#look i do a lot of just idle fancies ok

[nhaneh]

I have this weird scenario I tend to play with in my head from time to time where the Scions of late ARR, around the time just before the Bloody Banquet, somehow end up in a crossover with the future of old!Kea.

Though old, Thancred is still around - much through the work of Urianger insistently patching him together after each scrape. The twins are both long since grown, as is little Matoya, and while Alphinaud spends much of his time arguing in the Forum, Alisaie has taken to her own adventures alongside G'raha and Matoya. Tataru's boutique is known all over Eorzea and beyond, and Lyse has stepped back from politics after having helped guide the free Ala Mhigo towards a bright and prosperous future. Nobody really knows where Estinien is, but trust he'll show up when called.

Nobody really knows where Kea is - it's been a little over a year since Y'shtola's passing, and perhaps about a moon since Kea disappeared, leaving only the message not to worry about her.

It's past Y'shtola who first comes across her - or rather old Kea ends up finding her, being not only deeply attuned to Y'shtola's soul after decades of living together, but also having gained much of the abilities of the unsundered after years of her and Y'shtola jointly exploring the abilities of the Echo and the soul of Azem both.

It's a very strange experience for past Y'shtola, who was already somewhat uncomfortable with learning of her future, to come into contact with a Kea who is at once both quite familiar and yet also very different from the much younger Kea that she knows - a Kea that is much calmer and self-assured, who is open, warm, and charming where her young self is more closed off and distant - and who seemingly knows Y'shtola almost better than she knows herself.

She also learns why Kea has isolated herself - she's begun to find it difficult to keep her feelings of loss from leaking out into the people, and the world, around her, and it ultimately isn't until a faint remnant of Y'shtola's ghost comes to rest within her soul that she regains full control of it.

Of course, the crossing of time isn't merely through sheer happenstance - something, someone caused it, and both past and future Scions are drawn into a conflict fighting side by side to preserve their timeline. The penultimate moment comes when old Kea appears on the scene, wielding near the full powers of an unsundered ascian, combined with decades of experience fighting gods, monsters, ascians, and who knows what else. There's a moment of realisation why she's stepped away from public life many years ago, and why she's grown increasingly hesitant to act on the behalf of nations or companies with that time - the extents of what she can do has grown to utterly terrifying levels, and there would be precious little to stop her if she ever decided to lay the world beneath her feet.

In the end, as Scions past and future prepare to part ways, past Y'shtola grabs hold of past Kea and gives her a kiss, saying she can't promise it'll go anywhere, but having seen the depths of affection their future self held for each other, she's willing to give it a try. Past Kea, having seen her own glimpses of the time through the Echo, agrees, and they stand hand in hand as everyone returns to their point in time.

[wholoveseggs]

Hi this request will probably be a bit different but I’m hoping you’re ok with it

I’m a trans guy and I was wondering if you could do a Elijah smut with a he/him pronoun y/n? If you don’t want to do mlm smut then maybe just change pronouns?

For the actual fic

You’re first time and Elijah is like really sweet with u but also dominant lots of good boy and praise n stuff

Tyyy

Perfect

18+ ---- {Masterlist} {Tag-List}

After a date with Elijah, you want to take things to the next level and he makes you feel like the only boy in the world.

♡♡ Thanks for the request @elijahmikaelsonsboy ! this was a fun challenge and I hope it's what you wanted (I truly believe that Elijah is a pansexual king... he had chemistry with Damon~) ♡♡

2.8k words - Warnings: pure smut no plot, transmale!reader, virgin!reader, sprinkle of dom!elijah, blowjob, lots of praise...

You adjusted your shirt and tie in the mirror, smoothing out your hair for the fourth time. There was this piece that just wouldn't stay down no matter what you did. You wondered how Elijah managed to never have a hair out of place, you made a mental note to ask him.

It was finally here, the night you were going to tell him. The night you would confess that you loved him. The plan was to tell him after your date... Or maybe during. You weren't sure. He had said it was just a casual date, nothing fancy. But you wanted to impress him, so you made sure there wasn't a single wrinkle found on the dress shirt and pants you were wearing. Your tie was a perfect knot, the shoes you wore had not a scuff on them.

He arrived at your door looking amazing as always. His hair was perfectly styled, his suit a perfect fit, and the way his dark eyes pierced through yours... It made you weak in the knees. He smiled and offered you his arm, kissing your cheek. "You look very handsome tonight."

You smiled back, kissing him. "Thank you. You look very handsome yourself."

You spent most of the ride there making idle chit chat, just talking about each other's days and such. You were so happy to have him in your life, sometimes you couldn't believe how lucky you were.

When you met him you had made the assumption that he was only interested in women. You had no idea that he was pansexual until he kissed you. You were surprised, of course, but pleasantly so. After that, he had been taking you on dates every other week, and you fell more and more in love with him as time went on.

You were ready to take things to the next level, but you were nervous about it. You had never gone all the way with anyone before, and the last thing you wanted was for it to be disappointing for him.

It didn't help that he was so much more experienced than you. You had discussed it one night while cuddling, and he said it wasn't a big deal. You felt better after that, but you still worried.

Tonight he took you to go see a movie, it was one of those big blockbuster films that was a long awaited sequel. You had seen the trailer and were excited, and when you saw the posters and the crowd at the theater you got even more excited.

It was the perfect date. You couldn't focus on the movie, however, because your mind was racing with the possibility of having sex for the first time. You were nervous about a number of things, him seeing your body, what it would feel like and how you would react, not being any good at it. The list went on and on.

After the movie, you drove to his place and ordered some takeout. You tried to keep a conversation going, but you kept spacing out. He noticed your lack of interest in the conversation and placed a hand over yours, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Are you okay?"

You smiled at him and squeezed his hand back. "I'm fine. Sorry I'm being quiet. Just thinking."

He leaned over and kissed your forehead. "That's alright. What is on your mind?"

You leaned in and kissed him, gently. He responded in kind, moving his lips against yours. He pulled away, brushing his fingers along your cheek.

"I've just been thinking a lot lately. About us." You whispered, looking into his eyes.

"Thinking about us, huh? Well, I'm all ears." He gave you another quick kiss, casually playing with your tie.

You swallowed hard, "you know how I've never..?"

He nodded. "I do."

"I want to."

He gave you a gentle smile, rubbing his hand up and down your arm. "You're sure?"

"Positive."

He kissed your neck. "Well, I am always up for the task." He chuckled

You nodded, blushing a bit as he stood and took your hand, leading you upstairs. He opened his bedroom door and pulled you inside, kissing you softly. He knew how nervous you were, and he didn't want to rush you.

He sat on the bed and pulled you onto his lap, his hands on your hips. You draped your arms over his shoulders and pressed your lips to his, closing your eyes.

Elijah began to undo your tie, then the top two buttons of your shirt. He trailed kisses from your mouth to your jaw and then down to your neck, pausing at the juncture of your shoulder. He gently scraped his teeth across your skin and you gasped, clutching his shoulders.

"You smell nice, is that my cologne?" he asked, pressing his lips to your throat.

"It is," you breathed, running a hand through his hair. "I may have borrowed some."

"Mmhm." He kissed you again, his tongue slipping past your lips.

You let him control the kiss, melting into him as his tongue explored your mouth. Your tongues slid together, fighting for dominance. He pulled back, panting.

He kissed your cheek, moving his hands up your sides and onto your chest. He slipped his hands inside your shirt, his thumbs grazing over your nipples.

"Is this okay?"

You nodded, biting your lip.

"Use your words, handsome,”

"Y-yes." You managed to get out.

He pinched one of your nipples and you gasped, gripping his shirt.

"That's my good boy." He purred.

He took your shirt off and tossed it onto the floor. He ran his fingers down your sides, tracing the outline of your ribs.

He pressed his mouth to one of your nipples, swirling his tongue around the hardening nub. You gripped his hair, arching your back.

"So sensitive," he murmured.

He moved to the other nipple, sucking on it until you were squirming in his lap. You could feel him growing hard beneath you, and you blushed.

He lifted his head and smirked. "Feels good, huh?"

"Yeah." You whispered, blushing more.

"You're so cute when you blush." He grinned, pressing his lips to yours again.

He undid your belt, and unbuttoned and unzipped your pants. Reaching inside, he touched you through your underwear.

"Oh, someone's already so wet." He chuckled, rubbing his thumb over the damp fabric.

You bit your lip, grinding into his hand. His hands felt so good on you, his thumb sliding across your clit with just the right amount of pressure.

He pulled your pants and underwear down for better access. You moaned at the feeling of his fingers stroking you, teasing your entrance.

"Look at you, all worked up and we've barely even started." He whispered.

He pulled his hand away, and you groaned in frustration. You tugged on his tie, pulling him in for a kiss. He chuckled and bit down gently on your lip.

"Patience, mister."

You ignored him and began to unbutton his shirt, running your fingers over his bare chest. Your fingers moving through his soft chest hair.

"Can I touch you a little bit?" You asked shyly, running your fingers down his abs.

"Of course."

You unbuttoned his pants and tugged them down, freeing his erection. It was big, and the thought of it filling you up was exciting and scary at the same time. You stroked him, wrapping your fingers around the shaft and pumping slowly.

"Mmm." He groaned, leaning his head back.

You continued stroking him, rubbing your thumb across the tip. He moaned, thrusting his hips up.

You moved off his lap and onto your knees in front of him, you never had done this before, but you wanted to make him feel good. You looked up at him, and he smiled down at you.

"You don't have to." He whispered, running a hand through your hair, messing it up a bit.

You smiled, kissing the head of his cock. You took the tip into your mouth, swirling your tongue around it.

"Show me how?" You asked, blushing a bit.

He guided you, placing his hand on the back of your head. "Suck on the tip. Lick the underside. Use your tongue. You can use your hands, too."

You did as he instructed, taking him in as far as you could without gagging. Your cheeks felt hot, and you could feel yourself getting wetter.

"That's it, baby. You're doing so good." He whispered.

You closed your eyes and bobbed your head, taking him deeper with every movement. He groaned, tugging on your hair.

The sounds he was making were turning you on, and you felt yourself clench.

"If you keep doing that, I'm going to cum."

You pulled back, releasing his cock with a pop. "Will you to cum in my mouth?"

A flash of something dark and dangerous crossed his face, he gave you a crooked smile and his voice dropped lower, "aren't you a dirty boy,"

You blushed, looking down at his cock. It was shiny with your saliva, and was leaking precum. You leaned forward and licked it, lapping up his release.

He groaned, and pulled you back onto his lap, kissing you hungrily. His hands tore away your pants and underwear, leaving you naked and vulnerable. He gripped your hips and licked along your chest, biting on your nipples and then soothing the sting with his tongue.

You began to tremble a bit, knowing what the next step was. Elijah noticed and stopped, stroking your cheek.

"You okay?" He asked.

You nodded.

"Just nervous, that's all."

"I'll be gentle, I promise."

You kissed him again, grinding your hips down into his. He reached down and rubbed your clit in slow circles, making you moan.

"You don't have to be that gentle," you breathed, feeling lusty and wild.

He let out a soft hum, slipping a finger into you, watching your eyebrows arch up. He chuckled, the sound reverberating deep within his chest.

"You're so sensitive," he mused.

He began to pump his finger in and out, watching as your mouth fell open and your eyes closed.

"I bet I could make you cum like this, just with my fingers," he mused, slipping another finger inside.

"Mmm." You moaned, rolling your hips.

"Or maybe with my tongue," he murmured, leaning in to press his lips to your neck.

"Elijah," you breathed, "stop teasing me."

He chuckled. "But it's so much fun," he said, punctuating his words with a particularly hard thrust of his fingers.

You groaned, bucking your hips. He smirked, pressing his lips to yours. He suddenly flipped you over, pinning you down with his body, and then his hand was between your legs, his fingers pumping in and out of you, his thumb rubbing slow circles against your sensitive nub.

He let out a low growl, leaning in to nip at your ear. "Naughty boy, making a mess, all flushed and sweaty." He whispered.

He pulled his fingers out and positioned himself at your entrance. You tensed, looking up at him.

"Do you want me to stop?" He asked, stroking your cheek.

You shook your head. "No."

He kissed you, pushing inside of you. You gasped, biting down on his lip. You felt so full, so stretched, it was a little painful and yet... It felt so right with him.

He stilled, giving you time to adjust. You took a few deep breaths, trying to relax.

"Eyes on me," he whispered, cupping your cheek.

You looked up at him, and the love and lust shining in his eyes took your breath away.

He began to move, slowly, rolling his hips against yours. You moaned, arching your back, trying to match his rhythm.

He nipped at your neck then moved down to your chest, biting at your nipples, before sucking on them, making you whimper and squirm.

"Do you like that? When I suck on your cute, little nipples?" He whispered.

"Y-yes."

He hummed, his teeth scraping against the sensitive flesh. Your hands tugged on his hair, urging him on.

He chuckled, sucking on the bud. He released it with a wet pop, moving to the other one. You moaned, your hips bucking.

He groaned, picking up the pace. He took your hands and pinned them to the bed, intertwining his fingers with yours. He watched your expressions, your eyes shut tight, your mouth slightly parted, a flush on your cheeks.

He was honored that you trusted him enough to be your first. You were a beautiful soul, and he was grateful for the privilege.

"You are such a good boy, all nice and wet for me. So good, my beautiful, precious boy," he murmured.

"Elijah," you gasped.

He grunted, kissing your lips. He rolled his hips, thrusting deep and hard. He felt you tighten around him at his praise, and he smiled, he enjoyed learning what turns you on..

He nuzzled your neck, sucking on the skin, leaving little bites and hickeys. You arched your back, wrapping your legs around his waist, meeting his thrusts.

"You like when I bite you, baby?"

"Yes." You whimpered.

He nibbled on your earlobe, his warm breath fanning over your skin.

"What about when I do this?" His thrusts became harder, slamming you with such a force you moved a bit on the bed.

You nodded, too blissed out for words.

"Or when I do this?" He let go of one of your hands and trailed his fingers down your chest and stomach, pressing down on your lower abdomen.

Your eyes widened and you moaned loudly, the sudden pressure almost too much.

He smirked, nuzzling your neck, licking and biting, his tongue and teeth tracing along the tendons of your neck.

His grip was strong, his fingers digging into your flesh. His thrusts became faster, deeper, and harder, pounding you into the mattress.

"Do you want to cum, mister y/n?"

"Y-yes."

He kissed your lips. "Beg me," he growled.

You were surprised, but the roughness was thrilling. "Please, please let me cum."

"Mmm, not yet," he purred.

You groaned, your legs beginning to shake.

"Elijah," you pleaded, your voice cracking.

He chuckled, "such a good boy, begging so well."

You clenched around him, panting and whimpering. You could feel Elijah losing control, his pace becoming erratic. His breath was coming in harsh gasps.

He kissed you, his tongue delving deep into your mouth. His thrusts were wild and desperate, the sound of flesh slapping together loud in the quiet room.

"Cum for me, my boy," he commanded, his voice a deep growl.

You obeyed, clenching around him. You cried out, your eyes rolling back in your head, stars exploding behind your eyelids.

"So perfect," he murmured, pressing his lips to your throat.

You collapsed, panting, sweat trickling down your back. He released your hand, his fingers ghosting along your skin.

"Are you alright?" He asked, his tone tender.

"Yeah." You whispered, looking up at him.

He kissed your forehead. "It wasn't too much?" He asked, cupping your cheek.

"No." You said breathlessly, your mind still spinning from the intensity of it all.

"Good." He pulled out of you, and you grimaced. He noticed, and his eyebrows furrowed. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"Just a bit sore, but I'll be fine." You assured him, reaching up and brushing your thumb across his cheek.

He pressed a kiss to your palm, then got out of the bed, scooping you up.

"I know just the thing," he said, carrying you to the bathroom.

He set you down on the edge of the tub, and started the bath. Once the water was warm, he helped you in, and then climbed in behind you.

"Lean back," he said softly.

You did, resting against his chest. He gently washed your body, being careful to avoid the more sensitive areas.

"Thank you 'lijah," you whispered.

"Of course," he said, his voice quiet and soft.

He kissed your neck, wrapping his arms around you. You closed your eyes, feeling warm and safe.

He ran his fingers through your hair, making it stick up in weird places. He chuckled, his chest rumbling against your back.

"I learned so much about you today," he said, a teasing lilt to his tone.

"Did you now?" You asked, your cheeks heating.

"Indeed, I did." He chuckled.

"Like what?"

He leaned down, pressing his lips to your ear. "Like how sensitive you are," he whispered. "How much you like being praised." He nuzzled the crook of your neck, inhaling your scent.

"Mmm." You sighed, relaxing.

"And," he added, "how good you are at begging."

You giggled, covering your face.

"But I didn't get to explore all the ways to make you beg," he teased.

"We have time," you said, smiling.

He hummed, kissing the side of your head. "I love you," he murmured.

"I love you too," you said, turning to look up at him.

You would never forget this night and how special Elijah had made it. How he made you feel. How loved you were.

It was perfect and you couldn't wait for more.

