#I’ve been thinking about terris dancing for a while now

[qernna]

i imagine they’re dancing to “when you believe” from the prince of egypt

[up-in-space-reading]

Average Weekly Screentime - Chap 1: Let's Make a Bet

pairing: Jake Peralta x Amy Santiago

word count: 2472

warnings/tags: college au, texting, drunk texting, text fic (mostly, there's prose a few chaps in), bets, bisexual!jake peralta, jake peralta has adhd, parties, drinking and alcohol, sexual references, implied sexual content (nothing explicit, just suggested its going to happen/has happened), friends to lovers, swearing, mentions of cannibalism, lighthearted threats of violence (typical rosa stuff yk), fluff

read on ao3

Average Weekly Screentime masterlist

Story Summary: texting fic college AU with the squad! It's the beginning of the school year and while everyone else thinks it'll be the same as the previous year, Gina has a feeling things are going to be different and wagers a bet with Rosa and Charles. Told through all the various group chats everyone is in.

Chap 1 | Chap 2 | Chap 3 | Chap 4 | Chap 5 | Chap 6 | Chap 7 | Chap 8 | Chap 9 | Chap 10

authors note: So I attempted writing a text fic for another fandom i used to write for buuut abandonded it when i left the fandom. But i wanted to give it another go!! I think it helps me be a bit more creative, and I had some content that I hated going unused. I've tried to make everyones nicknames and stuff in group chats obvious so you don't get too confused who is who but I do have a "key" written out in my notes I can include if you need, just comment and lmk!!

Jimmy Jabbers

[9:05am, Monday]

Four Eyes: Jake has fallen asleep in class, bets on how long until he wakes up?

Queen G: The whole class

Mr Grapes: 30 minutes

RoRo: Professor?

Four Eyes: Wunch

RoRo: She’s gonna wake him up in 12 mins

Four Eyes: Will keep you updated

-

[9:17am, Monday]

Four Eyes: Rosa you terrify me

RoRo: I know RoRo: what do I get for winning?

Four Eyes: I’ll make Jake give you $10

Vic Kovac: not happening

RoRo: you say that now RoRo: but you will give me my money

Vic Kovac: is anyone else feeling threatened

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[11:37pm, Wednesday]

Ferris: hey santiago Ferris: i have a super important question Ferris: how did fountains work way back in time Ferris: or did they not have fountains and fountains r a recent thing Ferris: has media ruined my perception of fountains

Cameron: You do know that google exists?

Ferris: i wanted to ask u first bc ur smart

Cameron: Jake, I’m working on our essay that’s due in two weeks, google it yourself please

Ferris: ur so boring

-

[11:59pm, Wednesday]

Ferris: it was gravity Ferris: gravity made the fountains Ferris: fountains are like SUPER old

Cameron: Yeah that makes sense Cameron: Now please let me go to sleep

Ferris: goodnight!!!!!!!!!

-

Jimmy Jabbers

[8:43pm, Thursday]

Queen G: okay losers gather around Queen G: we are partying this weekend, no arguments Queen G: its happening and EVERYONE will be participating

Vic Kovac: YES G LETS GO Vic Kovac: whats the plan?

Queen G: one of terrys housemates was thinking of having a party and terry said he can persuade him to have one

Mr Grapes: oohh a party! I’ve been wanting to take my new slacks for a test run

RoRo: @vic kovac how bad are the slacks?

Vic Kovac: so awful

Mr Grapes: you guys hate my style! Its not fair :(

Queen G: because Charles the clothes you wear make you look like a background extra of a movie set in an office but not a new york office more like a used car salesman office in ohio

Mr Grapes: message received loud and clear :(

Four Eyes: Count me in for the party!

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[8:47pm, Thursday]

Ferris: YOU are gonna go to the party?

Cameron: You’re acting like I never go to parties

Ferris: just surprised is all

Cameron: You’re weird

-

Dance Squad

[9:02pm, Thursday]

G-Hive: okay we need to start a bet NOW

Charlese: what are we betting about??

G-Hive: it’s the beginning of the school year, the two of them seem different this year G-Hive: i think this might be the year! G-Hive: rosa, u in?

Scary: of course I am, dumb bets are my specialty

Charlese: I’m in!!!

G-Hive: ok, start date is today, place ur bets now and u can change them until the clock strikes midnight tonight G-Hive: after that they are locked in

-

Bi Besties

[9:06pm, Thursday]

Dagger: what r ur feelings towards amy?

El Baboso: she’s my friend El Baboso: why r u asking??

Dagger: dont worry about it

-

Dance Squad

[9:07pm, Thursday]

Scary: three and a half weeks after we get back from winter break

G-Hive: weirdly specific i like it

Charlese: in three months

G-Hive: awful guess but sure G-Hive: im gonna go with a month before the school year ends

Scary: fair enough

G-Hive: okay im writing all the dates down in my notes G-Hive: remember u have until midnight to change G-Hive: how much is everyone putting in the pool?

Charlese: $50 – feeling confident

Scary: you shouldn’t beScary: I can match that

G-Hive: same G-Hive: its gonna be an interesting school year babes

-

Jimmy Jabbers

[4:36pm, Friday]

Queen G: party at terry’s tomorrow is ON! Queen G: he said “BYO booze, I’m not made of money” Queen G: hes my fave

Vic Kovac: as ur childhood best friend i resent that statement

Queen G: i said what i said

Vic Kovac: ill find a new bestie

Queen G: you do that pineapples

Four Eyes: HA pineapples

RoRo: pineapples lol

*Jake Peralta has left the group chat*

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[4:38pm, Friday]

Ferris: amy add me back pls

Cameron: I’ll think about it

Ferris: pllllleeeeeaaaaassssseeeeeee

-

Jimmy Jabbers

[4:39pm, Friday]

*Four Eyes added Jake Peralta to the group chat*

*Four Eyes changed Jake Peralta’s nickname to Pineapples*

Pineapples: im gonna find better friends

-

Queens, Legends, Icons

[3:13pm, Saturday]

Ginaa: babe what r u wearing tonite????

Rosie: what i usually wear

Ginaa: so real of u

-

Jimmy Jabbers

[9:27pm, Saturday]

Pineapples: charles and i on our way!!!!!

Four Eyes: Rosa, Gina, and I will be leaving as soon as Gina is satisfied with her hair

-

[10:46pm, Saturday]

Four Eyes: LOUNG ROM NOOW Four Eyes: JAKE ON TABLE

-

[11:22pm, Saturday]

Queen G: i can’t find rosie Queen G: has anyone seen rosa

RoRo: in the bathroom RoRo: DONT COME FIND ME

-

[12:34am, Sunday]

Pineapples: me and charle takin amyyy home

Four Eyes: one more daaance

RoRo: freaks

Pineapples: NOT LIKE THAT ROSA

-

[10:04am, Sunday]

Four Eyes: I want to die

Mr Grapes: seconded

Pineapples: thirded

RoRo: gina and i are getting brunch in 20

Pineapples: count me in

Four Eyes: Me too

Mr Grapes: me three

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[3:15pm, Sunday]

Ferris: ik ur embarrassed but drunk amy was kinda fun ngl

Cameron: As bad as I feel today I will admit that I did have fun

Ferris: in a few weeks when u forget how bad u felt we shall do it again!

Cameron: Whatever you say haha

-

Jimmy Jabbers

[1:37pm, Wednesday]

Queen G: this class is KILLING me Queen G: someone entertain me pls

Pineapples: ok so if human skin is like pig skin would u be able to make pork crackling but like with human

RoRo: probably if u prepared it properly

Four Eyes: You most probably could. Part of me would want to say that human skin would react to being in an oven differently, but I think if you just used a part of the body most similar to a pork roast it would be fine. Pat dry, oil and salt, all good to cook. The only issue would be knowing how long to cook it for and what temperature so that it does crackle

Pineapples: jesus christ amy…

Queen G: amy i think i just gained a bit of respect for u

RoRo: me too

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[2:55pm, Thursday]

Ferris: im SO bored rn

Cameron: Focusing on the class is usually a good way to cure boredom

Ferris: i tried Ferris: its not happening

Cameron: You’re distracting me

Ferris: come ooonnn we both know u already know the lesson plan

Cameron: That’s not the point

Ferris: stop replying to me then

Cameron: If I don’t reply you’ll just continue to bug me

Ferris: i believe that is what they call a rock and a hard place Ferris: check mate to me Ferris: always get what i want Ferris: do u think holt will get mad if he sees me texting Ferris: probs will Ferris: worth it tbh Ferris: im hungrryyy

Cameron: I’m going to kill you

Ferris: amy pls, get in line behind rosa

-

Jimmy Jabbers

[7:23pm, Saturday]

Four Eyes: Need movie suggestions, please

Pineapples: mamma mia

Queen G: the mummy Queen G: Brendan Frasier is way too fine to pass up

RoRo: Somethings Gotta Give

Mr Grapes: Dirty Dancing

Four Eyes: Hm okay Four Eyes: No documentaries?

Queen G: NO

Pineapples: n o

RoRo: no

Mr Grapes: Blackfish?

Four Eyes: That’s a bummer Charles…

Mr Grapes: YOU WANTED A DOCUMENTARY!!

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[7:30pm, Saturday]

Cameron: I decided on Mamma Mia, thought you’d like to know

Ferris: i knew u were smart

-

Bi Besties

[6:45pm, Tuesday]

El Baboso: do u have the notes from yesterdays lecture?

Dagger: yeah, why?

El Baboso: can i borrow them? El Baboso: i lost mine

Dagger: no, u never returned the last notes i let u “borrow”

El Baboso: :(

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[6:47pm, Tuesday]

Ferris: amy Ferris: ameesss Ferris: ur my bestie right

Cameron: What do you want, Jake?

Ferris: can i borrow ur notes from holts class yesterday Ferris: PLEASE

Cameron: Yes you can

Ferris: THANK U SM AMY I’LL GIVE THEM BACK ASAP

Cameron: Don’t worry about it, I made an extra copy of mine after class when I noticed you hadn’t taken any notes

Ferris: this is why we r friends

Cameron: So you can steal my notes?

Ferris: uuhhhh

-

Sleuth Sisters

[6:50pm, Tuesday]

Rosa: cant believe u gave jake ur notes

Amy: I keep hoping that if he has all the material then he might try and study more

Rosa: optimistic

Amy: I know..

-

Jimmy Jabbers

[9:32pm, Wednesday]

Queen G: a girl in my class just text me that theres a party happening this Friday at her friends place Queen G: which one of u bitches is in

Pineapples: obviously im in!

RoRo: feel like even if i said no i’d be forced to go

Mr Grapes: who’s gonna be there?

Queen G: definitely NOT the professor you have a weird crush on Queen G: just say yes

Mr Grapes: i don’t have a crush on her…

Four Eyes: I can’t do Friday, sorry. Have fun though!

Pineapples: amy pls just forget your study schedule for ONE night

Four Eyes: I’ll think about it, but no promises

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[10:03pm, Friday]

Ferris: i knew u would come

Cameron: Shut up and bring me a drink, if I’m going to miss studying then I at least want to make it worth it

Ferris: 3 drink amy coming right up!

-

[10:42pm, Friday]

Cameron: rosa just gave me SHOTS

Ferris: GET IT GIRL

Cameron: you’re weird lol

-

[11:14pm, Friday]

Cameron: JAKE COME DANCE WITH US

Ferris: COMING

-

Jimmy Jabbers

[01:11am, Saturday]

RoRo: anyone seen amy?

Mr Grapes: ive lost jake too

-

[01:20am, Saturday]

Pineapples: amy threw up in the garden Pineapples: taking her back home in an uber

RoRo: k

-

[11:24am, Saturday]

Four Eyes: Can’t begin to explain how terrible I feel right now..

Pineapples: im not surprised based on how u were when i took u home

RoRo: drink some coffee and you’ll be fine

Four Eyes: Don’t even talk to me about food or drinks unless its water or plain toast

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[11:27am, Saturday]

Ferris: sorry u feel crap today

Cameron: I knew what I was signing up for when Rosa handed me the tequila shots

Ferris: if its any consolation i just remembered i have an essay due on monday that i havent done yet

Cameron: If you need help let me know

Ferris: dont make promises u will regret santiago

-

DDC

[01:07pm, Saturday]

G: what was with u taking amy home last night???

Jacob: nothing was with it Jacob: shes my friend and i helped her Jacob: id do the same for u or charles or rosa

G: hmm okay G: ill accept that G: for now

Jacob: despite being friends with everyone im friends with ur still at the top of the weird list

G: thank you sm <3

-

Jimmy Jabbers

[08:27pm, Wednesday]

Pineapples: guys im so booorreeddd Pineapples: someone talk to meeee

Queen G: we could play a game?

Pineapples: like what???

Queen G: ive been saving this screenshot for a rainy day Queen G: what movie is this, wrong answers only Queen G: 1 image attachment – screenshot of movie review which says “These two fuck like they’re gremlins in a rainstorm”

Pineapples: Home Alone surely

Four Eyes: Point Break

Mr Grapes: Dumb and Dumber

Queen G: @four eyes point break isn’t a documentary, you know that right?

Four Eyes: I don’t just watch documentaries, Gina

RoRo: Saw

Pineapples: do i wanna know who in saw ur talking about

RoRo: no you don’t

-

[10:07pm, Wednesday]

Pineapples: how long has the concept of whiteness been around

Four Eyes: For the love of God…

Mr Grapes: this feels like a conversation I should stay out of

RoRo: take a guess or google dumbass

Pineapples: b* idk like 12 AD

RoRo: don’t hide it under your little asterisks Peralta, call me a bitch like a man so I can slap you like a woman

Pineapples: if my dead body is found tomorrow use this gc as evidence

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[05:03pm, Friday]

Ferris: dark academia has been done to death

Cameron: Yeah?

Ferris: its time for stripper academia

Cameron: Is this you trying to tell me you want to open up a strip club cross with a library?

Ferris: amy ur a genius!!!

Cameron: Oh god no…

-

Bi Besties

[02:42pm, Tuesday]

El Baboso: would u rather meet a ghost or a vampire??

Dagger: why??

El Baboso: im curious El Baboso: also ur a deeply unreasonable and angry person so i wanna know ur answer

Dagger: that checks out Dagger: now go away

-

DDC

[02:45pm, Tuesday]

Jacob: would u rather meet a ghost or a vampire?

G: vampire obvs

Jacob: good answer

G: i know

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[02:46pm, Tuesday]

Ferris: would u rather meet a ghost or a vampire?

Cameron: I’m not sure, I’ve never thought about it

Ferris: well nows the time

Cameron: Maybe a ghost, they couldn’t really do anything to hurt me unlike a vampire

Ferris: what if the vampire is very sexy

Cameron: That does change things

-

The Night Boys

[02:50pm, Tuesday]

Deathblade: charles Deathblade: would u rather meet a ghost or a vampire??

Sidewinder: ghost

Deathblade: what if the vampire was sexy?

Sidewinder: if I get bitten by a vampire then I can’t eat food ever again, only blood Sidewinder: no vampire is sexy enough to make me give up food

Deathblade: fair enough buddy

-

Jimmy Jabbers

[02:53pm, Tuesday]

Four Eyes: Who else has been asked about ghosts and vampires by Jake today?

RoRo: me

Queen G: me

Mr Grapes: me

Pineapples: you weren’t supposed to talk to each other about it!! Pineapples: you have ruined my important data collection

Four Eyes: What data??

Pineapples: … Pineapples: which of you could be swayed by a vampire

-

Jimmy Jabbers

[11:12pm, Saturday]

Pineapples: just thinking about if the hudson flooded

RoRo: what would you do about it?

Pineapples: get a big straw

Queen G: girl what

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[11:14pm, Saturday]

Cameron: You alright, Jake?

Ferris: yeah Ferris: why?

Cameron: You’ve just seemed a little all over the place this week

Ferris: ah right Ferris: yeah idk just been a bad brain week i guess

Cameron: Fair enough. If you need anything I’m here :)

Ferris: thanks amy

Chap 1 | Chap 2 | Chap 3 | Chap 4 | Chap 5 | Chap 6 | Chap 7 | Chap 8 | Chap 9 | Chap 10

authors note: Thanks for reading, i love u <3

[shiningwonderland]

Syo Kurusu (Repeat)

Translator: Terry (Twitter: turtlemudge)

Proofreader: Raz (Twitter: agnadance)

Editor: Noemi (Twitter: dreaminbeyond), Snail (Twitter: herbert_snail)

May — May Alla Caccia

It is now May. Today is the day of the annual sports festival.

Tomochika Shibuya: Let’s do our best today, Haruka!!

This person is Tomochika Shibuya-san. We’re in different classes, but she’s my friend and roommate.

I’ve never had someone I could remotely call a friend before, but Tomo-chan made friends with me the day we met.

Haruka Nanami: Yeah! Oh...Tomo-chan, where’s your P.E. uniform?

Tomochika Shibuya: Oh, this? It’s the outfit for the cheering competition that comes before the other matches. I’m leading the dance.

We’re wearing casual outfits and dancing with pom-poms.

Haruka Nanami: I see…. Do your best, okay?

Tomochika Shibuya: Leave it to me! Anyway, how about you? What are you doing?

Haruka Nanami: Uh... well, I run slow, so...

Select the phrase!

... I’m in the tuna-of-war…. (+0 Love +5 Music)

Tomochika Shibuya: Oh, so you’re in that…. Well, it could be a rumor, so I don’t know if it’s true or not, but….

They say it’s a mysterious game where you have to pull a Pacific bluefin tuna once around the track….

Haruka Nanami: Huh…? That actually sounds kind of delicious.

Tomochika Shibuya: … That’s true. I can see how you could think that. Well, do your best.

Haruka Nanami: Yeah!!

... I’m in the ball-throwing game…. (+0 Love +5 Music)

Tomochika Shibuya: Oh, so you’re in that…. Well, it could be a rumor, so I don’t know if it’s true or not, but….

They say that last year the principal said something confusing like, “Balls are round. Y’know what else is round? CATS!”

Apparently it was a game where each team had to carry a basket into the mountains behind the school and look for a cat named “Ball.” Searching back there took half a day, apparently.

Haruka Nanami: I like cats, though.

Tomochika Shibuya: Is that so? Then I’m sure it’ll be fine. Well, good luck!!

Haruka Nanami: Yeah!!

... I’m jumping rope… (+0 Love +5 Music)

Tomochika Shibuya: I’ve heard that the jump rope goes along with a word game. Apparently, people have to jump in one by one while saying a word that starts with the last letter of the previous word.

And there’s no passing, either. Using your body and mind at the same time seems difficult.

Haruka Nanami: Eek... I’m bound to trip on the rope immediately....

Tomochika Shibuya: ….

Well, do your best. I’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines.

Haruka Nanami: Okay. Thank you.

Syo Kurusu: Haruka, this spot open?

Syo-kun, with his excellent motor skills, has really been looking forward to the sports festival. For the entire last week or so, he’s been muttering, “Can it hurry up and get here already?”

And now it’s finally being held today. Syo-kun looks like he’s having a great time.

Haruka Nanami: Oh, of course.

Syo Kurusu: It’s Tokiya’s turn next, right?

Haruka Nanami: Umm….

I take out the sports festival program to check, when….

Syo-kun brings his head close to take a look.

Syo Kurusu: Hm? Hundred-meter marathon? If it’s a hundred meters, how is it a marathon?

Haruka Nanami: Oh, there’s an explanation underneath. Um, “In this event, competitors do a low crawl for one hundred meters along a track.

Before starting, competitors must drink a mouthful of oolong tea, and make it to the finish line without spitting it out.

Furthermore, in addition to the course, hitmen prepared by the school will appear to make the competitors laugh.

Please endure this ordeal safely and achieve your goal.”

... That’s what it says, anyway.

Syo Kurusu: That’s Shining for you, making a school based on his whims…. Just because it’s called a sports festival, it doesn’t mean we can take it lightly.

Select the phrase!

You’re right. (+30 Love +0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: It’s just one exciting day after another.

Syo Kurusu: “Exciting”...? Are you being serious right now?

Haruka Nanami: Yes. There are so many fun things.

Syo Kurusu: Hah. You’re funny.

Saying this, Syo-kun chuckles. His face is so cute that just looking at it makes me start smiling, too.

Haruka Nanami: Thank you very much.

Syo Kurusu: Dummyyy. I’m not complimenting you. Take that!

Saying this, Syo-kun pokes my forehead with his index finger.

Haruka Nanami: Ouch!

Sounds like fun. (+0 Love +5 Music)

Syo Kurusu: Seriously?

Haruka Nanami: Yes. I think it’s fitting for a legendary idol to think of something so unique. I can’t help but admire it.

Syo Kurusu: You’re pretty unique too, aren’t you?

Haruka Nanami: Yes. Thank you very much.

Syo Kurusu: That wasn’t a compliment….

It really is amazing. (+0 Love +5 Music)

Haruka Nanami: It’s the principal’s work, all right. He’s something special. This is incredibly fascinating.

Syo Kurusu: No, actually, you being fascinated is the amazing thing.

And so, the hundred-meter marathon begins.

Everyone seems to be having a hard time keeping the oolong tea in their mouths while doing the low crawl, and competitors start failing one after another.

Haruka Nanami: Look, Prince!

Syo Kurusu: What?

Haruka Nanami: Oh, no... not you, Syo-kun. Look, over there, in the truck, can you see that tall man? He’s a special guest lecturer for the composing course and the girls call him….

