#and also when your friends are like *can’t even imagine you with someone* okay awesome

[ashmp3]

i don’t think people realize how alienating and lonely it is to not have romantic interactions as a teen. Not that i think being in a relationship at that age would do me any good but it would make me feel more normal and less unlovable for sure

[luffyvace]

Boa Hancock & Neferatari Vivi x female reader for women’s day!!

ik I’m late to women’s day guys!! But I’m still gonna participate! (Totally not an excuse to write for some of my fav op girls that I haven’t written much for yet)

Hancock x a fem reader would be like the ultimate alternative timeline to her not falling in love with luffy lol

let’s say your in the kuja pirates specifically,

that would make more sense as to how you got closer since your on the same crew and obviously get to interact with her more versus just fan girling in the crowd lolol 😂

just the same as luffy, she’d realized her love for you after getting worried for your safety and feeling ill (love sick 😀) mid expedition at the fact that you might be hurt

when everyone gets back to the boat she tried to unsuspectingly scope you out (tried because she was actually frantically searching for someone and wouldn’t say who as everyone panicked-) and as soon as she saw you she sighed in relief! But soon after, she started blushing and she felt a warm fuzzy feeling!

what was this? Is this what they call..? Love?!

it was such a joyous feeling..! She couldn’t believe she was feeling such intense emotions at your presence alone!

”Lady hebihime!! Are you all right?!”

”Lady hebihime!! Are you all right?!”

”Lady hebihime!! Are you all right?!”

”all right..!”

”right..!”

”right..”

Your words echoed over and over again in Hancock’s spinning head. You..we’re worrying for her?! Your so…kind!- So!- so!- your such a selfless woman!!

and yeah that’s pretty much how it went HAHAH

you can pretty much guess you’ll get special treatment from then on, she’s in love with you after all!! Naturally it’s her duty to protect her lover! 😊 (you haven’t even asked her out yet Hancock! - Glorisa)

she invites you into the palace and gives you the best food and treatment straight away!! Put your feet up dear! Are you hot? tired? Do you need water?? “Hurry up and bring the giant fans! My lover is hot!”

no pun intended even though you are 😉

“lover..? Lady hebihime..! May I ask what your talking about..😅”

”o-oh! W-well..I was just thinking…maybe…we could go on a date..?! ☺️😅”

“ME?? Hebihime!! I- I’m honored but what brought this about?! This is….strangely sudden, you know? Not trying to be rude!-”

”Hancock!”

”eh??- I mean!- hebihim-”

”Hancock!! Y-you..can call me Hancock..if you’d like!- I mean if you’d prefer to call me something else like a pet name, honey or dear m-maybe-…!”

”But!- hebihime-”

“-And to answer your question! What brought this about……I’m not sure myself…I have no idea actually, I found myself worrying about you and when I saw you again….When I saw you..! When I…..Kyaaa! 😍”

”Hancock!! Are you all right?! What happened!?

“ !!….You…! You!- You said my name!! This must be..! This must be!! What they call!- Engagement!~ 😍😍”

”huh?? 😀 hebihime?-“

“No! Go back! Don’t call me hebihime anymore!! We’re getting married next month so!- So call me by my name from now on! Okay honey?! 😍💗”

*mutters while being carried bridal style by Hancock* “I’m getting married…to the hebihime..😵‍💫💫”

and yes you actually did get married the next month :)

being the wife of the pirate empress is the liiiife 😎👍 you get whatever you want, whenever you want and however much you want of it!! Without a question! Your words are as absolute as sold gold on the island of women! Hancock will likely even ignore elder nyon/Glorisa for you <3

and yeah you can pretty much just imagine your dream life for the rest! Expect that to become your reality when married to Hancock bc even thanos snap can’t compare 🗿😭

Vivi is such an awesome girl - honorable mention okay? 😤👏

let’s say your not a straw hat tho :) just for funzies :3 imagine you’ve lived on alabasta just as long as she has and even infiltrated Baroque works with her. And also helped save alabasta!

best friends to lovers anyone?? Lesbian edition >:> 👩‍❤️‍👩 🧡🤍💖🏳️‍🌈

after it’s all said and done, and crocodile is defeated, you two say cya to the straw hats and you help Vivi rebuild her kingdom

somewhere during the time things start looking up as for alabasta’s cleanup, she confesses! Oops spoiler :}

“hey!!..I’ve been looking all over for you 😅”

“Oh hey Vivi! What is it?”

”oh nothing I just, well it’s not nothing…can we talk? Uh- you know..in private?”

”oh yeah sure! Come inside I was just cleaning up heheh, excuse the mess..”

“It’s nothing! Really, it’s fine no need to be so formal…we’re close, right?”

“Yeah :) what is it you wanted to talk about though? Is it something bad I’m nervous 😃”

”Oh! Nononono! Nothing bad nothing bad!-“

*sigh of relief* “hah, that’s good 😅”

*awkward yet adorable giggles come from both you and Vivi*

“well..what I wanted to talk about was…us, as in…who we are”

“Oh no Vivi don’t come out and tell me we’re aliens now we’ve barely finished cleaning up alabasta! 😭😂😂”

”what?? Hey! No! I-I’m trying to be serious here! 🤦‍♀️“

”OH! Oops 😄 go ahead go ahead!”

“I meant who we are as in, as a….relationship! Like- um..we’re friends right? Soo..if we could be……”

“Vivi..you mean..?”

”YEAH! 😭😅 I mean if- if we could be..more, if- if you want if not we can just stay friends-“

”No! I- hahah, I honestly never thought you’d ask, like- literally! I’ve kinda been waiting but you never did so is assumed-“

lots of awkward laughing and explaining of feelings ensue from there 💗(🏳️‍🌈😜)

actually being in a relationship with her includes training, yes training, because you never know what could happen. Just as crocodile happened and no one knew he would. So from now on she wants to be prepared, she refuses to be blindsided again—for the sake of her people!

she’s a cute mix of awkward, kind and a tad bit shy 💗 it’s like, she almost wouldn’t know how to act around you if you weren’t so close, but you are! So that makes things easier :)

she’s highly knowledgeable and I feel she’d have quiet a bit of hobbies. if you like to do similar things she’d love to partake in those activities with you! But if you have different interests, exploring each one as you teach her about them would be fun too! <3

Vivi is a literally princess, which means as her lover you get princess treatment! 😘 (all puns intended) She can afford it after all! Pell and Vivi’s father would adore you! You make Vivi so happy, how can they not?!

she talks about you more often than you know 🤫 “Dad!! Don’t tell her that!- it’s kind of embarrassing you know?!” oops Vivi heard him

well anyway 😊

Vivi is a very caring and protective lover as seen with Nami (when she stayed by her side the whole time she was ill). So of course that’s not any different when it comes to you, it’s highly likely Vivi knows first aid so if you get a minor injury? Be more careful!! 🩹❤️‍🩹💋 A major injury?! Hurry! Rush her to the royal hospital! Quickly! Giver her the best treatment! It’s okay, relax, she’s here 💖

Vivi will be with you through thick and thin and her loyalty is unwavering. She may not be the strongest banana in the bunch but she’ll certainly defend you with all she has if it comes down to it! 😤💪

Also!!! Can’t believe I haven’t mentioned this yet!!- Karoo!!!! Karoo loves you <33 Vivi thinks your bond is adorable, especially how Karoo always lets you ride on him :} you bring him snacks and drinks and he runs to you each time. If your tired of walking he’ll carry you without complaints as well so that’s a perk!

I feel the other spot billed ducks would love you as well! Karoo probably tells them how great you are 🤗 You might even like one of them enough to make them your duck! (I would, they seem cooler than a freezer 😎👍)

Okayyy~ lovely readers, followers and anyone new here..!

I hope you enjoyed these headcanons!!~

[ihni]

Every weather is sweater weather in Hawkins

For Harringrove Harvest day 3: ”Claudia Henderson’s hand-knit sweater”

(Read on AO3)

~~~

“I’ll miss you.”

The voice is low, and coming from outside the partly-open kitchen window that is facing the back of the house. Claudia Henderson pauses on her way to the sink with a pile of plates in her hand and listens, because it’s not the voice of any of the kids – they were all accounted for in the living room, ten seconds ago – but whoever’s speaking sounds … sad. And tonight is supposed to be a pre-Christmas celebration; a night of family and friendship and cheerfulness. She doesn’t want anyone to be sad in her house, especially today. That’s why she insisted on cooking for everyone.

“I know,” another voice says, and this one she recognizes as Steve’s. Which means the last speaker must have been his friend, Billy Hargrove. Max’s brother, the same boy that the kids had such a hard time accepting in the beginning, for whatever reason. Claudia can’t imagine why. He seems like a sweetheart to her.

Steve continues, “I wish I didn’t have to go. But mom got it into her head that we’d spend Christmas together as a family, and –“

“No, no, I know,” the voice of Billy Hargrove comes through. “I’m happy for you. Getting to spend time with your parents, in Europe? Sounds awesome.”

“Won’t be so awesome without you. I wish I could take you with me.”

“I know. But it’s only two weeks.”

There’s silence for a while, and Claudia carefully sets the plates down on the formica countertop and takes a step closer to the window under the guise of reaching for the dish soap.

“Are you gonna be okay, Billy?”

There’s the sound of a laugh, and Claudia’s heart twists with how forced it sounds. “Of course, pretty boy. I think I can handle two weeks without you.”

“That’s not … I mean with your dad. Are you gonna be alright at home, if you can’t come to my place? I can leave you a key, if you want?”

“A key to …?”

“To my house.”

Billy’s voice softens when he says, “It’s alright. What reason would I have to go there, anyway, if you’re not there?”

There’s silence again, but this time it comes with the rustling of fabric and the sound of a kiss. It brings a fond smile to Claudia’s face.

“You don’t have to worry about me, Stevie. I’ll be alright. It’s just for a couple of weeks.” Another kiss. “You’ll be back in no time.” Another. “I can’t wait.”

“Me too.”

Someone calls for Claudia from the living room, and she puts down the dish soap. She can save the dishes for later. For right now, she has dinner guests to attend to and some plans to make.

~~~

It is a lovely evening, all around. Despite what she heard through the open window, the boys don’t let anything show when they come back from their “smoke break”. Claudia, naturally, pretends like she is none the wiser, but watches the boys as they hang out with the rest of Dustin’s friends. Steve is dragged right into the thick of things, of course – her Dusty is so fond of that boy, and by extension so is Claudia – and Billy keeps a little to himself but he looks content enough to sit in an armchair with a mug of eggnog (home-made and very good, if Claudia may say so herself; she used a recipe that was handed down to her by her mother) and watch the kids play their games. After a couple of minutes, his sister rolls her eyes at her friends’ antics and goes to squeeze in next to Billy in the armchair. Billy grumbles, but Claudia can’t help but notice that he doesn’t push her away. She also notices that while Billy’s gaze flits around the room, he seems to be watching Steve the most. And well, it is quite obvious to Claudia that Steve is watching him right back.

Boys. Subtle, they are not.

When the evening is approaching its end – when everyone has had their fill and more of food and drink and snacks and good company – Claudia makes sure to hug everyone goodbye before they leave. And if she hugs Billy and Steve a little bit longer than the others, well. She doesn’t think anyone notices.

They do notice when she steals a couple of hairs from their heads though, if the “Ow!” they let out is any indication, but she laughs and apologizes and says that their hair must have gotten tangled up in one of her rings, and it is soon forgotten.

She puts her plan into motion that very night. When the house is empty and the dishes are done and Dustin has gone to bed, Claudia takes the hairs – blonde and brunet – and carefully braids them together. She goes to her yarn basket and picks out a nice dark blue cotton/wool blend, brings out her knitting needles, sits down in her favorite chair in a well-lit corner of the living room, and starts knitting.

~~~

Christmas in the Hargrove-Mayfield house is … Well. Not something to write home about, even if Billy had had anyone left to write to, back in California.

It could be worse, he guesses. Susan loves Christmas, and Billy’s dad usually tries to keep his temper over the Holidays, which means less bruises for Billy. But it also means more tension, as his dad doesn’t have an outlet for all his frustrations over the course of several days. Billy will take what he can get, though. He’ll take these days of peace, knowing it’ll most likely cost him a blow-out some time in the time between Christmas and New Year.

It’s a farce, of course. One they all play along to. Neil pretends that they’re all picture perfect, when he makes them go to Church and have a family outing to the Christmas fair on the Sunday before Christmas. Susan plays along, only too happy to have the kind of husband that she deluded herself into thinking she’d get when she married Neil. Max rolls her eyes, but has learned enough by now not to rock the boat when the sea is calm. And Billy? Billy plasters a fake smile onto his face and says thank you for dinner and offers to help with the dishes before Neil can tell him, and he buttons his shirts almost all the way up and wears a small ring instead of a dangly earring and generally tries to keep his head down.

It’s easier that way.

He draws the line at caroling, though. Luckily for him, Neil doesn’t seem to expect him to join in when he drags his wife and daughter out to bond with some of their neighbors, so Billy gets a whole evening to himself in the house.

If Steve had been home, Billy would have gone over to his place. They’d have made some crappy food together, eaten in front of the TV, kissed a bit … But Steve is not home. Steve is in Prague, and has only been gone for two days.

Billy has been missing him since before he even left.

It’s fine. He’s fine. He managed just fine before he got together with Steve, and he’ll manage now. It’s just. Breaks from school are not Billy’s favorite time. Don’t get him wrong, he quite enjoys not having to do schoolwork, but he doesn’t quite enjoy having to stay in the house for an extended period of time. Back in Cali, he could go to his friends’ houses, or go to the beach or just hang around downtown. Here, he doesn’t really know anyone well enough to show up during the Holidays without there being a party – which there isn’t – and it’s too goddamned cold to just hang around somewhere outside.

To put it simply; when Steve’s not here, he doesn’t have anywhere else to go. He’s got nowhere to escape to. He can’t do anything but keep his head down and grit his teeth and play the part of the perfect son in the perfect little small town family.

It’s going to be a long two weeks.

He has just settled down in the couch – making the best out of his time alone by eating his heated-up dinner in the living room instead of the kitchen; something he is never allowed to do when his dad is home – when the doorbell rings.

He rolls his eyes and ignores it, turning his attention back to the TV. But it rings again. And again.

With a great big sigh, he heaves himself out of the couch and makes his way to the door. If it’s carolers, he’s gonna scream.

He’s only in a T-shirt and gym shorts, so the cold air hits him as soon as he opens the door, covering his skin in goosebumps.

Outside the door is … Dustin Henderson.

Billy frowns. “Max isn’t here,” he says, and starts to close the door. He is fine with the kids nowadays, and he likes to believe they are fine with him. That doesn’t mean that he is keen to hang out with them.

Before he can close the door, though, Henderson puts his foot inside to stop him. Billy graciously doesn’t slam the door shut anyway, but pauses. “What?”

“I’m not here for Max,” the kid says, grumpily. “Mom sent me. Said to give you this.” He hands Billy a package, wrapped in brown paper and tied together with red yarn. There’s a cardboard tag on it which says Merry Christmas Billy.

Billy takes it, out of surprise more than anything else. “Why?” he asks, dumbly.

“I don’t know,” Dustin says and rolls his eyes, as if his mother’s whims are beyond even his understanding. He indicates his backpack, which seems to be bulging. “But I have more deliveries to make, so. Bye.” Turning his back on Billy, he trudges back down the newly cleared walkway (Billy shoveled it this morning, as a way to keep his dad happy and also to get out of the house), and only belatedly throws a “Oh and merry Christmas, I guess” over his shoulder without even looking back.

Billy doesn’t bother answering. Instead, he closes the door and examines the parcel. It’s something soft, probably clothes of some sort. The paper crinkles when he presses down on it. Part of him wants to open it right away, but it’s only Christmas Eve and there’s something thrilling to know that he will have something to open tomorrow, too. He doesn’t put it under the tree, though. Instead, he goes into his room and places it under the bed. For safekeeping.

