#and it's not like Duncan is off doing anything better either

[championsandheroes]

I'm not even sure who is the most to blame here - the Dalish clan or Duncan. I am, however, certain that they are all to blame for Tamlen's fate.

Have you been abandoned to the mercy of darkspawn by your friends and/or family? You may be entitled to compensation. Go to Patreon or society6 to learn more.

[hvneybuckin]

tashi duncan

afab reader, age gap (reader’s in college), cheating, implications of oral sex & fingering, tashi’s kind of manipulative

18+. minors dni

950 words (not proofread)

Tashi knows real talent when she sees it.

She can tell when someone has the potential. The passion, the drive. When they just need that one last push to get them exactly where they need to be. Tashi saw that in you.

The way you held yourself off and on the court was admirable, maybe because of the fact that she saw a little bit of herself in you. Of course, you still had room to improve (i.e, your serve was the smallest bit off), but you were constantly crushing your competition regardless.

You could go so far with just a little bit of help, Tashi knew this. If you kept this up, the U.S Open could be right around the corner.

However, when you received the email in which she informed you of how much she adored your matches, going on to say that she’d be pleased to speak with you sometime soon— you definitely weren’t as composed as you are on the court. With trembling hands, you sent a short and simple email back, praying that it made you look professional.

The two of you agreed to meet at the hotel she and her husband stayed at. The building was humongous— it left you feeling like a fish out of water as soon as you stepped through the large glass doors. If rich people had a smell, that was what this hotel smelled like. Even the lobby was pretty big, decorated with modern art that claimed to have some kind of symbolism behind it.

It wasn’t long until Tashi had come downstairs to welcome you into her hotel room.

She looked so much more intimidating in person, feeling as if every time you made eye contact, you shrunk in size.

“I’ve seen you play. You have a special talent for tennis, something that’s rare in most players these days. You just landed a Uniqlo partnership, right? Imagine what else you could accomplish in the future.”

Her praise makes your cheeks flush. You’re afraid that if you try to look directly at her, the words you plan to say will die right there in your mouth— so you speak into your freshly made cup of coffee (courtesy of Tashi).

“Thank you, Mrs. Donaldson, that’s a really big deal coming from you.”

“Tashi’s fine. There’s really no need to thank me either. I wanted to talk to you because I think you can be even greater than you already are, hon. You just need someone to help you get there.”

It didn’t take a genius to understand what she was implying.

“Oh. Well, Tashi…I appreciate the offer but, don’t you already have a lot on your plate? You’re already coaching your husband, and you also have a kid— I don’t wanna cause you any stress.”

You could hear her chuckle, your eyes fleeting back up to meet her own.

“I think I can risk getting a wrinkle or two. Can you risk losing the career of a lifetime?”

Huh.

You stay silent, letting her words swirl about in your head. Your eyes are reluctant to meet hers, but you force yourself to do it anyway.

“No. I can’t.”

“You can’t.”

Tashi’s eyes urge you to say something, anything more. Your fingers trace the edge of the mug in your hands. You knew what she was waiting for. The words die on your tongue, your hesitation preventing you from speaking further. You could use the help, you knew that.

“Okay. Let’s do it.”

When you accepted, you thought you had an idea of what you were getting yourself into. Key word; thought. It started off harmless. Tashi was the teacher, and you were the student. She was helping you, training you to become better.

However, it was starting to feel less and less innocent.

It felt less innocent whenever she’d come up behind you, carefully helping you fix your stance and you could feel her lip graze your ear.

It felt less innocent when she invited you out for lunch and dinner, disguising it as a chance for the two of you to discuss future matches.

You knew it definitely wasn’t innocent anymore once Tashi’s head was slotted comfortably in between your thighs.

And for some strange reason, you didn’t quite seem to have a problem with it.

Maybe because of the fact that whenever you’d voice your doubts, she’d tell you that it was fine, that she was just trying to “calm your nerves”.

In fact, she’d tell you that every single time— right before burying her fingers in you, hitting that one spot that made your eyes roll to the back of your head.

It made you forget just for that moment; then the feeling was back just as quickly as it left.

“…Are you sure we should be doing this? It doesn’t feel right,” You took her silence as a sign to keep talking, Tashi continuing to put her shirt on while you rambled. “What about Art? Or— God, even worse, what about Lily? Jesus, both of our careers are on the line—“

“Do you wanna be a good tennis player?” The way she cut you off was expected, but for some reason it rendered you speechless. You didn’t respond, but instead blinked. Then you resorted to averting your gaze, head hanging low with…shame? Embarrassment? You weren’t entirely sure.

Tashi’s hand moved to grip your jaw, forcing your eyes back onto hers. “Do you…want to be a good fucking tennis player?”

You nodded— or, well, attempted to.

“Uh-huh, well, good players don’t question their coaches. Go get dressed, we have to see your dietitian.”

She lets you go, and you move to locate your panties— because professionals do what they’re told.

from aiden — AH i tried my best with the characterization but it might be just the slightest bit off 😭 IDK i wanted to get smth else out rq so i hope u guys like it eek !!!!!!!

[callyourose]

match point, chapter two.

→ introduction one two three

— In which Art and Patrick find themselves intertwined with the relationship of tennis superstar Tashi Duncan and her best friend, Lennon Caddel.

LENNON CADDEL AND TASHI DUNCAN WEREN'T IN LOVE. Contrary to popular belief. Their own parents had sat down both of their daughters and asked them about it. Not that they would tell the truth if they were. They were best friends. That's all. Sure, they kissed sometimes and Tashi had a soft spot only for Lennon and Lennon valued Tashi's opinion more than anybody on the planet. She had dumped plenty of boyfriends at the advice of her best friend; so much so that she just preferred the stay single. She would wait until Tashi found someone that was worthy of her attention. She knew best, after all. Lennon wasn't a pushover, though. She had had to explain that to plenty of friends and boyfriends and even her own parents. She could stand up for herself, really she could. But what is there to stand up for when it comes to Tashi? She did know best. "He's not obsessed with you enough", Tashi would say after hanging out with Lennon and her boy of the month. "You need someone who's going to be so devoted to you that they can't think of anything else." Tashi would take Lennon's face in her hands, press a kiss to her forehead, and hug her tightly. No one was more devoted than Tashi. Their relationship wasn't entirely platonic, they knew that. But it wasn't romantic either. They were so devoted to each other that the line had started to blur.

     "They're not coming." Art was staring at the dirty ceiling of his and Patrick's shared hotel room. The party had ended three hours ago, and the time had begun to creep into the early hours of the morning. Patrick was standing, pacing, shuffling a deck of cards.

"They might," he huffed.

"But they're not."

Patrick knew they weren't coming. He knew it was soon as the thought entered his head six hours ago and he knew it before it left Art's mouth three hours later. "That's only because you made it sound like we want to fuck them in here!"

Art rolled over on to his stomach, pressing his head into the hard mattress. He wanted to scream, the sound muffled by the fabric, but he wasn't the dramatic type. He was irritated, obviously. He wanted to see Lennon and Tashi again but Patrick was right. He did make it sound like they wanted to fuck them in the sticky atmosphere of their hotel room. 

"Do we not?" He asked, turning his head so Patrick would hear him. 

"Well, yes! But that's..." the brunette stopped pacing, turning around so he could make eye contact with Art. "Not tonight. Not in… here. We don't even know them really."

Art rolled over on his side completely, tucking his hands under his head. "That's never stopped you before."

Two floors down, Lennon and Tashi were having a similar conversation. Tashi was standing at the bathroom mirror, moisturizing and brushing her teeth and Lennon was sitting criss cross on their shared king-size bed. 

"I'm just saying," Lennon pleads, like she had for the better part of the last two hours, "What's the worst that could happen? If we go over?"

Tashi turns off the bathroom light and joina her friend in bed. 

"Uh, they get drunk and try to fuck us?" She answered, brushing a stray hair out of the other girl's face.

Lennon hesitated before answering. "...Would that really be the worst thing?"

Tashi's eyes go wide and she doubles over laughing. This was routine for her. Pretty boys approach her, she entertains them for a while, and then she ghosts. She had enough on her plate. She didn't need boys, girls, or anyone to get in the way of her life, her success, and most importantly her relationship with Lennon. 

"I'm serious!" Lennon whines. "I know this happens to you all the time, but this never happens to me! I just..." She sighs and avoids Tashi's gaze.

"You what, Len?" Her eyebrows are furrowed and she grips Lennon's arm, forcing her to look at her. Her grip is strong in comparison to the sticky sweetness dripping from her tone. 

"I'm about to be a college freshman," Lennon continues, "and I... I don't have all the experience that you do. I don't want to be the only girl on Stanford's tennis roster that's... you know..."

"A virgin?"

"Yeah." 

Tashi sighs and lets her arm go. She considers her options. She could tell Lennon no, that she's not going and she knows Lennon will only go if she goes. Or...

"Get your shoes on, then." Tashi stands, sliding her own shoes onto her already socked feet. 

Lennon looks up at her wide eyed, the corners of her mouth twitching into a smile. "Really?"

She receives the smallest smile before being handed her beat up converse. "Really. Let's go before I change my mind."

So she takes out her retainer, pulls on her shoes, and grins.

"How do I look?" 

Beautiful. Like always. "Fuckable." 

Now it's Lennon's turn to double-over laughing.

[assistant-of-drama]

What if Owen angrily called out Alejandro?

"Owen," Chris chimed. "It's time to go pal."

"What?" Owen gasped, turning to the rest of the contestants.

Most of them don't bother looking at Owen, either out of shame or apathy.

Except for Alejandro, who was squinting and smiling cruelly at Owen.

"But I don't understand." Owen said. "I thought I was getting along great with everyone. Why would you guys vote me off? What did I do wrong?"

