#Getting to Know Each Other

[stilliwilllivehere]

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

☆ Lance wants to quit racing Fernando wouldn't really care but for some reason when Lawrence asked for his help he feels the need to convince lance to stay. ☆

°*There’s only today ❀

Chapter one

“Fernando, Fernando you listening to me,” the words wake fernando up from his thoughts, It was Lawrence

“ Can you stay for some private words?” Lawrence looked at him from across the table though he was asked, there was no room to actually decide.

After the meeting was concluded and every one had cleared out Just the two of them stood on the balcony of the nice meeting room with the doors closed behind them Lawrence leaned against the railing, took a deep sigh and talked without ever looking directly at alonso, trying to hide from alonso some sort of shame but fernando could see it in the way he looked and stood he was seeping embarrassment fernando looked down to the busy street under the balcony to hide his smirk from lawrence

“ lance said he wont race” alonso looked up from the street so quick he almost got whiplash

“ what” alonso had expected something, well, else definitely not this. but was this it, had that no good bratty kid finally decided to do every one the favor and retire. Alonso couldn't believe it no wonder lawrence was ashamed his son who has the easiest career in formula one history was retiring for no reason other than being lazy and when the news got word of this the whole motorsports world would cheer in celebration, ok maybe not celebrate that's cruel even for alonso, it's not like he hates lance he was worried about a minute ago it's just he has a hard time appreciating lanc, yea thats the word, but nobody’s gonna miss lance, they'll all breath a sigh of relief when they hear the news even alonso.

Alonso doesnt realize hes smiling until he looks up to see lawrence giving him a knowing look

He quickly fixes his face

“I'm going to keep his and my conversation more private but he's upset again you know how he gets, but this time I really don't know what to say to him, i'm not sure if you're aware you have always been like a role model for him not that I'm saying you have to but please, talk to him, he really looks up to you I mean that kids the reason we had you signed, he basically begged me to sign you”

Fernando found that hard to believe. Lance didn't so much as spare him a glance nowadays no less treat him like an idol but Fernando just continued to stare at Lawrence Not answering hoping that would end Lawrence's speech sense pretty much got from the short exchange what he needed to. He needed to talk to lance, but for what he had no actual idea

Still Lawrence continued “ he never knows what he wants, but I do, I know what's best for him.”

*****

Walking back to his dressing room fernando was still trying to put together what lawrence was trying to get him to do

Lance was feeling down that much fernando new but refusing to race was a bit much, lawrence had informed him that he and his son had had a fight which ended in lance refusing to race in ‘his fathers shitty car’ as he had said it but if Lance didn't wanna race how was HE gonna convince him to race? especially if his own father couldn't get him to, it was just stupid that lawrence would ask him to even try but here he was at lance's room anyway, he knocked and waited, getting no reply he knocked again

“ey lance, you here” he tried calling out to him

no reply

strange

But he tried again, still to no aveil Fernando was about to leave when he heard some movement on the other side of the door. Then the door swings open and Lance stands there staring at him, neither says anything. And Fernando realizes that lance doesn't look too good. His hair is messy and unkempt, also plastered to the side of his head , he's wet with sweat sticking to his forehead making him look dirty and he has dark circles under his eyes.

“Im guessing my father send you” lance looks annoyed

“ yes he did “ fernando acts like he doesn't notice the change in lances deminer. Alonso tried his most very worried voice, and it wasnt that he didn't care about Lance and whatever he was going through but he didn't really know what was going on between him and his dad, he was just doing what Lawrence asked him to do.

“Your fathers very worried about you lace-

“Can you not do this please ” lance said dragging his hand over his face and letting out a deep sigh subsequently cutting Alonso off ( he's letting it go as lance usually doesn't act like this and he obviously going through something) lance moves over to allow fernando into his room fernando walks in and looks at lance continuing.

“ your father told me you do not want to race” Alonso made sure to keep his face unreadable

Lance is quiet just staring at the ground like a toddler getting scolded.

“ you want a faster car I know that but you still have to race bad car or not” fernando doesn't really know what he's saying but he's just gotta get lance to understand that sometimes things suck but there's nothing you can do about it, honestly lance should have learned that years ago but he's a rich kid so alonso learned not to expect much from him, no real empathy or grasps on reality, but that doesn't matter right now he's just gotta convince lance to race and forget about whatever it is that's bothering him.

Lance looks up from the ground glaring at fernando before answering a bit angrily

“did my father tell you that,” a pause fernando doesn't say anything, isn't this what it was about “I was upset with the car, mad I didn't get a fast car and threw a tantrum refusing to race” lance continues to stare at fernando and fernando stares back

Fernando feels a bit dumb but he doesn't let on,he had pieced together what Lawrence had said to him and that's what he had come up with. Was he wrong? had he just assumed it was the car because he himself thought the car was trash? If so, why else would Lance refuse to race? Fernando couldn't think of any other reason not with what Lawrence had told him at least.

”Look fernando I get it my dad probably told you to come say this to me but I don't really need this right now, if you could just go i'd really love that, and um you can tell my dad you inspired me or whatever just leave me alone before the race, yea? thanks”

Fernando was shocked as lance shuffled him out the doorway before blocking the entrance to his room

“ and tell him I'll race,” he said before closing the door in Fernandos face.

Fernando was left standing there like an idiot. He was worried and angry, but mostly upset because Lance just pushed him out of his room. They'd never been close but that was disrespectful and rude, which again wasn't something lance would do to fernando. Fernando began to worry

[thatmexisaurusrex]

Totally My Boyfriend

Okay, this is for @cliophilyra for a holiday gift exchange. This is a "What if Eddie and Ali all happened in season 1 and this is an end of season 1/start of season 2 Buck meeting Tommy because Ali dumped him right before his parents came to town and Buck needs a perfect partner to show off just how far he's gotten in life" fic with a holiday twist. Enjoy! 🥰

Totally My Boyfriend

| Pairing: BuckTommy | Rated: M | WC: 25.5K | Chapter: 5/5 |

Summary: Evan "Buck" Buckley wanted to show off to his parents during the holidays - great life, great job, great girlfriend. But when his recently moved-in girlfriend of eight months dumps him before the holiday season, he decides to take Chimney up on his offer to find him a fake partner for when his parents visit. He just didn't know that the partner would be a fake boyfriend by the name of Thomas "Tommy" Kinard. And Buck didn't expect that he might want to keep Tommy as his actual boyfriend.

Excerpt:

“Hi. I’m Tommy Kinard. The partner,” said Tommy as he extended the flowers to Evan, “Do you need any help with preparing for the parents? I’m great at cleaning up. I’m admittedly an okay cook too, but I do take direction well, if that helps.” Tommy. Might have. Winked. Because, fuck it, the man was handsome. This might be his last conversation with the man. Why not put on a bit of the charm? Evan. Blushed. Crimson. It seemed to spread to his neck; his chest a bit. He swallowed hard. Oh. Well. Maybe this wouldn’t be the last conversation. Or. Maybe it would at least be more than a five-minute conversation.

READ THE REST ON AO3!

[wangxianficrecs]

🔒 if you really want me (move slow) by sunflowersfield

🔒 if you really want me (move slow)

by sunflowersfield (@sunflowersfield)

G, 1k, Wangxian

Summary: This cannot mean what he thinks it means. Wei Ying is probably dating someone. No, he is probably married. Lan Zhan will surely meet his wife the next time they spend time together, and then he will have to erase all of the scenarios he has created in his mind. Then he will have to forgive himself for the ridiculous conclusions he has jumped to. Kay's comments: Lan Zhan is really going through it in this stories as a chronic overthinker, but luckily, he has a very good therapist and Wei Ying can be very direct when given a hint! Excerpt:“You’re here!” Wei Ying exclaims, and Lan Zhan can’t help but wonder if he’s imagining the excitement in his voice. Why would Wei Ying be excited to see him? “I am,” he answers, unsure of what else there is to say. For some reason, this response makes Wei Ying giggle. When he pulls Lan Zhan toward the bar and offers to buy him a drink, Lan Zhan can do nothing but follow. “Water, please,” he manages to say, and Wei Ying fulfills his request with a smile that could light up the entire city. When Lan Zhan returns home later that evening, he goes over this interaction in his mind for nearly an hour, committing every detail to memory. Finally, he falls asleep.

pov lan wangji, modern setting, modern no powers, getting to know each other, strangers to lovers, developing relationship, fluff and angst, falling in love, angst with a happy ending, mutual pining, mental health issues, therapy

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

[skylarrxaustin]

Questions to ask people when you're getting to know them or maybe just yourself: 1. Do you think people have to like majority of the same things in order for them to get along?