Female Student A: Kyaaa, Prince~~!! Look this way~

Female Student B: Ohmigosh, he’s waving at us…. Ahhh, his smile is just too amazing.

Haruka Nanami: He’s called the Prince of Composition and he’s very popular.

It appears that the Prince is somehow participating in the event as a hitman.

Syo Kurusu: … A prince, huh… ? He really seems popular with the ladies, but…. Is he really on a prince’s level...?

Haruka Nanami: The Prince is really, really cool and can compose the most wonderful songs.

Also, he’s a lyricist, and he can write the sweetest, most heartbreaking words for love songs.

Maybe he’ll write a love song for you too one day, Syo-kun.

Syo Kurusu: I… like your songs more….

Haruka Nanami: Hm? Syo-kun, did you say something?

Syo Kurusu: … No, not really.

Haruka Nanami: When you get bigger, you might even become a wonderful prince like that. Heehee. I’m looking forward to it.

Syo Kurusu: That… isn’t really what I’m aiming for….

… So then, are you saying he’s the kind of guy you like?

Haruka Nanami: Yes. I admire him as a composer. I hope to create songs as good as his one day. Even his lessons were very easy to understand.

Syo Kurusu: … That’s not what I meant….

Haruka Nanami: Hm?

Syo Kurusu: … It’s nothing. But, is that right…? … A composer you admire, huh….

Haruka Nanami: The Prince is very mindful of his singers, and values them highly. He thinks of them constantly when he’s composing.

I mean, I want to be like that, too. I want you… your songs to shine brighter than anything, Syo-kun. I’ll try my best to write good songs for you.

Syo Kurusu: I-is that so…? You know, I really like your melodies. They’re—they make me feel calm somehow….

They’re bursting with this upbeat energy…. I don’t know if it’s a good match or what, but my body feels really comfortable when I dance to them. You have good taste, you know.

Haruka Nanami: I—I’m not that good at all!!

Syo Kurusu: Don’t sell yourself short!! I’m saying it, so it’s absolutely true! Have more confidence in yourself…!

Syo-kun drops his hand onto my head and ruffles my hair.

Somehow, hearing Syo-kun say all that is very reassuring. It makes me think that for him, I can do anything.

Haruka Nanami: I’ll work hard…. I want to debut with you, Syo-kun…. If I’m going to debut, I want it to be with you.

Syo Kurusu: Of course! We’ll definitely debut together! It’s a promise!

Syo-kun gives me a fist bump.

Haruka Nanami: Okay.

Syo Kurusu: A man’s word is his bond. I’ll keep this promise if it kills me!

Haruka Nanami: Yes. I’ll do my very best!

As I speak, I meet Syo-kun’s gaze, and we laugh together.

Heehee.

And then, from the track, the sound of laughter—and the sound of someone spitting out their oolong tea—could be heard.

Syo Kurusu: … Wow, that person is something else. He’s made most of the girls spit out their tea just by whispering in their ears. I wonder what the heck he said…. … Oh, but it doesn’t look like it’s working on Tokiya.

Haruka Nanami: I wonder if his princely techniques only work on high school girls?

Syo Kurusu: Looks like. Doesn’t look like he’s getting to Ittoki, either.

Haruka Nanami: Ittoki-kun…?

Syo Kurusu: Oh, right, you wouldn’t know him, huh? He’s Tokiya’s roommate, but he’s in A class. We hit it off during soccer in P.E. class, and now some afternoons we play together on the school grounds.

He’s a pretty good guy. I’ll introduce you sometime.

Haruka Nanami: Thank you very much.

Syo Kurusu: Oh! … Hey, looks like all the students except Tokiya and Ittoki are out, huh.

Haruka Nanami: Ah, you’re right…. Ichinose-san, Please do your beeeest!

Shining Saotome:HA-HA-HAA~~!!

I’M amazing, even when NAKED!

Suddenly, the principal appears in front of Ichinose-san and Ittoki-kun. And then….

His form, with the suit torn away, is incredibly superb.

Shining Saotome: TA-DAAAAA!!

On that abundantly large chest, the words “MAN OF JAPAN” are written in magic marker.

Tokiya Ichinose: Pbbth!

Otoya Ittoki: Pbthack! Cough, cough! N-no one could withstand something like this!! Hack, cough!

Ichinose-san and Ittoki-kun both spit out their oolong tea at the same time.

Shining Saotome: Ha ha haa~~ You both faillll!

Your training is not yet enouuuughhh to withstand my MUSCLES!

Syo Kurusu: Whoa…. That has to be foul play….

Select the phrase!

He’s so cool. (+5 Love +10 Music)

Syo Kurusu: Huh…? Seriously? That’s really the type of guy you’re into?

Haruka Nanami: The principal is amazing at everything he does. He’s so cool! And he seems very strong, as well.

Syo Kurusu: … Well, sure he is, but…. If it were just strength, I’m just as….

He’s very manly. (+5 Love +10 Music)

Syo Kurusu: Well, he did write “MAN OF JAPAN” on his chest and everything….

If we’re talking manliness, then sure, I guess he is, but…. That’s separate from whether he’s cool or anything, right?

Haruka Nanami: Do you think so? I think he’s cool, though….

Syo Kurusu: Really…? That’s quite a type you’ve got, huh.

Haruka Nanami: ???

Amazing.... (+0 Love +10 Music)

Syo Kurusu: Amazing, huh….

I guess he’s a weirdo who’s transcended everything normal.

Syo Kurusu: Next is Ren, right…? Yeah, he was saying he was going to be in the mock cavalry battle. All right, let’s cheer him on!!

Haruka Nanami: Apparently Jinguji-san will be the one riding on top of three people supporting him. He was saying he has confidence in horse riding.

He said something about being able to break even the most unmanageable mare to his hand…. Impressive, isn’t it?

Syo Kurusu: “Mare”... ? I think he was talking about something else….

Haruka Nanami: Something else…?

I tilt my head to one side, confused, and Syo-kun pats me on the shoulder.

Syo Kurusu: No, you don’t need to know. Just forget about it.

Saying this, Syo-kun nods to himself, looking thoughtful.

???

What was that all about?

With the sounding of a conch shell, the match begins. From different sides of the field come the sounds of…. Galloping?

Syo Kurusu: W-what!? What’s going on?!

Haruka Nanami: Ah! They’re horses. But there’s so many!!!

Hoofbeats ring out as dozens of students riding horses gather in the center of the sports field.

It seems like they entered through the school gates, but where on earth did everyone get a horse to ride on…?

Oh, but now that I think about it…. The principal has said before that there are animals kept as performers by the school….

Syo Kurusu: Wow…. When they said “cavalry,” then…. They really were horses…? But then, where did that many come from…?

Shining Saotome: Ha-ha-HA~. These are no ordinary horseees.

These are descendants of real war horses of the Sengoku period, a line of stock raised in Japan from time immemoriaaalll!

Haruka Nanami: … Now that he’s said that, it really does seem to be true. They don’t appear to be as tall as thoroughbreds.

This really does look like a battle. Umm, Jinguji-san’s camp’s banner says… “Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain.”

Another one says “Honor”...?

Shining Saotome: HA-HA-HAA~. This is the Battle of Kawanakajimaaaa!

Haruka Nanami: The Battle of Kawanakajima…. Umm, let me see.... When Shingen Takeda of Kai Province conquered the northern Shinano Province, the forces under attack retreated to Echigo Province.

There, they appealed to Kenshin Uesugi for aid, and in 1553, Shingen and Kenshin clashed at Shinano, Kawanakajima.

Up till 1564, they fought five times in that field. Today, Shingen and Kenshin are regarded as worthy opponents, and are called “The Tiger of Kai” and “The Dragon of Echigo.”

So I suppose that this time, Jinguji-san is Shingen Takeda fighting against Kenshin Uesugi?

Syo Kurusu: You… know a lot about this.

Syo-kun stares at me, wide-eyed.

Haruka Nanami: Um… I like studying…. Because… I can do it… even if I’m by myself.

Syo Kurusu: … That’s too dark!!

Syo-kun takes me firmly by the shoulders.

Syo Kurusu: You… you can’t possibly…. I can’t imagine it, but…! Have you never had friends before?

Haruka Nanami: No, I haven’t… not a single friend, through middle school….

Syo Kurusu: Seriously!? That’s too sad….

Syo-kun takes his hand away for a moment to wipe his eyes, and then grabs my shoulders tightly again.

Syo Kurusu: You’re my servant, but…. No, BECAUSE you’re my servant, I’m making this an order! From this day forward, I order you to be my friend!

Got it? You’ll never be alone again. Ren and Tokiya are your friends, too!!

That’s why… that is…. Never say something that sad again. Understood?!

Haruka Nanami: … Okay. Thank you very much. I’m very happy… that you said that….

No one has ever said that to me so seriously before. I’m so happy, and I feel a little bit like I might start crying.

Syo Kurusu: … Dummy! Don’t cry….

Haruka Nanami: I won’t…! Really, thank you so much!!

Saying this, I wipe away the tears that have gathered in the corners of my eyes.

Syo Kurusu: As… as long as you understand. … You understand, right?

Oh, hey! Looks like Ren’s battle has started.

Ren Jinguji: Heh, it’s time for a fight. Masato Hijirikawa!! Today, it seems we’ll be able to settle things.

Masato Hijirikawa: … I am not fond of fighting, but…. If attacked, there is no way left but to fight. Come! I will beat you at your own game.

Syo Kurusu: Hey, doesn’t it seem like Ren’s gotten perfectly into character? Hijirikawa’s getting surprisingly into it, too.

Haruka Nanami: Idols really need strong acting skills, so those two must be throwing themselves into their training day after day.

Syo Kurusu: … You think so? Well, those two seem to be taking this seriously, but…. Somehow, they don’t seem all that different from normal.

Haruka Nanami: Do they normally fight like that? Jinguji-san and, um, Hijirikawa-sama, right? The one in the role of Uesugi Kenshin….

Syo Kurusu: Oh, you’ve heard of the Hijirikawa conglomerate, right? That giant organization. He’s the heir to that.

Maybe it’s because Ren has ties to their rival company, Jinguji Group, but Ren’s aaaallways picking fights with him.

Haruka Nanami: I see, so they’re destined to be rivals.

Perhaps because the theme is the Battle of Kawanakajima, an hour passes without the match being decided. It ends with a tie.

Ren Jinguji: Hmph. A tie, is it…? But next time I will surely win!

Masato Hijirikawa: Come back whenever you like. I will defeat you.

It seems that as this time was a draw, the war between these two will continue.

Syo Kurusu: Alright! My turn’s next.

The moment after Syo-kun yells this...

Ryuya Hyuga: Alright, let’s get started, yeah? Everybody, on your marks! Ryuya Hyuga: Get set. Ready, Go! Rodriguez: Rrooooawrr!! Rodriguez: Grrrrrrrr!!! Rodriguez: Grrraaaaah!! Rodriguez: Rwowrrr~~! ♪ Rodriguez: Graowl!! Rodriguez: Whimper. Haaaaaah!! Ryuya Hyuga: This is sudden, but we’re going to have a pop quiz today! You’ll be fine, it’s not that hard.

Natsuki Shinomiya: SYO-CHAAAAN!!

… someone comes running at Syo-kun hard enough to raise a cloud of dust behind them.

Syo Kurusu: Geh!! Natsuki!!

Syo panics and tries to dash off, but….

The person chases after him and embraces him as hard as they can.

Crunch!

The moment he’s embraced, there’s a worrying crack from Syo-kun’s back that I definitely shouldn’t have been able to hear.

Syo Kurusu: Gah!!

Natsuki Shinomiya: Syo-chan, Syo-chan! I heard that you’re also going to be in the obstacle course?

I’m in that, too. It’s sad to have to fight against my dear friend.

Syo Kurusu: I-it hurts….

Because he’s being held by a tall person, Syo-kun’s feet are no longer on the ground....

But it seems the one holding him doesn’t realize this at all.

Natsuki Shinomiya: But you know... Ringo-sensei told me that best friends have to fight each other at times.

So, Syo-chan, please don’t hold back, not even against me. Please compete with all your might. Okay?

Syo Kurusu: You’re the one who needs to hold back! Get your hands off me right nowwww!

Syo-kun’s legs flail uselessly in midair.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Oh, sorry!

The person opens their arms instantly and Syo-kun thumps back onto his feet.

Syo Kurusu: Hack, cough! Aaah, I thought I was gonna die, getting bear-hugged with that much brute force….

So you’re saying you think I’d stoop so low as to take it easy on you, just because we’re competing in the same event? You’d better be ready to get your ass handed to you instead!

Syo-kun raises his fists and gets into a fighting stance.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Is that how it is…? I see. You’re right. Syo-chan is always serious when it comes to battles.

Syo Kurusu: That’s right!! As long as you get it!

Haruka Nanami: Um… who is this person…?

Natsuki Shinomiya: I’m Natsuki Shinomiya, from A Class. I’m roommates with Syo-chan in the dorms~

Shinomiya-san, then. He seems like a very kind person….

He’s slender and tall, and his slightly curly, milk-tea-colored hair looks fluffy.

The gaze coming through his glasses is gentle and kind. Overall, he gives off a very warm impression.

Haruka Nanami: Ah, um, I’m Haruka Nanami. I’m Syo-kun’s servant.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Oh, is that so…? I’m also Syo-chan’s servant, you know. Right? Your Highness? ♪

Saying this, Natsuki-san grins cheerfully.

Syo Kurusu: Is it my imagination, or are you making fun of me…?

Tokiya Ichinose: … Syo, you’re almost up.

Syo Kurusu: Whoops. Hey, Natsuki, let’s get going!!

Natsuki Shinomiya: Okay!

Syo-kun seems to be having a lot of fun, somehow.

Those two are roommates, so I’m sure they get along well. Friendship between boys seems so nice.

Hyuga-sensei walks onto the race track and cocks the starting gun.

BANG!

The competitors break into a run the moment the starting gun fires.

The first obstacle in the course is a set of monkey bars. Using only their arms, competitors have to cross over a ten-meter pool of mud without falling in.

It seems that the pit is at least two meters deep, so if they fall even once, their lives could be in danger....

Therefore, everyone is crossing them desperately.

Syo Kurusu: Yah! Hah! Hah!

Natsuki Shinomiya: Hup-hup….

The two of them are moving quite well, and they steadily pull ahead of the students from the other classes.

If things continue like this, it seems like Syo-kun and Shinomiya-san will be the only two fighting to be first.

After that, there’s a balance beam, but the beam is surrounded by a tunnel of fire, so it looks as if they don’t cross it quickly, they’ll catch fire.

Syo Kurusu: Hot! Hot! My hair, it’s catching fire…. Gaaaaaah!

Syo-kun crosses the balance beam with incredible speed. Shinomiya-san, on the other hand….

Natsuki Shinomiya: Aah, it’s warm here....

Looking absolutely unperturbed, he crosses the balance beam slowly… and yet, he and Syo-kun leave their balance beams at the same moment.

The next obstacle is not a bread-grabbing contest, but instead a crab-grabbing contest.

Lively, energetic-looking crabs are hanging over the track, waiting for the competitors to grab them in their mouths….

The risk of their pincers catching their lips seems very high.

Syo Kurusu: Ow! Don’t pinch there! Ow! Ow ow ow ow ow!

Natsuki Shinomiya: Wow, so cute….

Cute? I guess crabs can be cute to look at….

I wonder if Shinomiya-san likes small animals? That’s rather charming.

Finally, for the last challenge, the competitors have to pick a scrap of paper from ones scattered on the track, find someone with the trait written on it, and run a three-legged race with that person to the finish line.

Syo-kun picks up a piece of paper, looks it over, frowns at it for a moment, and then comes running toward me.

Syo Kurusu: Haruka. Come on. Let’s go to the finish line together.

Syo-kun reaches out and offers me his hand.

Haruka Nanami: … Okay.

I wonder what was written on the paper that Syo-kun chose?

“Partner,” maybe? Or “composer”? I’d like to ask him later.

Syo-kun removes the headband from his head and uses it to tie our legs tightly together.

Syo Kurusu: Okay, let’s go. Are you ready?

Haruka Nanami: Yes.

Syo-kun holds tightly onto my arm. I can feel his shoulder against mine. It’s more solid than it looks. It reminds me that Syo-kun is definitely a fit young man.

Even while we’re running in a three-legged race, Syo-kun’s being very careful with me as he leads us forward.

The two of us reach the track, and then….

Natsuki Shinomiya: There, there, who’s a good boy…?

Haruka Nanami: A-a lion!?

Shinomiya-san has a lion with him.

Possibly startled by my voice, the lion suddenly starts to go wild.

Syo Kurusu: Geez! Where did you even get something like that!? Or wait, what was even written on your paper?!?

Shocked, Syo-kun fiercely demands a response from Shinomiya-kun.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Hm? It had “kitten” written on it, of course. See, isn’t he cute? What a sweetie~

Syo Kurusu: No matter how you look at it, even you can’t think that’s a kitten! How bad are your eyes?!?

Natsuki Shinomiya: Ah!!

The cord tying Shinomiya-san’s leg to the lion’s suddenly snaps, and the lion comes bounding towards us.

Syo Kurusu: Haruka! Get down!!!

Syo-kun immediately gets in front of me, protecting me from the lion.

Haruka Nanami: Eh…? S-Syo-kun, be careful….

Syo Kurusu: Shut up. I’ll absolutely protect you!! So, don’t worry about me!!

Haruka Nanami: … Syo-kun….

The back that I’ve only thought of as small up till now suddenly seems so big and strong.

Syo Kurusu: Ugh. You—!

The lion bares his fangs at Syo-kun, threatening him.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Syo-chan, you shouldn’t act so aggressive…. You need to speak to him more gently.

Syo Kurusu: How can I?!? I wouldn’t have time for that, he’d eat me!

Haruka Nanami: S-Syo-kun, no. You can’t win against a lion bare-handed! You have to run!

Syo Kurusu: Shut up! If I run, what’s going to happen to you? I’ll be fine, just let me keep you safe!!

The lion lunges at Syo-kun!

Syo Kurusu: Guh!!

Haruka Nanami: Eeeeeek!!

In that moment…

Shining Saotome: Hmm~. What’s wrong, Rodriguez? You’re not allowed to leave your room by yourself, are you? Goodness, what a naughty widdle boy.

Mmmwah~~!

… the principal pins Rodriguez down and kisses him.

Like a tame housecat, the lion immediately calms down, and the principal begins to snuggle with him.

Natsuki Shinomiya: His name is Rodriguez-chan.

Shining Saotome: HA HA HAA~~ He is my pet, as well as animal talent for Shining Agency.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Haha. Isn’t he cute?

As he says this, Shinomiya-san comes closer to Rodriguez. In that moment….

Smack.

Rodriguez reaches out and lightly bats Shinomiya-san’s cheek.

When he does…

Kachink.

… Shinomiya-san’s glasses are knocked off and fall to the ground.

RRRRRRRRRRUMBLE!

A dark, evil aura begins rising from Shinomiya-san’s body and into the air.

Dark clouds cover the sky as thunder booms.

An evil presence strong enough that even the lion can feel it envelops the school grounds.

Haruka Nanami: Huh…? Shinomiya-san’s eyes... suddenly seem so different.

His gaze overflows with hatred for everything in the world….

He seems completely different from the gentle person he was before.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Hah!

Shinomiya-san’s fist strikes the ground at his feet.

In that instant, the earth trembles. The school shakes as cracks open up across the school grounds.

Female Student A: Eeeek!

Male Student A: What the heck? What’s going on!?

Shining Saotome: That’s no good—at this rate the earth will be destroyed!

The principal shouts, lunges at the glasses, and at the speed of light, places them back on Shinomiya-san’s face.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Ah… what? Why is the ground all broken up?

Syo Kurusu: Now’s our chance, Haruka. Let’s run!

Haruka Nanami: O-okay…. Um, b-but, Shinomiya-san….

What on earth….

Syo Kurusu: Don’t worry about it, just come on!!

While Shinomiya-san is still distracted, we run quickly towards the finish line, winning first place.

Syo Kurusu: We did it! Exactly what I expected from my servant! Good job!!

Syo-kun hugs me tightly in celebration.

Haruka Nanami: I’m glad.

There probably isn’t any special meaning behind it, and he just hugged me because he’s happy, but it does fluster me a little.

Syo Kurusu: Oh…. Sorry….

Syo-kun lets go of me in an instant. I can only see a small part of the side of his face, but it looks like he’s gone a little pink.

Haruka Nanami: It’s fine….

Fwip.

A small piece of paper slips out of Syo-kun’s jersey pocket and falls to the ground. Written on it are the words “pretty girl.”

Haruka Nanami: Syo-kun, is this…?

When I pick it up to give it back to him, Syo-kun turns bright red and snatches it away from me in a flash.

Syo Kurusu: Did… did you read it?

Haruka Nanami: The message? It had “pretty girl” written on it.

Syo Kurusu: D-don’t misunderstand! It’s not that I think you’re especially cute or anything like that!!

L-look, “girl” just means a female student, right? S-so, any girl would have been fine. It’s a coincidence that I chose you, okay? Just a coincidence.

D-don’t overthink it!!

Haruka Nanami: ??? What are you saying…?

Syo Kurusu: … It’s fine if you don’t get what I’m saying too, I guess.

