#honestly a little decorum people

[gaypirateslife4me]

Taika still wears some of Ed's jewelry.

Taika got some of Ed's tattoos, quite literally carving Ed's spirit into himself in permanent ink.

It is both upsetting & embarrassing that David - who is, more than any of us, in mourning - felt the need to DEFEND Taika's love of and commitment to OFMD because of some of y'all.

[saetoru]

✩ ‧₊˚ ✩ EVERWINTER WITHOUT MERCY — TARTAGLIA.

contents. fluff + established relationships, fishing with ajax’s siblings bc they’re everything <3, ajax being a terrible flirt lolsjdjd, he’s implied to be taller than reader, gn! reader, kisses in the snezhnayan cold <3

he’s done it again, you think exasperatedly—teucer’s neck is bare as he walks through the harsh snow, the fabric of his scarf hanging loosely from his shoulders.

“hey, make sure you keep this around your neck,” you scold, wrapping the scarf tightly around teucer’s neck, “you’ll catch a cold.”

he groans a little—but he’s a good kid, listens to you when you tell him enough times, leaning into your hand as you ruffle his hair. you smile fondly as you look down—and then a weight presses against you from behind.

“yeah, teucer,” ajax hums, “you don’t want to catch a cold, do you?”

“i won’t,” the younger boy insists, “colds are for the weak.”

ajax laughs. you can feel the rumble from his chest against your back as he murmurs, “it’s colder than usual teucer. make sure you keep it on.”

“that goes for you too, y’know,” you huff, spinning around to stare unimpressed at him as his own scarf is loose around his neck—ajax has the decency to at least attempt to look guilty.

“oh, i guess you’re right,” he nods, “can’t set a bad example for the kids.”

“and you can’t get sick,” you scoff, “i’m not in the mood to get sick from you.”

“i never get sick,” he says confidently with a wave of his hand, “but—” he starts with a drawl. his words as sickeningly sweet, enough to make your head spin a little from how decadent it is, “it does always stay in place when you do it.”

of course. he’s loosened it on purpose, just so you’ll wrap it for him. he’s exhausting, just a bit—as sly as he is painfully obvious, and it never ceases to make your eyes roll in that way he loves. in that way that makes him chuckle as he leans down a little closer, brows raised.

so you sigh—but there’s the beginning of a smile on your face, the start of a giggle in your voice as you say, “honestly, ajax. you’re shameless.”

“am i?” he grins, hands finding your hips as you reach over and secure the scarf around his neck.

it’s gentle, the way you touch him. the way you carefully work the fabric around his neck. the way you make sure it’s just tight enough to stay in place so he doesn’t catch a cold, but not so tight that it’s uncomfortable.

not many people touch ajax gently—he doesn’t want them to, even. he needs the rush of people giving him their worst, just so he knows he can give it back tenfold. but you…well, he likes that soft way you trace his cheek with your thumb. that careful way you brush a few strands of hair from his face and admire his eyes for a moment.

they’re cold most of the time, his eyes—dead without a shine. not around you, though. in fact, you think the stars create themselves right there in his pupils and reflect across the sky. it makes being away from him a little less unbearable, you suppose: when it feels like the stars are his and he brings them to you.

it makes it feel like he’s not so far away.

“there,” you mumble quietly, cupping his cheeks once you’re done. he looks adorable, you think, wrapped tightly in a long coat and a thick, red scarf. he looks comfortable enough that you can’t help but squeeze his cheeks together a bit as you giggle. “all warm,” you smile.

“but my lips, i’m afraid,” he sighs dramatically, “are achingly cold in this harsh, snezhnayan weather. if only there was some way to warm them up.”

he eyes your lips hungrily—a little thirsty in a way that makes you wonder just how insatiable ajax really is. something about him always seems thirsty for more, always ready to devour in a way that makes you wonder if there’s a side to him you haven’t quite yet seen. a more carnal one, perhaps. or maybe, one that’s helplessly in love, that he never quite gets enough.

you like to think it’s the latter.

“teucer is right there, ajax,” you roll your eyes, “have some decorum.”

“so now it’s a crime to show affection to those you love?” he gasps, “you want teucer to grow up unable to show his true feelings?”

“no,” you deadpan, “i want teucer to grow up less of a handful than you.”

“i’ll be less of a handful if you warm my lips,” he chuckles, boyish and young and all the things he should be. all the things the world should let him be. “they’re bitterly numb, right now.”

and…well, you can’t deny him—you never could. so you shake your head and trace the swell of his cheek one more time with your thumb, rubbing warmth back into his skin even as the harsh blows of frigid air slice against him.

it’s cold in snezhnaya. it always is. it’s warm in your hold. it never won’t be.

“you’re insufferable,” you huff through a laugh.

and then you kiss him, delicately so. your lips press against his perfectly enough that it never felt like he was away. it feels like you kissed him yesterday and the day before that. it’s so familiar, you don’t need to ingrain the feeling into your memory for when he inevitably leaves again. you’d never forget the way ajax feels—not how he tastes or sounds when you meet him, skin to skin.

he hums against you, traces circles into your hips with his thumbs as he pulls you closer by the waist.

it’s cold in snezhnaya. it always is. it’s bearable in ajax’s warmth. it never won’t be.

“much better,” he nods as he pulls away, “i feel warm already. but you should stay close by…you know, just in case i get cold again.

“well, lucky for you—”

“are we going to fish now?” teucer calls, tonia and anthon waiting patiently in the distance. ajax sighs—you giggle, leaning closer and pressing one last peck to his lips.

“well, let’s not keep them waiting,” you grin, “i’ll keep you warm later.”

he grins widely at that, raising a brow. “is that so? well then, i’ll hold you to that.”

he has stolen my heart and i am deeply unwell. painfully. sickeningly. psychotically. unwell.

[yesitsmewhataboutit]

Quirk Bracelet

Katsuki Bakugo x Reader

⭒☆━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━☆⭒

➤ After some new developments, Bakugo can’t sleep, and not just that, his quirk is out of control and you guys have to find a solution before he completely loses it

»»——⍟——««A/n: hey yall… listen i know it’s been a hot minute but i had a little spike so expect some stuff😅and honestly hopefully i can get back in the swing

Masterlist

̶̶̶̶ ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ Requests open　 ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶

Being the girlfriend of someone like Bakugo Kasuki is not what people would expect it to be. He's gentle toward you, so gentle and even loving. You'd go as far as to describe it as a type of "basic" and "rom-com" love, the way he genuinely does get softer for you and only you.

Only you can tease him and not get yelled at. Only you can mess with his hair or playfully bug him, and he barely bats an eye.

Now, Katsuki Bakugo was raised right. He knows how to be a gentleman, someone with manners and class, well, as classy as he can get, but he'd never put his hands on you, get physical with you, or use his quirk on you. Even play fighting was iffy to him for the first few months of you guys dating. Everyone knows Katsuki is a hothead, but those rules go for everyone, not just you. He may threaten. He may yell, but he has decorum, so he knows never to use his quirk on someone just because he's playing around. Eight times out of ten, he's not using his quirk for malicious reasons, and even then, it's not extreme. But still, it's never on you.

Katsuki has always had amazing control, especially around you. When you started dating, he made it a goal to be sure he never somehow hurt you with his powers. He's used to doing things alone, little lapses in his powers, or the messy nature he has when alone has to get completely under control. His getting comfortable around you makes him exceptionally more focused on watching what he does.

And he's always been perfect at it, until now.

Bakugo is sweating. He's stiff, flitching every few seconds, his breath hitching. He's asleep, but his hands start getting flooded with moisture as his heart rate increases. If he were alone, it wouldn't matter, but he's not. You're peacefully asleep next to him, curled up, your back against his chest, and his body leaned over you.

If Bakugo were awake, he'd know what was about to happen. He'd calm himself or get away from you immediately if he knew he couldn't stop it, but he's deep in sleep, deep in the dream that's disturbing his sleep, and before anyone knows it, sparks fly.

Katsuki wouldn't have even woken up if it wasn't for your body jolting away from his and the painful sound leaving your lips as you fell to the floor of his bedroom. He shoots up, his eyes blinking, trying to adjust to the light, not even registering what happened or what he did. He jumps to the floor, his hands immediately going out to you.

He stands up quickly, only to turn on his bedside light before quickly turning back to you, and that's when he freezes, his eyes widening, seeing the burn on your nightshirt that reaches the skin on your stomach and your arm.

"Y/n. Oh my god, Y/n, I'm so sorry," Katsuki says breathlessly, not knowing what to do.

"It's ok," you hiss, your words coming out quickly as you clutch your side. "It's ok." Bakugo quickly scoops you up in his arms, rushing out and immediately going to the infirmary.

It was about 3 am, so Bakugo banged on the door until poor Recovery Girl answered, groggy and annoyed, but all those feelings quickly faded when she saw you hurt, curled in his arms.

The burns were thankfully not too bad. Recovery Girl only left you with some medicine to sleep and ointment, and she said it'll probably leave a scar. Bakugo walked with you back to your room, nodded goodnight, and turned to leave. "Katsuki, where are you going?" He stops and turns back to you but doesn't say anything. His eyes only linger on your charred shirt and wrapped arm. "It was an accident. You can stay, Katsu, it's ok."

He stuffs his hands in his pockets, his eyes looking everywhere but never meeting yours. "It's late, Y/n. You should get sleep while you still can." You roll your eyes, stretching out your hand and grabbing him, pulling him back into your room and to your bed. You push him to sit down, change your shirt, and then join him in bed. It takes time, but he wraps his arms around you as you settle in, drifting to sleep.

It's been a week. You thought things would get better, that maybe it was one and done and you wouldn't have to worry anymore, or rather, you wouldn't have to worry about Kastuki anymore, but you were wrong, very wrong. First, it happened while he was taking a nap in the living room area. You were sitting next to him, watching TV, and suddenly the pillow his hand was on burst into flames. Then, it happened again when he dozed off while you both were studying. He jolted, and his papers burned.

You keep trying to reassure him, promise him everything will be ok, that it's only a phase, but it's doing nothing to ease his nerves. It takes one more time, you, him, and your other classmates are eating dinner and watching and movie. Katsuki ate, but he's now staring off at the TV, his eyes red, his body slumped, and he looks a wreck, very unlike his usual self. Again, he starts drifting, his headbobbing, eyes dropping, and within seconds, sparks flying in the palm of his hand.

Katsuki strengthens up, looking around before abruptly standing and storming off toward the dorm rooms. You stand, running after him. "Hey, Katsuki, Hey!"

He stops and turns. "Y/n. Please. I just need some space. I need sleep. I need- I don't know." You don't know what to say. You know he's struggling but don't know how to help. He runs his hands through his hair, the way he does when he's frustrated, letting out a sigh. "I don't know why this's happening. I can't get decent sleep. I don't even remember the dreams that are doing this to me." You can hear the defeat and desperation in his voice.

You do the only thing you can think of, and that's pulling him into a hug. You feel his body mold onto yours, his head tucking into your neck. You stay like that, racking your brain to find a solution, and when you find one, you pull away.

"Katsuki, I think it's time you go to Mr Aizawa." It's an unspoken rule among everyone that when there's a problem, you fix it. No one ever goes to the teachers, but in this case, you think it's time to break that rule.

"Yeah," he sighs. "I think you're right."

When you go to Aizawa and tell him what's been going on, he's not too worried. He said he'd seen things like that in heroes before, the only real concern is how powerful Bakugo's quirk is. He said it's a psychological block he's seen heroes experience. It causes dreams that whoever suffers from it won't remember, but in the dreams, everything is so real that it also causes quirks to activate.

Everyone has different experiences and symptoms, but from what you told Aizawa, he knew what Bakugo needed. A quirk bracket. Used to dampen powers for heroes, during sleep or the regular day. It won't stop his dreams, but since he won't remember them anyway that won't be too much of a problem, plus he'll be able to catch up on his sleep.

That night after you see Aizawa, you and Bakugo go back to his room and start getting ready for bed. "Why'd he have to tie this stupid thing so tight," Katsuki grunts, looking at his wrist.

"Cause you don't want it to fall off, and then you blow up the whole building," you laugh and settle in next to him. His eyes flicker to yours and then back down at his wrist. "Come on." You lay down and open your arms for him.

He hesitates but settles in. It doesn't matter the thoughts going through his head or how much he may be scared to hurt you again because the facts are that he hasn't slept, and because of that alone, the second he lays down, his eyes close, and he's drifted off.

Masterlist

[rollinouttahere-writes]

Shanks rocks up to Lucky and Buggy’s wedding

Interacts with Lucky for like a minute: “you know what, this is nice, real nice, how about instead of it being your wedding (to buggy) it becomes mine”

Got inspired, did a little drabble

Frankly, this whole situation was embarrassing. Not only had you stupidly promised your hand in marriage to a god damn clown, you had now allowed yourself to be captured by said clown. Ashamed was not a strong enough word for how you felt.

Luckily for you, you'd been able to afford yourself some time away from what is regrettably your fiance by insisting that it was traditional for the bride and groom to not see each other right before the wedding. Admittedly, you didn't care much about it, you just wanted to give yourself some time alone and a chance to escape.

This was made difficult thanks to you being stuffed in a wedding gown by a very nervous seamstress that you're 99% sure was here against her will and being locked in the dressing room once she was finished. You weren't about to give up, though. Maybe you could squeeze yourself out of the window?

