#omg I posted a snippet... finally

[suspensefulpen]

Unconscious

TW: Creepy/Intimate Carewhumper, Implied Gaslighting

Emory stirred, flinching at the pained sensations across his body. Adjusting his eyes to the bright lighting above him, he noticed a face in his peripheral. When the room stopped blurring, he recognized the face as Athena. She looked concerned as she watched him carefully. It took him a moment to realize that she was holding him in her arms. 

He attempted to push himself into a sitting position. 

“No no no! Rest!” 

Reluctantly, he obeyed and returned to his relaxed position in her arms despite not wanting to. He shivered. “My head hurts… really bad. And my throat hurts too. What happened?” 

“You nearly bumped your head, Emy.” She said worriedly. “You were about to leave when you lost consciousness. I had to rush and catch you so you wouldn’t get hurt.” 

“I lost consciousness…” He echoed, once again attempting to sit up only to be stopped by her hand on his chest. “But how? Why–” 

“I’m not sure Darling but I’m glad that you’re awake.” Athena smiled softly. For some reason, that smile felt oddly comforting to see after weeks of seeing it as a threat. What if she was just playing the savior so Emory would let his guard down? After all, he has more than enough reason to believe that she could’ve had something to do with it happening in the first place. 

“It might be time to leave now.” She continued. “I’ll have your doctor check you over tomorrow. For now, we need to get you down the stairs so we can get back home.” 

Oh right, they were at this cursed party Athena had dragged him to. Emory began to once again question his safety. Now more than he did before he lost consciousness. 

Why couldn’t he just remember what happened? He could only remember walking down the hallway. When did he come to this room? How long had he been in this room? How long had he been unconscious? More importantly, why? 

“Listen, don’t think about it too much, okay Emy?” She said tilting his chin up, making eye contact with him. “Let’s just get you safely downstairs so we can go home, okay?” 

With no other choice, he nodded and allowed her to usher him to the car as she smiled and waved everyone off as she went.

[catsushinyakajima]

KLANCE FIC RECS FOR THE NEW YEARS RECAP PART TWO

Ghost of the Future & Shadow of the Past by wittyy_name/@wittyy-name, Zizzani/@zizzani | 300k+ | Time-travel | Dual fic

These fics were genuinely so. What the fuck. Oh my god. I came into it not expecting too much and I came out of it like ahjhsihfs. I’m so so upset that it isn’t finished, that too right before the last chapter. There are so, so many good aspects to this fic. First off: the plot and its delivery. The idea of switching places with a past version of yourself is not an uncommon plotline. However, having the story be split into two stories following both the past and the present with each chapter parallelling each other was flawlessly executed. I would read one chapter where they would do xyz which affected the past, and then be so excited to see what happens next, and then be even more excited that I could simply read how it happened in the past. It felt like I was time itself, reading through parts of these characters' lives non-linearly. The KL chemistry is beautiful, the plot is beautiful, I sincerely love it.

it’s five o’clock somewhere by soulreapin/@soulreapin | 8.1k | Bartending AU | First Date

This fic was so so soft and funny. There were parts of the fic where I was so floored by the comedic writing that I was like damn why didn't I write this? Also, their first date is just so cute!

Run into the Bright Lights by peanutbutterapple/ https://hugoweasley.tumblr.com/ | 36.8k | April Fools Day | Canon Compliant

I've never seen an april fools day fic before and omg I wish there were more. The miscommunication between KL is so genuine and not a product of stupid actions. There's beautiful hurt/comfort. I've reread this two billion times.

AITA by perfchan/@jacqulinetan | 34k | Post-War

This fic is so so funny and just. It sums up the whole let down of returning back to civilian life after war very well and the way Lance shuts people out. So so good.

to breathe in this mirage by existwound/@existwound | 34k+ | Time-travel | Domestic KL

This fic is so good!?!? Astra writes KL fighting so well and it leads up to beautiful ANGST which leads to beautiful hurt/comfort. This fic is not finished but I love it so so so much.

Spider-Man Klance AU by iwriteshipsnotsailthem | 102.6k | Spider-man!Keith

This author captures the essence of spiderman in a fic so much. Many other spider-man aus will focus more on ships than the spiderman aspect, but this author balances it so well. There's a perfect blend of action and romance.

finally, you're mine by nezueye/@nezueye | 7.2k | Friends to Lovers | Modern AU

This has to be hands down one of the best fluff fics ever. Every scene with KL, which was all of them, was so satisfying and cute. I loved it so much I reread this all the time.

Even the People in Your Dreams Will Lie to You by popering/@roylustang | 314k+ | torture | angst

This fic is INSANE!!! Literally!! There's so much thought and detail that goes into the worldbuilding of the fic despite the world literally being canon VLD! This is a fic where every detail counts, and where you yourself might doubt your hindsight and knowledge too. I feel so bad for everyone in this story, and I eagerly await the last chapter (author take ur time w it tho plz)

my my, how can i resist you? by nikkiRA | 1.7k | Est Relationship | Watching Mamma Mia

This is a follow up to a fic where KL get together, but this snippet just has my heart. It's so beautiful to see the way Keith loves Lance.

what makes you beautiful by seventies | 4.5k | MMA!Keith x Nurse!Lance

The funniest fi in the world. I wish I knew the author IRL so I could laugh at their jokes everyday. They're so funny. This fic is so so funny.

I love you more than fried chicken by AsterikaMay/@catsushinyakajima | 9.1k words | Asexual!Lance

This is one of my fics...I included it cuz I'm ace and I LOVE ace fics LMAO

part one here

[tragedy-machine]

I'm writing a payneland love potion au and the story is changing so much right before my eyes, omg

I could never just post the first chapter without finishing the whole thing first, because I always come back to the beginning and tweak it a bunch so the whole story makes sense together

it's already 16k words long and I still have yet to write the climax of the story, pray for me

but anyway, here's a snippet

“I shall research ridding you of this magic in the meantime of course, as I am sure it must be greatly distressing to have been enchanted in this way.” The words seem to choke Edwin the same way hearing the quiet resignation in Edwin’s voice feels like an iron boot on Charles’ windpipe. “However, even if it is left unattended, it should wear off in a timely manner.”

“It’s not. Distressing.” But that’s the whole problem, isn’t it? That it feels more right than anything ever has in Charles’ life, but he can’t say that to Edwin. Can’t lead him on again. “It must be more distressing for you.”

“I assure you I am capable of handling it.” For a second that impassive and neutral mask slips and Charles sees the full depth of Edwin’s sad smile underneath. “I suppose it did feel quite… charming to hear you say that, even if I know now that it was caused by a nefarious force. I hope you will forgive me for admitting that.”

More tears fill Charles’ eyes, until they finally spill down his cheeks, attempting to take his heartbreak with them, which he knows is a futile effort.

