#it's honestly unbelievable how being with him recharges me and gives me all the same qualities as my own solitude does whilst still

[cuffufal]

I just can’t get you out of my head

“Can you do something for me, please? Can you give me a hickey instead, so I when I wake up tomorrow, I know I didn’t imagine this right here, right now.” 

I’m not that kind of person, I swear. Things like these never happen to me. But lately my life seems to have transformed into a movie. Which makes this situation so much more unbelievable. Some people might think I’m crazy for thinking this to be romantic. But it’s something I’ve been imagining since I was thirteen years old. While everyone else around me somehow got to find someone attracted to them at a party, I would sit all alone in a corner, reading or writing about this situation or just generally daydreaming to be picked-up by a random good-looking guy, just like all my other friends. I was the designated one. The one who was always alone. I was fine with it at first, but after a while you start asking yourself, if there’s something wrong with you. If guys feel repelled by you. If you’re even worth somebody’s attention. (Later I realised that it’s for the better, because some experiences are just not worth having. And I was lucky to have gotten away from that.) Until you pay attention to yourself. And when you’re content with who you are. When you feel the strongest. That’s when the good experiences happen. That’s when daydreams become reality. (Or even better.)

I had just gotten my nose pierced, spent two amazing weeks in England, recharged on energy and my self-esteem propelled upwards, I decided to go out. It was the beginning of the yearly carnival, which meant the festivites were just getting good. I decided to wear the (a little bit sexualised) Cleopatra dress I wore in the last musical production (which was the greatest thing happening in 2019) and really tried to get my make-up done right (which I was very proud of and also got a lot of compliments for it). So when I got asked by a (very attractive) bishop, who I was portraying, I answered: “A whitewashed cleopatra.” Unfortunately he was a bit to inebriated to understand what I meant and instead thought it had to do something with purity and sexuality. We ended up in a discussion whether feminism and equal rights are the same thing. Which lead to the two of us arguing about politics and whether the left wing is just as nationalistic as the right wing. (That’s a discussion I don’t wish to unpack again *shudders*) Which ended with us expressing our feelings towards the economy and climate change. (Where I found out that he’s an economics major). We would occasionally interrupted by people, who wanted in on the conversation, but they never seemed to be able to keep up with the two of us, so they would leave. We were so wrapped up in each other and who was wring adn who was right. There was a tension building between us... crackling, fizzling. His friend (dressed as a nun) would come over and interrupt the conversation with stupid stuff, kissing the guy or just generally being a nuisance. (And I have to say, I am really glad that he was.) 

The conversation tapered off and I had a moment to realise how gorgeous this guy was. Yet, he never made a move, so I just didn’t think of trying to make a move on him, though I usually take a chance on them. ( I didn’t think of a lot of things that night). Somehow, I guess this guy gave me the impression that he picks his girls, not the other way around. He seemed...too experienced. His friend, the nun, seemed to pick up on my vibes and came over again, as the conversation came to a halt. He looks at the both of us and after a moment of consideration he says: “So you either start beating eachother up right now, or you start kissing.” And the guy answers, “How about kissing while beating eachother up?” in a sly and suggestive tone and the two start arguing about the suggestion. They seem to think that I’d get creeped out by this kind of comments (which funnily enough, I usually do. I guess I was just too glad, that the nun gave me an opportunity to bag this guy after all.) So they both look a bit baffled when I answer honestly: “I’d rather go for option two.” The nun stares at us with a stupid grin on his face and says: “Then kiss.” 

We do. And it’s fucking spectacular. His lips are soft, yet firm against mine and he immediately takes the lead, wrapping his hands around my face. I melt into him, kissing him back. There’s a hint of a tongue lapping at my lips and my mind just shuts down. All I want right now is for him to not stop kissing me. We stop. And we look at eachother. And the nun is cackling, walking back to his friends, while they are all leering at us. “Come with me”, he whispers as he takes my hand and pulls me away. I feel apprehensive. I don’t wanna leave my friends. But the way he pulls me behind the nearest corner, leaning against the wall, pulling me close, kissing me again, I can’t help but think “Fuck them. I’ll enjoy this.” Not even two minutes later (and somehow a fucking eternity) we hear catcalls from far off. And he looks pissed off. “Stupid shits.” he hisses. “Let’s get away from here, they’re embarrassing me.” I laugh, as he takes my hand and I follow him up the stairs. 

We end up in a little passage, bright enough to see him, with just enough space on a tiny staircase to sit down. We sit and immediately he’s back to kissing me. Suddenly he stops. “Shit. You’re so beautiful." he breathes against my lips, as if he’s desperate to say it in this very moment. I gasp against his lips, caught off-guard by the sentiment. To me, this doesn’t feel real yet. I feel like I’m in a fever dream, just about to wake up.

From this point on, everything’s kind of blurry, because we were so caught up in our thing, we forgot about the time. And because our state of inebriation, which probably made me forget some things. Careful, from here on the narrative is unreliable. But I am certain that these things actually happened, just not in chronological order. 

His hands start wandering, setteling on my cheek, his thumbs stroking the skin there. Suddenly they are in my hair, gently tugging. Then down at the back of my neck, pulling me impossibly closer to him. Every once in a while we separate, because I’d start laughing or he’d breathe a compliment against my lips. We totally got lost in our desperation, time moving slow and somehow very fast. At one point his hands are tugging at my collar signalling me to move onto his lap, at which we fail miserably, because the stairs are to small. I slide onto the lower step and I hide my face into his shoulder. When I look up, I catch him looking at me with his amber brown eyes, pupils blown wide and the softest look on a face I’ve ever seen and my heart lurches painfully. “I don’t even know your name.” I whisper, without even realising it, until he smiles and says: “It’s Chris.” I stare up at him dreamily and answer, “Mine’s Matea.” He smiles and kisses me again. But I interrupt him again, now eager to learn more. “How old are you?” He smiles. “Twenty-six. Why? How old are you?” I look a bit sheepish and answer: “Would you believe me if I say that I’m not even twenty?” Silence. “But I’m turning twenty in a week!” I add and he laughs. “I believe that more than you being nineteen.” He kisses me again. And I melt into him. 

Every once in a while people would pass by and interrupt us, by catcalling or congratulating him on bagging me. And everytime I would blush and hide my face into his shoulder or neck. (It’s  fairly easy, because I wasn’t wearing my glasses that night). And he’d laugh lightly and tell me I’m beautiful. Or sexy. Or so clever. (And god, did that comment sit. It’s not like I don’t appreciate the expressions of physical attraction, since I’ve been plaguing myself with body-hate my whole adolescence. But that comment. Complimenting my intellect. I fucking love it.) One time, I remember distinctly, because he pulls me into him by touching my chin to kiss me, he says “You’re so sexy” and I groan. “You’re just saying that because of the alcohol.”, I grumble. And he just kisses me sweetly. “You are the most beautiful woman I met tonight.” he says, searching my eyes. And his look. His honey coloured eyes. Dark. Pupils dilated. He’s so earnest. We kiss again. 

Somehow we get into a conversation. I don’t know how it starts. But he tells me that he’s spanish. And that he’s studying econ and working part time. And then he asks me what I’m doing. I tell him about my plans. About how I like english, how I wanna major in it and move to the UK later on. He asks me why. And I try to tell him but I’m so distracted by him and then only thing I wanna do at that moment is kiss him. So I just whisper “fuck” and pull him in by the collar. Our lips meet in a searing kiss. He’s just as much into it as I am, his hands fisted in my hair and then resting in my neck, wandering down my shoulders, finding my waist, pulling me closer. He’s touching me so effortlessly, unthinkingly. Exploring in an innocent manner. And I feel so appreciated. So desired. And then suddenly there’s a song playing in the background. 

And it’s so ironic, looking back, because it’s Maroon 5′s “Payphone” (the remix version, we’re at a party after all) playing and I’m laughing. I’m lauging because that song’s so 2012. And it’s so melodramatic. Imagine meeting the perfect person and not being able to reach them anymore. But in that moment, I just remembered all the instances I got left alone at parties by my friends, because they found this cute guy and were all over each other within minutes, while I was sitting in the corner hoping the same would happen to me. All these stories I wrote about people meeting at parties and get into convoluted romcom-esque poltlines, sprung from these places in the corner, my hopes that at least this night I’d find somebody. And now I did. And he’s amazing. And I tell him that, prefacing with “I hope this doesn’t sound to childish or cheesy.” And his answer is a bashful laugh. “How old were you then? Twelve? And already so romantic?” And before I can start telling him about my obsession with Disney and the whole Princess Dream, he adds. “Gosh, you’re so cute.”

