#but it is too long for me to consider doing the boys

[g-hughes]

Small Fry - L. Hughes

hockey masterlist || g's graduation celebration

synopsis: it's the middle of the night and you can't sleep, the only thing that can soothe it, is a late night run for chicken nuggets

word count: 709

warnings: pregnancy, cravings, fluff

It was almost 2AM, and you were wide awake, staring at the ceiling. The windows were open, letting in the soft breeze that was rolling off the lake. Surprisingly, all the boys in the house had gone to bed somewhat early, tired and exhausted after a full day of boating and wake surfing. You had called it a night around 10PM, fully preparing to sleep like the dead after having a long day, however, the growing child in your stomach had other plans. 

You couldn’t sleep, your back ached and you were starving. You were at the point in your pregnancy where no matter what you did, your body ached and no matter how much you ate, you were still hungry. Whoever told you that the last trimester was full of bliss and wonder had lied to you. You had already ventured down stairs once to see if there was anything in the house that would satisfy your cravings, and you were sadly disappointed that amongst the very full fridge and pantry, not a single thing would suffice. 

You considered waking Luke, but you were hoping that the baby in your belly would stop kicking and you would just go back to sleep. He hadn’t moved a single inch despite your huffing, puffing and moving. But the curl haired boy next to you remained sprawled out, his lips parted as soft snores left his mouth. He looked peaceful with the slightest bit of a sunburn across his cheeks. 

You hated how he could just sleep so peacefully while you were being used as a personal punching bag. 

You huffed again, adjusting and sitting up higher in bed, crossing your arms over your growing belly. 

Luke must’ve sensed your unease, as he rolled over, slinging his arm over your belly, “Sleep,” he mumbled. 

"Can't," You sighed, and ran your hands through his curls.

"What's wrong?" Luke was now waking up, and looked up at you with his big blue eyes, "Baby okay?"

"No. I'm hungry, and fat," You said, and Luke sat up, looking at you, "I want nuggets."

"How did I guess," He smiled, and leaned up to kiss you. He pushed back the covers, and rolled out of bed. His pajama pants were slung low on his hips, and he grabbed a sweatshirt from the ground. He walked over to you, helping you out of bed and pulled you up, "Come on, mama. Let's go find you nuggets."

You were thankful that the McDonalds by the lake house was open 24-hours, and so was Luke. Mood swings hadn't been easy on you or him, and he was worried that if he got there and they were closed, it could be a long ride back home. Luke ended up ordering himself something too, and drove back to the lake house. He grabbed the bag of food as you waddled your way down to the dock, the moon high in the sky lighting the way.

The warm Michigan air felt good, as you happily ate away at your nuggets. You and Luke talked about names again, throwing around both girls and boys names since you had decided against knowing the gender.

"Luke," You asked your boyfriend, and he looked at you, "Can I have your fries? Don’t judge me, the baby’s hungry."

"The baby, huh?" Luke smirked, and handed you his fries, "What about. . . Arthur for a boy?"

"Like that bald rabbit from the kids show?"

"Okay guess that's a no. . . Thomas?"

"I like Thomas. For a girl, I still like Eleanor."

Luke smiled softly to himself, he liked the name too. In the back of his mind, he always wanted to name his child after his parents. They had given him everything, they had taught him the game of hockey, drove him all over for the sport and stood by his side during the good times and bad. His only fear was not being half the parent that they were. But as you told him over and over, as long as their child was happy, healthy and taken care of, they were doing their job correctly. 

And a couple months later when their baby girl, Luke knew right away that there was no better name than Caroline Eleanor Hughes.

note: hi, yes, welcome to my hockey blog :) requests are open! and I hope to have a masterlist outline posted soon!

[mariasont]

Semantics - A.H

a/n: guysssss i had so much fun writing this one let me know what you think :)

masterlist

pairings: aaron hotchner x bimbo!assistant!reader

summary: you flirt with an officer that has been driving hotch mad all day

warnings: slight suggestive stuff, hotch looks at r's tits, mad!hotch, reader flirting with someone other than hotch! JAIL!

wc: 1.2k

Stationed precariously on your toes, you had on shoes that did not seem dependable for today's work. Hotch was sure that they weren't standard issue for on the job. Did he have the heart to tell you this? Absolutely not.

His grip on the bullpen's bar tightened, his knuckles bleaching to the color of bone. There you were, talking with an officer with a chirpiness that seemed excessive. The volume of your laughter seemed to breach the boundaries of appropriacy, your fingers decorated with glossy paint twirled in your hair, and your proximity to him was decidedly intimate.

He felt a little sick.

The officer's ineptitude was exacerbating the situation. Perhaps calling him an idiot was a bit severe, but Hotch couldn't help but consider it. He was this close to charging the officer was obstruction of justice, and it wasn't only because he was too close to you. The man boy had been nothing but a nuisance all day, holding back information, delaying necessary search warrants, and incessantly bitching about the FBI's involvement.

And you, his assistant, were well aware of the situation as Hotch had talked about it ad nauseam. Yet, there you were, flirting with the officer. He couldn't fathom why. All Hotch was aware of was the involuntary twitch in his hand, hovering perilously near his firearm. That was dramatic, he knew this. He was fine.

What Hotch was also aware of was how the team was watching, no, dissecting his every move. This led him to extract himself from the viewpoint, throwing himself into his office, and not particularly caring about the door's loud bang behind him.

He wasn't sure how long he was in there, wading through reports and forms, each one a small fortification against the temptation to check on you, before there was a knock on the door. It was so faint that it would have gone unnoticed had he not been so acutely attuned to every aspect of this morning.

He tried to convince himself that his keen sensitivity had nothing to do with you.

He raised his head just enough to see you and your pink slacks standing in the doorway. You had the biggest smile, and it took every ounce of discipline not to shovel you in the room, close the door, and kiss you senseless. That wouldn't be appropriate. He was your boss, and more importantly, not your boyfriend.

"Yes?"

His words were blunt and clipped, too stern by half, and he immediately wanted to kick himself as he noted the minuscule wobble in your smile before you could hide it.

You stepped forward, licking your lips in a nervous habit that he caught all too clearly. The door closed with a definitive thud, and a heavy knot twisted in his belly as he motioned for you to sit.

Your effort to reconstruct that trademark smile of yours was apparent, but to his penetrating eyes, it fell short of its customary sparkle. Obediently, you took your place in the seat before him, one leg over the other.

The soft tapping of your sparkly pen against your notepad echoed through the hushed room, another nervous habit of yours. He wanted to kick himself again.

"Sorry I know you're busy," you began, your head's slight tilt dislodging a strand of hair to obscure your eyes. "I'm just about to make a coffee run for the officers. Do you want your usual?"

The officers. If he had the influence over you that he secretly wanted, he'd have you spit in their drinks. Again, a dramatic thought, but one that felt warranted in his mind.

He repositioned himself, settling more firmly into the chair as his hands came together in front of him on the desk. "That's fine."

Your inched forward, and with it, a breath of your shampoo crossed the divide. He found himself mirroring your movement.

"What's wrong?"

"Why do you assume something is wrong?"

"You've got that frown on your face that makes you look constipated." Your smile was growing as you spoke, teasing him. A relief to see. He couldn't help but respond with a reluctant half-smile, almost against his will.

But then he thought about you offering the same teasing banter to the officer, undoubtedly in a more flirtatious manner, and the frown returned.

"There it is again," you noted, arms folding across your chest in a way that pushed the slopes of your breasts to the sky.

He adjusted his pants under the desk.

"I'm fine," he asserted, but the words felt hollow even to his own ears. 

His training as a profiler should have equipped him with a better poker face, but in your presence, those skills were rendered ineffective.

You pursed your lips. Those perfect lips. "I don't believe you."

It sounded more like you were singing rather than speaking, and again, he wanted to smile, but he repressed the urge.

"I don't need you to believe me," he started, narrowing his eyes just enough to be noticeable. "I'm the boss."

You let out an overstated gasp, hand dramatically to your chest. "That was mean."

He found himself laughing--a genuine, unguarded reaction that surprised him just as much as it surprised you. He shook his head, an attempt to regain his composure and the frustration he felt was due. But it was challenging when faced with your innate sweetness, a quality too precious for someone like him.

"I'm sorry," he said, still grinning. It's not often that he apologizes, but he seemed to be making exceptions for you more than anyone else. 

But that could mean nothing.

"Much better," you stated, leaning forward with your elbows on the desk, your smile striking him with an unexpected force. "Now, will you please tell your favorite assistant what's wrong?"

"You're my only assistant."

"Semantics," you scoffed, hand cutting through the air. "Spill."

You had learned that word from Reid and had not stopped saying it since. He gave you a look before giving in.

"Some of the officers are complicating my job more than necessary."

It wasn't really a lie.

You bobbed your head. "I know, right? They're being very unprofessional."

He bit back the comment ready to leap out. You weren't unprofessional--that would be an unfair assessment--but the way you acted earlier could hardly be filed under the professional conduct.

"But did you see me earlier? I totally had that one guy, I can't remember his name, but you know the one--kind of short, bad breath? Anyway, he was wrapped around my finger," you said, proudly at that, as you rummaged through your purse. "And it was worth it because I got you a little something!"

The tension that had been coiling within him unraveled in the form of a couple documents you handed over--witness statements--the very documents the local PD had been stingy with sharing. There was a heartbeat where he thought he might just kiss you for it. That thought might have turned into action, if you hadn't already been on your way out.

"You can thank me later, boss man," you tossed out with a wink. "With a bit of luck and coffee, they'll speed up that warrant thing. I'll be back before you start missing me--promise!"

He wasn't sure if that would be true. He was quick to miss you. He made a promise to himself that he would show his appreciation when you got back. Maybe in an unorthodox way, but as you said--semantics.

taglist: @hotchhner @khxna

[stxneflxwers]

off-colored.

⋯⁂ summary. Aventurine woke up sick, now you're full of determination to keep him home – the place where he's allowed to be himself (and so you can take care of him.)

⋯⁂ a/n. barely edited lol. i wrote this in the tumblr post editor... :') anyway. SICK FIC TIME!!!!! I WANNA BABY HIM GRRRR

⋯⁂ characters. aventurine. gn reader.

⋯⁂ w.c. 971.

⋯⁂ cw. fluff/hurt comfort. established relationship. sickness and its side dishes. all lowercase. mentions of nudity. mentions of past trauma. (both are non-descriptive).

aventurine.

🌌 needless to say, he's not exactly thrilled to be sick – if anything, it makes his heart jump into his throat (and subsequently make him cough and choke on his own saliva even more).

🌌 for a split second, he thinks he's dying – but no, all that happened was him rolling off the bed and crashing to the floor with the blanket tangled around him. and then promptly getting thrown into a violent coughing fit.

🌌 you were, for a split moment, considering getting on his case for hogging the blanket again – and then you heard him hacking away for a solid few moments before he releases a very loud, stuffy sigh. uh oh, you think, that last long mission he had must've gotten him sick.

🌌 but then... you realize how you can take advantage of this and force him to stay home for once (definitely not because you want more time with him or anything. totally not.) you grin to yourself, believing it's your turn to win for once – he's hardly a sore loser when it comes to you.

you roll to his side of the bed and peek over the edge, "you sound sick." you blurt out – soft, unimposing.

"huh? uh... nuh uh!" he then sneezes behind his clothed arm after barely managing to detangle himself from the blanket.

"yeah, sure, totally and completely not sick at all. i definitely believe you." you scowl, although it's more playful than genuine.

"but... i've got work today–"

"you say that every day."

"but it's true!" he sniffles and wipes at his nose with the back of his black fabric sleeve.

"yeah, well, too bad!" you say and hop to your feet, already feeling excited over the notion of babying him all day. "you're staying home – coworkers and boss be damned."

he whines your name pathetically, "pleaaaaase..."

"no."

"pretty please?"

"no!"

"...with a cherry on top–"

"oh, shush. and don't you try to sneak out of the house." you cross your arms with an atmosphere of determination – all to make sure he gets better soon, instead of exacerbating any pain and malaise.

"haha..." he chuckles weakly (and dryly from his parched throat), "alright, you win."

"yay!" you cheer and help him sit on the edge of the mattress (that will certainly need to have its sheets changed soon), "good boy." you pat his head with such soft and slow strokes that he can feel the love melt into his bones and heart.

"aw... you just wanted to hear me say that you win, huh?" he teases – despite his ailed state – and smiles up at you, somehow even more charmingly than usual. "sure, sure, take advantage of the sick guy–"

"shush, you! it's not such a bad thing to have you home with me for once, anyway..." you sigh, a soft pout protruding from your bottom lip – your hand stills for a fleeting moment, making his heart lurch right back into his throat again.

"i'm sorry, i'm sorry – don't be mad–" he pleads, something he rarely does, but you've dealt with a sick kakavasha once before, you can do it as many times as you need to.

you smile sadly, your eyes pinching with apology, "don't worry – i'm not upset at all. i've just...missed you more than words can describe." you resume petting his soft hair – he's always taken such good care of his pretty blonde locks.

"i...i missed you too, babe." he sighs in relief, his heart settling back into its rightful place.

🌌 he's surprisingly compliant for the rest of the day – of course, he has his playful and teasing comebacks, but he never truly puts up a fight. even if he felt capable enough, he still wouldn't – not against you.

🌌 you do just about anything for him as he recovers – to drive home the point that you love him dearly and deeply. he barely asks for anything, though, so you end up going above and beyond for him – as a part of some weird, personal gamble with yourself. has he been rubbing off on you? you're not sure.

🌌 one of the worst (read: most difficult) parts of taking care of him is making him eat. he'll complain with a whine or groan and try to hide under a pillow or blanket. you're not sure if it's trauma-related or him just being a big baby over some minor nausea, but no worries, you've got it handled.

🌌 after a bit of half-hearted arguing, he succumbs to your demands and eats at least half of what you made him. he has an arguably small appetite and stomach due to his past, so you let him eat as much as he's comfortable with – as long as he actually eats.

🌌 one of the other worst parts of taking care of him is getting him to bathe with you helping him. he insists he won't fall asleep in the bath, but you don't trust his awkward laugh and blatant lie (or his half-asleep expression). once you've pulled your final straw, you give him a hard, long stare until he finally puts up his white flag and – yet again – succumbs to letting you help him out.

🌌 he's very shy when you're naked around each other – it immediately makes his whole face red, his blush even reaching his neck and upper chest. you giggle a little at him and he pouts, all you do is pinch his burning, red cheek. yet your gentle, loving teasing eases his aversion to any and all vulnerability. he, from thereon, complies with the rest of the bathing process.

🌌 when night falls upon your shared home, he's practically dead asleep. you feel fulfilled. and he's already looking better than he did this morning – the color in his skin slowly returning.

yeah, you definitely won.

[pervile]

fucking you with detachable cocks

⸻ boothill & transmasc reader

adult content. minors do not interact. pet names like pup & good/baby boy & bebe are used, sexual experiment (?), squirting, descriptions of top surgery scars, mention of impregnation, rough sex, prone bone. 1.5k wc

✦ basically he has detachable metal cocks and he fucks you with a monster lookin one. . .not rlly proof-read just pure horny tbh im not rlly sorry for this lmao. thoughts are thunking, maybe i'll leave out the metal dicks next time.

currently thinking about which metal cock boothill fucks you with tonight. you think its absolutely absurd that his body was programmed so thoroughly this way, but it only just prompted the many more unique ways he got to fuck you.

it was also absolutely fanatical that his metal parts became so responsive to pleasure too. sure, they were attachments and they could come off, but you're really starting to wonder how scary it is with how life-like they become once connect to his body.

you discovered quick enough that he could ejaculate like any ordinary guy with a cock, and could even get you pregnant, if he wanted to. of course, the last one is just a theory, considering the idea only popped into your head once you found out he could force an orgasm.

but how on earth are you going to explain to your neighbour when they receive the wrong package in the mail, filled with an assortment of metal attachments that look exactly like cocks, showing up at their doorstep?

saying its...a funny hobby of yours would be a little too embarrassing, so after one encounter, you made sure to get your packages delivered when either you, or boothill, were home.

but tonight is the night, where you get to choose apart of this assortment, and how good your boyfriend gets to fuck you.

you're sitting up perched on the cotton bed sheets, legs tucked under your butt as you place one hand along the tip of your chin in eager thought. boothill is laying in front of you with his pussy out on display–well, what looks like one without any attachments anyways. maybe one day you'll discard the idea of metal cocks for one night and rub one off with him.

that too, was also a brilliant idea. but...tonight, your long-awaited, limited-edition one came in early, and you needed to try it as quickly as you possibly could.

boothill's legs were spread in front of you in anticipation for the one you'd actually pick, and he gulps mildly when you do pick the largest one there–for someone who wasn't getting fucked, he sure did seem a little terrified of its size.

you sort of giggle to yourself before picking up its weight, twirling it around under the ceiling light to get a good look and feel of it.

". . .baby boy, are ya sure yer can handle, that, size? why don't we start with somethin' smaller first- y'know...to get you warmed up-"

"why are you so scared for, hmm? besides i've wanted you to fuck me with this one since the day i saw it." your legs quiver a bit in excitement and you feel your clit throb hot once your awareness is brought to the ridges and edges on the shaft.

