#at this point i should just be making Sweet Milk. would be a lot happier with that tbh

[vulpinesaint]

boys with a sweet tooth will smile at you and hold out the most vile sugar concoction you've ever seen in your life

[aegoneggon]

could you write a quick summary of what’s shown in the leaks for those of us who don’t have tik tok access 😞😞

Yes

Helaena and Alicent are talking. Helaena doesnt understand why the small folk hate them and Alicent tells her that unhappy people look for someone to hate. Alicent then offers her acup of tea (moon tea????????? we don't see her drink it tho) Helaena says she was happier before she was queen and then Alicent asks her how she would feel about leaving KL and Helaena considers it before asshole Aemond barged in the room. Aemond says he needs Helaena to fly with dreamfyre /to battle/ and helaena refuses saying she wont burn anyone. Aemond then grabs her by the wrist in a super aggressive way and starts leading her. Alicent pulls him off her and aemond says something about how this is the consequence of alicent's weakness lol alicent says that helaena is the most gentle and deserving of protection and that aemond shouldn't corrupt her. aemond seems annoyed and then leaves. The next scene is alicent asking orwyle if could help her get passage to somewhere.

Alicent has a scene where she goes to dragonstone and confronts rhaenyra [again]. i honestly couldn't make out a lot of the dialogue because the clips are super super super silent but alicent essentially says that aegon still heeds her and she could maybe convince him to bend the knee to rhaenyra and rhaenyra says that isn't good enough and she would have to take his head (she doesn't sound thrilled tho shes just being honest). it seems that the talk goes no where and alicent leaves.

Aemond and helaena have a scene outside. this time he's a lot more calm and he's def trying to sweet talk her. he says that they share the same blood and he understands she doesn't want to hurt anyone he says alicent isn't a dragonrider so she doesn't understand/know what shes talking about. he tries to convince her to go with him to harrenhal. she says "and if I refuse? will you burn me as you did aegon?" GAG! he doesn't react and says she is lying. she replies that she saw him do it. "you burned him. and you let him fall." he says that what she says is treason lol. Helaena says that Aegon will be king again and he will have a throne of wood and that aemond will be dead and swallowed up by the gods eye. aemond responds by saying "I could have you killed..." and helaena says it wont change anything.

another scene shows aemond watching a burning castle/village while on vhagar. he seems pleased about it. he flies vhagar closer as we hear the screams of the people being burned :/

next scene is aegon in bed. he talks to orwyle and tells him that he is a good man. aegon takes a sippy sippy of some milk of the poppy before larys comes in. larys tells aegon they must leave KL and aegon seems confused. larys says that rhaerhae has more dragonriders now and larys says aemond challenged one of the riders but was rebuffed. aegon says that his brother deserves no less lol larys says aemond is now laying waste to a town and aegon calls him a fucking mad cunt OMEGALOL aegon asks what was the fucking point of all this and that he is the king so why must he run? larys says aemond is going to kill aegon because he is angry and out of control and that is why they must leave. aegon seems sad by this info but wants to go to his throne in hopes he can push aemond out of being regent and he wants to take aemond prisoner. larys says what will he do when rhaenyra comes to KL with 7 dragons and no vhagar. larys says that when he moved harrenhals gold he left some in braavos and that is where they should go....lol aegon is like wtf? you want me to go live with the goatfuckers? (his words not mine) larys says its better to /live/ and aegon says "is it? my dragon is dead. i am burned and disgusting. and alone. and I'm a cripple." larys tells him he isn't alone. aegon says that his cock is destroyed lol and larys ignores that and goes back to talking about aemond he says let aemond and rhaenyra destroy themselves and then he and aegon can return and the smallfolk will rise up to meet them (lolwhat?) aegon goes back to talking about his dick and how he cant even piss properly now poor guy. larys tries to keep him on task and says people will hail their returning king, his fathers /true/ heir Aegon the Victorious, risen from the ashes. Aegon the Peacmaker. Aegon the ReBuilder. Aegon says "Aegon the Realms Delight..." I LOLED

let me know if you want the rest I think this is the bulk of the TG scenes I've seen so far.

[tangibletechnomancy]

The thing is, I 1000% acknowledge and respect that a lot of art communities have damned good reasons to be wary of AI, because a lot of commission economies - especially furry and furry-adjacent communities - are already constantly, CONSTANTLY under fucking siege by assholes who hear of their reputation for being willing to spend a lot on commissions and try to muscle in on the action while actively showing disdain for the communities they're blatantly trying to exploit for that sweet sweet "freak" money. Seriously, if I had a dollar for every time I've heard someone who has ZERO respect for furries - thinks they're all a bunch of freaks playing chicken with zoophilia, treats furries as a punchline in that kind of way that sounds like they might be in on the joke but when prodded further you realize no they're really not - say "hmm maybe I should learn to draw furry art, that pays well", well, I would have enough money to commission actual furry artists.

It fucking sucks. It's an eternal frustration to be surrounded by a bunch of fucking assholes trying to milk your community for money while still pointing and laughing at you like you're some kind of sideshow attraction, taking your money and then calling you a freak in the next breath, but they GUESS they could DEIGN to claim to respect you because you pay so very well. It's cruel and shitty and should not be abided, and it's painful that there's no real way to protect a community against that kind of behavior other than essentially playing whack-a-mole as long as you're there and concerned about it - and AI art absolutely does have the power to enable these assclowns, because before AI, these types had to do a lot more work to learn to draw some new subject matter, do studies on what makes it tick and what the community values about it - AI dramatically lowers the skill floor to get a passable result, and while this is a huge positive from most standpoints...well, most of the time, through the process of doing these kinds of studies, your typical greedy asshole will realize that oh shit, there actually IS work involved in this and unique skills and a community that's not just a bunch of gullible freaks but PEOPLE with inner lives as rich as your own and either find some passion for a community they once felt that disdain for, or just balk at having to ACTUALLY work for it and burn out before they even get off the ground; AI is not SO easy as to eliminate this completely but it may make it more likely that these types could get a foot in the door and...essentially Funko Pop-ify even custom art. We already see people trying it in certain adoptable communities and it fucking sucks.

This is why I'm 100% comfortable with, and even tentatively encourage, sites and events geared toward communities frequently targeted by this kind of assholery banning AI art - I have my reservations about it as a long-term solution, as it's only going to get easier and easier for people to just lie (and this is why a huge aspect of my personal approach to keeping things as ethical as possible is to be as transparent as I can be about my processes) and AI is commonly used as an accessibility tool, but at the very least in the short term I see those policies and usually my first thought is "yeah that is absolutely, completely, perfectly fair."

I just wish I was better at finding an appropriate time and place to point out to people who are taking those concerns to the level of outright lying or otherwise blaming the tech more than the assholes, that There Are Many AI Artists Who Hate Those Types As Much As You Do And There Are Many Other Approaches To AI Art. When I started this blog, I, too, thought I was nearly alone in my desire to see AI tech used ethically, for both accessibility and its own unique features as a medium, and I've rarely if ever been happier to find out I was wrong. If there's one emotional skill I wish more people had, it is this - please...learn how to be happy to have been wrong when a situation turns out to not be as bad as you thought it was.

tl;dr: It's not wrong at ALL for people to want to protect their community from people who just see them as a crowd of walking ATMs. If you're looking at AI somewhat favorably because you see it as an easy way into those communities for their commission money, you're a piece of shit and I hope you break your fingers so badly you can't even type anymore, let alone noise paint, which you're gonna have to do if you want to get a result to exact specifications.

Just, if you're in one of those communities...please don't invent, and try to stop spreading misinformation about the tech, because the collateral damage is...A Lot.

[malfoys-demigod]

The One Where Chandler Takes You In

Chandler x F!Reader

Summary: Chandler lets you sleep in his and Joey's apartment after you had to evacuate yours. Chandler's genuine and over-the-top kindness results in confessing his feelings for you.

Word Count: 1.9k

A/N: My first Friends fic and it's on Chandler! I hope you like it!

Tag: @bellarkeselection

There was a knock on the door.

“That must be Y/N.” Ross suggested, noticing the clock. So there were times when you’d be late for anything, such as Monica’s daily dinner. But to be two hours late? That was something new.

Monica stood up from her chair from the dining table and walked over to the door saying, “It’s about time you showed up-“

As the door opened, she was met with a messed-up version of yourself, with wet hair, wet clothes, tired eyes, and a self-depreciating smile on your face.

“Hi, everyone.” You greeted the gang, who looked at you with worry.

“Oh my gosh, Y/N, what happened? Are you alright?” Monica gasped, wondering why you were all so relaxed despite looking the opposite.

You laughed at yourself as you entered the apartment, taking the empty seat beside Chandler, “As of tonight, I’m officially homeless! The entire apartment floor happened to have some caught fire. I wasn’t really aware of this until there was water sprinkling over me like crazy from the ceiling. There wasn’t any fire from my end but their sprinklers must’ve been jammed and continued pouring on my room until, well, everything started messing up my place. Hard-headed me didn’t leave the apartment without a few boxes of clothing and other necessary items so yeah, that’s why I look like I showered with my clothes on.”

“That’s terrible, Y/N!” Rachel said in despair, “Where are all your boxes then?”

You gestured to the outside of the apartment with your finger, “Just outside in the hall.” You said in a cool tone.

“How are you so calm about this? You literally have nowhere to go now!” Monica commented, wondering.

“The apartment company made arrangements for us apparently. I just have to call this number,” you said, withdrawing a piece of paper from your jacket and showing it to the gang, “And have them confirm where I’m staying for awhile.”

“Well why don’t you call them now?” Phoebe asked.

You shrugged, listening to her question. You stood up from the dining chair and headed over to the balcony, attempting to call the number.

After a few tries, nobody picked up. You weren’t having this. You turned around and went back inside, now irritated.

“Nobody picked up,” you announced, frowning.

Chandler, who wanted to be the first one with the proposition, proposed, “How about you stay with me, Y/N?” Then stuttered, “I mean with me and Joey? You know, we could take you in for as long as you want, you could take my bed and I could take the couch and it’ll be fine!”

There was a smile that grew on your face, heart melted from the kind gesture of your friend. You placed your hands on your heart, “Aw, Chan, sure, thanks. But I can’t let you take the couch.”

“Why don’t the two of you share the bed then?” Joey whispered to Ross, who chuckled like a child, which Rachel and Monica heard the both of them, rolling their eyes. They all may or may not have thought that Chandler had a thing for you.

“Hey, whatever floats your boat, Y/N,” he agreed, “Do you need help with the boxes?”

“Sure,” you nodded.

—

“Alright, and we’re all set!” Joey said, finally placing the couch into a couch bed.

“Thanks, Joe,” you said, patting him on the shoulder.

You turned around to see Chandler staring at the two of you from the kitchen, to which he started moving away from and towards you since he felt like a creep from the back, “Uh, I guess that’s it for the night. There’s a lot of water in the fridge if you’re thirsty, and if you really need anything, don’t hesitate to knock on my door, alright?”

“Yeah, thanks too, Chandler.”

Joey yawned as he stretched, looking a little tired now. “Well, I’m gonna head to bed. Night, Y/N.”

“Night, Joe!” You waved as he retreated to his bedroom.

Chandler gave you a small and shy wave, “I’ll get going too, see you, Y/N.”

“Sweet dreams, Chandler,” you said, smiling at him. He smiled, turned around, and headed to his room.

When everyone was gone, you tucked yourself into bed and closed your eyes shut with a smile, knowing that you’re being taken care of by your two good friends.

Sometime at 3am, Chandler woke up. He was quite thirsty, which was odd since it was in the middle of the night. He needed to satisfy his body, so he got out of bed and slowly made his way out of his room without making any sound.

As he made baby steps from his bedroom, his eyes darted to the couch-bed. Somehow, he wasn’t in the mood for water anymore. He was curious to check up on you.

He made his way over to you and found you looking like a sleeping beauty. You were dead asleep, but looking so graceful and at peace.

But he knew you could be feeling more comfortable if there was an upgrade to your sleeping situation. He did something he never thought of doing EVER.

He scooped you up from the couch-bed smoothly and made his way to his room. Like the gentleman he was, he placed you on the other side of his bed with ease, placing his blanket over you.

That should do it.

Then he made his way to his side of the bed and closed his eyes. He was at peace. Or at least thought he was.

Five minutes later, he felt your body near his. You were subconsciously snuggling with him, making him feel so flustered about him yet he felt happier.

“Sweet dreams, Y/N.” He murmured to himself, then closed his eyes.

—

Joey woke up to an empty couch-bed as he made his way to get a glass of milk from the fridge. Hm. That was weird. You weren’t the type to wake up early and leave. Well, why would you leave? Your stuff was here. Well, you could be at Monica’s for breakfast but again, it was too early.

An idea popped up in his head. He smiled at himself, hoping he was right. He tip-toed over to Chandler’s door, opening the knob slowly and pushing the door quietly to see you and Chandler, in the same bed together.

He noticed how your arm was spooning over his waist, as his hand was over yours. The both of you look so at peace and so comfortable that Joey wanted to take a picture of you two.

He couldn’t contain himself. Oh man, he had to tell the rest of the gang.

He slowly closed the door and rushed to Monica’s.

—

“YOU WOULD NOT GUESS WHAT GLORIOUS THING HAPPENED OVER AT MY PLACE!” Joey announced himself in a loud tone.

Phoebe, Ross, Monica, and Rachel looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

Phoebe guessed, “You had sex with a girl!”

Joey pointed at her, “Good guess, but no!”

“Well, spit it out, Joey!” Monica demanded, now curious since it wasn’t that.

Joey sat in the dining chair with excitement over his jazz hands, “Okay,” he started, “Y/N started her night with sleeping on the couch-bed, right? Then when I woke up, she wasn’t there. So I checked over at Chandler’s room and SHE WAS SPOONING HIM! Oh man, they just looked so cute together, you know, especially with how Chandler likes her, and even his hand was over hers!”

Around the dining table, everyone’s faces became in awe, as they were surprised it finally happened - something between you and Chandler. Rachel’s opened mouth turned into a proud smile, clapping her hands together with joy, “Well that’s just great! I’m so glad something finally happened. Would you know if she went over to him or if he brought her over to his bed?”

Shrugging, Joey shook his head with no answer, “Nah, but I bet he made the first move. I can tell.”

“Well, are they still asleep?” Ross asked

“They should be awake in a few minutes probably,” Joey replied.

—

Over at Chandler and Joey’s apartment, you and Chandler had just woken up at the same time.

As your eyes started to open, you noticed that your surroundings seemed different. You sat up, quickly turning to the side to see Chandler flashing a small, awkward smile at you.

“Oh, Chan,” you said, as your heart was racing, “Did I sleepwalk or something over to your bedroom?”

Chandler sat up properly now, stroking his hair with a small laugh released from his system, “Uh, no,” he replied, “As a matter of fact I carried you to my bed last night since I figured you’d feel more comfortable here. I hope that was alright.”

“Oh, yeah,” you blushed, appreciating his gesture, “It was comfortable, thank you.”

“Of course,” Chandler replied, smiling.

You then looked away casually, not knowing where this conversation could now lead since there was a potential of it becoming dry sooner or later. There was one thing that you wanted to ask though, now that Chandler had done something out of the ordinary for you.

You looked back at him, feeling a bit stunned since he was staring at you this entire time. He then jittered and started murmuring things that you interrupted by shooting the question, “Chan?”

“Yes, Y/N?” He instantly replied, feeling saved from embarrassing himself even more.

Gulping since this may or may not have been an out-of-the-blue question, “I’m just curious but why would you do this for me?”

“Carrying you over to my bed?” He bluntly asked, raising his eyebrow. You shook your head, “No, I mean yes, but everything on top of that, you know - taking me in. I mean, I know Joey wouldn’t carry me over to his bed or quickly be willing to take me in. Either of the girls would’ve done that but you stepped in so genuinely. How come?”

Chandler looked down, feeling guilty but embarrassed at the same time. He started scratching the back of his head, knowing that it had to come out sooner or later.

“I guess it’s because I-I like you, Y/N,” he confessed, looking up to see your reaction with a hint of fear and anticipation in his face, “And you don’t have to reciprocate if you don’t feel the same way but I’d kinda do anything for you whether you like me back or not.”

You were internally gushing so hard that your heart started beating even faster, seeing how Chandler was basically giving you heart eyes right about now. You placed a hand over his shoulder, and another over your chest with a fluttering feeling, “Oh, Chandler, believe it or not, but I like you too actually,” you confessed back with a blush on your cheeks.

There was a wave of relief and happiness that came from Chandler’s body, as he exhaled with pure joy, “Oh boy, really?” He asked, laughing.

