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king-bumis-armpit · 5 months

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The Wedding Weaver

Written for Maiko Week 2024 - Wedding

Summary:

The master matchmaker and self-proclaimed Wedding Weaver is going to be in Ba Sing Se for the first annual Peace Extravaganza hosted by Avatar Aang. Inspired by his message of love and unity, she will be offering a discount on her services for the week of the festival! Find your peace and harmony with your perfect other half…

Mai and Zuko are brought together by forces beyond their control.

Author's Note:

This is admittedly a big stretch of the prompt. After I wrote this, I saw that “matchmaker” was actually a prompt back in 2022! I didn’t have the desire to write back then, but I’m a long time reader of Maiko fics. If you’ve written one, I have probably read it multiple times and I love you <3 That being said, this is my first foray into writing so please be kind ^^

Also, I should mention this is probably not an accurate portrayal of matchmakers and it is certainly not meant to be a representation of any cultures that have historically utilized matchmaking. It’s just a silly idea I had and I wanted to write.

The Wedding Weaver

Mai looked at the paper with disdain. “Why exactly are you showing me this, Mother?”

Michi sternly met her daughter’s gaze. “You have been moping about this house for far too long. I was engaged by the time I was your age!”

“Look how well that turned out.”

“Young lady!” Michi seemed to be about to launch into a tirade, but for some reason she held back and sighed. “You know we are traveling into the city for the festival. I thought perhaps it would give you something to do, since you are always bored.”

Mai’s Aunt Mura landed a very lucrative business deal with a guild of artisans. She would be providing florals and arranging the decorations for their stalls during the festival. Merchants from all over the Fire Nation, and doubtless the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes as well, were traveling to Ba Sing Se for the event. The set up process would be intense and Mai and Michi both were planning to help. But once the festival was underway, the two of them could step back and enjoy a peaceful vacation. Mai was planning on taking Tom Tom to the zoo that Aang helped build, buying Earth Kingdom daggers, and getting a cup of tea at the Jasmine Dragon (at a time when she knew Zuko would be in a meeting of course). Meeting with a Matchmaker and possibly having to entertain a stranger was not on the top of her to do list.

“No thank you.” Mai replied curtly.

Michi sighed, “I was afraid you'd say that, but it's too late. Your aunt and I already signed you up.”

Mai expected this kind of treachery from her mother, but not her aunt. “What on earth were you thinking? Why would auntie do that to me?”

“I was thinking that you needed to get out of the house. And Mura agrees. You’ve been more despondent than normal. All we want for you, Mai, is to be happy.”

Mai shook her head. She could probably get out of it if she really wanted to, but when her mother put it that way it sounded depressing. Maybe she should give it a try. What's the worst that could happen?

— —

“Is that all for the agenda?” Zuko was in a hurry to get out of there. His combined meetings with the Fire Sages and his Royal Advisors always seemed to drag on. It felt like they were all ganging up against him. No wonder all of his ancestors were so cranky.

“Actually my Lord, there is one more item we wish to address with you. As you well know, there have been two assassination attempts on your life in the past four months. Furthermore, you are in the precarious position of lacking in heir,” an elder Fire Sage began.

Zuko did not like the sound of this. “What of it?”

“Well your majesty,” one of his advisors continued, “we were hoping that you might start to make some progress in that department.”

“Surely you're not suggesting that I go out and have a child tonight.”

“Not at all. Not at all. But perhaps you could enter another courtship?” the Advisor replied.

Zuko stiffened. He knew that he shouldn't still be so hung up on her. It’s been months since our breakup, and she has a boyfriend. Kei Lo. May he suffer the torment of Agni’s eternal flame.

Oh Mai. She’s so beautiful, and lethal, and witty, and she’s always bored but never boring.

“My Lord?” The spell was broken.

“How about I name Kiyi my successor and we all call it a day?”

“That is a… fair enough solution in case of an emergency. But consider what the burden would be like for her if she were to ascend. A significant number of the people are struggling to accept you as they're rightful ruler, but she does not even have Royal blood. What do you think would be her reception?” Shiu- the Great Sage- prodded him gently.

Zuko bit his lip. He hadn't thought of that. “I don't know what you want me to do. Being the head of state doesn't give me much free time to go around meeting young women.”

“We believe we have a solution,” The advisor who spoke passed him a paper. It appeared to be an advertisement of some sort.

“You want me to see a matchmaker?”

— —

Mai hated to admit it, but she was nervous. After the festivities had begun, the vendors assured Mura that they didn't need any additional help for the day. Consequently, Mai had nothing to do while waiting for her appointment with the Wedding Weaver except imagine worst case scenarios. What if she asks me a bunch of weird personal questions? What if she tries to set me up with a creepy old guy? What if her office is all pink and lovey-dovey?

In reality, the Weaver’s office was relatively large and open. The walls were green, and the furniture seemed to all be locally made. At the back of the room privacy screens prevented her from seeing the countless filing cabinets of her clients’ information. In the center of the room was a large desk, but instead of thin wooden chairs, on either side there were great comfy recliners. Mai sat in one, the matchmaker the other. Mai's mother, Aunt, and little brother had all accompanied her and sat on a couch behind her. Against the wall was a large standing loom, with a project clearly in-progress. It seemed the Weaver had chosen that moniker for a reason.

The Wedding Weaver herself was a petite woman. Her snowy hair was held in a tight chignon and her eyes sparkled with something that Mai didn’t entirely trust. “Don't be nervous dear,” the Weaver said while pouring some tea. She passed Mai a cup which she accepted gratefully. “Now, tell me about your ideal husband.”

“Umm… That’s a bit broad, don't you think?”

The older woman laughed. “Let me help you out. Do you have a preference for if he's Fire Nation or not? Do you want him to be a bender? Do you have occupational preferences? What values do you most look for in a partner?”

Surprisingly, Tom Tom spoke up first. “He has to live nearby. Mai can't move away.” The boy toddled from the couch and up into his sister’s lap. She accepted him without question. The pout on his face was very convincing, but even if it wasn't, Mai agreed. Best to limit the results to her own country. What if she actually liked the guy?

“Yes. Fire Nation. I don't really care if he's a bender. But if you do choose a bender, I want him to have conventional weapons training as well.”

The matchmaker raised her eyebrows. “Do you get into a lot of fights?”

Mai smirked. “Not so much anymore. But a lot of benders can be sort of pretentious to non-benders like myself. I'm trained with knives, you see.” Mai pulled one from her sleeve to prove her point, as Tom Tom looked on in awe. That was something she loved about Zuko. He thought her deadly precision was just as magical as making fire appear. They would train together for hours, each taking turns to watch the other in admiration and desire… Mai mentally kicked herself. This was NOT about him. It was about her.

Her mother spoke next. “Mai comes from a noble lineage. We would prefer someone with a title or a respectable job in the service of the Fire Nation.” The Weaver noted that Mai shifted uncomfortably at this. Curious, she thought. Perhaps the girl is self-conscious around higher nobility. The Weaver dismissed it as a non-issue. She is dignified and reserved, she would fit right in.

The matchmaker smiled. “Yes of course. Many such men are in town for the festival, and quite a few have booked with me. That shouldn't be so hard.” She thought about her next appointment with anticipation. That woman has no idea how impressive my clients are.

Mai spoke once again. “When it comes to values, I don't know how to classify this but I want someone who treats me like an equal. Someone who is trustworthy and is willing to share their heaviest burdens with me.”

She blushed at this confession, but the matchmaker did not know why. Surely anyone would want such a dedicated girlfriend?

“What about physicality? Any preferences with regards to appearance?”

Mai thought for a minute. “I don't have strong feelings about that really.”

Mura objected. “Oh no! Find our girl someone handsome!”

The Weaver laughed. “I think that can be arranged.” She had taken diligent notes throughout the meeting, and it seemed she already had a few names in mind.

She had Mai fill out a parchment questionnaire before leaving so she would have some additional personal info and more detailed preferences, but the Weaver liked to start by getting a sense of the person through conversation. She found it produced a much more accurate tapestry of a person’s desires.

— —

Mai’s family left late in the afternoon, as they had claimed the last spot on her schedule. However, today she had accepted a special request for an out-of-hours appointment from the Fire Lord himself. He, naturally, had diplomatic appointments throughout the commencement of the Peace Extravaganza. But beyond that he required the utmost discretion.

He did not arrive in her office until the sun was setting, but she did not mind in the slightest. He was her most important customer to date, and she was determined to find him a good match. When he walked in, he was accompanied by two older men: one of his advisors and one of the Fire Sages. She bowed to him in the Fire Nation custom as they all took their seats. She thought about offering tea, but remembered that his uncle was the best tea maker in the city and decided against it. Her brew surely could not compare.

She began in her usual way: “Don't be shy. Tell me about your ideal wife.”

“Oh! Uh…” Zuko was at a loss for what to say. His traitorous thoughts ran rampant: Her name is Mai. She lived across the street. She works for her aunt in a flower shop. She kissed me when I was thirteen and my life has never been the same.

The Matchmaker smiled warmly. Her clients weren't so chatty today. “That's okay, dear. Does she need to be Fire Nation? Do you want her to be a bender? Are there requirements for being the Fire Lady? What values do you most look for in a partner?”

Zuko took a breath and tried to remember all her questions. Maybe it was because of his mother’s theater background, but whenever he was nervous, he found it helpful to put on a persona. I’m not Zuko, I’m the dragon emperor and I am looking for a bride. He put on his best royal voice and began, “I think it would be best if she was from the Fire Nation. If she is to be my wife, then she will be their ruler someday. And a ruler should be well acquainted with her people. In that vein, a good education is also important. I want someone who can help me make decisions and be my true equal. I don't want her to feel imposed upon because of my station.” Zuko almost choked up during that statement. He couldn't stop thinking about Mai and all of the ways he failed her. He desperately wanted to be anywhere but there.

The matchmaker’s eyes darted to the forms on her desk. She shuffled through until she found what she was looking for. The Royal Fire Academy for Girls, eh? The matchmaker knew she was entering dangerous territory. It was always tempting to pair up clients who had sessions back to back. But she’d learned well enough from the Kangaroo Island Incident that this was not always wise.

“A fire bender would be strongly preferred,” the Fire Sage cut in.

Zuko's response was immediate and involuntary. “No!” Everyone looked at him, and he scrambled to regain his composure. “I mean… a fire bender would be fine but I don't have strong preferences in that regard.”

The Weaver’s eyes twinkled with mischief. He probably wanted a young lady who he could impress with his bending. She’d met many a man like that in her day, and some of them were quite impressive indeed. The gloomy girl wasn’t a bender, but she would still be hard to impress. Perhaps that is what he needs.

She pursed her lips: “Are you trained in any martial arts other than bending?”

Zuko was surprised by the question. “I trained with Master Piandao in dual dao swords.” For some reason, this answer seemed to please the Weaver greatly.

“Don't forget, Fire Lord Zuko, your prime directive in this union is to produce an heir. And it would be most beneficial for the nation if that child was a firebender,” his advisor at last spoke up.

Zuko responded icily: “I do not care if my child is a firebender or not. And for your sake, you had better not care either.”

The Weaver recalled how the knife girl had cradled her brother in her arms.The pair would be good parents. Perhaps a tad over-protective, but a little prince or princess would require a greater level of care.

The Fire Lord continued speaking, “But since you reminded me that your rush for an heir was spurred on by multiple assassination attempts, I would like a woman who knows at least basic self-defense. My guards can only do so much. It would ease my mind if she could protect herself.”

The Matchmaker nodded in agreement. Truly this job was getting too easy. “Do you have any preferences on how she should look?”

Zuko blanched, and instinctively reached up to touch his scar. “I really don't think I have any room for judgment.”

The Matchmaker tsked. “Nonsense. You are quite handsome, and everyone is attracted to different traits. Is there anything- a certain eye color or hair style- that you find particularly compelling?”

Before he could stop himself, Zuko answered, “Long hair. Straight. And silky smooth.”

The Matchmaker smiled. This time was nothing like Kangaroo Island. The two were obviously meant to be. “How do you feel about bangs?”

“I think they're really cute,” he said with a small voice.

The Matchmaker handed him his exit paperwork, and leaned back in her seat. She couldn't believe her luck! Those two kids are perfect for each other. And to think they wouldn't meet if it weren't for her planning their date. She was confident there would be a wedding within the year.

— —

“You’re kidding!” Ty Lee squealed. “You’re really going on a date!”

“Yeah.”

“And it was set up by the most famous matchmaker in the world?”

“I guess so.”

“Do you think he’ll be handsome? Or rich? Oh! What if he’s like Earth Kingdom royalty or something?”

Mai sighed, “Honestly, Ty Lee, don’t you think I’ve had enough of handsome, rich royalty?”

Ty Lee had the decency to look ashamed. “Oh yeah. I guess I still kind of think of Zuko as our childhood friend. It’s hard to believe he was my boss. Even when I was guarding his life, he still just seemed like Zuko.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask, why did Zuko send you all away?” About four months ago, Zuko had seemingly out-of-nowhere decided to send the Kyoshi Warriors home. Against her reasonable judgment, Mai took the action personally. Not only did she employ them in the first place, but she had become good friends with Suki and the other girls. She often met up with them for lunch, shopping, sparring, and passing the time in general.

Ty Lee rustled at her wording. “We were honorably discharged, thank you very much. The opposition to his reign was calming down and so I think he wanted his guard to be all Fire Nation again. There was some pretty nasty talk about us being a foreign militia in the palace, but I don’t know if that affected his decision.”

Mai nodded. She knew firsthand how brutal Fire Nation court gossip could get, but she hoped that wasn’t impacting Zuko’s security decisions.

“Anyway, don’t think you can get out of this date talk by bringing up your ex boyfriend.”

Mai shrugged. “There’s not much to tell. I won’t meet him until tomorrow.” It had been less than twenty-four hours since her appointment with the Wedding Weaver and Mai had already received a missive notifying her that a match had been made and the date was going to take place the following evening. The message arrived during her lunch with Ty Lee, squashing any hopes of keeping the rendezvous secret from her friend.

“Can I see the note?” Ty Lee asked, and Mai dutifully handed it over. She read aloud, “‘To the lady Mai, the Wedding Weaver is pleased to inform you that she has followed your string of fate and found your perfect match. As your lives twine together, never forget your dear old matchmaker.’” The note then detailed where and when they were supposed to meet, as well as the level of dress. The Weaver suggested semi-formal attire, which felt a bit pretentious to Mai. “‘P.S. The person you are seeing is of very high rank, and so you must be discreet with the information about your meeting.’ Oops!”

Mai smirked, “Oh c’mon. He’s probably lower level nobility with a big head! And besides, discretion wouldn’t stop me from telling you.” Embarrassment would, but never discretion.

Ty Lee laughed. “What if it’s King Kuei or one of his relatives? Oh! Or someone related to Chief Arnook! You could tell people you dated multiple world leaders!”

Mai let out a rare chuckle. “That would be pretty epic. But I told her to keep it Fire Nation. Long distance seems so boring.”

“Yeah, I seem to recall that not touching for two seconds was long distance for you and Zuko back in the day,” Ty Lee joked.

Mai tried to act offended. “Hey! We were deprived of affection in childhood. We had to make up for lost time.”

“And you certainly did,” Ty Lee quipped back and Mai rolled her eyes.

Ty Lee resumed her question barrage. “So what are you wearing? And what are you doing for make up? Do you wanna try out a new hairstyle? I’ve had a lot of practice with the girls.”

“Who appointed you as my stylist?”

“I appointed myself! Please, it’ll be so fun!”

They spent the rest of the day trying out various outfits in the market and testing make up and hair at Mai’s hotel. Ty Lee insisted she do something different with her hair, but in exchange Mai was able to get her to agree to a dress that wasn’t pink. In the past Mai might have complained about the cringiness of it all, but after four months of missing her best friend– and going even longer without an excuse to get dressed up– she found herself having fun. When she went to sleep that night, she decided that however the date went the next day, it was already worth it.

— —

On the third day of the Peace Extravaganza, Zuko rose with the sun as always and made his way to the Earth King’s palace courtyard to practice his fire bending katas. To his surprise, Aang was there as well.

“Good morning Sifu Hotman!” he said cheerfully. Zuko smiled and nodded in acknowledgement.

Normally he would protest at the nickname, but he had hardly spent any time with Aang this week because of the various meetings and peace ceremonies. He hoped he could catch up with everyone once the schedule slowed down.

“Want to go through your fire forms with your old teacher?”

“Always!”

By the time they finished, it was still too early for most of the palace to be awake. But Zuko managed to flag down a servant to bring them some breakfast in the courtyard.

“So what’s on your schedule today, your royal fieriness?” Aang asked.

Zuko sighed. “The usual, you know what it’s like. I have a meeting with Earth Kingdom’s office of veteran affairs to trade strategies for dealing with the reintegration of troops into civilian life. Then King Kuei and I are attending the opening of Ba Sing Se University’s exchange student program. After that, he and I are set to have lunch. And then it’s on to a panel discussion with the Water Tribe officials about navigation treaties. And after that we have rehearsal for the Ceremony for Perpetual Peace on the last day.”

“Wow! That’s more than me and I’m the event organizer! Do you think you could have dinner with us after the rehearsal?” Aang looked at him hopefully.