~~~

Christmas morning is about what Billy had expected. A slightly stilted family breakfast while they open presents – Billy gets a dress shirt from Susan that he’s pretty sure he’ll never have an occasion to wear, two slightly crumpled ten dollar bills from his dad, and a lighter which actually has a pretty cool skull logo on it from Max – and in the lull that follows Billy retreats to his room for a bit. He puts some music on, but keeps the volume low – it wouldn’t do to interrupt the Christmas music playing from the tinny radio in the kitchen. Then he takes out two more presents. Ones he wouldn’t want to open in front of his family.

The first one is from Steve, who gave it to him before he left with the promise that he would bring back something better from Europe. It’s a small box, the kind that jewelry comes in, and Billy’s heart rate speeds up as he opens it. For a second, he thinks it’s a ring, and he doesn’t know what to do with that. But then he sees that it’s not, not really. It’s a keyring, with a shiny metal lightning bolt attached to it. There’s a note, too. “For your key to the apartment we’ll get when we move in together”, it says. There’s a little heart drawn in the corner, and Billy’s own heart does something complicated in his chest.

Suddenly, he misses Steve so much that he aches with it.

The second present is the one that Henderson brought him, apparently from Claudia Henderson herself. Billy likes Claudia – she is friendly and caring and has never held the fact that he used to be an asshole over him, like the rest of the Party. He flirts with her when he’s over, but she just laughs fondly and leaves him to it without acknowledging it. She’s safe.

But they’re hardly close enough to exchange Christmas gifts. Or so Billy had thought.

Tearing the paper open, his fingers brush over something soft. After pulling it out and holding it up in front of him, he finds that it’s a sweater. A knitted sweater – dark navy blue and simple in design. It looks warm and cozy, but also kind of stylish, and from the looks of it it’s about the right size.

He stands up and goes to stand in front of his mirror. Holds the sweater up in front of his chest. Runs his fingers over it and admires the way the color seems to accentuate his hair and bring out the blue in his eyes. Billy doesn’t usually do knitwear, but Hawkins winters get cold and for something knitted, this sweater isn’t actually that bad.

On an impulse, he pulls it over his head. He’s only wearing a T-shirt underneath it, and is half expecting it to feel prickly – he had a knitted sweater when he was younger that itched like crazy – but it’s not. It’s soft, and strangely warm and …

He runs his hand over his own chest, to feel the texture of it on his skin. It feels like safety. It feels like a hug.

No, really. It feels like a hug. And not just any hug.

Closing his eyes, he can almost hear the whispers of Steve’s voice. Can feel the ghost of his boyfriend’s hands encircling his torso, and feel the warmth from another body at his back, as if he’s being spooned. It’s almost enough to make him imagine Steve’s calm breath on the back of his neck.

He opens his eyes and is almost surprised that he can’t see Steve behind him in the mirror. Because he can still feel him. There’s a smile on Billy’s face that he hasn’t seen in a long time – a smile, not a smirk or a leer. He wonders, absently, if this is how he looks like to Steve.

It’s weird. That a sweater can remind him so much of his boyfriend, when none of them have made a habit out of wearing knitwear. But he can’t deny that wearing this one feels a little like coming home. He decides, then and there, that he’s not taking it off for the rest of the day.

~~~

It helps. Keeping up appearances during Christmas in the Hargrove house is stressful at best, but wearing the sweater somehow makes it more manageable. He doesn’t know how, but it makes him feel less alone, somehow. He even finds himself smiling when he’s helping Susan by setting the table for dinner – because it almost feels as if Steve is there with him, nudging him out of the way and laughing softly in his ear. Unfortunately, Neil sees him and barks, “What are you so happy about?” and Billy has to school his face into something less love-struck.

“Nothing,” he says, shrugging. “It’s just … Christmas.”

He’s in luck. Neil’s face is getting red and he doesn’t look pleased about Billy’s answer, but at that very moment Susan flutters into the kitchen and, having obviously heard what Billy said, sends a blinding smile his way. “I know, there’s just something about the holidays, isn’t it?” Susan loves Christmas. Billy hasn’t been able to relate until now.

He keeps the sweater on for the entire night. While they have dinner, while Billy and Max do the dishes (without arguing, even – Billy goes as far as putting some foam on his chin and pretending to be Santa Claus, which makes Max laugh), and while they all sit down in the living room to watch some Christmas movie.

Neil, Susan and Max sit in the couch. Billy sits in the armchair off to the side. It’s his usual spot for family time like this – always on the outside, never fully a part of the household. Normally, that would make him feel a complicated mix of emotions – because it’s not like he’d really want to sit squeezed in next to Susan or his dad – but today, it doesn’t bother him at all. Because today, he’s wearing Claudia’s home-knit blue sweater, and when he crosses his arms over his chest it sort of feels like they’re someone else’s hands.

He is so distracted by it that he barely knows what goes on in the movie.

When it’s over, Billy knows that his Christmas obligations have been fulfilled, and asks to be excused. Neil grants it, barely looking up, and Billy goes back to his room, where he lies down on top of the covers and looks up at the dark ceiling. Colored lights from the neighbors’ Christmas display light up parts of Billy’s room at random intervals. Outside his window, the snow falls down slowly over Hawkins and covers the world in white.

He rolls over to the side and closes his eyes. Imagines Steve’s arms around him, hugging him close. It feels real enough that he can almost imagine Steve’s heartbeat against his back. It makes him feel safe, and the beat of it lulls him to sleep.

He falls asleep like that, and dreams of Steve.

~~~

There’s something strange about Claudia’s sweater. Not bad-strange. Good-strange. But still. Feeling your boyfriend’s presence whenever you wear it is not exactly a natural thing, Billy thinks.

That doesn’t stop him from wearing the sweater to bed every night. And Steve keeps appearing in his dreams.

~~~

Two days before New Year’s Eve, Neil’s patience for Billy runs out, which is longer than Billy had been expecting. Max is out with her friends, apparently learning how to ski, and Susan is nowhere to be found when Neil finally snaps and lays into Billy for playing his music too loud and leaving dirty dishes in the sink – not caring that it was Max’s turn to wash them.

After, Billy’s got a smarting left side of his face and is tasting blood from where his teeth cut into his cheek, but he looks in the mirror and doesn’t think it’ll leave any marks. Even though he’s on break, Neil is usually aware enough not to leave too much visible damage on his face. Instead he normally concentrates on Billy’s torso, which he’ll be able to cover up with clothes.

Today was no different. Billy got pushed up against a wall while Neil hissed accusations at his face, and then he got a sucker punch to the gut which made him double over. But he barely felt the hits that came after that.

Neil must have been holding back this time, because when Billy lifts up the hem of his sweater (Claudia’s sweater) to inspect the damage in front of the mirror in his room, he finds that there isn’t a mark on him. The pain from the hits has already faded, and it doesn’t hurt at all to breathe or move. He tests it by taking a deep breath, and reaching up and out with both his arms. Nothing. Not a twinge.

Neil must be losing his touch.

~~~

When the break is over, and the Sunday before they’re due back at school, they have another get-together at the Henderson house. The official excuse is to have a nice ending to the break, but the unofficial excuse is to celebrate Steve getting back from Europe and having everyone back in the same state again – Lucas’ family spent New Year’s with relatives in Pennsylvania, and he only returned two days ago.

Billy hasn’t actually met Steve since he got back. He and his parents flew in late last night, and Billy hasn’t dared to call his house in fear of disturbing him or his parents if they’re sleeping. Billy himself has never flown anywhere and hasn’t ever experienced jet-lag, but Steve assures him that it’s the worst.

There is too much nervous energy buzzing under his skin all day, and not even wearing the blue sweater can calm him down. Wearing it today almost itches, with how much he longs to have Steve’s arms around him for real. But they’re not supposed to be at the Henderson house until five.

At four, Max barges into his room. “We going, or what?” She hasn’t met with Lucas in almost a week, so she is almost as anxious to leave as Billy.

Almost.

He doesn’t even scold her for barging into his room, instead he just nods and gets up, grabbing his keys and his jacket as he goes.

They’re the first ones to arrive at Claudia’s house, which he knew they would be since it’s just a five minute drive. Max and Henderson chat loudly while she takes off her winter gear, and then they disappear into Henderson’s room, leaving Billy with Claudia in the hallway. She looks at him, wearing the sweater, and smiles warmly.

Before she can say anything, Billy speaks up. “Thank you,” he says. “For the sweater. It’s … it’s perfect. My new favorite.” He swallows. “Thank you.” It’s just words – not enough to convey how much this one piece of clothing has managed to get him through the last couple of weeks, but he needs to say it anyway. Needs to try.

She seems to get it. Her smile softens. “You liked it, then?”

“I loved it,” he says. “I mean, I love it. Present tense.”

She laughs and opens her arms, and he can’t help himself; he takes a couple of steps and ends up in her arms, with her hugging him and him hugging back. There’s no one here to see him, after all, and despite the strange way the sweater has made him feel embraced for the better part of two weeks, it pales in comparison to Claudia Henderson’s arms around him, and her gently patting his back.

“I’m glad,” she finally says, still smiling, when she releases him. “Now, what do you say about helping me prepare dinner?”

Billy can only nod, and give a shaky smile of his own.

~~~

The others show up, one by one, but it’s not until Billy hears a familiar car in the driveway that he bothers to look up.

“I’m gonna … go smoke,” he says by means of explanation, and leaves Claudia and Mrs Byers and mini-Byers in the kitchen, where they had been helping put everything in order.

For once, he has no intention of smoking. Instead he just gets out on the porch in time to see Steve’s BMW roll to a stop behind Mrs Byer’s little green Pinto. Steve gets out of the car, struggling to bring a handful of bags with him, and Billy’s heart jumps in his chest at the sight of him.

He’s beautiful. His hair is perfect, he’s wearing a new coat that brings out the width of his shoulders, and under the jacket …

“Nice sweater,” Billy says, not even pretending to play it cool as he walks down the steps to meet Steve by his car. Steve turns, and at the sight of Billy his face splits in a grin that makes warmth spread through Billy’s veins. A second later, Billy’s words seem to register, and Steve looks down at himself. Pinches the dark red, almost maroon sweater that he’s wearing under his open coat.

“Thanks,” he says. “It was a gift.” When he looks back up, he seems to notice what Billy is wearing for the first time, and his smile widens. “I see you got one too.”

Billy walks up to him. Reaches up to run his knuckles over Steve’s sweater. “Yeah. Yours is as soft as mine is.” When he looks up, Steve is right there. Looking into his eyes. “It’s gonna sound weird, but it made me think of you.”

“No,” Steve says and reaches out, too. Lets his hand feel along the sleeve of Billy’s sweater, and then up his arm. “Doesn’t sound weird at all. It was the same thing for me, actually.”

“I wore it to bed,” Billy confesses, and doesn’t know why. “Kept dreaming of you.”

“Me too,” Steve breathes. And that’s it. Billy can’t stop himself from dashing forward and pressing a kiss to Steve’s lips, not even caring that they’re in front of the Henderson house and that they can be seen by anyone who walks by or looks out the window.

“I’ve missed you.”

Steve kisses back, almost fervently. “I missed you too.”

And Billy finally, finally – after two long weeks – gets to feel Steve’s arms around him for real.

~~~

In the house, Claudia peeks out through the little window in the front door.

She knows that her particular brand of magic is small-scale. Nothing big, nothing life-changing. She can’t fight monsters or stop time or bring back the dead. But she can bake courage into cookies and bring comfort with her hugs, and with a little bit of effort and a few strands of hair, she can weave love into her knitting, so that two people who are separated by an ocean and a twelve-hour flight can still feel close when they need each other.

And sometimes, that’s enough.

[qiriex]

Why do DnP have such a large transmasc/lesbian following?

Hi! So I put out a general feeler post about this, and it seems like y’all are interested in a big ass post about Dan and Phil’s relationship with their LGBT audience. Click on the read more for a bit of unhinged analysis.

I have… a lot to say on this matter, and tbf I warned you it would be long. This will mostly be focused on the wlw (specifically lesbian) and transmasc experience with DnP. Before I get into it, I wanna state that I am NOT transmasc. I’m a he/they afab lesbian, but I am in no way talking over any transmascs who have differing experiences. This post will mostly deal with the AFAB experience, as I am not AMAB and can’t speak for our lovely transfems/enbies/cis men! I love you guys, and I would love to hear about your experiences too, though! I’m going to be using as much non-gendered language as I can, however I’m talking about some pretty gendered topics so bear with me. One more thing to note is that when researching this, I found a lot more examples of Dan shouting exact communities out. This is a post about them both, as they are both extremely important to queer communities! It’s just that Dan has generally done more press runs relating solely to his sexuality, so there is more content there. I’m sure I’m missing a lot, though, and if anyone has more Phil focused clips/screenshots I would love to link them here. This is very much a work in progress post, I’m sure I’ll be adding more later and if you have screenshots/clips/anything, my dms and my submissions are open! Okay, done with disclaimers for now, I think. This post will be split up into a few sections: DnP talking about the LGBT community (both pre and coming out), how they empower their wlw following, how they affirm transmasc identities and what they mean to the LGBT community as icons. I would like this post to be free of any in-fighting drama, both from the Phandom and LGBT side of things. We are all awesome! 