“Yeah,” you nodded, “I was probably just better at hiding it, but yeah, I like you Chan. I wished I started the night last night in bed already with you,” you teased. He smirked, gaining confidence to kiss you on the cheek as he said, “We can make up for that and stay in bed for as long as we want instead.”

“What about the gang?” You asked genuinely. He shook his head and threw a hand gesture saying, “Nah, I think Joey can take a hint and should be over there without us right now."

“Alright, I like the sound of that,” you said, laying your head back on the pillow, which Chandler imitated, as the two of you started getting cozied up again.

“As do I.”

[sukorakurai]

@snarkyship is a true genius. I commission this Stark Family Portrait and I couldn’t be happier. I wrote a little fic to accompany this fabulous Picture. hope you all enjoy.

Stark Family Picture Day

 By Sukora Kurai

  Tony sighed over the counter in the communal kitchen. He had been there since dawn when he asked Jarvis what day it was. Then his trusty AI informed him of an importance of this month. Now he was stuck with what to do now.

 “Hey Tony what’s got you down?”

 “Hey Capsicle, I’m doomed.”

 “Oh come on Tony, it can’t be that bad you are an Avenger.” Steve smiled as he got out food to make omelets for the Team, and greeted the in coming members. “Morning Nat, morning Bruce.”

 “Morning Steve, what’s wrong with Tony?” Bruce greeted heading to the stove to put the kettle on for his morning tea.

 “Not sure I found him like this.” Steve stated cracking some eggs into a bowl.

 “His and Loki’s anniversary is this month and he has no idea what to get him.” Nat answered pouring a large mug of coffee.

 Tony shot up in his seat and stared slack jawed. “How could you possibly know that?”

 “It’s my job as a shield Agent and Pepper’s PA to keep tabs on you. So it is well documented when you clumsily asked Loki to be your boyfriend during the Lord of the Rings Marathon where you bought out the AMC Theater for the day.” The Spy shrugged ignoring the fact that all her team mates stared at her in horror. All were now wondering what she had on them in those SHIELD files.

 “So Tony, you have and anniversary coming up? Have you though about what Loki might like?” Steve coughed drawing the conversation back to the main topic.

 “No, I don’t. What does one give a god especially one that has magic and can make anything appear out of thin air?” Tony waved his arms in frustration.

 “That is a tough one but I’m sure anything you get him will be fine. Loki loves you Tony.” Bruce tried to be supportive.

 “I hope you will be putting more thought into the gift you give me next month for our anniversary.” Nat gave the Gamma Doctor a pointed before wandering out of the room to start her routine before heading out to work.

 “Ha, I’m not the only one in hot water now!” Tony crowed at the look of devastation in his science-bro’s face.

 “Tony, knock it off. Now in my day it was the thought that counted most. You should find what Loki cherishes the most. You find that then you can present to him in a meaningful way. It’s true he’s a prince and probably has had his other lovers throw jewels and meaningless expensive trinkets at him to win his affections. You know Loki better because you love him and he loves you.” Steve pointed out.

 “Yeah, Lokes complains a lot about his life in Asgard and that there were many who wooed him just to get to Thor. At night when it’s just the two of us and RC snuggled between us he sighs soft and says what a perfect night it is. He never elaborates but I think it means that he likes just the quiet nights with us.” The genius eyes went glazed as he recalled the many nights he cuddled with his god. Then the idea hit him. “Hey Spangles, can you paint or do you just draw?”

 “Huh,” Steve was caught off guard and almost dropped the omelet he was flipping. “I paint from time to time.”

 “Don’t lie babe you are in your studio whenever can get the chance.” Bucky laughed entering the kitchen. “All the paintings in our apartment Stevie did.”

 “Great! Can you do a portrait if I get you a picture?” Tony asked digging in to the ham and cheese omelet.

 “Yeah, it might take two weeks maybe less depends on if we get called out or if SHIELD needs me.” The captain estimated placing another plate in front of his boyfriend.

 “As long as it’s done before the end of the month we’re good.  Jarvis start looking through my photos and pull out any possible portraits.”

 “Yes, sir.”

 “Delicious breakfast as usual Capsicle. I’ll get you the photo as soon as I find one.” Tony dumped his empty plate in sink and ran off to his lab.

 Two hours later…

 “None of these are good enough J.”

 “Sir, might I suggest you take a new photo of you and Prince Loki.”

 “Yeah and RC too, because she’s our baby. We can’t have a Family Portrait without all the family members. Where’s are RC now?”

 “She is currently with Alpine in his play room.”

 “Cool, I think I got the perfect outfit in mind.” Tony grinned as he ran to his emergency closet in the lab. Tony had put in the closet when he realized he destroyed a lot of his clothes during his inventing and building phases. Also there was a suit or two for the days he forgot he was supposed to be in a meeting and had to make a rush to the board room.

  In the penthouse…

  It had been a quiet morning with no call outs, no calls to Asgard and no need to go anywhere. Loki decided to enjoy the peace and quite lounging in his soft Asgardian casual clothes on the couch reading his mother’s spell journal.

 “Hey there, Bambi! It’s Picture Day!”

 “Anthony, what are you on about?” The prince looked up from his book to see his lover carrying their cat into the living room.

 “Well Picture Day refers to the day school kids take pictures for the yearbook and photos are bought for family distribution. Anyways I want to have a family picture that was honest. I never had that growing up because Howard was an asshole and Maria, my mother, was frail. She loved me but she couldn’t express it because she was always ill. Now we have our own little family and I want a picture to put in the lab.”

 “You want to take this picture now? Anthony, I look a mess and how did you get the bow on the cat?”

 “Aww, you look gorgeous, love, as always. Anyways, I put a bow on our baby because RC loves to look pretty for her daddies. Don’t you sweetie.” Tony scratched under the kitty’s chin as they sat on couch next to the god.

 “Mew,” RC purred.

 “Fine, you win, where would you like to take the picture? Also what are you wearing? I don’t believe I’ve seen that outfit before, and what is on your feet?” Loki set his book aside and took in his lover’s appearance.

 “Oh you like? I dressed in red and gold to match my shoes. I had these shoes made based on my Iron Man suit. I thought maybe putting them on the market for kids but I liked them too much to share. So I have a life time supply in the lab. If you want I can have a pair made for you.”

 “No thank you. They clash with my outfit. Now let’s take your picture.” Loki said taking the cat in his arms.

 “Okay, okay. Let me get out my phone.” Tony fished his Stark Phone out of his back pocket and held it out to make them all fit in the frame. “Okay say cheese!”

 “Click”

 “Okay let’s see how that one turned out.” Tony looked at the photo to see him smiling a black blur and a bland look on Loki’s face. “Nope we got try again. This time smile Loki and RC you need to stay still so we can see you.”

 And it went picture by picture they have yet to take a family portrait.

 “Shit I only got half your face.”

 “Anthony your thumb is on the lens.”

 “RC Stay still!”

 “Achoo! Ow! I dropped on my foot!”

 “Do not eat my hair you Retched Creature!”

 “Okay I set it up on a tripod. Now say cheese.”

 “CHEESE BROTHER!” Thor popped up between the two men who stared at shock at the blond god.

 “Next!” Tony rolled his eyes as Loki vanished his brother to where ever. Tony didn’t ask where the Loki sent Thunder god. He rather liked staying in the tower and wanted to keep it that way.

 “Meow!”

 “No RC! Don’t chase the bunny!”

 Three Hours Later…

 “Okay, this is it I can feel it. Now Jarvis is going to take the picture the bunnies are secure in their room. The penthouse is locked down, so no unexpected guest and RC is filled of milk to keep her calm and relaxed. And I promise after we get this picture I will have Jarvis order you favorite meal from the Thai Palace down the street and I’ll rub your feet, while we watch you favorite Harry Potter movies.”

 “Oh Anthony you spoil me. I love you.” Loki sighed as a soft smile graced his face and he leaned into his lover as Tony joined their hands together. RC who was seated now on the god’s shoulder leaned in and purred soaking up the love of her people. The genius couldn’t be happier in that moment as he had his to precious family members with him and the grin on his face was wide and bright.

 “Click.”

 Two Weeks Later…

 “Sir Prince Loki and Mr. Odinson have returned from Asgard.”

 “Great, I got everything ready. Tell Loki that I have dinner ready and waiting.”

 “Yes, sir.” Tony had the table set with Loki’s Favorite food from the five star steak house, they go to. He paid extra to have the chef come over and cook for their anniversary.

 “Ding.”

 “Thank you, Jarvis. Evening Anthony, never in my life had been so glad to leave Asgard. He talked for hours at the council over stagnant topics. What’s all this?”

 “Well my hard working God of Mischief, today is our one year Anniversary and I have planned the perfect evening. Dinner, a bath and I installed a movie screen in our bathroom so we can enjoy the movie of your choice during the bath and then I plan on us making love until dawn.” Tony pulled Loki over to the dinner table, watching as the god’s magic removed the armor and replaced it with comfortable Asgardian wear.

 “You lovely little man, you spoil me so; I don’t deserve it or you.” The Raven pulled the billionaire into his arms and planting kisses all over the man’s face.

 “Yes you do, because I love you and I got you something, well I got Cap to make it, but it was my idea.”

 “You didn’t have to, dinner is more than enough.”

 “No, I wanted to. Now close your eyes and I’ll get your present.” As Loki closed his eyes Tony ran out of the room and grabbed the portrait from where he hid it. He placed it on the wall then Jarvis turned on the lights illuminating the painting. “Okay open them.”

 “Oh Anthony! It’s wonderful.” Loki’s eyes became all misty seeing their little family together and there was so much love radiating from painting. “It’s perfect.”

 “Happy Anniversary Reindeer Games.”

 “Happy Anniversary, my Man of Iron.” Loki whispered pulling Tony in to the sweetest kiss they ever shared. They didn’t hear the click sound of Jarvis capturing the moment with the sunset background. Another memory to save for another day.

 The End.

[broccoliboix5peepeeman]

for a writing request, could you do tddk attempting to cook (attempting to because well, shoto is an absolute kitchen disaster)? :0 your writing is really good, thank you so much !!

Of course thank youuuuuu! Sorry this took so long! (@randomstuff7739)

I have a hc that Izuku's favourite food is katsudon because it's also Inko's favourite and they'd eat it a lot. When he was little, they used to cook it together and they'd both smile and laugh, and Izuku would feel truly happy. It's one of the happier memories of his childhood, so whenever he has katsudon now, he feels warmth in more ways than one. <3

It was Inko-san's birthday, so she had special permission to come up to UA so Izuku could spend time with her and cook her favourite meal. Now, obviously Shoto had insisted on helping him out because Inko-san was a wonderful woman and he really wanted her to like him.

Today had to be perfect.

Izuku had a solid plan in place and Shoto was adamant not to fuck it up.

The only problem was that - as much as he didn't want to admit it - Shoto was absolutely atrocious at cooking. Ever since he had cremated a clove of garlic while making egg-fried rice, he hadn't been allowed anywhere near a wok, let alone been allowed to cook on his own.

He had quickly learned that Izuku would not be deterred by that though. His boyfriend had planned it out; Shoto was to make dessert under his supervision, while his boyfriend cooked katsudon. They were to use the common room kitchen, so other students could intervene if necessary.

Shoto thought it was a perfect plan.

'Okay, so I made the chocolate ganache dipping for the churros last night to save time, so don't worry about that for now. You just have to focus on making the batter for the crepe cones, then we'll separate it out and add more flour to the churro batter. Okay, Shouchan?' Izuku called out as he took all the necessary ingredients out of their various cupboards. He had already begun preparing the katsudon - because apparently that took longer to make - and was at a point where he could get everything ready for Shoto to start on the dessert.

'Got it.' Shoto nodded from his place in the centre of the kitchen, holding up a spatula that he had no idea what to do with.

'Good! I-' Izuku placed the flour and milk on the counter and turned to look at him, his smile quickly turning into a confused frown. 'What are you doing with that?'

When Shoto merely shrugged in response, his boyfriend wandered over, carefully took the spatula from him and put it back in the drawer. 'You only need that after you've made the batter.'

Izuku then took Shoto's hand and slowly led him to the countertop he had set up for him. 'Okay so here's the mixing bowl. First you wanna put the sugar in, then add your eggs. I've already measured out all your ingredients so you should be fine, but you need to crack your eggs. Do you think you can do that?'

'Do you really have that little faith in me, Izuku?' Shoto raised an eyebrow, pointedly ignoring the fact that his boyfriend wasn't answering. 'I've cracked eggs before.'

'Okay, okay.' Izuku raised his hands defensively with a half-smile. 'After you've added them, mix them together. When you're done, add a little bit of the flour, then a bit of milk, then mix and repeat until you run out of both, okay?'

Shoto nodded slowly, eyes flickering across the counter as he processed what had been said. He spotted two mixing jugs, one of them was labelled with 'MILK!' while the other had 'FLOUR :)' printed across it.

'Got it.' He announced, only feeling a little bit patronised. He couldn't be annoyed though, not when Izuku was beaming at him like he was the happiest person in the world.

'Awesome! We'll leave it there for now. I'm going to bread the pork while you do that, so let me know if you need a hand!'

'Okay.'

His boyfriend stood on his tiptoes to plant a quick kiss on Shoto's cheek, before dashing past him to his own counter, which was much less organised. Shoto watched him go, before noticing a flash of pink out of the corner of his eye. He turned to find Ashido grinning at him from one of the sofas.

When she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively and tapped the left side of her head, Shoto suddenly noticed the little flames that had started to dance along the crimson half of his hair.

He sighed with exasperation and extinguished them - the last thing he needed was the smoke alarm going off before he had even started - then turned back to his worktop.

Okay, Shoto. You got this. Sugar first. He eyed the cup on top of the weighing scales that said 'Sugar that's not as sweet as you ;)'.

Shoto blushed at that and swallowed thickly, before quickly taking the cup and pouring it into the bowl. Easy enough. Right, next I need to crack the eggs.

He spotted an open box on the side, with two large eggs sat snugly inside. Shoto was thankful that Izuku hadn't put a label on that one and took the first egg. He stared at it for several moments.

Lob it at Bakugou. His mind suddenly suggested.

If it weren't for the limited supply, he might have listened, but alas, he was on a mission not to disappoint Izuku on his mum's birthday.

Shaking his head, Shoto focused back on the task at hand. While he had cracked eggs before, he hadn't been very good at it. Maybe this time would be different?

He eyed the glass edge of the mixing bowl and nodded, before tapping the egg against it with enough force to crack it, but not enough to open it. Shoto furrowed his eyebrows and stuck his thumbs into the crack to finish the job.

It worked, he reasoned, he just coated his hands in more egg than he had expected in the process. He fished out the three bits of shell that had landed in the bowl, before cleaning himself up and picking up the second egg.

Okay, a little harder this time.

He smacked the egg against the bowl, sending its innards flying out everywhere.

Fuck...

Shoto quickly scrambled to catch it all before plopping it into the bowl with a wet squelch. Resigned to his fate, he poked his sticky hands back in to remove the nine bits of shell that had made their way in that time.

By the time, he had thrown out the egg shells and washed his hands, Izuku had already finished breading his pork and was now chopping his onions. Shoto tried not to let his mind wander and grabbed a spoon to mix the sugar and eggs together.

It didn't take long and he stood back to look proudly at his work.

Positively disgusting. Okay, what's next?

He looked around the counter and spotted the flour. Izuku said add the flour then the milk.

He picked up the jug, regarded it for several moments, before pouring the entire contents in the bowl. He stared at his creation, before wielding his spoon once more and mixing the flour in.

Three minutes and one sore wrist later, Shoto was pouring the milk in. However, as he tried to combine the bowl's contents, something didn't seem right - there were these weird lumps poking out that he just couldn't get rid of.

Shoto spent the next five minutes trying to remedy the situation but was evidently unsuccessful. Finally admitting defeat, he picked up the bowl, plodded over to Izuku and tapped him on the shoulder.

'What's up, Shouchan? Are you finish-' His boyfriend stopped short when he finally noticed the bowl. 'What did you do?'

'I mixed the sugar and eggs. Then the flour, then the milk.' He recited, praying to All Might that he was right.

'You put the flour in all at once, even though I said add a bit at a time along with the milk?'

Fuck.

'Perhaps…' He narrowed his eyes.

'It's gone super lumpy.' Izuku furrowed his eyebrows and placed a contemplative hand to his chin as he began muttering to himself. Shoto immediately felt guilty, but before he could apologise, Izuku held out his hands. 'Pass it here.'

Nodding slowly, he transferred the bowl over and watched, intrigued as Izuku began mixing it. With each rotation, his pace increased, until emerald and scarlet lightning danced across his skin and his movements became too fast for Shoto to see.

