#i will argue this point til my dying breath

[phantom-of-the-501st]

Remember that this is not the proof that they love each other

That was a last-ditch attempt from Crowley to get Aziraphale to stay

This is the proof that they love each other

Their love wasn't just made real because they kissed

It always existed

[hext00ns]

Domestically Diseased {@sicktember}

AO3 l!nk in comments

Ships: Miles / Phoenix | Wrightworth

Rating: G

Warnings: None

Description: When Miles wakes up to a sick husband he calls them both out of work for the day to care for him.

{Sicktember 2022 Day 23: Tepid Bath}

Miles woke up to his final alarm like he did every day. His alarm set from six to seven so that he would actually wake up at the appropriate time. However, the house lacked its usual morning smell of breakfast wafting from the kitchen. He quickly realized the reason for this was that his husband was still fast asleep beside him. That wasn’t too abnormal. There were plenty of day off mornings where Phoenix would turn off both their alarms so to keep the prosecutor in bed longer. But it wasn’t a day off for either of them. In fact, he was pretty sure Phoenix had a client he was scheduled to meet that morning. Miles, himself, had a list for that day he needed to attend to at his own office, as well.

As much as he would have loved to stay in bed for another half an hour or even more curled up in limbs and blankets just enjoying the calm of the morning, that wasn’t possible for either of them. At least not til the weekend. With a sigh, Miles put his hand on the other's chest and gave it a light shake. “Phoenix, it’s already seven. You need to get up.”

The other hardly acknowledged the call to wake. Only giving a moan of annoyance and a sad attempt to move away.

Miles raised a brow at that. “If I have to get up, so do you,” he grumbled half-heartedly and moved to run a hand through the man’s disheveled hair. The moment his hand touched the other’s head, however, the heat made him frown. “You’re burning up,” he mumbled mostly to himself. Miles ran his hand from the other’s head and down his neck to feel for the heat. He also took to notice the other’s sweat practically falling off him in waves.

Miles sighed. “You’re sick.”

“‘M fine,” came out the softest and most pathetic voice Miles had ever heard.

“Then why can you hardly open your eyes?” Miles pointed out, continuing to idly run his fingers along Phoenix’s skin and through his hair.

“Tired,” was the only thing Phoenix could mumble out in response.

“I doubt that. I’m going to ring Justice and Gavin and tell them both that we will be staying home for the day,” Miles informed as he got up from the bed.

“But work.”

“Don’t even try to argue in this state, Wright,” he said as he fixed his pajamas. “This isn’t a case you can win. Try to wake up enough to sit. I’ll be right back.”

Miles stepped from the bedroom with his phone to do just that. Assuring Apollo that no Phoenix wasn’t dying. And Klavier that yes he still had to finish his own deadlines even if Miles wasn't there to check over them immediately.

When Miles walked back into the bedroom Phoenix was half sitting up but looked absolutely dreadful. He walked over to the other’s side of the bed and rested his hand on Phoenix’s cheek.

The attorney pushed into the touch like a needy cat. The action making Miles smile fondly. “Other than the fever, does anything else hurt?”

“Sorta,” Phoenix admitted with closed eyes. “My muscles feel like shit. Everything just feels stiff and achy.”

Miles hummed at that. “I’ll draw you a bath, help get your fever down some and hopefully relax you. Then we can find something easy to eat.”

“Or we can go back to sleep,” the attorney suggested, opening his eyes to look up at the other.

Miles let out a humored breath at that. “Bath and food first. Then if you still want to go back to sleep you can. Deal?”

He gave a sigh. “Fine.”

The prosecutor smiled in victory. He left the bedroom just long enough to run the bath. He made sure the water was as lukewarm as possible. Once that was done he helped his husband from the bedroom to the bath.

Once Phoenix was in the water he leaned back against the tile with a sigh.

“Any better?”

He looked up at the other. “Ask me again in three days.”

Miles barked a laugh at that and quickly covered his mouth with his hand from the outburst.

Phoenix gave a grin and reached over to pull his hand away and press a kiss to the back of it.

“Disgusting,” Miles sighed out with the most affectionate voice.

“You love me and my germs.”

The prosecutor gave a hum. “I think there was a miscommunication at the altar. I’m not sure I fully agree with ‘in sickness’.”

“I will personally give you the flu and then see what you think about those vows three hours into sneezing your brains out.”

Miles could only give out another bout of chuckles at that. He moved away so he could grab one of the washcloths and sit next to the tub. He dipped the rag into the water and began to gently scrub the sweat from the other’s skin.

Phoenix closed his eyes again and leaned into the touch. Sighing in content and possibly even some relief at the coolness of the water.

“Don’t fall back asleep on me. Can’t have you drowning. I promised Justice I wouldn’t let you die.”

His husband gave a hum. “Sounds like a you problem.”

Miles only shook his head with a smile. He moved the rag along Phoenix’s shoulders, dipping into the water once and a while to keep it cool. He ran it up his shoulder and along his neck to the other shoulder before moving back up again. After he was satisfied with that, Miles gave the rag another good dip into the water and wrung it out best he could. He then started to work on cooling off Phoenix’s face. Pressing it against his forehead and gently moving it along his cheeks here and there.

“What would I do without you?” Phoenix suddenly asked.

Miles hummed in faux thought. “Fall off more burning bridges, I’m sure.”

The attorney gave a bark of a laugh. “Cancelled, divorced, ratioed.”

“You don’t even know what half of those words mean.”

Phoenix only shrugged. “You can’t prove that.”

The other didn’t even dignify that with a response. Only shaking his head with a roll of his eyes for good measure. “Keep talking like that and I’m not feeding you.”

“Nooo,” Phoenix whined out and pushed his face towards the other. “I’m dying, how dare you treat me like this.”

“The only thing currently threatening your life is your intelligence,” Miles mumbled to the other, not pulling away from the close proximity. “But you’ve survived this long so I’m sure you’ll be just fine.”

“Rude,” was the only response given before the gap between their lips was closed.

[afterglowlws]

So Lena said that Kara broke her heart. And Kara said betraying and hurting Lena was one of the biggest mistakes she’d ever made, and also said that Lena hurt her in every way imaginable. So what I’m hearing is that not only did Lena break Kara’s heart back, but worse than just about anyone else ever has. Like listen homegirl was a lil sad after MonHell got yeeted to space and came back with a wife, but she did not spend an entire season moping and crying and acting OOC about it. She did not spend a whole episode altering time because of it. I believe Lena Luthor was the cause of Kara’s most painful heartbreak ever

[loserchildhotpants]

Destiel prompt from Twitter; kissing each other to prove there’s nothing there, even though, it’s a lie, and the kiss proves it (from this prompt list)

“I’m just saying that I don’t think you’d get this defensive if there really wasn’t anything between you two -”

“There isn’t, and I’m not getting defensive!” Dean argues, decidedly defensively.

“Methinks the lady doth protest too much,” Sam offers with a shrug and a smirk.

Staring down into the open grave the boys are in, Castiel glances between the brothers and tilts his head, wondering if perhaps by a different angle, he may better understand what their expressions mean.

“We’re bonded or whatever - that’s it, man! There’s nothing else going on!”

“I’m not even saying there is anything ‘going on,’ I’m just saying there could be, and if that were something you wanted -”

“I’m not qu -”

“I know, I get it, I hear you, humor me for a second, okay? All I’m saying is just - if there were something between you two, and you wanted there to be something ‘going on,’ where there is currently nothing ‘going on,’ I just think you should, hypothetically go for something rather than settling for the nothing, because, personally, I think there is something there, and you could have a great thing going if that were what you wanted.”

“Even if - which I don’t - I’m not - listen, though, okay? I’m not, and I don’t want that - not that there’s anything wrong with it, or something, just - even if that were the case, Cas isn’t like that. He’s not a being that experiences shit like that -”

“I’m telling you you’re wrong, Dean! The way he stares at you -”

“He stares at everyone!”

“Do I?”

The Winchesters jump in unison, both with hands on their guns faster than should be possible. They both visibly relax again, though, when they realize it’s only Castiel interrupting.

“Oh, hey, Cas,” Dean greets, his voice markedly more gentle than it was with Sam only a moment before.

Castiel appreciates it.

“Hello, Dean.”

With a cheeky grin, Sam clears his throat, and says to Cas, “your timing couldn’t be better, actually, Cas - Dean and I have some questions -”

“No, no, we do not have questions,” Dean growls at Sam, eyes blazing dangerously.

“I am always available to you boys for whatever inquiries I can assist in. Is this pertaining to my staring? It’s academic in nature, I assure you - frankly, I am used to having a form that hosts many more eyes; being in this Earthly form can present obstacles, as my perceptions are more limited than I can remember them ever being. I promise I do not mean to insult anyone.”

“Oh, I don’t think anyone’s thinking of it as an insult,” Sam intones; Dean shoves his elbow into Sam’s kidney to shut him up.

“This is you being defensive, by the way,” Sam wheezes, doubled over, but still smirking at Dean, “What’s the big deal if there’s nothing going on?”

Flushed, Dean scowls at Sam, drops his shovel, and tells him, “I’m not being defensive! There’s nothing to be defensive about! And I’ll prove it!”

Clambering out of the grave, Dean brushes the soil from his hands onto his dirtier jeans, and stomps more than walks up to Castiel.

“You’ve a cut,” Cas murmurs worriedly, spotting a knick Dean got on his cheek earlier in the day.

“It’s nothing. Listen, Cas -”

Before Dean can get anymore out, Castiel reaches for his left-side cheek, cups that side of his face, and spreads a cooling sensation that knits the skin back together neatly and cleanly.

“Uh - thanks, Cas,” Dean mutters gruffly as Cas takes his hand back.

“My pleasure, Dean.”

Uncharacteristically nervous, Dean glances down at the ground, his hands shoved in his jean pockets, then his eyes skim the ground until they happen upon Sam’s again, and whatever silent exchange they have works Dean up again.

“Cas,” Dean begins, looking into his eyes with determination, “We’re friends, you ‘n me, right?”

“Yes, Dean. You are my most cherished friend,” Castiel answers.

That gives Dean a moment’s pause where he seems to be searching Castiel’s face for some sign of sarcasm or deceit; there is none to be detected, of course.

“I - thanks, man. Uhm. Now - this is gonna sound like a weird question, but bear with me, ‘cause I’m not about to assume consent or something.”

“Okay,” Castiel says in confusion, tilting his head again.

“I’m tryin’a prove a point here to Sam, and to get it across - just - would you be okay with me kissing you? Like, just this once - I promise I won’t make it weird or anything, but I gotta ask, you know? I know you’re not into physical stuff like -”

“You’d like my permission to kiss?” Castiel intercepts neutrally, “Like people do?”

Something about that is funny - or startling? - to both Sam and Dean, and Castiel can’t tell which or for what reasons.

“Yeah. Just this one time,” Dean repeats.

Though he takes a respectable count of four seconds to seem as though he needs to consider his options, Castiel nods, and replies, “of course, Dean. Of all the favors you’ve asked of me before, I assure this is certainly the most convenient and pleasant of them.”

Sam snorts a laugh, Dean tosses a glare at him, and then settles gentle, if a little nervous, eyes back on Castiel.

“Okay…”

Dean steps closer into Cas’ space, bringing them toe-to-toe and he finds himself staring down; he’d not realized Cas was shorter than him. It’s not by much, not really enough to be remarked upon, even, but it means that Cas winds up looking up at him from under the cover of long, dark lashes, and even in the dark of the night, his eyes shine like twinkling gems.

Swallowing with some difficulty, Dean holds loosely onto the lapels of Cas’ trench coat, and he means to go in chaste, he really does, it’s just that he’s actually struggling to breathe a little, so his lips are just barely parted, and Cas - as far as Dean can tell, Cas takes that as a cue.

Because Cas’ full lips press in, but so does his tongue; before Dean can even secure his footing, Cas makes his loose hold on the lapels go tight, licking up into Dean’s mouth without hesitation or mercy.

Praying his shocked gasp wasn’t audible to Sam, Dean just tries to hold on while Cas turns his head, bites Dean’s heavy bottom lip, and then pushes Dean’s mouth more open with his own, and then he drags his hot tongue against Dean’s, coming in broad, and soft.

Dean hears himself make some kind of noise - he can’t tell what it is, because there’s too much blood rushing in his skull - there’s stubble. Stubble. There is stubble in this equation other than his own, and that’s new, and terrifying, and should be wholly unwelcome, but every synapse in his brain dedicated to pleasure is telling him otherwise.

One wide hand insinuates itself under the hem of Dean’s weathered flannel, calloused fingers pressing into his left hip possessively while the other hand glides over his pec, and shoulder to the back of his neck, pinky finger teasing the sensitive skin just under the back of his cotton collar, and thumb brushing the fine hairs at the base of Dean’s skull.

Dean thinks he may be swaying - he’s dizzy.

Cas is dragging him closer, pressing their hips and abdomens together, and Dean’s hands have somehow found better purchase on the front of Cas’ button-down dress shirt than his lapels.

Dean thinks he hears one of the buttons pop off with the strain of his hold, but neither of them seem inclined to do anything about it, so he figures it doesn’t matter; he tries to establish himself as a bit more dominant, thrown off his usual groove by the absolutely sinful way Cas apparently kisses.

To Dean’s simultaneous horror and delight, Cas doesn’t relinquish any control; he won’t be moved, his hands get tighter and hotter where they touch Dean’s skin, he only presses them harder together, and he kisses Dean like he wants to eat him alive.

He kisses Dean like he wants to crawl inside him, like he’s hungry - starved - like kissing is an act of carnage just as much as an act of love, like those things aren’t mutually exclusive.

He’d rather die than admit it to anyone, but Dean’s knees get a little weak, and Cas basically holds up his entire weight by just the grip he’s got on Dean’s waist.

Before he knows it’s happened, Dean’s hard enough to carve stone, and Cas readjusts how they’re slotted against one another to better accommodate Dean’s failing balance, and Cas feels it - he must. Even if he doesn’t feel how hard Dean is against him right away, the guttural moan Dean will deny having made til his dying breath clues him in.

What sounds like hundreds of cherry bombs going off has them stumbling away from each other, and frantically looking about.

The streetlights have exploded. There’s glass everywhere, and based on the echoes of car alarms and distant voices, it’s becoming more and more possible that Cas destroyed the windows and lights of several cars and nearby homes.

Even he and Sam’s flashlights are busted.

In the blanket of darkness that’s settled over the graveyard, Dean can still see clearly, because Cas’ eyes are high beams cutting through the fog of the night.

They’re both panting, Dean’s pretty certain that a resting heart rate isn’t meant to feel like this, and Cas is looking positively feral.

“Jesus fuck!” Sam curses, his arms crossed over his head where he still plucks a shard of glass from his hair.

Reminded of Sam’s presence, Castiel’s head swivels to him, the glow of his eyes dims down, and then he looks back at Dean, visibly frightened.

Dean takes no pleasure in Cas ever being scared, so he reaches out, takes a step back into Cas’ space, but that spooks him more, and in less than a blink of an eye, he’s gone.

Not cool, Cas, Dean thinks loudly, hoping it counts as a prayer that Cas will hear.

Reaching into the front of his jeans, Dean uses the near blackness of the power outage to his advantage, and readjusts himself to the best of his abilities.

It really doesn’t do much.

“Well,” Sam starts pointedly.

Dean, weak at the knees, lips criminally swollen, face flushed, hair mussed and harder than he’s ever been in his life, turns slowly to scowl at Sam.

“That was not nothing.”

Dean doesn’t see a way of winning the argument, so he kicks dirt into Sam’s hair, and leaves him to finish burying.

[aetheternity]

Sight, smell, touch, taste, sound and which one I believe would draw the Aot girls to you. Kinda Modern Au 🤷‍♀️ idk you be the judge.

(Pov: none of you asked for this but I got bored and decided to give it to you anyway.)

Mikasa

~Touch

The first time you touched her it was to pat her shoulder and tell her, "good luck" on a mission and she's been riding that high til the day she finally had you.

She was already so infatuated by you to the point that every bit of your touch became a daily necessity.

Locking you into her tight hugs late at night.

Pulling your lips back into hers whenever you try to escape.

She'll give you tiny kisses spread all over your face as soon as you wake up. And she's a huge fan of eskimo kisses. You might even trigger a little giggle from her when you initiate them.

She wants to rest her head on your chest and fall asleep to your heartbeat.

She's got your fingers perfectly knotted with hers in every situation.

Tangles your legs when the two of you are resting on the couch.

"I have to get up sometime Mikasa." Not today you don't.

Her favorite spot to scratch is your lower back. She softly circles her nails over that bit of skin after hiking your shirt up.

Please let her spend the day with you in her lap it's the perfect amount of intimate for her.

Annie

~Touch/Sound

One day you came to her with concern filling your eyes and hugged her even though you never had before. You simply told her, "I feel like something's wrong but I won't pry. Just know I'll be waiting for you to come back to me." So softly in her ear and despite her push back at first her feelings for you grew stronger everyday.

She grew to adore the smallest things about you.

The sounds of your low morning yawns before you kiss her face.

The warmth of your knee resting between her thighs

Loves when you whine her name. It sends heat flowing through her entire body. "What do you want?" (She'll pretend she hates it tho.)

Whenever you two are alone she has her head firmly placed on your chest, falling asleep to your heartbeat. Just like Mikasa (No you do not have to pee lay back down)

Loves when you card your fingers through her untied hair. (Sometimes you make her hum when you scratch the back of her head just right.)

