#if you've been following along for a while this is the 'omg they were roommates' college AU I've talked about a couple of times

[hardly-an-escape]

would you go along with someone like me? | chapter 1/9

Square: A5 - Black Death Rating: T Word Count: 1536 Ship(s): Dream of the Endless | Morpheus/Hob Gadling Warnings: No archive warnings apply Additional Tags: college AU, non-traditional college students, don’t worry they’re actual grownups, poet Dream of the Endless | Morpheus, history student Hob Gadling, referenced character death, rating will go up in later chapters, more tags to be added Summary: Hob is a freshman history major and a first generation college student, while Morpheus is completing a graduate degree poetry. When they're crammed into a small room together due to a shortage of on-campus housing, it seems like an odd couple situation at best and a recipe for disaster at worst. But as the months go by, mutual respect turns into real friendship. And then... something happens that Hob never expected. Read on AO3 | fill for @dreamlingbingo

The man was as pale as the woman was dark, with a shock of black hair and imperious eyes. He set down the box he was carrying on the desk and stood with his arms at his sides. He looked out of place and uncomfortable in the shabby dorm room, like some kind of alien who’d been dragged to a horribly human experience like getting your photo taken at the DMV.

“What a poncy-sounding git.”

Hob immediately looked over his shoulder, as though his future roommate might already be lurking nearby to hear the insult, but the hallway was empty.

Morpheus van de Eindeloos read the sign on the door, just below Robert Gadling. Hob sighed, looking down at the orientation packet clutched in his hand. No, there was no mistake: barring some kind of horrible bust-up, this would be his roommate for the duration of the school year. And maybe even if there was a horrible bust-up; apparently student housing was full to bursting this fall, with no extra beds to speak of. Hob had had to fight tooth and nail to get into a graduate suite at all, patiently convincing the housing office through a series of increasingly tersely-worded emails that, no, a thirty-year-old man did not belong in freshman housing, yes, even if he was a freshman himself.

By rights this room should be a single, not a double, but by this point Hob was sick of fighting. At least Little Lord Fauntleroy would be an adult. Or, if not an actual adult, a graduate student, which he supposed was the next best thing. Hob sighed again, dug a pen from his bag, crossed out Robert and added Robbie in his embarrassingly uneven handwriting, and started to haul his worldly possessions into the fifteen-by-seventeen-foot room that would be home for the next nine months.

An hour or so later, Hob was folding the last of his t-shirts into the chipped dresser when there was a polite and perfunctory knock as the door opened.

“– just saying, it might be good for you to see people on their terms instead of yours,” said a warm and accented voice as two people entered the room, arms full of bags and boxes. “Actually listen to other human beings, or – God forbid – even talk to them. This doesn’t have to be a punishment.”

The speaker was a beautiful woman, perhaps a little older than Hob, with a face that looked very kind, if somewhat tired, and an accent that clearly came from somewhere in the London area. It was a bit of a shock, to hear it here in the American Midwest, and it gave Hob a bittersweet feeling of almost homesickness.

“I am not treating it like a punishment,” said the man accompanying her. “It is simply a choice. Our brother made his choice, and I have made mine.”

The man was as pale as the woman was dark, with a shock of black hair and imperious eyes. He set down the box he was carrying on the desk and stood with his arms at his sides. He looked out of place and uncomfortable in the shabby dorm room, like some kind of alien who’d been dragged to a horribly human experience like getting your photo taken at the DMV.

The woman dropped her load on the bed and turned to Hob with a bright smile.

“Hello!” she said, reaching out to shake his hand. “You must be Robert – you prefer Robbie? It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Teleute, but you can call me Tel. I know it’s a mouthful. And this is my brother. Morpheus, say hello.” She jostled him forward until he, too, shook Hob’s hand and muttered a quiet greeting. “I’m afraid the moping is inescapable, but he’s not that bad once you get used to him.”

The glare Morpheus sent his sister was equal parts ire and fondness, and Hob felt a familiar, blessedly brief pang of grief. He hadn’t grown up with siblings, but Eleanor and her sisters had ribbed each other just like that.

But he wasn’t going to think about her right now. That would be for later, maybe, when the lights were out and he was curled up alone in his narrow bed.

“Robbie’s good, yeah,” he said. “Pleasure to meet you, Tel and Morpheus.”

“And he’s from England too!” exclaimed Tel, delighted. “Now, what are the chances of that!”

“Obviously not zero,” Morpheus said dryly.

“Well, I think it’s lovely. Means you already have something in common, that’s a good sign.”

Morpheus had several more boxes – mostly books, it seemed – which Hob gamely helped schlep from their rented van to the room, chatting idly as they went back and forth. On the last trip, Teleute hung back at the bottom stairs and gestured for Hob to do the same.

“Look, I’ll make this quick,” she said. “I know my brother can be prickly, and he’s kind of an idiot sometimes, but I promise he’s not too bad. I’m not asking you to be responsible for him or anything. You’re both adults, and he doesn’t need a babysitter. But if you wouldn’t mind just… looking out for him? You don’t have to be best friends or anything, just maybe remind him to eat and interact with other humans occasionally?”