[bluemerakis]

while i’m at it, here’s three other pieces I’ve been actively working on. i plan for all three to be proper fics, so over 5k words each. “the forgive me father for i have sinned” sam one has BEEN in the works since early jan omg i posted so many snippets of it already and i need to finally free him 😭 surprisingly ive not let a single word out about the “old habits die hard” sb one but that one is almost finished and then the mentor x trainee one is a gift for dearest dolly <3

[leclerclov3]

｡･:*˚:✧｡Private but never secret

masterlist | part 1 | part 2

✰ Pairing: Lando Norris x fem!reader

✰ Warning: /

✰ Face claim: /

✰ Summary: in which they finally get to actually see them

yourusername

liked by landonorris, yourbestfriend and more

yourusername uhm hi everyone…👍

view all

yourbestfriend you’re so fucking akward and for what

↳ yourusername leave me alone 🥲

landonorris you’re so cute 🤍

↳ yourusername you’re cutter

↳ landonorris no you 😠

↳ oscarpiastri no i am now shut up

user92 i love how oscar is so done with them

↳ oscarpiastri i’ve been dealing with this for to long

user92 omg hey oscar *debby ryan face*

carlossainz55 finally 🙄

user929 I AM SO NORMAL RIGHT NOW

user73 i love them so much

usrr19 welp this is gonna be my new personality

user581 otp

user24 couple goals honestly

landonorris

liked by yourusername, yourbestfriend and others

landonorris my beautiful girlfriend everyone

view all

yourusername blushing ☺️

↳ landonorris i’m just telling the truth baby ❤️

yourbestfriend she was mine first norris

↳ landonorris yeah well she’s bine now

↳ yourusername ladies ladies please there’s enough of me for everyone

oscarpiastri get this off my feed 🤢🤢

↳ yourusername just beacuse you don’t show off lily doesn’t mean lando can’t show me off OSCAR

↳ lilyzneimer yeah oscar ehy don’t you show me off

↳ oscarpiastri look what you’ve done y/n

user828 i am loving this

user 16 they are so cute

user55 goals GOALSSSS

user04 when is it my turn to be happy

user81 favorite wag

user03 who allowed the to be this freaking cute

user23 when he dedicates a whole post to you>>>

｡･:*˚:✧｡｡･:*˚:✧｡｡･:*˚:✧｡｡･:*˚:✧｡｡･:*˚:✧｡｡･:*˚:✧｡｡･:*˚

hey everyone sorry for not updating lately exam season and the holidays really took up my time but i hope you enjoyed this last part, but i can make some snippets if you guys want <3

taglist @roseseraj @i-wish-this-was-me @averymjn @allywthsr @spilled-coffee-cup @eugene-emt-roe @iamahallucinationnn @1655clean

[teamred]

re: your tags - I am dying to know about your Wade’s sister!reader x Logan fic, omg that sounds so fun 👀💖

-@eupheme

omg hi j!!! @eupheme (gonna tag you in case the ask post doesn't do it)

i actually have two wade's sister!reader x logan fics in the works! i hope you don't mind me sharing both~

the one i was referring to in my tags is called "dusk till dawn".

summary: vanessa is kidnapped, so while wade runs off to save her, he assigns logan to be reader's bodyguard. however, they don't get along, but they start to fall for each other over time.

it'd be a road trip/motel hopping au with lots of banter, sharing one bed, tension, angst, and steamy moments of course 👀

i'm taking inspiration from some of the moments with logan and mariko from the wolverine (2013) movie!

i'd love to share snippets, but it's really in the draft stages right now!!

second fic i have is called "can't help myself" (title tentatitive)

summary: wade only has one rule for logan: his sister is completely off-limits. but of course, logan never plays by the rules, and you couldn't give two shits about what your dumb-ass brother says.

this one would be more of a fun fic!! just like messing with wade but also having fun with logan and lowkey falling for him too

lots of dialogue, especially with wade, smut, fluff, etc. just a vibes fic

wouldn't be as long as the other fic - i wrote quite a bit for this already! here's a snippet of the intro:

“Don't look at her,” Wade paces around his apartment’s living room, listing the things Logan, his new roommate, should avoid when he meets his sister tomorrow. “Don't breathe in her presence, don't even think about her, and especially don't—” 

“What, ya gonna tell me I can’t fuck her next?” Logan cuts in with an amused chuckle, reclining on the living room couch with a hand above his head. 

“Yes, bingo!” Wade exclaims, pointing at him excitedly. “Exactly that, you geriatric sexy vampire. Or should I technically say vampire hunter?” He pauses, wondering for a moment. 

“Anyways,” he continues, “you can have any woman you want in this new universe—hell, I’ll cry my heart out every night after my evening jerk-off seshes, but you can even have Vanessa—but my sister? We’re gonna have a repeat of the Honda Odyssey fight, Wolvie, and that won’t be a pretty sight to see.” 

“Okay,” Logan replies, getting up from the couch and heading toward the kitchen. “I’ll make sure to fuck your sister until she forgets the fact that she's your sister. Got it.” 

“Hey!” Wade smacks him on the back as he’s bent over, trying to grab a beer from the fridge. A low growl escapes from him. “I’m being serious here.” 

“When are you ever serious?” Logan asks, popping off the beer cap with his thumb. 

“Now! I am being serious now.” Wade’s voice rises before he takes a second to compose himself, closing his eyes and inhaling slowly. Logan watches him carefully, sipping his beer. 

“Please, Logan,” he barely whispers, avoiding eye contact. 

The silence, punctuated only by Logan’s sipping, feels uncomfortable and heavy. Finally, Logan lets out a sigh.

“Fine,” he grunts. “I won’t get involved with your sister.” 

Wade breaks into a relieved smile and extends his pinky. “You promise?” 

Despite Logan rolling his eyes and shaking his head, he ends up hooking his pinky around Wade’s, sealing the deal.

Except Wade doesn’t see Logan’s other hand behind his back, with his middle and index fingers crossed over another.

[leashybebes]

not trying to add to the pressure but. leashy. i have to express to you my undying love for allying. i genuinely think about that fic so much, when i'm at work, trying to fall asleep, anywhere you could think of. i adore this version of buck and tommy, like it's very clearly them but it's also distinctly not canon current day bucktommy, and i think you perfectly captured the dynamic that would exist between pre-118 buck and barely post-118 tommy. even if i didn't already love bucktommy i think i would be obsessed with these two guys and their relationship / story bc omg they're just so tiny and sweet and adorable and hilarious (and a little stupid, buck). i haven't been this excited about updates to a fic for a while, so thank you and i have 100% faith in you that you'll wrap it up in a satisfying way. either way pressure's off because it's already so brilliant as it is that you can't really go wrong. i'm so intrigued as to what tommy's been thinking this whole time, every time buck says something stupid and insane and incredibly not straight and tommy's eyes just go wide for a second before being like "yeah... okay then, sure" i'm screaming like how are you even putting up with this loser without grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him like dude. like does he know?? does he actually believe buck's straight? not likely but the guy seems pretty secure of himself so you never know. does he think he's ever gonna work it out or has he accepted that it's never gonna happen? the switch to tommy being the oblivious one all of a sudden is hilarious, he's entirely unphased by any of buck's antics atp because he's basically already been dating him for months. anyways just wanted to know that reading that snippet absolutely made my day, i'm so excited to read the last chapter in its entirety whenever that does come 💕