"Do the reasons honestly matter?" Alejandro asked smugly. "Just accept your defeat with dignity like Noah did, mi amigo."

"Yeah, the reasons actually do matter, Al." Owen said, with surprising firmness. "I would get it, if I had gotten voted off for eating something I'm not supposed, like back at Germany with the sausage. But I managed to control myself from eating the cake! I didn't do anything wrong this time! So, I think I deserve to know why I'm being eliminated!"

Sierra couldn't take the guilt anymore and awkwardly raised her hand. "Uhh, Alejandro said that he would bless my marriage with Cody, if I voted for you... I'm sorry, Owen."

"Yeah, the guy told me to vote for you too." Duncan said, while pointing at the charming man.

"Me three." said Courtney calmly.

Owen's jaw dropped. "Wait a minute... Al... You... You want to get rid of me?... But I thought we were friends..."

"Yeah, I had to make you think that, so you'd listen to me." Alejandro scoffed and then chuckled. "I mean, did you really think that I would EVER want to be friends with someone as childish as you?"

"I can't believe you just said that!" Owen gasped again in disbelief. "But you said I was your amigo... You mean, every terrible thing that you did to me, was done on purpose?... The glares, hitting me with a baby carriage, leaving me to get eaten by caterpillars..."

"Don't forget when he hypnotized you into giving yourself a wedgie and dance a jig." Duncan pointed out with a small smirk.

"Oh my god! I thought I dreamt that! You seriously did that, Al?!" Owen yelled with a glare. "What the hell is wrong with you?!?"

Alejandro blinked at the larger and softer man's surprising fierceness, but the charming yet cruel man keeps his cool. "Well, that's what you get for being childish and incompetent... My only regret was not getting you eliminated sooner... Even Noah and Tyler would've been much more useful to me than you."

Heather gazes at Alejandro in pure shock. "Wow, that's cold even by my standards."

Owen's glare hardens. "You know Al, when Noah first told me about your true colors, I didn't want to believe him at first. Not even when he pointed out all the messed-up stuff you did to people, including me. I kept telling myself that those things you did were accidents or that you were misunderstood, like how Noah, Izzy and Eva often are. But boy, was I wrong! Heather was right about you all along! Behind that charming face you're nothing but a mean, nasty, selfish, heartless, cheap con artist! And you're also a big, fat, dumb-"

Everyone's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates at what Owen said next. Alejandro's jaw goes slack as his left eye twitches a bit. The only ones who weren't in shock were an amused Chris and Chef as well as a strangely proud looking Heather.

"-in all of Kalamazoo!" Owen finished with ragged breathes. "Wow, I feel better already! No wonder other people curse!"

Owen grabs his parachute and looks back at the others with a calm, accepting smile. "Bye, guys."

The contestants awkwardly said their goodbyes, still trying to get over their shock at Owen's previous rage.

Then the big guy looks straight at a certain girl with a bright grin. "Bye Heather, kick Al's butt for me!"

"Trust me Owen, I will." Heather responded with a bold smirk.

"Oh, and Al?" Owen called for Alejandro's attention. "One last thing..."

Owen had a suringly evil smile on his lips, as he says his next words. "See you later, Alligator!~"

Owen jumps through the open plane door with a loud cackle, already long gone before the slippery Charmer could do anything.

Owen's cackles were quickly replaced by the laughter of Heather, Duncan, Cody, Sierra and Blaineley.

Even Courtney was trying to hide her own smile.

"Oh, the audience is gonna love that!" Blaineley piped up.

All Alejandro could do was wait until he could angrily curse at the confessional camera, again.

Noah is going to be so proud of Owen.

[theyluvlyss]

hi! i was wondering if you could write dating hc's for duncan and courtney (separate) please?

𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐝𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧 !

but unfortunately, I do not currently write for courtney :(. although, I hope you like what I do have written and that it doesn't discourage you from requesting in the future :).

𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫

《 ♡ 》 headcannons

───────── 《 .°•♡•°. 》 ──────────

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭 :

you went on this stupid, island, reality show to win $100,000, which could've most definitely changed your life for the better. but instead, you got a delinquent meat-head who had... somehow, earned your heart faster than the cash. "how" and "why" is beyond you. but at least you could come up with a list of some semi-convincing reasons as to such...

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 :

fem!reader x duncan - she/her/hers pronouns

𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐞 :

season one (total drama island)

𝐓𝐖/𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 :

harsh language/cursing - dangerous elements/themes mentioned - duncan being himself lmao (possibly a little ooc? I apologize if so) - established romantic relationship - casual dominance (cuz ik that can irk some people) - possessive terms (my, his, etc).

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ...𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

───────── 《 .°•♡•°. 》 ──────────

When you applied/auditioned to be on the show, you didn't actually think they'd pick you. It was a stupid dare amongst friends back home! No way would they pick some random girl with no experience or even a resume from (home/town/city).

And then, they did😃.

Next thing you know, you're being flown out to Canada and then dropped off from a yacht on some random, deserted island. Just your luck to apply for a scammy and sketchy reality show rather than what you were promised...

And, to top it all off, your host might as well have been a sociopath, your chef, a psychopath, and you were now forced to spend your time with twenty-two other lunatic teenagers for eight weeks. Eight. Weeks. To be fully and completely clear, you did not want to be here.

How could this get any worse?

Duncan. That's how.

He irked you at first. No, you didn't hate him. He actually had his moments where you found him quite funny with a sarcastic quip he had said or entertaining with some random stunt he pulled.

But other than that...

"I'm not jumping. I miss the safe zone and get eaten alive by sharks, and then what?"

"Oh'ho, you're jumping, sweetheart. I'll be damned if you lose this challenge for us because you're not a strong swimmer."

"That's not what I said. And what're you gonna do? Make me?"

...you were firm on your dislike for him.

Not that the feelings weren't reciprocated, of course. Though he wasn't exactly opposed to eying any pretty girls he happened to come across, he didn't intend to date. He came to win $100,000, just like the rest of them. And though he had grown used to the way your attitude struck any and everyone who tried to manipulate you into doing something you didn't want to do, at least you weren't Courtney, stick shoved up your butt.

Onto the more headcanon-y portion of this list...

I feel like Duncan actually wouldn't be opposed to random hookups or anything like that. But, once he has specific eyes for someone, he treats things as if he's already bagged them (manifesting king😻✨️). And in this case, them is you. He didn't get the hots right away, but after a couple of weeks or so of spending basically all of his time around you (being on the same team and all), he wasn't too surprised upon coming to terms with those feelings.

Not that you could exactly tell, with him running around calling you "sweetheart" and "angel-face" and whatever other petnames he could come up with on the fly. You figured it was just him being...well... Duncan! Not to mention, you weren't exactly all that fond of him.

Did he know that? Yes. Did he care? Ehh. You'd warm up. He'd actually make sure of it because even if the show didn't end with him either winning the money or getting you as a girlfriend, the least he'd accomplish is wooing you.

He's not gonna sacrifice his reputation for that, so he'd have to play it cool. And during the seventh challenge, an opportunity came to light; he'd help you concor your fear! Not only would it win your team the challenge, but it'd be a huge step into winning over your heart. With peering eyes (and cameras around), he was there to be your tough-love.

"Get over it, toots, it's just (your/fear)!!"

"Do not mess this up for us, or I'll guarantee you go home tonight."

"I've been in juvie with worse than this...!"

But, without any evidence to prove it besides your word and a blushing face, he was totally sweet on you.

"C'mere, sweetheart, it ain't that bad. You just need a little warming up to the idea, that's all~."

"The worst that could happen is you'll be called a chicken. It's not like you'll get voted off. Not while I'm here."

"Babe, you are entirely too cool to be skeezed out by (your/fear). We're gonna have to work on that, yeah?"

Him sling-shotting you through such emotions and behavior was intense. But not as much as the way it kept you hooked. And every time you would start to grow fed up, want nothing to do with him, even cuss him out...

Life (Chris McLean) would manage to thrust you two back together. Until, eventually, you got together. I mean, no official labels or anything yet, but god forbid another guy on either team just breathed sultry in your direction (coughCodyprobablycough). Or if you got hurt during a challenge. Or whenever anyone (butmostlikelyHeather) had it out for you.

And in those moments, I think Duncan wouldn't be as good as hiding his infatuation with you. Not that anyone actually had the gall to tease him for it. Besides, he had managed to make his admiration for you look cool. Always muttering a slick, "She wants me." to his guy friends, or smirking at any intimate reaction you'd give him in front of your peers.

All in all, he's a cocky shit. But he made it work in a charming way that you couldn't quite place, and made you wonder why you were even attracted to it/him at all.

And, surprisingly, he could be quite the gentlemen. Rough around the edges, sure, but see if you ever have to hold a door open for yourself or climb down from something without his hand being offered to you ever again.

He even makes sure to censor himself around you! Er- well, tries. If he deems a curse word too heavy for you to hear come flying out of his mouth, it goes a little something like this:

" ...So I rush 'im, right? And then can you believe the motherfucker-...! Sorry, babe. Can you believe this idiot actually tries to shank me?! Wild stuff, man..."

As if he's not already sitting around the campfire telling the most gorey juvie/jail story ever. But nope, the extra heavy cuss words are the stuff that's impolite for your ears🙄✋🏽.

#it'sthethoughtthatcounts♡.

OH!! And casual dominance? Definitely a thing in the relationship. Mainly from him, with a simple, "C'mere, doll." or a motion of the hand/finger over towards him. But let's not lie and say this dude isn't a sucker for the moments you boss him around...

"Duncan, go grab that for me, please?"

"I'm busy-"

"Now."

. . .