“Yeah, sure,” Hob replied. “I think I can do that.”

“Thank you,” Tel said. “I’m sorry to ask. He’s just. Well, you’ll understand once you get to know him, probably.”

“‘S alright. We’re both a long way from home, eh? Maybe he can look out for me a bit, too.”

“Definitely,” Tel said with a smile. “Thank you, Robbie.”

Hob was not necessarily encouraged by the fact that Morpheus’s sister seemed to think it necessary to reassure him several times that her brother was not too bad. But whatever. He’d gotten this far; after everything he’d been through, he figured he could handle a difficult roommate for a few months.

He wasn’t… wrong.

The first few weeks were somewhat tense, as they danced around each other and tried to settle into a routine. Morpheus was abrupt – sometimes to the point of rudeness – but generally not outright unpleasant. He kept odd hours, often sitting up with a tiny reading lamp late into the night, but he was quiet at least; and he kept his person and his clothes fastidiously clean, almost like a cat. His desk was an absolute disaster, covered in notebooks and scraps of paper, and his books overflowed the small shelves that they were provided with – but at least he kept them on his own side of the room.

Hob didn’t forget what Teleute had asked him. Every few days he coaxed Morpheus down to the dining hall, or out for a walk across campus, or got him to talk (or sometimes just complain) about his seminars.

Not that Hob wasn’t busy with his own work. There wasn’t much of a grace period before real, hard assignments were being thrown at them, and for Hob – who hadn’t been in a classroom in over ten years – there was a steep learning curve as he figured out how to balance studying, sleeping, writing papers, and his work-study job.

“Why are you so worried about it?” Morpheus had asked, the first time Hob had gotten back an assignment (a quiz on the spread of the Black Death through Northern Europe) with a less-than-perfect grade and was bemoaning his failure. “It’s just a grade. In my experience they are indicative neither of the true quality of your work, nor of your mastery of the subject.”

“Well, in my experience, my scholarships are dependent on me maintaining a certain GPA,” Hob had retorted. “Look, mate. I’m the first person in my family to actually make it to uni. If I don’t do well, it’s… it’s not just my own pride on the line, you know?”

“I do not know,” Morpheus had said. “But I can appreciate your stress. I can… help you study for your next quiz. If that would be helpful.”

By the end of that first month, Hob thought they were at least tentatively friends, although the one time he’d dared to mention it Morpheus had rolled his eyes, insisted he had no need for companionship, and been stiff and formal toward Hob for several days.

True, he hadn’t learned much about Morpheus’s personal life, or his family, aside from the fact that he had a lot of siblings, who seemed to meddle in his life to varying degrees. He knew the man was about his age – early thirties, though he looked a little younger – and that he was doing an MFA in poetry, though he never allowed even a line of his work to pass under Hob’s eye.

All in all, it was… fine. Morpheus was a bit of a git, from time to time, but he wasn’t an asshole. The room was too small, but there was a big campus to escape to, with libraries and gardens and plenty of quiet corners to read and study. By the end of September the air was getting crisp and the leaves were just starting to turn, peppering the quad with dots of red and gold.

It was really only once or twice a week that Hob caught himself laughing over some incident in one of his lectures, or a ridiculous comment by a professor, and thinking I’ve got to tell Eleanor about that. Once or twice a week wasn’t bad. He could handle once or twice a week.

Her picture was still tucked safely away in one of his dresser drawers.

Read on AO3 >>>

green = complete, orange = WIP

[daughterofthequeen]

Contribution

Pairings: Ezra Bridger x gn!reader

Requested by: @theriseofshin

A/N: I added a little more to the story I hope that's ok. And omg look at the gif I found, Eman is so Ezra coded. THE SHOULDER BOUNCE WHEN THEY SMILE. Ok so this based on season 3 episode 11 of Rebels and also somewhere in between S3 E11 and S3 E13. The idea just popped up in my head, we'll see how it goes. Reader is force sensitive. This is also unedited btw.

Summary: When you, Sabine, and Kanan followed Maul and Ezra to Dathomir, the witches somehow took away your powers. Which should've been impossible, but ever since that incident you've felt like you brought nothing to the team. You felt like you were in the way. Seeing this Ezra quickly took these thoughts from your mind reminding you of who you are.

Translation: kokipa- fear

You were laying on your bed enjoying having the room to yourself for once. I mean don't get me wrong, you and Sabine get along really well as roommates as well as sisters can be anyway, but lately in your spare time you'd ather be alone. After what happened on Dathomir, you rather not be around anyone.

EDIT: I accidentally deleted this when I was trying to make a correction. You guys don’t know how stressed I was.

And HUGE shout to @nubimera for reblogging this story because not only were you the first reblog of this fic but you are the reason I was able to get pictures of my fic so I wouldn’t have to rewrite it. THANK YOU SO MUCH YOURE SO AMAZING🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰and a big thanks to everyone who like my fic in the short amount of time of me posting before I accidentally deleted it🤦‍♀️🫣🤦‍♀️

Few weeks ago on Dathomir

After Ezra threw you out of the cave the spirit left your body, giving you back control of your limbs.