♡♡ Tag-List ♡♡

♡ @gorgeouslydangerous ♡ @starkleila ♡ @lydia1369sworld ♡ @notleylaaa ♡ @vampiresluv ♡ @vamprium ♡ @myanmy ♡ @xflowerbombxo ♡ @maryvibess ♡ @always-and-forever-daydreaming ♡ @criminallminds ♡ @theesexystallion ♡ @rosemarypotion ♡ @spnaquakindgdom ♡ @amournoir ♡ @loving-and-dreaming ♡

♡ @meeom ♡ @damienmorton ♡ @wickedmuse ♡ @sunkissedebony97 ♡ @idk00sblog ♡ @savannaounana ♡ @cs-please ♡ complicatedandconfusing-25 @hamiltimes ♡ @akala6670229 ♡ @yeaiamme2 ♡

[annieoftheshitposts]

GOD right yeah so the scrapped arg. this stuff is OLD, like, from 2018 ok. but even if it never went anywhere i did have a ton of fun coming up with the mechanics and story, and did a decent bit of groundwork for getting it set up, so this is a long post with a lot of images.

for a good long while i was kicking around the idea of a doing “double takeover” thing where, for one reason or another, annie would just be Not Around, and not the one answering questions. just suddenly switch to double shapeshifted as annie and never comment on it until someone tried to point it out. i did a handful of sketches exploring this.

the sword? you mean this sword that ive defintiely always had and didn’t just shapeshift out of my body? yeah it’s a cool sword.

i like to imagine double would just be really fucking salty about any praise annie gets too. and then the inevitable heel turn when someone Did catch on and call her out.

it never really went anywhere because frankly annie’s too powerful for most forces in the sg universe to be able to keep her restrained somewhere against her will; there was a vague idea about her somehow having gotten separated from sagan, which would not only severely nerf her power but also provide prime angst material. ultimately though it was all still just idle musings, until i started thinking about how i was gonna handle annie’s eventually being included in indivisible, and how to do asks with the characters in that game.

so first off, there was gonna be this whole Mechanic™ for how she passed between the two games; nothing super fancy, if anyone remembers star vs. the forces of evil and how the “dimensional scissors” worked there, it’s pretty much the same thing. just a little trinket she can pull out and make portals/holes between game universes.

second, only annie and sagan can use the said portals; any other characters or objects that try to go through, from either side, are met with a sort of ‘compatibility error’; just in that the programming to let them exist isn’t present in the other game, and so they can’t pass through. anything else that does try to go through just kind of gets vaporized. momentarily. it re-materializes a few seconds later, wherever it was last before trying to go through so nbd. yknow the material emancipation grids from portal? it’s like that but it just sort of rewinds stuff a few seconds instead of killing it.

i was going to have beowulf try to follow her into indivis world and then promptly get vaporized to demonstrate this, which would have been really funny. for me. not so much for annie, watching it happen.

dont worry though hes fine. again it’s only momentary, it just caught them off-guard. i could never hurt dear sweet beowulf.

so anyway we go on answering asks normally with annie going back and forth between indivis and sg for awhile; however long it takes to get comfortable with the game-hopping mechanic, and then at one point when we’re Supposed to have her travel back to sg-verse, i just pull out the pink double-annies and say Nothing. this is where the arg begins.

the first leg of this is figuring out what the hell happened to annie. someone would have to call double out for Not Being Annie and start questioning her about what happened, and at some point i’d find a way to slip in that double has been using “console commands” on the blog, which you are to also then do. i did actually make the console command page, though it’s still 100% in messy beta test phase and there’s not really anything there that finalized or presentable or functional. but it exists and you can go look at it if you want, i don’t intend on deleting it. the important thing there is the “camera focus” toggle/links; this would have been the main gimmick of the arg. the camera is, by default, set to “main”, which is this “annieoftheshitposts” blog. annie is the player character here who receives the asks, so there’s not usually any discrepancy. however, now, with her being missing,  when you toggle the camera to view the “player character”, you’re brought to a DIFFERENT blog, where the real annie is, and where you are met with a post of annie now getting the whole “being vaporized when she tries to pass between games” deal.

very rough bc i only drew it for testing/placeholder purposes but you get the idea. so anyways then you’d send annie questions on this Other blog to ask her what’s going on and get her caught up to speed what you know about double being on the main one now, etc. at some point you would be told about an Additional camera control, to let you see/go to a Third blog with venus and aeon to send THEM asks and get further information. [fun fact, if you remember my venus redesign? this is what it was for!] anyway we’d spend a good bit of time here just bouncing back and forth questioning the characters and relaying information between them to piece together what was going on.

and what’s going on is this: you know how in that one ending it’s shown that venus and aeon have a Physical Cartridge of the game skullgirls?  they noticed annie had been slipping in and out of the game/sg universe, and thought “hey, wouldn’t it be neat if we could lock her out permanently so she’s not always fucking up our endeavors?” and then they hacked/modded their game;  specifically to remove/patch annie out so that she gets the same ‘compatibility error’ thing when trying to return home and just becomes Stuck in indivis universe. yknow the whole shtick with vanellope in wreck-it ralph? pretty much that.

so then the second leg of the arg is getting her written/coded back IN to the skullgirls ‘verse. i never really figured out much about this part though. i was doing some stuff on twinery about like, passwords or something; you’d have to go on this whole goose chase to find them and then enter them on there and it’d let you access the actual stuff to do the little ‘coding’ activities or whatever. i dont know it has been like 4 years since i was actively planning all this. but anyway once all that is Done you’d go back to annie to let her know, and then she can go back home to this main blog to beat double’s ass and get things back to normal. the end!

but yeah i killed this blog to go focus on working with my own original stuff, and then indivisible itself also Fucking Died before annie ever got added, so all this is 200% never happening. but now you know.

[one-boring-person]

Ok. A little different but I was thinking about Top Gun and I was wondering if you could do an Iceman x Mavericks little sister reader where they meet at a local bar near the base and slowly start falling in love

I hope you like this!😊💛

You Beat Me To It.

Tom "Iceman" Kazansky x reader

Warnings: swearing, alcohol consumption (moderate)

Masterlist

As cliche as it sounds, it had all started with an unfortunate accident in the popular little bar near the airbase. 

It was a busy night in the small place, as it usually was, the room filled to the brim with pilots, RIOs, ground staff and civilians. Music blared somewhere overhead, garish lights illuminating the area in their own peculiar way, casting an odd glow over every person there. People gathered and collected around the bar itself, the tenders never kept idle, money flowing in from a variety of hands, the alcohol and beverages keeping spirits alive throughout the bustling room. It had been here that Iceman found himself.

Slider had insisted they went on that night, despite his own reluctance; it had been a long day at the base and all he had really wanted to do was to sleep and rest. Of course, he knew there was no arguing with his RIO, the young man far too persistent for his own good, so naturally the pilot had found himself dragged into the busy bar, a beer shoved into his hand almost instantly. It hadn't taken long for the girls to start flocking to him. 

Iceman knew he was good-looking, so he wasn't surprised that he was quickly engulfed in a crowd of eager women, all of which flirting and baying for his attention, though he could already tell none of them would tickle his fancy. He kept them entertained, joking with them and keeping them on their toes the entire time as he peered at them over his sunglasses, which he insisted on wearing inside, smirking as they swooned over him. Hands seemed to be everywhere, pressing at his shoulders, chest and stomach, feeling over the muscle in his arms, creeping up his neck until he batted them away with a pointed look. Eventually, he had tired of this, however, and went to push out of the gathered group. Misjudging himself, Iceman had then collided with someone else, a surprised yelp escaping the person as moisture spread between them.

Turning to them, Iceman had been ready with a sharp quip, finding himself tongue-tied when he actually saw who had bumped into him.

"Careful, big guy." Is all she said before she collected her composure and left, heading towards the other end of the room, where some others from the airbase were. 

Frozen in place momentarily, he had watched as she went straight to Maverick and Goose, the former slinging an arm around her shoulders as she approached, grins appearing on their faces.

From that moment onwards, the two seemed unable to avoid meeting each other in the bar.

Not even a week later, Iceman had been sat at the bar, thankfully alone for once, slowly drinking from a beer bottle in front of him, the pilot deep in thought. Once again wearing his sunglasses inside, Ice never realised someone had come up beside him to order drinks until they spoke to him directly.

"Last I checked, the sun tends to stay outside." She had commented, tapping her fingers on the countertop as she waited for her drinks.

Looking up, Iceman had once again gone to say something sharp, only to be surprised when he immediately recognised the person standing beside him. 

"Maybe it's not the sun I'm protecting my eyes from." Is all he can manage, pretty stuck under the intensity of her gaze, a somewhat familiar feeling he had when talking with a particular pilot.

"No? What, then?"

"When I've figured it out, I'll tell you."

She had given him a quick smile, then, thanking the bartender as he gave her the drinks, before leaving, returning to the group of aviators she was with. 

Everytime after this moment, every conversation between the two had been started by a sarcastic or teasing comment on his choice of eyewear, both of them often finding themselves at the bar at the same time. It had been after their fifth time meeting that she actually stayed with him for more than a minute, placing herself into the stool beside him as he fought off a couple of persistent girls, her face creased into a barely concealed smirk of amusement. When he'd finally gotten rid of them, she'd passed him a beer with a knowing look.

"You ever gonna take those off?" She had asked him, gesturing to his sunglasses, sipping her own drink.

"Only when you finally tell me your name." Iceman had replied, smirking at her. In their last few meetings, he'd found he'd started to enjoy her company, often looking out for her when he first enters the bar.

"You only had to ask." She shrugged, holding out a hand, "I'm (Y/n)."

Taking her hand, he told her his name before reaching up to remove his sunglasses. 

"Well, I can see why you always have a fan club." (Y/n) acknowledged, smiling at him to show she meant no harm.

"Thank you, but they're a right pain." He laughed, placing his glasses in his breast pocket.

"I can tell." She chuckled, sipping her drink.

"You often come here?" Iceman inquired, curious as to her reason for coming.

"Yeah, pretty often. I meet up with my brother here." She casts him a look, "You might know him. Pete Mitchell? I guess you'd know him as Maverick."

Iceman had done a double take.

"Maverick? He's your brother?" 

"Yep. And before you say anything, he's just as annoying out of uniform as he is in uniform." (Y/n) rolled her eyes, gesturing to the pilot across the room.

"I thought he might be." 

Following this meeting, it wasn't too hard to arrange a repeat of it, the two finding that they enjoyed themselves a whole lot more than they thought they would. Of course, as soon as Maverick had found out his sister was hanging out with his rival, there had been some trouble.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" The young pilot had snapped at him a couple of months after he and (Y/n) had first met.

"What are you talking about?" Iceman had responded, looking up from the beer in his hand to acknowledge his fellow pilot.

"My sister, you asshole! What's your deal with her?"

"My deal?"

"Yeah, your deal! What the hell do you want with her?" At this point, Goose had come up to stop his pilot from going too far, laughing it off as he always did.

"She's my friend. I don't want anything with her except that." He had told Maverick, though he knew it was a lie: he had developed a particular affection for the girl, finding her presence very enjoyable to be in at all times.

"Bullshit. I know what you're like, you want to get laid." Maverick had been quick to spit back, this comment feeling particularly unfair.

"No, I don't. (Y/n) and I are friends. Suck it up, dickhead." Iceman bit back, scowling at his fellow aviator angrily now, standing up so that he loomed over him.

"And even if we were more, that's none of your concern, Pete." (Y/n)'s voice cut through their argument, the girl coming to stand beside Iceman, an action that clearly irritated her brother.

"He's not good for you, (Y/n). Stop hanging out with him." Maverick tried to reason with her,

"No, he's my friend, and you don't control me." 

"Come on, (Y/n), I'm just looking out for you." 

Sighing, (Y/n) had then done the one thing that stuck with Iceman for months to come.

"No, you know what? Fuck you, Pete." And with that, she had kissed Iceman on the lips, right in front of her brother. 

It hadn't been a particularly long kiss, or a particularly passionate one, but it had left him wanting more, his lips tingling with want as she pulled away after a second. And Maverick's face afterwards had been totally worth it. 

(Y/n) had quickly left after that, leaving Maverick to go sulk with Goose, Iceman fighting with his morality, before he also got up and followed her from the room. Catching up to her just outside, he had taken her arm in his hand gently, pulling her into him. Without letting her speak, he had kissed her again, glad when she had reciprocated, heart skipping a beat when their lips had moulded together almost perfectly. For what felt like years, they had kissed, neither wanting to let go, not until they had to, at which point they'd pressed their foreheads together and stood still, breathing heavily into each other's faces. At that moment, their relationship had become much closer.

*

In all honesty, he wasn't expecting her to turn up. 

(Y/n) had been distant in past months, but that was understandable - her brother lost his best friend, so it made sense that she'd want to be there for him to help him through it. Unfortunately, that had meant that interaction between her and Iceman had been sparse, though he had managed to ask her along to his graduation, which he was very much looking forward to. He was certain he'd won the Top Gun trophy with Slider, and he wanted her to see that.

So when he notices her sitting at the back of the crowd as he takes the award, he feels a burst of pride flare to life within him. With her slight absence in recent weeks had come a revelation, a revelation that he intends to tell her today, whilst the confidence of this win is still rife in his body. Nerves run rampant through him, worried that it will go wrong, though he is mostly sure of what he wants to say; somehow, this is worse than flying a plane into battle, the reaction here totally unforeseeable for him for some reason.

As the crowd gathers to congratulate everyone, he politely pushes through them to the back, focused on (Y/n) as she waits for him, a smile on her face. Quick to reach his destination, he laughs as she swiftly runs to him and climbs into his arms, holding him tightly.

"Congratulations, Ice. I'm so proud of you!" She says to him, looking up into his eyes with a broad smile, pressing a kiss to his lips.

"Thank you, (Y/n)." He grins back, unsure of whether or not now is the right time.

"Reaching up to play with the hairs at the base of his neck, (Y/n) seemingly considers something, before she leans up to whisper to him.

"I love you, Tom."

His heart nearly stops at her words, body filling with happiness, relief flooding his mind at the thought that she feels the same way.

"You beat me to it. I love you, too, (Y/n)." He hums back, pulling her in for a deeper kiss.

[pokedashwarrior55]

ULTRA LONG TIME TWIN HEADCANNONS

@sippin-on-waterfalls your post is ready

From Pokedash and Purplefern

Ooooooookay here we go.

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-Krux perceives time slower than others so he is easily late to events (plus he gets distracted and way into projects so he can easily lose track of time, ironically) so he could end up missing a lot of Elemental Alliance meetings

-Acronix made sure he informed Krux it was time to go (whenever he remembers, anyway) otherwise he’d be uber late all the time. Good thing they always go together

-Acronix is super early all the time because of his powers and he and Griffon Turner’s grandfather got along really well

-All the same, between lack of attention span, focusing on other things, and not caring for the meetings in general, Krux and Acronix miss a LOT of meetings 

-Before alliance meetings Wu is training little Morro and the Twins and the Master of Speed just waltz in the monastery doors an hour early

-Acronix teaches Morro some sick fighting moves (some rather underhanded)

-Krux advises him to never let people get away with harm cause you are the most important thing in your life. (Revenge!)

-Wu be like plz stop encouraging my kid into violence and dishonorable tactics.

-Krux brought refreshments to an EA party exactly once. It was pickled beet tea and nobody liked it. He took it very personally. 

-Back during the war, the love triangle with Misako was actually a love rectangle. Krux had a crush on her too but he literally had no idea how to act on it so his part of the rectangle was staring at her longingly from afar and not saying anything. 

-Yes Acronix teased him immensely about this. And tried to act as a wingman several times but Krux swore if he did he would murder him 

-Pre-series, Misako would do work for the museum a lot, so she ended up working with Sanders Saunders quite often. Despite her relationship to Wu and Garmadon and their “history”, he did like working with her ok

-They both also worked with the Explorer’s Club a lot, and have equal disdain for Cecil Putnam and Clutch Powers 

-Krux hates Cecil’s stuffy rules (even though he couldn’t show it while being Dr Saunders) and Clutch’s….everything

-Krux’s doctorate is real, and he has a doctorate in History and and Master’s degree in Museum Studies 

-He’s the Curator of History at the museum, and the other curator is the curator of natural sciences 

-Acronix is a big nicknames guy. He doesn’t usually call people by their actual names. Only the people he actually cares about or that he super hates. 

-But he also generally despises nicknames given TO him. The only people allowed to call him Nix/Nixie are  his brother and mother (and later Shannon). 

-Krux only calls Acronix "Nix" if he's feeling particularly vulnerable/scared/etc (so like, when being the older twin isn't feeling that fun and he decides to ignore those 3 minutes and be more like the "younger" twin.) So this becomes a lot less as he becomes more arrogant. 

-(Based on how he describes Dareth getting beat up by the Vermillion warrior) Krux likes watching wrestling. It’s a guilty pleasure of his 

-And of course Acronix loves it once he learns about it, so the two watch it together 

-Krux occasionally plays strategy board games. He tried to get Acronix into them but he found them boring. 

-(Sometimes he’ll suck it up and play with him anyway, though.) 

-Both are sass masters

-Both also like science

-But like completely different facets of science. 

-Krux of course likes the more stable and earthy sciences. Biology and geology, ecology. Those elemental science that have always existed but we just haven’t yet understood them

-Krux is also a total history nerd. Things like paleontology and anthropology are also really interesting to him 

-Yes he was a dinosaur kid. (Especially since dinosaurs had just started to be discovered back in his day.) 

-Acronix of course likes advancement and the otherworldly sciences. Technology, Astronomy. Sure we build upon the discoveries of the past but what about creating something new for the future? 

-Acronix does like bioengeneering since it is a new advancement but he knows saying so would make Krux grin with “I told you bio was cool” vibes

-Krux can engulf himself into his work or his schemes for days. As he is very patient. 

-Acronix is less so. He sees time constantly moving forward so sitting idle to “Plan” seems a ridiculous waste of time. 

-He jumps from activities quickly as the novelty of it wears off and he is always on a quest for what's new and what may work, not really what has been confirmed to work

-Krux of course sees this as a fool's errand. We need to respect the knowledge we have and use it and plan with it. 

-But when they are in sync you should be SCARED

-Both thinking in the Present can make them in perfect harmony, Both in fighting and talking.

-Their different planning methods can help eachother get things done. So yes, when they work together you should be scared 

-Krux can get really fixated on an idea, and get into major creative blocks. Acronix helps propose out of the box solutions that keep his ideas moving forwards that he wouldn’t have thought of himself. 

-But as we see they can also be reeeeallly different and fight over the miniscule things.  

-Krux lingers on Grudges easily as he physically cannot not put value to the events of the past.

-Acronix’s main grudge with the alliance came from his ego and arrogance, not his element. I think he feels very internally about wrongs to him in the moment but if he sees nothing really changed a couple of days later he loses interest in holding such a grudge easily

-Each of them have the ability to not be affected by the other’s powers

-Acronix has no patience to listen to anything he doesn’t want to hear. Back when he had his powers he COULD and WOULD just “skip” peoples’ dialogue if he got bored of it. 

-Krux has a bad habit of “freezing” people if he feels like they’re interrupting him. Like, he will freeze people who are trying to get him to stop working on something while he’s trying to get something done, and then get back to them when he feels like it. Everyone has to work on his time. (Annoyingly, this does not affect his brother, which is why Acronix is the only one who can actually get him to stop working on his projects.) 

-Whenever Krux & Acronix would hang out with Chen, Acronix loved messing with Clouse. Clouse reminds him of his brother, but even more stuffy and annoyed somehow, so he just has an instinctual urge to annoy him as much as possible. 

-(Clouse does not appreciate this, but Master Chen says they’re “important” to his plan so Clouse just suffers quietly.) 

-Acronix likes the Master of Speed, but also finds it annoying that he can resist his slo-mo powers by going really fast. (On the bright side, though, this does make him the closest thing to an equal he’ll get for a sparring partner, if Krux doesn’t want to train with him for whatever reason.) 

-Because of his element, Sound is one of the rare people who doesn’t really mind Krux but REALLY dislikes Acronix. Acronix is just so loud all the time and it physically pains him because he is so sensitive to vibrations and volume. Krux is generally pretty quiet so doesn’t bug him as much. 

-Acronix is an Entrepreneur (ESTP)  and Krux is an Architect (INTJ) 

-They have no Feeling whatsoever

-Otherwise, they are complete opposites

-Both of these personality types hate rules, regulations, and micromanaging restricting authority figures (hmm, wonder why they broke away from the alliance…)

-Acronix is arrogant in the way that he doesn’t care about his flaws, because obviously he is awesome and everyone else is just jelly, Krux is arrogant in the way that he hates people pointing out his flaws, because shut up he doesn’t have any 

-Their mother is Polaris, they take after her physically 

-Father is Kronos, they got their powers and ego from him 

-Their father actively encouraged them to have immense pride in their element -- being the former master of time himself 

-Ordered them the sweet matching armor

-He was a samurai back in his day, which is why the Twims wore samurai helmets.

-Between their two loving parents, the Twims were nearly spoiled 

-Krux and Acronix grew up pretty rich, Kronos was pretty much high society and Polaris was too 

-They went to a fairly fancy private school growing up

-But everyone there were snobs so they didn’t get along well with their classmates (what a surprise)

-Their parents died in a skirmish with Serpentine, leading the Twims to join the alliance full of vengeance. 

-Acronix has a battle scar from being grazed by an anacondrai sword on his left pec cause I said so

-Also a lot of misc snake bit scars and a burn scar from that one time (Ray’s got a bad temper and Acronix likes pressing people’s buttons, so that went super well)

-Acronix super cares about his looks so has a ton of, like, haircare and beauty products. Krux has a single bottle of 3-in-1 and a bar of soap and says that that’s sufficient. 

-Back in the day Acronix had a bunch of oils and whatever for his hair, and when he’s in the present he’s got a bunch of fancy shampoos and such.  He’s definitely the vain one of the two twins

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

A collection of Neurodivergent Twims HCs

-Acronix has ADHD and Krux is autisitc

-Acronix is early, but only to things he remembers. He often forgets dates. And Krux will get involved with something else, and has a warped sense of time. Together, the two miss a lot of EM meetings 

-And when they’re at them, neither of them are good at conversations. Acronix talks a mile a minute and doesn’t let anyone get a word in edgewise. Krux either doesn’t talk to anyone or similarly dominates conversation and doesn’t let anyone else talk. 

