#making my 100th spotify playlist | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

succubusphan · 3 years

Text

Thunder Only Happens When It's Raining - CHAPTER 1

Summary: Dan meets Phil at the lowest moment in his life and is immediately enchanted by him, but nobody is perfect - not even those with good intentions and a kind heart.

This is the story of two imperfect people trying to do their best, to find love and strive in life. They gravitate towards each other at every turn, sometimes dancing in harmony, other times colliding.

Rating: E

Tags: strangers to friends, Friends to Lovers, Enemies to Lovers, Break Up, they were roommates, Cheating, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, non youtuber au, Angst with a Happy Ending, there was only one bed, ok there was more than one bed but one was very very bad, cuddling for warmth, Stranded, coworkers, Jealousy, toxic relationship (not dan and Phil), everybody makes mistakes, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, alpha phil, omega dan, lots of character development for everyone, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Rimming, Oral Sex, deep throating, Shower Sex, very slight D/s dynamics, power struggle, you'll want to kill them both at some point and me too, but the end is very very worth it, Happy ending.

Word Count: 71k total, 5.5k for this chapter

A/n: This story was written for the @oldschoolpbb and it's my 100th fic (#spon). Thank you to my team! @schnaf for making the art and being my knight in shining armour as a beta, and going over the fic a million times, always encouraging me and being overall hilarious. Thank you to Mai for being a last-minute beta and providing an external analysis of the story that was incredibly helpful. And thank you @thottydan for reading and for your input.

Please, read, enjoy, kudo, comment, like, and above all share, share, share. I am but a small writer and this is my biggest project by far.

UPDATES EVERY DAY UNTIL IT'S FINISHED (THE LAST CHAPTER WILL BE POSTED ON MAY 2ND).

This story is influenced by music at every turn so make sure you check out the Spotify Playlist.

Read on ao3 | ART LINK

Dan sat on his bed, furiously typing on his laptop, tears streaming down his face as he poured his heart out to his closest friend - to his only friend. Three years of his life wasted on an absolute bastard. Dan reached for the tissue box on his bedside table and pulled out a few, blowing his nose and discarding them in the rubbish bin he had dragged close to avoid getting up every few minutes.

His computer dinged with another message from Bryony. “Love, you can’t keep blaming yourself for this. It’s time to place the blame on him. He chose to cheat on you. That’s on him. Fuck him.”

“I know that deep down, but why does this always happen to me? Am I not worthy of love? What’s wrong with me?” Dan typed back. “I’m so fucking tired of this. I just want it to be fucking over.”

Dan saw Bryony typing, pausing, then typing again. Another wave of sorrow hit him and he started to sob - again. Every time he thought he had no tears left or that he had calmed down enough to keep his emotions in check, he found that he’d been wrong, starting the cycle all over again. He groaned when he saw his phone light up and vibrate with an incoming call, he wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone, but when he read the caller id he decided to take it. “He-hello?” He said, barely managing to get the word out between the sniffles.

“Listen to me, Alex ain’t shit. Fuck him, FUCK HIM to hell and back. I’m picking you up. Start packing, you are leaving that flat tonight,” Bryony spat, she sounded mad with rage.

Dan smiled through the tears. “O-ok. What should I take?”

“Any of your stuff that you want to keep, especially anything that is of value - and clothes. Use your luggage, I’m bringing mine. We are moving you out. Is he there?”

Dan looked around him, to the mess that was his bedroom - their bedroom. “No, he’s working late again,” he said and started sobbing when he realised what an idiot he’d been. Alex had probably never worked late. He was with her. They were surely laughing at his stupidity together.

Bryony huffed, her silence made Dan think that she had reached the same conclusion but was holding her tongue for his benefit. “I’m about to get in the taxi - nhg oof! - so start gathering your stuff. Don’t worry, I’ll help.” The sound of the suitcase hitting each step on the stair echoed as she went down accompanied by the little pants she gave before the front door of the building closed loudly. “Whoops,” she laughed. “Oh hi, thank you. Phew.” Dan heard the trunk of the taxi close before she slammed the door a bit too hard. “Ok, I’m on my way. I’ll leave you to it.”

“Thanks, Bry. I love you so much,” Dan said with a trembling voice.

“You too, love,” she said, disconnecting the call.

Dan had to wipe a few more tears from his eyes. The sheer gratitude and love he felt for Bryony at that moment left him highly emotional, but at least this time it was for a different reason.

He put his phone down and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he closed his eyes and tried to ground himself, to focus only on the moment and the task at hand. He tried to physically push all of his emotions away, pushing the air away from his chest with his hands. Bryony often told him that it was a bit silly, but he didn’t care. As long as he imagined the darkness and the crushing sensation moving away from him, he could almost feel it working. His shoulders relaxed a bit and he finally opened his eyes once more with the resolution to pack all of the essentials and anything else that he could carry to move on with his life. He deserved as much.

Walking around their room - no, Alex’s room - Dan gathered his laptop, chargers and some clothes and placed them in his luggage. His keyboard didn’t fit, obviously, so he just set it on the floor. He tried not to look at the bed where he had just been sitting, the same bed where Alex had broken his trust.

He let out a deep sigh. This would no longer be his home after tonight.

Half an hour later he closed both of his suitcases full to the brim, leaving behind a series of gifts Alex had given him throughout their relationship piled in the middle of the bed. A locket with a picture of them celebrating their first anniversary together, a golden hoop and a diamond stud for his right ear, letters and various trinkets - the only thing missing was… He looked at his left hand, the simple gold band sparkled under the light. While Dan had always taken good care of his engagement ring, Alex’s was all scuffed and lacklustre; not because he didn’t remove it, he did so quite often, but because he used it even when he was fixing stuff around the flat. So many little things kept coming back to him. He should have noticed how little effort Alex made in keeping him happy, on spending special dates with him, neglecting him and their relationship at every opportunity.

Another tear rolled down Dan’s cheek and he sniffled, but this time he didn’t let it evolve into another anxiety attack; reality was finally dawning on him. Alex had ignored Dan’s every need, even going as far as not accompanying him to the fucking hospital when he’d felt sick.

Dan thought back to the time he had to shower while sitting on a chair so he could go to the hospital for a very high fever while Alex sat on the couch watching the game. He’d ended up taking a taxi alone and later passing out in the hallway outside the nurse’s office as he waited to be called.

That motherfucker had even chastised Dan for not telling him how bad he’d felt and made him feel guilty for not asking him to accompany him to the hospital. He’d said Dan had done it to make him feel like a bad alpha.

The doorbell rang, pulling Dan from his memories. He let Bryony into the building and went about dragging his luggage towards the door. Just as he managed to carry the damn things, there was a knock on the door.

Dan checked through the peephole before opening in case it was his former boyfriend, but he opened the door swiftly when he saw it was Bryony.

As soon as he looked her in the eye, his lips started trembling.

Bryony’s determined expression shifted into a concerned frown as she opened her arms for him. “Oh, baby! Come here!”

A sob broke from his throat before he rushed into her arms. She managed to shuffle them and her luggage into the flat before shutting the door.

“He cheated on me-e!” Dan cried. “I’m such a-an idiot!”

“I know, I know he cheated, but you are not an idiot. You are so sweet, and such a good boyfriend and a good person.” She grabbed Dan’s face gently and looked into his eyes. “I can assure you that he doesn’t deserve you. He will realise that when it’s too late, when you have already moved on with your life. He will regret it.”

Dan nodded with a watery smile and wrapped his arms tightly around her for a little bit longer. The fact that her voice carried a threatening tone should have probably worried him, but it comforted him instead. Bryony was his family, his friend, his everything. He knew that no matter what, he would always have her. Holding onto that thought, he took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“Better?” She asked, letting go of him.

“I think so,” he whipped his eyes with his sleeve. “Every time I think I’m done it just starts again. I’m sorry.”

“I’m not here to judge you, darling,” Bryony said, rubbing circles on his back. “Come on. We better get everything done before he gets back.”

“Do you think he will try something?” Dan asked, pulling on his sleeve.

“No, but I will. I better not see his bitch face ever again or he will regret it.”

Dan snorted. “It’s fine. He’s a coward. He will probably wait until he thinks I’m sleeping to avoid another argument.”

“Good. What else do we need to pack?” She asked looking around.

“I don’t know, I think I have everything.”

“Are you sure? Did you get everything that you bought for this flat?”

Dan shook his head. “No, I just got my clothes and electronics.”

“Dan, you will be staying with me as long as you want but when you decide to move out, you’ll have to buy everything all over again. Don’t leave that asshole the fruit of your hard-earned money.”

“You’re right,” he said with a determined look upon his face. “I’m taking all my cooking and baking stuff. And the blender.”

Bryony smiled. “Don’t forget the microwave!”

“Oh yeah!” Dan laughed. Maybe taking everything he ever contributed to this house had some sort of empowering effect on him. “Should I take the stuff I bought him?” Dan asked, chewing on his lip.

“Did you return the gifts he gave you?”

“Yes, I don’t want anything that reminds me of him.”

“Maybe you should take those expensive coats he likes so much and give them to the charity shop.”

“Yes! That’s a great idea. I don’t want to keep them but I bought them with my money.”

Dan wrote a simple ‘FUCK YOU!’ note for Alex and stuck it to the door before blocking his phone number and all his family as well. He allowed himself a little satisfaction for this brief moment of courage.

With everything packed and ready, they exited the building one last time, only stopping to leave the keys behind with the concierge.

Staying at Bryony’s was a blessing and a curse. A blessing because she was patient and caring with him, humouring him by watching rom coms for movie nights or playing video games with him; and a curse because she worked - a lot. She actually loved her job and had no problem getting there early or staying overtime to finish writing a story or doing some research.

Dan was fine, at least when he had company he was able to laugh through the sadness; but when left to his own devices, his brain could only do so much before sinking into the abyss, pulling him down to depths he had never seen before. He could feel himself slipping; his self-love had never been that strong, and he was now alone, save for his very successful and extroverted friend who didn’t need him ruining her life with his little pity party.