“I wish I could but–” Zuko hesitated, “promise you won’t make fun of me for what I’m about to say?”

“Okay?” Well that wasn’t much of a promise, but Zuko figured it was the best he was going to get.

“My advisors bullied me into seeing a matchmaker. The Wedding Weeder or something like that.”

“The Wedding Weaver!” Aang exclaimed. “She’s really famous over here. She boasts a 95% success rate. Excluding the Kangaroo Island incident of course.

“Well I’d never heard of her. But I met with her a couple of days ago and she said she already found my perfect match. She arranged for us to get dinner tonight.”

“TONIGHT?!” Aang yelled, startling a pair of passing servants.

“Hush up!” Zuko hissed. “No one knows yet except Uncle and my council.”

“But what about Mai?” Aang asked. In the months after the war, he and Mai had become fast friends to everyone’s surprise. Retrospectively, it kind of made sense to Zuko. Aang was a lot like Ty Lee, and being the avatar meant that his life was far from boring. And despite his “upbeat attitude,” he was very accepting of “gloomy” people. It took Katara a little bit longer to warm up to Mai, but not by much. Ever since Mai broke up with him, Aang has been encouraging him to try to fix things.

“She’s still with Kei Lo as far as I know. The last time I saw him, he told me to back off and Mai took his side. I think it’s over.”

Aang was visibly disappointed by this, and Zuko added uncomfortably, “You said this matchmaker was really good, right? I’m sure whoever she sets me up with will be… lovely.”

Aang seemed to realize he was affecting Zuko. “Oh! I’m sure she will! But don’t you think it’s a bit dishonest to try to date someone else while you still have feelings for your ex? Isn’t that like cheating?”

Zuko thought about Aang’s words. “I… I don’t know. But I don’t really have a choice. I have a bunch of old guys breathing down my throat to have a kid. I have to start somewhere.”

Aang gave him a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry. That’s rough, buddy.”

— —

Zuko took a deep breath and began to ascend the stairs. The Weaver had reserved an entire rooftop balcony for them. He wondered what his date was thinking about all of this. The matchmaker had not revealed his identity, but had apparently told her that he was an important official who required privacy. What if she’s angry that I didn’t tell her my identity first? Mai had always hated surprises. Spirits, she was beautiful when she despised things.

Uncle had given him a gift basket with an assortment of tea leaves and several coupons for the Jasmine Dragon. He assured Zuko that if his date was caught off-guard, the smell of the tea leaves would calm her. Zuko wasn’t sure if he believed that, but he trusted that uncle knew better than him, so he figured he should probably lead with the gift. When reached the door to the balcony, he rearranged the items of the gift basket one last time.

As he stepped on the terrace, he caught sight of a female figure. She was standing at the edge of the balcony, looking out over the city with her back turned. She had long black hair that she wore loose, and for a moment he almost tricked himself into thinking it was Mai. Maybe bringing up the hair was a mistake.

“Hello–”

She spun around, knives in hand. Agni, it was Mai!

“Zuko, what the fuck? How did you find out about my date?”

Zuko gaped at her, “I– I didn’t. This is supposed to be my date.”

Mai took in the gift-basket and his gelled hair. No doubt both courtesy of his uncle.

She buried her face in her hands and her shoulders began to shake. Zuko felt his heart fall into his stomach. He dropped the basket and ran to her side. “Please don’t cry. I didn’t mean–”

She let out a snort. He pried her hands away from her face to see she was… laughing. She giggled and chortled and it was honestly a bit disconcerting at first. He had never seen her so unrestrained.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” She apologized breathlessly through her mirth. She finally composed herself enough to be coherent. “I just can’t believe I traveled to the other side of the world to be set up on a date with you!”

Zuko glowered and dropped her hands. “I could say the exact same thing!”

Mai suddenly became serious, “ I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just that I was finally trying to move on and here you are.”

Zuko couldn’t believe this. “Again, I could say the same! No! I should be the only one saying that. You broke up with me. And you’re dating Kei Lo. Why are you even here? What do you mean ‘move on’?”

Mai crossed her arms. “For your information, Kei Lo broke up with me because I couldn’t let go of you.” Zuko felt a fluttering in his ribcage, but she didn’t stop there, “And I tried to be a good girlfriend, but you weren’t interested in my support. You would rather keep all your emotions locked away in your chest.”

Zuko rolled his eyes. “You’re one to talk–”

“Hey! I’ve been doing better and you know it.”

He supposed that was true. After all, she was expressing herself with gusto today. He remembered Uncle’s calming tea and retrieved the basket. Luckily, it had landed right side up.

He walked back to Mai and extended it to her. No use in letting it go to waste. “For you.”

Mai looked like she was about to make another cutting remark, but then she noticed the contents. “Is this from Iroh?” He nodded and she accepted the basket. She picked up a sachet of spiced oolong and inhaled. “This always was my favorite. Thank you.” She hesitated, “Are you sure you don’t want to save this nice array for the next girl?”

Zuko huffed. “What next girl?”

He looked around the balcony for the first time, as if he thought some beautiful woman would emerge and save him from this awkwardness. There was a table piled high with food that was rapidly growing cold, and two chairs. Mai was glad she pilfered some dumplings before he arrived. Ty Lee made her spend hours getting ready and so she was starving. And now Zuko was probably going to kick her out before she got dinner.

Mai shrugged. “I don’t know. Whoever the Weaver sends you after me?”

“I didn’t actually see her of my own free will. It’s kind of a long story. Would you like to sit?” He gestured to the table. He pulled out her chair for her. Mai raised an eyebrow, but she set her basked to the side and accepted the gesture nonetheless. He sat across from her.

“So, start talking.” Mai quickly piled food onto her plate. If Zuko actually had a long story, she could finally eat.

“My advisors are concerned that I don’t have an heir. I currently have Kiyi listed, but… if something happens I don’t know if the people will accept her.”

Mai felt a chill run up her spine. “Zuko, you’re talking as though you’re going to croak any minute. Ty Lee told me that the situation was stabilizing and that was why you sent the Kyoshi warriors back to their island.”

Zuko took a bite of a steamed bun and refused to meet her gaze. Mai glared at him until he spoke, “The situation is stabilizing, but it will never be fully secure until the Fire Nation can operate independently. I heard some of the girls talking outside my office one day. They were feeling homesick. It was always meant to be a temporary post, and I didn’t want to force them to stay if they were unhappy. Anyway, Suki and Ty Lee had been personally training the replacement guards for some time anyway. So I ended their contract. And I gave them generous severance by the way.”

“Maybe independence isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Have there been more assassination attempts since they left?” Just like Mai to cut to the chase. For some reason, it made Zuko want to smile despite the serious topic.

“There have been two in the last four months. But the guards are improving, truly. I would not put my family in their care if I didn’t trust them.”

Mai nodded. “All the same, you would tell someone, right? If you were concerned.”

Zuko blinked in surprise. “Who would I tell?”

Mai wanted to flip the table. Instead she took a breath. Pretend you’re explaining a really difficult concept to Tom Tom. “You could tell Aang, or Katara, or Toph, or Sokka, or Suki, or Ty Lee. You know, any of your friends,” she deadpanned.

Zuko smiled, but it was bittersweet. “I’m trying to be better about reaching out. I acknowledge that in the past I haven’t been the best about that. But there are certain things that our friends can’t help me with. They all have their own responsibilities far away from Caldera City. This is something I need to figure out as the Fire Lord.”

Mai felt her heart twist. He didn’t hesitate to include her: ‘our friends.’ She forced herself to speak before she lost her nerve. “You could talk to me. I know things are awkward between us right now, but you’re one of my only childhood friends. I still care about you, Zuko. And I’m not volunteering to be your personal bodyguard or anything, but I don’t mind helping you vet the new recruits or spending some afternoons at the palace to help out.”

“That would be great!” Zuko accepted her offer without hesitation. He would always take whatever she was willing to give him. But then he remembered something she had said earlier. “Only if you’re sure that won’t interfere with your attempt to get over me. I don’t want to stand in the way of your happiness.”

Mai narrowed her eyes, trying to determine if he was making fun of her. And then she remembered what she said only moments ago in the heat of their argument. She felt her cheeks get hot. “Oh! That was… a bit of an over-exaggeration. I didn’t really want to see the matchmaker either. My mom and aunt were pressuring me, and then Ty Lee got on board. I guess their enthusiasm rubbed off on me more than I realized.”

Zuko smirked, “Yeah, you’re so easy to enthuse.”

Mai rolled her eyes and threw a dumpling at him. He had the good sense to duck and he came up laughing.

“So,” he began. “If you wanna hear about my problems, maybe we could start with this festival.”

Mai nodded, “You can tell me all about it until this table is empty.”

Zuko chuckled and quickly launched into complaints about his overbooked schedule and his ridiculous advisors. Mai listened intently, and, in turn, she regaled him with the trials and tribulations of the floral industry. When they finally parted, Yue was well into her nightly journey. Mai rejected Zuko’s offer of a personal escort home, but he insisted she take at least one of his guards. “I know you don’t need the protection, but I can’t have the restaurant owner think I’m an inconsiderate date.” As the pair disappeared into the city streets, Zuko couldn’t help smiling. Maybe Mai didn’t reciprocate his feelings, but she was miraculously his friend again and that was enough. He ought to send the Wedding Weaver a generous tip.

Later, as Mai slid into bed, she thought about her conversation with Zuko. He was so much more open now compared to when they broke up. Had she overreacted in ending things with him? Was it… possible that he was still willing to try again? She didn’t have satisfactory answers to these questions yet, but she had gotten one of her best friends back. That had to count for something.

— —

The First Annual Peace Extravaganza went on smoothly and historic treaties were agreed upon by the remaining three nations. However, nothing that happened was quite as historic as the Third Annual Peace Extravaganza, where the Fire Lord announced his engagement to his long-term girlfriend, Lady Mai. He shocked the world by declaring that their wedding would take place on the summer solstice, just three months away.

There was some talk about whether or not the two would be suitable rulers. In their not-so distant youth, the couple was said to have a tumultuous on-again and off-again affair. But she had been his steadfast companion for the past two years, and the royal council was happy to simply have the promise of a stronger bloodline.

The Wedding Weaver smiled when she heard the news. Since that fateful day, she learned that she was not the reason for the royal couple’s first meeting. By the time they reached her door, their life lines had long since been plied together into a single thread. She took up her place at her loom and began to weave.

— —

For Mai and Zuko, the time between their engagement and their wedding day passed in a blur. On top of their usual responsibilities of keeping a country running, they had to plan what was shaping up to be the largest party of the century. The festivities would take several days.

The first day was their traditional betrothal ceremony, made awkward by the conspicuous absence of their fathers. The awkwardness only grew. Mai’s uncle, the Warden of the Boiling Rock, had offered to take the place of her father, and kept threatening to revoke his approval, making Zuko promise and swear repeatedly on all the Spirits that he would never hurt Mai emotionally or physically. Uncle Iroh, who had taken the place of Zuko’s own father, found the situation quite amusing. Iroh and Mai had to hold back their laughter and the Warden made Zuko get on his knees and repeat his vows.

The second day was the wedding ceremony itself and Mai’s coronation. Zuko would always remember how beautiful Mai looked in the traditional robes. To the crowd’s– and Zuko’s– surprise, Mai openly cried tears of joy as she said her vows. She accepted her position as Fire Lady earnestly, and even the Sages were pleased. The entire Nation celebrated that night, while Mai and Zuko slipped away to celebrate privately.

The third day was reserved entirely for opening gifts from whoever the council deemed noteworthy. King Kuei had gifted them a large and rather unsightly bear statue that Mai decided could live in one of the many basement sitting rooms. Chief Arnook presented them with heavy duty and finely embroidered Water Tribe tunics for their next visit. Zuko was grateful but slightly disappointed. (On their previous trips to the North, Mai had clung to his side like a burr, seeking his inner fire. Now she would likely burrow into her heavy robes instead.) Chief Hakoda, at his children’s recommendation, gave them matching whale tooth knives. These were privately both Mai and Zuko’s favorite gift of the celebration.

Yet even after this event, they were left with an entire storeroom of gifts from citizens and well-wishers that would have to be dealt with eventually, which is where Mai and Zuko found themselves that evening.

“I don’t even know where to start with all of this,” Zuko sighed. “I don’t mean to be ungrateful, but it’s not like we’re lacking. I wish people would save their money.”

Mai wrapped her arms around her husband. The festivities were making her much more sentimental than usual. “I agree, but think about it this way: they gifted us these things because they appreciate what you’ve done as their leader. It’s all well-deserved.”

Zuko smiled and returned her embrace, “They’re your gifts too. The people are excited to have a Fire Lady again, and I’m so grateful that it’s you. I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else.”

Mai smiled and kissed him on the cheek, but she broke away from his hold after that. She wanted to make her way through at least some of this stuff before they left for their honeymoon after a few more days of public festivities. Everything had already been inspected for security purposes and the servants had created a separate section for gifts from people that they may have known personally. Mai made her way there, thinking it would be a good place to begin. Zuko followed and picked up a wrapped parcel with a familiar seal.

“No way,” he said, chuckling. “Mai, this is from our matchmaker!”

“Really?” she leaned into his side to read the attached note.

Dearest Fire Lord and Fire Lady,

From the moment I met the both of you, I could sense that you were destined to be a match. The string of fate between you is strong! By chance, I met you on the same day, and when the young Fire Lord spoke, it felt like he was describing you, Mai dear. It would be months before I learned that was perhaps truer than I could have guessed. Even though I did not bring you two together for the first time, I hope that the two of you are bound to stay. Please accept this token of my congratulations.

The Wedding Weaver

P.S. Zuko darling, thank you for the generous donations to my business.

Mai raised an eyebrow at ‘Zuko darling’. “You’ve been sending her money?”

“Well she got you back with me,” he replied. “I don’t regret a single copper piece!”

Mai laughed and unwrapped the parcel. Unsurprisingly, she gifted them a tapestry. It depicted the two of them standing side by side, surrounded by a border of their birth flowers. It was an impressive likeness considering that she had only seen them once and that she had rendered them in thread and not ink.

“Woah!” Zuko ran his hand along the stitches. “Do you think my council would let me hang this up instead of a royal portrait?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t think so,” Mai replied, “but this is way nicer than the bear statue. We should put it somewhere visible.”

“We should.” Zuko pulled his wife into another embrace. “Do you believe in strings of fate?” he asked, although he suspected he knew the answer.

“No,” Mai answered, “but if such a thing existed, then I believe it would exist between us.”

Zuko buried his face in her hair and smiled. This was about as sappy as Mai got. “I think so too.”

#atla maiko #atla mai #atla zuko #maiko #mai #zuko #atla #avatar the last airbender #mai x zuko #zuko x mai #maikoweek2024 #if Mai and Zuko don't get married in the Zuko movie I will RIOT

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after-witch · 2 years

Text

And the Danger Danger Drawing Near Them [Yandere Tomura Shigaraki x Reader]

Title: And the Danger Danger Drawing Near Them [Yandere Tomura Shigaraki x Reader]

Synopsis: This isn’t happening. This can’t be happening, because this only happens to other people. Not to you.

For Horrorfest request: Shigaraki Tomura + Because you were home.”

Word Count: 1121

notes: yandere themes, kidnapping, wanton destruction of doors

This isn’t happening. This can’t be happening, because this only happens to other people. Not to you. It only happens to those unfortunates who show up on the news, people with unassuming smiling faces in older photographs, which look nothing like the shocked and dusty and bloody witnesses and victims interviewed in the aftermath on the news.

No, things like this can only happen to those people, not you, not you, not you--

“I don’t see her. Did she jump out a window?” A low voice, bored, annoyed.

But it is happening. It is happening because you are pressed up against the back of your closet, in the dark, listening to a group of villains rummage through your home. You thought at first that they were trying to rob you, but then… then you heard someone call your name. So you hid. And now you’re here, listening, shaking, hearing them look for you.

And surely, it’s only a matter of time before they get to the bedroom.

To the closet.

To you.

Never before have you loathed the fact that your house is isolated. You used to love it, because it meant you had lots of privacy and no one bothered you, way out of the way as you were. But now? It means no one will hear you if you scream. It means no neighbor is around to see the broken door and call for help.

It means you’re screwed.

“Dunno. You said she was home, right Tomura?.” A giggle. It’s a girl talking. She sounds so young. “Maybe she’s playing hide and seek!”

The way these voices talk so casually, even friendly, as they stalk throughout your home is terrifying and confusing all at once. They’re talking like they’re looking for something at the grocery store, not breaking and entering and… you don’t even want to know what they are planning to do with you.

What would they want with you, anyway? You’re nobody.Your quirk is so mundane that your parents didn’t even try to puff you up with ideals of becoming a Hero or anything adjacent to that line of work. You’re not famous or rich or important. You’re just--

“She’s probably hiding in the bedroom.” A pause. Then, “Stay here. I’ll go get her myself. Be ready to leave.”

It’s this voice that scares you the most. Not only because the words--at those, your fingers grip the fabric of your pajamas so tight, it feels like you might break them--but because… you’ve heard it before. Just once. Earlier today.

You had hopped out of the shower, not bothering to dress, not even bothering to close your bedroom curtains--because it’s not like anyone was around to see, right? You were idly drying your hair with a towel, watching the news, something about another villain attack in the city nearby. The villains weren’t apprehended, and were still at large. It made you a little nervous, sure, but you trusted in the Heroes to track them down soon enough.