Haruka Nanami: More importantly, you need to get that looked at.

Now that I’m looking closely, I can see the small line of blood running down Syo-kun’s arm.

It’s probably from before, when he was fighting the lion. I think it scratched him.

Syo Kurusu: It’s no big deal. It’ll heal on its own with a lick.

Select the phrase!

But if you get tetanus or something… (+25 Love +0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: … I’m sure it would hurt a great deal. I don’t want you to go through that experience….

Syo Kurusu: Aaaah, geez!! Don’t make that face!!

I get it. If you’re going to treat it or whatever, just do it.

Syo-kun makes a slightly troubled face and blushes.

Haruka Nanami: Okay.

That’s no good. (+15 Love +0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: If you leave it like that, it will get infected!

I take Syo-kun’s hand and start walking him to our classroom.

Syo Kurusu: You’re… pushier than I would’ve thought…. But… fine….

Please let me treat it. (+5 Love +0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: You shouldn’t just leave it like that. Let me treat it, I beg of you.

Syo Kurusu: Well, if you insist….

There are a lot of injured people in the nurse’s office, so Syo-kun and I return to our classroom.

I take some disinfectant and a band-aid out of the classroom’s first-aid kit, and bandage Syo-kun’s arm.

Haruka Nanami: … This might sting a little.

Syo Kurusu: … Ouch….

Haruka Nanami: I’m sorry….

Syo Kurusu: Don’t worry about it. It just stung a little bit, that’s all. Quit apologizing for every little thing.

Haruka Nanami: That’s not it…. If I hadn’t been with you before, Syo-kun, you would have been about to run away from the lion….

You were injured because I was a burden on you….

Syo Kurusu: This is just a scratch. I’m just… glad that you’re safe….

Syo-kun pats my head. His hand is so warm….

Haruka Nanami: Th… thank you….

Syo Kurusu: Uhh, that is…! If, if you’re not here, I won’t have any of your songs. You’re my partner, I need you….

M-men are supposed to protect women…. So my body just moved on its own, I guess…. And…. It’s a prince’s duty to protect his servant! So!! Don’t worry about it!! Understood?

Syo-kun grins.

Haruka Nanami: Understood!!

What a wonderful prince. I’ll keep doing my best as his servant from now on.

We’ll debut together.

After the sports festival, we walk together toward the dorms.

Haruka Nanami: Today was fun, wasn’t it? Everyone was very lively, and you were amazing too, Syo-kun. I’m bad at sports, so I’m jealous. Have you always had great motor skills?

Syo Kurusu: Yeah.

When I ask, Syo-kun answers shortly and lightly presses one hand to the left side of his chest.

Haruka Nanami: Your Highness…?

Something about him seems strange. It makes me wonder what’s wrong….

Plip, plip....

Haruka Nanami: Huh? Rain?

It starts raining.

Fwoosh.

And then, in a moment, it turns into a downpour.

Syo Kurusu: Come on, don’t just stand there! Let’s go!!

Haruka Nanami: O-okay!!

I’m a little worried about how Syo-kun looked before, but there’s no time to think about it. We make a run for it to the dorms.

Haruka Nanami: Well, see you tomorrow.

Syo Kurusu: Yeah!!

We part ways, and when I’m almost to the dorms…

Cat: Meow~ meow~

… I hear a cat’s plaintive cries.

Haruka Nanami: Ah!

A kitten is huddled under the hedge in front of the dorms, shivering.

Haruka Nanami: It’s, it’s okay…. I’ll help you….

I pick up the kitten and hold it in my arms, hurrying to my room.

Haruka Nanami: I’m home~ … Oh. Looks like Tomo-chan isn’t home yet.

We go into my room and I gently wipe the kitten down with a towel.

Cat: Meow~ meow~

Haruka Nanami: Are you cold? Or are you hungry? But all I have right now is….

I offer the kitten my leftover melon bread from this morning.

Cat: Meoww~

The cat meows happily and begins eating the melon bread ravenously.

Haruka Nanami: I didn’t know cats could eat melon bread…. Well, regardless, have I seen this little one before...? Oh!! You’re the one from the entrance ceremony!!

That’s right, on the day of the entrance ceremony, this is the cat who’d gotten stuck in a high place and couldn’t get down.

Haruka Nanami: Right….That’s where I know you from…. I bet we were meant to meet again. Hey, can I give you a name?

Cat: Meowww.

Haruka Nanami: Thank you. Let’s see then….

Select the phrase!

Prince. (+20 Love +0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: Syo-kun’s a prince, so…. Maybe… Prince…?

When he hears the word “Prince,” the kitten looks a little sad.

Haruka Nanami: Oh…. But, that might be a little embarrassing… huh? Well, then how about something like Kuppuru?

Kuppuru. (+15 Love +5 Music)

Haruka Nanami: Would Kuppuru work?

I ask the kitten, my heart pounding.

Cat-emon. (+0 Love +0 Music)

Haruka Nanami: … That’s actually a little difficult to say. Hmm, let’s see…. Oh! Kuppuru…. Would Kuppuru work?

Cat: Mew!!

Haruka Nanami: Pleasure to meet you, Kuppuru.

And now I’ve made a new friend.

I have a feeling that my school life will be getting more and more fun.

Mini Game

This is a simple paper test. There are many basic questions in here, so you can definitely solve them.

Well, this is just to test your knowledge. Just choose the answer for each of the multiple-choice questions.

Regular studying is useful for something like this. Be sure to build a habit of immediately looking up any music terms you take an interest in.

So, time to begin!

S Rank

Syo Kurusu: … You’re really smart, huh.

I’m a little jealous, but…. Actually, I’m glad I can rely on you.

When he looks at my answer sheet, Syo-kun smiles happily.

He’s… he’s counting on me!

I’m so happy.

I’ll need to keep studying hard to meet his expectations.

Chapter End

[paging-possum]

DISCLAIMER THIS UPDATE WAS WRITTEN ENTIRELY AT 3AM

Coming live to you all from finals season! It hasn’t actually been that bad thus far, just very long and tedious on account of the fact that I’m an art major. The pro is that most of my finals will be done before actual finals week meaning that I get to rest while my STEM friends suffer! The con is that I’m ALSO a science major so I’ll have to suffer a little with them. The third, more sinister (positive) thing is that my only science class this semester is human bio and I learned half that stuff last year anyways so I won’t actually be struggling LMAO. Anyways. My comic. 

Got another very big burst of motivation this week because of my 3D class actually! I’ve been coming to the realization that I spend so much time meticulously planning things that it scares me out of just. Going and getting them done. The solution? Just jump right into it without worrying about it! So, instead of trying to power through the script before letting myself draw anything (which is the main thing I really want to get to right now), I’ve started thumbnailing the first scene since it’s the most solid part of the story so far and least subject to major changes! I recently edited it to fix up Lyssa’s conversation with Terry and cut out a couple characters who I didn’t think were necessary to the story, so it should be pretty smooth sailing to actually make those pages. It’s a much more exciting thing to work on in addition to working out some of the later plot threads- and it gives me a better idea of how long the comic will be in total. I was hoping to keep this one under 100 pages and it’s looking bleak given that the first scene is 25 pages (I AM TRYING TO CUT IT DOWN AND YET IT STILL LOOKS BLEAK) (I might just be underestimating how much I can fit on one page so we'll see) thumbnails

There are MANY other projects happening this week. I have finals for 3 of my classes! All of them are art classes! My 2D final is a puppet about rabies so that feels pertinent to this comic! I also did some secret santa work (hi CAPE crew)(also applied to the dndads winter exchange just for funsies) and finished a hat, and somehow managed to get the wrong knitting needles three times and then send the right set of knitting needles to my house instead of my college address so the future of this sweater is a little in the balance but I’m also gods specialest little boy and capable of anything I put my mind to and also JUST realized that I can make incredibly strong instant coffee in the microwave in my dorm instead of having to go out and spend money on it which is financially saving me but forever dooming my body. I did that at 7pm. mistake .I think Im’ doing other stuff but its 3am and i cannot for the life of me remember. 

I REMEMBEREDB my friend who i mentioned in the first one of these PUBLISHED THE GAME SHE WAS WORKING ON!! AND YOU CAN PLAY IT NOW!!!! AND YOU SHOULD!!! https://fish-games.itch.io/value 

WHAT HAVE I BEEN LISTENING TO THIS WEEK:

Things We Lost in the Fire by Bastille

Angus, the Prize-Winning Hog by The Toxhards

Spider Dance by Toby Fox

Spiderwebs by No Doubt

Running with the Wolves by AURORA

The Poppy Wars by R.F Kuang (not a song, but a very good audiobook! Enjoying it so far!)

[grahamstoney]

Musique Concrète and Other Experimental And Electronic Music

New Post has been published on https://grahamstoney.com/music/musique-concrete-and-other-experimental-and-electronic-music

Musique Concrète and Other Experimental And Electronic Music

In the subject Creative Music Technology at university last semester, I was asked to listen to a collection of experimental and electronic music to stimulate my creative imagination, and to write what I liked and didn’t like about it. Here’s my rather cynical take on the genre.

Musique Concrète

Pierre Schaeffer and Pierre Henry – Symphonie pour un Homme Seul

This piece reminded me of Strauss’s Symphonia Domestica; only less musical. I’m a Homme Seul (single man) and my life doesn’t sound anything like this. In his book La musique concrète, Schaeffer described the work as “an opera for blind people…”. Haven’t they suffered enough?

Edgard Varèse – Poème Électronique

The audio equivalent of Luis Bunuel & Salvador Dali’s Un Chien Andalou.

Does to my ears what the asbestos coating on the walls of the Philips Pavilion at the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair for which it was commissioned, would do to my lungs.

György Ligeti – Artikulation

George Lucas must owe Ligeti millions in royalties for R2D2’s sound effects. Initially I thought I was joking when I first wrote that, but I’ve since discovered that he was actually trying to create a sort of phonetic speech in electronic music, which pretty much fits R2D2’s dialogue. Plus, the title is German for “articulation”. That should have been a giveaway.

I thought this piece might make more sense to me if I played it backwards, so I dropped it into Logic Pro X and reversed it. I couldn’t tell the difference. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I listened to it in the original quadraphonic. I’ll just end noting that Ligeti abandoned electronic music after composing this piece.

Iannis Xenakis – Concret PH

2 minutes and 44 seconds of breaking glass to my ears. I think I’d rather listen to Kraftwerk.

Karlheinz Stockhausen – Kontakte

It’s long. It’s too long. I think this is how Jacob Collier learned to play piano in his mother’s womb; but look at him now. The title is German for “Contacts”, which I think Stockhausen interpreted as “Just hit the things.” Maybe it sounds better in the original quadraphonic.

Stockhausen was evidently a pioneer of the extended dance remix, as the work exists in several versions: “Nr. 12”, “Nr. 12½” and “Nr. 12⅔”

Bernard Parmegiani – Accidents / harmoniques

Parmegiani had studied mime before turning his hand to electro-acoustic composition, and in this piece it really shows. From the album De Natura Sonorum (the nature of sound). I felt like there were Martians in my head listening to this. Surely he’s just playing a joke on us.

Pauline Oliveiros – Bye Bye Butterfly

Bids farewell to the institutionalized oppression of the female sex while also providing inspiration for the sound of the Theramin. Gave my new monitor speakers a good workout; I hope the neighbours enjoyed it too.

Tape Loops

Steve Reich – It’s Gonna Rain

I’ve got this pervasive feeling that it’s going to rain. I’m not sure why. I liked the way the meteorological message panned left and right. More like It’s Gonna Have An Acid Trip.

Halleluiah Part II is over. I’m not sure how I lasted the full 18 minutes.

Terry Riley – Mescalin Mix

Parts of this sounded to me like an industrial version of native Australian bush sounds. I felt like I was on a camping trip in the 23rd century.

Brian Eno – 1/1

From his album Music For Airports/Ambient 1, which apparently coined the term Ambient Music. Brian Eno has a lot to answer for. However, this track put me in a relaxing state, ready to fall asleep on the plane; so I liked it.

Sampling

Luc Ferrari – Ronda, Spain, June 2001

After being jolted awake by the sound of a loud sliding door opening to greet the day, I was drawn into this by the sweet sound of a French woman’s voice. I imagined she was Ferrari’s lover, speaking to him in bed after awakening on a warm Spanish summer Sunday morning. I wanted to know what she was saying, but my French isn’t good enough. In my mind’s eye, they head to a busy market together to buy some croissants for breakfast, where we hear a man’s voice repeating “numero quatro”, which I assumed is Spanish for “number 4”. As the voices fade, the sound becomes more musical and we return to the soft sound of Ronda speaking to her beloved back in their villa together. I quite liked it.

My interpretation, however, is not what the composer had in mind. According to him, the point of Les Anecdotiques (The Anecdotals) is to dispense with the story altogether. My busy market was, in fact, the sound of Spanish tourists in a museum. While he describes the woman’s words as “Spontaneous and intimate”, in this context they are simply words in a foreign language with no narrative purpose. Just another one of Pierre Schaeffer and Michel Chion’s sound objects, if you will. My narrative interpretation of what was intended as an explicitly anecdotal work is testament to the human brain’s tendency to make meaning out of nothing. It turns out Rhonda is a village in Spain, not a woman.

Still, I enjoyed my little fantasy, thank you Luc.

John Oswald – Manifold

Wow, this was short. I didn’t even have time to eat breakfast while listening to it. It was only about as long as the Spotify ads, but certainly more fun. I recognised a couple of songs, like U2’s With or Without You and Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares To You. Artists who use samples liberally often sample obscure works, sometimes affording them attention they would otherwise have missed; but in this work Oswald went mainstream. It sounded to me like the soundtrack to a sample-abusing hip-hop artist from the 1990’s being beaten up in a boxing ring by all the artists who reckoned he’d ripped off their work.

Tod Dockstader – Water Music: Part III

I quite liked this piece. The cuteness of the sounds and the stereo effects bouncing between the left and right channels really drew me in. I’ve recently got myself some decent monitor speakers for my home studio and this piece really worked on them. Pretty amazing for something released in 1963.

Dockstader started out in the 1940’s, prior to the invention of magnetic tape, editing his steel wire recordings with a lit cigarette. That makes me realise how much I take the piece-of-crap Logic Pro X File Editor for granted. Listening to this, I found myself wanting to know what was going to happen next, like I was watching a soap opera on TV; only with no actual story.

Synthesis

Karlheinz Stockhausen – Studie I

I found this quite disorienting to listen to. I guess it was revolutionary in 1953 but I reckon now you could whip it up in Ableton in about 5 minutes using the Random MIDI Effect and some automation.

Eliane Radigue – Jetsun Mila (Pt.1) / Birth and Youth (Excerpt)

I liked how the pulsing ambient drone sound in this grew over time; it drew me in and had me wondering what was going to happen next. Unfortunately the answer was: not much. Gradually a rhythmic element with some high pulsing tones which grew over time came in. It was a bit like listening to a very slow EDM dance track from underwater in a diesel-powered submarine going at full throttle for 12 minutes.

Laurie Spiegel – Appalachian Grove: I

I liked the pulsing stereo effects in this piece and the way the tonal characteristics of the sound varied while the pitch changed. It’s much more melodic than the other tracks we’ve listened to and that made it more enjoyable to my ears. It got a bit harsh in the middle though. This piece puts the musique in musique concrète.

Morton Subotnick – Silver Apples of the Moon – Part A

Perhaps the sound designer for Star Wars had this in mind when creating the sound effects for R2D2. I kind of lost the flow of the conversation without the witty English-accented retorts from C3PO though. Morton Sobotnick is described as The Mad Scientist in one interview, and I think if I listen to this too often I’ll end up fitting one of the DSM-5 diagnostic categories I’m learning about over in PSYC1002.

Suzanne Ciani – Concert at Phil Niblock’s Loft

This piece had some funky sounds that I liked. The start reminded me a bit of Kraftwerk but without the rhythm and melody; although it did get more melodic later. I’d probably give it a Distinction for its use of technology given it was made in 1975, but only a Credit for musicality.

Barry Schraeder – Lost Atlantis: Introduction

At first, I thought this sounded a lot like a modern ad for KFC; then I realised I was hearing a Spotify ad.

I liked the ambient sounds in this piece and the way it surged in and out with its “mysterious tone colors”. It slowly builds to a crescendo until we get the drop that EDM lovers crave, and then built more quickly to the ultimate drop at the end. I kept wondering what was going to happen next; I’d still rather listen to Fleetwood Mac, Supertramp or Queen though.

Contemporary Examples

Amon Tobin – Foley Room

DJ & producer. Retain percussive quality through sounds. Horsefish & Esther’s. Create beauty and delicate textures from sounds. Pitched percussive material. Fast loops. New textures. Funky beats. Check out the Foley Room Documentary.

Aphex Twin – 1ST 44

Acid house DJ in rave scene. Intelligent Dance Music. More complex sampling, polyrhythms, rhythmic patterns. From Collapsed album. Polyrhythms sounded funky. Lots of variation.

Holly Herndon – Chorus

Intersection of humanity and technology. Recorded web browsing. Stereo ping-pong effects. Here’s a talk she gave about her creative process.

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith – Riparian

This was my favourite out of these three, largely because it sounds the most musical to my ears. I liked the pulsing beat in this track. I can hear a bass line for instance, melodies played on the synth and lyrics, although I can’t tell what they are saying. I also like the way the soundscape swirls around when listened to with headphones. It feels ambient, immersive and musical all at the same time. I get the sense that she’s using the electronics at her disposal in service of the music rather than the other way around. There’s even a great video about how she uses modular synthesis.

Graham Stoney – Foster le Concrète

“How hard can it be?”, I asked myself. And since I had an assignment to do, I wrote my own musique concrète track based on the drum rhythm from one of my favourite songs, Coming of Age by Foster The People. I even made a breakdown video showing how I did it; because that’s what the assignment required.

Conclusion

I didn’t take too easily to some of the more experimental musique concrète pieces we studied at the beginning of this semester. The weekly listening tasks felt harsh to my untrained ears and I would think mean things like:

“Didn’t the Geneva Convention ban cruel and unusual punishment?”

Perhaps these tracks will never be my preferred go-to pieces for chilling out on a Friday night, but when I look back at some of my cynicism-laced early comments in these discussion threads, I cringe. I just didn’t appreciate the historical significance of these pieces and how they might have influenced later electronic music that I do enjoy, like Kraftwerk say.

Then in Angharad Davis’s Music Colloquium Series talk on George Antheil’s Ballet Mécanique, when she played a snippet of the work I heard sounds reminiscent of musique concrète. Sure enough, they were roughly contemporaneous, and Antheil had been living in Paris at the time musique concrète was just getting started. You never know when something you study in one arena will pop up elsewhere.

Another thing I’ve learned in this subject is about taking creative risks and learning to follow my gut instincts without worrying whether a concept will work, or other people will like it. This has been an opportunity for me to explore that. My Formative Skills Assignment piece Foster le Concrète was in part a reaction to my frustration at the lack of discernible rhythm in some of the early pieces we studied. However, I really didn’t know whether the concept was going to work, and that was a little anxiety-inducing; especially given that I was doing it for an assignment which would be graded. I was quite touched to hear other students say they liked the end result, and I feel more confident about following my gut instincts in future and seeing what I end up.

Finally, I’ve been really inspired by the creativity of the other students in this subject. It’s been a weird experience studying online this year without ever meeting them in person, but I’ve really enjoyed hearing the creative works everyone came up with. They’re all so distinctive and amazingly different, it’s incredible; yet they were all products of the same brief. I can’t wait to hear everyone’s works on the radio, TV, movies, video games, Spotify, or whatever audio technology is around when we all graduate: live streaming direct to our neurons perhaps?

[jenli-leleesss]

❝ Song Prompts ❞

꙳ ｡ 𓂃

1. Phases by PRETTYMUCH - “I’ll practice my patience while you’re getting wasted, til fate brings you home, I’ll wait through your phases, you’ll shuffle through faces like songs in your playlist…”

2. That’s How You Like It by Beyoncé - “The way you smile, I like the way you are, the way you ain’t, I like your honesty, integrity, it levels me, so please don’t ever change…”

3. The Butterfly Effect by Ryan Hemsworth - “I let down my walls, if we both fall it’s the butterfly effect”

4. I’ll Be Your Mirror by Velvet Underground - “I find it hard, to believe you don’t know the beauty you are, but if you don’t, let me be your eyes. A hand to your darkness, so you wont be afraid.”

5. Peach by Kevin Abstract - “I’m not the type to tell my homies about ya. . . If you tell me to, I’ll try to make it all not as hard, if you let me through, I ain’t sign up for no bullshit.”

6. D.T.M by Hope Tala - “You pulled me under, I want to let you go, I told you that we lost our way, too broken to bend, said we could still be friends.”

7. Act Up by Terry Presume - “I wont be the reason why your heart broke, even though my love is icy.”

8. Losing Focus by THEY. - “I’m losin’ focus, now my friends are askin’ what’s wrong, girl, we been together so long, gotta get this under control, you got me losing my focus, don’t know what you do to me, I’m slowly losing my passion for all the important things.”

9. Nothing Has Changed by The Polar Boys - “Even when I’m old and blue, I’ll think about my time with you, just break the clock and make it stop, I miss it when we talk a lot.”

10. Way Too Long by Nathan Dawe - “Been way too long, since you’ve been gone, it’s been way too long, come see me, please.”