"Why is it every time we work with Maul, weird force stuff happens and I'm always hurt trying to save you?" You said with a small smile while trying to rub away your migraine.

"Wait you're hurt? Where?" Ezra responded reaching towards you looking for any injuries.

“I'm hurt mentally, these experiences take a toll on a person you know." You smirked and Ezra rolled his eyes at your teasing.

"I thought you were injured."

"I do have a heck of a headache if that makes you feel any better." You said as you stood up.

"No, you stay here. I'm going to go get Sabine and Kanan."

"Then I want to help."

"They'll just posses you again."

"And what about you?"

"I have a plan."

"Great, then I can help with that. I'll take Sabine and you can take Kanan." You said walking back into the cave.

Ezra sighed at your stubbornness and followed you in.

"You know you're pretty stubborn." Ezra says.

"I've been told that before."

Sensing something behind you, you quickly ignited your light saber and blocked the one aimed at you. You called out and told Ezra to go help Kanan before focusing back on your best friend.

"Sabine if you can hear me, I'm sorry." You said as you broke the hold of the lightsabers and kicked Sabine in her stomach sending her backwards. Seeing her getting up you pressed on slowly but surely backing Sabine towards the entrance of the cave before a force knocked you over. You opened your eyes to see the spirit that came after you the first time. You quickly dodged it and turned back around towards Sabine and when you did you felt a pair of fingers on your forehead and you hear one word before blacking out.

"Kokipa."

The Next Day

The next thing you knew you were waking up in your bed with Ezra sitting next to you, and it didn't take long to realize the damage that had been done. Once you had woken up completely everything felt quiet. You couldn't feel anything around you. You went to Kanan to ask him about it and he said it could just be fatigue, but you didn't believe it. You have been way more exhausted before and it never affected your powers. It wasn't until a few days later during a mission briefing when you realized your powers were gone. Hera was explaining the mission when you seen one of the cute hermit crab things that were all around chopper base. It was sitting next to your hand on the edge of the holo-table. Smiling softly you reached out to it with the force, well you tried anyway. It was something you would do all the time, but this time you couldn't feel its emotions or its presence. Trying not to panic you looked around trying to connect with any living thing you had seen, but felt nothing. Now it was time to panic. You looked towards Ezra and Kanan. Ezra must've felt your worry and unease because he looked up directly at you seeing your panicked eyes. A few seconds of the two of you staring at each other, he gave you a confused look. That's when you realized he was trying to talk to you through the force link only the two of you shared.

When the two of you met you both instantly created a bond that grew stronger every day. About a month into your friendship you both realized you could use the force to connect your minds and talk to each other telepathically. Kanan explained that it was because of the bond you two share and that it was a rare occurrence and could be dangerous if the two of you weren't careful with your emotions. Over time you both mastered the skill, only this time you couldn't hear Ezra thoughts at all or even feel him through the force. That's when you started to panic. You didn't even hear Hera when she asked if you were ok, or notice Kanan quickly moving to your side while Ezra made his way to the other. All you could hear was your body trying to catch its breath. You couldn't breath, and you could barely hear Ezra trying to walk you through slowing your breathing, but you couldn't. Every thing sounded like it was under water.

Kanan and Ezra walked you to the common room of the Ghost as the others followed, watching worriedly as Ezra was slowly able to calm you down.

"So, you gonna tell us what's going on?" Kanan said.

"Somethings wrong with me." You replied.

"What do you mean?"

"I think I've lost my powers."

Everyone was silent at first, a Jedi losing their connection to the force was so rare it was basically unheard of during the times of old. The only way for a force user to lose their powers was if they stopped using it completely.

"(Y/n), that's not possible."

"Then tell me what it is Kanan! It's not exhaustion, it's something else! It's like everything has gone quiet, if I wasn't looking at all of you right now, I wouldn't even know you were here! Tell me what to do Kanan.”

"I-I haven't seen anything like this before (Y/n). I'm not sure there is anything we can do. Let me think on it, we'll figure it out I promise." You could hear the sadness in Kanan's voice which only worries you more. You said nothing else as you stood up went to your room. You were anxious, angry, sad, and scared.

"What would my contribution to the team be now?" You asked yourself before the sound of the door opening caught your attention. It was Ezra.

"Hey." He said softly.

"Hey."

"How you doin'?" Ezra asked as he sat next to you on your bunk.

"How do you think I'm doing?" The pause that followed was uncomfortable and the guilt you felt caused you to sigh.

"I'm sorry, Ezra. I'm just- I don't know why I’m going to do.”

"Don't worry, we'll figure this out, (N/ n)."

"It's not just that."

"Then what is it?"

"How am I supposed to help the team?"

"What?"

"Without the force, I'm useless to the team."

"That's not true! You are more than just your powers (N/n)."

"Am I? I'm not skilled in mechanics like Sabine, I'm not as good a shot as Zeb, and I definitely don't even come close to flying as good a Hera. You and Kanan, even you guys come up with really good plans when needed. I can't do any of that stuff. I knew how to fight, but now that my powers are gone how am I supposed to do that well." You said looking away from Ezra.