The glass clinked slightly, and a few drops escaped the mixture, but when Izuku handed it back to him, now lump-free, Shoto could do nothing but stare at him in awe.

'Are you magic?'

'No, I'm Izuku.'

'And I am single.' Shoto quipped back, smiling slightly at the affronted gasp his boyfriend made.

'That wasn't very Plus Ultra of you, Shoto-kun.' Izuku placed a hand to his chest in mock hurt. 'Lucky for you, you can't get rid of me that easily.'

'Hm.' Shoto smiled, gazing at his boyfriend adoringly. He'd never want to. 'What's next?'

'Stand there and look pretty while I finish chopping these onions.' Izuku winked, before turning and picking up the knife. Shoto tried not to freeze the bowl to his hands.

When his boyfriend finished, he led Shoto back to the countertop and added a bit of water. Shoto didn't even bother to ask why and just stood there, watching as Izuku nodded to himself and started to separate out the batter.

There were now two bowls of mixture. 'Okay, so the one on the left is for the crepes, the right is for the churros. I'm gonna put some more flour in the churro one along with some cinnamon, then we can leave it for when mum gets here.'

'Sounds good to me.'

With Izuku taking the lead, they quickly managed to get the dessert sorted and stored in the fridge. Shoto decided to do the washing up while his partner continued preparing the katsudon.

Izuku had just put the lid over the wok when Aizawa-Sensei entered the common room with Inko.

'Mum!' Izuku exclaimed, bouncing over and throwing his arms around her shoulders to hug her close to his chest. 'Happy birthday!'

Shoto slowly dried his hands with a towel and wandered over to the two Midoriyas. When Izuku finally pulled away, both of them had dried tear trails on their cheeks that Shoto had quickly learned was a completely normal occurrence.

'Happy birthday, Inko-san.' He came to a stop in front of her and bowed. 'It's an honour to see you again.'

'Oh my, so polite!' She smiled playfully, stepping forwards and taking his hands. 'It's great to see you again, sweetie. I hope Izuku hasn't been getting you into more trouble.'

'Mum!'

'It's my birthday, I'm allowed to say what I want.' Inko pouted at her son, before flashing Shoto another smile. 'I hear you're helping Izuku with dinner?'

'Yeah, I'm helping with dessert.' He nodded awkwardly, hoping she'd let go of his hands soon because he was feeling rather warm. 'Izuku is doing the-'

'It's a surprise, Shouchan!' Izuku suddenly interrupted, scrambling to clamp a hand over his mouth.

Shoto hummed around his palm before sticking his tongue out to lick his hand, eliciting a surprised screech from his boyfriend, much to Inko's amusement.

'Okay, you two.' She glanced at them knowingly. I'm going to say hello to your friends while you finish your special surprise.'

'Inko-saaaan!!!!' Uraraka exclaimed, thoroughly distracting her and allowing Izuku to pull Shoto back into the kitchen. When they were out of earshot, Izuku turned to him.

'Okay, so you don't actually have to do anything except maybe get me some bowls, but I figured I'd give you the chance to take a breather. You looked a little flustered back there.'

'I thought I looked fine…'

'You looked beautiful, but I know you really want to impress mum - even though she already loves you.' Izuku smiled warmly at him and winked. 'So be a dear and get the bowls so you can say you helped me plate up.'

Another day and Shoto would've had a witty retort for that, but today he was just thankful to have something to do to calm his nerves. So instead, he turned on his heel and gathered three bowls from the cupboard, including Izuku's All Might-themed one, and set them on the side.

His boyfriend flashed him another smile, before they began serving the katsudon.

☀️🌙

'That was absolutely fantastic! Thank you, my favourite boys!' Inko beamed at Shoto from across the table, whilst capturing Izuku in a side hug.

Shoto didn't know how to respond to that. After all, he didn't do any of the katsudon.

'I didn't-'

'There's still dessert, mum!' Izuku laughed, thoroughly content with having the life squeezed out of him.

'I couldn't possibly!' Inko shook her head, finally relinquishing her hold on her son. 'I've been watching my weight recently and-'

'Shoto-kun made it though!'

'I think you look fine, Inko-san.' Shoto chimed in. 'And your weight is perfectly normal for a mother who has such a stress-inducing son.'

'Hey!'

'Your words have tempted me, Todoroki-kun.' Inko winked, ignoring Izuku's unintelligible protests. 'In that case, I'd love to try your dessert.'

Back in the kitchen, Shoto retrieved the two bowls of batter from the fridge, whilst his boyfriend set up the frying pan and the deep fryer.

'Okay, so while I'm deep-frying the churros, you can make the crepes. I've put oil in the pan. Wait until it's hot, then it's the same as making a pancake. Sound good?'

'Everything you say sounds good.' Shoto replied easily, placing his bowl on the side.

'Flirt.' Izuku teased affectionately, before turning away to start piping the churro mix.

Shoto smiled softly and watched him go, before quickly glancing back at Inko, who was still sat at the dining table. When their eyes met and she smiled knowingly at him, his cheeks flooded with heat and he quickly turned back to the oven.

Eager to look busy, he poured the first bit of batter into the pan. Halfway through, realisation set in and he lowered the bowl to look at his creation with horror.

Fuck, I didn't wait for the pan to heat up.

Looking back on this day in the years to come, Shoto could say with absolute confidence that this moment was when it all went downhill.

'Er…' He frantically looked around for a solution, adamant not to bother Izuku. His eyes eventually landed on his hands and a thought crossed his mind. 

If I can heat up the pan faster, maybe it'll be fine?

Shoto stared down the pan, before picking it up with his right hand and placing his left underneath. Fire burst out from his palm, as hot as he could reasonably conjure. It was going great, he reckoned; the oil started sizzling and the batter started to brown.

Nodding to himself, Shoto extinguished his flames and moved to flip the crepe. However, it wouldn't move. No matter how hard he tried to shake it around in the pan, it was glued to the spot.

Not wanting to admit defeat just yet, he put the pan down and used the spatula to separate it. Impatient, he ended up ripping the crepe in half, flipping it over to find that it had completely blackened.

'What's that smell, Sho?'

Fuck. 

He glanced to the side. Izuku had started walking over, concern written all over his face.

In retrospect, Shoto should've really just told the truth. However, at that moment, his pride couldn't take it.

'Nothing!'

Scooping up the entire crepe onto his spatula, he shoved the entire thing in his mouth to hide any evidence. His eyes immediately started to water and he quickly cooled his mouth down to prevent any second-degree burns, albeit his tongue was definitely going to feel numb for the next few days.

Composing himself, Shoto turned to find Izuku staring at him, eyebrow raised and hands on his hips. He didn't miss the worry in his boyfriend's eyes though.

'You didn't give the pan time to heat up, did you?'

Oh, he caught me...

Unable to speak, Shoto nodded his head and chewed sadly.

'What am I going to do with you, eh?' A calloused hand came to rest against his scarred cheek. 'Are you okay? You burn your mouth?'

Shoto swallowed the last of the crepe and shivered, the taste of charred batter lingering.

'Just my tongue. I'll be fine.'

Izuku hummed softly and opened his mouth to say something.

However, whatever he was about to say immediately died on his lips, because at that moment, the deep fryer decided that it had been neglected for too long and that now would be the perfect time to catch fire with a dramatic fwoosh.

'Holy motherfucking shit!' Izuku exclaimed, scrambling away to fetch something to extinguish it with. 'Fucking cheap pile of worthless-'

'I got it.' Shoto raised his right hand and shot out a chunk of ice.

'No!' Izuku practically screeched. 'You can't use water on an oil-!'

It was too late, a layer of frost sat on top of the fryer, smothering the fire… For a solid two seconds, before the entire thing exploded into flames.

'Oh fuck.' Shoto muttered, watching as the blaze grew, turning the walls black and filling his lungs with smoke.

Luckily for him, Momo was on standby. She quickly created several wet-chemical fire extinguishers and together, her and Izuku got to work, while Shoto stood with Inko and watched from the side. 

When the threat had been averted, Shoto continued to stare as Izuku and Momo sorted the carnage. 'I am so sorry, Inko-san. I ruined your birthday, didn't I?'

Inko chuckled and moved to hug Shoto's right arm.

'It's okay, sweetie. You haven't ruined my birthday… Although I take it dessert is no longer happening.'

When Shoto nodded solemnly, she squeezed a little tighter. 'If it makes you feel any better, I thoroughly enjoyed today. Any time spent with you and Izuku is a gift, I rarely see him nowadays.'

She didn't sound particularly sad, but Shoto still felt bad for her. He knew his own mother had found it difficult being alone for so long. He couldn't even imagine how Inko was feeling. From what Izuku had told him, the two of them had been best friends his entire life. To go from seeing each other every day to once every few months must've hurt.

'It must be difficult.' He looked at the floor.

'At first it was, but not so much now.' Inko smiled at him when Shoto chanced a glance at her. 'I used to be so worried back in your first year. He'd throw himself into everything and get hurt. I swear I aged ten years.'

'You and me both.' Shoto muttered.

'Oh hush, you.' She giggled. 'But he's grown so much and he's got wonderful people around him, like you, and I know you'll protect and take care of each other.'

'What about you?'

'Me?' Inko seemed amused at the question. 'I have people around me too, don't you worry.'

Now was Shoto's perfect opportunity.

'Is it All Might?'

Inko's lip wobbled and she burst out laughing, eliciting an embarrassed blush to cross Shoto's face.

'All Might is one of those people, yes.' She wiped a tear from her eye. 'But I'm friends with your mother too, remember?'

'That's true.' Shortly after his mother had been released from the hospital, Inko had reached out to her and the two had become fast friends.

What was it about the Midoriyas always going out of their way to befriend a Todoroki?

'So don't worry about me, honey.' Inko continued, as they watched Izuku pour the blackened churros into the bin. When his boyfriend caught them staring, Inko waved at him as if half the kitchen wasn't in utter chaos.

She chuckled. 'Worry about your cooking instead.'

[zalrb]

tv rewatch: gg edition, ep. 10

“Hey, so has Blair mentioned who’s escorting her?” Nate, you cannot be serious.

“Every time I see her, she’s lighter, she’s happier, she’s less ... ... Blair.” Nate, sit down.

“With my dad in rehab, the pressure is off and I can see Blair clearly” but the pressure wasn’t on for your entire relationship, Nate. Shut up.

“Jenny, what are you even doing here?” Serena, that sounds way more hostile than you intended.

“Oh, hello, mother.” LOL Lily. She is SO unsung.

“Isn’t she’s great?” “She’s ... she’s great, she’s something.” LOL READ BODY LANGUAGE, SERENA.

This Chair makeout is one of my favourites just because in the bloopers, they kept going and going until someone was finally like, “You take your own cue!” and Leighton was like OH!

“And the prince, you know, he’s a great dancer and all.” Lmao, Nate, shut up.

Cece’s manipulation is kind of low stakes tbh, like she uses her illness just to get Serena to do cotillion? 

Blair in jeans! 

Blair texting Chuck while with Nate is pretty cute. Ah, I always get in my Chair feels in the first two seasons.

“Allison, I didn’t expect to see you ... here.” LILY’S SHADE.

Dan in his striped shirt.

His hair is steadily becoming less offensive.

LOL Sebastian Stan in this is always funny now.

“Where were you?” “Where wasn’t he? Gossip Girl even had a designated Carter map on Spotted.” Shouldn’t  you know this, Dan, since, you know, you’re gossip girl?

“I also went pheasant hunting with the sheik while I was there.” I thought you disowned your parents and didn’t have their money?

Jenny’s dress is awful.

“Then you are grounded for a week” “WHAT???” Lol OK, Jenny.

I know I keep saying it but kdramas do class divides so much better. Cece’s speech is too pointed.

“I’ll tell you what’s going on, I just became your escort to the ball.” Lmao  I feel like Dan and Lily are the same person.

“I would just like to say how proud I am of Miss Waldorf and her commitment to Mr. Archibald EVEN THOUGH HE RUINED HER 17TH BIRTHDAY...” this is the most teen thing Chuck has ever done.

I LOVE HOW OLD THE PHONES ARE and they were hot shit back then.

Serena does not look incredible, Dan.

“Serena, that’s what I’m trying to tell you, that woman is the most manipulative person I’ve ever met.” Except for me BECAUSE I’M GOSSIP GIRL.

OK but honestly, what Cece is doing is bullying not manipulation, it’s too direct for it to be manipulation. Telling Lily about that she’s sick so Serena can go to cotillion is manipulative, yes, but the rest of it is just straight up intimidation tactics, she’s using her money as a weapon. They could’ve also gone further with the Lily thing by telling Lily that this is what she wants but she doesn’t want Serena to know that she’s sick so Lily puts her foot down about cotillion and says she has to go or else, thereby making Lily the villain while she remains the cool, free-spirited grandmother because when that DOES happen, it’s too late. It should be an ongoing thing.

“She makes your mother look like Gandhi.” “That’s my grandmother you’re talking about.” LMAO LILY GETS NO LOVE.

“Let’s get Carter on the phone.”

This scene could’ve been better. Dan’s delivery of this revelation was pretty bad because his sarcasm took precedence that he didn’t try to speak to Serena delicately and Serena wasn’t asking the right questions. Dan is like “she offered to buy my dad off so I wouldn’t come tonight” and she’s just like “Nope.” Dan could be like, why would I lie? and Serena could talk about how there could be a mistake, she could call out Dan’s tone and then he leaves and when Cece comes instead of her automatically being like, k time for Carter, she could milk the grandmother routine and say how she’d never do such a thing, she doesn’t understand why he’d lie about this etc. Like manipulation takes a lot more subtlety than what’s going on. This is all way too direct.

Lmao Nate is so unbearable this episode.

“Make it stop, you sound like me.” LMAO, BLAIR.

Chuck is more manipulative than Cece.

Cece does look like she’s about to go catatonic after that “beds as many billionaires as she can” line though. Well done.

How did TVD do a better ball scene than GG?

I also prefer The O.C.’s cotillion. Lmao because it actually tried to look like a legit cotillion.

But The Pierces in the background is pretty atmospheric even though it’s also absolutely ridiculous that they’re performing at a debutante ball.

“SHE’S MY GIRLFRIEND.” oh, nate.

“And you said if I did this I could be myself but you don’t really want that do you?” “That’s not entirely true.” I DIED. LILY.

“All you care about when people look at me is what they think of you” but the thing is I need to see this? Like I need to see Lily being directly affected by Serena’s choices, see how society looks at her and their family for this to be more than dialogue.

I totally forgot that Serena had already slept with Carter.

“When I was your age, I would’ve been lucky to find a guy like you. And I kind of did.” That’s his father, Lily.

Also really, what was Rufus like in the past then? Like what kind of rockstar was he?

Oh Chuck, just can’t win.

Serena turning around to see Dan at cotillion is pretty sweet, ngl.

The problem with this cotillion plot line is that it’s too small. Like if this is about legacy and if this is actually about introducing Serena to society then we need to see what cotillion actually means in this world, we need to see how big of a deal it is, one reporter showing up to interview Blair doesn’t mean anything. We need to see Lily’s and Cece’s peers gossip and talk. Also if this is all about how Cece’s values are old-fashioned then either cotillion needs to be the traditional white dress, white gloves ball

or it’s what we see and Cece complains about how modern/contemporary it’s getting.

Chuck is so Chuck. “Hey! Have you seen Blair Waldorf?” reminds me of when I went up to an acquaintance and I didn’t say hi I just asked where my friend was, I was like “Where’s Scott?” and from then on he - the acquaintance - just called me “Where’s Scott?”

Chuck looks genuinely heartbroken at seeing Blair and Nate. *sigh* too bad they get absolutely terrible.

Nate’s grin is so cringe, lol.

Rufly angst! “I never should’ve let you let me go.” DE could never.

APOLOGIZE, YASSSSSSSSSSSSS. SONG IS STILL A BOP DON’T @ ME.

I’m holding on your rope got me ten feet off the grouuuuuuuuuuuuund.

I know this is a Derena moment but what makes it for me is Serena looking at Lily to see if she can go with him and Lily saying yes. It’s a Serena/Lily moment for me.

Oh Blair, Nate doesn’t deserve sex with you.

Chuck, leaving the city, you are so DRAMATIC.

xoxo, zalrb.