The escape attempt was shot down almost immediately by a knock at your door. Without waiting for an answer, whoever it was unlocked it and let themselves in. You'd assumed it was Buggy being unable to wait to see you in the wedding gown, but instead a red haired man came in. You can't help but wonder if he's lost, his clothing looks far too casual to be wedding attire.

His smile was warm and he held out a hand to you, "It's nice to finally meet you! I never thought I'd see the day where Buggy got married."

You had no idea who this man was, but politely returned the handshake regardless. His hand was rough and calloused, he most certainly didn't lead a leisurely lifestyle. The sooner you could end this interaction and send him on his way, the sooner you could make a run for it. You laughed awkwardly, "Yeah, I never thought I'd see the day either."

The man raised a brow at your response, but didn't comment on how forced it sounded. You attempted to pull your hand away when the handshake went on for longer than you deemed necessary, but his grip was too tight. It wasn't until you pulled again, harder this time, that he realized what he was doing and let go.

Even he seemed a little startled by his own actions. He scratched the back of his head and chuckled, "Sorry about that, my crew and I were up all night getting ready for the wedding when we caught word of it. I guess I'm a little more tired than I realized." His eyes gave you a once over, fully taking in the gown you were wearing, "Oh, and you look lovely by the way, I can see why he's in such a rush to get a ring on your finger."

"Oh, thank you, that's so kind of you," your voice was borderline monotone. "Also it's fine, don't worry about it." His excuse made sense. With how many people there were that would happily end Buggy if it meant even a slightly improved chance at being with you, the wedding was rushed to say the least. You're pretty sure Buggy was actively hunting down someone to officiate the union as you spoke.

You honestly hadn't expected to see any guests here beyond Buggy's own crew, which again raised the question of: Who are you talking to?

Might as well sate your curiosity and ask, "So... Are you a friend of his?"

His brows raised and his eyes widened slightly. Were you supposed to know who he was already? Oops. He spoke up before you could wrack your brain for clues as to who he was, "I guess I shouldn't be surprised that he didn't mention me, he's always been a bit... Moody. I'm Shanks, we grew up together."

Your jaw hit the floor. Shanks? THE Shanks??? The guy that Luffy couldn't shut up about?!

"Y-Y-You're the guy that gave Luffy his hat!" You pointed at him with a shaky hand as all decorum and manners went out the window from the shock of knowing who you were talking to.

Shanks laughed loudly, "The one and only. How is that kid anyway? Seems like he's still getting himself into trouble just like the old days."

"Calling what he gets up to 'trouble' is putting it mildly," that boy can't take two steps onto an island without toppling a government. "He's great though, especially after rescuing Ace."

"I was relieved to see him get out of there safely, too. It's still a bit hard to believe that Buggy is the one who pulled it off, though."

Ah. Yeah. It was hard to believe for you, too. And even more difficult to accept just what that meant for you. You deflated as you were violently reminded of your current situation, "Yeah, I can't believe it either."

"Is everything alright? You don't seem very excited about the wedding," Shanks narrowed his eyes at you, scrutinizing your face for any hints as to why you were acting this way.

You weren't sure if confiding in him was a good idea. He clearly held a level of fondness for Buggy, so it was debatable if he would want to help you escape or keep you here. But... It's not like you had much to lose at this point.

"It's, uh, kind of a funny story. You see, I might've said something along the lines of 'if you save Ace, I will marry you', but like, I didn't think he'd actually be able to do it. So now I'm kinda stuck in this mess where he thinks I really meant it, but I didn't, and we're getting married in like ten minutes give or take and I don't know what to do?" You can only hope that your hastily thrown together explanation not only makes sense, but also earns you some sympathy.

Shanks lips were pursed as he stared down at you, "I did find it odd that your door was locked from the outside."

Hope sparked in your heart. In a fit of desperation, you threw yourself at Shanks and held onto him while looking into his eyes pleadingly, "Please, if you can just get me out of this room, I will really owe you one!" You're sure that the Straw Hats can't be far behind. If you can just get to the shore, they'll likely be there and ready to save you.

His hand rested on your back to keep you steady. Then, it started to gently glide up and down the exposed skin, which felt distinctly not like it was for your comfort. Horror seeped into your very core as you saw an all too familiar gleam in his eyes.

No, please, no. This can't be happening again.

"It would be a shame to let this dress go to waste... Maybe we can continue this on the Red Force? How does that sound?"

Suddenly, the door was thrown open and you saw an absolutely enraged Buggy standing in the entryway. "What are you doing here?! Get away from my wife!"

"But you aren't married yet, she could still be anybody's wife," Shanks tone was teasing but the look in his eyes was anything but.

That set Buggy off and in an instant he was throwing knives right at Shanks who dodged them with ease. You were shoved off to the side as Buggy kept trying and failing to land a hit on Shanks. While the red haired pirate was trying to engage in some witty banter, the clown was having none of it and just shrieked various insults at him.

Using the chaos of the altercation, you quietly slipped out of the room and made a run for it. There wasn't a chance in hell that you were going to stick around to see who won that fight. Because either way, you would be losing.

[mcflymemes]

PROMPTS FROM RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE *  assorted (and slightly adapted to suit this meme format) dialogue from the book by casey mcquiston, adjust as necessary

on purpose. i love him on purpose.

i've always thought of myself as a problem that deserved to stay hidden.

i'm going to have you offed. you'll never see it coming.

take anything you want and know you deserve to have it.

get in there.

you're literally putting your dick in the leader of a foreign state.

before you, i was all right letting everything happen to me.

i can't believe even mortal peril will not prevent you from being the way you are.

sorry, are we not? did i skip ahead again?

you've been warned.

he died as he lived: avoiding plans and sucking cock.

my life is a cosmic joke and you're not a real person.

hey, have i told you lately that you're brave?

i honestly have never thought i deserved to choose.

we're gonna make it work. you and me and history, remember?

if you finish that sentence, i'm gonna spend tonight in jail.

but the truth is, also, simply this: love is indomitable.

i actively wish for the sweet release of death.

yes, good, carry on.

i won't hear a word against it.

we're gonna do it together.

i said you look great, baby!

i meet you in every dream, and when i wake i cannot close my eyes again for ruminating on your sweetness.

i'm so in love i could die.

you can take your legacy and your decorum and you can shove it up your fucking arse.

i wonder if it's too late to swan dive off the roof.

i'm learning all your hidden depths today, sweetheart.

you must invent an entirely new system.

a curious thing about grief is the way it takes your entire life, all those foundational years that made you who you are, and makes them so painful to look back on.

he's proof that it doesn't matter where you come from or who your family is.

i've bloody well had it!

we can unpack the ironic symbolism later.

that's beyond our sense of decorum!

i'm not afraid of anything i feel. i'm afraid of saying it. i'm only afraid of what happens when i do.

aw, you do care.

if there's any legacy for me on this earth, i want it to be true.

straight people probably don't spend this much time convincing themselves that they're straight.

the moment you first called me a prick, my fate was sealed.

you are the absolute worst idea i've ever had.

should i tell you that when we're apart, your body comes back to me in dreams?

can you perhaps stop putting your sodding life in danger now?

what are we even defending here?

history will remember us.

when i sleep, i see you.

i hate this so much.

every person who bears a legacy makes the choice of a partner with whom they will share it with.

we're just gonna fucking fight.

he is my choice.

i can appreciate that maybe this isn't your fault.

i've been gay as a maypole since the day i came out of mom.

when i wake up in the morning, it feels like i've just been with you.

i can feel your skin against mine, and it makes every bone in my body ache.

your spine's a ridge i'd die climbing.

for a few moments, i can hold my breath and be back there with you, in a dream, in a thousand rooms, nowhere at all.

the phrase 'see attached bibliography' is the single sexiest thing you have ever written me.

i promise you, one day we'll be able to just be, and fuck everyone else.

give yourself away sometimes, sweetheart. there's so much of you.

i want to set myself on fire, but i can't afford for anyone to see me burn.

you see, for me, memories are difficult.

never tell me the odds.

i wish there weren't a wall.

jesus christ, it's like they can see into your soul.

you're it, okay? i'm never gonna love anybody in the world like i love you.

i'm finished. i don't care.

god, i want to fight everyone who's ever hurt you.

the whole world watched, and history remembered.

are you quite finished?

just so we're clear. i'm about to have sex with you in this storage closet to spite your family.

you insane, hopeless romantic little shit.

[arvensimp]

*as if I’m ordering food at a drive thru* Can we get a fuckin uhhhhhhhhhh

Nsfw where Arven gets jealous of someone talking to y/n (fem or nb preferred!), so he does that whole passionate, steamy, borderline-rough “you’re mine” sex trope? 👉🏼👈🏼

You're lucky the jealous arven machine ain't broke lmaooo.

I was going to make this a pt 2 to green eyed tera type then I saw the nb/fem preferred. And... I was a little torn. I definitely am going to do a pt 2 to that drabble (someone else did already put that request in in my inbox as well!) I hope you don't mind if I give us a different person for Arven to get jealous about haha. I hope you don't mind if I do lean fem with this, too.

--

Different Kinda Jelly

Arven x fem!reader

Nsfw, vaginal sex, very slight dubcon themes (someone attempting a kiss and it becomes a cheek kiss), also some breeding kink? Sorry that's kinda where it ended up I hope you don't mind!!

--

So...you might be in a teensy bit of danger. Just a little bit. In a fun way!

But still danger.

It started with a request from La Primera to attend a tournament in Galar on her behalf. Basically you were supposed to represent rising talent and battling culture in Paldea, yadda yadda yadda. Super cool. Love it. Free trip to Galar!

You had a great time, honestly. You met some really great people and had a ton of fun battling and learning about new and different pokemon, even if there was often a language barrier.

The issue was because of a certain former top champion you met.

See, Leon was a charmer from the moment he greeted you in the lobby of the tournament's hotel with a gleaming smile and a delicious accent in broken Paldean. He'd told you how impressed he was with the videos he'd seen of your battles and how he looked forward to thoroughly thrashing you in front of everyone. He also offered to give you a tour of the area, as was apparently one of his duties as a native to the region.

Your agreement couldn't come fast enough, but the steadying hand on the small of your back as he spoke to you didn't hurt either.

The trouble got worse when you learned that apparently Leon was "pants with directions" and got the two of you lost several times the following day, leading to several public snafus with folks taking pictures of their beloved former champion and some mysterious foreigner at some of Galar's "hottest date destinations!"

The headlines were apparently terribly scandalous, but they were in a language you didn't particularly feel like translating.

However, Penny's a native Galarian and had no problem sharing with Nemona and Arven.

You spent 2 hours the following evening explaining the whole thing to Arven over the phone and how the whole thing was very clearly a misunderstanding, particularly on Leon's part. Nothing happened, and you were fully intending to beat the snot out of Leon in the competition the next day to make it up to Arven.

Then the next day came, and you met Leon on the pitch. You hadn't been able to see him before because of competition regulations or something, but when you met in the middle to shake hands, this man did a full bow and kissed your hand in front of the stadium and all the cameras.

Your face heated up, and you pulled your hand away as gracefully as you could while maintaining decorum for the public.

"Looking forward to our battle, love!" Boy, he got familiar with the pet names awfully fast.

"Looking forward to taking your charizard out of the sky!" You replied with a cheeky grin that hopefully came off as appropriately cocky for the crowds without causing scandal for your region.

In the end, your terastalized tinkaton was able to knock his lizard to the ground and pummel it, resulting in your victory.

You thought Leon might lose it for a moment, but it seemed like he'd only gotten better at dealing with defeat over time. When you met again in the center of the pitch, and you extended your hand, he took it...only to fully dip you for the crowds, causing them to gasp in surprise.

You yelped, and as he went in for a kiss for the cameras, you turned your face just in time, so that he planted one firmly on your cheek instead.

When he let you back to your feet, you both smiled and waved to the crowds before departing.

Backstage your phone had already blown up with texts from all of your friends, and you were already lamenting the roaming fees.

You called Arven first and he picked up before the first ring even finished.

"Are you kidding me?! Who does this guy think he is?"

"I'm about to go let him down. Officially, I guess? I didn't think this needed to happen. Something must have seriously been miscommunicated. I'm sorry you had to see that. Please please please believe me. I don't know what's going on in his head."

"Do you even understand how much this hurts me?"

"I don't. I couldn't, but I can imagine it, and I'm really sorry. I hope you saw how I was trying to avoid it all."

"...I guess..."

You heard a knock at the door to your locker room.

"Listen, Arven. I love you, and I'll be home soon, but I've got to go now. I'll call you back as soon as I can, okay?"

"'Kay. I love you, too."

You hung up and found Leon at the door waiting for you, leaning against the frame with arms crossed and a smile on his face.

"You really gave me a lashing out there, love. Good show!" He said as he made his way into the space.

"Uh....yeah..." You replied as you started to fiddle with the bottom of your jersey.

"So..." He spread out on the sofa like a purrloin.

"Leon...." You started. "What happened?" You asked in Galarian. "Outside?"

"On the pitch?" He gestured. "Just some fun! For the cameras! They love a love story, yeah? Those headlines were top news! It's great for the tournament, too. You're a bit shy though, yea? I'm sorry, love. I should've asked. Sorry." He at least had the decency to look properly sorry.