His mind kept playing flashbacks of his relationship with Alex in a loop, mocking him, reminding him of the signs that were there all along if he had just paid a bit more attention - if he hadn’t been a lovesick fool. His stomach twisted and turned thinking of all the times he spent time making himself pretty and cooking a nice meal for his boyfriend only to be disregarded, criticized, and tossed aside except for the occasional quick fuck. Dan cursed himself for all the excuses he’d kept constantly making for Alex, mentioning his level of stress and his workload, cherishing every gift he received as half-assed apologies, keeping his love fueled with nothing but crumbs.

Now he spent most of his sleepless nights watching youtube, clutching at his anxiety-ridden stomach, sometimes crying, sometimes unable to cry, suffering without release. Dan tried his best to keep his body healthy, even if his mind was failing him, but he was so nervous all the time that he found it difficult to eat. He could barely manage to eat a few morsels before he felt too full to continue, only to feel faint merely two hours later. Entire days were missing from his memory, especially when time seemed to run sluggishly slow and incredibly fast at the same time.

His self-esteem had never been this bad, not even when he lived with his parents. He doubted himself at every step, accustomed to being questioned on his every comment, on his every decision, on his intelligence and perception of reality. He felt broken, like it was all his fault for not being smarter, for not leaving him sooner.

‘Who would love me now? Am I even worthy of love?’ He pondered.

It was frustrating and stupid, and Dan was honestly fed up with it all. He was so goddamn tired. All of this because of a man; a man who couldn’t care less about him if he tried.

It wouldn’t have been a mistake to call Dan a bit pedantic. Sometimes he thought he was smarter than he actually was, especially when it came to hiding his feelings. His mind going around in circles, making him lose all sense of self. He fashioned himself both a helpless idiot and a master manipulator who could conceal everything behind a sweet smile, but he was no such thing.

Bryony had tried to let Dan go through his grief on his own terms, offering comfort and support whenever she could, but he wasn’t showing any progress. She needed to help him find his footing again, even if he didn’t feel ready for that yet.

A month and a half after Dan moved in, she came home early and found him crying as he laid in the hallway between her kitchen and bedroom, his face marred with the imprint of the plush carpet hairs.

Her heart ached for her friend but she knew that if she mentioned it he would feel embarrassed. Instead, she helped him up without a word and led him to the couch before going about preparing some tea.

Two minutes later, she placed the mugs on the coffee table and sat beside him, placing her hand on his knee. “Dan, you can’t keep going like this,” she whispered.

Dan grabbed his mug and took a small sip. “I know,” he said, bringing his knees up to his chest and his eyes looking to anywhere but her.

She tried to keep an even and firm tone even though she felt like crying. “What have you thought about to improve your situation?”

“I need to move out so you can get your life back,” Dan droned out.

Bryony frowned. “Of course not. What would you do alone? You quit your job so you didn’t have to keep seeing him, you would have nothing to do all day other than wallow in misery and that’s not helping you.” She said a bit more bluntly than she had meant to. “I think you should come to work with me.”

“What?” He finally looked at her.

“Hear me out,” she said. “Every so often, the company opens spots for people who are not as experienced in the field but want to start, sort of like an internship. The pay is not amazing but I think you would be great at it and you could be hired for an actual full-time job within six months. What do you think?”

“I - I don’t know. I’ve never attempted anything that serious in the writing field. You know the magazine I worked at is rather small and unknown.”

“But it’s something, and you were good at it. You also wrote back in college and you were very talented. I remember that you had written a few short stories and you aced English Lit at every chance.”

Dan blushed at the praise. “Do you really think I could do it?”

Bryony smiled fondly. “I’m telling you that I have already discussed it with my boss and he said that you can intern for me.”

“What?”

“Being the boss’s favourite is worth something after all,” she laughed. “You have an interview on Monday but it’s just a formality.”

Dan smiled widely, setting the mug on the table and wrapped his arms around her tightly, resting his head on her shoulder. “Thank you! Thank you so much! I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”

“You punched Jimmy in grade nine when he called me a cunt.” She hugged him, rubbing comforting circles on his back.

Dan barked a laugh. “I did do that.”

“My hero; now it’s the time for me to protect you too.”

“Bry…” Dan pulled back.

“Yeah?”

“What am I going to wear?” He bit his lip.

“Beats me,” Bryony shrugged. “You can dress like a twink but you need to be a bit fancier; that yeezus t-shirt won’t do.”

Dan rolled his eyes at her. “I don’t dress like a twink.”

“Of course not!” She smirked. “Well, I guess we’ll have to go shopping - and get you a haircut, you mutt.”

“Alright,” Dan smiled. He let out a sigh; this might be just what he was needing.

When Monday rolled around, Dan found himself hesitating in front of the BBC News building for five minutes. He huffed, a bit mad that he was even considering turning around, but he decided to push himself; it was time to move on. He straightened his tie and checked his hair on his phone before marching in with his head held high even though he wanted nothing but to hide in a corner.

He mumbled what Bryony had told him under his breath. ‘Announce yourself at the front desk, a very nice girl named Leona will check the time of your interview and let you in.’

Dan walked as confidently as he could towards the front desk and cleared his throat. The woman on the other side finished typing something on her computer and looked up. “Hello, how can I help you?” She smiled.

“Hi, I’m Daniel Howell and I’m here for an interview.”

She turned to the computer and started typing. “Who do you have an interview with?”

“Oh. Um, Charles… Charles Kensington.”

“Here you are,” she said, staring at her screen. “Interview at 9.30 with Charles. You can take any of the elevators to your right, just press the 10th floor and you will be in the right place.”

“Thank you,” Dan turned and started to walk away.

“Daniel!” The lady yelled after him.

Dan turned on the spot with a quizzical look. “Yeah?”

“You need your temporary admission card to unlock the doors,” she said waving the plastic around. “This will allow you to walk through the entire 10th floor, but that’s it so don’t go around following anyone or you will be locked in.”

Dan felt himself blush and retrieved the admission card with a sheepish smile. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome… and good luck.”

“Thank you,” he said awkwardly and headed for the elevator.

The 10th floor was quite different from the ground level. The decor gave a much more relaxed vibe. There were plants in every corner, warm wood desks, offices with glass walls and open doors, a soft chatter running through the entire place without being actually annoying. He sat on one of the couches surrounding a small coffee table and looked around.

Dan could see Bryony’s office if he stretched his neck a bit; she was chatting with a hot guy, probably around 30, honey blonde hair, nice shirt although boring, black trousers that hugged his ass just right, broad shoulders -

Bryone saw him being sneaky and gave him a look. As if on queue, “hot guy” turned towards him and smiled.

Dan’s eyes felt ready to fall out of his skull. He sat upright and smiled nervously. The guy made his way to Dan and shook his hand. “Hi, I’m Charles Kensington. You must be Daniel.”

‘Fuck!’ Dan thought, my boss saw me checking him out. “Yes, yes. I’m Daniel Howell, thank you for the interview.”

“Thank you for joining us. Bryony has told me all about your writing talent and I can assure you we need more people like you around.”

“Oh well - thank you for the opportunity,” he said, mentally facepalming as he realised he was basically repeating himself. ‘Way to go, Dan,’ he thought.

“Follow me, we will be more comfortable in my office,” Mr Kensington said.

As they walked by Bryony’s office, he paused by the door and knocked on the frame. “Bry, would you be a darling and bring us two coffees?”

“Fuck no, Charles. I’m not your secretary,” she said with no malice in her tone.

Dan snickered. “It’s ok, if you point me in the right direction I can get us coffee.”

“Nonsense!” Mr Kensington replied.

Bryony rolled her eyes and huffed. “Ugh, fine. I’ll get you your damn coffee, you two go on with the interview.”

Mr Kensington smiled widely. “Thank you, Bry. You are the best.”

“The best alpha in this office,” Bryony said without moving a millimetre.

He rolled his eyes and repeated. “The best alpha in this office.”

Bryony smiled triumphantly and Mr Kensington turned, making his way down the corridor as he motioned Dan to follow him.

Dan did so lost in thought; he was surprised that he only looked mildly pained as he conceded defeat to Bry. Most alphas were extremely proud of their status, especially if they had a position of power. It always looked a bit like a pissing contest to Dan, one that he never truly understood, but this man seemed to not be faced with such nonsense, even when the power claim came from a female alpha. It was quite refreshing.

His train of thought was cut short when they entered the office at the end of the corridor. It was only slightly bigger than the rest and it had blinds on the walls that were pulled all the way up.

Dan looked around before taking a seat across his potential new boss.

“Well, tell me a bit about yourself, Daniel.” Mr Kensington flashed him a gorgeous smile that did nothing to help him calm his nerves.

“Uh, I’m originally from Reading. I took my A levels in English, Psychology, History, Drama and Science. I attended Manchester University for Law but I dropped out after two years.”

He hummed. “Why did you drop out?”

“Um. Law wasn’t really what I wanted to do with my life, Mr Kensington -”

“Charles.”

“Charles…” Dan smiled. “So once I figured that out, I decided to move to London and find a job that made me happy.”

“What was it? What happened with that job?” Charles asked leaning forward with a smile.

“I was a freelance editor and occasional columnist for an online magazine. ‘Young Culture,’ you might have heard about it. I really loved it but I felt like after three years, it was time to move on.” Dan tried very hard not to frown but he didn’t understand why the reason he’d left was important.

Charles nodded, seemingly pleased with his answer. “It looks like you have a brilliant future ahead of you, Daniel.”

“Thank you. Please, call me Dan.”

“Dan,” Charles smiled.

Bryony knocked on the door and Dan rushed to help her when he saw that her hands were full. “Oh my gosh, you brought so much.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “I know you didn’t have breakfast and we don’t need you passing out on your first day.”

Dan blushed and mumbled a thank you to her before she turned on her heels and left. He set the mugs and the box with bagels on the desk and sat back down.

“Thank you, Dan. As I’m sure Bryony told you, this interview was merely a formality. I basically needed to know that you were not an axe murderer,” he laughed. “Why don’t you start with a six-month internship under Bry and then we can discuss a permanent spot.”

“That sounds amazing, thank you. Um, how possible do you think it would be for me to get a permanent spot in the company?”

“We don’t usually offer them right away since we have to determine if the person is a good match. We have a very well-oiled work environment both in efficiency and in interpersonal relations. But, in your case, I think you will fit right in.”

