#also stop letting people be mean weirdos to you like just put em in the trash

[crash-bump-bring-the-whump]

Psst this is just some advice from someone who grew up with the Wild West version of the internet but:

Just don't engage with mean spirited asks or people.

They want attention. Don't give it to them. Delete it, block em, scroll away, take a deep breath, and move on. They want to waste your time, so waste theirs instead.

They came into your house and tried to start shit in probably the most milquetoast way possible, so just block, delete, and move on. Don't even mention that you did. It'll be a fun little thing that you know and they know but no one else knows, and that's so much more satisfying.

Nothing you can say will "win" the conflict or change their mind. Just put them in time out by deleting their ask and you'll feel much better. :)

[thattimdrakeguy]

What Happens When You Only USED To Care

I find it extremely hard to take any person in the fandom that does that schtick where they make fun of Tim based on made up or overly exaggerated stuff seriously.

I can't even find it within myself to give them the power of my hate, because it's more like a fly near your ear. You swat em away and bye bye bye.

Maybe it's because I know so much about how DC ended up being, that I can tell when they're bullshitting and saying stuff others put in their ear.

I mean you take a kid's favorite toy, and add modifications and paint jobs that take away the whole point of the toy, the kid's aren't going to want to play with it anymore.

Am I expected to blame the toy itself?

Especially with how the fandom has bastardized these characters that they so clearly love, but they still constantly get cancelled.

And I won't make mention of who, because someone will get sensitive, and plus then say "WELL TIM DID TOO" showing they're completely missing my point and didn't read the whole post.

I'm not sure why the fandom thinks taking complex and fascinating characters that allowed readers to escape their potentially bleak lives to jump into something more joyful (at least in an entertainment kind of way) and turning them into sitcom tropes is a great idea that OH IS SO GREAT, and EVERYONE WILL PREFER.

'Cause when the comics start copying that trend, you're actually scaring most people away.

Sure it's different from the big bad edgy we had to deal with a while, but it's still not getting these things back to were the once were.

You're replacing the bad, with a different flavor of bad. This time coated in a superficial dusting of praise that doesn't help anything get anywhere.

See, the fandom isn't as big as it may seem. It functions as an echo chamber which gives the illusion of their being way more. These comics wouldn't constantly be cancelled if they were as good or as popular as people make them out to be.

So all those posts praising the nonsense are as functional as having that one friend who praises you no matter what while the rest of the world says otherwise. Might feel good at the time, but let's face it, it gets you nowhere.

And that's just how the internet works. A bunch of little weirdos sitting around making their chamber, and thinking what they say to someone else still matters.

But it don't.

It doesn't.

They're all just so confident they mean something, when they mean as much to the greater world as a weed so far out of view, you don't bother trying to pull it.

You can make up what ever you want, and try to be as abrasive and irritating about what you made up as much of you want, go out praising when some desperate writer that settles for brownie points over critical praise and legacy puts it into a comic to find validation also as much as you want.

But the lack of genuine interest from most people still leaves it as a dud.

So many characters people think are popular, when they're tragically not, no matter if they were formerly good, is saddening. Because a lot of these characters at one point were good, and interesting, and genuinely popular beyond the small pond filled with indignity.

At best they have fan bases that once cared but now no longer do. That don't bother paying attention, because why should they after being denied the simple thing they want--good writing and characterization. The whole reason most start reading in the first place.

I might point one finger at one of these dudes, because I can comfortably say I used to love them too.

No one bothers trying to help out, and bring them back up though.

They want the instant glorification from a bunch of nobodies, who don't care about them as a person, and are only a validation machine instead of anything with a beating heart in it that will truly be there for them when times gets rough besides thoughts and prayers alone.

And as many years as I've seen this stuff, it never stops.

If I haven't been in a better place since I've almost entirely left DC behind in the dust, I would consider that depressing.

These people are online doing this so much that it is what they dedicate their lives to.

It is their life.

They made themselves so unlikable though, that a lot can't be bothered to find pity.

If you have to rewrite reality in your brain, what's the point of living there? You're just convincing yourself you're the only one not wrong, with no hint of irony. What a weirdo thing to do.

Clinging on to things with no solid backing.

In the grand scheme of things they are that insignificant unless you're also stuck in the chamber.

Hell, the only reason I made this post as long as it is, is less out of care and passion, and more because I can't help myself from being overly wordy.

If only DC could be fucked to remember what it takes to write good stories instead of ripping fandom people off. Maybe something would click in and once again take off.

And giving the illusion they now care--

As we can see with the frequent cancelations--

That only works when you have the talent and know how, to tell good stories, with great characters once again. A retro paint job and partially putting the character where they should be can only do so much, when limited talent has to take the rest of the wheel.

Otherwise all you're gonna get is a month or two of decent sells...and it's back into the dumpster again. Where the higher ups might eventually decide to blame the toy and not the manufacturers.

Unless you're Batman or Superman or that level of iconic/popular.

Disappointingly and quite obviously, it's not hard to know if not assume most characters don't have that level of icon to have their back in the dark times. Meaning most go back into the void unless the ones upstairs think this time their new failed from the start scheme will win them all back.

The secret of success in comics is simple, now it may not go back to the way it was, but they can still come back a bit, and here's the secret--

Learn how to fucking tell good stories, with good characterization, with artists that are beyond simply having good talent, but actual passion that shows them how everything's supposed to be.

If I order a nerf gun, and comes not looking anything like what it did on the box.

You know damn well the person who bought it is going to be displeased and not order from them again.

You're testing customer loyalty, and the economy not doing as grand, and prices going up--

The amount of time you have to get them back is depleting.

So get your head out of your ass and actually do something.

[papa-evershed]

I’m curious… what do you think are the sexiest gifs of Rob EVER? 😏 I’d love to see ‘em.

I apologize for my late answer but like a weirdo, I was just convinced that my choices would somehow be disappointing. 😅🙈 I just feel like most people are going to expect gifs of kissing scenes or skin but those aren't even the ones that make me the most feral. But I'll give it a shot. 😂

As always, under a read more for length but also for cringe worthy fangirling and NSFW thirst-talk.

Immediately, my first thought was this gif. When I say I adore this man's belly I fucking mean it. He's just so deliciously man-shaped. Tall and thick and soft in all the right places. I love a belly, lets me know that a person isn't too militant and allows themselves to indulge in life's pleasures. 😏😏 (I'm reading way too much into a belly but here we are.) Add in the fact that in this specific scene, Martin Evershed is being the ultimate soft, caring Dad™. He has every reason in the world to lose his shit on Sam but instead he actively chooses to be what she needs in that moment and it's just incredibly sexy because he is a whole ass Man™. I just wrote a fucking novel about this one gif but listen, there's a reason it's first that comes to mind.

The thumb in the mouth? 🙃

Speaking of Act On This, this one too. I'm not even sure if I can put my finger on exactly why this specific gif is one of my favorites. Perhaps because he's usually so smiley (which I adore) that a rare serious/stern look wrecks me. Another reason I want him cast as a villain. Just...yes, sir.

And on the flip side, these because he's just so soft again. I fucking love soft men, ones who don't seem to have that drive to constantly perform their own personal version of hyper-masculinity. (also, I'd suck a random dick off the street to get this in HQ)

I'm a simple creature and I like profiles, noses, and tits.

Like I said, I'm a simple creature and I am no better than any man.

When the right men manspread at the right time? Yes. Yes, that.

When Dad™ shows up to save the day? Get that man a beer and a blowjob.

And while I love it when a man is great with kids...I also think it's incredibly sexy when he's tired of their bullshit cause aren't we all sometimes? 😅

FUZZY GREY NECK? say no more. Also, I'd stand in a three hour long line to wait my turn to ride his thigh like he was the carousel at Disney World. I said what I said.

Hutch. Just Hutch. Everything about the character was sexy. And bless this t-shirt. The shoulders. The arms. The fuzzy neck. The nose. He could 100% talk me into sleeping in that creepy ass cabin and much like Phil, we'd also wake up naked and calling out to God.

Annnd because I feel like it's expected and it does deserve attention, this kiss with Papa E. Listen. Listen. So many fucking onscreen kisses go from 0 to 60 in .000005 seconds. Just immediate face-fucking right out the gate. And IDK about y'all but that shit just isn't enjoyable in real life. Don't assault my fucking face like a Dallas Cowboy's linebacker. 🙃 Ease into it. Warm up. Mr. Evershed will patiently take his time making you so anxiously desperate for more that when he finally does deepen that kiss your lips will be eagerly wet and ready...heh. 🙈

Anyway. 😳 I've been really good about not being thirsty on main anymore and this is still quite tame for me but I'm gonna stop now because this post could go on all night. 🫠

[loganofthenorth]

Just for fun I'm going to write what I'd do if I ever got a Netflix comedy special. I'm not a comedian but, let's say in an alternate universe where that is the case.

*Crowd floods in, takes their seats. Lights turn on. Speaker turns on.*

Speaker: Creatives, Nerds, and/or Weirdos, please put your hands together for (insert a somehow lower rank comedian that's opening for me)

LRC: Hey everybody, what's up!

*crowd cheers*

LRC: I said what's up, but y'all are down there. *over exaggerates looking down at the audience*

*audience laughs*

LRC: *also laughs* Finally, a crowd that's shorter than me. *let's say the comedian is either really short or really tall.*

*audience laughs*

LRC: *hyped* Are you guys ready for educational comedy?

*cricket noises*

LRC: *laughs and gives a reassuring expression to the audience* No, I promise it's really funny. Not even that educational, just a lot about mental health, disabilities, culture, and the queer community.

*a decent amount of the crowd cheers*

LRC: Alright now we're talking! Everyone put your hands- or paws, fins, etc. we don't discriminate here- for Lady of the North!

*crowd applauds and woos*

Me: *gets on stage and hugs lower rank comedian that I have never met before*

LRC: Knock em dead *pats me on the back and goes back stage*

Me: *goes centre stage and breathes into the mic for a moment*

Audience: ...

Me: Not literally, I hope.

*small chuckle in audience*

Me: I mean, call me Autistic, *gives knowing look and wink to the audience* but I'd be pretty concerned if that guy actually wanted me to knock you all dead.

*more laughter from the audience*

Me: Good, good, you like morbid humour. Good to know. Not saying my jokes are usually morbid, but, there is one about a house fire, so. *walks around the stage, fidgeting with the microphone wire*

Audience Member: *coughs*

Me: I like to talk to myself.

*small nervous laughter*

Me: *with false sympathy* Aw, did I make you all uncomfortable? *rolls my eyes in an over exaggerated way* Alright, alright, I see how it is. *continues walking around the stage* I'm Autistic, so I'm uncomfortable, like, eighty percent of the time. So.

*hesitant laughter*

Me: *stops waking* Ever been talking to a large group of people, *gestures to the audience*

*some people laugh*

Me: and they're all talking over one another? You can't hear any of them?

*sounds of confirmation from the audience*

Me: So you just scream: PLEASE, I BEG YOU, *falls to my knees in a pleading pose* SPEAK ONE AT A TIME!!!

*crowd laughs*

Me: *slowly gets back up with a knowing grin* You ever get that feeling, Toronto?

(Because of course I'm performing in Toronto)

*audience cheers*

Me: Good, good. See, now we understand each other. *continues pacing around the stage* Because I have that feeling- *stops walking, faces the crowd, big manic grin on my face* All. The. Time.

*nervous laughter*

Me: Oh yeah. *continues pacing and playing with the wire* Let's say I'm in a room, by myself. Or, maybe there's a couple other people there, minding their own business, we're all doing our own thing. Either way, I'm hearing the lights buzz and flicker, the heater or air conditioner run, machines going in another room, electricity in the wires in the walls, and every time Olivia and Marcy- those are the two people there with me- move a muscle or do anything I hear that too.

*Autistic people cheer and applaud*

Me: *knowing grin and stops pacing to face the crowd* Can anyone relate to that?

*Autistic people cheer louder*

Me: Good. Now for once we, the weirdos, are the ones with the power of knowledge! *raises hand up in an empowered pose*

*Autistic people cheer*

Me: And the neurotypicals, yes, they are the ones who must suffer. *evil laughs*

*crowd laughs*

Me: *acting like a normal person* So I'm sitting there, right?

*crowd chuckles*

Me: And I'm trying to get my work done. Let's say I'm writing a book, as one does,

*audience chuckles*

Me: And I come across a plot hole. *dramatic gasps*

*audience laughs*

Me: So I come across the plot hole, and what's a writer to do? *takes a tangle of yarn out of my pocket and tosses it on the floor*

*audience laughs more*

Me: I have to sit with this plot hole, *squats next to the yarn* And work it out. *starts untangling the yarn irritably, then suddenly looks up with an annoyed expression*

*nervous laughter*

Me: Shut up, Olivia. No one cares about your boyfriend not texting you back.

*crowd cheers and laughs*

Me: Can you believe that? Two girls whispering over there, you know, because they have lives and human relationships they can talk about their problems in a healthy way to.

*crowd chuckles*

Me: But not you. No. You have anxiety that makes you bottle up your problems, and then I vent it out to you.

*crowd cheers and laughs*

Me: So, since I know this is a me problem, not an Olivia problem, I don't actually say anything. *continues untangling yarn* I simply continue... untying... the... PLOT HOLE *screams*

*crowd laughs*

Me: *smiles at the crowd and blinks* But that's not all, Toronto. *stands up*

*nervous laughter*

Me: There are other people *points to my head* in here. It ain't just me.

*tense silence*

Me: What? *paces around the stage and acts like a normal person again* Why is that so scary? I simply have more people than just me in my head. Why do horror movies have to dictate that those people must be serial killers?

*a couple of laughs*

Me: I'm serious. I'm an OSDD 1B system. Self diagnosed, but I'm pretty damn sure that applies to me. *stops pacing* Which means that there are multiple people sharing our head, all with our own distinct personalities, but we all share memories. There's no black outs or amnesia barriers. So it's a lot easier to communicate with each other, but a lot harder to figure out who's fronting at the moment.

*silence to let that sink in*

Me: Currently the active alters we know about are: North (myself), Lucy, Lisa, Stacy, Magie, Brianna, Teresa, and Austin. None of them are serial killers, none of them are even that violent- except maybe Lucy but she has a lot of self control. She prefers to be verbally violent anyways.

*silence again*

Me: So, yeah. None of us would harm the body or anyone around us- unless we're having a trauma response, panic attack, melt down, or otherwise, but even then we're pretty good at avoiding it. None of us are serial killers, but damn are we annoying.

*audience laughs*

Me: *continues pacing* Back to the metaphor about the group conversation,

*audience slowly stops laughing to listen*

Me: Imagine that, playing in your head, all the time. Like, Brianna, I know you want to help Olivia with her problem and hopefully become friends. But we have our own problems to solve and- yes Magie that is what Lucy said. I know you think it's boring to work on this but- *marches forward with a stern look* Stacy put the anxiety away.

*audience laughs*

Me: *chuckles and continues pacing* So I have to baby sit my fellow alters all day.

*audience chuckles*

Me: *stops pacing and looks down* That's not true, Lisa babysits us.

*audience laughs*

Me: *looks up with a grin* So, anyways. *continues pacing* I need to get these guys to talk one at a time. *stops next to the yarn and squats down again to pick it up* Or we'll never fix this problem. *continues untangling* Which means, the only way I can filter out everyone's trains of thought so that I can actually problem solve, is to talk to myself out loud. Then only one person can speak at a time.

*a sound of understanding falls over the audience*

Me: *talking to myself* Okay, so Brianna wants to help Olivia with her problem so we can make a friend. Lucy wants to solve this plot hole. Magie wants to do something else. Stacy wants us to go skate boarding, even though that isn't something the body knows how to do.

*quiet laughter*

Me: So, we will fix this plot hole, wrap up the scene we're writing, then talk to Olivia and hopefully make a friend. After that, we'll go to the mall, buy a skate board and a few things Magie wants. Then we can attempt to learn skate boarding. How does that sound? Okay, good. *looks to the audience* The voices on my head agree to my compromise, Olivia leaves by the time we're done, we're burnt out so we go home and collapse and forget this ever happened the next day. *stands up and raises my hand in the air*

*audience laughs*

Me: *bring microphone back to my mouth* But hey. *holds up string* Fixed the plot line.

*audience laughs and cheers*

I'll continue writing this later. Let me know what y'all think so far!

[hotwings0203]

fighter kirishima who doesn't like it when other people even stare for one second at his partner, so then he just kills anyone who dares to stand less than 2ft from his darling 😌👍

Tw:noncon implication, implied murder

“Why’re you standing so far away babe?”

You’re not, he’s got his arms wrapped around your waist to the point of crushing your hips.

“‘M not, just couldn’t breathe.”

“Oh good, for a moment there I was worried you were looking at that guy again.

That guy referring to the blond haired weirdo who kept laughing and pointing at the losers of the ring like a maniac.

Right, like you were totally head over heels for the one weirdo in the entire basement.

Except your “boyfriend “ maybe. He could definitely take that title.

Well, maybe not weirdo. Maybe Possessive Controling Freak would be a better name for him, instead of Kirishima.

And just to drive the point home, he soothingly rubs his calloused hand up and down your arm while the next match rages on in front of you both.

It’s not soothing, on the contrary it seems like a threat.

He just amps it up from then on any time he feels like your attention is elsewhere or if he feels like other men are looking at you for a second too long.