You frowned. "I...have a boyfriend. In Paldea."

Leon looked like he'd been smacked. "What?! Why didn't you say?"

You tilted your head to the side, trying to formulate a response, then typed one into a translation app on your phone which basically amounted to. "I didn't think it needed to be explained! You never asked?"

Leon at least had the decency to look sorry. He also pulled out a translation device when he realized his thoughts might be too complex for his simple Paldean. He apologized for not realizing that his actions could have been misconstrued the other day and then jumping the gun so publicly today. He genuinely seemed apologetic, so you accepted, on the condition that he also confirmed with Arven that you didn't do anything wrong.

So there in the locker room, you filmed former champion Leon apologizing to your boyfriend for attempting to kiss you on international television.

However, it seemed that all was not entirely forgiven. Galar's headlines forgot about you the moment you lost the tournament to some Kantonian named Red, but Arven?

Arven's a different story.

You're currently sitting on your bed, waiting for Arven to get back to your place, antsy with nerves. You know he's not actually mad because you know he knows you didn't do anything wrong.

But still. You feel bad to have been involved in him feeling bad. You love him.

That doesn't change the fact that you jump a bit when you hear the door open and Arven call your name.

"I-I'm upstairs!" You reply, your voice quivering.

He wastes no time making his way to the bedroom. You stand to give him a kiss, but he skillfully dodges you.

"Welcome back," He says with an even tone, but his eyes are dark.

"I really missed you..." You offer weakly.

"Oh, I know you did." He says, as he starts circling you, not unlike a veluza, almost predatory. "It seems you had a hard time being alone without me, didn't you?"

"Arven, you know I--"

Arven pulls you in close to him, gripping you by the waist and the back of the neck. "Would it have been better if I was there with you? Made sure to keep all those other guys away from my dearest treasure?"

"I-I..."

"I know you're a capable person and all... But you're just so...sweet..." His thumb at your neck rubs circles into the skin there. "Trusting... Maybe I should've tagged along. Kept them all away from you. Showed them who you belonged to, yeah?"

"O-Oh..." You feel your knees buckle a bit, but Arven's grip keeps you upright and secure. He can tell the effect this is having on you though because he smirks and leans in close to whisper hotly in your ear.

"Strip and get on the bed for me, will you?"

You do as you're told, with Arven watching you carefully. Only once you're dutifully in place does he also strip and move to straddle you.

"See here's the thing." Arven tells you as he leans in close, kissing along your neck and jawline. "I know you're a good girl."

The praise makes you whimper without even thinking.

"See?" He laughs softly, darkly. "Like that. I imagine all those other folks out there can tell that about you, too. They want to swoop in and steal you away from me..."

"N-No, Arven..." You whimper pathetically in protest.

"You wanna be with me, don't you, my sweetest?" He asks between hot, biting kisses along your collarbone while one of his hands snakes up to squeeze at your breasts.

"O-of course! Only you!" You reply, hooking a leg over his hips to draw him in closer to you.

Arven moves up to take your mouth in a searing kiss as he grinds his hardness against you. When he eventually moves away to pepper more bites along your neck, he mumbles into your skin. "Maybe I could mark you up...leave you with little marks all along this pretty neck... Show the world that you're mine. Would you like that?"

Your reply comes only as a pathetic whine and nod while your fingers thread through his soft hair.

"I'll take that as a yes then..." Arven replies with a soft chuckle.

As he starts working on dotting your clavicle with hickies, one of his hands goes to unhook your leg from his hips, letting your knees splay open. His fingers deftly move to the growing wetness between your thighs.

"Hmm... Already soaked like this?" He tuts in faux mocking. "Such a needy thing... Guess I have no choice but to take care of you."

You wantonly grind against his fingers as his thumb works glorious circles around your clit, bringing you to a stunning completion in a matter of about a minute that has your thighs quaking while you chant his name like a mantra.

"That's right, sweet thing... You know who you belong to, don't you..." He murmurs, gathering wetness from your folds to lube up his cock. "You're mine." He says as he thrusts into you in one fluid motion that has you choking on an inhalation. It's a little rough, but nothing he knows you're not already comfortable with. It's the same with the pace he sets as he fucks into you.

You do your best to match his thrusts from below, but when he catches on to your movement he pauses. "Ah, ah, ah... Not this time." He says before hefting your knees over his shoulders. The new angle makes for a rougher fuck that hits the most delicious places inside of you.

"I wanna fuck you so hard you never even think of another man. You hear me?"

"Y-yeah..."

"Yeah?" His hips stutter a bit. "You like that?" You nod because you know if you open your mouth the only thing to come out would be stupid moans.

"Good. I'm gonna keep fucking you like this. Make sure all the world knows you're mine. F-fuck... Maybe if I knock you up, everyone else'll get the h-hint!"

That was new. Not something expected or discussed prior, but it did something to you, and Arven clearly noticed.

"Holy f-fuck, that got a rise out of you, didn't it? You got so much, nngh, tighter...Sh-shit.... I'm close. Just...." It only takes a few more thrusts before he cums hard and deep inside you. A moment later, he's let your legs go, and then he's collapsed onto the bed beside you.

"Uh... Sorry for the roughness." He pants. "And, uh, the other thing."

Still entirely blissed out, you look back at him. "Hm? It's okay... I dunno... Maybe I should go to other regions more often..."

[kalisburnerphone]

SIMP

Keisuke “I’m not a SIMP” Baji

This man swears he’s not a simp but sports the biggest fucking heart eyes whenever you’re around.

It had been a long fucking day,  it really had been. All Keisuke wanted to do was go home, shower, eat the leftovers of the food his mom had stocked the fridge with and probably smoke some weed. Usually he’d indulge in you but you’d already made plans with your girls for a much needed GNO and as much as he’d rather you not be in the club with your fast ass little friends, he yielded. You were your own person and he trusted you.

He bypasses Kazutora and Rindou in the living room on his way to his room. Once inside he’s heading straight for the bathroom, not paying attention to his surroundings, he didn’t have too. Tora and Fuyu knew better than to enter his space without permission or so he thought.

After his shower, Kei’s heading straight for the kitchen. Sweatpants sitting low on his hips and a towel draped around his neck as he dried his air. He’s pulling the refrigerator door open and bending to look for his food inside, only to come up empty handed. He takes a deep breath, closes the door and counts to ten before opening it again because clearly he’d gone blind.

He knew he had hidden it away, even went as far as to label it just in case they had found it but once again he comes up empty handed.

Breathe Keisuke, don’t cuss anybody, just breathe.

Once again he closes the refrigerator door and turns in the direction of the cupboards. If he couldn’t have his mom’s food then his go to peyoung yakisoba and his stash of snacks would have to do ‘ cause he simply wasn’t in the mood to cook or wait for delivery service. Pulling open the cupboard doors, he’s greeted by empty shelves and he’s immediately slamming the doors shut. both hands coming to rest on the countertop before him, gripping the edges.

He could let the food issue go but his fucking snacks was a definite fucking no. Kei’s storming out of the kitchen and into the living room to give Kazutora a piece of his mind when he spots a figure he completely missed going in on his yakisoba and two bags of snacks.

“How many fuckin’ times do I gotta tell ya ass that you don’t live here Akashi? Stop fuckin’ eating my shit you pennywise looking’ fucker.”

Sanzu looks up with a mouthful of noodles and smirks before shoveling some more into his mouth.

The fucking disrespect.

Keisuke’s cussin’ up a storm, Kazutora sitting in his seat shaking his head. He had told Sanzu on numerous occasions not to touch Baji’s shit but the fucker just had to do it. Rindou, on the other hand, is high as a fucking kite and laughing at the current situation. Kei is close to launching his slippers at Sanzu when arms wrap around his waist from behind.

“Why’re you guys being so loud? You woke me up.” Kei’s looking down at the hands on his body, you said that you were going out with your girls.

“Nena?”

“hmmm? why’re you yelling at Sanzu?”

“I thought you were going out?”

“They ditched me for dick as soon as we got there so I dipped, don’t try to change the subject, Keisuke. Why you yelling at people like you have no decorum?”

In the corner, Tora and Rin snicker at the way the fire in Baji’s eyes literally simmer down as you touch and talk to him. He was so fuckin’ whipped.

“That dumb ass ate my shit. It’s not the first time either, I should start charging you rent and utilities.” he’s fired up once more, ready to beat Sanzu but you’re reprimanding him.

“Kei, I ate your food from the fridge.” You’re mumbling softly once you realize what stuff he’s actually talking about. Honestly, you had meant to order something before he got home but you’d fallen asleep before you could.

“You can eat whatever the hell of mine that you want, him...” he points to Sanzu “doesn’t live here or pay bills but yet still is always touching what doesn’t belong to him.”

“She doesn’t live here either, genius.”

“She, has pretty privilege. You...”

“Keisuke!”

“What?” you almost melt at the pout on his face. Your boyfriend could be a bit possessive with his things and he was working on it, he really was. He did let you have a girl’s night where he didn’t a) fuck you to sleep or b) fuck you and make you so late that there wasn’t any point in showing up. When it came to his food and snacks however, he hadn’t changed. the only exception was you.

“You know he’s sensitive about his scars.” you whisper, moving your hands and lifting your hands to his face,making him look at you.

“Didn’t know you were your girl’s bitch now, Baji.” Sanzu taunts from his corner. One look from you has him shifting in his seat.

“Come cuddle with me, you big cat.” eyes locked on his, you’re rubbing your thumbs across his jaw trying to placate the situation.

“But, bebe--”

“No buts Keisuke, come on.” you state leaving no room for arguments and making your way back down the hall to his room.

Kei huffs out a sigh cutting his eyes at Sanzu before turning his attention to you, now standing in his doorway, slipping his t-shirt from your body.

“Don’t make me repeat myself, Baji Keisuke.”

“Fuckkkk, coming nena.” Kei’s tossing a middle finger to Sanzu and quickly making his way to is bedroom,scooping you up in his arms and kicking his door shut, thankful for automatic locks. He’s dropping you on his bed and looking at you with such heart eyes, you’d be surprised if you weren’t so used to your boyfriend being mean to everyone but you.

Fuck the food, he’d beat Sanzu’s ass later.

Meanwhile, Sanzu’s staring at the text on his screen.

There better be food in the kitchen and his snacks replaced by the time I let him out of this room or I’m telling him that you hoes smoked his weed too.

[fortycumber]

OK, but I couldn't help but notice how the guys at mingjing hall are genuinely kindhearted and good people. They were nothing but welcoming to Li Bing, even when he chided them in the first few episodes, even when he literally kicked one of them out and gave all of them an earful, they still maintained their affability and bore no malicious intent towards him, didn't rebel against him, didn't even say a word out of line to him. I honestly don't remember seeing them show even the slightest disapproval of Li Bing, even when they gossiped about him out of fun. OK, here the main reason could be respecting the rules of hierarchy within their workplace, altogether with all those teachings about ethics and proper decorum people received back then (hey we know that no amount of teachings can ever stop immature characters in period cdramas from gossping their little hearts out). What I'm trying to say is that these young men possess such high level of maturity and emotional intelligence it's wild for a cdrama and for male characters in a cdrama or any drama at all.

Not to mention how they didn't touch his stuff without permission and decided to guard his secret without even questioning whether it could possibly be dangerous to them as a collective and to mingjing hall as well. I wish more people in real life had these traits instead of hurriedly judging others, gossiping about them and spreading hurtful rumours and baseless stories.

Oh and I wish more female centric dramas would apply this, instead of using cat fights and internalised misogyny to "spice up" the story for the viewer.

[auspicioustidings]

Lost Boys Part 6

Summary: The final part of this series! Leaving it open as a bit of a sandbox so I can come back and do drabbles when I feel like it :)

Words: 1.8k

CW: General dubcon nonsense

She swore Graves and his Shadows knew exactly what she had done on her break. They watched her pass their stalls with amused and part way hungry eyes. A hand ran through her hair that caused a shiver right down her spine.

“Vargas darlin’? No accounting for taste. Next time you come to me or mine and we'll treat you right hm?” 

Jesus. Graves was something else with that molasses drawl of his and those baby blues seemingly always sparkling with some sort of mirth. She held her head high, flipping her hair over her shoulder and winking at him.

“You'd fleece me out of every cent I own.”

“Aww come on now, that's not a very nice thing to say.”

“And that's not a denial.”

“It's in my nature to want to make advantageous deals, not my fault when fine folk agree to them.”

“Good thing I'm not fine folk then so won't be tempted.”

He laughed in delight. Philip Graves loved someone with some wits about them. It was all too easy most of the time to kiss someone's soul away at the crossroads when they foolishly offered it up. Humans were so greedy for wealth, fame, power, love. This one was fun, messing with creatures that should terrify her. As far as he could see she was reaping the benefits while suffering none of the consequences. Oh she would make a wonderful demon, an even more wonderful victim. He could imagine how satisfying it would be to slide his tongue past her teeth to seal an oath where she gave her soul to him. Delicious, it had been too long since him and his Shadows had eaten something so decadent.

“You'll find I can be very temptin’ darlin’.”

“Well there appears to be a line, so better up your game.”

Preacher laughed as she walked past, absolutely aware that he would take that as a challenge. Let him honestly, the people on this boardwalk were ridiculous and she could play along. Especially if it got her head that good on breaks. 