And then, just loud enough for you to pick it up as an actual voice and not some jumbled mistake of your tired mind, you heard someone speak.

“You’re pretty.”

It was low and husky and immediately sent chills up your spin. You had turned around, heart thumping, but there was no one there. You even went over to the window, expecting to catch a peeping Tom but… no one. Perhaps the leaves were rustling a bit more outside? But it must have been your imagine.

There was no one there…

Except there was.

And you can hear him coming up the stairs.

Your eyes dart around the darkness of your closet. Looking for something. Anything. A weapon, maybe? You wish, quickly, briefly, awfully, that you had taken up your dad’s offer to buy you a baseball bat--”just in case.”

With shaking hands, you rip a dress from the bar behind you and pull the hanger out. The fabric swishes against your leg as it drops, leaving you with nothing but a velvet hanger and the metal hook, which you grasp with both hands and hold out in front of you protectively.

As if it might actually hurt him--and help you.

The sounds of his steps on the staircase seem punctuated and slow. Is he toying with you? You can hear dim conversation from the others downstairs, but nothing comes clear. It’s as if your mind is slowly being dragged underwater from the fear. Everything it muddled, low, dragging. Except your heart rate, and your body, which thrums and shakes.

Your bedroom door creaks open.

“I know you’re in here.”

You swallow down bile.

There’s a horrible scratching sound, nails dragging along your wall, and you can’t help but jerk at the sudden noise.

“Come out. I don’t want to stay here that long.”

It’s short and simple and a command. You have no intention of obeying. Your hands grip the hanger tighter, and you’re dimly aware of how sweaty you are; all you can think is, if you attack first, as soon as he opens the door, maybe you have a shot. Maybe you can get out of this. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

The footsteps on your padded carpet stop in front of the closet door.

Silent tears stream down your cheeks. You wish this wasn’t happening. You wish you lived somewhere else. You wish--

The closet door doesn’t open. Instead, it disintegrates, crumbling into dust. Some if it catches in your eye and your tears come harder as you blink, confused and horrified all in one terrible stomach-churning mixture.

The man standing in front of what used to be your closet door looks familiar. Because, like his voice, you’d seen him earlier that day. On the television, in the report about the latest attack.

But now instead of a somewhat blurry shot of him running away with a group of other villains, he’s here, in front of you. High-definition, surrounded by the swirling dust of the door.

He smiles, all chapped lips, scabs. You don’t know why a villain who just attacked a few city blocks would ever be smiling at you, and finding out seems like the worse outcome in the world.

“Let’s go. “ There’s no teasing in his voice, only practicality and the assumption that you’ll listen. As if you already know that you should do what he says, when he says it. Something about you bristles, but you can’t focus on that, with all the fear choking you down.

He glances down at your hands, which are still shaking and grasping the hanger as if it’s a lifeline.

“Unless you really want to try to stab me with that?”

You don’t move as he reaches out and grips the metal end of the hanger. Your fingers are still tight even as it disintegrates in your hands. You stare down dumbly as the pile of ashes, which landed on your feet, piling on the crumpled fabric of your dress on the floor.

Slowly, you look back up at the man, who is staring at you with some terrible expectations that you don’t want to meet.

You wish you weren’t home.

#yandere shigaraki #yandere bnha #yandere tomura shigaraki #yandere #aw horrorfest #afterwitch writes

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mqverick · 1 year

Text

Waking On Air || chapter 3

What was worse than the situation between you, Pete and Tom? The food they served at the lunch hall in Top Gun. Honestly, an abomination — and you hadn’t even thought to bring your own lunch, which meant you had to bare with the tasteless stuff they served as so called food. For some reason, Tom was enjoying it, almost done with his plate as he offered you his bread, which you accepted (but did not entirely eat), picking on crumbs and putting it on your disk as you stared blankly right through your boyfriend’s head. A few tables behind, you could make out Goose laughing his heart out and Maverick joining him as well, keeping a lower profile. An instant smile tugged at the corners of your own lips, eyes glowing at the sight of him seeming so happy and unbothered.

Your view was blocked by Tom cocking his head to the side, grinning lazily. “What’re you lookin at?”

Suddenly flustered, you avoided eye contact and tried to shrug off the fact that you’d been staring at the man your boyfriend disliked the most right in front of him without him having any idea.

“Nothing, just you,” you replied, hoping he’d buy it. Apparently, he was lovestruck enough to do so.

“Food not good?” he asked, noticing you hadn’t touched your plate. You nodded in agreement and excused yourself to go get a glass of water. As you walked through the crowd, you felt yourself accidentally bump on someone and you prayed it wouldn’t be who you thought it was, but then again, you’ve never been the lucky type of girl.

“We need to stop meeting like this,” you mumbled, dusting your chest off. Maverick smirked and moved his head in semi agreement, even though in his opinion, he wouldn’t mind a few more bumps if it meant he’d get to see you.

“Will I be seeing you tonight?” he asked and your cheeks flushed in a deep shade of crimson.

“Pete…” you started but trailed off, not knowing what the answer would be. Your brain was split in half; part of it wanted to turn him down, choose the safe option and kindly back out of a bunch of upcoming problems. Part of it.

“Please,” he begged and you swore you’d never heard a man pronounce this word as beautifully as it fell out of Maverick’s lips. “There’s no harm in two flying mates to meet up, anyway. I’ll be waiting for you even if you decide not to show up.”

“Show up where?”

Your entire body froze in terror the moment you heard your boyfriend’s voice repeat Pete’s last sentence. You wished it was all part of a nightmare, because — no, this was not happening — not now, not to you. As if you were a criminal caught in cold blood, you slowly turned your head around, face to face with a fuming Tom Kazansky. His hands were shaped into fists and you could tell that if you were not standing in front of him, he would’ve jumped on Maverick with fury.

“Tom, it’s not —”

“No, Roger, please,�� he interrupted, voice raised, “I want to know if you plan on going around with Mitchell in the middle of the night while I think you’re sleeping next to me, like the fucking fool I am, is that right?”

God, you wanted to cry. This is exactly what you’d been trying to avoid the whole time, yet had failed miserably. You hesitantly took a few steps closer towards Tom, throwing Maverick a look as if to tell him to get his ass out of there as fast as he could. Tom backed away from you, opening his mouth to say something but never letting anything out. Instead, he stormed off outside.

You followed him, almost stumping from trying to catch up. “Ice!” you called, but nothing. “Tom!”

He turned around with force and you could make out tears starting to well up in his eyes. His whole face was red and he was trying the best he could to not break down — or at least that’s what it looked like. “I expected this kind of behavior from Maverick, hell, I’m pretty sure I’d be surprised if he didn’t hit on you, but from you?”

You scrunched up your face, trying to block back your own sniffles. There wasn’t anything you could say that would change what he’d heard, so you opted to remain silent, which he did not take as well as you hoped he would. Beginning to walk away from you again, you let out a big sigh you did not know you were holding. “Tom!” you shouted, voice echoing in the corridor. Your pace quickened along with his, breathing heavily through your mouth, seeing as your nose was getting stuffy. “I wouldn’t go with him!”

Tom quits walking so abruptly that you nearly fall on him. You can take a clearer look at his face now; seeing him like that making you devastated. His lips were pressed tightly together and his eyelids were getting puffy and red. Your mouth parted, but as your brain fought to send words up your throat, Tom scoffed, wiping non existent tears off his cheeks.

“Oh, you wouldn’t go with him!” he repeated, faking his way through the most ridiculous grin you’d seen. “Well, that makes everything so much easier and happier for me, then!” You hated the sarcasm in his voice, which was ironic, seeing as you barely had any right to hate him, especially during that moment.

“Just — please, listen to me.”

“No, I will not listen to you. I’m tired of listening to you; ‘No, Iceman, he’s not ogling me!’, ‘no, there’s nothing going on between us’ — clearly, you’ve been lying this entire time, straight into my face, but what gets to me the most is how you fucking love to deny any sign of interaction with him while making plans to — what? — meet up under the moonlight and the starry sky?”

Streaming tears were falling down your cheeks now, eyes red in all feelings of embarrassment, sadness and anger. How dare he accuse you of cheating? How dare he when all you’ve been trying to do is restrain your fucking self from Maverick so painfully hard? Your gaze drifts, because you have no remains of dignity left in your body, but suddenly, Tom jerks your chin back up, forcing your eyes to meet his. Everything around you feels hot and suffocating and you know it’s the same for him.

“Do you love him now, is that it? Have you slept together, did he cast spells around you or something?” You didn’t know how or when it happened, but your eyes catch sight of your hand flying right across his face. You gasped the moment the slapping sound rings through your ears, mind fading in a blurry haze. Iceman held his cheek where you’d hit him, mouth agape as he stared at you unfazed.

“I’d never fucking cheat on you, asshole! How do you even have the nerve to accuse me of something like that?!” you ask, voice coming out louder and angrier than expected. He let out a bitter chuckle as he released his cheek.

“I don’t know, ask your boyfriend.”

“Do you think we’re in fucking middle school?” you questioned, screaming at the top of your lungs as you watched him walk away from you for once more without giving you an answer. You felt too exhausted to follow him this time, simply collapsing onto the floor, hands coming around to hug your knees as you buried your face deep into them, biting hard at your lip to keep it from trembling. All you knew was that you’d hurt one of the people you cared for the most — or at least used to — and he’d hurt you back, which was deserved (as you’d convinced yourself to believe).

Your eyes were still sore as you dragged your legs all the way back to your place after having made stops at every bar in your way, just to get inside and look at people drink and dance happily together. It was getting late and you had no motivation whatsoever to keep the day going. Falling asleep would be hard — impossible even, especially after the way both of you and Tom had acted during your first major argument. You didn’t want to lie to yourself; it was high time the heated moment happened, honestly, you were surprised he hadn’t snapped earlier. Your house felt empty and cold and so did you, despite all the layers of clothing you were wearing. Your eyes heavily glanced over at the clock on your living room’s wall to see the time. Every muscle inside you screamed not to do it, not when it would risk losing Tom, losing yourself, but you’ve always been the stubborn type of person.

As promised, there he was, sitting on his motorcycle and staring down at the beach from the cliff tops. You cleared your throat and his head instantly shot up, a huge grin spreading across his features at the unexpected sight of you.

“You came,” he said softly in disbelief, which made your heart flutter. Had you not showed up, would he have stayed there waiting for you all night? The thought made you warm. Maverick got up from his bike, moving towards you as in to hug you, but stopped in his tracks, keeping his arms uncomfortably on his sides as he pursed his lips. A light wave of wind ghosted between the two of you and you suddenly felt a lot chillier than you recalled yourself feeling a few moments ago. Maverick noticed and shrugged his bomber off, placing it around your shoulders gently. The warmth of it embraced you along with the smell of his cologne and you snuggled eagerly into it, embarrassed at how needy he made you feel with so little.

“Ice and I had a fight,” you blubbered.

“I know. I think half of Miramar heard.”

You chuckled bitterly, kicking on the sandy ground. You didn’t know what to say or do, even though your mind had a few ideas of its own. Maverick patted the seat of his bike, helping you get up on it. The touch his hand held around your waist burned in the nicest way and you wanted to feel more of him on your body. When he positioned himself next to you, you realized how close he was, knees almost bumping into each other. Even though the sky was dark, his eyes were glistening uniquely under the moonlight, wind blowing his hair into every direction and making it all messy — he was so captivating that you had to hold your breath when you realized that he was giving you that look again.

“Don’t look at me like that, Pete,” you murmured under your breath, loud enough for him to hear.

“How are you feeling?” he asked with genuine concern. You signed, knowing damn well that you had absolutely zero idea of how you were actually feeling. Everything had happened so fast, that you barely had any time to process it.

“Scared,” was the word that came out of your mouth when you closed your eyes to think. “I’m scared of what’s coming up. I’ve never seen Tom like that before and it’s all my fault. He’s been nothing but amazing to me the entire time we’ve been together and I honestly like him so much, but I just…” you stopped yourself before you could say anything foolish.

“It’s not your fault,” Maverick assured you with a gentle squeeze on your knee. Your eyes traveled to where his hand was sitting and you blushed. You hated how obvious you were. “Sometimes, we can’t control how we feel for others.”

The sentence came out of his mouth as if he was hurting. As if he’d been stabbed with irony and misery and it was driving him insane. You drew in a sharp breath, fidgeting with your fingers as silence fell over you. Guilt washed your face; what were you doing? Meeting up with the one you’d sworn not to give false hope to, wearing his jacket, being so close to him and listening to him dropping hints about his feelings, while Tom Kazansky, your so called boyfriend, whose heart you’d broken, was probably rotting in his place.

Pete’s name fell off your lips like a breathy whisper and you felt his hand shift on your leg, almost as if to caress it, but regretted it midway through and retreated it back to his own side.

“I’m sorry,” you heard him murmur. “I never meant for this to happen. I’m not Iceman’s biggest fan, but it’s not like I dreaded to see both of you in this situation.”

With your brain shut off and your heart picking up waves of bravery, you closed your eyes, taking a deep breath, before reaching for Maverick’s hand. Your fingers were interlocked with his and it felt like his hand was made to hold yours, which shouldn’t have felt so right, not when Iceman was still in the picture. Iceman. Iceman. Iceman.

“Maverick,” you started, tears forming in the corners of your eyes. You hated yourself more than anything for being such a shitty girlfriend to the person who never deprived you of anything you asked. You felt Pete’s fingers hold yours tighter at the sound of his call sign coming out of your mouth, butterflies erupting in your stomach.

“You called me Maverick.”

Your eyes travelled upwards only to realize he was already looking at you with the same lovesick gaze Tom had earlier in the morning at the lunch hall. You couldn’t take any more of this — seeing Maverick so fragile and sweet, unlike the first day you spoke to him. It was sending your mind places and the smell of his intoxicating cologne wrapped around the atmosphere around you was killing you slowly — and god, you wanted to never let go of him and that moment, but you couldn’t.

“I need to go,” you breathed, shifting a little to help yourself get down from his bike. You shrugged his jacket off your shoulders, handing it to him and began walking away, holding back the urge to look behind, because you were very aware of the fact that it would take only one more look from Maverick to throw everything you’d built in the garbage. You missed the way his heart broke at your departure, a thousand words flooding his mind that he had yet to wait to speak aloud.

Chapter 4

47 notes · View notes

redfurrycat · 2 years

Text

☃️Icemav Fic Recs🏍️

☃️🏍️Icemav Goodies to Read🏍️☃️

Check the Top Gun Masterlist post for the latest updated version. 💕

List of Icemav Ao3 Authors:

Property of Maverick Mitchell by gh0stytoasty {G}

"What's so funny?" he asked, turning to face the class. One of the new recruits, Phoenix, replied between giggles: "It's on your back, sir." "What's on my back?" Or, Maverick decides to pull the classic sticky-note prank on Ice.

baby, baby, i'd get down on my knees for you by boasamishipper, simplecoffee {T}

Or, the Wooing of Iceman Kazansky by a Very Smol Mr. Darcy (Five times Maverick proposed to Iceman, and one time Iceman accepted.)

Gift Me Your Love by ReformedTsundere {G}

"Weird? That's all you're gonna offer me?" Slider laughs and knocks his shoulder into Ice's. "Not sure what else I can, princess; looks like you got yourself an admirer." He leans off the lockers and moves around Ice to head out. "Or," he says, looking over his shoulder to smirk wide and far too amused for Ice's taste, "a stalker." Ice throws his towel at Slider's face.

let’s talk about sex, baby (let’s talk about you and me) by boasamishipper {T}

Prompt: I keep coming in to take condoms from the health services desk because I think you’re cute and I’m pretty sure you must think my sex life is wild.

Read My Damn File! by viridimessorem {T}

Why don't people ever read the files? It would save everyone a lot of trouble. Or The 5 Times the Navy didn't realize Maverick and Iceman were married, and the 1 Time they did.

1am by quantumoddity {G}

It's the early morning and Tom Kazansky's house hasn't been quiet in a long time. And he couldn't be more grateful.

Smooth by viridimessorem {T}

The Five times Maverick didn't know who gave him a gift and the one time he did.

The Role of a Lifetime by Fuddlewuddle {M}

Maverick never expected to be a father, but sometimes roles in life are chosen for you without any of your say so in the matter. That's how the Captain ends up with seven adult kids after coming back to Top Gun. Lucky for him he has a husband who doesn't mind the sudden increase in Christmas stockings they're going to have to buy at some point. A husband that 6 out of the 7 kids have no idea he has. He could tell them, but where would be the fun in that?

Brilliant Beyond Brilliant Idea by boasamishipper {T}

Identical twins Violet Kazansky and Josephine 'Joey' Mitchell, separated at birth and raised by one of their parents, discover each other for the first time at summer camp and hatch a scheme to bring their wayward fathers back together.

Can't Take the Heat... by ReformedTsundere {T}

No self-respecting bisexual man turns down gay chicken a la Lady in the Tramp.

Pick me up, Buttercup by Fuddlewuddle {M}

Everyone keeps picking Maverick up or having him sit in their lap because he is small. Maverick finds he doesn't actually mind it.