She's gotta have your hands when you two are cuddling. Holding you like she's scared you're not really there.

Whisper in her ear and she just might shiver for you.

Laugh when she's sarcastic and watch the pretty pink color dust over her cheeks.

Tells you she loves you under her breath and melts when you say it back after kissing her cheek or neck.

Sasha

~(Sweet angel 🥺) Touch/taste

She held your hand like she'd always done with you and asked what you'd want your last meal in the world to be. Fucking around you said, "You." And the girl practically burst into flame. Meanwhile Connie at the opposite end of the table is mocking y'all talking about some, "Get a room already!" And then you did 😏

Oh, you just had some candy? She's biting your lips and sucking on your tongue.

Oh, your shampoo/body wash smells like banana, coconut, strawberries etc? She's got her face in your neck giving you little kisses. (Sometimes she'll give you a little kitten lick but it's fine cause you love it 😃).

She likes mutual feeding (ik that sounds weird idk how else to put it.) Like if you guys are eating popcorn together while watching a movie, she likes when you place the popcorn in her mouth and she does the same for you.

Licks the butter off your fingers when the popcorns gone.

When you stretch your arms next to her and then proceed to wrap them around her neck or waist she's in heaven.

Adores the feeling of your fingers splayed over her stomach right after she finished eating and the way you tease her by stroking her inner thigh.

Randomly jumps in the shower with you so that she can run her hands up and down every inch of your skin.

Sometimes she wakes you with a bunch of forehead kisses.

"Five more minutes please.." You beg

If you wake up before her though she'd love to be wrapped in your arms as she eats breakfast.

Hitch

~Sight (y'all already know my baby's a lil shallow)

It was like a movie scene. She saw you across the room during a small party for the anniversary of the military police first debut and she just had to have you. And bug you.. she stayed by your side as often as possible after that.

She'll laugh so that her compliments on your body sound less genuine but she means it every time.

And when you're not looking she's got her lip between her teeth, eyes working up and down your body.

"I wanna see you in this honestly." She'll say late at night handing you a picture and covering her face as you look at it.

"Reminds me of your pink dress?"

"Yeah! Yes.. that's the point we'll match."

Doesn't matter how long you've been dating. She'll always build a little tension before every kiss by looking directly at your lips then back into your eyes with a little smirk.

Whistles when you wear an outfit she recommended.

She never straight up says it but her favorite part of your body is the part you like the least.

Backwards ass compliments.

"You know orange isn't normally your color but today you made it work." And "You seem really confident despite wearing those pants."

Don't worry it's how she shows affection.

Makes you blush as often as possible because she just can't get enough of how gorgeous you are when you do.

Pieck

~Sight/taste

From the second she saw you she knew she had to get you out of your little bubble. You'd both done the warrior training as kids and you always kept to yourself. She thought a person like you looked like you had a lot of secrets. And she was gonna learn as many as possible. The older you guys got the more attractive you became to each other and you kinda fell back into the nervousness she thought she'd driven out of you. Eventually she got you to accidentally blurt a confession. Next thing you knew her tongue was pulling all conscious thought out of you.

Idk Pieck gives me the vibes that she'd always be looking for a way to stick her tongue down your throat?? (Just me?? Alright..)

She'll twirl you around with a hand around your waist. Unabashedly checking you out.

Loves long sweet kisses while she rests between your legs.

Will never stop smiling at you when you exit the shower in only a towel.

Brushes her lips over your stomach to wake you.

She's so enamored by the twinkle in your eye when you talk with the younger generation of warriors.

Playfully suggests you just walk around the house completely naked so she can really appreciate your body.

Her heart one hundred percent drops when she sees you sad for even a second.

Let her kiss you wherever she wants! It's a lot easier than arguing with her!

And she will try in some weird places. (She gives me body worshipper vibes.)

Yelena

~Sound

She heard about you due to rumors about your incredible fighting style. But what made her seek you out was the knowledge that you were next in line to become a titan shifter. It was hard to tell if her affection was due to interest in you as a person or your incredible fighting style but one day she asked you to live with her in the new world. Of course you said yes.

She loves the sound of you singing. (If you can sing) Sometimes she actively seeks you out and asks for you to sing to her.

Your war cries make her back arch (shh I didn't say that).

The second you guys started dating she developed a sixth sense of some sort where she just shows up if you're crying or if your day has been going terrible.

She just adores the sound of your voice and she can't get enough of it.

I could see her dragging you off some place where the two of you can just talk.

Within less than a week of dating you she's already got ways to get any noise she wants out of you.

Graze their neck with the tip of your nose for giggles and kiss the tips of their ears for I love you's.

That sort of thing.

Whenever you make a noise she hasn't heard before she's dying to force you to make it again.

Idk what it's called but I feel like Yelena has that thing where noises are attributed to colors in her brain. And at some point she explains all the colors she sees whenever you make certain noises.

Hange

~Sight/touch

Moblit had to take a.. short vacation after one of Hange's lab disasters nearly crippled him.. so Erwin had asked you to fill in and you said yes. It was only for a couple weeks and during that time Hange stuck to you like glue. Throwing an arm over your shoulder, stealing little glances and laughing loudly when you'd catch her. It felt like normal Hange stuff. But on the last night before Moblit's return, Hange was weirdly not.. Hange.. being quiet, filling in data and barely making eye contact. You asked if you'd done something wrong but Hange barely said anything back. Before you left she was nose deep in paperwork. You said your goodbyes and you were about to leave when Hange asked if you'd be willing to go on a date. When you looked back she hadn't even looked up but you smiled and nodded with a little yes and the rest was history.

It's a no brainer that you spent all your free time in Hange's lab to be Hange's other support system other than Moblit.

And when Moblit died, Hange's entire support system.

Her touch lingering on your lower back as you lean over to check her notes.

Completely enamored with the glint in your eye whenever the two of you come up with a sort of breakthrough.

Deadass pulls you into her lap at the most random times.

Oh hey the meeting finally finished? Yanks your frame right into her lap and laughs at the eye rolling of fellow colleagues.

Hange will say sorry but that blush on your face was so worth it and she's so glad she did it.

Rubs your back as you sleep on the work piled on your side of the desk.

Probably accidentally wakes you up a couple minutes after you fell asleep though.

Hange once sat you on her lap after a meeting right before Erwin tried to hand her some papers over the table. Without thinking she stood up to grab them and your face slammed into the table while her hips were pressed against your ass. Immediately getting everyone's attention. Safe to say you no longer sit next to Hange at meetings. (I had to add this even though it's a little off topic and random.)

Historia

~Smell (First one here.)

She had to share a room with you until she became queen. And almost every night she'd have some kind of nightmare about Ymir. You didn't mean to make a move but one night she crawled into your bed like she always had and you wrapped your arms around her shivering form like you always did. She had her nose trapped in your nape and you pressed a kiss to her forehead hoping it would stop her harsh breathing. And it did. She froze, the world froze, everything froze. You had leaned back to apologize for overstepping her boundaries and she kissed you back.

She'd gotten so comfortable with your scent that not only did it constantly lull her to sleep but always gave her a sense of security.

You're her security blanket. I don't make the rules.

Speaking of blankets. You gave her yours when she moved into the castle.

Whenever she gets even an hour alone she's trying to get you in the castle so she can sit in your lap and bury her nose in your nape like she always has.

She also steals your shirts and hoodies as often as possible until they smell like her then you have to take them back and cover them with your stink again.

Spending early mornings in the castle after washing your hair and her telling you over and over that she missed your smell.

It's legit like having a long distance relationship while being in the same place.

And she doesn't let you go until the last second before you both have to go back to work.

If you guys have time and you shop together she'll keep the candles that you believed smelled the best in her room.

All in all give Historia your shirts to wear cause she loves them/they look great on her.

Ymir

~Sight/touch

You're probably either super sweet like Krista or really sarcastic like her and that's what draws her to look more in depth into you. When she finally gets a chance to actually look at you fully without the odm gear she finds herself fixated, tracing your figure with her eyes. You guys finally become friends, who mutually enjoy bullying Reiner. But she finds that she hates it. Thinks you're teasing her every time you brush her fingertips without actually holding her dammed hand. One day she just reaches out and grabs you properly and doesn't let go. Yeah, you're dating now.

What can I say except, she likes running a finger over the lines on your palm.

She's always grabbing you out of nowhere but you don't mind. You just let her hold you.

"You look extra beautiful today, bet you'll look even better when I put a ring on your finger."

Puts her hands under your shirt with no fucking shame.

Stares at you and yells at the first person that mocks her. Reiner/Connie

Can and will find a way to smack your ass the second she gets you alone.

Trails little butterfly kisses over your shoulders when you're trying to get dressed in the morning.

Literally everything you do is weirdly skillful to her.

Like you're peeling a potato and she's like, "You're so amazing at that.."

Let her lean on you for absolutely no reason she loves it. 🤷‍♀️

(I realized after writing this that Annie and Armin have the same one even tho I don't ship them at all 😕)

[kuroos-moon]

Captains and Strong Independent S/o’s

☁︎︎ request:  Oikawa, Kuroo and either Bokuto or Ushijima (I cant choose!) reacting to a (fem or g/n) reader who does some type of martial art and they’re kinda tough/strong and (maybe they’re the team manager and they don’t take no shit) and the captains kinda crush on them for it? (I like to imagine Oikawa having a tough gf who stops Iwa from being mean to him and jokingly threatens Iwa that if he wants to hurt Tohru he has to go through her

☁︎︎ pairing: oikawa x reader, kuroo x reader, ushijima x reader

☁︎︎ warning/s: swearing, felt a bit of angst while writing for ushijima’s idk why tho it might just be my imagination :> 

☁︎︎ a/n: also dont know if it’s obvious but i kinda got carried away with ushijima’s 

Oikawa Tohru

• is a smug little shit every time you’re with him or in the same room at least 

• like,, he could piss Iwa-chan off to death and he won’t get hurt for it? now this is what he calls power

• sincerely loves and adores you, but at first, he kinda got sad that you’re so self-sufficient, you practically don’t need him 

• but he’s now long accepted that you’re just so you… and in your relationship, it’s you who does the protecting and looking out by a whole lot (ofc it doesn’t mean he loves you less) 

• that’s why he gets so so soft when he gets his turn in being the person who’s leaned on

• as their manager, he loves how you get things done so effectively, even Kyotani bows down to you, as he should—he always says in his head, smiling as he looks at the feral boy getting flustered around you  

• he listens to you all the time and we all know Tohru backing down is so rare 

“Oy, you’re overdoing it, let’s go.” 

“Head home without me, Iwa-chan,” he mutters mindlessly as he screws up another serve, a scowl on his face as he bends down to get another ball; but he freezes at an instant upon Iwaizumi’s words—no, Iwaizumi’s threat.

“Suit yourself, I’ll call y/n.” 

Oikawa has never changed stance so quickly in his life, cleaning up the gym as he sends smiles to his best friend’s way every five seconds, hoping he won’t tell on him on his cute but scary girl who could easily kick him unconscious. 

• he uses your name to threaten anyone who wants to cross him and they will back down immediately

• also likes to show off because he knows you treasure him so much; he likes to be babied by you especially in front of others 

“y/n-chan c’mere,” he softly says, whining a bit. The rest of his team look at the both of you in astonishment as you take the captain in your arms, Tohru’s cheek on your shoulder, looking back at the bewildered look on his teammate’s faces while you sit side by side on the bench. 

They could never get used to someone as tough as you having such the softest spot for Shittykawa… like how could you even stand him? 

“Really tired,” he mumbles, a small smile on his lips when you run your fingers through his hair. “I know, you were great as always, let’s head home so you could rest.” 

“Y/n-chan, today, Iwa-chan hit my head when you were out to get water. It really hurt,” he says, still in your embrace as he smirks at his teammates. 

Their mouths fall open, Iwaizumi’s eye twitching in irritation for his shitty best friend. 

“And Maki-chan…” Hanamaki grits his teeth, looking at him pleadingly in panic as his mind runs through everything he did today, wondering what he could’ve done to your beloved. “He ate my milk bread; I was really hungry.” 

Yup, Maki and Iwaizumi knew there was hell to pay, gulping in unison when you pull away from your boyfriend and narrow your eyes at them. 

“Iwa-chan. I thought we agreed you weren’t hitting Tohru again.” 

A chill runs down his spine, Tohru simply looks at you with pride, pulling you into his lap as he wraps his arms around your waist before you get the chance to throw hands at Iwaizumi.

Kuroo Tetsuro

• loves loves LOVES your remarks, your attitude, the way you take no crap from anyone, like “ah, he’s scared shitless, that’s my girl” 

• dw, you’re not a thug or anything, but men who force their feelings on you will see heaven’s gates early 

• and kuroo’s so pleased about it. sure, he’d love to get the chance to act all cool and brooding and possessive in front of other suitors but what’s more fun is watching their dejected faces as you say—

• “how many times do I have to turn you down? I have my tetsuro, now back the fuck off or I’ll break your nose.” 

• you had no idea he was just outside your classroom waiting for you, arms crossed and a cocky grin stretching his lips when you lock eyes with him

• “chibi-chan!” he calls off cheerily, and you bet he’ll tease you about it til death do you part 

• “don’t just stand there, give your tetsuro a hug!” 

• laughs about how your friendly banters with yamamoto always end up with you winning the argument 

• you rub off as mean bc you won’t take any disrespect, even a little—and that’s great

• those are one of the things he loves about you 

• but he’s always worried you might get hurt or hated for it, though he knows you are very much capable of beating anyone up even kuroo himself

• so he’s always holding you back, and I can’t stress this enough, but this man knows you could fend for yourself and he is so proud you’re his partner 

• he just wants to make certain that no one’ll hurt you, okay kitten? 

• your conversations often go like this: 

“I’ll beat up whoever tries to lay a hand on me.” 

“don’t say such reckless things, you’re not superman.”

“uhuh, geez, I’ll be fine, I don’t need you to walk me home.” 

“well news flash, your tetsuro, needs his y/n to walk him ho—ow,” he mutters when you slap his chest. 

“go home with kenma.”

“I don’t want kenma,” he scowls, already irked that this is turning into an argument.

“too bad,” you deadpan.  

“ugh,” he groans, “imagine a girlfriend who actually listens to you, just imagine.” 

• he is the one and only person you’ll gladly accept lectures from, bc his lectures are always reasonable and for your own good

after checking and verifying that you were completely okay, you knew he was about to go down to business. 

“you got into a fight? What are you? a thug?” he crosses his arms. You were both inside the gym along with the rest of his teammates who looked like they were far too preoccupied to listen. They were all clearly listening in though, except Kenma of course.  

watching your figures from a few feet away, it was obvious that he was scolding you, and Lev already had a ridiculous visualization of you hitting Kuroo. Everyone was worried you’ll fight him, or maybe even hit him, well, everyone except Kenma, of course. 

The setter knew that you would never ever lay a hand on kuroo as if the 6’1 captain was fragile. He also knew that you loved and respected kuroo too much to actually get agitated just because he was scolding you, you aren’t an unreasonable person. Lastly, he knew that kuroo would be going soft on you in five minutes tops, his best friend is hopeless like that. 

Kenma was right, he always is. Your back is glued to the wall behind you, Kuroo’s hand beside your head, his face extremely close to yours that you’re left flustered which is rare. 

After you were rambling on about how you had to put that girl in her place, going off about how it made you so mad and he should cut you some slack, he knew just how to shut you up. And it worked. You’re speechless. 

“what was that again, hm? go on, you surely had a lot to say,” he mutters, acting all tough as if he wasn’t dying to just kiss you now. when you don’t respond and stare at him and his lips instead, he already gives in. yes, just like that. “you were wrong to do that, okay?” he breathes, the worry from earlier on making its way out through his voice. 

“I know, I’m sorry.” 

Locking lips with you, you pull him closer to yourself, and kuroo had purposely decided to kabedon you on this wall since his broad back would be shielding the two of you from his teammates’ line of sight. 

After pulling away, he pats your head, licking his lips. “I forgive you, I’m not mad anymore.” You look away in embarrassment, realizing how petty you must’ve seemed to him. He sighs before hugging you, chin atop your head. 

“Make this the last time, okay? I swear you’re shortening my lifespan having me worried all the time.” 

You hug him tighter as a response, kuroo letting out a breath of contentment. Regardless of how tough you are outside; you are and always will be his soft little kitten and it was his greatest honor that you allow him to take care of you like this. 

Ushijima Wakatoshi

• is probably a little too used to the idea of his most treasured girlfriend being extremely capable and self-sufficient 

• his teammates would always look at him like ‘why are you not stepping in,’ every time you’re in a tough spot i.e. having an argument with someone or having a too-touchy suitor 

• then they’d be like “oh, that’s why,” after you flung the despicable creature out to space 

• he thinks so highly of you, not only are you physically strong, you’re even tougher on the inside too

• this is kinda a given but I’ll say it anyway—he can be unintentionally insensitive (well your relationship is kinda new)

• example no 1: 

you were arguing with goshiki and while he would normally like to ignore you and let you have your way; he was getting annoyed bc the argument was far too petty. 

“I’m gonna surpass him!” 

