#(moved this to a new thread if that was okay ^^)

[hasufin]

Okay, but there's one thing in this thread that's bothering me.

No, cetaceans will almost certainly not evolve the ability to breathe water. I can come up with a few circumstances, but it's under the same heading as "Humans will evolve to fly".

See, being air-breathing actually confers considerable advantages. You can get a lot more oxygen out of air than water, allowing them to have a much faster metabolism. They're also able to move through water which for various reasons doesn't have sufficient dissolved oxygen for fish to breathe. Lastly, I think that like most mammals, cetaceans use the structures which were once gills for other purposes now (the gill arches are important in forming dentition and certain neural structures, IIRC), meaning they'd have to somehow replace THOSE to repurpose the fetal gill arches back to breathing; or evolve a whole new set of underwater breathing apparatus.

And notably, they're not really suffering for their inability to breathe water. Sperm whales can dive as deep as anything. Dolphins can remain submerged plenty long. They're able to swim fast enough - faster, I think, than most fish - and don't really have any other issues.

Don't think of it as "Wow, they need to breathe air but they live in water" but rather "isn't it fucked up that all these animals which live on land need to drink water? And they can't even drink from the biggest water source on the planet?" Because I think it's more like that.

It was kind of a dick move to create animals that require air, then confine them to the freaking ocean

[landoscarinthefastlane]

Every Missed Call - Landoscar

Summary: After Oscar’s sudden move to Red Bull, Lando is left with a string of missed calls and unsent messages. In the quiet of his motorhome, late nights become a ritual of replayed voicemails and things left unsaid. But when the season winds down and everything slows, a final voicemail changes everything.

Note ⚠️: Contains late-night longing, emotional voicemails, unresolved tension across team lines, and two stubborn hearts learning how to say “I miss you” and "I love you" without breaking.

PART I — Voicemail #1

March – Bahrain GP

“Hey. It’s me. You probably guessed that. Anyway…”

Lando pauses. What the fuck was he supposed to say? One minute, he and Oscar were one. And the next? They feel more like strangers.

“I saw the press photos. You're actually wearing navy blue. Still weird. But you looked… sharp. I guess.”

A beat. A sigh.

“I know we said we'd talk after testing, and I know you’re busy, but… I dunno. It just felt wrong not to say anything. So, good luck tomorrow. You'll nail it in that tractor that Red Bull calls a car. I'm sure of it.”

BEEP

Lando stared at the phone screen long after he had finished the voicemail message. Oscar doesn’t call back.

What had he expected?

PART II — Voicemail #4

May – Miami GP

"Hey, it's me."

A few seconds of silence.

“You waved at me on the grid. That was new.”

Lando sounds out of breath, like he’s pacing. He's very aware, thank you.

“I didn’t wave back, I know. It’s just—there were cameras, and Zak was hovering, and I panicked. Not because of you. Just… everything.”

A pause. A hollow laugh.

He hated this.

“Carlos noticed. Said I looked like I saw a ghost. He doesn’t know it’s because seeing you in Max’s garage still feels like a betrayal. Even when it’s not.”

Another pause. Softer now.

“I hope you’re okay. I hope… you’re sleeping enough.”

Another beat of silence.

"I-" He swallowed the words back. "Never mind. Good luck tomorrow."

BEEP

PART III — Voicemail #7

June – Canada GP

“It rained today.”

Lando doesn’t say hello anymore. Doesn’t say “it’s me.” Just picks up the thread like Oscar’s been listening this whole time.

“You always hated the rain. Said it made your hair frizz and your gloves stick. I forgot until I saw Max throw a towel at you in the cooldown room. You laughed.”

A sharp exhale.

“I miss your laugh. And it sucks that it's not me, who makes you laugh like that.”

Lando was sure he was going to die from heartbreak at this point.

BEEP

PART IV — Voicemail #11

August – Summer Break

“They’re sending me to the sim next week. The MTC feels empty without you there. I saw your name still taped on the locker next to mine. PR forgot to remove it.”

A long silence. Then—

"I hate them for it."

A deep breath.

“I didn’t remove it either.”

BEEP

PART V — The one that wasn’t sent

September – Monza GP

The message begins. Stops. Starts again. Then silence. Then:

“I can’t do this anymore.”

But Lando never hits send.

PART VI — The Call That Changed Everything

November – Abu Dhabi GP

The last race of the season.

Lando finishes P4. Oscar is on the podium, champagne soaking his navy suit. And Lando doesn't even care about missing the top three.

Because after the podium interviews, after the media pen, after everything that needs to be done, there is a voicemail waiting on his phone.

Lando had not thought the day would come after all his unanswered attempts.

It’s from Oscar.

“Lando,”

Oscar's voice is quiet, tired, but warm.

“I listened to all of them. I saved every one of them. I just… I didn’t know how to answer. I thought if I did, I’d want to come back. And I couldn’t. Not yet. I did not want to hurt you even more than I probably already did.”

A pause. Shaky breath.

“But I miss you, too. And I’m still wearing the bracelet you gave me in Singapore. I think that means something.”

Lando's heart flutters as he takes the words in.

“If you want to talk, I’m at the McLaren hospitality. I’ve got twenty missed calls to answer. Maybe more.”

BEEP

Lando bolts from the motorhome so fast he forgets his pass. Again.

Security lets him through anyway.

Oscar is waiting by the McLaren hospitality doors, back leaning against the wall, arms folded. His Red Bull jacket is tied around his waist. He looks exhausted, yet hopeful.

They don’t speak at first. Lando just walks up and punches him lightly in the shoulder.

“You couldn’t have texted?”

Oscar shrugs. “Thought I’d start returning calls in person.”

Lando doesn’t cry. Not really. His voice wobbles, sure. And when Oscar wraps his arms around him and mutters a soft “I missed you more than I let myself admit,” maybe he leans in too hard.