I melt. I literally melt. I don’t believe it. I don’t understand how this guy. This attractive, stunning much older guy thinks I’m cute. Thinks me attractive. Thinks me hot, intelligent, worth his time. Worth his kisses. I don’t. So I turn my head away. And he, like the gentle person he is, just pulls me in lightly and kisses me, like he’s starving. (I am for sure by this point). Like before, he would interrupt the kiss just to tell me how beautiful I am, his breath fanning my lips, before connecting them again. He touches my body, but he can not (for the life of his, I hope) let go of my hair. He fists his fingers into the nape of my neck, like nobody else has before and it just feels right.

Everything feels right. Apart from the fact, that I kind of know (and dread) what will follow. And oh god how much do I want this to end that way. But I know it shouldn’t. And when he lays the offer on the table, all I can do is decline.

“No offence, but I really really wanna undress you.” He gasps, when we part to get some air, already sneaking his hands under my shirt (which proves harder than usual, because of all the skintight layers I’m wearing, it’s a cold winter night after all). At this point, I’m already a gasping, giggling, horny mess. And he knows. Because, obviously, he feels the same (minus the giggling, because he’s a man). I start fiddling with the top button of his (fucking bishop’s) costume while trying to think of an answer. When I get the top button undone and start fiddling with the zipper of the jacket underneath, I finally get the courage to mumble: “Me too. But it’s a very very bad idea. Because...well, honestly, because I...yeah, I’ve never really had sex with a man.” He looks a bit taken aback (which is honestly, nothing new for me, but we don’t really have time to unpack that story) before he gets a look of consideration in his features.

“Well, if I’m very honest...looking back, I would have done loads of things differently.” He muses. I feel confused. “About what?” I ask. “Well, I mean, about having my first time.”, he explains. “And I think you’re very brave for standing behind that decision.” He says and he looks so fucking earnest, it almost makes my heart explode. I am speechless, not really registering, what he just said, still fiddling with his zipper, pulling it down, seeing his adams apple bob and I can’t help but kiss his neck. He hisses at that. “Still makes you so fucking desirable, shit.”, he curses. But I’m so into it and I ask: “Can I mark you?” He laughs, but in a more controlled (almost stern voice) declines. “I’ve got to work with clients. It’s not a very good idea.” And I get that. I understand. But I... I guess I need the confirmation. I need it confirmed, that this, happening right now, in all it’s facettes. So I look up and I ask him (hotly, might I add). “Can you do something for me, please? Can you give me a hickey instead, so I when I wake up tomorrow, I know I didn’t imagine this right here, right now.”

He laughs, like he understands what I mean. Like he feels the same way. And I pointedly try not to think exactly that. He starts kissing my neck, but stops after a moment or so, looking up to me, in an almost shy manner. “Can I be brutally honest here for a second?”, he asks, blushing. “I’ve...well I’ve never given anybody a hickey before, so I really don’t know how it works exactly.” He looks really, honestly a bit ashames at that. “But I’ll try.”, he adds, determined. And what follows is, what I feel, the most exquisite feeling of receiving a hickey, just shy of being painful, but oh so lustful. I can’t help but gasp lightly.

When he’s done with it, he ropes me again into a deep kiss, exploring every inch of my body and repeatedly finding himself tugging at the short strands of my hair. “God.”, he groans, looking almost reverent while ruffling my short hair. When I tell him, that I cut it myself, because I feel empowered with short hair he adds: “Please, don’t ever let it grow long.” And we’re kissing again. Me with giddy excitement, disbelief, and so much lust and him with cunning expertise.

So it’s no wonder when he gasps, “Can I please touch you.” and I do not register what exactly he means, while already nodding. I just wanna be snogged again man, get to it!

And oh. Oh. Oh, he does just that. But he also slips his hand in my pants and I just...I don’t know how to act. But exactly in this moment I think ‘I want this.’ and I ache. I ache, because I know it’s not a good idea taking him home to my place, where my parents are fast asleep and my desk is messy. And there are clothes laying around (and it probably smells rank). I ache, because I fucking know that while on our way to his place (because he’s got to live in bloody hicksville), I will have overthought everything and even before we arrive, I will have changed my mind. And I don’t know, if and how he’d handle that. (He’s still a stranger after all). And I ache, because I know he must feel the same, judging by the vibe I get from him, even though his hands are still in places, where I would want to see them. I ache, I feel desperate, but most of all, I feel content. Because it’s okay. It’s okay the way it is in that moment. It’s okay, because it is fucking magical.

But magic doesn’t last. Just like the sand in the hourglass doesn’t stop running once you turned it. So, we look at each other and we nod. “Okay...”, he clears his throat. “I’ll make it easy for the both of us: You’ll go this way and I’ll go that way. And we will never ever ever forget this amazing night we just spent together.” I nod. He nods. And then we fall onto each other like two lions fall onto their prey, savoring the last moments together, in this way.

When we let go from each other, he takes my hand to twirl me around, “take a last good look” as he words it. And I can’t help but crowd him against the nearest wall and kiss him one more time. He lets me. Because he wants to. And he doesn’t stay very innocent, his hands finding his way past my hips, grabbing my ass. We both know we have to stop now. Or we won’t.

So we do. With one last kiss. And his last words: “I’ll never forget you.”

I take the right side. He takes the left side.

Only the morning after I realise, that I never asked him for any sort of contact. And though I tried to find him, he stays obscure. Like he never existed.

It’s been a month and more since and I haven’t forgotten him. I don’t know if he’s forgotten me.

He’s flashed me so bad, I don’t know if I’ll ever forget him.

Sometimes I ask myself, if I just should’ve taken him home. Sneak him out the next morning.

I know it’s better this way. Yet, I wonder if the sex would’ve been as good as he was, when he was wooing me.

I remember his kisses, his touch, everything. But it feels more and more like a distant memory. Something I’ve just imagined. Unreal. Not really there, corrupted by my many retellings, by my writing it. Something I must’ve seen in a movie, not experienced first hand.

Because that’s how it felt. Like a movie. Just how I always wanted.

Only that in the movies you always meet twice. Thrice. Fall in love. Live happily ever after.

I want to meet him again. But under the same circumstances, in a magical setting, where we can finally consummate the lust we felt for eachother that night. And I want it to be amazing.

Maybe it’ll happen. Maybe it won’t. Maybe I’ll get over it. Maybe we’ll find into eachothers life.

But until then, this will stay a movie-esque moment. And I will enjoy it as such.

[missaureus]

ElyXiOn in Manila Pt. 2

I left home feeling unsure if I had some forgotten baggage from my less-than-an-hour-pack-up and drove away towards the east following the light of the streetlamps. But one thing was sure, I was leaving my academic-induced stresses. But, to have that sense of relief, I still brought a few reading materials with me, which were left unbothered throughout my secret trip.

Past 8 PM, the car was already swerving the road towards the airport from the highway. It was the boundary which felt that I was not home already. I was leaving home, temporarily. To be exact, less than 36 hours. I jumped off from the backseat and bid farewell to my family by the time we reached the entrance of the departure area, as if they were giving it to me as my well-deserved break from reality.

The airport was tranquil the moment I checked in, no hustle at all. No one was forming a line, so I directly went to the counter. I asked the staff in-charge if I can get into the flight prior to mine. My flight was still at 11:20 PM but I decided to be at the airport before 9 PM, gathering all my luck to be able to have a seat in my friends’ flight to Manila. Sadly, he turned me down and said that a few were also trying to get into early schedules but most of the passengers had checked in already. He gave me my ticket and directed me to the boarding area.

Honestly, I expected it to happen since flight fares at these times were super expensive, who would have ditch their flight schedule? I rode the escalator up and looked for my friends who were already waiting for their boarding time by past 9 PM. 

I have my two concert buddies, Anne and Alisha, who were also my companion last EXOrDium. I regretfully informed them that I was not able to have the chance of getting into their flight. I was not able to avail the same flight schedule beforehand since I had no concrete school schedule and just waited for the safe zone to get one. We just chatted for a few minutes and the next thing was, they were already on board. 

