#nah i didn’t forget the tail

[stormvanari]

my interpretation of that dead long-haired DD in the labs of Dead End (S1•E6)

gonna call them A until further notice; they’re the leader of a squad i have yet to figure out

[gay-dorito-dust]

Hello! I loved your last hobie fic btw it was really good!!

Imagine that in hobies universe you died but when he travels to miles universe he sees you alive 😭 and then the reader introduces themselves to him the same way they did in his universe

Keep feeding us with these ATSV fics 😈😈

Have a great day!!!

Thank you for enjoying my Hobie Brown stuff anon cuz he’s been invading my mind recently. I hope to god this is okay for ya. 🦦

Hobie remembered first meeting you as though it were yesterday, you were within an alleyway vandalising the walls with your spray paint, he happened to be passing by when one of your masterpieces caught his eye; it was of him…well him as Spider-Man clocking a cartoonish Osborne -appropriately adorned with devil horns and a tail- in the head with his eyes crossed out in red spray paint as though he were dead.

It got a good chuckle out of him that was for sure and from that alone he knew he had to know you more on a personal level. ‘Whatcha gonna call that?’ He asked aloud, making you jolt, you were pretty sure you had chosen a spot where you weren’t going to get caught by the authorities or those that’d grass you up for expressing how you truly felt about Osborne and all those just like him. You shrugged, looking up at your finished product before looking back over at Hobie, ‘dunno yet,’ you told him truthfully, ‘my working titles are either anarchy incarnate or death to capitalism.’

Hobie hummed in approval, but he thought you could do better, ‘how about anarchy is the death of capitalism?’ He suggested and he couldn’t never forget the light in your eyes upon hearing his working title, that in the midst of your excitement you had grabbed him by the arm, ‘that’s it! That’s what I should call it, you’re a genius man!’ You cried before realising what you did and immediately removed your hand from his arm, ‘sorry about that.’ Hobie dismissed your apology by slinging an arm over your shoulder. ‘Nah, don’t give me that shit, you shouldn’t have to apologise for being yourself for that’s what they want you to do.’

‘I don’t think I ever got your name.’ You said. ‘Hobie. Hobie brown and may I get to know the name of the amazing artist behind this.’ Hobie gestured to the spray painting. ‘Y/n l/n.’ You replied. ‘Well y/n, I think we’re going to get along quite well.’ And you did.

So when your untimely death happened, Hobie felt as though he were Achilles having lost his Patroclus. He cradled your body into his arms even long after you had said your final words, ‘keep fighting the good fight, my little anarchist.’ and much longer after it had already gone cold. You had told him that you were heading out to go spray paint with some people you’ve met and the worst soon came when despite knowing that you didn’t have to, you still went out of your way to act as a distraction so that the rest may escape; which resulted in the way that it did.He knew he should’ve gone with you that day because then maybe you would still be alive and taking the piss out of him for worrying about you but he didn’t, so you weren’t.

Ever since then Hobie had made it his goal to keep fighting for not only his chase but yours as well in your memory. He made you a memorial in the exact same place where you first met, always paying it a visit whenever he felt as though he needed you with him, which has lead him to start talking to your spray pairings as though they were actually you. There was without a shadow of a doubt that you were quite possibly one of the greatest artists to have ever lived, alongside with being an avid inspiration to many to the youths who felt as though they had no way of expressing themselves when feeling slighted by the society they were born in. Hell you even inspired him! So much so that there were a multitude of songs he would perform that depicted a individual with stardust in their eyes, a rebellious fire in their heart and a insatiably need to insight the themes of anarchy within anything they touched.

After your death Hobie kept a good portion of your things; such as your spray cans that would never get used, your clothes that still clung onto the very last essence of you much like he did and even kept the picture you took together after helping you finish a project you had been wanting to pursue for a long while; and who would’ve thought that it would be him, not as Spider-Man, just good old Hobie Brown with the message, ‘keep fighting the good fight, my little anarchist.’

So when he caught himself walking down a alleyway much like he did long ago but this time in a completely new place, he felt as though he was being hit with a wave of de ja vu when his ears picked up on the familiar hissing sound of a spray can. It was like he was back there again and if his memory serves him right, he knew what was to come next the moment he, Gwen and Miles made it into a clearing where they were greeted with the sight of someone’s back as they were deeply engrossed with their own handy work. ‘You’re going to love them Hobie, they’re like super cool and awesome.’ Gwen told him but her words went in one ear and out the next as he stared up at the spray painting of Miles as Spider-Man mid swing; it was beautiful without a doubt but they style in which it was drawn was all too familiar.

‘Whatcha gonna call that?’ Hobie had said without realising it until you jolted before turning to look directly at him, regaining your composure, ‘dunno yet.’ You shrugged and your voice sounded like an echo to the past for Hobie who so desperately wanted to pinch himself in that moment. ‘my working titles are either a bright new era or rising above all expectations.’ Hobie didn’t say anything for he knew he was going to say something that would only scare you away, just because you were another version of his y/n didn’t mean you shared the same memories; to you, he was just another spider-man from another reality, he wasn’t your Hobie despite how he wish he was but he knew he couldn’t put that on you.

He also couldn’t blame you for being alive while his version of you was dead. It wouldn’t be fair on you for being blamed for something that wasn’t your fault to begin with and it wouldn’t be fair on him either, as despite how many times he made himself believe that he has accepted your death, his heart would remind him that he truly hadn’t. You were such a pivotal part of his life that he couldn’t seem to let go of. ‘Hmm, both titles sound cool but I think we can do better.’ Miles pipped up, breaking Hobie out of his headspace that was running rampant with all the best memories you shared together. ‘How about…the bright new era of rising above all expectations?’ Hobie interjected.

You made a face at the suggestion before a wide smile spread across your face as you lost yourself in your excitement and grabbed ahold of his arm like you did when your first met, ‘that’s it! That’s what I should call it! You’re a genius dude, thank you.’ But before you could remove your hand from his arm, Hobie grasped your hand and held it firmly. ‘I don’t believe I told you my name, it’s Hobie by the way.’ Your excused his actions as an exchange of formal greeting and grasped onto his hand with the same about of force. ‘Nice to meet you Hobie, I’m y/n.’

‘I know’ is what Hobie desperately wanted to say but kept it all contained under a strained smile.

[dilemmaontwolegs]

It Started With A... || CarLandOscar

Summary: Whoever thought love was limited to one person was an idiot. Love had no limits and you knew that better than most when a rookie found himself carving out a third of your heart. Warnings: established relationships, fluff, angst, pining. WC: 7.5k

It started with a smile. It was stiff and polite and made you pity the rookie who was being introduced to everyone so fast he would surely forget their names. 

“It took me a few months, but you’ll figure out who is who,” you encouraged him as the welcome committee went back to work in the factory and Oscar looked for guidance on where he was meant to go next. 

“I hope so. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name,” he admitted sheepishly. “Are you in the PR team?”

You looked down at your black skirt and white blouse and thought you probably did look like someone from PR or legal. “Contrary to belief, I am actually what people would call a PR nightmare,” you said as you held your hand out. “Y/N Y/L/N, Lando’s girlfriend.”

“It's nice to meet you. I suppose I’ll see you around here a lot then.”

You smiled ruefully and shook your head. “I’m studying at Royal Holloway but we wanted to be here for your first day so we stopped by.”

You looked around for Lando and found him returning from the cafeteria with a takeaway coffee cup in his hand. “I wondered where you went,” you teased as you happily accepted the hot drink and the kiss he placed on your cheek. 

“Figured you needed this, love. I kept you up pretty late for a school night.” Lando nudged Oscar and winked. 

The Australian’s ears turned pink and you rolled your eyes at your boyfriend's humour. “He was steaming until some ridiculous hour this morning. You’ll probably find him crashed out on a couch somewhere this afternoon while I will be struggling through lab tech.”

“You’re the smartest person I know, I don’t think you even need to go to class.” Lando tipped your chin back, giving you a deep kiss without care that his new teammate was watching the interaction. “We should go, love, don’t want to make you late again. You want to come for a ride too?”

“Shouldn’t I go inside?” Oscar asked as he looked to the double doors that led into the employee only section.

“They want us to do a few icebreaker promo vids to get to know each other so you’ll just be waiting around for me to get back anyway.”

“You should probably get used to that, he likes to keep people waiting,” you joked. 

“When have I ever kept you waiting?”

“I’m still waiting for a win.”

Lando chuckled and playfully swatted your ass. “I’m working on that. Hard.”

You cupped his cheek and ran the pad of your thumb over his pouting bottom lip. “I know you are, baby, and it’s gonna come.”

Oscar cleared his throat and jutted a thumb over his shoulder. “I can just go wait inside.”

“Nah, come on,” Lando said as he grabbed his keys from his pockets. “You should see where her classes are in case there's an emergency.”

You frowned in confusion. “An emergency?”

“Yeah, like if I’m running late.” Lando draped an arm over your shoulder and led the way to the handful of reserved parking spots near the front door. “It’s only 15 minutes down the road.”

Lando opened the passenger door to his Range Rover and you glanced at Oscar who just smiled and opened the back door. “I’m okay back here,” he said as he climbed in. You settled into your usual seat but adjusted it to give Oscar’s longer legs some extra room. 

The drive took a little longer with the tail end of rush hour traffic but it seemed to pass quickly with Lando and Oscar making small talk. You could almost feel Lando’s excitement vibrating off him when he spoke about the upcoming season while Oscar was far more reserved. You quickly understood that he was merely the quiet type, not that he wasn’t excited. 

“You should come over for dinner,” Lando said, one hand resting on your thigh while the other steered. “I’m heading back to Monaco this afternoon but I’ll be back for the weekend.”

He squeezed your leg when he caught your eyes dropping down at the reminder. “It’s only a few days, love.”

“I know, doesn’t stop me from missing you.”

Oscar tried to turn his attention to the scenery out the window, feeling intrusive in the intimate moment, but Lando caught his eyes as they glanced over you. “Oscar could keep you company. Maybe you could show him around Surrey?”

Oscar’s eyes widened as if he had been caught red handed and his cheeks flamed again. “I, uh, sure, I mean, you’re probably busy studying though.”

“I can make time. I actually get through it a lot quicker without this distraction in the house. Who would have thought?”

Lando gasped, “Me, a distraction?”

“Mhmm, you always need attention, baby. But that’s okay, I still love you.”

“Good to know.” Lando dropped a lopsided grin and winked before pulling up to the front of the Science Block. “I love you too, and don’t forget Carlos is picking you up this afternoon.” 

You leaned across the gearbox and kissed Lando farewell before turning to Oscar. “It was really lovely to meet you.”

“You too. Should I get your phone number?”

“Asking for my girlfriend’s number in front of me,” Lando scoffed. “Mate, that’s fucking rude.”

You slapped Lando’s arm and he burst out laughing. “You should have seen your face. Classic.”

You smiled apologetically to the Aussie. “I’ll put it in your phone,” you offered as you held out your hand for the device. You quickly entered the number and hit the green icon until your phone rang in your pocket before taking a selfie and adding it to the contact. “There, now you’ll remember who the name belongs to.”

“Thanks,” he chuckled, taking the phone back. “I would’ve just put ‘Lando’s Missus’.”

“I like that, you can still update it,” Lando chuckled. “It’s a good title.”

“One I’m still waiting for,” you said as you waved your empty ring finger. The movement drew your attention to the watch on your wrist and you swore as you saw class was about to begin. “Bye, baby, have a safe flight.”

You bundled up your bag but when you reached for the door it was already opening and you gave Oscar a quick hug as you stepped out. “Bye, Osc.”

Half the students had disappeared into the halls and you speed walked up to the heritage building where you would spend the first half of your day.

Lando watched you walk away while Oscar took the front seat. “You’ve done something right,” he commented as he put the SUV in reverse, “it took me two weeks to get a nickname.”

A dark blue Ferrari was surrounded by dozens of students when you left your last class and you cradled your textbooks tighter, prepared to bustle your way in. Carlos had been keeping an eye out and was quick to spot you leaving the building. He moved assertively through the crowd and met you at the edge of the circle so he could use his body to shield you. 

“Nice and inconspicuous,” you teased him when you were safely deposited into the passenger seat.

“Sorry, hermosa, the flight was delayed. I didn’t have time to go home and switch cars.” He drove slowly as the last of the fans moved aside and tried to peer through the tinted glass. “How was school?”

“I didn’t fall asleep, so there’s that,” you said with a yawn and felt Carlos’ hand close around yours as you closed your eyes. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” Carlos lifted your hand to his lips and kissed your knuckles before resting them on his lap. “Lando said you made a new friend.”

You smiled and opened your eyes to see Carlos glancing across the car as he sped along the highway home. “You two are the worst gossips. Oscar’s nice. I think they will get along well as teammates.”

“Better than me?”

“No one could beat you and Lando as teammates, baby, that was pure magic.” You rubbed soothingly along his thigh to reassure him. “I don’t know if he will get more vocal as he gets comfortable but I get the feeling Oscar is just a quiet person. He’s very different from Lando, and you and Daniel, which could be a good thing.”

Carlos chuckled to himself. “It sounds like you have spent a lot of time thinking about him.”

“There may have been moments,” you admitted. “But there was someone I thought about a lot more.”

A wicked grin grew and Carlos’s hand drew yours higher up his leg as he turned onto the narrow lane that led to the private property Lando had bought. Set halfway between the McLaren factory and your university, it was the idyllic spot to live and Carlos could fly in from the Ferrari HQ in Maranello whenever he had free time, or, when Lando didn’t want to leave you on your own. 

“And who exactly did you think about?” Carlos asked as the front gates opened. “Was he handsome?”

“Very, very handsome, with dark hair and a sexy accent. And he’s so fucking fit, I could break my teeth on his abs,” you hummed happily as the car pulled into one of the few spaces left in the large garage. “I could go on and on about him. Charles is just-”

“Cha-“ Carlos’ foot fell heavy on the brake and the car jutted to a sharp stop. “Charles!”

Your giggle filled the empty car as Carlos ran around the front and opened your door. The world tipped over as he grabbed you out of the seat and tossed you over his shoulder, swatting your ass as he marched you into the house. 

“I’m sorry, I was joking,” you spluttered between laughing and gasping as he spanked you again. “I was thinking about you, doing something surprisingly similar to this actually, just less clothes.”

The world spun again as he tossed you on the bed and caged you beneath his body, his bottom lip pushed out in a pout. “You hurt my feelings, mi amor.”

You wrapped your legs around his waist and combed a hand through his thick dark hair that had grown in the week he had been gone. “Then let me make it better.”  

It started with a text, asking if you had any recommendations for the local takeaways. It was Oscar’s cheat day and you were feeling like you could use a little pick me up of greasy food so you offered to show him your favourite spot. Carlos had been called away a day earlier than planned so you had the whole house to yourself and its grand size always seemed scary on your own. 

The buzzer from the gates sounded and you hit the remote button to open it after, swearing as you realised you lost track of time. Open textbooks covered the kitchen table and highlighters were strewn amongst them as you tried to colour code the notes you had made on post-its. It was a mess, but it was too late to clean up as Oscar knocked on the front door.

“I promise I didn’t forget you were coming, I just thought I had time to finish my homework first,” you said as you opened the door and waved him in. You looked down at the grey sweatpants that came from Carlos’ drawer and the hoodie that came from Lando’s, not quite what you had planned to wear into town. “Obviously, I thought wrong. Make yourself comfortable, I’ll just get changed real quick.”

“You don’t have to get dressed up,” he said as he took his shoes off and closed the door behind him. “I’d rather you be comfortable.”

You smiled at the sincerity and gave him a quick hug, inhaling the musky cologne that clung to his shirt. “You’re sweet, Osc, but you’re a rookie and it shows.”

He frowned as you pulled away and started to head to the stairs for the second floor where the bedrooms were. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

You paused at the bottom step and looked over your shoulder. “You’ll see in an hour.”

The chicken shop had been almost empty when you entered before the dinner rush but there was a crowd growing outside. You were used to having cameras pointed your way after publicly dating Lando for over two years, but Oscar had only shot to fame in the last month when his infamous tweet aired on Drive to Survive. He hadn’t been known outside of the smaller F2 circle but now he was a household name. 

