#also the thread that a comic????? of them holding hands in a snowy day???? my heart????

[harapeveco]

I love Korean evetwt bro I just saw a whole ass thread of them talking about how reinochi are the boyfriends ever and how they should hold hands and go on dates and all that sappy stuff and damn I wish I could do the same without feeling embarrassed truly the heroes of this fandom 🫡🫡🫡

[hoyaanae]

The beautiful dialogue of Lovely Us

Ep 01

"Once people become parents, their memory begins to become biased. They always remember they are their children's most reliable parents, but often forget that they are also children loved by their own parents. When they are waiting for their children to come back home, they forget that their own parents are also waiting for their return in a similar mood."

"When I'm absent from the concert, my idol won't know or feel sad. But when I don't go back to accompany my mom to celebrate her birthday, she'll know it. I don't want to make her sad."

Ep 02

"A lot of things are good at hide and seek - the old scarf I bought last year, the new eraser, Mom's favorite sewing needle, and a feeling of heartbeat for someone. We try to find them, but in vain. Then when we give it up, they just appear somewhere unexpected - on the back of the chair, in the book, in the cotton thread, and behind my back.

Human heart beats 60 to 100 times per minute on average. That day, I failed to count my heartbeat per minute. Even the water droplets falling from the umbrella were disrupted together with me. The joy, the thrill and the butterfly in the stomach converged into the restless heartbeats. On this raining day, a girl's heart beat 101 times in a minute."

Ep 03

"Huang Chengzi, why is the starry sky beautiful? Do you think it is because of the brightest star? Of course, everyone might say "Look, the Venus" while pointing at the brightest one. However, for those stars shining together and forming the Big Dipper and Orion, don't they look beautiful? They cannot be described as a foil. Anyway, I think some stars that keep shining might be more beautiful than the brightest one however dark they are."

Ep 07

"The audio frequency of the sound when a snowflake falls on the water surface is over 50,000 Hz. Because it falls beyond human beings' hearing range, this snowy day is still so quiet that it seems I can only hear my own heartbeat and that it seems there is only me and the person in front of me on this planet with a population of 6.6 billion. I hope this world can be noiser so that I can pretend that I've never discovered this secret."

"Do you have such a feeling? People around you always tell you that you are already standing on the top of the mountain, but when clouds and mist scatter, you find there is another higher peak waiting for you. After going out, I've found there are so many people who work harder and are more excellent than me. It's just like in an originally easy marathon race, I suddenly find all the people around are sprinting. So, I must run faster. Otherwise, others will surpass me. I'm a little bit out of breath."

"At the age of 17, we all have our own secrets. We are trying to hide those secrets, but they are still going to be discovered. We are unwilling to admit those secrets, but the more we conceal them, the more conspicuous they become. We are very clear about those secrets, but eventually, we are still willing to turn them into memories. And these secrets that cannot be told, are found so similar to each other after a long time. It turns out they are all about unexpected feelings for someone."

Ep 08

"I've always been content with what I have and I'm in need of nothing. I can remember what I read and I'm surrounded by nice people. My life has always been smooth and I thought the life that had been planned was not bad for me. Just like a sailing ship, with enough food, I didn't look forward to rains and storms. I just wanted to follow the prescribed route and go back fo the safe zone of the harbor in the end. That was my perfect ending. But from the very beginning, you've been determined to brave the storm and to see the bigger world. Wind and rain can't knock you down and the waves can't overturn you. You've shown me a life course that's completely different from mine. So, since her dream is to explore this world, I just can't let her go through it alone. Zhu Jinxiao, I like you."

"At the age of 17, the first habit developed by boys is to hide their affections. They think that the probability is just 0.01, so they put on the emperor's new clothes, trying to hide their affections with magic. But affections are not that easy to hide. Even if the probability is pretty low, it will be revealed at a certain moment. So on that rainy night, while looking at her back, he found that the most obvious evidence of falling in love with her was the feeling of easement in his heart and the smile on his face when he looked at her."

Ep 09

"In the past, we always felt a year with 365 days was exceedingly long, but only when it comes to this moment do we understand that we become one year older all of a sudden. The significance of spending the Spring Festival, extending from ancient times to the present, is shining brightly like fireworks, giving us the courage to heal each other many times. And then we can have a new start. It doesn't matter that you can't eat steaming hot dishes. It doesn't matter that you perhaps don't know the secret hidden in the couplet. It doesn't matter that you listen to your grandma's nagging sometimes. Even if it takes too long on the way back, as long as there are people we care about, we won't be lonely. We will return to the home we are familiar with."

Ep 10

"Actually we never forget the happy hours with our parents in childhood. Maybe the so-called alienation is because we walk so fast while our parents are staying where they are. One meter, a hundred meters, a kilometer. The distance becomes farther and farther until we can't hear them calling us. That's why we mistakenly think love is silent. So while we are confused, our parents feel the same too. They are confused about how they can give us their deep love in a smart manner."

"Those who love hiding their feelings most in this world are fathers. They hide their inarticulate concerns in warm lights. In every precious certificate of merit, they put their unmentionable encouragement. Besides, there are many silent surprises they carefully arrange in every day when we are marching to the future. They firmly care about us with such silent fathers' love, and we firmly love them."

Ep 11

"We think that many things and many people in this world can wait til tomorrow. So when you pause it or when you turn around, you think that everything will still be the same tomorrow, or you won't even realize this hope in your mind, because you think tomorrow should be the same as today. And you think nothing will change as time flies by. But this time, the moment you let go and turned around, some things completely changed. The sun went down and before it rises again, some people will leave you forever. We always thought that there would be a big ceremony to say goodbye, so we keep waiting for a warm hug, a refreshing drink, and a heartfelt goodbye. But in the end, we realized that most goodbyes in our lives are all silent."

