#* feat. darcy

[greengideon]

👀 do you believe darcy that the diner is haunted?

"I believe that it's good for the youth to have hobbies so if it keeps her out of further trouble then sure, we're haunted." @darcyxanthonyx

Send my muse “👀 + a question” and they’ll have to answer with 100% honesty.

[sezja]

💖

[mysterynpcs]

interview: missy watson

𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧 It was probably for the best that Darcy and Arabella had been paired up to question the cheer coach. Darcy sometimes struggled with first impressions, and what said legitimate inquiry more than showing up to the end of cheer practice with a local journalist? "Do you know Missy Watson?" Darcy asked as they waited for the little huddle that Missy was in to disperse. "Do you think she'll be receptive to questions, or have we been assigned an uphill battle?"

arabella carson Was it the best or worst case scenario to get assigned Missy Watson? They had never been on anything but good terms. Bella was always the darling in her eyes because, much like Dani, she was her favourite teacher! Except she wanted to believe that Bella was locked in some box somewhere and she wasn’t sure if Missy could ever look at her and see different. “I cheered in school,” Ara explained with a shrug. Darcy was one of the few people that didn’t know her for who she was before, and this threatened to ruin it. Her grip around the clipboard tightened as she watched Missy talking to the squad. “I think she wants the same thing we do. Dani home safe.” The question was if she agreed some twenty-something-year-olds conducting their investigation was the way to do that.

𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧 Darcy processed the news about Arabella cheering in school the same way she processed everything else - with only a brief pause to take in the news before nodding and continuing, business as usual. It was likely better for them that Arabella knew her. Maybe Missy would be more willing to open up.

"Well, considering how the Sheriff's Department has been very little help in that regard..." Darcy drifted off, her meaning clear enough. "Given your connection and your line of work, do you want to start the questioning, or should I? She's not yet acknowledged our presence, so I could try and get her attention?"

arabella carson “I got this,” Arabella flashed a confident smirk over her shoulder to Darcy. As the squad broke away to start running laps for their warmups, she approached the older woman. “I don’t miss that,” she joked, letting her eyes linger for a moment before she worked up the courage to turn and face Missy. “I did miss my favourite teacher.”

There was the urge to tie her hair back and try to hide all of the Manic Panic hair dye, but it was too late for that now. “How are you? How are you… holding up with everything?”

missy watson Missy had clocked the arrival of the two girls from the second they'd stepped foot on her track, but from a distance it had been difficult to figure out who they were. Hearing Bella's voice calling out to her at least helped to identify one, but as they moved closer, Missy still couldn't place the other. "Running is good for you at any age," she reminded Bella, offering a brief smile to acknowledge what had once been one of her favorite students. She did not, however, answer the girl's questions. "Who's your friend?"

arabella carson So this was going to be harder than she thought. Wasn’t the whole point of having connections supposed to make things easier? “This is Darcy,” she explained with a wave of her hand to signal the other girl over. “We were just in the area and thought we’d swing by.” That sounded way better than coming back to the school to question her unofficially, right? But she doesn’t shy away from the topic for too long. “I know she was on your squad and I remember how much you cared about us.” And how annoying it was to reorganise the routine when people dropped out. “I can’t imagine what it’s like for you and the squad.”

missy watson Watching the redhead approach, Missy tried to match the face to the name she was given and came up empty. Bella she was able to have at least some sort of conversation with, but what was the other girl's purpose? She had been hounded via phone and email by bigger newspapers and reporters from some of the closer Ohio stations, TikTok true crime enthusiasts blowing up her school email address. Was this a shitty manipulation to try and get a quote? Had "Darcy" manipulated Bella into this? "I do care," Missy agreed, figuring that she at least owed it to Bella to acknowledge some of her questions. But she had questions of her own too. "Cheerleaders are resilient, but we're all hoping for a positive outcome. Darcy, what do you do?"

𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧 "Oh," Darcy started, having assumed that Arabella's quick introduction would be enough to get the conversation actually flowing. But for some reason Missy seemed stuck on the fact that she was a stranger. Maybe with a little more information, she'd open up? "I'm a scientist. With Logancorp. Dr. Darcy Warren." Darcy wasn't sure if her next words would help or hurt things, but she was hoping they would finally break the ice. She wasn't great in social settings. "I'm a friend of the family's - the Logans. Dani's told me just how much she loves cheerleading." She looked to Arabella for guidance.

arabella carson “Yeah, we are.” It was almost strange to still lump herself in with the cheerleaders, but she was sure it would be better to Missy’s ears than trying to distance herself from it completely. “She’s someone we can trust.” Didn’t the title of doctor make her sound pretty professional? “We just wanted to talk it out, if you didn’t mind.” It was all too familiar treading lightly around Missy, but Darcy’s glance gave her the courage to speak up. To help her friend or save face? Who really knew. “We’re going to be asking a few questions about Dani.”

missy watson The pieces of the puzzle weren't adding up for Missy. Why would Bella Carson and this random doctor for Logancorp be asking around about Dani? What could they possibly think would be accomplished through a conversation with her? "I'm not saying yes," she warned. And she meant it. "But, what do you want to know, and why do you want to know it?"

arabella carson “We’re helping her brother,” Ara stated. “We’re trying to gather all the necessary information and bring her home.” It wasn’t an ‘if’ anymore. No more ‘trying’. They were figuring this out and bringing Dani Logan home safe. Not saying no was pretty much the best case scenario she could have asked for right now. “You know, parents can kind of suck sometimes and they’re hard to talk to. Sometimes you really need an adult, but they’re so unavailable to you. I… always came to you.” The lamest part was that it wasn’t even manipulation. “Was there anything that she said to you that caused concern?”

missy watson "Bella..." Missy sighed, more out of pity than anything else. She completely understood the girls' desire to get some answers - she wanted them too. But there was really nothing to report. The police had asked the same question, and it hadn't helped them in their search. If the police couldn't figure it out, Missy didn't have much faith in the attempt at vigilante justice playing out in front of her eyes. "I completely understand wanting to help, but I already gave a statement to the Sheriff. And honestly? It wasn't very helpful. Because no, there was nothing."

𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧 "But had she been acting oddly prior to her disappearance?" Darcy interjected before they could be dismissed, determined to keep the questions coming even if the result was going to be a string of similar answers. "Even if it was something small, like just being on her phone more than usual."

arabella carson Bad talking the police was probably not smart, but the roll of her eyes was a knee-jerk reaction. “I’m sure the Sheriff is doing their best, but they’re also doing things their own way. Maybe a different set of eyes looking at the same clues could find something else.” Were they better than the police? Hell no. Were they going to try? Of course.

missy watson "Should that different set of eyes not be a higher power, like the FBI?" Missy questioned, turning to the redhead specifically to clue her in on how cheerleading worked at Coolsville High. "I have a no phones at practice rule and a zero tolerance policy for nonsense. I'm especially harsh on that during cheer camp to set expectations," she explained. "Dani Logan was a star student and a great cheerleader. She knew the rules and followed them to the letter. The only annoying thing that she did that week was making the squad wait 2 minutes for her to finish a chapter of a book after lunch. She's never given me any trouble, nor has she ever indicated to me that she was in trouble."

𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧 The answer she received to her question wasn't terribly surprising, given the bits of information she'd been given that had already hinted as much, but at the mention of a book, Darcy's interest was piqued. "A book?" she asked, more towards Arabella than to the cheer coach who had just uttered the word. Did that sound like a possible clue to her too?

arabella carson Arabella’s attention turned to Darcy at the mention of the book, just to be met by the other girl’s eyes already on her. “What was the book?” Worst case scenario, it was a dead end. Best case scenario, a lead. “What about gossip? You remember when Sofia Jackson got dumped by her boyfriend. The entire squad knew about it and talked about it before it was social media official. Have you heard the girls saying anything about her?”

missy watson "Gone Girl," Missy answered, fully aware of the conclusions that could be drawn from such a title. But she knew Dani Logan. Dani Logan would never pull a stunt like that. No, that girl (wherever she was) was in real danger.

"Don't get any crazy theories from that, though. That book has been in one pair of hands or another on the squad all year. It's just unfortunate timing."

And as for the gossip? Missy glanced over her shoulder to take stock of where the squad was in their warmup running, noting who was at the back of the pack because they'd burned out too early before she turned back. It was time to wrap things up.

"Sofia Jackson wasn't the incoming cheer captain. The squad talks, but some positions are immune. If there's something out there being whispered and it hasn't hit social media yet, it's not going to. Now, I appreciate your concern for Dani, but I have to start practice."

arabella carson “Who has the book now?” Writing secret notes in the book was probably unbelievable fiction, but who’s to say it wasn’t worth a shot? “Did Dani finish it and pass it along, or is it still with her things?” Was there any way the could get their hands on it for clues.

Arabella ripped off the bottom corner of her note pad, writing her number down for Missy. Cringing at the way she wrote Bella. “If you hear anything, or remember anything else, please let me know,” she requested, holding paper out to her with the best pageant she could muster. “We, and the Logan’s, would really appreciate it.”

𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧 Darcy watched as Missy Watson slipped away before their eyes, Arabella's questions going unanswered in favor of the woman blowing a whistle and shouting at the group of kids in front of her. At the very least, she'd taken Arabella's slip of paper and offered a nod. But how promising was that? "Thank you for your time!" Darcy made sure to add before she was out of earshot completely.

Already beginning to think through next steps, she turned to Arabella to offer a nod of her own. "Well," she started. "I guess that's... that. Gone Girl feels like something, at least."

arabella carson “Gone Girl is definitely something,” Arabella stated with a nod. “Passed from girl to girl or not, it’s something. Keeping everyone waiting two minutes to finish a book before cheer is something.”

𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧 Darcy didn't find it so odd to make others wait for you to finish a chapter, especially if the book was good, but just a few minutes at the edge of practice had her understanding Arabella's words to a certain extent. Things seemed... intense. "Let's report back," she suggested, beginning to lead them away without even a glance back. "And add this to the conspiracy board that I agreed to host in my thi-uh, spare room. Maybe this is the key."

[devilsmenu]

🌡 - to check your muse’s temperature . ( darcy and azari )

"I'm not in fever, you don't need to check my temperature, I think is just the flu".

[sunny-arts-blog]

A comm I did for @dreamtydraw! Feat Qiu and Darcie!!

[piratekane]

7 or 8

eight: i heard you talking in your sleep

Ava waits impatiently, drumming her fingertips against her knee as Bea moves around the kitchen. A jar of peach preserves lands on the table in front of her, followed by a knife. She follows strong fingers up to strong arms and shoulders, finally meeting Bea's eyes.

"Yes?" she asks innocently.

"If you're just going to sit there, be useful."

Ava beams. "As you wish." She doesn't linger on the pretty blush that rushes across Bea's face, granting her an ounce of mercy. She knows Bea appreciates it. But it doesn't stop Ava from saying it every chance she can, since they watched The Princess Bride a few nights ago. She knows Bea found it romantic.

And maybe Ava is pushing this line they're drawn between each other, but she can't resist nudging it forward, seeing how far she can get before Bea just admits that there's something going on. She's never good at knowing when to leaving something alone.

She pops out of her seat at the same time the toast pops in the ancient toaster that came with their apartment. She dances across the kitchen, her hands ghosting Bea's hips as she stands at the stove, watching their eggs cook. She feels Bea shiver a little but tries her best to focus her attention on spreading preserves against the toast.

She doesn't last long.

"Good dreams last night?" she asks innocently.

Bea's breath hitches. A normal person - someone not obsessed with every minute detail of Beatrice - wouldn't notice. But Ava has never felt less normal than she does when she's around Bea. And for carrying a Holy Weapon under her skin, that's a pretty big feat.

"Fine," Beatrice says after a second. "Why?"

Ava abandons the toast, all pretenses gone. She turns around, pressing the small of her back into the counter behind her.

"Oh, just wondering," she sings. She purses her lips, counting the seconds in her head. One, two, three, fo-

Bea turns, a spatula in her hand. "Why are you wondering?"

Ava shrugs casually. "Just wondering," she repeats.

Ava - an expert at Bea's facial tics and the way she breathes and the way her fingers curl around something - doesn't miss the slight sigh as Bea reins in the trickle of frustration she's feeling.

Bea's eyes narrow. "If you have something to say, you should-"

"Did you know you talk in your sleep?"

Bea inhales sharply. Ava catalogs it, adding it the ever-growing list of things she loves about Beatrice.

"I wasn't aware," Bea says in a measured voice. But Ava sees the way her hand tightens around the spatula. The eggs sizzle behind her. "I hope it didn't keep you up."

It did. But Ava hadn't cared. She had propped her head up on her elbow and watched Bea in the moonlight, mouth moving as she breathed out things Ava was sure she'd never say out loud. It took everything in her not to wake Bea up.

"It wasn't a big deal." She turns back to the quickly-cooling toast, smiling to herself. She can feel the tension radiating off Bea from five feet away. She smiles to herself, resists the urge to bounce on the tips of her toes. She counts. One, two, thr-

"Do you- Uh, do you remember what I said?"