"doesn't it look so pretty?"

you bring it up to his face with gleaming eyes and boothill sighs, bringing a hand up to move it away from his face.

"fudge- i mean...alright darlin', if this is what yer want. but i can't promise i'll go easy on ya tonight then."

you give him this devious smirk before scooting further between his legs. "hehe, that's the whole plan though!"

as you proceed to attach the metal cock to him, you make sure to tell boothill to sit still. he does so very willingly and later jolts when it finally clicks in.

what looks like precum, instantly oozes out the top of the tongue-like crown and down the black-metallic shaft. you instantly feel the metal grow a bit warm between your palms, and it compels you to rub your thighs together when you see him twitch.

boothill lets out another puff of air before inclining into you and deflecting your attention from the metal cock. he kisses you affectionately and you kiss back, making sure to bare no teeth when inserting his tongue into your mouth. he then goes to grab your face, pressing more into you, before finally pushing you onto your back against the bed.

your body bobs with the fall and you smirk up at him, letting some of his hair fall around your head. while giving him a wide grin, you play with the baby hairs adorning the back of his neck when you wrap arms around him.

"are you sure you can feel anything with all these attachments?" you proceed to say, while rubbing a thigh against the cock.

boothill responds well by grunting with eyelashes fluttering momentarily. "why? yer tryna see if yer can have my kids or somethin'? don't provoke me pup."

"oh, yeah?" you say, both of your lips awfully close to each other, as if they were dancing.

without warning, boothill then flips you onto your back and rubs his new, shiny cock against your asshole, slipping each time he does. more precum spills out the top from this and he pants a little harder.

"yer said this one is self-lubricated, ain't it?" he questions the back of your head before you're putting the side of your face on the back of your palms, looking up at him.

"mhm, yup. so, you can slip right in and- NGH?!"

boothill obliges without you even need finishing the rest of your sentence, pushing the slim crown in, and each bump and ridge one at a time before bottoming out inside your cunt.

your, small, puffy dick rubs against the mattress, and it forces you to lift your hips into him, which, of course, you immediately regret once doing so.

"AH- shi- oh my fucking god...! fuck boothill-"

he can't quite explain it, but the way you restrict around him feels too real. like this is his own cock ripping you open. it drives him insane when he decides to pull out and sink into you again, as if each ridge of the metal cock had separate nerves of its own–he could feel everything, and he wasn't quite sure how long he'd last like this because of it.

boothill listens to your profanities before fucking you rough in prone bone, your legs slightly separated while his cold, metal thighs rubbed against the outside of your waist. the stark contrast of his body being so chilly and the cock attached to him so warm, made you shiver in ecstasy.

"ya feel so fudging good, i think i am going a bit insane." he pants against your ear before pressing more of his heavy weight into your back, the rest of his hair falling over your forehead when he brings a metal finger into your mouth.

"boothill-" you whine, sucking the cold surface, "try a little ngh deeper."

his eyebrows furrow as you squeeze him. "deeper? isn't yer sensitive spot somewhere here?" he pummels into you faster, and you swear you could see stars with how sharp the edges felt on his dick.

"oh fuck- i want it- ugh- yes, yes yes!! boothill!!!" you shriek out his name as your calves come up to to flail against the pressure he's putting against you.

"take it all, bebe. take it all."

boothill then flips you onto your side, bringing one of your legs up over his shoulder as the other one tucks under his own legs. this position allowed him to fuck you even deeper, places you thought couldn't be reached.

you're now able to get a clear picture of what sort of mess he was making of your cunt, a prominent bulge of him inside your stomach clearly showing on the surface with every brutal thrust.

boothill is surprised when he see's this as well, and his cheeks instantly flush a brighter red that causes him to accidentally cum inside of you.

you're not sure if him cumming without warning was what freaked you out, but the amount of cum he was pumping into you shouldn't be considered safe.

"fuck?! boothill?!" you choke on your words and look up at him, tearing your gaze from your puffy cunt. he then proceeds to lean over you, bending you in half, and placing one metal foot beside your head. this new position shouldn't even be classed safe, and you have a feeling that tomorrow your back will be hurting like hell.

but the immense pleasure he was giving you was unbearable–him taking advantage of how nice he felt overstimulated by abusing the nice spot inside of you.

you squirt over his dick with a cry, eyes shooting wide when you grab onto his metal arm for support.

"thats it, my good boy. yer doing so well, fudge. i think- i might cum again."

and he does, spilling the rest of his liquid inside of you as your toes curl from being fucked through your orgasm.

after a bit, boothill collapses into you, keeping his metal dick still sheathed inside of your cunt. when he lifts his head, he proceeds to trace the scars along your chest, biting and playing with your nipples with his jagged teeth.

you give him this dazed look as you wrap your arms around him and he gives you his signature smirk. you then groan and whince a bit when you realise how full your stomach is with his cum.

"are you trying to get me pregnant or kill me? fuck- maybe this was a terrible idea giving you a toy without restrictions."

"forget the the dick then, lets do it without it next time, yer?"

your eyes instantly open from this in excitement, "wait, are you for real!?"

[beebee18]

We were?

Mingyu x Reader

Characters; Y/n, Mingyu, Seungkwan, Seokmin and Vernon. Seungcheol, Wonwoo, Minghao, Dino, Hoshi. (brief)

Genre; Fluff (slight confusion)

Warnings; None. (possibly, Mingyu's arms)

Summary; Seungkwan asking you if you've been to 1st base with Mingyu makes you question his behaviour over the past few weeks, while trying to keep your own feelings at bay.

"Have you guys kissed yet?" Seungkwan asks from beside you as soon as Mingyu leaves for the restroom.

"What... " You ask, slightly wide eyed, thinking the giggly man in front of you is joking.

"He means... you guys have been on like 3 dates, tell us the deets!" Pipes an excited Seokmin from behind you, leaning on the backrest of the sofa.

"Excuse me, what?" Your tone alerts the two boys pestering you, along with Vernon who was perched on a beanbag unbothered until now.

"Didn't Mingyu ask you out?" Vernon questions trying to recall a memory from the past few weeks.

"Wait, dates??" You ask quite confused but also a tiny bit hopeful.

The guys immediately recoil, did they say too much? Was what they heard from their hyungs wrong? Did they ruin Mingyu's chance?

"Forget we said anything." Seungkwan says hastily, the others agreeing, going back to their places.

"No-come back here! Seungkwan!" You hiss, completely dazed and now sort of irritated the guys would drop something like this on you and not even explain.

"Seokmin.." Deep breath in "...if you value your life, you will speak, right at this moment." You glare at the man, speaking in a low tone refraining from raising your voice.

"He hasn't told us anything but we did hear Coups hyung and Mingyu talking about 'a date with y/n' from when Seungkwan was eavesdroppi-"

"I WAS NOT DOING THAT" Seungkwan scoffs, Seokmin immediately disagreeing, completely forgetting that they dumped life altering information.

"Not what? Knowing you, you probably were." Mingyu snickers walking in, sitting down beside you throwing a trophy smile your way before getting comfortable, his arm draped on the sofa behind you.

The atmosphere now rather awkward with Seungkwan glancing at you from time to time, Seokmin being nervous, Vernon was... the same and you sit there trying to recall these dates.

Have you guys really been put on a date??

When did he ask you out??

He's never said the word date in however long you can recall.

• When you and Mingyu went out shopping to spice up your living room and he took you out to lunch after.

• When you went to watch that football match and it was just the two of you, buying both of you ice cream as he walked you home.

• When the other day he suggested dinner at a new restaurant that opened down the street, after which a long drive followed.

In conclusion you'd been dumb and oblivious. Also considering the fact that you never let yourself think about him like that, you tried to be a good friend who does not catch feelings, which always felt fvcking impossible.

However he never held your hand, no hugs. Why didn't he initiate the kissing?

Soon Seungkwan being unable take it anymore and announces he's gonna leave due to early morning practice, coercing Vernon and Seokmin to leave with him. They follow tentatively, saying they're goodbyes and Seokmin mouthing a 'sorry' at you.

You and Mingyu settle back on the sofa, he laughs at the movie playing in front of him, you're too in your head to notice but he sees you thinking.

"Y/n, what do you wanna have for-"

"Are we dating?" You cut him off, he's taken aback, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Yes...?" He asks a bit scared.

"When did you ask me out?"

"When we went furniture shopping and I asked you if would consider having lunch with me?" All his answers sound like questions, your face scrunched in confusion.

"Did you not know we were?" He asks sceptical, you shake your head lightly, looking at him with a frown.

"Why don't you hold my hand then? You never hug me, and see!" You point to him, still frowning. "You sit so far away!" Your frustation takes over as you look up into his eyes.

Mingyu's concern dissipating a little as he registers your words.

"I didn't wanna be really touchy and make you uncomfortable. I know you don't love skinship and you know how I am, what if I scared you away?" He says smiling at you softly, placing his hand on top of yours perched on the sofa between the two of you.

"You never kissed me..." You mutter lowly, doubt clear in your voice.

"Oh baby," Whispers out Mingyu, moving closer to you, one hand placed between the back of the sofa and and your thigh, other gently coming up to caress your jaw.

"Would you like that?" He quips, gazing into your eyes, movie completely forgotten, only serving as background noise now.

A shallow breath releases from you before you speak out a definite 'yes' leaning in a little closer.

His free hand moves to your nape pulling you in gently, one of your hands instinctively sliding up his chest to rest on his shoulder, the other holding his bicep to ground yourself.

His lips meet yours, eager but gentle, hesitantly moving, encasing your lower lip. Confidence growing within his chest as he hears a small sigh leave you, your own doubt clearing and being replaced with pure bliss.

His hand from your nape moves back to cup your jaw softly, pulling away leisurely, eyes closed, exhaling a heavy breath, your chest equally heavy, grip loosening off his shoulder and bicep.

"So?" Mingyu almost seeks out an answer, something, hopefully positive as you come to your senses opening your eyes and gazing into his dreamy ones. A small smile growing on your face causing him to exhale heavily in relief, a grin cascading over his golden boyish features.

A little giggle leaving your lips before engulfing him a hug "I've utterly enjoyed every single date we've been on. Sorry for being stupid." You say, face buried in his neck.

His own chest rumbles with a light laugh, "It's okay, at least we got over that misunderstanding." He says stroking your back in a soothing manner.

"Should we turn this movie night into a date?"

"Yes please, I'm gonna grab blankets so we can cuddle." You say disappearing into your room with a wide grin, leaving behind an ecstatic and content Mingyu.

He may or may not have punched the air in victory, shhh!

///

Texting- (gc... y/n, dk, hoshi, vernon, kwan)

Y/n: Thanks for spilling the beans Seokminnie~

Seokmin: Oh! That was my plan all along!!

Hoshi: About fvcking time-

Vernon: Have fun ;)

Seungkwan: AND GIVE US THE DEETS LATER!!

///

Texting- (gc... gyu, scoups, wonwoo, the8, dino)

Mingyu: Y/n just realized we've been dating??!!

Seungcheol: I told you to properly ask her out!!

Wonwoo: Damn.

Minghao: Use protection

Chan: Have fun hyung ;)

Mingyu: Oh fvck off!

Chan: What did I do-

[cottonlemonade]

can i have a menu a with a soda and dorayaki and sit next to oikawa!!!

Keeping Your Enemy Close

word count: 1460 || avg. reading time: 6 mins.

pairing: rival!Oikawa x chubby!Reader (feat. Seijoh 4)

genre: fluff

warnings: none

____________________________________________

“Do you want to know what I think?”

“No.”

“But-”

“Never, actually.”

Oikawa pouted, “Iwa-chan.” and then looked to Makki and Mattsun who immediately developed an immense interest in their shoes and surroundings. The four third years were busy leaning against a rickety folding table underneath a banner advertising the volleyball club, but even though many girls came over to check it out, boys seemed to make a wide swerve around them. They had only gotten three possible new applicants thus far.

“What do you think, Oikawa-san?”

The boys groaned when, with a wide smile and a flourish, Oikawa turned to yet another girl who had asked. She was nervously kneading her hands and blushing furiously. They knew her as a new addition to his fanclub, but to be honest they started to blend together for the other three. All gorgeous and leggy, she was definitely the captain’s usual type. Oikawa leaned in to whisper something in her ear they luckily couldn’t hear, then the girl gasped quietly and nodded before linking her arm with her friend and wandering off, throwing longing gazes over her shoulder at the setter, who waved after her.

“I think I’ll give it another week and then I’ll ask her out.”, he said, half to himself, half to his friends who quite frankly, couldn’t care less.

But a loud scoff came from their left and the boys turned to see their chubby class president with folded arms next to a stall handing out flyers.

“Something the matter, y/n-chan?”, Oikawa asked sweetly.

“Don’t call me that.”, you said automatically but the boy only grinned and regarded you with his signature teasing gaze.

“But you seem to like it, hm? Y/n-chan~ Now, what’s wrong?”

You clutched the flyers in your hands tighter in an attempt to control your breathing. “I just pity her, that’s all.”, you said after calming your heart a bit.

“Hm? Is that so? Are you sure it’s not because you want to go out with me?”

You knew you would get in trouble if someone reported you smacking him over the head with the flyers - again. So you resorted to glaring menacingly.

Because you didn’t have an answer.

Because you wanted nothing more, actually, than to have Oikawa Tooru notice you like that and ask you out.

But you would never tell him.

Instead you changed the subject and focused on the only thing that grounded your sanity.

“Tuck in your shirt before I write you up.”

Oikawa sighed and did as he was told, making very sure to slightly lift the shirt first to give you a glimpse of his toned stomach. He smirked when your lips parted slightly at the sight.

“So how about it, y/n-chan?”, he asked while carefully straightening out his uniform, “Should I take you out for a date? We could go to a park, maybe hold hands if you're nice to me and if you’re really nice to me I might even consider giving you a kiss or two.” He winked. He enjoyed this game way too much.

Iwaizumi, Mattsun and Makki had stepped aside, getting out of the way of your wrath.

“I would never.”, you held tighter onto the flyers for support, hoping your voice wouldn’t fail you as you went on, “I would never go out with someone as vain and arrogant and immature as you. You’re nothing but a volleyball obsessed gymnasium-dweller who happened to have slightly above average looks.”

Oikawa took that personally. He only stared wide eyed as you stomped away.

Feeling a hand on his shoulder, he turned to Mattsun as he shrugged, ”Well at least she thinks you’re handsome.”

Iwaizumi frowned, “That’s what you got from that?”

Oikawa knew you didn’t mean it. At this point, he could tell the difference between someone genuinely despising his guts and someone who was only trying to hide their true feelings. To be honest, you weren’t on his mind outside of school and even then he mostly drifted off while you made announcements in front of the class. To him you were just there, clearly in denial about your crush on him because of course he felt your eyes on him when you thought he wasn’t looking. Maybe he would go out with you, he thought. If only to prove a point. He wanted you to be putty in his hands and confess that you were into him, just so he could go a day without getting written up for things like untucking his shirt or kissing behind the gym.

He watched you weave your way through the masses of students and parents, all happily chattering and checking out the different offers from the stands at the school festival. And making up his mind, he went after you.

He found you in an empty classroom, carefully putting some kind of announcement on the blackboard, your hand steady, writing neat and precise.

“Can I talk to you for a moment, y/n-chan?”

He heard you sigh before turning to him.

“What is it?”

He stepped in, closing the door behind him to mute the distant voices of students hurrying through the corridors.

Leaning against the only exit, arms crossed in front of his chest, he said, “I wasn’t kidding, you know. About taking you on a date.”

You made some kind of sound that was probably supposed to be a scathing one but instead came out as a squeaky sort of cough. Pushing off the door he swaggered over to you until he was standing right behind you. You hadn’t looked at him yet.

“Hm? Y/n? What do you say? Wanna go on a date with me?”

His voice was low and sweet - he knew this particular tone usually made his girlfriends melt and he was glad to see that it worked on you as well. He extended a hand to half trap you between him and the blackboard for good measure. Goosebumps formed on your neck and when you finally turned around to him, there was a very distinct blush dusting your cheeks in stark contrast to your sour expression, the desperate attempt of returning his sweetness with disgust.

“Stop it, Oikawa-san.”

“Or what?” He leaned down to meet your eyes, leaving only two or three handwidths between your face and his. He could smell your shampoo. It was a pleasant scent, eucalyptus maybe.

When you didn’t say anything but the pink on your cheeks turned a deeper shade he leaned in further. He felt your shaky shallow breath on his skin.

When he didn’t budge, you closed your eyes and… seemed to wait.

Oikawa couldn’t help it and chuckled. Your eyes shot open and you watched as he lowered his head before throwing it back in full on laughter.

“I knew it! I knew it, y/n-chan.”, he sing-songed, not moving away, “Next time you write me up just-“

He was cut off but your lips on his. It was nothing more than a quick peck but it definitely shut him up.

You must have worn some kind of lip gloss or chapstick - the kiss left a faintly fruity taste behind.

He blinked. What was that?