💛💛💛james!!!💛💛💛

this was such a gorgeous message to receive, i appreciate you so much! i'm so flattered that this ridiculous fic arising from a peep show gag has made such an impression on you

so far this chapter has like...2.2k words and none of them are the two of them actually communicating (canon lol) so tommy's internal processes are still largely a mystery to me but my overall feeling is yes he believes buck a) because they are dumbass4dumbass and b) because when he mentioned the four dudes he's slept with in chapter 1 he wasn't including the straight guys he jerked off with in the army so like. sure, a dude can touch another dude and not be queer, that is something that absolutely computes for him.

as i said, i don't have any of their actual conversation written yet (wish them/me luck) but in my head it goes something like this

buck, finally resorting to spelling it out: i would like to date you romantic style. i want to hold your hand and bring you breakfast in bed and buy you flowers (romance 101 baybee!) tommy, bluescreening internally: but...you're straight?

and then buck does this face

(christ, the amount of time i spent trying to find a gif of what i thought was the most memed hemsworth face of all time lol)

ANYWAY thank you so much for enabling my yapping and loving this fic and just generally being such an absolute sweetheart 🥰

[pearynice]

🍐WIP Weekend!🍐

Omg it's been a minute since I've done one of these!! I was tagged by: @felixir-of-moths @tinytalkingtina @pentapoctopus @cloudsurfing42 @mission2mordor @hbyrde36 tyyyyy my friends 💖

Rules: send me an emoji and I'll send you words! We're putting the bingos on the backburner for right now so I can focus on my two most pressing fics:

🦇 - Fruitbat Eddie!! We're almost done!!! I'm not sure how much I'll actually post of this, or if I'll be posting redacted script/ words from my bang instead. I don't want to give too much of the final chapters away.

⚔️ - Steddie Big Bang! I can talk about this now! Bastard prince Eddie and Royal Guard Steve, who must protect his prince from the UD monsters that have begun to threaten their kingdom 👀

Snippet from the Steddie big bang under the cut! (cw for blood)

It is over, Eddie thinks. He is dead. He doesn’t know why this fills him with such disappointment. The mace-wielder screams, a battle cry, and the swordsman blinks. He looks up, and for a second, for half of a moment, he locks eyes with Eddie. Blood covers his face, his chest, and yet still, despite it all, there is fight in his eyes. When his opponent’s swing is at its zenith, at the final moment he has, the swordsman spins, and drives his weapon deep into the mace-wielder’s groin. Now, the mace falls. The huge man bellows, deep and agonizing, and falls to his knees. Blood is running in thick rivers across the dirt, and the swordsman wrenches his weapon out only to drive it between the slats of his opponent’s helmet. The screaming ends. There’s a wet crack, a gurgle, and when the swordsman removes his weapon, the larger man falls into a heap on the bloody dirt.

My tags: @turinspeachjam @little-annie @helpimstuckposting @machtaholic @kikidoesfanfic @queenofshenanigans @augustjustice @maxfandoms @yesdangerpls @penny00dreadful @sidekick-hero @madaboutmunson @eriquin @steviewashere @wheneverfeasible @onirislanding

[facewithoutheart]

Thanks for the tag @prettygoododds! I totally agree the 10 to 1k challenge is way more about editing than it is writing, which I’m really loving even if omg it’s so hard.

I’m off traveling with my husband for our 12th anniversary. I spend most days alternating between being so full of love for him that it feels like my heart can’t bear it, and wanting to push him into the nearest lake. Marriage, am I right?

See below for writing updates and photos from my trip, plus a small cursed snippet.

I’ve also been doing a ton of writing while traveling and none of it on things I should be working on 🤣

Some updates:

I’ve been really loving the 10 to 1k challenge which I wasn’t planning on entering, but got an idea the night before flying out and so I guess when else do you start a new WIP? Check mine out here if you want … it’s a buddie fic where Eddie will kiss Buck … but only for five minutes at a time. Featuring lots of mutual pining and self-hatred. These boys are really good at hurting themselves. This whole fic has really helped hone my short game. I’m having a great time.

I also started posting more silly adventures of Buck the robot. It’s dumb it’s sweet. At some point there will be porn.

To the excitement of none of y’all but a lot of buddie fans, I finally started tackling my sequel to We Are Like Frogs Oblivious. It’s basically just gonna be mpreg smut interspersed with some sweeter moments. If you’re hoping for angst resolution, you’re in good luck.

I started plotting but haven’t written much of my FTH fic for @thewholelemon. I’m kind of annoyed I got a wave of juice that dissipated in favor of buddie, but it’s based on a tv show I can’t currently watch, so fingers crossed motivation comes back when I’m home.

And then for my most cursed fic, I wrote, like, 6k of RPF on my flight to Zurich. It’s ringing too melancholy now (I was so anxious while flying I feel like that colored my creativity), but I’m gonna share some of it below because I need a reason to dive back into the google doc and convince myself it’s not as bad as I remember:

The worst part is Oliver’s not even frustrated that what comes hard-won to Oliver comes so naturally to Ryan because on their first joint interview together he finds himself equally as charmed.

“I loved you in Into the Badlands,” Ryan says shortly before the cameras start rolling.

Oliver, who prides himself on never being caught off guard, is surprised by this. “I wasn’t aware that show had much of a following.”

“Well, no,” Ryan admits, his aw shucks in full force, “but I tried to watch at least one film or show for each of the cast when prepping for the job. Did you know Chimney was in Halloweentown?”

There’s a moment where Oliver could feign shock; it’s clearly the reaction Ryan expects. Because that’s the normal response one has when one of your co-workers boasts the prestigiously credited role of “hip-sales-creature” in a Disney Channel Original movie.

Instead, Oliver finds himself confessing, “I did, actually.”

When Ryan doesn’t seem thrown by Oliver’s reply, simply sits there, full eye contact, his shoulders angled toward Oliver and one hand on his chin like Ryan couldn’t imagine anything more interesting than the drivel Oliver’s about to spout, Oliver adds, “When I got cast as Buck, I actually watched every project Angela, Peter, Connie, Aisha and Kenny ever made.”

This makes Ryan react, his brows flying upward to that lush hairline of his. “Every … every project? Phew,” he whistles, “that had to have taken …”

“Way too long,” Oliver finishes for him. “I can be …” Oliver bites his lip, thinking about how to phrase this, and doesn’t miss when Ryan’s eyes track the movement “… intense,” he lands, a bit breathless.

“Mmm. I’ll say.” Ryan’s smiling placidly, like he didn’t just reveal a tell that would send Oliver in a full panic if he’d allowed it.

If you’ve made it this far, here’s some photos:

& tags for people who I don’t think will be annoyed at the lengthy update lol @sillyunicorn @martsonmars @raenestee @thewholelemon @bookish-bogwitch @cutestkilla @stitchyqueer @forabeatofadrum @fiend-for-culture @artsyunderstudy @aristocratic-otter @ic3que3n @run-for-chamo-miles @monbons @roomwithanopenfire @whatevertheweather @ileadacharmedlife @skeedelvee

[yoonia]

🖋️ one your stories that sticks to me the most was the (im)perfect ending. I really wish to see how you visualize their lives after. will Joon ever find out about the baby? will they reunite again? what happens when they do🤭? will Joon finally get his head out of his a** and end his marriage and be true to his feelings 🧐 or will OC has her own happy ending with someone else🤔?

