#it’s takes me twice as long to find a new friend and trust them again and then it happens all over again

[milo-is-rambling]

Me when I want to be wanted more than anything else

[purinfelix]

plsplsplspslpsl write calling bf barca boys (pedri, fermin, joao) + jude bellingham "bro"

"bro"

featuring: pedri, fermin, joao, gavi (i had to include my bby sorryyy!) and jude warnings: teensy bit cringe at times, be warned ...

a/n: once again apologising for being ia, but an eternal thank you to anon and every one else who's still interacting with me and sending me requests!! trying my best to get through them, thank you all for your patience <333

You don’t remember how it had happened honestly, the two of you had just been hanging out in his bedroom, a situation you had come to find comfort in since its frequency had become almost like a routine to the two of you. The air outside was cool, giving the two of you an excuse to curl up together under the blanket and binge watch episodes of your favourite show in a comfortable silence. That was, of course, until you heard the chime of your phone - causing you to perk up out of your boyfriends arms.

“Bro, could you get that for me?”

Pedri

Honestly he doesn’t think much of it at first, since your guys’ relationship has always been pretty casual in the way that you both trust each other enough not to overreact. He reckons that it probably slipped out by accident, and given that it’s what most of his teammates and friends call him, he doesn’t react that much. Sure, he noticed it, and filed it away to the back of his mind as a sign that you might be mad with him but he’s a pretty calm boyfriend only offers an amused eyebrow raise.

It’s only when he leans over and grabs your phone do you realise what you’ve said - but only decide to double down on it to get a reaction out of him.

“Thanks bro,” you say as nonchalantly as you can manage when he hands you your phone, immediately going to respond to whatever message had caused the notification sound. And at first it seems like he’s not going to indulge your obvious bait for a reaction - of course until you hear the rustle of bed sheets and his strong arm snake around your waist.

He lets out a soft mumble that roughly translates to - “What is it baby?” - as he buries his face into the crook of your neck in a loving, yet almost pleading manner. It doesn’t take long for you to give in to his charms.

“I’m only messing with you,” you giggle, patting the top of his head reassuringly.

Fermin

If there’s one thing you know about Fermin, it’s that he’s observant. However, another thing about him is that he’s a sly little shit. So whenever he feels he can sense you trying to prod at his temper it only ends in him serving you back your own attitude.

“Of course, bro,” he says, and even though you’re not looking at him as he turns to grab your phone, you can tell he has a wide smirk spread across his face.

You only give him a knowing look, and try your best to maintain your composure while stifling your laughter - but the minute he drops your phone into your hands you know he’s not going to back down on this.

“Thanks, dude,” you quip.

“Any time, my man.”

Silence, and you’re trying to figure out your next comeback while ignoring the weird way him calling you ‘my man’ made you feel. You feel oddly stupid for starting a game you know you couldn’t keep up with, but luckily your boyfriend has already caught wind of this by the look of amusement on his face.

“Something wrong, mate?” he chuckles as he leans over to peck your lips that you hadn’t realised had formed a pout. All you can do is sigh in faux-exhaustion before erupting into a fit of laughter.

Joao

It’s only once he’s reached over to grab your phone, that he clocks the odd new nickname. Immediately, but silently, his mind starts racing through the possible reasons as to why you’ve bestowed it upon him - did he do something wrong? He did only kiss you twice before leaving for training that morning, and he did accidentally move away from you when the two of you were cuddling earlier. He’s worried, but he’s also up to play your game if need be.

His grip on your phone tightens, and you hear his voice low, daring - “What was that darling?”

You truly meant it as an accident this time, and he manages to snap you out of it with his words. “Oh, sorry, babe,” you correct yourself and he nods as if to silently say that’s better.

You get your phone from him, and a quick kiss on the cheek before he settles back to wrapping his arms around you, tucking his head into the crook of your neck so he can look at your phone next to you.

Gavi

Whilst something like being called “bro” might not matter to most other guys, it definitely did to your boyfriend. His reaction to your words was immediate, his head whipping up from where he had been laying beside you, eyes round and pleading.

“What?” his voice was quiet, almost unbelieving and you had to try your best not to laugh at how dramatic your boyfriend’s reaction was. Still, a small chuckle escapes your lips, only making you feel worse as a small pout forms from his lips.

“Sorry, it slipped out,” you reassure him, reaching up a hand to stroke his cheek lovingly. He furrows his brows as if to pose the question - are you sure? But you only take this as a sign to mess with him, just a little more.

“What, you don’t like me calling you bro?” You’ve completely forgotten about your phone at this point.

“No, definitely not.” He’s oddly serious when he says this, but this only adds to how amused you are by this situation.

“Alright baby,” you hum out your apology, trying your best to further express this through your thumb on his cheek - and luckily he seems to get the message. Before you know it, he’s melted back into your arms, your fingers curling lazily around his hair.

Jude

“What?”

Jude is quick with it, turning to you immediately as soon as the word leaves your mouth with an expression that makes you realise your mistake all too quickly.

“Bro?” he asks again, almost daring you to repeat it, but the shocked laugh he lets out reassures you he isn’t taking it to seriously - only getting an unfair amount of amusement from your mistake.

“Whatever, babe, there,” you say in mock-annoyance, not wanting to let him get the better of you.

“Nuh-uh, you called me bro,” he pushed, leaning in close to you, his voice teasing.

“It was an accident, okay?”

“Sure,” he hums, finally grabbing your phone and handing it to you, all the while having a stupid smirk on his face, “I’ll just have to start calling you mate or something, yeah?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” you mutter through pouted lips and he finally gives up the act, settling back by your side and pecking your cheek as an apology.

[haddonfieldwhore]

scary dog privilege - ethan landry

ethan landry x alt!reader

❤️🔪 spoilers for scream 6 🔪❤️

❤️🔪 spoilers for scream 6 🔪❤️

2.2k words // part 2

warnings: death mentioned, drinking, someone gets tasered, making out, language, i think that’s it

as the music at the party blared loudly, ethan’s eyes darted towards you as chad, as usual, tried to be his wingman and find him a potential hookup. chad followed ethan’s gaze and after one look at you, he laughed at his friend.

“them? no way dude, they would eat you alive.” he said, but ethan was busy admiring the dark tattoos covering your arms and your chunky black boots that must have made you at least a few inches taller. “they’re scary- trust me.” chad tried again to shift ethan’s attention to anyone else at the party.

you had gone to highschool with chad and his friends and had heard about the attacks that happened to them. to your surprise, all of you ended up at the same college in new york. you had talked to a few of them once or twice, and had econ with ethan, who you thought was cute. you also had film studies with mindy and a few of the others but you didn’t know them very well. you were someone who tended to keep to yourself, and sometimes was avoided by others for the way you dress. it led to you being a bit closed off, and you knew that to people you didn’t know, you could come across as mean. you were used to be judged for the way you looked, and had long ago decided you wouldn’t take shit from anyone for it, or any other reason, for that matter.

pushing through the crowd, you made your way into the kitchen to get another drink, passing by the two men as you did. you over heard chad trying to set ethan up with a pretty brunette girl, who politely shrugged off the idea and went back to her friends. after getting your drink, you turned to see that ethan now stood alone, no sign of chad anywhere. deciding to take advantage of the fact that he was alone, you walked over and stood next to ethan.

“ethan- right?” you asked, even though you knew his name from class. he seemed to choke on his drink a little, perhaps surprised that you had come over to talk to him, but smiled shyly.

“hi- yeah. we have econ together,” he replied.

“i know, i sit at the table next to yours.” you said, and realized it might’ve sounded a little too snarky. “what i mean is- i’ve seen you in class.”

“oh - duh.” he laughed, blushing. you had never noticed how tall he was, still taller than you in your platform boots. “are you here by yourself or…” he trailed off.

“yeah. i saw you with chad earlier- did he abandon you?” you asked.

“uh yeah.. apparently his services were needed elsewhere,” ethan laughed. you leaned against the wall next to him, and his shoulders tensed briefly before he relaxed again.

“lucky me; i get you all to myself then.” you smiled, and the brunette blushed again but smiled back.

“don’t take this the wrong way- but you don’t really seem the type to go to frat parties,” he said with a slight laugh.

“i’m not,” you admitted. “i thought since it’s for halloween i would. you don’t really seem the type either-“

“uhh you’re telling me i don’t give off the vibe that i’d fit in here?” he asked sarcastically. “i don’t give off the same aura of hyper masculinity as the rest of the guys here?” he laughed.

“not exactly no,” you smiled. “i’m glad you’re here though; even a slightly a familiar face is nice to see.” you eyes drifted to the empty cup he was holding. “do you want to get another drink?” you asked. ethan looked down and noticed that his cup was in fact empty, and nodded.

“yeah, uh -lead the way,” he said, and you took his hand, dragging him along in the direction of the kitchen. stopping in a near empty hallway, you stopped, pulling him close to you, and in turn positioning yourself between the wall and his body.

“i think the kitchen is that way…” he said, with a slightly confused look as he pointed in the other direction.

“do you want to get another drink or do you want to kiss me?” you asked, and his eyes grew wide.

“oh i mean..yeah i-“ he stuttered, a tinge of pink across his cheeks as you pulled him closer by his shirt, pressing your lips to his. the empty cup in has hand fell to the floor as his hands hesitantly landed on your hips, and you entwined your fingers in his curls, deepening the kiss. you were a little surprised by how good of a kisser he was, and you let out a small gasp as you felt his teeth tug at your bottom lip, and his pelvis press against yours, effectively pinning you against the wall. his one hand traveled up to rest on the side of your neck, and you tugged on his hair slightly, causing ethan to groan into the kiss. pulling away to catch your breath, you began to trail kisses down his neck, and he cursed under his breath as you left a hickey below his jawline.

you separated as you both heard a commotion in the other room, and went to see what was going on. the two of you rounded the corner to see a bunch of people gathered around as tara’s older sister sam, pulled out a taser and used it on a guy who you had seen talking to tara earlier. he fell to the ground in pain as chad checked on tara, who was laying on the stairs.

people started whispering (and speaking out loud) about sam, and tara yelled at her before storming out of the party. chad, sam, mindy, and anika all followed after her, and ethan looked at you before bravely grabbing your hand and dragging you after his friends.

as the group caught up to tara, her and sam began arguing, and you couldn’t help but feel incredibly out of place in the group of strangers. another group of drunk people passed by, one of them tossing a drink on sam and videotaping it, calling her a bunch of vile names like psycho and murderer. sam had to be held back from starting a fight with the girl, and you shot the girl a nasty look and a yelled a few choice words at her as she left with her friends.

tara had run off, followed by chad mindy and anika, leaving sam stood next to you end ethan, who you realized was still holding your hand. he let go of it to nervously offer the older carpenter sister a few tissues he had in his pocket, which she took and began to dry her shirt. she then gave ethan a look as if to say “why are you still standing there” before she noticed you.

“…thanks - i’ve never had a stranger stick up for me like that.” she said.

“prissy bitches like her piss me off,” you smiled, and she sighed before looking in the direction the others had gone. the three of you headed that way, sam slightly ahead of you inadvertently leading the way.

now in an unfamiliar apartment, you had never felt more out of place in your life. sam was pacing around the lobby downstairs, and tara had holed up in her bedroom when you got to their apartment. mindy and anika were sat together on the couch. after a few minutes, chad went to talk to tara, which left you and ethan alone, sitting at the dining table awkwardly.

“sorry- i didn’t mean to drag you along.” ethan said, fiddling with his hands on the table. “i’m sure this is not what you had in mind when you went to the party tonight.”

“it’s fine, although it seems like maybe it’s not the best time,” you laughed. “i think i should go.”

“i - maybe you’re right,” he admitted. you stood up from the table, taking your phone out of your pocket and handing it to him after unlocking it and opening a new contact.

“give me your number; we can study for econ together sometime.” he looked up at you and took your phone, typing his number in before handing it back to you. as his hand reached yours, you grabbed it and started to pull him towards you. “walk me out?”

“yeah, sure,” he said, getting up and leading you to the door. the two of you were almost downstairs when you hear chads voice calling after you to get back upstairs and saying to bring sam with you.

looking at ethan with a confused look, the two of you walked back up the many flights of stairs and into the living room to see everyone gathered around the tv, including a red haired girl you assumed was tara and sams roomate. sam was close behind you guys, along with a guy you had never seen, but the red head seemed to recognize, as she shot sam a surprised look at seeing them together. after you were all back in the apartment, everyone’s eyes were glued to a news broadcast where there was a man reporting the deaths of two students named jason and greg.

“oh my god- that’s that chode from our film class; the one obsessed with argento!” mindy exclaimed, and you realized that must be why he look familiar. across the screen then flashed photos of the ghostface mask you knew to be the one the killers from the woodsboro murders had worn, and without realizing, you grabbed onto ethan’s hand in fear.

“pack a bag- we leave in 10.” sam said to tara, and the younger girl stared at her sister.

“what?” tara asked.

“we’re getting out of the city.”

“can we talk about this for a minute? i mean it could have nothing to do with us-“

“tara, this isn’t a coincidence. you knew him!”

“barely,” tara pleaded. “it’s a big city! and it’s halloween- everyone’s wearing masks.”

“chad, mindy, back me up here,” sam said, looking to the siblings who both looked a little unsure.

“i mean it is… a little-“ chad started.

“-close to home.” mindy admitted. tara looked to the ginger girl, a pleading look in her eyes.

“quinn, your dads a cop right? can you call him and find out what’s going on? before you make the unilateral decision to abandon my college education and make us flee the fucking state?” she said, turning to sam.

“i’ll call him right now,” quinn nodded, pulling out her phone. as quinn began to diall the number, sams phone began to ring on the dining room table. the whole room went silent, and everyone looked at sam as she went over to see who was calling. she declined the call, putting her phone in her pocket.

“why did everyone just freak out when her phone rang?” ethan asked, and anika rolled her eyes at him.

“you gotta keep up, my dude.” she sighed. mindy’s eyes landed on you, and it was like everyone finally noticed you were there.

“who’s this?” she asked, pointing in your direction and looking around the room at everyone as she waited for an answer. you tried to not take it personal, but couldn’t help but feel like you had overstayed your welcome.

“uh everyone, this is y/n,” ethan introduced you shyly, and you gave an awkward wave.

“no way dude-“ chad said, recognizing you from the frat party. “you actually grew a pair and talked to them? wait…. is that a hickey?”

“not now, chad,” tara sighed.

“uh… i’ll have you know they talked to me first.” ethan said, and you nudged ethan in the ribs playfully with your elbow as chad came over to high five him.

“well this was fun and all but it seems like you all have a lot going on so i think i’m gonna head out,” you said.

“not so fast,” mindy said. “until we know what’s going on you’re not going anywhere. same goes for you, new guy” she said pointing to the guy who sam had with her.

“do you mean i’m a suspect? i barely know any of you?” you questioned.

“uhhh someone adjacent to us gets killed and now suddenly 2 strangers show up- maybe you’ve found yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time but after last year; i’m not taking any chances.” you looked at the man, who shrugged. you had to admit, mindy had a point.

“dude-“ ethan looked at chad, and you appreciated that he was trying to back you up.

“sorry man, i’m with my twin on this one.”

“thank you.” mindy replied. “actually- we’re all suspects. but especially you three.” she pointed to you, ethan, and sams friend, who introduced himself as danny.

“me? chad you know me,” ethan argued.

“everybody is a suspect.” mindy insisted. “we thought we knew amber and look how that turned out.”

“ok, i can understand being suspicious but are you not realizing that we all have alibis- we were all at the party except for quinn. it literally couldn’t have been any of us.”

“and quinn was here- with someone,” anika added.

“see? look i won’t pretend i understand what you all went through, but maybe you’re overreacting a little,” you said.

“maybe not.” sam said, entering the room again. “they said i have to go to the station for questioning. everyone stays here for now, there’s safety in numbers.” she said before leaving, danny and tara following after her, saying they had to stick together.

“even you newbie.” mindy said pointing at you, and you raised your hands in mock surrender. you grabbed ethan’s hand and pulled him to sit on one of the armchairs in the living room, before placing yourself in his lap. his eyes were wide in surprise before he relaxed against into the chair.

everyone awkwardly went back to minding their own business, mindy switching the channel off the broadcast to something more entertaining to take everyone’s mind off things. anika, chad, and mindy sat on the couch while quinn sat on another chair. you all sat in silence occasionally eyeing eachother nervously.

what had you gotten yourself wrapped up in?

[actuallyacerrr]

NINJAGO HEADCANON TIME ‼️

I- am shamelessly on a Ninjago fixation again (I blame my irl friends- they’re not gonna see this anyway sooooooooo) yippe. Some of these headcanons are ones Ive see and whole heartedly agree with, and some are just random ones i’ve come up with throughout the years so uh yeah don’t mind that some have more then others haha. I’ll probably post smaller ones (and like a another one specifically for DR headcanons :DDDDD

They are in no coherent order🧍‍♂️

This is long I apologize 😂

Lloyd

• He/They and Panro Ace.

