coldplaytiger

[number-1-crush]

oh my fucking god. OH my fucking god

[thecarnivorousmuffinmeta]

What would happen if you were sent back and ended up in the orphanage with Tom Riddle—and say you also had magic?

Oh boy.

Well, there's a lot to question here. Judging by the... spirit of this ask, I presume I'm... pretty much reincarnated. I'm in the orphanage, I'm much younger than I am now and a child, I'm pre-Hogwarts age, and I retain my current knowledge.

For the purpose of this ask I suppose I also retain my current mental faculties. Despite being in the body of an eight-year-old, I'm not The Carnivorous Muffin at eight.

Welp, there's a lot to consider here.

First, I probably don't realize I'm in Harry Potter for quite some time and instead assume I've been reincarnated to some parallel universe. It's the 1930's, I'm in England in the depression, WWI has occurred and the vast majority of major historical events I know about seem to have happened in the right order, and this Earth is eerily similar to the Earth I left behind.

Strange that I appear to remember everything of my past life with my adult mental abilities, but alright universe, I guess that's how we're going to play this.

What I do know is that I'm dirt poor, presumably still a woman which does not bode well for my career prospects, and if I want any prospects in life period I'm going to have to fight tooth and nail for it. It'd be great if I got adopted to help with this, and might be nice to have people in my life who love me, but there's a lot of orphans in the world and a lot of orphans who are much less weird than I am.

The orphanage is the orphanage and not great, Mrs. Cole is overworked, the orphanage is chronically understaffed, and the kids are running wild beating the shit out of each other.

Being a girl, I probably don't have to worry about getting the shit kicked out of me quite as much, but I still probably try to keep my head down and don't aggravate the particularly beefy looking orphans.

Yes, there's some very angry gremlin named Tom Riddle around who will shove you down the stairs in retribution, but that's just a weird coincidence. And then supernatural shit starts happening. Billy's rabbit hangs itself, people get injuries when Tom is nowhere near them, and I start wondering if this is really the Tom Riddle.

I'm in Wool's Orphanage, my matron is Mrs. Cole, Tom Riddle is running around lighting things on fire. It's possible, though it could all be a strange coincidence.

Now, how things go from here depends on how controlled my own magic is. Since accidental magic typically does manifest at least once or twice, it probably does manifest for me for.. something. If Tom Riddle's there to witness it then...

Well, I imagine he's very offended. Here he was, special, different, better than everyone else, and then some girl in the orphanage (who dares to get very good grades on her assignments in school) has it too.

And I just stand there, smiling, going "Tee hee".

He probably confronts me to prove that he's better at it than I am, and he probably is unless the universe hates both him and me, but having someone else with the Shining around probably prompts him to take me as his protégé (in part so he can show off and in part because he's genuinely excited to be able to share this super cool talent).

I am now apprentice to eight-year-old Tom Riddle. Whoop de doo.

Well, I don't remember this part of Harry Potter, so now I'm probably confused as to where I am again. Regardless, I try to advise Tom on how to tone it down and not, say, traumatize Amy and Dennis for life and antagonize all the other orphans forever. He probably doesn't take me seriously. What do I know, I can't even light that patch of grass on fire?

Hanging around Tom Riddle gets me a reputation to, given the difference in genders, probably a fairly nasty one at that. When Dumbledore arrives he's undoubtedly told hot gossip about how eleven-year-old Tom and I have had sex in a ritual to summon Satan. Dumbledore takes this seriously.

Dumbledore probably meets us both at the same time and it's a disaster. I tried my best to prep Tom without revealing I'm a prophet, Tom first doesn't believe there might not be others, then doesn't believe they would be antagonist/anything but amazed by how awesome he is.

Well, Dumbledore lights his wardrobe on fire while I sit there. Dying inside. Dumbledore probably also does something to me too, to teach me some kind of lesson about something.

I imagine he temporarily disfigures me/makes me appear very ugly, then sticks a mirror to the wall, that way I realize that looks aren’t everything/being a whore is wrong. Tom, still traumatized over the wardrobe, is no help and my magic’s probably not controlled enough to do a thing about it.

I spend a day looking like a pig, Tom and I are given just enough money to buy new wands and second hand/barely functioning everything else and given the world’s worst directions to Diagon Alley. Thanks, Albus.

Well, months pass, we get our wands, Tom gets excited for Hogwarts and I... start seriously considering the future. WWII is coming, the Blitz is coming, Tom and I live in east London and must be able to evacuate during the bombing of London (which went on well past the Blitz to the end of the war). I also start considering my future in the wizarding world. Do I now actually have career prospects?

Probably not because I’m muggle born and a woman. My best bet is doing very well in useful subjects and finding employment with the goblins, I can’t imagine they have the same hang ups as the wizarding world.

Tom wants to go to Slytherin, of course, I tell him this is a bad idea. “Gee Tom,” I say, “Not sure how I know this but I have this feeling that Slytherin is filled with people who loathe our very existence and will shank us. Why don’t we pick Ravenclaw or Gryffindor instead?”

No one shanks Tom Riddle! Tom says. Tom is still eleven and while he admits that sometimes I may, in retrospect, have been right about certain things that doesn’t mean he wants to go to the house known for hard work. That’s code word for everyone there being a moron and having no other redeeming features than tenacity. As for the other two, Ravenclaws sound like smug, elitist, nerds and Gryffindors like dumb jocks.

Better to be known for ambition, cunning, and actually being competent.

Well, there’s no talking him out of this one, and goddamn it we’re all each other has.

I’m the closest thing Tom Riddle has ever had to a friend in all these years and in the orphanage the only one who could hold a decent conversation with him. And while it’s not my moral obligation to keep Tom from becoming a domestic terrorist, and there’s no guarantee I even can, dumping him for one of the other houses and drifting apart won’t help.

Not to mention that, after all these years, I’m undoubtedly lonely, I’m in this foreign land, and he’s now the closest thing to a friend I have.

Looks like I’m going to Slytherin, YOOOOOLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOO! I shout as a battle cry as tears run down my face. I may have to convince the hat to put me in Slytherin, but like all human beings I am a mixture of many qualities. I’m not cunning in the least, mind games exhaust me unutterably, but I’m full of ambition. 

This confirms every bad opinion Dumbledore had regarding me and Tom.

For the next several months, Tom probably beats the shit out of dormmates who steal his things/harass him. He beats up mine too because feminism (TM) means that he should treat all people equally when guilty of the same crime. I... am not sure I can win that fight so I just resign myself to having to adopt some of Tom’s tactics to make sure I’m not shoved in lockers, have tampons thrown at me, or pig’s blood dumped on me at the prom.

Once again, everyone thinks Tom Riddle and I are dating. I don’t even know if they’re wrong at this point.

Well, being in class with eleven year olds who seem to have had little to no prior education, Tom and I are undoubtedly blazing through class. I imagine I’m bored out of my mind (the Hogwarts curriculum sounds unbelievably boring) and Tom is... well, probably devouring the library but probably also bored. I decide to try and see if I can find some real history texts on this world (there are probably none, the wizarding world seems to only have two historians and both... have a different approach to history than current modern thought as I know it) and discover what magic even is. That shit is fascinating: wingardium leviosa is not.

Dumbledore likely gives neither me nor Tom points in class, I think the house cup is stupid, so I really don’t care. I have no interest in playing quidditch, neither does Tom, so that doesn’t happen.

The second world war starts up, Tom, me, and the muggle borns are the only ones who give a flying fuck. I work harder on figuring out how to get lodging during the Blitz/the bombing of London. Unfortunately, Mrs. Cole hates me too for being the Bride of Satan, so that’s a no go. Third year, 1939, I probably write her in earnest anyway telling her to PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, send Tom and I instructions for the summer/where the orphans are staying/how they’ve been dispersed to the countryside. As a back up plan, I try desperately to shmooze shopkeepers in Hogsmeade during every Hogsmeade weekend to get myself and Tom part time jobs and lodging over the summer. As a back up back up plan, I spend my time badgering Tom to become very good at survivalist wandless magic and if the Lord has pity on me gain some ability in it myself.

Hopefully, either Mrs. Cole or one of the Hogsmeade shop owners take pity on us. If not, then Tom and I are going extreme camping. Given Mrs. Cole (and the brain damage brought on by Dumbledore erasing memories left and right) and the likelihood of Hogsmeade shop owners just not getting it, Tom and I probably go extreme camping.

(Tom, meanwhile, asks Dippet and Dumbledore if we can stay in Hogwarts over the summer. He’s told no exceptions. London’s being bombed, you say? No exceptions. Toodles. Tom is never the same.)

Me, Tom Riddle, a tent we made ourselves, several rabbits we had to catch and skin ourselves, and the pitiful fire that we can keep going through pure will alone because if we try to use real people spells then we’ll get arrested. It has the benefit of making Tom feel very manly and impressive, catching his own food, but both of us are well aware that this sucks.

But hey, we aren’t dead.

Well, I’m sure Tom doesn’t appreciate that and this is where I imagine he seriously starts talking about violent revolution. I imagine much of my time is spent discussing the merits of not violently overthrowing our ant overlords. I imagine a thirteen-year-old Tom isn’t impressed by my pacifism, but he’s not married to Voldemort yet (probably).

Then I imagine the horcrux thing comes up and... Well, I will argue hard against it. Humans die, it is a truth of the universe, and simply something we have to accept. Horcruxes are not a measure against that, they can be destroyed, given infinite time they will be, and the sacrifice they require is too high: human life as well as the very essence of who you are.

What is a soul? I’m not sure, we never really learn in HP canon, but whatever it is, it is in some way the essence of yourself. If you take half of it and throw it somewhere else, you will cease to be you, someone or something else is walking around in your body while the other half of you exists in endless agony.

If you must chase immortality, create a philosopher’s stone (as I darkly wonder why it was that couldn’t be replicated and what Flamel had to do to make it in the first place). On second thought, maybe we should search for the Holy Grail.

Whether I can talk Tom out of this or not is... unclear. I’m going to say that I can, in part because I imagine he’ll want to show the chamber off to me, tell me when he realizes he’s Heir of Slytherin, and in doing so I can prevent the basilisk incident from occurring. Without that, there’s no dead Myrtle, which means no first victim. That summer, when he goes to the Gaunts, I’ll go with him and convince him that it’s not worth it. He can just turn around and leave these people alone, I hopefully can talk him down. Which means no second victim.

I start writing Flamel to see if Tom or I can get an apprenticeship (Dumbledore probably beats us to the chase and poisons him against us, but it’s worth a shot).

Then, should all go well, I can convince Tom to find employment with the goblins rather than shady antique dealers on the bad side of town. Hopefully, I can convince him to never become Voldemort, and instead we travel the world together looking for the origins of magic or something.

Dumbledore goes around taking people’s memories of us in preparation for when Tom becomes a dark lord and I his lady of the night darkness.

TL;DR Apparently my life would become an SI/Tom Riddle fic. So, thanks anon.

[edge-lorde]

thoughts on spop worldbuilding

im going to go ahead and organize my thoughts on how the governing systems work in etheria because im putting off starting another long comic just cause ive been thinking about it for a while but havent posted anything about it.

some of this stuff i may have absorbed from other peoples posts but i dont feel like trying to dig them back out to reference.

as other people have pointed out, spop doesnt do a good job of making the kingdoms on etheria feel like places where people live. the exception being the fright zone which resembles a metropolitan city, but even then we never see regular people just living there, only military personnel. mostly what we see are the castles where the princesses live and maybe a shot or two of some buildings of each kingdom. plumeria especially seems to be made of 1 hippie camp and thats it. dryl seems to be entirely abandoned except for entraptas hired kitchen staff (and 1 goblin guy who may or may not be a citizen or just live in the sewer??) and has no runestone, and yet, shes still considered a princess.

so are spinerella and netossa, even though its never shown if they even have kingdoms at all. in fact i would say that they probably dont, considering the running gag in the 1st 4 seasons is that the teens 'dont really know what they do.' if there was a net kingdom and a wind kingdom that belonged to them, surely glimmer and bow would have known about them.

so what gives?

we know that etheria was at one time colonized by the first ones, who set up the heart of etheria, which set up the entire planet as a super weapon and uses the princesses runestones to function. the planet is also set up in such a way that it can function in an earth-like way with only its moons in place of a solar system or star that its orbiting. we also know that first ones tech incorporates magic in it, and we see magic being a mineable resource in the episode with the star siblings.

we also know that etheria had its own magic that was reawakened after the magic stored in the heart was released through the failsafe.

to me, all of this paints a picture of the first ones being a society that was drawn to etheria because of its magic, and then set up the runestone system that made sense to them.

i see the first ones as having a society that valued magic to the point that being able to use it naturally gives someone the right to rule, similar to the divine right of kings, and being able to do magic naturally is heritable. under this assumption, anyone who is born with an innate magical ability is considered a princess and thus a part of a special class whether they have any leadership position or not. the first ones set up the runestone kingdoms under this notion with traditional royal families where the rulers are called princesses both because the actually are in the royal sense and because of theyre innate magical connection to the runestones.

this explains why there were many more people invited to princess prom than were ever attempted to be recruited by the rebellion. theres simply too many of them without official kingdoms to go to to recruit.

it also explains why double trouble was at princess prom before ever being introduced. heres a screenshot of them from google:

under this reading their natural shapeshifting ability would make double trouble a princess regardless of association to any kingdom. perhaps being from/living in the horde with its anti-princess propaganda made them not want to highlight that information, which would explain why they are never called one in the show.

this also explains why netossa and spinerella would share rank with world leaders like frosta and mermista despite not having canon kingdoms.

i also think theres enough evidence in the show to say that not only is being a princess a special class, its also assumed to be a warrior class. this fits with the she-ra being a fabled warrior with the sacred destiny to protect all of etheria based only on her powers, but also explains the child soldiers rampant in the rebellion, lol. the horde gets some flack for this i feel but its not as if the rebellion is any better, with most of the major players being teenagers or even younger in frostas case. everyone knows shes 11 when she joins but no one questions her role as a fighter, glimmer and bow are about the same age as adora but are just as good trained fighters as she is. even when not using her powers glimmer was able to fight her way through a ship full of people double her size armed with nothing but a chair leg. even perfuma who doesnt seem to have any prior fighting experience is presumed to be a fighter when she joins.

quick aside-- id say the reason for this is that etheria operates on pokemon rules, meaning that they dont have the same notion of childhood as we do, therefore its ok for a 10 year old to travel the countryside by themselves/ ok for an 11 year old to be a trained warrior. i actually dont think most of the kingdoms have the infrastructure to support a kingdom wide school system, so kids just do whatever. if their parents have the ability they might get to go to a special school, like bows parents thinking bow was at a history school, but otherwise kids can have jobs at 14 and its fiinnnneeeee. its fine! :D. the horde just seems more intense because they have an actual training/boarding school system.

anyway, the only princess we see that both has a kingdom and is not a fighter is entrapta. for this theory to make sense we have to assume that her hair is magic and not tech.

entrapta has a kingdom, but no one seems to live there. shes recruited by the princesses, not for her magical ability or political power, but her ability to make weapons, and never is assumed to be a fighter. where does she fit?

well to explain that, i will explain how i see the kingdoms being laid out.

as i mentioned before, we dont see much of where normal people live in the main kingdoms, or at least, not around the castles. we do see some small settlements that arent associated with princesses, like the sea elf village, erelandia, elberon, seaworthy, ect. based on this, i think that each kingdom is essentially large swaths of wilderness dotted with small villages and city states within, along with a few random people living alone in the middle of said wilderness (ex bows dads). these places essentially function on their own with the princesses as far off mascots that do little in the governing of day-to-day business, only occasionally offering protection. this fits with the idea of the princesses being a warrior class.

so then by this idea we do see where normal people live, erelandia, elberon, seaworthy, bows dads house, and thaymor are all settlements in brightmoon. plumeria is set up as a world power despite being made of only 1 village only because of it having a runestone. it could technically cover an area large enough to compare with the other runestone kingdoms and maybe at one point it had more settlements, but over the centuries it dwindled to being a minor power.

under this theory, dryl is one such settlement in brightmoon, that only gets its designation as a kingdom because its technically 'ruled' by a princess. i posit that princesses dont have to have a kingdom, and not all settlements have to be ruled by a princess, but if a princess does lay claim to land, it automatically becomes a kingdom that she has the divine right to rule, whether she does any ruling or not.

my theory is that some time in the past, entraptas ancestor set up dryl as a mining operation. that ancestor really only had about as much power as an oil baron or something, but because that person was a born magic user, even if they didnt use their magic in any relevant way, they had the ability to file the right paperwork and make their estate a kingdom. this doesnt conflict with brightmoons power because all princesses already have equal footing in general princess affairs, and brightmoon only has marginal overseeing over its settlements anyway. all dryl has to do is pay taxes to brightmoon and even that isnt followed up on. by this same rule, netossa and spinerella could set up their own kingdom(s) by buying a house and making some phone calls.

eventually all of dryls mining operations become automated and the inhabitants leave, including entraptas parents (or they die). despite this, dryl still gets to be a kingdom because entrapta inherited it. all of brightmoons settlements being so remote explains why dryl still hasnt seen the horde as a threat. entrapta isnt a warrior because she grew up isolated and never had to perform princess duties because of this, and so was never trained. instead she developed other skills not related to her magic that made her an asset to whichever side she was on :]

the end

[luxekook]

petal to the metal ✿ jjk

✿ pairing: jewelry-maker jungkook x florist reader

✿ genre: idiots to lovers, fluff, slight bits of crack and angst

✿ summary: every sunday, the farmers’ market took place in the center of town. vendors from near and far traveled to sell their crafts, their produce, their teas. as the local florist, you figured that running a booth each weekend would boost your business and bring in new clients. at least, those were your reasons in the beginning. but, now? now, you returned just for the handsome jewelry-maker whose booth was next to yours. 

✿ word count: 7k

✿ warnings: pg15, slight innuendo, mention of alcohol, noona!reader, mutual pining, memes, vmin as teen prom dates, chaotic 2seok + joon as jk’s bandmates, scheming yoongi as reader’s assistant, sweetheart jungkook tries his best but doesn't succeed, one (1) make out scene uwu

✿ beta’d by: the gracious phia @meowxyoong​

✿ banner by: the talented queen of banner-making maggie @kimtaehyunq​

People, to you, are not unlike bouquets of flowers - uniquely complex with traits grown and cultivated throughout the years and brought together to form meaning and personality. It is far too often that you assign flowers to the people you meet in passing. 

The boy running down the sidewalk chasing a butterfly is a blooming bunch of crocus (youthful gladness) and daisies (innocence).

The young woman storming out of the cafe after dumping her coffee on what you assume to be her ex is a flurry of peonies (anger) and black-eyed Susans (justice).

You find your flower assignments to be a fun way to pass the time when sitting alone in a coffee shop or walking along the beach.

They are decidedly not fun when you are caught staring unabashedly at a beautiful boy as imaginary petals of acacia (secret love) and daffodil (new beginnings) rain down upon him. 

The second his dark eyes flick up to meet yours, you whip around and pretend to be preoccupied with your display of forget-me-nots. The irony is not lost on you as you rearrange the already pristine pale-blue petals. You are more likely to forget your own name than to forget the image of the boy’s crinkly-eyed smile.

God, it’s only the first hour of the first Sunday of the Summer Farmer’s Market, and you are like this? Things are looking more and more dire by the minute. 

Your small beachside community holds the annual Summer Farmer’s Market every Sunday from the middle of May until the end of August. Not only does the market attract tourists, it boosts your own business and earns you year-round customers.

Founding Of Fern & Freesia Flower Co. has been one of your proudest achievements to date - perhaps second only to chugging a beer faster than a misogynist on a bar crawl. Now in your third year of business, you feel accomplished in the slow but steady growth of your shop. You have poured your heart and soul into your business, leaving little time for other endeavors.

Hence, you’re wary of your growing fascination with the owner of the neighboring stall. 

When you had rolled up earlier with your overflowing cart of flowers, you had set up shop next to a jewelry booth full of gleaming silver and vibrant stones. It hadn’t been until a clang and a muffled curse sounded from the neighboring stall that you noticed it’s owner.

The first thing you had noticed was his outfit - all black clothing with boots that looked like they could stomp through steel. The second had been his adorable pout as he fiddled with a couple bracelets he must have just dropped. And the third - the third had been his hands and the gentle but steady way they fashioned the jewelry back in order.

The opening rush had distracted you from your growing interest for a bit; but the early birds have all since scattered, leaving you alone in between an old woman selling honey and a cute boy selling handcrafted jewelry. Now that you have thoroughly embarrassed yourself by being caught staring, you figure you should at least attempt to busy yourself.

You flutter around your stall, checking on flowers and rearranging errant blossoms. 

“H-hey, do you have any tiger flowers?” A soft, sweet voice calls to you from one stall over. You pause in your movements. That can't be who you think it is... But when you turn your head to address the speaker, you find yourself face to face with your mystery boy.

Magically, you manage to blurt out a semi-coherent response, “Oh, hello! No, I don’t have any tiger flowers right now… I do have some tiger lilies?” You gesture to the orange be-speckled bunch in the corner of your stall. 

“Oh,” The boy deflates a bit, but then perks back up, “Well, I’m Jungkook. I make jewelry.” He gestures to his collection behind him. “It’s more of a hobby, actually. I’m a vocalist, but I really like working with my hands part-time.”

Your eyebrows raise, and Jungkook blushes profusely. “I didn’t mean it like that!” He whines, his bottom lip jutting out slightly.

You decide to take pity on the boy. Grinning slightly, you extend your hand across the buckets of flowers in between you both, “It’s nice to meet you, Jungkook. I’m (y/n), and I really like working with my hands full-time.”

Grabbing your hand in his, Jungkook returns your grin. “(Y/n),” He mutters almost absentmindedly as he keeps pumping your intertwined hands up and down. You don’t have it in you to stop him, especially when he keeps looking at you like you just told him the secret to eternal life.

A throat clearing jolts you both from your reveries. Two teenage boys stand there awkwardly. One fiddles with one of the cut stems you discarded in a hurry earlier. 

“Oh,” You reluctantly pull your hand away from Jungkook’s warm embrace. “Talk to you later?” You shoot him a wry grin before turning back to your customers. You don’t see the death glare that Jungkook sends the two boys as you greet them warmly.

They request matching boutonnieres for their prom, and your heart swells as they both argue over which flowers they think would fit the other best. One suggests yellow roses, and you can’t hold yourself back from interjecting, “Oh no. Not yellow roses.” 

The two of them glance over at you, almost looking shocked to find that you are still there. “Why not?” The taller boy asks.

“They represent infidelity,” You say with a shrug, “But that’s just semantics. You don’t have to read that deep into it if you don’t want to.” Just because you follow the language of flowers closely does not mean that everyone and their mother did as well. 

The shorter boy practically throws the yellow rose back in its bucket. “What are you trying to say, Tae?” He shakes his head in mock disappointment at his partner, “I trusted you.”

“Shut up, Jiminie,” The boy you now know as Tae rolls his eyes and turns to you, “Do you have anything that means, like, the opposite of that?”

“Yes,” You smile at the pair and bustle over to the flowers you have in mind, “If I may make a few suggestions…”

Ten minutes later, the two boys shuffle away from your stall with matching cosmos (joy in love and life), baby’s breath (everlasting love), and ivy (fidelity) boutonnieres and with matching grins. You gaze wistfully at their interlocking hands and the quintessential picture of young love they represented. 

“You’re good at that,” Jungkook comments, fiddling with one of the earrings dangling from his quickly reddening ears. 

“Hm?” You question, your eyes still lingering on the cute couple you had just assisted.

“You’re good at showing people exactly what they want – even if they hadn't known it yet.”

His words capture your attention. You know he’s referring to the two teens that you had just helped, but you can’t help but wish he had been referring to himself. However, before you can even respond, it is his turn to get pulled away by a prospective customer.

The rest of the day flies by. This isn’t a surprise to you as the newness of the market always tends to draw waves of people on the opening day. You and Jungkook only get to exchange some shy glances and small smiles with each other.

That is, until your floral assistant Min Yoongi arrives. 

You have a running joke that Yoongi is simultaneously your best and your worst employee. He is your only employee after all and a headstrong one at that. You used to drag him along with you to the early hours of preparing and setting up for the market, but you have long since learned your lesson that Yoongi is decidedly not a morning person. You shudder at the mere thought of it. Now, you only ask that he arrives in the late afternoon to help you close down.

Yoongi greets you with a typical head nod and a half-hearted wave. “Hey, boss lady.” 

You shoot him a half-hearted glare, “Hello, worst employee of the month.”

The sound of a gasp draws your attention back to Jungkook’s booth where he is openly gaping at you with wide eyes. 

“Oh, Jungkook! It’s just a joke. He’s my only employee,” You laugh nervously as Yoongi gives you a side-eyed look that says ‘you’re acting weird, dude, and I don’t like it’. 

“Ah,” Jungkook beams at you, his eyes sparkling adorably, “I see, (y/n). For a second I thought you might be one of those people that gets off on being mean.”

Yoongi spits out the sip of coffee he had just taken. Jungkook turns bright red for the second time that day as he blinks in confusion, “What? What did I say?”

“Nothing!” You pinch Yoongi’s side in an attempt to shut him up, but that boy never listens to anyone but himself.

Walking the short distance to Jungkook, Yoongi lazily extends his hand over the barrier of flowers, “Min Yoongi.”

“Jeon Jungkook,” The boy grasps Yoongi’s hand firmly and squints at him quizzically. “Have we met before?”

Yoongi shrugs in a typical Yoongi fashion, “Dunno, maybe? You do look a little familiar.”

Suddenly, Jungkook drops Yoongi’s hand and snaps his fingers, “You were at last year’s Battle of the Bands! Your rap was legendary! I remember talking to Joon about it all night…”

The two boys quickly descend into a musically driven conversation, leaving you to slowly pack up your flowers and intermittently stare as Jungkook passionately talks about his main craft. 

After the fourth time you look over at the pair, you catch Yoongi’s eye. He’s staring at you with a maniacal glint in his eye. Oh no. He slowly looks back and forth between you and Jungkook. No, no, no. An ominous grinch-like grin grows on Yoongi’s lips as you can practically see the light bulb go off above his head. You are done for.

And not a second after Jungkook packs up his trinkets and bids you both goodbye for the day, Yoongi rounds on you. “FBI! Open up!” He mock-yells, cupping his hands around his mouth.

You splutter out an indignant laugh and shove him playfully, “He’s at least 21, Yoongs! You have to be in order to rent a booth here.” 

Yoongi continues to playfully tease you for the rest of the time you spend together loading the flowers into your truck and then unloading them at your shop. You only hope your crush is not as obvious to Jungkook as it is to Yoongi...

You and Jungkook spend the next two Sundays observing each other, exchanging small greetings, and chatting in between customers. Slowly, you begin to learn bits and pieces about Jungkook.

You learn he’s the lead singer in a band with his friends, he boxes to stay active, and he loves to eat. In turn, he discovers that you’re two years older than him, your life basically consists of flowers, and you read crappy romance novels in your limited spare time.

And as the weather warms even further, you find out that he has a plethora of tattoos winding up his arm. Though you tease him about his love of black clothing despite the soaring temperatures, you cannot help but admire the way his tanned skin glows against the dark color and makes the tattoos pop. You swear you glimpsed a flower inked on his forearm but you couldn’t be certain. Perhaps it had just been the combination of your growing crush and your overactive imagination.

The weather burns even hotter still when he begins to call you ‘noona’.

“(Y/n)-noona, what do you think of this necklace?”

“Noona! Let me carry that bucket for you. It looks heavy.”

“Do you want to go out with me sometime, noona?” 

Okay, that last one had just been wishful thinking; but, a girl can dream.

Meanwhile, Yoongi continues to poke fun at you and your growing infatuation. He had even arrived early for the first time in his career just to get in some extra roasting time. God, you wish Jungkook had some embarrassing friends to help ease the amount of times you had to physically turn away from the boy because you were blushing too hard.

And, finally, on the second Sunday in June, you get your wish.

“Ayo, JK!” A booming voice sounds from halfway down the long row of booths. A smattering of uproarious laughter follows the exclamation.  

The boy in question sighs before shooting you a helpless look. “My hyungs are visiting today. I love them, but they’re…” He trails off, “They’re a lot.” Jungkook steps out in front of his booth to get ready to greet them.

The shouting gets closer and closer until three boys break out of the throng of the crowd and approach Jungkook with large smiles. You blink in awe at the sight of them. Do all good looking people really flock together? You’re beginning to think so as you try your best to subtly check out Jungkook’s friends. The loudest one playfully greets Jungkook by throwing fake punches at him. He’s tall and lean with broad shoulders and a face that looks like it could make anyone give him anything if he so much as glances at them. He reminds you of white hyacinth (beauty) and lemon (zest). 

The tallest boy shakes his head fondly at Jungkook as he greets him through the other’s antics. You barely stifle a sigh as he grins and shows off the cutest set of dimples you’ve ever seen. He practically screams pear blossom (comfort) and polyanthus (confidence).

The last boy has a smile that makes you almost have to squint because of its sunshine-like radiance. He also has on the most colorful and fashionable outfit you’ve ever seen, and you can’t help but wonder if he’s had design experience. He is so white jasmine (amiability) and lupine (imagination), you think. 

Before you can assess further, you’re pulled away by a long-time customer. As you prune and arrange their requested flowers, you can’t help but notice that the stall next door has grown suspiciously quieter. 

Hushed whispers carry in the wind. 

“That’s your noona?” 

“Shut up, hyung!”

You hastily wrap the bouquet for your customer and bid her farewell with a smile. You barely have time to take a breath before three boys appear before you with a fourth scowling behind them in distaste. 

“So you’re the flower noona that Jungkook always brings up,” The sunshine boy speaks first, tilting his head as he peers down at you.

“The flower noona, huh?” You shoot Jungkook an amused glance, only to find him with his face buried in his hands, “Maybe I should rebrand.” You grin and introduce yourself to the three boys who you discover to be Seokjin, Namjoon and Hoseok.

Soon you find yourself wrapped in a conversation with Namjoon while Hoseok and Seokjin gather flowers to make their own bouquets. 

“Yes,” You nod your head at Namjoon’s question, “Some flowers do have multiple meanings. Take geraniums for example. The pretty pink oak-leaf geranium symbolizes true friendship, while the just as pretty scarlet geranium signifies stupidity.”

“And what does baby’s breath represent?” Hoseok crinkles his nose in distaste as he fiddles with the flower, “You smell bad?”

You crack up and open your mouth to answer, but Jungkook cuts you off. “No, Hobi-hyung, they represent everlasting love.”

Blinking at him, you nod, “Yes, that’s right. How did you know that?”

Jungkook mumbles something incoherent as he scuffles his heavy boot across the pavement.

“What?” You furrow your eyebrows, ears straining to pick up the decibels. Why is he speaking so softly?

“He knows because JK eavesdrops on you all the time, (y/n),” Seokjin lets out a squeaky laugh, “He also downloaded a flower app on his phone to study. I even caught him making flashcards—”

Jungkook jumps on Seokjin’s back, slapping a hand over the older boy’s mouth. Meanwhile, your heart feels like it’s about to burst into a whirlwind of lilac (first emotions of love). Good god, your feelings have leveled up.

Namjoon and Hoseok pay for both their flowers and Jin’s, as the older boy is still preoccupied fighting off an embarrassed Jungkook.

