#but the outfit has a 1 in 4 chance of showing up

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

06/09/2024 Daily OFMD Recap

TLDR: Rhys Darby; Taika Waititi; Rachel House; Taika & Samba; Gypsy Taylor; Watch Parties; SOFMD Crew Fibre Arts Auction; AOC: Raffle Update; Articles; Fan Spotlight; Cast Cards; Our Flag Means Fanfiction Podcast; Big Gay Energy Podcast; Love Notes; Daily Darby/Tonight's Taika

== Rhys Darby ==

More photos of Rhys from To 29 and Beyond!

Source: The Girl Blogger's Instagram

Also Rhys shared this on his instagram stories-- don't worry Rhys, we're way ahead of you! Round 2 is closed! On to Round 3!

Source: Rhys Darby's Instagram Stories

== Taika & Samba ==

Taika was found responding to Samba's post yesterday, nice to see him making comments on social media again!

Source: Samba Schutte's Instagram

Taika was out with Sterlin Harjo! (Creator of Resevoir Dogs)

Source: Sterlin Harjo's Instagram

== Rachel House ==

Rachel has been out attending the Sydney Film Festival, and was interviewed on TheProjectTV about her movie The Mountain.

Source: Temaungafilm Instagram

Source: TheProjectTV's Instagram

Source: SydFilmFestival Instagram

== Gypsy Taylor ==

Some very fun looking outfits with Gypsy Taylor!

Source: PainterByNumbers / Gypsy Taylor's Instagram

== Watch Parties ==

Good Omens Season 2

Dates: June 10-14, 2024

Times: 3:30 pm PT, 6:30 pm ET, 11:30 pm BST

Episodes: M-Th: 1-4, F: 5-6

Where: RhysDarbyFaction Discord Server

Need access? Reach out to @gentlebeardsbarngrill on tumblr or @aspirantabby42 on twitter.

== Teal Oranges & Garlic Soup Week ==

TealOranges & Garlic Soup Week is still coming up on June 23 - 29! Wanna learn more of the prompts? Please visit their Tumblr!

Source: TealOranges & GarlicSoupWeek Twitter

== SOFMD Crew: Fibre Arts Auction ==

SaveOFMD Crew has announced their auction items! Lots of folks in the fandom have donated fibre-arts prizes to help benefit our Queer Elders at SAGE USA! You can check out the prizes on the saveofmdcrew website. The auction will be opening in a few days!

Source: SaveOFMD Crew Instagram

== AOC: Our Flag Means Pride Raffle ==

Raffle Update on #OurFlagMeansPride! 40 Charities already benefited! Raffle tickets are still available! You can enter on their page!

Source: AdoptOurCrew Tumblr

== Articles ==

Heyyyy, Tokyo Vice Also Cancelled on HBO Max :(

After Max Raised Its Subscription Prices, The Streamer Confirmed Another One Of Its Shows Is Canceled

10 Best Period Drama Shows of the Last 5 Years, Ranked

== Taika 2048 ==

Okay, who was going to tell me there was a Taika Waititi 2048? Thank you to @lisahafey for posting on Twitter so I can finally lose myself in this for the next many many hours.

Source: Lisa Hafey's Twitter

== Fan Spotlight / News =

= Cast Cards =

First up tonight from @melvisik is another member of the Red Flag Crew, Kathleen S. ! Second is another one of awesome directors - Katie Ellwood!

Source: @melvisik's Twitter

== Our Flag Means Fanfiction ==

Next up on Our Flag Means Fanfiction is The Dark Episode (hurt/comfort, whump, angst)! Find somewhere to listen on Our Flag Means Fanfiction Linktr.ee.

Source: Our Flag Means Fanfiction Instagram

== Big Gay Energy Podcast ==

New episode of Big Gay Energy Pod! They're talking These Thems this time around! Check them out on your favorite podcast platform!

Source: Big Gay Energy Podcast Instagram

== Love Notes ==

Hey there lovelies. Another weekend has come to an end, and we're starting another work week. Whether you got some rest, or just got some stuff done, I hope you are in a place where you feel you can face the next few days-- and if not, I hope you get some rest and get a chance to recoup. I've been hearing several folks running into some struggles--struggles brought on by others. Whether those who cause it intend to or not, I want you to know my friends, you don't deserve to be treated badly. You really don't. Don't let those people make you feel like you deserve that. You deserve to be happy, to feel safe, to feel comfortable, to feel like you, in your own skin, whatever that means for you.

I know you probably already know, but sometimes it's good to hear it from an outside source too-- you are not what other people think you are or expect of you. You are you. The ever wonderful, kind, unique, beautiful you. On hard days I know it's hard to see, but you're still there, and things will look up again. Be kind to yourself lovelies, you deserve the best, no matter what anyone says. Rest Well, I hope the start to your week turns out calm and kind to you <3

== Daily Darby / Tonight's Taika ==

Tonight's theme is...thoughtful with glasses. Gifs courtesy of kind @eaion and the fantastic @celluloidbroomcloset!

[killjoy-prince]

Project Diva X's way of getting outfits via rhythm game gacha makes me wanna run it over with a truck

[angstics]

i finally articulated my opinion on my "is gerard way doing drag" question. my definition of drag is when a person impersonates, exaggerates, or appropriates a mode of gender expression. drag can be artistic or political (or both). drag can be an identity. drag and transgender identity are confused as the same thing. for some, it is. what is considered cross dressing can also be considered drag. it's important to note that drag is essential to queer culture, and how the us government harasses queer people through cross dressing, and now anti-drag, laws. we wouldnt be here talking about pop artists doing drag without drag performers and nonbinary-trans-gnc people.

to some people, a self-identified man in a female-identified dress is drag. "cross dressing" depends on cishet norms. queer people, especially nonbinary-trans-gnc people, have called to dismantle the assignment of gender to clothing. under that lens, a man in a dress is just a man in a dress -- for it to be drag, context and intent matters. that's how you get women doing female drag, or androgynous people doing what gerard way's been doing this last year on tour.

in asking "is gerard way doing drag?", im assigning importance to the topic. does it matter? within my understanding, drag is about intent and context as much as gender presentation. intent and context is what makes something important. therefore: understanding why the question is important solves it.

male music artists have a long history of cross dressing and doing drag. there's a good chance plugging any dude into a search engine with "drag" or "skirt" will bring something up. bowie, queen, nirvana, manic street preachers, placebo. here's a list. newer artists: lil nas x, harry styles, anthony green, pete wentz, young thug. some are impersonating female caricatures, some are masculinizing female clothes (long, ill-fitting, straight). some, like molko and lil nas, wear feminine clothes without exaggerating or masculinizing. gerard is in that same grey area.

male music artists have a long history of cross dressing and doing drag -- photos: "i want to break free" mv by queen (1984) / placebo in london (oct 1998) / lil nas x at audacy beach festival (dec 5, 2021) / fall out boy at rock for people (june 17, 2022)

all that history is why it was so weird when kerrang called gerard's riot fest "dress and heels" "a compelling show of contrarian anti-rock star eccentricity". it is not anti-rock star, at least not as described. it may be compelling, contrarian, and eccentric, but no reviewer really cares to analyze why. the closest they get is by identifying non-binary connection (them.us) and its relation to the "minefield that is American gender politics today" (latimes.com).

fans were struck by way's outfits for a lot of other reasons.

1. we have to get it out of the way that they just looked hot -- gerard is perpetually attractive, skirts are pretty. easy equation.

2. he has a long history of gender nonconformity. more on that in my #mcr queer studies tag. gerard is a 45 year old famously androgynous person who doesnt do labels, aligns himself with gender nonconformity (2014 reddit ama, 2018 advocate article, 2015 he/they tweet), and doesnt seem to care to be known as a man.

3. the tour outfits were well-fitted. many were crafted by skilled designer marina toybina and her team. which leads to ->

4. the outfits were very casual and very feminine. as mentioned, most men opt for masculine, ill-fitting skirts. which is to say they are NOT showing leg and they are definitely not showing ass. gerard doesnt steer clear from shortness or tightness or movement. he also dresses in ways people dress day to day -- the miniskirt is as casual as the shorts as casual as the jeans. there's some discussion to be had about what casual means -- he could be imitating expected presentation or just using basics, like his frequent shirt and pants.

the miniskirt is as casual as the shorts as casual as the jeans -- photos: firefly music festival (sept 23, 2022) / uncasville (sept 1, 2022) / eden project night 1 (may 16, 2022)

5. there was variety. many outfits, many types. he wasnt just doing pure femininity. some looks were high concept, some low concept. some gendered, some genderless. some feminine, some masculine. it was playful. its honesty evident in its fluidity yet cohesiveness. expanded in the next points ->

6. they incorporate elements of masculinity and gender neutrality concurrent with the feminine. his aggressive, energetic performance style often doesnt mind what people are seeing when his skirt lifts or shirt droops. he has little to no make-up -- if he does, it's stage and not glam. the closest he gets is the agender black swan look at boston night 1, the stage contour at wwwy night 3, and dubious lipstick at firefly. he also maintains the same hairstyle: barely styled, not straightened-curled. pinned a few times, gelled back some other times.

he has little to no make-up -- if he does, it's stage and not glam -- photos: boston night 1 (sept 7, 2022) / when we were young night 3 (oct 29, 2022) / firefly music festival (sept 23, 2022)

7. the character outfits weren't caricatures, like green's sleazy hooker or queen's uptight housewives. gerard's characters were appropriated but not exaggerated. cheerleader, nurse, manson girl, jackie o, princess diane, st joan. all figures of pop culture. he wore them as they were. even comparing green and way's similar white-green cheerleader costumes there's a difference in presentation. green wears long leggings, way wears shorts. green's costume is based on a stranger things character, way's is a custom remade vintage outfit. green exhibits the masculinization of feminine clothes which way subverts. this comparison highlights what makes way's outfits different, and therefore exciting to talk about.

green exhibits the masculinization of feminine clothes which way subverts -- photos: saosin in garden grove, ca (oct 27, 2022) / mcr in nashville, tn (aug 23, 2022)

8. and when he played with masculinity, it was in a way that was dubbed "boydrag". the new jersey night 2 casino singer look was a dramatic caricature that heightened masculine features until they were pure style... the defintion of camp. he had a mustache -- thin like john waters or a confirmed bachelor, and drawn on with eyeliner. he had a suit -- a pink-gold, glittery woman's cut jacket with a glittery bowtie and pleated shirt. the dramatic flair is accentuated by the black eye make-up, the frank sinatra "my way" cover, the drum tag: "the house always wins".

the defintion of camp -- photos: new jersey night 2 (sept 21, 2022) 1 / 2

when i asked which outfits others considered drag, all replies identified the casino singer and jackie o as drag and the rest as "just clothes". this relation made me understand why the rest couldnt be drag despite all the connections i talked about above. the jackie o outfit doesnt exaggerate the source like casino singer, but the source itself is both highly dramatic and highly gendered. cheer is gendered but not highly dramatic, st joan dramatic but not highly gendered. diane is gendered and dramatic, but not highly. the list goes on and on. it's a fine line. especially cheer could tip into drag for me.

but the source itself is both highly dramatic and highly gendered -- photos: mcr at riot fest (oct 12, 2022) / jackie kennedy onassis (jan 3, 1971)

if drag is understood in this way, simply wearing gendered clothes isnt drag. the look itself has to be about the performance of gender, however that may be presented. that’s the importance of classification. we can see what the artist is doing.

[dangopango00]

DEMONIC FEATURES HCS

Random Om demon hcs + OM Demons x gn reader

Pt. 1 (Lucifer, Mammon, Levi) | Pt. 2 (4567) Coming soon for real this time

CW: suggestive but not much, just “slut” used in regard to clothing and vague suggestion of leviathan with two. 👍

A/N: ive had om since like fuck idk since that first genie event or sth WHATEVER the point is its been a MINUTE and i only JUST watched the anime 😭😭😭 theyre so sweet and silly i cant take witttttt i need to write for them i love them all so muxygehwhwhshshwbwb I swearrr om is one of the only otome where i can gaf about more than 2 or 3 characters

Also u should read them. All; I throw in general hcs too

Lucifer: The Peacock

- I think his wings should have eyes in them like its such a missed opportunity for a reference to his animal counterpart (peacock), a reference to biblical angels and a reference to the fact that he always somehow knows what everyone’s up to and what their ulterior motives are. Ik he has a few on his outfit but it just doesn’t give that otherworldly creature dread feeling you should get when looking at a demon (Not to go on a tangent but when I see a hot demon character I want to be afraid of them but then go “wait why is this hot”)

- Also while he technically has 4 wings, I think that when he flares out his wings they should expand in such a way that makes it appear like he has more

- I imagine his wings stretch out and look bigger whenever he feels proud of and satisfied with himself— esp when he’s around you; its cute tbh but he also does it when hes super pissed; are you gonna take that chance? 🤔

- Imagine if the little diamond on his forehead was a closed eye and every now and again it opens especially when he feels as if his pride is threatened or when he’s generally angry. Personally I think that would be sick af

- I KNOW THE MARKINGS ARE JUST LIKE BIRTHMARKS BUT IMAGINE THEY FEEL DIFFERENT FROM THE NORMAL SKIN like Lucifer’s markings could be feathers covering his jaw and below (see: Howl Pendragon bird form, kinda) and they feel like real feathers too

- I think we all agree that whenever he feels protective of you he’d wrap his wings around you and shield you from anyone’s view but his own

- Keeps a feather on you (probably gives it to you as a gift) so he can keep an eye on you at all times (This is not a pun; imo he can see through the eyes on his wings when he closes his main eyes and opens his third)

- Pact mark spans from the nape of your neck to about 1/3 your spine (pretty big but not humongous) and is in the shape of a peacock feather but when his powers/benefits are used the barbs of the feather move in a way similar to fire and the eye in the center opens (it kinda tickles and/or sends a chill down your spine)

- Pact mark allows him to locate you in pretty much any place without an uber powerful magic barrier or like interference (Which I think would make sense considering he always knows what’s up + he DID say making a pact with him entails you are his and he is yours [since you can summon him wnv I think and command him to do stuff])

- Something he already does but I just noticed lines up with peacocks is tilting his head when he’s sick of everyone’s shit

- OH MY GODDDDD HIS WINGS DRAPE DOWN LIKE PEACOCK TAIL FEATHERS. HE HAS LONG WINGS. LOOK AT THIS AND TELL ME THAT SHIT WOULDN’T BE MAJESTIC AS HELL ON HIM

Mammon: The Corvid

- I think his wings are nicely placed but I would make them curl/angle upwards more to more resemble bird wings (Ik Lucifer is the bird wing guy but hes a bird too 😞😞) kinda like this

- I think that while the bones are exposed on his wings, on the back of the wings there should be patches of feathers showing he lost them in his fall from grace aaaa 😫😫😫

- I know the demons have either wings or tails but like. Entertain this thought: Mammon with cute lil tail feathers 😭😭 mammon with a bird tail would just fit so well im sorry

- He subconsciously lowers/bows his head while talking to people he respects and admires (like you and Lucifer) like laying his head down on his arm or desk or sth

- Collects stuff that looks interesting— stuff he thinks he can probably use or fix up and sell. Pretty much proven but I feel I should emphasize how bad it gets, like he needs to clean his room at least weekly or his room will be full of junk 😭 (he js like me fr)

- Great at impressions; I THINK this was included in the story at one point (?) but idk so I will mention it here. Give him a voice and he can mimic it pretty well (Brothers would def use this to their advantage for silly little schemes if mammon weren’t charging an arm and a leg for his services gn)

- Will engage in anything he finds interesting and stimulating; the reason he sucks ass in school isn’t really because hes dumb but he has a hard time focusing on shit that isnt stimulating (that’s kinda how it is for most people but like especially for him, he indulges heavily into freedom/temptation; usually won’t do anything he doesn’t want to)

- Blinged OUT. More rings, a gold necklace thing (those thick round ones), more ear piercings and i like the drawing someone did with his fangs being gold however ntm as the absence of such things also shows his balance between his heavenly virtue and deadly sin (Charity vs Greed) and how despite his sin he really can be a modest guy

