanted more. Soonyoung was relentless, even when your box springs creaked and the frame rattled against the wall. 

You felt his cock twitch inside of you. “Fuck. You’re taking me so well.”

Still overly-sensitive from your previous orgasm, it didn’t take long for you to reach your limit a second time. Soonyoung pounded into you with fervor, and even he was quickly falling apart. 

“That’s it,” he got out, teeth gritted. “That’s my girl.”

You pulled him down for a deep kiss, muffling both of your moans once you were clenching uncontrollably around him. You were falling from your peak and Soonyoung fucked you through your orgasm, even though he was on the verge of one himself. 

He pulled out right before he was about to cum, and you could only hear his groans before you realized he had gotten off, too. For a moment, you thought Soonyoung abandoned you on the bed. His voice sounded distant all of a sudden, and you were too tuckered out to move. 

Then, he returned with a towel and several tissues for you. You turned onto your back again to make out his silhouette entering the room and taking a seat next to you. Your eyes were shut as Soonyoung cleaned you up, and you only opened them once he pushed your hair back and kissed your cheek. 

“Wanna go again?” he asked with a grin. You were impressed by how quickly he was able to recover. You, on the other hand, needed a few minutes to recuperate. “The night’s still young.”

“Yeah, sure, if you use a condom this time,” you breathed out, turning over onto your side. “Just give me five.”

You closed your eyes for a moment, letting your chest rise and fall until its rhythm steadied. Your breathing was even again, but when you opened your eyes, you saw neon green glowing in the middle of the room. 

“Soonyoung.” You pinched the bridge of your nose and sighed. You were not getting dicked down by manga censorship. “Why is your dick glowing?” 

“I prefer glow-in-the-dark condoms.” 

Typically, when two individuals had feelings for each other, it would often bloom into a relationship.

It was quite clear that you had feelings for Soonyoung and he had feelings for you, so, naturally, one would expect the two of you to start dating. However, it felt like you both were testing the waters around each other instead—dipping your toes into the dating pool. You two were exclusive, but not exactly together. 

You were perfectly content with taking things slow, but that didn’t necessarily mean Soonyoung didn’t end up over you almost every other night. The sex was great, of course. Mind-blowing, even. 

Seungcheol, Mingyu, and Seungkwan seemed to catch on quickly. There was no mistaking what was going on after you went over to their apartment to play Catan, and then you and Soonyoung disappeared into his room afterward. The next morning, when you walked downstairs in Soonyoung’s shirt to eat breakfast with everyone, you could pick up on their unspoken realization that you were hooking up with their roommate. 

Seungkwan even made an offhand comment about you and Soonyoung being a thing—whatever that was supposed to mean. 

You debriefed Junhui on the entire situation, of course. He seemed less surprised about you sleeping with Soonyoung, though, and more interested in the outcome of your driving test (which, you had to admit, you were terribly worried about). 

The night before your dreaded behind-the-wheel exam, you received a call from Soonyoung.

You weren’t sure what to expect when you picked up the call. You knew that he’d been planning on getting high with his housemates today, so you weren’t exactly sure if this phone call was going to be private or not. You were half-expecting Seungcheol to answer for him instead. 

“Hey,” Soonyoung greeted, voice slightly muffled. With the way the audio sounded, you suspected that he wasn’t holding onto his phone at the moment.

“Are you busy?” you asked. 

“No, just trying to get the pod you gave me out of its packaging.” You heard a few strained grunts from him before he exclaimed, “I got it!”

“I’m proud of you.”

“That’s what I’ll be telling you after you ace that driving test,” he said. He paused for a moment (which you guessed was him taking a hit). “You ready for it, by the way?”

“Not really.” You sucked in a sharp breath. “The good news is that taking years to pass the permit test has helped me memorize all the rules of the road; the bad news is that I have severe anxiety and probably won’t be able to utilize anything I’ve learned.”

“You’ll be fine, Y/N. You drove just fine with me, didn’t you?”

“But that’s you! How am I gonna drive properly with some scary old guy who probably hasn't ever smiled in his life?”

“Just relax. Remember to slow down on your turns and check your blind spots when you’re changing lanes.”

Your voice grew shy when you admitted, “This is gonna sound weird, but I kind of miss our driving lessons.”

“Even when you lost your tooth?”

You grimaced. “Even then.” 

Soonyoung laughed along with you for a moment before he simmered. The silence on the other side of the line didn’t feel uncomfortable, but you felt like each nerve end of yours was on fire. 

“I didn’t want it to end either, Y/N,” Soonyoung said after a while, his voice dropping an octave. 

“Really?”

“I don’t wanna be in a world where we aren’t in a car together, whether I’m telling you to stop driving under the speed limit or we’re crashing into that Honda Civic that knocked your front tooth out,” he started, and you scratched the back of your head. Yeah, he was definitely high. “And, maybe… maybe the missing front tooth was really the catalyst for all the memories we made along the way. Maybe, in another universe, that tooth never fell out—or existed. Maybe the concept of that occurrence manifested into this universe as a—”

“Okay, it was cute at first,” you interrupted, “but you’re definitely in that other universe right now.”

You had never been this much of a nervous wreck.

Actually, scratch that. You were probably this much of a nervous wreck at least thrice a week. You functioned on being anxious several times a day, so this was honestly not a new feeling. The only problem was that you had never driven with anyone other than Soonyoung, so you were slightly on edge as you turned into the DMV.

“Please return my car in one piece,” Soonyoung said, holding onto the ‘oh shit’ handle as you went over a speed bump, which you found highly unnecessary. He pointed to the starting point for the driving test. “I’ll wait for you outside the building over there.”

“Sounds good.”

“And remember: if you’re gonna fail the test, make sure you fail it big time. Don’t fail it by going ten over the speed limit, or something boring like that.”

“That’s terrible advice, Soonyoung.”

“I’m playing. You’re gonna be just fine.”

“Thanks, I’m just so—oh my god!” 

You stepped on the breaks immediately, gripping the wheel tight as the car lurched forward. The man who was crossing in front of you doubled over onto the hood of the car before standing upright again. You rolled your window down to yell an apology, but the man paid you no attention and kept walking with a scowl on his face. 