“It was really nice meeting you, (y/n),” Namjoon smiles at you.

“Yes!” Hoseok beams, “Also, please tell your friend Yoongi that we want to collab. Kookie is too shy to ask him.”

You promise that you will and wave goodbye to the two of them as they drag a breathless Jin along with them. The older boy shoots you a wink as he is pulled along into the crowd and disappears. 

“Sorry about them, noona,” Jungkook mumbles, looking down at his feet, “They like to embarrass me.”

You melt at his cuteness. “No, don’t apologize. Your friends are a whole lot of fun.” You can’t help but tease him, continuing, “And they were very informative... Do you really pay that close attention to me, Jungkook?”

“Aish!” Jungkook yelps, grabbing a bucket of red roses and hiding his face behind it. “Noona!” He whines, his large eyes peering at you over the red flowers, “You’re just as bad as them!”

“Oh, am I, Kookie?” You emphasize the new nickname of his that you just learned courtesy of Hoseok. 

“Did they tell you to call me that?” Jungkook sets down the bucket of roses and looks like he is about to take off in pursuit of his three hyungs.

You grab his arm to prevent him from doing so. It’s warm and solid, and the physical contact sends a tingle across your skin. “They didn’t tell me. I just noticed Hoseok called you that once. If it bothers you, I won’t call you that again.”

Jungkook relaxes. “No, you can call me Kookie,” He says in a small voice.

“Thank god,” You grin and squeeze his arm once before releasing it, “It’s so cute!”

His responding squeal of ‘noona!’ can be heard throughout the entire market.

The following Sunday, the market is cancelled due to the tropical storm swirling up the coast, bringing with it a disappointing blend of rain and an absence of Jungkook.

You probably should be concerned at how rapidly your feelings for the boy are developing, but you aren’t. How can anyone not love him? It’s impossible, in your opinion. Even your grump of an employee likes Jungkook, and Yoongi likes very few people. You aren’t even sure if you make the cut most days.

Sipping your peppermint tea, you gaze out at the rain and wonder if Jungkook misses you just as you’re missing him. Does he feel anything for you?

You know he at least equates you with his friends; but is that all he sees you as? If so, you would respect that, albeit disappointedly. With a sigh, you turn back to your copy of “The Art of Jewelry Making: An Introduction” and pretend just for the day that your feelings are reciprocated.

One week later, you are scrambling. Somehow you had managed to sleep through all five of your alarms, and now you are so, so late. 

Your truck’s tires squeal angrily as you whip into the first empty parking space you spot outside of the market. Where will you even set up today? You quickly grab your buckets of flowers as well as all the other supplies you’ll need. Will there even be a booth left for you?

You push your cart up the rows of booths and get more and more dejected at each turn. Finally, you decide to at least visit Jungkook before you dejectedly head back to your truck. You are in dire need of his sweet smile and positive energy.

The wheels of your cart bump and wobble over the uneven gravel. God, why couldn’t Min Yoongi be a morning person? You grumble as you wind the final corner to where your usual stall resides. You stop in your tracks.

Your usual booth… is empty? You blink multiple times in case this is just a beautiful mirage. Nope, it’s still open, it’s wooden tables bare. 

Almost as if he senses you, Jungkook practically runs out of his stall towards you. “Noona! You’re here!” And before you can even answer, he sweeps you into a tight hug.

“Hi, Kookie,” You sigh, bringing your arms around his neck. You can’t resist the urge to bury your face in his chest. He smells so nice, like fresh soap with a hint of heady musk. Reluctantly, you release him, realizing you’re both blocking most of the pathway. 

“I-I saved your booth for you,” Jungkook blushes and looks down at the ground. He shifts his weight from left to right and then glances up at you once more. “I hoped you were just running late. I didn't want to miss seeing you two Sundays in a row. You would not believe how many people I’ve had to fight off.”

Your heart swells at his words. “Aw, thank you, Kookie. You missed me that much, huh?” You reach up to ruffle his hair as you pass by him, lugging your cart along with you.

You miss the forlorn expression on his face as he gazes after you and mumbles, “Yes...so much.”

With Jungkook’s help, you manage to set up your booth in record time. You thank him profusely, but he just shrugs it off by saying that you would do the same for him. And you would.

Around midday you text Yoongi and ask him to bring food for Jungkook as an extra way of saying thank you.

Rather than respond with a normal yes or no, Yoongi just sends you a sea of smirking emojis. You should’ve known that Yoongi would (correctly) read too much into it. The boy is too smart for his own good.

Quickly sending back the gif of Hades from Hercules turning his flames from blue to orange in anger, you glance up to find Jungkook staring at you with a peculiar expression.

“Noona,” He begins, “Do you have a boyfriend?”

You choke out a laugh that sounds sad even to your ears. “No, I don’t. Why do you ask?”

Jungkook perks back up, “I just thought you might be arguing with them. You seemed to be angry texting.”

Letting out a more genuine laugh this time, you reply, “I’m just texting Yoongi, Kook. He’s being his usual difficult self.”

“Oh,” Jungkook grins, “Well then don’t punish him too harshly. It’s fun to see you all riled up.”

Punish? 

Riled up?

You blink rapidly at the boy who seems to have no idea how much his words affect you. Trying to brush off the images flowing through your mind, you decide to fight fire with fire – even if it had been unintentional arson.

You take a step towards him, “You like seeing me all riled up, Kookie?” 

“Uh-h, yes?” Jungkook eyes you warily as you continue to approach him. He even takes a step back, only to bump into his table of jewelry. 

You stand toe to toe with him as he is effectively trapped in between you and his table. Slowly, you rise to your tiptoes. Your lips brush his ear as you murmur, “Well, then I’ll be sure to stay cool and collected from now on.”

Pulling back, you saunter back over to your booth. Faintly, you hear a wheeze from the direction you’ve left Jungkook. You grin in success.

Yoongi had ended up bringing food with him that day. An action that had caused Jungkook to thank the two of you more times than you could count as he had shoved barbecue chicken into his mouth. 

You had stared at the boy with hearts in your eyes as he ate. Yoongi had just made whipping motions from beside you, thankfully out of Jungkook’s line of sight. 

And as June turns to July, your feelings grow substantially. Your mind is a meadow scattered with clove (I have loved you and you have not known it), cyclamen (timid hope), and gladiolus (you pierce my heart).

You can’t quite get a read on Jungkook. Every time you think there might be something in the way he interacts with you, he does something else that negates everything.

For example, the other day he had requested a bouquet of your favorite flowers. You had thought you might pass out from the way he looked at you, all blushing and shy. But, that might have just been the hundred degree weather.

It had admittedly been foolish to think that he would gift the bouquet back to you, but that’s just you – a fool in love. Your clown status had become even more confirmed when Jungkook had smiled down at the flowers, saying that his elderly neighbor would love them.

You had never thought you would experience being jealous of an elderly widow, but you had been ready to square up. It had decidedly not been your finest moment.

It isn’t until the middle of July that you begin to feel that Jungkook might actually return your feelings. 

The boy comes barreling into your stall as you’re setting up for the day. “Noona!” He grins happily, “I have a surprise for you!”

“Please tell me it’s a portable fan,” You moan, as you wipe the beads of sweat from your brow, “It’s so hot out here in these streets.”

“No,” Jungkook pouts adorably, “It’s not a fan. It’s my new collection! I spent all week working on it. I even brought my supplies to band practice. The hyungs all teased me, but it was worth it because of y— because of how good it turned out.”

Had he started to say because of you? Your heart pounds as you watch Jungkook eagerly tug a box out from his large backpack. He holds it out to you expectantly, and you have no choice but to take it from him.

Shooting him a speculative glance, you slowly open the lid. Your eyes widen at the sight before you. Rows of flower themed jewelry gleam up at you - orchid (refined beauty) necklaces, lotus (purity) earrings, and dahlia (dignity) charm bracelets. 

These are almost all of your favorite flowers. You blink up at Jungkook, “These are so beautiful, Kook. I want all of them. How are you so talented? It’s so unfair!” You reach down to grab a particularly gorgeous pair of silver hoop earrings with lotus charms dangling from the bottoms. 

“I will pay anything for these,” You look back up at him. He’s smiling widely and his cheeks are shaded pink.

“They’re yours,” Jungkook shakes his head, “There’s no charge if my noona wants to wear my jewelry.” 

His noona… 

You think your cheeks might fall off from smiling too hard. “Well,” You murmur, “If you insist.”

You hand Jungkook the box back, and quickly switch out your plain gold stud earrings for your new hoops. “How do they look?” You flick your ponytail behind you and turn this way and that in an attempt to model his work.

“Beautiful…” Jungkook sighs as he watches you and then straightens suddenly, “Oh, I almost forgot!” He digs around in his backpack for a second time. Pulling out a small black velvet drawstring bag, he once again extends his hand towards you with a gift.

“I made this specifically for you,” He doesn't blush outright this time, but you do note that his ears are bright red. Curiosity overtakes you. You slowly open the bag and pour its contents into your waiting palm.

A silver cuff falls into your hand. It’s about an inch wide with what seem to be persimmon flowers (bury me amid nature’s beauty) engraved on its surface.

“My favorite flower,” You gasp, immediately sliding the cuff onto your wrist, “You remembered!” 

“Of course I did,” Jungkook laughs, running a hand through his disheveled hair, “Do you- do you like it?”

“Do I like it?” You scoff, “Do I like it?” You take one large step towards him and basically tackle him in a hug. “I love it, you idiot.”

His hands rest on your waist as he sighs into your hair, “Good. That makes me so happy, noona.” 

Reluctantly, you pull away. “I should be angry because you completely upstaged me,” You crack a smile as Jungkook crinkles his nose in confusion, “But I can’t be mad when you give me presents.”

You tug your own little baggie from your tote bag and hand it to Jungkook. “It’s not even close to your level, but you inspired me to try to make something and…” You trail off as Jungkook holds up the bracelet you had carefully strung together for weeks. You basically only had bought expensive black stone beads and slid them onto a string, but you think it’s cute nonetheless.

“(Y/n)-noona,” Jungkook’s wide eyes flick up to stare at you, “You really made this for me?” 

“How many other JK’s do you know?” You say referring to the two little letter charms amidst the sea of black stones, “Yes, I made it for you.” 

“There’s John Krasinski!” He argues, sliding the bracelet onto his wrist with a smile.

You cannot roll your eyes hard enough, “You caught me. I couldn’t meet up with the Jim from The Office this month, so I just had to give this bracelet to the next JK I came across.”

“I knew it!” Jungkook laughs, “I guess we sort of have friendship bracelets now, huh?” 

You feel like you have just been slapped back into the friend-zone. “Oh,” You force out a chuckle, “Yes, I guess we do.” 

Clueless to your inner turmoil, Jungkook grins as he hurries away to set up his stall for the day. He prattles on about how excited he is to see how the new collection will sell, especially since he is set up right next to you and your flowers.

You feign normalcy as you reply that his collection will be a hit. And you’re right. As the day wears on, you watch as Jungkook sells more jewelry than you had ever seen him do before. You consistently feel like you’re in a state of whiplash as he keeps referring to you as his “muse” during his sales. 

Why are feelings so confusing? You fiddle with a stem of lavender (mistrust). You had honestly been beginning to think that Jungkook might return your affections, but now you aren’t so sure. Maybe next weekend you could try to get a better idea of his feelings? 

But, as it turns out, you wouldn’t have to...

It’s midway through the market that next Sunday that you begin to realize Jungkook is acting strange. He is acting more jittery than usual, and despite your constant questioning of if he is okay, Jungkook refuses to give you more than two word answers.

Eventually, you give up asking and instead begin to silently observe. He constantly toys with the bracelet you had given him last week. He rarely can go a minute without touching it, almost as if he is afraid it might disappear right off his wrist. Jungkook also keeps peering into his backpack and adjusting something inside of it. 

It isn’t until Jungkook checks his backpack for the third time in five minutes that you snap. “Okay, that’s it.” You stalk over to his booth, “Why are you acting weird today?” You stop in front of him, arms crossed in front of you. Jungkook’s throat bobs as he swallows nervously, “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about, noona.”

“Really,” You deadpan, “Then you won’t mind sharing with the class what riveting thing you have in your backpack?”

His eyes widen to the size of dinner plates, “How did you know there’s something in my backpack?”

You laugh, “You’re not exactly subtle, Kookie.” His shocked expression turns into a pout as you continue, “I’m just teasing. You don’t have to show me. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t anything illegal.”

“Illegal?” Jungkook gasps, “Noona! Who do you think I am?”

“I don't know,” You shrug, “You could have a double identity for all I know.”

Mumbling something about infuriating women, Jungkook turns and tugs something out of his bag. Holding it behind his back, he faces you, “I was going to wait until the end of the day to do this, but I guess this is happening now.”

He takes in a shaky breath, “I know that I’m not the best with words. That I’m shy and inexperienced. But, I need to tell you how I feel, because I think I might lose myself completely if I don’t. So, I decided that I would tell you in the language you know well.”

Slowly, Jungkook moves his hands from behind his back to reveal a bouquet of flowers. “These say everything you need to know about what I feel for you.” His hand shakes slightly as he extends the flowers towards you. 

Your lungs refuse to work as your eyes cannot seem to look away from the flowers he offers you. 

Striped carnations. Those are what he holds out to you. You feel as if he has taken your heart and stomped on it with his massive boots. 

Striped carnations… symbolizing a love that cannot be shared. A gesture meaning that ‘he cannot be with you’. 

Rejection.

The first tear falls from your eyes as you force yourself to look up at the boy you’ve fallen in love with. How long has he known your feelings for him? Why has he strung you along so much only to hit you with this now? Or have you just been oblivious to his indifference all along? ‘

Jungkook seems to be panicking as he lowers the bouquet back to his side, “Noona, please say something.” 

You open and close your mouth, trying in vain to search for words to say, for questions to ask to help you make sense of this blindside. 

The only thing you can eventually muster up the strength to say is a shaky “I’m sorry. I’ll leave you alone.” You take off, barely stopping to grab your phone and your bag as you run to your truck. 

Behind you, you can hear Jungkook frantically shouting your name. He’s probably concerned that he has to monitor both your stall and his. You shake your head as you finally reach your car. 

You call Yoongi as soon as you turn out of the parking lot, unknowingly leaving a teary-eyed Jungkook in your wake. 

“What?” Yoongi groans when he finally picks up. 

You can barely breathe through your tears, “Y-Yoongi, can you swing by the market early to pack up?” 

The line is quiet for a second. Then, Yoongi rapidly fires questions at you, “What happened? What did he do? Where are you? Are you okay? Do I need to rough him up?” 

You let out a small laugh. At least one person seems to care for you. “I’m okay. Just a bit of an unexpected rejection.” You sniffle, “I’m heading home for the day.”

“Wait,” Yoongi sounds confused, “He rejected you? What the f—”

Cutting him off before he asks you to rehash every painful detail, you sigh, “Yes, he did. Now, please, can you go clean up the stall for me? And don’t say anything to him.”

Yoongi growls something that suspiciously sounds like “Oh, I’ll say something to him, alright”. But before you can voice your suspicions, he agrees and hangs up. 

Thank god for Min Yoongi.

The week passes slowly. You spend your days going through your usual motions, working in your shop and assisting customers.

However, after you make your sixth bouquet of marigold (grief), lichen (dejection) and cypress (mourning), Yoongi insists you take a few days off. You surprisingly listen. 

On Friday, Yoongi brings you a bunch of yarrow (cure for a broken heart) and nearly runs when you envelop him in a tight hug. He offers to handle the market this weekend, and you don’t have it in you to refuse. But, you only accept on the caveat that Yoongi takes Monday off. You don’t want to take advantage of your employee and your dear friend. 

Your weekend is spent by yourself. You stock up on cranberry juice in an attempt to pretend that it will have the same effect of its flower meaning (cure for heartache). Spoiler alert: it does not.

Even watching an exorbitant amount of bad Hallmark movies cannot cheer you up. And when Monday comes, you force yourself to try to be positive.

“It’s fine. This is fine. Totally fine. I’m fine.” You say, pointing at yourself in the mirror, “I’m totally cool. Cool, cool, cool, cool, cool.” With a firm nod, you head out.

Opening your shop is one of your favorite things. You revel in the solitude that the early hours bring, the first sips of your morning coffee, the feeling of being surrounded by your flowers.

Your flowers bring you peace – a big reason why persimmon flowers are your favorite. But, you can’t travel down that train of thought today. Nope. Today, you are all about self-love and positivity!

At least you are until 9:01am when your shop has barely been open for 60 seconds and Jungkook bursts through your doors.

The boy looks like a mess. His hair is sticking up in various places like he has run his hand through it too many times, his shirt looks like it’s on inside out, and he is staring at you like you’re a wild animal that might spook at any moment.

And he would not be wrong. You fight down the urge to run, choosing instead to head behind your counter so that there is at least a semblance of a divide between you.

You decide to just rip the bandaid off and attempt to be professional. Staring over his shoulder, you say, “Hello, welcome to Of Fern and Freesia. How can I help you?”

The sound of a stifled sob reaches your ears. Had that come from him? Or from you?

“Noona,” Jungkook finally pleads, his voice rough, “Can’t you at least look at me?”

Slowly, you bring your eyes to his. His large brown eyes search yours for a moment before they fill with determination.

“(Y/n)-noona, I know you’ve been avoiding me,” He approaches the counter, “But I need to know something. I have to or I’m going to lose my mind.”

Jungkook’s hands fall onto the countertop, his eyes blaze into yours, “Noona, is the thought of me loving you really so appalling that you can’t even stand to be around me? Is it really so terrible that we can’t even be friends?”

Your mind short circuits. “Are you making fun of me?” You whisper after a brief pause.

“What?” Jungkook cries, “No! Why would you even think that?”

Anger bursts to the surface as you throw his actions back in his face, “Maybe I think that because you openly rejected my feelings last weekend, Jungkook! Maybe I think that because I’ve stupidly been in love with you for weeks only to have you hand me those damned striped carnations!”  

Jungkook looks stricken, “I-I thought carnations meant love a-and fascination?”

Oh. My. Sweet. Baby. Jesus.

Your anger at what you thought was Jungkook’s rejection morphs into rage at the complete and utter idiocy of his misguided confession.

You shake your head at the giant idiot before you, “Yes, you absolute fool. The general meaning of carnations is love, distinction, and fascination. But, how did you not think for one second that meanings might change depending on the color and the type?”

He continues to gape at you as you power on. “Striped carnations symbolize rejection, you colossal moron! They mean that you cannot be with me! You basically slapped me and my love for you with a big, fat nope.”

You watch warily as Jungkook rounds the counter, coming towards you faster than you’d like. But, your mouth is on a roll now, and you can’t stop, “How could any respectable florist interpret that gesture any other way? Hey! What are you even doing? You can’t be back here—!”

Jungkook reaches you, cups your face in both hands, and slams his mouth onto yours. Your eyes widen as he continues to kiss you, and then slowly you begin to return his affections. Your hands slide up his back to twine through his hair.

The cutest whine emits from his throat as you tug on it slightly. “Noona,” He murmurs against your lips, his wide eyes stare into yours, “You really love me?”

You shoot him an exasperated look, “No, Jungkook, I go around kissing everyone who walks into my shop like this.”

He pouts, “So mean to me.” He tries to kiss you again, but you shift out of the way slightly so his lips meet your cheek.

“I reserve the right to be mean after spending an entire week wallowing in unnecessary self-pity following your failed attempt at a declaration of love.” You cock your head slightly, “If that’s even what it was?”

Jungkook blushes, “I really screwed up, huh?” He rests his forehead on yours and sighs, “It was supposed to be perfect. I was supposed to give you something meaningful to show how much I love you and pay attention to your work, but all I did was accidentally push you away. I thought you were rejecting me.”  

You press a soft kiss to his lips. “I could never reject you, Kookie. Not even after that.”

“God, I love you, noona,” Jungkook buries his face in your neck. “I missed you so much.”

“I love you, too,” You run your fingers through his hair, “But don’t think you’re getting off this easily.”

“Huh?” Jungkook pulls back, his eyes wide.

“You have a lot of making up to do, Kook,” You grin.

“And what do you suggest I do?” He smiles down at you, affection clear in his eyes.

“Well,” You shrug, “I can think of a few things…”

a/n: flower meanings taken from: The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh (flower definitions may vary depending on the source!! this is just the reference that i chose because i love the book uwu)

✿ Flowers left undefined in the fic: 

Fern → sincerity

Freesia → lasting friendship

Peppermint → warmth of feeling

Tiger Flower → please love me* (*as defined by jk)

Tiger Lily → wealth

© luxekook. please do not repost, modify, edit or translate.

[xonepeacelovex]

stray kids imagines as taylor swift’s songs from taylor’s version album ft. hyuncam | part 2

part 1

han jisung

jump then fall

it is rude to stare

you know and yet you can’t stop yourself

you are surely deeply madly lovestruck with jisung

and it’s driving you crazy

jisung, a transfer student

good at everything

aces every exam

that you studied hard to pass

that he made it looks so easy to ace

he’s a threat to your standing

and yet you can’t hate him

not when he’s the only one who is not scared of you

he became a friend

and then someone who makes your heart flip

truth hit you too hard

when the uninvited feeling crawled to your heart

you hate how jisung makes you feel like a puppet doll

you mirror everything he does

when he smiles you automatically smiles

you laugh at his dad jokes

which you don’t do

you like a quiet and peaceful high school thus the lone wolf facade

catching yourself smiling

you cough and made your way to your seat

beside jisung

he greeted you a good morning

which you just nodded

and despite the tight lipped smile and cold greetings

he still smiles at you and excitedly listens to your class

accustomed to you already

“it’s rude to stare”

your eyes widen, caught red handed

you are in the library, looking for a reference book

when you saw jisung sleeping, sun shining down on his face

you’ll walk away that moment when your heart starts pounding

though you thought he’ll be uncomfortable with the sun light

and what if the librarian caught him

so you absentmindedly walk towards him

blocking the sunrays with a book

like you are bewitched you stare at his face

he still hasn’t moved, eyes closed

you can’t think of any good excuse so you decided to go with the flow

he opens his one eye, to check your reaction

closing it again before chuckling

he sit up properly and stretch his arms

“if you’ll remain silent, i’ll think you did it on purpose”

“what if i did?”

“are you telling me you like me?”

“yes.”

you said confidently, there’s no backing out

you nervously look at his reaction

he’s searching your eyes for a hint of mischievousness

he remained silent

“if you’ll reman silent, i’ll assume you don’t like me”

“no. it’s not like that. i’m just scared.”

“of what?”

“of falling harder for you”

lee felix fearless

“wait felix. you’ll catch a cold.”

you shouted to your prom date

he happily hopped on the way to his car

you look at the suit in your hands

he gave it to you to use as a shield from the rain

“have this” he said then running towards his car

if only you have a choice not to go to this prom

but felix somehow made you go

*flashback*

“what the heck is this felix?” you whispered to him, making him satnd up from his kneeling position

“a promposal” he answered

your friends are giggling behind you

“for whom?” you asked him, perplexed

“for you.” he said a little louder, kneeling again with the bouquet of flowers

you look at him

he’s definitely paying you back with the stunt you did to him

everyone is cheering him on

you smile at them and look at felix

holding his arms to make him stand up again

you accepted the flowers without words

and he smiles at you and then at everyone surrounding both of you

you want to wipe that grin in his face

*end of flashback*

you can’t let him be alone in the rain with his suit above your head

so you decided to run under the rain, following felix

and he’s still unlocking his car, you cover his head too

even though it’s useless now

the suit too small for the both of you

you became soaked up by the rain

you thought you’ll hate being wet by the rain

but as every rain drop fell on your face you felt different

it’s exhilarating

lowering the protection you are holding, forgetting to use the suit as a cover up

a smile making it’s way to your lips

you look up at the sky

feeling every raindrop, it makes you feel like a kid again

no wonder why felix is smiling while looking at you

“you look like a kid” he teased

you look at him, keys still on his hands

he planned this

he has no intention of getting in in the car

“may i have this dance with you?” giving his hand out to you

you take his warm hands

he suddenly pull you towards him

heat radiating from his body made you stayed close to him

hugging him completely, closing your eyes

while he sways and your body just follows his

going to prom isn’t bad at all, you thought

and you are glad he asked you to his date tonight

you open your eyes, and he’s already looking at you

“not bad, right?”

“not bad if we don’t-”

he sneezed, moving away from you

“catch a cold” you continued

he shiver and then fix his messy wet hair

and your heart did a somersault

you look at the man responsible for it

“glad i didn’t turned you down”, you whispered

he heard you and hold your gaze

you sneezed also, ruining the moment

while you both laugh heartily under the pouring rain

kim seungmin

hey stephen

you don't really see the point of crushes

until you met kim seungmin

your first happy crush

and you see, happy crushes are supposed to be happy

but you're not

seungmin indeed is one of those heartbreakers

that didn't meant to hurt others

he's either oblivious that everyone likes hin

or he doesn't care about love

like you, before you developed feelings for him

it was just supposed to be a happy crush

plus feelings are not your thing

but seungmin really did captured your heart

and you are happy with just his existence

so you don't know why he's walking towards you

smiling, waving at you, like he knew for years

"y/n"

your brain stopped working that moment

how the hell he did know your name

and why is he smiling 🙂

that moment you thought to yourself, “you’re doomed”

and started thinking “is is still a crush?”

seungmin called you again

flustered that he caught you staring at him

“hey seungmin”

you brushed off the way he’s looking at you with playful smile

“what are you writing?”

and not to be simp but you are writing a poem about feelings

feelings for him, specifically

you immediately closed the notebook

“how do you know my name?” you asked, getting yourself together

“what?”

“how do you know my name? we are not even classmates”

“uhm... you are right” he looked around, avoiding your eyes

you looked around also, noticing the group of girls from a distance

you chuckles when you saw it

“are you using me as an escape?”

“yes” he confessed without hesitation

you nodded

“and i knew your name through jeongin”

it’s safe to say you are not the only one with a happy crush

i.n/yang jeongin today was a fairytale

directing a play is stressful

you are not even the club president

your best friend was though

so when she asked for help with puppy eyes

you can't just say no

you did say yes to production

making stage props and wardrobe are manageable

and watching them rehearse for it is enjoyable

the leading man, jeongin, is a good actor and singer

he also helps you make the props during their break

“does this need a second paint?”

you jump from the scare, hands flying to your chest

you are currently humming the song for the play

when you saw him, laughing at you, you sigh

“please don’t scare me like that again”

“i’m sorry”

“okay, and yes”

“why are you alone though? where are the others?”

you shrug and his facial expression turned into some kind of anger

that you don't think he can express cause he's so nice every time

he silently paints with you

it’s not that you are not aware the other official club members are not helping at all

cause they are, leaving all the works to you

and you can’t complain to your best friend

she’s stress enough to manage the production

you came home exhausted that day

the next day, all the club members that are supposedly helping you with the production are there making props

and you see jeongin winking at you

you thought it will be smooth sailing from there until

when the leading lady literally broke her leg

your best friend breakdowns in front of you

you and jeongin are comforting her

“who’s gonna replace her?” your best friend said, exasperated

jeongin points at you, “y/n has the script memorized!”

your eyes widen, “what?!”

your best friend looks at you with expectation “do you?”

you bit your lip, “yes”

she holds both of your hands “please?”

you sigh, “okay,”

and now, you found yourself as a leading lady

you are not for the spotlight and yet you are starting to enjoy acting

"okay now we are at the scene where jeongin will kiss you"

"what?!" you both said as you look at each other

"did i forget to give you the updated script? oh my gosh yes!" your bestfriend answered her own question as she opened her laptop searching for its soft copy

"i'll print it for you guys but let's continue rehearsing"

jeongin slowly walks up to you

following every words of your bestfriend

your eyes stayed at him, as he stop in front of you

you gulped, heart beating faster

your first kiss

your first kiss will be with jeongin

you bit your lower lip as he leans forward

his left hand on your back while the other is holding your cheek

you closed your eyes, not ready for any of these

jeongin felt your nervousness

so he angled your face

you felt his breath on your cheeks

he kisses your nose

you opened your eyes and stared at jeongin

as he smiles at you

"cut! let's take a break" your best friend shouted

you back away from him, heart pounding louder

you cleared your throat as you walk to your best friends without saying anything to jeongin

dragging her outside the theatre

"why you didn't say there will be a kissing scene?" you confronted her

"i'm sorry really the scripwriter changed it last night. he thinks it is necessary to the story," she apologized

you sigh, you can't just say to her that it will be your first kiss

on the day of the play, you are nervous but for another reason

you don't know if jeongin will kiss your lips

you can't fake the kiss in front of a hundred people

but he act so well that he made the kiss like a real kiss as he angles your face

and you are thankful and disappointed too

why?

for the past weeks you've harbored a crush for jeongin

as the curtain closes and all the actors and actresses went to the backstage

jeongin slowly walks up to with a rose in a hand the one he got, he handed it to you

"i know you don't like me but i like you" he confessed and as he walk away you hold his hand and pull him to you

finally kissing him

A/N: I need to make a part 2 because Tumblr won’t let me add anything on the first post. I had to cut Jeongin’s part abruptly because this post is too long (Tumblr said it). Anyway, have a good night. 

Copyright © 2021 xonepeacelovex All rights reserved.

[atlasshrugd]

Hi,sorry to bother you.. what are your toughts about Brian being abusive with Justin like Jack was with his mother in the first two season? I mean, he definitely had his bad habits and sure didn't always treat Justin well and wasn't always emotionally available for him (especially in s1) and this eventually resulted as Justin being hurt sometimes but I never thought that it was that bad..

Thank you for this ask! 

Brian definitely was harmful to Justin in season 1 and 2, but I wouldn’t go so far as to compare him with his father.

In season 1, Brian is definitely emotionally unavailable. He doesn’t just not want a relationship; he despises relationships. He has removed that possibility from his mind and vocabulary, and most of all, he doesn’t believe he deserves one or is made for one.

Naturally, with all of his emotional trauma and his unwillingess to face it in any direct and healthy way, he is not ready for a mature relationship either. So when Justin comes along with his persistence and youth and adoration, Brian pushes him away. He doesn’t want to entertain the fact that someone may want him for more than sex, or for being ‘the stud of Liberty Avenue.’ Many factors come into this: Justin’s age, Brian’s belief system, his past trauma, his moral code, his experience, etc. He doesn’t believe or even want to believe that someone as young and innocent as Justin could want to be with him, and he doesn’t believe Justin should want that anyway.

But Justin makes him question this all the time. He is constantly pushing Brian, willing Brian to be the man Justin knows he is. This scares Brian; nobody has ever known him deeply enough to see through him. Even Mikey and Lindsey are blinded to who Brian truly is through their own filtered perceptions of what they want him to be. Nobody truly knows Brian Kinney. But Justin Taylor gets pretty damn close. “You can’t push me away,” he says. “I’m onto you.”

Nobody has ever stuck around long enough, or even wanted to stick around long enough, for Brian to ever hear these words. This is the first time someone has ever said that to him and meant it. Brian, most of all, is afraid to be known. He hides behind his persona and uses external means to prove his self-worth. So when Justin consistently sees through him and isn’t afraid to say it, it terrifies Brian. Most of the time it makes him retreat even further into the asshole persona as a defence mechanism. When Brian is afraid, he lashes out. 