Dan reached into the box for a bagel at the same time Charles did and their fingers lingered together briefly.

“May I ask you a personal question?” Charles asked.

“Sure,” Dan said.

“Are you and Bryony in a relationship?”

“Oh, god no. She’s my best friend and we’ve known each other since we were kids, but no. Besides, I assume that’s not allowed.”

“Oh, okay. Not at all. Being involved with someone from the company is allowed as long as the company is legally notified and both parties agree not to sue us if there’s any trouble.”

“Oh.” Dan blinked.

“Well, good luck on your first day. If you need anything, you can ask Bry or me, my office is usually open unless I’m in a meeting or an important call.”

“Thank you.” Dan took that as the end of the interview, so he got up, shook his boss’s hand and walked out of the office carrying his coffee and bagel, heading straight to Bryony’s.

He knocked on the door frame, but again, she wasn’t alone. The man in her office turned around and Dan felt like all the air had been punched out of his lungs. Those piercing blue-green eyes with specks of gold and a lopsided smile. Unlike his boss, this guy was Dan’s perfect fantasy, much more approachable, emo black hair, black skinny jeans, Gengar T-shirt and a strong frame. His throat lost all moisture as his lips moved but no sound came out. He just couldn’t stop staring.

Bryony cleared her throat. “Dan, this is my friend Phil. He’s one of the editors of the culture section.”

“Hi,” Dan said with a blushing smile. “I’m Dan, the new guy.”

“Hi, I’m Phil. You spent quite some time in Charles’s office.” Phil noted.

Dan frowned, as he didn’t understand what Phil was implying or why he even cared. “I was in my interview…” he mumbled.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean anything by that,” Phil reassured him with a grin. “You will love it here, welcome aboard.”

“Thank you,” Dan beamed.

When Bryony cleared her throat again, louder this time, Phil finally made himself scarce. Dan shook his head, coming back down to reality. He settled in the smaller desk in his friend’s office and went about hanging his coat and putting his notebook and stationery to make the space feel his. Then, he opened one of the drawers and found a framed picture of him and Bry. It was from the day he’d graduated college; there was no special celebration or family gathering that day, just him and his best friend dressed to the nines and smiling like crazy, dreaming of a better future.

Dan looked up and found Bryony watching him expectantly. “Thank you,” he said.

She smiled Broadly. “It’s one of my favourite pictures of us. We need to take more pictures, to remember the good times, you know?”

“There haven’t been many of those lately.”

“True. I guess we’ll have to make them happen ourselves, won’t we?”

Dan smiled. Maybe there was a light at the end of the tunnel; he just needed to focus on what was important. “I’d like that.”

“I’m glad you said that because we have a dinner reservation for tonight - my treat.”

“You are the bestest.” Dan blew her a kiss.

“I know,” she said with a wink and got back to work.

Dan’s first week at the BBC went quite well. He found that slipping back into that line of work was quite easy, even if the workload of a small publication paled in comparison to that of a huge corporation-ran magazine. It was quite refreshing to be able to focus on his own job and have an editor in chief that was willing to answer any questions if Bry was away, although he tried to keep some distance from Charles since he seemed a bit interested in him. Dan had no intention of doing that kind of work.

Phil’s little visits to his office were the highlight of his days, but he tried not to be too chatty with him - especially since Bry kept giving him looks. Bryony and Phil were quite friendly with each other but her protective streak wouldn’t let her look away from Dan when other unbonded alphas were around. He briefly wondered if she would ever stop treating him like a little brother, especially since they were the same age.

There was definitely something going on with Phil and Charles. Phil always talked to Dan and was generally nice to him, but when Charles was around, Phil tried to get the boss’s attention instead. It seemed like Phil valued Charles’s praising but most of it was directed at Dan. It got a bit awkward at times with two alphas preening their metaphorical feathers and a third one watching them closely, hoping they would leave her territory, so she could work in peace. Luckily it never went beyond that because they were all friendly and respected each other quite a bit. Anyways, Dan had no doubt that a word from Bry would make the men apologize and leave immediately if anything were to happen.

Dan’s workdays were fun although a bit nerve-wracking. He felt like he was still trying to find his footing with how they ran things around the office - luckily Bry was there to just smoothly roll her chair over and whisper in Dan’s ear about the ins and outs of everything as soon as Dan got a quizzical look upon his face. Having edited before was quite an advantage though; he was a bit savage at it but that’s how editing works. His style had gotten him even more work because Charles liked to assign mental health, wellness pieces and world news to him particularly and there had even been a talk about giving Dan his first piece to write at some point in the near future.

By Friday, Dan felt both satisfied and exhausted, but mostly fucking ready to go home and lay on the sofa in his pants and an oversized hoodie. He rested his back against his chair and slouched a bit, turning to look at Bryony who was furiously typing on her phone and biting her lip with a cheeky smile. A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. Dan felt himself blush, he sat upright when he saw Phil leaning against the doorframe. “Hey.”

“Hey, Dan. I’m on my way out but I wanted to catch you guys before you left,” said Phil even though he was only looking at Dan. “I wanted to invite you for a movie slash games night - tonight.”

Dan was unsure of what their house rules or schedule was, so he tried to get his friend’s attention. “Bry?”

“Huh?” She looked up.

Dan gave her a look, trying to convey his feelings in a more subtextual manner. “Phil is inviting us for a movie night today.”

“Oh. Can’t, sorry,” she said without missing a beat. Dan’s eyes widened as he silently asked for an explanation.

“Oh,” said Phil, not bothering to hide his disappointment.

“Sorry Phil,” said Dan, giving him a one-shoulder shrug.

That spurred Bryony into action. She waved her hand dismissively. “No, no. It’s fine,” she said with a smile too big to be natural. “You don’t need me, guys. Dan, you go to Phil’s.”

“Are you sure?” Dan frowned. “We can hang out another time.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll go next time. I have a date tonight,” she said waving her phone around.

“Oh. oh!” No wonder she was so eager to get him out of the house, or at least get someone else to keep Dan company.

Phil did finger guns at her before turning to Dan.“Well Dan, bring pyjamas. You can crash on the sofa.” He said, “It’s very comfy!”

“No, you don’t need to do that,” Bryony rushed to say.

Dan couldn’t bring himself to ruin Bry’s date; he was already taking so much of her time and space, it was time to give her a break. “Don’t worry about it. It will be fun. Thank you for having me, Phil.”

Phil gave him a bright smile. “It will be my pleasure. I’ll text you the address!” He said before turning on his heels and leaving.

Dan waited until Phil was out of earshot before rolling in his chair all the way to Bry. “So, who is she?”

“She’s the girl from the bagel shop, the one with pink and purple hair. Her name is K and she’s super funny and nice,” Bry smiled.

“Oooh, cute!” Dan said. “Good luck! I want to hear all about it tomorrow!”

“Everything?” She laughed.

Dan smiled in mock innocence. “Maybeeee.”

“Ok, but you’ll tell me everything too!”

Dan laughed. “Nothing will happen with Phil! I swear!” That was his intention, but he blushed furiously regardless.

“Mhmm,” said Bryony and returned to work throwing the occasional knowing look in Dan’s direction.

Next Chapter

#phanfiction #phanfic #succubusphan fics #yani's ospbb fic #ospbb

25 notes · View notes

akira-emberheart · 3 years

Text

songs I'd like to assign to the glee kids (part I)

Note: I'm pretty well known for making playlists and more playlists, and ever since seeing this post by @cracktastic about assigning, for the 100th episode, the least expected song to the least expected character, I've found myself craving to hear specific characters sing specific songs.

(I've also started another separate list to add on to that post I mentioned, but that will be a post for another day)

So after going through my music library, I came up with a small list of songs for each character that I would love to hear them sing, for various reasons, which i'll do my best to explain.

This got really long really fast, because I like to get into meta and over analyze - I'm also just very passionate about music. For that reason, I'll do 5 songs at a time for a specific character, and I'll be putting a read more.

Also, please be gentle with me - I've watched Glee a year ago, and it's entirely possible I may be missing or confusing scenes and storylines in my head. If I do, let me know!

If you read this and find yourself thinking of songs and scenarios as well, do share them with me! I'm working on actual Spotify Playlists as well.

So let's get into it -

for Kurt Hummel

> Re: Stacks by Bon Iver

"This is not the sound of a new man

or crispy realization

It's the sound of the unlocking and the lift away

Your love will be

Safe with me"

This is probably one of my favorite songs ever, and I first thought about it for Kurt after realising how beautiful his voice would sound in it, because of its crystal clear and poised quality. (I liked it so much I included it in a scene on my fanfic too).

If you don't know Bon Iver, or the history of this song, it's the last track in an album full of more..."depressing" songs. It's also the one that has a throughout tone of hope, of recovery after a hard ordeal, of taking some first steps to a better place.

I imagine it would be a good song for him around the time he meets Blaine - when the Karovsky situation is nearly over, and he starts looking back on his school year - Burt's heart attack, the bullying - and, now with Blaine in his life, and a renewed self confidence, he's finally able to confidently step into a better phase of his life and heal from all he went through.

I see this one being sung in a quiet moment of reflection, when he's alone. Maybe in the choir room, or even outdoors in a nice garden. In my fanfic I wrote it in a different context, in Blaine's room at night, so I guess that works in my head too.

***

> Enchanted by Taylor Swift

"I'm wonderstruck

Blushing all the way home

I'll spend forever wondering if you knew

I was enchanted to meet you"

I'm very fascinated with Kurt's whole storyline in S2 - things start off so rough for him, but when Blaine comes along, and when Kurt is able to grow and shift more and assuming the person he really is, things start looking up. I chose this song for what it promises, and also because I can imagine it in Kurts lower singing register and it seems like a good one for him. Also, yes, I was a kid who owned Speak Now. Sue me.

This song is about first meeting someone very special, and that happens to be the beginning of Klaine. With the almost whispered lyrics, the slowly crescent ambiance and rhythm, it really encapsulates the feeling of everything stopping when you lay eyes in that one special person, and the flooding rush of emotions that happens right after.

Kurt had no idea how much an unsuspecting visit to a rival show coir school would change his life, even less in the midst of the situation he was in. It also seems fitting for Kurt and his early relationship with Blaine because of some specific lyrics ("This is me praying now / This was the very first page / Not where the storyline ends"). Enchanted tells the story of a special first meeting, and hints at something special to come, from the perspective of someone who is awestruck for someone.