Ava looks back over her shoulder, schooling her face into something casual. "Oh, the usual stuff. Ava, you need to try harder. Ava, take this seriously." She watches Bea's shoulders - coiled and high up near her ears - start to relax. "Ava, I want to kiss you."

Bea's whole body goes rigid. Ava is sure that if she was any stronger, the spatula would crack in her hand. She fights a smile and gently crosses the room, curling her hand around Bea's and loosening her grasp on the spatula. It's their only one.

"I'm sure that I-" Bea swallows. "I'm sure that's not what I said."

"Oh, it definitely is." Ava doesn't pull her hand away from Bea's. Instead, her replaces the spatula with her own hand. "But in a very dignified way. Like Mr. Darcy. That's the guy, right?" She takes a small step in, watching in delight as Bea takes a step back. She's dangerously close to the stove so Ava reaches around her, turning the burner off. "It was flattering."

Bea's face is bright red, freckles like stars across her cheeks. "I'm so sorry," she breathes, voice laced with something Ava might call shame. She frowns. That's not what she wanted. But Bea sees her frown and rushes to add, "It's not my intention to make you uncomfortable. And we- It's just been the two of us. I-" Her eyes start to shimmer. "I cannot apologize enough. I understand if you- I'll sleep on the couch."

"Woah, slow down." Ava ducks her head to catch Bea's eyes. She brushes her thumb across Bea's knuckles. Her other hand hovers over Bea's hip but she doesn't dare let it fall yet. "I'm not mad."

Bea blinks a few times. "I understand if you-"

"I'm not mad or uncomfortable," she interrupts. Bea's mouth snaps closed audibly. She looks down at her hand hovering and back up at Bea. She searches Bea's eyes and finds something that lets her know it'd be okay to touch Bea. Her hand lands lightly against her hip. She watches Bea fight off a shiver. "Actually, I'm..."

"Don't say flattered," Bea says in a halting voice, like she's pulling the words out from clenched teeth.

Ava smiles softly. "I won't say that, then." She strokes her thumb across Bea's hipbone. She can't hide the shiver this time. "How about I say... I've been waiting for you to say that."

Bea's eyes widen slightly, her mouth falling open. "You..."

"Me." Ava lowers her hand to Bea's other hip. This time when she steps in, Bea doesn't step back. "And if it's a relief, really. Because I was worried I was the only one feeling this. But I'm not. Right?" A tendril of doubt ripples through her. Maybe she read it wrong.

But Bea just stares at her for a moment before she shakes her nearly imperceptibly. Relief blossoms in her chest.

"Cool. Cool, cool." Ava's smile starts slow but spreads wide. She takes another step in. She can see the panic in Bea's eyes and she wants it to disappear. Her hand tighten a little more purposefully. "So I think we have two options, right? The first is that we totally forget this conversation happened and the next time you start talking in your sleep, I'll ignore it."

Bea's throat bobs as she swallows. "And the second option?"

"I kiss you right now."

"Oh," Bea breathes.

"Oh," Ava echoes with a smile. Bea doesn't move, seemingly frozen. Ava knows she needs to be gentle, to approach this like she's trying to convince a fawn to come closer. So she lifts a hand, rests it against Bea's cheek, and smiles. "Beatrice, I'm going to kiss you."

She doesn't wait. She follows the words right to Bea's lips, pressing her own softly against them. Bea is frozen underneath her and Ava thinks about pulling back before Bea moves, coming alive. Her hand curls around Ava's neck, pulling her back in those few precious inches Ava had put between them. It feels like a long stretch in a patch of sunlight, like coming home and taking off her shoes, like sliding into fresh sheets.

The kiss ebbs into a smile and they stay pressed together like that for a moment before Ava tips her head back, pressing an even softer kiss to Bea's forehead.

"Oh," Bea says again.

Ava smiles. "Same."

"I've been waiting for you to do that," Bea admits. "I couldn't- It couldn't be me."

Ava strokes her thumb across Bea's cheek. "Well, now we've done it. And we're going to keep doing that." It isn't a question, but Bea nods anyway. "In fact, we're going to start right now."

"But breakfast is-"

Ava leans in, stopping the rest of the words. She's never wanted a meal less in her life. Bea doesn't seem to hesitate either, kissing her back instantly. Ava smiles and feels Bea's fingers flex on her neck and feels like they could face anything together and win every time.

[hippolotamus]

Tease Tidbit Tuesday 🪩

tagged by the always lovely and talented @dangerpronebuddie 🔪 @loveyouanyway 💔 @diazsdimples 💖 definitely go read their snips!

Thanks to some prodding from James (and inspo from the tune that goes with this scene) Mirrorball fic has made a return (*chants to self* please stay, please stay, please stay) This scene happens way after anything posted so far. Nonetheless, master list of snippets and lore here. Bon appetit or whatever

Chim taps on the screen, opening Buck’s message and lets out a disbelieving huff. He scrubs at his chin, occasionally flicking his gaze up to Buck then back down to his phone. This goes on for what must be a solid minute before Buck’s curiosity and impatience get the best of him.  “What?”  Chim pockets his phone and looks at Buck, really looks at him. A piercing and disarming stare that makes him squirm, and not in a good way. It’s not often that this side of Chim shows up. The part that’s more like an older brother, loving and caring for Buck even when he probably doesn’t want to. Buck knows he should be more grateful, but right now he really hates it. He wishes Chim would go back to teasingly calling him a dumbass about whatever ridiculous thing he did or said.  “I know you’re not asking me that right now. Like, I’ve always known you weren’t the brightest sometimes, but jeez, Buckaroo, I didn’t think you were this stupid.” Buck resolutely stares at his shoes, at the album covers and other kitschy knick knacks decorating Chim’s small office, at the imaginary dirt under his fingernails. Anywhere but at the man in front of him. “Have you tried talking to him, Buck? Like actually talking to him.” “No need,” Buck sniffs, aiming for nonchalant and missing by a mile. “He made it pretty clear how he feels about things. About us.” He crosses his arms defensively and bites the inside of his cheek. He’s done crying over Eddie. (Okay, he’s not, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to let himself do it in front of Chim.) “You don’t think that maybe there’s a chance-” “I don’t have anything to say to him!” He curls his hands into fists, digging the nails into his palm. “And there isn’t a damn thing he could say that I wanna hear from him right now. Or ever.” Nothing except I’m sorry, I was wrong. I fucked up and I didn’t mean it. I love you.  “He made his choice and now I have to deal with that. Because I still have shit to do. If this is how I choose to make sense of it all in my head, Chim, then so be it. So.” His breaths are ragged and shallow, his voice trembling. He swipes away the tears beginning to escape before they can roll down his cheek. “Are you going to do this for me or not?” Chim studies him for a moment and Buck thinks he’s about to get an earful. Except he doesn’t.  “Yeah.” Chim sighs, clapping him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry Buckaroo. I’ll take care of it.”

The Tunes™️

np tagging @actuallyitsellie, @epicbuddieficrecs, @a-noble-dragon, @tizniz, @mountedeverest,

@fortheloveofbuddie, @weewootruck, @saybiwithme, @bidisasterevankinard, @shipperqueen6,

@ramonaflow, @taketheplanspinitsideways, @spotsandsocks, @theotherbuckley, @stereopticons,

@kitteneddiediaz, @mrs-f-darcy, @daffi-990, @drowsy-quill, @your-catfish-friend,

@thekristen999, @filet-o-feelings, @wikiangela, @underwaterninja13, @lizzie-bennetdarcy,

@rainbow-nerdss, @steadfastsaturnsrings, @queenmabcreates, @inell, @jesuisici33,

@shortsighted-owl, @queerbuckleys, @bi-buckrights, @elvensorceress,

@bucksbiawakening, @giddyupbuck, @hoodie-buck, @indestructibleheart, @ladydorian05,

@lemonzestywrites, @monsterrae1, @statueinthestone, @slightlyobsessedwitheverything, @the-likesofus,

@thewolvesof1998, @watchyourbuck, @wildlife4life anyone else who wants to 😘

[holleydoodles]

A couple sessions ago in our Frostmaiden game our party found themselves in a pretty sticky situation, and Rhys was about to sacrifice himself to buy everyone else some time.

Thankfully Evander has the Sentinel feat and our DM let him use it to grab on tight and stop him 🥺🥺

Featuring:

Rhys: @topbanana-art ’s sweet half orc fighter

Evander: my panicked earth genasi paladin

Cleo: @zombieoctopus’s currently-firbolg-but-actually-changeling bard

Darcy: @kroovv’s four-armed firbolg wizard

Quil: @rbillustration’s wood elf/ice block wiiizzard???

[mariinawrites]

Wanted for Pleasure - Simon 'Ghost' Riley

༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶

Pairing: Simon 'Ghost' Riley x Fem!Reader

Tags: nsfw, smut, neck kisses, dom Simon Riley, Angst

Recommended songs to listen while reading: Melting by Kali Uchis, Stay by Ari Abdul, Wild Horse by Darci, West Coast by Lana Del Rey

Word Count: 5,100~ (approximately)

A/N: Something about seeing Simon as a detective gets me in a chokehold oh my god. Have funsies! Minors do not interact!

༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶

Being a detective at your local police department was not an easy feat. Every single day consisted of such heavy work and many files to take care of and to file properly, as well as capture many criminals in the district along with your temporary team. You pride yourself on your sharp instincts and relentless pursuit of justice. As a seasoned investigator, you really saw it all – murders, robberies and a long ongoing string of complex cases that always had you putting your skills to the test. 

By your superior, you were just recently assigned to a high-profile task force within the police department. A little intimidated by it, only because the group was full of well respected detectives. You were grateful your superior finally recognized your good and hard accomplished work to even assign you there. It would be a new chapter for you, and you didn’t want to mess up at all. Walking into the room where the task force was located, you scouted your eyes around the room clutching your brown box full of desk belongings and unfinished criminal files jumbled in there. You counted 7 desks with each detective working, not lifting their eyes from their screen to even acknowledge your arrival, as one desk was fully empty ready for you to use, all the way in the back, secluded, just the way you liked it. 

You place your box on your new desk as you quietly started placing things in their respective places, as your superior walks in full of energy. It was too early, being 8:00 am, to be that energetic. He took a grand sip from his coffee cup in his hand as he placed it on a pile of papers as he clapped to get everyones’ attention. 

“Okay everyone, listen up!” He exclaimed.

“We have a new addition to the team, and she is another fellow detective transferred from the other force. Now, treat her as a part of you all now, include her in missions and no sabotaging funny business you hear!” He said aggressively, causing you to smile gently as you stood up to introduce yourself.

“I hope we can all work together well, nice to meet you all!” You said nicely towards all your new accomplices as you gave a warm smile to each fellow detective, as some returned the same, until you reached the last detective. Your smile fades slowly as you realize who is there. Your breath hitches slightly as you sit back down slowly. 

Your ex-boyfriend Simon Riley.

What the hell is he doing there? You thought.

You were known for your unwavering dedication to your job, but nothing had tested your resolve like the day your heart shattered. Once, you and Detective Simon Riley had shared a love that burned brighter than the sun itself. But now, all that remained were the charred remains of broken memories and shattered trust. It broke you, broke you so much you had to take a couple months off, claiming you were on “sick leave.” 

Things ended between you two so abruptly, considering he was the one who ended it after you found out he cheated on you supposedly with another member from another task force, in that same damn police department you were in presently. You were dumb to even start a relationship with him, but oh did you love this man more than anything else in the entire world. He was a man of very few words and was rather cold and mysterious, your mind was all in a frenzy not knowing what to do next as you clutch your pen in your hand, trying to get started to file documents, but you can’t. 

You were too focused on realizing that you were now forced to work with your ex boyfriend, and the fact that you still couldn’t get over him, despite it being 3 years ago. You weren’t going to lie to yourself, no matter how hard you tried over the years, you could never get over him. You were forced to succumb and bury the heartbreak you felt as well as the feelings you still miraculously still had for him. This was all too fast for you to process, you didn’t know what to do next, hell, you couldn’t even look up because you were afraid he was staring at you, which would’ve been absolutely awkward. 

Your hands started to grow cold as you felt your stomach twisting, giving you the feeling that you had to throw up. You shot up quickly as you grabbed your jacket from your chair as you burst through the door to the bathroom, having 3 team detectives look up confused at your sudden action. Simon did not even bother caring, as he lit a cigarette from his leather jacket pocket, shooting a few puffs upwards as he analyzed a murder case file simultaneously. 

Clutching the bathroom sink, you splashed water on your face to wake you up. You couldn’t possibly be feeling like this. This would hinder your profession and possibly, your superior could notice the change in your work ethic and send you out, which would be really embarrassing. It couldn’t be that bad, just work with the team as if there was nothing between you and Simon. Easy right?

Wrong.