No further protest, your item retrieved and dropped into your hands with swiftness, and a light red dust on his face badly hidden under a scowl.

Things would get serious/official if one of you two got voted off of the island, though. If you got voted off, he'd be sure to give you the most profound goodbye he can in the very limited amount of time he has to actually say it. Make it very clear you're his girl, "...for anyone thinkin' about trying to make a move while I'm not around." And, he promises that if he wins, he's coming for you, and you'll run off together with the money. Cliche, but how could you say no?

If he gets voted off, he sticks on a brave face and basically threatens you to win lmao😭. Think of it as very intense encouragement coming from a deep down place of love.

"Babe, you better win this whole shit, 'cuz I'm gonna be rooting for you back home. Need these losers to see that my girl is the shit."

I could probably go on forever, but I don't want to make this too long :')...

𝐈 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 !!

this is my first post (as in writing/content) ever, so yay me :D ! and for the person that requested, again, I hope you enjoyed this 'cuz it was fun to write ! although I really don't like the title, but I couldn't think of anything better😭...

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ...𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ...𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭

none :(

𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐲 :

anon <3

𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 :

[dozing-marshmallow]

OKAY OKAY, hello again!! loved the nibling reader you wrote and just had to write it again!!! (if you couldn't tell im a sucker for platonic family hcs <3)

this time, this request is quite angsty?? ig nibling!reader getting their feelings hurt (either by duncan, heather, or whoever you decide to choose!) you can decide if they either run to chris to cry to, or if they run away to a more.. deserted(??) area of the island. (bonus points if after reader feels better, leshawna comforts them <:]) thank yeww!!

HIYAAA!! Lovely seeing you again with another appreciated request, and to hear that you are happy with how I interpret a Chris nibling reader! It means a lot ! <3 

As always, have an enjoyable reading experience! 😊

ANGSTY! CHRIS MCLEAN’S NIBLING! READER HEADCANONS

Heather was on the chopping block.

She needed to do something urgently. The day wasn’t getting any earlier. Everyone was itching to cast her name out of the competition.

Immunity wasn’t in her favour this time.

She needs to find a reason asap to not be kicked out tonight. That there was actually someone around that was a much bigger threat to everyon-

...Everyone?

...

Jackpot.

“You know that...toy Chris’ nibling has? I need you to get it for me.” Heather beseeched bluntly to Lindsay, hours before the elimination ceremony, in the whistling privacy of the forest.

“Um, sure?” The blonde’s voice high pitched from stupidity agreed,“But why can’t you go ask yourself? (Y/N) doesn’t bite! Not people!”

“Because Lindsay...I...gotta make sure I’m presentable! My hands need to be in perfect condition.” It was a strange excuse, but Lindsay was narrow.

“Ohh, right! Gotcha.” If anything, she found relatability in such empty words.

Too easy,“When you get it, come straight back here. You can remember that, can’t you?”

“Ohh, totally! In geography, I-“

“Go get the teddy.” Heather interrupts dismissively.

“Okay...” she watches moody Lindsay’s height get smaller and smaller as she disappears more and more to carry out one last request.

You were sitting on the sand with your legs spread out when you saw the pretty blonde girl approach you,“Hi Lindsay!”

“Hii (Y/N)! Is that Mrs Maple?” She pointed at the stuffed bear, dressed in a shirt of the Canada flag.

You nod,“She’s having a suntan!”

“Oooo, she’s a lot like me! We both love being trendy!” Ask to get the teddy, ask to get the teddy,“Could I hold her? I...wanna see if we’re really on the same wavelength!” She zealously asks.

You hesitate. You never really let that happen.

You hold Mrs Maple by her underarms and stare far into her black eyes, before you nod and hand her over.

“Thanks! Aww... It’s such a cute bear!...Oh...wait...” She remembers her objection,  and gawks back at you,“I think I hear her talking! She said she wants me to uh, get some syrup for her! Gotta go!”

Before you could protest, she races away. 

That’s weird... Mrs Maple is shy when she meets new people...

Oh! It must be a coverup for a game of tag.

Thus, you got to your feet and ran the same way she did, following her footprints in the sand, smiling. Challenge accepted!

“Hey...! Heather!” She wheezes, holding the teddy to her,“I got it!”

“Good.” She hears a distant “Wait up!” which melts a glare on her face to Lindsay,“You let them follow you?”

“Ohh... I didn’t know they would. But they sound like they’re having fun!” Lindsay found much virtue in it.

“Yeah... A lot of fun.” The wicked glimmer of Heather’s smile shifts to the blades of a pair of scissors she sharpened out, offering them to Lindsay,“Cut the head off.”

...

Lindsay is mortified.

“Wh-What?!” She stutters, clearly having the full ugly picture confidential to her up until now,“I don’t understand, I-I thought you wanted it to see it!”

“Yeah, and to mutilate it.” She snaps the scissors together,“Take.”

“I can’t! I won’t!” She yelled, holding Mrs Maple to the other side,“This teddy is (Y/N)’s whole astronomy, and she didn’t do anything to deserve decapitation! Besides, I-I was the one that took it so, it’d make it look like it was my idea!”

“Right on.” Heather snarled, Lindsay’s out of nowhere refusal not being part of the plan- she could threaten her position in the alliance, but eh, not much of a point if... Oh well. She did do the difficult part so there was nothing hard about snatching the teddy right from Lindsay’s hands and rapidly tearing the head off faster than she could blink.

“Heather! What are you doing?!” She screeched.

The sick image of stuffed cotton overflowing from both ends of the teddy to the ground.

Mrs Maple’s head was now a teddy of its own.

“There.” She pushes the two pieces back into Lindsay’s shaking hands,“Now you can give this back. Or should I say, these.” A malicious smile raises on her pale lips.

“Oh my God... You’re gonna be in so much trouble!” 

“No. You’re gonna be in so much trouble.” Heather reiterated victoriously,“Later!”

She sprints away.

“Hey! Come back, this is your doing!” official that Heather wasn’t going to come back, Lindsay bites down on her bottom lip as she desperately tried useless methods of fixing it such as seeing if the head could stay on the neck by itself or licking her finger to try stick the separated body parts together.

Nothing worked.

I...I didn’t know bears bleed white fluff!

“Lindsay...?”

The one voice she wished she didn’t hear then.

She swiftly hides her hands behind her back and faces the small child, whose shoes and hands were dirty from running and falling, twitching on a nervous smile,“(Y/N)! Y-You’re here! That’s so...great!”

“Could I have Mrs Maple back now please? Her social battery must be so dead by now...” you asked, coming towards her wobbly from running so much.

“Oh um, well, see uh...” her falling on her words didn’t help her case. Hey! She can’t do these things under pressure!

Your face drops,“You...lost her?”

“No! She’s...” she sighs, divulging her heavy hands,“Here. I-I can explain-!”

Immediately, your eyes stung deeper than a wasp’s.

She was showing you your worst nightmare.

Someone you trusted.

“What...?” It was rather unsightly. It... This couldn’t be happening...

“I promise I didn’t do it! It was Heather! It was Heather’s idea, I swear! I didn’t know she wanted to do that!” Lindsay broke down to plead her innocence, guilt stronger than her mascara.

Pulse bellowed in your ears,“Heather...did this?”

A sweet baby returning lifeless by the neglect of the babysitter. Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry,“I...It’s okay...It’s...okay.”

Proving wrong after five seconds of eerie silence, by the destructive wave of your cries. Before Lindsay could try consoling you (try being very needed), you ran away.

How could you do that? Trust Lindsay of all people? You’ve never had a greater ocean of self hatred flood your insides.

Oh man it did not feel nice.

Chris didn’t predict his nibling to run to him bawling, so he was very caught by surprise. It took him time to properly ask what was wrong given that he had to fully acknowledge that you were hurt, tremendously.

You’re so overwhelmed, you can barely speak. Your wails hold you by the throat and your face never more pinched. All Chris could do is hold you and wait for you to calm down enough to vocalise the root of your distress; whoever was responsible for that was done for.

You hiccuped,“M-My ted...ted... H-Hea...Heath...Heath...”

“Yeah, I can’t understand you,“ he nods at Chef to get a cup of water. Once obtained, he gently urged you to take your head off his body so you could drink it.

Already, your breathing was restoring back to normal and your mouth was empty.

“Better? Alright.” He pats a tissue to your face,“Tell Uncle Chris what’s gotten you all choked up.”

The evocation of it was enough to get you bawling again, and you felt that you had already burdened your uncle enough by disrupting his chat with Chef. So you decide to put the first line of context into words,“I gave Mrs Maple to Lindsay and...” then deciding to show him the pieces. He could figure it out, he’s smart.

“Oh sweet child.” he takes them in his hands, wrinkles forming under his dilated eyes in pure perturbation from what he was seeing. No wonder you were so devastated! He’ll admit, he kinda expected something like this, but not by the intention of other people,“Lindsay did this?”

“I... I don’t know...” your head is light,“She kept saying it’s Heather’s fault, but... I’m still upset I gave it to her in the first place...”

“We’ll check the camera footage, but either way, somebody isn’t going to go through just elimination tonight.” He’ll make sure of that. He takes his sight off you to place the parts of your beloved teddy down on the table, being very gravely mistaken for something else.

“Don’t throw her away!” You shriek, pulling onto his shirt of dark turquoise to prevent him from such,“Please, I’ve had her for a long time! Don’t make me get rid of her!”

He’s once again dismayed, but his tone grew resistance this time,“We won’t be doing that. It’s just the head that came off, soo we’ll sew it back on and maybe clean her. She’ll be as good as new.”

You wipe your nose,“Really?” Thank God.

He nods, stroking the top of your head,“I’ll have Chef work on it right away. As for me, I have other business to attend to. It’s all gonna be solved, I promise.”