First it’s taking on arm and tightly squeezing it. Then, he puts one leg of yours over his thigh much to your embarrassment.

Eventually he just picks you up and plops you on his lap. While he thinks he’s keeping other men at bay with this tactic, it’s doing the complete opposite.

Because these testosterone filled savages are quite enjoying the scene with your limbs being toyed with and thrown over a man like the rest of them, your ragdoll-maneuvered body a promise of something they might be able to one day get a taste of.

The entirety of the fight goes by dreadfully slow because all you can focus on is how long Kiri’s hands dip in and out of the crevice of your legs way too casually. His hands settle comfortably under your shirt and across your boobs, which can be seen by literally everyone when they catch a glimpse of an evident hand on your chest.

He prevents you from squirming too much with his limbs tightening around you and disapproving grunts to your discomfort. So you sit there, stewing with rage and humiliation.

Until a distraction appears.

In the midst of the next match brawling in the ring, a smaller fight breaks out amongst the raging spectators.

It only catches both your attention when the yelling starts getting close to your area and men start throwing fists and yelling until their faces tie beet-red.

Kirishima and you both crane your heads around to see the source of the commotion, but you realize quickly that it’s getting way too intense around you, so much so that men begin lifting chairs and falling over themselves in their own battles.

You try to get up but Kiri’s hands are wrapped so tightly around your midriff that you barely manage to dislodge his arm. He’s distracted and looking around curiously at the dangerous setting and you have to frantically tap his arm to indicate it’s time to go.

But he snaps out of it too late, and a body gets punched your way, his large mass descending on your weaker frame.

You shriek and try to lift your hands up to protect yourself, but it doesn’t work. You’re slammed into and knocked clean off Kirishima’s lap onto the floor laced with blood and bits of torn clothes.

There’s a loud ringing in your ears as you blearily get up and take in your surrounds, which seem to love in slow motion around you. You belatedly think that you must’ve hit your head on the concrete floor when you fell.

Your arms ache as you groan and lift yourself up on shaky elbows, the sounds around you swim in and out of your aching head when suddenly an open hand is thrust in front of your face.

“Are you alright? I’m so sorry!”

Grimacing, you tilt your head up and see the same man who knocked you down. You’re in no condition to refuse help in such a volatile area however, so you gingerly lift your hand and grasp onto his open palm.

You find yourself being pulled up easily and crushed into the man’s body. It’s hard to push back but when you see how many bloody faces and broken limbs windmill around you decide it’s best to keep close to a safe space.

The man gently starts stepping over writhing bodies and lifting you up under your arms to ensure that you don’t trip and fall again while on your way to a clearer area.

You don’t resist, only looking up at him helplessly like a kitten being dragged by its mom from the scruff. His body is warm and toned, yet plush and comfortable to lean against when you need to. Your cranium still pounds, but your head clears a bit when you look into his surprisingly concerned grey eyes.

“You alright? Hit your head a little hard, huh? My bad.”

He sets you on a perch near the office and looks around, deeming it a less loud and crowded area for your health.

He says nothing, but you don’t sense any malice from him. He doesn’t move either though, he just leans an arm on the extension and puts another hand on his hip, scanning the screaming men and casualties as if he were looking out in a snowy field.

He might be protecting you, or looking for a good place to jump in and start swinging himself, you’re not sure.

But you’re grateful for his helpful presence, nonetheless.

And then suddenly your moment of reprieve is dismantled when you hear him frantically calling your name.

You see his head hair sticking up, spiky as ever while the top of his head bobs left and right, in circles and backwards as he tries finding you.

Your head starts to hurt again.

“Y/N! Where the hell are you?”

Eventually and unfortunately he sees your figure above the fray, and he swears you look like an angel-siting above this rifraff, your body perfectly intact unlike the rest of these thugs, your expression dazed and vulnerable like it did when you were choking on his co-

He sees the man next to you, and his vision shatters like glass when he takes in the proximity of him next to you.

Kirishima sees red.

“Hey, there you are cutie! I got scared I lost you for a sec’ there. Thanks for looking out for her man,” he smiles and shakes his hand with the steel-haired guy, crushing his grip a little too hard to be deemed grateful.

“No problem. The name’s Tetsutetsu. ‘Think I’ve seen you around here, you fight pretty good not gonna lie! When’s it gonna be my turn to match that strength in the rink?” He smiles deviously and knocks shoulders with you in jest.

While you smile uncomfortably and rub your now-bruising shoulder, Kirishima’s eye twitches at the contact and his smile starts straining as well.

But this is too easy to give up.

“Hey, that’s actually a really good idea. Why don’t we have our own little practice match after the shit here clears up?” He nods around to the ongoing pandemonium.

You look at him stricken, unsure of what he’s playing at. You’re not stupid, you can tell by his off body language that he’s not at rest or relaxed at all by this conversation.

The expression he’s making, while it might fool the himbo next to you, is extremely reminiscent of the faces he pulls when he chides gently in your ear to stop moving so fucking far away from him and soothes a hand over your head.

“Sounds good, and don’t worry, I’ll take it easy on you.” The other man laughs heartily and kicks away a stray rolling body.

Kirishima merely grins gently. “For your sake, is give it my best.”

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

He’s strapped you to the bed-check.

You’ve been spanked black and blue-check.

A lecture has been given to your sobbing body-check.

Ointment has been slathered on the bruises-double check.

And he’s out the door at exactly 9pm, jogging his way to the bar and down the steps to the basement as a light warm up. He considers calling an ambulance before-hand, but that would mean he’d give enough mercy to leave Tetsutetsu intact…and alive.

When he bounds down the rickety steps he finds that Tetsu is already there and lightly boxing a body bag that the newbies use for practice.

He has to hold back his snort and paint his usual cheery face on, but something tells him even the dim yellow light in this room would still show the dark emotion swirling in his ruby eyes.

“What’s up bro, you made it?”

“No, I’m still at home.”

Tetsutetsu laughs heartily and doesn’t catch onto the cold bite Kirishima’s words hold.

“You’re funny. ‘Wanna warm up-“

“-Nah, actually, ‘think I’m good. Let’s just get started, I’ve been waiting for this.”

“You got it boss.”

And without further ado they both shrug off their shirts in the hot basement and ready their fists in a protective stance, circling each other.

“Y’know, when I saw you next to my girl I fantasized about caving your face in,” a punch is thrown suddenly and Tetsu is thrown off guard by the surprising agility of the bully opponent and his words.

He practically eats the hit square in the nose, his head snapping back and immediately pouring blood from his nostrils.

He coughs and staggers before realigning himself the opposite end of the fighting circle. “Wha-? Why?” The victim sounds congested from the leaking blood but his focus is only on Kirishima’s change in expression.

“Yeah, and then I saw you knock shoulders with her too…maybe I’ll cut yours off and sell ‘em for a couple hundred, whaddaya think bro?”

This time when Kirishima aims for his face again he’s ready, and he quickly dodges and strikes his face fist out.

But what he doesn’t expect is the redhead to actually catch the fist in his own larger hand and hold it in midair. He also doesn’t react in time to pull his hand out and move back when Kiri’s other fist swings low and punches so hard into his stomach that he falls to the ground, hand still captivated by Kirishima’s.

He’s never seen a man with that kinda of face on while fighting. His eyes are narrowed and dark, his mouth is set in a thin like and his whole body is taut, as if holding back his own strength.

For the first time since he’s ever been in the basement, Tetsutetsu doesn’t to fight anymore.

“Look Kirishima,” he hacks and looks wildly at him. “I don’t know if you’re upset at me for something but you gotta chill out. You can’t catch my hands like that, that’s not how you’re supposed to fight-“

“You still think I give a shit how we’re supposed to fight? No ones gonna care about strategy or sportsmanship when you’re dead, Tetsutetsu.”

His last scream is so loud and so shrill that Kirishima thinks it’s a shame it wasn’t witnessed in a real match by paying spectators.

[kamotoshi]

reminders [fushiguro tōji x reader]

pairing: fushiguro tōji x fem reader

genre: fluff

warnings: a bit of swearing; brief mentions of past trauma, manipulation, and financial instability/struggles

word count: 2.3k

overview: a sunset picnic reminds him to stop for a moment and remind his wife how he truly feels about her

note: just another fic to serve as evidence for my obsession with making big, beefy 2d men with tough exteriors completely soft for their significant others (wives especially)

“Aren’t we just the cutest couple ever?”

Tōji’s eyes move from the spread of food laid out across the patterned blanket beneath the two of you over to either side of him, where a few other couples and families have set up their picnic spots for the evening, then, to your phone. A glance at the screen displaying the timed photo you’d just spent the past five to ten minutes setting the scene for and perfecting brings a smirk to his face.

“Just the right amount of nauseating.”

“Like, to the point where people are a little envious, but they don’t think we’re being too over the top, right?”

“Right.”

You hum in understanding as you pop a piece of fruit into your mouth.

“But, I would say err on the side of caution and don’t post the super lovey-dovey ones. Actually, please don’t. That’s a request now.”

Your hand flies to your chest to match the look of feigned shock on your face at his words. He doesn’t miss how the diamond on your finger sparkles in the amber glow of the setting sun. The thought crosses his mind that he wants to buy you a bigger one when he has enough money to set aside—something that would shine just a bit brighter. Almost as brightly as that beautiful smile of yours he had the pleasure of seeing each day, if he was lucky.

“You mean… I can actually post a picture that I took with my notoriously elusive husband?”

With a nod, he shifts his gaze to the horizon—or whatever he can see of it peeking around the sides of each building—for a moment. “Just know it’ll probably end my job,” is his response given with a sigh, “Nobody’ll fear me after they see that I enjoy sunset picnics with my adorable wife, now, will they?”

“Or,” you offer with a grin, scooting closer to him so his arm can snake around your waist, “it could give you an advantage, people thinking you’re kinda sweet. Like, oh, he’s a cold-blooded killer who takes care of business, but he’s got a soft side, too. And then, bam! You swoop in and they’ll never even know what hit ‘em.” Sweeping a hand dramatically across the landscape in front of you, as if you want him to picture the scene in your head, you add, “Suddenly, you’re the talk of the town. Women want you. Men want to be you. Hell, they’d probably want you too.”

“And that’s the story of how I end up on the front covers of magazines, right?”

“Exactly. This is just the start of your success story, baby.” Tenderly, you place a hand on the side of his face to bring it closer to your lips. After pecking him on the cheek, you whisper, “Just try not to forget about me when you’re famous, okay?”

He turns to look directly at you, his eyebrow raised with incredulousness in an expression you’ve seen many times before. “You kidding me? I would never. Be famous, I mean.”

The teasing smack you land on his chest doesn’t deter him from leaning down towards you to press a kiss against your lips that you readily return in spite of your complaints at his devious comment. He relishes in the sweet taste lingering on his tongue when he pulls away, and the affection present in your half-lidded gaze brings a comforting warmth over him akin to the feeling of finally crawling into bed after a long day. In his moment of distraction, you’re able to sneak in another meeting of your lips before grabbing one of the snack boxes you’d meticulously crafted and dropping it into his lap.

“Since I’m nice, unlike you, I’ll still let you eat the food lovingly prepared by your loving wife.”

“C’mon, baby,” he murmurs, giving your thigh an appreciative squeeze, “You know I love you.”

“I mean, I hope you do. You did marry me, and stick with me all these years, after all, you weirdo.”

He chuckles and pats your leg before shifting his attention to the delicious food you’d put together for the two of you, and you settle down beside him after collecting your own. His free hand plants on the ground beside your opposite hip, closing the gap between you.

Each day that he gets to spend with you he’s thankful for. But there’s something different about those where the sight of the sun slowly descending toward the horizon is beautiful enough to draw both of you out of the house to sit and watch it. He can’t quite explain it, but everything about these days feels different. The harshness of the city seems to fade away for a bit. The air smells sweeter. His breaths come a bit more deeply. The absence of your body against his in some way is felt more intensely.

In between gazing ahead at the sunset—allowing his eyes to flicker to his meal, the kids zipping past every now and then on their bikes, or other passersby—he finds his attention being drawn back to you. Each feature of your face bathed in the golden light of the sun’s last rays brings an unexpected flutter to his heart. He’s never surprised by how gorgeous you are, but, still finds himself in awe of just how lucky he is each time he stops to take it all in.

Lucky that he gets to wake up next to you and see you in those quiet moments of the morning when your eyes are still struggling to focus and your cheek is stamped with each wrinkle of your pillowcase, but you look beautiful all the same. Lucky that the arms and legs he has draped around him until you both wake up sweaty in the middle of the night are yours. Lucky to be offered a refuge wherever you are. Lucky you’re one he promised to love for the rest of his life.

In the busyness of your days, sometimes things are assumed rather than said. He assumes the parting kiss he presses to your lips each time he leaves the house translates into a small, “I love you, I’ll be back soon.” Just like he assumes the way he pulls you onto his lap while you’re sitting together, watching a movie, sends a small message of, “I need you here, close to me.” Or the pause he takes to gaze into your eyes after your more passionate displays of affection means, “I love you more than I know how to say.”

He realizes, given the risky nature of his work, that thought alone isn’t enough, though. Maybe he’s too afraid of saying something that’ll curse you for his lips to form the words he’s thinking as often as they should, but if he was one to let his life be ruled by fear, he wouldn’t be sitting with you in the first place. He would’ve let his family wreak havoc on him for the entirety of his life, weighing it down with constant reminders of his failures. He would’ve let his fear of being vulnerable keep him from getting close enough to you to fall in love with you.

Yet, here he is, making relaxed conversation with you—his wife—as the two of you sit together beneath a sea of brilliant oranges, candied pinks, and the gentlest hues of lavender. With the way you use your steadily built and strongly maintained trust in him to speak so freely and be so vulnerable without fear of judgment, he feels it’s only fair that he shows his trust in you by doing the same. That he reminds you of his feelings rather than lets the implications behind his actions speak for him.

When he decides to mention it, most of the sky has lost its fire and quite a few of the other picknickers have packed up and returned home. But the two of you choose to remain out just a bit longer in the warmth of the summer night, bathed in the sound of cicadas chirping incessantly. “Hey babe?” he calls, giving your hand resting in his a gentle squeeze as his cheek drops to the blanket so he can look at you.

“Mm?” You shift onto your side and scoot closer to him, moving your interlaced hands to your chest, holding the back of his against your gently beating heart. On instinct, your other set of fingers find his face to brush a few strands of dark hair away from his eyes, and he presses feathery kisses to your palm.

Sighing against your skin, he asks, “Do I tell you I love you enough?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, you assure him, “I know you do.”

“Because I say it?”

You hum with uncertainty, fingers gliding from the scar at the side of his mouth down his neck, and to one of his broad shoulders. “More because I can see it in the way you look at me. But, then again, I also see you look at a really good meal the same way. Makes me kinda jealous sometimes,” is your answer given with a small, teasing smile, “Besides, I feel like I can safely assume that you’ve stayed with me all these years because you love me, right?”

“Of course,” he says, the strength in his voice contrasting the subtle, pained look behind his eyes, “But I don’t say it enough, do I?”

There’s a short pause before you murmur, “Not usually unless I say it first. But it tends to be more of a reflex for both of us, anyway. Like, ‘I’m heading out now, love you!’ or, ‘Goodnight, I love you,’ y’know?”

A gentle tug on your wrist pulls you towards him, until you’re propped up on both elbows, body leaning over his. Wrapping an arm around your waist brings your chests flush against one another and your faces mere centimeters apart. The way he’s regarding you as nothing else is as important as you are to him in this moment has you melting into the kiss he plants on your lips.

“You’re the love of my life.” Heat radiates from your chest all the way up to your face at his tenderly spoken words accompanied by his thumb skimming along your cheekbone. “And you deserve to hear me tell you how much I care about you more often because you’re the only person who’s made me feel deserving of love.”

The hand on your back slowly moves up and down, his fingers tracing along your spine. It was once deemed as a mindless behavior in your eyes, but after many years with him, you’ve come to learn that sometimes it’s a means of comforting himself or finding the courage to speak about something that’s been on his mind. To reassure him, you place a soft peck against the corner of his mouth and run your fingertips across his jaw.

He seems to find the strength he needs to speak the rest of his truth, since he continues, “I remember being terrified when I first realized how much I loved you. Because here I was, thinking I was only gonna marry someone as a way of erasing my connections to my family, and that falling in love would weaken me—make me easier to be manipulated—but you changed my mind. And I don’t think there’s a damn thing that could ever happen to make me wish I did things differently, even though we got married young, when we barely had enough money to our names to get ourselves through the week.”

A pang of somewhat bittersweet nostalgia ripples through you at the memories of sleeping on the floor, clinging to one another to keep warm during the cold, winter nights. Of how you’d both worked so tirelessly to make a living that sometimes all you’d do was cry into his shoulder when you got home. But soon, there was a couch. A bed. A table. A lamp that didn’t flicker. Then, a new place in a safer part of the city, filled with all the furniture and appliances you could need. Jobs that paid enough for the tears to subside.

The impulsiveness the two of you had displayed in your early twenties had gotten you into a lot of sometimes unbearable situations, but you wouldn’t have changed a thing had you somehow been granted the power to alter the past. While unpleasant, those events had helped the two of you get to where you are today, happier and more in love than ever.

“After all we’ve been through, and that you’ve stuck with me through, I at least owe it to you to remind you how much you mean to me instead of just assuming you know. Because you really do mean the world to me. So, this is me telling you that I love and appreciate you a lot more than I might feel capable of saying sometimes, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try.”