You dried your face as you paced from side to side in the small bathroom, thinking of a good way for an entrance back to your desk without feeling queasy again. You decided to hype yourself up and not be cooped up in the bathroom as you left, making way to the office again. Pushing the door open slightly, not to disturb anyone else working, you quickly went back to your seat and sat down without gathering any attention to yourself, as you began filing a report for one of the cases you were assigned to. 

As you were too engulfed in working on the case file while simultaneously concealing the feelings you were battling in your mind, as well as processing the fact that you are now forced to work with your ex boyfriend Simon Riley, this thought reminding you every waking second of the day, You hear a heap stack of files be placed on your desk with a huge thud, startling you. Darting your eyes up to see who it is, it is none other than Simon himself, staring at you with an icy cold stare that broke into you, making you feel absolutely small under his gaze. He slapped the giant pile of files he placed while playing with a cigarette hanging loosely from the side of his mouth, a scar apparent on the side of his lip. 

“File these in the cabinets, alphabetically, get to it.” He said with no emotion whatsoever, making you wanna disintegrate right then and there, as he leaves the office with his leather jacket over his shoulder. You scoff and stare at the massive amount of files he left there, resembling an entire jenga tower, it’s like you were some maid of his. 

Who the fuck does he think he is. You thought angrily. 

You huff in defeat as you continue to file all these documents in their respective places, you eventually lose track of time.

[Same night - 12:30 am]

You yawn lazily as you start staring at the clock, reading 12:30 am, you rubbed your eyes and slumped into your chair stretching yourself, as you gaze around the room lightly, seeing only you in the entire office, feeling envious of the other members having finished their work early. This was Simon’s fault, giving you more work than you already had, considering he was the first to leave, he could’ve done the alphabetical filing himself, but no, he had to dump it on the newbie of the team. 

You were happy with yourself despite the situation, considering the fact you were always an organized person, so everything was in order and in place, just how you liked it. Getting up and packing your bag with your things, you yank your jacket off the seat and leave the office, closing the lights and locking the door behind you. 

This is fucking overtime. You thought, as you were not liking the fact you stayed so late because of a certain someone, even though it is your job as a detective, it irked you because this meant you missed the premier of your favorite show on your TV at home. Walking out of the empty police department to your car, the parking area was all empty, giving you an eerie feeling that you weren’t so alone, like you imagined, and that someone was still around, despite it being so quiet. You thought nothing of it as you were too tired to go and scout the area, so you just decided to ignite your car and zoom off home.

As you left, you couldn’t help but still think that someone was staring at you when you were at the parking lot, even though it was empty. It creeped you out a little but you thought none of it as you gripped the steering wheel focusing on the road. Little did you know, someone was there staring at you when you left, and it was the man himself, Simon. Watching your every move as you left, while he stayed hidden behind a tall tree near the parking lot, once again, smoking another cigarette while leaning against his motorcycle. 

He couldn’t lie to himself, he was just a little shocked you were transferred to his team, but nonetheless, it ended between you two because of his stupid decisions. He messed up, but at the same time, he can’t bare to see you with anyone else. He wanted you all to himself. Despite ruining what you both had, and having you absolutely heartbroken, he claimed in his mind that he did what he did to you to protect you, by pushing you away from him. This backfired, considering that now, he can’t get you out of his mind. And now that you both are forced to work with each other, it will make it all the more harder for him. Which is why now, he was closely watching you, from a distance, like a hawk, ready to attack if anything comes your way to harm you. Like your guardian angel. You were his first love, and he was not going to get that taken away from him, regardless of the past. 

[Couple weeks later - Monday - 8:10 am]

Pouring yourself a 2nd cup of coffee as you went to sit down at your desk, yawning tiredly, turning on your computer and putting on your badge and name tag lanyard on, it was time to begin work with the first case of the day. Pulling out the file, it was labeled as an armed robbery case. And this file was directed under you. 

Setting up the documents, to make the explanation of the case easier on the cork board. You kindly began explaining to the other detectives, all while trying not to make eye contact with Simon, who was on your side listening intently to what you were saying. Which stressed you out a little, even though it has been a couple weeks since you were transferred.

“So, essentially, he was armed, and broke in about 15 minutes later, after the family had left for their camping trip.” You said strategically as you pointed to the board. You were breezing through this briefing to the others, and then assigned a part of the case to each detective to make the work easier, and to send the final report to your superior quicker and more efficiently. 

Simon did not like the idea of being told what to do, and you learnt that the hard way. He told you bluntly that he was going to work on this alone and that he didn’t want to negotiate, which irritated you immensely. He left the room without even giving you a chance to speak, angering you. You followed him all the way outside near the back door, where he lit a cigarette, blowing puffs as he stared up at the sky, irritating you even more. Bursting through the door, you pushed his shoulder. 

“What the fuck is your problem Simon?!” You exclaimed angrily. “All I am trying to is my job, and you are making this so fucking difficult with your bullshit-” You continued, as you pissed him off, which he then pinned you against the brick wall, holding your neck tightly, staring at you with the same icy look he gave you when you first joined. 

“Watch that fucking mouth.” He said sternly. “If I say I work alone, you abide by that, you understand?!” he said, raising his voice louder, you were not going to let him just step over you once more, since the breakup.

You pushed him off you with all your force as you backed away from him.

“This case is under my name and my jurisdiction so you’re gonna have to follow my rules, and not disobey them, even though you are such a hard-headed piece of shit, and you’ve always been that way!” You said sternly but had tears well up in your eyes. He just stared at you, with his hands in his pockets, not saying another word, feeling somewhat hurt by what you said. 

You left him there and went straight back inside as this deteriorated your mood immensely, making way to your desk, you quickly wiped your tears and continued to work on your tasks. You couldn’t let this bother you, he was not negotiating and that pissed you off, you didn’t think you would lash out on him like that. But it felt nice, to finally say something against him since the breakup.  

After finishing the report with your members you made your way to your superiors’ office to hand him the completed documents, to which he was delighted to receive. He sent you off work early, meaning you could go home. Packing up your things and leaving for the door, you see Simon walk in holding someone, by pinning their arms behind their back, telling them to quiet down, and it seemed like he captured a suspect for a certain case. 

Not that it was much business to you, so you briskly passed by him, however, you couldn’t help but notice how attractive his arm muscles looked, as they bulged through his tight shirt. Catching yourself shamelessly ogling at him, to which he noticed, you left for your car. As you sat in your car, you ringed up your best friend to come over that night. 

[Same Night - 9:30 pm]

“Uh okay…so like now you two are working together, what’s the big deal?” Your best friend asked as she shoved her face with a bunch of gummy worms making you sigh and slump into the couch.

“I know but dude, its been 3 years since the whole breakup.” You said as your best friend looked at you about to say something. 

“Wait a fucking minute…usually you are the type to forget things and you know, be in your new bitch arc everytime, but oh my god wait…do you still love him??!!” She said shockingly, having you widen your eyes, and have your brain in another frenzy.

“I can’t possibly..” You sigh as your eyes start tearing. Your best friend sighed as she came next to you and rubbed your back reassuringly.

“It’s okay, let it out.” she said softly as you started crying uncontrollably, it seemed like you have been holding all these tears since the day you found out he cheated on you, but at the same time, he was the only man at the time who made you feel loved, made you feel like such a princess. You had him wrapped around your finger, and he did everything you wanted him to. Despite his cold and rough personality, he was a giant care bear to you, and always was by your side whenever you needed, he loved you, and you loved him even more. And now, you were starting to miss him, the part where he cheated on you didn’t even bother you, you wanted him back. You needed him, you've had enough of this.

You got up and grabbed your jacket and keys and decided to drive to the police department, cause you had a feeling he was still there. Leaving to the door, it was heavily raining, your best friend knew what was going through your mind, and supported you. 

“Here, take the umbrella, be safe and don’t do anything you’ll regret, okay?” she said as you nodded with a gentle smile. 

“I’ll be fine, I just need to go see him.” You said, while giving her a tight hug as she nodded as you left through the door. 

Driving down the road to the police department, the sound of the rain heavily hitting the windows, and the sound of the windshield wipers calming you. You finally reached the police department as you parked your car and rushed inside scanning your employee card first, respecting the others who were working and on the job. Not making much noise as you entered the empty office, you can’t seem to find Simon anywhere, mentally cursing yourself if you have come too late.

You walk to his desk slowly and touch his coffee mug, which still felt hot, meaning he could still be there. Your eyes scan his desk until you find the corner of a photograph under a small pile of papers that caught your attention. Lifting the stack slowly to see the photograph, your heart sinks but flutters at the same time, which you couldn’t really comprehend how. Clutching the photograph, it was a picture of you and Simon together on your 1 year anniversary, at a park. You couldn’t believe he still had this picture, you had thought that after the breakup he would just get rid of everything, but you were wrong. 

He decided to keep it, and it wasn’t torn or ripped, it was in good condition after these couple of years. This brought tears to your eyes, and you were too focused on analyzing the photograph and reminiscing about how much fun it was back then, that you didn’t hear Simon walk in and catch you looking through his things.

“What are you doing?” He said sternly yet softly, walking towards you and taking the photograph from you, as he gently put it in the breast pocket of his jacket. You looked up at him and smiled gently and inched closer to him, closing the gap just a little bit more, causing him to be confused at first but later softened his gaze and looked at you with a saddened look. 

You didn’t care about what happened between you two, you were a firm believer in second chances and wanted to give him a second chance, if he wanted to. You wiped some of your tears and took his hand gently in yours. You knew Simon like the back of your hand so the saying ‘Once a cheater, always a cheater’ left your mind, he didn’t fit in that category, he was better than that. 

“Simon…” You said softly as he pulled you in a tight hug, catching you off guard. He felt warm, and his signature natural scent made its way to your nose, filling you to the brim with nostalgia and reminiscence of your past memories with him. Clutching him tighter, leaning your head on his chest as he looked down at you slightly, he didn't say a word but held you in his embrace tighter.

Your heart was beating fast as you pulled away from his grasp and looked at him while holding both of his hands in yours, gently rubbing with your thumb reassuringly. You wanted him to know how you really felt, so you were going to seize this moment, or else you’ll regret it later. As you were about to speak, he beat you to it, by clearing his throat.

“Listen, I’m sorry, I’m sorry for everything I did, I shouldn’t have never done what I did. I was clouded by judgment and was clouded by jealousy. I hated seeing you being transferred to some other task force where all the asshole men there wanted a fucking piece of you. I thought you deserved better, and to numb my shitty overthinking and jealousy, I picked a random woman from the other force and got with her, to forget you, to keep you away from me, only because I thought you needed better.” He said as his eyes started to well up with tears, which was something you never thought in a million years you would see. His rough and tough exterior was shedding right in front of you.

Your cheeks became wet with the tears flowing out of your eyes as you listened to what he said intently, and couldn’t help but push yourself into his embrace and hug him once again. Hating him for his dumb decisions and causing heartbreak for the both of you. But you had him now, you had him in the palm of your hand, and you needed him back. Reaching to dry his tears gently, you cupped his cheek and lightly grazed your thumb over the scar on his lip, causing him to release a sweet hum as he closed his eyes and leaned more into your touch, feeling more at ease.

“I forgive you, Simon…come back to me.” You said softly as he looked at you and nodded slowly as he took your hand and kissed your palm. Your heart skipped a beat and your entire mind was full of him, and you were happy that this cleared between you and now are connected once again.

Was this a bad idea? Was this too quick? Absolutely not. Not in a million years.

[Same night - 10:45pm]

Simon offered to take you back to his place, he wanted to spend the night with you. He missed you and now that he finally had you back, he was not going to mess up and have you taken away from him, not now, not ever. Not again. 

Locking the door behind him as you start to wander around in his flat, it was clean and well organized, since he was a clean freak, just like you. There were many things that were so similar between you two, it was as if you were just two peas in a pod. You make your way to his bedroom door and as you enter you find small polaroids on a little cork board hung on the wall to your left. 

Little pictures of the both of you once more were there, documenting the many trips you two went on and it brought such happiness to you, and tugged your heartstrings the right way. Simon came up behind you, after changing into more comfy clothing, and snaked his strong arms around your waist to rest on your stomach, while resting his head on yours, swaying from side to side gently. 

“Remember that one, it was our first date.” He said pointing to one of the polaroids, making you smile and nod gently. 

“Yeah, I’m happy but also surprised you still have all of these, Simon.” You said as you count how many of the little polaroids are there, hanging pretty on the cork board. You even notice that they are in chronological order, making your heart flutter at the sight. 

“I never got over you, I can’t fucking do it, I’m obsessed with you, and that’s never gonna change.” He said sternly yet lovingly, causing your cheeks to heat up as you turn around to face him. 

“Don’t worry, it won't change.” You whispered gently,  as you inched your face closer to his as your lips met together. The feeling of his sweet, soft lips on yours after these couple of years,  and having his rough scar graze on your lips the right way had your stomach in knots and mind in a blaze. 

He released a small groan as he pulled you closer to him, feeling you even more, you were a part of him and he was a part of you, as he snaked his arms around you to hoist you closer to him. 