Icing And Ice Cubes by CaptainStilinski {G}

Bradley can hear his dad and Uncle Mav talking quietly in the living room, the noise from the tv drowning out most of what they're saying, but he does catch the tail end of the conversation. He pauses with one juice box in his hand, his little mind suddenly sparked with inspiration. Uncle Mav’s birthday is soon, and now he has the perfect gift idea. Or: little kid Bradley is the best, unintentional wingman.

Mother Goose Knows Best. by StreetSweeperShenanigans {T}

Maverick finds himself left out in the rain only to be rescued by his rival (synonym: crush). A lot can change in bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic lagged down by the rain. Who knew? Goose knew.

Amortentia by thecarlysutra {T}

Pete Mitchell is a new recruit to the MACUSA Auror Office, and his new partner is a blast from his past.

I can go anywhere i want (just not home) by LaceyAmethyst {T}

“No wife. No kids. No one to mourn you when you burn in.” Maverick froze like prey on the wrong side of a rifle barrel. Bradley had taken a direct hit, a shot meant to kill. He watched Maverick wince, slowly, before his face split open, raw with hurt and disbelief. The look would haunt Bradley in his dreams for many nights. And that’s when he saw Admiral Kazansky in the doorway. Or: Ice overhears Rooster when he says Those Words to Maverick. Predictably, he eviscerates him on the spot. But perhaps less predictably, Hangman's just as ready to defend Rooster.

Homeward to a Harbor by aelibia {M}

Ice is a selkie. Maverick finds out the hard way.

Maverick’s Mystery by Oceannaya {T}

The Daggers took notice of their beloved instructor always gushing and smiling his face off whenever he spoke on the phone. They wanna know why.

This Means War by Metro_Gnome {G}

Maverick and Iceman's rivalry didn't end when they became instructors. From sticky notes to love confessions, what started as a simple prank war goes directions neither expected.

You and me, no matter how they toss the dice, it had to be by Logan73 {_}

Iceman kissed his temple, left his lips on Maverick’s skin, and then kissed it once again. Then they both fell asleep, safe and sound. Next morning, Iceman prepared a speech, and it wasn’t until DADT was overturned and gay marriage legalised that he got to read it.

If only for today, I am unafraid by JuliaBaggins {T}

Bradley just returned from a longer deployment and is happy to spend some time with his dad. But when he notices a scar on Mav's shoulder he previously hadn't registered, it sparks a lot of feels, realisations and the wish to help Mav to find the same kind of happiness that he has found with Jake. Ideally with a certain Admiral… [Bradley & Mav family feels, established Hangster, Icemav getting together///Bradley's POV, then Mav's]

And they call it (puppy) love by StoriesofmyLife {T}

Ice honestly isn’t sure what, exactly, he’d been expecting upon his entrance to the kitchen—an explosion of some sort, a new construction project that would go unfinished until Ice got annoyed with it and called a professional in to finish it, a dead body—honestly, the possibilities were endless—but it isn't almost being bowled over by a black and brown blur that’s covered in something dark and wet and Maverick yelling at said blur, that upon closer inspection, is a dog. More specifically, a puppy. Even more specifically, a puppy that's covered in mud. And getting said mud all over Ice’s freshly pressed uniform. “Maverick.” Ice manages, trying to wrestle away from the eager puppy, who’s tongue is hell bent on licking every square inch of his face. He doges an overexcited attempt at his eyeball, narrowly avoiding getting blinded by an uncoordinated paw. “Why is there a dog in our house?” or - Maverick adopts a dog and Ice is just a long for the ride.

when i see your face by boasamishipper {G}

In which Maverick Mitchell wakes up from surgery, high on painkillers, and hits on his husband.

doppio espresso (over ice) by seventeensteps {T}

The bell jingles, and in walks the most gorgeous man Pete’s ever seen in his entire life. “What can I get for you today, sir?” Pete says cheerily, putting on his best customer service smile, offering everything and more. “Double espresso-” “On it,” says Pete’s unfiltered mouth, his hands already moving, before it belatedly occurs to him that he’s just cut a customer off. “Sorry, you were saying?” The man’s stony expression doesn’t change but Pete feels like he’s being scolded anyway. “Double espresso over ice,” he says. And boy, doesn’t that just absolutely obliterate the moment.

Flower Power by ReformedTsundere {T}

Flowers, Pete reminds himself, slamming the last of the books closed, are the worst.

you're trying hard not to show it, but baby, i know it by StoriesofmyLife {T}

Ice wants to know who Maverick was before he became Maverick. He wants to know Pete Mitchell, too, because they’re two parts of the same whole and Ice wants to love that part, too. Because Pete Mitchell was worth loving just as much Maverick Mitchell was worth loving. And God, does Ice love him. Or --- The one where Ice gets drunk and serenades Maverick in front of God and everyone.

Moving In Slow Motion by boasamishipper {E}

Maverick never thought he’d actually like the nitty gritty details of working at TOPGUN — the lesson plans, the tests, the endless paperwork — but it grows on him over time. Viper’s even taken to giving Maverick these approving glances when he thinks Maverick’s not looking. He’s got a good thing going here. A year after that, in walks Iceman Kazansky, cool as can be, and Maverick starts to think that he might have a problem.

Recovery Period by Content_Scrapbooker

Whiplash {T}

Getting booted from a plane twice within a month really was not in Maverick's best interest, and Rooster needs to come to terms with his godfather's recklessness before the fear of losing him sends them both into a flat spin.

Heads up, Iceman is not dead in this, I don't care what the movie says, Maverick can't lose any more friends, and canon is being adjusted.

Recovery Period Working Timeline {_}

This is just an organized timeline of this current series. This is not a fic or oneshot, just a timeline. Do with that what you will.

Cracked the Case {T}

While Maverick's in recovery post-surgery, he drops a bit of information that leaves Rooster's head spinning. The two of them might as well talk about it.

On Tape {T}

During the IceMav wedding reception, a certain wedding gift captures the attention of everyone in attendance, and emotions begin to run high. And a ghost from the past ends up with perfect timing to make a speech.

Waking Nightmare {T}

Rooster has a nightmare and has to call Maverick after. They bond over it.

Out You Come {T}

In the 25-week gap between Ice popping the question at Maverick's bedside, and the two of them getting hitched, the US government finds itself thrown into a conundrum that might finally prove more than these two pilots are worth. See how they react and deal with politics, drama, emotions, and an unusually-cooperative Commander in Chief who just wants to be invited to the wedding.

Whatever They Need {T}

Alternatively known as the twelve times the aviators of the special detachment needed Mav, and he came in clutch, plus the one time he realized he needed them just as much.

Blood Is Thick {_}

Today is the day of Ice's surgery, and tensions are high between Sarah and Pete. The two of them talk it out.

The Retirement Of Admiral Bradshaw by SaintClaire {T}

Goose and Carole both live and go on to be happily in love and their son's biggest supporters.

no fear, just faith by qin_ling {M}

Canon-divergence of Top Gun (1986) in which Goose survives, Slider suffers, and Maverick and Iceman are idiots in love. Featuring Goose as Maverick's relationship therapist and resident General Hospital expert.

Easier Done Than Said by COMPACFLT

When We Get Around to Talking About It {M}

Goose has been dead for a week and a half when Iceman loses his first wingman in a dogfight with six Soviet MiGs over the Sea of Okhotsk. Goose has been dead for thirty years when Iceman loses his second wingman to a surface-to-air missile on the tail-end of a mission he's responsible for: he's sent his family on a suicide mission to destroy a uranium enrichment facility in Siberia. This is the story of those thirty years in the middle. (Or: Tom Kazansky rises through the ranks while trying to stay a good man. If he ever was one to begin with.)

Debriefing (& Other Stories) {M}

"We can start here, I guess. If we're talking about us," Pete says. "Nineteen-eighty-six. The first thing I thought, when I saw you in that O-club, was: Iceman is off-limits. Capital O, capital L." Despite himself, despite the fear, Tom laughs a little. "Oh, yeah? Why's that?" "Well, first off, we were competition. And yeah, you were attractive, but then you opened your mouth and I swear. You were just an asshole. Goose is trying to introduce you to me and here I am thinking about how much of an asshole you are. Shut up about Cougar, asshole." "It was supposed to be a friendly competition!" "Yeah, right. So that's what I was thinking: he's attractive, clearly doesn't know how to talk to other men, might be into the proposition if I framed it the right way. But he's an asshole, so this competition is just gonna be friendly." Pete pauses. Then he says, "Ice, you wanna get married?" And that's how they start talking about it. (Or: they finally get around to talking about it. Plus a couple extra stories for good luck.)

Tremors & Aftershocks {E}

They both come back to their senses and stop openly crying again eventually. The stitches fall out of the thirty-year-old wounds and the scars fade back to skin-color. Life stops being so painfully raw after a couple weeks back home. You get used to miracles the way you get used to anything else. One day at a time. [Or: 40 years of extras, from 1982-2022. Some true love, some heartbreak, some miracles.]

Maverick Whisperer by LadyLanera {T}

Let it be known that Maverick Mitchell is a self-sacrificing dumbass who absolutely knows how to play the system to get exactly what he wants out of the Navy.

I will always hold you close by LadyLanera {G}

Tom only wants two things: his boys together on the sofa and dinner. Thanks to his darling menace and his ridiculous antics, he quickly amends his wants to include a third--or was it more like eleven.

and you moved me, honey by vannral {M}

”Jesus fuckin’ Christ,” Slider says somewhere on Goose’s left. His voice is gruff, flat and so deadpan it would be hilarious under any other circumstances but unfortunately Goose is stuck on this ride, too, so he can relate heavily."

Slider and Goose are 200 % done with their pilots and their stupid pining. Goose also realizes he might care a lot more for Slider than he thought.

Vampire!Ice by LadyLanera

Blood Ties {M}

Originally born Avtonom Konstantin but nowadays known as COMPACFLT Admiral Tom Kazansky, this is the story of how Ice lived in secret as a vampire, searching desperately across all of time for his green-eyed menace who plagued his dreams most nights.

AKA IceMav across the ages

The Home Ice Built {M}

There once was a house in Coronado filled with love and happiness. It sat at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, but it was anything but inside. Full-body laughter erupted from its seams at any given time.

This is the story of the home Iceman Kazansky built.

Bloody Halloween {G}

After learning there's going to be a Halloween party at Maverick's, Jake decides he's going to show up to meet the family so to speak since things have been going so well between him and Bradley. Things, however, quickly go wrong unfortunately.

Welcome to the Family {T}

Bradley has the rest of his life to figure out when he's ready to die as a human and be reborn as a vampire. When tragedy strikes, though, he realizes that maybe he doesn't have that long after all.

In other words… This is the epic conclusion to the Vampire!Ice series. Please note the Main Character Death warnings are temporary.

the bet by aaronhotchners {T}

“Okay, okay, okay,” Ron interrupts, suddenly sounding undefined. “It’s settled. If Mitchell loses, Kazansky gets his bike. If Kazansky loses, he goes for a date on said bike.”

Kind of the same way - TGM Edition by trinipedia {M}

When Les Grossman, the US President, goes into a coma, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a hot-headed and caring Temp Agency operator who by a staggering coincidence looks exactly like the President, finds himself stuck in the role indefinitely. The corrupt and manipulative Chief of Staff, Chester "Hammer" Cain, plans to use Pete to elevate himself to the White House, but he doesn't count on Pete enjoying himself in office, using his luck and friends to make the country a better place and falling in love with the President's personal assistant, Tom “Iceman” Kazansky.

Love and heartbreak walk a thin line by glitterfayy {E}

Knowing you have a soulmate, a romantic soulmate, and wanting to know them were two different things, and Bradley was sure of one thing. Knowing only ended in heartache.

Mav wonders if he's always destined be left behind.

OR Soulmate AU when you turn 18 you get a compass that leads you to your soulmate. A story in 2 parts. First part covers Mav. Second Bradley and Jake.

etymology of a soul by writteninwaves {T}

etymology

n. the study of the origin of words, how they got their meanings and how they change over time

a study of souls, soulmates, friends you choose, family you find & all the ways souls can feel sorrow, break, and mend themselves back again.

Bradley Bradshaw has two soulmates, one platonic and one romantic. However, it isn't that easy to find your loved ones when you have loss and grief following you everywhere.

Based on & Inspired by Comin2U's Fic "You'd Say I Love You and How Proud", where Natasha is IceMav's long lost daughter.

Bad Ideas! by LemonsAndSugarMakeLemonade

Bad Idea! {T}

Bradley: Hey, are you and Ice around?

Well, this is slightly odd Mav thought but he replied anyway.

Yeah, why?

Bradley: We have our baby! We’ll be there in 10.

Mav almost dropped his phone at the reply. What the fuck.

Bradley Bradshaw, you better call me this instant.

Even worse idea! {T}

“Bradley, Ice just texted me to come to “hang out”, is this a threat?” “Jake you’ve known him for almost five years now, it is definitely just Ice wanting you to do some work around the house.” “Okay but-” “Baby, this exact conversation happened last week, you know Ice is so different at home than he is at work.” “But is he?” “Jake, please,” “Okay yeah, I’ll go over.”

A Friendly Chat by Content_Scrapbooker {G}

Prompt: Could we maybe see a circumstance that brings them all of the ’86 flyboys together for the sake of Mav, where the ‘86 crew is witness to his disgustingly loving and fatherly nature over the Daggers, and the kids also see how the older guys take care of and protect Mav?

By Night, My Love, Tie Your Heart to Mine by SOBERHYUCK {T}

Tom thinks that his bunkmate’s snores might be the same decibel level as the planes they fly.

- where they are bunkmates and fall in love

When the flowers bloom by miiichaaan {T}

“Are you also gonna stay with Uncle Mav forever?” Bradley wants to know, his tone as serious as a five year old’s can be. Ice feels heat rising to his cheeks. His eyes flick up to Mav for the split of a second. I’d love to, if you let me, he thinks.

5 Times Goose Observes +1 time Maverick sees/hears him by LadyLanera {G}

Inspired by tumblr's forsty's "Goose's Force Ghost" art series. Five times Goose's Force Ghost observes events surrounding Maverick or Maverick-adjacent after Goose's death, but there's one time Maverick sees/hears him.

With a little help... by miiichaaan {T}

“Look, we kinda have to set them up, huh?” Slider barked out a laugh at that, “Figured that out all by yourself?” Goose rolled his eyes, “You help me or no?”

You're DINOmite by ReformedTsundere {T}

When a poacher problem comes to Isla Sorna, InGen sends out a group of mercenaries to help keep their assets secure. Maverick is not pleased with that development. Until he is.

if we were apart I could still see the lights in the sky by stardustsunflower {T}

Mav joined the Navy to follow his father’s footsteps and to be part of something. He got far more than he bargained for, far more than he deserves. For all the years since he’s met Goose, he’s been happy. He’s been grateful. And he truly has become part of something – part of their family. For the first time in his life, he gets to feel like he belongs.

In which Mav stuffs too many balloons under a dining table, regrets not taking home economics, and almost ruins his favorite jacket, not necessarily in that order.

You're Gonna Be The One That Saves Me by orphan_account {M}

Of all the inane things Maverick’s done—of all of the rules he’s broken, and all of the ways he’s risked his neck—falling for Iceman is both the most ludicrous and the most expected.

Build this Dream by VarjoRuusu {G}

"I'm sorry to have to do this this way," Ice starts and he can already see the devastation and panic on Bradley's face, thinking Ice is going to rip his wings away before he even has them. Again. Ice sighs. "Sit down," he says softly. "Please."

Bradley casts a glance at him, then does as he's told as Ice takes a breath.

"Maverick pulled your papers because your mother asked him to," Ice says bluntly, and Bradley's world collapses.

"What?" he manages to croak and slowly, carefully, Ice explains everything Maverick should have four and a half years before. Tells him how Carole was so scared of leaving her boy alone when he was only fourteen, how she didn't want him in the air, she didn't want him to die young like Goose had. He explains how Maverick didn't want Bradley to end up hating his mother, or resenting her, so he took it all on himself.

There is silence for a long time after he finishes before Bradley quietly asks to be dismissed and after a moments hesitation, Ice nods.

"Bradley," he says, catching him at the door. "I didn't know until after. If I had, I would have stopped him." It's the best he can offer, and it's the truth. -- Or, Ice is gonna fix this once and for all.

Men Like Us by DancingDisaster

Time And Tide {M}

'The Kazansky-Mitchell Shitshow Extravaganza,' Carole had once called his early fumblings with Tom. Maverick thinks history might just be repeating itself as he sits at the Hard Deck watching whatever the fuck is going on between Bradley and Seresin these days, yet another member of the captive audience witnessing their disaster of a mating dance.

God, Maverick really hoped he and Tom were never this bad.

Or— Unfortunately for everyone else trapped in Miramar during the summer of '86, Pete Mitchell and Tom Kazansky aren't any closer to figuring out what's between them now then they were when they first met five years ago.

"Mav," Goose hisses into his ear at the officers' club, "please tell me he isn't the guy from the Academy."

"Fine, I won't tell you that."

The Importance of Personal Connections {T}

Tom didn’t put so much work into building his career just so he could spend it putting out Pete’s fires. Alas, given that half the personal favors owed to Iceman stem from him handling another officer’s Maverick Problem of the Day and the other half are kept on reserve for smoothing over whatever nonsense Pete causes next, it’s become something of a reputation for him.

“At least I’m cute, right?”