With that same, bright smile of yours that he adores, you take your weight off your elbows to wrap your arms around him while he gives your body a tight squeeze in return. “I love you so much, Tōji,” you hum, heart swelling with joy.

“I love you too, sweetheart.”

There’s a few moments of peaceful silence while the two of you remain wrapped up in a tight and much-needed embrace. Eventually, a deep exhale fans across your neck before he mentions, “That was pretty cheesy, huh?”

“Just a bit. But I promise not to tell anyone you’re secretly a bit of a sap, okay?” you comment, sending the two of you into a small fit of snickers. Your tone is more serious, however, when you mention, “It made me really happy to hear, though.”

“Good,” is his response as he moves his head so he can press his mouth to your temple. His next words are spoken quietly, as if just to himself, and nearly lost beneath the layers of environmental noise surrounding you, but you’re glad you hear them.

“That’s all that matters to me.”

[amoristt]

Just a Dare | Nathan Prescott x Reader

@trueloveknifefight asked, Also can I request Nathan asking you out?

here u are! i love writing convos w nathan UGH i adore his character.

as always, replies and reblogs are greatly appreciated1 i check all tags and comments <3

wanna support me for just $3? here's my ko-fi!

The lights were bright, vivid. Almost blinding. They dance LED accents into the reflection of your drink- a dull plastic cup filled to the brim with one part whiskey, zero parts mixer. The taste could bring a tear to your eye but you would be damned to water down such fine alcohol, provided by none other than Nathan Prescott himself.

Music reverberated along the pool rooms walls, laughter and hollers distantly rising with the tempos. Your foot absently tapped to the beat- you were never one for dancing. Never one for parties, either, actually, favoring drinking in the solitude of a small friend group.

If not for Nathan you wouldn't be here at all. Some would say it's a privilege to slip past those heavy doors, entering the dully lit world of the Vortex Club. You mostly just felt like it was all for show. Somehow securing a place among Nathan's friend group, and a good friend at that, it was almost duty to show up. He insisted on it.

So, here you were. Leaning against a wall in a suffocatingly warm, cramped pool room surrounded by a sea of faces you hardly recognized.

That was, until you saw Nathan's face peer through the small break in shifting bodies. You knew him all too well.

Strikingly handsome, equally strikingly pompous. Funny, crude, an absent minded party goer just as much as he was a fireball with racing, incoherent thoughts. A drinker, a druggie. Takes the edge off, he says, but you think he does it to take away his thoughts completely. You felt like his entire life was all edges, never sacred ground.

The poor bastard.

He lures your attention in as he saunters over with squared shoulders, narrowly avoiding spilling his drink when a random student cuts it a little too close. Normally Nathan would make a bigger deal, give him what for, but this time he just shoots the poor kid a menacing glare and grumbles, 'fucking watch it'. He's walking with purpose and intent, you can see it on his face. You must have a target on your forehead as he darts straight over.

When he comes to your side, his own alcohol dripping down the sides of his cup onto his wiry fingers, you raise a brow.

"Something wrong?" You ask, as he takes a spot leaning against the hard wall right next to you.

"Just wondering why you're being so fucking lame over here," He shouts over the music, taking a sip of his drink, grimacing at the taste. "We're all having a good time over at the lounge and you're over here acting like all the other wallflower nobodies."

You roll your eyes with upturning lips. "Maybe I like being a wallflower. I like people watching. I see things no one else does."

"Yeah, okay, fucking weirdo."

"I mean it," You push off the wall and grin. "Look-" You point to a student obviously wasted, drink held high over head while he lets the music take him away. "That guy is clearly trashed- he's having the time of his life. He's gotta be seeing double."

Nathan whistles at his state, taking in the guys goofy smile, half lidded eyes. "I'll bet it's the triplets. I could breathe on him too hard and he'd fall over."

"You should go try it." You tease. He shakes his head and takes another drink.

"Nah, he'll get it himself. Guarantee we'll be dragging him out by his feet by the end of the night." He shrugs. "Or, at least someone will. I sure as fuck ain't staying that long."

You snicker. "What, got a hot date?" Nathan glares at you. "Oh don't tell me," you cup your hands to whisper, a secretive gesture, "homework?"

"Fuck no," He scoffs, and you can just barely see that he's a little more than tipsy now. His pale cheeks dusted with red, the tip of his nose ruby under the harsh lighting. It's also then that you realize he's a little more tense than usual, even despite the drinking. He's standing straight upright, his right hand gripping his cup like a crutch and his left now shoved hastily into his pocket.

He hasn't looked at you dead in the eyes yet.

"So what is it then?" You ask curiously. He shrugs and stares into his cup. You frown. "Bro, are you like, good right now? Do you wanna leave?"

For the first time since he'd wandered over, Nathan looks up at you. His eyes are unreadable, but his composure seems stressed. He shrugs again. Before you can even open your mouth to ask him about his state, he sighs and downs an entire mouthful of burning whiskey. It makes you cringe just watching him.

"Fuck it," He huffs. "Look I got some stupid ass dare to come over here and put the moves on you, okay." He sounds almost annoyed, like it's a hassle for him, or maybe embarrassing. You cross your arms. "I was dared to come over here and try to get you like, to fucking, you know, leave with me, but now that I'm over here I'm starting to think maybe that was a dumbass idea."

"Leave with you?" You say incredulously, a brow already lifting. "You were dared to come over here and try to sleep with me? By our friends?"

"No, no, fuck," Nathan seems agitated now, rushing. "Like a date sorta bullshit. Ask you out." He manages to get it out in almost the worst delivery possible, meanwhile you're just trying to pick out who would put him up to this. Hayden? Victoria?

A laugh forces its way out of you. "Aren't we a little too old for that game?"

Nathan shrugs. "That's what I said but they insisted. Fucking babies. At least make the dare a little more fun than just asking some bitch out. That's like elementary level shit."

Your eyes widen, you scoff. "Excuse me?"

Nathan sputters. "You're not some bitch, I didn't mean to-... Fucks sake, I'm clearly a little drunk right now okay, if you could cut me some fucking slack that'd be awesome."

"Hey man I didn't ask to be a victim of bullying," You tease, and he can't help but laugh. You soften. "Never expected it from you, though of all people. As ironic as that sounds."

"I'm not even bullying you, come on. Don't be a bitch. I even admitted it and everything."

You grin. "Yeah. Gotta say though, I'm a little disappointed."

"Oh what, you wanted to see my moves?" Nathan hums. "You wanted some Prescott action?"

"Shut the hell up." You shove his shoulder, an action that would be a mistake to so many others, but for you, it was welcomed. "I'm disappointed that it was just a dare. I'd probably have said yes if it wasn't. But, oh well."

Nathan doesn't answer for a long moment. First, he stares into his drink, processing. Almost like he hadn't heard that right, or like you were messing with him. It's rare to see Nathan Prescott stunned into a momentary silence. He's thinking, wondering what he should say next. Suspicious that you're just playing with him, hopeful that maybe you aren't.

And, you hadn't been. Truth be told if given the chance you would allow him to take you out for the evening. Show you fancy things, try out something a little more intimate than just laughter and poking fun at classmates together. You enjoyed his presence, looked forward to it at times.

A small part of you had hoped that he felt the same, maybe. Somehow. While grateful that he respected you enough to cut the crap before it even began, you couldn't help but feel a little... Disheartened at the prank. You'd saved your pride by denying him beforehand, but, if it had been genuine...

"So if it wasn't a dare," He began, quietly, barely audible over the booming music overhead. Eyes barely visible in the sea of vibrant lights crashing like waves. "You'd have said yes."

You shrug, trying to play it casual to save your own feelings, just in case. "Probably. I mean, we're already friends. We have fun so it couldn't have been that bad." He nods along to almost every word.

"Well what if we did it anyways." He blurts.

"Did what?"

"Go out tonight. Like, you know ditch this lame ass party and have some real fun."

"You love this lame ass party, and plus," You shake your head in feigned annoyance. "I'm not sleeping with you, Nathan."

He glares at you. "Fucking duh. I'm just saying we can go and hang out somewhere else. This party happens all the fucking time so it's not like we're missing anything."

"But, wouldn't that make me the butt of our friends joke?"

He shrugs. "Fuck em. It was a dumb dare anyways."

"Now it seems like you're trying extra hard to convince me to say yes." You state, and he's frazzled, running lines through his brain to try and save the absolute failure of asking you out. You decide to spare him, take a little leap of faith for yourself. "But, alright. I'm in."

Nathan gapes at you. "You're in?"

"Yeah, why not. I'm not busy right now and if you're not either than," You smile. "Why not. You better wow me though, Prescott. I'm talking a night to remember. Fireworks, dinner by candle light, a serenade. The whole package."

Nathan's eyes light up, but he tries to hide it, rolls those beautiful blues. "Well considering I've had like no fucking time to prepare how about we instead go to the roof and chill out."

You toss the idea around in your head for show. You already knew the answer the moment he asked if you were being serious.

"I mean I guess that would work," You say. "I was looking for fireworks but I suppose that will suffice. Feel free to go tell our buddies their joke may have backfired on them."

Nathan shakes his head. "Nah, don't even bother. They're all drunk and probably don't even remember daring me in the first place."

"Alright then," You push yourself off the wall, feeling your cheeks warm. A flutter takes wing in the base of your chest, your heart picking up just a little faster. You can't stop the smile that graces you as you say, "Lead the way, Prescott."

Nathan does lead the way. He takes your hand into his own, your fingers tracing over his boney knuckles as he drags you through the sea of bodies, out to the school hall and up winding stairs.

You giggle like a child when he struggles to find the correct key on the janitors ring he'd snatched weeks ago just in case, tease him when he almost spills his drink all over himself. Nathan's hands are almost shaking, but you chalk it up to the alcohol. You chalk everything up to the alcohol- his trembling fingers, his red face, a shy, albeit goofy smile resting upon his lovely, angular face.

The night was cool and crisp, a stark contrast to the smoldering heat of the Vortex Party.

He looks amazing out under the stars, and underneath the scope of the vast, black sky dotted with trillions of perfect, twinkling lights, you feel at peace.

Looking at him, you feel like this may be the start of something you'd denied yourself the chance of ever even imagining.

Out there, alone but together, hearing the echoes of music mixed with the livelihood of crickets in the darkness...

it truly was a night to remember.

-----------

Days later, you sit atop your desk, feet tapping rhythmically on your chair, typing away at your phone.

"Love the top," A familiar voice pipes, and you glace up to find Victoria standing before you, books pressed to her chest. She takes in your shirt, a nicely fitted long sleeve with a rather low cut v-neck. "Why haven't I see that one before?"

You shrug and set your phone down. "Never got around to wearing it I guess. Not a big fan of V-necks."

"It fits you," She sets her books down at the table beside you and brushes a hand through her hair, making sure every strand is in line. "I'll have to get one myself."

"You know what, you can have it after today," You say, and she perks up in disbelief. "As a thank you for what happened at the party."

That disbelief soon turned to confusion. "...Meaning?"

"Y'know, making Nathan ask me out. He made a whole huge deal about it- said you guys were drinking and playing Truth or Dare of all things. Gotta say, I was a little surprised."

Victoria's brows knit. "We hardly drank at that party, and I wouldn't be caught dead playing Truth or Dare. That game is for kids."

It almost knocks the wind out of you.

They hadn't even been playing in the first place.

As the teacher walks into the room, the first period bell blaring annoyingly over the speakers, you climb off your desk and prepare for the day, hardly able to contain yourself. It hadn't been a dare, after all.

And, you and Nathan's official second date was merely a day away.

[haircoveredwriter]

Some thoughts after watching 11x06 "On the Inside". I'll put it beneath a break because there's more than I thought to my mindless rambling.

Okay so they're going with a straight horror movie intro but skipping the usual 'we're having such a good time out here in the woods...wait, something it out here too'

Both LR and KC do a really good terrified for their lives

Also have to say Virgil really seems to have stepped up since we met him because dude can actually take out walkers now. Good job, sir. Never stop learning.

More of Leah walking around amoungst a group of people and having no real reason to be there or contribute anything to the scene. 🙄

Damn, Hondo! Stop pulling at Frost's nails! I can't rip half mine off at work without feeling like Hershel when Rick chopped his leg. Fingers and toes always make thigs worse.

Chokeholds are illegal, Daryl. Someone needs to have him watch his own earlier seasons.

The conversation beneath the conversation between Daryl and Frost is spot on and super interesting.

Daryl's like 'look...I'm going to have to chop your finger off but it's for a good reason. Gonna save your life and who knows, maybe one of these weirdos has a Govenor closet somewhere and they'll let you take it home with you.'

Plus him taking off the vest was WAY more entralling than it needed to be, but I'm a woman with eyes so don't judge me. 👀😍(Enthralling? yup, that's what we'll go with)

It's a definite sign Daryl's not all team Reapers because he's basically taking off/hiding who he really is to fit in with his crazy ex-girlfriend's new posse.

Though my science schooling is giving how little blood there is from the amputation the side eye. Guess Frost just willed his blood some place else.

Am I crazy or is the music playing while Daryl torutres Frost the same that was playing in 10x07 while Carol tortured the Whisperer? Coincedence??🤔

Evil Monopoly man seems like he enjoys playing games with his people.

If Connie looking in the mirror is not me everyday I wake-up😏

GUYS! There were medical scissors in the medicine cabinet. You know what this means??? Queen Beth is gonna rise from the dead and save Vonnie all while less half a brain. LOL.

whoever belongs to that eye in the hole needs to get checked for jaundice.

Ofc the pencil breaks when Connie TRULY needs it. Fate really has it in for her, screwing her over with one of her most trusted friends.

These Reapers have no idea do they about how to sneak up on a building without being seen. Maybe they need it to be night before their powers activate. Funny Leah is in charge when she's the least believable one there.

Daryl pretending to be a cat hiding behind a plant with that mailbox...no one can see you my friend. You're good.

Carver and Leah remind me of the evil version of Caryl and Daryl.

They obviously have something going on and/or had a thing in Daryl's abscence. All those "Always" remarks sound an awful lot like The Princess Bride's "As you wish".

Yup, Carver is uber jealous of Daryl. Leaver is setting sail ya'll.🚢

Carol strolling in to find Kelly stuck in the mud with her casual "need some help" is perfection. I actually lol'd.

AT is also SUCH and underrated and underutilized actress on this show, I need more Kelly on my screen because she needs to be protected like the sweet cinnamon role she is.

WTH is with this episode, they really out here trying to start a bunch of new ships or something? I'm down for Vonnie.

He's so into you, Connie. Who else is gonna keep talking to you knowing you can't hear them but needing to vocalize how much more important they see you to themselves.

Oh, come on...he's said her name in this ep more times than anyone has in the last season. He's trying to rival Daryl for saying Carol's name in s10.

So in case you're keeping track...we now have Vonnie and Leaver riding the crazy shipping seas.📃

Great... more posturing about who cares about Leah more.🤮 Carver you aren't getting it; Daryl's been phoning it in since Day 1, he's not a threat just wait it out and he'll audios up out of here to go find his fire queen back home.

Leah's even telling Daryl "stop pissing of my secret boyfriend okay?"

Note to everyone: a dancing phone line is the sign to run to the basement and not a sign of an overeager squirrel running across the line for his acorns.

So the jaundice family watched The Ring too many times and think this is how all the cool kids act in horror flicks. All they keep saying is 'hungry'; Connie, Virgil, someone get them a Mars bar and it'll be done.

A+ fight put up by Virgil. He's been taking some classes during the lockdowns to better himself.

The Reapers are HORRIBLE military folk. How do ya'll not see Maggie & co leaving when you have people on the perimeter for the sole purpose of finding runners?! Do not hire them. 1 star on Yelp.

Yup I'm all over Vonnie. That "together" stuff was by far the shippiest thing we've seen all season.

And their reunion hug through the walll .... guuurl.

walker guts trick again: the express version

why do I feel like they could do a mini spin off of just a little war going on between the walkers and those jaundice mo-fos? Then one of the walkers falls for a crawler girl but her family thinks he's from the wrong side of the yellow house and don't like how he thinks he's better because he's taller than all of them.

Kelly found Connie! So happy this storyline ended with the 2 people the arc was truly about; the 2 sisters finding each otherafter years of the show hating siblings.

Now can we finish with Carol's self-hatred stuff and let her heal? We know Daryl is gonna be finished with his "gotta save 'em all" issues soon so it would be fantastic if they could finally be on the same baggage free playing field. Just a thought Kang.

Overall I thought it was a good episode. Only a few things I would nitpick ie. limited Carol, cheesy music during some of the haunted house bits, and the reapers need to go back to basic training and learn some stuff and thangs.

Ofc the spoilers beforehand were blown way out of proportion though I'm not surprised. I didn't go in expecting to see what was foretold and thankfully the spirit Gods prevailed again in defeating the overreaction we go through EVERY episode.

[stop-breaking-my-heart-telltale]

Top 5 Reasons Lee was the Best

Lee Everett is one of my favorite playable protagonists in any game I’ve played. Weirdly enough, I feel like he is somehow super loved yet under appreciated?? because sure, everyone says that they love Lee and talk about how he was just the best but like.... most times, they rarely go into details of why they love him and think he’s the best. 

Well, with today’s list, I wanna go into details about why I think Lee was the best. I tried to stick to more non-determinant things, but plenty slipped through, soo... it’s fine. I just wanna talk about Lee and why I like him so much.  