- Markings should cover his face and be little portals that let him summon grabby hands and sometimes he gets you stuff and sends it through the portal on your body (your pact mark)

- Speaking of pact marks, I think his is on your heart or right above and is like a dripping fingerprint that turns into a full blown hand print (maybe even the monkey’s paw?) when his powers/benefits are being used; Its hard to describe the feeling but when his hand goes through it feels like you’re gagged right then and there and its a little bit hard to breathe when you first made the pact because its a little uncomfortable but as you got used to the sensation and nurtured your magic ability, your breathing went back to normal

- I promised myself I wasn’t gonna get into outfits too much because they’re. Um anyway all I’ll say is he should have some slutty bellbottoms in his demon form idgaf

A/N: im so sorry mammon fans for the neglect i didnt know what to really put since crows are just like. Silly feathery black blobs

Leviathan: The Serpent

- He should have poisonous spines on his tail that lie dormant but flare up whenever he feels strong emotion (embarrassment, anger, jealousy etc) and in relation to that he should have a few scales visible on his neck but more should appear leading up his face to his eye when he feels these strong emotions like his skin hardens and turns to scales (almost like how our veins bulge when we humans get very angry) it would be cool af ngl and kinda fits how his voice changes when hes annoyed (I SWEAR it gets all deep and like gravelly ig)

- ALSO i mentioned in another post but his eyes should become super snake-like (pupils slimming down) when he gets angry/envious but adding onto that, his pupils should dilate like a cat when he feels a positive emotion like excitement (though I think his pupils would dilate when looking at you lovingly, if you flustered him his pupils would constrict, not because its negative, but because he doesn’t know how to handle it)

- Grows much taller in his demon form imo since sea serpents are big as hell (he doesn’t become a giant or anything but he does grow like a foot or so which. He might as well be a giant bc hes alr pretty tall) Honestly I think all demons grow in their demon forms but he just grows an exceptional amount compared to any other demon

- Two…. Nvm iykyk fr a certified hood classic and i dont see enough of it in fics 😒

- Often accidentally sticks out his tongue while angry and bites his tongue and it just ruins the mood as well as any fear anyone had of him bye. Hes so goofy i just love him

- Long ahh tongue; snake reminiscent

- The back of his slut zip jacket should be vaguely shaped like fins + would it be wrong to say he should have slutty bellbottoms too? Can’t I dream? 💭 not as wide as Mammon’s though he’s not doing it like him fr

- Wraps his tail around you as if trying to shield you from public view with his spines whenever he gets jealous or protective

- I think it would be cool if the design on his jacket was a fishbone or if his tail was a bit translucent and showed bones inside (Ik tails don’t have bones generally but bear with me here) as a reference to how the Leviathan became a meal after being defeated

- Subconsciously moves slowly and methodically like the way he leans his head in slowly as you talk is very snake of him

- Big yawn (can open his mouth really wide)

- Pact mark is on the side of your neck, a bit closer to the front though and is shaped like a scale initially but grows into a very large patch of black scales with a purple underside, covering everything in the area almost like a bad rash when you use his powers/benefits

- Activation feels as if you’re being suffocated slowly, like water is slowly entering your lungs as the “rash” spreads at first but, again, as you get used to it this sensation wears off but a feeling that won’t ever wear off when activating the pact mark is the feeling that Levi is there looming by your side through the mark but just out of view whenever you try to see him; it’s a little maddening

- Can find you with sth similar to echolocation and it’s especially effective in water; can also spread the scales further with enough willpower and/or jealousy, basically creating a shield for your body

[simphornies]

A/N: I'm not feeling well. It's that time of the month and I am struggling. I apologize if this part isn't written as well as the others :(

Word count: 3.5k (3,595)

part 1, part 2, part 4, part 5, finale

Deal Breaker [ Vox x Angel!Reader ] part 3

Your first day working with the Vees consisted of you being in one of Velvette’s shows. You were shoved into multiple outfits that were definitely out of your comfort zone. Your wings were out the whole time and boosted the popularity. At the end of the show, Velvette was trying to get you to be one of her official models.

“Y/N! As much as I hate your alliances, I do love the energy you bring on the stage.” She flicks her hand to get you into a more formal attire for your stay. You matched Vox’s suit, color scheme and all. You were convinced it’s just a dress version of his outfit. You let out a relieved sigh, happy that you’re finally comfortable.

“Flattered at your offer however I have the hotel to tend to. I have not the time to spare to become a model for you. Apologies.” You politely declined making Velvette groan.

Vox walks up to you, his hands clapping at your performance. “What a wondrous performance! I see you wore the necklace I gifted you.” He grins, glancing at the shining piece of jewelry around your neck. It was a diamond studded eye necklace surrounded with 3 sets of wings, something that matched your usual outfit.

“Ah, yes. I do adore it. Thank you.” You smile, “I see you’re wearing the bow tie I’ve gifted you as well?”

He fiddled the bow in question with pride, “Proudly. It was given to me by you.” He takes your hand in his to kiss it, something that became a constant occurrence between you two. “Shall we meet in my office?”

You nod, following him, hand still in his. The time you’ve shared with him has gotten you quite accustomed to the demon. You started to feel warm but you fought against it. You promised Charlie and Alastor both that you would keep your guard up and stay safe. Vox’s intentions weren’t clear to you and you still couldn’t comprehend why he suddenly decided to strike a deal with you.

In his office, you sat across from him, legs crossed awaiting him to start. He was staring at you, eyeing you down so much so it made you a little nervous at what’s to come.

“Y/N. Before we continue…” He starts, “I want to inform you of something you did.”

Your head tilted to the side, “Yes…?”

“The night you got drunk, you started to strip in front of me.” He blankly states, doing his best to maintain his composure while you lost yours.

Your face flushed in embarrassment, turning red at his words. “I sincerely apologize! That was unbecoming of me.” You profusely apologized, “I may have forgotten to warn you and tell you exactly why I typically stick to just one bottle of my usual champagne.”

Vox just laughed in response, “My dear, no need to get so flustered. For your sake, I did ask for someone else to help dress you and left as soon as I saw the state you were in.” He raised his arms up in defense, “I didn’t push my chances and left immediately. I hardly looked.”

You breathe out a sigh of relief, “Thank you. I truly apologize.”

“Now that that’s out of the way. Let’s circle back to our agreement from our first meeting. You said you will need 3 days to consider the offer. Have you chosen an answer?” The joy on his face was back to a serious one as soon as he asked.

You shake your head, “Unfortunately I have not decided. I struggle to understand your intentions.”

“What is it that makes you struggle? If I’m being completely transparent with you, you are a wonderful and beautiful angel. The 3 days we’ve spent together have been bliss. I would love to have you by my side, always.” He winks at you, “And I’d love to see you half naked again, but sober this time.”

The red creeped back up on your face. “Vox! That is inappropriate to say for this situation. We are discussing business.” You huffed.

“Ah but you are my business, dear.” He gets up and walks over to you, further teasing you by bringing his head up to your ear to whisper. “I absolutely want you.”

You get up quickly, taking a step back from him, absolutely unable to hide the fact that you’re flustered at his actions and words. “I am not well-versed in such things. I cannot provide you the companionship you seek.”

He took a step forward and held your hand, giving you a kiss on your knuckles. “I can show you how, my love.” His signature grin wide on his face, “C’mon baby~ Let me show you how fun it is with me by your side.”

If you were able to melt, you would have melted right then and there. You were a stuttering mess and Vox found entertainment and pleasure watching you be one. You pull your hand away from him and rush to the door.

“Pardon me! I must excuse myself!” You reach for the doorknob but Vox just zaps in front of you.

“Ah ah. Before you go, we’ll be going on a date in a little bit. I’ve already told Velvette to get you in the most gorgeous attire, paid for entirely by yours truly.” He opened the door for you to rush out and head towards your room.

As if on cue, Velvette swings your door open and drags you inside. She immediately swiped her hand to change your outfit into a gorgeous backless fitted dress that sparkled when the light hit it. A slit ran up your thigh and revealed a garter belt that went around it, bearing the VoxTek logo. The neckline plunged down to the middle of your chest. Your formal flat shoes were now black red bottomed heels.

“Alright now sit.” Velvette says, pulling out a chair for you. The speed of everything happening overwhelmed you to the point where you had to give yourself a second to react, “C’mon, I don’t have all day.”

You followed her instructions and sat down. She got to work on your hair quickly, giving you beautiful bouncy curls that rested perfectly on your shoulders. She even did your makeup for you. She worked quickly and quietly and by the end of it, she was grinning with pride from her work. “Perfect. You’re absolutely stunning. Now go. Shoo.”

You were kicked out of your own room with a gentle shove. You tripped over yourself and landed in Vox’s arms. You look up and see him giving you a wide-toothed grin, “You look absolutely beautiful~” He purred into your ear.

Your heart was pounding but so was Vox’s. He meant what he said. He was enamored by your looks and with you dressed up, he was even more attracted. He wants you but he doesn’t seem to know that the way he’s supposed to.

He showered you with gifts and jewels of all kinds. He put on the necklace he gave you around your neck and donned your fingers with expensive rings. He brought you to the most prestigious restaurant in all of Hell after he accessorized you and acted very gentlemanlike. You weren’t used to such things so this was all very new.

In Heaven, most interactions you’ve had with men were with Adam so being treated this nicely was a new thing for you. You remained flustered at everything that just happened. You swore your heart was going to jump out of your chest at the amount of attention he’s giving you. Back at the hotel you mainly stayed in your office to do paperwork and help around with cleanup which meant you lacked the social experience that most would have.

There was a singer performing for the restaurant’s customers that night and you distracted yourself by listening to her. It was Verosika Mayday, a famous popstar that you had heard of. Her voice was beautiful, her body and face matching. Vox watched as you relaxed in your seat, entranced by her voice. He made a mental note that you loved soft and slow music, which was exactly how Verosika’s current song was. He knew this because your eyes lit up the moment the piano slowed down.

After the show, he decided to introduce you to Verosika herself. Bringing him over to the table. You chatted with her about her talents and asked for tips on how she was able to have such a wide vocal range. It wasn’t long into the conversation until you were starting to get tipsy from the amount of alcohol you’d consumed.

Not wanting to repeat the events of the last time you got really drunk, Vox excused himself and led Verosika away, letting you know he’ll be back. He took Verosika backstage where Valentino awaited, somewhere private enough for him to talk to her and for her to not see Valentino. He put her in a trance with his eye and got her to sign a contract with Valentino stating that she will now take the place of Angel Dust. Valentino was more than happy to have the curvy, popular succubus popstar to be his and quickly decided to make her his new toy.

Vox worked fast to fulfill your wishes, swearing it was to steal your power when in reality he wanted to see your smile. When he came back to the table, you were getting ready to down an entire bottle of vodka to which he confiscated from your hands making you huff.

“Now now. I told you. Last time you got fucked up, you were stripping and I would rather not go through that again.” He had given the bottle he took from you back to a waiter. He lifted your chin with finger, looking deeply into your eyes. “Mm. You look wonderful with a blush across your face.”

He pulled away from you and held his hands behind his back, standing proudly. “I would like to inform you that the contract’s been broken.” He said with a wide smile. Your eyes sparkle with delight, quickly getting up.

“Is that the truth, Vox?” You ask, “Oh that is wonderful! Thank you!” You hugged him, your heart full of warmth and happiness. You felt his arms snake around you to hug you back.

“I told you, dollface.” He strokes your curled locks, playing with it in his hands, “I’ll do anything to keep you by my side.” He felt himself warm up at the feeling of you hugging him. The way your body fit perfectly against his in a hug was new territory. The scent of your perfume radiated gently, he felt your heart pounding as quickly as his own did. This felt new to him and it felt good.

Upon arriving back at Vox’s building, you walk with him, your hands wrapped around his arm. He walked you to your room and gave you yet another sweet kiss on your knuckles.

“Sweet dreams, Y/N. I’ll see you in the morning.” He winked at you before zapping off into his own room.

You closed the door and slid your back against it, sighing. You placed a hand on your chest and felt your heart going wild. You felt uncomfortably safe and secure around him and at this point it was hard for you to separate your emotions with business. He gave you attention you’ve never received and never realized you craved. His sweet words, his suggestive comments, his compliments echoed through your head. You began to fall for him.

.

In the morning, you met Vox in his office a bit too excited to see him but you maintain your composure. He sat at his desk, drinking coffee, the scent of which covered the room. He perked up at the sound of you entering his office. “Ah. Good morning, Y/N. Help yourself to some coffee.” He gestured to his coffee maker by the wall to which you gladly poured yourself a cup. “I have a full schedule today, I trust that you’re able to stay in the building until I return?”

“Return?” You cocked your head at him, “I am to stay here? Do you require me to do anything to assist you?” You couldn’t deny the fact that you felt a bit bummed out at the thought of him leaving but you quickly shook away that feeling.

“Yes you have to stay here, I’m afraid. I can’t waltz into my shows and interviews with you hanging off of me.” He laughed a bit, “We aren’t even together. I’ll only do that when you accept my courtship and let me make you mine. Why? You gonna miss me?”

You hid your blushing face behind your cup, “Nonsense. Just a thought is all. I seek not to ruin your day nor make them difficult with my presence. I am perfectly content staying here.” You weren’t content with staying. You didn’t understand it but you wanted to be by his side for your entire stay at his company.

His phone buzzes, making him get up. “Well, that’s my cue. I have to head out, angel.” He held his hand out for you to take. You expected him to give it a kiss but instead he led you to his chair. “You can stay here or in my room. Maybe watch me work my magic on television. I’ll be back.”

He left without giving you the usual kiss on the hand. It left you bothered. You felt…empty without it. It didn’t feel right. Though you didn’t say anything about it, it didn’t leave your mind. You aimlessly wandered around his office, looking at the photos he had laying around. You ended up in his room, laying on his bed watching his shows until he came in through the door.

“Ah! There you are.” He says, “Come Y/N. I have a gift for you.”

You got up and followed him out of the room. He took your hand as you walked behind him. He took you to the meeting room, the table filled with wrapped boxes. You were speechless. “Surely this isn’t all for me?” You ask him.

“But they are! I’ve gotten advice from Princess Morningstar to make sure I got you the best of the best. Open them!” He held his hands behind his back, eagerly waiting for you to start.

You unwrapped and opened one of the bigger boxes and in it there was a gorgeous black and red version of the outfit you’d normally wear at the hotel. You glanced at him to which he gave you a proud look. The bigger boxes contained clothing from loungewear to nightgowns to robes. You reach for a smaller box and open it. You pulled out gorgeous earrings, studded with diamonds of course. In the last couple of small boxes, they were all pieces of fine jewelry to match the earrings.

You beamed with delight and gave Vox a hug. “These are wonderful gifts Vox! You spoil me too much. You are not required to do so.”

“Nothing is too much for you, angel.” He kisses your hand, looking up at you with a flirty look, “I do want to win your heart after all.”

You blushed at his words, looking away in embarrassment. “I need not for such gestures.”

“You deserve more, darling.” He gets his butlers to bring your gifts to your room, “Are my attempts working?”

“You flatter me so, perhaps I am leaning towards accepting your deal.”

He walks you to your room and wishes you a good night. You felt your heart flutter a bit, sighing happily as you got ready for bed in the same nightgown he gifted you. You soon drifted off to sleep, happily cuddling up to your pillow.

.

You were ready to spend your second day with Vox but to your dismay, he was “too busy” to speak with you. Not wanting to push in case he was stressed, you kept your distance. It did bother you when you would see him having casual conversation with Valentino or Velvette and as soon as he saw you, he would make himself seem busier by checking his phone.

“Vox~ Your little angel has eyes on us.” Valentino speaks, soft enough for you to not hear. “I know that look she has in her eyes. She’s longing for you.”

Vox smiled, “I know. By the end of our agreement, she won’t want me to leave her side.” He laughs menacingly, “I’ll make her obsessed with me.” Vox glanced behind him, seeing you in the distance admiring the plants that decorated the building. For a second, he felt his heart twist at the sad expression you had on.