11. Dark Red by Steve Lacy - “Don’t you give me up, please don’t give up, honey, I belong with you, and only you, baby.”

12. Losing You by Solange - “I know you’re waiting for the worst that you can get from me, just treat me good and baby I’ll give you the rest of me.”

13. Vibration by Fireboy DML - “I love the way you move it, I can feel the vibration, of your body moving.”

14. Bad by Wale & Rihanna - “Is it bad that, I never made love, no, I never did it. I’ll be your bad girl. ‘Cause I have some issues, I won’t commit.”

15. wdubi by Baro Sura - “All i got is you, and you are all I need, and tell me all your secrets, what do you believe in?”

16. Moody by maye - “You do me, when I’m feelin’ moody, we don’t say excuse me when we fight, you seduce me, when I’m feelin’ moody, you know how to do it, just right.”

17. emiliana by CKay - “I be on my business, shawty, but you be on my mind shawty. Kiss me through the cellular, kiss me through the phone. Can’t you see I’m into ya? Can’t you see I’m in love?”

18. What I Know Now by THEY. - “I’ve been numb for so long, wanna feel something. Look in the mirror, I don’t like who I’m becoming. I don’t know my place, I done lost my way, think that I wont break. Nobody really knows how I keep it all inside, this feelings gettin’ old now.”

19. Primetime by Janelle Monáe - “When you’re down and it’s hard, and you feel like you’ve given your all. Baby, our love will always keep it real and true. ‘Cause, baby, it’s a primetime for our love, and heaven is bettin’ on us.”

20. Need Your Love by Curtis Harding - “I feel so blue, without you, girl, I need your love. That’s why I’m down, you’re not around now, I need your love.”

21. Calm Down by Rema & Selena Gomez - “Yeah, I know I look shy but for you I get down. Dance with me and take the lead now, lead now.”

22. ALL I KNOW by Gia Woods - “Even when you fall in love completely, times can get harder. When something isn’t going sweetly, we’ll take it on together. When life asks a million questions, we’ll find the answers.”

23. Femme Fatale by Velvet Underground - “Here she comes, you better watch your step. She’s going to break your heart in two, it’s true. She’s going to smile to make you frown. Little boy, she’s from the street, before you start you’re already beat. ‘Cause everybody knows, she’s a femme fatale.”

24. Sweet Dreams by Beyoncé - “You can be a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare, either way I don’t wanna wake up from you.”

25. Don’t Dream It’s Over by Lauren Daigle - “They come, they come, to build a wall between us, we know they wont win. Don’t let them win…”

26. Broken by THEY. - “We fall in love, you does the most, but I question it all ‘cause I’m still broken, he gets tired, then he leaves, then I cry, better being friends to avoid the pain, I say I’m okay I’m not.”

27. Warm by Dre’es - “Moving fast but I wanna go faster, little afraid it’ll be a disaster. But I know I don’t wanna crash without you. You’re the one that makes me come alive.”

28. This Tornado Loves You by Neko Case - “This tornado loves you, this tornado loves you, what will make you believe me?”

29. When R U Coming Home by Anna of the North - “I heard you met somebody new, but boy you know she’s not for you. I can picture you now, easy riding in your car, with the windows down low. Wonderin’ if you’re near or far? Are you still playin’ our song? You are my only one, so when are you comin’ home?”

30. Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez - “I want you in my arms, oh, let me hold ya, I’ll never let you go again like I did, oh, I used to say, ‘I would never fall in love again, until I found her.’ I said ‘I would never fall unless you I fall in to.’”

｡ ꙳ ｡ 𓂃

send one of the prompts in for a little blurb . . . ⭒

[janksfatass]

Tennessee Whiskey

This is just a short story that has been replaying in my head the past couple months and I wanted to put it down on paper. I haven’t seriously written anything since high school probably so keep that in mind 😅 I may make more parts depending on reception so let me know if you enjoy it!

No warnings, this is very much PG

———————————————————————————

“Y/N baby, we’re here.”

You open your eyes upon hearing Jake’s voice and hear Terry Reid’s “Seed of Memory” playing softly through the speakers of his classic car. The gravel driveway in front of you is dimly lit by the headlights and you see the cabin sitting up on the hill in the distance. You look at the analog clock on the dash; 10:17 pm. You have been in the car for nearly 6 hours now. A weekend getaway in the smoky mountains was Jake’s idea to make up for being gone on tour for basically the entirety of the last 6 months.

“This is absolutely gorgeous!”

As he puts the car into park, you see that the cabin has a large wraparound porch with rocking chairs near the doorway and large oak trees scattered around the property.

“Only the best for you, my love. Alright, do you want to go inside or spend the weekend out here? Either way is fine with me.” He shoots you a smartass grin and you roll your eyes.

He laughs as he gets out to get your bags from the trunk. You reach for the door handle as the car door swings open.

“What kind of man do you think I am?” He smiles and grabs your hand to kiss the back of it before helping you out of the car.

“Such a gentleman.” You laugh and roll your eyes once again.

You help Jake collect the bags from the trunk and carry them inside. The interior of the cabin is even more impressive, filled with a mixture of rustic and modern decor. You and Jake find the master bedroom to set your bags down then make your way into the living room.

“This is what I’m talking about!” He shouts while approaching the large bar set up near the dining room.

You start to go over to help him and he says “You sit down and relax, I know what you like.”

You just shake your head and instead of sitting down, make your way over to the fireplace to light it. Once the fire is going you walk over to the sectional couch and stretch out on the chaise.

“Here you are my love.” Jake hands you a vodka cran as he takes a sip of his bourbon.

You notice him scanning the room then walking over to a record player set up in the corner. You take a few sips of your drink while he browses the selection. He grabs a record off the shelf and once he sets the needle down you hear “Tennessee Whiskey” start to play. Jake walks over to you and grabs your arms to pull you off the couch and wraps his arm around your waist and places his hand in yours then begins to rock back and forth.

You lay your head on his chest and take a deep breath, breathing in his woodsy scent with a hint of tobacco. “I’ve missed this so much.”

“I know sweetheart, I have too.” He moves his arm from around your waist and places his hand on the back of your head and strokes your hair while continuing to dance with you.

After a few moments he repositions his hand and starts to hum along to the song. You always loved his voice and never understood why he didn’t share it with the world. But at the same time, it made moments like this that much more special.

He bends down to finish off his drink and says “Come with me love, let me show you how much I’ve missed you.”

He grabs your hand to lead you upstairs to the bedroom. You can already tell this will be a weekend you won’t soon forget.

[katyobsesses]

Katy my darling <3 I have a very fun ask for you!! What method of arts do each glee characters prefer and what is their favorite thing to create?

oooooo this is a fun ask!

I'm gonna do S2 New Directions for now, but may add S3-6 ND or other characters later 💛 (warning... this is LONG)

Artie: Film. 100% film. He loves using visual media to tell a story, he also really gets into the sound design side too when he learns it in College. He loves making music videos and after Uni that's mostly what he does. He also directs a lot of movie musicals and musical TV shows. Basically he loves making visual media for songs.

Blaine: Performing - mostly singing. He also love writing songs, which we never see in the show but I can imagine him learning about songwriting in NYU and loving it as a way to express his feelings. it's like a step up from using someone else's words to express them.

Brittany: Obviously dancing! I like to think that after marrying Santana she either goes to college for Dance, or maybe owns a dance studio/goes on tour with Mercedes a lot (with Santana as a guest singer) She really loves teaching little kids how to dance, she knows how to interact with them on their level and the kids love her.

Finn: Singing? I honestly can't think about what he likes. Like singing is the closest thing. He sings in the shower a lot and obviously he loves singing on stage. But he's not that much of an art person outside of that. He likes consuming it but not making it.

Kurt: Sewing, obviously, as well as sketching clothes. He loves making accessories for friends - scrunchies for the girls, bow ties for Blaine, a dog bandana for Sam's golden retriver (because you know he gets one) etc. - but he also loves designing and making costumes for small productions. Maybe he volunteers/works with a small theatre troop and makes & designs all of the costumes while also performing.

Mercedes: Mercedes likes making cards for everyone for Christmas and Birthdays. It started because she'd forgotten to buy a card for someone but had some card and pretty pens on hand and it spiralled from there. She now owns a fancy die pressing kit and lots of card toppers and pretty glitter pens and washi tape and all of that. She has a small kit she brings on all of her tours, it helps relax her after a show - making cards for the crew as a thank you/maybe selling some for charity because she makes so much? When she finally gets back together with Sam they both work together to make Christmas cards from them with cute pictures of themselves in terrible christmas jumpers and their golden retriver in a Kurt made bandana and later their kids in matching outfits.

Mike: Like Brittany he's a dancer first and formost. That's his art. He later goes on to be a professional on Dancing With The Stars where he reconnects with Matt on set (maybe they even get together in the end and the DWTS fans love their relationship and their jokingly competative instagram stories) He loves creating a story with only movement and music. Mike also really likes doodling.

Puck: Photography. I don't know why but I see Puck loving to take pictures of places he visits in his travels. He also scrapbooks but only Quinn knows that - he has a whole scrapbook of pictures of Beth that Shelby sends them and later makes them for all of his other kids too, and he has, like, travel journals and scrapbooks of roadtrips he's been on. Basically he's a Bullet Journal guy. He really likes washi tape and pretty papers and stickers and what-not. He will never admit this.

Quinn: Quinn's a writer. In my head she goes on to write a book that's losely based on her high-school years and it becomes a best seller and is later adapted into a Netflix series directed by Artie. I just like the idea! Maybe Rachel plays, like, the Miss Pillsbury character... or Terri! Or maybe Shelby? I dunno one of the adult characters.

Rachel: Obviously her art of choice is performing. It's singing and acting and standing on a stage or a set and making the words in her script her own. Also scrapbooking/moodboard making.

Santana: Santana likes knitting. She won't admit it but she likes knitting little plushies for Brittany, her favourite is a little bi flag coloured bunny. She makes knitted plushies and blankets for all of her friends when they have kids but she never tells them she made them - everyone knows though, they're too perfect for the couple/person (a cat in a scarf or a toy poodle in a bow tie for Klaine, a teddy adorned with gold stars for St. Berry etc. etc.)

Sam: This could be an essay for me (and kinda is opps). Sam is the Art nerd of the group and tries every type of art he possibly can. Macaroni art, illustration, digital art, traditional art, crafts, pumpkin carving, glass blowing, handlettering, graphic design, knitting, crochet, rag rugs, sewing, card making, pyrography, etc. He will try everything he can in terms of visual art. He doesn't, however, write because dyslexia, and he can't wrap him mind around, like editing and film stuff - he does try though because why not. He also really likes songwriting and music arranging.

All of this i'm trying to do as close to canon as i can but going off of canon let's say Sam goes to Parsons for illustration because he's so good at art, he stays with Mercedes in her brownstone and they never break up, after graduating he becomes a comic book illustrator (which i believe is literally a minor at Parsons, so let's say he does a Major in Fine Art/Illustration with a Minor in Comic illustration) and illustrates a run of Young Avengers comics and becomes a fan favourite artist.

In canon, however, he loves teaching the new generation of New Directions but he misses art because he doesn't have that much time anymore (because being the teacher of the new directions is a full time job, apparently, judging by the lack of adult friends or hobbies Will has lol) he loves loves loves arranging music, however, and that becomes the type of art he does the most. He does doodle a lot during faculty meeting (also he does a music teaching certification during his first few years of coaching the nNDs) and goes all out with pumpkin carving at Halloween, and loves decorating his apartment and the choir room at Christmas. He loves doing sets for the musical (and has a lot of fun staging it too) and helps out with the decorations for Prom.

Basically Sam loves to be creative in any way he can. He loves making things, whatever they may be.

Tina: Tina writes fanfiction and draws fanart. She's a nerd 100%, she watched Supernatural, she was a SuperWhoLockian, she loves Merlin, she's loves Twilight but more ironically than, say, Mercedes, and prefers books like Morganville Vampires or PC Cast's series that I've forgotten the name of. She loves the Hunger Games and Firefly and Star Trek and Star Wars. She definately has a tumblr. She mostly writes all sorts of fanfiction and is a huge name in the Supernatural fandom. Only Sam and Blaine know about all of this becuase they found one of her Star Wars fanfictions and in an authors note she said something that they recognised - idk she ranted about Santana or Rachel or something.

This was so much fun omg, thank you for the ask Myle 💛

[maeve-writes]

Beautiful Hell

Inspired by:  Beautiful Hell by ADNA 

Pairing: Bucky Barnes (tfatws) x Reader (experiment/mutant!Reader) Rating: 18+, Minors DNI Warnings: Angst, fluff, smut, fingering, unprotected sex, dirty talk. Summary: Your past shows up in an unexpected way thanks to Bucky Barnes. You just wanted to be... normal, not caught up in the life of a hero or worse, and yet you’re drawn to him, addicted to him even. You thought that part of your life was over, but your relationship opens up a whole new chapter that you’re not sure you’re ready for. a/n: Unbeta’d, any mistakes are my own and please forgive me. I have not written anything that wasn’t work related in about three years, so I’m a little rusty. This is just a dip of my toe back into the water. I’d like to continue this if there is any interest! Thanks for reading!

There’s very little that makes you upset these days. You have a great job, a cozy apartment, and wonderful friends. It’s taken a long time for you to find stability and even longer for you to accept that it was okay to have it. Most of that struggle was on your own, but you eventually found others like you that were dealing with the same inner turmoil and you’ve grown.

The group still meets twice a month, but now you run it. You see the same pain and anger in the eyes of strangers that you once held, you’ve been in their shoes and you want to help start their journey of healing and self discovery. You would never turn someone away who wanted help, who sought out the chance to better themselves, but six feet of muscle and adamantium shuffles into the recreation room of the local Boy’s and Girl’s Club, and you bend the already folded aluminum chair in half. 

The squeak of the metal catches his attention and his brow knits together. His eyes dance between your face, the chair, and back again. “Cheap material,” you say weakly with a lift of your shoulders. You watch as he puckers his lips in thought and his hands are shoved into his jacket. 

One of your regulars, Sarah, takes the chair from you and tries to right it once more, but finds it more difficult than you played it up to be. “Set up the rest, I’ve got this,” you tell her, happy to tear your attention away from the man. You reset the bars of the chair and unfold it, placing it on the floor to see if it will act as it should. It’s a little wonky, the bend leans it too far back, but it will hold you - it’s a chair.

You sit among the circle and begin. People sip their coffee and share their stories for the week. The new people introduce themselves, including him, but everyone already knows his name. He didn’t share this time, but you could tell he wanted to from the way his jaw clenched and the uncomfortable shifts in his sheet. You were like that once, you know just how he feels.

Two hours pass and the crowd slowly trickles out. You start the clean up, the putting away of the chairs. You move around the room and do your best to ignore his eyes burning into you - into your soul. “You could at least help clean,” you tell him without looking up from the sink against the far wall where you now stand. “Chairs still need to be put away.”

It takes a few beats, but you hear his heavy footsteps fall behind you and the eventual scrap of metal as the chairs are being folded. There’s a steady rhythm to his method, a clink of his metal arm against the chair, the screech as the chair is closed and his footfalls to the corner to put it away.

You finish your last coffee pot, drying your hands and turn to see the wonky chair in his hold. “Cheap material,” he repeats, looking down at it before he bends it back and forth. You see him trying to mold it back into better shape than you had earlier as your face grows hotter by the second. When he deems it “good enough,” he brings it over to join the others. “Who are you?”

“No one,” you reply instantly. 

His head snaps around, blue eyes burning, “You’re a horrible liar.”

“Not true,” you counter, “I’ve lied to myself for years.”

He turns to you fully and crosses his arms over his broad chest. He doesn’t find your attempt at what he thinks is a joke funny. “Who are you,” he asks again, his voice becoming clipped and impatient. 

You tell him your name, your full name but it does not ring any bells to him. It wouldn’t, not in a way he would realize. “You saved someone years ago, not as… you, but as,” you pause and wave the towel you used to dry your hands, “you know.” You try your best to ignore how his body tenses up and you continue, “You killed his wife and his unborn son. You changed him. Changed everything, really. Somehow, I got caught up in it all.”

His hardened stare quickly shifts into curiosity and you force yourself to look away before you crash into the stormy blue. “They pumped us full of all sorts of stuff. A lot of us didn’t make it. I can still hear the screams if I try.” You grind your teeth to make yourself stop falling into that abyss. “But my dad raised me by himself, he taught me how to survive, how to be strong. He always told me: Girl, if you’re gonna go down, go down swingin’. And I forced myself to keep going, no matter what they did, I wasn’t going to let those assholes get the best of me.”

The towel was back in both of your hands now, pulled and stretched as you tried not to think about the pain and the loneliness that followed. “But eventually I was freed, just like you freed that other guy. I got a chance to be him now… but I didn’t take it.” The terry cloth ripped in half and your arms fell by your sides. 

You dared to look up at the man and you inwardly swore. His face was so painfully beautiful, full lips were in a pout and his eyes twinkled blue in their sadness, in their empathy. “They wanted us to be something and I wasn’t going to let someone else define me. I ran for years, scared and alone. I had to change my life over and over because I didn’t want them to find me, then I realized I was actually doing what they wanted… I was being someone I’m not.”

You crossed the room to the trash can nearby and not too far behind he followed. The two of you began to toss half-eaten pastries and empty disposable coffee cups. “So, I settled down here, started to go by my real name and took any threat that came my way.” You watched him sniff at an uneaten danish, “Cherry, I think.” His shoulder lifts in a ‘what-the-hell’ kind of way and he takes a bite. “It took about two decades for them to stop,” you finish, “and I was able to finally start to live my life.”

He silently offers half of the danish to you, which you decline. “And when the world went to hell in a hand-basket, you what, sat here and lived your life?” The blow was meant to sting and it did. He didn’t know if you were gone in The Blip but from your recoil, he got his answer. “I don’t know what they did to you, but you obviously have the ability to help people, you should use it.”

“I do,” you reply, offended. “This,” you wave your hands around for the second that evening, “helps people. Just because I don’t strap on leather and beat up bad guys doesn’t mean I don’t make a difference.”

Bucky stills completely, even his breathing, and he looks down into the trash can he has been pushing around for you. It looks as though he wants to toss himself in it. “You’re right,” he says with a heavy exhale, “that wasn’t fair of me. It’s just… the world is running low on heroes, they’re now relying on a guy in a bird suit.”

“I thought that guy was your friend,” you ask with a tilt of your head.

When the corner of his mouth tips up into a boyish smile, you mirror it with a toothy grin because of how infectious it is. “Yeah,” he nods, “I guess he is. But I just hate being the only muscle.”

“You’re plenty enough for this hemisphere,” you laugh and reach out to pat his shoulder, when you feel the muscle packed there, you whistle through your teeth, “and maybe the other one, too.”

He laughs and rolls the shoulder you tapped, tossing off your hand playfully. “Yeah, well it wouldn’t hurt to have more because getting hurt hurts.” You two exchange smiles and finish trash detail. He ties up the full bag and prepares to bring it out while you work on putting a new one in the can. 

You lead him out back to the dumpsters and he tosses the bag in after you open the heavy metal lid. When it falls closed again with a loud, ringing bang, you pull out a pack of sanitizing wipes and offer him one which he gladly accepts. “This might not be the right time,” he begins, eyes drawn to the large, smelly trash bin next to the pair of you, “but would you like to have dinner with me sometime?”

“Who knew you were so romantic, Sergeant Barnes,” you tease to hide your fluttering heartbeat that he can undoubtedly hear. Under the pale yellow beam of the streetlights you can see the flush forming on his face that mirrors your own. “I’m free tomorrow around seven.”

Bucky straightens to his full height and his eyes sparkle brightly when that boyish curl makes its way back to his lips. “Then it’s a date,” he nods as you both pull out your phones to exchange numbers and you give him your address.

“Don’t be late,” you warn him, tone playfully serious, “I get angry if I don’t eat before eight. Bad things happen if I don’t eat.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he nods with a low rumbling chuckle, “I don’t plan to disappoint you.”

Your face splits into a smile and you lead your way back in, “See you tomorrow, Sergeant.”

“Tomorrow,” he says, his eyes trained on your every move. “And it can’t come soon enough,” he adds under his breath.

x

Your day goes by in a blur. Work is stressful but rewarding. Even though you love your job, your mind was not completely on it. Just past noon you received a text: Just seeing if this works. I’m looking forward to tonight. Have a good day. BB

It is unclear if he does not really know how texts work or if it is his excuse to send you one, but either way it makes you giddier than a schoolgirl. You reread it several times, answer a few work related calls and emails before you finally answer back: It works! I’m also looking forward to tonight. My day was good, but your text made it better. Hope yours is fantastic! xx

You are hesitant to hit send, but if you are going to shoot your shot, then you might as well go all in. Your phone doesn’t even go to sleep before you get another text in return: I’m about to see the prettiest gal in town, my day will be more than fantastic. How do you feel about sushi and bowling? BB

Of all of the things to do, especially together, you would not think of Bucky Barnes to pick that as your first night out together, but you had a weakness for sushi and your competitive side could never say no to a game or two: I haven’t been bowling in years, but I’m sure I can teach you a few things. xx

Oh, sweetheart, you’ll be learning a thing or two before the night is over. BB

You aren’t sure if you guys are talking about bowling anymore and that thought lights a fire in your belly. With a shaky breath you send your last reply: I’ll be happy to learn anything as long as I get to call you Professor Barnes and I can stay after class for extra credit. ;) xx 

It isn’t until two hours after your lunch that you get your last reply from him: Looking up that reference sent me to the part of the internet that I’m still not used to, but I’m glad I did. You don’t happen to have a skirt and some of those socks that go up to your knees, do you? Don’t answer that, I won’t be able to make it through dinner. See you at 7. BB

You did happen to have just what he asked for and it was tempting to wear it, but you tucked the idea into your pocket for another time. Instead, you picked something more appropriate for bowling, a pair of navy skinny fit cotton dress pants with enough stretch to not rip when you bent over to toss a ball, a curve hugging camisole that was draped by a soft, cream colored cashmere sweater. 

