#and yeah they could be donating in private. we don't know. and that's exactly it. their silence makes us question them

[yellowloid]

Do we know Miles's or any of the AM members' opinions on the genocide in Gaza? Like I love them to death, but the lack of response has reaaally been bothering me. Not to mention the amount of privilege in not carrying about politics *looking at you, Alex*. I've seen Louise being pro-Israel.

OHHHHH anon i've been WAITING to talk about this. thank you for the question.

the answer is no we don't. to my knowledge, none of the members have openly talked about it. there has been no story on their official instagram, nor has matt (the only one with a public profile) posted anything about it on his account. not only that, but i did some research and apparently that benefit concert that him, tyler parkford and josh homme took part in also hosted people like jesse hughes and sarah silverman who are more or less openly pro-israel. which doesn't mean *matt* is, it just means he's not careful who he's associating himself and his image with.

the others have stayed silent. and miles, too - who's so active on social media - has never even reposted anything about it. not a word.

about the girlfriends, louise (and amanda) have spoken about "wanting peace" and louise especially has reposted some stupid ass posts a few months ago basically saying it's not "childish" to just wish peace for everyone - proving that she literally knows nothing about what has been happening for DECADES. both her and amanda have repeatedly proven they're centrists, which is just so. yikes.

the only one among all of them who has openly and almost immediately asked for a ceasefire is katie.

i've seen some people argue that the royal albert hall proceeds have gone to the war child association, but honestly - that's not enough. that was before, and even though knowing that is better than nothing, something they did in the past doesn't justify their lack of a statement on the genocide in the present. the fact that they're not even active on social media - just because they're too lazy to get someone to properly manage their account - isn't an excuse for staying silent.

whether they like it or not, they're celebrities. they have a platform they could use and they repeatedly choose not to use it. i love them but for the past few months i've been beyond disappointed in them.

[justyanle]

Can you pls do part to for Spider and reader? I literally can't wait till I read the next chapter!!!!!

Home in the War. [2]

(Spider x F!Reader)

Spider couldn't be more than joyed to finally be with the girl of his life and dreams, though, what you did during a certain festival made him fall deeper down the infinite rabbit hole of your love.

Home in the War. | CH 1

Content Warning: Fluff, Spider is happy finally, Spider x f!Reader

The heart to heart you had just faced with Spider was still laced in your mind, it was hazy - you were feeling fuzzy, dumb even, due to the mutual feelings that were expressed through words exchanged - or even because of a little kiss.

Eclipses, months, have passed ever since that night of endearment that happened with your dear Spider. Since then, the two of you had been walking around the village of the Omaticaya hand in hand, ready to announce to the dozens of your Na'vi friends your new, blooming, and fresh undying love.

They knew that your human bond was closer and stronger than the friendships and relationships of others, they didn't fail to recognize the romantic longing gazes and cheeky smiles you two reciprocated even before you were dating.

By now, they were already growing onto your relationship. Being happy and congratulated, they couldn't help but acknowledge that you seemed like you were hiding something from your beloved Spider.

Them being concerned friends for Spider's relationship, they told their small and dear human friend about their growing suspicion of you, usually starting off with a cautious "Yo, Spider? I know it's not my place to say something but I think your girl's being pretty private from you." to make sure his buttons weren't being pushed at the mention of your gloried name to him and of course, it backfired.

The sun has his moon and of course, the moon has her sun - everybody knew that, and that the moon was ready to give her everything for her sun.

He would always be struggling to keep up with the Sully children despite his strong build whenever they were wandering the woods. He was quick, but not quick enough for the standards of Na'vi, and that was exactly what you were going to fix.

Six years ago, you have begged the rest of the in-closed scientists to add an extra avatar link hidden away in the lab, far away from were the rest of the links were.

It took a lot of persuasion to finally convince the smartasses to add another one, though, they were confused and questioned "Who is this for? We don't have any other person to build an avatar for."

"Oh but we do."

The six years of the developing avatar body had passed like a breezy wind. Your reserved stay in the lab for years was going into pure love and genuineness.

There have been many avatars created since then, ranging from tall and short that were going to be attending at a festival tonight.

The Erox'lam was a festival of celebrating to Eywa your thanks for the people you dear - families laughing and reciprocating warm kisses, handicraft presents to give to your loved ones as a way of showing your endearment, food shared throughout the clan donated by different families to portray the support for the rest of the clan, and last but not least, the festival is a way of showing harmony through the toughest times the clan was facing together as one, it was lovely.

That afternoon, you have been scavenging the needed materials for the Erox'lam festival alongside with Spider.

The clan of Omaticaya already has it's adorable children laughing around and playing, their fellow young friends sharing a heartwarming giggle.

Spider could only watch from afar, fiddling with the leaf in his hand that will contribute as a plate for the feast later tonight. His mouth unconsciously started having it's own accord, moving to let out a noise, "Do you ever wonder what it's like to be like married or something?" a lovestruck tone.

The breath entering your throat hitched and practically got stuck, "I mean - uh- yeah, no doubt. The idea of a marriage in Omaticaya way is sweet," a heat circulating in your red forming cheeks due to the question and casualty, "their culture is beautiful.."

Spider could only snap his head towards your reply, not expecting a genuine answer to his trailed off question.

"Hey, when this whole war is over-" Spider started although being cut off by the current Olo'eyktan and once human, Jake.

"Hey [Y/N], Spider! You gotta start preparing for the festival later, it takes a long time to look like a barbie doll, y'know!"

Toruk Makto's children only appeared a few moments later and strutted to the spot where you and Spider were previously just squatting on.

Before you knew it, Tuk and Kiri already got ahold of you, babbling your ears off endlessly about the upcoming festival and weaved clothing pieces that were soon to be on you.

Looking back at the brothers that had your boyfriend occupied, going the opposite direction, you could only give a sweet toothy sympathetic smile, a grin pasting on his face at the sight of you.

"[Y/N]! You're going to look like a princess!" Tuk cheered, happy at the thought of you all dressed up like all of the other beautiful women amongst the clan.

"Ehh, I'm not sure Tuk, I'm probably just gonna be wearing my usual outfits again, I don't want to draw attention by looking different than I usually do." you whined back, obviously now wanting to be the spotlight of this important festival.

"C'mon, [Y/N]! This festival rarely happens, it's about love! Why don't you want to try and dress up sometimes? Let's go!" Kiri encouraged, rushing to a hut where there were women working on their woven tops and bottoms.

"Here, me and my mother have been working on this top for you." the older girl placed an elegant white beaded top in your hand, a pattern of it being decorated with green vines and a window that would show cleavage.

"But, I thought your mom didn't like me, Kiri?"

"She's warmed up to you because you make us happy, [Y/N]!" Tuk reassured, answering your question directed to Kiri instead, an adoring grin on her face.

"Thank you, guys, this is big help for looking beautiful."

"Oh, and! This is your bottom." The five-fingered teen handed a long white silky fabric into your hands, the silk covering your behind and flowed elegantly at the middle of your front. It's waistband is covered in different hues of father's dangling off of the fabric and around your thighs.

"Oh my.. Guys this is too much to ask for. I can't imagine how long this took." you thanked, inspecting the beauty of the crafted clothing of yours prepared for the festival.

"Just put it on already! I wanna see you shine!" Tuk cheered you on, jumping from excitement at seeing your beautiful figure in a new appearance.

Once you had changed, their jaw practically lost all the muscle holding it up, falling at the new sight of you. Your curves were prominent as the top complimented your chest perfectly, the flowy loincloth sat on the curves of your hips, the silky material following the movement of your body and hips gracefully.

"Holy shit, [Y/N]!" Kiri swore, eyes big and face visibly in shock, having a grip on you and twirling your exposed body.

"You're so pretty, ahh!" Tuk practically fangirling at the sight of your new transformation.

They could only squeal as you laugh at their reaction, pure amusement on your face.

The moment had died down when an unnoticed Neytiri was observing her children, standing outside the entry of the hut.

"O-Oh, Mother! I did not expect to see you so soon, I thought you were helping the elders prepare." Kiri shyly stated, quite intimidated at the sight of her mother seeing her play around with the species her mom hated the most.

"Ah, you and Tuk can be helping your grandmother right now, Ma Kiri." Neytiri notes to her eldest daughter.

"Ah, yes, the feast." she remembers as she walks out of the hut followed by Tuk, them giving you quite a look that yelled 'goodluck!' before leaving.

Neytiri and you are now just alone in the spacious place that stored the clothing of the women in the Sully family.

As you were just about to excuse yourself, Neytiri sighs, her eyes flickering to yours before ushering you to sit beneath the flooring.

Obeying, your body that ranged small compared to hers was sat as she took her own seat behind you, your back facing the Na'vi woman's body.