Also just wanna say thanks to @pi-creates​ for helping me out with these Top 5′s once again! We discussed a lot of these points and it was a huge help! :D

5. Lee is just... so funny sometimes. 

Not gonna spend too much time on this one because it’s more of a minor reason why I think he’s the best compared to the others but...

Lee is hilarious.

Like, even from the beginning, Lee knows how to make me laugh with his little “I’d fill that teacup with some bourbon if I could” line, and the fact that he is constantly falling down. The poor guy has to have at least three concussions by the end of ep1 alone. 

Also, his flirting skills...? Amazing. I’ll never get over, “You’re small.” 

He just has such a strange sense of humor about him that feels very dad-like... which makes perfect sense, but y’know. But even when he isn’t even trying, he still manages to get a laugh outta me for being such a weirdo.

Who goes up to a fence, looks at it, and is just like, “Hmmmm. Pointy.” 

Even after he’s bit, he manages to get a few painful laughs outta me when talking with Ben... though that laughter quickly dies when we reach then end of ep5 but..... y’know. 

4. His willingness to help those who have wronged him. 

Larry is a garbage man-- I think the mass majority of us would agree to that. From the moment we meet him, he’s all huffy and puffy, accusing Duck of being bitten and wanting to throw him out while taunting Kenny. 

But, no matter what, Lee is always the one to help Lilly break into the pharmacy to get Larry his medication. Because really, Lee could’ve said “Nope, not doin’ any of this, someone else help the asshole,” but he doesn’t. 

This is just a bigger example of Lee going out of his way to help people, even if they shitheads like Larry. Hell, even after Lee gets them the pills, Larry gives him a big thank you by punching him in the face and leaving him for death. Lee can hold a grudge about this, or he can let it go and do his best to get along with Larry for the better of the group. 

Another example with trying to help Larry despite him being the worst is, of course-- the meat locker. Now, this is determinant, but I feel bringing it up is important. 

Lee choosing to help Larry, even though Larry was just taunting him minutes before and Kenny’s being a real shitbird, says a lot about him as a person. 

Another example of Lee willing to help others he may not get along with would be Kenny, depending on your choices. When Kenny’s going through the hardest day of his life, Lee can take it upon himself to take care of Duck and comfort Kenny. 

Shit, what about Lilly? After she kills Carley/Doug right in front of everyone, he can still take pity on her and not leave her at the side of the road. 

I think because I have a really hard time helping those who have wronged me, I can look at this as an admirable trait that I wish came easier to me, y’know? 

3. Mourning the deaths of people he barely knew/didn’t know at all. 

This is an interesting one that Pi brought up, but there are several points within S1 where Lee will take small moments to mourn the deaths of those he either barely knew, or didn’t know at all, showing he has it in him to be really empathetic to other people's struggles and sufferings. 

Like, think about the woman at the motor-inn, the one you can give the gun to. Lee will stay behind no matter what to be with her, and you can see it on his face. He didn’t know her, didn’t get her name or anything. 

In Jolene’s camp in ep2, when Lee looks into the tent, he can find a stuffed animal and a picture of Jolene and her daughter and again, you can see it all on his face. He gives a sigh, and a moment of silence for them. 

Oh, the woman that Kenny wants to leave alone while they’re on a run to the drug store? This one is determinant, but if Lee chooses to shoot her, he does so to put her out of her misery-- he doesn’t want her to suffer anymore than she has to just so that they can grab an extra candy bar or two. 

Another big one would be the boy in the attic. Y’know, that chilling scene of the boy who starved to death/died of dehydration, became a walker, and then couldn’t even walk because he was so weak? Yeah, that one-- Lee carries that boy out to the yard and gives him a proper burial. He didn’t have to, but he did. 

Hell, he even mourns Brie when talking to Vernon in ep4, and that Anna woman that you see on the tapes after it’s revealed that she’s pregnant and has to give up her baby. 

Oh, and Chuck in the sewers? That one you can’t skip, and no matter what, Lee will stop and tell Chuck that he deserved better. 

Last example, but the dead couple in ep5-- this is one that everyone stands around in silence because it really is a chilling sight. 

This to me just shows a lot about Lee, especially in a setting where it’s easy for these characters to gloss over the deaths of those they didn’t know or to let others hurt for their benefit [y’know... Kenny with the bitten woman]. I’m sure there are even more examples, but I do have three other things to cover.

2. Taking responsibility for Clementine.

Okay, these last two are to be expected, but we’re gonna talk about them anyway. 

Listen, when Lee found Clementine alone at her house after she saved him from walker Sandra, he didn’t have to take her with him. He could’ve left her behind so that she didn’t “weigh him down” or “become a burden” since y’know, having a child in your care isn’t easy. 

But Lee didn’t do that. She saved his life, and he knows her parents are dead and not coming back. There wasn’t even a doubt in his mind-- he was taking this girl with him to ensure her safety. If he hadn’t, she could’ve ended up just like the boy in the attic, or worse. 

I also love that moment when they’re leaving the house and Clementine takes his hand. It’s sweet and shows us that they’re in this together now, and when Clementine shares her fears of leaving, he reassures her that he won’t leave her alone. 

Lee does his absolute best to care for her and give her what she needs. Hell, you can play as Scumbag Lee and most times, that doesn’t even matter-- he still expresses his care for her. 

Like... I don’t think game would work if the relationship between Lee and Clementine didn’t work, y’know? It’s strong and one of my favorite parts of S1 when I go back to it. I love seeing them grow from Lee being Clementine’s protector to Lee teaching her to survive and protect herself. 

Again, he didn’t have to do any of that. He could’ve pawned her off onto to anyone at the motor inn and called it a day, but he didn’t, and I love that about him. 

Lee goes through so much for a child that isn’t even his blood, but considers family nonetheless... which brings us to #1... 

1. Saving Clementine from the Stranger despite being bitten by a walker. 

Sigh.

Okay. I’m sure you’re tired of me saying this but... after Clementine is kidnapped by the Stranger and bitten by a walker, he could’ve given up. He didn’t have to go after Clementine-- he’s bit, he’s dying... he’s not gonna survive this, so why bother?

Because even though Lee knows he’s not going to survive the bite, he’s going to use the last of his time and energy to ensure that Clementine is safe. He’s gonna do whatever it takes to get Clementine the away from that madman who took her, make sure she remembers everything he taught her, make sure she’s armed, and make sure she knows where to go after he dies. 

Again, Lee didn’t have to go through this. He fought like hell and suffered plenty in making it to her. His last moments were agony for him, I’m sure. 

But he did it and you can tell he has no regrets because Clementine’s alive and going to make it. 

And y’know... that last damn scene in ep5 is just... a lot. 

I love it but I also hate it, and I believe I’ve mentioned this before but I’ve come to really love the ending where Clementine leaves Lee to turn. I know everyone gets upset because that means Lee will become a walker and [?] Everyone HATED that... but, I dunno... it shows something about Lee when you pick that choice. He’s more concerned about her than himself, y’know? Don’t waste the bullet, don’t risk the noise, don’t force her to physically kill him, let her walk away so she can remember her for what he was and not what he’s going to turn into... it’s reeeeal bittersweet. 

Then, of course, you can do the other choice and have Clementine shoot Lee which is just as great at making me cry, soo... thanks. 

Lee just goes through so much during this game-- he gets a second chance and everything he did, he did to ensure Clementine and his group’s survival and just... what a man. 

Lee Everett, you are the best and I love you. 

---

Honorable Mentions

-Not dropping Ben. Again, determinant, but I love a Lee who doesn’t drop children to their death because the mustache said so.  -Struggles with doors. Relatable.  -Is voiced by Dave Fennoy who gives a fantastic performance.  -Awkward flirt. Again, relatable. 

---

So what do you think? Do you agree with these reasons, or do you have any to add? Lemme know, it’s always fun to have character discussions. 

Have any suggestions for future T5F’s? Feel free to send ‘em in! :D

Next week’s T5F Top 5 GOOD Things About Season Two

[lilchibi-chan]

Hello! Hope you are doing welll!

I saw that your requests were open so I thought why not?

How would Todoroki, Bakugo and kirishima react if the reader already had a boyfriend that went to another school or something. I imagine the girls from class 1A teasing the reader for not telling them.

Feel free to skip if you don’t feel comfortable writing this. Take care

First, I wanna say thank you for requesting. Second, I’m open to write whatever, so please don’t be afraid to ask for what you want and I will try my best to write a scenario or just how the character would react to certain things in my head ☺️💖

Todoroki

You and Todoroki have been friends for a while and he’s been wanting to tell you about his feelings, but he was never sure how to express them. He knew how he felt about you, he just didn’t know what you would say if you were to find out or if he were to tell you. Shouto is a very straightforward guy and he’ll tell it like it is. He decided that today would be the day he finally tells you because it’s been eating at him for a while and he wanted to know how you felt or if he even had a chance.

Your friend group, which consists of Mina, Uraraka, Tsu, Kiri, Baku, Deku and Denki, were all gonna hang out after school at a nearby ice cream shop and then go to the movies.

You were in your room getting ready for the hang out with the girls and you were all excited since this week was a little stressful. You definitely ready for a little down time before doing your homework for the weekend.

The boys met you all by your room and you all headed out together.

When you were approaching the main gate, you noticed a familiar figure standing there. It’s your boyfriend.

You run over to him excited and hug him.

“What are you doing here,” you ask excitedly

“I came to surprise you,” he said happily

You introduce him to all your friends and save Shouto for last.

“Todoroki, it’s nice to finally meet you. They’ve told me all about you. I feel like I practically know you already.”

Todoroki shakes his hand. His heart breaks a little bit, but he hides it well because he loves seeing your smile.

“Nice to meet you too” he says

“Guys, is it okay if he comes,” you ask expectantly

“I have no problem with it, that way we can give home the third degree since we haven’t met him before,” Mina says teasing

Everyone agreed and you all went on your way.

Uraraka hung back with Todoroki.

“Hey, you okay,” she asks concerned

“W-What are you talking about,” he asks her blushing

“I can see the way you look at her. I know you like her.”

“Is it that obvious,” he asks nervously

“Maybe not to her, but definitely to me.”

He stays quiet, but eventually smiles (like in the gif above)

You get to the ice cream shop and you all put two tables together. You and your boyfriend sit next to each other and Uraraka let’s Todoroki take the seat next to you.

You all enjoy your time together at the ice cream parlor, just talking and laughing, Todoroki sneaking glances at you when he can.

When it’s time to watch the movie, Todoroki heads in the aisle first with you behind him and your boyfriend behind you. Once seated, he starts feeling butterflies in his stomach. He’s sat next you before, but never this close.

As the movie goes on, Shouto starts paying less and less attention to it and more attention to your free hand. He wanted nothing more than to hold it in his, caressing your delicate fingers, feeling the softness of your palms. He was distracted by the image in his head, he didn’t even notice you asking him what he thought of the movie so far. He responded that it was good, but to be honest he couldn’t care less about the movie. Not when you were clouding his thoughts.

You all made your way back to the dorms after the movie was over and you said goodbye to your boyfriend. Todoroki asked if he could walk with you to your room and you told him yes.

When you’re about to enter, he grabs your wrist to stop you

“Wait,” he starts,“I have something I need to tell you, just please listen. I like you y/n. I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while, but I never knew how to say it. I planned to tell you today and I am aware that you have a boyfriend now, so I won’t try anything. I’m not that kind of guy. I’ll still be there for you as a friend, whenever you need me. I hope you’ll accept me, even knowing my feelings. I couldn’t hide them from you any longer, so I just wanted to let you know. Good night, y/n.”

Bakugou

Bakugou is never really the type to convey his feelings in a conventional way, nor is he one to do it in front of people unless he’s pushed to his limit. Although he has feelings for you, he doesn’t know how to express them properly, so he definitely gets easily annoyed when he does something for you and you tell him he shouldn’t have or ask why he did what he did.

It would definitely go something like ‘What I have to have a reason?! Just accept it, okay!’ or something like ‘Is what I gave you not good enough? Fine, I’ll take it back. Have it your way!”

He would definitely be blushing while saying these things to you because it’s not really what he means. He’s putting himself out there which he doesn’t normally do, but he’ll do it for you because of how he feels.

Today you wanted to head to a bookstore in town after school and asked if he would go with you. He reluctantly, but also not so reluctantly said yes. You were very happy and told him that your boyfriend would be coming along too. He goes to a different school, so you don’t get to see him very much, so you try to spend as much time with him as you can.

“B-boyfriend? When were you gonna tell me? I thought we were friends!”

“We are Baku, best friends, but no one has ever asked and I didn’t really wanna broadcast my relationship like a weirdo, so it basically stayed a secret. Technically, I didn’t lie, I just never said anything.”

He starts pouting because you hadn’t told him before that you were in a relationship, not that he was going to admit how he felt now, but if he had the option, he would want to.

At the end of the day, you and Bakugou meet your boyfriend at the school gates and immediately Bakugou starts sizing him up. Trying to figure what’s so great about him and your boyfriend does the same thing, but in a bit of a nicer way. He’s never met Bakugou either, so he was kinda nervous to meet him being that you’ve told him about Bakugou’s hot headed-ness and attitude.

It was awkward at first, but they got to talking and found out they have similar things in common, but Bakugou still saw him as some extra.

You all finally get to the bookstore and when you got to the aisle you needed, your boyfriend stood behind you and put his arms around your waist and rested his head on your shoulder. Bakugou rolled his eyes and sucked his teeths.

“I’m gonna go to different section, you extras are making me sick,” he says then walks off upset

“Is he okay,” your boyfriend asks

“Yeah, that’s just how he is,” you say laughing and you weren’t wrong. That was how Bakugou was, hiding what he truly felt because he didn’t wanna seem weak or vulnerable.

You continued looking at books, until you were ready to go. You decide to go look for Bakugou to inform him and when you find him, he’s helping a little boy get a book from a high shelf and this causes you to smile. This is the side that you loved seeing of his and wished he showed it more, not that you would admit it, but you knew there were layers to him.

When he noticed you standing there, he started blushing really hard.

“I-I wasn’t just gonna watch him struggle. He needed help,” he says somewhat defensively

You just softly smiled at him.

“Since we’re finished, do you guys wanna head to the arcade,” you say. Bit of the boys agreed and the gears started turning in Bakugou’s head. He was gonna show you that he was better than your boyfriend and when he beat him in whatever you decided to play, you would see that.

First you decide you wanna do Mario Kart, you each take a seat and Bakugou makes sure to win first place, getting the most tickets. Then you play skee ball and the same goes. Bakugou even used his quirk on the ball sometimes to give it extra power.

Again he wins, collecting the most tickets.

You all start walking around to see if there’s any other games and your eyes land on a claw machine. You mention how cute one of the stuffed animals was, which caught Bakugou’s attention. He stops at the machine and tries to win you the stuffed animal. You didn’t know that he stopped.

You and your boyfriend walked around the whole arcade and didn’t see any other games you wanted to try. You noticed Bakugou was being quiet, too quiet. That’s when you turned around and noticed that he was no longer behind you. You decided to walk back the way you came and saw him by the machine. He was holding the stuffed animal you said you wanted.

You smile at him blushing, flattered that he went through the trouble of getting the plushie for you. Especially, since you know he hates the claw machine.

“Here y/n,” he says handing it to you, looking at the side blushing

“Thanks Bakugou,” you say accepting it

“Yeah, yeah. Take my tickets too. Use ‘em at the gift shop, I don’t want ‘em. I’ll wait for you guys outside.”

You cash out all the tickets and make your way outside where Bakugou is waiting and head back to the dorms at UA.

Once back at the school, you say goodbye to your boyfriend and head inside with Bakugou. He walks you to your room and he’s about to walk away, but you stop him.

“Thanks for coming with me today. I’m glad you had fun too.”

“Yeah, whatever. It’s nothing. Good night.”

“Good night, Bakugou,” you say, then give him a peck on the cheek

He heads to his room and once there plops on his bed. He closes his eyes and smiles.

Kirishima

You and Kirishima has both gone home together over the weekend and since you live near each other, both agreed to head to school together come Monday morning.

He meets you at your house early and you both eat breakfast together. Once finished, he helps you wash dishes and you both head out to go to school.

As you’re walking, you notice your boyfriend walking ahead of you both and decide to call out to him. You run over and hug him and he lifts you up and spins around with you in his arms.

“Hey, you headed back to UA,” he asks

“Yeah, this is Kirishima by the way,” you say introducing him

“Woah, nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Y/N’s boyfriend.”

He was taken aback by the word boyfriend, as you’ve never told him you had one. He puts on his big smile anyways.

“Nice to meet you too bro!”

You all take the walk together and he leaves when you’re halfway to UA, since he goes to another school.

“He’s really nice. I’m glad he makes you happy,” he says, not really giving you eye contact

“Yeah, he’s the best. We do have our moments, but I’m happy to be his girlfriend.”

Once you enter UA, you run over to Mina with a huge smile.

“Be right back Kiri,” you say while heading over

Just then Kaminari puts his hand on Kirishima’s shoulder.

“Dude, just tell her already,” he says to Kirishima

“I can’t,” he says sadly

“And why not? You’ve had a crush on her basically since you met her. Why not just come clean?”

“She has a boyfriend...and she’s happy,” he says looking over at Kaminari (like in the gif)

“Are you ever gonna tell her,” he asks

“Maybe one day,” Kirishima says with a big smile,“but for now, I’ll just be there for her as her friend. It wouldn’t be very manly of me to try to steal her away.”