“I almost killed him!” you cried, slapping a hand over your mouth. 

“Well…” Soonyoung didn’t seem to know how to reassure you as he was still immobilized with fear himself. He managed a shaky grin. “On the bright side, he’s alive and you’re not facing a lawsuit.”

You swallowed hard. There was no way this exam was going to go well. 

After handing in the necessary paperwork inside the DMV, they approved you to go outside for your driving test. Since Soonyoung was letting you use his car while he waited outside, he sat with you until your examiner came by. He did everything he could to calm you down, but, ultimately, it was up to you to pass. 

While Soonyoung was giving his seat up for your examiner, you closed your eyes and tried to take deep breaths to mentally prepare. 

“Ma’am, can you turn on your left turn signal?” the examiner asked from your window. 

When you turned to look at him, you felt something inside you shrivel up and die. 

The man you almost ran over was your examiner. 

In your daze, you managed to follow his instructions as he asked you to point out various things, such as the windshield wipers, defroster, and foot brake. All the while you were already preparing yourself for failure because there was absolutely no way this man was going to let you pass after almost becoming your victim. 

Once the pre-drive safety check was over, he circled around the car to sit in the passenger’s seat, looking down at his clipboard for a moment. You held your tongue, hands clasped together in your lap. Were you supposed to apologize? Would he even care about your apology? It wouldn’t hurt to say sorry, right?

You started in a meek voice, “Oh, about what happened earlier, I’m so—”

“I’m Jeonghan, and I’m gonna be scoring your behind-the-wheel test today,” he cut you off with an air of indifference, looking back down at his clipboard. “Whenever you start the car is when the test begins.”

“Right—yes, okay.” You swallowed thickly and gripped the wheel, looking behind you to make sure no one was coming. Since there were a few cars driving by, you decided to wait for a moment. “A-are you having a good day?”

“I was.”

You wanted to crawl in a hole and drop dead. 

After the road was clear, you turned out of the DMV and started driving down the road, checking your speed and mirrors every so often. You had always been comfortably driving with Soonyoung, who would just help you reroute if you missed a turn. Now, though, if you missed anything Jeonghan said, you were going to fail (and probably die). 

“Take the right coming up here,” he instructed.

You remembered your turn signal and to look back over your shoulder. Soonyoung had taught you well, but you were afraid that his gentle instructions would only take you so far. Jeonghan was the most intimidating person you had come across (mostly because you almost killed him), and you should not have been trusted to drive someone you were terribly scared of. 

After you made the turn, you sighed in relief at the long stretch of road ahead. You attempted to cover it up by clearing your throat and making small talk with Jeonghan. 

“It’s pretty cold today, isn’t it?” you asked. Stupid question. You had no idea how cold it was. Soonyoung’s car felt like a sauna because you cranked up the heater, or maybe the heat was from how nervous you were. 

Jeonghan promptly ignored you. “Change lanes and take the next left.” 

Albeit your state of disarray, you followed what he said. You decided to give up on small talk altogether, coming to the conclusion that Jeonghan just hated you and didn’t want to converse with the person who almost murdered him in cold blood. 

You were pretty confident that the rest of your driving test went horribly. You almost went ten under the speed limit to make sure you didn’t run over anyone else in the school zone, you shrieked when the railroad lights turned on and you had to wait for the train to pass by, and you looked both ways about five times when you were at a stop sign. 

Jeonghan told you to park the car once you reached the DMV, so you pulled into an empty parking space. You were praying that he wasn’t still grading you because you were most definitely occupying two parking spaces right now. 

“Okay, so,” he started, looking at his clipboard before turning to you with a deadpan stare, “you drive too slow.”

Oh. That was intentional because you didn’t want to deal with another hit and run, but you stayed quiet and nodded. 

“And,” he continued, “you overthink too much when you’re behind the wheel. Don’t hesitate before you stop or make turns, or you’re just gonna run into trouble that way. You can’t be paranoid about driving, otherwise it’s gonna be hard for you to be on the road.”

You pressed your lips together in a tight line. This was it. He was going to fail you. There was no way you were going to pass when you were being criticized for your entire performance. You didn’t blame Jeonghan, though; you probably wouldn’t pass the person who almost ran you over, either. 

“Well, you were cutting it really close,” he said, circling some parts of your examination sheet, “but you passed.”

Your eyes grew wide.

You passed.

You passed.

You turned to Jeonghan and cried out, “I passed?!”

“You know your car, you know the rules of the road, and you did all your maneuvers just fine,” he continued. “You slowed down in the school zone to make sure you didn’t hit any kids, and you were careful about your turns and stops. Just remember not to be too careful, though, or you might run into someone.”

For the first time, you heard a small snicker of amusement come from him. 

“I—I’m so sorry about that,” you blurted out. “I thought you were gonna fail me for hitting you with the car.”

“Like I said, the test begins when you start the car.” He handed you your papers and got out of your car. Before closing the door, he turned to you with his clipboard tucked under his arm. “You should go tell the DMV you passed and get your temporary license before I mark you down for this parking job.”

You gulped, unbuckling your seatbelt in a rush. “Will do.”

Jeonghan stalked off to grade another new driver, you supposed. When you got out of the car, your eyes immediately scanned the perimeter to search for Soonyoung, and there he was, waving you over from the sidewalk with a bright grin on his face. 

Before you could even make your way over and break the news to him, he yelled out with his hands cupped around his mouth, “That’s my girl!”

You blushed, stopping in your tracks and staring at him for so long that it took a car honking at you to propel you back into motion. You scrambled over to Soonyoung, eyes wide as saucers and still frazzled from the emotional turmoil you went through with Jeonghan.

He wrapped an arm around you. “You know, no matter the result, I’m proud of you for trying. There’s always next time, you know?”

“Soonyoung—”

“Did everything else go well, though? Other than you almost killing him, obviously.”

“Soonyoung, I—”

“It was probably just bad luck, honestly. I mean, it was a recoverable bump, not even a full-on crash! You were going so slow that anyone could walk that off.”