Your tears were no more,“Thanks, Chris...” you’re serious. You don’t know what you would’ve done if he wasn’t there,“Do you think we could...play board games tonight?”

“Totally!” Best uncle ever,“We’ll do all your favourite games and we can stay up allll night. How’s that sound?” 

See? Chris wasn’t exactly the best at people comforting, but when it came to the very few people he held dear, that’s when he’s serious.

Knowing how teenagers were, especially of Heather’s textbook, he couldn’t expect a lecture to turn her heart.

But he did enforce a warning to them that harassment was off limits on those who weren’t participating.

How?

You don’t want to know.

“Hey sweetie.” Leshawna came and sat next to you during your wait for your uncle to tell you he’s free to begin board game night,“How are ya? Feeling a little bit better?” By this time, Mrs Maple was one piece again. 

You’re way too disturbed to treat her the slightest of play,“Yeah... I just... I never felt so sad in my life. I practically watched someone close to me die. When...I saw that...she was torn in two, so did my heart.”

“Aww.” she curves her hand around you and rests her head on yours,“Sorry you went through that, some people can be so miserable. You ain’t meant to be feeling all this sad, gloomy things we teens do. You just a kid!”

“I’m never giving Mrs Maple to anyone again.” Your decision thrived of bitterness.

“And that’s completely fine. She’s your toy, no one should force you to do anything you don’t wanna with her. It’s alright to be hurt, but you gotta make sure that the way you handle it is the best way to let you move on sooner.”

“Is...Is Heather going home tonight?” you needed to know. It may have been there, but you needed to hear it.

“Oh, totally. Girl dug her own grave and now, she may need to retake her passport photo.” Leshawna chuckles at the thought,“I mean, to go after a kid who did nothing and still be too much of a chicken to own up? Way out of line.”

“Will I always have to meet someone as nasty as her...?” Your puffy eyes set back to the newly placed stitches on Mrs Maple’s neck.

Leshawna sighs, rubbing your shoulder,“Unfortunately in this world we live in, there’s all kinds of sick freaks and Heather is just one of them. But you shouldn’t waste your life worryin’ about them, because there’s also really great people in your life that will always wanna look out for you, and it’s them you really wanna spend time on, ain’t it?”

“Like you?”

She smiled,“Come here, sugar.”

You felt safe enough to let Mrs Maple join in. Leshawna...she’s amazing. And would make a great big sister, if she wasn’t one already.❤️🩹

[im-overstimulated-and-im-sad]

WIP Wednesday

Thank you for the tag, @heartstringsduet @sznofthesticks @lemonlyman-dotcom 💝

This is from the next chapter of my TK and Sophie fic -

2011 -

“I’m serious, babes”. Gwyn said as she eyed her children. “Everyone at this table has been suspended enough for one school year. I’m not even talking about the whole week; I would love it to get through the day without the school calling that I have to pick someone up”.

“Mom, I get it,” TK said, guilt settling in his gut like a brick. Made out of lead. “Nothing’s going to happen. I’ll be fine”.

“Really?” his mother asked skeptically. “What are you going to do if you see Carson?”

TK shrugged. “His parents told him they don’t want him talking to me. He probably won’t try”.

“He approached your sister,” Gwyn reminded him. “Assume he does”.

TK started peeling off one of his nails. “Tell him I have to focus on school stuff, cause I missed so much”.

“And if his brother says anything to you?” Gwyn pressed.

“Try to be near the stairs if that happens,” Sophie interjected. “Then, one good push and…”

“Sophie, that isn’t funny”. Gwyn sighed. TK disagreed with that, but knew better than to say it.

“Or,” Sophie added, “you text me, I can come crouch behind him, and if he backs up, then he will fall, and maybe hit his stupid head on something”.

“I like that plan”. TK nodded in agreement. “Mom, I don’t want to talk to Duncan either,” he added when he saw his mom’s face. “I just want to get through this last month and get junior year over with. Promise”. His mom looked like she had more to say, but TK’s phone started ringing in his pocket.

“It’s Dad,” he said, opening his phone. “Hi, Dad?”

“Make it quick,” Gwyn said as he got up from the table. “We’ve got to leave soon, TK”.

“I know,” TK called over his shoulder. “What’s up?” he said into his phone. “Are you at work now?”

“Hey, kiddo,” Owen said. “I am, we just got back from a call. And I won’t keep you, but I knew this is your first day back at school and wanted to see how you were doing”.

“I’m fine”. TK said, looking down at his nails. If he kept going, he could probably tear this nail clean off. “I just want it to be June already. I’m ready for junior year to be over with”.

“I think we all are, bud,” his dad said softly. “So TK… are you nervous?”

TK rolled his eyes, but bit back a smile. Secretly, he was glad his dad wouldn’t let this bit die. “Yes”.

“First time?” Owen asked.

“No”. TK chuckled. “I’ve been nervous lots of times”.

No pressure tagging - I tag @anewkindofme @carlos-in-glasses @kiankiwi @honeybee-taskforce

@thisbuildinghasfeelings @literateowl @chicgeekgirl89 @chaotictarlos

@welcometololaland @paperstorm @nancygillianmvp @liminalmemories21

@carlos-tk @reyestrandd @firstprince-history-huh @actualalligator

@bonheur-cafe @terramous @fallout-mars @alrightbuckaroo

@snowviolettwhite @the-flaming-nightmare @lochnesswriter @eclectic-sassycoweyes

@goodways @vineofroses @theghostofashton @lightningboltreader

@ladytessa74 @herefortarlos @jesuisici33 @freneticfloetry

@mikibwrites @doublel27 @welcomehometk @rmd-writes

@safeaswrites @basilsunrise @celeritas2997 @sugdenlovesdingle

@birdclowns @mooshkat @thebumblecee and anyone else who wants to do it - open tag 🫶

[xgoldentempest]

nsfw merman au feydpaul thoughts

i am thinking CRITICAL thoughts about feydpaul mermaid au...either feyd as this otherworldly creature (could be merman, shark, octopus?), cast out of his pod because of his ferocious fighting nature and deemed too dangerous to keep around when he comes of age. paul, human, sailing on board the arrakeen, with his father (still the duke) on the way to meet his mother (and duncan/guerney) in a new ? location idk. their ship gets attacked in the middle of the night, paul sees his father die on another man's blade. they come for him next, the pretty little duke's son, put a gag in his mouth - but he wriggles free, kicks a man but earns a long cut with a blade against his side for his trouble. he jumps overboard, and swims, cold panic squeezing his lungs. feyd smells him, blood in the water, for the first time in his life he knows the smell of mate, and his lonely existence seems to narrow down on this scent as the new centre of his universe. he is gripped with fear, why is his mate bleeding? until he finds paul, close to fainting as the blood loss and cold water tries to pull him under - and drags him to cave. paul is in and out of consciousness by this point, but feyd gets him out of those cold human fabrics and wraps himself around his body to try and warm him up instead. he licks up paul's cut, relishing in his mate's lifeblood gift to him - more than enough of a courting gift for him, he bled so feyd could find him! ig his saliva has magical healing properties idk. paul wakes to find this creature wrapped around him, feyd lets go because he thinks paul is disappointed in the lack of a prepared nest for him, so he quickly gets to work bring in nest-materials, and food, and he brings paul new things everyday as courting gifts and is giddy when paul slowly starts to take them. paul just thinks it's better to not offend the creature feeding him.

(for enjoyers of monsterfucking one may imagine feyd deciding he needs to clean paul, every day, preferably with his tongue (healing saliva pops off here) and yes - every part of him. paul atriedes is getting tongue in his ass bro. preferably multiple times a day if feyd has anything to say about it. he's also fascinated with paul's balls cause while he has a breeding pouch/tentacle thingo he doesn't really have an equivalent. he may also make the mistake of thinking that paul is then in a constate state of knot and feyd pities him greatly for the pain this must cause him - knotted all the time but with no relief to soothe him? and wants to suck on his balls like 24/7 which drives paul absolutely mental because he's a virgin duke's son and masturbation had been perfunctory at best and ohmygodsosenstive. feyd sees it as perfectly routine to worship your mate however he can and actually worries he is unworthy of paul, for feyd has had little sexual experience too, and that he is not good enough to give his little mate the ecstasy he deserves. paul on the other hand could not disagree more.

for noncon enjoyers: one may imagine feyd uhhh sliding some tentacles/fingers into paul's ass during the night just to keep him nice and plugged and full because feyd is territorial af. bonus points if feyd thinks it will help soothe my mate's constant knot! by milking his prostate. paul notices but lets him keep doing it anyway because he realises somewhere along the line it felt weirder to not be plugged and also he might be a little bit in love with this creature anyway.

anyway as paul starts to heal, he's been grieving for his father but realises his mother may have come looking for him. in this version he doesn't want to be duke all that badly and alia is aged up so she's only a few years younger than him so when he finally meets up with them he's like damn i kinda like it here. alia want to take over?

also come mating season feyd really wants paul to incubate his clutch and gets really sad when paul freaks the fuck out and doesn't want eggs inside him.... until he relents...... look is it so wrong to want that boy's holes full ...

idk i just had an image of feyd with black eyes and spikes down his back and now we're here. i think he would be hella cool as an octopus tho. does anyone fw this or am i yelling into a void. if u think this is weird. you're right but i won't apologise.