"Woah, woah, woah, let me stop you right there. You are a vital part of this team, this family. And just because you think you don't contribute anything other than your lightsaber doesn't make it true. I can't tell you how many messes you've gotten us out of with your quick thinking, how many problems your creative mind help fix for everybody on this ship, constantly. And you're a fierce warrior with and without your saber."

"Ezra." You sighed.

"You are needed here, and I won't let you think otherwise. And I will repeat myself everyday until you believe it, if I have to." Ezra finished as he softly cups your cheek and turn your head back towards him to look you in the eyes.

"Thanks, Ezra. But-"

"No buts." He said leaning forward pressing a soft kiss on your cheek, then another on your lips. "Now, let's forgive this out. Start from the beginning." And you did. You told him about everything that happened yesterday, and retracing your steps helped you realize the reason your powers are gone. You were still anxious and afraid, but with Ezra there you knew everything was going to turn out fine.

————————————————————

A/N: Finally finished I hope this isn't to cringe or anything. And hopefully this fulfilled your request. Thank you so much for sending in your request, and giving me a chance to bring your idea to life. I will now be heading to bed. Good night, guys.

Edit: But I did discover something from this mistake if you have a iPad and an iPhone you can copy something from said iPad and all you have to do is click ast on your iPhone and it’ll paste whatever it was from your iPad to your phone. I’m late Ik BUT it was such a life saver because I promise if I had to rewrite this whole fic out again without a reference (not that I didn’t enjoy writing it the first time) this fic was going to be my 13th reason. Hope you guys enjoy, toodles👋.

[beansnsoup]

Outreach Day

Xavier Thorpe x ftm!male!addams!reader

Summary: You have finally come to a comfortable point in your transition, a change in schools, a new wardrobe, new friends, but it can take one encounter to wreck it all but only one person to clean up that wreckage.

Warnings: bullying, transphobia, slurs (they're bleeped out to an extent), angst, FTM, deadnaming (D/M), mentions of wanting to d1e (in a I wanna get out of this situation way), spitting food out

-OMG I'm writing again! I think I have been accidentally shadow banned so that's why I took a very long break, I am back now though and still taking requests, I hope at least my followers will see this and if any of you know how to fix this shadow ban please comment or dm me because I will take any help I can get <3-

You walked into town with your sister's roommate, Enid, you all had just received the jobs you were assigned for the day that morning and were walking back from the mayor's speech, and you weren't too pumped about it. You were scanning around for your sister when she suddenly popped up behind you both.

"Enid, switch volunteer assignments." Wednesday wasn't really asking her, you stood to the side and waited for them to finish talking so you wouldn't have to walk alone. You've had enough problems in this town already, you didn't want to add on to the pile.

"What? No. Uriah's Heap is definitely not my bag." She said in a majorly disgusted tone. Wednesday shot back quick,

"It's an emergency. I need to check out Pilgrim World."

"But Wednesday, this is not a fair trade. Why would I agree to spend the entire day at some dumpy emporium of crapola?"

You cut in before Wednesday could, "I overheard Ajax talking to his friends this morning, he's volunteering there too. It would be a great time for you to make a move."

When Enid turned back to Wednesday after you told your point she was holding up her envelope for Uriah's Heap. "I can always just go, if you're not interested-"

"No! Oh my God, thank you. You guys are the best!"

She traded the papers and ran off towards the shop, you turn towards your sister, "Why do you want to go to Pilgrim World anyways? Weren't you dissing on it the other day?"

She stayed silent for a second, "I need something from there, it could help figure out the truth behind Rowan."

"Why didn't you just switch with me? I mean I'm all for Enid finally getting the balls to hit on him, but I'd rather go there than Pilgrim World." You asked her as you both started you way over there.

"I knew she would give in more easily."

You just stayed silent; you would still be at public school right now if it wasn't for Wednesday. Pugsley is staying just for the fact that your parents thought having him fend for himself for a bit would be better. You were moved to Nevermore along with Wednesday because you begged your parents for a new start, going to that school was terrible enough but going there while transitioning was even worse.

You were dead named almost every day, the number of times Wednesday had to defend you then help walk you to the nurse was embarrassing. So, after the piranha incident they enrolled you with her. You had a dorm all to yourself because your roommate switched last minute, wasn't like you were complaining, being alone suited you, gave you more time for reading.

Being switched to a new school with new people didn't mean there wouldn't still be transphobes, you still got slurs thrown your way. You were just glad it wasn't the whole school, just about 4 students.

You both reach Pilgrim World just in time for some introductions,

"Good Morrow, my young Nevermore kin. I am Mistress Arlene. A real OC. Original Colonist. Now prithee, put your cellphones on vibrate and make haste, for you are about to travel back in time to the year of our Lord 1625, to Jericho's first pilgrim settlement."

She turns around and walks at a fast pace to give us a tour,

"Yonder. Behold, the meeting house. Inside is a collection of artifacts related to Jericho's most beloved and pious founder, Joseph Crackstone. And beyond is our privy, America's first gender-neutral restroom."

Wednesday steps up, that's when you knew you were in for a treat,

"I haveth a query."