“I can respect that,” Kaminari said

You make your way back over to Kirishima and notice Kaminari is there. You say your hellos and then proceed to take your seat next to Kiri. You smile at him and turn your head to the front of the class.

‘One day...’ he thinks to himself

•

•

•

I hope you enjoyed this. I tried my best to give a good scenario for each boy 🥺

[nypmphetsbastard]

Paradis Island ch2

Genre: slowburn fanfiction, college!au

Pairings: yelena x fem!oc

Summary: college becomes a whirlpool of new people and emotions once you meet a woman by the name of yelena manages to weasel her way into your once perfect life and tear down everything you ever thought to be true. together, she introduces you to new world she likes to call 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱.

Warnings: angst, smut, hurt/comfort, struggles with religion, homophobia

A/N: reminder that this story is also posted on ao3 [NYMPHETSBASTARD]

————————

PIECK'S FRIENDS couldn't be described anything short of...odd. Porco didn't talk much and when he did it was always sarcasm slipping out of his tongue and multiple eye rolls. Hange was....a character. You had recently come to find out about their wild science obsession that they swore up and down wasn't an obsession, was the main part of their personality. They rambled about random scientific theories that were proven right, wrong, unidentifiable and theories they believed to be correct. It was interesting and gave you a new perceptive on a lot of things you haven't thought about before.

Hange tackled you into a hug and rocked the two of you back and forth on the sidewalk outside of the library. Porco both tried and failed trying to get them off you and with a sigh he just gave up.

"I'm gonna miss you so much! Thank you for listening to me!" They pulled away with a gasp, "We need to hang out again soon! I have so much to tell you about!" You laughed at their excitement

"Okay okay Hange, I think she gets it." Pieck chuckled lightly, Hange dismissively waved their hand at their dark haired friend and pushed up their satchel.

"Bye! It was nice meeting you!" Hange exclaimed, waving their arm around wildly and almost smacking Porco in the face, earning them a glare from the blonde.

"See ya." Porco waved, ignoring Hange's air talking towards you that said 'call me' with a fake phone in their hand.

Laughing at Hange being yanked away by Porco for taking too long, you turned back to Pieck as she linked her arm in yours.

"You're friends are interesting." You pointed out, Pieck giggled and nodded

"Yeah they're definitely different, but I prefer a couple of weirdos than a big group of fake friends." Nodding in understanding, you began to think back to your home town.

"I wouldn't know. I've never had many friends and the one friend I did have barley paid attention to me or my life so..." you mumbled, drifting off thinking about how sad your life actually was.

"Well don't worry, you're not missing out on much." Pieck nudged you, "I had a big group of friends in high school and the one thing I learned is that popular people are only popular for their looks, definitely not personality." You two laughed together, "The group ended up being problematic for a lot of reasons and the only ones left that were still close were me and Porco. Funny thing is, Hange used to be considered a huge nerd in our school and our group made fun of them but me and Porco hung out with them and for some reason we just..,couldn't shake em off. They love us and we love them, even they do have a little screws loose in the head."

You laughed her joke but couldn't help but think about yourself. Wishing you had friends that cared about you and talked about you like Pieck did even when you weren't around.

Noticing your frown, Pieck nudged you once more, "And now you're our friend" you smiled at her and nodded. The one question that had been itching at your for hours finally felt like enough as you looked down at your moving feet.

"So...what's the deal with...Yelena?" It felt almost sinful saying her name, Pieck's attention instantly turned to you at the mention of her name.

"What do you mean?"

"Like...are you guys friends or....? How did you become close?" You asked hesitantly, the fair skinned girl looked over at you with a raised eyebrow.

"Are you asking me how to get a date with Yelena?" Pieck questioned, you stopped in your tracks and looked at her with wide eyes.

"No no no no no, I-I'm not— I don't— my religion I-" you sputtered out nervously, Pieck's eyebrows came together at your random word vomit as she crossed her arms staring at you, "I mean! I'm fine with gay people I just— I'm not" your words were cut off by Pieck's soft angelic laugh.

"Relax, kid. I don't think you're homophobic but your questions were a little...off putting" She searched for the words to say and cringed at the one she came up with, you shook you head and sighed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude."

"No it's fine. I'm not actually close with Yelena...in that way, I am in other ways but we're not really good with day to day conversations. That's Zeke's job. They've been friends since middle school I think and I guess it's stayed that way, don't know why but I guess history keeps friendship alive." She shrugged, you nodded and fished out your dorm room key out of your pocket, unlocking the door and bringing the two of you inside.

Honestly, you didn't understand why you felt such a pull towards Yelena. She was nothing short of intimidating, she wasn't short of anything actually. Her tall stature loomed over everybody in the room no matter how tall they believed they were, she was taller. Not only that, her dark colored sanpaku eyes made her already bored expressions look so blank yet so intimidating at the same time. She was an enigma to you. One you couldn't figure out.

"Shit, we don't have anything to drink." Pieck cursed, taking a look inside the mini fridge she had under her desk. Technically there wasn't enough space in the door to get an actual fridge so Pieck had just bought a mini fridge and insisted the two of you share it.

"I'll get some juice from the vending machine." You offered, Pieck let out a breath and gratefully took your offer.

"Here, buy me a cranberry juice, please?" You took the money Pieck handed you and nodded, sliding on some frog slippers and making your way own out of the dorm and towards the vending machine.

Truthfully? You had no idea where the vending machine was. A small glance towards it while walking past gave you idea enough that the machine existed, where? Well you'd have to figure that out. Trying to retrace your steps at any was hard enough given how short your memory was so you tried your best to think of the last time you crossed it. You probably looked crazy peaking over every corner you came across and looking up at the sky trying to remember but it was nearly one in the morning so you doubted anyone was just casually walking around for fun.

"Are you looking for something?" Asked a familiar voice from behind you, you whipped around and definitely did not make eye contact with whoever was in front of you. Your eyes slowly slid up till they landed on the two eyes you couldn't get out of your mind.

"Huh?" You choked out

"You're walking around like you don't know where you're going, are you looking for something?" She explained patiently, you blinked as the wheels in your head finally began turning.

"O-oh yeah, I am actually! Do you know where the vending machine is?" You asked despite your nervousness, the short haired girl looked at you with a blank face for a moment before she titled her head to the side and let her eyes fall behind you to the large vending machine that sat at the end of the open alleyway. Nearly heating up in embarrassment, you quietly thanked her and walked over to the large machine.

Your mind was so clouded with forcing yourself to not embarrass yourself while also trying to remember what drink Pieck asked you to get her that you didn't even notice the steps getting closer. Her steps got closer and closer till she walked around your crouched frame and leaned against the wall. You could barley look over at her, only catching the click of metal and the hiss of a lighter. Yelena snapped the metal lighter shut and looked over at you.

"You like cranberry juice?" She asked, pointing at the small bottle in your hand as a small smirk gracing her lips as she popped the cigarette in her mouth.

"Mmh? Oh no this isn't for me it's...it's for Pieck." You explained, Yelena simply nodded and continued taking a drag from the deadly paper wrapped nicotine. Deciding to finally make a move, you walked over to her and leaned against the wall as she'd done previously.

"Smoking is bad for you." You said bluntly, Yelena chuckled and blew the smoke out of her nose.

"I know." She stated simply.

It was a one word response, not much for a conversation but it didn't need to be. You were fine just staring at her while she stared right back, not a word being said. For once in your life, silence wasn't awkward or condescending. It was just...quiet. The kind of quiet you seeked in the middle of the night when your parents fought or when the day felt like too much, the kind of quiet you craved in the middle of an overcrowded area, the kind of quiet you longed for. You didn't mind the quiet. You didn't mind the quiet with her.

In your eyes is your humanity, the person you really are. There are times it gets lost, when you wear that facade, the facade of not caring about anyone or anything. But in that alleyway you stared into each other's souls. She said cheeky was good; she let you be yourself. You laughed so much, at times stopping because you knew a torrent of giggles would wake any scholars in nearby dorms. That's all you ever needed to connect to her in that moment, you and her, just eyes, no words. If you were mute your words and hushed giggled it would be all the same.

You bit your lip, trying to hold back to the unattractive snort that nearly made it out as Yelena chuckled at you,

"Hey, I'm serious! It was a very traumatizing experience." She joked, pushing your shoulder lightly

"And you just had to share that traumatic experience with me of all people?"

"Well, who else was I gonna tell the story of how I found a birthmark in the shape of Texas on Zeke's ass?" At that point you couldn't let it in and just begin laughing at her serious face, you looked away and leaned your head on your hand that rested on your knees as the two of you sat on the sidewalk.

"Literally anyone else! You have so many friends." You exclaimed. Yelena sighed and leaned back, holding herself up on one arm and running the other hand through her short blond hair.

"Not real friends. My 'friends' haven't laughed with me like this in...years." She revealed

"What about Zeke?" Just as the words slipped out, the blond woman's eyes widened as she side eyed you.

"Zeke? You think Zeke has any humors bone in his body?" Yelena asked incredulously, at that you truly snorted and let your head fall forward.

"Okay, okay, fair point." You agreed, lifting your head up just on time to see the woman letting her tongue slip out from her mouth and wet her pink lips, a silver shine of metal catching your eye in a quick second.

"You have a tongue piercing?" You asked curiously, besides the obvious silver septum piercing with horns pointing out the end, you never even noticed the metal piece in her mouth.

"Yeah" was all she said, dropping her hand between her man spread legs and looking at you with a head tilt.

"Can I see?" Yelena looked at you and smirked before leaning in closer

"Well you'd have to take your pants off for that." You blinked

"h-huh?" You stuttered, not expecting the answer. The blond chuckled at your nervous state and stood up in front of you, leaning down and grabbing your chin in her hand, her face getting closer to yours.

"You're an adorable little kitten, aren't you?" She whispered, you sat paralyzed as the two of you stared into each other's eyes once more, your eyes faltering down to her lips once more.

Sucking your teeth, you looked away from her sharp gaze and focused your attention on a random garbage bag a couple feet away from you .

"I have a name, you know?" You asked with a raised eyebrow, Yelena stood up at her full height and tucked her hands into her pockets looking down at you.

"Of course you do. See you around, kitten." Were her final words before she sauntered off, leaving you starstruck on the sidewalk.

You dropped your head backwards till it hit the soft plush bed you'd been craving the entire day. Falling asleep was one of the best parts of the day, there in the cozy blankets, snug and safe was where you could finally let go and let the world of dreams come to you in its dancing way. Let your mind rewind recent events and turn it into some weird ball of a mess that you would t even remember once the sun rose and your tired eyes blinked open.

Warm hands shrugged you somewhat roughly, effectively waking you up and not giving your mind enough time to catch up.

"Psst, it's time to wake up." Whispered a soft voice, you groaned and rubbed your eyes.

Once you adjusted to the natural lights beaming through the window, your mind finally processed Pieck running around your shared bedroom and dropping random clothes onto your bed hurriedly.

"What's going on?" You asked groggily

"You told me you have Professor Erwin first period, I had him last year and trust me you do not want to be late to his class, especially on the first day." She rushed out, handing you a random pair of sneakers as the wheels in your head finally began turning and you realized you had to get your ass out the door and to his classroom in 15 minutes.

"Oh fuck-" you cursed, throwing on the clothes Pieck had picked out for you and being stopped in your tracks by the short woman who shoved a croissant in your mouth and pushed you out of the dorm, not waiting to hear your mumble of gratitude from behind the piece of bread and butter.

Honestly, it hadn't processed how much Pieck for you beforehand until you made it to class and realized she'd packed your school laptop, a notebook and pencil in your bag as you made it to a random seat in Erwin's class just before he closed the door. You sent a prayer to the goddess known as Pieck Finger and immediately began immersing yourself into whatever came out of your professors mouth.

A small noise from behind you caused you to turn around and notice Hange sitting directly behind you with a wide smile. They waved excitedly at you but put their pen up to their lips as a way to tell you to be quiet. You smiled at them and turned back to focus to the lesson, making sure to write down anything that seemed slightly important. It was only after class that you felt you could finally breathe.

"Hey again!" Exclaimed a voice beside you, you looked over and smiled over at Hange.

"Hey Hange, what's up?"

"Nothing much, I woke up super early today and even got in a early jog before class."

"Pfft, cant relate. I woke up so later today by the time I even gained consciousness Pieck had already packed my bags, thrown a random outfit at me, put a croissant in my mouth and threw me out the door" you explained, Hange laughed and nodded.

"Yep, sounds like Pieck. She's just naturally like that, although I'm surprised she didn't wake you up earlier rather than just shoving you out the door." Hange observed, you shrugged.

"Oh well, at least I made it on time. I'm pretty sure Erwin was about two seconds from shoving the door in my face." The two of you laughed at the joke till you finally made it to a cross way.

"I gotta go but I'll see you later, okay?" Hange patted your shoulder and you nodded at their words, agreeing to meet up with them sometime after your classes.

Picking a random seat, you slumped down in your chair and began pulling out your laptop as the teacher started to set their things up as well. The warm hand in your cheek nearly lulled you into a slumber as the class dragged on for a while. After the 4th period, you could finally rest your head on your arms and lean against the desk as your teacher just rambled on about their life story, effectively dragging out the period even longer.

Finally, you lifted your head and rubbed the back of your neck as you made your way back to your dorm room. A mistake on your part to lay your head on a hard desk and ruin your posture even more, straining your neck in order to find a comfortable position. This tiredness didn't seem to pick up on the 'Do Not Disturb' sign at the handle of your door as you pushed your way into the room. Mistake.

The two bodies occupying the bed on the right jumped apart at the sound of the door opening but didn't turn around to face you.

"Can't you read?!" Shouted a familiar voice, your eyes adjusted to the darkness in the room and noticed Pieck laying under a mess of short blonde hair, her eyes not meeting yours until you spoke up.

"Oh shit...I- sorry" you stuttered out in a moment of shock, and only then did Pieck's brown eyes met yours. They widened significantly and pushed the blonde body off of them, revealing the same face you had been staring and blushing at the night before.

"Wait—!"

Now that was when you well and truly slammed the door shut and stepped back, not waiting to hear Pieck's response before immediately doing a 180 and started walking down the hallway. The squeak of a door behind you and the rush of steps trying to catch up to you was all you needed to hear to know that Pieck had run out after you.

She grabbed your arm and spinner you around, "Oh my god, I am so sorry! I forgot to tell you about the sign and—" she sputtered out

"Pieck it's fine! I'm not your mom, I can't stop you from having sex." your eyes lifted away from Pieck's, taking notice of Yelena who stood outside your dorm room door watching the interaction with the same blank expression she always wore. "But a warning would be very much appreciated next time." She sighed and pulled you into her arms.

"Of course, of course. I'm so sorry, it completely slipped my mind today." Pieck apologized profusely, while you wanted to be even a bit mad, you couldn't help but wrap your arms around her as well yet let your eyes fall back onto Yelena.

It was only now that you felt awful about last night, the moment you and Yelena shared made you feel like you had gone behind Pieck's back and made out with her girlfriend or something. You pulled away from the hug and adjusted the straps of your bag on your shoulders.

"Um you guys can...continue, I'm just gonna go." You said, motioning away awkwardly trying to hint at your new escape.

"No no no you don't have to, we could just find somewhere else to go, I don't wanna kick you out of your own room." Pieck insisted, regret flashing in her eyes at your words.

Subconsciously, your eyes went back to Yelena again. "No it's fine, I'm meeting up with Hange in the library anyway. You two...do what you do. I'll bring you back something to eat." You dismissed Pieck's suggestion, waving her off and turning around to make your way to the library, not turning your back once to see not only one but two eyes burning into the back of your skull.

Mistakes were all you seemed to be making today.

[mamabearcatfanfics]

Be My Baby

Was going through AO3 to see if there were any new comments I hadn’t answered, and I came across this, which I wrote way back in March 2019. Doesn’t that seem like forever ago? I need to get back into writing for Fairy Tail. I miss Natsu and Lucy. And even though I don’t know if I’ll ever write this Dirty Dancing AU, which is still at the scribbly planning stage, I still loved writing this. Mutual pining rich girl Lucy and rough around the edges dancer Natsu - what’s not to like? I’m tempted to do a piece of art to go with this.

If you prefer, you can read this on AO3

Natsu stood straight and poised, his arms stretched outwards. “Now, the most important thing to remember in lifts… is balance.” He rose up onto his toes and jumped straight up suddenly, the fallen tree trunk they were both standing on shuddering under the sudden pressure as he landed. Lucy squeaked, immediately dropping to grab onto a convenient branch, giggling as she sat down and watched Natsu shuffling around to regain his balance.

“I got it now”, he grinned.

She watched as he walked gracefully along the fallen tree spanning the stream underneath them, the dappled sunlight highlighting his tanned skin, almost sighing at the smoothness of his movements. It seemed unfair that any one person could be so attractive and at ease in his own skin. A sudden thought struck her. “Where’d you learn to be a dancer Natsu?”

“Well, this guy came into this luncheonette one day, an’ ya know, we were all sittin’ around doin’ nothin”, he shrugged, sitting down on the log, ruffling his rose-pink hair nonchalantly with one hand, watching her interested expression as he answered her question. “He said that Fairytail was givin’ a test for instructors. So, if ya passed they’d teach ya all these different kinds of dances, show ya how ta break ‘em down, how ta teach ‘em, ya know?” He placed his hands in front of him and jumped back to his feet in one fluid movement.