Pure love. 

That was the only thing going through your mind as he was kissing you with such need and such want. You bring your hands up to tangle in his soft locks of his hair as he groans at the action. You were kissing him with such passion, you didn't want it to stop, you couldn't help yourself at this point. His sweet, intoxicating lips were just begging to be sucked on until they became swollen. Every single fiber in your body dissolved at his rough but gentle and dominating command. An entire new sense of craving was taking over your mind. 

You missed this, you missed feeling this exact feeling with him for the very first time, and now you are feeling it again, and you couldn’t be happier. His tongue darting into your mouth, playing a game of tug o’ war, exploring each crevice of your mouth with such extreme need. You needed him badly and released small moans into his mouth to tell him you wanted more. He suddenly pulls away and immediately latches his soft wet lips onto your neck, your back arches, almost like a perfect parabola, right into him, as he leaves open mouthed kisses, leaving marks apparent on your skin. Gently nipping at your skin, he asks you. 

“Do you want more, sweetheart?” He says lacing his words with a playful tone. You couldn’t even form a sentence with how he’s got you feeling right now.

“Come on, use your words.” He said, licking each and every love bite and hickey he left on your neck for everyone to see on display. 

All you could muster was a small and breathy ‘yes’ and that was all it took for him to place you gently onto the bed and hover over you, taking off each article of clothing from the both of you. Now, you two are completely bare in front of each other, as he attacks your lips once more, as he glides his large and calloused hand up and down your naturally beautiful hips and thighs. 

And it was on.

All you could see was the carnivorous look in his eyes as he eyes you up and down, hypnotized by the way you look at him. He needed to taste you, absolutely devour you and you couldn't wait for it. He leans down for a quick short kiss to your lips and starts teasing your clit with the tip of his hardened cock, having you twitch in need under him. He laid small butterfly kisses all the way down your tummy to your pelvis area.

“You’re just so fucking pretty.” He cooed as his hot breath hit your most sensitive area. And not a moment later, his long flat tongue made its way to your throbbing clit as he tasted you. So sweet, so magnifying, his arms wrapped around your legs to keep you from moving so much, as he buries his entire mouth and nose into your delicious folds, feeling your wetness which only made him more excited. 

As you followed his lead and pushed your pelvis up to feel every inch of his mouth, your hands grip his hair with such need and full desire. He inserted two fingers into your slick cunt as your moans filled the dimly lit room quickly and delightedly. He felt your walls close tightly around his fingers as he knew you were close to release.

“Shoot it, beautiful.” You heard him say muffled under your touch.

With that, you released a succulent burst, that had his entire face soaked as he licked up every single last drop not wasting anything. You lay there watching Simon taste you even more indefinitely on his fingers as he leans in to kiss you, and lay more butterfly kisses on your perked breasts, releasing sweet moans into his ear.

His soft voice giving you sweet compliments almost lulling you to sleep. As he lifts you to turn around and have your ass up for him, just sitting pretty. Instantly crouching lower and arching your back, ass high enough for him to grope. He wastes no second as he plows into you, letting out moans and groans from his soft mouth, as he fills you up. With his strong and flat stomach now completely pressed into you, his rough hands make their way to your hair as he tugs from the roots pulling your head back to him, meeting his lips for another greedy kiss. 

The absolute ripping and exhilarating feeling of your core mesh with his, feeling the pleasure of the outstanding string of orgasms you have every single time. He was the only one who could make you feel this way and was the only man you would be on your knees for. You felt like putty in his hands and was on cloud 9, with how strong and uniform his thrusts were. Reaching each other’s climax, he gives your ass a couple rough slaps to leave an apparent mark to ogle at later. And then shoots his large load into you, shivering at the feeling as he pulls out and sees his cum drag down your leg, and wastes no other second to take his thumb and push it back inside you, causing you to fall to your forearms and let out a sequence of whimpers.

Falling down next to you with whatever energy he had left, he pulled you to his chest under the covers as you both stayed in silence. This was a comforting feeling for you both, your eyes half open as your head rests on his chest, hearing his heartbeat beautifully, and hearing his soft breaths escape his lips as you both come down from your high. He smiles gently as he sees you trace his tattoos on his arm.

“I love you.” Were the only three words escaping your lips as you doze off to sleep in his warm and protective embrace. He leaned to kiss your forehead gently and eventually turned off the only lamp in the room by his side, and followed you soon after, as he crashed to sleep, not letting go of you at any given moment.

Simon would do anything for you, all you had to do was say the word.

You were his.

And he was yours.

And he vowed to himself, that would never change.

[toothfa-1-ry]

"If we were a movie, you'd be the right guy" feat. Felix

You always find yourself pining over your bestfriend. If only you guys were a movie, maybe things would work out.

PAIRING: Non idol bestfriend Felix x gn reader, Yeonjun x gn reader

FEAT: Yuna (itzy), Yeonjun (txt)

GENRE: one sided love, based on the lyrics of "if we were a movie", angst + fluff at the end

WARNING: reader has self depricating thoughts.

Tumblr is based on the number of reblogs and not likes so please do reblog if you enjoyed reading! Don't be shy to mention something's as well!! Have a nice day

📼

"Uh, oh, there you go again, talkin' cinematic"

You couldn't help but roll your eyes as Felix let out a sigh, yet again complaining about how he wishes that life were like the movies

"just imagine y/n!" His eyes widen as he stretches out his hand "love letters, secret hide outs, ballets and just love" he exclaimed as he flopped on your bed

Felix was what you would call a hopeless romantic. He held ideals and sentiments about love, he absolutely loved the idea of love. From Jack to Rose and Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.

"you better clean up my bed you hear me" you say completely ignoring him

I suppose you were the opposite of a hopeless romantic. Did you believe in love? Yes but did you think that love could be like how it was potrayed in the movies? Probably not but did you ever wish it was? Maybe

"love" Felix sighed "if we were in a movie. I wonder how it would be like" he muttered

"don't you ever wonder how it would be like?" Felix brought his face near yours and asked you "hm?"

You could feel your face getting warm as you stare into his eyes "w-what?" You stammer hoping he wouldn't notice anything

"do you ever wish we were in a movie?" He asked you grinning

Thankgod he didn't notice anything different

"pft no that would be silly" you remark watching Felix frown "I don't think ive never wished that"

I've always wished for that, every night before sleeping, everyday after waking up

"really? You never wanted to be the star in your movie?" Felix asked you

"No.. not really"

Yea... All the time, if it means things could be different between us

"well" Felix huffed as he crossed his arms "I have. Just wait y/nnie. I'm gonna find the kind of love they talk about in the movies, I might not have found them yet but I'll find them!" he exclaimed

You felt a pang of pain in your heart, what about you? Could you be the kind of love Felix was searching for?

"yea yea alright mr. Romantic that enough. Now help me clean up my bed" you stand up clearing your throat

Felix smiled at you and yoy felt your heart melt

"I'll clean up don't worry-"

"we can do it together it's fine"

"no hey wait-"

"yea you, your charming. Got everybody starstruck"

It was a understatement to say that Felix was attractive.

With a smile as pretty as that and a personality as bright as the sun, you weren't surprised that you fell for him

The thing was, so did everyone else.

"uh ...hi uhm I just wanted to say-" a blushing girl approached you and Felix in the cafe

You look behind her to see another group of girls who were hyping her up. Oh boy, this was the third time this is happening today. You look over to Felix who was seated facing you, he didn't seem to mind nor notice

"hi.. can I help you?" He asked in his deep voice and you could almost swear that the girl would have fainted any second. You can't blame her though, you always felt yourself swooning over his voice as much as you tried not you.

You raise you eyebrows as the girl struggles to form sentences getting annoyed

You clear your throat and Felix throws you a dirty look

Be nice

you throw him another look

whatever

"do you need something?" You ask the girl who only seemed to notice you now, staring between you and Felix dumbfounded

"oh uh- I didn't know you had a lover" she said as she looked at you.

"they're not my lover" Felix quickly corrected her with a smile

It pained you to see how fast he was to correct her, was it that bad for him when others thought that they were dating? Was it that bad for him to imagine you as his lover?

"oh! I'm glad to hear that!" The girl exclaims, completely shifting her attention to Felix now

You decided at this moment that you didn't like her. Not one bit

"My name is Yuna. I was hoping to get your number? If that is you want to give it to me ofcourse!"

Hah no way Felix would give his number to her..right?

"I know how you always seem to go. For the obvious instead of me"

"I can't believe it...a girl like that liked me y/n!" Felix said to you a little to excited for your liking on the bus ride back to your apartment

"I can't believe you gave your number to her..what was so special about her.." you mumble to yourself looking out of the window.

"wow..she was so cute. Don't you think so? Could she be the one?" Felix continued to ramble on as he talked animatically

You felt the tears prick your eyes, Felix always went for the obvious choice. Pretty girls with long hair and big eyes.

What about you, couldn't you have been a choice for him? Did the thought ever occur to him that you were there too?

"hey y/n you okay?" Felix asked you in concern when you didn't reply back to anything he said

"oh yea..I'm fine. I'm just a little tired" you mumble while refusing to look at his face.

"here you can sleep on me. I don't mind" Felix said smiling "my shoulder is reserved specially for my bestfriend!"

You weakly smile back as you rest your head in his shoulder as you felt small butterfly's erupt in your stomach just by the contact between your head and Felix's shoulder

Bestfriend... really? Is that what you'll ever be to Felix?

"hey Felix?"

"hm? Yea?"

"are you gonna contact that Yena girl?" You say the wrong name intentionally wondering if Felix would correct you.

"it's Yuna" Felix quickly said

Oh..he did correct you

"and yes I will" Felix paused for a while "...she had the prettiest face. She's the one..I feel it" he pressed his heart and his cheeks tinted red

"oh okay Lix.." you try your best to blink your tears away. You pressed your heart and you could almost swear that you heard it cracking.

"But get a ticket and you'll see"

You watch as Felix showed you numerous different outfits

"do you think this looks good?" He asked you everytime he tried something on

You've never seen him act like this before, he never behaved like this on all his other dates except for Yuna.

You grew to hate that name, the name that made Felix smile all widely, the name that Felix loved.

The name that made Felix's heart skip a beat while yours cracks even more

You try to pick the worst outfits for him to wear but everything looks so good on him its impossible for you to sabotoge his date.

But how could you sabotoge his date? How could you when Felix was so excited? When he told you that she was the one, when he sang her name everytime the both of you hanged out

How could you possibly sabotage Felix and Yuna's relationship when it brought joy to Felix, you weren't that cruel.

You didn't mind breaking your heart for Felix.

"wear this outfit" you point out to him "it will make her heart skip a beat. I swear"

"really? What makes you so sure?"

Because it made my heart skip a beat

"just trust me okay?"

Felix grinned at you "thankyou y/n..I don't know what I would do without you!"

"I don't know what I would do without you too" you whisper to yourself as you watch Felix carefully pick up the outfit you chose for him

"you know y/n? Why don't you get a lover? I mean...I can always find someone for you. Like a blind date" Felix said his eyes sparkling "we could go on blind dates"

"oh I don't... I'm not really into that sorta things" you say uncomfortable

"your really not interested in anyone?" Felix asked you

"nah.." you shake your head.

I'm interested in you- no I'm inlove with you

"Now go get ready or you'll be late for your date" you laugh out even though there was nothing funny "c'mon you don't want to keep Yena waiting?"

"it's Yuna y/n..geez"

"whatever" you roll your eyes as you push him to get ready

Whatever ...yea right

"if we were a movie, you'd be the right guy"

You stare at the freckles which were splattered all over Felix's cheeks looking like constellations.

You watch his grin grow wider as his fingers began typing even faster

"who are you texting?" You ask him even though you already know the answer

"Yuna" he quickly said without breaking contact from his screen

"oh" you just said

There seemed to be a question plaguing your mind ever since Yuna and Felix started dating.

You always asked yourself what did Yuna do that you didn't for Felix to fall head over heals over her?

What did she have that you didn't?

You continue staring at Felix's smile, the pure genuine smile that was reserved only for Yuna and never you

Those eyes which showed nothing but pure admiration for Yuna once used to bring comfort to you but now it brought nothing but pain. You knew he looked at her in a way he'll never look at you

You knew that Felix was perfect. He knew you better than anyone.

He knew that your favourite colour was blue but not the sort of blue that painted the sky, the sort of blue that the ocean had.

He knew that you hated thunderstorms but loved the rain

He knew just how you liked your coffee and how much sugar to add

Felix was perfect for you

But you weren't perfect for him

You were clumsy and forgetful but not in a cute way, rather in a annoying way

You couldn't ever smile as bright as Felix did even if you tried, you couldn't bring warmth to others like Felix did

Felix was the right guy

But deep down you knew, you weren't the right person.

Not for him

He deserved someone like Yuna as much as it pained for you to admit

Will he ever see you inna different light? Even if he did will you ever be enough?

Were you ever enough?

"And I'd be the bestfriend, you'd fall inlove with"

You've been bestfriend's with Felix ever since middle school.