Dan and Phil are both queer men who came out after acquiring a large fanbase that was predominantly AFAB (love you transfems and cis dudes going strong btw). However, a community that started out as a common “fangirl” fanbase over the years has shifted into a predominantly LGBT fandom with a disproportionate amount of specifically transmascs and lesbians. The word fangirl was often thrown around as an insult to people like us back in the day, but I think it makes perfect sense that a group of disenfranchised, young, queer AFABs would be drawn to DnP. Both of them were, for obvious in hindsight reasons, vocal supporters of the community. I can’t find an unedited version of the clip, but this clip from 2017 is a great example of that. Correct me if I’m wrong, but not a lot of non-out YouTubers educated their community in the way that Dan does in this clip.  I think sometimes it’s lost to time how bad YouTube used to be, that 2013-2017 time period was peak anti-SJW era. As basic as what he said was, somebody with his level of influence taking the time to educate his audience on queer issues as a presumed straight man was very meaningful. This not only created a safespace for young, queer AFABs but also made their specific audience more saturated with us than your typical “straight” YouTuber of the day. Their audience shares more demographic similarities with someone like Tyler Oakley than someone like Zoella, which makes sense in recent years.

This tweet from Dan from before he was out displays my point perfectly. To my enby ass, things like this meant the world to me and I can imagine it’s much the same for my transmascs out there. Going back to the clip earlier, though, I think that how willing to break gender norms they both were had even more of an effect in attracting transmascs who hadn’t yet fully discovered themselves. This isn’t denying that a lot of transmascs who were already out were drawn to DnP! Most of my Phandom friends were actually transmen back in the day. However, I think in retrospect there’s a huge pipeline from going into the fanbase as a cis person to coming out of it as… not. It makes perfect sense to me that a generation of transmascs would be drawn to and model themselves after the two of them. Going back to the YouTube landscape of the time, even their contemporaries had a much meaner edge that DnP just never had. This unfortunately made them targets of their fellow “vaguely emo relatable YouTuber” scene; people like Shane Dawson and Onision immediately come to mind, at the time they would have been in a similar category but in retrospect are nothing alike. There was an air of cruelty that Dan and Phil never fed into, consistently remaining themselves. I think that as a baby transmasc, people who stayed loyal to their principals even when it wasn’t the cool thing to do was really empowering. In a time when my friends were all fans of LeafyIsHere, Dan and Phil weren’t afraid to be kind. To be soft, even with the context we have now of how scary that really was. After BIG/COTY dropped, it was easy to see why they were great queer role models.  But I’d argue that they’d always been this, even before we knew they were queer.

This one will be a little bit more personal, but I would like to start this section out with a personal anecdote. I grew up in a fairly liberal household, in which I was told being gay was just fine. However, my mother just so happened to use the word ‘lesbian’ as a descriptor for any woman she thought was “unsuitable”. Ugly, boyish, mean, it didn’t matter; to me, lesbian was an unmistakably bad word. I knew that the word didn’t mean that, but intrinsically I had never heard it as something positive until I heard Dan simply shout out the lesbians on a YouNow stream. Simple, right? Four years later, and BIG came out. I identified as a bisexual “who would never actually date a man ahaha” at the time, and it was life changing. Dan and Phil have frequently shouted out their lesbian fanbase over the years to the point where it’s developed into a bit of an inside joke. This is meaningful for a multitude of reasons, one of which being just how demonized not only the word but the group can be. Even when poking gentle fun, neither of them ever lean into hurtful stereotypes. I went to We’re All Doomed last November, and when Dan took his jumpsuit top off the audience screamed. He yelled into the mic “I thought you were all lesbians!”, to which the crowd screamed even louder. You can poke fun at each other without playing into things like the mean lesbian stereotype, for example, and I think it’s things like this which show that they have a genuine appreciation for their lesbian audience. I can only speak from my own experience when I say that I was originally drawn to them for their authenticity even in a hostile environment. I was a closeted lesbain who had grown attached to closeted gay men, because on a level I didn’t understand yet I related to them. It was a parasocial relationship that if I never had, I wouldn’t have come out. This section is a lot less objective than the others, because for me it’s impossible to look at this objectively. A lot of the reasons that transmascs would be drawn to DnP are why lesbians would, especially in a less than LGBT friendly era like the 2010s. They were never afraid to be perceived as weaker than their peers if that meant being kinder, and from a lesbian lens this wasn’t how I modeled my new relationship with gender off of but what I wished the world was like. I grew up with a deep, fundamental fear of men that is still there, but when I would watch actual sunshine Phil Lester and Winnie the Pooh ass Daniel Howell it made me realize that there are people out there who have your back.

I think this is where the conversation turns to now; we are mostly all adults, DnP have been out and proud for four years now. The pair have returned to YouTube (gloriously, might I add) and can talk openly about even the most mundane parts of being queer. Dan has been a very outspoken part of the community, doing a really lovely bit of standup about it. Watch it if you haven’t. I don’t think either of them are obligated to be spokesmen for the community, in a way I think one of the most powerful things they’ve done after BIG/COTY is to just continue living. Watching two queer people thrive how they have is incredibly important. They’re still just as great role models as they have ever been, just with nothing to hide this time. I think now that most of their younger fanbase has grown up, we’ve been very reflective of our past with the Phandom. Certainly not me (lie). It’s not a mystery to me, though, that two groups of closeted AFAB children would attach themselves to figures like DnP. The pair’s content encouraged a level of creativity, of believing in yourself against all odds that was and is unmatched to this day. We can moan about how much of a demonic fanbase we used to be, but the fact is that we turned out alright. People wonder why our fanbase feels like the most healthy parasocial family this side of Tumblr, and that’s because in a way we are. We were raised by these two British dudes to be how we are today; smart, funny and creative. All kids have a rough teenagehood, don’t they? It’s no wonder why queer kids would be drawn to a culture like this, one in which despite everything there is still hope that we will one day grow up to be our honest selves. Dan and Phil did, and so will we.

Thank you if you made it this far! I know this is a bit over sentimental, but they mean a lot to me. They did back in the day, and they definitely do now. Like I said in the beginning, feel free to add on. I would love to hear about this from a transmasc perspective, or any other perspective! I just love talking about these two lol. Love you guys.

[doingherbestbutnot]

One of the most important things Nightow did to develop his plot (read: psychologically fuck up the twins) was create isolation between Kni and Vash with the rest of humankind early in their lives. Specifically talking about how in Stampede and the manga the vast majority of humanity appear frozen.

We see in both how Vash clearly wants connection (Stampede he's literally naming them [using their real names?? unsure] and talking to them) but Kni's full background wasn't explored with as much depth in Stampede (read: not a criticism of Stampede, she's only 12 eps long 🤣🤣 and I love herrrrrr she can do no wrong in my eyes).

But looking at Kni's background, especially in the manga?? Like damn bro lol Kni is basing his entire world view off of like four people for 100+ years essentially (confirmation bias is a powerful drug my friends) meanwhile I can’t help but think of all the people I know IRL that - even the non-anime watchers - who would meet someone like Kni and be like "you’re under our protection now; our rate is one hug per hour. Would you like to pay up front or create a payment plan? Also, here’s a list of recommended local mental health professionals. No shame in the game; we’re all mad here.”

Both as a joke and partially serious like… I just imagine the girlies on TikTok telling Kni he's fucking awesome, he just needs to meet more people, diversify his experiences, and check in with the squad/friendship-board of directors before acting when he gets upset 🤣🤣

I think the brilliance and horror behind Kni's character portrayal is how he forces you to question what is true "evil" and the juxtaposition with Legato and other characters is amazingggg. Like, reasonable people can conclude Kni's not truly evil and the most controversial part of him (and, conversely, Vash's pacifism) is how you can see and know people like Kni IRL and still love/defend them just as Vash does, but the moment you see another do the same you see the morally grey spots and flaws in your own actions. Kni's actions may be perceived as evil but the moment you divorce his actions from his mental processes he’s really just misguided, afraid, and so deep in a hole of his own making he can't see anything else.

Y’all have already (correctly imo) pointed out Kni isn’t Vash’s true foil in Trigun (he's more of a mirror), I just think it bears emphasizing that Kni and Vash are both so intolerably human in so many ways while both thinking themselves so different from humans. Which, I get is the entire point of fiction here but 🤣🤣

I just think it's real neat, okay?!?! I love that the twins aren't real foils to each other but one is a mass murderer for a cause and the other is so starkly pacifistic that he refuses to be "logical" and kill the killer.

This started as a small thought... and got out of hand. OH WELL LOL might expand more on it later but that's all for now ✌️✌️

[lesbianboyfriend]

((i’m sending this to blogs i know are run by lesbians, feel free to delete/leave unanswered))

recently i’ve had a spiritual awakening.

despite my fluid sexuality,

my soulmate is going to be another woman.

i can only imagine waking up next to a woman for the rest of my life.

i have known this for years yet never said it out loud.

how do i get over the fear that i am “missing” something by not “trying out” men?

how do i live my life prioritizing women and the relationships we have?

please share any thoughts you may have. thank you and blessings. ✌🏼🌿

hi anon!!

okay so firstly i would like to very gently suggest that if you can only ever imagine being in a lasting relationship with a woman, your sexuality might not be as fluid as you think. you might be a lesbian.

and i knowww it can be super scary to admit that. even to yourself. it took me a while to accept it for myself BUT the thing is that accepting i’m a lesbian has made me so much happier in my skin and self….and i say this even as someone who is not “out.” just allowing yourself to live that truth even if it’s just a personal truth is so freeing and wonderful. being a lesbian is actually so fucking awesome

obviously you know yourself your feelings your sexuality best so if lesbian doesn’t fit for you that’s cool. but i think the best way to come to terms with and learn to love your identity is simply engaging with lesbianism. which doesn’t have to be dating—talk to other lesbians, read lesbian novels, watch lesbian movies, find lesbian art….allow yourself to imagine a future where you are with another woman. allow yourself to imagine a future where you are with another woman and happy.

now how to get over feeling like you’re missing something from not having relationships with men. for me this one is really easy bc i’ve never met a man who isn’t the worst fucking person on the planet. i think about every woman i know in a relationship and how she’s settled for someone who doesn’t treat her as good as she deserves, who doesn’t help around the house, who doesn’t know how to express their emotions etc…..and obviously this is a huge issue and i hope all straight and bi women with boyfriends/husbands are happy and treated well. but i also know realistically that’s not the truth and most men fucking suck. so i mostly just think about that. and if you’re not attracted to men, especially with the prevalence of misogyny, there’s really. nothing attractive about having a relationship with a man other than social capital. (NOT saying that lesbians/lesbian relationships can’t also be bad/abusive/etc.)

now i can’t really give advice on being in a romantic/sexual relationship BUT i can give advice on prioritizing women in your life in general. number one, seriously confront the misogyny you’ve ignored from your male friends and acquaintances. chances are, if you’re like me, you’ve let stuff slide because you know they “don’t really believe that” and they’re “just joking.” well that’s not true. they MIGHT think they’re just joking but realizing that misogyny in the first place is even funny to them and actually grappling with that…changes how you see them! and you can do with that information what you will. but most importantly view it as a catalyst to simply prioritize the women around you. talk to them, hang out with them, compliment them, tell them when their boyfriend is being shitty and they deserve better (but be sensitive to the situation and don’t push. let them know you support them but don’t give them cause to pull away esp. if you’re concerned about abuse but that’s an entire other convo). flirt with women, uplift them, etc….if you find yourself focusing on mostly the men in a situation or even like when watching a tv show, ask yourself why? actively look for the women in a situation and ask yourself how they are being treated, who is being prioritized, and make it your goal to treat them right and prioritize them.

and at the end of the day, remember these phrases: “he’s just a man” and “i hope jakey dies”

i hope this was in any way helpful and good luck on your journey…..loving women + being a lesbian is literally the best <3

[davyjoneslockr]

kakyoin for the character ask thing?🙏

(For this ask game)

First impression: Like Narancia, I kinda knew I’d like him before I even got to Stardust Crusaders because my best friend (who got me into JJBA) really liked him. I actually got him a Kakyoin button for his birthday shortly before I started the series. Once I actually reached that part, I was kinda surprised that he started out as a villain, but I really liked his fight with Jotaro, his “redemption” (if you can call Jotaro removing the fleshbud in like 30 seconds a redemption lmao), and how his demeanor contrasted Jotaro’s nicely.

Impression now: Okay you get a senior discount if you remember this, but I actually had a MASSIVE Kakyoin phase a few years back. He very quickly became my favorite character over the course of SDC, and I still can’t listen to Goodbye Nostalgia without crying. He’s not at the forefront of my brain anymore, but I still really like him. He’s a great foil for Jotaro, and he’s so serious yet so strange and off-putting and that’s awesome. I wish we’d gotten more of his backstory sooner, because the idea of a character feeling isolated and unable to connect with others because of a stand (not its ability, but its mere existence) is so so good, but I still thought the flashbacks we got were effective. Honors student art kid who hangs out with his weird green tentacle monster and plays video games and eats cherries in the most unhinged way possible and has a mullet is just a great character concept all around ngl.

Favorite moment: Love all of the Death 13 fight it’s so good. I know people talk about the rest of the Crusaders being OOC, but honestly. I think it works here. Up until that point, Kakyoin sort of acted as a support or in conjunction with someone, usually Jotaro or Polnareff. So to see him isolated and having to figure things out in his own, grappling with questioning his own sanity and fearing the others leaving him, but also needing to take drastic actions in order to save all of them, is so awesome. As much as I love the scenes where Jotaro and Kakyoin have to rely on an unspoken trust in each other, or where Kakyoin and Polnareff have a semi-antagonistic brotherly relationship, I think Kakyoin himself really shines in that fight.

Idea for a story: Ohhh so many. He has so much squandered potential. I’d love to write something about his childhood, particularly his experiences at his old school and his relationship with his parents. And like I said with Polnareff, I want to know more about his time with Dio. Also, just. Everyone lives AU shenanigans. I love thinking about him finishing his high school years with Jotaro and then going off to Florida together for college and. Old Kak makes me cry. Let him be an unhinged middle aged man still getting into wacky stand-related hijinks. I need to write my part 6.5 Jouta au.