“Soonyoung!” you yelled, thrusting your score sheet into his hands. “I passed!”

His eyes widened. “You passed?!”

“I passed!” you squealed. “I have to tell Junhui! I mean, he totally thought I was gonna fail my first two or six tries!”

Soonyoung crushed you into a hug, which would’ve been more endearing if your ribs weren’t being squeezed so hard. “Holy shit, Y/N, I’m so proud of you.”

You giggled, wrapping your arms around his neck and drawing him closer. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Be my girlfriend,” he spoke against your neck, his hot breath tickling your skin, and you immediately froze.

Kwon Soonyoung wanted to be your boyfriend. Even with everything that had happened—from the STIIZY pods, to the car crash, to the glow-in-the-dark condom—you still felt relief flooding your veins at the thought of Soonyoung liking you as much as you liked him. It almost felt like you were in a dream.

After what felt like an eternity, you finally remembered how to breathe.

You pulled back to look at him, and even though it was the middle of the day, it felt like all the stars were out to make Soonyoung shine brighter than usual.

“Be my girlfriend,” he repeated, softer this time, and his eyes were gentle as his hands reached for yours. Your lips immediately tugged down and your eyes were welling up with tears. “No, no, no, Y/N, don’t start crying at the DMV.”

You wiped at the corner of your eye. “I can’t help it. I always cry at the DMV.” He smiled down at you fondly, waiting for you to gather your composure. You mustered up the strength to lift your head and nod eagerly. “I accept.”

He was your boyfriend now. The word felt strange on your tongue, but it also filled you with inexplicable happiness. And when you saw how Soonyoung’s eyes crinkled at the corners, you thought you could definitely get used to this. 

“You’re so cute.” He laughed, pulling you into his embrace once again. “How about we go get something to eat after you tell them your score?”

You grinned. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

While Soonyoung was waiting in the car for you (and probably readjusting your terrible parking job before he got yelled at), you walked into the DMV and stood in the same line you were in months ago for your permit test. You remembered the anxious feeling of possibly failing your written test a seventh time, but now you felt a huge weight being lifted off your shoulders. 

“I did it,” you gushed to the woman at the counter, handing her your score sheet. “I passed.” 

“Congratulations!” she chirped, examining the papers before turning to type something on her computer. She turned to grab your temporary license from the printer and handed it to you. “Here you go. Your real one should come in the mail in a few weeks.”

“Thank you so much,” you replied, inspecting your new license with bright eyes. 

You failed your permit test six times, only passing on your seventh attempt. While other children were getting their licenses at the age of sixteen, you were still trying to pass the written test in your twenties. And, yes, you had severe driving anxiety, but you crossed that hurdle yourself and finally passed your driving test on your first try. 

So, that glass ceiling? Consider it smashed.

AUTHOR’S NOTE ▸ thank you so so much for reading if you've made it this far !! :') i've been wanting to write for hoshi for so long and this was just so fun <3 also BIG shoutout to everyone who asked to be on the tag list because although i couldn't respond to everyone (mostly because i figured i would end up tagging everyone twice 🧎‍♀️ ), i mega appreciate your interest ♡ hope everyone's having a wonderful day/night !!

TAG LIST ▸ @wonudazed @delicatewinterenthusiast @aaniag @primoppang @matchahyuck @xiaoting999 @alsktudy @fixonbreakoff @simqly-yunjin @kwonshiho @cottoncheol @nishloves @sarcasticsweetlara @ult-bee @vanishingboots @l2vedive @phenomenalgirl9 @notevenheretbh1 @hopetiger10 @junyangis @fyladymars @lilsafsafbooyah @kwanhaos @alltheshineofthestars-blog

[yup-no-way]

Astro Observations pt. 4

Ayyyyy! How is everyone! I am almost done with all my uni work for the semester and I am rapidly approaching my first exam. But it’s alright cause at least I got one of my projects to work. I had to make a wireless power transfer using copper wires and I spend a whole day going back-and-forth between the floors of my department in search for some copper (someone pls say sike rn). Now tell me why me and my team spent a whole day just to create the simplest of circuits, all because our transistors kept burning up. The stench in that room from burned electrical components was insane (these r your future engineers btw). We probably went through 10 different transistors (rip to our lab resources).

Well I hope everyone is doing good and everyone is safe and healthy! I wish all of you to reach your full potential and live your best life!

These observations are based on my personal experiences so don’t take it as full facts. These placements can also be influenced by other things in someone’s chart like degrees, houses and aspects. Also if u have any suggestions for what content you’d like to see feel free to let me know. English is not my first language lads so don’t drag me for grammatical errors. xoxo

Cancer moon: you guys r cutie patooties that just want emotional closeness from the people around you. Generally if evolved you guys r so beautiful. You are caring, giving, emotionally mature and are able to express yourself in a healthy manner. they r the type to pay attention to the little details. I’ve noticed a pattern with cancer moons that their love language is words of affirmation. Buuuut and there is a big but here, if you guys are not evolved, y’all r hell on earth. Imagine a sensitive, emotionally constipated, demanding ticking bomb. Cancers r truly crash outs if not evolved. They will want the world from you and give nothing in return. You will have to pull through emotionally in the relationship and you will have to walk on eggshells around them.

Chiron 12h: these people most likely dealt with a lot of religious/spiritual trauma. They never felt truly connected to the divine or they have an unhealthy relationship with the divine. A lot of the people I’ve met have been struggling with accepting themselves and the divine at the same time. It is a hard placement. I love you guys so much and I just want to say that it’s alright to take your time and figure yourself out. Sometimes this is a lifelong journey and instead of running away from your scars, it’s better you face them. Whether you decide to connect with religion/spirituality or not, make sure that is your choice. You are the only one in charge of that. There is no shame in either choice so don’t let people tell you otherwise. Lots of love to you xoxo

Libra moon: for these natives, having balance in their life is very important. It’s extremely common for these people to get overwhelmed if they work too much without proper rest. Like balance is rllyyy that serious to them. I’ve seen these people get extremely stressed when something feels off in their life. I have a friend that crashes out (bless her soul) whenever she has too many assignments. She’s a demon during exam season if she needs to pull all nighters. They also crave a sense of stability in their relationships with people and they rlly don’t like to argue w people. Sometimes this urge to keep peace with people leads to them not vocalising their problems making them stay in relationships for way longer than they should. They also have a strong sense of justice!!! I love learning ab my friend’s placements so I can know how to make em feel safe and happy. Muaw xoxo

Lilith Taurus: these people often tend to get insecure of their financial status. They deeply cared about how they r perceived financially by people. They might even get to the point where they might want to appear richer than they are. They might have experienced loss of stability and monetary assets through their life that led them to these traits. BUUUUT, if they move on from placing their whole value as a human being on their assets, they have a great potential for actually achieving that financial status they so deeply yearn for. These people need to learn how to balance their confidence and self worth and accept themselves for who they are. Also they might have a tendency to get greedy, so be aware of that as well darlings.

