#this is boring. I’m only 8 tags in and I’m tired. who knows why I do these things. the mind is a mysterious place. who knows why we do wha w

[penitenteyeball]

Dum de dum dum

Gonna add max tags and max characters to each cause who cares

[saintsqueensbutchers]

Pretty Girl (ShaunaHat)

3.6k words

Tags: Modern setting, no crash AU, college AU, Fratboy!Shauna, smut (minors dni!), strap-on, eating out, drunk sex, Shauna kinda being a little toxic, lowkey Genlissa breadcrumbs in there too, no proofreading bc I'm lazy

“Should I go with the lilac hat or the flamingo one?”

Gen looked up from her chemistry notes to look. “Mel, I don’t think anyone’s gonna be looking at your hat. I’d go without it”

“The hat’s the most important part”

“Why are you even bothering with this stupid party anyway? It’s probably just frat guys and desperate girls”

“Because,” Melissa practically groaned as she spoke, “the soccer team’s gonna be there, and I’d like to get in with them now”

“You still thinking about trying out then?”

“Of course, and you should too. I’m already starting to miss playing with you”

“I can’t. I have these things called classes. You know, the thing that we pay for here? You should try going to one”

“I will…eventually. Maybe. I’ll get to it”

Gen rolled her eyes and went back to her chemistry homework. “Just, call me if things go south alright?”

“Yeah, of course”

Melissa headed down to the dorm lobby, still nervous about her first college party. She’d seen the movies and always imagined these to be the real deal, not like the high school parties where she had to sneak around and down just enough cheap beer to feel slightly off, but not so much that her parents would notice and ground her. She was a real adult now and could do whatever she wanted and no one could say anything. Her ride finally came, a friend from one of the few times she actually went to class. After a quick apology on account of the traffic that held her up, the two made it over to Jackie’s apartment

Once captain of her high school soccer team who’s closest brush with defeat was an anticlimactic tie at nationals, now captain of Rutgers’ team and president of Gamma Sigma Rho, Jackie had lived the high life with the worst thing to ever happen to her being falling off her bike exactly once when she was 8 and a messy breakup with her old high school sweetheart. She had become the main source of parties on campus, alongside Shauna if only by proxy. Shauna was mostly in it for an excuse to get trashed and people watch, even if Jackie had other ideas

“I’m getting tired of you throwing random douches at me,” she protested when Jackie started pointing guys out to her at the party

“Come on.” Jackie said with a mock whine. “You need to have fun, get your needs met before becoming some boring housewife with a degree that’s all for show”

“I do get my needs met. Besides, I’m not even in the mood for guys right now”

Shauna kept her drink close, a red solo cup filled to the brim with Jackie’s homemade punch. Jackie, however, was still stubborn and not taking the hint. In her mind, if she was going to hook up one night, so would Shauna, and if Shauna found someone on her own, then she had exactly five minutes to find someone herself

“Sooooo you want me to find you a girl then? I think I can do that”

Shauna tried her best to protest but a small laugh still escaped her. “You really are a true progressive”

“I have my moments”

Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe Jackie did finally get to her, but Shauna decided she might as well find someone for tonight

“Change of plans,” she said, patting Jackie’s shoulder. She locked eyes with this one cute blonde. She was clearly out of her element, probably a freshman who had no idea where she even was, terribly dressed but that wouldn’t matter soon enough. All in all, this girl was exactly her type

Melissa practically perked up when she saw Shauna approach, but tried her absolute hardest not to come off like some overly desperate freshman. She didn’t know her, but recognized her from the games. When Shauna did come up she practically brushed Melissa’s friend out of the way

“Why aren’t you drinking? Are we not fun or something?”

Melissa stuttered over herself to get the words out. “No…no its just…I just got here and didn’t wanna immediately start stealing-”

Shauna cut her off. “I’ll make you something then.”

She came back a few moments later with a cup of punch and ran her eyes up and down Melissa

“You got a name?”

“Y-yeah. Melissa…”

“Just Melissa?”

“Melissa Jones”

“Well, good to meet you Mel. Shauna”

“Yeah, I know.” She always wondered why she said stuff like that. She tried course correcting. “I just mean that…I’ve been to the games. You guys are good. I, uh, play too.” Why was she rambling so much?

Shauna cocked her head and took a sip. “What position?”

“Forward”

“Oh wow,” Shauna said with a slightly insincere tone. “Must be pretty good then”

“Thanks,” Melissa said sheepishly 

“So you agree? You think you’re really good then?”

Shit. “Oh, well…I mean…”

Shauna cut her off. “Ease up. I’m just fucking with you”

Melissa sighed in relief and gave an awkward laugh. “Right…yeah”

Shauna just nudged her arm at that, an excuse to establish touch early more than anything sincere. “Jokes aside, you thinking about trying out?”

Melissa nodded. “Yeah, yeah I want to”

“Well, good luck then, but if you played forward in high school you have a decent chance. Better than some of these people who were the best player in their shitty small town school and think they’re hot shit”

Melissa gave a nod at that. “Yeah, I’ve already met some people like that. They’re the worst”

There was a brief space in the conversation before Shauna filled it in

“You’re pretty cute, yknow. How many guys have you had to fight since you got here?”

Melissa was surprised and took a bit to just think of a good response before finally settling on “none”

“Maybe it's the outfit. Guys get weird about stuff like that. I don’t care though. I think you fit the rich sporty lesbian type pretty well”

When Melissa finished her drink, Shauna quickly broke off to bring her a refill. Shauna leaned over as she handed her the new drink, not letting the fact that Melissa was an inch or two taller than her get in the way of anything. Melissa seemed to shrink up in response

“These parties kinda suck. I only go to them because I live with Jackie,” Shauna said after taking a big gulp of her drink. “You ever been to these?”

“No, this is my first time”

“Well, sorry your first party sucks. I have a TV in my room. You wanna just watch something? I actually like talking to you”

Melissa felt like jumping up and down in excitement, but tried to keep her cool

“Yeah, that sounds better than this,” she said, nodding towards some frat bro who was tripping over himself. The two quickly refilled their drinks one more time and headed to Shauna’s room. Jackie noticed them and muttered “Shipman you son of a bitch” before grabbing some random guy

In her room, Shauna tossed her jacket off and sprawled over her bed. She aimlessly browsed her TV, not even looking for anything specific before settling on trashy MTV reruns

“This is a lot better. Not as loud, no drunk douches, no shitty hip-hop”

Melissa gave a nod at that. “Yeah, it’s a lot nicer”

“Melissa, you can sit.” Shauna scooted over to make room on her bed, a twin sized bed with no headboard, only marginally bigger than the one Melissa had in her dorm. The two were hip to hip, and Melissa tried her hardest not to blush or shrivel up. Shauna kept one arm around her, idly tracing up and down her arm. She knew she didn’t have to ask to touch her; it was something that came naturally. She would still test the waters at least, see how far this girl would let her go. Her hand drifted off Melissa’s arm down her side. It tickled a little, and Melissa let out a soft gasp but acquiesced. Shauna took that as a side to go further and wrapped her arm around her waist, playfully drumming her fingers on Melissa’s belly

“You work out. I can tell,” Shauna said, tracing along Melissa’s abs. “I like that”

Melissa gave a shaky “thanks” before looking over at her. She wanted Shauna to go further, to be the one to actually initiate, but she was holding off. Instead, she just kept her hand on Melissa’s belly, way above where they both wanted that hand to actually be. Neither were actually paying attention to the show at this point. Shauna finally saw the opportunity and planted her lips on Melissa’s neck. It was far from a romantic kiss. It was hungry, aggressive even. Melissa whined and gasped, already drunk and now wound up. Shauna flipped over, pulling Melissa to the side as she climbed on top. Their legs intertwined, and Shauned pushed her knee just between Melissa’s thighs as she kissed her neck, her lips, her cheeks, any open and vulnerable skin she could find while Melissa slowly melted underneath her. Melissa’s hands wrapped around Shauna’s back and held her close. Whether seconds or minutes or hours passed, Melissa didn’t know, she was lost to the sensations. Shauna broke away for a moment to take off her shirt before returning to tonight’s mistress

Shauna seized the opportunity and hastily unzipped Melissa’s pants, then slid her hand under her boxers. “God, you’re soaked,” she said as she curled her fingers inside her. Melissa gasped and whined as Shauna turned the heat up. Her weak moans echoed all through the room and drowned out the TV. Shauna went until absolutely couldn’t take it anymore. She slid off to strip her jeans off, then started rummaging her nightside. Melissa looked to the side, clearly still in shock from the experience

“Go on,” Shauna said looking back at her. “Take the polo off”

Melissa flushed bright pink before nodding. “Right…right…”

“You have done this before, haven’t you?”

“Yeah, no yeah I have. Just nervous ‘s all,” Melissa said as she began to lose the polo

“That means you aren’t drunk enough. Finish your drink while I get set up”

Melissa downed her cup as Shauna started to fasten a thick purple dildo into the harness and put it on. Melissa’s head was spinning but she managed to get her pants off too. Her clothes all laid messily on Shauna’s floor. Shauna decided to grab a joint she had prepared for tonight. She got on her back and started to light it before looking at Melissa

“Well, go ahead. Get on.” She grabbed the freshman and pulled her over her lap. As Melissa began to lift herself, Shauna smirked and slapped the dildo against her

“Cmon pretty girl, there you go,” Shauna cooed as Melissa lowered herself back down with a low, slow moan. Smoke flowed around them as Shauna let Melissa ride. She loved how girls would do all the work for her, even if this one was a little slow. She gave her a hard spank to get Melissa to speed up

“Your tits are so pretty,” Shauna praised as she watched the blonde’s breasts bounce with every movement. “What a pretty girl”

Shauna grabbed one of her tits and ran her thumb over the nipple just to excite this girl. Her hand slid down her body before settling on her hip. She absentmindedly traced her thumb in circles while the rest of her figures curled around that pretty ass. Melissa put her hands on Shauna’s chest for stability. It was a struggle for her to hold it together. The adrenaline was running high, and she was multiple strong drinks deep, so her balance wasn’t exactly the best

Shauna tried to pass the joint to Melissa, but when she almost lost her balance she instead decided to have her lean over so she could hold the joint while Melissa inhaled. “That’s it. One more”

Melissa’s eyes rolled back in pleasure. The weed and alcohol only intensified the feelings. She was pretty loud normally, but that mix made her totally lose herself and every movement was coupled with loud, intense moans. It felt like a fire had been lit inside her. Melissa went until she was fatigued and her legs were too shaky to keep going

“What’s wrong pretty girl?” Shauna asked when she slowed down. “Tired already?”

Melissa nodded. “Y-yeah…its too much. Can you take over”

Shauna smiled at that. “I don’t think you want me to take over”

“Please,” she whined. “I need it”

Shauna gave her hip a slight tap and helped her off.  “On your knees babe”

She put the joint out and lined up behind her. Shauna tsked at her when she saw Melissa on her hands and knees

“Not like that. Like this.” She pulled Melissa’s arms from under her and kept them behind her back while she shoved the young blonde’s face into the mattress. Melissa’s heart jumped several beats ahead at that; for a brief moment she was convinced it would burst out of her chest. Shauna kept one hand on her head, grabbing a fistful of hair to keep her head pinned against the mattress. With her other hand she gave her ass a hard spank, followed by one more just to make sure her skin would remember Shauna’s handprint

She lined the dildo against her folds then slowly pushed deeper. With her hand gripping Melissa’s hip, Shauna sped up, growing more and more intense until the sounds of them slapping against each other filled the room. Melissa surrendered to the feeling, saying little more than “fuck” or “oh God.” Shauna finally found the perfect angle, something she had a talent for, and abused it until the blonde’s voice was an octave higher and shook so much she started to worry this girl would fall apart

“Fuck Melissa. You take it so well. You’re a fucking pro”

She pulled out for a moment, then grabbed Melissa’s legs and pulled them back so she laid totally flat. Shauna laid right on top of her and rolled her hips with as much intensity as she could get. Melissa let out a whiny moan in response to the new position. Shauna grabbed her wrists and kept her pinned down. Not that she really needed to, since her own weight was enough to keep this girl pinned against the mattress, but she liked the control it gave her

“I’m really close Shauna”

“I know pretty girl,” she said with mock sympathy. “I know you can take some more though, right?”

“Y-yeah”

“Good, good.” Shauna started to slow down just to toy with her girl. Melissa was soon begging her to speed up

“Say please,” Shauna taunted

“P-p-please”

She smiled and decided to give this girl everything in her. She drilled her until the mattress started to sink in. Melissa let out several high pitched moans, which slowly faded into weak whimpers. Shauna got her mouth close to her ear and gave Melissa the words she’d been dying to hear

“You can cum now”

Almost on command, Melissa frantically grabbed the mattress and let the fires consume her as she came more than she ever had in her life. Shauna kept rolling her hips into her until she was totally done. When Shauna did pull out, Melissa was trembling and her dildo was covered in her juices. While Melissa was still panting, she moved over to put her hand on her cheek and guided her to suck the dildo and clean it up. That was another thing Shauna really loved, making these girls taste themselves off her

“You were so good,” she said as she pulled out of Melissa’s mouth. “Think you can return the favor?”

Melissa nodded, still out of breath, and Shauna slid the harness off her so she was perfectly open for Melissa. She came back and kissed Melissa, then laid back and used her hand to guide Melissa’s head between her thighs. Melissa looked down at her eagerly, admiring Shauna’s build. Her eyes took in everything, from her muscular thighs to the bush she had, before Shauna teased her

“Quit staring, eat.” She grabbed a fistful of her hair and shoved Melissa in. She immediately went to work and Shauna let out a deep, almost masculine moan. “That’s it. Finally doing something useful with that tongue,” she said. She wrapped her legs around the girl, locking them at the heel to keep her from escaping. Every so often, Shauna would give her directions but when Melissa finally found the right way, she could lay off. Her chest heaved up and down. Melissa was surprisingly good at this, she thought to herself, just needed some instruction was all. Melissa had to fight the urge to just go as fast as she could, but Shauna told her to keep it slow. There was a brief moment where she got excited and went faster than Shauna preferred, which prompted a tug of the hair

“Slow down. It’s not a race”

Melissa just nodded and settled herself down the best she could. God this girl’s stamina was insane, she thought to herself. Time seemed to drag on as Melissa continued tongue fucking her. Shauna just enjoyed the sight of a pretty obedient girl who would fuck her exactly as she told. She listened better than most of the girls- and all of the guys- that Shauna had been with. Most would’ve gotten too excited by now and would’ve rushed things. Instead, Melissa was happy to do whatever she was told. This was a girl who seemed to enjoy eating pussy just for the sake of it

After a long period, Shauna reached the first peak. Her thighs instinctively wrapped tighter around Melissa’s head. Melissa felt like her cheeks were being hugged. She grabbed Shauna’s thighs for stability

“You can go a little faster now,” Shauna told her. She immediately picked up the pace. She felt excited, like it was a stamp of approval for her since she loved going fast. Her jaw and tongue ached but she pushed through, desperate to guide Shauna through every rush of pleasure. Her eyes widened when she felt the sudden grasp of Shauna’s thighs tightening again.

“I’m gonna cum,” she grounded. “Gonna cum on that pretty face of yours”

Shauna leaned her head back and closed her eyes. The pleasure rushed faster than she expected, and with a low groan she came right on Melissa’s tongue and face. She let out a content sigh and held Melissa close just a little longer so she could clean everything up. She pulled her back in for a quick kiss and let Melissa relax on her for a bit. She didn’t hold her long though

“You got a ride?” She asked Melissa, who was a little taken back by the question

“Oh…right…yeah I can call someone”

“Jackie doesn’t really like when people stay the night. She’s kinda a bitch like that”

Melissa had the feeling that wasn’t really the reason, but relented anyway. She shot Gen a quick text. 

“It’s 1:30 AM!” She texted back. A few moments later she shot a second text. “You’re lucky I love you. Be there soon”

Melissa shot her a quick heart and looked back at Shauna. “Someone’s coming to get me”

Shauna just nodded in response. As Melissa was started to get dressed she spoke up

“Melissa, lemme have your number”

This girl was something different, too special to just dump after one session. She was definitely going to hear back from Shauna one of these days. Melissa’s phone buzzed again when Gen texted her.

“So umm…this was fun, thanks,” she said before shuffling out

She met Gen outside and hoped in her car

“Welcome back slut,” Gen said with a smile. She barely got dressed and instead just substituted pajamas for sweats and a jacket

“Oh hush.” She felt embarrassed to be called out so easily, but the blush all over her face and neck probably did little to help her case

“Just promise you won’t puke in my car”

The two headed back to the dorm where Gen did her best to sneak in a too drunk and too high girl without alerting the RA. She helped her into their dorm and sent Melissa to get cleaned up. Gen sighed when Melissa got in the shower. She was always there to save Melissa from her own messes. She really shouldn’t, but she couldn’t help it. Part of her always thought that if she was there enough then Melissa would finally clean her act and maybe, just maybe, actually settle down with her. She gave a smile when Melissa stepped out in pajamas and flopped onto the bed. She wasn’t in the mood to hear about the party, or whatever she actually got up to while she was gone. They both tried to sleep, but neither could

“Hey,” Gen said, turning back to her. “Wanna watch some cartoons or something?”

Melissa turned back to her. “Yeah, sounds nice.” She tried to hide the disappointment in her voice and being dumped so unceremoniously earlier. She hopped onto Gen’s bed and the two watched some cartoons on Gen’s old laptop. They only got one episode deep before the alcohol and weed and sex high all started to wear Melissa down. She fell asleep on Gen, who was starting to get tired too. She turned the laptop off and pulled a blanket over them before falling asleep herself

[torturedfolkloredepartment]

(Author note: I found another one so enjoy!)

Scream au

Work: incomplete

Ship: Skip/Malarkey

Tags/tw: mentions of stalking and harassment.

What’s your favorite Scary movie

Woodsboro,California

December 20th 1996 8:24 pm

Malarkey was home alone. His parents had decided to go for a night out, dinner, a movie and they’d be home by ten. He was making some popcorn when the phone rang.

“Hello”

“Hello” said a deep voice over the phone.

“Yes”

“Who is this” asked this deep-voiced stranger over the phone. Confused Malarkey asks.

“Hmm who are trying to reach”

“What number is this” The Stranger asks again.

“What number are you trying to reach”

“ I don’t know,” Stranger said with a bit of confusion.

“I think you have the wrong number,” malarkey said with a kind voice and smile.

“Do i” the stranger says

Malarkey smiled “it happens. take it easy”

After Malarkey hangs up the phone he heads back to the kitchen to make some popcorn. When the phone rings again.

“Hello”

“Sorry, I guess I dialed the wrong number again” the same stranger said.

“So why did you dial it again?” Malarkey asked with a confused tone.

“To apologize”

“ well your forgiven bye bye now”

“ Wait wait,don't hang up,” the stranger said with a bit of urgency in their Tone.Malarkey raised a brow in confusion.

“What?” He asked.

“I wanna talk,” the stranger said with a calm voice.Malarkey laughed a bit.

“ They've got 900 numbers for that,” Malarkey said as he hung up again. Has he went back to the kitchen to put some popcorn on the stove the phone rang again.

“Hello” Malarkey says with a sigh

“Why don’t you wanna talk” the same stranger from the last two calls said.

“Who is this?” Malarkey said with a questioning tone.

“Tell me your name ill tell you my”

“I don’t think so” Malarkey said in a playful tone as he shook the popcorn on the stove.

“What is that noise”

Malarkey smirks abit playing along.

“Popcorn”

“You like popcorn”

“Yep”

“I only like popcorn at the movies”

“I’m fixing to watch a movie”

“Really?, what kind,” that stranger asked interested

“A scary movie” Malarkey says with a bit of an excitement in his voice . He had been looking forward to watching it all week. It was one of his favorites.

“Do you like scary movies” the stranger asked.

“Yep”

“What’s your favorite scary movie” The stranger was flirting a bit with him and it was kinda creeping him out a bit but he Answered.

“I don’t know,” he said with a bored Tone.