• None of the ninja are not queer and three(?) of them are ace to me (I am projecting.) Lloyd is ace, for I cannot see the words Lloyd and s3x working in the same sentence. In general just idea cannot be fathomed by me. If you do, cool! (We don’t shame headcanons around here!!)

• He is trans masc as well I love trans masc Lloyd headcanons.

• Getting this out the way. I am a s u c k e r for the oni dragon feature headcanons. 👏💳👏💳👏

• He has horns, starting on his forehead following the curve of his head, the horns aren’t to long and are pretty smooth, starting off as his skin color before transitioning into a black color with a green sheen.

• The horns are a mix of dragon shape with oni coloring.

• Lloyd has pointy ears and they do reflect his emotions.

• Like they’re sitting pointed high when he’s really happy, excited, nervous (?) and tend to droop when he’s sad or upset. Though they are typically in a neutral middle.

• Yes he has a tail but he does hide it when in public.

• Does have shape shifting! Just not to the extent of a full blood Oni, he could change into other people or animals but it’s much harder and required complete focus. So it’s better for him to take small characteristics or changes (like his face, hiding scars, etc), or to hide some Oni and Dragon features if he so wishes.

• He can purr, but is very embarrassed by it so other than around the ninja he tries his best to keep it down.

• Short compared to the ninja, like the second shortest, around 5’6”.

• Trust issues, kinda funky to new people like he’s not mean but he isn’t gonna be all buddy buddy and friendly (I blame Harumi & his childhood.)

• Especially after seasons 8-10, absolutely does not trust anybody besides his family.

• Absolutely did not like the new changes of horns and a tail, etc when they manifested. Dreaded it and himself at one point. Took a lot of care, and work, and love (and probably a lot of therapy) for him to feel comfortable again.

• There are days in which he still feels awful but he knows he can go straight over to the ninja when he starts feeling like that.

• Through he did not mind his fangs since he did have them since birth. When they started growing it was not an uncommon occurrence to find him staring into the bathroom mirror as he’d gently poke the tips of his fangs.

• There are some times, rare times, where you’ll still catch him doing it.

• His fangs are not as typically long as a regular onis, but longer that a normal humans canines.

• His nail are in a similar fashion, they grow pointy and a faster than the rest of the ninja, so he often has to file them down at least one or twice a week.(?)

• Even now has the biggest sweet tooth, when he was younger he’d steal some of Cole’s sweets but now they’ve been baking together for a while. He’s gotten pretty good

• Lloyd, like his father, both like shiny stuff or things with nice sounds. Think like dice! some are shiny while others just make the best sound when clunked together. Leads me to my next thing.

• HE HAS PIERCINGS, I firmly believe he had his ears pierced at least once, with like gold studs but will change them out to other gold esk earrings every so often.

• The rest of the ninja have bought them a set of earrings that match each ninja. Quartz studs from Zane. Like a vertical bar hoop earings from Cole, Kai went a little extra and got him a gold lobe to conch chained earring which a dangling piece of chain with a red jewel, Mismatch blue studs from Jay, and Raindrop earrings from Nya.

• He gets constantly reminded ans (lovingly) made fun of his Prime Empire avatar.

• The next few are gonna be angst and possibly a bit darker, so be warned when proceeding.

• Lloyd has had and still has a lot going on, mentally and emotionally.

• You’ve seen the amount of trauma and shit he’s been through.

• When he first found out about being the green ninja he was young, a kid, so he found it exciting imagining himself like that. He felt very important and wanted to do anything and everything to achieve that faster. Kids are oblivious like that. After getting hit with Tommorow’s Tea it finally dawned on him.

• Lloyd got what he wanted but being the Green Ninja was not the simple obstacle to overcome.

• The weight of the responsibility and power was to heavy at first. So he put himself through the training, every morning to night he trained. it got bad at one point because he’d rarely leave, even to eat.

• It was an issue that had an intervention for, he wasn’t allowed to train without someone knowing or supervising for awhile.

• He broke down during the intervention, because he wanted to be ready and to strong enough, etc. But he never did through out the training. That night was a movie night where Lloyd got to watch all his favorite moviess.

• He struggled with getting into better eating habits after awhile of the non-stop training. The others were always patient with him though.

• Lloyd felt he had a lot to uphold and maintain especially as words were used like “chosen one” and “destiny” to describe his role.

• After awhile he started having a harder time expressing his emotions, but the Ninja caught on quick enough and did help him reverse that thinking and process. Sometimes it’s still hard.

• There are times where Lloyd blanks out to his own thoughts and he struggles to come out of them.

• Has anxiety and has had anxiety and panic attacks more then once. Knows the routine on how to deal with them.

• The first time he had a panic attack he was alone and it scared him. But he was to afraid to tell anyone.

• Sensei Wu was the first to find out and talked to Lloyd about it, he got the rest of the team involved after getting a plan and everything set up to help Lloyd.

• Probably has (undiagnosed) ADHD, notable hyperfixations were Sharks, Space (due to a comic book series), The history of Ninjago/the Ninja, and his current Hyperfixation is Plants/botany.

• To lighten the mood, RGB SIBLINGS.

•I am a firm believer in them.

• Lloyd intended to make matching bracelets for him, Kai and Nya but while making them decided to do it for all the ninja so now they all have needed bracelets consisting of a green, light blue, blue, red, black, and white bead.

• They (Kai and Nya) were the first people he saw as family besides Sensei Wu. Then they adopted him very much was like “Yes, he is our little brother. Whatcha gonna do about it?”

• Lloyd started copying both of them because he really looked up to them. Took their sides in arguments but took Nya’s when it was an argument between the two of them.

• Lloyd often let Nya paint his nails and sometimes practice makeup on him.

• He also got roped up into most of Kai’s pranks, he loves it though.

• Rgb siblings have a very good relationship and they are the closest out of any sibling esk relationship Lloyd has with the Ninja.

Nya

• She/They and Bisexual (fem leaning)

• I see a lot of the Ninja as Bi in some aspect (again i’m projecting.)

• Genderqueer but def more feminine leaning.

• Nya and Jay keep their half of the Yin Yang medallion on themselves 99% of the time.

• Nya is in fact taller then jay and is only an inch taller then Lloyd standing at 5’7”.

• Nya and Cole are best friends.

• They work out together go on jogs and help spot each other, etc.

• NYA IS B U F F, Can easily pick up Jay and carry him around.

• Both cringe looking back at the “Cole is my perfect match” thing.

• Has a spice tolerance because of Kai but not at the same level as him.

• P.i.x.a.l. and Nya like to work on stuff together, just like they’ll ask for tiny bits of advice or suggestions. It’s best described as parallel play? but they’re doing very similar things but on their own.

• Can not cook for shit, has burnt food more times then she can count.

• Messy clean room, tbh this can go for all ninja except Kai weirdly enough, his room is by far the most organized out of them all, still can be messy but overall clean.

• Skates, known longboards, regular skateboards and skates, she and Lloyd do it a lot.

•Knows how to ride a motorbike and is very proud of it. That thing is like her child.

• Also post becoming one with the sea she’s grown wayyyy more interested in the ocean and relating topics like preservation, marine biology, how the ocean works and how land is made, etc.

• Side effect from becoming one with the sea is she constantly smells like sea salt

• She also has markings left over in swirly shapes, and her eyes glow a faint blue in the dark.

• Subconsciously understands (aquatic) animals like they make their noises and subconsciously Nya’s brain translates it.

• The monastery has since also been made to follow proper recycling procedures.

• Goes out to help with any kind of beach clean ups, sometimes will drag the rest of the team to help.

• Likes pretty much every and all kinda of music. You name is she’s listen to it. While working on her Samurai X suit she’s find random music to play.

• One of the three (Jay, Her, and Cole) coffee addicts of the monastery, the others either don’t drink coffee (P.i.x.a.l. and Zane), drink tea (Lloyd and Sensei Wu), or drink Redbull (Kai.)

• Feels like she needs to prove her worth 24/7. Especially in early seasons. But she’s learned that she’s loved no matter her worth and that she’s important to the team, but there are times she struggles.

• Back to Nya and Jay, I feel like they’d have date nights once a week.

• It takes a variety of forms, like movie dates, all day dates, or simply staying over in each others rooms to cuddle.

• Or stargazing dates or long rides on Nya’s motorbike.

• I feel they’re 100% comfortable and honest with each other even if they don’t want to. Especially in the later seasons.

• They’ve had a few breakdowns together, relatively no one knows bout this as they take extra care into keeping it private. Unless the other was genuinely concerned then they might get Sensei Wu involved but that is the farthest they’ll go.

• Double dates with Kai and Skylor.

• Nya has two victims when she wants to experiment with stuff. Jay and Lloyd, at this point they have become accustomed to it.

• Couple times the entire ninja crew fell for the skincare ‘dates’ now it’s a once a month thing.

• SHES A GOOD INVENTOR, There’s like 4 (Nya, Jay, Zane, and P.i.x.a.l.) of them now, so sometimes with bigger projects they’ll get together to help out.

• Jaya kiss each other a lot, from pecks, to showering each other in kisses, forehead, nose, butterfly, hand kisses. They’re adorable.

• THEY BOTH ARE SO TICKLISH TO THE POINT THEYLL GET ALL GIGGLY WHEN THEY GET PEPPERED IN KISSES.

• Sometimes while they’ll out they’ll spot a pretty person and point them out and giggle about it to each other.

• Wears claw clips and has noticed Jay keeps an extra one on his at all times.

• They absolutely dance and play in the rain.

• If one of them gets sick because of it they feel bad and will stick with them 100% through it even if they end up catching it.

• They are so silly I love them hehehe.

• Saw this short comic and now it’s my person headcannon Nya for the samurai x idea from Lloyd.

• Daddy’s girl.

Jay

• He/Him and Bisexual (fem leaning)

•Jay is trans, ftm. Another one where I really like the trans headcanon. <333

• Second person in the group to have ADHD. Though he’s known about it for longer and takes medication to help but also has his own routine to help incase he forgets to take his meds.

• When he was younger his main hyper fixation was inventing and now it’s just carried over into regular interests. There are times where it’ll seep back into his brain for a short while but it hasn’t been as big as it was when he was younger.

• Loved building things with his dad ‼️ was bonding moments for them. He still has some of the trinkets they’ve made together. They’re his prized possessions.

• Learned to sew from his mom, which was useful ashe took his stuffed bear, Mister Cuddlywomp, around with his everywhere and he’d either get dirty or ripped so Edna taught Jay to see so he could repair the stuffed bear whenever.

• Had a hyperfixation on video games, birds, and Dinosaurs. His current hyperfixation is back to inventing.

• Rambles a lot and everybody listens, especially Nya. Lloyd on the other hand jumps in and they end up rambling together for hours.

• He also collects stuff, Crow collecting random stuff Jay and Dragon loving shiny Lloyd. They show off their collections to each other atleast once a week.

• He has sensitive ears and can get overwhelmed easily by loud noises. So he caries a pair of headphones on him at all times.

• Lloyd and Jay are very close and definitely hang out a lot whether it’s a parallel play thing (like Nya and p.i.x.a.l.) or it’s talking about their hyperfixations, or their collections, etc.

• Oh yeah, he’s definitely the shortest ninja I wanna say around 5’4”-5’5”.

• Has lightning looking scars from his first few attempts at his power. Can be a bit subconscious about them but then remembers this one time a kid said he looked badass from the scars.

• Again I love him and Nyas relationship because they’re so comfortable with each other.

• He’s the little spoon and loves when Nya plays with his hair.

• Cuddler, enough said.

• Power has gone out multiple times because he’s been jumpscared. So now everybody’s agreed to just not scare him. He’s vulnerable to pranks, no body is.

• Which, Jay has started 2 prank war before, which isn’t a lot but it’s weird it’s happened twice.

• Can’t skate, Nya has tried many times and all failed.

• I feel he definitely has some scaring especially because he’s always be scraped or have bandages on him as a kid.

• Rom com enthusiast ‼️

• Really wants to learn more about his biological parents, especially after that whole thing in Sky bound, I feel like it was just a one up thing and I would’ve loved to see him get to learn about them from Sensei Wu in canon. So after Skybound ended he begged Sensei Wu to tell him about his bio parents. He would’ve said yes and told him as much as he could remember.

• Nervous laughs when he feels awkward.

• Fidgets a lot with his fingers, or random items he has on hand.

• Bit of an artist, says he can’t draw, proceeds to make the most detailed and analyzed sketch of a invention he’s working on and says “I know it’s messy and I was a bit lazy with it sorry.”

• Likes to cloud gaze when he doesn’t have training. He finds it calming and satisfying to watch the clouds slowly pass by. Has almost fallen asleep out there.

• Jay sometimes feel likes he’s the useless member of the team, Kai is pretty useful with his knowledge of weapons, Zane could cook remarkably, Nya has made multiple vehicles and even a secret base as well as repair the bounty, Cole is a good baker and super strong (+ plus he has connections due to his fathers status) and pixel is an major knowledge source for them.

• He will sit in his room thinking about how he could become more useful, one time Nya found him like this and he spent the rest of the night crying to her. Apologizing for ever making her feel this way before.

• I feel they would’ve talk to each other about it more after Jay calmed down and how Nya felt during that time. It made them grow closer and understand each other better.

• Jay always makes sure to include everyone since then. No matter what’s going on.

• Has a stuffed animal collections and they hall have names and elaborate personalities and backstories. Many of them are friends with Lloyd’s stuffed animals.

• He’s a sweetheart overall, possibly writes poetry for Nya, or atleast has attempted it.

• Sharper cainines the left over from when he was a snake.

Kai

• He/They and Bisexual

• Kai is a demi-boy or bigender I can’t really decide because they both fit him.

•Massive spice tolerance, will and can drown his food in black pepper regardless of if it needs it or not. You can smell it.

• He’s a decent cook but has formally been banned from cooking from now on due to an incident where he almost set the kitchen on fire.

• Street smart.

• Avide romance enjoyer, Jays the only one who knows and has it used as blackmail.

• Jay gives him book recs.

• Average height, 5’8” in reality he’s 5’7”.

• He’s really warm to the touch, so he’s like a personal heater when it gets cold out.

• Kai and Skylor love each other a lot. But they were on and off for awhile. Eventually they made it official.

• Visits the Noodle house a lot to flirt with Skylor which she just ends up making him help her.

• Talks shit with Nya in Spanish.

• Attempted to teach Lloyd Spanish, only picked up little things.

• Kai has scars and burn marks from working in his family black smith. He got more the first time he used his powers, he no longer has finger prints.

• The only normal one, has no side effects from being turned into or being related to anything.

• Mama’s boy (cried over the song Mama’s boy)

• Kai has a mild hydrophobia, because he almost drowned as a kid. Nya helped pull him out and that was the first experience of her using her elemental powers whether she knew it or not.

• Kept having nightmares especially after and during Seabound.

• When his sister became the sea he’d stare out at the ocean, it was his two biggest fears combined but he still wanted to be near for Nya.

• He definitely had multiple breakdowns about and overall cried a lot. He was terrified.

• Actually really good with kids, loves them to death.

• Theater kid, even just a tiny bit. Don’t ask.

• Redbull drinker, but will drink other energy drinks if there’s none in the house.

• Scared to lose his power do sometimes he’ll wake up suddenly and try to light his hand to make sure he still has it,

• Could be 25° outside he could wear shorts and a t-shirt and be fine. Despite that he hates it.

Cole

• He/Him and Gay.

• Cole is the only cis person out of the Ninja but he does feel fem from time to time so you can see him experimenting with his styles and tends to keep his hair longer.

• Very good baker! Experiments with different recipes and stuff. Lloyd likes to help with whatever he can however he can.

• The tallest of the ninja at 6’1”

• After reverting from being a ghost he had a hard time adjusting back to being human.

• He had to adjust to eating and drinking again. Zane often would help him but he would forget at times.

• Mild hydrophobia, forgets he can touch water again.

• Forgets he can’t become invisible or pass through stuff.

• Sometimes has phantom feelings of being a ghost still, no physical altercations occurred really.

• He can still see ghost though, freaks him out a bunch but he’s made a few ghost friends.

• Loves music and has a vinyl and cd collections. Cole is very proud of it.

• He eventually began to enjoy dancing, using it to train along with other various forms of martial arts.

• He’s the Dad of the group.

• When he is stressed he bakes late at night, he’s scared a few of his teammates when they came to get water or smth late at night.

• Can kinda like feel the group like tremors, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc. Pretty useful and he often uses it when the city doesn’t pick up on stuff.

• He’s scared of being abandoned.

Zane

• He/They/It and Asexual

• I saw this once and I agree, they very obviously feel emotions, like love, heartbreak, happiness, sadness, hurt, etc. But I do not think when they were built their creators had them being sexually active in mind, I do not think they were built with any of those parts at all. And being asexual doesn’t mean you can’t love someone you absolutely can be attracted romantically to anyone just you don’t or barely feel sexual attraction. I’m stating this because of the fact they are Nindroids.

• Zane is nonbinary because i’m nonbinary and I say so.

• Zane and p.i.x.a.l. are dating but they aren’t the typically publicly affectionate kind, they’re obviously a couple but leave affectionate for private.