Lucy’s eyes widened as he bent his knee, lunging forwards in a fencing pose and flicked his finger towards her with a smirk and a glint in his eye.

“What?”

He grinned at her, his finger beckoning first to her and then to the spot right in front of him.

“No”, she said, without hesitation, shaking her head at him so her blonde hair tumbled around her shoulders. Was he insane? She had trouble doing the dance steps on level ground, let alone standing on a tree trunk thinner than a balance beam.

Ignoring her protests, he strode forward and reached down to grab her hands, helping to balance her as she wobbled, looking down with trepidation at the drop below them. She suddenly realised that the water in the stream below them really wasn’t very deep, and those rocks looked bone-breakingly jagged. Why on earth were they up here again? Oh, that’s right, because Natsu had absolutely no concept of how normal awkward people tended to fall off things and hurt themselves.

“Good – don’t look down, look here.” She felt gentle fingers brush her chin momentarily as he tilted her face upwards and gestured towards his own eyes. “Right here.”

Swallowing nervously, she placed her hand on his bare muscular shoulder, left uncovered by his black singlet top, trying to remain outwardly calm, but internally blushing up a storm. Out here, away from the pressure of the dance studio, it felt different. The warmth of his slightly damp skin under her nervous fingers made her heart ricochet in her chest, and the warmth in his dark green eyes seemed to pull her in... She wondered, not for the first time, if she had been temporarily insane when she had agreed to do this.

Arms locked in the correct position, she grinned up at him as he began moving, and couldn’t help cackling as she lost her balance almost immediately, breaking her dance frame and clutching onto his shoulders. He steadied her, grinning like a Cheshire cat, guiding her forwards until they were almost at the centre of the trunk bridge. He let go of her arms, and then winked at her roguishly, standing with his feet together.

She nodded, placing her own feet together, the base steps of the mambo chanting through her head. “Left forward, together, right backward, together”, she muttered under her breath, arms held out to keep her balance, beginning the steps, her head watching her feet for a moment until she figured out exactly where the edges of the log were. She still felt a little bad about losing her temper with him before in the studio, even though he had kinda deserved it.

She had to remember she wasn’t doing this just for Natsu. She was learning this dance for Lisanna too, taking Lisanna’s place so she could make it to that appointment at the abortion clinic. Her heart still burned at the injustice of it. She knew she was naïve, a doctor’s daughter who had lived a privileged life, but she also understood that it took two people to get a girl pregnant and couldn’t understand how Dan could put a girl he’d been intimate with in that position and not take responsibility for it. Noticing her serious expression, Natsu tapped her lightly on the shoulder.

“Hey, lighten up Luce. We came out here to make this fun, remember?”

She smiled at him, watching as his usual graceful movements became silly as he wiggled his hips, rolling his fists and then doing the monkey. She giggled, doing her best to dance alongside him on the narrow trunk, her heart warming as he steadied her wobbles with his strong hand yet again.

She tried to lose herself in the moment, but she just couldn’t. She needed to know this dance in two days, not only know the steps, but look professional while doing it. She didn’t know if she could pull this off. If she didn’t deliver this could cost Natsu and Lisanna their job; it was her first look at how the real world worked and it wasn’t pretty. Natsu’s voice snapped her out of her reverie.

“You’ve got that look on your face again, you weirdo.”

She sighed. “It’s just… there’s only two days left Natsu”, she said quietly, looking down at her bare feet again. “Two days. I don’t want to let you down. I know how important this is for Lisanna, and I know I’m clumsy and awkward and probably the last person you would ever choose to do this with, and we haven’t even tried doing the lifts yet and it’s… it’s freaking me out.”

Natsu’s gaze softened, and he rubbed her upper arm in a comforting way, making her raise her eyes to his. “That’s not true Luce. I’m sorry if I’ve given you the impression that you’re not good at this. You’re doing really well for someone who hasn’t danced like this before.” He sighed. “Even though Lisanna and I haven’t been a couple since we were in school, I still care about her, ya know? I want to make this right for her, and it’s not somethin’ I can fix by myself.” He swallowed, looking away from her as his Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat, a dull flush rising in his tanned cheeks. “I don’t like feelin’… powerless. I’m sorry if I’m puttin’ that pressure onto you. The fact that you’re willing to help us like this, it’s… you’re… amazing.”

A fiery blush tinted Lucy’s cheeks and she squeaked as Natsu took her hands. “Right. We can’t practice the lift here, let’s go back over to that field where I parked the truck.” Lucy nodded, still speechless, carefully following him off the log and back down the slope to the soft grass.

_________________

Lucy stood poised, ready to run at Natsu, wiping her sweaty hands on her white jeans. She was never going to be able to do this! She was gonna fall on her arse, and quite possibly crush Natsu in the process. She forced herself to try and concentrate, listening to Natsu’s last instructions.

“Now, bend your knees, and go up. Go, go.” His arms were held out for her and she ran towards him and jolted to a stop as his hands went to her hips. She heard his grunt as he half raised her in the air, and then lowered her down again. “Good try.”

Lucy shook her head as he backed away to put some space between them, biting her lip. She just knew this wasn’t going to work. Natsu took in her worried expression and smiled encouragingly at her.

“Hey, it’s okay. That was just the first try. But you’ll hurt me if you don’t trust me, all right?”

Lucy breathed out in a big whoosh, but nodded her head, ready to try again.

“Now, go, go. Go.”

She ran again, jumping at the correct time and he lifted her a bit higher, grinning at her. He lowered her back down and backed away again, giving her a longer run up this time.

“Good job, Luce. Now, I’m gonna go up.”

He nodded at her encouragingly and she ran towards him again, feeling his strong fingers digging into her hip bones as he lifted. All of a sudden she felt her centre of gravity change and she instinctively fought it, screeching as she tipped forwards, landing on Natsu’s chest with a thump, as they crashed to the ground, leaving him momentarily winded.

She rolled off him, giggling uncontrollably, her legs flailing, trying to apologise but unable to speak for laughing.

Natsu propped himself up on one elbow and sighed at her, a mock serious expression on his face at the laughter at his expense, but after a moment he couldn’t help breaking into a smile.

“You know, the best place to practice lifts is in the water.”

That stopped Lucy’s giggles. “What do you mean, in the water?” she said, looking at him nervously.

“You’re worried about falling right? You don’t trust me to catch you. Practicing this in the water should take away that fear.”

All of a sudden a very different type of fear hit her in the gut. Her and Natsu, alone in the water. She licked her lips nervously. Her thoughts flicked back to that first night she had met him, when he had beckoned her out onto the dance floor of the party in the staff quarters, all raw masculinity, wrapping her arms around his neck and rolling his hips against hers, showing her a world she’d never known to exist.

She realised she was moving further and further away from her original reason for doing this. It was no longer only to be helpful. Her innate need to see a problem and find a solution, to fight against injustice, was being replaced by a growing hunger to be near Natsu, wanting to feel the heat of his hand on her back as he moved her body around the dance floor, wanting to earn those small words of praise when she did well.

She flopped back against the grass, feeling like her well-ordered world had just been turned upside down. This was getting more than a little out of control. What would happen after the dance at the hotel was over? Where would all these feelings go then? She was pretty sure Natsu considered her a child, not a potential romantic partner. What would happen when her family went home? She could feel her heart cracking a little already.

Natsu dragged her up, pulling her to her feet. “C’mon Luce, I know just where we can go.”

__________________

Natsu pulled off his black singlet and dropped it onto the bank, wading barefoot out into the cool dark water of the lake until he was waist deep. His black jeans dragged on his hips, pulled down by the weight of water. He turned back just in time to see Lucy sliding in, squealing and almost slipping a little as her feet hit the sludge near the edge. She’d taken off her flowy button up shirt and was now only dressed in a white singlet and white jeans. Taking a breath, she held her nose and ducked her head underneath the water.

“Fuck.” Natsu held his breath. When her head had broken through the water when she came up for air, he felt like he’d been punched in the gut. Water dripped down the now darkened blonde hair, falling in rivulets over her shoulders and down into the valley between her breasts, now clearly defined as her drenched singlet clung to her like a second skin. He could see her lace bra through the wet white fabric, her hardened nipples pushing against it. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to mentally erase the image, but it only seemed to make it more ingrained. Probably because every ounce of blood and willpower he possessed was making its way southward.

He’d been fighting this attraction for a while now. He’d only dragged her out onto the dance floor that first night to tease Sting for bringing a guest back to the staff party. He’d thought she was cute and that was as far as it went. But then when she’d agreed to help them, had committed time and effort to help his friend even though she could have just turned her back and returned to the safety of the world she had always known, his esteem had skyrocketed.

She was pretty, sure, but it was her soft heart, her sense of humour, her willingness to work hard and treat him like any other guy she might have met in the rich boy circles her family moved in, even though he was a nothin’ whose skill at dancing was the only thing he had going for him. She was a guest, one of those people with time and money to selfishly spend on themselves, but here she was, sweating alongside him, throwing everything into learning a dance that was gonna save his job and Lisanna’s career. He was so close to breaking that cardinal rule of not falling for guests, in fact he was pretty sure he was careening down the slippery slope with no hope of stopping. This was going to end badly for him if he didn’t nip these feelings in the bud right now.

“Natsu? Are you okay?”

He opened his eyes and forced a grin onto his lips. “Sure thing. You ready?”

She bit her lip, then nodded determinedly.

“Just bend your knees.” His hands moved towards her hips, wanting to linger on her curves of her waist but forcing himself to be all business. “And… go.” He lifted her up into the air as he felt her push upwards, raising her up above his head. “Good, good. Now, hold the position. Hold it. Good. Don’t break! Don’t break!” He felt Lucy’s centre of gravity slip behind him and they both splashed into the dark water, falling down into the chill.

Lucy spluttered back to the surface, laughing and shivering. Natsu reached out his arm, dragging her back to where it wasn’t too deep for her to stand and she clasped both arms around his neck, giggling, her eyes bright with laughter, smiling at him. It suddenly struck him that today was the first time he’d ever seen her laugh like this. He wanted more of it. Her fingers around his shoulder were cool, chilled by the water, but he felt a warmth in his heart that he couldn’t remember feeling for a long time. He helped her stand up, swiping his wet fringe out of his eyes, watching her do the same. He nodded at her, placing his hands back on her hips.

“Let’s do it again. One, two, three…”

He lifted, and she straightened her legs and arms, wobbling a little as she found her balance. “Oh, sorry…”, she murmured, struggling to hold the position.

He squeezed her hips a little as he held her above his head, trying to convey that she was doing well. “Good.” Then she shifted a little too far one way. “Keep… no, don’t…” And they splashed into the water again.

He watched her push up out of the water again, already smiling. Tugging her towards him, listening to her laughter as she hung one arm around his neck, he realised it was already too late for him. He’d fallen for her, wanted nothing more to be part of her life, be by her side. He didn’t know how the fuck that was gonna work, but he was gonna try. He was gonna risk his heart, because she was worth fighting for.

She stood in front of him, grinning, wet hair plastered over her face, singlet and bra falling off one shoulder, teeth chattering slightly in the cold. His hand moved without thinking to slide her shoulder straps back up her arm just as her own hand moved to fix it herself. And then the look she gave him. He realised it wasn’t only his heart on the line, and he was simultaneously elated and terrified.

She smiled softly at him. “One more time, Natsu?”

Reaching out his hand, he tucked a wet chunk of hair behind her ear, feeling her head tilt its weight into his hand. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her, right now, but he didn’t know if he’d be able to stop at just a kiss. They would work this out, somehow. They just needed to get this dance over with first.

“Okay Luce.” He placed his hands on her hips again as she straightened herself, ready to work with him. “Over my head. Go.”

[operationcavill]

Untangled - Part 1

There’s a girl sitting at the bar, maybe waiting for drinks. She doesn’t seem to be with anyone, in the romantic way, at least. She’s so cute, that smile, God. Should he go over there? What should he say? She’s cuter than he thought. Come on, Cavill. Get it together! He’s going to do it, he’ll go say hi.

Inspired by: Butterflies // Kacey Musgraves

Y/N - Your name

S/N - Sisters name

B/I/L - Brother-in-Law

There’s a girl sitting at the bar, maybe waiting for drinks. She doesn’t seem to be with anyone, in the romantic way, at least. She’s so cute, that smile, God. Should he go over there? What should he say? She’s cuter than he thought. Come on, Cavill. Get it together! He’s going to do it, he’ll go say hi.

He finally approaches the girl with the smile and perfectly unkempt braid, hoping she didn’t come with anyone, “Hello.”

She turns to look at the incredibly dashing stranger, “Hi,” She’d be lying to herself if she said she wasn’t fighting the urge to burst out into obnoxious nervous laughter.

He decides he has to go for it. He likes something about her already,“May I ask your name?

She smiles, “Y/N.”

“Y/N,” He holds out his hand, she returns the shake, “So, how’s this evening treating you?”

“Good,” she bites the inside of her cheek, “and yours?”

“Very well,” Henry hates to admit it but he does enjoy making people nervous at time, not always, but sometimes. He notices her shift on her barstool.

Y/N does something she doesn’t normally do, being shy and all, she looks him directly in the eye, “So, what do they call you?"

He idiotically forgot to introduce himself, “Henry. I’m Henry.” Get it together, Cavill.

“Nice to meet you,” and it was, until she felt every single eye in the room on them. She can feel her stomach flip and she hopes he doesn’t notices her cheeks starting to burn.

She tries her best to keep her cool as he speaks, “It’s nice to meet you, too.” He can’t stop looking at her face. He adores her star shaped earrings and the color of her hair.

“Mmm,” She taps her nails on the bar and picks at a napkin, “do you always ogle at the quiet girls in bars? Or is it a new hobby?” Her voice is quiet but full of sass at the same time.

He raises a brow, “No, I go for the smartasses.”

“Excellent radar,” She blushes.

He was right, she’s the cutest thing he’s ever seen, “Lucky me. What are you drinking?”

“Are you buying?” And she’s playful.

“Yes.”

She shifts towards the bartender, “What’s the most expensive drink you have?

Someone, who Henry assumes is a friend, shouts at the bartender, “She’s kidding! Tequila, show ‘em your tequila trick!”

“Tequila?” Henry’s eyes slightly widen at the request, he assumed she would have ordered something simple but tequila?

She sighs, “No, I’ll take a Yuengling, please. Thanks.” The bartender nods.

“So, what’s the tequila trick?” She just shakes her head as a simple no, but with a smirk. “You’re kinda shy.” She nods, but also winks, “You’re cheeky for a shy person.”

She folds the napkin in front of her, “You’re bold for a stranger.”

“Lets not be strangers then, eh?” He sits on to stool next to her, staring and knowingly making her grin yet again.

The unfamiliar bartender interjects,” Need your ID, Honey.”

Y/N slides her ID across the bar and pops it back into her bag before grabbing the bottle. Slightly confused, and feeling like a weirdo, as she does look a bit younger than he originally thought. He chuckles, “How old are you?”

She feigns offense and gasps, “You’re not supposed to ask a lady her age. How old are you?”

“My sincerest of apologies, I’m 37.”

“Alright, 37, take a guess.”

“You don’t look a day over 25,” What a line.

She snorts, “I’m 28.”

“Really,” He didn’t mean to sound surprised. She looks a lot better than he did at 28.

She almost chokes on her beer, “Yes?”

“Sorry, I was just,” Henry’s not sure how to continue. He doesn’t want to sound off putting or gross, “You’re,”

“Too old for you?” Oh, she’s a bit feisty.

Delightfully flabbergasted, Henry raises his eyebrows, “No, I-is she always like this?” He turns towards her friend, hoping that she gets that he’s being playful.

The same voice as before cuts in, “Only when she’s nervous.”

Y/N offers her a glare, “This one just got a promotion and we’re having a night out. “

He congratulates her tipsy friend but quickly puts his attention back on Y/N, "Are you celebrating anything?”

“Free beer from a hunky gentleman.”

“Thanks.”

“Who said I was talking about you?”

He grabs his chest, pretending to be hurt, “Oof.”

She smiles, “I’m just kidding.”

“It was that.” He points at her face.

She flicks a stand of hair out of her face, “Hmm?”

“You’re smile, that smile, is why I came over. It’s sweet.”

“Oh, thank you,”

“I just wanted to say hello, hopefully say a little bit more.” He succeeds in making her smile, with the added bonus of her blushing.

“Say something a bit more,” He could get used to her, “I’m a good listener.” Y/N is surprised by herself. Not in a million years did she think she’d hide her nerves so well.

He suddenly doesn’t know what to say, he just finds himself staring at her, looking into her eyes like they’re in a cheesy movie. She breaks eye contact to take a drink, “Are you sure here with anyone?” How can this charming creature be here without a date?

“No,” Henry watches the way her lips move from the bottle, “unless you count that tiny woman trying to figure out the juke.” Y/N laughs, “They deserve a bit of fun.” He notices a man helping her press the buttons and holding her purse.

“They seem a lot more fun than who I came with,” He nods towards a booth full of tired looking men, quietly drinking pints and snacking on fries.

She furrows her brows, “Hey, now, who says a group of men not talking isn’t a good time?”

He can’t help but throw his head back and laugh, “Touché.”

Her tipsy girlfriend calls out, “[Nickname], come on we’re going on the patio!”

“Ok, just a sec. You wanna come?”

He follows suit, “So, [Nickname], huh?