And you were about to duck away when his free hand held you by your waist and he leaned in for a second kiss, catching you by surprise this time. It was again a sweet, innocent kind of kiss, only gently touching the other’s lips. When he moved away he searched your eyes for a moment and you held your breath when he went for a third. Closing his eyes, he really let himself get a feel and sense for you. The hand previously laid against the blackboard now cupped your cheek to draw you closer. He swiped his tongue against your lower lips and gently pushed into your mouth. He tasted the tangerine ramune that stood next to your notes on the teacher’s desk. This didn’t make any sense. It was not the tangerine that made him dizzy. You were… addictive. How?

Propelled by some unknown bravery your hands ran through his hair, drawing an involuntary hum from deep in his throat. His large hand on your waist squeezed and he moved in closer, needing to feel more. But before he could conduct further studies you pushed him away, panting slightly - your lips reddened and hair a little disheveled. He was too stunned to stop you when you weaseled out of his arms and ran out the door.

“Oikawa-san?”, he heard a familiar voice call from the corridor, “Oh, Oikawa-san, there you are. Do you want to come have some lunch with me?”

It was the girl from earlier. “Coming.”, he said quietly, absentmindedly and followed her, still tasting tangerines.

____________________________________________

a/n: thank you so so much for your request! This one got so away from me. I hope you enjoyed it tho 🌟

[moon-river-me]

Hii

A recommendation would be that the reader flirts with Spencer and he is very blushing because of it. The team would have fun with it haha.

Have a nice day!! 💖

ok so this is my first fanfic so i would really appreciate feedback(good and bad).

Ties.

fem! BAUreader, awkward spencer reid, sfw. I imagined early seasons spencer but it is non specified.

551 words.

“Did you know that wearing a tie can reduce blood flow to the brain by 7.5 percent?” Ties. That was how this exceedingly embarrassing rant began, you did that thing you do were you randomly compliment spencer; he loves it and hates it at the same time. Which for someone like himself, a logical man who values concrete answers, does not appreciate. Spencer loves problem solving, he has always been an amazing problem solver, when there was an equation, there was an answer, when there was a question, there was an answer, but the random comments that never fail to tinge his cheeks a rose hue, Spencer Reid did not have an answer for that.

By now Spencer realized he has been spitting useless facts about ties for over 3 minutes, which resulted in his face turning an even brighter shade of red.

“Pretty boy, all she said was nice tie,” Derek’s belly laugh could certainly be heard through the entire bullpen. Great, and even bigger crowd for his humiliation.

You giggle, keeping your eyes directly on his, “no no I love your facts spence, as long as you don’t give me a statistic on coffee and its correlation to some unheard-of disease, I will happily listen to you talk.” You add a subtle wink when you finish talking. Spencer’s bashful expression morphed into one of shock.

“You do?” The pure confusion in his voice added to your melodic laugh.

“Of course Spence, it’s the best part of working here.” While light-hearted, he picked up on the truth behind your words, making a shy grin appear on his face. He pushed his glasses up before realising his hair had now fallen Infront of his eyes.

“Here let me,” and before he knew it, your hand was directly in front of his eyes, pushing his hair out of his view. Spencer couldn’t take his gaze away from you. You keep the silent staring contest between you going. You know you will win; you always do.

“Boy genius, you look like a tomato” Penelope states are she strolls past to Derek’s desk.

“Red? I- I am not red its just hot in here.” His voice goes up at least an octave, his hand automatically travels to his cheeks.

“Okay keep telling yourself that Dr Reid,” you whisper the last part so only he could hear. You hand goes and taps his shoulder, keeping it there for a second longer than what could be considered normal, before moving to your desk, which coincidently is directly opposite his.

“I wasn’t lying by the way. Your tie is really nice. Suits you.” You state nonchalantly, as if that sentence didn’t make Spencers stomach swirl and form knots.

“I like yours too! Wait no.” You were not wearing a tie. Great. His utter screw up made you throw your head back laughing, increasing greatly when you looked at his horrified face.

“Thank you, Spence.” Your laugh slowly morphing back into your staple giggle, “maybe I will wear one tomorrow, and then you can mean it.”

“I’m so sorry,” Spencer felt like a puddle on the floor, but the look of admiration in your face made that feeling run for the hills.

“Don’t apologise, it was very cute. you are very cute” You promise him, nodding your head to accentuate your point.

oh. oh.

a/n

ok so sorry this is so bad but feedback would be very very great thanks!! I have some Aaron Hotchner x readers' coming up <3

I did NOT proof read lets pray this makes sense :)

[dira333]

Current Friend, Future Husband? - Tenma Udai/Little Giant x Reader

whoops, my finger slipped... Words: 5k

Enjoy this reluctant Friends to Lovers/He falls first with the Little Giant from Karasuno.

created as a fanfic gift exchange for @lees-chaotic-brain

tagging: @mariaace @snail-squasher @yamaguchiwestad @respitable

- 6 -

“Tenma’s here,” your mom calls up from the kitchen.

The announcement is unnecessary because Tenma has yet to learn how to walk quietly, stomping up the stairs to your room.

His face is set in a scowl too, dark curls and dark eyes giving him quite an evil aura.

But you’ve known him long enough not to care about that.

“Grab a scarf,” you tell him as soon as he steps through the door, “I’m playing wedding.”

“Not again,” he groans, though does as he is told. The pink scarf he picks has hundreds of little coins sown to it, chiming as he wraps it around his shoulders and moves through the room.

“I’m a Djinn,” he exclaims, “I will curse you.”

“Djinn’s don’t curse people! They fulfill wishes,” you correct him.

“Fine,” he huffs, “What do you wish for?”

“I want Tenma to play the husband.”

“Not again!” He groans, throwing his hands in the air.

“You have to!” You declare, “Djinn’s always have to follow their master's wishes!”

He huffs and whines and begs but it’s no use. He plays the husband to your wife.

“Can we play outside now?” He asks as soon as you kiss his cheek and declare the marriage official. “Mom brought my ball.”

“Fine,” you decide to be nice today. “But don’t kick it too hard. I don’t like that.”

.

- 8 -

“It’s so weird that you’ve got a boy as a best friend,” Asuka exclaims. Your small group of (girl)friends has gathered in your favorite spot, overlooking the garden and the big open space below. Tenma’s playing Ball with a group of boys and he’s easy to pick out, he’s always the smallest in any group.

“You think so?” You ask back, taking one of the strawberries Sango brought for lunch break today. “It’s not like I had a chance. Our mothers are best friends. He’s basically my annoying twin brother.”

“Do you think he’s cute?” Ryo asks, looking up from where she’s painting Tomoko’s nails.

You consider this for a moment, look down to where he’s running around, red-faced and panting. He’s not ugly, that much you can tell, but cute?

“I don’t think so,” you say, because it’s better than to admit that you don’t really know what cute really means for a guy. You think babies are cute, but that’s not the same thing, right?

“I think he’s cute,” Ryo admits easily now that she thinks she knows where you stand. “Can I ask him to be my boyfriend?”

“I mean you can ask,” you offer, feeling a little weird that she asks you in the first place, “but I don’t know what he’ll answer you. I bet he still thinks girls are gross.”

.

- 10 -

“I think you’re getting a little too old to be sharing a bathtub,” your mother announces after Tenma has left.

“We weren’t sharing,” you explain, drying your hair. “We were playing that he was my magical shapeshifting dog but he rolled around in a mountain of dragon poop and I had to give him a bath. He pulled me in when I was almost done washing him.”

Your mother sighs. “Aren’t you getting a little old for those stories too?”

You tense and she notices right away.

“Dear, I didn’t mean… if this is how you want to play, I’m totally fine with that. I was just wondering…”

“How else are we supposed to play?” You ask, unable to keep the agitation out of your voice. “Am I supposed to kiss him and hold hands like the other girls in my class are pretending to do? Or play Volleyball the whole day? Or just do our homework and study, study, study until we fall asleep? Or play video games that you don’t like because they make you dumb? How are we supposed to play?”

Your mother sighs again, lowers herself until she’s sitting crosslegged on the floor next to you.

“Come,” she says, opening her arms until you crawl into her like you used to do. “I’m sorry. I know, as your mother, I should say and do all the right things but that was pretty stupid of me. Can you forgive me?”

You nod and she pulls you in a little closer, kissing your damp hair. “Now tell me, what do you like to do? What’s fun?”

You lean into her, the familiar smell and warmth, and let yourself open up.

“When I come up with a story, Tenma always makes it bigger. Like today, when I said: Do you wanna play my dog, it was his idea that he could shapeshift. And that we’re living in a world that has dragons. And… and I was a maiden that had a tavern and there would be knights who came by to slay the dragons but the dragons are actually our friends… It’s like reading a book but you’re in it, you know? And he doesn’t ask about who I like and what I like and what I think is cute all the time. That’s so annoying.”

“You like hanging out with Tenma?”

“He’s okay,” you offer and she snorts. “If he ever gets on your nerves, you can tell me, okay? I know boys can be annoying too.”

“I can handle Tenma,” you tell her, knowing you’re right. “But can you, like, not allow me to go to Ryo’s sleepover next week? She’s so obsessed with boys and she always pranks someone during sleepover. I don’t want to wake up with my head shaved.”

.

- 12 -

“Do you wanna be my girlfriend?”

To say you’re surprised would be an understatement. 

It’s not that you don’t get chocolates and confessions, because you do, a lot actually even though you decline every time, but never from Tenma.

For a long second neither of you does or says anything and all you see of him is the back of his neck as he bows.

But then he pops up, a weird grin on his face.

“Got you!” He declares, opening the pack of chocolates and biting into it without a moment of hesitation. “Did you think that was real?”

“No,” you say even though that’s a lie, “Why did you do it?” 

He shrugs, offering you the chocolate. You take a bite as well, feeling a little smug that neither of you cares that it will be an “indirect kiss” as the girls call it. 

“Everyone thinks we’re dating,” he admits finally when he pulls the chocolate back again, “just wanted to see what you think about it.”

“It’s annoying,” you declare ad you should have watched his face a little closer because something like a shadow moves over it, but it’s gone before you can catch it. “You’re like my brother.”

“Yeah,” he says, but it sounds a little weak for someone as headstrong as Tenma.

You don’t wanna think about it though, so you poke his shoulder. “Where did you get the chocolate?”

“Someone confessed to me. I said no but I kept the chocolate because they thought I was dating you and still confessed. That’s stupid.”

“Mhm,” you don’t ask for a name. “Wanna stay and play a bit before we walk home?”

“Volleyball?” He asks, ears perking up. 

“Sure.”

.

- 14 -

Neither of you is dating anyone. 

None of your girlfriends believes that you’re not into Tenma and you’ve given up on convincing them of the truth. You don’t really want to date anyone. You like solving puzzles and coming up with crazy ideas that Tenma can bend and fold into even crazier stories. You like going for a run with him in the morning because even though you hate waking up early it sets your mind at ease and you like going for a run with him in the evening because without it, you’ll be unable to sleep.

Sure, there are some good-looking boys in your class. But maybe you’ve spent too much time around Tenma, or boys in general, to find any appeal in them. 

They fart and they burp and they dig their dirty fingers into their noses and they refuse to shower even though they smell awful and sweaty. The number of times you’ve had to drag Tenma into the shower, turn it on, and hold him under the spray because you couldn’t allow him in your room otherwise and he wouldn’t go on his own is too high to admit at this point.

It helps a little that Tenma thinks the same of girls.

Not that the girls from your class are as disgusting as the boys. 

But they giggle too much and they always flutter their lashes at him which he thinks is a little creepy and they don’t listen to him when he talks about anything that isn’t their appearance.

“I like talking to you instead,” he admits and this is probably the highest praise he’s ever sung you, “you know what I’m talking about.”

And you know what he means because you always know what he means. It’s not that hard. Tenma likes stories, the crazier the better, and he likes volleyball. And food, but he’s picky with that, giving you his tomatoes and eating all your salmon even though you’d have wanted to eat that yourself. 

All the other girls in your class are talking about boyfriends and getting married and having a family and all you want to think about is solving riddles with Tenma or telling him a story so he doesn’t make you practice receives with him. 

.

- 16 -

“Did you get your first kiss already?” Hisoka asks and you shake your head. Nothing sounds less appealing than tasting someone else’s spit.

“Don’t you and Tenma kiss?” She asks and you stare at her as if she’d said that Alien’s are real. 

“Why would we kiss?”

“You’re dating, aren’t you? Everyone says that you’re dating.”

“He’s like my brother,” you tell her. “We grew up together.”

“But you’re the manager of the Volleyball team too.”

“Yeah, because I like Volleyball.”

She huffs. “Okay, who do you like? I think Tsukishima is still single.”

Tsukishima, blond, tall, and universally liked, blushes like a strawberry. You glare at him for eavesdropping.

“I’m not interested in anyone,” you declare loudly. You hope that’s the end of it.

It isn’t.

.

“Hey, can you walk home without me? We’re going to prank the store owner down the street,” Tenma hands you his bag without waiting for an answer.

You walk home alone, grumbling to yourself about how you would have wanted to play along with the prank.

But it doesn’t matter.

After years of being an okay player, Karasuno’s trainer seems to have spotted something in Tenma that he didn’t even expect there himself.

Extra training. More time on the court. Recognition from others.

Soon enough you’re sidelined with Tsukishima and the others.

First-year managers are not allowed on the court during official matches. 

Is there anything worse than realizing that you’ve made a mistake? Putting all your faith in one friend only to realize they can drop you without a moment’s hesitation?

.

“Tenma’s here,” your mother calls out from the kitchen.

You’re not fast enough at sprinting toward your door. He slips into your room before you’ve managed to close it.

“Tsukishima told me you’re leaving the team?” He sounds out of breath. Did he run here?

“I’m just a manager, it’s not like the team will notice,” you scoff, pushing him off your bed. “Besides I’m taking up Advanced English, so I’ll have more time to study.”

“What? Are you going to turn boring now?”

“You’re boring!” You scream, surprised by the anger that’s spilling from your lips. It feels as if he’d stabbed you with that question and all the words are just the blood that’s spraying out of open wounds. “All you do is play volleyball and think you’re the greatest and it sucks!”

“You suck!” He yells back. “You’re just jealous I’m finally cool!”

“You’ll never be cool!” 

Tenma stomps his foot like a little kid before storming out of your room.

You can hear the front door slam shut all the way up to your room and if you crawl into your bed to cry right after that’s nobody’s business but yours.

And your mother’s, as it seems, because she appears at your doorstep just a few minutes later.

“Wanna tell me what that was all about?”

“No.”

“Hm, maybe not right now,” she offers at your tear-soaked voice, “but I expect an explanation until tomorrow evening, okay? Tenma’s family to me too. You know we can solve all fights with good communication.”

You don’t answer and she leaves you alone to wallow in your despair.

.

“Tenma wants to apologize,” Udai-san pushes him toward you. Your mother nudges you forward in much the same way.

“I don’t want you to be cool,” you say instead, the words prickly on your tongue. “I like you better when you’re not cool.”

Tenma’s eyes flutter around the room, arms crossed. Your mothers leave the room and you sink into the floor, annoyed and hurt and so many more things you can’t properly name.

“Do you really think I’m boring?” Your voice is much to vulnerable for your liking.

But it stills his nervous movement and he sinks onto the floor just like you, heavy and exhausted. You’ve never fought like this before. 

“I think you’re trying to be,” he offers quietly, “but I want to you to keep playing Volleyball with me.”

“I’m just a manager.”

“Yeah, but it feels like you’re playing with me. And… and you’ve always been the smart one, okay? Everyone’s always said: Tenma, you should be more like her. She’s so smart. Can’t she tutor you? No one ever told you to play Volleyball like me. No one ever told anyone to try to be like me until now.”

“I’ve always wanted to be as creative as you,” you offer and even though he wrinkles his nose you can tell he’s touched by that.

It feels like you’re standing at a crossroads. Whatever you decide or do or say next will change the trajectory of this friendship. You’re not ready for that. You doubt you’ll ever be. 

As long as there’s the safety of your past, you’ll always try to grasp it.

“Do you wanna play my dog?”

.

- 18 -

You’re not sure if it’s the awful music, the crowd around you, the smell of sweat and food and spilled soda, or just everything all at once, but you don’t think College parties are for you.

You recall a balcony or backdoor to your left so you move that way, push against the wall of bodies with everything that you’ve got, panic already bubbling in your throat.

Someone grabs your hand just as you’re gasping for air and with a well-aimed push you’re through, cool air hugging you like a loved relative at a family dinner.

“You good?” Tenma’s squinting down at you. He’s grown a little during break, though you doubt he’ll ever be as tall as the other guys on his former Volleyball team.

“Yeah, thanks.”

His hand is still around yours, now pulling you down the path into the dark garden.

“Where are we going?”

“Dunno, getting some fresh air into you. Met anyone you like?”

“Yeah, the fridge.”

He snickers. “What about that girl from your business Class?”

“She’s trying to eat the face of some guy I don’t know.”

“Tsukishima?”

“Pretended he didn’t know me.”

“Aww, I’m wounded.”

“I bet you are. What about you? Any hot girls tried to talk to you?”

“About that,” he knocks his elbow into your side, “one of them tried to kiss me.”