-The two also get sent on solo missions alot

-They don’t focus well in a group setting (Acronix generally ignoring the plan for what he prioritizes as the better option and krux simply not being popular with the others and only really battling well beside his brother)

-They are generally strong enough to protect a village by themselves

-The other EM work better with them out of the way since they are “annoying” and no one really likes their arrogance, pride, or entire personhood

-They seem to be happier working only together than with the whole group

-Once during a group charge on a collection of Serpentine races Acronix notices a horde heading in a different direction and follows them impulsive

-All of these things together make them especially unpopular with the other EMs

-Especially with the Master of Ice, who considers their actions disrespectful and often scolds them on their behavior 

-Krux and Acronix can BOTH get hyperfixated on things they are interested in, and can also forget to eat and sleep.

-Acronix struggles with insomnia a lot because his brain doesn’t shut up. Luckily his brother never really sleeps either. They spend a lot of long nights talking about nonsense 

-Acronix tries to use time skip powers to not waste time while sleeping. He skips the night, but he still didn’t get sleep. He crashes after a few days of this and Krux tells him that he’s a moron 

-Acronix has a fidget spinner, which he got for the memes but ended up finding unironically helpful, and gives Krux a fidget cube (which Krux reluctantly accepts and actually does use pretty often.) 

-Before learning what a fidget spinner was he would flip his phone a lot. It was both an easily accessible stim and assurance he knew where it was cause he tended to leave things around at random. 

-Krux used nail-biting as a stim, mostly because it can appear pretty neurotypical 

-Acronix is “annoying” around the ninja during his lil redemption arc, but instead of reacting like the elemental masters, the Ninja actually do research and come to an understanding (especially Zane, who is perceptive, understanding, and has an instantaneous link to the internet). 

-Altogether he’s a little surprised when they actually put effort into tolerating and understanding his differences. Huh. How’s bout that? 

-Jay is also pretty understanding, he’s got a lot of nd cousins and has ADHD himself so it’s kinda just *shrugs*

-Modern dyes and preservatives really trigger Acronix’s ADHD to be even worse than usual. 

-Zane picks up on this, and like the mother hen that he is starts to put in a special effort to keep dyes away from Acronix (or to keep Acronix away from dyes, as the case may be)

-Jay has a similar problem with dyes (which Edna let the Ninja know about, thanks a lot ma ) so Zane works double time to keep them both away from dyes

-Makes special dishes that are “ADHD safe” 

-Neither appreciate it (well Jay does but will complain openly at every chance he gets)

-Acronix got into a lot of trouble with their dad when he was a kid, because he just couldn’t pay attention 

-Has bursts of anger a lot, oftentimes this happens during things like parties or pre-meeting conversations. (which easily leads to him getting a label of “aggressive” or “hotheaded” by the EMs) 

-DEFINITELY struggles with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria

-Ninjago history is Krux’s special interest 

-Krux freezes people around him when he needs a sec to destim

-Krux is pretty high-functioning, but is on the borderline. He's high-functioning enough to be aware of himself and mask, but not enough to avoid things like shut/melt downs 

-Acronix is fiercely protective of his brother whenever he shuts down. Messing with Krux while he's like that (whether the antagonist is aware or not) is a one way ticket to his wrath as well as physical punishment. 

-Whenever things got too intense at a meeting/party type thing, Acronix would ditch and sneak them both out whenever Krux was heading towards a shut down. Being the awesome supportive twin that he is, he learned to pick up on the signs of one and was certain to prevent them pretty much whenever possible. 

-Acronix failed in his efforts only once (he was kind of sick that day and wasn’t at the top of his game to be keeping a watchful eye on his bro), and Krux kind of ended up time freezing a few of the EMs in the process. It was something the elemental masters (or Krux himself)  did not soon forget or forgive. 

-He'll go nonverbal sometimes, to the minor aggravation of the alliance. Sign language isn't a thing yet so anyone trying to understand him when he's like this are pretty much reliant on Acronix and his twin sense to translate. 

-When their parents died Krux went nonverbal for a little over a month. 

-Krux was pretty delayed in learning to speak, he didn’t say his first word until he was 3 ¼ 

-Even during his redemption arc, Acronix does not tell the Ninja about Krux's autism, from a built in fear that the knowledge would be used against him in possible future battles. (Also because he knows Krux wouldn't want them to know.) 

-Krux doesn't just hate phones because “ugh technology”, he also just hates talking on the phone because it’s super difficult

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OK there are way more that we have but... did you know there is actually a word limit on Tumblr? Heh heh... If you want more Twim goodness you can read our extensive fanfic collection... or maybe we’ll make a part two (That’ll probably consist of Home life pre-war stuff, post-canon AU junk, Vermillion family nonsense, and more random stuff)

[shewillreadyou]

Me before You: Chapter 2- For Real

As always. I hope that you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing.

A/N: This is a TRR AU. Liam is already married, but see’s Riley and wants his cake. If the readers are receptive this might turn into more than a mini series.

Disclaimers: Most characters are property of Pixelberry

Warnings: Language, adult content, mild sexual innuendo. 

Word Count: 2458

Catch up: Haven’t met you Yet

Prompts: @theworldofprompts​ 

“Name one thing you regret in life?”  

“Well, for starters, I married you.” will appear in BOLD.

Pairings: Drake & Riley

Song inspiration: For Real- Amel Larrieux

Be Kind: Hit the heart button, leave a comment or reblog. It makes a writer so so happy. 

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may salute your bride.”

Savannah and her groom shared a modest kiss. 

“It is my pleasure to present to you for the very first time the Duke and Duchess of Ramsford. Bertrand and Savannah Beaumont of Cordonia.”

“Cordonia?” Riley whispered to herself.

“So I’m not crazy. Drake said he is from Cordonia. The Liam look-alike could really be King Liam of Cordonia. The matron of honor could actually be Queen Carsyn. This is insane.” 

Her thoughts raced as she tried to make connections. 

“There will be a cocktail hour in the barn,” an older woman announced.

The barn was decorated in a rustic theme, Tim McGraw’s, “I like it, I love it” played in the background and there were servers with appetizers everywhere. Quickly, lines formed for the open bars. Mack held on to Riley’s arm as they waited.

“So let me get this straight? The guy you met in New York, was Drake? Drake Walker? Like Savannah’s brother Drake? No fucking way. The world is not that small.”

“Yeah, apparently it is, he is the man I saw at the airport, the guy from the bar, the guy I’ve been texting and now he’s here.”

“Sounds like fate.”

“I don’t know if I believe in fate. More like dumb luck.”

“Miss Riley?” a server interrupts their conversation. 

“For you and your guest.”

He offers a whiskey sour and an old fashion, the signature drink to she and Mack.

“Compliments of Mr. Walker. My name is Caleb, I have been personally assigned to you for the duration of the evening. You don’t need to wait in lines. I can bring you whatever you need to eat or drink.”

“Wow, well thank you Caleb. That’s very thoughtful.” 

She tries to tip Caleb and he refuses. 

“No thank you Ma’am. Mr. Walker has already compensated me handsomely. Please let me know if there is anything else I can get for you.”

Later

The wedding party joins the guests in the barn before the bride and groom have their first dance. Riley watched from her assigned seat wondering who would end up seated next to her. The seat went empty for the first part of the afternoon. 

“That was a beautiful ceremony. You know, I have seen pictures and heard tons of stories about Drake from Savannah, but he has really grown up. He is a hottie.”

“He’s ok.”

“Wow, just ok? Huh? I’m wounded.” he says in a raspy voice. 

“Drake!”

Mack and Riley blush furiously.

“Raye. It’s good to see you again.”

“That’s one way of putting it,” she smirked.

“Sorry! Drake, this is Mackenzie, Mack this is Savannah’s brother Drake.”  

“Don’t listen to her. She was definitely pleasantly surprised,” Mack said as she extended her hand for Drake to kiss. 

Riley elbowed Mack and Drake laughed as he shook her hand. 

“Good thing I get the honor of keeping you company tonight. My seat was moved next to yours.”

He smiled and Riley’s heart melted just a little bit more. He leaned over to hug her and she immediately flashed back to their dance on the rooftop. 

After their first dance, all the guests were invited to the dance floor. “At Last” by Etta James started to play.

“May I have this dance? And please don’t tell me that your feet still hurt.”

She stood, unsure of what to do in the presence of royalty.

“Your Majesty, we have to stop meeting this way. Shouldn’t you be dancing with your Queen?”

Before he could answer, Drake slipped up behind Riley snaking his strong arm around her waist. Pulling her into his embrace.

“Beat it Li!”

“Miss me yet?” 

“Perfect timing. Small world. You didn’t say that your Mom and sister lived so close to me.”

“I didn’t think it was pertinent information at the time,” he said as he led her in a slow dance. Riley watched Queen Carsyn over Drakes shoulder, as she shot daggers at King Liam. 

“Is he always like that?”

“What?”

“Liam? Is he always so tactless?”

“I’m not at liberty to comment,” he chuckles.

“Question asked, question answered.”

“Enough about Liam. Have I mentioned how stunning you look?”

“No, but thanks for the compliment anyway.”

She smiled, getting lost in his eyes as they swayed to the music.  

After sitting and watching Drake and Riley dance and flirt for hours Mack was about ready to go.

“Ri, I’m about ready to head out.”

“Riley reluctantly said her goodbyes to Drake, not knowing when she’d see him again. 

After a short drive back to her place they arrived to see a red Jeep sitting idle in front of her door waiting. Riley looked at Mack and shrugged her shoulders. When she had said goodnight to her friend, she headed to the door. The window of the Jeep lowered, “Hey, could you tell me where to get something good to eat in this neighborhood?” 

“Drake! What-- how did you know where I lived?”

“Guestbook.”

“Well, that isn’t creepy at all.” 

“I’m hungry and thought you might be hungry too.” 

“So, where to?”

“I don’t know, I have only been here a few weeks.”

“I know a place.”

Drake gets out of the truck and walks around waving at Mack, who is still watching from her car. He opens the door for Riley and grabs her by the waist helping her into the truck.

“Really? Such a gentleman.”

He smiles as he heads back around. Mack lowers her window and says, “I took a picture of your license plates just in case she doesn’t make it back.”

“Noted.”

“Thank you. So where are we going?”

“Whataburger. I can’t get that in Cordonia.”

“What the what?”

“You’ll love it, promise and it’s on me. Seat belt.”

“Let me ask you a question?”

“Just one?”

“God no, I have a million questions.”

“Ok, I will try my best to answer them.”

She thinks of what she wants to ask first.

“What did you honestly think when you saw me today?”

“That I am not this lucky.”

A blush crept across her face as she awkwardly shifted in the seat.

“Why do you live in Cordonia if your Mom and Sister are here?”

“Work is there. Besides, I have never had a good reason to come back.”

“I see.”

 Her face betrayed her, she was feeling conflicted and defeated and it showed. They drove along the dark road quietly for a few minutes.

“So, uh, you must do important work in Cordonia for you to stay there instead of here with your family.”

“If you want to know what I do for a living Raye, just ask.”

“You told me not to and I respect your wishes.”

“Well, some would consider it important. My family won’t be here for long, Sav and my nephew are moving to Cordonia this week. I’m the lead for the King’s Guard.”

“You mean you protect Liam?”

“Yeah,” he says as he rubs the back of his neck.

Just then they pulled into the parking lot. The line in the drive thru was long so they headed inside. He held the door open for her and when they stood in front of the counter he stood directly behind her as they both looked up at the menu. He rubbed his hands up and down her arms when he noticed her shiver. 

“Cold?”

“Yeah, a little. Also, overwhelmed with this menu. Order for me?”

A mischievous grin crept across his face as he placed his suit coat around her shoulders. 

After an hour of probing conversation, many laughs, and eating a deliciously greasy burger, heavenly fries with as Drake called it “fancy fucking ketchup,” they headed back to her place. 

“Drake, I’m not ready for tonight to end,” she confessed.

“I know the feeling.”

“Come upstairs with me?”

“Riley Elizabeth Raye! What kind of guy do you think I am?”

“The kind who steals people’s personal information out of wedding guest books.” 

“Checkmate.”

“Besides, I have had these shoes on since this morning. My feet! Anyway, we can watch a movie and chat for a little while.”

“I have been told I give a mean foot massage.”

“Are you offering?”

He licks his lips and bites his lips. Her center twitched.

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what? Why are you looking at me like you want to climb in my lap?

Her cheeks flushed red.

“You wish.”

“Enough about that, let’s talk about our first real date.”

“Who said I wanted to date a guy with no real reason to come to Dallas?”

“Whoa, that was before.”

They headed up to her apartment. He stood so close to her in the elevator that she could feel his body heat. They had a staring contest that she lost. She definitely looked away first. It was like he was staring into her soul. The sexual tension was thick and she felt relieved when the elevator dinged and the doors slid open. 

“Long distance dating is not exactly something I want to pursue.”

“Understandable. I’m here now. Let me take you out tomorrow.”

“What would that look like?”

“Dallas Jazz fest is tomorrow.”

“And you just happened to know that off the top of your head?”

“I might have done some research on my phone when I learned that a certain lady whom I’d like to impress was within my grasp.”

She chortled, “you like jazz?”

“No, but if I get to spend time with you it can’t be that bad.”

“You’d do that for me?”

They step inside her place and he makes a face. 

“What is it?”

“Your place smells exactly like I expected, fruity.”

She invites Drake to sit as she kicks her shoes off. She moves around the counter and opens the fridge grabbing a couple bottles of water, a bottle of Glenmorangie, and a couple glasses. 

“Raye, this is the good stuff. It’s really expensive. Sure you’re sharing?”

“Completely, pour me one too? Be right back,” she says as she headed into her bedroom to change and freshen up.

When she returned, Drake cleared his throat at the sight of her barely there clothing change. 

They settled on the soft couch as Drake passed her the tumbler of whiskey he poured for her. She eyed the drink as he stared at her. 

“What are you looking at?”

“Your umm, outfit? Comfy?”

“Yes. Very. Should I drink this? I didn’t see you pour it.”

“Good grief, switch with me.” Drake says before raising his glass.

“Cheers, to the best reason I ever had to come back to the States.”

She bit her lip trying to contain her smile.

“Well then, after a toast like that you get to pick the movie.”

She later regretted being so generous. Drake chose FACE OFF. They started off good, he pulled her aching feet into his lap and rubbed them until she was sure she would orgasm. She pulled away crossing her legs in a twisted attempt to save her panties. 

She loved the movie but knew she couldn’t get through any of the scenes when they ran their hands down the others face to wordlessly say, I love you. So as much as she tried she sat with tears running down her face for much of the movie. The first time she cried Drake pretended to ignore it. She wiped her face on her. The next time she cried he looked at her with a raised eyebrow and the final time he pulled her into his arms and wiped her tears.

“You definitely get to pick a movie that won’t make you cry next time.”

“Next time? You really want to go out with me, huh?”

“I thought that was clear by now.”

  “Drake, can I be honest?”

“I’d prefer it.”

“I have never dated a white guy before.”

He feigned shock. Then laughed. 

“We have that in common because I haven't either. Is that all?”

“No, I didn’t expect to like you this much.”

“Have you dated a black woman before?”

“No.”

“Are you ready for family and friends to turn their backs on you? For strangers to shoot us dirty looks in public? For all of the things that come along with dating me?”

“I guess I never really thought about it. But I’d like to think that it would be a small price to pay to be with you.”

 They chatted until they both fell asleep. The sunrise plucked him from his slumber. She had fallen asleep in his arms. He watched her for a few moments fighting the urge to kiss her. He untangled himself from her and used her restroom. When he returned, she was awake. 

“I thought you finally came to your senses and left.”

“I don’t scare easily. I’m headed back to the ranch. I’ll pick you up around 6pm.”

She stood and they shared a long embrace as she secretly sniffed him trying to memorize his smell before she let him out.

Back at the ranch

“You stayed out all night. Did you get some trim?”

“No.”

Figures. You wouldn’t know what to do with all that ass anyway.

“And you do?” Carsyn interjects.

“Carsyn, I didn’t realize you were back from your morning run.”

“I knew that you wanted to fuck her. I saw the way you were looking at her at the wedding.”

Drake stands, “This seems like a personal conversation. Call me later Li.”

Liam shakes his head and turns to his wife. 

“You are always making a big deal out of nothing. I have given you everything. You knew who I was before you married Me. You are the queen. Why are you so insecure?”

Tears filled her eyes. 

“Name one thing you regret in life?”  “Well, for starters, I married you.”

Liam stormed out of the room to find Drake in the hall on the phone with Riley. When Drake sees Liam he ends the call.

“Drake Walker. Your nose is open. I know you think you like her but, do you really want to start seeing a black woman? They can be a lot.”

“Don’t be an ass Li, any woman can be a lot. But it’s different with her. She is so chill. Like it’s easy with her.” 

“If it’s so easy, why didn’t you close?”

“I said that it’s easy to be with her. Not that she was easy you, prick.”

“Just be careful Drake. You know what they say… Once you go black…”

“Li! For fucks sake.”

“I’m just saying. I’m going out tonight so if you need a trial run Carsyn will be here alone.”

“Did you just give me permission to fuck your wife?”

“Sure, everyone knows I’m not.”

“Hard pass.”

@txemrn​​​ @pixie88​​​ @secretaryunpaid​​​@khoicesbyk​​​ @blackkingliamstan​​​ @mom2000aggie​​​ @shannonwrote​​​ @hopelessromanticmonie​​​ @fanjessfic​​​ @rideordiechronicles​​​ @lucy-268​​​ @dcbbw​​​ @darley1101​​​ @maurine07​​​​ @sfb123​​​ @bbrandy2002​​​ @kingliam2019​​​ @schnitzelbutterfingers​​​ @lem-20​​​ @choicesficwriterscreations​​​​ @theworldofprompts​​ @no-one-u-know​​

TRR: @twinkleallnight​​​  @bebepac​​​ @mainstreetreader​​​ @romereadingshop​​​ @romewritingshop​​​ @lem-20​​​ @texaskitten30​​

[writefightandflightclub]

Would you maybe like to write some headcanons for tony and a female s/o who often speaks with friday when she is bored or talks to him whem she thinks tony wont listen? Of course tony can hear all this talks she just doesent know.. maybe she even talks abourt her insecures (being not enough for tony) with friday..

F.R.I.D.A.Y, I’m in Love (Tony Stark x reader)

GIF by @ruinedchildhood

Warnings: brief mentions of alcohol, food. One swear.

A/n: thanks so much for this HC request, Anon! So excited to write a lil sthg for Tony and this concept is so cute! Actually, I have a lot of unpublished Tony fics I might blast out one day. I can’t tell you how much I love this man. Really.

You don’t know why you started talking to Friday, exactly. One day Tony had been riling you up with his antics, and you made an off-hand comment -under your breath to yourself- after he stormed out of the lab. You had been shocked when Friday replied to you, but the dry humour in her response had made you chuckle. Plus it had felt good to vent to someone.

Since then, in your first few months of working for Stark Industries, you formed a habit of venting to Friday. Not all the time- only whenever Tony was irritating, snarky, drunk, annoying, hangry, self-destructive, hungover, reckless, infuriating, stubborn, rude, or selfish... which, ok, you vented to Friday a helluva lot, actually.