[agustdiv1ne]

thank you + milestone!!

damn, never thought we'd get here, did we?

in all honesty, it's been a pretty shit year. march 'til now has felt like the same month on repeat with tiny tweaks to make it all so much worse. but i'm not here to complain about the worst parts of this year, i'm here to celebrate the best ones.

this was the year that i finally started writing, that i was finally spurred to open a google doc and just type away until a tiny work of fiction stared back at me. my first one was 1k words, a rant to get all of my emotions off of my chest with an idol as my muse. it felt...great, though it also felt a bit odd writing after being an avid reader for years. i always did prefer essays to creative writing, but this year definitely changed that perspective.

i wrote that first blurb along with another fic in late july, and in early august, i asked my friends if i should post them. om august 3rd, i changed this blog from a fic rec to a fic writing blog just like that. i regret none of it.

it's been nearly five months since i revamped this blog and i couldn't be more grateful for the support i have gotten from all of you, whether it be a kind comment, a like, a reblog, all of it. i never thought anyone would like my content, but i've been proven severely wrong by this community. from my irls that are on here, to my lovely mutuals and followers, to those i've talked to a lil bit on this hellsite, to the writers whose fics i absolutely adore, to those who have left a like or a comment on one of my fics, i want to say thank you from the very bottom of my heart ♡

have a happy and healthy new year! i love and appreciate every single one of you!!

though i'm painfully bad at writing letters and getting all sappy, i wanted to write them anyways hahaha let's goooo

to @hwaddict:

my irl best friend!! my partner in crime!!!! i love you sm carly, and there are not enough words in this world for me to describe the extent of my love. you have been there for me during my lowest moments, you've seen me cry, and i don't cry in front of many ppl. i trust you with my life and i'm so glad that we became friends back in middle school bc you are one reasons that spur me to keep going. i can't wait to see where life takes us and know that while i might not always be able to be there physically (especially with college right around the corner), i will always be there for you in any way i can be. again i love you and i can't wait to conquer next year with you ♡♡

to @hopejanaee:

hope!! hobi!!! one of my irls! though we just became friends earlier this year, it feels like we've been friends for ages. it's crazy how close we grew so quickly but i am so grateful to have you in my life. you never fail to make me laugh whenever we're together and you're so chaotic but in such a good way hahaha. you were the one who got me into writing with your own wonderful fics so thank yoi for that. i'm so happy that we became friends because you're so kind and caring and ahhhhhh i love u sm ♡

to @oikawasmilkbread:

we talked for like 0.2 seconds but you are so kind and hella cool!! it was nice having random conversations with you and i'm so glad you randomly dmed me bc i am shy and i have 0 idea how to start conversations with anyone lmao. i always smile when i see you in my notifs! i hope you have a happy new year!!! ♡

to @luthenia:

i know you're on hiatus but seeing you in my notifs always excites me hahaha. we never talk but you are so supportive of everyone in this community and i just wanted to shout you out for that! your memes are top tier LMAO and i can't wait for when you come back, happy new year ♡

to @starsforten:

we also talked for approximately 1 second but it was so fun talking to you about astrology stuff (virgo sun libra rising gang hahahaha) and those teuta matoshi dresses! you are so nice and easy to talk to and i hope your new year is happy and fruitful! ♡

i recommend every single one of these blogs for their amazing content!! i added some of my favorite fics as i'm a whore for great writing hahaaaa

@kinktae

waterloo — a masterpiece! taehyung is so bitter at the beginning and it's adorable seeing how y/n breaks his tough shell. loved this from beginning to the end ♡

hot rod — the 50s slang, the dynamic between hoseok and y/n...*chef's kiss*

@untaemedqueen

welcome to seoul land — werewolf!namjoon really got me going, 100/10 would recommend

graceful gods — this is one of my all-time favorites, greek god!jungkook has my brain going brrrr

@shadowsremedy + @therealmintedmango

support system — adorable!! this is a hybrid!yoongi fic i really enjoy, and the series isn't over yet! check it out~

@bratkook

tear you apart — demon!taehyung...holy shit. i was speechless

@tatertotthethot

the doms next door — THIS SERIES OMG, i've read each part at least five times already. taekook got me acting UP

scream (posted to @yandere-society) — a really cool take on the movie scream with jungkook, yandere fics don't always appeal to me but this one absolutely did

@ateezmakemeweep

broken — the immense ache i felt in my chest while reading this, but i loved both parts with a burning passion. san is so sweet in this :')

@atinybrew

dirty free for all — the ULTIMATE demon!san fic. the writing is absolutely immaculate and this is the first fic that had me blushing down my mf ARMS

rice milk lattes and bryophytes roads — another san fic admittedly because i'm whipped for san lol. anyways, this was cute and hot at the same time and best friend!yunho made my double biasing ass that much happier

@seacottons

pan — an adorable peter pan!hongjoong fic, it had my heart going achhfhsjfjsjf

sir kiss me — circus au with san holy hell i loved every twist and turn of this

@actuallythatwaspromise

bad romance — one of my favorite yunho fics ever, punk rock!yunho x nerd!reader has my entire heart

aurora garden center and desire ink — florist!mingi had me uwuing for the entire fic, this was adorable and i loved it sm

@yeonjuncore

every single fic on this blog is an absolute masterpiece, i swear

the devil's little angel — THIS IS ONE OF MY ULTIMATE FAVORITES, demon!yeonjun had me screaming and it was just so fun to read and i loved every single second of it so much that i've read it nearly ten times now. so go read it, you won't regret it!

the boy with the horns — another of my ultimate favorites (i told you, their writing is just that amazing), woodland fey!soobin just had me going so soft :(( i literally sobbed at one point, that's how invested i was

bleeding heart — the tension between vampire!yeonjun and vampire slayer!reader had me screeching

curtain call — i have a sad crush vampire!soobin

i love you, always — this felt so..bittersweet? taehyun loves y/n so much, i lowkey cried while reading this

@angelfic

the art of (mis)communication — i am a whore for both reconciliation and yeonjun, 100000/10 pls read this i beg of you

@angelictaehyun

growing pains — ahhh once again a yeonjun fic, my chest hurt a lil bit at some points but it was so sweet!!

@neovisioned

bed of spiderwebs — spiderman!mark has my heart screeching, i loved every second of it ♡

eddie ate dynamite — johnny suh coming for my throat yet again

cupid victorious — cupid!jaehyun :'))) definitely one of my favorites!!

@domjaehyun

quarantine chronicles — ok if you haven't read this or the part two yet then you're missing out big time!! the tension, the buildup, every single part of this fic was just *chef's kiss* but multiply thay by a million

all these years — every single moment of this felt so nostalgic and the ending was so sweet :')

@caiuscassiuss

muse — i keep going back to this one constantly, the angst in this phenomenal and i love artist!taeyong sm here

@neoct-zen

loverboy — HOT, AMAZING, I SCREAMED. the blurbs that accompany this are also top-tier i recommend reading each and every one!!

@moondustis

pink + white — i'm so soft for mark i stg, this was the cutest thing ever

@loviejaehyun

can't avoid this feeling — hockey player!mark is the best thing ever

all tied up — i just- screamed as i read this bc professor!jaehyun is too hot goodbye

@hopejanaee

incapable — this is one of the best yoongi fics i've ever read ngl, it's not completed quite yet but the parts that have been posted are top tier!!

breathless — THIS. I LOVED THIS. yuta is just so hfjshhfhshfnsn and i love this sm

@hwaddict

melting point — big boy mingiiii, 100/10 would recommend

@okayau

house next to mine — frat boy!yeonjun rly got me going, cute and hot at the same time ahhhhbfnsnnf

youth — ADORABLE, yeonjun's confession is peak i love it here

run away — how many yeonjun fics can i fit in this post? (answer: a lot) definitely one of my favorite harry potter aus!! it was awesome seeing how their relationship changed throughout the years and perhaps i teared up a little at the end :'))

@starrychannies

baby steps — ONE OF ALL-TIME MY FAVORITE FICS ON THIS SITE, every single part is so well-written and ahhhhhfhdhhf chan makes me feel some type of way

my stupid — another yeonjun fic! angsty but v cute at the end :')

@baekhvuns

this youth of craziness — 40k words of pure gold, this fic is absolutely one of my favorite san fics ever!!

replacement — prince!ten makes my brain go brrrr, i love how the y/n just speaks her mind here

@masterninjacow

untitled project — i saw soulmate au with mark and i knew would already love it, and i did! pizza boy!mark at that, amazing and i adored it

more amazing blogs!!: @galaxteez, @poutybinz, @lustjoong, @bloominghigh

these are just a few of the fics and blogs i found this year, find more on my fic rec blog @agustdiv1ne-recs!! (my thumbs are starting to hurt i'm so sorry bfjshfhsh)

wrapping up each month since august since that's when i actually started posting LMAO

☆ august

03: good enough — chan

03: bloodsucker — seonghwa

04: cutie — san

09: veloxrotaphobia — mingi

19: want — changbin

21: numb — yunho

100 follower special — i reached 100 followers towards the end of august, my first ever milestone :') also my first ever time taking requests, 'twas very fun ♡

☆ september

03: on camera — jungkook

☆ october

27: oh, worm? — namjoon

31: demon days — san

☆ november

10: a letter to my love — xiaojun

23: bad for u — jaehyun

27: home sweet home — yeonjun

☆ december

christmas bash 2020 — my brain went hey what if you did this- and i listened so here's 17 holiday fics hahahaa (not all of them are out yet but i'm working on it!!)

things i plan to release in 2021!!

☆ sunflower — jimin

☆ cross — yeonjun

☆ landslide — seonghwa

☆ nice save — san

☆ red — hyunjin

☆ a secret series (that will be revealed once i plan everything) — ateez

☆ 4 unrelated secret fics oOoOoo — will i reveal them? you'll just have to wait and see ;)

there will definitely be more posted! these are the ones that are going to be my priority at first, but my imagination is always churning so expect a lot more :)) check out all of non-secret wips here!

i hit 500 followers a couple days ago! i nearly screamed when i saw that LMAO. thank you so much for liking my content because i work hella hard on it :') sometimes i feel like i don't deserve y'all really, but @hwaddict will yell at me if i say that so ig i take it back hfhshhdhg

a post for celebrating this milestone will come as soon as i finish up the rest of my christmas fics!! sorry that i'm so slow :( (hint: my requests will be open, so look out for it!)

so yeah!! that's it, sorry for the painfully long post (i'm sorry to my thumbs for typing this whole thing out </3). thank you to everyone who read this far!! i hope everyone has a happy and healthy new year, and in the words of txt's cover, fuck 2020. may 2021 be a much better year for all of us!!!

much love,

ashlee ♡

[mollymauk-teafleak]

Benzaiten Steel and the Case of Mistaken Identity

Ben has a very awkward morning on the Carte Blanche...

Just a fun little scene from a happier, better universe where Ben is alive and happy and committing intergalactic crimes with his brother and their new family.

Please consider reblogging or leaving a comment over on Ao3!

---

Contrary to popular belief, there were a lot of differences between the Steel Twins.

Sure, there was the obvious stuff like the hairstyle and the general disposition, how you could tell which one you’d bumped into on any given day by whether they were smiling or scowling. There was the dress sense and the scars and the tattoos that didn’t match, except for the one. And, of course, the different number of eyes.

But Benten had always thought it was the smaller differences, the ones nobody noticed, that mattered. That made them Juno and Benzaiten, not just the Steel Twins. Not that he resented being seen as one of a matched set, of course not. It was wonderful to work with Juno on the Carte Blanche, to live in the same space as him again and see him every day, tired in the mornings and working furiously into the evenings, to sit with him and have meals as a family with the rest of their crew. To always have him in arms reach, to show him a funny video on his comms or hang off his shoulders as they stood together. To use their nearly but not identical faces in their work, making people believe there was only one of them and seeing their faces when it all fell into place.

Benten knew how it felt to lose his brother and he never wanted to go back to that.

Still, it was nice to have their own individual quirks even if they went unnoticed. Like this, like how Benten was always the early riser while Juno would stay in bed as long as decent society allowed him. He’d gotten used to it as a kid; the three buses he had to take to his dance class had meant getting up just before sunrise six days out of seven. Juno’s hobbies, which were what Ben charitably called his obsessions, his research or his work meant he stayed up late buried in files and data, seeing patterns in it that no one else would, with one eye or two. Often when they were teenagers, he’d be up and about to head out just as Juno was dragging his carcass to bed.

That had led to an intimate familiarity with another difference, how each twin took his coffee.

Benten had the kitchen of the Carte Blanche to himself, the SimSun lights just kicking into gear. Soon the ship would come to life, the noises of some mechanical fix going on from the cargo bay as Jet began his first task of the day, Buddy humming to herself as she sat in her cabin and made the impossible possible, the clatter of Vespa sharpening tools in the med bay either to hurt or to heal, the hammering of fingers on keys as Rita worked at her comms, over the too loud chatter of her stream. And Ransom...well, Ransom doing whatever he did on a morning with his usual eerie silence. All that would come but for now it was quiet, just the sound of his bare feet sticking to the tiles as he moved around and the song he was whistling.

Today was going to be a good day, Benten told himself triumphantly. They were back in charted space which meant he could video call Mick, hearing his boyfriend’s voice and seeing his beautiful, ridiculous grin for the first time in weeks. The thousands of miles between them would shrink to the width of a comms screen and everything would feel better.

And it would start with coffee. He did feel a little pang of guilt at only making two cups, one for him and one for Juno, but it was hard to break traditions that were decades old. He’d always left one waiting for his brother in their crappy little Oldtown kitchen, for when he’d reluctantly follow him into consciousness. He’d always wanted the first thing Juno knew when he woke up was that someone was looking out for him. And to drink some coffee because he probably looked like shit.

Juno liked to pretend he was the toughest, meanest lady around, making Benten wonder if anyone else knew he took his coffee with three sugars and enough cream to make it barely a few shades above white. He mixed in each spoonful of freeze dried coffee and powdered, stasis milk carefully, though it would never taste like the real stuff you got planetside. There was a lot about long haul space travel that sucked. The food was ninety percent of it.

Still, it was hot and sweet and prickling with caffeine, in the mug Rita had painted herself with ‘world’s best boss’ printed on the side, and Benten knew his brother would really appreciate it. It would make him smile in that rough, crooked way he did, the smile that didn’t come out very often but Ben wished it would. People deserved to see it.

He stopped whistling as he balanced the mugs in his hands, trying really hard not to slop any over the sides. Sure the cleaning bots would take care of any spills but Benten had always felt mean about giving them any work to do. The kitchen door slid shut behind him, the mechanism not quite what it had been when the ship was new and making more noise than it should. Juno’s room wasn’t far, none of them had spread out much from the others even with all the rooms to choose from. He should only be a few doors down.  

But as Ben moved past the bathroom door, he heard the sound of running water and his brother’s unmistakable rough voice, singing as he showered. Ben grinned to himself, pausing a moment to listen while Juno butchered a peppy, upbeat dance number that had come on the radio the other day. He had a good voice, though he’d never admit it, this just wasn’t his vibe. Still, he sang it cheerily and Ben could imagine him bouncing on the balls of his feet and swaying his hips in time to the beat as he soaped his hair.

Why was he up so early? What had him in such a good mood? Ben wondered briefly before realising he didn’t care all that much. What mattered was Juno smiling, singing, dancing, it didn’t matter why. Clearly, life on the Carte Blanche was doing him good, shaking him out of the dark place he’d been in ever since he’d lost the eye, regained it and lost it again. Just as Ben had hoped when he’d agreed to come with his brother and live as an interplanetary thief.

He had to take a few deep breaths so he didn’t cry then and there, just hearing his brother doing something as simply alive as singing in the shower.

Benten kept walking, thinking he would just leave Juno’s coffee in his room for him to come back to. And then maybe he’d ask him to play video games or watch a stream or ask if he could work on the stuff for their next job in his room. Anything just to be near him and see the light back on in his eye, to know for sure that he’d really got his brother back.

Benzaiten was still lost in his own thoughts as he approached the bunk Juno had claimed as his own, the one with the glitter covered sign that read ‘Mister Steel’s Room’ in Rita’s handwriting, the same as the ones she’d made for all of them on their first day aboard. He was so distracted, he couldn’t even be startled when the door opened before he was anywhere near it.

Or when Ransom stepped through, wearing nothing but a tiny pair of boxer shorts that covered very little and suggested very heavily what they did cover. That and a shirt of Juno’s that Ben recognised immediately, oversized so the neck draped to leave one shoulder bare. A shoulder covered in dark, mouth shaped shadows.

Ben stopped dead, eyes snapping wide. Every time he’d seen Ransom before now, he’d been perfectly made up and poised to the point of near absurdity, in his sleek, expensive outfits and coiffed hair and sharp smile. He’d been practically scared of the guy, not least because of how Juno reacted to him and wouldn’t say why, no matter how many times Benten tried to steer the conversation that way to find out more.

Now he wished he knew less.

Ben opened his mouth but couldn’t get any sound out, he was too stunned at the realisation that Ransom was actually human and not a perfectly styled doll of some kind. So Ransom just yawned, exactly like a cat would right down to the way he smacked his tongue after, and blinked, eyes useless with sleep and without his glasses.