Unpopular opinion: Considering how much discourse inexplicably surrounds this guy, I feel like any opinion is an unpopular opinion at this point lol. So this probably isn’t a super unpopular opinion in the grand scheme of things, but whatever. I really like Jotakak. No qualifiers or conditions or anything, I just think it’s a good ship. Loners turned high school sweethearts who move in together probably too soon after graduating, but it works out because they’re the only ones who really get each other, and they grow old together, and they spend their afternoons doing word searches in the newspaper (but actually they just circle every instance of ASS and FART they can find and lose their shit over it). Like. Imagine being their classmate, and this new kid comes to school and he has a massive fight with the resident delinquent, and then they both disappear for a few months, and when they come back they’re best friends. And then you see them at your high school reunion years later and it turns out they moved to Florida and got married. Incredible dynamic imo.

Favorite relationship: Probably obvious at this point, but I love love love the way Jotaro and Kakyoin are foils and crafted to be literal opposites in every way, and yet they fit together so perfectly and their dynamic works so well. And his relationship with Polnareff is just. Chef’s kiss. They’re so weird and they shouldn’t be friends but they are. 20something eccentric flamboyant French man and this weird Japanese teenager who is his best friend. RE the ideas for a story thing, I wonder if they knew each other at all while working for Dio – and how different it must have been for them to see each other when they’re not under the effects of a fleshbud.

Favorite headcanon: He has a habit of running away from home, for both short and extended periods of time. It’s usually to get away from his family and the rest of the world, and to just have some time alone with his sketchbooks and Hierophant Green. He feels it’s a lot easier to deal with loneliness when other people aren’t around to serve as reminders. That – along with the fact that I hc his parents to be… not the worst, but not great – is why it took so long for his family to realize something was off when he disappeared for the last time.

[the-somewhat-rambling-reviewer]

Cherry Magic Ep 6 (Thailand)

Nice of the rest of the boat to just patiently wait for this private conversation to be finished.

I’m not sure if this was a translation error or not. Achi saying he’s always known Karan’s feelings is incorrect from a character standpoint, but him saying he already knew would be accurate.

Respect when someone says they don’t drink, jerkass.

I do feel genuinely bad for Karan, just like I did for Kurosawa. Both were prepared to be very professional, and both were not only treated horribly inappropriately with it arguably verging into sexual assault territory, especially in Karan’s case, both were penalised for their, actually, relatively mild reactions to being treated so badly.

I did like how this version handled Karan taking a metaphorical bullet for Achi.

Part of me is always going to love how unique the Japanese version is with Adachi really not registering Kurosawa on any significant level until the telepathy came into play, but I do like how these flashbacks set up the present dynamics between the two. Achi never got to know Karan on a deeply personal level back then, but he saw how thorough Karan was, he recognised the kindness Karan extended to him, and unlike in the Japanese version, he truly gained a genuine respect for Karan as a person, whereas, Adachi just had a basic respect for Kurosawa as another human being.

Also, the memory pen thing was sweet and adorable, but it’s a shame Karan went along with it instead of being a little braver and approaching Achi when sober and in a better emotional place. He could have offered the pen back, thanked him, and made an overture of friendship.

What is Achi, the pen warden?

Poor Karan can’t get up the nerve to ask Achi to see a concert with him, but he’s so gone that he’ll take something given to him in a quasi-scolding manner as a cherished gift.

Jinta has a point. I’m not really fond of the romcom trope of a relationship expert suddenly needing to find a partner, but it’s valid to want someone’s credentials before deciding whether or not to spend money on the material they produce.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Jinta and Min end up like that meme, Jinta: You’re flirting with me? Min: Have been for some time, thanks for finally noticing, also, I think I might need to talk to your bestie about his coworker if him being friends with you is any indication on his ability to receive signals.

Achi piecing together all Karan has quietly been doing for him for years was neat.

It’s also nice his reaction is wanting to make sure Karan is okay, feeling sympathy for what Karan has been going through, rather than it being framed as him missing being taken care of.

In an earlier episode, he was worried he was just using Karan due to liking being taken care of, but whether he realised he’s realised it or not, he knows now this isn’t the case.

Did Karan have Achi temporarily blocked, or was his phone turned off?

Oh, for frell’s sake. Pai could have just told Achi the information. She really doesn’t have any right to be so irritated about Rock inviting himself when she’s invited herself to what is clearly something private between her two coworkers.

That being said, her being, look, here’s my phone, ID, and the proper amount of money, so, even if I’m technically still stealing, I’m hoping you’ll allow it, hop on, Achi, I can and will drive this, was awesome.  

Why was Rock the one driving the motorbike instead of the actual driver? Or did Rock just find a nearby motorbike and go hey, I’ll take you to my awesome coworker who might have technically stolen your bike but I’m definitely driving?

I kind of imagine Karan hearing that Pai took Achi on a maybe stolen bike, they ran out of gas, and then, Achi ran in the hot Thailand weather and just immediately going, okay, Achi, we can have whatever type of relationship you want as long as it will ensure you never, ever get into a situation like that again.

I notice Pai rode side-saddle with Rock. I couldn’t actually see how she was sitting with Achi. Please, tell me she didn’t drive sitting side-saddle.

Damn, how far away was the airport? It was afternoon when Achi started running, dusky when Pai and Rock talked, and outright dark when he finally arrived.

Achi’s thought of receiving magic due to something higher favouring Karan is interesting, in-character, and exasperating. I’m not saying he might not be proven right later on, but it’s just as likely someone/something higher took a shine to him and realised the only way he’d get a person who utterly adores him and will always try to treat him right is if something drastic gave him the push to see said person was standing right in front of him, desperate to do just that.

[blog-reflection]

ONE / Twelve- For a Brighter Future

Being in Brighton is so unreal, especially for that long.

Today is friday. I’ve been in Brighton with Jeo for almost a week now and let me tell you, finding a nice apartment you like sucks. We’ve been visiting places non stop and to be honest, I don’t think I ever make it. I, again, got disappointed this morning. I was visiting that nice place with Jeo but someone really flexed hard with their photoshop skills. Meaning, there are only four visits left for today and another three tomorrow. I mean, I still like the time here. The more I am in Brighton the more I want to live here. I got a bit sad but also nervous I wouldn’t be able to find an apartment. Luckily I got Joe with me. He really knows what’s important to look at when making the move and he’s able to cheer me up most of the time with his positive “can do” attitude. We saw some apartments, some good, some really bad, but not what I imagined. I’m really hyped for one particular apartment though. Two room apartment, awesome view, perfect location…it’s near the coast, so that’s pretty cool. I don’t have a long walk to the park or the beach if I want to. In times like these I’m happy to work in a job that does not force me to any specific location.

Josepphe: You’re ready James? I know you really quite like this apartment, you’ve been dreaming about it none-stop since you’ve seen it. James: Oh yes. It's just, still reminding me of home somehow while being my own realm. Also, the flooring looked just amazing and didn't let me start on the sealing. I do think I will miss the big window next to my bed. That’s always a highlight of mine. Josepphe: you are the only one who liked the window in that house not gonna lie. Well, let me know if you like this apartment. If it is what they have said online then we have made a really good deal.

Josepphe is right, this apartment is quite cheap compared to the others we reviewed. I still can’t believe that this might be the first step to get independent.

We stood in front of this old big house. So far so good, it looks exactly like it did in the photos. I walked towards the door and knocked on it. An old black woman opened. She had black middle-long hair in a bun, wearing a white shirt and a pair of light blue jeans. She looked, unlike my grandparents, relatively young. If I didn't know any better I’d say it would be her daughter opening the door. She gave us a heart-warming hug and invited us inside, starting to introduce herself and getting right into it.

Sarah: So, this is it. My name is Sarah, I have lived here since something between the 60’s and 80’s. I don’t want to shock you but I’m better off if I say that now. Even if you rent the flat, I’ll be still living in this house till the end. The other candidates thought I would leave but no. I wanted to make this clear front up. Are you still interested? Because the other people left after they heard that they would have to share? James: Well it’s not like we see each other that often despite the fact that we use the same front door. Plus, you seem like a really nice person, so of course pls. I want to see my room now. Sarah: Very well.

With that said she walked around towards the staircase. At the end of the staircase was a really spacious room, the main room to say that. It has white walls and logs connecting the roof. Next thing she shows me in the kitchen, which is quite small but has all it needs. Same for the bath which is kind of big.

Sarah: Well basically that’s it. Feel free to walk around and ask any questions you have. You got all the time you need, you’re the last one for today. James: I do have a question. Are there any rules I’d have to follow since, well, you live here? Sarah: Oh, there is not much I ask for. It’s mainly to keep the music at a decent level, maybe a tad quieter in the later eve. Parties are okay if they are only in your part of the house, but please inform me before, friends however can walk in and out. If you give me my space, I give you yours. When you go to the store it would be nice if you at least could ask me. I don’t want you to do a whole shopping for me but maybe I run low on something. Oh, and if you want to chat a bit or play some chess or so that would be really lovely. But other than that it’s all yours. No rules about wall colour or something be free, as long as it is upstairs.

This sounds like a dream. I stayed in the room a bit longer and looked in every corner, every place. This is just amazing. It’s such a good apartment. I really love it. Lets just hope the price is still the same. If so, then I’m going to live here in less than three weeks. I would move everything over from my mum’s place in Dover to this apartment in Brighton. This will cost me a fortune but it’s worth all of that if I can live here in peace and quiet. I took view photos with my phone for later references and for Jesse and Lucia before heading towards the staircase. Sarah placed herself in her Living Room, watching the news. I awkwardly knocked against the door to make her aware of me.

Sarah: Oh, you got more questions I see? Or do you want to leave? James: I just wanted to ask about the pricing, if anything has changed or so ever?” Sarah: Well the price is still the same, 850£/month. The rent for the entire house is just really high, that’s why I can’t go any lower. It's less than what others pay to live here but Brighton is quite expensive. I hope you can understand this to at least some point. I’m really sorry that I can’t get lower on the pricing though.

She seemed mad about having to charge me so much even though it's not her fault at all.

James: Listen Sarah, I’m going to talk with my grandad about this for a second outside if that’s okay? We will be right back.

She nodded and Josepphe and I left the house, the door slightly open.

Josepphe: Soo? What do you say? Is it what you wanted it to be?” James: Are you kidding? This is beyond what I imagined it to be. Despite the fact that Sarah is just so lovely. It's really like a dream come true. But the pricing…. It’s a lot. I don’t want you to have a burden for so much money. Josepphe: Jam, listen…you really love this apartment and I’m sure we will not find something better. I promise you, don’t worry so much about the payment. Your grandma and I have saved a fortune just for you. I see how happy this place makes you. And to be honest, you really need to live on your own. You mum is sometimes a bit intimidating, even for me. Last time, at the family breakfast, she really said some awful things to her own mother. I haven’t seen you this happy in a while James. I like your smile, it’s cute. So, what do you say? Want to go inside and ask Sarah for the keys huh?

All these things Josepphe just said were way too much to deal with. I stayed strong but I busted out in tears inside of me. He put his arm around my shoulder and we both went to Sarah. I told her that I would take the apartment as soon as possible. We all sat down at the kitchen table to go through the final contract. Everything I asked her was now down written, proven with her and my signature. She copied the papers, grabbed the keys and said

Sarah: For a brighter future

With this sentence I was officially having my own space to live. To my surprise she agreed on moving in as soon as possible. I hugged her goodbye and left the house together with Josepphe. We were walking around the corner when I just started screaming. My granddad was excited as well and hugged me really tight before I jumped around in circles like a kid on their first sugar rush. Finally, after all that time I’ve been through lately, a shine has arrived. I feel that, from now on, things will get along easier for me than it used to be. Not only will I live in my own apartment but also be able to stay away from my mom for good. Ever since the verbal fight between her and Gérard, things changed. They are still married but life apart. Gérard lives in Deal now. I don’t know what he is doing there, nor if he has a new lover or so ever. I only know that my mom’s mental health started to slowly scatter. So slow that actually no one really notices it, who isn’t struggling with mental health as well. I can see that she is damaged, a lot. In stressed situations she tends to snap out of nowhere due to an overflow of either emotions or surrounding impacts, just like a view weeks ago at home.

After we came back to the hotel we decided to call it a shot. I cancelled all the leftover visits and started backing up. On Saturday morning Josepphe and I were walking towards the train station of Queens Road, Brighton to make our way to Kings Cross, London only to get on another train back home to Dover. This is a ride for sure and we have been up all week to visit the apartments but I’d say it's worth it. Brighton is far away from all that Bullshit I had to deal with. And the best of it, the train to Windsor only takes around 2 hours which is one hour less then from Dover. It's not like I visit Jesse that often, but it's great to know that even the opportunity is given.

I finally made it.

[fortuositywritings]

Collide

Part 1 Wanda x Reader

Summary: You bump into Wanda Maximoff at a grocery store. Wouldn’t be a problem if either of you were anyone else but you two were no ordinary people.

You would think having the ability to take anyone’s power would be awesome. It’s not.

With a simple touch, you could take any person with special abilities’ special powers from them. You figured this out in grade school when you high-fived one of your friends for the first time. Suddenly you could see through walls. That same year, you figured out they could take those powers back. 

A few years later you found out they could only take those powers back if they wanted them. You tried giving someone their invisibility back but they would not have it. Now you are stuck with it. You are stuck with a few others too, like walking through walls and mimicking voices. Those you got from random strangers on the street. 

Obviously, you tried to give them back. You wouldn’t take what isn’t yours, but it was an impossible task. Finding a stranger you bumped into in New York is kind of hard. 

You’ve tried passing off powers to other people but it never worked. You could only return them to the person who gave them to you. To give them back, all you had to do was touch them again and they had to want the powers back. It was that simple. 

So when you bump into Wanda Maximoff at the grocery store, things get a little complicated. 

You’ve made a friend recently who turns out to be Sokovian. Seeing as his birthday is coming up, you thought it would be cool to cook him a traditional Sokovian meal. A few searches on Google and you print out a list of what you need. 

You leave to the nearest store that would have all you need. You check off your list, heading toward the aisle of spices. You finally find the one the recipe calls for and lucky for you, it’s the last one. You reach for it but you feel someone else’s hand touching yours, reaching for the same thing. 

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she says. You look at the woman who is standing really close to you for a stranger. She has intense green eyes, you notice. She pulls her hand away. 

“It’s alright,” you say. 

“Was that the last one?” she asks, awkwardly.

“It seems so,” you confirm. “But we can ask an employee if they have more somewhere?”

You flag down an employee two aisles down and ask. They shake their head and then tell you they won’t be getting more until next week. The woman with the green eyes sighs. 