The both of you had automatically clicked. It was strange for everyone including you. How did a person like Felix get so close with a person like you? Someone like Felix who was so bubbly and bright with someone like you? So lonely and depressing

It shocked everyone but you didn't mind one bit. As long as you had Felix it was fine. As long as you had your friendship with Felix it was fine.

They say it's hard for middle school friendships to last but that wasn't the case for you and Felix. Until you fell inlove with him during highschool.

And you've been inlove with Felix ever since.

But could you be blamed? Of course you were going to fall for him. Did you try to stop yourself? Yes but did it work? No quite the contrary instead you found yourself falling for him even deeper as the days went by

All those small hugs, small presents, words of affirmations and constant smiles had made you fall for him even harder.

There were times when you wondered if Felix could ever fall for you.

We're all those small lingering hugs there for nothing? Those showers of compliments from him whenever you felt insecure

Was it not love?

The thing is, it was love. But it wasn't the kind of love you wanted from Felix

You wanted him to kiss you softly like he does to Yuna, you wanted him to hum into your ear like he does to Yuna

In movies, the bestfriends always fall inlove with eachother. They realise that they've been inlove this whole time and end up together happy.

But this wasn't the movies and this wasn't a sappy romcom.

This was real life

And your bestfriend was inlove with someone else.

Not you, never you

"We'd be laughing, watching the sunset, Fade to black show our names. Play the happy song"

Maybe he did love you the way you loved him. Or maybe you just told that to yourself everytime you though about him

Maybe if you guys were in a movie he would finally love you back. And you'd get a happy ending

But the movies were just movies

And you were just a person, not the main lead of the movie or a star.

You were just his bestfriend and you'll always be only his bestfriend

You look at Yuna and Felix who were holding each other's hands in the movie theater while you were third wheeling their date.

The movie was about two bestfriend's who fall inlove with eachother. How ironic

Watching Yuna and Felix hold each other's hand was one thing, them leaning on eachother was another but being their third wheel was the last straw.

"hey uh- I'm gonna go. I already saw this movie so-" you grab your bag as you stand up

"oh you did?" Felix asked so nonchalantly "okay see you"

He was probably glad you were going after all he wanted to spend time with his girlfriend. Alone

"okay..let's meet up in the cafe nearby y/n" Yuna whispers to you giving your hand a slight squeeze as if she was signalling you a thankyou for giving them their alone tims

You wince slightly as you walk out of the theater quickly, you didn't want to be around them another minute

You rush out of the theater hall not looking infront of you causing you to bumb into someone, dropping your bag

"oh my god I'm so sorry" you apolagise as you scramble down to pick up your bag and all the items that was spilled on the floor

"hey it's chill. No problem" a male voice says as he helps you pick up your things

You look up to meet a pair of fox eyes and plump lips which quickly turned up to smile at you

"I'm Yeonjun. You alright? You looked like you wanted to get out of there" he pointed to the theater hall from which you rushed out from

"hah..yea I guess you could say that" you sling you bag onto your shoulder "thankyou for helping me"

"no problem" Yeonjun smiles at you lifting his eyes expectantly

"oh- sorry I'm y/n...uh I already saw the movie so..." You quickly ramble

"y/n... pretty name" the boy said "too bad you already saw that movie. I heard it sucks tho?"

You let out a laugh "it kinda does"

"hm...do you want to watch another movie?" He points to another movie poster "i heard that pretty good"

Your eyes widen at his sudden proposal unsure of what to say. Your eyes drift to the poster he pointed to and to the theater hall you just escaped from

Yeonjun smiles at you "what do you say?"

What could go wrong? Isn't this what always happens in the movies?

"sure...I'd like to watch that movie"

Yeonjun grins at you "I'll get the tickets. Just wait here"

You watch Yeonjuns figure approach the counter. He turns around to give you a thumbs up.

"the movies gonna start. let's go" Yeonjun grabs your hand as he leads you to the theater hall.

You watch the pitch black screen slowly turn bright, you looked over to the boy sitting next to you. It reminded you of a scene in a movie or a book you read.

Maybe you didn't mind that it was just like the movies. Maybe you always wanted it to be.

📼

[marvelstarker-mha98]

The Runaway Distance Life Of A Little Stark chapter 29: The Story Of Your Life

Characters & Pairings: Tony Stark & daughter!Reader, Pepper potts & reader. Pepper potts x Tony stark, Happy hogan, tony stark, Pepper potts, Steve rogers & tony stark, Roberta Rhodey & tony stark, Maria hill & Tony stark, Ben parker, may parker & peter parker, Nick fury & Phil coulson, lots of characters mentions.

Summary: The funeral Co author with: callikc Tag:  @venomsvl  @geeksareunique The cathedral was packed for the ceremony.

Pew after pew was lined with people.

At the front of it all stood the pastor. He was talking about your life and your accomplishments, giving you honors and praise for all the good deeds and world-changing decisions.

The casket was next to his podium, decorated with flowers. The picture they used was the one Tony found in your letter. Lastly, the casket itself was an open one.

Your body lay inside, cheeks flushed with blushed color, subtle but evident eyeshadow decorating your closed lids, and the most perfect shade of pink to color your lips. Your hair was made presentable and as neat as humanly possible to make it seem as if you were merely sleeping.

Your clothes had been done too. Instead of the raggedy clothes you wore on your deathbed, you now had a white ensemble. You looked like an angel in the dress, and those who were close to your heart certainly thought so as well.

Tony, Pepper, Rhodey, Roberta, Happy, Hill, and the Avengers sat at the front. Those behind consisted of the disguised Coulson and Fury, Coulson's SHIELD team, Jane, Darcy, and Erik, the Parkers, Ned and his parents, and Harley - who had run away to attend the funeral - had left a note to his mom. Matt and Foggy and even the SHIELD scientists you met at the Triskelion were all there too.

Other SHIELD alumni and the rest of the civilians and press were all gathered outside where they could hear the events through the open doors and a connected speaker.

"(Y/n) Stark was truly special." The pastor was saying. "Her life was filled with adventure and bravery and determination. She was a helpful mind to some, but a friend to all. She fought with valiance and passion which certainly shone in her work and home life. To commemorate her story, she has been bestowed on this day the following."

He began to list your achievements.

"The Act of Heroism Award, for those who accomplish extraordinary feats of heroism by risking their lives for the benefit of others in a dire situation. The Secretary of Defense Medal for Valor, for those citizens who perform an act of heroism or sacrifice, with voluntary risk to their personal safety in the face of danger. The Meritorious Honor Award, in recognition of a special act or service or sustained outstanding performance."

Once it was done and the mentioned medals placed in your casket, he continued with the main speech.

"Whether they happen in a single instance of bravery or through continued service to others, acts of courage and self-sacrifice symbolize the American spirit, and are recognized every year by our nation's greatest heroes. (Y/n) Stark takes her place among them today, and will be remembered by generations to come for her selfless acts. She was an extraordinary young woman, and was taken from our world too soon. It is a grievous occasion for a parent to have to bury their child, and no such word for the loss of a child can ever become because the fate is just too unfair."

Tony closed his eyes as he held Pepper's hand again. Roberta rubbed his back soothingly, allowing him to rest his head on her shoulder.

He didn't know if he was supposed to go up and say something or not. After all, what could he possibly say that was worthy enough? The people outside probably knew you better than he did. He broke the promise he made to your mother - to Madeline - so many years ago, and he wouldn't ever be able to forget it.

"Now, to say a few words about (Y/n), I invite Maria Hill to come up." The pastor said.

Hill nodded and stood from the bench, the gentle thud of her shoes on the floor echoing in the large space. Silence crowned the room until she stopped behind the podium to address everyone.

"By now you know who she really was." She began. "(Y/n) worked at SHIELD for many years as one of our most valued and respected engineers. She created equipment for the best agents and completed projects not a lot of us could ever fathom. I remember the day the director found her. She was stubborn and afraid, but already determined and adamant about protecting the people she cared about. She would only join on the condition that the people she loved were safe and that she got a new life."

She moved on to explain your time at SHIELD.

"During the years I knew her, she made it clear she was perfect at her job. She was sarcastic, a workaholic, addicted to coffee, and she wasn't opposed to using her looks and wiles to get what she needed from certain people. She had an open heart even if she claimed it was locked tight. She helped anyone she could, she was happy doing it, and she had amazing ideas that came out of nowhere. She wouldn't sleep until it was done. She was a true Stark."

The people most personal to you chuckled in agreement. Even Tony managed a weak smile. You had certainly lived a life. The sleep schedule sounded concerning, though.

It was starting to feel like he had actually known you.

However, he was slightly miffed that you flirted to get what you wanted. He didn't like the idea of guys - or anyone in general - falling for you. There was a sense of protectiveness even now.

"She'll be missed." Hill said. "The people who loved her, the ones who talked to her, and the ones who knew her as Ellen Campbell, we'll all have a piece of her in us."

For some unknown reason, it was true. Even the ones who had only seen you once such as Jane, Erik, and Darcy felt the same odd sense of loss that the ones who knew you properly like the Parkers and Coulson's SHIELD team did. It seemed impossible that one singular person could have such a magnificent impact.

"(Y/n) had several families." Hill explained. "Her blood, her work, and her friends. But there's one in particular I think she'd like to remember. There was a family who lived next door to her in Queens. She loved them with everything she had."

Tony looked up in surprise at the same time Pepper, Happy, and the Rhodeses did. They all exchanged looks, unable to believe that for years you were only boroughs away from them the entire time. How did you stay hidden for so long?

They looked back at the podium as Hill continued.

"They told us she was the best guardian angel they had. But she was more than just that. She was their neighbor, their daughter, and their sister all at once. They didn't know if she was a runaway or a rich kid or a lost woman, they just... Cared for her. She was sent to watch over them and it turned out they did the same. They lost her as we all did but she won't be forgotten. She will always live in our hearts."

In the pews, Ned and MJ both looked to Peter. He was quietly sobbing into his aunt and uncle's embrace. As May also cried, Ned's moms did their best to comfort her with reassuring motions. Ben was heartbroken as he listened to the speech, being reminded of when he lost his brother and sister-in-law. They left behind their son and he never stopped caring for Peter as his own. He wanted to do that for you too, to be there when you had no one else. He loved you the same at least.

Tony couldn't fathom how you were so close to him all these years. You could have easily reunited by accident and yet all the odds seemed stacked against it. He was jealous of the family that supposedly looked out for you, but he also couldn't help but wonder if you talked to them about him.

"I'm sorry to her father." Hill finished, focusing on Tony specifically. "I wish things were different."

With that, she finished her speech. The pastor thanked her as she rejoined the bench. Shortly afterwards, people were allowed to stand and say their goodbyes in their own time. While Tony stepped back to compose himself, Hill took it as an opportunity to talk more privately.

"I meant it." She told him. "I wish it didn't end like this."

Tony kept his gaze ahead. "Fury was supposed to bring her back, not keep her away."

"It wasn't the plan. He was going to take her home until she asked not to. She was scared and confused and did what resulted in the least danger. I'm sure you would've done the same."

He didn't say anything, knowing she was right.

"They talked about you." Hill added, noticing the look. "About Badassium, the Avengers Initiative, Stark Industries. No matter how angry she was back then, she still loved you enough to ask."

By now she had guided him to the edge of the casket where your SHIELD uniform and copies of your medals were piled. She handed them to him in silence and Tony could feel his lip tremble the second the fabric touched his skin.

He had to take a breath.

He lifted the uniform up and rested his head against the material, closing his eyes.

Pepper noticed the two and walked over to help Tony. She kissed his cheek and rubbed his back soothingly. He held the uniform up for a moment longer before silently asking for Pepper to take it. She did so with a gentle hand and he smiled in thanks, turning to Hill again.

"Thank you for the speech." He said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

She also put on a smile. "Of course."

After that, it was finally his turn to say goodbye to you.

Every step closer to the casket felt like a step closer to the edge of the world. He could barely breathe. When he finally got to it he had to hold the sides so he wouldn't simply collapse.

You looked like you were sleeping.

His sleeping angel.

Why did it have to hurt so much?

He very slowly leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to your forehead, lingering for just a moment because he knew that this was truly the last goodbye.

"I love you." He mumbled.

Then he reached for the pendant around his neck. It had done so much for him in the recent years. It was motivation to find you, it saved him from the scepter's compulsion, it reminded him of the life he missed, and it was simply his reminder of you.

"Your mom wanted you to have this." He said, undoing the clasp and holding it in his hand. "We're so proud of you, babygirl."

With that, he placed it around your neck and laid it out on your chest. He closed his eyes again, focusing on his breathing.

"Remember something good about me. If you can, that is." He looked at you again. "I'm sorry, (Y/n). But maybe you'll get to meet your mom now. She's just like you. Brave. Smart. Beautiful..." He trailed off, not knowing what else to say. "I'll see you both again. I promise."