[never-gonna-danse-again]

FO4 Companions’ go to Karaoke songs

I’ve been thinking about this too much lately, let me know if there’s another character/ companion you want me to do

Cait: Spit by Kittie 

It’s so angry and she just loves to scream along, even if she can’t get the lyrics right now and again. Surprisingly good at it, and has obviously had some practice

Or anything by Joan Jett- specifically Hate Myself for Loving You. Riot girl now and forever 

Codsworth : 500 Miles by the Proclaimers

Mega cheesy, easy to sing along to and many, many people know the words. Yes, Mr Handies can do karaoke, pretty  enthusiastically too

Curie: Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO

Shes too innocent to pick much else, she just likes how happy it is and jumps up and down while singing it. Needs the lyrics to pop up on screen but knows it well- or sometimes she’ll choose some random French opera song and belt it for no apparent reason

Danse: My Humps by the Black Eyed Peas (sorry not sorry)

Everyone, and I mean everyone in Sanctuary has been pissing him off with this song. When he brings it out on karaoke night, they all scream in joy- either that or Last Stand by Sabaton. Some cheesy metal about history always puts a smile on no one’s face but his. 

Deacon: Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson  

Complete with dancing and moonwalking- brings out the hat collection just to do this song, and does it flawlessly

Hancock: Mr Brownstone by Guns n Roses

If he’s on enough Jet, chances are he will seize the microphone and absolutely go for it. According to his older friends, he looked like a blond Axel Rose before he went ghoul- and now sounds like a slightly more hoarse version of him. Just maybe keep the kids away when it’s his turn on karaoke night. 

MacCready: House of the Rising Sun by the Animals

About the only song he knows and doesn’t even know it that well. Mac can’t really sing, and no one’s told him it yet; safer just to let him and Duncan do their best. For now. 

Valentine: The Safety Dance by Men Without Hats

He was adamant not to sing at first, but once Sole managed to convince him into it, he got it eventually. Surprisingly bad at working the karaoke machine for someone so accustomed with technology (Curie and Danse help him set it up, think Granddad with the TV remote) but sings his heart out every time. Proper smiles break out when it’s Nick’s turn on the mic.

Piper: Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift

The MOST BASIC choice ever, but she can sing it surprisingly well; Nat duets! Deacon cheers her along, and sometimes dances to the song if he’s drunk enough 

 Preston: Milkshake by Kellis

Yeah, you might’ve thought it was out of character, but once he starts, he will not stop. Has obviously had some practice singing in his past, and can sing this one particularly well… probably best not to question why he can.

Strong: We Will Rock You by Queen

Please don’t say anything, he’s trying his best. The whole vocabulary thing isn’t his fault, and he’s getting better. Sometimes smashes stuff in time to the song- a true performer!

X6: Losing my Religion by R.E.M

The most deadpan performance ever, but breaks out in a rare smile; he won’t admit it, but he quite enjoys a slower ballad or similar song. After a while, he gets slightly more emotive with his singing; slightly. 

[ihavemanyhusbands]

A young, smartmouthed, stubborn reader and Duncan get trapped in a motel during a roadtrip and there was only one bed!! Lmaoo they hate each other with vigor but end up having to share some body heat 🫡🤠

OH MY GOOOD can i make this assassin!reader?? (I hope so bc im about to do it haaaa)

———

“You have got to be fucking kidding me.”

The elderly motel clerk raised two bushy eyebrows, his coke bottle glasses comically enlarging his eyes as he looked at you disapprovingly.

“I’m afraid not, miss,” he said. “It’s the last room available. Take it or leave it.”

You grumbled in frustration and next to you, Duncan rolled his eyes, broad arms crossed over his chest.

“How much is it again?”

“Sixty even.”

You scoffed. “Oh sorry, I didn’t know we were staying at the Ritz fucking Carlton.”

Duncan slammed the cash onto the counter, glaring at you in warning to watch your mouth.

“We’ll take it,” he said and the clerk handed him the keys.

He shook his head and glared as the two of you walked out of the small reception building. You carried your bags into an even smaller, dingier room, right at the end of the property.

Your nose crinkled in distaste, but you supposed you’d been in worst places… but you’d also been without your current companion.

You flopped on the bed, the springs loudly creaking under your weight. You tossed him a pillow, which he caught easily.

“At least the floor’s carpeted… actually, I’m not sure that’s any better,” you said, then shrugged it off. “Oh well, hope you get comfortable.”

“Wait, you were assuming I’d sleep on the floor? I paid for the room!”

“Well, I’m a lady,” you countered, putting a hand to your chest in mock offense. “You’d really make me sleep on it?”

Now it was his turn to scoff. “You’re hardly a lady, with that foul mouth of yours.”

“You know I have a gun on me, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, you wave it around every chance you get,” he waved you off dismissively. “Which again, not ladylike.”

“Fuck off,” you said, getting up to check the heater, only to find it broken. “Oh great, five star hotel can’t even get its heating fixed. In the middle of winter, too.”

You walked across the room and checked the closet, which at least had an extra blanket, thin as it was. You tossed it to Duncan as well, and his glare would’ve surely pierced through anyone else, but you were barely fazed by it.

You took turns using the shower, and you almost gave him an earful about leaving the door open whenever he went out to smoke.

You ignored each other for some time, each finding ways to occupy yourselves. At some point the exhaustion of the day caught up to you and you decided to try and go to sleep early.

“Don’t even think of trying anything funny, you hear me?” You warned as you turned off the lights.

He only snorted, like the idea was so preposterous it was laughable.

The night grew colder as the hours passed. It was hard to sleep because of this, with you shivering under the measly covers. Your teeth chattered too, and while Duncan had been silent to make you think he was asleep, he heard all this with a grimace.

And he had to admit, being almost unable to feel his own extremities from the cold wasn’t very pleasant, either.

“This is torture,” he said suddenly, startling you as he sat up. “I’m getting on the bed.”

“What!? Like hell you are!” You protested as he stood.

“It’s fucking freezing in here, we’re not gonna sleep until we warm up,” he argued. “And with no heater, we’re gonna have to do it the old fashioned way.”

Despite yourself, you couldn’t help but feel your face heat up. “Fine, but don’t touch me. I’ll bite your fingers off if I find them anywhere near me.”

“As if I wanted to touch you!” He grumbled, sliding into the bed next to you.

It was a small bed, so his large body brushed close to yours. You could feel a little warmth emanating from him and it was a very welcome reprieve, even if you wouldn’t admit it out loud. You slept with your backs turned to each other.

Come morning, though, your limbs were tangled up and your face was buried in his chest. All was peaceful, so long as the two of you remained asleep.

———

[engie-ivy]

(Already ten days into December, and finally, the first Wolfstar Christmas fic! Beginning with a simple fluffy Wolfstar Christmas Meet-Cute Get-Together!)

“Mum has evidently decided that you’re Sirius’ future husband. And oh my, she’s not holding back. I would tell her to cut it out had I thought that either of you was actually bothered by it.” James looks at Remus with a sly smile. “But I’m getting the sense that neither of you particularly minds.”

Remus turns his head to look at Sirius standing a bit further in in the room. Just at that moment, Sirius also turns his head to look at Remus. As their eyes meet, Sirius gives Remus a soft smile, which Remus returns.

As Remus turns back to James, he can’t get the smile off his face. “No,” he says, taking another sip from his mulled wine. “I don’t mind.”

Falling For You, Like Snow On a Christmas Night

(Wishes Come True - Duncan Laurence)

“Remus!” Euphemia Potter exclaims the moment she has opened the door, and immediately, she grabs Remus’ arm and drags him inside.

It’s the first time Remus is attending the Potters' annual pre-Christmas party here in Godric’s Hollow. Every year, the week before Christmas, Euphemia Potter will throw this grand party, and it signals the start of a week filled with the Holiday festivities leading up to Christmas.

That’s at least what Remus has been told, as he has only recently moved to Godric’s Hollow. He came here because he wants to be a writer, and the small, picturesque town seemed like the perfect place to write his book. Of course, he has to pay rent, so he works part-time in a newly opened local coffee shop. He gets along splendidly with the owner, Lily Potter, and especially with her husband, James Potter, who teaches Sports at the local high school. James and he have become good friends, and that’s how Remus met Euphemia.

Euphemia was immediately keen on Remus. The moment she heard Remus moved here without knowing anyone, she was determined to do everything to make Remus feel welcome, showing him around town, inviting him over for tea, having him join family brunches and family dinners, all of it.

Remus doesn’t mind. Quite the opposite. He loves Euphemia. She’s warm and welcoming, and a vibrant part of the community. She knows everyone in Godric’s Hollow, and everyone in Godric’s Hollow knows her.

“Come on,” Euphemia says, dragging Remus through the party, past all the party guests. “I have to introduce you to my son!”

Remus chuckles, wondering how many eggnogs Euphemia already drank. “I already know James.”

“Not James,” Euphemia replies. “My other son. He just finished med school, and has been working abroad, but now he’s back! And just in time for the Christmas celebrations at that!”

They reach the stairs, and Remus notices James coming down, talking animatedly with a man about their age. Remus inhales sharply at seeing that young man. Now, James is definitely a good looking bloke, but he is handsome like you don’t normally see in real life, like the model-kind of handsome. He’s tall and lean, with long, dark hair falling over his eyes with an easy grace. His features are delicate, but at the same time sharp. His eyes are especially striking, bright and captivating, the exact same light grey as the cable knit sweater he’s wearing.

“This is Sirius,” Euphemia says proudly. “My second son.”

Sirius looks down at hearing his mother’s voice, and those eyes lock with Remus’. Remus gives him a small smile, and Sirius’ mouth slightly opens. He misses a step on the stairs and tumbles down the rest of the way.

“He’s adopted,” James says, while pulling Sirius up from the floor.

Sirius gives him a stomp.

“Are you okay?” Remus asks worriedly.

“I’d be a lot better if you could just pretend that didn’t happen,” Sirius replies.

Remus raises his eyebrows. “What didn’t happen?”

Sirius grins. “I like you already.”