Like the one above, this one would fit in early S2, possibly in EP6, after Kurt and Blaine's meeting at Dalton Academy. When he's back home, alone in his room, daydreaming, or when he's back at McKinley in that same afternoon.

***

> Gonna Get Over You by Sara Bareilles

"Oooh, how am I gonna get over you? I'll be alright, just not tonight But someday. Hey, I wish you'd want me to stay I'll be alright, just not tonight"

My main reason for choosing this one is because I think it fits very very well with Kurt's voice, and musical taste - its a very vibrant and poppy song, despite the more depressing theme - a post breakup promise of getting over it.

I first thought of it for S4, soon after the Breakup™, but paying close attention to the lyrics (I do tend to get stuck on just the melody sometimes), it makes more sense to place this on during the S6 Breakup - when Kurt finds out about Blaine dating Karovsky, after deciding he wants Blaine back.

So it's a hard situation for him, as we see from his breakdown in the bathroom (poor Kurt!), and he really has to come to terms with the mistakes he made (and the mistakes they both made as a couple), pick himself up, and move on.

I imagine this one being sung during an outing with Rachel, when she's trying to cheer him up and lift him up a little from his depression. My brain readily produces an image of a sunny street or a shopping mall that the two of them walk through, Kurt with some nice vivid colored clothes, finally being able to smile and ready to perhaps start moving on, or at least ready to start considering he will be okay.

***

> Killer Queen by Queen

"She keeps her Moet et Chandon

In her pretty cabinet

"Let them eat cake", she says

Just like Marie Antoinette"

This song just reminds me of Kurt. It's one of my all time favorites from Queen, and ever since watching Glee, these two are just connected in my mind. Voice wise, Kurt could definitely handle it.

It's apparently about a "high class prostitute"(? Freddie's word's, not mine), but still paints a pretty and dainty picture, and you can almost picture a porcelain faced lady in her best clothes, delicately smoking a cigarette. It also contains words that probably only Kurt can pronounce out of everyone in the glee club.

Many Queen songs were sung on Glee, but I don't think there was ever a Queen episode. For this one, I suggest a headcanon scenario, maybe during S3, when Mr. Shuester decides to have a Queen week - and Kurt isn't known for going with the obvious choices. He wants to be classy, edgy and impressive, and he sings in front of everyone, half in the choir room, half in the auditorium, perhaps with some fancy decoration and dancers behind him.

***

> The Answer by Kodaline

"You might think you found the one

Until your heart gets ripped and torn

Yeah, I used to feel bad, I used to feel like that

I still feel a bit like that"

This is another one that I picked immediately solely based on Kurt's voice - I really do like his voice with just a quiet, discrete instrumental. Looking into it further, I decided it could really work for Kurt's character.

I didn't go very deep into the intended meaning of the song, because it definitely has space for different interpretations. I choose to go with the breakup one. These lyrics here reminded me a little of the S4 breakup storyline - "We all fall down from the highest clouds / to the lowest ground" - makes me think how well Kurt's life was going once he arrived in New York, with the internship, his apartment situation with Rachel, a new and exciting place where he could freely be himself... and then he's completely blindsided by Blaine's cheating. He goes from being ecstatic and excited at Blaine's appearance, looking forward to share with him all the great things he just discovered, when Blaine's confession sends him to a well of despair, doubt and loneliness. The lyrics "You might think you found the one / until your heart gets ripped and torn" - reinforce the whole situation.

I can see him singing this not long after the breakup, on one more sleepless night, maybe walking alone through the streets of New York, or maybe in a montage of his busy daily routine, while he just gets through the day with a whole lot of emptiness weighing on his chest.

#glee #kurt hummel #glee meta #glee songs #klaine #klaine meta

5 notes · View notes

addierose444 · 3 years

Text

A Typical Week: Spring 2021

Before getting into the actual content, I thought I would just point out that this is my 100th blog post! You can check out the full list here.

As noted in my fall 2020 version of this post, my week is primarily dictated by my current course schedule. (To check out all of my past courses, click here). Furthermore, the way I write these posts is to focus on academics as they're a big part of my life, but also the most natural thing to write about publicly. This post should give you a realistic sense of the structure of my week and courses. I thought it may be useful to contrast expectations and reality when it comes to productivity. Early in the semester, I mapped out my idealized homework schedule around my meetings and assignment deadlines. The first row lists deadlines. The other rows are split by my meals (lunch and dinner). Even if I don’t strictly follow the schedule, spending the time to map things out is quite useful. To write about my real schedule, I actually looked back through data from my time tracking application, Toggl Track. I know this is a very long post, but it wasn’t really interesting enough to become a two-parter.

A typical school day starts off with my 9:00 (or 9:10) alarm. I also often have a second alarm set for 9:15 as a backup. Here at college, I simply use the default clock app on my phone and have it play from my favorites playlist on Spotify. I very occasionally need to wake up earlier to finish up an assignment as midnight is my strict cutoff for doing work. I know a consistent sleep schedule is very important, but it’s definitely something I struggle with.

Monday:

My week begins with a 9:20 math class. The specific course is math methods which as previously explained is an applied math course from the physics department that is required for physics and engineering majors. We usually start off by going over the pre-class check in (PCCI) and/or other questions students have. This review is followed by a lecture on new material. Throughout the class, we work through example problems in breakout rooms (on Zoom whiteboards) and answer multiple-choice questions using the poll feature. (The poll questions are anonymous and ungraded). Partway through the class, we get a 4-minute break. One nice thing about this class is that we actually thoroughly go through the example problems when we regroup as an entire class. This is important because, without feedback, practice is of limited utility. Furthermore, going over the problem gives me a chance to get everything into my notes. The integration of lectures with practice is something I really appreciate about this course. In past math classes, the format has been a lecture followed by a worksheet of practice problems. While that model sometimes makes sense, I much prefer this integrated approach. One issue with leaving practice until the end is that you sometimes run out of time and don’t catch knowledge gaps until the end of class. After math methods, I get a 20-minute break during which I often listen to the latest episode of The Daily (a short new podcast from the New York Times).

Next up is my philosophy of logic class which starts with a few minutes of breathing and stretching. On the first day of class, I thought this was a really strange thing, but have come to appreciate it. Afterward, we go over any relevant announcements and sometimes debrief the previous class. This class is different from my other classes in that it is reading and discussion-based. We spend most of the class in the main room strengthening our understanding of the reading through full class discussions and mini-lectures. Even though the class is already very small (13 students), we also make use of breakout rooms to work through study questions. Our tests are pyramid style which means we spend one class period working independently and another class on the same questions in a small group. We also have short quizzes, called mini check-ins, every few weeks. Next up is lunch during which I sometimes listen to a podcast or audiobook. You can check out some of my favorite podcasts and books of 2020 at the associated links.

After lunch, I have my computer systems lab. The teaching assistant of my lab section starts off with a quick introduction to the assignment. We then work independently and ask questions as they come up. Even though we don’t really work collaboratively the lab is sort of fun because it’s less formal than a regular class. For the first part of the semester, the lab assignments often took way longer than the allotted time (and sometimes longer than our projects) so I often spent more of the afternoon finishing up the assignment. Fortunately, the course staff was made aware of this issue and adjusted accordingly. Just for some context, this course is a UMass class which is why there is a whole course team and teaching assistants. To read more about Five College course registration click here. At Smith, while some classes have teaching assistants who help out during class, all of the classes are taught and run by our actual professors. We also have student tutors as an academic resource outside of class. To read more about academic support systems at Smith, click here.

After finishing up my lab assignment, I start in on my math methods PCCI. A typical PCCI consists of reading a section or two of the textbook (written by our professor) and completing a short practice problem or so-called discovery exercise. Depending on the week, I either start in on my reading assignment for my computer systems class or logic class. At 4:00, I have my weekly one-on-one meeting with my supervisor for my ResLife job. Following the meeting, I relax by listening to music or an audiobook. At 5:00, I order, pick up, and eat my dinner. After dinner, I complete any remaining readings for my computer systems and logic classes. If I haven’t yet completed my lab assignment or have an exam the following day, I devote some of the night to circuits. Otherwise, I may work on a computer systems project or theory of computation assignment.

Tuesday:

Tuesday’s are my busiest day of the week in terms of class hours. With that said, it’s nothing compared to my Thursdays last fall. I start Tuesdays off with my circuits class. During class, we learn new circuit theory and circuit analysis techniques. We also go through example problems. While we often run out of time to fully work through the extra practice problems in breakout rooms, fortunately, my professor posts videos going over those problems. After taking our feedback into account, we now get a break partway through the class. Each lecture covers a lot of material, so the brain/screen break is much appreciated. To check in on how the class is feeling about various concepts, our professor has us use the annotation feature on a scale from totally get it to totally lost.

After circuits is my 20-minute break followed by my theory of computation lecture. The theoretical nature of the material means that it really is a lecture. While we obviously go through examples, there aren’t really practice problems as there would be in a math class. We use the chat to some extent in all of my classes, but to a greater degree in this course. Next up is lunch and a COVID test. At 1:40 I am back to circuits for the lab. Most of the labs are virtual with physical lab equipment, but a few have been in-person so that we could use special equipment. Ironically, one of our in-person labs was actually fully virtual in terms of lab equipment. (We were sitting on the lawn outside of Ford together and running circuit simulators on our laptops). Fortunately, we don’t usually need to stay until 4:30. I tend to just collect my data, ask some questions about the material, and then finish up the write-up at a later point in time. This time block is also the one used whenever we have an exam.

I always start by doing the textbook reading for circuits. I don’t read super closely, but it’s still a good primer for the next class. In terms of other work, Tuesdays are a bit more unpredictable and really depend on how much I got done over the weekend. Specifically, while I usually finish my math methods assignment over the weekend, occasionally I need to finish it up on Tuesday evenings. Likewise, for circuits, I sometimes finish the last few problems on a Tuesday evening. At 7:00, I have a staff meeting with the other community advisors in my neighborhood and our supervisor. Our meetings usually take place over Zoom, but our most recent one was in-person with ice cream from Herrell’s which was a lot of fun. You can read about some other Northampton food locations (restaurants, cafes, and more) here. In weeks where I haven’t yet started my computer systems work, I do what I would usually have done on a Monday on a Tuesday.