“Come on you have to have a favorite”

“ ummm,hmm” malarkey thought for a second “ Friday the 13th, ya know the guy with the hockey mask who goes around killing counselors,”

“What’s your favorite scary movie” Malarkey asked

“Guess “ the man said with a flirtation Tone

“ umm Halloween”

“Is that the guy who goes around Stalking babysitters with a Machete”

“Yeah Michael myers”

“Michael ..that’s right, I liked it, it was scary” the stranger said in a creeper Tone this time.

“The first one did but the rest sucked”

“So , ya gotta a boyfriend” the stranger asked with the same creepy voice as before.

Malarkey rolled his eye and laughed a bit “why, ya gonna ask me out”

“Maybe, so do you have a boyfriend”

“No”

“You never told me your name”

Malarkey sighed he was getting tired.”why do you wanna know my name so bad “

“Because I wanna know who I’m looking at” the stranger said with a calm but scary Tone.Malarkey Froze turned towards the window.

“What did you just say” Malarkey asked in a creeped out/scared Tone.

“I said I wanted to know who I’m talking to” the man said with a different answer than before.

“That’s not what you said “ Malarkey said with an accused and Scared Tone.

“What did you think i said” the Stranger said calmly but more creepy this time.before answering the stranger Malarkey went to check and lock his doors.

“I have to go” Malarkey said, scared and ready to get off the phone.

“Wait, I thought we were gonna go out” the stranger said again with the same creepy voice as before.

“Nah i don’t think so” Malarkey said as he hung up, and going to check and make sure his doors were locked again.before heading back to the kitchen when the phone rang again.

“Yes?”

“I told you not you not to Hang up on me”

“What do you want?” Malarkey asked with fear in his voice.

“To talk”

“ well dial someone else”

“Are you getting scared?”the stranger asked with a smug/creepy Tone.

“No . Bored” malarkey said before Hanging up again.

As he’s about to head back to the kitchen, The phone rings again.

“LISTEN ASSHOLE….” Malarkey said but was interrupted.

“NO you listen here bitch , if you hang up on me again ill gut you like a fish” the stranger said with an angry voice before laughing. Fear had set in Malarkey’s gut and that had got his full attention.

“Is this some kind of sick joke? Cause it isn’t funny” Malarkey said with a cracking voice like he’s about to cry.

“More of a game really”

Malarkey turned towards the windows and stared out in fear

“Im two seconds from calling the police” Malarkey threatened in a scared Tone.

“They’d never make it in time” and Malarkey knew the Stranger was Right, they were miles away from Town but he could still try.

“What do you want?” He asked before moving to the door quickly, and making sure it was locked.

“TO SEE what your insides look like” That’s when Malarkey hung up out of fear.

That’s when the doorbell rang

“Who’s there” Malarkey asked in a scared Tone, then another chime “Who’s there” he asked again this time louder. But still no answers, before the phone rang again. He answered it with a shallow breath.

“You should never ask who’s there , don’t you watch scary movies, that’s a death wish” the stranger said.

“Listen, enough is enough, this joke has gone way to far, you better leave me alone”

“Or what”

“Or my boyfriend will be here any second and he’ll be pissed when I tell him.

“ i thought you didn’t have a boyfriend”

Caught The game they had been playing before wasn’t again, Malarkey did have a boyfriend.

“I lied i do have a boyfriend and he’ll be here any second so you better leave before he gets here”

“Sure..” the stranger said tauntingly

“ I'm a serious asshole, he's big and he plays football and he’ll kick the shit out of you” malarkey was trying to hide the scared Tone in his voice. Skip would be here any moment and Skip would deal with this asshole.

“I’m getting scared” the stranger said with a mocking scared Tone.

“I’m telling the truth i lied before”

“And I believe you”

“So you better leave before he gets here”

That’s when malarkey heard the Stranger chuckle an evil laugh.

“His name wouldn’t happen to be Skip would it” malarkey stopped breathing there at that moment.

“H-how did you know?”

“Go turn on the back light porch”

Malarkey ran to the glass sliding windows of the porch, and turned on the lights, and what he saw terrified him. There was Skip sitting there tied and tuck taped to a chair staring back at him with fear in his eyes.

He tried to open the door and help him.But the Stranger stopped her “I wouldn’t do that if i were you” the stranger said with a smug and taunting voice.

“Where are you?”

“Guess” Malarkey looked out the glass sliding doors,

[crazycookiecrumbles]

A Double Take

A/N: For everyone waiting for Dark!Shangqi and Y/N Stark to meet. It’s here.

Okay. So this is in my Stark!ReaderVerse! Feedback, as awlays, extremely appreciated and desired. ​

TAG LIST: I do not.

Pairings/Characters: Shang-Chi x Stark!Reader/ Dark!Shang-Chi x Reader

Warnings: Flirting, talk about sex, fighting, violence

Summary: You decide to take a break, but trouble just always seems to find Y/N Stark with a special visit through the Multiverse.

WC: 2,756

You needed a break. Between learning that the Multiverse really existed, to Tony and Natasha coming back into your life, you were done. Well, maybe done wasn’t the right way to classify it.  But this was stressful, as was hiding all of these new, well, people in this world. They couldn’t be sent back, not yet. Strange was working on it. However, from what you knew, Natasha had nothing to even go back to. It was a world where she was the only one.

And your father? Well, he’d be going back to a world without you, where the grief and the stress took Pepper and their unborn daughter. Tony felt like he had nothing to go back to as well. They wanted to stay, that much was clear, and no one was quite sure how to deal with this.

But, people would find out, eventually, and you figured, even though you hated him, this was a good way to cover for Steve as well so he didn’t spend more of his life in hiding, even if you had enjoyed him suffering a little more.

To get away from all of that, Shangqi suggested you both went away for a little bit. You agreed fairly quickly. It was going to be just the two of you. No Katy, no Bucky or Sam joining in and turning your vacation into a mission, it was just going to be the two of you away together, and your destination of choice?

“I can’t believe I’m in London,” Shangqi laughed. “It really is super rainy out here, though. Is that why you picked it? Want to live out some emo fantasy?”

You snorted, “No, I just wanted an excuse to keep you under the covers.”

Shangqi laughed. He reached across the table and took your hand in his. He brought it up to his mouth to bite your knuckles playfully before kissing them, “Honey, please. I’m more than just a sex tool for you.”

“Are we sure about that?” You teased. “I mean. It’s not a bad tool, ya know. Some men would love for me to use them.”

“Well you can go find some of those men then, those men who just want to be nothing more than an object for you.”

“Well, if you insist — “

“No, no, I’m kidding. Use me all you want,” He laughed and pulled your chair closer to him. “I’m all yours, babe.”

You grinned and leaned over to kiss him. Shangqi smiled softly, closed his eyes, and held your chin as his lips gingerly pressed against yours. The two of you took a leisurely time in finishing your coffee before heading out on more adventures together.  You both went on a Jack the Ripper tour, which made Katy infuriatingly jealous when you sent her pictures about it.

However, you both had different interests. You wanted to go to the Natural History Museum, but Shangqi was interested in seeing a football game that day. Chelsea was playing that afternoon. You really didn’t want to, you knew you’d be bored, but he seemed like he really wanted to go. Plus, you knew he’d be bored to death at the museum.

“You go,” you told him. “Go see the game. I’ll go to the museum. Why don’t we meet up again later tonight for dinner? We can meet at 8, gives us time to do some other things the other might not be interested in. I’ll text you some restaurants and you can tell me which one you want to go to.”

Shangqi sighed happily as he grabbed your hands and held them against his chest, “How did I get the coolest wife ever?”

“Eh, you’re cute,” you teased. “Also, what makes you think I’m not just tired of you?”

He gasped, “Baby. You trying to get rid of me already?”

“Nah,” you kissed him on the lips. “But we can do our own things. I still got the whole rest of the week with you, and we’ve got a few other countries to go to. Enjoy the game, babe.”

He sighed happily, cupped your face, and pressed a tantalizingly long kiss on your lips. He pulled away soundly, kissed your forehead, and happily ran off in another direction towards the stadium. You shook your head and went off to find a cab to take you to the museum.

~*~

There was something so nice about being a Stark sometimes. Well, often you had a lot of attention on you that you didn’t like to deal with, and you pawned it off on your dad every single time. However, when it came to finding the best places to eat? You didn’t care. You threw that Stark name out there if it meant you were going to get a seat at an amazing restaurant. Sometimes it worked in your favor and you were amazed. Other times, they served a soup spoon’s worth of food as an entree and you left feeling incredibly hangry.

For now, you were at the restaurant you had settled on with Shangqi. You had gotten there first. You were on the bottom level of the restaurant. It was dark, secluded, dimly lit by candles. It was definitely for their wealthier clientele given all the privacy that was available. Quite frankly, you just really, really liked how it looked.

As you were perusing the wine list, you noticed someone heading towards you. You glanced up and saw your husband heading towards you with a purposeful stride. He wore an all black suit, the top two buttons undone, his hair combed and polished, different than how he had looked, all disheveled and giddy earlier that morning.

“You look amazing,” you blurted out as you stared at him. “I—I didn’t even realized you had packed that suit.”

“I’ve got to surprise you somehow, don’t I?” He smirked as he hovered over you, eyes slowly scanning you from head to toe. “You look absolutely ravishing.”

You turned bright red under his gaze in the restaurant. Your eyes followed him as he took the seat across from you, his eyes still glued on you almost like he’d never seen you before. “That’s a new dress, isn’t it? You weren’t wearing that this morning.”

“Yeah, I, I uh, I saw it in a shop. Decided to get it on a whim.”

“Good. You look like a goddess,” he replied as he leaned forward and stared at you. “You deserve to get whatever you want.”

You laughed a little and pushed your hair behind your ear, “Did you get hit in the head with a soccer ball at that game today, Shangqi? You’re smoother than usual.”

He paused for a moment to study you almost like he was trying to pick the perfect thing next to say. “I clearly don’t worship you as much as I should. I’m trying to play catch up. How am I doing so far?”

“I’m not complaining,” you giggled and noticed the sommelier approach. “Oh, I was looking at the wine list. I was thinking — “

“I’ve got it,” he raised is hand slightly to you to signal he had this covered. You leaned back and watched him as he ordered the exact wine you had wanted. You were impressed. You raised an eyebrow, and he noticed this. “I browsed the wine list online on my way here. I had a feeling.”

“Wow. Put on a full suit, picked out the wine. You’re extra smooth tonight, Shangqi.”

“Yes, is it working?”

You hummed, “It’s something.”

He smirked at you, and you felt like he was piercing your soul. You were putty in his hands. Shangqi could have his smooth moments. Especially when you both were undercover in Maripoor. He has it in him to be more suave and dark and seductive, you knew that, you just didn’t expect it to be happening right now.

You also didn’t expect him to maintain eye contact with you as he drank his wine. He stared at you like you were ice water in a desert. His tongue ran across his bottom lip, and his eyes flickered down to gaze at your body once more before he decided to be even more bold. He stood up from his seat and went over to your side. You were both sitting in a small, intimate booth, and he moved you over to sit next to you and wrap an arm around you.

“What are you doing?” You asked as his fingertips played with the ends of your hair.

“I can’t get enough of you, baby,” Shangqi remarked as he studied you. “I’m a lucky man, aren’t I?”

“I’d say so.”

“I know so,” his hand gingerly held your chin and turned your face  so you were looking up at him, “You’re the smartest woman I know. You are so strong. You are stronger than anyone around. You’re a goddess, my love. All that power, that intelligence. You are ethereal, and you could have men kneeling at your feet at your every whim.��

Red in the face, you chewed on your lip and leaned back slightly, “You saying you’d get on your knees for me, Shangqi?”

He leaned in close, his lips ghosting over yours, “Say the word and I’ll show you how much I mean it.”

“Yeah? Right here, right now?” You snorted.

His other hand landed on your knee and started to slowly creep up your thigh, “Do you want to find out?”

Your eyes widened, “I believe you. Wow. No need for us to get arrested for public indecency.”

“But what a story it would be, wouldn’t it? These people would be so lucky for a show like that.”

That was off-brand, even for your goofy, horny husband. You brow furrowed slightly as you studied him. Your hand rested on his chest, and unbeknownst to you, he knew you were trying to monitor his heartbeat while you spoke to him, likely about to question him.

“Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” You asked.

“When I’m with you, I feel amazing,” He replied.

His heart rate was perfectly fine. He wasn’t lying, but something seemed off. Before you could ask him another question, you could hear shouting. You leaned over to your side to see who was rushing towards you with waiters following him, while Shangqi rolled his eyes and slowly turned around.

In front of you, you saw Shangqi. Again. He was wearing what he wore earlier, minus his wedding ring. His hair was disheveled, he looked like he’d been dragged through dirt. His sleeves were rolled up, rings on his arms, and he looked furious.

“Get the fuck away from my wife,” he seethed as he glared at the man sitting beside you.

Your eyes flickered back and forth between the two men quickly. It was almost like a little timer went off in your head. Your eyes widened and you swore loudly as you went to stand up. The Shangqi next to you, however, quickly pulled you down and kept you beside him.

“You don’t deserve her. You poor, pathetic excuse for, well, me,” he laughed. “Just like Captain Rogers, you are nowhere near good enough for her. I’m doing you a favor,  Shaun. Move along. Let a real man take it from here.”

Shangqi was huffing and puffing, “That’s not my name.”

“No?” He raised an eyebrow, “It was my understanding that in this world you left that namesake behind and adopted a new identity. Isn’t that right, Shaun? You’re no leader. You’re no man. You don’t deserve Y/N Stark, but I do.”

“Ohhhh fuck….” you mumbled to yourself as your dad’s words came flooding into your brain. Once again you tried to pull yourself away from this other Shangqi, but his grip on you was tight. Huffing, you put a little more force into your shoving, and you knocked him clear out of the booth before sliding out and preparing yourself for a fight.

“She doesn’t want you.” Shangqi said. “All of this bullshit? She doesn’t like that. She doesn’t need a guy like you in her life.”

“No?” This other version of Shangqi laughed and leaned against the wall ever so casually. “Let’s check that seat then, see how wet I got her while you were all tied up.”

Your husband lost his mind. He shot his rings at this darker version of himself, who easily side stepped them with a maniacal laugh. “Is that all you’ve got? Fine, I’ll play. I’ll even make it easier for you.”

He opened his black suit jacket and revealed the rings hidden carefully in the lining of the jacket. The rings floated out and surrounded him in a dark glow. He rolled up his sleeves and stared at Shangqi as the rings circled him.

“I’ll take two away.”

Suddenly two of the rings shot towards you in the time it took you to just blink. The bands slipped onto your wrists as you were trying to force them away. With a flick of his wrist, the new Shangqi had you pinned against the wall with your wrists over your head.

“Sorry, my love. I don’t want you to get caught in the crossfire.” He spared a glance in your directions, shamelessly admiring you from head to toe, “But at least you look so good like that, just for me.”

“Son of a bitch,” your husband ran at him. Charging, he threw an absolute flurry of fists at this man, who met each and every attack of his. The two were painfully evenly matched, because they were quite literally fighting themselves.

In the meantime, you were focusing your power on the rings. You needed to get them off of you and free yourself without bringing the entire place down. Fueled by only a glass of wine and some bread, you shut your eyes, took a deep breath, and managed to launched the rings off of your wrists and send them through the ceiling.

Oops.

You fell down on one bended knee. You looked up and could see both men stuck in a stalemate with one another. As your husband had his copycat in a hold so he could rip his wedding band off of him and take it back, the other Shangqi hit your husband with a cheap blow between the legs and seemed very intent on using the rings to smash his head in. You quickly ran in front of him, held up your hands, and managed to stop the rings midair. Now the two of you were in a stalemate, and you couldn’t miss how this man’s eyes lit up.

“See? You are a god. That man is no true holder of the rings. That boy is beneath you, love. I’m what you truly need.”

You tilted your head to the side as you stared at him, “You will never be my husband.”

“You’ll see.” Shangqi shot you a devilish wink before using the rings to break through the ceiling and launch himself out of there. You considered chasing after him, but you turned around and knelt down in front of your husband. 

“I can’t believe I kicked myself in the balls,” your husband groaned as you helped him sit up. “Fuck. Baby, are you okay?”

“Are you?” You asked quickly as your hand rested against his cheek. “I’m so, so sorry honey. I didn’t know. I mean, I suspected right when you got here — I mean — I — it was like Madripoor.”

Shangqi sighed dramatically, “I knew you liked that suit, and you said you didn’t,” he teased.

You rolled your eyes. “I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”

He thought about it, “Is it cheating if it’s an alternate version of me?”

“Can we say it’s not because it was an accident and I love you?” You squeaked.

“I’ll let it slide,” he replied as he rubbed the back of his head. “Goddess, huh? So that’s your thing too? Got a little praise kink going that I don’t know about?”

You smacked his arm, “Are you okay?”

“Head hurts. He took me by surprise, but I’ll be fine.”

“Come on,” you helped him to stand up and gently caressed the back of his head. “Let’s get you back to the hotel. I’ll take care of you.”

“I kind of feel like you should after this whole thing. I might be traumatized, babe. You were stepping out on me with me. That can mess with a man.”

You sighed and shook your head, “Never change, Shangqi.”

[hargrove-mayfields]

tag game, stranger things edition!

i was tagged by @thatgirlwithasquid and @intothedysphoria, thanks y’all, I really appreciate it! 💕

1. ride or die ship/otp : Hellcheergroveton! every combination in this ship is adorable and it has all my favs too ☺️

2. most annoying ship : m*leven. I am beyond tired of watching a young disabled girl be taken advantage of and have it be treated as romantic. El deserves to live partner free, and M*ke deserves to go in the whole garbage can.

3. second favorite ship : Hollogrove. Since it’s not part of the core hellcheergroveton relationship, I’ll branch out a little and bring in my girl Heather. I love her and Billy I’m a relationship and can totally see them spending the rest of their lives together ♥️

4. favorite platonic dynamic : Billy and Max, or Dustin and Steve. Or Steve and Gareth. Cause I headcanon Gareth as becoming Steve’s caregiver after the events of the show leave him with cognitive and physical disabilities

5. underrated ship : Hollogrove, Cunningway, Pompompineapple, Stonathan, Cheerscoops, Calicheer, Rockie, Stargyle, Cammy, Kegboys, Steather, Argilly, and so many more but I’ll stop there.

6. overrated ship : Any of the fruity four (it makes me wanna gag just typing it) ships. I haven’t looked in the fandom tags for a year because it’s oversaturated with passionless, factory produced, carbon-copy fanworks that look like Harringrove fics put through ai to be rewritten as St*ddie, or Buckleway into r*nance. I’m sick of it. It’s boring. I’ll come up with my own steddie content, thanks.

7. one thing to change in canon : Everything. Not even joking. I’m going blorbo shopping and bringing all my favs back to my dollie house to play fix-it.

8. something canon did right : Um. I guess letting actors put in feedback and details of their own. Like Millie choosing for El to touch Billy’s cheek, Dacre giving us backstory on Billy’s mom and also on Billy’s disability (BPD), both he and Joe Keery refusing the original scripts, Joe Quinn improvising Eddie’s crush on Chrissy, and so on. All of the actor choices are the only good things about the show at this point.

9. a thing I’m proud of creating for the fandom : @disabledbillyandsteveweek! There's more information about the event over on the blog, but basically it’s an event starting in about two weeks meant to highlight Billy and Steve as disabled characters, through all kinds of fan works and different ships!

10. a character who is perfect to me : Christine Renée-Beth Cunningham. Nobody compares to my cheer girl.

11. the most relatable character and why : Also Chrissy. She reminds me a lot of myself, especially how I was when I was still in highschool, being timid and struggling a lot with my mental health. I wish she could have grown and gotten help and felt better since I’m on my journey to doing so right now, but I’m forever grateful to have seen a character with an eating disorder and an abusive family on screen, portrayed in a heartfelt and generous way- all thanks to miss Grace Van Dien

12. character I hate most and why : Neil, Karen (actually just the Wheelers in general except little Holly), Brenner, Owens, the lady that shot Benny, literally so many of them. Anyone who intentionally and unabashedly hurts other characters without remorse.