Ep 12

"At that silent corner in my mind, there are a number of weird illusions. For example, can I become Alice who enters the wonderland with White Rabbit? For example, can I become the little girl who enters the forest with Totoro? For example, is there some special switch in this box which can teleport me? No, none of them exist. There's no flying dragons or knights, and I'm not the heroine of some comics for girls, either. However, the only thing I'm sure about is that this escape greatly shocks my world. My palms would sweat, and my sight would be indistinct. Then my view becomes narrower and narrower until there's room for only one person in my eyes. After a long time, I know such a moment is named adventure, in which the one in your eyes is irreplaceable."

Ep 13

"In the summer of 2008, in retrospect, the most impressive thing may not be the world-famous Olympic Games, but the silly things we did because we were fearless. What is shining and unexpected is everything that is closely related to friendship. We wanted to pick the brightest stars and make the most beautiful wishes, so we became the bravest boys and girls. While crying and laughing, with the bond between each other, toward the most beautiful end of youth, we keep running all the way and never stop."

"The familiar chirping of cicadas on summer nights, the familiar bear doll who must lean by the lamb, the familiar lovely girl who frowns even when she sleeps, and the 17-year-old time wrapped by the sense of familiarity never seem to have changed. The only difference is that when I look at the familiar him, I feel a flurry and uneasiness that I have never expected."

Ep 14

"That night, it was the first time I found there's magic hidden in my mom's smile. Those feelings between adults and children which I thought are hard to express in words don't have to be spoken out. They can be understood through her smile. Indeed, adults don't often say I love you, and seldom say sorry. But it doesn't matter. Action speaks louder than explanation. There's no need to express deep feelings in words. If you stand there quietly, you can automatically receive all their love for you."

"There are many new days like today. Today, he holds my hand. Today, he holds me in his arms. Today, he carries me on his back and runs in the street in the early morning. Many days with him like today will eventually become my unforgettable past days. I'll remember days like today for a long time."

Ep 15

"In the last hundred days, I heard countless times "Hurry up to walk! Hurry up to eat! Hurry up to take the notes! And hurry up to go to the toilet." But it's strange. When you try to seize time by the forelock, it goes faster. Then after the exams, we graduated."

"I just want to be an ordinary person. I'll live on a small fruit stand in the future or continue your small shop, which makes me happy. This is life. It's my own choice and I will bear the results. Different people have different dreams. Let those extraordinary people be extraordinary. I just want to be a happy and ordinary person."

"Friendship means so much to us. It brings us close, and makes me flinch, so sometimes we just tell ourselves that as long as we're together, I can be just a friend of hers. But the taxi that I failed to catch, the phone calls that have been hung up, the time that's flying and my restless heart are telling me eagerly that in this world, both love and friendship are important. Every detail related to you is reminding me that we can't be just friends. So when it's still not too late, I have to tell you the things that I want to tell you as soon as possible. Huang Chengzi, I like you."

Ep 16

"In this world, it seems like all wishes have a guardian. Wishing wells, shooting stars, the aquarium's white whale. They're all hiding in the corners of the universe caressing the sorrow of loving someone alone. It's just that the god of happiness can't bless everyone out there. They let some people be happy and their wishes come true, and let some be sad, but they can't admit how sad they really are. The feeling of being in love is like a butterfly gently flapping its wings, that stirs up a hurricane in people's hearts. The second you realize it, then there's no escape."

"That's you when you're happy. And that's you when you're mad. Over there is the jealous you, and you when you're being naughty and pretending to cry. I was just going to draw one to start with, but every expression you have is floating around in my head, and I really love every single one of them."

"I've never been afraid of growing up. And I've never worried that growing up would be lonely. Not because I'm so strong, but because I have faith that I will never be alone. The guy who held my hand will continue to grow up closely together with me. The guy who's in my diary and I in his, will exchange even more secrets in the future. All of us have walked together through the years and will continue to walk together farther into the future. This world never lets lovely people down, and we are all lovely."

[webcricket]

Roman Resolutions

Characters: CastielXReader

Word Count: 1276

A/N: Drabble for my SPN Advent Challenge December 24 Prompt Theme - New Year’s Resolutions. Cas shows the reader not every holiday tradition has its origins in the supernatural. Happy fluffy New Year 2018, readers!

The bar erupts in a tumult of cheers and shouts of Happy New Year!  Confetti and champagne bubbles rain upon you. Sparklers flare and fizz – the faint smell of sulfur hangs in an atmosphere otherwise overpowered by the aroma of at least a century’s worth of spilled booze permeating the warped oak floorboards. The band strikes up a grating rock version of Auld Lang Syne and the whole place begins to sing and sway. The room is so packed with intoxicated bodies it’s a miracle nothing and no one has caught fire in the raucous celebration of midnight’s arrival and the dawn of the new year.

You’re pressed firmly against Castiel’s chest, fingers gripping on for dear life at the lapels of his trench coat. The Winchesters are long gone – consumed by the crowd and libation; you don’t intend to lose the angel too. Peering up at Cas, noting the colorful wisps of paper dusting his dark locks and the dark furrow of his brow, you can see he’s uncomfortable. In your line of work, discordance at this decibel usually means things have gone horribly horribly wrong. He didn’t understand the need to ring in the new year in the first place – the passage of a time as human’s mark it being nothing especially significant to a celestial being of inestimable age. He’s here because you asked him to be here. And you asked him to be here because you can’t imagine starting a new year without him – whether he feels the same or not.

His disconcerted blue gaze rips from the cacophony of motion around you. Looking down at you, his eyes glitter and sparkle in the reflection of light. His pouting lips move, but you can’t hear the words over the bass and ruckus assault on your eardrums.

You rise onto your tip toes, wrapping your arms around his neck for support as you’re jostled by another jovial passerby. “Get us out of here!” you pray, burrowing your face into the scruff of his neck.

He simply nods, tickling the delicate skin of your cheek with his unshaven chin and holding you unnecessarily tighter to his vessel.

Otherworldly silence envelopes you. The stormy scent of discharged angelic grace pleasantly tickles your nose as it dissipates into the fresh night air. Blinking, you slip from Cas’ grasp and spin to visually devour the scene. He’s flown you to an isolated snowy expanse – the white landscape barren and stretching as far as you can see to a rim of pine trees in the distance. Stars twinkle bright pinpricks in the cobalt blanketed atmosphere above, dimmed only by a setting gibbous moon.