But he doesn’t cry. At least that's what he keeps telling himself.

PART VIII — New Voicemail

December – Off Season

“Hey. Just wanted to say that I got pasta for dinner tonight. Can't wait to have you home with me again. Hurry up.”

A pause.

"I love you. Come home safe, you muppet."

BEEP

[bettelaboure]

⊹In The Quiet⊹ | Choi Seung-Hyun

⊹Pairing: Choi Seung-Hyun x The Reader

⊹Warnings: explicit sexual content, emotional vulnerability, and romantic tension

⊹Summary: After a passionate connection with Seung-Hyun deepens into something more complicated, you're forced to confront old fears, new feelings, and the messy middle between lust and love.

⊹Author's note: note proofread, only something i had to get off my chest

⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹

You flirt.

"I’ve never been more attracted to someone in my life."

Your cheek rests against his chest. The rhythm of his breathing anchors you, makes you forget the static in your mind. "You’re everywhere. I can't shut you out."

He laughs, low and easy. "So am I. Seems I’ve taken up permanent residence."

His hand slips into your hair. You turn, lift his fingers to your lips, kiss them slow, like confession. "I wish I could think of something clever right now."

Seung-Hyun leans in, brushes his mouth against yours—brief, deliberate. “Maybe it's better if you didn’t say anything at all.”

You both smile into the kiss that follows.

Later, when your bodies are close again and the night feels indulgent, you pull away only slightly.

"I think a shower is in order," you murmur.

You go into the bathroom to shower, Seung-Hyun close behind. The hot water runs down your body, Seung-Hyun watching you with an intense stare as he steps into the tub. He steps behind you, his body pressed up against yours. His lips meet your neck as his hands find their way around your waist, and he grasps your breasts, squeezing them gently as the hot water cascades over your bodies. He reaches around, one hand grasping your breast and the other finding its way between your thighs. His fingers slowly move up and down, finding their way between your folds as you whimper in pleasure. His thumb rubs slow circles against your clit while the fingers of his other hand knead your breast, and soon you're gasping and writhing in pleasure against him. Seung-Hyun pushes you against the wall, continuing his slow, sensual ministrations until you come apart in his hands, screaming his name. After you've caught your breath, he spins you around and kisses you deeply, his hands exploring your body. You moan against him, gripping his cock in your hand as you slowly stroke it, enjoying the feel of it pulsing and hard in your hand. You slide your hand down his shaft, teasing him, before taking him in your mouth. Seung-Hyun gasps, his fingers threading through your hair as you run your tongue along his shaft, lapping up his pre-cum. He groans loudly, hips bucking, and you smile up at him before taking him deeper into your mouth. You feel his hand tighten in your hair and his breathing deepen as he takes control, fucking your mouth slowly. He moves faster and faster until his cock is hitting the back of your throat, and you can't help but moan as he uses you for his pleasure. Seung-Hyun comes with a loud grunt, thrusting deep into your mouth before pulling away and releasing himself on your breasts.

The hours after blur. Clothes. Hands. Sleep.

You wake to quiet. The air between you still crackles, but there's something else now—something slower. You sit on the edge of the sofa as Seung-Hyun buttons his shirt. He left for his apartment briefly. Just for fresh clothes. Even so, the bed feels emptier.

He glances at you. "Everything okay?"

You don’t answer right away.

When he comes close, you reach for him. "What are we doing, Seung-Hyun?"

He sighs, but it’s gentle. "I was about to ask you the same thing."

His forehead leans against yours. "Do we need to name it?"

You breathe in his warmth. "I guess not. But—"

He kisses you before the doubt can finish forming. "We'll take our time."

He stays again. Not because he says the right thing, but because you don’t ask him to leave.

It’s late, and your legs are tangled, laughter soft in the sheets. He rolls you beneath him, mouth warm against your throat, when the doorbell rings.

He groans. "Ignore it."

You hesitate, then slip from bed. Something tells you to check.

At the door, a police officer stands.

"Evening, miss." He hands you a folded piece of paper. "This was taped to a tree out front."

You open it. Your stomach sinks. It's a letter. From her.

You crumple it fast. "No problem," you lie.

Back in the room, Seung-Hyun looks up. "Everything okay?"

You sit beside him. "Just... stress."

He touches your back, calming.

You roll away. "I think we need to take things slow."

His hand finds your waist, then lower. You push it away. Silence folds over the room.

He exhales. "Fine."

You lie awake long after.

n the morning, the light makes everything seem softer. Less threatening. He smiles when he sees you.

"Good morning."

You reach for him. "Good morning."

He kisses you, lingers. Then shifts, pinning your wrists gently.

Seung-Hyun kisses you softly. "It's been a long time since I woke up next to someone," he says quietly, a soft smile on his lips. He grins, looking down at you. "I have to say...I quite enjoy it."

You chuckle, bringing a hand up to brush your fingers through his hair. "Me too."

"I hope we can do it again soon," he murmurs, leaning in and kissing you again. He moves on top of you, gently pinning your hands down to the bed. He leans in, nuzzling his face in your neck. "And I hope you'll let me take control." He kisses you hungrily, rolling his hips against yours as he bites your lip. He groans, sliding a hand between your legs. He slips a finger inside of you, working it back and forth. He licks his lips, looking at you with a devilish grin. "God, you're wet."

You're overwhelmed.

You can't think straight as he kisses you—the room spins, your head swims, and you feel a sharp heat between your legs. His fingers move faster and faster until you come, arching your back and crying out his name. He pulls his finger out and moves it to his mouth, licking it clean as he smiles at you.