"Pray, be quick, child."

"In the meeting house, which of Joseph Crackstone's artifacts are on display?"

"It's truly a treasure trove, including original farm tools, tableware, even the Crackstone family chamber pot."

"Sounds fascinating. I volunteer to work there."

"Pray, no. That exhibit is being renovated. Today, thou will all be working at the beating heart of Pilgrim World."

-

"'Ye Olde Fudgery?'" Eugene asks out loud. You snicker under your breath as Wednesday responds to his out loud thought, "More like ye olde diabetes in a box."

"Volunteers, prick up thine ears. Fudge is the lifeblood of our humble community. And samples equal sales, so grab a uniform and a box and make our forefathers proud."

"Are these for muzzling tourists?" You ask, looking at Wednesday, then her, she is refusing to make eye contact with either of you. You grab a uniform and change into it in the bathroom, you readjusted your binder while you were in there, you know you would regret it, the one you bought was a size too small, so it was a bit uncomfortable, but you were glad to have one, nonetheless.

Mistress Arlene handed you a tray full of samples, you stood in a corner near the shop to slightly sponsor it from afar, the spot you chose barely had people near, so you were alone and unbothered, just how you liked it. There was also a clock you could look at, it was in a building near you, at an angle you could see the whole clock perfectly, then you could check how much more time you had left until you left.

Only 5 people had come up to you to taste a sample, you saw 2 of those 5 actually enter the fudgery, it was kind of embarrassing, you had a taste earlier and it was sort of bittersweet. The uniform wasn't doing you any justice either, it was kind of itchy. You glanced back towards the window to check the time and right below the building was a group of girls you never wanted to see again.

What were the doing here?

Did they know you were here?

Did she see me?

One of the girls stop talking, she stops her friends and points over to you, you see them mouth 'Oh my God' 'No way' and all this other stuff before they start to make their way over to you. You wanted to drop the tray and start running, or at least dig a hole, and bring the fudge, it could be your last meal as you die in that hole.

They finally reach their destination, which is of course you

"Oh my God? D/N! I feel like we haven't talked in forever. Didn't think i would see you here, especially wearing... that..."

You feel your face flush, where is Wednesday?

"That's not my name, it's Y/N, and I'm here for school."

"Oh, that's right, you're a tra--y. No wonder you go to school with a bunch of freaks."

Her friends laugh at her remark.

You wanted to die.

She grabbed a fudge off of your tray, chewed it for a good bit a spit it out right into your face,

"Jeez, that tastes like crap. Oops, sorry..."

You slowly wipe the fudge off of your face as you walk her and her friends walking away, your eyes swell up, there laughter keeps getting louder and louder even though they have walked away.

You needed to get out of here.

You dropped the tray to the ground and started towards the exit, you walk past Wednesday and Eugene, they're both looking at you. Before Wednesday can even catch you to ask for help in whatever it is she is doing you're already at the exit.

You didn't know where to go, Wednesday told you about that coffee place and how she had run into the sheriff there, maybe it would calm your nerves.

You open the door after you finally reach it, you stand there for a bit, taking in the ambiance of the place. You then walk up to the counter, checking out the menu, you can't even finish reading it because someone is staring at you.

"Yes?"

"Oh, sorry, you just looked a lot like somebody."

"Hm, you must be Tyler. I'm Wednesday's brother, Y/N."

"Oh, does she talk about me?"

"Yes, mostly about how much you irritate her."

You hear a snicker after that, you look behind you to find a boy from school, his name is Xavier, he's in your 3rd period. Tyler rolls his eyes and walks off to the back,

"Hey,"

"Hi,"

There it is, that's your comfort.

He makes you a drink and sits down with you, you didn't even have to ask him to, he asks you how your day has been, and you tell him everything, from how itchy the collar of your uniform was as soon as you out it on to the point where you were getting fudge spat in your face. He never butt in, he just listened to you, and for the first time in a while, you genuinely smiled.

And after that you guys talked for about 30 minutes, you both forgot you had work to do. A ding at the door distracts you both, you turn around to find Wednesday, she doesn't say anything, she just walks up to the counter. Before Xavier can go help her out Tyler beats him to it, which you were kind of glad about, that meant you could talk to him longer.

"Hey, I know this might be a bit forward, considering we technically just met even though you're in one of my classes, but did you maybe want to go to the Rave'N with me?"

You felt your face flush again that day, but not out of fright, okay maybe a little bit of fright, but more of shyness.

"Yeah, sure."

You were trying to seem as casual as possible,

"Cool, cool. Listen, i got to get back to work but I'll definitely talk to you later."

You smile, "Yeah."

You were actually excited for a school dance for once.

[dourpeep]

OKAY time for a college au!!