Wednesday:

Wednesdays are similar to Mondays without the computer systems lab and ResLife meeting. In the afternoon I often attend office hours for my theory of computation class to ask questions about the weekly assignment. Even though I don’t have my logic class until the following Monday, I usually just do the reading on Wednesday afternoon. On Wednesday evenings, I typically work through my circuits revisions. I also tend to do a good chunk of my computer systems coursework. This consists of watching lecture videos, taking notes, and taking lesson quizzes. Furthermore, I have definitely spent some Wednesday evenings working through computer systems projects.

Thursday:

Thursdays are like Tuesdays without the circuits lab. Even though I have the whole afternoon free, unfortunately, I am sometimes having to finish up my theory of computation assignment. It’s also common for me to start working on the new math methods problem set. In the case of this Thursday, I played some guitar and then started writing this post. I also do my circuits reading for Tuesday and take the quick lab quiz. If I have any remaining computer systems coursework, I do that as well.

Friday:

This semester I only have one class on Fridays, math methods. After class, I get a COVID test and an early lunch. I know it seems crazy how many free afternoons I have given that I am taking 22 credits and am a double STEM major. However, part of this is explained by my UMass computer systems course being asynchronous and the fact that I completed the one-credit companion course in C programming before my Smith semester started. My computer systems class was originally scheduled to meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons. Even though I wish the class was synchronous, the flexibility of an asynchronous class has been much appreciated. Furthermore, the class was in a terrible time block that would have caused me to miss most of house tea. Back to what a Friday afternoon looks like! After completing my PCCI for math methods, I often rewatch the lecture videos for computer systems (on double speed) and then take the weekly quiz. I next pick up tea snacks from Cutter-Z and attend house tea at 4:30. After tea, I order dinner and often eat it in the living room with housemates. Fridays are definitely my least productive day and I have definitely taken a few weekly quizzes on Saturday after having planned to take them on Friday. Instead of doing real work, I often spend Friday afternoons writing blog posts. As for this post, I wrote most of it yesterday but spent a good chunk of Friday afternoon on it as well.

Saturday:

Despite my best efforts to have a consistent sleep schedule, I often sleep in on Saturdays until 10:00. I then have a leisurely hour or so of listening to an audiobook. At 11:00, I get an early lunch. As mentioned in the Friday description, I sometimes end up taking my weekly quiz for computer systems on Saturday. When I have tests in math methods, I typically take them on Saturday night. (The tests are timed but are self-scheduled over the given weekend which includes Friday). When there is not a math test, I often work on my math problem set in the afternoon. Every few weeks, I host POCheese at 4:00. This week we are actually going to be meeting at 5:00 for a ramen night! At 6:00 I have a uke club meeting over Zoom. In weeks where I have already finished my math problem set and don’t have a test, I start in on my circuits problem set.

Sunday:

Sundays start like Saturdays in that I often have a leisurely morning. At 11:00 I get a COVID test and an early lunch. Sundays are almost always devoted to my circuits. This includes working through the problems set, the lab writeup, or studying for an upcoming exam. If my Saturday wasn’t as productive as intended, I do the homework described in that section. At 6:00 I have a Society of Women Engineers (SWE) board meeting. At 7:00, I either lead a community meeting (part of my ResLife job) or attend house council. Afterward, I fill out my weekly report (also part of my ResLife job).

#college #Smith College #academics #schedule #week in my life #homework #spring 2021

9 notes · View notes

cesabutterflywrites · 3 years

Text

Sunrise - Firsts Aren’t Bad After All

Preface | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter [Coming Soon]

Word Count: 3496

[Ao3] Summary: Renesmee Carlie Cullen- or rather Renesmee Carlie Masen, if her classmates asked-is special. From the moments before she was born, the people who mattered most to her knew she would be unique. When she was only a few months old, she learned exactly how unique she was after a debate that decided her fate as a half vampire, half human hybrid.

As time moved forward, and as her family stayed frozen in time, they moved on from the comfort of their home in Forks, Washington.

For Renesmee’s first time in high school, her parents agreed to let her venture on her own. She handles the experience with grace, as she does most anything. She wants to make sure she stays off the human radar, at the request of her somewhat overprotective father, which means accepting that she’d never get to socialize with her peers. Until the first day of her first sophomore year where she meets her history class partner; Ivy Woods.

For the rest of their first high school life, Renesmee and Ivy become friends. In this story of growing up, taking chances, friendship, and overcoming expectations-read about Renesmee Masen learning to find a balanced life with the help of her anchor, Ivy.

Spotify Playlist

DISCLAIMER:

VINES IS NOT A REAL TOWN IN MONTANA.

RENESMEE AND JACOB ARE STILL IMPRINTED. They are not a ship and will not be treated as such.

POV SHIFT IS A TOOL USED TO TELL THIS STORY.

Chapter Warning[s]: Accidental misgendering

----------------------------------------------

Mountain View High was the only high school in the invisible town of Vines, Montana. There were around 800 students. There were multiple buildings on the campus, all decorated with the same bland, off-white, chipped paint that had probably been there for twenty years. Maybe longer. The roofs were a dark green, and slanted so as to slide off any snow that may come. The front of the school had a large lawn that was starting to look overgrown on the edges of the cement walkways.

Even though it was my first day, I had memorized every detail of the layout of the school map online. I trained for my first day of high school for what felt like months beforehand. I had taken a long time to make my decision, which meant that once it was made I needed to be prepared for everything. I had packed my backpack with care. I memorized my family's cover story, and made up details of my own in case anyone asked. I was stocked full of school supplies. I was ready.

Still, I eyed the large building warily. The pit in my stomach grew even more than it had over the past month, when I had first decided to go to high school. I tried to remain inconspicuous with my thoughts-something I was finding to be easier as I grew up-so my father wouldn't ask me if I was sure for the 100th time.

My family had been…divided, to put it nicely, when I decided to go to high school. This was the first town we moved to since we lived in Forks. I had a few years of being fully “matured” under my belt, and saw an opportunity to relate to my more human side than before.

It wasn't that I wanted to go that was the issue. It was the fact that I wanted to go alone, without my parents or my Jacob, that caused an uproar. Naturally my father-my overprotective father-was the one most opposed to the idea. He felt that it was not a good plan, and that I wasn't ready. He felt like I'd be unable to blend in since I wasn't as experienced with the practice of being human like the rest of my family. Who weren’t even human in the first place.

Luckily Jacob stood up for me by pointing out I'd never get experience if I didn't practice. Him and my mother seemed to be the only ones who felt like I could do this. Well, Jacob felt like I could do anything.

I must not have been masking my thoughts well, especially since there were so many, because my dad put his cool hand on my shoulder.

"Renesmee," he said, using my full name to show how serious he was, "You don't have to prove anything to us. You can back out if you want."

I frowned, feeling offended that he'd suggest that I was second-guessing it. Just because I was nervous didn't mean I was anywhere close to changing my mind.

He smiled crookedly, reminding me of my own smile. Still, there was a tightness of fatherly concern behind his eyes.

"Can't blame me for trying, Ness." He moved his hand to press against my cheek just like he had since I was born. I felt a surge of calm spread through me from the comforting contact.

I'll miss you too, dad, but it's only for a few hours, then Jacob will pick me up.

He nodded, then reached over me to get the door. I rolled my eyes at that. I was perfectly capable of getting the door by myself. I unstrapped my seat belt, grabbed the top strap of my purple backpack, gave my dad a kiss on the cheek, then got out of the car.

I was lucky that the weather was cloudy. I didn't want to worry about powdering my skin for the first day. While I didn't sparkle as obviously as my family, I did shimmer enough to look like I spilled glitter on myself. It didn't help that I lacked the special foresight of my aunt Alice to help me out with predicting the forecast.

Our family had grown too large to keep a believable cover story. So we moved in succession. First, my aunt Alice and uncle Jasper moved to scope out the town. Then my grandparents Carlisle and Esme found us a larger house outside of town-big enough for my parents, Jacob, and me to move in with them. Mom and Dad were going to go to college with Jacob. My other aunt and uncle, Rosalie and Emmett, decided to get married again and go to college with my parents while staying in their own cabin. So we were still close by, but it wasn't the same.

Even though I had the layout of the school memorized, I still double checked the building numbers for my first class. I had chemistry in the "50" building. It was near the back of the campus. I made my way forward on the cemented pathway past the front administration building.

There were a few students that I passed by who were gathered in groups of two or three. I was still a bit early which meant that most of the students hadn’t arrived. I tried to keep my excitement under control. I was here! I was at a school with teenagers and groups and clubs and people. People whose only worries were homework, romance, puberty, and worrying about the future.

I made it to the classroom. The door was open, and I heard pages rustling and two people breathing. There was the familiar smell of blood, and it was easy to ignore the desire for it. I spent a few years being content with human food. I even had found things I enjoyed to eat. I really liked spicy things in particular.

I paused before the doorway. This was the real beginning. Once I stepped forward into the unknown, I’d be truly part human. I gulped. Was I really ready? Suddenly my dad’s offer to back out was more appealing. A part of me wouldn’t put it past him to hide on the edges of campus, watching me through other people’s thoughts in case he couldn’t hear my own. Just like he did with my mom when she was human.

I shuddered at that idea. With the thought of him keeping tabs on me, I steeled myself up, ready to prove him wrong. This was a wonderful trait I gained from my mother-I was stubborn once I set my mind to something. I needed to quell all doubts anyone had about me.

I stepped through the threshold of the room.

The room had large black tables that looked like they may have been nailed to the floor. There were stools instead of chairs-ugly metal things that were a mauve color giving way to silver and gray underneath. The walls were covered in faded chemistry related posters that must have once been fun and bright colored-in the 90s. It looked so bland and dreary.

I loved it.

The rustling of papers was coming from a girl with blue hair sitting in the back of the class near the window.