"Ma child, I know that you are aware of my hatred for sky people," she started, her four fingers combing through your soft textured hair.

"but I have observed that you are a girl of your peace. You make my children happy." she continued, feeling light tugs on your hair due to the braid she was skillfully forming.

"You are a good influence on my kids, [Y/N], your boyfriend though.. tell the impulsive boy that he is reckless."

You giggled, the tone of the Omaticayan woman was stern and strict that was laced with sarcasm. She tried to stifle a chuckle that was close to erupt.

"All I am saying is, Ma child, continue being you towards my kids."

You nodded, keeping an important mental note to make her happy and satisfied with you, knowing her despise for sky people so this was a rare opportunity.

As she pulled away from your now braided hair, it resembles the queue of a Na'vi, the rest of your silky locks only following that loose braid.

"Thank you, I do not know how to make up for this, your work is much better than the style I was about to give myself." you complimented, a grateful and thankful smile placed on your lips.

"Don't be ridiculous Ma child, it's my way of gratitude for being good on my children."

She left the hut with a light feeling on her chest, finally relieved to tell you that she did not have a sour feeling for you.

Strutting to the lab, "Hi, Norm! Is the link stabilized to be used for later?" you asked, preparing the gift for someone.

The scientist's ears perked at the noise of his daughter figure making sure this gift that was planned for years was okay. He nodded and gave a toothy beam followed by a teasing "Also, kid, you look great! Sure that little boy of yours is gonna be head over heels in love with you again."

"Stop, he's gonna be completely fine. It's just me in other clothes, Norm." replying with a sarcastically tired sigh.

Looking over at the blue body that laid on the bed from the other room where a window was placed to see, his features were exactly like the boy you had grown to fall for over and over again.

The eyes that were already twinkling, the nose similar to a feline's nose, lips still as plump and soft like the last time you kissed him that night, you hoped he would do it again.

Giving one last prideful glance at the body, smiling.

You had fixed up your appearance before navigating for where the Sully sisters could be spotted.

A'last, your search for the Sully sisters had ended as you joined the two girls who were now dressed differently from earlier.

"Tuk, Kiri! Hey!" you greet the tall Na'vis, twinkles of toothiness shared on each one of your faces.

Chatting along, the horn has finally made its announcement of its beginning, rushing towards the crowd that circled the light of heat.

The festival was now starting, the dozens of Na'vi surrounding a fire to light up the nights of Pandora.

A sacred prayer was being led by Tsahik Mo'at, a prayer for endearment, care, and tranquility for the clan.

As the rest of the clan was chanting along Mo'at's voice, the energy of Eywa currently spreading across the air of Omaticaya.

Eyes closed, chanting the feeling of completion amongst the Omaticaya, it was grace and beauty.

Ending the call of Mother, your eyes finally opened to a scenery to behold.

Him.

It's almost like he has the ability to make the concept of time stop in his hands every time.

The feelings of red blooming in you, red cheeks, red ears, and red roses, the flower of love.

His irises were only two but could tell thousands, each eye only told the story of you in his mind. Just you.

The view you are facing now has his body cleaned from the blue paste applied to imitate the stripes of a Na'vi, dreads now tied in a way it complimented and proudly display his face, the usual loincloth he wore now being replaced by a white texture that imitated yours.

Oh my Eywa.

Rushing over to him, not even bothered to give attention to the tenths of Omaticaya boys looking at your beautiful figure, and of course, Spider was one of them.

He looked as awestruck as you were on your sudden transformations.

"I am so lucky to genuinely call you mine, [Y/N]." he admired, giving your body a twirl, the silkiness of the loincloth hanging low from your hips trailing the motion of your movement.

"I could say exactly the same for you, Spider."

Thus, the beat of Erox'lam finally started. He could only lace your oh so delicate fingers with his as he pulled you onto a spot.

"Oh no, no, no. Spider I don't dance, you knew that ever since we were young." you protested, trying to oppose the forceful pull Spider was doing.

"Please? Give me this one chance, [Y/N]." he begged, eventually letting out a sigh of defeat and now interlacing your delicate hands against his veiny and calloused ones from the physical activities he performed in the nature of Pandora.

Both of your bodies were now moving delicately but still stern, following the upbeat rhythm of the clan's music that is adored and danced to by many.

Almost like it felt like that night all over again, not only being engulfed in the endless love from Spider but the love of the clan emitting all around.

"It was not just a coincidence when I asked if you thought of marriage, [Y/N]. I know our night is young and new but my feelings have been waiting for thousands."

You didn't know that Spider could be as poetic as this, coming from such a reckless and unserious boy was rare - this is how you knew all of this was genuine, genuine passion. Genuine love.

"This clan is our family, Spider - but my home is still you."

It's like tsahelyu is made without a queue, such a spiritual bond of desire and passion done with the spirit in your eyes.

Pulling away from the boy holding you dear to him, "Spider, there is something I have been wanting to show you for years, come." trying to lead him away from the crowd of tall Na'vi riding their bodies to the wave of music.

He could only nod, a strong arm snaking around your exposed waist, a shiver running down your spine at the contact of his skin on yours.

As he saw that you were heading to the lab, he was puzzled. "[Y/N], why are we here? Everybody else is at the fire." he questioned, unsuspecting of the reason.

"You'll know." you replied, typing into the door of the room - the one that seemed like one that Spider could never enter in.

"But, you told me to never enter? Why are we here?" the poor boy asked again, more than lost at the event tuning out right before his eyes.

At last, the door opened to behold the glory of a-

Link?

No, no, he knew a link wouldn't be there without the body of an avatar. Could this be what he was possibly thinking? He surely was losing his mind wasn't he?

"Oe kaltxí si nga nìltsan Erox'lam, ma Spider." (I greet you well Erox'lam, my Spider.)

His eyes searched for the body, scanning further into the brightly lit lab and -

There it was. There he was.

A version of his already toned body into a blue and tall one, the face replicating his, the body that were now collaborated with cat-like features. Bigger and rounder eyes, a nose sculpted flat, yet it was definitely him.

The hair of the body that was not even close to similar to Spider's current hair was long, smooth like silk soaring through winds or rather, water.

"But [Y/N], it takes years for an avatar body to develop, does this mean-" he started but immediately getting his sentence interrupted by the lines of "Yes, Spider.. I have asked the scientists to make you one ever since we were 10,"

"I was young, but I knew my heart well."

Tears were practically building up into his doll-like eyes, the one you fell for every single time. Sure, he was partially crying because of the fact he finally received the gift he desired for years, but he knew you were more special, the one he desired the most.

"I will love you until the whole reality collapses, [Y/N]." he sniffled, a deeply sentimental emotion settling into his chest. He knew it. It would be you all along.

"Ah! My Spider, don't cry.." you rushed to his taller figure, your hands were now placed on both sides of his cheeks, wiping away the crystals graceful trickling down his face.

He could only smile, he couldn't believe it. "Let's get you into the link." you insisted, guiding his body into the capsule.

As he laid, he could only watch you delicately, your effortlessly breathtaking view was like a drug for him.

Pushing him down, his head rose, observing you. It was now only sinking into his chest that he had an avatar, the thrill traveling all around his body, a toothy smile was now on display.

"Holy shit, holy shit, holy shi-"

"Shut up, Spider." you laughed and pushed his head down, pulling down the following metal that would encase his body.

"Think blank, Spider. It would be easier to transfer your mind into the brain of the avatar and bring it consciousness." reminding him, a tone that would engrave in his head.

"How could I think blank when all I could think of is you?" he flirted, obviously not taking a new step of his life seriously.

"Spider!" smiling at your boyfriend's immature and flirty antics.

What you did next was not expecting for him, a quick peck with a red hue on your cheeks.

"Bye, darling!" you farewelled, now putting on a lab coat, heading over to where avatar Spider now laid, his eyes were sensitive to the bright light, squinting as he tries to cover them.

Holding a clipboard and pen in your hand, "Spider, can you try to move your fingers for me?" you requested, readying your notes for the upcoming behaviour of his.

Like requested, he brought his now blue and large hands up to his face, thick and veiny fingers now displayed in front of his features.

You nodded, taking down notes and going into the next procedure, "Okay, you're doing good, next I want you to wiggle your toes and try bending your knees."

Your words basically went through one ear and left the other, he was still admiring his hand, that was now unconsciously moving onto your face that scaled smaller compared to his now big hands. He could only pat your head gently and cup your cheek, thumb grazing over your features, his face portraying an emotion of admiration.

Baffled as you speak "Spider, what the hell are you doing?", questioning his sudden action that did not follow your directions.

"You're beautiful."

"Spider.."