-

The rest of the shift was fine, no more sneaky handsome distractions. Alex sent someone else to take over for the evening shift, not making an appearance himself. Maybe he was embarrassed after shoving his tongue down her throat. Or maybe he had went home with Alejandro. Again, none of her business.

By the time she was heading home the sun was dipping beneath the horizon, darkness coming quickly. She had never really minded the night time, it was more like an old friend than a threat. She preferred to work during the evening and she knew she'd have to get over her apprehension at seeing Simon or Johnny again, but one day of avoiding them wouldn't hurt.

“Hey wait up!”

Oh Christ, it was the 3rd one of that little trio jogging up to her as she walked home. She didn't slow, just raised an eyebrow and continued on her way. He jogged ahead and then turned, walking backwards so he could talk to her as she moved. Cute.

“We didn't officially meet did we Preacher? Kyle Garrick” he said, thrusting a hand out.

She didn't love that Alex had already told this man her nickname but she was nothing if not polite, so she took his hand to shake and only rolled her eyes and stopped walking when he instead took her knuckles up to press a kiss to them.

“Look buddy, I'm not going to fuck you.”

Kyle choked out a laugh. Johnny had not been kidding when he said she was a feisty little fucker. 

“Even after all the work I put in stocking your house?”

“So it was you that broke in. Not as romantic a gesture as you seem to think.”

“Hardly breaking in, you invited me. Already too fucked out by then for us to have some fun, but you're looking thoroughly unfucked right now. Heard Ale got his tongue in you well enough, but I think you need something more substantial.”

Preacher spent at least 2 whole seconds trying to maintain some sense of decorum before giving up.

“If I need something more substantial, I'll ask Konig.”

That definitely got him annoyed, stepping forward and jamming a hand between her legs to cup her cunt over her jeans.

“You won't, not when you know how well we fuck. You think Ghost and Soap gave it to you? Doll I'd destroy this little pussy, you'd never want anyone else again.”

Preacher partly believed him if she was honest, his two friends had been hands down the best fuck of her life so it would follow logic that he'd be incredible as well. Didn't mean her pride would allow it when there were frankly, a lot of other options. She leaned forward to purr into his ear.

“Would hate for you to do that to Alex, thought you were friends. Not very friendly to ruin his chances given that he kissed me today.”

With that she pushed away from him, his hand falling away as she started walking again. Her blood was certainly up, she'd be needing to take care of herself when she got in since her pussy throbbed from his aggressive proposition. 

Every fibre of Kyle's being wanted to eat her. The only thing keeping him glued to the spot was Price's oppressive aura nearby, warning him to leave it alone. Fuck. The delicate skin of her throat would shred like tissue paper under his teeth. He had licked her blood off of Johnny when he had it smeared across him so he knew she tasted fucking divine and that had only been cold blood, not warm and pumping the way it was inside of her.  

He watched her for far too long before finally being able to move, heading back to the den.

-

As Gaz paced their den Price only laughed at his frustration, commanding Johnny to calm him down. Not even MacTavish's sloppy mouth could make him stop thinking about her. They decided between the 4 of them that she was going to be theirs and she was going to do it willingly. Especially now that the others had an eye on her, it was a matter of pride to win her fair and square. Well, win her of her own volition at least even if their methods could technically be thought of as cheating.

After all, they were vampires. How hard could it be to seduce one little human?

–

“Y'all understand?”

There was a chorus of eager agreements. The Shadows would get this new girl off of amusements and into the games. She had been a temptation already, but seeing that everyone else wanted her? That really sealed her fate as soon to be theirs.

Demons were basically built to seduce humans after all. It'd be easy. 

-

Horangi couldn't move for the heavy weight crushing him, not that he'd be able to move if Konig got off. The fuck had been cathartic for both of them, thoroughly exhausting, leaving him boneless.

“I want her.”

“I know Ko, when have I ever not gotten you something you've wanted?”

Shifters were feral things, but it meant they courted far better than any other creature could hope to. It was in their instincts to seduce a mate. Shouldn't take much effort at all.

-

Rudy groaned and then immediately started huffing. The taste of her he could get from Ale's mouth just was not enough. The night only got worse when an unwelcome visitor swam in.

“What are you doing here?”

“Alejandro I'm wounded, you don't think I may just want to visit an old flame?”

“Try again.”

“Your little Preacher, I want her. We both know there is a lot of competition for such a sweet thing. So why not work together?”

It made sense. If Ale and Rudy had to share her, better it be with another siren. It was agreed they'd do it without their song to prove that they had won her with her enthusiastic and uncharmed consent. If they did it any other way no doubt it would make them look weak, like they couldn't claim a human without the use of their powers. 

Sirens weren't just charming because of their song, they could seduce humans just fine without it. And this human? They were confident about their chances.

-

“Farah please” Alex pleaded, a blade against his throat. 

His own fault really for just wandering in when he knew how she currently felt about him. He had saved her, but he had refused to go with her and Kate, had chosen to stay with the creatures that had wanted to eat her in the first place. 

“Where is this change of heart coming from?”

“...there's a girl. They've kept her alive for now, but they're not the only ones after her.”

“And she belongs with her own kind.”

Alex nodded and Farah took the blade away. Finally he got it. She'd like to meet this girl who had finally pushed him to come back to his senses, come back to her. 

They had hunted monsters of all types, hunting a human should be easy. It would be wildly satisfying to rob all of these creatures of someone they wanted to claim for themselves, shove it in their face that they could never compare to the affection humans held for one another. 

-

Preacher sighed in contentment, all cosy and ready for bed. She was just making a cup of tea when the door went. It was pretty late for visitors, but then it wasn't like anyone here was normal.

Really she shouldn't have been so happy to see him, idiot that he was. But it had been a while since Keegan’s smug little grin had been on her behalf. 

Keegan knew she'd survive, but he was feeling feral over the mixture of scents clinging to her. These fucking animals had all been pawing at her by the smell of it. 

No matter, he had been laying groundwork for years. And now here she was, in his home, ready to fall head over heels in love with him. He'd make sure of it. After all he knew the monsters that made their home in Santa Carla, and none of them had ever come up against someone quite like his Preacher before.

They stood no chance.

-

Little non-canon bonus round because I think it would be neat if Preacher was, in fact, secretly just a dragon hoarding fuckable monsters

It was nice having Keegan close. He was the first of her hoard after all. And now she had so many more to add! Preacher thought she was going to like Santa Carla just fine.

[witsserviceablesubstitute]

It’s definitely a majority of newer fans who both don’t get the history between Buck and Eddie, but also who don’t care. They came into the series because Buck kissed a man, as well as already knowing the rep that a lot of Buddie shippers tend to hate all the women love interests. So their entire experience watching the first six seasons is clouded by wanting be contrarian.

Which is not a terrible thing since the women didn’t deserve the hate as they got, but rooting for bi!Buck while actively ignoring the relationship built between him and Eddie just so you can not be called a Buddie shipper and champion for Tommy once you get to that season, is weird.

That said, my post was mainly because I was trying to scroll the tag and was only seeing post after post after post about Tommy being the greatest friend and love interest Buck has had, so I was being mildly petty. Because Buck has great relationships with the people in his life, and Eddie is extremely important to him regardless of if they become a couple. There is no need to punch down on him because folks want to uplift Tommy, but they don’t seem to get that.

And I know there are Buddie shippers who punch down on Tommy, but I’ve said before, they’re the same people who dragged the women. So at least they’re consistent. This new wave of drama is purely because Buck is bi now, and a lot of the shippers who defended the women no longer care about them and are actively dismissing Buck’s past relationships to praise Tommy. Which is hypocritical and very common in fandom, but goodness is it annoying sometimes. Especially when it’s as unnecessary as it is in this context.

Heya! There's a lot of magical overthinking in fandoms because it comprises a very large group of different people from different places writing essays about a text (like the nerds we all are). Fandoms are kinda big tutorials and when things become toxic it's a little like when academia becomes toxic. Do you know how many articles I've read that were basically hating on the previous article? I was an English Lit Major— there are entire novels that are aggressive refutations of the arguments made in other novels (so much effort).

Toxic divisions in fandom aren't so much about people trying to be contrary or consciously hateful. It's fear of in-group rejection and trying to say something bigger about themselves, their experiences, and their beliefs and using a text to do so. Cycles of creating in-groups and out-groups within fandoms (which is what ship wars do) is more about what state the individuals are in, and what they're trying to communicate and signal about themselves then it is about the characters or relationship. Protecting a fictional relationship becomes about protecting the ego, the pride, a world view, a sense of self, of self worth, of decorum... Etc. Therefore, a position is chosen and ground cannot be ceded because doing so is an ego death and others doing so feels like a betrayal.

It's why I hate ship wars so much. It's not about the bigger picture or the queer narratives or about championing anything. If it were then conceding would be easier. I could say something like, "I think the writing for Karen, and Buck and Eddie's love interests is misogynistic but indicative of network television" and it wouldn't feel like an attack. Instead they'd want to expand and evolve my points on misogynistic storytelling. I could talk about how the choices they made with Buck and Eddie were homoerotic, how denying it is unhelpful, without triggering a flurry of passive aggressive refutations. Instead they'd want to engage in why television storytelling is full of socialist brotherhoods (thank you Chinese danmei fans for that term). I could talk about how honestly amazing it is that Buck can explore an attraction to men at all, no matter who he's with, without it feeling like I'm hurting people. Because it is a big deal. I'd argue Stiles and Dean were more bi-coded and they absolutely weren't coming out of that celluloid closet.

Speaking of Dean. Another thing that ship wars do is choose an enemy. This can looks like one side making an enemy out of the institution of television itself and that being the justification for harassment (it's not). When that happens the other side can overcorrect by being the institutions greatest protectors and that becomes the justification for harassing fans in the out-group (it's not). However, unlike people in television who have systems in place to deal with harassment, disenfranchised queer fans do not. And, honestly, the thing that made me hate Supernatural was not Destiel. It was watching a young woman tell Jensen Ackles that Dean meant so much to her as a bisexual woman and the room turning on her immediately. An overcorrection. The rage I felt as I watched her tremble as they boo'd her... I can't watch Supernatural without feeling some echo of it.

[utilitycaster]

not to be all “only i like my blorbo correctly”, but i’m fully convinced that certain people would hate Imogen as a character if they actually engaged with her outside of “conventionally attractive sadgirl that’s one half of an aesthetically pleasing queer ship”. fully believe that if she looked like Chetney or Ashton or even Fearne, and didn’t come with a prepackaged ship, people would be forced to look at her as the complex, unique loose cannon that she is

Hey anon, I agree with much of this and I hope you don't mind if I go on what might be one of my weirder tangents/theories but this has been percolating for a few weeks and I think I've cracked the secret to one of the more toxic segments of the fandom.

I definitely think that if Imogen were not a woman, a lot of people would hate her (granted, a different group of people who hate her now would probably like her more if she were a man, because misogyny is extremely extant outside of the bubble, and even a little bit within the bubble, that is Tumblr). However, they'd be fine if she looked like Fearne...but many wouldn't be fine if she were also played by Ashley. Or yeah, if she weren't easily shipped with Marisha's character.

Here's the deal. When I and a number of other people were like "oh hey! Imogen is not really taking other people's feelings into consideration and is being rather insensitive about the Ruby Vanguard, given that they've killed half the party, particularly since she's literally known Laudna like 10 times longer than she's know her mother was alive" the attitude was "wow, you hate Imogen, you hate women, you're so unfair" and yet now, at a table that is half women (and a group of characters that literally has only one man) everyone who thought I hate Imogen and how if she were a man everyone would care is now literally just mostly ignoring her (and honestly like, everything) and instead constantly whining about how they miss Laudna. Which is frankly weak as hell, like, anyone who's loved Pike or Yasha is like "oh you must be new here", and at least people talking about Travis being missing during the gap between Bertrand's death and Chetney's arrival were making good memes. But I digress.

My theory, which I do admit is the most tin-foil hat I think I've gone, comes from some polls I've seen circulating complaining about queerbaiting in past shows, and also my recent interest in Glee as ground zero of really horrible fandom behaviors (thanks to people who have provided insight into that!) Anyway. I recently learned that apparently Quinn and Rachel was a really popular ship, for reasons I cannot, for the sake of what little decorum and kindness I am maintaining here, speculate on. Setting aside that this is not queerbaiting and it's wildly inappropriate and damaging to say it was, given that this show was full of queer characters and Quinn was shown hooking up with a woman, this has in fact clicked into place for me why people constantly ship Marisha and Laura's characters despite chemistry that is inconsistent at best and tepid on average. It's not terribly hard to draw lines from Quinn to Vex and Rachel to Keyleth, especially if you consider how fanon tends to handle these archetypes. Then they transferred this to just Laura and Marisha's characters in general, and here we are, and man if it hasn't gotten even more flavorless with every transfer.

So anyway yeah a lot of people really don't like Imogen much as a character unless they can project onto her, but because she's half of The Ship, they also will not tolerate any exploration of her flaws that could threaten The Ship and so they need to remove her agency and blame it on various rocks instead of Imogen being cranky and impatient as a person (like, again, if you want to interpret her powers as chronic pain, why are you not allowed to grant her the same complexity as Ashton, who is also cranky and impulsive?) But really the kicker is that if Marisha isn't physically onscreen, they start acting like a cat you locked out of the bathroom and simultaneously forget they're supposed to care about or enjoy Imogen as an individual.