“I see what you mean,” he said as he did his best to ignore the people knocking on the glass. 

“You get used to it, eventually.” You popped a hot chip in your mouth and chewed it while you watched him, a small frown tugging his brows together. “The trick is deciding early on what your position is.”

“What position?”

“With the fans, the paparazzi, all of it.” You glanced at the window and waved. “When we started dating, Lando tried to protect me from them and hide our relationship but they were like sharks after blood. We found we had more privacy if we acknowledged them, then they just moved on.”

You didn’t try hiding with Carlos so no one ever dug too deep into it. Everyone just assumed you were close friends given how close Lando and him were too. It was easier for everyone to believe you were just friends.

Oscar turned to the glass window and forced a smile before waving to the children. Cameras flashed as the fans got the face shots they wanted and then they dispersed back about their day, with the exception of a few stragglers. “Huh. Are you sure you’re not in PR?”

“I’m sure,” you said with a smirk. You weren’t joking when you said you were a PR nightmare - if the world found out about the unorthodox relationship between you, Lando and Carlos it would be. “I have just been through it all before so I can be your personal guide.”

“Thank you.”

You pushed the leftover plate of fries his way knowing he was probably like every other driver who had the ability to consume three times their weight in carbs on a cheat day. “You can thank me with another dinner date, it beats going cross-eyed studying.”

“I’m not sure your boyfriend would appreciate that,” he said as he dragged the plate of fries closer and finished the last of them.

“Lando appreciated what makes me happy, and he’s secure enough to trust what we have isn’t going anywhere.” 

The idea was foreign to him and you could see the doubt he had about it, but he settled instead for a polite, “That must be nice.”

“Your PR team is going to love you,” you chuckled as you grabbed your wallet to pay. “A driver who actually keeps his thoughts to himself, that’s a rarity.”

Oscar’s long legs quickly overtook you and he had some cash out ready. “I invited you,” he said with a stern look that caught you by surprise. “I’m paying.”

Raising your hands in defeat, you smirked and slipped your wallet back into your handbag. “Yes, sir.”

You watched his eyes linger on your lips before he shook his head of the wayward thought and led the way out of the store. “So what do you usually do when Lando is in Monaco?”

“Carlos usually comes and keeps me company, or I just study. Not exactly the epitome of excitement but it’s my last year and then I’ll go to Monaco too.”

Oscar quietly accepted the knowledge without questioning it, though you could see them swirling in his eyes. He wanted to know about Carlos but he was too polite to ask, or maybe he knew it wasn’t something you could answer. “Well, you have my number so if you get sick of studying you can always call me.”

"You can call me too, Osc.”

Term break arrived with as much turbulence as the plane you took to Austria. On one hand you were excited to be able to travel to a few races but on the other you nervously awaited two assessment results and continuously checked your phone for updates until Carlos locked it in the hotel safe. “You can get it back when you promise to relax.” 

“I won’t relax until I know what I got,” you argued but between him and Lando they distracted you well enough, for a while at least.

“We need to get going,” Lando reluctantly said as he climbed out of bed and tried to restore some control over his mussed hair. “You can have your phone back, but just so we can contact you, not so that you can worry about your damn exams.”

Carlos laughed as he unlocked the safe that also had your passports and valuables stored. “I’m sure she will listen to you,” he said as he handed the phone over and saw the unread text messages from Oscar light up the screen. “Though maybe she won’t have time to check her emails now.”

The two managed to shower in a matter of seconds before they reappeared and sorted through the pile of clothes on the floor, tossing red one way and papaya the other. 

“Is Oscar on his way?” Lando asked when he was dressed and ready to go to the track. 

“He’s already there,” you replied, barely looking up from the messages that were coming in rapidfire succession except to kiss Lando goodbye. “And he said you’re going to be late again if you don’t hurry up.”

“I was on time yesterday,” Lando grumbled, pulling his shoes on as he hopped to the door. “I just looked late because I was the last to arrive.”

“Better than coming too soon,” Carlos joked as he leant down to give you a kiss too. “See you later, mi amor.”

You arrived at the track just before the driver’s parade began, when everyone was too busy making their way to the grandstands so the paddock was much easier to navigate. The results had been posted and a smile had been plastered on your face since seeing the grade, but you wanted to tell Lando and Carlos in person. 

“Hey, you’re actually here.” The aussie twang greeted your ears before you turned and found Oscar opening his door opposite Lando’s. “I was starting to believe you were a figment of my imagination.”

Oscar opened his arms and you stepped into the hug you were pretty sure you had trained him into expecting every time you met. He was already in his fireproof skins and they hugged every inch of his torso so you could feel the muscle that lay beneath. 

“I got in last night,” you said as you brushed a hand through his soft hair and giggled when it flopped back over his forehead. “How has your week been?”

“I’m pretty sure you know almost everything that’s happened.” Referring to the hundreds of texts that were religiously exchanged. 

“It’s not the same without seeing your face, I can’t tell if you’re lying or not.”

He tucked your head back into his collar and held you a little tighter. “I wouldn’t lie to you.”

“You would if you thought it was protecting me.”

He didn’t have a response for that, at least not before Lando’s door opened and he leaned against the panel with an amused look on his face. 

“Are we celebrating or commiserating, love?”

You had completely forgotten why you had come to the building and a bright smile lit up your face as you bounced on the balls of your feet. “A+, baby.”

“Knew you could do it!” Lando wrapped his arms around you and, incidentally, Oscar too. “Fuck the diet, we are going out tonight.”

You looked up at Oscar. “You’ll come too right?”

“Of course he’s coming,” Lando answered with a wink. “Gotta thank the guy that looks after my girl when I’m away. She would never get her nose out of a book if you didn’t take her out.”

You had quickly learned that it didn’t take much to make Oscar blush and Lando loved to make it happen. 

“It’s no problem,” Oscar murmured as he scratched his heated neck. 

Oscar understood more than anyone why there were always rumours about Carlos. Every time pictures were snapped of you and the Spaniard, or all three of you, the gossip began anew. After spending quite a bit of time with you over the last six months he had his own fair share of rumours but he knew nothing had happened with you. It was hard not to gravitate closer to you or to hug you at any given chance - there was a magnetism he couldn’t explain and he didn’t want to fight it. 

“You saved me from total starvation on numerous occasions,” you praised, rising on your toes to kiss his pink cheek. “My hero.”

Oscar’s face grew another shade deeper and he tried to change his racing thoughts to something other than the feel of your lips. It was impossible, he was too far gone and was helpless to his own feelings that wanted more than you could offer. He couldn’t even look at Lando after the betrayal he had just imagined doing. That was his teammate and you were his boyfriend.

“I’m going to head to the garage,” he choked as he took a step back and grabbed his balaclava from his room. He could feel your eyes in him as he left and when he reached the end of the corridor he turned with a frown as he realised he had missed something. “Congratulations on the grade, you deserve it after the effort you put in.”

Those eyes he had come to love in the last six months softened and you smiled. “Thank you, Osc. Good luck out there.”

It started with a kiss. While Lando and Carlos were celebrating the points they had earned, you were keeping Oscar’s glass full as he stewed in his mind over what he could have done better. You could almost see the calculations running through his head as he swirled the amber liquid in his glass and it was like he couldn’t even hear the music in the nightclub. 

“If you don’t drink that I will, and you don’t want to see what happens to me when I have whisky,” you warned him. 

He looked at the glass and sighed, putting it down. “I think I should just call it a night. You should go have fun with them.” You followed his sight to Carlos and Lando jumping with the crowd, Lando’s mouth moving with the words and Carlos’ arm draped over his shoulder.

“They can keep each other company, I want to be here with you.” You took his glass and lifted it to your lips. “Last warning…” The liquor burned down your throat and you rushed to take a gulp of your fruity cocktail to wash away the taste before a shiver rolled down your spine. “Oh god, how can you drink that?”

You poured another glass from the bottle on the table and held it out until he took it with a small laugh. “It’s meant to be sipped, not shot,” he clarified before drinking a small amount.

The whisky hit your stomach and you felt warmth spread across your skin. The bar menu suddenly became a necessity and you fanned your face with the cardboard as the flush reached your hairline. “We should dance.”

“I, I’m not a good dancer,” he said, looking concerned at the idea.

“No one is good at dancing,” you pointed out, the crowd basically just jumping to the beat or moving side to side. “Just follow my lead.”

He accepted your hand and you grinned triumphantly as you towed him to the dancefloor before turning and stepping closer to his body. Your hands came to rest on his chest and you swayed your hips to the beat before realising he really did need to be led because his hands were still limp at his sides. 

“You can touch me,” you teased as you grabbed his hands and put them on your hips. “Just relax and feel the rhythm.”

Oscar’s fingers flexed when he felt you start moving again, your body brushing against his, and he released a shuddering breath when you turned in his arms and tipped your head back on his shoulder to look up at him. 

“You okay?” you asked as you watched his blue eyes darken in the laser lights.

“You’re beautiful.”

You turned to face him with one of those smiles of pure joy that always made his day better and he forgot about his poor race result. He could hardly breathe when your hands roamed his body, climbing the thick column of his neck to rest on his racing pulse. He was pretty sure he was going to pass out when you rose on your tiptoes, eyes closed and lips pursed to give him one of those sweet kisses on his cheek.

Someone knocked into him and he turned to growl a warning but then your lips were there, pressed to his lips and he lost the words. Time slowed to the space between one heartbeat and the next as he savoured the sweet taste of your drink, unable to stop himself from taking a little more. 

You had kissed his cheek enough times to memorise the feel of them and knew it was not what you were kissing. A soft gasp slipped past when his tongue parted your lips and your fingers found themselves tangled in his hair, tugging him closer as your body yearned for more.

“Uh-oh, someone’s had a bit of frisky whisky,” Lando purred in your ear.

Oscar startled back and wiped his lips that were the same shade as your lipstick. “Fuck, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, it was an accident. Someone pushed me,” he stammered as he looked around but had no idea who had barged into him when there were hundreds of people in the club.

“Relax, mate,” Lando said with a laugh, clapping him on the shoulder. You cozied into Lando’s arm and tried to process what had happened while your lips tingled from the kiss and your heart fluttered. “It’s the whisky.”

You wanted to tell him the whisky hadn’t kicked in yet but kept quiet as Oscar exhaled in relief. Hiding your face in the crook of Lando’s neck, you screwed your eyes shut and pushed away the image that told you he had regretted the kiss. The knowledge settled in your gut that twisted and turned and you gripped Lando’s shirt harder at the rejection. 

“Can we go?” you begged quietly. “Please?” 

Lando kissed your forehead and nodded. “Okay, love, let me just tell Carlos.”

Your hands were left empty as Lando darted back into the melee to find Carlos who would probably stay until the club shut down. For the first time since meeting him you felt awkward in Oscar’s presence knowing you had made him uncomfortable. You didn’t know what to say and it was clear he didn’t either as he buried his hands in the pockets of his jeans. 

“I’m sorry,” you mouthed as you took a step away, hoping the crowd would swallow you whole.

When you woke the next morning for a moment you could pretend it was some strange dream, or nightmare, until Lando blinked his sleep eyes open and pulled you into his arms. “Good morning, beautiful.” The timbre of his voice when he was just waking could always bring a smile to your face but your lips merely wobbled and he sat up concerned. “What’s wrong?”

“I fucked up, with Oscar.”

“Baby, it was just a kiss and you were both drunk, I’m sure he’s probably already forgotten about it.”

The thought that he could forget something that to you was so profound only compounded the ache in your chest. You didn’t want him to forget, you didn’t want him to regret, and you voiced as much to Lando as you cried in his arms.

“Sweetheart,” Lando murmured softly as he wiped away your tears. “I think this is a conversation we should have with Carlos.”

“It doesn’t matter,” you grumbled, tearing yourself from his embrace. “It wouldn’t work out anyway.”

Lando got up and followed you to the bathroom as you turned the shower onto the hottest setting. “Why wouldn’t it work?”

“You and Carlos are best friends, and while you are always close to your teammates I know he doesn’t have the same interest in Oscar.” You stepped under the cascade and welcomed the burning heat that rained down. “I don’t want to lose what we have by wanting more.”

You didn’t hear Lando leave as the steam fogged up the glass and you let your head fall against the cold tile wall. He left you to your thoughts and gave you the space needed to reconcile your feelings to the past.

It started with a phone call. The urge had woken you from a deep sleep and you couldn’t shake the need to reach for your phone and dial the number you knew by heart. It had been a good weekend for the McLaren team with double podiums both in the Sprint and Grand Prix. The two third place caps were hung on the post of the bed as testament to the productive weekend but Lando had gone to bed deflated. 

Oscar had won his maiden race before him. A rookie had done what he had waited years for, what he still waited for. 

“Hello?”

You had assumed the call would go to voicemail after ringing for so long so you weren’t prepared to hear Oscar’s sleepy voice in your ear.

“Hey, sorry to wake you.”

“It’s okay, is everything alright?”

You swallowed and shook your head before remembering he couldn’t see. “I just wanted to say congratulations, I thought you would still be out celebrating.”

“There’s no one to go celebrating with,” he said so quietly you wondered if it was even meant to be said out loud. 

“I’m sorry.” You weren’t sure what for exactly but you felt the need to say it anyway. It was about the only thing you had said to him in weeks. “I should let you get back to sleep.”

“It’s, uh, it’s good to hear your voice,” he admitted and you a little bit of the weight on your shoulders eased as you realised whatever you had wasn’t completely ruined.

“You too, Osc. Good night.”

“Night.”

It was naive to think that one phone call could repair the divide that had chasmed between you because when you returned home for your last semester you still felt his absence everywhere. There were no daily text messages, or invitations to dinner, no sudden appearances as you left class. He was a memory that haunted you and it was always worse when both Lando and Carlos were away.

Four Months Later

It started with a bouquet. The small card was almost lost in the overflowing explosion of blossoms that left a sweet scent in the air but when you flipped it over your heart skipped a beat. Congratulations, OP x 

You were still smiling just as brightly an hour later when you arrived at the graduation ceremony to receive your Honours degree. You had kept the bouquet with you and inhaled the fresh scent as you waited for your name to be called. A loud cheer erupted from the rows where Lando, Carlos, your friends and family sat but it was the lonely cheer at the back of the hall that caught your attention. 

Unfortunately it may have been a hopeful hallucination as you didn’t see him again after that or at the celebration Lando threw for you at home.

“Pack your bags, baby, it’s time for Monaco!” Lando engulfed you in a hug and spun you around so your ceremonial robes billowed out and you clutched your cap to keep it from flying off. “I’m so selfish, I can’t wait to wake up to you every fucking day.”

Another set of arms tugged you away and you fell into Carlos’ embrace. “I’m so proud of you, hermosa.”

You were practically a marionette the way you were passed from one person to the next until finally the bottles of champagne ran dry and the party came to an end. You collapsed onto your bed with a giddy laugh that the long journey was finally over and you toed your heels off, letting them fall to the floor. 

“You can’t sleep in your dress, amor,” Carlos chuckled as he walked into the room with Lando after locking the house up. 

“Then you will have to undress me,” you teased with a beckoning finger that faltered when you saw Lando had the bouquet in a vase that he had found downstairs and he placed it on the bedside drawers beside your phone. “I saw him.”

“I know,” Lando said as he straightened the card among the roses. “I invited him.”

“Thank you.”

The next bouquet was one that you sent to him on his birthday. He barely kept the flowers alive for a week but he did keep the card that was attached. The two little xx’s you signed off with were almost faded from how often he traced his thumb over them before slipping it back into his wallet. He was no longer a rookie but he found this season harder to bear without your companionship and he wished he could somehow fix what he broke.

The problem was that he couldn’t settle for just your friendship anymore so he had to keep his distance instead. He had tasted your lips and nothing less could sate the addiction that had festered in the absence of another hit.

Miami was torturous for Oscar. The car was running great and his qualifying was great, but after five rounds of racing he was still stunned every time he watched you enter the paddock. At least in China the weather was horrible so you were bundled up in Lando’s hoodie but Miami, Miami was hot. Monaco had been influential in your fashion and the dress you wore was worthy of the runways in Paris. 