“It’s beautiful,” you gasp, breath a lingering puff of white cloud.

“And quiet,” he adds with a relieved sigh, his overwhelmed angelic senses settling.

Shivering, you rub the goose bump-prickled flesh of your bare arms and internally curse the little black dress and open-toed heels you decided to wear in hopes of catching the angel’s eye tonight. You startle at a weight of fabric draping across your shoulders – slow to realize Cas is offering you his trench coat for warmth.

“Thank you.” You turn toward him with a smile and meet his unwavering gaze.

He gravitates nearer to tug the collar of the coat closed around you; a gentle smile relaxes the lines of his features as he carefully secures the buttons and cinches the belt around your waist.

You’re absolutely swimming in the coat – the hem hanging well past your knees – and you giggle in delight imagining how ridiculous you must look standing there in the celestially-sized garment.

He abruptly breaks off the work of his fingers and takes a decorous step backward, suddenly self-conscious of being too near for too long. At the bar, there was the excuse of the throng of people to cover the closeness, but out here – his flushed countenance bends heavenward. Adams apple bobbing thickly, he shoves his hands into the pockets of his pants.

You watch the idle angel, regretting the loss of his proximity. “Back there, at the bar. What were you trying to say?” You follow his gaze upward, recognizing the constellation of Orion peeking between thin swirls of cloud in the sky above.

“I was remembering something-,” the deep bass quality of his voice seems hushed in the cold embrace of the snow, “something they did in ancient Rome to observe the coming of January.”

“What’s that?” you ask, chin dropping to discover him staring back at you – his expression a patently odd mix of contemplative and apprehensive only the angel can pull off.

“There was a deity, Janus, whom the Romans made promises to each January.”

“Janus,” you echo the name.

“A two-faced idol, seeing both the past and future.”  The angel leans toward you as he speaks, drawn nearer by the rapt wonder painting your aspect. He succumbs to the desire to steal a step closer before going on, “A deity of endings and beginnings. The proclamations made at the beginning of the new year are an omen portending the whole of it. I believe you call these promises New Year’s resolutions now.”

“So you’re telling me everyone making a New Year’s resolution is actually praying to an ancient Roman god?”

Cas gravely bobs his head in answer.

“Hmph,” you exhale, surprised, but also not. You shuffle closer to him. “Does every quaint holiday tradition we humans have this time of year originate in one silly ancient rite or another?”

The angel’s jaw flexes, eyes narrowing and growing fleetingly distant in thought as he skims the vast store of his celestial knowledge and experience. Satisfied he has found a tradition not at all supernaturally biased, his concentration resolves once more on you. “No, not all of them. There is one-”

“One?” You quirk an eyebrow askance. “Which one is that?”

His attention flits from your eyes to your questioningly parted mouth and when it alights again upon your eyes something new and different surfaces within the sea blue of his irises.

The profound depth of his gaze weakens your knees. If you had to name it – this newness in his regard – you’d call it passionate resolve. You inhale a shaky breath. “Cas?” you whisper, encouraging him to answer, involuntarily trembling.

Cas swiftly crosses the remaining distance separating you, one hand sweeping to catch the small of your back to lift your body and mouth up to meet his, the other caressing the column of your throat, fingers threading into your hair to tilt your head. His nose nudges into your cheek, breath ghosting hot across your skin before the heat of his lips scorch and thaw your icy ones; for all the fervor in his gaze, the kiss is tender and restrained.

Nonetheless, you’re breathless when he pulls away and releases you to melt down the plane of his torso. “Cas,” you pant, palms reaching up to capture his cheeks, direct touch impeded by the overlong sleeves of the trench coat, “that was-” Unexpected doesn’t cover it. Nice seems too trifling. Fantastic, too enthusiastic. Everything I’ve ever dreamed of, too verbose.

Watching you search for words, a smile traces his lips; you have often unknowingly rendered him speechless and he’s pleased to have returned the favor. “Is it not customary for two people to share a kiss on the start of New Year’s day to strengthen their bond for the coming year?”

Giving up on verbalizing what that was and deciding you’ll happily settle for more to really explore the roots of the custom, you tangle your comically fabric-swathed hands about his neck and yank him down for another kiss.

[ryanbergarage]

I know I said last one. This is not supposed to be here but it is and I’m sorry. I just really wanted the boys to get together for Christmas :( This is a stand-alone. P.s. I know you’re mad but I swear this is the last one.

-

If you told Andrew before that he’d be in love with a man who drinks tea like water and squeals at the smallest of things he found cute, Andrew would’ve told you to stop using drugs.

But here, right now, he’s in love.

-

“Andrew, think fast!” He was met with a snowball to his forehead and the air is slowly being flooded with laughter from both his bestfriends.

“Damn, Steven! You got him right in the forehead!” Adam laughed, helping Andrew up. Steven, the man praised, was immediately by his side, apologizing profusely, handing him a snowball asking him to hit him too.

“Stop being an idiot, Stevie. I’m not like that,” Andrew said, looking at Adam for help.

-

Adam, well, Adam knows. Adam knows from the beginning. Right from the moment he punched him in the nose because he was jealous and he’s had a bit too much to drink.

It was Zach’s birthday party and all from the office are invited. Eugene set the whole thing up and surprised Zach. Now, they’re all inside, having a good time.

“Hey Adam!” Andrew shouted, sure people inside the house wouldn’t hear. They’re alone out back and he was sure it was the right moment.

“Hey, Andrew,” the other smiled right before he was punched and fell to the ground.

“What the fuck is your problem, man?!”

“You! You are my problem! You’re always around!” He continued, straddling the man, landing him drunken punches that Adam are effectively avoiding.

“You’re always around Steven!” He shouted one last before landing another punch at Adam who, this time, caught it with his hand while laughing.

“What? What’s funny?!” He asked, tired already.