“and I’m telling you that you ca-

your mouth is clamped with a big hand, and it took you only a second to realize it was Wakatoshi because only he would have the nerve to lay a hand on you like this. he still doesn’t say anything, dragging you with him in an empty hallway for privacy.

finally after you stopped walking, he turns to you and looks at you expectantly. “what was that for? Did you even wash your hand,” you mutter, slightly annoyed. 

“I haven’t touched the ball yet, don’t worry,” he lowly says, making you sulk because he totally missed your point. “still, you didn’t have to make me shut up by clamping your hand against my mouth.” He’s too… not gentle with you sometimes. 

“you were going to say something you shouldn’t to goshiki.”

“he said something he shouldn’t have.” 

he only narrows his eyes at you and you do the same, anyone from your class would’ve been scared at the sight. You were both known as the cutest yet intimidatingly scary couple. 

• you were in the early stages of dating and though you understood each other well, it wasn’t really enough yet

• it’s all good though, because once you tell him that he was too uncaring of you and your feelings he does something that no other man would do: 

• apologize, admit his mistake, reflect on it a lot and,,, actually change!! 

• he’s much softer to you after that, and he finally realizes that you were still his precious girl and you were sensitive when it came to him 

• cursed himself for being too reliant on how you never seemed sensitive or needy

• doesn’t dwell too much on regret, just treats you 100x times better 

• is fascinated with your passion for martial arts but is against you overdoing training

• one time, he was torn between dragging you out of practice or just turning a blind eye to your visible exhaustion since you’re always so tough anyway, you’ll manage 

• but then he remembers his promise to himself to never treat you like you aren’t the most special person to him so he excuses himself from practice and heads to your training room 

you sat alone, your back to the wall. everyone else has gone home but you stayed because your muscles were too sore and you felt like you couldn’t even walk for another day. maybe it had something to do with how you’ve been training too much. 

you’re startled upon seeing shoes on the floor you blankly stared at, looking up to meet eyes with Ushijima. “Wakatoshi,” you say in surprise. 

he is expressionless as he bends down across you between your legs, and you had to admit this was something you weren’t used to from him. “are you okay?” he asks, his voice soft as velvet. you’re taken aback by his question, looking away in embarrassment. 

Wakatoshi rarely asks you that, and most of the time it was only when you said the word ‘ow’ when you accidentally hit something. you clear your throat, bringing your hands together to play with your fingers, “I’m okay.” 

it was silent for a few seconds before you hear him sigh, not only that, warm, gentle hands had found its way to yours and you look at him, bewildered. “is this okay?” he asks, looking down at both your hands and you nod. “your hands are much smaller, compared to mine at least.” he says, but you’re too flustered to even understand that. 

“are other things okay too?” he asks, and like his former statement, you didn’t understand. your silence doesn’t stop him though, he decided to push his luck. tugged gently by your wrist, your back’s no longer pressed to the wall as ushijima wakatoshi pulls you in his arms for the first time in your very few months of dating. 

“wakatoshi,” you mumble, your heart racing so much you’re sure he feels it against his chest. he’s so warm, welcoming, and in his loving hold felt like the rightest place to be. “you’re not feeling okay.”

you don’t respond, opting to bury your face at the crook of his neck instead. “I’m here, I know you’re tired.” 

you both stay in that position for a long time, it was addicting to be cradled in his arms and he felt the same. “y/n,” he whispers, and you hum in response. 

“you’re strong. very strong. you don’t need a man at all.”

your heart skips a beat, “toshi are you breaking up with me?” 

you hear a soft chuckle ring in your ears, “let me finish. as I said, you’re very strong. you look like you’re always so tough. but you’re not, and so…” he trails off, so you pull away to look at him, hesitance evident in his eyes, his palm still pressed at the small of your back. 

“you’re not always strong. in fact if I dare say, you are fragile, and I care about you. so please, allow me to be there for you all the time, I’ll be here, just like now.” 

General Taglist [Open]: @noyasbitchh @dinablossom @haru-the-secret @strayczennies @lalisbitch @tinymidgetsstuff @animebs @astrealia @kittykitkatstrawberry @hajimesbbygrl @kellesvt @24hr7dysdizzy @arnxldss @elianetsantana @vicassa @floraraine @beanst0ck @leinnah @kageyamasgirl @deafeningart @minibobabottle   @franko-pop @moonlightaangel @throughtheinterstices @micasaessakusa @dixonsbugaboo @thevillagehiddenintheinternet @ultzuko @yappychan @dipsydoo542 @devilgirlcrybabiey @dai-tsukki-desu​

[voidcat]

– pieces, scattered (around)

characters: oikawa tooru, you

info: comfort (maybe slice of life if u squint), 2.1k words

a/n: been listening to Last Words of A Shooting Star (Mitski) & Dreams Fall Hard (Car Seat Headrest) on repeat since yesterday... this is a cry for help-

By the time you hear approaching footsteps behind you, the cold has long past infiltrated your bones, making you unable to feel it at all.

You don’t bother to turn your head to greet him, already knowing how his steps sound and rhyme, years of unwanted experienceyou call that.

Just as you don’t bother to address him, Oikawa doesn’t bother to say anything as he sits down to your right on the dirty pavement. Vast, empty space all around the two of you, all kinds of trash and forgotten memories lying around, cast aside; it hasn’t been this full for years, and now, your presence and Oikawa’s break it, like a seal forgotten.

Knees to your chest, arms resting on top, and on them your head weighs down.

“A voice inside me told me I’d find you there.” Oikawa says.

His form seems more relaxed, not that you turn to observe how he sits, examine his posture, the way he rests his arms behind him, feet more scattered around.

“I didn’t think anyone would notice I was gone.” you say in a whisper. Not that you mean to, it’s just a tiring day.

You can picture him already, and yourself, in the familiar uniforms of beige and blue, hear a dry chuckle coming from his way, maybe turning his head to look at you and make a playful remark, or deciding to be serious like one of these rare times and reply with a short statement you’d not expect.

Oikawa doesn’t do any of these, instead he sighs out loud, resting his weight on his arms again, resting back, shoulders slopping, –with the sigh, you can hear all that weight he pretends doesn’t exist piling up on him, breaking that straight back everyone is so used to see and make him lose a centimeter or three.

“You always had a habit of being distant while your little friends were present, watching us or chit chatting.”

“Didn’t think anyone noticed.” You pause, “Then again, you’ve always been observant.”

“I’d prefer ‘You’ve always been better than others.’ but this works too.” You smile at this, it feels, normal, more than you could hope for.

Despite the minimum time you and Oikawa shared before, it feels like the calming sense of safety you get before you fall asleep, when it’s a sunny afternoon or a calm evening. And when you think about it, was there even a time it was just the two of you in a room, alone? You’d recall it if that were the case, because as much as you roll your eyes at what he said, he hasalways been something else, entirely.

“And what brings you to a forgotten sidewalk at this hour, when everyone else is back at the party thrown in, in your honor?” you raise your head then, as Oikawa stares straight ahead.

“What’s wrong with the hour?” his words come out, disinterested.

“You’re avoiding the question.” You state in a stern voice. Whatever peace you had a moment ago shattered.

He sighs, and you think you can hear the hint of a smile in it, “It’s not like I’d spend all my limited time back here at a stupid party.” He says as he shakes his head slightly.

You can’t help but raise an eyebrow at that, “Yourparty.”

“Doesn’t change the fact that it’s stupid.” He turns to you, a sheepish smile etched onto his face. “Besides, when’s the last time we shared some quality time together?”

“February 31st 2012, if I remember correctly.”

The small falls from his face, confusion clear until it’s wiped off with laughter, a genuine one you’re sure you’ve only heard from him once. Never in your life, you think, you cared about the honesty of Oikawa Tooru’s reactions and whether you could get one out of him yourself. Yet now that it has happened, you feel… content, accomplished, in a way.

Wiggling your index finger in the air, you put on a more dramatic voice: “Now now, don’t go soft on me and confess how you returned to see me. That would be a blow to the many devotees of the Grand King.” This only multiplies Oikawa’s laughter, to the point of making him tear up.

‘Nice one.’ You can hear in his laughter as he clutches his stomach and you direct your gaze back ahead, without realizing the smile on your face.

Soon later, his voice dies out slowly, without alerting either of you.

“I don’t get how you do it sometimes.” You break the silence after a while although your voice is barely louder than the wind.

Oikawa doesn’t glance at you, nor does he speak a word, –deciding to wait for you.

Head falling, resting your forehead to your knees, “How you can never falter, how you keep going and going, pushing, fighting… Just- how do you find that will in you, the ambition, the wish to do things?” hands falling to both sides, clutching at nothing, you stare at the tiny grains on the ground, in the cement.

“I feel like falling sometimes, you know. Or- wait, drowning. I’m drowning, until I let the water take me in, surround me completely and I feel comfort in it again. No more struggling, I am one with the water and it is with me. Doesn’t feel cold on my skin, it doesn’t feel like anything.”

Arms gathered front again, you itch your right wrist without noticing.

“In the air, when I’m standing, walking, sleeping, sitting, doing anything, I can feel my body. I can feel the air around me. It has turned against me. And the air feels hostile, sharp.”

“And the water-“ you raise your head and take in a deep breath, “the water is welcoming.”

“I feel like all I do is waste away my life, my time, and I don’t even feel bad about it. No guilt, not until the last moment. All these years have passed, I’ve come this far and- I’m still so utterly, completely lost.” The last part comes out in a sob and a choke.

Oikawa watches you the whole time, every time you breath in, he breaths out; whenever you sigh, he holds his breath, body never moving, eyes never blinking. Still, like he is made of glass.

The silence falls again, and heavy it does. Like glass shards raining down, pricking at your skin and only then Oikawa puts his hand on your right wrist before you can itch and pick again.

At the sudden contact, you look up, thinking you’ll be seeing Oikawa, but in his stead, stands someone you only saw from afar, maybe never saw at all. Without a mask he bothers to keep on, he seems foreign, a stranger.

The ‘Don’t.’ hangs in the air and in his eyes.

Only when you pull your left hand back to your lap, does he let go of your wrist.

“I know,” he begins “that no word of confirmation about how ‘you shouldn’t push yourself to be productive every day’ will help, or saying it’s alright to feel lost and look for something. You must know these already.”

“But ask yourself this: are you feeling this overwhelmed over these only because of yourself or does anyone partake in that? Would you feel like a waste if we weren’t forced to shoulder all these responsibilities and past hopes of our parents from our childhoods?”

“I-“ he cuts you off before you can speak up again, to further argue, to prove a point, your point.

“Look at Makki for once!” he sounds angry. “Unemployed, not living up to the dream life some would expect him to be, all these years of sweating blood and tears and he is not even mentioning the ‘s’ of sports.” Turning his body to you as well, he faces you fully, arm and hand gestures never stopping for a second.

“Do you think he is fully content where is? Do you think he doesn’t any days where he regrets the choices he had made, the paths he have taken? Do you think he never ever, not even once, considered Mattsun’s joke about selling foot photos for money?”

With each question he says, you feel yourself shrinking more, selfish, a part of you hisses; spoiled, another voice is about to join in –then you hear Oikawa’s latest words and get pulled away from inside your head.

“Did he seriously consider that?” you sound meek, frowning internally.

“Oh, he even designed a promo banner and opened a burner account. Took us quite the struggle to change his mind.” He says matter-of-factly. You giggle a little, missing the way he tilts his head watches you with another expression you wouldn’t decode.

This escape is short lived, not enough to distract you from all your worries and doubts.

Your smile falls back short afterwards, face returning to its default state, lips downward, a moody expression watching the world outside.

And a part of this world outside, Oikawa watches you, a lot on his mind and not a single one seems fit to be spoken out loud.

The stillness of your body bleeds into the scenery before him a little painfully.

Blending in without a bother, as if that is what you see yourself worthy of, where you’ve come from and where you’ll end up. Cold, gray stones that no one gives the time of the day, nobody bothers to keep them clean or throw their trash at. Just a place all too like anything else.

The sun is cold, the air hangs low, a gray filter pulled over the world,

He almost misses your words, embroidered into the idle day. “Why make us all have dreams,” you raise your head as you say the rest, a sad smile on your face “-if they’ll all fall, crashing down one day?”

“I’m sorry your bright young boy is dying.” You sing, done speaking and return to the lifeless state you were in, long before he got here.

“Then don’t.” Oikawa says.

“Don’t dream big, don’t force yourself, or force yourself into a mood you won’t fully fit in.”

“Isn’t it enough to crave a sweet in the middle of something and go get it in the evening? Is it not enough to get survive each day, remember to eat and drink, sleep and think?”

“I know” he turns to you then, “it must sound rich, coming from the guy who always preaches ‘Hit it til you break it.’ But that doesn’t necessarily mean breaking yourself in the process.”

Not meeting his gaze, you stay as you were, trying to shut him down, shut the musicdown, drown out the noises but there is no static noise tingling in the air.

Yet seeing how your posture has changed, shoulders tense and fingers no longer latching onto anything they come in contact with, Oikawa knows to keep going and speaking.

“No one truly knows what they’re doing, and whoever claims they do, is bullshitting.” thisearns him a smile and he returns it with one of his own although you cannot see.

“Dream small, take it easy. No big dream is worth breaking yourself in the process. Else, how can you enjoy it if you’re not there to live in it?”

You tense when you feel his hand on your back, a consolation, perhaps, an olive branch.

“Why did you come here in the first place, Tooru, really?”

“Honestly? I don’t know it myself.” The words come out of if without an ease. And why wouldn’t they?

For all this time you’ve known him, Oikawa had a way with words; knowing how to speak and in which tone, what to say and when.

Speaking was like breathing to him, like playing volleyball; almost on instinct and good at it.

And it was his turn to look ahead again, eyes focused on nothing, his hand already drawn back to himself.

“Even if there’s a reasoning within me, it’s not clear to me. But I am here now, I chose to come, and I would’ve left long ago if you truly wanted me gone.”

“Thank you.” You say when the night has fallen.

“Don’t thank me for voicing the things you already had here.” He taps the side of his head.

“It’s a pretty sky tonight.” You say in a whisper, “There’s nothing up there, must be light pollution.” He says in a whine and you can almost hear him pout.

“We don’t need to see them to know that the stars are up there.” You say to him then, and he meets your eyes.

‘I guess you’re right.’ is in the air, not needed to be spoken out loud.

And Tooru’s hand is holding yours again, fingers stroking over the nail marks you left hours ago, already beginning to heal.

[darthbabie]

Online Food Fight

(not my gif)

Summary: You are in your online classes while Bucky and Sam are having a food fight, but the food fight carries on into your room and causes an unexpected interruption to your class. But Bucky feels bad and wants to make it up to you.

Warnings: FLUFF, some swear words, and Sam and Bucky bickering and fighting lol

Word Count:2023

Mainly Bucky Barnes x Reader

You were sitting on your couch scrolling through TikTok before class, you were just trying to ignore the world right outside your window. You were a student in school and unfortunately due to the virus you were quarantined. You at first thought that it was gonna be great to be quarantined at the Avengers Tower with all your friends.  But having virtual classes online was sometimes a struggle… especially with the Avengers always messing around or bickering about something. To say the least it was always a struggle for you and Peter. 

Your alarm went off on your phone telling you that it was time for you to stop scrolling through TikTok and join your class online. You groaned as you put your phone down on the desk you had your school work and computer set up on. “I wonder what they are gonna do to embarrass Peter and I this time” you thought to yourself. Before you start to turn your computer on you take a deep breath in and just allow yourself a moment as you look outside to see all the cars driving by on the wet asphalt. The window beside you slightly cracked so you can hear the patter of the rain and you can smell the earthy smell of the rain outside.

You pushed the power button on your laptop waiting for it to turn on. Once it finally did you typed your password in and signed into your class meeting. You sighed as you started to hear Sam and Bucky bickering about if pineapple belongs on pizza. Hoping that when you say “here” for attendance that their bickering doesn’t come through the mic, as they were only down the hall in the kitchen. 

“Pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza, Bucky! It’s a disgrace to the pizza kind!!” 

“Yes it freaking does, it is the greatest thing that I have tried since I got out of Hydra!”

“Whoever introduced you to pineapple on pizza was an idiot and has no taste in food and neither of you has the right to say what goes on pizza”.

“To let you know I think PETER and I have exquisite taste in food”

The second you hear Peter’s name being said in this argument you see Peter turn his camera off and you hear him start to walk towards the two grown men fighting over if pineapple belongs on pizza. 

“Mr. Barnes and Mr. Falcon, did you guys call my name”? 

“Yes Peter, tell Sam that he is an imbecile because he says that pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza”

“Oh I’m the imbecile at least I can think for myself and haven’t had my brains put in a blender and became a cyborg”.

“At least I don’t need a whole bunch of technical gear to be useful to the team!”

“Mr. Barnes, Mr. Falcon calm down it's just pizza, let’s…”

“Just PIZZA?” Bucky and Sam interrupt  in unison looking at Peter with disbelief. 

Sam then picks up a slice of cheese that was on the counter that he was gonna put on his sandwich, and throws it at Bucky’s face”

SLAP

“Uhh I’m just gonna go…” says Peter to the Falcon and Winter Soldier, as Peter becomes scared for his life based on the look on Bucky’s face.

Bucky then walks over to the fruit basket that is setting on the counter and starts throwing fruits at Sam. His metal arm whirring everytime he blocks a random piece of food being thrown at him by Sam. They start to bicker back and forth with each other trying to yell louder than the other. Sam then starts to run down the hall towards where you are sitting at your desk taking class.