13. something I’ve learned from the fandom : To be patient, because even when things seem tough or impossible, we can make it. Together, with friends who understand us, and who share our pain, we can fight and keep going! Especially because this community will always have folks who understand and have our backs, we just have to find them ❤️❤️

14. three tags I seek out on ao3 : I actually don’t read fic on ao3. The extreme amounts of severely triggering content hosted on that site is just too much for me and I can never seem to avoid it. I only post to ao3 because I know people find it easily accessible, but I had one too many mix-ups that led to me being in a terrible state of mind, so I discontinued using the site.

15. a song I strongly associate with otp and/or favorite character : I’ll never shut up about “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce. Conveniently off the same record as Hop has on Vinyl and Cassette, it’s my favorite song ever because it’s so tender and loving and even though it’s old people music yall should give it a listen. It applies to any ship, but especially packs a punch with Harringrove. Also “Magic” by Olivia Newton-John.

I’ll tag: @eddie-munsons-guitar86 @honey-tongued-devil @martianclown @hephaestn @jaylikesrainbowtigers @denkiddo1 @enchanted-day-dreams @stranger-themes-blog @ratbastardbilly @thinger-strang But there’s no pressure to do it! You absolutely don’t have to if you already have or if you just don’t feel like it! <3

[itsthewritergal]

Is this okay? - D.M x reader ODD ONE OUT

1  2  3  4  5 ��6  7  8 

I’m in love with this part... I hope you guys like it as well xx 

Dear Draco, 

A lady at St Mungo’s fixed my ankle a few days ago, you were right it was broken. Mum actually sounded pretty impressed once she realised that you were right. I’ve been meaning to write to you since you left… I wanted to ask how things went with your father. also I needed to apologise, I shouldn’t have ignored all your letters over summer, I won’t ever forgive your father and you know how I feel about what you did but after the Quidditch World Cup I don’t think I could stay mad at you. 

Mum’s been going on and on about going back to school, it’s driving me a little bit mental although it won’t be long until I’m back with you (and everyone else of course!!) 

All my love

See you soon 

Y/N

———— 

Dear Y/N, 

I’m pleased your ankle is better now, I hated thinking about you in pain. I’m sorry I couldn’t stay longer that night I just didn’t think it would sit well with my parents. Things with my father were fine when I went back. 

You have nothing to apologise for, I was in the wrong. I know I was, I knew I was when I stood there watching, but I’ll be honest I wanted to get a rise out of Potter. I shouldn’t have done it and I’m sorry that I made you think that I was that kind of a person, I promise you I’m not. And I will do everything in my power to change how I treat Potter and even his friends. I did what I had to at the World Cup, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if you or your family got hurt and I could have stopped it. I’m just pleased you made it out safe. 

I can’t wait to be back either, the Manor get’s horrendously lonely. Perhaps you could come and visit next summer? Or even Christmas? 

Love 

Draco

————

“Draco” Y/N called the moment she saw him on the platform, 

“Hey darling” He said pulling her into a hug, but instead of relaxing like he usually did he just tensed up as if she was hurting him.Y/N pulled away quickly and studied his face 

“What’s wrong” She asked 

“Nothing. You worry too much” he chuckled, turning his back and pushing his trolly along the platform 

“where are your parents?” Y/N asked, Draco knew she was digging for answers about his father and what happened when he got home. A part of him knew that she wouldn’t be settled with his answer in the letter. 

“They left early, father had some ministry business to be getting on with” Draco answered “Oh” Y/N sighed, Draco wrapped an arm loosely around her shoulders once he had dropped off his trolly with all the others. 

“You really don’t need to worry” Draco said 

“Weasley!” Blaise grinned coming up to the two of them “Hello to you too” Draco rolled his eyes, 

“You’re not as exciting as Weasley, I heard you broke your ankle over summer” He said, Y/N laughed knowing that Pansy told him. 

“You must be really bored if you think a trip to St Mungo’s is exciting” Y/N said climbing onto the train after Draco. 

They sat in a carriage, Y/N kept a close eye on Draco. There was something off, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on, but there was something off. Something different about the way he walked, the way he winced every time someone bumped into him, and Y/N most definitely noticed the look of pain which washed across his face the moment he sat down in the carriage. Pansy and Blaise were arguing about something with Crabbe and Goyle when Y/N turned to Draco silently looking him up and down. 

“Tell me” She whispered laying her head on his shoulder 

“What would I be telling you?” He said in a similar tone 

“Why you’re in pain” She said, Draco’s smile was wiped off of his face “I saw it the moment I stepped on the platform and when you hugged me and then when you sat down” 

“It isn’t anything” Draco said harshly 

“Draco please” Y/N said 

“Enough” Draco snapped, silencing the whole carriage. 

Y/N picked her head off of his shoulder and slid herself as far away from him as possible on the seat. “Darling, I didn’t mean it” He said quickly 

“Save it, I’m going to go find Cedric” She snapped, standing up and leaving without sending Draco another look.

— — — — — 

“Great. Beauxbatons and Durmstrangs this year the castle really is going to be full” Pansy sighed sitting herself down on one of the leather sofas. 

“Shut up Pansy it’ll be nice to have someone else around” Blaise said, 

Draco sat between them, his eyes focussed on Y/N who sat with a few of her classmates by the windows. 

“Just go to talk to her” Blaise said sympathetically 

“I’ve upset her enough lately” Draco replied “Tell her” Pansy said harshly “You think she can’t handle it but you’re wrong” 

“She doesn’t need to be worried about me, she needs to focus on her school work” “You sound like her mother. Go talk to her Draco” Blaise said 

“She’s practically in love with you, she’ll understand why you didn’t tell her” Pansy said 

“She’s hardly in love with me” Draco said 

“Well she doesn’t get all loved-up looking when Cedric’s around thats for sure” Blaise laughed 

“Oi Y/N!” Pansy called 

“Pnasy” Draco whispered harshly, Pansy merely sent him a wink as Y/N walked over to the group. She looked exhausted already, her hair pulled into a pony tail on top of her head and a large knitted jumper thrown over her robes to keep her warmer. Draco had to stop himself from drooling over her tired look. 

“What’s up?” She asked 

“Draco needs to talk to you, I think you two should go to his dorm” Pansy said

“Pansy don’t be daft” Y/N said turning away 

“Y/N please, I want to show you something” Draco said 

“Okay” Y/N agreed warily. 

— — — — — 

Draco’s dorm room was warm, it always was. Y/N had only ever been in a handful of times when they got bored of the common room. A few clothes were already strewn across the floor on Blaise’s side, but Draco’s side look practically untouched. Y/N sat down on the end of his bed and crossed her legs underneath her. 

“What’s going on Draco?” Y/N asked quietly, she felt strangely calm. 

“I need you to promise me something” Draco said kneeling down in front of her 

“Ok? what is it?” She asked. Draco took her hands in his, she felt his palms were sweaty. Something was wrong, really wrong. 

“You can’t tell anyone what I’m about to show you” Draco said. Y/N gave him a simple smile 

“You know I wont tell anyone, I rarely ever do. You know that” she said 

“I know” Draco nodded, standing up. He dropped her hands back into her own lap. Y/N paused for a second as Draco took off his tie. 

She was confused as Draco begun to unbutton his shirt. 

“What are you doing?” She asked, knowing Draco wouldn’t do anything to hurt or scare her but things felt wrong, Draco said nothing as he opened his shirt exposing his pale chest. 

Y/N felt the breath leave her lungs, almost as though someone had hit her in the throat. His stomach was bruised, and not just once or twice. Multiple marks from what Y/N already knew was his father’s cane. She should have noticed that day back at the Quidditch world cup. Y/N rose to her feet and made her way across the floor towards Draco, tracing her fingers across his stomach. A ghost of pain passed across his face. 

“I’ll kill him” Y/N promised, Draco’s eyes softened. 

“Darling” He said in an attempt to pull Y/N’s eyes towards him rather than the hideous bruising on his body. But she didn’t look away. Instead she just repeated the same words once more, this time a little more harshly. 

Her fingers danced across the skin around the marks, as if she was testing just how much it hurt him. 

“Sit” Y/N said firmly 

“I’m alright” he said, taking a few steps away from Y/N and pulling on a quidditch jersey 

“No you’re not” She snapped, Draco pulled Y/N back towards him; his arms wrapping around her shoulders, and hers around his back. 

“Listen to me” He said “I’m okay now that I’m here, with you” He tilted his head down, and placed a finger under her chin lifting it up closing the space between the two of them. 

“Draco,” She started, 

“Is this okay?”He asked, waiting for her agreement. 

“Yes” She said quietly. The gap between the two of them closed, as Y/N melted into Draco’s touch. 

tag list 

@whitewineandpizzapuffs @planet-naptune @thefandomplace @sebby-staan @poguesinablanket @witch-and-a-half @nojamsonmytoast @seanh-boredom @wanniiieeee @louweasleymalfoy @missryerye @big-galaxy-chaos @barnestatic @devilsbooksworld 

Odd one out taglist @loxbbg @louweasleymalfoy @isabellamur @hellion-writes @i-have-my-issues

[iguessitsjustme]

BL ~ Drama Asks

Still home sick and bored so why not. Thanks to @pose4photoml for tagging me

1.     If you had to watch one drama forever what would it be?

I’m taking this to mean that I can only watch this one drama and nothing else and it might surprise people but my answer isn’t a BL. It’s Vincenzo. I love that show. But since this is a BL asks game, I’ll also choose a BL for this...I’m gonna say Old Fashion Cupcake. It’s short but it hit all of my sweet spots (no pun intended) and I can’t see myself ever growing tired of it.

2.     If you could change the ending of a drama which one would it be?

Just one drama? How about two? My Gear and Your Gown and Enchante. MGAYG could have been so good, it just needed to be tightened up a bit and not throw in that random drama at the end. And Enchante was so very good until that ending.

3.     Name your favorite drama and tell who your favorite character was.

My favorite drama? Probably A Tale of A Thousand Stars and my favorite character was definitely Tian.

4.     Name a drama you dropped within the first few episodes ~ we all have at            least one!

I literally just dropped Check Out after 2 episodes. I’m not saying I’ll never finish it but I hated Nine so much I just couldn’t and then I kept hearing that it doesn’t really get better.

5.     Name a popular drama you've never watched and why?

I Told Sunset About You. I KNOW it’s good okay. I know it is. It just feels too real and I simply don’t want something that real. At least not right now. I will probably watch it eventually, just not any time soon.

6.     Name a drama you regret watching.

So I binged Hong Kong’s version of Ossan’s Love and then I immediately binged Japan’s version and I would not recommend anyone do this ever. It did weird things to my brain. It’s the same exact show but one is slightly more exaggerated (HK) and one is ever so slightly more serious (Japan). It’s a fine show just...don’t do what I did.

7.     Name a drama you thought you’d never watch but did and did you end up            liking it?

Cherry Blossoms After Winter. I’m normally not a fan of the stepbrothers trope and was going to not watch this, but I heard that it was actually cute and decided to give it a try and I am so glad I did. It is just genuinely one of the most wholesome and soft shows I’ve ever seen.

Also Secret Crush On You. I was very concerned about the stalker angle after reading the MDL summary but it started airing when I didn’t have a lot else to watch so I gave it a try and it ended up becoming one of my favorite shows ever.

8.     Name a pairing you want to see?

MacauChay. Also HinTum from Lovely Writer. I was happy to get bi representation with Tiffy but then I ended up hating her because she just decided that Tum was gay for reasons I can’t even fathom.

9.     Name a pairing you didn’t think had chemistry?

YuThanu. What even were they? They seemed like they were both from different alien species trying to convince the other one they were human and definitely wanted this relationship, yes, they definitely wanted it. I have more chemistry with the 30 pairs of socks I found on the ground by the dumpster than these two had with each other.

10.  Name a pairing you have seen in another drama that you like?

I’m guessing this means a pairing that’s in multiple shows that I like? I don’t actually have an answer for this. If it’s about the actors, then I’m not really a big fan of pairing actors together and basically making them a set. If it’s about characters, then I’d honestly rather only see the pairing in one show because otherwise that means there’s a second season and I do not trust second seasons.

I’m not going to tag anyone today, but if you want to do this, please go ahead. Just tag me in it so I can see your answers.

[raisinghellonstarbug]

Stumbled Into Laughter, Stumbled Into You - A James Acaster x Reader Story

Basic plot: The year is 2019, and life has been quite dull for you since working in a job that you hate for the past two years after graduating from university. You used to do stand up comedy at uni, but you’ve been putting off pursuing it due to lack of confidence and motivation. Your best mates decide to encourage you to try a comedy mic night for the first time ever and while there you incidentally run into an old mate of yours, comedian Rhys James. That’s when your life gets turned around as you end up diving into the world of the comedy circuit and becoming close with other famous British comedians. In the midst of it all, you end up meeting a particularly distinctive red headed fellow who might end up being the very thing that brings meaning to your life again.

*

A/N: Hello Acaster fans!

So this was an idea I have had in mind for the last few months and I finally finished the first chapter of my story!

Just so you know, the first chapter does not include James, but be patient as he will appear soon (but maybe not quite as soon as you hope). I do reckon it will be worth the wait for his appearance, or at least I hope the story is still enjoyable! It is a slow burn so if you are an inpatient person, then this story might not be for you ;)

You can read this chapter below or if you prefer, there is also the link to the chapter posted on Ao3 right here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/33748507

-

Rating: M

Chapter 1 word length: 2326

Characters: James Acaster (duh), Original Female Characters(s), Original Male Character(s), Rhys James, Ed Gamble, Nish Kumar, Josh Widdicombe

Relationships: James Acaster x Reader/you, Original female character/Original Male character

Story tags: Romantic comedy, domestic fluff, slow burn, fluff and smut, British comedy, eventual relationships

Tagging: @laurabeech @rilannon @jasclearwaters @marklily @queensantiagoofthe99

Chapter 1 - Summer 2019

You were sitting at your desk at your mundane job, practically ready to blow your brains out on the usual, dull Thursday afternoon. It was really warm and stuffy inside the fifteen story office block building situated in Canary Wharf. This was a place you found yourself five days a week, doing the typical 9 to 5 hours. A usual day for a usual person.

Your job wasn’t a particularly riveting one. As an underwriter for an insurance company, some days could get especially boring. You knew how to do the job well, but it was not something you really loved. It involved all kinds of clients and claims in paperwork and it sometimes felt tedious and unfulfilling. But hey, it still paid your share of rent and bills. At least you could say you could manage in the hustle and bustle of the London lifestyle.

It was nearly hometime and you were itching to get home and relax. But before that could happen, there were those last set of insurance cover forms you had to copy to get sent to the HR department. And so you typed away on your laptop, clickety clack, clickety clack… the minutes went by like a chalk on a blackboard, scraping away at a snail’s pace.

You put your full force of concentration on the documents on the screen until it was finally done. A sense of achievement was necessary in these moments despite your lack of enthusiasm. It was in the little victories you reminded yourself. You rubbed the sweat from the July heat off your forehead.

* * *

The last 2 hours eventually passed by and it was soon the rush to get out of the door before you got held up by your colleagues. They were nice enough, but sometimes they could hold you back for half an hour chatting when you just wanted to get home, or your manager might try and get you to stay an hour overtime.

Thankfully you did get out promptly, and as you ran and dashed out of the office building saying brisk goodbyes to coworkers, you managed to make it to the tube with the train just arriving on time. But not without being moderately sweaty and hot though. Bloody stuffy platforms.

As expected it was still a busy train with plenty of 5pm finishers getting themselves situated on the half crowded carriages, but as it was only 10 past, it wasn't the worst time of day for commuting yet.

You perched yourself on one of the tube’s seats and let your shoulders drop, having held the tension in your body from sitting at a desk all day. You placed your head slightly back, balancing it on the window of the train. You looked up momentarily above you and then lifted your head back up to look at your phone and choose a song to listen to on Spotify through your wireless earphones.

The streams of sound from one of your favourite songs began to play softly in your ears and you smiled, knowing that the song gave you a little bit of wistful joy. You started mouthing the words.

Call it all for nothing, but I'd rather be nothing to you. Than be a part of something, something that I didn’t do (Best to You - Blood Orange).

The words half mean something but not necessarily anything. You began to wonder about being part of something that you’re not.

I just wish I could float away from my unexciting existence… you thought to yourself.

It sometimes occurred to you that you might have wanted something more out of life, but weren’t entirely sure what. It doesn’t make you dreadfully sad, but you know that life for you hasn’t exactly been the best it could be, and that perhaps something was missing. You wish you knew what it was.

You sighed, ignoring the feeling of sorrow wash over you momentarily and propped yourself back up in the uncomfortable seat of the train. You tried to keep yourself awake so that you wouldn’t miss your stop. The music continued through your ears.

* * *

You opened the door of the three bedroom flat that you had been residing in for the last two years with your flatmates and sighed with relief that you had finally reached home. You hurried to get your handbag off your shoulder and your shoes off, placing them on the rack next to the front door and walked through the hallway.

The minute you poked your head through to the lounge, bellowing a faint hello to whoever was around, you were suddenly greeted by one of your best friends and flatmates, Grace.

“Ahh Y/n! You’re home. Thank christ!”

She grabbed you and reached her arms around to embrace you tightly. You were perplexed by this gesture as it was so random and unusual given that Grace lived with you and saw you everyday of the week. You frowned and reluctantly placed your arms around her to return the hug.

As she then let go, she looked at you with urgency in her eyes and shrieked with excitement, “Oh Y/n guess what? It looks like I’m up for a promotion! Can you believe it?”

Now processing the reason for such an embrace, you raised your eyebrows in glee and smiled proudly, gushing back to your best mate who was obviously chuffed by the matter.

“Oh wow Grace, that's fantastic! I mean, finally. It is about bloody time!”

She smiled, “Yes I guess it is. But I mustn't get too excited. I haven’t officially got the promotion yet.”

“Ah but no. I’m not having any of that. You will get that promotion. It is a guarantee. They would be idiots to not give it to you.” Grace rolled her eyes and bit her lip. She reluctantly nodded and agreed.

The smell of food distracted you momentarily from the conversation. It was a particularly appetising smell.

Grace uttered, “Yes that smell is good isn’t it? Theo insisted on cooking us a nice meal for me as a celebration.”

You smiled knowingly, having known about how Grace and Theo had been in relationship limbo ever since you three became close friends at university. You knew they both had feelings for each other but often danced around the subject, completely oblivious to one another’s obvious attraction to the other. You reckoned they had to do something about it one day.

“Thank fuck. I wasn’t prepared to make dinner tonight. I am too tired for that.”

Grace then had her worried face on. She instantly knew, as she knew you too well, but funnily enough never picked up on Theo’s emotions despite constantly wondering about them, that something was wrong.

“Are you ok babe?” she asked with a look of pity that you scornfully resented.

You sighed, half lying, “Yes. I’m fine. Just tired is all.”

You made a beeline for the couch knowing full well that you were going to talk about it whether you liked it or not. You knew that Grace would see right through your dishonesty and insist that you told her the problem.

So you waited until Grace inevitably sat next to you and gave you that sympathy look she always gave you before coming out with the concerns that were floating around your brain.

“OK fine. I know you won’t leave me alone unless I tell you.”

“Ahh, you know me so well…”

“Yes, just as you know me. I’m just- I’m fed up. Work was slow. I don’t really feel like I’m associated with my life. I feel... disconnected, I guess.”

“Do you have any idea why?”

You shrugged and looked down at the floor and then back at Grace smiling sheepishly, “I don’t know. Maybe I’m not- not fulfilled? I just don’t thoroughly enjoy my life right now.”

Grace nodded and put a hand on your leg. You twitched your face in slight discomfort. You hated it when you were given sympathy for something that seemed so miniscule. It wasn’t like you were dying.

It was times like this when you just wanted to curl up in your bed, eat a tub of ice cream and watch your favourite comedy programmes. 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown sprang to mind.

As you sat in momentary silence for a bit, Theo came waltzing through from the kitchen with his silly apron on that had a naked man’s body printed on it, and a spatula in his hand. He smiled at you.