Lilith 9h: these people often feel the need to move from place to place. They might want to change their country of residence quite often . You guys never feel truly fulfilled with where u r at. Maybe travelling is a good alternative if you don’t have the financial means to constantly move. These natives just get that stimulus from changing their environment. As long as you balance your life, you should be good, but be aware of overindulging in the need to cross every boundary. Just make sure the choices you are making are actually good and not just a temporary solution for a bigger underlining issue.

So guys this is all for today! I hope you guys liked this blog as well. I won’t be very active due to the exam season but I will try my absolute best to post as many things as possible! If you guys r interested is seeing a certain type of content let me know!

Stay healthy and glowing xoxo

[dollarbils]

wired earphones | j.ortega

jenna ortega x fem!reader

masterlist

you tugged the dainty wire, sending it tumbling out of her ear with ease. you’d been calling her name ever since you’d caught sight of her sitting on the park bench, doodling in her little book she kept so furtively.

“hey!” she spoke in annoyance, whiny and high pitched, as you sat down next to her.

“hello to you, babe.” you handed her the coffee you’d brought on your way here and she accepted it, closing her book and stuffing it in her bag along with her pens.

“i’m not the one who was late.” she countered to your sarcasm, however enjoying the coffee you’d brought to her.

“i’m not the one who insisted i buy us coffee on my way here because you were too lazy to make the detour.” she rolled her eyes, her small smile contradicting the action.

“i need to get some wireless earphones.” she hugged, yet still happily sipping the coffee.

“but your wired ones are so cute.” there was a pause before she spoke, one that was not unusual, but unable to be labelled.

“they’re cute?” she raised her eyebrow, cute not having been a common adjective used to describe her.

“you know what i mean, it’s gives off the whole anti overconsumption thing.” she laughed, as you pulled your legs up and onto the bench, simultaneously shifting closer to her.

“that’s why they’re cute?” she raised her brows, still amused, while you pushed back a strand of her hair.

“you’re cute.” she chuckled and pecked your lips.

“i love you.” she grinned, and picked up the earbud that had fallen out, fiddling with it until she got it into your ear.

and even after you’d bought her a pair of wireless headphones, she insisted on wearing them around her neck, her wired ones resting, snug in her ears.

taglist: @ijustlovemaths @sweetcherriexs @jaxon-nathaniel-drake @st0nerlesb0 @taracarpsnter

[the-august-one]