2. What's something that you've always wanted to learn and what's stopped you from not doing it so far?

3. What is something that makes you feel alive?

4. What do you consider important qualities in building a true friendship?

5. Whats something that you've learned about yourself that you've alwasy wanted someone to know but no one has ever asked you about?

6. How do you make people in your life feel seen?

7. How do you want people to show up for you?

8. Do you believe people have the power to change? What are some things that people do to show you they have that capability?

9. Would you say that you're good at setting and enforcing boundaries with your loved ones? What makes you good or not so good at that?

10. What is a small thing that brings you deep joy? Do you find joy in the small things around you?

[suitelif3]

A Hot Frosty Steve

rated t | cw: recreational drug use | wc: 4.5k

ao3

For @steddiemas, prompt: snowman

I based this idea on that new movie where a snowman becomes a real man and made it steddie haha (I have not seen the movie)

thank you to my beta reader @hiseyebrowsaregone for all the help!!

**

Eddie’s walk through the Christmas lights was savored by the hot chocolate he has clutched in his hands. His personal annual tradition was even better than last year since it seems more people participated in putting up lights.

He’s loving it even more considering how stoned he got before leaving on his little walk through town. The hot chocolate tastes that much sweeter and the lights are blinking brighter ever so slightly.

Although he can barely feel his toes through all the snow, he’s having a great time. A downright jolly time.

He continues walking down the road, the only ground he can get any reprieve from the snow, sipping at his hot chocolate.

But wait-

Is that a man?

He goes to investigate, while trudging through the snow - he mourns the loss of feeling in his toes, to this strange looking man.

Eddie stops to see a snowman, but not just any snowman. A snowman that looks shaped by the gods. It’s a such a realistic sculpture of a man, Eddie can’t help but silently applaud whoever made this masterpiece.

He laughs at the notion that it was a real man, he must be more stoned than he thought.

He wonders who created this absolute hunk of a snowman, and briefly wishes he could take him home.

Giving the snowman a glance once more he notices it has everything except for a scarf. While the snowman doesn’t need coal for eyes or sticks for arms since they’re carved out, he needs a hat or scarf, and has neither. That just won’t do.

He unwraps his red knitted scarf and puts it around the snowman, it looks better on him anyway.

Eddie turns away to start heading back to his trailer as his tradition is deemed a success. He walks a little faster trying to get some feeling back in his toes, and yup, his fingers too. He can’t wait to get back into the warmth of the trailer.

He makes it a little ways down the road when he hears some shuffling. It sounds like someone in the snow?

He turns around to check but no one is there, except for his snowman, who is still pretty far from him. He shrugs and continues on his way.

He makes it down the street when he hears the sound of a branch breaking. This time he jerks around, looking for the culprit. All he sees is his snowman again, but his snowman is closer? How is that possible?

His snowman is still facing the street, back against the start of the forest, but he’s marginally closer to Eddie than he was before. And the snow isn’t twinkling off the man anymore. He squints his eyes trying to get a better look.

He makes the decision to just go up to him, even if it means sacrificing the heat the trailer will bring just a little longer. As he starts getting closer, he starts to realize the snowman doesn’t seem to be all that snowy anymore.

His arms are tan, the hair is chestnut, his face is blushing red and everything about him is decidedly not white like snow. And the man is naked with only Eddie’s scarf around him.

Eddie rushes up to him, notices warm brown eyes staring back at him and screams.

The man screams back at him, with much higher pitch.

“Who are you?” Eddie demands.

“Uh- I don’t know.” The naked man replies.

“Were you the snowman?!” Eddie shrieks.

“What’s a snowman?” The naked man smiles.

Oh my god, Eddie is losing his mind. That’s what’s happening right now. He just smoked a lot more than he originally thought and is now experiencing hallucinations. Although, he didn’t think you could hallucinate on weed, but he obviously is! The best course of action right now is to continue on to his trailer, drink loads of water, and warm up in blankets with some much needed sleep. Then everything will be fine in the morning.

“Okay.” He turns to continue to his trailer planning to do just that.

“Hey, wait!” The snowman shouts. He catches up the Eddie, matching pace with him.

They walk in silence for a bit, and Eddie stews in his thoughts of weed effects. Is he overdosing right now?!

“So, where are we?” The snowman speaks.

Eddie glances at him, but turns back to the road when he remembers, naked.

“Hawkins, Indiana.”

Maybe this is subconscious speaking to him, trying to get him to repeat things he should know. So he knows he’s still coherent.

“What do you do in Hawkins, Indiana?” The snowman asks.

“Nothing really.” Eddie’s not sure how to reply. Is he really talking to a naked snowman right now? He seems to be more of a naked man right now though. Actually-

“Aren’t you cold? You only have a scarf on.”

The snowman shrugs, “It’s not too bad. I’m pretty comfortable right now. Guess I’m used to it.”

“Right…”

They go back to silence. After a couple moments, the trailer is finally in view.

“Alright, Mr. Snowman, it’s been nice, but I have some blankets to wrap up in and sleep to catch up on. So hopefully I won’t ever see you again, and I can go back to my completely normal, non-hallucinogenic life.” Eddie grins and stomps up the stairs, ridding his boots of the last bits of snow.

“Wait, uh, where am I supposed to go?” The snowman asks him, his honey eyes staring up at him.

“I imagine back to where I first saw you, I’ll check on you tomorrow, to see you all made of snow again.”

“I don’t know where that is.”

“Just walk back down the road, I’m sure you’ll find it.”

“But I don’t want to go back, I want to stay with you.” The snowman pleads.

Fuck, those eyes are really working on him.

“Well, you can’t stay here, you’ll melt. Since you’re made of snow and everything.”

The man looks down at himself and up at Eddie with an unimpressed stare.

“If I was made of snow, I think I would know.”

“Well obviously not now! But you were and you will be, you just aren’t right now because my mind is playing tricks on me with some ridiculously good kush and I need to sleep it off!” Eddie cries.

“But I don’t have anywhere else to go.” The once snowman looks sad, and those eyes are dangerously close to watering. Eddie just can’t have this gorgeous man crying at him, no matter how unreal he his.

“Ugh, fineeee. You can come in, but you better be gone by morning.” Eddie grumbles to himself, keying open the door. He takes off his boots, hangs his coat by the door, puts his mug in the sink, and turns up their heater plus ten. He can’t feel any of his toes or fingers.

He sees the snowman standing in the doorway, taking everything in. Eddie quickly ushers him in, closing the door behind him.

“Um, do you want to watch something? I gotta warm up before trying to sleep, so I guess we can chill before then?” Eddie asks.

“Sure.”

First order of business, getting some clothes for the snowman. Second, he grabs any and all blankets he can find. He throws them all on the couch and hands the clothes to the still very much naked man.

“What do I do with these?” The man picks at them.

Eddie tries not to be offended since those are some of his comfiest sweaters and sweats!

“You put them on, for your modesty dude.” Also the fact that he can’t focus when a naked gorgeous man is walking around his living room. But Eddie doesn’t mention that.

The man picks up the boxers first with a confused expression. Eddie sighs and mimes putting pants on. That seems to jog the man’s memory and he put on the boxers and sweats. Eddie says a silent goodbye to the view.

The man has some trouble with the sweater, so Eddie helps him out a bit. With the sweater on, they’re much closer than Eddie was expecting.

He can see specks of gold in the man’s eyes, his hair shining perfectly and his lips jutted out in a perfect, pink pout. Eddie wants to reach out and touch but is suddenly reminded about how not real this man is.

He clears his throat loudly. “Okay! Let’s watch something.”

He grabs to remote to turn the tv on and dives into his mound of blankets. He rearranges them all around him so he can gather every bit of warmth and pats the seat next to him.

The man sits down, getting comfy. Eddie offers him a blanket but he just shakes his head.