Sometimes, Friday felt a bit like a friend. You justified it because you objectively knew she was “just” an AI, but you had formed a weird attachment to her. It could be lonely in the city, and, turns out that eccentric billionaire superhero bosses aren’t always the best company.

One day, as you sat yabbering to Friday on your lunch break, you had a terrible thought which felt like a stone dropping through your stomach. “Wait, Friday- you don’t tell Tony what I say about him, do you?” Your nails dug into your palms as you awaited her response- some of your words had been less than kind, in the heat of the moment, but you needed this job. Loved this job. You certainly didn’t want your boss to discover your track record of insults and fire you. Friday replied “Technically, I can’t keep anything from the boss, but he’d have to ask me a very specific question if he wanted conversation transcripts.” You had smiled. You were safe then, because Tony was never going to ask Friday anything about you. You were just his lab assistant, after all.

Over time, though, you saw a different side to Tony. You still thought he was annoying, reckless, and snarky, for sure, but you also discovered he was good. He was generous, he was giving. Funny. Heroic. Loyal. And boy, he was a flirt. You had grown to care deeply for him. So, sometimes, in idle conversation with Friday, you would chat about how much you missed him, if he was away. About how he made you laugh. About how hot he was. About how worried you were at the thought of losing him if he never came back from a mission. It was good to vent to someone. After all, you could never tell Tony how you felt about him. Not ever.

Sometimes, you must have forgotten that Friday wasn’t really your friend, and you told her a little too much. Told her about your feelings for Tony. Told her about your insecurities and how he’d never be interested in a woman like you anyway. How he flirted with everyone and that you were sure he could never see you as anyone special. Certainly not special enough for him.

One day, you are eating lunch like usual, and Tony waltzes in earlier than expected, catching you mid-sentence in conversation to Friday. You jump when you spot him standing behind you. “Look at this. Both my girls getting on,” he jokes, drumming his fingers over his arc reactor as his face splits into a slightly mocking smile, a little crinkle in his nose and crow’s feet radiating from around his whiskey eyes. “You always talk to Friday?” You had become good friends with Tony, but you still got shy around him sometimes, and you fluster your words and grab up some papers, making excuses to take your leave.

Curiously watching you go, Tony straddles a chair backwards and begins chewing on a pen, one arm resting on the chair back. Then a thought occurs to him. “Hey, Friday. Does she talk to you a lot?” “We’re firm friends, boss.” “Huh,” he replies. “Then does she ever talk about me?” “You’re not going to like it,” Friday warns.

Interest piqued, Tony asks his AI what you’ve said about him, and asks Friday to run an analysis of her logs. Turns out, Friday’s not your friend after all, because apparently she can’t keep your secret. “Sentiment analysis of our conversations suggests she has romantic feelings for you, but doesn’t think she’s good enough for you to reciprocate, boss. Which is contradictory data, because she also thinks you’re a bit of an arsehole.” “Hey!” Tony defends. “She’s not wrong” the AI sasses.

Tony is shocked to find out you like him too, but even more shocked to find out that you don’t think you’re good enough for him. It’s the other way around. He’s just some schmuck with a laundry list of mistakes and a Tom-Ford-pocket-full-of nightmares. He doesn’t deserve you. The most perfect woman this playboy has ever encountered.

The next time you’re in the lab, eating lunch, Tony arrives early again, and greets you by throwing your lunch abruptly in the bin. “You know, in some cultures that’s considered rude,” you state, looking at him agape. “Got something better,” he promises with a sniff which tugs on lip- his nervous tell. He produces a gourmet lunch for two, from one of the fancy Italian restaurants down the street. You’re a little shocked but you smile as he takes a stool on the other side of the lab bench to eat with you. He looks into your eyes, squinting at you through those stupid designer frames he hasn’t taken off yet.

You don’t know it, but in that moment, Tony resolves to let you know just how wonderful you are. Over and over again, until you believe him. And then some more.

You enjoy your lunch, and Tony is significantly less obnoxious than usual. It unsettles you. Clearly he’s up to something. “This was fun, right? I’m not always an asshole?” You look at him curiously, with a gentle, teasing smile. “You have your moments.” “Great, you’ll be up for date two then. Happy will pick you up at nineteen hundred hours. This Friday. Wear something slu... you know what, wear whatever you want, you’ll look great.” He barrels through his words, adjusting his tie, then he barrels out of the lab before you can even comprehend what happened. Did... did that just happen?

You gotta ask. “Friday, was he joking? Did Tony Stark just ask me on a date?”

Friday is supposed to keep Tony’s secrets... but she’s also supposed to act in his best interests. That’s what friends do... or at least, programmed AIs. “Sentiment analysis tells me he’s serious. Which makes a f*cking change.” Wow. When did Tony add those language mods?!

Well. Wow. That’s it then. You have a date with Tony Stark. On Friday. You. You didn’t think you were good enough for him, but clearly he has other ideas.

[lavenderek]

Why do you hate Ian?? When i was a kid I LOVED What A Girl Wants. I had such a crush on Ian :(

i am happy to go off thank you for this opportunity, long post under the cut

in case somebody wants to read this but doesn’t know what “what a girl wants” is, it’s a movie from the early 2000′s starring amanda bynes as Daphne. 

she grew up in new york with a single mom, Libby. she has an estranged father played by colin firth, Henry, who doesn’t know daphne exists. libby is a singer who works weddings a lot. 

libby and henry were star-crossed lovers, basically. henry is an english aristocrat with political aspirations, and his family believed marrying libby, who is living her stevie nicks fantasy, would damage his career; so they got her alone and convinced her henry changed his mind and didn’t want her. libby left, not yet knowing she was pregnant, and then spent 17 years pining for him. 

daphne has spent her whole life romanticizing the idea of her father coming to get her, so after she graduates high school she chooses to fly out to england and surprise him. when she gets there she is disappointed to find that he is engaged to a woman who has a daughter about daphne’s age, but tries to make it work anyway. 

daphne is clumsy and very casual, so hijinks ensue. henry’s fiancee and future stepdaughter are evil and conniving. 

daphne is rejected and bullied by the fiancee and stepdaughter and she struggles trying to fit in with aristocratic society, so ultimately she leaves. henry is upset about this because he learned to love her, and subsequently he discovers she was being mistreated. he breaks up with the fiancee and flies out to america to surprise daphne. daphne gets into oxford u somehow and they all live happily ever after. 

the first person daphne meets and gets to know in the movie is a local musician named Ian, who tells her she was born to stand out. he has minimal effect on the plot, like, i could write him out in two minutes, but god forbid we have a teen movie without a romance in it. they’re immediately attracted to each other and he proceeds to be a very bad boyfriend that the audience is supposed to find morally upstanding and charming. 

this post is about how it did not work and i don’t like him. 

The Superficial Shit: I’m Not About It

i’m immune to motorcycle boys. motorcycles are impractical and loud. get a muffler. i think if you buy a motorcycle you have to sign a contract promising to idle on your motorcycle for ten minutes every morning at 6:30 so that everyone in the neighborhood knows you have a motorcycle. so i don’t care that ian is A Bad Boy. 

i’m also immune to english accents. it’s just like, an accent. it’s fine. i’m supposed to find everything he does inherently charming because he has an accent and he sings, but i don’t, so, try a little harder.

like, i’m also not impressed by sporty types, but i still accepted “a cinderella story” because austin had a character progression and i could see why sam found him attractive. 

ian has no character progression. he starts out confident and independent and he ends up confident and independent. he remains happily working class with a more or less successful band the entire movie. nothing daphne does affects him negatively except that one time she fucks up and blows off a concert he wanted to go to. 

so as a result i’m not invested in anything he does. the only interesting thing he does is first building up daphne’s confidence and then getting mad and tearing it back down when she’s doing something he doesn’t personally find important, which is the next thing. 

The Worst Boyfriend: Why Am I Not The Center Of Your Universe?

here are the first three pieces of information ian learns about daphne:

her mom is a musician 

she is american 

she is here to find and get to know her politician father, Lord Dashwood

he’s very supportive of this endeavor, right up until it gets difficult. he’s like, “you came all this way, he’s your dad, you should definitely meet him.” 

she publicly fucks up a couple major society events and then is like, “hey, i’m putting my dad’s career in jeopardy, so in order to stay and get to know him this summer i’m gonna prioritize these events a little more.”

and ian is immediately like, “you’ve changed,” and dumps her lmfao

her lifelong drive to find and get to know her dad is one of the first things he learns about her. why does he think it’s so stupid? why am i supposed to care about his opinion? 

daphne, probably: this thing is important to me. ian, probably: ok, that’s fine.  daphne, probably: woof, in order to keep up with this thing i have to try a little harder.  ian, probably: hm. actually, this is unimportant.  daphne, probably: i’m going to do it anyway.  ian, probably: what? didn’t you hear me? i just said it was unimportant. why aren’t you quitting immediately? my opinion should be your primary concern. you know what? i’m done.

i had the same problem with nate from “the devil wears prada.” i will never understand the idea of seeing someone you apparently care deeply about very stressed out trying to accomplish a goal, and being mad that they’re not super fun and interesting right then. sometimes a person you care about is going through something. let her vent and buy her some ice cream. 

if your partner stops being supportive and understanding the second your life gets stressful or complicated, that’s kind of a red flag. the real test of a relationship is when you have to support each other and maintain your bond even when you’re trying to get something done, or even when you’re having a rough time and you’re in a bad mood. 

ian fails this test because he’s weirdly judgmental about it all.

Attitude Stinks

before the change ian hates, daphne is late to things, she dresses casually for formal events, she gets into a screaming physical altercation with someone at a party, and because she was acting out a lot at a ball she’s blamed for the destruction of a prized, historical piece of architecture. all of these cause scandals that embarrass henry and make him look bad in tabloids. he is in the middle of a campaign for a political position, so this is bad. 

after the change, daphne reaches out to her debutante grandmother for guidance and starts wearing socially acceptable clothing, goes to events where she is expected, and is quiet and respectful at an event where she’s supposed to meet the queen of england. this is all very successful for henry. people go up to him and tell him daphne’s great, and she somehow ends up in a tabloid that talks about how great she is lmfao. 

all of this takes a lot of effort from daphne, though. she’s stressed out. while this works out for henry, it isn’t working for daphne. she’s doing all this so that she can be accepted by her father’s family, but the fiancee and stepdaughter don’t want her around, and henry is passive throughout all this. he doesn’t know she’s actively being bullied, but he’s also letting his fiancee direct him away from daphne. so daphne ultimately leaves. 

here’s where ian comes in. ian tells her a story toward the beginning of the movie about how his mother was also an aristocrat. he tells her she was rejected by society because of classism towards ian’s father. this is framed as a demonstration of ian’s values. the fact that his mother rejected being a debutante is a source of pride for ian. 

but the problem is that this is just because ian likes the choice she made. he’s not proud that his mother took control of her life and made her own decision. he’s proud that his mother rebelled. you know this because he sums up the story with this line -

daphne: what happened to your parents?  ian: they’re as poor as church mice and the happiest people i know. 

- and because his entire conflict in the movie is that daphne makes a different decision. 

ian’s mom chose her husband over her parents and the life they wanted for her. daphne is choosing the family she’s been wanting her whole life over a guy she’s known for like, a month. ian is the biggest whiner about it. he storms out on her. she runs into him at an event and asks to talk to him, and he tells her no. he only forgives her when she quits and goes back to america. 

there are a lot of dudes like this out there. he loves a strong, unique woman, as long as she fits seamlessly into his life and makes decisions he tells her to. yawn. 

Makes No Sense: Why Are You Here?

ian is somehow ubiquitous in debutante society. he and his little band are hired to play at every ball daphne goes to. why??

a huge plot point is a moment where daphne attends a terribly boring coming out ball for a pair of very meek, shy twins. daphne delights the twins by going out of her way to liven up the party. she convinces ian to play loud rock music and encourages everyone at the ball to dance. the bass is too loud, though, and somehow causes an antique chandelier to fall. this is a big scandal. 

the whole thing that’s emphasized during this scene is that daphne is shaking up the scene and that this music is unorthodox and unwanted at these high society type functions. 

which all begs the question of why these people keep hiring a local rock band for these events. he’s playing at at least one other ball later on in the movie. the music they play doesn’t really fit in with the tone of the events, which are the kind of affairs you’d wear a tiara to. these are very formal events. why are we hiring ian and his band, and where did you guys even find him?? 

in the scene where daphne gets into a fight with somebody, she’s at a fancy outdoor event, the kind of place you’d wear a tea length dress and a big hat. ian is also there, working in the parking lot as a parking lot guy. 

daphne’s thrilled, but she does ask why he’s there. he’s basically like, “i have lots of jobs.” for somebody who hates deb society so much, he does take a lot of jobs at deb events. why don’t you work in a restaurant or something? does that offend your punk rock whiner sensibilities? 

also, he’s boring and i think daphne should go for somebody who makes her laugh. 

Has Spiked Hair

lots of gel, no other info needed. wash your hair. very sculpted hair makes people seem less down to earth. it’s not relatable. 

I Will Fix It

so ian doesn’t help with the plot at all. the only time he helps daphne is in the chandelier scene. the rest of the time he’s just there to date her and talk to her a lot about how cool it is to stand out and not fit in. 

his role in the movie is to cause more tension and place more pressure on daphne. he behaves like she’s making a moral choice, when really she’s making a behavioral choice. 

i think using him to vocalize her conflict is a mistake because it’s framed as Stand Out vs. Assimilate, when that has nothing to do with daphne’s motivation. 

daphne’s Want is to be with her dad, and her Need is to be accepted and wanted. as a result, ian rejecting her because he doesn’t like the choices she’s making comes across as entitled and cruel lmao. it’s directly antithetical to daphne’s journey. she never once says anything about loving standing out. 

here are the ways i think this could be fixed: 

if you want it to be a moral thing, make it a moral thing. 

give ian a best friend who is gay, and after daphne decides to fit in with society, she won’t be seen with the gay friend anymore. or after daphne decides to fit in, have her be super judgmental of people who aren’t succeeding as much as she is. then when she decides she’s fed up, have her stand up for them. 

that would make ian being mad about her “changing” make sense. and we, the audience, would be like, “yeah, this is misguided and goes against what daphne believes.” 

not breaking things or yelling at a royal event isn’t a moral stance. why are you so pressed. get a hobby 

if you want her thing to be standing out, make it standing out. 

standing out isn’t a conflict in the whole movie. henry’s flaw is being passive. daphne’s flaw is being embarrassing at parties because she’s clumsy and she likes to meet new people and dance and stuff. libby has no flaw except that she was a victim of classism. 

the twins at the party are dowdy and shy, and daphne gives them a makeover off screen lmao. ian is single, and daphne dates him. 

so make standing out the recurring issue. make daphne super obsessed with fitting in. in the very beginning, she runs into a girl she knows at a wedding. the girl is kind of privileged and successful, and daphne reveals that she’s a free spirit who doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life. instead, make her hedge and hem and haw and try to make herself seem more successful to the girl. make her Want to be fancy and part of her dad’s high society life, but her Need to “be herself.” 

maybe the twins are secretly super weird and quirky, and they’re depressed trying to fit in; and their big moment revealing being cool now at the garden party is them wearing loud patterns and dancing when the music starts playing. maybe ian is super funny and goofy and the parties suck until he and daphne trick the singer into leaving the stage, and ian jumps onstage and plays a fun song. 

make libby have been rejected because she always started talking politics at henry’s parties and she’s kind of radical. 

maybe daphne: hey, i’m sorry, but you can’t come with me to the party next week anymore. maybe ian: what? how come, i rented a tux for this. maybe daphne: sorry. i’m trying to behave.  maybe ian: haha what does that mean? you’re not trying to fit in with all those stuffy losers, are you?  maybe daphne: no, i’m trying not to ruin things for my dad. it was a big deal when you were super messy at the garden party.  maybe ian: wow. i seem to recall you being “messy” right along with me. sorry for embarrassing you.  maybe daphne: ian, don’t take it personally. we can still hang out sometimes, i just can’t go places with you.  maybe ian: no, thanks. 

i don’t prefer this, because i’m an introvert and people who think someone they don’t personally find interesting are fundamentally worse, are boring and annoying. i wouldn’t find this story relatable or compelling at all. i’m 9000 years old and i’m like, “what if you guys respected each other and participated in society, though?” i wouldn’t enjoy this story. but at least it would make sense why ian’s bothered by daphne not “standing out.”

i think the entire reason this movie was made is that trailer moment from the boat scene where ian’s like, “i don’t understand why you want to fit in, when you were born to stand out!” so that’s how you can keep that dumbass line. 

make ian have an arc himself. 

in the movie, ian is initially helpful and gives some backstory, and then partway through the movie he gets mad at her and breaks up with her. he forgives her at the same time as henry realizes daphne’s unhappy, right at the end. 

instead, make ian become helpful as the movie progresses. 

so first of all, take the scene toward the beginning where he’s in the boat allegedly showing her how to practice being poised, and he tells her about his mom being a disowned deb. move this scene to the beginning of the third act. 

next, make it so that ian was rejected by his grandparents. maybe ian at some point also defied his mom to seek out estranged family; but where daphne’s dad let her stay, ian’s grandparents insulted him and told him they didn’t want him around. they called him illegitimate and a mistake. so when daphne chooses to try to conform, ian is reacting to those feelings rather than projecting his own feelings of personal superiority. 

and finally, make daphne try to fit in much sooner, but make her super bad at it. my roommates and i watched this movie the other night and one of them made the very good point that daphne’s grandmother and father sit her down and are like, “there is a certain way you’re supposed to behave,” but they don’t tell her how to do that. 

so let’s actually keep that part. maybe daphne overcorrects. she knows she’s fucking up, so she believes she shouldn’t be doing anything fun or interesting or making conversation with anyone. this isn’t great. her charm is in how friendly, fun-loving, and proactive she is. she does what she wants and people find it refreshing. make people start to be like, “wow, lord dashwood’s daughter is kind of weird and stiff. it’s clear she isn’t used to places like this, what a rube.” 

now we get to the third act, and the boat scene. in the boat, ian tells her about his family, and apologizes and offers to try and help her, if this is what she wants. now ian is playing more of an active role, and he’s contributing to her life in a positive way. 

because as it is, he does nothing that i couldn’t get rid of very easily. so...

get rid of ian. 

here are the effects ian currently has on the plot: 

daphne riding away on the back of a motorcycle makes henry worry about her, and he realizes he’s developing paternal feelings toward her. he calls libby and libby affirms and empathizes with those feelings. 

ian is in the band at the party where the chandelier is destroyed. 

ian talks a lot about how daphne’s supposed to stand out. 

ian stresses daphne out, which sort of artificially raises the stakes. 

ian shows up right at the end to reward daphne for existing. 

especially because ian’s criticisms are so disconnected from daphne’s motivations, nothing he does is particularly helpful to the plot in a way that he couldn’t be replaced. 

daphne has a tattoo in the movie, and when henry sees it, he’s sort of like, wow, she’s kind of a wild child, she reminds me of me when i was young. instead of a motorcycle boyfriend, make daphne get the tattoo in london. henry calls libby like, “she just got a tattoo!” and libby is like, “i remember you holding my hand while i got my first tattoo.” 

maybe the live band takes a break, and daphne sneaks up and hooks up the speakers to her ipod or something, and she plays super loud music herself. 

i already talked about how pointless this is. also, we don’t need a greek chorus telling us what’s going on. show, don’t tell. 

daphne is already stressed. those motivations can come from inside daphne.

why would henry seek out daphne’s ex-boyfriend and fly him out to new york to impose on daphne and her mom? this is so weird. go home. 

ian is replaceable. to the left, to the left. 