[nickfowlerrr]

“until tomorrow.”

pairing: lee bodecker x reader

part one / part three / part four / part five

warnings: no smut - but it is definitely implied. part 1 and the next part contain smut so i’m still gonna put +18 only - just to be safe. literally just so fluffy. workplace relationship. i can’t think of anything else that would be considered a warning, but if you come across something please let me know!

words: 5,505

notes: i’m very sorry lmao. i’ve been trying to work on this for over a month and i just don’t have the attention span to complete this as another attempted “one shot”. i guess it’s kind of a mini series now? it’s taking me forever, but i have the next part (which was really what this part was supposed to be) in the works now - and another part after that because i can’t seem to actually focus on just one thing and really work on it. i just really needed to get something posted to motivate myself. so please enjoy this very fluffy filler “chapter” of sorts. also! i am posting directly from my notes, so sorry for any grammatical or spelling errors that i may have overlooked.

It’s been two months since you and Lee started officially dating.

Well officially to the two of you. Not so much anyone else. It’s not that you didn’t want people to know, honestly, you wanted to scream from the rooftops that Sheriff Lee Bodecker was all yours. It was just that there was so much going on in town that neither of you wanted to complicate anything by having to announce your relationship - especially at work. Not that that stopped Lee’s wandering hands at all. Every second he got you alone, he was on you. And even when you two weren’t alone, he still loved to tease you as discreetly as he could. It was a shock to you that no one had caught you two yet.

Some people were suspicious, though. It wasn’t too bad, the little gossip that made its way around the office. And it wasn’t directly about you. It was about Lee and how his moods have changed in the past two months. Lee was never harsh with you, even before you two got together, but that wasn’t the case for almost everyone else at the station. Now though, Lee was not as short with people and even when his deputies would really piss him off, despite himself, he just couldn’t seem to be as angry as he had before. He was happier and people definitely noticed. That’s how the rumors and gossip started.

“Someone’s in a jolly mood…” you heard Mary say as the sheriff passed by the break room whistling.

“I heard the Sheriff’s got a new girl. I imagine it’s some desperate little thing to be going with him. We all know what he gets up to downtown,” Louise started.

“Ha! Maybe that’s where he met her.”

You had been walking up right outside the door to the break room when the conversation made you stop dead in your tracks. You took a deep breath and continued in.

“Where who met who?” You asked with faux curious innocence, as Beth came into the room behind you.

“The sheriff! Haven’t you heard, apparently, he’s seeing some girl from downtown. If you know what I mean-“

It took everything in you not to roll your eyes at the older secretaries and their lack of decorum. Gossiping was Louise and Mary’s favorite pastime, and every time you ran into them, they had a new rumor they were running with and couldn’t wait to share.

“Well, where did you hear that, Louise?” Beth asked.

“I can’t say I have a source, but I can put two and two together. And I’ve been working with that man since he started as a young deputy. A change in attitude like that out of nowhere, well it can only be a girl who could get him that happy.”

“And I shouldn’t speak so unkindly about a girl I know nothing about, I know that. I’m sure she’s a lovely little thing. May be a bit of a slut, but who am I to judge! I was young once too.”

“Louise!” You and Beth whisper shouted at the same time, but neither of you could help but to laugh along with Mary who was in a full fit of laughter. Louise was a gossip, but she was also very funny - and kind when she wanted to be.

“Well what’s so funny in here, ladies?” Lee’s voice broke through your laughing fit and you spun around to face him - a smile plastered on your face that he couldn’t help but return as his eyes met yours.

“Nothing we have any clue about, Sheriff, in fact, Mary and I were just heading back to our desk. These two young ladies are running the rumor mill in here and we’ve got work to do.” Louise and Mary rushed out past Lee and turned back to face you and Beth - Louise sending a wink to the two of you behind Lee’s back as she scurried off after Mary.

“Huh. Rumor mill?” Lee asked humorously.

“I have no idea what she’s talking about, Sheriff. And you know what, I have to head back to my desk, too. Lots of work to get done and such.” Beth scurried out just as Louise did before her.

Lee looked pointedly at you, “You got somewhere to run off to, too, darlin’?”

“Me? Not at the moment, no.” You smiled as Lee walked closer to you.

“What gossip were they sharing today, huh?”

“Oh just something about the Sheriff having a new girl.”

“Oh yeah?” He huffed as he caged you in while you were leaning against the counter.

“Mhm. Some little thing from downtown, apparently.” You spoke as Lee just got closer to you, making you have to tilt your head back to see him.

“Well, sweetheart, you do live near downtown.” He joked and you let out a little laugh in response.

“You know the door is wide open, Lee..”

“So?”

“So, anyone could walk by and see us.”

“And what are they gonna do? We’re two grown adults. And I’m the sheriff, darlin’. If I wanna kiss my girl in the break room, I’m gonna kiss my girl in the break room.”

“Yeah but I’m not just your girl, Lee. I’m also your assistant. And at the moment that’s all anyone knows I am. How are you gonna handle the scandal of being caught coming onto…,” you have to stop Lee’s hands from running up your sides, narrowing your eyes at him as you continue on, “… your assistant - at work no less.”

Just as Lee was about to respond, you both hear chatter of a couple deputies making their way to the break room - giving Lee just enough time to back away from you and turn towards the small table full of fresh pastries that stood against the wall to the side of you.

You pretend to make a cup of coffee though you already have one sitting on your desk as the deputies entered and after a quick hello to you, they started chatting up Lee about the fall festival coming up this weekend. You take the opportunity to head back to your desk as Lee watches you go from behind the deputies standing in front of him.

The fall festival is now all you think about as you sip from your mug of warm coffee at your desk. You are going to be working the sweets booth and Lee is going to be crowd control and patrolling the fairgrounds when needed. As excited as you have been for the festival, you were now realizing that the reason behind your excitement might not be something you can actually look forward to. You had been daydreaming about walking around the festival with Lee at your side, enjoying the fall season with him next to you keeping you warm inside and out. But thinking on it now, you doubt that you’ll even see each other much. And on top of that, you still hadn’t told anyone that you two were together. You decided to not dwell on the upcoming weekend for the moment and turn to focus on filing some random papers. You had three days to think on it before the day of the festival came. Plenty of time to fret over things later. Work was right here and now. Oh and there was Lee, sauntering back toward you and into his office, but not before stopping at your desk laying his hand on your shoulder and leaning in to whisper in your ear,

“Meet me in here in five minutes.” He smirked as your face grew hot.

“Absolutely not,” You whispered through a tight smile as you looked up at him and brushed his hand off your shoulder all the while batting your lashes at him. Lee huffed a quite chuckle and bent his head closer to leave a quick chaste kiss on your cheek, making you feel like you were floating.

“Have lunch with me, then? We’ll go to Sally’s,” he said smiling at you.

“That I can do,” you whispered, nodding as a genuine smile light up your own face.

God, did you want to grab his handsome face in your hands and kiss him till you were both out of air…. Luckily, before you could lose self control Lee backed up and headed into his office,

“Back to work, then,” he said over his shoulder, “You don’t get paid to just sit there and look pretty, darlin’.” Shooting a wink your way as he turned back to look at you. You were thanking your lucky stars that no one was around to witness the not so professional interaction between you and sheriff. And now you were counting down the minutes until lunch.

“What time should I pick you up on Friday?” Lee asked as you bit into your food.

“You’re picking me up on Friday?” you responded quizzically.

“Indeed I am. I was planning on heading to the festival around 7:30 to make sure everyone has their assignments and start getting everything set up. But what time do you need to be there?”

“Oh, I was thinking around 9 - that’d give us two hours to have our stand and displays set up before people start showing up at 11.”

“8:45 then?”

You simply nod your head in return as you get back to your food and Lee starts eating his.

You catch yourself starting at him and hear him chuckle as he sees you look away quickly when he notices too.

“Do I got something on my face, darlin’?” He asked - voice full of mirth and a smirk playing at his lips.

“How long are you working the festival Friday?” you ask after shaking your head - both in response to his question and to try and shake away your sudden bashfulness.

“Hopefully just til 5. Most of the actual work we gotta do will be in the morning. Then you and I can have some time to ourselves and enjoy the festival together.” He smiled at you as a soft smile formed on your face at his plans.

“Yeah? You and me enjoying the festival together - like on a date?” You asked demurely, looking up from your plate of fries to Lee.

His grin light up his entire face as he smiled at you and nodded his affirmation.

“Okay. Well that sounds like a mighty fine plan Sheriff,” as a smile broke out across your own face - you and Lee found yourselves lost in each other’s eyes.

The loud ringing of the bell on the door to the restaurant brought the both of you back to reality.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting to see you two in here together,” your eyes went wide at the sound of Louise’s voice approaching from behind you and towards Lee. Louise couldn’t see your face from the direction she was coming - and she didn’t know it was you.

“This must be your new girl, Sheriff. I’ve heard a lot about her from the other girls at the station,” she continued as she approached closer.

“Well, I’m not sure what you’ve heard down at the station, but yes, Louise, this is my girl,” Lee responded as your eyes went even wider. You were certain they would pop out of your head if they could have. You felt your face get red as you turned to face Louise - who in turn looked thoroughly embarrassed.

“Y/N! Well I - I can’t believe you! You let me talk on and on about the Sheriff’s mystery girl and it was you all along?! Why didn’t you say anything, girlie?”

All you could do was shrug your shoulders in response- still unable to form a proper sentence.

“Well how long have you two been going together? And who knows? I haven’t heard a soul talk about this,”

“Two months now, and at the moment I guess just you, Louise. Though I have a feeling that’s going to change very soon,” Lee replied and you let out a laugh at that.

“I must say, I am very surprised, but gosh if you two don’t make quite the couple,” Louise said thoughtfully looking between the two of you. Her eyes landed on Lee and narrowed just the slightest as she said in all seriousness, “You better treat her right now, you hear, Lee.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a smile as Louise backed away still eyeing him.

“I’ll let you finish your lunch, I guess I’ll see you two back at the station. I’ve got people to meet,” she said as she walked down to a booth on the other side of the restaurant - one that was filled with three other women - Louise’s friends you assumed.

“People to meet and news to spread,” you said with a small laugh and roll of your eyes. “Well, that’s that then. Don’t have to worry about telling anyone ourselves. By Friday every soul in this county will know,” you continued.

“Is that such a bad thing, darlin’?” Lee asked almost playfully but you could see the real concern in his eyes.

It broken your heart to see that look, like he was worried that you did have a problem with people knowing. And Lee thought that maybe you wanted to keep him a secret. He would never say it, but he was almost scared that you were embarrassed to be with him. And he could understand why. You were the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on and you were the best person he ever knew. You got him in a way that no one else ever had before. He was all in. You were everything to him. And he was, well he was him. He felt like he didn’t deserve you. Lee knew you could be with anyone you wanted and he didn’t exactly understand why you wanted him. It was a little too easy to think that maybe you didn’t- not really. Your voice pulled him out of his head as you were quick to respond, grabbing his hands from across the table and taking them in your own.

“Absolutely not. In fact, I’d say that it’s actually a really great thing,” you got up from your side of the booth and slid into Lee’s side, “because we can do this a lot more often now. And I really like doing this,” you continued as you leaned into his side and he wrapped his arm around you.

Lee felt his heart warm and all of his anxious thoughts fell away as you leaned into him. It felt so right with you, like you were made for each other. He knew he loved you. And he wanted to tell you that he did. But the last thing he wanted to do was scare you by telling you too soon. So he decided to wait. Little did he know that you felt the exact same. You wanted to tell Lee you loved him so badly, but just couldn’t risk telling him so soon. So you decided to wait, too. You both internally settled on showing your love any way you could without having to actually say it. And that would work, it’d be okay. It was enough for now. So as you both got up to leave after Lee paid the bill, you reached for each other almost unthinkingly and proceeded to walk hand in hand to Lee’s cruiser. All your worries about this coming weekend floated away and now all you had to do was bake the treats you promised to bring and you could hopefully manage to find some time to spend with Lee on Friday at the festival. It would be great and you couldn’t wait. You headed back to work and the rest of the day went by in a flash. Before you knew it, it was time to head home. You entered Lee’s office just to say bye before you left for the day, finding him standing at his desk.

You walk over to him and as you leaned up to give him a quick kiss good bye, as your lips met, he wrapped his strong arms around you and pulled you into him. You couldn’t help but let out a little moan into the kiss as he held you tighter. You broke away to catch your breath and Lee gently tilted your face up with his index finger under your chin to face him.

“Leaving so soon, sweetheart?”

“Mhm. And you should be leaving, too, Sheriff. You can’t spend all your free time here. I’m sure you have other things to do.”

“I can think of one in particular that I’d like to be doing right now,” he flirted with a smile.

“Always so inappropriate,” you chided shaking your head with a smirk.

“Only with you, darlin’,” he leaned down to kiss you again and just as your lips met and his hands fell to grip your hips and lift you onto his desk, the door to Lee’s office swung open, stopping his movements. You parted from each other to put some distance between you both. Lee - clearly annoyed at the interruption - took a deep breath and looked up to see who was there.

“Can I help you with something?”