Eddie shrugs and looks to see what’s playing on the tv. It’s just some sort of soap opera that’s been running for too long probably. Eddie could care less to be honest, so he zones out. He can’t help thinking he doesn’t feel high anymore, the feeling he got from the weed seems to have burned off, so why was he still seeing this man?

Maybe Rick dosed it with something else so it wasn’t entirely weed? Or maybe Rick didn’t try it this time and the guy he got it from dosed it? Is he on another drug that doesn’t feel like anything but has a lot of visuals? But nothing else is moving, and the Christmas lights seem normal, not overly blinking or bleeding together. Maybe he’s just sleep deprived. Wouldn’t be the first time, but last time he didn’t hallucinate a whole person. Is he lonely? Is that why his subconscious wants him to talk to someone. This was all so confusing.

“Hey, what’s your name?” The man spoke and Eddie jumps, not expecting it.

“My name’s Eddie.” He grins.

“Oh, cool. Can you call me Steve?” The man asks.

“I guess, what made you want to be called Steve?” Eddie was curious.

Steve gestures toward the tv. The soap opera Eddie had never seen or at least paid attention to was still playing. A blonde boy pops up and Steve points.

“I like him. His character is cool and I like the name.”

“Alright, I‘ll call you Steve.” Eddie smiles at the snowman, that’s now a man, called Steve.

“Thanks.” Steve says softly.

Steve pulls at Ed-his sweater, “Is it a little warm in here?”

Eddie, who’s barely regaining any feeling in his toes, empathetically replies, “No?”

“Oh, must be me then. I’m getting a little overheated. Are you sure I can’t take this off again?” Steve pulls at the sweater by his sides.

“I mean how hot are you?” Eddie reaches over to touch Steve’s hand, and feels his icy skin.

“Steve! You’re like freezing cold, you should be under these blankets with me! How are you not freezing?!”

“I’m actually just really hot.” He could say that again. “I thought it was nice outside, not too cold. It burns a little being in here.”

Eddie’s gears were turning.

“Hm, yeah, I can see that. You were a snowman before so maybe you just need to stay in the cold. I guess it could feel like you’re melting if heated up too long.”

Eddie is really rocking this whole hallucination thing.

“Oh okay, should I stand outside then?” Steve wonders.

“Maybe, I can stand out there with you for a little bit while I smoke. But then I gotta come back in before I lose all my extremities.” Eddie teases.

The cold might sober him up a little too.

He grabs his pack of cigarettes and a lighter and heads outside with Steve.

The cold air rushes in and Eddie is freezing all over again. His fingers are definitely numb at this point.

He stands on the little porch next to Steve and lights his cigarette, putting it between his lips and taking a long drag.

He watches as Steve looks out to the snow with a small smile on his face. His snowman really is beautiful, is downright one of the most handsome men Eddie has ever seen.

“What do you usually like to do in the snow?” Steve asks.

“Nothing really…I didn’t usually play in the snow growing up. And it doesn’t snow as often here.”

“Why not?”

“Well I think because the world gets a little hotter each year so it’s harder for it to stay on the ground.”

Steve giggles. “No, I mean why didn’t you play in it when you were younger.”

“Oh!” Eddie snaps his fingers. “Well, I grew up with my old man and he never let me play outside when it snowed. Said it would be too much to clean when I came back inside, and we didn’t have a fireplace so it would’ve been harder for me to keep warm after I guess. Here it’s better though, Wayne doesn’t care and the snow is prettier.”

“Ah, who is Wayne?”

“He’s my uncle, took me in after my dad left, been livin’ with him since. It’s been a lot better.” Eddie tilts his head toward Steve.

“Hmm, well might I suggest some sledding or snowball fights, or maybe even snow angels for things to do in the snow?” Steve has a twinkle in his eye, thinking of all the ways to play in the snow.

Eddie grins. “Yeah, sounds fun, Stevie. Maybe I’ll invite some of my sheeps to come play sometime this winter. Before all the snow melts.”

“You have sheep?” Steve asks bewildered.

Eddie laughs, a full belly laugh. “Well, they’re not real sheep, they’re some kids I like helping at my high school. Kinda some outcasts, you know. Not many people like to talk to us, so I just take them in, show them the ropes of surviving in high school. They’re good kids.”

“That sounds nice, I wish I knew what it was like to have a family. Maybe some kids, we could all play in the snow together.”

“Yeah, do you even know how to have kids?”

“I imagine you just make them out of snow, and they’ll appear.”

Eddie snorts. “Well, maybe. I guess it worked with you.”

Eddie flicks some ash off his cigarette. It’s kinda nice talking to Steve, even if he is a figment of his imagination.

“What do you like to do big boy? Any favorite snow activities?”

Steve smiles brightly. “Well, I love anything you can do in the snow, but my favorite thing would have to be this.“

Steve grabs some snow from the ground, flattening it in his hand and rolling it. He repeats it a couple times until he holds out a snow rose to Eddie.

Eddie gapes at him, “How did you even do that?”

Steve shrugs. “It’s fun to make things with the snow.”

Eddie shivers from the cold, he lets go of his cig and snubs it out with his shoe.

“Here, it looks like you need this more than I do.” Steve unwraps the red scarf Eddie put on him, and wraps it around Eddie, pulling him closer. Steve tangles the ends into a knot, and smiles shyly at him.

Eddie flushes.

The man is hot, who can blame him?

“Okay, well, I’m gonna head inside. It’s still a little too cold for me out here, but you can stay out here as long as you need, and you can come inside whenever. I’ll just be in my room if you need anything. Goodnight Steve.”

Eddie salutes to him, not sure how to end this little hallucination, and rushes inside.

After he’s lying in bed, leagues warmer than before, he realizes he’s no longer tired.

“Fuck.”

**

“Boy, if you don’t get up now.” Eddie hears Wayne vaguely hiss.

“Eddie!” Wayne claps and startles Eddie awake. “What the hell is some shirtless boy doin’ in our house!”

“Mnngh, what?” Eddie mumbles.

“A boy, that’s shirtless, is in our livin’ room. Now, I don’ mind what you do, or how you live your life, you know this. But I do care when you invite a boy over without tellin’ me.”

Eddie’s mind was still fuddled with sleep, but the longer Wayne spoke, the more Eddie panicked. How was Wayne able to see Steve?! He should’ve been gone, he’s completely sober now! And not as sleep deprived! This was bad, how was this snowman alive?!

“Oh my god.”

“Eddie! For god’s sake. Get dressed, and start making breakfast for him or something. I taught you to treat your partner right, even if it’s one night.”

“Oh god! Wayne please stop talking. It’s not what you think.” This was so embarrassing, Eddie will never be able to bring someone here again.

Wayne gave him a deadpan look.

“Sure, son. I’m going to bed, just tell that boy to put on a shirt.”

Eddie flops over and groans. He pulls his pillow over his face before attempting to get up.

What should he do about Steve?

His mind starts to drift, wondering if he has a time limit, will he go back to snow soon? Is there a way for him not to feel like he’s melting?

After he stumbles into the living room, telling Steve to put on a shirt while blushing profusely, he decides to call in his reinforcements.

The party all shows up half an hour later.

They crowd around Steve, who’s sitting on the couch wringing his hands together nervously.

Dustin starts the onslaught of questions, all of them rushing to ask, voices overlapping each other - “Who are you?” “Do you remember anything before?” “You used to be snow?!” “How’d you become alive?” “Are you going back to snow?”

A voice pipes up from the back, “It was my fault.”

Everyone turns to look at Jane, she has a guilty look on her face. “I made him come alive.” She looks at Eddie. “Max and I were playing a game, and I saw you with him” - she points to her head - “when you were putting your scarf on him, so I searched for his mind, and gave him form.”

“You can do that?” Mike exclaims.

Jane shrugs. “I’ve never tried before, but yes.”

Everyone gapes at her, but Eddie has to know, “Will he turn back? I mean does he have a certain amount of time before going back to snow?”

“I don’t know.” She replies.

Eddie nods.

The kids go back to asking a million questions, this time pointed at Jane.

Eddie stares at Steve. Knowing he’s not a figment of his imagination anymore makes him feel better. This Steve is real, he’s living and breathing and hot. He really hopes Steve won’t turn back to snow, he seems pretty cool.