You glanced up at him, a bit shocked at him giving you attention. You gave him a smile and waved. He gestures for you to come closer and with no hesitation, you make your way towards him. As soon as you were in his reach, he pulled you closer by the waist causing your face to flush up in red.

“Sorry for ignoring you all day, dollface.” He grins, “Red looks nice on you.” His hand caresses your cheek and you quickly pull away, embarrassed.

You cleared your throat and composed yourself. “It’s alright. You’re a busy man.” But it wasn’t okay with you. You found yourself longing for his attention all day and though you found your sudden admiration for him strange, you couldn’t help yourself when it came to yearning for his gaze on yours. “Tomorrow’s my last day. I wanted to know what you have in store for me.”

He puts his hands together, “You and I, my dear, are going out! My treat.”

“Vox! Surely I can cover tomorrow. You’ve showered me with plenty of gifts already for the past couple of days.” You protested to which he grabs your hand, giving it yet another kiss.

“Like I said before. I am…” He moves closer to you, his head by your ear, “...absolutely in love with you.” He whispers. You shiver at his voice, losing your breath for a split second.

“If you must insist…I’ll allow myself to find comfort in your adorations.” You whispered back, trying your hardest to steady your breathing.

“I’ll meet you there tomorrow.” He sneaks a kiss on your shoulder before zapping away into a camera.

.

You were dressed by Velvette again for your date with him the following day. You wore an off shoulder dress with the jewelry he’s gifted you. You felt warm and excited for your date. The spot he told you to meet him at wasn’t too far from his building so you denied the ride there and chose to walk instead.

You took in some of the sights, admiring the bright neon lights that covered the streets that seeped into the dark alleyways in between buildings. As you were approaching the restaurant, you spotted something in the alleyway out of the corner of your eye that made you backtrack. Once your eyes adjusted to the darkness you see Vox on the floor with a bleeding wound.

You rushed to his side, a bit in panic. “Vox! Vox what happened to you?” You gently help him up. He coughs, breathing heavy. You begin to heal his wounds, light emitting from your hands as you did so. Your eyes wandered to his ripped clothes, it looked like claws had ripped them.

“Alastor…” He says weakly, “That damned radio demon was just here…” He glitched and held your hand weakly, “I’m sorry, Y/N. My blood…My blood got on your beautiful dress and hands.”

“Alastor…?” You were in disbelief, you didn’t want to believe him but the claw shaped scratches on him matched the shape of his when he’s in his demon form. “No…It can’t be.” You felt anger rising within you. You told him he wasn’t supposed to mess with Vox. Could he have really gone against your word?

As soon as you finish, he sits up. “If you hadn’t come in time…I don’t think he would have left.” You held his hand tight. He looked at you and felt guilty at how hurt you looked. Your eyes were filled with tears, “Oh…Please. Please don’t cry, angel.”

“You were hurt! If I’d gotten here sooner…” You shook your head, “I’m supposed to be here to protect but you got hurt.” Your heart was heavy with emotions. Anger for Alastor’s actions, fear for Vox’s safety and sadness for not being there for him sooner.

“I’m going to be okay, Y/N.” He smiled at you, “You’re here now.” He wiped the tears that ran down your face. “I’m going to have to put a hold on this date. I’m sorry.”

“Nonsense! Do not apologize, you were injured. Let’s return to your home, you need rest.”

You brought Vox back into his room, flying through the halls with him in your arms. He looked up at you, the determination and anger that you had in your eyes filled him with even more guilt. You set him down gently on his bed.

“I’m afraid I must leave now but please, if anything happens, call me with no hesitation.” You spoke softly, the smile that you always had on your face was gone and didn’t return. You rush to your room, collecting all of your belongings and create a portal directly back into the hotel. You were enraged with Alastor and you were absolutely determined to find him.

[wheelerpilled]

'forced conformity is killing the kids'

Mike Wheeler ST5 Theory/analysis

So we've all seen the new BTS of Finn Wolfhard on the set of Stranger Things dropped and OH MY GOD. THE DUALITY FROM LAST SEASON.

I have to TRY write about it ATLEAST...because wow I have a lot of potential thoughts, sorry it's once again unstructured, messy, and repetitive but stay with me please!!!!!!!!!!

I've seen ALOT of people happy we're getting s1-2 Mike hair back but guys .....it's not a good thing!!!!!!!!!! Mike is going THROUGH IT.

______________________________________________

In Season 4 it's acknowledged that Mike is finally coming into his own a bit, Eddie says he was wearing 'whatever his mom bought him' when he first came to highschool, but in episode 1 when we see him for the first time in S4, he's clearly been influenced by Eddie and has figured out what style he likes and what he's interested in, he's in a DND club, he's comfortable being known as an uncool nerd, he's growing his hair out (yes I DO believe it's because he idolised Eddie, I have more to say about that in a second)

basically: his hair and his outfits, aswell as pretty much the way he acts in Hawkins (NOT California- he goes back to pretending to be something else) in S4 represents the ideology non-conformity and his sense freedom in this new persona

he doesn't feel lost in highschool anymore, he's doing what he likes with his friends (DnD) and he's proudly wearing his hellfire shirt around school/Hawkins, basically, he's accepting that it's okay to enjoy 'different' things that aren't considered the norm, and it makes him happy, he feels comfortable!

_____________________________________________

But now in Season 5, from the pictures we've seen, it looks like he's fully reverted back into his shell, I guess I understand why tbh I don't blame him:

he comes back to Hawkins after everything and everyone believes he's in a satanic cult- townspeople probably treat him badly and Jason's team mates probably blame Eddie and the rest of hellfire for Jason's 'disappearance' (death). They directly connect him with all the horrible things that have happened to Hawkins as of late

...which is probably what the BTS of them walking towards Mike are about, they probably keep harassing him no matter how he acts and Mike just wants them to leave him alone, let's face it:

High school has probably gone full circle back to middle school for Mike and he's getting bullied/mistreated again. So he feels his only option is to remove himself from Hellfire and become 'normal'.

Hellfire might maybe even be blamed for the gates being opened. Last we heard, the townspeople were hunting down Eddie and the rest of hellfire, and the graffiti on Eddie's grave in the S5 pics shows that he's still very much hated.

Mike probably got harassed by multiple people who don't believe Eddie's dead, or believe Mike was in on it and are out looking for him, or think Hellfire contributed to some satanic ritual causing the 'earthquake' and thus Mike is also a target and it's dangerous for him.

So I think part of the style change and haircut is due to THAT, he doesn't wear his hellfire shirt anymore because he doesn't want any affiliation with the club.

As Finn Wolfhard has said in previous interviews 'mikes just trying to act as normal as possible' so by seperating himself from Eddie/Hellfire and becoming more conventionally 'normal' he won't be treated like an outcast.

He won't be assaulted, bullied, blamed, or worse if he conforms. He has a greater chance of everything becoming better/easier while living in Hawkins if he does this, he might have even given up DnD aswell- so yeah he's gonna be pretty MISERABLE in season 5

___________________________________________

Alot of people wanted to see his reaction to Eddie's death, I think we'll definitely be seeing the lingering after effects of it, and alot of Mike's arc will kick off because of the aftermath of the vilification of Hellfire.

Only few people know that Eddie died to try protect Hawkins, Eddie was a role model for Dustin and Mike, but they're grieving him in COMPLETELY different ways

Dustin decides to honour him by taking up a similar style and proudly wearing his hellfire shirt, and is also probably trying to sway the town's opinion on Eddie and prove him innocent.

....But Mike seemingly decides that he DOESNT want to end up like Eddie anymore: dead and hated, known as a satanic freak.

Someone he idolised is now deceased, he doesn't know how to properly handle that fact, it's intimidating that someone he looked up to do much could be so hated, and in turn has caused the reaction from Mike that is basically 'if my idol is treated as such a horrible outcast, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps, where would that leave me?' he's feeling lost and hopeless, especially with the state Hawkins is in, so he probably decides the best thing to do is just blend in. Be normal.

It probably scares him that even merely his interest in DnD and all these other factors immediately make him a target, as far as townspeople believe- Mike is one of the kids who was close with a brutal serial killer, they probably think he's just as 'messed up as Eddie the freak was' for staying friends with someone who'd do such horrible things

I think Mike just wants to hide as much as he can right now, he has ALOT on his plate and doesn't need the rest of the town out to get him.

so if anyone asks: he'll probably say things like 'I didn't really know Eddie! I would never join a cult like that, I didn't know!' or something to try seperate his name from the hellfire club.

Mike will end up picking protecting himself and hiding his true identity and values/traits rather then living exposed and vulnerable; yet true to what he actually believes is right....And that is the opposite of what Dustin is doing,

Dustin is a proud hellfire member and friend of Eddie, he's picking what he thinks is right over self-preservation from the town, he's still wearing his battered shirt, now HE'S the one growing his hair out, he still adores Eddie and misses him (so does Mike probably, but he feels he CANT outwardly publicly show support or stand up for him)

I do wonder if this will cause some sort of tension between Dustin and Mike, because Dustin is doing the opposite and becoming more like Eddie instead of distancing himself from the hellfire name, he might feel betrayed that Mike 'gave up' on Hellfire, and maybe accuse him of not even caring about Eddie or his death?? Idk!!!!!!!!!! I feel like Dustin will also be going through it this season 😭😭😭

_____________________________________________

I do also think Mike will try to be clinging alot to El this season (I mean, before they inevitably break up which I believe will probably happen kinda early on if it actually happens at all)

this is also because just the idea of having a girlfriend corresponds to his idea of conformity and being 'normal'. He just wants to be a normal guy, his life is nothing out for the ordinary, he's not interested in satanic things like dnd and hellfire, he's just a normal person. A normal person who is PROBABLY a target of Vecna in season 5 😓

I believe his arc for this season will be trying to breakout of these notions of conformity in exchange for things he actually likes and is interested in, we saw him sort of branching out in season 4, but I think THIS time it's happening for real, and he'll end up fully embracing his own views and interests after some sort of emotional arc-which will also probably be part of the M*lev*n break up (not censored because I'm against them/hate them I just don't wanna clog the tag for others 😭😭) OR set off by the breakup

Throughout season 1 he was told he liked El, or others assumed it, so I think he assumed it aswell, they just never broke up because El ALSO thinks having a boyfriend is normal and expected, and because Mike was the boy she was closest to she assumed it was romantic feelings (and he kissed her in S1 which probably contributed to her assuming they were romantic feelings)

Alot of the people around her are also in relationships, and she watched alot of TV with happy romantic couples so she thinks it's more normal to HAVE a boyfriend then to NOT have one, I think Mike and El kinda stayed together because they think they're SUPPOSED to by these social standards,

They obviously care about each other alot, and mistook it as reasons to just stay together, she wants to be a normal girl because only being a superhero isnt good for her, she needs to be 'Jane Hopper' and not '011'. I do think she definitely needs to be single for awhile and find herself, even if her and Mike are to be endgame, she NEEDS at least some time to gain some experiences outside of living her life as a superhero, (Mike also needs character development outside of being 'Els Boyfriend's)

Which is why it was vital that her time with max in S3 existed, so El could realise her value and that there is a life outside having a boyfriend- I think Mike needs a similar moment aswell, a wake-up call of sorts where he can take a step back and consider maybe rather than letting society dictate his actions, he makes decisions for what he wants for himself ('we make our own rules')

_____________________________________________

If m*lev*n is endgame then sure that's great for them, but I genuinely don't know what big character arc could be in store for Mike that doesn't involve a breakup and themes of non-conforming, it doesn't even have to involve Byler endgame at all (although I AM a byler truther)

I think Mike learning that it's okay to let go of that romantic relationship if he doesn't feel that way anymore is a big step for his character, or atleast taking a break so he can work on himself, anything along those lines of actual development on himself rather then on his relationship- El and Mike have been romantically paired from the start, he needs to learn that it's OKAY to breakup with someone if thats what he feels is right, (side note: I DO believe El would/will be the one to breakup with him 😭)

I don't think he realises that he'll be able to stay friends with El, it's not 'shes my girlfriend or else she'll hate me for breaking up with her. No other options'

he doesn't want to lose her because he cares about her but he can't find a way to balance that romantic relationship alongside his other friendships. So I think for his character to develop they have to breakup, even temporarily, but obviously that's only my opinion if M*lev*n is endgame then oh well, it's endgame, but I think they would be a really awesome platonic duo and I'd like their relationship alot more if it was that way

______________________________________________

I think later in the season he'll realise that living this way not actually what he wants, and he doesn't want to give up who he is, or pretend to be something he's not- because he IS a nerd who likes DnD, and he does support Eddie, he cared alot about him because he idolised him, and i think season 5 is about him learning that that's okay and he doesn't have to feel so much pressure to conform by societal standards, bro needs a better grief process, forced conformity GOT HIS ASS 😭😭😭

What I'm trying to say is: all of this, and his new look is a safety net of sorts, he's still pretending to be something he's not because he feels he HAS to, otherwise it's dangerous for him in Hawkins because of hellfires reputation, but he's also acting this way because of other factors that I haven't really thought through yet LMAO

I believe season 5 will probably be him accepting those things about himself and embracing it, maybe also undoing his emotional repression along the way, I guess I would describe it as coming of age and I think if it's handled well it could be really beautiful in a way

OH MY GOD I RAMBLED SO MUCH AND IT ISNT EVEN A SOLID THEORY JUST A COLLECTION OF THOUGHTS😭

Sorry that was long and repetitive but uhhhhhhhhhhhh yeah..........anyways Mike Wheeler ily keep ur head up king please don't die in S5‼️‼️ stay safe‼️‼️

[sylvies-chen]

OFMD WEEK 2023

Ahoy there, pirates! OMFD season 2 is right around the corner so I wanted to organize an official OFMD WEEK to celebrate! I’ve tried to come up with some original prompts for each day, and it will run from Sunday, September 24th to Saturday, September 30th right before season 2 drops. Make sure to use the hashtag #OFMDWeek2023 so that we can locate your works and keep it all in one place. I hope many of you are able to participate and support those who do by liking and reblogging their posts, as well as reblogging this to get the word around! I’ll be posting reminders and updates leading up to it. Have fun and get creative with it!!

OFMD Week Prompts:

Day 1 (September 24th): Favourite crew member

Writers: write a fic about a character’s past or origins if they haven’t already been explored in the show. It’s your last chance to cement any headcanons into writing before season 2 adds new info to the mix on your favourite crew member

Gifmakers: freestyle/favourite character’s highlights

Artists: freestyle

Day 2 (September 25th): Music Monday

Writers: you know the drill, it’s song lyric title time!! Use lyrics from songs of your choice to inspire a story

Gifmakers: either use song lyrics from songs of your choice in your gifsets OR use your favourite song feature from season 1 in your gifsets

Artists: draw the crew/characters as your favourite bands or singers! wanna see Ed as Prince? Stede in full ABBA gear? The crew as KISS? Queen? Draw them at the Eras Tour? Get creative with it!

Day 3 (September 26th): Recurring themes/symbols

Writers: put your favourite recurring themes or symbols to action and expand them in a fic

Gifmakers: favourite recurring themes/symbols (i.e. the red handkerchief, the petrified orange, the lighthouse, the teal earring, the kraken, etc.) OR parallels

Artists: incorporate your favourite colour motif or symbol into your artwork

Day 4 (September 27th): Favourite ships

Writers: FLUFF GALORE! Since season 2 will undoubtedly serve us much angst, your mission is to write something as delightful and fluffy as can be for your favourite ships

Gifmakers: favourite ship + best moments from season 1

Artists: similar to the writers, draw your favourite ships, from canon couples to rarepairs, doing something fluffy and domestic

Day 5 (September 28th): AU/Crossover Mania

Writers: write any AUs or crossovers that you would want to see!!

Gifmakers: FREE SPACE - this is a hard one to attempt for gifsets so consider this day your day to post whatever creative, colourful, or fun gifsets you may have planned!