He leans in again, kissing you and rolling over so you're on top of him. You kiss him hungrily, moving your hand down to grasp his cock and stroking him slowly as you kiss his neck. You pull away, sitting up, and straddle him. You lift yourself up, guiding him into you, and slide down slowly as you groan. Seung-Hyun bucks his hips, filling you as you ride him, his hands coming up to grip your thighs as he groans loudly.

"Fuck," he gasps. "You're so tight." He sits up, pulling you into him and rolling over, slamming into you as you scream. He bites your shoulder, sucking a mark as he thrusts deep into you.

You keep going.

He kisses you again, his hands gripping your ass as he pumps his hips, slamming into you as you cry out, whimpering. He grunts, grinding against you before pulling out and coming on your stomach. You collapse, panting, and he lies next to you, both of you silent for a moment.

Seung-Hyun turns his head to look at you, his gaze lingering on you as he gazes at you with a soft smile. He reaches over, stroking your cheek with his hand as he smiles. "You are stunning." He kisses you softly. "And so good. So sweet."

Later, when the heat fades and the day stretches out, he dresses. You stare at the mark on his neck—one you made.

"I think we should keep this quiet. Just until I figure things out."

He pauses, halfway into his shirt.

"You don’t have to decide yet."

You search for the words. "I don’t want to hurt you."

He steps closer, takes your hands. "Then don’t lie to me. If you want to end this, I’ll go. But don’t pretend."

You nod. "I’ll give it some thought."

His smile returns, light but real. "We can talk tonight. Do you want me to stay?"

You hesitate. "Not tonight."

He lingers at the door, fingers brushing yours. "Goodnight."

The lock clicks behind him.

You stay in bed. Your thoughts flicker like static. You think about the letter. About her. About him. About the way he looks at you like you're something he's waited for.

You know what it means to be left. And you know he doesn’t deserve that.

When sleep finally comes, it brings him with it. His hands. His voice. His mouth on your skin. You wake wanting him beside you, even if you can’t yet say why.

Maybe tomorrow, you'll tell him not to leave.

Taglist: @petersasteria @redhoodedtoad @mirahyun @sherrayyyyy @sherxoo @dilfismz @breakmeoff @janie-osuih @forevervibezzzz1 @kuinnoa @juliskopf @maskedcrawford @szonyix6277@ldydeath

[young-waverer]

fic recs: 5/5 - 5/13

fashionably late but it's still before the finale so...... here we go!

if you enjoy grief sex have I got great news for you about a vast majority of what’s below the cut!

🚒 Any excuse to stay awake with you by rangerdanger (mxgicxltrxgedy) rating: gen pairing: buck/eddie

“Night, Eddie,” Buck says, pulling the sleeves of his hoodie back down to his wrist. “Night, Buck.” Eddie wanders to the couch. He lays down and covers himself up with his blanket. He gets comfortable on his stomach. He plugs his phone in, and right as his phone lights up saying that it’s charged he sees Buck’s face on his screen, with a facetime call. Eddie smiles, laughs through his nose, accepting the call. — Or, Buck and Eddie can't stop facetiming each other, even after Eddie and Christopher moved back into the house with Buck.

🚒 To Me It Always Seems I Am Leaving by aspecbuddie | @aspecbuddie rating: teen pairing: buck/eddie

He doesn’t have to imagine what living in El Paso is going to be like now, he knows what it’s like. It’s a lot harder to tell himself things are okay there when he’s spent a week elsewhere, actually feeling okay. “I don’t wanna go home.” — or; Eddie struggles when he packs to go back to Texas after staying with Buck for a week

🚒 out of breath, got me goin' like by saryasy | @saryasy rating: explicit pairing: buck/eddie

He's dead. He must be. There's no other explanation. He probably got into a car accident on his way to Eddie's and is lying in some ditch on the doorstep of death, having some fucked up dream about his best friend in lingerie. As far as coma dreams go, it's definitely the weirdest he's had, not that he's had many, but he can't really understand how he’s supposed to work his way to a philosophical conclusion from this one. OR, Buck walks in on Eddie searching for joy through a different kind of underwear-related endeavor.

🚒 sad prayers for guilty bodies by Sungodlou rating: explicit pairing: buck/eddie

It's a bad idea, he doesn't need Eddie to tell him that. But he can’t quite find the words to tell him that he can't care that this is a mistake of epic proportions, that he wants it more than he fears it. He can regret it in an hour or a day or a week or a month or a year, he could spend the rest of his life regretting this and it still wouldn't deter him, not now that he's dipped his tongue into the water and come away quenched. Let it be devastating another day.

🚒 i am selfish i am wrong (i am right i swear i'm right) by instantcaramel | @ethicallysourcedbuddie rating: teen pairing: buck/eddie

Buck and Eddie talk after family dinner. (Set before the very end of the episode. Coda to 8x17 Don't Drink the Water.)

🚒 loud in the silence by simplyylupin rating: teen pairing: buck/eddie

Now, though, the dip doesn’t come. Eddie doesn’t shuffle over. Instead, it’s like he’s stopped again, frozen where he stands behind Buck’s back. If it weren’t for the shaky sound of his breathing, Buck would’ve thought he’d imagined his presence. A mere second before he decides to pretend to stretch and wake up, he feels Eddie’s arm move, hand brushing against Buck’s shoulder. He barely holds back a shudder. Eddie’s touch lingers. He thinks, briefly, that the hand is going to trail up, that Eddie is going to thread his fingers through his hair. It’s a silly thought. “I know you’re awake,” Eddie whispers. Buck’s chest hitches. “I need my pillow. I’m sleeping on the couch.”