You 3 know each other from before college

You and kazuha were seating next to each other during your first year of high school you became close enough to greet each other whenever you guys pass by each other

And you and Xiao were best friends from kindergarten to 2 grade but unfortunately you had to move suddenly you two tried to keep contact but the two of you made new friends and kinda lost contact with each other

So when you go to college you meet kazuha at the front desk when you're trying to get your schedule and yall are like "omg I'm so happy to see someone that I know here!" and when you guys check your schedules it turns out that the two of you have the same class during the first period

And you're like "we've got 30 minutes wanna go grab a cup of coffee and get lost together?" and kazu knows that you playfully flirt with your friends so he jokingly says "are you asking me out for a date? Because if you are then I accept!" and you guys talk on the way to class and the two of you barely make it on time

Class ends and you're sad to say goodbye to the only person you know on campus but then all of a sudden he hits you with a "by the way can I have your number?" so you two exchange numbers

Later you're going to your last class and it turns out that this class doesn't have many people you go sit in the back and someone comes up to you and is like "can I sit next to you? " you say yes obviously

But the thing is... there is something very familiar about this guy and you just can't put your finger on it so you kind of stare at him without realizing it

Of course he noticed how hard you've been staring at him and turns around and is like "what? Is there something on my face?" that's when it finally clicks

And you're just like "XIAO??! IS THAT REALLY YOU?!!" but the teacher comes in so you two can't really talk

But the moment class ends you tell him who you are and take a few minutes to catch up

Though I say catch up it was mostly you teasing him saying shit like "I can't believe the shy kid who used to tear up whenever his turn on the swing was taken would grow up to be this handsome!" (he's starting to think that maybe he should have sat somewhere else)

So you're like "hey how we go actually catch up I've got some coupons for this café I went to this morning with a friend"

He doesn't have a reason to say no so he just accepts the invitation

When you guys get there who do you meet? KAZUHA! This man actually works there!

When you see him you're like "kazuha why didn't you tell me that you work here?" but he pretends not to know you and is like "oh? Well who might this fine customer be?" you can tell he's joking by the way he's trying not to laugh so you decide to play along

Poor Xiao is starting to regret coming with you (but don't worry he got 2 plates of almond tofu as an apology)

-no primogems (I'll make another part later where you 3 become roommates)

YES I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS-

dhfaeiahe I realize now that I should've just posted this as is since I wasn't planning on adding to this but might as well add in some thoughts I've had about this lovely trio eh??? tbh I didn't add much I just slipped in a few little things hehe

Can you guess the roomates?? Also the bio professor is Albedo ehe

Anyway!!

Considering it's the first semester of college, you haven't yet decided on your major. Luckily, you have quite a few general education classes to take, so you register all in one night.

You'll have the time to figure it all out as time goes by, no?

The rest of summer is spent juggling moving into the campus' dorms, working, and keeping up with some friends from high school. While you've kept contact with a few friends, you definitely kicked yourself in the ass for forgetting to ask Kazuha for his number...how could you forget one of your best friends?

But, you suppose that he's far off in a whole other city with his wish to experience more. You can't help but wonder what he's up to.

Then, the first day of classes starts.

How did you not figure out where everything is first? Instead of moping, you trudge to the administrative building early to ask for directions and, even better, a map of the large campus.

Instead, you find a familiar head of cream-colored hair.

Immediately, you gasp and he turns around in confusion, only for a soft smile to spread over his features. It's only been a summer but it's a relief to see that you know another person. Comparing schedules, he points out that you both have Communications 1301 together.

For once, you're glad you have to take these mandatory courses...

But with an abundance of time (as Kazuha just so happens to know where the class is), he accepts your jokingly firtatious proposal to head to the cafe just across campus to grab a morning drink.

It's hardly been long since you've last spoken to him, but there's still so much to talk about! It turns out he opted to rent out a small studio apartment just a few blocks away from campus! Naturally, he invites you over sometime.

He's also admitted that he decided to major in English--something you're not surprised to hear. After all, Kazuha's a natural at the subject, exceeding the assignments and always so eloquent.

If you recall correctly, he used to tote around a little notebook full of little musings and poetry during high school. You wonder if he still does that.

You talk about how you've just moved into the dorms a week ago, how you're lucky to be rooming with two musically inclined (if not a bit rowdy) people. You're sure that he'd take a liking to them once everything is calmed down a bit. Kazuha just raises a brow in half-doubt.

Before you know it, it's been an hours and, to your horror, your first class starts in five minutes. Not to mention that it was back closer to the admin building and you were on the opposite side of campus.

But it's still fun, Kazuha laughing as you jolt up and tug him to stand, the two of you running to get to class on time. With heaving breaths and flushed faces, you make it just a few minutes late. Luckily, your professor didn't mind because it was the first day...

Following class, you have to make your way to Bio 1301, Kazuha having a major-specific English course to get to. Before you can speak, though, he offers his phone to you. It's newer than his old flip phone you'd tease him about all the time, the screen clean save for a few stray fingerprints.

After you put in your number, he beams and quickly sends you a call so you can have his too.

"Call me after you're done with classes, alright?"

You promise to and the two of you set off.

Biology proves to be uneventful, a full hour and a half of the (rather attractive) professor going over what to expect as well as passing out lab waiver forms. A necessary precaution, he said with a reserved sigh. You wonder what happened.

When the hour ends, you have some time before World History, followed by a Trigonometry course.

By the time you find your trig class, most of the seats are already taken, making that feeling of dread fill the pit of your stomach. Nothing is worse than being forced to take whatever seat is left. But, noticing a seat by the windows, it's not so bad.