"As a human or as an Avatar, [Y/N], my love for you will still be bigger than what my heart can hold."

a/n: SOSOSOSOksoaoso AHHHHHHHHHHHHH I FINALLY FINISHED THIS AFTER THIS ASK HAS BEEN IN MY DRAFTS FOR SO LONG LIKE GENUINELY SO LONG, I WANTED TO PUT AVATAR!SPIDER ON THE DESCRIPTION BUT IT WOULD RUIN THE SUPRISE 😭

it took so long to do this because i was thinking of how to do a plot for home in the war for the LONGEST time, i hope this was good enough lmfao my reqs open my babes i hope this blog doesnt flop bruh

[loveroftoomanyfandoms]

Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, Chapter 2

Pairing: Platonic Steven Grant x Reader (for now)

Rating: T

Word count: ~2800

Story Summary: Steven meets a beautiful woman in the Egyptian exhibit at the British Museum...

...Too bad she's his new boss.

Tags/Warnings: Canon Divergent since Steven still works for the British Museum post-canon, No Jake Lockley, developing friendship

A/N: Here we are with chapter 2!

If you'd like to be added to the taglist for this (or any of my other writing), please let me know!

Title from the song of the same name by The Police.

“...Also, leave room for questions in between exhibits instead of just powering on through -- oh, who am I bloody kidding,” Steven said to himself as he went over his notes in the men’s room before his meetings with Dr. Y/L/N on Friday morning. “I can't do this. I can't. I never should have accepted this position. Is it too late to tell Dr. Y/L/N that I've changed my mind?”

“Hey, no, none of that,” Marc replied in his head. “You're gonna be great.”

Steven caught Marc’s reflection in the mirror. “You really think so?”

Marc nodded. “Your ideas are good. Besides, Dr. Y/L/N wouldn't have given you the job had she not believed you could do it.”

Steven took a deep breath. “Yeah. Yeah, you're right. Clearly she saw something in me, right?”

“Exactly. Now, go get ‘em.”

Steven squared his shoulders. “Okay, off I go.”

He exited the restroom and headed upstairs to the meeting room, knocking lightly on the door before entering.

He froze as he saw Dr. Y/L/N and the entire Curatorial team already seated. Oh, bollocks. Way to make a first impression. “Sorry, am I late?”

Dr. Y/L/N looked up at him and smiled. “Ah, Steven! No, you're not late at all. Have a seat, I'm glad you could join us.”

Steven sat in an empty seat across from her.

Dr. Y/L/N shuffled some papers in front of her. “Okay, let's get started. First, I'd like to thank you all for making me feel so welcome during my first week as museum director. I know I have some big shoes to fill, but I truly think we have a wonderful team here and I'm looking forward to working with all of you to make the museum's collection the best it possibly can be.

“Second, I'm assuming you all know Steven Grant, who is currently one of our gift shop employees but as of this coming Monday will be our Visitor Engagement Specialist.”

Steven gave a small wave as six pairs of eyes turned towards him. “Er, hello.”

“Steven’s first task as our new VES will be to update the guided tours,” Dr. Y/L/N explained, “so I asked him to sit in on today's meeting so he can include our new artifacts in his planning. Christina, why don't you go ahead and tell us about them.”

Christina, the head of the Curatorial department, cleared her throat. “Yes, well, the Cairo Museum has very generously loaned us the coffin of Akhenaten as well as a rather extensive collection of funerary masks from various ancient Egyptian kings and queens. Steven, I can email the list of who they were made for to you this afternoon.”

Steven nodded. “That sounds brilliant, thanks.”

“We'll have to pull a couple of display cases from the basement to house the masks, but we should be able to fit everything with the rest of the Ancient Egyptian artifacts on the 3rd floor without having to take anything out or move too much around, so that area should only be closed for a few days while we get the new display set up.”

“Excellent.” Dr. Y/L/N made a few notes. “Is there anything else that we would want to add or rearrange in any of the other areas while we're at it, to sort of refresh the rest of the collection?”

“Actually, a member just donated their private collection of first-edition classic British novels,” James, another member of the Curatorial staff, said. “There’s several Dickens, a couple of Austens, and even copies of Dracula and Wuthering Heights .”

Dr. Y/L/N’s eyebrows raised. “Have they been authenticated?”

James shook his head. “Not all of them. We're working on getting that done now.”

“Please let me know as soon as you do. I'd like to have those out on display as soon as possible as well. Anything else?”

Steven cleared his throat. “Er, actually, if I may…”

Dr. Y/L/N turned to him. “Yes, Steven?”

“If I remember correctly, a few years ago there was a lovely collection of Grecian pottery on display, but it was removed and I believe put in storage in order to make room for a statue of Zeus.”

“Oh, I think I know which collection you mean,” Christina replied. “The one that included a scene of Hercules fighting the Nemean lion?”

Steven nodded. “Yeah, that's the one. Do we still have that?”

Christina nodded as well. “Yeah, we still have them.”

“Perhaps we could put those back out?” Steven faltered when there was no immediate response. “Or not, I just thought…”

Christina shook her head. “No… no, you're right. We have the space for them, so there's no point in leaving them in storage.”

“Wonderful idea, Steven,” Dr. Y/L/N added. “Thank you. Any others?”

When no one else offered up any other ideas, she nodded. “Okay then, thank you everyone. I know sometimes things come to people after the fact or they don't feel comfortable sharing in a group setting, so if anyone has any other questions or ideas for sprucing up the displays my door is always open -- unless I'm in a meeting, of course, but in that case feel free to email me.”

As everyone began to stand and file out of the room, she looked over at Steven. “And speaking of meetings, instead of taking up the meeting room with just the two of us, how about you and I meet in my office instead, in say, 5 minutes or so? I need to stop off for some coffee first.”

Steven nodded, starting to get nervous again. Maybe I should brew myself a cup of tea while I'm at it. “Yes, ma’am.”

He headed downstairs to the staff kitchen, where Donna was sitting at a table eating a sandwich.

She glowered at him, but said nothing.

Steven caught Marc's reflection in the microwave. She doesn't look too pleased, Marc said with a smirk.

Steven bit back a smile as he filled the electric kettle with water then turned it on. Yeah, she's barely said two words to me ever since she had to apologize to me on Monday.

God, I wish I had been a fly on the wall for that meeting.

Steven grabbed a to-go cup and chose a tea bag before opening it and setting it in the cup. Me too, actually. It'd have been nice to see Donna get put in her place for once.

I just wish I'd have seen the look on her face when she found out that you were getting promoted to Visitor Engagement Specialist. I'm surprised she didn't quit in protest, especially since it meant she'd actually have to do inventory herself next week instead of pawning it off on you like she always did.

Steven shrugged slightly. I actually didn't really mind doing inventory. The stockroom was always quiet and it made the time pass by.

Once the kettle started boiling Steven poured the water for his tea into his cup and popped a lid on it. Alright, here I go.

He headed back upstairs to Dr. Y/L/N’s office and knocked on the open door. “Dr. Y/L/N?”

Dr. Y/L/N looked up from her computer screen and smiled. “Hi. Come on in.”

She stood and walked behind Steven as he entered, shutting the door behind him. “Have a seat.”

Steven sat in the same chair he had sat in on Monday when Dr. Y/L/N had offered him the VES position.

Dr. Y/L/N sat across from him and reached for a folder. “Alright, before we get started, I have the HR paperwork officially instating you into your new position ready for you to sign.”

She slid it over to him. “You can wait until Monday, of course, but I figured if you signed it today that'd be one less thing you'll have to worry about.”

“Oh, erm…” Steven opened the folder and quickly scanned the documents, still marveling at the massive (to him, anyway) raise that he would be receiving. “I can sign it today. That's not a problem.”

“Fantastic. Here you go then.” Dr. Y/L/N grabbed a pen and handed it to him. “By the way, I've scheduled a meeting with the rest of the Programming staff for first thing Monday morning to formally introduce you as the Visitor Engagement Specialist and to let them know that we'll be modifying the tours.”

Steven nodded and set his cup of tea down before signing the paperwork. “Oh, brilliant. Thanks.” 

“By the way, it was really a great idea to add that pottery collection back to the Ancient Greece display. Your clear knowledge and enthusiasm for history and your attention to details like that is why I know I made the right decision in offering you the Visitor Engagement Specialist position.”

Steven flushed at the praise. “I, er, I took a bit of a wander through each area while I was making notes for our meeting and since I always liked that collection I thought it might bring some fun and excitement to the tours to be able to kind of tell the story depicted on each piece.”

He bit his lip. “I hope I didn't step on any toes by suggesting that though. I know that I was mostly just there to observe.”

Dr. Y/L/N shook her head. “No, I want to see collaboration between departments, especially between Programming and Curatorial. We're all part of the same team and are working together towards the same goal, so don't ever be afraid to make a suggestion.”

She took a sip of her coffee. “Now, what else do you have in mind to improve the tours?”

“Well…” Steven pulled his notebook and a map of the museum out of his messenger bag. “First off, I think we're going about the tours themselves the wrong way.”