Stacks of passes hung around your neck and fell into your cleavage as you entered the grid and joined Lando where he was talking to Carlos. Oscar watched with envy as you hugged them both and kissed their cheek with well wishes for the race while he failed to hear what his race engineer was explaining. He was distracted by the fact you had seen him, and smiled. It was small and shy, but it was a smile nonetheless and one of his own growing as you waved your fingers and disappeared back into the garage.

One hundred and ten races he kept you waiting, but finally Lando won his maiden race and there was nothing that could bring him down. He had not stopped smiling, or dancing, or talking since winning and he wasn’t even sure if any of it made sense. The hours were a whirlwind of alcohol and noise until it all turned black and Carlos had to help you get him into bed.

Lando was fast asleep with his mouth open and snoring, which heavily down to the copious amounts of alcohol he had consumed at the after party. He didn’t even stir as you slipped out of the bed and left the room to answer the call that lit up your phone. 

“Hey.” You kept your voice low even though you knew nothing short of a fire alarm would wake your boyfriend.

“Hey.” You could hear the smile in that word and your own lips curled up in response. “I’m sorry if I woke you, I just needed to hear your voice.”

You navigated your way through the dark hotel suite to the balcony and opened the door just wide enough to fit through before closing it. The humidity was instant and the satin nightgown clung to your warm skin as you hung up the phone. “You didn’t wake me.”

Oscar was so close you could almost touch him, but the balcony one room over was just too far away. He even looked down the gap to see the fifteen storey high plunge and you could see his brows burrow together like he was calculating his chances of making the leap across. 

“Don’t you dare,” you warned him. “I didn’t come out here to see you fall to your death.”

His knuckles turned white as he gripped the railing and he sighed in defeat. A smirk soon tugged at his lips and he brushed his hair back over his ear as he eyed the sheer slip you wore. “But you did come out here to see me.”

You crossed your arms over your chest, aware of how thin the material was and all it bared. “I wanted to check how you were.”

Oscar’s lips pursed at the reminder of his poor race result. 

“Could have done without your boyfriend’s boyfriend crashing into me.”

He didn’t know how close to the truth he was with that statement and you wondered if he knew about the relationship that Lando and Carlos had or if he was just playing on an old fan rumour. You wondered how shocked he would be if he knew that Carlos was passed out on the other side of Lando right now. 

“It is a part of racing,” you reminded him. “There’s always a risk battling it out.”

Oscar dropped his head with a little laugh. “It’s a good thing I didn’t call you for sympathy or I would be disappointed.”

“Why did you call me?” 

You knew why.

“I told you, I wanted to hear your voice.”

“Osc,” you sighed, your hands falling to your side, and he lifted his head to look at you, his blue eyes so similar to his teammates.

“I’m not an idiot,” he said as he let go of the rail he leaned on and rose to his full height. “I know you love him.”

“I do,” you confirmed with a small nod, unable to look in his direction as you turned your focus to the view of the ocean instead. 

You didn’t hear him move until his feet landed quietly on the concrete behind you and you spun around to face him. A small shocked gasp escaped your lips when his palm glided over the satin at your waist and pulled you closer to his body. Your hands found their own space on his chest and he froze as he waited for you to push him away, but your fingers curled into the white shirt he wore.

“I know you love him,” he whispered, his lips brushing the shell of your ear. “But I think you might love me too.”

“You have ignored me for months.” It wasn’t a denial and he caught the admission of those missing words.

“I can never ignore you, and now I know I can’t even keep my distance from you.” He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against yours as his large hands cradled your face. “I need you, Y/N.”

“You don’t know what you are asking for,” you whispered as you fought the urge to tell him just how much you needed him too. 

“I’m asking for a chance to show you how perfect we are for each other.” He pulled back to see tears shimmering in your eyes and he sighed. “I shouldn’t have called. I didn’t think. I’m sorry.”

“Wait-”

“No, you don‘t have to say anything. I shouldn’t have put you in that position. I don't want you to cheat on Lando.” He kept backing away but you followed with each step until his back was pressed to the railing. 

“Lando isn’t the problem,” you promised as you reached for his face and cradled his sharp jawline. “Remember when I said I was a PR nightmare?”

Oscar nodded as his brows furrowed together. 

“I’m trusting you with a secret no one else knows.” His confusion grew as you took his hand and led him inside the suite. You pressed a finger to your lips as you reached the bedroom door and nudged it wider so he could see what was inside. In the dim light it was hard to make out what he was looking at but then everything came into focus like the Ferrari shirt on the floor and the CS55 cap on the nightstand. 

Oscar’s jaw slackened as he recognised the two bodies spread across the sheets and he eyed the empty space that you had filled. A thousand questions muddled in his head and he swallowed them down until you had closed the door again. His hand slipped out of yours as you walked back to the balcony and you wondered if that was the last time you would ever hold it.

“No one can know, please,” you whispered as you hugged yourself and stared at the moonlight on the waves. 

“Help me to understand what I just saw. Are the rumours true then?”

You laughed and turned to face him, crossing your legs and you leant against the rail. “They're not wrong,” you admitted with an evasive shrug. “They love each other and have a relationship, but it’s not the same relationship that I have with them.”

“You’re not exactly helping me to understand this,” he muttered, dragging a hand down his face as he sat heavily on the outdoor settee. 

You had never needed to explain it before, the addition of Carlos to yours and Lando’s relationship had naturally fallen into place and been accepted without having to understand why you all felt the way you did or how it was going to work. But now you were going to try.

“I met Lando first and what we had was instant, he was funny and sweet and kind. Then he introduced me to Carlos who was so charismatic it was impossible not to love him too. It didn’t mean I loved Lando any less so he supported me having a relationship with Carlos too.” 

“Okay.” He nodded like it made some sense and it gave you a slither of hope. “But what about them?”

You watched Oscar’s eyes linger on the skin bared by the satin and they darkened when you uncrossed your legs to step closer. He sat up straighter as you approached and his legs opened for you to step between and he did nothing to stop you when you took a seat on his lap. 

“You want to know if it's a package deal?” you teased, toying with the strands of his dirty blonde hair. “You want to know if you can have me, but at what price?”

His throat bounced with a deep swallow and his tongue wet his dry lips before he could speak again. “Is it?”

You thought about teasing him more but you settled for the truth. “No, like I said, they don’t have that sort of relationship. Yes, we may sleep in the same bed more often than not and on occasion they share me, but that is as far as they go. That is where the rumours are wrong.”

“Share you as in…”

“Threesome, Oscar,” you confirmed with a laugh as his cheeks turned pink. Seeing that colour again reminded you of the kiss and you shifted on his lap to straddle his hips. “I can’t stop thinking about you. It feels like a part of me has been missing for months.”

His hands slid up your back and pulled you closer. “I know what you mean.” 

His lips were so close you could feel their warmth and they begged you to close the distance, but you couldn’t just yet. “I want you, Osc, and you’re right, I do love you.”

You could see the sadness in his eyes as he asked, “But?”

“But I don’t know how this works when you and Carlos are battling each other every week.”

“I know things sound heated on the radio but that is just on the track,” he promised, his thumbs drawing soothing circles over your spine. “I have no problem with Carlos, I swear.”

Carlos had said the same thing but you weren’t sure if they were just trying to placate you. Only time would tell.

“It’s not just my heart that will break if this doesn’t work,” you whispered as your eyes fluttered shut and you surrendered yourself to him.

“Then we will just have to make this work.”

[dixonsgirl93]

More to Grab, eh?

Simon x plus-size!fem!reader

~~

You were relaxing with some of the 141 team and your brother, John MacTavish in a bar one evening.

Gaz leans over the table, half-empty beer glass in his hands. “So wait. Why are you single?”

“Watch it, Gaz.” Johnny warned but you knew he wasn’t serious, mostly. You knew he trusted his teammates with his life but still, you were his little sister.

“What? I’m just asking.” He glanced back over at you, making your skin hot.

“Honestly?” He nodded. “I guess I’ve just stopped tryin’, maybe even avoiding dating ‘cause…I’ve gained weight recently.” You hug your tummy, almost to emphasise your insecurity about it.

Simon made a noise across the table. He was wearing his balaclava, though he lifted it to take a swig now and then. You stopped questioning Johnny and even wondering why he still wore it around his team. Albeit you were there and definitely not on the team but you doubted it was simply mistrust, more so a comfort. If no one could see his identity, he was safe.

You looked over at him but he was looking into his glass. “What’s funny?” You ask.

He shook his head. “Nothing.”

“Nah, c’mon, Lt.” Johnny asked, sitting up.

Simon looked up at everyone watching him.

“It wasn’t bad. It was just…” He locked eyes with Johnny and hesitated.

“What?” You prodded. You had to know now.

He took a breath and locked eyes with you before he spoke. “I was just thinking…a little extra weight is just more to grab.” Silence followed his words and you could have sworn he smirked under his mask. There was a light in his eyes that hadn’t been there a second ago.

Gaz wheezed out a laugh while Johnny just stared at his best friend incredulously.

“What the fuck was that?” He said, but without the conviction of anger he was trying to show.

You, meanwhile, were trying desperately to hide your blush behind your cocktail, fighting images of Simon’s hands all over you; images that had never been there before. The two of you never spoke much and you had no idea what he even looked like, yet…those words changed everything. You were sure he knew that too.

“Watch out, Johnny. Simon might steal your sister.” Gaz joked, the tail end of his laugh still twinkling in his eyes.

“Jesus. I need another drink.” Johnny stood and went to the bar. While he was up there, Gaz excused himself for a smoke and Price pulled out his phone.

Simon found the opportunity to slide into Johnny’s empty seat. He leaned in to you. “Don’t worry, love. I didn’t mean anything by it. You’re gorgeous so don’t worry about the extra weight. The right guy will love your curves.”

“Like you, apparently.” You teased, smirking at him.

He raised one eyebrow quickly, his eyes squinting slightly as if he was smiling.

“Johnny would kill me.” He murmured, looking over to the bar to see your brother frowning at the both of you sitting together. “See?”

“Nah, he wouldn’t. He trusts you. He’s great at reading people, although he jokes around and stuff a lot, people forget that.”

“I agree. He’s a great man. That’s why I could never corrupt his little sister.” He nudges you playfully in the arm but that touch and his words send electric waves through you.

“Corrupt? You think I’m innocent? Now that’s adorable.” It’s at about this point when you realise you’re flirting with the masked man. Who previously you’d had very little to do with. Maybe he found encouragement in breathing those first words aloud?

This time he laughed for real, a deep rumble in his throat. It was like music.

Johnny sat down in Simon’s old seat, placing 2 drinks down, sliding one over to you. “Thanks.”

“You two’d better not be flirtin’ over ‘ere.” He frowned, putting on his big brother show.

“Oh piss off, I’m a grown woman. I can do what I please.” You take a deep swig of your fresh drink, feeling your earlier embarrassment melt away.

“Oh? Musical chairs in here?” Gaz was back and immediately noticed the new seating arrangement. “Did I tell you or did I tell you?” He winked at Johnny who frowned in return.

~~

Should I continue?

[c4tgvtz]

How do you think the dorm heads [sorry, idk your character limit is] would react when it came time to send you to your own world? They can be dating or secretly pinning after you, whichever you pick. And thank you for reading =3

🕸 [I shall be web anon, love your writing]

➦Oh oh oh!! This'll be a fun one!! And thank you web anon!! I shall remember you >:))

I planned to write this one properly but it ended up too much for me, so you get a sorta hc list because fucking. Like 7 one shots in the one post is too much//

➳How the housewardens would react to MC going back to their world after pining for months

┍━━━━ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ━━━━┑

CW: None!

Characters: Riddle, Leona, Azul, Kalim, Vil, Idia, Malleus

Genre: Mild angst???

Note: Mmm this one’s a little sad

┕━━━━ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ━━━━┙

➳ 𝙍𝙄𝘿𝘿𝙇𝙀 𝙍𝙊𝙎𝙀𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙎

You were… going home?

Riddle would look at you, confused when you first told him. As far as he was concerned, Night Raven College was your home now… but it seemed you didn’t feel the same.

When you tell him, you would be able to see his whole body grow tense, and his eyebrows furrow slightly. He’d look away, trying to process what was just said to him. After taking a breath, he’d look back and put on a smile. “That’s wonderful (MC), I’m glad you’ve finally found a way to return home.”

You could tell that something was off though. Riddle had been… watching you for some time, and though you probably wouldn’t notice, he had found himself falling for you, and those feelings were starting to get more and more intense… he planned to finally ask you out at the weekend but… now?…

You were going to a whole different world, quite literally a universe where riddle didn’t exist, and that terrified the housewarden! But it pushed his courage back down. He couldn’t ask you out now.

The entire time he’s with you he’d be trying to draw out conversation, in a pitiful attempt to spend more time by your side. He’d make you tea, he’d offer to go out for the day to hang out for one last time but… well you were leaving tomorrow. And there was no time for frolicking about in the rose maze or just having a last wander around the campus.

You would be gone.

The emptiness that the thought gave riddle would be one that he was saddled with for likely the rest of his life… at least he’d never forget you…

He’d make sure to personally accompany you to the mirror that led you home, and right before you go through, he’d pull you close in his arms in a desperate, tight hug. All he can muster up to say is: “I’ll miss you (MC)… please… never forget us… never forget me….”

And like that… you were gone.

➳ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙎𝘾𝙃𝙊𝙇𝘼𝙍

Tch… good riddance.

When you tell Leona, he’d just spend a moment looking at you. He looks judgemental, as if finding you weird for leaving or something, but that’s just kinda his resting face.

Instead, he’s actually just trying to process what the fuck you just said to him. What, you were going back to ramshackle? Nah, you wouldn’t be this excited. So did you mean, back to where you came from… before NRC? The more he thought about it, the more he remembered. Oh yeah. That’s right…. You’re from a different world. Is that where you were going?

At first Leona didn’t really have much of a reaction, other than a shrug, but the more you started to talk about it, and the more excited you seemed… his tail started to flick behind him, a hint of a snarl pulled at his upper lip ever so slightly, and his little ears bent back.

It was a feeling he had felt before, yet when he felt it with you it made his blood boil. Jealousy. Jealousy for anyone who would try and take you from him in this other world.

…okay yeah. He had sort of developed a bit of a thing for you, it was no big deal. Or at least, it wasn’t until now. His heart genuinely ached in a way that he had never felt before, and for the first time, Leona Kingschollar felt… vulnerable but of course he couldn’t show that, so he simply shrugged it off.

“It’ll be good to see the back of ya.” He scoffed, rolling his eyes, though it… felt wrong to say. But he couldn’t muster up the confidence for any sort of apology or retraction of his statement. And seeing the way your face fell a little made him want to tear you apart for taking what he said seriously. But there was no telling with Leona.

He made no attempt to force you to stay, but… in his mind, it was all he could think about. He hated sappy romance and all that bullshit, but there was a part of him that didn’t want you to be his partner, but his mate. And that’s how he knew that he liked you. It wasn’t superficial, it was instinctual and raw…

…he actually wanted you.

There would be a ceremony held for you leaving, and the entire time you’d be able to see and feel those harsh green eyes staring at you from the back of the crowd. It would make you uneasy the whole time, but you’d get on with it anyway.

When you get through, you’d realise that your bag felt heavier than it did when you left, and in it, when you open it, you’d find a glass bottle of sand with a letter attached.

It was from Leona…

The letter would talk about how he couldn’t bring himself to actually say goodbye and that he’ll miss you….. Ruggie wrote it for him after listening to him rant…

At least he does actually care…

➳ 𝘼𝙕𝙐𝙇 𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙀𝙉𝙂𝙍𝙊𝙏𝙏𝙊

You… you can’t leave!

Upon hearing the news, Azul would visibly panic, and immediately start trying to convince you out of it before… realising that his own emotions were slipping through. He’d correct himself, fixing his jacket and clearing his throat. “…Apologies.” Hed hum solemnly. “I wish you the best.” His voice was weirdly empty.