🚒 alphabet soup by mercess | @spaceshipkat rating: gen pairing: buck/eddie

Sleeping arrangements are decided after Pepa leaves. — It's quiet between them, but not quiet in the house. The ice maker rattles. The faucet in the bathroom turns on, then off, followed by the rasp of Chris's toothbrush. The air conditioning hums. But for all that it's quiet, it's not the bad kind. The kind where Buck feels like he has to fill it with his voice, or music, or the television. Sometimes he'd leave it on while he was in the kitchen cooking breakfast or dinner, just to make it feel like he wasn't cooking for one in this house. "Thanks," he says, picking at the label on his bottle with his thumbnail. Eddie hums. "For what?" "For—" Buck winces. "Well, tonight. I appreciate it. Wasn't—wasn't really looking forward to coming home to an empty house."

🚒 lay my troubled bones on you by justhockey rating: teen pairing: buck/eddie

His heart is beating too fast, panic clawing up his ribcage like a ladder, as exhaustion starts to claim him. He’s not ready. Too scared to close his eyes in case he wakes up in a different, harsher reality. But then, whisper-quiet at first, there’s a knock on Buck’s bedroom door. And then another, louder. And then a third one. Buck is out of bed before he’s even fully processed the sound. He opens the door, hinges creaking in the silence of the night, and finds Eddie standing on the other side of it.

🚒 easy by coldbam | @coldbam rating: mature pairing: buck/eddie

"Buck, are you single?" Eddie snorts, leaning back in his chair. "Pepa, don't start." She swats him lightly on the shoulder. "Oh, Eddie, hush. I'm just curious," she says, a picture of innocence before she turns back to Buck with a raised eyebrow. "Well?" — A short 8x17 coda.

🚒 and the reason comes on the common tongue of your loving me by lightyears | @bisexualbellamyblake rating: explicit pairing: buck/eddie

Eddie goes to leave, and Buck reaches out to grab him. Eddie goes to leave, and Buck reaches out to grab him, and it’s the first time he’s really touched Eddie since the airport. The first time he’s really touched Eddie since that crushing hug in the arrivals terminal, his face tucked so tight into Eddie’s shoulder that Eddie could feel the wetness of his tears, seeping through his top. Eddie goes to leave, and Buck reaches out to grab him, and when Eddie manages to tear his gaze away from the hand that’s wrapped tight around his arm, it’s to find Buck’s face split in two, a goddamn tragedy written in his expression. He can’t say he’s surprised it’s come to this. Sharp words and accusations across the kitchen. They barely ever fight, but when they do… Or: 8x17 kitchen blowjob.

🚒 the tendency of getting very physical by ameliahart | @melliehart rating: explicit pairing: buck/eddie

“I don’t know, Buck,” Eddie says, “I wasn’t there.” He takes a step forward, a step past Buck, a step out of the kitchen, out of the house, out of LA. Buck’s arm flies up whip fast, hand wrapping around Eddie’s bicep and preventing him from walking any further on his path out of California. — Turns out Buck and Eddie weren't quite done fighting after all.

🚒 are you game? by dykeries | @buddiesbian rating: explicit pairing: buck/eddie

He bites at the base of Buck’s neck just as he uses his thumb to roll a tight little circle around Buck’s nipple. “Eddie,” Buck whimpers, and Eddie grins against Buck’s collarbone, licks over the spot he’s just bitten, prepares to do the same on the other side as his hand slips toward the button of Buck’s jeans— “I think, uh. Maybe I should go,” Eliza says. Eddie’s head whips back up. Right. Eliza is still here.   Fuck. Buck and Eddie are invited to have a threesome. Turns out that two's company, three's a crowd.

🚒 take only what you need by oneofthesirens rating: explicit pairing: buck/eddie

“It doesn’t have to be anything serious,” Buck quickly adds. He feels like a kid negotiating with their parents for an extra toy. He’s throwing out any idea that might land. “We can be like…friends with benefits.” “Friends with benefits?” Eddie repeats. He places his hands on his hips, his biceps bulging with the motion, and Buck’s cock gives a valiant attempt at being noticed by twitching in his boxers. Jesus. Buck might not survive this. or: to stop Eddie from dating, Buck suggests becoming friends with benefits instead.

🚒 I Don't See Your Mistakes by fruitsdoesnotknow | @fruitsdontknow rating: teen pairing: buck/eddie

“You can share with Buck!” Chris yells at him behind the closed door, and Eddie stares at the chipped white paint on the frame, shaking his head as his heart thumps heavily. “Share what?” Buck yells back, same inflection, and Eddie shakes his head again, just as indulgently. He missed this. He traces a hand over one of the framed pictures on the wall, of Jee and Maddie, then to another of Christopher with abuela, and his heart thumps a little louder. Buck’s humming to himself from the other room. There’s a loud clattering noise in the bathroom, like Chris knocked over a bunch of toiletries. Eddie really missed this. — They're asked a simple question. "When did you fall in love with your partner?" This is how they respond.

🚒 you saw something sacred by butchdiaz | @butchdiaz rating: gen pairing: buck/eddie

Eddie heard a shout from somewhere in the street below. Neither of them moved. It was a small aftershock. They weren't going to die. But it felt like it, a little. Death had always been right around the corner, but now it was in the house. Sitting on the couch. Eating their cereal. They weren't going to die but maybe they were.

🚒 slow dancing on landmines by glorious_spoon rating: explicit pairing: buck/eddie

I slept with Buck, he imagines saying out loud. To Bobby, probably. Bobby gives good advice, always listens carefully, like it matters. Doesn't judge, at least not out loud. Gave. Bobby gave good advice. Bobby is never going to look at Eddie across the big table at the station loft with a faintly amused expression on his face while he tells Eddie something that Eddie deep down already knew. I slept with Buck. I don't know what to do. Bobby would raise his eyebrows and say, Well, maybe you should talk to him.