[chequeredwhitpost]

Episode 4 - [So I’m Dating A Sorceress] >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(The Next Day) | (School)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I’m walking with Darci through the school-- since apparently nothing serious enough happened to shut the place down. But thankfully, yesterday at lunch went great. It was amazing to eat lunch with both my friends and my boyfriend. 

“You’ve got that ‘dream-boat’ look on your face again, Arya.” I hear Darci say.

Glancing over at her as she snickers, I ask her what she’s talking about. 

“You’re daydreaming face! The face you make when you’re thinking about your boyfriend, you know?” 

“How did you…?” 

“Oh, trust me, I get the same look when I’m thinking about Tobes. My dad’s always calling me out for it, too.” 

“Hmm..”

Darci suddenly gasps, grabs my wrist, and hauls me off in the direction of a group. 

“Claire! You’re back!” Darci exclaims, letting my wrist go. 

She goes to hug Claire but instinctively pulls back before they do. 

“You’re not sick anymore… right?” 

“Nope!” 

“Awesome!” 

They hug, as my presence is noticed by Toby and Jim.

“Hey, Arya.”

“Sup, Lake.” 

He frowns.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Nothing. I just,-- you know you don’t have to call me ‘Lake’, right?”

“Oh, sorry. Just a habit, I guess.” 

I turn to the duke.

“Hey, Tobes.” I smile.

“Sup, Arya.” He waves.

When Darci and Claire pull away laughing, all eyes fall on them. 

“That was one killer cold!” Darci stumps, “We gotta celebrate now that you’re back!!” 

Toby balls his hands up into fists excitedly. 

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

Darci squeals, looking at me and Claire and Jim. 

“Double date!”

“Triple date!” 

Toby and Darci look at each other, Toby being confused.

“Triple? Who else do we know that’s dating?” 

Darci looks at me, pleadingly. 

Toby gasps.

“No way! You have a boyfrie--” 

Darci quickly covers Tobes’ mouth. 

“It’s a secret!!!” She whisper-shouts.

Claire’s face lights up and she realizes the news. 

“No. Way. Who is it??” 

Darci looks at me, begging me with her expression for permission to tell. I cross my arms and scoff.

“Fine. But this information does NOT leave this circle!!” 

“Got it!” 

“Understood!” Pipes Toby.

Everyone looks at Jim.

“Why would I want to tell? Your secret’s safe with me.” 

I nod at Darci, giving her permission to tell.

She squeals like a fangirl-shipper. “It’s Douxie!” 

The dust I feel on my cheeks comes to life, painting my face with pink and red blush. Toby and Claire gasp.

“You’re dating HIM??”

“Keep your voice down, Claire!!!” I hiss.

Toby snickers, “I told you that you were gonna wanna swoon.” 

I grumble under my breath, “Tch.” 

“Ok, you have a lot to explain later!” 

“Fine, fine. But I think he has to work tonight.” I mention. 

“Who, Douxie?” 

“Yeah. So, let me text him and see what’s happening. I’ll tell you guys what times work best for us.”

“And Toby and I will text you what we’re planning on doing for the date.” Darci nods to me. 

I return the gesture.

“Yeah. It’ll be good to get out.” Claire pips.

 The bell rings and we all split. 

“See you guys tonight~!” 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

As I’m sitting in history class, half-listening to Ms. Lilinud teaching the class, I’m holding my phone underneath my desk and texting Douxie about what his work schedule looks like for tonight. 

__________________

Arya: Hey, love, so our news of being together may have reached out just a bit to Darci, Claire, Toby and Jim. Though, for now, they’ve promised not to tell anyone.

Arya: But they’ve invited us out to a triple date tonight and I was wondering how long it looks like you’ll be on the clock? 

Douxie: Well, my shift’s over at 5:30 tonight, and I’m going in at 3:30. 

Douxie: What were they thinking of doing for the triple date?

____________________________

I text him all the details and then go into my contacts and text Darci what I learned.

I tell her that he’ll be working until 5:30 and she tells me that they were thinking of catching a movie at the theater. Toby’s pick. (And he’s keeping it a surprise, apparently.) Something tells me it’s going to be a scary movie… The cliche. And that we’d be going to a fancy steak place, too. Sounds great, and I really look forward to it. 

I sigh, putting my phone away to listen to the class lecture… boring. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(Time Skip)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It’s 5:53 right now, and I’m finally done getting ready for the date. I hear a knock at the front door and go to get it. (It’s really helpful that Jake’s over at a friend’s house tonight…) When I open the door, I find a very casual -- yet charming -- Douxie waiting on the front steps. He sees me in my attire and sort of just melts in his stance. 

He shakes his head, snapping out of my ‘magical’ trance. I laugh softly to myself and notice the flowers in his hands. They’re lilies, my favorite kind. He chuckles, rubbing the nape of his neck nervously, as he holds the bouquet out for me to have.

“For you, love.” He says, 

I smile, thanking him as I take them and quickly rush them to a vase. (After letting him in.) Once I add some water and put the lilies into a golden-clear colored vase, I turn to Douxie and we head on out. (Quick stay, but still.) 

I lock up the house behind me and we start walking for the restaurant. On the way, idle chit chat is made. 

…

“You look beautiful.” He tells me.

My cheeks turn pink as our hands brush up against each other while we walk. 

“And you look… charming, in the best way possible.” 

“Why thank you, love.” 

“Love?” I quote him.

“What’s wrong? Don’t like it?” 

“No, no, I like it! It’s just sudden… Is all…” 

“Hmm.. You know, you’re actually quite adorable when flustered.” 

“Douxie!” I giggle.

“Ah, come on, you know you like my flirting.” He nudges into me, 

I sigh contently, “I suppose you’re right.. I cannot deny a good liking to puns and flirts.”

“Yeah, that’s the Arya I know.” 

I lean closer to him and take his hand in mine. We walk the rest of the way, which isn’t very far, admiring the town at sunset. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

When we arrive at the restaurant, we find Toby and Darci, and Jim and Claire sitting at a round table outside. It’s nice out, so I don’t really mind. But by the looks on Darci and Toby’s faces, we just missed an awkward moment. (Which I think is dodging a bullet, so whatever.) 

“Hey guys!” I greet them.

They all look to us as we approach -- Toby and Darci smiling like children on Christmas morning. Stupid but adorable. Douxie helps me into my seat, pushing me in, before taking his place right next to me. I pick up my menu and notice that a lot of the prices are through the roof. 

“Yikes! This place IS fancy!” I joke.

I earn a few laughs, before Toby brightens up and turns to Darci.

“Only the best for my Darci.” 

“Aww, T.P.” She swoons. 

Everyone goes to their menus. 

“Ooh! I heard the Duck Confede is stellar. I think I’ll get that.” 

“Same! O-M-G, when I went to Paris with the fam, the duck was amazing!” 

“Aaah, Pari~! Ze city of love! Tell me more?” Toby leans in closer to Darci, as I continue to browse the selections. 

I hear Claire talking about Paris in the background, but I don’t really tune in. I look over at Douxie and see him browsing the food, too.

“Hey, have you been here before?” I ask.

“Yes, but not as much as you’d think.”

“What’s your favorite thing to order here? I could use a recommendation right now, haha.” 

“I really like the stew and the steak. And their mashed potatoes are rather good too.” He leans in to whisper, “It’s a secret recipe that I have yet to slip out of the chef, haha.” 

“Hah. Well, you are always looking to improve your cooking!” 

As the table shifts suddenly, and Jim starts repeating the word ‘ow’, Douxie and I turn our heads to the two best friends, suspiciously…

O...Okay? Well, anyways… 

Darci turns her attention to both Claire and myself.

“So, Claire, Arya… You two both saw the first Danger House, right?” 

“Isn’t that a horror movie?” I ask. 

“You guessed correctly!”

“I don’t do great with horror movies…” 

Douxie chuckles from beside me, to which I roll my eyes-- smirking.

Darci turns to Claire, narrowing her gaze, “I haven’t seen it.” 

���O-M-G, well, where do I start?” 

As I listen to Darci explaining the movie’s basic plot, I notice Toby and Jim whisper-fighting behind their menus. ...Weird… 

I notice one of those familiar faces approaching our table in the restaurant uniform. 

When she gets to our side, she looks up from her notepad and sees Douxie and I, and we instantly recognize her. 

Zoe sighs and narrows her dagger-like glare onto Douxie. 

“Welcome to Minty’s Dining, where everything is perfectly in place. What can I get you on this lovely evening..?” She asks, as if she hates it here. 

I wouldn’t blame her if she has to greet people like that everytime. ‘Where everything is perfectly in place’? That’s weird. Really weird. 

Darci looks at Zoe and points to her menu.

“Ok, level with me,” 

As Darci is asking her food question, Toby turns to Douxie and I and starts making conversation.

“So, how long have you two been dating?” He asks,

“Not very long. Just since Saturday.” 

“Really? You two are being so… couple-y. It’s like you’ve been together longer than that.” I shrug, “Well, we’ve been friends since practically ever. You could just say that we’re really close in bond.” 

Douxie chuckles, laying his gaze on me, adoringly. I smile back just as strongly. 

“You two are such a cute couple.” Clarie notes. 

“Thanks. I could say the same of you and Jim,” and I turn to look at Toby, “And you and Darci.” 

“That’s awful sweet of you, but please, don't stop.” Toby jokes.

It earns a chuckle out of me.

As Zoe explains the ‘duck feet’ meal isn’t all that is says, Claire starts to sway back and forth in her chair, as if she’s really dizzy. She grabs her drink of water and takes a drink from it….

Toby whispers-shouts at Jim, something that I don't catch, but it clearly affects him. 

He takes his own menu and passes it to Zoe.

“Steaks all around! Thank you, Zeus. I’m sure you’re busy.”

“My name is Zoe.” She sighs, “Whatever. How do you want your steak prepared?” 

“Well done.” Jim answers,

“Well done~!” Toby says, followed by the same answer from me and Douxie.

Zoe hardly even looks at Claire before… 

Claire lets out a roar? 

“Raw! Dripping with blood!” 

I lean back in my chair instinctively, all sorts of freaked out. Douxie does the same. 

Everyone else looks at Claire, like she’s gone psycho.

Claire realizes what she’s said and quickly covers her mouth, shocked. Zoe gives Claire an impressed look, before writing that down.

“As you wish.” She smirks, “Six steaks, one extremely raw.” 

“I’ll be back with your orders shortly,” Zoe walks off. 

Douxie’s voice is slim, and quiet, but I still hear him when he asks me, 

“Tell me you saw that too…?” 

I nod. 

Claire stands up, suddenly freaked out with herself, and looks to Darci for help.

“Darc’? Bathroom?” 

Darci gets up to go with her and Toby starts panicking.

Douxie looks at me, questioning if I’m going to go with, which I probably should, but probably won’t. 

Claire looks back at me with sad eyes and I cave in. I get up and go to go.

I hear a thud, and a whimper and look back at Toby, wincing in pain. 

“The other… rule three…!” He squeaks. 

Dunno what that’s about, but it makes Darci freak.

“T.P! Are you OK? What happened?!” 

She clicks her tongue, looking to me, “I’ll be right there.” 

I sigh, looking at Douxie with a reassuring, and hopeful smile.

“I’ll take care of Claire until you get there.”

I follow Claire to the bathroom.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

We open the door to the lady’s room and walk in. I turn on one of the sinks and motion for Claire to come closer. 

“Here, try splashing your face with some cold water.” I suggest,

She nods and does what I say. 

“Come on, Claire, pull it together!” She tells herself. 

She looks in the mirror and sighs, before splashing her face again.

“That was quite a show you pulled out there. Any idea what happened?” 

“No. I just don't know what came over me.”

“Well, I think I might know…” 

Claire splashes her face again, and the lights here in the bathroom shut off. My suspicions are only confirmed when Claire’s reflection doesn’t follow her actions in the mirror. Instead, her face freezes in view. 

When Claire comes up and wipes her eyes, she sees her frozen reflection and questions it. 

“Uhh…” She hums.

Claire reaches her hand to touch the glass but her image comes to life. -- Which is enough to freak anyone out, really.

“Helloo~, darling!!” Says a harmful voice, “Claire, is it?” 

Claire backs up into the sink behind her. 

“This. Is. Not. Real!” 

I sigh, biting my nails, “I’m afraid it is, actually.” 

I step into view of the first mirror. 

“Hello, Morgana.” 

“Why, if it isn’t little miss Arya Sithers. My little ‘experiment’ from way back when. You were fun all those years ago~.” 

“This isn't a game, you know.” I snap. 

Claire, now breathing heavily, grabs onto my arm and hugs tight, confused.

“Arya? What is going on?!” 

“Can’t say. Don’t know. Not yet anyways.” 

“Oh, there’s that daring spirit of yours! I always did adore that part of you. You might even say that you got it from me~.”

“Bullshit. Now, this is how this is going to go--” 

“Ah, ah! Now, now, spirit. Be a good little pet and play nice.” 

“You do not own me.” 

“ARYA WHAT IS GOING ON!!?” 

“Claire, be quiet for like, two seconds, ok?” 

Claire’s ‘reflection’ in the mirror looks at the original.

“Ahaha, sorry dear. Did I scare you?”

“T-this isn’t real!” Claire rubs her eyes, “I’m-- I’m imagining this!” 

She tries running for the door, but gets held up by an invisible force… Or not really. More like… Magic.

“Claire!!” I cry out.

“Morgana, release her!! Now!!” 

“That’s funny. It almost sounds like you’re telling me what to do?” 

“I did! Let her go!” 

Morgana puts Claire down inside the restroom, slamming the door shut lock. 

“And you,” She says towards Claire,

I grab the maiden and pull her close. I will protect her.

“You think I’m just a reflection that you can run away from? I am under your skin.”

What? 

“No. You didn’t!!” 

Claire looks down at her hands, horrified. 

“Get out of me!” 

She slaps herself, hard.

“Claire!! Don't! That’s not gonna work!” 

“She’s right, you know~.” 

I glare daggers into the mirror, which reveals now Morgana’s form instead of Claire’s.

“Give me one good reason to not tear you apart! Right here! Right now!” 

“Because. You don’t want your date to end so soon, do you?” 

“Is that a threat?” 

“A threat for you? No. It’s a threat meant for HIM. Your precious Hisirdoux.” 

“Shut up!!” 

Morgana’s laugh echoes through the stalls. Now really freaking out, Claire starts walking backwards in between the line of stalls, 

“Stop it!” She cries.

She starts running herself into the doors.

“Claire! I just told you! That’s not going to work!!” 

I try to go to her, but a physical magic grabs me and hauls me back-- right into the wall. I grunt, my vision going hazy. A yellow light crawls out of the mirrors and approaches Claire. Morgana… No! 

“My! You are strong! Strong enough to wield my weapon. Strong enough to be my gracious host. You open up a big enough door and something’s bound to escape.” 

What… is she talking about?

“The portal… The sickness… The signs under my bed!” 

“You already told Gunmar all he needs to know, but since I’m out and about, I thought we kill Merlin’s Trollhunter! As soon as we get him alone!” 

“Claire…! No!!” 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I black out for a second. But it’s not long before ‘Claire’ is waking me up, aside Darci.

“Claire? What happened!!” 

“I don’t know. She just… fainted.” 

“Arya!”

I feel water splash me on the face. I open my eyes, a heavy pain all across my backside. Darci lets out a breath of relief and helps me up. 

“Arya are you OK?” 

“More like … K.O.ed.” I groan.

I glance over at Claire as Darci is checking me for bruises or broken bones. But her eyes glow yellow, and I know it really happened. Morgana… took Claire. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[End Chapter / Episode 4]

[ppunkisnotdead]

The thrilling adventures of a PA - Chapter Four : A funny thing happened on the way to Ray’s stand up (Adam Sackler x Reader)

A week as passed since that night at the bar and astonishingly, you’ve managed to stick to your resolution and everything’s back to normal on set. Even Shirley’s cutting you some slack with her quest but that’s because she thinks you’re going out soon with one of the guys you’ve talked with at the bar. A little white lie that you gave her but at least, it worked. Today will be a long day when it comes to waiting ‘cause there’ll be many scenes to shoot, meaning the cast & the crew will move around a lot & wait for everything to be set before actually doing anything. But you got it covered. You managed to install an improvised fitness corner near the trailers park to distract Adam and a couple of other actors between takes. Being idle was a problem around here so you tried to come up with something that would be time consumming but yet easy to make happen and there it was. A few mats on the ground and half a dozen machines moved from a warehouse where they were stored and voilà ! “Anything that makes everyone’s life easier” you remember Delilah’s words on your first day & thought to be just a phrase. Turned out to be all you had to say to the studio’s crew to make it happen.