“I thought I heard your voice. I hope meatballs for dinner are good tonight. Not mine of course,” gesturing to the apron as he said it.

You shook your head at Theo’s poor dad joke and stood up to hug him. You realised that you must be really down in the dumps to be hugging Theo. It was his turn to be confused. He looked towards Grace wide eyed.

“She’s had a particularly tough day. But mind you babe, you’ve kinda been like this for weeks now.”

You let go of Theo and turned to Grace, frowning and feeling slightly defensive. You placed a hand on your hip.

“Been like what? I’ve just been a bit fed up, that's all.”

“Yes but it’s not just a bit fed up. You said so yourself you feel disconnected. We’ve been waiting for you to say it.”

You looked to Theo and he nodded gently in agreement.

“Ok… but, nothing is really wrong exactly. My life is fine.”

“Fine, yes. But not amazing. We know it’s getting you down. And the job is the problem.”

“But I’m good at it. And it pays the bills. What else am I supposed to do?”

Grace then looked away from your eyes then, twitching her lip and looking as though she was holding something back. She then sighed and began to admit something you had not been expecting.

“OK look. We know what you can do. Theo and I have figured it out. We can manage money wise. It will be tight, but if you quit your job we should be able to help you out for a little bit.”

Your eyes grew wider than large saucepans. You were totally bewildered and your mouth slightly agape.

“What? Quit my job? Why? What work would I get instead?”

“Well, maybe you won't quit your job yet. Maybe you’re right, that's too hasty. Perhaps what I’m trying to say is-”

Theo then chimed in, “-what Grace is trying to say is…”

You smirked to yourself. How do they not realise that they’re already a couple but without the sex? They’re practically married for christ sake.

“...we reckon that you need to pursue your passion. Perhaps stop wasting your talents in an office job that you hate.”

Grace continued, “yes exactly. We have had an idea in mind. See, we want you to go to this thing… it’s no biggie but well, we’ve already booked it for you.”

Your mind was racing. You couldn’t understand anything that they were saying to you. It was all too much for you to manage.

“Booked what for me? What the hell are you both going on about?”

They both looked at each other with reluctance, pondering the moment and whether to tell you the whole truth. They both shrugged and Grace was then pulling her phone out, this whole conversation beginning to appear as though they had been trying to practice it.

Suddenly Grace’s phone screen was wavering in your face. You moved your head closer to see a photo on the screen. It was a comedy club night poster. Incidentally, it was an open mic night event happening on Saturday night. You began to then put the puzzle pieces together. You folded your arms and frowned heavily.

“What the fuck have you two done now?”

Theo softly spoke, “We… booked you a slot to do that comedy open mic event thing, on Saturday night.”

“Wait. As in to perform? You can’t be serious-”

Grace tried to reassure you and grabbed your arm.

“Look, we know it might seem daunting, but we just wanted to see you happy again. It’s been two years since we graduated and you haven’t performed since then. We thought it might be good to encourage you to perform again. You were always funny to us. And people at uni thought so too. You have the stand up talent, Y/n.”

You could not process anymore. You shook your head in disbelief and placed your head in your hands, rubbing your eyes from sudden exhaustion. You then threw your hands up in exasperation. It was not possible. You could not do that again.

Fucking no way. I can’t be on stage again! It’s too scary. University pub nights are one thing but a comedy club?

You shook your head again and placed your hands on your hips. Grace tried to speak up again seeing the frustration painted across your face. In fact it was anger that your friends chose to do this without your say so.

“Y/n…”

“No. Nope. I’m not doing it. No.”

“But Y/n, we were also going to tell you that Theo is also thinking of doing the same thing! He wants to do his music again. What harm would it be for you to rejuvenate your comedy skills? Surely you can write a quick couple of gags. Nothing strenuous. You have your old material from university, right?”

You had to get out of the room. Nothing that they were saying to you could be fully accepted at that moment.

You then gave them no choice but to let you go with your head in a flurry. They both watched you leave the room, mumbling something along the lines of I’m not really hungry anymore, I’m going to bed. Soon after, you darted across the other end of the hallway, ill-tempered and almost seething, and slammed your bedroom door shut.

[cinebration]

Cuts & Bruises, Wounds & Abuses (Captain Syverson x Reader) [Part 15]

You visit the water station.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Epilogue

Tagged: @scuzmunkie, @thethirstyarchive, @maan24, @igotkatiepowers, @sugarpenchant, @lamthetwickster, @omgkatinka, @helloitsmeamie203, @simply-heaven, @l-u-n-a-m, @fckdeusername, @woterezwhet, @olkathechaoticfox, @bethabear12, @bloodyinspiredfuck, @flor-la-ganga95, @nothingright, @tapismyforte, @thebonzifonzibrothers, @peakymidwinter, @fanfictionaddiction99, @thereisa8ella, @kmuir1, @bichibibi, @love-yourself-first-tfw, @thorins-queen-of-erebor, @lou-la-lou, @kat002nd, @babypink224221, @speakerforthedead0, @rn7rocks, @sofiebstar, @wheretheriversrunintothesea​, @thatchickwiththecamera​, @louiiissa​, @october505​, @turkish276​, @heartfelt-pen​, @mstgsmy​, @kazzilla​, @alyxkbrl​, @suhke3​, @summersong69​, @untraveled-road​, @wiccanmetallicrose​, @crispysublimecupcake​, @evangeline73aster​, @eldarwen333​, @calwitch​, @contentobsessor, @noseyrosey1597​, @the-problem-of-leisure​, @itsjusttaralove​, @wellfucksorrymum​

Warnings: none

Gif Source: demivampirew

Taut silence filled the drive to the water station. The closer you drew to the structure, the more apprehensive you became. You caught yourself staring through the windows, looking for threats. Were there land mines on the road? Did another RPG lie in wait to take out the armored vehicle?

By the time you reached the station, a cold sweat broke out over your skin. Your left arm fired a steady barrage of pain the harder you tried to ignore it, as though the anxiety, the very idea of being attacked again, had reignited your flesh.

You wanted to claw at it.

As the Humvee turned down the road leading to the station, the lone building looming ahead, you glanced up to see Syverson’s eyes reflected in the rearview mirror.

Staring straight at you.

You tried to smile, but the attempt fell short.

The vehicle lurched to a halt.

Stifling sudden panic, you waited for Syverson to open your door before climbing out of your seat. Grabbing your camera bag, you slung it over one shoulder and picked up the tripod you had brought. Instead of pen and paper, you had a handheld tape recorder. As long as you didn’t need to change the tape, you’d be able to handle all the interviews with the men at the station just fine.

Several soldiers busied themselves around the destroyed pipes, trying to clear out the rubble. In the adjacent building, one soldier stood lookout at the door while another paced atop the roof.

You felt a hand brush yours and tug gently on the tripod. Jumping in surprise, you nearly knocked the captain with the tripod.

“What’re you doing?”

His mouth tightened. “Helping.”

“I can do it.”

“It looks heavy.”

“It is heavy.” The tripod was made of aluminum. Although only five-and-a-half pounds, lugging it around for an extended period of time definitely wore you down—even more so now that you carried it with one hand.

“Then let me help.”

You shook your head. “I’ve. Got. It.”

Syverson’s gaze flitted to your injured arm before fixing on your face, his expression hardening. Turning away from you, he walked up the mild slope to the damaged area.

Feeling stung, you trudged after him. The loose soil shifted beneath your feet as you made your way to the building. With the camera bag pulling you one way and the tripod another, you felt winded by the time you reached Syverson.

He introduced you to the soldier leading the construction operation. Setting the tripod against the nearest wall, you pulled out your tape recorder, turned it on, and began asking the questions you had memorized that morning.

Syverson’s gaze bored into you for the next two hours as you interviewed the men and toured the site. You felt it burning through your neck. Trying to ignore it, you threw yourself into the work.

As the sun reached its zenith, you finished the last interview and scanned the landscape. You turned to Syverson.

“Is it…safe to go over there?” You pointed to a small rise overlooking the station.

Syverson glanced at the area and nodded. Picking up your tripod again, you trekked after him.

By the time you reached the top, fatigue had settled into your muscles. The voice of reason whispered in the back of your mind, attributing it to the trauma of your injury.

You shoved it back and scouted the hill for the best shot of the station.

“How long have you been doing this?”

You jumped, heart stuttering against your ribs. Glancing at Syverson, you answered, “Doing what?”

“Taking photos. Writing stuff.”

Balancing the tripod between your legs, you tried to unscrew the first section to extend it. “Forever, I guess. I learned photography from my dad and writing from my mom.” You wrestled with the tripod, managed to get the knob to turn a fraction. “This tripod was my dad’s, actually. He doesn’t do photography anymore. Not professionally.”

You frowned. Why were you telling him all this? Better yet, why was he asking?

The knob refused to turn further. Clenching the tripod tighter between your legs, you tried to muscle it. It refused to budge.

Without thinking, you grabbed the tripod with your left hand.

Pain exploded up your arm. Crying out, you dropped the tripod and fell to your knees, cradling the arm. Tears of pain and frustration blurred your vision.

Syverson caught the tripod before it rolled down the hill. He crouched beside you, a hand on your shoulder. “Breathe.”

Air whistled out between your clenched teeth.

“Breathe.”

Forcing yourself to inhale deeply, you held the breath for a moment, then exhaled slowly. The pain began to dissipate.

The frustration didn’t. The tears kept pushing out from behind your eyes, rolling hot and fast down your cheeks.

“The pain will go away.”

“It isn’t that,” you frowned. “It’s this…I can’t use it! I’m useless!”

Syverson’s warm hand rubbed across the nape of your neck. “Hawkins said you can use it. It’s just a flesh wound—”

“I can’t even look at it! Every time I do, I can’t…” The sobs stuttered out of you. “I just think of Deakins and how selfish I am that I hate my arm when he died. I should feel lucky, not like this.”

Syverson’s hand kept you from slumping over and curling into a ball. You fought to stem the flood of tears.

“There’s not a single soldier out there without some sort of survivor’s guilt.” His voice rumbled low in your ear. “We all feel it. You are lucky, but it’s okay to…feel differently.”

Choking back a sob, you forced yourself to look at him. Pain etched his face in stark relief, his eyes soft with concern. His thumb continued rubbing against your skin.

“I know,” you muttered, the tears abating. “I just…I can’t move past it.”

“You have to. This is your calling. You can’t leave it.”

His words struck home. Nodding heavily, you traced patterns in the dirt with your good hand. You felt so tired, worn out by the burden you had carried.

You sat in silence for a few minutes. The sun beat down mercilessly on your head, but you didn’t feel it. All you felt was Syverson’s calming touch.

“What now?” he finally asked.

Wiping your nose with your sleeve, you mumbled, “See what Mahmoud brings back from the sheikh and then go home.”

“My interview?”

You arched your eyebrows at him. “For someone who didn’t want me around, you sure want me to interview you.”

“You’re…less annoying than I thought.”

You burst into laughter. A smile crept across Syverson’s face.

“And here I thought you just wanted to get it over with so I would leave sooner.”

The smile slipped. His hand dropped away from you.

Feeling its loss, you added, “You have the right to refuse the interview.”

“No. I want to do it.” The words tumbled out too fast.

“Okay.” Your attention drifted out toward the station. “I still need photos.”

Syverson hefted up the tripod and began extending the collapsible legs. “Tell me where.”

Something stirred in you as you looked up at him, his face set with determination. Struggling with it, you pointed in front of you and directed him where the tripod needed to be.

Where had the hostile captain from the first day gone?

[optimistic-dinosaur-nacho]

Which Chris Evans characters would be the biggest fans of just making out on the couch (nothing more, nothing less. just making out) on a rainy day?

Which characters portrayed by the dumb sweater dork Chris Evans would be the biggest fans of making out on the couch on a rainy day?

 I got you. From my experience-- I mean my perspective of watching these characters in action on screen, well here’s my way of how MUCH they love make out sessions on the couch.

Warnings: Implied smut, language

Characters: Chris Evans, Steve Rogers, Ransom Drysdale, Colin Shea, Jake Jensen, Andy Barber, Johnny Storm

Chris Evans Rating: 9/10

(Not a character but must go first cause... he’s cute)

This man has no problem on a rainy day, even though it ruins his day out on a trail in his home town or he can’t spend the day out with you. But it’s okay! You got him where you want him. A day at home with Dodger by your side. Watching your favorite show. Chris is all in for the affection and he’s not the one who makes the first move but he loves to have his arm around you. Making out on the couch is rarely made. Sometimes smalls kisses, you two can go back and forth and then it just ends towards the bed. 

It depends on who’s in the mood for a make out sesh. You sometimes are. But if you’re watching something you don’t like but Chris does, he might cut the session and go back to watching with you closer than before and his hands are roaming but he will pause the show. If no shows and you just miss him on that rainy day and you two talk and talk about your days, it’ll end up in a make out session too. Sometimes Dodger gets kicked off the couch or he leaves and sleeps on his own bed. And maybe there’s music in the background, you know how he is.

Steve Rogers Rating: 7/10

Steve’s very affectionate when it comes to you. He’s going to do whatever to keep you company and make sure you aren’t alone. You’re surprised why I gave him a seven. I take him as a soft kisser, meaning he isn’t always going to make a kiss last for more than a minute. But not because he doesn’t want to, he just can’t find the right moment to unless it’s in bed. On a rainy day, he’s going to hold you on the couch, you’re going to watch a film or show and he’s going to keep you there forever. 

He can’t find the way to start it but if you do, he just goes with the flow but he’s always unsure it’s the right time to so he’s cautious of where he hands are. If comfortable around you, sure he’s going to pull you onto his lap and kiss you for good long minutes before pulling away. “You should finish your movie, doll.”

Ransom Drysdale  Rating: 11/10

This man has no other plans. If you’re willing to make out with him, he’s going to do it and he’s not letting you take the lead. He’s mostly the one who jumps first. He doesn’t enjoy much of your binge on films and shows, he gets bored easily with television. He’s going to have you at any time and any place. You’re watching TV and he’s sighing every minute, silently complaining on the quietness and your pleasure in watching what you put on for your liking. 

It’s raining out. It’s hitting the roof and the windows, it’s calming but Ransom would love it if he had you hum on his lips. Mostly on raining days (his favorite), you always got yourself hot chocolate or if you’re lucky a peppermint one. He loves tasting that on your tongue and when he reaches for that remote, he turns off the TV. “Hey! We aren’t finished with the season-!” He’s got you under him and you forgot about the TV. His hair falling over his face and tickling your forehead, you tug on his sweater but he grabs your wrist. “Easy with your grip. This costs a lot, baby girl.” You reach up to his hair then tugged on that earning a grunt and his lips back onto yours. 

Colin Shea Rating: 10/10

Colin Shea is a couch potato. And he never learns to remove his shoes off your couch but you just have to allow it sometimes. The couch is big enough to have you both sleep on there. He’s sleeping most of the time on your couch when you leave for work. On this rainy day, too, the rain can be soothing sometimes to fall asleep with. Coming up to see him on your couch asleep and when he wakes up, a grin forms weakly on his lips. “Hey, sleepy head.”

“I was watching the door for 2 hours,” He says.

You nod, “I bet.” Making your way over to the tired baby, you leaned down to kiss him as a greeting but his foot catches the back of your knee and you stumble onto him with a huff including himself with the chest-to-chest impact, you laugh on his lips when he chuckles. You then kissed him. His hand lazily droops over your back and yours reaches up to caress his jaw. Colin is a good kisser and he does like to take the kissing and making out further. But this time, you just get the lazy kisses ever today but you loved it anyway.

Jake Jensen Rating: 10000/10

Jake Jensen is that guy for the make out couch session. He’s a flirter and he loves making the first move. He enjoys so much of the couch make out. Rainy days, it’s the perfect time for him. He’s not smooth most of the time, but he knows how to play it cool. He’s not much of a sore loser. A non-stop talker, you can shut him up with a kiss and he’ll forget what he was saying. Jake Jensen is a BIG fan of rainy day make out sessions. It goes over the roof. 

Sometimes you’d tease him, saying you want to finish the movie and he’ll just sit there and pout. “Did I do something wrong?” He would ask you, you’ll just shake your head with a grin. “I’m not in the mood,” You would lie. His shoulder were drop, “Seemed like you were...” But don’t worry, you’ll be the one to say ‘fuck it’ and turn off the TV to continue what the Loser started. 

And be careful.

“Ergh, Jensen!!”

Unwanted guest may walk in on your session.

Andy Barber Rating: 8/10 (okay mr. barber)

He’s a very affectionate, he’s domestic a lot. He’s going to give you much love when it doesn’t even need to be given. He does it every second to let you know every second that he’s lucky to have you and that he worships you. When it comes to Andy, he’s very classic. With a family, he’s going to watch movies with you and the kid(s). 

When the kid(s) are out with their friend’s spending the night, he’s always going to have time with you. A movie in the living room and old time show you two watched as kids in high school. Either with a lot of kids or that your only child is bothering you every second of the day, Andy has his time with you for the next 12 hours. He’s going to show you how much he’s happy with you and the kids. Maybe want another. Making out on the couch on a rainy day is always rare, but he loves to do it. He’ll whisper how much he loves you, how much he wanted this family. Even as kids, you two made out on your dad’s couch, sometimes in your bedroom. So this brought a lot of memories, his hand caressing your thigh under the small grey blanket as he kisses you lovingly.

Even with so much time, he’s willing to take his slow. Amazing kisser and so much loving to go towards you.

Johnny Storm Rating: 8/10 (obviously)

Johnny Storm (my boyfriend), lucky, lucky you! Johnny’s going to love making out on the couch. Uninterrupted make out session on the couch but it is done very often. Most of his partners aren’t always around so he’s got his time with you on the couch to watch something. Sometimes you both would get bored in the film and just jump on each other’s bones. Sometimes the guy could get very heated in the session and you’d have to take off your top because he just heats up too quick. Breaking a sweat in a make out session, isn’t normal but it’s Johnny so you just keep going. 

When someone mentions the sweat on your forehead you simply say, “Gym day.” And they’ll believe you. Then Johnny’s there smirking in the corner. He’s very flirty and he wants his way with you. Whatever affect he has on you, he’s going to up his confidence and keep going. So just be warned, this man can’t control himself most of the time. Especially his heat.

Official Taglist:

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[sylvie-writes]

❅ Christmas Gala ❅

❅ pairing: ransom drysdale x reader 

❅ prompt: “Out of all the seats, and you willingly choose the one beside me? Should I be concerned?” @/coffin-prompts

❅ summary: ransom has a plus one to take to the gala, so he decides to extend the invitation to his assistant. it’s nothing more than business, right?

❅ warnings: slight age-gap, a few curse words and that’s about it.

❅ word count: 2,424

❅ author’s note: i know i have a lot of requests to write, but i needed to get the gears turning if that makes any sense. i’m trying to test the waters here. once again, i’m not going to be cranking out fics every week, but here’s me shooting my shot. the story may seem slow in the beginning, but it will pick up, i promise!

(gif below is not mine, nor do i take credit for it) 

***please excuse any mistakes***

December 24th, the night of the annual Christmas Eve Gala. Every year, prestigious and wealthy families were invited to the charity event held at the Center for the Arts in Boston. Among those who were invited, were the Thrombeys and Drysdales. Your boss, Ransom, also happened to be invited to the event and for some unusual reason, he decided to extend the invitation to you as the invite included a plus one. 

A knock on the door of your apartment distracted your thoughts from your focused typing. Standing from your seat at the table, you curiously made your way to the front. You hadn’t invited anyone over and rarely did you receive solicitors. 

Taking no time, you opened the door to be greeted by an older man, holding a gorgeous red midi dress hanging inside of a plastic dry clean bag. With furrowed brows, you quickly shot your eyes to the tag on the man’s uniform. The name of the local dry cleaner embroidered onto the pocket. 

“Delivery for (y/n)?”

Nodding uneasily you reached forward and took the dress from the smiling man who left as soon as the dress was in your hold. You held the hanger with one hand and with the other dug to see the ticket along with the Michael Kors tag. 

You only knew one person who would do such a thing, and reading the name on the receipt confirmed your suspicions.