She clicks her tongue, “Yeah, but she’s earned it.”

“I see. How long before someone earns it?”

Y/N sits on the edge of a large planter, “Well, She is my sister.”

“Ah, seems a little unfair,” He noticed a few looks but keeps his attention on her.

“Can I ask you something a bit, odd?”

His posture tenses at her question. He hasn’t felt nervous talking to a woman in, well, almost ever, “Sure.”

Y/N keeps her eyes on her lap, hoping not to offend him in some way, “How often do people pretend not to recognize you?”

“Oh, um, it depends,” He was secretly hoping maybe she didn’t know, but they usually always know.

“S/N noticed about an hour ago, we had our little freak out, ” she goes a bit red, not meaning to admit it, “but I’m sorry, I’ve always been a Bruce Wayne kinda girl.”

Henry sharply inhales, “It’s always batmobile, and the lair, isn’t it?”

She quickly asks, “Are you not proud of the fortress of solitude?"

He raises an eyebrow, ”No, I need to hire a decorator.”

She laughs and he feels giddy. That’s odd, he’s not the one who gets butterflies. He finds her beautiful, of course, that’s what caught his eye, but he likes how she handles herself. She’s reserved but, there’s just something else.

Her sister practically skips over to ask, “Takin’ orders! You guys want anything?”

“No, thank you.” He can tell that S/N is a bit taken aback by her little sister speaking with him, but she’s trying not to let it show.

“I’m ok.” Y/N can sense her sister practically screaming in her direction that she better tell her everything later. Not only has she not been on a date in about a year, but she’s talking to a superhero.

“She’s quite peppy.”

“She’s a ball of energy, even when she has a couple. There’s a running joke that I’m adopted,” She laughs.

“Why’s that?”

“In case you haven't noticed, we look nothing alike and she’s very loud, and tiny.” Y/N is a bit taller, different eyes, and obviously, different demeanor. 

“I did notice but I get it. People say none of my brothers look alike.”

“You have brothers?”

He nods, “There’s five of us.”

“Wow. My family is all girls. Each girl has 2 girls, and so on. S/N has one at home.”

“And you?”

“Well, I feel pretty maternal toward my ficus. You have any little ones?”

“Just my dog, Kal.” He watches her eyes go big, like a child getting a present.

“I love dogs! I’ve wanted to adopt one the moment I moved, but most landlords don’t allow pets. It’s tragic,” She goes on about her first dog, an adorable spaniel called Pippy, who her family had for 13 years. He understands her heartbreak over losing het furry friend, he doesn’t want to think about when that day comes with Kal. A couple comes close to you, leaving Henry to wonder if they’re fans or if they simply want a seat. Y/N whispers to Henry as the wobbly man sits down, “I think he’s hammered.”  

He laughs, “I think you’re right”. The couple becomes louder and well, more annoying.

“More so than I thought.” She clears her throat, “Alright, Henry, why are you in Pittsburgh of all places?”

“I’m actually working outside of the city but I’m staying here. We decided it was a good day for a break and we came here.”

“Here you are.” He swears her eyes just, they just seem to shine even at night.

“Here I am,” they share a gaze but Henry pretends not to choke on his spit like a dork, so he plays it off like he’s coughing, “excuse me,” he smiles and points to your sister and brother-in-law, “they may want to get a room,” she looks forward and tries not laugh at the couple dancing all too closely.

She watches them and warmly states, “They’re taking advantage of their visit, that’s for sure.”

“Oh, so you guys aren’t from here?”

“No. Well, I live here, but I’m from West Virginia, and before you try, no hillbilly jokes. My sister and brother in law like to visit during football season when they can. They’ll be here next weekend, too. We’re Steel-“

“Please, don’t tell you’re a Steelers fan?”

She up and downs him, “Do you - Do you not realize where you are?”

“I do. I’m quite sorry, I have to go,” he smiles and pokes her knee. He noticed her skin pop with goosebumps, “I have a friend who likes to ski in WV. Says it’s actually lovely.”

“It’s beautiful. I can’t imagine living somewhere without mountains. I try to go hiking with my dad when I go home.”

“I think I may like it there,” He states quietly as he takes a swig of his beer, “if they’re all as cute as you anyway.”

“You’re very corny for such a handsome man,” The drunk man beside her bumps into Y/N, “Oh!” She carefully dodges the liquid flying out of his pint, leaning into Henry.

His arm to instinctively grabs her waist so she doesn’t fall backwards, “Hey man, be careful! You almost spilled your drink on her.”

The drunk man scoffs, “Fuck off.”

The unexpected scowl on Henrys face almost makes Y/N’s mouth water, “Just be careful with your drink, mate.”

This man. “Let’s just sit over there. There’s a bench.” They walk over and Henry puts his hands on her back once more, sending a shiver down her spine.

He shares a polite smile, “Sorry.”

“It’s alright. We got a bench,” she happily wiggles her fingers, “and they have planters that hurt your butt.”

He blurts out, “You said I was handsome.” He knows he’s attractive but he hopes he hasn’t come off as a snob.  

“Well, I also said you were corny. Can’t have it all now can we?”

“You’re kinda rotten.” And he’s more than into it.

“You’re still talking to me.”

“I didn’t say I wasn’t enjoying it.” And he is. He enjoys that she’s a little bit of a chase, even if it’s just for the banter.

He watches her drink her beer and thinks awful things.

“Why did you pick a random little bar tonight when you could literally go anywhere in the city?”

“People don’t usually...mind in the smaller bars.”

Y/N feels slightly bad for him. It has be hard always looking over your shoulder, “Oh, you mean you don’t get bothered?”

“Yeah,” He gives a small shrug.

“I wouldn’t wanna be bothered either. Must be weird.”

He shrugs his broad shoulders, “A little.” She can’t help it, but she lets out a giggle, “What?”

“I don’t know, I think my conversations a little rusty.” She wouldn’t dare tell him she let a giggle slip because he’s so good looking.

“I think you’re doing a fine job.” His smile is all too captivating. Dimples have always been a weakness of hers.

“Mmm,” Did she just look at his mouth? She did.

“Y/N? Sorry to interrupt but your mom called us,[Niece’s name] got a stomach bug. S/N wants to head back, so, uh, would you mind driving us back to the hotel?” Her brother-in-law looks apologetic but neither him or your sister can stand to stay about from their daughter when she’s not feeling well.

“Um, of course.” She turns back to Henry, “I’m sorry, I drove them,” She could kick herself for offering to be the Designated Driver tonight.

Waiting until her brother-in-law steps back Henry gives her a slightly somber look, “No worries, I’d probably run home if I were them, too.” He’s much kinder than she imagined, not that she thought he’d be mean, but he seemed so genuine.

They stand together, giving each other the briefest of hugs, “It was nice to meet you.”

He kisses her cheek, “Delighted to have met you, Y/N,” She could have fallen over right then and there, instead she holds herself together and regretfully walks away. “Goodnight.”

Back in the car, Y/N tries to focus on driving as her sister yells from the backseat, “You just spent the evening chatting it up with a fucking superstar!”

“Stop shouting, S/N, you’ll get a headache,” she sighs, “and I think I almost shit myself.”

Her sister rolls the window down to get some air in order to sober up before the drive back to WV, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so handsome, “ Her head snaps to her husband, oh, ‘cept for you, honey.”

B/I/L retorts, “He’s hot as well, I’m not offended.”

“I’m sorry we made you leave, though, I just can’t bring myself to stay here with [Nieces’ name] sick.”

“I get it,” She does, she understands why they left. She just wishes her night didn’t have to come to an end.”

“So, when we come up next weekend, are you gonna invite him out?” S/N loves the idea. She knows Y/N doesn’t mind being single, but she deserves to share some moments with someone.

“What? I doubt he’ll even be here still.”

She states so matter-of-factly, “Well, can’t you ask him?”

Y/N laughs, “How would I possibly ask him?

“You didn’t give him your number?”

“Fuck…” She could absolutely slap herself in the face.

[ Notes: Please excuse any writing mistakes. I’ve looked at this for so long that I’m sure I may have missed something! ]

[blazenekofox]

big English Amity update

“Boscha what are we doing here?” 14 year old Amity looked up at her pink dyed “friend” as Boscha practically dragging a not so pleased Amity into the gym.

“we're here to see who will be cheering for me” giving Amity the biggest smug humanly possible

with a sigh Amity shakes her head, and pulling her hand out of Boscha grip “I could be studying, or reading a good book” looking annoyed at the smug prick.

Boscha looks at her in disbelief, “I can't believe a jock like you” Amity just stares at her darkly “....anyway you can't see cute cheerleaders in cute outfits doing flips in you're geeky books” not wanting to look into those cold golden eyes, Boscha watches the cheerleaders.

“you're such a perv, I be worried what you would be doing if I wasn't here”  Boscha head shoots back bright red seeing Amity with a smirks as Amity watches the cheerleaders, Boscha's about to reply but Amity quickly points at something “isn't that one of your team mates”

with a brake neck seed, Boscha looks “what!” leaning forwards “what's Skara doing down there” with a hint of a grow in her vice.

Amity smirks gets bigger, “seems she's gotten sick of you bossing the teem around”

Boscha shoves Amity "fuck you" Amity catches herself and grins at seeing Boscha little outburst.

the two stop there bicker when they hear "you think that's an impressive trick" both look and Amity hears her heart beet faster as she sees a beautiful tan skin girl "check out this" and lifts her eye lids, Amity she giggles at this, Amity smacks her hands onto her mouth, a Bright never giggles, yet here she was wondering why she giggled at something so odd and gross.

“yea she's a total loser" with a devilish smirk.

“y-yea” Amity can feel the blood go up to her face

“god I hope that weirdo doesn't get in” Boscha gives the oddball a devilish smirk.

Amity looks at her with such hate and says darkly “don't worry, no one will be cheering a pervert on” Amity wonders why she got so angry at Boscha comment.

Boscha being so smug with herself doesn't notice the anger coming her way “yea you're right” Boscha gives it a sec then sceams “I am not a perv!”

this startles the cheerleaders and they look up, Boscha goes bright red as they stare that the two, and laughs nervously.

Amity storms off bright red from being seen like that and mad at her pink headed “friend”so mad that she slams the door.

Latter Amity smiles as she finds the living oddball having trouble closing her locker Amity makes her jump when forcing the the stupid thing close, “thanks” when the girl looks at her, Amity can see the her lovely chocolate eyes “oh it's you from the gym” giving the cutest smile Amity has ever seen.

Amity scratches the back of her head nervously with a grin that says why did she have to see that “yea me”

The girl then looks at her oddly, “aren't you friends with Boscha” her face looking not so happy.

Amity is taken back by this Boscha what did you do “I guess you could call her my friend, but she's  a toltal twat”

This makes the girl starts giggle Amity just smiles nervously, that was way too cute the girl then looks up losing her smile, it's clear that this girl feels like she did something wrong “sorry, it's just your accent is so cute”

Amity feels woozy as her face goes red did she just say I sound cute.

“I've never met an Australian before” grinning at Amity.

Amity looks away all red “emm, I'm not Australian, I'm English”

the girls smile fell and blushes at her mistake putting her hand other her mouth, “oh god I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to, I'm so sorry” the way she said it made it seem like she ran over the golden eyed girl's cat.

“n-no it's okay”  Amity says in a rush “it happens all the time”

Luz smiles making Amity smile back, as her brain begs herself to say something.

“I'm Luz by the way” Luz smiles holding out her hand.

“Amity Blight” blushing as she talks Luz's hand,  Amity wonders why her hand is so sweaty.

Luz then looks Amity up and down making the one with gold eyes go even redder, “are you on the football teem?, err I mean rugby” Luz smiles sweetly.

why does she have to be so cute “emm no, I used to play Rugby, but they don't have any teems here” Amity looking a little down at this, Luz is about to say something, but Amity cuts in “also American football isn't like rugby” then giving a grin “for one thing we don't hold back in our tackles” buffing out her chest a little, and quickly gets embarrassed at her stupidity.

lucky for her, Luz misses the fact the other girl was trying to impress her, and just looks at her in disbelief  “but what if you got hurt”

Amity just smiles “you get up and get back in the game, also we trained to know how to tackle don't want to hurt someone too badly”  

the two keep talking till the bell rings both looking a bit down “right well err we better be off”

Luz smiles and rushes off as she waves, Amity waves back slowly, spines and goes to class with the biggest smiles anyone has ever seen.

Amity finds out that Boscha had been picking on Luz again, so she goes too the football pitch to find her “oi Boscha!” Boscha looks up and bang, Amity tackles Boscha, shoves Amity off “what the hell Ams, and that was too hard” "what's the point in the armour if you can't take a tackle?" Boscha looks at her miffed "there is no way you tackle that hard in rugby"  Amity smirks “you're right, we hit harder” Boscha just looks at her not believing her shakes her head “can't you see I'm busy” and goes back to what she's doing

Amity is standing outside Luz's house passing in front of the door, saying “so she invited me to watch Azura with her, this doesn't change anything, it doesn't mean that she fancies me” the door creeps open making Amity jump, “Amtiy!” Luz tackles her into a hug “h-hay Luz” Luz leading her in “I'm so sorry, I over slept and forgot to get you some tea”Amity giggles at this, “it's okay, any way I'm not a big tea drinker” smiling at how sweet Luz is being at trying her best, Luz knows that Amity misses England, Amity always finds it so cute when British things for her but doing something wrong or not understanding it hits her heart is in the right place every time, like the time Amity explained that the thing Luz is holding is called a cookie in England not a biscuit, when Amity was eating a chocolate hobnob, which is a biscuit and not a cookie, the face Luz pulled was so cute, in the end Amity explained that cookies are a type of biscuit, this is not too say doesn't get her Amity own back, as doing the same to Luz, sometimes by accident sometimes purpose, it's clear that they love to tease each other.

It's Valentine's day Luz walks too her friend Amity and sees that her locker is fall of cards and candy, and Amity is sorting them out, Luz looks down a bit sad, and says "someones popular" making Amity jump, turning and smiles, "yea happenes every year, must accent" Luz smiles back "it is a cute accent" Amity going red and goes back to sorting them, as they talk, "I wish I got Valentine's day card", "I'm sure you got at least one" Amity says looking a bit red, Luz is about to say something but Boscha pushes past Luz saying get out the way, Luz looking cross, and Amity doesn't say anything, which is odd, she normally says something, Boscha then starts to brage "hay Ams look I got 10 cards, how many did you get 3" "Boscha can't you see that I'm busy" Amity moves showing Boscha that she has at least 30, "why do I always get so meny" Amity says grining at Boscha, Luz does a little giggle at seeing Boscha face going off saying she was just lucky, Amity grabs her books and says "come on Luz lets go" Luz can see that she's a little as they walked she says "didn't get a card off you sercet crush?" Amity not look at Luz "seems it" "I'm sure he's just being shy" then teases "you do have a cute accent" Amity goes red and does a nervous laugh and says "you mean she right" Luz stares "you're gay" Amity giving a nervous laugh again hoping that she didn't give her self away "yea" "why didn't you tell me" "we never talked about sexuality" Luz humms at that this, "I'm bi by the way" Luz says with a grin, "the way you look at Ed and Em when you met them, I be shocked if you said you where ace" Amity sounding annoyed, Luz smiles "they are cute, but a bit too into pranks" Amity smiles at this "who trys to find there sister's diary to show the school" Amity smiles at that, when Luz gets too her locker she finds a card and squeals, "I got one I got one" Luz looks at it, and it has no name, opening it, Luz stares then asks "Amity can you read this the cursive writing hard to read", Amity jumps at this and goes red as a tomato, "shouldn't you get your mum too read it" going very shy and has a nervous smile "pleases I need to know what it says" Amity sighs, and reads the letter, leaving out who sent it, as it was hard sending this letter, saying she sent it, was going to far for Amity

“Luz I get that you love Azura, I do too, but this isn't good idea” both of them are in the woods, Luz looking for snakes, “come on Amity, what better way to show off Gildersnake then a real snake” Amity shacks her head, “what comes to mind, a toy snake, hell a hose would be better then a real snake” “how would a hose be better” “oh I don't know, maybe hoses aren't venomous, people aren't scared of them, also you aren't taking them from there home” Luz stops looking, and looks at Amity a little sad, “maybe your right” Luz putting a snake she just found down, Amity sighs, “hay it isn't all bad, we could go find a rubber snake and look up YouTube on how to make it look more like Gildersnake” this makes Luz smiles at this,excitedly “yes yes, lets go!” grabbing Amity's and pulling her

Amity walks too Luz's home and knocks on the door, and older looking Luz answer it “oh Amity sorry but Luz isn't here, she's gone out too the movies” “hi, sorry I needed to ask you something” the older woman look her, seeing Amity is nervous “and that be?” Amity sighs “I-I don't know anyone that can cook and I” Amity going bright red making the older woman smile, “that is would you help me cook” Amity won't even look at her face “is this for Luz” “well, err yes I say it is” the older woman smiles “I love to help” Amity smiles at this “th-thank you Camila”.

Boscha tricks Luz into drinking some alcohol at school, Amity finds Luz drunk and is very worried, she knows Luz isn't the type to drink, for one they are only 14, as Amity is taking Luz too the infirmity

Luz runs up to a poster, and points to it over and over “look look look” each look gets said faster.