Here’s how to share sensitive leaks with the press

Published Oct. 16, 2019 Updated Jan. 31, 2025 / Freedom of the Press Foundation

[please take a moment to click the links at the bottom to give this website traffic if you can. the only reason I am copy pasting it here is for those who can access tumblr but not necessarily that site.]

~~~

Over the years, we have witnessed abuse and mismanagement in the government and private sector — sometimes bad and sometimes worse — that need to be brought to public attention. For those who would leak information about such misdeeds to the press, giving tips to journalists can be risky and may violate previous legal agreements with the leaker’s organization, such as a nondisclosure agreement or contract. But sometimes, it can also be an effective and courageous way to call attention to misconduct.

This guide describes basic steps for minimizing potential risk when sharing sensitive information with a news organization. We want to be clear that no piece of software, nor security recommendation, will be 100% effective, and the decision to blow the whistle may invite scrutiny or retaliation. At the same time, it may be a choice that drives necessary institutional change. Before reaching out to the press, think carefully about what you can do to minimize that risk and stay as safe as possible.

Before moving ahead, do you have a strong tip?

A good tip requires clear evidence and should be the basis for a story that the broader public needs to know about.

So, for instance, whether or not you have evidence, the broader public might not need to know that a neighbor refuses to pick up after her dog on the morning walk. On the other hand, allegations of corruption or illegality among public officials are certainly newsworthy, but those claims will not make it into a published story without verifiable evidence.

Who are you leaking about and how might they respond?

Think about the sensitivity of the information you’re sharing, and who might be willing to investigate the source of the leak. What are the organization’s capabilities? What resources (e.g., attention and legal, financial, or technical) can it invest in discovering the source? And how likely do you think it is that it will actually investigate?

If you share information about a large, well-resourced organization that requires discretion from employees, such as a government agency, it may have enormous legal, financial, and technical resources available for investigating a leak. If you’re sharing information about a small organization, such as a local restaurant that muzzles workers, its resources are much more constrained, and it may not have the capacity or willingness to investigate. Act accordingly.

Proceed with caution

Be cautious about behaviors that could make you readily identifiable as a source.

Keep all of your leaking activities outside the view of your organization. That means no calling from work, no emailing from a work email address, and staying off work devices or wireless networks.

It's common for well-resourced organizations to keep logs of activities on employees’ workplace devices and online activities. Likewise, sometimes workplaces have “BYOD” (bring your own device) technologies that could allow them to log your activity on your personal device. So if you work at a large organization and you're reading this article on a workplace device or Wi-Fi network, chances are your workplace already has a log that you've accessed this page. Similarly, a visit to a news organization's tip page (like https://www.nytimes.com/tips) may be logged by your workplace. This is why it's so important to limit your leaking activities to devices and networks that your workplace doesn't control.

Has your workplace ever required you to install monitoring software (or software of any kind) on your work or personal device? If so, you probably don't want to use those devices for any whistleblowing activities.

Be cautious about giving tips on anything that only you could know or materials that only you could access. And consider whether the increased risk of being caught sharing these kinds of materials is worthwhile, or if you feel you have a strong moral obligation to do so.

If you are the only one at your organization surfacing a specific grievance, and information about that grievance is later reported by the press, it may give your organization a strong hint about who shared the information.

Don’t tell anyone about your leaking activities (even perhaps the journalist or news organization you’re leaking to), except where absolutely necessary and in cases where you may want legal advice from a practicing lawyer.

Reporters generally take their commitment to protecting your identity very seriously and will do everything in their power to fight potential legal requests for identifying information about you. But often, it’s safer not to give your identity if you don’t have to. Keep in mind that journalists prefer to have proof of your claims and information to demonstrate your identity is a part of that.

Tactics for minimizing risk

There are a lot of ways to minimize the risk of a tip being tied to you, like potentially through your continued communications with reporters.

Send your materials through physical mail. You can mail electronic documents (e.g., on an SD card) or physical documents through ordinary mail. Be warned: The U.S. postal service takes pictures of the exterior of physical mail. So don’t use a return address that is associated with you and instead mail it in from a sidewalk mailbox in a location you don’t usually frequent. If you have a particular reporter you want to look into your story, copy them on the envelope.

Call from a phone number unconnected to you. For example, go to a business you don’t usually go to and ask to use their phone. You can also buy a cheap cell phone and a prepaid phone card that cannot be traced back to you. But know this involves several careful steps: You must pay with cash, and if your organization can have access to phone location records, it’s best to only turn on the phone in locations unassociated with you. That also means using the phone in locations separate from your permanent phone. If you can, remove the battery when it’s not in use.

Use Signal for private messaging. Signal is a secure, free, and open source messaging app for iPhones and Android devices. Signal gives you end-to-end encrypted messages and phone calls, and only retains your phone number, your signup date, and when you were last active. In Signal, you can also make messages automatically self-destruct for everyone in the conversation after a set amount of time. This makes it significantly harder (but not impossible) to eavesdrop on your conversations. If you want help getting started, read this beginner-friendly guide on using Signal. Note that Signal allows usernames, so you do not need to give your name or phone number to media organizations unless you choose to. Make sure your username is enabled and understand that Signal is not designed for complete anonymity.

Before looking into news organizations, consider using the Tor Browser for greater privacy. Tor Browser is a modified version of Firefox. Tor encrypts and tunnels your web traffic within a global network of computers before connecting you to your final destination. When you access a website through Tor (for example, Amazon.com), you will appear to connect from a remote location — likely another country. Again, don't use a work device or network for this kind of research.

Use a whistleblower submission system. Tools such as SecureDrop can provide protection by allowing you to share documents and communications through an anonymous and encrypted drop box.

More technical, but more secure: SecureDrop

With SecureDrop, which is maintained by Freedom of the Press Foundation, not even the news organization knows who you are unless you choose to tell them.

A growing number of news organizations (e.g., The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Intercept, The Guardian) are using SecureDrop to allow sources to reach out and share files or communications anonymously. With SecureDrop, not even the news organization knows who you are unless you choose to tell them.

You can access a news organization’s SecureDrop page through Tor Browser.