He pointed at the map. “Currently, we're starting on the ground floor and working our way up to the fifth, which means when visitors make their way back down after the tour is over they mostly tend to just leave rather than stopping by the gift shop or the bookstore.”

Dr. Y/L/N nodded. “So what do you think we should do?”

Steven moved his finger to the group entrance. “What I suggest is that we have tours meet on level 1 at the group entrance and head up to level 5 whilst whoever is leading the tour gives a general overview of the museum, then we work our way through the collection back down to level 0 and end our tour there with a gentle reminder to check out our gift shop and bookstore.”

Dr. Y/L/N hummed thoughtfully. “Yeah, that makes sense.”

Steven was encouraged by Dr. Y/L/N’s positive reception. “Also, I believe we're spending too much time on certain exhibits and not enough time on others. There needs to be a better balance so we're not rushing through the last few exhibits trying to squeeze everything in because we've spent 20 minutes lecturing on the Siege of Lachish.”

Dr. Y/L/N huffed out a laugh. “I agree. I noticed that as well.”

She made a few notes. “Anything else?”

“Just that I also think we should allow time for a few questions about the collection while we're in each area rather than wait until the end of the tour. Again, we frequently run out of time so there's usually not even a chance for visitors to ask questions anyway, or if there is time we've thrown so much information at them that they've likely forgotten what it is they wanted to ask.”

Dr. Y/L/N made another note. “Absolutely. These are all really great ideas, Steven. Think you can implement them into a sample tour for me?”

Steven nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I can have  something put together by Monday if you'd like. It won't include the new exhibits, of course, but it'll at least give you an idea of the direction I want to take the tours and give me a chance to retool them if necessary.”

“That would be wonderful.” Dr. Y/L/N reached for her coffee and took a sip. “By the way, how are things downstairs? Donna isn't still speaking disrespectfully to you, is she?”

Steven shook his head. “No, ma'am. Actually, she hasn't said much of anything at all to me since Monday.”

Dr. Y/L/N sighed. “Okay. I'll talk to her again.”

“No!” Steven cleared his throat. “Er, no. No, that's quite alright. I’d actually prefer it that way. Besides, it's not like I'll have to deal with her on a daily basis after today anyway, innit?”

Dr. Y/L/N took a sip of her coffee. “Regardless, I really am sorry that you’ve had to endure such treatment, especially for so long. No one should ever be spoken to with such blatant disrespect, especially by their supervisor.” 

Steven nodded. “I appreciate that.”

“If Donna does ever speak to you like that again, please let me know.”

“I will.” Steven bit his lip. “If there's nothing else, I er, I should probably get back to the gift shop. Technically I'm still a clerk until Sunday.”

Dr. Y/L/N looked chagrined. “Oh my goodness, you're absolutely right. I’m sorry, I probably shouldn't have asked you to do anything pertaining to your new position just yet since you haven't officially started.”

Oh, bollocks, Steven thought. She thinks I'm complaining. “It's nothing like that, ma'am, it's just that I'm sure you're busy and I don't want to bother you by hovering, that's all.”

“Oh.” Dr. Y/L/N shook her head with a smile. “No, you're not bothering me at all. Most of what I've been doing all week is reading over museum policies and procedures and meeting with the board of trustees and various benefactors, so it's actually been nice to get a little break from that and talk to someone who actually works here.”

Ask her how she likes being here so far, Marc said in Steven's head.

Steven cleared his throat. “How has your first week as Director been otherwise?”

“It's been good. A lot to jump into, of course, but you and the rest of the staff have been incredibly kind and welcoming.” Dr. Y/L/N paused. “I wasn't quite sure how the staff would react to me, especially with me not being British.”

Steven shrugged. “Well, it's like you said, we're a team, right? That includes our team leader, no matter where you're from. Your qualifications speak for themselves.”

Dr. Y/L/N shot him a small smile. “I really appreciate that, thank you.”

Her office phone rang. “Sorry, one second.”

Steven waited as she pressed a button on the phone. “Yes?”

“Dr. Y/L/N, the Chairman from the Board of Trustees is on hold for you,” Helen, Dr. Y/L/N’s executive assistant, said through the speaker.

“Okay, one minute. I'm wrapping up a meeting.” Dr. Y/L/N sighed and picked up the receiver before covering the mouthpiece with her hand. “I'm sorry, Steven, I have to take this. If you happen to think of anything else you want to add to the tours or if you have any other questions or concerns, please let me know.”

“I will.” Steven put his notebook and map of the museum back in his messenger bag and stood. 

He picked up his cup of tea. “Want me to close your door on my way out?”

Dr. Y/L/N shook her head. “No, you can leave it open. Thank you.”

Steven stood and started to walk towards the door.

“Oh, Steven?” Dr. Y/L/N called out. “One more thing.”

Steven stopped and turned back around. “Yes, ma'am?”

“If I don't see you again before you leave today… have a nice weekend.”

Steven smiled. “You too, ma'am. See you on Monday.”

I told you she'd like your ideas, Marc said as Steven headed out of Dr. Y/L/N’s office. 

I really think I'm going to enjoy working with her, Steven replied. She seems really open to collaboration. 

Yeah, she seems great. 

Steven arrived at the elevator and pressed the button to go down. Maybe we can come back on Sunday when I'm off and do a trial run of the tour so I can double-check the timing. I want to be as prepared as I possibly can be.

I'm sure you'll impress the hell out of her.  

Steven waited for the elevator to arrive, then stepped on and pressed the button for level 0 . He had to admit that he not only wanted to impress Dr. Y/L/N professionally, but he also wanted to impress her personally as well. I certainly hope so.

[tawaifeddiediaz]

how about "I see you still have my shirt" ?

KATE thank you for the ask hehe <3 I'm slowly catching up on these so

simping softness prompts

[AO3 Link - like home]

Word Count: 3328 words

Warnings for this: teeny bit of sickfic vibes and a vague allusion to a child who's been abused (not at all graphic, it's a one-paragraph retelling after they get back to the station) [yeah i don't know why i can't just write straight fluff but here we are]

Buck was clearing out his closet when he found the first one.

At first, he didn’t recognize the beige-green shade, or the weirdly straight shape of the T-shirt. It felt strange when he put it on, too — a bit too tight across his chest and shoulders, but still falling loosely around his waist.

“That’s weird,” he murmured to himself, walking over to the bathroom.

He didn’t exactly remember buying an Army T-shirt, nor did he even know if he’d been around any place where he could get it for free. The only military service T-shirt he had was an old one from his SEAL try-outs, and that was in tattered at this point. Buck would be surprised if it still fit him after all these years.

Buck twisted around to look at the back, his mouth falling open in surprise as the air left his lungs.

DIAZ, it read boldly, each letter emblazoned between his shoulder blades.

It was Eddie’s shirt.

Suddenly, the flimsy fabric held a significant weight against Buck’s skin, settling in place as if it was meant to be there. There was an asinine hilarity to how quickly Buck went from throwing the shirt in the donation pile to stuffing it back into his closet, for his eyes only.

It wasn’t like there was anyone else who could find the shirt sitting among his own and trace it right back to Eddie, but suddenly, Buck felt the need to keep it private, for himself.

His heart skipped as he traced the four letters with his eyes, twisting back around to look at the faded letters across his chest, wondering how many times Eddie wore the shirt without really thinking about it, never as anything sacred.

The army was his best friend’s least favourite topic to talk about. Save for a few casual conversation drops, Eddie almost never talked about the army as if it were something personal to him.

Perhaps that was the same nonchalance that led to this shirt getting mixed in with Buck’s stuff, without being missed.

If Buck had to predict it, he would say that Eddie forgot this shirt when he went back home after the quarantine they’d spent at Buck’s apartment. He’d found a pair of socks that ended up being Chim’s, and an earring of Hen’s a few months after. Albert’s stuff still showed up from time to time, randomly shoved into forgotten drawers, or stuffed down the couch cushions.

But that had still been a year and a half ago. They’d lived lifetimes in that time, between the leaps their lives took, only to tangle them closer together.

Buck stared at his reflection, standing in Eddie’s shirt. There was a certain intimacy to unknowingly sharing articles of clothing that kept them from being too vulnerable, but it burned something fierce to have this piece of Eddie without the rest of him.

Eddie had broken up with Ana three weeks after the shooting, and to Buck’s knowledge, he hadn’t dated anyone else since. Every time Buck asked, Eddie always shrugged and said he was waiting for the right time.