Artists: draw OFMD character(s) in an alternate universe OR crossing paths with another fictional universe entirely 👀

Day 6 (September 29th): Friendship Friday

Writers: prompt is found family or friendship fluff! take the time to explore in writing your favourite on screen (or not yet seen) friendships

Gifmakers: favourite crew moments or friendship moments from season 1

Artists: draw an unlikely duo and a passtime they’d both enjoy (or just any friendship from the show, this one has lots of flexibility to it)

Day 7 (September 30th): Season 2 theories and trailer moments

Writers: this is the last chance to get in any speculation fics!

Gifmakers: favourite moments and looks from the trailer

Artists: draw your predictions or your favourite outfits from the promos

Again, make sure to tag all your work using the #OFMDWeek2023 tag!

Oh, and post this to Twitter if you can. Get the word around! Happy creating everyone, season 2 is on its way! 🏳️‍🌈

[una-hopeless-romantic1118]

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐈𝐕: 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬?—𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐣𝐚𝐬/𝐑𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬

a/n: thank you THANK YOU guys for so much for the love lately. writing abt warren for yall and reading your guys' comments has been such a serotonin boost. I LOVE YOU ALL <333

timeline: ep. 3 + Christmas scene (kinda...)

-> Part 1

-> Part 2  

-> Part 3

This chapter: Part 4

Part 5

Epilogue (cancelled)

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

warnings: not proofread as always <3, cursing, first Billy mention, angst (turned to fluff calm down), drinking, confusing time progression, implied sex teehee

summary (of this chapter): a visit to Laurel Canyon simply to talk to a friend and drop off a personally made outfit to a special costumer, ended in confessions and closures.

(if that didn't make sense, dammit just read the chapter)

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

"Warren's either on something, or..." Eddie snickered at the offended Warren, "...yeah. Heh."

"I'm telling the truth, man!" Warren threw his hands up in frustration. "Guys, seriously."

"Warren, man, how do you expect us to react?" Graham took a swig of his beer. "It's just not...believable."

"We want proof." Eddie challenged him.

"Like what?" Warren scoffed. "What-What do you want me to show you guys?"

"You're creative man, I dunno, her bra?"

Warren leaned forward like he wasn't sure he heard his friend correctly. "Her bra?" He repeated. It triggered a nerve he didn't know could be triggered.

"There," Graham pointed at Warren's visible provoked tone. "That was enough proof. If he doesn't have it, then he never did it."

"Or!" Warren scoffed at both of his friends. "This is something I don't want to mess up. This is something new to me, and so far I think I have a good chance of getting something real. We kissed. We hung out. We laugh about things. I get her. I didn't have to do it."

A moment of silence and unsure glances were shared between the two friends, until the image of the woman and Warren talking to one another at that yacht party submerged from Graham's drunken and sluggish thoughts.

"Woah woah woah," He pushed himself to sit up. "What about Flora, the girl from the yacht party? You were just hooked on her."

Warren's lips immediately spread into a prideful grin. "That is her."

"Y/N Augustine...is Flora...?" Eddie frowned into space.

"Yeah!"

Only laughter erupted from the two drunk men, in turn making Warren grow more impatient with them.

"Fuck you guys, where's Karen?"

"Oh okay." Eddie shook his hands mockingly. "As if Karen will believe you any better."

Warren enters the house, almost tumbling over Camilla crouched down to the babbling Julia.

She noticed his tensed up presence. "Hey, War," she smiled up at him, "something wrong?"

"Nah, don't worry about it," he waved her off, clearly distracted. "Where's Karen? I need her to back me up for something."

"She's out by the front, I think," she squints through the sunlight seeping through the window. “She said not to bother her, though.”

A figure comes in through the front door, but it was just Billy, much to Warren's disappointment.

"Hey man, is Karen talking to somebody out there?"

Billy furrows his eyebrows at him. "Yeah, but I wouldn't...want to interrupt."

"I just need to steal her for a minute."

"Warren, she's kind of important." He warned. "I wouldn't-"

Warren took it as a further indicator that the guest was Y/N. Karen couldn't possibly know anyone else as famous. He marches past him to the door, and when he swings it open to find Karen gathered on a table with the familiar woman sipping tea together, he instantly rushes to them.

Karen sees the black-haired figure she feared would eventually come and interrupt her time with her friend, and she couldn't help but groan out.

"Will anyone just give be a bloody minute to have things to myself? I mean, fuck!"

"Hello ladies," Warren greeted anyways as he stood in front of them. He waves at Y/N peering up at him through her pink-tinted sunglasses. His hands twitched at the sight of her in a purple see-through kind of cloth for her puffy long sleeves, her white bra visible. "Hey."

Karen took note of the way Warren's usual composure to be nonchalant suddenly sloughed off at the sight of Y/N. He actually seemed tense, and clammy, and giddy all at the same time.

"Hi."

And Karen took note of Y/N's. Her normal response to push away any means of flirting was suddenly forgotten at the sight of Warren's cheeky smile. Her "migraine" from having to work with a well-known celebrity who turned out to be a complete bitch from a few hours ago suddenly disappeared, seeing as now she was grinning up at him.

 •─────⋅(cut to documentary)⋅─────•

Karen: There was this...excruciatingly flirty tone in their voices. It was annoying for me to be the one to witness it.

But it was adorable how vulnerable they made each other, even from that simple greeting. Mind you, I didn't know what was going on between the pair. And everything about the way they looked at each other that day seemed...innocent. Pure, if you will.

Well, yes, I sent Warren to her condo so that I didn't have to explain to the poor guy that Y/N Augustine was messing with him the whole time. I sent him there because I knew she needed someone like him, and I knew he needed her too, in the best way.

•─────⋅(cut back)⋅─────•

"You sound like you're in a rush, War," Karen faked a smile. "Why don't you get on with it so you're not wasting our time?"

Warren frowns down at her. "I mean, I was going to ask to borrow here politely, but I think I'm just going to take her now."

"Mm," Y/N hummed. "I love being objectified."

"Sorry baby," Warren apologized, squeezing her bare shoulders. "I got some stubborn friends who don't believe I've gone more than 6 feet of you. Gotta humiliate them. You like humiliating people, why don't we make this a date?"

"I'm sorry, did I miss something?" Karen gagged, pointing to the both of them. "I don't like this."

"Too bad, Sirko-"

"No, she's right." Y/N retorted. "I didn't agree to anything. I only came here for this." She reached below her seat for the red, shiny box, and Warren's eyes widen like saucers.

He lets out what sounded like a high-pitched scream, and a gasp at the same time. "For me? Aw, baby..." His eyes set on her admiringly. "You shouldn't have!"

Warren should've seen the incoming sarcastic remark a mile away. "Are you kidding me?! Of course I had to! I mean, I lost a total of 5 hours of sleep for this, and I have more pricks on my hand than a local cactus...but who cares?"

So Warren decides to play along. "I love me a tough woman."

But his swagger was immediately washed down with humiliation when Y/N stopped herself from continuing it.

"What the hell, Augustine? That's what that was?" Karen scoffed, taking into her hands a white tag attached to the strings of a ribbon tied to complete the look of the present. The tag was titled Serenity by Y/N Augustine. "Is that what I think it is?"

Y/N smiles awkwardly, and all Karen could do was sit with an agape mouth, trying to restrain herself from strangling her friend.

"I want to wear your work!" She whines. "I've been begging you to make me something for ages! What's his reason for one?"

Warren pulls up a chair and starts ripping the red wrapper. "Pretty privilege." He shrugged.

"Oh!" Karen moved her head back in offense. "Do you want to go, Rojas? I knew Y/N way before you even thought about snagging her!"

"Karen, can we calm down?!" Y/N yelled at her, laughing. "What's in a few weeks?"

She thinks about it for a minute. "Christmas-oh. Oh!"

Meanwhile, Warren had stood up from his seat to try on the his new light brown leather vest, embroidered with flowers on the bottom, and then-

“There they are.” Warren chuckled as he pointed out the bejeweled part of the vest. The jewels were tiny and silver, and acted as borders of the flowers, and went to border the rest of the vest.

From far away, Warren noticed that they were made to stand out. Not too glamorous, but definitely not too basic that can be found at a lame, store at the mall.

No, this was designer. This was by Y/N Augustine, the fashion icon.

“I did what you suggested,” Y/N squinted up at him. “I’m still getting used to how I want to use them on clothes. I don't want the to look to over the top."

“Not bad, baby. I like it.” He chuckles as he lifts his shirt off.

“This is the part where I leave.” Karen whispered to her, a disturbed look on her face, before walking off inside with her tea.

And maybe it was a good idea Karen left.

Y/N stares openly at his bare body. His bare chest.

Holy cow.

“You take your shirt off for every girl?” She mused. But at the same time, she was serious, with a hint of suspicion.

“Nah, just you.” He remarked before swinging his arms through the vest. It slid fit into his body easily. “Such fine art is reserved for the finer art.”

“Geeze, Rojas.” Was all she could muster up, out of complete flattery. Normally she would find these pick-up lines completely overused that it’s lost meaning, or that it’s meaningless as it is.

But she was believing this so easily. Way too easily.

The weird thing is, she likes it. She actually looks forward to them, and at the same time she's disgusted by her own smittenness.

Is that even a word?

Warren pats the vest against his chest and dusts off invisible dust. “How’d you know my size?”

“Called you to ask." She sipped her tea. "Woman named Camilla answered, though."

"That's why she snuck in my room to grab a vest. Could've just asked me to take over, though."

Y/N laughed. "The conversation went on for hours. She's lovely to talk to. I want to meet her in person today."

Warren couldn't help but get ticked off. She's touched every nerve he had, it felt like, but she was avoiding anything that had to do with him.

He was right in front of her, and all she could do was avoid him every possible way.

It was like every step Warren took, with Y/N's coldness, he'd have to take a way more steps back than he did forward. Approaching her kept hurting him.

And the only way she's approached him? It was a kiss, the best and most sensual kiss he's ever felt, one that seemed to keep him breathless and despite it, left her wanting for more. It was a kiss he's been wanting more of at every thought, every mention of her name.

And while the kiss was a moment he'd never forget, it seemed like for Y/N she had forgotten it as soon as it was over.

Y/N senses his change of demeanor just by the way he slipped out of the vest. "What's wrong?"

"Can we talk about it?" His voice wavered. Asking about it physically pained Warren, but he pushed through. "Alright? It's the least you could do."

Y/N swallows thickly, her eyes darting off to her shoes. "About what?"

"Y'know exactly what." Warren inhaled sharply as he slipped back into his t-shirt. "What is this, even? What do you expect out of this?" He motioned to the two of them. "Because I'll tell you what I want it to be. Y/N I barely know you, but I've already picked up enough about you to know that you are just about the only person I know that's stuck on me. You're different, and it's so comforting and-and nice to see someone stick to their own thing and not feel the need to conform to be part of the crowd. Do you know how refreshing that is? And, fuck, that kiss-"

Warren saw a slight tremble in her bottom lip, and he wasn't sure if he should stop or not.

"I'm not..." she clenched her jaw, surprisingly, not out of anger. "I'm not the happiest right now."

"Well that's fucking perfect, Y/N." He pointed at his chest. "I'm. Right. Here."

She shook her head, her eyes shut. "Don't-"

"I can do it." He reassured her in a low, husky voice. He took the risk of placing a hand on hers. "I doubted it for a second, that I'm holding you back or something, but nothing does. Nothing can hold you back. You do your own shit, and everyone just follows along, because you're such a force. For fighting about women's rights, donating to charities even I've never heard about-"

Y/N's heart only jammed against her ribcage violently. "How'd you know about that?" She whispered under her breath in disbelief.

He shrugged with a smile. "A man's gotta do his research."

She can't possibly give in, and it wasn't about her career now.

She's scared if she gives in, that she's just using him to fill in the emptiness of her life. A good—the best man she's probably met for noticing what others couldn't about her, for noticing what she herself couldn't notice.

She had just submitted a few of her bejeweled and other unique and risky clothing projects like Warren encouraged her to, and her team loved them.

When no answer came out of her, Warren continued, swiping his thumb over and over on her hand. "I've done all the research I can do, now I really want to see you behind the camera, behind the press."

It easily hit every doubt Y/N had in her heart down and dead. "Dammit, Warren-" she choked out, a hand over her eyes.

"Hey, look." He chuckled out. "I'm asking for a lot, but we can take this as slow as you want-"

"You're so fucking stubborn." She sniffed, slapping his hand away out of flattery. "Fuck you."

"Is that a yes? I don't have to go on one knee right now though, right?"

Y/N only shook her head and brought his lips to hers hungrily.

No, he didn't have to go down on one knee right now.

•─────⋅(cut to documentary)⋅─────•

Warren: Y'know, there were a lot of things I wish I could go back and experience again, but nothing beats the shocked look on those motherfuckers' faces that day when I came back with my sweet babe of a girlfriend wrapped around my arm *chuckles*

Eh, well,*he ticks* they actually haven't met her until Christmas day, which wasn't until a few weeks later. And I had some making up to do, which was perfect.

•─────⋅(cut back)⋅─────•

"You promised me a drum lesson." Y/N panted out a laugh. Even after the high, she was able to push herself up on her elbows on the lofty bed. "To brush off my drumming skills because the drummer from the Six said I needed 'some help."

The said drummer followed her up and smiled against the corner of her lips. "Look who's gullible now." He teased.

He makes a trail of kisses from the neck and up, and with his mustache, earned him a few squeals and screams.

"One of these days I'm going have to elbow you or break your nose," she giggled out. "Warren, stop!"

He doesn't, and the sound of her giggling and laughing only encouraged him to kiss her harder on her neck, and with every pursing of his lips his mustache followed, tickling her. "You love my nose and my mustache."

"Warren, fuck!" Y/N moved away and grabbed her bedside alarm. "The dinner was supposed to start 2 hours ago."

"Well shit," Warren shrugged, clearly ignoring his lover's panic. "Too late for anything now. I think we should just stay here, on this bed, making lo-"

"Oy vey," she muttered under her breath, staring at the clock in dismay once again.

"Baby," he stifled a moan against her shoulder. "What did I say about speaking French to me? Fuck..."

"That wasn't even-I'm getting dressed." Y/N stumbles out of her entangled formation with her boyfriend to get to her closet.

When no movement followed her, Y/N threatened, "Warren, if you don't get up I'm dragging you out by your mustache."

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

taglist (aka beautiful people): @pinkdaiisies @mlwriting5 @teletubbysteroids @linatells @stanzie @arsonkween @rexorangecouny @lisbeth122605 @cultsanrio @thatoneawesomechicka @magicalmiserybore @sourholland @sunfairyy. @lilyhw1 @viridianflowers​  @goldenjasssy @eonnyx @coldlamaspersonspy

[mvltixcc]

Girls Like Girls - Robin Buckley X Cheerleader!Reader

Summary: Robin has a crush on the new girl in town. Y/N is also a new member of the cheer squad, which means Robin sees her all the time at games and other school events. Unfortunately, Robin is put in a tough situation. She's scared to talk to her because the cheerleaders have a reputation of being mean girls and she fears that Y/N may not feel the same. Little does Robin know that Y/N does not appear as she seems. Y/N becomes best friends with Eddie, which seems unlikely at the surface due to different social circles. This leads to rumors of course and word spreads like wildfire here at Hawkins, which then makes Robin's feelings even more confusing. After hanging out with Steve and the gang, Robin starts to see a different side to Y/N. Will they end up together or will they just remain friends?

Word Count: 3.4k

A/N: When I mention 'Sam' in my story, I'm talking about the girl in this photo. She was never in the story of the show but I wanted to add another girl to the group and this photo helped capture what I needed.

Pinterest board for inspiration

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

Chapter 7

“Nancy, no offense, but you are no help. None of these look good on me.” Robin stated as she stood in front of the large mirror trying on dresses. She lost track of how many she tried on. None of them stood out to her and she didn’t feel like herself in them. 