“We can split it,” you suggest. “I don’t need the whole thing. At least I don’t think so? I just need it to make a Sokovian dish that calls for it. I probably won’t be using it for anything else.”

“I don’t know. Sokovian food is delicious if I may say so. You’ll get a taste and might regret sharing this with a stranger,” she teases. 

You smile and ask, “Oh, are you Sokovian?”

She nods and you add, “Well, then I insist on sharing it with you. Maybe you can actually give me a few tips on this recipe?”

“What are you making?” she asks you. You show her the recipe on your phone and she kindly shares some of her expertise which you’re grateful for. She follows you around the store making conversation as you grab the rest of what you need. Technically, you follow her around as she suggests you other stuff to add to the recipe. 

You add a mini mason jar to your cart. You both head to pay and outside pour some of the spice into your mason jar and give her the rest of the bottle. You thank her for all the help and wish her a great day. 

Wanda gets back to the tower in a positive mood. Everyone notices and asks her what happened. She replies that she just had a nice interaction with a stranger and it made her day. 

Though her day was made, the rest of her week was hell. She doesn’t know what is wrong with her. Her powers have been failing her. She doesn’t understand. At first she thinks it’s just the more difficult things she can’t do but then she notices how no one’s thoughts appear in her head. It’s quiet. She only hears her own. 

Something was definitely wrong.

You thought you were imagining things but after guessing what your friends’ were thinking for the umpteenth time, you knew you had taken someone else’s power. 

You don’t think it’s too bad at first. Only your friends’ heavy thoughts made their way into your head. Unfortunately, some of those thoughts you can never unhear again. 

The problem comes when you go to the library for the first time with this new power. The library is hell. It’s full of people who are just thinking loudly. See in public, there are people who are thinking loudly of course, but there are more people distracted and speaking without thinking, which you never thought you would be so grateful for. 

You don’t last in the library for very long. So libraries are on your list of places to avoid. Soon, movie theaters are also on that list and then so are museums. Any place where people are meant to be quiet is where it’s loudest in your head. 

You wish you knew who you touched to get these powers. You begin to think back at everyone the past few weeks that you might have had direct contact with. A hand you shook or an arm you bumped into. You’ve always been cautious about your surroundings so these things wouldn’t happen.

Everyone you greeted at your Sokovian friend’s party you’ve greeted before. No one was new there. The Sokovian at the store!

Damn it. You never got her name or anything. Maybe you’ll encounter her at the store again. The next few days, you spend hours at the same store. People begin to think you’re an employee and you almost feel like one, knowing exactly where everything is from spending so much time there. 

You’ve even made plans with one employee to go hangout. But no green eyed Sokovian makes an appearance. 

Three weeks you have this power when you find that not only can you read people’s thoughts, but you hold things without actually touching them. It happens when you drop something in the kitchen. You reach for it to catch it before it hits the floor but it’s nowhere near your grasp. However, it never hits the floor. 

You then notice a red mist-like substance coming from your hands floating in the direction of the object. You see that it’s holding it up. After that, you start practicing with random things around your apartment. You begin with lighter things, thinking you would only be able to hold weight that you could in your actual arms, but it is not so. 

You work your way up to lifting your car in the air and in that same moment you learn you could do multiple things like lifting your car and replacing the flat tire. 

Two months with these abilities and you feel you start getting the hang of it. You still can’t go to the library. You’ve tried again but the voices are too loud. You still go to the store where you met the woman that unintentionally gifted you these powers to try and return them. She seemed like a decent person and you don’t know what she used these powers for. Maybe she needs them.

You still have yet to find her. 

Wanda hasn’t been on a mission in three months. Instead, Bruce has been poking and prodding her with needles and running countless tests trying to figure out what happened with her powers. Three weeks ago she began to go to a therapist because Steve thought it might be a mental block of some sort that she had to work through.

Though therapy was doing wonders for her, they weren’t getting her anywhere near having her powers back. Bruce’s tests weren’t helpful either. She’s been stuck in the tower for three months and her days have never felt so repetitive until now- train, go to therapy, undergo tests. Rinse and repeat. 

The media had begun to notice as well. She turns to another TV channel where the news anchor asks “Where is Wanda Maximoff?” as if she’s disappeared from the face of the earth. In a way she has.

Fortunately for her, you are watching that same channel. You are cooking dinner and have the television channel on for background noise. You hear them talking about the Avengers. They’ve never been of much interest to you, although they should be seeing as though you live in the same city and something is always going down here because of that reason.

“For those who have been living under a rock,” the new anchor starts, “Wanda Maximoff is one of the newer additions to the Avengers.”

“She’s the one with the red magic, isn’t she?” the co-anchor asks. That grabs your attention. You turn to look at the screen. “That’s right. She joined about a year ago after the fall of Sokovia.”

That had to be a coincidence, right? 

“She hasn’t been reported to be on any missions the last three months,” the reporter continues. That definitely couldn’t be a coincidence, you think, counting back the time you’ve attained these powers. 

“Here is a clip of Maximoff using her magic to save diplomats at the embassy five months ago when…” You don’t hear the rest as you watch the clip play. 

It’s the green eyed Sokovian who helped you out at the market. Your suspicions about it being her who had these powers were correct. You just didn’t think you took powers from an Avenger. Someone who definitely needs these powers to do her job and save people like the clip shows. Shit.

You smell the food you’re cooking burning. 

“Shit!”

Wanda pounds her hand on the mat. Sweat clings onto her shirt. She’s tired and out of breath. 

“Again,” Nat commands. Wanda huffs and stands up, getting back into her fighting pose. She takes a swing that the Black Widow easily dodges. Not two moves later, she hits the mat again.

“Again,” Nat repeats.

“Natasha, give the kid a break,” Steve says, watching from the side. 

“It’s okay,” Wanda assures him.

Natasha explains, “If therapy and tests aren’t working, maybe self defense will.”

Steve seems doubtful but allows it. They really need Wanda to work through whatever is blocking her from using her powers. He winces seeing Wanda hit the mat.

“Again.”

“I’ve told you for the millionth time. My name is Y/N L/N and I need to speak to Wanda Maximoff. Or any of the Avengers, really. Or even one of their assistants or something. It’s vital,” you try helplessly. 

“Unless you have clearance, I can’t let you up,” the guy at the desk says to you for what feels like the hundredth time. You’ve been coming in the past few days trying to get someone to let you see Wanda. 

“Look, it’s really important. Can’t you, like, give her a message or something?” You’re desperate at this point. He laughs. 

“Ah, yes, let me just text her real quick. ‘hey Wanda. It’s that one guy you said hello to once downstairs. There’s some girl here that needs to talk to you’,” he acts out sarcastically, which you do not find amusing. 

“Listen, buddy. If you do me this favor and get your boss or whoever can give me clearance to see her, I promise she’ll be so grateful for you helping me get to her that she’ll come and thank you herself,” you vow. 

“I can’t help you, Miss. Now please go or I’ll have to call security,” he warns.

You rub your temple in frustration. “Fine. There’s no need for that...Michael,” you read his name. “I’m going.”

You turn around as if to head for the door but then do a 180 and sprint past a security guard who shouts at you to stop. You make your way for the elevators as the security guard runs after you. You press the button for the elevators but you notice they’re nowhere near the ground floor. 

The security catches up to you and in panic, you push him away with Wanda’s powers. He goes sliding across the floor and you bolt for the stairs.

You don’t even know which floor you would find Wanda in but you assume it would be somewhere up top. You begin your ascend. You reach the fourth floor and realize you should start using the StairMaster at the gym. You hear multiple security guards quickly making their way to you. You panic and walk through the wall, not knowing what was on the other side. 

You’re in some kind of engineering lab. You don’t think anyone saw you walk through the wall, so you try to act casual and stroll through the lab trying to find an exit. Then you hear someone call you. “Hey, you.”

You ignore them and act like you didn’t hear. They tell you to stop walking, loud enough that you can’t ignore it. You turn around to see a woman in a lab coat. She asks, “You’re not allowed on this floor. Who let you up here?”

“Oh, uh. Michael sent me,” you lie. “Sorry, I’m new. I must have gotten off on the wrong floor. Maybe you could help me find my way?”

“Where are you meant to be working?” she inquires and you’re stuck not knowing anything about the Stark Tower or Avengers Tower, whatever it’s called. 

“The lab,” you say. Your vague answer obviously creates another question. “What lab?”

“They haven’t told me yet? I’m not actually working in the labs. I’m doing more secretarial duties, taking notes and scheduling stuff.”

“For whom?” she asks, narrowing her eyes at you. You can feel her catching onto you and it’s the only reason why you try this.

“For the big guy, obviously,” you say and then focus really hard trying to read her mind, hoping that a name will pop up in her head. Did Bruce get an assistant? You smile. “Bruce.”

“Well then you are way off. He’s usually working on the 87th floor,” she tells you. 

“Well, thank god there’s an elevator,” you chuckle nervously, pointing behind you. “Well, I should get going before I’m any later. You turn around confidently but as you walk away she stops you once more. You think you got caught but she says, “Elevators are that way.”

She points to the opposite way you came from. You laugh to play off your mistake, “Duh. Sorry, the lab is so big. Thanks.”

You head the right way. You speed walk to the elevators and then jog when you hear a rougher voice telling you to stop. “She’s on the fourth floor.”

You assume they spoke into their walkie, and you know you don't have much time before they catch you. You think quickly. You can’t make your way to the elevator because then obviously they’ll just stop the elevators. You don’t want to walk through a wall; the dangers of that are extreme given this is Stark Tower. You could accidentally walk into an ongoing experiment. 

You had to hide. And suddenly, you had the perfect plan. 

The security guard runs to you. He thinks you’re running for the elevator but then you turn before you get there. He sees you dive behind some clunky machine, presumably to hide behind. You clearly never have won a game of hide and seek in your life, he thinks as he goes around the machine to catch you. 

He’s left utterly confused when you aren’t there. The only trace of you are your clothes down to underwear on the floor. Four other guards make it to the floor. One asks him, “Where is she?”

He doesn’t know how to answer. “She was right here. Search the floor. She’s hiding and I think she’s naked.”

They disperse taking your clothes with them. You let out a breath of relief at not getting caught but then mentally curse that they took your clothes. You still haven’t learned how to make other things invisible yet. You never really used this power. Maybe you should start practicing.

You hustle your naked ass to the elevators, feeling incredibly exposed even though you know no one can actually see you. You press the elevator button and wait impatiently. It dings and opens. 

“The elevators!” You hear one of the guards yell. Two run your way as you step into the car. You put all your energy into staying invisible. It would be really awkward if you were suddenly exposed. You hold your breath when one of them looks in the elevator. You keep yourself in the corner furthest away from them. In their eyes, there is no one in the elevator. 

“She’s not here.” They leave and the doors close. You click the button for the 87th floor.

____________________________________________________

This will probably have 3 parts. 

[captain-kinda-trash]

Hi! I wanted to request some headcannons for rottmnt boys with a reader who gives great hugs and gets a plush hoodie this winter, so hugging them feels like hugging a teddy bear now

Of course!! Thank you so much for the request!!

Teddy Bear (ROTTMNT Headcanons)

This was what I had in mind while writing 🤔🤔⬇

Leo

Let's just be clear about one thing

Leo LOVES your hugs

CANNOT get enough of them

Long night of fighting for justice? Huggies

Gets into an argument with Donnie? More huggies

Hell, even walking past you in the lair, he'll do little grabby hands and act like a whiny baby until he gets his daily hugs 🙄 😩

But then you get a super soft, super fluffy, super warm sweatshirt?

Dead

He's dead

You're basically like a human heater for this cold-blooded blue boy

Since you've gotten it, you can hardly stop wearing it, because it's the most comfortable thing ever-

And Leo has gotten even more excuses to hug you

"Leo, im cooking!"

"bUT YOUR SOO COMFFYYY 🥴"

Will, without a doubt ask you to carry his lazy ass, just because he wants to snuggle into your sweatshirt

And don't even get me STARTED on movie nights with him

Because what begins as a cold-blooded turtle hanging onto your arm like a baby koala

Ends up being Leo curled up in your lap or somehow wrapped around you with this hot sweater

So while he's practically purring with comfort, you are sweating like a dog

Not to mention, this bitch is just heavy

like 200+ pounds of straight muscle, so I hope you don't have to use the restroom any time soon because it's going to take a while to pry this big baby off of you

I'd also like to mention, that you don't need to tell him not to steal your hoodie

because he’s gonna do it anyways 😎💙

You discovered this one day, when you slipped the article off to bake with Mikey

After a nice batch of cookies was made, your jacket was gone and you began parading around the lair to find it 

Only to see Leo, snuggled in his bed and playing on his phone, with your hoodie practically swallowing him whole

If he hadn’t looked so comfortable, you would have been angrier, and just settled for scolding him playfully for stealing it

it was hell trying to pry it off of him,  though...

This turtle knows how to wrestle and he will not hesitate to kick your ass over this fluffy sweatshirt 😤

These two things (hugs and your hoodie) combined just make Leo melt into a puddle, and he couldn’t be happier to have all of your teddy bear hugs :>

Mikey

um, have you met this turtle?

KING of hugs

It’s so great how both of you share the same energy

Though he’s more cold-blooded, like Donnie, he needs all of the hugs

It’s just your thing

With Raph, you have fist bumps, Leo, you’ve got a cool handshake, Donnie is more for high-fives 

And for Mikey, it’s hugs 

He practically tackles you to the ground in tight hugs whenever you get home from school/work and come to the lair, like a happy little puppy

Speaking of puppies…

That’s what he says your hoodie feels like whenever it first arrives in the mail.

Immediately, you throw it on, and Mikey is all over it, petting the soft fabric and squealing in excitement 

Can he please wear it?? 🥺

Little Mikey didn’t even have to ask before you shed the hoodie and let him try it on

And OH

MY

FLUFFY...

The amount of cuteness that this turtle radiates when he’s smiling like an idiot and flapping the oversized arms around is just-

He vows to get his own since it’s so warm and comfortable

But he’s very respectful and gives it back to you

Only to attack you in another hug and lift you off of the ground because you look so adorable

“You’re like a little teddy bear!” *excited squeal!*

Mikey 100% respects your space so if you’re ever snuggling, he’s instantly aware of your getting sweaty or uncomfortable and will let up or loosen his arms

Winter days?

Snuggles all day and night

when Mikey (politely) asks to wear your jacket, he’ll throw it on and give you piggyback rides around the lair, because we love fun

And for Christmas, you get him his own, and he’s IN LOVE 

Sweater buddies 

He gets one in his favorite color and little ears on the hood and once a week, when they need to be thrown in the washer, you’ll keep him warm while he waits.