“You, my man. You’re funny,” silence. Adam pushed him a bit so he sat beside him instead, still panting. The other panting too.

“So, you like Steven?” Nod.

“And you think I’m…?” Another nod.

“Wow,” he continued to laugh before explaining that Steven is his bestfriend and that they worked together in another company before. So, he literally only knew Steven when he started to work at Buzzfeed. Also, he’s engaged to someone else.

-

“Why don’t you just kiss his boo-boo away, Steven?” Adam suggested, picking up snow to form another ball.

“What am I? A fiv-” he felt cold gloves on his cheeks and being pulled down before warm lips touched his magically-starting-to-feel-better forehead.

“All better,” Steven smiled before running away, challenging Adam to another snowball fight.

-

“But he’s so cool tho,”

“Ste- that is literally the 50th time you’ve called the man cool,” Adam laughed before turning back to his camera. They are working on the new ‘tasty’ series: “Worth It” where they visit three places and compare their prices. It was originally Steven’s idea that he told Adam who (was magically all close with the man he’s been admiring from afar) pitched it in to Andrew who loved the idea and asked Adam to give him a detailed lay out of the potential show. Adam, the man as cheeky as he is quiet, pointed a not so innocent finger at Steven and said it’s his idea but he’s just to shy to tell anyone.

“Why don’t I give you my email add so we can discuss your idea?” Andrew asked the then stunned - no. Understatement. Star-strucked - Steven.

“He’d be glad to discuss it further,” Adam andwered, grabbing Steven’s phone from his hand, typing in Andrew’s email address.

“Alright. I’ll message you the moment I’m free,” the blonde man smiled before turning to go and talk to other people.

-

The weather was perfect. Shane returned to their table, holding two small cups of hot cocoa. Or maybe it’s big because Shane is a fucking giant.

“I want to hate snow day but whenever I see Ryan this happy, I can’t,” The tall man murmured, words almost lost in his cup. Andrew panned his eyes towards Ryan who is making a snowman with the tiny Zach’s help. Becky, who is sitting near them, is just randomly throwing snow at Ned and Ariel.

“I never quite caught it. Are you and Ryan…?”

“What? Dating? No,” the other answered. Andrew just shrugged. They might be dating, they might be not. He’ll never be sure with Shane’s sarcastic responses.

-

He was out drinking with the unsolved pair and try guys when his phone buzzed, showing him a notification that ‘Steven.Lim’ sent him a mail.

Subject: Worth It Message: Hey! It’s Adam. Sorry for that disappointment. Steven is still rambling about how I just embarrassed him infront of you. You should ask him out to lunch tomorrow, you know?

Andrew chuckled, typing out a quick response.

Re: Worth It Message: Maybe I would. Thanks for this, Adam.

P.S. ERASE THIS. JFC.

Adam only laughed after erasing the thread, telling Steven to pick nice clothes because Andrew said they can discuss things over lunch the next day.

Shane noticed Andrew’s sudden good mood and asked who messaged him.

“Just a friend,”

-

“I’m tired,” Steven huffed, running towards Andrew with Adam just behind him.

“Do you wanna go?” Andrew asked, catching the taller man’s weight as he sat on his lap when he saw that there are no other available chairs.

“Let me ask Eugene,” Adam volunteered. Steven leaned to him and closed his eyes, face hidden on his neck.

“I’ll be returning the question to you, Andrew,” Steven heard Shane. He was so tired that he didn’t even bother leaving and giving the two privacy.

“I wish,” Andrew answered, not making any sense.

-

“Hey, Steven. Wanna go out for lunch?” That voice. Steven is sure he can live with that voice in his life. Andrew was wearing a light blue button up shirt and jeans. It made his eyes looked lighter than they already are and Steven is lost. He is very lost. He might need google maps to get back.

“Yeah sure,”

The place they went to wasn’t so packed as Steven was expecting with lunch break rush. To be fair, it’s quite a secluded place.

“Hey, man!” The big guy wearing an apron cheered once they got through the door.

“David! Hey!” Andrew lit up, greeting the man who is obviously his friend. Steven felt a little jealous. How does one become Andrew Ilnyckyj’s friend?

“Long time no see, my friend. I was starting to think that you’re seeing someone else,” David pouted. It was almost too comical, Steven thinks.

“Which I guess you are,” Andrew heard David murmur when Steven stepped up from behind him. David introduced himself cheerfully and grabbed Steven to give him a tour of the restaurant. Steven, the awkward helpless man that he is, kept on trying to reach out to Andrew to no avail.

“Sorry I didn’t catch your boyfriend’s name?” David finally turned to Andrew who is contentedly sitting, watching the two.

“Steven,”

-

“We can go. Zach actually gave me the permission but yeah,” Adam reported grabbing his things. Steven stood up too, taking with him his warmth, that Andrew would never admit he miss already.

“Hey Shane. We’re going ahead,”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll tell the others. You guys enjoy the holidays,” he smiled, waving a dismissive hand.

-

Steven and Andrew became a regular sight in David’s restaurant, the two becoming close buddies.

“What do you mean you guys aren’t - but the whole time I thought you’re - wow you guys let me look like a fool,” David pouted making Steven laugh. For the past days they’ve been going there for lunch and occasional dinner, David treated them like a couple. None of them had the heart to correct him and none actually talked about it after. Perhaps they both enjoyed the attention a bit too much. None is willing to admit it tho.

“Meh. You’re my child now so it doesn’t matter,”

-

The snow got bad later that day. The sky getting darker and darker by the minute.

“You should just spend the night at my place. This one looks like a storm. You might get stranded somewhere I can’t get to you,” Andrew observed, speeding up a little but not to much that they’d slip. Adam asked to be dropped off by the station since he’d spend the holiday with his fiance.

“I don’t wanna impose on you, man. This looks like a -”

“Steven. Imposing on me is so much better than having to panic because I can’t get you out a snowy situation,”

Can Steven melt now? Because he wants to melt in that seat. Right there. Just melt and melt and melt.