“Well maybe we just need to keep looking?” Nancy suggested. Robin stood there fidgeting in the fabric and making a sour face. Nancy could tell something wasn’t right. Luckily she knew how to fix it. “You know what, why don’t you change back into your clothes and then meet me back here.” Nancy said. Robin sighed in relief and went back to change. Nancy left Robin and walked to the front counter. “Hi excuse me, is there any chance I can use your phone please?” Nancy asked the employee. She nods and hands Nancy the phone. 

“Steve?”

“Yes?”

“Hey it’s Nancy, are you busy?”

“What are you doing here?” Robin asked as she saw Steve standing next to Nancy.

“Nancy here thought you may need some help finding the right outfit for prom and a dress just won’t cut it, so that’s where I come in. I’m gonna take you shopping to help you find what suits you.” Steve said with a smile. 

“I am relinquishing my duties and passing them off to Steve.” Nancy said with a chuckle.

“Let’s get this show on the road, Buckley!” Steve said, clapping walking toward the exit.

“I’m coming dingus!” Robin laughed and followed behind. 

The two sat in the car on the way to the next shop. “So if you’re not taking me dress shopping, then where are you taking me?” Robin questioned.

“You’ll see Buckley, be patient.” Steve said as he continued to drive to the destination. 

“I don’t see why I can’t just go with Y/N, she is my date after all and I care about looking nice for her.” Robin said, rolling her eyes.

“You think I won’t find something that makes you look nice? Do you know who you’re talking to?” Steve asked jokingly. 

“You know what I mean, you’re a guy. How exactly can you help me with this?” Robin continued. 

“Robin, I know you better than most people do. Why do you think Nancy called me in the first place? You are not a dress kind of girl, you and I both know that. But, we can find something else that works for you and what you’re comfortable with.” Steve said. 

“Yeah I guess you’re right.” Robin said.

“I’m sorry, what was that? I was what?” Steve joked.

“Alright Harrington don’t push it.” Robin laughed and gave her friend a light shove.

“Okay okay, we’re here anyways.” He laughed and pulled into a parking space. Robin looked up at the sign with a puzzled look. “What? What’s the matter?” Steve asked.

“Why are we at the Men’s Factory? I thought we were looking for clothes, not tools.” Robin questioned. 

“Are you serious?” Steve said. “Robin, this isn’t- dear god help me.” He sighed.

“What?” Robin asked.

The pair got out of the car and walked into the store, Robin was soon hit with the realization that it was in fact NOT a home improvement store. It was a store full of all different kinds of suits. Steve and Robin walked around hoping something would jump out to her. But so far nothing.

“What about this one?” Steve asked, holding up a brown suit. 

“Oh god no.” Robin said, making a sour face. 

They continued to walk around, going from suit to suit. Trying things on left and right, until they found THE one. It was a nice white button up, a black tie with a black vest, and dress pants to match. 

“This is it. This is the one.” Robin said as she stood in front of the mirror. She loved how she not only looked, but how she felt as well. She felt like herself and that’s what matters the most. 

As she checked out she couldn’t help but think about you. She hoped you were having a good time shopping for the right dress.

“Can you all stop running around and sit the hell down!” Sam yelled at the rest of the guys as they ran around the store trying to help you find the right dress. 

“This is not it.” You said walking out in a bright yellow gown. “I look like a banana!” 

“I think you look like a lovely banana!” Gareth said as he stood next to you in the mirror. 

“Well of course you’d say that, you picked this one out in the first place!” You chuckled to him. You turned around and saw a few of the boys holding up more colorful dresses. “Why do you people want me to look like a fruit salad?” 

“You people clearly don’t know her at all.” Sam stated walking over to the rest of you. “Stop trying to put her in bright colors, you all should know that Y/N doesn’t like that kind of stuff!” Sam proclaimed. 

The group continued to look around to find you a dress. Nothing stood out to you. You got changed and walked out to the rest of your friends. “Let’s just go to the next store and be done.” You were getting frustrated that you couldn’t find anything. You had already tried 2 other shops and you were getting tired. The group had agreed and you all climbed into Eddie’s van and went to the next store. 

“So where are we off to now?” Eddie asked you quietly to not let the others hear. He knew that if they did they would suggest another dress shop. 

“Can we just go to the thrift store? I really don't need anything fancy, that’s not even my type of style.” You replied.

“Trust me I know that.” He chuckled. “We’ll find you something, don't worry.” He reassured you. 

“What are we doing here?” Jeff asked as you guys pulled up to the thrift shop. 

“Guys I really don’t need a ball gown or anything fancy. I just wanna look and feel nice while having a good time with my girlfriend.” You said walking into the store. They agreed to help you find something that was more ‘you’. 

You all walked around and found random items like necklaces and bracelets. But no dress yet. Until you heard Sam screech. “THIS IS IT!” 

She ran to you and huffed and puffed as she showed you the dress. You took the item and went to try it on. You stood in front of the mirror and you knew as soon as you put it on that it was the one. You walked out of the changing room to show everyone the dress.

“It’s perfect!” Sam exclaimed.

Most of the boys stood in awe.

“You look beautiful.” Eddie said, walking up to you. He looked at you tearfully. 

“Thanks, Eds.” You turned to hug him. “Everything is gonna be perfect.” You were now even more excited to go to the prom with Robin.

You finished getting ready and made your way downstairs as you waited for Robin to arrive for pictures. You were nervous to say the least, you just wanted everything to be perfect for the pair of you. 

“You look beautiful Y/N!” Your nana stated as she stood in front of you. She pulled you in for a hug.

“Thank you Nan!” You said, hugging her back. 

“Alright let’s get some pictures with you and Eddie!” She suggested. You nodded and made your way outside, Eddie following behind shortly after. 

As you and Eddie had finished taking pictures, Steve pulled into the driveway. Robin jumped out before he could even fully park the car. “God Buckley, would you be careful?” Steve said sarcastically. 

Robin didn’t care though. She was too excited to see just how beautiful you looked and boy was she right. You looked breathtaking. “Wow.” was all she managed to spew out. Robin stood there in awe as you had approached her. 

“Hi buttercup! Well look at you, you look absolutely perfect!” You said as you pulled your girlfriend in for a hug. You pulled away from the hug soon after. “Is that for me?” You ask as you point to the box in Robin’s hands.

“What? Oh uh yeah, this is for you!” Robin said with excitement. It was a corsage that matched your dress. Robin had been asking all week what your dress looked like, she was too eager and wanted to know everything. Knowing that she would ask until your ears fell off, you gave in and told her about the color of your dress. 

“It’s beautiful Robin!” You exclaimed. “Wanna help me put it on?” You asked. She nodded and took it out of the box and helped you put it on your wrist.

“It’s not too tight is it? Or too big? I wasn’t sure-” Robin began to ramble.

“It’s perfect!” You said giving her a soft peck on the cheek. You could see her cheeks turning red which caused you to chuckle. “I have something for you too!” You turned to Eddie who was standing behind you with a box similar to the one that Robin had and took it from him. You opened it to reveal a matching boutonniere. You helped Robin put it on. “There, now we match!” You said with excitement. 

“You guys look great!” Steve complimented as he approached the pair of you. “Wait, why are you all dressed up?” He asked, pointing to Eddie. 

“Oh please this is hardly even dressed up!” Eddie proclaimed. He wore a simple black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and some dark jeans. He also paired it with some boots and his usual jewelry.

“It’s dressed up for you!” You chuckled.

“That still doesn’t answer the question though.” Steve said.

“Eddie’s also going, I thought you-” Steve interrupted you.

“Well how come he gets to go and I don't?!” Steve pouted. 

“Maybe because I’m still a student there?” Eddie laughed. “Plus I’m not even going in, I’m gonna be sitting in my van making sure nothing happens to them.” 

“Why don’t you come with Steve? I’m sure Eddie could use the company.” Robin suggested.

“Oh I don’t think-” Both Eddie and Steve said in unison.

“That’s a great idea!” You proclaimed. 

“Alright alright, let’s get these pictures taken so you kids can be on your way!” Your nana said as she held the camera up. 

You and Robin took your pictures and soon you all loaded into Eddie’s van and made your way to the school.

“If anything happens you just get Sam and she’ll come get me, okay?” Eddie said going over the plan again. 

“Yes yes I got it! Okay we’re going in now.” You said, you were eager to get in and have a good time with your girlfriend. “Just promise me you wont kill each other?” You asked before closing the van door. 

“Yeah yeah we promise.” The two said in unison once again. 

“Okay, let's do this!” You say, closing the van door and taking Robin’s hand as you walked toward the doors. The two of you stood at the doors for a moment, preparing for the night ahead of you. “You ready my love?” You asked, looking at Robin. 

“As I’ll ever be.” She replied nervously. She wanted this night to be special for you both.

You opened the doors and walked into the gym. It was magical. All the lights and beautiful decorations that lined the room really brought it all together. You made your way over to Sam and her date who was grabbing some punch. 

“Hey guys!” You greeted your friend. 

“Wow you two look amazing!” Sam complemented you both. 

“Thanks, you guys look great too!” Robin thanked.

“We’ll be keeping a close eye on you guys throughout the night. Now go out there and have a good time with each other!” Sam spoke. 

You said your goodbyes and you both made your way to the dance floor.

Everything was going great. You and Robin were dancing and singing your heart out. You both had danced with some friends as well. The both of you were now at a table eating snacks and just talking about the night so far. As you were talking with one another, a slow song started to play. You both make your way to the dance floor to have a special moment. There you are in the middle of the gym, holding one another and just enjoying each other. This night was perfect. Or so you thought.

“Well look at you two, how adorable!” Chrissy said as she approached the two of you. 

“Can’t you leave us alone for one night Cunningham?” You asked in annoyance. 

“I come in peace I promise!” She stated with her hands up.

“Uh huh, I’m sure you do.” Robin said also now annoyed at this point. 

“Honest I swear! Look I know that things aren’t so great between us, but I just wanted to offer your spot back to you on the team!” Chrissy began as she turned to look at you.

Chrissy continued to go on and on about some random bullshit as she does when suddenly Robin felt something wet fall onto her hand. She looked down to see a droplet of red. Robin looked above and saw what appeared to be a bucket with some rope tied around it on the rafters above you both. She turned to the left to see the other cheer squad members laughing with one another holding onto the rope that was attached to the bucket. She turned to you to get your attention. 

“We have to go, like now!” Robin whispered in your ear. 

You looked at her and could see that she was serious. You nodded to her. “Well you know Chrissy, this little chit chat was fun and all, but I think we’re gonna head out now. You and Jason go have a fun time now!” You say trying to get away from her.

Chrissy tried to get you both to stay and talk with her, but despite her efforts you both weren’t budging and kept walking away. This made her extremely mad and her demeanor changed. “Ugh god get back here NOW!” She yelled at you. 

As you turned around to face her, you saw red liquid falling from the ceiling. Robin pulled you out of the way as it came down. It all fell directly onto Chrissy. “What in the Carrie?” You said to yourself as you watched the scene in front of you. The gym fell silent at this point. A few other people were hit with whatever was in the bucket, but it was mostly all over Chrissy. The realization had hit her like a truck and she began to scream off the top of her lungs. You both made your way out of the gym and booked it for Eddie’s van. 

“No no no Lord of the Rings is so much better than that!” Eddie proclaimed. 

“God you are such a nerd!” Steve laughed. Suddenly the van door swung open. “Whoa whoa what happened? Are you both okay?” Steve asked as you and Robin jumped into the van and slammed the door shut. You were both out of breath from running. 

“Well considering the fact that we almost got Carrie’d!” Robin exclaimed while trying to catch her breath. 

“Huh?” Steve questioned. 

“My god Harrington do you seriously not watch movies?” Eddie teased.

“Okay we can pick on Steve about that later!” You stated trying to get to the point. 

“Hey!” Steve proclaimed. 

“Chrissy tried to pour a bucket of-” You began.

“Pigs blood?!?” Eddie squealed.

“No! Now let me finish you goose!” You laughed. “It looked like I don’t know-” 

“Red paint!” Robin stated. 

“How do you know?” Steve asked, turning back to the both of you as Eddie drove you all back to your place. 

“The way it stained my hand is the same way that paint does. Can’t imagine what she’s gonna look like after this.” Robin said. 

“What I wanna know is how the hell did you guys not get hit with that?” Eddie asked.

“Robin was the one that got me out of there.” You said.

“I felt something wet on my hand and saw the red. Then I looked up and saw the bucket that the cheerleaders were tugging at with a rope across the gym.” Robin replied. 

“That was some quick thinking there Buckley, nice job.” Eddie said, giving Robin props. 

“Thanks Eddie.” She said with a smile.

“Now as for you!” You said poking Steve. “I can’t believe you haven’t seen Carrie!” 

“I keep telling him he needs to watch it!” Robin chuckled.

“Okay you know what!” Steve stated.

 “Thanks for the ride Ed’s, drive safe now okay?” You said as you stood at the driver side window of the van.

“Hey, I’m here anytime and I will try my best.” He laughed.

“Edward!” You yelled.

“Okay okay, I’ll drive safe! You go and get some sleep.” Eddie said. You said your goodbyes and Eddie drove off. You made your way over to Robin to say goodbye to her as well.

“Well despite everything that just happened, I had a really good time with you tonight. I’m really glad that we went.” You giggled.

“Yeah me too, it was a really special night that I definitely will never forget!” She laughed back.

Robin pulled you close and wrapped her arms around you. “Though, to be fair every moment with you is special because I get to spend it with my beautiful girlfriend.” Robin spoke softly. You began to turn a bright shade of pink. “Aww is someone blushing?” She teased, you put your head into her neck to hide the flustered expression on your face. 

You pulled away and looked at her for a moment. “I love you so much.” You professed. 

“I love you too, my sweet angel.” She said, smiling back at you. 

Robin pulled you in one more time, but this time it was to give you a kiss. Every time you would kiss each other, it was instant sparks. She loved how soft your lips were against hers. Robin pulled you closer to deepen the kiss. She didn’t want this night to end, but that thought was soon interrupted by Steve coughing loudly indicating that it was time to go.

You pulled away from one another shortly after. “Well, I guess I’ll see you on Sunday for our usual breakfast date.” Robin said as she gently kissed your cheek. 

“I’ll pick you up at the usual time!” You giggled. 

“You sleep well, okay love bug?” Robin suggested. 

“I will, you better sleep well too!” You replied.

“I promise, scouts honor!” Robin said, holding up her hand. 

“I’ll see you Sunday you goose.” You chuckled and said your goodbyes.

Once Steve left, you went inside and decompressed from the night you just had. As you lay in bed thinking about how perfect the night was, you began to drift off into a peaceful sleep.

Next chapter

[chahnniesroom]

tenderness | chapter 4: mask on

[noun] /ˈtendərnəs/

1. the quality of being gentle, kind, or loving

2. the feeling of pain, aching, or soreness

pairing: bang chan x female reader

summary: in a world where soulmates are rare and precious, you don’t know why the universe has decided to give you one. you never could have imagined that they would be an idol, and one that you worked with at that, or the challenges that would arise from your bond.

chapter word count: 4.1k

chapter warnings: arguing, emotional/verbal abuse, reader doesn't have a good relationship with her family

a/n: this chapter was very difficult to finish and took me way longer than the rest. luckily the next chapter is already almost finished! i'm excited for that one :)

previous chapter | masterlist | next chapter | read it on ao3

Y/n insists on getting ready for Chuseok at her place instead of the dorms. Once Chan’s dressed in his suit, Y/n sits him down in a chair that she’s dragged into the bathroom. She meticulously styles his hair, retaining some of his natural curls, but taming the mess that he’s barely touched during the past couple of days that they’ve had off. The prickles of the Charge when her hands touch his head combined with the gentle repetition of the straightening iron smoothing through his hair lull him into a relaxed state. 

“Do you want me to do some makeup too?” Y/n’s voice breaks through the silence.

Chan quickly agrees. When he had chanced a glance in the mirror after Y/n had finished with his hair, his bare face had stuck out like an eyesore. She prompts him to close his eyes and when she’s finished, Chan’s shocked. He never knew that Y/n was so talented with makeup. The products that she’s applied are light, barely noticeable, but somehow manage to conceal or transform every feature that Chan’s most self-conscious of, even though he’s never voiced these insecurities to her. He has always appreciated the makeup artists that they had for schedules because he felt like they turned him into a completely new person, the idol version of himself. He’s always considered him with makeup to be Bang Chan, leader of Stray Kids. Right now, he still looks like himself, but… better.