(Leo gets jealous of all the attention you’re giving Mikey >:o)

Donnie

we all know that Don isn’t the biggest on physical affection

If he wants a hug, usually he’d be the one to initiate, which is totally cool, since usually he’s forced into a hug by his brothers (secretly loves it tho)

He does enjoy your hugs, though he can be a bit awkward and stiff with them at first

If he’s feeling down, needs to be warmed up a bit, he’ll immediately seek your comfort

Even out of his brothers, you’re secretly his favorite 

Sure he loves Dr. Delicate Touch, but sometimes Donnie would rather go to someone who isn’t very pushy with solutions, and is willing to listen

And we can also all agree that he has an immaculate fashion taste ✨💜

When he sees the fluffy sweater draped over your arm, he’s immediately running over, analyzing the fabrics, and rushing to get you to try it on

Why? Fashion show 

Loves the warmth of your hoodie

And I because “it’s so soofff”

Donnie’s blood runs the coldest out of all of his brothers and he has the most sensitive shell, so he just adores your sweater

Is definitely contemplating on getting one for himself, though he wouldn’t tell you at first, because you might think he’s trying to copy your awesome style, and that would just destroy his massive ego 😩💅

He enjoys it when you sit in his lab with him, maybe rested against his side with your hoodie on, as you play on your phone/read/draw

Also up for snuggles when it’s extra chilly in the Lair, or when his brothers aren’t around, because once again, damaged ego

Movie marathons?

Hell yeah

Donnie will always make sure your comfortable before he gets comfortable on the couch, so you won’t shift around while watching the movie

He’s also very vulnerable when he takes his battle shell off, and in more ways than one

You know he’s got real, strong trust when he does so and will let you carefully hug him from behind with your hoodie on, since it’s so soft

Donnie will also snatch your massive jacket if he gets the chance, and disappear into his lab for days with it on

And he’ll never tell a soul this…

But he loves it the most, because it smells like you, 💜

so it’s like having you right beside him while you’re gone, or when he’s busy building something 

Also, tries to use his classic and sarcastic charm when it comes to asking for your hoodie back

“Come on Don, it’s cold outside! I need it!”

“But would you take it from such a luxurious face as this?” 😏

“😒”

“Right, giving it back-“

He totally gets his own hoodie, by the way

Purple (obviously)

But it just isn’t the same as your own, so Donnie might just have yours on and then wrap his own around his waist

Yep

He sure does love his teddy bear 💜

Raph

Okay but Raph is an actual teddy bear-

A big, mom-friend, weapon-wielding teddy bear

He LOVES giving hugs, and most would recognize this, seeing the various pictures and instances where he pulls all three of his brothers in for a great big group hug ❤

He's constantly reminding himself that you are much much more prone to injuries than his brothers, so he holds you like a little baby when he hugs you

(Unless he gets super excited or has a really rough night, so just be aware that you might be restricted of breathing privileges in that case-)

Usually so gentle 🥺

Just picks you up and wraps those huge freaking arms around you like giant pillows

And he LOSES HIS SHIT when you come back with this fluffy ass hoodie

Has this infatuation with petting the fur and running his fingers over it

He has never felt something so soft in his entire life 😩❤

And then when he hugs you with it on-

aUGGGH ❤❤

"Why are you a like big teddy bear?!"

"Buddy, you're just getting a taste of my own world-"

Poor Raph, being the size he is and having such a spiky shell, can't just wear your hoodie like his brothers :(

I mean, sure he could take it so easily

But he doesn't want to disrespect your things, or make you upset, because this man is The Gentleman™

So, rather than asking to wear it, he'll ask to spend more time with you

Not just for the hoodie ofc, but because of your sweet gentleness and warmth

Better quit your job babe, because your new occupation?

Raph's cuddle buddy

He refuses to let you become uncomfortable, makes sure there are the right amount of pillows, blankets, and room for you to move around while you snuggle together etc.

Raph is also a heavy sleeper, so once he gets comfy and warm enough, he'll probably doze off and trap you in his big "arm cage"

Really, his nature is pure and gentle and everything you could ever imagine when it comes to hugging his little teddy bear ❤🐢

@getacactus @turtle-babe83

Hope you enjoyed this little ditty! I LOVED writing these!! 💜💜

[storiesforallfandoms]

sweethearts ~ devon bostick

word count: 1446

request?: yes!

“I’m not sure if you do this but can you do a Devon Bostick imagine where they met on the set of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and they’re still together till this day? Possibly like them being asked about their relationship in a interview or something. Thank you so so much :))”

description: in which they’re teenage sweethearts, and everyone finds this fact absolutely adorable

pairing: devon bostick x female!reader

warnings: swearing

masterlist (one, two)

Landing the role of Jessie Jones in the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie was a massive deal for me for many reasons. First, it was my first starring role - I was playing a family friend of the Heffley’s and would be featured heavily in the movie. Then there was the fact that this was a movie adaptation of a very popular book series, a series that I had also been into at the time.

Walking onto set that first day I was shaking with nervousness. There were so many people - cast and crew - and they all looked so professional and used to a film set. I felt so out of place and I wondered if I should’ve been there.

“Hey!”

I looked up to see a boy around my age approaching me. I tried to swallow my nerves, but I found them just becoming heavier with someone actually talking to me.

“Are you our Jessie?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yeah, that’s me. I’m (Y/N).”

“Devon, I’m playing Rodrick.” He shook my hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Yeah, you too.”

I felt so awkward and I was so sure Devon could feel that. I just wanted to melt into a puddle on the ground and have the awkwardness be over with.

“Have you been to costume and makeup yet?” he asked. I shook my head. “Well, I have to go to costume now, I can show you where it is.”

I sighed with relief. “That would be great.”

“Follow me.”

He led me from the set to the group of trailers outside. I tried to peer at the signs on the trailer doors to see what they were, but we were walking so quickly I didn’t really have time.

“Is this your first movie?” Devon asked.

“Kind of,” I said. “I’ve had mainly small roles or background work. What about you?”

“A few bigger roles. I’m in the Saw movie that’s coming out this year, actually.”

“That’s awesome! Although I am a massive pussy so I think I’d skip on that one.”

Devon laughed. “I don’t blame you. They’re scary movies. I don’t even know if I’m allowed to watch the movie.”

Our conversation was interrupted when we arrived to the costume trailer. We were both whisked away to get ready. I didn’t see Devon for nearly an hour, but by the time we reunited we were preparing for the first scene of the day.

It didn’t take long for me to lose my nerves. Within a few minutes of shooting I got into the character and almost forgot about the cameras and the crew watching me. At the end of the day I didn’t even want to go home, I just wanted to keep filming.

Devon found me as I was waiting for my ride home. “Hey, great job today rookie.”

I chuckled. “Thanks. It helps to have such great castmates.”

“You seem pretty professional as is, but maybe we could hang out and run lines for tomorrow’s shoot. If...if you want?”

He seemed so shy and awkward, the exact opposite of how he had been all day. It was kind of cute...okay, really cute.

“That’d be great actually,” I said. “Where did you have in mind?”

“There’s a fast food place not too far from here. We could walk there.”