Tom drops his head back and stares at the ceiling in dismay. Sometimes, he truly wonders why he keeps this impulsive idiot of his. “You do have that going for you.”

Or— There are few things more universally feared in the Navy than owing Admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazansky a favor.

Ten Out of Nine Times by EliasHirsch {G}

“I know what you’re thinking.”

“Do you?”

“Because I’m thinking the same thing. We’re living in a sitcom, Ice. They think I’m a lonely old man who has no one. Fritz made a suggestion to hook me up with Penny.”

Ice laughs this time, managing to make it sound like he’s laughing with and at Maverick. “She’ll kill you if you ask her out.”

“Thanks for the confidence.”

“No problem. So, what’s the plan, Captain?”

“I’m thinking we let them have fun. They survived the mission, right? Got their medals and everything. I say we see their grand master plan.”

Or Maverick goes through his week while juggling being a full time dad. Unfortunately, his kids can't figure out he already has a man at home.

a higher fidelity by basedchamp {T}

“C’mon.” Tori nudges him with an elbow. “C’mon. He’s cute. You can admit that one thing but you can’t admit this?”

Gritting his teeth, Ice thinks very carefully about his next words. “He’s…” he trails off. “Some would say that…Mitchell is not. Unpleasant. To look at.”

(Alternatively: the one where Ice and Mav learn to park bad, eat good, and love even better.)

Family Is So Much More Than Blood by tartie {_}

When Ice and Mav decided to adopt an adult Bradley, neither expected to be adopting Hangman as well. But that’s just how things happened.

Goodness Gracious, Great Balls o' Fire by BigBellRings {T}

Carole seems taken aback by that, but continues talking to Iceman anyway, “Because unless you are a fool, that boy is off the market. He is one hundred percent, prime-time in love with you.”

Or; Iceman in Charlie's place during the bar scene.

Landing Zone 'verse by AlannaofRoses

A Soft Place to Land {M}

Admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazansky hummed quietly to himself as he shuffled through the reports on his desk.

Mav was coming home.

Landing Zone {T}

He only had a moment to absorb the impact ‘we’re alive we’re alive holy shit we’re alive’ before the plane is being swarmed from all directions, someone popping the canopy as the last remnants of smoke and flame retardant flare into the sky.

Ice, Ice Baby by yellowdaisy2023 {G}

"Ice ice baby." It comes from the phone and Maverick looks away from Iceman. Rooster and Maverick make eye contact briefly and Maverick feels his face flaming. Rooster has a wide smile on his face, nodding his head to the song.

OR Maverick loses his phone and Ice calls it to help him find it

Hotshot by Honckity {T}

“I’ll just get a beer.” Slider ordered way too easily with a steady voice.

“Alright. And for you, hotshot?”

or ice meets bartender mav and falls in love

Oblivious by umbrella_enthusiast {T}

Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and Tom “Iceman” Kazansky have been around Bradley Bradshaw for long enough that they know how he interacts with his friends. Hell, they practically raised the kid.

But the one thing that Mav and Ice can’t wrap their heads around is Hangman.

Seven Horses Seem To Be On The Mark by themodernmerlin {T}

Hangman and the rest of the special detachment want to know more details about why exactly Rooster had such an issue with Maverick.

Knees Buckled, White Knuckled by Winterotter

Twice the Speed of Life {M}

Maverick spends the weekend with Iceman after training Rooster and the rest of his Top Gun class, and things take an unexpected turn.

An AU set after the events of Top Gun: Maverick. Beware spoilers for the new movie in this fic.

Holdin' on Tight {T}

“Look,” he said. “I’ve been scared to ask all these years. But I’m finally gonna. Did you help him pull my papers?”

“You know better than most that Maverick has his own kind of influence within the Navy.”

“That’s not an answer. . ."

Or, Rooster has three conversations, with and about Maverick.

Don't Go Hittin' that Panic Button {M}

Maverick invites the Daggers out to his hangar and quickly learns that bonds can be tested outside of suicide missions.

A selection of scenes and stories set in this universe, which will include: how the daggers convince Maverick to keep teaching, Rooster & Hangman figuring things out, Maverick's first meetings as an Admiral and more. Not truly necessary to have read the other entries in the series, but the added context will help.

Mighty Wings (Across the Sky) by Resacon1990

you shake my nerves and you rattle my brain (too much love drives a man insane) {T}

Mav sighs and drops his head. “Even if he felt the same way,” he mutters, “you know why I can’t.” Carole hums and her hand comes to rest over his wrist. “And you know that's not really an excuse.” She squeezes his wrist until he looks up, and her eyes are so damn kind. “If this is what you want, Mav, what you need, then I don’t see any obstacles.” Or, the course of true love never really does run smooth... especially not for Pete "Maverick" Mitchell

Under Pressure by ReformedTsundere {T}

"And miss out on all the action?" Maverick jokes, pressure crawling up his spine as he fully steps into the inferno blazing on the third floor. It's almost too bright to see properly. He has to squint. Some of the smoke has cleared, though, heat pushing it out of windows no doubt shattered and melting into their frames.

Wrench the Golden Retriever by emmedoesntdomath {T}

“Mav, please tell me you didn’t get us a dog.” Silence. He sighed. The contractually obligated hey-I-bought-a-dog-without-asking-and-then-gave-it-a-name-you’ll-hate-but-you-should-still-love-me fic

Sharkbait by ReformedTsundere {G}

In the nearest, deepest tidepool, the ocean so close that every other wave splashes into it before pulling back, there is a person. Only, with the weak sunlight just beginning to press into the sky, a single line of muddled yellow that teases sunlight, is Pete able to see that it's not exactly a person at all. Sure, there are arms, a chest, a head, all pale skin slick with water as another wave rushes into the pool, there's even blond hair and a pair of eyes watching him, but there's so much more than that. It has Pete floored, his pulse climbing into the back of his throat as he's unable to blink.

here in our bed (’til the morning comes) by vannral {E}

“Are you sure?” Goose asks hopelessly, completely aware that he sounds whiny. The receptionist’s smile tightens. “Very sure, sir,” she says, her tone still extremely polite. “Two rooms, like I said.” Two rooms which – like she very patiently explained to him – also means two beds instead of four.' In which there’s Only One Bed™, both for Slider and Goose, and for Maverick and Iceman, because the RIOs won’t stand for their pilots pining anymore and can’t deny the affection for each other, either.

Coming Home by mtnofgrace {T}

Top Gun Maverick if Iceman had lived. Icemav raised Bradley, and Ice is determined to get him back home.

last train home by enthyrea {G}

It’s the man again. Except instead of his head swaying in time with the train, it’s stopped. Directly on Tom’s shoulder. Tom feels the man nuzzle in a little as he exhales, and Tom’s higher brain function filters straight out of his eardrums. He sucks in a breath, and keeps it there, afraid to let it go like something will explode if he does. What… in the world does one do in this situation? Does he wake the man? Nudge him softly or say something? Poke him in the eye? Hit him with his book? AKA, Tom Kazansky repeatedly running late from work leaves him as Pete Mitchell's personal pillow on the train ride home.

All The Lonely People by IWannaDoBadThingsWithYou237 {_}

Post 1986 film. Alpha/Beta/Omega AU: Tom offers to help Pete through his heats post the mission. He tells himself it’s the act of a friend helping a friend. Not a man desperately in love with his wingman and taking what he can get. Because that’s not him. That’s not him at all.

a binary star by vannral {E}

"Ice hasn’t ever given much thought to celestial things up in the sky but he knows that Maverick burns like one." In which Hop 31 happens, Ice thinks about Maverick a lot, and eventually they figure out what ’wingmen’ means for them. Or; two pilots pine for each other and share tender moments and sort of make it everybody's problem.

Radio Waves by ReformedTsundere {T}

Pete stares at the speakers as the song's first notes start playing, but his brain is looping back the words, rolling the radio name over until it sticks to the warm voice that had spoken it. He removes his hand from the dial. There's no indication that this man's show will play his regular kind of music; the current song choice directly reflects that belief, but... Pete's always been a sucker for voices, and this Ice fella has a pretty nice one (and if the morbid thought that maybe it'd be a good enough voice to be the last one he hears crosses his mind, that's not for anyone else to worry about.) He lets Lauper croon and sets his paper cup down, ready to get back to work.

Rock In The Road by IWannaDoBadThingsWithYou237 {_}

Or Duke Mitchell lives, teaches at Top Gun, is in a relationship (secretly and steadily committed) with Mike Metcalf, call sign Viper and is constantly exasperated by his son and the bizzarro mating dance that he is doing with Tom Kazansky. AU first movie. Viper/Duke, Ice/Mav.

the beginning and end of everything by AstronomicalFog {T}

Tom Kazansky didn't realize that he was in love with Pete Mitchell until he watched his plane crash into the ocean. (Or, Ice goes to TOPGUN, meets the most infuriating man in the universe, loses a friend, flies a rescue mission, and falls in love along the way.)

rose period by enthyrea {T}

A couple of days later, while mindlessly doodling on his couch, Pete finds his hand laying out the familiar lines of swooped back blonde-gray hair, boxy eyes lined with crows feet, and sharp cheekbones. The face is smiling, something soft and tender. He didn’t even realize until he was basically done with it. Pete slams his forehead into the paper. He’s so screwed. AKA, Pete Mitchell gets hired to paint Admiral Tom Kazansky's official portrait. He ends up way over his head.

watching, I keep waiting, still anticipating love by solangelosunangel {E}

Tom Kazansky sees Pete Mitchell sitting in a coffee shop, and it's love at first sight. Will Tom be able to give up his life for a chance at love with the man of his dreams?

jet blue skies by winterbitch {M}

Neither Hangman nor Rooster have any idea how come none of their friends know they're married, and have been for years. Sure, they're not the most affectionate in public, but they're smitten with each other, and to be honest, they went at it in way too many public spaces not to be caught. Apparently, their friends and Captain are just not that bright, which turns very interesting when Rooster becomes obsessed with getting Mavering and Iceman together. Somehow, through it all, neither Hangman nor Rooster realise their marriage is somehow a secret...

Time Warp AU: From Now On by QED_Art {G}

Time Warp AU: Due to hand-wavey science/Darkstar-induced time ripples/etc, teenage Pete Mitchell and Tom Kazansky find themselves unexpectedly ripped from their timeline and dropped 40+ years in the future. When it’s determined that sending them back simply isn’t possible, Ice and Mav decide to take their younger-selves in an attempt to raise them properly this time around.

just to see each other (feel it all) by susiecarter {M}

After Goose's death during a fight with a kaiju, Maverick left the PPDC and didn't look back. But his self-destructive bender gets interrupted by Charlie Blackwood, showing up to invite him to participate in a brand-new weapons development program, codename Top Gun: the first two-pilot jaegers to ever be deployed in the fight to defend humanity. That means Maverick's going to have to get back in a piloting rig again—and he's going to have to do it while drifting with another pilot. Drift compatibility means getting each other, understanding each other, on a level nobody else can beat; so whoever his partner is, at least he's not going to get stuck with the Iceman, who pretty much hates him.

it's not fair, how much I love you by theineffableprofessor {_}

The problem with Maverick, as Goose would tell you if you got him drunk enough, is that he’s incapable of doing anything halfway. Some might look at his showy flying and laid-back approach to classes and assume that he’s a slacker, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell threw himself into everything that he did with a kind of passion that begrudgingly impressed anyone who bore witness to it. Of course that would extend to falling in love, Goose would later think to himself, almost disappointed he hadn’t seen it coming. If only he didn’t commit himself just as fully to believing that love wasn’t reciprocated. Or: Five times Maverick falls a little more in love with the Iceman, and one time Ice finally does something about it.

What Was Three Has Become One by EliasHirsch {M}

Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell was there when the first Kaiju made land. And he was still there, years later, fighting a never-ending war of chaos and destruction. Only this time, he’s in a Jaeger. When an accident puts a rift between him and his co-pilot, Goose, the Marshal decides to fix their problem by throwing a new person into the equation. Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky, is ice cold, no mistakes. He’s as competent as them, and he’s not afraid to let his displeasure known. It grinds Maverick’s gears to no end. But Iceman ends up being there for him when Goose was ripped out of their Jaeger and hurled into the dark seas. Dead. Can Maverick ever stop blaming himself for letting it happen? And can he let Iceman in, knowing the two of them together are only going to end in heartbreak?

A Box of Love by ReformedTsundere {T}

It's black and embossed, a medium-sized thing with a careful label facing outward— Wedding, 2014. Jackpot.

the well traveled road to you by Saturn {E}

“You said we’re dating?” Maverick asks, eventually, incredulous, with no indication of whether or not he’s willing to help Ice. After Ice’s divorce, he tells a harmless white lie to get his kids off his back. Turns out it’s not that simple.

Daisies and Dandelions by xoAnnaxo {G}

Covers prompts: "Picking flowers and making flower crowns out of them" and "One of them makes a wish by blowing on a dandelion puff" ~~~ All his life he'd assumed people were joking when they said 'once you meet the right person, you'll know'. Ice had cynically passed the statement off as a bit of whimsical dream. But here Pete Mitchell was, and for the first time in his life, Tom Kazansky knew what to wish for.

Here by the Sea and Sand (nothing ever goes as planned) by wildglitterwolf {T}

Tom Kazansky has taken over the main duties of his father's candy shop on the local pier, running it with what he believes to be the Kazansky brand of perfectionism in everything they make. He would never waiver on those principles... until some guy in an aviator jacket with a blue hanky in his pocket walked into his store.

you come back to me in dreams by fangirl6202 {G}

Tom calls out over all the noise on the carrier. "You need to tell him. Take it from me, you'll regret it if you don't." "I'm not sure what you mean, sir." Jake said. Tom was getting very tired of this; he got in the Lieutenant's space with the cover up of shaking his hand. "It took him nearly dying for me to tell the man I love the truth," he says and he feels Jake's hand tense in his grip. "Don't make the same mistake as me, kid. Not when they might not make it back from this." Or; the mission, but Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky finds himself waiting on the carrier.

Home's Not Home (Unless You're There) by AncientAviators {M}

Pete can admit to himself that his breath catches a little when he takes in the sandy-colored blond hair and tan skin. “Tom,” he says, keeping his voice low so he doesn’t wake Bradley. He dips his chin in acknowledgment. “What can we do for you?” Tom Kazansky is… definitely something. He’s tall, dirty-blond, and lean. He’s got a gum problem; he wasn’t chewing it earlier in the morning when he was re-introducing Pete and Goose to the ranch and its many wonders, but every other time Pete saw him, he was chewing it. And every time Pete’s come back over the years, Tom always had a piece of Polar Ice Extra to smack on. Or: It's the ninety's, Maverick is a retired bull-rider, Goose is his rodeo clown in and out of the arena, and Iceman... just wants to take care of some goddamn horses.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Eclair_Fair98 {M}

”There is a candle in your heart, ready to be kindled. / There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled. / You feel it, don't you?” — Rumi. Summer, ‘73: A month before she dies, Mabel Mitchell signs away her son’s future in Tom Kazansky's name. Fall, ‘78: An eighteen-year-old Pete Kazansky, is married, bonded, and expecting his first baby. Until one day, he isn’t. Summer, ‘83: Two people find their way back to each other, and on the path of healing and forgiveness, also find themselves. -- Or, A story spanning decades—about love, loss, and carving out an identity for yourself, in a world that doesn’t want you to have one.

Mine, Immaculate Dream by kazanskysmitchell {M}

After the ever-so-stressful Dagger mission, Pete Mitchell is tired and craves some normalcy. It's seemingly difficult for him to return to normal this time, and his protective (and very worried) husband can't help but notice the changes in Pete's mental health. After an official PTSD diagnosis, being permanently grounded, and the adoption of a service dog, Pete Mitchell attempts to adjust, but can't do it without the help of his wingman and their adopted and dysfunctional family.

Supersonic in the Air by icezansky {E}

Against all odds, Maverick has been selected for Top Gun. The night before their first day of classes, he decides to blow off some steam with an anonymous hookup in a seedy by-the-hour motel. The last thing he expects in the morning is to see his one-night-stand standing at the front of the class, being introduced as their instructor: Tom "Iceman" Kazansky.

I was just dreamin’ (of bumpin’ into you) by kazanskysmitchell {T}

Pete Mitchell thought he had everything figured out. When a tall, gorgeous blond comes walking into his shop, he questions everything he’s ever known. Or Pete Mitchell keeps running into Tom Kazansky. He has many feelings about it.

A cat named Crow by LoveChildofInsertShowHere {T}

The Meowfect Evening

Sometimes a kitten can make an evening even better

Some Birds Can't Fly

Crow becomes more of a part of the Mitchell-Kazansky family

How Crow Won Slider's Heart

Sometimes a cat will settle an insane debate better than Ice can

The Bumps in Quiet Nights

Ice worries when Maverick takes too long to come back home from picking up dinner

And A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Mav and Ice obtain 3 new family members in the form of kittens

Is it a Racoon?