“Ms. Y/N can you tell me the answer to question three?” your teacher says to you as you see Peter start to laugh in his camera and you think to yourself oh no what's about to happen? 

“I believe that the reason why Bilbo decided to go on an adventure in the…” as you say this Sam barges in and runs up in front of you to hide from the Winter Soldier that is after him and what Sam believes that he is after his life and is out for blood… with food. You start to turn your head around and SMACK you become face to face with a pancake to your face. 

“Your cyborg brain malfunctioned and now you're in some deep shit” Sam says to Bucky while laughing his ass off.

“Oh my gosh doll I am so sorry” Bucky says to you running over to you. But before he can even get to you, you use your powers to remove the pancake from your face and throw it at Bucky's face. Causing even more laughter to erupt from Sam. You then realized your camera and mic were still on for your class. Your teacher and class besides Peter just sit there stunned while Peter is just laughing his butt off, as he is used to these types of things happening all the time around the tower. 

“Uhh, I am so sorry that you had to see that” you say to your teacher who still sits stunned. Bucky then walks up behind you and wraps his arms around your waist. “Why are you talking to your computer, doll?” Sam starts erupting into even more laughter. “ You…” more laughing “didn’t know” even more laughing” that they take” starts pointing at Bucky and falls to his knees in laughter “there classes online on their computers and can talk to people” now Sam has tears in his eyes” You know for part of you being made of Vibranium and having a cyborg brain you really know nothing of technology” Sam continues dying of laughter. 

You try not to snicker at Sam’s comments, as you mute yourself and turn your camera off. You hear your teacher say to the class “well umm I suppose that is enough class today. I will see you guys uhh tomorrow, have a nice day.” And with that you gladly hang up your 3rd block class early, looking at the clock and noting you have 30 minutes till your next class. “Care to explain to me why I was greeted with a pancake to my FACE?” You say to Bucky frustrated as you pull his hands that were around your waist off of you and turn around to face him. “Y/N I am so sorry, Sam and I just got into an argument and…”

“Yes I know I could hear you morons yelling about if pineapple belongs on pizza from here” You say to Bucky and Sam as you cross your arms. “In my defence Sam started…” Bucky says but then gets interrupted by Sam. “Oh hell no I didn’t start shit” Sam says, starting them to bicker with one another again. “I DON'T CARE WHO STARTED IT, just STOP bickering and arguing for once in your lives.” 

“Doll I’m sorry let me make it up to you, meet me on the roof at 8 tonight after you are done with school and training” Bucky says as he puts his flesh hand to your check and rubs circles with his thumb on your cheek bone. “Fine, but Sam because you were a part of this go make me some chicken nuggets.” You say looking over to Sam. “Yes Ma’am”. He replies rushing out towards the kitchen. “I love you Doll, I’ll see you at eight” Bucky says to you leaning down and pressing his lips against yours passionately. Causing you to move closer to him and wrap your arms around his neck making him smile into the kiss and eventually slowly pulling away. “I love you too dork”. You say to Bucky as you boop his nose with your finger. He then smiles down at you and gives you a quick peck on your forehead and rushes to go do whatever he has in mind. 

Surprisingly eight comes pretty fast, you finished your last block without any interruptions then had lunch and trained with Nat for the rest of the day til around seven and went to your room and took a shower. The shower feels amazing as the water droplets race down your skin to the drain of your tub. Once you are done with your shower you put on some silk pajamas that hug your curves in all the right ways, but yet are super comfortable. Bucky didn’t say you needed to do anything special to yourself so you just decided to blow dry your hair and then it was pretty much time to meet Bucky on the roof.

As you are walking up the stairs to the roof of the tower Bucky stops you and hands you a blindfold. So you put it on for him without saying anything, you trusted Bucky with your life so you weren’t worried. He guided you outside on the roof and then slowly took your blindfold off. Your jaw dropped to the floor at the sight that was before your eyes. Bucky had taken some of the furniture that was already up on the roof and made it into a bed. He even had your favorite blankets and pillows all made up for you. Along with your favorite hoodie of his that you like to wear, some fuzzy socks and a couple of bags that looked like presents. He also made a little makeshift tent with blankets that he found in the tower and had fairy lights around the bed so there was light under the makeshift tent. He had made sure the furniture was facing the outdoor TV and even made sure to make the tent have an opening so you could both watch the TV. He had your favorite movie on the TV and had your favorite snacks on one of the outdoor tables inside the makeshift tent. You honestly were speechless at the sight before you and started to tear up as you ran into Bucky’s arms and hugged him. “Bubs, you didn’t have to do all of this for me.” you say to him mumbled because your face was buried into his shirt he had on. “It was just a pancake to my face” you say while busting out laughing looking up at him. He just smiled and lightly chuckled as he looked down at you. “Of course I had to doll, you're my best girl and you deserve all this and so much more.” he says as he kisses your nose. “Especially with all the shit Sam and I put your through”. Causing both of you to chuckle. 

Bucky then grabs your hand and starts to pull you over to the tent and he tells you to sit on the bed and hands you one of the bags, telling you to open it. You start to take the tissue paper off the top of the bag and reach down inside. As you do you feel something like a leather box. You then open the box from the bag and your mouth drops again. Inside the tiny box is a beautiful vintage promise ring.

“This is my promise to you that we will grow old together and one day get married once you have graduated school. I love you Y/F/N Y/L/N and I promise even through all my stupidity and everything else I’m with you till the end of the line.” Bucky says as he takes the box from you and places the ring on your finger and hands you the next bag. You're speechless to be honest so you just start to take the tissue paper out of the last gift. And you reach down into the bag and feel something soft and fluffy. You pull out a white stuffed bear that has a whole bunch of pink little hearts as a pattern all over it. You just start to cry tears of joy and hug it and look up at the love of  your life speechless, the memory of a pancake thrown to your face completely gone.

[mcu-fan-fics-blog]

The Helping Hand

Summary: Y/N Krast Illegitimate Daughter of Tony Stark. Product of an unwanted teen pregnancy. What would Howard Stark be capable of doing to assure his sons future? What will happen when Tony meets our Beautiful, young, genius, rich philanthropist.

Word Count: 3000 approx

A/N: Sorry for the wait I've been a little busy the last couple of weeks. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Next chapter will be Civil war I hope to upload again soon. In the mean time if you have some ideas or thoughts send them my way.

Tw: Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Drug use, Drug addiction, Teen Pregnancy. (If there are any I missed please tell me.)

Ch.7

Chapter 8: Time and Irony Walk Hand in Hand

Ch.9

"Well this is nice…" You say as Natasha drags you along. You see currently you and Natasha are quote on quote shaking a tail. Whatever that means… "Shut up and keep moving." You stop moving and pull your arm away. "Stop Nat we've gone far enough. It was probably just a coincidence we didn't really get that far from the food truck." Finally taking the time to catch your breath. "I think we should get back to the compound. Tony and Bruce must be waiting for me." You say looking around for a cab lucky for you one stopped right before you and you got in.

The ride back to the Compound was quiet. When she's about to make her way in, you stop her. "Nat… I know that didn't go the way either of us wanted it to go but I still had fun. And again what I'm trying to say is that I would like to do things your way, candlelit, waiters, and wine. If you want to of course." You fidget with your fingers waiting for her response. "Y/n I would love to… but I like the way you do things. You're not the Wine and Dine type... I like that." She mentions as she walks back in. You quickly follow suit after she makes a comment about your blatant staring.

Once you stop on the elevator FRIDAY greets you. Telling you that Tony and Bruce are waiting for you in the lab. "Well Nat this is goodbye for now, see you around." You say stepping off of the elevator. Suddenly this weight comes crashing down on you. Remembering what Bruce told you the worry in his eyes. Dread fills your body when you're walking towards the lab. "Guys I'm back… anything good for me?" You state casually trying your hardest not to sound hopeful. "Well yes and no…" Tony states putting the tablet down. "I'm going to be honest with you… your heart is trashed, absolute garbage."

"Way to make a girl feel special." You say with a dry laugh. "But I think we can build something. And with my arc reactor technology we can make it work." He states tapping at his chest. This is where Bruce jumps in "with the help of Dr. Cho we could try and make a new cradle… and use it for its intended purpose this time around. Making a heart powered by the arc reactor." You nod taking all the information in. "Well this is good right? How long would this take." This is where both Tony and Bruce go quiet. "Y/n the process is relatively easy, what's difficult is getting our hands on the Vibranium."

"Which is basically a non existent problem at this point… Bruce is just paranoid, my contact will pan out you'll see." Tony jumps back in clearly annoyed that Bruce was disclosing such trivial issues. "Even if we do get the Vibranium Y/n there's something we don't know… If you'll even survive the transplant." Your eyes meet his and he elaborates. "Your body might not be strong enough to handle it." Suddenly the inevitability of the situation dawns upon you. "Well I'm still doing it… I'm dying anyways. What difference does it make if it's a month from now or five. I'm doing it." 

"Well, let not be hasty alright. We can still look for other alternatives." Bruce tries to argue. "Look, this is Y/n's decision. She's old enough to make her own decisions. Plus the more we work on this the higher survival chances are." Tony argues. You clear your throat when you notice some visitors standing by the door. "How long have they been there?" You ask, trying to mask your anger. Pietro and Steve both give you sheepish smiles that don't quite reach their eyes. "Look Y/n we just wanted to make sure you were okay… and by the looks of it you're not." 

You stand making your way to stand in front of Steve who had just taken a defensive stance. "Well you're right I'm not okay. Now what are you going to do about it Cap… Other than feeling pity every time you look at me." You say pushing your finger on his chest. "This does not leave this room you understand?" You say looking at both Steve and Pietro. "But, My sister…" You nod "Figure it out pretty boy. Now if you could leave the adults have to talk." They both sigh but take their leave. You turn and notice Tony and Bruce staring, not saying anything. You can only laugh at the sight. 

As much as you did want to be mad you couldn't. You were starting to come to terms with the fact that your business was now becoming their business. "I just wanted to watch them squirm." You clarify making Tony laugh. "Well I'd say you achieved that." Bruce mentions. "I'll give them til the end of the day. What do you think?" You say looking at Tony. "How much are you willing to bet, Billionaire to Billionaire?" He asks, challenging you. "50 million dollars." He scoffs. "Don't be a prude, make it Euros." You nod. "Best money there is." You say agreeing with him. "I'll hold you to that Y/n." He says as you leave the lab.

Two days later you were busy. You'd been in contact with Bruce and Pepper. Currently you were looking for someone to mentor. Someone you could leave your legacy with. Logan was an obvious choice but you knew he wouldn't take it. "You wanna give it a break Y/n you're not going to find the perfect candidate in so little time." Logan mentions. When suddenly your secretary enters with more forms. "Ms. Krast these are the applications from Midtown Science High. There's only four. Liz Allan, Ned Leeds, Flash Thompson, and uhh Peter Parker." You sigh with a smile forming on your lips. "They've got to be here my mentee. These kids are geniuses." 

You say as you look through the applications. Slowly crossing off the first two, that Flash kid and Liz. Ned and Peter it was a tough choice until you saw some of yourself in Peter's eyes. "It's him." You say under your breath catching Logan's attention. "Peter Parker… I want him, he will be the future of our company. Make arrangements. I want him to feel welcomed." You say as you start to gather your things. "Send out the acceptance letter today." You say to Logan on your way out. "Will do Boss." He says with a smile growing on his face as he reads the file. Peter didn't have it easy on the contrary he lived through a lot but he still managed to be him.

The next week went by in a blur. Your will and testament were drafted and certified. You were set on that end and now on the other front. You were currently parked outside Midtown High waiting for the bell to ring. When it does a couple of minutes pass when a fresh faced kid is knocking on your window. "Y/n Krast nice to meet you kid." You say rolling down the window. He seems a little nervous. "Come on in Peter. We're going to get to know each other a little before we begin working with the internship." He nods enthusiastically, a small smile forming on his lips. "Tell me about your Peter, I mean outside of what I already know."

"Well I'm what most people would call a nerd. My aunt may always say that's not true but it is." You hum in agreement pulling out of the school parking lot. "Well being popular is overrated anyways." You jump in. "And Ned, my best friend, we're huge fans of you and your work." He says his speed increases as he starts to ramble about how he followed your trajectory as soon as he found out who you were. "Well I'm glad you like what I do Peter but in my eyes were equals. I will teach you my ways and hopefully you'll take over once I'm dead. Keeping my legacy alive long after I'm dead." You say seriously making him settle and quiet down. 

"Ms. Krast you can't be serious." He says giving you an incredulous look. "I was an orphan… I was given a chance. Someone believed in me. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you remind me of me… and I would like to give you that same chance that I was given." You say sincerely. "Y/n that's too generous… Plus I don't think that I'm what you're looking for. I'm clumsy and…" You stop the car making him look at you. "You may not be ready now or tomorrow but if you let me teach you, you will be." You say reassuringly. "Plus I don't plan on dying anytime soon." You say playfully at the end causing Peter to laugh successfully lightening the mood. "Also another plus for you after this year's audit we'll be working hand in hand with Tony Stark."

At the mention of Tony's name he lit up ten times more than you thought possible. It made you laugh a little but you understood him. "That's amazing. Me working for Y/n Krast and Tony Stark, a literal dream come true." You nod at his statement. The day went by incredibly fast. He was a nice kid, respectful and smart, a little naïve but overall sensible. You went to his favorite pizza place and talked, went to Krast Industries and introduced him to Logan. Showed him his dedicated work space. "So here's your badge, don't lose it. Umm… you'll be here every other day after school, and if you have some special dates tell Margaret the secretary and she'll make a schedule around it." You say as you're walking towards the elevator. 

Peter stops abruptly turning to face you. "Thank you really." He then proceeds to rather hastily pull you into a hug. You're shocked initially but hug him back nonetheless. "Don't sweat it kid." You say patting his back. "I'll have one of my drivers give you a lift home alright." He nods. Just before you press the button for the elevator the doors open. Revealing Pepper Potts and Tony Stark. It makes you laugh internally knowing that the young boy beside you just had his world rocked. "Ms. Krast this is real right?" He asks in a high pitched voice. You nod.

"Pepper Tony, I would like you to meet my new mentee Peter Parker." You say nudging him forward. "Hi, you're Tony Stark." He says in a daze. "Yes kid I am Tony stark and you are?" Tony could literally not care less. Until you gave Pepper a look and she nudged Tony. "Alright kid it was nice meeting you." He says overly enthusiastically. Peter takes the compliment either way. "Alright Peter go over to Margaret she'll take you to the driver. We have some urgent business to attend." He nods and waves goodbye shyly and takes his leave. "Right what do you guys need." Pepper clears her throat "Well actually Tony and I wanted to invite you out to lunch." 

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get going." You say walking off with Pepper. "You'll be pleased to know that you won our wager. They know..." Tony mentions at the restaurant. You laugh. "Told you!" Pepper gives you a look. "They're worried about you." You sigh. "Pepper, believe me I'm worried too." Tony quickly steps in. "Which you don't need to worry about too much, everything is in place. Everything panned out Dr. Cho was more than willing to help us. So whenever you want." He says again not meeting your gaze. "I was… ummm. Actually thinking we should hold off on that." 

"What… why?" They both ask almost immediately. "I'm okay right now." Tony scoffs. "So you rather wait till you have another episode to undergo the procedure." You hum. "Precisely see you get it." Watching their confusion you continue. "I've got things I have to leave ready. Time that I can't take for granted." Before they could argue with you said. "I need time… I-i drafted my will a couple of days ago." You say burying your head into your hands. "It's funny really… how you get things you're willing to live for. And life just comes along and takes it from you." Your mind drifts off to Viv and David. You wipe your tears and excuse yourself. Just as you're about to leave you remember. 

"Put the money in a college fund for the kid." You grab Peppers shoulder and nod. "We'll keep in touch." You say leaving the restaurant.  

Three weeks later 

Pretty early on you noticed Peter's jumpy behavior. It wasn't long till you found out his little secret. Again smart kid heart of gold even, but too naïve for his own good. You'd had one of your AI robots track him after he'd shown up a little dinged up. Telling him you knew took some time. You didn't know the extent of his capabilities, but you'd seen the kid walk on walls and kick some ass.

As cute as he looked in that makeshift costume you had a better one in mind. "Peter I would like to show you something." You call out from your workstation in the lab. "Ward pull up spider schematics please." You call out. "What do you think?" You say as Peter glances at his new suit. "I-i um… It's awesome but who is at for?" He said quickly. You almost burst out in laughter right then and there but you played along. "Well I was in Queens the other day and there was this mugging and some hero came out of nowhere and stopped the mugging." You say as you deconstruct the specks of the suit. Watching as peter gawks at the hologram. 

"When I noticed his suit wasn't really a suit, I made him one. You think he'll like it?" Peter nods eagerly, you hum in response. "Alright then try it on, see how it fits spider boy." Peter stands there with his mouth hanging open and you could swear saliva came out. "You aren't that good at keeping secrets kid." You say handing him the suit. "I expect you to be careful, kid." Peter starts to ramble trying to explain himself and begs you to not fire him. You physically had to stop him from pacing. "No ones firing anyone. I'm proud of your kid again, just be careful." Emphasizing the last part. "I will" after all that's out of the way you and Peter spent the day testing out the specks in his new suit. Web slingers and all. Yo I didn't leave until he got the hang of it. It took a while but it was well with the wait. 