The sound of a procession outside was what finally faltered his attention from you. He looked over his shoulder to see the officers outside getting the civilians to stand back as a few SHIELD agents stood in the clearing with their guns held to the sky.

Each one fired a shot out of respect and each time Tony flinched. He didn't know why.

-

The burial was even harder than the goodbye.

You were in the open grave now. You were out of his reach. Any hope that it might just be a bad dream was squandered.

People took turns again, this time to drop flowers on your casket as it rested in the earth. Some cried as they did, some muttered thanks, and some simply bowed their heads.

Tony was very surprised to see a little boy at the funeral. He was clinging to an older couple and seemed shattered by what was happening. Was it the family that Hill had mentioned? He'd never seen them before.

Then of course there was another young boy that showed up. This one, on the other hand, he knew. It was Harley.

Harley dropped a rose on your casket and, while he didn't cry, he was very clearly sad about it all.

Tony stared, amazed and bewildered at the same time. Did Harley know you too? Surely not. That seemed impossible. Where was his family? Why wasn't he in Tennessee?

Some distance away, watching it all play out under the shelter of a tree, stood the disguised Coulson and Fury. They didn't get too close for many reasons, the obvious one being that both of them were meant to be dead themselves.

(pretend they are in disguise) "She didn't deserve this." Coulson was saying, solemn eyes watching the crowd thining.

Fury nodded once. "I know. She will be missed."

"It's more than that. She had this... This gift. One look at her smile and it stayed in your head, one conversation and it felt like you'd known her all your life, and for those who called themselves her friends and family... Her impact was monumental."

"Trust me." He said. "I'm aware of the mark Miss Stark could leave. We've all seen it."

Coulson sighed softly. He wouldn't just miss you, he would mourn you for weeks. Months, even. Maybe years. He would miss the hours you spent together and he would miss all your nicknames for him.

"I never thanked her for fixing up the Bus." He said.

Fury again nodded, this time showing some true emotion. "I never thanked her for the quinjet. SHIELD has lost a great asset."

For another minute, they stood in silence.

"Will you talk to them?" Fury then asked, nodding to the Avengers. "Let them know the truth?"

Coulson considered it, but shook his head. "Some things are better left buried. And we don't need Tony Stark finding out about TAHITI. A grieving parent is one of the more dangerous things in the world."

"At least we can agree on that." He said.

"What about the shooter? Will you find him?"

"I'm leaving that to Stark since we both know he won't relent. But in time, we will. He won't be alone forever. He needs his team."

Another silence.

They went back to watching everyone leave until only the people very close to you or Tony remained in the cemetery. A few graves down from you was his own. Sam, Steve, and Natasha were standing there talking amongst themselves.

When he was sure no one was watching, he reached inside his jacket to take out a mission file. Coulson watched, curious, as Fury offered it to him.

"What's this?" He asked.

"The traitor." Fury replied. "Find him."

Back at your now filled grave, Roberta, Rhodey, Happy, Pepper, and Tony stood in solemnity. Roberta held a handful of gladiolus flowers and tenderly placed them on the fresh dirt.

"I'll visit every month." She promised you. "Take care, little one."

"She'd like that." Tony said, attempting a smile.

She managed a much more secure smile and embraced him in another hug.

"Would you like to stay with us?" Pepper asked her. "It'll save you from all the traveling. At least for a few weeks."

Roberta nodded thankfully. "Of course, dear. I'd love that."

"I think you'll like it. The Tower is very accommodating."

"If Tony built it, I have no doubts."

Pepper was about to reply when another voice called out first.

"Ms. Potts?"

They all turned to see a man with shaded glasses and a cane walking over. Hill was with him. One look at the bag by his side told Pepper all she needed to know.

"That's me." She said, greeting the two halfway. "You must be Matt, yes?"

"That's me." He confirmed. "I'm very sorry for your loss. (Y/n) was a very dear friend."

"Thank you. She was."

Tony watched with suspicious eyes. He looked at Hill and thought back to what she said at the service about how you would flirt sometimes and how people loved you. Was this a boyfriend of yours?

His eyes were drawn to the cane the man now held in his hands. Was he blind?

"Who's this?" He asked, walking over.

As Pepper talked to Matt, she also thought the same, having forgotten to tell Tony about your lawyer situation in all the preparations.

"Sorry, Tony, this is Matt Murdock."

"Who-dock?" He questioned.

Matt merely smiled and offered a hand. "It's good to meet you, Mr. Stark. I'm here because of (Y/n)."

Tony hesitantly shook his head. "I think everyone is."

"Of course. My condolences."

"How did you know her?"

"I'm her lawyer. We sorted through her will."

"Her lawyer?" He frowned, confused and curious. "You're a lawyer?"

Matt nodded with a thin smile. "I know. Who would hire a blind lawyer, am I right?"

Hill, who had gotten to know him quite well now, lightly nudged his arm. "Don't joke. You accepted her request."

Tony looked to Pepper who offered an apologetic smile.

"Is it - Is it just us?" He asked.

"I'm going to need you, Ms. Potts, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Rhodes, and Mr and Mrs. Parker." Matt explained.

"Sorry, who?"

"Benjamin and May Parker."

"Yeah, I'll rephrase. Who?"

"They're here." Hill stated, motioning to a couple some distance away.

[sunskate]

I understand the veto. The Pride and Prejudice soundtrack is full of beautiful music, but it’s also lacking dynamics. And Tessa and Scott by the time of Carmen were as forceful and dynamic a team of skaters as you can find. They’d moved past their Valse Triste/Umbrellas/Mahler softness. I think playing Lizzie and Darcy would’ve felt a bit like a step back no matter how gorgeous it could’ve been.

Wuthering Heights, on the other hand…

I wanted them to interpret Heathcliff and Cathy for *years*. Years! I loved the program Piper and Paul put together, but the interpretation was a bit high school drama club.

it's true it's very gentle throughout. if they had wanted to do a P&P program they could have done what CPom did with Perfume and used other pieces to augment it? i kinda disagree about them moving past softness. Latch is so very soft. it's just a more mature softness. Mahler 5 is deceptive - holding the energy and sustaining the build of that slow but very deep music takes so much control and strength. the magic in that performance is that they held the tension that's in the music throughout. to appear soft while doing that is a feat of both performance and choreography

Wuthering Heights worked so well for Piper and Paul, and while VM could definitely have skated it, i get if they weren't drawn to play those characters for a whole season. Carmen as a character might be toxic, but the music and drama is fiery and direct and sexy. where Catherine and Heathcliff feel kind of poisonous and not very pleasant as people. and it's a story of childhood friends with an unusual and intense connection who end very badly

[nyxlaufeyson]

Sticky Tape

Winter Masterlist - Loki Oneshot Masterlist - Main Masterlist

POV: Third

Ship: Loki x Darcy Lewis

Type: Fluff with a sprinkle of crack because c'mon, it's Darcy!

Warning: Lil bit of suggestive referencing but that's it

Wordcount: 729

Prompt: "Wrapping tape" (Or something along those lines)

Synopsis: Darcy wrestles with the tape.

A/N: Idk if you know this but I freaking love tasertricks. I just don't always write for them which is crazy so here.

Banner by @jiyaxedits

Darcy cursed as she wrestled with the present. The wrapping paper was not cooperating, per usual. She had picked out a green gift wrap that had little reindeers on it. She thought that Loki would not appreciate it, but she sure would.

Wrapping presents was not an easy feat, but she was determined. She got out her heavy duty tape, and circled around the present like she was a wrestler. “Now listen here, buddy, if you don’t fricking work with me here, I will rip you to shreds! And I don’t care that you cost me $24.99.”

Darcy reconsidered her statement. “Well, okay, maybe I do care, and maybe I won’t rip you to shreds, but I’ll do something gosh darn it!”

She carefully approached the present and did her best to fold and tape the peculiar-shaped item. As she was in the middle of taping, a knock sounded at her bedroom door, making her lose her focus. 

Without even waiting to see who it was, she yelled, “No!” She heard someone scoff from the other side, and she knew who it was. “You can’t come in right now, I’m, uh… changing.”

She could practically hear his smirk. “Is that supposed to keep me out?” Now it was her turn to scoff. 

“Yes! And I’m not changing, so don’t come in you perv!” Loki sighed, but didn’t come in. Darcy was grateful for her small victories.

The present was only halfway concealed, so she brought it to her closet and hid it under some loose articles of clothing. She then opened her door, greeting Loki. He took in her out-of-breath form, and his eyes glanced at her bed.

His eyes widened, eyebrows raised. “Oh dear,” he said, “did you try to kidnap someone with scotch tape? You could have asked me for help. I know much better ways to-”

“No! I did not kidnap someone.” She huffed, and Loki walked further into her room so she could shut the door. She didn’t want to say that she had been wrapping presents for him, because then he would try to figure out what it was. She wanted it to be a total surprise come the holidays.

He arched his eyebrow. “No? What were you doing then?” Darcy weighed her possible responses.

She settled with distraction. “Hey! You know, I was looking for you earlier. I wanted to ask you for your opinion on this new dress I bought. Want to help me put it on? The zipper’s a little tricky.”

Loki was a lot of things, but he was no idiot. He quickly picked up on Darcy’s tactic of defense. “As much as I would love to see you in a state of undress, darling, I know that you are deflecting the question I asked.”

Darcy huffed. “Okay, fine, I was wrapping a present.” Loki’s eyes lit up. “And no, I will not give you a single hint as to what it is. I want this to be a surprise, so don’t you dare try and peek or anything.”

He held his hands up in defense. “Darling, how could you think that I would ever do such a thing! I am very patient.” 

“Uh, no you’re not. You practically throw a fit every time we have to wait in a line somewhere. Remember causing a scene at Panera?” Darcy asked.

Loki frowned. “I am a god, and a prince. I am above doing such trivial things like waiting in line amongst you mortals.” 

Darcy rolled her eyes. “Kay, whatever. Point is, I will tase your ass if you ever try to look and find out what it is.” Loki groaned, but did not object.

“Fine. I came to get you because Steve has assembled everyone to the living room for some reason.” Darcy nodded, getting up.

She turned to Loki, helping him up off the bed. “Did he say what for?”

Loki shrugged. “He did, but it went in one ear and out the other. I try not to pay too much attention to what he says. Most of it is unimportant.”

Darcy rolled her eyes, but made her way to the door and opened it. She could see his eyes searching her room for whatever she was wrapping. “Uh-uh, get out here.” She pulled him through the door and shut it, dragging him to whatever Steve had planned.

TAGS: (Comment or inbox me to be added/removed; along with what to be tagged for): @michief-dream @iceeericeee

[mycatismyeditor]

currently at the air and space museum in dc and i’m in the space section and all i can think about is lena’s space log and a piece/model of her space station one day being in here in their world, showcasing the engineering feat it was for everyone to see and lena freaking out because she’s in the fucking smithsonian

That is so cool!

She totally would. She'd be so happy "Lex never got his work in the Smithsonian." Kara would be with her and just imagine Kara pointing and being like "And this is the door I always used, and that's where Darcy was. And Ripley always hung out in this section to watch the fish."

Throw in a little L Corp sponsorship while she's up there and then there's a whole section with some of the tools and a model of R2 and maps of the station, maybe the live feed... they might later regret that though.

[florenceisfalling]

waiting for the sky to fall

the yeehaw egos au is basically a self-indulgent little scramble of ideas based off of the thought: what if the egos were modern rural texans? seeing as that is where im from :) this first little bit exists without context, there shall be more but im not sure if i'll add chapters or write separate works. but this one is 4500 or so words. the pacing is kinda weird, since i started writing it back in june and got lost somewhere between then and now.

warnings for brief mentions of drug use and alcohol, and somewhat more direct talk abt homophobia - including mentions of a shitty father who is neglectful and intolerant at best.

marvin meets chase's daughter on a sunny day.

➳➵➸➼➽

The sun is just at the point in the sky where its light encroaches on the porch’s shadow, and Marvin has to pull his toes back a little closer to the wooden rocking chair in order to avoid the heat. He hums and turns back to squint through the window screen, catching 4:33 PM on the clock in the kitchen. Eventually, the sun will dip far enough below the shingled awning for the light to hit his eyes directly, lighting up the flakes of gold that rest in his irises, and he’ll have to go inside; for now, his red sunglasses are enough to block it out. He uses one finger to prop them up a little higher til they sit on the scar across the bridge of his nose, then goes back to letting his red-painted nails dry, holding them out on the armrests of the chair and rocking softly back and forth to the sound of cicadas, barking dogs, and the lawn sprinklers.

Soon, another sound joins the chorus, though it’s one less familiar to him. Something bouncing on the concrete, a giggle as the sprinklers turn left across the yard. He opens one eye to see a little girl, quite the ragamuffin in a denim skirt and faded old pink-camo shirt, both stained with grass and dirt and other things unknown. She’s dropped a red kickball on the sidewalk. She lets it roll into the grass so she can spin in dizzy circles as the sprinkler sprays over her, drenching a mess of choppy caramel hair as she finally cools off in the Texas heat.