“I thought you were showering, dear heart,” he mumbled, his slick accent muddied and rougher than it ever seemed.

And then, before Ben could make any kind of protest, Ransom closed the distance between them and kissed him languidly, hand slipping around his waist to grab a handful of...something that erased any doubt Ben had been clinging to as to what this man was doing in his brother’s bedroom.

Instantly, Ben froze solid, eyes wide with the kind of panic only rabbits facing down the headlights of oncoming cars and people in this exact situation could experience. A heartbeat later, Ransom did the exact same, unfortunately leaving him in that position for a handful of agonsing, painful seconds. When he finally jumped back, he looked very, very awake. In fact, he looked like he might never sleep again.

“So…” Ben cleared his throat, grimacing, “You’re sleeping with my brother, huh?”

Ransom’s blush was fearsome, more than a master thief’s really should be, “I...my sincerest apologies, Benzaiten, I was only...um, your brother...I…of you have any concerns about his...um, his virtue-”

Ben could have screamed cutting across him quickly, “I really do not want to hear the slightest thing about my brother’s virtue. Just...give him this,” he thrust the coffee at Ransom, “And never speak of this again. To him but especially to me. Agreed?”

Ransom took a deep breath, taking the coffee and hiking the shirt up to his neck, like that would erase the hickeys from existence, “Agreed.”

Eventually Benzaiten would realise he was happy about this. He would recontextualise a hundred glances between him and Ransom, he would learn to read the emotion in Juno’s voice whenever he talked about him, what was masked in the intensity of it. He would realise that finally someone loved Juno exactly how he deserved to be loved.

But for now, he was going to lock his door, call his boyfriend and scream into a pillow and wish with all his heart that more people would learn to see the differences between him and Juno.

[cuddlepilefics]

Whumptober Day 14 – Popsicles

Fandom: Stray Kids

Sickie/Little: Felix (4-5)

Caregiver: Chan (+ Seungmin & Jeongin)

It had barely been a month since Chan had become Caregiver to the most adorable little he could imagine. By accident he had walked in on his fellow aussie-liner sitting on the bedroom floor seemingly in his on world. The younger boy had a pacifier between his lips and was happily working on a coloring book with crayons strewn everywhere. Chan had stopped dead in his tracks, confusion evident on his face.  Felix had started to panic the second he noticed the leader standing in the doorway and between hyperventilating and sobbing had struggled to explain the situation. Luckily Chan was very openminded and had supplemented the small amount of information Felix had been able to give him that day with his own internet research about little space. A few days later he had a calm conversation with the younger aussie and learned that the boy usually regressed to around 4 or 5 years old. Felix loved coloring books and pacifiers, preferred chocolate milk over unflavored milk and couldn’t sleep without his bunny plush. Knowing those facts warmed Chan’s heart and when he remembered what he had read online he had immediately asked about the Felix’ caregiver. That was a topic Felix really didn’t like talking about, he had been craving someone who would watch out for little Lixxie and make him feel safe. Chan had noticed how quiet Felix had turned avoiding his leader’s eyes, so he guessed the younger was on his own. Long story short, Chan had taken it upon himself to care for his friend and the little couldn’t have been happier.

After much gentle persuasion Felix at outed himself as a little in front of the other members and though it took a lot of explaining all of then were very supportive. That gave Lixxie more chances to regress since he didn’t have to wait for the rare times that he’d be alone at the dorm. The first time he regressed in front of them they were immediately whipped for little Lixxie and gave him lots of love and affection. As much as Felix enjoyed his members cuddling him and playing with him, at the end of the day there was only one person he wanted. Chan had been over the moon as the title daddy had slipped from the little’s lips. From that point on it was a common occurrence that he’d wake up to a sleepy Felix cuddled up against him. The older for sure didn’t mind.

Today Felix woke up regressed in his own bed and if there was something little Lixxie really hated, it was waking up alone. He should have had expected this after going to bed early last night due to a heavy exhaustion that had settled over his body. Just as well his blocked nose and sore throat shouldn’t be as much of a surprise considering he had been feeling a bit off for the last few days. Feeling icky and alone was not how he wanted to start his day, especially not given today was a rare day off and Chan had promised to take him to a playground close by. He gave a frustrated whine, immediately tearing up as the action sent a sharp pain through his throat. Silently sobbing he reached for his bunny and clutched it tight to his chest. He was scared being unable to produce a sound no matter how hard he tried. Being involuntarily silenced, he had no chance of grabbing his caregiver’s attention who was supposedly a few rooms away. With a sniffle the little wiped his tears and decided to go looking for his daddy. Taking his bunny with him he slowly made his way to the living room. Much to his disappointment the desired member wasn’t there and he was only met with Seungmin and Jeongin. Hearing quiet sniffles the two looked up and spotted a teary Felix standing in the middle of the room looking a little lost. Seungmin was the first to react, getting up and slowly approaching his hyung. “Good morning, Felix. Are you ok?”, he chose not to use any honorifics, being unsure how old his friend was feeling at the moment. The little buried his face in the other’s chest starting to sob again. Panicking Seungmin wrapped his arms around Felix rubbing his back and guiding him to the sofa. Jeongin disappeared to get Chan suspecting his Australian friend to be regressed. Seungmin tried calming the upset little down by holding him in his lap rocking gently from side to side and ensuring him everything would be ok. His attempts were rather unsuccessful as Felix only seemed to get more worked up. The singer was confused at how quiet Lixxie’s cries sounded. Usually he would wail rather loud to emphasize he needed something. Something turned out to be his caregiver most of the time. Just as Seungmin was about to despair, a hurried Chan walked in followed by a worried Jeongin. The leader picked his little up bouncing him on his hip while Felix hid his face against his caregiver’s neck. “I’m here sunshine, Daddy’s here. It’s ok”, Chan tried to soothe but the little shook his head unable to calm down. “Can you tell daddy what’s not ok?”, again just a short shake of the head. The caregiver sighed taking his baby back to his bedroom pulling out a pacifier, Felix loved his pacifier. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he placed the paci between the little’s lips and started humming softly. However, he didn’t expect Felix to spit the paci out not shortly after, gasping for breath. He also didn’t realize that the little wanted his paci but with a blocked nose it was just too difficult to breath. Chan frowned running out of ideas to comfort his baby, so he just continued humming and stroking his back. After a while the younger had exhausted himself and was reduced to silent sniffles. “Are you ok now? It’s only Minnie and Innie home with us right now, so it’s alright if you’re feeling a little shy today. The others went on a shopping trip and will probably gone till the evening. We can just stay here, we don’t have to go to the playground if you’d rather have some privacy.” Felix shook his head, lips starting to wobble again at the mention of the words trip and playground. How impatient had he been looking forward to going to the playground. Quickly changing the topic the older announced it was time to have breakfast receiving a small nod. 

After a small trip to the bathroom to clean Lixxie’s tearstained face, they were on their way to grab some food. Walking to the kitchen Chan wracked his brain to find an explanation for why his little was acting so strange. “So, what do you want to eat baby?”, he asked but received no answer. The little just blinked at him sadly. The other two maknae-liners walked in as the leader placed Felix down on the countertop. Seungmin was carrying the stuffed bunny the little had dropped on the sofa earlier as he got picked up by his caregiver. “Is he alright now?”, Jeongin asked worriedly. “I’m not sure. He’s acting really strange and hasn’t said a single word yet. Hm, Lixxie, you’re worrying us, baby”, Chan replied cupping the little’s cheek and noticing his skin felt a bit warm. Holding the stuffy up, Seungmin stepped in front of his regressed member: “Cutie, can you tell Minnie how old you are?”  Felix stopped making grabby hands for his bunny and held up four fingers. “Hmm, I thought he might be younger than usual, nonverbal…”, Seungmin explained his question. Since Felix still hasn’t voiced his desired breakfast, they had just settled for some toast. The four sat around the breakfast table, each of them deep in their own thoughts. Three of them trying to make sense of the young aussie’s actions, said aussie trying to figure out how he could make the others see what he was struggling with. Chan cut the toast into small bitesize pieces and went to feed his baby. Lixxie opened his mouth wide suddenly realizing how hungry he was and forgetting about the ache in his throat. He was painfully reminded when he attempted to swallow, gagging on his food and only managing to get it down with a cringe. Tears streamed down his face again and made grabby hands for his caregiver. The older sat him on his lap and picked up another bite but Felix kept rejecting every kind of food they offered to him. Seungmin decided to give it one last try and filled one of the little’s sippy cups with chocolate milk straight from the fridge. It seemed like a success when the little immediately started drinking. The cool milk wasn’t hurting him as badly and the sweetness gave him a sense of comfort. Sadly, when he had finished the pain came back and he put the cup down flinching. This time though it didn’t go unnoticed how his hand went up to rub at his throat. “Sweetie, is your throat hurting?”, Chan concluded gently. Sniffling Felix gave a small nod and turned around to press his forehead against the caregiver’s collarbone. “Aww, is my sunshine feeling icky?” Again, a nod followed by a weak cough. The leader got up with a sigh and carried his little over to the sofa. “Sorry it took me so long to figure it out, bub. Can you wait here for a minute? I’ll just go grab you a blanket so we can get comfy and watch some cartoons to take your mind off. Alright?” After receiving a confirming nod he hurried off and soon returned to the ailing little waiting patiently on the sofa. The remaining two members finished their breakfast and cleared of the table. 

While Chan gathered Lixxie up in a blanket and allowed the younger to get all cozy in his arms, the maknaes thought really hard to think of something helpful to do. Jeongin’s face suddenly lit up and he started rummaging through the freezer with Seungmin watching over his shoulder curiously. After some digging the youngest held up a popsicle and smiled. “Hey, Lixxie, look what I found for you”, The maknae beamed as he walked into the livingroom. Felix’ smile mirrored Jeongin’s and given he was still hungry he started to suck happily on the popsicle right away. Chan rewarded I.N. with a grateful and relieved smile patting the sofa next to him. As much as the two maknaes wanted to join the pair with their cartoons they already had a different plan. A quick check of the freezer proved they had now officially run out of popsicles which seemed to be the only thing their baby could eat at the moment. Whether it was a good idea to let the two use the kitchen on their own might be debatable but that’s what they did. Gathering different fruit they found they started chopping away. By blending the fruit with some yoghurt and honey before freezing the mixture in plastic cups with a spoon in the middle they managed to make their own homemade popsicles. In the end they were really proud of the result and knowing their version of the treat would provide their beloved little with proper nutrients and the vitamins he’d need to get healthy again filled them with joy. It took some time to clean the mess in the kitchen but after finishing they finally got to join their friends and watch cartoons. With some persuasion Seungmin got Felix to climb into his lap instead of Chan’s so the leader could have a well needed bathroom break and grab a bite for himself for which he didn’t have the time earlier. Upon returning he found his little fast asleep in Seungmin’s arms with Jeongin drawing shapes onto his back through the blanket. To say he was proud of his group and their dynamics didn’t even get close to what he felt as he took in the sight and was finally able to relax himself.

[trillian-anders]

amor de mi vida - 1948

pairing: bucky barnes x latinx!reader

warnings: racism, prejudice, fluff, angst, smut

word count: 2423

description: Bucky Barnes is a sweet young Brooklyn boy, just on the cusp of manhood, a hopeless romantic that falls in love with almost every girl he sees. when he sets his eyes on a young girl fresh off the boat from Cuba he finds out how hard love can really be.

for @cake-writes 1940s challenge.

You told Bucky you were never having sex with him again. 

Jaime was the eldest of three, Dia becoming a middle child, and those newborn cries you weren’t given the time to miss sounded from your bedroom at night every two hours like clockwork. 

Grant was a handful. But he was so cute you forgave him for it. Jaime looked like his father with your coloring, Dia was an exact replica of you, but Grant, he had his father’s eyes. They just about knocked the wind out of you when they didn’t change from that milky newborn blue to brown. His sweet fat little cheeks and blue eyes. 

Dia waddled her way over to you, holding onto the side of the couch and bouncing while looking at her father, babbling for his attention. Bucky peaks at her over his newspaper, the radio keeping Jaime preoccupied while he plays with a toy car Santa brought him for Christmas, making motorized sounds as he pushes it across the carpet. 

Dia lets out a little screech. Bucky laughs and drops his paper, her little arms reaching out for him. He picks her up and settles her on his lap. Another screeching sound as she bounced, Bucky’s mouth blowing raspberries and tickling her. Grant was milk drunk and falling asleep on your breast. 

“We need a vacation I think.” Bucky laughed, Dia pulling roughly on his hair that desperately needed to be cut. You smile softly, looking down at your newborn. 

“Just you and me?” Dia screeches again, accidentally jumping on Bucky’s lap, feet first into his groin. He groans, lifting her off his lap, 

“Just you and me.” 

Martha Green was still talking to your husband. He was short with her, mostly ignoring while he mowed the lawn. You stood in the front window of the house, watching her. Leaning on the fence, pushing her breasts out, smiling. She was wearing a frilly pink dress and for a moment you envied how she had two kids and kept her figure, there was no secret that yours had filled out. Almost every dress you owned had been adjusted. 

But Bucky had seemed just as insatiable as ever. He still kissed you a hundred times a day, he still pressed himself against your back at the sink, he’d grope your ass or breast in passing. A playful slap here or there. But he was respecting the fact that you weren’t comfortable enough to have sex again, not yet. 

But maybe you were wrong for that. 

Grant was three months old now and while the weight from Jaime didn’t stick to your tummy or hips, Dia and Grant certainly did. Bucky respected the fact that you weren’t ready, and not out of fear that you’d get pregnant again, which he was happy to buy rubbers for, but the change in your body was hard to deal with. 

You loved your children more than life itself, and you heard the ‘girls steal your beauty’ more than once after Dia was born. That didn’t help. 

Bucky had packed on muscle. And a lot of it. Between boxing and training with Steve. Completing missions, his arm had been upgraded to just about match his flesh arm, and he was sporting a six pack when he flexed. But luckily enough he seemed annoyed with her. Bucky could hold a grudge and the woman had called the police on you after all. 

He glared at her, pulled the mower, and resumed cutting the grass. Grant wailed from behind you and you gave her one last look, her face clear with disappointment and annoyance before she stomped back into her house. 

Later that night, after the kids were sleeping soundly, you knew Bucky wanted to have sex. He had a tell. “I just like looking at you.” He always says when you’d playfully tell him to stop, but his eyes stay on you as you wash your face and set your hair at the vanity. You could see how hard he was in the mirror. The gentle hands that began to massage your shoulders. 

But the doubt and the insecurity from earlier was still nestled in your chest. You shrug his hands from your shoulders and step from the vanity, walking to your side of the bed and removing your robe before slipping under the covers. Bucky was looking at you from his spot still next to the vanity, debating,

“What’s wrong?” He asked. You’d known each other for nine years now, if he couldn’t tell something was wrong there would be a bigger problem in the marriage other than insecurity about extra weight. He squat next to your side of the bed, brushing his fingers across your cheek, cupping your face. 

“Nothing.” You shake your head, pressing a kiss into his palm. “It’s nothing.” Three months was the longest the two of you had gone without sex since he’d gotten home from the war. 

“It’s not nothing, talk to me.” You roll onto your back, rubbing your eyes, before looking back at him. Concern clear on his face. 

“I uh…” You felt anxious, sitting up in bed he rested his chin on your knees, looking up at you. “Do you…” His hands found yours, thumbs brushing over the back of your hands. “I just…” You could feel yourself getting emotional, wanting to swallow it down. 

“Dahlin, talk to me.” His voice was full of concern. 

“Should I lose weight?” You ask him. “Do you think I’m…” His brow furrowed and he leaned back on his haunches. 

“Is that what this is all about?” He asked. You let out a heavy sigh and nodded. “Sweetheart, I don’t care about any of that.” His hands left yours and held your hips. “You’ve given me three children,” Hands bunching your night dress, “You’re so beautiful.” A kiss to your knee. “If losing the baby weight is something that would make you happier, I’ll support you.” Kiss to your other knee, “But I don’t mind either way.” His hands met your hips under your night dress and pulled you closer to him, his lips trailing up your thigh. “I’ve loved you since the minute I first saw you.” Hot words against your thigh as his fingers twisted into your panties, tugging them down your hips, “Nothing is going to change that.” 

Your back met the mattress as he placed your thighs on his shoulders, fingers intertwined with yours as his tongue met your clit. Back arching and soft moans, his hands leaving yours to grip your thighs and fondle your ass as his tongue pulled moans from your lips and made your hips roll against his face. You were quick to cum, his eyes hooded and mouth tangy with your release as he kissed you. The quiet shift of his boxers being dropped and he paused over you long enough to roll a rubber down his shaft. 