And because Season 1 Brian Kinney is quite unhinged and in denial, he doesn’t think twice about lashing out at Justin. He convinces himself he doesn’t want Justin in his life, that he’s “trying to get rid of him” but he just keeps bouncing back. And the scary part of it is - that Brian might actually want Justin to stick around. 

Because of Justin’s maturity, I think everyone forgets how young and impressionable he is (including Brian), so Brian doesn’t think twice about possibly conditioning Justin in a potentially harmful way in the long-run. I don’t think Brian realizes just how much of a sponge Justin is until the King of Babylon contest when he uses Brian’s own tricks against him. I think that was also his first flash of fear where he thought: Perhaps I have made him too much in my image.

The truth is, Brian in Season 1 is mostly irresponsible and selfish. As much as I adore him, nobody can excuse his actions even though we know his reasons for them. He has not yet learned responsibility for another person, because part of his code of conduct is that everybody should be responsible for themselves. This philosophy is not wrong, but he takes it to the extreme to further shield himself from being let down. Even with a kid, Brian makes the choice to only be a ‘drop-in’ dad who only contributes through money, because that’s all he thinks he can be. He doesn’t want to even risk turning out like his father, so in his mind, it’s better just not to try. (However, he has a moment of clarity when he decides not to sign over his parental rights to Mel. That was his first flash of ‘Hold on. I am responsible for this child, and I want that responsibility. I accept it.’)

It isn’t until the prom when he learns what it truly means to be responsible for another persons life. There, he is forced to face reality head-on; how easy it is to lose a person, how precious life truly is, how easily it can be snatched away from you. Here we see Brian in his barest form. Terrified out of his skin, guilt-ridden, and hollow. Here is when he takes full responsibility; too much, in fact. He believes the bashing is his fault, that Justin nearly died because of him. It’s a turning point for Brian where he ceases to be that callous, selfish man from Season 1. That night at the prom, his heart was broken.

In Season 2, we see a new side of Brian. The caring, hesitant, selfless side. He knows how easy it is to lose Justin, so he doesn’t make the same mistake of pushing him away to protect himself. He lets him in a little more, he admits that he wants Justin to stay, that he will be “doing exactly what I want to do: coming home to you.” But while Brian has had a wakeup call, that doesn’t mean he will change his entire way of thinking overnight.

Throughout the second half of season 2, we start to see Brian sink into his old habits of neglecting Justin emotionally. Brian’s ‘love language’ isn’t through words of affirmation; it’s through acts of service. He believes actions speak louder than words, and with that philosophy, he convinces himself that he is taking care of Justin in all the necessary ways; namely, paying for his school fees, asking him to stay in his loft, helping him financially, driving him around, etc. Because nobody has ever done those things for Brian, he believes these actions scream affection. 

The truth is, Brian Kinney is a man of conviction. As an advertising executive, he knows the futility of words and how easy it is to manipulate them. He knows they are just words, and this has been proven to him time and time again by his parents. This is part of why he doesn’t believe in marriage and relationships. “Love is just something people tell themselves they’re in so they can get laid.” He has been proven how meaningless words really are, so he doesn’t see the necessity for them.

But Justin does see the necessity. After the bashing, he changed. He was no longer that cock-sure, confident, self-assured boy from Season 1. The bashing wiped away all control he thought he had over his life. Something was taken from him against his will, something he will never get back: his memories, the control of his left hand, his boundless dreams of being an artist. He realized that Justin Taylor is not invincible. This loss of control terrified Justin, as it would anyone. He realized that reality was harsh and life takes and takes from people who don’t deserve it. He felt like a stranger within his own body, like he didn’t own any part of himself. He felt lost and confused and helpless. 

So, understandably, he needed reassurance. He needed clarity. He needed the words, and things spelled out for him. He needed some semblance of control, some certainty in all the chaos of his mind. He no longer had the mental energy to play the guessing game with Brian. He could no longer assume Brian’s feelings, or read into his actions. He needed Brian to say the words.

But Brian couldn’t. And that was why Season 2B happened. The moral of all these ramblings is: yes, Brian inflicted some form of emotional abuse on Justin in Season 1. Yes, their relationship had toxic elements. But no, I don’t believe their relationship can be compared with that of Jack and Joan Kinney’s. That was a loveless marriage between two hateful and bitter people. While they each have their issues, Brian and Justin’s relationship ultimately is one built on trust and love.

We don’t need rings or vows to prove that we love each other. We already know that.

[capaimagines]

lee minhyuk - answer

Pairing: Lee Minhyuk x Reader | Genre: angst | Warnings: none | WC: 2.1k

You held your breath as you stared at the school doors in front of you. You had spent the whole month debating whether of not to attend your high school reunion. It wasn’t that you didn’t have friends or that you weren’t popular, on the contrary. You had a few friends that you still talked to and while you weren’t one of the most popular people or the it girl, you were nice enough and everyone seemed to enjoy you or at least talking to you.

You were mainly hesitant because you knew that he would be there. Him being, Minhyuk, your high school crush that you just never seemed to get over. While your friends had begged and tried to get you to confess your feelings at the time, you just never could. You would get all clammy and too nervous. You two were fairly good friends and enjoyed similar things. You were just always afraid if you confessed, that the relationship would change and that was the last thing you ever wanted.

Did you regret it? Sure, sometimes. Would you go back and change it? Probably not. You two still talked from time to time, even went out for a meal a few times over the years just to catch up on each other’s lives. He was studying hard at college, excited to be graduating soon whilst you had opted not to go to college and were enjoying your quiet life working at a cute café near your apartment. You weren’t rich by any means, but you had enough to live comfortably. School was never really your forte anyways.

That was how you and Minhyuk had first started talking. Your teacher had insisted you get tutoring for your math class and Minhyuk was the lucky pick. He was really helpful and at the time, you found yourself actually understanding the material and passing the tests. You had passed math, thanks to him and the two of you continued to talk afterwards, having mutual friends and all it was hard not too.

You remember the first day you knew you had feelings for him. He was always a social person, liked talking to people and making new friends, regardless of who the person was. The morning you had walked into school and saw him leaning against the lockers, talking to one of the more popular girls, you felt your gut twist. The bright smile on his face and the adoration in his eyes was enough to tell you that he had some type of feeling for the girl other than friendship. 

That’s when you had decided to just keep your feelings to yourself. Never speaking about them again with anyone except the stupid pink diary you had hidden under your pillow at the time. He’d come to you for advice. How he should ask her out, what the perfect first date would be, how to ask her to homecoming and prom. Of course you’d always give him the best advice you could. Letting your heart break, piece-by-piece, every time he went to her. Seeing them hold hands or flirt or looking at each other with so much love in their eyes always broke you a little more inside, but he was your friend and if he was happy. Who were you to take that away?

You sucked in your breath, holding your head up high as you walked through the doors of your old high school. You had made the decision tonight to tell him how you feel about him. You just couldn’t hold onto it anymore and you needed an answer. Whether he returned your feelings or not, you still needed confirmation so that you could properly let yourself move on.

You found your table, heart sinking a little as you noticed you were sat with Sana, the girl you had helped Minhyuk woo during your teenage years. She still looked just as beautiful, but had dyed her hair blonde instead of her usual black.  

“Y/N! It’s so good to see you! It’s been so long,” She said as she wrapped you in a hug to which you responded. She wasn’t ever mean to you and while you wouldn’t go as far to say you were friends, you spoke to each other and were nice.

“Sana, it’s so good to see you. I love your hair, it looks great!” She smiled, thanking you and pulling you to sit down next to her. Catching up on the past years of your lives though she did most of the talking as you just listened. You were always better at listening than talking. Something you had yet to change.  

“How uhm, do you still talk to Minhyuk?” You asked, biting your bottom lip and picking at the skin around your nails under the table.

You saw her smile but she had a sad look in her eyes, “We actually broke up a little bit after we graduated,” Your eyes widened a little and you tried to control the little bubble of hope that made its way into your stomach.  

“Really? What happened? I had no idea!” You really did have no idea. You and Minhyuk were really good about avoiding the topic of your love lives when you did talk. You had just always assumed that they were still together because he had never brought it up. They were the perfect couple after all.

“Well, we were just in different places.” She shrugged and you hummed, “Actually,” She laughed a little, turning to look at you, “He had a crush on you. Even while we were dating. He told me about it one night after he’d gone out drinking at a party with friends,” You were shocked and you knew that showed on your face. Your eyes were wide and your mouth was hanging open a bit.

“That’s not- there’s no way- he didn’t,” Immediately you were feeling guilty that you had been the reason they had broken up. It wasn’t intentional, but you still felt guilty. You knew Sana really did like him and maybe she did love him.  

“I don’t blame you Y/N, and besides, we were going to different schools miles and miles away. It was bound to happen eventually. I always knew it wouldn’t last forever. Part of his heart always belonged to you.”

You honestly had no idea what to say. All these years you had both pined over each other and neither of you said anything! How had you not noticed? Sure, you weren’t the brightest in school but you had a pretty knack for reading people. You had never gotten that impression from him, even a hint.  

“Do you still talk to him?” You blurted out, not sure what else to ask.

“No,” She shook her head, “We lost contact during our first year of college. What about you?”

You told her it was just casually and then you switched the conversation, done talking about Minhyuk for now. You were more determined than ever right now to tell him how you feel, but you had yet to spot him amongst the rest of your old classmates. You enjoyed your dinner and conversation with Sana and the rest of the people you sat with. It was a little nostalgic for you and you secretly hoped that this wouldn’t end even though you knew it would.

“Y/N!  Let’s go dance!” Sana said as she dragged you out to the dance floor. You had tried, desperately, to get out of her grasp but she held firm and before you knew it, you two were in the middle of the dance floor and Sana was swaying her hips. She may have a little too much to drink. Though, you just indulged her for a little bit, dancing badly with her and just enjoying your time left with your old friends.

“I’m gonna go grab us some water!” You shouted to Sana over the music as you fought your way through the crowd and back to the makeshift bar that was set up as you wiped some sweat off your forehead before asking the person for two waters. As you were waiting, you felt someone step beside you. Your heart started beating even harder once he spoke.

“Y/N! I’ve been looking for you everywhere. You look gorgeous, as always,” You were glad your cheeks were already red from how hot you were, but you could feel them heat up even more from his comment.

“Minhyuk! Sorry, I’ve been with Sana most of the night and I couldn’t find you. I’m glad you’re here though,” You smiled and gave each other a quick hug. Your conversation started easily and carried on, “Minhyuk, I actually- I need to tell you something.”

You had placed your hand on his arm and you felt like you wanted to vomit. You kept telling yourself to get a grip; you were an adult now, not some hormonal teenager. It shouldn’t be this hard to tell him how you feel, but the fear of rejection was always lingering in the back of your mind, “I wanted-,”

“Minhyuk! There you are!” Your eyes snapped over to a girl you knew didn’t go to your school. You would have remembered her. She was absolutely gorgeous. White teeth that shined every time she smiled, beautiful brown hair that hung in loose waves over her shoulders, the gold sequined dress she had on made her slightly hazel eyes pop. She was fit and you had to admit she was attractive.  She linked her arm with Minhyuk’s and he smiled down at her.

That’s when you noticed the large diamond on her finger. A very important finger at that. You felt your heart shatter and your eyes burn with tears that you were praying would wait to fall until you could at least get to the bathroom. Minhyuk patted her hand, smiling at her before introducing you.

“Hyejin, this is Y/N, the girl I was telling you about from high school. That I get lunch with from time to time.”

She offered you a bright smile and you did your best to mirror it. You didn’t want to hear what she was to him, you didn’t want to know, but you couldn’t be rude. Yet, your eyes stayed trained on the diamond that adorned her finger. The more you looked at it, the more you felt yourself sinking into that black hole. You wanted nothing more than to just run out, go back home and cry. Cry it all out and then finally just move on.

“Y/N, this is Hyejin, my wife,” He said it so proudly, so prideful and so happily that it made you sick. You hated that it made you sick because again. Who were you to wish that he wasn’t that happy? Who were you to have held on to hope that he was single?  Why didn't you know he’d gotten married? You thought that would be something pretty big to leave out on your lunch meetups.

“You didn’t tell me you were, uhm, married,” You hated how weak your voice sounded and if you were looking at Minhyuk right now, you would have seen the small flash of sadness in his eyes. Sana wasn’t wrong when she said there was always a part of his heart that would belong to you.  

“We never really talked about our love lives,” He said simply and you hummed. Hyejin linked your arms together and started pulling you away. You couldn’t be rude and she just wanted to talk. 

“He’s told me so much about you! He said everything he did to win me over he learned from you during high school. You’re pretty good at that. You should be a matchmaker!” She said to which you offered her a strained chuckled before Minhyuk came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist. Hyejin happily stared up at him and you swallowed the bile rising in your throat. 

“It was nice seeing you, Minhyuk. Nice meeting you Hyejin. I have an early day tomorrow, I’m going to head out.”

They said goodbye, Minhyuk offering to drive you home but you politely declined. You turned and walked away and maybe if you were paying attention you would have seen the longing gaze Minhyuk had on you, even just for a split second. You just couldn’t turn around and you didn’t want to look at him right now. Or ever again. 

You finally had your answer, and it wasn’t the one you were expecting.

[fangirlovestuff]

Queer Eye - Chris Evans x bi!female!reader

a/n- Hey lovely people! Sorry if this has any mistakes, I really wanted to post it today and I didn’t have time to properly proofread it. buckle up, it’s a pretty long one :) Enjoy! <3

Summary: Your life is pretty entangled with the Evans brothers’. You and Scott get bored in quarantine and decide Chris needs a makeover - Queer eye style. The result? see for yourself... 

Word count: ~6k

Warnings: language, very brief mentions of homophobia if you squint

Freshman Year

The halls looked daunting as you wandered them in search of room 105 for your first class of the day, clutching your book in hand. You knew that a new school meant new opportunities, new people, and you tried to get excited about it, you really did. The people in your last school… let's just say they weren't extremely accepting, which is part of the reason you moved. So, you were looking forward to a new start in the seemingly friendly Boston suburb. 

Simultaneously, it was absolutely terrifying. From the start you've made a pact with yourself – no one should know you're bi. Your sexuality is none of their business. You couldn't risk this move because you wanted a girlfriend. Boys gotta be enough for now. You contorted your face as you passed a group of boys in the hall, trying to act "cool". Well, you hoped there were some less pretentious boys around here.

You looked at the doors to your right and left in an attempt to find the room you were looking for. 108,107,106—

You collided with someone and dropped your book. Of course, why wouldn't this happen, you thought, an exasperated sigh threatening to fall from your lips. You bent down to pick up your book, and your hand brushed the other hand that reached out to grab the book. You looked up to see a pair of pretty green-blue eyes staring back at you. You couldn't believe this cliché was actually happening to you. Right now. In real life. But hey, he was pretty cute, so there was that.  

"I'm so sorry," the guy said, smiling awkwardly as you picked up your book. 

"It's alright," you sent a tight-lipped smile his way. You both stood there for a couple of seconds until he finally spoke. 

"I'm Scott, by the way," he smiled, "Sorry, again, for bumping into you. I haven’t seen you around, are you new here?"

"Are you saying you know everyone who goes to this school?" you shot back incredulously. "But yeah, I'm new here," you introduced yourself quickly.

"Well, nice to meet you. And to answer your question, I'm pretty sure I know everyone by their faces at least," Scott replied and you chuckled in response. 

"Ummm… I was just on my way to 105 actually, so I should probably go. It was nice meeting you Scott," you smiled and you parted ways.

In the second period, you had chemistry lab, and you were early. You sat down at a desk, zoning out for a while before everyone came in. Scott was actually pretty cute, you realized. Maybe you two can have something. Just as you were thinking that Scott came into the class. Speaking of the devil.

He waved at you and came your way, putting his bag down and sitting down next to you. "I assume this seat isn’t taken," he smiled. 

"Yeah." You laughed. "So, we're gonna be lab partners now?"

"Well, I figured as a way to pay you back for running into you I could offer my chemistry expertise," he smiled. "Just kidding, I kinda suck at chemistry. But I'd still love to be your lab partner, if you're okay with it," he added bashfully. 

"Yeah, cool," you smiled at him and then silenced because the lesson was starting.

By lunch, it was clear you were already Scott's friend. You sat down with him, laughing about the disaster that was chemistry class a few hours ago. 

"Honestly Scott, if you suck at chem so bad, why did you even take it?"

"I don't really know. It's just pretty much the only class that worked with the theatre schedule. Except for physics," he scrunched up his nose. "If you think me in chemistry was bad, wait till you see me trying to grapple with physics."

"I can confirm that's not a pleasant sight," said Scott's friend, who just sat down at the table. One by one, Scott's friends filled the table and he introduced all of you. 

"So wait, you do theatre?" you asked Scott, intrigued. 

"Yeah," Scott replied. "My big brother does it too, so honestly that's what got me into it, but it’s actually fun," he smiled. "Would you wanna join?"

"No thanks, not really the theatre person," you smiled back. "But maybe I'd come to a show sometimes."

Over lunch, you got to know Scott's friends, who became yours, and all in all - you were very glad you moved. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sophomore Year

You and Scott's chemistry together paid off at the end. You entered your boyfriend's room and turned around to face him. 

"What do you wanna watch?" Scott asked, going past you and plopping down on his bed, patting the spot next to him. You sat down next to him and cuddled into his side. 

"Pick whatever you want babe," you smiled at him affectionately. 

You were halfway into the movie when a pretty boring part came on. You looked at Scott to find him already staring at you. You and Scott were taking it slow, and you hadn't even kissed yet. You licked your lips. Scott reached his head and captured your lips in his. It was tentative and slow, and you parted from each other smiling. You looked into Scott's eyes. He seemed uncertain. Maybe it was just his first kiss altogether. You sent him a reassuring smile and reached to cup the side of his face. He smiled back at you; the movie long forgotten.

And at that moment exactly, his annoying older brother decided to barge into the room. Well, annoying may be a bit of a harsh judgment because even after a year of knowing Scott you didn't really know Chris. But right now, you were definitely annoyed. You removed your hand from Scott's face, who was blushing.

"Scott, did you remember it's your turn to—" Chris started and then noticed the embarrassed state you were both in. "Nevermind," he said awkwardly and left the room, closing the door after him. 

"He doesn't know how to knock, does he?" you asked sarcastically. 

"Guess not," Scott chuckled. You cuddled back into his side. You weren't gonna let that abrupt interruption ruin your date.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The End of Sophomore Year

Scott and you were hanging out on his couch, playing a board game when Chris came down the stairs in a hurry, his girlfriend right on his heels. "Ma, have you seen my jacket?"

He was going to his senior prom tonight. Honestly, you were kind of jealous – finally finishing high school seemed so far away from you, and here he was not really having to step foot in a school ever again. But it's not like you were having a terrible time at school; with Scott as your boyfriend and the many friends you had made, you were happy.

They finally left and the house was quiet once more after the bustle of sending Chris off to enjoy his prom. You and Scott continued with your date night, wondering what's it like at senior prom. Even though you were both only two years younger than Chris, he still seemed miles ahead of you.

Later that night you went into the kitchen to get yourself some water. When you entered you saw Chris sitting there alone, glooming. When he heard you come in, he hurriedly stood up and leaned his back against the near countertop.

"Hey," you said as you filled yourself a glass of water. "What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to go with-- "

"She dumped me." He cut you off before you could finish your sentence. Your eyebrows furrowed and you came to lean on the counter next to him.

"That sucks," you said softly. You didn't know what else to say, so you just stood there silently for a moment until he spoke up.

"It does. One moment we were talking about what we're gonna do after school and how I'm gonna be going to NYC to intern and the next she's telling me it won't work between us," Chris took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry," you replied hesitantly. "But hey, think about it this way," you started talking dramatically, "when you'll be a famous actor and she'll come up to you asking for an autograph you could just ignore her. Or if she says she knows you you'll just say you've never met this woman in your life. The ultimate payback," you smiled at him. 

"Yeah, I guess," he smiled back sadly. 

"Also," you nudged his shoulder with yours, "I would never dump Scott on our prom night. That's a promise," you smiled.

"That's great," He chuckled. You quietly moved away from him, setting your glass back on the counter. "Thanks," he added suddenly.

"Sure," you sent him one last smile and left the kitchen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Senior prom

Lisa was taking pictures of you and Scott as you both posed with bright smiles on your faces. 

"Alright, we gotta leave ma," Scott said and kissed her cheek. 

"Have fun kids!" she told you as you hurriedly left in order to not be late.

You were having a great time at prom. You danced with your friends, with Scott. After a couple of hours, you were getting a little tired, so you pulled Scott aside. 

"Come on, let's go get some air," you said as you pulled him outside. 

Once you were outside you and Scott walked to the back of the building, where no one else was in sight. You both leaned against the wall and looked at the night sky above. You looked to find Scott already looking at you, and automatically leaned in to kiss him. You wrapped your arms around his neck and he put his around your waist as you deepened the kiss. It was getting more and more heated until—

"I can't do this," Scott said breathily and suddenly pulled away from you. Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he started pacing back and forth in front of you. 

"Scott, what's going on?" you asked concerned. 

He continued pacing. "I know what prom night could mean for some couples and—"

"I don't care about that," you cut him off, grabbing his arm so he'd stop walking. "Scott, it's okay. You know I would never wanna do anything we're not both ready for. It really—"

"But that's the thing!" he said, surprisingly loud. "That's the thing," he said once more, quieter this time. "I don't think I'm ever going to be ready for this. I-" he took a deep breath, "I'm gay."

A heavy silence settled between you for a few moments, and then he said, "I'm so sorry, I-"

"Don't ever apologize for being who you are," you put your hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes. You took a deep breath. "I guess I should tell you this as well- I'm bisexual." You smiled and he smiled back.

"I'm glad you told me," he said.

 "So the entire time…" you trailed off, your smile fading from your face. 

"I'm sorry," Scott said again. "At first I really thought I was feeling the way I should about you. But I realized that's not the case. I love you, so much. But not in the way I led you to believe I do. I had an entire speech but honestly, I forgot it." he smiled hesitantly.

"I love you too Scott," you smiled once more. "But I just need some time to figure it out."

"Of course. Whatever you want."

"Actually, let's get outta here. I could go for ice cream," you smiled.

"Yeah, sure," Scott smiled.

On the way there you remembered something important. "Oh, Scott, does this count as you breaking up with me or me with you?"

"Me with you, I guess. Why?" he looked over at you with a puzzled look.

"I promised Chris I won't dump you on prom night," you smiled and he laughed.

You needed time to figure out how you felt about Scott, but it was going to be okay. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spring Break - Sophomore Year of College

"Scott!" you yelled as you marched up the stairs, two at a time. "We're gonna be late because of you!"

It was a bright Saturday morning and you'd just arrived at the Evan's residence a couple on minutes ago, saying a quick hello to everyone and then jumping up the stairs to get Scott. They were having a huge family barbeque for the birth of… well, you were pretty sure it was Scott's cousin's daughter, but you couldn't fully remember. Since you were on your spring break from college, they invited you to come with them, an invitation you gladly accepted.

At this point, you and Scott were best friends. It took a while to get over the whole "I dated you for like 2 years even though I don't like girls" thing, but you were out of high school and those events seemed far behind you. You didn't want to lose Scott – you loved him, just obviously not in a romantic way. Also, he had wonderful taste in guys, and if they were straight, he knew where to direct them, which was a definite bonus every time you went out together. All jokes aside, Scott was an amazing person and your best friend in the whole entire world, so you were basically a family member in the already big Evans family. 

And that leads us back to today, with you knocking on Scott's door furiously. "Scott, seriously man, we gotta go!"

"I'm coming! Jeez, calm down," he said as he opened the door and gave you a quick hug. 

"Hi," you smiled and hugged him back.

"Hey," he smiled back. "Come on, let's go."

Who has a barbeque on such a hot day? That was the first thought that came to mind when you all sat down on the grass of the large yard. The sun was shining high and bright, seeing as it was noon, and you haven't even been outside for two minutes but you've already started sweating. 

However, you didn't regret coming at all. The food was great and the company was even better. You were in the middle of talking to Scott and some of his cousins when you heard a yelp from across the yard. 

"We got you uncle Chris!" screamed two toddlers with water guns in their hands. You recognized them as the older brother and sister of the newborn you were here to celebrate.  

Chris blinked the water away from his eyes for a few seconds. "You did," he smiled and said once the surprise had worn off. His white shirt was nearly transparent as a result of the "attack", and it clung to his torso nicely while he got up and put the plate he was holding aside. 

Wait, backtrack for a sec – clung to him nicely? since when did you think about Chris' torso as nice? As a matter of fact, since when did you pay attention to Chris' torso at all?

Your eyes wandered over to Chris once more, skimming over his surprisingly toned muscles, and holy crap when did he start working out?

This was… an interesting change indeed. But hey, it's not like it's going to affect anything – he was your ex-boyfriend-who-turned-out-to-be-gay-and-is-now-your-best-friend's brother, so nothing was going to happen. You were quite sure this won't be a problem. Like 97% sure. If he started working out that's good for him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Present day

Your eyes were filled with tears as you reached for the bowl of popcorn that was resting on Scott's lap. The blinds were closed "for cinematic effect" and the light of the TV reflected on Scott's face. When you looked at him you saw he was in the same emotional state you were in, which is typical for a Queer Eye binge like the one that was in full swing right now. You and Scott were avid Queer Eye fans, and you thought quarantine was a good chance to re-watch it, together with the new season. 

"Still doing that?" Chris barged into the living room after he took Dodger out for his afternoon walk. Chris watched it once, but couldn't understand why you and Scott enjoyed watching it again so much.

"Got anything better for us to do?" you quipped back as Dodger jumped on the sofa and curled down beside you. You stroked his head as Chris walked out, yelling, "Help me make dinner!"

After a moment Scott spoke. "We should probably go help him," he said, pausing the episode. 

"Fine," you huffed. 

"So, what are we making today?" you asked as Scott and you stepped into the kitchen. "Please be Lisa's pasta, please be Lisa's pasta…" you staged whispered. 

"We literally had it two days ago," Scott pointed out. "Besides, none of us can make it as good as she does."

"I guess," you sighed. "So what are we doing?"

Chris, Scott, and you had agreed you would use the time on your hands in quarantine to learn to cook better. Honestly, between the three of you, you were probably the best cook, but you definitely needed some help as well.

"I found this pizza recipe online that I wanted to try," Chris explained as he started to pull the ingredients out of the cupboards. 

"Well, pizza it is!" you announced as you put on an apron, and quickly the three of you started working.

You were all sitting around the dinner table, eating your pizzas, and making conversation with each other. That is until you got stuck with a silence that was… a bit uncomfortable. Being around each other all day every day certainly takes its toll on the range of your conversation topics.

"So," Scott spoke up after a few moments, "How was… your day?" 

You all cringed at his question. You groaned. "Come on Scott, we're all adults. We can admit it – quarantine's boring as fuck."

"Yup," Chris agreed. 

"Well what do you want me to do about it? It's not my fault we've been in lockdown for like, a year," Scott said defensively. 

"It's literally been two months," you deadpanned, "but we should find something to do," you mused out loud. "Like, pick up a hobby or something."

"Oh, you mean other than sitting on the couch all day watching Queer Eye?" Chris quipped. 

"I wish the fab 5 could come to our house right now," you sighed, "it would definitely make things more interesting around here."

"First of all, that's my house, I'm just letting you two crash cause I'm nice like that," Chris replied. "And second of all, the fab 5 help people who actually need it."

"You're letting us crash because it'd be boring without us," you stated matter-of-factly. "And I guess the straight guys of the world are indeed in a gloomier state than ours, aren’t they Scott?"

"They probably are," he agreed. "But aren't we forgetting the straight guy in the room?" he looks at Chris amusedly.

"Well, I guess he could use some help. You know Scott, we were just looking for a quarantine project, and we have a straight guy and two fabulous queers, which is better than none…" you trailed off and smirked.

"Huh," Scott smiled, "I like where you're going with this."

"I, for one, really don't like where this is going," Chris stated as he took his empty plate to the sink. 

"So it's settled then," you smiled at Scott, "Chris is getting a makeover, Queer Eye style."

"No," Chris groans. 

"Oh come on Chris," Scott said, "Don't pretend you're not also super bored. We get occupation and you get an awesome makeover, no one's bored anymore. Everyone wins!"

Chris's tongue darts out to wet his lips as he pretends to contemplate the suggestion. In actuality, he knows he's outnumbered. 

"Fine," he rolls his eyes, "whatever makes you kids happy."

"We're two years younger than you, for Christ's sake!" you exclaimed. You turn to Scott. "So, I think we should start planning the Bobby section. I'd love to get some—"

"Nope, nope nopety nope," Chris pops the p's. "You are absolutely not touching my house."

"As much as I hate to admit it, we should probably leave his house alone," Scott said. "Besides, we're only two people anyway."

"Fine," you rolled your eyes and pouted a little for good measure. "We won't touch your house, Chris."

"Great," he smiles at your antics. "See ya in the morning."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day you barge into Chris' room unannounced. "Chris, you have to see this video of—"

Your words get stuck in your throat as you process the sight of a half-naked Chris in front of you, looking into his closet, presumably in search of a shirt. From where you're standing you can only see his back, and you can't help but appreciate the toned muscles.

Chris finally pulls out a blue t-shirt and puts it on. Unfortunately. "Video of what?" he asks.

You shake from your thoughts and turn to your phone in your hand. "These two dogs are…"

You explain and show Chris the video and he laughs while your thoughts are somewhere else completely. For the last nearly two decades, you've had a bit of a thing for Chris. It didn't really bother you most of the time. You've dated other people, and you didn't even see Chris that much. You were friends, even good ones, case in point – you felt very comfortable barging into his room whenever you felt like it. But your little celebrity crush was pretty much always in the back of your mind. 

Now that you were living with Chris, ignoring your feelings proves a little more difficult. 

 "What are you two laughing about?" Scott entered the room.

"This video," you said and showed him.

"Alright," he smiled after he finished watching it. "We are officially starting…" he paused for dramatic effect, "Antoni day!"

You cheered while Chris looked puzzled. "He's the one who cooks, right?"

"Indeed he is, Chris," you said, "ten points to… whatever house you're on. Did you even read Harry Potter?"

"If I did, I surely don't remember it."

"That's just further proof you need our help," you said and he shrugged. 

"So, I think we should pick three courses for Chris to make and he'll need to make them throughout the day," you suggested. 

"Sounds good to me," Chris said and Scott agreed, "but what will you two be doing while I cook?" he asked.

"Planning the rest of the days of course," Scott said. "Also, taking Dodger on his walk, so you have nothing to worry about it," he smiled at Chris and raised his eyebrows.

"Dammit," Chris cursed under his breath, "You're really not letting me leave the kitchen until I finish cooking, are you?"

"Yep," you nodded and beamed. 

You and Scott picked your 3 dishes: lasagna, fried chicken breast, and some cake.

"The point is that you learn things to actually embrace in real life, so we didn't over-complicate it," Scott explained to Chris. 

You and Scott spent the day devising a plan for what else you wanted to do while Chris worked in the kitchen. So far nothing seemed to be on fire, so that was great. 

For lunch you had the chicken, that was actually not that bad and for dinner, you had the lasagna and cake, which were actually pretty great.

"I think we can crown this day as a success," you said and Scott agreed. 

"Now that we know you can cook, maybe you should do that more often," you smirked. 

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Chris retorted.

 "Just wait, till the end of the week, you'll have some more confidence, a whole new look and like… what else do they help people find?" you mused. "A girlfriend! We should sign you up for Zoom speed-dating," you grinned and reached for your phone. 