Rooster meets the new additions to the Mitchell-Kazansky family and gets talked into getting a pet

Goosebumps

Jake and Bradley find the perfect cat for them, which brings up some emotions for Bradley

Ethan and Mav byEliasHirsch

A Tale of Two {_}

What do you do when you see your rival acting weird at the bar? Ice wondered how his life had come to knowing Maverick's every move so well, that a slight tick and shift of tone would ring alarms in his head.

can I get a kiss? (and can you make it last forever?) {M}

Ice never thought he'd worry about their resident little shit. It's weird as hell. or Maverick’s attitude is enough to grind everyone’s teeth. Unfortunately, this time, it’s his last name that paints a target on his back. Thank god for Tom Kazansky then. (And Ethan Hunt.)

clones = real? {G}

“Mav would never lie to us,” Payback says. “Right, Captain Dad?” Ethan and Maverick nod at the same time. “You’re right.” “Okay, that was creepy,” Hangman says. “Wait a minute,” Fanboy says. “We didn't know there are two of you. Have you ever switched places without us knowing?” “What are you talking about?” Ethan and Maverick say, the exact tone and timing. “It’s always been me. I’m Maverick, your captain.” — It's fun being a twin. Fun for Ethan and Mav, anyways. For the Dagger Squad? Not so much.

Pontiac Blues by icezansky {E}

When Tom's car breaks down outside of a small town on Christmas Eve, Maverick and Goose Auto Repair is the only shop to pick up the phone. A Hallmark Holiday Movie AU.

A Kazansky Redemption by WhisperingNights {E}

This is a Kazansky love story. Can one win back the love of their life? Can the other find love in a storm of hate? **** “Sarah, that’s been over for 26 years, besides your my wife, remember? It wouldn’t be good to go tell a man I love him now would it?” Ice grinning playfully at her. She gave a small laugh that quickly turned into a cough, causing him to lean toward her in concern. “I’m alright, I’m alright, sit down,” she rasped, waving him off, then she looked at him “I love you Tom, but we both know our love was foraged in partnership nothing else. We did what was necessary for the safety of ourselves and your career. But it’s 2017, it's easier now. Sexuality rights are better, people are more open. I’ll never get to have a wife, but you Tom, you deserve to have a husband.” ***** Jake’s eyes landed on a figure in an awful Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses. His irritation instantly grew, the universe really must hate him.

#icemav #iceman x maverick #tom iceman kazansky x pete maverick mitchell #icemav fic recs #ongoing list #I need a shorter version because I have way too many bookmarks on AO3 #Thank you for feeding the obsession of so many...myself very much included!#love and appreciation for all artists and authors!#🐈red🐈furry🐈cat🐈tag🐈

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archiveikemen · 1 year

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Liam Evans Main Story: Epilogue (Blind Love)

I do not own any of the Ikemen Series content being uploaded on this blog, everything belongs to CYBIRD. Please support them by playing their games and buying stories. Not 100% accurate, expect mistakes.

read this before interacting with my posts

this story contains nsfw content. minors please just scroll past and ignore.

Victor: Her Majesty and I both wish for you to continue being our fairytale writer. … Will you accept this offer?

Kate: Yes, of course. I humbly accept your offer.

Even after I had worked as a fairytale writer for a month as promised, I chose to stay and continue my work.

It became a routine to be typing away on my black typewriter at the end of every day.

I wrote records of the bloody punishments done by Crown.

Just in case those records would serve as crucial pieces of evidence, I would always make sure to be as detailed as possible.

I paused halfway through typing a report and read the part I wrote about Liam’s current situation.

– Flashback Start –

(“Still no change in Liam’s sense of taste”...)

— The day Liam and I were making breakfast together.

Liam tilted his head as he held the bottles of salt and sugar in his hands.

Liam: Hm… sorry, Kate. I still can’t taste anything.

Liam: Can I leave it to you to do the seasoning?

Liam: I’ll do the plating, serving, and cleaning.

I flipped through my report while thinking back to my memories with Liam.

(“Liam has difficulty with sleeping”.)

— Every morning, I would wake up to Liam staring into my face.

Liam: Good morning, Kate. Your bangs are springing up, so cute.

Kate: Good morning, Liam. Were you awake the entire night?

Liam: Hm… kind of. But you don't have to worry about it.

Liam: Seeing your face is enough to make me full of energy.

Liam: Hey, can I get a good morning kiss?

— One night, when it was raining heavily.

I was tagging along with Elbert and Alfons for a mission, but we faced a little trouble due to the rain. And before we knew it, the clock had struck midnight.

(It’s already this late. It’s long past the time I told Liam I would be home.)

The carriage travelled through the forest towards Crown’s castle, Alfons spoke while looking out of the window.

Alfons: Oh? There’s a soaking wet stray cat sitting at the front door.

Elbert: ... Is that Liam?

Kate: E-Excuse me, please allow me to alight first!

Kate: Liam!

Liam: … Kate.

Liam, sitting at the front steps of the castle without an umbrella, lifted his head.

Liam: Thank goodness… you came home safely…

Kate: W-What are you doing out here without an umbrella?

I touched his hands and they were as cold as ice, he had been sitting outside for hours.

Liam: I did think to wait inside. But as time went by… I became increasingly anxious.

Liam: I couldn't stop thinking about the possibility of you being injured… or even worse, you never coming back…

Liam: My mind was overflowing with those unpleasant thoughts.

Liam: I’m so, so glad you're safe…

Liam: I… I don’t know what I would've done if anything were to happen to you.

– Flashback End –

With a rustling sound, I closed my report.

(I once heard from somewhere that it’s not easy for people to change.)

Even now when our love is mutual, the things haunting Liam’s heart will never disappear.

It’s the same as how scars don’t easily fade away.

(But I know that there's definitely some changes inside of Liam.)

Liam: Kate, I’m home.

Liam entered my room through the door that was left slightly open, he looked so much like a cat when he did that. I couldn't help but smile at the sight.

Kate: Welcome home, Liam. Good job on your rehearsal today!

(Hm?)

Kate: You look very happy. Something good happened?

Liam: Wow, Kate, you saw through me as expected.

Liam cheerfully came to my side.

Liam: “Wuthering Heights” is going to have a revival performance.

Kate: Wow, a revival? That means it was requested by the audience, right?

Liam: Yup. I’ve been mentioning to Tom about wanting to act as Heathcliff again, I’m so happy.

Kate: Again?

Liam nodded.

Liam: “He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same”.

Liam: You told me before that you liked this line from the story.

(Oh…)

I told him that back when we didn't know each other very well.

Liam: When I performed the first time, I didn't fully understand what that line meant.

Liam: But I think I understand it a little more now.

Liam: … It’s because I’ve fallen in love with you, Kate.

There was a burning passion in Liam’s eyes.

(The old Liam would never be able to express his love this boldly.)

Although he still feels a little embarrassed to do so, he tries to shake off any feelings of hesitation and expresses his love for me.

Because this kind man knows that it’s what I want.

Kate: I’m looking forward to the performance.

Liam: … Yeah.

We locked eyes, and without another word, our lips met.

We kissed each other, changing angles, and Liam whispered into my ear after our lips parted.

Liam: … I’m getting turned on.

His voice was smooth like thick honey, invoking an indescribable feeling in my stomach.

(The old Liam would never express his own desires like this.)

It made me more than happy to know that I was what he desired.

Too embarrassed to say it to him, I gave his hand a tight squeeze and smiled at him, giving him the green light to gently push me down onto the bed.

Liam took off his jacket and with practised hands, he removed my clothes.

Liam: … You’re beautiful. And so lovely.

He pinched the peaks of my breasts between his fingertips.

I bucked my hips and the moans I had been holding in spilled out of my mouth.

Kate: Ahh…

Liam: They’re getting pointy. … I want more.

Liam licked my pointed nipples with his wet tongue as he gently squeezed them like he was trying to make a show of it.

(... This is so shameful.)

I felt so embarrassed and shameful that I almost couldn't take it any longer, but I was more than just willing to let Liam have what he wanted.

When my nether region was getting very wet, Liam pushed his fingers inside me.

Liam: Haha… you’re so wet. You’re feeling good, huh?

Kate: Nngh, ahh… please don’t say that out loud…

Liam: Let me say it. Because you get all flustered whenever I say something that makes you embarrassed.

Kate: Hnngg, ahh…

After pumping his fingers in and out of me countless times, Liam finally pulled his hand away and spread my legs apart.

Liam: … Please, Kate. Say it.

Liam: Say that you want me…

(I can’t bring myself to say that… but…)

The impatient look in his eyes pushed all my feelings of embarrassment aside.

Kate: … I want you, Liam.

Liam: Mm, of course.

Kate: Ahh—!

He entered me in one hard thrust, making me tightly grab the sheets.

Liam: … Are you okay, Kate?

Kate: Yeah…

Liam: … You’re so cute.

I gripped Liam’s back as he slammed his hips into me relentlessly, like he was greedy for my love.

(The biggest change of all is that he was now right in front of me.)

(And I’m here for him.)

I loved the things that changed, and the ones that remained the same— I loved it all.

From the very bottom of my heart, I cherished every single day I spent with him.

Liam: …

Liam stopped moving and frowned.

Liam: … Recently, there have been times I feel confused.

Liam: Whenever I’m with you, my heart beats so loudly. … It’s as if every day, I’m turning into a new person.

Liam: When I feel afraid, I look at you and think that…

Liam: As long as my feelings for you remain the same, everything will be alright.

He wanted to say that as long as he kept holding on to one thing that doesn't change, he’ll gradually be able to accept the changes that were happening inside him.

Kate: … Is that so?

Liam: … Yeah. With you by my side, I won’t be afraid of change or what tomorrow will bring me.

There was knowing what our future holds.

But one thing that we could be certain about was that we would be together tomorrow, the day after, and always.

#ikemen villains #ikemen series #cybird ikemen #cybird otome #otome #ikevil main story #liam main story #niki translates

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lya-dustin · 5 months

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Rules: Share 15 or fewer lines of dialogue from an OC, ideally lines that capture their character/personality/vibe. Bonus points for just using the dialogue without other details about the scene, but you’re free to include those as well.

Thanks for the tag @queen--kenobi

Tagging: @slytherincursebreaker @redwolf17 @arcielee @mini-kunoichi @toms-cherry-trees @zablife @justrainandcoffee @dreamlandcreations

Going with dialogue from All is Bliss for this

1)“You get to inherit his claim.

Although mine is much higher, so really, your brother dying without legitimate issue is more of a problem for the Greens than it is for the Blacks.

I get to appoint an heir from those available or marry someone of my choosing and have my own.I might even marry you if you’re still available and prevent your mother and grandfather from putting my family to the sword.” She answers, having thought all of this through already.

2)“I wish it had been you.” She said with such melancholy in her eyes as he rested his head against hers wishing it didn’t have to end with her going back to his brother.

3)“I must do this, I cannot be turned into a second version of my mother for their personal gain.

Aegon must not have heirs and I cannot have a sword hanging over my neck by giving him one.” The princess said as they took the tonics from the apothecary's wife who gave loud instructions for the tonic she did not buy.

4)“Silverwing may be the most docile of the dragons, but she is a dragon nonetheless. I merely reminded her not to forget I am a dragon.” Aemma answered.

5)“I am sorry for humiliating you in front of everybody, had I had a choice, I would have not done it.” The princess means it, her periwinkle eyes serious and her face showing genuine guilt.

6)“Yes, he does, but have you considered that this would invite speculation on any children Aegon claims as his?” this she asks looking at her directly. “We all know any child I have will not be his, who is to say someone will speak the truth as my great uncle will do tomorrow and call into question the succession?”

7)“I ask that you spare him only because he is the grandfather of your granddaughter and he is my blood.” Aemma had said when she asked him to spare Vaemond’s life. “Give him whatever punishment you believe is just, but I only ask that you do not make a martyr for the Greens to uphold the moment you die.”

8)She looked up at him with bewilderment and dried her tears with her sleeve. “Out of all the things you could have said you chose that. Has it ever occurred to you that the same insults you used tonight will be used against our children?”

9)“I would have believed my husband to be man enough to come here, Lord Borros. But then again, he was never expected to be more than his grandsire’s puppet.” Aemma said not bothering to look like the innocent maiden she was before her wedding.

10)“Ah, but you see, Ser Otto, Princess Aemma Velaryon is no more. I am Queen Aemma Targaryen now, I have been so since the day my mother and sister died because of your and your daughter’s treachery.

Present your queen’s terms.” Aemma felt nervous, a thrill at being able to say what she wanted to say and know there were no longer any consequences for it.

11)“Fine, I put the pillow over his face until he stopped thrashing, and the maid took the blame when your mother heard we killed him.

I do not care that it is sin and a crime and everything in between because gods-damnit it felt good to know I was finally free of him.” she cannot stop once she gets started and by the end of it, the queen sees the shock written in his face.

12)“I am sorry for your loss, goodmother.” Aemma says the words genuinely, which makes it all even worse.

13)“Thank the gods, I felt dirty and used when it hit me that I was whoring myself ---and you---for a semblance of power here.” She admitted avoiding his gaze through the looking glass.

14)“We could always offer her to Daemon, he is a widower with four healthy children, and sure he has no household, but the Stepstones are still his technically.” Aemma says as if Aegon was jesting, making it seem as it was all a joke and that he wasn’t considering his mother as chattel.

15)“Don’t get pregnant, Baela. It’s like a coup on your body.” Aemma jokes to try and lighten herself up. And sure, enough the flutter passes as Aemond charges at his opponent.

Went only up to chapter 43 because holy shit the fic is long

#aemma velaryon #aemond targaryen x velaryon!oc #all is bliss(in the court of aemma the great) fic #oc games

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the-firebird69 · 3 months

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So far I just had about 500 offers today and he knows it's real Tom Cruise what's the names out there no he wants the real version which is very similar and very close

And these offers are going to John Cena now he says about a thousand serious offers our son explains we have the same car the macs do we have to duplicate it the function your form and the speed the sound and capabilities and therefore it could have been either one of us they both said and that's John Cena and will and Bill it was going and will excessive 300K and Trump heard 100k they didn't tell me the truth and John Cena said you f***** this all up and I can fix it and then he says we did the best we could and therefore we drive the same car and it was made will and Bill lost the car design are you here before the skan you're for nobody knows if it's us or them and foreigners try and copy it too but they know is it's really fast and that we're in it and someone got an image and we're probably in it or possibly. They want the real thing the original but this is based on the scan that ability and it's by Billy z and he says it was obscured when angler was that and that's technology and it's also hard to tell with a supercar it's so round but he used the bottom and he couldn't tell where the bottom was what we said is it's a little longer and shallower but it is the spinning image of what it looks like it really looks like that a lot and after a while they'll be a version like it but it'll be going in reverse because it'll be very popular it's like a scirocco no it's like a boxster tons of people bought them because they're porsche. No we don't know what to call it and our son is trying to figure out a name and he pretty much caught one and he knows what it is and we know how to do it and we do have a name and it makes sense.

We are proceeding with this now he's got a lot of calls they want to know how obscured and how he figured the height and the angle and what will and Bill know and what they say and they're trying to figure out what exactly it looks like and he said they have an image it's much more crisp and they could see through the cloak a little bit more to the solid object and he said he didn't see it but that's what they're saying one day and to this fella a little bit and he looked worried and people want to see that so he's under arrest they're going after him to try and get information on this particular car and you know it would happen but he did not expect what he has now $2,500 serious offers and a lot of money and he is saying no to most of them he says no someone offered 2.5 billion and he said no right away most people often like 25 million 75 million and said if I auction it I'll get too much money and he doesn't know what to do so our son says is all sorts of agreements to make with a kit car company and there's ways to make a deal with BG and and some others and we know how to do it too and we'll sort of be in on it and he wants to do that and the idea is good he says and the others are crazy they never offer it and our son and daughter say usually they never do anything without proper parental guidance and it's smiling a little cuz he knows it's true

Thor Freya

Olympus

So our friend here says money is pretty good but in this day and age you need stuff but you can't trust what it is it says sometimes but really it's right so I guess besides raw ingot or mine which could be also bad there's nothing you can do but money and that only buys so much now I went ahead and I decided what to do cuz I can't make it you're going to have a bunch of people make it and he's already got the suspension system and someone said decals you know who he is and they're pretty good I mean authentic and we duplicate them but we want to make them the same exactly the same and he said he can't call it the Cena for the scenerator but we have a name that's similar it means that and that rules right there so I'm going to sit down and talk to them and it and you're not really you know that he says and it's true I can't be it's already sensitive thing and very real but in the future in the future and really the this back to the Future movie is starting to turn out to be weird and he said that and I agree though this is almost the same thing and Marty is like the assistant he's saying but it's not true and that's a car that Bja health design and he got it from the house and I cannot believe it my eyes are bulging what is it getting this they said all some of it is from experience and he took it from the Thunderbird which is crazy as hell it's a plane and he looked at it and said these jets are too close to the wing there's got to be a reason it's creative vacuum and I can't believe how stupid this is but he's looking at all sorts of stuff and doing it he made a little car out of the Disney car and that's really ridiculous we're going ahead with this and they'll probably be a child version and yeah they worry about their head thing I said just put a roof on with like Windows and they can climb in and out and it's for safety that's a good idea and really they're going to be going a little fast cuz no matter what motor you put in yeah that's funny

John Cena

We're going ahead and selling these pretty soon and we need a team to assemble and we need to get the panels and that's what John Cena has and he wants to make a deal so we're going to go ahead and talk to him and as soon as we can I'm going to try and network over right now he's busy answering calls we know what the car is but if it gets stolen it's kind of a war over it and we want to make the car we don't necessarily want the money we want the process so you want to hear what his terms are and we don't want to publish those

Thor Freya

Olympus

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panoramic-perception · 1 year

Text

October 3 - New York City to Pittsburgh

10:53am

I have just boarded the 43 Pennsylvanian Amtrak train en route to Pittsburgh. The seats are modern, I found a window-one that faces backwards. Fine by me. I’m on here for the next ten hours. Better get comfy.