💌 I think other people have said this before, but you are an admirable person that I've ever met online. You've worked hard on your stories and have always given us a lot. even now, you choose to spread positivity and share gifts for others to celebrate your birthday and I think that's the sweetest thing anyone could ever do. happy belated birthday, Dia. You deserve so much happiness and a lot more. I hope your coffee is always hot and your pillow always warm. wishing you and all your precious kitties an abundance of health and joy 💝💝

omg I've been getting the same questions sent to me for this couple, so I guess this might be a good chance to provide some answers for those who have been waiting for it lol

I know that the last letter mentioned in the fic didn't specify how much OC shared about her baby, so I guess this is where we get to see what other things she sent with the letter for Namjoon. I hope you enjoy the snippet and the visualisation below!!

— title: Our Imperfections| pairings: Namjoon x female reader| genre: second chances!au, infidelity!au, post divorce/break-up!au, angst | word count: 1,410 words — summary | Namjoon is on a mission to fix the mess he created. — ratings & warnings | +18 / M for mature; talk about divorce and custody, post break-up, mentions of infidelity

— original: The (Im)perfect Ending by @yoonia — fic drop date: Oct 30th, 2024 — song companion: loved

“Don’t forget that you need to pick up Sunny early Saturday morning for her class camping trip.” 

Hearing her voice on the phone, clipped with orders, used to make Namjoon wince. Now he is used to it. Always so business-like, even when talking about their only child. 

“Did you get that?” 

Her voice returns when he doesn’t answer. He holds back from rolling his eyes and calmly answers. “Yeah, I got that. Saturday morning. Early.” 

His reaction isn’t the only thing he is holding back. Asking why six-year-olds would go on a camping trip might only end up with him getting a long lecture through the phone. He doesn’t have that much time to endure that. And having his ear burning from it is really the last thing he needs right now. 

“Right. I’ll text you the details.” A sigh, then, “Sunny also wants you to be the one to drive her to school Monday. So I’m packing up extra clothes for her to stay with you another night. Is that good?” 

Namjoon closes his eyes. As much as he loves having extra time with his daughter, having the child’s mother schedule their time for him without consulting him first rubs him the wrong way. If he doesn’t know any better, he would have thought that she keeps doing this as a payback. Causing trouble and brushing his ego for choosing to step out of their marriage—the marriage that she had worked so hard to paint as perfect for the world to see. 

But Namjoon knows better. 

He knows that she has always been this way. 

Even when they were still together, she always had to be the one running the show, while Namjoon would have to follow. She was the one holding the pen, writing the story for them through her rose-coloured glasses, while forcing him into a role that he never felt like he could fit into. 

At one point, it caused him to lose himself. 

Only that he realised it too late. Far too late, because it hadn’t just started when they got married, but long before—when they grew up together and being fed their parents’ beliefs that they would end up together once they turned adults; when they became teenagers and she insisted that it would only be right if they started dating to make their parents’ dreams come true; and when she started planning their wedding day just when Namjoon was starting to find a chance to write his own story, to walk a different path, with a completely different person. 

It wasn’t until he was able to find his old self and feel like himself again through the mistakes he made when he finally found the courage to leave that life. Yet, once again, he was too late. 

Far too late. 

“Namjoon? Do you—” 

Her voice breaks him out of his wandering thoughts, only for her words to get drowned by the sound of the announcement blaring through the speakers above his head. 

“Attention, passengers on Flight 345 with service to Sydney. We are now beginning our boarding process at Gate 12B. Please…” 

The voice fades as passengers rush in front of him to find the departure gate, and Namjoon waits until the announcement stops before taking his palm off his phone. 

“Where are you? Are you on another business trip?” 

Namjoon almost laughs. He finds it hard to believe that after spending an entire fifteen minutes on call with him, she never thought about asking him where he was or what he was up to. 

Business as usual. Even when it’s about our new arrangement. 

“Australia. I just landed. That’s why I couldn’t take your call until now.” 

“Oh…” 

“You do realise the longer you’re on this call, the more expensive it will be, don’t you?” 

Silence, then her bitter voice is heard. “How was I supposed to know where you were?” 

You could have asked. 

Sighing, Namjoon shakes his head. “Look, just text or email me all the details about Sunny’s trip. I’ll be back in Seoul Friday afternoon. Okay?” 

“Okay.” Her voice softens. “Take care, Namjoon.” 

The call ends, and Namjoon breathes a heavy sigh. Feeling exhaustion after speaking to her is one thing, but once it wanes, guilt always seems to take root. It doesn’t matter if he had fallen out of love a long time ago. He cannot deny that he has made too many mistakes that he is still trying hard to make up for. His decision to stay in the marriage for Sunny, using her as an excuse to hang on to the final threads that were offered to him instead of stepping away from that fallen marriage, was his last, yet probably most detrimental for his own mental health and any chance he ever had to make things right for everyone. 

Including you. 

Hoisting his duffle bag on his shoulder, Namjoon walks across the airport’s lot to find his ride. There is a reason why he is here, and he isn’t going to stop until he finds what he is searching for. 

It takes him nearly an hour to reach his destination. 

The small coffee shop looks quite inconspicuous as it stands between various other shops downtown, yet it still catches Namjoon’s eyes the moment he arrives. 

Quaint and delicate, with natural wooden colours chosen as the accents at the front side of the shop and dark window frames, it reminds him so much of you. 

The sound of the bell chimes above his head as he steps in, immediately welcomed by the fresh scent of coffee beans, chocolate, and a bit of cinnamon. Spicy and sweet and pleasantly warm. A young boy with a thick Australian accent welcomes him from the cashier, yet his eyes travel across the room, where the figure that has been filling his dreams at night appears. 

Smiling at the young barista, he walks up towards you instead. You have yet to notice him in the room. Your eyes are locked on the small child sitting on the sofa by the corner, swinging his legs as he receives a small sip cup from your hands. 

His eyes find him first, looking over your shoulder while you still have your back facing Namjoon and the front door. 

“Now you sit tight right here until Mommy finishes work, okay? And don’t—”

“Mama?” the boy cuts you off before you can finish speaking, his chubby finger pointing towards Namjoon, “Da..?” 

Your body freezes. Namjoon hears a soft gasp before you straighten up and slowly turn to face him. The moment you see him standing there, your eyes grow wide and you quickly move to hide your son behind you. Only the child is quick, as he hops off the sofa to stand right behind you, clinging onto your legs as he peeks at Namjoon. 

A line which he read from your letter echoes in his mind as he returns the boy’s curious gaze, just as it does many nights after you were gone—

“I have a boy. He’s here. He might have a dimple on his cheek too that might show up once he’s grown a bit older. His name is…” 

Namjoon bends down. “Sammy, is it?” 

The boy, Sammy, slowly nods. Namjoon smiles. “You look handsome. You’re being a good boy to your Mommy now?” 

“Yea…” 

Chuckling softly, Namjoon straightens up to face you. Your eyes are covered with tears as you look back at him. “How—” you gasp, “What are you doing here?” 

Because I’ll chase you to the end of the world if I could. 

Those are the words that Namjoon has always wanted to say to you. A promise that he never got a chance to say before you left him. It was a mistake that he had been dreading the most when he first received your letter, along with a copy of your sonogram and your final word of goodbye. 