"Oh god, that sounds terrible," Chris chuckled. "Thankfully, I don't think that's a thing."

You lifted your eyes from your phone. "Pretty sure you're right, which is a shame. You got out of it for now," you smiled.

Little did you know, by the end of the week only one out of the three things you predicted was going to come true.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day you were sitting at the kitchen table with a hot cup of tea when Chris came down and into the kitchen. 

"Good morning!" you cheerfully greeted and he hummed back in response, clearly still groggy. You ignored his attitude and continued talking. "Today is gonna be Jonathan day, so get ready soon because Scott and I are starting to go through your bathroom in about… ten minutes," you smirked. 

"Wonderful," he sighed.

About half an hour later you and Scott were finally going through Chris's stuff in the bathroom that adjoins to his bedroom. Officially it was to see his grooming routine but unofficially you were both nosy.

"Oh my god Chris, do you ever tidy? I'm pretty sure there are expired plasters in here," you yelled to Chris who was sitting on his bed.

"Plasters don't have an expiration date," he replied.

"Yes, they do!" you yelled incredulously. 

Evert few minutes you or Scott would show Chris something you thought he should throw away. 

"Oh yeah I got that as a present and never threw it away"

"God, I have no idea when's the last time I used that"

"Someone recommended it"

"Oh, what's that?"

In short, Chris had plenty of excuses, but he had a ton of junk in his cabinets. It took the entire morning just to clear them up, and you were left with very few, mostly necessary things. You and Scott plopped down on Chris's bed next to Chris who was on his phone. 

"This was supposed to be Queer Eye, not the Marie Kondo show," you nearly whined. 

"Hey, you were the ones who wanted something to do," Chris shrugged. 

Scott was the one to get up first. "Well, the day's not over yet. Let's go Chris, this is the part where I do whatever I want with your hair," he raised his brow. 

"Whatever you want?" Chris asked, slightly alarmed yet amused.

"Whatever I want," Scott confirmed. "But don't worry, I won't do anything too extreme. Gotta keep you looking good for the Zoom speed dating," he chuckled and went into the bathroom.

"We already said that wasn't a thing!" Chris yelled after Scott and followed him into the bathroom with you in tow.

"What about me?" you said once you reached the bathroom. "Shouldn't I advise? As a member of the female species, a species that undoubtedly spends much more time looking at Chris than he does, I think I deserve to voice an opinion."

"Valid argument," Scott agreed. "I was planning to give him a buzzcut and maybe a shave. Opinions?"

"No! his hair looks way better long! And I don't think he really wants to shave but that's just me looking out for Chris," you patted Chris' head as you said the last part and he laughed. 

After you and Scott argued for a bit you reached a compromise – the beard stays, the hair goes. 

"Don't worry, it'll grow back," Chris comforted you sarcastically and patted your head. You rolled your eyes at him and left him and Scott to do the actual work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You were enjoying the bright morning sun streaming through the window and humming along to the music from your earbuds as you checked your phone. You started dancing around, you singing getting stronger and stronger. "She's a killer, queeeeee—"

Chris came into your room and you stopped abruptly. "Morning Chris," you greeted, faking calm. 

"Good morning to you too," he said with a shit-eating grin on his face that told you he saw you dancing around. 

You swatted his arm. "And why are you barging into my room this lovely morning?"

"First of all, what goes around comes around," he chuckled. "Second of all, Scott wanted to tell you he wanted to do Karamo day on his own so you can do whatever you want."

"Okay," you frowned slightly. Initially, you and Scott had agreed to dedicate this day to search positive-but-not-too-positive comments about Chris to raise his morale, but plans change apparently. "Have fun then," you added. 

"Thanks," Chris gave you a small smile and left the room. 

Since you had the day to yourself you made the best of it. You spent the morning attending some work stuff, with some play intervals with Dodger of course. You decided you were gonna make lunch for all of you, so you went to Chris' room, where you assumed the boys were, to ask them what do they want.

"Come on Scott, stop being ridiculous," you heard Chris's voice from outside the closed door. "You know she doesn't feel that way about me, drop it."

You knocked on the door as if you weren't just standing there and eavesdropping. "Boys, I'm making lunch!" you called through the door, "anything you want?"

"Not really," they both replied. 

"Well, I'm making grilled cheese, be down in ten!"

So, Chris had a crush. Good for him. But if Scott wanted this day to be about talking to Chris about his crush, you still didn't understand why that couldn't include you. Usually, you and Scott talked about boys together, and you often talked to him about girls. So as the one of you who actually likes girls, wouldn't it be more beneficial to have you there?

Well, whatever. Maybe it's an embarrassing crush or something, you thought and went on to prepare lunch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Good morning!" Scott barged into your room this time. 

"God, do you people not get personal boundaries?" you groaned from your bed. 

"This is the first time I've barged into your room probably in a month. And it's a special day," you could hear Scott's smirk in his words and you smiled as well. 

"It's Tan day!" you both exclaimed and laughed.

"I've been waiting for this one," you laughed. 

You got up and brushed your teeth quickly while Scott went to wake Chris up. You made your way to Chris' room to catch up to them.

You could hear them talking from the hallway. "Ready to face the music?" you heard Scott ask and came in. 

"Don't scare him Scott," you said, amused, "it's just us watching the fashion show," you chuckled. 

"Yeah, that," Chris said. 

You all went to get some breakfast, where you explained to Chris what you were going to do today. 

"So, since we can't exactly take you shopping, you're going to shop in Scott's closet," you said while you chewed on your cereal. "You guys are pretty much the same size, so that should work."

Alas, as it turned out, it did not work.

"Scott, if I move in this shirt my shoulders will definitely tear it," Chris complained as he stood uncomfortably in front of the mirror in Scott's room.

You and Scott were doubling over in laughter at how close the shirt looked to bursting and how uncomfortable Chris looked in it. But honestly, it was kinda hot. Broad shoulders and all. But also, very funny.

"Okay, new plan," you said once you finished laughing and Chris changed back into his own shirt. "You're gonna shop your own closet for new outfits."

You all went to Chris' room, where you and Scott immediately started to go through his clothes and putting together a few outfits. Chris tried each of them on. Some were ridiculous and the colors clashed, but some of them were offered seriously and were, as Chris said, "actually kinda nice."

After a few hours of this, you all got tired of it and plopped down on the bed. 

"I have a challenge for you now," Chris said. "Each of you needs to put together an outfit from my closet."

"Easy peasy," Scott replied. You took a little more time to contemplate it, but then a red belt caught your eye and reminded you of a pair of red heels you owned. "Got it!" you exclaimed. You picked out the belt and a black dress shirt and went to your room to change.

You put on the shirt, which as you predicted was long enough to cover your butt, and buttoned it, leaving the few top buttons unbuttoned. You added the red belt to cinch in your waist, the red heels, and a gold bracelet, fixing your hair a bit to complete the outfit. Once you were satisfied with the result you went to show Chris and Scott the final product. 

"So, did I do well?" you beamed and spun around to show off your success. 

"Damn! You did great!" Scott said, always your hype man.

You winked at him in response and sent a questioning look to Chris, who stayed silent the entire time. He shook from his frozen state, "It's fine, I guess," he smiled wryly. You flashed a toothy grin back at him and went to get back into your normal clothes. 

Sitting at the dinner table with Chris and Scott, you all talked about what you should do next when the thought hit you. "Wait, in Queer Eye they have, like, a big emotional moment at the end of the week where they showcase their development and everything they've learned and we didn't have one!" you said, cutting into something Chris was saying.

"Well, I think we should leave that up to Chris," Scott said and sent Chris a look. "I'm sure he can find an idea."

"Yeah, sure, whatever," Chris shrugged and rolled his eyes at Scott. 

Later that night you were all laying on the couch, your back against Scott's chest, watching Hamilton when Scott suddenly spoke up. "I'm really tired so I'm gonna go hit the sack," he pushed you away from his chest and got up from the couch. You looked at the clock and frowned; it was only 10 pm. 

"Goodnight Scott," you said. He smiled and went upstairs. 

You leaned back in your sit but since Scott wasn't there anymore your back was at a very awkward angle. Chris saw you and chuckled. You took your tongue out at him and straightened your back against the sofa. For the next couple of minutes, you twisted and turned trying to find a way for the couch to be as comfortable as Scott, but it just wasn't happening. 

"You alright there?" Chris asked, clearly amused. 

You huffed. "Scott was way more comfortable than this couch."

He laughed softly. "Well I'm not Scott but we could give it a try," he extended his open arms to you.

You didn't really think twice about it before you snuggled up against his back. He wrapped his arms around you and you were engulfed by his warmth, and suddenly you remembered that cuddling with someone you're trying to hide your crush from isn't the greatest idea.

"I know what Scott expected me to do for the end of the week, I'm just not sure how well it'll go," Chris said out of the blue.

"What is it?" you asked, intrigued.

"I could just do it right now and show you," Chris said and you nodded for him to continue, facing him in his arms. 

He smiled hesitantly before closing the distance between you and capturing your lips with his own and cupping your cheek in his hand. You froze for a second until your instincts kicked back in and you kissed him back passionately, your hands wrapping around his neck while you, albeit awkwardly, turned to straddle his lap. When you two broke apart Chris spoke. "Scott thought I should ask the girl I like out," he said breathily. "So what do you say? Dinner when restaurants open again?" he smiled shyly. 

"Yes, that sounds great. But I feel like this," you gestured at the TV, which was still playing, "has some date potential."

"I'll go get some ice cream," Chris said. 

For the rest of the night, you had your living room date, having deep conversations about life and giggling and then shushing each other so Scott won't wake up. 

And for the rest of your lives? That's a story for another time.

hope you enjoyed! i might repost this soon if i find enough mistakes in this lol

Chris Taglist: @swatson06 @horny-nd-bored​ @shannon124 @perfectlyharolds​ @phoebe-21-99 @wintersoldierslut​ @iceebabies​ @wanessalopesueiros @sleepingpapermouse @steverogerswasalwaysworthy @holtzkinnon @angelicl-y @stydia-4-ever @thatoneperson5000 @fangirlfree​ @kaitcordx25 @bequeening​ @steve-barry-damon-logan​ @itscrazycherryblossomcollection​ @hollandxmarvel​ @darkwitchfromthesouth

if you wanna join / be removed from the taglist, comment/message me! this is a taglist for Chris and his characters. much love <3

[upamongthestarss]

Perfect Timing//Bill Denbrough x fem reader

Please be kind! This is only my second time publishing on tumblr, so I’m not really sure what I’m doing, but here we are!

Warnings: smut, brief mention of fem oral receiving, swearing, mild angst, underage drinking

Spring break came way too slowly, especially for Y/n. Freshman year of college is said to be one of the best years of your life, but it’s definitely the worst. Her high school was entirely too easy for her, probably because her teachers were just idiots. Then college hit, and the workload was unbearable. Not to mention, she grew homesick for her parents and her best friends and even a tiny bit for Bill. 

Oh, how she hated Bill back home. 

Well, okay, she didn’t hate him, it was more of just a mutual tension that sometimes led to the Losers separating them at all costs. 

They went on a few dates freshman year, and even kissed once, but it all ended when popular Autumn asked Bill to “help her with English” at lunch one day. He completely forgot to tell Y/n, but didn’t think much of the whole affair anyway. When Y/n walked out of the lunch line, she smiled at her newly official boyfriend. He was hunched over a piece of paper, diligently writing with ginger hair falling into his eyes. When Autumn saw her coming over, she tapped Bill on the shoulder, and kissed him full on the mouth when he turned to her.

Y/n’s hands went slack, causing her tray to clatter to the ground. Tomato soup splattered all over her new white Keds. She obviously looked down to see the damage, and missed Bill pushing Autumn off of him. He went over to check on her and help her clean up, but she stormed off to the bathrooms. 

From then on out, there’s been so much tension between them. Even though Bill explained what happened countless times, she’s absolutely refused to listen. She’s had trust issues after her biological father cheated on her mother when she was little, and this, well, this basically made them inflate like the economy. She wasn’t on speaking terms with him until the end of the school year, and even then their friendship was rocky.

But there was also a sexual tension. Bill and Y/n still had blatantly obvious feelings for each other, whether they wanted to admit or not. In fact, they even went to senior prom together, but it ended in disaster. There was a dramatic exit from Y/n when he mentioned how he was on good terms with Autumn now, and she was really sorry for what happened. 

“Why the hell would you bring that up now?” Y/n rose from her seat.

“B-b-because she t-told me she w-wanted us to-”

“Can’t we just completely forget what happened back then? It was so long ago.”

Bill flushed. “Well, it r-r-really seems l-like you’ve n-n-never forgotten ab-about it these past th-three years.”

She threw her napkin on the table and left after saying, “You’re a dick.”

That night she vented to Eddie and ultimately admitted to having feelings for him, but he knew that all along anyway.

That night was the last time they talked until it was time for Bill to leave for NYU.

“Good luck,” she told him, bouncing on the balls of her feet nervously. 

“Th-thank you, Y/n, y-you too!” he was so excited that day that he even pulled her into a hug, much to her surprise (and delight). 

And now, here she is, on the plane to Palm Springs. It’s a long flight from Marywood, so Y/n uses her time to finish her homework. She’s majorly jetlagged by the time she lands at Palm Springs International. Luckily, the cab ride isn’t ridiculously long. When she gets to Richie’s beach house, he’s on the porch with his feet up and a daiquiri in hand.

“Y/N!!!!” he shouts, putting his drink to the side and running down the stairs.

“RICHIE!!!!” she yells back, dropping her bags to run and hug him. 

“Oh, it’s been so long!”

“I know!! And holy shit, your house is gorgeous!”

“I’m telling you, Y/n, I lucked out so much by scoring that audition. Can you believe it? Rich Records Tozier, the nation’s youngest beloved DJ.”

“Hardly,” she chuckles. “So how is the life of fame treating you?”

“Oh, brilliant. Come on in, I’ll give you a tour,” he scoops up her bag and leads her to the door. It’s an incredible house, with a beautiful kitchen and even a movie theater. 

“And here’s your room,” he gestures to the first door upstairs. 

“May I?” she asks, hand on the doorknob. 

“Be my guest.”

She swings it open to a redheaded girl on one of the two beds. She looks up from her magazine, smirking. “Hey, roomie!”

“Bev!” Y/n shrieks as her best friend runs to her and practically knocks her over. 

“When did you get here?!” 

“About an hour ago. Stan’s here too, but he’s taking a nap.”

“Well, we’ll have to fix that, won’t we?” Y/n grins mischievously. 

“Everyone else is supposed to get here tomorrow morning, except for Mike. He’s coming tonight.”

“Oh, thank God. No Bill for a half day more.”

“Oh, Y/n, don’t be so close-minded,” Bev giggles and they sit down on the same bed, bursting with so much to catch up on. Richie doesn’t know if he should sit down with them or just go back to his daiquiri, but the doorbell rings.

“Saved by the bell,” he says, getting the side eye in response. 

The girls talk for hours until they decide to say hello to Mike. Y/n stops at the bathroom first, and it takes her a while to find the kitchen after that. She has to follow the voices and Richie’s booming laugh.

“Sorry, I got lost,” she says, turning in the kitchen. “Hi, Mi-”

The third person talking to Richie and Beverly is not Mike.

It’s Bill. And she looks like a total bum in her old sundress and messy ponytail. She isn’t wearing a drop of makeup, either.

“Y/n.”

“Bill. Good to see you,” she holds out her hand professionally. He shakes it.

Is it good to see him? Looking at his cerulean eyes certainly sends butterflies through her stomach and through… other parts of her body.

“Y-you too.”

That immaculate stutter. She sits down at a barstool and crosses her legs together tightly. Richie and Beverly are quick to notice it, but restrain from commenting.

“I thought you were coming in tomorrow morning?” 

She doesn’t sound rude or accusatory, just curious.

“M-my flight got c-c-cancelled.”

“Okay, gotcha.” 

She drums her fingertips on the counter restlessly, not really knowing what else to say.

Luckily, Richie has a plan in case things get awkward between these two- and he’s already having to use it.

“Anyone want a drink?”

************************

“Nursing school is so insane. In anatomy, our teacher dissected a literal human body, and we had to examine it.”

“Eddie, please. We’re eating,” Y/n coughs. 

“It was disgusting, but it was also fascinating,” he defends himself.

“Whatever floats your boat,” Ben shrugs. 

“Y/n, tell us more about Marywood,” Eddie says, but she’s way too busy watching Bill talk to Richie’s cute next door neighbor while holding her little sister.

“You’re so good with her!” she simpers, tossing her shiny brown hair.

“Y/n? Earth to Y/n?”

“What?” 

“How’s Marywood?” 

“Oh, it’s… fine.”

“Just fine? Did you pick a major yet?”

She shakes her head.

“What about that guy? Are you still with him?”

“David? No, we were together for a while, but I guess the spark just kinda died. I mean, he initiated the breakup, but it was all mutual.”

Eddie squirts a dollop of sunscreen the size of a clementine in his hand. “That sucks. I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be,” Y/n shrugs, averting her gaze back to Bill. She’s very glad that she's wearing sunglasses, to hide her stares.

The cute girl was right, he is good with that little girl. Her heart would be melted, but Bill keeps flirting with the older sister. It’s disgusting.

And then, that girl has the audacity to drop the rattle she shook in the baby’s face. Y/n is close enough to hear the conversation, or at least read lips.

“Oh, l-l-l-let m-me get that.”

“Don’t worry, I got it,” she smiles, bending over so stealthily so that her breasts are all but out of that bikini.

“Ugh,” Y/n rolls her eyes.

“What’s up?” Ben asks.

“Nothing. I’m just going to go to the bathroom,” she stands up and walks almost catatonically to the door.

Instead of going to the bathroom, she finds a glass and slams it on the table. 

“D-damn, Y/n. That’s n-n-not a napkin, you kn-know.”

She jumps at Bill’s voice. He obviously followed her in, and she’s not too thrilled about it.

“Funny,” she replies, searching the cabinets. “Do you want anything?”

“I-I was ac-actually getting d-drinks.”

“Oh, for you and your new girlfriend? Hey, let me know when the wedding is. That is, if I even get on the guest list.”

“What’s your p-p-problem?”

“I don’t have a problem.”

Y/n finds a bottle of straight vodka and pours it right in the glass.

“Hey, its eh-eh-eleven AM,” Bill warns her, reaching for the glass. Unfortunately, their hands grab for it at the same time and it goes crashing to the ground. 

“Great, thanks,” she says.

“I didn’t w-want you to be w-w-wasted all d-day.”

“Listen, Bill,” she takes a deep breath. “I really appreciate your concern. I do. But it’s my life, and if I want to get wasted this early, then no one should stop me.” 

He doesn’t answer. They both grab rags and start to clean up around their feet.

“Th-this kind of r-r-reminds me of a certain sit-situation involving t-tomato soup,” Bill risks saying.

It was a terrible idea.

“Are you kidding me? I thought we moved on from that!”

“Yeah, so w-w-we can j-joke about it now!”

She’s silent for a minute, a blend of wrath and sadness.

“Just,” Y/n says, “Just go back out with your girlfriend.”

“I-I-I h-hardly know- o-okay, what the hell is y-y-your problem? We’re n-not together an-anymore!!! You sh-sh-shouldn’t c-care about my l-l-love life.”

“You don’t get it, do you?” she stands up, vodka dripping from the rag to her toes. “I don’t care that I shouldn’t care. I do care! I’ve always cared!” 

Bill is speechless, and she honestly doesn’t blame him. Y/n assumes he doesn’t feel the same about her. After all, they haven’t dated since freshman year. Sighing, she puts the rag in the sink and walks back outside.

She’s opening up her book and lying on her stomach to get a tan when Y/n hears an obnoxious “Excuse me?”

She looks up to the girl, who could literally be a bikini model.She looks at Y/n like she’s a piece of dirt, and Y/n just wants to smack her. She could never hurt anyone, though.

“Um, do you know when Bill will be back with the drinks?”

“Not a clue.”

******

Bill absolutely could not stop thinking of Y/n all day. He never really can, ever, but his thoughts have been out of control all damn day. They range from wild fantasies to regrets from way back when to just simply: She still likes me, she still likes me, she still likes me!!!!

He wants more than anything to talk to her and confess he’s been in love with her since high school, maybe even before that. But some small voice in Bill’s head tells him that even if she does have feelings, she won’t want to act on them. After all, he’s been nothing but an asshole to her.

Then again, so has she.

It’s really ironic that they’re so abrasive towards each other. Y/n is so kind and friendly to everyone she meets; that’s why Bill fell for her. And everyone tells him that he’s nothing but a sweetheart. And he’s always treated his every girlfriend like a princess. 

But it’s Y/n he wants as a girlfriend, and it always has been. 

Y/n comes running down the stairs, using the bansiters to prop herself up and skip the last couple steps. She’s been strangely lighthearted after she made that confession to Bill. It had been a weight on shoulders for the longest time, after all. And now that it’s out of the bag, she feels as if she can finally move on.

Holy shit, she’s so cute, Bill says to himself. She has this youthful energy, but the looks of a gorgeous young woman. Not to mention her outfit- a pastel yellow halter top, short jean shorts, and a sky blue scrunchie- looks magnificent.

“Okay, I’m ready to go!” she grins widely. “Sorry for the holdup!”

“You’re good,” Richie replies. “We were just figuring out transportation, considering I can only take five of us in my car.”

“I don’t mind taking the trunk,” Y/n shrugs. “Anyone else?” 

“I will,” Beverly volunteers. 

“Okay, great, and five of you can squish in the backseat. Mike claimed shotgun earlier.”

Everyone else groans while he flashes a smile and gives them finger guns.

“So charming,” Bev laughs and grabs Y/n’s hand. They run out to the car and squish in the trunk.

“Bev, I have to tell you something,” Y/n whispers.

“What?”

“I’m still not over Bill.”

“Thank you, Y/n,” she responds sarcastically.

“How did you know that? I only told Eddie!”

“It was just a little obvious,” she laughs. “And the good news is that we all think he feels the same way!”

“I don’t think he does, Bev,” Y/n shakes her head.

“What makes you say that?”

“Well, I told him today-”

“You what?”

“Shush!” she scolds as the boys get in the car. Luckily they’re all talking and can’t hear the girls if they whisper. “It just sort of... slipped out. But he didn’t even say anything. He just kind of… froze? It was so awkward.”

“You know he’s a little awkward around girls that he likes.”

“Is he, though?”

“Sure he is!”

“I don’t know, Bev. He stood there for a full thirty seconds without saying anything, and he just let me leave,” Y/n explains. “I think if he really liked me, he would have told me by now.”

Beverly gets quiet. “I’m so sorry, Y/n.”

“Hey, it’s okay! The timing was never right, and that- that happens. And it’s better I know now so I’m not hung up on him for the rest of my life.”

The rest of the drive is mostly just Beverly telling Y/n that there’s someone out there for her, and to keep her eyes open at the restaurant. 

It’s a bright restaurant, very tropical and very flamboyant. A lush plant, obviously made of silicon, is the centerpiece of every table. 

Good, it can hide me from Bill and spare my embarrassment, Y/n thinks as she sits opposite him. Unfortunately, Ben asks the hostess to take it away so he can see everyone. Y/n is mortified. Being directly across from her, he can watch and judge the girl the entire dinner.

She tries her hardest the whole meal not to pay Bill any mind, but it gets difficult when he starts getting tipsy. And drunk Bill can be wild. Singing and dancing on the tables wild. Luckily he isn’t at that point yet.

She doesn’t even know how he was able to buy drinks here; he’s only nineteen. The waitress must have a crush on him or something. Maybe she and Richie’s neighbor could start a Bill fanclub.

Y/n has a feeling the waitress would ask for her ID, though, so she sticks to soda. And three Shirley Temples is never good on anyone’s bladder.

“I’m going to the bathroom,” she announces. “Anyone else?”

Everyone shakes their heads. Everyone except…

“Me! M-m-me!” Bill waves his hand around like a hyper child.

“Great, I’m a babysitter now,” Y/n murmurs.

She starts walking to the bathroom, Bill hot on her heels. Surprisingly enough, when she finishes peeing, he’s actually waiting for her. 

“F-f-finally. G-g-girls take so long in the buh-buh-bathroom.”

She ignores him.

“Y/nnnnn,” he slurs. “I’ve been m-m-meaning to t-t-tell you, your a-a-ass looks fantastic in th-those shorts.”

“Because that’s not a rude thing to say at all,” she replies, feeling her face burn up.

“I’m n-n-not trying to be r-rudeeee,” Bill grabs her waist and pulls her in. Y/n can smell all the alcohol on his breath, and it’s disgusting. He kisses her full on the mouth.

She shoves him off, embarrassed by his behavior. “You’re drunk.”

“If b-b-being drunk makes me w-w-want to m-make out with you, I-I-I never want t-to be so-sober.”

That hits Y/n hard. Bill Denbrough wants her. But only when he’s drunk. 

He doesn’t love her in his right mind. This is all she has, and she can’t even fathom just taking advantage of him when he’s drunk. Using someone would hurt her in such an inexplicable way, and not to mention it would tear whatever small bond she had with Bill into shreds.

She plops back down in her seat, barely touching the rest of her food or speaking for the rest of the night.

When she gets to her shared room with Bev, Y/n takes a shower. She’s always loved showers because they’re a place where you can cry without risk of anyone hearing over the water running.

And that’s exactly what Y/n does. She lets the tears stream down her face, washed away by the showerhead’s water.

*******

Bill knows he got plastered last night, so it’s no surprise when he wakes up with a pounding headache. But he isn’t sure why Y/n is so quiet, especially around him. Usually she has a remark or at least a glare for him, but she seems almost meek today.

He pulls Beverly aside at one point, and asks if he did anything to her last night.

“I don’t know, Bill. You guys went to the bathroom at the same time, and when you came back, Y/n seemed really upset.”

“L-l-like angry, or s-sad?”

“Sad. But she didn’t tell me anything that happened. I’m sorry, Bill.”

“It’s o-o-okay. Th-Thanks, Bev.”

He spends the rest of the day trying to remember something- anything- from last night. Bathrooms. Bathrooms.

There are some vignettes. Y/n across from him, in that pretty top. Watching her ass as she walked to the bathrooms. 

Oh, shit. Bill made some sort of comments about those shorts. What happened after that? He kissed her, didn’t he? But why would that make her sad?

When evening rolls around, Bill still doesn’t remember anything new. He’s the only one in the living room, not even paying attention to the TV. His friends come bounding down the stairs, all wearing sneakers and athletic outfits.

“A-a-are you g-guys going somewhere?”

“Yeah, to the new rope climbing place,” Stan replies. 

“Where’s Y/n?”

“She has vertigo, and wanted to stay here. We thought you could stay here so she’s not alone all night.”

“You d-d-didn’t th-think about asking me f-first?”

“We drew names out of a hat,” Beverly steps in. “You just weren’t around when we did it.”

“Isn’t that a l-l-little ruh-rude to Y-Y/n? One of us is g-g-going to st-stay with her instead of h-having fun?”

“No, Bill, it was the opposite!” Richie tries to save the group, much to their chagrin. “We were voting on who didn’t get to stay home with Y/n. And you won! You get to!”

“Wh-what i-if I want to donate m-my win?”

“Doesn’t work like that. Wins are final.”

It’s all BS, and Bill knows it. There never was a hat draw, everyone knows that Bill and Y/n have a lot to work out, and they don’t want the two to go back from spring break with even more animosity for each other. 

Also, they know that the two have feelings that have been expressed so wrongly over the years. Maybe now it’s time to work them out.

“So we’re going to head out now; have fun with Y/n!” Eddie waves, and they run out excitedly.

 Bill sighs, not knowing what he’s going to do with Y/n all night. Maybe she’ll just be antisocial and hide in her room all night, but he personally hopes she won’t. He decides to hang out by the pool for a while, and changes into his swim trunks.

By the time he gets outside, though, Y/n is already there. She’s hugging her knees to her chest and watching the little waterfall intently.

“Hey,” Bill says, making her jump.

“Hey.”

“C-c-can I join you?”

She nods. 

“Why aren’t you with the others?”

“B-because I w-w-won their ‘contest,’”

“Contest?” she shakes her head, not understanding.

“To b-b-babysit you, ap-apparently.”

“Ah. Sounds legitimate.”

He doesn’t know how to respond to that, so he just lets the sounds of the waterfall and the faint grasshoppers fill the silence. He’s sure Y/n doesn’t mind, though. When everyone else complained about the summer grasshoppers as kids, she would always dote on how they’re melodious and comforting.

Bill can’t hold himself back any longer.

“Y/n, what d-d-did I do l-last night?”

She turns to him. “You really don’t remember?”

“I re-remember making a com-comment, which I-I’m sorry about b-by the way, th-that was an a-asshole move. And I-I remember kissing y-you. But then what?”

Taking a deep breath, Y/n continues. “Well, then I pushed you off and told you that you were drunk.”

She pauses.

“And th-then?”

“Then you said, ‘If I want to make out with you when I’m drunk, then I don’t ever want to be sober.’”

That’s it? Bill thinks. He’s not stupid enough to voice his thoughts, luckily.

“Oh, Y-Y-Y/n, I w-w-was drunk. I d-didn’t know what I w-w-was saying.”

“Listen, Bill. I know you remember what I told you yesterday in the kitchen. And what you told me at the restaurant really hurt, okay?”

“Why? I-I wanted to k-k-kiss you,” he asks, genuinely confused.

“You’re such an idiot sometimes!” Y/n laughs incredulously. “You wanted to kiss me when you were drunk, not in your right mind!”

“I al-always want to k-k-kiss you in my right mind!”

“What?!” 

“I-I think I love you, Y/n.”

She’s frozen. Could he actually mean that? Has he been drinking again? Hearing that from Bill Denbrough has been her dream since… forever.

“I think I love you too, Bill.”

He jumps up from his lounge chair, and leans over Y/n. He tucks a piece of hair behind her ear and kisses her tenderly, gently. Her lips are just as soft as he remembers them to be all those years ago, softer than any other girl he’s kissed.

“Wow,” she beams as they pull apart. “I guess I knew this, but you’re a much better kisser than my ex.”

He laughs. “W-why, thank you. You’re n-n-not so bad y-yourself.”

“Thanks,” she giggles. “I just… I can’t believe this is happening. I feel like doing something crazy now, something outrageous.”

“L-like what?”

“Hm…” she thinks for a minute. “Do you want to go skinny dipping?”

“Okay, sure,” Bill chuckles. 

Grinning, she begins to peel off her one piece. She slips the straps off, and the rest slowly slides off her body. Her breasts are exposed first, then her stomach, then everything. Her skin is smooth and glorious.

Bill pulls off his swim trunks and throws them behind him. Y/n wants to tease him about his erection, but she’s way too shocked at his size.

They bask in the beauty of each other for a moment before they dive into the water, crisp and cool on their bare bodies. Y/n splashes Bill right in his face.

He pushes wet strands of hair from his ocean eyes. “H-how dare you?” 

“What are you going to do about it?” she taunts.

“This,” Bill says, throwing Y/n over his shoulder and taking her outside the water. She’s both screaming and laughing her head off at this point. He carries her all the way to the deep end and tosses her in. 

When she surfaces, Y/n makes sure to flip him off. 

“So r-r-rude.”

He cannonballs in, and they swim around, and eventually go under the waterfall. They end up making out and gasping for air.