People on your network can’t see what you’re doing on Tor, but it’s still possible to tell that you’re using Tor. With that in mind, do not use it at work. For greater security, consider using Tor Browser only over a Wi-Fi network in a location that is not tied to you (perhaps a coffee shop you don’t normally visit) and pay with cash.

As opposed to a “.com” web address, you get to SecureDrop through a unique .onion web address, which can only be accessed through Tor.

Using SecureDrop is fairly easy

Follow the directions to download the Tor Browser at torproject.org and install it.

Launch the Tor Browser application and click "Connect" to log into the network.

Click the shield icon in the top corner > Advanced Security Settings… > Safest

Within Tor Browser, navigate to the SecureDrop directory and search for your preferred news organization: securedrop.org/directory

Find the .onion URL for your preferred publication (e.g., The New York Times: securedrop.org/directory/new-york-times), then copy and paste it into the address bar in Tor Browser.

From here, you can leave messages and files that the news organization will check from time to time.

You will be given a random “codename” for continued conversation with the news org. Keep this information safe, and don’t share it with anyone. If you lose your codename, they can’t reach you anymore.

(For more technically adept users, consider accessing SecureDrop through an operating system designed for privacy and anonymity, such as Tails.)

Dealing with file metadata

Sharing information may be less risky than sharing documents because they can be embedded with information about the file, which we call metadata. For example, if you create a .docx file, it may have identifying information about you embedded in the file. Consider carefully whether you really need to share files or just the information.

To deal with hidden metadata, rather than sending the file itself, consider taking a picture of a document with an old-fashioned camera (not a smartphone), or taking a screenshot of the document. On most operating systems, screenshots come with little useful metadata. For more technical users, you can find metadata removal tools here.

Where do you find a news organization's contact details?

First, be careful where you reach out.

Freedom of the Press Foundation maintains a list of organizations that support the secure communications practices outlined above, and how you can contact them. Such practices are becoming standard, and we hope other news organizations looking for great tips will follow suit.

Freedom of the Press Foundation hosts a directory of SecureDrop and secure tip pages for dozens of news organizations around the world. Whether you want to reach out to The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Intercept, or others, you can find their information here: https://securedrop.org/directory. (We would not recommend investigating this at work.)

If not you, then who?

Sharing information with the press is not always an easy decision, but your information can help to hold powerful people and institutions accountable. Just be sure to move ahead with a strong understanding of your organization’s capabilities and how to share tips safely.

https://freedom.press/digisec/blog/sharing-sensitive-leaks-press/

https://bsky.app/profile/freedom.press/post/3lh2rgopf5225

[g1rlsp1ckins]

𝓣HE 𝓢LYTHERIN ✶ 𝓓ORM

𝕴𝖙'𝖘 𝖓𝖔𝖙 𝖒𝖞 𝖋𝖆𝖚𝖑𝖙 𝕴'𝖒 𝖇𝖊𝖙𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖓 𝖞𝖔𝖚.

Hidden beneath the castle, deep under the Black Lake, the Slytherin dormitories have shed their old, dreary reputation and transformed into a sleek, modern sanctuary. No longer cold and ominous, the space now radiates a refined elegance, blending old-world charm with contemporary luxury. It’s a haven for ambitious minds, a place where intelligence, creativity, and camaraderie thrive.

The Entrance:

Unlike the other houses, whose common rooms are hidden behind paintings or riddles, the Slytherin entrance remains a well-kept secret, embedded into the stone walls of the dungeons. The door is a seamless, enchanted slab of black marble veined with silver, appearing only when approached by a Slytherin. With a simple touch or a murmured password, it slides open silently, revealing the breathtaking space beyond.

The foyer is a quiet antechamber before the main common room, designed for those who need a brief moment of solitude before entering the lively hub of the house. Plush emerald benches line the walls, and soft overhead lighting casts a gentle glow over the polished black tile floor. A house crest, made of enchanted silver, shimmers on the wall, subtly shifting between different designs over the years—sometimes reflecting the faces of past Slytherin legends, sometimes morphing into a snake that slithers lazily across the surface.

──────────── · · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · · ────────────

The Common Room:

Stepping into the common room is like entering a high-end lounge designed for scholars and socialites alike. The Black Lake Viewing Windows stretch from floor to ceiling, offering an uninterrupted, spellbinding view of the water beyond. Sunlight filters through in dappled beams during the day, creating a serene, ever-moving pattern across the walls. At night, the lake turns dark and mysterious, with occasional flashes of silver from passing mermaids, darting grindylows, or schools of luminescent fish.

The central seating area is designed for both comfort and conversation. Instead of rigid wooden chairs, plush velvet sectionals in deep green and charcoal gray create cozy clusters, each accompanied by polished oak coffee tables that hold floating candle sconces and stacks of books left behind by students. A massive fireplace, enchanted with cool green and blue flames, sits as the focal point of the room, casting flickering reflections across the glass windows and silver-trimmed walls.

A study alcove on the far side of the room is quieter, tucked away for those who need focus. A long, sleek ebony table runs along the wall, lined with ergonomic chairs that adjust themselves to each student’s preferred posture. Floating glass orbs provide customizable lighting, glowing softly for those pulling late-night study sessions. The surrounding bookshelves are filled with both classic wizarding texts and modern literature, spanning everything from magical law to wizarding fashion trends.

For relaxation, a leisure lounge sits opposite the study alcove, featuring an enchanted chess table, a moving dartboard that playfully dodges poor shots, and a Wizarding Wireless system that plays curated playlists based on the collective mood of the room—whether it’s instrumental music for studying or lively jazz for social evenings.

In one corner, a self-serve café station offers an array of beverages, from classic teas and butterbeer to cold brew coffee and specially crafted wizarding drinks. The station is magically replenished, ensuring that no student ever suffers through an early morning class without caffeine. Seasonal drinks rotate throughout the year—pumpkin spice brews in autumn, peppermint hot chocolate in winter, honey-infused teas in spring, and iced berry potions in summer.

Additional Exclusive Spaces:

Beyond the common room and dorms, the Slytherin quarters feature several hidden areas, reserved for house members only:

The Greenhouse Atrium – A hidden indoor garden filled with exotic plants from all over the wizarding world. Ivy-covered archways lead to a peaceful retreat where students can read, meditate, or study potions in a natural setting. Twinkling fairy lights overhead create a serene, dreamlike atmosphere.

The Lounge Bar – A sophisticated space for unwinding after classes. While it doesn’t serve alcohol, handcrafted butterbeer mocktails, chilled pumpkin juice, and sparkling potions are always on tap. Elegant yet comfortable, it’s the perfect place for deep conversations or celebratory evenings after exams.

The Duelling Room – A state-of-the-art training space for combat practice, fitness, and spellwork. Enchanted dummies, moving obstacle courses, and sparring rings allow students to refine their magical skills in a controlled environment.

The Music & Arts Studio – A soundproofed creative space equipped with enchanted instruments, a recording charm, and a small stage for performances. Whether students want to compose music, paint, or practice dramatic readings, this room is a hub for artistic expression.

──────────── · · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · · ────────────

The Dormitories:

Unlike the cramped and uniform dorms of the past, the modern Slytherin dormitories have been reimagined for comfort, privacy, and personal expression. Instead of only shared rooms, students now have access to private quarters apon request.

Each student, even in shared dorms have their own rooms with beds that are king-sized, dressed in deep emerald or obsidian bedding, embroidered with silver accents. Some students prefer a sleek, minimalistic look with crisp linens and dark wood, while others decorate their spaces with fairy lights, houseplants, and velvet throws. The ceilings can be enchanted to reflect a starry night sky, rainstorms, or even the movement of the Black Lake above.

Each room features a customizable study nook, complete with a polished oak desk, floating bookshelves, and a smart magical mirror that doubles as a daily planner. A window—enchanted to show either the outside world or calming landscapes—can be adjusted depending on the student’s mood.

The wardrobes are another innovation—walk-in closets that magically organize outfits based on the day’s schedule, weather, or personal preference. The enchanted mirror inside offers styling advice and, when in a playful mood, delivers sassy commentary about outfit choices.

1. The Beds

Slytherins value both comfort and aesthetics, and their beds are a reflection of that.

Four-Poster or Canopy Options: Some students keep the traditional regal look, while others enchant their beds to hover slightly above the floor.

Self-Regulating Bedding: Enchanted to adjust to your body temperature for the perfect sleep.

Silk, velvet, or Egyptian cotton sheets, depending on personal preference.

Hidden Storage: Drawers that magically organize clothes, with an enchanted shoe rack that cleans and repairs itself overnight.

Dream Projection Feature: Some beds allow students to replay memories or visualize their dreams before sleeping.

2. Work & Study Spaces

Slytherins are strategic thinkers, so their rooms have top-tier workstations to match their ambitions.

Floating Desks that adjust to standing or sitting mode.

Spell-Proof Study Nooks for students who need to concentrate without distractions.

Holographic Notes & Book Summaries – Simply tap a book, and a glowing summary appears in the air.

Auto-Writing Quills that take dictated notes or transcribe ideas.

3. Personal Wardrobes & Vanity Areas

Walk-in Closets, with sections sorted by magical occasion (formal robes, casual wear, dueling gear, etc.).

Vanity Mirrors with Enchantment Features:

Offer styling advice and hair-styling charms.

Can alter appearances temporarily to test different looks before committing.

Self-Organizing Laundry Baskets: Clothes fold themselves and freshen up overnight.

4. Personalization & Enchanted Features

Slytherins don’t do boring. Their dorms have the coolest magical modifications, including:

Mood Lighting Charms: Adjust the lighting’s warmth and color depending on the vibe.

Personal Sound Systems: Students can play enchanted records, ambient sounds, or Muggle music through magical speakers.

Moving Artwork: Family portraits, classic wizarding art, or animated abstract designs. Some paintings even interact with students, offering advice or sarcasm depending on their enchantment.

Miniature Greenhouses: For students interested in herbology or potion ingredients, a small terrarium-style setup is available in some rooms.

5. Secret Features & Custom Spells

Because Slytherins always have a trick up their sleeve, many students add hidden elements to their rooms.

Hidden Compartment Drawers – Perfect for stashing notes, valuables, or contraband.

Private Entrance Charms – Some students enchant their doors to only open with a personalized spell or phrase.

Soundproofing Charms – For privacy, late-night study sessions, or secret conversations.

──────────── · · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · · ────────────

The Bathrooms:

Stepping into the Slytherin bathrooms feels like entering a high-end wizarding spa. The air is lightly scented with enchanted eucalyptus and lavender, keeping the space feeling fresh and calming. The walls are lined with dark green marble, veined with silver, and the floor tiles are temperature-controlled, ensuring that even on the coldest winter mornings, they remain warm underfoot.

Showers & Bathtubs:

Walk-in Rainfall Showers – Spacious, sleek, and enclosed in frosted glass, the showers are charmed to provide a perfect water temperature every time. Some even have illusion charms, allowing students to bathe under a "rainforest canopy" or "waterfall lagoon."

Deep Soaking Bathtubs – Large enough for full-body relaxation, these clawfoot tubs come with a variety of magical bath oils and bubbles that change scents based on mood. Some students opt for self-heating bath stones, turning their baths into a personal hot spring.

Vanity & Grooming Area

Fog-Resistant Mirrors – These enchanted mirrors provide morning affirmations or style advice, adjusting to each student’s needs.

Grooming Stations – Individual vanities stocked with self-cleaning towels, wizarding hair-care tools, and potions for styling or skincare.

Personalized Magic Lockers – Each student has a small enchanted locker where they can store toiletries programmed to open only at their touch.

Additional Features

Soft Lighting Charms – Adjustable based on mood or time of day, ensuring no harsh glares during early morning routines.

Music Charms – Optional, allowing students to play soft instrumentals, classic wizarding tunes, or even Muggle music while getting ready.

Aromatherapy Spells – Cast over the space, keeping it fresh and infused with soothing scents.

──────────── · · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · · ────────────

made by @g1rlsp1ckins

[nasa]

For the Benefit of All: Assistive Tech Developed from NASA Tech

What do modern cochlear implants and robotic gloves have in common? They were derived from NASA technology. We’ve made it easier to find and use our patented inventions that could help create products that enhance life for people with disabilities.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which highlights the contributions of American workers with disabilities – many of whom use assistive technology on the job. Take a look at these assistive technologies that are NASA spinoffs.

Low-Vision Headsets

The Joint Optical Reflective Display (JORDY) device is a headset that uses NASA image processing and head-mounted display technology to enable people with low vision to read and write. JORDY enhances individuals’ remaining sight by magnifying objects up to 50 times and allowing them to change contrast, brightness, and display modes. JORDY's name was inspired by Geordi La Forge, a blind character from “Star Trek: The Next Generation” whose futuristic visor enabled him to see.

Cochlear Implants

Work that led to the modern cochlear implant was patented by a NASA engineer in the 1970s. Following three failed corrective surgeries, Adam Kissiah combined his NASA electronics know-how with research in the Kennedy Space Center technical library to build his own solution for people with severe-to-profound hearing loss who receive little or no benefit from hearing aids. Several companies now make the devices, which have been implanted in hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

Robotic Gloves

Ironhand, from Swedish company Bioservo Technologies, is the world’s first industrial-strength robotic glove for factory workers and others who perform repetitive manual tasks. It helps prevent stress injuries but has been especially warmly received by workers with preexisting hand injuries and conditions. The glove is based on a suite of patents for the technology developed by NASA and General Motors to build the hands of the Robonaut 2 humanoid robotic astronaut.

Smart Glasses

Neurofeedback technology NASA originally developed to improve pilots’ attention has been the basis for products aimed at helping people manage attention disorders without medication. The devices measure brainwave output to gauge attention levels according to the “engagement index” a NASA engineer created. Then, they show the results to users, helping them learn to voluntarily control their degree of concentration. One such device is a pair of smart glasses from Narbis, whose lenses darken as attention wanes.

Anti-Gravity Treadmills