“Keeping a promise,” he merely says. “I think we have a lot to talk about.” 

A deep sigh escapes your lips. The sound pains him. But the sight of every tension being lifted from your shoulders gives him a sense of calm. 

“I guess we do,” you whisper to him with a broken smile. 

A lot of them. 

He can almost hear those words coming from you. Just like he almost says out loud,

I have all the time in the world to talk and listen now. For you. 

For your fall tune, I think this song will fit perfectly well for this.

𝖙𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝖋𝖆𝖑𝖑 𝖘𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖆𝖉𝖊: dia’s birthday bash 2024 ⇝ closed!

[madeupinmyhead]

Do you have a sneak peak you can share of the Langdon fic?

omg sure!! Here is a tiny snippet! 😇 I hope the person who requested it will be happy with the final product 🩵 I am going to post the full thing either tonight as soon as I’m finished or tomorrow! Will also be sharing to ao3 when it’s complete.

God, why must this man’s eyes be so blue? You look up at him, your heart starting to race as he steps closer to you and your breath hitches when he places a hand on the wall by your head. “Or…” He starts, a tiny smirk starting to appear across his mouth. “It’s a different type of crazy.”

Your eyes widen at his words and from your reaction Frank lets out a small laugh. He’s messing with you, he has to be. There is zero chance this is happening. Suddenly his face was closer to yours now and you could feel his hot breath, and smell the leftover minty scent from the gum he probably chewed earlier. You felt like you might die right there in the middle of the hallway.

“Frank,” You say quietly.

He smiles. “You don’t hate me at all. I just make you really horny, don’t I?” He teases, leaning down and brushing his lips over yours. “That’s why you’re so quick to run off after a consult.”

-

It’s been like a year since I’ve written anything so I am rusty but I’m trying <3 the nerves of sharing my writing is coming back but here it goes.

[dvrtrblhr]

omg hiii your Dimiclaudes are gorgeous and I adore the snippets of writing you add to the pieces 💛💙

aaa thanks a lot! i love drawing them forever, so i'm happy others also enjoy it lol

anyway, i searched my folders for a sketch i hadn't posted and i found this one:

and the scene that comes with it below:

As if to prove that point, while they followed the locals through the tunnels that would lead them to Abyss, Claude noticed that Dimitri was throwing glances at him and looking sulky.

“What is it?” Claude asked in a whisper. Dimitri glanced at him and sulked some more. It was starting to get annoying.

“You don’t think I can take him,” he answered finally. Claude couldn’t help the way his mouth fell open in disbelief. Out of all things, that was what bothered him. It was that kind of moment that made Claude very aware of how different they really were. “Honestly, he’s not even that big. He’s shorter than Dedue, I think.”

“Dedue, who is probably the tallest, biggest person in the whole monastery,” Claude rebutted mostly because Dimitri’s remark was so absurd. “Anyway, did I say that you couldn’t take him? I don’t think so.” They walked in silence for a while longer before Claude continued, “I don’t see why you would want to risk getting hurt because of something so silly. It’s not even your specialty. Or did you forget that you excel in sparring with a lance? That long pole with a sharp tip that keeps the enemy at a safe distance, remember?”

“Why are you so sure I’m going to lose though?” Dimitri asked, still looking offended.

“I’m not! In this stupid thing called fist fighting even the winner gets hurt. Now, if brawling is what you want, then go ahead! Just don’t expect me to cheer for you or kiss your bruises better, all right?” he replied, equally perplexed and irritated, then noticed what he had just said and looked around to see that they had, fortunately or not, fell behind the rest of their group so he continued, “What were you expecting, Dimitri? Did you think I would swoon at your manliness? I’m sorry, but that… doesn’t really impress me. Now, you want to know what impresses me? Your kindness, passion and sincerity.”

It was Dimitri’s turn to be speechless, it seemed. Claude immediately thought he had said too much and felt his face flush at his own corniness. Then Dimitri's hands were caressing his cheeks softly, tilting his head upwards so he could kiss his lips gently. It was the kind of touch that made Claude forget why doing that at such time and place was a really bad idea.

“You are right, I’m sorry,” Dimitri said quietly, still cradling his face in his hands, “There’s one thing, though. You are too kind, Claude. Kinder than I could ever hope to be. And kinder than I deserve.”

Claude wanted to protest about such a useless comparison and about Dimitri’s supposed unworthiness. It was something that had crept into their conversations from time to time, how Dimitri seemed to think he was somehow a bad person. It made no sense considering the effort he put into being as good and helpful as he could, sometimes to the point of exhaustion. He didn’t say anything, though, it was such a pleasant moment… He really didn’t want to ruin it with an argument, not even an important one he had been procrastinating for a while. And Dimitri was kissing him again, his lips, his cheeks, his neck. He might really turn to mush if that continued.

Then they heard the sound of footsteps and they were quickly pulling away from each other. Edelgard appeared by the corner looking sour.

"What are you two doing?" she asked irritably.

Golden Dawn, Chapter 20, Wind - Underground

[lorelilly]

sorry you're feeling down <3 are you reading anything currently? (i'm reading real life by brandon taylor rn, so good!) what authors inspire your writing?

also, anything you're willing to tease from upcoming wips?

Right now I’m reading Faebound by Saara El-Arifi. I haven’t really read much in the Romantacy genre, but I heard people online saying this book was ACOTAR if it was queer so I’ve been giving it a shot and it’s pretty good so far.

I think what typically inspires me to write fanfic though is other good fanfic. I just finished reading Sweeter Than Honey by @followingthebutterflies7 (omg amazing please go read it) and I’m currently reading Bound by Winter by @and-claudia and The Only Reason (I Stayed Here) by @ephemore (which are both currently in progress but I’m loving where they’re going). I also frequently go back and reread older fanfics I love. It doesn’t even have to be from the same fandom. My favorite AO3 author is surveycorpsjean who’s written A LOT of really good stuff (mostly for My Hero Academia and Haikyuu but for tons of other fandoms as well).

As far as teases from upcoming WIPs, I just posted a snippet from my next chapter of All This Potential last week. And while that is my main focus right now, I do have a couple other short things I’ve written the last few months so—anyone care to read some of my Shourtcer idea that I may or may not ever finish? It’s an AU where Shayne and Spencer are competing in the rodeo circuit as bull riders and Courtney is a farrier.

What’s under the cut isn’t nsfw but it is just a little spicy.

Courtney stands in front of their full length mirror, pressing down on a weird ruffle in her dress that just won’t lay flat. She briefly wonders if she’s got time to iron before he gets here and then immediately scoffs at herself. Spencer isn’t gonna care about what her clothes look like. He’s most likely coming over to take them off her anyway. That’s why she chose this dress in the first place, a simple denim number that buttons all the way down. Just thinking about it makes her palms sweat.

Despite the mirror, Shayne still manages to sneak up on her, his reflection magically appearing over her shoulder while she’s lost in thought.

“Nervous?” he asks like it isn’t obvious. Courtney tries to shrug the question off anyway. “We don’t have to do this,” he adds on, and Courtney turns around to face him.

“Do you not want to do this?”

Shayne swallows heavy and takes a breath.