“D-d-do you want to tuh-take this inside?” Bill whispers.

She nods, and they get out. As Y/n shivers, Bill gets them fluffy towels from a bin by the chairs.

Grabbing his hand, she pulls him through the sliding glass doors. They run around the house in nothing but towels, giggling and kissing and dripping pool water everywhere. The two finally make it to Bill’s room and go directly to the bed (after locking the door).

“Spruh-spread your legs,” Bill breathes in her ear, sending goosebumps up and down her body. 

She obeys and lets him kiss her knees, her thighs, and eventually her core. He pleases Y/n in a way her old boyfriend never did.

When she finishes, Bill holds her for a minute so she can catch her breath. Then, when he turns around to put on a condom, she moves against the wall.

“Oh, s-s-so you w-want wall sex n-now?” Bill raises his eyebrows.

“Maybe,” she shrugs. “If you’re comfortable with it.”

Instead of using words, Bill throws Y/n up against the wall and kisses her roughly. Their tongues clash, and she loves every second of it. Then he goes in. He starts slow at first, but begins to pick up the pace with her approval.

“D-damn, you’re so t-t-tight,” he whispers while she keeps muttering his name.

“Probably because I wasn’t with someone as big as you before.”

Hearing that makes him turn redder than his hair. “Really?”

“Really,” she sighs. “Can you go a little slower?”

He listens to her, and almost screams in pleasure when she starts to suck on his neck.

They both finish in a couple minutes, and are pretty burned out- Y/n especially because she’s never made such rough love before.

She lies in his arms, back on the bed, and traces the love mark forming on his neck.

“I think I love you,” Y/n says for the second time tonight. 

“I-I th-think I love you t-too.”

They can’t help smiling for the umpteenth time in the past hour. Their stars had never aligned until now, and it couldn’t be a more perfect exchange of love. The wait was unbearable, but incredibly worth it. 

Y/n and Bill make each other feel whole, like there was a sort of void within each other, unfilled until now. 

“Hey,” Y/n’s voice is soft and gentle. “I’m so sorry about these past years. You know I have trust issues, but I took them too far and didn’t treat you right. And I’m so sorry.”

“I’m s-sorry, too. I’ve been an ass-asshole to y-y-you, a-and it’s m-m-my fault we broke uh-up in the f-first place.”

“Don’t say that,” Y/n frowns. “It was Evil Autumn’s fault.”

They chuckle. 

Resting her head on Bill’s chest, Y/n asks the dreaded question. 

“So what’s going to become of us? After spring break.”

Bill thinks for a minute, stroking her hair, and admits, “I don’t w-w-want us to c-c-cut each other off again.”

“Neither do I.”

“I think our sc-sc-schools are like t-t-two hours ap-apart; that’s n-not terrible.”

“It’s not,” Y/n agrees. “Maybe we could take turns driving every weekend, and find a halfway point or something.”

“A-an ex-exact halfway point,” Bill adds.

“An exact halfway point.”

They can make it work, they’ve got to. Both Bill and Y/n are extremely optimistic about the future ahead, now that every feeling has been sorted out between them. And even in the unfavorable event where things don’t work out, there will always be Palm Springs. 

Bill presses a kiss to her forehead. There’s not a chance that they won’t make it. The timing is finally, after all these years, perfect. 

[let-it-raines]

what about my favorite trope of person a saying “i never went to prom” and then person b dancing with them to make up for it??? thanks a million you’re the best ❤️

Been going through my prompts lately because I know I’m woefully behind on writing them for you guys, so I hope you enjoy this very little snippet. 

On ao3 | here | if that’s how you like to read!

-/-

She’s beautiful.

After so much time, Killian assumed he would grow used to the way his heart beats when he looks at her, his love. He assumed that seeing her smile, seeing her tuck her golden hair behind her ear, seeing her laugh, seeing her do all the little things he loves about her would grow old. They wouldn’t make his heart race or his chest ache. It would all grow normal and be just another day in his life.

Some days it’s like that. Killian won’t lie.

Some days he wakes up, and he’s too tired to do more than tell her good morning or to look at her and nod in acknowledgement. Some days she (or he) picks a fight over what to have for dinner or the color of the new couch. Some days he wants to sleep in another bed to keep from having to feel her moving when she’s restless and keeps them both up all night with her movement.

Most days, however, he takes the time to look at Emma, to talk to her, to be intimate with her in a myriad of ways, to simply be with her and appreciate how beautiful she is, body and soul.

They are not each other’s first loves, not the second either, and while they had good, wonderful, lovely moments in their past relationships, there is a reason they are not with those people anymore. There is a reason he gets to stand with his hand on Emma’s back as they watch Henry very awkwardly get into Killian’s car with Ava in the passenger’s seat.

“Are you worried he’s going to crash your car?” Emma asks him. She leans into his side until her head rests on his shoulder, and he wraps his arm further around her, pulling her closer and tucking his finger into the belt loop of her jeans. Killian leans over and gently presses his lips to her temple.

“He’s a responsible kid. I don’t think I should be worried.”

“He’s a seventeen-year-old boy going to prom with the girl he likes, and it looks like his arms can’t stop shaking. I’m not worried about him drinking tonight. I’m worried about how nervous he is and that he’s accidentally going to drive your car into a tree because Ava decides to hold his hand or something.”

“Bloody hell, love, why would you mention that?”

Emma pulls away from him and shrugs her shoulders, her eyes glistening in the sunlight. He doesn’t think he’s ever seen such a beautiful color green. “You’re a good man, Killian Jones. A stupid man, but a good man.”

“I’m obviously trying to win points with the lad.”

“You’ve known him since he was ten and have been living with him since he was fourteen. I think you’ve won enough points.”

“I’m still trying to make up for that time he came home from Avery’s early and saw us…”

“Okay,” Emma hums, patting Killian’s chest until he quiets. “Let’s go get dinner and go home. We have a night without a teenager, so, you know, we can get really spicy and go to bed early.”

“Scandalous, Swan,” he whispers, kissing her temple once more.

They get takeout from their favorite Italian place and eat it standing at the kitchen counter with the washing machine running and the timed vacuum running around them. He bloody hates that thing and the way it’ll get tangled up in lamp cords and phone charged, but if it keeps his cleaning time down, he guesses he’s okay with it.

…if it stops hitting against his ankle. Henry gave it to him for Christmas after Killian complained about their old, standing vacuum, and he tries to be appreciative even when he thinks it’d be more effective to get one of the new Dysons.

Killian moves away from the vacuum and looks to Emma, who is staring at her phone like she has been all night. “Love, stop refreshing your feed looking for pictures.”

“I am not doing that,” Emma lies even as she taps her phone that is very obviously on Instagram.

“You definitely are.”

“I’m checking to see if he’s crashed your car.”

Killian sighs and walks around the counter to Emma, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing his lips along her jaw and her neck, breathing in the flowers of Emma’s perfume and the taste of her skin. He glances over her shoulder and watches her feed scroll by. It’s full of cooking videos – Emma definitely does not cook, so that’s an interesting discovery – and pictures of their friends, but there are a few prom pictures sneaking in.

“These dresses are so different than when I was a teenager,” Emma tells him.

“What was that? Fifty years ago.”

“Shut up,” Emma scoffs, patting his hand against her stomach. “I’m only thirty-four, and you, mister, have no room to talk about me being old.”

Killian hums and tightens his grip on her stomach as the stupid vacuum whirs by, nearly hitting them. “What was your dress like, my love?”

“I didn’t go to prom.”

“No?”

“I mean, no. I got pregnant at sixteen, and had already dropped out of school to be with Neal. They don’t exactly have prom for pregnant teenagers in jail. I’m not sure if I would have gone had my life been different anyhow.”

Sometimes he forgets Emma’s past and how awful it was when he gets to listen to that beautiful laugh or see that beautiful smile, but just like with him, there’s darkness buried beneath the laughter. He likes to think it diminishes a little more every day as the past is left further behind.

Out of the bad came good, and though Killian knows Emma wouldn’t trade Henry for the world, he does know she wishes her childhood could have gone differently.

She wishes she could have gotten a childhood, for one.

Killian reaches over and grabs Emma’s phone, tapping out of Instagram and hitting her Spotify.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to remember what songs were popular seventeen years ago.”

“Why?”

“Don’t question it.” Killian chuckles when he finds an early 2000’s playlist and presses play on Shakira’s ‘Hips Don’t Lie.’ It’s the exact opposite of the song he was looking for, but he thinks it’ll work. “May I have this dance?”

Emma raises her brow. “You want to dance to this?”

He pulls back and pulls her off the kitchen stool, taking her hand in his and resting his prosthetic on her lower back as her free hand wraps around his neck. “This definitely would have been played at your prom, so yes.”

“I don’t think a soul would have been slow dancing to this.”

“No, I think not, but we make the rules here.”

“Oh?”

“Most definitely. This is our house.” He spins her around, Emma giggling and rolling her eyes all at once, and then continues to shuffle them around the room. He learned to dance in a rather unfortunate boarding school when he was a lad, and while he never had any kind of dance as a teenager, he did have Naval balls. They were not his taste, but they were nice before he’d lost his love for Her Majesty’s Navy and lost his hand. Milah had always loved them, though, so he holds onto their memories like he’ll hold onto this one. “I’m sorry you never got your prom, Emma.”

She settles a little closer to him, their movements completely contradicting the words blaring from Emma’s phone. “There are a lot of things I’d change about that time in my life, but for all of the shit, I got Henry. I couldn’t regret him for a second once I got to keep him with me, and now he gets everything I never could have had. I don’t know…I screwed up a lot, I was screwed over a lot, but I feel like I’m making the world a better place with him.”

“You are,” Killian promises, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. “If I may selfishly say, you and Henry have made my world infinitely better, so at the very least, there’s that.”

“You don’t need to win points with him, Killian. He loves you. He may not say it often, but he does. I love you, too”

“I know,” Killian sighs. “I know. And I the both of you.”

The song ends and another one begins, and while the music ebbs and flows to different tunes and paces, he and Emma keep dancing. Sometimes it’s slow, sometimes fast, but it’s a damn good time.

And he decides that his heart is never going to settle when he sees Emma, no matter how much time passes. There was never any guarantee that either of them would get to this place, but they’re here. He won’t take that for granted.

After a lifetime of searching, he’s found his home in her arms.

“Hey,” Emma says, tapping his cheek with her finger and breaking into a wide smile, “you want to finish prom night off by getting drunk and sleeping together? To make it a full cliché.”

“I definitely want to do one of those things,” Killian teases as his lips ghost over Emma’s. “I’ll let you guess which one.”

[thebrotherssalvatore321]

Keeping Secrets Ch. 46

Keeping Secrets Masterlist

The next morning Katie and Klaus were talking to the moving company about what they wanted to move from where, when Katie’s phone started ringing and she looked down at it to see Caroline’s name on the screen. “Why is she calling? They all gave up on getting in touch with me months ago.” Katie thought as she excused herself from Klaus. With a nervous hand Katie pressed the talk button and walked out onto the balcony of their living quarters. “Hello?” Katie answered.

“Oh, my god, Katie, is it really you?” Caroline asked in a rush of unbelieving words.

“It’s really me.” Katie answered with a smile.

“Where are you? Are you okay? Why did you go MIA? We thought Klaus had dragged you off somewhere and killed you or something.” Caroline asked, excited to be talking to her friend for the first time in months.

“Okay, give me one second and I’ll answer what questions I can.” Katie told Caroline then muted the phone so she wouldn’t be able to hear Katie talking to Klaus who joined her on the balcony. “So, since everyone and their mother seem to know about us and baby Mikaelson, do you think it’s safe to tell my friends?”

“I assumed Tyler had already told them.” He replied.

“Hello! Katie! Don’t put me on hold.” Caroline yelled over the phone so loud it sounded like she was on speaker phone.

“I’m pretty sure he didn’t or Caroline would’ve just mentioned it.” Katie told Klaus with a smile at the phone and Caroline being Caroline.

“They are still your friends, yes?” he asked.

“Estranged, but yeah.” She nodded.

“Then tell her before she breaks the speaker in your phone.” He said with a look at the phone that Caroline was still ranting through.

Katie flashed him a big smile and he kissed her on the cheek then went back inside to give her space. Katie unmated the phone. “Okay, to answer your first question I’m in New Orleans with Klaus who would never murder me by the way.” She told Caroline.

“Well you can’t blame us for assuming that he did. He was pretty mad at you before he left to go after you.” Caroline replied.

Katie didn’t know why he was mad at her and she didn’t feel like thinking about it at the moment. “My trip here to meet my father was just supposed to last two days tops considering I didn’t want to miss prom.”

“Then why did you miss it and graduation and college orientation?” Caroline asked, making a pain shoot through Katie’s chest at the thought of the life she was leaving behind for Klaus and baby M.

“Okay are you ready for some…unbelievable news?” Katie asked with a sigh.

“Um, I guess.” Caroline replied.

“Seriously you should probably be sitting down for this.” Katie told her.

“Okay, I’m sitting down.” Caroline told her.

“I’m pregnant.” Katie told her.

“You’re joking.” Caroline laughed. Katie knew the only way Caroline would believe her was if she saw it for herself. So she lifted her shirt, took a picture of her stomach, her daylight ring hand cupping it for proof, and sent it to Caroline.

Katie heard the rustle of Caroline looking at the photo then dead silence to a long thirty seconds. “Care…are you alive?”

“Just…processing.” Caroline answered, sounding like her mind was a million miles away. “How is that possible?”

“Well you see when a mommy and daddy love each other very much-”

“You know that’s not what I’m talking about.” Carline cut her off and Katie laughed. “Katie this isn’t funny.”

“I’m sorry, but you know you set yourself up for that.” Katie defended herself then got serious. “When my vampire soul mysteriously recovered from getting shattered it had some biological side effects. Like fertility for example.”

“Okay.” Caroline drawled. “So who’s the father?” she asked, sounding confused.

“Klaus.” Katie answered like it was the obvious answer. “Turns out when he unlocked his werewolf gene it also gave him the ability to pass it on.”

“Oh my god…” Caroline sighed. “Oh my god.” She said again with more vigor as it sank in. “Wait so that’s why you didn’t come home? Because you were scared to tell us that you’re pregnant with Klaus Mikaelson’s baby?”

“Uh…no.” Katie answered. “Long story short the New Orleans witches used me and my pregnancy to blackmail Klaus into doing their bidding. One witch linked me to another so I couldn’t leave the city or they would kill me. I couldn’t tell anyone about the fact that I was pregnant because everyone was convinced that a hybrid baby would be the end of the freaking world and wanted it dead.”

“God…Katie…I’m so sorry. I swear we tried to find you. Bonnie tired a locator spell but it didn't work. She said there was nothing to find and Klaus wasn’t returning our calls. We really thought you were dead.” Caroline defended herself.

“Yeah something tells me that spell wasn’t your average everyday linking spell.” Katie complained. “But if you thought I was dead why did you call me?”

“Honestly I was having a bad day and feeling nostalgic. I was hoping I could still hear your voicemail message.” Caroline answered. “But I got the real thing which is so much better.” The excited tone of Caroline’s voice made Katie smile. “So are you still linked to that witch?” Caroline asked curiously.

“No, I’ve been unlinked for a while now. It only became safe for me to let people know about the baby a few days ago and things have been crazy with Klaus and Rebekah and Elijah, hence why I haven’t tried to contact you guys. It was safer for everyone if I kept you all in the dark. I’m really sorry about that.”

“No, Katie, I’m just glad you’re okay.” Caroline brushed it off. “You are okay, right?”

“I’m more than okay.” Katie answered not being able to keep the smile from her face.

“Oh, hey, Elena just walked in.” Caroline said and Katie could hear Caroline put her on speaker phone.

“Who are you talking to?” Elena asked.

“Katie.” Caroline answered and Katie could hear the smile in her voice.

“What?” Elena asked, sounding a little like she was in shock.

“She’s not dead. She’s pregnant and I’m pretty sure she’s happy about it.” Caroline informed Elena with a happy bubbly-ness to her voice that only Caroline could do without being completely annoying.

“What?” Elena asked again and Katie could easily see Elena’s jaw dropped expression in her head.

“Is that all you can say?” Katie asked with a laugh knowing Caroline would give Elena the full story later.

“Katie if I could punch you through this phone I would.” Elena told her even though she sounded happy to know that Katie was alive. “Wait, did I hear Caroline right, you’re pregnant?”

“Yep.” Katie answered. “I’ll let Caroline explain how later. Right now I need to know, Caroline, are you and Tyler still together?”

“No, that’s actually why I was having a bad day. We broke up last night.” Caroline answered.

“Last night?” Katie asked with wide eyes. “Did he break up with you over the phone?”

“No, he was here at Duke, why do you sound surprised?” Caroline asked and Katie could hear the confusion in her voice.

“Because last I heard he was still here in New Orleans.” Katie answered. “If I may ask, why did the two of you break up?”

“Because I made him choose between me and his revenge against Klaus. He chose Klaus.” Caroline answered. “He never said anything to me about seeing either of you.”

“Then that means that he didn’t tell you what happened when he was here…” Katie sighed as she leaned on the rail and put her forehead in her hands. “I really don’t want to tell you this, but… he tried to kill my baby.”

“Matt said something to me about Tyler having a run in with Klaus in New Orleans and that Klaus put him through hell…” Elena said. “I guess now we know why.”

“So when can we see you?” Caroline asked in an attempt to change the subject.

“I don’t know…” Katie sighed. “Klaus and I are still in the process of moving into the house he and his family built way back when and a lot of things are still up in the air, but hopefully soon. I miss you guys and we have a lot of catching up to do that I don’t want to do over the phone.”

“We miss you too.” Elena told her.

Klaus walked out onto the balcony next to Katie and wrapped his arm around her waist. She leaned her head on his shoulder. “So I gotta let you guys for now, but I promise I’ll stay in touch from now on.”

“Talk to you later.” Elena said.

“We love you!” Caroline yelled happily.

“Bye guys.” Katie laughed at Caroline as she hung up.

“So I take it your chat went well?” Klaus asked as she turned in his arm to stand in front of him and leaned back on the railing.

“Other than finding out that Tyler is not in the garden where I thought he was and telling Caroline that her recent ex is a baby killing dick, yeah. It was good.” Katie finished with a content smile.

“You miss them don’t you?” he asked, making it clear that he hadn’t listened in on her conversation.

“You didn’t eavesdrop on me, did you?” she asked a little surprised.

“Of course not. Your private conversations are just that…private.” He assured her.

“I swear, you’re perfect and no one can convince me otherwise.” She told him with a serious look and a shake of her head that made him chuckle at her. “And I really need to stop eavesdropping on you.”

“It’s fine. I have nothing to hide from you. You know that.” he brushed it off.

“I know, but eavesdropping is disrespectful, and I respect you as much as I love you. I need to break the bad habit.” She told him as she slid her hands up to rest her arms on his shoulders. “To answer your question, yes, I miss them. And if possible I’d love to pay them a visit.” She answered as she slid her hands up his chest to rest her wrists on his shoulders.

“As soon as we get settled and find a good moment to slip away I’ll escort you there myself. Unless you would rather go with your father.” He told her.

“No, I’m not going that far away with him. I don’t trust him that much yet.” She told him with a shake of her head.

“Good, because I don’t either.” He agreed with her. “I have a meeting with the faction at Saint Anne’s church. The moving company should be by in a few hours with our things from the plantation. I may or may not be back before then, it all depends on how the meeting goes.” He told her as he pulled her closer.

“Okay. I’ll obviously be here when you get back.” she told him with a nod then pecked him on the lips. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She smirked at him as she gave him a light push backwards.

“That’s no fun.” He commented with a playful smirk back as he turned around and headed to the front of their living quarters. She just laughed as she followed him to the door then kissed him once more before he left and she shut the door behind him.

She was sitting at a patio table on the balcony, reading a book when she heard a whoosh and looked up to see Elijah standing across from her and she jumped. “Elijah…” she sighed, placing her hand over her pounding heart. “Don’t do that.” she threw her book at him and he caught it.

“My apologies. I did not mean to startle you.” he told her as he closed the book.

“What are you doing here?” she asked with an attitude that made it clear she didn’t want him to be.

“I don’t like how we left things.” He explained. “I owe you yet another apology.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Elijah.” She told him with a shake of her head, noticing that he wasn’t wearing his usual suit, but a pair of dark jeans, a black cotton shirt and nice, black, button up jacket with the collar upturned instead.

He set the book on the patio table and pulled out a chair. “May I join you?” he asked with a motion to the chair.

She took in a deep breath then let it out. “Sure, why not?” her words were tainted with thick sarcasm, but he sat down anyway.

“You said it seems like I lack faith in you, I do not.” He told her as he fiddled with the book on the table. “I believe now more than ever that you will help me achieve the one thing I’ve desired most in my life.” He told her with a squint of his eyes. “My brother’s salvation.”

“How are we supposed to work together to accomplish anything if there is constantly this…wall, of unrequited feelings not only causing problems with you and me, but you and Klaus?” she asked, wanting to work through their problems.

“That is the tricky question.” He sighed as he looked down at the book and straightened it on the table.

“I can’t tell you to stop having feelings for me. It’s not my place or right to tell you what to do or feel.” She told him as she sat up straighter and crossed her arms on the table. “But Elijah, we have to work something out. Even though you said you wouldn’t let your feelings stand in the way they are… regardless of your intentions. I mean, what Klaus said about you trying to color him the lesser brother in my eyes…is that really what you were trying to do when you accused him of wanting to use our baby to sire hybrids?”

“Not intentionally.” He answered. “I cannot deny that I am jealous of Niklaus and angry at myself. In all my one thousand years I have never felt such…emotional turmoil.” Katie frowned and looked down at her arms on the table, hating that she was causing this. “My own grievances caused me to lash out at you. To suggest that your word could be easily broken, that my brother would use his child for his own personal gain… it was unfair and untrue. For that I am sorry.”

Katie sighed as she leaned forward resting her head on her arms. “Apology accepted.” She mumbled not picking her head up.

“You care about Niklaus, you’re devoted to him, he makes you happy.” Katie picked her head up and sat up straight. “However, because I’ve never heard you say, I have to ask, do you love him?”

“Yes.” She answered only to see the hurt in his eyes that he tried to hide. “And it pains me to know that my love for your brother is the cause of your unhappiness. I hate seeing you like this…seeing your emotional turmoil turn you into someone you’re not…” she looked away from him and down to the street below. “You don’t break promises, you don’t make unfounded accusations…yet since I’ve become a part of your life, that’s all I’ve seen from you. If me leaving your life would solve the problem I would.

“That would only make the problem worse.” He replied with a shake of his head and Katie looked back at him. “I need you in my life.” Katie placed her elbows on the table and clasped her hands together at a loss of words. “If not as my lover then as my friend.”

“Friends?” Katie asked with a raised brow. “Do you really think you can manage that?”

“I do.” He told her with a confident nod. “Because you are not only good for Klaus, but he is good for you. You carry yourself with a confidence that I’ve never seen from you before. He brings out a whole different side of you…a strength that’s bright and…” he shook his head not able to find the word he was looking for.

“Fiery?” she asked with a smirk.

He smirked back. “Yes.” He sat up straighter and swiped his pointer finger across his bottom lip. “Niklaus has accused me of snuffing you out in the past. I assure you I only wish to help you burn brighter. I need you to tell me how to achieve that.”

Katie dropped her hands and placed them in her lap with a shrug. Her green eyes looked into his browns in thought. “Just… do as you said and be my friend. Support my happiness and your brothers. I know Rebekah thinks he doesn’t deserve love or happiness, especially since he’s taken hers away so many times, but he does. He also deserves the love and support of his family, you all do.”

“Friends it is then.” He told her with a smirk that she returned before she remembered that Hayley had given him a ride back from the bayou and it fell.

“As your friend I have to ask, was that Hayley that gave you a ride home from the bayou?” she asked.

“Yes.” He answered. “She was still at the campsite and came to my aid.”

“You know she helped Tyler kidnap me, right?” Katie asked.

“Tyler made her.” He informed her and Katie frowned. “He called her a sympathizer because she didn't believe Klaus would hurt a child. Apparently my brother aided her, protected her from Katherine, and won her favor.”

“Klaus did help her.” Katie confirmed.

“She also said she was afraid her anger at Tyler and what he was planning on doing might have given you the wrong impression.” He explained. “She assured me she did not want the child dead, but she didn’t have the power to stand up to a hybrid.”

“She didn't exactly stick around to watch once we got to the cabin.” Katie thought out loud. “And she pointed out Tyler's true intentions as soon as she could. I thought the disdain I heard in her voice was aimed at me, but it easily could have been aimed at Tyler.” Katie played the day and the little time she was around Hayley over in her head and realized what she’d told Elijah could very well be true. “I was going to say she’s not a good person, but maybe that was a hasty judgment.”

“Perhaps it was.” He agreed with a nod as he stood up and started to leave.

“Elijah.” Katie called again and he turned back to her. “You know I’m not the one you really needed to apologize to, right?” he gave her a nod then with a whoosh, he disappeared.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie got bored waiting for the moving company to call and started wandering around the compound. Interested in the basement that Klaus had skipped to save time on his tour, she went there and found Josh and a young woman talking in the garage. “You can trust Marcel. And if Klaus tries to hurt you…I’ll hurt him.” she heard the girl say.

“I’m going to politely suggest that you don’t try that.” Katie spoke up, alerting them to her presence.

“You’re Katie…Klaus’s wife?” The young pretty brunette girl observed.

“Wife no, significant other, yes.” Katie answered. “And judging off your young age, confidence in Marcel and hatred of Klaus I’m assuming you’re the all powerful witch, Davina. Josh I’ve met.” She looked around Davina to Josh with a small smile. “Hello again.”

“Hi.” He said, giving her a flick of his wrist in an awkward wave.

“The less inflammatory way to protect Josh from Klaus’s backlash for leading him into a trap would be to trust me.” Katie said letting her eyes bounce between Josh and Davina.

“You’re Klaus’s other half, why would we trust you?” Davina asked with hard eyes.

“Because while Klaus is the irrational half, I’m the rational one. And I believe in second chances.” She added with a look at Josh.

“And we’re just supposed to believe you?” Davina asked.

“No, but you could give me a chance to prove myself.” Katie said hopefully. “Look, you and I have something in common.”

“What’s that?” Davina drawled with a little less disdain in her eyes.

“Both our lives have been threatened by the French quarter witches.” Katie answered. “We’ve been used by them.”

“Well, your boyfriend wants to use me too, so....” Davina pointed out.

“And I may have unfortunately encouraged him…” Katie admitted. “But it was only because I was afraid and I knew you had the power to protect my baby from the witches. I know that doesn’t make it right and I am sorry. I’m not trying to manipulate you or sway you from Marcel to side with me and Klaus. I’m just trying to be upfront and honest with you.”

“So why would you protect Josh?” Davina asked and Josh gave her a look that said he was wondering the same thing.

“Because I have no friends’ here, I had to leave them all behind.” She answered with a shrug.

“What about that guy I’ve seen you talking to? Bradley. Are you two not friends?” Josh asked.

“If my estranged biological father is the only person in this place I can call a friend then my life is far more tragic than I ever thought.” Katie admitted with an ashamed face and a shake of her head. “Oh, and,” Katie perked up with a look at Davina, “I believe I owe you a thank you for saving my baby’s life.”

“What?” Davina asked, clearly confused.

“Elijah didn’t tell you what the spell he gave you was did he?” Katie asked.

“It was a spell if unknotting. He said it was used as representational magic.” Davina answered.

“What is it with the Mikaelson’s and not being truthful about their intentions?” she asked rhetorically with an eye roll. “The spell unlinked me from Sophie Deveraux who had been stabbed with the needle of sorrows. Do you know what that is?” she asked and Davina nodded. “You completed the spell in the nick of time and saved me from the witch’s abortion attempt. I am incredibly grateful for you and your magic and equally sorry that Elijah misled you in order to help me.”

“You saved a baby?” Josh asked Davina.

“It seems so.” Davina answered with wide eyes.

“Can you forgive Elijah for deceiving you?” Katie asked, trying her best to keep down the hatred of the originals, especially hatred that could be as powerful as Davina’s.

“I…don’t know.” Davina answered sounding confused.

“Understandable.” Katie nodded not pushing the subject.

Katie’s phone started ringing and she looked at it to see the number of the moving company. “I have to take this, but feel free to hunt me down if there’s ever anything I can help either of you with, or even if you just want to talk.” She then looked at Davina. “I know you have Marcel and you trust him, but sometimes you just need another woman’s ear.” She answered the phone and headed upstairs.

“She’s weird.” She heard Davina tell Josh.

“Seems nice to me.” Josh replied and Katie smiled as she walked away.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie was on her way through the courtyard, headed back to their quarters when she looked up from the tuna fish sandwich in her hands and saw Klaus standing on the stairs, Elijah standing at the bottom of them looking up at Klaus’s back. “There is something important we need to discuss.” Elijah told his brother.

As Klaus turned to look at Elijah his eyes caught Katie standing across the courtyard looking at them like she didn’t know what to do. “Mmm, sorry.” She said then swallowed the bite of the sandwich. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, I’ll just…” she pointed at the second set of stairs in the courtyard and headed toward them.

“No, stay, please.” Elijah said, stopping her. “You should hear this too.” Katie just looked at Klaus, silently asking him if he wanted her to stay. He gave her a nod so she walked over, sitting her paper towel wrapped sandwich on one of the tables that she walked past then stood by Klaus who now stood at the base of the stairs. “While I was in the bayou Hayley informed me that werewolves from all around have been coming to New Orleans to witness the miracle pregnancy. One of them spoke of a legend. A legend wherein long ago, a chief of theirs had fathered a child to a very powerful witch. Their mythology further states, this child, a son, was later transformed into something this clan had never before seen…something werewolf and vampire.” He paused to pull something out of his pocket and tossed it to Klaus who caught it in his fist. “That was found hanging around this wolf's neck. Do you recognize it?” Klaus opened up his fist and they both looked at the silver ring in his hand that was made to look like knotted twine, a hole where a stone had once been in the center of it. “Perhaps you don’t, it has been a thousand years since you last saw it grace the hand of our mother.”

“Are you telling us that you found descendants of his biological father?” Katie asked just to clarify.

“That is exactly what I’m saying.” Elijah answered with a nod.

“I have had enough of family to last a lifetime, why would I possibly want more?” Klaus asked, seemingly unaffected by Elijah’s news as he turned and started back up the stairs.

“There is something else of importance we have neglected to discuss.” Elijah spoke up. Klaus stopped and turned toward him. “I accused you of having ulterior motives regarding the child…I was wrong. I’m sorry.”

“I imagine that must have been hard for you to say.” Klaus replied.

Elijah took in a deep breath then blew it out through his nose. “You don’t make it easy to love you, Brother.”

“Yet you are obstinate in your desire to do so.” Klaus said and Elijah dropped his eyes then looked back up at him. Klaus looked at Elijah with emotion filled eyes. “When you are ready, should you be so inclined, both you and Rebekah are welcome to join us here.” He turned his back on Elijah and headed up the stairs. “It is after all our family home.”

Katie gave Elijah a small smile as she grabbed her sandwich off the table. “Is that tuna?” he asked with a curious face and Katie nodded then took a bite. “Are you a cat?”

She chewed and swallowed. “Nope, I’m pregnant and craving weird crap. If I get another craving for chocolate I might just have to try it." She told him then started up the stairs.