The next day you wake up to the news seeing a familiar twin on the news. Not good Lagos had gone wrong, the building collapsed and Wanda was to 'blame'. You hurriedly made your way through your morning routine and raced to the compound. As soon as you make it to the common room you can tell something's off. "How is everybody?" You asked Steve who was the first you saw. "I'm assuming you heard about the incident." You don't have the heart to say yes so you just nod. "We're all a little down on morale. Nothing we can't fix." You say, giving you a small smile. You hate that he is down playing this because of your current dilemma. "It wasn't your fault." You say. As you walk off towards Pietro. 

"Are you okay?" You ask this time actually worried Pietro doesn't seem like his usual self. "No...It's Wanda. She hasn't talked to anyone she hasn't eaten she hasn't left her room." He says all in one breath. He finally stopped stirring and slid down to the floor and sat. "Its my fault. I-i could've moved faster, I could've saved them." He says defeatedly. "Maybe… Maybe not" You say bluntly sitting in front of him. "You can't go back now. And I know it's a sour experience. You made the right decision." You sigh. "You made the choice that saved the most lives." He nods letting out a deep breath. "I know… I know but Wanda. If I had saved those people Wanda wouldn't be feeling like this right now." You shake your head. "You fail to realize that if you had done that you would've died along with the other victims. Wanda will come around and let me talk to her." He only nods. "She's in her room."

You knock on her door a couple of times… no answer. So you make yourself comfortable and prepare yourself. Your knock every minute or two and you're constantly yelling in your head. Half an hour goes by and nothing. You go back to mentally yelling, when suddenly you're being dragged by the collar of your shirt into the room with the doors shutting behind you. "You're stubborn like a mule." She says not sparring you a look. "Yeah well I'm dying what are you gonna do about it." You quipped smiling at her. She chuckles. Suddenly the light leaves her face. "I killed people… I put people in danger, I put my own brother I'm danger." You nod. "You also saved hundreds of people. God only knows what that gas would have done. So thank you Wanda. You're my hero." You say sending her a smile.

Right when she's about to say something a certain red friend phases through the wall. "You will never cease to amaze me Vision." You say while looking between him and the wall. "You have very good taste in clothes." You mention as you eye him. He smiles. "Vision. We talked about this, there's a door for a reason." Wanda states. "Yes, well the door was open so I assumed…" He says, explaining himself. "What did you need Vision?" Wanda asks cutting him off. "Well Mr. Stark asked me to come and get both you there is a team meeting. With secretary Ross." 

[marvels-writings]

Genesis

Wanda Maximoff Masterlist

Requested by: @xxxtwilightaxelxxx : HEEEELLLOOOO hope you are doing superb :D I saw the song requests so, I'm bad at listening to songs but I heard this song and it sounds like quite a good one for this so, may I request Genesis by Dua Lipa with Wanda and a long one please :3

Word Count: 1,802

A/N: I think this is the only song I’ve heard before in my inbox rn. 

‘In the beginning

God created Heaven and Earth

For what it's worth, I think that he might've created you first,’

You hummed the lyrics, your back on a mat as you stargazed with Wanda. She had to leave for a week-long mission tomorrow. So, you wanted to make the best of the time you had till then, which resulted in a blanket fort on the roof of the Avengers compound. 

Music, snacks, and stargazing. Wanda loved it. She lay down next to you, her head rested on your shoulder as she looked up at the stars. You started pointing out the constellations. 

Though, you didn't tell her you had memorized all of the information an hour before to impress her. So far, your plan to impress her and get her to like you was working.

’Just my opinion

Your body is the one paradise that I wanna fly to

Every day and every night’

Video chatting Wanda in the middle of her mission is not your best idea, but it was far from your worst. The witch loved waking up and seeing your texts proposing a Skype call to cheer her up. You had heard how hard the mission was. You wanted to see her happier.

Your calls and texts helped her mood every single day. She wanted to take the first flight back to you.

’I've been sick and tired of running

Chasing all of the flashing lights

These late nights don't mean nothing,’

You weren’t sure what you and Wanda were. Both of you were close friends, but you both felt more than that. Wanda flirted with you more often than you’d care to admit. You returned the flirting, but neither of you were sure what you were.

After Wanda got back from the mission, she was more touchy with you. Flirting at almost every chance she got. It confused you, you didn’t know if it was just friendly flirting or if she wanted to be with you, romantically.

She had spent the night in your room, cuddling. 

But it turned into your first kiss with her. It felt like everything you had ever imagined and more. Her arms around your neck, pulling you impossibly closer. Your hands snaking around her waist, keeping her close to you.

Everything felt perfect.

’So I just wanna apologize

I'm sorry, so sorry

I'm sorry, yeah’

Apologizing for your behavior to each other had become the norm at this point. You argued often about your relationship, you had wanted a relationship with her. But Wanda wasn’t ready for it. She wasn’t sure if she was good for you or if she was ready for a relationship

The witch had never been in a relationship before. She knew she loved you, but it scared her. Everyone she had ever loved had died or left her. Wanda didn’t want the same for you.

This wasn’t your first argument about this after Wanda had finally admitted her feelings for you. You wanted to announce your relationship. But she refused. 

’I need your love

And I'm dying for the rush

'Cause my heart ain't got enough’

Dancing, you spun Wanda around in circles on the floor at one of Tony’s parties. After you’d seen a few girls flirting with her, you’d quickly grown possessive and pulled her away from them. Wrapping your arms around her waist, you pressed your front into her back and started swaying to the music.

Both of you noticed the rest of the team staring at you and exchanging money, probably on a bet they had made. Rolling your eyes, you squeezed Wanda’s waist and turned her around.

Wanda wasn’t sure what you were doing, but she didn’t want to stop you. Your body against hers felt too good, it felt right. She didn’t have the heart to pull away from you. Though the witch wasn’t sure if she ever wanted to leave you, and it was scaring her.

’I need your touch

This is getting serious

Tell me that it's not the end of us’

Neither of you wanted this to end. The touching, the kisses, the attention. You loved everything about her, but relationships were complicated. Wanda didn’t want the rules, the complications associated with being in a relationship. She wanted you, but she didn’t know-how.

You knew things would get complicated when you tried to initiate a relationship. But you didn’t expect it to get this complicated. More often than not, you found yourself in your bedroom, Wanda laying on top of you. Staring at the ceiling, you found yourself wishing you could go back to the beginning.

When you first met, before you fell for her and everything got complicated.

’How can we go back to the beginning?

Without you, I've got no air to breathe in

How can we go back to the beginning?’

Running your hand through your hair, you sat down on the bed. Wanda had been arguing with you on coming out with your relationship. You wanted to come out to the rest of the team, but after seeing the press blow up on the dance you had with Wanda. It made you rethink everything

If you came out with Wanda, you’d become a weakness. Agents from every single mafia and organization would target you to try to get to Wanda using you. The witch didn’t want you to get hurt because of her. Even though you could defend yourself, Wanda was too scared of losing you. 

’Don't matter what's written

We can start all over again, all over again

Oh, how can I get you all over my skin?’

After suggesting you try to announce your relationship at Tony’s party, Wanda started to distance herself from you. Taking missions when you were supposed to spend time together. Disappearing abruptly whenever you were near her.

The missions were weighing her down, being away from you was taking its toll on her. She missed you, missed going into your room because she couldn’t sleep, missed your hugs, your kisses, everything about you. It was driving her crazy to stay away from you.

Whenever she saw you, the brunette wanted to pull you into a hug and tell you everything that was happening. But she couldn’t, she saw the pain in your eyes whenever she pulled away. Wanda couldn’t apologize for trying to keep you safe from her.

It was driving you crazy to be so far away from her. You’d gotten too used to being near her. You didn’t know how to fix it either.

’My deep intuition tells me that I'm doing you wrong

If I don't come home

Just say you forgive me and don't let me go’

After a month of her charade of staying away from you. She broke, knocking on your room in the middle of the night with tears streaming down her face. You pulled her into your room, listening to her frantic apologies. Wiping the tears away from her face with your hands, she whispered frantic apologies, her hands holding you close to her.

It surprised you when she pulled you in for a searing kiss, her lips moving over yours hungrily. But she pulled away as quickly, apologizing and trying to give you your space even though it was tearing her apart.

’So I just wanna apologize

I'm sorry, so sorry

I'm sorry, yeah’

You hugged her, holding her close, running your hands through her hair. Wanda relaxed into you, your touch sending sparks of electricity through her. Everything about you felt right. You felt right.

‘I need your love

And I'm dying for the rush

'Cause my heart ain't got enough’

You needed her, whenever she was gone, you felt hopeless. Nothing seemed to amuse you, you forgot to eat, drink, and trained more often than you needed to. The rest of the team saw this and tried to cheer you up. But all you wanted was Wanda.

’I need your touch

This is getting serious

Tell me that it's not the end of us’

Wanda wasn’t sure what was happening anymore. She knew she loved you, unconditionally. You loved her back, everything seemed perfect. But every time you tried to turn it into a relationship, it barreled into a disaster. Dates always felt like you were just close friends.

‘You know, I roar like a lion

For you, you know I'll keep trying 'til the sun stops rising’

But neither of you wanted to stop. You loved her too much to leave her, so you kept trying. Over and over again, you were getting tired of it. Wanda needed you with her, but she saw how much this was exhausting you. 

Trying to get away from you didn’t work.

Every time she tried to leave you, she found herself making her way back to you. Finding comfort in your arms, your touch. She needed you.

’How can we go back to the beginning?

Without you, I've got no air to breathe in

“How can we go back to the beginning?” Wanda asked you. 

You shrugged, playing with your hands in your lap. Smirking, you got up and held your hand out.

“Hi, I’m y/n, y/n y/l/n and it’s great to meet you,” You introduced, Wanda laughed, rubbing the mascara stains off of her cheeks.

“I’m Wanda Maximoff and the pleasure is all mine,” Wanda giggled. 

You kissed her forehead and sat down next to her, taking one of her hands in yours and stroking the knuckles of it. Both of you were tired of everything. But you still had each other, it was all either of you needed. 

Buy me a coffee?

A/N: I’m really sorry but I didn’t know how to make this longer, really sorry about that. Tell me what you think tho!

Tag List: @capcarolsdanver, @versdan, @lesbian-girls-wayhaught, @lovebotlarson, @dhengkt, @5aftermidnight, @hstoria, @natasha-danvers, @veryfunnyal, @xxxtwilightaxelxxx , @ophelias-heart  , @never-didbefore , @justarandomhumanhere, @the-most-unicorn-of-them-all , @thatssocamryn , @lesbian-x-blackwidow , @wlw-imaginesss , @hcartbyheart​ , @summergeezburr​ , @imnotasuperhero  let me know if you’d like to be in any of my tag lists!

[kcatta-wodahs]

Hey there :3 May I request a matchup🙈? I'm a 5'6 tall, queer, chin long dyed red haired girl(she/her) and you can call me Karo if you need a name :p I don't really care if it's a single pairing or a poly one as well as the kind of relationship (platonic/romantic/sexual), but maybe a romantic one would be sweet🤔 I'm a INFP and was born under the sign of Pisces and I think the stereotype fits me pretty well lol. I don't think I would describe myself as clingy, I definetely need my space (part1)

and me-time, but sometimes it's also nice to have someone who will drag me outside to do stuff or socialize if I'm isolating myself too much or another depressive episode seems to creep up on me. I think they need to understand, doesn't matter if it's a platonic or romantic relationship, that sometimes I can't give them much(time etc) and that that's nothing personal and that they're still very important to me. Hmmm I think I would prefer my relationship like I like my fanfics hehe, slow burning, like first get to know each other, (enemies to) friends to lovers is just *chefs kiss* for me <3 I really love to draw and sing, to dance too, I like to spend time in nature and with animals, help them too. But I also like adrenaline rushes, like rollercoasters, cave exploring, bungee jumping, exploring lost places etc, I would say I'm almost up to anything if it's exciting or interesting, but I definetely like just chilling and watching netflix, playing games or watching Vine compilations or crackhead satire twilight tiktoks(which is tbh the things I do most of the time until someone drags me out). I love making others laugh with just random outbursts(thats pretty much my humour, just randomness and gen z memes). I try not to judge anyone for anything and be open for all kinds of stuff, except for like non-negotiable things for me like racism, homophobia, sexism etc, like, full offense but I have absolutely a zero tolerance for that. I also get very emotional very easily, doesn't matter if it's something not so important like a touching movie scene(so many things make me cry so easily haha) or like in an argument. I really have a hard time argueing, I hate it SO much, I either try to avoid conflict(and run away like a coward lol) or if it's really something we have to discuss I sometimes need time and space in between(not the best under stress talker/thinker), but if the other side is being calm and considerate then I think I would be fine too Oh almost forgot,I love cuddling(definetely also platonic)and am not afraid to just throw myself at my friends/lover/s I am getting better at not caring about what others think, but sometimes I'm still pretty insecure about everything(my actions,my future,my appearence..),but my motto is fake it till you make it,so feck other people,I can do whatever the hell I like and nobody's gonna stop me hehe😈🙈 Soo yes,I think that will be enough😂Thank you for your time and effort👐💕👐

A/N: I promise you fake it til you make it is 100000% good strategy and also i see feck are you from ireland

I pair you with.... The Attic Sandwich!

Beel and Belphie would be perfect partners for you. The two of them balance each other out in many ways, and you fit right into that. They value the connection between them and because of it they don't expect to always be around each other. This connection extends to you. Beel takes you out to all sorts of places (usually ones where there's unique food) and would definitely have fun with some adrenaline rushes. It makes him forget about his hunger for a bit. Belphie is absolutely there for your sense of humor and he's very good at watching your depression and arranging something to cheer you up.

More Below the Cut!

The plot of the first 20 chapters is what really gets you close to these two. (Spoilers for that follow and in the last three bullet points) Beel opens up more and more to you, and just absolutely falls for you. Belphie gives us that sweet, sweet enemies to lovers trope. He becomes curious about you, especially with how smitten Beel is, and ends up falling along the way.

THIS is the cuddliest group to ever cuddle oh my goodness when you want snuggles you will have them

They adore just relaxing with you. The three of you become a pile on the couch while watching movies or other videos.

Beel will watch you scroll through tumblr while he engulfs you with his arms. Belphie somehow worms his way into yours and alternates between sleeping against your chest and watching your screen as well. You hear an occasional snort of laughter from him.

Beel is very emotionally intelligent, so he can quickly determine your mood and what he can do to help.

Belphie encourages you to break out of your shell and be yourself. He's very blunt about his opinion of other people lol

He finds himself staying awake longer with you just so he can hear you. He thinks you're hilarious, honestly, and loves talking with you.

When you throw yourself at Beel he catches you. He big and strong and loves affection from you. but also this happens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIhl1cW9Me8

Belphie thinks its the funniest shit he can't breathe

If you do it to Belphie honestly he just stands there - either to let you fall or cling to him like a koala. He looks so Done but I promise he loves it. He laughs at you either way. He saves hugs and cuddling for when laying in bed or sitting. Too tired to hold you.

They both understand needing space, and will often just go off and do their own thing. They have complete faith in your feelings for each other, and will never doubt that you love them.

At least not for needing alone time - Belphie has lingering guilt over plot but he tries to make up for it by protecting you.

The others in the house can't help but be reminded of the trio they were with Lilith as angels.

While it still hurts to remember, Beel and Belphie feel almost as if they've come home around you. A part of them that was lost is found again. 

Snippet!

Cleaning day is nobody's favorite, but least of all Belphie's. Too much work. Just don't take ou your stuff and then you don't have to clean it later, right? The problem to him seems to be all the time people spend awake and he shouldn't have to deal with it!

But cleaning day is a little better with Beel and Karo. With their laughs and energy. Usually seeing other people so active drained him, but not with those two. He watched as Karo danced around the room to the music she had put on, while she and Beel tidied up. It was frankly adorable, and best of all: Belphie wasn't expected to join.

He was happy to watch. He watched as Karo spun into Beel's side, surprising him and causing him to stumble before he laughed and swept her up into a spin together. He watched as Beel picked Karo up with ease to put something on the top shelves of the room. He watched Karo find pillows in all the nooks and crannies of the room, and he huffed and whined when she threw each one at him on the bed.

Belphie was on snack duty. In exchange for the two helping him with cleaning day, he was expected to provide the rewards. This was not a small feat when Beel was involved, but it was far better than cleaning.

"Hah! The closet is done!" Karo declared, brandishing her feather duster. "Snack us, Belphie!"

He couldn't help but chuckle. It was an awful phrase. Silly and stupid, but Karo's enthusiasm was just so contagious. 

"Good job. C'mere," he told them, reaching to his hoard of treats.

Karo practically jumped onto the bed, grinning at him, while Beel was close behind looking very expectant. Belphie hid the curling smile of his lips by lifting up a large bag. "The closet is the biggest monster of them all - so for defeating it, you two get this."

Karo gasped and Beel's eyes gleamed. "Oh, those are my favorite..." he said, already reaching out.

"Ah-ah," Belphie pulled the bag back, to be met with a pout from Beel. "You'll eat them too fast for Karo to get any, so we're gonna do something different."

"Different?" Karo asked. 

Belphie smirked and opened the bag, which led to a very audible tummy rumble from Beel. He and Karo couldn't help but laugh. He pulled out a snack - just one - and held it up. "Karo, say 'aaah'." 