“Does your mama know you’re wandering by yourself?” Marvin questions from the porch, putting one sandaled foot down to stop his chair from rocking anymore.

The girl hides her startled eyes with a bright smile, a gap-toothed grin of feigned innocence. “Mama’s out of town.”

“And your dad?”

At that, the girl just starts spinning in circles once again, and chases down the sprinkler as it tries to sway rightward. Marvin sighs, takes a sip from an ice-cold glass of lemonade, then speaks again. “Well, do you have a name?”

She spins, and spins, and nearly topples over to the ground when she turns back to face him, eyes not quite focused after making herself into a clumsy little centrifuge. “Darcy Brody. What’s your name?”

“Marvin. Are you a Brody like Charles Brody?” 

Charles is not a kind man, nor a fun man, entirely unlike Darcy. Most of his interaction with Marvin consists of loathing glares and on more than one occasion a drunken exchange of joking insults - or, perhaps more accurately, insulting jokes. Other than that, the two try tirelessly to avoid each other, a hard feat for a duo three blocks away from each other in a tiny, isolating town. The task would be much more difficult if Darcy had any relation to him.

And unfortunately, Darcy nods. “Grandpa Charles was supposed to watch me, but he’s taking a nap. The house was boring by myself…”

“Well, you ought to go back inside. You’re too young to run around so close to the road,” Marvin chides, ready to close his eyes and go back to relaxing in his rocking chair.

Darcy’s gaze falls to her feet, kicking a bit at the wet grass with her clogs. “I can’t open the door.”

He hardly stifles a groan, “You locked yourself out?”

She nods. “But Dad said I go home at five.”

“Will he pick you up?”

One more nod, and Marvin mirrors the movement. “D’you know your daddy’s phone number, then?”

“I know there’s a number five in it… and that’s it.”

He hums in response, sitting up out of his rocking chair and tapping his nails to make sure they’re dried. “Alright, I’m not gonna be the one to wake your grandpa up. He hates me already… Tell you what, you wait right there, honey, don’t get any closer to the road. I’ll be right back.”

She nods, then plops down on the grass, as a promise not to stray too close to the cars. Most of her hair falls into her face over her now-closed eyes, the water sprays over her again, and she seems perfectly content to cool off right there. The pink in her shirt is starting to turn green with grass stains, but she doesn’t mind one bit.

Marvin smiles and leaves the chair to rock all alone, then slams the back of his heel against the door with his elbow holding down the handle. The warped frame sticks, but finally gives way with a quiet crack. The front room is all dramatic business, decorated with tapestries and sun-faded sheer print curtains, crystals and stained glass hanging in every window. Hints of the ugly plastic bug screens still show through, but only a little. A stacked deck of tarot cards, two empty teacups, a covered crystal ball, and an unlit candelabrum lay still on the center table, waiting for an anxious adulterer, superstitious traveler, or daring teenager to ask their advice. Marvin leaves his dusty shoes by the door. Lazily he shuffles through the beads and curtains guarding the hallway, revealing the more honest half of the building - all his personal rooms, including the hall closet he currently approaches. 

Behind the broom and dustpan, and a bundle of woven grocery bags shoved ungracefully inside each other, sits a hefty cardboard box neatly labeled “YARD SHIT” in purple permanent marker. Marvin shoves everything else out of the way and rips open the most busted flap at the top of the box, happy to see his bag of sidewalk chalk is exactly where he left it: tossed right on top of a broken pink plastic flamingo and a particularly grumpy looking garden gnome.

He grabs the bag and pumps it into the air like an athlete raising a new trophy gripped with white knuckles, then stands fully back up and swings the closet door shut. He puts his shoes back on once he reaches the front doorway. After a moment to appreciate the air conditioner, far preferable to the heat outside, he finally makes it back out to the blistering sunset. Relieved to see Darcy still splayed under the sprinkler, he grabs his glass of lemonade from beside the rocking chair and leaves the creaky porch for the cement driveway. 

Darcy leans up when she sees a tall shadow cast across her grassy resting spot, turning to curiously raise her eyebrows at Marvin.

“Here you go, Miss Brody! Brought you something to keep you busy.”

He drops the bag of chalk from the crook of his elbow, letting the contents roll out all over the concrete. As soon as the sight registers in Darcy’s eyes, she darts over to the shady side of the driveway, scooping up an orange piece of chalk and testing out the color. Marvin slowly sits criss-cross next to her, careful not to spill his drink, then picks up a green chalk. “I take it your grandpa doesn’t have much of this sort of thing?”

Darcy shakes her head, starting to sketch out the shape of a goldfish. “Nope. And the only board games he owns are about math and stuff.”

“Oh, my, not math and stuff!” Marvin exaggeratedly gasps, starting his own drawing with a looping figure eight. He briefly glances up from his handiwork to stare over at Charles’ house, making sure Darcy can be seen from the eldest Brody’s porch as well as the road. “That doesn’t sound very fun at all! But you can have this chalk when you go home, so you won’t get bored if you stay at his house again.”

“Really?” Darcy asks, scribbling some fins on her fishy drawing. 

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll make sure your dad takes ‘em when he picks you up. I never really use these anyway.”

Despite his words, he starts to doodle more details on his picture. Another parallel line curving with the first, ending in a set of fangs, a shiny eye drawn in black. Darcy takes the black piece from beside Marvin, and uses it to draw a round bowl around her goldfish. Once satisfied, she starts to fill it with bright blue water and tiny white bubbles. “Are you drawing a snake?”

Marvin hums out a quiet, distracted “mhm.” The snake bites at its own tail, so he picks up a thin sliver of a broken red chalk to start drawing a forked tongue.

“What’s its name?”

“Ouroboros, from an Egyptian story.” It’s a simple explanation, but small children most often don’t need to understand ancient metaphors for endless cycles of creation and destruction.

Darcy’s face lights up with recognition just enough, though. “Teacher said Egypt has lots of sand, and big pyramids, too. Have you ever been there?”

The man smiles. “No, it’s a little too far away… how about your goldfish, does it have a name?”

“Oh, it’s just called Goldfish,” she solemnly states, as the topic is quite serious to her. She adds some waves to the top of the blue water. “Fish don’t need names, because they don’t talk very much.”

Marvin nods quite sagely, agreeing with her thoughts. He can’t argue with that logic.

➳➵➸➼➽

It took about twenty more minutes for Darcy’s dad to arrive, pulling in front of Charles’ house in a dented-up car with three rows of seats and far too many bumper stickers. Marvin quickly waved him over and explained the situation, while Darcy kept on coloring her fish. By 5:00 PM, she had completed many more aquatic creatures, with creative names like “Shark,” “Crab,” and “Dolphin,” and had just begun to draw a new kind of animal she invented. She titled it “Sillyfish.”

With no desire to interrupt her masterpiece, her father and Marvin struck up a conversation instead of parting ways. The newcomer to town awkwardly introduced himself as Chase, a name his mother picked as a compromise so that his father wouldn’t insist on calling him Charles Junior. Chase looks like he was from an entirely different world than the boring Charles, decked out in a colorful tie-dye shirt and yellow sneakers, a row of about 9 tangled-up friendship bracelets stacked on his wrist, a patchy baseball hat, and a smiley face pin hanging lopsided from his pocket. The only thing he has in common with his father is a pair of matching eyebags, dark and heavy under his long blonde lashes. 

“Thank you for taking care of Darcy,” he awkwardly says, glaring in the direction of the home she was supposed to be in. “I swear I’m gonna chew my dad out for at least an hour - I hope he doesn’t drive you too crazy, as your neighbor.”

Marvin waves him off, “He’s quite alright, what’s got you worried about him?”

“Oh, come on,” Chase grins. “He’s a total hardass on everybody.”

That only earns a stiff laugh, and Chase tries to coax more out of Marvin. “He used to half-jokingly say he should’ve beat me senseless because I wore… what was it… ‘too much lavender.’ Sorry for doubting his politeness towards you.”

He makes a little waving gesture with his hands, drawing attention to Marvin’s now-sparkly fingertips. 

Ah. A bit of a frown pulls at Marvin’s face, but he shrugs. “Oh, it’s not as if I’m unaccustomed to it. On the bright side, most the Puritans in town are too worried about my evil witchcraft to be primarily concerned about the…glamor.”

Chase’s gaze leaves Marvin’s sharp features to drift over the house instead - getting a proper look at the neon sign shaped like an eye in the window, the Christmas lights hung around the patio, the sprawling word PSYCHIC in bold, tacked to the roof and painted with stars. Darcy pulls his sight away by tugging on the ankle hem of his jeans, trying to show off her next drawing, but a moment and a compliment later he’s already back to staring at the charming decor. “All that magic and mojo, that’s s’pposedly real?” 

Marvin gives him a mischievous grin back. “Sure thing.”

“Oh, bull.” Chase says. “You’re shittin’ me.”

“Dad! Language!” Darcy scolds, slamming down her chalk with a scowl.

Marvin fake pouts, crossing his arms in a mockery of offense. “I would never lie to such a good man as yourself, Mr. Brody.”

That itself is a terrible lie, but it isn’t like Chase would believe him even if he was telling the truth. He scoffs, shakes his head, a playful smile still lighting up his face. Darcy is now staring between the both of them, curious as ever.

“I’ll prove it to you,” Marvin offers, one eyebrow raised. “I’ll even give you a discount.”

Chase finally breaks into full laughter, sighing in relent and shifting to pull his wallet from his back pocket. “How much I owe you, then?”

“Five bucks sound good?”

Stubby fingers rifle through the worn bills, before producing a ten. “Extra’s for the babysitting fee,” he teases, ruffling Darcy’s hair.

➳➵➸➼➽

Inside the house is much cooler in temperature, a welcome change to the sweat rolling like a river down Chase’s back. Darcy sits enraptured with the books on the shelf, flipping through fairytale illustrations and charts of the stars, while Chase has a couple of thoughts tumbling through his brain regarding Marvin’s choice of interior design.

“Ain’t that a fire hazard?” 

Marvin furrows his brows. “Which part?”

Gaze trailing from the layers upon layers of fabric draped about, the candles scattered around every surface, the crystals hanging near the sunlit window… Chase shrugs. “All of it?”

The magician pulls out a chair for Chase, with an awful scraping noise against the thin and creaking wood floorboards. He drums his nails against the back of it and waits for his guest to sit, though Chase does so with a bit of hesitation. “Well, I’m sure the place won’t burn down in the next couple minutes. You should be perfectly safe.”

However unsure he may be, Chase still laughs, and tries to relax in the chair, arms wrapping around himself despite how warm he was before he came inside.

“Don’t tell me you’re nervous,” Marvin teases. He’s now across the table from Chase, and the latter of the two is becoming increasingly aware of just how much he has to crane his neck upward to meet Marv’s eyes.

“I- I’ve just never done this sorta thing before. Well, aside from a Ouija board in seventh grade.”

Marvin pouts, only a little. “It’s a fortune, Chase, not an interrogation. All you have to do is sit there and relax.”

“Alright, alright,” he capitulates, releasing the tension in his shoulders and shaking out his arms a moment. Once he’s settled, he leans forward, intertwining his fingers to rest his scruffy chin on his knuckles, and rest his elbows on the table.

With a gentle sigh, the magician lets a smile drift back onto his own face. “Good. Now…” he turns his attention to Darcy for just another moment, “My dear, could you promise to stay quiet down there for a little while?”

She nods solemnly, content now to flip through an old Cicely Mary Barker book of flower fairies, and mind a bit of her own magic.

“Thank you kindly.”

And with that, Marvin leans his head back on the chair. His sunglasses are now pulled up over his forehead, keeping his reddish hair from falling into his face. For a moment, he lets his eyelids stay shut. The breath he exhales seems to leave the room shuddering along with it, settling into its comfortable place. With it, he stretches his legs and relaxes. As if to open the gates to his heart, or unfurling some unseen map, his arms spread wide on the tabletop.

When he opens his eyes, the candles flicker with life between the two men, though they weren’t before. Chase looks startled, as if he was going to ask how - but is soon caught on another sight, stumbling over his astonishment - “Y- your eyes…”

Usually, guests come at night, when the shadows play more tricks. Sometimes, though, they see what Chase sees now: Marvin’s pupils blown inhumanly wide, like a cat trying to take in as much light as possible in a dim room.

Marvin presses a single slender finger to his own lips, shhh. Then, he trails his hand slowly across some invisible thread to the velvet cover on the crystal ball, pulling it away with a flick of his wrist. “Just parlor tricks, Mr. Brody. Try to focus.”

The look on Chase’s face tells Marvin that it will be a much harder task for him than anticipated, but Marv doesn’t mind. He finds the awestruck expression to be rather endearing. He almost giggles, though he feels a bit guilty, when he reaches across to take Chase’s right hand by the wrist and the poor guest practically flinches.