TVDTVDTVD

Klaus’s hands slid over the wet, pale skin of Katie’s back, helping wash away the suds of her soap. “How was your day?”

“Not bad.” She replied tilting her head to the side as his hands slipped over the side of her neck then down her shoulder. “I attempted to make new friends so we wouldn’t be compelling Cami. We really need to stop messing with that poor girl's head.”

“So, if not Cami, who may I ask will you be making friends with?”

“A certain powerful witch and her traitor vampire friend.” Katie answered.

“Davina and Josh?” Klaus asked, a little surprised. “Interesting choices.”

“I didn’t think Davina’s friendship would be a bad thing. I guess I’m hoping that at the very least she’ll at least let me be a mentor or even just a trusted ear. It kind of seems like other than Marcel she’s alone here.”

“Alone, save one high status vampire…isolated from any friends she may have had before the harvest ritual. Perhaps you see similarities between her and yourself? Kindred spirits if you will.” Klaus asked as he wrapped his arms around her and set his chin lightly on her shoulder.

“Kind of, yeah.” Katie answered.

“And why Joshua?” Klaus asked curiously.

“I don’t know. He seems nice and he happened to be with Davina at the time.” She shrugged.

“He also happens to be someone I’ve used…” Klaus pointed out and when she didn’t say anything he turned her around to look at him. “It is not your job to right my wrongs.”

“That’s not what I’m trying to do.” She defended.

“Josh wouldn’t be a vampire had I not killed him and it is no secret that I want Davina’s power…her protection for our child.” He told her.

Seeing the blood from his day’s killings still dried on his chest she grabbed his body wash and a washcloth. “Yes, but people probably don’t see that I encouraged your pursuit of Davina.” She put some soap on the rag and started washing the blood from his skin. “I was mad at the witches and not thinking straight before. It was easy to want to use her when Davina was just an idea of a person in my head. But now I’ve met her and she’s young and strong, not just with magic.” She twirled her finger asking him to turn around so he did. “She needs someone to be straight with her and let her make her own decisions. And Josh is a new vampire which means his loyalties may not be deeply rooted with Marcel yet. I just wanted to drop a seed of trust and friendship and hope they plant it.” He turned around and took the wash cloth from her. “Plus, you’re more than capable of cleaning up your own messes if you want to.”

“I still say I should buy you a tiara.” He said with a smirk.

“Stop.” She laughed and hit him in the shoulder. “So who’s blood just got washed down the drain?” she asked as she stepped back and leaned against the wall, admiring him as he finished showering.

“The faction’s. Excluding father Kieran. I actually see potential in him. He’s a reasonable man.” He answered and Katie just smirked at him. “What?”

“One of these days I’m going to get to see you in action in person.” She said as she crossed her arms over her chest making him give her a small smile. “So what did they do that warranted their deaths?”

“I ignored Marcel’s advice, angered the faction with my new terms and they pulled a drive by on the bar we were at after the meeting. In doing so they shot out the black out windows. Several of the night walkers were inside and burned to death before we could help them. So…” he paused to rinse out the wash cloth then tossed it over the brushed nickel grab bar and pulled her into him, “we slaughtered the lot of them.” She smiled as his hands slid down to her butt and playfully bit her shoulder with a growl.

“So what’s going to happen now that there’s no faction?” she asked as he kissed her neck.

“Father Kieran is going to remake it then we’ll reopen negotiations.” He answered as he pulled away from her neck and she turned around and turned the water off.

After their shower they were lounging around doing their own things, Katie reading A House Of Night novel on one end of the couch while Klaus sat on the opposite end with a sketch pad in his hand when she remembered that she had left out a major event of her day. “So something else happened today.” Katie spoke up as she glanced up at Klaus.

“Yeah?” he asked with a glance up at her from his book.

“Elijah paid me a visit.” He put down his pencil giving her his full attention. “Long story short, he sees that you’re just as good for me as I am for you. We’ve agreed to be friends.”

“And you believe him?” he asked with a frown.

“I’ll believe it when I see it, but that doesn’t mean I’m not willing to give it a try.” She replied. A few minutes passed before Katie remembered that Caroline had said that Klaus was mad at Katie when he left Mystic Falls to come find her. “So earlier today, Caroline mentioned that you were pissed at me when you left to come find me…” not able to focus on her book she closed it and put it on the coffee table Klaus didn’t look up from his sketch pad. “Why were you so mad?”

“You didn’t keep in touch.” he answered simply.

“And that pissed you off?” Katie asked, a little confused. He put his sketch pad and charcoal on the table then gave her a look that told her the answer shouldn’t be that hard to figure out. “You thought I’d abandoned you…”

He nodded. “I felt like an idiot for falling for you, and I hated it.” he answered quietly. “I burned half my sketches of you and I should tell you before Caroline does,” a pain shot through her chest at the thought of what was about to come out of his mouth, “I let her wear your prom dress.” A sigh left her lips, happy he didn’t say he’d slept with her to get back at Katie. “Elena stole hers and she came to me for help since you told her about my collection.” When Katie didn’t say anything, looking at the floor in thought, Klaus asked, “Are you angry?”

“Is letting her wear my dress the only thing you did?” she asked not looking at him.

“Yes.” He answered honestly.

Katie finally looked up at him. “Then I’m not mad. That dress was too beautiful not to be worn by someone.”

“As beautiful as your dream wedding dress?” he asked with a hopeful smile to lighten the mood.

She laughed and shook her head. “I never should have told you about that.”

“Perhaps Caroline would know which dress was your favorite.” He said with a devious smile.

“She might, but I doubt it.” Katie told him with a smile as she turned around and laid on the couch with her head in his lap and a hand resting on her stomach. “You’re welcome to ask her.”

“I just might.” He told her with a challenging tone as she brushed her hair out of her face.

TVDTVDTVD

A few mornings later Katie woke up to find she was in bed alone, but the smell of paint was in the air so she knew Klaus was near. “The queen awakens.” He commented seeing she was up.

“What time is it?” she groaned.

“Six twenty.” He answered not looking away from the painting he was working on. “I didn’t let you sleep in too long did I?”

“No. It’s fine.” She answered. “How did you manage to get out of bed without me waking up?”

“You were in a very deep sleep. I was able to slip right out from under your arm.” He explained.

She sat up and lifted her left hand to push her hair out of her face, but a sparkle of something caught her eye and she looked at her hand to see a white gold ring on her ring finger. A scroll design and a chevron ribbon of small diamonds came together to create a tiara with a swirling heart at its peak. A beautiful blue sapphire sat in the center of it. “You actually bought me a tiara.” Katie said in awe as she looked up from her hand to see Klaus smirking at her.

“Well, I couldn’t have you going out and about without any indication that you are taken. You are hot and as far as anyone outside this compound knows, available, and the thought of someone hitting on you makes me want to rip someone’s spine out through their throat.” He told her, making her laugh at how he basically turned her words into his own.

“You…” Katie slid out of the bed and walked over to him. “are going to give me a big head, Big Bad Wolf.”

“Does that mean you like it?” he asked with a look down at her.

“I love it.” she told him as she took his hand in hers. “And I love you”

“What about this?” he asked with a motion to the painting.

She turned her eyes to the painting of her lying on the bed on her side with one hand under the pillow, the dark blue sheet wrapped around her body clinging to her beautifully. The light shining in through the three windows glinted off her auburn waves that were fanned out over her pillow.

“Is that what I really looked like or is it just how you see me?” Katie asked, not believing that something so beautiful could feature her.

“Both.” He answered then looked at her face, seeing that she couldn’t take her eyes off of the painting. “Have I finally convinced you of your beauty?”

“Nope.” She answered then looked at him. “Is it finished?”

“Not quite, but it should be by the time you’re done with your breakfast.” With the paintbrush in his hand he pointed to the table where a plate of eggs, bacon and a croissant sat next to a steaming cup of coffee.

She stood on her toes and caught his lips with hers, told him, “You’re awesome.” then walked over to the table and started eating her breakfast. “A promise ring, breakfast and I get to watch you paint.” she said with a smile in her voice making him turn from the painting to see her checking him out. “Is it my birthday?”

“Well, it was just supposed to be the ring and breakfast, however I’ve wanted to paint you for a while now and this morning just happened to present the opportunity.” He told her as he turned back to the canvas.

“Speaking of birthdays…” she took a sip of coffee then asked, “When is yours?”

“I stopped celebrating my birthday a long time ago.” He told her, not looking back at her.

“That doesn’t answer my question.” She sing-songed at him.

“March 25th.” He answered with a smirk at her over his shoulder.

“You let me miss it. Why didn’t you say something?” she pouted.

“Like I said, I stopped celebrating it.” he replied. “Speaking of celebrations, the annual casket girl festival is tonight.”

“The what?” Katie asked with a mouth full of her breakfast.

“I’ll let Rebekah tell you all about it. She likes boasting about her involvement in the history this event is based around.” He answered.

Katie frowned. “That would imply that I’d have to talk to Rebekah.” She took a sip of her coffee as she watched him rinse out his brush turning the clear water red. “Last I checked we weren’t on the best of terms with each other.”

“Well, she asked me to let you know she’s having trunks of dresses brought down from storage if you wanted to go through them and find a dress for the festival tonight.” He told her as he dried the brush and stuck it in a jar of other brushes then sat down across from her. “So she can’t be that mad at you.”

“Huh…okay then.” Katie said with a shrug then went back to her breakfast and coffee. After a few seconds it clicked that she was going to get to do something fun and she looked up at Klaus who smirked at her. “Are you taking me to the festival?”

“If you would like to go, yes.” He answered, making a big smile spread over her face.

“Are you kidding me? Of course I want to get dressed up and go have fun with you by my side.” she answered around a bite of bacon.

“You might change your mind about that when you see the theme.” He told her with a devious smirk. She just rolled her eyes and finished her breakfast, now eager to meet up with Rebekah and go through vintage clothing.

TVDTVDTVD

“So,” Katie started as she walked over to Rebekah who was digging through a really nice old wooden trunk, “Klaus told me you invited me to come pick out a dress with you…”

“Yes I…wanted to apologize.” Rebekah answered as she stood up with a white dress in her hands.

“You wanted to, or was this Elijah’s doing?” Katie asked, still suspicious of Rebekah and her back stabbing tendencies.

“Elijah may have suggested it, but that doesn’t mean I’m not genuinely sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you in the pursuit of my brother’s demise.” She told her as she put the dress back in the trunk, deciding she didn’t like it.

“Rebekah, Klaus and I may not be linked, but when you hurt him you hurt me. That’s just how love works.” Katie told her with a shake of her head.

Rebekah finally stopped looking at dresses to look at Katie. “What did you just say?”

“That I love Klaus.” Katie answered then turned her eyes to the trunk of white dresses. “So, what’s this casket girl festival all about anyway?” she asked to change the subject.

“The casket girls were virtuous young society women imported from France with the promise of marrying a proper New Orleans gentleman.” Rebekah explained. “Little did they know the men who awaited them were far from proper and not at all gentle. It’s a yearly reminder of how women can be oppressed by selfish men and how they can triumph when brave enough to fight for themselves.”

“Klaus said you were involved with the history of the casket girls?” Katie asked.

“As often as I could I’d intercept the carriages carrying the girls and save them from their awful fates.” Rebekah answered.

“You know, I sometimes forget you’re not the complete and total bitch you come across as most of the time.” Katie told her with a smile and Rebekah just smirked and shook her head. “So women wear wedding dresses to celebrate girl power New Orleans style?”

“Yep.” Rebekah answered them motioned to the trunk. “Have at it, although I don’t see much potential in this lot.”

Katie had found a dress and was trying it on in a room nearby when Elijah walked by and saw her struggling to pull up the zipper in the back. “Would you like some help?” he asked as he leaned on the frame of the open door.

“I think there’s no use.” Katie replied then blew air between her lips as she let her hands fall from her back. “But you’re welcome to try.”

The mirror gave her a clear view of him and she noticed that he had once again skipped the suit and opted for a white t-shirt, a pair of blue jeans and a black jacket. He pushed himself off the doorframe and walked over to her. He managed to pull the zipper up a few more inches, but didn’t want to risk popping the stitching. “I’m afraid you were right.”

“This was the biggest dress in the trunks…” she sighed as she turned to face him at the same time Klaus walked into the room. “The idea of a pregnant casket girl seems a little silly anyway.” She sighed as she ran her hand over her stomach.

“You know there are bridal shops in town with dresses on sale for the occasion.” Rebekah commented as she walked in. “I’m not finding much in the other trunks either.”

Katie couldn’t take her eyes off of the look on Klaus’s face. “I know that look, Big Bad Wolf, you can keep trying to imagine my dream dress, but you’ll never guess what it looks like.” She told him with a smirk making both Elijah and Rebekah look back and forth between Katie and Klaus, both just now noticing the rings on their hands.

“Is there something you two wish to tell us?” Elijah asked with squinted eyes.

“We’re engaged.” Klaus said with a devious look on his face.

“Klaus Mikaelson!” Katie scolded with a shocked smile as she moved from the mirror and punched him in the shoulder. He just laughed as he spun her around and wrapped his arms around her shoulders pulling her back into his chest.

“Did I just hear that you’re engaged?” Her father asked from where he stood in the doorway with wide eyes. “I thought you said you weren’t going to propose to him.”

“Why is everyone and their mother in this room right now?” Katie asked.

“When were you planning on telling me?” Rebekah asked, a little mad. “The maid of honor is responsible for helping you pick out your dress and planning everything.”

“And I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to ask the bride's father for her hand.” Her father chipped in.

Klaus just laughed where he still stood behind Katie with his arms wrapped around her. “Okay, everyone just stop.” Katie told them as she stepped out of Klaus’s arms. “Stop, rewind,” she moved her two pointer fingers around each other in a winding motion, “and ignore Klaus.” She gave Klaus a glare and he just laughed. “We’re not getting married. We’re not engaged and no offense,” she looked at Rebekah, “if Klaus and I do ever decide to tie the knot Caroline will be my maid of honor as I promised her long ago she would be.”

“So what’s with the rings?” Rebekah asked.

“They’re…” she looked at Klaus and asked, “promise rings?” with an unsure look. He pulled the corners of his mouth down with a shrug. “They’re promise rings. Now can we get back to what we were doing?” she asked with a look at Rebekah.

“Well, I’m going out to find a dress, are you coming with?” Rebekah asked.

“Yeah, just give me a minute to change.” Katie answered.

“So you’re not getting married?” Bradley asked, still standing near the door.

“No.” Katie answered with a shake of her head. “Are you going to be at the festival?”

“No, street fares aren’t really my speed.” He answered with a shake of his head then noticed Klaus giving him a why-are-you-still-here look. “I’ll…see you later though.” He left, leaving Katie alone with Elijah and Klaus and the thick awkwardness that hung around them.

Katie chewed on the inside of her lip as her eyes bounced between the two of them. “Okay, I’m gonna get out of this dress now.” she turned her back on Klaus and asked, “Do you mind?” After he’d unzipped the dress she ducked behind the folding screen in the corner of the room and started changing. “So, Elijah, are you planning on going to the festival?” Katie asked from behind the screen, hoping to break the tension.

“I was actually going to offer to accompany you if my brother was too busy running his kingdom to do so.” Elijah answered and Katie rolled her eyes as she pulled her maternity jeans on.

“What are you suggesting, Brother?” Klaus asked with a hard voice.

“I’m not suggesting anything, Niklaus, other than I understand running an empire can be time consuming and I do not want my one and only friend to feel neglected.” Elijah answered.

And there it is. Katie thought to herself as she pulled her white racer back tank top over her head. “If Katie has ever felt neglected she has failed to let me know.”

Katie grabbed her leather jacket from where it had been thrown over the screen as she walked around it. “Alright stop it, both of you.” Both of the men looked at her as she shrugged on her jacket. “I’ve never felt neglected.” She told Klaus then looked at Elijah. “I appreciate your concern and if something comes up and he can’t accompany me to the festival I’ll take you up on your offer.” She looked at Klaus who was opening his mouth to object. “And I’ll ask you not to get jealous because I’ve never actually managed to stay friends with an ex and I really need to learn how to navigate it.” she turned her eyes to Elijah, “We both do.” She heard Klaus sigh and looked back at him. “Cool?”

“Yes.” He answered with an I-don’t-like-it sigh.

She smirked. “Thank you. Now if you two don’t mind I have a costume to shop for with my future sister-in-law.” She said jokingly as she left the brothers behind.

TVDTVDTVD

“So what does your dream wedding dress look like?” Rebekah asked as they looked through the markdown dresses on the rack outside the bridal shop.

“Have you heard of Pnina Tornai?” Katie asked.

“Yes, I love her.” Rebekah said with a smile. “I have yet to see a dress she’s designed that I didn’t like.”

“It’s one of her custom ball gowns.” Katie added then sighed as she got to the end of the rack of dresses. “Maybe it wasn’t meant for me to go to this festival.”

“No, nu uh, you’re getting out and having fun. Come.” Rebekah grabbed her hand and pulled her into the shop. By the time they were done they both had dresses that cost way too much for something they were going to wear to a street fair.

TVDTVDTVD

That evening Katie stood in the bedroom looking at herself in the white empire waist, chiffon, dress with tulle sleeves. Klaus walked up behind her and sat his hands on her hips as she clipped the birdcage veil into her hair. “You…are…jaw dropping.” Katie just smiled at him in the mirror. “Ready?”

“More than ready.” She answered as she spun around in his arms.

The two of them enjoyed the night without a hitch. Katie found herself falling in love with the city, with the jazz music, street artists, the good food and just the overall atmosphere. She found that not only did she love gumbo, but crawfish etouffee as well.

At the end of the night Katie fell into bed with Klaus, exhausted, but happier than she had been in a long time.

[petersasteria]

The Forces of Nature || Ch.15

Pairing: Peter Parker x Superhero!Reader

Summary: “There’s this kid out there that can control the wind or something. I think she’s a great addition to the team. Let’s recruit her.”

4,845 words - longest chapter

SERIES MASTERLIST  ||  PP MASTERLIST

The thought of falling in love made Peter groan in frustration. He’s only ever fallen in love once and he knew the symptoms of falling in love when he feels it. It’s familiar. It wasn’t a sin to fall in love, but for Peter, it was kind of the wrong time for him to fall in love. He thought that he should’ve fallen in love later in life, maybe after he graduates college. He thought that falling in love was such a hindrance. At the moment, at least.

He never planned on falling in love this year after his break up with MJ. He told himself that this year was his year. His year to graduate as class valedictorian, his year to take on more serious missions as an Avenger, his year to get into the college of his dreams, his year to explore and let loose a bit. It was his year and it wasn’t on his plan to pursue someone or fall in love. Yet here he was lying awake on his bed on a Saturday morning thinking about picking up Y/N before going to the compound.

“Peter, it’s time to get up.” May knocked on his door before opening it. She looked at him and asked, “What’s up? You look like you’re thinking about something serious.”

Peter glanced at his aunt and sat up and leaned against the headboard. He sighed and said, “It’s nothing, May.” She gave him a look and they stared at each for a minute. The look on May’s face changed into a small smirk and her eyes lighting up.

“It’s a girl, isn’t it?” May smirked as she leaned against the door frame with crossed arms. Peter blushed and shook his head.

“N-No! Of course not.” Peter stuttered.

“Sure, it’s not.” May said sarcastically. “Anyway, if you want some help with your girl problems just ask me anything. I can help you. For now, I want you to eat breakfast before you leave to go to the compound.”

Peter nodded and May left, closing his door in the process. Peter huffed and lightly slapped either side of his face. He wasn’t sure if he did that to wake up or if he did that to stop falling in love. He ripped the blanket off of him and swung his legs on the side of his bed, his back facing the window as the rays of the sun passed through. He turned to his right and saw his phone. He debated on whether he should text Y/N if she wants to go to the compound together. Biting his lip, he decided that there was nothing wrong in shooting his shot.

He took a deep breath and grabbed his phone. He unlocked it and opened the messaging app. He scrolled down his messages until he found his conversation with Y/N. He clicked on it and sent her a text if she wanted to join him. Terrified of what she’ll respond with, Peter immediately locked his phone and shoved it in his pajama pocket. He quickly walked out of his room and joined May in their little dining area.

Y/N couldn’t sleep. Yesterday was prom and she’ll be seeing Peter again because Tony called for a meeting regarding The Violent Swine’s whereabouts. She guessed it was getting worse, but she wasn’t too sure because she and Peter haven’t been focusing on their heroic duties recently. School has been making them busy and one of the teachers told her that she didn’t submit a project even though she did. This caused her to do the project again as much as she didn’t want to. She had no choice, though. She wanted to pass.

Y/N was up for hours and the funny part was that she didn’t feel tired or sleepy at all. When she got home, Eunice wasn’t there to greet her, so she went straight to her room.

‘Peter Parker’s my first kiss.’ Was the only thing running through her mind. She didn’t know how to feel. Now, thinking about him made her giddy. She now had butterflies in her stomach and her heart was beating really fast when she replayed their kiss in her mind.

The kiss lasted for about thirty seconds. It wasn’t needy at all. It was sweet and full of feelings. Neither of them knew who pulled away first because they were in such a daze. They looked at each other, straight in the eyes as they gave each other a shy smile.

“So, um, you’re welcome by the way. A-And thanks for tonight.” Peter stuttered, red tint covering his cheeks.

Y/N smiled and pulled him in for a hug. Peter gladly hugged back and they held each other for a minute. To them, it felt like hours. They didn’t want to let go, but they had to.

Peter pulled away and just when he opened his mouth to speak, his phone rang. He pulled out his phone and saw that May was calling. He assumed that she was wondering if he was on his way home.

“Um, may I?” Peter asked her as he gestured to his phone. Y/N nodded hastily and said, “Sure! Take your time.”

Peter smiled and answered his phone, “Hi May!”

Y/N looked through her purse to look for the keys to the apartment. Peter smiled at her as he watched her look for her keys and smile in victory when she found it.

“Peter? Are you still there? I feel like I’m rambling to nobody here.” May said.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m still here.” Peter answered.

“So are you on your way home?”

“Yeah, I am. I, uh, I just walked Y/N home.” Peter said truthfully. He could feel May smiling on the other line and he was right because May asked if they were dating now.

“May!” Peter blushed. “I’ll tell you when I get home, okay?”

“Okay.” May said, keeping her cool. “Tell Y/N I said good night.” She teased.

“I will.” Peter said before hanging up the phone. He put his phone back in his pocket and looked up to see that Y/N was already inside and left the door wide open for him to enter.

He went in and saw Y/N walking out of the kitchen with a glass of water. She walked towards him and handed him the full glass.

“Uh, here.” She said. Peter thanked her and he drank the water. When he was finished, he gave the empty glass back to her.

“I really have to go now.” Peter said.

“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She smiled softly.

“Tomorrow?” Peter furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. “It’s Saturday tomorrow. Surely we won’t see each other until Mon- OH. RIGHT. Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She laughed and walked Peter to the door. Peter turned to her and it was clear that he was about to say something, but Y/N beat him to it.

“Can we kiss again?” She asked nervously, biting her lip. Peter grinned and pulled her in for another sweet kiss. This kiss was shorter than the other kiss, but it’ll do. He pulled away and kissed her forehead, “Good night.”

“Good night.” She whispered and watched him walk away. They didn’t know it, but both of them had goofy smiles on their faces.

Y/N shook her head in hopes that she could get him out of her head. It worked for a second, but it was immediately washed away when she unlocked her phone only to find Peter’s messages. Not knowing what to do, she ran out of her room and prayed to God if Eunice was there. God was quick to answer her prayers, though. Eunice was dressed in her uniform while drinking coffee and reading the newspaper.

“Eunice, I need some advice.” She said shyly as she sat down on Eunice’s right. Eunice gave her full attention to the young girl and asked what was the matter. Y/N wordlessly showed her Peter’s texts and she smirked.

“Looks like you’ve got an admirer.” Eunice smirked and handed Y/N her phone back.

“I don’t think so.” She shook her head.

“Honey, it’s so obvious that he likes you and I have a feeling that you feel the same way.” Eunice said.

“I don’t even know how I feel! I’ve never experienced anything like this before.” Y/N whined. Eunice thought for a bit before saying, “If you don’t know what to feel, then all I can say is figure it out. It’s clear that the boy has feelings for you and it’s clear that he wants to try something out. So, pay attention to what you feel whenever he’s around and especially when he’s not around. Just pay attention to your feelings if it involves him, okay? If you’re done figuring it out, then we’ll talk.”

“What about the texts? What should I say?” She asked Eunice as she watched her stand up and put her cop hat on.

Eunice smiled, “Well, that’s easy. Do you want to go to the compound together?”

“Yeah, I guess.” She answered, trying to hide a smile on her face.

“Then tell him!” Eunice chuckled. “Anyway, I have to get to work. Have fun with Peter.” She winked and kissed the top of Y/N’s head before grabbing her stuff and leaving.

Y/N unlocked her phone and replied to Peter’s texts before eating breakfast and getting ready.

Peter finished his breakfast and stood up to put his plate on the sink. He got a glass of water and drank it. He heard a ‘ping’ and he pulled out his phone, not taking a break from drinking.

He choked on his drink as soon as he saw Y/N text. He put the glass down on the table and quickly typed out a response, hoping that he wasn’t interrupting her peaceful breakfast.

On the contrary, Y/N’s breakfast was even better now that she and Peter were texting back and forth. She sent out a reply and not even ten seconds later, Peter responds.

As Y/N shyly smiled to herself while reading the message, a few blocks away, Peter was patting himself on the back for being smooth. He wasn’t sure if he was in love with Y/N already, but he knew he was getting there. He knew the signs and symptoms of falling in love. Meanwhile for Y/N, she has no clue about falling in love. She had to look it up and see if all the signs apply to her. If they do, she’s in love. 

As promised, Peter picked her up on time. He’s never been on time in his whole life before. He knocked on her door and slicked his hair back on more time and checked his front camera if he had anything stuck in his teeth. Y/N opened the door and smiled when she saw Peter.

Peter smiled at her as he took all her features in. Her hair was neatly combed and only pastel hair pins were decorated on her hair. She was wearing an oversized pastel pink sweater that she paired with light washed denim jeans that were straight cut. She was wearing white shoes, a simple watch on one wrist and a hair tie on the other wrist. She had a small, white Anello backpack on and her phone in hand.

“Hi Peter!” She beamed, showing her pearly whites.

“Hey.” Peter smiled. “Ready to go?” She nodded and locked the door to her shared apartment with Eunice. Once she was sure that the door was locked, they began to walk down the stairs in peace until they exited the building.

The commute to the compound was tiring, but they had each other and somehow, it made the short trip exciting. Peter gave her sense of security; she felt safe around him. It may be bold of her to say, but as she spends her time with him, she feels at home.

When they arrived at the compound, everybody was already there. They entered the meeting room and occupied the two vacant seats that were far apart from each other. Peter sat on Tony’s left while she sat on the right side of the table at the end next to Wanda.

“I thought we agreed that if anyone’s late, they’re in charge of donuts?” Scott asked, breaking the silence. Tony looked at him and shook his head, “We have no time for that now because the fucking swine flu is at it again. He’s worse this time and he still lives here because he wants our attention. I just don’t know when we’ll strike.”

“Do you know how we’ll strike?” Sam asked.

“Well, duh. We just have to show up and fight him and pray that we’ll win. I know we’ll win, though. We’re, like, super strong together.” Scott said.

“Yeah, but we need a plan, genius.” Tony rolled his eyes. “Any ideas? Kids?” Tony looked at the late comers and expected an answer. Peter saved the both of them and said, “What if we go and find out where he’s hiding if he’s not killing innocent people? We get to find out his routine and once we know how he works, we can formulate a plan then.”

“I think that’s a great plan.” Y/N piped up, backing up Peter’s plan. She smiled at him and he blushed. Their actions weren’t unnoticed by Thor who said, “Ahh, the two young ones are mating! Shall we expect young spider people running around soon?”

“No!” Peter and Y/N said at the same time. Both of them were embarrassed.

“Good because I’m not ready.” Tony said.

“All of us aren’t.” Clint said in a strict voice. “Anyway, Peter’s plan is good, but we should talk about it more. Y’know, the specifics.”

“Why do I have a strong feeling that I’ll be the one spying on the swine flu?” Natasha asked. Everyone looked at her and Steve said, “Your strong feelings are correct.” Natasha rolled her eyes, but nodded regardless.

“Who’s going with Nat?” Bruce asked.

“Bucky said he’d do it.” Sam chimed in, holding back his laughter.

“Hey, I didn’t say shit.” Bucky argued.

“That’s final; Bucky it is.” Tony said as he wrote it on the whiteboard. The rest of the team started talking about the plan except for Y/N who was just staring at Peter. Staring at Peter, despite it being her first time, was now her favorite hobby.

9 Signs That You’re Falling In Love, According to Psychology an article from independent.co.uk

You can’t stop staring at them. It’s a classic sign of infatuation: losing yourself in the eyes of the one you love. Consultant psychologist Marc Hekster explains that this is one of the most obvious signs that you’re falling in love with someone.

It was now Monday and Peter and Y/N acted different around each other. It was obvious and it was clear that something was going on between the two. Both of them were oblivious, though. Despite the fact that they already kissed.

Peter sat with Ned at the lunch table as they talked about something serious. Y/N just entered the cafeteria with MJ and she immediately looked for Peter. It didn’t take her long to do so. It’s like they were magnets; no matter how far apart they are, they’ll always attract each other. Y/N smiled as soon as she saw Peter happily talking to Ned about whatever it was they were talking about.

MJ smirked when she saw, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she tapped Y/N on the shoulder and said, “Hey, it’s your turn to get in line.”

“Oh, right!” Y/N said, her gaze still on Peter. Eventually, Peter’s senses were going off, telling him that someone was looking at him. He looked up and saw Y/N. He smiled and gave her a small wave which Y/N returned.

“Dude, seriously. It’s your turn.” MJ said from behind and lightly pushed her forward.

You abandon your usual activities. If you’re enjoying spending time with someone, the reward system in the brain increases your motivation to want “more” of that time, explains dating psychologist Madeleine Mason Roantree. “You start to crave their presence,” she adds.

“Hey, Peter! I’m going to the mall after school to buy some Legos. Do you want to come with me?” Y/N asked him on a Tuesday morning as she and MJ walked up to him and Ned.

Peter’s eyes lit up and he smiled brightly at her, “Of course!”

“Great!” Y/N cheered. “See you in class.” With that, she left with MJ.

MJ eyed her suspiciously and asked, “I thought you weren’t into Legos?”

Y/N glanced at her best friend and shrugged, “Peter likes Legos. It makes me feel closer to him. Besides, it’ll be like bonding with him, y’know? If buying Legos with him makes me spend more time with him, then I’ll take what I can get. His presence alone makes me happy.”

“But absence makes the heart grow fonder.” MJ pointed out.

“I agree.” Y/N nodded. “But presence makes it stronger.”

They reached Y/N’s classroom where her first class will be held; the class she shared with Peter who she sits next to. They stood by the door and MJ smirked at Y/N, “You like him, don’t you?”

“Like him? Why would you think that? I just want to be friends with him.” Y/N lied. Of course, MJ saw right through her, but she let it slide.

“Yeah, sure.” MJ squinted at her. “I’ll go to class now. Colette and I are having a doodle-off. Whoever loses buys the other ice cream after school and I want to win.”

“Good luck, Jones.” She giggled.