You're in the back, though, settling your bag beneath your chair and picking out a pen and schedule book.

At some point, someone walks in and asks if the seat in front of you is taken. You don't bother to look up long as you fish out a notebook, letting him know it's free.

As class goes on, you realize that the guy in front of you most likely hasn't been paying attention. Considering that the professor has been rehashing stuff from Algebra...you're not surprised. But something about his dark hair catches your eye. Not to mention his striking gold eyes...hm.

It's not until you catch his profile as he stares out the window that it clicks.

"Xiao."

His eyes dart to look at you, a confused look washing over his face. You repeat his name.

"Yes?"

Part of him is just about ready to leave as recognition floods your expression, smile wide. How could you possibly---

"I can't believe the shy kid who used to tear up whenever his turn on the swing was taken would grow up to be this handsome!"

The tips of his ears turn red fast, something that you remember very well about him, and his gaze quickly flicks over to the professor still dragging on. When gold settles back on you, they're practically begging for you to lower your voice.

"It's been forever--I can't believe that you-"

"If you're going to talk, do it outside of class."

Ah. Oopsie.

Time seems to drag on while you buzz in your seat, excited to see your childhood friend after loosing contact. You've missed him over the years, always wondering what happened to him, how he's been. And finally, when class ends, he gets up and waits for you.

Naturally, you want to catch up, so you invite him to go to the cafe with you for a late lunch.

"You still like almond tofu right? It's all you used to eat when we were little." Laughing, you nudge his shoulder and the color returns to his cheeks as he mumbles a yes.

When you step into the cafe, a familiar voice greets you.

"If I knew a cute customer would be coming, I would've gone on break."

Kazuha leans on the counter, mirth in his eyes and you gasp. It makes sense now, why he's so well acquainted with the campus and why he'd already known what to order when you arrived for drinks-

"What can I get for you today?"

"Your number."

Xiao's face pales at the blatant flirting, wondering if he should've just declined the invitation to the cafe until the two of you burst into laughter. Though, it's hardly better.

"Sorry, sorry- This is Kazuha, one of my friends from high school. Kazuha, this is my childhood best friend Xiao."

With a day so filled with nice coincidences, you doubt that life can get any better than this.

Oh, how wrong you'd be.

[sunshinemellow-fic]

Dear author, I know you are a mighty runner🏃🏻‍♀️(Kakashi and Gai's half marathon in Ch 6 is just ONE OF my favorite scenes from And they were roommates! 🤩) If you're comfortable, do you mind sharing how you got into running, and what is the longest distance you've ever run? As someone who gets winded walking to the corner store to buy tortillas, I am intensely curious!!! Either way, thank you so much for writing and sharing your awesome stories with us!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💛

OMG birk you are too nice and kind, thank you for indulging me with these questions about my silly little life!!!

I think it is very normal to hate running and I am big fan of the “find the exercise you enjoy, not the kind you hate” message!! I also think once you get past that initial couple month period of building stamina, running become a lot more enjoyable and fun!

personally what I enjoy most about running is that “autopilot” or “cruise control” feeling where you start running and you feel like you can just go for however long you want to! it is just you and your thoughts and your music and the world just kind of slips by you while you’re moving. I also enjoy being TIRED afterwards! I am the kind of person with a brain that likes to self sabotage so being tired / having endorphins at the end or beginning of a day helps lots. I’ve found running is also where I am most creative and I find it v hard to come up with ideas for writing when i cannot run. 

I started running when i was was a freshman in high school so around 14/15?? I started cross country then and was very quickly hooked. I also did track during a different season, and towards the endish of high school I got into half marathons! races are lots of fun bc they have such a nice collective and exciting energy. i think it is very thrilling and moving experience to see how far you can push your body! (but also very painful HAHA three cheers for masochism!) 

right now I usually just follow along with half marathon training plans (the Hal Higdon ones are v popular). i usually do three 5-6 ish mile runs a week, two 2-4 ish mile runs, and then one big long run on saturday or sunday that hovers around 7-9 miles. there is this interesting thing where to run a full race distance (13.1 miles) u don’t actually have to run that distance in training! most half marathon plans top out around 10 miles to avoid putting extra strain on ur body before the race itself. i always enjoy that last little leap of faith.

in terms of how far i have ever run? lol once when i was ambitious and like 18 i decided i wanted to train for a full marathon but i decided to do it like right after cross country and soccer season so my body was like walking crumbling mass of decay that should have been RESTING! i got to the longest “long run” part of the training plan which was like an 18 mile run and I will never forget how RUBBERY my whole body felt. i came back home, ate like an entire pizza at 11am, guzzled my weight in water, and then slept for like 15 hours HAHAHAH. a couple weeks later my knee issues got worse (i wonder why!) so i very grudgingly switched my marathon registration to a half marathon and I have not attempted since! I have some chronic overuse injuries that I try to manage very carefully, and I would have to be extra careful if I decided to ever do a marathon and I don’t wanna think about it that hard HAHA. It is a dream on my bucket list to run the original athens marathon and that is probably something I will do a little later in life when I am more stable and secure in being a functional adult HAHA. 

thank you for asking!!!! u are too kind I appreciate it so much 🥺

[clovd-9]

tattoo artist!taeyong × apprentice!reader (ft. ten)

promt: could you write an AU with taeyong as a tattoo artist please? I love you!!