“A hot girl tried to kiss you?” He nudges you again at your incredulous tone.

“Don’t act so surprised. I’m famous.”

“Bet you are,” you snicker. “But what happened? Did she realize you’re not a tall girl but a small guy and run away?”

“No,” his voice sounds weird now, but you can barely see his face in the dark, “I turned her down. Didn’t want my first kiss to happen at some party.”

“How do you want your first kiss to happen?”

“Ah,” you know he’s just shaking his head from left to right as he’s thinking, you don’t have to be able to see him for that, “Like this, you know? In the garden in the dark? That’s kinda romantic.”

“Should have brought someone else over here then.”

His hand lets go of yours.

“Right,” he says, voice weirdly tight.

“Shit, did I ruin the mood?” You ask, nudging your elbow into whatever you can reach, “I can get that hot girl for you. Just tell me what she looks like.”

“Do you wanna get KFC instead?” He must have turned his back to you. You don’t know what you said to derail this conversation, but it’s clear he doesn’t want to keep it up. 

“Sure,” you agree, “but you’re paying.”

.

- 20 -

Tenma has started growing his hair out.

You’d be lying if you said it didn’t suit him.

You’d be a filthy, awful, terrible liar if you said you didn’t want to drag your hands through it all the damn time.

“You should cut your hair,” you tell him when you meet up for lunch, “You look like a homeless guy.”

“And you look like a sexy secretary,” he jokes, pulling you in and putting you in a headlock. It feels brotherly and it’s just what you need to get through this lunchdate that’s not a date.

Somewhere in between graduating Highschool and today Tenma’s gotten hot. 

Or maybe you’ve just finally gone through puberty, discovered all the hormone’s healthy teenage girls were supposed to have.

Last week you even sniffed his leather jacket when he was in the bathroom and you wished you could have put in on for a few minutes, but you feared he’d notice and how would you ever live that down?

“Did you get any feedback on that story you submitted?” You ask, trying not to overthink his comment. It’s probably meant as a loving insult, after all you’re not a secretary.

“Yes, actually, they told me they’re printing it.”

“No way,” you shut the menu again, “You’re joking, right?”

He grins. “You think I’m joking?”

“Not really, but I wanna make sure you’re being honest with me before I pay for your lunch.”

“You could let me pay and we call this a date,” he says and even though you catch yourself freezing up you can see on his face that he caught it.

“I was joking,” he tells you and if you’d be able to be honest, if you’d trust yourself not to ruin this, you’d tell him that his joking is the one thing that makes you still freeze up in fear.

After all, you don’t throw away a friendship of twenty years to a joke, right?

“I know,” you tell him pointedly, clearing your throat and opening the menu again. “Which means you’re paying for yourself.”

“Come on,” he whines, but his voice comes easy now, which means you can breathe again.

The moment is gone and somehow, you’re sure, you’ll survive the next one too.

.

“Can’t your girlfriend sleep in your room?” You can’t place the voice for a moment even though it sounds familiar.

“Not my girlfriend.” That’s Tenma. Who are they talking about?

“Well, if you keep having a girl over make sure she has a place to sleep that is not the living room. I need my space in the morning.”

“Sure, sure.” Tenma sounds like he’s not taking this seriously. 

You blink and wipe the drool from your face.

“Morning sleeping beauty,” Tenma’s face is so close now you can smell the toothpastey-freshness of his breath.

“What day is it?” You ask, feel your jaw crack as you yawn.

“Sunday,” he pulls you up with ease, “Let’s put some of my spare clothes on you before we meet up with our parents. Or did you bring something?”

You rub your eyes as you lean on him. He might have stopped playing Volleyball, but he hasn’t lost his muscles. 

The memories are slowly coming back to you. Going through his newest idea, a Manga this time. Reminiscing over old footage from his Karasuno days. Sharing one, two, maybe three beers as you giggle and swat away his hands on the Couch.

You can only hope you didn’t say or do anything embarrassing last night.

But this is Tenma. He’d let you know right away if you had.

.

It gets easier to live with your crush. 

Tenma never mentions any girl he’s seeing or points out who he thinks is cute.

He’s pretty good at keeping in contact even when he’s so lost in his creative mind that he forgets to eat.

And while your work is equally demanding, the hours there are more regular.

It’s not uncommon to find you in his kitchen after work, growing from putting ready-to-eat food onto plates to actually preparing home-cooked meals. They’re not awful and you think that’s the highest praise you can get.

Sometimes, when it’s so late you can forget about catching a train back home and Tenma’s so tired he sounds like he’s speaking a foreign language, you end up sleeping in the same bed.

If you drag your fingertips through his hair then, hear him mumbling softly under his breath as you fall asleep, that’s your secret to keep.

.

- 22 - 

Tenma’s a full-fledged Manga Artist now. 

You got your own promotion just a short month later and as he raises another glass on your good work, the question tumbles out of you before you can stop yourself.

“Do you want to move in together?”

His grip is suddenly too tight around his glass. You can tell because you’ve grown a bit too observant lately, always way too laser-focused on where he is and what he’s doing and how he’s smelling like, freshly-showered or cozily slept-in.

“You can say if it’s a stupid idea,” you ramble on, “I mean, I’m over at your place all the time anyway to make sure you’re eating enough. It would be weird though if one of us brought home a date, but like-”

“Sure,” Tenma clears his throat, “we could move in together.”

He deflects all further questions though, whether it should be closer to his work or closer to yours, how many rooms you’ll need, and if you’ll be able to get a cat, instead filling up your glass again and again.

Eventually, you walk home arm in arm, each of you trying to support the other.

It’s a hopeless case but that doesn’t mean you’ll stop trying.

.

“This was fun,” you say at the train station, debating if you’ll take the train home or find some excuse to stay at his place.

You turn your head, surprised to find him this close. His eyes are wide open, dark and beautiful. He’s always had the prettiest eyes.

You’re still debating their color - more of a dark brown or maybe black - when he leans further in.

You half expect him to headbutt you when instead, his lips touch yours.

The kiss is so soft, you think you’re imagining it, along with the sigh that follows it.

But you’ve always been a realist, digging your fingernails into the skin of your arm to prove yourself you’re not dreaming. It hurts.

“Tenma?” You ask, breathless and floating, “Did you mean to do that?”

His face turns pale, eyes wide like those times you’ve pushed him into a cold shower to sober him up.

“SHIT!” He pulls away so quickly that you stumble, lose your balance and fall flat onto your ass.

“Shit, shit, shit!” Tenma’s rubbing his face with his hands, up and down, up and down, and you’re left sitting there, backbone hurting, the world spinning in the wrong direction.

“Okay, shit, this…” He’s folding himself into a tiny version of himself, just across from you on the cold sidewalk, “I didn’t meant to do this, okay? I know you think of me as your brother, so we can just pretend this never happened, okay? I’m drunk. You’re drunk. We’re going to have forgotten about this tomorrow-”

“Tenma?” You interrupt him, your voice weirdly cloud-like. “Are you in love with me?”

He deflates like a balloon, there’s even a little whistling sound coming out of his mouth when he further shrinks into himself.

“Maybe?” He squeaks out. “It doesn’t have to mean anything, though-”

“I love you too.”

There. You’ve said it. You can’t take it back. Maybe you’ve misunderstood a lot of things tonight, you’ll for sure be able to blame the alcohol for it, but you don’t kiss people you don’t like, right? Especially not if you waited twenty-two years for that. 

Wait, did Tenma even wait that long? Is this even his first kiss like it’s yours?

“Why didn’t you say something?”

You blink, shaken out of your musings by the petulance in his voice.

“You didn’t ask.”

.

- 24 -

You’re not sure what wakes you, but his side of the bed is empty and cold.

You push yourself up with a groan, hiss when your feet touch the freezing ground. 

You don’t have to look long to find him, hair disheveled, eyes foggy.

“Hey,” you wrap your arms around his shoulders and rest your chin on top of his head, “I miss you.”

“Sorry,” he yawns, “I’ll be in bed in a minute.”

“You said that four hours ago,” you remind him, leaning further into him, “can you still see what you’re drawing?”

“If I lose this idea-” he starts before a loud, jaw-cracking yawn cuts through his sentence. 

You unwrap yourself to dig your thumbs into his shoulders, press a well-aimed kiss underneath his left ear.

“Come to bed,” you're not surprised when he follows you without another argument.

Last week one of your coworkers mentioned off-handedly that your boyfriend looks like a delinquent, all long hair and dark shadows, the hint of a stubble and a shirt he forgot to iron.

You weren’t meant to hear it, you’re sure, but you don’t care anyway.

He curls around you now, long limbs and warm hands, head resting heavy on your chest.

You drag your fingers through his hair, up and down and up and down, tell him about all the plans you have until you fall asleep along-side him.

-

“Look at you,” Saeko pulls you into a hug, “You’re practically glowing.”

You snort. “Don’t tell that to my mom. She’s started asking about grandchildren.”

“Yours too?” Akiteru jokes, turning from you to Tenma. “Are your parents united on the grandchildren front or are they more like ours?”

“No, no,” Tenma shakes his head, “My mom is just as insistent that we get started. Our mom’s are best friends for a reason.”

“And they never tried to set you up?” Saeko waves at someone across the streat before dragging you onto the seat next to her, “I smell a story.”

“I’m not sure my mom really cared about it as long as we stayed friends,” you think back. “But there was that time when she asked me to stop taking baths with you.”

Tenma’s face turns pink.

“I remember that time well.” He laughs along with the others, but your hand finds his under the table, squeezes tight.

You like to think that he fell first but you fell harder, but he disagrees.

If anything, he likes to say, I love you most.

“I say,” Saeko interrupts your thoughts, slinging an arm around you, “we play it like your parents. We just have to have babies around the same time and the rest will be history.”

“Don’t get ideas,” Akiteru says but you know him, he’s just as helpless against Saeko’s charm as you are.

“Not the worst idea she’s had,” Tenma whispers into your ear.

.

- 26 -

“Morning Udai-San,” Akaashi greets you.

“I told you to call me by my first name,” you tell him, laughing when he blushes a soft pink. “How’s it going, anyway?”

“Good. We’re actually on schedule, but I don’t want to jinx it.”

“Hmm, I get it.” You resist the urge to tousle his hair. “Is Tenma in his office?”

“Yes, I was just going to get coffee. You want some as well?”

“No, but thanks for asking. What are you getting for Tenma?”

“Two shots of espresso and extra sugar.”

“Make it one shot and I’ll make sure you get a promotion,” you wink and he winks back, slipping out of the office.

.

“Baby?” You ask, slipping through the door.

Tenma’s leaning heavily onto his desk, one hand playing with his hair as he thinks.

“Hmm?” He sits up, opens his arms to welcome you. “Hey, what brings you here?”

“I left Naoki with Saeko and Mi, they were playing so nicely.”

He smiles as you plant yourself on his lap, sink into him like you’re not much bigger than your toddler and not the grown woman you are.

“You good?” Tenma asks, rubbing a hand over your back. “You seem in your head today.”

“Yeah, I am, I just…” You sigh and turn your head to kiss his cheek. “I’m glad you stayed my friend.”

“Where’s that coming from?”

“I was thinking about how I don’t have that much patience. I don’t know if I’d kept crushing on you for as long as you kept crushing on me. What if you’d have given up? We wouldn’t have gotten together.”

He hooks his head over yours, wraps his arms a little more snuggly around you.

“Listen, I didn’t stay your friend because I was hoping you’d one day see me as more. I stayed your friend because I’d rather have you as my friend than nothing at all. After all you’re the best friend I ever had.”

“Even though I made you play my husband, my dog and my dragon?”

“Especially because of that.”

.

“Did you have fun playing with Mi?” Tenma asks your thirteen-month-old. 

The bathroom door is open and you can hear them splash around in the bathtub.

“Mi,” Naoki repeats with excitement.

“Yep, Mi. Now, can you say Dada too?”

“Mama.”

Tenma laughs, easy and carefree and you leave the dishes in the sink in favor of joining him.

After all, the dishes won’t run away, but those little moments with your family might.

[homiesexual-or-homosexual]

King! Eddie Munson but w/ dragons

Pairing: King!Eddie Munson x Princess!reader

Warnings: Eddie is 21 and the reader is somewhere between 18-19, hopefully it's proofread enough, my first 5k I think, very very slowburn, like one creepy old man, a spoiled prince, you get slapped (not by Eddie), your dad and brothers are kinda eh, if I missed any then let me know

Word Count: 5k

Summary: You're of age now and your kingdoms throws a Choosing of the Suitors for you. On day one, a certain king catches your eye.

———

You sat on the far right side of the five thrones. Your mother and father in the middle, both of your older brothers on either side of them, and you on the far right side (if you were to face the thrones). A large dog-sized white dragon with blue undertones lounged across the top of your throne, eyeing the large crowd below with light yellow eyes. Its tail swayed, catching on the frills of your long sleeves.

You were dressed in one of your best dresses, hair done, and subtle makeup on your face. To mimic your big dragon, your dress was white with pastel lilac highlights, an add-on in honor of your favorite color.

You tried your best to sit up right, you really did, but today’s occasion just couldn’t grasp your full attention. You were Of Age now. Suitors of nearby kingdoms and far-off allies were brought to your father’s kingdom and displayed to you by their parents or executives, which were often older siblings, personal knights, or other older family members that were highly respected. But the suitors were either men that were too old for you, way too young for you, or something about them would throw you off if they were in your age group. You scanned over those in your age group, taking in characteristics but mostly how they watched you. Some looked as bored as you felt, but most looked at you with ill intent, never quite meeting your eyes. Your little dragon huffed and puffed at the men, which was your key indicator of which of them not to expect much out of.

You watch the announcer at the bottom of the steps announce the next suitor. You watch as a king and queen guide a boy about your age up the steps and stop on the third step down from the thrones.

“Good evening King Aven and Queen Victoria,” the king of the Morning Hills greeted. “I present my only son, William Hill. He has come of age, just like your princess. As your closest ally, I believe this will bring us even closer.”

Your presented suitor was a tall blond, his hair brushed back and his ice blue eyes scanned over you. He was rather fit, but still, just like others, nothing about him caught your eye.

“Oh yes, King Charles,” Your father spoke. “We are glad you’ve decided to present your recent Of Age son, and we will gladly consider him amongst the others.”

You knew what that meant. It meant that William Hill of Morning Hills was going to be the top most considered suitor of this week, as the Presentation of the Suitors usually lasted all week.

You and your little dragon huffed as you leaned an elbow on the arm of your little throne and smushed your cheek into your fist. You crossed your ankles and stared into the crowd, watching as castle staff brought in tables that surrounded the perimeters of the throne room so that when dinner was ready, everyone sat in the same room.

Four more suitors went by, none catching your eye. Until the fifth.

An older man, maybe in his late forties or early fifties and dressed in black and garnet formal wear led a boy, about your age, up the stairs.

The boy was dressed in king wear, black and garnet colored like the older man. A simple jeweled crown atop his head. A chain necklace adorned his neck, as did thick rings on both of his hands. He had long, dark, curly hair and dark chocolate eyes that seemed to pull you in like tar. He met your eyes, the first man to do so. He gave you and small wave, and you one back.

“Executive Wayne Munson,” The older man spoke. “Of the Mordor Kingdom. I present my nephew, King Edward Munson, son of King Munson. He became king at 17 years of age and is currently 20 years of age. I know things between our kingdoms have been tense in the past, but we hope to renew the trust between our two kingdoms.”

You look at your parents and brothers. They look tense.

Surely this kind looking boy can’t be the son of King Munson. The king that almost caused multiple wars and has killed many dragons in his reign of terror.

“Why aren’t you King, Wayne Munson?” Your father asked. “When you had the opportunity? Why allow a 17 year old kid to become king?”

“He was King Munson’s hier. Rightful to the throne,” Wayne Munson answered. “I would not be fit to be King. And I believed King Edward Munson would’ve done great things for our kingdom, as he has done and is doing currently.”

“Do you have your own dragon, King Edward Munson?” You father turned his attention to the boy, who’s been quietly observing you.

The boy, King Edward Munson, turned his attention to your parents, “King Munson, please.”

Your father stared him down, and King Munson only stared back with a small, sincere small on his face. It took a few seconds before your father nodded and muttered a “King Munson.”

“And I do,” King Munson answered.

“What kind?” You father pressed.

“A big red one,” The king answered. “I’ve raised him from an egg and he’s grown mighty big since then. As you might know, the Mordor Kingdom is known for our rather large dragons.”

Your father hummed, “And your kingdom?”

“Yes,” King Munson nodded. “We’ve replenished our dragon population and as well as have grown the wealth of my people. People live well and have what they need and want. My common folk are wealthy enough for a family of four and a dragon or two. We’ve opened our trades if you would like to discuss that further in the future.”

“Let’s just focus on the princess here,” Your father redirected the boy.

King Munson’s eyes drifted to you and he smiled, “Yes, let’s. I hope she will consider me. I welcome her with open arms and open doors.”

Your father nodded and waved them away. The announcer at the bottom of the steps was already guiding up another suitor and his parents. But you can’t take your eyes from King Munson. You follow his frame as he and his uncle settle at one of the large tables off on the left side of the room, easily in eyesight of you.