“T-thanks, Andrew,”

Anything for you.

-

“How’s my handsome matchmaker?”

“Still matchmaking idiots. And how’s the most beautiful person in the world?”

“Still matchmaking idiots,”

Adam choked.

-

“Uhm, I wasn’t really expecting you over so…”

“Are you kidding me? I love your place!” See the deal is Steven likes Andrew’s flat a lot. The man is minimalist with his space hence the breathable ambiance. His color selection all warm and brown making Steven feel cozy.

Andrew half-heartedly laughed at that. “Why don’t you move in, then?”

He disappeared to the next room even before anyone can react.

-

“They are definitely dating,” Ashly observed from the other side of the room, handing Zach some eggnog.

“I know. I asked Ryan tho. He said they aren’t,”

“He believes in ghosts. I won’t count on his sane answers, Zach,”

-

And they are snowed in.

Andrew called it the night before as he was preparing toiletries for the other man. They were debating wether it’ll pass soon or they’re gonna be snowed in. Andrew was right.

“Good morning, princess,” Steven answered with a groan, his being wrapped with the comforter he last night called fat blankets. He still feel sorry for saying that. He loves them.

“The kitchen is unexpectedly warm. I adjusted the thermostat but it didn’t exactly do anything,” explained the blonde man who served him a plate of english breakfast. Wait, what?

“Got you a ripper. Also I don’t have english muffins so you’re getting regular american muffins instead,”

“Did you bake these muffins?” Asked Steven who was still marvelling at the still warm muffins.

“Oh I baked those muffins alright,”

-

“Kidding aside, tho. Are you guys dating?” Ashly pushed, eliciting a good laugh from Ryan.

“No, Ashly. We’re not dating,”

“Yeah, why would I date him when we eat dinner together every night?”

“As if you have a choice, right?”

“Nope. Gave that up two years ago,”

“You’re stuck with me, sasquatch,”

“I know, Frodo Baggins. Not complaining anyway,”

“Wait - what?!”

-

Wide expanse of skin. Creamy skin inviting him in like a siren. Skin that looks so soft he wonders how it’d feel against his lips. What would it taste like? Sweet, perhaps? Like peaches and hyacinth, like how it smells right now. Would it bruise easily if he suckled a little spot? How a-

“If Metroman wasn’t such a douche when they were sent to earth? Megamind would’ve been the Tony Stark of Metro City,” Steven commented as the credits rolled off, disturbing Andrew’s train of thought.

“Yeah. But Metroman turned out to be Superman minus the kryptonite,”

“He’s gotta have a weakness somehow. Does this movie have a sequel?” Steven licked his lips, determination coloring his eyes.

Red. So red. So close. If he leaned a bit, he’d get a taste. He’s torn. Can he lean in? What will happen if he does? He wants to lean in. He wants to kiss and get a taste.

“I don’t know,” Steven sighed, leaned his head back, falling right into Andrew’s shoulder. It was so cold Steven took liberty of cuddling into Andrew in the guise of conserving heat. If Andrew only knew how fast his heart is racing. They are so close Steven wonders if Andrew can hear how fast his heart is beating.

“Maybe it’s like the Incredibles,” Andrew spoke, almost a whisper, into his ear - sending shivers down his spine. He closed his eyes and enjoyed that shiver, letting the remaining rumble of Andrew’s voice shake his core.

“Or like The Maltese Falcon,” Andrew continued. There was no response to that. He didn’t even know why but Steven moaned. Steven moaned because Andrew’s voice sounded like a purr and it was the sexiest goddamn purr he’s ever heard.

“It took 34 years before the sequel The Black Bird,” he felt it. Steven felt Andrew’s goddamn beard on his cheek, every word like molten gold seeping into his veins. He felt lips speaking the words right next to the shell of his ear - god-fucking-dammit.

“Yeah?” He whispered, breathing fast, hands twisting and untwisting the hem of his shirt hidden by the blanket wrapped around them both.

“Yeah,” answered the blonde man, making Steven moan another response, eyes still closed in fear of breaking the moment.

The moment, Andrew thinks, is too fragile. A wrong move and he’d break it and lose it forever. He can feel Steven. All of him. How fast he’s breathing, how warm he’s getting. He carefully scratched his nails along the exposed skin near his hips where Andrew decided earlier was a good spot to rest his hand. Another moan - louder. He digged his nails a bit and was given the same moan.

“Andrew,” a warning. Steven can feel this. He can feel all of this. He knows how fragile this is - how thin the thread they’re walking in here.

“Tell me to stop,” he whispered, his other hand reaching out to grip on his inner thigh, the taller man malleable between his fingers.

“Andrew,” he whined. Andrew is placing careful kisses now along the side of Steven’s neck, kissing, tasting the expanse of skin beneath his tongue.

He’s panting now, grabbing the back of Andrew’s head as the other sucked a spot beneath his jaw, moaning louder than he’s willing to admit. It was fire and ice. Hot and cold. He was torn between logic and arousal. He wants, he needs, but he’s scared. He’s terrified. What are they doing? What is he doing?

He detached himself from Andrew, the other man looking hotter now that his hair is a mess and Steven knowing he did that. His lips are glistening, the thought of having those very lips on him not moments ago, sucking. His hooded eyes- scary and sexy and aroused. If Steven is under the influence of any alcohol, he would’ve tugged on his shirt and kissed him senseless.

“Steven?” The rasp on his voice was too much. Steven stood up, hiding his crotch from the smaller man.

“I - uhm… I need to go to the toilet,”

He’s fucked up. Andrew is sure he did as he watched the silver-haired man half-run to his toilet. Why did he do that? Why did he even fucking do that?! He’s out of his mind. He’s so out of his fucking mind.

The water is cold but Steven is not feeling it. He almost - fuck! What the fuck?! He - damn this. Damn all of this. He wants Andrew but no! He had to fuck this up. He had to pull away and fuck this one and only chance he has.

But is it?

He looked at himself in the mirror and thought it over. Andrew - Andrew was kissing him. He told him to tell him to stop. Andrew is aware of what he’s doing.