It would be easy to tell that he’s upset. When Azul’s in love, he has very little control over what his mind does, and that’s why he gets so distressed by it, it throws a massive wrench in the gears of his mind and messes with everything, but… he couldn’t just stop it.

Standing with you, alone in the Octavinelle lounge, you’d see him look away as he tries to discern his feelings, figuring out what he should show and what he shouldn’t, but it was too late. You had already seen how he freaked out at just the notion of you leaving, so you put your hand on his shoulder as an attempt to comfort him, and at first he flinches, not expecting the contact, but quickly relaxes and just looks at you.

There’s no way he could tell you. Not now. Not ever… it was his secret and it’ll remain that way. Or at least, he thought so. He seemed to have absolutely no idea that it was incredibly obvious he was head over heels for you. Everyone could see it. You could see it. But no one had the heart to tell Azul that his massive crush on the prefect was painfully clear.

Feeling bad for him, you’d take up his offer to spend the day with him, in which he tries his best to “subtly” convince you to stay. Usually, Azul was a master of persuasion, and just being suave in general. But now that desperation was starting to seep into the housewarden’s actions, he didn’t seem as good at it as he should be. Even he was noticing…

In spending the day with him, he’d give you a proper tour of Octavinelle (as if you don’t already know it inside out), play a few games of chess, and have a meal together at the lounge before the night began to roll in. He was running out of time to convince you, but was also… slowly coming to terms with the fact that he wouldn’t see you again. It stung, yeah… but things change, and after his overblot, he was starting to accept that more.

His goodbye would be where he breaks, hugging you to see you off, but you’d find that he wouldn’t let go, and after just a moment… he began to cry. “Please… I need to… I…” his words would barely be choked out behind his sobs, before he peels himself back and with his whole body trembling, he’d confess. “I need to tell you… that.. t-that… I… I love you, (MC)…”

Putting a hand up to cup his cheek, you smile, and he looks back at you, terrified, so scared that you’ll make fun of him or berate him for feeling such a way, but rather, you lean in and gently kiss him on the forehead. He stops crying and just. Stares at you as you tell him you love him too, and then leave… for the last time…

His love was returned, yet his lover would never return themselves… so that was it huh?…

➳ 𝙆𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙈 𝘼𝙇-𝘼𝙎𝙄𝙈

T-take me with you!!

Out of everyone, Kalim would be the most emotionally distraught of them all. When you first tell him, he’d gasp and take your hands in his own, practically jumping off the ground. “You’re going home!?” He would sound more excited than you actually were to return. “That’s great (MC)!! You’ve been trying for so long I’m so glad you can finally see all your family and friends again!” For most people, talk like that would appear insincere or sarcastic, but Kalim was just very vocal with his thoughts.

He’d spend the day with you, asking about what your home was like and learning about you with a bright smile the whole time. Though the whole time, something would feel… off, as if he was missing something, but you had explained that you were returning to your own world, so… maybe he was just happy for you?

“I can’t wait to come with you some time!! You need to come back and visit!” He’d chirp while eating lunch with you. And that’s when it hit you. He didn’t realise it was a one-way, one-off trip… it would take a lot to tell him, but after a moment of silence, you’d pipe up and manage to say.

You’d watch as his face slowly falls as you speak, to confusion. “What?” It sounded so genuine, like he didn’t understand why you couldn’t return. “But… is… is it not like a mirror?… like all the other portals?…” his loud, piercing voice began to grow quiet as his expression melted from confusion to sadness. You shake your head.

He seriously takes a moment after that, and it seems like this is the most he’d ever thought about anything between the whole duration of your stay here. And the entire time he was just silent. It even attracted a few gazes from others in the cafeteria.

“So I… won’t see you again?” His voice was empty and shaky, and it seemed like a light had left his eyes as he looked back up to you, his food now completely forgotten. You shake your head again, and as if that were a cue, Kalim’s eyes began to tear up and his bottom lip quivered.

“You… can’t go…” Usually, when Kalim cried, it was loud and snotty and a nightmare to deal with… but this? This was different, his voice was quiet, a wavering whisper, and his body seemed to shake with fear. He put a hand out on the table, palm facing up. Understanding, you’d put your hand in his and try to give a reassuring smile, but he’d just grab your hand a shakily lower his head.

Every movement looked like it was laboured, as he slowly sat up and raised your hand to his face gingerly, and kissed the back of your hand. He’d look into your eyes, desperation in his own. “Please… I want to go with you… but I can’t leave my own family and friends…” and you’d nod, understanding the predicament. You didn’t particularly want to go either, with how close you had gotten with everyone here.

When the next day rolled around and you had to finally say goodbye, kalim would run up to you, crying far harder than he had been before, and you’d just hold him and rest your head on his shoulder as he cries and cries. When he eventually does calm down, you let go and turn to leave, but he says one more thing before you do:

“Hey! (MC)! Tell people in your world about us! A-and I love you!”

➳ 𝙑𝙄𝙇 𝙎𝙃𝙊𝙀𝙉𝙃𝙀𝙄𝙏

Oh… I had forgotten about that…

Vil would seem… thoughtful, about the whole situation when you tell him. At first it would seem like he doesn’t believe you at all, but then you’d explain exactly how Crowley managed to find you a way home and he’d feel his heart sink.

So he was loosing you?… he’d just stare off into the distance for a minute before sighing and smiling. “That’s wonderful… though it’s a shame that twisted wonderland will be loosing such a beauty…” he’d raise his hand to brush across your cheek, and though that smile would remain on his face, the pain behind his lilac eyes would be easy to spot.

He’d leave you for the day to get your things ready, though while you’re gone, things would be starting to go to shit in Pomefiore.

Vil would end up stressed and upset, causing him to make rash decisions and lash out at his dorm members, leading Rook to take over in running the dorm while a few of the other juniors helped to calm the housewarden down. After about an hour of that chaos, Vil decided that— if he’s never going to see you again, you’d absolutely need something to remember him by.

Immediately, he’d start to try to put together a gift, a way of showing his love at the last minute and hoping that it would last. In the back of his mind, he wondered if it would make you regret leaving, and make everything harder for you, but it was a thought that he shook off. He couldn’t bring himself to dwell on that too much.

Going through his stuff, he’d manage to find a few things he wanted to give you: a beautiful ornate necklace, one with golden charms going down it and a small fake vial of purple liquid as the main charm, a full bottle of his favourite perfume, and a book. It was a book he had memorised inside an out, though it was very dear to him. It was a book of poison recipes.

His only hope was that all of this was enough of a goodbye for you… he put it all in a box, wrapping it neatly and sticking a red bow on the top corner. It looked beautiful, as was customary for a gift from Vil Shoenheit.

He’d spend a while wondering to himself if he should just give it to you and wish you well, or also tell you his feelings. After deliberating that for a while, he decided on a compromise. A love letter would do nicely… So with that in mind, he spent the rest of the night writing out his feelings to you the best he could.

Truth be told, he had always been intrigued by you, but it was only now that you were leaving did he realise just how much he… liked you. Like didn’t quite cut it… no he loved you… and that scared him honestly, which was why he had never even really processed that he did until now, when you were slipping from his reach. He knew there was no way to convince you to stay or to go with you… so this would be his last grand gesture to you.

The day had came. It was pretty late now, and you had spent the whole day saying goodbye to everyone, but Vil was last, and instead of finding him, it was him that came to you, with a beautifully wrapped box in his hands, and a small envelope on top. “Don’t open it all until you’re home safe.” He’d sigh, an odd, unfamiliar affection in his voice. “This is the last time I’ll get to see you…” he sounded regretful as he spoke, leaning in to plant a kiss against your cheek. “But I promise you, it won’t be the last I think of you.”

“I just know you’ll make your world far more beautiful when you’re back…”

➳ 𝙄𝘿𝙄𝘼 𝙎𝙃𝙍𝙊𝙐𝘿

If you’re looking for a reaction, you’re not getting one…

“Y-you really think I’m gonna fall for that?”

The first words Idia said after you told him you were leaving were… jarring. You look at him, confused and a little hurt, but he seems more defensive than anything else. “Look I know you’re j-just trying to embarrass me! Or get me to act all sappy towards you! It’s not happening.” He’d cross his arms and turn away.

Hurt, that one of your good friends wouldn’t believe you on some of the biggest news of your life, you’d leave. But Idia wasn’t trying to be mean, or defensive… he just didn’t want to believe it.

After being with you for so long he had quickly grown to love you. You were the only person other than other that was able to put up with him. You were sweet and kind and pretty and the perfect partner for him… but he didn’t deserve you, you were far too good for him in his mind.

Looking in the mirror, he’d sigh. But that’s when news would get to him… other people were talking about you going home… what? Idia couldn’t believe it. It was real?… you weren’t lying?… now he felt even worse. His stomach turned and his heart dropped straight down into it, and all he could do was just sit on his bed and stare at the wall.

Is this what everything had came to? He had tried to make the right choices! He was sure that he was on the path to the good ending! All the signs were there, and it even seemed like you were starting to show interest in him!…

…no you weren’t. He was being delusional. At least that’s what he told himself. Why would someone like you ever fall for him? He was a complete shut in, an asshole, ignorant, and now? Now he had personally hurt you. What was he worth anyway.

Lying on his bed, he pulled his legs up to his chest, tears pricking his eyes and the ends of his hair flicking red. Of course this wasn’t the good ending, he was a total screw up. This was the worst ending possible, it was so bad that… he had forgotten it was one he could get… you were leaving forever… game over I guess…

The rest of his day would be spent alone, crying in his bed. He’d sent Ortho away to go… do whatever… as long as he wasn’t near him to see his spiral, because things only got worse from there. He couldn’t even bring himself to eat anything for dinner.

Ortho, though he was concerned, wanted to respect Idia’s wishes, so he stayed out of their room until it was late at night and Idia was asleep. It was a good thing he had no idea that he had cried so hard he had sort of just… passed out…

You were standing at the portal. The next day had came, but Idia hadn’t. You wanted to go and say goodbye to him, but time was running out and the portal would close if you weren’t through fast enough. So… no goodbye…

Idia still hadn’t left his room. He didn’t plan to. What’s the point in forming bonds if they always break…

➳ 𝙈𝘼𝙇𝙇𝙀𝙐𝙎 𝘿𝙍𝘼𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙄𝘼

Leaving?… so soon?

To Malleus, your departure from the school would come as quite the surprise. Though he himself helped Headmage Crowley to find you a way home, he never expected it to be so soon. It had only been about a year, and in the grand scheme of Malleus’s lifetime? That was nothing. To him, it felt like you had only been here a few days.

You were an odd little child of man. He had never really known where you had came from, nor had anyone else, but what he did know was that he didn’t want you to return. He wanted to study you more, and keep you close. He had grown possessive, though you were just friends.

He had strong feelings towards you, which was why he looked so hurt when you told him you were leaving. He wasn’t the only one upset, but it felt like it to him. He tried to brush it off, after all, you were just some human that would barely live a fraction of his lifespan… yet… it was hard to think of you that way.

He’d put his hand on your shoulder and look at you with a rather harsh expression across his sharp features. “I don’t want you to go.” He’d state plainly, making you shift under his gaze and step back. You’d tell him that you’d like to stay, but you have a life away from here that you’d like to get back to. His expression would stay the same.

Being a dragon in love was complicated. Especially if the person you were in love with wasn’t also a dragon or fae of any kind. If that was the case, they saw you as part of a hoard, something beautiful and precious that only belonged to them, and that they must protect with their life.

You were that person to Malleus.

After a decently confusing and… annoying conversation about how you had to return home, Malleus let up and retuned go Diasomnia to let you do your weird human things. He didn’t really know what you were up to.

As he often did whenever Malleus had any grievances, Lilia seemed to show up out of the blue to talk to the housewarden. He asked him what had happened and he relayed the conversation you had had with him. He seemed to understand what he was going through, and gave him the best advice he could:

“Malleus, many people who you care about are going to walk through your life, it’s your job to make the most of their presence while you can, spend as much time as you can with them before they go. I can promise you, it’ll be worth it.”

So he took that to heart, and at the crack of morning the next day, Malleus was at the door of ramshackle, looking for you.

When you answer he insisted that you spend the day with him before you had to leave, and that you did. He helped to pack up the last of your things and mostly followed you around for the rest of the day until it came to your departure.

“Farewell, (MC). May we meet again in another walk of life… my love…”

[iwanty0uu]

“𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑃𝑢𝑚 𝑃𝑢𝑚 𝑁𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑠 𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑒𝑟“~𝓁ℯ𝓁ℯ ✧˚ · . ✧˚ · . ✧˚ · .

pt4…

“BITCH STOP BEING PUSSY AND GET ON THE FUCKING ROLLER COASTER SASH.”

Your voice startled the ticket man at coney island who reluctantly pulled his hand back from the hole in the booth connecting him to the outside world. “FINE “ She said grabbing the man’s hand out of the small hole, ripping the tickets out of his hand, quickly shuffling in your purse for his cash you smiled apologetically and skipped over to Sasha. “Hoe you get so angry when you scared you can hold my hand baby” you teased as she tightened the laces on her shoes and purse. “ Nah i’m not scared. Momma ain’t raise no bitch” her voice cracked which had you in tears. Time flew by and it was already your turn on the amusement park’s ride. The air was hot and muggy, the thick summer heat hung over the whole park, you knew your edges would sweat out so you braided your hair into beaded cain rows the night before.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Your dark blue biker shorts reacher a little above you’re knee to prevent your thighs sticking to the chair of the rides, the simple white tank top you had on showed a small but modest amount of cleavage and your small juicy couture backpack rested in front of you. Couldn’t risk it getting snatched up, but other than that, your whole outfit was made for outdoor activities. It had been nine months since you had met Connie and it had been the most interesting nine months that you have had in a while. Connie was known by everyone, your parents loved him, since your aunts were younger and closer to you, they all told you to get with him before someone “thief your man”, which always made you laugh, but it was your intention. He was too hood to leave unsupervised

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Of course you liked him but you wanted to make sure that you weren’t thinkin with your clit. And actually, it felt like meeting him was fate. Your parents met him accidentally, your Father was an occasional stoner, and his weed-guy’s nephew so happened to be Connie, and thats when you learned he was a hustler which didn’t bother you. Money is money and a job is a job.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

The line to the ‘Slingshot’ ride was short, and you warned your homegirl Sasha that you would kill her if she ran off the ride and left you on there alone. The workers strapped you in securely while Sasha threatened them. “I swear if one of you fuckers forget a lock or some shit im suing you when i die.” Her pink acrylic waved in the faced of the workers as they laughed. “Sash stop talking to him like that before he kill us on purpose” You cackled next to her as the camera in-front of you both began to record.”