🚒 break up with your boyfriend (i'm better) by thebelljar rating: explicit pairing: buck/eddie

Buck’s known him seven years and Eddie’s carried this tension, this weight, around with him the entire time, and now it’s just… not there anymore. He stands taller, he’s quicker to call out bullshit, he smiles more readily, which is quietly devastating to Buck’s own peace of mind. He’s Eddie, but more, glowing with the kind of wellbeing that, apparently, can only be attained by telling Helena and Ramon Diaz to go fuck themselves. Maybe Buck should try it one of these days. The thing is, and maybe he’s going crazy, but he doesn’t think Eddie used to touch him this much. Over the course of three months, Eddie slowly drives Buck out of his mind.

🚒 the broken love i make to him by 42hrb | @exhuastedpigeon rating: mature pairing: buck/eddie

“I’m right here,” Eddie tells him, resting his chin on Buck’s shoulder. And isn’t that something, that they fit together so perfectly that Eddie can do that. “I’m right here. What do you need?” “I-I don’t — I don’t know,” Buck says, turning his head slightly. His eyes are red rimmed and wet and all Eddie wants to do is wipe the tears away. “I don’t — I can’t —” Buck’s breath catches in his chest when Eddie turns his head to get a better look at him, their lips drag together like an imitation of a kiss. Is that what Buck needs? He knows Buck uses sex as a distraction sometimes, Eddie can be that distraction if Buck needs it. Eddie wants to be that distraction. He needs to feel useful right now, needs to feel like he’s helping somehow because he’s felt so fucking lost and rudderless since May called him to tell him about Bobby dying.

🚒 A Man in Finance by carpediaz | @sofa-king-lame rating: mature pairing: buck/eddie

“Chim didn’t mention what it is you do?” Eddie questions, trying to make this evening at least somewhat less horrifically uncomfortable. “I work in finance,” Buck tells him. Suddenly his entire demeanor makes sense, and Eddie is going to kill Chimney. Because he set him up with a douchebag finance bro. “Of course you do,” Eddie snorts before he can stop himself. Buck’s eyes narrow as he drops the menu back onto the table in front of him, crossing his arms defensively. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” he snaps. Eddie’s sure that if he were a dog his hackles would be raised, teeth bared, growling. Chimney needs to sleep with one eye open. or The one where Chimney finds Eddie a man in finance. Trust Fund. 6'2". Blue eyes. And he's an asshole, but only for like...five seconds (until he finds out about Chris). Eddie falls hard and fast, but it's ok because Buck does too.

🚒 tragedy & rage & grief by littleghost | @ghostlandtoo rating: explicit pairing: buck/eddie

“I don’t know how to talk about it,” Buck says, days later, in the quiet of the bedroom. Eddie and Christopher have stuck around Los Angeles. Buck hasn’t asked, and Eddie hasn’t said anything, and Buck knows better than getting his hopes up. He hopes, regardless. Christopher has been sleeping on the couch, and without another bed or air mattress, Eddie has been sleeping in Buck’s bed. With Buck. It’s been—fine. Kinda sucks, actually, because Buck’s been breaking into these huge, heaving sobs every night for the past three weeks, curling up in the center of his king-sized bed and letting his tears soak into the pillows. He isn’t able to do that with Eddie here, has swallowed down the tears and only let them out in the shower, tucking all the ugly pieces of his grief away. He’s been dealing with it, and trying not to bother others with it, but apparently he’s failed that, too. Buck is tired of drowning under the weight of his own grief. Eddie is desperate to get him to talk about it.

🚒 i'll stick with you ('cause i like sleeping well) by livelyvague | @crazygirleddie rating: explicit pairing: buck/eddie

He steps in further, past the doorway and into his room. Buck’s room. Their room? But Buck’s already angling his way back to the doorway and no, Eddie can’t have this. There’s been space, so much goddamned space between the two of them and he’s exhausted. “No,” he replies. Soft, but firm, so Buck won’t completely leave the room. Not yet. “No?” Buck repeats. "Just—can I? Can we sleep in the bed?" or, 8x17 coda

🚒 Homesick by PhenomenalWoman rating: gen pairing: buck/eddie

Eddie hates going to church. As a kid, when he had no say in the matter, his mom would force him into a suffocating button up and freshly starched khakis. His dad would shoot him looks from the corner of his eye and give him a swift nudge when Eddie was too slow to kneel or lagging on the and also with you back to the priest. On days like those, Eddie would inevitably find a Bible set aside on his bedroom dresser, a specific passage carefully marked out by Ramon. Every time Eddie saw that Bible in his room, dread would consume him. It would crawl up his throat and steal his breath. The walls would close until there was nowhere for Eddie to escape. The Bible dogged his every step.

🚒 heartbreak like an earthquake by allisonRW96 rating: teen pairing: buck/eddie

“We should probably talk,” Buck says. “Probably,” Eddie answers. Coda for 8X17 Don't Drink the Water. Buck and Eddie talk, cry, apologize and try to find a way forward.

🚒 the bigger they are (the harder they fall) by withmeornotatall rating: teen pairing: buck/eddie

"Hey, cowboy, heard you need a ride," he calls out and before Eddie can think it, Ravi mumbles, "Jesus fucking Christ." Right. Ravi. The victim. Eddie clears his throat, ignores the heat flooding into his cheeks, can't quite manage to tear his eyes away from the flush on Buck's face. "E-Eddie, what-what are you doing here?" he asks, and the awe in his voice almost sends Eddie over the edge. "Thought my team might need some help." He shrugs bashfully, makes sure his harness is secure before jumping onto the balcony. He doesn't quite stick the landing, stumbles a little with the force of the drop, but Buck's there to catch him, pull him upright and. Oh, they're close. (OR: buck and eddie get buried in their very own confessional booth)

🚒 Something So Lonesome About You by serenelystrange rating: explicit pairing: buck/eddie

Fresh off a Fuckboi Summer, Buck reevaluates his dating approach after Bobby's disappointment fills him with shame. He may or may not over-correct. Aka: Buck signs up for a Christian Dating site, and accidentally stumbles into the man of his dreams.