I waited in the first row while busily watching The Miracle We Met. Guess what? I failed to sense that the line forming in front of me was already my flight after an hour of watching, my bad! I hurriedly pulled out my earphones and stuffed my gadgets inside my sling bag. After picking up all of my stuff, I went to the back of the line. I was shocked that the boarding time was an hour earlier than what was indicated on my ticket!

 It did not feel any difference at all that it was my first air travel alone. Sometimes, being solitary is the best feeling in the world. It took an hour before the plane finally took off but I was already half asleep during that time. Imagine the energy I spent the whole day in school, what a suicide. My eyebags do not lie even.

Almost 1 AM, the plane arrived in Manila. I realized at that point while riding the bus to the arrival area that night travels are such a beauty. Peaceful. I fell in love with the idea. I walked together with the surge of people to the exit of the arrival area where lots of people were waiting and waving for their loved ones.

I am never familiar of the place but I trusted my instincts so much. I trusted on where my feet would bring me. Terminal 3 of the airport was ridiculously silent! I could not believe I missed CBX in there with just hours apart. How does it feel?  

I directly went to the Grab-Taxi lane. I was honestly nervous. I am a baby to this monstrous city. Despite the uncertainty, I acted stoic. But how crazy love would make you do. My first step in Manila 3 years ago was also due to an EXO concert. EXO did that to me, to act independent for a day. Away from my comfort zone. I was glad to fake an act of bravery. You will never know what to do in a difficult situation until that situation is right in front of you. 

A staff in the counter booked my driver and waited for him a few minutes. I was just quiet at the backseat trying to enjoy the city lights. I navigated with my Google Maps to arrive safely in my destination. I stayed with my other group of friends who were also concert goers since my concert buddies were staying somewhere else far from the airport. 

At almost 2 AM, my friends fetch me in the lobby of the condominium building but before getting into the unit we went to the nearest convenient store to buy some food and drinks. We directly went back to the residence.

My body was so beaten. I could hardly move. I placed my things on the corner and admired the aerial view for a second. I was conflicted if I would sleep right away or fix my mini-giveaways which I was not able to work on days ago. My housemates were already asleep but I decided to work on that thing. Even if I was tired, I was not sleepy yet. 

Past 3 AM I already rolled over my sleeping space. One of my housemates was playing her EXO playlist overnight. Wow. The last song I could recall before dozing off was She’s Dreaming. I can clearly remember.

I got little sleep. Three hours of it. But my body was hyped since I could not waste time on sleep. My housemates left me by 10 AM since they needed to post near the venue to distribute their prepared giveaways. They are admins of one of the fanbases under EXO Worldwide Union. Big responsibility, huh? I chose to stay in the unit since I was still waiting for Anne and Alisha to arrive.

 Almost 12 noon, we left the condo unit. I booked for our Grab driver which surprisingly knew how to speak Bisaya and that gave me relief! Undeniably, riding taxis is a horrifying experience unless you could assure that the driver is not taking any advantage of you! We chatted with him, like you gotta befriend people and gain their trust, haha. 

The air was crazily humid. If I am not mistaken, the temperature went up to 34 degrees C. I was afraid to walk around so much because, again, the pit was calling me! I tried so bad not to expend so much energy prior to the concert.  

The crowd was unbelievable also! It was the same situation last EXOluXion. There were shouting in every corner that would give you frequent heart attacks! You get afraid that they might see some of the members(?) while you miss that chance, haha! It was never like this around Araneta during EXOrDium. I swear it was so frustrating. Like every big buses that would pass by towards the backstage entrance, those crazy fangirls would run into for nothing. I chose to stay away from the arena. We eventually looked for the desk to have our VIP straps on and went to the mall area right away to look for vacant food stores. Most of it with nearer proximity to the arena were full, mostly on standby and meetups. We luckily found a resto with a vacant table with an outlet to recharge our phones! We were so happy to find an outlet lmao! Fully-charged phones is a must! So we decided not to let go of that post and stayed there until 3:30 PM. I met a few of my internet friends but sadly was not able to meet all since the temperature was pretty energy-draining and also the mobile network service was down. 

After freshening up, we went to our sequence line by past 3 PM. We were honestly disappointed with our sequence numbers, 230-232, since my friends had 66-67 last year! However, when we were following our line in the sequence, our numbers were right after those foreigners or those who availed the Global Package, which somehow gave us an assurance that 200 plus was still a good number to have better view in the pit. 

A few were wearing killer platforms and it made me regret on why I only added over 1 inch of my height, I could have worn higher ones! I stand 5 feet 4 inches plus 1.18 inches but I felt so smol! I was starting to get tired and rested near the railings. I refused to used my phone to preserve my battery. So, I just killed time on resting. There was also one thing that happened! The girl before us in the line started crying because her ticket went missing! Some staffs were roaming around announcing a lost ticket but only to find out it was not it. There was a moment of panic around  because OMG that was a huge problem! Eventually, she found it in some i-did-not-bother-to-know corner. Thank God! If it happened to me, I do not know what to do too but cry.

Almost 5 PM, we were already in front of the entrance of the arena. I still could not feel any tension! I was so numb at that moment. We went through the metal detector and our bags were checked as well as our tickets. I directly went straight to the line being held in front of W standing pit entrance, only to find out that my buddies were not behind me! I went back to the first entrance and my friend was being confined by the officer due to her instax camera. What were they so pressed for? It was not even a professional camera! A few moments later, he gave it back because it was not on the list of the prohibited things inside the arena. Sadly, a few people already overtook the lane and that made me so pissed off! On a brighter side, the number of people allowed to get inside the pit was grouped  which was good. What happened last year was that, the line from the outside to the pit was continuous and it was not being held by the staffs, thus, the fans had a chance to run inside the pit and overtake those with lesser sequences numbers. 

I was awed the moment I set foot in the pit! The first thing that came in my mind was questioning my past self on why I did not take standing tickets back then! The three of us were in chaos! We already strategized on where to run and stand when we get inside but yes, planned moments mostly never happen. My buddies wanted the barricade so bad in the left side. It is every fangirl’s dream: to hold that barricade. But we have a rule to follow too! Follow your bias, not your friends. Thou shall not break the rule. I had to think straight and fast and cut off my indecisive self. I went in the center part of the pit. 2-3 rows were already formed and mostly foreigners were still inside. I ran back to my friends saying firmly that I would stay in the center part! After acknowledging my decision, I went back to my post. I will never regret this spot. I assured myself. Come what may. The surge of fans was only minimal. Thank God there was no need to panic. 

A few minutes later, one of my buddies, who is also a Jongin stan, came to me and checked the area! She went back to the barricade and went back again to my post saying she also decided to stand in the center part with me! I was happy because we have studied the map of the whole setlist long ago and we, Kai stans, knew by heart on where he positions in a certain song! He is not put in the center part for no reason at all, Kai is the center. The center belongs to Kai! 

Eventually the arena was being filled with fans. I just observed the people around me. Most foreigner fans were quite aggressive and knew the pit game so well. They guarded their post as if they already mastered the dirty game. Diversity in language was an advantage for all! You get to talk with your co-nationality EXOLs on how to safeguard your position since some were really pain in the arse. They would push you so bad. Some would even swear at you. Stressful. I did not mind them and gave not a single cent of care. 

I had regrets in bringing my doll inside the arena. I just took a photo of my baby once and placed it back inside the bag. But eventually, it served its purpose well since I place my bag in front of me, it became a cushion from the people in front row. It was such a relief for me. 

Everyone waited patiently for an hour while singing along with the background music being played. Finally, the lights went off! My heart was banging against the rib cage. I cannot contain the fact that THIS IS IT! A year of waiting. I am going to see my artists again.

[orangewritesstuff]

I saw you post about romantic headcanons for the main 5 tfp cons and it was really good. I was wondering if you could do romantic headcanons for tfp Shockwave, Dreadwing and Predaking pls?

Yeeeay, I’m still alive (you see what i did here lol). And ready to write hc’s!

Yoo, love, sorry that it took so long to do! I just needed to rewatch frickin TFP to remember tha boyz, because Wiki didn’t help me even the slightest, ugh.Somehow this turned out as bot s/o, so, sorryyyy~ But still hope you’ll like it!

Shockwave TFP 

Warnings: not emotionless Shockwave, somehow even kind Shockwave.

What is love. (baby don’t hurt me)

This is illogical.

And absolutely useless.

Then why his processor filled with useless thoughts about certain someone. 

Oh, he hates it since the beginning. Or, more like, despises. This “feelings” is pointless and unnecessary. Then why..?  Why can’t he NOT think about them? Why can’t he NOT want to talk to them, to interact with them? Why does he feel almost lonely? Why does he feel?