She shoos him out of her room as she changes and does her own hair and makeup. Chan has only visited a couple times, mostly when Y/n has to run in and grab something, so he takes the time to have more than a cursory look around. Surprisingly, there’s not much to look at considering the amount of time that Y/n had been living here before she had moved into the dorms. She has a bookshelf with a number of small trinkets and a fake plant.

There’s a few pictures showing Y/n at her graduation with friends, polaroids and photo booth printouts with Eunsung and a couple of people Chan doesn’t recognize, and a signed photo of Y/n with Xdinary Heroes. The members are all crowded around Y/n, smiling faces pushed together to fit properly in the frame and arms wrapped around each other tightly. 

Chan stares at it hard enough that he startles when Y/n calls his name. He turns around and feels his jaw go slack.

Y/n’s dress is similar to his suit, simple yet luxurious and extremely flattering. It’s also black with intricate gold embroidery, but she has flowers and leaves twining up the side of the dress where Chan has a dragon and wispy clouds. Her hair is in a complicated looking updo with gold accessories and she’s holding a pair of heels that match the rest of her outfit.

Y/n always looks nice. She’s always perfectly put together at work and even at home when she’s just wearing her sleeping clothes, Chan finds her pretty.

But today, Y/n looks stunning. Chan thinks he’s forgotten how to breathe.

“Channie-oppa?” she prompts. “Everything okay?”  Chan realises he hasn’t said anything, that he must have missed Y/n talking to him, and flushes deeply.

“What? Uh, yeah, I’m okay. Everything is fine! Great!”

“Okay… Are you ready to go then?”

“Right! Yes, let’s go.” Y/n is already at the door, but Chan is still frozen where he had been standing in front of Y/n’s pictures. “Just, Y/n-” 

Y/n stops and turns around expectantly. Her stare makes Chan feel tongue-tied again.

“You look nice. Especially nice today. I just wanted to tell you,” he says.

“Aw, thank you. You clean up pretty nicely yourself,” she says, blushing. “Now let’s go, I’m dreading how bad the traffic is going to be.”

—

Chan has never seen Y/n drive, she normally opts to take transit or walk since the dorms are fairly central and they have hired drivers for transporting them to schedules. She’s a careful, yet confident driver, clearly familiar with the route and at ease weaving through the busy traffic. But what Chan’s most impressed by is her car. It’s black, sleek, and quietly powerful, the engine purrs when Y/n presses on the accelerator. 

Chan can finally see all the pieces being put together that make up this version of Y/n, the one that’s a daughter instead of a manager of Stray Kids or his soulmate. So far, he still doesn’t quite understand why she’s kept her family so secretive, other than maybe a general hesitance to share that they’re wealthy.

“Chan-oppa,” Y/n says, right in front of the door. Chan’s almost too busy marvelling at the house’s design to hear her. “Whatever you hear… Whatever they say… Ignore it, okay?”

“What do you mean?” Chan glances at Y/n and finds her looking down, twisting her hands together.

“Just… Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

Before Chan can reply, the door swings open, revealing a large entryway that doesn't seem to have anybody in it. When they step in, Chan sees that there's a household staff person holding the door open. 

“You’re late,” A voice calls from the door that leads from the entryway to the rest of the house. Chan knows for a fact that they’re at least 15 minutes earlier than the time that Y/n said they have to be there. “Your brother and his wife are already here.”

“Eomoni,” Y/n breathes out. “I’m sorry.” She bows deeply and Chan immediately follows. 

When he straightens, he finally sees Y/n’s eomoni. She’s not that tall, just a bit more than Y/n, but is somehow still an imposing figure.

“This is Bang Chan-oppa, my soulmate. Chan-oppa, this is my eomoni.” 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Have a happy Chuseok with a bright and full moon.” Chan bows again.

“It’s very nice to meet you as well, Bang Chan-ssi.” She inclines her head in greeting. “Thank you for celebrating Chuseok with us. Come on, I’ll take you to where the others are.”

When Chan observes Y/n from the corner of his eye, he almost does a double-take. She’s still smiling and it’s not obviously forced, but there’s nothing behind it. It’s sweet but not happy. If Chan hadn’t spent the past few months seeing Y/n everyday, he wouldn’t have noticed the subtle changes in her expression, how she seems smaller, presence muted.

Y/n’s eomoni waits until they have exchanged their shoes for slippers before leading them the way that she had first arrived. As she does so, she makes a comment about their outfits, mentioning a designer that Chan has never heard of. It sounds like a compliment, but there's a slight edge to it that Chan doesn't know how to interpret.

"Thank you," Y/n replies, warily.

“You’ve never been very careful with your money,” she sniffs. “I guess I was wrong to think that these years of having to rely on just your own income would make you more responsible."

Chan’s shocked by the blatant chastisement, especially in front of him. Y/n’s eomoni doesn’t seem to be joking, but Y/n doesn’t say anything but bow her head in deference.

“I bought it,” he blurts out. “I was the one to pay for it, it was a gift.”

“That’s very generous, Bang Chan-ssi. You have good taste.” Y/n’s eomoni eyes him for a moment, then turns to Y/n. “Don’t get used to it, you don’t want to be accused of being a gold digger.”

Chan’s stomach drops. It feels like one of the video games that he’s played where every option leads to a bad ending. No matter what he says, there’ll be a way to twist it into something that puts Y/n in the wrong.

At that moment, they reach a turn in the hallway that opens up into an enormous dining room. The furniture itself is fairly simple, which draws the eye to a glittering chandelier above the table that throws light across the room and makes it seem even bigger. At the far edge of the room, a number of staff are lined up, heads bowed and hands crossed, just waiting for orders to be given.

There's three people already seated. Y/n's abeoji is at the head of the table, on his left is her brother, Siwon, and beside him must be his wife, Eunbee. They do quick introductions, Chan making sure to bow deeply to each person and smile. Already, he can see stark differences between the personalities and mannerisms of Y/n and her family. Where she is warm and enthusiastic, they are dispassionate, yet painstakingly polite.

“Now that everyone is finally here, let’s begin the meal.” Y/n’s eomoni says, gesturing towards the waitstaff.

The first course they’re served is gorgeous, although Chan’s not quite sure what it is. Delicate layers of something have been twisted together to form a blossoming flower, a petal of green sauce curled at the base. The family chatters around him, as Chan considers the best way to eat this dish without just stuffing the whole thing into his mouth at once. After watching Y/n, he finally breaks the ‘flower’ into pieces and lifts one to his mouth. It’s sweet, savoury, and a touch acidic. Delicious, even though Chan’s still unable to tell what any of the ingredients are.

The rest of the meal follows suit, plate after plate is placed in front of Chan, all of them small enough that Chan’s certain he could eat it in two bites at most if he was alone and wasn’t so conscious of his appearance. He only recognizes a few of the entrees, a perfectly seared slice of pork belly, a tiny bowl of steamed egg topped with pollock roe, and an array of crispy jeon. Everything else is too fancy for Chan to fully appreciate, although they all somehow taste good.

He contributes to the conversation a couple times, but the talk mostly consists of countless updates of people that Chan has never heard of. Based on the scathing criticisms some of them receive, he’s glad he’s never met some of them. It’s mostly Y/n’s eomoni that directs the conversation while the rest of the family nod long. Chan feels off-kilter, this evening is so different than what he's used to that he doesn't know what to do other than nod and laugh when everyone else does. More than ever, he finds himself grateful for and missing his own family.

One of the last dishes they’re served is a variation of raw marinated crab. The meat is presented in the shell, but without the legs for ease of eating. Beside it is a perfect little ball of rice that has been garnished with sesame seeds. Chan rolls the rice ball into the crab shell and smashes it to mix with the meat. He's past the point of stressing over eating it as delicately as possible.

He’s just chewing the last bite of crab when a second shell slides onto his plate. Y/n is nonchalantly sipping her tea, but her plate is suspiciously empty.

“Y/n!” Her eomoni immediately scolds her.

“Chan-oppa enjoys this dish so I wanted to let him have it more.”

“I didn’t have a chance to eat it a lot when I was growing up, so it’s nice to have now,” Chan says. In reality, he’s not especially fond of this dish. He doesn’t mind eating it, but it’s not one of his favourites. Now that he thinks of it, he doesn’t think he’s ever seen Y/n eat crab before.

“If that’s the case, we can just get you another one, Chan-ssi.” Y/n’s eomoni flags one of the waitstaff. They take away both Chan and Y/n’s plates and replace them with new crabs right away. Chan wonders how many extra dishes they prepare for each course. 

“Where did you grow up, Chan-ssi?” Y/n’s abeoji joins the conversation, before her eomoni can make any more comments.

“Australia, I’m from Sydney.”

“Ah, and you came to be an idol? What group are you in?”

“Stray Kids.” When he shows no recognition, Chan adds, “We’re under JYP Entertainment.”

“Ah! Park Jinyoung, he’s a good man. I assume he knows about-” Instead of finishing his sentence, he just uses his chopsticks to gesture between Y/n and Chan.

“Yes, there was a lot of paperwork that he was involved in,” Chan confirms.

“You’re keeping the soulmate bond a secret though, right? How many people know about you two?” Y/n’s eomoni cuts in.

"Yes, eomoni. We're being careful at work to stay professional," Y/n says quickly. “JYP PD-nim is one of the few people who know. The information is kept highly confidential and everyone has had to sign a lot of NDA’s, just like how you also had some to fill out.”

"Good. If people find out there's any relationship between you they'd assume that you only got the promotion to his team because you slept with him."

Chan immediately opens his mouth to come to her defence, but Y/n puts her free hand on Chan’s leg, stopping him from speaking. He feels his face heat with emotion and knows his ears are likely bright red by now.

“Eomoni,” Siwon says warningly.

“It’s okay, eomoni is just trying to protect me,” Y/n says. Chan doesn’t believe that for a second. He can’t tell if Y/n’s eomoni is just trying to get a rise out of Y/n or if she genuinely just enjoys insulting her daughter. He has no idea why Y/n is trying to justify her eomoni’s words either.

"See, Y/n knows. I just don't want people thinking she's some kind of whore," she says matter-of-factly. 

“Eomoni!” Siwon is out of his chair in an instant, horrified. Y/n’s hand tightens on Chan’s thigh, preventing him from doing the same. She doesn’t say anything in response, but is no longer pretending to eat her food, just frozen in place. Her lips are pressed together so tightly the natural colour has been squeezed out, a sharp contrast to her flushed cheeks which are only partially noticeable from under her makeup.

Siwon's wife has to tug lightly at his hand to get him back to sit, but he does so unwillingly.

Chan feels the same way. Anger is roaring through him, his hands are trembling with contained rage and he’s certain his jaw will be sore later from how tightly he's clenching it. The only thing holding him back is the fact that Y/n clearly doesn't want him to do anything and he's afraid that anything he does would reflect poorly on her. His first failed attempt to excuse her still weighs heavily on him.

In the resulting silence, dessert is served. It’s a multicoloured set of three songpyeon that each have flower designs layered on top of them. They taste like ash in Chan’s mouth.

Through it all, Y/n’s eomoni sits unrepentant and unaffected by the reactions of the other members of her family. At the head of the table, Y/n’s abeoji is also unbothered. For him, this is like just another family dinner. Chan’s starting to realise for them, maybe it is.

—

The drive home is blanketed by a heavy tension. You can tell that Chan keeps glancing over at you, but you keep your eyes firmly on the road. Parking your car at the dorms and riding up the elevator is the same, you can tell that Chan is itching to say something, but you’re almost scared to find out what. It’s only when the two of you are side by side in the bathroom, wiping off makeup that you decide to break the peace.

“That went pretty well,” you say mildly.

“What?” Chan looks up and meets your eyes through the mirror in disbelief. “You think that went well?”

“I think it could have gone worse. They respect you, that’s a lot.” 

“Respect? I don’t think they even know what respect is. The way they treated you-”

“That’s different!” you cut in, starting to feel defensive.

“It is! It’s worse! How can you just stand there and say nothing when they insult you like that?” When you don’t reply, he shakes his head. “I can’t do this right now, I’m going to- I’m going to go to the gym.” He leaves without another word, practically running out of the room.

You stare in shock at the place that Chan had been standing, flinching when you hear the front door slam shut. Honestly, things had gone better than you expected. Although you had no doubts in Chan’s ability to charm people, you knew that him being your soulmate would make things more difficult.

Methodically, you finish your skincare routine, then change into your sleeping clothes. You hang up your dress, and do the same to Chan’s suit, which is in a crumpled pile that’s only partially on the bed.

You find yourself in the living room, staring at the blank TV. Without any distractions or people around, there’s nothing to stop you from crying. You’re not even sure why-you had known from the start that things would go bad-but the tears just seem to spill out, dampening your pants that you’re wearing. 

“Hey, you guys are- Y/n what’s wrong? Why are you just sitting in the dark?” You look up to find Felix exiting Hyunjin’s room with a stack of dishes. You forgot that he’s been staying in the dorms with you and Chan during the holidays while everyone else was away. You hastily swipe away any evidence of the teartracks that stain your face and paste on a smile, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy and hoping that the dim lighting hides your puffy face.

“Oh, Felix! I- I didn’t know you were still awake.”

He stares at you for a moment before saying, “it’s only 10.”

“Ah, is it? I didn’t realise.” You pretend to laugh, but neither of you are convinced.

“How was dinner?”

“It was… fine.” You say, smile faltering.

“Oh.” It’s obvious that you want to drop the subject and luckily Felix plays along with you. “Where’s Channie-hyung? I thought I heard his voice earlier.”

“He’s at the gym. Wanted to work out before showering.” At least that’s partially the truth.

“Oh, I see. Nice.” Felix ducks into the kitchen and you hear the clatter of dishes against the bottom of the sink. You close your eyes and press the heels of your palms against them, trying to pull yourself together.

“Hey.” When you look up, Felix is back, hovering at the arm of the couch you’re sitting on. “Are you sure you’re doing okay?”

“Yeah, of course!” you try to say, but your voice betrays you and cracks in the middle of the sentence. “It’s just uhm, Chan-oppa. He- I don’t think he had a good time.”

“Channie-hyung? What do you mean?”

“I knew I shouldn’t have let him come with me,” you say, shaking your head. “I was right, he got really upset.”

“Y/n…” Felix says, pulling you close so that he can hug you. You go willingly, feeling slightly better in his embrace. “I didn’t see him. Are you sure? I know he was really excited about meeting your family.”

“It’s probably better that you didn’t see him. When we got home… He was so angry. I’ve never seen him like that before. I’m so stupid for thinking- I don’t even know what I was thinking, I just-” Unable to find the right words, you just let out a noise of frustration. 

He must hate me, is what you want to say, but somehow you don’t think Felix would react well to that.

“Y/n,” Felix says hesitantly. “How about I go talk to Channie-hyung. You know how he gets all stuck in his head sometimes. I don’t know what happened, but I really don’t think that he blames you for any of it.”

“I- okay. Thanks Felix.”

You’re feeling more calm after talking to Felix, probably a mixture of his soothing presence and the chemicals that you must have released while you cried. When you go to the kitchen to grab a glass of water and find that the growing stack of dishes that have built up during the boys’ days off has turned into a mountain. Wanting to keep yourself busy, you fill the sink with warm soapy water and start to wash them.

When the front door opens, you immediately tense up, but continue cleaning. One pair of footsteps heads directly to the hallway that leads to all the bedrooms, the other approaches you slowly. 

Chan doesn’t say anything, just hugs you from behind.

“Chan-” you start to say.

“I’m sorry,” he says, voice muffled from where his cheek is pressed tightly against your head. “I should have talked to you, explained things. I thought I needed time to calm down, cool off. I was mad. I was so mad. Actually, I still am. But never at you. I just… I can’t believe they treated you like that.”