When Amity looks, it's one of them learning posters where the acronym does not work, the words making an animal “hmm oh it's a zebra”

Luz spins on one leg and starts giggling as she rushes right up too Amity's face coming close to nocking the other girl over, Amity catches herself as stumbles from how close Luz was, and Luz gives her a stupid but cute grin.

“W-what?” Amity looking away from Luz, embarrassed and worrying that Luz can hear her breathing as the two start walking.

"Zed-bra zed-bra ZED-BRA!" Luz sung badly, then starts to giggle, she then walks in front of Amity, turning so that she's walking backwards so that she can look into those honey like eyes, she smiles making Amity starts to think that Luz is trying to kill her by how much blood is going to her face"oh oh say zoom say zoom" grinning like a kid in a candy store.

With a sigh Amity shakes her head then gives Luz a knowing smiles Luz smiles back, and Amity says "zoom"

Luz looks upset at this, “noooo do it in your cute British speak, zed-oom”

Amity looks away like someone called her as she feels her face heat up, she feels like a 6 year old is telling her off, and somehow Luz making it cute, "s-sorry Luz but we say zoom as well" Luz looks gives a face like she failed a maths test again as Amity looks back when it's safe, "well you don't say zee-oom do you"  

Luz puts her hand to her mouth as she giggles "nope" then Luz starts saying zee-oom other and other, then suddenly stops and stares at Amity like she just worked something out.

Amity stops stops coming close to walking into her “err what is it”

"you know what you are" Luz is getting very excited.

Amity smiles thinking it's never a dull moment with Luz, “err no”

Luz giggles as she grabs Amity into a bone crushing hug "no, you're my best zed-friend" then she kisses Amity on the cheek.

Amity nearly falls from all the blood rushing to her face, she goes so red that a tomato would be envious.

[b1ksh88p]

Be Mine ⛏

Plot Plot: You’ve been in a few relationships, unfortunately all ending in tragedy. You had a reputation for being a bad omen. Truly you were a sweet girl but it seemed like every single one of your lovers ended up dead or horrendously disfigured in the long run. This Valentine’s Day your boyfriend decides to jump ship for some blonde crushing the little hope you had left for your love life. In a slightly drunken haze you sneak into the mines for a rant about the cursed corporate holiday and to drown your sorrows in the solitude of the mines. But it seems like you’ve got a listener.

Tags/Warnings: Lots of cursing | Sprinkle of angst | Fluff

The cold air of the abandoned labyrinth did nothing to cool you down as you ventured further into its clutches. To put it lightly you were on fire. Every part of you wanted to tear someone apart. The auburn liquid sloshed around as you clumsily stomped past heaps of forgotten debris. If not for your drunken stupor you would’ve turned back. Everyone knew the horrific tale of the pickaxe cannibal murder. Although you were sure the story was somewhat embellished you’ve heard worse. Poor fuck did what he had to do to survive. Anyone else would’ve done the same, it’s human nature to do anything no matter how gruesome to survive.

“Give a girl a box of cheap chocolates and a fucking bouquet of withering roses and she’s supposed to repay ya by sucking your fucking dick and acting like yer the best thing since sliced bread.” You grumble.

The deeper you go the darker it gets. Stone walls become suffocating and everything looks like the enemy. A fight or flight response may have kicked in but you were in no place to think rationally. When your heel broke you fucking snapped.

“Stupid Roses, fuck ass chocolates, fake relationships for fake people who wouldn’t know love if it fucking stabbed them in the face!” You yell throwing the broken heel piece deep into the darkness. “A corporate holiday with no fucking insignificance! Just a money plot and a excuse to fuck and act like you like that worthless pathetic fuck you’re dating that you like them. When all 364 days you’ve been with em ya fucking loathe them!” You continue on tearing up the damned holiday in partially incoherent babbling until you hear glass break.

Despite your conditions you aren’t stupid. “Fuck is that?” You call out whilst backing up. At first you’re sure it’s a group of horny teenagers but through the gritty lights you see a single foreboding silhouette. This was where you run. Or at least you should’ve. Instead you squint your eyes like some tourist taking in the sights and step forward. “Bud y’know the mines are abandoned cuz of the poor guy who had to eat his friends right?” You call out. “I mean do you if this is your thing I support it but it’s kinda weird since you look exactly like the serial killer guy. Spot on cosplay.” You compliment. The figure doesn’t move. It doesn’t even look like he’s breathing. You feel your hairs start to stand up and goosebumps pepper you skin. It seems your liquid courage was fading.

“Welp I’ll leave you be, don’t wanna bore you with the details of this fucked up holiday.” You let out a wry laugh before turning your back on the figure. You get about 12 good steps in before the stride of death crescendos behind you. Now you were running. Your broken heels doing wonders at making this chase the easiest for your attacker. In the midst of running you take them off and throw them off behind you. Now look you weren’t aiming for the guy but when you heard the hit connect and a surprised grunt you got the feeling you were fucked. Instead of running in a straight line you dip into a little crawl space. Maybe he’d give up and fuck off you. To your horror the man crouches down and starts to crawl his way inside.

Without thinking you take the whiskey bottle and crash it on his head. “Leave me alone I don’t even like this fuckass holiday you fucking weirdo!” You cry. He looks up at you and stops trying to fit.

“Why not.” His voice was eerily calm. As if he weren’t some insane pickaxe murderer but a man.

“Well because it’s stupid and to lovy dovy. And because it feels wrong to celebrate it when such a tragedy had occurred.” You explain. “And...and I got dumped today so there’s that.” You huff.

“...You pity me?”

You shake your head. Words weren’t really your strong point and you didn’t need him thinking you were coddling him or anything. Instead you just stare into the glossy eyeholes with your own praying he’d just fuck off. You practically shit yourself when he continued to scramble through and stand up. You grab a rock and stand ready to knock him upside the head with it only have your wrist harshly grabbed mid throw.

“I don’t want your pity.”

This was it. You were gonna die. And it was gonna be painful and super fucking lame. On your headstone it would say:

“Loser girl no one cares about got dumped on Valentine’s Day...also got murdered lol”

Even though you wanted to sob and cry your eyes out you were way to stubborn to go out pleading and begging. “I was being empathetic you weirdo! We do what we gotta do to survive, and you did just that. You aren’t some crazy murderer. You’re just angry and traumatized and that’s ok!” The grip on your wrist only tightened. “Gah! Th-the system failed you dude. The whole fucking city failed you and still is failing you! You ha-have a right to be mad! I’m not excusing what you’ve done b-but shit I would’ve done the same!” You squeal feeling the blood flow completely cease as he tightened his grip.

Suddenly the pain stopped. You open your eyes and rub your poor wrist hoping the feeling would return. He seemed more docile. It was as if his entire aura had changed. The man sat down on a hunk of rubble, his weapon clenched in his grip. If you didn’t know better you could’ve sworn he was crying. It was a silent sob. Nothing overtly dramatic, kind of how like you’d expect a man who’s rarely cried to cry. It was unnerving. The only man you’ve ever seen cry was your dad and that was when he laughed to hard. This...this was gut wrenching.

This monster that was hellbent on killing you seconds ago was now a sad man huddled up in a corner like a child. You could never feel the pain he’s felt, relive the days of utter darkness and skewed rations. Never could you imagine the gritty taste of human flesh. The depravity one must have for themselves. The survivors guilt. The nightmares he must relive. He kept muttering something about the dark and the how he wasn’t a monster. How he just wanted to see the light again.

“It’s ok.”

You weren’t sure you could touch him so you just sat in front of him. He was still shaken up but the sound of your voice seemed to get through to him. “It’s ok and you’re safe. I’m here. I won’t go anywhere I’d you don’t want me to...” You could bare the cold for a night. You’d rather be frozen to death then brutally murdered.

Both of you sat there for what seemed like ages until he moved. You were on the edge of slumber before seeing a gloved hand slither towards yours. You wanted to move it. Make haste and dip but your body had become heavy. Your eyes seemingly weighed down by stones. Before you knew it he was oddly holding your hand. You saw him looking at you intently. Probably waiting for you to scream or pull away but you stayed put. One hand held up your head whilst the other was his to experience. It had probably been awhile since he’s been so vulnerable so you let him have this. It wasn’t like you had anything else to do tonight but sleep and pray that the hang over didn’t beat your ass in the morning. Before you could fall asleep he pulls you into a really awkward half ass embrace against the cold stained suit. It was far more comfortable than the back straining position you were in a second ago but man this guy was bad at ‘snuggling’. You felt like he was gonna smother you! When he found a comfortable position he rested that stupid ass mask on top of your head with a satisfied grunt before you gave up on protesting and fell asleep. How the hell were you gonna get home

When you wake there’s no cold embraces or odd masked men. Instead you find yourself wrapped in some dusty old quilt at the entrance of the mine. For a moment you think everything that occurred was a mere fever dream. A whiskey fueled hallucination. You scramble to your feet and notice a little note that had fallen from the tattered cloth. The paper, or what you hoped was paper and not dried human skin, had fairly neat handwriting. It was short and morbidly sweet.

Thank you.

There was a part of you that was absolutely mortified. The note solidified your suspicions of what had taken place last night. But the other part of you was strangely elated. You turn to the mine and put your hands to your mouth to amplify your words. “THANKS FOR NOT KILLING ME ILL MAKE IT UP TO YOU!!!!!!” You yell happily before heading back into town. You were pretty sure he didn’t hear you but it calmed you to know that he not only spared you but someone actually appreciated your presence.

This was definitely not your final encounter ⛏

#⛏

[osakaso5]

La Danse Macabre

Episode 14

Chapter Index

14-1: Collision (1)

Fuga: ........

Arme: Fuga, I'm sorry.

Fuga: ........

Arme: Fuga, I'm sorry.

Fuga: ........

Arme: Fuga, I'm..!

Fuga: Ah, shut up! What do you WANT!?

Arme: I want to apologize, for making you angry!

Fuga: Ugh. ...It's fine, really. I was just in a bad mood, anyway.

Arme: And I'm sorry for hogging Libel all to myself!

Fuga: Huh? Excuse me!? What's that supposed to mean!?

Arme: He probably thinks he needs to watch me at all times, to keep me safe.

Arme: So, if I learn to defend myself, he'll have more time for you again.

Fuga: Y-y-you, what're you... I-I wasn't mad because I was jealous or anything..!

Arme: Oh, I know! You could teach me how to fight! Become my trainer!

Fuga: Say what? A little practice isn't gonna teach someone like you how to survive in a place like the Surface!

Arme: It'll still be better than nothing. And you never know, I might have some kind of hidden talent.

Fuga: ...Hah.

Fuga: You're such a weirdo... Is anything I tell you gonna stop you?

Arme: No, it won't. Now, what should I do first?

Fuga: Ah... lemme think. I guess we could start with punches. Straights, jabs, that kinda stuff.

Arme: Ooh. Straights and jabs!

Cura: ...He's a good kid, huh?

Libel: That he is. Despite envying the people of the Surface, he's got something we lack.  

Libel: I like that about him.

Cura: Haha, you and me both.

Libel: He also has the power to make people smile, without really trying.

Cura: True. I always feel the corners of my mouth curl up when I talk to him.

Cura: Maybe that's the Celestial's true power.

Libel: Maybe.

Cura: That being said, we can't make any more round trips. As soon as we replenish our rations at District 2, we need to hurry back to the base.

Libel: ...Yeah, that's fine by me. We'll contact the Ark as soon as we get home.

Libel: The time we spent with Arme wasn't wasted... Of that I'm sure. 

- - - -

Cura: Hey, look at that...

Fuga: District 2's usually a bustling city... But now it feels weird. Empty.

Libel: ...I think I smell blood.

Fuga: Really? Maybe your nose is just super sensitive.

Cura: Something's off. ...But we need those supplies. Can't just sneak around the place.

Libel: I'll go ahead and investigate. You guys should stay hidden.

Fuga: I'll come too, Libel.

Libel: ........

Libel: Okay, follow me. I'm counting on you, Fuga.

Fuga: .......! Yes, boss!

Arme: Be careful, both of you!

Fuga: Don't you worry your little head over us! Just sit right there!

Arme: Hahaha!

Cura: Well, aren't you two chummy all of a sudden. 

- - - -

Fuga: It's even worse up close. You think they got raided or something?

Fuga: Even I can smell the blood now.

Libel: ....... Look at the bullet holes in that wall.

Fuga: Huh? ...Who uses bullets that big? What caliber are those even?

Libel: Nobody on the Surface, that's for sure. Definitely not raiders.

Fuga: Then...

Qual: We finally meet again, Surface dwelling worms.

Fuga: !?

Leiden: Wow, they really came. I wasn't all convinced, but I guess our intel was correct.

Libel: ...The Unity Order.

Fuga: They came down here...

Libel: What did you do to the people of this city?

Qual: Exterminated every last one of them. They resisted us, you see.

Qual: Were you drawn in by the scent of their blood?

Fuga: What...!?

Leiden: Oh, did you have friends here or something? We put 'em all in a neat little pile over there, feel free to  dig around if you have to. 

Fuga: You monters!

Libel: ...Calm down, Fuga. We need to stay calm...

Qual: Enough trivial chatter. Where is the Celestial? Return him to us at once.

Libel: Hmph... I don't think he wants to go back just yet.

Qual: ...Ngh.

Qual: Nonsense!

Qual: Someone like him should not be allowed to so much as set one foot in this filthy place!

Libel: ...I see.

Libel: Arme doesn't think like the rest of you do. Now I definitely don't think it's right to let you take him.

Qual: D-did you just call him "Arme"..!?

Qual: For someone like you to use his name lightly...

Qual: It's unforgivable!!!

[Clang]

Libel: Hmph!

Qual: Uaaaaargh!

Libel: ...Ugh!

14-2: Collision (2)

Leiden: I guess Qual's got dibs on the stronger-looking one. Well then...

Leiden: I guess I'll just have to play with you, kid.

Fuga: Sure... Time for the side characters to have their own showdown.

Fuga: I've been mad at you guys for a looong while now!

[Ratatat]

Leiden: Ooh. So you're a gunslinger.

Fuga: ......! He dodged my shots at point-blank range!?

Leiden: And a pretty fast one, too. You're probably the best shot I've met on the Surface so far.

Leiden: But... there's an even faster shooter on our side.

Fuga: Huh!? I didn't even see him..!

Leiden: Try not to get knocked out in one hit, 'kay?

Leiden: Hmph!

[Thud]

Fuga: Ugh...!

Fuga: Urk... Coff, coff..!

Leiden: ...You're a real softie. Work on those abs some more, Surface dweller.

Fuga: Huff... huff..! Q-quit talking smack..!

[Ratatat]

Leiden: Ooh... At least you've got guts.

Fuga: Coff, coff..! This guy's crazy strong..!

[Ratatat]

Fuga: I need to put some distance between us..! I'm gonna be out of the fight if he gets me again..!

Leiden: Nice responses. If you hadn't been born down here, I might've liked you as a subordinate.

Fuga: As if..!

Leiden: Yeah, thought so. C'mon, here comes another.

Fuga: !? He jumpe---!

[Thud]

Fuga: ......!?

Leiden: Great, you're still conscious.

Fuga: ...Ah, crap... I'm gonna die...

Leiden: Haha, don't be stupid, kid.

Leiden: You're not getting off that easy. This is what you get for baring your fangs at us.

[Thud]

[Thump]

Fuga: Help...

[Thud]

Fuga: Help, me...

[Bash]

[Thump]

Fuga: Help...

Fuga: Libel. 

- - - -

[Clang]

Qual: Huff... huff...!

Libel: .......

Qual: You're strong...

Libel: It's a shame. Someone with power like yours should be able to help us.

Qual: Fool. Why would I ever do that?

[Clang]

Libel: We're both human, aren't we? Let's find a way to coexist.

[Clang]

Qual: ...Pardon?

Qual: Oh, I see. There's clearly a fundamental difference to how we view things.

Qual: Because I've never once thought of you Surface dwellers as human.

[Clang]

Libel: ........

Qual: You look like us, talk like us.

Qual: You swarm this thoroughly contaminated land, gazing up at us with watery eyes.

Qual: ...There's no telling what goes on in your heads. It's all so eerie.

Qual: Your very existense is repulsive.

[Clang]

Libel: ........

Libel: I know what this is about.

Libel: You're scared of us.

Qual: What..?

[Clang]

Libel: You're afraid that someday, we'll get revenge. That someday, our positions will be reversed.

Libel: You're afraid that the ones you've been oppressing will gain power.

[Clang]

Qual: I would never fear the likes of you..!

Qual: Save me your deluded ramblings... And know your place, maggot..!

Libel: Relax. There's nothing to fear, trust me. We're trying to bring  equality, not get revenge..!

Qual: Silence!

[Thud]

Qual: Damn..!

Libel: ...You're wide open.

Qual: !!!

Leiden: Stop!

Libel: .......

Qual: ...Leiden.

Leiden: Stop, or the kid dies. He's only barely hanging on as it is.

Libel: Fuga!

Fuga: ...Libel...

Libel: Don't speak. It's fine, just stay there.

Unity Order Troop: Captain, Leiden. We have the Celestial in our custody!

Arme: .......! I'm sorry, Libel!

Unity Order Troop: We've also captured Cura. We confiscated any explosives we could find on him.

Cura: Let me go, damn you!

Libel: Arme, Cura...

Leiden: Checkmate, Rebellion.

Qual: Aah... How glad I am to see you safe. Please excuse my tardiness.

Arme: ...Qual.

Qual: I've come to bring you home, Celestial. 

To be continued...