• Also the mom of the group.

• Most people are banned from using the kitchen except him and Cole. As well as kai if he has either of the two’s supervision.

• One of the more organized people, he’s more organized than Kai. Everything must be in place.

• He also follows recipes to a T. Not a simple mistake in his cooking.

• Can withstand the cold, he’s cold to the touch. Even if he is metal he’s colder than what it typically gets like.

• He’s like an info machine, they ask him lots of questions which can get very annoying at times. They don’t mean for it to be rude, they just want him to show off how much knowledge he holds.

• Second tallest of the ninja at 5’11”

• Let’s the team vent to him and help them find solutions or ways to help at all.

• Likes books but has only really read a few that he truely enjoyed.

Pixel

• Any pronouns and Asexual

• I saw this once and I agree, they very obviously feel emotions, like love, heartbreak, happiness, sadness, hurt, etc. But I do not think when they were built their creators had them being sexually active in mind, I do not think they were built with any of those parts at all. And being asexual doesn’t mean you can’t love someone you absolutely can be attracted romantically to anyone just you don’t or barely feel sexual attraction. I’m stating this because of the fact they are Nindroids.

• Pixel is a demi-girl.

• P.i.x.a.l. is also 5’11”

• Also someone the team vents to.

• Super cool badass but also the biggest softie, While Zane and her aren’t as affectionate, if you’re sneaky and lucky enough you’ll find them cuddling or out watching movies.

• P.i.x.a.l. is very good with kids, finding them really adorable.

[vacationship]

Sorry to do this guys… seriously big time TL;DR on the insanity of Rebecca’s predictions going nowhere. I stopped thinking about all this a long time ago but it’s coming back to me in a fever dream…

Remember when Rebecca went to the psychic and then all the signs starting with the green matchbook happened to her? And the signs came during encounters with two previous and one new love interest but these male characters subliminally or subtextually pointed to Ted?

Sam hands her the green matchbook for Ola’s and Rebecca is stroking it intently back and forth just under the letters as she’s trying to “read” the sign and then you realize you can REARRANGE the letters Ola’s -> Las’o?

Which you could maybe shrug off as coincidental except then…

She runs into John Wingsnight and he comes through with the Shite in Nining Armor prediction which calls back to Ted white knighting for Rebecca, but even more subliminally is the fact that John’s Manchester United scarf shows MAN then gets REARRANGED mid scene to show TED and then back again to MAN? (THEY TOOK THE TIME TO REARRANGE THE SCARF, TWICE.) And John who’s literally wearing the sign that Ted is the Man is talking about meeting the right person, his fiancée, a call back to Rebecca breaking up with John because she realizes how she really wants to feel with her right person, safe and trusting?

And the psychic was wearing army green and Rebecca finds in her purse the green soldier that Ted gave her to help her feel protected and safe stuck INSIDE the Ola’s (Lasso) green matchbook?

Is this not unhinged levels of endgame hints?

And then Ted takes out his matchbook from his pocket along with red and blue magnets? So they both still have the matchbook in their purse/pocket, such a personal private space, and each also have another item that also feels really personal and significant? The army man and freakin’ magnets? And there’s all these scenes with Ted and Rebecca with red and blue, like the magnets? And they’re MAGNETS but somehow not sticking together (two magnets in a pocket would definitely find each other) but this shows how they aren’t aware of how they fit yet? How they are soulmates? How they don’t know about their important matching date where they each experienced trauma? And Ted says how he has to bring these magnets back to work, his office, which is where he magnetically connected with Rebecca? She confesses, he forgives, she livens up the place? They hug in an embrace tight as magnets? And they were magnetically drawn to each other in the hallway at work when they each psychically picked up on what was going on for the other one?

And then Rebecca falls into the canal as predicted but is “safe” with the boat guy and he sings Kenny Roger’s just like Ted does? And there a few other parallels with Boat Guy/Ted? And meanwhile Ted is trying to reach her, and clearly misses her, but her phone is in the canal so Ted ends up on a little inner journey with himself and realizes he misses Kansas and his son but also figures out a soccer philosophy which he hopes will help him “win the whole thing” as he promised Rebecca? And when they reunite on the bus at the end they are both grinning ear to ear, maybe for different reasons, but the subtext is that each found their mojo again, their magnetism? And Beard sitting with them with a lightening suit on, matching the prediction from the psychic about thunder and lightening but also Roy telling Rebecca she should expect feeling struck by lightening with a romantic partner? Beard in the lightening suit is clocking what’s happening with Rebecca, that’s she’s been with a man and seems struck by lightening? But boat guy made her feel how Ted makes her feel?! But she was able to loosen up more with stranger guy but she looks at Ted and sings Everything Is Going To Be Alright? But what about the thunder? Is the thunder Ted, because Beard is def silently communicating with his best friend about Rebecca, showing us that Beard thinks Ted needs to pay attention to Rebecca?

To a human on earth lightening seems to come first, then the thunder, because sound travels slower than light. So thunder is still coming…Ted? And you can’t have thunder without lightning? Thunder tells you how close the lightening is. If you don’t hear thunder the lightening is very far away. Why is the thunder missing? Because Ted is still so far away from Rebecca? All of this was so meticulous, don’t tell me the thunder part of the prediction didn’t mean anything? The psychic said Thunder and Lightening and every other thing happened explicitly.

BONUS: And then remember how Ted ends up at Rebecca’s house due to a gas leak the night of the day he told her he was leaving, which leads back to Rebecca’s OWN prediction when she enters the psychic’s office and smells a funny smell? (This happens with psychics, your own latent abilities can turn on.) Plus Ted’s gas leak/fart joke about Beard, and his previous adorable fart song? Heart bent in my apartment because all you left was your fart scent? Gas leak, fart scent, apartment, get it? These are SNL guys remember? Did they seriously make a heartbreak song also about farts? Anyway, Rebecca always thinks Ted is funny? And she is heart bent that he’s leaving? They both are?

And this is just the prediction stuff? NUMEROUS other romcom parallels, signs, clues, tropes, whatever you want to call them, that Ted and Rebecca were going to turn around and see each other ACTUALLY HAPPENED?

And when his mother comes she makes a comment that Ted was FATED to live in England and she fluffs up his apartment with pillows and whatever else to make it more like home. Kansas and BBQ sauce may have been his home but the biscuits he makes for Rebecca reminds her of home, and it’s implied that for Ted, making biscuits for Rebecca and bringing them to her everyday was making Rebecca his home in Richmond. Where do you want to go each day when you are sad and lost and figuring yourself out? Home. So he devises a way to give Rebecca her home feeling while creating a home for himself with her. And his mom seemed to think he belonged there? And she never told him to go back to Kansas, she just said his son misses him? And his son loved visiting, loved soccer, and “has it covered” with training the men while Ted is up in Rebecca’s office and there’s that CRAZY shot of their hands meeting, framed perfectly by the circle of her purse handles as he gives her the biscuits, but anyway back to his son, it’s implied that he has a significant sense of belonging in Richmond, too? And in the last episode Ted ends up in Rebecca’s HOME? Right after the tv announcer says “he should have stayed with Rebecca. Now that was a power couple”? (I know it’s about Rupert but I’m sorry that was about Ted.)

I just like don’t know why they had to do this. This was so unhinged of them. And to say they didn’t enthusiastically consider the ship? You did all this!

@dollsome-does-tumblr @roamwithahungryheart @pinkboxess

@kdbleu

No need to respond just tagging a few of y’all that I’ve seen on here recently

[klbwriting]

Adventures In Atlantean-Sitting

Chapter 5

Fandom: Aquaman

Pairing: Ormxfemale!Reader

Warnings: some violence

Summary: Orm and YN are cooped up after a metahuman attack, but when its finally safe YN takes Orm to the amusement park

Notes: 'Orm is a witch in the woods' forever

Orm’s attitude since the movie and diner date had improved immensely. He was still aggravated that he had to wear the bracelet, it itched, and he missed having his abilities, but YN wouldn’t budge. He could see now that trying to run had been a huge mistake and her trust was broken. He wasn’t sure he would ever earn it back and for some reason that irked him the most. The last few weeks they had been getting along great and he found that she was probably the best friend he had ever had. He didn’t realize that she felt the same way about him, but he hoped she did.

YN threw herself into showing Orm everything she could about the surface world. They went on hikes to lakes and wildflower fields where he asked her question after question about nature in the area. Turns out being alone for long amounts of time gives one all kinds of time to learn and YN was very knowledgeable. They would cook together, and she taught him how to bake, though those lessons normally ended with them covered in flour and noticing how much they liked the others’ laugh. And the movies, they went to the movie theater every weekend and watched different shows and movies every night on the couch. It was becoming a routine for them and Orm found he loved it. He was starting to wonder if that’s why he always used to be angry, maybe he, as YN liked to say, just wanted to be a witch who lives in the woods and gives out full size candy bars to the brave kids on Halloween. He had no idea what half of that statement meant, but he got the idea of it.

Another attack happened while Orm was there. They soon found out that it wasn’t Atlanteans, just run of the mill metahuman stuff, but YN still thought it was a good idea to stay inside for a couple weeks, make sure that Atlantis didn’t send anyone to poke around. They spent three weeks inside and by the end of it Orm was crawling up the walls. He didn’t like what the isolation was doing to YN either. Instead of doing things she normally did, she was hiding out with him because she was worried he would try to run again. Finally, he sat on the couch in the early afternoon and looked at her.

“We need to get out of here,” Orm said. YN looked at him from her place on the floor, reading. “You have read that book twice since we started this quarantine. No Atlanteans ever came looking for me, the city is rebuilding from the damage, it seems like a good time to get out and do something.” She put down the book and looked like she was in thought. “Let’s go to the movies.” Orm was trying very hard to get her to agree to go out, just for a little while.

“No, not the movies,” she said, rising. “Go get dressed, we’re doing something new, something I hope you’ll love.” Orm hopped up, not needing told again. They both went into the bedroom and Orm grabbed a shirt while YN grabbed some thinks from her closet. She turned to exit and Orm was already in his underwear, ready to throw on his new clothes. YN stared for a second. “You’ve been hiding all that.” Orm looked at himself.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing,” she said quickly, blushing as she headed to the bathroom to change. Orm smiled a little. They had been dancing around each other, flirting here and there, and it made his blood run a little faster knowing that she was attracted to him. He sighed. He had to face the fact sooner or later, at some point in time he had stopped thinking of YN as his babysitter, or even his friend, she was so much more than that. Maybe she felt the same way? After whatever activity they did today he would have to find out.

YN put her clothes on for what she planned with Orm and then she splashed some cold water on her face. Yes, Orm was hot, and yes, she was very interested in him beyond the fact that he was hot. Ever since he had arrived, she had been chipping away at his exterior and she loved what she found. If only he could feel the same way she did. But why would he? He was pretty much a step down from being a god, and she just a human, just his babysitter while he waited for Atlantis to forget about him. It was hopeless. She let out a breath and headed back to the living room. Orm was waiting and he smiled at her, and it made her heart flutter. Alright, maybe there was some hope.

Orm was staring. This place looked as bright and colorful as Atlantis, and he felt homesick for a moment. YN seemed to notice and frowned.

“Do you hate it?” she asked, clearly worried she had made a mistake bringing him to the amusement park on the pier. He slowly shook his head.

“No, its amazing, reminds me of my other home,” he said. YN’s heart nearly stopped.

“Your other home?” she asked. Atlantis was his home, what other home was there? It couldn’t be her little cottage. He looked down at her and smiled.

“Atlantis, this reminds of there, my home here is your place,” he said simply, as if it were the truest thing in the world. YN smiled back at him and took his head. “What do we do first?”

“Roller coaster let’s get that out of the way before we try to eat anything,” she said, pulling him in the direction of a large wooden track structure. As they got in line, he watched the cars going up and down the hills and he felt a little nervous.

“What is the point of this thing?” he asked, watching as someone got off the ride and immediately emptied their stomach in a trash can. YN pushed his face so he would stop watching and he wished she would touch him again like that, he loved it.

“It’s a thrill, for some people it’s the closest they get to flying,” she explained. They soon were on the ride and Orm was screaming and laughing as the coaster raced around the track. When it finished he wanted to go again, so they did. However, after the second time he started to feel dizzy and could understand why someone could get sick on that thing.

“That was amazing,” he said as they headed to ride something else. YN took him on everything, the swings, the pirate ship, the boat hide, the haunted house. It was nothing like he had experienced before and by the time they were getting funnel cakes to eat he was trying to figure out how to come back again the next day.

“I guess you like it here,” YN said as if reading his mind. He chuckled. “I hoped you would, I know its not easy being stuck with one person, or in one place, for a long time, I hope this whole thing hasn’t been too bad.” Orm shook his head.

“Honestly, this whole thing, the cottage, the movies, the rides, you, this has been the greatest thing to happen to me,” he said. YN eyes watered a little and he worried he had stepped too far, maybe she didn’t want him to think so highly of her.

“Thank you Orm, that is incredibly sweet,” she said. She moved around to his side of the table and kissed his cheek. He blushed and cleared his throat, putting an arm around her shoulders.

“How about we do one of those games. I see one with water guns, I have a feeling I could win you something,” he offered. She nodded and they threw their trash away, and picked up some other discarded trash as they went and headed to the games.

Orm was very successful with the water gun game. YN walked out of the park with a dolphin the size of her cottage pretty much, holding it under one arm while she held his hand. They walked down the beach, and she stopped him.

“Alright, here’s the best part,” she said, turning back to the park. Orm turned and frowned, wondering what she was talking about. Then he heard a boom and saw lights in the sky. It was amazing. “The fireworks,” she explained as a few more went off. She watched him as he watched the lights. Finally, he sensed her eyes on him, and he turned to her. He was suddenly pushed by some unknown force to kiss her. He leaned in just a little, but stopped, not sure she would want this. His eyes shifted to her lips and back to her eyes and she seemed to understand. She nodded. He didn’t need told again. His lips pressed to hers, his free hand wrapping around to hold her head as his tongue pushed at her lips. She opened them and he tasted her, and he knew he never wanted to taste anyone else again. This was the perfect moment and his heart had never felt so full. He was pissed when the explosion rocked the pier. He turned and before he could stop himself, he was running back towards the attack, YN following him.

[thenerdyfanwriter]

Just A Friend Part 1

Word Count: 1,118

Pairing: Lip Gallagher x GN!Reader, implied!Lip Gallagher x Mandy Milcovich

Synopsis: You find a text on Lip's phone from Mandy.

Warnings: Language, mentions of sex, illusions to cheating.

A/N: This was getting a little long so I decided to make it into two parts. The next part will be out in a few days.

Masterlist

___________________

Mandy. Fucking. Milkovich.

In the 3 years I’ve known Mandy, she was never very far from Lip when possible. Since Lip and I have started dating, it seems as though she’s gotten clingier and more touchy with him. I know in the past they used to hook up. Lip has told me many times that they are just friends. But with their history, it’s hard to fully trust them.

While at the Gallagher house, I was laying in Lips room while he took a shower. I heard Lips phone go off once. Then twice. And it kept ringing non stop.

Worried it might be Fiona or one of the kids, I checked the phone. Right as I did a new message came through. 

I had fun last night. We should do it again sometime. Call me back. - Mandy

Of course it was Mandy. I sat back down on Lips bed staring at the phone. I thought about last night. We were supposed to go hang out under the El. Lip bailed on me, saying he had to study for an exam.

I set his phone down and grabbed my stuff. I should have trusted my gut from the beginning about him and Mandy. While trying to hold back tears, I ran down the steps just as Ian was coming home. As I ran past him, he tried to stop me but I ignored him.

Once I was a few streets over from the Gallagher house, I stopped. My phone had been ringing since I was down the street from Lips house. When I pulled it out I could barely make out what was on it, so I put it back in my pocket and started to walk home.

When I got home, I went to my room and laid down in bed. I couldn’t stop the tears from falling anymore. I heard my phone ring again and decided to answer it.

“Hello?” I heard Lip ask. “Hey, y/n, are you there?”

“Stop calling me Lip.” I replied. My throat was starting to hurt and I was getting tired. I could hear Lip on the other side of the phone rambling on about something, but I didn’t have the energy to listen. I hung up on him without warning and shut my phone off.

I got up to change then laid back down under my blanket. Soon after, I fell asleep.

Lips POV

I keep calling them. I don’t understand why they left like that. I heard Ian yelling for them when I was in the shower. I thought something happened to them so I ran out looking for them.

“Where’s y/n?” I asked Ian frantically.

Ian turned to me with an angry look on his face. “They ran out the door crying Lip. What did you do?”

I was confused. When I went to take my shower, everything was fine. They were sitting in my bed on their phone when I left.

“I didn’t do anything. Why are you blaming me for this?” I yelled at him. I ran back up to my room and got changed. I noticed my phone wasn’t where I had left it. I walked over to my bed where it was laying and grabbed it. The first message I saw was from Mandy.

That's all I had to know about what happened. I sat on my bed and started calling y/n. It kept going straight to voicemail. After about a half hour of calling them, they finally answered.