“It’s okay.”

“It’s not! I didn’t stand up for you, I should have-”

“It’s okay,” you repeat. “I’m used to it.”

“What they said-” Chan cuts himself off mid-sentence. “What happened to your neck? Are you having a reaction to something?”

“It’s nothing,” you say stiffly.

“What- no, it looks like hives, are there more?” He turns his attention to your arms. You’re wearing gloves to wash the dishes, but since you had rolled up your sleeves to prevent them from getting wet, the few bumps that have formed on your forearms are visible. He yanks up your shirt sleeves, revealing even more of them. They’re an angry red and fiercely itchy, although you’ve done a good job of not touching them so far.

“Y/n, these look- they look really bad. Do you know if you’re allergic to anything? Is it something you ate or is there something else? They weren’t there earlier. Is there medicine that we need to get for you?” Chan’s clearly distressed, tugging off your gloves and examining your hands. You wrest them away, already knowing what he’s going to find.

“It was the crab,” you say, resigned. “I’m allergic to shellfish. It’s okay, it usually goes away on its own by the next day. It’ll probably be even faster now with the soulmate bond.”

“And you still ate it? Why didn’t you say something?”

“What was I supposed to say? You think she cares? I’ve been allergic my whole life and it’s never made a difference. I had to eat what I was given, no excuses.”

“It’s not an excuse-”

“I know!” you exclaim. Both you and Chan fall silent for a moment. “I know. It’s just the way things are in my family. My eomoni just wants what’s best for me even if her… way of showing it isn’t always something I understand.”

“Best for you-”

“Chan-oppa, just- I know we’re not going to agree with this, maybe ever. I know our relationship looks bad. But as much as I hate my eomoni for how controlling, how critical she’s always been, I love her too. In some weird way. As much as I hate the way my abeoji and Siwon-oppa don’t interfere, I understand and I love them.”

“I think I’m just upset, Y/n,” Chan says quietly. “I’m just… upset that you have to go through that. Upset that they don’t treat you the way you should be treated. You deserve more than that. More than them.”

“Well,” you say, wiping away tears that you had barely noticed forming. “It’s okay. Like I said, I’m used to it. There’s nothing I can do."

Chan doesn’t say anything in response. You both know that it’s not okay, that even after all these years, you’re not used to it. There’s nothing that Chan can do or say to fix things and make it better. Instead, he just holds you closer. 

Somehow, that’s enough.

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[farfaras]

Steddie week. Day 1: Pining. 1.2k words. Ao3 link.

Have some fluff! Also, written from the point of view of the non-pining person.

~

Steve is not sure how he got here. Although he’s actually not complaining. But after the end of the world part 4 (and hopefully final), Eddie Munson seems to be… courting? Wooing? Him? Whatever, he’s trying something. He was already kind of flirtatious during the apocalypse, at first Steve thought that was just a defense mechanism or just how he is. To a degree, he does have a flirty personality. But he does not treat everyone else like he’s treating Steve.

Steve is almost 99% sure that he has not opened a single door while Eddie’s around. Every time he goes to leave a room, suddenly Eddie is in front of him opening the door for him. It’s a miracle he doesn’t bow or some shit equally as embarrassing. Steve can feel the party’s eyes on them, and he doesn’t know why Eddie seems so unaware of it. In similar fashion, Eddie picks up everything he drops (he’s a klutz, sue him) so quickly that it almost looks like he hurts himself a little.

Are all the seats taken? “Have my seat, Stevie.”

Steve forgot a jacket? “You look cold, here’s my jacket.”

Steve mentions being thirsty? “I’ll get you some water!”

His car was in the shop one time, so Eddie picked him up for movie night at the Wheeler’s. When he dropped him off, he didn’t just make sure he got inside from the comfort of his car. No, no, that wouldn’t suffice. Eddie walked him to the fucking door.

Also, the pet names. God, there’s so many! One would think Steve is a fair maiden in the 1800s with the amount of terms of endearment he’s subjected to on a weekly basis. Angel, sweetheart, darling, honey, love, and even goddamn beloved. Who the fuck uses beloved? In this day and age?

Steve has not had this much attention, since, well, ever. Eddie seems to notice every single thing he does or says. One time he mentioned in passing how much he likes cool ranch Doritos and the next week Eddie showed up at Family Video with a sandwich, a bag of cool ranch Doritos and his favorite flavored soda. “Here’s your lunch, sweetheart.” Steve could only say thanks before he walked out with a wink, leaving him confused as ever.

He’s very much not confused now. He knows what Eddie is doing.

Every chance he gets, Eddie makes sure he knows how good he thinks Steve looks. He even compliments his outfits, which at first Steve found hard to believe it was sincere because come on, why would Eddie say he likes his polos and jeans if not to just get him to like him? But the more he did it, the more Steve started to notice the look on his face. If he wasn’t being sincere he was a hell of an actor because Steve could swear his eyes almost shined with fondness and/or adoration.

There’s a corner on his desk that he has designed for little trinkets Eddie has been gifting him. This has to be the weirdest part of it all because why would Eddie give him a piggy keychain? A freaking I <3 NY magnet? Has he even been to New York? Where did he get that? Steve’s favorite is this bracelet that spells ‘lovely’ surrounded by green and blue beads. Because of course Eddie knows what his favorite colors are. Ah shit, did he make that himself? Eddie should stop being this adorable, because now every time he enters his room and glances at this pile of [perceived] junk an involuntary smile starts to bloom.

Whenever they go out to eat together (as friends, Robin!) Steve goes through the same argument when Eddie insists on paying. Steve rarely wins that battle.

It all feels, weird. Steve doesn’t know how to feel about all of this. On one hand, does he enjoy all this attention? Of course. I mean, who wouldn’t. Steve is sure that if he asked any girl if they enjoyed the attention from guys that they didn’t particularly wanna date, they’d say yes. Right? It seems logical. Everyone likes to feel special. On the other hand, how is he supposed to react to all of this?

Robin’s told him that he needs to say something. That it’s gone too long. Just to reject him already, or something along those words.

Steve hasn’t.

He can’t seem to bring himself to burst this bubble. To break this kind of spell that he apparently has on Eddie “the freak” Munson.

A freak, though? Eddie’s not a freak at all. If the people that gave him that god forsaken nickname got to know him, they’d sure regret it. Steve’s sure. Because he’s a lot of things, but not a freak. Incredible considerate, for one. Thoughtful and passionate. He’s amazingly kind, and so full of love it sometimes looks like he can’t even contain it all. Most of all though, he’s ridiculous. Greatly so. How does someone go this long, treating a person this special, wooing, basically spoiling them, without asking anything in return? Steve has been sure for a while that Eddie Munson has been trying to get him to like him back. He’s going about it in a ridiculous way.

Eddie Munson is ridiculous.

He’s so so ridiculous.

What’s even more ridiculous is…

It’s kinda working.

“What’s your approach here?” Steve questions. Eddie’s over at his house tonight. They were watching a movie and Eddie just randomly got up, brought over some popcorn and a blanket. Which he put on Steve’s feet because somehow he knows they get cold easily.

Eddie sits beside him. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you’ve been doing this for a long time. Are you ever gonna…?” Steve trails off. He may have started this conversation, but he really doesn’t know how to ask what he wants to ask.

A flash of recognition crosses Eddie’s face but he quickly schools his expression. “Am I ever gonna… what?” He smirks. The fucker.

“You know what.”

“I really don’t.”

Steve rolls his eyes. “I know you know I know what you’ve been doing. Don’t play dumb.”

“That’s a lot of knows.”

“Be serious.” Steve gives him a look that he hopes conveys how much he wants answers.

“Just say what you mean, then.” Eddie looks down, he looks kinda nervous and Steve feels just a tiny bit guilty about how abruptly he brought this up.

“Are you… gonna ask me out? Anytime soon?” Eddie looks up and although he seems taken aback for a second he just smiles after it.

“Do you want me to?” He tilts his head and puts on his most innocent act.

Steve hums. “What if,” he clears his throat and looks away, “What if I say no?”

Eddie nods like he’s considered this and every other scenario. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not asking you out yet.”

Steve frowns. “Then why…?” His brain catches up and takes notice of the last word of that sentence. “Not yet?”

Eddie shakes his head no. “If I do it,” he searches Steve’s face. Steve doesn’t know what he’s looking for, it takes a few seconds but he seems to find what he needs to say, “When I do it. It’s gonna be because I’m sure you’ll say yes.” Steve doesn’t know what to say. Or if he should say anything. He feels breathless. “And it’ll blow your pretty little mind, honey. Can’t believe you thought I’d do it with karate kid on the background.”

They settle back down, and that seems to be the end of that. Eddie seems content with that for now.

Steve though? It seems like his insides have started bubbling with anticipation. Without asking him for permission, no less!

@steddie-week

[etsuven]

etsuven's first kinktober: day 4/8

rating: smut technically but it's kind of fluffy too? or like its more fluff than smut idk man cw: fluff so much fluff soft seggs mentions includes: very soft stuff, reader has a strap/d!ck, scara in a pretty outfit, usage of scara's real name, scara is unintentionally mean in the beginning but only because he's embarrassed, this was supposed to be smut but it turned into me describing how much he loves you summary: scara shows off the new lingerie you bought him...

note: hi hello! welcome to the 4th day of k-tober!! this fic isn't prewritten, like i'm starting this at 1:10 AM the day i'm supposed to post it. it hopefully shouldn't take me that while to write, and even if it does take me a while to write, i have to be up at 6 anyways! i can just stay up the whole night, what's an all nighter gonna do to me? (the answer is sore eyes and staring off into space,) anyways, since it's so late, i've decided not to write a full fic, instead it'll be more story oriented! my usual readers may know that i tend to go for very dialogue oriented fics which you can cleary tell since i'm rambling here okay i have to get onto the fic byeee!!!!!!

scaramouche found it embarrassing, really. the second you showed him the pretty purple lingerie you bought him, he quickly exploded into a ball of flushed cheek embarrassment. how could you ever imagine someone like him, the sixth of the fatui harbingers, to ever wear something as risqué as that?

he noticed how your face fell as he said those words, the gorgeous twinkle in your eyes fading away as you looked away in shame. his heart clenched at the sight.

walking over to you, he grabbed at the fabric, analyzing the various patterns of silk and lace. it looked expensive. did you really spend this much just for him? scara felt his cheeks heat up more, and there was no doubt that you could see him blushing.

"i'll wear it one day- i'm just not telling you when that day will be."

scaramouche waited a few more days after that conversation to try the outfit on. it was a night where you were out later than him, so he knew that there was a very low chance of you walking in on him. after putting the very intricate outfit on, he walked in front of the mirror.

don't tell anyone, but he felt his 'heart' stop for a moment.

as much as he hated to admit it, he looked great in the outfit. the color was a deep purple, reminiscent of the color he usually had in his fatui uniform. the top was on the looser side, and there was an excess of lace fabric where there normally would have been breasts. the material under that was a transparent silk, and it was the same shade of purple as the rest of the outfit.

he also wore a pair of panties which seemed to fit him perfectly, and they were also lace in order to give them a sexier feel and look. paired with the outfit was a pair of thigh highs that tipped with more lace around the upper thigh. the outfit had small accents of a deep red and gold, giving it an air of royalty.

scara wrapped his arms around his torso, his eyes wandering up and down his body in the mirror. everything fit him perfectly, from the fit down to the color scheme. it just screamed him. clearly you had put a lot of thought into it. speaking of you...

he wondered how you'd feel if you saw him in the outfit. would you be excited, wasting no time in order to pin him down on the bed and make him yours? would you get all nervous because of how pretty he was? he found himself chuckling at that thought. would you-

the sound of the bedroom door being pushed open and a gasp broke him out of his thoughts, causing him to look over in fear of who caught him.

you stood at the doorway, your mouth practically wide open as you took in his form. scaramouche felt your eyes wander up and down his body, his arms clutching tighter at his torso as he looked away shyly. "s-stop staring, and close your mouth... a bug will fly in..."

he watched out of the corner of his eye as you walked over to him, your steps quiet as you continued to stare. your hands gently grabbed at his arms, pulling them away from his torso so you could better see the outfit. a small curse left your mouth, and scaramouche only had the feeling of your fingers under his chin as a warning before your lips met his, quickly leaving him breathless.

your hands went to his waist, pushing him towards the bed with pure muscle memory as you refused to stop the kiss that was steadily growing heated. scara sat down once the back of his knees hit the edge of the bed, leading him to crane his neck in order to properly kiss you.

you took a second to pull away, whispering praises onto his lips as you pushed him down. you trailed kisses down his jawline, biting gently at places you knew would rile him up. his soft pants filled the air, hitching every now and then when you bit a particularly sensitive spot.

"you're so pretty, kuni." you spoke, and scara felt himself whimper at the husky tone in your voice. now, scaramouche felt that he wasn’t pretty. in fact, he was far from it. the things he has done in the past has made him less than a pretty person. but kunikuzushi? he was everything pretty and more.

kuni was the one to wake up next to you after a long night, he was the one to stare at you in the morning when he thought you were the prettiest person in the world.

kuni was the one to get all of your praise, as scaramouche didn't like being praised in public. kuni got to grab onto you late at night, moaning into the air as you thrust into him with your cock. he was the one to lay in between your legs and please you until you felt you were satisfied.

he was the one to cook for you when he had free time, a gentle smile on his face as he chatted with you about your days. he was the one who was able to watch your eyes light up at the taste of the dish he had just tried to make for the first time.

he used to find himself hating both of his sides. one was a confident and strong yet harsh leader for those under him, while the other was broken in ways that many wouldn't understand. it was being blocked out in favor of the other, in favor of the side that wasn't about to break down at the slightest gust of wind. he and scaramouche couldn't have been more different.

though there was one thing kunikuzushi and scaramouche had in common. their pure adoration for you, their lover.

as much as they they tried to hide it, neither of them could hide the love they had for you. whether it be one side showering you in expensive gifts that made him think of you, or the other making your favorite meal on his rare day off.

luckily you seemed to love both sides of him. you kept up with scara's banter and the often unnecessary harshness he had towards his subordinates, and you stuck with kuni during the times where he sobbed into your neck after a particularly bad nightmare.

you loved the sides he deemed as unlovable, and your actions and words indirectly made him question his beliefs and views of himself. he was scaramouche... and he was also kunikuzushi. if you came to love both sides of him so easily, then perhaps he could find the courage to do the same one day.

[iamafanofcartoons]

Reasons to love Cinder Fall from RWBY, by June / Blightmxb on Twitter

1. Her outfits.

She's had MORE wardrobe changes than any other RWBY character. she's a fashion victim and she looks GORGEOUS while doing every evil deed

2. Her story.

She's the survivor of an abusive environment in a world where nothing was given to her, she learned that taking the things she wants is the only way to survive. She's such a tragic villain cause there was never a kind hand that could've lead her on a different path

3. Jessica Nigri's VA skills.

I cannot stress enough how much i LOVE Cinder's voicing. Her velvety voice when she's being mean, her grunts of frustration, how raw she sounds when she FIGHTS. Jessica Nigri does a marvellous job for her volume after volume!

4. She's a girlfailure.

She has been defeated numerous times by a little girl, has been allegedly killed by another maiden, challenged by Jaune (affectionate), kicked by THE Blake Belladonna. The list of failures goes on and i support her ALWAYS coming back

5. Her powers.

She can materialize incandescent cristals, fire, make any given weapon on the spot and BREATHE FIRE. how absolutely COOL is that !!

6. How PETTY she is.

"Do you believe in destiny?" "Yes." // "Someone once asked me if I believed in destiny and I'm happy to say I still do" Cause after coming back from the dead (almost) she es yet again ready to commit atrocities to become even stronger, i respect her tenacity

7. She looks so awesome.

The atrocities look GOOD on her and she is a feast to the eyes when she's on screen

8. She is an overconfident, manipulative, intelligent, ruthless, cunning, villain who knows exactly how to get what she wants AND she's a woman.