“I—I love you,” he says like it’s an answer. And because they’ve been together for so long, because she knows this sweet and wonderful man inside and out, it is.

“Shayne, baby, I love you too.” She slips her arms around his neck. “This doesn’t mean we aren’t in love anymore. I know you still love me. Do you know that I still love you?”

“Yes,” he says, and when Courtney looks deep into his eyes, she believes him. She nods once firmly and then lets her arms drop.

“I want to do this. I want—“ I want him, she thinks. Lord help her, but it’s true.

Shayne nods a couple times like he’s shaking out some final nerves of his own and then finally smiles at her softly. He spins her back around so she’s facing the mirror, hands gripped loosely around her waist but already starting to move up and down, casually feeling her curves.

“You look beautiful,” he whispers, placing a kiss to her neck. And god she’s so keyed up already that just the kiss is enough to make her shiver. Shayne doesn’t miss it.

“He’s not gonna know what hit him,” Shayne says with an even wider smile and Courtney feels some confidence come back to her.

“Same to you,” she says.

Shayne’s not wearing anything fancy, but it doesn’t take much in her opinion. Even in some light-washed denim and a white t-shirt that hugs his biceps, he’s already everything anyone could possibly want.

His arms tighten around her middle, hugging her close until she can feel the start of something pressed against her lower back. Seems like she’s not the only one who’s keyed up already.

The sound of the doorbell startles them both.

“Speak of the devil,” Shayne mumbles.

They reluctantly pull apart and head downstairs to greet Spencer. Shayne’s little pep talk has Courtney feeling so much better, but she still feels unprepared for the sight that greets her when she opens the door.

Spencer’s in a pair of dark jeans, probably the nicest ones he owns by the look of it, with a dark green and blue plaid shirt and a simple bolo tie. He’s not wearing a hat, and it actually looks like maybe he’s run some kinda product through his hair to accentuate his curls.

“Hey,” she says, voice sounding too much like a sigh for her own liking.

“Hey,” he says back. “I uh—“ His hand comes up from by his side, holding out an honest to god bouquet of flowers. “I wasn’t sure what’s proper for a situation like this. But my mama taught me to never show up empty handed so-“

Courtney takes the flowers from him, a brightly colored assortment that reminds her of springtime, and tries not to bite her lip when she smiles.

“They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

“Nothing for me?” Shayne teases over her shoulder.

Courtney barely contains her eye roll at the obvious prod. Everything’s always been a competition between these two and she’s not sure why she thought tonight might be any different. But Spencer isn’t thrown for a second. He quickly reaches forward towards the bouquet, pinching a carnation off its stem a couple inches beneath the base, then steps closer to Shayne and slowly slips the flower over the top of his ear.

“There. Pretty as a picture,” Spencer says in a low voice and Courtney coughs to hide her laugh as a blush spreads across Shayne’s cheeks. Point, Spencer.

“Well come on in before you let all the AC out,” Courtney says, breaking the moment and ushering Spencer inside.

They all meander their way into the dining room where Spencer looks surprised to see the table set. It’s nothing ostentatious, just three white plates with some plain napkins and cutlery set out. But Spencer looks at it like she’s done something amazing for him.

“You’re cooking?” he asks towards both of them.

“Chicken’s on the grill right now,” Shayne says. “And Court’s got veggies roasting in the oven.”

“And some of your bread,” she says to Shayne.

“I don’t know if I’d call it my bread-“ he says like he’s nervous to own up to it in front of Spencer. But Courtney’s having none of it. If he’s gonna be their—or more like, if they’re planning on inviting him into their—well regardless, they’ve gotta start being honest with each other.

“I would.” She walks over and gives him a short but firm kiss on his cheek. “You’re the one that got this new sourdough starter to work after my last one died while we were away.”

“I’m sure it’ll be amazing,” Spencer chimes in, making both of them turn to look at him. “I mean, I don’t think the golden boy over here is capable of doing anything less than perfect.”

Shayne pulls away from her and scoffs in Spencer’s direction.

“If I was perfect, I would’ve beaten you in Cheyenne,” he counters.

But Spencer just throws him that smile, the one that’s somehow boyishly charming and also unfairly seductive.

“But where would be the fun in that?” he teases. “Nah. You losing to me sometimes just makes you more perfect in my book.”

Shayne huffs out a noise somewhere between amused and frustrated then turns away.

“Gonna go check on the meat,” he says, but Courtney can see his flustered face before he makes it outside and closes the patio door behind him. Two points, Spencer.

[quintessenceofdust88]

Fuck it Friday

Omg I had so many tags today y'all, thank you!!! I was tagged by @bidisasterevankinard @typicalopposite @fairytalegonewronga03 and @trombonechurchill 💖💖

I'm gonna do a snippet of ch. 4 of Tsunami Fic, bc I was supposed to post the whole chapter today, but I wasn't able to! (Tomorrow though, along with more ficlets andddd prompt 1 of Bucktommy FluffFebruary! Busy Saturday for me!)

When Tommy wished for a guardian angel watching over Genevieve, he didn’t think the universe would take him so literally. Because this man, this Evan? With earnest big blue eyes, blond curls, a pink birthmark that looks almost like a heart against his eyebrow? Yeah, that’s an angel he’s looking at.

He doesn’t have much of a chance to look at him, though, because as soon as Tommy thanks him, the man promptly passes out in front of them.

“Buck!” Captain Nash exclaims in surprise, and extends his arms to support him. His eyes are furrowed in concern, and both Hen and Howie are also fussing over Evan. Tommy has never seen this man before, but it’s clear they all know and care about him.

Thankfully there’s an empty bed close, and Nash lays Evan in it with surprising gentleness, in a way that vaguely reminds Tommy of when he puts Vivie to bed. And speaking of which.

Tommy finally manages to stop hugging Genevieve for long enough that he can take a good look at her. Her beautiful yellow dress, a present from his Nonna, is filthy, covered in grime and dirt (thankfully no blood); her hair is matted and frizzy, escaping out of the pigtails Tommy’s done for her this morning, and she looks pale and exhausted. She’s still the most beautiful sight Tommy has ever laid his eyes upon, and he can’t get enough of looking at her.

“Vivie, are you okay, baby? Does anything hurt?” Tommy asks gently, checking her face and arms for bruises or cuts, but thankfully, probably thanks to this Evan angel, his baby girl looks perfectly unharmed.

I won't add tags cause Friday's almost over, but if you see this and want to join, please consider yourself tagged!!

[bi-buckrights]

Seven Sentence Sunday 🏴‍☠️

So many people tagged me today omg I guess I have to post too, thank you loves @spotsandsocks @monsterrae1 @hippolotamus @bekkachaos @bidisasterevankinard @diazsdimples @eddiebabygirldiaz

Here, have a little snippet of just before the first smutty part of the pirate au (which is officially the longest thing I've ever written!!)