He rarely talks to s/o. He just… can’t.This is wrong. He has so much work to do. He doesn’t need distractions.

Oh, bby, this is a slow burn. SLOW. BURN. I MEAN IT.

But it is a burn. Slow. But burn. This flame inside him burns, even if he tries to either ignore it or extinguish it. It will burn even if it’s cold and small. 

But enough about metaphores, let’s get to real talk. Shockwave is not the most affectionate nor the most sensitive. He ignores s/o as much as he can, but then… Then s/o doesn’t give up. And he doesn’t know what to do. He tried to stop all of this nonsense.

One day, s/o doesn’t show up in his lab. And the next day. And this is a whole new level, because Shockwave suddenly feels anxious. Where are they? He is the same on the outside, as cliche as it sounds, but on the inside, he is scared and nervous. 

He just can’t concentrate and it’s annoying. And now there is too many feelings to just pretend that they don’t exist or to analyze them by himself. 

And he is angry and he is scared and he is confused and just doesn’t know what to do. And then he suddenly finds the answer. 

This is went too far. He can’t work and this is not right. Without s/o he can’t work. And work is the most important thing to him, work and science. And if he can’t work without you, then he will request for your presence in the lab. Just so he can work properly. And if you want to know how he will do this: he will go to s/o, look at them with his usual coldness and say “Your presence in the laboratory is highly required”. And then he’ll just leave. 

And s/o is so confused, because he never talks to them, and, come on, they thought that he hates them for their chatter. But it seems like he needs them? Unbelievable. But delightful, nonetheless. 

So, s/o smiles and from now on visit lab every day. Shockwave is pleased. He can work now, and talkativeness of s/o doesn’t disturb him. It’s rather refreshing, to have someone to listen to by his side, who is pleasantly intelligent. 

And then something incredible happens. Shockwave answers them. Shockwave starts talking back. And now, now there is so much to talk to. Even if his answers is short and very sustained (i dunno if this is the right word???) this is still actual conversation between the two. This is a progress. 

He will never directly show his affection or talk about it, never ever. But I mean it, when I say that he won’t show it directly. But small things, oh, small things. Small comments about your well-being, something about irrationality of late recharging or usefullness of regular medical appointments after battles… Something like this. And he looks at s/o more often. There is no emotions in his optic, but s/o are so used to him, they simply feel his mood. 

Like this one time when s/o got really hurt and didn’t go to medics, trying to deal with injury by themselves? He found them and at the sight of energon, oh Primus, in this cold optic s/o could feel his fury. And he truly was furios, because he didn’t tell them anything, but grabbed them by the hand and basically dragged them to med bay. His grip could leave a few dents for sure. S/o felt so guilty for some reason, because they could feel how his hand was trembling and how sharply his vents sucked on air. He was… he was clearly mad and… worried. They almost teared up at the thought. They should’ve been confused, because this is Shockwave and he can’t be worried, they just imagining things. But when after medical treatment he kneeled before them, and this was so surreal, but his optic was off and he looked so… broken. Shockwave. Shockwave without a face, without feelings, Shockwave, who thought that worry was illogical, THE SHOCKWAVE looked incredibly scared and worried, and now relieved. Tears almost fell from s/o’s optics at the sight. Almost, because after a few minutes he stood tall as always and it was as nothing happened. He left without a word and was silent for a next few days, light of his optics dim.

And the culmination of this slowest burn ever. The moment of truth. Confession time.

So, this was a normal day. Shockwave worked all day, then s/o came by after their work, and they talked for a few hours. Then silence fell, but very comfortable silence. S/o sighed and smiled a little. “You know, Shockwave. I really like coming here. And talking to you.” He silently nods, to show them that he is listening. “And I think I like you as well. Even if it feels like you are cold and even if you are not showing emotions. Even if others thinks that you are intimidating or even sparkless… You care about others. You work not only for the sake of science, but you work to help. You create powerful and scary, but oh so incredible things.” He didn’t respond. Actually, he is frozen, he is silent and frozen, but s/o didn’t notice and kept talking. “You are… You are incredible, you know. I do most of the talking, but, somehow, you are still more sensitive and more compassionate than me, even if you never admit it. I don’t know how this is possible, but… I hope I didn’t just imagine this… you are different with me. And I love it and, actually, every other thing about you. I think I love you.”

He is still silent and s/o freaks out, because they don’t know why they told him all of this now, and they just try to laugh it off “Oh my, look at my ramblings, this is so… how do you say it? …illogical.”

They can’t see his face — or optic, or whatever — and they’re rambling again, and he listens, and he is motionless and it’s almost like his system crashed. Honestly? He feels like this is what happened — his system crashed, and he is overflowed with so many emotions at once, this is even more than before! What should he do??? 

“It is illogical…” Oh, s/o’s spark almost breaks when they hear this words. But then they looks at him and now he is a trembling mess and it’s scary, because, what the hell??? “…but I think…” THINK? Since when Shockwave is so unsure about something? His statements always clear and straightforward, and now?! “…that I feel…” no comments “…the same”.

For a moment, s/o is confused and shocked, but then they SMILE SO WIDE AND LAUGH. AND OH BOY, IS SHOCKWAVE FLUSTERED???OH PRIMUS.

He looks at his s/o, meets their happy gaze and. And Primus save him, his spark went BOOM, because he realizes that he is sooo HELPLESS. (YOU SEE WHAT I DID THERE, HUH)

What the hell now I love him too much, what the actual eff…

Dreadwing TFP

Warnings: SO. MUCH. OOC. I THINK.

oK, TOO MANY EMOTIONS. Because, you know, I’m a sucker for Cybertronian twins, I mean, I read all of smstransformers’s hc’s about this (ok maybe not all of them, but). And Dreadwing and Skyquake is canonically a split-sparks, and OUCH.

It’s not that slow, but still slow burn. But, you know, this is a pleasantly slow burn. It’s not like Dreadwing ignores his feelings, or despises them, or denies them. No, he just doesn’t rush things. He is very careful and, suddenly, so, so gentle. He is no hurry to love. But if he loves, trust me, he loves to the Cybertron and back. But, um, this won’t work with romantical love. Just continue to read, you’ll understand.

This love will start super-cliche. Maybe he and his s/o will bump into each other in the corridors, and s/o is apologising, and he just looks at them and calmly replies that this is his fault (even if it really isn’t). If they fell, he helps them. S/o is surprised by his calm and gentle actions, because, let’s be honest he does look like a guy who will yell at someone just for minor mistake.

If someone’s asking you who is real gentlemech - he is. Dreadwing is. Because he is talking very politely every time. If he sees that s/o is upset, he will ask them what’s wrong, but will not push if they won’t talk. 

With him silence is never awkward. His presence is always soothing. And conversations very calm and smooth too. 

HE IS VERY CALM IN MY HEAD, OK?!

He is such a great listener. And he cares about his s/o, this is obvious, because he always sure to check on them after every battle or something. 

Then, he starts walk with his s/o after work. When he can - and he somehow alawys can - he will walk them to their hab-suite. Then he will meet them at morning and walk them to their workplace. S/o will became so used to this, they’ll meet him with small smile every time.

Talking about everything. And ok, I’ll repeat myself, HE IS SO PLEASANT TO TALK TO. I MEAN. IT’S COOL. HE IS COOL. He cares about your opinion, he is very patient and even if there is a discussion, it’s never heated. It can be passionate, but he’s lisnetitng to s/o’s opinion, and all of disagreements never leads to a fight or something like this. If something happens, he just nods and tells you something among the lines “I understand, but can’t agree. What about another theme for this conversation?”. SO RESPECTFUL. GOOD MAN.

Somehow end up being protective. But still calm (fight me). If this is someone, who gives s/o a hard time, he will be behind their back. Silent. I mean, he is pretty intimidating, so all he needs to do is glare and the one who gives s/o hard time will dissapear. Will shrug it off when s/o thank him - this is what a rightful mech should do.

COMPLIMENTS. SO MANY POLITE COMPLIMENTS. HE IS SUCH A GOOD MAN.

HOW MANY TIMES WILL I TELL YOU ABOUT HOW CALM HE IS. 

One day, everything changed. They were walking to s/o’s hab-suite, talking, everything the same. Usually he holds his hands behind his back, but not this time. And s/o builds up courage to take his hand, to show him their affection.