Looking forward to seeing eerie Pennsylvanian landscapes. And imagining that I am John Schmidt, my great great grandfather who arrived in New York City and traveled to Pittsburgh as an immigrant. He bought a tomato mistaking it for an apple.

I feel a mixture of emotions. Excitement to see new places. Embarrassment for doing something random. Anxious that I have no job lined up and am winging the next part of my life. Anxious that the tofu polenta garbage I cooked for dinner is leaking in my Trader Joe’s bag.

But I’m moving. I’m out of bed, I’m trying something. I feel joy riding new transit and the Pennsylvanian is no exception. This week has been weird. Toms uncle died, his whole family came in and I saw them each day. It was nice seeing the whole family together. I’m glad I decided to see mine this upcoming weekend. It’s worth it to spend time with the whole group.

The doors have closed. Any second now I will begin rolling backwards. Gliding on the track, replaced in pieces, that my ancestor experienced when he arrived with his future unknown. It could be a lot scarier. I am grateful for this railroad reminder.

What do I expect for the next two and half weeks? More than anything I am sure I’ll be ready for home afterward. Ready for Tom, ready for Mary, ready for a kitchen, ready for bed. Hopefully ready for a job with a bucket of self esteem in hand.

Someone has a bag of pencils behind me. It’s a comfortably distinct sound—the track sounds smooth here too—and I pray that I can relax on my trip. I wonder if moving each day will complicate or enrich the journey. The conductor says “you’re supposed to be a tourist, act like one” to the mom who claims her daughter is embarrassed. I also wonder how many times I will listen to the new Mitski album, the Land is Inhospitable and So Are We. We just emerged from the Hudson and the sun is bright and strong. So far so good.

2:30pm

We are the midway point, Harrisburg, headed west. Amish country did not disappoint. I saw school children in the yard, cows, and stone barns. At Philadelphia I ran upstairs to the station to buy a juice. Waiting in line to come back down, an older man gave me a hug when realizing we were both going to Pittsburgh. This is his first time on Amtrak, and he is now seated in front of me. He has offered me all his snacks–Doritos, Oreos, Peanut Butter Crackers–and I am hesitant to engage too much with him because overly friendly people on transit make me nervous. I wish that weren't the case, but I feel safer with unfriendly non-talkers.

Bill, the best engineer I know, just called me because he received my auto-email explaining that I am no longer at the Job. He just wanted to wish me Good Luck. Believe it or not there are kind people.

The train backed into Philadelphia and then received its diesel engine on the other end, so I am actually facing forward. I have a coffee in hand and we just took a smoke break at Elizabethtown. Rolling forward now.

5:50pm

Thoughts. This is ground I have never covered. What you realize, rolling along the the Pennsylvania Railroad, is why there are no high speed trains to Chicago. It is curvy. It goes slowly. It makes me wonder what improvements to this corridor would look like. It might mean grade separation at places where the train goes 25 mph. Fences. Bridges. That’s what I’d do. If there were more frequent reliable service that would help.

These towns are ones that I know. Covington and Clifton Forge along the Juniata River. Invisible cities repeat at different altitudes throughout the Appalachians. Now we’re picking up speed. Picking up red, too. When we started the foliage was mainly green. Then mainly yellow. Now it’s sprinkled with red.

I’m working to appreciate Fall. Historically it’s made me nervous, sad, cold. But I have to say that on this route it has been extremely gorgeous. I think my phone's battery is on its last leg. I’m charging but it dies very quickly. I suppose I may need to order a new one. We’re just north of Cumberland.

10:42pm

I'm in bed in Pittsburgh at Kristen and Luke's. It's a comfortable old house, reminds me of home. I keep thinking about whether I would like life more in a place like this. Where I could own space. Tomorrow I go walking through the city. Should be nice weather. Curious how my impression of Pittsburgh will change on foot.

I ended up talking to the old man who sat in front of me. He really wanted to be friends. He had just gotten out of prison and only had a trash bag of his belongings. I bought him a beer and chatted for the last hour of the trip. His name was Michael, from Pittsburgh, his house had burned down and he was going to stay with his Mom.

I promised Kristen I wouldn't chat with strangers unless I really wanted to. I didn't want to chat with Michael, but I'm glad I did. It helps to have people pull you out of you head.

Kristen and Luke have a black bunny and a sweet dog. The bunny's fur reminds me of Mary's and the dog looks like a deer. Luke's family is from Pittsburgh and I can hear a train in the distance. The Amtrak station here was really unfortunate. Something of an Amshack under a highway with no proper entrance.

Tomorrow the plan is to walk to North Side, get coffee, go to Mattress Factory, then bus to the Strip, bus to Oakland for Carnegie Museum of Art in the afternoon. Dinner at Noodlehead.

I'll keep you posted.

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atlanticcanada · 1 year

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Tulip Festival blooms successful weekend at Trueman Blueberry Farms in Aulac, N.B.

Rows of vibrant reds, pinks and purples have taken over the fields at Trueman Blueberry Farms in Aulac, N.B.

With 10-to-15,000 bulbs planted, the full bloom helped mark the success of this year’s second annual Tulip Festival.

“This past Saturday was probably our biggest attendance day on history for any of our events, so it’s a good event for us and our guests really seem to appreciate the event as well,” said owner Tom Trueman.

He says that a little over 1,000 people came through the farm on Saturday taking advantage of a spring photo backdrop, the chance to pick your own tulip bouquet and all the other activities the farm has to offer.

“Last year, we were quite busy, very pleased with the results we had, but this year is probably four to five times more people coming through,” he said.

Back in 2017, Trueman Blueberry Farms started to diversify the way they did things by inviting the community to the farm.

Hoping to make direct connections between the farm and consumers, Trueman says the Tulip Festival helps draw out a whole new crowd.

“Fifty years ago, everybody grew up on a farm or they knew somebody who grew up on a farm. Today, they grow up in cities and they don’t have access to the farm background, so this is an opportunity for people to get out and enjoy the outdoors and really see agriculture at its start,” he said.

The weather on Monday helped draw people outside for different reasons.

“Our family is on their way back to Halifax so they were going to stop here so we decided we’d come out and pick some pretty flowers and take them home with us,” said Debbie Raymond.

Her almost three-year-old granddaughter also took advantage of the jumping blob and other activities.

“Of course we came for the ice cream as well and we just decided that supporting local is really good and we wanted to come out here and support the owners of Trueman’s and enjoy a nice day together out here,” said Raymond.

It wasn’t just families enjoying the farm. Several dogs were also in attendance, including Brittney Barry and Melissa Godbout’s three pups who helped their owners pick out the best flowers.

“We can bring our dogs, which we love when we can come and support local areas with our pups and it was a beautiful day so we thought we would come and support,” said Godbout.

“I think it shows the work and the effort that the farm has put into so you know that they are grown with love and it is nice to come out and see the work that they have done and appreciate it by picking it and bringing them home,” added Barry.

While the Tulip Festival was the big draw this long weekend, it is just one of many events that Trueman Blueberry Farms has planned for the upcoming season.

A brand new project is currently under construction, which is expected to give guests a chance to see more of the agriculture when they visit.

“Last summer, we had the opportunity to buy The Evangeline, which was the park train from the Upper Clements Park in Upper Clements, N.S., which we basically put on display for last summer and we started this spring with construction project to put down a two-thirds of a mile train loop,” said Trueman.

“We’re building a train station to go with it that will also be an event centre, so we hope to do weddings and other events in there and you’ll be able to get on the train and come by train into your wedding venue when you’re all set.”

He says if all goes to plan, the train loop will be ready by mid-summer, with the train station complete by the fall.

While activities are already in full swing at Trueman Blueberry Farm, there are some concerns for the upcoming growing season.

“We wouldn’t expect to be this dry in the growing season until early July so if we don’t see some regular rain come in, that’s going to have an impact on our berry crops and certainly the hay crop that’s starting out. Right now is less than what it should be for the time of year,” said Trueman.

However, he is feeling optimistic that conditions will improve.

“The weather is, as they say in the Maritimes, ‘If you don’t like it today just wait a minute, it will change.’ So it’s hard to say where it will be in a week or two.”

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/Gj9wc1a

#new brunswick #prince edward island #nova scotia #news #politics #canada #CTVAtlantic

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sunkissedpages · 2 years

Text

instead of you [part forty-seven]

pairing: [best friend’s brother] tom holland x college!reader

summary: you didn’t expect to spend your summer pretending to be your best friend’s girlfriend- then again, you didn’t expect to fall for your best friend’s brother, either.

warnings: swearing, angst, mentions of sex

word count: 1.6k

series masterlist + read the next chapter early on ko-fi!!

You sat up straight and craned your neck to try and catch Tom’s eye, but his head was down, probably buried in his phone.

Y: what? no.

T: why not

Y: just because he’s asleep doesn’t mean i can come see you for no reason that’d be weird

T: are you just saying that because you’re afraid he’ll wake up?

Y: well yeah kind of

T: he won’t

Y: you don’t know that

T: c’mon, i’ll make it worth your time

Y: can’t you just tell me what this is about

T: but that ruins the surprise :(

Y: what surprise could you possibly have 30,000 feet in the air

Y: and don’t say your dick

T: ...

Y: you’re so fucking annoying

T: all i’m saying is i haven’t joined the mile high club yet

Y: this is a commercial flight with your entire family. we’re not fucking on this plane.

T: worth a shot

Y: you’re insufferable

T: you love it

You sighed and put your phone face down in your lap, taking a quick glance to your left to see if Sam was still asleep. He was still slumped against the wall with his eyes shut, seemingly dead to the world. You tried to do the same but it was hard from the middle seat. You were paranoid that if you were to doze off you’d accidentally lean over onto the stranger next to you. You’d seen enough rom-coms to know how awkward that would be.

You settled on scrolling through the in-flight movies on the little screen attached to the seat in front of you. You’d have to buy a pair of earbuds to watch anything, but you figured it would be worth it if it meant you wouldn’t be bored out of your mind for the next three hours.

There was a mix of Chinese and international films but everything was dubbed in Chinese either way and only a select few offered English subtitles. You picked one that you’d seen a little bit of press for back home and bought the earbuds from a flight attendant when they came around with the snacks.

You were barely ten minutes into the movie when you felt a tap on your shoulder. You didn’t even have to look up to know who it was but you did anyway.

“You’re watching my film.”

“What?” you scrunched up your face in confusion.

“That’s my film,” he repeated, pointing at your screen.

“It is?”

“Yeah, you didn’t... pick it because I was in it?”

“No, I’ve never seen any of your movies. I didn’t even know you were in this.”

"I know you haven’t- you really had no idea? You’re not just saying that?”

“No, I promise. I only picked it because I didn’t recognize anything else.”

“I’m going to pretend that doesn’t hurt my feelings.”

“I just started it. You haven’t shown up yet. If you had, I would’ve turned it off already, trust me.”

“Ouch.”

“Nothing personal.”

“It seems personal.” “It’s not. I just don’t want to perceive you outside of reality. That’d be weird for me.”

It was Tom’s turn to scrunch up his face. “Alright.”

“What are you doing up here anyway?”

“Going to use the bathroom.”

“There are closer bathrooms in the back of the plane.”

“You weren’t answering my texts,” he said after a pause, admitting the real reason.

“I didn’t have anything to say.”

He rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to respond but was suddenly distracted by the film playing on the screen in front of you. “Hey, there I am.”

You watched as movie Tom walked in frame and began speaking to a man at a gas station.

“Oh my god, they gave you a really deep voice, it’s kind of hot.”

He looked mildly offended. “Hotter than my actual voice?”

“I’m not answering that.”

“Why not?”

You glanced at Sam and then back to Tom. “You know why.”

“He’s asleep!”

“Go back to your seat.”

It was late when your first flight landed and everyone was feeling worn out from all the tourism and traveling but you still had two more flights to catch before you’d finally be in Bali. The layover in the Hong Kong airport was two hours and you spent it trying to sleep whilst curled up next to Sam in one of the stiff leathery chairs in front of the gate. Your exhaustion allowed you to fade in and out of consciousness fairly easily, but you were having trouble staying asleep. Each time you’d drift off you would suddenly jolt awake in a panic, thinking you were late for something.

Every time it happened, Sam would assure you that he’d wake you up when it was time to board the plane, that you could rest, that they wouldn’t leave without you. Eventually, you gave up on the idea of getting any sleep altogether and resolved to just stay awake until you were on the next flight.

“I know this is the part of the trip where everyone’s getting tired,” Dom had said when you were walking from one side of the Hong Kong airport to the other, “but that’s why we saved the more relaxing destinations for the latter end- so we can all get some rest.”

His words did little to comfort you considering most of your energy was being spent keeping up with all the lies you were telling everyone but you smiled and nodded with the rest of the group anyway, trying to play along as always.

The second flight was about the same length as the first and this time you got the window seat. Sam sat in the middle with Harry on his right and Tom and their parents filled up the row behind you.

“You should sleep,” Sam suggested, brushing your hair out of your eyes.

“I’ve been trying to,” you grumbled back, unable to soften the tone of your voice.

You felt bad for snapping at him. He didn’t deserve that. Not after everything else you were doing behind his back.

“Sorry,” you mumbled in apology.

“It’s okay. I know you’re tired,” he assured you, making you feel even guiltier. “Do you want me to rub your head?”

You could only shake your head in response, not trusting yourself to speak. You suddenly felt the overwhelming urge to cry and turned your head towards the wall as your eyes welled up with tears. You didn’t even try to stop it, knowing it would be even more obvious if you did. You knew you wouldn’t be able to hide it from Sam either, even if he couldn’t see your face. He knew you too well, knew your body language. But he didn’t ask about it, likely not wanting to alert Harry, who was oblivious, that anything was wrong.

Thankfully, the crying exhausted you even more and you were able to fall asleep, only to be woken up again when the flight landed at the second layover stop.

It was a shame that you wouldn’t be able to properly visit Malaysia but at least their airport was pretty nice. It had been several hours since you’d last eaten so Nikki ordered a bunch of food for everyone to share from the only kiosk that was open in the middle of the night. You shared a thing of white rice with Sam but you didn’t have much of an appetite to try anything else which was a bummer since you didn’t know when you’d have another chance to.

The third and final flight was a few hours later. By then, you’d had a little food and sleep so you weren’t feeling as dramatically miserable as before but the numb feeling of guilt still lingered in your stomach. You assumed that wouldn’t change- not until you came clean to Sam about... everything. And you couldn’t see yourself doing that any time in the foreseeable future because you were a pussy.

You’d rather end this fling with Tom now and take it to your grave than lose your friendship with Sam. Was sleeping with someone twice considered a fling? Regardless, you had to end it before you got too attached. You weren’t sure what it was for Tom, but until he said otherwise you would stay under the impression that it was just sex. Again, it didn’t really matter what it was. You just had to put an end to it. You weren’t sure why you thought you could finally give into the sexual tension just because Tom found out you weren’t actually dating his brother but it didn’t matter now. It was too late and you were already suffering the consequences of your actions.

You’d given Sam the window seat again which left you sandwiched in between him and Tom this time around, and being so close to him was making it difficult not to think about the intimate moments you’d shared with him. Your arms were just barely brushing against the armrest and yet that was the only part of your body that you could feel. He was just so warm that your attention was drawn to wherever your bodies connected- be it your arms, your lips, your thighs... but you couldn’t think about that now. Not when you were trying to cut yourself off from him in order to save your friendship. You wouldn’t have sex with Tom again. You couldn't.

You were shaken from your thoughts by Tom nudging your shoulder. You gave him a questioning look, wondering what he would have to say to you with your best friend sleeping right there. He leaned over to whisper in your ear, smirking as he did.

“Wanna have sex?”

lmk what you think i always appreciate feedback!!

forever tags: @petershbw @crossyourpeter @mcushvft @sinisterspidey @pinksawayama @tarutsuki @zmazingzoe @white-wolf1940 @mcumendes @fangirl-madz @quaksonhehe @murdermornings @tom-softie @itszulli @hollandsmount @thsummersoldier @prancerrparkerr @cool-ultra-nerd @hollandfanficlove @hogwartsmarvelmommy @outshineallthestars @parkeromanoff @localhockeygirl @littlestcheese @bamb11 @wildxwidow @runawaywithmyghost @laluschbomli @dancing-oceans @olsensnpm @fangirling-galore @wolvesofthewinter @spideyh0lland @emilyparkerholland @spideyy @bookishbee @berryologyyy @lnmp89 @lovelyxtom @sadxaries @outshineallthestars @cloverrover @simplyparker @littlemarvelmenfan @hollandhuff @emistrash @whoeveniskendall @hopeless-romantic-baby @adayasgeorgia @haroldpotterson @nctma15 @spnmemelord67 @dirtytissuebox @abcxrandomx @silverrmistr @stiles-banshees @zendayassimp

add yourself to my taglist here!!