She beamed at him and opened her mouth. "Aaah!" Belphie tried really hard to keep his blush down as he dropped the snack in her mouth. She was so darn cute about everything. 

"Now you give one to Beel."

"Just one?" 

"Just one," Belphie agreed, smirking at the pout.

It didn't last long though, as Karo held up the snack and said "aaah" to Beel. He eagerly opened his mouth for the treat, but shocked himself by blushing heavily once she leaned over to feed him. Karo didn't comment, but seemd to be rather proud of the fact.

Belphie fed her another, and she followed up with Beel - but Beel took her hand after stealing the snack from her fingertips. He couldn't help but kiss the palm of her hand. "You're... so cute," he mumbled. "I like this."

"I thought you would," Belphie said, pleased with himself. "Karo?" he held up another. 

She went for the treat, but instead he pulled it away, holding it above his head. "Beel gave you a kiss, don't I get one too?"

Karo paused and blinked before laughing and leaning in. "You're adding new rules," she told him. 

"Never said I couldn't," he answered, giving her a light peck on the lips before presenting her with the treat. The look of satisfaction in her eyes made his heart pound, and he could tell that Beel's was just as busy.

"My turn," Beel said quickly. Whether he meant for a snack or for a kiss... well. We shall see.

[mad-madam-m]

So. When you have a moment and need to do a quick little ficlet-ish thing to clear your head, I have a prompt for you. "Because, you stubborn, reckless asshole, I LOVE YOU!" (Clearly a good Sterek prompt, but I will give you bonus points if you go TaiBani or Leverage OT3.)

(I am literally STUNNED you didn’t send me a Good Omens prompt, but hey! Let’s see what shakes loose.)

“What,” Eliot said. He glanced at Hardison, trying to figure out how to phrase I’m not going to steal your girlfriend but she did just say she loved me. “Uh—”

“We.” Hardison put an arm around Parker, looking a little nervous but resolute. “We love you. Dumbass.”

Parker patted him on the chest, a pat that was probably closer to a smack, by the way Hardison winced. “Thank you, Alec.” She turned back to Eliot, her face a cross between an I-told-you-so smirk and a more familiar I’m-going-to-stab-your-kidney glare. “We love you, you stubborn, reckless asshole, so stop doing stubborn, reckless shit!”

Eliot wasn’t sure which made less sense: Hardison and Parker standing there and saying they loved him, or Parker, of all the people in the entire goddamn world, lecturing him on being stubborn and reckless. In the space of four sentences, they’d taken his entire worldview, shaken it up like a snowglobe, and then smashed the whole damn thing on the tile floor.

“What,” he said again, because there wasn’t anything else to say.

Hardison cleared his throat. “What Parker’s trying to say—what we’re both trying to say—is that you are important to us. Not just as part of our team but…as a potential part of our team, you know what I’m saying?”

“That doesn’t make any damn sense,” Eliot said, out of self-preservation more than anything else.

“We don’t just have team feelings for you,” Parker said. “We have romantic feelings for you. And when you do dumb things like fight ten different guys at once—”

“That is literally my job,” Eliot reminded her. At least this was steady ground, so he didn’t have to think about what they meant by we and romantic feelings. “My job is to keep you both safe.”

‘Til my dying day had been the promise, and Eliot didn’t break promises. Not one like this.

“No, we’re supposed to keep each other safe,” Parker snapped. “We’re supposed to keep you safe, too.”

“We take risks,” Hardison said quietly. “We have to take risks. And sometimes, yeah, we’re reckless about it. But they don’t have to be stupid risks. And I know you know the difference.”

Eliot opened his mouth to argue, and then closed it again. Hardison wasn’t wrong, but damned if he’d admit it.

“I’m trying to keep you safe,” he repeated. “If that means I have to take bigger risks, then I’m taking the bigger risks.”

He’d take a lot of risks before he let something happen to Parker or Hardison. And until this moment, Eliot hadn’t really realized what that meant.

“We don’t want you taking bigger risks,” Parker said, with a glance at Hardison. “We want you coming back to us.”

Eliot didn’t know what to say to that. He didn’t really know what to say to any of it. “I—”

Don’t have to listen to this was what he meant to say. But what came out instead was “I don’t want to lose you.”

Hardison took another glance at Parker, and then walked over to Eliot, arms outstretched. “C’mere.”

“What? No.”

That didn’t actually stop Hardison from giving him a hug, or stop Parker from joining him half a second later. Eliot stiffened. He had no idea what to do, but it wasn’t like he could move with them on either side of him and both of them holding him so tight he almost couldn’t breathe.

“We don’t want to lose you, either,” Hardison said into his hair. “You know that, right?”

Eliot did know, but it wasn’t the same thing as hearing it. Wasn’t the same thing as hearing Parker make a soft, pained noise like she’d just pictured losing him. Eliot never wanted to hear that sound again in his life.

Awkwardly, he wiggled one hand free to pat her arm. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“You might,” Parker muttered. “If you keep doing things like that.”

Eliot sighed. “Parker. I said I’m not going anywhere. I...don’t want to leave.”

Were those the right words? He didn’t know. Sure, he’d promised to keep them safe but this was more than that. He’d moved out of anything resembling a comfort zone in the past five minutes. He only knew that he loved them and he would do anything for them. Hopefully that would be enough to figure out where to go next.

“You don’t want to leave, huh?” Hardison said.

Eliot shook his head.

“Then stay with us,” Hardison said, like it was the easiest thing in the world.

Who the hell knew, maybe it was.

“Okay,” Eliot said.

They both hugged him harder, and for the first time since this damn conversation had started, Eliot felt like his feet were on solid ground.

Wherever they were going next, they were going together.

[seanfalco]

Road Trip: Punk!AU

Fandom: The Witcher Pairing: Punk!Aevryn x Punk!Valdo, Punk!Jaskier x Reader, Punk!Geralt x Punk!Yennefer Word Count: 2645 Rating: T (swearing) Taglist: @heroics-and-heartbreak​ @whatevermonkey​ @mynamesoundslikesherlock​ @magic-multicolored-miracle​ @ultracolorfulnerdcollection​ @coffee-and-stories​ @nevadawolfe​ a/n:  Let’s get some healing started up in this angst.  As usual next update will be up to @ficsandcatsandficsandcats :3

{Part I}{Part II}{Part III}{Part IV}{Part V}

Part VII — It Was Not Your Fault, But Mine

Though Aevryn wanted nothing more than to rush to the hospital after them, she eventually gave in and let Valdo drive her back to the hotel he was staying at to freshen up; Yennefer’s voice of reason winning out.

“Aev, unexpected as this is coming from me, I think we should stay here for the night, just to let everyone calm down.  Besides, I’m sure you and Valdo have a lot to talk about.”  Aevryn opened her mouth to argue, but Yennefer was prepared and fixed her with her sternest look, placing her hands on her shoulders.  “We will meet back up with them.  Later.”

Slumping in defeat, knowing her friend had a good point, Aevryn nodded and let Yennefer pull her in for a hug as Valdo returned from the front desk, adjusting the pair of large sunglasses perched on his nose.

“Here is your room key, madame,” he said, holding out the plastic key card to Yennefer.

Extricating herself from Aev, Yen took the card, her face unreadable.  “You mean our room key?” she said, looping her arm around Aevryn’s shoulder, her gaze just daring him to complain.

Valdo’s eyebrows rose, his mouth working silently before he ground out, “If you think that’s for the best,” clearly trying to hold back what he wanted to say, knowing how crucial it was for his and Aev’s relationship to win over this woman’s approval.

“Let’s not be so hasty,” Aevryn exclaimed quickly, stepping out of Yennefer’s reach and glancing between her and Valdo.  “You said yourself we have a lot to talk about.  Which might take a while.”  She threw her friend a pointed look, and the emphasis she had put on ‘talk’ made it clear enough that she wasn’t going to sleep with him, tonight at least, but that she wanted to stay with him, and Yennefer could understand that.

“Fine,” she said, her dark eyes hardening when she turned them back on Valdo.  “No funny business.” 

Brushing her pointed finger out of his face, Valdo grimaced.  “Yes yes, alright.  Come on, Aev.”

Aevryn shot an apologetic smile over her shoulder at Yennefer as she slipped her hand in Valdo’s and followed him in the opposite direction.

——

Pulling his sunglasses off Aev winced at the dark mottled bruise that rimmed Valdo’s eye and spread over his cheekbone.  “Oh V, I’m so sorry,” she murmured, brushing her fingers lightly over his skin, careful not to put any pressure on his injuries.  “This is gunna be a bitch to cover for your promotional tour stuff.”

Valdo merely waved her concerns away, a small grin pulling at his lips at how she fussed over him.  “This makes us even now,” he said, sitting on the edge of the tub as Aevryn turned to wet a towel at the sink, frowning as she wrung the excess water out.

“What are you talking about?” she asked as she sat next to him, bringing the towel to his face to wipe at the dried blood at his brow.

“You don’t remember the punch you took for me once?”  As he spoke all trace of amusement melted from his expression.  Probably not the best idea to bring that up, Valdo realized, mentally kicking himself; as what had happened after that particular memory had changed Aevryn’s life forever.

Her hand paused and she swallowed, sea green eyes flicking away for a moment before a rueful smile ghosted over her lips, though her voice trembled slightly.

“Of course I remember.  I guess we are even now… so don’t you dare go getting punched again, you idiot.”

As always when she called him a name, there was a fondness behind her words, and Valdo snorted softly.

“Believe me, this is an experience I do not want to repeat.”

“Good.”

Aev continued cleaning his face; his soft gaze on her made it hard to breathe, let alone think, but there was something that had been bothering her since she’d heard it.  “Hey V, in the last song, that lyric when you said: ‘I never told you, I went to his house and I went to bat’... what were you talking about?”

“Ah, that.”  Taking her hand Valdo lowered it, holding it clasped between his in his lap.  “When you uhm, when you were in the hospital, I… I left while you were asleep.  I went to René’s and I beat the shit out of him with a baseball bat.”

Pausing to gauge her reaction, Valdo took a deep breath.  She didn’t seem distraught, in fact he couldn’t read what she was thinking at all, which was discomforting in its unusualness -- Aev always wore her emotions on her sleeve.

“Still didn’t feel like the punishment fit the crime though,” he muttered, looking down at her hand in his.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Valdo sighed, forcing himself to look her in the eye.  “I didn’t want you to have to think about… what had happened any more.  I just wanted for you to be able to move on.”

“Oh Valdo,” Aevryn murmured, reaching up with her free hand to stroke the side of his face, affection bubbling in her chest.  She knew it was probably wrong, but something about the thought of Valdo beating the shit out of her ex for… assaulting her, and getting away with it was darkly satisfying and she suddenly wanted so badly to kiss him.

The moment ended as Valdo stood, releasing her hand to shrug off his blazer and pull his blood stained shirt over his head, his mess of curls appearing moments later, and Aevryn couldn’t help but admire him, her eyes slipping down his slim frame.  

Valdo turned, catching her staring and grinned before striding away to rummage through his luggage for a fresh shirt.  

“Ah, ah, ah, no funny business, remember?” he chuckled, glancing at her over his shoulder as she rose to follow him, leaning against the door frame.  “I have a feeling Yennefer would know even from half a hotel away if I put hands on you,” Valdo joked.

“And what if I put hands on you?” Aev purred, wrapping her arms around him from behind; her fingers brushing lightly over his skin, sending a tremor through him and he froze, fighting the urge to turn and pick her up to toss on the bed.

Taking a deep breath as she pressed her forehead to his back, he wrapped his arms over hers and sighed, closing his eyes for a moment and simply enjoying her embrace.  He could feel her sigh against him as well before she stepped back, letting him pull the shirt over his head.  

Turning, Valdo took her hand and sat on the edge of the bed, pulling her with him.  “Look, I know there’s something you’re dying to ask me -- something you’ve wanted to ask since the day you left.  And I want to get this over with so we can move on.  So, ask me.”

Aev gaped at him, wondering how he knew, but when she tried to catch his eyes they flicked away, filled with shame and she sighed, biting her lip, not sure if she was ready to know.

“Why did you cheat, Valdo?” she asked, her voice a tremulous whisper, filled with all the heartbreak, all the pain that question had brought her over the years, and once it had left her lips it was like dam bursting.  “Why?  I know you loved me then and that’s what made it hurt all the worse.  So why?”

Again his gaze fell to her hand still clutched in his, like a lifeline.

“I’ve asked myself that same question so many times, and Aev, it took me a couple years of therapy to even fucking admit it to myself,” he murmured.  “You’re right.  I loved you.  I’ve always loved you.  I loved you so goddamned much it terrified me.  My whole fucking life I got whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it… except you.”

He looked up then, the pain in his emerald eyes was sincere.  “I didn’t feel worthy of you and I was terrified that I’d lose you sooner or later, and rather than keep waiting for that day, I sabotaged it myself.  I pushed you away when it was the last thing I ever wanted.  And I never want to put either of us through that again.  I’m so sorry.”

His last words were a broken whisper and Aevryn realized they both had tears running down their cheeks as she leaned in, her breath catching.

“Promise me,” she breathed.  “Promise me you’ll never intentionally hurt me like that again.”

There was no hesitation as he answered, closing the gap to her waiting lips.

“I promise.”

Never had a kiss tasted so sweet in her life as in that moment and Aevryn pulled him closer, her hands twisting and tangling in his curls until they were both on the bed, pressed together, legs tangled, barely parting to breathe.

Finally, panting, Valdo pulled back, pressing his forehead to Aev’s.  “As much as I would love to continue this to its logical destination, I think -- we should stop here -- for now.”

“What, are you afraid of Yennefer’s wrath?” she teased, shifting to her back and pulling Valdo with her til he was draped over her, nuzzled into the crook of her neck as she held him close.

“Oh I am deathly afraid of Yennefer’s wrath,” he answered.  “Besides, we have all the time in the world to get reacquainted,” he mused, brushing his lips against her jaw, “after we make things right with your friends.”

Aevryn sighed, the worry she’d held at bay rushing back to the forefront of her mind now that she’d managed to settle most of the things she’d wanted to with Valdo.  “You make a compelling argument,” she admitted, instinctively running her fingers through his thick curls -- an action she used to do to soothe herself long ago.  “Did you mean it when you said you would do anything for me?”

At her words Valdo pushed himself up so he could look her in the face, his expression achingly tender.

“Of course I did, love.  I will probably never be bosom friends with Jaskier, but I know he is… important to you and I promise I will do everything in my power to mend this rift and be civil in his presence, for you.”

“What if I fucked up and our friendship is broken beyond repair?” she whispered, her eyes seeking his for reassurance.

“Didn’t you think that we were broken beyond repair once?” he asked pointedly.

“Good point,” she replied, a bark of a laugh, thick with emotion breaking through.

“But hey, let’s save this worry for tomorrow at least?” Valdo murmured, stroking her face gently, his fingers brushing over her lips.  “You need a good night's rest, and I for one feel like I haven’t had one of those since, well, since the last night we spent together.”

——

Pacing her room, Yennefer picked up her phone and set it down several times.  Each time she thought about texting Geralt, she decided against it, the words never sounding good enough.  

“Ugh, I shouldn’t even be texting him these things.  This is an in-person type of conversation, and certainly not one to be having in the midst of this crisis,” she muttered, sitting down heavily on the plush bed; unconsciously running her hand over the silken sheets.  Of course Valdo fucking Marx would pick the ritziest hotel to stay at in Milwaukee.

Speaking of Valdo Marx, Yennefer wondered what he and Aevryn were talking about at that moment, or if her friend had succumbed to her baser instincts, as so often tended to happen when that curly haired bastard was involved.  

“They better be working shit out,” she growled, looking at her phone again before tossing it away and grabbing the tv remote for some sort of distraction.

—— 

“Jask,” you ventured, hesitantly placing your hand on his arm.

Surprisingly he stirred, pulling his face from the van window to look at you, his face haggard and eyes dark rimmed with sorrow.  

“Hey,” he croaked -- the first thing he’d said all night.  The sun was now high in the overcast sky.

“Hey,” you replied, smiling softly; your hand at his arm reaching to stroke the side of his face.  Instinctively he leaned into your touch, and your heart fluttered hopefully.  “Would you like to talk about it?” you asked, unsure if it would help at all, or if he’d even want to, but you needed to remind him that you were there for him.

He blinked several times, his stormy blue eyes wavering, fixing on something in the distance as the scenery flew by out the window.  “Talk about what?” he asked, his voice empty.

“Whatever you want,” you offered, taking his hand and squeezing it.  

“Hmm,” Jaskier grunted softly, a good impression of Geralt before falling back into silence.

“Why don’t you tell me about how you met Aev?” you said instead, trying a different tactic.

He opened his mouth before frowning, brows furrowing as if in recollection.  For a moment you didn’t think he was going to speak, but then he did.

“We were mates in high school,” he began, his expression brightening for a fraction of a second.  “Well, not until our last year.  We were made partners for a project,” he explained haltingly, as if the words were being dragged from him.

“It was something about medieval instruments, and she ended up buying this lute off ebay and I played it…” he trailed off, shaking his head slightly before his eyes darkened.  “She always was closer to Valdo than me, I should have known she’d go back to him, given the choice,” he muttered bitterly.  “She always said no one knew him like her.”

“Jaskier,” you murmured, brushing his hair from his eyes.  “Didn’t she grow up with him?”