“Hello? Hey, y/n are you there?” I asked in a frantic voice. I could tell they had been crying. Their voice was hoarse and sounded distant.

I heard them quietly whisper, “ Stop calling me Lip.” My heart felt heavy when they said that.

“I know you saw the text from Mandy. I don’t know why she sent that.” I could hear them trying to keep from crying on the other side of the phone. I knew they weren’t listening to me. I heard the phone click and I looked at it in confusion.

Did they hang up on me? I tried calling again but the calls were going to voicemail. I finished getting dressed and started walking to their house.

Before I got out the door, Ian stopped me. “Are you running off to meet that skank?” Ian commented angrily.

“What are you talking about Ian?” I asked, getting angry at what he insinuated. The only person he called a skank was Mandy. He never really liked Mandy, and when y/n and I started dating he was glad I stopped seeing Mandy.

He turned around to face me from his position on the couch, “You’re going to see Mandy, aren’t you? Your s/o left without fucking you, so you’re going to fuck Mandy instead.” Ian was getting angrier by the second. 

“I’m going to see y/n. They left without warning and aren’t answering their phone. I’m worried.”  I turned to him, getting angry that he would think I’m seeing Mandy again.

Ian turned back around, facing the tv. “Y/n saw the message from Mandy on your phone Lip. They know you ditched them last night for Mandy.”

Y/n thought I was seeing Mandy behind their back. That’s why they left.

I started running to their house. I need them to know why I really ditched them last night. It breaks my heart that they would think I would cheat on them. 

When I reached their house I started banging on the door. All the lights were off and their parents' car was gone. I went to the back of the house to where their window was. Their light was off.

Maybe they weren’t home. I started yelling for them to see if they were up in their room. After an hour of trying, I decided to give up and try tomorrow.

Your pov

I can hear Lip yelling outside. It woke me up. I don’t understand why he’s here and not with Mandy. 

I grab my phone and turn it on. I see a bunch of missed calls from Lip and a text from Ian. I read the text from Ian.

I hope you know I’m here if you need anything. I don’t know why Lip would choose Mandy over you. - Ian

Tears formed in my eyes again. I can’t hear Lip anymore, he must have gone home. I get up and go to the bathroom to take a shower. Tomorrow is a school day which means I’ll have to see Lip and Mandy.

Once I’m done with my shower I dry my hair and go back to sleep. Hopefully tomorrow will be better than today.

[writingintheshadowsforever]

Yelena Belova x Reader Steal Your Heart Part 9

Summary: Yelena struggles to process her growing feelings for you while trying a way to avoid betraying you in the future.

Three days.

Its been three days since Yelena untangled herself from your body to crawl out of bed, and disappear into the night. Her phone started buzzing the next morning around eight. She already knew without a doubt it was you asking about her whereabouts. You probably assumed she slipped out to go get breakfast or something. But after an hour went by without her replying your texts were more frequent, and grew a bit more urgent.

She should've saw it coming after all it was the morning after the two of you had just confessed your love for each other. The night before after she rescued you from getting captured, and helped you complete one of the most important jobs in your career as a thief. Of course you weren't just going to let her slip away so easily.

The last thing Yelena wanted to do was up and leave you in the dark. But not too long after the two of you fell asleep in each other's arms. The blonde assassin was ripped from her peaceful slumber in a cold sweat, and a number of emotions swirling around in her heart to the point. Where it overwhelmed her so much Yelena felt like she was being suffocated by them. Being next to you brought her no comfort as she was pretty sure. You were the very thing causing the hurricane going inside of her.

So she did the only thing that came to mind. Yelena ran not even stopping one second to think about. How bad it would make her look in your eyes. Would you assume she went back to report to Valentina? While you might've let yourself fall her no doubt her connection with the woman made you proceed with caution.

Yelena planned to resolve these conflicting feelings in a matter of one day, but one turned into three and now she felt like she had dug herself into a hole. That would be impossible to get out of alone, and with limited options of people to turn too. She went to the only other person in New York City. Who she knew she could trust and might be able to help her.

Kate Bishop.

"So you're in love with her" Kate said repeating the very last words of the story. Yelena had spent the past two hours telling her over breakfast. She just needed to confirm she had really heard those words leave the blonde's mouth.

Yelena nodded sticking a forkful of waffles in her mouth.

"This is great."

"This is horrible."

Both statements were made at the same time, and the two friends stared each other down afterwards. Kate spoke up first "how is this a bad thing Yelena."

"I've never been in a real relationship before Kate, and the first time I find myself in love with someone. She's a target I've been hired to gain information on."

"Okay so this is confusing and I'll help you figure it out. How about that?" Kate suggested.

"There's nothing confusing about it I'm never going to see her again. Problem solved" Yelena said taking another massive bite of her food.

Kate closed her eyes and exhaled a deep breath. Keep your cool and stay patience she reminded herself. Kate knew this was going to be a rollercoaster the second Yelena broke into her apartment three days ago crying about her future broken heart. The assassin had already made up her mind about how all of this was going to end. She was just looking for someone to tell her she was doing the right thing.

"Do you really think y/n is just going to let you disappear from her life? Kate challenged her plan.

Yelena shrugged. "I don't see how she's going to stop me."

"Well from what you told me the girl is one hell of a tracker if you continue to ghost her. Then she'll probably put those skills to good use again to find you."

Her munching on the mac and cheese slowed down as Yelena went into deep thought about her plan. You were an infamous thief and she got to see your work first hand. When the two of went head to head with each other twice. And she was impressed considering she had never seen nor did she think. It was possible for someone to get the drop on Valentina the way you did. No doubt if you wanted to you could turn those skills around on her. If you needed to, but on the other hand Yelena trusted her abilities as a master spy. As long as she didn't leave behind any bread crumbs for you to follow. It would might be difficult, but not impossible to disappear without being able to follow her trail. She could leave behind false clues to lead you astray if need be.

The only card you could play that might work a hundred precent without fail is going to Valentina for info. On her whereabouts the woman would sell out. In a blink of an eye to get you under her thumb, but you wouldn't go that far for her would you? Your freedom was everything to you, and you were so close to your big endgame plan.

Yelena turned the scenario around onto herself coming to the realization. The main reason she chose to distant herself from you for these past couple of days was, because she wanted time to figure a way out of this mission. Before you shared something sacred with her, and she'd be forced to betray you. She chose to come to Kate for advice, over going straight to Valentina to cancel the mission.

Because deep down she knew Valentina wasn't going to make it easy by a long-shot, and Yelena didn't like to think about what she would do. When the powerful woman turned her request down, or worse decided to just send someone else after you. She'd break them in half without thinking about it. Yelena was at the point where she would do anything for you.

Have you fallen this hard for her to?

"I hate to say it but I think you're right." Yelena murmured swallowing the food in her mouth afterwards. She shoved the plate with a small portion of food left away, and proceeded to drop her head onto the table. The action resulted in harsh bang making Kate wince. The blonde seemed unfazed.

"Yelena come on at least you already she feels the same about you. The hard part is over with everything else that happens now is going to be easy." Kate said trying to reassure her friend.

"Don't lie to me I know enough about relationships to know none of them are easy. They're as fragile as glass very easy to break you mean? Yelena shot back not lifting her head from the table.

Kate chose her next words carefully. "Relationships require a lot of work and attention yes, but they're only as hard as you make them. You're making this so much more complicated than it needs to be."

"You don't get it" Yelena whined.

"Then explain it."

"She was just supposed to be a mission nothing more. I wasn't supposed to fall in love with her now I'm screwed when she finds out" Yelena blurted out jumping out of her seat to wonder over to the sink to stare out of the windows. Her eyes glaring into the early morning sky as the sun just began to rise.

Kate's response didn't come fast this time as she contemplated the truth bomb Yelena just dropped on her. She now understood why the blonde ran away from her feelings. "What kind of mission?" she asked trying to gauge the situation.

"Valentina wanted me to get closer to her and make her trust me, so she'd let her guard down enough to maybe tell me all her secrets. Give me something that could be used as leverage against her, so Val could force her to join her ranks." Yelena felt more disgusted with herself as she recounted her duties. She never should've agreed to this. It made her remember the reason why she promised herself she was done with seducing and manipulating after the Red Room was taken down. It never felt good inside instead it made her like more than a crappy person.

"Wait Valentina as in the woman who hired you to kill Clint two years ago?" Kate asked with a frown.

Yelena cursed under her breath as the tone in the archer's voice gave away. She wasn't truly asking but looking for confirmation. "Yes."

"You told me you were done with her Yelena. She lied to you about Clint, and caused you to nearly kill your sister's best friend." Kate exclaimed standing up to throw an accusatory finger at the blonde.

Yelena turned around to face her fuming best friend with nonchalant attitude. "I lied sorry Katie but I knew you would freak, and get all in your feelings about me still working for her. As for the Clint situation we had a nice long chat about the incident." She shrugged her shoulders when Kate raised a suspicious eyebrow at her claim. "She knows not to do it again."

"Then why not just back out of this mission? Has she paid you already?"

Valentina had wanted to send her payment at the start of this mission, and not just because Yelena was just that good. She suspected the payment was going to be a way to seal the deal permanently. Just in case Yelena woke up with a conscious one day and wanted out. So she turned the money down.

"No but if I back out she'll just send someone else to recruit y/n." Yelena said not revealing her true fears. The next person Valentina sent might not be as nice or patient as her. And she already had one falling out with the woman over the Clint situation. The nice long chat was more like Yelena putting over a dozen agents in the hospital. In her haste to get to the dark-haired woman while she was hosting a quite important meeting. None of that mattered to Yelena as she barged in making a beeline for Valentina to shove her down onto the table. Once reaching her and putting a blade to her throat to drive her point home. She wouldn't be played or toyed with anymore.

If it came down to you she might finish the job this time especially to keep you from finding out the truth. Anything to hide her lies.

"You need to come clean with her then" Kate said.

"What? You're joking right?"

Kate shook her head crossing her arms over her chest, and fixed Yelena with a hard stare. "If you can't back out this mission then the truth is going to come out either way. You need it to be on your terms, so you can explain."

The image of you standing a few feet away bristling with a newfound hatred for her, and betrayal in your eyes flashed in her mind. No amount of explaining would get through to you. The trust and bond built between the two of you would crumble just like that.

"She'd hate me" Yelena insisted.

"That's a risk you need to take Yelena because it's the only way. The truth will set you free you know."

A Few Hours Later

After spending another hour or so going back and forth with Kate, because the archer continued to stand her ground. On the truth being the only choice to get out of this mess.

"I'll lose her" Yelena argued.

"Well if she finds out you're lying you'll lose her anyway. Take the chance and be honest with her. You never know she might surprise you."

Kate left her to marinate on those words and Yelena decided it was time for her to return. Before you got too worried or suspicious leading to you taking upon yourself to search for her. She found you grabbing coffee and donuts at your favorite bakery that surprisingly wasn't a Starbucks. You told her the famous coffee chain was overrated and not worth the money. Before introducing her to this one smaller and less known place. She fell in love with it.

"I hope one of those are for me" Yelena said to get your attention.

You were exiting the bakery with a steaming hot cup of mocha in one hand, and a large white bag filled with donuts in the other. A glazed donut stuffed into your mouth your head swiveled in the direction of the familiar voice. There she was your maybe girlfriend Yelena Belova leaning up against the wall dressed in more casual clothes than her usual stylish ones.

"Yelena you're back" You tried to say but your voice was muffled considering the donut.

"Don't talk with your mouth full" she chastised you with a playful grin. Pushing off the wall to walk over and plant a kiss on your forehead. Her hand reaching in the bag and her eyes lit up with glee when she pulled out a chocolate icing donut with sprinkles. Her favorite even when she wasn't around. You still thought about her.

"I always get two just in case" You told now that the donut was devoured. "Come on I know a place we can talk."

It wasn't up for discussion no matter which way she spun it. Yelena had disappeared for days without giving you any type of heads-up. When you left for your mission you gave her a courtesy heads up. She owed you answers.

The spot came to no surprise to her. The same rooftop where the two of you spent the night talking and watching the sun come up. As you waited for the heat to die down after the museum robbery. "No one ever comes up here" You told her digging a blanket out of nowhere.

The two of you settled on it with the bag of donuts, and you didn't even bother to protest when she helped herself to your drink. It was a jumbo size another reason you loved the smaller bakery.

"So I guess I freaked you out huh? Yelena mused knowing you weren't going to tiptoe around the elephant in the room forever.

You nodded. "At first I figured Valentina sent you on a mission or something considering. You're still employed to her and everything." Your voice dropping low with a hint of anger in it when her name left your mouth. You clocked the way Yelena looked away in shame or guilt. It was hard to tell but you figured it stemmed from the fact that. At one point she was trying to get you join up with the woman against your will.

You decided to brush it off since that was the past, and none of it mattered anymore. "But then I realized if that was the case you would've left a note explaining, or at least texted me back you know. Then I figured you needed time and space to process us." You wagged a finger between the two of you.

You were spot on but part of her wished your mind was capable of digging so much deeper to unveil all her dirty secrets. To spare her having to tell them to you out of her own mouth.

"This is new to me and when I woke up that night with you in my arms. It was so different than all those other times I looked at you, and it was like I was really seeing you for the first time. My emotions were everywhere. It was just too much so I ran" Yelena explained drawing figures in the blanket with her finger. Eyes refusing to make contact with yours.

"Oh Yel" You whispered scooting over so your shoulder bumped into hers. That was all you did letting her choose rather or not to initiate any other physical touch. "I knew this was going to be a challenge from day one. I'm okay with that you're worth it I'd risk it all to be with you."

Her head snapped towards your so fast her eyes glistening with tears. She didn't realize it till they started to spill out. "I've never had a real relationship before. Any resemblance to a real relationship I've been in my life was a lie. This the first time I've had a real one, and I'm afraid of screwing it up."

You chuckled throwing your head back with a grin. She frowned but it morphed into a smile when your forehead pushed up against hers. "I'm not expert at this either I just know what I want, and I'm willing to take the time to figure this out. Even if it means taking things slow till we're both comfortable."

"You're really okay with that" Yelena questioned in disbelief.

"Yes I'm all in flaws and all you're stuck with me now Belova. Once I let someone in that's it." You replied bumping your nose into hers.

Tell her the truth. Tell her right now. Its now or never.

In the end instead of following Kate's advice Yelena did the complete opposite. As you were pulling back a hand caught you by the chin. Her grip was firm but gentle and she brought your face back to hers guiding your lips to meet hers in slow and passionate kiss. You followed her pace letting her lead how far this would go. One of your hands cradling the side of her face.

Yelena let herself get lost in the feeling of your lips moving in sync with hers, basking in all the emotions. That came flaring up inside her but the difference this time was she had no intention on running. She was now sure of the lengths you'd go to for her, and wanted to enjoy while it lasted. The truth can wait a little bit longer.

Two Days Later

"I know you're not a fan of my profession, but I'm not going to college." Yelena said leaning back into the car.

You let out a burst of laughter and her lips quirked upward, but she resisted the urge to smile. "I'm a professional thief Yelena I have no room to judge your how you make your living. A dishonest has gotten both of us farther in life than a honest one would've. I just don't like your employer.

"Then why are we here?" She gestured to the college right across the street from where you had her parked.

"I brought you here to meet someone." You revealed pausing when the double doors were pushed open, and a bunch of college students came pouring out. Your eyes scanned the crowd for one familiar face in particular.

A wave of nervousness washed over Yelena as her bright green eyes followed your line of sight once it honed on the target . A warm smile forming on your face as you relaxed. It was a boy slightly younger than both of you around Kate's age. She focused on his features looking for the telltale signs to confirm her suspicions. But you beat her to the punch.

"He's my baby brother."

Tag List: @danveration @yelenabelovasgf @xxromanoffxx @emril-osvigne @be-missed @natashasilverfox @yelena-beloved @xxxtwilightaxelxxx @catswag22 @here4thegayships @jeyramarie @wh0reforwanda @supercorpdanbeau @chloe7076 @ohmy-godyes @lizlil @musicinourlips

[scarletwinterxx]

take a chance with me - mark lee imagine

hi🥺😊 it's been a while since i wrote something this long, I wanted to take my time and do my best. I hope you like it.🤍

if you have a request or scenario you want me to do, just send me a message I'll see what I can do😊💌

For my other works you can check them out here, and for my other story series’ you can check them out here.

and if you want, u can buy me coffee(totally optional but any donation is very much appreciated!) thank you🥺💛

song inspo: take a chance with me by niki

All works are copyrighted ©scarletwinterxx 2023 . Do not repost, re-write without the permission of author.

(gif not mine, credits to rightful owner)

"You got the Bruno Mars tickets?"

Mark looks up to see you looking a bit disheveled, still panting from running he assumes.

She still looks cute. Says his internal monologue but he quickly shuts that down, putting this tough shell back on in front of you instead.

"Yeah why?" he asks nonchalantly

You hold 1 finger up, signalling for him to wait while you catch your breath.

"Who are you going with?"

"Dery, supposedly but he got tickets too so now I'm not sure" he answers, his attention back on his laptop screen. There are so many things he should be doing right now to the point that he feels like the 24 hours of his day isn't enough and yet he can't seem to shoo you away.