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

You heard laughter from the crew behind you, “Are you ready?” asked a man in a Luna Park uniform shirt, “Wait I didn’t clip one of yall in I think it’s the Brunette-“ He finished “ BITCH WH-“ Sasha couldn’t get her words out because the sling shot literally knocked the wind out of her,arms flailing in the air, her hair slipping out of its pony tail now becoming a thick brown mess. She suddenly awoke screaming and panicked, holding onto your brown arm, nails digging into your skin. If she couldn’t tell, you were having an episode of your own. “GET ME THE FUCK OFF THIS SHIT” you cried.. literally, tears streaming down your face, you felt the breath so suddenly leave your lungs causing you to gasp for air, which was infinite considering the height you two currently desperate to come down from.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

The ball like ride began to bounce slowly, easing it’s way to the ground. Sasha regained her full consciousness and laughed uncontrollably, “ NAHH THAT WAS SO FUN “ looking over her shoulder, she heard sobbing “IwantMyMommaaa” you huffed pouting, slobber flying out of your mouth and snot out of your nostrils. You were quickly released off the ride as the line of people pointed and stared at your dramatics. “Now look who FUCKIN CRYING” Sasha giggled, retrieving the video from the front desk. You kneeled on the floor, squatting while holding your knees. “Bumper Carts” you said as you got yourself together, slowly standing. “but first i want to *sniffle* clean myself up”, trying to act casual was out of the question now, but it didn’t matter because you still enjoyed yourself. “Girl i don’t wanna hear shit you fainted as soon as we went up”

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

The night was young and lively, Jean, Eren, Armin ,Ony and Mikasa went home in Eren’s car since they all lived in the same dorm alliance. You went back with Connie who drove, hanging his hand out the window while his long tatted fingers loosely held a blunt. Serenity and Sasha were in the back seat sleeping, and you sat in the front seat like the passenger princess you were. You got chilly with the windows down so Connie offered you his hoodie. Feet resting on dash, converse on the floor, Connie broke the almost silent car ride,lowering Summer Walker’s ‘Body’ so you could hear him. “ Y/n ima drop the girls home, i got sum planned for us.. just you n me, so pack a spendin-da-night back for like two days or so. “Two days ? Boyyy you tryna get fucked? “ you joked “ I’ll pack for three”.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

An unseen smile grew on his face, and it was because Connie had only touched you one time. Ever. He never slept with you, never fingered you, only ever kissed you, and part of it was his fault. He did really want to be with you but often times his ex’s would come back in his life trying to compete with you, and it turned you off hella, but he did end up proving that he was serious about you ,and wanted a future with you.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

About thirty minutes passed and you were now headed up to Connie’s apartment. It was always clean, so full but so empty, he spent most of his time in your dorm and only got the apartment to make his deals easier, and everyone would link up there for kickbacks. The keys jingled as they were disgarded on the counter, lights off, room dimly lit by Connie’s phone light. For some reason, he wouldn’t let you turn on the actual lights. “Boy you just dragged my ass into a wall both of us cant fit through your door frame” you said laughing at your own comment. You weren’t sure of the surprise but knowing Connie, you knew it was gonna be adorable.

+*:ꔫ:*﹤ ﹥*:ꔫ:*+ﾟ

[atschoolunfortunetly]

Wholesome Sonic and Tails Once Again!

I have testing today! I'm scared! Anyway, fic time! It ends very abruptly because I had no idea what else to write lol. Hope you enjoy it!

After everything that happened on Starfall Islands, one would think Sonic could deal with anything that was thrown his way. Sonic himself was confident in that statement. Which is why he hates how he doesn’t know how to deal with one thing, his feelings. Feelings were never his thing and honestly he never really knew what to do when negative ones came out. 

He has felt negative emotions before. He would be lying if he said he hasn’t. He’s been scared, nervous, upset, the whole lot but he never let any of them keep him down long. So, it made him confused on why his heart ached watching Tails pack away some of his most important equipment in a large case.

“Hey, Sonic, you mind grabbing me that contraption behind ya? I wanna work on it while I’m gone.”

“Alright, I gotcha.”

Sonic picked up the contraption and handed it to Tails with a small smile on his face. He lied earlier when he said he didn’t know what he was feeling. He knows damn well what it is but he doesn’t feel like admitting it. 

Tails is going out on his own and Sonic won’t be there. 

It wouldn’t be the first time Tails went out on his own adventure but something just felt different this time. This time Sonic won’t be near when Tails is exploring the world on his own. This time Tails won’t be gone for a week but months instead.

This time, Sonic is watching instead of acting. Watching as Tails grows up. Sonic remembers back when he first found Tails. The fox stuck to his side like glue and Sonic allowed him to stick. He taught the fox everything he knows and now…

Now Tails is taking a big, humongous step in his life.

And Sonic will only be able to witness it.

Sonic let out a light sigh as Tails zipped his suitcase shut. He stretched a bit before turning and facing Sonic.

Sonic raised a brow, “Got everything?”

“Almost.” Was Tails simple answer as he “dusted off” his hand despite the workshop being as clean as it could possibly be.

“Almost? What else could there be? You’re taking half the workshop!”

Tails puffed his cheeks, “No I’m not! I’m taking, like, ten things!”

Sonic chuckled, “You sure? This place feels barren to me!”

Tails let out a groan as Sonic chuckled some more, “You’re so dramatic.”

“It’s part of my charm!”

“What charm?”

Sonic sent Tails a glare, “I’ll have you know I have a ton of charm.”

“Mmm, nah don’t see it.”

“Why you-”

Sonic pulled Tails over to him and immediately trapped him in a light headlock and began giving him a light noogie.

“Gah! Sonic!”

Tails broke from his hold with ease before trying to fix his fur, “...Meanie.”

“Hey, you’re leaving! I feel like I deserve to noogie you at least one more time.”

“You can noogie me when I come back!”

Sonic simply rolled his eyes in response, “Yyyeah, but that won’t be for a while and my patience to noogie you is non-existent.”

Tails let out a huff, “Not my fault you don’t have patience in general.”

Sonic let out a fake dramatic gasp, “I do too have good patience in general!”

“Do not!”

“How would ya know?”

“Sonic, I’ve lived with you for years. You think I wouldn’t know how far your patience can stretch?”

Sonic rolled his eyes again, “Can’t be that bad.”

Tails simply sent Sonic a look that spoke for him. Sonic sighed and shook his head before Tails and him both broke out into laughter. Once they calmed down Sonic’s brain remembered what started the conversation in the first place.

“So, what else do you need before you leave?”

Tails paused before letting out a sigh, “It ain’t much, I can grab it before I leave.”

“Sure you won’t forget it?”

“It’s kinda hard to forget.”

“What, is it, like, the Miles Electric?”

“Sonic, I packed that up first. I would be a fool not to.” 

“Well, geez! How am I supposed to know that!”

Tails raised a brow, “Cause you’ve been watching me pack this entire time?”

“You put way too much trust in my memory.”

At that Tails let out a sigh, “Chaos, what will you do without me?”

“...I don’t know.”

Sonic leaned his back against the table he was near and Tails gave him a confused look wondering why the mood in the room seemed to lower. 

“Gee, I don’t think I've ever seen you this upset before.”

“I’m not upset! Just…I don’t know. You know me and my feelings, bro, I ain’t good at them.”

Tails sighed, “It’s just going to be a few months. And even then I’m going to be calling almost every weekend.”

“I know! That’s why I am so confused about things! Gah, emotions are weird! Why can’t they, I don’t know, be like running!”

“I agree, emotions suck. Why can’t they simply be normal? Why must feelings be, gasp, feelings!?”

“Feelings need to learn how to read the room…and my brain.”

Both brothers laughed at that.

“I’d fistfight my feelings if they were a person,” Tails admitted like it was his darkest secret.

“Feelings is, like, that one annoying guy that comes and bothers you during either really big events or the smallest thing.”

“Big events are understandable but then sometimes it’s just- Why am I suddenly sad while making myself a snack! Did the snack personally send an encoded message to my brain or something?” Tails broke down laughing at the end of his sentence and Sonic joined him.

“The snack wants your tears because all of the snacks you eat are always dry.”

“No, they’re not!”

“Yes, they are!”

The mood in the room went back to normal as Tails and Sonic proceeded to continue talking about how awful each other’s snack tastes were. Everything had to calm down, however, when Tails picked up the suitcase and proceeded to pack it into the Tornado. The sun was high in the air as Tails did a quick check-up on the Tornado to make sure it was alright to go.

“Got everything? Did everything?” Sonic asked, tilting his head ever so slightly.

“Almost, I need to do one more thing,” Tails answered.

“Well, what is it-”

Sonic was cut off as Tails ran right at him, wrapping his arms around the hedgehog in a tight squeeze. Sonic immediately returned the hug and the brothers stood their ground for a solid minute before Tails spoke up.

“I love you bro.”

Silence only lasted a few seconds before Sonic chuckled, “Ew, sentimental words.”

Tails immediately pulled himself away, “Nevermind.”

“I was joking! I love ya, bro!” Sonic quickly responded as Tails let out a laugh.

“I know, I know.”

Silence made a comeback as Sonic and Tails stared the other down with smiles on their faces.

“Well, this is goodbye partner,” Sonic sighed.

“Yep. Once again, I’ll be calling on the weekends!” Tails shouted as he sat himself down in the pilot seat.

“If you don’t I’ll find you! That’s a threat!” Sonic shouted back.

“I’ll beat you up! Don’t test me!”

“Try me, air boy!”

“That insult doesn’t make sense!”

“You don’t make sense!”

Tails grinned a cocky smirk before promptly shouting, “At least I am a cryptic on purpose!”

“What does that mean?!”

“You know what it means!”

“No!? I don’t!?”

“Byeee~!”

With those words Tails turned the plane on as Sonic kept shouting at him.

“What!? I can’t hear you over the plane!”

“I hate-love you!”

“I hate-love you as well!”

“I hope your trip is safe and satisfactory!”

“Thanks! I’ll call ya later!”

“Bye!”

“Bye!”

With those words the plane made its take-off and Sonic stood where he was until the plane was out of sight. Once it was, Sonic let out a groan as he felt like a weight was added to his body.

“Well this sucks, I’m going to crash on the couch.”

And then he did.

[drades-lair]

Tummy Ache

Fandom: HelluvaBoss

Pairing: Striker/Chaz

Rating: T

Note: This was inspired by this twitter post https://twitter.com/apparentwr1ter/status/1701249709677879766

Chaz swore the ratty rug beneath his feet was starting to form a hole with how many times he was pacing it. Striker was Six weeks overdue from his current job, a day or even a week wasn’t unusual however six weeks was highly unusual for the pale imp. Sighing heavily Chaz trudged to the bed where he curled up, tail coiled around himself like a frightened pup as he stared at the twenty unanswered texts under Striker’s name on the shark’s phone. Chaz gave a little whimper, rubbing his stomach gently as it clenched sending little pangs of pain through him. Suddenly the door to the motel opened causing a moment of panic followed by relief as Striker trudged inside, he was dirty with a few obvious minor injuries, but ultimately the imp was fine. Striker released an irritated, exhausted sigh as he shut the door behind him and toed off his boots before turning back around to Chaz.

“Howdy fish cake,” Striker greeted, tossing his duffle onto the small round wooden table, arching a brow at seeing the money he’d left Chaz for food still sitting on the tables surface.

“Welcome back, you were…gone for a long time,” Chaz smiled remaining on the bed with his knees pulled up to his chest.

“Yeah, fuckers tried to screw me over with the payment forcin’ me ta chase ‘em halfway across hell,” Striker groused, digging around in his duffle till he found his med kit.

“Oh…did you get my texts?” Chaz wondered.

“Nah, sorry fishy, during the initial job they broke my phone,” Striker explained, shrugging off his jacket followed by undoing his vest.

“Okay, we’ll have to get you a new one,” Chaz chuckled softly.

“Yeah, I’ll pick one up on the way out of town,” Striker agreed, pulling his long-sleeved black shirt off. 

“I made three hundred dollars in tips at the saloon,” Chaz informed Striker with a proud little smile.

“Humph, good for Ya fish cake,” Striker chuckled softly, moving over to the small fridge in the room only to furrow his brow in confusion at seeing the same pizza that had been in there when he left.

“Hey, isn’t this the same pizza that we had before I left?” Striker inquired, standing up straight with a gesture into the fridge. Chaz immediately looked away as he coiled in on himself a little tighter, something he did when Striker called him out on something he’d tried to hide from the pale imp. Striker pulled the pizza out of the fridge to toss it in the trash on the way over to the bed where Chaz was sitting.

“What’s goin’ on fish cakes?” Striker asked, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

“Nothing…I just…forgot the pizza was in there…” Chaz trailed off.

“Oh yeah, did Ya forget about the money on the table as well?” Striker pointed out.

“N-no…I…” Chaz stammered unable to come up with an excuse.

“When did you eat last?” Striker asked now getting a concerned tone to his voice.

“A couple…days ago…” Chaz mumbled out earning him a shocked wide-eyed expression from Striker.

“What? Ya haven’t eaten in a couple days?” Striker asked in shock.

“I…I’m sorry…” Chaz apologized under his breath, fearful that Striker was angry at him.  

“What about the last eight weeks?” Striker asked now highly concerned.

“I was eating normally for the first couple weeks but after you didn’t come back, I started only eating the free meal from work,” Chaz explained, frown settling firmly on his features.

“Isn’t that just a side like fries or somethin’?” Striker asked seeking clarification.

“Yes,” Chaz mumbled again, pulling his tail tightly around his legs.

“What the fuck…? Why haven’t Ya been eatin’?” Striker wondered; concern now thick in Striker’s tone because normally Chaz was a garburator that never stopped eating. Striker was trying hard to not scare Chaz, he wasn’t angry at the shark just extremely concerned at the odd behavior.  

“I’m sorry! Mmm,” Chaz whimpered, his hands wrapping around his stomach.

“Huh? Did Ya get hurt? Or are Ya sick?” Striker asked noticing Chaz’s action.

“N-no…” Chaz mumbled out again, laying his chin on his knees.

“Okay, look fish cake I ain’t mad but somethin’ isn’t right wit Ya now what’s goin’ on?” Striker insisted getting up to walk around the bed to the side Chaz was sitting on, placing a hand gently on Chaz’s shoulder.

“I…don’t know, it’s just something that happens every now and then. My stomach starts aching then I lose my appetite,” Chaz explained to the best of his ability, rubbing his stomach for emphasis.

“Ya…have a…stomach-ache?” Striker repeated, arching a brow in curious confusion.

“Yes…my tummy hurts,” Chaz mumbled under his breath with a small pout on his face.

“When did this start?” Striker curiously inquired, slightly amused at the childish demeanour of Chaz.   

“About a week after the two weeks you told me you’d be gone for,” Chaz explained.

“When has this happened in the past?” Striker asked, starting to piece together what was going on with Chaz.

“Well, it happened after jobs went bad or before really big jobs, sometimes it happened when I had to meet with my bosses or…” Chaz rambled for a few moments before Striker held up a hand to stop him.

“Alright, alright, I think I know what’s going on here,” Striker chuckled.

“Really?” Chaz asked taking his turn to be confused.

“Yes, those were all situations where Ya were stressed or that’s what I’m assumin’ and it sounds like Ya get a stomach-ache when Yer stressed,” Striker concluded, pushing off the bed.  

“What? Really? Makes sense I guess…” Chaz trailed off thinking through all the times he’d experienced his stomach problems.

“Now, Ya got stressed cause I didn’t come back?” Striker inquired curiously, heading over to his med kit on the wooden table.  

“M-maybe…I was afraid you weren’t coming back,” Chaz mumbled again, averting his gaze once more.

“Okay fish cakes, hang on,” Striker sighed in exasperation.

 The pale imp popped open his med kit to pull out a rubber water bottle that he carried into the bathroom for a few moments. Upon returning Striker located Chaz’s bag on the floor which he rifled through for a pair of joggers and a T-shirt that he tossed at Chaz causing them to land on the shark’s head. Chaz took the hint to change into the outfit while the pale imp rifled around in his own duffle till, he pulled out a can of chicken noodle soup. After the soup was heated and Chaz was changed Striker made swift work of tending his minor injuries then changed himself into a pair of boxers before getting onto the bed next to Chaz. Handing the water bottle to Chaz, Striker instructed the shark to put it on his stomach followed by passing over the bowl of soup for Chaz to eat. Chaz finished the soup unfortunately his stomach started cramping immediately afterwards making him whimper as he recoiled in on himself.

“Hey, easy fish cakes. Come here,” Striker gently encouraged, pulling Chaz closer till the shark was curled up next to him with his head on the pale imp’s lap. Striker grabbed the hot water bottle that Chaz had set off to the side while he ate and gingerly pushed the shark’s shirt up off his stomach till the hot water bottle could lay against Chaz’s skin. Chaz gripped Striker’s thigh as he continued to whimper through the waves of pain when Striker gently slipped his hand between the hot water bottle and Chaz’s stomach. The shark gave a hum as Striker started gently rubbing in circles providing a modicum of relief from the waves of pain rippling through Chaz’s stomach. Slowly Chaz closed his eyes eventually falling into a soft sleep with Striker continuing to rub the sharks stomach till he too fell asleep.  

[arpmemething2]

Pokemon starters

Quotes from the games, movies, anime, manga and just about everything else represented.  Feel free to change pronounces as needed.  Send one for my muse’s reaction.

"Life is strange isn't it? I actually like you more... than the boy I've been thinking of all these years."

“I didn't know Vikings still existed...”

"That's okay.  You'll find lots of other girls to reject you."