While everything about Sirius is just so perfect, his grin is anything but. It’s too large, showing too many teeth, and it’s slightly crooked. It’s Remus’ favourite thing about him.

Euphemia Potter is not good at being subtle. No, scrap that, she could be great at being subtle for all Remus knows. The case is that she’s absolutely not trying to be subtle.

“Remus, why don’t you sit here, next to Sirius?”

“Remus, I just asked Sirius to prepare some more extra snacks, could you maybe give him a hand?”

“Sirius, why don’t you take Remus outside to show him how nice the Christmas lights on the house look?”

“Remus, you look a little cold. Sirius, don’t you have a sweater he can borrow?”

Remus is standing next to the Potters’ impressive Christmas tree, sipping his mulled wine, when James appears next to him.

“Sooo,” James begins. “Mum has evidently decided that you’re Sirius’ future husband. And oh my, she’s not holding back.”

“Not really, no,” Remus agrees.

“I would tell her to cut it out had I thought that either of you was actually bothered by it.” James looks at Remus with a sly smile. “But I’m getting the sense that neither of you particularly minds.”

Remus turns his head to look at Sirius standing a bit further in in the room. Just at that moment, Sirius also turns his head to look at Remus. As their eyes meet, Sirius gives Remus a soft smile, which Remus returns.

As Remus turns back to James, he can’t get the smile off his face. “No,” he says, taking another sip from his mulled wine. “I don’t mind.”

“Remus, your favourite animal is a dog, right? So is Sirius’! Why don’t you two talk about that?”

It’s a bit awkward at first (“So, dogs are pretty great, huh?” “Yeah. Yeah, they are.”). But after that, they actually have a lovely conversation. It’s so easy and natural to talk to Sirius, time flies by.

Euphemia scrapes her throat.

Sirius and Remus look up from their conversation about their favourite Christmas foods (“Why ruin perfectly good hot chocolate by making it taste like peppermint?!” “I know, right? The only thing that should ever taste like mint is toothpaste! And, well, mints, I suppose.” “Candy canes?” “Disgusting.” “Thank you!”).

“James is going home with Lily, they’re having brunch with her parents tomorrow morning, and Fleamont and I are about to turn in.”

Remus looks around the room and notices for the first time that, save Sirius, the Potters and he, the room is empty. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry! I didn’t realise the time. I should get going.”

“Nonsense!” Euphemia insists. “We’ve still got a bottle of champagne left. It would be such a waste if no one drinks it. Why don’t you two sit down at the fireplace, drink some champagne, and continue your lovely conversation?”

Remus wants to argue that champagne doesn’t expire that quickly, but Sirius takes the bottle from his mother, and if he thinks it’s a good idea, who is Remus to argue?

Sirius effortlessly opens the champagne bottle, and, with a flourish, pours two glasses, all in one fluid motion.

“Smooth,” Remus chuckles. “Almost makes up for you falling down the stairs when I first saw you.”

Sirius grimaces as he sits down next to Remus. “I’ll have you know, I don’t usually fall so easily.” He hands Remus his glass, and their hands touch. Sirius purposely lets his hand rest on Remus’ and looks at him intently, before speaking in a soft voice. “Or so hard, so fast.”

Remus does kiss Sirius that night. He’s sitting in a beautifully decorated room, in front of a blazing fireplace, drinking champagne with a gorgeous man who’s looking at him like he’s something special, and well, Remus is only human after all. Sirius’ lips are soft, and he taste like a mixture of champagne and the Christmas cookies he’s been eating and Remus is dizzy with it.

He doesn’t take it any further, though, and not only because they’re sitting on Sirius’ parents’ couch. He doesn’t tell Sirius that he’s getting feelings for him as well, because he’s simply not sure. Maybe emotionally he is. He can’t stop thinking about Sirius and every mention of his name sends a flutter through his stomach. Yes, emotionally, he’s all in.

But Remus has always had trouble listening to his emotions. He rather thinks things through rationally. And rationally, he’s only just met Sirius. What if they’re just letting themselves get carried away because of the whole setting? The warmth of the fireplace, the buzz of the champagne, the Christmas lights reflecting in Sirius’ eyes? Will the feeling also be there when it’s a dreary Monday morning in January? Remus has nothing against a simple Holiday flirtation, but he won’t tell someone he’s falling for them if that’s all it is.

He does, however, want to get to know Sirius better, and luckily, he’s got plenty of opportunity for that the following week.

At first, it’s because Euphemia invites them both over for gingerbread baking (Sirius’ and Remus’ batches turn our inedible, probably because they keep getting distracted throwing glances at each other), Lily and James invite them both over for coffee and then brunch, and they all go to the Christmas Tree Lightning together.

“Do you know your face lights up like an actual Christmas three the moment you see him?”

Lily grins at him while they’re standing behind the counter of her coffee shop together, after Sirius just came in for a Holiday Special Cappuccino.

“I did not know that,” Remus replies, trying to sound unaffected. “Thank you for the information.”

Lily shrugs, still grinning. “Do with that information what you want.”

“If you hurt my brother, I will make you regret it.”

James crosses his arms over his chest as he gives Remus his strictest look. They’re sitting at the dinner table, after Lily has dragged Sirius into the kitchen to help with the food.

Remus raises an eyebrow. “You’re giving me the shovel talk now?”

“It’s just that I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. You better make sure you have the right intentions, Lupin.”

Remus sighs. “I’m trying, James. I’m trying.”

After a while, Remus and Sirius don’t need invites from others anymore to see each other. Remus hears that Sirius hasn’t had a hot chocolate yet this Holiday season, and he suggests to go hot chocolate drinking together. That’s when Sirius hears Remus doesn’t know how to ice skate, so he takes him to the ice rink to teach him, where Remus clutches onto Sirius’ arm for dear life the entire time and Sirius doesn’t seem to mind at all.

Sirius also doesn’t seem to mind that Remus is holding back a little, and doesn’t express his feelings. He doesn’t lose interest in Remus or tries to downplay his words about falling for him. Remus has known men who, when Remus didn’t instantly return their feelings, immediately backtracked and said they didn’t mean it anyway, they were just having a laugh, or trying to make Remus feel better, or doing him a favour. But Sirius stands by his words and Remus likes that.

He also likes their easy conversations, he likes Sirius’ passion for medicine and how clever he is, he likes that his own dry wit matches Sirius’ cheeky comments perfectly, he likes that awful grin that turns him from ethereal to human. He soon finds that he just really, really likes Sirius.

The day before Christmas, a fresh pack of snow has fallen. Lily, James, Remus and Sirius all go out sleigh riding, which Remus hopes will be easier than ice skating. As they walk towards the park together, James and Lily walking ahead and Sirius and Remus following, Remus steps on a patch of ice hidden beneath the snow and slips.

Sirius grabs his arm, and thankfully manages to slow Remus’ fall, but it’s just too slippery to keep him upright, and Remus slides down on his back.

Sirius moves his hand from Remus’ arm to wrap around his shoulders and help him sit upright. “Are you okay?”

“Remus!” Lily calls out, hurrying back to them. “Oh my god, what happened? Did you fall?”

Remus looks up in Sirius bright grey eyes, looking down at him wide with concern. “Yeah,��� he says a little breathlessly. “Yeah, I did.”

[gamingghouls]

Fallout 4 - Companion React - Sole hugging them (non-romanced)

Cait - "What the hell ya think ya playin at?" Cait isn't one for physical affection, even with the closest of friends. She would try to wiggle out but with Sole's death grip on her she decides to wait until they're done. She's as stiff as cardboard and really wishes Sole would get off her. However, much like Cait, Sole isn't a hug person. She wonders what happened to make Sole hug her.

Codsworth - "Ah bringing it in, eh, Sole?" Just like he was before the war, Codsworth is always up for a hug. Especially from Sole. It's kind of awkward with all his metal limbs but whatever Sole finds comfort in! He remembers the times where they had hugged him pre-war. Like when Shaun was born, on New Years, when the bombs fell...

Curie - "Aw! A hug! How pleasant!" Curie would never turn down a hug. From settler to super mutant, if someone is in need of a hug, then Curie is there wrapping her short arms around them. She is warm and smells like flowers, more specifically roses. Curie cherishes every second she has with her oldest friend in her arms, her smile never once faltering.

Danse - "Uh soldier? Everything alright?" Danse would be incredibly awkward. He never has really had much physical contact before so he doesn't know what to do with his arms. Rest them on Sole's waist? Wrap them around their torso? Hold their head? He's happy to help if Sole is in need of a hug but our awkward bean has been treated as a soldier by everyone his whole life, not a friend.

Deacon - "Aw buddy! Need a Deacon hug? We all need a Deacon hug once in a while!" His stupid jokes would make Sole smile as his strong arms wrap around their entire body. He would even jokingly squeeze tighter on Sole and spin them around making them roll their eyes and laugh. Behind all the smiles, jokes and iconic sunglasses, he knows what Sole has been through and maybe they are finally starting to process their past. He knows all too well how hard it is to get over your past and losing a loved one. Whatever he can do to help he will do it, while telling his awful jokes and anecdotes.

Dogmeat - "Woof! Woof bark!" Our good boy loves a good hug. Or any kind of attention really. A nice scratch behind the ears would go amiss either...

Hancock - "You doing good, Sole? Look if you need anything, my chem box is always open to you." The mayor of Goodneighbor always has time for Sole but his comforting techniques aren't always that effective. If Sole is looking to get high and forget about the world for a bit, Hancock is the first to jump in and help but physical comfort is not something he's used to. He will wrap his arms around Sole but will second guess every motion and movement he does. He, like many other people in this new world, is not used to hugs.