Still, Marvin guides him along, and Chase soon rests his calloused palm smoothly against the clear surface. Marvin places his own hands on the other side. When the magician takes a deep breath, sitting up straighter to stare into the globe, his guest naturally follows suit. Half a minute passes in near silence. The only sound remaining in the room is the papers moving while Darcy continues her quiet reading.

Marvin interrupts the tranquil, drags his hands away.

“Let me see his strings of fate.”

And with that, the magic obeys.

In the distorted light, a mirage comes to life. Two figures dancing across from what looks like kitchen cabinets, hand in hand dipping back and forth like a boat rocking on the sea. A child, maybe Darcy, scrambling after a cottontail rabbit. Sparklers leaving glimmering trails to red dirt, and the tiny snap of tweezers pinching closed. There’s the grit of soil, and the haze of grill smoke, and the crispness of cobbler baking in the oven. 

“It’s lovely,” Marvin sighs, offering Chase just a hint of what he sees through his words. “Though you’re clumsy, Chase, you need to practice your two-step.”

Before the subject can further draw his attention away, Marvin searches deeper. This time, he speaks aloud.

“Charles is awake now. You’ve got a six pack of Shiner in the back of your car right now, and you’ll almost forget it when you go into the house. Darcy, very excited, will tell you she saw something in the woods-” he tries to read the shape of her mouth, though the image is hazy - “something I believe she’s calling a fairy. I don’t know when. And the next time you argue, your wife won’t yell back.”

He doesn’t question the last thing, only pressing forward into the thick of the magic. He swears the room grows brighter with every breath.

“You’ll find new friends here - your path is very intertwined with this place. Meeting someone at the motel, finding someone at the church… someone very…very shaky…? Wait a moment, that…”

The room doesn’t grow brighter this time. Marvin forgets how to breathe.

Chase nearly pulls away, but stops himself. “Is everything okay? You look lost.”

Something is not right about the man in the church pews. The images start flickering faster in the crystal, and Marvin’s hands begin to twitch.

There’s blood spilling over a stair, a shadow looming over it before a steel-toed boot comes crashing down into the red. Bony fingers with dirt-tipped nails pluck at fiddle strings. A silver pistol barrel first rests pressed against Chase’s temple, but traces down his jaw instead. Chains rattle and then tug tight in a steel hook. Tiny, dirty mud boots, decorated with pastel hearts, trample over the garden flowers, and leave behind prints that trail into the dark woods. Black ink seems to drip from the top of the scrying tool. It spills over its curved surface and pools inside.

“Marvin?”

The visions vanish, and are replaced by the image of a single, glowing green eye in the surface of the crystal ball, watching back at Marvin, whose heart is slamming against his ribcage in ecstatic terror.

“Marvin!”

Finally, he breaks away from his stupor, and stares Chase down. He remembers at last to inhale, exhale, stretch his fingers taut from his palms and force them to stop trembling. Chase looks equally disturbed, hand no longer anywhere near the crystal ball - which was clear quartz just a moment ago, but now looks more like something made from obsidian.

“What the fuck kinda parlor trick was that, Marvin?”

The candelabrum flames die of their own accord. Darcy turns to her father in a scandalized state, slamming down the worn copy of Flower Fairies of the Summer to put her tiny hands over her ears. Once more, she berates him - “Watch your language!”

Neither man even looks at her, but Marvin collects himself enough to respond, face devoid of any perceived emotion. “Darcy, your grandpa’s up. Go knock on his door, please, get your stuff to go home with your dad.”

“But I wasn’t done reading-”

“Please, Darcy,” Marvin tries again. There's just a twinge of force in his voice.

She doesn’t move, not until her father nods in agreement. Once she has set the book back on the cluttered shelf, she dusts off her skirt and heads out, eager to pick up her new pile of chalk from outside. Her skipping steps have only faded off the porch for a moment before Chase is already back to his interrogation. At least he’s quieter, now, leaning over to half-whisper it in disbelief, “Are you high off your ass?”

Marvin shakes his head. “You need to leave.”

Chase leans away, pale eyelashes drawing closer as his brow furrows. “No. No, what are you on? Your eyes look like -”

“No, not ‘leave my house’. Leave town. And fast.”

Marvin is now up out of his chair, searching around the room for something he was hoping he wouldn’t have to use again. He remembers in his pacing where he tucked it months ago, and leans down to a low wooden cabinet on the opposite side of the room; when opened on its squeaking hinges, dust and cobwebs frame the entrance. He reaches inside and pulls out a thick black tarp, wrapped around something heavy. With none of his usual grace, he turns and drops it into the chair he was sitting in before.

“Leave t- why?” 

Marvin raps his knuckles against the edge of the crystal ball, now too dark to be transparent. “Whatever brought you back to this place is something very nasty. I can see that now.” Then, he begins to unwrap the plastic tarp, revealing the weight inside - a hardwood-handled sledgehammer with a rusted ten-pound head.

Chase finally stands, shoving the chair back into its place beneath the table. It clatters against the uneven floor, warped wood threatening to splinter. “Yes, sure! Fine! We moved here because my brother-in-law died - dark, I know! Still, that doesn’t explain why I need to leave - or why you’re acting so batshit!”

“Your brother-in-law was a García, wasn’t he?” Marvin asks in a casual monotone, though it’s more of a certain statement than a real question. He sets the hammer on the table, and yanks the tarp open, shaking out the dust and splaying it wrinkled across the floor. 

That stops Chase in his tracks, and he drops the defensive tone for just a moment. “Yeah, h- why?”

“Because-” interrupting himself with a groan, Marvin hefts the crystal ball off of its stand and leaves it in the center of the tarp - “It wasn’t an accident. I know who killed him, and I saw him again in your own future.”

Back to the accusatory tone, Chase’s mouth falls open in shock. “Bullshit! I didn’t see any of that!” 

“Chase.” With a good bit of effort, Marvin swings the sledgehammer over his own shoulder, fierce and now-slitted eyes piercing into Chase’s heart. It’d be nice to imagine that the magician’s gaze was enough to intimidate him into taking a few steps back, but the large metal tool probably did most of the work there. “Nobody sees their own future. Now stand back.”

And once Chase listens, Marvin flips his sunglasses back over his eyes, like a last resort for protection. Then, he lifts the hammer and swings it down on the crystal ball hard.

It doesn’t shatter in a messy spray across the room, instead splitting in fractals with an awful crunch and dropping to the ground in a couple of pieces. Whatever has happened to it, it isn’t quartz anymore. There isn’t any light or clarity left in it, just shadow and jagged edges.

Once the job is done, Marvin drops the sledgehammer to the ground by the remnants of destruction, though it seems to shake the walls. He sighs, and turns to Chase, looking pale and a moment away from crumbling himself. “If you won’t leave town, at least take some of my advice. Don’t leave your kids with someone as absentminded as your father. Keep your eyes open, and talk to Henrik at the vet’s office when you need help.”

“The vet?” Chase laughs for just a single breath, discomfort and shock still clear. Despite the fact that the hammer is no longer being wielded, his body still trembles in alarm.

Marvin’s face doesn’t change, set in stone with a practiced determination. “Yes, the vet. He’s good at stitches.”

They stare at each other for another few moments. Chase looks like he’s seen a ghost, though Marvin’s the only one in the room who’s really seen several. 

“I still don’t believe you,” Chase mumbles, his voice missing any of the frustration and volume it had before. He sounds more like he’s reassuring himself than speaking the truth.

Marvin shrugs, slumping against the table and turning to face the wreckage of the crystal ball. It’s not the only one he’s had to break so far in these past few years. 

“Fine. But no refunds.”

Once the silence has continued long enough for Chase to feel safe leaving, he stumbles past the psychic and back out the door.

➳➵➸➼➽

The ride back to the late Javier García’s old ranch is quiet, and uncomfortable, the trees seeming to loom in their headlight silhouettes as if reaching out for the Brody family car. Darcy starts the drive restless, shaking around her bag of chalk, but is asleep with her face pressed against the window by the time they pull past the fence and down the bumpy road.

Chase replays the evening over a million times in his head, trying to imagine how he’ll tell Stacy. If he’ll tell Stacy. He doesn’t understand what happened enough to repeat it for her, so he decides to tell her an abridged version. One that lends itself to more believable ideas - just some clever little actor trying to scare Chase into falling for magic.

He’s so busy thinking over it, in fact, that as he walks a drowsy Darcy across the stone path to the front porch, he almost forgets that he left the Shiner six-pack sitting in the back of his car. Waiting, just as promised by that clever little actor. 

Just a coincidence, surely.

[bookgeekgrrl]

My media this week (3-9 Dec 2023)

just fucking spatchcocked him

📚 STUFF I READ 📚

😊 The Late Mrs. Willoughby (Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney #2) (Claudia Gray, author; Billie Fulford-Brown, narrator) - another perfectly serviceable, decently entertaining historical cozy mystery feat. Austen characters and their progeny. Plot's pretty basic but it's still cute to see Jonathan Darcy (autistic king) and Juliette Tilney (mom's adventure sense, dad's common sense) solving murders again. The 'obstacles' to their romance are typical for a series like this but still annoying [tbh in more deft hands they might be more angsty and less annoying but it is what it is]

😍 The Charming Man (Zenaidamacrouras1, author; Late_to_party_81, artist) - 65K, shrinkyclinks no powers AU - just a delightful fic with adorable art (TEXTILE ART!) - I'll let the author's summary speak for itself: "Tldr: Steve has an eventful three weeks. Longer version: Steve Rogers is quite happy with his pleasantly simple life working as a graphic designer, chatting with his best friend Sam who has the desk next to his, eating the same gluten free sandwich for lunch every day, and staring out his office window hoping to catch a glimpse of The Charming Man walking by. Unfortunately, life has a tendency to get complicated without our permission, particularly when Steve begins to suspect that a certain evil corporation is doing criminal things that decidedly grate on his nerves." Great banter/hilarious lines - even the secondary characters get great lines plus some fine quality angst.

😍 Proper English (England World #1) (KJ Charles, author; Bella Lowe, narrator) - reread, love love love. The origin story of fluffy Fen & practical Pat getting together and solving a country house murder.

😍 Think Of England (England World #2) (KJ Charles, author; Tom Carter, narrator) - reread. Another country house mystery featuring blackmail and treason being resolved by Daniel Da Silva (poet & spy) and Archie Curtis (blond viking himbo, about to have a gay awakening) with secondary but crucial support from Fen & Pat

😊 Lessons In Chemistry (Brenda) - 42K, stucky no powers college AU - I’m not often in the mood for a college AU but this hit the spot

💖💖 +46K of shorter fic so shout out to these I really loved 💖💖

Cupid's Rugby Ball (softestpunk) - The Sandman: Dreamling, 5K - h/c meet cute with instalove, as is only correct for this pairing 😆

you'll never be blue ([currently anonymous]) - The Cabots (Cat Sebastian): Peter/Caleb, 3K - "Caleb and Peter, adjusting to living together." Perfectly captured the character voices! {written for the Fic In A Box 2023 exchange, authors not yet revealed}

📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺

D20: Fantasy High: Sophomore Year - e4-7

Dirty Laundry - s3, e7

D20: Burrow's End - "Evolution and Revolution" (s20, e10)

D20: Adventuring Party - "Welcome to the Honk Honk Club" (s15, e10)

Dimension 20 Interview: Siobhan Thompson Talks Jaysohn's Near Death In Burrow's End & Fantasy High

Doctor Who: The Star Beast (2023 special #1)

Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder (2023 special #2)

🎧 PODCASTS 🎧

⭐ Welcome to Night Vale #239 - Sister Cities: Vermillion Falls

What Next: TBD - They See You When You’re Shopping

Desert Island Discs - Lea Salonga, singer and actor

⭐ The Sporkful - Rise Of The Foodie Bro (The Year In Food 2023)

Cautionary Tales - The Dunning Kruger Hijack (and Other Criminally Stupid Acts)

Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Julia Gets Wise with Amy Tan

Vibe Check - Nostalgia, Ultra

99% Invisible #562 - Breaking Down The Power Broker (with Conan O'Brien)

Endless Thread - "Extremely Online" with Taylor Lorenz

Ologies with Alie Ward - Syndesiology (CONNECTIONS) with James Burke

NPR's Book of the Day - Norman Lear's memoir recalls a life and career that shaped American television

Cautionary Tales - Demonizing Dungeons & Dragons

⭐ Switched on Pop - Hear the Year: The music we loved in 2023

One Year - 1990: Bush vs. Broccoli

Song Exploder - Raye - Escapism (feat. 070 Shake)

Today, Explained - Get the lead out

What Next: TBD - Spotify Unwrapped

Today, Explained - Are movies too long now?

Dear Prudence - My Friend Won’t Stop Buying Me Gifts. Help!

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - The Super Museum

Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me! - Fred Schneider

Strong Songs - The Band: The Last Waltz

Endless Thread - What Is That?!

⭐ Cautionary Tales - How the Radium Girls Fought Back

🎶 MUSIC 🎶

'90s R&B Girl Groups

Presenting Etta James

Pop Motivation

Victoria Monét

Troye Sivan

Laufey