But what if Andrew was just carried away because it’s cold? Isn’t it that cold does that to people? What if Andrew was only there to produce heat? But that’s impossible because the room wasn’t even that cold like cold enough to require them to share body heat.

Steven ran a wet hand on his hair one more time.

-

Wow, Jim! What seemed like a pleasant snow day looks like will turn into a snow storm.

I do hope our viewers stocked up on those Holiday goodies because they might be stranded inside their homes for a few more days.

Andrew groaned as he listened to the blonde woman. She sounded way too sunny for this gloomy snowy day. Or days. He just wants this to be over. He wants to return to work and forget this all happened. Inside his apartment.

“Hey, uhm, I used your shaving cream,” Steven sturttered, blushing way too much for just using his shaving cream.

“There is literally nothing to shave, Stevie,” he chuckled humorlessly, earning him a wince.

“Snow storm’s up. You’ll be stuck here, I guess,” he continued. He might as well just let this all go down the drain. He’s fucked it enough it’s hard to fuck it any further.

“I’ll be a freeloader for the next few days then,” the other awkwardly answered, standing, not knowing what else he can do.

“Look: I’m sorry. Do you wanna hug it out?” HUG IT OUT?! GOOD FUCKING THINKING, ANDREW. But Steven nodded and he’s all of a sudden holding a big puppy in his arms, face buried on his neck.

“I like you, Andrew. Very much. I just want you to know that,” the other murmured, words imprinting themselves on his skin. He smiled, tightening his arms around him.

“I’ve always thought of how I’d ask you out on a date. Never imagined it’d be this way,” he laughed, lightly now, kissing the side of Steven’s head, staring at the shocked brown eyes, taking in his words.

“So, will you go out on a date with me?” Andrew asked, blushing now, a smile just fighting its way out.

-

“Thank God we’ve stocked up during the weekend,” Eugene commented as the reporter said something about a snow storm.

“True. Also a good thing the others went home early today. Alex said they made it home safe before things got worse,”

“How about Adam?”

“Home,”

“Steven?”

“Huh. Last I know Andrew drove him home so maybe he’s already home too,”

-

If you ask Steven what his favorite moment is in his life? He’d say this. Right here: Watching Andrew cook dinner for their supposed date, making puns as he went along, apologizing for how he’s not exactly good at cooking as he takes out the beef from the oven. Steven wouldn’t trade this for the world.

“I just remembered it’s Christmas eve,”

Steven almost forgot that Andrew likes Christmas.

“Bummer that I don’t have any gifts for you,”

“But you’re here. No better gift than that,” Andrew winked. This man is doing so much to Steven with such little effort. Steven is a weak, weak man.

Dinner was perfect. Watching Andrew blush on his comments bite after bite is something he can get used to. And you know what? He will do everything to keep it that way. As long as Andrew will have him, he’s there to stay.

“A minute before Christmas. Any wishes granted this year?” Steven has a habit of thanking Santa for all the gifts and blessings he got that year. He was brought up to think that the big man in red suit is real.

“Yep. I cooked a good meal for the only person I want to cook for the most. How about you?”

“The only person I like cooked for me on Christmas eve,” Steven’s words were followed by a kiss, marking midnight.

Andrew is sure time stopped, this moment right here: frozen. Warm, soft lips on his, heart fluttering wildly, selfish, selfish arms holding him real close. The taste of the wine mingled with the heady taste of the person he’s wanted the most. He’s drunk. He’s sure his drunk. Not with wine but with this kiss. This moment. This single man who has power over him - can make him or break him. He’s drunk with just the breath of this man in his arms, ghosting over his lips.

“I was wrong. This is a much better gift,”

-

I know. Too long. Yes. I know. I can’t add a cut because I’m using my phone. I’m so sorry. Also rushed because I’m sleepy by the end of it. I still hope you liked this tho. Happy Holidays!

-

LITERALLY never apologize for any of this Ever, i am the OPPOSITE of mad when i see u in my inbox i’m so hfkdsjkdsgdk this is amazing and adorable and literally?? just????? please know that i Am serious when i say u should make an ao3 and post ur writing on there cause i know id bookmark the fuck out of it!!!!!! and i know i’m not the only one who’d love that!!!

i loved the almost-non-linearness of this fic????? if that makes sense??!!!!! it was good and oh my god oh my god just the Entire part of them being snowed in together, All Of That was perfection, and i love these fucking boys so much and u write their characterization so well. this made me weak, i’d put 50000 heart emojis here but then i’d fuck up the formatting i think, but, like, i genuinely fucking love this so much and im gonna go and face death in a head-on collision now, don’t mind me

[lunamusings]

Gravity Well

Chapter 6: Chaos Hearts

A Loki x Lithium Fanfiction (CanonxOC)

Set before the events of Thor, Loki receives as large mysterious crate of alcohol the day before his birthday. What seems like a strange yet benign gift from an anonymous person ends up being more than he, or the woman at the bottom of the crate bargained for.

Chapter Warnings: N/A

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Loki was used to having to readjust when his plans did not go as expected,  but the stale cracker cascade of his latest venture so complete, it was almost comical.

He had factored for Thor being quick seek vengeance on the Jotun for interrupting his coronation. His ten-ton ego was too inflated for him to see that his snap assessment of the situation was driven straight through a wall by said ego. He just had not counted on said ego driving Thor to commit treason and invade Jotunheim, drawing himself, Sif and the Warrior 3 along with him. He has simply planned on his brother being defiant up to the point of treason, but no further.

He had not factored that Thor would likely start the fight with the Jotun, once they were there, nor did he expect that he would not listen to him when it was clear they could not beat the large number of frost giants that had gathered to oppose then. Though he did find it entirely amusing that it was Laufey calling him "princess" that was the last straw for his brother channeling his inner feather-helmed dolt.

He still loved the man, but there were times it was more like one's affection for a wobbly-legged baby animal than a sibling.