“There are bad ways to win and good ways to lose. What’s interesting and troubling is that it’s not always clear which is which. A flipped coin doesn’t always land on heads or tails. Sometimes it may never land at all.”

“Develop amnesia conveniently and forget everything you heard!”

"All of you... Lend me your power! The power... To protect the world!"

“Mostly I breathe fire, but want to exchange numbers?”

“Getting wrapped up in worries is bad for your body and spirit. That’s when you must short out your logic circuits and reboot your heart.”

"I hate water, especially WET water."

"I like shorts! They're comfy and easy to wear!"

"Well, if you just try hard enough, things will work out. Won't they?"

"Sorry! I was just swearing on my dreams to the sun, the skies and the sea!! Please wait till I'm done!"

"Nah...he probably started a rock band! He's got the hairdo for it!"

“Living is using time given to you. You cannot recall lost time.”

"This is perfect. That cliff is the perfect spot for our first meeting."

"That's progress..at least his mouth is working."

"There’s no sense in going out of your way just to get somebody to like you. "

"Everybody makes a wrong turn once in a while."

"Oh, I left my motorcycle at the front desk."

“I’ll use my trusty frying pan… as a drying pan!”

"Perhaps you are unique, a unique human. One of a kind."

"Reality can really bum you out..."

“So, this is my power… but what is my purpose?”

"You haven't even won yet!  I won't let such fun end so easily."

“You see, sometimes friends have to go away, but a part of them stays behind with you.”

“If there is someone in this world who understands you, it feels like that person is right beside you. Even if you’re as far apart as the end of the land and top of the sky.”

“Living is using time given to you. You cannot recall lost time.”

“You gotta keep smiling, no matter how tough things are getting”

"We don't have any money, but we'd be happy to work to pay for any damages."

“Do you always need a reason to help somebody?”

“The important thing is not how long you live. It’s what you accomplish with your life.”

“Me, give up? No way!”

"The circumstances of one’s birth are irrelevant, but it’s what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are. "

"I'm too young for math!"

"I'm too weak to work...I haven't eaten since breakfast."

"It's you and me. I know it's my destiny."

"A good friend left me and I miss her everyday. But I know we’ll always be friends forever."

"When I think about it, you, too, are all alone in the world."

"Make your wonderful dream a reality, it will become your truth. If anyone can, it’s you.”

"Why would I do something as silly as that? Escaping is just your opinion, right? I chose the course of action I thought is correct, you're always pushing me around, I wanted to say this before...You're not the boss of me!"

"We hope to see you again!"

"My favorite hard work. I believe there is nothing that replaces the discipline that is required to achieve our goals. I don’t think reflection I don’t think books, I don’t think guidance or any other thing for places the fact that we have to take action."

"I don’t like to say I’m great but that’s what people tell me."

"Change your perspective, and the reality changes."

“When you have lemons, you make lemonade; and when you have rice, you make rice balls.”

"Ha ha! This gym is great! It is full of women!"

"Y'all are Stupid!"

"By the way, that'll be a two-dollar charge for resting on my rock."

"My body is ready."

“We do have a lot in common. The same earth, the same air, the same sky. Maybe if we started looking at what’s the same, instead of looking at what’s different, well, who knows?”

“I’m totally unprepared to deal with life’s realities.”

"This brat’s tough. Tougher than I can put into words, and I know a lot of words."

"Hey, how can we breathe underwater?"

“If anybody’s out there, you can come out. And if you’re a monster or a ghost, you can stay where you are.”

“Don’t worry that pretty blue head of yours, I’ve got a plan.”

"Children are not just things that belong to their parents."

"Oh our experiment isn't over yet, it's just beginning. Now the serious testing begins."

"My face is reflected in the water. It's a shining grin full of hope, or maybe it's a look of somber silence struggling with fear…"

"The strength to protect, huh? But what are you really protecting? A tomorrow that will only end up being worse than today?"

"Even If we don’t understand each other, that’s not a reason to reject each other. There are two sides to any argument. Is there one point of view that has all the answers? Give it some thought."

“I don’t want to miss anything you do from now on!”

“The more wonderful the meeting, the sadder the parting.”

"whatever happens from here on, my heart is already set."

“It’s more important to master the cards you’re holding than to complain about the ones your opponent was dealt.”

"Well, if you just try hard enough, things will work out. Won't they?"

“These are not shorts! These are half-pants!”

"The lats time you cooked, you wiped out eight of my nine lives."

"What is this pressure I feel...? Something... is enraged?"

"They’re not here. Let’s ride the ferris wheel and see if we can spot them. I love ferris wheels… the circular motion… the mechanics… they’re like collections of elegant formulas."

“Please make sure the bed is empty before getting in it!”

“A wildfire destroys everything in its path. It will be the same with your powers unless you learn to control them.”

"We're standing here for no reason, and one day we'll be gone for no reason."

“Take charge of your destiny.”

“I will show you that my love for my friends permeates every cell in my body.”

"Let's Go! Kneecaps!"

“Physical wounds can be treated without much difficulty, but emotional wounds are not so easy to heal.”

"With enemies like that, who needs friends?"

"Our lucky star is shining today!"

“Don’t you know that love is the most important thing in the whole world?”

"If I were to make bad puns when I’m supposed to be telling a joke, doesn’t it give people even more of an opportunity to tease me and start a funny back-and-forth?"

[hanmi-xo]

Chapter 3: “Curiosity of Ambiguity”

| Between Us | Chapter List |

Previous | Next ------------------

| L I H U A |

It’s been a few days since the I went to the museum with the others, but that painting was hard for me to forget. I didn’t take any photos of my old artworks before selling them off, and I wish I did.

I laid in my bed and stared at my ceiling. My dog slept peacefully next to me. His soft snores were ambience.

My thoughts were interrupted by a notification. It was someone who I didn’t think would reach out to me.

I didn’t bother messaging him back.

I saw him at the reunion, but I didn’t speak to him. He made multiple attempts trying to speak about the matter, and when he did, his best friend Jeonghan was right behind him.

Jeonghan was Astrid’s ex who pretended to be something he wasn’t. Behind that pretty face and sweet words, he was a massive manipulator and was two faced. He was the devil that caused chaos wherever he went. He always seemed to find joy in putting others down.

He was the cause of Joshua breaking up with me.

And he antagonized Seungcheol about Astrid at the reunion.

I guess seeing his ex-best friend with his ex-girlfriend triggered him. Maybe it was jealousy? Or possessiveness? Maybe both?

I’m not sure.

I just remember Astrid crying and Seungcheol being held back by her. He was fuming, ready to fight. And before things could escalate, Astrid and I told them that it would be best to just go.

It was clear Jeonghan wouldn’t stop, and Joshua was there to witness it all, and he hardly did anything about it.

Joshua always let his friend cause problems. It was like he was blinded by their friendship to know what was right and wrong.

The reunion was just horrible.

I even went to the balcony to avoid it all. I had to take a breather. Seeing those two was like seeing a ghost.

Now he’s here again.

Reaching out to me to fix what happened years before. But I didn’t want to deal with him right now.

I didn’t need him ruining my mood. Today’s an important occasion.

I won’t let him ruin it.

---

| M I N G H A O |

I rubbed my eyes and glared at Dokyeom’s message. What the hell is he on?

It’s my day off and now I have to pick up Lihua from the cemetery?

What kind of request is this?

I rolled over to my back and I began to look for the chat Dokyeom put me in with his sister. That was the only way I’d be able to contact her.

I was still drowsy and it took awhile for me to find her name.

The last time I personally messaged a woman that wasn’t my mother was like 3 years ago. Was I supposed to be polite to Lihua? Greeting her or whatever?

Nah.

She’s Dokyeom’s sister.

Knowing Dokyeom, he’ll be upset if I leave her. I don’t need him nagging me later if he finds out she went home by herself.

I sighed.

She texts just like Dokyeom… why do they always use that dumb face?

I dragged myself off my bed. I have to go get my keys and pick up that girl.

Cemetery…

Now that I think about it, why would she be at the cemetery?

~

I pulled down my sunglasses and looked out of my passenger window. There she stood patiently in front of the cemetery entrance with a dog by her side.

The sun was shining brightly during this nice weather, and it was easy to spot her in the sunlight.

Lihua looked at me with confusion once I pulled up towards her. She had a picnic basket in her hands and she seemed to be dressed decently.

She wore a white lettuce trim dress along with her usual white sneakers. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail with some of her bangs falling out to frame her face. A camera was hung around her neck from its sling. She had a small leather backpack on, and next to her was a black Shiba Inu that she held with a red leash. It wagged its tail at me with excitement.

She looked like she went on private trip. But why at the cemetery? She seemed too well dressed for the occasion.

She looked at me with a perplexed look until I pointed at the door to come inside. There’s no way I’m going to open the front door for her. She has hands. She can do it herself.

I watched her pick up the dog with one of her hands while she struggled opening the door. Her hands were full, and her dog was getting excited. He wouldn’t sit still in her arms.

I sighed. I don’t have all day.

I got out of my car and came to her side. Lihua stared at me while I opened the door for her. Her dog moved around in her arms and looked at me too. It barked and I ignored it.

I motioned her to enter my vehicle.

“Get in,” I tell her, slightly annoyed.

She bowed her head a bit at me and situated herself within my car.

“Thank you,” she whispered to me.

“Yeah, sure. Whatever.” I shut the door.

I got back in my driver seat and left the premises. She was quiet while her dog moved around in her lap. It was trying to stick its head out of the window.

“Senko,” she whispers to her dog. “No. This isn’t Dokyeom’s car.”

She tried to calm her pet who seemed very energetic. It was hard to ignore the dog’s panting with the follow of soft barks. I can hear Lihua hushing the dog and in return it would whimper and bark louder.

I reached a stop light and stared at the two. The dog wasn’t going to calm down.

I began to pull the window down further down so the dog would shut up.

I watched Lihua look at me with wide eyes before looking back at her dog who quickly stuck out its head.

It looked at me with its tongue sticking out as if it was thanking me.

Lihua looked at me as well before saying, “Thank you.”

She was overly polite and it felt weird. I appreciate her manners and all that, but I’m not used to it. I felt myself stiffen.

“What’s the dog’s name.” I decide to ask since it kept looking at me like I was some fascinating thing.

She tilted her head at me as if she was surprised by my question. She began to pet her dog.

“Senko,” she says. “His name is Senko.”

I saw a subtle smile plaster on her apathetic face. She had a soft spot for her dog. It was easy to see.

Senko looked at her with his tongue out before looking back outside the window. His paws would go up and down with excitement. He was super energetic.

He reminded me of a certain someone…

“I’m sorry,” Lihua suddenly says towards me. She continued to pet her dog while she spoke.

I raised a brow at her. Why was she apologizing?

“I usually ride the bus or get driven around by others. I didn’t think my brother would bother you,” she explained.

The light turned green and I pressed the gas. My eyes remained on the road but some of my attention was on her. I didn’t like how she sounded like she was telling me some sob story.

“It’s whatever,” I tell her. “Besides, your brother didn’t know who to bother anyways. I’m assuming he was going to pick you up or something but he had an urgent meeting with his agent.”

I heard her hum beside me.

“Yeah,” she said. Her voice was almost low as a whisper. “He wanted to take me out and eat since he’ll be leaving town next month.”

I heard her sigh beside me.

“He’s always been kind to me,” her voice was light with affection but a hint of guilt.

I’m not sure what was going on with her, and I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to ask. But I was curious about something…

“Why didn’t Dokyeom go to the cemetery with you?” I say aloud. “That doesn’t seem like him to just leave a girl, much less family, alone.”

There was a moment of silence between us, and I took the chance to glance at her before looking back at the road. She seemed to be thinking of something- almost the state of daydreaming.

“Yeah,” she says. “He doesn’t normally do that. But today was a special occasion.

Special occasion?

“And that is?” I dare ask.

“My mother’s birthday.”

I hit the breaks on my car upon reaching another red light. I felt my car jerk upon my sudden action.

Did I hear that right?

I turned to look at her. My brows were narrowed. She seemed taken back from my anger that was about to come out.

“Why didn’t Dokyeom go?” I ask her. “Does he not care about his mom!?”

My voice came out rather loud and rude, but it bothered me that Dokyeom wasn’t around to celebrate his mother’s birthday. When did she even die? It’s only been over a week since the high school reunion when he mentioned his mom.

Senko stared at me for yelling, and began to bark at me.

Lihua quickly hushed her protective pup and calmed him down before looking at me.

“That’s because that’s not his mom,” Lihua tells me. Her voice was careful yet light.

My eyes widened from her words.

What was that supposed to mean? Are they not siblings?

“Wait.” I said. I was trying to put this all together. “Are Dokyeom and you even siblings?”

There’s no way I just drove some random chick around with her overly excited dog. I refuse to believe that.

Is that why they don’t look alike? Dokyeom and her?

I should have known from the start. They act nothing alike nor do they carry any similar features.

Lihua seemed startled from my question about her and Dokyeom, but then her eyes twinkled and her lips curled up. It was like I said something she was waiting to hear.

“His mom adopted me in middle school,” she says while petting Senko. “My mom’s best friend is his mom, and when you put two and two together…”

Her voice trailed off. She couldn’t speak more about the topic. She didn’t sob or even shed a tear.

But she just smiled while she sat there with a pitiful look.

I hate seeing girls cry. It always makes me feel like I’m obligated to do something. And if I do something, I can be considered a creep and they take it as flirting, but if I don’t do anything then I’m an asshole.

I rather be considered an asshole than for a girl to think I’d like her.

I heard Lihua sigh.

She turned her head to look at me, and her calm nature remained. Not even teary eyes was shown. Although she seemed down, she gave me a soft smile. It looked endearing but not too affectionate. It was like she was telling me that she’s okay even if she wasn’t.

“But yeah,” she suddenly says. She was trying to lift the mood. “Dokyeom and I are adoptive siblings… He didn’t come with me because he believed the occasion should be between actually family members. He’s always been courteous over my mom. It’s nice to have a brother like him. Sometimes I wish he was my real brother…”

Her brown orbs wondered away from me. Her attention went to her dog that yawned before laying down in her lap. She petted him while he tried to sleep.

It was odd knowing that I held a conversation with this girl. She seemed calm and level headed yet endearing.

I didn’t like how nice she seemed. I’m not used to it.

“The light’s green,” she tells me.

I looked back at the road in front of me and saw the go signal. I quickly pressed the gas again. Hopefully she didn’t think I was staring at her.

I was just analyzing her. That’s all.

“Minghao,” I heard her call for me.

I didn’t like how she said my name. It sounded too kind.

“What,” I respond with my eyes on the road.

“You’re not so bad,” she says.

I scoffed.

I knew where this was going to go. She’s going to compliment me then try to hit on me and then play that innocent girl act. I’ve experience before, too many times.

“Listen-“

“Thank you for dealing with my brother and his antics.”

She cut me off before I could express my dislike towards her. The compliment took me off guard. She seemed more glad to know her brother had a friend like me, then complimenting me over all.

It was odd.

I mean, he is her brother. So it would make sense for her to care about Dokyeom…

“It’s whatever…” my voice trailed off. I didn’t know how to respond to her.

After that, she remained quiet for the rest of the ride. There was silence between us, but it wasn’t awkward nor stiffening.

It was surprisingly peaceful.

~

When I reached her house, I noticed how her eyes were stuck on her phone. There were notifications alerting her and she ended up muting her device.

I could even hear her sigh. She seemed bothered by something.

I didn’t want to ask her about her personal business since I’m not that interested in her life, but she was getting spammed like crazy and it was hard to ignore the alerts.

Was she alright?

Lihua looked up towards her house before meeting my eyes. The sunlight reflected off her leaving a glow that seemed a bit unreal.

“Thank you,” she tells me. Her voice was soft yet clear.

Her smile was gentle yet careful. It bothered me how she looked like that. Much more on how she seemed almost like an angel.

I quickly looked away from her.

I must be seeing things.

I heard her shuffle around with her basket and bag before I decided to turn back around to look at her. I watched as she began to get out of the car while she carried her sleeping pup and picnic basket. She struggled at first, and I was ready to get out and help her, but she stopped me.