Whispered love and affirmation as you joined for the first time in three months, hands gripping sheets and mouth muffled moans to keep from waking the kids. 

Bucky made it a point to tell you that you’re beautiful daily after that. And he meant it, truly. 

Bucky had gotten home midday in Spring, another mission done, tired to the bone. But from the kitchen sink he could see clear into the backyard. Jaime was in just his shorts, running around the backyard, enjoying the playset Steve had helped him build a few weeks before. Dia in her diaper following him, your sweet voice calling out to them and ‘ralentizar’ and ‘ven aquí’, Dia coming back to play with the blocks you laid out on the blanket that 6 month old Grant was currently banging together. 

His eyes moved to you, a slip of a dress on, shoulders bare, laying back in a day of heat that was causing the flowers you’d planted to bloom. He admired you from the window. Your skin seemed to glow in the sunlight, hair in loose curls down your back the way he remembered seeing for the first time in that club so many years ago. A relaxed loose, carefree way he always wanted for you. 

He sighed in contentment, leaning over the sink to stare out the window. Watching you lean back on your forearms, Grant’s one tooth smile grinning up at you, holding out his blocks and banging them together while he laughed. 

Your dress business is being taken care of by five employees of your own now. You’d talked to him about maybe getting a building in the city, maybe with his backing you’d be able to open a small store. Once the summer was over, the two of you decided, after the vacation he’d been planning, then you’d work on opening a store in the city. 

“I’ve never been away from them.” There was a little panic as Winnie took Grant from you. Bucky rubbed your arms, Jaime’s hands wrapped around your legs. He was already so fussy that day. Like he knew you both were leaving, he’d thrown three tantrums which caused Dia to be uncontrollably fussy, Grant was the only one who seemed content to go with whatever was going on. 

“They’re going to be fine.” Bucky soothed. George was bribing Jamie with a toy, trying to pry him from your arms, but the two-year-old was not having it. His face red and wailing, arms wrapped around your neck as you hugged him goodbye. “It’s just a week sweetheart.” Your heart broke as you walked down the steps of the Barnes’ brownstone and to the car. Winnie having Grant wave goodbye and cooing to Dia and Jaime that the two of you will be back and that they’re going to have so much fun. 

Howard had a beach house in the Hamptons, quiet and secluded. Far away from anyone able to protest and argue. A beautiful house with large bay windows and natural light. Bucky was unpacking the groceries, your shared suitcase by the front door still, while you looked out at the crashing waves. This was your home for the next week. And while you’d sit on the phone with Winnie each night, asking her to hold your babies up to the phone, you couldn’t help but be relieved for finally having some kind of break. 

The sun was going down, both of you warm with it, sleepily laying in the sun listening to the waves crash. No kids to care for, no responsibility, just the two of you. You’d eaten cold cut sandwiches and had started drinking at lunchtime, followed by an indecent amount of kissing and fondling on the blanket in the sand. 

He blocked out your sun, leaning over your frame, mouth consuming and hot, malty from the taste of liquor. 

“I’ve missed this.” He said, your face on his chest, fingers dancing down your back. “Just being the two of us.” You hummed, sleepy and a little drunk. 

“Me too.” His hat is halfway propped onto his face, he continues, 

“Once the kids grow up and move out,” He says, “Maybe we could retire up here.” You hum, knowing that it probably won’t be possible, not unless they abolish segregation, but who knows. Maybe one day, maybe when you retire forty years from now things will be different. 

Maybe. 

The bath is big enough for the both of you and once the sand is rinsed from your bodies you find yourself there, sinking into the warm water, your back to his chest. Bucky tried his best to make it romantic, all the candles, the oils in the bath. A bath that wasn’t littered with toys and having the ability to bathe longer than five minutes was a definite advantage. 

The days that followed were much like the first, a steady routine you both created in the absence of the normal routine you had at home. Automatically formed out of habit. 

The sex was passionate and much needed. The ability to love each other openly without worry of a baby crying or interrupting in any way. Bucky’s stamina was unparalleled. You’d even risked it out on the sand, swimsuit bottoms pulled to the side, legs over his shoulders, moaning against the sound of the waves beating on the shore. 

You’d lost count of the times you called the Lord’s name in vain. Dumb and babbling with it. Bucky’s back was littered with deep red marks that weren’t given time to disappear. A revitalization for your marriage, with a realization that you’d been together for eight years. Married for six. 

You celebrate your anniversary in the Hamptons, definitely not on your anniversary, and eat cake naked on the kitchen floor. 

“Okay,” You hum, “You look beautiful.” Peggy gave a watery smile in the mirror, the satin and lace wedding gown draped over her body accenting every curve she had. You smiled at her, your dark blue bridesmaid dress a stark contrast. 

Turning she grasps your hands and holds them between the two of you, her nails red lacquered and pale. 

“Thank you for being here.” She lets out a heavy sigh from nerves, “I don’t have many girlfriends.” You shake your head, 

“You’re my friend,” A grin, “Of course I’m here.” 

A small ceremony, not much fuss, that’s what Peggy wanted but certainly not what she settled on. It was a little larger, with a lot more flowers, and a bigger audience than she expected. She was marrying Captain America after all. They’d gotten requests from reporters, people wanting to take pictures as the couple took their vows, but they were told a hasty ‘no’ and now sat outside the church waiting to snap a picture of the newlyweds as they left. 

You cried. Standing across from Bucky as he stood behind Steve. You tried not to, but you couldn’t help it. Not just for the happiness of the marriage, but the love you could feel from your friends. Bucky met your eye and smiled, eyes watering as well, clapping with everyone else as Peggy and Steve shared their first kiss as husband and wife. 

Bucky met you behind them while they walked down the aisle, pulling you tightly into his side. “Do you regret that ours wasn’t like this?” You met his eyes and they were watery, he seemed upset. You shake your head, pressing a kiss to his lips, the congregation more focused on Captain America and his bride. 

The love you felt for him chokes you and you begin to cry, “Not at all.”

.

.

.

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[iworshipkeanureeves]

Problem

Scott Favor x Reader

This is for anon, who requested smut with Scott Favor based on the song Problem by Natalia Kills. I hope you like this!

Summary: Reader gets Scott for the night.

Warnings: smut, prostitution, angst

Words: 2K

Y/N was driving the buzzing streets of her beloved city, her eyes blurred by the night lights, and radio playing on the highest sound. She wanted something special for tonight, something to make her feel alive and she knew exactly where to look for it.

Just around the corner there was her favorite club, but she wasn’t planning on going in there, not this time. Instead, she stopped the car searching for her precious toy boy, the one she was desperate to play with tonight.

“Hey, Scott! Come over,” Y/N called, rolling down the window of her fresh Mercedes, checking her make up in the rear mirror. Grinning, Scott slowly approached the car and then leaned against the opened window sticking his head inside.

“Can I borrow you for the night?” Y/N asked, smiling at Scott, blowing a pink gum bubble and popping it with the sound of him closing the passenger door.

“Where are we going?” Scott set his eyes on the road, he still wasn’t sure if that was a good idea. He had a rule to not get attached, that was why he preferred one-time clients, but with Y/N it was a different game.

“My apartment. Is that alright?” Y/N was nodding to the beat.

“Sure, whatever.”

It was a silent ride from the moment on, apart from music filling up the tensed air. Both of them had things to say, but neither one dared to.

Scott felt like this wasn’t going to end well, Y/N was notoriously ferocious, she was used to always having things her way. And yet, that was the feature that got him so attracted to her, ignoring how harmful Y/N could be for his reputation, especially when his life was about to change. However, Scott hadn’t told his plans to anyone yet, and mostly he was afraid to reveal them to her.

“What would you say if I wasn’t gonna pay you tonight?” Y/N was the first one to break the silence. Conveniently, the red light lit up and she turned her head towards Scott, witnessing his bleak face.

“What do you mean?” He exhaled, shifting in his seat.

“I mean I can, but I don’t want to.” Y/N turned the radio volume down and began  seductively playing with her earhoop. “Do you?”

“Y/N”, Scott sighed turning away and trying to hide his face. “We’ve talked about this. If there’s no money involved, then things get complicated.”

“Oh so we’re still in denial” she snorted, “I see…”

Both of them understood that money was only a formality here. It didn’t feel like a job for Scott, he just knew that while there was money, it mean there was a safe distance between them. Simply a hustler and his client, no feelings involved. Or that was what he thought.

“You know what,” Y/N accelerated, ”By the end of the night, you can decide whether you want me to pay you or not.”

---

Stepping through the door, Y/N dropped her keys to the glove basket and spit her bubblegum out, the same second she got pinned to the wall by Scott, who was pulling her faux-fur coat down. His lips went straight into hers, smudging her cherry lipstick all over their skin, indulging in her sweet taste.

Scott already knew the way to Y/N’s bedroom, he was slowly leading her there, undressing her further. “Don’t you care what your neighbors think when they see you bring me here?” Scott pulled her crop top over her head, digging his fingers into her plump, lace covered breasts.

“Oh, I bet they’re jealous,” Y/N moaned, feeling Scott’s hands against her skin, while his tongue was dancing on her sensitive neck. “I’m gonna make sure they hear how good you fuck me.” She tugged Scott’s striped shirt, giving him a sign that she wanted it off and helped him to get rid of it.

They were making out, rolling against the walls of her hallway, getting closer to her bedroom. Scott was starving for her, Y/N really wasn’t a client, she was his biggest craving, the woman who was making him week in his knees. And also painfully hard in his pants.

Once they reached the room, Scott unzipped Y/N’s skirt letting it fall and dragged her panties down with it. Swiftly, he sat Y/N up on top of her vanity and kneeled in front of her, pushing her legs apart and drowning his face inside her heat.

Y/N felt her blood rushing down as Scott’s tongue was playing tricks on her sweet spot, sucking and flickering around her knob. “Yes yes, please, there, o-oh Scott,” she whimpered pulling his head even closer and tangled her fingers in his dark hair.

Y/N was desperate, pushing her hips forward to the point where she was barely on the table anymore, having her legs resting over Scott’s shoulders. She was too far gone to realize they were losing balance, as she shifted even more of her weight onto him, making them both fall to the carpet, leaving her straddling Scott’s face.

“Shit, I’m sorry. Are you okay?” She was all breathy and dazed by the feeling of Scott toying with her sensitive clit, lapping her juices and stroking her satiny skin.

“Mhm,” he hummed under her, sending vibrations over her dripping slit. Y/N was practically riding his tongue, leading the rhythm and keeping him at the right place. She loved being in control, taking every bit of pleasure Scott could offer her and screaming at how satisfied it made her feel.

“Scott, I’m so close, keep it up, baby.” Y/N closed her eyes, gathering all her senses downwards. She leaned against footboard of her bed, needing of better support as she came hard on his face.

“Oh my God, Scott, o-oh God.” Y/N was rolling her hips and shrieking his name, as if she actually meant what she had said earlier about her neighbors. For a moment she felt helpless, trembling on top of Scott’s lips, as he kept on gently licking her over-sensitized nerves. The sensation was forcing Y/N to escape, but she failed to do so as she got betrayed by her shaky legs, turning her into a whiny mess.

“You never fail to amaze me, Scott,” Y/N giggled falling next to him and wrapping her arm around his chest. Reaching for Scott’s lips she could taste her arousal smudged over his face, and he seemed happier than ever holding Y/N in his embrace.

“What would you say if we took this to bed?” She suggested, and Scott nodded helping Y/N stand up. He briefly ran his fingers over her dripping slit, teasing her sensitiveness. Scott knew it would immediately make Y/N wince, and he enjoyed it, as that was the only sign of weakness she would ever give away.

Y/N unclasped her bra and tossed it aside, getting herself comfortable on her queen sized bed, while Scott took the condom out of his pocket giving her to hold it before fully undressing himself. No matter how many times she had seen Scott naked, the sight of his stiff, slightly curved cock, would always make her pussy water. The same went for him, Y/N’s plump breasts would bring sparks to Scott’s eyes, as he was mentally sucking on them, cherishing her hard nipples.

Hurriedly, Y/N got closer to Scott, stroking his hard member with her comparably tiny palm before opening the wrapper and rolling the condom on. She drew Scott to the bed, climbing on top of him, again. Y/N was like a lioness, claiming her territory, scratching Scott’s chest with her claws and there were no words needed for both of them to know she was going to be on top, like most of the time.

“Ready?” Scott grabbed his cock by the shaft, aligning it with Y/N’s entrance and gazed into her eyes as she was slowly sinking down. Y/N gave herself all the time to adjust, and truth to be told, she needed quite a lot of it. Scott was gifted, stretching her tight, resisting walls every single time, no matter how aroused she was and she couldn’t help but enjoy feeling him invading her tight cunt inch by inch, flaming up her throbbing passage.

Feeling herself more comfortable all the way down, Y/N started moving slowly having her hands resting on Scott’s stomach. With every push, she could feel his tip hitting her magical spot, sending shivers down her bouncing core while she was grinding him, getting all breathy and sweaty.

Scott was trying hold himself together, fighting her irresistible spells, but he was flushing, seeing Y/N moving seductively on top of him and feeling her warm leaking pussy enveloping his achingly hard member. Scott was clenching his wrists with low grunts emerging from his throat, almost as if he didn’t want to admit how good it actually felt to be completely overtaken by a bold woman, who was gliding his cock like her life depended on it.

“Fuck” Y/N moaned biting her lip and bringing her hands up to play with her bouncy breasts. The sight for Scott was becoming unbearable so he shut his eyes, trying to thrust into her deeper, bringing her very close very quickly. Y/N could already feel her muscles tightening, clenching around his length, as she kept on steadily bouncing, hitting him to the shaft. “Oh Scott, I’m almost…” She fell down to his chest, breathing her moans directly into his ear.

“Me to, baby.” Scott bent his knees and began ramming forcefully, vigorously brushing against her tightening walls. They came hard together, Y/N’s throbbing cunt milking Scott’s cock, finally giving him his sweet release, which was only this good with her. He didn’t want to admit that, but no one had ever fucked him the way Y/N did.

She was still on top, panting and gulping at how strong her orgasm had hit, she loved how Scott was filling her up and, even with his member softening inside her, she was still feeling stuffed. “Sooo… What do you think?” She grinned.

“I think… I should be the one paying you tonight,” Scott snickered, pulling out of her. He got rid of the condom tossing it to the ground and turned back to Y/N placing a passionate kiss to her lips.

“Ohh, just admit it, I’m your dream girl, Scotty,” Y/N smirked and rested her head on his chest. He didn’t respond to that.

“Y/N?” Scott inhaled sucking a lot of air in, which Y/N could feel from laying on top of his expanding chest, and it was a clear sign that nothing good was about to come after this.

“Yeah?” Y/N thought about raising her head to look at him, but she couldn’t force herself to, she knew Scott was about to say something she didn’t want to hear.

“I’m going to change.” Air rushed out of his lungs, as he was trying to stroke her hair with his shaking hands, wanting to soften her up. “A-and a girl like you, would be a problem. Well, you know... Especially given the life I’m about to live.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not like I expected us to be something, Scotty,” Y/N gulped, lying to him and trying to convince herself it was actually the truth what she had just spoken. She could hear Scott’s heart pounding as she was desperately trying to hold her tears back. “Is this our last time?”

“Yes, I think it’s better this way.” Scott was stone cold. Not because he meant it, he simply thought it would be easier for her thinking he felt nothing. Scott knew he should have just taken the money, but it was already too late.

Trying to hide her sniffles, Y/N rolled off of him and turned her back, crunching into a little ball. “Can you at last spend the night here then?” She silently asked. Y/N had never felt this vulnerable and exposed before in her life, knowing it was their last night, she wished they had spent it differently, but she couldn’t turn the time back. The only relief Y/N had now was feeling Scott’s arms wrapping around her and his warm skin soothing her back, lulling her to sleep.

---

Scott hated himself for doing this, but he knew he was only going to hurt her more by staying and having to say goodbye in the morning. He gathered his stuff, gently kissed her forehead and he was gone before Y/N could wake up.

[staliasjeronica]

Riverdale S5 Ep9 Thoughts

It’s been awhile since I’ve watched Riverdale, I’m getting bored with them going back to Varchie out of literal nowhere and I’m assuming BH will soon follow because they don’t know how to write anything else even though that’s all the show needs to be good. Look how great the show was when they were finally starting to give us Barchie…. anyways thoughts under the cut so this post doesn’t clog up the tag. Also: MANIFESTING JERONICA AND BARCHIE BYE

- Honestly a lot of people are weirded out/annoyed by the alien plot but I love aliens so I’m lowkey okay with it.

- Alice this is Riverdale you really think some bad coincidence couldn’t have happened right after Polly left the phone booth?