You’re halfway throught the day when the actor finds you in the parking lot, where you’re talking on the phone with your best friend. He waits awkwardky for you to end the call before he finally says something. - “Are you doing anything tonight ?”, he asks running a hand in his hair as he watches you put your phone away. “I’ve got a friend who’s doing stand up, it’s his first time & I promised him I’ll come by for support. I thought it could be more bearable for me to have someone to suffer with so, if you’re free you could come with. It could be fun...”, he adds rushingly, not letting you say a word, almost as if he tries to avoid you saying no to his invitation. - “I’d love to go, I like stand up, where’s the place ?”, you answer simply, making him frown as he was not expecting you to say that, you could tell. - Uh, it’s in Echo Park I think, I don’t remember the exact address but you can come with me ? You’re off when I am so we can get there together, it’ll be easier for us both, don’t you think ?”, he remarks as you nod in agreement. - “Ok, we’ll meet at your trailer before leaving then, that way we can share a cab”, you reply smiling faintly. Adam nods too now, also smiling & you guess he’s relieved to have somebody coming along for the occasion, not because he was going with you. “Anything else ? Oh, the package will be delivered to your place tomorrow, I’ve checked”, you add, remembering he asked you to take care of that for him a couple of days ago. - “Hm, no, thanks. Great, now I just have to figure out a way to convince my sister to accept the gift”, he replies, setting his hands on his hips, thoughtful. - “I’m sure you’ll come up with something”, you let out as you smile back at him, standing up from your seat. “Let’s get you to the make up trailer now, you’re expected on stage 6 in 30 minutes”, you point out as you’re leading the way already, without making sure he’s following. Because you know he is, you can hear his footsteps for one, but it’s the little grunt he makes as you set off that lets you know his position quite easily. The rest of the day goes by without any other hitch and when Adam’s shot his last scene, he tells you he’ll meet you in a few minutes outisde after he took a quick shower. As usual, he was worked up all the time while filming and indeed, the shower’s not superfluous if you’re about to head out to a closed space for a couple of hours side by side. While he’s showering, you make a stop to your locker, changing to something a bit less casual but nothing too fancy either. A watery green blouse over a pair of jeans, you’ve let your hair down again. You’re on your phone texting whe he comes out of his trailer, also changed and it’s hard for you not to look so you keep your eyes on the screen for a few seconds more. - “The cab should be here in 5 minutes, just when we’ll get to the entrance”, you let him know before you put your phone back in your purse. - “You’ve cleaned up nicely too I see”, he replies as you both start to walk side by side to exit the studios. - “Thank you for that sweet compliment”, you retort half sassing him out for it as you reach the gates, waving Al goodnight and catching the cab in the corner of your eyes. You hail it & both get in together, silence falling immediately between you two. You’re sticking to your plan, not engaging with him if it can be avoided. Not an easy task for you since you’re usually someone warm and talkative but it’s what needs to be done if you want to distance yourself from him. Even if right now he’s sitting next to you, only a few inches away, close enough for you to smell the perfectly recognizable scent of his soap. Pine wood. You loved that smell and it was fitting for a man built like an oak tree. You exchange small talk during the ride & it feels weird. Like you both just met or something and you hate it but you gotta stick to your plan. When you get out of the cab, you walk for a few meters and see there’s a line to get in so you join the queue, still in silence. The air is a bit friskier than you thought but you expect to get in quickly so you don’t say anything. It was your choice not to take a jacket with you so you suck it up like a big girl. - “So it’s his first time doing this ? I thought he was managing a coffee shop”, you finally say as you move up the line a little. - “He still owns the spot yeah, but he wanted to try it out. He thought of it a long time ago & I’ve told him to start with improv but he didn’t like it so he tried stand up instead and here we are”, he replies as he puts back some of his hair, still partially wet from his shower. - “I see”, you nod a bit amused by the tale. “You’re a good friend, showing up for his big night. Even if you dragged me into it too”, you kid but you’re sincere. It’s a nice gesture coming from him, especially since you know Adam’s not that great when it comes to nurture that kind of friendships & how it links him to his ex in a strange way. - “I like spending time with you, that’s nothing new”, he retorts with that damned smile you hate so much because it makes you weak in the knees in less than a second. “I can behave when I want to”, he adds still smiling like an idiot and you shake your head, rolling your eyes in the process. - “See, that’s where I know you’re a great actor, I almost believed you for a second when you said that”, you fight back with a grin. There it was again. The easy banter, the little game you missed so much lately but you have to be careful as you’re getting dangerously close to him again. - “Touché”, he says putting his right hand over his heart, trying to get a perfect french accent & you can’t help but chuckle at the scene. Why is that tall idiot so adorable ? You start to shiver a bit, the waiting line hasn’t moved for some time now and Adam notices. - “Are you cold ? Do you want my jacket ?”, he asks but he’s already taking it off before you say anything. He lands the jacket (a good size too big for you) on your shoulders and the corner of his lips raises a bit. “There kid, don’t you freeze out on me, I need you in there,” he says scanning your face as you look at him. He’s only a few inches away from you, not moving away, his hands still on your shoulders. - “So you’re being chivalrous just for your own interest, huh ? How knightly of you”, you tease him as you look over at the entrance for a second, to see if the line’s about to move. You look up again, seeing he still focused on you. “What ?”, you ask as you’re getting nervous from all that attention on yourself. You’re about to say something else to break the heavy silence but he doesn’t let you do it. Instead, his lips land on yours within a second and you’re stunned. From the surprise mostly. Was this really happening, for real ? But it was. The pressure of those plump lips letting you know it wasn’t just some vivid fantasy. And it that moment, you throw all your resolve to the gutter and kiss him back. It’s the bouncer’s cough that makes you part ways as he announces you two can finally get in. You’re almost out of breath, licking your lips in a reflex motion and floatting in a haze but you manage to blink a few times, seeing the actor smiling at you as his hand lands on the small of your back, guiding you inside. His large stature makes it easy to navigate among the crowd and you both settle at a table near the back, close to the platform serving as the stage tonight. He asks you what drink you want and leaves you when you’ve answered him. A most welcomed pause for you to take in what just happened two minutes ago. Adam just kissed you. Out of the blue. Without any warning. Not that you mind anyway but did it really happened and what was it suppose to mean. That’s what is really a mystery to you right now (& you don’t know it yet but it’ll be something you’ll be asking yourself for the upcoming days). You’re lost in your thoughts, the noise surrounding you helping to let your mind race in every direction, trying to comprehend that whole ordeal. Why did he do that ? Why now ? Why didn’t he say anything after ? Why did you let him kiss you ? Well for that last question, the answer is pretty obvious but doesn’t help you in any way. Still completely lost in your contemplations when he comes back with your drinks, you just nod to thank him & when you’re about to ask him a question, the lights go off announcing the beginning of the set so you bottle up that storm raging in your head for now. You try to enjoy the different sketches, to be a good cheer for those people trying to make you laugh but you’re not really paying attention. It’s selfish but you can’t help it. All you can think of is that kiss. You’ve dreamt about it so many times, almost since you’d met Adam. Many scenarios went through your mind over the time, some rougher than some others but you never pictured it like it actually went down. Simply because those were ideal situations and that reality rarely is. You should have known he wouldn’t say anything, most of men aren’t talkers, especially in these instances. But you’re dying to know, to have your doubts appeased. You don’t want to start imagining things if this is just some game he’s playing with you because he can. Stew warned you about that aspect of the job, but you really hope you’ve read Adam correctly to know he wouldn’t abuse his position over you like that. Talking about him, the last aspiring comic is out of the stage and he’s standing up as Ray’s coming to your table. He introduces you and you all begin to chat a little, rating Ray’s performance (which was quite good from what you’ve heard when you paid enough attention to it). Ray seems to be someone interesting from what you’ve gathered from what Adam told you about him & what you can tell yourself now. He proposes to buy you two a drink but weirdly, it’s Adam who goes to the bar in the end & now you’re sure he’s avoiding the moment when you’ll be alone with him. It hurts, you’re not gonna lie but in a way, you get it. The place is very loud, he’s here for Ray initially but still, at one point or another, you expect some explanation from him. So for now, you play along, get to know Ray a little more and pretend not to think about what happened. When you’re finally taking your leave, you’re pleased you’ve met Ray and leanred more on the actor (his fault entirely, he left you with his friend and you simply asked how the two of them met so off course you got gossip out of said unsuspecting friend quite easily). But you’re still frustrated as hell about that whole situation. Adam insists on walking you home so you think it’s a good sign, that at some point he’ll mention the kiss but no. You chat about tonight, what or who made you laugh during the show case but nothing about what he did in the waiting line. You still don’t push it, not wanting to appear too clingy or desperate even if it has been eating at you for hours. And foolishly, you hope that now that you’re at your place it will give a better setting for him to say something but nothing. He takes back his jacket, wishes you goodnight and sets off in the night, leaving you speechless and even more lost. No need to say that you can’t find sleep once you’re in your bed, the evening’s events roaming in your head constantly. The alarm the next morning is painful for you, since you hardly had any sleep but you get up somehow, motivated to show up earlier at his trailer so you can ask him what’s been burning your brain for the last 12 hours or so. You knock at his door, coffee & bagels still warm, hear him calling you in and feel a little spike in your heartbeat but quickly it comes down whe you realize he’s still acting like nothing happened. It meant nothing. Nothing at all. Just like Stew said it would be. But at least now you know where you’re standing. it doesn’t make it easier, how could it but it’ll teach you a lesson. Never trust someone who’s job is to fake being someone else.

[sporadic-writer]

Education on Modern Times: Dancing

Bucky x Reader

Warnings: Endgame Spoilers!, mentions of alcohol, uh maybe swearing, I don't remember.

Summary: the Avengers go and enjoy a free night out

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"Bucky. If you could do one thing now you used to do back in the day, what would it be?" Your head was in your hands as your elbows were propped on the pool deck. Despite tempts and requests for him to get in with you, the long haired gentleman simply sat at the edge of the pool.

He thought for a second. After pondering he met your eyes and said, "Dancing. Used to go out a lot and I kind of miss it." His feet kicked lightly back and forth as he sat next to you at the compound pool.

"We could always go ya know? I feel like now that the new compound is offcially done and set we should do something in the city. Nothing we need to manage here. We haven't done much since everything." You spoke as casually as you could, not wanting to bring up any sad memories. The fight against Thanos, Tony and Nat’s funerals, and Sam’s promotion was a lot to manage. After a few months, everything has finally settled and become as normal as it ever would be. “And plus, we could do either the dancing you’re used to from back in the day, or dancing nowadays! In New York anything is possible.” As you spoke you pushed back in the water. 

Bucky tried not to focus too hard on your cute two piece as you swam. “Ok modern dancing is either actual dancing done by professionals, or just people stuck to each other swaying or moving weirdly to music.” The air quotes around music made you roll your eyes.

“Well which would you like to do? And it can be just us, or us with Sam, Wanda, and anyone else.” You knew he preferred doing the old-fashioned things with just you because Sam’s teasing still got to him despite knowing it is all in good fun. Adapting to the newer times was not horrible, but still odd sometimes. Plus, it’s not like you were going on dates. It was more like going on educational or sentimental outings.

He kicked the water at you playfully. “I guess we can try the newer version of going dancing. Last time Thor and the others from space stopped by he gave me some booze. So I can always get drunk and make it more fun. Wanda and Sam can come too if they want.” Your smile made all hesitation he had get pushed down.

“Yay! Ok tomorrow night. We will pre-game around 8ish and leave to get to the club by 10!” You began to get out of the water and trot to the door. Again, Bucky tried not to let his eyes linger too long. “Wanda! Really, asleep in the sauna? Anyways, wanna go dancing tomorrow night? Excellent! Want to get ready together? Cool.”

“So what should I wear?” Instead of a reply he just watched you run and jump in, causing a splash. “Nice. So again. What do I wear?”

“Um something like the pictures of Steve at Tony’s old parties. Not fancy in a suit, but not everyday casual. Just ask Sam if you need help. Check if he can come too. Now come on get in and swim with me!” You pulled at his feet and each of you laughed. Soon you were swimming and enjoying some relaxation and free time.

Time skip to the next night.

“Think Sam tortured Bucky on helping him get ready?” As Wanda spoke you finished brushing out your hair, prepping to twist and set some back to the side. You also took note of the intense gold dress she wore. It was simple and strapless, but off brand from her usual darker wardrobe. The navy one sleeved cocktail dress you were sporting was more on brand with Wanda.

You laughed lightly and said, “I hope not. I want him to enjoy the night. Silver accents right?”

“Yeah and the sliver heels. And hmm Y/N any reason you want this night with Bucky to go so well? Hmmm?” Her eyes were teasing and knowing.

“Maybe, maybe not. Do I want to look good? Yes. For him? Not totally. That is but a bonus.” Together you finished your makeup and sipped some wine. It was some lovely girl time.

Wanda’s phone chimed. “Aww Sam said they want to pick us up at the door. Are you ready? They are.” Seeing it was 8:06 you nodded while putting in your earrings. Just as there was a knock on the door you got your perfume on. “Ready babe?” You nodded and smiled. Together you opened the door to a set of dashing gentlemen.

Sam spoke first. “Ladies you look immaculate. Shall we venture off to the bar slash kitchen slash living room for cocktails?”

You couldn’t keep from giggling at Sam’s words and Bucky’s slack jaw. Wanda rested her hand on Sam’s outstretched arm and walked to the bar slash other areas. So far he had yet to say a word or look anywhere but at you. Blushing you speak softy to him. “Careful Buck, or you’ll catch flies.” He closed his mouth and smiled. “Gonna let a lady walk to get cocktails alone?”

He seemed to come back to reality there. “Of course not. Sorry.”

“I was just messing with you don’t worry.” You grabbed onto his bicep and you both walked to find Sam and Wanda making drinks.

“Anything with vodka or schnapps for me.” Moving away from Bucky you grabbed him a glass for his space hooch and you poured yourself a shot of silver tequila. “Anyone else? No? Alrighty.” You threw it back then stood to lean on Bucky. Together you all got a solid buzz going before the car arrived to take you into the city.

Upon entering the club you all went to a spot where you could eventually sit and relax. However, you and Wanda had other plans. Instantly, you both danced along to the music. The guys got more drinks and scanned the crowd. Sam did so to see if anyone peaked his interest. Bucky did so just to take it all in. The lighting was dark, but not horrible, and there was an edging of people against walls and by tables not mixing with the rest of the dancers. Spotting Wanda’s gold dress first, he smiled seeing you enjoying yourself. He had to admit. This wasn’t as horrible as he thought it would be.

“So will you actually dance tonight or did you just come and do this for Y/N?” Sam’s patterned green shirt made him blend in with the lighting. Bucky rolled his eyes and got sassed before he even replied. “Don’t deny it. I know you like her. Plus an idiot can figure this isn’t your first choice for a night out. She likes you too if it counts for anything.”

“And how would you know?” He tried not to let his face show the bubble of excitement of you potentially liking him. Rather, he kept looking at you sing along and sway your hips to the beat.

“I have eyes and ears that’s how I know. Make a move while we have some time to enjoy ourselves. Make good use of that Asgardian stuff and use it to grow a pair. Tell her you like her! She’s sweet and you would be good for each other. Now be cool they are coming back.” You huffed in a breath and gladly gulped the drink bought for you.

“Woo! It can get hot out there.” You sat next to Bucky and Wanda went next to you. She may or may not have sat close enough to make you need to move closer to Bucky. Not like you minded though, it was smooth whether intentional or not. Once settled, the 4 of you made idle chat and enjoyed the night life.

“I know we aren’t getting hammered tonight, but having a few drinks and dressing up? We needed this more than I thought.” Sam’s words were quite true. A night out was needed. You were about to agree but the other female present spoke first. “Now. Wanda I want to dance. Care to join me next song? Possibly be my wing woman?”

“Of course darling. But I need a refill, so let’s go get that first. Babe you good?” She stood up and looked down at you.

“Nah I’m good. I’ll come dance in a bit I promise.” You smiled at her and waited til she left before turning to the man next to you. “Are you having fun? I know this can be a lot.” Without realizing, you put your hand on his thigh, close to his knee, while looking at him. It was an innocent touch, but it still made his breath hitch.

He attempted to remain unfazed. “For sure. It’s new, but fun to take in and people watch. People do dance how I said, not really what comes to mind in regards to dancing. Still fun. Plus, seeing you in that dress makes this night 100% worth it.”

Talking through the fact that your face heated to 100 degrees, you smiled. “Look at you making me blush. I see the old charmer you used to be isn’t completely gone.”

“Never left, just sort of went into hibernation. Honestly though, you look amazing. Women did not dress like this to go dancing back in the 30s and 40s and I am not complaining.” By this point his arm was very close to your shoulders, coming up to your earring, and you became aware of your hand on him. “Not to mention, I actually really like these. They make your eyes sparkle.”

“Thank you.” Luckily, he heard you over your breathy response. “You look really nice as well. Sam help you out?”

“Yeah, not just with the clothes either.” By this point in the conversation your heart was pounding and somehow you both got closer to each other. You were breathing the same air and ignoring the music blasting through the speakers. “He also told me to grow a pair.”

Your eyebrows furrowed together in question. “What is he talking about?”

There was a slight pause that gathered the tension in the air. It became thick and filled with anticipation. “To grow a pair and tell you I like you.” His words were soft and held his feelings, the nerves only peaking out slightly. As he spoke a magnet brought you closer to each other, because that was somehow possible.

You eyes closed instantly and he barley pressed his lips to yours. Had it not been for your hand coming up to his arm, he would’ve pulled away. Instead he reciprocated in you deepening the kiss. Soft lips overlapped and he smiled a tad. With a boost in confidence, he bit your lip incredibly gently and loved that you got the hint and brought your tongue forward to meet his. it made him feel like a teenage again. Your perfume made his mind go into a blissful fog and his hand on your waste did the same. Unfortunately, you had to pull away to breathe. 

“One of us owes Sam a drink.” He laughed at that. “How are you not out of breath? Because damn.. that was.. wow.”

“So articulate. But the serum helps with that.” You simply nodded then leaned in again to pick up where you left off. The 2 of you remained like that, connected and hands slightly roaming, until there was a shift in the rounded couch. “Wanda? How long have you been here?” Bucky looked at her while she was on her phone, your head on his shoulder muttering how she will pay for that.

“Oh don’t mind me! I just needed to step away while Sam talked someone up. I did come to see if Y/N wanted to dance, but she seems occupied.” Still not looking at her, you stuck your middle finger up in her direction. “Fine fine I can take a hint. Everyone out here getting some but me. I’ll be dancing if you need me.

A hand moved to your lower back. “She’s gone babe.”

Your head perked up and you smirked at him. “Babe?” He just nodded in response, not trusting his voice. He was nervous and didn’t know how you’d take the pet name. “I expected doll or something. But I see you’re being modern with that.” You pecked his lips again. “I like it. Now I just need one for you.”

He shrugged. “Can’t help ya there. Just, not puddin’ or something like that.”

The giggle you released was the best thing he’s ever heard. “How about Sarge? Or babe too? I don’t know I’ll come up with something.”

“I like either of those. Although, not how I imagined you callin’ me Sarge.” He froze. “That was not meant to be said out loud just now.”

“Shh it’s all good. It can be used when that time comes too.” You smirked and just kissed him before he could let his eyes get any bigger. You never did meet Wanda back out for that dance you promised her. However, you really didn’t care and she knew you were doing something much more enjoyable.

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[kryptoniism]

67 for supercorp! Thanks :))

sentence prompts

67. “I didn’t know where to go to.”

“Wait, what do you mean you don’t have my reservation?”

Frustration was beginning to culminate at Lena’s brow as she stared down the snobby-looking hostess who stood behind her register and looked less than enthused to have been the one to service them.

“Your name isn’t in our reservations. Sorry.” She said, very evidently disinterested.

Lena put a hand to her forehead, massaging the growing ache in her temples between her thumb and forefinger, a terse sigh fleeting from between her clenched teeth.

From what Kara had heard, it had already been a difficult day for Lena; HR had failed to coordinate with her over their administrative changes which resulted in an impromptu meeting that consumed a considerable portion of her already jam-packed schedule. Her chauffeur had gotten stuck in rush-hour traffic on her way back from the dry cleaners, and by the time she had gotten to her apartment, she barely had the time to get ready for dinner. All of this on the day of their one-year anniversary…

Kara laid a comforting hand on Lena’s shoulder.

“Hey, it’s ok,” Kara said gently into her hair, “we’ll find another place, alright?”

Lena turned to face her, trepidation welling up in her eyes.

Kara knew that Lena had hoped to choreograph this day so flawlessly, right down to the arrangement of the fruit bouquet she had surprised Kara with at breakfast this morning. Lena had worked so tirelessly to give Kara nothing less than perfection, and she had been so patient with the complexities of her day. She was so determined to make the best out of the evening, but this just seemed to be the final straw.

Kara did her best to appear reassuring though internally she was hiding doubts of her own. With the series of events that had transpired, she was growing increasingly worried that today was not one even she could salvage. Both she and Lena knew there weren’t many fancy restaurants open this late in the evening that would take them without at least a two weeks notice. She had a few restaurants in mind, but all of them were far too casual to encapsulate the importance of their relationship.

Kara maneuvered them out of the line of people waiting to check in and they stood in the foyer while Lena typed vigorously on her phone, looking for a viable replacement.

With each passing minute, Lena appeared to grow more and more disheartened with the results she was being presented with, until finally she let out an exasperated sigh and pushed her way out the door. Kara quickly followed her outside onto the sidewalk where they stood together. Kara wrapped her arms securely around Lena’s shoulders as Lena clung to her, stifling sobs into her neck.

“Hey, hey…” Kara soothed, stroking Lena’s back, “It’s not too late to still enjoy tonight.” She whispered.

Lena shook her head against Kara’s shoulder.

“With how everything has gone, I don’t see how that will be possible…” She said with a sniff.

Kara pursed her lips, contemplating her choices before speaking again.

“I know a place we can go for dinner.” She offered with a small smile. Lena wiped her eyes, careful not to smudge her makeup and looked at Kara hopefully.

“You aren’t upset?” She asked and Kara shook her head.

“God, of course not. I know how badly you wanted this to work out.” Kara pressed a kiss to Lena’s forehead. “It’s… Not a five, or even a four-star establishment; heck, I don’t even know if it even has a page on Yelp, but it’s a place that means a lot to me.”