He'll spare you a minute, an hour, or how long you ask him but you don't know that. And he won't say that out loud now that the two of you have broken up. His clock stops when he's with you.

Mark wants to scold himself for always giving into you, but he can't help it. It's you.

"Take me" you say straightforward, no sense of hesitation.

This made Mark look up at you again, raising a brow as he asks you "Now why would I do that?"

"Because we're friends?" throwing a question back at him

"God don't say that, it's weird" he mumbles, acting as if he was shaking of chills as you say the word friends

"You're the one who said we should be friends, this is me being a friend"

"This is you trying to piggyback on me to watch Bruno Mars"

"See, you still know me so well. Now why did we even break up?" you joke, but it wasn't well received on the other end so you cleared your throat "Right sorry, sore topic" you mumble

"I'll think about it" Mark tells you before his gaze returns on his screen

You smile down at him even though he's not looking at you. "In your book, that's a yes. Call me, bye" you tell him before walking away.

After that encounter with you, Mark of course couldn't keep his mouth shut and told his friend about it. He can already hear Hendery scolding him for being a 'simp'.

"Tell me you didn't say yes that fast" Hendery asks his bestfriend but he already knows the answer

"Mark, dude I thought we're working on the whole 'I'm moving on for real this time' era of yours"

"I am, I am over it. She's just going with me because I have extra tickets, which by the way was supposed to be yours. I paid a good amount for those" he scowls at the other boy

"And you didn't even think twice about giving it away to her, we could've sold that or something. Just say you're still whipped and go. What's the point of me lecturing you everytime about your failed love live if you're never gonna listen"

"I can't fail my love life if I don't have a love life" the Leo man justifies

"Okay you got a point there, so here's my proposal. We should find you a new girl so you can finally finally stop being such a simp"

Mark swears he trusts Hendery with his life, but also a big part of him doubts his Libra bestfriend even when he's staying still and doing nothing.

"I'm not a simp" Mark grumbles like a child. He can hear Hendery snicker from beside him,

"Sorry what was that? I can't hear bullshit. Get back to me when you finally mean it"

He really hoped Hendery was kidding when he said he'll find him someone, he had so many reason why this isn't a good time to date but he can't stop him once he sets his mind on something. Especially if it meant it'll give Mark a headache, which in that case is Hendery's forte.

But if there's someone topping that list, the number one person to make Mark's temporal pulse go thumping hard. It would be you. And you know exactly know to get on his last nerve whether he likes it or not.

"I can't believe you got floor tickets, and Dery passed this up?" you say from beside him as you look around the venue. It's the day of the concert and just like you said, you showed up in front of his doorstep 10 hours earlier with the most excited look on your face.

"He's somewhere over there, said he prefers it so yea" he answers, looking at his watch to check the time. His nonchalance making you look over at your ex-boyfriend slash friend.

"Why are you grumpy? Does it really bother you I'm here? I can pay for the tickets" you tell him.

Mark looks over at you, noting your serious expression. He didn't want to ruin tonight for you, for the both of you so he shakes his head.

"No, I'm fine. Don't worry about it. I invited you"

"I invited myself, I'll send you the payment after the show" you tell him then look away.

Great, now you're in a bad mood and he has to figure out how to fix it. He lets out a sigh, looking away from you. The ticket is not really the issue tonight, neither you being here tonight. It's his mind being at war again, asking him questions he have long buried in the depths of his consciousness.

It's like you press the reset button in him every time. He hates it but he can't walk away from you either. So as a result, he sometimes acts too harsh towards you.

Mark thinks of something to break the tension,

"Hey, remember when I said I wanted to watch Bruno Mars with you" Mark tells you, slightly leaning towards you to whisper by your ear

You do remember. Back when you were still dating he did say he wanted to go attend concerts with you, when he learned yours and his favorite artist was the same he got so excited and put it on his bucket list to watch Bruno Mars with you.

"Huh?" you mumbled, pretending like you were having a hard time recalling that memory but really it's still fresh like it happened just yesterday

"My bucket list, said I wanted to watch Bruno with you. Guess I can check it off from that now" he smiles

"Does it still count even when we're not dating anymore?" you can't help but ask, you expected him to react violently like he always does when you bring it up but instead he just smiles at you again

"It counts as long as it's with you" he answers then he looks away. Not catching the way your gaze stayed on him for a few more moments, in those moments you wondered what if that wasn't the case.

What if you never broke up. What if he was still yours.

A lot of what ifs you'll never know the answer to.

Instead of linger on that, you just look away from him. Ignoring the dull ache in your heart.

That night turned out for the better, probably a night you'll never forget. You had so much fun, singing and jumping along your favorite songs. There were times when you looked beside you to see Mark doing the same. Seeing the biggest smile on his face as he holds his phone up to capture the moment.

Instead of saying anything, you just watch him with a smile. Missing seeing him this happy and carefree.

After the show, Mark offered to drive you home. You were too tired to say no so you just sat on his passenger seat as he drives down the familiar street. He didn't need to check his GPS to know, he know these roads like it's the way to his own home.

In a way it used to be like that, you used to be his home.

He didn't say much when he dropped you off, watching you enter your building and only driving away when he's sure you safe inside.

"Mark, my friend"

"No" Mark cuts off Hendery before he could even say anything but of course his bestfriend didn't take any offence nor thought about listening to him, he continued when Mark didn't say anything else

"As I was saying, remember when I said I'll find you someone. Well I kinda did, a bunch of us is going hiking this weekend and this girl Arin is coming. Heard she's had a thing for you for a while now"

"How can she have a thing for me when she doesn't know me?" he mumbles, already getting grumpy with the idea of going out

"I can't explain the way of the universe to you my friend, she just does. Don't make me say you're one handsome man because I won't" Hendery says

"You just did though"

"So you're coming right?" Hendery asks with a devilosh smile like he's already plotting something

"Do I have a choice?"

"Hey don't look at me like that, it was your choice coming here" Haechan tells you as you let him drag you trough the woods at 5am in the morning

"You told me we were going to get coffee at this place with killer view. I'm about to be the killer here and you're in my view" you tell him, sending glares his way but this doesn't deter your friend.

"We are getting coffee, after we go hiking. Hey! No hitting!"

As the two of you bicker some more you don't notice the other people joining you for today's hike arrive.

From across the lot, Mark spots you and Haechan. Just as he looks over, he sees Haechan bend down to whisper something to you and you hitting him lightly making the guy laugh.

It’s been a while since he last saw you, after the concert you really didn't reach out that much. Not that he expected you to, the last text you sent him was a short thank you for taking you to the concert.

You weren't avoiding him, it's been a while since you went out with a big group of friends since you and Mark did share a lot of mutual friends. You didn't want to make it awkward for everyone, so instead you mostly declined the invites when you know he might come too.

And Mark, well he’s been keeping his distance from you too. It's always you who talks to him first, always letting you make the first step.

He knew you were close to Haechan. If he’s being honest there were enough times he felt jealous even.  He pushes that thought away as fast as it came. He didn't know you were coming this weekend, a detail Hendery failed to mention.

"Hey don't freak out, but your ex is here" Haechan tells you

Whipping your head around then back at him, waiting for him to say it was a joke

"No he isn't"

"Yep, he's over there. Wait don't look"

Too late you're already looking. And there he was indeed. Luckily Mark was too busy unloading stuff from the car to notice you looking over at him

“If only your gaze could make him notice you, he’d probably be here already having an actual conversation with you” Haechan whispers to you

“You know not every thought that pops into your head should be said outloud, you can just shut it” you answer, taking your gaze off from the guy from across the lot.

“It wouldn’t be too bad to admit you miss him, when it’s this obvious”

“Again, thoughts to your self. I don’t need you whispering in my ear like a little devil” this time it earned him a hit on the shoulder. From across the lot, Mark’s eyes glaze towards the direction where you were standing with your friend. 

“He’s looking over here, by the way” Haechan tells you when his eyes met with Mark’s, the other guy quickly averting his gaze somewhere else. 

“Shut up”

"He was, and I'm pretty sure he had the look of murder on his face when he saw me leaning a little to close to you"

"I have the look of murder whenever I look at you, now can I get a drink in peace without you breathing down my neck" you grumbled, rethinking all the choices you made which led you here. You should've been anywhere but here.

Anywhere except where Mark is. You thought.

"He's coming, act cool. Hey guys!"

You glare at Haechan one last time before looking to see Hendery, Mark, Yoo Jimin, Arin and Yeonjun.

"You guys got here early?" Hendery asks

"No, we just got here too. Ready to go?"

Everyone said yes then you were off.

You try to focus on not tripping and not think about Mark, which you kind of succeeded. The group made small talk among each other, of course with Haechan and Hendery there aren't any dead air.

When you got to the trickier part of the hike, the trail was steep and kinda hard to climb up. Some of the boys offered to go up first to assist while the others stay behind to make sure no one get's left behind.

Hendery and Haechan took the lead while Mark and Yeonjun stayed behind. You were standing behind Jimin and infront of Yeonjun, taking careful steps.

"Haechan Lee, when we get to the top I'm going to push you off" you tell your friend who was laughing from somewhere infront

"I thought this was easy, not gonna lie I'm gonna pass out soon" Jimin says

"Same" you mumble, resting your hand on your knee to catch your breath

"Hey you okay? Need help with your bag?" Yeonjun asks you, Mark who is standing at the very back listens to the conversation.

"No, it's okay" you politely decline

"You sure?" nodding at him, "Jimin, do you need help with yours?" Yeonjun asks the girl to which she answers with a loud yes and quickly passing her bag to him.

You let Yeonjun walk infront of you, leaving you and Mark at the very back of the line. Mark takes a water bottle from his bag, opens it before passing it over to you. You didn't even think twice about grabbing it, not really paying attention to who's beside you. Kind of forgetting if for a moment before you stood straight again to meet Mark's eyes looking at you.

"Uh thanks" you say holding up the bottle of water

"No problem, need help with your bag?" he asks, he did hear you already say no to Yeonjun but he can't help bu ask

"It's fine, you're already carrying yours" you tell him, shooting him a quick smile before resuming your walk. But before you can take another step, you felt him grab your wrist to pull you back.

"Wha-" then he was pulling one strap of your backpack then the other before putting it on him. Now he's carrying his backpack and yours.

"Mark, come on I can carry that" you try to get it back but he blocks your hands with his arm. Gently pushing you infront of him.

"I'll give it back when you don't look like you're about to pass out, now go. We're falling behind" he tells you, and when he gets this serious you have no choice but to follow him.

For the rest of the hike, you and Mark walk in silence. Passing the water bottle back to him every once and a while, not even noticing you're practically sharing it with him. And when there was a branch too big on your way, you felt his hands on your waist. Guiding you from behind.

"Careful" he mumbles

Too stunned to say anything, you make your way over. Haechan was there waiting for you. He helps you up with this sly smirk on his face, you send a glare to him. Already reading his mind and what's he's about to ask you later.

"And we're here! Look at that view" Hendery announces.

For a moment, all seven of you just admire the view.

"Okay, tell me I did good" Haechan bumps your shoulder, you roll your eyes

"Fine, this was worth all of that" you mumble while the guy beside you throw his fist in the air like he just won a very important arguement.

All of you find spots to sit and get comfortable while eating the snacks you brought and drink the coffee brought by Arin apparently.

"I'm working at the cafe near campus so I kinda picked up a few tricks here and there, taste it. Hope it tastes okay" she tells the group.

Passing the thermos around, you take a cup and wait for your turn. Haechan pours some on your cup for you, and even got you your favorite pastry which honestly might be the highlight of your week.

Meanwhile, Mark was not so subtly watching from the side as you smile at the other guy. Even saw you bump your head on Haechan's shoulder affectionately, probably since you can't give him high five with your hands fill. It's something he knows you do when you get all happy and excited. The coffee tasted okay but something else left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"We should go here again, it's nice to just be out of the city" Yeonjun says

"True, I was dying back there but I'd do it again for this" Jimin says with a smile, all of you looking out the view. Watching as the sun slowly ascend up the sky.

The seven of you spent a few more hours there, just talking and sharing stories then it was time to go. The hike back was much easier and faster since you kinda know where to go.

Saying goodbye to the group when you got back to the parking lot. You help Haechan put your bags in the trunk.

"Hey uhm I was wondering if you want to grab coffee sometime" you're not sure who was speaking so you look behind you only to see Arin standing beside Mark.

For a moment, Mark meets your eyes but you quickly looked away and made your way inside Haechan's car. You'd rather not hear the rest of that conversation, saving your self from the misery.

Haechan looks over at you with confusion, then behind him to see what you saw. And when he saw Mark looking where you were, he understood. He closed the trunk making Arin and Mark look at him, "We'll go now, see you around guys" he shoots them a smile and a wave before jogging over the driver's side.

"You good?" he asks you when he got in the car

"I think so"

"I'm not gonna make fun of you if you say no" he tells you which kind of did make you laugh.

"Just tired, and you still owe me coffee"

"Fine, I'll get you some. Only because you're sulking right now"

You wanted to say he was wrong and that you weren't sulking but that would be not true.

Not sure either why you suddenly feel so down. You and Mark have broken up for over a year and in no place to feel jealous if he decides to date again. And at the end of the day it was yo who broke up him.

Deciding to treat yourself, you walked around the neighborhood to buy some snacks and your favorite ice cream.

Mark just drove Arin home after going out to grab dinner together, they had a good talk. He's not as naïve as Hendery thinks, he can definitely see why he said Arin might like him. But Mark of course being the gentleman that he is, let her down in the most gentle way he could.

"It's just, I'm not really looking for a relationship right now" he tells her

"I understand that, I can wait" she smiles at him, a look of determination on her face. "I've been meaning to say hi to you and introduce myself to you for a while now. And now that I have met you, I really can't promise I that I can stop liking you"

He chuckles at that, "Thanks, I guess. It's for you to decide, all I'm saying is that I might not reciprocate your feelings for me. Sorry"

"What are you sorry for? We still have time, you can atleast give that to me right" Arin asks

In his mind he already said no. He just smiles though.

After he got home, he still couldn't sleep because for some reason he can't keep you off his mind.

Thinking what if it was you in his place, did you ever have someone ask you out. Is there someone else now. Was it Haechan? Yeonjun?

Too lost in his thoughts, he spots a convenient store nearby and decided to buy an ice cream. Just when he step out of the store, he spots someone sitting outside by the benches.

He'd recognize that jacket anywhere because he was the one who bought it. You've always had a love for all things cozy and fluffy. The teddy bear like jacket was a gift from him last Christmas, he can still remember the smile you had on when he gave it to you.

"What are you doing out here?" he asks you, catching you by surprise. He then takes the seat across from you

"Had a bad day, thought the ice cream would make me feel better. You, why are you here?" you ask back, not expecting to meet him here of all places

"Had a lot to think about, thought the ice cream would help" he answers, "Want to talk about it?" Mark asks before he could even think about it. Normally he would stop himself from prying into your business, respecting the boundaries the two of you have now.

Shaking your head in reply, he understood you won't say anything after that

"I can't tell you because it won't be fair" you mumbled

"Why won't it be fair?"

"Because you're my ex" you tell him, it flew right out of your mouth before you stop and think about it. Looking up at Mark to see him looking at you already,

"Don't worry about it, don't worry about me I'll be fine" you mumble with a small smile. Trying to make it better somehow.

"Why do you do that?" he asks

"What?"

"Run. You always run away from me when I get even a step too close. Even when we were together, you always to that. You always had this wall around you that even I couldn't go around, did you not trust me?" for such an intense gaze, he asked that question so calmly. Like his eyes were saying one thing and his lips were saying another.

"I don't trust myself. Every time something good happens to me, I always ruin it. Every time I think I'm the happiest, I get this overwhelming fear that something will take it away from me. I'm messed up, I know that and you're the last person I want to dump all that mess on" you answer.

For the first time since the break up you finally talk about it. Flashbacks of that night replaying in your head. Remembering how he asked you why multiple times and not being able to give him the answer

"Do you think it could've worked if only I held on to you tighter or would you have hated if I did?" he asks

"Probably, but we won't know. I'd rather keep our memories in a good way than regret it"

"Do you hate me?

He waits.

One second.

Two seconds.

His clock stops once again because of you.

Then he hears you speak,

"Never"

You smile at him warmly, just like you used to. "I know it's hard to understand and accept what I did. I didn't want to drag you down with me, I have bad days and even worse days. Back then it felt like you were the only good thing in my life, I was scared that one day I wasn't going to have that"

"So you walked away before anything bad happens?" he continues for you, "I get that, when things get to much the first thing you can think of is to run. It's natural to have a fight or flight response"

"Don't get to academic with me" you mumble, making the guy across from you chuckle before turning serious again

"No really, boyfriend or not you can still talk to me. If it gets too much, you don't have to run all the time. I'll stay right here, I won't go anywhere so when you need someone you can come to me. Run to me, instead than run away from me"

Mark has always had a way with words, this time instead of running away again you listen to him. Sharing a smile.