It had been a few weeks after breaking up with Taylor that Buck had realized that this...thing...with his best friend wasn’t as platonic as he’d wanted to think it was. They always seemed to be skipping through hurdles at some points, while slowing to a snail’s pace at others. Always daring the other to make the first move, always trying to catch the other slipping

The thing was, Buck knew Eddie was waiting on him. It was in everything Eddie did for him — from as small as grabbing Buck’s favourite cookie when he bought his coffee in the mornings, to bigger things like using words Buck needed to hear when he was feeling down. Eddie had never been a man of words; he was a man of action, through and through, and Buck knew it better than anyone that Eddie went out of his way to make him feel like he was loved. And he did it without the expectation of anything more.

Buck wanted more, but he wasn’t ready to risk what he had with Eddie and Christopher yet. He knew, without a doubt, that it would be worth putting everything on the line, but sometimes, it was hard to believe that he got to have this. Buck knew Eddie was it for him, and that realization was scarier than anything else he’d learned about himself over the years.

He was working on it, but he wasn’t there just yet.

Buck slipped the shirt off with all the care of handling something delicate, folding it carefully before walking over to his closet. He set the shirt on the top shelf for easy access, apart from all his other things.

Eddie hadn’t asked for it in over a year, so Buck assumed it was okay if he kept it.

Maybe one day, Buck would find the courage to give it back to him, along with all the other things he’d been holding back from.

For now, though, this was enough.

----

The next item to join his grand stash of one shirt was a sweater.

“You’re going to drive me insane one day,” Eddie commented as he came back, cough medicine and thermometer in hand.

“Not my fault,” Buck rasped, struggling to sit himself up. Eddie took him by the elbow and helped him sit against the pillows. “You try babysitting a preschooler.”

“I’ve done my dues,” Eddie snorted, filling the cap up to the line.

Buck had to laugh at that. “Done my time, paid my dues.”

“Shut up.”

He paid for the quip with bitter, sticky medicine that made him feel like his throat was being glued shut. Buck shuddered the whole way it went down while Eddie only shook his head at his antics. “I hate that medicine with everything in me.”

Eddie ran the thermometer across his forehead, grinning as he turned the screen to show Buck the blinking numbers. “99.2. Not bad at all. Your fever finally broke.”

“Thanks, Doctor Diaz,” Buck said as sarcastically as he could manage, closing his eyes as he drifted. He wasn’t delirious from fever, but his body ached something fierce and he still felt cold from where Eddie had pushed all of the blankets off him in an attempt to break his fever.

It worked, but Buck was cold.

He had hardly reached for a thick blanket before Eddie was on him, taking it away in favor of a thinner fleece one. “Eddie, I’m freezing.” He was a little too far gone to care how whiny and nasally he sounded.

“Wait, I might have something for you.” Buck watched as his friend walked over to his dressers, rummaging through until he pulled out a sweater. “Put this on.”

It was a plain black sweater, but as Buck pulled it on, Eddie’s scent engulfed him, embedded into the thick wool. The sweater was clearly meant to be oversized, because the sleeves went past even Buck’s fingers.

He burrowed as much as he could into the warm material, feeling his body relax into the mattress at the familiar smell. Most of Buck didn’t even care that Eddie was watching him, but the small part of him that did mumbled out a thanks, drifting between sleep and wake.

As he gave himself over to unconsciousness, Buck thought he felt Eddie brushing his fingers through his hair once, just before the door clicked shut.

Buck pressed his face into Eddie’s sweater, and smiled in his sleep.

----

Sweatpants were next, along with a long-sleeved shirt this time.

This time, it really wasn’t his fault. He and Christopher were just trying to open a can of pizza sauce. It wasn't their fault it went off like a bottle rocket.

Buck and Christopher stared wide-eyed at Eddie, who was staring right back at them. Buck was sure they looked like victims at a crime scene, with pizza sauce smothered all over them. There was even some in Buck’s hair, though God knew how.

“How…” Eddie trailed off, sighing. “Okay, don’t move.”

“Do you think he’s mad?” Christopher asked as Eddie dashed out of the kitchen, looking up at Buck.

“Nah, it was an accident,” Buck told him, knowing it to be true. “Why’d it explode like that, anyway?”

Christopher shook his head. “I don’t know, but it’s messy and feels gross.” He went to rub his eye but Buck caught his wrist before he could smear tomato all over.

“You got that right,” he cringed. Buck felt disgusting . It would take forever for them to stop smelling like garlic and Italian seasoning. Not to mention the sabotage to their dinner plans — Buck felt worse about that , far more than about the colossal tomato disaster Eddie’s kitchen had become.

Eddie came back with a trash bag, holding it out to them. “Those clothes are as good as gone. Might as well dump them now. We’ll clean the kitchen after you two are clean.”

They dutifully stripped down before Eddie took Chris into the hallway bathroom, calling out behind him. “Buck, you can use the shower in my room. There’s clothes on the counter for you.”

Feeling a little more than naked standing in Eddie’s kitchen in just a tank and his boxers, Buck cut through the hallway to make a mad dash for Eddie’s room. True to it, Eddie had set out a pair of sweatpants and another shirt.

It took some good scrubbing before Buck felt confident enough that he didn’t smell like pizza sauce. By the end of it, he’d used probably half of Eddie’s body wash, a good amount of shampoo and almost all the conditioner.

He made a mental note to replace them later.

The sweatpants were too short on him, coming an inch above his ankle. Still, they were passable, and more importantly, clean .

Buck threw the shirt on, pushed the sleeves up and made sure he smelled human before leaving the bathroom.

Eddie and Chris’ voices were still coming from the bathroom, so Buck decided to start cleaning the explosion in the kitchen. There was sauce all over the counter, floor, cabinets and stove. None of it managed to get on the stretched out pizza dough, because of course not.

Buck was in the middle of scrubbing the second cabinet when Eddie and Chris came back.

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that,” Eddie said, grabbing another rag to start wiping the counters down. “I ordered pizza, by the way. Figured we’d avoid another accident.”

“It was for the best,” Christopher nodded solemnly, walking over to the pizza dough. “What are we going to do with this?”

“We could turn that into garlic bread,” Buck suggested, turning towards Eddie. “Wouldn't take more than a little butter, garlic and salt.”

Eddie shrugged. “You two are the chefs here. Anything sounds good to me.”

They did end up making breadsticks, and when the pizza came, they ate cross-legged in front of the TV. It was cozy, sitting there in his boyfriend’s clothes during their normal movie night, with his favourite kid in the world tucking into his pizza across from him.

Eddie drew Buck in for a quick kiss as they settled on the couch together, Christopher curled into Eddie’s side. “You look good in those.”

Buck looked down at himself, thinking of all the other clothes that were Eddie’s, reserved for that top shelf in his closet. “You think so?”

His boyfriend nodded, dragging a thumb along the sleeve. “Yeah.”

Christopher shushed them loudly when the movie picked up, effectively ending the conversation. Buck couldn’t resist grinning at the kid’s antics with Eddie, but also a little bit because he still hadn’t told him about the clothes he kept tucked away.

Those were safe. Now that they were dating, Buck felt better about slipping into bed wearing something that once was Eddie’s. The sweater still smelled of his boyfriend’s cologne, and Buck tugged it on whenever he needed a pick-me-up, or whenever he missed him on the rare days he spent alone at his loft.

Buck wondered what Eddie would think about the stash — not that he was thinking of telling him just yet. Maybe one day, but for now, Buck was content to have two more articles to add to it.

It was entirely Eddie’s fault that these clothes never got back to him.

----

In general, Buck kept it to himself.

He didn’t tell anyone how much he actually liked wearing Eddie’s clothes — how safe they made him feel, how easy it was to ground himself with the scent of Eddie around him. He didn’t tell anyone how wearing the sweater Eddie had given him, while he was caring for Buck in a way no one but Maddie had, made missing his boyfriend a little more bearable. Especially on shifts Eddie worked without him, when an unease would grip Buck and not let go until he knew Eddie was at home again.

Some days, though, it was all he could think about.

Buck rummaged through their locker, looking for the jacket that belonged to Eddie. Eddie, who wasn’t on shift, and had no idea of the thoughts racing through Buck’s mind right now.

Finally, he found what he was looking for, shoving his arms through the sleeves and zipping it all the way up, as if the thin fleece could stop the bone-deep chill from spreading through his chest.

“Buck?” Bobby’s voice came from the entry of the locker room just as Buck sat down heavily on the bench, as if his strings had been cut.

“Hey.”

“You doing okay?” Bobby asked gently, sitting next to him.

Buck thought about it.

His hands were still trembling, and he didn’t think he’d be warm again. He wanted Eddie so much his heart hurt with it, his brain wouldn’t shut up for five seconds and the weight on his chest still wouldn't let him suck in a full breath.

“No,” he answered honestly.

Bobby didn’t push him to talk after that, only sat there in quiet support. Buck was more grateful than ever for it, because the words came tumbling out of him anyway.

“I hate the things we see on this job sometimes.”

The admission snapped through the air like lightning, straightening the captain’s back as he listened carefully.