After messing with your hair for an hour, you settled for a messy bun and just finished your makeup when your doorbell rang. You call out to him to “hold on” as you shuffle through your apartment, trying to wriggle into your loafers on the way to open the door. “Sorry. Sorry, sorry,” you apologize as you pull open the door.

He’s standing in the doorway dressed in a canvas jacket over a plain black shirt, dark jeans over his long, thick legs and his normal boots top it off. “You look gorgeous,” he says, forcing you away from your lingering gaze as it continues to travel up and down his body like he’s the one for dinner. “These are for you,” he presents a bouquet of flowers with an unsure smile. “They’re beautiful,” you say wistfully, taking the flowers and stepping aside to let him in. “Thank you.” He nods and stands near the door as you finish putting on your shoes. “Let me put these in water and we can go.” “Take your time,” he says and trains his eyes on you. They follow you through the apartment, to the kitchen as you look through your cabinets for a vase. When you bend over, his head tilts ever so slightly which you can see out of the corner of your eye, but when you turn to try and catch him, he just smiles innocently. “Need any help?”

“I’ll manage,” you laugh and eventually find a vase. The flowers are arranged not so elegantly into the glass, but you add water and place them in the center of your kitchen island. “Now, I’m starving and getting hangry.”

“Hangry,” he repeats. “That doesn’t sound good. I guess I should feed you before that happens.” He holds out an arm and like a magnet you are drawn to him and latch to it, maybe it’s because of the metal. Nevertheless, you walk arm and arm to the sushi hole-in-the-wall two blocks away, eating in a small booth in the corner to hide away from prying eyes.

You learn about Bucky Barnes for the first time. Like everyone else, you hear things from the news, from the internet, you try to shift through the lies and mess. But here you’re learning what he likes, what he’s learned, what he wants to learn. He doesn’t give his past up as freely as you did, it’s obvious he’s still coming to terms with it, but everyone travels at their own pace.

He learns about you, too. He asks you about things none of your past dates have asked. Hell, even your past boyfriends and girlfriends weren’t interested in half of the stuff Bucky manages to squeeze out of you. And you find it so easy to talk to him, so natural. You’ve only known him for two days, but it feels like decades.

Your hand slips into his when you leave the restaurant and head to the bowling alley. He laces your fingers together two blocks into your walk and you once again wrap your free hand around his arm. It pains you to move away when you have to go in and put on the bowling shoes.

“Before we begin,” he says to you as he watches you put your names into the computer, “let’s make a bet.” You finish entering the ‘y’ of his name and lift an inquisitive brow his way. “If you win, you can have one thing you would want from me.”

You twist in your seat and narrow your eyes, “And if you win?”

His tongue darts out to lick his lips, you watch it disappear with a pout, “I get a kiss.”

“You could just ask for one,” you laugh and slowly lean towards him.

Bucky, too, leans in and bumps noses with you, “Yeah, but it’s more fun if I work for it.” He sits back and winks, trying not to laugh at your deflated and deepening pout. “C’mon, sweetheart, you’re up first.”

You sigh heavily and pick up the bright green ball that you picked from the line waiting to be thrown. “Okay, if I win, then I get to wear that skirt and socks for you,” you say over your shoulder before you toss the ball down the lane. It rolls down the center and knocks down all ten pins as STRIKE flashes on the screen above you.

When you flop down in the chair next to him, he’s still staring at the spot where you stood moments before, gears still churning. “Hey,” you laugh, snapping your fingers in front of his face to knock him out of his daze, “are you okay?”

“Would it be wrong of me to lose on purpose,” he asks sheepishly. You roll your eyes and cross your arms and he lifts his own in surrender. “Okay, okay. I get it, that’s no fun. Just know, darlin’, I don’t go down without a fight.” He steps up and takes the same ball you used and chucks it halfway down the lane before it, too, knocks down all ten pins. He turns to you, a smirk plastered on his face.

As much as you loved to have fun, you loved to win more. “Is that how it’s going to be,” you asked, getting up to pass him on the way to take your turn.

He laughs, pressing close as you both slow when you come into each other’s orbit. “That’s how it’s going to be,” he nods and rakes over his lip with his teeth. A challenge is set and you don’t back down. Strikes and spares are thrown by the both of you in between lingering touches and whispered sweet nothings. 

In the hour you two have rented the lane, you managed two games and with one point over you, Bucky wins. He doesn’t claim his prize right there, it’s too public and there’s far too many people around. Instead, he offers to walk you home and you happily accept as long as you can wrap yourself around him once again, which you do.

You two try to take your time on the way back, enjoying the crisp evening air, but more so each other's company. The conversation from dinner continues as a flow of likes and dislikes between more sweet nothings. You’re lovedrunk by the time you’re at your front door and you don’t want the night to come to an end.

Reluctantly, you release him from your hold and he looks as disappointed as you feel. “Tonight has been wonder-” “I had such a great-” you both begin simultaneously and trail off together, ending in nervous laughter. 

“Thank you,” you tell him, leaning up to kiss his cheek, “for such an amazing night.”

“I should be thanking you,” he says, a hand timidly reaching out to rest on your hip. “I’ve been a little rusty at this kind of thing, but you made it easy.” His thumb traces the arc of your hip bone and you step closer to him. “But, you know, I might need some more practice.” You resisted to roll your eyes, but the laughter bubbles between the both of you. The distance closes by one of you, and you don’t care who, but you find your hands splayed across his chest, “I think I can help you out there.”

“That would be my second win of the night,” he grins down at you, his eyes trained on your lips.

“Speaking of my win,” he trails off. His flesh hand raises to your cheek and you instinctively lean into it. Your nose wrinkles at his chuckle but it doesn’t stop you from raising on your toes to close what little space there was between you.

You could sense his hesitation, the silent question of what was enough and what was too much. A small hum bubbled in your throat as you pushed your hands up his chest, nails scraping up his neck and into his hair. You could feel the shiver ripple throughout his body and his teeth came out to bite down on your bottom lip.

It was your turn to laugh now and he licked into your mouth in return, turning it into a whimpering moan. You could feel his triumphant smirk against your lips and you reward it with a tug of his hair. His hips instantly buck against you which throws you off balance, but he catches you with his metal arm winding around your back and pins you against him. 

Your tongues slip and slide against one another, the taste of his sushi and beer choice mixes with your own. Your nails once again claw along his scalp and cause him to growl into your mouth. He surges forward with you in his grip and crowds you against your door, reluctantly breaking away for air, “We should say goodnight,” Bucky whispered against your kiss swollen lips.

“You can tell me good morning when you wake up next to me tomorrow,” you shoot back and roll your hips against his, causing both of you to react with a strained moan.

“Are you sure,” he asks, tucking a stray hair behind your ear.

“I’ve got a spare toothbrush with your name on it,” you nod. You watch him debate the issue with himself before placing one last chaste kiss on your lips before losing his grip just enough to let you open the door.

You two stumble in, Bucky pulling you back to him, his mouth kissing along your jaw as you try to lock up for the night. You barely got the deadbolt turned when his teeth sank into your sink causing you to cry out. He instantly licks at apologetically and turns his attention to getting you undressed instead.

When your sweater is pulled over your head, you push off Bucky’s jacket, both falling to the floor near the door. Shoes are next to go, sloppily kicked off near each other and once again you two are drawn back together, tongues dancing. Your fingers twist into the short brown locks and his hands snaked down to your ass. He lightly cups each cheek, using them to bring you as close as possible, and even though your bodies leave very little room for air to pass through you still try to move closer.

“Bed,” he breathes into your mouth. You give him a quick nod. With a happy groan, he squeezes you by your bottom, picking you up to carry you to your room, your legs instantly wrapping around his waist. 

Your small one bedroom apartment isn't anything special, but it is yours and it has the biggest, comfiest bed that you are in love with. Bucky easily guides you both there, not once breaking your kiss aside from grunting or growling from your teasing hair pulls or the rolls of your hips. 

He climbs onto the mattress with you still wrapped around his upper half, crawling up to the pile of pillows near the headboard where he eventually lays you down. His weight settles above you, and normally, you would welcome it’s warmth and comfort, but at that moment, you want it to be rough and needy. “Bucky,” you whine, this time the one to break the kiss.

Flushed cheeks and blown pupils, he looks down at you, boxing you in with his arms on either side of your head. “What is it, sweetheart?”

“You’re wearing too much,” you tell him as you try to pull off his shirt, it makes it up to his shoulders before it stops. His laugh shakes his entire body and yours, which makes you pout in return. 

“You’re wearing the same amount, doll,” he reminds you, looking down to see your breasts sway in your camisole. “Far, far too much, in my opinion.”

You roll your eyes and playfully slap at his chest, “Then do something about it.” He mutters something about impatience and sits on his knees between your parted thighs as he pulls his shirt over his head to toss it aside.

“Your turn,” he nods to your shirt while he works on the buckle of his belt. You hastily pull the top over your head and work on your slacks, wriggling out of them just as does his own. He sits back on his hunches and looks you over, laying spread out in a matching white lace bra and underwear set. Now at he’s down to his boxer briefs, you can see how big he his, how hard he is, and when his wandering eyes rest on your covered sex, you can see it twitch with anticipation. “Holy shit, you’re beautiful.”

You didn’t think your entire body could blush from embarrassment, but Bucky just proved you could. “That’s my line,” you return, taking in every inch of his exposed skin over hard muscle. Super serum or not, Bucky Barnes was a gorgeous specimen. When you two finally lock eyes once more, you both shiver. “Are you going to touch me?”

He lets out a shaky breath and reaches out to run a hand lightly over your damp panties, slick from your want for him. “I’m afraid I’ll never stop,” he replies honestly, instantly addicted to the needy whimpers you are giving him.

“I don’t think I would want you to,” you groan. “Please?” You feel his fingertips dance over the lace, tracing over the pattern and causing you to throb with need. “Bucky!”

“You need me, don’t you,” he asks, voice dropping to a low rumble that hits you right at your core and makes your toes curl. “You need my touch. Need me to satisfy that ache?” You nod desperately trying to sit up to pull him down on top of you, but he pins you down before you could rise. “Tell me,” he purrs.

“I need you,” you respond instantly. You’re rewarded with his fingers pushing the panties aside and begin to dance along the slick folds.

“You need what,” he goads. He finds your clit and rubs it once to draw a happy mew from you but stops much to your disappointment.

“I need you, Bucky. I need you to touch me, to kiss me,” you whine with a rock of your hips, trying to get him to move again, but he doesn’t. “I need you to taste me, to lick me, to fuck me.”

Smile on his kiss bruised lips, his thumb swirls around your bud and he sinks his middle finger into you with a groan. “You’re tight,” he hisses as he sinks knuckle-deep, “and dripping. Shit, you’re going to feel like heaven.”

You can’t focus on what he’s saying too much. The feel of his fingers pumping in and out of you feels good, feels right, but it’s not enough, even when he adds two or three. He works you open, your slick starting to run down his fingers, and he palms himself over his briefs.  “Bucky, please,” your voice cracks, “I need more.”

He nods, he has time to take you apart with just his fingers later, but it’s been so long since he’s been with someone like this, someone he’s felt like this with, he needs it as much as you do. When he removes his fingers from you, you whine at the loss but it cuts off into a gasp as you watch him lap and suck off your slick from his hand. Bucky freezes, eyes narrowing, and for a moment you’re wondering if you did something wrong. “What? What is it?”

“Trying to stop myself from eating you alive,” he says through clenched teeth, jaw visibly flexing with the effort. You blink up at him, confused, but he shakes his head and forces himself to remove his boxer briefs. “I’m having you for breakfast,” he decides.

“Uh huh,” you reply absently, your mouth watering as his cock bounces against his stomach when it’s free. It’s long, thick, and leaking, trying to hypnotize you and very much succeeding. 

“I’ll let you return the favor, sweetheart,” he laughs. His flesh hand spreads his pre-cum down his shaft and he pumps slowly while his metal hand pinches your chin between his forefinger and thumb. “Still with me?”

Blinking free of your daze, you stare at his lustful gaze and nod. He moves closer, hooks your legs over the bends of his elbows and runs the head of his cock along your folds. Your hole twitches desperately for him, “Such a pretty little pussy, so needy.” Your hands wrap around his wrists and grip at him tightly, hard enough to make him hiss. “You’ve been a good girl, I guess I can give you what you want.”

He pushes in agonizingly slow, the head of his cock sinking in what felt like centimeter by centimeter. You clench around him, trying to draw more of him in, but Bucky takes his time to bottom out. When he is finally fully seated in you, you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding, and apparently so did he. “Fuck,” you say simultaneously. 

Your legs are positioned around his waist and he once again frames your head with his forearms, which, in turn, pushes him further inside of you. “You feel so good, doll,” he whispers against the ‘o’ of your lips. “So warm, so tight, taking me so good.” Your hands find their way up his arms and into his hair. All it takes is one tug that has him growling, “And I’m going to ruin this pretty pussy so good that it’s going to feel me all week.” He rolls his hips back as slowly as he originally pushed in, “And I wanna hear you tell everyone who it belongs to while I do it.”

He snaps his hips forward driving you up the bed and further into the pillows, a cry getting caught in your throat from it. His pace is brutal, skin slaps against skin, and his mouth seeks out yours. The kiss is sloppy, but hungry, just as primal as his pistoning hips. You hold on to him the best you can as the bed rocks, headboard slamming against the wall. Your nails trail against his skin, egging him on and drawing sinful noises from love-swollen lips. 

His hips shift angles and eventually find that spot that makes you see stars. “Bucky,” you cry out breathlessly, uncurling your toes and removing your nails from his shoulder blades. He buries his face in your neck and marks you with his teeth and tongue as he relentlessly fucks towards your brink. “So… f-fuck- so close.”

“Cum for me then, sweetheart,” Bucky growls against your skin, snaking a hand between your bodies to work at your clit. “Show me how good I make you feel. Cum for me.” His thumb rubs over your bud once, twice and a white hot punch in your gut blossoms throughout your body as you let out a strangled cry of his name. 

You can feel yourself clamp around him, working him impossibly deeper, begging him to fall down into the abyss with you. And he does, hard. He chases his bliss with you, your name a mantra spilling from his lips as he spills inside of you. He doesn’t stop until you’ve both become too sensitive to handle anymore. He pulls out of you with a heavy sigh and falls next to you on the bed onto his stomach. 

“Holy shit,” you finally break the silence, “that was…”

“Yeah,” he agrees, his head turned to look at you with tired, blissful eyes. “Goddamn, yeah it was.”

You weakly reach around to search for his hand and eventually find it, he lances his fingers with yours. You don’t break eye contact when he leans over to share a few chaste kisses before collapsing again. “You’re fantastic, Bucky, and I want you to know that was the hottest sex I have had to date.”

His post orgasm bliss is shattered and replaced with a furrowed brow, “I sense a ‘but’ coming.”

“...but as hot as it is feeling you drip out of me, I need to shower,” you finish. You can see the relief wash over him and he nods in understanding. 

“I’ve got a good memory,” he yawns and taps at his head, “that image is stored right here.” You fight a blush and slide off of your bed to head to the bathroom when seconds later you hear him do the same. He shrugs at your questioning look, “No need to waste water, right?”

You laugh as you turn on the faucets only to be crowded against the wall and your mouth is covered with his once more. The water splashing against your bodies and the echoing sounds of your moans drown out the repeated calls to Bucky’s phone. Mission. Suit up. SW

Answer your damn phone. SW

It’s the green button. SW

Green button and slide right. SW

Dammit, if you blocked me again, I stg. SW

Man, what are you doing in Soho? Yes, I’m tracking you. OMW. SW

a/n: To be continued? 

[up-in-space-reading]

Average Weekly Screentime - Chap 3: Walks in the Cold

pairing: Jake Peralta x Amy Santiago

word count: 3648

warnings/tags: college au, texting, drunk texting, text fic (mostly, there's prose a few chaps in), bets, bisexual!jake peralta, jake peralta has adhd, parties, drinking and alcohol, sexual references, implied sexual content (nothing explicit, just suggested its going to happen/has happened), friends to lovers, swearing, mentions of cannibalism, lighthearted threats of violence (typical rosa stuff yk), fluff

read on ao3

Average Weekly Screentime masterlist

Story Summary: texting fic college AU with the squad! It's the beginning of the school year and while everyone else thinks it'll be the same as the previous year, Gina has a feeling things are going to be different and wagers a bet with Rosa and Charles. Told through all the various group chats everyone is in.

Chap 1 | Chap 2 | Chap 3 | Chap 4 | Chap 5 | Chap 6 | Chap 7 | Chap 8 | Chap 9 | Chap 10

authors note: I'm sorry this chapter is entirely based around a party but SPOILER there's non-text writing!!! so get excited babes, its heating up now.

Jimmy Jabbers

[02:29pm, Tuesday]

Pineapples: how do they dig graves?? Pineapples: at this point in time they cant use shovels anymore thats insane Pineapples: but a whole excavator in a graveyard seems risky bc what if they hit a headstone

RoRo: they get like 10 dogs in

Queen G: what if they still use shovels tho?

Four Eyes: They do get excavators in; it does look a little bit weird but there’s not really any other efficient way to dig a grave Four Eyes: 1 image attachment

Pineapples: if anyone sees me laughing at the grave digger machine no u don’t

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[11:32pm, Wednesday]

Ferris: amy r u awake?

Cameron: Yeah, why?

Ferris: idk im just worried

Cameron: About what?

Ferris: what if i dont finish all the assignments in time for break Ferris: i dont wanna be kicked out

Cameron: Firstly, they don’t kick you out. You just don’t pass those classes and have to retake them (or drop out, of your own free will) Cameron: Secondly, we’re going to get them finished. You’ve been working hard and I am sure they’ll all be done in time for winter break

Ferris: but what if they arent???

Cameron: What if we put some stakes on it?

Ferris: theres already stakes

Cameron: Stakes that you’ll enjoy a lot more than an existential crisis

Ferris: im listening

Cameron: If you finish all of the assignments in time for winter break I will go to Terry’s annual New Years party AND match you drink for drink. If you don’t finish them, you have to jump in the fountain in the courtyard

Ferris: ur literally a genius Ferris: i do not want to jump in that fountain and i absolutely want you to go to that party

Cameron: I’ve not been to his New Years parties and for good reason

Ferris: you better start dress shopping then ames because this is ur year

Cameron: Part of me hopes so

Ferris: ill let u sleep now Ferris: gn

Cameron: Goodnight, Jake

-

Jimmy Jabbers

[4:30pm, Thursday]

Pineapples: amy and i are in the library if anyone wants to join

RoRo: what are u doing in the library?

Pineapples: studying duh

Mr Grapes: on my way now!

Pineapples: see u!

Queen G: our school has a library??

RoRo: why wouldn’t it??

Queen G: because theyre boring

Four Eyes: I take offense to that

Queen G: of course u do

-

Dance Squad

[4:40pm, Thursday]

Scary: so charles, now that you’re in the presence of them Scary: how close are you to winning this bet because by my calculations you’ve got about three days

G-Hive: oh damn! rosa coming in hot with the trash talk

Charlese: I will not give up hope yet, three more days is enough

Scary: with the way they are now three days is nowhere near enough Scary: gina how are you feeling?

G-Hive: as confident as ever <3

Scary: i admire that

-

[11:59pm, Sunday]

G-Hive: and its a tough loss for charles on this fine evening

Scary: knew it

Charlese: alright alright I get it Charlese: severe underestimation but in my defence they should’ve gotten together over a year ago

G-Hive: no they shouldnt have

Scary: so g, its just you and me left

G-Hive: if we’re being fair then charles does have a grace period before its closer to your guess than his but my calculations dont swing in charles favour

Scary: tough break charles Scary: maybe next time

Charlese: crying my self to sleep tonight Charlese: gonna start bugging Jake about his feelings for Amy

G-Hive: violation of the rules!!! G-Hive: no meddling G-Hive: ur such a meddler

Scary: no interference or else

Charlese: got it got it, no interference

-

Sexy Bitches

[10:34am, Tuesday]

Ter Bear: Hey Gina, just giving you a heads up that Liam is having a thing for his birthday at his place this Saturday

Sexy: seriously?! Sexy: thank u for the heads up

Ter Bear: And don’t tell them I told you but if you cozy up enough to him, he might let you DJ Ter Bear: He’s seen the playlist and didn’t mind it

Sexy: I LOVE U TERRY Sexy: i owe you big time

Ter Bear: You always owe me, I’m good to you guys

Sexy: you really are

-

Jimmy Jabbers

[10:39am, Tuesday]

Queen G: i have just received some amazing news!

Pineapples: can i guess! terry is having a party

Queen G: yes!