"I'll walk you home"

"What time is your last class?" Mark asks you over the phone, after that talk you had the two of you have been hanging out more. Taking his promise of being your friend seriously. Now, there isn't a day when you don't talk to each other.

"My last class is over, I'm here at the library. Why?"

"Do you have an umbrella?"

"Why would I need-" just then a loud thunder resonates outside, feeling the rumble of it from inside the library. You then remember the umbrella you left in your room this morning thinking you weren't going to need it.

"I'm outside" he says then hangs up. Quickly you fix your things and made your way outside the library and sure enough Mark's there waiting for you.

It's only a matter of time before the butterflies in your stomach takes over, and this warm feeling in your chest burst out but for now you choose to ignore it. Choosing not to risk this second chance with him.

"What are you doing here?" you ask him even though you've been waiting to see him the whole day.

"What do you think, I'm walking you home" he tells you like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"You have one umbrella, we're not gonna fit there"

"We'll make due, now come on. I'll make us rament later" he says as he pulls your bag from your grasp and sling it on his shoulder. He then takes his hand that wasn't holding the umbrella to hold yours, tugging you right beside him as the two of you make your way outside.

The two of you underestimated the rain and the size of his umbrella because by the time you arrive at your apartment, only the top of your heads weren't wet by the rain.

Quickly opening the door to get inside, you kick your shoes off and turn the lights on

"I think I have some clothes for you, wait here I'll get you towels" you tell him

But before you could walk away from him, you feel his grasp on your wrist holding you back.

"Do you need something?" you ask him

"I- I just feel like if I don't take this chance right now then I would end up regretting it again, just like when I let you go the first time"

"Mark"

"No, you were right, I won't blame you for our past. I can't be angry at you for choosing yourself. We both needed that to grow and learn and discover ourselves. This right now feels like our second chance, I'm not about to risk it and hope for another one to come by. For once, I'm going to take this chance with you. That is if you'll have me"

Maybe he doesn't know just how much he drives you crazy, just how much you'd risk to have another chance with him. It dawned on you just now how it didn't matter what's at stake if you try again with him because what matters the most is him.

Then suddenly you leap right in his arms, not expecting this Mark stumbles a few steps back. But he catches you, holding you close to him like he was afraid you might float away from him.

"I'd take that as a yes"

You lean back enough to meet his eyes, "See, you still know me best. Why don't we get back together" you tease him.

"I asked first" he pouts at you.

Your adorable Mark pouts at you. How can you ever say no to him if he's this cute and adorable. He knows exactly how to use it against you.

"What if it gets too much, if I get too much?" you ask

"You're never too much to me, nothing I can't handle. I love you, all of you. I'll stay here and tell you everyday until you get tired of me"

You giggle at his words, burying your head on his shoulder. You feel him kiss the top of your head before putting you down on your feet.

It's always scary taking chances, but to you and Mark it's scarier to let it pass again. This time you know you don't need to bet anything because you're sure he's there to stay with you.

[a-multi-fandom-maniac]

Trust Me

(gif created by me)

Paring: The Riddler x reader

Requested by @yourcaptainkira64 :

“Hello, can I request a paul dano riddler fic if you write for him. Tropes I like are forced proximity and friends to lovers. Maybe even a yandere riddler of you're up for that (because he's kinda crazy). Lol happy writing!

Warnings: Themes of obsession, stalking, swearing, mentions of injuries, forced proximity (?), hints of one-sided love, friends to lovers, no use of y/n, first person pov.

Note: My first post! I hope that this is okay, I’ve only seen the movie like twice so I hope this fits your request😅 I also just googled riddles so I’m sorry if they’re kinda stupid LOL, enjoy! <3

———————————————————————————————————

The nights were long, and seemingly never ending.

Crime, murder, vengeance; The city of Gotham was the birth place and home to the bad seeds and the innocents, though nowadays it was difficult to differentiate the two from each other. If you’ve lived here as long as I have, you learn to never trust what someone claims themselves to be…no matter how well you know them.

It was nearing 3am at the Gotham general hospital, marking the twelfth hour of my shift. An attempted store robbery turned shootout nightmare landed twenty-three people in the hospital; no fatalities, but a few close calls. Originally today was an off day for me, but we’re understaffed and the crime rates are rising once more.

But then again, what’s new?

I slumped back into the old chair in the empty break room, reflecting back on my night. Hour after hour of running from room to room while the police are breathing down your neck isn’t the easiest thing to deal with, but someone has to get it done. I love what I do, honest, but there’s times where I question myself…but then again doesn’t everyone?

I drag hands down my face as a half-hearted attempt to rid myself from the pure exhaustion taking over my body when I heard my phone ding. I sigh as I lazily reach for it from the pocket of my scrubs and unlock it, as a small tired smile reaches my face.

It was Edward. He’s been my friend since I made the move to Gotham from where I used to live. We’ve gotten close over the years, while many say he’s…different-I find him kind.

It wasn’t out of the ordinary to check in on my while I was at the hospital, but it was a little odd that he was up this late. I opened the message to see what he sent.

Huh.

It was a photo of the sky. You could barely make out some stars peaking out from behind the stormy, smog ridden clouds- but they were there. Typically, Edward would send a little joke or something like that while I was at work but scenery pictures were new. I began to type a reply when suddenly he sent a follow up message.

Edward: What blooms like a flower whenever it rains but shrivels up when it stops?

I scoff out a small laugh. A riddle, what else would I have expected. On most days I love trying to solve his riddles, but tonight drained me of any energy I had left to try to solve it. I sent back a poor attempt of an answer as I gathered my things and approached the entrance to leave when my phone went off once more.

I slowed down to look back to my screen and upon reading the message, my body began to feel a sense of…something.

Edward: An umbrella. Make sure to use the red one outside of the entrance, it’s there specially for you. Get home safely.

I reread the message twice while looking around the almost empty sterile halls that surrounded me. I slowly approached the automatic sliding doors as my ears picked up on the heavy pelting of rain hitting the concrete. The flickering outdoor lights provided an eerie ambience as my eyes jumped from left to right until-

Ding!

Edward: To the right is where you’ll find what you need.

My heart spiked as I whipped my head around in all directions, observing. He had to be here, how would he know?

“Edward?” I quietly called out.

No response.

My chest begins to feel tight as a newfound feeling overcomes me. Something I had never felt before around Edward.

Fear.

Eventually, the lights stabilize themselves for long enough for me to notice the splash of red contrasting against the wet sidewalk. I drag myself over in the direction of it, making sure to be aware of my surroundings as I pick up the object.

An red umbrella, the one from his message. I was frozen in place. In the moment, this didn’t feel like a simple act of kindness. It felt scary; like a dream where you know it will become a nightmare at any given second.

“What the hell?” I whisper, voice shaking.

Suddenly, there was a startling bang to my left as I felt my legs move on their own. I began running as fast as I could, dropping the umbrella in my moment of panic. The only thing I could think of in that moment was the desperate urge to be safe in my apartment until the sun rose.

By the time I reached my place my heart was nearly beating out of my chest as water dripped from my face as I locked the door. I couldn’t breath, I couldn’t speak, and I couldn’t even put together a coherent thought. I let myself shut my eyes for a second before clumsily reaching for the light switch to the left of me and flicked it on. I peeled my eyes open as I adjusted to the light, when I stopped breathing at the sight before me.

Spread across my living room were pictures of me. Everywhere. Pictures of me going to work, me sitting in my living room, even me out on a coffee date with a guy my friend set me up with. My throat was dry as sandpaper as I tried to swallow my fear and walk closer. My legs shook like jello and it felt like I could feel my bones rattling inside my body. I slowly reached my hand towards a picture as I brought it to my face to examine it.

It was the coffee date image…except red marker was aggressively scribbled over my date while a big circled surrounded my smiling face, drops of ink spilling down to the bottom of the picture. I dropped it as if it was on fire as I backed away. I continued examining my apartment when I spotted a light yellow envelope on my coffee table.

I picked it up and turned it around, it was addressed to me with a smiley face next to it. I ripped the envelope open and reached my hand into it, pulling out the contents within.

It was a card?

“Okay..” I breathed out, feeling a little relieved. There was a picture of a caricature heart on the front with the words: what is mine that only you can have?

I tried to think, but my mind was foggy with unease. I opened the card.

My heart <3

I began to inch backwards, trying to calm down. This couldn’t have been from him, no it was too..too crazy. Edward wasn’t crazy! He was a sweet guy who worked in forensics and liked stupid jokes and riddles. He wasn’t capable of-

My back suddenly made contact with something behind me as I loudly gasped and flipped around, heart sinking in my chest down to my churning stomach.

A green figure loomed over my shaking body, eyes burning holes through my head as we stared at each other. I couldn’t see the intruder’s face, but I knew those eyes anywhere.

“Edward?,” I shakily whispered, seemingly stuck in my spot. My brain was screaming at me to run and get out of there, but my body was stuck in place like my shoes were glued to the floor, “what..what are you doing?”

He called out my name as he reached out to me. He placed his green faux leather covered hand on my face, moving down to caress my cheek. I should have ran, but I couldn’t help but feel my stomach flip in some weird way.

“You made it safely,” he said, smiled evident in his muffled voice. His eyes were squinted happily from behind his clear framed glasses, “I was worried about you when you didn’t take the umbrella I left you.”

He paused as his piercing gaze subtly hardened as he continued looking into my eyes.

“Why didn’t you take it?”

My breathing began picking up again. I hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

“Edward-“

“NO!” he suddenly yelled as he backed up, pacing around the open space of my living room. My heart stopped as my body jerked at his sudden outburst.

“I tried to help you! I’m looking out for you so no one else needs to, why can’t you just see that?”

He stopped his pacing as he came back over to where I was stood. He, surprisingly, gently grabbed my arms as he looked back into my eyes.

“That’s all I’ve ever wanted; For you to be safe with me. No one else,” he said with a forceful undertone to his voice.

I felt tears making themselves known in my eyes, and the burn of my nose trying not to cry. I was terrified, but at the same time comforted by his words.

“Are you going to hurt me?” I whispered, not wanting to say the wrong thing.

His eyes seemed to soften as his grip loosened on my arms, but still keeping me in place.

“No,” he said while repeating my name, “no no why would you think that? All of this is for you! I would never dream of hurting you, you mean too much to me. I care too much about you to let you slip away from me.”

Oh.

Oh.

He…cares about me. I should be scared. I should be terrified out of my mind and screaming for help, praying someone will answer. Or that the signal would light up in the sky and I would be saved.

But I didn’t feel afraid from his words.

I sniffled as I scanned up when down his body, examining what he was wearing and then back up to his eyes. I slowly reached for his glasses and mask as his body stilled while I revealed his face.

Edward. It really was him.

I looked at his face in silence before finally speaking.

“You won’t hurt me?” I quietly asked, “I need to know if I’m in danger, no matter how much I know and trust you.”

He suddenly had a dark look in his eyes as my words. He cupped my cheeks in his hands as he leaned in close to my face.

“I would rather die than cause you any harm.” he answered, “Trust me when I say that I will keep you safe from anyone or anything that tries to hurt you.” He paused and leaned in closer.

“I would kill anyone who even looked at you the wrong way.”

He moved his face next to my ear.

“You have my heart, and I know that I have yours.”

My breath hitched at his words. He was right. Edward always made me the happiest whenever I was stressed, especially at the hospital. But could I bring myself to love him when this is his true self?

He pulled away and looked into my eyes once more. It felt as if he could read every thought going through my mind.

“Just let go and let me take care of you, let me love you,” he begged, a desperate look in his eyes, “that’s all I ask. Please trust me.”

I couldn’t look away. I gave a small smile and a hesitant nod, and that’s all it took.

“Okay,” I whispered, mind racing a million miles a minute.

“I’ll trust you.”

—————————————————————————

[descendantofthesparrow]

Once Upon a December - The Invitation - Walter x Reader - P2

A/n; extending the timeline-for funsies ;3

=

It’s a rumor, a legend, a mystery! Although the Czar did not survive, One daughter may be still alive! The Princess Anastasia!

But please do not repeat!

-

“I’m sorry, did-did you say, Deville?” Evie asked, stopping her cousin in his tracks as he showed her the photo of their cousin and his fiancée. Oliver blinked, twice, three times; then slowly nodded, furrowing his brows a bit. “im sorry it’s just-um, my friend, my roommate actually-she lost her memories ten years ago, and”

 Evie made a gesture that clearly meant it was a long story, pointing at Oliver’s phone “she has this-necklace thing, and on that necklace, has the words ‘H.Deville’ on it, and-we’ve found zero Deville’s on the internet or even in any like-phone books so im just-curious-is that the only Deville family?”

Oliver just stared at Evie, clearly shocked by her words before he nodded his head “yes, the Deville family, is the one and only Deville family…but I'm not sure there are any H. Deville’s, only one I can recall is Haley Deville but she’s seven?” Evie sighed, blowing out her cheeks a bit.

Oliver stared at her for a moment, then glanced away, looking down at his phone “if-if you wish, I can ask the lord of the family about this, H. Deville, what is your friend's name?”

“(y/n), her name is (y/n)”

-

“You what?”

You asked, very surprised as Evie handed you the invitation, biting her lip as you read it. “…Are you for real?” you whispered, looking up at Evie with wide eyes, the gem hanging from your neck feeling much heavier than it did a second ago “You-you actually-found-Deville?”

Evie grinned and nodded, tapping the invitation rapidly as she stood “Yes! Who knows, this Deville family might be the same Deville as that!” she pointed to your necklace, and you took a shuddering breath “-So I asked, and they said you could come along as my plus one!” she sat down beside you as you stared numbly at the wedding invitation. “C’mon, this is a chance for both of us, to find our families! Hell-maybe we can find this-H. Deville eh?”

You pressed your lips together, running your thumb over the printed names of the bride and groom-to-be. “Maybe” you muttered, flopping back in your chair, turning your head dramatically to look at Evie “But what if this-whole thing-doesn’t work? What if this H. Deville doesn’t exist anymore? What if the same thing that made me lose my memories, made them lose their life?” Evie shrugged, curling her arm around your shoulder.

“Look, worst case scenario? We spend a week in London at a fancy ass mansion and drink to our heart's content, and then we come home and continue the search for H. Deville, eh?” Evie seemed so genuine, so sure that her finding her family would lead to yours, or at least somehow get you closer to finding H. Deville.

You sighed, rubbing your face before you nodded “Fine. Fine! Let's go to London and party it up” you muttered, laughing as Evie squealed and hugged you tight “Thank you thank you!!! Honestly I was super nervous about going alone so-thank you” you nodded at Evie’s words, watching her amused as she stood to grab a celebratory bottle of wine. “So let us drink and be merry~” Evie said in a fake posh accent, giggling as you rolled your eyes and bowed to her, taking the wine glasses and helping her open the new bottle.

-

“Remind me to never get on a plane again” you muttered to Evie as you stepped off the flying death machine. She laughed, pulling her phone off of airplane mode and texting Grace you had landed. “Didn’t you come to New York by plane?” Evie teased, shoving you lightly as you rolled your eyes at her, flicking her chin as she laughed.

“Shut.”

As Evie called up and talked with Grace, you took in your surroundings, noting they looked mostly the same as any other airport, except maybe fancier thanks to the particular class Oliver had paid for. You had ridden coach only once before but-if you ever did fly again, first class was it. “…and don’t trust men with goatees” Evie’s voice came back into focus and you looked at her oddly, wondering why those particular words had come out of her mouth before remembering she was talking with grace.

Ah yes, the third rule of going off somewhere alone, license plate, texting when going to sleep; and never trusting men with goatees. “We’re at arrivals, I’ll talk to you later, (y/n) says hi and bye” you leaned closer to her ear where her earbud mic was and blew a raspberry, laughing as Evie leaned away dramatically and Grace laughed loudly from her end of the call.

“Okay okay, have fun. Oh! if you see Idris Elba, say hi to him for Me!” Evie gave a sarcastic laugh and told her she would, ending the call as you rounded the corner and saw her cousin at the gate, looking very wide-eyed and excited. Though there was something about him that just-threw you off.

“Evie! You made it!” Oliver surprised Evie with a hug, and she gasped a little, awkwardly patting his back until he pulled away “how was the flight?” Evie shared a look with you then glanced back at Oliver “you-you’ve ruined coach, forever”

Oliver just looked pleased with himself “my pleasure, and this must be (y/n)?” he turned to you, ever so polite, holding his hand out “I’m Oliver, Oliver Alexander” you smiled and nodded, taking his hand and shaking it.

“(y/n), I don’t know my last name” Oliver nodded a bit awkwardly at that while Evie snorted, threading her arm through yours as Oliver’s driver took your bags “you both ready for an adventure?” you and Evie shared another look, then Evie nodded, taking out her earbuds. “I guess?” Evie said, shrugging slightly as Oliver smiled and nodded. “Great, let’s go”

-

“Soooo tell me again who lives here?” Evie asked as you drove down the long and winding road towards the mansion you would be staying at for the next week. “The Deville family, but our family will be staying here for the week for the festivities”

Evie rolled down her window as you got closer to the mansion, and she gasped as it came into view. You hummed along, it was a very pretty mansion, with white stone walls and blue roofing; it looked like it belonged in Disneyland. “Holy shit!” Evie muttered, grasping your hand as you leaned over her shoulder to get a good look at the mansion. “Are they royalty or something?”