Lena nodded, still a bit doubtful, but allowing herself to place her full trust in Kara’s decisions. Kara grinned and grabbed Lena’s hand as they took off down the sidewalk.

-

Kara came to a stop in front of a little run-down shack with an oriental roof awning. The gently curved eaves sloped outward like wings on either side forming a little veranda in front of the window which was covered by a mesh screen. A few vacant chairs and benches were scattered about the storefront. Lena gave Kara a look of skepticism.

“What is this place?” Lena asked upon seeing the restaurant.

“I didn’t know where to go. So, I brought you to one of the best ramen places in National City.” Lena crinkled her nose.

“Ramen? Like the cheap, crummy stuff in plastic wrap and styrofoam that you make in college when you’re out of food?” Lena asked, partially appalled. Kara’s eyebrows shot up in incredulity.

“No, no… Have you never had authentic ramen before?” Lena shook her head with a naivety that made Kara’s jaw drop. “Oh, you’ve got to try this, then! The woman who owns this shop came to the U.S. from Japan back in the 1940s, and she doesn’t speak a bit of English. But she was one of the first people who figured out that I was… Y'know.” Kara could see Lena’s hesitance giving way to acceptance the longer they both lingered outside the shop. “Anyway. She gives me free ramen sometimes!” Kara finished with a shrug.

At that moment, an elderly woman came shuffling outside. Her wrinkled appearance had a strangely comforting and familial quality, like the gentle comfort of a grandparent. When she caught sight of Kara, her expression brightened and the lines of wrinkles spread out from the corners of her almond shaped eyes, a gap-toothed grin easing over her lips. Kara smiled back at the woman who gestured to the two of them and turned around, returning from the door from which she had emerged.

“How did you come across this place?” Lena asked as soon as the woman had disappeared into her kitchen.

“Well, when she first started out, she was selling ramen from a little street cart that she wheeled around the National City University campusーI was one of her more frequent customersーeveryone loved her ramen; so much so that she actually had this little shop built.” Kara smiled wistfully. “She had traveled so far, left everything behind at such a young age in search of a better life here…” Kara murmured, looking up at the night sky that was slowly unfurling above them.

“I’m sure you knew exactly how that felt.” Lena said, and Kara looked back down at her with a smile.

“Yeah, I did…”

They stopped their idle chat to savor the rich aroma of broth that filled the air, wafting from inside the old woman’s kitchen and Kara watched Lena stop to inhale the luxurious scent.

“Mm, that smells wonderful…” Lena mused aloud.

The kitchen door clattered and the old woman re-emerged, bustling towards them holding two bowls. Kara took hers, nodding and whispering a soft thanks. The old woman smiled and turned to Lena, offering the second bowl towards her. Kara watched Lena fumble with the clasp of her clutch before withdrawing a $100 bill and offering it to the woman who shook her head vigorously in refusal. Lena persisted with a smile, tucking the bill into her hand and closing it over with her own as she took the bowl. The old woman beamed and set her hand against Lena’s cheek, patting it gently before turning around and heading back inside.

Kara took a seat on one of the benches, Lena sitting down beside her.

“It’s no $100 dinner. Well… I guess it sort of is.” Kara paused, reconsidering her statement due to the money that Lena had just given her, “But it is every bit as enjoyable. Just… In a different way.”

“I figured I’d pay her back for all those free meals she gave you.” Lena said pointedly with a quirk of her brow. Kara frowned jokingly.

“Ha ha.” She said as dryly as she could, “That was one of the first things I paid off when I got my first paycheck, you know I’d never take advantage of someone like that.” She said, nudging Lena’s shoulder. Lena laughed softly, stirring slow, introspective circles with her spoon.

“I… I really want to thank you for this, Kara.” Lena said, looking up from her bowl at her. “I don’t think I could’ve ever anticipated how much I enjoyed tonight, so thank you for showing me a bit of your world.” For the first time that day, Lena sounded genuinely at peace, settling against her shoulder.

“I’m really glad.” Kara murmured. “No matter what we do, I’m just glad it’s you I get to be with. I don’t need a fancy night out to show me how much you love me, as long as I’m with you, I’m the happiest person in the universe.”

–

A/N: It’s not your average answer to this sort of prompt, I know. I just wanted to try out some character/world building, but I hope this is still enjoyable!

[starfast]

Cross the Kingdom- Chapter 10

“Morbane”

Word Count: 3826

Read on Wattpad: Link

More about this project: Intro Post | Other Info

 Crispin had never actually been on a train before, and at the rate things were going he hoped he would never have to go on one again. Going into it, he thought he wouldn’t be so bad. He had spent weeks at a time travelling on the Mad Maiden, so surely he could manage spending a few days on a train. Now, after having travelled all through the night and through most of the day, Crispin was eager to get off the train again. They had stopped briefly in Westcliff the day before, which had been a six hour trip from Coral Bay. Frank had used the time to get caught up on some sleep, while Crispin had taken some time to walk around the city at Frank’s request. 

 “The trip to Morbane is going to be a long one,” Frank had said as they arrived in Westcliff, “Might as well get some fresh air and stretch our legs out while you have the chance.” 

 That had been nearly five hours ago. Five long hours of being cooped up in the locomotive which barely seemed big enough for just the two of them, which seemed to become smaller and smaller with each passing minute. Five hours and still had several more to go. 

 It must have been close to midnight when Frank told Crispin to get some rest. There were two bunk beds towards the back of the locomotive, and Frank had told him he could have whichever one he wanted since he needed to stay awake through the night. Crispin had originally taken the bottom, but as he lay on the bed surrounded by walls on three sides he began to feel trapped. He tried to sleep, but he couldn’t get past the feeling that the walls were closing in on him. He had no idea how much time had passed before he finally decided to see if he would be any better off on the top bunk, but that hadn’t gone over any better. Even though he had enough room to sit upright, when he lay on his back he felt like the ceiling was only inches away from his nose. He managed to fall asleep eventually, but he woke up several times during the night. Sometimes he was awoken by the ear-shattering train whistle. Other times he woke himself up after accidentally rolling onto his injured wing. But most times he was woken by a squeezing sensation in his chest, drenched in a cold sweat. 

 When he joined Frank at the front of the locomotive again, he could see the brilliant orange sunrise shining through the window. Rays of sun peeked through rows of trees, casting golden light across open fields. 

 “Morning,” Frank greeted him, not taking his eyes off the railway track that seemed to go on forever. 

 “G’Morning,” Crispin mumbled, rubbing his eyes sleepily. 

 “Sleep ok?” Frank asked. 

 “Yeah,” Crispin said. It was a lie though, and not even a good one at that. Frank hadn’t even looked at him yet, but he still saw right through him.

 “Most people find the train a little loud at first,” he said, “Makes it hard to get any rest. You’ll get used to it though, don’t worry.” 

 “Right,” Crispin said. He didn’t let Frank in on the real reason he had not slept well. He could only hope that just like the noises made by the train, he would get used to the claustrophobic interior of the locomotive. 

 When they arrived in Morbane early in the morning, Crispin tried to hide his relief. He stepped out of the train and onto the tiled floors of the platform. He followed Frank out into the crowded train station, finally free of the confined space that he had been stuck inside for the past thirteen hours. 

 Crispin had only been to Morbane a few times. His father tended to avoid it since the King had a larger presence in Morbane than he did in Coral Bay. Captain Hadley never feared the King, or any authority for that matter but he still wanted to avoid getting thrown into prison, so it had been a while since Crispin’s last visit. He didn’t remember much about the city, only that it was far nicer than Coral Bay. Where Coral Bay was run down, dirty and filled to the brim with unsavory characters, Morbane was the exact opposite: Clean, tidy and generally safe. 

 Even the train station was reflective of the city’s pristine reputation. Brick arches held up the domed ceiling which was lined with windows that let in rays of sunlight that reflected off of the tiled floors which were practically spotless. Crispin had thought that the station in Coral Bay had been pretty impressive, much bigger than he had anticipated. The Morbane station put it to shame, just like everything else in the city. 

 Crispin followed Frank out of the station and onto the streets of Morbane. He drew in a breath,  tasting the salty sea air that was so familiar to him. He was surprised to see how close the station was to the ocean; the one in Coral Bay had been much farther in land. It made sense though when Crispin spotted several horse drawn carts packed full with crates and barrels moving back and forth between the station and the docks. 

 Frank decided that the first thing they should do is get something to eat. Crispin hadn’t been feeling particularly hungry, but he obliged nonetheless. The pair made their way to a small cafe that was only a short walk from the station. They found themselves a table on the cafe’s sunlit patio.  A server came by, offering them both some tea.

 “We’ll both have some,” Frank replied, “Thank you.” When the server left he said to Crispin, “Sorry, I just figured that you could use something to help wake you up a little more. You still seem a little tired.” 

 Crispin nodded in agreement. He had never really liked tea that much, but he welcomed the idea of being at least a little more alert. He was so tired that he felt like he could fall asleep standing up. When the server came back out and placed the  two mugs of steaming hot tea on their table Crispin didn’t even wait for it to cool down. He took a small sip, burning his tongue on the bitter drink. 

 The two of them made idle small talk as they waited for the tea to cool down some more. Crispin found that there was little for them to talk about, since Frank had made it very clear that they were not to talk about New Vellarton in public.

 “If the wrong person overhears us then the town stops serving its purpose as a safe haven,” Frank had told him. So they mostly talked about New Vellarton in the privacy of the locomotive, and made awkward small talk in public. 

 Their conversation had seemingly hit a dead end. Not really in the mood to force out a conversation, Crispin stared out at the streets, watching people pass by him as they went about their day to day activities. As he watched the people go by, he couldn’t help but feel a little bit out of place in his plain red coat. The men that he saw wore fancy tailored suits, and the women wore dresses that trailed along the ground but somehow never got dirty. Morbane was a city that catered to the upper class, and Crispin was out of his element. He was used to the rough streets of Coral Bay where fights seemed to break out on every corner. Not that didn’t mind the peacefulness of Morbane, but it was a stark contrast from his hometown. 

 Crispin noticed a pair of men walking by dressed in navy blue coats with two rows of golden buttons. A silk white sash crossed over each of their chests and swords hung in sheaths from the men’s belts. It was the patch that they wore on their sleeves that caught Crispin’s attention-- an eagle with its wings outstretched and a crown on its head. He recognized it instantly as the royal coat of arms. It was a fairly scarce sight in Coral Bay, but he recognized it nonetheless.

 “...Not our problem if something happened to him in transit,” one of the guards said, “Our instructions were clear. Just bring the Prince to Lord Roland. We can’t do anything about it if he never showed up to begin with.”

 “True,” The other guard said. He let out a sigh then added, “although I reckon that King Matthew may fire us anyways.”

 “I highly doubt that,” The first guard scoffed, “There’s still a chance that he might show up still. If not, anything that happened to him outside of Morbane is beyond our control, and effectively not our problem. Don’t waste your time worrying over it…”  The two guards walked away, out of earshot. 

 “Interesting,” Frank murmured as the guards walked out of sight. 

 “What is?” 

 “What those two guards were saying,” Frank said, “There’s been a lot of rumours going around about whatever the hell is going on in the castle. One that’s come up recently was that there was an attempt on the prince’s life recently. The King is either trying to downplay it or outright deny it happened, depending on who you ask.” 

 “Curious then that the Prince has seemingly vanished according to those guards then,” Crispin said. 

 “Exactly,” Frank replied in a low voice. 

“I sent an informant into the castle before I came to pick you up,” Frank said, rubbing his bearded chin thoughtfully, “Things seem to have been pretty dicey in the castle for a while.” 

 “Really?” Crispin asked, leaning forward slightly so that he was literally on the edge of his seat. 

 Frank nodded. “It’s hard to say for sure what really goes on in there,” he said, “Hence sending in Audrey. One thing that we do know for sure though is that the King is at odds with his brother, though I’m sure you know that already.”

 This was news to Crispin, but he didn’t quite want to admit it. He’d always had better things to do than worry about whatever the royal family was up to. It wasn’t like they seemed to care all that much about what went on in Coral Bay. Or anywhere else outside of Galtia for that matter. It had been years since King Matthew had left the capital. Even the Winter Palace, which Crispin could see from where he sat, perched on a cliff that overlooked the city of Morbane, had been vacant for as long as Crispin could remember. 

 “Right,” Crispin said, but he had spoken a moment too late, and Frank had seen right through him. 

 “Prince Alexander has been jealous of the King,” Frank explained. 

 “Why?” Crispin asked, “He just wants to be king?” 

 “Pretty much,” Frank said.

 “Why doesn’t he just kill him then?” 

 “Shush!” Frank hissed, “Not so loud!” He looked around then leaned in close. “The King still has men here. Don’t give them a reason to come after you.” 

 Crispin glanced around at the people who walked through the streets. Even the children were well dressed, and any one of them could have easily had ties to the royal family. “It’s not like I’d ever do it,” he mumbled.

 “Well, I’m glad to hear that at least,” Frank replied, “King Matthew is on our side.” He lowered his voice to almost a whisper and said, “He’s already trying to crack down on the Patrol and--”

 “I hear that’s going really well for him,” Crispin in an equally quiet voice. 

 “Laugh about it all you want,” Frank huffed, “But he is ruling in our favour, and that’s more than we can say about his brother.” He sat back in his seat and added, “Perhaps we should discuss this later.” 

As much as he wanted to, Crispin knew better than to press him. He continued sipping at his tea, which had finally cooled down to a bearable temperature. 

 After they ate a quick breakfast, they left the cafe to start on some errands. Frank had cautioned him to stay close to him at all times. Crispin had scowled at the request. He had spent the first thirteen years of his life growing up on the streets of Coral Bay, and the last three living on a pirate ship. Morbane was a walk in the park compared to both his hometown and his father’s ship. Nothing was going to happen. Even if something did, Crispin had fought his way out of many perilous situations. Despite his injured state, he was confident that he could do it again. 

 He followed Frank in and out of many different shops, as the conductor went about buying some things that were needed back in New Vellarton. Mostly, it was clothing to help prepare the citizens for the long upcoming winter. Frank had come prepared with a list of measurements of all the citizens so that he could properly pick them out. He went into several shops pretending to buy for his family.  “Do you have any winter boots in a size ten?” He would ask the shopkeepers, “I’m looking to buy a pair for my son.” At this point, the shopkeepers would usually give Crispin a skeptical once over at which point, Frank would clarify, “Not him.” 

 As they continued shopping for supplies, Frank stopped and peered into the window of a shoe store. Rows of black boots were on display in the window. They were so shiny that Crispin could practically see his reflection in them. 

 “We should get you a pair,” Frank said. 

 Crispin looked down at his pair of brown leather boots. He’d had them for such a long time that he could not remember a time where the boots weren’t dirty and scuffed. There was even a hole at the toe of his right boot, but it was so small and insignificant that he had never bothered to try and get it fixed. Despite how worn they were, Crispin still believed that they served their purpose. 

 “Your feet will freeze right off in those,” Frank said, before Crispin could object, “Come on. Let’s get you a new pair.” 

 Frank walked into the store, and Crispin followed close behind him. A tiny bell rang as the door opened. Right away, Crispin was hit with the rich scent of leather that filled the tiny shop. He walked along the rows of shoes, which seemed to come in just about every shape and size. From elegant high heeled women's boots to sturdy work boots, the cozy shop seemed to have just about every kind of footwear that Crispin could imagine. 

 “Can I help you two find anything?” The shopkeeper asked from behind the counter. 

 “I’m looking to buy a new pair of boots for my apprentice,” Frank said, “He’s a size…” he turned to Crispin. 

 “Six,” Crispin finished for him. 

 “Yeah, we’ve got a few that should fit,” The shopkeeper replied, “Anything particular in mind?” 

 “He’ll be working on a cargo train,” Frank explained, “We’ll be going all throughout Toltova, so he’ll be needing something that’ll keep his feet warm in the northern and interior areas.” 

 The shopkeeper nodded. “I think I have a pair that may work.” He came out from behind the counter and disappeared down one of the aisles. He came back carrying a box with the words “Burbant & Elvard Shoe Co” stamped onto it in black ink. He opened up the box revealing a pair of shiny black boots lined with white fur. 

 “Try these on,” The shopkeeper said, handing the box to Crispin, “They might be a little snug, but the fur should get pressed down the more you wear them. The leather will stretch out over time as well.” 

 Crispin sat down on a stool and pulled off one of his boots, and set it down next to him.

 “I think we might need to get you some new socks as well,” Frank remarked as he looked down at the sock on Crispin’s foot. It had been white at one point in his life, although now it was more of a grimy beige. 

 Crispin took the new boot out of the box, and pulled it onto his foot. He struggled to get it around his ankle, but after a bit of pulling he was able to force it onto his foot. The boot felt  a  little tight around the bridge of his foot, but not so much that it was uncomfortable. In fact, this boot was far more comfortable than his older pair. Feeling satisfied with how they fit, he let Frank pay for them before they headed back out to the streets of Morbane.

 They set back down the cobbled streets, which were lined with tall pale buildings that seemed to sparkle in the morning sunlight. Crispin walked down the street, staring up at the beautiful buildings. There were so many little details that went into each one that it was hard to not look at them just to take it all in. One building was lined with elaborate cornices. Another was decorated with tall columns that supported a triangular roof  that stood above a large set of wooden doors. Some had tall elegant spires that reached up to the sky, while others had large domed roofs. 

 Crispin had been so distracted by his surroundings that he didn’t even notice that Frank had stopped to buy a newspaper from a young girl standing at an intersection. 

 “You going somewhere, Crispin?” Frank had called out to him after he began to wander a little too far away. 

 Crispin had turned back to see Frank handing the little girl a couple of coins in exchange for the newspaper. He stood in place as Frank walked to catch up with him. 

 “I just thought this might be interesting,” Frank said handing the paper towards Crispin, “We don’t have to look at it now, but just made me think of the conversation we were having earlier.” 

 Crispin looked down at the paper. In bold black letters, the headline on the front page read ‘KING MATTHEW REFUSING TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT CASTLE RUMOURS.’ 

Crispin paused, leaning up against a tall white column. This was probably not the best time to be reading the paper, he realized as people moved around both him and Frank. He skimmed over the article which read:

 Citizens of Galtia are growing increasingly frustrated with his Royal Majesty, King Matthew, who is keeping the public in the dark in regards to some rumours that have begun to circulate within the past few days. While nothing has been confirmed as of yet, it has been speculated that an attack took place at some point on the eve of the 28th of Tenth, when King Matthew hosted a party within the castle walls to celebrate his forty-second birthday. 

Exactly what happened that evening remains unclear, however many attendees were able to agree that some sort of disturbance occurred which prompted both King Matthew and Queen Angelica to end the event several hours earlier than originally scheduled. Many have speculated that there was an attack on Prince Christopher, who has not been seen since the evening of the party. According to the Royal Family’s official spokesperson, the Prince is in an undisclosed location but is believed to be safe and unharmed. 

The spokesperson also mentioned that both the King and Queen are both refusing to comment on the matter for the time being. Many remain hopeful that they will be able to shed light on the situation, though many others are dubious and are left to speculate. 

 Crispin handed the paper back to Frank. He hadn’t finished reading the article, but he got the gist of it. He decided he would read the rest of it on the train, which he hoped would be enough to keep him distracted from how claustrophobic he had felt inside the locomotive. Part of him hoped that he would get used to it, like Frank had said, but he very much doubted it. He had always preferred open spaces. When he’d been on his father’s ship, he’d always had the entire deck at his disposal when he felt like he needed some space. He did not have that same luxury on the train. Although, if there ever was a time to like small and closed in spaces, it would be now. 