“Sounds good. Lead the way!”

~~~~~~

10 Years Later

My giant husky, Heimdall, came bounding into the room and onto my lap as I was talking to the talk show host on my laptop. I let out a groan as I felt the air being knocked out of me.

“Well, this is a pleasant surprise,” the talk show host chuckled.

“For you maybe,” I joked. “I don’t quite enjoy my big dog thinking he’s still a puppy or a lap dog, but I can’t really pretend like this is something new for him.”

Heimdall licked at my face as I scratched his head. Devon appeared in the doorway moments later, a guilty look on his face as he tried not to be too much on camera.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize the door was open,” he said.

“It’s okay,” I said to him.

Devon whistled for Heimdall to follow him out of the room, which led to the giant dog digging his paws into my stomach as he jumped off of me. I groaned again, playfully glaring after him as he trotted out the door.

“Interesting interlude there,” the host teased. “Was that Devon Bostick we heard in the background there?”

“It was indeed. He took Heimdall out for his daily walk while I’m in the interview. I’ll likely get tackled by the big brute again when I leave the room.”

“How often do the two of you get asked about Diary of a Wimpy Kid and your relationship starting there?”

“Not as often anymore. It’s been nearly 10 years since we started dating and eight since the last movie in the trilogy, which I wasn’t really in. I’ve been asked every now and then about it, but not as often as you would think.”

“Pardon my brief gushing, I just think the two of you are adorable. I mean, you were both teenagers when you met on set and started dating shortly after, and you’re still together all these years later! Most high school sweethearts don’t make it this long as it is, let alone being in the public eye for basically your entire relationship.”

“Well that’s the thing, we haven’t really been in the public eye all that often. We kept pretty lowkey when we first started dating, which wasn’t hard cause neither one of us was all that famous. Once our careers got bigger and we started getting noticed we had basically figured out how to hide from paparazzi and cameras and all. We don’t post about each other on social media all that much either, just a picture every now and again. We’re not sharing our day by day lives with the world basically, which I think is the best way to keep a relationship private and to navigate through being two celebrities dating.”

It had worked thus far in mine and Devon’s relationship. Even after confirming that we were dating just before the release of Rodrick Rules, neither one of us posted the other on social media at all. It wasn’t until the first set of breakup rumors started swirling that we decided to make tiny posts about each other when we felt like it, which was mainly on birthdays and holidays really.

Although, even if we were super public with our relationship, I didn’t think anything would pull us apart. As cheesy as it is to say, I did think Devon was my soulmate. We clicked so quickly after that first time hanging out (which we decided had been our first date years later), and I had never felt so confident that I was meant to be with someone. I wasn’t surprised that we were still together all these years later.

I continued with my interview for a while more before saying goodbye to the talk show host and leaving the video call. I sighed and stretched my back out, feeling the tensed muscles from sitting for so long popping. As I expected, the moment I opened the door, Heimdall came running for me.

“One of these days you’ll realize you’re not such a small dog anymore,” I told him, kneeling down to pet him. He licked at my face in response, which I figured meant he would never realize that.

“Did we derail the interview too much?” Devon asked, coming to join me on the floor.

I shook my head. “Not much. We talked about our relationship a little bit, but we moved on almost immediately after that.”

Devon smiled. “Yeah? What were you talking about?”

“Oh, the usual: meeting on set, keeping our relationship lowkey, when you’re gonna put a ring on it.”

He gave me a playful look. “You say that as if you’re not the one who said you’re more than okay with just being common law married until we’re 30.”

I nudged him. “Yeah, whatever. Let’s go take this oversized baby and watch some movies downstairs.”

Devon nodded and leaned forward. I gave him a quick kiss before pulling away and shoving the massive dog towards him. While he was incapacitated, I took the opportunity to run down the stairs. Heimdall was to his feel and chasing after me, Devon following closely on his tail.

I couldn’t imagine a better life than this, with my teenaged sweetheart and our fur baby. The perfect happily ever after if you asked me.

[oumaheroes]

Congrats on 100+ followers, you deserve it! I love your blog and writing! For the writing-promp, how about some outsider pov fruk?

Reflections

Word Count: 1690

Characters: England, France - FrUK, America, Canada

----

‘It’ll be fun!’

‘No, it won’t.’

‘Yes it will,’ America insists, leaning forward to get a better look at the screen. England’s face through the webcam is decidedly unimpressed.

‘I don’t like house parties,’ he says, but America can hear slight resignation already there in his voice and so pushes again to seal the deal.

‘Please? Come on man, it’ll be great. Right after the G20 meeting in Texas too so there’s no work to worry about; just stay one more day for it. And hey, if you don’t like it you can leave.’

England raises an eyebrow, ‘You invited me to stay withyou.’

America shrugs, unbothered, ‘Then don’t! Or, do- whatever. It’s up to you.’

England sighs and looks conflicted. America seizes the opportunity and goes in for the kill, ‘Everyone else will be there too; you don’t wanna get FOMO.’

‘I don’t get FOMO,’ England snaps, looking affronted, and America instantly knows he’s won, ‘But fine, if it means that much to you, I’ll come.’

America tries to school his face into something that doesn’t look too triumphant, ‘Awesome! Kay, so it’ll be casual, no need to dress up or be all fancy or anything.’

‘Yes yes,’ England waves a hand dismissively and shifts in his chair, ‘I know how a house party works. I do go to some, you know.’

‘Cool cool cool, just making sure.’ America can’t really picture England at the sort of house party he is thinking of, people lounging about on furniture and playing silly drinking games. But it must happen, he supposes- he’s seen England drunk in pubs before and he’s boisterous so it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to imagine him in an even more casual setting.

Suddenly, America notes the darkness of England’s surroundings and checks the clock in the bottom corner of his screen, ‘Hey, it’s getting pretty late for you over there, isn’t it? I should let you go.’

England glances at his wrist, entirely ignoring the PC he’s using, ‘Yes, I suppose so. Okay, likely I’ll see you next month then.’

‘No backsies, you said yes,’ America reminds him.

England rolls his eyes, ‘I meant that I won’t see you until then, I already said I was coming; I’ll come.’

‘Good!’ America moves his mouse to end the call, ‘See you there, old man. Try to be fun.’

‘What is that supposed to-‘

‘Bye!’

----

Canada glances about the room and nods, ‘It’s not bad.’

America reels back, ‘Not bad? Dude-‘ he gestures to the living room they’re in the doorway of and then to the pool outside, both places spilling over with nations chatting and enjoying themselves under the beat of the music, ‘-it’s more than not bad!’

It really was, in his humble opinion, probably one of his best in recent years. Nearly everyone had turned up who said they were going to and there had been a steady flow of conversation and dancing all night. America had scoped the place out every now and again, making rounds through the house to make sure there were no stragglers sitting somewhere on their own but there wasn’t a need for it- things had run smoothly without him needing to intervene and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. This is why he liked house parties, more than any other type of ‘function’. House parties had a more relaxed vibe, where no one felt the need to impress or do themselves up too much (unless you were one of the older ones, that is; it seemed that no matter what you told them they’d still arrive a bit more formally dressed than everyone else, as if they had some sort of inbuilt compulsion).

Things going so well was probably helped, too, by the fact that America had only invited friends and family. One, because inviting the entire world and putting them in one place anywhere would always result in some form of argument, but also because this was his house and he didn’t want it to get trashed, (regardless of what England had groused when he first arrived and had seen the condition of the place).

Canada shrugs and takes a sip of his drink, ‘I’ve been to better.’

America frowns, disappointed, before jostling his arm playfully when he notices the small, guilty shift of Canada’s eye, ‘Stop messing with me.’

Canada grins behind his cup and nudges him back, ‘Well, no one’s dead yet. That’s always good.’

‘Amen to that,’ America raises his glass in a toast which Canada meets and downs the rest of his drink, ‘Want a refill?’

‘Sure.’

‘Come on then, I ain’t your servant.’

Canada gives him a flat look but wordlessly follows America out of the living room and through to the kitchen. Australia’s there with Mexico, digging about in the lower cupboards for something and Denmark is showing Japan a video on his phone that’s making Japan’s eyes go almost unnaturally wide.

‘Alfred mate, what happened to those Tim Tams you promised me?’ Australia stands up from his crouch on the floor and looks at America reproachfully, ‘I feel swindled.’

America opens his mouth to speak but Canada cuts in first, ‘I hid them.’

America turns to him in confusion, ‘Why?’

‘Zea asked me to, seeing as they couldn’t come. Something about what you did to them at Christmas?’

Australia throws up his hands and scoffs, ‘Jesus fuck, when will they get over that. Where are did you put them? Come on, don’t be a dick, I promised Mexico some.’

Mexico shrugs delicately, ‘I don’t really care, to be honest. I just heard they were bad and wanted to see how bad.’

Australia looks down at her scandalised, ‘Who told you that?!’

She readjusts to sit properly on the floor, ‘People.’

‘Yeah, sorry, I’ll get them.’ Canada’s job has been carried out to the minimum requirement and America knows that he’s happy that he can now take himself out of the silly argument New Zealand and Australia have slyly pulled him into. He goes out of the kitchen, leaving his empty cup behind, and America follows him curiously through the hallway in the direction of the study.

‘What did Australia do to Zea at Christmas?’ America has missed out on England’s most recent yearly family function; he’d wanted to go surfing with Hawaii instead.

‘Don’t ask,’ Canada says tiredly, the air of an older sibling who had seen far too much. America is offended Canada hasn’t told him already. He opens his mouth to say as much when Canada goes to open the slightly ajar study door before stopping abruptly in the doorway, causing America to almost crash into him.

‘Hey, what-‘ Canada hurriedly squeezes America’s arm and tugs him sharply away in a warning for quiet, catching his eye before glancing into the room meaningfully. America peers around him into the study, wondering what he’s seen.

At first, he’s not sure what he’s supposed to be looking at; it looks empty. The main study light is off, leaving the room lit only by one table lamp by the sofa that casts a warm, buttery glow about the place, softening the corners with shadows. He looks to Canada for help and Canada tilts his head in the direction of the French doors, eyebrows raised.

America follows his gaze and understands. The darkness outside has turned the glass to mirrors, reflecting the front of the old sofa that America could previously only see the back of. On it are England and France, curled up together with France’s head on England’s chest and England propped against the armrest, one knee brought up high for him to rest an elbow on. He has his other hand in France’s hair and is gently running his fingers through it, long languid strokes that feel entirely too intimate for America to process.

It’s a strange thing for him to see. He has accidentally caught England and France doing other things throughout his life but intimacy isn’t really something they display. They argue. They bicker. They fight and scream and laugh, sometimes, but they do not do this in front of other people, this gentleness. Neither of the two are what anyone could ever consider gentle, even France, for all his intentional touches and flirtations -the soft ghost of his hand on a shoulder or resting warm around a waist- are not this, not personal. France is very free with his physical affections but they are shallow things, meaningless and ordinary. There is something removed and detached about how he moves amongst crowds, gathering himself close about someone to brush against them as he stands that speaks of friendliness yes, but not closeness. Nothing special to note.

But here, curled on a sofa and unaware they are being watched, there are no guards up or cold pretences between them, just a natural, domestic openness that America finds oddly normal, for how little he has seen glimpses of it. England and France together are many things, have experienced every extreme and mundane state possible for two people to experience, and this side of them is just another shade, as hard as it is to find.

France tips his head back more and opens his eyes, crinkling their corners as he murmurs something low under the muted music that causes England’s lips to twitch into a rare, open smile. They could be anyone then, just two people on a sofa, young and mellow, and for a split-second America can’t see them as anything else. The warm mood hides their identity and blurs their age- familiar strangers tucked away on their own.

America jumps, startled, when Canada nudges him, an elbow into his side and he turns to find his brother gesturing with his head back into the hallway.

He agrees. America knows both England and France would be mortified to be caught like this, boneless and out of character around the person they often so openly despise, so it’s best to leave them as they are undisturbed.

Australia can wait, America will squeeze the truth out of Canada about Christmas and maybe take Zea’s side just for fun.

----

AN:

Sorry for the wait anon, but I hope you see this and I hope that you like! Thanks for the ask and for your kind words, this was a lovely prompt and I really liked thinking about how I could do this justice ;u;

<3

[ciasquare]

You might be aromantic if

I realised that the original post by the anagnori tumblr can no longer be located... This resource has been invaluable to me for years and I feel like it should be preserved. I’m glad that I copy pasted this list many years ago and I hope to continue to keep this resource available for all who need it.

This is a list of some common experiences that aromantic people share and is by no means a checklist that decides if you’re aromantic or not. Your sexual/romantic orientation is only your business and only you can decide how you identify. This list is just meant to help and nothing more!

When you discovered the word “aromantic,” it felt like something finally clicked into place for you.

Identifying as aromantic makes you feel relieved, free, happy, or more like yourself.

When you discovered the concept of a “squish” suddenly a lot of things made more sense to you.

You have trouble telling the difference between romantic and friendly feelings.

You’ve never had a crush on someone, or fallen in love.

You’re not sure if you’ve ever had a crush on someone or fallen in love.

You have trouble telling the difference between a crush and a squish, or between romantic and aesthetic/sexual/sensual attraction.

You have doubted whether crushes or love really exist, or if they’re just cultural constructs.

You find romance boring, annoying or upsetting when it appears in fiction, even if it’s written well.

You once thought that having a crush on someone meant you admired them or really wanted to be their friend.

You thought crushes were something you consciously decided to have, and selected an acquaintance or celebrity to be your crush, because everyone else was doing it.

You forgot which acquaintance or celebrity you were supposed to have a crush on.

If you’re not asexual, a “friends with benefits” relationship sounds ideal to you.

You have trouble relating, or feeling involved, when your friends discuss their romantic relationships or romantic feelings.

Falling in love doesn’t seem very exciting to you.

You don’t understand why other people make such a big deal out of having crushes or falling in love.

You don’t understand why people do ridiculous, irrational or over-the-top things in the name of love.

You don’t understand why finding someone sexually/aesthetically attractive would lead you to want a committed relationship with them.

Or, maybe you sort of understand those things in an abstract way, but you can’t really relate to them.

You have never had a romantic relationship - not because you couldn’t get one, but because you just never really bothered to try, or you liked being single better.

When a romantic relationship gets serious, it makes you feel cold, distant or uncomfortable.

Getting a romantic partner feels more like fulfilling an obligation, or something you’re supposed to do, than something you’re really enthusiastic about.

Your romantic partners always seem to be way more into the lovey-dovey stuff than you are.

A likable person suggests having a romantic relationship with you, and you’re indifferent to it - you’re open to trying it, but you won’t get disappointed without it. Other people may find your indifference bizarre or think you’re giving off mixed messages.

You have felt guilty about not loving your romantic partner as much as they loved you, even though you sincerely cared about them and wanted to love them back.

You have felt suffocated, repressed or tense in a romantic relationship, even though you really liked your partner and they hadn’t done anything wrong.

When your last romantic relationship ended, you felt relieved and free more than you felt sad, even if your partner broke it off, and even if you liked them very much as a person.

You’re more excited by making a new best friend than by falling in love.

You wouldn’t mind marrying your best friend and spending your life with them, even though you’re not in love with them.

You’d rather spend Friday night having a sleepover party with your buddies than going out on a date.

You want a best friend much more than you want a romantic relationship.

It’s not so much the idea of being single forever that bothers you, so much as being alone or unwanted.

You are either oblivious to other people flirting with you, or feel uncomfortable or threatened by it.

You are sometimes perceived as flirtatious when you only meant to be friendly.

You live in a large community and see or meet hundreds of people around your age every year, but none of them have ever stirred romantic feelings in you.

You recognize whether something is romantic or not by comparing it to other gestures, words and signals that your culture has taught you are romantic, rather than “feeling” the romance of it intuitively.

When you say or do romantic things, it feels like you’re following a script or copying romantic things you’ve seen elsewhere, rather than something spontaneous and natural to you.

When thinking about what sort of person you’d want to date, your criteria are identical to what you would want from a best friend.

The main benefit you get from a romantic relationship is either platonic, sensual, sexual, or a combination of those; the romantic aspect is okay but it’s not really the part you like most.

You have trouble imagining romantic activities that you would enjoy, unless those activities are also fun or interesting for you on a platonic or intellectual level.

You feel like your closest friends and/or queerplatonic partners are better at fulfilling your emotional needs than romantic partners would be.

You would rather be huggy, cuddly or emotionally intimate with all of your friends instead of reserving your intimacy for just one person.

You would rather have a queerplatonic relationship than a typical romantic relationship.

You don’t feel as if you’re missing anything in your life right now; having a romantic partner might be nice, but you don’t need it or seek it out.

The idea of being single forever sounds awesome to you.

You enjoy gestures and activities that are traditionally labeled “romantic,” but at no point during them do you actually feel attracted to whoever you’re with.

You don’t enoy gestures and activities that are traditionally labeled romantic, either because the romance aspect bothers you, or because all of them are just plain unappealing to you.