Oliver laughed, shaking his head, watching amused as you and Evie gaped at the gigantic mansion “No, it's just old money. England’s full of it” as the limo came to a stop in the roundabout driveway, you saw a van unloading with five maids but you ignored them in favor of getting out of the car to look around at the beautiful grounds.

You felt a whisper of wind at your back, something calling your name, causing you to turn, eyes catching onto a path that seemed to be abandoned, still well-kept but…unknown; as if it had been forgotten to be a path. You tilted your head at it, your heart pulling you towards that path before Evie grabbed your arm and pulled you back into the real world.

“This place is insane, it looks like it was ripped straight out of a fairy tale” Evie whispered, curling her fingers around your elbow and holding you close, the two of you looking up at the elegant mansion. “or a horror movie” you muttered, nodding at the license plate to remind Evie to take a picture for Grace’s sake.

“Right” Evie muttered, releasing your arm and backing up to take a picture, accidentally bumping into one of the maids who was carrying a box of wine glasses. “Oh shit! I am so sorry, I’m so sorry i-I wasn’t looking!” you and Evie quickly ducked down to help the two maids clean the mess, being extra careful with the shattered glass.

“Oh please, miss’ we’ll clean this up,” one of the maids said, thankful for the help but not wanting to get in trouble. Evie shook her head, stubborn as always as you carefully picked up the smaller pieces of glass, collecting them into your palm and carefully pouring them into an empty wine glass slot. “it’s okay, if we don’t help each other out, who will right?” Evie said, hoping to convey you and Evie could understand their struggles due to you both being in the servant class as they were.

The two smiled at each other and then thanked you both. “No biggie, just some glass, easily replaceable” you muttered, twisting halfway around to grab a shard that had gotten away from you. Evie nodded, fully agreeing with you “I’m Evie, by the way, and this is (y/n)”

The two maids smiled, nodding at you both “I’m, Diya” the maid on the left nearly hesitated to say her name, as if afraid to humanize herself but she said it anyway, glancing down as she said her name “or Dee is fine too” Evie nodded, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear as you helped the other maid collect the last of the glass. “I’m Imogen,” the other girl said before the lovely conversation was died out by a grating older man's voice.

“And what has happened here?” Evie stood, facing the butler as he stared down at Dee and Imogen, not a shroud of kindness in his eyes or voice. You ignored him, not liking his vibe, and helped Imogen pick up the last few bits of glass, smiling as she quietly thanked you. “ow” you muttered, waving your hand about as one of the shards sliced into your finger, bright red blood flowing out and down your skin “fuck” you muttered, sticking your finger in your mouth as you quickly stood up, your back facing Evie and the butler.

“At ease Mr. Field” you felt your breath stop, that voice-you had heard that voice a thousand times over the last 10 years in your dreams, but-it couldn’t be-it couldn’t be that easy…could it? “I believe this is one of our important guests.” You could feel the ‘alright fuck you then’ from Evie as she squared her shoulders and tilted her head up, trying to make herself seem bigger. “And that makes a difference?” Evie asked, frowning a bit as Mr. Field straightened up and bowed his head slightly.

“My sincerest apologies ma’am”

Mr. Field went silent and you guessed this new, handsome, voice gave him a look and the butler walked off, leaving you, Evie, and the new voice alone; while you made sure your finger wouldn’t need stitches on your first day in England. “thank you ladies” the maids nodded and walked off, Dee giving you a concerned look as you nursed your still bleeding finger but you waved her off with a smile “Uh, sorry about that, he can be quite demanding” you turned slightly to glance at this new voice, but were distracted by a pulse of pain “g’dammit” you muttered, waving your hand about and sticking your finger in your mouth again.

It was just your finger; it really shouldn't be bleeding this much.

“More like an asshole” Evie muttered, not happy with how the butler treated her and the maids. You could feel the interest radiating from the new voice and you could easily imagine his head tilting as he spoke. “Oh, so you must be Evelyn?”

Evie hummed, she didn’t like to be called by her full name, felt too formal. “Evie. And you are?” Oliver suddenly came back into the conversation, resting his hand on your shoulder as he walked up beside Evie. “Walter!”

Ah, W name, couldn’t be the voice from your dreams then, couldn’t be H. Deville.

“You beat me to the punch, you’ve been introduced?” Oliver asked, shaking Walter’s hand as he looked at Evie; who just stared boredly at Walter. “Yeah” Evie said at the same time Walter said “No”

You turned slightly, seeing Walter giving Evie a very…interesting look “Well, not formally” Evie clicked her jaw slightly, stepping back towards you. To which Walter’s eyes drifted over to you finally and they widened; his breath caught and if you were looking closely, his hands shook. Oliver didn’t seem to notice, and neither did Evie.

But you did.

You saw a spark of familiarity in his eyes, disbelief, awe, and desperation, then it disappeared. Walter forced his eyes to go back to Evie, yet you could see the way they begged to look back at you. Why? You wondered, tilting your head at Walter and narrowing your eyes, your finger still in your mouth.

“This is my cousin who I was telling you about, Evie Alexander” Oliver explained, gesturing to Evie as she gripped your arm and her vase protectively “It’s Jackson, really” Evie muttered, not really liking how just a simple change of last name got her all the privilege in the world simply because who it connected to. “And this is her plus one, (y/n)”

Walter’s breath caught again as he looked back at you, his hands shaking again in his pockets. “Pleasure” he said, voice almost even and calm, yet there was a tone to it that made it sound like he was…scared? No-nonono, in disbelief, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing, as if it was a dream.

“Evie, (y/n); this is the lord of the manor; Walter Deville.” You perked up, Deville, Deville! And the lord for that matter, maybe he knew who gave you this necklace? maybe he knew who H. Deville was.

“You can just call me Walt” Walter said, a slightly smug tone to his voice, his eyes keeping on Evie, as if looking at you would destroy him. You licked your lips as you pulled your finger out of your mouth, nodding to yourself as you saw it had finally stopped bleeding. Evie gasped as she saw the cut on your finger, ignoring Walt in favor of you.

“(y/n)! when did that happen?” Walter took a heavy step forward, taking your hand from Evie’s to examine your cut, his touch sending lightning down your spine. “i-um” you stuttered, cheeks flaring to life as Walter pulled your hand closer to his face to get a better look “glass-shard-cut”

Walter hummed, taking your hand in his and beginning to pull you into the manor “I-what?” he stopped as you pulled at him, wondering what he was doing “I’m going to put a bandage on it, it's not deep but leaving it open could get infected. C’mon, c’mon” Walter said, gently pulling you along and into the manor.

You gasped as you stepped through the large double doors, taking in the gorgeous interior, decorated with what seemed to be original pieces of art and statues; weapons and armor lining the walls between the paintings. Evie and the butler soon followed in, watching as Walter led you into the kitchen and found a first-aid kit, moving you to rest against the counter as he rummaged through it.

“There we go” he muttered, pressing the Band-Aid to the Neosporined cut “All better” you pressed your lips together, holding your hand close to your chest, your fingers fiddling with the leather cord of your necklace “Thank you “ you muttered, bowing your head slightly to the lord of the manor “You didn’t have to do that”

Walter just shook his head, his eyes alight with something that hadn’t seemed to be there for years. “No worries” his gaze drew to your necklace and he licked his lips “So how do you know Evie?” you hummed, tilting your head slightly as you fiddled with your now bandaged finger.

“Well-she uh-let me into her apartment for a bit cause I was homeless for a good-six years” Walter’s eye twitched but he didn’t say anything so you continued “and then we just-ended up living together? We’ve been roommates for the last four years basically and-I dunno that’s kinda it” you ended with a mutter, tucking your chin into your chest as you felt Walters burning gaze on you.

“Why were you homeless, if-if that’s not an invasive question?” Walter asked, coughing a bit as he realized he might’ve been a bit insensitive, but he needed to know what happened.

“oh, uh, this is-going to sound strange” you laughed slightly, moving to fiddle with your necklace which had become a strong sense of comfort in your life “but uh-I woke up about ten years ago, with no memories” the light in Walter’s eyes seemed to die out at that “I barely knew my name, I really only know it thanks to-this-voice I remember calling for me but uh-yeah, I was just-wandering around by a town and this-old couple brought me in and gave me a place to recuperate for a week, and then…I was in New York”

You shrugged, not really knowing how to explain your situation, you really had just-woken up on the side of a road in the snow, cold and in pain; wondering what had happened and what your own name was. “but” Walter perked up a bit, his eyes widening as you brought out your necklace “I do have one clue, and that’s H. Deville…i-I was wondering if you knew him? or her?...them?”

Walter was just staring at you, as if you were a dream come true that he couldn’t believe “You really are her” He whispered, running his hands through his hair, several locks falling into his face as he dropped his hand “Holy shit, I thought you died”

Your jaw dropped and you walked up into Walter’s face, and he didn’t move, just staring at you. “You know me?! You actually know me?!” Walter slowly nodded, pointing at your necklace “Yes, H. Deville, Harrison Deville. He uh, was a close family member, my uh…brother in fact” he muttered, a pained smile on his lips as you gasped again, taking a big step back and covering your mouth.

“Harrison” you whispered, the name felt like a warm blanket, strong hands, and kind words. Seeing your face, Walter felt his heart ache; knowing he was lying to you at that very moment, when long ago he had sworn never to lie to you. But-he couldn’t bear to break his heart again, or yours, not knowing if you would ever properly remember him or…Harrison…ever again. “is-is he here, can I see him?

Walter closed his eyes, shaking his head “why not?” you asked, frowning as Walter licked his lips, his chest spiking with pain. “he’s uh….he died a long time ago…just-just after you disappeared” your face and shoulders dropped, the necklace hitting your chest with a soft ‘thud’

“oh,” you whispered, feeling a pit in your throat and a strike of pain in your chest. You didn’t even get to meet him, didn’t even get to know why he gave you the necklace, never got to know what truly happened. “Who was I to him?” you asked quietly, and Walter closed his eyes again, sighing as he spoke as if in pain.

“you were his beloved, his first and last true love”

-end of part 2-

im having too much fun with this~ also sorry for the cliffhanger....not lololololol

[angstydisaster02]

A “small” analysis of bkdk’s relationship - manga spoilers

—-

I watched this edit I liked a long time ago in my editor phase. This was just the song “Dynasty” by Mia mixed with manga spoilers, and it made me realize how much their relationship has improved today.

It’s crazy to think how this started as childhood friends, with bullying, and ended up with sacrifice. Today, we have Katsuki Bakugo, who’s ready to sacrifice twice for Izuku when he was the one who despised him at the beginning. This story isn’t jousted about their chemistry and how they complete each other but also about their character development, especially Katsuki’s. We’re talking about a teenager who was lost with himself and used violence as a coping mechanism, someone who’s about to fight for his goals and know what he wants to do. The same guy was scared to admit his weakness and revealed them twice before Izuku.

The whole Izuku/Bakugo relationship has been strong since the beginning. When Izuku integrated UA and learned that the blond had left the place, his first thought was to rush toward his childhood friend and explain everything…because the thought of Katsuki hating him was unbearable to him (at this period and how distant they were). Katsuki was the first one to know about the OFA, to learn the most important secret in his childhood friend’s life, and to adapt himself to this new lifestyle.

Which made us switch to kidnapping. The Kamino arc when Izuku saw his biggest fear taking form in front of him for the first time in his life…when he couldn’t save Katsuki. Imagine how hard it must be to see someone you’ve known your entire life and care about fading in front of you without knowing if you’ll meet them again.

This moment was an essential point in their relationship where it reflected their mindsets. Izuku was afraid of being rejected and failing the rescue mission, so he gave it to someone the blond could trust. Izuku never truly spoke about this period, and I’m wondering what he truly felt…if Horikoshi even said himself how it was an angsty moment, it says a lot about his character’s mindset. The fact that Izuku thinks his childhood friend would’ve never accepted his hold, putting his life in danger even more, would be heartbreaking. At this period, Izuku was the only one showing his admiration for Katsuki and thinking it was one-sided.

It was the opposite. Indeed, Katsuki had been warning the freckled man not to reach him because he knew Izuku would risk his life for him, and it was something he wanted to avoid.

Then Deku VS kacchan happened and changed their relationship into something healthy. For the first time in their life, they both had a heart-to-heart talk and expressed what they truly felt, revealing their vulnerabilities around each other. It led to a more robust and healthier relationship to the point where today, Katsuki apologized for his mistakes in front of everyone after being the one finding Izuku.

Katsuki’s characters’ development is insane and well written, revealing how Katsuki wasn’t just the bad guy but a human with feelings, fears, and doubts. Izuku was the one by his side and never left him until the end (aka the event chapter bc the story isn’t over yet). Today, Katsuki bakugo sacrificed himself to save his childhood friend, Izuku, the first thing he had in mind when he woke up, only to learn it was too late…saying the opposite of the things he said years ago.

Katsuki cares about Izuku. Izuku cares about Katsuki, and yet…none of them know. The freckled man was planning his friends’ rescue mission, with the impression of being a burden…when Katsuki planned to find his childhood friend the entire time and look for him at the hospital.

None of them know how much they mean to each other, and it's the saddest part of the story…the untold things. Maybe they’ll never know, maybe they will one day, but this is insane.

[postmail]

okay so biggg trans hc dump up ahead. idk how read mores work and i was sleep deprived as hell when i wrote this so idk

okay so trans maxwell right? trans maxwell. but consider that if one part of a pair of identical twins is trans then typically the other one will be too. so trans jack.

and thats just dandy and opens up a lot of interesting paths you could take with that. and look, ive got a whole deleted version of this post thats twice as long going over the whole wendy and abi thing, so just trust me when i say that ive thought about it, lol

and just listen to me. the idea that both jack and maxwell are trans makes me feel so much. perhaps the reason they seem to be rather close is because they share this one aspect of themself with the other.

imagine a nervous william admitting his darkest secret to his twin and finding out that the other has been dealing with the exact same thing the whole time. or jack putting on a brave face and telling william that he wishes he was born a boy and william saying that he feels the same, and that maybe they werent born that way but they could become who they know they are inside. neither of them will face this alone, so long as the other is there

contrast this with trans, hirsute wilson. wilson, who feels like no one in the world understands. no gets why hes happy he has hirsutism, and why he refuses to shave, because they think hes a woman. he cant tell them that he feel like his body has finally got the memo thats hes a man, that it feels right to be able to grow a beard. its no becoming cis over night, but it makes him feel better. gender euphoria and all that jazz

wilson feels like who he is in the inside is finally being reflected outwards. and if other people dont like the truth... well, he doesn’t need them anyhow. he knows who is, and thats all that matters.

when wilson moves to america, it is very much like turning a new leaf. here, he decided, he would live as a man- and nobody would ever know the truth. and it feels great. but it also feels very lonely. it feels very isolating, and he has a dark secret all over again. hes not lying to himself or others anymore, but he knows how fragile this new life is. one wrong move, one wrong person confided in, and this whole new life hes constructed for himself will crumble in front of his eyes.

all of this considered, is it so much of a shock that he withdraws himself, swearing the only friend he needs to be science? refusing to interact with others unless absolutely necessary, never letting himself get close to anyone. to protect himself

all of this compounds into living alone in a rickety shack in the woods, far from anyone else. never seeing anyone except the postman on the other side of the window.

wilson might pass much better, but he lacks something maxwell has- a support system, someone who understands him. this isolation protects him from the transphobia of the outside world, but its loneliness all the same

its this that makes him willing to listen to the smooth talking stranger over the radio. he has no one, and when even science itself seems to fail him, hes eager to hear out the first friendly voice hes heard in a long time.

when hes trapped in the constant, it almost feels like reality has come back to smack some sense into him. of course, of course this would happen, who was he kidding?

when he frees maxwell and then precedes to be freed himself it takes them both a long time to figure out that the other is trans. they are both very well trained in hiding this specific part of themselves, but theres only so long you can hide this kind of thing from some one you are literally surviving in the woods with

so when someone inevitably finds out, i think it would be a whole ordeal. if its maxwell figuring it out then i think he would be more chill about it but wilson would lose his goddamn mind. for the first time, wilson finally has someone who understands him and doesn’t judge him.

it would change everything. wilson gets more comfortable with maxwell than he ever has with anyone else and maxwell can understand and he can understand maxwell

its been so long since maxwell had had another person like him around, and its like a breath of fresh air. he doesnt have to watch what he says, he doesnt have to make sure that his voice doesnt sound too high, he can just be honest with who he is, and wilson wont judge him. infact, wilson almost seems to like him more because of it

maybe they try to go back to how they were after this reveal but they just cant. they know too much now to just go back to the way they were. and maybe they find that they dont really want to, anyways

they might be in hell, but theyve got each other.

all of this to say, t4t maxwil is the best maxwil. trans rights baybeeeeee

[sparklecinnamonbunny]

Qwispy!