The teacher, Ms. Warren was sitting behind the desk in the front right corner of the room. She was an older woman with gray hair pulled back into a bun; with loose curls falling out and framing her rosy face. She was probably in her mid-60s. She wore her glasses with a chain clipped on them, probably to prevent them from falling. Her clothes were beautiful. She was wearing a bright yellow blouse with a lab coat on top.

Ms. Warren looked up at me with a smile. “Come in, take any seat you like.”

I looked at the desks. The rustling of papers was coming from a girl with blue hair sitting in the back of the class near the window. She seemed like she wanted to be alone. She was wearing purple earbuds and nodding her teal head to the song. The melody was faint to me, all I could make out was the drumbeat.

I decided to sit in the middle of the room. The 3rd column from the door in the 3rd row from the front. I made a mental note of the seating, though it was unnecessary. My memory wasn’t as perfect as my other family members, but it was good enough. I wanted to be in as inconspicuous a spot as possible. Mostly to ease the anxiety of my dad.

I pulled out my purple 2.5 inch binder. I had enough dividers for each period on my schedule, as well as a notebook designated to match each divider color in the binder. I pulled out the green spiral notebook I decided on for the class as well-just in case we need that, too. I felt pleased with my color coordination. Obviously I was prepared.

I shuffled through the smaller pocket to look for my pen case. My mood started to fall. I grew more frantic when I couldn’t find it. I checked my other pockets, to no avail. I tried to steady my breathing. This wasn’t good. My first day of school and I forgot my writing utensils. Who does that?

I rubbed my face. I tried not to think about it. I refused to let the panic overwhelm me.

I considered my options as more students filed in closer to the start time. I looked up when someone sat next to me.

“Hey,” he muttered passively in a deep voice as he plopped his orange bag on our shared table.

I smiled nervously. I wanted to make a good first impression, but the anxiety from not having my pen case was throwing me off. I observed my table partner. He was scrolling on his phone. I looked away, trying not to snoop on the screen that I was able to see extra clearly with my special eyesight. So I watched him from the side of my vision out of curiosity.

He had long blond hair down to his mid-back. He wore a red hoodie and blue jeans. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail. He was large. Not like Jacob, who was a behemoth among almost everyone he met, but more round like a bear. He had some acne on his round face, mostly on his temples where his black-framed glasses were set. I saw the edge of a pin on his jacket by his left shoulder, but I couldn’t get a full look from where I was sitting.

He smelled like soap-one of the kinds that have a heavy scent that reminds you of golf. There was also a hint of maple syrup, possibly from his breakfast. His blood smelled a little less sweet to me than other people’s, but I didn’t mind. His blood was more smoky to me, like a barbecue or smoked meat. It was probably for the best that someone sitting so close didn’t smell as appetizing, but also not unpleasant.

The bell rang, and Ms. Warren stood up from her desk. The boy next to me put his phone in his pocket. I took a deep breath. There were a lot of people in here, and the combination of smells was pretty intense to me. Nowhere near where I’d turn feral like on a hunt, though. That thought made me grin internally. I was right after all. I could do this, even if I was missing my pen case.

Ms. Warren spoke then. “Good morning, class.” Her voice was strong, and she had a stiff accent that I couldn’t quite place. Perhaps a hint of Russian? “Welcome to Chemistry. Today I thought we’d start off with getting to know each other.” She was looking at everyone as she spoke. Her head kept turning slowly back and forth to look at us. “Before we begin with that, though, I’m going to pass out the syllabus.”

She walked down the aisle. The packets were a light orange. She spoke uninterrupted as she passed through the desks.

“The first sheet is a list of class rules, materials required, and an overview of what this semester will entail. The second page is a list of class materials we still need in case you have parents or guardians willing to donate, and a place at the bottom for your name, signature, and the signature and name of your parent. You will cut this part off and bring it back to me by the end of the week. Yes, this is your first assignment. It is worth five points.”

I took the packets that she handed me, and passed it to my partner. When he turned to me, I saw the pin. There was a yellow, white, purple, then black stripe with the words ‘They/Them’ printed in the middle in white text. I looked away, scrunching my eyebrows in confusion. What an odd pin to wear. I pondered briefly on what it could mean before the teacher called our attention back to the front of the class.

“Alright, first things first. I want you to turn to your partner and introduce yourself. Talk to each other about yourself, like little facts or interests. After ten minutes I’ll have you stand up and say your partner’s name, and three things you learned about them.”

Them. Oh, oh that’s what the pin meant! They were pronouns. Possibly the singular they? Maybe what he referred to himself? No, what they referred to themself as. I immediately held onto that information extra tight so I wouldn’t slip up in conversation.

I turned to my partner, smiling a bit wider than was polite. I offered my hand. “Hello, my name is Renesmee, but you can call me Nessie.”

They shook my hand after a beat. “My name is legally Xavier, but I really prefer people call me Wren.”

“Wren, it’s nice to meet you. What can you tell me about yourself?” I asked politely. I wanted them to go first, to get a taste of what information I was expected to give.

They shrugged. “Well, you probably figured out I’m non-binary,” they pointed to the pin on their jacket. “I’m sixteen, a junior. I’m repeating Chemistry for just one semester because I failed last year. I like pokemon, minecraft, and almost all types of music.”

They shrugged again. It seemed like they were brushing off what they were saying, as if it didn’t matter. I didn’t know how to react to that idea, so I ignored it.

“Well, I guess I’ll tell you about myself.” I giggled, a bit of a nervous edge in my voice. I didn’t know what to say. It seemed like we were supposed to say superficial things. That would be easy, I’d be as close to honest as possible.

“I’m fifteen,” I lied, I was actually four. I was still aging, but it had slowed to a much less noticeable (to the human eye) pace. I didn’t exactly look fifteen. I probably could have passed for a senior, but I wanted the full school experience-as much as I could get.

I continued without a pause. “I love the color purple. I read a lot. I don’t really have a normal family-”

Wren laughed, a deep sound that was pleasant to listen to. “None of us do, Nessie.”

“I suppose you’re right,” I agreed with a laugh. Then I continued, “I was homeschooled my whole life. This is my first time really experiencing public school. I love music too, and I play piano and violin.”

“A music prodigy?” they asked with a lifted brow.

I shrugged, “Probably. I wouldn’t know, I’ve never played for anyone but my family and a few guests now and then.”

Wren nodded. “I see…” they trailed off. It seemed like neither of us were the talkative type. I decided to fill the gap best that I could.

“Well, I also like to play sports every now and then. I live right outside of town. We have a field down the way by our house and my family plays all sorts of things together.” I looked at the wall behind them, feeling wistful for my old home in Forks. That field was much larger.

“Ugh,” Wren scoffed, “I hate sports.”

I blushed and looked down. I wasn’t expecting that type of reaction.

Wren must have noticed, cause their voice was panicked as they waved their hands. “No, no, it’s cool that you like them. I just was never really into them.”

I smiled softly, glad that they weren’t trying to be mean. “I understand. I guess it’s not for everyone.”

They relaxed their posture. It seemed that they were nervous about the day like I was.

“Hey, uh, do you happen to have a pen or pencil that I could borrow? I left my pen case at home apparently.” I flushed with embarrassment.

“Sure, just give it back at the end of class, though I doubt we’ll need one today.” They shuffled through their bag and brought out a simple mechanical pencil. It was black with a purple piece on the end that clicked down for the lead.

“Thanks.” I beamed. It looked like my favorite color was alongside me today. I tapped out a mindless rhythm on the notebook while they shrugged an answer at me.

We talked a little bit more, mostly offering remarks about the morning in between the awkward silences before Ms. Warren called attention back to her. The class took a few seconds to quiet down. I still tapped the pencil, but tried to make it not as loud. I kinda zoned out a little bit to figure out what I’d do for the rest of the day without my pen case. I knew what was being said, but it was still in the background for me.

Wrenn stood up when it was our turn. “This is Renesmee, though she prefers to be called Nessie. She likes the color purple, is probably a music prodigy, and forgot her pen case at home.”

I opened my mouth in embarrassed shock. Why did they say that? What made them think it was okay to out me like that? They sat down and winked at me, and I understood after a beat that they were just messing around. Probably because they didn’t want to mention what I said about my family and they didn’t like sports?

I was still embarrassed, but less so after half a second. I stood up with the pencil still in my hand. I looked around me. Most of the students were looking at me except for the blue-haired girl in the back who was here first. She was looking at something on her lap, which was probably her phone because I still heard the faint music through the other noises in the room.

I chose to look at the front of the class, right above the teacher’s shoulder. “This is Wren. They’re non-binary, they like pokemon and minecraft, and they loaned me their pencil for this period.”

I sat back down quickly while a few kids chuckled. Ms. Warren smiled at me. “Well, Nessie, it’s good you found someone who‘s willing to share.”

She moved on to the rest of the class. I turned on my stool to look back at the girl who had been listening to music when it was her turn. Her partner-a thin girl with long double french braids-seemed nervous when she stood up.

“Um, this is Ivy.” The girl’s high voice was shaky. “And that’s all I really know, sorry.” She sat back down quickly.

Ivy looked up, barely paying attention. She took out the lavender earbud even though it was still playing music. I was starting to believe I was the only one who noticed.

She didn’t stand up to introduce her partner. “This is Alena. She’s a sophomore, in Chemistry, and likes to talk when she’s nervous.”

The class was filled with awkward quiet. Ms. Warren didn’t seem surprised at her answer. “Well, Ivy. I hope you learn a bit more about each other as we continue through the year.”

I turned back to look at the teacher who started to write on the board. “Oh, and Ivy dear,” she looked over her shoulder with a disapproving look, “If I see you listening to music in my class again, I’ll confiscate your phone.”

Scattered snickers rang through the classroom. I looked behind me to see Ivy rolling her eyes. She baffled me with her disregard for the world around her. Were there other people like her? Why wouldn’t she just follow the rules like everyone else here?

I turned to pay attention to the teacher. For the first class of the day, it wasn’t so bad. I hoped the rest of the day would go just as smoothly.

[A/N]

So this took a while lol. Let me know what you think. I'm kinda obsessed with this one at the moment. Be warned my characterization of Renesmee is based off of my own headcanons and a mesh of her personality as a kid.

I'm walking the very thin line of close-canon and fix-it. There's probably going to be some slip up in characterization or maybe the characters make way-too-in-character decisions. What I'm trying to say is that there will probably be decisions made that are up for interpretation on whether they are good or bad.