MacCready - "Woah, uh hi boss. You good?" He's a mercenary, what else do I have to say? He's awkward and stiff and he doesn't know how to comfort people. He remembers a few things he did for Duncan back in the Capital Wasteland so he gives Sole a few head pats, backrubs and a couple 'there there's. He just lets Sole sink into his arms. They've been through so much and he could never repay them for everything they've done for him, but that doesn't mean he won't try. Starting with a nice, 'comforting' hug.

Nick - "Aw come here. Why don't you tell this old bucket of bolts what's up? " Because of his line in work, comforting people is a skill that Nick has. He holds Sole in his arms with his trench coat engulfing them. The smell of coffee, cigarettes and paper fill Sole's nostrils as they snuggle into the old synth. Nick doesn't understand why anyone would want to hug an old, beaten up Institute reject but he's happy nonetheless to hold Sole whenever they need it.

Piper - "Oh Blue! C'mere! Hm better now?" Piper is always happy to give Sole a hug. She knows how stressed Sole can get. She'd feel the same if she had Sole's responsibilities. She enjoys the hug more than she cares to admit. Not many people want to be within five feet of 'Diamond City's Nosy Reporter' let alone hug her. Any chance she can get the big and tough Sole Survivor to break down their rules and be vulnerable, she will take it. She's a firm believer that mental health, even in this new apocalyptic age, should be a priority.

Preston - "General! Is everything okay? We will stay here as long as you need." Preston is such a sweetheart. He'd do anything for the minutemen, especially for its general. He'd happily hold Sole for hours. He knows all too well what the Commonwealth can do to a person and he's a minuteman after all, helping people is his middle name. It's the least he can do for Sole. They saved him. Its his turn to save them...

Strong - "What is human doing? Get off! Strong confused..." When Strong says get off, you probably should. Unless you want your back to be in two pieces...

X6-88 - "Sole, what are you doing? Isn't this what your friends are for?" He doesn't really understand the concept of hugs or anything emotional or caring actually. It took him ages to understand the concept of giving someone a present on their birthday. If Sole needs a hug from X6 then they are going to have to jump on him and hang on for dear life. However, if X6 thinks the hug will help Sole perform better in battle then he will stay there for as long as is required. Not for a sentimental reason of course, simply so Sole would be a more effective fighter.

[nukabrain]

Don't Let the Past and the Future Mix

Heya folks, ig I might make this writing practice a series. Anyhow I wrote some angst today! A bit easier than yesterday's prompt that's for sure. Also will try my best to start adding warnings, and tags like m x m or gn reader typa stuff. Makes it easier on my when I make my masterlist some time soon.

PAIRING: Robert Joseph MacCready x (OC) Oliver Cecil WARNINGS: Gore Imagery(?), Mentions of blood WORD COUNT: 0.6k

“Hey Cecil, should you really be going melee without your power armor?” I asked, looking around.

“Yeah it’s fine, and it’s not like the armor I’m wearing is weak either. It should hold up just fine. I’m just making a quick trip to Hangman’s Alley to grab some supplies before heading out on a longer trip. Can’t waste the fusion core for such a short trip.” He replies, waving me off.

I sigh, still staying on high alert, because I know this man likes running headfirst into battle.

Turning the corner, suddenly a swarm of ghouls could be heard in the distance. Color in my face drains.

Oh man not ghouls again..

“HEY CECIL, GHOULS AHEAD.” I call out, reloading my sniper.

He turned around, giving a thumbs up before pulling out that jagged knife of his.

Shouldn’t he use his gun? Fighting hand to hand with ghouls isn’t smart.

Reaching for my pistol, I shout “Hey! Do you need a pistol or something? I can toss you min-”

“Thank you for the offer, but I fight better with knives!”

“But it’s ghouls!”

“Don't change a thing, keep picking them off and I’ll clean up whatever you missed.” He turned around and started sprinting head on.

That idiot

I ready up my sniper and made sure to focus more than usual, picking off the ghouls closest to Cecil. Things were going like clockwork until a painfully familiar sound was heard in the distance.

“Oh fuck” I mumble to myself. I glanced around the area, to see another swarm of ghouls come from the alley near Cecil.

Dang it they must have come from the sewer nearby.

“CECIL. ON YOUR LEFT, ANOTHER GROUP OF GHOULS, GET OUT OF THERE.” I screamed, hurrying to get on the nearby building for a better angle.

“I CAN’T BACK AWAY NOW, THEY WILL FOLLOW ME, JUST PICK THEM OFF AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.” He shouts back, hacking away more ghouls before wincing in pain.

No no no no-

I tried to shoot as many ghouls as I could, but my finger wouldn’t move properly, and the scope vision was getting blurry.

I watched more ghouls pile on Cecil as he tried to slash them all away. My breath hitches, and my fingers tremble.

Before I knew it, I wasn’t looking at Cecil in the middle of the ghouls, it was Lucy, screaming at me to run away. Her voice gets overwhelmed by the ghouls' sounds.

Those stupid sounds

There was just so much blood and the ghouls feasted on her. Hearing her flesh get ripped into pieces, one by one, and blood spills on the floor where we were resting moments before. My palms were sweaty from carrying Duncan and whatever supplies I could snatch. Every time I look back, more blood splatters on the wall.

I couldn’t do anything.

Get yourself together damnit! I couldn’t do anything then, but I can do something now.

I gripped my sniper once again, steadying my aim, and taking a deep breath. Every ghoul that appeared in my line of sight was shot off in a clean hit.

Soon after, all the ghouls were dead. I lifted my head to look at the only person standing.

Oliver.

I held my breath, shaking. He is covered in blood and some of his armor is scratched and broken, not to mentio-

Before I can finish my train of thought, he turns around and gives me a smile and a thumbs up. I almost cried at the sight.

“GOD DAMMIT YOU MADE ME WORRY.” I yelled, rushing down the stairs

“Why are you worried, sure it was more ghouls than usual but I handled them easil-”

“I thought you were a goner Oliver.” I mummer, squeezing him, making sure he's real and living.

“Hm, you finally called me by my first name RJ.” He chuckles, returning the embrace.

“Oh shut up.” I whispered, burying my face into his shoulder.

[callyourose]

match point, chapter four.

↳ masterlist

— In which Art and Patrick find themselves intertwined with the relationship of tennis superstar Tashi Duncan and her best friend, Lennon Caddel.

TASHI DUNCAN WASN'T CONTROLLING LENNON CADDEL.  She knew that Lennon was an adult, she was fully capable of making her own decisions. It wasn't like she was holding her at gunpoint. She could do what she wanted. Tashi truly did just want what was best for her. Lennon was incredible at tennis. Like, really, really fucking good. Tashi would never admit it, but she knew Lennon was better than her. She knew that she had never lost to her because Lennon had let her win. And she knew, deep, deep down, that Lennon didn't want to go pro. She was fucking miserable. She hated playing tennis. Sometimes, in the dark of her bedroom late at night or early in the morning, Lennon would contemplate declining her scholarship off and dropping out of school completely. She would stare at the screen of her computer, Stanford's student portal staring back at her. But tennis was the only thing that Tashi and Lennon knew. It was the basis of which their friendship was built on. If they were hanging out and didn't know what to do? They'd go out to Lennon's backyard and play a match. They wanted to watch a movie but couldn't decide on which one? They'd turn on Serena Williams or Lindsay Davenport's most recent match. Lennon hated playing tennis, but she knew that they needed it. Who would she be if she wasn't playing? What would her and Tashi even talk about? Would Tashi even like her if she wasn't winning? She didn't know. But she didn't want to find out. 

Art and Patrick were fighting for their lives on the tennis court. With Lennon and Tashi in the stands, it made the stakes that much higher. As the girls were leaving last night, the duo once again begging for their numbers, Tashi told them that whoever won their match could have Lennon's. Whoever lost could have hers. Both boys were ok with winning or losing. It was a win either way. Regardless, neither of them wanted to lose in front of the two greatest women in junior tennis.  

When Tashi had said that whoever lost the match could have her number, Lennon looked at her wide-eyed. She almost thought she was punishing her. In some weird, twisted way. Because why would Tashi Duncan want to be pursued by a loser? It was something that haunted Lennon all night long, the leftover fear of being a disappointment and the confusion of Tashi's promise to the boys making it impossible for her to sleep peacefully. 

The sun was beating down on all of them. Lennon's hair was pulled into a ponytail and tucked into a Stanford baseball cap, at the recommendation of Tashi. "I don't want you to get a sunburn," she had said, "Plus, hats are super cute on you."

The stakes were high and the match was almost over. And Art was losing. Lennon didn't know if she was rooting for anyone specifically, she was really just enjoying the game. If there's anything Tashi and Lennon can agree on, it's good tennis.

As soon as it had started, their final match was over. Patrick had won. Lennon and Tashi were on their feet, cheering, and he was bowing in their direction. Across the net, Art's hands were on his hips, feigning disappointment. But that didn't stop him from flashing an award winning smile when he caught Tashi's eye. She rolled her eyes, unable to stop the small grin that was blossoming on her face. 

Later that night, there was a knock at Lennon and Tashi's hotel room door. The girls were busy packing, their move-in date at Stanford was two days from then. They were going home for the next full day before packing up again and heading off to school. Their parents had been packing their bedrooms at home for them during their time at the US Open, so all that was left to do was to get home and then immediately leave. 

Tashi told Lennon to get the door and so she did. Patrick Zweig was standing in the hallway. He was fiddling with a pack of cigarettes, with a singular flower in his back pocket. 

"Hi, Patrick," she smiled, leaning against the door frame. She was in her pajamas, clad in a pair of black shorts (Tashi's) and her own oversized hoodie. She was toeing at the ground, her sock covered feet doing the work of distracting her. Tashi, although out of view, was peaking around the wall. She would tell you she wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but she was. 