“Thanks.” MJ walked away. She quickly turned around and walked backwards to face Y/N, “Stay in love, Y/L/N!”

Y/N’s eyes widened in shock and MJ laughed before turning around again to walk straight to her first class. 

“You’re in love?” A voice from behind her asked. She turned around and saw Peter with confusion on his face.

“N-No! MJ’s just messing with me. Classic MJ, am I right?” She chuckled nervously before walking in the classroom with Peter walking behind her, still confused.

You don’t mind when they do something unattractive. “The power of love and new love, in particular, is primitive,” says Hekster. This means that when someone you’re falling in love with does something you might perceive as unattractive, whether it’s being untidy or leaving the toilet seat up, you won’t mind. In fact, you might not even notice it.

It was Wednesday after classes and Peter invited her over to his place to hang out. Despite not knowing where her relationship with Peter stood, she still made a point to dress up for him. Like in Mean Girls, Y/N wore pink because it was Wednesday. She was wearing a pink top and paired it with a cute skirt and knee high socks and a pair of cute shoes to match it with.

What she didn’t know was that her outfit caught Peter’s attention. It was probably Peter’s favorite outfit on her.

The two teens were in Peter’s room and Y/N sat on his bed as he looked for something. This caused him to make a huge mess in his room. His clothes were everywhere and papers were on the floor.

“I’m so sorry for the mess. I’m not usually this messy.” Peter said sheepishly as he continued looking.

Y/N looked around and chuckled, “I didn’t even notice.”

‘I was busy looking at you.’ Y/N thought.

Time flies when you’re together. If you’re falling in love with someone, chances are, your time with them will go by very quickly, explains chartered psychologist Daria Kuss.

When Y/N arrived at school on an early Thursday morning, she was surprised to see Peter walking the opposite direction. As she was walking to the gate, Peter was walking away.

“Hey, where are you going?” Y/N asked.

“We don’t have classes today.” Peter shrugged. “Can’t believe I wasted my time going here.”

‘Oh my god. It’s fate.’ Y/N thought. She shook her head and said, “Well we’re already out together. Might as well enjoy it.”

Peter looked at her and smiled. “If this is your excuse to hang out with me, you don’t have to make up an excuse. I like hanging out with you.” He said smoothly.

“Let’s go, then! We could watch a movie or shop or something.” Y/N suggested, trying to hide the excitement in her voice.

“How about all of that?” Peter asked. “Let’s just drop off our school stuff at home.”

And they did do everything that day. They went shopping, watched a horror movie, ate at a 24-hour diner, hung out at Peter’s apartment, and even had a nap. When they woke up from their nap, their legs were tangled with each other and Y/N’s head was on Peter’s chest. They looked at each other and sleepily smiled at each other.

“What time is it?” Y/N yawned and buried her face on the crook of Peter’s neck.

Peter grabbed his phone to check the time and said, “It’s 8PM.”

“Damn, really?” Y/N rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she slowly sat up. “I thought it was only 4PM.”

“Well, time flies by when you’re having fun.” Peter smiled and watched her stretch.

“Indeed.” Y/N said and fixed her hair.

“C’mon, I’ll walk you home.” Peter said as he got out of bed.

They can do no wrong. Falling in love can warp your sense of reality a little, says Hekster. “It is likely that if you feel deeply in love with someone, then you will have a somewhat unrealistic view who they are and how they present themselves,” he adds.

You always hate it when a group work is your teacher’s activity because anyone who's a leader becomes really bossy. Of course, this didn’t happen when you caught a glimpse of Peter being his group’s leader and he acted really bossy. You even defended him.

“I’ve never heard Peter being bossy before.” Betty said.

“Same here.” You said.

“Don’t you hate bossy people?” Betty asked as she wrote down her plans for your group.

“I do, but Peter isn’t being super bossy. In fact, he’s rightfully bossy. No one’s doing their part.” You argued.

“Okay, then.” Betty said, mentally noting that she should tell Ned about it later.

You feel unusually optimistic. When you’re falling in love, everyone else in your life might feel weirdly wonderful, says Mason Roantree. “You might also feel a little more energetic for no apparent reason,” she adds. 

It was Saturday which means it’s training day at the compound. Y/N and Peter were training on the same day with Steve and Nat. The moment Y/N saw Peter really focused, it gave her energy to focus better on her fighting skills.

In fact, she was so focused that she was able to fight Nat off of her and made her stay on the ground, panting.

“What’s with you today, Y/N? You seem extra determined today.” Nat laughed as Y/N helped her up. Y/N shrugged and glanced at Peter who was already looking at her. Peter grinned and clapped for her before returning to training with Steve.

Nat saw this and smirked when she saw Y/N’s happy, glowing face.

“Hey, you seem happy today.” Nat said casually.

Y/N turned to Nat with a smitten look on her face and said, “Life is wonderful, Nat. Life is wonderful.”

You want to touch and kiss them. Again, this might seem very obvious. But the reason why you want to touch and kiss someone you’re falling in love with is far more deeply rooted than you might think. 

“You were really good at training today!” Peter smiled as he and Y/N were on the train ride home. Happy drove them to the train station and left after that because he had to drive Tony somewhere else.

The two of them were sitting down comfortably and Y/N shyly smiled and thanked him for the compliment. Peter took out his earphones and gave the other one to her. She put it on and patiently waited for him to pick a song. Peter finally picked a song and Y/N smiled as soon as she heard the intro.

“I hope you don’t mind. I like old songs.” Peter said sheepishly.

“I don’t mind at all.” She smiled. Y/N closed her eyes as Paul Anka’s voice made her relax. Unbeknownst to Y/N, the song Peter was playing came from the playlist that he made just for her.

Y/N rested her head on his shoulder and Peter glanced down at her and smiled. He planted a kiss on her head which made the butterflies in Y/N’s stomach fly around wildly. Taking things to a different level, she carefully slid her hand in his and interlaced their fingers together. It remained that way for the rest of the ride home.

You always think about them. “Falling in love involves a surrender of our feelings to another person,” says Hekster. In that surrender, Hekster explains that we merge with that person in a way and become completely preoccupied with them to the point where they dominate our thoughts.

It was a Sunday and Y/N found herself thinking about Peter and wondering what he’s up to on a Sunday. She debated with herself whether she should ask Peter if he wanted to go out. Thankfully, she didn’t have to think that long because Eunice knocked on her room and said, “Hey Y/N/N! I’m going to work now. Feel free to do whatever. I left money on the table so that you can buy yourself some dinner. I have a date tonight. Text me if you need anything. See ya!”

As soon as she heard the front door close, she grabbed her phone and immediately called Peter.

“What’s up?” Peter answered on the first ring as if he was waiting for her to call.

“Wanna go out?” Y/N asked as she bit her lip nervously, scared that he’ll say no.

“Sure! I’ll tell May. I’ll pi-”

“No, I’ll pick you up this time. I mean, it’s my plan anyway. So, yeah.” Y/N rambled causing Peter to giggle.

“Okay. Text me when you’re near my apartment building so that I’ll go down already.”

“You don’t have to do that. I want to say ‘hi’ to May, anyway.” 

“Alright. See you in a few?”

“See you in a few, Pete.” She smiled and hung up.

You want them to be happy. When you start to fall in love with someone, you might find yourself feeling more altruistic than usual, says Hekster. “This characterizes the more mature versions of love,” he adds, explaining that it can be a sign of deep, long-lasting love. “You don’t only want happiness for yourself, but you want it in equal measure for the other person.”

After school on Monday, Peter was visibly upset when they were on their way to the compound. He didn’t say anything to her and it made her panic because she thought it was her fault. She finally approached him and asked what the matter was.

“Flash was just being extra douche-y than usual today. What he said got to me. He said no one liked me and that I’m annoying or something.” Peter said sadly.

Y/N frowned and said, “That’s not true. A lot of people like you. He’s just jealous.”

“You mean it?”

“I mean it.” She nodded causing Peter to give her a tight-lipped smile. She didn’t want to settle for just a tight-lipped smile.

Seeing as they were currently standing behind the compound with the other Avengers, Y/N summoned the wind and asked Peter, “Do you want to fly for a bit?”

Peter looked at her in confusion, but he had no time to say anything when the wind picked Peter up causing him to fly around.

“WHOA!! THIS IS AWESOME!!” Peter yelled from up above. The Avengers looked around to find out what Peter was yelling about.

“Peter’s flying!” Scott shouted. The Avengers looked up and gasped when they saw Peter up in the sky. Tony looked around and saw Y/N manipulating the wind’s movements. Tony approached her and asked why she did that.

She shrugged, “Peter was upset and I figured doing this would make him happy.”

“Congrats, kid.” Tony smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. “It worked.”

When Y/N went home that day and was happy that Eunice was already home. Eunice noticed her frantic look and said, “What’s happening? What’s wrong?”

“Eunice!”

“What?!”

“I’m in love with Peter.”

* * * *

𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓:  @blueleatherbag​ @buckys-little-hoe​ @harryismysunflower​ @ragnarokayla​ @heeeyitskay​ @slytherin-chaser​ @quaksonhehe​ @yaya4302​ @lil-mellow-bunbun​ @starlight-starks​ @swiftmind​ @alexx-stancati​ @sovereignparker​ @nerdyandproudofitsstuff​ @pearce142​ @cherthegoddess​ @chewymoustachio​ @cocoamoonmalfoy​ @parkerlovebot​ @supred12​ @peterspideyy​ @givebuckyhisplumsnow​ @beverlythrillz​ @slutforsr​ 

𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓: @justasmisunderstoodasloki​ @allyz​ @miraclesoflove​ @god-knows-what-am-i-doing​ @drie-the-derp​ @hollands-weasley​ @itstaskeen​ @call-me-baby-gir1​ @the-panwitch​ @iamaunicorn4704​ @geminiparkers​ @holland-styles​ @calltothewild​ @herbatkazmiloscia @whatthefuckimbisexual​ @theonly1outof-a-billion​ @piscesparker​ @unsaidholland​ @musicalkeys​ @lost-in-the-stars03​ @hufflepuffprincess24​ @hollanddolanfangirl​ @parkerpeter24​ @bellelittleoff​ @agentnataliahofferson​ @aqiise @lexirv​ @blairscott​ @pearly-pisces​ @u-rrose​ @speedymaximoff​ @theliterarymess​ @beequeen8020  @justafangirlduh​ @sarcasticallywitty15​ 

Strikethrough means I can’t tag you.

[unidentifiedflyingfks]

Movie: FINAL GIRL (2015)

Cast: ABIGAIL BRESLIN of Little Miss Sunshine and Zombieland

WES BENTLEY of and The Hunger Games, Yellowstone, and my personal favorite P2

ALEXANDER LUDWIG also of The Hunger Games and Vikings

This movie has literally kept me up all night with questions. Mainly how did they get Abigail Breslin, Wes Bentley, and Ragnar Jr. all to agree to be in this awful movie? Then, answering my own question, can literally anyone with $$ make a movie and pay reasonably well known actors to play in it? Then, is everybody fucking with me?

***Side note: the term ‘final girl’ is a common trope in horror referring to the last girl left alive, or the survivor. (Ex. Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween)

The director, Tyler Shields, is better known for his photography career and before that professional inline skating, funnily enough, where he worked alongside the likes of Tony Hawk and other pro skaters. His photography seems to be centered around shock value with works including items like black guys lynching a KKK member, Lindsay Lohan as a vampire, a crocodile biting a crocodile skin purse, and more recently a photo of Kathy Griffin holding what looks like Donald Trump’s severed head. (Spoiler alert: Donald didn’t take it well) Basically all playing off of easy to reach social issues that will exploit controversy without offering anything other than surface level discomfort IMO. Final Girl was his debut film and while I will credit its high production value and actors I soo wanted to like, that’s where it ends.

(Tyler shields and his infamous photo)

The movie begins with Wes Bentley’s character interviewing a child (young Breslin) who just lost her parents under seemingly violent circumstances. She demonstrates puzzle solving skills and seemingly photographic memory as well as a apathetic view of death—as when she says “death happens” right after the death of her parents. So Bentley recruits her for **something** hard that most people can’t do. He also reveals his wife and child were killed by **someone** (not the villains the whole plot centers around because if they’re seniors in high school at the time they would have been about 6 when his wife was killed assuming it was recent to the death of Breslin’s parents since we’re…. ah doesn’t even matter. Too stupid.)

First of all, I love Abigail Breslin. She’s beautiful, funny, and I especially like her as #5 on Scream Queens. Buttttt, let’s keep it real she was horrible for this role. It was never believable that she was an elite agent trained since childhood to mirk people with her bare hands. That being said, her training basically consisted of talking yourself up, choking Bentley, and taking DMT (Also, what?) so it’s not all on her. I would have even been with it if she used her aforementioned puzzle solving skills and smarts to beat the boys, but instead were treated to unrealistic fights scenes with Breslin’s character takes multiple punches to the face while looking the daintiest I’ve ever seen her.

Stop there if you’d like, you have the jist, but there is a little more.

Anyway it all starts when she’s launched on her mission. Is it the first mission of many, or what she’s been training for her whole life, we don’t know. Breslin befriends a girl in a 50’s style diner with instant milkshakes and they start talking about their love interests. The girl has the hots for a guy other than her boyfriend, and Breslin has the hots for her mentor/dad (basically, right? It’s Wes Bentley I get it, but it’s still kindaaa weird right?) That encounter amounts to very little then Breslin meets Jameson, Alexander Ludwigs of ‘Vikings’, who dresses for prom and invites her out. (Yeah, that’s all I got too)

They meet up with Jameson’s three dumb friends and they’re all wearing their prom garb too. Then they drive out into the wilderness to some teenage drinkin and fuckin couches in the woods—again, not that you’ll see any fuckin’ inthis movie, killin’ motivated crimes only for these teen boys. Breslin’s pops out some DMT laced liquor for the boys and they start playing a game of truth or dare out of a bag for some reason. After a weird spiel from Jameson about a rabbit he feels bad about letting die slowly, Breslin conveniently draws ‘get tied up’ from the truth-or-dare bag. She’s tied behind the back, not that it really matters because she gets out instantly. Then they tell her their plan for the four of them to hunt her down ‘The Most Dangerous Game’ style. They give her five minutes to run, but one guy is too eager to kill her and runs off before the five minutes is up. Luckily he’s tripping balls by now in the way only people who have never tripped any balls imagine tripping balls is like, so while he’s battling two deadmou5e-like apparitions Breslin can steal his axe and kill him with it. Now she’s armed, oh never mind she left the axe in that guy’s chest.

Then she kills another hallucinating guy after taking a couple blows, then she goes after the third guy. Number 3 is also clone kid #7 from UltraViolet, his worst fear is that his girlfriend, the one from the 50’s diner, is fucking Jameson—which she is—and also that she will find out about their “hunting trips” and he will have to kill her for it. After hallucinating all of this, including a fist fight with Jameson who apparently isn’t even there, it is revealed to be Breslin’s character encouraging his hallucinations the whole time. She then kills UltraViolet-child-actor with a rock to the face in the the best kill scene of the film.

(See?)

The only one remaining at this point is Jameson, who incidentally is the only boy who didn’t take the DMT laced drink. Breslin is beat up and exhausted by the time Jameson encounters her. Before THEIR fistfight they engage in a game of wits (not For realz). They each answer each other’s questions with Breslin revealing she enjoyed killing the boys and Jameson AKA Ragnar Jr. admitting they’d already killed 20 women the same way. He then asks her to join him and continue killing together, but she declines, they fist fight, she chokes him like she choked Bentley in the beginning, and drugs him.

(This is the high school goof supposedly responsible for 20 murders. I just can’t get over this. As an avid reader of true crime, numbers like this are unheard of for a guy of his age. Also are we supposed to believe 4 guys in Tuxedos in this seemingly small town have killed 20 women and no one noticed? GTFO)

When Jameson wakes, he’s in a noose on a stump teeter tottering for his life as he starts to hallucinate. He satisfactorily begs Breslin for mercy, then is overtaken by his worst fear—the ghosts of his victims who startle him off the stump and to his death by strangulation.

After Ragnar Jr’s dead, Bentley walks out of the forest with a sniper rifle and I almost freaked TF out. I don’t feel good about comparing it to LOTR, but it’s like Gandalf calling in the giant eagles to take Frodo home after he’s travelled a third of the world to get there ON FOOT. What. Was. The. Point. Seriously. (Actually seriously—would the birds have been corrupted by the ring of power, or is that just like a major plot hole? And was Breslin on hard drugs for a little while and I didn’t hear about it?)

Anyway, after that Breslin and Bentley go to a diner, order pancakes, agree that they taste terrible, and that’s it. The end.

I know you may be thinking ‘yeah unidentifiedflyingfks, but your missing the deeper meaning—they all took the DMT and it made them face their worst fears!’ Yeah—I get that, but it still doesn’t mean it works. I would have literally rather it be magic than DMT. They’d probably all have different reactions and probably not even be incapacitated in the ways depicted in the movie. For it to expose everyone’s ‘worst fears’ is fucking magic anyway so let’s go ahead call a spade a lazy, half baked plot line, m’kay?

What really irks me about this movie though, is it could have been good. Have Breslin act within her skill set and find ways for her to use them that make sense, or at least give her some boxing classes and have her lift weights for Christ’s sake. Also these teens have killed 20 girls already? Where did they even come from? Also Bentley knew and this was the best way he could come up with to take them down? And who told him to act like a total weirdo creep in every scene? I don’t expect much. If you can’t make it good make it funny and this was neither. I wanted to like this movie, I still like Breslin and Bentley, but for as many reviews I read that wanted to give it 0 stars and couldn’t, I will. Never forget…. Oh never mind forget it all.

***0/5 FF’s, first certified TERRIBLE MOVIE!!

Here’s some user comments I found 😂😂 ->

[spacebatisluvd]

Summary: Entrapta receives an invitation. 

Content Warning: A neurotypical writer attempting to portray an autistic character (with respect, compassion, and love, but I recognize there’s a chance I’ve fumbled here—just know it’s unintentional), Sea Hawk, Hordak’s poor sense of self-worth, cult-typical abuse, veiled references to masturbation, genital discussion, discussion of sex and sexual relationships.

-

Entrapta looked through the microscope, studying the micro-welds she’d made. Her mouth twisted a little, dissatisfied with the results. She sighed. “Emily, make a note—I need more silver solder. This prototype is a bust.” She tossed it behind her head, hearing it crack against the ground a moment later. One of the little recycling bots would be by to pick it up and take it apart soon enough, making sure nothing went to waste.

She glanced at Emily. “You know, Hordak’s really good with delicate work like this. His hands are so steady, and his welds are so...precise.” She gave a happy little shiver. “I wanted to surprise him with a working prototype, but maybe I should just give him the designs and let him build it. That’s still a surprise, right?”

Emily made a negative-sounding beep. Entrapta winced. “You’re right. Of course you’re right.” She stood, stretching. “I just need to make a working prototype—it doesn’t have to be pretty, just functional!” She used her hair to perform a tight backflip, shaking out her limbs as her feet came to rest on the ground once more. “Okay! Let’s do this—Emily, play recording.”

Emily made a happy whirring sound, the top half of her chassis spinning. Then Hordak’s recorded message began to play. Entrapta shut her eyes, listening to him describe the far-off stars that were normally too dim to see with Etheria’s many moons. She knew he’d probably assumed she would only listen to it while gazing up at those stars, but she’d found herself listening over and over again, lulled by the sound of his voice, even if she’d long since memorized his words.

She sat down and went back to work, adjusting her initial design into something more workable. When Hordak returned,  they could refine and revise her work. She just needed to provide proof of concept. S he hoped it would work. She thought it would. The data indicated that it should, but she couldn’t exactly test it. Well. Maybe if she asked Kadroh...but would he guess what it was for? She knew Hordak would prefer to keep this—

“What?” she asked, looking up when Emily insistently butted against her. “What is—?“ Then she realized her communicator had been ringing for quite some time now. “Oh! Answer call!”

Scorpia’s face appeared on-screen, accompanied by Perfuma. “Hey!” she said, waving a claw. “I was getting a little worried there. We called twice, and I didn’t want to bother you—“

“I’m not bothered at all! If I was in the middle of something dangerous, Emily wouldn’t have interrupted me.”

“...dangerous?” Perfuma asked, gripping the front on her shirt more tightly.

“Oh, good!” Scorpia said, while Perfuma frowned. “I just wanted to invite you to the flower festival.”

“Flower festival?”

Perfuma stepped forward, smiling a little. “Yes! Plumeria has an annual flower festival during the week of the summer solstice. It celebrates the transition from a time of renewal and recovery to a time of joy and growth!” Entrapta smiled while Perfuma spoke, waiting for her to finish, but she stopped abruptly. The silence lingered.

Entrapta checked the data pad.

“Hold on, I think there’s a lag. Can you repeat the last part? I missed your explanation.”

“Um.” Scorpia and Perfuma looked at each other.

Clearing her throat, Scorpia said, “It’s uh, basically a big party to celebrate summer. There’s flower crowns and food and music. Perfuma says it’s a lot of fun. I was hoping you, um, might want to come too?”

Entrapta’s hair curled and twisted. “Are a lot of people going to be there?”

“Oh, yes.” Perfuma smiled widely. “People come from all over the region for the festivities. We’re hoping all members of the Princess Alliance—“

“And their partners!” Scorpia added.

“—will be able to attend.”

“Oh.” Her hair knit itself into anxious hands, the psuedo-fingers laced together. “I don’t know....” She looked away, thinking of all the people that would be in attendance. Would it be like the Prom or another formal party? Could she skirt the edges and just observe? (Would that be weird?) On the other hand, they’d specifically called to invite her, and this wasn’t like Princess Prom—they didn’t have to include her at all. Despite her concerns about the crowd, it was hard to pass up what seemed like an obvious overture of friendship. “Can I think about it?”

Scorpia blinked. She looked at Perfuma, scratching the back of her neck. “Um. Sure. Take all the time you need! The party’s in a couple weeks, so you’ve got time.” She smiled. “Hopefully, Mermista will let Hordak take some time off, so he can come too.”

Her hair frizzed. “Hordak’s invited?”

Scorpia nodded. Perfuma looked at Scorpia, who returned her gaze, eyes wide. After a beat of silence, Perfuma said, “Y...yes. If you come, he may...join you. As your guest.”

Entrapta couldn’t help but spin in place, her hair coiling under her to lift her high. She hugged herself, humming giddily. As she dropped back down to the ground, her hair formed a  large cushion to catch her. “Really?!”

Scorpia beamed, and Perfuma exhaled slowly, though she too smiled. “Yes. Really,” Perfuma said. She looked to Scorpia, who offered her the Scorpinoid version of a thumbs up.

“Well, that changes things. I don’t think he’s ever been to something like this before. I’d really like to bring him. He hasn’t had a lot of opportunities to engage in leisure activities, and I’m trying to get him to explore and experiment with activities he might find enjoyable. This seems like an ideal opportunity.”

Perfuma looked at Scorpia again, and Scorpia slung an arm over her shoulders, shaking her gently. “Yep. This would be perfect for that, right Perfuma?”

The other princess smiled, exhaling again. “Right. It’s definitely the perfect opportunity for the former—“

“My former boss!” Scorpia interrupted, “Yep! Perfect—perfect opportunity to see if my former boss can, um, relax.” She blinked, and withdrew her claw from Perfuma’s shoulders to press it against her chin. “Actually, that’s a good question. Can he?”

“In very specific circumstances,” Entrapta said.

Perfuma looked between Scorpia and Entrapta before saying, “As long as he behaves himself.”

Entrapta cocked her head. “I don’t really know what you mean by that; Hordak is very well-mannered.”

Scorpia was already reassuring her, though. “Of course he will! I’m sure we won’t even notice he’s there.”

“Oh, you’ll probably notice him. His height makes him stand out,” Entrapta said. “If that’s going to be a problem, I’m not sure how to fix it.”

“No! Nope—Hordak’s height is not a problem,” Scorpia said very quickly, watching Perfuma. “Well, anyway, I, um, I hope to see both of you soon. Bye!” She hung up before Perfuma could say goodbye. Entrapta didn’t mind. As soon as the communicator cut out, she called Hordak.

His image resolved a moment later. “Hello, Star—“

“Entrapta!”

Hordak’s ears folded back, and he glared at the back of Sea Hawk’s head. “Hi!” she told them both, waving. “I just got a call from Scorpia—“

“Ooh. What did she say?” Sea Hawk asked.

“Well...” She rolled the word around, bouncing a little on her toes. “Plumeria’s going to have a flower festival during the solstice, and we’re both invited to come!”

Sea Hawk’s eyes widened. “You are?”

She nodded, bouncing a little more. “Mmmh-hmm. Scorpia really seems to want us to come. And Perfuma too! Well.” Her hair deflated a little. “I think she was excited? It’s hard to tell.” Perfuma always seemed so nice...until she suddenly wasn’t.

The data pad twirled as Sea Hawk ran off with it. “You have to go—both of you. It will be the perfect setting for romance . What are you you wearing? Wait, don’t tell me right now. I’ll call you later, and we can plan. Don’t worry about Hordak’s wardrobe; I’ll make sure he dresses appropriately.”

She cocked her head. “There’s a dress code? Scorpia didn’t mention that.”

“Oh, yes. A dress code—for love!”

The data pad was snatched from his hands, and Hordak’s face appeared, though he was glaring off-screen at Sea Hawk. “That is enough.” He shook his head, ears back, then he faced the data pad. “My apologies, Starlight. I believe he is being overly optimistic as well as overly involved. Reconstruction will not be complete by the solstice, and I do not believe Mermista will give me to leave to attend—with travel, I would be gone for nearly ten days, and I doubt she would approve of that.”

“What makes you say so?”

“I conquered her country and essentially destroyed Salineas.”

“You think she’s still upset about that?”

“Yes.”

“Oh.”

His ears twitched. “I will ask, of course.”

“Okay. I mean...” She looked away, running her fingers through her hair. “It’s all right. Maybe next year?”

“Perhaps.”

Off-screen, Sea Hawk yelled, “No! This is unacceptable! I will not stand by and allow such a travesty.”

Hordak looked at him. “You are being dramatic. This is not—“

“A travesty, I say!” The data pad jerked, then the camera lifted high—from the little she could see, Hordak was holding it overhead to keep it out of Sea Hawk’s reach. “How can you stand by and accept this? Are you not a man?”

“I am a clone, and I do not understand why my gender is important to the conversation.”

Sea Hawk made a wordless sound of mourning. “You aren’t willing to fight for your love?”

“There is nothing to fight! The treaty clearly stipulates I must prioritize the restoration of Etheria above my own personal happiness. Considering the destruction I wrought waging a completely senseless war—considering I brought Prime here, to the very doorstep of this world, I think those terms are more than fair! And considering that you yourself fought in both conflicts, I am stunned you are so determined that I break those terms.”

“It’s just ten days!” Sea Hawk said, “Besides, you haven’t taken a day off since you got here and that cannot be healthy.”

Entrapta blinked. “Hordak, is that true?”

As if abruptly remembering she was still there, he turned the data pad so she could see them again, though he was still scrupulously keeping it out of Sea Hawk’s reach. “Well. Yes. I do not require—“

“Hordak! I know you know that taking breaks is important—the Horde soldiers were allowed time off.”

His ears folded back. “Of course they were—Etherians are not very productive if they aren’t permitted unstructured free time periodically. My Force Captains insisted this was true and research seemed to prove them correct. But I am not Etherian. I do not need—“

“That’s ridiculous!” Sea Hawk said, “Everyone needs to take time off.”

“Clones do not. Even when at rest, we were put into stasis pods and our neural networks were used as relay stations for the hivemind.” He cupped a protective hand over the back of his neck, and Entrapta slammed her welding mask down, trying to keep out the thoughts of Prime and what had been done to Hordak and Kadroh and their brethren. Hordak noticed. “It was not that bad—“

“Don’t.” She exhaled slowly, voice shaking. “Don’t minimize what he did.” Through the mask, everything took on a soft teal tone. It made everything feel distant and ethereal, like she was looking at a world encased in glass. The tension in her chest eased, though the pit in her stomach lingered.

“Fine,” Hordak said, his voice soft. “The fact remains—I do not require time off to maintain productivity.”

With her mask on, she could hear her own breathing, steady and strong, and her voice echoed faintly. “Etherians do not regard time off merely as a necessity. It is considered inhumane to force someone to go without for long periods of time.”

“Yes. Because it is a necessity. I understand that—“

“You clearly don’t.”

He shut his eyes and his ears folded back. He exhaled slowly before saying, “I will ask Mermista.”

She lifted her mask a little. “...I just want you to take better care of yourself.”

“I will ask Mermista, but I don’t want you to be disappointed when she says no.”

“If she says no, then I’m coming over there. And we’ll go to the beach. And get ice cream. And maybe go swimming, if the salt water won’t damage your ports.”

His ears twitched, and his features softened. “Though I am uncertain of the swimming, I would otherwise be amenable to that.”

“Okay. Promise?”

His mouth twitched a little. “If it pleases you, then yes; I promise.”

She pushed the welding mask up the rest of the way. “Excellent. I’ll speak to you later, then. Unless there’s something else?”

“Nothing for now. Goodbye, Starlight. We will speak soon.”

Sea Hawk waved. “Bye, Entrapta! Never fear—I will use my masculine wiles to seduce my lady love, and convince her to release your...um—to release Hordak to you!” Hordak shut his eyes, and though it looked like Sea Hawk had more to say, the feed suddenly cut out.

Entrapta smiled to herself and resumed working on the prototype.

-

The next morning, a robot delivered a small package with her breakfast. Seeing that it was from Salineas, she made a high-pitched, happy sound and tore it open. Inside, she was surprised to find several sea shells, along with a note that merely said, “The shells are for Kadroh.” Among the shells, she found a data chip that was surely for her.

With a happy hum, she plucked the chip from the package and set the box aside, attaching the chip to her pad to see what he’d sent. It contained two files. One was her research notes. The other was her procedure proposal for their Intimacy Log. Seeing that, she had to get up, pacing and using her hair to flip and twist as she completed a circuit of her suite of rooms—her excitement simply couldn’t be contained, though she cautioned herself aloud, trying to minimize her expectations. After completing a third circuit, she finally felt settled enough to actually read what he’d sent. “Okay. Okay. Let’s do this!”  She shook out her hands and settled back on the bed, opening her proposal.

She smiled a little, reading his notes. She wished he was here; she would have loved to demonstrate how she would ‘reward him for good behavior’—and to test out the newly revealed sensitive spot behind his ears. In fact, she could demonstrate the former by showing him how much she appreciated his willingness to reveal the latter to her. She hummed again, reading his response to her question about biting. It wasn’t a ‘no’, and she was eager to see what he might mean by a “strong reaction”, though she would wait until he was ready for such a step, of course.

Then she saw the short paragraph he’d written at the end.

‘I do not think it would be wise to extend your study to my genitals at this time. I have limited knowledge of them myself; I’m not even sure if I am capable of penetrative sex, though I understand that is not necessarily a requirement. I know enough to be certain that my genitals differ from all standard Etherian configurations. I would not want to subject you to anything unusual or surprising without forewarning. For this reason, it would likely be best if I were to conduct some private research first, then we will discuss the possibility of mutual study.’