He snorted again.  “...Yeah, but… I just don’t understand [Y/N].  How could she go back to him after how he treated her?  You never saw what it was like after they broke up.  I was there for her.  I helped her put herself back together again.”

You grimaced, this was having the opposite effect of what you wanted.  You were trying to calm him, not rile him up again.

“Jaskier, I know I can’t speak for her, and the fact that she kept this from you was not fair, and you are totally valid for being upset.  But perhaps there is more to it than you can see right now.  I think you need to have an open honest conversation with her and let her explain her side, because I have a feeling she didn’t do this to hurt you.  There must be more to this, especially if Yennefer was okay with it...”

A long sigh left Jaskier’s parted lips and he squeezed his eyes shut, pressing his hands to his eyelids.  “...You’re right [Y/N],” he murmured finally.

“Hey,” your soft voice brought him out of his shell and he pulled his hands from his face to look up at you.  “Jaskier, you are an amazing friend, and anyone that cannot see that is a fool.  And I truly think that you’ll be able to work things out with Aevryn.”

He shrugged halfheartedly, but a small smile curved his lips.  “You really think so?”

“Of course I do!” you replied earnestly.  “And you are so loved.”  He let you pull him into a tight embrace, his arms snaking around your waist as he snuggled closer.

“I love you so much Jaskier,” you murmured against his unruly hair, sticking up in odd places after being curled up in the van for so long.  

“I love you too [Y/N],” he whispered back, squeezing you tighter.  “I’m so glad you’re here.”

[whumpity--whump--whump]

Something whumpy I don't know how to describe

You know the trope where the whumpee is the whumper's pet? It's one of my favorite whump tropes ever, it gives me so much whumperflies. Well, I was reading something awhile back that made me think.

It is something where young girls are bred for being pets and it's completely legal and there's someone in a high class that is against it but can't really do much about it, so he buys a pet to save her from a worse fate (and then they fall in love in an amazing slow burn :D).

There's a part where the "owner," Nico, who's more of a caretaker, is forced by the local Lord to house the Lord's daughter for a few days. Nico doesn't want the Lord to know how he treats his "pet," Khloe, like an actual person, so he has to try to hide it. When the Lord's daughter comes in, Khloe is sitting on a couch, which is entirely acceptable to Nico. The Lord's daughter, Layla, notices and informs Nico that she's on the couch and not in a cage. Because to Layla, who loves the system, a pet should never be allowed on furniture. Nico responds, saying even dogs are allowed on couches. Layla is unconvinced because Khloe isn't a dog, she's just a pet, she has less worth than the dirt outside. She doesn't push Nico to put Khloe in a cage or anything, not wanting to argue and trying not to ruin her chances with Nico (yeah, she "likes" Nico, it's complicated). But she doesn't like that the useless pet is on the furniture that Layla would be sharing.

This got me thinking. According to Layla, who does end up being a whumper, a random dog has more worth than a human who was sold as a pet. This has me thinking about whump hierarchies. Because, I know how much we love dogs, I'm sorry, but if I had a choice between saving a dog and a young girl, I would choose the girl any day because the girl is a human. I don't even have to explain this, I'm sure you have the same feelings as I. We might joke about caring more about animals, but when it comes down to the situation I made, any sane person would choose the girl.

Whumpers like Layla would only save the human if they wanted them for something, or because they aren't ready to break their toy yet. But if it wasn't their human, would they save them?

Now, I'm guessing a lot of us have had pets some time in our life. We love them so much, we feed them, keep them safe, give them attention, anything they need we give. If they get hurt or sick, we rush them to a vet, hold them til their dying breath if it comes to it. And we never purposely hurt them.

Now, think of the many times we read something about the whumper having a "pet," the whumpee, and hurting them as punishment or training. So much to the point that they're conditioned to think that the caretaker needs to punish them to make them a good pet, or even hurt themselves thinking they deserve it.

Whumpers don't treat whumpees like pets.

They're treated worse than pets.

They're hurt into submission.

Dehumanized beyond belief.

Conditioned into harmful behaviors.

No same person does that to a pet.

That's animal abuse.

Idk for certain, but it might be illegal to do that to an animal, much more so a human.

Pets are loved and supported and probably have some of the best lives in the world for a non-human.

Whumpees are tortured, dehumanized, and conditioned, having some of the worst lives for a human.

I have so many whumperflies and I don't know why. But this, this gives me feelings.

[thegreatpikminzx789]

The Silver Warrior - Etrian Odyssey IV: Chapter 3

Ao3|Wattpad Summary: The Refulgent Guild gathers in the Outland Count's room to discuss some recent news about what's happening, and an investigation seemingly going nowhere is now tasked to them. Previous Chapter | Next Chapter AN: Slowly... getting... things done... Haven’t even updated this thing since 2018, that’s how much life has distracted me. Also sort of my own fault for having multiple projects, but still. More than likely gonna write the rest of the plot down for this one, before I lose any track of where I’m going with it. I also did have an idea for Albert to be an Imperial Scribe and not an Imperial who fights, as I had came up with last night and still somehow managed to keep in my head til this morning. Also also; Zesiro (merely mentioned by name) (c) @theshatteredrose

Just as swiftly as they left their guild house, Kibigami, Logre, Shirota, Wufan, and Baldur entered the Count's room, as the other members of the Refulgent Guild turned their heads at their arriving guild members and prince of the Cloudy Stronghold.

"Heya guys! Hello Mr. Prince!" Anai called out, waving her hand in greeting. Shirota waved back while Baldur made no motion to wave back, but still greeted the purple haired Medic, knowing she'd probably pester him unless he actually said hello back to her.

Shirota wastes no time moving over to where Korey is, who smiles upon seeing her again, motioning for the dancer to sit beside him. "Boy, am I glad to see you again, Korey. Today felt like I was on a wild ride..." The Dancer greeted as she sat next to the brown haired Highlander, hearing him chuckle.

"That's usually exploring the labyrinth in a nutshell, Shirota. How does today make it any different than the last?" He inquired, causing the dark skin Dancer to giggle in return. "There's always a time and place for discussing such a topic, isn't it?" Korey's eyes gazed away, as if to contemplate her words for himself...

Well, when she puts it that way, yes. Yes there is a time and place for it. Just not now...

As Frederica and Shirota greeted each other, the Fortress couldn't help but feel like they were missing someone, looking around the room and recounting the numbers of guild members in the room. "What's keeping Albert so long? He should've been here along with Baldur and the others..." Sakuma groaned, rubbing her hand on her head as if feeling a headache coming on, before feeling Baldur place a hand on her shoulder in reassurance.

"Don't stress out about it." The prince declared. "He will arrive in due time. No need to worry about him too much."

"I wholeheartedly agree, Prince Baldur," The Count spoke, overhearing the conversation between the Imperial Prince and the Fortress. "After all, it's rare to see him stray so far from you, or Logre." He continued, noting the rarity the Imperial Scribe's quite rarity to not be around the two people he's known.

Eventually, the late Imperial shows up, a bit out of breath. "Sorry I'm late, everyone. Had to... settle a little dispute that occurred at the tavern on my way over here." Although Baldur was a little confused over what he might have had to do over at the tavern, the Count easily dismissed his tardiness.

"It's alright, we wouldn't start without you." The Count beamed, as his dog, Margarita, barked as if in agreement. Taking a deep breath and took a few seconds to calm himself, Albert closed the door and leaned against the wall behind him as the Count begins the meeting.

"Now then, let's get to the reason I have brought you all here tonight," He begins, before taking a deep breath, likely to reassure himself of what he's going to tell the Guild standing before him. "As of two weeks from the day the Heavenbringer was defeated, the Explorer's Guild has been getting reports of explorers, both old and newcomers to Tharsis, being kidnapped-"

"K-Kidnapped?!" Kurita interrupted, her surprise quite warranted. The Count turned to face Kurita and nodded, before adjusting his attention back to everyone. "As much as I'd hate to admit it, the seemingly hundreds of reports of how these kidnapped explorers vary quite drastically. Sending guards to these spots just isn't getting us anywhere closer to finding who may be responsible for the kidnappings."

"If they varied so much, why not get the witnesses to just explain how it went?" Yukina inquired after the Count finished his explanation. "We tried doing so with a couple of them, Ms. Yukina, but with so many explorers around, anyone can claim they were witnesses and give us false information. Getting actual information could end up taking months before we'd track who kidnapped the explorers!" The Count argued, rubbing his hand against his head in an attempt to keep his anger in check.

It was clear the Count was getting tired of hearing these reports, and that it has become such a massive burden to his time when he could be focusing on other matters... Margarita placed her head on one of his arms, in an attempt to calm him down. The Count picked up her up and petted her for a little bit, making an effort to calm himself down.

"And at that point, who knows what would happen to the kidnapped adventurers? We have little information on the kidnappers to know what they're planning, or what they're likely after..." The Count spoke up, after taking a moment to relax himself.

"As much as it pains me, I sincerely hope that those kidnappers will be brought down for what they've done. If they hope to put Tharsis' name in vain, then your guild will ensure that does not happen!" His reassuring smile was all that was needed to bring at least some of the people in the room at ease.

"Of course we won't let such a thing happen. If there's one thing I believe in, is that we can work together to stop this." Wufan commented, as a few guild members nodded their heads as if agreeing with the female Vessel. The Count can see their determination in their eyes to stop the crimes being held in Tharsis.

"Pardon me, Count," Baldur pardoned, seeming to have something on his mind. "but has anyone... specific, have any information on why these kidnappings might be happening? With so many people in our guild, it would be in our utmost interest of finding information as quickly as possible to search more effeciently." The Count, although surprised at the Princes' sudden interest, happily beamed.

"A most excellent question, Prince." The Count hummed. "She should be arriving very-"

Almost as if on cue, the sound of the doors opening interrupted the Count mid-sentence and caused everyone to turn their attention to a Nightseeker making their way to the center of the room. Her skin, unlike most of the Nightseekers, was brown in color, hair as white as snow, and from what some of the guild members could glimpse, her eyes were blue in color. She strangely wore clothing meant for male Nightseekers, as her outfit was dyed in red.

"Ah, just in time." The Count hummed, placing Margarita beside him. "Everyone, I like you to meet Elma. She's the one who brought this kidnapping situation to my attention." The Count introduced the Nightseeker.

"I dunno Count," The orange-haired Fortress spoke up. "She looks more manly than womanly. And I've seen female Nightseekers before, she does not look like them whatsoever." Sakuma argued, soon having her eyes meet with the Nightseeker's blue eyes.

"I could say the same about you, ma'am, but I'm not one to judge based on one's appearance." Elma commented, quickly proving Sakuma wrong the moment she spoke. "Besides, this suits me much better than the clothes a female has to wear as a Nightseeker. It keeps me warm and less likely to make me prone to freezing." She continued, noticing Sakuma's eyes easily glance at the ground after the Nightseeker finished speaking her thoughts.

"...O-Okay, I take it back. Sorry about the confusion..." The Fortress apologized, barely hiding her shame as she heard a couple of her guildmates chuckle at her, most particularly, Anai and Miak, the blue haired Vessel. "So, if Elma here knows about the kidnappings, what are we supposed to do, Count?" Frederica asked, seeming to move on from the small situation that occurred.

"Glad you asked that, Miss Frederica. I would like for the Refulgent Guild to work alongside Elma as a mission to stop the kidnappers before this effects the explorers outside Tharsis." The Count explained. "We have no confirmation on what the kidnappers look like, so I'm afraid-"

"Pardon the interruption, Count," Albert interrupted, with a rather questionable tone of voice he doesn't express all that often. "Are you really suggesting we team up with this... random Nightseeker, who may or may not be one of the kidnappers in question?" He inquired, possibly flabbergasted by the mere suggestion of someone joining with the Refulgent Guild to help in this investigation.

Elma glared at the questioning Imperial Scribe, but refused to say anything regarding his question. Although everyone didn't have a chance to express their thoughts on the matter, it didn't help that they had no idea on what the kidnappers are like, so it wasn't wrong to simply place Elma in good light right away just because she was the one who brought it up to the Outland Count. Albert did prove that he was the essential smarts of the group, as much as Anai hated to admit that fact.

"As the Empire's Imperial Scribe, I'm afraid there's a line I have to draw when it comes to working with strangers; especially if that involves kidnapping." Albert continued, getting a scoff from the black haired female Imperial standing next to her. "Oh, knock it off, Albert. It's rude to just assume something of someone we don't even know yet!" Lysandra argued.

Gods, the way this woman argued with him was already grating on Albert's nerves. "And I'm just doing what's best for us, and for Tharsis, Lysandra! I don't need any of your back sass, miss-"

The sound of a weapon hitting the wall interrupted Albert and Lysandra's argument, turning their heads to see Logre standing right beside them. "Will the both of you be quiet and stop arguing? We're getting nowhere when you're bickering each other's heads off!" Logre growled, getting frightened faces from both Imperials.

"Sorry, sir..." The two swiftly apologized, gazing away from Logre. Logre's face soon shifted into his casual grin he always had when he was still called 'Whirlwind', lowering his weapon and sat back down, satisfied now that the argument diminished.

"Well, that's one way to settle down an argument..." Yukina commented, turning her attention back to the conversation at hand, noting to herself never to get on Logre's nerves like that.

"Hiraku may have doubts about Elma, but welcome Elma to guild with open arms!" Hiraku hummed, as the light blue haired Vessel nodded in concurrence. "S-Same here. It would be better if we just set aside our doubts and work together to stop these kidnappers before the whole town gets flipped upside down with the lack of explorers." Miak added, timid though she may be.

The Outland Count then turned to face Korey, about to ask him something. "You don't need to ask twice, Count." Korey hummed. "We'll bring those wrongdoers to justice and see to Tharsis' safety." He added as Shirota and Frederica nodded.

"Excellent, I knew I can count on you guys." The Count cheered with excitement. "Margarita and I wish you all the best of luck out there, and to stay safe from those kidnappers. They may target you at any time, so don't let your guard down for a second!" He added with worry clearly evident.

Margarita barks, as if in agreement with the Count. "Got it. We'll do our best!" Anai said, rather confident they'll handle this task.

"Well then, this meeting shall be adjourned." The Count declared, with the assignment explained to the guild before him. He followed it up with, "The search will start tomorrow, so get some shut eye, everyone."

With how late it was, it would be rather risky to attempt to acquire information right away. That would also be prime time for a kidnapping, especially if a victim were too tired to be expecting anything. Bigger in terms of numbers should hopefully make things less difficult for the kidnappers to get a drop on.

The Count turned to discuss with the white haired Nightseeker. "Elma, feel free to accompany the Refulgent guild in their home for the night, should it be easier for you."

The Nightseeker seemed to take the recommendation to heart. "I'll take up that offer, Count. Beats having to constantly rest at an inn..." Elma hummed, looking at Korey, who seemed to quickly get the idea just from her looking at him. He nodded, as if to give her the go-ahead to stay in their guildhouse.

Everybody starts chatting to themselves as all but a few individuals make their way back to the guildhouse. The Count called for Margarita and the canine followed him obediently to a room away from the racket. Sakuma gazed out the windows for a bit, before standing up at last, sighing as most of the noise seemed to leave the hallway.

"I've never thought such a day would come when explorers would get kidnapped from here of all places... Here I thought we brought peace and quiet after what we pulled in the Cloudy Stronghold..." The fortress spoke aloud.

"It's not that rare of a dirty tactic, if I may be honest."

Korey's response surprised Sakuma, turning to face him.

"People will do anything to cause some sort of chaos. Whether it involves getting information on treasure, kidnapping loved ones, hell, even holding them for ransom..." The highlander continued, speaking like he had been in one of those situations before. His eyes drifted back to the floor, glancing at the ring he had worn since his many travels.

"Oh..." Sakuma seemed to catch onto what Korey felt, almost feeling sorry that she may have brought back terrible memories. "S-Sorry if this is bringing up any horrible memories, I didn't mean-"

Korey shakes his head,  motioning for the fortress woman to calm herself. "It's fine," He reassured her. "I've moved on from those past events. Right now, the most that we can do is locate the source of the kidnapping, and sever it right at it's roots."

The Highlander motioned for Elma and Sakuma to follow him, since they'll need all the sleep and prep they need to start the search. Logre soon followed behind them, as well as Baldur.

"Say, my Prince?" Albert called out to the Imperial Prince, as the blue haired Imperial Scribe approached him. "What is it now, Albert? We're going to be left behind if we don't hurry up." Baldur groaned at the Imperial's persistence.

"I know it's not in my personal power to bring back mentions former Imperial allies, but..." Albert began. "Do you think that Silver-cladded Imperial will ever show up again?"

It had been some time since that Imperial left to explore the land outside...though the crash was what made it difficult for him to swallow. Considering that Imperial was one of his favorites, alongside Logre... It was hard for him to tell if someone even lived the airship crash or not, and he personally didn't want to cast light on something so slim of a chance.

"Who knows, Albert?" Baldur sighs, slowly beginning to walk into the hallway, with Albert beside him. "The only thing to go off of is a silver armor that Imperial named Zesiro found. And while both me and Shirota are praying that she's alive somewhere, why do you ask?"

The Imperial seemed to muse that question to himself for a while. "...I just wanted to reassure myself that everything will be alright, that's all. I miss seeing her every day back in the Stronghold..." He replied after they exit the Outland Court's building.