- Veronica stop using money for no reason PLEASE. And god more VA scenes I’m so tired of it… though somehow it fits better than them being together as teens. But we’re not forgetting how he cheated on her with Betty, still loves Betty, and is mostly just going back to Veronica because it’s “comfortable”

- TABITHA AND VERONICA SCENE!! They look so good standing near one another ugh

- … if I heard the football coach say that over the intercom I’d literally think he’s a whiny piece of shit and never go to the games in spite. What the fuck was that???

- Jughead acting like he probably wouldn’t have written a story like that kid when he was in school lol okay...

- Reggie pointing at each bulldog and calling them a loser on his way out…. what the actual fuck asdfgjkl;

- Give Veronica literally anything than plots surrounding Archie and Hiram we’re so fucking TIRED

- Veronica needs Archie to talk to Reggie about this boring football bs but will make a wager with her dad that will go against everything Archie would like… please nothing about them as a couple has changed!!! IT’S SO BAD AND BORING!!!! WE DON’T WANT THEM!!!

- We really could have had teachers!Barchie and Jeronica but noooo they’d rather cater to toxic bh and va who don’t deserve to have their boring ships that ruin their characters. Why did Riverdale get stuck with the people who can’t write to save their lives?

- Cheryl and Betty finally having an actually good conversation wow-

- VA once again in bed sigh. The only thing getting me through is that Archie seems much happier with Betty muah

- Veronica stop being cute I’m trying to hate you and Archie getting back together out of nowhere

- Betty please for once in your life stop lying… I know you’re trying to protect her but if Polly really is dead it’s gonna hurt even worse now that you gave her hope

- LERMAN LOGAN AAFJDSHKHFJDFASHJKN THAT’S HIS FUCKING NAME? BRUH-

- “The story could have alluded to stuff happening at home.” “Then you should have come to us!” yes because parents who were abusing their child totally wouldn’t say anything to throw off the teacher who’s just trying to make sure their student is okay…….. why would he go to the parents first?

- #Kangs Cheryl shh we already don’t like them together please stop… anyways Swangs and Keggie when???

- Fangs really dated Kevin for 7 years, weirded out with his bf going into the woods to hook up with strangers and only now is talking about it… and they thought they’d be able to marry and have a baby together??? damn anyways SWANGS AND KEGGIE WHEN????

- But also Fangs is so right that’s why Kevin’s angry

- Adult friends BH is literally so much better than teenage co dependent toxic wannabe detectives but also if this makes them get together, also out of nowhere, I will rip out my hair

- what kind of nick name is T-Dub………… but anyways this scene was so cute

- See adult BH and VA could have been so good if they kept romance out of it since they already milked the shit out of it for four seasons (at least three too long), because them as adults, as FRIENDS feels so good to watch.

- HIRAM BENCHES REGGIE BC HE DOESN’T WANT TO LITERALLY BREAK A CHILD’S LEGS?!?!??!? This is how we get Reggie back to the “good side” and not Beggie sighhhhhhh imagine if we had good writers

- Betty’s like “…… the mothmen……. god I literally grew up to be a real detective what is this bullshit?"

- Also instead of mothmen why not just make it all about aliens by themselves

- This proves that BH is STILL not compatible after five seasons muah I guess I can deal with boring VA as long as the worst of the worst, BH, is gonna stay dead. At least VA is hot

- That edited picture of Betty and Polly I— afsdfhfasf

- Polly deserved so much better… anyways go read my Sweet Pea x Polly drabble!!! based after the time jump :)

- Kevin please if you’re gonna painfully flirt please learn a few actually good pick up lines

- Ummmm okay first of all why did that guy not say anything about Kevin calling him hot if he was straight and not into him hitting on him? Second of all, why does Kevin always get these awful plots, and lastly, what the fuck anyways can’t wait for Fangs to find out and sick the serpents on that Shane guy bc while him and Kevin aren’t together anymore, he definitely still cares about him

- Betty once again resorting to assault……. okay…… what a gross misuse of power

- Kevin feeling ashamed of him being gay because his mom once talked about him wearing husky clothes…? God everyone on this show deserves much better plots what the fuck

- Can’t wait for Betty to be suspended for this bullshit

- I don’t think the Logan’s would like Jughead of all people helping find their son but okay

- Betty is so unstable please how did she become a detective… ahhh right the writers eat from her ass lmao

- Love that Reggie gets no shit for just suddenly switching sides

- also sigh pairing up bh and va for the millionth time. It’s interesting that everyone enjoys the show much better when literally anyone else interact

- more singing…………Cheryl you’re not in high school anymore BUT it is lowkey a bop somehow though

- I know the answer is no but V never told Archie of her dumbass wager huh

- 0 to 52………………. so how is Hiram not gonna win this. We find out he cheated in some way and is disqualified or something?

- VERONICA, REGGIE, AND TABITHA HUGGING AHHH NEW OT3 FUCKKK

- Why is Hiram so mad his team has 52 points I—

- That kiss was so boring please give us Barchie and Jeronica and stop having V go back too Archie

- THEY LEFT RIVERDALE THAT QUICKLY? damn okay

- Betty feeling bad just because her mom found out she lied… like okay I know we’re supposed to want Betty on the case but she really shouldn’t be. She’s such an awful detective. She had potential in the beginning but :/

- anyways thank fucking god it’s over that felt like a million years long of boring bullshit where is Barchie and Beggie and Jeronica and Keggie and Karchie and Swangs ugh make Riverdale interesting again PLEASE I’ve never stopped watching like this, ever…

[the-author-dragon]

The story after the song 'Church Bells'

The wedding between Jenny Hayward and Jason Morrel was beautiful. Granted, Jason had gotten his parents to plan the wedding. They were both twenty-two, young and in love, and it didn't hurt that Jenny was the prettiest girl there and that Jason was rich beyond belief, both from his oil business he had started that year and from a bit of his parent's money. Adrien Winsor, the pastor at the local church they both went to, officiated the wedding. He'd never seen two people happier than the two of them.

A year or two later, Adrien was invited to a party they'd thrown. She was wearing heavy makeup. Adrien asked her about it, as she wasn't known to wear anywhere near that much.

"I'm fine," she had said dismissively. "Just trying something new."

A year later, he saw his in the back pew of the chapel, hands folded, deep in prayer.

"Good morning, miss Morrel," He'd said.

"Good morning," She'd said hurriedly, wiping away tears and by accident, makeup. It only revealed a bit of a bruise over her eye, but it was enough.

"Who's hit you?" He asked a few times, to which she'd answered 'nobody,' but she finally answered "Jason."

He quietly joked that he'd look the other way if Jason happened to die. She didn't laugh.

A few weeks later, Jason died of an illness he'd had for weeks. Adrien avoided eye contact with Jenny at the funeral.

---------------------

"Jason Morrel, died at age twenty-five, presumably from an unknown disease," The detective said stiffly to his colleagues as he slapped the case file on the table.

"What do you mean by 'presumably,' Brandon?" a young woman asked sharply. "Jason was buried a week ago! He was ill for several weeks and then died! Is this why you called us together?"

"Yes Jeanette," Brandon sighed. "Listen, something's not quite right. This kind of disease being fatal so quickly?"

"Who would have the motive and the means to kill him? He held everyone at a distance," Lisa pointed out.

"She's right," Andrew agreed.

Brandon pondered this for a few seconds. "His wife," he decided. "She could have killed him for his money."

"That doesn't make sense either," Andrew countered. "They were together for five years. People who knew them said they were the perfect couple. Jason only had a sloppy will written out, just saying that she would get his Nerf collection."

"The money would have gone to his next of kin!"

"Which were his parents," Mark added. "She isn't related to him, so his closest relatives were his parents."

"The money went to her anyway!" Brandon was visibly stressed and angry.

"Listen Brandon," Lisa said. "It's too unclear. If you can prove someone murdered him, then we'll take the case. Otherwise, don't bother everyone about it. And don't even try to bother the Chief with it." Lisa stood up, brushing off her nice suit and walking out, everyone else soon following."

"Dangit," Brandon muttered. He was sure something had happened. He just had to prove it.

First stop, Jason's old house. It was a beautiful mansion, with large iron gates at the front and beautiful iron fencing surrounding the property. He rang the doorbell. A woman's voice came over the intercom. "Hello? Who is this?"

"I'm Officer Harvey from the police station, I'd like to talk to Jenny Morrel."

"Oh, is it about the cat again? The neighbors are-"

"No, I'd like to talk about her late husband."

The voice was silent for a few seconds. "Come in."

The gates opened, and Brandon walked down the path to the front door. The garden was well-tended and had a fountain on either side of the path in the middle of the lawn. He made it to the door, where he knocked a few times. About thirty seconds later, the door opened. A beautiful woman with a tan that suggested she spent a lot of time outside opened the door. "Good morning, ma'am. I'd like to speak with Jenny."

"You're speaking with her, sir," the woman chuckled, her auburn curls shaking a little in the light breeze. "You must not recognize me from the funeral. I remember seeing you there." She had a thick southern accent, something that complimented her voice nicely.

"Oh! I apologize, I thought you were one of the servants."

"It's fine, dear. There aren't too many servants around here. A cook and a few maids are all we needed."

"How do you keep this garden so well maintained?" Brandon asked in amazement.

"I do it myself. I love gardening you see, I grew up doing it. Ever since Jason married me I have too much time on my hands."

"About Jason, may I come in?"

"Absolutely, just leave your shoes at the door. Miriam just swept. " She opened the door to let him in. Brandon walked in, slipping off his shoes and leaving them next to Jenny's tennis shoes. "Come with me, I have place we can talk."

Jenny led him to a quiet parlor on the other end of the house. "Here, the servants won't be coming this way for a while. Elijah just finished vacuuming and dusting about fifteen minutes ago. Do you want something to drink? If so, I'm afraid all we have other than water is milk and Jason's old alcohol stores."

"Was he an alcoholic?"

"Unfortunately. However, I got him to quit sometime before he died when he fell ill. It was tragic when he did, he missed so many parties he spent so much time planning." Jenny suddenly looked very sad. "I miss him so much, you know. He was such a nice man."

"I'm sorry, ma'am."

"You know, when he was alive he called me his daisy. You should have seen the look on his face whenever he said that. It was the nicest thing, you know? He looked so gentle and he'd take my hands and kiss my forehead. It would practically cure all that ailed ya." Jenny had a gentle smile on her face.

"That sounds adorable," Brandon smiled.

"I always thought it was so weird how he'd gotten sick so quickly. Granted, he didn't go anywhere, so when he did he always caught something, whether it be a cold or pneumonia."

"About that, I suspect someone killed him."

"Killed him?" Jenny raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Well, that would explain why he got so sick after coming home from the bar. He was a big alcoholic, you know. I told him to stop before he got sick, so I supposed that was why."

"Do you have any idea who could have done it?"

"I mean, you could try the bartender who was working the night he got sick. Or anyone who was at the party that night." She examined her nails. "It was most of my late husband's family and a few of my friends. I can give you their names and addresses, but you'll have to figure out the bartender thing on your own. I'll give you the name of country club so you can go ask."

"Thank you, miss. It's a lot of help."

"Pleased to help." The woman smiled gently, standing up. "I'll write down the information for you and you go on your way, sugar." She grabbed a notepad and pen from the table and scrawled down the information and handed it to him, leading him to the front door. "Now shoo, I have some friends coming over."

Brandon spent weeks tracking everyone down and asking them about Jason, but found nothing, no matter how much he asked or who he asked. It was a dead end.

The police never did find Jason's killer. Nobody had the foggiest idea that he was killed, anyway, except for Brandon, who gave up at the knowledge he no longer had any leads. Nowadays, Jason's killer is running his oil business, donating to charities, and is probably the kindest woman you've ever met. She gives you a soft smile and serves you sweet tea with as much sugar as you'd like.

Nowadays, she's taken a second husband, who treats her like the queen she is, and the two of them host the best parties. She never really needs to wear makeup, but sometimes she does. Every now and then, someone asks what happened to her first husband and she blinks away false tears and quietly tells them that he died of an illness and launch into a short mantra about how sickly he was. It's quite believable, actually.

Nowadays, nobody suspects anything.

[dontshootmespence]

Its Simplicity

Summary: After a chance meeting at a bookstore, Y/N and Spencer find themselves surprised again.

Words: 1,657

Warnings: Gross fluff.

A/N: My next entry for @cmbingo​ 2020! This fulfills my neighbors au square.

“My legs feel like lead,” Piper mumbled, following behind you with a giant moving box in her grasp.

It had to be your fifth trip up the stairs to your new second floor apartment, but it was worth it. Until you started your new job money was tight so you weren’t about to hire movers for something you and Piper could do - slowly but surely that is.

“Why didn’t you get movers?” She bitched. Her bitchy and whiney were very similar and you couldn’t help but laugh.

Backing into the door, you pushed it open and dropped the next box onto the floor before flopping onto the one piece of furniture you’d managed to get up the steps so far - the ottoman for your reading chair. “Because it’s a lot of money. I’m not rolling in it you know.”

“But I’m in pain,” she whined. “Can we at least take a break?”

You mumbled in response, though it was practically drowned out by the raucous gargling of your stomach. “Yes, we need food. Crappy Kraft?”

Somehow you managed to move your seemingly weighed down body off the ottoman and toward the kitchen, bare now, but would hopefully resemble a 50s style diner once you were finished. Dream kitchen. You grabbed a pot out of one of the boxes in the kitchen and boiled some water before pouring in a disgusting three boxes worth of Kraft Mac and Cheese. Triple bypass in no time.

“Okay, so tell me about the boy? How come you haven’t gone on another date? I feel like a matchmaker. I need details.” Piper got hyper when she talked about your dating life.

Spencer said he’d call when he could, but right after he did, he got called away on a case for work. He’d texted sporadically, but you hadn’t heard from him in half a day or so. Apparently, the case was harder to solve than he originally thought. “There’s not much to say other than what I told you about the bookstore,” you laughed. No one in the world could replace Piper, she was your one and only bestie for all of time, but occasionally you did like keeping things to yourself. “We’ve texted a few times since but he’s busy with work so he said he’d call when he gets back.”

Heavy footsteps told you someone else was coming up the stairs and Piper had left her box of your stuff outside the door. “Sorry about the box outside. Moving in! I’ll get it out of your way!”

You ran to the door while the water came to a boil only to see a familiar face. “Spencer!”

“Y/N? What are you doing here?”

An almost painful smile spread across your face. “Moving in. This is my new place.” 

Piper came running to the door, all traces of exhaustion from before gone from her face. “This is Spencer? Wait, you live here too? Oh my god, how cute is this.”

“Piper, Spencer. Spencer, this is my best friend Piper.”

“So you’re the one that peer pressured her into speed dating?”

“The one and only. I’m a matchmaker.” She glanced back and saw the water boiling. “Oh, I got this. You do your thing.”

As she ran off to prepare your shitty mac and cheese, Spencer laughed. “She reminds me of my friend Penelope. Also fancies herself a matchmaker.” A light-hearted silence fell between you for a moment before he pointed to the apartment across the hall. “That’s my place.”

“This is hysterical,” you said, almost unbelievingly. “Well, it’ll be easier for us to plan dates this way.”

“Speaking of, I just got home from a case. Would you want to grab dinner tonight?”

Piper screamed a resounding yes from the kitchen, which made you go beat red. “I would’ve said yes, too,” you laughed. “You going to rest for a little while? I can only imagine the case you had if it’s been five days.”

“I desperately need some sleep. Then I’ll read a book or two.”

“Show off.”

“Sorry,” he replied, thinking he overstepped.

You shook your head. “Spencer, I was kidding. I think it’s amazing, I’m just jealous.”

“Oh,�� he chuckled nervously. “I have a hard time with social cues.”

“It’s okay. They’re annoying, I know. Maybe read The Graveyard Book so you can give it to me at dinner.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Sweet dreams, Spencer. I’m about to go eat my weight in Kraft Mac and Cheese and unpack boxes.”

He yawned and excused himself. “That sounds amazing. We should do that sometime. Eat our weight in mac and cheese.”

“It’s a date.”

                                                              ----

Later that night, after convincing Piper that she could not in fact be your third wheel, you met up with Spencer...by opening your doors. “That was easy,” you giggled. “You get a good nap?”

“I slept for four hours. It was amazing.”

He still looked a little sleepy, but much happier and more comfortable, his muscles slack and his outfit more breezy. From what you imagined, he wore suits and similar formal wear to work, but now he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt with a black blazer on top. God, he was cute. You wanted to kiss him. “So where do you want to eat? You know the food around here.”

“There’s a Thai place down the block that has some amazing pad thai. Especially if you like spice.”

“I love spice!” You replied, immediately excited.

Talking with Spencer was effortless. You could indulge your inner and outer nerd; just able to be completely and utterly yourself, which was rare. Normally, you had to put on some type of pretenses with everyone. 