🚒 I Think I'm Gonna Win This Time by Frawg_Spawn rating: gen pairing: buck/eddie

It's normal, Buck tells himself. This is just part of sharing a confined space with another person. He's always experienced butterflies when Eddie touches him. — Or, after Eddie and Chris move back from Texas, Buck finds himself confronted with the question: fellas is it gay to share a bed with my straight best friend?

🚒 A Certain Slant of Light by cicelsticks rating: mature pairing: buck/eddie

It’s a Thursday night, the first time Buck meets him. Another one of those nights after a long day of trying to fill his time and failing, so he fills his evenings with too much to drink and too little care. The type of night that happens more often than not, these days. He’s on his third or fifth or seventh beer of the night, alone, watching the world pass him by while he feels permanently stuck, when he spots the man at the other end of the bar. His back is to Buck, but as he turns, Buck has to do a double take. For a moment - a single, fleeting, precious moment - he thinks that Eddie has come home. — Buck meets the perfect guy while Eddie is in Texas. Well, as perfect as someone can be without being Eddie Diaz. It doesn't take long before the cracks to form.

🚒 hollow by californias | @loveemeanywaymeanyway rating: explicit pairing: buck/eddie

Buck feels this grief, more than he’s ever felt anything. He feels it beyond the muscles and flesh, deep down in his bones. It will create a home there, a constant throb he will never be able to get rid of.

🚒 I don't know if love is blind, but it sure is stupid by cicelsticks rating: mature pairing: buck/eddie

Buck, 27Firefighter What made me apply for Love is Blind? Uh, well, it's been a couple of months since my last serious relationship ended. Which was also my first serious relationship. But I feel like I'm ready for a real commitment. That, and one of my coworkers made me apply, so if this all goes wrong, blame Chimney. Eddie, 28 Firefighter My sisters actually applied for me. They said it wouldn't be like other dating shows, that's its meant to be like a science experiment. My wife- sorry, my ex-wife, still getting used to it, divorced me fairly recently. I want to get back in the dating pool, but it's hard when you're a single dad. I'd like to find a real connection, and somehow this seems preferable to having my tía set me up on dates with her friends’ daughters. — Buck and Eddie meet on Love is Blind, and find themselves more drawn to each other than the women they're supposed to be falling in love with.

🚒 on nights when i'm hollow by SymphonySoldier97 | @sonofatoasterwaffle rating: explicit pairing: buck/eddie

Buck is frozen, terrifying in his clinical assessments and empty expression. Eddie is drowning. In the guilt, in the grief– it doesn’t really matter, because whatever it is, he’s on his own. No matter how close he gets. But Eddie still needs. Even though Buck isn’t asking. Even though Buck is rapidly building up walls that will shatter instead of crumble and cause collateral damage on the way down. God help him, but Eddie still needs. OR Instead of grieving together like they really need, Buck and Eddie hook up. Over, and over, and over.

🚒 wipe those tears off, make your heart proud by atlasblue85 rating: gen pairing: gen

“I’m sorry, son. More sorry than I’ve maybe ever been,” his dad says, and Harry knows he means it but he can’t help the sudden flash of anger that burns bright for just a moment. Part of him is still the kid who believed his parents could do anything, fix everything. He’s old enough, been through enough himself, to know the reality of the world now. But that kid – the one who ran to the firehouse and the safety of Bobby when his own father made him angry – is still inside him, and he’s angry again, and so, so sad.

[ofmdrecaps]

05/01-04/2025 Daily OFMD Recap

TLDR; Rhys Darby; Taika Waititi; Con O'Neill; Kristian Nairn; Vico Ortiz; Ruibo Qian; Anapela Polata'ivao; Dominic Burgess; Adopt Our Crew; Fan Spotlight: Tiny Crew Big Raffle Updates; Harold's Haunt; Our Flag Means Fanfiction: Gay Pirate News Hour; Love Notes;

= Rhys Darby =

Rhys has been keeping us apprised of everything going on on his Australia Stand up tour! One paid and one free, check them out below! "The Car Boot Merch Incident"

Source: Rhys' Free Substack

Source: Rhys' Paid Substack

= Taika Waititi =

Taika has been playing the long game in The Masked Singer this season! Looks like he was the Lucky Duck!

Him and Ken Jeong really had a great time at the reveal!

Source: Ken Jeong's IG

= Con O'Neill =

Con has been sending a lot of love lately, this time with some much needed Cooper love!

Source: Con's IG/Threads

= Vico Ortiz =

As mentioned previously, Vico's moved from Patreon to Substack! They've posted some new OFMD BTS! This is a long one!

Source: Vico's Paid Substack

Also-- Vico went out to see James Tom's show!!!

Source: Vico's IG Stories

= Samba Schutte =

Samba sending out May the 4th wishes!

Source: Samba's IG Stories

Additionally, "Cookin up something delicious" what're you up to Samba?

Source: Samba's IG

= Kristian Nairn =

Kristian's headed to the Belfast Books Festival June 5-12, 2025! You can get tickets here!

Source: Kristian's Twitter

Also too-- Kristian showing off some Jewelry by one of his faves. Check them out here.

Source: Kristian's IG

= Ruibo Qian =

Our Pirate Queen has been keeping us fed on cat content lately, and some shots of her as well! She's always sending love!

Source: Ruibo's IG

= Anapela Polata'ivao =

Just some more promo shots of Auntie for Tinā which is doing ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL in theatres!

Source: Tinā The Film's

And a promo song!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @tinathefilm

Source: Tinā The Film's IG

= Dominic Burgess =

Dominic also wished everyone a very special May the 4th be with you with some bts of his character Beef from The Skeleton Crew!