"So do I, Albert," Baldur sighed. "But none of that matters here and now. Let's table this conversation for another time. Now, let's get some shut eye and prepare to help out for the mission ahead."

The princes' calm, yet assertive voice seemed to bring Albert out of his nearly focused state. "Yes, my Prince." Albert replied, seeing the prince catch up with the others before catching up with them.

[missmeikakuna]

The Girl Who Cried Gay

Rated: T-M (It's something I can see a teenager reading and enjoying but could be given a more mature rating due to the swearing and the edgy jokes the characters make.) Fandom: Original story Relationship type: F/F Description: Edgy teenager Jimena's idea of a joke is coming out to her classmates every day. The thing is, she actually is gay but is too chicken to come out for real, playing off her numerous attempts as a joke. But this time she's going to tell the truth and confess to her best friend, the equally edgy rebel Vinciane. Her plan? Write an entire song in two weeks and perform it in front of everyone. Should be easy, right?

Right? Notes:

I want to thank Tyler, the Creator for inspiring this story. Your numerous jokes about you being into dudes before coming out for real was a source of fascination for me, which is why I wrote this story. Also, Igor is a great album. Congrats on the Grammy.

For my readers, keep in mind that my opinions do not always match those of the characters. These girls say things I never would. I hope you find them entertaining.

CONTENT WARNING: There is a mention of suicide but no actual suicide, just the characters being edgelords and joking about the topic.

Jimena picked her teeth with one of the spikes on her boots, which she had shaken off as the school day drew to a close. Before that afternoon’s teacher had the chance to chastise her for her choice in outfit… again… she stood on top of the table. 

‘I’ve got something to tell you all. I…’ She wobbled a little on the table. ‘Woah, this is pretty difficult.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I’m gay.’

Everyone, the teacher included, rolled their eyes and resumed their in-class tasks. Vinciane leaned back in her seat as she looked up at Jimena. She watched this grand reveal with a smirk on her face that would make a lawyered-up business mogul jealous. 

Her short, dyed red hair in a sidecut was a constant source of frustration for the teachers. Jimena tried to copy it with her black hair but settled on a faux sidecut with braids. In fact, she tried to copy every aspect of her appearance, a feat made difficult by their differing body types, with Jimena being tall and thin and Vinciane being short and curvy. Both wore dark and heavy makeup, also causing a stir among the teachers. 

Vinciane almost dropped her smirk when she saw Jimena’s hands turn into trembling fists. Almost.

There was little point in being concerned since it wasn’t long before Jimena laughed and applauded herself.

‘You should have seen the looks on your faces! Get wrecked!’ She plopped back down off the table and nudged Vinciane in the ribs. ‘Lezzies for life, Vinny?’ she said, holding out her pinky finger and rivalling her smirk with her own. ‘We’ll get our own U-Haul and argue over who makes the sandwiches.’

Vinciane tied her pinky around Jimena’s. ‘Wouldn’t have it any other way. By the way, I’m making the sandwiches.’ Her accent was lightly French.

The two laughed loud enough to cause another quick lecture on manners from the teacher. Then it was Jimena’s turn to roll her eyes. Being the rebellious girl she was, she flipped the bird at her teacher… under the table.

That night, Jimena held her pillow in between her chest and her knees, slouching against her bedframe. She lifted her pinky and stared at it before bringing it to her lips in a gentle kiss. She looked at the acoustic guitar at the other end of the room, romantic lyrics flittering in her head.

The punk text tone on her bedside table sent lightning up Jimena’s spine. It was Vinciane’s favourite song. The text was accompanied by a poorly shot photo.

I put a gold bath bomb in and now the bathwater looks like piss. FML. Gonna kill myself, brb.

Jimena responded a little later than she had hoped, taking time to craft her text.

Is that a toaster in your bathtub or are you happy to see me?

Vinciane’s next text pushed Jimena’s heart up to her throat.

¿Por qué no los dos? Btw, you almost had me fooled today. Almost convinced me your verbal coming out shitpost was real. Excellent job, my love 😉

Oh, yeah. Shitpost. 

Jimena pulled her numerous blankets on top of her body and rolled around until she was caved in by warmth. It did little to bring a smile back to her face, but at least she could bury herself and perhaps never come out.

The pity party was crashed by her mother calling her to the dinner table. She had no choice but to crawl out of her blanket cocoon and enjoy a nice meal of… supermarket tacos.

Two thoughts battled for prominence in Jimena’s mind. The first was wondering how her parents could have possibly come from Mexico when they had the most Americanised tastes. 

The second was the reopening of the recent wound caused by her friend.

¿Por qué no los dos?

Her mother heard her sigh and asked her how school was. Jimena shrugged, using the beef and lettuce in her mouth as an excuse not to talk. Her mother didn’t buy it. Not that she ever could, what with Jimena resting her feet on the table and scowling at no one in particular.

After lecturing her on keeping the table clean, she asked, ‘Why must you always wear those shoes? Is this because of that girl?’

As Jimena managed to prove, swallowing food in an unambiguously angry way was something humans could do. A light clink hit everyone’s ears as she kicked the salt shaker, causing it to collide with her mother’s plate.

‘Leave her out of this,’ Jimena said in the clipped voice of someone who wanted to yell but knew she would receive a yell in return.

Her father tried to speak calmly. Emphasis on ‘tried’.‘We’re just a little concerned that you’ve, well, been acting differently since befriending her. You used to be such a bright girl. And why won’t you wear the dresses I made you?’ His voice cracked a little at the question.

‘Well, maybe you should make clothes that I actually want to wear.’

‘I don’t appreciate that tone, young lady,’ her mother chastised her, raising her voice even louder. There it was: the yell.

‘Well, you’re going to hear that tone a lot longer if you don’t shut the hell up!’ 

Jimena shouted, getting out of her seat and storming off to her room. She then went back into the dining room to retrieve her tacos and brought them to her room. 

She took her phone out and texted with one hand while holding one taco in the other.

My parents can step in dog shit while stuck in a time loop. Shit on their shoes for all eternity.

After a few minutes that felt more like fifty, Vinciane responded in an almost insultingly short text.

Mood

Rather than take the length as an insult, Jimena held her phone to her chest and giggled. She was unsure whether it was the heat from the phone or something else that made her heart feel so warm.

That sensation didn’t last long when she remembered that Vinciane lived with her aunt. She immediately texted an apology. She didn’t have to wait long before getting a message back.

Don’t sweat it. If I lived under their house, I would have to live under their rules. My aunt gets me better anyway. She’s even okay with my nose ring.

The two continued texting through the night, and not once did Jimena admit to looking forward to going to school the next day. 

The day that followed involved Vinciane skipping class and, without even asking her, being followed by Jimena. Vinciane sat by the pond, a place students weren’t allowed to be within ten feet of, and took out a cigarette. Upon seeing the horrified look on Jimena’s face, she chuckled and lowered her eyelids until they were half-closed.

‘You worried these will turn me from a dyke to a fag?’ she asked in a strong Cockney accent. ‘Don’t worry, love, I would never leave you.’ She took a drag of the cigarette and opened her eyes fully, returning to her original accent. ‘Oh, speaking of which, any guys you think are cute?’

‘None as cute as you,’ Jimena murmured, then gulped when she saw that Vinciane heard her. The stone she was sitting on started feeling mighty uncomfy.

‘No, but seriously. No one? There’s a guy who’s got my eye- what’s wrong?’

Jimena was looking down, focusing her eyes on the hem of her plaid skirt as she fiddled with it. Anything to stop tears from falling.

‘I’m gay.’ A laugh came from Jimena’s mouth out of habit. 

Vinciane joined in. ‘Yeah, yeah. So which guy do you like?’

Jimena shrugged. ‘No one at this stupid school.’

‘Fair point.’ Some of the smoke reached Jimena, who couldn’t help but cough. This earned a snicker from Vinciane. Jimena pouted and reached for the other girl’s cigarette packet. Vinciane guarded it with her free hand. ‘I don’t think you’re ready for that. Wait ‘til you stop sounding like you’re dying of tuberculosis.’

‘No way. If I’m going out, it’s gonna be human mad cow disease that takes me down.’

‘Or AIDs.’

Jimena smiled and gave Vinciane a finger gun. ‘Or AIDS.’ The two were silent for a moment as Vinciane finished her cigarette. She squished the butt into the ground and stood up, stretching her arms and yawning. 

‘Um, why exactly do you go to school anyway if you’re going to skip class?’ Jimena eventually asked.

Vinciane brushed her fingers through her hair. The sight took Jimena’s breath from her. ‘I mean, you’re here. And where else am I going to go?’

Jimena didn’t know how to respond to that, not that her airless lungs would have allowed her to respond at all. All she could really do was look away from Vinciane’s plump lips and pray that she would soon be able to breathe properly again.

A decision managed to get air pumping through her veins again. She was going to come out for real, and she was going to make it as convincing as possible.

At home that night, she jotted down ideas for this ceremony onto her notes app. The following morning, she gave Vinciane vague details about an announcement she planned to make and a song she would use to do it.

‘Is this another one of your coming out ceremonies? This might be your most over the top one yet. Looking forward to it.’

‘No, no, it’s quite different. Okay, so for the announcement song, I will sing it to you and you’ll sit there all surprised.’

‘What will you be announcing?’

‘I have to make sure you look surprised.’

‘You saying I can’t act?’ Vinciane asked as she crossed her arms.

‘That’s not what I mean! I just want the song to be a surprise to everyone, including you. I may dance around you, by the way, so don’t be surprised by that. Focus on the content.’

‘So where are you going to say… er, sing this announcement?’

‘The cafeteria at lunch, two weeks for now. That should be long enough to write and rehearse a song, right?’

‘I guess. So are you going to play the song on your acoustic guitar?’

‘I was thinking of asking the music department to borrow one of their electric guitars. I think the song would be cool with a punk edge.’

‘Good luck getting one in two weeks. And an electric guitar kind of needs a band with it, so you’ll be spending a lot of those two weeks trying to get bandmates. Won’t the song be more, I don’t know, sincere sounding if it’s acoustic?’

‘You think so? You sure it wouldn’t be fake deep? I don’t want to sound like some hipster dude trying to pick up a girl at a coffee shop.’

‘If the lyrics are sincere, an acoustic guitar will highlight them. I doubt you’ll sound pretentious.’ 

Jimena took a deep breath and put her fist in her other hand as she exhaled. ‘Okay, I’ve got this.’

Vinciane stroked Jimena’s hair, not noticing the warmth radiating from the other’s cheeks. ‘I know you do.’ 

Instead of hanging out with Vinciane, Jimena spent lunchtime putting lyrics into her phone. Vinciane kept walking up to her and trying to sneak a glance, but Jimena’s screen-covering reflexes were way too good.

At home, Jimena continued typing on her phone, even during dinner. Cue the nagging from both her parents, whom she ignored.

As she lay in bed, she tried to continue typing away but the claws of doubt picked at her brain. She sat on her side, listening to the scarce sounds surrounding her. Her ears picked up the whir of a sewing machine, a sound that pulled her up like the strings of a marionette. After listening for a while with her eyes closed, the familiarity of the sound lulled her back down onto the bed.

She knew exactly what was going on and was tempted to tell her father not to bother, but the sound softened the pillow she lay on. She let it play in the background like an ambient album full of rain sounds.

Before she could fall asleep, and boy was she tempted to, an idea popped into her head. She sat up again and grabbed her guitar, playing riffs in time with her father’s sewing. The plucking of her guitar mirrored the sound of the needle.

She made a new note on her phone and wrote new lyrics referencing the sewing terms she could remember her father mentioning. Half an hour later, she put the phone down and got into her pajamas. 

The first thing Jimena saw when she woke up was a finished dress hanging from the doorknob. A piece of paper was taped to the hanger, saying, ‘For when you perform your next song’. She smiled until she received a text from Vinciane. She pictured Vinciane scrunching her nose at her and tossed the dress next to the bin tucked in the corner of her room.

The following lunchtime, it was Take Two for Vinciane’s attempts to uncover Jimena’s lyrics. Once again, she failed.

‘Come on, can’t you show me a little bit?’

‘For the last time, no!’

A pout stayed on Vinciane’s lips for the rest of the day. 

When she dropped her backpack by her bed, Jimena saw the dress her father had made neatly folded on the bed. She sighed and threw it back towards the bin, narrowly missing it. The next few days were a pattern of the dress appearing folded on the bed and her throwing it in the bin. Each day, her father’s shoulders drooped further and further until he looked like a caveman with depression.

During those days Vinciane didn’t pry any longer and instead spent the time sitting next to Jimena and offering words of encouragement as the girl silently edited her own lyrics. She reached for Jimena’s free hand but Jimena wriggled out of her grasp to start typing with two hands.

Once again, Vinciane pouted for the remainder of the day.

Jimena practised over and over again at home, at least until her mother yelled at her to knock it off. The ‘knock it off’ point was at 10 o’clock at night. She gave her mother the middle finger but did indeed knock it off.

However, she continued adjusting the sheet music and playing the song in her head well into the night. Naturally, this led to her coming to school with bags under her eyes and little patience for Vinciane’s gestures of friendliness. Apparently a quick, non-invasive question about how the song was going was enough to set off an atomic bomb.

‘Shut it, Vinny!’

Vinciane blinked and stepped back. ‘Sorry.’

Jimena almost apologised too but couldn’t bring the words out. Vinciane made sure not to bother her until the two weeks were up.

Having her muse not by her side made it both easier and more difficult to practice the song. On the one hand, more time to herself without worrying about the secret getting out. On the other, no words of support and no one to look at when she needed a boost of inspiration. Doubt’s claws scratched at her psyche again.

That night, she sat in the dark, Vinciane’s verging-on-tears face playing over and over in her head like a scratched CD. 

The morning of the performance day was the same as usual, complete with the neatly folded dress on the bed. Jimena groaned as she shoved the dress into her backpack.

Vinciane didn’t show up at class. Alarms rang in Jimena’s ears. What if the most important audience member wasn’t there for the performance?

After changing at the beginning of lunch, she wasted valuable rehearsal time searching the school for Vinciane. She wasn’t at the pond nor behind the gardener’s shed where the druggies usually hung out. 

It was five minutes before the end of lunch by the time she found Vinciane in a classroom. The same classroom Vinciane would have been in that morning had she not skipped class.

Vinciane’s eyes popped out of their sockets upon seeing Jimena in the dress. Its colour was not unfamiliar- black, as always. However, it was frilly and lacy and buoyant, paired with knee-high socks and a little bonnet. It was utterly adorable.

As soon as the shock wore off, she glared at her. ‘Come to tell me to shut it?’ Jimena tightened her grip on her acoustic guitar. ‘Or maybe you want to take me to the cafeteria so everyone can hear the song you refused to show me.’

Jimena stepped closer and began playing the guitar. She breathed in, then out, then in again. 

‘You pull me in... like a thread caught in a sewing machine.’ She pronounced the last syllable of ‘machine’ pretty weakly to get it to rhyme with ‘in’.

She continued. ‘I don’t know where this is going. This sin.... gives me pins and needles, you’re giving me the feels. Now I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.’

She strummed the guitar rapidly, sending a warm sound to a smiling Vinciane. ‘I’m really sorry if I’m bursting at the seams. It’s so hard standing next to the girl of my dreams. When you’re edgy, I keep folding like a hem. It’s so hard to admit that you’re my favourite femme.’

Vinciane’s cheeks went red while Jimena’s playing slowed down. ‘Your jokes leave me in stitches but my foot’s in my mouth. I want to tell you how I feel but I don’t know how.’

Jimena circled around Vinciane’s chair, speeding up her strumming. Her heart was beating faster than the song but, for the first time, she wasn’t going to back out now.

She returned to the tune she started with. ‘Well, I’m as straight... as the hem of a big swing skirt. Don’t hate, I’m not looking to get hurt. A date... would be wonderful, don’t judge. My feelings simply won’t budge and I feel like this might as well be fate.’

It was time for the outro. ‘No, this is no joke. No this is no prank. I’m gay as fuck and with some luck, I got you in my ranks. This is the real me and yes, my heart is true. I’m not that tough, it’s all a bluff. Just know that I like you.’

Vinciane looked into Jimena’s eyes and saw the sincerity in them. She stood up and whispered in her ear, sending tingles down her spine.

‘You didn’t need to act tough, you know. I’d have liked you either way.’

‘Um, so about that guy you have your eye on-’ Jimena asked.

‘Oh, that?’ Vinciane’s smirk returned as she put her index finger against her own lips. ‘That was a lie. Just wanted to test the waters, plus I didn’t know how to tell you. You won’t get mad at me for that, right?’

Jimena shook her head and then rubbed the back of her neck. ‘So, uh, how does a date sound?’

‘Make it two. Then we can get a U-Haul. I’m still making the sandwiches, by the way. I’ve seen you in Home Ec and you kind of suck in the kitchen.’

Jimena giggled and grabbed her hand as the two walked out of the classroom. ‘Sounds like a plan. But for now, we should just focus on how to convince everyone else that we’re a couple for real this time.’

Vinciane shrugged. ‘Does it matter? I know and you know. Who cares what the others think?’

The bell rang and Vinciane followed Jimena into another classroom. During class, they spent less time listening to the teacher and more times sneaking glances at each other. Vinciane played with the ribbon attached to Jimena’s bonnet, twirling the pretty fabric around her finger. Jimena ran her kitten-heeled shoe over the spikes on Vinciane’s boot, smiling at the rough sound.