Pineapples: well technically its his friend liam Pineapples: its his bday Pineapples: terry text me too lol

Queen G: but i bet he didnt mention that im gonna DJ!!

Pineapples: NO HE DIDN’T

Four Eyes: That’s great news, Gina, congrats. I’ll be there to listen to your amazing playlist

RoRo: me too

Mr Grapes: finally someone who will listen to my requests!

Queen G: if ur request is not from a musical and from the last 2 years then i might consider it

Mr Grapes: best party ever already

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[10:45am, Tuesday]

Ferris: u gonna be alright with a party?

Cameron: Yeah of course, as long as I get at least three drinks in me haha

Ferris: thats the spirit ames!

-

Sleuth Sisters

[10:47am, Tuesday]

Amy: Does Jake have a nickname for you?

Rosa: no

-

Girls, Girls, Girls

[02:16pm, Saturday]

Gina: when r u guys gonna be at mine?

Rosa: closer to when we have to leave

Amy: I’ve got some work I need to finish up, lets say around 7-7:30?

Gina: it doesnt even surprise me that u guys dont take more than 2 hours to get ready Gina: we’re leaving at 9 and u guys are getting here at 5 at the LATEST

Rosa: only if I can pregame

Gina: of course u can

Amy: Yeah sure, I’ll be there at 5

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[02:19pm, Saturday]

Cameron: Has Gina always taken multiple hours to get ready to go out or is it just a development in college?

Ferris: hahahaha oh no Ferris: shes always been like that Ferris: ever since she discovered makeup and curling irons

Cameron: That makes sense haha Cameron: She’s making Rosa and I be at hers at 5pm at the latest to start getting ready for tonight

Ferris: arent we leaving at 9??

Cameron: Yep!

Ferris: oh amy… Ferris: hahaha Ferris: itll be fun tho

Cameron: Yeah it will be

-

[07:18pm, Saturday]

Cameron: She has a curling iron so close to my scalp right now, help me

Ferris: hahahaha sorry ames ur on ur own

Cameron: You’re the worst!

Ferris: if i had to get my hair braided when i was 11 then u have to get ur hair curled now

Cameron: That is an amazing piece of information that you have willingly given up, thank you so much

Ferris: amy no Ferris: what r u doing Ferris: ur not telling rosa right?? Ferris: amy please Ferris: i thought we were friends

-

Bi Besties

[07:23pm, Saturday]

Dagger: HAHAHAHAHAHA

El Baboso: shut up

Dagger: I bet you looked so cute with your braids too

El Baboso: of course i did!

Dagger: HAHAHAHAHAAKAJDJKSD

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[07:24pm, Saturday]

Ferris: youll pay for this

Cameron: Uh huh, sure I will haha

-

[09:12pm, Saturday]

Cameron: Gina is finally ready, how are you and Charles going?

Ferris: charles and i are on our way to the party already.. Ferris: sorry

Cameron: That’s okay! We’ll meet you there

Ferris: see you there!!!!

-

The walk to Terry’s was cold but the bottle of gin that the three of them were passing between each other helped warm Amy’s insides. She was feeling angry that Gina had talked her into wearing a dress and envious of Rosa’s warm and comfortable looking leather pants.

“Longest 10-minute walk of my life” Rosa said grumpily, arms crossed in front of her.

“Two more minutes and we’re there” Amy reassured Rosa (and herself).

“Its cold but its also party time! Let’s get excited ladies, we look hot and I’m DJ-ing, the night is young and I have a good feeling” Gina proclaimed into the night, making Amy laugh.

“You’re right, its gonna be a good night” Amy agreed, and she even saw Rosa crack a smile out of the corner of her eye.

Finally, they arrived at Terry’s and the place was already pumping, the music loud and coloured lights glowing in the windows. The first thing Amy registered upon entering the house was the amount of people moving around; walking from somewhere to get somewhere else, dancing to the music, or talking loudly to each other. If it weren’t for the gin on the journey over she’d be overwhelmed immediately, but her senses were dulled and the warmth promised by the alcohol was finally blossoming in her stomach.

She was feeling good as the three of them made their way through the house to the kitchen where they found Jake and Charles laughing about something. Charles lit up upon seeing them and it made Jake turn around, he looked happy to see them before his eyes landed on Amy. He froze, quickly looking her up and down before continuing with a loud greeting and offer of drinks.

Gina took a few swigs of the remaining gin and said she was going to find the speaker system and get the music really going.

“There’s four of us left!” Jake yelled over the music, Amy gave him a confused stare in response, “Its time for beer pong!”

Amy was immediately on board, as was Rosa. Charles needed some convincing, and after a hype speech from Jake and gathering all the cups they could find they were setting up beer pong on the dining table. A small crowd had begun to gather as they were setting up, raising the pressure to a level Amy thrived on.

The four of them gathered next to the table to discuss the terms; losing team gives $40 to the winning team.

“Looking forward to my $20, lunch is on me next Tuesday” Amy teased Jake as he always asked to get lunch during their study sessions.

“It will be on you, because you’ll be giving me $20” He responded smugly.

“In your dreams” Amy scoffed before they made their way to their assigned sides of the table.

Amy and Rosa were given first throw, a decision Jake and Charles would quickly grow to regret. The game was full of trash talking and celebration dances. Charles gagged on the cup Rosa secretly filled with vodka which made even Jake laugh despite the loss of a cup.

After intense back and forth, and the crowd growing increasingly invested in the outcome of the game, both teams were down to one cup each. But after the number of drinks, it was difficult for both teams to aim properly.

It was Charles and Jake’s turn, Amy was nervous and watching Jake intently, hoping to psych him out. Just as he was leaning his arm back to throw, Amy tossed some of her hair over her shoulder. The small action was enough to make Jake falter for a moment and his throw was off, Amy and Rosa (and the half of the crowd rooting for them) cheered.

Finally, it was their turn again, Amy volunteered to go first. She took a deep breath as she bent her arm back and lined up her throw, everyone waited with bated breath to see if this was the one. The pressure and tension gave her an odd sense of calm, she threw the ball as calm as ever and it landed right in the cup. The crowd erupted into cheers as Amy and Rosa celebrated with cheers of their own as well as high fives and fist bumps.

Jake and Charles hung their heads, Jake volunteered to take the last cup for Charles who looked grateful. After their celebrations had finished Amy revelled in Jake chugging the last cup and trudging over her to give her the money owed. She heard Charles say something about paying Rosa tomorrow and Rosa threatening that she’ll remember.

“Here you go, Ames, a well deserved twenty bucks” He handed a $20 note over to her.

Amy took it happily and tucked it into her bra, Jakes eyes followed her hands the whole time.

“Thank you very much”

Jake nodded to signify a ‘you’re welcome’ before Amy continued.

“I’m gonna ask Gina to put on a victory song!” She laughed, and Jake laughed with her.

“I’ll come with!” He yelled over the music which suddenly got louder.

They both journeyed through the house to find where the music system was. Gina was standing behind a table with who Amy assumed was an actual DJ, they were both bopping their heads along to the music and pointing to something on Gina’s phone.

Amy pushed her way through the crowd with Jake in tow in the direction of the table. Once there Jake gestured for Gina to lean in close, and so she moved so that she was leaning across the table with her face close to Amy and Jake’s.

“Rosa and I won beer pong, we need a victory song!” Amy yelled, hoping Gina could hear her.

Based on the satisfied smile that graced Gina’s face she did hear.

“I told you tonight was gonna be good!” She stood back up properly and began looking through her phone once again with the DJ.

Amy couldn’t help but smile because Gina was right. Jake then jerked his head towards the makeshift dance floor and Amy nodded in response. The two of them moved away from the table a little bit and began moving to the music.

The song changed to what Amy assumed was the victory song and it got her blood pumping, she wasn’t thinking about how she was dancing she was just moving the way she felt like it. Jake seemed to be doing the same thing, taking the loss incredibly well.

The lights got dimmer, the various colours now being the primary light source in the room. Someone bumped into Amy, she stumbled into Jake who caught her and held onto her arms. He gave her a look that asked if she was okay and she nodded in response before continuing to dance, now closer to Jake.

He kept one hand on her arm before sliding it down to hold her hand, he lifted their arms up in the air for her to spin under. Amy spun around while giggling, once she was done he let go and a part of her was disappointed.

They continued to dance for so long Amy lost track of time and how many songs they had danced to, Jake knowing every word to all of them and her knowing some. The dance floor had become more crowded as the night went on, her and Jake had been slowly bumped closer to one another, now standing just inches apart.

Amy’s brain was foggy but she managed to hold onto various thoughts of how nice Jake’s arms looked in his shirt, and how thirsty she was getting after all the singing and dancing. She leaned close to Jake’s ear.

“I’m gonna get a drink!” She told him.

He nodded in confirmation and mouthed what Amy assumed was ‘I’ll come too’. Amy turned around and started shoving through the crowd, wondering if it was Jake who had his hand on the small of her back or some creep. A quick look behind her showed that her intuition was correct, Jake following closely behind with a hand on her back sending a tingling feeling up and down her spine.

These were all feelings Amy decided to unpack tomorrow, or the day after, or never.

Once they were in the kitchen Amy raided the fridge and found some bottles of water, handing one to Jake. He opened his and chugged half of it in one go while she wrestled with the lid of hers still.

“Can you open it for me, please?” She held out her bottle of water, looking slightly defeated.

“Sure” He smiled and grabbed the bottle off her.

He opened it with ease and Amy’s eyes widened slightly, she hoped Jake didn’t notice as she quickly took the bottle back from him and took a few mouthfuls. It cooled her down and she was finally able to think properly, asking Jake what the time was.

At almost 1 in the morning, she was debating on going home or staying for a bit longer, voicing this debate to Jake standing across from her, leaning against the kitchen counter.

“You can’t walk home by yourself Ames” He countered.

“I can’t force Gina and Rosa to leave, I actually think Gina is gonna be here forever” She joked, Jake laughed with her.

“How about, three more songs and then I’ll walk you home” He offered, and Amy had to admit it wasn’t a bad deal. She was concerned about walking home alone.

“You’re sure you want to leave?” She asked, not wanting to inconvenience him.

“Yeah. Charles is off with a girl – texted me like 20 minutes ago – and like you said, Rosa and Gina are gonna be here forever. I’m almost ready for bed” He reasoned, and Amy couldn’t say no.

“Alright then, three more songs” She agreed with a smile, having another mouthful of water and turning to make her way back to the dance floor.

Jake once again followed close behind, not touching her this time Amy noted. They found a small empty spot on the dance floor and resumed their dancing as if the small break hadn’t happened. The two of them were once again just inches apart and Amy took note of it immediately this time.

She felt heat in her cheeks at this note and thought about it the whole time they danced to the first song, then the second song came on and Amy couldn’t ignore an ABBA remix. Both her and Jake sang every word loudly with wide smiles on their faces, gesturing and throwing their hands in the air when they felt appropriate.

If someone were to ask Amy she’d say it was the most fun she’s had at a party in a long time.

Finally, as the third song faded out and a new one began, Jake gestured his head towards the front door and Amy nodded in agreement. She quickly got her small bag from where she’d safely stashed it near Gina and followed Jake out of the house.

-

Jimmy Jabbers

[01:07am, Sunday]

Pineapples: amy and i leaving Pineapples: have fun party animals

-

The cool air and quietness of being out of the house was almost jarring to Amy’s senses. They walked for a few minutes in comfortable silence, but it wasn’t long until the cold got to Amy and she began shivering, arms wrapped around herself.

“You look cold, here” Jake stopped to take his leather jacket off.

“You don’t have to-“ Amy began before being cut off by him.

“I do, what are friends for”

She let out a small laugh and looked at the ground for a moment, trying to hide the heat spreading in her cheeks despite the cold. He held the jacket out for her and she accepted it happily, putting it on and crossing her arms in front of her to keep the front closed.

“Thanks” She said quietly.

“That’s okay”

They continued the walk this time talking about the party, specifically the beer pong match, recounting the highlights and lowlights of the game with a lot of laughter in between. Amy found herself not wanting the walk to end, despite how cold, tired and tipsy she was.

Finally, they reached a divergence in the path and Amy expected Jake to go the opposite direction to her towards his dorm but he continued walking by her side.

“Isn’t your dorm that way?” She interrupted his sentence and pointed to the left.

“I said I’d walk you home, I’m a man of my word Ames”

“Oh.. okay then” She accepted without argument and continued walking to her dorm with Jake by her side.

It was only when they were right outside the building doors did Jake feel comfortable leaving her, confident she could get to her dorm by herself, a comment he said which made her laugh. They said a quick goodbye and Amy watched Jake walk away for a moment before turning and entering the doors of the building.

She took the elevator up to her floor, only realising when the doors closed and she saw a blur of her reflection that she was still wearing Jake’s jacket. It was too late to go after him now, she’ll probably see him tomorrow and if not tomorrow then Monday at the latest to give it back to him.

Once in her dorm she sighed heavily, ready to take her makeup off and put on comfy pyjamas as the exhaustion began to weigh down on her. She got unready as quick as she could, hanging Jake’s jacket over the back of her desk chair, and climbed into bed.

When she was comfy she got her phone off the bedside table to check her messages one last time before what she predicted would be at least a 10 hour sleep.

-

Jimmy Jabbers

[01:28am, Sunday]

Queen G: ugh some guys started to yell at each other Queen G: rosa and i made a quick getaway

-

Skipping School Is(n’t) Cool

[01:32am, Sunday]

Cameron: I assume you made it back to your dorm alright?

Ferris: i was brutally murdered as soon as u went into ur building actually

Cameron: Damn… Cameron: Now who will I annihilate at beer pong..

Ferris: IM DEAD AND UR WORRIED ABOUT THAT???

Cameron: Hahahaha Cameron: Goodnight, jake

Ferris: gn ames

Chap 1 | Chap 2 | Chap 3 | Chap 4 | Chap 5 | Chap 6 | Chap 7 | Chap 8 | Chap 9 | Chap 10

authors note: EEEK!! I am excited on their behalf because w h a t will amy be thinking tomorrow???? i sure hope these dummies start to figure it out soon mwahaha

Thanks as always for reading, next chap will be out whenever I can get it out <3

[breckstonevailskier]

Daniel LaRusso's experiences with Terry Silver and how they affect him in Cobra Kai

One thing that is often overlooked in Cobra Kai, because the show fixates so much on the events of the first Karate Kid movie, is how much Daniel LaRusso's behavior is influenced by his time with Terry Silver in The Karate Kid Part III.

Season 1:

Daniel's handling of Kyler: Kyler is actually a lot like Terry Silver. He was going out with Sam, putting on the act of a nice guy to get her to go out with him. In reality, Kyler is a bully towards Miguel and his friends, and is only interested in Sam because he wants to get in her pants. Kyler puts on this nice guy act while having dinner with the LaRussos, and manages to fool both Daniel and Amanda. Then he lies about Johnny attacking him in defense of Miguel, prompting Daniel to confront Johnny. Daniel goes to Johnny, finds out the truth, and immediately does a 180 about Sam going out with Kyler.

Considering their history, Daniel has no reason to believe Johnny instead of Kyler. For all someone in Daniel's shoes ought to know, Johnny could be lying through his teeth (as Amanda points out). But because Daniel's been told that this nice guy might be anything but, he now has to question if Kyler really likes Sam or he has ulterior motives...because again, Silver approached Daniel pretending to have good intentions for him. Amanda at one point in episode 3 tries to assure Daniel that Sam will be fine with Kyler at the Halloween dance because Kyler seemed harmless to her. Daniel says, “Yeah, I’ve known plenty of guys who seemed harmless that were real pieces of crap behind the scenes." He's talking about Silver.

That's why Daniel insists on chaperoning at the Halloween dance: it's to keep an eye on Kyler if he does anything sketchy. Sure enough, he sees Kyler take Sam into an empty classroom and try to get her to take off his belt, and this is when Daniel intervenes and pulls Sam out of there. A good thing, because Kyler was going to date rape Sam (this is made clear in their next scene. Before they beat up Miguel, Brucks tells Kyler that "you had [Sam] in the palm of your dick" and talk about how the bracelet trick worked on another girl at a different school, showing Sam is not the first person Kyler has done this to).

Sam's attitudes towards her boyfriends: A related consequence to this is that after Sam finds out that Kyler is a jackass (between seeing him bully Miguel and his friends in the library, and him trying to date rape her), she is much more guarded and reserved when it comes to meeting new people. This is probably a good thing because it prevents her from getting burned like Daniel did by Terry Silver. This is the reason why she's so hesitant to enter a relationship with Miguel, and is quick to dump Miguel when the Cobra Kai teachings get to Miguel's head and he turns into an asshole, then goes back to him once those asshole tendencies disappear. And while never said out loud, this also contributes to her relationship with Robby falling apart, for while Robby treats her well, he withholds from her the fact Miguel returned Miyagi's Medal of Honor so he can keep Sam for himself (because he knows full well Sam would have second thoughts about being in a relationship with him once she had proof that Miguel wasn't a bully like his fellow Cobra Kai peers).

Johnny's speech to appeal Cobra Kai's ban: Daniel has a very bad reaction when Johnny makes his speech to appeal Cobra Kai's ban from the All-Valley, in which Johnny claims Kreese is dead and his Cobra Kai is different, a place for bullied kids to seek refuge. Thing is, Daniel clearly isn't convinced of any of Johnny's words, because these are almost the exact same words that Silver said to Daniel. Silver approached Daniel claiming that Kreese had died, and at the All-Valley gave a speech proclaiming that his chain of Cobra Kais would be a place for kids to practice the values he [Silver] learned, a speech that Silver wasn't sincere about.

Daniel's reaction to learning Robby is Johnny's son: Daniel's reaction to finding out Robby is Johnny's son is an angry, “You lied to me! Was this all just a con? Some kind of sick mind game you tried to pull off on me?!” It's very telling what Daniel's word choice is, because Terry Silver played a long mind game on Daniel, pretending to be his friend while actively sabotaging him so he'd take a humiliating loss to Mike Barnes in the All-Valley tournament. And when coupled with the fact that Daniel was drunk and had just been attacked by Johnny in his own home after just inviting Johnny in for a friendly fight, his anger is more understandable.

People calling Daniel "Danny Boy": Any time someone calls Daniel "Danny Boy," whether that be Kreese or Tom Cole, Daniel's composure briefly falters, because that's what Silver called him. In fact, Kreese has to know this, since he was there for when Silver revealed his true colors to Daniel.

Season 2:

Daniel's reaction to finding out Kreese has returned: Daniel goes to Johnny intending to inform him about Robby's living situation (in light of Shannon leaving for Cabo)...but immediately decides against it when he sees Johnny with Kreese. Johnny claims to Daniel that Kreese is a changed man...and Daniel warns him not to trust Kreese. Kreese was complicit in everything Silver did to Daniel in 1985 to get revenge for him, so Daniel has every reason to believe Kreese is up to his old tricks again so he can worm his way back into Cobra Kai.

Indeed, Daniel is right: Kreese gains Johnny's trust by claiming to be atoning for what happened in 1984 (by fixing Johnny's second place trophy, and lets Johnny see him as down-on-his-luck so Johnny will take pity on him). It's all a calculated act to undermine Johnny's authority in Cobra Kai and steal the dojo away from him.

Daniel even calls out Johnny for not listening to him when they're arguing in 3x08 while waiting for Robby to get out of juvie. He says, "What did you think would happen when you summoned that devil back to Earth?"

Season 3:

Catching Sam and Miguel together: When Daniel catches Miguel and Sam making out at Miyagi-Do, Sam says to him, "I know it's been a lot. But can you please try to remember that I'm still your daughter, and that you can trust me?" and Daniel replies, "It's not you I don't trust, Sam." Having prior experiences with people who claimed to have changed but didn't (Silver and Kreese) is the reason why learning "Miguel's changed. He's a good person. He's not Cobra Kai's number one bully; he's not even in Cobra Kai anymore!" is a pretty hard pill for Daniel to swallow because any impressions Daniel has had of Miguel up to this point are not very good.

Daniel's impressions of Miguel up to this point are as follows: Johnny had Miguel use Daniel's signature Crane Kick to open the tournament as a way of mocking Daniel, then Miguel fought dirty against Robby. This is combined with whatever Sam said to Daniel about her breakup with Miguel, which probably was that he was an asshole. So seeing Miguel's speech at the town hall to save the All-Valley, and finding him making out with Sam, Daniel is on guard because while Sam has had plenty of positive interactions with Miguel since bumping into him at school, Daniel only has the filter of whatever Sam told him about Miguel to go off of.

Seeing Robby being trained by Kreese: Daniel's reaction to seeing Robby training with Kreese seems very telling. If Daniel is Mr. Miyagi, then Robby is 1985 Daniel, and Kreese is 1985 Silver. Daniel realizes Kreese is going to do with Robby exactly what he and Silver failed to do with Daniel 33 years ago. He'll certainly see the cycle repeating even further when he finds Silver has been summoned back to town by Kreese.

And I would bet he'll possibly realize in season 4 that Johnny's neglect of Robby throughout season 3 left Robby open to manipulation from Kreese, much like Mr. Miyagi's neglect of Daniel in 1985 left him open to manipulation from Silver.