Source: Dominic's IG

== Adopt Our Crew ==

Our friends over at @adoptourcrew send out a reminder and celebration of the AAPI cast, crew, and community. Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month friends!

Source: Adopt Our Crew Bsky

== Fan Spotlight ==

= Tiny Crew Big Raffle =

Some additional items are up in the Tiny Crew Big Raffle 2! Reminder the raffle was extended to May 17th! Get your donations in before then! More info here!

Also, it's a lot more recent than the 4th, but I wanted to make sure it got posted in time--

Source: Tiny Crew Big Raffle IG

= Harold's Haunt =

If you're in the Millvale, PA area, they're doing OFMD Flash Tattoos on 5/24 for Calypso's Birthday!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ringa Sunn (@ringasunn)

Source: Harold Haunt's IG

= Our Flag Means Fanfiction =

New month means new Gay Pirate News Hour!

Source: OFMFF Instagram

== Love Notes ==

Hey lovelies. I hope you're all doing okay. Love Notes are short tonight because I'm not feeling very well. If you're struggling with something you've done, try to forgive yourself if you can.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @thelatestkate

Source: The Latest Kate's IG

[fairiewines]

୧੭ continued from here // @superscd

"i was rather hoping you'd tire yourself out with all that ... crying and shouting", idly he waved a hand, the one not cradling another rather ugly figurine — where did his staff get them from? gods. cupping it in his scarred palm mikale studied the woman, the red rimmed hues and tense posture. "this goes beyond disappointment, ysara darling and i think you are smart enough to recognise that. i do not take agreements lightly, i do not make empty promises unlike your father." rolling his eyes the king laughed, dropping the ornament without care on to the vanity. "i do not know what your family has been telling you, but i do not kill unless needed, you are worth more alive than dead." although if she continued pestering him mikale might move her down to the dungeon just for some peace and quiet. "do you truly miss them that badly? your father is the coldest bastard i have ever met."

[theotherrookie]

@foxedthecards continued from here

Willow eyed the shorter man at her side, carefully considering for a moment if he was trying to mess with her. People usually had some idea of where they were when they walked into bars, unless they were already intoxicated.

She raised a gloved hand to motion to a poster nearby indicating some sort of open mic event was scheduled for the evening. That should give him a good enough idea of what was going on. "Are you one of the people performing tonight?"

Something told her the answer would be a negative, but that served her right for attempting casual conversation with strangers.

[radicalrascals]

@strikersunindie [cont. from here]

"Yeah...," Nick all but sighed, head nudging Daniel's shoulder, rubbing gently and eventually using it as a pillow. "I know you're right." He did. But it didn't help to battle the disappointment growing in his chest. He wanted to skip ahead to their happily ever after so badly. Wanted to live with the man he loved. Maybe start a family. All which he knew might never happen due to their mutual quest to take out the bastard which had turned them both. "It doesn't have to be now. Just promise me we will get out of this alive."

[stygicniron]

@nerdynanny || [ cont. ]

"I don't have to listen to you. I don't have to be here." Nico said it partially to himself and partially to the creature, the person in his nightmares. He'd started developing his skills with traveling through dreams, which at least made it so he could travel to others people's dreams, even if it was harder to leave his own.

So he started walking in a general direction, the dreamscape around him shifting from an empty field of vaguely rolling hills to a more familiar setting: a graveyard. It was comforting, at least for him. But he still he could feel the other's presence in his dream, his hands twitching and some of the shadows responding. "Go away."

[generalzelgius]

@heartwilled, continued from here:

         Oh, if only remorse was enough to bring about forgiveness, he would've been alleviated long ago from his suffering. Zelgius never excused his actions, nor did he entirely regret them either, but remorse ? He felt that in his weathered, weary bones. He had wished things could've played out differently, but in the same breath, he would've done it all again if it meant meeting Sephiran, if it meant curing his everlasting loneliness, if it meant he could feel wanted, no, needed. Every man needed a purpose to live and his was serving Sephiran, no matter what the outcome would be. Perhaps, that was both his greatest strength and weakness.

         Leanne's words carried the pureness of her heart and it was a nice sentiment, certainly, but was it realistic ? ❛ Do you truly believe things can get better for me, after all I have done ? You may want to forgive and move forward, but others find it much more difficult. I would not even know where to begin, to make amends. What could I possibly do to earn back trust ?   ❜ And did he even deserve it ?  ❛ You waste your time, princess.... not all wounds can be healed.   ❜ He would know. But perhaps, he too, was being stubborn. Did his own master not finally achieve his own personal peace ? But Zelgius was not even half the man he was. Such low self-esteem, he had.

         But he didn't want to be rude. Leanne was only trying to help. ❛ I thank you though, for your kind words. It.... does mean a lot to me that you would even care for... someone like me.   ❜ A monster, a demon, a nightmare, a lost, lonely soul, a broken man, the hated, the used, the abandoned.

[evocatiive]

@starlingisms / continued

His back turns away from her, reaching into one of the cabinets for a bowl and the rice cooker whistling to indicate that the cycle has completed. "Really? So you didn't enjoy drinking yourself to the point of vomiting? What was the purpose then? Should I look into enrolling you into a treatment program?" The implication that she drinks to drown her sorrows is a sour one, bitterness on the tip of Aaron's tongue as he puts together a plate of rice and cut up eggs. He sets it on the counter of the kitchen island, nodding his head toward Chloe to indicate that it's for her. What goes unsaid is his worry that she's so miserable that she has to drink in order to put up with him and their situation which is far from ideal. The two of them hadn't chosen each other, after all. And he doubts that Chloe ever would have selected him had she been given much of a choice in the matter.