Ransom.

There was an hour and a half till Ransom would be here to pick you up. Honestly, before you were surprised with the dress, you were contemplating not going altogether. Diligently, you finished up Ransom’s schedule for the week and shut off your laptop, running to go and get ready. 

The person staring back at you in the mirror made even you swoon. Ransom had surprised you once again by having selected the correct size for you. A flattering sweetheart neckline fell comfortably on your chest as the off the shoulder sleeves hugged you just enough to where they didn’t slide. You ran your hands over the sides of your body, smoothing the dress out. Bringing your gaze down to your feet, you stepped forward to sleep your feet into the heels in front of you. Taking one last check in the mirror, you were satisfied with the look and decided to once more head to the front door. 

Searching through the small coat closet, you rummaged through the many jackets, eventually finding your most prized possession. Practically brand new, you slipped on the tan trench coat that you had bought with your first real paycheck a few years back. Right out of college, you hopped onto this job and for the past five years, you’ve worked for Ransom. The pay was good and you couldn’t complain. 

To some, this trench coat wouldn’t be anything, but to you, it was the most expensive thing you owned as it was also the first designer piece of clothing you had ever owned and purchased. Once the jacket covered your shoulders, a knock sounded on the door. With Ransom’s usual impeccable timing, you correctly assumed it was him as it was exactly 8 o’clock on the dot. 

You opened the door to see the man out of his usual sweater and slacks, but instead wearing a suit and tie, making your mouth water. Apparently he felt the same way as Ransom’s jaw slightly hinged opened and you giggled. Taking two fingers and gently pushing it back up.

“You’re staring, boss.”

Ransom shook his head and muttered out a quick “right.”

He held out an arm for you and you latched on, the two of you heading for his car. 

Arriving, you were met with Joni’s “friendly” shriek of your name. Linda paid no mind to your entrance and her scowl made you cower into Ransom’s hold. He reassuringly squeezed your arm and walked even closer to the family. In his usual cold manner, Ransom greeted his mother and then turned his attention to his father who was currently arguing with Walt. How all of them managed to piggyback onto the perks of having the Thrombey name, you’ll never know. 

As Ransom fueled his father and uncle’s argument, you wandered off to Meg who gave you a small smile. Currently, she was trying to get Jacob to talk, but he was too invested into whatever was playing on his phone. 

With a defeated sigh you went back to Ransom, running to him like a little mindless sheep. As much as you hated it, leeching onto Ransom around was the only thing to do since you felt so out of place at this event.

For what felt like a good hour, you were on your feet and unknowingly becoming Ransom’s arm candy. You both had made your way from the family and to the crowd. Filled with unease, you downed more flutes of champagne than you could count. All you knew is that jaws were moving and yet you didn’t hear or care to listen to a single word. 

At some point even Ransom had somehow managed to ditch you and with no one else to run to, you eventually found your way into the theater. The usher politely showed you around to a seat even though they were not assigned. You plopped down into the seat, taking off those awful heels seeing as no one else was in the theater. 

You sat in the empty space for what must have been a good half hour. Save for your phone, you were extremely bored and most of all tired, already fighting your eyelids that were heavily falling. At some point, chatter fell upon your ears and you quickly blinked the sleep out of your eyes. 

A few rows over, you could spot Linda and Richard, and then as you turned your head the other way, the rest of the clan was in sight. They all came from different directions, but ultimately ended up sitting behind you. Your eyes sifted through the crowd, although there was no sign of Ransom.

You had expected he’d be off with someone by now, but for some reason a small part of you had been expecting him to stay with you. A sad sigh left your lips and you then delicately crossed your legs over each other, leaning back in the chair. If Ransom was going to leave you all alone, you might as well enjoy the free show and hell, enjoy yourself. After all, it was once in a blue moon that you got all dolled up like this and truly had a good time. 

As much as Ransom acted like he didn’t care about you, you both knew that was the complete opposite. The little things he did allowed you to see that. Sometimes he would order you your favorite meal, or make you a cup of coffee for when you arrived at his house. As for tonight, Ransom knew how much you enjoyed plays and dances, hence why he invited you. In Ransom’s own way, that’s how he showed his love, through money and such. The man was raised that way which gave him the idea that this was the only way to love. Your heart ached for him as he didn’t know that there was more to love than money. Honestly, sometimes you did try to show him that, with sweet hugs and such. Like a grumpy old man, he’d grumble and try to push you off of him, but he really didn’t try hard enough. Just like a few hours ago, when he had let you hang off of his arm, which was a sign that Ransom was slowly easing into the whole idea.

The doors to the theater were harshly shut and the sound bounced off the walls, grabbing your attention. You lifted your head to scan around the room for Ransom’s face one last time when a hand grasped onto your shoulder.

“Looking for me, sweetheart?”

A cheeky grin was on the man’s luscious lips and it took everything in you to not lean forward and kiss away said grin. Instead, you just crossed your arms over your chest and scoffed with faux annoyance. Ransom threw his arm around your shoulders and brought his fingers up to the side of your face. With gentle strokes using the very tips of his soft fingers, Ransom brushed some hair behind your ear. Trying not to be bothered by his actions, you decided to speak up. 

“Out of all the seats, and you willingly choose the one beside me? Should I be concerned?”

As the lights go down and the show begins, you see Ransom shake his head with a slight smirk. As he does so, he lowers his hand from your hair and starts lightly tracing shapes on your bare shoulder. 

“I’m offended you’d think such a thing, (y/n). Can I not just sit with my lovely assistant who I love so much?”

Ransom was whispering in your ear at this point, but you could still hear the playfulness in his voice. A quiet laugh fell from your lips and you just shook your head disapprovingly.

“No, not after you ditched her in the lobby.”

Before Ransom can apologize, the show begins and your attention is now drawn towards the beautiful opening number. 

The show goes on, and you grow sleepy. It’s not that you weren’t enjoying the performances, no they were captivating, but you were just exhausted and definitely not one wired for these high strung events. You were tired from just merely pretending to be friendly and kind around these people. They had barely turned an eye to you since your last name wasn’t from an affluent family and you surely didn’t have a silver spoon resting on your lips. Especially with the title of “Ransom’s assistant” virtually floating over your head, the people you had met could have cared less if you were instead a dog on a leash. 

Ransom still had his arm wrapped around your shoulder and his dancing fingers were lulling you to sleep. With a soft yawn, you riskily laid your head on Ransom’s own inviting shoulder. He smiled sweetly at your trust and turned his head to place a delicate kiss on the crown of your head. Although the other Thrombeys surrounded you both, Ransom didn’t care. As far as he was concerned, their heads were too far up their asses for them to even notice your interaction with the man.

You hummed in content and snuggled a bit into his side. 

Once the show ended, Ransom gently shook you awake before anyone could see you had fallen asleep. He rose from his seat first and held out his hands for you. Sleepily, you placed them in his as the man helped you from your own seat. Unfortunately, the row of seats you were sitting in was long and you had sat smack dab in the middle, meaning you’d be standing a long while. At the moment, your back was turned towards Ransom. His radiating warmth made you more susceptible to the cold air of the room as it hit your once warm skin. Ransom noticed your chilly shaking as you ran your hands over your arms in a desperate attempt to warm yourself. Wasting no time, the man hurriedly shed off his jacket and draped it over your shoulders since your back was facing him. He placed his hands on your now-covered shoulders and leaned down to quickly kiss the base of your neck. Just as you were about to turn and face him, the line before you started to move, leaving you no time to do so.

Eventually you made it back into the lobby, where neither you or Ransom decided to speak up about the events that had just occurred. He hastily grabbed your hand and led you to the family where you had assumed you’d be socializing once more. With your free hand, you rubbed the sleep from your eyes, accidentally smearing your makeup and internally groaning as you did so. You were about to let Ransom know you were heading off to fix your makeup when instead you heard the man bidding goodbye to the family. 

“Ransom, where are we going?”

The man walked with determination and pulled you along with him, the two of you showing up at the coat check. The attendant reached over the counter as Ransom took the two jackets from the young man. He turned towards you and simply responded, “We are going home.”

You cocked your head to the side, confused as you thought he’d still want to socialize a bit. The night was still young as Joni liked to say and she said way more than you liked, too.

“I thought you’d want to hang out a bit more, Ransom?”

He continued walking out the door, but still held up his end of the conversation.

“I saw how tired you were and figured we should head out before it got any later.”

Stopping dead in your tracks and right outside of the building, you turned to the man with an unreadable expression. The freezing night wind hit your face like needles, yet you still stood in your place.

“Seriously? If that’s the case I could have just taken an Uber, you know. I’m not here to be a pain in your ass.”

Ransom shook his head and you looked up at him with squinted and suspicious eyes.

“You could never be a pain in my ass. Especially with all of the things you do for me.” The man looked down on you now. His eyes meeting your own. 

“First off, I would not have you ride in an Uber this late,” bringing his hand to your chin, he continued, “and second, this is what you do when you love someone… right?”

He looked almost sheepish now and you had to refrain from making some cutesy expression at his adorable face. Proud of his realization, you excitedly nodded and with great confidence, pressed your lips to his. 

Ransom brought his hands to your waist and pulled you even closer as if he could lose you by not doing so. The two of you then leaned away after some time, small and sweet smiles on both of your faces. Ransom held his hand out for you, leading you to the car and eventually to his house, where you’d spend your first night together enjoying precious time spent in each other’s company. 

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[julemmaes]

Honey extra - The Sex Playlist + a little scene

Elide Lochan x Lorcan Salvaterre roommates au

A/N: I posted part five on the same day acosf was released, so if you didn’t see it, go read it, cause it’s.. long and it took me years to finish and I saw it didn’t get the same attention the previous parts did, and yeah

fic masterlist

this takes place somewhere between part five and six

Elide was one of the few lucky girls whose period was never too bothersome. The pain was always very bearable and only lasted a few hours, and most of the time, it wasn't even a real pain, just a slight pressure in the lower abdomen. She could go about her day without having to stop every few minutes because of a cramp - unlike Aelin, who died every month as if someone was stabbing her in the guts.

She also didn't have a heavy flow, which she would always thank the gods for, if they existed. She couldn't understand how her friends could put up with such misfortune.

Not that they could do otherwise, of course, but she was always in awe when they told her about their period-catastrophes. She knew that if it were her turn to suffer like that every time, she would rip her uterus out of her belly.

And at that moment, lying in a fetal position on Lorcan's bed, she wasn't entirely sure she'd be able to keep from doing it herself before the cramping stopped. Because for some strange reason, her body had decided to turn against her this month.

The last two weeks had gone by in the blink of an eye, she and Lorcan had fucked on every surface in the house and between work and classes and studying, Elide had gotten very little sleep. Considering also that every time she lay down, her boyfriend would slip in behind her and she couldn't say no to herself, to that pleasure so exhaustive and ecstatic, it made her forget that her body needed rest.

It had taken Lorcan to remind her that they couldn't go on like this.

So when she'd found a bloodstain in her underwear the previous night, just before going to bed after her shift at the diner, she hadn't worried so much and had thought that they'd finally take a few days off and maybe her body would calm down.

Elide wasn't a fan of period sex and the few times she'd done it she'd been so grossed out that she'd risked barfing in the middle of it. It simply wasn't for her.

What she hadn't expected though, had been cramps so strong they had pulled her from sleep in the middle of the night. Elide had gotten up and gone to the bathroom because she'd started moving around too much and didn't want to wake up the boy sleeping blissfully next to her. She had started pacing the living room, trying to figure out what the fuck she was in such pain for.

When it felt like someone had stuck both hands in her uterus and was digging their nails into her ovaries, Elide had knelt on the floor by the couch, leaning forward with her fists pressed against her stomach.

Lorcan had found her in that position around half past four.

To say he'd been scared out of his wits would be an understatement.

He'd thrown himself to the floor beside her almost immediately, all traces of weariness gone the second he'd heard her whimper in pain and seen that Elide was biting her lower lip so hard it was drawing blood.

When they had established that it was just her cycle, Lorcan had taken her back to his bed and now they were both lying between the soft blankets she had given him.

They had both been puzzled by this new symptom. After all, Lorcan had never seen her suffer from her period in all the years they had lived together and neither of them had expected it to be any different this time.

Elide had had to joke that it was the fault of his huge cock that had literally stabbed her in the uterus, and Lorcan had apologised in earnest, looking at her with wide eyes and pulling away a little, as if he really felt guilty. She had burst out laughing and then pulled him to her again, taking one of his arms and putting it around her body so that his big hand covered her belly.

He'd started moving his fingers over her lower abdomen, applying pressure from time to time when she seemed to tense up due to a cramp. It helped, somehow, to have him there to massage her. To hold her to his chest as they cuddled.

Now, Elide kept her eyes closed, his head resting on top of hers as they both dozed. Or at least she thought so, because Lorcan spoke, his rough, low voice too close to her ear, "How do you feel?"

She sighed, pulling her knees up slightly. His legs immediately followed her, as if they couldn't bear to be away from her body. She smiled, "A little better." then yawned, "I guess it's the fact that I was already tired as it is, what with university and all."

Lorcan hummed behing her, "I see," then he moved, pulling away only briefly, "maybe we should take it slower, with everything I mean."

Elide nodded slowly. She turned her head towards him, still with her eyes closed, but pursed her lips forward, silently inviting him to kiss her. He chuckled, but a second later their mouths clashed in a simple peck on the lips.

The music playing from the speakers suddenly changed from the sweet melody of a love song to something quite different.

"Cause I eat up for a while, let me through. The shake, the screaming aloud, I'ma fool. In my face you shake, leaking everywhere."

Elide's eyes went wide, "Lorcan!" she let go a surprised chuckle, "What is this?" she turned to him fully and could finally see the satisfied smirk on his face.

"It's a playlist I made yesterday," he then lowered his voice an octave, looking at her lips, "For when we can take the time to think about music instead of jumping right into it," he murmured.

Elide swallowed, nodding slowly, continuing to listen to the song.

Definitely very different from what he normally provided her with.

"I like it," she continued, then draped her arms underneath his, resting her head against his chest as he pulled her close to him and lay on his back, making her lie completely on top of him, "our sex playlist." she smiled, playing with the ends of his hair.

Lorcan hummed again and Elide felt it throughout her whole body when he said, "I called it 'elide'."

She had to force herself to calm the hot spirits that that new information had triggered in her body, but she was glad to know that he wouldn't be able to use that playlist with other people, considering it bore her name.

"I like it even more now," she confessed under her breath.

His arms tightened around her back and then his hands began to rub her lower back, where he knew she was feeling the most pain. Elide fell silent, enjoying his warm hands on her skin, and only had time to thank him before sleep beckoned her again.

The playlists

01.02

1. The Fixer – Brent Morgan

2. Why iii Love The Moon – PHONY PPL

3. Couch Potato – Jakubi

4. Anyway – Noah Kahan

5. comethru – Jeremy Zucker

6. Why Not Me – Forrest.

7. Loving – Surfaces

8. always, i’ll care – Jeremy Zucker

9. Like Strangers Do – AJ Mitchell

10. Yellow Lights – Harry Hudson

11. Glue Myself Shut – Noah Kahan

12. Colour Me – Juke Ross  

13. Lovesong (The Way) – Charlie Burg

14. Lucky Love – Michael Seyer

15. Freak In Me – Mild Orange

elide

1. Skin – Rihanna

2. Do It For Me – Rosefield

3. Body Party – Ciara

4. When We – Tank

5. Rockstar – Rihanna

6. F***in Wit Me – Tank

7. On Top – Trey Songz

8. Acquainted – The Weeknd

9. Freaky – Gemaine

10. Make You Feel – Alina Baraz

11. First Fuck - 6LACK & Jhené Aiko

12. Young God - Halsey

13. How Many Times – DJ Khaled

14. Fuck You All The Time – Jeremih

18.02

1. I Don't Know Me Like You Do – Low Hum

2. I Don't Wanna Be Okay Without You – Charlie Burg

3. Why Can't I Have You – Gloria Laing

4. If I Go, I'm Goin – Gregory Alan Isakov

5. Let Me In – Skinny Living

6. Reason To Hate You – Rhys Lewis

7. Be Your Man – Rhys Lewis

8. Yours – Jake Scott

9. Loved Us More – Munn

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[marvelfansince08love]

Dream Girl

Word Count: 2546

Pairing: Oceans 8 Tammy x Fem!Reader 

Prompts: 8 “You think I’m beautiful?” and 39 “ “Go fuck yourself.” “How about you fuck me yourself, you coward?!” 

Warning: Happy ending, soft pining. 

A/N: For anon, I hope you enjoy love! We do love some Tammy content x

Tags: @waitingfortheendtocome @natasha-danvers @saucy-sapphic @witchxaf​ @j-does-life​ @coconutlipss​ 

Not my gif! This is Tammy’s face to R throughout this mess lmao x

Prompts 8, 39

“Guys I want to introduce you to an old friend of ours. This is Y/N.” Debbie gestures towards you as you lean confidently against the door frame of the front entrance to Lou’s warehouse apartment. You lift a hand in greeting chewing slowly on a piece of gum, you wink at the brunette stranger who you’ve seen on the big screens before who giggles in return. You can practically feel Debbie’s eye roll as Lou chuckles quietly amused by your confident nature. 

“Nice to meet you all.” You address the women who are new to the group, before turning your attention to the woman who’s brown eyes stare hard at your form. “Tammy, always a pleasure.” You smirk cheekily at the blonde woman who scoffs irritably as she crosses her arms across her chest. Her brown eyes leave your own and turn accusingly to your childhood friend. 

“Really? Lizzie wasn’t available to help.” She complains, while the other women look on in confusion at Tammy’s unusual cold demeanour. 

“Hey! I am far better than Lizzie fucking Carpenter, thank you very much.” You retaliate, moving away from the door frame and into the living space. You hear Lou mutter under her breath ‘here we go’ before slipping away from the tense atmosphere, you notice the others follow suit apart from one who seems barely over the age of 23. The young girl seems to settle more into the sofa, slowly eating her M&M’s her eyes moving back and forth as if witnessing a tennis match. 

‘Probably an accurate description’ You think amusingly, as you remember the previous arguments you’ve had with the blonde mother. 

“Guys please, can we just get along for one job. I swear I feel like I’m 21 again whenever you two are in a room together.” Debbie expressed, tiredly. The con artist has always been the mediator of many spats between you and Tammy since you could remember. 

If you were being honest with yourself, you don’t really know how this quarrel between you started. In fact, you and Tammy used to be best friends growing up. ‘Partners in crime’ your mothers had said, never going a day without talking or seeing one another. After the Ocean family had moved into the area, you became the warrior three rather quickly with Danny being a surrogate older brother to you both. That all seemed to change after college, you became more cocky with your grafting skills and wanted to make more money elsewhere and Debbie being the true Ocean she is couldn’t pass up the opportunity of the thrill. Tammy on the other hand grew tired of being constantly on the move and never settling down, once her boyfriend now husband came into the picture you drifted further apart. Small jabs at one another turned into full blown arguments where you wouldn’t talk for days until all communication stopped all together.

 You have only seen Tammy once since that last argument that ended any piece of friendship left, her wedding day. To this day you never understood that painful feeling in your chest as you watched your childhood best friend walk down the aisle into those man's arms or how she looked at you from the head of the table as you danced with your date for the evening. You still don’t know why you invited her along instead of taking up Debbie and Lou’s offer of going as a ‘threesome’ which Tammy scolded you all for. Now you stand again in front of her, back to where you left off, arguing. 

“I’m not the one who’s ego is so big, it fills up the entire building,” Tammy mutters in defence, making you laugh out loud. 

“Please if your ignorance was anything to go by, I’m sure it would surpass my ego, Dream girl.” You respond back, watching as something unrecognisable passes across her face at the old nickname. You internally scold yourself at the use of the endearment. She takes a deep breath before bringing her hand forward towards you, making you raise an eyebrow in question. 

“Truce? For the sake of the job.” She begrudgingly offers, keeping her hand out. You look at the well manicured hand and back up to her face before taking her hand into your own and squeezing it gently, you try to ignore the electricity that jolts through you at the feeling of having her warm hand against your skin again. You notice her squirm slightly and clear her throat before abruptly removing her hand from yours, adjusting her knee length skirt. 