[boys-night]

Mickey and Ian - communication, sex, and relationship styles, post 11x07

Here’s my take on how Ian and Mickey relate to sexuality and relationship styles, thinking mainly about 11x07, but also looking more broadly at the series and including HoS. If you’re not interested in incorporating 11x07 in your version of canon, ignore this! I enjoyed 11x07 but I understand people have different ways of seeing Ian and Mickey’s relationship. I’m also doing the classic meta thing of taking seriously exaggerated/comic/contradictory elements in the show because that’s how I roll. 

Super long post under cut. 

I’ve been reading Sexuality: A Graphic Guide by Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele which is where a lot of the following ideas and terminology come from. I’ve also been looking at Meg-John Barker’s free relationship zine on their website rewritingtherules.com. I highly recommend their work, including the podcast they have with Justin Hancock, The Meg-John and Justin podcast (although MJ has left now and it’s called Culture, Sex, Relationships, but you can check out the backlog!) 

They think about sex and relationship styles using various models including monogamy/polyamory, allosexuality/asexuality, romance/aromance etc. They look at these different facets of sexuality/relationship styles as complicated continua rather than binaries which shift over time. They also write about sexuality on an action/identity spectrum, communication strategies around relationships styles, and the windows into relationships. Here, I’m looking at all of these things thinking about Ian and Mickey’s relationship and as individuals within the relationship. 

The monogamy/polyamory continuum

I’ve seen a bit of debate about how to label Mickey and Ian’s relationship on the monogamy/polyamory spectrum and I think it’s a pretty complex question especially considering those labels mean different things to different people and that relationships shift a lot over time. While labels like these can be useful, they can also be rigid and restrictive in their own ways. 

Some terms that come close-ish to what they say they’ve decided in 11x07 are monoamorous and polysexual, considering they aren’t at all interested in romantic connections outside of each other but are up for sex (in a broad sense) with other people. But these terms don’t account for the agreement that they’re only exploring sex with other people when they’re together. 

As people have pointed out, some of the boundary setting around exactly how they’re involving other people in the relationship is left off-screen, and also they’re not necessarily going to form identities around how they act in one episode. I’ve also seen people suggest reading their relationship style as monagamish and/or that what they do with other people is part of kink/play. I think these make sense in different ways and that in 11x07 Ian and Mickey definitely focus more on what they do (action) rather than who they are (identity) in regards to monogamy/polyamory. 

In 11x01, Ian’s focus is more on identity. He sets up a binary choice between being monagamous or not in their relationship. 11x07 indicates they’ve moved through off-screen discussion into a much more personalised arrangement with more focus on actions allowing for flexibility over time. In 11x07, we see them agree on rules: sex in a broad sense is allowed outside of the primary partnership, love isn’t. They keep negotiations ongoing (e.g. in the bedroom, in the furniture store), and there is an indication that these rules could change over time. 

I’d love to read/explore more about the ways in which this approach has changed over the course of the whole show. At the start of their relationship, definitely prior to s4, they have much more implicit rules about who they can have sex with, and those implicit rules become problematic in s5, when they realise they’re not completely on the same page regarding them. They bring up clashing ideas around the rules when Mickey’s leaving prison in s10 too. In s11, their relationship becomes more intentional, with these rules stated aloud rather than assumed. 

The action/identity continuum in regards to gay sexuality 

On a slight tangent, I think there’s a comparison to be made here to how they relate to sexuality (specifically gender of attraction) and the idea of gay identity, which seems to develop in the other direction. For Mickey especially, for a long time having sex with men was something he did rather than something he was, and that’s gradually somewhat shifted over the course of the show. There’s so much more that can be explored here, for instance, about how the action-based approach is much more acceptable within the hyper-masculine environment he was raised. Terry also approaches it this way when talking about prison sex, for example. According to this very oppressive social script, having sex with men in certain circumstances can be OK but claiming that as part of who you are is absolutely not. 

But I also want to stress, I don’t think either approach to gay sexuality, looking at it through actions or through identity, is inherently better or worse. These different lenses on sexuality also intersect with class and levels of education. As explored in Sexuality: A Graphic Guide, the identity approach is also relatively a very modern way of seeing sexuality (late 20th century). Gender of attraction is also only one facet of sexuality (which includes amount of sex you want, type of sex, sexual roles etc.) but its now often regarded as the only or most important facet of sexuality. The identity-based approach is much more acceptable within the more aspirational/middle class settings they interact with in s10 and s11. In these seasons, Mickey and to a lesser extent Ian aren’t completely willing to accept it wholesale. I like how, for example, even well after “coming out”, Mickey often still approaches sexuality through actions rather than identity, e.g. his response to the woman at the flower shop asking if he’s a homosexual: “He is, I just like having another man’s dick up my ass.”

However, I also think it’s cool/interesting how Ian and Mickey both move towards and embrace various parts of mainstream gay identity in s11 too, and a large part of that involves combatting the sexism, femmephobia, and hypermasculinity with which they were raised, e.g. of course, singing and dancing to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande in the bathroom.  

You could also look at the different ideas about the origins of their gay sexuality in HoS through this lens. Mickey goes for a psychological/behavioural approach (based in like early 20th century sexological theories); Ian goes for a born-this-way, biological/genetic approach (popularised in the 1980s as part of gay pride movements). 

Mickey’s approach is very old school (definitely a way of thinking that reflects his upbringing), which assumes straight is the norm from which gay deviates, to do with Freudian theory/the idea of homosexuality as pathology. He doesn’t, for example, seek to use the same model (Fiona’s bad relationship history) to explain why Lip is straight. Ian’s approach (”not because I was born this way?”) reflects his investment in the intractability of sexuality related to his strict opposition to conversion therapy models and the idea of being gay as a choice. It also reflects the way he reacts negatively/disbelievingly to Debbie’s more flexible sexuality (in s8?). While obviously it’s fucked up/impossible to force people to change their sexuality and it’s perfectly reasonable for him to define the origins of his own sexuality however he wants, this approach risks excluding more fluid experiences of sexuality. 

Again, Mickey’s approach is more behavioural/action oriented and Ian’s is more identity oriented. They both seem pretty willing to shift their ideas around this though (especially Mickey, who potentially is just regurgitating old stuff he’s heard without thinking). The concluding thought is that Ian is gay because he likes Mickey’s d, lol. 

Individual differences on sex and relationship continua

I really like the detail that Ian doesn't want to have sex and be friends with anyone else aside from Mickey. In 11x07, he doesn't want to make friends with the guys in the locker room although he's down for repeat sexual experiences which suggests he thinks he forms romantic attachment through a combination of both sex and friendship. It seems like it's important to him in his negotiation with Mickey that they don't form romantic attachments outside of their own relationship.

This relates back to the 87% thing in HoS where Ian says he tends to get at least slightly attached to everyone he has sex with and Mickey has 87% of his heart. Mickey doesn’t like the 87% thing at all but I reckon it outlines a really interesting difference between the two characters in regards to relationship styles. It indicates that Ian is comfortable with a slightly less mononormative way of doing nurturance/care than Mickey, while Mickey seems to initiate more of the polysexuality than Ian in 11x07. (Although of course, we don’t see how Ian would react if Mickey were to tell him he’s got 87% of his heart! -- but this is a very difficult to imagine scenario).

Sex is a big part of their relationship for both of them. Both Ian and Mickey seem pretty allosexual (e.g. they feel sexual attraction for other people generally), but Mickey is possibly even more so than Ian. Mickey also maybe falls on the aromantic/grayromantic spectrum (once again, the labels can be really useful but I don’t want to be too prescriptive/rigid). Ian seems to be more alloromantic, with a capacity to experience romantic attraction to a whole bunch of people. For him, sex and romance seem to be more interconnected in all cases although he can definitely separate the two (especially when thinking about transactional sex etc).

But I think it's more complex than that. For instance, Mickey reserves certain sexual acts for just between him and Ian and its clear that they have both intimacy and exploration in their sex life. From the outset, Ian and Mickey’s relationship involves exploration and excitement with sex, and provides a freedom to explore their sexualities in regards to sexual roles and kink. It’s clear that Mickey values the safe space Ian specifically gives him in this regard from very early on in their relationship. There’s a parallel here with the bathroom Gaga/Grande scene where Ian’s instinct isn’t to tease or make fun of Mickey but support him embracing more stereotypical gay behaviours and/or more fluid gender roles to the ones he’s grown up with outside of sex too.

Also it might be useful to complicate the idea of romance itself which is a really difficult idea to pin down and which seems to mean different things for both of them. I love the stress on friendship in 11x07. Friendship and also family connection play such key parts in their relationship with one another and the way in which they are attached, arguably even more so than traditional models romance. Both HoS and the Hopper painting discussion are interesting to think about in regards to the ways Ian and Mickey think about the concept of romance differently and the ways it intersects with or differs from their ideas around friendship/family. I like how Mickey’s willing to see getting a coffee together as romantic in a positive way for instance after Ian explains that it’s about togetherness in hard times. While maybe Mickey sees Ian’s suggestion of having a bath together as awkward/weird because he views it more as trying to live up to a social script of what is “romantic”.

Communication strategies around relationship styles

In s11, Ian and Mickey’s relationship is very entwined, and, in comparison to Tami and Lip, for instance, they disclose a lot to each other. Ian asks that they tell each other everything, and although Mickey is more resistant to that initially, he becomes much more forthcoming with his feelings in s11 (around Terry, around moving to the West Side, around becoming a parent). 

While I appreciate Ian’s role in initiating more communication between the two of them, I felt sorry for Mickey in their initial discussion in 11x01 in re “monogamous or not”. The turning over the paper method is a pretty binary way to open up a discussion about a very charged and complicated thing. 

They do seem to complement each other in this regard though with Ian generally more keen to initiate conversation but also getting more trapped into binaries, narratives of normativity and should-stories. While Mickey totally still projects an image that is informed by local expectations around masculinity and white supremacy, he’s also a rule-breaker in many ways and doesn’t have the same desire to conform to what society perceives to be “normal” (thanks HoS), especially behind closed doors and within his relationship with Ian (“liking what I like don’t make me a bitch”).  @fiona-fififi had a really good point in the tags a while back about how Mickey’s investment in their wedding and its success might have spurred Ian on further to embrace more normative ways of doing relationships. This is super interesting, and also makes me think just about how being married itself prompts Ian to think about taking a more active role in pushing the relationship further up the relationship escalator and in pushing for more communication around these steps in general. 

There’s also something to be said about pressurising each other in 11x07, especially when they jokingly(?) threaten each other with sex with other men if both of them aren’t around. I doubt they were making these suggestions seriously but it definitely doesn’t strike me as the most consensual method of communication. But there’s parallels here with generally using sex as a bargaining chip earlier on in the season. Ian seems to do that after having exhausted his attempts at trying to have conversations around money/monogamy etc, as a tried and tested way of getting Mickey to engage with him. And it definitely reflects using sex with each other and sex/relationships with other people (e.g. s3 Angie/Ned, s10 Byron/Cole) as modes of communication in earlier seasons. It kind of makes sense that they still have these habits in s11 even if they are no longer the primary mode of communication. 

Ian and Mickey relied so much on implicit communication in the early seasons and they have highly developed nonverbal ways of communicating. I don’t want to say that either verbal or nonverbal ways of communicating are inherently better than the other. They seem to understand each other on a deep level, which is really cool, but people have pointed out can make them think they don’t need to verbally communicate when they do, because they assume that they’ll understand one another and be on the same page. It’s super interesting to see them maintain that deep connection and continue to use nonverbal cues while also adopting more explicit and intentional communication styles in s10 and s11. 

The windows of their relationship

The fandom is always bringing up how Ian and Mickey leave the doors open when they bang, lol, and also making fun of how much Ian overshares. I think this is v fair but it also strikes me as pretty healthy that he wants people to see into his and Mickey’s relationship, especially in his discussions with Lip. But Ian’s got plenty of people around him who can see and help when things get tough. 

In s11, it’s great to see Mickey get closer to the Gallagher family and see various members defending him or taking his side in arguments, but he definitely does have less of an on-screen support system than Ian. (I wish that they had developed his and Sandy’s relationship in s11). I think the aftermath of the City Hall incident in s10 really reveals this particular imbalance in their relationship. On one level, Mickey moves in with Byron as a reaction to being hurt and even maybe a strategy of revenge/manipulation, on another, he doesn’t really have anywhere to go aside from the Gallagher house when/if he needs to get away from Ian. Also, the way he retreats back to the Gallagher house when he can’t deal with the Westside is an interesting development of this in s11. 

Ian’s need to share stuff about their relationship is kind of exciting considering his history of being unforthcoming about his relationships (and his history of being in a lot of secret relationships), as well as how difficult he found it to talk about Mickey while Mickey was away. But there is a different problem with ongoing talk around privacy and boundaries here too (Mickey doesn’t want Ian to chat about how he’s not into rimming!). Although to be fair, Mickey also chats about a lot of explicit sex stuff with strangers. 

Although they do ultimately decide against pursuing the pretty inorganic way of making friends in 11x07, Ian’s desire to make gay friends who he can talk to about relationship stuff makes sense in terms of the way he has been pushing for a more intentional relationship with more communication and more explicit discussion and compromise this season (and last season too). It also intersects with an idea of him/both of them going further to embrace gay sexuality as an identity. 

It’s interesting that Mickey’s the one to initiate this decision through ribbing Ian about his relationship with Lip. Why’s Mickey doing that? Is it just to be a little shit or is he also trying (subconsciously?) to activate Ian in some direction? (And also, maybe there’s a parallel there to getting their apartment in the west side, where Mickey’s the one inadvertently introducing Ian to the idea by pushing for them to go play in the pool). 

-----------

There’s a lot here which is just scratching the surface of thinking about Ian and Mickey’s relationship in the context of these different sexuality and relationship continua. For e.g. it would be really interesting to think more about this stuff in terms of shifting sex roles and kink exploration. Of course it’s all up for interpretation and I am sure I am highlighting areas that I’m personally interested in and inadvertently projecting myself/my own preferences and styles into this discussion. Very down for disagreements and discussions if other people are interested and manage to read all of this, lol. 

[chudleycanonficfest]

Dancing Around You

Day 31, Post #2 by @adenei

Title: Dancing Around You

Author: adenei

Pairing: James x Lily

Prompt: First Date

Rating: T 

TW: Some language and mentions of past abuse.

a/n: inspired by the scene in In The Heights when Vanessa and Usnavi go to the club.

*****************

I walk into the corner shop in my neighborhood and see James, Remus and Sirius talking by the counter. The scene causes more annoyance to course through me, which probably stems from the shit mood I’m already in. James and Sirius are supposed to be working, since this is their job. And why isn’t Remus at the broadcast station across the street at his own job?

So what if James owned the shop after it was left to him when his parents passed? Work is still work, and he shouldn’t be skiving off while on shift. I’ve busted my arse day in and day out for the last three years so I could save up to rent a flat in Camden to pursue a career as an interior designer. Moving out of Peckham to a more centralized location will help put me on the map as a well sought after designer.

But that was all for nothing. I’ve just returned from my meeting with the realtor, and despite having enough rent saved up for a whole year, plus the security deposit, he waved me off as if I belonged in the slums! The twat said I needed someone to co-sign a lease with me. Tears sting my eyes as I’m reminded once again of how alone I am. Having walked out at seventeen to escape my parents’ emotional abuse for the last seven years, I had no one to turn to despite the close-knit neighborhood I lived in because this was a secret goal that no one knew about.

I’m sure Marlene’s mum would be more than happy to co-sign a lease with me, but I couldn’t ask that of her. Not when she’s done so much for me already. No, I just need to hold my head high and keep moving forward. I put on my business face and strengthen my resolve, so the boys don’t suspect anything out of the ordinary.

Walking over to the fridge, I grab a Fanta and a Coke for Mrs. McKinnon. When I left the office earlier for my appointment, she asked me to bring one back. Now, I have to return to my job as her secretary at her own Real Estate office and try not to resent every client who walks in the door. When I shut the refrigerator door and turn to head to the register, I see James leaning against the glass of another fridge door.

When the hell did he creep up on me?

“Evans, how’s it going?”

“It’s been better.”

“Anything I can do to help?”

For a moment, I think about letting him in. I open my mouth to say something, but change my mind at the last second.

“You wish.”

“Right, well, what are you doing tomorrow?”

Narrowing my eyes, I observe James. We’ve been friends for years, and it’s a friendship I cherish more than anything. He’s always been there to make me laugh, to match my sarcasm and wit, and he’s never been afraid to go toe-to-toe with me. I know him well, almost as well as I know myself, but I’m not expecting his question or the butterflies that flutter in my stomach in response.

I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t attractive. His perpetual bedhead, black hair and piercing yet kind hazel eyes have always stood out to me. It’s no secret that he’s fit from lifting boxes all day and playing on a club football team in his free time. But I’ve never allowed myself to think there could be anything more between us besides friendship.

So, why does it feel like he’s asking me out? Am I misreading the signs? I decide to keep the ball in his court to get a better read on his intentions.

“I’m going dancing with Marlene and Mary,” I reply, keeping my voice cool and collected.

“Oh, sounds like fun.” He glances down at the bottles in my hands. “All set, then?”

I nod, and If I’m not mistaken, his shoulders slump as he turns to head back to the counter. Should I have invited him and the guys to join us? Before I can ponder it further, Sirius cuts me off and pushes me back into the aisle.

“You and the girls are going dancing? That sounds like fun. I’d bet my buddy over there would love to join you.” He raises his eyebrows as if willing me to catch his subtle hint, which I do.

“Wait, was James just trying to ask me out tomorrow?”

Sirius shrugs. “Probably, but you two have been friends forever, and despite his smooth-talking with most females, he seems to get tongue-tied around you.”

A burst of laughter bubbles out of me. “James? Tongue-tied? Around me? What are you smoking?”

“Nothing, Evans. Just pointing out a fact.”

Fine, if Sirius is going to pester me about this, I will prove him wrong. I brush past him toward James so I can pay for the drinks and be on my way. Sliding a couple pounds to James over the counter, I smirk at him.

“You know, Potter, I could use a dancing partner tomorrow night. Pick me up at eight?”

His head snaps up, and he looks shocked before a goofy smile replaces the surprise on his face. “Er, yeah, alright. I mean, if you’re sure—”

Cutting him off, I put him out of his misery. “Great, see you then.”

The following evening, we’re walking into Alohomora, the most popular nightclub in Peckham. My friends and I frequent the club at least once a month. I love its mix of neons glowing amongst the blacklights and the worn leather benches framing the booths around the perimeter of the dance floor. It’s come to feel like a second home to me.

Dancing is an outlet for my frustrations. I love letting the music consume my soul as the loud thumps of the bass vibrate through my body as I spin on the floor. Tonight will be no different, except that James is with me. As my date. At least, I think he’s my date. Neither of us have actually talked about what this is.

“Wow, I haven’t been here in ages. Have they changed the layout recently?” James asks.

“Not that I can recall,” I wave his question off as I hear a number of people shout my name in greeting.

“I didn’t realize how popular you were here, Evans. I’m impressed.”

“Impressed by what? It shouldn’t come as a surprise that I have more friends than you three. I hope that doesn’t make you jealous.” My playful banter is accompanied by a smirk as James laughs.

“Me? Jealous? Of course not. Care for a drink first?”

“Sure.”

Usually, I’d prefer to dance a bit first, but I don’t want to drag James onto the dance floor if he doesn’t want to. I’m not even sure if he enjoys dancing since I’ve never seen him here before. He’s flagging down the bartender when someone calls to me.

“Lily! Hey, Lily!” Terry Fawcett is pushing his way through the crowded dance floor. “Wanna dance?”

He holds out his hand when he reaches me, but I shake my head.

“Sorry, Ter, I’m here with someone else tonight.”

James turns as he overhears the interaction and waves me on. He contorts his face in a weird, ‘trying to be chill, but still looks sort of pained’ way.

“It’s alright, Evans, go ahead.”

I’m taken aback. Maybe we really weren’t on a date. “But—are you sure?”

“Yeah, just save one for me later.”

“Oh, well, alright.”

My hand falls into Terry’s even though I’m not certain I want to dance with him. There’s an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach that I’m not used to as I walk away from James. It’s ridiculous, but I think I’m actually disappointed that James passed me off so easily. And I’m just as mad at Sirius for even putting the thought that James might fancy me in my head because it’s all I’ve been able to think about since yesterday afternoon.

Well, there’s only one way to find out once and for all if he cares. Make him jealous.

I dance as I’ve never danced before when the music changes to an upbeat Latin tune. I spin around the floor, dancing with Terry before I’m passed off to other men that I’ve danced with once or twice in the past. It takes everything in my power to not steal glances at James, but I do catch when his baffled look turns dark as he begins to scowl at the men who are practically lined up to dance with me.

By the time he does walk out to the dance floor to cut in, I’m exhausted. He pulls me into his arms, but I’m still annoyed that he’s waited this long.

“Potter, I need a break.”

I pull away from him and walk toward the bar, where Sirius holds two drinks in his hands. I grab one and slam it down, shoving the glass into his chest once it’s empty. Then, I turn and head for the exit to get some air. It’s much quieter on the street, save for the ambient sounds of traffic in the background, a stark contrast to inside the club. I lean against the wall as I catch my breath and watch the cars go by.

The door to the club opens, and the music splits the night air as James steps out.

“Evans, what the hell was that?”

“What was what?” I ask, feigning ignorance.

What? Is he angry? Good. Let him be angry.