At the restaurant, Spencer told you about the case, though not in too much detail, for both him and you. “I just don’t want to put those images in your head, you know?”

You nodded, handing the menus back to the waiter after placing your order. “I get that. Just know that going forward, as long as this goes forward, you don’t always have to shoulder the crap you deal with alone.”

“Thank you,” he said softly, placing his hand over yours.

The somber moment lingered for a few more seconds, but then he switched the subject, asking about your childhood and your relationships with your family. Given his genius, child prodigy status, you imagined his childhood was less idyllic than yours and he was living through you. Then you ordered pad thai that was just a little too hot for you and you both devolved into uncontrollable laughter as you fanned your mouth and begged the waiter for some milk to quench the Sahara desert on your tongue. “Some dessert might also help soothe the burn,” the waiter suggested.

“You had me at dessert, Sir,” you said unabashedly. “I’ll have the mango sticky rice.”

“Same for me,” Spencer replied. The waiter walked away, giggling under his breath about the woman who couldn’t tolerate spice. “You feeling better?” He asked. “I thought you said you love spice.”

“I do! I’m just not great with it.”

Thankfully, the mango sticky rice soothed the remainder of the burn in your throat and then Spencer picked up the bill. You asked to go half and half, but he insisted the first real date be on him and from here on out you could go Dutch. “Do you know where the phrase ‘going Dutch’ comes from?” He continued excitedly when you shook your head. “The origin of the phrase ‘to go Dutch’ is traced back to the 17th century when England and the Netherlands fought constantly over trade routes and political boundaries. The British use of the term ‘Dutch’ had a negative connotation for because the Netherlanders were said to be stingy.”

“That’s actually really interesting. You know I actually thought about going into linguistics at one point, but I loved reading as a whole too much to focus on words rather than stories as a whole.”

Spencer’s credit card was returned and you got up to leave, your fingers slipping back into his own. “I actually work with a linguist right now named Alex Blake. I think you two would get along.”

“She’s a Ph.D. too? Oh my god, please introduce me sometime. I’d love to nerd out with her.” The walk back to the apartment complex was easy and transportive, your conversation bringing you back to childhood - in its simplicity. 

You’d been up and down the stairs a million times today, so the walk up hurt you more than it did him. “My body is going to ache in the morning,” you laughed, leaning up against him outside your door. You didn’t even realize you were doing it until you pulled away. 

When you met his gaze again, you saw something different than before. “You’re gonna kiss me, aren’t you?”

Spencer smiled and leaned forward, angling your mouth toward his. Your lips touched tentatively before you moved in closer, placing your hand on the side of his neck. He pulled away, his mouth tightening into that kind of smile where you’re trying not to grin like an idiot and failing. 

“You have nice lips. Do that again.”

Some time passed, how much you weren’t sure, but you only stopped when you heard other footsteps coming your way. “So, you think you might want another date?” He asked, his voice soft and dreamy. 

“Definitely. Do you have work tomorrow?”

“As of right now, no.”

“Wanna come over tomorrow morning and do breakfast? I have to unpack a lot still, but I make killer blueberry pancakes.”

“Looking forward to it. Eight o’clock?”

“Sounds good,” you replied, swallowing hard as he pulled away to return to his own apartment. “I’ll text you if anything changes with work.”

You nodded and grabbed your keys, hearing the jingle of Spencer’s own as you both opened your doors, glancing back toward each other with simultaneous smiles.

[artificialqueens]

before the sunrise (branjie) - holtzmanns

(read on ao3) | (tumblr: plastiquetiaras) | word count: 2648

AN: Wrote this little drabble as a break from ANOTHER drabble (which is way longer than a drabble now) that I had originally started to take a break from my WIPs. I’ve been feeling like I’m stuck in a rut lately and Writ is the best for prompting this to me and cheering me on to get me out of it. I appreciate them the MOST. And they beta-ed this too, who could ask for more? Thank you for all the sweet lovely feedback on my current fics. It makes me happier than you know.

Night shifts aren’t that bad, really.

The convenience store is empty most of the time. Quiet. The rows lined with snacks and packaged food sit untouched, acting as Brooke’s only companions between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. in the morning.

Brooke had taken the job because ballet expenses and the rent of her shitty downtown apartment don’t pay for themselves. Four months in with night shifts, it’s not too unmanageable. She has a pepper spray bottle in the pocket of her jeans and a heightened sense of awareness towards the windows and doors, watching those who pass by for any sense of possible danger.

But it’s calm. She spends most of her nights manning the register, holding back yawns. Listening to a podcast over the overhead speakers because there’s no one else there to complain that the store isn’t playing the latest top 40 hits.

Most of the time, she’s just bored.

She has her occasional regulars, people to talk to when the dead of night becomes a little too quiet. The mom of a newborn who lives across the street and comes in around 2 a.m. with her baby in tow, trying to get him back to sleep as she rocks him while she walks. The McDonald’s employee who comes by during his break to grab a pack of cigarettes every couple of days. The businessman who leaves work late enough that he never interacts with his family during the day, preferring to grab a packet of beef jerky for a makeshift dinner. The store also gets its fair share of those who’ve drank a little too much at the bar a few doors down, gotten themselves worked up. Though she’s able to redirect them, send them on her way after filling their hands with snacks.

No one has really stood out to Brooke, made her look twice just yet as she checks them out at the register. That is, until 4 a.m. on a Tuesday night when it’s raining a little too hard outside the dingy windows.

“A place actually open? Fucking finally!”  

Brooke’s not sure whether the statement is uttered by a customer or a drowned rat, by the sight of the woman who’s just walked in the front door. Her hair is soaking wet and heavy on her shoulders, her makeup smudging by her eyes and making her look like she has raccoon-esque dark circles.

Brooke watches in amusement as the woman strolls up the counter, slamming both of her hands onto the table and rocking back and forth on her heels.

“Can I help you with something?” Brooke doesn’t put on much of a customer service voice for the woman, distracted by the way she seems to be shaking the drops of water from her hair onto the counter.

“I moved here about-” The woman pauses, checking her watch, ‘-eighteen hours ago. Forgot about dinner, no big. But my stomach is growling and it’s gonna be breakfast time at this rate, and what I’m saying is I need a snack or imma truly lose my shit while tryna unpack.”

“Why are you up so late?” Brooke takes a proper look at the woman, sees her baggy shirt and shorts and rain soaked skin and the way she’s slightly shivering.

“Too much energy. Couldn’t fall asleep ‘cause I started unpacking a little. And now I’m hungry.” The woman shrugs, taking a step back to look at the shelves. “You got anything good?”

“We have some microwaveable meals, if you want-”

“Nah.” The woman waves a hand. “My microwave ain’t unpacked yet. That’s a project for tomorrow. How ‘bout snacks?”

Brooke comes around the side of the counter because fuck it, it’s 4 a.m. and it’s highly unlikely that any other customers will be coming by anytime soon. The woman’s lips part slightly, looking up at Brooke once she’s beside her, and Brooke realizes just how short the woman is.

It’s adorable.

Nonetheless, Brooke points to the aisle beside them. “Got some trail mixes and chips over here, if that’s what you’re into. Some jerky, over there. Some dry cereal in that aisle, over there?”

The woman’s eyes light up at seeing the cereal on the top shelf. “Fuck, I haven’t had Fruit Loops in ages. That’s my dinner.”

Brooke wrinkles her nose. “Fruit Loops for dinner?”

The woman shrugs. “Hey, it’s got fruit. That’s healthy, right?”

“Well-”

“Dang, I can’t reach.” The woman huffs after she tries to jump, get her hand to graze the top shelf, the Fruit Loops just out of her grasp. Brooke tries to hold back a laugh at the way her brow furrows.

“Can you…?” The woman looks at Brooke sheepishly, pointing at the box.

Brooke grabs the box without having to reach too far. “I got you.”

“A giraffe. Thank you.” The woman grabs the box with a grin that lights up her entire face, and Brooke can’t stop herself from returning it.

“I think we have some milk in the refrigerated section too, if you wanted-”

“Nah.” The woman scoffs. “Fruit Loops are best right out of the box, baby.”

It’s after the woman leaves with a wave, when Brooke’s brain is replaying the way she said ‘baby’ over and over and over in her head, when she realizes that she’d forgotten to ask the woman her name.

Brooke doesn’t see the woman for another week, her night shifts a boring haze that seem to blur together. She’s tired, real tired, from the exertion she’s putting her body through during the day with dancing, her muscles tugging and straining as she rolls out her shoulders and puts away inventory. She has to hold back a yawn as she opens yet another box, wanting nothing more than to head home and have a proper night of sleep.

She knows this job isn’t sustainable in the long term, that she has to find something else. But it’s convenient, and the night shifts pay a little bit more by the hour than the day shifts do, and her apartment isn’t rent controlled and there’s no way she’s moving back home anytime soon.

So, night shifts for now it is.

The clock hits 2 a.m. as Brooke fiddles with her phone, too out of it to sort through the register or clean a little or even pretend to look like she’s doing work. She’s watching the recording of the run through of the latest show that her company’s going to put on, going over the steps from one of the acts in her head, as if the mental exercise will help solidify it once she has to go to practice in the morning.

Hey, it’s worth a shot.

She nearly drops her phone when the door to the store slams open, hitting against the wall, and her heart’s about to jump out of her chest before she realizes that it isn’t someone trying to rob the store, or anyone intimidating. No one that she’s need to pull out her pepper spray for.

No, it’s the woman from last week. Looking a lot less damp and still as adorable in a t shirt dress that could very well be her pyjamas.

“It’s you!” The woman perks up when she sees her at the register, waltzing over to lean against the counter like she did last time. “Haven’t seen you here the last couple days.”

“Have you been coming in the daytime?”

The woman nods, and Brooke shrugs. “I only work nights.”

“Ooh, a woman of the night.” The woman winks and Brooke has to hold back a snort.

“I’m not sure that means what you think it means.”

The woman remains unfazed, still grinning at Brooke. “I like my definition better, if I’m being honest.”

“I’m sure you do.” Brooke leans against the counter too, a smidge closer to the woman, notices the way the woman’s eyes widen a bit. “So, what brings you back?”

“Out of Fruit Loops. Also ‘cause I didn’t see you during the day and was wondering whether I had made up a six foot tall glamazon cashier all in my head.”

“Real, and here in the flesh. As I am most nights.” The store seems more like a bedroom to her than her actual bedroom does, considering how much time she’s been spending here.

“Good to know. Guess I’ll have to come visit more often, then.” The woman winks at her and Brooke’s not sure, really, if she’s flirting with her, because who else would voluntarily come to a seedy convenience store in the middle of the night?

So, Brooke’s gonna lean into it. Even if she’s not 100% sure on the woman’s signals. “I’ll look forward to it, that’s for sure.”

“Good…” The woman looks down, trying to search for something, and… is she looking at Brooke’s boobs? Brooke’s about to comment before-

“You ain’t got a name tag or something?”

“Oh.” Brooke feels herself turning red, any moments of suaveness dissipated. “Brooke. And nah, they don’t bother, considering the employee turnover rate.”

The woman looks unfazed. “Cute. I like it.”

She starts picking up the snacks she’s dropped on the counter, and Brooke frowns. “You’re not gonna tell me yours?”

“Vanjie. But you can call me Vanessa.” The woman, Vanessa, flips her hair over her shoulder, and Brooke has to hold back a grin, because now she can tell, she really can, that the woman’s giving her signals.

She likes it.

Vanessa comes back every couple of days after that, buying snacks, sticking around to talk more often than not.

Brooke learns that Vanessa’s moved from Tampa, a makeup artist in town for a few months while she’s working on a project that’s filming in the city. She hates the cold and rainy weather so far, but doesn’t mind the humidity. She’s brought her dog with her while in town, and pulls her phone out excitedly to show Brooke pictures of him.

“If you think I’m not going to have a meltdown over how cute he is, you’re absolutely wrong.” Brooke can’t help the way she scrunches up her hands, the way her face pouts a little, because Riley is indeed adorable. “You should bring him by sometime.”

“Maybe I will, tomorrow, if he’s not snoring away.” Vanessa tucks her phone into her pocket, dipping her hand into the bag of chips that she’s just bought, before holding it out to Brooke. “What about you, got any pets?”

Brooke grabs a handful before answering. “Kitties. Two of them.”

Brooke pulls out her own phone to show Vanessa, whose voice becomes adorably high pitched as she flips through Brooke’s camera roll, cooing at the pictures of them all cuddled up to her.

“This is the cutest shit I’ve ever seen, are you kidding?” Vanessa gasps when she sees a picture of Brooke holding both cats up in her lap. “Stop. This is the best thing ever.”

A throat clear behind them makes both of them jump, turn around, to see a slightly dishevelled man holding a package of toilet paper in one hand and Pepto Bismol in the other. “Hi, uh, can I check out?”

Brooke chances a glance over at Vanessa and has to avert her eyes immediately to keep herself from cracking up right then and there. She takes a deep breath before looking up to face the man again, and can see how positively green he looks. “I can help you at the register, sir.”

Brooke manages to keep it together until the man lets the door close behind him and he’s out of earshot. She peeks over at Vanessa, who bursts out laughing.

“That much Pepto? Shit, he probably going through it tonight!” Vanessa’s bent over in half, cackling, and Brooke can’t help but join her.

“Oh god. I bet it’s coming out of both ends.”

“Nasty. A shitty problem to have, wouldn’t you say?” Vanessa looks over at her, eyes twinkling at her, and Brooke snickers.

“And that was a shitty pun.”

“You liked it.” Vanessa nudges her, hops up onto the counter, and the motion fills Brooke with a sense of ease, an untangling in her chest, from the way Vanessa does it so casually. Like they’re friends now, like their regular hangouts at the store are for more than Vanessa just buying some snacks.

She hopes Vanessa doesn’t have to move back any time soon.

It’s 5:30 a.m. on a Sunday night and Brooke’s tired. It’s quiet, more so than it usually is, and Brooke can’t help the way she lifts her eyes up every so often, peeking at the door, looking for a certain someone.

Vanessa hasn’t come by the store in days. Brooke had gotten used to her, had enjoyed passing the time by cracking jokes and fooling around and learning more and more about her. Telling Vanessa in turn about her ballet training, how badly she wants to make principal dancer eventually.

Vanessa had listened, asked questions. Let her ramble about her financial stress and ballet stress and work stress and it’s nice, really, because Vanessa understood it too.

So Brooke misses her.

She knows that Vanessa’s had a busy week at work, that the television show she’s working on has had longer hours than usual. Still, she can’t help the way she peeks at the door, waiting.

The watch on her wrist creeps past 6:30 a.m. and Brooke only has half an hour of her shift left to go and she’s thankful, because she needs a nap before practice today. She’s about to drop her head onto the counter for some quick shut eye when the door slams open, in a way that only Vanessa can do.

“Brought you coffee.” Vanessa holds up a cup and grins, handing it over, and the first sip of caffeine is practically heavenly.

“You absolute godsend.” Brooke takes a second sip, then a third, before putting the cup down.

Vanessa puts out a hand in front of her from grabbing the cup again. “Slow down, you. Don’t wanna burn your tongue.”

“I want caffeine, though.”

“True, who needs taste buds, anyway?” Vanessa reaches over, grabbing her hand, tugging her around the side of the counter like she usually does. “Help me pick out a morning snack.”

Brooke grabs another box of Fruit Loops from the top shelf because Vanessa’s gotten her into them, too. Vanessa’s squeal of delight makes the extra sugar worth it.

Vanessa cracks the box open on the counter after she pays, shoving her hand in to grab a handful. She holds the box out towards Brooke, who grabs some too.

The tail ends of Brooke’s shifts always bring in a hint of sunlight, rays that catch in the glass of the windows as they start to rise. Dawn is Brooke’s favourite part of her shift. When the darkness starts to leave, when the rows upon rows of snacks aren’t illuminated just by fluorescents anymore.

Vanessa in the light of day has a gentle glow to her, the sunlight hitting her skin in shades of gold. She’s beautiful, even as she munches down Fruit Loops like her life depends on it.

Brooke’s about to ask her what her day holds when Vanessa reaches into her pocket, pulling out a folded piece of paper. An old receipt? Brooke can feel her brow furrowing as Vanessa holds it out to her.

“Think there was something on one of my old receipts earlier. Can you look at it?” Vanessa’s eyes are sparkling and Brooke doesn’t understand why as she unfolds it, before…oh.

A phone number.

Vanessa’s phone number.

“You mighty cute in the nighttime. Care to hang out with me in the light of day?” Vanessa reaches out, interlaces their fingers, like she already knows what the answer will be.

“Know any good breakfast spots?”