Shaking himself out of his stupor, he rounds up the kids again.

“Hey! Why don’t we go outside and have some fun in the snow? I’m sure Steve knows a thing or two about what to do.”

Steve’s responding grin is blinding.

“Yeah! We could go sledding, make snow angels and have snowball fights.”

They all pause for a moment before shouting bouts of excitement.

Eddie bundles up, with the kids following suit. Everyone heads out into the snow, Steve being the only one in sweats and a flimsy t-shirt.

Steve leads the group toward the woods, giving them more space to play and there’s a steep hill leading into the trees.

Eddie grabs some trashcan lids for sledding before chasing after them.

The blanket of snow is thicker across the ground since the full night of snow flurries. It’s a blinding white, the sun shining off the snow clustered on top of hanging branches.

He hands the lids to Dustin and Lucas, each of them racing to the hill, plopping onto the lids, and flying down. Their laughter is heard from the woods as they stumble out of the woods, and up the hill.

“You have to watch out for the trees! But it’s fun, it’s like a game trying to avoid them at the bottom.” Dustin laughs.

They all take turns going down, but when it gets to Eddie and Steve, he’s suddenly nervous.

It would be just his luck to sled down head first into a tree next to the hottest guy he knows. Steve senses his hesitance, “What’s wrong?”

“Just don’t wanna crash into a tree, man. Would ruin my street cred.” Eddie laughs it off.

“We can hold hands going down? We could help steer each other away from them.” Steve suggests, eyes searching Eddie’s imploringly.

“Huh. Yeah, that’s a good idea.” Eddie will take any excuse to hold his hand. Eddie puts his gloved hand in Steve’s bare one, Steve lacing their fingers together.

They slowly inch off the hill together, before Eddie’s lid slips, bringing Steve down with him. The wind rushes past his ears, blowing his hair back and the cold chill seeps into his cheeks. He keeps a tight grip around Steve’s hand, his eyes watering against the cold, with trees coming up fast. Steve pulls him out of the way of one, but they’re still speeding on, the lids not offering much friction.

A tree ends up right on target for Steve so Eddie tugs his hand as hard as he can, with maybe a little too much strength, because Steve barrels into his lid, crashing into Eddie, both of them slipping off and rolling.

When they finally come to a stop, Steve is on top of him, pinning him down. His eyes are glowing with rosy cheeks. Eddie can’t look away.

Too lost in taking Steve in, the sudden white flakes in his hair makes Eddie giggle, hearing the cackles of the kids around them.

Steve rolls off of him, rushing to stand with snowballs already in his hands. The kids scream and scatter into the trees. Eddie hauls himself up to start preparing snowballs. Steve takes off running after them, and Eddie searches for them by hiding behind trees.

The kids are ruthless, coming at Eddie and Steve in all directions. Steve followed Eddie’s example of hiding behind trees to have some relief from the snowballs hurling toward them at all times. They joined together, “We need a game plan.”

“What if one of us is offense and the other defense?” Steve suggests.

Eddie squints his eyes. “How do you know about sports?”

“Had a lot of time last night, I watched a lot of tv.”

“Ah, well, I think you should be offense since the cold snow doesn’t affect you as much.”

“Mm, you’re probably right. Okay, I’ll come at them from the side, you stay behind the tree where you think they’ll start running so we can get them from both sides.”

“I like the way you think, Steve.”

Steve has a soft smile on his face. “Thanks. Ready?”

“Let’s do this.”

Steve’s plan worked wonders, the kids run away from him straight toward Eddie who’s at the ready, drenching them with snowballs. Steve runs after them throwing snowballs, and they are quickly humbled from the amount of snow covering them at the end of the fight.

Eddie cackles, and Steve runs into him, hugging and jumping them up and down.

“We did it! The plan worked!”

“Your plan worked, Stevie. I’m just glad I was apart of it so I didn’t get drenched in snow too.”

“Don’t be humble, you were a great asset.” Steve brings his hand up, brushing some snow out of Eddie’s bangs.

Eddie notices Steve getting closer.

“Excuse me! Are we going inside anytime soon? We’re all pretty cold now if you haven’t noticed.” Dustin shouts.

Eddie and Steve spring apart, the former rolling his eyes. “Jeez dude. Yes, you can go inside anytime the door is open. Go get warm, we’ll come in later.”

“You don’t want to go inside to get warm too?” Steve asks.

Eddie and Steve slowly start walking back to the trailer together, their arms brushing.

“I’ll go inside later, I know it gets warm for you and I’d rather be outside with you anyway instead of inside with those little twerps.”

“I’d rather be outside with you too. But they’re fun, good kids.”

“Oh yeah, no, the best. Just a little exhausting sometimes.”

“Makes sense. Maybe you just need help wearing them out.”

Eddie glances at Steve. “That would be nice.” He says faintly.

They walk back in silence, only the crunching of snow beneath their feet being heard, the snow around them being touched and messy than the pristine snow from before their adventure with the kids.

When they get back to the trailer, Eddie stays on the porch with Steve, peeking inside to see the kids cuddled around the couch with blankets piled on top of them. He reminds himself to make hot chocolate for them later, knowing they’ll appreciate it after all the excitement and cold of being in the snow.

“I just realized, we never made those snow angels.”

Steve blushes. “Oh, I didn’t think you would remember. We don’t have to, it was just another idea.”

“Come onnn, Steve. It’s something you wanted to do, so we should. You probably won’t get me in the snow this long again. It’s so cold.” Eddie tugs on Steve’s hand, bringing them to the yard again. Eddie hunts down a perfect pristine part of snow.

He plops down, spreading his arms and legs wide open, dragging them against the snow. Above him, Steve’s face is red, but he quickly joins in next to him.

Their hands brush when making their wings, heads turned to each other with big grins on their faces.

“Eddie, thanks for suggesting this day outside. It’s been the best day, I don’t want it to end.”

“I don’t want it to end either. Even though I’m freezing my ass off, you make me feel a little warmer.”

Steve smiles at him, and reaches over to grab Eddie’s hand. “I really like hanging out with you.”

Eddie squeezes his hand. “Me too, Steve.”

Deciding to just go for it, Eddie leans over to Steve, kissing him soft and chaste. Steve’s lips are cold to the touch, but when Steve deepens the kiss, it gets much warmer. Steve’s tongue pushes against Eddie’s lips.

Steve breaks away after a moment. “Eddie.” He whispers. “I’m cold.”

Eddie’s eyes grow wide, worried about him.

“You’re cold?! But I thought you couldn’t get cold?”

“Well, I’m cold now. Freezing, actually.”

“Let’s get you inside then!” Eddie pulls Steve up, rushing to get him inside.

As soon as the door closes behind them, Steve sighs, and grabs a blanket from the kids’ pile. Shouts of protest begin before Eddie shuts it down with a look.

With Steve all wrapped up in a blanket, he turns to Eddie. “I don’t feel like I’m going to melt anymore.”

Eddie barely has time to process that this means Steve is real. He’s not a snowman anymore, but completely and utterly real. He strides over to Steve, grasps his face, leaning into him with lips pressing gently against him. He barely hears the groans of disgust in the background, too focused on Steve’s warm hands around him.

He’ll have to remember to thank Jane for making the snowman his.

**

the show Steve gets his name from is Dynasty, from the character Steve Carrington, who’s gay in the show

this story really got away from me, I wrote so much more than I thought it was going to be, but it was fun writing!

[theevilscribbler]

People I'd Like To Know Better Meme

I had a few people tag me for this! Thank you @sanzosin, @cawyden-gaming and @clevermird!

Last Song: This is Me - Keala Settle, from "The Greatest Showman" (I'm trying to put together Ada's playlist!)

Last Book: Currently listening to Madeline Miller's "Circe". Not for the first time, but I love the story and writing so much it's worth a revisit and I highly recommend it!

Last Movie: Hubby and I watched "The Electric State". Okay film, but nothing mind-blowing.

Last Show: Hell's Kitchen! I've had it on in the background while I'm doing other things.

Last thing I searched: Music from Love and Deepspace. I like the soft piano melodies, they're very soothing, and I'd love to actually learn them myself.