Your OC accidentally helped a mob boss change a flat while transporting a corpse and was rewarded with a "favor." They then find themselves in a position where they need to make that call. -What is the situation and how bad does it have to be to make that call? -Is it a successful mission or does it require a few steps to complete? -What if the mob wont let your OC go afterwards? Is your OC willing to make peace with that fact or find a way out of it?

This one got away from me I'm not gonna lie. It's close to 2000 words. I'll RB this with the AO3 link once I post it over there. This prompt was *perfect* for my old RP character, so I couldn't help putting her (and her right hand man) in as supporting characters.

Under the cut: Envy Greenberg's Dance with the Devil.

Skid Row, Los Angeles, California - 1989

Envy turns the bolt and yanks on the front door to make sure it won’t budge. Another late, hectic night on the books. Running a bar (especially a dive like Cobalt) is simultaneously the most rewarding and most frustrating thing she’s done in her life. The day that she doesn’t have to get physical with a customer will be… well, probably the day she opens another bar.

She does another sweep and lets herself out the back. Go home. Sleep. Eat. Do it again. Before her keys are out of the lock, she sees a car rolling up in the steel door’s reflection.

“I know you ain’t bouta rob me right now…” she mutters, popping the door back open and grabbing her nail bat from inside. Won’t stop someone who’s really hurting for cash, but it’ll make them think twice about it. Envy locks up again and slowly walks out into the lot, bat at hand.

A long, black sedan sits in the middle of her parking lot, tilted down on one side. Flat tire in the back. The driver steps out and stares. Tall white dude, medium build. Nice suit. Either a Family man (and she thought she left those on the East Coast) or an important cop. She’s not sure which is worse. If it’s the former, she could probably take him if he’s not carrying. The latter would just take a while. Probably want to see her paperwork. Then he’d want a drink. She’d be lucky to get home before the sun’s up.

Her keys jingle when she moves. He whirls around. “Hey! You work here?”

“We’re closed.” Maybe if she keeps it short and doesn’t stop walking, she can get out of this.

“I don’t want trouble. I got a flat, was wondering if you’d help a pal out. I can make it worth your while.” The only thing that’s worth her while right now is her bed. Envy keeps walking. “Didn’t I see you at that protest last month?”

“No you didn’t!” She calls over her shoulder. He thinks he’s real slick, huh? He didn’t see her if she was there, that’s for sure. There might not be that many big black queens with battle vests and locs this side of town, but this one kept her damn face covered.

“Listen!” He exclaims as she reaches her trunk. “I got friends in high places and no spare in the trunk. You help me with this, I’ll scratch your back one day. I promise.”

“Here’s some help: There’s a pay phone down 6th. Call your friends. Or a tow.”

“This isn’t the kind of thing I can trust a tow with. Please. I'm good for it.”

Against her better judgment, Envy puts her spare on the mobster’s car for $20 and a phone number scrawled on an old receipt. The guy vows over and over that if she calls, he’ll help her, but she’s not counting on it.

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California - 2006

Envy pushes up her reading glasses and rubs the bridge of her nose. Agreeing to add playrooms to her new goth club sounded like such a good idea from the outset. Club Hedonism’s been looking for a place to run secondary events and host meetings during their more ‘controversial’ events (looking at you, Willy’s Wild ‘n’ Wet Watersports Week), and it seemed obvious to offer Midnight up.

Unfortunately, the City of Los Angeles has decided to fuck her instead. The building changes she’ll have to make in order to accommodate the playrooms have totally changed the scope of the project. For once, it’s not a money issue, thanks to Hedonism’s contract and her new submissive’s insistence to help— She needs to get new permits before any work can continue, and the city’s not budging.

She starts to punch in the submissive’s number (Isn’t her brother Dethklok’s manager? Maybe she can get a referral for a better lawyer. The one she’s got now hasn’t done shit), then stops, pulling a crumpled receipt out of her desk drawer. That’s right, the time she changed a mobster’s tire. Well, if the guy’s still alive, maybe he can pull some strings with the city. That’s what they do in the Family, isn’t it?

After two rings, a woman with an alluring voice answers. Envy almost hangs up at her Hello? but figures there’s no harm in trying.

“I’m looking for a Rob Muratori?”

Her tone drops instantly. “How did you get this number?”

“He gave it to me after I changed a flat for him in ‘89. I understand if—“

She gives a world-weary sigh and says, “You’re lucky he’s here. Hold on. Rob, vieni subito qui!”

They shout back and forth in Italian for a moment, then Envy hears the telltale sound of a phone being handed over.

“Hey, this is Muratori. No funny business or I’ll find ya!” He laughs, but it’s clear he’s serious about it.

“You might not remember me. I changed a flat for you outside a dive bar called Cobalt in 1989. You gave me this number and said I could call you for a favor.”

“No, I remember you,” he assures, warm tone not quite hiding the menace beneath. “You’re Envy, right? Envy Greenberg. Last weekend, you hosted a rope tutorial at Club Hedonism.”

Envy holds her hand over the phone’s receiver and murmurs, “What the fuck?” to herself before bringing it back to her ear. She replies weakly, “Yeah, that’s me.”

“Cool, just making sure I got it straight. What can I do for you, Envy?”

“Do you know anybody that could help me get some permits through the city? Zoning’s blocking my new club. I didn’t really know where else to turn.”

“As a matter of fact, I do. My uh, friend that answered the phone is real good with contracts. She can grease some wheels downtown and get your project back on track.”

She should be glad it’s working out, but she feels like she’s signing a pact with the Devil. Envy forces a smile into her words as she replies, “Great.”

They make plans for his lawyer-friend to meet her at Club Hedonism the following weekend, as it turns out she’s a member. Envy books them a room. Some things are best discussed in complete privacy. Before they get off the line, Rob makes sure to tell her not to invite anyone else along. It kills her plan to invite her new submissive as buffer before it can crawl.

She waits in the negotiation room for what feels like an hour, jittering her knees until they might bruise. When Muratori’s friend finally shows, she’s not like any lawyer Envy’s ever seen. The lingerie is typical Hedonism fare, but she struts on platform heels like she just got off the pole. Let alone the Az-worthy blue hair. In fact, she would’ve asked her to leave if it weren’t for the gangster rose tatted on one of her arms and the hard look on her face.

“I trust you brought the paperwork,” she says in lieu of introduction. Her voice is back to sultry, but it doesn’t have the same effect now that she can hear the criminal underneath. She’s the sort of fierce beauty that Envy’d normally go silly for. It isn’t getting her blood pumping this time.

“Yeah. Plans and stuff too, in case you need to double check I’m applying for the right zoning permits.”

“That won’t be a problem. Rob’s taking care of my retainer for this, but I do still need you to sign a few things.” She sniffles a little. She bets she knows where that retainer’s going.

“For sure.” It would’ve been nice to have Sunday here, if only to make sure she isn’t signing herself into a corner. That’s probably why Muratori insisted she meet the lawyer alone. 

She learns the woman’s name through the paperwork, at least. Darian Ambrosia. Envy would prefer to take her time and read everything over, but Darian’s piercing stare makes her rush. Steel grey eyes follow her every movement. Envy starts to sweat. Stiletto nails drum the table with coked out impatience. Envy reads a little faster.

When they finish, Darian softens those killer eyes and asks, “I try not to mix business and pleasure, but are you taking clients right now?”

Thank God for Sunday, Envy thinks and answers, “Not right now, I just took on a new submissive. It’ll be a while before I’m available for new play partners again.”

“I wonder if Ms. Mourning knows how lucky she really is. Let her know Rob and I are fans.”

“Uh-huh.” Damn, they’re gonna bring her subs into this? Guess it’s hard to get at her family when they’re all on the East Coast.

Despite the thug behavior, Darian and Rob are as good as their word. Envy only has to live with a pit in her stomach for three weeks before the permits go through and she’s back to expressing her stress with a sledgehammer. She stays glancing over her shoulder, though. A few years later, the other shoe drops.

Las Vegas, Nevada - 2010

The downturn hits Turquoise the hardest of her establishments. Figures. Vegas is not quite as recession-proof as Hollywood, and a decrease in tourists means a decrease in money all around. She’s having the opposite of a pleasant vacation. Laying off a bunch of cocktail waitresses isn’t her idea of a good time. Doing it in person with severance is the best she can do, and even that’s not as much as her girls deserve.

All this to say that by the end of her tear-soaked, chlorine-scented day, Envy’s feeling rotten to the core. All she wants to do is get in her car and spend the five hour drive back to LA shouting along to old Misfits CDs, but God has something else in mind. 

There’s a couple in dark suits leaning against the car next to hers. Darian’s hair is platinum blonde now, but she can’t miss the gunslinger’s glares on her and her companion’s faces.

“Mr. Muratori, Ms. Ambrosia. Enjoying a weekend getaway?”

“Something like that,” Rob Muratori agrees, flashing his killer’s grin. “Get in the van.”

“I’m good. I got a long drive back to LA, and my submissive’s waiting on me for an appointment.”

“That’s interesting, since the news won’t shut up about Nathan Explosion proposing to her at Paris Disneyland,” Darian drawls, checking her manicure. The tattoos have crawled down to her hands now. Between those and the hungry look in her cheeks, Envy doubts she’s been doing much legal work lately.

“Ms. Greenberg, it’ll be easier for everyone if you come along. Your car will still be here when you come back.”

Rob’s reassurance does little to soothe Envy’s nerves. She didn’t want to get mixed up in this to begin with, and she’s not going to do favors back and forth with them forever. He’s skinnier than she remembers, too. She stands firm. Might be able to take him on if he tries to grab her.

He shifts to put a hand on his hip and Envy catches a glimpse of a pistol inside his suit jacket. Never mind, she’s going along for this one. “You promise I’ll be home in time for dinner?”

“If everything goes like it should, I’ll make you dinner myself. You like Italian?”

“Who doesn’t?”

It turns out he needs her as backup muscle for a deal. She stands at a door with a gun on her hip while Rob and Darian ‘convince’ a debtor to pay up. No blood is spilled, yet she feels filthy once they’re done. She’ll be scrubbing herself raw in the shower tonight.

Rob’s pleased with the results and promises Envy another favor. She silently vows never to be down bad enough to take it.

[romantic-reveries]

Sometimes the longing for who I used to be is visceral.

I was reading this… compilation earlier, that I wrote when I was 24. Which is not terribly long ago, even though it feels it. And the way I wrote about the boy I liked then — it's how I always wanted to feel about someone. He didn't deserve that saturation of feeling, but I miss the way everything seemed brighter in its wake.

It made the world feel bright and shiny and new again. And here I am, freshly thirty and in love for the first time, and it's wonderful, and the man I'm with is extraordinary. I adore him in so many ways, and so much that sometimes I feel like I could explode with it. He feels so safe and warm and I feel good being around him. I've never had anything so steady with someone before, and I've tried to be careful of that pitfall, right? Of like—do I just feel sad sometimes because it's something healthy and I'm not used to that? But it's not that I find being with him boring, by any means. I love the stability of it. I love not constantly being in my head, drowning in insecurity and wondering if today is the day he changes his mind about me, or was that thing I said stupid? I just trust him, with everything in me. And I don't take that for granted for a second, how special and wonderful that is, how lonely I was for so long and how nice it is to have someone solid to lean on. There's nothing wrong. But sometimes, it feels like a gut punch that none of it happened like I wanted or dreamt of for so long. And sometimes, no matter how much I adore him, and how much chemistry I felt with him, and how very real it is, there's this niggling little worry that I allowed myself to lean into it when I perhaps previously wouldn't because I was nearing thirty and so desperately lonely for companionship in that way that it felt like a physical ache. And I could absolutely do worse than an incredibly kind man who treats me like a princess., you know?

And it feels so shallow, some silly schoolgirl fantasy, the things I always wanted. But I think reckoning with it is made even harder when I know people like I imagined exist. It just breaks my heart a little sometimes, when I see young couples. They can build a life together, you know? And there's no generational divide. I always dreamt of someone who just sort of intrinsically understood me. Who liked what I liked. Maybe not all of it (though that would've been cool), but most of it. Was passionate about words and music like me. Maybe even wrote, too, or played an instrument. Liked to cook. Liked to read. Understood internet humor and memes. Was witty, and self-possessed. And had that particular look I've always been drawn to—tall, lanky, refined. Dark, messy hair. Maybe glasses. And it's like—I had to wait until almost thirty to be in love, and I kept thinking, all those years, 'well, this just means that when I do meet someone, it'll be more likely I'll stay with them a long time.' And I pictured meeting someone, and eventually moving in together, maybe getting married, having some pets. Carving out a life together. Just for me to end up with someone twice my age. Someone who has young kids. Someone who lives an hour from me, in a place I don't see myself living that has no real job prospects because it's so small, and he can't move because of his children. And I adore his kids, truly — but again, if I was going to end up with someone that much older, the perk would've been that he was DONE with raising kids. The biggest perk in this scenario is that he doesn't want anyMORE, which is good, because I don't want any. And female friends. That's something I've wanted for so long, too. I don't know if I've ever had genuine female friendship. I had some really good friends when I was in school, but I also was terrified of fully being myself at that juncture of my life, and when that's your foundation, the relationships suffer. I never really let any of them in. And I kind of made some in 2022, but we didn't mesh and it just turned out to be a bust. They were all younger than me, one of them was super flaky, even if she was very sweet, one of them got into a relationship with a piece of shit dude and dropped off the face of the planet, and the other one just wasn't a very good friend to me. And then I think — well, maybe I'm the problem. Maybe I expect too much. But it doesn't seem like too much to expect people who consider themselves your friend to be consistent and kind to you. I don't know. Sometimes you just sort of wonder what it's all for, all these little dreams our head comes up with.

[storiesbyjes2g]

The kids were due back soon, and I had been sitting at the computer all day. I got dressed and went for a stroll to process everything I'd seen but also to have one last moment of peace before the minors returned. A little white dog scurried past me and smelled worse than rotten eggs. I knew she'd gotten into with some skunks. But it wasn't the foul stench that caught my attention. Ok...it was because she was pretty rank. She had the saddest expression and whimpered like she was scared, maybe even lost. Whatever the case, she tugged at my heartstrings something fierce, the same way Hunter did when we met the first time. But I wouldn't make the same mistake twice. I had a connection with her. If she felt the same way about me, I'd bring her home without question.

I kneeled to her level and held out my hand so she could check me out. When she decided I was ok, I reached out slowly so I could pet her, letting her know I cared and she could trust me. My touch freaked her out at first, but after a few pets, she melted into my hands. The anxiety she had expressed previously disappeared. The stench was almost unbearable, but I enjoyed the moment just as much as she did. It had been way too long since I had puppy love in my life. We had only just met, but we were such fast friends just like me and Shiloh. I asked if she wanted to have a bath. Her expression was the absolute cutest thing I'd ever seen and all the answer I needed.

It's so crazy how dogs seem to understand exactly what we say to them. I didn't notice how hairy she was until she was soaking wet. Alessia and I needed to brush her every day, or we'd be living in a wig factory. I really hoped she'd liked my new friend. It was totally possible this dog could be crazy, or really aggressive, but that was a risk I was willing to take to give this precious creature a home.

"I think I want to name you Tofu," I said, snuggling my skunk-free friend.

She was white, but not white enough to name her Snowflake or whatever else white dogs were named. And we ate so much of that stuff living with Ali; I was quite familiar with its color. Tofu was a perfect name for her.

The kids came home, interrupting our snuggle time, and Alessia ran straight for the kitchen. She said she had cake on the brain. Her craving must have been quite serious for her to miss our new family member in my arms. When she returned to the living room with cake in hand, I introduced them.

"EWW," she yelled. "I don't want a street dog! Make her go away!"

I was stunned. I just knew she'd be happy about this. She couldn't have been serious. "But you wanted a dog, and Tofu is so sweet."

"No, Mommy! She could have diseases!"

"So we'll take her to the vet. No big deal."

"I don't want it!"

I couldn't let Tofu go back out there. Not after the way we bonded. I had to try a different approach. One way or another, I was winning this argument! "But I thought you wanted us to have a thing. Just you and me."

"Not like this! I'll pick something else."

I panicked. She was even more strong-willed than I was at her age, and it looked like I finally met my match. "Alessia, please! She was so scared! I can't send her back out there!"

I hated begging her like that, but I didn't know what else to do.

"I. DON'T. WANT. IT."

My eyes stung from the pressure of tears building up. Part of me wanted to put my foot down and do the whole "I'm the parent and what I say goes" bit, but I knew in my heart of hearts that would have been the most selfish thing I'd done in a while. I had more than just myself to think about now, and this could drive a wedge between us. The decision boiled down to choosing between my daughter and my new friend, and I knew I had to choose my daughter.

I gathered Tofu in my arms one last time and squeezed lovingly. I whispered into her ear, "I can't keep you. But if you find me again, I'll let you stay. I promise. Please find me."

I couldn't send her away on an empty stomach, so I brought her into the kitchen. She ate that food like her life depended on it, breaking my heart even more. When she finished, I picked her up, placed her outside the gate, and told her to remember what I said. She ran away. I went upstairs and cried.