You avoid going places where people are likely to flirt with you, such as bars, parties, nightclubs, and concerts.

You’re not sure why other people enjoy romantic stories; you usually just find the lead characters to be annoying, boring or dysfunctional.

You like the idea of having a big wedding celebration more than the idea of actually marrying someone.

[peterparkers-bad-youtube-apology]

maybe Y/N Stark is a new avenger, Peter see her before in a college party where they had very great sex. When she is introduced to everone. Wanda reading her thoughts finds out what happened between them. and CAOS. I love you xx

Okay see I love this because it plays into my favorite headcannon that (y/n) Stark is just a big party girl. My favorite trope is just like mean x soft, love someone who is just soft for their baby and that is so my favorite way to potray (y/n) Stark, like she’s just kind of brat expect for with Peter. Anyway I’m saying a big fat yes, and here she is. Hope you like it babe! Love you xx

Guys I am still doing requests and promts so please feel free to send some in, or even just hit me up, would love to be your bestie 💖

Awkward

Pairing: Peter Parker x Stark! Reader

Summary: The first post hookup meetup is always a little awkward 

Prompts

Masterlist

//

(y/n)’s pov

New York city has to be the most magical place in the world, the lights are brighter, the buildings are taller, and the parties are way more awesome than the little boarding school dorm parties I’m used to. As a Stark it’s really just my social obligation to throw the best parties in the city though, and that’s a lot of pressure. I knew my New York debut would have to be awesome, so I rented out the 404 NYC and filled it to the brim with the best food and liquor money could buy, the most killer DJ I could find, and sent out an invitation to every socialite in the city. 

Then I invited Peter Parker, a boy I’ve only ever met in passing really, but he was important to my dad. Dad always used to tell me he thought we’d really get along, but we never really got the chance to know each other before dad passed away. Now that I’m in New York I want to try to be friends, he’s also the only avenger my age so if I want to carry on my dad’s legacy I think he’ll be a good teammate to have. From what I remember he was just a dorky, quiet kid, he’d hardly said two words to me the handful of times we had met. So you can only imagine my surprise when he walked in and the dorky little boy next door had become possibly the hottest boy in all of NYC. 

“Hey Peter,” I giggled as I waved to him, “I’m so glad you came.”

“Yeah, of course, I was a little surprised you invited me though…” he rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward smile.

“Oh yeah, I just figured a friend of daddy’s is a friend of mine,” I stopped one of the waiters walking by and passed Peter a drink, “Here, have this, it’s crazy good.”

He takes a little sip and nods, “Good. I’m glad you did, I was wondering if you were still gonna go to college out here after everything that happened.”

“Of course! I love New York,” I wink before taking a big swig of my own drink, “Plus I kind of wanted to give the whole Avengers thing a shot.”

“I heard, Fury said you’ve been talking about helping out.”

I nod, “Yeah, I don’t know if I really want to be a superhero per say, but it’s my dad’s legacy and I want to help out in some way.”

“Cool,” he blushed as he glanced down at his drink, “Sorry, parties aren’t really my thing still, I actually kind of just came to see how you were.”

“Aw,” I coo, “That’s so cute, I thought you would be, you seem more confident, you actually look me in the eyes now, mostly.”

He looked back up at me with a smile, “More confident sure, but I still don’t really go to parties.”

“Well you’re like an honorary Stark aren’t you?”

His whole face flushed red at that, “I don’t know about that.”

“Nah, you totally are, which means you’ve got to party like one,” I push the drink to his lips, “Chug that and we’ll get you another, then I’ll teach you how to dance,” I wink, downing my own drink to demonstrate.

He takes a deep breath and down the whole cup in one drink.

/

The first thing I notice when I wake up is how unusually warm it is, then it’s the arm around my waist. I roll over groggily and rub my eyes, giving myself just a few moments to take everything in. The first thing I spot is Peter, laying in bed besides me, naked. After checking him out for a second, what happened last night comes crashing back to my mind.  I feel my face start to burn, don’t get me wrong, he was great in bed, but I just know I totally corrupted him. Oops. 

It’s a little hard to feel bad when the sex was that good.

Peter’s eyes flutter open, looking over me sleepily before going wide eyed, “H-Hi,” he stutters.

“Hey,” I smile back, “You’re like a little space heater you know?”

“Uh, thanks,” he sits up very suddenly, looking a little frantic as he grabs his phone, “I-I’m sorry I really have to go, I h-have plans.”

I frown, watching him scramble back into his clothes, “No problem, I’m sure I’ll see you around?”

He nods, not meeting my eyes as he pulls his shirt on, “Y-Yeah, see you!” he’s out the door fast enough to give me whiplash.

Did I just get smashed and dashed by Peter Parker?

/

I feel awkward about what happened with Peter, I mean I had a good time but the more I think about it it just seemed like something was off that morning. I want to apologize or something, but I don’t have his number or anything. I was hoping he’d be at the Avengers tower while I’m in today, but no such luck. I feel really bad, I had a lot of fun with him, I really did want to be friends. He just really doesn’t seem like the type to hit it and quit it so I really feel like I did something wrong…

“Oh hey kid,” Bucky breaks my train of thought and draws my attention away from the papers I was looking over, “What are you up to?” “Looking over some of my dad's old suit plans,” I hum, “What about you?”

“After mission snack,” he smiles as he opens the fridge, “Peter and Wanda were right behind me.”

My eyes widen and I look right to the door, waiting for them to enter and debating what I should do. I guess just ask him to talk?

He meets my eyes as soon as he enters the room, his cheeks flush instantly and he clears his throat, “Oh, hey (y/n).”

“Hey,” I smile back.

Screw that fucking Spiderman suit, he should go to jail for looking like that.

“Hi (y/n)” Wanda smiles as she walks in behind him, “How are you?”

“Good, you?”

“Starving,” she rubs her stomach with a smile, “I need a snack,” she heads right for the kitchen while Peter just stands a few feet away from me. “How was your mission?” I ask.

“Good, nothing special really,” he crosses his arms over his chest, “How have you been?”

“Good.”

How do I bring this up? I mean normally if I hook up with someone I don’t care that much about talking to them after, but I really liked hanging out with Peter at the actual party too. He’s awesome in bed, let’s not pretend he isn’t, but he’s funny too, and wicked smart. Plus he’s a lot nicer than most guys, I don’t know, I just really got along with him. I really hope I didn’t ruin things between us.

“Well I’m just gonna grab a snack too,” Peter pushes his hand through his hair, a light pink color dusting his cheeks and nose, “I’m pretty tired…”

“I bet, you should get some rest,” I cross my legs and turn back to the notes, only to spot Wanda staring at us, “What?”

She smirks, “Nothing, nothing.”

I frown, “Okay, not nothing, what is it?” “You two are just having some interesting thoughts,” she snickers.

Both Peter and I flush red while Bucky cocks his head in confusion, “What are they thinking about?”

She gets ready to speak but I’m quick to interject, “Nothing.”

“The kids were just having a little fun,” she smirks, “Come on Bucky, I think they need a little alone time.”

He went wide eyed, “You two better not try anything in here.”

“Jesus Christ we won’t!” I snap, “You two are gross!”

“Oh I’m gross?” Wanda raises a brow, “I know exactly what’s going on in that little head of yours,” she glances towards Peter, “She’s into the suit Peter.”

“Hey!” I glare at her while he blushes, “Don’t kink shame me.”

“I’m gonna go throw up,” Bucky snatches up his food on his way out. “You better leave to,” I threaten Wanda, pointing my pen at her as threateningly as I can.

She starts laughing, “Yeah I’m getting out of here before you two start getting heated,” she winks to me as she saunters out of the room, “Wrap it up this time!”

“Hey!” I snap, my cheeks flushing once more, “I have an IUD,” I try to assure Peter, who seems to be malfunctioning, “Uh, you good?”

His mouth hangs open for a minute before he speaks, “I’m really sorry about them.”

I shrug, “It’s fine. I really did want to talk to you alone though, I’m really sorry about the party.”

He knits his brow, “Why are you sorry? I had fun at the party.”

“It seemed like you regretted it,” I bite the inside of my cheek nervously.

He purses his lips and shakes his head, “I don’t regret it. I shouldn’t have left like I did though, I promise I’m not normally like that.”

“Oh,” I don’t really know what to say, “So you really just had to go?”

He averts his eyes before shaking his head, “I kinda panicked?”

“Panicked?” I chuckle, some of my nerves starting to ease out, “Why?”

“I just haven’t really done that before…” he blushed.

My jaw falls open, “Oh my God Peter I am so sorry, I had no idea. I should have asked if I was your first th-”

“No, no! Not like that, I’ve slept with people before,” he shakes his head, “It’s just always been with long term girlfriends. I just didn’t really know what to do when we got up and I panicked.”

I can’t help the small laugh that escapes from my lips, “That’s really cute Peter, and I mean what you did was fine, I was just a little disappointed I guess. I mean I had a lot of fun just hanging out too so I was kind of hoping we could have kept hanging out, but if you just wanted a one night stand that’s fine too.”

“W-Well I wanted to keep hanging out too, I guess I should have just asked,” he laughs lightly at himself, “Sorry.”

“You can make it up to me by taking me on a date sometime,” I shrug, “You know, just if you still wanted to hang out sometime.”

He goes wide eyed before clearing his throat, “Oh, um, yeah, I should do that. Do you, uh, have plans tonight?”

I shake my head, “Nope.”

“Cool, uh, would you want to go to the movies then?”

I nod eagerly, “I would love to.”

“O-Okay!” he grins ear to ear, “I’m gonna go shower though, and change! I’ll be back in ten?”

“I’ll be right here,” I smile back, “Can’t wait.”

“Me either,” he begins walking away but spins suddenly loudly declaring, “Oh!” before he spins back around. He presses a quick peck to my lips and bites his lips, “Okay, I’ll be right back.”

I blush, my stomach filling with anxious butterflies, “I’ll be waiting.”

[likeshipsonthesea]

I don’t know if you take requests for nurseydex fics... but if you do the song “omg did she call him baby” by Beth McCarthy screams a heartbroken Nursey when Dex has a girlfriend

i like really can’t do genuine heartbreak but i CAN do angst that ends happy, so here’s my best shot :)

Nursey’s got a red Solo cup in one hand and a plastic champagne flute in the other and it’s sometime after three but before five and he is definitely not thinking about her or him or them together when he looks up between one sip and another to see the telltale blue hair reflecting the murky spotlights of the basement.

Nursey squints. He could be making things up--his brain is nice like that-- but he doesn’t think he’s imagining things. She’s got very distinctive hair, Dex’s--girlfriend. It’d been rather disappointing, actually, the blue hair. The whole thing had been easier to deal with when he’d been picturing some light-haired brunette going for an economics degree who smiled like a mom at soccer practice. Someone who Nursey could reasonably dislike on grounds of, like, predictability.

But no, Dex had to bring home a blue-haired physics major with a nose ring and good taste in music and the ability to out-argue Shitty while polishing off Bitty’s pie, i.e. perfect. Even Lardo couldn’t pretend like she wasn’t awesome for Nursey’s sake. Even Nursey can’t pretend like Amanda isn’t awesome for his own sake. She’s just so--so--

Nursey squints.

So-- making out with some random girl in a blouse at a frat party.

What the fuck.

Nursey is about two margaritas and three years too deep to be dealing with the emotional ramifications of catching the girlfriend of his best friend (who he’s also kind of sort of possibly maybe totally in love with) macking on some consultant for Goldman Sachs or some shit in the basement of arguably one of the worst frats at Samwell. This one doesn’t even have good music, Nursey’s only here to get drunk without the possibility of Dex calling Nursey Patrol and helping Nursey up the stairs and saying nothing about the poetry Nursey spills or the way his hands linger.

(Fuck does Nursey hate Nursey Patrol, fuck does he hate how much he loves it.)

Nursey downs the rest of the champagne flute--which was probably mostly orange juice at this point anyway-- and hands the red Solo cup to a freshman gearing himself up to talk to a cute boy a few feet away and then Nursey gets the fuck out of dodge. He manages to get a better look at the corporate recruiter Amanda is cheating on Dex with (and really, if you’re going to cheat on Dex, you’re really going to pick a chick in a blouse that probably has opinions on the stock market???) and if he hadn’t been sure before, the distinctive tattoo on Amanda’s shoulder proves that it’s really her.

(“Tattoos? Tattoos? I have tattoos.” “I know you do, Nurse.” “They’re really nice tattoos.” “I know they are, Nurse.”)

Emerging from the basement and then the frat house itself is instantly sobering. The chill from winter hasn’t quite left the air at night and Nursey wraps his arms around himself and doesn’t think about how Dex chirped him about not wearing a coat before he’d left. The frat isn’t far away from the Haus, thank god, but it is slightly farther when he turns left instead of right and then has to a backtrack a bit, but he still gets back in under ten minutes and he can still feel his hands, so overall, a win.

Attempting to get into the Haus quietly is a lost cause, given its one thousand year old floor and the fact that a ladybug could fart in the kitchen and wake up the guys in the attic. Still, Nursey gives it the good college try, which is why he’s creeping ridiculously through the living room when the light turns on suddenly and he screams, much to the amusement of Dex, standing in the kitchen doorway.

“Fuck, dude, what the fuck.”

Dex just smirks in that horribly attractive way of his. “How was the Psi-U basement?”

Nursey thinks of blue hair, washed out in the lights, Amanda’s hand on that girl’s cheek, the way Dex smiles when he’s around her. “Fine,” Nursey says, swaying.

The amusement falters and Nursey wishes he could figure out a way to keep the smile on Dex’s face the way Amanda does. Dex takes a step closer. “Are you alright?”

Nursey shakes his head violently and takes a step back, a step farther away. This is the part where he says yes, yes of course Dexy-darling, I’m right as rain, what about you? This is the part where Dex rolls his eyes and loops his arm around Nursey’s waist, his warm side pressed into Nursey’s. The part where they go upstairs, where Nursey writes his best poetry that he’s too embarrassed to write down when he’s sober, where Dex tells him to sleep well and lingers outside the doorway long enough for Nursey’s breathing to slow and then the floor creaks and Nursey knows he’s gone and wishes he’d held on just a little bit longer--

“Nursey, what’s wrong?”

Nursey shakes his head again. He means to say nothing, he means to say, I’m going to bed, he means to-- “Amanda, she--”

The concern turns to alarm. Why can’t Nursey ever make it better? “Is she alright? Did you see her? Is she okay?”

Nursey shakes his head again. He can’t seem to stop doing that. “She’s fine, she--she--” He swallows, and it’s sticky, cloying, citrusy and sweet on the back of his tongue. “She--there was this girl, she-- Amanda, she--”

Dex won’t stop frowning, concern knitting his eyebrows together with three short wrinkles, and Nursey has wanted to smooth them out with his fingertips every time he sees them since sophomore year, and he shouldn’t be doing this, shouldn’t be telling Dex this while he’s drunk, shouldn’t be telling Dex this at all, but he’s Nursey’s friend first and Nursey has to believe he’d tell Dex regardless of the love thing, he must--

“She was kissing some girl. In the Psi-U basement.”

The wrinkles smooth out. The amusement returns. Nursey--he can’t make sense of it over the ringing in his ears. Why is Dex smiling? Did--did Nursey do that?

“Did she look like a lawyer?” he asks, and at Nursey’s confusion clarifies, “The girl Amanda was kissing. Did she look like a lawyer?” Nursey nods dumbly. Dex’s smile only grows. Nursey is so, so confused and also more in love than he’s ever been. “Finally. I just won fifty bucks.”

What the fuck. “What the fuck.”

Dex laughs--laughs. “The girl’s name is Tammy. She graduated last year and moved to Boston. Amanda’s been in love with her forever, and I bet her that she’d get with Tammy before I--” Flush appears high on Dex’s cheeks, the soft pink one that means embarrassment and Nursey imagines would taste like cherry pie against his lips.

Nursey is--still quite a bit drunk. He needs--clarification. “You--you bet your girlfriend that she would get with her friend at a frat party?”

Dex’s nose scrunches up in Nursey’s favorite way--the same way it does when he’s trying to write humanities essays, the reason Nursey always says yes when Dex asks for help. “Girlfriend? Did you think Amanda was my girlfriend?”

Nursey remembers the start, hearing about Amanda every other day, then every day, then it was, sorry I can’t come, I’m meeting Amanda at-- and then one day at Annie’s, a girl with blue hair and a sharp grin yelled Babe! from across the room and planted a kiss on Dex’s cheek, her hand lingering on his shoulder, sipping from his coffee cup, getting him to smile like that--

“Well, yeah.” Nursey’s head is spinning and, for the first time tonight, not from the gin. “Is she--is she not?”

“Oh God, no, she’s so fucking gay, dude.” Laughter twinkles in Dex’s eyes. Nursey is drunker than he’s been since freshmen year of high school when Shitty snuck in some of his dad’s hard liquor and the janitors found them on the roof singing Disney songs at the moon. Dex’s girlfriend is gay. Dex’s girlfriend isn’t his girlfriend. Dex is--is smiling at him like he smiles at his girlfriend who isn’t his girlfriend.

“Oh,” Nursey says, dazed, “chill.”

“Oh wow,” Dex grins, leaning into the doorframe, “I can’t believe you thought--and you thought telling me my girlfriend was cheating on me at 3am while shit-drunk was a good idea?”

Nursey says, “Hey, honesty is important, and I’m not--” He stops. He remembers something. He squints. “Wait. If you bet 50 bucks on Amanda getting with Tammy, who did Amanda bet you would get with?”

The cherry pie blush is back. Nursey takes an absent-minded step forward. The room feels so much lighter now that Dex’s girlfriend isn’t cheating on him. The distance between them feels so much sillier now that Dex doesn’t have a girlfriend.

“Ah, well.” Dex rubs at the back of his neck, all country bumpkin sheepish to ask his sweetheart to the dance, and--and--

“I’m the sweetheart,” Nursey realizes with the kind of crystal clarity only afforded by the most copious amounts of alcohol.

Dex’s eyebrows furrow, those sweet little wrinkles appearing between them, and Nursey takes two long strides forward and presses his thumb into them. Dex goes cross-eyed trying to watch, but moves his eyes to meet Nursey’s after a moment.

Nursey grins, likely a bit sloppy from the gin, but he can’t find it in himself to care at the moment. “I’m the sweetheart,” he repeats, beaming.

Dex tries to repress the smile at his lips. “You’re not a sweetheart.”

“Yes I am,” Nursey sings, listing forwards. “You like me.”

“You’re an asshole.” Dex’s smile grows. Nursey watches its progress and sways.

“They’re not mutually exclusive,” he says, tracking the pink lips as they spread, revealing teeth and--and tongue and--

“I hate that you can still say mutually exclusive when you’re this drunk.”

“I’m not that drunk.”

“Yeah?”

“Mhmm. See, I’ll prove it.”

“How do you plan on--”

If Dex’s mouth weren’t so preoccupied, he might say that the taste on Nursey’s tongue is a good indication that he is in fact fairly tipsy, but as it is--well. He’s got other things to do.

(Amanda asserts that they tied since it happened on the same night and only pays $25. Tammy throws in five more and a condom and they call it even. Nursey kisses away Dex’s protest and pockets the condom, much to Amanda’s amusement. Turns out, she’s even cooler when she isn’t dating the love of Nursey’s life.)