Once he has made his own bowl of food, he leans against the kitchen counter, barreling in a scoopful of rice into his mouth and swallowing before he continues to talk. "I don't control what you do, and I would never try to." They both are shackled to each other, but they shouldn't be stripped entirely of their freedoms, "But I would ask you to consider drinking at home for your own safety."

He pauses then, lips thinning. "And if what you are wanting to do is get away from me for awhile, well, that can be arranged, too."

[strayslost]

Yumeno... so that's this child's name? Either way, from the huge grin on their face, it seems they're definitely excited about getting the crepe. It makes Kyouka a little happy to see them so full of energy... Doing this was definitely the right decision.

"They have a lot of flavors." Kyouka nods as she speaks, as serious as if she's imparting the most important knowledge in the world. She doesn't recall if brown sugar was an option, but it very well might've been - Kyouka remembers being stunned at how many flavors were available, herself.

...To be honest, she wants to ask more about Yumeno. Like why they're on their own. If they really are a kindred spirit, maybe she can help them... it surprises her how strong that desire is in her heart all of a sudden. Normally, she only thinks about the Agency, and doesn't pay much thought to strangers unless they're her responsibility, but... what could this mean...?

She finds it's hard to ask, though. What if Yumeno doesn't want her ruining the mood? Maybe when they're sat down and eating, she'll ask then...?

"When Atsushi took me here for the first time, I was shocked. ...It's nice to eat together with someone else."

@theircurse ( continued! )

[wehavefoundthestars]

@desirespeaks continued from here (x)

Could a hole open up beneath him and swallow him whole now? "I'm sorry I thought you were someone else," Elio muttered with red cheeks. The other man didn't seem to care much about anything since he was looking at him and pissing at the same time just brilliant. Just what he needed to make his night better. "Just forget I said anything. I just shouldn't have come to this party."

[marimelwrites]

@wildestdrcam - continued from your reply to my open starter HERE!

Celeste's reactions to his unconventional date idea put a grin on his face. Glancing over at her when she playfully asked if he was planning to propose in IKEA, he couldn't help the laugh that escaped him. "Well, if I was going to propose to you in IKEA, I wouldn't very well tell you about that, now would I?" He was teasing her, of course, but he truly wasn't about to tell her those plans. Of course, he'd thought about marriage. How could he not, when she seemingly fit his life so perfectly?

Kerem led her towards the showroom floor so that they could stroll through all the setups that showcased products in the most homey looking settings possible. "So," he began by grabbing her hand and threading his fingers with hers. "I want you to get a good look at things. Point out looks you might like, if you like them. The ones you absolutely don't like." He stopped at the first setting and his eyes landed on her once more. "The reason I've brought you here is simple... I want to see if you'll move in with me? We can start fresh. Find a home that we like that we can build together, and eventually decorate however we want. But only if you want this too..."

[outoftheirdifferences]

@streetslost / continued from (x) because of changing editor

"Thanks."

For all the sarcastic tone layered on the words, however, Lauren honestly found the other girl's words validating. She wasn't that interesting, aside from maybe the fact that she started fights at school when her temper got the best of her... and even then, interesting wasn't exactly the word she'd pick for that. Chronic disaster, perhaps. It wasn't like she was proud of herself, after all.

So, why...?

She still didn't have an answer.

She shrugged her well-worn green hoodie higher up her shoulders, ran a hand through her vivid hair. There had, perhaps, been a clue in something the woman had said at the time; but the whole incident was something that Lauren was honestly trying to avoid thinking of as much as she could. She didn't want to remember it in every terrifying detail--

Which also meant that she hadn't given much consideration to her new acquaintance's next line of thought.

She opened her mouth, a retort already forming on her lips... then closed it again. Reconsidered her words.

She didn't much like to think it, but... by all rights, the other was absolutely on the mark. She shouldn't even had lived through that encounter, much less got away. Of course, things had happened to complicate her attacker's plans, and Lauren had taken advantage of them. But still.

"She got distracted fighting the officer, so I ran for it. I don't know. But like you say, I'm not interesting, I'm no-one. I hoped that had let me slip into the cracks and she'd forgotten about me."

A vain hope, maybe. But really, why would someone think that she, of all people, was worth enough to chase her half-way across the world?

[soundxofstars-archived]

@legendreign x

Kuroko had his own reasons for why he was here even though a part of it had something to do with the people who were once his teammates. People who obviously changed once they started to go their separate ways before he decided to become apart of Seirin. It was true that Kagami was on the same level as they were while this was a fight he was unable to handle on his own. He needed him to help prove the thoughts that tended to run through his head about the sport he still loved. While it was true when it came to the knowledge that the small shadow had when it came to their strengths and weaknesses, they had spent a large time apart as well. There probably were things that he no longer knew about the ones who used to be his friends while things easily seemed tense whenever he crossed paths with them. He didn’t really know how to act with his former teammates while tolerating them would most likely be all that he could do. He needed Kagami, he needed everyone on Seirin to help accomplish his goals while they quickly became his friends. 

Kuroko tended to keep to himself, he was reserved with the habit of being silent which easily caught Kagami or anyone else off guard. It wasn’t like he was trying, it was just a habit especially with the low presence that he tended to have. Kagami would have plenty of chances to learn about Kuroko eventually once he decided to open up a bit more, it was going to take time though. The friendship with the girls just came with being Kagami’s teammate, not that he minded. They were good people. 

“I’m only speaking the truth, Kagami-kun.” 

He was used to that fiery temper of his which tended to make an appearance on a daily basis especially when the team was standing on the court. It was just how he was. 

He didn’t know how the rest of the day was going to go while it would be impossible for him to leave the school, not without his parents. It was unknown what would be waiting for them once practice came, he would have to wait and see despite the exhaustion that lingered over his head.