You turned to face the door and saw that it was Sam, one of the newer deputies, and Beth’s longtime boyfriend. She didn’t talk about their relationship often, and you knew it was because she didn’t want to make you feel bad about being single - not that you would have minded her either way. But you knew they were happy and very much in love. Their interactions were always so sweet and you couldn’t help but admire their relationship. Sam was a really decent guy.

“Oh, sorry Sheriff… I - I uhm- I -“ the young deputy was left stunned and stuttering, he was, rightfully so, surprised - obviously expecting to find the sheriff alone in his office.

“Spit it out, boy. We haven’t got all night,” Lee said sharply.

“Sorry, Sheriff,” he started again, attempting to shake off his shock, “I was just wondering if you had our assignments for Friday all figured out yet.”

“No, I’ll have them done Thursday.” Lee replied plainly.

“Okay,” he said while still lingering in the doorway. He clearly had something else he wanted to ask, and you almost felt like you were keeping him from saying what was really on his mind. You felt bad for him, so you decided to make a quick exit. As you went to move away, Lee’s hand that was still near you grabbed your wrist and kept you in place.

“I just need to grab something off my desk, I’ll be right back,” you reassured him and he let go of your wrist - as you passed the deputy, you gave him a small smile and shut the door on your way out.

You knew Lee would be upset if you just left, so you decided to wait at your desk for them to finish speaking. It took a bit longer than you thought it would, but almost fifteen minutes later they came out of his office. Lee had turned everything off and had all his things ready to go. You noticed right away that he looked a bit annoyed and when you looked at the deputy you saw that he looked quite happy, much more relaxed than he was when he entered the office. Obviously something happened, and you were very curious to find out what.

“Have a nice night, y/n. Sheriff. And thank you, again, sir.” Lee just nodded his head in response.

“Good night, Sam,” you replied sweetly.

After he walked far enough away, you asked Lee, “What was that about?”

“Nothing important. Let’s get out here, darlin’.”

Not wanting to push the subject, you let it go and walked with Lee out of the station. He led you to your car and gently kissed you good night.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, sugar. Drive safe.”

“You too,” you spoke between pecks to Lee’s lips as he leaned his head down to meet yours, “See you tomorrow,” you said through a smile. You shared one last kiss and went your separate ways.

The next two days went by quickly. Work was easy, and Lee seemed to be by your side as often as he could be while he was at the station. And just as you had suspected, word about you and Lee being together had spread like wildfire - all courtesy of Louise and her gal pals, God bless ‘em.

Beth was the first to congratulate you, and she was quite excited about being able to have someone to talk about relationships with now that she knew you were in one, “…and with the Sheriff, no less!,” she had said giddily.

Everything else was pretty much business as usual and before you knew it, it was Thursday night. You had spent the last seven hours baking cookies, cupcakes, pies, and cakes to sell at the sweets booth. It was nearing 1am and you were beyond tired, but your apartment smelled heavenly and the treats looked delicious. You were quite proud of your work. The only thing you had left was the special batch of cookies you had made for Lee. They were his favorite and you didn’t want him to miss out on them tomorrow - you knew they’d sell fast. Once you had everything frosted and wrapped up ready for tomorrow - you cleaned your kitchen as fast as you could and then jumped in the shower. The second your head hit the pillow, you were out like a light.

6:00am came and you awoke to your alarm ringing. You got dressed and ready for the day and then went to make a quick breakfast. It was barely 7, so you decided to make a little something for Lee, too. A little something turned into a big something and by the time you were done - you had eggs, toast, bacon and fried potatoes all ready to be eaten. Just as you turned off your stove, there was a knock at your door. Looking at your clock, you saw that it wasn’t even 8 yet. You opened your door to Lee who greeted you with a sweet, “Mornin’, sugar,” and a warm embrace as he stepped inside.

“You’re early,” you said into his chest as he held you close, your arms wrapped around him.

“Couldn’t wait to see you. And I knew you’d be ready an hour early anyway,” he smirked and you laughed.

“Well, it’s a good thing you got here early, I made breakfast,” you said as you pulled away from him and led him to the kitchen.

You both ate and Lee talked about how the morning had been going at the festival grounds. Everything was set up and ready for the vendors, and soon enough, the festival goers. After you were done eating, you cleaned up the mess on the stove and Lee washed up the dishes. Once everything was put away, he helped you take your baked goods to his cruiser and before you knew it, you were at the festival. Lee once again helped you carry your treats and showed you to the booth you were working before being called away by some deputies who needed his help.

You were going to be working the booth until 5, which was when Lee’s shift was supposed to be over as well. You knew you shouldn’t get your hopes up, he was the Sheriff after all. If they needed him for any reason, Lee had to be there. But still, you let yourself hold a little bit of hope that you’d actually be able to spend time with him later on.

You got everything set up for the booth and it looked really great. The desserts were arranged quite nicely and the decorations that some of the other ladies had brought were set up perfectly. As you looked around at the other booths around you, you were flooded with the cozy feeling of fall. There were bales of hay lining the walkways and pumpkins everywhere you looked, it was as picturesque as could be. You couldn’t wait to see what it would look like when it got dark and the lights would light up the grounds. You were pulled from your thoughts when groups of people started making their way into the festival. You saw families, couples, groups of friends, all excited to be there.

Your day flew by and all of a sudden it was nearing 5. The other ladies had arrived with more treats to sell as you had almost sold out completely of everything you and the other ladies who worked the booth with you had brought that morning. It was time for you to go as they got prepared for their night. The fall festival was always such a big hit, you couldn’t believe it was only one day.

As you made your way through the crowds, all the while looking for Lee, you found yourself walking onto a very beautiful scene. The sun was almost set and the lights had turned on, lighting up the festival. Nearly right in front of you - just off to the side of the festival entrance - a small crowd of people had gathered as you all looked on to see Sam down on one knee with a ring in his hand in front of Beth. She looked breathtaking and as he asked her for her hand, tears fell down her face as she said, “Yes,” and they shared a sweet kiss and embraced. Everyone started cheering and it was moments like these that reminded you why you loved it here.

The whole scene had happened so quickly, what with you walking in at the very end of it all, you hadn’t even realized that you had started to tear up until you felt a familiar hand moving your face to the side. As your eyes met Lee’s, his thumb gently brushed your cheek as he muttered, “Everything okay, sweetheart?”

“Yeah. Just…such a special moment. I’m really happy for them,” you said as you wrapped your arms around him. “Hey, did you know this was gonna happen? That Sam was gonna propose tonight?”

“That’s what he talked to me about the other night. Wanted to be sure it was okay, but didn’t want anyone else to know.”

“So you helped set this up? That was really sweet of you, Lee.”

“Hm. Bittersweet. I got some bad news, sugar. I’m gonna have to stay on patrol the rest of the night. Ned is out sick tonight and I already told Sam he was good to go,” you couldn’t help but frown at that. You knew it was entirely possible Lee would have to work until the festival closed, but you really had hoped that he wouldn’t have. Either way, you knew it wasn’t his fault. It was his job, there wasn’t much you could do about it.

“That’s alright. Don’t worry about it,” you started.

“It’s not alright. I was looking forward to having the night with you. And I’m sorry. If you want to stay and enjoy the festival while you’re here, you can - or if you want to go home now, I can take you. Whatever you want.”

“Would you mind taking me home now? It’s sundown and I’m sure it’s about to get crowded with teenagers. You’ll have your hands full the rest of the night,” you joked. You had been so looking forward to spending time with Lee that you hadn’t really noticed how tired and sore you were until you were resting your head against his chest as you stood there. Baking for hours last night, getting less sleep than usual, and working the booth all day was starting to catch up to you.

“Sure thing, darlin’. Let’s get you home,” he said as you pulled away from him and he lead you back to his cruiser.

The drive was quite, but not awkwardly so. It was a comfortable silence as you leaned against his side and his arm was draped around you as he drove with one hand. You could feel your eyes getting heavy the more comfortable you got. You wished you could stay like that with him all night. But you knew he had to get back to the festival. You felt the car stop and opened your eyes to see that you were at your building. Lee turned off his cruiser and you looked to him with an eyebrow raised, “What are you doing?,” you asked.

“What’s it look like I’m doin’? I’m walking you to your door.” He said matter-of-factly.

As you slid out after him, his hand found your own and he pulled you closer to him as he led the way.

“I’m real sorry, sweetheart,” he said again, looking down at you with sad eyes as you reached your door.

“Don’t be,” you told him. “You’re the Sheriff, after all. Duty calls,” you said with a shrug of your shoulders and a small smile.

“I’m gonna make it up to you, I promise,” he started.

“Lee, you really don’t ha-“ you were cut off by his lips meeting yours in a deep kiss. You pulled away, breathing deeply and looked up to him.

“I want to.”

“Okay,” you responded before you kissed him again.

“You taste like cookies,” he laughed as he pulled away.

“Oh! That reminds me,” you began as you finally unlocked your door and went inside. “These are for you,” you said as you handed over the tray of cookies you had made for him.

“For me?” He asked with a smile.

“Mhm. Made them special. They’re your favorite,”

Lee kissed you again, trying his best to communicate his feelings without having to speak them aloud.

“Thank you, sugar.” He said as he pulled away. Once again leaving you breathless and wanting. The drowsiness that had just been clinging to you disappeared and you were wide awake now. All you wanted to do was lead Lee upstairs and let him have his way with you the way he had last week. It was funny, you thought, how intimate you two were - how comfortable it was to be around each other, to see each other, be with each other in such an intense and private way- yet you were too scared to tell Lee you loved him. Ah, but that was an issue to be dealt with later. Right now, you just wanted to kiss him again.

You pulled him into another kiss and wrapped your arms around his neck, slyly tried to pull him even closer as you closed the gap between you and pushed yourself against him. Lee groaned into the kiss and grabbed your ass roughly before he forced himself to pull away from you. You let out a little whimper at the loss of contact and Lee grabbed your arms and leaned his forehead against yours.

“Sugar,” he said gruffly, his eyes closed as his voice was tight. “As much as I’d love to stay and see this through, I need to head back to work.”

“I know,” you said quietly. “Sorry,” you offered as you looked up at him through your lashes.

“No. Don’t be. I’m sorry I have to go. We should be done by 11. You think you’ll be up then?”

“I certainly can be,” you replied smoothly.

“Don’t force yourself to stay up, darlin’. I’ll swing by on my way home and check in on you, okay?”

“Okay. Be safe. And don’t forget the cookies!” you said after Lee leaned down for one more kiss before he was heading out and back to the festival.

You decided to take a bath to help you relax your body. By the time you had gotten out and washed it was nine o’clock. You made yourself a quick sandwich for dinner and then decided to watch some television on the couch and try and stay up to wait for Lee. That didn’t work out very well as you awoke to Lee holding you in his arms as he gently placed you down in your bed.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” he whispered.

“S’okay. What time is it?”

“Almost midnight, darlin’. I just came by to check on you. It’s alright, you can go back to sleep.”

“Humph.” You pouted. Lee laughed as he leaned in to give you a kiss good night.

“Put away the pout, babydoll. I’ll see you tomorrow. I promise.”

“Fine,” you muttered. “Until tomorrow, then.”

“Until tomorrow,” he smiled at you and gave you one last kiss. You watched him leave your room and listened as he left your apartment and locked your door with the spare key you had given him last month. You were asleep before you knew it and dreamed happy dreams of Lee. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.

[fgfluidity]

all at once

Summary: There’s a new static in the air.

Pairing: Damien/Dark x DA

Warnings: mentions of death, blood, wounds

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@volbeast @opprose @moriimae @statictay @mirrorslament

There's a new static in the air.

Dark has his own, of a sort. He first tasted it with his initial damaged lungful of air, taking the reins of a stolen body; it fizzled on his tongue like a phosphate, flavorless and yet bittersweet, like raspberry, chocolate, and death.

It was unnerving at first, of course. He'd never felt such a thing before, spreading through his body like a most peculiar wave. Similar as it was to the tingle of a sleeping limb, he at once felt renewed, dark power newly coursing through every atom and finding a home for itself.

Now, it fits as snugly as his own skin, comforting in a way. A sense of life in an animated corpse, ready to jump at the call or wave of his hand.

If only things had been so easy in his living days. What the people of his precious town would have experienced, then.

He’s had plenty of time for reminiscence and regret; right now, there’s a much more pressing issue at hand.

Figuring that the manor won’t burst into flames if he’s gone for a few moments… probably, he opens a tear in the world with half a thought, the slightest tilt of his head.

It looks like a slash in the air, darkness on the other side. Wilford hates the damned things, making his derision well known.

“Honestly, Damie, it’s so dreary and dramatic. Why not some color? You could make it more fun for anyone who wants to visit you.”

The corner of his mouth lifted just so, a wry and nearly pained smile. “Now, who would want to do that?”

"What about that little friend of yours? A little quiet for my tastes, but you always put them in your letters." His mustache twitched, a faraway look coming to his eyes. "What happened between you two? You never talk about them anymore- did you break up?"

The smile vanished, and Dark took a deep breath to stave off the cracks in his shell, the void and edges of his soul threatening to lash out. "Get out, Wil. I have work to do."

It's for the best that Wil doesn't remember. That he doesn't talk about it. He's too unpredictable and mad, these days; An agonizing and depressed Wil, with all the power he holds...

It's bad enough that Dark remembers. They don't need two of him.