Your brother kicks your leg. You glare at him, before looking back at the present suitor. You huff and slouch back down, still stealing looks at your highly considered suitor.

Fifteen more suitors go by. Announcing their families, kingdoms, and whatnot. But none more catch you eyes. And soon, it’s dinner time. Castle staff bring in another table and sit it at the bottom of the stairs to the thrones and set the table.

Kitchen staff come out and line the tables with fresh meat, fruits, bread, and wines.

Your family makes your way down to your table, with your baby dragon at your side. You fill your plate with chicken slices, fruit pieces, and bread. Your wine is filled. You wait until your family’s four executives fill in the empty seats at your table to eat. Your father and mother sit on opposites heads, one brother for each parent and you sit by your father. You dig in once everyone is sat, tuning out the conversation at the table.

You notice your baby dragon is antsy, looking at the tables. You nudge him and give him the go-ahead. He scrambles and off and under the tables and you watched the faces of executives and suitors as your dragon passed over their feet. It’s your personal test of the suitors and a test of the dragons. Whomever treats your dragon best will allow you to be able to tell which suitors to consider and which to toss to the dragon’s pit.

You’re brought out of your survey by a hand on your thigh. You look who it is and it’s your father’s oldest and most trusted executive. You scrunch your nose and pull your leg away.

“No matter who you’re married off to,” He starts. “You’ll always be our little girl.”

You cross your legs and pull away more. You bring your attention back to the suitors, seeing the faces of those your dragon passed by. They were looking at you with multitudes of expressions but most whispering and gossiping to their parents. You went down the tables, seeing who your dragon was at now and it brought you to King Munson and his uncle. A little white head was peaking out from under the table and between his legs. King Munson seemed surprised but not upset, patting your dragon on the head and giving him small pieces of meat. He looked up at you with a look that was asking a million questions. You shrugged like you had absolutely no idea what was going on and smiled. The King seemed to understand what your plan was and smiled back.

It seems your dragon likes him and that told you everything.

“You need to control that dragon,” The executive from before said, distaste on his tongue.

“You’re luckily we let you keep him,” Your oldest brother sneered from across the table.

“Oh yes. Because we can control who dragons breed with,” You said sarcastically. “I’m not at fault for taking away Tungi’s eggs and handing them off to other people like they were stale pieces of bread.”

“You only got to keep that egg because that dragon of yours severely injured one of my trustee’s,” Your father argued.

“Did he survive?” You asked, eyebrows raised. You already knew the answer.

Your father went quiet because, yes, his trustee survived the wrath of a mother dragon.

“What are you considered suitors, princess?” An executive that sat diagonal from you asked.

“Prince Williams Hill,” Your father answered.

“And King Munson,” You added.

The table went quiet.

“He is a tyrant’s son!” Your brother barked. “His father had caused many wars and many losses. It was his choice to separate from the United Kings!”

“And our choice to drive him farther away,” You added on. “And his son, King Munson, wants to reinforce the ties and open trades! And I think it’s a grand idea! And so far, he’s been the only suitor to look me in the eyes and nowhere else, and actually address me when presenting himself!”

“Our concerns should be with allies, not what you want!” Your father growled.

“King Munson is a chance to reconnect with a past ally,” You pointed out. “So I am thinking of your allies!”

Your table went quiet and the horns of announcement broke the tension.

You looked and saw a Castle Staff in the middle of the room.

“As dinner comes to a close, we will start the Dance of the Suitors,” the man announced. “Suitors may find this as a chance to dance with the princess. Those who wait to have a turn will be given a lady to dance with!”

Tens of ladies walk in from the doors and file into the center of the room.

“Each dance will last for 15 minutes and in total for two and a half hours,” The announcer made his way out of the crowd. “Start!”

Just as you got up, your baby dragon, Alioth, scampered over. You told him to go back up to your throne and gave him a little piece of watermelon as a treat for being so good. You watched as he crawled up and onto your throne, happily open-mouthed chewing the fruit as he settled to watch you on the floor. Your family settled in their thrones soon after.

You turned and bumped into someone. You went to apologize but noticed it was William Hill. You noticed how his eyes hurriedly switched from your bosom to your eyes.

“Want to dance?” He held out a hand.

You held in a sigh and took it.

William lead you to the dance floor and walked you along to the sound of the orchestra playing in the corner. He placed his free hand on your hip and kept hold your hand in his other. His hand on your waist was too low for comfort so you adjusted. Then it was too high, his thumb brushing under your breast. So you moved it back down, and it was still too low. You just sighed and settled for that.

“Your little pet paid me a visit,” William noted.

“Oh yes,” You acted like your forgot. “Sometimes it’s so hard to control baby dragons.”

“I remember those days with mine,” William sighed dreamily. “They didn’t last long though.”

You knew that. You’ve seen the way he treats his dragon. You’re surprised he hasn’t been eaten by now.

“I’m luckily to be your future husband,” William told you like he was already for certain to be your future spouse. “I just know you will give me many children. We will just fill up the castle because of how many you will have.”

You scrunched your nose and took a step back to separate yourself from the blond boy, but he took two steps forward, smushing your chests together. He looked down and smiled, but not warmly. You huffed in response, looking out into the surrounding crowd to see if you could see King Munson.

“Looking for someone?” William asked.

Before you could answer the horn blew to signal to switch partners. And you gladly did.

Your next conversation didn’t go much better than William, and neither were their hands.

You went round and round and your head felt dizzy and your lungs felt heavy. Your feet hurt and all noise seemed to mush together by the end of the last 30 minutes. When the last horn to switch rang, you accidentally bumped into your last partner. It woke you from your daze and you apologized profusely, but your rambling was cut short when you realized who you bumped into.

King Munson stood in front of you. He was so much taller and broader up close. He was so intimidating and so inviting at the same time. His curly hair was slightly frizzy from the day’s events and he had freckles dotting his cheeks. His eyes weren’t a dark brown, almost black like you thought before but a warm umber color, but they pulled you in all the same. His gaze was kind and apologetic. It must’ve been the opposite of yours, all wide-eyed and surprised.

“Sorry about that,” King Munson apologized, offering a hand.

“No-no! I’m sorry!” You apologized. “I wasn’t watching where I was going. I’ve just been dancing for so long- and I’m rambling, sorry!”

“Don’t be sorry,” King Munson slowly guided your hand into his and settled his hand appropriately on your waist. “It’s been a long two hours and a half.”

He smiled down at you and lead you along to the orchestra that’s been going this whole time. It almost feels like it’s just you two in the room once you get going. His hands feel appreciatively warm and respectful. King Munson’s hands have just the right amount of pressure against your layers of cloth.

“I was visited by a friend earlier,” King Munson starts. “And I assume it doesn’t just have to do with him being a baby dragon?”

He knows. And you smile, a glint in your eye.

“Alioth,” You start. “I sent him on a mission. Whomever he likes, I like. A dragon knows, and thus, do I.”

King Munson laughs, “So any suitors catch your eye?”

“Oh, just this,” You trail off. “Dark, curly haired king that’s adorned with thick rings on his fingers and a chain necklace. He’s pretty handsome. He seems nice too. And I hear he has the largest dragons in all of the United Kingdoms. Now that’s impressive.”

“Oh it’s nothing really, sweetheart,” He smiles again.

Sweetheart.

You blush.

“He seems like some guy, huh?” King Munson pushes gently, trying to catch your eyes.

“And I’m glad to be dancing with him,” You smile.

“And I’m glad to be dancing with you,” King Munson compliments.

The horn to end the dancing sounds out. The crowd disperses almost instantly but it takes you and King Munson a moment to separate, allowing prying eyes to see where the princess has gone.

Everyone goes back to their seats and executives, and you back to your throne. Your brothers and father glare at you. Your mother gives no indication of how she feels. But Alioth greets you with chirps and purrs, his wings flapping excitedly. You all settle as the announcer from before settles on the third step up from the ground floor.

“Tomorrow!” He starts. “Suitors will show what they learned during knighthood to show their strengths and weaknesses. Details will be discussed tomorrow. And tomorrow, a new ritual will be added. The royal family and the princess’s dragon will observe suitors' dragons. As previously stated, details will be discussed tomorrow. Now. Suitors and their executives will be led to their temporary stay rooms where they will stay nightly for the rest of this week. Goodnight to you all and I hope to see you all tomorrow!”

Castle Staff fills the room, leading guests to the visitor wing of the castle. Kitchen staff come to clean the tables, and your personal, and your brothers’ personal, staff come to accompany you to your room.

Once to your room, your ladies undress you and clean you up. They fluff up your bed and bring food for Tungi and Alioth, knowing you’ll feed them once your ladies leave. They bid you goodnight after leaving a plate of fruits for you to snack on and shut your door.

Your rooms takes the highest tower of the castle, the top half modified with stairs and a large open room with a large opening in the wall for your dragons to take off form. Being the princess has its perks.

You make your way to your dragons’ quarters, food in hand. Tungi, a large white dragon with oddly shaped spines that go from the back of her head to the end of her tail, meets you at the top of the stairs. You butt heads with her, reaching up to her horns, that curl in. She purrs as you pull back.

You pour the dragon food on the stone floor and let your dragons eat. You sit with them once their done, leaning against Tungi’s warm body. Soon enough, you’ve fallen asleep with Alioth’s head on your lap.

You wake up to a knock on your bedroom door. It’s just after sunrise. And you remember, how did you get to your bed? You don’t have time to think as your personal ladies come in and usher you from bed. They feed you breakfast as they dress you and brush your hair.

Your ladies don’t dress you in as many layers today. Still dressing you nice, but no corset, and with enough airflow for wind to blow throughout the dress. They do your hair so it won’t be too bothersome today.

As if he senses you up, Alioth comes barreling down from the stairs of the dragons’ quarters. Your ladies laugh at him and feed him some of your breakfast. Afterwards, they lead you out and down to the back courtyard, where the suitors are already practice with dull swords and daggers, but mostly swords. You scan the crowd for King Munson and spot him in a back corner, practice fighting one of your suitors. You settle beside your family under an overhang.

The announcers lets his presence be known as he stands in front of your family.

“Today we will be showing off the strengths of the suitors and what they’ve learned during knighthood. They will be practice with dull swords and other weapons of choosing. We will start with one on one and then switch to groups after ten minutes,” The announcer speaks. “Lest, rules! No harm will be permitted. Any intentional harm towards passive rival with result in immediate termination and sent back home. Yeigh?”

The suitors respond.

“Begin!”

The suitors begin their practice fighting, the clang of swords and grunts of men sounding out. You’re at the perfect angle to see King Munson. He’s obviously had some practice with the sword he’s chosen. He’s precise and an expert at blocking, aware of all parts of his body. He dodges and ducks, pointing out the weak spots in his opponent. You notice that the king has tied his hair back, keeping it from making multiple disadvantages on his end.

You watch a mixture of King Munson and the suitors for the next ten minutes. They’re all good fighters, and you hear your father and brothers praise the men or point out weaknesses. You don’t notice your mother coming to stand beside you until she puts a gentle hand on your shoulder.

“I didn’t get to choose,” She speaks.

You look over at her, surprised.

“But you do,” She pauses to look you in the eyes. “And whomever you choose will be a good one. Any thoughts?”

You look at the fake fighting men again, watching King Munson.

“I like King Munson,” You tell her.

“He seems like a good boy,” Your mother says. “He’ll take great care of you. I can’t say the same for Prince William Hill.”

You nod, agreeing.

A horn blows. The announcers says it’s time to group together in previously selected groups. He pauses and allows the men to get together and then gives the signal to begin.

You watch as King Munson, Prince William Hill, and a third suitor are paired together. They start at the signal, hitting swords to show off their area of perception and the speed of their defensive reflexes. It hits about the five minutes mark before King Munson catches both your and his opponents by surprise.

King Munson pushes both opponents back by two steps. He knocks William Hill’s sword from his hands a few feet away and holds his sword to William’s throat, a forced surrender. Anticipating the third man’s move, King Munson, whirls around and knocks into the man’s wrist which causes him to let go of his sword and drop it. King Munson holds a dagger to the man’s throat. They both surrender and he backs off. He goes to help Prince William off the ground, but the blond boy slaps King Munson’s hand away and lifts himself off the ground.

Before the trio can engaged in more practice fighting, the ending horn goes off. The men put their weapons back where they found them and they’re all filed through the castle and into the front courtyard where the suitor’s dragons have been brought out for observing. The suitors and their executives join their dragons.

You tell Alioth to go get “his mama”, Tungi. You watch him as he flies to your tower and comes back with Tungi. Tungi seems to know what’s going on, as she’s heard you talk about this for a couple months now. She looks around the courtyard.

Your parents and brothers go around the courtyard, conversing with the suitors and their companions, but you don’t move from Tungi as you wait for her to move.

Your dragon looks around and sounds out a purring sound. You hear the other dragons try to match it. After a moment, Tungi locks her target on a dragon. She starts moving, and you and Alioth follow. You look and see she’s heading towards a, rather large, red dragon. His horns twist twice and point back, never lifting above the line of his brow.

You look for the dragon’s companion and find a very familiar curly haired boy. He meets your eyes with a smile and a wave. You wave back, and unable to contain his excitement, Alioth gallops forwards and barrels towards King Munson. The king meets your baby dragon with eagerness and pets him when Alioth crashes into him.

You meet Eddie just beside your dragons.

“Hi,” King Munson greets, smiling with teeth at you.

“Hi,” You say back shyly.

“Princess Y/n,” King Munson’s uncle steps forward. “It’s an honor.”

“Oh no, it’s an honor for me, sir,” You tell him. “I’m glad to hear your kingdom is doing well.”

“Yours as well,” The older man says. “But may I ask, what is this new ritual?”

“Oh yes! A couple other kingdoms do it as well,” You start. “The princess is still able to choose her suitor, but it’s important that her dragon has a say too. So this new ritual allows the princess to either confirm her already chosen suitor, which no one else knows about, or for the princess to filter out some of the existing suitors if she hasn’t made a choice.”

“But I hear this princess already has a choice in mind,” King Munson says.

“Perhaps,” You smile and rock back and forth on your heels. “But that’s me to know and you to find out.”

Just before you can continue your conversation, something warm and large nudges you. You look to the side and is met with a large orange eye with yellow flecks in the iris. The large dragon switches sides so he can look at you from the other side and nudges you again, almost knocking you over.

“Woah, Gourd,” King Munson catches you and gently shoves his dragon away.

Tungi puts her own face down beside Gourd’s and pushes him away, purring gently. Gourd purrs back. Their moment of calm is interrupted by Alioth who jumps up and puts his two front talons on Gourd’s muzzle, chirping up at him and talking with all excitement.

“Gourd?” You look at King Munson.

“Like pumpkins and stuff,” He explains.

“Do you have lots of pumpkins in Mordor?” You ask.

“Lots,” He nods.

You, King Munson, and his executive/Uncle Wayne Munson stand under an overhang for the rest of the afternoon, making small talk and people watching. You also watch how Gourd interacts with Alioth, nudging him around and blowing smoke at the youngling as a form of play.

As the sun sets, it blinds you but only for a moment as it’s blocked. King Munson and Wayne stop talking as you look over, seeing Prince William Hill creating the new shadow. He looks between you three before making eye contact with you.

“Wouldn’t you rather come converse with other suitors, princess?” Prince William asks.

“No, but thank you,” You say. “I prefer to stay with my dragon, and she prefers to stay with King Munson’s dragon. And King Munson and his executive are making lovely conversation at the moment.”

“Wouldn’t you rather consider an ally of your father’s?” Prince William presses. “A close ally. One that is more. . . suitable for you?”

“No,” You shake your head. “But again, thank you for your offer.”

Prince William opens his mouth to say something but is cut off by a horn sounding out throughout the front courtyard.

“Suitors!” The announcer that’s been helping announce and organize for this whole week long event starts. “Time to place your dragons back at the visitor stables and head back towards the dining hall in time for dinner. The royal family will see you there!”

“That is my cue, my princess,” King Munson straightens from leaning on the wall. “I will see you in a few, yes?”

“Yes,” You nod.

King Munson grabs your hand and kisses your knuckles before he and Wayne Munson lead Gourd away and back to the visitor stables. You watch them until they blend into the crowd of people and dragons.

You hadn’t notice Prince William walk away, but you shrug it off and go to meet your family in the middle of the courtyard. You tell them that you’ll bring Tungi and Alioth back to your room and that you’ll see them in the dining hall. You climb Tungi’s arm and up you go on your short journey to the dragon’s quarters above your own. Once there, you praise Tungi for her behavior and that you’ll feed her and Alioth after your dinner. Alioth follows you to the dining room and prances alongside you through the hallways. You get about halfway down the hallway to the dining hall before a hand grabs your wrist and pulls you off to the side and out of the way.

You’re met with disheveled blond hair and sharp blue eyes. Prince William. He still grips your wrist as he pulls you closer. Alioth pulls at his pant leg in an attempt to get Prince William to leave you alone, but the boy just shakes him off.

“What is with you?” The blond all but snarls at you.

“What?” You ask, having no idea what he’s implying as you try to pull away.