Odin acted exactly as he had hoped, coming to their rescue when the battle got out of hand. That he banished Thor to Midgard was completely out of the blue. Sure, Thor did throw the lives of himself, the Warriors Three and Sif into a preventable battle that was not only against Odin's express command, but also all but shattered the tenuous relations with the Jotun.  Thor was always the one forgiven when he did wrong, unlike himself.

He only meant to delay Thor's ascension to the throne a little while longer, in hopes that his lack of humility and patience would be noticed. He did not want to see him banished. That was never his intention when he snuck the three Jotun into the vault. It was not his intention when he told a guard to let his father know where they were going.

If anything, he tried to stop things from becoming worse.

If Father would do that to Thor…what would he do to me?

It was not lost on him what his father had said what the reason he banished Thor. Not for all the Jotun slaughtered. Apparently that was not that big an issue, but defying Odin and endangering other strong , loyal warriors. That was enough to send away the favorite son.

That made the revelation he went through out in the snowy wastes widen the chasm of fear in his heart all the more.

Sitting in the healing room, trying to process all that happened, he just barely heard the conversation around him. Just enough that what scraps he was catching was unsettling him all the more. He glanced down at his left hand. No one seemed to notice that he left the ill-advised battle missing not only a glove but the gauntlet and sleeve beneath it and he kept it that way with a quick change of clothes before gathering with Thor's friends.

Magic always had a way to coming to his rescue.

But the more the discussion around him centered on the Jotun, the less he sensed he could stay without knowing the answering to what nagged at him down to his soul. There was risk, he knew that, but what did it matter if his fears became truth?

For all he knew, he might want the Destroyer to end him there.

As he snuck from the healing room, a voice floated into it. "Is everyone alright? Have you seen Loki?"

Hearing Lithium asking for him, he almost turned back. He had stopped by her room before leaving with his brother and friends right into chaos, just missing his mother by a few minutes. Her face had been practically glowing with happiness from the time spent with Frigga but his news chased much of that light from her features.

He had worried her the moment she heard he would be going to confront the Jotun with Thor and now he was worrying her all the more. She had been told about the Jotun attack and what they were to Asgard, and no doubt Sif would tell her about what else had transpired.

Though it pained him, he had too many questions to answer to head back now. He would go to her after, if there was an after to be had.  He did not know where he could nest this possibility into any of his plans. Plans for caring for his world as it needed, plans to bring it into this current century, to not ignore what the other realms were becoming. Plans to make Asgard a haven for the warrior and the artist alike.

But this could bring that all crashing down around him.

His leaden feet continued to the weapons vault, where he had been what felt like an eternity before, though it was only a matter of hours. He could almost hear the echoes of Thor's thirst for vengeance, their father's dismissal of the idea, could almost feel the chill the decimated bodies of the Jotun left behind. They had been cleaned out now, but the memory of them, one that he has cast aside before, came back full-force as he approached the pedestal that held what he sought aloft.

The Cask of Ancient Winters seemed innocuous, were it not for the swirl of power that was obvious to the magically trained eye. Just a glowing box that could have been a decorative lamp, were it not for that. But it was the weapon of the Jotun so long ago, devastating in its abilities, so much that Odin saw fit to take it from them and store it under the strongest of security.

That such a fierce cold could answer my burning question is the worst twist of irony…

His plummeting heart only sped up its descent to the center of world as the Cask's power sent the deep blue hue snaking up his hands. He lifted it, giving little thought to the possibility that the Destroyer would come for him as well. When it did not though, he was not surprised when he heard Odin's voice behind him.

Words he had only dreamed of saying escaped in full force as  he let go of the Cask and turned to face the man we thought was his father.

But Odin's words only confirmed those deep-set fears, those years of feeling the dull ache of otherness in nearly every facet of his life.

He was Laufey's son.

He was Jotun.

You always knew you were a monster…how is this anything but a curse?

When Odin fell into hibernation before answering all his questions, a thread of irritation invaded his concern for him. It was far too convenient that it happened at this exact moment, when he needed him most. Still, he called for help.

His mother had the answers, as they sat beside the chamber Odin stayed in when Odinsleep took him. Punctuating her words was insistence that he was their son, no matter the blood that flowed through his veins. Doubt followed, but was crushed down by a different weight.

Despite the anger welling up in him, he never could get used seeing his…father…in such a state, all the more so when he saw his mother's face, giving him words of hope despite her own fears. They had not been ready for Odin to lapse when he did and the worry showed on her golden features. Even if his frustration was at its highest, he could never stay that way, for his mother's sake.

He would just have adapt his plans again, like he always did.

He stood, unable for once, to continue the conversation. There was too much clouding his mind. He needed space. He needed time. He needed to process the day, from Lithium yelling at him to this very moment.

All the more so when the doors opened, and a line of guards along the hallway bowed at the sight of him.  The official kneeling and holding Gungnir out to him did nothing to lessen the confusion. He knew it showed on his face when he turned to Frigga for clarification.

"With Thor banished, the line of succession passes to you. Until Odin wakes, Asgard is yours." Her face held a little more of the lightness she normally possessed. "Make your father proud, my King."

The weight of Gungnir now in his hands felt endlessly heavy.

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

Lithium slid down a corridor she had never been to before, following a line of guards who marched far too quickly for her legs to keep up with at a normal pace. The official looking man carrying a spear had been kind enough to lead her to Loki after hours of trying to find him. Said man was the first person to bother helping her, all others claiming to be too busy to give her directions.  That they were looking for the same person may have had a lot to do with it, but that did not stop her from thanking him repeatedly for doing it anyway.

He had her stand just outside a large set of doors, and wait until their business with Loki was concluded. She was still close enough that she heard Frigga's declaration.

Loki was now King, even though temporary.

Loki was King.

Oh great, you're now crushing on a literal king….gooooood job…

She waited until the official and guards were around the corner to peek her head into the room.  Loki stood, staring at the spear in his hands as if it was about to do a trick. Frigga sat behind him, next to a shielded bed that held the unconscious Odin, looking every inch a proud mother. She noticed her at the door before Loki did, his eyes still fixed on what he held.