She leapt to her feet, using her hair to guide herself through a midair somersault. She began pacing her rooms again, punctuating her circuit with various acrobatics and occasionally humming to herself when her thoughts grew too loud.  She fumbled for her recorder, talking fast as she said, “Intimacy Log, personal notes, number 12. This is so fascinating! Hordak has revealed that his genitals are not Etherian in nature—which is unsurprising—and that he has limited knowledge of their form or function.” Something unpleasant itched at the back of her mind, but she just started to pace faster, burying those thoughts.

“I cannot begin to speculate on either. I have every reason to believe Hordak is what we would classify as a mammal—the presence of nipples implies his species at one time nursed their young, and he is quite warm, suggesting he does not have to rely on external heat sources to maintain his body temperature—but he is still an alien. These mammalian traits may be evidence of convergent evolution, rather than a common ancestor, though I still believe the bipedal body type suggests that our species are not entirely unrelated. Nonetheless, none of that necessarily implies so-called ‘sexual compatibility’. Hordak already seems to know that penetrative sex is not a necessity for a sexual relationship, but I will also endeavor to reassure him that our genitals do not need to be ‘compatible’ for sex to be satisfying. I should also relay that I am not put off by his confession. If anything, I am excited by the opportunity for discovery!”

She performed another somersault, shaking out her hands as she landed. “This is so exciting!” she hissed under her breath. To the recorder, she added, “He’s said that he would like to experiment on his own so as to avoid surprising me, but I would be very interested in experimenting with him. Query—has Hordak decided to experiment solo primarily out of concern for my comfort or his own? If the former, then he may allow me to at least witness any experiments he performs on himself—though I would welcome a more hands on approach, if he is willing to wait. However, if he is uncomfortable including me because...”

The unpleasant thoughts managed to break through, and she pulled her mask down securely. “While it is possible Hordak wants to experiment on his own in order to sate his curiosity in private—which would be completely understandable—I believe it is more likely that he’s uncomfortable sharing this with me due to shame and prior conditioning from Horde Prime, a suspicion reinforced by his lack of education regarding his own body’s sexual organs.” She flexed her hands, hair coiling around her limbs. “If that is the case, then I am unsure how to proceed. Hordak’s health, safety, and comfort are of primary importance, and I’m worried I’m not well equipped to make sure he isn’t harmed by our experiments. I’ve...never been good with people.” 

She shut off the recorder and cycled through her mask’s filters, trying to find a more soothing way of looking at the world. She settled on infrared, gazing at the smear of colors meant to represent variations in temperature. It was comfortably alien, and pleasing to place her hands on the metal wall and watch the colors change—like painting with her own body heat. She traced patterns on the wall and watched them fade as the transferred heat dissipated.

She took a breath and raised her mask when she felt settled enough to proceed, blinking as she readjusted to her surroundings. Clicking the recorder on, she said, “Hordak has consistently proven himself to be unlike anyone I’ve ever known. He seems to understand and respect my need for clear communication. Thus far, we have been able to prevent the kinds of misunderstandings I’ve had in the past simply by talking to each other. I have to assume I can keep him from coming to harm in the same fashion. When we next speak, I will—“  Her data pad signaled an incoming call. “Oh!” She clicked the recorder off, assuming that was him. “Hi, Hordak—wait. Sea Hawk?”

“Greetings, Princess!”

“Hi! Do you need something?”

“No. Not...not exactly.”

“Are you sure? People don’t usually call me unless they need something.”

“I don’t need anything, I just.” He winced. “I...may have...possibly...slightly overestimated my ability to convince my beloved to allow Hordak time off. And...vastly underestimated her vindictiveness.” His gaze grew watery and distant. “She is as magnificent and unforgiving as the sea.”

“Oh. Well, that’s okay. At least you tried. I’ll just—“

Sea Hawk held up a hand, shushing her. “Entrapta. Are you in a secure location?”

She glanced around her bedroom. “I suppose so.”

“Good, good. Now, tell me...how far are you willing to go to prove your devotion?”

She blinked. “What?”

“Do you want to take Hordak to Plumeria?”

“Well, yes—“

“How far are you willing to go to get him there?”

“What?”

He moaned, as if in pain. Before she could ask if he was okay, he leaned close to the camera and said, “Listen to me. I have a plan to get both you and Hordak safely and happily to Plumeria. But it may possibly be slightly illegal.” Entrapta cocked her head. “And by ‘slightly’, I mean ‘extremely’. So, how far are you willing to go to prove your affections?”

She snorted. “Sea Hawk, don’t be ridiculous; at least three of my current experiments are technically illegal. Breaking a few laws won’t prove anything. With that said—what’s your plan?”

“Well—wait. Technically illegal?”

She gestured dismissively. “Mystacor isn’t really equipped to oversee scientific studies, but my experiments are technically overseen by their ethics committee. Which is guided by a woefully outdated moral system and staffed by technophobes. I stopped asking them to approve my more interesting studies ages ago.”

“Oh. Well. I’m going to assume that’s not at all nefarious—“

“I guess that would depend on your definition.”

“—and tell you my incredible, masterful plan! First—do you by any chance own any strappy high heels? A low cut dress, perhaps? Preferably in black.”

“What?”

“Never mind! We can continue without, but I feel that ignoring the aesthetic shows a lack of commitment.”

She stared at him. “What?”

-

A/N: As always, I’m extremely grateful for all the comments you guys leave. I read them all, often multiple times. I’m not good about replying, but I am always intensely grateful.Thank you so much. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. ^//^

[altumvidetur]

Haikyuu!! Fic Recs (BokuAka)

Fic Recs Masterpost

So, I was thinking about the coronavirus pandemic and what I could do to help people out. I’m isolated because I’m at higher risk, so I can’t really offer to go out for my elderly neighbors or my family… but I thought I could try to help keep people entertained.

Because I don’t have an AO3 account right now, I’ve been compiling fic recs for my own amusement for a year or so. And I thought – maybe that’s the time to share these with everyone? So everyone will have plenty of things to read while they have to stay at home, or even to escape anxiety a little bit if you’re forced to go out.

Of course, these cater to my own tastes, so you may find stuff you don’t like around here. I never include works in progress. The Mature and Explicit works will be in italic. I ask you to READ THE WORK’S TAGS before continuing, so you won’t find anything that makes you uncomfortable.

I’ve decided to split it in a series of posts, starting with my OTPs. This time it’s BokuAka’s turn!

cookies and cream, by norio

Some people might tell Akaashi that he couldn't bake his worries away.

But some people haven't dated Bokuto Koutarou.

dozens of red roses, by norio

“And what’s the boyfriend getting for Bokuto’s birthday?” Kuroo asked, mirthful grin on his face.

“Oh,” Akaashi said, distracted by the magazine. “The next time he visits the dentist, I’ll pay for half what the insurance doesn’t cover.”

The silence dropped around the store like a chilling and killing frost.

i put my hand out, unfolded, into the sunlight, by carafin

In which Bokuto Kotarou is woefully inept at conveying his feelings, and Akaashi Keiji has a sort-of superpower. Sort of.

-

Next to him, Komi is chewing his cupcake dutifully, albeit with obvious effort. Washio has assumed a completely neutral expression on his face, although Akaashi thinks that his eyes might be watering. Sarukui, having seemingly demolished the entire thing out of sheer willpower alone, looks like he deeply regrets every single choice that has led to this precise moment in his life.

‘It isn’t too bad, huh?’ Bokuto says, grinning. ‘I made them in our school colours, so they’re like, marbled black and white chocolate swirls! Do you guys want more?’

Sarukui looks like he might pass out at the thought alone. Komi pauses mid-chew to shake his head weakly.

‘I’ll have more,’ Akaashi says, to the general astonishment of everyone.

better than spy films, by dalyeau

Akaashi knocks Bokuto out and Bokuto falls in love. Kuroo laughs about it.

Maybe We’re Airborne, Baby, by fathomfive

Realizing he's got it bad for his setter is the easy part. But getting his feelings across might be Bokuto's biggest endeavor yet, not counting his literature final or putting out the flames on that birthday cake he tried to bake for Akaashi last year, or—or a lot of things, actually.

But the point still stands. Reaching out to Akaashi is a leap in the dark, and Bokuto wants it more than he's ever wanted anything. He's an expert at seizing his perfect moment, at bringing victory home against the odds. So he's got this, right? It's gonna go great, right? Right?

(After all, it's what you attempt with your own two hands that matters.)

heavy heart, a love apart, by drifloon

(802): Our sex has gotten so much better since we broke up.

Character Development, by silvercistern

"That’s some kinda gratitude. What happened to my painfully polite little brother? I get the ideal guy to take you to prom, and you act like he's not even here!"

"I doubt I’d let him take me to the hospital if I were bleeding to death."

Keiji needs a date. Bokuto needs dating lessons. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

prepare for rain, by norio

“First you must make a delicious bowl of tea; lay the charcoal so the water boils; arrange the flowers as they are in the field; in the summer suggest coolness, in the winter, warmth; do everything ahead of time; prepare for rain; and give those with whom you find yourself every consideration.”

- Sen no Rikyu

cracks in the pavement will lead you home, by deusreks

Bokuto often thinks about Akaashi, especially when he’s running. It’s like his legs know where they’re supposed to take him. He grows into a habit of running a lot, just to keep that feeling going. Cracks and holes in the pavement aren’t fun to jump over if the final reward isn’t seeing Akaashi’s face.

An alternate universe with a little bit of magic and a lot of growing up.

il mio ragazzo falso, by Karasuno Volleygays

With his grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary looming fast and large, Akaashi finds himself urged to bring a date and not quite to the point where his family knows that said date will not be of the female variety.

At some point, he has to decide which will be the least frightening prospect — braving coming out to his family or endure Operation: Find Keiji A Girlfriend 2k15.

And why is the only person he can think of to drag along to this thing his overly-spirited volleyball captain?

#someonepleasesaveakaashi

right in the head, by Mysecretfanmoments

That was the other thing: when Keiji had said he wanted to make his way home, Bokuto had agreed—as if it didn’t matter where they went. He hadn’t said "we should look for a community" or "there’s probably nothing there anymore".

He’d just asked which way.

((the bokuaka zombie au literally no one asked for))

how to become a birder, by norio

“Since I’m Bokuto,” Bokuto said, giving an unnecessarily meaningful look, “You know what I want, right? It’ll be easy! You take pictures of me, I turn them in, my professor says I’m the smartest genius, I graduate, I go play pro, I win the Olympics.”

The World’s Best Kept Secret, by kythen

The struggles of keeping a relationship a secret (when it really isn't a secret at all).

third wheel, by arsenicjay

"So you and Bokuto, huh?"

Akaashi's attention snaps back to Kuroo and he gives the other boy a blank stare. "What about us?"

Or, Kuroo figures out that Bokuto is interested in Akaashi long before Bokuto does himself and being the kind friend that he is, tries to help them along.

cherished, by gabstar

Bokuto tends to panic when Akaashi expresses discomfort or concern. Akaashi didn't need that. Akaashi was better off handling this alone.

((In which Bokuto's love sick, Akaashi's sick-sick, and together they feel a little better))

Kissing Ace, by Karasuno Volleygays

It happens right after training camp.

Akaashi Keiji has a secret he has guarded since he was a child. He won’t go so far as to call it a fear, but more of an aspect of himself of which he is horribly mortified. No one on the team knows about it, and Akaashi does his best to keep it that way. But years of dodging hugs and casual contact come to naught in the blink of an eye and the swipe of a hand.

legs killed the owl, by dalyeau

He's not smiling anymore an hour later, after he's fucked up four perfect spikes that Akaashi tossed carefully for him because he's too distracted by the lean, elegant line of Akaashi's legs, kneepads dark against the white of Fukurodani's gym.

tea-stained polaroids, by dalyeau

“I'm gonna date that,” Bokuto declares solemnly, and Kuroo throws a plastic spoon at his head. 

owls, by ThinkingCAPSLOCK

It was no secret that Bokuto genuinely loved owls, considering his locker was full of them, but Akaashi kept his own like of the animal very low key.

How Bokuto found out otherwise, he didn't know.

all lost souls, by norio

Not again, Akaashi thought. But he had never seen this sight before.

run rabbit run, by norio

Rule #1: Don't hurt Akaashi. Rule #2: Don't taint Akaashi. Rule #3: Don't involve Akaashi. Rule #4: Don't damage Akaashi. Rule #5 (optional): Try not to destroy yourself.

gwah, bam and swoosh, by dalyeau

When Bokuto meets Kageyama the first thing he thinks is, No five year old should be able to scowl like that.

Or be that tall.

Then, Shit, his dad is really hot.

Spoiled, by gabstar

Akaashi desperately needs a new mattress and he drags his loyal, loving, and very loud boyfriend with him.

omam verse, by shionsheart

Though some may believe they're monsters, those closest to them know they're just men learning how to love in this world of magic, demons, and faeries.

i’ll return home one day, by awkwardedgeworth

"Bro," He asks Kuroo out of the blue one day when they're toweling their hair dry, "What if Sawamura is halfway across the world and he only comes home seven times a year for around four days each?"

"I would consider every moment a blessing. You got it bad for Akaashi already?"

"I just wish you would introduce us sooner."

Or, wherein Akaashi is a world famous violinist, Kuroo introduces him to future Olympian-to-be Bokuto Koutarou. And Bokuto pines. A lot.

morning owls, by norio

Most of the time, if Bokuto woke up first, he would shake Akaashi awake. Sometimes he would bake sloppy pancakes for breakfast in bed, and sometimes he would sit on Akaashi's waist.

And sometimes he did not.

Insomniac Olympics, by Aetherdrive

Akaashi never thought he could inspire anyone, let alone an artist -- and then he met Bokuto.

counterclockwise, by miiniwa

How they had gone from point a to point b in such a short amount of time, he doesn't know. But as he dwells on it, he realizes that he doesn't exactly mind.

if kisses were fishes, then i’d be an ocean, by norio

Akaashi needs a fake date partner, so he grabs the first person he sees.

the way you look at me, by ThinkingCAPSLOCK

Bokuto sees him every day, every commute, at the final train. The stranger he only knows as Train Guy. Wrapped in coats, mystery, and distance - that is, until Bokuto breaks their familiar silence. He struggles with the hardest part of befriending someone he thinks he already knows: taking a step back to reevaluate all his assumptions.

He finds the easiest part is getting to learn about Train Guy all over again.

[moonraccoon-exe]

Hi, Connie. I know it's been a while since you did any headcanons and idk if you still do them, but I'm curious of your opinion. I realize the wall is one giant quarantine bubble, but the people are still free to do as the please inside it. How do you think each of the chocobros would handle an Insomnia-wide quarantine like what's going on in most of the world right now? What if one of them got sick (assuming a FFXV equivalent of COVID-19?) How would Regis, as King, take care of his people?

PS: Aparently the Keep Reading line is having some troubles. May appear right under the question (how did it get THERE?) or nowhere at all lol pls forgive tumblr he trying. 

HEEEEEEEEEELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s definitely been a while since I did any headcanons, but that’s because school has kept me busy like crazy, and when I have spare time, I put it into my two big fanfics going on (I don’t want people to wait too much!) but I’ll definitely keep doing these, every single one of them, until I finish, even if it takes me years and years <3

The ask prompts are one of my favorite things in the world so of course I’ll keep them going!

HOH

YOUR PROMPT IS SUPER INTERESTING!!!!! AYYYYY, let’s see what this raccoonie brain has there!! 

FFXV Insomnia in a quarantine

First things first, the government

Regis, as King:

Regis is going all the way into making sure EVERYONE can stay home.

Regis is going to ask the other countries to lend Lucis money. As in. M I L L I O N S.

“Your Majesty, you ARE aware we’re nowhere half to repaying that debt in a near future?”

“THIS IS A LITERAL PLAGUE WITH NO CURE YET THAT’S KILLING DOZENS SOME OF WHICH THEIR FAMILIES CAN’T SAY GOODBYE TO AND YOU W O R RY  A B O UT   T HE  E  C O NO M Y   ¿¿¿? ?!??”

Regis has brain and, most importantly, humanity. He’s definitely going to put the country in debt for the next 15 kings is that helps people right now.

Mostly because he’s aware it’s no one’s fault. 

Regis is announcing what he’s going to do to keep people safe publicly:

The next three months of any loans are forgiven. Mortgage, rent, water, electricity, and all the public services will be free for the next three months. If you own any debts, be it a house or a little clock, you don’t have to pay on the next 3 months, and instead that amount will be divided into future months in small amounts so it’s recovered in the medium or long run. No one needs to spend one gil in any of the basics, don’t worry about that, it’s covered, government’s got you, SO PLEASE STAY HOME. 

Regis is aware that some people can’t stay home because what little they earn is what they spend in basic food; Regis is going to spend lots of the money he burrowed in them.

Regis is going to pay as well to teachers and artists for online classes and entertainment, because he’s aware of the mental/emotional distress people can be in after certain time indoors. 

Regis is going to put most the money in the medical and cleaning services.

Regis is going to keep online and phone polls for people to fill in particular cases (I still need to go out because I need to go look after my mother each friday, I still need to go out because I need to go get medicines each certain time at this district) so the Citadel’s intel know best what to do.

Regis is going to make sure to have teams sanitizing public transport and places everyday.

Regis is a no-game man, dammit.

((Regis is the reason Insomnia only needed three months before being free))

Makes sure the media broadcasts not only the death cases, but also and most importantly the healed cases. Not gonna let the media get stupid with this for money or paranoia, no sir

Noctis, as prince

DID YOU THINK HE WAS JUST GOING TO MOP, THIS IS THE PRINCE

(Remember the game tells us he was a damn good prince as in politically? what a bean <3)

Noct was taken more off guard; Regis acted immediately like a (good) madman, Noctis still needed a bit to process it

Noct is who comes up with some ideas that Regis puts into action (the phone/online polls, the online classes, for example)

Noct too manages some of the intel going on during quarentine to see how the city is progressing and how else they can help.

Noctis is in charge of the interviews along the...health minister (?) everyday, while Regis stays at work and intel.

Noctis makes sure to do a livestream each certain days to greet the people, answer questions, or just have a bit of fun, and to remind them to stay home and to keep the spirits up. We know Noct would rather rot in boredome in his sofa because Sleepy Boy, but he knows the effect he has on his people, so he does the livestreams for them; to keep them entertained, informed, and simply to keep them sane.

Noctis came up with the idea of making an app/text service for those that suffer of domestic violence; “staying home” sounds easy to him because he has a huge house and a good family, but he’s aware that not do everyone. 

(Putting a keep reading here)

Noctis

Sleeps it away lmao

Honestly Noct doesn’t have much troubles with the whole “stay home” thing. He likes home. He LOVES staying home. LET HIM STAY EVEN AFTER QUARENTINE IS OVER.

Noct has videogames and his bed. You don’t need to tell him twice to stay home. 

Noct sleeps most of the day. 

Noct decides to not shower everyday.

The only trouble Noct goes through is that his room starts getting super messy everyday and Ignis isn’t going to appear to help him out. 

Noctis spends his time doing homework and mumbling about how “teachers didn’t use to give us this much homework until quarentine, this is just their excuse goddammit fuck this shit”

I feel you Noct

Besides that, videogames, trash food, and sleeping.

It’s 9 pm, he’s in pajamas. That he hasn’t taken off in three days. 

It’s 6 am and Noct is out of bed. He hasn’t slept since 2 am.

What is this guy’s sleep schedule.

Despite the careless and carefree attitude, Noct still worries. He still has to stay the most informed, as the prince, of the international and national situation, and it sometimes gets stressful.

When Noct sees numbers grow and a gloomy future, he gets stressed but won’t say it; that careless attitude is his way of coping. Like pretending it’s not true.

Noct worries about the poor, too, and the low and working class. He too came up with more ideas along with Regis to keep them safe too and not force them to work while the middle and upper classes stay indoors like it’s not the big deal.

Noct thinks a lot about Prompto. He knows he doesn’t need to go out too much, but he also knows how much of a terribly, horribly emotional distress Prom is in when staying at his house for too long.

Noct takes up on video-phoning Prom, everyday. His best boy can’t be sad, stressed, or messed up, and he’s going to keep him sane and cheer him up everyday. 

Noct may or may have not ended up inviting Prompto to spend quarentine at the Citadel with him. He hadn’t finished saying it when Prom was already at the Citadel’s door asking to be sanitized before going in.

If he got sick, everyone around him would be more scared than him LMAO

“OHNOTHEPRINCEISILLHE’SGOINGTODIEIAMNOTREADYFORTHISNOOOOOOOOO” 

Noct: so can I skip online school like this?

He’d be looked after with almost paranoia, there’s only two of the Lucis Caelum alive and honestly losing the heir and only one that can have kids at this point to the virus woulnd’t be very epic on history books

Noct IS worried, just pretending he’s not. 

Noct is going to avoid Regis LIKE A PRO. He’s going to ask to live somewhere else, will ask to sanitize his room and keep it locked, will ask that Regis gets nowhere near ANY of his belongings. Basically, Noct is going CRAZY over avoiding Regis...so Regis doesn’t catch it :’’( 

What a pure bean

Even if Regis tries visiting him, and even if the whole place is sanitized and like a little bubble away of the rest of the world, Noct will still not want him to come inside. 

Honestly, this is going to make Regis really, deeply sad and maybe even hurt. He wants to stay positive, but he keeps thinking of what if Noct dies to it, and not only dies, he’d also die without having held him for a last time or seen him.

They meet through the window. They phone each other and just touch through the closed window... :’) </3

Noct knows he may be over protecting Regis, but he’s honestly not going to have it any other way. He has way more than enough watching his old man grow old too fast from the Ring to run the risk of giving him this stupid virus. If he has to make his old man sad in order to keep him healthy, SO BE IT. 

Ignis

He’s fine.

He’s just so cool with this.

“Ah, of course. A plague. It was our turn, as was expected.”

...w...what are you talking about, Ignis.

He’s barely impressed. 

Master of following instructions, they told Ignis to stay home and THAT he did.

The store? The neighbor? Just an inch outside his main door? NO. THAT’S NOT INDOORS.

It’s not that he’s paranoid, he’s just not bothered by the idea fo not going out and he knows that the more he stays home the faster this will pass that he just. Stays in, sometimes not even looking out the window for a day or two.

Ignis still phones Noct each two days to remind him his room is messy do something because I won’t, or do nothing, the cockroaches will help you with the crumbs and leftovers in a day more.

Ignis isn’t bored. He still has home office and paperwork to do, the poor, young, miserable thing. 

In his spare time he likes doing stuff he likes, as he normally didn’t have the time to do. 

Ignis is making sure to call the other chocobros to make sure they’re ok. He’s particularly attentive to Prompto.

Boy is having video calls with Gladio because Best Friends. 

Ignis attempts to do as your raccoonie; will try to finish two-week worth of his paperwork in one or two days t o have the rest of the time free LMAO

(I hope, unlike me, he’s succeeding at that)

Ignis worries mostly about others and the outside Lucis. He takes up on the advantage of being bros with the prince to suggest something, that Noct can suggest to Regis to make it better for as many people as possible.

If he got sick, he’d attend hospital and not go out until he’s 100% okay AND spent 2 weeks with no fall back into it. 

He’d thank the doctors and nurses like every five minutes honestly. Iggy appreciates they’re doing such high risk job, keeps admiring them. Dammit.

He would accept no visits. Is it the prince? tell him to FUCK OFF. 

Mostly the throne family Ignis won’t dare visit even after he’s healed.

“IGNIS IT’S OK YOU’VE BEEN FINE FOR A MONTH”

“TALK TO ME WHEN QUARENTINE IS OVER AND/OR THERE IS A VACCINE, GET THE FUCK OFF MY FRONT YARD”

Ignis is not overly worried about the illness. He has stupidly strong defenses and can see himself getting out of this. He worries just what’s normal but keeps spirits up with all the numbers of healed cases.

Go Iggy! 

Gladio

Surprisingly, he’s taking this really well.

Gladio’s sort of more scared than the rest at the news; he was so prepared for physical enemies, the idea of an abstract, non-physical one suddenly sweeps him off his feet.

But he handles it well. So long he doesn’t watch the news.

Gladio won’t listen or read the news on the virus; he’s aware of it, he’ll take care and be careful, but he won’t read or hear numbers or updates, he’ll just live this out until it’s over.

Gladio takes his mind off it with indoor exercising, lots of it. 

Gladio’s job was mostly physical, so he takes on the advantage that he has nearly no chances of home office to do stuff he likes; mostly, this nerd will drown in history documentaries on KupoTube, will watch the equivalent of Disney and Dreamwork movies, will read like the world is ending, and will take up on online courses.

He likes crafts. Okay? Leave him alone and let him give his baby steps into watercolor painting. 

Gladio is video calling Noctis. To force him to exercise LMAO

“OY, NOCT, THIS IS PRE-RECORDED, DO YOU THINK I’M AN IDIOT? COME BACK HERE TO YOUR COMPUTER OR IT’LL BE WORSE”

Gladio is holding back a Desperate-To-Go-Out Iris.

She’s not irresponsible, she just HATES INDOORS LET ME GO OUT IT’LL BE JUST AROUND THE BLOCK

Gladio’s not letting Jared go ANYWHERE

“SOMETHING HAPPENS TO YOU AND I DIE, YOU STAY HERE, I’LL GO BUY GROCERIES AND DON’T YOU DARE GET ANYWHERE NEAR ME AFTER I’M BACK UNTIL I’VE SHOWERED”

Gladdy it’s ok :’)

A bit paranoid when it comes to others, though will still be a bit paranoid about himself.

Gladio is mostly calm about it; just a few times every now and then he’s stressed and a bit too troubled for an easy sleep.

Video calls Iggy every day because Best Friends.

Iggy keeps him sane, the baby :’(

Honestly, Gladio also makes sure that Ignis is ok. Ignis is always looking after all other three, but Gladio is who’s most aware of looking after Ignis. Ignis won’t say it, but he’s probably feeling very lonely after a month indoors, as his family won’t pay much attention to him. Gladio’s making sure to keep him happy, distracted, and in good spirits, and in company.

If he got sick, he’d probably have a very bad emotional time at first.

Gladio would cry and think nearly for sure that he’s dead already.

Not like in drama, he would seriously get sad and be very, very scared :’(

Same than Noct, he wouldn’t let Clarus near him or any of his belongings, nor Jared. Not Iris either, of course, but he worries more for the older men.

Gladio would probably not do very well emotionally in hospital. He’d spend there the necessary time, but then he would probably like most to be in an apartment for himself if available or in his room without letting anyone near. 

Gladio will keep thinking of the chances to live or die, of how scary the idea of a virus with no cure is, will get really gloomy and negative on it.

His family try to provide emotional support, but every time they call Gladio just drowns himself in ideas like what their family would do if he died and it just makes him sadder

The doctors and Iggy are what keep his spirits up, to be honest.

The sadness lasts the first days. AFter that, Gladio’s going to handle the ilness like a DAMN WARRIOR

“YOU INJECT THAT THING, DOC, BRING IT ON”

A new treatment and the consequences are unsure? BRING IT ON.

Whatever it is, Gladio’s HEAD IN FOR IT

Baby boy just needed some time to process it. After that he’s just taking it so lightheartedly, even the doctors get cheered up at his bright attitude towards it.

“You’ve progressed on a 1%”

“HELL YEAH ONE PERCENT!!!!!!!!!!! :D”

What a beautiful boy omg

Prompto

This one is the chocobro that REALLY gets hit by quarentine.

Prompto’s not hyperactive, he can stay indoors if they ask him to...the problem is his house.

Prompto gets easily anxious staying at home for too long. He spent his childhood locked away in there, isolated. No parents, no friends, nothing. He stayed locked away in what was the toughest moments of his life. He doesn’t hate indoors, he hates indoors at his house. It brings all of that back.

Prompto’s trying to keep all the lights on to make it less like in his childhood; gets easily guilty remembering the huge debt the King put himself into so he doesn’t have to pay for electricity and now he’s wasting it. 

Prompto gets easily anxious around food nowadays. Remembers it was staying indoors doing but eat what got him so fat and lonely.

(Prommy it’s ok, fat is not bad :(( this poor angel )

Honestly Prompto’s so busy emotionally stressing over being indoors at his house that the pandemic in the world isn’t even super concerning, it’s just as if there was a storm outside; he knows it’s bad and that not everyone can stay safe from it, but he’s just worried in his own situation at home.

His parents get to stay indoors with him for home office, which is as good as it is bad.

For some reason it’s not so comforting because it makes Prompto think of how absent they used to me. For some reason, it also IS comforting because unlike his childhood, at least they’re there now.

Prompto tries to make the best out of this and tries bonding with them when they’re not busy.

It actually works <3 They don’t get overly emotional or anything but they get to spend some good time together, watch movies, talk more, etc.

It helps Prom with the food issue that Dad does the cooking this time.

Good as his parents are with him during quarentine, it’s home, like the physical place what keeps gnawing at his emotional health.

Prom is going to try EVERYTHING to keep himself distracted. 

Iggy phones him constantly, which helps a lot. Noct videocalls him everyday, which really keeps him up.

Prom is taking BUNCHES of online courses and classes, bECAUSE THIS BOY LOVES DOING AND LEARNING STUFF

Week 6 of quareantine, Prompto has made his own jacket out of kitchen towels. It’s...actually impressive.

If he got sick, he too would be paranoid.

More than sad, Prompto would be openly scared and nervous.

EXTRA

The chocobros as a Four:

They’re having online video parties and meetings.

The four got a pizza each. They’re video meeting, and pretending it’s the same pizza lol

“YOU ATE THE LAST SLICE HOW DARE YOU, I TOLD YOU I WANTED IT!!! >:’‘(”

The guys are showing their quarentine achievements to each other.

“Look, I’ve let my feet nails long because I don’t need shoes anymore and I shaped them like I’m a dragon haha”

“Oi look, I learned a new trick with my yo-yo”

“Look how GREASY my hair is right now haha. what do you mean if I’m attending the national interview later like this, of course I am”

The chocobros are sending each other online courses that they think the others or one of them will like

They’re having one of those online movie in different computers together. 

Also multiplayer games because they can.

Ignis wins every time. 

The chocobros are playing a 4-members Squad mode in Battle Royale games. Noct and Prom are okay. Ignis is the Pro. Gladio is the bait.

Iris:

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Cor: 

Cor is surprisingly calm about this.

Cor is spending his time meditating.

Cor has barely any paperwork, as his work is mostly physical, so he gets a lot of time free with Regis’ politics for a proper literally-no-need-to-go-out politics. Meditation that is.

Cor is phoning Prompto each now and then, too. 

Prompto would answer happily that he’s fine and with no virus. Cor finally once tells him he’s not asking if he’s ok about the virus. Prom needed no more explanation and just said he was ok, if a little sad.

Cor is working out at home.

Cor is getting bored.

Cor is reading, watching series, or meditating, or cooking just for the sake of it.

Cor just has one problem.  He’s a workaholic. You give him no work, this man starts slowly having a meltdown and descent into the abyss of madness. He needs to die of stress, how else do you expect him to live?

The first weeks were fine. After the first few weeks Cor starts getting anxious about needing work to do.

Cor you stupid thing 

Cor is starting to get distracted in meditation because he keeps getting anxious about working in something.

Cor starts phoning Regis.

“Do you have any paperwork for me now?”

This is every two days. 

Regis COULD have given him something. Regis doesn’t. Cor needs to learn to know how to be AT PEACE FOR FUCKING ONCE.

Cor is making paperwork up to work on lol

Cor was diagnosed with the virus. They put the virus in quarentine for its safety.