#instead of you #iou #tom holland x y/n #tom holland x you #tom holland x bi!reader #tom holland x female reader #tom holland x reader #tom holland series #tom holland fanfiction #tom holland fanfic #tom holland fic

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ptergwen · 4 years

Note

hi val can you maybe write something about the reader being dared to kiss peter/tom/arvin (you choose) since her friends knew that she has a big crush on him, but once she did he seems disinterested after which makes her sad, but what she doesn't know was after she kissed him, he practically runs to his friends freaking out that the girl he's had his eyes on this whole time just kissed him??

kiss and tell

w/c: 1.8k

warnings: like one swear and awkwardness

a/n: yeeee i went with peter! this is adorable :,)

“i can’t!” you scold betty and her annoying smirk. you’re bored at lunch, so liz suggested the three of you play truth or dare. you’d made the mistake of choosing dare. in your defense, betty is the nosiest person in all of midtown, so you thought you were dodging the bullet and guarding your deep dark secrets. how could you have known she’d make you do... this?

“that’s so, like, forward. he’s gonna freak out.” you glance over at peter’s table to see what he’s up to before you possibly scar him. he’s laughing along at a heated conversation ned and mj are having. the way his face lights up, and his eyes crinkle as a smile crosses his features, it gives you butterflies throughout your whole body.

“in a good way,” liz grins her most charming grin at you. it’s not working this time. you roll your eyes up to the ceiling. “i thought you liked him,” betty huffs, gesturing over to peter and keeping her eyes on you. “all you do is talk about how he’s so cute and smart, and his lips look so soft-“ “i never said that!” you look at her with wild eyes. liz bites her lip to hold in a laugh. “the last part, i mean,” you clarify in a murmur.

liz puts a hand on you and pats your shoulder knowingly. “you’ve probably thought it, though. i’ve seen you checking them out.” there have been quite a few times your gaze has landed on peter’s lips, watching them curve while he talks to you about some new science theory he’s excited to share. you end up zoning out and pretending you retained any of what he said. betty puckers her own lips at you.

“you wanna kiss him,” she insists in a sing song voice, resting her chin on your other shoulder. “i’m doing you a favor.” “you’re really not gonna change the dare?” you sigh, your friends leaning on you in support. liz taps your cheek. “so, you don’t wanna kiss him?” “there’s no way,” betty comments from your side. “no, i...” you start, focusing in on peter again.

he meets your eyes across the cafeteria. his smile fades slightly, then a shy one is replacing it, ned dragging him into his and mj’s debate. you turn back to liz and betty.

“i do, but do you think he wants me to?” you ask them both, and they share a you have to be kidding look. “only one way to find out.” liz gives your shoulder a nudge. betty beams at you. “i triple dog dare you now, so you have to.” considering your options, you bounce your leg up and down. you’ll either get the nicest rejection ever from peter or a kiss back. you can handle this.

“ok, i’ll do it,” you decide, betty clapping her hands and squealing. liz throws an arm around your neck. “yay! i love love.” “let’s calm down,” you giggle so she doesn’t get too carried away. you and peter haven’t even established that you like each other. “i’m calm, i’m calm. do you need to borrow chapstick?” she offers, betty simultaneously pulling a tube out of her purse. “or lip gloss?”

you’re appreciating their over involvement now.

“both,” you breathe out, letting them get you ready for your big kiss.

liz and betty send you good luck wishes in a hushed tone while you make your way to peter’s table. mj went to get a snapple, and ned went with her so they could continue whatever argument they’re in. that left peter by himself. it’s almost like this is meant to happen.

“hi,” you greet peter, making him look up at you with raised eyebrows. he notices right away that your lips are shiny, more so than usual. a color that you always seem to bring to his face takes over his cheeks. “hey. you wanna sit?” he gives you a small smile. you return it. “yeah, sure. thanks.” instead of taking the bench across from him like he assumed you would, you find your place next to him.

he doesn’t mind.

“how’s your day been?” you wonder, body turned towards him while he answers. peter scrunches his nose. “kinda busy. i got so much homework in spanish tonight, and i’ve been putting off this essay about...” you do the thing you do every time he goes off on a sort of tangent, watch his lips. lucky for you, that’s the whole point today. “i don’t know. all i have so far is the intro-“

you cut peter off with a kiss. liz and betty cheer to each other the second it happens. peter doesn’t move, only freezes up as you press your glossy lips to his and grab his shoulders. it takes a few seconds for you to realize he’s not kissing back. his arms are stiff at his sides, eyes wide in shock. absolutely humiliated, you pull back, moving as far away as you can.

“fuck, i’m sorry. i should’ve asked you first,” you apologize, voice shaking. you’re already getting to your feet. peter blinks a few times, grounding himself back in the moment. “no, no. it’s okay. i-“ “that was weird, i know. you don’t have to lie or make me feel better.” he furrows his eyebrows, in a way that seems regretful even though you’re the one who messed up. “i’m trying to tell you, y/n. it’s fine. we-“

ned’s voice fills the room, making you snap your head in his direction. him and mj are coming back. you need to get out of here before you embarrass yourself even more.

“i’m gonna go. i’m sorry,” you mumble out, running back to your table, where liz and betty are instantly asking what’s wrong and if you’re alright. peter licks his lips that are now coated in your gloss and clenches his jaw. he’s pissed. not at you, at himself. it’s clear because mj brings attention to it when she sits down.

“what’s up with your face?” she narrows her eyes at him, popping the cap on her snapple. ned elbows peter in his spot next to him. you were just there less than a minute ago. “you okay, dude?” he checks. “no.” peter closes his eyes in frustration. “what’s wrong?” ned kicks mj’s foot under the table so she’ll stop making out with her drink and help him.

“i... y/n kissed me,” peter admits, sounding oddly upset about something everyone knows he’s been hoping would happen. “she what?” ned gawks. “isn’t that a good thing?” mj points out. “you love her.” “like her,” peter corrects and chews the inside of his cheek. “whatever. shouldn’t you want her to kiss you?” she takes another sip of snapple, passing this off to ned.

“yeah...” is all ned says. he awkwardly rubs peter’s back while mj tries not to snort. “that’s not the problem. i didn’t kiss her back, and she took it as me not being into it,” peter shakes his head as he recounts your weird moment. “which i was,” he tells them for the record. ned makes a funny face at him. “so why didn’t you kiss back?” “no shit she ran away,” mj mutters to him. she saw that part.

“because i wasn’t expecting it!” peter frowns at his friends’ reactions and at what he did. “you guys know how much i like y/n. i can’t believe i screwed this up so bad.” mj squints in mock confusion. “i can.” she quickly drops her sarcasm for encouragement after that. “ok, seriously. just go find her and apologize.” “maybe kiss her this time,” ned chimes in.

“if she really likes you, she’ll get it.” mj smiles genuinely, nodding back at your table. ned gives him a push forward. “you got this, dude. come tell us all about it after.” a rush of confidence enters peter from their advice. he’ll fix this. “thanks, guys. here i go.” he shoots up from the table, ned and mj getting back into their debate once he’s out of sight.

betty is hugging you way too tightly when peter gets over there. she goes on about how much peter sucks, overcompensating because she’s the reason you kissed him. you only hum in response. you don’t have the heart to tell her you blame yourself. only liz notices peter come over, so she talks on your behalf. “oh, hey,” she says drily. “hey. can i talk to y/n?” peter gets out, twiddling with his thumbs nervously.

she has to decide if she’d rather go into protective friend mode or let him. from your unenthusiastic responses to betty’s hate rant, she figures you’d like to hear him out.

“come on, betty,” liz takes her arm suddenly, betty trying to pull it back. “what? why?” “i’m gonna buy you ice cream. let’s go.” that’s her cover. peter shoots her a look that says thank you, liz pressing her lips into a line and dragging betty along. betty sees peter standing in front of your table and glares at him, liz walking faster. you don’t get the chance to ask them where they’re going because they leave so fast.

the bench dips down on one side of you, making someone’s prescense known. you’re surprised to find it’s peter. you talk first.

“if you’re gonna apologize, don’t. it was my fault-“ “you never let me finish earlier,” peter interrupts, the hint of a smile on his face. his clammy hand links with one of yours. “what were you gonna say?” you ask quietly, peter threading your fingers together. your heart is racing at the simple touch. “that i like you,” he replies at the same low volume. “and, that i wanted to try again.”

he’s sitting a lot closer to you than you realized. you welcome it, your hands in between you two on the bench. “i like you too... try what again?” you question, although you hope and pray it’s what you think. “kissing,” peter says what you were hoping and praying for. “wasn’t ready the first time.” you’re about to go into cardiac arrest as he rests his forehead on yours, curls brushing your face. a few broken up breaths escape him.

“can i?” he nearly whispers, warm hand still gripping at yours. “yeah,” you agree before your eyes flutter shut. he wastes no time, parting his lips and brushing them against yours gently, you reciprocating. he kisses as sweetly as he is, his free hand on your cheek and fingers careessing your skin. your other hand ends up on the back of his neck. you grin against him, lips detaching momentarily so you can engage him in another kiss.

peter doesn’t hesitate to kiss back this time, nose nudging yours as he moves in more. you tug on some hair at the nape of his neck and laugh into the kiss, reminding him you’re in school. he pulls back with a chuckle, but keeps his forehead on yours and your hands in each other.

“sorry. got too excited,” he laughs out, you leaning into his open palm. “i told you don’t apologize.”

liz and betty joined ned and mj at some point. the four of them are whistling at you and yelling out suggestive jokes. they’re too much. but, to be fair, you owe this all to them.

#tom holland #tom holland fluff #tom holland x reader #tom holland x y/n #tom holland x you #tom holland imagine #tom holland fic #tom holland fanfiction #peter parker #peter parker fic #peter parker fluff #peter parker x y/n #peter parker x you #peter parker x reader #peter parker imagine #peter parker fanfiction

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tommyspeakycap · 3 years

Note

that little shelby and uncle charlie fic was so sweet, if you could write more of the two that would be fantastic :,-)

first one here, they’re not directly related but enjoy little shelby (probs about 17/18) telling uncle Charlie about her new boyfriend before anyone else.

terrible liar

There’s an extra skip in your step as you easily manoeuvre around the scrap yard that you knew like the back of your hand towards where you knew your uncle Charlie would be at this time in the afternoon, grooming the horses and mucking out the stables with Curly. It’s Curly who notices and greets you first as he was standing outside the stables lifting a shovel. “Hello, miss Shelby,” He greets with a smile and a curt wave that makes you giggle. “I’ve told you Curly, you can call me (y/n).” You insist kindly, offering him your signature sunshine smile, the kind of sweet one that lights up the day for the people who you spend it on.

“Exactly Curly,” Charlie adds, “You’ve known her since she was this big,” he gestured with his hands to the size you were as a baby. “You’re family.” You state. That makes your uncles friend grin largely and almost bashfully, a little bit of kindness never lost on him and you always seemed to have it to spare.

Curly shoots a smile back to you and heads back into the stable before Charlie turns to you. “Better mood today then, love?” He rumbles with a grin as you nod vigorously and blush ever so slightly just at the thought of the reason you were in such a fantastic mood. “Mhm,” you hum gently, doing a little spin as the wind flutters through your pretty dress that Tommy bought you upon Polly’s advising that you had seen it in a window when you were walking through London and your face had lit up. He gifted it to you this morning and your squeal of excitement, followed by a hug that very nearly knocked the stocky man off his feet had set him up for a day where he does everything while thinking about how he can better the life he’s trying to create for his family. He wants to be able to buy you everything you could ever want to see that beautiful smile that ached your cheeks. “And why’s that? Who’s given little miss Shelby her sparkle back?”

Charlie knew full and well that he had asked, but he truly wasn’t expecting the answer to be as it was. He thought that his niece would giggle as she often does and say something about a kitten she saw this morning or a hug and a kind word from her brother or maybe she tasted the most fantastic pastry on her lunch time walk here (and he knew you did have a pastry because there was still a little smudge of chocolate by the side of your mouth that you hadn’t noticed).

Instead, you do not say that. You don’t say any of those things and Charlie is forced to shoot straight up from where he was bent over shovelling fresh hay so quickly he knew he’d have a twinge in his back for a week when his sweeter than candy little niece says;

“Well i met this boy-“

“You what!?” He booms out. Curly’s shovel clatters to the ground in shock at the sudden burst, and you jump back slightly, wincing at his reaction. “Now see that’s what i thought you’d say, but he’s really sweet and i th-“ Charlie cuts you off as he turns to you looking somewhat appalled. You had chosen him as the first person to tell as you felt he might have the most calm reaction. Maybe you were wrong. “Do your brothers know about this? Does Tommy know?”

“Does Tommy know what?”

You literally jump five feet into the air and yelp loudly, whirling around and placing your hand over your heart. “Jesus Christ Tommy! Don’t do that!” You exclaim wildly, a flush dancing over your soft cheeks in your shock. Tommy raised his eyebrows in question and looks between you and Charlie somewhat conspicuously. It isn’t like his uncle to look irked or sound so appalled and shocked as he had when Tommy heard the tail end of the conversation. “Sorry darling,” he says softly, turning to face you, “Are you alright?”

You nod your head and Tommy squints his eyes. “Yeah i’m alright, what’re you-“ His action cuts you off before you have the ability to finish asking what he was about to do. He had ever so slightly licked his thumb and reached out to swipe the small smudge of chocolate from your lunchtime pastry away from the side of your mouth just like he used to when you were little. “Tommy,” you whine in response, thwarting his hand away the best you could. He just shrugs his shoulder. “Sorry love. Force of habit.” He offers, albeit unapologetically as he lights up a cigarette.

“Now, tell me what?” He repeats, his eyes again darting between you, Charlie and Curly. You open and close your mouth a few times, but words fail to find you. Tommy notes that you look to Charlie almost threateningly, like you were trying to master that Polly Gray look unsuccessfully. You were a Shelby, after all. You looked a lot more like Tommy did when he attempted to enforce unspoken words with merely his eyes. Though, you were too soft to appear menacing. “Tell your big brother, ey?” he prompts, “Whatever it is, i can help.”

That makes you cringe, almost wince even, before offering him the most pained grimace you ever had. “Y’know, i really don’t think you can this time. Just lady problems.” The shaky words leave your mouth a whole lot less convincingly than you had anticipated, and Tommy gives you an incredulous look with one eyebrow raised higher than the other and his cigarette paused in between his lips like he were a freeze frame. Tommy doesn’t tend to shy away from typical lady problems. He wasn’t insecure enough in his masculinity for his sisters (or anyone really) natural bodily functions and/or femininity to threaten him, and it certainly did not discomfort him. She dealt with much worse.

Your nerves aren’t lost on him. There are few times you won’t look him in the eye, preferring to focus your head towards the muddy ground beneath your boots. This is usually when you’ve done something wrong, gotten in trouble or are afraid he’s going to be mad at you, or even disappointed. He was rarely either.

“I can help.”

“She’s missing your mother, Tom.”

Tommy looks up at his uncle who had interrupted him. Charlie offers you a small look that told you the secret you entrusted to him would stay as such for now. You didn’t know how long that would be the case, but it seemed as though he would keep it from the lethal hands of the head of the family. “She didn’t want to upset you, talking about it. But she misses her mother.” He explains. In all honesty, he wasn’t entirely wrong. You did miss your mother and you were scared to bring her up, but it was something you had dealt with for such a long duration of time in your life that you had grown accustomed to that nagging pain. Tommy looked at you with eyes full of sorrow. His mother was one of his softest spots in his heart.

Charlie tapped Curly on the arm and the two left you standing there a few feet away from Tommy, who was just kind of staring at you weirdly. “She was beautiful.” He says finally. “Just like you. You have her heart too, love.” He takes a couple steps closer to you and wrap his arms tight around you, “Always hoped you’d turn out more like her than the rest of us. Think we’re all glad you did.” The thought of being like your mother made your head leap with joy. You wished there was a way she could know you today, know you now. Talk to you about boys, this boy, her boys. Help you understand the world. You didn’t have that.

“I love you, Tom.” You say, words muffled against the material of his coat. “Yeah yeah,” he mutters back, “Now off you go. We can talk more later. A scrap yard like this is no place for a beautiful, smart young lady like you.” You giggle at the words he speaks when he lets you out of his arms, that gentle smile of his tugging up the sides of his lips ever so slightly. His nods his head for you to go off, and you knew what he meant was really that he was going to be discussing some business with Charlie that he didn’t want you hearing about for his obsession with your safety and normalcy. “Bye Tom.” You grin, stepping up to your tip-toes to peck a little kiss against his cheek before you all but skip off. Tommy’s heart warms at the sight of his sunshine little sister heading off with such a happy skip in her step and so much love ready to give

He then feels the presence of his uncle appear beside him again. “She really is like your mother, Tom.” He states, a heavy and painful sigh following. “Yep.” Tommy replied shortly. “Better thinking like that than thinking it’s her boyfriend that’s put that skip in her step. eh?”

“You bastard,” Charlie chuckles as he shakes his head, “You know?”

“Course,” Tommy states simply, “My mother was a terrible liar, Charlie.”

“And?”

“Well our (y/n); she is just like her mother, isn’t she?”

#charlie strong #charles strong #charlie strong x niece!reader #shelby!reader #shelby!sister #tommy shelby x sister!reader #tommy shelby x sister reader #peaky blinders #peaky blinders blurb

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