Everything goes wrong. He notices and stops so suddenly, and he jerked his hand back as if this touch burned him. S/o is confused and hurt. And his faceplate hold something unreadable. There is pain, there is fear, there is sadness and anger and something more. He leaves withouth another word.

He won’t talk to them after this. It hurts, it really hurts. Why does this happened? What went wrong? 

He is so distant and he… He avoids them. Thay are too scared and confused to ask him, because now everytime he sees them his faceplate shows real pain. 

Let’s look at this from his point of view, shall we? He doesn’t know about his feelings, actually. I mean, he knew that he cares about s/o, he knew that he grew fond of them, but this day he suddenly realized how hard he fell. And this wasn’t supposed to happen. This was never supposed to happen. He was never supposed to fell for you, he never supposed to love you so much. Because he lost his brother. His twin. Half of his spark. He is broken now. His main purpose is to avenge Skyquake. He can’t fell in love now, he can’t do this to himself, and more important, he can’t do this to s/o. In the end, he panics. Panics and that’s why he shuts himself out. He can see how much it hurts you, but he feels like he must hurt you so you will hate him and forget about him. Even if he’ll hate himself for it, he will do this. For your sake. Even if it doesn’t make sense to you, to him - it does. 

Actually, the main reason why he do this… he knows that now, when his brother is dead, he won’t live long either. He just knows. He can’t let you love him just to lose him. Just to suffer. He knows how this fells. 

He is also afraid to love someone now. What if he won’t die, what if he is mistaken. But you two are still in the middle of the war. It feels like now war is easier now, quieter, but he knows that it is not. It’s still war. And you can die. And he can’t lose someone again. He won’t lose someone dear to his spark ever again.

Long time without speaking to each other. Long time avoiding each other. Tension grows.

This will happen somewhere on the ship, somewhere quiet, at night. They will suddenly meet in the small hall with big glass wall, where you can see starry sky. This time, they are suddenly freezes, looking at each other. Tension grows...

He is starting to turn around to go back, but s/o rushes to him and grabs him by the hand. The two are frozen once again. He turns his head, looking at s/o stunned. S/o is trying to say something, but it’s been so long since they were even this close… Tears fell accidentally. And more. And s/o is crying.

Dreadwing can’t. He can’t just stand here and watch s/o cry. He gritted his dents and offlined his optics for a moment. And then he took their face in his hands and wiped their tears. He hates himself for being weak. He shouldn’t. But he can’t stand seeing their tears.

And then they starts rambling about all of this. They thinks that this is their fault. And Dreadwing listens in horror. They shouldn’t think that this is their fault! They should hate him! Not themselves! 

EFFF ME, I’M A WALKING CLICHE, but he silence them with a kiss. Slow and extremely gentle, but not romantic and not heated or passionate, but full of sadness and pain. S/o is trembling, but now they’re clung to him for dear life, like he’ll dissapear if they let him go. And, honestly, he feels the same. They won’t let go. They won’t know how long they will stay there, not caring about any cameras that Soundwave may have even there. They should’ve done this before. Not loving each other was too painful, even with all of the possible endings of this relationship. 

After that, they are silent and always seems so sad, but they are unseparatable now. No one can separate them. Even Megatron. Somehow, for now, leader of Decepticons seem to tolerate this. Dreadwing isn’t causing him too much problems with this, so.

They know that his may end any time now. And that’s why now they won’t ignore each other. They won’t ignore this feelings. If they’re destined to burn - they will burn together.

You know how this will end. You know. If you want - you can imagine happy ending. Everything will be alright, war will be over, and they will live. They will start all over again, together. Now stop here. 

Because you know how this story ends. He will die. Because of Megatron. And they will either live with this pain or end things too. And, honestly, I think it’ll be the latter. They will probably seek revenge. And they will die. Just like Dreadwing. They both will die because they needed to avenge the ones they loved. 

But who knows, on the other side… they can meet again.

FREAKING EFF I DUNNO HOW TO WRITE HIM, HELP, ALSO, WHY AM I CRYING HUH???!!!

Predaking TFP

OH HELL YES. If you want to know how it would feel to be treated like a royalty - you need Predaking.

Calls s/o My Lady/My Lord/how to make this neutral from the very first meeting.

You can fight me, but dis boy is naive af. S/o should very carefully talk to him, because sometimes he understands some things too literally…

He is curious about everything. What the eff, Predaking, you are supposed to be intimidating and scary, stop being cute and ask so many questions. Ok, don’t stop.

P R O T E C T I V E. I MEAN IT. Growls at anyone who dares to mess with his s/o. Later, he growls at anyone who comes near them. And don’t even ask me what will happen if someone hurt them or if they get hurt. He will be furious. 

At first, he is not very gentle. Not because he wants to hurt them, just because he shows affection with touches and often misunderstands the amount of strength he puts in touches. But once there is a dent on s/o’s arm or shoulder, he immediately regrets not thinking about this, apologies and learns how to be more careful. Gentlest mech alive from now on.

S/o’s presence makes him more determined and confident. Even if he doesn’t show it, he is actually has a lot of doubts about everything that happening to him. His s/o helping him with this. He feels like he must be the King he is for them, because they are his lady/lord/stilldunno.

If s/o can work with a huge dragon around them and let’s be honest, even if they can’t he will wrap himself around them and sleep for a few hours. He is tired boy, actually, even if it doesn’t seems like he is.

The next step in nicknames is Princess/Prince/STILLDUNNO.

NUZZLES. He is a predacon after all, so his behavior is animalistic. That’s why there is not a lot of kisses or hands holding, but there is a lot - A LOT - of nuzzles. Mostly he nuzzle his face in their neck of shoulder.

PDA? Who cares? I mean, he is a KING. If someone have problems with him showing affection, say it in his face. Just know that this won’t end well.

I think that since he is old, he will know that he should call all of this courting. But since he is also in a new world, he is resurrected, that means that he is a little bit awkward with this. I mean, he tries to do it properly, but some of the rules are so strict, and won’t let him show enough affection, so… He is a little bit awkward, yep.

I mean, teach him how to bring gifts, because. They’re not even official yet, and he is already bring them something super fancy.I mean it. I don’t know where he finds all of this stuff that he brings his s/o, but there is too many gifts. Stop him, please, gently and soft, but stop. He needs to slow down.

One of things that he do despite all of rules of classical courting - TEASES. Honestly, he is such a tease, because he adores his s/o face when they are flustered. And he is extremely happy if they can be playful with him just like he is with them. 

They became official before s/o could say anything. Not that they mind. Especially now, when Predaking calls them My Queen/King.

Takes his s/o on a flights. 

I can’t think about something sad with him, because. This is Predaking. There won’t be anything sad, because he will destroy anyone who dares to harm their relationship. And he is effing strong, so.

ONE DAY HE IS JUST RANDOMLY STARTS TALKING ABOUT FUTURE HEIR. PREDAKING NO. 

Ok, there are few problems - he is stubborn to no end and he is very possesive, which means that he will easily get jealous. Just. This may be irritating, but s/o must try to be patient and explain him if they are uncomfortable, because. This is a part of his nature.

Love confession will be random. When he nuzzles in dragon form, sometimes he nuzzles somewhere in the belly zone, and it tickles, and he is purring, and s/o laughs and “Oh Primus, I love you too, but stop!” is purely accidental. He actually stops and s/o gets scared, because maybe this is not what this means, maybe they messed everything up. But Predaking transforms and he is SMILING. And this is important, because real smiles - the one that he doesn’t hide - is rare. And he is smiling, then gets on one knee, take their hands… And now s/o understands what’s happening and BLUSHING. And he chuckles and kisses both of their hands. “My Queen/King, you are truly the love of my life as well.”

Oh, fight me, I can’t write something dramatical enough for him.

YOU KNOW WHAT, I WAS SO CHEERFULL BACK WHEN I STARTED AND NOW I LIKE IT TOO MUCH AND WHAT THE ACTUAL EFF TOO MANY EMOTIONS AND THIS ISN’T EVEN THAT GOOD, BOI

[claws-n-salt]

Marichat May Day 12 - Sleepover

When Chat Noir mentions that he's never had a sleepover, Marinette is determined to give him the best first sleepover ever. Out comes the best fort known to mankind.

Rated G || 3,007 Words

Cross posted to Ao3 || FF

The Fort

“Wait you’re telling me you’ve never had a sleepover before?” Marinette had been talking about a recent time when Alya had spent the night when Chat admitted he’d never had a sleepover with someone.

He sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. “No, my dad is a little over protective. I didn’t even start going to public school until this year.” He knew there was a slight blush peeking out from below his mask. He was kind of embarrassed that he’d never spent the night at someone else’s house.

“That’s it, you’re staying the night. I’m going to make sure you have the entire sleepover experience, as least how I do it anyway. First, we need a fort, I’ll be right back.” Marinette ran down the stairs, leaving a shell-shocked Chat Noir in her wake.

After a few moments, a pile of fabric was thrown through the trap door, several pillows followed. He heard a whispered yell come from below which snapped him out of the stunned state Marinette had left him in. “Chat, you’re going to need to help pull the couch cushions through. They’re too wide to just slide in.” A couch cushion was suddenly protruding from the floor as Chat scrambled towards it. He made sure to be careful with his claws as he grasped the cushion, pulling from the top while Marinette pushed from the bottom.

Soon there was a pile of four couch cushions sitting next to Chat by the door. He was actually kind of winded. Who knew pulling cushions through a door would be more tiring than vaulting through Paris. Marinette poked her head through her trapdoor, her voice still in a whisper. “Now we need snacks. You’ll probably need to recharge your transformation at some point tonight, is there anything you need?”

“Some sort of cheese please. Camembert is preferred but any cheese or cheese product will do. By the way, yes, I would love to have a sleepover.”

Marinette’s face turned red when she realized she hadn’t given him a chance to accept her invitation. “I’m sorry! I was just so excited. I didn’t mean to pretty much force you into a sleepover. Only stay if you want to.” Her eyes were wide as she looked at him.

“I do want to have a sleepover Marinette, I’m excited too. I thought I’d never spend the night at anyone’s house if I’m being honest.

Marinette laughed. “Alright, I’ll be back with snacks and cheese. Will you drop all this over by my desk please.” She pointed to the pillows and blankets as she began to descend the stairs.

He gave her a little salute before her head disappeared. “Will do Princess.” Chat lugged all the blankets and pillows Marinette had brought up near her desk. The last time he’d made a pillow fort had been with his mom, he couldn’t bring himself to do it alone once she was gone. Chat was happy the first one he’d build in years would be with Marinette.

“Alright kitty, let’s get down to business.” He turned to see Marinette with her arms loaded with more junk food than he’d ever been allowed to eat in his entire life. It was safe to say; Chat Noir was thrilled. Marinette dumped the goodies in her arms onto her chaise and turned back towards him. “Are you ready to build the best pillow fort known to mankind?” The cat boy eagerly shook his head yes. “Then hand me that sheet on top.”

When Chat picked up the sheet he noticed small holes had been made in the corners. He tossed it to Marinette who was now standing at the far wall next to one of the slanted support beams to her room. She unfolded the sheet and slipped one of the holes onto a hook that he’d failed to notice every other time he’d visited her. After stretching the fabric to the adjacent wall, she let it drop, effectively covering half of her desk. “Wow, you must take fort building seriously if you had hooks installed for this. You must be ‘hooked’ on making forts Princess.”

Marinette let out a groan at his pun. “Instead of making puns, can you please grab that pink sheet and do the same thing I just did to cover the other half of the desk?” She pointed to the sheet she was speaking of while she walked towards her closet.

“Anything for you Princess. Though, I never ‘pegged’ you as the controlling type.” He laughed at her huff of disproval as he hooked the second sheet into place. Marinette’s desk was successfully covered and the corner of her room already felt cozier. “Now what am I doing Mari?”

She pointed at a blue sheet. “That one is going to be the ceiling. Hook three of the corners to the hooks.” He didn’t think there was a sheet in existence big enough to hook onto all three places at once. Chat realized he was right as well when he saw stitching in the middle to combine two different sheets. “You know, I was kidding before because I wanted to make those puns but you really are serious about forts. You made a giant sheet for the soul purpose of being a roof!”

She walked back over to help latch the third corner into place. “I’ve been perfecting my fort technique for years. When you just use furniture, the ceiling is too low. The solution is to hook it higher. When a single big sheet is used, there isn’t enough room for two people to be comfortable at once. The solution is to make a bigger sheet.” She shrugged her shoulders as though it was no big deal. “I think they’re fun and cozy, perfect for snuggling.” Her eyes widened as she realized what she’d said. “N-not that I plan on c-cuddling someone in one a-anytime soon. I-it’s just a n-nice thought for the f-future.”

Chat didn’t understand why the thought of cuddling Marinette in the fort made him blush. It’s not like it was going to happen or anything, she was making that very clear. She clapped her hands together a little too loudly which snapped Chat out of his thoughts. “Okay, back to the fort.”

“Yes, the fort. What are we doing now?” Better to change the subject, he didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable or anything. Even though Chat didn’t mind the idea of fort cuddles in the slightest.

“Now we’re building out. You can arrange the couch cushions and pillows while I pin together a few sheets for the outer walls.” She waved the little pin cushion of needles at him.

“What? No more sewn together sheets?” He smirked up at her as he sat on the ground to start arranging the interior of the half-built fort.

“Not yet. Maman said that if I wanted to sew anymore sheets together I had to get them myself. Soon though, I hope. Pre-sewn sheets for the outside would cut down on build time.” If that was the case, maybe some sheets would just happen to be on Marinette’s balcony within the next few days. “Oh, I almost forgot! I recommend shoving some of the pillows under the desk, they make it more comfortable to lean against. I also tend to stack a few comforters and blankets on the couch cushions.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking about doing. Great minds do think alike Princess.” He sent her a wink that she rolled her eyes at but he though he saw her blush faintly. Maybe he was just imagining it. The two set to work on their projects; Chat taking Marinette's tips into consideration as he applied the fort building skills he acquired from his mom while Marinette used her sewing skills to securely pin sheets together.

He lost some of his light as Marinette climbed to her loft and draped one of the pinned together sheet sets on the slanted support beam next to him. He was pretty much done and after a few more pillow adjustments, climbed out to see if Marinette needed any help. It was lucky he climbed out when he did because a moment later he caught a falling Marinette who was very obviously frustrated. "Ugh, I hate being short. I can't reach the beam on my own." She huffed out a breath that ruffled her bangs. He may have found the action unbelievably adorable.

He laughed a bit. "Don't worry about it, that's what I'm here for Princess. What else would your Knight in shining leather be for?" He wiggles his eyebrows at her which pulled a laugh from her lips.

"Honestly, I always need someone to help me but it never stops me from trying. Normally Alya will leave some of the pillows bellow my loft so I don't break something." The image of her stubbornly avoiding asking for help flashed through his mind. He laughed as he set her down, realizing he'd still been holding her through their conversation.

He clapped his hands together, similarly to what she'd done earlier. "Alright, let's get this wall up!" The two teens climbed up to the loft where the pinned sheets sat in a pile. Marinette picked up the crumpled fabric and turned to him. There was a slight blush dusting her freckled cheeks as she spoke. "So, um, Alya normally holds onto me while I lean over." His blush probably mirrored hers as he realized he'd be holding onto her hips.

"Oh, o-okay. I-I can do that." He gave her a reassuring smile before she turned and began to lean out once more. Chat held her hips firmly so she could reach over far enough place the sheet on the beam. Chat's face was flaming and he could see Marinette's ears were red, which probably meant her face was as well. She wrapped the sheets over the beam, making sure it wasn't in jeopardy of slipping. He pulled her back to the loft and made sure her feet were firmly planted on the ground before removing his hands. Maybe that was just an excuse to hold Marinette a little longer.

"A-alright! The fort is officially ready! Now it's junk food and movie time!" Her voice was bright, almost forcibly so, and her face was just as red as he thought it’d be. "Do you want to recharge before we get comfortable?" He nodded his head at her question. "Okay, you can use the bathroom, there are cheese danishes with the food. I'll meet you in the fort so I can get everything else set up.”

"Sounds good Princess." A few minutes later Adrien Agreste was sitting in Marinette's bathroom with a very hungry kwami. A kwami who was eating three cheese danishes at once.

"I'm all for you spending the night at your girlfriend's house if I get more of these danishes, they're amazing! You should come here more often."

"S-she's not my girlfriend Plagg. Just a friend." His kwami gave him a look that said 'mhmm sure' then chuckled. "Come one Plagg, you know I like Ladybug."