Buck continued only after tugging the sleeves of his jacket over his fists, hiding as much of himself behind the jacket as he could. “I know the world is a cruel place, but G od it’s exhausting to see it all the time. Because my brain just keeps wondering what life even is, why some people are dealt the hands they are and on those days, it’s so much harder to see the good in the world.”

“We could sit here for centuries and not know the answer to that, Buck,” Bobby replied gently. “But there is good, even on the days it’s harder to see. It doesn’t go away.”

Buck absently picked at a thread, thinking about Eddie and Christopher. He couldn’t see them, but he knew they were there, and they weren't going anywhere. “Yeah, you’re probably right. It’s just...so hard to see.”

“The kid will be fine. I spoke to the hospital, and they said she’ll make a full recovery.”

Buck had been first to reach her from where she’d been stumbling through a neighbourhood. She’d been half-delirious from exhaustion, clothes dirty and hair mangled. There were bruises and cuts littered past the grime, and Buck’s heart had nearly given out once the pieces fell into place.

Hell, he had frozen. Hen had pulled him away while Bobby and Chim quickly began treating her.

“Why don’t you go lie down for a bit? We’re off calls for the next hour, get some rest.” Bobby hesitated for a bit, before gesturing towards Buck’s phone. “Maybe talk to Chris? It might help you feel better. Eddie, too.”

Buck gave his captain a grateful nod, standing up on creaky legs to go to the bunks. Hen and Chim were already in there, both of them with headphones in. The solemn mood clung to the air, pressing it a little heavier in Buck’s lungs.

They gave him questioning looks, and Buck gave them tired smiles in return as he crawled into the next empty bed, closing his eyes. It was easier to pretend that he was back home in Eddie’s bed with Christopher snuggled between them if he didn’t have his eyes open. He didn't want to talk about this with them over the phone, so he simply slid his phone underneath his pillow and curled into himself.

The jacket smelled strongly of Eddie and home and everything Buck loved, so he buried his nose into the fabric, finally letting a few tears slip when no one could see him.

No one mentioned how the fit of the jacket was too snug to be Buck’s own.

----

It all came out a year after Buck found the first shirt.

“Do you really need all of this?” Eddie teased as he moved around the loft with another box. Buck laughed from where he was packing the side table.

“Yeah, I can’t roam around naked all day.” He instantly held a hand up as Eddie opened his mouth. “Nope, don’t.”

Eddie’s laughter rang out in the almost-empty apartment, and Buck smiled at the rich sound as he turned back to his task.

“Oh, what’s this?” His voice sounded faraway. Buck craned his neck to look into the closet, his heart nearly stopping when he saw Eddie reaching for the top shelf.

Dammit.

Eddie pulled out his old army shirt, and Buck froze like a deer caught in headlights. “So...I see you still have my shirt.”

He’d been caught out, so Buck decided to just own it.

“Yeah...about that.” He walked over and reached up for the other pieces of clothing he’d collected over the past year. “I kind of...forgot to return them.”

Eddie looked at the pile in disbelief before bursting out laughing. “I thought I lost these things.”

“You did. They’re mine now,” Buck scoffed, smiling against his boyfriend’s mouth as he bent to kiss him. “You’re still not getting them back. Losers weepers, Eddie.”

“Very second-grade of you.” Eddie wrapped his arms around Buck’s waist. “Well, it’s a good thing you’re moving in then. More for you to steal.”

“I’m just borrowing with no intent to return,” Buck corrected. There was an important technicality there.

“You can have all of them if you want. But I’m stealing one too.”

Eddie really thought he was gonna get off scot-free for doing the exact same thing. Buck held him in place, raising an eyebrow. “What about the three hoodies of mine that are already in your closet?”

It was his boyfriend’s turn to freeze. Buck burst out laughing at the doe-eyed look.

“They’re comfy!” he defended.

Buck pointedly looked at the pile of Eddie’s old clothes. “Yeah, and so are these. So it’s settled. We keep it all.”

“Pretty sure that’s what moving in together means,” his boyfriend nodded agreeably, pulling away to survey the pile.

They made quick work of filling the rest of the boxes together, Eddie’s gaze softening as Buck told him about why he wanted to keep these few articles of clothing with him. In return, Eddie told him about how it was easier to fall back asleep after a nightmare if he had something that reminded him of his life now.

This time, when they rearranged the dressers to fit all of Buck’s stuff, they didn’t draw clear distinctions between whose clothes were whose. It was unspoken, that virtually anything in the closet was free game, so long as it came back to the same place, where it belonged.

The next time Buck went to pull a warm sweater out, it smelled like them — like home.

[jennsmischievousmind]

Fucks not Found

One, but not done [END]

Ch1 Ghosts | Ch2 Florence | Ch3 A Matter of Seconds | Ch4 I need a Backdoor | Ch5 Die Hard | Ch6 White Flag | Ch7 Haunt the Living | Ch 8 One, but not done [end]

Seven sighed as One disappeared when it was time to pack everything "Is he always like that or is he just being purposefully annoying?”

“How the fuck would I know?!” Three slammed a crate on the ground, holding his back like an old man.

“Who?” you were all packing the mission’s gear in the Haunted House.

“One,”

“Purposefully, no doubt!” you chuckled.

Later you knocked on his trailer door,

"Old man, we have to talk,"

"Let me guess, you want a bigger trailer so you and skater boy could go at it, not gonna happen,"

"Hum .. not exactly, look I know it's the first rule you told us about, and we broke it, actually 4 of us broke it. We're human One,"

He sighed "I just.. need you to be focus on the job."

"We are fo-.."

"Getting shot prove that you were focus," he threw his phone on the desk

"Alright you got a point,"

"These numbers are for your own safety," he stated angrily "but I guess now it's all fucked up."

"Not necessarily, I mean, now we all know each other better, we have better bonds,"

"Tell me about it," you smirked at his saying "... actually don't," he furrowed his eyebrows as you chuckled.

"Think about it," you pointed out as you were stepping out "this team, could do so much more,"

He nodded and something snapped.

"Hold on," he rummaged through a drawer to finally hand you a silver key, his eyes changed for a second “Might be cliché but he would have been proud.”

Smiling slightly at One, you left to open your brother's safe.

There were photographs, a few envelopes with the same cachet and a P/O box address on it.

One of the photographs, in black and white yellowed by the time showed your Mamma and Papa at your age in front of the Coliseum, looking happy as ever, the warmth of their smiled enveloping you instantly. Another one with your Mamma in swims wear gracefully sat on the sand, holding both of you. You were so tiny, wearing terrible hats and frowning at the sun. You found yourself laughing, a tear landing on the envelope’s corner behind the pictures.

Setting aside those pictures, you flicked the envelope open. Eyes scanning the document multiple times you were not sure what you were reading. Palm against your agape mouth, you read the main text.

 “Dear Anonymous donator,

We would like to thank you for all these years of generosity. Your help has given access healthcare to people in dread need of it. With the help of caring people such as yourself, we have been able to afford the construction of a new volunteer centre, which will provide a facility to help maximize the amount of lives we can save.

Your last donation in date had us all profoundly touch and grateful.

We will never not be thankful enough. We wish we had a name to put on the facility’s wall. But we respect your privacy and so we’ll stop asking from now on.

All proceeds of your donations advance our lifesaving mission.

Thank you, dear anonymous donator.“

The tears blurred your vision until you couldn't see through it. He had found his anchor.

You cried, not of sadness but of proudness. For you he was still the kid throwing stones on the neighbor’s roof, the one who couldn’t sleep on stormy nights, the teen who cried when his crush rejected him. He was your anchor for years.

One paid you much more than you needed to live. You assumed now your brother had donated the payment. And all these years when he worked multiple jobs... it all became clear.

"You were the better twin, baby brother!" You mumbled to yourself.

Weeks later the Donations continued yet the anonymous donator had a found an alias.

Six

Passing by the pool you stopped once more before leaving the scorching desert until One would need you.

Weeks ago you brother was laughing at you on the other side of this very pool, these memories were gold now, they didn’t make you sad anymore, you grinned remembering him holding his chest while laughing on the ground, little fucker.

“Hey luv,”

“Hey,” he sat next to you on the edge of the empty pool

"So we're out?" His hand snaked around your waist bringing you closer.

"Not for now," you smiled thinking about this time spend with this weird squad, eager for a new operation.

“So where shall we go until next,”

“You're ready to stick with me? Are you mad?" He laughed as you touched his forehead for any kind of fever.

"Banged my head a few times yeah, but I'm pretty sure I'm mad...about you."

"God you spent to much time around One." He gently reached for your jaw turning your head to him, the blush creeping on your cheeks not helping to hide that you actually liked that he was ready to come with you anywhere, he leaned in for a quick kiss.

.