The shirt tossed to the side, Buck finally gives himself a moment to really look at Eddie. And Jesus Christ he is beautiful. His tanned skin is grimy and there’s sand caught in his chest hair, but Buck could hardly care about that right now, not when Eddie is standing there shirtless in front of him, in a way Buck never let himself imagine. None of that mattered anymore. All there was is Eddie, here, wanting Buck,  The years at sea have knotted Eddie's muscles into tight cords, and Buck can finally let himself touch. So he does. And he watches in wonder as Eddie lets him. Buck searches his face for any hesitation, any sign of regret - as if stepping back and looking into Buck's eyes would shake him from this trance and he would push Buck away, realizing what they were doing.  But Eddie just stares back, tired eyes glazed with lust and mouth hanging open as he takes shaky breaths, not looking away.  And then they’re both diving back in, perfect and tragic and desperate, like they’re both accepting that they’re going to die on this island, despite Buck’s promise to get Eddie home.  Buck doesn’t want to think about that right now, so he focuses on the softness of Eddie’s tongue, the scratch of his beard, the hitch of his breath.

tagging @exhuastedpigeon @lonelychicago @midsummersmorn @beyourownanchor6 and anyone else who wants to share something, consider yourself tagged ✨

[faynthearted]

OMG I've been trying to find a fic about switched family background au for 84 years but couldn't find it anywhere 💔 i love the idea of poor weak HT and spoiled rich GS lol

i would love if u share with us a snippet of it or share the whole fic 🥲 I'm sure it's really good since it's your work

hope you're doing well

I'm happy to share what I have of this AU, even if it's not much! :)

(also I'm like 98% sure I already posted this snippet on my old blog a long time ago because a certain section of it feels super familiar to me -- so, just in case anyone has been around long enough to recognize it again, I'm posting a longer/extended version of it! enjoy!)

------

The city is damp with old rainwater as Guan Shan parks on the curb. When he steps out the car, the night is peaceful, but deceivingly so. Noise often gets lost in the city, especially here in the developing urban areas. Late-night construction sites and the nearby highway overpass do well to mask any other miscellaneous noises. It’s exactly the kind of place Guan Shan would expect to find who he’s looking for.

Hands trembling, Guan Shan double checks the image on Qiu’s phone before half-jogging to the store sign flickering at the end of the block. No one is on the streets at this time of night, and he begins to doubt himself as he nears the storefront and still sees nothing. Are they already gone? Is he too late?

But just as he’s about to stop to get his bearings, Guan Shan hears the echo of voices. Breathing heavy, he slows his pace as he approaches the source: a rundown tailor’s shop, its door and windows shuttered, its flickering LED sign the same as the one in the background of the text message’s image. They haven’t left.

Guan Shan steadies himself before pushing forward. They can’t possibly be inside the store so they must be behind it, hidden in the alleys, and he’s right. From around the corner, shadows formed by a streetlamp stretch into view. Guan Shan can see two figures though he knows there are likely more.

But he’s more concerned about the noise — or lack thereof. On the drive over, Guan Shan was expecting shouting, arguing, fighting. The image left no room for misunderstanding the situation at hand. But now, as he comes closer, Guan Shan can only hear chatter; casual and collected, completely undisturbed. He clenches his teeth and clears the final few meters.

The building prevents the streetlamp’s light from touching him, so the two nearest men don’t see him at first, their backs turned. But the third one, lounging against the wall with a dying cigarette between his fingers, does. He must be surprised by Guan Shan’s presence given that he doesn’t immediately react. The hesitation gives Guan Shan a few moments to evaluate exactly what he’s walked into: to determine what damage has been done and, more importantly, what portion of that damage can be reversed.

But it’s wishful thinking. Upon spotting the person on the ground crumpled into himself and the scattered drops of blood that look like oil in the darkness, Guan Shan gets a horrible, nauseous swelling in his stomach that is only deterred by the third man finally coming to his senses.

“Red?” he slurs. “What are you doing he—”

“What the fuck is going on?” Guan Shan demands. All eyes turn to him and, somehow, it makes him feel grounded, secure to the earth. He grits, furious, “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

The two men nearest to him trade a look. Then one of them drops their smoke, crushing it underfoot as they start, “Look, bud, we—”

“That’s a student, you dipshit!” Guan Shan snaps, pointing to the figure on the ground who, for reasons Guan Shan wants to ignore for as long as humanely fucking possible, cannot look away from Guan Shan now that he’s here. “He’s still in his uniform for fuck’s sake! How the fuck do you justify assaulting a student?"

Recognizing the escalation of the situation, the third man speaks up. “Your father is aware— This kid has had it coming for a long time now, and the little shit knows it—”

Guan Shan storms forward, over the blood and the broken glass, getting in his face. He can smell alcohol heavy like cologne on him. “Look at me. Look at me. Does it look like I actually give a shit what your excuse is?” he growls.

The man doesn’t respond, scowling against Guan Shan’s trembling anger. There’s a moment of silence during which they don’t break eye contact, and then one of the other men behind them shifts in his stance, exhaling.

“You ought to remember who the fuck you’re talking to, Red," he says, low. "I don’t give a shit who your daddy is. Watch your fuckin’ mouth and show some respect.”

Guan Shan likes to think that the man realizes his mistake just as quickly as Guan Shan does. Suddenly, it’s silent. Suddenly, all of the quivering anger traveling through his body like a live wire is gone, replaced with something much colder but much, much sharper, like a blade freshly honed and wielded. The man in front of him stays still as Guan Shan turns to face the other, deliberate and calculative.

“Yeah?” he says. There’s a pause. His target looks away, jaw stiff as he lifts his cigarette to his lips to take a pull. It’s only then that Guan Shan sees the dark purple bruise staining the side of his face. It’s fresh; swollen. Painful.

Guan Shan glances at the student and finds him still staring at him.

Idiot, Guan Shan thinks, looking away. Don’t you know not to fight back when you’re bound to lose?

“Get the fuck out of here,” Guan Shan tells the rest of them. “Now. And don’t worry — I’ll be sure to tell Qiu just how much I fucking respect you."

It takes a moment, but then the three men look at each other and come to a decision. They leave without another word, the only sound being the scuff of their shoes on the pavement and, later, car doors slamming and engines revving in the distance. Guan Shan stares into the dark until they can’t be heard anymore, overridden by the construction sites and the overpass.

Then, it’s just the two of them.

Whatever bravado Guan Shan held only moments ago has been lost. Now, there’s a rapid thudding in his chest and throat that is borderline painful. He doesn’t know what to do when the student — no, He Tian, because they can’t quite pretend they haven’t seen each other before, can they? — pulls himself into a sitting position against the wall, smearing blood from his nose on the back of his hand and rubbing the edge of his purple, swollen jaw with stained fingers and a repressed wince.

Guan Shan doesn’t look at him and that seems to be perfectly fine with He Tian. They stay in silence for a while, only broken by the occasional sniff from He Tian in an attempt to clear the blood. Eventually, Guan Shan just closes his eyes. His head and heart are racing so fast he can’t understand any of his thoughts clearly. All he can understand is the panic, the dread, the complete and utter exhaustion of coming to terms with what lies ahead.

He was so close to graduation. So painstakingly fucking close.

“Hey.”

Guan Shan opens his eyes. He Tian gives him a two-fingered salute from the ground.

“What?” Guan Shan blurts despite himself, incredulous.

He Tian’s head tilts. His voice is dry and croaked. “What do you mean, ‘what’?”

“I mean,” Guan Shan hisses, stepping forward, “what the fuck happened? What are you doing here?”