Favorite Color: Black and red

Sweet/Savory/Spicy: If I had to pick, sweet would win hands down! But I like to alternate between sweet and savory things.

Relationship status: Married! ^_^

Looking forward to: The Rogue Trader Live Reading this weekend. It's always great to hear everyone read their excerpts, cheer on the wonderful writers in the fandom... and this time we're getting the extra treat of the first Bad Smut contest! Ready to throw down with some truly terrible euphemisms!

Current Obsession: If it wasn't absurdly obvious to all... Rogue Trader and Marazhai Aezyrraesh in particular! Although I will confess that Sylus from Love and Deepspace has succeeded in elbowing his way into my brain space!

Hmmmm..... tagging.... @pycnolite, @holylustration, @blesby and @amasec!

You know the drill... no pressure at all!

[darcydekarios]

People I'd Like To Know Better Meme

Thank you so much for the tag, @nashcandream! ❤️

Last song: oh Gods, it was “Positions,” by Ariana Grande 😅 look, it’s catchy okay 😂

Last book: “Hooked,” by Emily Mcintire. Read the whole thing in a day. 10/10 reccomend if you like a little dark romance. I was super down after I’d finished the ACOTAR series, and this book for sure was a nice little transition

Last movie: I haven’t watched a ton of movies lately, so honestly I’m drawing a bit of a blank on this one. No joke, I think it was either “Holes,” or “Hercules” on one of mine and my boyfriend’s movie nights 😂 gotta love those Disney classics 🤭

Last show: My bf and I have been watching “Hell’s Kitchen,” and are currently on season 18, I believe? Idk, we just seriously love Gordon Ramsay in our house

Last thing I searched: No joke, “Gale Dekarios” 😂 I was in an online class for my new job and needed something to look at while I was working. So, just pulled up some google search images of Gale on my computer to stare at.

Favorite color: I always used to say pink, but I definitely love most shades of greens and purples as well. Especially because I associate purple with Gale

Sweet/Savory/Spicy: Can I say all the above? Definitely love sweet and savory together, but I do love some spice

Relationship status: Have been in a relationship for almost 4 years now ❤️

Looking forward to: I would have to go with meeting Tim Downie in April 😍

Current obsession: OH YALL ALREADY KNOW. Although, the bat boys from ACOTAR are coming in close 👀 but I’ll have to go with my babes, Darcy and Gale because my computer is overtaken with my fanfics of them. DnD universe, AU modern, and uh.. another AU coming soon 🤭 (attaching pics of them because duh) screenshots provided by: @emmy-dekarios-bg3 and @swordsbardkat

Tagging (no pressure): @optimisticgrey @astarioffsimpmain @tociminna @avabjorna36 @senualothbrok

[silverraindemon]

~People I’d like to know better~

Thanks so much for the tag @turtleybeachin!! ♡ (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡

Last song - "Lost in Silence" - Marcus Skeen

☆ Yes, a fan-made league song for a specific skin line- but league makes good music! and this song is good too! (also I'm here for the lore, nothing more lol)

Favourite colour - Black & Red

☆ Can't go wrong with black! and red is always a pretty colour!

Currently reading/watching - Nothing at the moment

☆ Haven't really decided to pick anything up recently. 100% open to suggestions though!

Spicy/Savory/Sweet - Sweet > Spicy > Savory

☆ Don't get me wrong savory is good, but in the hierarchy sweet shall always be king. \(★ω★)/

Relationship status - Single

☆ Too busy doing my own thing honestly lol.

Current obsession - Genshin, BG3, & Our Life

☆ Forever a genshin girly lol Oh and Xiao is best boi. ☆ I joined Bg3 late but played non-stop for a bit. The hold Astarion has on me is concerning. ☆ Our Life is a Vn that I highly recommend and I'am always throwing it into my chaotic mix of games daily.

Tagging - @madwoman1313, @married-to-google-translater, @i-slept-for-13hours-ohshi, @angelltheninth, @a-local-idiots-shitpost

☆ (Y'all are cool! but don't do it if you don't want to! You're still cool either way!) (ﾉ´ヮ`)ﾉ*: ･ﾟ

[dreamyparchment]

As The World Caves In (Chapter One)(KiriBaku)

When Bakugou Katsuki said everyone could go fuck off and die, he didn’t mean it literally. When the infection broke out, he felt like the world was playing some cruel joke on him. It was as if God himself was punishing him for always telling everyone to go drop dead. It had happened so quickly, one moment he was in class and the next thing he knew he was running for his life. Running towards home faster than he thought was possible, pushing himself to the point of tripping over his feet and wheezing with every breath. It had happened too quickly. The death of his parents, the starvation, the will to live slipping through his very fingers. It had happened. The end of civilization, the end of the world as he knew it, and worse of all, him being alone. Everyone he knew was dead, or at least, he could only assume. They were dead to him as far as he was concerned. He learned early on that it was shittier to hope someone was alive only to later come across their dead corpse or their zombified body shuffling amongst the brain dead crowds. Now there he was, the great and prideful Bakugou Katsuki, holing up on top of an abandoned TJ Maxx while scarfing down his last can of food. His ribs pressed harshly against his taught skin and his dry lips greedily soaked in the canned fruits juices as it went down his throat. Then it was gone. Just like that, he was once again out of food. His stomach gave a low grumble of protest, begging him for more of something he didn’t have. The blonde closed his eyes, thinking of his mom’s homemade lasagna and his dad’s grill outs. What he wouldn’t give for just one more bite. 

He opens his eyes and sits up more. This means he needs to go scavenging for more supplies. His body is in a sorry state, malnourished and weakened, although thankfully still packing some muscle and not completely broken down yet. His face had slimmed down somewhat, but he had managed to avoid hollowed cheeks and sunken eyes. For now. Not exactly ideal for a dangerous mission such as this one. Bakugou leaned over the edge of the roof and peered down. Below was a smaller crowd than usual of the dead shuffling mindlessly around. It seemed like a good sign. When he first made the roof his new home the area was a hotspot of activity. Over the span of the past month he noticed the numbers have slowly begun to thin out, possibly due to the fact there weren’t any people left in the area besides a guy on a rooftop. He smiled to himself, a small glimmer of hope igniting within him at the thought. Before he had the chance to daydream about an easier life he was interrupted by the sudden sound of banging against the door that led to the roof. The door that led to him. He jumped up quietly, immediately grabbing his bow and arrow in preparation. The banging continued but more fervently. He twitched in agitation. He thought it might be best to open the door and take out the zombie behind it before the sound attracted more attention, but what if it wasn’t just one? What if a whole horde had managed to break through his barriers while he was sleeping? It wasn’t likely, but still a possibility. Bakugou bit his lip and began to gnaw on it aggressively. He didn’t know what he should do. 

“Please open the door!” What? A voice? He lowered his bow for a moment before coming back to his senses. As far as he was concerned, people were just as if not more dangerous than a zombie. Zombies tended to be on the slower side, they couldn’t think, and they can’t have hidden intentions or use weapons. But people? People will do anything they can to survive, it’s instinct. “Fuck, I know you’re there! Please I promise I don’t mean any harm! I have food and- and water! I’ll share, I promise! They’re coming, please just let me in!” 

Bakugou’s stomach growled at the mention of food. Fuck it. What did he have to lose at this point? His life? He was already on track for that at this point. He rushed to the door and unbolted the chain then quickly pushed aside the shitty barricade he had set up in front of it. He swung open the door and met eyes with a tall muscular man, a guy no older than 23 probably, he was sure of it. The stranger flashed him a nervous but genuine smile and rushed past him. The blonde stood there for a moment, dumbfounded by this clearly healthy individual and then quickly shut the door. He set the chain and the barricade back up and then studied the stranger more. He had striking red hair with ruby eyes to match, a small scar above his eye, and chiselled features that matched his build. 

“Um…hi?” The man croaked out, nervously flitting his eyes side to side before meeting Bakugou’s eyes once more. “I’m Kirishima Eijiro, it’s nice to meet you.” The words hung there, no response to pick up where they left off. This man, Kirishima, brought his hand up behind his head nervously. “Thank you for letting me in.”

“How many?” Bakugou asked, not able to think of anything else to say.

“How many…?” Kirishima responded, confused by the blonde’s words.