“Right well that settles it, I think we can move forward and get this plan going. Debs I have a few documents for you to look at.” She informs, her eyes glued to Debbie’s form as she steps away from your space. Clearly unaffected by the wave of electricity you’ve just experienced. 

“Why would you care if you felt it anyway.” You scold yourself, dismissing the thought before going over to the couch and settling in ready for Debbie and Lou to give you the rundown on their latest Job as you take the offered M&M from the younger woman. Unaware of the torn brown eyes that is also questioning the same electricity feeling from across the way. 

***

“You know I used to think Fencing was boring but you know what… I was right.” You tease, as you sit next to Tammy in the white van waiting for one of her contacts to meet her with the equipment. You laugh at the glare that she throws you, knowing there’s no real bite behind it. 

“I’m kidding Tam, I think it’s a very important job and brings in a great income for the family. What does your husband think of you working again and bringing in more money than him?” You continue, not being able to help yourself. Her eyes stay glued to the front keeping an eye out for her guy, attempting to be unfazed by your jabbing. 

“He thinks I’m working an office job at Vogue if you must know which is perfectly well considering he doesn’t live with us anymore.” She murmurs, double checking her phone for the green light to move out of our hidden spot and to the moving truck full of stolen equipment. 

“Oh wow, Vogue huh? Moving up in the world of fashion there, Dream girl.” You mock, a teasing smile on your face to show her you mean nothing behind it and avoiding the sensitive topic of the husband talk. Her lips twitch slightly in gratitude before her brows furrow, her brown eyes locking on your own suddenly far more interested in you then her phone. 

“Why do you still call me that?” She questions, her voice suddenly vulnerable. Now it’s your turn to frown, confused by her question. 

“Call you what? Dream girl?” You shrug, unaware of the effect it still has on her. “I guess you’ve always been ‘dream girl’ to me, even if we aren’t friends like that anymore.” You confess, suddenly feeling very open to her in this small space. You watch the confliction flicker in her beautiful brown eyes waiting for her to respond. 

“We aren’t friends anymore?” She whispers sadly, her eyes full of sorrow. 

“Well I mean we haven’t exactly spoken to each other since your wedding day and even if we’ve had to interact like at my parents wedding anniversary party we just ended up bickering until we spent the rest of the day avoiding each other.” You mumble, feeling awkward and exposed with this new, honest topic of conversation. A soft hand lands on top of your closed fist that had formed unknowingly throughout this conversation making you relax from the tense position. 

“I never meant for us to grow apart the way we did Y/N. Things just seemed to happen so fast I never took a minute to consider your feelings or how we just stopped being each other's person.” She opens up, she smiles apologetically at you as unushered tears build in her eyes that are full of regret. You sigh in defeat and turn over your hand to hold onto hers and squeeze in reassurance and comfort. 

“Aww shucks, you going soft on me Tam Tam.” You joke halfheartedly, feeling uncomfortable with her choice of words knowing just how true they were. You see that perfectly arched brow rise knowing she’s caught your attempt at deflecting the subject. 

“Even when I was with him I still never stopped thinking about you, ya know. What were you doing? If you were happy? I guess I was just too stubborn to pick up the phone and apologise.” She says, regret laced within her voice. Making you shake your head in dismissal. 

“No Tam, if anyone was the stubborn idiot here, it was me. I missed out on so much of your life. Look at your two kids, they are already past your waist and soon will be off to college.” 

“You are so dramatic.” She laughs, shoving you lightly. She bites her bottom lip contemplating her next words. 

“You haven’t changed a bit, ya know. You're still that beautiful confident girl I remember.” A soft warm smile appears on your lips. 

“You think I’m beautiful.” 

“Oh  the confident part goes unheard but the beautiful she hears loud and clear.” She teases, laughing as you wiggle your eyebrows at her suggestively. Before you can continue her phone chimes indicating our packages have arrived breaking the weird spell we had created putting an end to our conversation.

You pull away from each and adjust in your seat,  an unsettling feeling settles  in your chest as Tammy pulls away from the alleyway and towards your drop off location. Comfortable silence fills the van leaving you both with your thoughts. 

 ***

“How could you be so reckless?! You were so closed to being caught, I swear one of these days you're going to end up in jail and I will only have one thing to say to you ‘I told you so’.” Tammy shouts, speeding towards you as you enter the living room with the rest of the crew. 

Tammy, Rose and NineBall had stayed behind for this job, their talents needed back at base while you and the rest of the gang carried out the job elsewhere. The heist was a success but your risky slip up towards the end of the job didn’t go unnoticed by the blonde who had stayed glued to NineBall’s side watching from the screens as you effortlessly pulled off your side of the job with the exception of your slight slip up. The others scatter away towards the back room, staying clear of Tammy’s rage which has only surfaced in the last two weeks of you arriving. You throw your hands up in defence. 

“Hey! I had it Tam okay. Yes it was risky but I did it. You think you can do a better job please, be my guest.” You murmur, too tired to argue loudly with her. 

“Go fuck yourself, Y/N!” She spats, arms crossed in defiance.

“How about you fuck me yourself, you coward?!” You retaliate, smugly watching as her angry demeanour falters at your words. Silence fills the room, except from the light scratching on the wooden door leading to the back room indicating to the earwigs next door. You watch as her brown eyes turn dark with determination, the rest of her face stoic as she marches towards you with purpose. Before you could question her intentions, her usually delicate hands fist your shirt pulling you close as soft full lips clash hard with your own overwhelming senses. Once the initial shock is over you relax into the kiss and place the palms of your hands against her cheeks cupping her face. Before you could take it further she inches away keeping her forehead against your own as she catches her breath. “You were saying?” She whispers teasingly against your lips. 

“I um, yeah. Mind if we do that again, I don’t think I quite pinpointed the flavour of your lip balm. Was that min-” Her lips cover over your own once more stopping your rambling. 

Scuffling from behind Tammy causes you to stop your moment of bliss, as you both watch your friends stumble through the back door bickering quietly to one another. You clear your throat to make your presence known and watch as they freeze. Keeping an arm around Tammy’s waist you address the peeping toms and earwigs. 

“You guys got somewhere to be?” You mock, as Tam giggles quietly against your shoulder trying to hide her now red cheeks. 

“This is my apartment, you can’t kick me out.” Lou justifies as Debbie laughs grabbing her clothed arm and dragging her out of the room making sure the others follow. 

“It’s about time they figured it out and I don’t want to be here for the aftermath. It could still go either way.” She murmurs to Lou loud enough for you both to hear making you roll your eyes are your friends ‘told you so’ attitude. 

Once the group has left, you hear Tam sigh softly against your shoulder. “I think we have a lot to talk about.” She informs softly, a small content smile appearing on her face making you pull her even closer, placing a kiss to the top of her hairline. 

“Later. I just want to hold and kiss you a little longer.” You confess, holding onto her just a little tighter basking in the blissful moment. 

Finally

***

Later that evening as you both lay cuddled up in the guest double bed of Lou’s apartment, you whispered sweet hidden confessions to on another that haven’t been said out loud before. 

“I’ve been in love with you since I was sixteen Y/N. That night you picked me up from that awful date with Jefferson when he tried his luck with me. You were so angry with him and I asked if I could stay at yours so my parents wouldn’t see the state of me.. you just held me all night no bombarded questions. I watched you sleep with your arm wrapped around me, even in your sleep you were still trying to protect me.” She stops talking for a moment and looks into your eyes, holding your gaze . “I just remember thinking ‘no one is ever going to match up to my expectations because you outdone them all without realising’ but I knew that our friendship meant more and I didn’t want to ruin it.” She pauses, as she twirls your necklace that lays on your bare chest smiling softly realising it’s the one she bought you at college graduation. “You still kept this?” she whispers, her breath softly touching your neck making you shiver. You place your hand over hers stopping her movements.

“Tam, even though we lost sight of our friendship I still always thought of you. Everything I did or saw reminded me of you and how stunningly beautiful you are. I can’t seem to quit you, Dream girl. And now that I have you properly I don’t ever wanna stop.” You vow, knowing that every word spoken speaks the truth. Because you have always known that you and Tammy were more than just friends, you were just too stubborn to allow those thoughts to come to light. But now that you have her close you don't ever want to let her go. 

[nightklok]

Title: 'Cause I've been hurt so many times, I need someone who will try to soothe me, and not use me Pairing: Abigail Remeltindtdrinc/Pickles the Drummer Rating: E (For one future smut scene but chapter one is T-rated) Tags: Fake dating, Additional tags on AO3 Summary: Abigail considers herself great at her job; she knows how to make a successful album and her track record shows it. Dethklok proved to be the biggest challenge yet but she learned to overcome any hurdle thrown her way. However, what she didn’t anticipate was Seth’s second wedding. Specifically, Pickles’ mother getting on his case about finding a date to the wedding. Logically, she decides to be his fake date for the wedding. Just fake a relationship for a few months until the wedding then 'mutually' break it off; should be easy enough. It’s just the most renowned music producer and most popular musician fake dating. Surely no feelings or trouble will rise out of this.

Chapter One on Ao3 Here! Chapter one is also under the cut

Abigail had learned quickly that working with Dethklok was oftentimes like walking through those Halloween hay mazes blindfolded. Years upon years of working with pretentious celebrities, tight deadlines, and challenges that were thrown her way would never prepare her for working with them. For a group of five who lived together and knew each other the best, it didn’t always mean that they thought the same way and one would think they finally learned what worked best for them after years of working. But for some reason, they continuously went with the same method that never worked out because it seemed like the best to them. And clearly, it wasn’t.

She was no stranger to challenges so when Dethklok proved to be one, she did her usual process of breaking through to them. And that was asking questions to the right people. Charles stated it was just how they were. Knubbler said they were a bunch of dumb jackoffs so she had to hold the least amount of expectations for them...and lower it. Melmord had offered her weed because it would be the only way she could ever handle working with them. Twinkletits had suggested unresolved trauma and perhaps banana stickers would solve it.

She would find soon enough that everyone was right in their own suggestions but it didn’t mean she followed through with any of them. It didn’t take long to figure out that scheduling private sessions with each individual band member was a lot better compared to them being together only to yell at each other. Within a few days of the focus being more on private sessions, the difference being made was incredible. They seemed to thrive better under one-on-one time and having the group meetings at the end of the day so they could go over their progress had helped incredibly.

The only problem that she couldn’t solve was their old habits. Most of the time the sessions were either forgotten or recordings had to take a week or longer just to make sure the sound was perfect. They were still five people with different ideas of how the album could be better; it would be hard to find common ground and even harder to get them to be responsible under her schedule.

It didn’t mean every member was a thorn in her side though. Pickles and Skwisgaar were some of the more responsible ones compared to the rest. They’d sometimes forget to show up but that was expected.

Skwisgaar did have a certain way of speaking about music she couldn’t quite understand but she found herself slowly understanding him the more they recorded his sessions. It became like learning a new language but less on the fun part. Luckily, he was never one to speak much regardless; music did the talking for him and that was a good enough language for them to understand.

And Pickles, despite his years of experience under the spotlight, wasn’t the pretentious celebrity she expected him to be when they recorded together. He did his work without much complaint, left when she was satisfied and his first-week recording for a song would be the last as there generally wasn’t much left for him to retake. He normally trusted her judgment and any criticisms offered were never given for the sake of belittling her. It came from a place of experience and knowledge and it became something she quickly respected him for. He still occasionally missed his recordings, however, but with how time felt so rapid in getting things in order, she didn’t notice he actually began showing up more often.

He couldn’t show up one day due to a last-minute scheduling conflict that day and since he had a valid excuse, she didn’t expect him to show up at all. Deciding to not let those hours go to waste, she spent it contacting Knubbler for a quick meeting. He sent her the tracks he finished for her to listen to and she offered her critique. They were tossing track after track at one another to see what sticks and eventually something did. After sending him the latest track to fix-up by the end of their meeting, she checked her email to go more into the boring parts of her job.

She loved her job without a doubt but it didn’t mean there were some parts she actually dreaded doing. Emails were one of them; business language, having to wait up to a day for a response, and everything else just to show she was a professional despite her name being tied to so many influential things. Maybe she was famous enough to sign off her emails with a ‘k thx’ but didn't quite know if it was even worth the impending backlash soon after. She was known for her professionalism, not lack of.

But the album wouldn’t be finished for quite a while so she simply had to make do with what she could. Regardless, the marketing director wanted to listen to one of the demo songs. The day was winding down, she just had to spend an extra hour or two in the recording studio, then she could grab food, take a long bath and watch a movie until she fell asleep.

The motivation of food and a chance to relax was enough to look through her emails once more as she played the finished track. She didn’t hear the knock on the door but she did hear the door opening but didn’t turn around. She had expected it to be a klokateer doing some late cleaning.

“Abigail?” A voice all too familiar filled the silence. As she turned around, Pickles closed the door behind him quietly as if to not disturb her (even though he already did). He seemed a bit sheepish as he put his hands in his pockets to play off a calm attitude, “I just wanted to know if you still needed me.”

“Well, it’s not the first time you didn’t show up to a session, Pickles.” She answered a little too bluntly. It came off harsher and she had almost expected him to be offended by it but he shrugged instead, “Charles told me you wouldn’t have been able to come today, anyway.”

“Okay, yeah, that’s true I have bailed out on a few sessions, but I was planning on showing up to today’s session. I promise.”

She folded her arms, leaning back against the chair. It was new territory having Pickles actually show up when he wasn’t meant to. It didn’t seem like he was there for anything else too, “And you really mean that?”

He casually held up his right hand in a three-finger salute, “Scout’s honor...if I was a Boy Scout, that is.  But I’m here now. That should be enough proof, right?” He grinned at her before he walked to the recording booth, “I got this beat stuck in my head I wanna get out of my system. Won’t take too much of your time.”

She glanced at the clock; it was still early enough to record a few takes and he did seem excited to record. Might as well give some time to humor him, “Alright, you get one hour to impress me.”

“I’ll make it count,” He finished her sentence as he closed the door. Taking the drumsticks and headphones, he took a seat in front of the drum kit and quickly prepared, “This is for uhhh...what did we call 8?”

“ Uncensor My Songs On The Radio You Fucking Tool. ”

“Yeah, that’s it! Anyway, I think I figured out why it doesn’t fit on my end. Can you play from the beginning?”

“Sure, get ready in five seconds” It took just a few clicks to get to the song he wanted. She let the metronome play for just a few seconds for him to get the beat before hitting the record button as soon as the song played.

As soon as the song played, Pickles began without hesitation. The sound was much different compared to his other takes...and it fit perfectly as he had said. She waited though; listened to every hit and snare intensely for a mistake to come and screw his take over. But that moment never happened and before she knew it the song was over.

“How did I do?” He grinned at her as he wiped his sweaty forehead with his arm, “Not bad for one take, right?”

Impressive. “Not bad at all. I think this might be just the parts we needed to get the song to be finally done,” She answered as she hit the record button to pause the recording. She made sure to save the file and backed up the file into her work email. (Charles had requested she make backup copies of each recording without the boys’ knowledge when she began working. Just in case).

She watched as Pickles removed his headphones but quickly stopped him, “It’s great but I think another take would be good to have, right?”

“Oh C’mon! Isn’t it great as it is?!” He pleaded. He was foolish to think he could impress her with just one take.

“I’m not denying that it’s great but I’m sure you would be able to do another take if you got it all memorized, right?” She answered. The tone of her voice just shifted slightly enough to indicate a challenge and that’s all that Pickles needed to hear from her.

“Don’t think I can do it, huh?” He smiled back at her as he put the headphones back on.  It was a challenge he could easily win, after all, but she was never one to even let him believe it would be easy. The rush of it and the feeling of adrenaline starting to kick in made it all the more tempting,  “Well get the song playing again. I won’t stop until you’re satisfied.”

“You’re gonna end up tiring yourself out, Pickles.”

“You can let me off the hook then if you’re so worried about me.” He answered with the signature lopsided grin he gave out as freely as sweets, “I think there are some restaurants around that we can go to if you still haven’t eaten yet.”

Bargaining and banter had become something that they learned to communicate with. If there was anyone else in the room, there was no way she would be talking so loosely with him. They were alone however and would be for a long time so it became easier to shake off the layer of professionalism she had to keep up with all day. However, the remaining part of her brain that was still in work mode rejected his offer despite the temptation being far too great, “Not a chance; you walked yourself into this one...But if you wow me just early enough, I might take you up on your offer.”

“Get the song playing again and tell me when to stop.”

The truth was she was already satisfied by the third take but she did let him keep going at least two more times for good measure. By the time she said he was finished, Pickles’ legs were sore but it was nothing he wasn’t used to. Five takes weren’t bad at all and he found himself confident in the progress.

“Not bad, Pickles. I think there’s something there I can take for the recording.” Abigail answered with a grin that he tiredly returned.

“Hm, not satisfied yet, or just wanna keep my ego down?”

“Maybe.” She watched him put the headphones and drumsticks away before exiting the recording studio.

“I wanna hear it though. Play the best track.” He went to the mini-fridge and offered her a beer which she declined.

“Just get me a coke. The drink, I mean. I’ll play the best track in a second,” She had already labeled the track files by a number scale and taken notes so she didn’t need to relisten. He set the can of coke beside her as he watched her take a few moments to look through the notes before finally deciding on the best track. She quickly spliced it in with the demo and hit play.

Pickles already flopped on the couch, on his second can of beer already somehow (She didn’t know if it was impressive or horrifying). He didn’t say anything while the song played, leaned back against the couch. When it ended he asked, “Is that the best one?”

“Well, I think it is. It’s the one that doesn’t even need much editing. The others are just as great too, in all honesty,” She answered as she checked her notes briefly. She could go into great detail over the tracks, maybe even explain why the tracks were a perfect fit for a song but she didn’t want to ramble. And besides, he seemed a little bit bothered, “But what do you think?”

“Hm. Not as good as I thought it would be,” He said a little sullenly, “Nate’s gonna wanna delete it. I just know it.”

“Are you sure?  I don’t think he’d want you to delete them especially when he knows you’re having a hard time with this song. They’re all pretty good but if you want to talk with Knubbler since he’ll be doing most of the editing, just give him a call tomorrow.”

“Do you even think it’s good?”

“Of course. If I wasn’t satisfied enough, I would’ve had you still record a few more takes.”

That was an answer that seemed to satisfy him at least as he didn’t say anything else in retaliation. He only asked to play the track again, and finished his second can of beer, “I guess if you think it’s fine, I’ll take your word for it. It’s probably getting late isn’t it?”

“Come in tomorrow and you can listen to it again. If you really aren’t satisfied with it, you can try again,” She offered. She checked at her watch briefly; 10:45 PM. How has it been almost two hours already?

“Yeah, I think that sounds like a plan. We can put a stop to it for now. But uh, sorry for wasting your time.”

She shrugged, “You’re not, Pickles. Don’t worry about it. I would’ve left around this time anyway.”

“Okay, if you say so.” With a shrug, he shifted his mood and stood up. He didn’t seem to sulk longer than he usually did, probably because it was already late and they were both tired, “Did you still wanna eat?”

“Don’t you usually eat with your bandmates?” Usually, mealtimes were the quickest and easiest ways to find them if she needed to. Having memorized that schedule, she knew that dinner was about a few hours ago...or a few hours from now depending on what they did that day.

“Yeah but not today; Offdensen really had us doing interviews all fuckin’ day. I don’t think I’ve eaten lunch yet and I guess you didn’t get dinner either?”

“Nope. I was planning to, anyway.” A late dinner invitation was not rare to get but it was rarer to get one by someone she wouldn’t mind having dinner with. Their relationship with each other was always professional, and he also had years of experience in the music business outside Dethklok. It always felt refreshing to talk to someone who shared the same interests as her. She put her laptop away in her briefcase once she saved all her files; her night was officially done, “Is there someone even able to make dinner at this time?”

“There should be. If not, there are probably leftovers in the fridge. Or we can order pizza, it’s completely your call.”