"Sure kid, sure." Plagg rolled his eyes as he polished off his last piece of danish. "Alright, I'll be able to hold out until morning but make sure you get more of those danishes before you leave in the morning."

Adrien promised his kwami before transforming. "Claws out." Chat Noir was standing in Marinette's bathroom once more. When he got back to Marinette's room he heard her muffled voice within the fort ask him to turn out the lights. When he clicked them off he saw small dots of light illuminating the fort from within.

He lifted the flap of sheet near Marinette's stairs and stepped inside. "Welcome to your very first sleepover Chat Noir." Marinette gestured around the space as Chat took it all in. The light was coming from a star projector positioned behind her laptop which he assumed had a movie up ready to be played. The snacks Marinette had brought up were divided up on either side of the places they'd be sitting, one of those places already filled by Marinette.

Chat couldn't wipe the stupid, giddy smile off his face as he plopped down next to Marinette. "Thank you for this Marinette. I can't tell you how much this means to me."

Marinette returned his beaming smile with one of her own. "I'm happy I could do this for you kitty and I have to say, this is the most comfortable the fort has ever been arranged. You must teach me your ways."

"My mom and I used to make forts together before she left. It's been years but I'm glad to know I still have the magic touch of pillow arranging." Her smile became tinged with sadness for him as she layed a hand against his covered arm. He wanted the night to be filled with happiness so he changed the subject. "So, what are we watching?"

She must have realized what he was doing because she didn't press the topic further. "Love Actually. I hope you don't mind rom-coms, they're the only ones I have right now." She looked nervous as though he wouldn’t want to watch anything she picked out.

"That sounds good. Romance anime are my favorite so I don't see why rom-coms would be any different. Maybe I can learn a thing or two since my anime flirting hasn’t ever gotten me anywhere.” Marinette looked slightly stunned. "Mari? Are you okay?" Maybe he shouldn’t have told her he used anime flirting techniques, maybe she thought it was weird.

He saw her visibly snap out of whatever thought she'd been in as she shook her head slightly. "Y-yeah I'm fine. Let’s get this party started.” She leaned forward, pressed play on the movie, then settled back to get comfortable. Chat was enthralled, he never thought he’d be getting dating advice from Liam Neeson. There were a few times when Marinette tried to start up conversation but he shushed her, eyes still glued to the screen.

When the credits finally rolled, he wanted to see more. “I think rom-com might be my new favorite genre. What else do you have?” With a laugh, she showed him the rest of her collection. Halfway through the second movie they ran out of snacks. Halfway through the third Marinette was asleep on his shoulder. Halfway through the fourth Chat closed the laptop and slid it away with a yawn.

Chat awoke to a dim fort and a sleeping girl in his arms, a sleeping Marinette. It felt as though she fit perfectly against him, he never wanted to leave that spot. He didn’t know when he’d fallen asleep or what had woken him. He knew the answer to the later when he heard a soft female voice calling out. “Tom, you have to come look at this. Our daughter’s cuddling a superhero, it’s adorable.”

Chat didn’t really want to confront Marinette’s parents quite yet so he pretended to still be asleep as one of the sheet walls was pulled back. “Ah so this must be why she hasn’t been talking about Adrien as much recently. Another blond with green eyes? I think our daughter had a type Sabine.” The snort in reply that Marinette’s mom gave made Marinette stir slightly.

The sleeping girl pressed her face deeper into his chest and sleepily mumbled. “Just five more minutes mon chaton, five more minutes.” She breathed in deeply as though she was breathing his scent in.” Her parents giggled quietly at the nickname but Chat was too touched to even notice. She’d called him her’s and it felt so right. When had he fallen in love with Marinette?

He didn’t care that her parents were standing right there, he held her tighter. “My princess.” A tired sigh escaped her as he breathed out the words.

“Please tell me you already got pictures of this? We’re going to need them for the slideshow at their wedding.”

“Way ahead of you Tom. I got close ups of the cheesy smiles on their faces too.” He heard a loud high five that must have cut through Marinette’s sleep as well. She quickly jolted out of his grasp and stared at her parents with wide eyes.

“Maman, Papa, um, hi.” She gave a small, nervous wave to her parents which they returned with smirks on their faces. “Um, you’ve met Chat Noir.” He also gave a nervous wave that they returned with those same smirks. “Um, you see, my friend Chat here comes to hang out sometimes and last night he mentioned he’d never had a sleepover before so I made him stay. Um, sorry for not asking first.”

Chat could tell Tom was trying not to laugh as he spoke. “Your friend huh? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you cuddle Alya like that when she stays over.”

“You know Tom, I don’t think I’ve ever heard Marinette and Alya using pet names like ‘mon chaton’ or ‘my princess’ either.” At Marinette’s mortified look, her parents succumbed to their laughter.

As the laughter peeled out of her parents, Marinette leaned over to Chat. “Did you really say that I was your princess? As in yours only?” She looked up at him in what Chat could only describe as hope.

“That I did my princess. Did you mean to say mon chaton?” He met her gaze with the same hopeful look.

“Yes, mon chaton, I did.” She took his hand in her own as they looked at each other. Their moment was interrupted by a camera click.

“Perfect, another one for the slideshow. Come on Chat Noir, our daughter’s new boyfriend is staying for breakfast. Tom’s making crepes.”

“I’m in, I absolutely love crepes. Can I have a few cheese danishes first though?” He pulled Marinette up by their clasped hands. He pulled her with him as he followed her parents to the door, Marinette asking about what slideshow they were talking about the whole way.

[stacymolter]

Something incredible happened! Last weekend we spent an unbelievable day with the Incredibles 2 cast including Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Vowell, Writer-director Brad Bird, Sophia Bush, Samuel L. Jackson, Producer Nicole Grindle, the new Dash – Huck Milner, Catherine Keener, Bob Odenkirk, and producer John Walker. While the entire cast had nothing but incredible things to say about working on this, well, incredible film, it was getting to listen to Writer-director Brad Bird gush about his love of animation, just as a proud parent would do about their accomplished child, the secret behind the Incredibles 2 nod to Johnny Quest and The Outer Limits, and why he created this film for adults just as much as he did kids.

Behind the Incredibles 2 Nod to Johnny Quest, The Outer Limits

Q: Brad. In the film, when Jack-Jack is watching the TV, that’s clearly a cartoon that you guys created. But later in the film, you used footage from Outer Limits and Johnny Quest. What was the thought behind that?

Brad Bird: One of my personal rules in an animated film is that if they’re watching something on TV, it should be animated. So the soundtrack of the old movie is an actual soundtrack from an old movie that we found that was perfect, and we animated to it. Johnny Quest is an animated show, so it fit into the universe, and it’s the style of the film. It’s that kind of action adventure style from the early 60s. Outer Limits, we only used the beginning of it because it’s still abstract. It’s still lines and things. It’s not visual photographs. That part fit really well with the Screenslaver thing because they’re talking about taking control of your TV. I just remember when I was a kid, that scared the crap out of me. That the TV once a week was being controlled by who? Aliens? But I couldn’t leave the room. But I would just be hiding from the TV because it was being taken over. We control the vertical. We control the horizontal. And I’m like they control the horizontal.

I love Johnny Quest. A lot of people don’t remember that it wasn’t made for Saturday morning. It was made for prime time. It came on at night. Adults watched it and people died in it. It had everything an eight-year wants in entertainment. It has mummies. It has pterodactyls and guns. A kid from another country who can levitate things. A bodyguard who has a fling with a girl that might be dangerous, and lasers, and hydrofoils, and jetpacks, and reptiles, and robot spies, and I just about exploded when I saw the opening titles to it. So we just had to give Johnny Quest a shout out. Had to.

Q: Brad, I wanted to talk about how, when you see an animated movie or if you’re doing PR for an animated film, it’s okay, yeah, I’ll take the kids. But I feel like the first movie, and especially the second one, it’s just a great movie. Like you don’t need to take the kids. It’s just great for like grown-ups.

Brad Bird: Yeah. Kids are strangely treated like beards for animated films. I’m a single guy, but I want to see this. I found a kid. Can I come in now? Here is this kid. He was roaming the streets. I told him I would pay for his ticket. Will you let me in? And it’s like, no man.

It’s like for anyone that likes movies, and you don’t need to have a kid. People are constantly coming up to me. My kid really enjoyed it. I go, did you like it? They go oh yeah, sure. But Billy really liked it. And I’m like, I made it for you, and Billy can come. I’m not a kid, and I made it something that I would want to see.