“How many were there? How many followed you here?” Bakugou pressed on. A look of realization made its way onto the redhead's face. “Oh, only like 5! I was gonna kill them but I tripped and dropped my crowbar downstairs. I didn’t have the chance to pick it back up so I just ran til I saw that door,” Kirishima helpfully supplied. Bakugou felt the knot in his chest that he wasn’t aware of til then loosen. That’s manageable, easy even. He nodded.

“What’s your name man?” Kirishima sat down and smiled at the blonde, waiting eagerly for his response. Bakugou’s eye twitched.

“Why the fuck do you wanna know?” Kirishima laughed at the harsh words.

“‘Cause I told you mine, I think it’s only fair you tell me yours, right?” He flashed a smile. 

“I think savin’ yer’ ass was enough,” Bakugou grumbled. The redhead threw his head back and laughed, shoulder’s shaking to the beat of deep laughter leaving his chest. Kirishima wiped a tear away from his eye, shrugging once he was done. “I guess that’s fair,” he started, “I guess I’ll have to earn it.” Bakugou rolled his eyes and sighed. Great. He was stuck with some happy-go-lucky asshole that still had his spirit intact. He didn’t even know people like that could exist in this kind of world. 

“Ya said somethin’ ‘bout food and water. Were you bullshittin’ me?” 

“Not at all! I wouldn’t lie about something like that, that’s pretty fucked up bro.” 

“I’m not yer’ fuckin’ bro, okay?” Bakugou hissed out. Kirishima bit back a laugh, this guy reminded him of a defensive cat. The redhead threw his hands up in surrender and nodded.

“Okay, but seriously. I promised you food and water, and you shall receive!” Kirishima rushed to take off his backpack and began to rifle through it. “What’re you in the mood for? I have chili, fruit, corn, peas, pumpkin pie filling, baked beans, and a couple cups of strawberry jello.” Bakugou’s eyebrows raised in surprise at all the options. How was he able to acquire so much food? It’s been a constant struggle since the third month of the apocalypse for the blonde to get his hands on more than just a couple cans of food at a time. Instead of pressing the redhead about it, Bakugou decided to take advantage of this rare opportunity. 

“Can I…can I have some of that chili?” Just the thought of the hearty meal made his mouth salivate. Kirishima nodded enthusiastically and tossed him the can. Lo and behold there it was in all its glory. The can was slightly dented and the label was partly peeled off but there was no mistaking it. It was definitely a can of chili. The blonde rushed over to where he kept his can opener and spoon, immediately ripping the can open and devouring its contents. Kirishima sat there in silence, watching this stranger eat like he hadn’t touched food in weeks. He allowed his eyes to wander, suddenly feeling bad for watching this guy like he was at the zoo. He took in the sight of a tarp set up in one of the corners, a sleeping bag unrolled and clearly well-slept in underneath it, a tattered book right next to it, and a small lantern and flashlight tucked away in the deepest corner of the makeshift shelter. In another corner was a bucket for god knows what, an empty gallon jug that was laid on its side revealing multiple holes poked into the bottom of it, and a towel folded neatly off to the side. ‘Did this guy build his own makeshift shower system?’ he thought to himself. It was impressive really. He looked back towards the blonde’s direction, noticing a rugged backpack sat nicely next to the man half open. He couldn’t see inside of it from his position, but it looked bulky and full. The silence stretched until Bakugou had finished his food. 

“...Thank you,” Bakugou practically whispered the words but the redhead had heard them. He smiled brightly in response. “If you don’t mind me asking,” Kirishima started with some hesitance, “How long have you been living up here?” 

Bakugou sat for a moment, mulling over whether he should tell him to shut the fuck up or if he should just try and have a conversation. He surprised himself by going with the latter. “About three months now. Or at least I think. It’s a bitch to track how much time has passed nowadays.” 

“Damn dude! Three months? You must be getting low on supplies around here, yeah?” Kirishima asked the question genuinely. He has come across a couple people who were too scared to go scavenging, so they ended up putting themselves up somewhere they would be generally safe from zombies until they slowly starved to death or killed themselves. Some people would rather go out on their own terms. However, he gets the feeling that this guy isn’t like that. So why is he sticking around now that food is clearly scarce? It’s a pretty easy assumption to make considering how this guy ate that can of chili. 

Bakugou shifted around where he sat, looking side to side and avoiding any eye contact for the time being. “It’s not like the area’s completely out or nothin’,” he shrugged, “Jus’ gettin’ a little low I guess.” 

Kirishima hummed and thought for a moment before saying, “So you’re just going to stay here til’ it runs out?” Bakugou shrugged again. “I mean- fuck, I don’t fuckin’ know. I’m just playin’ shit day by day. Don’t you do that?” Bakugou asked. Finally the blonde met Kirishima’s eyes. 

“I did…at first. But I realized it wasn’t sustainable to stay in one spot for too long. Eventually the easily accessible food runs out and then you’re stuck going further and further away or forced to go to dangerous spots just for more stuff, y’know? I usually set up camp for a couple weeks, maybe a month at a time, then I go on my way. It’s crappy and risky to constantly be on the move but it keeps the food and water coming, so I don’t really have any complaints. Plus it’s kinda cool to get to go to places I was never able to before.” Kirishima’s answer struck a chord with the blonde. He understood exactly what he meant. He had done what Kirishima is doing now when everything first started. But after his mom kicked the bucket he slowly lost the motivation to get out there. Her last words were, “You have to live on Katsuki. Live for us.” He guessed somewhere along the way his brain got hung up on the living aspect and not the surviving part that comes with it. He wasn’t really sure what to say so he let the silence stretch on until Kirishima broke it once more.

“So how old are you? You look like you’re around my age.” Once again, Bakugou wasn’t sure if he should answer but opened his mouth once more. “22…you?” The blonde stared intensely at the redhead, waiting for his response.

“Hey I knew it! Me too!” Kirishima laughed a little bit at the knowledge he was right and the coincidence of it all. “I was in college when it all happened, I was studying to do something with fitness. My class was playing baseball when suddenly BOOM! A bunch of zombies started running at us and attacked everyone. Thankfully I was up to bat, that came in handy.” 

“And why are you telling me this?” Bakugou asked. 

“Just tryna make conversation, let you get to know me a bit, hoping you’ll share about yourself too,” was Kirishima’s answer. Bakugou hummed, surprised at himself for not being totally annoyed. It was…nice? It was nice to talk to someone besides himself, to know that his words were actually being heard and responded to. Fuck it.

“I…” the blonde started, not really sure what he should say, “I was also in college. Archeology major. But at the time I was in my archery class.” Kirishima nodded, clearly interested and excited that this stranger was trying to open up, even a little.

“Is that where that bow came from?” The redhead pointed towards the bow that lay off to the side, forgotten.

“No…that’s my personal bow. The one from class got fucked up in the process. I ran out of arrows on my way home and had to beat the fuckers out of my way with it.” Kirishima chose not to press further. He could tell this guy had a harder time in the beginning than himself. The redhead was fortunate when he thought about it. The baseball field was right next to a parking lot and a decent distance away from the school. He only needed to kill a handful of zombies before he was able to make it to his car and speed home. His school was on the outskirts of the city and so was his home, he was fortunate the traffic hadn’t reached him yet. This guy though, just from this small bit of information, Kirishima could tell he had to fight tooth and nail to get to where he is. “That…sounds tough man. I’m sorry.” Kirishima said, not really sure what to say besides that. 

“It’s whatever. Been there, done that, it’s over with. You went through the same shit anyway. Two different sides of the same shitty coin.” Kirishima laughed bitterly at the strangers words. 

“Y’know bro-”

“I already said I’m not your bro.” 

“Right. My bad. Uh- dude?”

“Not that either.”

“Well then what am I supposed to call you?” Kirishima stared at the blonde man sitting across from him, waiting for an answer. Bakugou thought about it, mulling over some options in his head before rolling his eyes.

“Ah what the hell. What’s the fucking point anyway? The name’s Bakugou, Bakugou Katsuki.” Kirishima lit up.

“Bakugou! You told me your name! Ha! I knew you’d tell me,” the words fell off the redheads' lips followed by a sly smirk. 

“Don’t go sayin’ that shit willy nilly, alright? You’re fuckin’ lucky I even told you.”