He steps into the slash of void, into the comforting nothing of his new domain. Ordinarily, he might take some comfort in the un-ness of the place- the un-light, the un-cold, the un-noise- but he has a mission. Instead, turning like a bloodhound to the wind, he focuses.

Little but his own static in most directions, but in one particular way, to his front right-

It comes swimming up from the depths of white noise, like the edge of a radio station passing through the countryside. Faint, yes, but a voice- a lovely one.

Scheme a while, dream a while

We’re sure to find…

If his heart pumped, it would skip a beat, but his blood remains cold. All the same, he shudders, flashes of blue in the void before he can try to control himself.

He knows that voice.

He half runs, half stumbles to the next tear in the void, hardly bothering with decorum and surreptitiousness as he pushes through into Reality once more.

It spills him out into a room. Bare bones, but pleasant enough, a soft bed and a desk and a chair and a bookshelf, but those don’t- can’t- hold his attention.

It doesn’t matter the room he’s in, because here in the room with him…

The DA looks up. Though surprise crosses their features, it’s surprisingly mild, tempered with curiosity and- most frighteningly- recognition.

“You’re here,” they say, in their quiet manner. “Hm. There’s no adventure I know of… hold on.”

Dark can hardly utter a word, for once speechless and not because of his ruined neck. He can only watch as the DA, in an almost twisted parody of his own neck motions, the turn of a knob, tilts their head one way, then the other.

Click, click, click- all while their expression remains pensive, searching.

Before his eyes, they shift and change. A suit in one instance, a uniform in another, a dress, a burglar’s outfit, swim gear, pirate’s garb, a cowboy hat, royal finery- with each click, they’re a different version of themself.

Finally, back to their comfortable sweater, peering up at him. Slowly, they begin to smile. “No, no adventure. This one is new. Here, you haven’t found me. Not since…”

They close their eyes, take a deep breath of still air. Dark breathes in with them, almost unconsciously, and takes in the scent of honey and sunshine. Their scent. Fizzing like a phosphate, sweet and ticklish and almost too much for him to bear.

Their face softens. “Oh… oh, Day,” they murmur, eyes meeting his. “How long since that mirror broke here?”

He swallows hard. It always difficult with his twisted neck, but the pain makes it even harder, clicking before he can speak. “I… I can’t say. A year or two. I had you. And then-“

The DA nods sagely. “And then I shattered. I split into a million different universes.”

Dark shakes his head, but really, how unbelievable is that after everything they’ve been through? “In this universe- does he-“

“The universe is bigger than all that,” they chide, though gently. “He’s here. In some, we parted ways. In some, we haven’t. This one is of the latter. This me… they’ll need you. They’ll meet you, when the time is right.

“Patience, though, Damien. It doesn’t do to be hasty.” They grimace, glancing away. For a moment, their unmarred skin tears, blood in patches and rivulets, but they’re back in a blink. Less than. “I have to go. But they’ll- I’ll be here.”

Cold panic lances through his heart, and he braves a step towards them. “Wait, please- before you do…” He falters, taking them in. Every inch, from the curious tilt of their head to the way they stand, their eyes and nose and mouth and hair. It’s like water after years in the desert.

“Yes?”

He swallows again. Straightens up. “You said some things depend on the universe. … Do I always find you?”

The DA watches him. It should be impassive, and perhaps they’re trying to be, but he knows them far too well for that trick to work. There’s sorrow and pain behind those eyes, yes, but such warmth- warmth that immediately shows in their smile, the one they saved for him.

“Yes,” they say, so soft. “You always do, however long it takes. Even in the ones where it hasn’t happened yet, you will. Like he always said-“

“We’re stuck until the end of time,” Dark finishes, and finally cracks his own smile. “Until I see you again… keep yourself safe.”

“You too, Day. Maybe brush up on your piano a little more.” They settle back into their seated position, turning towards the computer where a playlist is pulled up. “I could really use my accompaniment again.”

He decides to step back into the void before this place’s DA returns- it isn’t time yet, and he can’t bear to ruin something ahead of schedule.

Still, he remains tuned in to their honeysuckle static, just for a little bit, as their voice picks up at the start of that verse.

Scheme a while, dream a while

We’re sure to find

Happiness and I guess

All those things you’ve always pined for.

[felteverywhere]

continued from here in beta for @amcrcvs

It wasn’t like Rosalie was known for holding back. Even when they were teenagers, she spoke her mind. Honestly, maybe more bluntly and firmly than she even did these days. Working with celebrities meant she needed some decorum occasionally. Though, she resented giving anyone the opportunity to walk all over her. Being dressed by her was a privilege... though some people needed to learn that. These days, she tried to keep herself in check, she tried to be mature. She tried to let the past go. God, she’d really tried with Skyler to let it go. She’d thought she had, but the sight of blonde alone was like being smacked with the wave of nostalgia. Every closed wound ripped open slowly, the more they spoke. 

“We were kids.” Rosalie replied softly, trying to give her an out, make an excuse even though she’d never wanted to give her even an inch when she would think about it. How many times had she cried into her pillow staring at their messages, at the pictures on her phone? It was strange, to try and belittle a pain that had felt so endless. Still, she let Skyler have her space to explain, though only while she downed the rest of her wine. 

Her gaze remained lowered, sadness coursing through her as she listened to her, wondering if she was trying to find some way to explain it away. She wasn’t sure she could believe that it was the same for her, not until the words quite literally left the blonde’s lips and then she was shell shocked, blinking rapidly. “What?” She offered an awkward smile. Of course the feeling was mutual. Of course, but Rosalie wasn’t putting that out there, not in case somehow she was wrong. Not if Skyler still didn’t understand herself and... she didn’t... “First heartbreak. Destroys you.” She reached for the wine, insistently pouring another glass as she stared down at it. Did she understand, how mutual it had been, what Rosalie was saying? “This wine is a little pitiful. I could order us something better.” 

[bedtimestoriesforbrokengirls]

The Daily Dad — Dec 21, 2023

Things you might want to know:

Olivia Dunne alleges she's been 'shadow banned' by TikTok as views plummet 💭 Whenever I see quotes from Livvy Dunne, I’m slightly surprised to remember she has a voice. On my phone, the girl’s always on mute.

Jonathan Majors Dropped By Marvel After Guilty Verdict, Will No Longer Play Kang The Conqueror In Upcoming Films 💭 Fuck it, call Eddie Murphy. Kang can be played by literally anyone, while Eddie’s got the balls to step into the middle of a massive franchise-in-motion, the acting chops to deliver solid work, and the ability to bring a winking bit of fun to what would otherwise be an awkward recasting.

What Happens When Facebook Heats Your Home ❝ Big Tech data centers are not only being used to power the internet but also to heat people’s homes. But who’s really winning when Facebook keeps you warm at night?

Tom Cruise, 61, spotted canoodling with Russian socialite, 36, who has $1M handbag collection: report 💭 Does a gentleman canoodle before or after finger-banging his lady fair?

Donald Trump Used to Get Nazi Greeting at Work: Ivana 💭 I’m less struck by Trump’s everyday fetishization of genocidal lunatics than by the blasé reaction of everyone around him. He was never crazy-rich, after all, and his zero-sum greed was legendary… so kissing his ass wasn’t that profitable. I feel like people just “let it go” because it was impossible to take seriously the actions of such a trivial man.

The Scott Pilgrim Anime Backlash, Explained ❝ Netflix’s Scott Pilgrim Takes Off doesn’t adapt the source material, and reactions have been mixed

They Didn’t Ask to Go Viral. Posting on Social Media Without Consent Is Immoral 💭 Mass-media outlets used to conduct themselves with a level of decorum: they’d illustrate a story about obesity with a sidewalk shot of dozens of fat people, but they’d always crop out or blur the heads. Today’s internet prank fucks and click-chasing scolds have no concept of restraint. And this is why we can’t have nice things.

Suspects can refuse to provide phone passcodes to police, court rules ❝ Phone-unlocking case law is "total mess," may be ripe for Supreme Court review.

Gossip TikToks Are Carving Away Privacy IRL 💭 This is super-creepy, and is one of those weird little phenomena that are actually more relevant to day-to-day life than the techno-panic over a half-dozen dumbfucks deliriously jerking off to Bin Laden’s manifesto on TikTok.

Gen Z falls for online scams more than their boomer grandparents do 💭 Well of course they do. Boomer grandparents get scammed via phone calls, while the Permanently Online get screwed via text. Into every generation are born a host of dumbasses.

Lara Croft: The Art of Virtual Seduction is the ultimate cringey relic of late '90s game advertising 💭 I can honestly say that nothing about ‘90s Lara Croft ever gave me a boner, but the novelty of the character design did make me play the original game for an hour or two more than I would have if Lara had been replaced by a more masculine set of triangles.

Twitch immediately rescinds its artistic nudity policy ❝ Mere days after Twitch updated its content policy to permit certain kinds of sexual content, the platform has withdrawn the portion of the policy permitting “artistic nudity.”

The buttons on Zenith’s original ‘clicker’ remote were a mechanical marvel 💭 We had one of these when I was a kid, and their mechanical nature meant that most primordial dads were super-protective of their Space Commands. It was entirely possible to wear out the mechanism, so no one else was allowed to touch The Precious. Naturally, I clicked the fuck out of it anytime he was gone.

John Waters and David Lynch really love Lana Del Rey ❝ This isn’t the first time Waters has praised Del Rey. “She’s very David Lynch to me,” he added in the RS interview. “She infuriates people, but I think she’s in on it. I really want her to hook up with David Lynch, because he produces great albums these days.”

Next Beeper Mini Fix Requires Users to Have a Mac - MacRumors 💭 This whole micro-drama is like watching a bored cat playing with an ambitiously stupid mouse.

Walton Goggins' Fallout Role Is Far More Interesting Than It May Seem ❝ Nolan also revealed that they intentionally dialed back on The Ghoul’s prosthetics in order to ensure that Goggins’ performance comes through all that makeup. As Nolan explains, the team didn’t want to hinder the reasons they cast Goggins in the first place by burying him in makeup.

Holly Marie Combs Reveals That 'Charmed' Co-Star Alyssa Milano Got Shannen Doherty Fired: "By Today's Standards, It Wouldn’t F***ing Fly" ❝ And he said, ‘We didn’t mean to.’ He said that we’ve been backed into this corner. We’re basically in a position where it’s one or the other. We were told that’s her or me, and Alyssa [Milano] has threatened to sue us for a hostile workplace environment.

2023 in social media: the case for the fediverse ❝ A new kind of social internet is currently forming. Right now it might still look like “Twitter and Reddit, only different,” but that’s only the very beginning of what’s to come. Hopefully.

GoodLinks Adds Even Deeper Shortcuts Integration with Ability to Retrieve Current Article, Selections, and More 💭 I’m experimenting with using this as the basis for my Daily Dad workflow… unlike the previous process, I can write these blurbs outside Tumblr and keep them searchable and organized in a dedicated datastore. We’ll see how it works.

[meduarts]

Finally! (One shot)

Pairing(s): Timothy Drake-Wayne/Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Characters: Timothy Drake-Wayne, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, and Original Female Character.

Summary: She was adamant to help her friend someone perfect for her. She saw her opportunity and gave them a little nudge. Thus, it begins. Will it finally work?

A/n: Inspired by my short prompt.

It was a regular busy morning for Graciela Kirovan the best barista in town, it was her unofficial reigning title for 5 years apparently. She didn't know how she landed herself with a coffee shop that she owned and somehow her shop brought so many couples together. Last time she checked, she didn't have any magic nor was she a meta.

She counted exactly 10 couples who were happily married that came to thank her for founding this coffee shop that led to their fateful encounter. She remembered those couples and their first meetings. She had even befriended them and they even invited her to their weddings.

It was the best feeling, she felt like cupid and her confidence rose. However, there's one thing that irked her and made her think that she had lost her mojo.

Ah! The subject of her thoughts came right on time to her shop. A beautifully petite woman came with a frazzled look. She gave the beautiful woman in front of her one of her warm smiles.

"Good Morning, Mari! The usuals?" She asked with a wink.

The woman, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, gave her a weak smile and nodded. It appears to be that she had a late night with her design project. Graciela had befriended the woman when she had first arrived in Gotham, looking for a place to have good coffee and perhaps a place to find inspiration for her designs.

Marinette had given her high praises for her brews and honestly, it made the cafe owner blush a few times. Marinette had confided that she was new in town and had no friends, well Graciela wasn't going to let that happen and offered her own hand in friendship.

Graciela then learned that Marinette is a famously known designer, however, preferred to hide behind her designer name to avoid attention. She learned that the girl came from Paris, France after the downfall of a villain that had held Paris under an emotional lockdown. That was news for the Gothamite, she didn't know that Paris has villains and superheroes.

Marinette then showed the fights that had occurred in France and introduced Graciela to the Parisian Superheroes. Ladybug was awesome. She became a fan. She would let Ladybug step on her and she would say thank you. Yes.

Anyways, Graciela then learned many things about Marinette's reason to move to Gotham. Learning about how her former friends treated her had Graciela's blood boiling. Since then, she had become fast friends with the designer to the point where she even let her stay after closing hours to let her immerse herself in her sketchbook.

"Thank you so much, Graciela. You have no idea how stressful this week had been for me." Marinette groaned as she roled her neck, the barista could even hear a few pops that made her wince.