“We’re supposed to get married,” Prince William starts. “I’m supposed to be your chosen suitor. I’m supposed to be courting you, and you’re supposed to be all over me and so clung onto me that I can barely stand you by the time it’s our honeymoon.”

“Where do you get that idea? Who’s been telling you that?” You’ve had no news that this Choosing of the Suitors was supposed to end in an arranged marriage, if that’s what Prince William is implying.

“That executive of your father’s,” Prince William answers. “He said no matter what that we would be married and it is up to me to court you so it would end that way. But no matter what I do I can barely get you away from that son of a bastard king!”

You try to pull away again, “King Munson is no bastard’s son and you know that! He is as much of a suitor to me as you are! I just happen to be drawn to him very much because he’s very nice to me!”

“Nice shouldn’t matter!” William yells. “It should be your father’s allies that matter! Which is why this should’ve been an arranged marriage in the first place!!”

“Well I’m sorry for choosing someone that I like very much instead of thinking about my father!!” You yell back.

Your face whips to the side as a hand slaps you harshly on your cheek, making the skin hot and tingly. A gasp is torn from your throat and you’re in too much shock to cradle your cheek. Before either of you can say anything and voice speaks from down the corridor.

“Is there a problem here?”

You look over and it’s King Munson and Wayne Munson. You see King Munson speak some words to his uncle and Wayne walks towards the dining room. He eyes Prince William as he passes and disappears behind the large doors without a word. Steps echo as King Munson walks forward.

“Nothing that I can’t handle,” Prince William answers. “The princess was just out of line for a few moments. She needed to be reminded of who her superiors are.”

King Munson nods and stops just before you two, keeping a barely respectful distance.

“So if you don’t mind-“ the prince is cut off.

“I wasn’t asking you,” King Munson turns his attention towards you and waits for answer.

“No-no, King Munson,” You stutter, submissive under the eyes of the two men. “Just- um. . speaking, is all.”

The king eyes your face, obviously eyeing your reddened cheek. His eyes trail over to your wrist, still tightly grasped in Prince William’s hand. It seems to get tighter when King Munson’s eyes lay upon the connection, making you wince. That doesn’t go unnoticed either. He switches his gaze back to the prince.

“Well, as your superior,” King Munson starts. “I need you to let go of the princess.”

“But you are-“

“The son of a bastard does not make me any less king. And king I am, I am your superior,” King Munson says, threat in his tone. “And if you don’t let go of the princess, I will do it for you.”

“Oh yeah?” Prince William challenges. “What are you gonna-“

He’s cut off with a surprised noise as King Munson grips the prince’s shoulder and presses down on a spot with his thumb, instantly weakening his arm and sending him to the ground. King Munson brings you and him a few steps back as you both watch Prince William recover from the attack.

“Run along now, boy,” The king waves him off. “I have some words I need to say to the princess. They’re more important than your. . . threats.”

“My father will be hearing about this!” Prince William threatens as he wabbles his way toward the dining room doors.

“I’m sure he will,” King Munson nods.

King Munson waits for the doors to completely shut behind the boy before facing you.

Alioth, who’s been on the sidelines, bumps against King Munson’s leg.

The curly haired man glances down at your baby dragon and then back to you. He brings a hand to your red cheek, feeling the skin. There’s a small cut from one of the prince’s rings. The king wets his thumb with his tongue and wipes it over the small wound, cleaning it of previous debris.

“Are you alright? Does this hurt?” he asks.

“Just a bit,” You tell him. “It still tingles.”

“You’re welting,” The king notes. “Hopefully it will be gone by morning. There’s a small cut as well from his ring. And your wrist-“

You both look down as King Munson cradles your wrist in one of his hands, turning it over to inspect the redness and the small indents from where Prince William’s fingernails presses into your skin. It looks like a bruise will form on the outermost part of your wrist from the pressure.

“Does your wrist hurt?” he asks again. “It looks like it’ll be sore tomorrow, if not by tonight.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine, King Munson,” You take your wrist from his hand and hide it behind your back, away from his concerned eyes. “Do not worry about me. You can do that when we marry.”

“But if I do not worry now, who will worry?” He asks, distress swirling and mingling with the concern in his eyes.

“I’ve survived this long without you, King Munson,” You tell him. “I will survive a few days more.”

A light seems to go off in King Munson’s brain after a moment, “So we will marry? For sure?”

“You were considered,” You tell him. “And as my dragon chose, so did I.”

A big, teethy smile grows on the kings face, “Oh, I would kiss you, my dear, if it be allowed.”

“In a few days' time, King Munson,” You tell him. “But first, we must eat.”

[frogs00]

And they were roommates! Chapter. 1

Summary: Basically, an post-canon AU when the whole Mean Girls (2024) rent a house and live together, what funny antics will they get into?

“Why are you looking at all these expensive ass houses for rent?” Janis said, peeking over her friend's shoulder. “A boy can dream can’t he?” He said, nudging her playfully, she rolled her eyes playfully and offered a small smile. She watched him out of the corner of her eye, pretending to look at her phone. The friend group was going to stay close, considering that they were all going to college locally. This was comforting to her considering how much she adored her friends, most of them, but she still had mixed feelings for Regina. She cared so much for her but also found her unbearably annoying and arrogant.  (She had made appends. She had, she really had. She was proud of herself and Regina.) Suddenly something caught her eyes, “Scroll back, scroll back!” She said, rather loudly. Damian did as he was asked, and Janis pulled the laptop into her lap. Eyes scanning the screen. “What is it?” He asked, his tone slightly annoyed, trying to look over her shoulder. “We could afford this. The rent is not bad,” She said, returning it to him. Her eyes were wide with surprise, “All of us together.” Damian’s eyes scanned the screen, “Bitch, this is a five-bedroom,” He looked up at her doubtfully. “All of us,” She repeated, counting people off on her fingers, “Me and you, obviously,” She said matter-of-fact, “Cady, Aaron, Gretchen, Karen,” she hesitated, “And Regina.” “That’s ridiculous,” He said with a laugh. He studied her face, and she raised an eyebrow, giving him a face that said ‘seriously.’ “Are you serious?” He asked after a moment. “We’re looking for a place to go, and it’s close enough to all our colleges.” She argued. Luckily, they all decided to go to college locally. “We’d have to talk to everyone about it,” Damian mused, “but, I can’t say I wouldn’t be down, but doesn’t this seem unrealistic?” he started typing something out. Janis shrugged, maybe a little, but she loved this idea, “All the couples could share a room, and me and you. Regina rich-ass could have her own.” She said, considering the blonde was also looking for a place for rent, and talked about renting a penthouse. (Which was ridiculous for an almost 19-year-old, and Janis talked her out of it.) Damian snorted at that, “Valid.” “We should call everyone up, this is too good of a chance to pass up.” Janis bounced. Something she only really did when she was very excited (and around Damian, she’d never do something like that around anyone else). She texted their group chat, giggling like it was the funniest thing ever. Which it wasn’t, she was just nervous, or excited. Both. Are we seriously doing this? Janis glanced up from her phone before sending the ridiculously long paragraph text, Damian seemed to read her thoughts and nodded. She clicked send.

- “So I and Cady did the math, we can afford it,” Damian concluded, the group nodded along, murmuring amongst themselves. The only one not nodding or talking was Regina, who was sitting with her legs crossed, seeming to be deep in thought. “So, we can all live together, but can we live together?” She asked, and everyone turned to her. Janis noticed how confused everyone looked, and rolled her eyes, it was perfectly clear what she meant. She knew Regina— She stopped that thought, she didn’t know Regina that well. She knew her thought process very well. “We will all do fine, and I’m sure we,” Janis gestured in between her and Regina specifically, “Will tolerate each other, I mean, we’ve been around each other all summer, no issues…” She trailed off when Damian raised his eyebrow, “Little issues.” She corrected. Regina seemed to contemplate this, before nodding, “I never thought I’d agree to live with you, of all people, but solid plan,” She paused,  “I’m in, I’ll just have to discuss it with my mom.” Janis was surprised that she agreed to this so, She thought that the blonde would be the hardest to convince. “Great,” Damian said and turned to the other four people, “What do you guys say?” Seven people in one house, is this going to work? She worried, biting her lower lip, scanning the four. Cady was whispering to Aaron, while Gretchen was deep in thought, holding Karen's hand. Karen spoke up, “I’m in,” Gretchen’s eyes widened, and Karen noticed, “The money I have from working at the volunteer shelter is more than enough to pay my half, plus I’m taking a gap year.” she explained with that signature smile of hers. “Well, I guess that means I’m in too,” Gretchen said softly, sounding nervous but sure, “I already had money saved up, so it’d work.” She didn’t elaborate on it though. She knew she was well off, and had gotten a scholarship. Janis herself had gotten a scholarship, which she was so very proud of, she worked her ass off for it, and she was going to major in visual arts. The money was a struggle, she wasn’t exactly poor, but was by no means rich. Her mom was no help at all and had kicked her out as soon as she could, she had lived with Damian, which was fine, she was hardly there. She had a night job over the summer and had worked weekends at a children's center, teaching them music. She pulled herself from her thoughts and looked around at the chattering group. That’s everyone! She beamed as she realized, that Cady and Aaron already agreed. 

Regina was still very quiet, she was staring at Janis. Her face was unreadable, but her eyes were bright as if she was smiling. She met her gaze and they held it for a while before Regina mouthed ‘Good job, idiot’. It made her grin and roll her eyes. This is going to be great. -

This was not going great, they finalized the rental agreement, which was great.  But, now Janis was stuck emptying her and Damian’s shared storage locker, with Damian himself of course, but also Regina, who had tagged along because she had some furniture stored in the same place that she wanted for their house. “It is burning hot, couldn’t we have waited?” Janis groaned, carrying a box to a van. “No, actually, we couldn’t because you are the one who is too cheap to pay for another month.” Damian snapped, while Regina just hung back, leaning on her car, relishing in the shade that her Jeep provided. “Okay, yeah, you’re right.” She snorted, and Damian rolled his eyes dramatically. She pointed to Regina, “And what are you doing?” She asked, sassing her. “Waiting for Shane and his friend to get here,” She said and shrugged, picking at her nail. It wasn’t like Janis had that much stuff anyway, only about 6 boxes, collectively, they had a Van full of stuff. Frankly, we need to go through this stuff, what even is that? A Boa? She picked up a pink death boa and draped it around her neck. “Who’s even is this?” She asked, holding the edge of it in her hand, making Damian snort. “Who do you think?” He asked, raising an eyebrow at her. Regina watched her with amusement that Janis barely caught. “Mine, for sure,” She said, putting on a posh accent, “I just look gorgeous, don’t you think darling?” She puckered her lips and threw the boa over her shoulder. Damian rolled his eyes and snorted. “You better put that back when you’re done.” He said, and turned around, picking up a box of plates. Janis laughed and caught Regina staring, looking amused. “You’re such a dork.” She said, no malice in her tone, almost sounding…affectionate?Janis took a bow, “Why thank you, I try.” Regina laughed, a sound that made butterflies rise in her stomach, for reasons she’ll unpack later. She took it off and stuffed it back in the box of Damian's stuff, picked it up, “Bye sucker!” she stuck out her tongue and dashed past him towards the van. He called after her, something she couldn’t catch.  She placed it in the nearby van, and dusted off her hands, “That’s the last of the moveable stuff, now we just have to wait.” Damian nodded, putting the box he had in there and then reaching up and shutting it. They rejoined Regina who was just chilling, she couldn’t do much because of her back, but she didn’t have to. Janis wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, “Glad that’s done, when are the guys getting here?”

Regina checked the time, but as soon as she opened her mouth to speak,  a loud honk interrupted them. “Hey!” Called a booming voice from the car window, it was Shane, and Regina rolled her eyes. “Speaking of the devil.” She muttered softly, “Hey, Shane.” She added louder, smiling nonetheless. Janis rolled her eyes, not sure completely why. Janis didn’t hate Shane or anything. Regina and he were just friends, Regina made sure of that for god knows why (unreturned feelings or something Janis didn’t follow their falling out), but he was a cool dude. The two guys parked, and filed out of the car, he jogged up to them, “Hey Regina! Hey shortstack!” She greeted them both, and Janis rolled her eyes again, “This is my friend, Kyle.” “First of all, nice to meet you.” She said nodding at Kyle awkwardly, (Just because she was a lesbian, didn’t mean she hated dude, she just found them sticky, loud, and annoying, but they were fine), “And don’t call me that, I am not that short.” She added. “Agree to disagree.” Regina butt in making Shane laugh, Janis went to snap back when Damian poked his head out of the storage locker. “Yeah, Regina right, but moving on,” He said, giving them both a warning look, “let’s move this couch and table, then get going already, it’s hot.” He pulled out a fan from who-knows-where and fanned himself. This made action Regina snort, and Janis roll his eyes, but the two guys seemed pumped to help. Janis just stood to the side and watched the three move it. Janis would offer to help, but she wasn’t exactly the most physically strong. Once they loaded everything in, she bid the two goodbye and thanked them for their help. Regina climbed into her car, after supervising for about an hour (Or maybe just watching Janis out of the corner of her eyes, who knows?). Damian hopped into the driver's seat of the rental van while Janis hopped in the passenger. “To our new place!” He said rather dramatically, making Janis smile. “Away we go!” She added, and he put the car into drive, and they were off.

[ludinusdaleth]

i'm not interested in finishing watching c2 (first 10 episodes bored me to death) and i only know c3, so what's the deal with essek? did he have a bad redemption arc? did he have a good one? do people just not like him for some reason? because i keep seeing his fans say the only reason c3 fans are saying his redemption arc sucked is to defend imogen and her mom and that seems too shallow to be the real reason.

first of all thank you for trusting in me to give a nuanced answer. ill do my best. essek is one of my favorite characters, but also so historically loved by fandom it has led to altercations and the drowning out of pretty much any other character in fandom spaces. ill try to explain. im sorry for how long this will be.

he was already deeply beloved as an npc for a long while before campaign 2 episode 97 dropped the fact that he was working with ludinus. he had taken luxon beacons (the object ludinus used to power the malleus key, what made opal & ted, what's in ashtons head) from his people in the dynasty - these objects were considered completely sacred to them, and the realization the empire had them, and the dynasty retaliating to get them, led to the war of ash and light which permeates much of c2's plot. so, functionally, essek's action led to war. essek was also at times in charge of or allowed to run interrogations on dynasty prisoners including nott/veth's husband yeza. to keep suspicion off of him, essek shifted blame onto a man in the dynasty who he had a petty grudge against, changed his memory, and set the dynasty onto him - this man was later given to the empire in a peace negotiation, so ludinus then had all control over knowledge on essek's involvement (bar the m9).

his remorse began with the m9, and how their lives had been effected by war and what the empire had done, and there is some implication that essek realized he was perhaps groomed by ludinus (and to a lesser degree made uncomfortable by his cohort trent) - though i should note essek was a (young) adult in government when he gave his people's artifacts away. essek hated the fact that his people were religious in regards to the luxon and did not wish to research it, and thought the cerberus assembly would be able to learn more about it.

essek's arc has been long praised as a very good one, and i think it mostly is. he begins very focused on just his guilt over what the m9 had to suffer because of him and how much he had pushed away how bad ludinus was, and while i cant say we really see his kindness & newly brimming empathy fully extended, he does learn to see others as more than tools. he is still smug over his peoples religion vs his knowledge of the luxon, but learns to respect his culture enough that ludinus probably would not be able to sway him from it by insulting it now. he fights at the m9's side during the last arc, defends caleb from trent & the vollstreckers, helps fix caduceus's home. he is loyal to them forever. not just a traitor any longer. i definitely see some holes in it as he doesnt show much care to anyone but the m9, it is relatively quick how he descends into self hate about his actions that hes generally comforted for, and i worry at times he sinks too much into the soft hot boy flanderization due to everyone even the cast pushing it onto him (yes, softness & being too harsh exist in his characterization and are disliked at once, i know they are opposite traits). but i think it's good when a character is still an ass after redemption and matt clearly wants to avoid him being a soft boi in c3 whilst also maintaining that he has learned humanity & love.

you can see how that would be compelling, along with his general personality and good looks. this made him so compelling that his fans got, uh.... interesting. and that is probably the base problem that sets this discourse. (be aware my experience of his fans is primarily on twitter and in chats.)

folk would get mad and call the show unwatchable without his presence as if every other character was disgusting & boring to them (as if calebs character arc is not. literally. a parralel to esseks). they only cared about shadowgast (but only cared about essek within it, not caleb) and would be furious these two deeply aloof traumatized men didnt fuck on screen after 6 episodes knowing each other, called caleb abusive for not messaging him after a few episodes, called liam (who is iirc bi) homo/biphobic and abusive to matt for not kissing essek at one point or another. when caleb & essek did bond at the end of c2 and it was said they got together for a time that was not enough for fans, who claimed it homophobic (this magically mostly disappeared when folk saw other mlm stories did and do continue to play out in cr, which they only realized when orym existed and was a gold star gay - i, as a gay man, do not care on the scale they do lol). astrid was completely slammed into the mud by essek fans for being his mirror but a woman (they magically did not hate wulf, the last mirror in this scenario, a man, as much). people were furious essek did not have merch at the point where not even many pcs did yet and said it was homophobic (this magically stopped when he eventually got a portrait and chibi). a few learned he was ace/demi and called it a cop out, or otherwise ignored any nuance of it because they were horny about wizard yaoi (im aware ace/demi folks do have sex, but sometimes folk use that as a justification for ignoring the ace spectrum part of an identity). from personal experience, essek fans can be..... very disturbing, predatory individuals with no regard for who they are deeply sexual around, but that is just who i met and i do not want to go into that experience. in short, a lot of c2 era fandom has BEEF with them. i cannot say it is unjustified.