“I got it,” she tells me. Her voice remained light as before.

I hesitantly stayed in my seat and watched as she got out of the vehicle swiftly before shutting the door. She looked at me through the passenger window and bowed politely.

Her hair bounced gently as she walked. The breeze made some of her strands fly up and down and she had to move some out of her face so she can find her keys.

I watched her wave at me before entering her home.

She was gone.

I stared at the seat next to me, where Lihua once was. Her faint scent lingered in the air. It smelled like sweet whisky with its sense of earthy and sweet essence.

I narrowed my brows and pulled down the window to let her trace leave my car. I don’t need her scent filling my lungs.

After I pulled the window down to air out her trace, I got a notification. It was from Lihua.

I didn’t respond. Or rather, I didn’t know what to say.

I left her messages on read.

And somehow I couldn’t help but be bothered by her text. I don’t know why, but I did.

I guess a part of me doesn’t believe she’s that terrible to be around, but I also didn’t want to think about having a request like this happen again.

She’s Dokyeom’s sister. I should have an ill views of her, but I also shouldn’t be seeing her like this…

She was gently and ambiguous. Calm yet careful.

She was… odd.

Maybe it’s because she isn’t overly talkative, nor obnoxious, but it also bothers me how she seems too nice of a girl to exist.

The memory of what happened earlier this week came to mind. Dokyeom said something about her losing her touch in art. I don’t fully remember what he said, but I do recall the way she looked at that one flower painting that came in a day before their visit.

She had a good eye with noticing the only nameless painting within the gallery.

Not to mention, the only one I actually really liked.

She’s strange, but more so reserved. I can’t help but be engrossed by her. Maybe it’s because she’s Dokyeom’s sister.

Her existence is still new to me, and knowing my friend had someone in his life without my notice was strange. Maybe I should pay attention more when Dokyeom talks about a girl…

I scoffed.

“What the hell am I doing?” I mutter to myself, waking to reality.

I started up my car and left the premises like I was supposed to do moments ago. I can still smell her faint scent in my car. I was ready to press the buttons to open the window, but I couldn’t find myself to push the buttons.

Her scent filled me like her ambiguity. She was a mystery that I found myself stuck upon.

She’s Dokyeom’s sister. That’s all she’ll ever be to me.

---

| L I H U A |

Senko slept next to me on my bed. I hugged him while I tried to ignored Joshua’s messages.

He acted as if we could be close again, but it’s been over 4 years. If anything, it made me feel uncomfortable.

I told the girls about his sudden contact, and they too had mixed feeling about him.

I put my phone on my shelving that was connected to my bed frame. I didn’t want to think about him anymore.

I’ll deal with him later when the girls come back.

I sat up and began to look through my bag for my journal. I often wrote in it as a way to remember the events that happen in my life. I usually brought it with me so I can tell my mom how my life was going.

But it wasn’t where I left it.

I quickly dumped everything out onto my bed. But it still hasn’t appeared.

I widened my eye as fear came across me. Did drop it at the cemetery? No, because I remember putting it in my bag. Then I got into Minghao’s car…

“Oh no,” I say aloud before grabbing my phone.

I ran down out of my room and down the stairs to see if he would still be in the driveway, but he wasn’t there.

I felt anxiety crawl up my spine, and my gut twisted in fear of its whereabouts. I had to contact Minghao.

Even if he may not like the idea of me bothering him, I still need my journal.

I bit my lip in fear of what he might say to me. He’s Dokyeom’s friend though. If he’s nice enough to pick me up and drop me off, then maybe he’s nice enough to check if my journal’s in his car?

I quickly opened my phone and messaged him.

I hope he’ll read the message and respond to me. I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose it. I wrote all my thoughts and feelings in there.

I can’t let anyone read it.

---

| M I N G H A O |

I stared at her message with her journal in my hand. To think someone who seemed so careful can be so clumsy?

I kept rereading our messages while I took a sip of water. I made my way out of my kitchen before dropping my body onto my couch. I slouched into the seat while I continued to text her.

“I don’t want you to waste gas.”

Pft.

I know she’s being sincere, but can she be any nicer?

She is probably one of the few people to even consider my own time and money. It's hard for me to believe this girl is even real. Way too nice.

The next time I work? Is she serious?

I looked at my calendar that hung on the kitchen pillar before messaging her.

She's far more expressive through text than in person. I found that to be amusing.

I tossed my phone onto the coffee table before lifting up the journal she so cared about. It looked beat up with its torn edges and stitched cover.

I felt it fall out of my fingers upon tearing from its strings and it fell to the floor with a thud.

"Shit," I say aloud.

I felt my gut twist. I didn't intend to rip it. I was only moving it around with my hand. Lihua is going to be upset.

I grabbed everything off the ground and tried to fix the damage that I've done. There were some photos that fell out along with a few pages, and while I tried to organize everything, I noticed a paper that was different from the others.

It was stained, and its material seemed old.

What surprised me more was what was written. Those were Chinese character strokes.

Why did Lihua have that?

--

SM Post:

Joshua has posted…

• • •

Previous | Next

[tojiwrd]

hana talking about how she doesn’t believe in marriage and gojo agreeing with her by breaking his engagement with reader 🥴

only for them to get engaged 3 months after they met and marrying shortly after…even if mr. gojo suggested the marriage so what? you are marrying out of duty? even if you supposedly don’t believe in it? make it make sense

pls tell me gojo senior will eventually find out what his son did to reader…if gojo was a man and told his parents he was engaged to reader his parents would have been happy and (don’t know if gojo senior would have gone to prison) the company would still be on their hands 🫣🤭👁️

geto really being delulu like his bestie, like cmon your bestie broke one of your friends’ heart and instead of give them closure by telling the truth bc she SEEMED to be doing fine you acted clueless 🤦‍♀️

@ gojo if someone you loved did what you did to reader (he broke and lied to her), would really NOT hate them specially AFTER waiting almost two years before apologising 🫥🫥

gojo why can’t you accept reader could hate(s) you…something is sus. aw pls don’t tell me, @ gojo, the honeymoon/infatuation phase is fading away 🤭🥴😏

him saying he didn’t want reader to think shw wasn’t important and he didn’t move on quickly…hello? do you hear yourself? THATS what you actually did!!

we need girlboss reina to make her appearance and spill everything unconsciously (not so unconsciously) to hana - knowing the truth by a third party hurt best 😈 - without forgetting the part where gojo still can’t seem to accept that yn could hate him 🤥

patiently waiting for you (author) to serve us a juicy batman revenge 🫢😏

ugghh i want to figuratively k word gojo at the moment 😤😤

question: did gojo leave when reader and geto got the confrontation or was he still in. the gallery?

ps. my toxic trait still wants yn x gojo endgame lmaooo

pps. sorry for the log ask

gojo and hana are literally the silliest and goofiest ppl i've ever wrote about. girly got her heart broke and expressed her feelings and gojo got to sympathetic,, put himself in her shoes and was like YEAH!!

mhmmm gojo said he didn't turn it down because he felt like that marriage ending would be better than if reader and him got married and had to end. it's literally pathetic !! and every man has done this at least once i'm not putting it up for debate. 🥺please, i have to end this or else i'll hurt u more in the future wahhh🥺

there will definitely be family drama!! these kids r going wild atp we need some interventions soon

geto is genuinely such a himbo like i love and hate him in this. he genuinely thought he was doing the right thing too like the audacity of him. but yeah a part of him definitely did it, even subconsciously, to protect gojo in a way even though i don't think he agreed with gojo's actions.

HONEYMOON PHASE FADING AWAY HAS ME CRYINGGGG. but nah fr he's acting too much n saying too much while having a lil ring on his finger right ???

i adore reina reina will be making several appearances i'm glad you are on the same wavelength. like my lil oc girly is out for blood every second we see her

answer!! : yeah, he was like a kicked puppy and left w his tail between his legs. so he definitely has no clue that yn literally went through hell and back bc of him

ps: i don't blame you gojo is so delicious like yesssss break up with me bc ur silly and stupid and your emotions have been stunted since you were in middle school yesss

pps: NEVER apologize for this i love reading these n i love u mwah kisses thank you so so much for reading it!! so glad you're enjoying it <3

[mothgodofchaos]

Slip

This is for @crescent-quill-writings, who reminded me that I wrote the first part.

Angel!Host x GN!Reader x Demon!Author, TW: religion Words: 873

Having guardians on your shoulders is a tale that they tell small children, as a way to help them understand their thought process sprouting in their subconscious, teaching them morals by personifying it. What the old wives won’t tell you, is that angels and demons once sat on the shoulders of people, and that they usually keep themselves hidden after the great witch hunts blaming demons and devils for possessions when in reality it was greed for power and the insecurity of men that led to those witch hunts. 

Now they’re hidden, don’t come out unless it’s absolutely necessary, and usually make their assignments forget they exist. Because in the end, they both want you alive for as long as possible so you can make more decisions that lean one way or another. Some angels and demons get along with each other, some fall in love, others fight with each other constantly.  You happened to have twin brothers who constantly acted like they were teenagers competing to take the same person to the dance. Charming to you, with snide comments to each other. It became a balance, and you frankly didn’t mind the company.

“The Host would like to know if they’re going anywhere later, and if they’d like for him to come along.”

“As if you two are going anywhere without me, blinds.”

“While he appreciates his brother’s offer, The Host is perfectly capable of watching over their assignment on his own. Seeing as he was the one saving them from the hole in the ground in the first place.”

“Only after I pointed it out! You can’t see, right?”

“The Author is indeed correct, but The Host sees through the divine connection he has with his go-”

“BORING! Imagine giving up personal autonomy just to get a “holier-than-thou” attitude.”

“The Host is going to pretend The Author is not there.”

“Oh! Just gonna ignore me again! Gonna narrate my mouth shut or something? Huh??”

You laughed to yourself as they argued with each other in your living room as you ate your dinner at the dining room table, watching the giants as they stand facing each other. Author gets up in Host’s face, who stands stoic with his arms crossed in Author’s direction. Author’s devil tail points and flicks as he yells at Host, whose halo glows brighter as you see him get progressively more annoyed.

“You can both come with me. We can go to a bookstore or something. Maybe a record shop?”

“Finally! Something to do!”

Author’s demeanor changes immediately, hopping around as he shrinks, landing on your shoulder. Host sighs, shrinking down and floating over to your opposite shoulder.

“The Author acts as if he is stuck here without personal autonomy that he was happily bragging about before.”

“And leave you to bring them to the bright side? Nah, I’ll pass. Sorry, feathers, I’m not making it that easy for you.”

“That was not the angle that The Host was trying to get at, but The Author has a point that he will acknowledge.”

“Thanks, finally!”

“Will you two cut it out! I’ll put you both in a jar and poke holes in the top if you don’t knock it off!”

They both glare at each other, as much as Host can glare through his bandages, and stop arguing. Author flops down, pouting on your shoulder with his arms crossed.

“Fine…”

“Thank you. I’ll let you each pick out a record if it keeps you occupied.”

That seemed to improve both of their moods, and they both nodded to you. You exit your apartment, walking down the stairs and down the sidewalk. The bell above the door jingles as you push the door open, shopkeep nodding to you and gesturing to the crates upon crates of records that cover the tables. Flipping through the nearest one, your guardians hop off your shoulders and travel to different sections.

It’s quiet as the player in the corner goes through a classic rock record you don’t recognize. You pull out a few that you recognize and like, taking them to the counter where Author and Host meet you.

“Duke Ellington, Hostie? Really? I thought you had better taste than that.”

“The Host promises he has better taste than The Author.”

“AC/DC is good! Damn you!”

“The Host will pass on the damnation, as that is The Author’s job.”

Host lets out a chuckle, which Author matches with a snicker. You pay for the records, and Author insists on carrying them back to your apartment. You tried to insist that you are perfectly capable of carrying them yourself. Your request was denied, guided to the door by Host.

Walking back you were frankly distracted in conversation with the two of them, talking about your individual tastes in music. A slip of your foot sends you flying to land face first on the pavement, until you feel a firm grip on both of your hands. They gently tug you back upright, as each of the men squeeze your hand tight. The rest of the walk is quiet, blush crossing all of your faces, but none of you wanting to let go.

That’s one way for them to keep you safe, at least.

[zeydaan-isabella]

A 90s Girl

Based on Summertown_Mall created by Sublimenol - with a story by LenoratheYinglet featuring  Lenora's Lucy, AceSentialSketches's Rowena, FoxxyTF's Darcy, rhodes's Ciara and Icaron's Sylvie

The readings were off the chart. But it wasn’t possible to locate. Not for a long time, not until they worked out the energy was that of Fae. So of course they sent Zeydaan. The wolf had the best shot of finding out whatever it was they were looking for if it was anything fae related. Whoosh! What they weren’t expecting, was a rather pleasant looking mall as they came through the portal. It looked quite old looking. Like it was built in the 80s, though the decorations looked vaguely 90s. Or the early 00s Zey couldn’t be sure. Documenting what they had seen for their check in message. What they saw was a bunch of anthros walking around. Mostly Teenagers. Must’ve been towards the end of school, judging by how many of them were around. The adults seemed somewhat… out of focus for some reason they couldn’t explain just yet. They sent a message to their team and entered the mall. Taking their time to look around the entrance to the grand building, none of the storefronts they could see looked familiar at all. And that was exciting, the prospect of a whole swathe of new stores to explore while they gathered intel! As they dipped in and out of stores they found themselves looking over odds and ends that seemed a bit older than they could swear was normal. But they didn’t seem to mind. If anything it was a blast to be looking over everything. Even if everything was a little blurry. And getting worse as time went on. Their eyes were perfect though, 20/20, so why was everything VERY blurry now. Rather conveniently at least they seemed to have wandered into an optometrist. “Here for your prescription I see!” There was someone behind them, giving them a start when they spoke up. Even squinting didn’t really clear up who they were speaking to. Everything was over and done so fast, they barely remembered making it to the mirror to check out how the glasses looked. At least they could see again. Even if the lenses were remarkably thick. Did they always have that purple streak? Their vision was horrible without glasses so they weren’t sure at htat moment as they toyed the lock of hair. She was here for a purpose! She had to… They had to focus! Even if they couldn’t quite remember why they had to be at the mall today. Were their teeth always this sharp, Zey couldn’t quite remember. They bumped into a clothing rack, “Oh clothes!” They spoke as if that had been their purpose for being out. They wanted a new hoodie, before the break started! They hurried over to where they had last seen it, getting excited at finally getting a Pink Floyd hoodie! It was a little oversized. But that was exactly how they liked em! Ring Ring! That was their phone but, something was off about the ringtone. They grabbed it and held the massive mobile up to their head. “Hello?” They spoke, their voice sounding just a little different. Everything seemed normal. The phone they had was heavy but not everyone had a mobile! Even if it was a chunky brick like hers. “Lilly? Where are ya, needed t’show you somethin!” A mostly familiar Australian voice came through the speaker. Although familiar, the name of who was on the line was eluding her. “What, who is this.. .again?” There was uncertainty in her voice, and who was Lilly? That name didn’t seem…to…  No, that was right. Why did they feel like they were forgetting something? “Ya ain’t waggin are ya?” Ugh Lucy always used too much slang when speaking. It made it a lot harder to understand what she was saying. How did she just remember– “Wagging? No my tail ishn’t-” There was the taste of metal in her mouth. “Nah skippin school! I know It's the last day but you never miss a day!” Lilly(…?) frowned, unsure of what Lucy was saying to her. School? She hadn’t been… “Jufft tell me now!” Lilly said over the phone. Holding the hoodie close to her chest. Something strange was in her mouth. Something felt off. But she was already used to the braces… “Nah I’ve not got the minutes for that. See ya here” Click. The phone call ended there. That was confusing, and she certainly felt guilty for skipping school. But she just had to have this hoodie right? So why did it all feel so strange? Like it wasn’t quite right! As soon as the hoodie was paid for they were slipping it on over their head. This would be so much easier if she wasn’t messing around with a backpack too. Wait where did– She didn’t have much time to think about that. When she could finally see again, ahead of her was the music shop. Right there in the window was her dream guitar. She was good with the one the school provided but she wanted her own! But this one always seemed just out of reach. Lilly hurried over to it, wanting to get a closer look. Her mouth hung open as she stared at it fogging up the glass. She wanted it so bad. “Half priysche!!” She saw the tag. It was on sale too! And she had enough money for it!! Someone cleared their throat! “Miss California?” Quickly, Lilly turned around to meet her gaze with a security guard. She immediately shied away from them, pressing her sleeves together awkwardly. “I know it's the last day of school but you shouldn’t be skipping school young lady! What would your parents think! Honestly those friends of yours…” He went on for a bit. “I jush- jusht needed a guitar for my final lesshon today!!” She lied. Pointing at it and the still fogged up window from where she had been fawning over it. The guard looked between her and the guitar. Raising a brow at what she said. “Go on then. But I am taking you straight back to school.” She nodded and let out a little “Yesshsir!!” and hurried inside purchasing the guitar there and then. Slinging it over her backpack and hurrying out. No need for a case today! The school looked as unexceptional as ever, so why did the whole walk through the building fel off. Like she wasn’t supposed to be here. She had been sent somewhere to do… something? Their head felt so fuzzy as they tried to focus. “Well look who it is!” Lucy! That brought her back to the moment. She looked away, finding the wall furthest away from the rest of the class to be more interesting at that moment. “Sshorry I’m late” Lilly spoke and sat by the fox sitting her things down by her desk, listening as the teacher got back into talking about the holiday reading and other activities the class could do on their break. Lilly just looked embarrassed as the bell rang for Lunch. She stared at the red left in her hair, thinking. So completely lost in those thoughts as the fox spoke next to her. Something was off but she couldn’t quite work out what, like the thoughts were there! Right on the tip of her tongue. Locker's opening brought her back to what she was doing. She had to finally gather the last things out of her locker before the last period. Final day before summer vacation. She opened the locker and saw various things that seemed to slot into place in her mind- the calculator with the cracked screen, the pages of various homeworks for various people, the girl scout sash her mom made her show off to the rest of class, and of course her beloved gameboy and pokémon cards she wanted to show off. Lastly, atop them all was her bright pink shoes staring back at her. That must be it, she wasn’t wearing them today. And a beanie…her beanie. She picked it up and stared at it for a moment.  The last of the red fading away as she settled on this being the reason she felt so off all day. Pretty silly thing to leave at school, especially so close to leaving for the summer! “I swear ya ain’t listenin or am I just earbashin ya?” Lucy laughed, closing her locker, turning to face the wolf. Lilly turned to face Lucy, “Wh-what? No no I’vffe felt a little off today–” Whatever was troubling her seemed to be completely gone now. No nagging feeling, guess it really was her beanie and shoes! “Good! Because you’ll be stoked mate! I got us tickets to that Green Day show this weekend!” Lilly completely matched the fox and her excitement, a nice change from the usual resting bitchface Lucy usually had. “Really?! You’re sherioush!” Her tail was wagging side to side barely able to contain herself as she let out an excited squeal! “Yea mate! ‘m pretty rapt I got em! ‘S gonna be heaps of fun!” She gestured Lilly to follow as she walked. “Glad ya got a guitar too! We got practice tonight!” “Oh shoot! Practish right! Yesh!” That was why she needed it! The band was going to put on a show! And she never felt anxious on that stage with them.