Enough of morally corrupted men in media, I want morally corrupted WOMEN who are POWER-HUNGRY & not afraid to take what they want !!

9. If Ruby is the light of RWBY, Cinder is the shadow.

As the show goes on, Ruby & Cinder both face failure, loss, trauma and they both slowly lose parts of themselves. But while Ruby overcomes the struggles and becomes better, Cinder doesn't change her ways and becomes worse

10. Her Cinderella theme

i'm obsessed with how she's based on cinderella but she mirrors that entire tale and instead of becoming kind and forgiving and loving she becomes ruthless, cold hearted, and vengeful

11. She is the heart of the conflict in RWBY.

She’s the only consistent villain that brings conflict to the story. Grimm are background threats, & Salem & the other villains have less impactful scenes but Cinder is ALWAYS at the centre of the main events that further the plot

12. She would give it a shot to bisexuality.

And I think that's very cool of her to love women !!

13. Overall, I think she's a pivotal character in the RWBY universe who stirs things up and gives us such memorable (and painful) moments and I just love a complex and morally dubious villain !!

Disclaimer, cause I know you guys like to take things out of context. Do I condone her actions? No. She's done terrible things and she'll have to pay for them. Do I think she deserves a happy ending? I think she's too far gone for any hope of redemption, so probably no.

I personally don't want her to die, but knowing how RWBY works there's a slim chance she'll survive after what she's done. So. I would like her to hit rock bottom so hard she realizes she's neck deep in the wrong path, but she can still do One Good thing before she's done for(+)+) and that is sacrifice herself for Ruby. Or save her/help her in any capacity when all seems lost and she's too far gone to survive. Her own little redemption to all the terrible things she's done. That isn't enough but it's Something. I want her dark life to end with a light

www.twitter.com/Blightmxb/status/1652622432560111616

[onehopefuldreamer]

Why I can't help but always romance Persephone in Stray Gods

1 - Prickly on the outside, soft on the inside personality trope

This is probably the biggest reason because it's also probably my most favourite personality type of all when it comes to fictional characters. I am so very weak for ladies who kick ass and look scary but are secretly huge sweethearts. And Persephone is this trope to a T. Sure, she's big and scary, no one can deny that. But she can also be so sweet. She helped Calliope when she left Olympus, she saved Chastity from her abusive husband, she takes to mentoring/helping Grace so quickly, she is happy to help Medusa if Grace offers her help and even goes as far as admitting that this help was long overdue (something Apollo never does by the way). These are just some instances we become privy to during the game.

I'm absolutely sure there are more times when she was secretly kind, especially to people who needed help but had no one in their corner. Because while her personal philosophy is that no one else can help you keep your head afloat (born out of her own experiences no doubt) she's shown to actively be giving advice to and helping Grace as well as genuinely worrying about her safety and doing what she can to keep her safe. She's also obviously remorseful for not having been able to exact the change Calliope wanted so badly after becoming part of the Chorus and sympathetic about Freddie's fate. She cares and she cares deeply. She simply does her best not to show it because experience has taught her that others don't tolerate her being weak or deign to offer her sympathy no matter how dire the situation she is in. This naturally leads to:

2 - A character who is all alone and without a supportive system but refuses to give up

This is sort of a subsection of the prickly on the outside, soft on the inside trope, I know, but I cannot help but love characters who have had a traumatizing past and been forced to deal with it on their own. I always, ALWAYS want to be in their corner and if they happen to be ladies I never fail to fall in love with them. I find it absolutely amazing that anyone can preserve their integrity and remain kind after being hurt so badly both in fiction and in real life if I'm honest. To me these are the real heroes - people who have been hurt but refuse to let that hurt turn them into monsters. If there is a character like that in any media I partake in, no other characters stand a chance. Not really.

3 - Mary Elizabeth McGlynn's voice

In reality this is actually pretty much tied with numbers 1 and 2 but I had to keep some semblance of order so here we go.

I am very much someone who has always and forever been weak for beautiful voices. And out of the whole VA cast giving life to the LIs it's Mary Elizabeth McGlynn's voice that never fails to make me swoon or give me chills. She's so very good at what she does this woman. Her delivery is flawless both when it comes to her spoken and sung lines. I can physically feel Persephone's pain when she asks Grace "Please, don't do this." as well as her anger and bitterness when she sings "I gutted a god." or says "The only god I killed deserved it." for example. This adds so much to the character for me, you have no idea. I cannot honestly say if I'd have loved Persephone so much if she had been voiced by a different actress. But the combination between tropes I love and her sublime voice created a perfect storm so now no one can even compete with Persephone. Not even Freddie. And I love Freddie. She's just not Persephone. I'm sorry.

4 - Persephone's design

I love Persephone's design so damn much! I can't decide what I love most - her badass haircut, her cool tattoos, her slightly weird but somehow totally working for her outfit, her make-up that suits her perfectly, the colour of her hair and eyes or her androgynous look. Everything comes together flawlessly and creates one total and extremely gorgeous package. I don't know who worked on her design, but bless them, they really knew what they were doing.

The amount of screenshots of Persephone I have is obscene and I keep taking more because I simply cannot get enough of how stunning she is. Even when I was replaying to romance Freddie, Apollo and Pan I still kept taking screenshots of Persephone and being distracted whenever she was in the frame because her look is just so... I am running out of adjectives meaning "beautiful" here... Let's go with alluring.

The way she looks just does things to me I can't even begin to describe. I might be ace but even I can tell when someone is objectively hot and Persephone is scorching. Aesthetic attraction is huge for me and I guess her looks hit all the right buttons because I can't help staring at her and going "Wow!" pretty much all the time. Basically this screenshot of Grace is me every time I look at Persephone:

And speaking of that, one thing I have found I am particularly weak for when it comes to her design is the way she looks when she's drawn in profile. I don't know what exactly it is about her profile but I just melt every time I see it. It really did not help that this was part of her introduction to us in game:

How was I expected to pay attention to anyone else after that?!

I have a whole collection of screenshots of Persephone in profile that I should post alongside this to reinforce my point but again - the way she looks does something to me and I apologize to everyone else but I cannot possibly pay any attention to them when I have this in front of me. I'm only human...

[longbobmckenzie]

THTH2 Episodes 1-3 Thoughts!

Eeeek it's THTH2 (Too Hot to Handle the game) time!! Last season fizzled out halfway through but based on the first few episodes of season 2, I've got hopes that this one will be better!

First of all, it's 15 episodes as opposed to 10 - there's room for development (and more bombshells/dumpings!)

There's more customization! I feel like it's improved, although others have said they had a harder time with it. I'm not a huge fan of the hairstyles and outfits we've been given so far, but we'll get more

In the initial episodes, there are 5 friends and only 4 LIs - that might be a little disappointing at first (especially since the friends are all hot - URGH I want Santiago!!), but this actually fixes some of the problems with the first season

More non-romanceable characters is a good thing because it means there will be more storylines besides MC/LI and Jada/Justin/Carter

A lot of us started to hate Jada after a while because she kept popping up and we were forced to be friends with her. Having more friends is a good thing because we'll be able to talk to more people instead of just one person. I'm hoping there will be some branching involved where some scenes are dependent on who your highest relationship is with, but we'll see!

Less LIs is fine for the reasons above - sure there's less choice up front, but with next to no branching in S1, every route was the same, and there were only 3 couples at the end. It didn't make sense. Plus...

We're already getting at least one bombshell next week! It's highly likely they'll be LI(s), and no doubt there will be more people incoming

In Season 1, all the LIs had hard-ons for MC even when MC didn't show them any interest - so far that doesn't seem to be the case, and I love that. It was weird that 9 people were obsessed with us, honestly. This time, our choices matter more

They're already setting up a love triangle! It makes so much more sense to have a LT early on when everyone's new rather than force it with a bombshell we don't even like midway through the season

The characters so far seem to have more personality traits than just whatever their jobs/interests are. Hopefully I'm not speaking too soon, and there is definitely still some of that, but I feel like I've already had deeper chats with them. And they ask about us too, and we can define a bit more of a personality for ourselves

More under the cut...

I picked Antoine so far (love a Canadian hockey player!!). He's basically an upgraded (yes, I said it) version of Theo (the art style is slightly improved - the smiles aren't as creepy this time!). I wasn't a Theo girlie but so far I'm vibing with Antoine

I was a Liam girlie, but Liam 2.0 (Wesley) doesn't have quite the same appeal. He's still hot, but Idk, he's not my Liam

There's a fun Antoine glitch (not sure if any of the other characters have it) where he's fully naked. It's pretty funny

I've already broken a bunch of rules, mwahaha!

The list of achievements this season is interesting 👀 There's an achievement for getting eliminated, which I will definitely be trying to do. And stuff about the others trusting us (probably a way to earn back money)

They still have the "beach hut" confessionals, but I feel like those episodes are shorter, which is great because they could be a drag on replays before, or when you just want to get to the next episode

Santiago is my boy, I'm loving the representation with him. I'm curious if we'll ever get a chance to get our hands on him even without romance, because we do have a flirty vibe and I would absolutely jump at that chance!

Overall, I'm excited to see how this goes! It does seem like they've taken our feedback so far, the initial episodes felt a lot like last season but that's not at all a bad thing - last season started off great, and this one has too. I do think this season has better potential overall and my fingers are crossed that it delivers

[st-armand]

Pixel Play

( Reposted from @armands-sanctum ) Author’s Note: Request from @blueberry-soda57​ <3 Shout out to all my raccoons in the club, after finishing this I WILL be playing Maplestory, I kinda rushed it but everything i write can get multiple parts so :P

Content Warnings: Pre-established relationship, suggestive, being a basement dweller. Not proofread (yet ill get to it in the morning)

Word Count: 1.3K

Masterlist

Hobie doesn’t like the word ‘Loser’ he feels that insults like that are always based in ableism, and as an autistic person (He’s sensory seeking) very wary of words rooted in ableist histories.

That being said he CHORTLES when you call yourself a ‘Loser Gamer’, he definitely sees why.

Early on in your relationship before he disclosed his identity as Spider-Man, he would text you before and after patrols, like at 4 AM

“Luv you awake?”

“Wanna crash a’ your flat for a bit?”

A beat in time, a few moments, and then a response would be received on his end, sat on the roof of a random building, leaning lazily on the fire escape, mask dripping sweat down his neck.

“K”

“Doors unlocked, busy rn”

Busy..? 

When he’s seen you during the day he has to PHYSICALLY force you to attend events; shows, galleries, demonstrations and protests, and you fight him off like a feral cat being trapped for a spay and neuter.

Your preferred way to spend your day, is sleeping, to the point where you would jump up at 4 PM, haven’t eaten anything or taken your meds. Hobie would watch the hours of the day pass by waiting for you to wake up, like Beth and Mary of Nazareth waiting for the resurrection of Lazarus.

He would take the initiative to get up (Usually 12-1 he’s a late riser too, but he pales in comparison to you) before you, feed your pets and make a quick breakfast or lunch, setting them aside for when you would arise later.

You always wake up in a daze, going in and out of sleep for an hour before fully getting up, and even then you made no plans to go outside and do anything, preferring the isolated 4 walls of your space, a sanctuary in the frenzied world of Earth-138.

In the hours you sleep he admires (snoops around) your space, gingerly looking at the figurines that grace your desks and shelves, animated characters in alternative outfits, and meticulously designed platforms, or looking over your multitudes of gaming consoles.

You don’t let him use them without explicit permission, you definitely don’t want Hobie to mess with your save data, he’s a genius but he never got the chance to be acquainted with gaming in his formative years because he was too busy surviving homelessness.

Hobie’s favorite aspect of your home is your computer setup, Hobie is a genius but he’s always blown away by the determination and time you put into modifying your setup.

Hard drives, Processors, Logic Board strewn about, cables interwoven between each other sloppily, making the small space even smaller and cramped, bed planted right next to your set up so you can wake and be connected onto the Wired as easy it is to breathe. (think the computer setup Lain had towards the end of the anime)

“Ya enjoyin’ yourself in your ‘obbit hole?”

“All connected yeah?”

When he does stagger his way to your place, you’re wide awake, furiously inputting on your keyboard or controller, cursing and hissing into your headset.

Brows furrowed in concentration as you quickly input combos, blocks, grabs.

Maybe you join parties with people on MMOs, your on call with them screaming and sniggering at the actions of the pixels that represent you and your friends, trying to complete obstacles, puzzles, and defeat bosses.

The sounds of your fingers clicking and pressing reverberate the walls from the sheer force, legs lifted up into your lap, in the most uncomfortable posture possible as you ignore the aches in your muscles to get one last game in, one last match, or a few hundred more mobs.

Hobie sits down softly on the bed beside you, watching you intently as you completely disregard his presence (he learns soon that this isn’t on purpose, you're just concentrated on your daily quests and bosses)

When you finally notice there’s something in the space with you, your take a slight glance behind you and scream, eyes not adjusted to the dark room from the searing LEDs of your multiple monitors, your eyes can’t register its Hobie.

“Oy pretty ‘s me, don’t go yellin’ like that someone’s gunna think youre dead”

“Oh fuck Hobie, I thought you were a ghost or something…”

At this point he’s fucking exhausted, and he really wants to snuggle, so he whines like a child trying to get you off the game, or gets an attitude at you when you say, 

“Please Hobie, baby, one more game and I’ll be off” 

cue the sun coming up as your still playing and Hobie knocked out drooling into one of your pillows, wicks splayed out and bent around because he couldn’t be bothered to put on a headscarf or a bonnet. 

(its giving those videos where gfs/wives unplug consoles so their partner pays attention to tasks around the house, except Hobie doesn’t know which chord does what and he doesn’t want to break anything considering it means so much to you.)

Currently in your relationship, Hobie (who can be quite creepy) after patrol likes to take off his heavy docs on your fire-escape, he will watch you game from outside the window, waiting for the perfect opportunity to… SLAM on your window, sending you flying 5 inches into the air, and cowering into your bed, abandoning your game and dying in the process.

After you’ve calmed down, he’ll slink into the room laughing hysterically,

“Shoulda seen your face luv, scared shitless!”

“Hobie the next time you make me die in a game; I’m letting you bleed out on my fire escape.”

You also act as his ‘person in the chair’, keeping track of coordinates, or structural plans to buildings in the city, digging through archives as he brings webbed justice done onto the heads of villains and criminals of all sorts, frantically hacking into CCTV cameras to keep track of his fights and warn him of sneak attacks or other assailants entering the quarrel. Desk littered with snacks, crumbs, and empty soda cans like “Valley Mist”.

Hobie sometimes gets shit from acquaintances at bars or venues who tease him about your appearance.

“Hobie, my bro, they’re just so plain, they just don’t have the look”

Comments like this piss Hobie off so much, some people don’t have the energy to perform beauty, some people just don’t want to and they shouldn’t have to, no matter which category you fall in or between.

Plus regardless he thinks you look adorable, hair strewn about from waking up at 3 PM, a treasure trove of comfortable sweats, adidas track sets, slides and comfy slippers.

But when you do perform beauty, a strike of pleasure ripples down his spine, you can’t blame him, he does forget how good you look sometimes.

“All dolled up, what’s the occasion, yeah?”

“Lookin’ bare leng today”

On days he’s feeling especially needy, he wraps his arms around your torso while playing, pinching and groping at your chest, trying to annoy you enough to the point where you stop playing and give him some kind of attention.

When you don’t he’ll resort to sucking deep purple bruises into your neck and shoulders that has you whimpering and crying softly at the pain, you immediately mute yourself in the game call.

If not that, he’ll stand next to you,

“Lemme ‘ave at it luv, wanna see whats goin’ on in this thing.”

(I play MMOs, Maplestory specifically so this is geared towards that)

You don’t let Hobie play on your characters where your key bindings are specified by class or fighting type, you let him choose his class and make a fresh character, he’ll start playing, frustrated at the boring leveling in the beginning.

He quits cause it’s so time consuming, but you end up grinding his levels a tad after every time he plays so he has new quests and areas to explore.

Regardless he loves his partner no matter what eccentricities they have, he takes every part of the package and values every piece of the puzzle.