so with all that context, where does that leave the character and why do people compare him to liliana & imogen?

it is my genuine opinion from observation a lot of fandom on here & twitter that essek/shadowgast/caleb fans can be.... sexist. it does not go unnoticed to me that imogen has an extremely similar moral arc to caleb and yet is called evil when caleb is called traumatized & struggling with demons but a good man. caleb was part of the vollstrecker (assassins for the empire) as a youth but broke, and ran, after killing his parents, and had to learn he was more than dirt, and learn to love again. imogen began easily jealous & in turmoil about herself and her mother, but has grown to be one of the most empathetic people who is constantly struggling between sacrifice and her simple wish to live with laudna, that it seems the universe wants to fight. both are aware they could be or are seen as living shit for their youth or conception and accept it. both dont really know how to find a way out of that. i think both are incredible characters. i notice when fans only acknowledge the hero's journey of one.

as for liliana & essek..... look, essek has a very defined character arc that we have seen come to fruition and end in redemption. liliana (and by extension bor'dor and other ruby vanguard folk) have not yet. essek was framed as neutral at first and liliana was framed as ludinus's ally. i get it. but it is impossible to me to not see liliana in the steps of essek at the beginning of his own arc. if anything i think her intentions (if not actions) are infinitely less selfish than esseks, as she wished to do this to save her daughter. ludinus has caught so many in his web, and essek got out, and liliana just realized she's in the webbing. whats interesting is how we see clear as day every conversation they have that liliana has been brainwashed into cult mentality & justification, and yet only had one or two conversations vaguely indicating this about essek, and yet essek is always praised as a survivor where liliana is not. bor'dor is very clearly like essek in being an oppressed young man who sees a calling made by a powerful older man, but entire breakdowns of how men of color are recruited into the far right have been written about essek where bor'dor (actual man of color) is despised by the same people. the tldr on this is i do think some folk can be so drunk on Hating Essek juice they swing too far in their assumptions, but the pattern of his fans misinterpreting everyone else to elevate him is based on precendent thats happened for years, and i think it is deeply.... disappointing? to watch such a nuanced story play out in c3 and refuse to engage with it whilst claiming anyone who wishes to analyze the way a cult breaks your brain is misandrist.

im so sorry this is so long, but i really do not know how else to describe all this without its nuance. i hope i wrote something that made sense.

[isa-ghost]

Yea, undying duo if phil and foolish! Because phil is mr hardcore survival minecraft and foolish is a totem of undying :D

basically, both cubitos have a wack relationship with death (and, I think, aversion to using totems? I know phil for sure but I'm a bit unsure about foolish)

I've done some qFoolish ones before!

qPhil headcanons masterlist

Phil would take another "vacation" with Foolish any time. Especially since the second time around, he actually got to know him really well. He'd like to see him again the next time they're in the same realm. :')

If he wasn't so Fuck The Feds he would consider doing some kind of huge cool build like the kids wanted them to so badly. Maybe in the next realm they'll do it because they won't have some kind of government hovering around. It's just too bad the kids won't see it.

He wishes he could've actually had time to actually enjoy having the titan by the wall but the Feds relocated them all like right after. After the way Foolish and his builds were disrespected last time they shared a realm, Phil is PISSED the Feds had the audacity to basically do the same. Especially when Foolish (kind of) worked for them!!!

Of everyone he got close to on the island, Foolish is one of the ones he wishes he had more time with. He feels like they were weirdly in different worlds despite them both being present so often. That's,, probably kind of Ender King's fault, honestly. He feels like he fell away from multiple people when things got bad.

Tbh he kinda wanted to ask Foolish about wtf he was up to in the last realm they were both in (aside from building) but decided against it bc a majority of his memories from that one are awful. So either Foolish was suffering too, or Phil wouldn't trust himself not to envy him for not having a horrid time.

Insert "MCC is some kinda canon interdimensional death games" hc here. Phil has SEEN Foolish kick ASS in a way that wasn't hysteria-driven Bolas rabies.

I'd like to think there's been at least one event or something where they just sat together and gave each other building tips.

The historian part of Phil's brain wants to talk to Foolish about what his Literally Undying ass has seen and lived through. How long has he been alive?? As long as Phil? Longer? He needs to know.

He's not sure where the eternal banana came from and at this point he's too afraid to ask.

Phil thrives on being a bystander of Foolish and Bad's find each other in every universe curse. He's not sure if the last realm before QI started it or if they've crossed paths even More before QI, but boy does he love getting to watch their beef.

See, Foolhalo might find each other in every universe (derogatory), but Phil knows the REAL one is Foolish and Tina finding each other in every universe (affectionate).

Something something Foolish totem something something Phil refusing to use totems when he's home in Hardcore. Is this anything. Someone cook for me I'm too stupid.

Phil is never gonna understand when or how Foolish became "King of the Capys" or why they chose him specifically. He assumes Foolish just hung out with them the most or something.

He barely got to know Vegetta but he just KNOWS he was Foolish's type. Which is wild bc prior to getting government assigned spouses, Phil didn't even think Foolish was fruity. Somehow. Looking back, it actually kinda makes sense to him. From what little he knew of Foolish before QI.

Inversely, Foolish was absolutely STUNNED to know Phil is some flavor of poly let alone fruity at all. Which is hilarious bc Phil is too tunnel-visioned on other things to try hiding that fact. But no, shark man beyond baffled that Phil lowkey adjusted to having a government assigned husband almost instantly. AND became possessive of said husband over time.

[rehfan]

THIRSTY BOY

Shy!Ralph Penbury x AFAB!Reader/fem!reader

Warnings: Over 18 only please - Children BEGONE! — shifting POV; shame; nipple play; mommy kink; praise kink; hand job; gentle fdom

*******************

He had been thinking about asking you for a long time. He wasn’t altogether sure that you would allow it, really. Especially considering that you were such a lady in his eyes. The thought of doing that to you made him inwardly cringe and furiously blush. How was he going to express to you that he, Ralph Penbury, would love to suckle at your nipples like a newborn? How was he going to convince you that it was something normal when he himself doubted that what he wanted was entirely sane?

These thoughts plagued his mind more and more ever since the coming of summer. Your light linen summer dress that showed your cleavage made his mouth water. The fan you used to push a breeze along your neck walking back from the estate chapel after church services matched your dress and your eyes. A bead of sweat rolled down your neck, dipped into your sternal notch and settled between your luscious breasts. He couldn’t stop staring.

“What is it, my love?” you asked. His head snapped up, switching his gaze to the path through the trees ahead. Your voice was filled with such innocence. How could he defile your relationship with this primal desire? How could he ruin your view of him like this?

“Oh nothing,” he improvised, “just thinking.”

“Of?”

Drat. He wasn’t good at improvisation. He should have known you’d suss him out. He could feel the blush creeping across his cheeks and ears. “Of- of - of many things…”

“Of cabbages and kings?” you supplied.

“And whether pigs have wings! Yes! Clever girl! Oh you’re so much cleverer than I.”

“Don’t say that! You’re quite clever, really. You figured out what your birthday gift was before you unwrapped it!” You hooked an arm under his and squeezed him close.

“That wasn’t clever,” he said and when you protested further, he added: “I merely guessed correctly. That’s all.”

“Clever guess then,” you said. Your head met the side of his arm for a second before you said: “You didn’t tell me what you were thinking of.”

“When?” he asked. The desperation of needing you to leave well enough alone was overwhelming. Yet a sliver of himself hoped you would just guess the crux of his problem and take the work out of it for him.

“When? Just now, darling! Just as we were leaving the chapel and walking down the lane. Here. Now.” Your smile teased him. “Tell me, bunny. What’s the problem?”

“Problem? There’s no problem.”

“Well you were certainly blushing hard enough to make it seem as though you had a problem.”

Ralph laughed nervously. “I certainly don’t-“

“No. You’re not denying it. As a matter of fact, as you were trying to dodge the question yet again, Mr. Penbury….” You playfully traced a fingertip to the red shell of his ear. He reflexively dodged his head out of the way.

“My goodness!” he cried. “It’s nothing, I promise you.”

“So it is something, then?”

Ralph sighed. You were like a bulldog with a bone. There would be no dissuading you. He took another breath and resigned himself. Normally, he would make confessions to you without thinking about it. But the guilt and embarrassment associated with what he wanted left him with wet hands and red ears. He couldn’t look at you.

“Bunny?” Your nickname for him held a twinge of anxiety. He could see your furrowed brow in his periphery.

“I am so very sorry, my love. What has been plaguing me all these weeks has only gotten worse with every passing day. I’m afraid I cannot hide the truth from you any longer. And I can only apologize to you, my dearest heart. You don’t deserve to be associated with a man such as myself.”

You were silent for a bit too long. Ralph knew you were waiting for the fatal blow. Be a man, Ralph Penbury. The worst she could do is leave your life and render you a husk of a man doomed forever to wander the world unloved and unseen.

Ralph cleared his throat. “I am only too sorry to tell you - and I would never ordinarily because I certainly do know the limits of what a gentleman should reveal to a lady about his innermost thoughts and desires - but you see, my dear… I-“

You sniffled. Turning to you in alarm, he said: “Darling? Oh no. Please don’t cry.”

“If you’ve fallen in love with someone else, Ralph, just tell me. Just please tell me outright.”

“What? No! No no no! Nothing of the kind, my sweetheart!” He offered you his handkerchief and watched anxiously as you dabbed at your eyes and nose and calmed a bit.

“Then what in God’s name is it, Ralph? What’s so difficult to tell me?”

“I want to suck on your breasts like an infant.” Did he just say that out loud?

You blinked at him. Here it comes. Here comes the moment she cries harder and runs away from you forever. Ralph waited motionless, breathless.

“Is that all?”

“What? ‘All’? What do you mean ‘all’? Isn’t that, well, everything?” he cried. “Aren’t you disgusted at all? Revolted by my basest desires? How infantile I am? That I, a grown man, should want such a thing is-“

“Perfectly normal for a grown man?”

“It- it is? I’m not a- a- deviant?” he whispered the last word conspiratorially as if the trees surrounding them were all the bishops in England.

Your light laughter joined the birdsong around you. “Oh, silly bunny.” Your finger slipped into his waistcoat and pulled him in for a small kiss to the side of his mouth. “Let’s get back to the house. Take off these clothes. It so sticky and hot today. I think you could- use a drink?”

*******************

The bedsheets were deliciously cool on your skin. Down pillows were propped behind you in Ralph’s grand bedroom. Yours was the guest bedroom down the hall and while wedding bells were definitely ringing in the near distance, you two had not been fully intimate as of yet. He was so shy. So polite. By the time Ralph was finally kissing your mouth regularly and comfortably, it was practically cause for notifying the press.

The prospect of seeing your Ralph happy, contented, and suckling at your breasts made your own mouth water. Ralph was harder to read. He had been quiet all the way back to the manse. You both had mounted the stairs in tandem, exchanging glances and little smiles. Yet, as soon as you had entered his room, he had tore off for the toilet. You had opened all his bedroom windows, turned on the electric oscillating fan in the corner, and disrobed in the cool breeze it had created. You were not completely revealed. Your undergarments were still in place: bra, panties, and silk slip. The breeze was delicious, but soon it caused gooseflesh to spread along your skin. The bed welcomed you and you arranged the pillows accordingly.

All that time, the bathroom door hadn’t opened. You also heard no noise. “Ralph? Are you quite well?”

“Fine.” A curt answer, to be sure. Very unlike your Ralph.

“Darling, I promise you that you have nothing to be ashamed of. Please come out here.”

“A-are you certain? By that I mean, erm… we aren’t wed, my dear.”

“I am aware we’re not wed, shy boy. Please come here. Let me make you feel good. Please?”

A creak betrayed his presence in the doorway. You craned your neck around and smiled at him. “There you are, bunny.” You held a hand out to him. “Sweet bunny boy. Come here and let’s have cuddles, yeah?”

He stepped into the room, entirely nude save for his underpants. He wore boxer underwear, blue with white stripes, hands clasped self-consciously in front of his crotch. His eyes were wide taking you in as he slowly approached. “You are so beautiful.”

“So are you, love.” He took your hand. “Did you want to get in here with me?”

“I don’t want to defile you. You are so lovely. And I’m- I’m just a neanderthal, beating his chest and ready to drag you off by the hair to his cave like some animal. Full of depraved thoughts. Terrible things.”

“No, sweet,” you said soothingly, “you are the dearest of men. The kindest, gentlest gentleman to ever exist. And now, I want to show you how much you’re loved. Please dear sweet Ralph. Come into my arms.”

*******************

He lay across your lap with one arm wrapped around your waist. His head rested on more pillows, the positioning allowing him full access to your left breast. He hesitated again. “Are you certain?”

A smiling kiss to his forehead told him all he needed to know. “Did you want to help yourself, or did you want me to-“

“No. I want.. this.” He mouthed over your clothing and moaned into you. His eyes fluttered closed and he rested a hand on your breast, not pressing, not pulling, but just lending warmth from his skin to yours. His other hand pressed into your back gently, steadying both of you into the sensation.

Soon his hand crept beneath your chemise and brassiere. He pulled away from you, thumbing at your nipple and watching carefully for your reaction. The love in your eyes was everything. “May I… Mommy?” His cock was already half hard but with the use of that word, he found himself crossing his legs to hide the evidence of his arousal from you.

If the flush in your cheeks was anything to go by, it worked for you too. You swallowed hard and nodded. “Please, my bunny. My- my baby. Go on.” With your help, the material barrier between his mouth and your skin was pulled away. The heat from his mouth set a low burn in your belly and you gasped at his touch. His forehead furrowed. His eyes were tight shut. Dark lashes against his cheek. Sunlight in his hair. He was fucking beautiful. You couldn’t help yourself. You cooed at him running a hand through his hair:

“Such a good boy.”

“I wish you could see how handsome you are right now.”

“Mommy’s good little boy sucks on her tits so well.”

“That’s it, baby. Just suckle. Momma’s got you.”

Fewer things had brought you peace and simultaneously made you incredibly turned on. Ralph’s smile was one. But this? This was the next level of bliss. Your hands moved along his body: one stroking his hair, the other moving along his shoulder and side in slow soothing strokes. Words poured from your mouth as he continued to satiate himself.

“You are so gorgeous like this.”

“Sweet bunny boy. That’s it. You feel so good.”

“Such a strong boy with such a gentle mouth.”

“Momma loves this so much, baby boy.”

Ralph’s erection was becoming painful. Try as he might, he could not hope to conceal it from you and he was seconds from cutting it all short despite his very dreams coming true when your hand brushed his waist. He gasped and stared at you, another blush rising past his collar and ears. “What’s this?” you asked.

“N-nothing!”

“Shh… shh… It’s all alright, my sweet boy. Here.” You guided his mouth back to your nipple. Dumbly, he latched on, big brown cow eyes watching you. “My baby’s excited, yes? Did you want Mommy’s help? Mommy will help you.” He nodded, eyes filled with amazement.

Your hand caressed the unmistakable hardness beneath the material. Ralph whimpered. “Hush, sweet boy. I’ll be gentle. You’ll see.” For lack of any other lubricant, you licked your palm and worked your hand beneath the waistband of his undergarments. Ralph’s resulting moan was everything you had hoped for. “There’s Momma’s good boy. So thick and hard for me. What a lovely gift! Thank you, my sweet boy.” Ralph’s eyes went glassy and unfocused.

The slip of his soft skin in your palm was addicting. Suddenly, you were up for touching him like this any time he wanted you to. If only to see him so content and docile beneath your hands. You could see the tip of his cock leaking pearlescent in the late morning light. You passed a thumb over it, smoothing it along his shaft. His hands pushed into you, squeezing you harder, and his hips bucked. “Feel good, baby?” Ralph hummed in the affirmative. You chuckled. “Thought so. Think you could come for me?”

His eyes flew to yours once more and then just as quickly shut tight. “Please, Mommy. Want to be your good boy. Want to come for you.” It was little more than a whisper before he latched onto you again, his shyness painful and completely sexy.

“Good boy! Telling Mommy what he wants is so important! That’s Mommy’s sweet Ralph. My brave boy.”

The more you cooed and stroked him, the more Ralph’s eyes glassed over until they closed completely. The intimacy of lying there allowing him access to your body in such a specific and nurturing way, your hand providing that much needed friction to help him reach his climax and encouraging him with such sweet praise, Ralph thought he might first burst from happiness and then die from it. This was everything he ever wanted. You were everything he ever wanted.