 Crispin was forced to abandon his thoughts on the train when Frank grabbed at his arm and pulled him down a street. 

 “Sorry,” He said quickly, “I completely forgot there was something else I needed to pick up.” 

 “What the hell?” Crispin hissed. 

 “I’ll explain later,” Frank said between gritted teeth. 

 Crispin didn’t ask any further questions as Frank led him down a series of streets. He followed Frank who suddenly seemed to be in a great hurry. Frank had since let go of Crispin’s wrist, but was walking at an unnecessarily swift pace. They wove in and out of crowds, trying not to bump into anyone as they went along. 

 Crispin was left puzzled when he spotted the elegant facade of the train station in the distance. He had known right away that something was amiss when Frank had grabbed his arm, but their detour left Crispin with more questions than answers. Not that Crispin had minded getting to see more of the city, but they would have reached the station about five minutes sooner if they had gone back the way they had come. 

 Even when they were inside the station, Frank still walked at his faster than normal pace. It was only once they were inside the train that Frank seemed to relax. He let out a sigh of relief, and sat down in his conductor’s chair. 

 “So what happened back there?” Crispin asked as he began to shovel coal into the firebox. 

 Frank glanced around the station before he said in a low voice, “Patrol guards.”

 Crispin raised his eyebrows. Even though Ambrose had confirmed the existence of the Patrol, they didn’t seem like much of a threat to Crispin. He had never really seen any concrete evidence that they were still operating, aside from Ambrose’s letters from his daughter. To Crispin, the Patrol still felt like nothing more than a rumour. He had grown complacent; the Patrol would not hurt him. That kind of thing only happened to other people. 

 “Did they recognize you?” Crispin asked. 

 “I don’t think so,” Frank said, “But I recognized them. It’s better that we just keep our distance from them.” He sounded the loud train whistle, and the train began moving slowly down the tracks away from the majestic city. And away from the Patrol, the subtle danger that lurked in an otherwise perfect city. 

 ---

<<Previous Chapter

Next Chapter (Coming January  22 2020)

Tag list: No one yet, but please let me know if you’d like to be added.

[kallura-icedcoffee]

one man’s trash is another woman’s love life

A/N: for @/princessstaryknight who asked via DM for a drabble inspired by a reddit post where a woman constantly takes her trash out last minute so she can flirt with her garbage man. I was also asked to include my oc Kallura daughter Mina. I’d link the post but I’d like this to actually show up in the tags (thanks a lot tumblr)

“All right class now settle down!” Ms. Arus instructed.

She should have never allowed the children to have some of their Valentine’s treats early as they were already bouncing off the walls. Luckily recess was soon and they could burn off that energy outside. She pursed her lips and blew a loose strand of blonde hair from her face before standing at the front of the classroom.

“No if you recall, as your homework in honor of Valentine’s Day I asked you to write a little report on how your parents met. Did you all complete the task?”

“Yes Miss Romelle!” they yelled in unison. They were still getting the hang of last names.

“Wonderful! Who would like to go first?”

The kids stole glances at each other, sunk down in their chairs. They were still getting the hang of public speaking as well. Romelle’s nostrils flared before she stood straight with clasped hands.

“Mina Kogane. Would you like to start?”

Everyone turned to the young girl at the back of the room who winced at the sound of her name. Her shoulders dropped and she reluctantly grabbed her paper and headed to the front. Once there, she took a deep breath and quickly brushed off her overalls, made sure her pigtails looked presentable.

“So Mina, where did your parents find each other?”

“In the garbage” Mina replied.

The class erupted into laughter and giggles which caused Mina’s cheeks to puff up in frustration. She clutched her paper in her fist.

“That’s enough!” Ms. Arus bellowed before chuckling nervously. “Mina, um, can you explain what you mean dear?”

Mina calmed her tiny rage and tugged the paper straight. She cleared her throat and began to read…

*FLASHBACK*

It wasn’t the alarm that woke her up, she already slept through that. It was the actual roar of the truck as it pulled up to her neighbor’s house, followed by the hum as it sat idle and then the loud whirring and clanging and buzzing at the arms came down and grabbed the can off the street to dump it into the back.

Her eyes shot open.

“Shit! Shit shit shit!”

Allura threw back the covers and scrambled out of bed, nearly tripping over a pair of jeans strewn across the floor. She bolted into the kitchen and yanked the lid off the trash can, tying the bag as quickly as possible before snatching it out and sprinting outside. She didn’t even bother to put on shoes.

“Wait! Wait for me!” She yelled in an almost frantic state as the truck, which was now in front of her house, began to pull away.

She raced down the walkway to the curb when the truck stopped and a man got out of the passenger side.

“Wait for- oh it’s just you.” She sighed as her body slumped.

“Excuse me?” The man laughed incredulously, placing his hands on his hips.

“No, I mean, I’m sorry. Am I too late?” She held out the bag.

“Nah, I got it.” He smiled and took the garbage from her, tossing the bag in the back.

“Thanks” Allura said, disappointment evident in her voice.

“No problem” he smiled and absentmindedly scratched at the scar over his nose.

Allura pouted and slunk back into the house.

“She wants you.” He said as he climbed back into the seat of the truck.

“Shiro please.”

“I’m serious Keith. She practically recoiled when she saw it was me and not you.”

“She’s just forgetful getting her trash to the curb.”

“Every week? She forgets every week?”

“Maybe she’s a ditz I dunno.” Keith shrugged and continued to drive.

“A ditz who forgets her trash every week and comes running out with it often in full makeup at eight in the morning?”

“Maybe she has a fancy job.”

“Or maybe she wants your d-”

“Ok you know what?” Keith laughed, cutting him off. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“So you’re saying you wouldn’t?”

Keith licked his bottom lip as he pulled the wheel and turned the corner.

“I’m not saying I wouldn’t, of course I would, look at her. I’m saying that’s not what’s happening here so drop it.”

“Dropped!” Shiro put his hands up in surrender.

That night Pidge leaned against the doorframe of Allura’s bedroom, arms crossed and shaking her head at her roommate.

“Are you insane?”

“What?” Allura scoffed as she prepared for bed, putting the last of some large curlers in her hair.

“What is that?” Pidge motioned to her outfit.

“Pajamas.”

“Pajamas…” Pidge narrowed her eyes at Allura’s “pajamas” which consisted of a red silky nightgown with floral mini robe.

“Yes, I wear things like this to sleep all the time!”

Pidge eyes drifted to the shopping bag on the floor.

“Uh huh. Anyway goodnight lovergirl.” She rolled her eyes and returned to her own room.

Allura glared and paid her no mind, grabbing her phone and making sure her alarm was set, with a back up alarm and a back up for the back up alarm. She’d be ready this time.

The following morning her first alarm failed her but the second came through and sure enough she was outside, in her saucy nightgown, garbage in her grip, disheartened while handing it over to a highly amused Shiro. She sulked back to the door feeling like a fool and turned the knob.

It didn’t open.

Her lip curled and she tried it again. It was locked. Her face scrunched. That was odd as she didn’t recall being so careless. She rang the doorbell. When that received no response she banged on the door. Eventually it opened, but only slightly, the door catching on the chain lock.

“Morning!” Pidge beamed.

“Uh morning, let me in please.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

“Pardon?”

“For the past two months you have been disrupting my beauty sleep so you can go out there and flirt with the garbage man hoping he’ll notice you. I’ve had enough. I’m not letting you in until you ask him out.”

Allura leaned forward while closing up her robe tight, it was rather chilly.

“Pidge are you kidding me?! This isn’t a game!”

“Oh I know, so you better run now before they get too far down the block.” She grinned through the slot.

“Pidge!”

The door slammed in her face and Allura could hear it relocking. She cursed. She knew Pidge never gave empty threats. Allura exhaled loudly and begrudgingly walked toward the garbage truck, praying none of her neighbors were watching this early in the morning. The truck was two houses down and when she knocked on the passenger door the window rolled down.

“Hey.” Shiro smiled knowingly and leaned out the window.

“May I talk to him please?” Allura hugged herself and looked down at her feet.  She didn’t need to say more.

Shiro had to stifle a laugh as he rolled the window back up and turned to Keith.

“What’s going on?” Keith’s brow arched.

“She wants to see you.”

“What?!”

Keith nearly choked on his saliva as he gripped the steering wheel tight. He cleared his throat and slipped out, giving Shiro one last “don’t even start” glare. When he came around the truck he paused, halted in his steps by her rather…inviting nightgown.

“Uh, is there something I can help you with Miss?”

She shifted uncomfortably, partly due to nerves, partly from her bare feet on the concrete.

“I, well I, if you weren’t, I mean if you aren’t seeing anyone, would you like to go get a drink, or dinner sometime?”

Keith blinked and his heart skipped. Surely this was a prank. He was a garbage man. There was nothing thrilling or exciting about his work. Women simply did not ask him out on the job in their sexy nighties while he was collecting their banana peels and crumpled stained napkins.

“Are you serious?” he replied after a long silence.

“Quite. I wouldn’t be wearing this with curled hair and false eyelashes if I wasn’t which I realize now is rather silly.” She sulked.

“It is a little silly…”

He chuckled and her expression fell.

“…but red is my favorite color.”

She looked up and a light seemed to flicker in her face.

“How about we start with coffee.”

“I’d like that, um…”

“Keith.”

“Keith,” she said it with a relieved sigh. “I’m Allura.”

“Allura…that’s pretty.” He smiled and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Thanks.” She grinned with a blush.

*FLASH FORWARD*

“And then they went on lots and lots of dates and they kissed a lot which is really gross and then they got married and they had me and mommy is about to have my baby brother which I’m ok with I guess, but if I don’t like him I’ll ask if we can send him back. The end.”

Mina looked up, satisfied with herself. Ms. Arus looked at her wide eyed before giggling and clapping, which led the classroom to follow.

“Well that’s certainly an interesting story!”

“I told you they met in the trash I wasn’t making it up!”

“Yes of course.” She gently pushed the little girl by the back to urge her to sit down.

Romelle returned to the front of the room and sat on the edge of her desk.

“Ok…who’s next?”

[roseymoseyberry]

Hey.. I need your help. So I've been writing fic for awhile now but have never posted them online until recently. And i got positive feedbacks right which made me love writing even more. My readers are all so nice and they're patiently waiting for updates which i had written halfway. Anyway life kept me busy for awhile buT now i can't get back into fics.. Rereading my fic i only see flaws and now with each new comment i received i just get overwhelmed. Kinda wanna delete my ao3.. What do i do

I’m so sorry it took my a couple days to get back to you anon. Life has been... well, life, lmao.

But ok, listen. I absolutely feel you. I went through a writer’s block as recently as this past summer/early fall for... I want to say two or three months at least? It was rough. I hated reading over my own stuff because it all just read as terrible to me, the pace rushed and dialogue bad, etc etc etc. (and lord almighty, don’t get me STARTED on how I felt when I realized I was abandoning a fic from an old fandom oops)

It’s hard to get out of that. And ultimately every writer is a little different, so I can only tell you how I get out of ruts.

Before we get to how to start writing again though, I want to say that if you’re overwhelmed by the stress of thinking of reader’s waiting for more? Officially put the fic on Hiatus. Edit your summary to say “This fic is on Hiatus” so that you know that anyone reading it knows it could be a very, very long time, if ever. I have only really needed to do that once, but found it helped to take the pressure off. If you receive email notifications for comments, maybe turn those off for a while. Come back to them later.

Ok, and now. My big, fancy, all important advice:

For me, the number 1 objective is to force yourself to get words down on the page. To get yourself writing again, you need to fucking write.

There’s a couple different strategies I’ve try when I’m stuck.

One of the first is to reread the story I want to work on. That usually works if it’s the kind of block that isn’t about hating my writing so much as just staring at the page and not knowing how to word. In your case and with that specific kind of feeling though, it may not be so relevant because yeah. Right now your writing feels like shit to you. So this is something to consider for future blocks.

The next thing I’ll usually do is just. Brute force it. I force myself to write a sentence, and won’t let myself delete it. And I’ll keep forcing myself to write until I’ve got at least a paragraph or two. It’ll be slow, and it will be painful, and it will feel like I’m writing the worst writing in the world. Just absolute garbage.

But a paragraph or two will eventually roll over into more, and usually when I reread over it later I’ll realize it wasn’t nearly as bad as it had felt like it was at the time. And the most important thing is I’m getting back into the flow of the fic. Often from that point the rest just falls back into place.

Brute forcing it by yourself can be tricky though. If you’re not sure how to get yourself to do that, look into some writing tools to motivate you to just get down words as fast as you can! A couple suggestions I have are:

Word Sprints: This website is just one way to do this particular exercise, but I found it super helpful in the past! Word sprint/word wars/speed runs/etc are basically a game-like situation where you and other writers have a set amount of time to write as many words as you can. The Word Sprints website has 25 minute spans with 5 minute breaks, and you can either join the global one (which I don’t recommend lmao) or you can make your own group and invite other writers to it. This specific site allows you to see how many words the other folks in the group have written in real time, so it can help motivate through fun competition if that’s something that appeals to you.

You don’t have to be constrained by the site though. I’m part of a TF fan content creators discord where folks sometimes just run our own, usually with more like just 10 or 15 minute long sprints and then everyone shares how many words they wrote at the end of the sprint. It can be a really nice way to change the focus away from the quality of the words your putting down to the quantity. Because listen -- you can always go back and edit lower quality writing, but you can’t do anything with no writing to work with at all, you feel?

(If you happen to be in the TF fandom and feel comfortable messaging me off anon, feel free to do so and I’ll definitely send you an invite to the discord. It’s really nice to have a space to talk with other writers and problem solve with folks who know the pain, haha)

Fighter’s Block: If something that involves other people doesn’t appeal, no worries! This web app is basically a simple little rpg style game. You put in a word count that you want to reach (so maybe something as little as 100 or 200 words) and then you go into a fight. In this case you’re motivated to write fast because your health goes down while you’re idle, and the enemy’s health is your word count, so you defeat them by reaching your word count. It’s a fun little game and is a great alternative to word sprints.

I know there’s other similar sites, so don’t be afraid to search for a tool that fits you.

Another way you might be able to get words out is by abandoning where you left off for now and writing another scene that you’re excited about. I personally don’t do this because I have to write in order -- I just have to!!!! -- but I know a LOT of writers who bounce around and then knit the scenes together.

Or really, just mix it up in general. Do you always write at home? Try taking your laptop to a coffee shop for the express purpose of writing. That’s something I do a LOT. Always write on a computer? Try writing on your phone. I’ve even seen a post going around about changing your font to comic sans and that helping! Shake things up. Try something new. You might find something that works better for you!

Mmmmm I think that’s about all the advice I have personally since those are my go to’s. But keep in mind it’s not the end of the world if that doesn’t work for you -- all writers are different!! If I’ve learned anything from talking to other writers, it’s that we all have different ways we do it, different tools and formats and styles and all of it.

And ultimately? Don’t forget that fanfiction is about self-indulgence. It’s about you! If it’s stressing you out way too much, take a break. Put that shit on hiatus. Turn off notifications from ao3. Leave it alone for a while. You do you. Ultimately, while it may feel cruel, you don’t owe your readers anything. You’re doing this hobby because you like to, and you shared it with them by choice.

If the need is strong enough that you want to delete, look into orphaning your works. That way it’s no longer connected to you in any way, but it’s still available to readers.

I wish you only the best, Anon, and can only hope I was of any help at all, haha

[my-tc-and-me-blog]

TC Imagine #1 (Thank you @empirefarts!)

This is my first imagine so go easy on me. If you like I would love feedback, and maybe some suggestions! Ok thanks ^^. (Also (F/N) will mean friend name. It’s stupid i know)

Idea: before graduation you are saying your goodbyes, and when you run into your tc, you find out something interesting.

~Graduation Day~

You’re standing in the school hall, watching your classmates all chatting and getting excited for their freedom. You, however, couldn’t help but feel sad, but since you couldn’t figure out why, you decided to drown the thought by talking to your best friend; (F/N)

“Hey (F/N)! Excited to be released from this prison?” You say in a sarcastic tone. You and (F/N) met when you first joined the school, and ever since have had the times of your lives together.

“Hello (Y/N), yes I am excited! After all the escapes I’ve tried to make I can’t help but feel nostalgic.”

You snicker. (F/N) was the opposite of you. She likes to skip classes, when you were always wanting to go to them. She wasn’t the brightest student, and you were the top of all classes, yet you were inseparable, like magnets.

“Anyways” (F/N) breaks through your daydream, “Bet you’re gonna miss (TC/N) aren’t you?” She raised her eyebrows suggestively at you. “It’s almost legal!” She sings. You slap her arm playfully. You had the biggest crush on (TC/N), who was your (subject) teacher. He always made you laugh and helped you exceed in his classes. And (F/N) didn’t help, by always making thinks awkward whenever you saw him.

“How ever could you guess?” You rolled your eyes, then chucked. You and (F/N) decide to go hunt for other people and make conversation, with you trailing behind your extroverted best friend.

During an interaction with your old English teacher, you couldn’t help but notice someone entering the hall. Your TC. You try brushing it off but,as if on cue, (F/N) pulled you away from the conversation.

“Go. Talk. To. Him.” She says, before pushing you in his direction. You stumble forward, and before you could turn around and say something sarcastic to (F/N), your Tc starts approaching you, so you just idle there awkwardly.

“Hello (Y/N)! You look great! It’s unusual for you to look classy.” Your Tc chucked. You were the biggest tomboy, so you never really looked like the stereotype girl; makeup, hair done all fancy, pink clothes. You were casual, and a big nerd.

“H-Hi! and yeah! I guess this is unusual...” you laugh awkwardly, desperately trying to avoid the conversation falling flat. You could feel his eyes burning into you as you avoided making eye contact.

“So, you think I’m ready?” You ask your Tc. You were never confident. You questioned everything, so it’s no wonder you would question your own graduation. “That’s a stupid question...” you mumble. Why were you so awkward? You never knew, so you decided to roll with it.

“(Y/N)” your Tc says, looking you in the eyes. “You’re one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. Of course you’re ready!” He says, and pulls you into a reassuring hug. You blush. He had never done this before, so this was a little unusual, but you weren’t complaining.

“Thank you (TC/N)” You say quietly.

“No, thank you for making my life a whole lot happier...”

Your Tc trails off. You break from the embrace and look up at him. Did he just say that you made him happy?

“(TC/N)...” you say quietly.

“No. I’m sorry I’m being stupid (Y/N).” Your Tc walks around, and starts to walk away.

Without thinking you grab his hand and pull him back, leaving you both staring into each others eyes, only inches away from you’re faces. Great. You just made it more awkward. You can see your TC’s eyes glimmer, and switching between your eyes and your lips. Feeling guilty you look away.

“I’m sorry...” you say quietly.

“Why (Y/N??)” Your Tc says. Suddenly you feel a hand on your cheek, bringing your face where it was.

“Maybe I should be sorry I feel like this.” You feel soft lips against yours, and as your Tc breaks away, you start processing what happened. Looking around frantically, you realise no one could see you.

“(Y/N) do you feel like this too?” Your Tc asks. He looks deep into your eyes, mixed with lust, love and amazement.

“I...” you decide to return your feelings by bringing his lips back onto yours, but longer. You could taste coffee, but it was sweet. You knew he was beaming, and you were too. You couldn’t process that (TC/N) actually had feelings for you.

“Can the class of ‘19 head to the front please?”

It was time to graduate. After kissing (TC/N), you could finally escape. But (TC/N had other ideas. He grabbed your arm and pulled you out of the room, and started dragging you to his class.