She slung the briefcase over her shoulder, following him to the hallway. After shutting and locking the door to the recording studio (Charles gave the only keys to her and Knubbler), she walked with him to the kitchen where the conversation of dinner slowly shifted to music and almost anything they could cram in the next two hours.

And by the end of that night, the late dinner invitations became frequent and she had accepted every single one. He always hung around by her last hour of work, even if it meant staying up late. It only meant ordering food to be delivered to them as Pickles convinced her to watch a film she hadn’t seen in years or her convincing him to watch one of her favorite guilty pleasure sitcoms.

For the most part, it was assumed she was just working with him on the album. No one really needed to know about the breaks where they shared a beer and gossiped about the celebrities they had interacted with before. As far as Knubbler and everyone knew, she was using most of the two hours to perfect his recording.

But just a few months later, the hangouts and late-night dinner invitations stopped in their tracks with no warning whatsoever.

She wondered at first if it was something she had done. But then it began affecting his work and it was clear he was distracted about something. She knew and learned enough about him that he was a perfectionist when it came to the drums; he was always a person who wanted to do his job correctly when it came to something he really did care about at the end of the day. Music was his passion, after all. And if he didn’t have passion for the things he cared about the most, then something was going on.

“Do you want to take a break, Pickles?” She asked. It was currently her fifth time asking the same question that week alone.

“No, it’s fine. Let’s keep going.” He answered as he picked up his drums and waited for her to press record.

She didn’t say anything else after that and she let him leave after a few hours. He left before she could get a word out and she would be met with the rising feeling that something bad was about to happen and recordings that not even Knubbler could salvage.

A few days later, she figured out what happened. It took a text from the staff group chat and an email that contained a video to piece the puzzle together.

“Hey, Neon Genesis Evan gail ion. It’s me, your coworker, Seth.”

She did not watch the rest of the video (sober) and instead asked about the video in the group chat. Seth was never invited to the chat for the same reason Melmord was not invited to the second wedding of Seth and whatever poor woman he got roped up with.

Just by that video and conversation, she had connected why Pickles might be upset. It had something to do with the wedding, sure, but what specifically about it? Was it that he had known the girl Seth planned to marry? She wanted to ask so many questions but limited herself to three. But even those three questions were quickly narrowed down to one, then none at all when she realized it would be harder to pry anything out of him.

But, as advised by Knubbler, it was best to keep going. He’d probably breakthrough midway through a recording session. Being someone who knew to listen to others, she listened to his advice for at least a few more days.

She waited those few days and then two more. It was clear whatever was bothering him was still going to continue bothering him until the end of time probably. She had to talk to him against their better judgments; it felt like the only option available to her.

It was a session that lasted over seven hours and she was sure both of them were getting frustrated on their own ends. No amount of coffee or whiskey could even cure the boredom and annoyance that was of a session that would lead to nowhere. It was better to just cut things short and talk about it. If not even the drums could help him feel better, how serious was the situation?

She pressed the intercom button when the song finished and she immediately hit delete. There was no way to salvage the song, “Pickles, would you mind if we talk?”

His expression was perplexed for a moment before he resigned to his fate, not giving much of a protest, “Alright,” he answered with a sigh. He set his drumsticks down as he walked out of the booth, taking a seat by the couch.

She was never all that good at talking to people about feelings in all honesty. And he seemed like a rather emotional guy, to begin with. There were a few moments of awkward silence between them as she tried to find what a good way to start the conversation would be, “I think we know that you seem distracted lately. What’s been bothering you?”

And despite all her mental preparations that he would find it hard to pry open, he actually opened up quite honestly, “Well you know about the wedding right?”

“Yeah, he invited me too.” She answered as she thought back to the weird video message Seth had sent her. She wondered if she should even make a comment about that but decided against it, “You don’t want him to get married or something?”

“I don’t care about that. He could get married as many times as he wants; He’s still getting a fucking Vitamix.  But it’s not about that,” He answered, “It’s my mom. She’s been blowing up my phone all week asking about who I’m bringing with me to Seth’s wedding. Keeps talking about how I should settle down, find someone to marry, or whatever. But I don’t have the time to date!”

She stared at him and didn’t say a single word until he caved in.

“Okay, time’s not the problem but dating while you’re this famous is fucking hard. You must’ve seen that public divorce in ‘89 right?”

She definitely remembered. She was on college radio at the time and had taken over someone’s show. It was either some debate or public opinion show and that was probably one of the more shows she had ever experienced. Did it help that she was a fan of his music back in the day? No, but she would not admit that “I kind of knew about it. It sounded like it was an awful divorce for you. But you were only nineteen, weren’t you? You shouldn't stop yourself from dating for something that happened when you were just a teen.”

“Nineteen, thirty-five, ninety, does it matter? It was as awful behind the scenes as it was in public. I’m not gonna bore you with that but basically, I’m done with dating. And she won’t see that!”

“Well...maybe one of your bandmates can be your date?” She offered.

“Nah, been there, done that, it didn’t work out. And plus, would you even fake date any of them?”

She thought for a moment, “Yeah, smart choice.”

“It’s gotta be someone she has never met before to make it more believable.”

“I see,” Abigail paused. She had waited, expecting almost, for Pickles to look at her, drop the ‘except…’, and plead for her to be his fake date but he didn’t. He only reached into the mini-fridge to pull out a beer, offering one to Abigail who accepted. She didn’t like the beer and had to hide her disgusted look as she took a sip and tried to set it down casually.

The conversation had died out like that. She kept on sipping the beer and hoping he would say something. But he didn’t and it became clear that she had to be the one to speak up. There was only one possible solution to it and it felt like the most obvious., “If you can’t find anyone else, I can be your date.” She offered.

Pickles looked at her like she had asked him to play the drums with his mouth, “I respect you too much to get you involved with my family. They’re like...leeches that suck the fuckin’ life out of you! This is a me problem, you don’t need to fix that. ”

“Well...it’s affecting your drumming too.” she pointed out as she looked at him, “And trust me, I know what I’m getting into. I can handle it, Pickles. I work for Dethklok and I’ve certainly been through a lot more than just a wedding party. I appreciate your concern, but let me help.”

“Abigail...” He almost pleaded.

“I owe you, remember?”

He clearly did remember, “but-”

“He invited me anyway, Pickles. I’m still going out of work obligations; I promise this won’t bother me at all.”

“But you know it’s gonna have to be a lot more than just going to my brother’s wedding right? My mom will want to meet you and who knows what other folks are gonna try and meet you too.”

That was one thing more terrifying than the branding ceremony. Was it even worth it to complete the album?, “Then basically we’d just be faking a relationship until the ceremony?”

“I guess yeah...and that’s...three months from now? You really don’t-”

“As I said, I know what I’m getting into. I want to help you and if we have to do this for a week, months, or a year, it’s okay with me.”

Pickles said nothing for the longest time. He held the half-empty can of beer, nulling over his options that probably didn’t help with him being slightly intoxicated, “You won’t hate me right?”

It caught her off guard almost but she remained on track, “Of course not. I promise,” If she hated him, that would mean there would be no more all-nighters together but she wouldn’t admit that.

“Okay. Just so you know you can back out of this anytime, I won’t be offended if you do.” He said finally and that had sealed the deal, “But we need to keep this a secret which I know is probably obvious enough. If the guys find out, they’ll never stop teasing us about it.”

“But if all we really need to do is just please your parents, I don’t think that will be a problem. Don’t worry about me, Pickles; it’ll be fine. I promise that I will back out if I don’t want to do this anymore.”

It was clear he was unsure still and she didn’t know how much more convincing he would really need. But perhaps that was something to let sit and process; and hopefully, in time, he’d warm up to the idea enough to feel like a weight was lifted off his shoulders.

There was nothing else she could really do at this point she knew. It was a quick resolution but a slow payoff and she had done what she could for the day, "How about you take the rest of the day off? If you wanna give recording the song a shot tomorrow, we can."

“Alright,” He threw out the half-finished beer can, beer spilled from the can, some of it splashing into the sides of the trash can and leaving a potent smell of beer. She made a reminder to herself to have a klokateer replace the trash can later. But it would be quickly forgotten when he spoke up again, “I uh, appreciate it, Abigail. I really do."

"It's not a problem at all. I hope you know that you can always turn to me if you need anything?"

"I do, yeah, and uh the same right back," He paused for a moment, "I'll take you out to dinner sometime if you want. It's the least I can do."

"That would be nice but I don't need a big fancy dinner. I'm fine eating here, and watching a movie." She answered. She wanted to speak more but her phone began ringing and she saw that it was from Charles, "I should probably take this."

"Oh yeah, go ahead. And uh, if you wanna grab some dinner again you know where to find me. I'm sorry I bailed out on you this week, I'll make it up to you." He quickly left before she could speak.

All alone in the studio, she took a moment to compose herself. Refusing to give herself even more time to let what she had gotten herself into sink in, she answered the phone.

It was only three months but somehow this new task felt like it would end up being the hardest task yet. But, she had an album to finish. It was just part of the job, right?

[cinebration]

Written in DNA (Booker x Reader) [Part 10]

Booker’s “reunion” with the immortals.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Epilogue

Tagged: @lucy-sky​, @city-of-weird​, @all-the-right-regrets, @alannister-always-pays-her-debts​

Warnings: none

Gif Source: thompsonconnors

You yanked the knife out of Nicky’s chest and shifted back a few paces, keeping your gun pointed in the general direction of the others. Booker immediately shoved his into his pants, presenting his empty hands to his fellow immortals. You lowered your gun, appearing relaxed. But that feline grace clung to your movements, letting Booker know you were still in attack mode.

“I can explain,” Booker said, then hesitated. Could he?

“First you sell us to Merrick, and now you are trying to kill us again?” Joe cried.

“No, I’m not—”

“Who is your friend?” Nicky wheezed as the wound in his chest closed.

Their voices pounded against Booker’s skull. Raking a hand through his hair, he tried to find the words, tried not to shout back.

“Book.” Andy’s voice rose above the clamor. “Why are you here?”

He passed another hand through his hair again, feeling sick. His palm came away slick with sweat and grease, a tremor rolling through his hand. He wiped it on his pants, clenched it into a fist to hide the shaking.

“Booker?” Nile prompted.

Clearing his throat, his gaze directed at the floor, Booker managed to say, “I didn’t know it was you. I wasn’t told I was being sent for you.”

Joe snorted, shaking his head incredulously. “You didn’t know?”

“I didn’t! She didn’t tell me.”

Their collective gazes turned on you. You didn’t waver beneath them, one eyebrow arching. “I wasn’t made aware that you were his family.”

“Who is this?” Andy asked.

“This is…she is my friend.” The words were utterly sincere to Booker’s ears, surprising him. He met your eyes for a split second before turning back to the others. “She was doing me a favor.”

“By trying to kill us? She could have killed Andy!” Joe stormed toward Booker.

Suddenly you were there, interposed between them. Joe look at you in surprise, startled. Booker glanced at the others, saw the confusion in their faces. You had crossed the entire room in a split second without seeming to run.

“I didn’t know!” The words were old and tired, but true. “Quynh didn’t tell me.”

Tension snapped tight in the room.

“Quynh?” Andy asked, her voice tight, guarded.

“She got out,” he said. “I don’t know how. She just did. She showed up at my apartment—”

Joe snorted. “Why should we believe you?”

Booker looked past him to Nile. “Do you dream of her drowning?”

She hesitated, realization dawning on her face. “Not in a while now.”

Andy’s attention snapped to Nile. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I didn’t really think about it. I was just…relieved.”

“She’s out,” Booker repeated. “And she sent us here…to hurt you.”

~~

The immortals watched you warily as you leaned against the far wall, hands held loosely at your sides in your least intimidating posture. They had gathered around the dinner table, seated as they digested the devastating news Booker had brought. Andy took it the worst, her face drawn and pale, a mild tremor rolling through her now and again.

Booker felt awful, his guts roiling, his chest constricting. He didn’t know what else to say, so he sat in the silence, afraid to look anyone in the face. Joe’s anger had diminished, though Nicky’s remained, a quiet undertow that Booker could sense despite Nicky’s placid face. Only Nile didn’t seem to mind Booker’s presence, though her aura of pity sickened him just as much.

The urge to drink was so strong he was itching in his own skin, on the verge of clawing it off with his own fingernails. He felt your eyes boring into the back of his neck, willing him to work through it.

“Why would she send you?” Nile asked, looking past Booker’s shoulder.

“I’m assuming she thought I could withstand all of you,” you answered quietly.

The looks that passed between the immortals told Booker all he needed to know. You had put each of them down except for Andy. If Booker hadn’t burst in, you would have been on Andy before the others could recover.

“What are you?”                        

“A weapon,” you answered thickly. “Designed to kill.”

“That’s what we do,” Joe pointed out. “You’re different.”

“Can you break a man’s sternum with one hand?”

“She broke both my wrists,” Booker added, “the first time we met. We hit a tree and she got back up.”

“An immortal?” Nile asked.

“No, a super soldier. Think Captain America,” you clarified. “Quynh asked Booker to break me out, and she wanted me to pursue you. Specifically Andy.”

Andy shoved herself away from the table, paced away. The others looked at her with sympathy, though all Booker could feel was heart-wrenching guilt. He was doomed to bring nothing but misery to everyone he knew.

“I shouldn’t have stopped looking for her,” Andy whispered, burying her face in one hand. “It’s all my fault.”

“No, it isn’t,” Nicky assured her. “You didn’t know how to find her. You tried for so long and found nothing. It isn’t your fault.”

“Yes, it is. And she wants me to suffer for it.”

“Is there any way we can talk to her?” Nile asked. “Booker, you know where she is. Couldn’t you take us there?”

“She’s probably moved by now,” you said. “She knows what she’s doing. I’d wager she is actually nearby, waiting.”

“You don’t have a rendezvous point?”

“We were to go to the airport. I doubt we’d take off, though. She would probably pick us up in a car and lead us elsewhere.”

“And you’re such an expert?”

You met Joe’s hard gaze. “Yes.”

Booker stared at his hands, numb.

You pushed off the wall and stood beside Booker’s chair. “I have a plan, if you’d like to hear it.”

[an-absolute-travesty]

Secret Santa fic!

Heya @all-eternity it was me all along! I hope you enjoy this :) very much looking foward to actually being able to follow you after this without looking sketchy lmao

Also shoutout to my lovely beta reader @keepersandqueens as if I don’t talk about Salas enough here lol

Warnings: underage drinking, drinking in general, hangover, drugs/medication mention (not abused, basic over the counter stuff dw), mentions of vomit (not described)

Pairings: Kam, background marelinh, ex titz

About: Kam coffee shop college au 

Word count: 5,205

Tag list (tell me if you want to be added or removed): @cadence-talle @ruewen-and-rising @lemontarto @a-lonely-tatertot @clearlyvacksen @percabetn @sewersewersewercouch @everyonehasthoughts @imaramennoodle @enbies-and-felonies @blxckh0les42​ @rainbowtay-11 @callas-starkflower-stew @impostertamsong @appalyneinstitute1 @stars-and-splendor @anna-without-an-e @mistythegenderqueermess @we-have-no-bananas-today @we-wont-dissapear @jadenightthewriter

Tam stumbled into his first 8 am class, anxiety making his heart feel like it was pounding out of his chest and stomach doing backflips.

If he could survive bouncing between foster homes, a short stint at juvie, and worst of all high school, he could survive college.

Well he thought he could until he saw a familiar person right next to the only available chair in the room.

God fucking damn it.

"Hey Bangs Boy!" Keefe waved him down, causing a scene. Tam had no option but to sit beside him, both because of the lack of chairs and the fact that everyone was now staring at him.

Not a great start.

"What a coincidence! I notice you still haven't taken my suggestions on your hair, I'm telling ya' you'd get all the girls and or guys and nonbinary pals with a man bun." Keefe looked smug at the fact he'd be able to taunt Tam for another semester, minimum. Tam was already making a mental note to check when he could swap out of classes.

"Keefe, if I knew you were going here I would've just gotten myself back in jail, oh wait, you were the one who got me in there in the first place." Tam shot him a look, praying that he'd suddenly develop superpowers and shoot lasers from his eyes.

"Hey, just because I came up with the idea...and helped with some of the execution, doesn't mean I'm responsible for you trashing your parents house. Besides, you were only in there for like 3 days max before you got out," Keefe said, shrugging as if 3 days in jail was no biggie.

"Most peaceful 3 days of my life," Tam sneered, turning back to the front of the room as the professor walked in.

"Good morning class!" the prof turned to the white board, writing his name. "I am Dr. Harding," he tapped it for emphasis.

The class was silent.

"And you say good mor..."

"Good morning Dr. Harding," The class said in unison, they all sounded tired and bored.

This wasn't going to be fun.

~*~

"Grande ice vanilla latte for...Hen-are-y?"

The man shot Keefe a look as he grabbed his coffee.

"Henry." He dropped a tip in the jar, fifty cents. How generous.

He had come in before, and never left good tips. Keefe made it a game to pronounce the names of anyone who wasn't a college student and left bad tips wrong, no matter how much they came in. It was a wonder he hadn't been fired yet.

As he turned preparing another drink, the bell at the top of the door rang. He ignored it at first until he heard a quiet, "Fuck," come from behind.

"Bangs boy!"

"Why are you here?"

"I work here obviously," Keefe walked up to the counter. "Now, what'll it be?"

Tam sighed. "Iced caramel macchiato with two extra shots of espresso."

"Size?"

"Venti."

Keefe whistled thinking about how much caffeine that was as he wrote down "Bangs Boy" on the cup.

"Alright, that'll be 5.75, may I ask why the insane amount of coffee? I believe I remember you saying caffeine makes you anxious in high school."

"Yes, but it also helps me focus, and I have a quiz tomorrow I haven't studied for."

"Fair enough," Keefe said, going to prepare the drink. "It'll be ready in five."

Tam nodded, walking off to the side and scrolling on his phone. Keefe made the drink, occasionally sneaking looks over at Tam. He didn't seem to notice, thank God.

Soon after, they finished the transaction.

"See you at class," Keefe said, he was trying to be genuine, but it came across more taunting.

Tam grimaced, muttered "Thanks for the coffee," and walked out the door.

~*~

The class fell silent as a disheveled Dr. Harding walked in, a pack of gatorade in one hand and bottle of tylenol in the other. He popped one as he sat down.

"Hello class it seems today I have the worst headache imaginable, just give me about 5 minutes of silence and we will go over your assignments."

Keefe leaned over to Tam's desk.

"Well, we know what he got into last night," he whispered. "Heard the bar on the corner of 5th was giving out two for ones for professors."

"Isn't that place run by the alumni?"

"Exactly. Gotta thank Alvar tomorrow, Fitz said it was his idea."

"Wait Fitz goes here too? Why did I not-"

"Boys!" Dr. Harding practically yelled. "I am tired of the racket." He put his face in his hands where his elbows rested on the desk, bald spot showing to the world.

"We were whispering!" Keefe made a 'what the hell' sort of gesture. Tam glared at him, hoping he could communicate 'I will kill you myself if you say another word' with just his eyes.

"Sencen, do I look like I care?"

Keefe winced a bit at the use of his last name. That was something Tam could understand.

"Look, boys," Dr. Harding stood up and turned to the chalkboard, writing something down. "If you all like talking so much, you'll love this next project."

He walked to the side, revealing the board, that read '10 page essay, due the 25th'

"With the person next to you, you'll be writing a 10 page essay on um...the importance of keeping your oil changed in your car. You'll then present it to the class. It's worth 25 points."

A student raised their hand.

"Luka?"

"Sir, I thought this was a psychology course?"

"It is. You are all excused."

With that, he left the room with his tylenol and gatorade in his arms. The students glared at Keefe and Tam as they all got up, muttering amongst themselves about the pure bullshittery of it all.

"So..." Keefe said, slowly standing. "Does the library tomorrow at 3 work? I have work until then, so it can't be any earlier."

"Yeah, sure." Tam promptly walked out of the classroom as fast as possible, he didn't know why but his anxiety was spiking. He tried to tell himself it was just because he was a useless gay that didn't know jackshit about cars, yeah, surely that was it.