"Hey," he replied as he eyed her up and down. As if just remembering it was there, he tucked the cigarette package into his front shirt pocket before reaching around and grabbing the flower out of his back one. "This is for you."

It was a rose. It looked like it had just been ripped off the bush. He had definitely stolen it from someone's garden. Still, the gesture was enough to have Lennon blushing and stumbling over her words. 

"Oh! Uh.. thank you, that's so sweet," She was trying so hard to suppress the blush and smile that were trying to take over her face. 

"Do you want to come somewhere with me?" He was grinning. He had reached into his front pocket and brought a cigarette to his lips. 

"You can't smoke in here," She raised her eyebrow and 'tsked', feigning mock disapproval. She was trying so hard to fight the urge to turn around to make sure Tashi wasn't watching. Not that she would've been mad at her for talking to Patrick, Lennon just wanted this all to herself for a minute.

Patrick smiled, his lips curling around the unlit cigarette. "I wasn't gonna light it, silly," He rolls his eyes, mocking. "Do you wanna come with me or not?"

Finally, Lennon looked back. Tashi was nowhere in sight. She looked down at her outfit and then back at Patrick and then back into her room. "Sure. But let me change."

"Where the hell are you taking me?!" Lennon giggled and she watched Patrick hop a wooden fence. After re-entering the room and convincing Tashi that she would be perfectly safe, she had left with the brunette boy and was letting him guide her. She was wearing the same shorts as before, but her previously socked feet were now covered by her beat up converse and she had forgone her hoodie in favor of a cropped t-shirt.

Patrick was stood on the other side of the fence and was smiling wide as he offered her his hands, helping her vault over it. "Just come on."

They walked side by side a little further, Patrick occasionally bumping his hip with Lennon's, causing her to giggle. She knew deep down that he was taking her somewhere that she wasn't supposed to be. After they had hopped the fence, the grass beneath them almost instantly became softer and well taken care off, almost as if they had stepped onto turf. The trees that had surrounded them for the first 5 minutes of their walk were nonexistent. By the time Patrick had lead them to where he wanted to be, plopping down on the grass and patting the space beside him, she had figured out where they were.

"Patrick..." She began, hands on her hips as she stood above him, "Is this a golf course?"

He leaned his head back, flashing her the same award winning smile that Art had used earlier. "There's no trees over here, okay? And you seem like the type of girl who likes to stargaze." 

He was right. She did like to stargaze.

Hesitantly, she sat down on the grass beside him and brought her knees up to her chest. She was resting her head on her knee as she turned to look at him. He was already looking at her.

"Do you like it?"

Lennon turned to look up at the sky, eyeing the stars Patrick was so desperate she see, and then back at him. "I do. As long as we don't get arrested for trespassing."

He chuckled at her, looking away. She rested her head on knee before turning to look at him again. "I wouldn't let that happen. I don't think Stanford accepts fugitives." 

At the mention of Stanford, and by association her tennis scholarship, she stiffens and her smile falters. She was tired of talking about it. For an hour, or however long her and Patrick would be out here, she didn't want to think about tennis. But she had met him at a tennis tournament. Obviously they were going to talk about tennis.

Just as she was about to fake a smile and reply to his joke, he knocks her leg with his. She lifts her head and turns to look at him fully, and he's looking at her with his eyebrows furrowed.

"Why don't you want to go pro?"

She was taken aback. She thought that the answer she had given last night was enough. Lennon was tired of discussing the thought of her playing professionally and why she wanted, or didn't want, to. So she said, "I do."

Patrick smiles softly and shakes his head. "No you don't."

"Yes I do. I told you last night that I did."

Patrick, who was leaning on his hands, sits up fully to turn his whole body to face her. "No, you didn't," He cocks his head at her, gauging her reaction before continuing. "You said that you didn't think that you were good enough to go pro and that you wouldn't be happy. And then Tashi got mad at you and you backtracked. Why?"

Lennon just stared at him. This was the first time in so long that anyone had asked her what she wanted. What she was thinking and what she wanted to do with her life without Tashi nearby to sway her answer. She honestly didn't know what to say. Part of her wanted to get angry with him. Why would he bring her here, alone, under the impression that he was here to get to know her, and then try to turn her against her best, and only friend? The other part of her, the part she didn't listen to very often, was almost relieved. Finally, for the first time in so long, she could just be Lennon. She didn't have to be Tashi Duncan's best friend or Steven Caddel's daughter or a Stanford scholarship recipient. She could just be her. Without the threat of Tashi's wrath or disappointed face. But still she looked over her shoulder, making sure they were alone. 

"I don't..." Lennon sighed, turning away from him. "I don't know." She was suddenly teary, as if the weight of the life she's built for herself has finally settled. She's set up to have the perfect career. She was born into the perfect family, she's going to the perfect school, her game is perfect. She could be known as one of the greats. Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer. And Lennon. 

She sniffles, which Patrick hears, and he's immediately apologetic. 

"I'm so sorry, Lennon," He's trying not to stumble over his words. He's got one of the most perfect people in the world next to him, and he made her cry. "Genuinely, I didn't mean to upset you."

She shakes her head and blinks away her tears before turning back to him and smiling warmly. "It's fine, Patrick. Really."

He doesn't believe her. But he moves on anyway. 

[stuck-in-total-drama-hell]

courtney & duncney coded: the tortured poets department edition

track 5. So Long, London

Look, I have been a crazed person about feeing that this song is Duncney coded. I've big brained this okay, like no, no one is from London like Taylor is saying, but, BUT! But in World Tour, London was right before Greece. London was the beginning of the end! Like it was the last moment of duncney being “okay” (in duncney terms, because let be real they are a mess, they’re up and down like a rollercoaster. But until the end of the London episode into Greece, there’s no big idea that either of them would be like this time is it, it’s totally over. Shit, Duncan even hugged her after she yelled like they were okay, why do that if you're not, tell her it's over, not important right now).

I have been around this song like a mad man like I’m a duncney stan but I can admit that a fundamental change was needed. We all know they are two broken teenagers in a messy on again, off again and serious (emotional) work needs to be made for any long term relationship to last (and to be better healed people, but that’s beside the point). I can see this song being an aftermath of sorts with Courtney being like I loved him, but I can recognize that we were broken in this and had been holding on desperately to something (the beginning relationship feeling for one) that wasn’t going to just bounce back.

Let's look at some lyrics:

“I stopped trying to make him laugh, stopped trying to drill the safe.”

This line is just giving up, going through the motions, ending up in the same place anyway. Super duncney. Also, gotta love any duncney coded songs that have a crime reference

“I stopped CPR, after all it’s no use. The spirit was gone, we would never come to.”

Everything in my above rant, all this. It's dead, but just still fight for something that is beyond bringing back.

“You swore that you loved me, but where are the clues? I died on the altar waiting for the proof.”

This could go for either one of them. Like they have been broken down time and time again by being on the show, the betrayals, the competition, all of it. And it just gets to that point where there's so many things to show that they don't care, where are the signs of love? (we could also get into how they both want those signs, but would also both push each other in a way to not show it cause they both don't want to be perceived as weak or anything).

There are soooo many more lyrics in this song, but I can’t be quoting the whole damn thing, listen to it and join my crazed hell!

[thewholecrew]

@headstrongblake said: [ ANGER ]:     sender pins receiver against the wall out of anger. / nick & nate

despite the reason, nate was pretty thrilled to be promoted to the barback. it wasn't much better than the busser aside from the fact he didn't have to clean up any food but hey if it paid even a dime more he'd take it. he was in the middle of being show around the bar and where everything was when familiar faces entered the building. nick with kassy at his side, the first time he'd seen either of them since what he heard happened to nick. torture, he shuddered, he couldn't imagine how awful that must have been. luckily duncan always kept him clear from anything like that but then this hadn't really been gang related at all he'd been told, or rather heard.

"hey!" he greeted them with a grin before he saw the flash of rage in the taller mans eyes, the slow saunter breaking into a lunge as nick's stride grew to carry him quickly across the space. the hell is he doing back there?! nick boomed. nate's expression shifted to surprise and the next thing he knew he was being shoved harshly, grunting as his back collided with the wall. "ow, fuck," nate muttered before bandaged hands gripped his shirt close to his neck and his own hands lifted to either side of him. there was shouting, he was sure from both atom and kassy though atom seemed to keep a wide birth, not coming to nates rescue.

"nicklas!" the name came from kassy behind nick as he pinned him and nate's gaze went to peer behind him if only a moment before nick's shaky hands gripped tighter to roughly jostle him and shove him back against the wall again. "hey!" nate grunted and tensed, jaw clenching as he frowned, not sure what the hell he did to warrant such a reaction. if i ever see you behind my bar again, you're dead. brows lifted as he saw such anger and hatred in nicks eyes, perhaps even pain and guilt. "alright, alright!" he agreed, hands going to try and push nick off him. "nick, let go," kassy was now standing beside the two, her voice desperate, dark eyes trained on his bandaged and trembling hand that had his shirt bunched in its weaker grasp.

when he was released, nate didn't move, his hands lowering to his sides as kassy drew nick away. looking down at his shirt he noticed the red smudges of blood that stained the front of it as he smoothed it down. it wasn't his and with that knowledge he honestly felt bad for nick, that after all that it was nick who probably walked away hurting more than nate did. he wondered if nick had wanted him to fight back, and now how and why the hell would he've done that? it was like kicking a man when he was already down. exhaling, he rubbed the back of his neck as atom slowly approached him and he shook his head with a shrug, "nah man, i'm fine, but ah... maybe i'll stick to bussin' for now," he muttered, catching nicks angry gaze one last time as kassy walked him out.