A NASA scientist who developed ways to use air pressure to simulate gravity for astronauts exercising in space had the idea to apply the concept for the opposite effect on Earth. After licensing his technology, Alter-G Inc. developed its anti-gravity G-Trainer treadmill, which lets users offload some or all of their weight while exercising. The treadmills can help people recover from athletic or brain injuries, and they allow a safe exercise regimen for others with long-term conditions such as arthritis.

Wireless Muscle Sensors

Some of the most exciting assistive technologies to spin off may be yet to come. Delsys Inc. developed electromyographic technology to help NASA understand the effects of long-term weightlessness on astronauts�� muscles and movements. Electromyography detects and analyzes electrical signals emitted when motor nerves trigger movement. Among the company’s customers are physical therapists developing exercise routines to help patients recover from injuries. But some researchers are using the technology to attempt recoveries that once seemed impossible, such as helping paralyzed patients regain movement, letting laryngectomy patients speak, and outfitting amputees with artificial limbs that work like the real thing.  

To further enhance the lives of people with disabilities, NASA has identified a selection of patented technologies created for space missions that could spur the next generation of assistive technology here on Earth.

Want to learn more about assistive technologies already in action? Check out NASA Spinoff to find products and services that wouldn’t exist without space exploration.   

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

[natspookie]

music to my heart

natasha x shy!fem reader

☆ summary : just reader who likes music, and natasha who likes reader

☆ warning : not proofread & messy ….

natasha was raised to be observant. noticing the details many miss at first glance. her first impression of you was, clearly, shy. but she saw how loud your actions were.

when there were meetings and a question was asked there would be a silence for a moment. she’d see you inhale, about to open your mouth, when someone else answers and you sink back to your chair.

natasha notices the bouncing of your leg when it’s almost your turn to present the mission recap, and the gulp you take before speaking a few quiet words. but she also sees how you straighten your posture, more confident after a while.

but more so, how it’s rare to see you without your earphones. working out, eating breakfast, sitting outside, laying on the bed, there was always those wired earphones connected to your phone.

occasionally natasha could catch a glimpse of the album cover playing on your lock screen.

it was only recently when everyone was gathered in the common room, enjoying free time, when thor returned. you broke your right arm on a mission so you had a cast, unable to move it.

you had left your earphones on the couch while getting a glass of water when thor’s hand accidentally brushed it and a little crackling noise was heard.

natasha turned to the sound and frowned when she saw the white (really a little grey since it’s been used for so long) earphones turn a burnt brown color.

you returned and saw thor examining your earphones. he apologized over and over saying he would get you a new pair as soon as possible, you nodded, muttering a ‘don’t worry’, and took them as you left.

natasha liked that you didn’t say ‘it’s okay’, because you probably wouldn’t have meant it.

natasha decided to check up on you, knocking on your door. she heard a few grunts and things falling but the door opened as you pulled a sweater over your tank top. “hey natasha” you smiled, widening the door with your hand.

“you alright? where are you going?” natasha examined the room “uhh about to get some new earphones” “you’re driving with one hand to the mall” natasha raised a brow “perhaps” you shrugged, putting on your socks.

“i’ll drive you” natasha offered “no! i mean- no..” natasha squint her eyes “.. i don’t want to bother you” “i was bored anyways, see you at the front in 5 minutes” natasha winked and left with no room left to argue.

you laughed quietly before becoming a little nervous. you admired natasha, who didn’t? but you always knew natasha was an observer, you were too. you couldn’t help but feel a little shy as she read you like an open book, that’s what you thought at least.

you met natasha outside as she smirked in her chevrolet corvette stingray. you smiled, hopping inside as you put your seatbelt on.

“so what mall are we going to?” natasha asked “the closest one” you shrugged

it was comfortable silence for awhile until there was a red stop light and natasha fiddled with the screen in the car. she handed her phone to you and you looked at it confused. “play your music, sweetheart” she started the car again as the green light went.

if you were standing you would have fallen to the ground with that nickname. “thanks” you murmured, searching the songs you wanred on her spotify. you smiled already seeing fleetwood mac in her searched.

you played around with it a little, starting off with dreams, then drake’s passionfruit, and some daniel caesar songs. it wasn’t a long ride but natasha could tell you were biased daniel.

she watched from her peripheral as you mouthed the words quietly, gazing (gayzing) out the window.

the walk inside the mall was quiet. natasha insisted she come with you. you bought yourself the normal pair of wired earphones at apple but decided to spoil yourself and get a pair of wireless headphones, just incase.

she didn’t mind staying behind or beside you as you smiled hearing music, testing the different kinds of headphones. you turned around and tapped natasha’s shoulders, she looked at you expectingly as you turned one side of the flexible silver sony headphones to her and she pressed her ear against it. daniel caesar’s “do you like me” flooded her ears

“Is this one good?” you looked at her. she stood up straighter and nodded. “the rose gold one looked cuter on you though” she rasped out while you blushed.

you walked to the counter. you bought the rose gold ones. the ride home all you played was daniel caesar.

you hugged natasha with one arm as a thank you before hurrying to your room, eager to try your new headphones.

natasha wondered if it was a good idea to let you buy them because now, she seemed to talk to you less.

it had been 2 weeks later, arm fully healed when natasha asked you, personally, to assist her on her 3 day long mission. she just wanted to spend more time with you.

you nodded with a small smile and natasha was ecstatic. until she heard you at the kitchen. “hey! i was wondering if you wanted my daniel concert ticket? i don’t think i’ll be able to make it…” natasha saw you fiddling with the blue ticket, her chest tightened. “great! i’ll send over the tickets later, thanks!” natasha made her way to her room, to do research on this concert.

she kept a straight face as the concert was the exact 3 days she had just asked you on a mission for.

natasha would make it up to you.

right after the mission, natasha dropped the team off at the shield headquarters when she flew you both to the next location this daniel caesar was performing. “nat, where are we goin?” you laughed

“surprise” she winked

she asked you to change into your usual clothes and dragged you through the crowd. “oh my god” you saw the banner of the concert “OH MY GOD!” you shrieked as you walked into the theatre “NATASHA! you! i-! what!” you jumbled your words as natasha laughed at your antics, dragging you to good middle upper seats.

“no one has ever done this for me” you admitted, staring into her eyes. people started screaming as your favorite artist entered the stage. you still couldn’t tear your eyes away from natasha.

the song “do you like me” played and you sang quietly the lyrics to natasha ‘low on time i’d like to make a move’ you murmured, inching closer to you, as she did. when your lips met, you felt on fire.

“thanks for driving me to the mall that day” you said against her ear, grinning “thanks for being the music to my heart”

a/n, i’m seeing daniel next week and this is how i cope… i’ll never be fine again

[transingthoseformers]

sffsgsgd god now I'm thinking of detachable / wireless sexual arrays for cybertronians but it's like. Common that most mechs leave their arrays at home unless they think they're going to get lucky while they're out and about or have some other specific reasons for having their arrays on on shift

Not an everyone thing, of course, but it's a common thought process

Queue shenanigans