“I won’t! I won’t….Bakugou.”

“Hey!”

End of Chapter One

[wilde-rpg-gaming]

Bad driver - Shiara fanfic

Second fanfic for my Shepard Saga and Liara.

Soft steps on the metal floor was what Saga Shepard heard right outside the door to the room she shared with a few of the other high ranking officers on the Normandy. 

"Commander Shepard" she heard a soft voice she knew well call out. "I have the research on the Prothean beacon you wanted to go over." 

Shepard smiled when she pictured Dr. T'Soni standing out there with her datapad clutched closely to her chest. "Come in Liara." She called from her cot where she was reading to pass some time as she attempted to convince her brain it was time to rest. They had a full day of chasing down leads on what Saren was up to but now it was time to settle in for the night. 

She heard the door slide open and the young Asari woman stepped into the room, datapad clutched tightly to her chest. Shepard felt her smile grow larger and her cheeks flush. Liara had no idea what she did to the Commander, the power she truly held in this room. 

"Dr. T'Soni" Shepard remained seated on her cot as Liara approached. She sat the datapad she had in her own hand on her pillow. 

"I have that research you wanted." Liara repeated nervously. Stopping a few feet away and out stretching her arm with the datapad in hand. Shepard looked down at the pad and then back up towards Liara. 

"Thank you but you do know you can take a break every now and again right?" Shepard said with a smirk. She put the datapad next to the other one and returned her gaze to Liara. She was gorgeous Shepard thought to herself, she was in one of Shepard's white undershirts and it was tucked into her black lab pants. Liara had nothing other than the clothes on her back when they recruited her so she had taken some of Shepard's clothes until they stopped somewhere she could stock up. That was weeks ago but she still found Liara often with some article of her clothing on. 

"Yes, I just wanted to get this to you quickly. Things are moving fast with Saren, time is crucial and I..." Liara was talking so quickly. Nerves Shepard realized. 

"Whoa slow down there." She laughed softly as she reached up for the Asari's hand from her cot. Liara took hold of it and that was all she needed. She tugged pulling Liara down onto the cot with her clumsily. 

Liara landed with little grace practically in the Commander's lap. They both laughed at the exchange as Liara righted herself. Shepard swung her feet up and folded her legs in what she would later tell Liara they call criss cross applesauce as children back on Earth, adorable Liara thought.

"Will you stay with me for a bit?" Shepard asked. 

Liara looked around the room nervously, this was all still so new to her. Shepard and her had first kissed 3 days ago and the mission had kept them pretty busy since. She looked back at Shepard and those amber eyes were looking back at her so eagerly. She smiled softly and swung her legs and folded them to mirror the soldier's. 

Shepard took in the sight of Dr. T'Soni sitting in front of her as she reached out and took her hands in hers. "You're adorable you know." 

"You just say these things." Liara smiled sheepishly at the Commander, watching as the other woman's thumb brushed over her knuckles. Her hands were calloused from all the battle they had seen. All the wear on this soldier's body Liara thought, how did she do it all. Commander Shepard was a sight to see on the battle field, she was a force like none Liara had ever experienced. How many people had ever gotten to see her like this though?

"Saga, what did you do before you joined the Alliance?" Liara asked quietly, not sure if her curiosity was appropriate but then again was any of this?

"Back on Earth you mean?" Saga asked back as she let go of Liara's hands and placed hers on her knees. 

"Yes, but if you don't want to talk about it we can.." Liara started, nervous she may have hit a subject already that the other woman did not want to discuss. 

"No it's fine" Saga said with an easy smile, so damn charming this one. "Well what do you already know?" 

"What?" Liara froze puzzled at the question. 

"What have you read?" Saga's easy smile turned into a knowing smirk as she raised an eyebrow. 

"Oh.. um.." Liara was stumbling over her own thoughts. She did look into Saga's background and even took a peek at a classified file or two. She had begun to feel something more for the Commander and didn't know what to do about it. She was not experienced with casual conversations, let alone ones with someone she was this drawn to. 

"It was a little over a month ago" Saga explained. "You were talking to Chakwas and I had dropped off some supplies from the field." Liara knew where this was going. "I walked right past you guys, even said hi but you two were so invested in your conversation.." Shepard was saying. 

"The Mako's internal safety structure.." Liara interrupted as she put her face in her hands to hide herself from what she knew was coming.

"I'm not a bad driver for wanting to get all six off the ground every once in a while T'Soni" Saga chuckled then gestured her hand in a mock ramping motion complete with thruster noises. Liara had peeked out just in time to see it all and she laughed a genuine laugh as she let her hands fall in her lap. 

"Anyway I walked the supplies to the cabinet in the back room, your room." Saga paused for dramatics and Liara looked up at her with a nervous smile.

"Now imagine my surprise Dr. T'Soni when on my way back to the door I caught sight of a very classified document on your terminal." Saga put both hands on her hips for this and looked at the other woman expectantly. "A file I am very familiar with."

"Ok I did a little research". Liara said in her own defense. "I am a researcher, that's what we do."

“Oh I didn’t realize Prothean research often had you hacking your way into classified Alliance files.” Saga jested with Liara. “So what did you learn?” 

Liara’s demeanor changed, Saga knew why right away of course. Nothing in her file on her history would be light conversation. She was orphaned on Earth, no record of extended family, lived on the streets since she was 13 years old, joined a gang, her criminal record that had been expunged would be in there and of course the incident report on the Akuse mission. There of course would be all types of medical information and all the acknowledgments of her service as well but she knew what Liara probably focused on. 

“Yeah, ok maybe not the best subject to keep the mood in here huh?” Saga joked through the pain those memories always brought. 

This time Liara reached out first and she took one of Saga’s hands in hers. Her eyes were full of compassion which made Saga’s heart pang once again. 

“I learned you have always been a really bad driver.” Liara said this with so much sincerity that Saga literally bursted out laughing, afraid some spittle may have accidentally come out with it as she doubled over in laughter. 

Saga knew exactly what Liara had read. When she was in the aforementioned gang called the Reds she had crashed a friend's car right into a fence on a residential street, a fence that happened to be owned by a local cop, a cop who knew exactly who she was and also knew that was only 15 years old at the time. Normally that would never show on a record but this was the record of an N7 and a council Spectre, they had all of it, every little detail. 

“Ok but at least it's never a boring ride with me” Saga said as she recovered from the laughter, Liara still holding on to her hand. When she looked back up at Liara she did not see the nerves from earlier, she looked comfortable in the space. 

Saga leaned in closer to her, reaching one hand to the side of that gorgeous face. Liara leaned into the touch as Saga’s eye dipped to her mouth. Liara beat her to it and bridged the gap between them bringing their lips together. It was a single long kiss and when they pulled apart Saga leaned back in to kiss her forehead before sitting back and smiling. 

“What is it you want to know Liara?” Saga said easily. 

Liara looked at her for a moment. “I want to know it all but this time I want to hear it from you.”

The pair sat there on that cot for the next several hours telling one another all sorts of stories and through it all Liara never once let go of that hand. 

[nashcandream]

People I'd Like To Know Better Meme

Oh golly, I was tagged by @LostInTheWeave and now I’m grinnin’ like a fool!

Last song: The Engram Dichotomy by The Seven Mile Journey

Last book: Lol this is the most embarrassing question to answer because I have not been reading books like a good Nash. Oh no, not at all. I think it was “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jeanette McCurdy. I feel like I read it toward the end of last year when I was still working for the hotline. I have, however, been reading fanfiction, news articles, and tons of lore for my own fanfiction.

Last movie: “The Girl in the Picture” and “The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari”. Sometimes I like to have documentary movie nights on the weekend and those are the two I recently went with as my double feature. True crime and natural disaster/human interest because whyyyyy not lol

Last show: I’ve been in a White Collar, Burn Notice, and Shameless cycle for the last month.

Last thing I searched: Katie Sorensen jail time. I couldn’t remember if she actually served time in lock up or if she was only given community service. I don't like to use this phrase often but because it applies so well here, “this bitch…” Yeah. Yeah. I was really happy to know she served some time. It was a really random thought I had earlier today. I don’t know, I have ADHD.

Favorite color: I really like shades of green and purple. 