"Ooof sounds like I need to up the caffeine. Go take a seat. I'll be sure to bring your orders when it is finished."

"Thanks Graciela you're an angel."

"I get that a lot." She winked and watched the sleep-deprived designer wobble her way to her usual seat. As she shout out the order another regular customer came to the counter in the same exact sleep-deprived state as Marinette was.

Wow, Deja vu much?

"Hey, Tim. Late night?" Graciela asked with a concerned smile.

"You have no idea." He whined and if it weren't for proper decorum, Graciela would bet her savings that Tim would collapse in front of her cashier right there and then. Graciela's eyes moved to where Marinette was sitting and a brilliant thought occurred in her head. Remember the thing that irked her so much that she thought he had lost her mojo of bringing people together?

Yeah, when Graciela got to know of Marinette, the girl had confided to the barista how sucky her love life had been. It has been Graciela's personal project to find someone for her lovely friend and so far she hadn't found one. However, Tim here would do nicely! How had she not considered him all this time is a big question mark to her! She looked back at the sleep-deprived man and winced to herself.

Okay, she knew why hadn't thought of him. If they were ever to actually date one another, it would become a disaster. Two caffeine-ridden zombies do not sound like a good couple match, but she digresses. Perhaps, it could work.

The shop was indeed filled with people and Marinette's table has one empty seat. Coincidence? SHE. THINKS. NOT!

Is she going to pull her famous cupid hands to nudge her favorite sleep-deprived people to meet? Yes. Yes, she will. Will she regret ever introducing them to each other? Probably. Will one of Tim's brothers blame her for actually finding Tim a perfect soulmate? Most Definitely.

Does she care? NOPE.

"There's an open seat right over there, but you gotta ask the lady if she's willing to share. I got a feeling you'll meet a fellow brethren there." Graciela offered while pointing at Marinette's table.

Tim narrowed his eyes, but didn't complain and nodded, "Thanks, Grace. Can you-"

"I'll send your orders to your table. Don't sweat it. Go on, before you pass out standing again."

Tim muttered something before wobbling his way to the seat that she had mentioned. Graciela watched with knowing eyes as Tim said something to Mari and she replied with a gesture, her eyes never leaving her sketchbook. Tim finally took a seat and takes out his laptop.

Graciela giggled, she gave them about a month or two before the two decided to date. She's looking forward to seeing them falling in love with one another. After all, her coffee shop is famous for getting fated lovers together! HER MOJO IS BACK, BABY!

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

"Here we are, two extra strong Golden Ambrosia, a Pain Au Chocolat for Marinette and Madeline for Tim! Enjoy, you two!" Graciela happily announced as she served them their orders. The two shared a look at their preferred beverage and shared a smile. Graciela watched them with a well-hidden squeal, 'It's happening!!!!' She thought excitedly. "I'll let you two be. Got to run a shop after all!"

Marinette finally noticed her seatmate across her and shyly reached over for her drink. The guy looked as frazzled and zombie-like as she was and she could definitely empathize with him. "Rough, night?" She asked with a quirked brow.

The guy snorted as he took a sip of his drink as well, relishing the energizing nectar going through his body. "You have no idea." He muttered tiredly. "I've been on a strict caffeine diet with no sleep for 3 days straight and my work is nowhere done."

"Mood." She nodded in agreement. "I've been on my caffeine diet with no sleep for 5 days straight and my commission is nowhere done as well. I feel like my blood has been slowly transitioning into coffee and the only thing that could refuel me is this sweet nectar."

The guy looked at Marinette tearfully and was dabbing his eyes with a tissue. "I've found my brethren." He sniffled dramatically and reached forward with a fist bump.

"Brethren." She sniffled back and gives him a fist bump. They look at each other in silence before bursting out in giggles and snorts. "My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

"Timothy Drake." He nodded. With that, they stare at each other before going back to their respective activity. Every once in a while, one of them would look up and start a conversation, they'd share stories about their respective job and work, then they would continue their work in silence again.

It was easy and peaceful, at one point they finished what they were working on for today and struck up another conversation. Marinette shared about her life in Gotham and the differences between Paris and Gotham. Tim would then share about his siblings and the things that he would do in his daily life. They then began to argue about theories and unsolved cases, a side hobby that the two happened to like.

Through all this Graciela had watched both of them with a secretive smile. Happy to see Marinette acting so carefree with a stranger and glad that Tim could talk without feeling uncomfortable with a new face. Everything is going very smoothly and the barista pats herself on the back for giving them a little nudge to sit together.

'Good job, me. I can hear the wedding bells already.' She smiled stupidly at herself.

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

It was nearing closing hours and when Graciela look at her new favorite pet project they were huddled together in front of Tim's laptop. They were sharing Tim's earphones and every once in a while the two would discuss with one another, sometimes they agree sometimes they'd disagree, and then they would go back to watching at Tim's laptop. Graciela decided that she would finish cleaning up her shop before she has to sadly interrupts them.

After making sure that everything is spotless, Graciella moved to her seat and clears her throat softly. "I'm sorry, my two favorite zombies. But I'm closing for today." She said with a sympathetic smile.

Marinette gasped in surprise, "Merde! I didn't realize that I'd been here that long! I am so sorry Graciela! Time flows so fast here!"

Tim was equally surprised but for another reason. He had spent his day talking to this woman that she had met and he had never felt this much fun talking with another person! It is just like they say, time flies when you're having fun. "I'm sorry too, Graciela. I swear that I thought I was only here for a couple hours, not the whole day!" He stated while looking at his phone to check the time, sure enough, it was past dinner time already and he had missed a few calls from Alfred and his siblings. "I'm sorry but I have to go! I've overstayed my welcome already."

"Oh nonsense, Tim! You know you can come here and stay here as long as you want! It's just, today I do have some plans for myself." Graciela waved off his concern.

"Oh, thank you, Graciela. Again, you are an Angel!" Marinette complimented her as she packs up her stuff. Tim was ready to go before he looked back at Marinette with a calculative look. Graciela watches with a knowing look as he took a napkin and scribbled down what Graciela hopes is his number.

"Hey, uh... Marinette? I had a lot of fun talking to you, would you mind if we meet again sometime for coffee like this? If you don't here's my number." He offered the napkin to her. " I-I mean if you don't want to that's fine as well!"He retracted as he scratch his cheek nervously.

The designer stared at the napkin dumbly for a while and started blushing as she shyly reached for the napkin. "I'd love to. U-um...I'll text you sometime tonight?" She asked meekly.

Tim gave her a huge smile, glad that she reached over for the napkin. "I'll be waiting." He answered, he left some money on the table not bothering to wait for any change, and left the shop with a huge grin on his face.

Graciela huffed at him but looked at Marinette with a knowing grin. "Make sure you text him, Mari." She wiggled her eyebrows with a smug smile. Marinette made a squeaky sound as her face became so red that Graciella almost thought that she could combust soon.

The designer grumbled incoherently under her breath, left some money on the table, kissed Graciela's cheek, and left the shop after shouting out her thanks. The shop owner then noticed that both of them had left ridiculous amounts of money on her table before huffing to herself.

"Rich people."

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

Time flows as Graciela watches the two spend more time together. Her coffee shop began their constant place to meet for their 'not-a-date' date, Graciela would watch them sometimes have coffee and work together or actually hang out together without working.

She would listen to Marinette gushing out about Tim's intelligence and how solving cold cases has been so much fun and one of their activities in their 'not-a-date' date, she listens as her friend would swoon about the times Tim would give his amazing smiles and his cute snorts when they have their banter together, she smiles as her friend would go soft as she talks about the time they spent together in her shop.

Just like the shop owner had predicted, they eventually dated after two months of pining for one another. Luckily, she had been there to witness the hilarious moment.

It was after the shop closing hours and Graciela had joined the duo, silently watching them in their famous theory discussion. Marinette was animatedly explaining her thoughts while Tim was watching her fondly. At one point, Graciela had skillfully and secretly taken out her phone to record the moment.

"And that's why I think that the father is a very obvious suspect in the murder! Don't you think so, Tim?" She looked up to find Tim with a ridiculous fond smile. Now, they were both staring at each other, lost in a romantic silence. Graciela wanted to squeal but she knew she had to keep quiet because she felt like something good is about to happen.

She was right.

"I'm in love with you." Tim breathed out dreamily. Marinette's eyes widened and she flushed furiously.

"W-whaaa-"

When Tim finally noticed what he had said he blushed furiously too. "Crap- Uh...That's not how I want you to hear my confession. I-i swear I had everything planned out! I was going to take you for a dinner and I have this gift ready for you and- shit...I messed up." He rambled nervously. Marinette watched him fumble through his words and her smile became equally as soft as Tim's had been.

"I'm in love with you too." She answered and gently placed her hand on his to calm Tim down from his tirade. The man in question looks at her in shock before grinning widely.

"You do?" Marinette nodded and smiled shyly at him. Tim relaxed his tense shoulder and smiled warmly in return.

"FINALLY!" Their moment was interrupted by an elated giggle. They finally remembered that Graciela had been there the whole time and had been recording the confession as well. "I'm going to play this during your wedding ceremony! Make sure to invite me, okay??? Oh, I'm so happy for you two!!! My favorite Caffeine Zombies ship is sailing!!!!" She giggled excitedly and laughed at their blushing faces.

It was a very happy moment.

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

After that momentous day, they began to date. A year later, Marinette came to her with a piece of very exciting news! The night before had been their 1 year anniversary and Tim had proposed! Graciela squealed excitedly and hugged her best friend.

"I'm so so soooo happy for you Marinette!" She cried as she hugged her friend tightly.

"Thank you, Grace. If it hadn't been for your coffee shop. We wouldn't have met each other." Marinette whispered thankfully as she returned the hug equally tight. "Here's your invite, by the way. I'm also asking you to be my maid of honor, would you like that?" She asked unsurely.

"BITCH, I'd love to! I'm going to have to make a speech right? Cuz, honey do I have a speech for you! This is going to be so much fun! I'm so excited!" Graciela jumps around her best friend in excitement. "My best friend is going to get married! AHHH" She squealed loudly.

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

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the Maid of Honor's speech!" Dick Grayson happily introduces the exciting barista. She walked to her stage and winked at the happily married couple.

"What a great and joyous day today. My name is Graciela Kirovan and I am the owner of the famously known Cupid Cafe in Gotham City. And I have to say these two have been my magnum opus in my work as the cupid barista. Now, I assure you I have no magic and I am no meta, but somehow my cafe has been a hotspot for fated couples to meet and Marinette and Tim is one of the cutest, dorkiest, sweetest couple ever." Marinette laughed as she cuddled up to his new husband. Graciela smiled warmly at them before continuing her speech.

"I became Marinette's friend when she first arrived in Gotham, and I was adamant to find her the perfect someone once I heard about her disastrous love adventure. Tim was one of my regulars, a very eccentric one because at one point he had managed to pass out standing in front of my cashier and I was this close to calling the ambulance." The audience laughed at her exasperated tone. Marinette had laughed as well and Tim tried to hide on his wife's shoulder.

"I remembered the day when I gave them a nudge to sit together, I had my doubts at first. I mean, two sleep-deprived zombies that have the same concerningly caffeine addiction as a couple? I don't know if the world is ready yet for the chaos that I'm sure they would bring. But then I watched them together that day, I saw them happily talking to each other, and I know my cupid arrow has struck once again." Marinette looked at Tim and lovingly kissed his cheek. Tim then returned the kiss with the same amount of love. It was so cute.

"I watch them pine one another and it was miserable," Graciela whined dramatically and winked at the couple.

" But I was happy. I listened to how Marinette would gush about their theory discussion, she would sigh dreamily as she told me how cute Tim's giggle was, and I know that it was a matter of time before the two would date." Marinette's had turned so red and Graciela could see the teasing grin that Tim was sent to her. Graciela smirked at what was about to transpire.

"And you know, ladies and gentlemen, I was there when Tim had confessed! If you look at the screen right there, Dick would play the recording that I took during that monumental moment!" With that, she finger-gunned Dick, and the video capturing the confession began to play.

The audience laughed at how Tim had confessed, Jason was wolf-whistling at the video and Dick was laughing his ass off. Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle were both watching the video with warm expressions, and so was Alfred. Damian had a little smirk and he knew that he has new blackmail material for his brother. Cass and Duke were watching with soft smiles, while Stephanie and Barbara were sending teasing grins to Tim.

Graciela chuckled before clearing her throat and the audience focused back on her, "It was amazing, watching their love grow. I'm so happy for both of them. I know that Marinette deserves this more than anyone else, because finally, finally, someone takes notice of how amazing she is. Finally, she founds happiness. Finally, she has someone to lean on. Finally, they are together. To Marinette and Tim, I hope your love is everlasting, and I hope that every day of your new life is filled with adventure and love. I hope that you are blessed with a long marriage and I hope that you still come to my cafe and order the Golden Ambrosia, because I know that no one else would order them but you two." Graciela finished as she raises her wine for the toast.

Marinette looked at her with a warm smile and mouthed 'thank you' to her. Graciela went over to her table and they both hugged. Graciela whispered her congratulations before taking her seat. She watches both of them share a sweet and loving kiss, professing their love to one another. She smiled to herself, her heart warm at the picture-perfect couple.

'Finally.'