He Tian shrugs — then winces as it brings an obvious pain with it. Recovering, he says, “I could ask you the same.”

Guan Shan’s mouth snaps shut and he swallows dryly. Eventually he says, “Are you asking?”

“Should I be?”

Guan Shan’s gaze trails over his visible injuries: a potentially broken nose, perhaps a fractured jaw, a definite black eye. His school jacket is torn at the sleeve and there are small patches of blood soaking through his white t-shirt. God knows what damage he can’t see. “No,” he answers.

He Tian nods and crystal-like shards of glass fall from his hair and into his lap. It could be beautiful. “Then let's leave it at that. Give me a hand?”

He reaches out his hand presumably as far as he can without tempting pain, but Guan Shan doesn’t take it. The absurdity of it all seems to finally be catching up with him. He wonders if He Tian feels the same — as if piecing together a puzzle with no reference picture on the box. But even if he does, that doesn’t make Guan Shan feel better. Four school transfers and two different cities since junior high have built callouses on his ability to empathize. He’s long learned that people will sooner cover their own asses before looking out for someone else — especially him.

And of course, this time it has to be He Tian. He Tian. Top of the class, teachers’ pet, social fucking butterfly with a tempting grin and a sadistic streak often mistaken for boys being boys on the basketball courts after school, but Guan Shan knows better. He’s seen it before. He’s just never had a reason — or the interest — to poke the bear. But then again, he never thought he’d find the bear bloody and broken at his feet like this.

Is this reason enough, now?

“Did you fight back?”

The words spill out before he can stop them. He Tian considers him for a long moment before retracting his hand. He looks at the dark coloration of his knuckles that Guan Shan is staring at.

“Yeah,” he answers eventually. “I wasn’t going down without a fight.”

“Idiot,” Guan Shan breathes, throat tight. “You could’ve gotten off with a warning if you’d just — complied.”

He Tian laughs, but it’s broken and rattled and sounds like it hurts. “Thanks for the insight, but no, I really wouldn’t have.”

It sounds like acceptance; like a confession. It paralyzes Guan Shan. Looking down at He Tian’s bruised state is like watching venom take hold of prey’s body. Guan Shan just can’t be sure if it’s his prey or someone else’s.

He doesn’t know what to say so he chooses to say nothing. Instead he sinks to a knee, worrying his lip as he takes a closer look at He Tian’s injuries. Most are open wounds; they’re not life-threatening but are prone to infection if not treated soon. He’ll need some ice on that cheek and swollen wrist, and based on the awkward angle that he’s seated in, Guan Shan suspects bruised or fractured ribs. Remembering he forgot his wallet in his rush out of house, Guan Shan curses under his breath and considers the cash in the armrest of his mom’s car that he can use at the 24-hour convenience store a few blocks down to get gauze and disinfectant and—

“You don’t need to take care of me.”

Guan Shan’s anger returns, prickly. “I can’t just fucking leave you here like this, either.”

A huff. “That’s cute, but you—” He Tian winces. Breathes in, shakily. “You actually can.”

“I know you.”

“Do you?”

He Tian smiles sickly sweet and Guan Shan sees blood in his teeth. The nearest hospital, it should only be a few minutes drive—

“What the hell are you doing?” Guan Shan says as, suddenly, He Tian begins to pull himself to his feet. Every movement makes him shudder but he pushes through it, relying heavily on the wall. “What’re you doing? Stop, you idiot!”

“I’m leaving,” says He Tian, voice tight with pain and something else. “Thanks for coming to my rescue. Red, right?”

“I’m being fucking serious,” Guan Shan tells him sharply, hands hovering close but not knowing where or if he’s allowed to touch. “Stop moving. You’re gonna make it worse, and then what, genius?”

He Tian does stop then, but only momentarily. He fixes Guan Shan with a look that’s nothing short of a warning. Even hunched, he’s still an inch or two taller and Guan Shan gets the notion that He Tian still has some fight left in him. He has a sense of dignity but only as much as a wounded animal backed into a corner, teeth bared and pupils blown wide.

“I’m surprised,” He Tian breathes, “that you’re being so damn adamant right now. You hardly speak to anyone at school.”

‘How would you know?’ Guan Shan wants to shoot back at him, but sometimes a wounded animal can be more dangerous than a healthy one. This situation is a fight Guan Shan doesn’t think he should pick. Still:

“And your fucking fangirls will flip their shit if you show up on Monday looking like that,” Guan Shan snaps. “For a prospective valedictorian, you sure have a thick fucking skull.”

He Tian can’t seem to help laughing at that, the crusted blood at the corners of his mouth cracking. Even beaten, he acts like he’s done the beating. A forgotten, first-year rumor about a dispute involving him and She Li crosses Guan Shan’s mind, but he’d never had enough interest to verify it. It was much easier to take the information at face value and reduce them to just that: entertainment, however fleeting.

Eventually, though, He Tian’s laughter fades out. Guan Shan is too distracted by a fresh drop of blood falling off the edge of his nose to notice He Tian taking a step forward to leave — as if they’re done here. But Guan Shan quickly comes back to himself, sidestepping against the brick wall to block his path of escape.

He Tian’s gaze slides over to him slowly, a small fire lit in his eyes. His profile bleeds into the night’s darkness like it belongs there.

“You’re fucking serious right now?” he asks lowly.

“I’m fucking serious. Sit down. Now.”

He Tian shakes his head and scoffs, disbelieving. But against all odds, he turns and sinks back down the wall, hair mussing against the brickwork as he grunts with the effort. Something deflates inside Guan Shan and he follows him back to the ground, kneeling.

He Tian takes a moment to collect himself, a thin sheen of sweat on his skin while he rests the crown of his head against the wall, eyes closed. While he waits, Guan Shan says, “You need a hospital, but is there anyone you should, like, call? Where’s your phone?”

“They took it. Smashed it, actually, and then threw it onto the tracks. So.”

Guan Shan scowls. “I’ll buy you a new one.”

He Tian’s eyes open. “What?”

“I said I’ll buy you a new one. And are you talking about the train tracks? Like, the metro?”

He Tian blinks once, twice, then nods. “Yeah, the metro. The station around the corner.”

Guan Shan considers the many things he could say right now. “But why did they—”

“Thought we agreed we wouldn’t be asking questions, Red.”

There’s a danger there but Guan Shan can’t help himself, snapping, “Don’t call me that.”

This seems to intrigue He Tian. “I suppose I can’t ask why?” he ventures, snarky.

“No,” Guan Shan bites back, “you can’t.”

He Tian watches as Guan Shan slips out his own phone, pulling up Qiu’s business number since his personal phone is currently in Guan Shan’s possession. The line only rings twice before it’s answered.

“Qiu? Yeah, I need— Fuck, I know it’s late, okay? But I need you to come pick me up. Yes, right now. I don’t really have an address so I’ll send you my location; I’m like ten minutes from the house. And bring first aid, whatever you have. It’s—”

Guan Shan looks at He Tian. He’s quietly watching, wearing a ghost of a smile that he doesn’t bother to hide. Guan Shan looks away, suddenly finding all of this to be very comical because whatever they’ve gotten themselves into, neither of them know how to handle it. That much is crystal fucking clear.

Guan Shan exhales. “It’s urgent.”