Incredibles 2 opens in theaters this Friday, and with a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, you won’t want to miss this film. Check out more behind the scenes conversations from the Incredibles 2 cast interviews below.

Incredibles 2 Cast Interviews

Q: I re-watched the first movie on Monday night just to refresh and recharge. When I saw the movie on Tuesday it was like not a second goes by between the two films. What was behind the decision to pick it up right away instead of having like an older Violet, an older Dash, an older Jack-Jack.

Brad Bird: I just thought it was kind of bold and weird. Because I think people take the time that passes very literally, and they think that linearly, the characters should have aged. But if they age, their superpowers don’t reflect the part of life that they’re in and their role in the family. So I worked on the first eight seasons of the Simpsons and the Simpsons haven’t aged a day and they’re still on the air. So it worked for them. And why not us?

Q: Nicole and John, there has obviously been a big leap in technology since the first movie. How did you really take advantage of those advancements and improvements to make Incredibles 2 really pop on the screen?

Nicole Grindle: Honestly, the technology has allowed us to make the film look more like what Brad intended it to look like the first time. The characters are much more finely nuanced and developed. We were able to build a lot more sets more quickly. We’ve populated the world with a lot more characters that have hair and clothing. That’s stuff that most of y’all don’t notice, but actually, that makes the world feel richer and more alive. Not to mention all the other visual effects stuff. We’ve also got a lot of artists who have had 14 years to get better at their craft. A lot of artists who were some of the kids when the first film came out, and it’s a dream come true for them to work on this film.

Q: Huck, when did you see the first movie for the first time and how did it come about that you were going to be a part of Incredibles 2?

Huck Milner: I saw the first movie when I was like five or something. My dad showed me it because he really loved the first one. I really loved it, too, and my favorite character was Dash probably.

When I got the audition, I was watching the movie over and over again and when my mom got sick of watching it, I used the audition as an excuse to watch it again.

Q: A lot of people I’m sure have noticed, and certainly it’s getting picked up a lot, is the role reversal with this movie between Elastigirl and Mr. Incredible. Violet really steps up. Holly, what was your first take when you first read the screenplay, however long ago that was and saw that role reversal?

Holly Hunter: It was a while before I truly realized what I was really going to get to do in the movie, and I was really thrilled. But it was like a retroactive thrill because over a period of months before I started gleefully singing during our recording sessions about how great my part was. I don’t think that this is a message movie in any way. I think it’s purely the luck of the draw that this happens to be dovetailing with me, too, and times up. It happens to be serendipitously reflected in this particular movie, but at the same time, it’s character revelation period. Everybody is having revelations including Jack-Jack. All the characters are revelations to the audience and to themselves.

Q: Craig, what’s your take on that, too?

Craig T. Nelson: We argued about it, and then I found out that I’m going to be helping save the family and Bob is going to learn how to be a dad and he’s going to learn about these kids. Then the process started when we were recording. It was just so much fun. The stuff I did with Violet and the two of us together and Jack-Jack and that whole discovery. And then Dash. Having to deal with Elastigirl out there doing what I want to do and being able to give her the encouragement and let her know that everything is okay. It was just a lot of fun. I’m so honored to be a part of it. To be doing this.

Q: Sophia, I know you’re not only a big fan of the first movie. You’re a big Pixar fan, too. So what blew you away in terms of working with the Pixar team, working with Brad, working with the other filmmakers?

Sophia Bush: One of the things that I think is so cool about the whole thing is the layering of all the technology that makes these films look to all of us the way they look in Brad’s head. It’s wild to see the early stages of animation and to watch some of the scenes and then see what they become in the final edit. It’s also totally nuts to go into the studio. I know that technically I’m talking to Holly, but she’s not there. It’s like me and Brad. And I’m just yelling into a void going am I doing this right?

Q: Catherine, working on the film and over the years or the extended period of time that you were voicing the character and then seeing the movie with the cast, with the crew, with the filmmakers on the big screen. What was that like for you to see the finished product for the first time?

Catherine Keener: It was very thrilling and fun. I just wanted to go back to a couple of things. First, I’m just getting to know all these people. Sarah and I have been friends for a long time. 15, 14 years, whatever. I’ve known Holly. I’ve known you. You guys. But I’m realizing that Brad kind of mined a lot of the inside of these people in the characters. And like Craig was talking about, I was just talking to him about his kids, and he’s a big mush dad, granddad, and you can see that. All of these people are awesome. I would see any movie where Holly is a badass regardless of gender. I’ve done press with this man. I know he’s done roles where he’s played maybe not so likeable a guy. Is that right? But he actually is very, very sweet and his character has that, too. So I just appreciate how insightful you are, even though you’re incredibly weird in a way. In the best way.

Q: Bob, what are your thoughts on the finished film?

Bob Odenkirk: It was super fun to see it. I loved it. I’ve been knocked out by the visuals in this film, and I’ve only seen the little moments from it in the course of recording this. So to see it in the big beautiful color on the giant screen, I knew it was going to be amazing. It’s beyond all expectations. I feel like somehow there’s new technology that you’re not telling us about, but because it’s got such richness and depth, that was a great treat.

But again, like everyone else, I didn’t read the whole script. There is never a whole script that you can read. So it’s the first time I get to see the whole story. I’m once again amazed at Brad Bird’s talent as a writer and director and orchestrator of story. There’s like five movies in this movie and they all work together to throw each other into relief and make each other better. It was a hell of an experience and everyone in my family, including nieces and nephew, young, my son and daughter, older, teenagers. Everyone related to, they enjoyed the whole story, and everyone related to different characters and themes because there are so many and they’re delivered on so well.

Q: Jack-Jack turned out to be one of my favorite characters, probably because of his partnership with the Raccoon. I just wanted to know, where did that come from? How did you guys decide to give Jack-Jack an animal villain?

Brad Bird: That was one of our key artists on the first film who helped to sign the characters, Teddy Newton. He had this idea back on the original film where he had a gang of raccoons that Jack-Jack kind of confronts. The raccoons come up and shove Jack-Jack in his original drawings. It went a lot darker believe it or not. They fought and went to the bottom of the pool and all this stuff. The idea always just killed me because raccoons look vaguely like robbers. Teddy did a drawing where he’s watching an old movie like is in the film and he sees a classic robber with a mask and then he looks out in the yard and something is stealing from him, a robber is stealing from his family. It doesn’t matter that it’s garbage. Jack-Jack doesn’t know that. He just knows that he’s being robbed and he must do something about it. I loved that. It was so visual and clear. It was such an off the wall idea that that was one of the things that I couldn’t wait to do if we got another Incredibles going.

Q: For Holly, Craig, or Sam, ever since the first movie came out, do you have kids come up to you, recognize your voice, associate you with this movie particularly?

Samuel L. Jackson: Kids don’t do that. Their parents do, and they try to make the kid know who you are. That’s Frozone, honey. He’s looking at you like, you don’t have a blue suit on. You’re not making ice stuff. So, nah. Where is my super suit, honey? Oh. What is this? And they have to give him a catchphrase. They don’t know who we are from Adam. Now as they got older, like the kids that are going to be now, the kids were four and saw the movie and now are 18. So they’ve been waiting. They’re knocking little kids over to get in line. My daughter is 35. She’s knocking big kids over to get in.

It’s been 14 years, I don’t remember what I said in the first one. I mean, okay. How about this? It’s show time. Lift my car up. Hold the kid.

Incredibles 2 Photo Gallery

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About Incredibles 2

In “Incredibles 2,” Helen (voice of Holly Hunter) is called on to lead a campaign to bring Supers back, while Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) navigates the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life at home with Violet (voice of Sarah Vowell), Dash (voice of Huck Milner) and baby Jack-Jack—whose super powers are about to be discovered. Their mission is derailed, however, when a new villain emerges with a brilliant and dangerous plot that threatens everything. But the Parrs don’t shy away from a challenge, especially with Frozone (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) by their side. That’s what makes this family so Incredible. Written and directed by Brad Bird (“Iron Giant,” “The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille”) and produced by John Walker (“The Incredibles,” “Tomorrowland”) and Nicole Grindle (“Sanjay’s Super Team” short, “Toy Story 3” associate producer), Disney•Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” busts into theaters on June 15, 2018.

Behind the Incredibles 2 Nod to Johnny Quest, The Outer Limits Something incredible happened! Last weekend we spent an unbelievable day with the Incredibles 2 cast including Holly Hunter, Craig T.