His hips had a mind of their own. They stuttered and bucked up into your fist seeking completion. It caused him no end of embarrassment. “I’m so sorry, Mommy. I can’t help it. It’s just too-“

“That’s okay, baby. You use Mommy’s hand the way you need to. Come for me. You can do it. You’re doing so well.”

Ralph didn’t need much more encouragement. Soon your hand, his stomach and the bedsheets were spattered with his cum. His sighs as he came were filled with your name mixed with “Mommy” and his desire to be a good boy for you. “Oh my sweet Ralph. You are the best boy for me. Always and forever.”

It took Ralph a few minutes to come back down to earth. Once he did, he managed: “Thank you, darling. This was more than perfect.” His eyes were glassy once more. You kissed him slowly.

“Anytime, my beautiful boy. Just ask. I’ll be more than happy to do this again.”

“And I wasn’t too strange for wanting this?”

“Never. Honestly, I’ve wanted this too. I love taking care of you, Ralph. Thank you for letting me.” Ralph’s sleepy smile was brighter than sunshine. “Now, if you’ll let me take care of you further? Let’s get you cleaned up and tucked in, hmm? Time for a lazy Sunday cuddle and nap with my shy bunny boy. What do you say, sweet boy?”

“Yes, Mommy. That sounds lovely. Thank you.”

[rafyki]

Part two of the Goth! Nico/Surfer! Percy!! @neo-kid-funk liked it so much I couldn't not post another part so soon!! That's what your art does to me!! Pure inspiration!!!

This time it's Percy's turn to be a huge loser with a huge crush lmao

Part one, if you haven't read it~

~~~

Percy threw himself on his beach towel, trying his best not to spill his precious drink even in his excitement.

“Annabeth, he smiled at me!”

His friend looked up from the huge book she was reading, a skeptic but fond look in her eyes.

“Percy, he works in retail, smiling at customers is literally his job”.

Percy groaned, took a sip of his drink - not alcoholic, but maybe it could make him forget his huge absurd crush on a boy he didn't even know.

The prettiest boy you've ever met though, his brain usefully supplied. What did it even matter that they didn't really know each other and that they had exchanged perhaps a total of twenty words to each other? Nothing, not when said boy had the prettiest features Percy had ever seen, the most enchanting eyes, the deepest and most beautiful voice, and the most charming shade of pink coloring his nose and cheeks. And, finally today Percy could add to the list that he even had the softest and cutest honest smile ever - because Percy could tell the difference between a “customers smile” and an honest one, and the way Nico had smiled today? It couldn't have been anything but honest, and it had made warmth bloom into Percy's stomach, made his heart grow ten sizes.

“No, Annabeth”, he said, at the cost of sounding like a petulant little child. “He smiled for real! He even laughed a little!”

“Did he?”

“I'm telling you he did!”

She seemed to consider it for a long moment. Percy waited with as much patience as he could muster for her opinion. He could always count on Annabeth being horribly and unapologetically honest with him; he could definitely trust her to be the one to offer him a cruel but needed reality check to bring him back to earth.

She had been the main witness of Percy’s fall into the hopeless (or maybe not so hopeless?) rabbit hole that was his crush for the kiosk boy, had been listening to him ranting on and on about him for probably almost a month now, and had been dragged on the beach way too many times against her will for Percy to ignore her valid as always opinion.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean he likes you, Seaweed-brain, you know that, right?”, she said, and Percy knew, but his heart fell anyway. “Still”, she added, and Percy couldn’t help but perk up at the tone of her voice. He knew that tone - it was the tone she used when she was about to say something optimistic even against her better judgment. 

“I guess it is weird for him to smile like that at customers - at least, I’ve never seen him do it - and we do spend a whole lot of time on this beach and at the kiosk”.

She said the last part with just a tiny little bit of annoyance - but Percy knew her well enough to know that she would forgive him eventually.

“I need your support, Annabeth, you know that!”

“You could take Grover with you next time”.

“I did once, remember? He was even more nervous than me”, Percy said. “Not exactly the best wingman”.

Annabeth rolled her eyes at him. “It’s not like you’re doing much but staring at him and daydream anyway”.

Well, that was a low blow, but true.

“That’s not true”, he still said, just for the sake of it. It earned a raised eyebrow and the most skeptical expression he had ever seen on his friend’s face.

“Percy”, she said, slowly as if she was talking to a kid. “Showing off your surfing skills and hoping he’ll find you so incredibly hot he’ll fall on your knees for you is not doing something about this”.

Ouch. Alright, maybe Annabeth’s reality checks were a little too honest and harsh sometimes.

“You can’t know it won’t work”, Percy said.

She was right, of course - she always was, and Percy hated and adored her for it. 

He sighed, setting aside his drink and looking at the kiosk, his eyes finding Nico right away with practiced experience. He was serving someone, and Percy’s first thought was I wonder if he’s smiling like that at them too - which was stupid, and he knew that too, but knowing it didn’t really change anything. Percy was perfectly aware of how ridiculous he was being, but despite what Annabeth might have said about it, knowledge wasn’t always all that mattered.

He sighed, forcing himself to look away.

“What do you think I should do?”

“Well, you really only have two options”, Annabeth said.

It wasn’t exactly hard to guess what she was referring to.

“Either giving up or finding the courage of asking him out?”.

“Precisely”.

“Ugh”, Percy groaned. “You’re not much more helpful than Grover, you know?”

Annabeth laughed. “You know I’m right, Seaweed-brain”.

“I hate you”.

“Hating me won’t make you date the boy of your dreams”.

The boy of your dreams - oh, he really was, wasn’t he? Percy didn’t even know when exactly he had started to be unable to think about Nico, to want nothing more than to talk to him and get to know him for real; things had degenerated pretty fast - one moment Nico was just the cute goth boy working at the beach, and then the next he was Percy’s newest obsession.

It was weird - Nico wasn’t exactly his type; he seemed to be all dark and sharp edges, cloaked in black like he was constantly trying to hide in the shadows even under the bright sun. He looked like the kind of person that kept everyone at arm's length, and it only made Percy want to get closer and closer.

He realized his eyes had turned to him again, following his every move. He was talking to his friends, his words accompanied by wide hand gestures - Percy had noticed this habit of his before; it was adorable, really. Percy wanted to talk to him and see it from up close.

“He’s so pretty Annabeth, I’m gonna die”.

That was probably the thousandth time Annabeth had heard him saying that, so the roll of her eyes was definitely justified.

“Then go talk to him and ask him out”.

Percy groaned. She made it sound so easy.

He got up, took his surfing board again. “Maybe”, he said. “But first I’m going to see if my plan of being too hot to resist is gonna work”.

“You’re ridiculous”.

“Thanks, I didn’t know that”.

Annabeth rolled her eyes again and went back to her book. Who even preferred reading a book on a beach instead of going into the water? Percy would never understand that.

He walked towards the water with his mind still fixed on the same thought. He wondered if Nico liked the ocean - maybe they could enjoy it together, maybe Percy could teach him how to surf.

Maybe. If he could actually find the courage of asking him out.

[lovelycureaestetic]

In the shota/femboy differentiation post you mentioned Freminet as a silver lining shota and Venti as a femboy, but they have the same model in game so that made me kinda curious on which of the genshin shortboys you would consider a silver lining shota and which ones you wouldn’t

Hello there, dear Anny, you've activated my Trap Card and I'll now go on a long and detailed tirade to describe you my reasoning to differentiate between a Genshin Shortboy Femboy and a Silver-Lining Shota one. Hope you'll have a great time!

Before we dive in the analysis I'll have to share the four parameters I use to identify a Shota or, in this case, a Silver-Lining Shota.

Softness of the facial features, or How Biteable Is That Cheek?

Size of the eyes, are they B.A.E. aka Big Ass Eyes?

Proportion of the face elements, or How Squished Is That Face? Basically are eyes and mouth close to each other? That's very crucial because the closer they are the smaller the face will appear, making the character look more like an actual Shota. Just to be clear, in the graphics the parentheses you should look at is the inside one that measures from the top of the eye to the bottom lip!

And lastly: Is He Giving Shota? The hole ensamble has to read like a Shota to be a Silver-Lining one.

Also, before I forget (I edited this bc I totally forgot at first) you mentioned the in-game models and I would like to point out that while the height is the same, details are sculpted differently. Regrdless, I'll be using the official portraits since those are the one everyone should refer to!

Now, LET US BEGIN! I'll be giving each category a vote from 1 to 5 and then see how they score on a 1 to 20 scale. To be a Silver Lining Shota (S.L.S.) they need at least a 10/20. I've decided to go by region for convenience so we'll start with Mondstadt!

Aether

His features are soft, not extremely so I'd give Biteability 2/5. The eyes are quite big, but still not humongus so B.A.E. gets 2/5. Lastly, I'd give a 2/5 to Squishiness because those proportions are quite petite. Does he Give Shota? Not quite, I'd say he's a bit below the average so a 2.5/5 for a total of 8.5/20. Aether is NOT a S.L.S.

Venti

Biteability 3/5 as you can see there's a little difference between the cheek and the chin (bigger than Aether's for example). B.A.E. gets a 3/5 those are some big eyes. Squishiness gets a 1.5/5 those features are too distant. Does he give Shota? Honestly, no, he gives me Femboy so 1/5 for a total of 8.5/20. Venti is NOT a S.L.S.

Albedo

Biteability gets a 0/5 look at that, there's nothing, a smooth long line and a very oval, slightly angular shape of the face. B.A.E. 2/5 they're big-ish but given the whole face they don't take that much space. Squishiness 2/5 slightly more squished than Venti's but still far too apart. Does he give Shota? Absolutely not 0/5 for a total of 4/20 blazeit. Albedo is most definitely NOT a S.L.S.

Bennett

Biteability: sorry to say this to Benny Boy but he barely gets a 1/5 there is A HINT of cheek but it's overall far too linear. B.A.E. he's got some pretty regular eyes tbh 1/5. Squishiness gets a 2/5 because if he had his mouth shut the features would've been closer. Still not by much tho. Does he give Shota? Actually yes in vibes so a 5/5. Not enough tho to make him pass since he scores a total of 9/20. Had he had some nice big cheeks or bigger eyes he would've been more suitable but alas. Bennett is NOT a S.L.S.

Biteability gets a 1/5, his face is more on the pointy side. B.A.E. bigger than Benny' so I'd give them 2.5/5. Squishiness could be improved but overall it's pretty decent 2.5/5. Does he give Shota? Not quite? 2.5/5 for a total of 8.5/20. Razor is NOT a S.L.S.

Mika

NOW we're talking! Biteability could do more but 3/5 is fair. B.A.E. 5/5 LOOK. AT. THOSE. Squishiness PERFECTION it's so cramped 5/5. Does he give Shota? If you'd had only this face to go by you'd totally say that he's a Shota so 5/5 for a total of 18/20. Mika IS a S.L.S.

Moving on to Liyue' Shortboys!

Xiao

Biteability only gets a 0.5/5 only for that blink and you'll miss it hint of cheek. B.A.E. even smaller than Albedo's, 1/5. Squishiness no no no too long of a face 1/5. Does he give Shota? Definitely not so 0/5 for a total of 2.5/20. Xiao is NOT a S.L.S.

Chongyun

Biteability there is some, that cheek is a bit puffy but only worth a 1.5/5. B.A.E. big eyes, they do take up quite some space so 3/5. Squishiness gets a 3/5 because eyes and mouth are pretty close together. Does he give Shota? If I only had this face I would've said he probably was one so 4/5 for a total of 11.5/20. Chongyun is BARELY a S.L.S.

Xingqiu

Biteability gets a 2.5/5 since that's a pretty nice round cheek with some visible separation from the chin! B.A.E. quite big although in the overall picture not taking too much space, so they get a 3.5/5. Squishiness oohh those are some pretty close features, 4/5! Does he give Shota? Mmmh yes and no? He looks a bit too mature so he gets a 2.5/5 for a total of 12.5/20. Xingqiu is BARELY a S.L.S.

Gaming

Biteability? Meh 1.5/5. B.A.E. quite huge they get a 3/5. Squishiness even with his mouth closed it would've been only a 2.5/5. Does he give Shota? No, not really. 2/5 for a total of 9/20. Gaming is NOT a S.L.S.

Onto Inazuma!

Kazuha

Biteability he has a pretty angular face but there's a little bit of puffy cheek sticking out and it deserves a 2.5/5. B.A.E. not really that big, they don't crowd the face at all so they get a 2/5. Squishiness? Not really, his mouth is pretty far down compared to the eyes. 1/5. Does he give Shota? Nah he doesn't have the aura, 0/5 for a total of 5.5/20. Kazuha is NOT a S.L.S.

Gorou

Biteability OH YES NICE CHEEKS GAME 4/5 see how the cheek pops out? So good, almost perfect. B.A.E. they're huge alright but they don't quite dominate the scene? 3.5/5. Squishiness? It's actually the same as Xiao so 2/5. Does he give Shota? Actually? If I only had this pic I would still call him just a boy so 0/5 for a total of 9/20. Gorou is NOT a S.L.S.

Heizou

Biteability: see, here the chin is pointing outwards, creating a bit of a curve, but it's not really giving cheek because it's a bit too attached to the rest of the face and overall the efatures are very sharp. 1/5. B.A.E. just like Kazuha they're big but not crowding the space so 2/5. Squishiness: eyes and mouth are very far apart so it gets a 1/5. Does he give Shota? Nope 0/5 for a total of 4/20. Heizou is NOT a S.L.S.

We've reached Sumeru!

Tighnari

Biteability gets a 1.5/5 because there is a hint of cheek right there. B.A.E. big but not huge, 2/5. Squishiness only gets a 0/5 because he has pretty regular proportions right there. Does he give Shota? The only thing he gives is assistance to those lost in the rainforest. 0/5 for a total of 3.5/20. Tighnari is NOT a S.L.S.

Cyno

Biteability oh he has some alright. Look at that short face compressing that cheek! 3/5. B.A.E. not really that big so 2/5. Squishiness OH he's as squished as Mika so definitely 5/5. Does he give Shota? Honestly if he wasn't as tall as he is... kinda yeah, 3/5 for a total of 13/20. Cyno is BARELY a S.L.S.

Sethos

Biteability again just a hint of cheek and a slightly too pointy of a face, so 1.5/5. B.A.E. not really big and definitely not taking up a lot of space, 1/5. Squishiness is barely even there 0.5/5. Does he give Shota? Just a boy so 0.5/5 for a total of 3.5/5. Sethos is NOT a S.LS.

Wanderer

Biteability gets 2/5 because there's a bit more of cheek there, still not nearly enough. B.A.E. they're big-ish but in the overall picture they do not take up much space so they feel less big? 2.5/5. Squishiness only gets a 1.5/5 becuase eyes and mouth are very much apart and almost normal. Does he give Shota? Not really but also not zero so I'd give him a 1.5/5 for a total of 7.5/20. Wanderer is NOT a S.L.S.

Finally Fontaine!!

Lyney

Biteability the tiniest cheek peeking out of that pretty linear face. 1.5/5. B.A.E. not really big and well proportioned to the rest of the face so 1.5/5. Squishiness is kinda like Wanderer's, the elements are pretty far apart so he too gets a 1.5/5. Does he give Shota? Definitely more than others but still too much of a boy hence why I'll only give him 1.5/5 for a total of 6/20. Lyney is NOT a S.L.S.

Freminet

Biteability the cheek isn't sticking out much but his whole face is very round and even his chin is delicate rather than pointy, he reads like a loaf of bread but it could be more so 3.5/5. B.A.E. HUGE AND WIDE TOO! SO THEY TAKE UP A LOT OF SPACE! 5/5! Squishiness IDENTICAL TO MIKA 5/5! Does he give Shota? OH HELL YEAH 5/5 for a total of 18.5/20. Freminet IS a S.L.S.

And this concludes my in depth analysis of every Genshin Shortboy up to version 4.7! Hope you enjoyed the ride and that I didn't bother you too much. Thank you so much for reading until the very end and thank you Anny for giving me a reason to rant about a special interest of mine <3 Have a lovely weekend <3

[devourable]

Hey so if I remember right you aren’t doing requests, but like if it’s cool do you think you could just like ramble more about the delinquents? Idk I like them a lot dhdhsjnd

Also I hope you’re doing well :3

-🥞🧸

fuck it its been a while. delinquents stuffs while i avoid my chores :

twin sized mattress is lowk their song but i cant explain why bc listening to the song makes me fucking cry

mattias is around the least, which is ironic considering he’s the clingiest. he’s incredibly flighty and hates staying in the same place for too long (if you’re not in it, at least). judas is probably the most available of the group and the rest of the boys are crazy jealous of him bc of it

mattias is a pretty troubled individual in general, he’s a bit more unhinged than the rest of the boys. they all care about him and he cares about them but he a few more demons than the rest of them do

dominic and judas had plans to start a band at some point, but they fell apart when they got older and had too much on their plate to focus on it. they still kind of do but it isnt an active priority for them as of now. they both play guitar and judas sings!

aaron used to go to school with sterling, but they never crossed paths much (different fields of study) so neither were on each other’s radar. aaron dropped out before sterling turned into the little monster he is now