This is also very much unreliable narrator, just like the books. So bear with me. I hope you enjoy. And comment if you want more

If you want to be on the taglist for this story, let me know!

14 notes · View notes

bangtan-azra · 4 years

Photo

VOCAB FROM. . .

edit: 100th!! i never thought i would do this for 100 days.

i’ve been doing this for a time now (50 days,,) and i wanted to gather all of them in one post. i am really proud of myself that i have been doing this every day since late may. consistency really is the key. thank you so much and let’s keep learning together 💜

my studygram where i share these vocab but in a fancier way: bangtan__aa

check out the spotify playlist with all these songs (i update everyday)

if you would like to share the notes you take from these posts please do tag me on tumblr / instagram.

btw sometimes even i can’t find my name on the edits lol

💜 the list is random till HOME 💜

daechwita

hold me tight

answer: love myself

epiphany

best of me

converse high

seoul

forever rain

daydream

love is not over

airplane pt. 2

134340

dimple

blood sweat & tears

begin

lie

stigma

first love

reflection

mama

awake

wings

you never walk alone

i need u

run

butterfly

make it right

so what

a brand new day

black swan

rain

look here

young forever

friends

paradise

mikrokosmos

singularity

moon

save me

just one day

house of cards

danger

home

euphoria

love

항상 (hangsang)

seesaw

serendipity

just dance

louder than bombs

my time

dionysus

heartbeat

let me know

propose

boy with luv

i’m fine

spring day

attack on bangtan

boy in luv

fire

어긋(uhgood)

ego

tomorrow

jump

blue side

inner child

n.o

어떻게 생각해? | what do you think?

boy meets evil

magic shop

come back home

am i wrong

anpanman

we on

뱁새 | silver spoon

whalien 52

go go

boyz with fun

we are bulletproof : the eternal

filter

shadow

dope (쩔어)

no more dream

spine breaker (등골브레이커)

dream glow

21st century girls

mic drop

2! 3! (둘! 셋! 그래도 좋은 날이 앞으로 많기를)

00:00 (zero o’clock)

사람 | people

pied piper

we are bulletproof pt.2

dna

ma city

2nd grade

not today

persona

WOW

67 notes · View notes

1990jeevas · 3 years

Note

Hnnn, I'm bored, 10-14 for the song questions? I still can't see, but I'm assuming they're good questions TvT (sorry, I've just been looking for some new music to listen to) - 🐝✨

ur good, no need to be sorry!

10 - what song have you listened to most?

according to spotify, my top song of all time by far is gods menu by stray kids (and when i say by far i mean my first day listening to it was also had my 100th play, not including times i streamed it on yt) but ALSO according to spotify my most listened to song in the last 4 weeks has been love taste by moe shop. do with that what u will 🤷‍♀️

11 - favorite and least favorite song from a movie?

tbh there is very few movies i like enough to actually remember their track list and the ones i do i also like the music for ao this is a hard question. that being said, i rewatched donnie darko recently and ive had the killing moon by echo & the bunnymen stuck in my since so ig that's a favorite? as for least favorite, i have no fuckn clue tbh lmao sry

12 - what are some songs on a playlist ive made and what is the playlist called?

i have a playlist called "dream smp type beat" that has a bunch of songs that remind me of the plot, characters, etc. and it's pretty sexy. i havent unprivated it yet cause im still working on it, otherwise id link it lmao but heres some songs i think im kinda big brain for adding:

a mask of my own face by lemon demon (c!schlatt core)

paradise by the neighbourhood (general plot vibes but theres a few specific lines that remind me of wilbur and dream)

brutus by the buttress (niki villain arc type shit but also could go for some other characters)

saint bernard by lincoln (THIS IS ABOUT SCHLATT AND WILBUR. "there's really just one thing that we have in common: neither of us will be missed" gets me every fucking time)

monster by dodie (this is for the traumatized children who are being demonized, u deserve better. also technoblade.)

13 - put a playlist on shuffle, what are the first five songs that play?

this playlist is called ick, it's the playlist ive been using since like 9th grade for my "current listenings" or just songs i like a lot at the moment that dont fit into other playlists

white tee - alternative base boosted version by corpse

what do they know? by mindless self indulgence

just the two of us by grover washington jr ft. bill withers

your new boyfriend by wilbur soot

we go by stray kids' 3racha

14 - do you make playlists for characters? link one if you do!

yeah i do!! heres a bakugou playlist that i was really proud of when i was hyperfixated on bnha, i havent really listened to it since i moved on from that hyperfixation tho lmao that being said i am working on a bunch of playlists for dsmp characters that im gonna drop links to eventually and im very excited about it

#shit self #asks #god tags why #dream smp #music #boku no hero acadamia #im not tagging anything else bc those are the only two that are really relavent here lbr

2 notes · View notes

clairecrive · 5 years

Text

“Karaoke”- A Klaus Mikealson x Reader imagine

I'm baaack and I've got a new imagine for you. This is also a way to say, once again, thank you all for following this blog and reading it. We're now at 100 followers and I know is not a big deal but for me it is. So thanks again everyone!

This is a long one and I didn't really checked it again but I wanted to give you something so here it is. I hope you like it!

Tag list: @amirra88 @vampiregirl1797 (let me know if you wanna be added or removed)

It's bad enough that Spotify interrupts the playlist now and then since I don't have premium, I understand that's the way it is.

But there should be an option that stops calls from interrupting the music playing. Even more when there's a guy who's blowing up my phone. Apparently, he's having a bad time figuring out what "no" means.

I roll my eyes when I hear my phone ringing again and since it was on speaker, my roommate hears it too. I hear her groan from the other room before she shouts:

"Can you please answer his calls? It's the 100th time he calls, put the boy out of his misery Y/N."

It's funny how she gets so worked up about this when it doesn't even concern her directly.

"We've already talked about this Y/F/N*. I've already made it clear to him that I'm not interested in dating somebody at the moment. If I answer he will find a way to twist my words and get me to go on a date with him." I protested repeating my reasons once more.

"I honestly don't understand what's your problem. He's handsome, he's charming, he's been always been kind to you, he's an accent and I know how British accent swap you off your feet and above all, he's interested. Why don't you give him a chance? What's the worst that can happen?" I hear her voice getting closer to my room before seeing her leaned against the door.

I stop what I'm doing to turn around and face her. She's that look on her face that tells me that she's not going to let this go. I don't understand why though.

"I can fall in love with him." I joked but she and I both know that I'm serious. I have to confess that I have trust issues especially when it comes to guys. I don't like to open up to them romantically because I know that I'm going to give them my all and sooner or later they will leave me heartbroken. And that's something I'm trying to avoid.

She rolls her eyes and scoffs at my insecurities and leaves my room. "You can't keep living like this. Love is everywhere, you can't avoid it for much longer. Besides, you're missing out on a lot. Sooner or later you'll have to break the walls that guard your heart."

Not really listening to what she said, I put my phone in "do not disturb" mode and go back to what I was doing.

***

It was Friday night and as our tradition says, it's karaoke night. As usual, we were at our favourite bar and while I don't sing, the other girls do and their performances are always hilarious.

Y/F/N had just finished her amazingly off-key performance stumbling a bit on the stairs of the stage. Too careful in leading her safely to our table I didn't notice the next person that walked on the stage. A poke from Y/F/N makes me look up though and well, he was the last face I thought I'd see here.

I really didn't expect to see him here nor ever again for that matters, so I stare at him for a bit to make sure that it really is him. When I notice I've been staring at him for a while I shake my head giving my attention to Y/F/N again and I see she's smirking.

Of course, he's not here by chance. Y/F/N is playing cupid.

When we finally made our way back to our table, the next song starts and to my surprise, Klaus starts singing. Is there actually something that this guy can't do?

Since now I know that his presence here is not random, I wonder what song he is going to sing. I guess he's going with the serenade to win me over. How cliché...

Just when I thought this guy couldn't surprise me more and be even more a cliché I hear the initial notes of the song he's decided to sing immediately recognising them.

A small laugh leaves my mouth and arching my brow I look at Y/F/N knowing that this was her doing, and then at him that was already singing with a smirk full aware that his message has gotten across.

"So get out, get out, get out of my head

And fall into my arms instead

I don't, I don't, don't know what it is

But I need that one thing

And you've got that one thing

Now I'm climbing the walls

But you don't notice at all

That I'm going out of my mind

All day and all night "

I am still having trouble processing the fact that he's singing a One Direction song. I know what guys think of boybands so I really appreciate his gesture. I have to admit that he has really got out of his way to win me over. ça va sans dire that I'm not going to get over my trust issues just over this and it won't be easy for him but I guess I could go out on a date. Just one, to see if there's a spark...

Lost in my thoughts I didn't notice that the song was now over and Klaus was standing before me. His smirk was still there and he was wearing a smug expression but I could see that he was nervous about my reaction.

"I didn't know you could sing nor that you liked karaoke." I pointed out when he didn't say anything

"Well, there's a lot you don't know about me." He replies

I nod my head agreeing with him. I look at him for a while before answering.

"That's true, but I would like to change that." I admit hinting nonchalant that I was agreeing on going on a date with him. He seems to understand that because his smirk turns into a toothy smile and I can't help but mirror his action. His smile is so beautiful.

#niklaus mikaelson #niklaus imagine #niklaus x reader #klaus mikaelson #klaus drabble #klaus imagines #klaus mikealson imagines #niklaus mikealson imagine #the originals #tvd #the vampire diaries #writing

50 notes · View notes

ardentlytrans · 5 years

Note

100th date, preference, ballad

100th date: would you prefer to stay in or go out this valentine’s? stay in, though I am going to a party on sat but its like, 1 min from my dorm so idk if that counts

preference: sexuality? what’s your ‘type’? Im bi babey! and fjdfj my type w guys is: nerdy, tired, stubble, will talk about their interests for hours while i just *heart eyes*, n w nb people: soft, make good pillows, either rlly short or rlly tall, & i have never actually dated a girl but my usual type for crushes is looks edgy but is actually a sweetheart and Killer Makeup

ballad: best love song? THIS took a long time staring at my spotify pda playlist but: Ocean Eyes by bille eilish is rlly sweet! (my most played song on this playlist is actualy Automatic by Castro bc thats also on my first dnd char (osros) playlist for him n his boyfriend its really sweet as well!)