Sweet/Savory/Spicy: I’m a sweet and savory person, preferably at the same time or through a fun pairing. I like a little heat but nothing that overpowers the flavor of the dish/snack. I like purposeful spiciness, if that makes sense. 

Relationship status: Partnered.

Looking forward to: Well, it’s only Wednesday morning, so I feel bad for saying the weekend but, yeah, the weekend lol My best friend is visiting later this month, so I am really looking forward to that! Umm…I have chicken tortilla soup for lunch, so that’s exciting. Or I could walk down the street for something. Oh! I’ve been writing more recently, so I look forward to putting more time into that! I guess I am most looking forward to all the opportunities and possibilities of the day/week. Let’s do thiiiiiis!

Current obsession:

Gale x Lennox, the fanfic I’m writing for the two of them, Gale on his own, Lennox on their own. Non-BG3 related? Ummm….my cherry-lime gsupps is definitely top of the list. There is this ham, brie, apple slices, and fig jam sandwich on a warmed croissant at the cafe near my work that I cannot get out of my mind and have at least once a week. My instrumental music playlist has been on repeat for, like, days so that counts lol Good times!

Tagging! @thelittlesorceressbg3 @emmy-dekarios-bg3 @darcydekarios @puggnugget @worfs-glorious-hair and anyone else who would like to participate! I want to get to know you better :)

[thatmexisaurusrex]

ground control to major tom

Hey, people! This is a late entry for the @bibuckanniversarybingo. It's for the prompt "alternate universe". It's also inspired a bit by those astronauts that were supposed to go up into space for like nine days and it ended up being nine months. Enjoy this fun bucktommy fic! 🥰

ground control to major tom

| Pairing: BuckTommy | Rated: M | WC: 37.2K | Chapters: 8/11 |

Summary: Astronaut Tommy Kinard has a chance encounter with space nerd and firefighter Evan "Buck" Buckley at a party before he goes up in space with Dr. Karen Wilson for what should have been a nine-day mission but becomes a nine-month one. Tommy finds himself growing closer to Evan as they talk to each other through the radio during that long visit to space.

Excerpt:

So. Here Tommy was. At a party filled with mostly people Tommy knew vaguely from Karen and once when one of them, Howie, saved him from a gas leak at a mall. But Tommy didn’t really know most of the people at this party well. The plan: make it an hour before getting out of Dodge. Well. That was the plan. Before the hottest guy at the party started making a beeline toward him.

READ THE REST ON AO3!

[wangxianficrecs]

🔒 still life by sunflowersfield

🔒 still life

by sunflowersfield (@sunflowersfield)

G, 1k, Wangxian

Summary: So, Wei Ying knows a couple of things about his new neighbor. One, he does not drink coffee. Two, he is rather rude. But Wei Ying has always been stubborn, and this is not enough to discourage him. Kay's comments: Lan Zhan is Wei Ying's new neighbour, so obviously, he has no choice but needle himself into his life! Love how Lan Zhan eventually switches and goes all in despite being quite frosty in the beginning. Excerpt: He discovered this about a week after the handsome stranger moved into the two-bedroom apartment across the hall. The very first time that Wei Ying tried introducing himself, he’d knocked on the man’s door and offered him a cup from a nearby cafe. “I do not drink coffee,” the man had said with a scowl, as if Wei Ying’s mere presence was an inconvenience. That day, he'd practically slammed the door in Wei Ying’s face. So, Wei Ying knows a couple of things about his new neighbor. One, he does not drink coffee. Two, he is rather rude. But Wei Ying has always been stubborn, and this is not enough to discourage him. He tries bringing bagels from the shop around the corner. His neighbor looks at him suspiciously and closes the door once more. He tries a box of tea from a fancy gift shop. This, at least, his neighbor accepts, and Wei Ying manages to find out his name. When Lan Zhan does not open the door the next day, Wei Ying leaves a small bouquet of daisies on his doormat.

pov wei wuxian, modern setting, modern no powers, neighbors, fluff, fluff and angst, angst with a happy ending, getting to know each other, references to illness, hurt/comfort, caring lan wangji, happy ending

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

[lostsprite1985]

this is me, i guess

TL;DR: i’m too old to care what others think, i refuse to be talked down to, i refuse to give up - and i have enough reason not to. i have both formal and personal experience that i want to make use of.

i’m here to make connections find honest acquaintances/pals/friends, and just be myself.

this blog gives an impression of who i am - what i like, what i do, fair and square. just DM me if you feel like chatting, i won't bite ;)

in short:

i come with baggage, but i can be talked with. i hold myself accountable.

i love games with atmosphere and a good story.

i love traveling, exploring new places, sleeping outdoors, and nature photography (also abandoned places).

i like reading.

i hate injustice.

fanaticism, supremacism, ghosting, guilt-tripping, emotional blackmailing and drug abuse are an absolute NO-GO.

i have no idea how to actually use social media.

i’m almost 40 (not that old), but i got internet access late thanks to strict parents. i spent most of my life alone, and friendships never lasted longer than a year or two. looking back, my fawning response explains the constant imbalance.

i was in a relationship for over 15 years, but in hindsight, i doubt it was real. we had something, but our traumas steered too much of it. it was just another way for abuse to continue.

i’ve made plenty of mistakes. like many others, my trauma wasn’t easy to pinpoint, and the "official side" greeted me with neglect. the only diagnosis I ever got was depression, but i know there’s more - at least social anxiety, and by all I’ve learned, likely C-PTSD.

i was raised to believe I had to earn my worth - work first, relax only if you deserve it. i was made responsible for other people’s emotions before my own, and i was blamed for having needs.

s o yeah - I have no idea how to actually relax.

this blog is my way of figuring that out. i want to learn how to be casual, how to stop second-guessing myself all the time.

but the good news are that i’ve overcome a lot of unhealthy behaviors. i learned self-love and self-compassion. i even found purpose. i value open communication and respectful feedback - both giving and receiving. i still struggle with anxiety and trust issues, but I say: fuck it, I do it anyways.

i’m here to put myself out there. and if I can help others along the way - even better. from survivor to survivor. <3

hope was left in Pandora’s vessel. that means it’s still out there to be found.

so that was the more personal side, here is my more formal side: i was originally trained as a nutritionist, but financial reasons kept me from studying further. moving to a new city wasn’t an option, and honestly, the thought terrified me back then.

since my first career path didn’t work out, i became an IT-System Electrician (if that’s even a thing in english). but the job was just assembly-line work, which meant no real experience, which meant no real job opportunities - the good old loop.

eventually, i ended up working for the state. if I could go back and choose differently, i would. but I was unemployed, and they were the only ones hiring.

that job gave me stability, which let me support my partner financially so he could focus on healing and his art. after a decade together, we got married. but after that he lost all drive. no more music, painting, photography, or montages. rarely did he even finish the costumes and masks he started. he just… stopped. he started stonewalling everyone - his friends and me.

after years, i got him into therapy - something i always wanted for myself but couldn’t get due to my job’s stigma.

but that job also trained me in ways i do value:

leadership and responsibility - standing up, showing up.

teaching - i was an instructor and even taught teachers how to teach. i loved it doing that.

conflict communication - something i want to deepen and share in the future.

if you’ve read this far, you’re probably wondering: can this person ever not be serious? bingo! i struggle with that.

i hope I can find the funny side of me again. i hope i can learn to relax a little. and I hope I can find connections that mirror that ease - people i can just chat with about games, movies, music… normal stuff.

[bitchwitch1981]

10 Things for 10 People You'd Like to Know Better!

Thank you @jessthebaker for the tag

last song: Smoke by Maddie and Tae

last (current) book: Things Unspoken edited by Anisa Larkwood & Jasmine Luck

last movie: Marching Powder

last TV show: Narcos (again)

favourite colour: Royal Purple

sweet/savory/spicy: all 3

relationship status: unsatisfying situationship

last thing I googled: X-Files reboot

current obsession: sourdough bread (even though I can't eat it)

looking forward to: not having to work this Friday.

Npt: @jennaispunk @schnarfer @mysterious-moonstruck-musings @beefrobeefcal @sp00kymulderr

@covetyou @yxtkiwiyxt @whatsnewalycat @probablyreadingsmut @perotovar