A/n: I think I'm gonna write like 2-3 more parts to this because there's so many ideas I have for it and not enough room. Also...I love you too. ALsO my dad is a tattoo artist and I love writing these kinds of AUs bc I actually know abt them.

You never really expected to be a tattoo artists,, yet here you were,, in the waiting room of a tattoo parlor,, and all because of your friend and roommate, Ten

He had told you of a job opening to be an artist's apprentice,, yet failed to mention that it was to be a tattoo artists... or that your guide was a friend of his

So naturally you assumed they'd be loud, annoying, and lazy,, yet you gave it a shot bc why not

Then someone calls your name, and you turn around to meet the infamous Taeyong

His hair was white, standing out against his tan skin and dark tattoos,, his eyes were large and dark, looking at you

It took you a moment to find your voice,, feeling small in his gaze, but you nodded and followed him as he walked

The interview was pretty basic,, asking you if you had any experience, if you were comfortable with seeing blood, the essentials,, then he showed you his tools, explaining basic safety and hazards

His voice was rather monotoned and matched his expressionless face,, but somehow you still were caught up in what he was saying

By the end he simply told you he'd text you with any information/if you got the job,, then he turned around and went right along doing whatever he was doing before you had come in

Ten told you he was always like that,, expressionless,, but he was a cool guy and that you should give him a shot if you got the job

Which you did, exactly two days later he had texted you, giving you a schedule and telling you to bring a sweatshirt because the shop often as cold

So you show up the next day, dressed casually with a sweatshirt tucked in your arm,, he tells you to go to his booth, saying he has extra pens and inks for you to use which was kinda nice of him because you had no supplies at all

His first client comes in, and he sets up his station, making sure to give you a nice view of what he's doing,, then he turns on his music which is surprisingly,, soft r&b,, unlike everyone else around you who's blasting modern rap

It kind of catches you off guard,, yeah he's chill but,, he has some dimensions to him??

Anyways,, when he finally starts with the tattoo he suddenly has an expression on his face,, hed concentrated on what he's doing, his eyebrows furrowed

When he quickly glances at you,, you realize you've been observing him more than his work, which quickly causes you to burn with embarrassment as you focus on what his hand is doing

To your luck, he doesnt bring it up after he's done, rather asking your questions and seeing if you noticed certain techniques,, when you answer all of his questions he doesn't say anything but a simple okay and goes right back to cleaning his pen and table

Whenever you come home, Ten asks you a billion questions,, but they're oddly specific

Like,, did he mention anything else besides work, did he get lots of texts or phone calls,, and you're like what no idk jdiwkakf why

But he shrugs, saying he was just curious,, but you had your suspicions

So the next time you're around Taeyong you pay attention to what he's doing more,, turns out his phone blows up and he stares at it like it's a dead bug,, and you ofc bring this info to Ten bc you want to be in on the tea

But he refuses to tell you, saying taeyong would beat his ass,, so you leave it be and focus on your work

The longer you and Taeyong work together, the more he talks and tries to make conversation

Like one time he asked you out of the blue if you had seen how almost all animals from the Seoul area had been adopted,, and you were like yeah omg but you were also bamboozled bc why does a quiet creepy emo like taeyong pay attention to the news- or dogs and cats??

The both of you find out your similarities and interests, and small talk is no longer awkward because hey it's about things you actually like and know about

Ten drops in sometimes,, which reveals Taeyong's goofier side

You actually heard him laugh when Ten was telling a story and you were like hE DOES THAT?

But by now a few months have gone by and you've done quite a few tattoos, you're getting pretty good at it too,, Taeyong even told you good job on your most recent one which made you feel proud of yourself but you didn't tell him that

You found yourself getting more interested in who Taeyong actually was, and not who was at work

Parts of himself would show when he talked about how much he adored music, or how he actually wanted to be a dancer but discovered the art of tattoos

A small part of you even thought he was cute,, god forbid you tell Ten though he'd probably tell Taeyong and everyone in your shop

When your apprenticeship reached 6 months, Taeyong told you that you should consider becoming an independent artist,, to which this made you feel a pang of sadness,, bc you actually grew to really enjoy working alongside him,, but you told him okay

You brainstormed how to stay around him longer because quite frankly you were terrified of most other artists,, and then it came to you, why not work in the same shop?

So you called the owner of your current shop, discussed booth rent, and bam, you were set

When you told taeyong, he smiled widely, suddenly hugging you

"I'm sorry, I'm just happy for you!" He exclaimed, his smile never fading

You thanked him, saying that you wouldn't have been there if it weren't for him,, and ten but meh who cares about him rn

So the both of you work in the booth next to each other, often talking while giving tattoos or during break

And honestly, it didn't even seem like you were working, rather than just doing something you loved to do,, with someone you liked loved to do it with

To be continued ;)