The warm air and sounds of busy streets of Italy passing through the ajar window woke you up. Looking at your watch on the bedside table you immediatly turn your back to it, snuggling back into Four's chest. Too early. The night was short.

"What do you say about Transylvania?" he mindlessly ran pattern on your back with his warm fingers.

"For what? Vampire retreat?"

"Hiking, but I can bite" feeling his teeth of soft spot on your neck you squirmed.

"Aouch, alright, we'll go to Transylvania tomorrow. I got to see my brother first."

He nodded, his smile sliding off.

"What?"

"I'm...I'm not really comfortable with...mourning," he played with your fingers on his chest avoiding your look "I ..uh.."

"Calm down babe," you straddled him, the sheet sliding down your bare body "I'm not asking you to come with me." You chuckled at his concerned face, and his lost of attention at the sight of your naked body.

He sighed, "You know he was like a brother to me..." you tilted your head watching him

"That would be weird.." you removed your hands from his

"shit no not a brother," he caught your hands putting them right back on his chest" a .. a best friend,"

"Stop talking," you leaned in, enclosing his lips with yours. His hands immediatly reached your tighs, you felt a shiver ran his chest as your finger brushed his skin from his throat to his navel. A firm squeezed on your thighs made you giggled, he was so easy to trigger.

He sat up, one of his arm tightly set around your low back while the other snake to your back, his hand holding the back your neck. A lovely mess of tangled limbs in silk sheet was all you were. You pushed him back on the bed, holding his hands up his head.

You nibbled on his earlobe, and chuckled when he groaned at the ministrations trying to fight your hold on him. He could easily removed himself from your grip, guess he wouldn't this time.

Finding your way down his neck, chest, navel ... taking your sweet time until you reach the point of no return. He gasped, his head lolling back on the pillow "God I love Italy,"

.

“Ciao brother” cross seating at the grave of his fake death, there were flowers already with a cup of mochaccino beside it, you laughed, only One person could have done that. Glancing at your own grave, you shivered at your name engraved in the marble stone.

You recall the all mission as if your twin was there listening to you, “This one is for you, and the next, and the next.” You breathe in feeling tears coming up, “I kept your cross," you scoffed, "you can thank Four for that. As long as I have it, I’ll have you, mammà and papa with me promise.” kissing the cross you left a single tear rolled down your face.

One knew how to be a ghost, perfectly, no one could trace him, anyone but you. .... The gps tracker in his watch helped. If he knew, he’d probably wouldn’t be happy, but hey he is your cash source can’t lose an eye on him.

“So, that’s your secret!” looking at the little boy in the playground whom looked like the man beside you.

“Shit! He jumped

“Hey,” you grinned leaning on the grid, sliding your shades down.

“Aren’t you supposed to be OUT of Italy?” he groaned

“It’s my homeland One, what’d you expect?” you pointed at your wig and shades “Disguise,”

“It’s always better than Three’s in Vegas,” He joked “You’re kicked out, it’s immediate,” He stated, not even believing it himself.

“Yeaaaah, I don’t think so,” you nudged his shoulder. A ghost of a grin appeared knowingly.

"Do you follow everyone, or are you my private stalker?"

"You really wanna know!?" You shifted on your two feet, he got the idea that everyone had a stalker in the name of Eight.

"Cleavers," you used his own line

"Shut up," he answered tired of your shit, resulting in you laughing a bit too loud.

Regaining a sense of calm you felt he was still uneasy about you seeing his son. “Your secret is safe with me old man,” He nodded a tight smile on his lips, and somehow he knew he could trust you.

“Haunted house, in a week.”

“Noted.” Saluting with two-fingers you took a few steps back still eyeing him with fondness, proudness, maybe not just a cash source in the end. He flicked you off, a bright smile spread on your face.

“Where’s Four by the way?” he called out

“Somewhere on the roofs, he can’t help it.”

He lifted his head, you took this time to disappear around the corner.

Calling Four you stumble upon his voicemail “Skater boy, you better bring down your cute ass. We’re heading back to the Haunted House in a week. Mission 2 is coming. Love ya!”

A week later

"Please don't,"

"One, I only hugged her for a second," you rolled your eyes. Five was still holding your shoulders.

"Tell me you're not going to freak out everytime two of us are close,"

Two had a grin on, Five was being clingy on purpose. It had been a month since you've seen everyone, except Four and One. You had missed everyone, Five especially, after the parkour lessons, the incident on the yacht you had become close friends.

"Hey squad," Four let his skate rolled until it hit a wall. He reached you kissing your cheek, then sending you a wink as he took a seat next to Three. You eyed One, holding a laugh, Five carefully removed her hands from around your arm. Four looked dumbfounded as One sighed, staring at you. He then flung his arms in the air.

"Fucking Millennials!"

Thanks to everyone who read, liked, commented on Fucks not Found. It was fun to write, let me know what could be improved, I'm still working on my english that's why everything is not perfect and quite limited. Looking forward a new story. Thanks again.

A/N: don't forget to double tap if you liked it. 🙏

[card-gays]

Aaaaaaah, thanks for answering, that was so good! I love it. I actually squeaked, "They name her Amane, don't hurt me like this!" At the end because that was too sweet! I wasn't gonna ask about Prideship because I didn't want to spam your askbox, but your addendum about Atem's reaction to Kaiba saying their honeymoon could be at the space station was So Good that I /have/ to know, if you don't mind answering: what about Prideship?

I’m glad you enjoyed it so much! And akdfslkdj yeah sorry for the baby Amane feels but I just.. I love that headcanon A Lot. Hope the sweetness balanced it out ^^;

Now on to the goods… >w>

(fair warning, I said it’d be about a mile long, and I uh.. I delivered.)

PRIDESHIP & MARRIAGE

Atem and Kaiba are complicated people. Complicated in a way that means they tend to make better sense to one another than they ever do to anyone else. Which means, even to those closest to them, their relationship remains an enigma. Atem trying to tell Yugi about the significance of Kaiba’s wording makes him sound like a conspiracy theorist, except he’s actually totally right. Kaiba trying to explain to Mokuba in the first few months why it’s important that they don’t use the guest room Atem prefers for anyone else sounds.. equally like he’s completely projecting his feelings and imagining importance. And yet, he too, is totally right.

So one could see the fact that they operate a lot on subtleties a lot of the time, the sort of coded mutual understandings that only work between two people that somehow ask and answer each other’s thoughts multiple times throughout the series without explanation, and assume it will take awhile for them to grow as close as they clearly want to. The ultimate regency romance modern AU, essentially. But.. the reality is less simple. They’re more used to losing things than having them, so when they’re ready to accept how important they are to each other, they don’t really feel like wasting time. But they’re also far too nervous to be direct.

Which means Atem spends a great deal more time at Kaiba Manor than people would have expected, Kaiba takes a lot more off of his plate at work to make that be time together than anyone could have guessed. Atem stays late, and often, and while everyone else is shocked to hear when Atem is offered his own room there… Atem isn’t. Surprised, yes, but more touched than anything at the meaning of the gesture. There’s no ‘just to be polite’ afforded by Kaiba’s personality, so when he looks at him from the chair beside his in the gaming room one night when Atem mentions the hour and says “I had a room made up for you”, Atem knows he’s telling him it’s because he wants Atem to stay. Just like, when Atem tells him that it ‘makes more sense, thank you’ Kaiba can’t help the small, private smile. Because it doesn’t make more sense for practicality’s sake, Atem doesn’t live very far and none of his clothes are at the manor. He means it makes more sense because he doesn’t truly prefer to go home anyway. And all of this sits comfortably for them before so much as a first date.

This is important to the marriage headcanon because, for them, everything’s just slightly shifted in that way.

Because it feels to the both of them like they’re Together well before they are, it feels… ever-present, who they are always carrying them along that path even if they’re not On it yet. It’s there, it’s comfortable, it’s part of who they are and they don’t look for anything or anyone else outside of that feeling. But coming out with romantic intentions could disrupt that. To Atem, even if Kaiba’s interested he could still get spooked by too much too fast. And to Kaiba, after everything the thought of being turned down or Atem wanting to move out is pure agony. So by the time they’re both sure enough to share that first gentle kiss (on a business trip-turned-vacation to New York, one bad snow leading to them staying through New Years…), Atem’s already an established part of the household to everyone who lives and works there. Atem says “us” and “we” and “our” about the place, the renovations, the newly acquired art and technology. They go on what are family vacations in everything but name. Atem instructs Their personal staff, and even Isono slips and responds Yes, Mr. Kaiba by mistake one day because Atem is just….part of them now. 

And when they start to date, Atem moves his things into the master bedroom right away like he’s always been there. Because he’s always belonged there. 