“You! You ask me to come with you, spend all night dancing with other blokes, and then when I try to cut in, you ditch me.”

A derisive bark escapes my lips as I push off the wall and step closer to him, matching his stance.

“Don’t you dare try to blame this on me, Potter. You’re the one who pushed me away! I would have been perfectly happy dancing with you all night, but no, you sat back and watched as I danced with everyone else.”

“Well, what was I supposed to do!?”

He can’t be serious right now, playing the victim and passing this onto me. There’s no way I’m letting him get away with this. I step even closer, thankful that my heels bring me closer to eye level with him, so it’s more of an even match.

“I don’t know, put your arm around me and tell the bloke to fuck off? That I’m taken?”

“Are you taken?”

“I don’t know, am I?”

Our breathing is heavy, chests heaving as our noses are a hair’s width apart. All I can focus on is the intensity in his eyes, the gold flecks burning like the flames in a fire. I wait for him to say something, or do something, anything except stare at me. I give him more than enough time, and he doesn’t make a move, so I decide that I’m done.

As much as I don’t want to, I break eye contact and turn away. I’m not in the mood to stay out, so I begin the walk home. James and I are friends, and that’s all we’ll ever be, but that doesn’t stop me from cursing Sirius for putting the thought that we could be more in my head. Because now that I’ve accepted the thought, I’m not sure I want to stay friends. But it’s clear now, this wasn’t meant to be anything special, and I was stupid for thinking it could be.

[juniorgman187]

Home Alone (Reid Fic)

Summary: For the first time since living with Spencer, Reader is home alone and left to brave the figurative and literal storm on her own.  Pairing: Platonic Fem!Reader x Spencer Reid Category: Fluff, One-shot Content Warning: Storm, fear and paranoia, use of a deadly weapon Word Count: 2.8k

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　

It was a dark and stormy night. 

Too cliche? Let me start over. 

It was the time of the year when the wind was so strong, even the sturdiest tree would blow over. Meanwhile, the rain relentlessly pelted the windowpane, cascading down the glass at a record speed. In the distance, you could hear thunder’s deafening clap and see lightning’s blinding flash preceding it. The only thing that could make this storm worse?

Being home alone in it. 

Spencer, my roommate, was never gone for more than two days at a time. He always arrived at the exact hour when he texted he would be, and he never ever left me home alone before his arrival. Without fail, he would call over a friend to stay with me or if he knew he’d only be gone a few hours, he’d drop me off in a public space, where he knew people would see me. To put it simply, if I was in the apartment, I wasn’t alone, and I had to think it was because of something he would never tell me about. 

Without explicit reasoning for his unwillingness to leave me by my lonesome, I could only conjure up theories and inferences that were never confirmed. My best guess was an accumulated paranoia caused by all of those cases he worked on. I’m betting there’s been more than one instance where a woman was home alone and ended up dead one way or another, and after all that he’d seen, he couldn’t let the same thing happen to me. If for no other reason than he just didn’t want to slave over another case like this and have me be the victim in it. He’d seen it too many times to not learn his lesson. And trust me - Spencer Reid is not a person who needed to be taught something twice. 

But before I lived with him, I was never scared of being home alone. In fact, I might’ve actually preferred to be alone as opposed to being in the company of someone else, but I think my compliance with his precautionary procedures made me weaker. After years of living with Spencer’s routine, I relied on it for my safety. I’d gotten so used to the luxury of having somebody around when he was away that this loneliness was so unfamiliar that it left me uneasy. By now, I’ve associated the presence of another person with the feeling of being safe, and conversely, I now associate being alone with being in danger. 

So if you asked me to sum up how I was currently feeling alone in this storm in one word, I’d choose ‘uncomfortable’, but if you asked me to sum it up in two, my answer would be ‘in danger.’

It wasn’t until the situation presented itself that I realized I’d never been forced to deal with it, so I never knew what to do when it happened. Never before had I needed to call Spencer while he was at work because prior arrangements had always been made in advance, but I hadn’t heard from him since noon when he told me that he was boarding the jet and he’d be home before I came home from work. Was it inappropriate to call him while he was working? I wouldn’t know - I never had to do this before. 

But then again, he called me when he said he was about to board the jet, so if I called him, maybe he was still on the jet and it wouldn’t be bothering him. Unless, they got another case as soon as they landed and it required his immediate attention and the thought of calling to let me know he wouldn’t be home yet completely slipped his mind. I could see that being a possibility too because even if I was totally oblivious about when to call him, I wasn’t blind to the mayhem his job involved. 

With no good reason to pester him with a phone call, I decided against it. After all, I was a big girl. I could be home alone. 

In fact, this was the perfect opportunity to do all the things I couldn’t do while someone was around. Plus, distracting myself was the only way I could ensure that I wouldn’t slip into the same downward spiral of paranoia that led Spencer to enforce this very system.

After my steamy shower, I wandered aimlessly around the apartment in just my towel and nothing else. This was something I hadn’t done since the days when I lived alone. Mainly because I didn’t want to leave so little to the imagination. Honestly, as much as I love Spencer platonically - I’m not blind. He’s obviously a very gorgeous, very single man for God’s sake, so the thought of prancing around in nothing but a rectangle of terry cloth had certainly crossed my mind once or twice, but if anything, wearing more clothing would attract his attention more than wearing less would. That’s just the way he is.

Second on my list of luxuries that came with alone-time was blasting music. This is something I hadn’t done in forever. Out of courtesy, whenever I played music, it would only be through my headphones, so Spencer wouldn’t be bothered by it. Even then, I think sometimes he could hear it faintly in the background while he read or studied his paperwork, but if he noticed, he never said anything. So to relish in my newfound freedom of aloneness, I turned my phone’s volume all the way up and danced ridiculously to it, too. Of course, the music wasn’t loud enough to disturb our neighbors - I wasn’t that insensitive - but it reached new volumes tonight. Louder than it ever had been in this apartment before. 

Somewhere in the middle of my impromptu concert, I heard something like knocking. It was a distinct enough sound to make me pause my music, but not so distinct that I could recognize where it came from. I wondered if it was a noise coming from my song, like when you’re playing music and you think someone called your name, but when you pause your music you realize no one actually did. But this … this was different. It was too real of a sound for me to be imagining it. I could hear it from exactly where I would normally hear knocking, but now that I was alone, and quite frankly - naked - hearing knocking made my stomach churn. 

“Hello?” I dumbly called out from my bedroom doorway into the living room.

This was a horror movie-esque choice, I’m aware, and it was usually made by the docile female only seconds before a murderer appeared and chased her up a flight of stairs that she’d somehow forgotten to properly ascend. But my thinking was if there really was someone knocking outside, they’d answer me, and I’d be able to detect the danger if necessary, but in true horror movie fashion, no one responded. Leaving me to hunt further to access the situation. I didn’t want to jump to any conclusions, but my mind did exactly that. 

You’re about to be murdered. My conscience concluded. Or kidnapped. Or assaulted. Or violated. Or -

Knock! Knock!

My heart accelerated at a pace my lungs couldn’t support, not without heavy breathing. It was here where all my logic and rationality flew out the window because for some reason, I started tip-toeing to the door as if not making any sounds on the floorboards would somehow ensure my safety.

I didn’t know what I was trying to prove by finally grasping the doorknob with the intentions of turning it open, but it certainly didn’t prove I was a “big girl” or that I was any less scared because as quickly as I had touched the knob, I just as quickly recoiled my hand away from it and ran to my purse to find my phone. 

Matching the speed of lightning, I dialed Spencer and sighed a quick sigh of relief when I heard the line ringing. That was a good sign. 

“Please pick up, please pick up, please pick up,” I pleaded to myself as if God would hear it and grant me my prayer. “Please pick up, please pick up.” 

“The number you are trying to reach (702) -“

“Fuck!” 

That’s never happened before either. He never sent me to voicemail, not even when he was away and asleep. He’d always answer my call. This wasn’t a good sign. 

The knocking went away minutes ago, but my fear hadn’t. I couldn’t tell you what exactly was so scary to me, but all I knew is that I would feel a whole lot better, and honestly - a whole lot safer - when Spencer came home. 

“Come on, Spencer. Where are you?” I tried his cell phone probably three more times after the first call, my hope decreasing with each dial tone.

There was nothing I could do but wait. After all those missed calls, he’d have to call me back sometime, but I just hoped he’d be home before it’d get to that. 

My trepidation clearly clouded my judgement because rather than putting on clothes first and having my priorities in order, I was already reaching for the spare gun I knew Spencer kept in his bedside drawer. He didn’t know I knew it was there, but I did. And I planned to use it tonight if it came down to it. 

One hand held the top of my towel up from falling while the other shakily clenched a gun. 

Before this, I’d never actually held one before, but then again, there’s a lot of ‘firsts’ I was experiencing tonight. 

I didn’t expect it to be so heavy - and I don’t mean the actual size, but the weight of the object itself. This thing could take so many people’s lives, and I was holding it. It was a nauseating feeling, but my rapt fascination wouldn’t let me put it down. I had never noticed how intricate the contraption was. There were so many little details, so many little parts that needed to work harmoniously in order for it to carry out its function. I was only made more aware of just how many parts there were inside the gun because of my shaky hand unconsciously rattling the magazine inside. 

The clip sounded nearly empty. Jesus, Spencer, how many times have you had to use this thing?

My thoughts were cut short when the sound at the door returned. It didn’t sound like knocking, but something much worse. 

Someone was coming in. 

I wasn’t yet prepared for the worst so rather than confronting it outside, I stayed hidden within Spencer’s room ready to shoot when they finally came into my line of sight. 

If you were an intruder, I don’t think you’d be very intimidated at the sight of me, but for some reason, I still felt rather powerful. My hair was like strings draping over my shoulders since it was still damp, and the one hand I was using to hold the gun (the other being used as a towel holder) was shaking violently. I could barely carry this thing with one hand, and yet I still couldn’t put it down. 

I needed protection. 

I needed Spencer. 

I could hear footsteps slowly trailing in, and it seemed like the slower they walked, the faster my heart beat. 

“Who’s there?” My voice was loud, but it wasn’t nearly as threatening as it should’ve been to scare somebody. The dominance in my tone was clearly stolen by my fear. 

I saw a figure loom into the space between Spencer’s bedroom door frame and the living room, which was adequate distance for shooting, so with only partial hesitation, I nearly pulled the trigger.

“Shit!” The figure ducked their head while their hands raised into the air to suggest harmlessness - something a suspect would do to surrender. 

“(Y/n), put down the gun! Put down the gun! It’s me! It’s Spencer!” 

I could recognize his voice, but the storm’s darkness hid his face from me so I was still skeptical. It wasn’t until he swiftly came into the light to take the gun out of my hands that the small flicker of city lights illuminated his face. 

Spencer!

As soon as I could make out his perfect nose and his amber eyes, I melted into his already open embrace. I entered his arms wordlessly and shut my eyes so solidly with such relief that a tear escaped. 

“Hey, hey … you’re okay. I’m here. You’re okay, my dear.” He took my face in his hands to read me, and I think he must’ve seen my tears because his voice never travelled above a whisper. Maybe he thought if he spoke even a decibel louder, I’d shatter. He let my head travel back to his sternum, the warmest spot on his body, and again, he embraced me in a hug. His hands hovered in the air for a moment while he tried to find an appropriate place to put them - like I said before, he’d never seen me in just a towel, but he didn’t mention it. Instead, he threw his good manners out the window and hugged me just as tightly as he would’ve had there been more covering me than just terry cloth. 

“There’s nothing to be afraid of, I’m right here.”

He held me for longer than normal, but he knew the circumstances were different here. Maybe that’s why he kept a single arm around me even when he travelled to his dresser where he collected an old t-shirt that he would go on to slide over me. I let the towel drop when the t-shirt was fully on, creating a sort of magic trick, where he never saw my naked body. But that wasn’t exactly true. 

I didn’t need to be without clothes to be naked. I was naked right now, even in his shirt - completely and totally vulnerable. He could see the plain fear that held me prisoner tonight, and so he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. 

“Do you wanna sleep in my room tonight?” 

I nodded into his chest without a spoken word. He knew I would still be scared, and in some way, I think his doting treatment was how he believed he could make it up to me. He even helped me into his sheets, taking the time to tuck me in like a child. I realized later though, he might’ve only tucked me in so the movement of the bedsheets would mask the sound of him carefully sliding his gun back into its rightful spot in his drawer. 

“Where were you?” I finally croaked, neglecting to add, ‘I needed you.’ It would’ve been redundant. He knew I needed him.

“The storm knocked over a telephone pole just a mile away. I was almost home when it happened.” 

Somehow hearing that he was so close only made me more frustrated. Here I was, thinking I was on the verge of death when Spencer was literally just a few blocks down the street. 

“You scared me when you didn’t answer my calls.” 

“I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t see them until I was at the front door. I was too busy focusing on getting home to you as soon as possible while still driving safely through the storm.” 

With my eyes already shut, I could imagine him, his hands at ten and two on the wheel, his eyes straightward with nothing else in sight but the road ahead of him, his motivation to get home to the person who needed him most being what propelled that car forward - not even the gas. 

“I love you, you know that?” He whispered into my hair, where his fingers were already laced. 

“I know. And I love you, too.” I honestly replied. That’s why I need you here with me. It’s the only way I feel safe. 

I would’ve gone to sleep right then and there, but I was stuck on the fact that he was just a mile away this entire time. Maybe that was the point, though. 

He was never too far away. He was always right there, in one way or another. 

“In the morning, I have to leave at 7, so I’ll drop you off at the library.” What’d I tell you? He always made arrangements for me so I’d never ever be left alone. “So in the car ride there, you can tell me why you were about to shoot me.” 

After his statement was the first time I laughed that night. I nudged him to show my playful disapproval of his jest. 

“I thought you were an intruder!” My voice finally regained its volume. “You scared the shit out of me when you walked in.” 

Our laughter faded to silence and it seemed like that would conclude the night’s conversations, but I could still hear the gears in Spencer’s brain turning. 

“Hey, wait a minute - how did you even know I had a spare gun in my drawer?” 

To his question, I pretended to be asleep so I wouldn’t have to answer, exaggerating my snores to emphasize my blatant sarcasm. 

“Answer me!” He persisted; I could hear him smiling.

But I only smirked against his chest and coquettishly cooed, “Goodnight, Spencer.”

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　

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[thebirdandhersong]

The Year So Far Book Ask

Tagged by @madamescarlette <3 thank you, darling!! (I DO SO LOVE TO TALK ABOUT BOOKS!!!!)

1. Best book you have read in 2021 so far?

HOW can I answer that!!!! Here is a top 10 because I cannot narrow it down!!

Middlemarch: read it twice this year (liked it the first time, LOVED it the second time)

David Copperfield: my new favourite Dickens. There is a lot of joy and compassion at the heart of this book, and I Loved it very much.

The Mill on the Floss: can’t explain the feeling I got from reading this book (tbh if you know, you know!! It warms your heart but it also makes you want to stand in the rain and cry)

The Queen of Attolia: a roller coaster. Very overwhelming. Was incredibly Shocked many times. (Also, who’d have thought?? Gen??? In LOVE??? Fantastic in concept and in execution)

The Adventures of Sally: a new favourite Wodehouse. You will laugh so hard tears will spring to your eyes.

Night Watch: this one stuck a knife in me and twisted..... but in a good way.

Anne of the Island: much-needed comfort read!!!

Leave it to Psmith: another new favourite Wodehouse. Modern rom-coms wish they could do rom-com like Psmith, Eve, and the umbrella that was Definitely Not His.

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette: A DELIGHT (speechless!!)

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street: ALSO A DELIGHT (still speechless!!)

2. Best sequel you have read in 2021 so far?

Ohohoho. All the Discworld sequels. (Especially A Hat Full of Sky, Night Watch, Thud!, I Shall Wear Midnight.)

Also, The Queen of Attolia. That book decimated me. Admittedly no one’s emotions are very stable at two in the morning, but I was an absolute Wreck that night (morning?).

3. A new release you want to check out?

I am behind on the times so my idea of ‘new’ is rather skewed.... I still really want to read Spin the Dawn, The Goblin Emperor, and Spinning Silver. And am making my way through Queen’s Thief.

4. Most anticipated book release of the second half of the year?

I... don’t follow new releases that much, to be honest. I am currently looking through the lists and don’t see anything I recognise s;lfdjsdlk;

5. Biggest disappointment?

The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I knew how it was going end, but i was still mad. (These days I like books with a hefty amount of Hope and that one.... definitely did not have that.) I also read Tess of the d’Urbervilles for the first time and remember being just... really frustrated with all the characters and about the lack of Hope in that one, too. I was also hoping to love I Capture the Castle and was a bit grumpy about the second half of the book!!

6. Biggest surprise?

The books I read because my friends loved them!! Such as The Blue Castle (Eden), The Man Born to be King (Magpie), Gourmet Hound (Eden), Queen’s Thief (Fran), Blandings Castle/Psmith (Rebekah), Discworld (I think I started reading it for the first time because of Fran as well)...... I also reread a bunch of old favourites (Lord of the Rings and a few Jane Austens) and they were even better than I remembered!! Which was just wonderful!! (though not very surprising, I guess!!)

7. Favourite new author (either new to you or debut)?

MEGAN WHALEN TURNER. I also have a new appreciation for P.G. Wodehouse (after crashing through all of his Jeeves books and most of the Blandings Castle audiobooks) and Terry Pratchett (after bulldozing through a good number of Discworld books, most of them two or three times) and Georgette Heyer (read my first few Heyers this year and had SUCH a blast).

8. Favourite new fictional crush?

In general: Ik-jun from Hospital Playlist (He’s not from a book sksfjkl ;sdfj k I wanted to mention him because I just love him a Lot)

In terms of books: Sam Vimes (sdlkfjs;kls) and Henry Tilney (I loved him before, but this year cemented him as one of the top, if not The Favourite Austen hero in my heart). I don’t know if Gen counts, because I feel very friendly towards him, and alternate between wanting to make soup for him and wanting to bonk him on the head with a cardboard tube.

Mal (from S&B) had some Really Good lines, too. Especially in the last chapter of Ruin and Rising.

9. Newest favourite character?

A whole PLATOON of them. Sasha and Lysander from @magpie-trove​‘s story, Beatrice and Romeo from @imissthembutitwasntadisaster​‘s story, Emilia and Lily from @itspileofgoodthings​‘s stories, Tiffany Aching, Granny Weatherwax, Helen and Irene and Costis from Queen’s Thief, Dorothea and Maggie from George Eliot’s books, Sally from The Adventures of Sally....

10. A book that made you cry?

Literally cried so many times this year over all sorts of stories. But a few off the top of my head:

The Penderwicks (all of them): cried from sheer joy!!!

Seven for a Secret: there are so many lines in the most recent chapters alone that brought tears to my eyes.

The Keys of Fire: which is The definitive Fairy Tail fanfic for me. I just love this story so much. And i was surprised all over again by the forgiveness and the love and the grace and the healing in this story this time around!!

The Queen of Attolia/The King of Attolia: cried out of surprise and joy at nearly all the Gen/Irene scenes (not the beginning ones sl;fksdsdlfk jd but my heart did a great leap when Gen remembers seeing Irene dance)

Ruin and Rising: cried at the ending. Also because I was so happy. (There is no such thing as an ordinary love!!!)

Crooked Kingdom: cried at what Kaz did for Inej (couldn’t help it. That moment was beautiful)

(It has been quite an emotional year. The waterworks are triggered by the smallest things. But I’m happy to say that I’ve cried out of happiness mostly in the book department.)

11. A book that made you happy?

(Nearly all of them tbh!!! I have so many new favourite books from this year’s reading list alone!!!)

The Penderwicks series. Was in bliss for the whole week. I was also incredibly happy listening to the Discworld audiobooks, and reading new installments of Emilia and Seven for a Secret and The Stars Hold No Part In This!!! All the Wodehouse and Heyer books I read were delightful.... David Copperfield was so full of joy and grace and it made me want to prance in a field. All of the Anne books I reread were comfort reads. And of course The Keys of Fire, which kept me smiling for hours: I feel like a kid being handed an ice cream cone with three scoops and a cherry on top whenever I read it. Incredibly happy.

12. Most beautiful book you have bought or received this year?

The second-hand Vintage Classics Jane Austens!! :’) especially Northanger Abbey, which was in Excellent condition. Very floppy (unlike the longer Austens..... alas for Mansfield Park, which is harder to flip through) and fits comfortably in my hands.

And the Tundra Classics edition of Anne of the Island. (I liked the way the paper felt and the text was a really nice font and size!)

13. What book do you need to read by the end of the year?

OOH TONS. I’m still reading Anna Karenina (stopped because I thought: I need a happy story right now). Would love to keep reading Queen’s Thief (I’m taking it slow because they’re books that should be savoured), make some headway in Dorothy Sayers’s Lord Peter Wimsey books, read more Georgette Heyer, start on The Goblin Emperor and a Bunch of books I've been meaning to read for a while (The Eagle of the Ninth, Piranesi, Phantom of the Opera, Surprised by Joy, Crime and Punishment, War and Peace are the main ones. This is an ambitious list but I’d like to read at least two of them before the year is out sl;kffdksl;dfjslk;)

tagging: @imissthembutitwasntadisaster​ @soldier-poet-king​ @septembersung​ @lady-merian​ @called-kept​ if you would like to!! And YOU, if you think it looks fun and want to give it a try!! :D