#rory talks #@ god or whatever let me date a girl i need the experience #fjordmauks

2 notes · View notes

mss4msu · 6 years

Text

Happy 100th Birthday Steven!

Summary: The Avengers decide to throw Steve a 100th birthday party. The theme is throwback, but no one wanted to research the 1930s, so they decide to do the early 2000s. Cap is introduced to a new decade of culture, and he and Bucky are particularly taken by Lil John’s “Get Low”.

Words: 1871

A/N: This one goes out to @221bshrlocked because she hyped me up that this would be a hilarious idea. I’ve decided I’ll be making a series of “Steve and Bucky are introduced to various pop culture things that are dirty, but they don’t know that”. This one is fluffier than my fluffball of a dog (future ones may get smutty, who knows?).

“Alright gang, it’s Cap’s BIG birthday next week, so we should get started on planning his party.” Tony had called together a meeting of all the Avengers except for Sam, Bucky, and Steve to put together a surprise bash for Steve’s 100th birthday. You had all voted that telling either Sam or Bucky would mean the surprise would be ruined, so the trio was being kept in the dark.

“I still think we should have rented out the Natural History Museum so he could party with all the other fossils. That’d really be a throwback party,” Nat remarked. The group had also decided the theme of the birthday should be a throwback. Of course, you’d all been so busy on missions no one had had the time to research the early 1900s, so it was decreed that the early 2000s would be used instead.

“Well the old man wanted to have a low-key birthday, so I figured a large public space wouldn’t be a great place for that. I’m not trying to start another Civil War over a birthday.” Tony replied. “Rhodey has a busy week of ‘Iron Patriot’ appearances (it’s 4th of July, I’m not calling him War Machine), so he has divided up tasks for everyone. Bruce, Peter, and I are on decorations. Wanda and Vision, you can prepare the food. Clint and Scott, you’ll be in charge of keeping Steve, Bucky, and Sam busy day of so we have time to set up. Nat and (Y/N), you’re in charge of music. The guest list is just us; the Wakandans are busy doing outreach programs about cultural appropriation, which is fitting for this time of year, and Thor is on some other planet. Alright, everyone know what you’re doing? Great, then go do it!”

Everyone split up and spent the week secretly organizing everything for the party. You and Nat spent hours crafting the perfect Spotify playlist, not wanting to leave a single jam out. Finally, it was the day of the party. You woke up just in time to join Clint and Scott’s in the chauffeuring of Bucky, Sam, and Steve to the big Fourth of July parade. You knew you could slip out later to come back and help everyone set-up, but Steve had been asked to be the Grand Marshall of the parade and you wouldn’t miss it for the world.

“Happy Fourth of July!” you winked at Steve as you got in the car. He rolled his eyes at you, waiting for the follow up. You just stared at him in response for a few seconds, not wanting to give him satisfaction to early. “Oh right! And happy birthday Steve!”

“Thank you!!” he beamed. The parade lasted longer than you had hoped, but it was worth it to see Steve at the head of the parade, an embodiment of everything America should be, and slightly restoring your faith in the country.

“So, you guys want to go get ice cream?” Scott asked when you met up with Steve following the parade. “I know a Baskin Robbins nearby!”

“I actually have to head back guys, I forgot the sunscreen this morning, so my skin has become a very patriotic mix of white and red,” you replied. Although this seemed like an easy out to get back to the party preparations, you really had gotten a bit of a sunburn at that parade.

“We could give you frostbite and you’d be red, white, and blue!” Sam joked. You punched him on the arm and got a Lyft to pick you up.

You got back to the compound and couldn’t believe the quality of the decorations. Movie posters of the most iconic early 2000s films, like A Cinderella Story and She’s the Man, lined the hallways. Nokia bricks and Razr phones were hanging from the ceiling, their screens decorated with pictures of Cap. You couldn’t figure out who had taken the pic of Cap with listening to an iPod in a bubble bath, but you were so glad they had. The food tables were decorated in layers of denim, and you felt blessed that Britney and Justin had graced the world with that look.

Everyone was scrambling to finish their jobs, and you and Nat were putting the finishing touches on the playlist, when Scott texted that they were on their way back.

“Alright everyone, places!” Tony yelled, and you all crouched behind the furniture, with the exception of Peter, who had literally gone above and beyond by hiding on the ceiling.

“I know everyone says apple pie is American, but putting apple pie IN ice cream is really taking things to the next level!” you could hear Bucky chuckling as they walked down the hallway.

“What in Sam Hill is this?” The confusion in his voice made Natasha stifle a laugh and you realized he likely had no idea what he was walking into. You had been helping him go through his “things to catch up on” list and you were nowhere near the 2000s. This was going to be a crash course for him.

Steve flipped on the lights to the room and everyone sprung up and yelled, “SURPRISE!” He stumbled back slightly, the surprise working on him.

“Don’t have a heart attack there, old man,” Nat said, punching him on the arm and giving him a hug.

As everyone started enjoying the food and Nat turned the playlist on, you gave Steve and Bucky a tour of the 2000s .

“So what’s with the phones?” Bucky asked.

“Well, the Razr was the classic phone all the ‘cool’ kids had back in the day,” you winked at them, “and the Nokia is a phone noted for being unbreakable.”

“Unbreakable?” Bucky asked, raising his eyebrow at Steve. They both ripped a Nokia from the ceiling, and you yelled for everyone to gather around for a true test of strength. Steve tried with all his might, but even his super soldier strength was not enough for the brick. Bucky tried to break the phone, squeezing it between his metal fingers, but could not cause even a crack in the screen.

“Is Thor coming?” You heard Clint ask. “Maybe his hammer is worthy enough to break a Nokia.”

“Tony, we may have to talk to Nokia and see if we can use this tech in suits or something,” Bruce remarked, taking the phone from Steve.

As the playlist started playing the dancing songs, you and Nat cleared the dance floor, which you had decorated as a giant Dance Dance Revolution mat. Steve and Bucky watched as everyone took the dance floor and started doing the “Cupid Shuffle”.

“Get over here boys!” you yelled. They shook their heads no, so you ran to them, grabbed their arms and pulled them to the dance floor. “Look, it’s easy. It’s to the right to the right to the right to the right, to the left to the left to the left to the left, then you kick, kick, kick, kick, then walk it and turn to the next side!” They watched you, tripping over themselves, and slowly got the hang of it just as the song ended.

“We’ll need to practice that one again I think,” Steve huffed to you.

“You’re tired after that version? I’ve got a more advanced one that involves kicking and dropping it low,” you winked at him, making him blush.

“EVERYONE CLEAR THE FLOOR!” you heard Peter yell. “THIS IS MY SONG!” Everyone moved off the dance floor and cheered as Peter strutted his stuff to Rihanna’s “Umbrella”.

There was more dancing and fun-having when THE song you had been waiting for came on. “Nat, we should have moved this song up the playlist!” you yelled, turning the volume of the speaker all the way up, and sprinting to the middle of the dance floor.

“TO THE WINDOW!!!! TO THE WALL!!!!!! TILL THE SWEAT DROP DOWN MY BALLS!!!!! TILL ALL THESE BITCHES CRAWL!!!!” You screamed, busting a move.

Steve and Bucky stared at you with their jaws dropped.

“UM (Y/N)?” Steve yelled, “WHAT KIND OF SONG IS THIS???” You ignored him and kept dancing.

“WHY THE HELL ARE YOU GOING TO THE WINDOW AND TO THE WALL??” Bucky asked, looking at Steve and confusion and trying to figure out what made the wall better than the window and vice versa.

“AND WHY ARE YOU ANNOUNCING TO THE WORLD THAT THERE IS SWEAT DRIPPING DOWN YOUR BALLS?” Steve screamed, turning red from yelling and from the idea of discussing his privates so publicly.

You were too busy dropping that ass (hey!) and attempting to shake it fast (hey!) and popping that ass to the left and the right (hey!) to answer them. And they became too busy watching you do it to keep asking questions. Eventually they started singing along, Steve feeling all too pleased with himself when yelling “MOTHERFUCKER!”

By the time you were bending over to the front to touch your toes, Bucky was next to you, shaking his butt along to the beat. Steve and Bucky screamed out the last chorus, giggling as they yelled “SKEET SKEET SKEET.” You raised your eyebrow at Natasha, wondering if these two actually knew what “skeet” was, but you quickly forgot as Vision wheeled out a giant birthday cake covered in lit sparklers.

“The fire marshall told us that using 100 candles would be a fire hazard, so we decided to do 35 sparklers, because that’s how old you look,” he said dryly.

“That’s very kind of you, Vision.” Steve blushed.

“Even with super soldier strength, I don’t think you will be able to blow out the sparklers. Perhaps that was a mistake on our part,” Vision stated.

“It looks great, Vis!” Steve cheerily replied.

“Are you getting teary-eyed Cap?” Tony chuckled.

“I’m just very thankful to have all of you as friends and to have been given such a spectacular party. Skeet, skeet to you all!” He said, holding up a bite of cake in a cheers.

“Skeet, skeet!” Everyone replied back, holding back giggles.

For the next few weeks, any training session with Steve and Bucky was set to “Get Low.” You began to make a game out of it, and every time the “all these bitches crawl” lyric came on, you would stop everything, get on the floor, and start crawling towards them. They started having everyone run sprints from the window to the wall, and you regretted ever having introduced them to the song in the first place.

You all found redemption in their new use of the word “skeet”. Nat had convinced them that “skeet” was a new and improved version of “yeet,” and should be used in times of agreement or before doing exciting things. Steve began yelling “SKEET” before jumping off the Quinjet on missions, and Bucky would scream “SKEET” before punching out bad guys. He couldn’t figure out why the villains always got knocked out with a confused laugh. At this point, the joke had gone on for too long to tell them the truth of what “skeet” actually meant. Your only hope was to introduce them to a new catchphrase, and sooner rather than later, before they “skeet”ed the wrong person...

#marvel #happy birthday steve #happy birthday cap #captain america #steve rogers #fan fic #independence day #100th birthday

92 notes · View notes