(Kaiba murmurs one night, drifting close enough to sleep for unprompted sentimentality “If this is what destiny is, I think I can learn to live with it.”, and Atem almost doesn’t let him go in the morning because he’s still not.. quite done cuddling him after that. Kaiba’s fifteen minutes late, and he’s perfectly fine with that.). 

So basically… there’s a point in their relationship where Atem feels married to him even if they’re not. He has no doubts of the permanence of his place in Kaiba’s life, in their home. The commitment feeling no less important or strong without the ceremony. So for his part, Atem assumes for one reason or another- that’s exactly how Kaiba wants it. No big proclamations, just unstoppable love and devotion. And Kaiba makes him feel treasured, he can feel the fierce loyalty and care always. That devotion ringing clear and true in his endearments and caresses and gestures, in his embraces and his kisses. In how Kaiba sees the envious look just Once on Atem’s face as he spots a couple cozied in public and at least admits he Wants to do that, he just needs more time. And Atem would want to marry Kaiba, would want to exchange rings and vows and make it Official in front of their loved ones, but if he can’t then that’s okay. He doesn’t need it to feel everything he actually requires from their commitment.

So when he jokingly says he’s a bit jealous of the planetarium idea, in their dining room as they share a quiet and romantic dinner at home, the very last response he expects from Kaiba is a casual (if a bit shy) suggestion that “Well… we could always honeymoon on the new station. It is almost finished…”

And poor Kaiba hears the clatter of the fork when Atem drops it in surprise and fears the worst — that he was wrong somehow, and that Atem didn’t consider this where they were headed at all — but Atem doesn’t look anxious or put off when he finally looks up. Just caught off guard, and the look on his face is something Kaiba’s only seen when he’s surprised Atem with something huge and sweet and terribly romantic. And his “Oh?” is sort of delicately hopefully. Like Atem is the one trying not to scare Kaiba off. And Kaiba relaxes, can only smile as he realizes that maybe he wasn’t as obvious in his intentions as he thought. And Atem was going to stay with him anyway.

“If you want to.” Kaiba says. And Atem says yes more quickly than he has to anything else in his life.

(surprise number 2 comes a few months later, when Atem realizes that wasn’t even the actual proposal. protip: when a flashy billionaire proposes to you, you’ll know)

Planning a wedding is something everyone tells them will be difficult, but isn’t. They agree easily on where they want the wedding (an open space, mostly outside), what they think the color palette should be (light and happy and absolutely elegant), and how formal an affair they want. (the most) 

The few things they can’t quite agree on, like the exact band or certain foods or the flavor for the cake- they try to debate it out as reasonably as possible. Which for the edibles pretty much always means “fine, we’ll get both, and whatever is left over we’ll donate it”, and if Atem’s gotten his way a few too many times in a row then he’s just gonna have to deal with it and let Kaiba pick the band.

You may be thinking “well how much food could they possibly have to donate?” Well… haha.. hah. here’s the thing.

As nervous and unsure and careful as Kaiba is about his private romantic life at first, when he comes into his own there is No standing in his way when it comes to his relationship with Atem being another very public point of pride. Atem is gorgeous, brilliant, his equal in every way, and if you think he’s not going to bring him to every party, every press conference, just be that Will Smith gesturing at Jada Smith meme all the time? You are mistaken. By the timeSeto and Atem announce their engagement, it’s worthy of being Front Page News.

And that wedding? Is an Event. Planetarium wedding? Adorable, sure. But how about getting married in the projection stadium? Any setting Atem could possibly want, with thousands of virtual cherry blossoms in the air. Not to mention a less formal full-on festival with vendors and everything just outside for the public to enjoy.

It doesn’t hit Atem until the morning of that, for all intents and purposes, Kaiba planned a royal wedding. Yugi, meanwhile, has been pointing it out for weeks. (“I’m not sure what royal weddings looked like in your day, but this lines up with literally every fictionalized depiction I’ve ever seen.”) It’s.. a feeling when he realizes it. Lots of feelings, for lots of reason, but they’re all good. Everything about that day is just… good.

And the day itself… does not go off without a hitch, but Kaiba’s gained enough self awareness by then to know better than to leave himself in charge of it, instead delegating to Mokuba, his best man, and Yugi, who’s Atem’s. So whatever fires need to be put out are put out well before Kaiba can smell the proverbial smoke. All he needs to worry about is not sweating so much he wrinkles his crisp white suit, which is easier said than done. But Amelda’s there to help, and help he does, and Kaiba manages to make it all the way to the main platform without worrying too much that Atem will suddenly ‘come to his senses’ and not show up.

Atem, on the other hand, doesn’t worry about a single freakin thing all day. Mai helps him with his makeup (because Atem doesn’t trust strangers with his face, sorry), and Yugi gets sent off in time to help him get into his frankly stunning ensemble (complete with veil, for the dramatics), and as far as he knows Kaiba wasn’t having any measure of panic before he sees him there, the sound of a personally commissioned wedding march hovering all around them. And oh… that moment when he sees him. Kaiba’s never seen anyone so beautiful, has never smiled so sweetly in front of so many people. Atem smears just a bit of his allegedly waterproof eye makeup with how watery his eyes get, but Kaiba’s a good boy and uses his pocket square to carefully dab up so it doesn’t ruin Atem’s clearly carefully applied makeup. Atem laughs and it’s the sweetest sound anyone’s ever heard. Basically, they don’t exactly manage to wait until the end of the ceremony to kiss..

(Even Jonouchi cries a little, seeing how loved one of his best friends truly is. Especially knowing so well how rocky that road to happiness has been for Atem. Though if anyone asks Jou if he so much as sniffled, he will literally never - ever - admit it.)

And they do honeymoon in space, Kaiba taking the opportunity to maybe murmur a little ~something~ about being under the stars to his husband at their reception that’s worthy of a laugh but also a little blushing. Atem’s not even sure how the newly rebuilt space station could be even more beautiful than the one he’d observed (briefly) Kaiba in the first time, but it is. The whole place designed in a way to feel welcoming and warm, to highlight the beauty of space, and not the isolation. Their bed carefully positioned in this beautiful heavily-windowed chamber so they can see the stars… “Pillowtop,” Kaiba says, somewhat offhandedly, as he watches Atem smile in amusement at the somewhat cheesy arrangement of rose petals. Waiting for the joke to sink in.

“……spared no expense.” Atem finishes, rolling his eyes at the recurring line Kaiba had taken to throughout the entire wedding planning process, even as his smile grows.

(he almost can’t remember a time when he didn’t smile this much, laugh this much, he’s reminded as Kaiba steps in close to place a kiss on a spot on his neck he knows is ticklish) 

It’s a wonderful weekend, just the two of them, quite literally away from it all. Or, well, more honestly it’s likely a four day weekend. Or… maybe five full days off. 

Okay, okay. They probably push it to a full week. But just a week, just the 7 days… 

and maybe one long afternoon.

;3

(Astoundingly, it never comes out that they’d actually… already gotten married? About a month before the actual wedding, without telling anyone. Though, in Kaiba’s defense, Atem did look absolutely adorable that morning. Fussing with his hair, still sleepy-eyed from the early hour… how could he not at least ask? And honestly, with a proposal like that? A second proposal, at that.. How could Atem say no?)

Now, as for kids, I feel like it’d take one of their friend/s having one for Kaiba to open up about kind of wanting one of his own one day. He’s nervous about the kind of dad he’d be, but he’s always wanted to adopt a child, or two if they’re— “Siblings?” Atem asks, and Kaiba smiles a bit. “Yeah.. or close enough to be.” Atem thinks that’s wonderful, and doesn’t have any doubt that Kaiba would do an amazing job. Whenever he’s ready.

Originally, they planned to wait until they stopped feeling like total newlyweds, wanting to give themselves plenty of time to enjoy that phase of their relationship. But years pass and… that day never comes? They’re always going to be sickeningly adorable, completely infatuated, and so they’re well into their mid 20s when they decide, hey, let’s just do it. They wind up adopting a little girl, and an even littler child she calls her “baby sibling”.

They make an adorable family.

———

(If they stayed in Aaru, a lot of this would be the same. The same sort of royal affair, but by the river. Atem’s parents in attendance, and Kaiba’s mother from his past life. Mana and Mahaad and Kisara and Shada and Karim… all there. Though this time I think their idea of a honeymoon would just be to travel, to explore. Atem had never had the desire to before, but with Kaiba he’d find himself invigorated to find out how far the sands extend. What, if anything, lies on the other side. Resources are bottomless on this plane, and springs are never too far away. It’s comfortable, it’s exciting… it’s another kind of adventure than the one they’d have on earth. but in both cases, at last, an adventure together.)

———

Hope this scratched that itch, anon~ I’ve been thinking about this so much lately, it felt great to get it all out there.

Also, just fyi, it’s never spamming to me~! I love each and every one of the messages you all send in