Just a useless gay.

~*~

Tam waited at a table in the library, it was 3:05, Keefe was late.

He didn't know what else he expected from him, he always seemed to do stuff like this. At the same time, Tam didn't have the energy to be particularly mad at him. This was going to be the stupidest essay ever written in the history of man, might as well put it off.

The library door slammed open, and in came Keefe. He balanced a large stack of papers and books along with four drinks. He stumbled over to Tam and practically threw them down on the table.

"Sorry I'm late, I thought it would be nice to, like, get you a coffee, but I didn't know how much caffeine you wanted, so I got one decaf caramel macchiato, one normal, and one with an extra shot, and also hot chocolate for me."

He sat down in the chair by Tam, as if getting three different coffees for someone you were forced to do a project with was totally normal.

"Um...thanks, I-I can pay you back-"

"Don't worry about it." Keefe turned to him and smiled, bright and friendly. Tam was frozen. "Okay, now it's car time." Keefe turned back to the desk.

"Yeah."

They were silent for a while as they researched, Keefe going through his piles of papers and books and Tam on his laptop like any sane person would.

Tam finally worked up the nerve to talk.

"So um...this is out of nowhere, but I think you mentioned Fitz went here?"

"Oh, yeah." Keefe put down the absurdly large textbook that was set up in front of him. "He's my roommate, he uh thought it would be best not to tell you after everything, I guess."

"That's fine," Tam shrugged like he didn't care. "I'm over it."

He was, really. They only dated like 2 weeks, sure it ended with a...pretty big fight after Fitz claimed he wouldn't be able to date someone who had gone to jail and Tam reminded him it was his best friend that got him in there in the first place, but he was still over it. There was still something bothering him, nothing to do with Fitz himself but...something. He just couldn't put his finger on what.

"Alright, I'll take your word." Keefe shrugged, setting his giant book back up in front of him.

Tam felt the need to start talking again, but didn't. They were mostly silent for the next 40 minutes or so, just researching and the occasional word exchanged between them.

Keefe checked his phone.

"Shit," He got up. "Work emergency, I gotta go. Same time tomorrow?"

"Yeah that works."

"Chill, see ya' later."

"Bye."

Keefe waved (with a wide grin Tam would've called idiotic in high school) as he went out the door.

Tam found himself with a smile on his own face, he quickly stopped, hoping no one saw.

~*~

Keefe hurried into work, pulling his apron on as he saw the absurdly long line and a panicked Marella frantically making coffees behind the counter. She sighed with relief when she saw him.

"Thank God," She said as he stepped behind the counter with her. "There was a scheduling error, Forkle's useless at that stuff."

Mr. Forkle, their well-meaning but often mistaken manager, was out of town at the moment. The fate of the Starbucks rested on two college kids, what could go wrong.

And so they went, Keefe taking orders and Marella fulfilling them until there were no more to serve.

Marella, quite literally, threw in a towel she had wiped her face with. Promptly going to the back, presumably for her break. Keefe followed her.

"Alright, I think you can probably go back to whatever you were doing before this now if you'd like," said Marella, inspecting the small braids in her hair in the nearest shiny surface.

"Nah I was just doing a project with Tam for Harding's stupid class, he's probably left by now, I might as well rack up some overtime."

Marella turned back at him, clearly caught off guard at the name.

"Tam? As in my-girlfriend's-brother Tam? As in you-had-a-massive-crush-on-in-highschool Tam? As in dated-Fitz Tam? As in you-got-him-in-jail-"

"Yes! Yes! Why does everyone remind me of that, it was one time."

"When you get someone in jail, people tend to remember," Marella went silent for a second, thinking, before looking Keefe in the eye. "Wow, that must be awkward as hell, I mean seriously, if I were you I'd straight up file a restraining order just to avoid him. Maybe move to another country. I hear Estonia is lovely this time of year."

"Eh, it's not as bad as it seems. I mean it was awful at first, mostly because I tried to resume right where we left it on the taunting front, but I think it's ok now."

"Hm. Well good luck with that," Marella turned back to go to the front, but Keefe grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Uh, actually I need your advice on something. It has to do with Tam."

"Shoot."

"Well I was thinking of maybe, I don't know, asking him out or something? Look, yeah, it's an awful idea but is it 'he never wants to talk to me again' awful or 'he attempts to strangle me' awful?"

Marella looked him up and down, eyes uncomfortably cold, as usual.

"I mean, no hetero, but despite your annoying qualities you're a decent looking guy. Plus Tam's, like, super anxious according to Linh, so maybe he'll be too awkward to say no. You can probably squeeze at least one date in there."

"Wow, thanks Mare," Keefe mumbled, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Yes, I try. Also don't call me Mare."

"Alright Ella!" Keefe called as the front door's bell rang, signalling a new customer. Marella went off to take care of it, unable to respond she growled back at him.

~*~

Tap tap tap tap tap.

Tam glared from across the table.

Tap tap tap tap tap tap.

"Why do you keep doing that?"

Keefe looked up, muttered a simple "Fidgety" and went right back to it, tapping his pen against the table. Tam said nothing more.

Keefe had been quiet for this entire meeting, something highly unusual for him.

"Ok, seriously dude, what's up? I haven't seen you this quiet literally ever."

He only seemed to get more fidgety at this question, his bouncing leg shaking the library table.

"I...um..." he looked down, running a hand through his hair "I have a test I need to cram for and no one to study with and keep me accountable. Y'know, ADHD issues."

Tam didn't overthink for once in his life but the moment the sentence was out of his mouth he regretted it.

"I have a test too, maybe we could study together?"

Keefe smiled his annoyingly charming smile.

"Sounds good."

"Good."

Tam quickly looked back down at his computer, trying to look like he was still doing car research when in actuality he was processing he just actively offered to spend more time with Keefe Sencen.

If Linh found out about this he'd never live it down.

He didn't think he cared.

~*~

Dr. Harding walked through the classroom door, clearly much less hungover than his last appearance.

The students waited, would they get an apology? Any sort of remorse?

"Alright, who wants to read first?"

Apparently not.

Keefe raised his hand with too much confidence for what their essay looked like. Tam gave him a confused look. He had his scheming face on, never good.

"Mr. Sencen!" Keefe winced at the use of his last name by the doctor. "What an amazing start, it's only appropriate. One of you boys come up and present."

Tam gave Keefe a look of 'do you want me to do it?' Keefe just smiled and got up from his chair. This would either be really good or really, really bad. Tam was all too familiar with the scheme face.

"Doc, I did depart from the source material a bit here, hope you don't mind. And I use 'I' because Tam had no involvement in this, he deserves full points for his essay."

Keefe cleared his throat, the room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

"Doctor Harding deserves to get fired: an essay. (And it's only been a week!) Paragraph one, his drinking problem-"

"Sencen! Back to your seat now. I will see you after class, or I will not see you in my next class, understand?"

Keefe gave a thumbs up as he sat back on his chair with a thud.

A few minutes later, in the middle of another student's essay, he passed Tam a note with his loopy handwriting.

"The amount of comebacks I had for 'see me after class' is absurd but if I get kicked out there's no way Elwin is helping me pay tuition a second time."

Tam tried not to smile, certainly failing, as he wrote his response.

"Yeah I think the time you talked back to Miss Cadence she wanted to expel you. Lucky Principal Alina had a thing for pseudo-dad Alden."

"Oh God I haven't talked to him in a whiiiiiile."

"?"

"You haven't heard? Yeah, he sorta found out like ALL his kids were ell gee bee tees and freaked out. Della found herself a new gf though!"

"Sounds like a lovely extra punch in the gut for a queerphobe."

"Yep. Honestly I recommend looking through his Facebook sometime. Just a million rants about how the gays destroy everything, great entertainment."

"Duly noted."

At that point it seemed like the doctor started to take notice of their note passing, and they stopped quickly. Tam wouldn't be surprised if he did the whole high school read in front of the class thing with the way he had been acting so far.

Tam was 100% sure tenure was the only thing keeping this guy's job intact. Apparently being a drunk asshole wasn't near enough to get a person out of their position. He tried to ignore the professor's annoyingly smug face for the rest of the class.

~*~

Keefe sat in his usual spot at the library, Tam sitting across from him, his brown eyes dancing across the textbook page and lips mumbling along the words. He didn't have much to do, often finding himself just staring at Tam, quickly looking away if he seemed to notice.

Eventually he sighed, sitting back.

"Ugh, this test is in a week and I have so much other crap to do, I'll never get this all memorized by Friday."

Keefe silently thanked his brain for managing to get around the having to study thing. Yay, photographic memory!

"Oh, uh, well I'm free to study more tomorrow if that would help? We could do, like, flashcards or something."

Tam seemed to repress a smile. He did that a lot. Keefe always noticed.

"That's okay, I'm sure you have better things to do. The Starbucks is always pretty packed."

"Eh, sometimes you have to get away from Marella. She's mean to me."

"Not just you, once she told me if I ever made fun of Linh's cat's name again she'd make me cut off my own bangs."

Keefe nodded sagely. "The shorter you are the closer to hell. That's why you're worse than her."

"Hey!"

Tam flicked a stray rubber band at Keefe.

"I'm at least 2 inches taller than Marella...we measured."

Keefe thought up about 12 inappropriate jokes he couldn't make before flicking the rubber band back.

"Two inches only counts in roller coasters, none of which you can ride."

Tam stuck his tongue out before returning to his studies. Unlike Tam, Keefe didn't hide his smile.

~*~

Tam strolled into the Starbucks that Friday morning, no longer surprised to see Keefe working the counter. He could barely hold still in line as he thought about the amount of cramming he'd have to do in the next few hours.

When he reached the counter, Keefe said nothing, just busily worked making a drink.

He stuck it right out at Tam.

"One venti iced caramel macchiato with 2 extra shots of espresso because you have a test today in political science and still haven't studied everything and also a muffin because you probably haven't eaten today. On the house. Good luck with the studying."

Tam froze.

"I- um- th-thaks. Y-you too...sport."

Oh, you fucking idiot.

He quickly scurried out of the Starbucks with drink and muffin in hand. Wow, he had screwed that up.

But...

Keefe...

He...

He remembered his order and that he had a test and that he forgot to eat when he was stressed holy shit holy shit holy shit holy shit-

Okay, deep breaths Tam, you got this. You can totally handle a frustratingly cute guy showing care for you this is fine...

Not fine, not fine, gotta tell Linh.

He called Linh with no forewarning. Despite the fact that she was currently across the country at a different university, and it was about 3 am for her, she picked up. He barely let her get out a groggy "Hello?" before explaining everything. She only seemed to think a moment before responding.

"Hm. Well it's good to know that college is going good for you. Do you need advice or comfort?"

"Yes."

"Well, first of all, everything's gonna be okay. And I know that doesn't help much but just try to remember we're eighteen, and it's not the end of the world. Second of all, try to ask him out or something. It doesn't have to be framed as a date, like Marella and I got together on a walk in the park, seriously it can be anything."

"Thanks Linh."

"No problem, also can you hug Marella for me?"

"If she doesn't try to kill me first, yes."

"Nice. Okay go do what you gotta do, also don't wake me up at 3 am again or else I'll sic Purryfins on you, I had just gone to bed."

With that she hung up and Tam continued on his way, still trying to not completely freak out.

~*~

Keefe stared blankly as Tam walked right out of the door. Marella appeared by his arm.

"So, how'd it go?"

"Well, he called me 'sport'."

Marella inhaled through her teeth.

"Yikes. Comfort, advice, or distraction?"

"Distraction, please." Keefe replied, absent-mindedly preparing a cup for the next customer.

"Uh, well I meant to ask you what ended up happening with that ass of a teacher, but I got a bit distracted at your attempt to woo Tam-"

"Hey I said distraction not reminder. But basically I just got a slap on the wrist because, and I quote, 'Your father is Cassius Sencen! He wrote half the books we use in this class, I'm sure he can straighten you out!'"

"There's absolutely nothing papa Sencen could do to make you straight, I'm pretty sure he tried that, and it obviously didn't work."

"He actually tried a few times and it most definitely did not. Lucky he doesn't have my number anymore or else I assure you he'd keep trying."

Marella laughed.

"Well, moving on from grade A assholes, I'm supposed to tell you there's a party tonight. I'll have to send you the address later, I have it on my phone though, I am told there's gonna be booze, so I'm going."

"Eh, I'll probably go. Just to get my mind off everything."

"Thata boy." She lifted her phone. "And my shifts over in three, two, one, and I am out of here! See ya' tonight Hunkyhair."

"That's Lord Hunkyhair to you."

She just rolled her eyes and clocked out, leaving Keefe to deal with both the customers and his own thoughts.

~*~

Tam sat in his dorm room alone, constantly refreshing his grades for the possibility that his 70-year-old professor would post the test results at 1:30 am.

His roommate was gone for the weekend, actually he was gone most of the time. Tam didn't think they'd even had a full conversation before.

He jumped as his phone began to ring, a call from Keefe of all people. He hesitantly picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Tam! Tam Tam Tam Tam Tam" Keefe's slurred speech was too loud for a phone call, Tam held his phone a bit away from his ear. "...fuck wait why did I call you..."

There was a long pause, neither said anything.

"Oh yeah! I needed to tell you something...but uh I uhm I forgot what it was."

"Keefe, where are you?"

"At a paaaaaarty, well, actually just outside a party because it was hot in there, but now it's cold out here so uh yeah."

Tam sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Okay, send me the address, I'm coming to pick you up. Wait right there and don't move."

"Okie dokie."

Tam heard a thud sort of sound and the rustling of grass from the other line before Keefe hung up and soon after got a message of his location.

After 20 minutes of walking in the cold, Tam came up to what seemed to be a frat house with Keefe sitting on the lawn in criss-cross, patiently waiting in short sleeves and basketball shorts, way too little clothing for the weather. His ruddy face smiled as he saw Tam approach.

"Tam! I remembered what I was going to tell you." He stood up, face falling right after. "Oh no wait I forgot again. Ooh! You need a drink."

Keefe grabbed Tam's hand, pulling him towards the house. Tam stayed in place.

"Hey, let's get you home dude."

Keefe pouted.

"I don't wannaaaa."

He slouched down, pulling on Tam's arm like a child having a tantrum.

Tam pulled him back up to his feet.

"C'mon, if you go to your dorm without fuss I'll buy you ice cream tomorrow."

Keefe seemed much more ok with going along with Tam with the ice cream deal. He pulled off his own coat and placed it around the very drunk boy, he didn't complain.

Keefe began humming some annoying song from the early 2000s that was playing from the house earlier as they walked back in the direction of the dorms.

Suddenly, Tam remembered something.

Fitz was Keefe's roommate.

Shit.

"Hey uh do you think Fitz is at your dorm?"

Keefe nodded confidently.

"Yep! Said he was gon' study. Wouldn't come to the party because of his 'reputation' or whatever."

Around reputation he did exaggerated finger quotes, nearly knocking Tam's jacket off his shoulders.

"Hm...in that case let's go to my dorm, ok?"

Keefe shrugged, apparently willing to go along with most things in his current state. Thank goodness Linh had made Tam bring extra pillows and blankets to college, he could sleep on the floor and just hope Keefe didn't get sick on him in the night.

It was ridiculously hard to lead Keefe back to his dorm. He tried to pull down his pants halfway there and Tam almost had to carry him up the stairs but soon enough they got there. He sighed with relief as he led his inebriated friend into the room.

"Okay, you can stay here for the night. I'll sleep on the floor."

Keefe plopped himself down on Tam's bed laying flat for only a moment before sitting up with a snap and a look of realization in his eyes.

"OOH! I remember what I was gonna tell you again!"

"Oh?" Tam said playing along, expecting him to forget again.

He patted the spot next to him on the bed, Tam continued to play along, sitting next to him.

"So Marella said that I should just tell you this, and it worked for her, so I'm gonna. And uh and you have to promise to listen 'cause I'm not sayin' it again."

At this point Keefe grabbed his face with both hands, staring right in Tam's eyes and squishing his cheeks.

"You're listening right?"

Tam nodded, mostly to shake Keefe's hands off his face.

"Okay."

Keefe took in an over dramatic breath as if he was preparing to preform in the Olympics before getting another grin on his face.

"I really like you."

"You really like me?"

He nodded mumbling "mhm".

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I like you. Like, like like you."

"Like...as a friend?"

"I said I wasn't gonna repeat myself. As a booooyfriend." At this point Keefe fell back on the bed, looking at the ceiling. Tam's cheeks were burning.

"How long have you liked me like that?"

"Mmmm..." Keefe seemed to ponder for a moment, "Prolly high school."

"Oh um...good to know. You should get some rest. I'll be down here if you need me."

"Alrighty."

Tam shut off the lights and Keefe started snoring quick. Tam could only stare up in the darkness, unable to sleep.

~*~

Keefe woke up that morning in a room he didn't recognize to a killer headache and dead phone.

He turned to the side, seeing a pile of blankets and pillows with a large gatorade, bottle of tylenol, and a note next to it. Suddenly last nights memories came flooding back.

Oh, shit.

He scrambled out of bed, headache and nausea hitting him harder as he stood up.

Despite the fact his head was spinning, he picked up the note from the ground and read it.

Hey, meet me at the reservoir around 6, we need to talk -Tam

F. U. C. K.

Had he really said all that stuff last night? Surely it was a dream, right?

Oh God.

He gathered his few belongings, plus the things to help the hangover, and left the dorms as fast as possible. Only having to stop once along the way to throw up in one of the campus trash cans, hopefully no one would notice.

Keefe didn't have anything to do and he really didn't want to face Fitz so he went about his day in last nights clothing. Then again, it was a college campus. Someone walking around with rumpled clothes carrying a gatorade probably wasn't that big of a deal for most people. By 5:30 he sat impatiently in the empty park where the reservoir was located, it was colder closer to the water.

Just as promised, at 6 o'clock he saw Tam approaching on the horizon.

~*~

Tam was damn near a panic attack as he walked around the park attempting to find Keefe. Eventually he found him, sitting on a bench still in his clothes from last night, face once again ruddy from the cold. He sat next to him wordlessly.

"So," Keefe started.

"So," Tam replied, looking down at his lap.

"Tam I-" Keefe turned to face him. "I'm sorry about everything last night, I probably just made everything super awkward. Not to mention it's a giant violation of the friend code to even have a crush on your best friend's ex-"

"Yeah, about that."

"What?"

"You're gonna maybe kill me for this but uh," Tam pulled on his bangs. "I sorta talked to Fitz about it, I figured you wouldn't and apparently I was right. He said he was okay with it as long as we were ok with it."

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

Tam sighed, "Perhaps."

Keefe once again wore that shit-eating grin of his.

"Can I hear you say it?"

"Why don't you have to say it?"

"Already said it last night! Your turn now. Why did you take care of me while I was drunk?"

Keefe stared at Tam excitedly waiting for the answer. Tam sighed.

"Because I love you, little shit."

"Ooh you said it-"

Tam smashed his lips against Keefe's, both quickly melting into it. After only a moment they pulled away.

"Agh, you taste like gatorade and vomit."

"Well you taste like salt so really what's worse."

"Definitely the vomit."

Despite this, Tam leaned back in. This kiss was a moment longer than the last, and when Tam pulled away Keefe chased it.

"Ok, look I'm sorry but you look like shit Keefe you have to go change." Tam removed his jacket, throwing it around Keefe once again and helping him up from the bench. Keefe laughed.

"Yeah, you're right. Ooh now that we're a thing you need a new nickname!"

"I do?"

"You do, how about 'Bangs Boyf' ooh or maybe you can be my 'provoked partner' or my 'snappy spouse' my 'agitated accomplice' perhaps."

"Do you just have these ready and prepared for any situation?"

"A magician never reveals his secrets."

"You aren't Houdini, you're an 18-year-old boy that currently reeks of frat party."

"Eh that's basically the same thing. I've seen some 18-year-olds at frat parties preform tricks Houdini could never dream of."

Tam sighed dramatically. "It's a good thing you're pretty, you know."

"Hey!" Keefe jokingly shoved him.

For the first time Tam's smile wasn't repressed.