"Lithium, dear, how are you? You look worn out." Frigga beckoned her into the room. "Do come join us."

Lithium's legs barely held her as she made her way just in the door. Her swirling mind would not let her move any farther than that. What did what she just heard mean? For Loki, for Frigga, for the banished Thor, which she only heard of as she passed the gossipy maids? For herself? Her hand reflexively went to her face to hide her shock.

I already barely knew how to act appropriately when he was a prince…

It was Loki who broke her stationary panic, taking the hand from her face and leading her to sit next to his mother. Her body had given up functioning normally, though it had more to do with her mad dash around the palace than the slowly ebbing stupor.

A few more moments in the sitting position brought her voice back to usefulness. "Sorry….I've been running around the palace since I heard the news you all were back…and the thing with Thor…"

Frigga frowned. "Surely there was someone who knew Loki and I were here."

Lithium shook her head. "Everyone was…busy, you could say, until just a bit ago. That official guy and the guards let me tag along."

Loki's irritation at hearing this was nearly tangible. "It seems this latest turn of events has not reached to all the staff, or else I would think those who were so discourteous would have thought a little longer about disregarding your request."

Frigga nodded. "I do believe you should make it clear to them of her status as your guest. I too have observed some issues pertaining to this."

Lithium was already blushing at the consideration the two put toward her, but their mutual desire to make things more comfortable for her just intensified the shade of red she was sporting. "Ah, you really don't have to…no one's been that bad…"

Loki shook his head. "it's not just you, little lady. If they treat you, a polite, low-maintenance guest, with disregard, how much worse would it be for difficult guests who's opinion could have far-reaching negative consequences for insulting them?"

Lithium saw a flicker of a smirk cross his face. "With that in mind, I will deal with it fairly, informing all those who work here to act more in accordance with what is befitting those in a service role. I will only deal wit this on an individual level if the problem persists after that."

Something told her there would be less far-reaching consequences to be had, given that fleeting smirk. Just as fleeting as that smirk was the little flutter her heart did. When his little smirk returned, she wondered if he had actually heard it happen. If he did not hear that one, he certainly must have heard the near- heart attack she had when he pulled her back to her feet and tucked her hand in the crook of his arm.

"Thank you for easing my concerns, Mother." He smiled at Frigga. "I'll see you tomorrow for our discussion of the necessary proceedings over breakfast."

Lithium smiled over her shoulder at Frigga as Loki led her to the door. "Let me know if there's anything I can do for you, okay?"

Frigga's smile was mysterious but warm. "I will do so. Sleep well, both of you."

A little ways down the hall, Loki inclined his head toward her, his face a strange mix of emotions she could not quite place, but his voice was as polished as ever. "How does it feel to be walking on the arm of a king?"

How did it feel, indeed?

"Considering the last time I saw you, you were a still a prince, Thor wasn't rocketed to Earth and your dad was awake and grumpled by the three Jotun amigos' last appearance anywhere, I'm a wee bit overwhelmed."

She watched another maid scurry away from them with eyes as large as dinner plates, and considering Asgardian dinner plates were a couple inches larger in diameter than she thought was reasonable, that was impressive. "That being said, I think it feels pretty good."

Loki chuckled, leaning in a little closer. "I am glad  you feel that way. I hope that continues to be your thoughts on the matter, even when changes come about in the future."

Lithium almost stopped walking. His statement was maddeningly ambiguous, but just enough to make her deeply concerned. "Well,  I'm not too worried about that myself….but…are you doing okay?"

He shifted his gaze back to where they were headed. "I am incredibly tired, Lithium. Today did not go as expected, but it's looking up now, however mixed my feelings are about it."

As they rounded the corner to his hallway, she felt his arm relax, followed by the rest of him. "Did I cause you excessive worry while I was away and then hard to find?"

She paused as he opened his door and ushered her in, to think of the best way to answer him. "I was worried, you're not wrong in that, especially when I heard that not all of you returned unscathed."

They both sunk into his plush chairs, Lithium just about sliding back out onto the floor as the layers of her skirt shifted against each other. Her face heating up as she righted herself, she decided to continue as if nothing happened.

"But I wasn't so worried that I lost my senses, like some certain people who took shelter in my room when the Jotun got in here. Frigga aside, it was like a whole hen house of panicky poultry."

He nodded seriously, but his green eyes held that spark of mischief that even fatigue could not fully take away. "That is an apt description for a large swath of court women. Their gossip alone is akin to  a shrub row full of chirping birds."

Lithium sighed. "I shouldn't be so hard on them. I'm just used to intense situations and honestly, I wasn't exactly calm either. And when no one would give me a straight answer about where you were and if you were in one piece where ever that was…"

"You feared the worst?"

That mixed bag of emotions reappeared on his face as he stood, grabbing the abandoned tea pot that had been left from lunch. "As odd as it may sound, thank you for that. That you spent that energy concerned with my welfare means a great deal, let me assure you."

Lithium's frown became progressively deeper as he left to fill the pot with new water and heated it with his magic. He set it on a metal trivet next to their cups and added freshly loaded tea infuser. He sat heavily in the chair again, glancing at her with a less mixed emotion this time.

He looked tormented by whatever was behind his eyes as he stared just past the small crock of teaspoons.

"Loki, why wouldn't I worry about you?"

He looked up sharply at the sound of his name, genuine surprise on his face. "I would not think someone who has only known me for a few weeks would bother with that."

Careful with your words, Lithium…don't give him anything more on his very full Asgardian-sized plate…

"It's not a bother to be concerned about a friend." She leveled her gaze at him, willing all her sincerity onto her face. "Even less a bother when that friend is you."

She let him think about that as she poured him a cup to tea. She held it out to him, but when he just stared at it, she stood, took his hand and molded his fingers around it. She started to pull her hand away when she was sure he was holding it, but his other hand covered it, moving it himself. He gently squeezed her hand, and did not let go.

"I have no words that are sufficient for what this means to me."