[thedarkmistress16]

TS4 Rewatch Rant Analysis

You don’t need to care about my opinion; I don’t want you to. But I want to explain why I’m frustrated about the final product in terms of both within the movie and extending to implications of the franchise. I also want to provide methods to improve or fix the building blocks of this movie as how I see the franchise and how these characters should be treated and developed as someone who’s grown along with these films and rewatched them more than I can ever hope to count. I’d figure I would post this here to get my ideas out there and clear my mind of these thoughts (also writing a fix-it fic is something too time consuming for me rn). I hope, at the very least, that my passionate word vomit is entertaining to someone.

Will be tagging spoilers since this film is still fairly new and I’m not a complete asshole. This will be a mix of analytical criticing and shitposty jokes for the purpose of harsh hyperbole and humor, so a complete mess all around. This is also stupidly long, been in my drafts for a long time so this timing may seem odd, and there is genuine introspection at the tail end of this. I don’t absolutely despise this film or want to run it into the ground, to preface.

I initially had very mixed feelings about Toy Story 4; I couldn’t tell if I liked or disliked it because the characters looked stunning, Bo Peep was different, there were references to previous films scattered throughout, and Woody’s choice had me still bawling a few weeks later when rewatching the scene. It was only after popping in the Blu-ray film in my newly-acquired collection set, understanding commentaries and deleted scenes, and watching other reviews I came to realize what worked and didn’t work for me in the context of the film’s franchise.

To put simply, the positives of this film are it’s attention to detail and overall animation quality (lighting and other effects) and that it’s funny. It seems these two things are unanimous and I do wholeheartedly agree with them. But it’s also why I believe this movie’s existence is to showcase quality with little to no substance. Which is pretty offensive considering the catalog of films that made a fourth one possible had care in tackling problems and characters in an intriguing and consistent way, and these are all stories about toys at their core, which still hold up today for human scenarios. But with Toy Story 4? Having complex and compelling characters with purpose and themes with development? Nah, animation preeettyyyyy and forky funnnyyy lol.

Expand What You Already Know. Or Don’t, I Guess.

This movie likes to forget the foundation it already has and decides to start from scratch, using valuable resources to create new character designs, motivations, backstories, and relationships when most of the work is already done for you. It’s majorly sitting in the RV, realistically doing nothing but taking up space (until the plot says so), yet systematically crippling this movie and the others before it by said existence. These additional toys that are background characters in this film should’ve either had development or a significant purpose in the film more than the ending or random RV shenanigans, or not been included at all because they clutter up the film (and I hate to talk about these characters like this as I do love them but that’s how it is).

In this case, less is more, especially if your main focus is on one to a few characters over the entire cast- being forky, woody, bo, and the new toys. This leads into a discussion of Bonnie having too many toys at this point which is one reason besides a child’s retention rate that results in the neglect of Woody, but the disregarding Woody after Andy’s speech about him meme isn’t the worst issue I’ve come across in this film (and I really don’t blame the girl).

Look How They Massacred My Boy. For Shame.

I didn’t need to rewatch this film again to realize that Buzz was done dirty in this movie. Going as far to say character assassination is amusing, but might not be as true in this sense. Buzz has no reason not to know what his inner voice/subconscious is and it’s occurrence here really undervalues the preceeding movies regarding the character and the thought behind his actions. There is no reason to have Buzz act deluded or ignorant to such common concepts in the world he inhabits as it insults the establishment and progression of his character up to and in Toy Story 4, and I will not blindly accept him as comic relief anymore (that’s what Rex is for and I love him for it).

I am well aware of the people in charge milking Buzz’s deluded state in every Toy Story movie (plus some Toy Story Treats) beacuse it’s funny. I laughed at it too as a dumb kid enthralled by these toys moving, talking, and have personalities. The schmoe and Hawayai jokes are still enjoyable to me, it’s cute. The problem here is there’s more to Buzz Lightyear than just ‘haha silly (deluded) space toy go brrrr,’ and not just in Toy Story 4 does this happen. Buzz Lightyear is tactical, (basically the whole TS2 rescue mission he started, using Rex’s tail to escape the garbage bag and coming up with the caterpiller room transom escape in TS3) intelligent (backed by academy training, shown in his fighting moves, instincts, jargon, etc. in TS1 and relates to last trait) a leader, (steps up into the leadership role in lieu of Woody in TS2  and TS3 or co-lead with him in the TS3 meeting), determined (to save his friends in TS2 and TS3), more emotionally mature than Woody (see all of Toy Story 1 and compare their arcs; Buzz’s turmoil is more self-contained/depricating than Woody’s, as the cowboy decides to take out his jealousy on others and Buzz, almost murdering the space ranger who only ever attacked Woody once and it wasn’t even during his existential crisis), discovering his worth as Andy’s toy and Woody’s friend (relaying Woody’s words back at him in TS2), embracing his role and family, having a crush on Jessie and supporting her through her trauma and fears, and I can go on.

If you want to make Buzz funny without taking away his personality and growth, have more shit like in the sequel, where a toy-savvy og Buzz plays off of those who think they are real like fake belt Buzz. I’m basically asking for the Bootleg Buzz deleted scene here not only because it is stupidly hilarious in concept, but it also lends additional world-building possibilities like a toy’s personal beliefs/perceptions and human/toy dynamics that hasn’t been explored further in this franchise’s film installments (See: Small Fry). Also, having Buzz saying space jargon in the context of his background knowledge always puts a smile on my face and you don’t have to dumb down this character to achieve that. :)

Is This What They Call... A Glowup? Cuz This Ain’t It, Chief.

My main gripe about Bo’s character is that she lost the personality she had in Andy’s house and her alterations go against the established canon of the shepherdess. More specifically, the strong, go-getter Bo Peep the creators are pushing for here doesn’t feel justified as an understandable change in universe because of the decision to portray her as a simpler or less-realized version of her future self in Molly’s room and extensively implies she’s always been or wanted to be a free spirit and leader when she’s never expressed this otherwise. Her new design isn’t as important to complain about in comparison here but I do find it odd and interesting how her eyes were made bigger in her redesign (like doe eyes) yet she’s rougher around the edges and serious personality-wise, whereas her initial design had sharp eyes similar to a human that enhanced her qualities like flirting and sassiness and the idea of porcelain that is smooth but sharp.

Woody’s surprise at seeing Bo all these years later would be much more believable if her personality initially reflected who she is in Toy Story 1 and 2 during the opening flashback; flirty, empathetic, gentle, and a general overseer of the room that watches others take charge to avoid chipping or shattering as she’s made of porcelain and has limited movement by design. Having so much agency and independence in TS4 may subvert expectations, but feels jarring after knowing this context in a back-to-back viewing of all four films. She’s comparatively more bitter, no-nonsense, and world-weary here, which I get because survival and harsh reality of the world, but she should have a lot more chipping than shown if she’s getting as much playtime as she’s boasting and desiring, especially the rough ones as the kids are random (unlike the deleted storyboard version of the playground). This really feels like a different character and I really don’t believe she and her sheep would’ve lasted this long or have this much fluidity, ingenuity, and agency as the movie claims. Some, possibly, but while humans can train and adapt their bodies for flexibility, strength, etc. to survive, toys cannot. They are stuck in their forms and Bo moves slow as per her build and material of which she was constructed, so she can only adapt so much to the rough lifestyle that is being a lost toy that wants to be played with from time to time.

The Lamp Life short tells me she wants more than, well, lamp life, with the intro concept to non-toys coming to life by a child’s imagination in TS4 support this and her possible in canon reason for existence since TS1. But the short is not Toy Story 4 and past Bo never expressed this in past films. She was really just there as a background character for Woody and never alluded to any dislike for her life or any existential crisis due to that initial purpose of being Woody’s girlfriend and nothing else (not even that initially because of Barbie and copyright so supportive side character to be generous). At the very least the creators of this movie could’ve respected Bo Peep in a way that did not completely rewrite her during a time in which the canonical characterization being shown of her is blatantly false (flashback opening scene).

Furthermore, a viewer shouldn’t feel the need to watch a short (Lamp Life) to get the full context behind Bo’s story after Andy because the movie glosses over those details and moves on like no long-time viewer of Toy Story is curious after her “return.” Details which could’ve helped Bo and Woody have a quiet moment to bond and connect over as they share experiences of being lost instead of being treated as an afterthought (Bo’s retelling of her “Lamp Life” to Woody took place after the conclusion of the fourth installment- Woody even says “Oh yeah, what happened after all that time?”- stating he didn’t even think to ask her about her past in detail during the movie at any point and Bo never explains it until someone else brings it up it in the short film- Giggles. This is something that should’ve been addressed way earlier if Bo is supposed to be one of the main characters in the film, hence, this is an afterthought to the creators and a wasted opportunity).

In addition, if they wanted to have Bo Peep undergo a character change that logically made sense, they could’ve lifted over traits from her original self to her lost toy character, such as her flirtiness for ex. Not only was it played for comedy in both the original Toy Story films (mainly concerning her reactions and interactions to/with the protagonists- moving buddy comment with Buzz and contact with and kisses for Woody in TS1 and TS2), it also showed how much she cared about Woody (wanting Woody to see how much Andy misses him in TS1). She was also a little sassy in her expressions and exchanges with Woody, too. Exploring how their relationship was established and/or moments they shared outside of what the audience had already seen for Toy Story 4 would help not only further develop both characters in a reasonable and new fashion, but aid the audience in getting attached to them on another level, thus rendering the couple’s reconnection years later all that more impactful and important. If Toy Story 4 was about the romance of Woody and Bo as old, lost loves reuniting, this movie could’ve really sold me on its existence, considering its content that was never fully realized even with Buzz and Jessie, who are in the awkward, blushing, early phases of dating (they might not even be officially together canonically at this point, and Woody and Bo’s relationship of comfortability would lend a great contrast to this).

It was hella cute to see the shepherdess and the sheriff together and having playful and sweet exchanges in the first two movies. While I understand that time can change a person and how they think of others, especially how memories can be associated with different emotions from introspection and how that person evolves and sees others in different lights, I find it hard to believe that Woody and Bo never once had a kiss on screen in Toy Story 4, nor had any substantial romantic chemistry from either side. It was my understanding in the original films that these two were established as a romantic couple (her existence is to solely be Woody’s girlfriend as said by the original Toy Story commentary) and it is fact that she has kissed him before (again, TS1 and intention to kiss in TS2) and can be seen approaching him to comfort him with words and touches (Woody’s favoritism issues in TS1 and his nerves about cowboy camp going bad in TS2- these moments are cut off by jokes like Potato Head’s comment or Rex’s tug of war with Bo’s sheep, but there’s enough time established with them to be treated as emotionally impactful moments, albeit small).

Woody and Bo being lost toy buddies doesn’t feel nearly as emotionally impactful as a romantic relationship would. Neither character said anything about their past regarding their past romance or even bring it up in Toy Story 4, just reminiscing like they’re old buddies. The most we get is Woody staring at her in two instances (top of the carnival and watching lights in the antique store), and even then it isn’t explicitly said if Woody still harbors romantic feelings or not. Bo commenting on loving Woody’s loyalty after their argument is said when he’s not present, and I don’t think she ever said it to him directly afterwards when they did meet up again, which further hinders their opportunities at expressing their feelings. It feels like one friend-zoned the other off-screen because of how awkward they are around each other and act nothing more than old friends tiptoeing around each other. Buzz and Bo meeting again are arguably more friendly in this way than Woody and Bo are.

The deleted scene of Woody finding Bo again after so long treats their originally established dynamic better than the scene in the film. In that storyboard, both characters have the time to take in and realize who they are seeing as they stare at one other, assess their emotions and memories, and fully act upon those raw feelings in real time as if they are their lost in their own world by embracing. This reunion is cut short but as stated earlier in examples, both characters are given time for this moment to occur organically (within the circumstances), and the insight into Woody’s memories helps visualize his feelings for her through the times spent together, enhancing the quality of the nonverbal aspect of storytelling... or storyboards, in this case.

In comparison to the final film reunion, Woody and Bo have to worry about other kids seeing them move and talk in the playground with their minds already preoccupied with the world around them and toy rules instead of meeting each other again after so long. By the time they get to a safe place to converse, it’s nowhere near as heartfelt and/or important as the encounter should have been and the action of Bo brushing off Woody’s shoulder feels like a visualization of earlier- sweeping a potentially emotional moment under the rug. Not to mention Woody and Bo are in toy mode when they see each other for the first time, preventing the audience from witnessing their first, raw reactions (I can’t explain how good this deleted scene is it has so much potential and I got emotional over pencil drawings of these toys and what it implies and leads to you if it was explored and developed more you don’t understand-). The lack of romance wouldn’t be as much of an issue if their relationship didn’t have an impact on the story’s conclusion and other characters by extension, namely Woody.

Was it Hoes before Bros or Self Before Bros?

I finally understand now why I don’t like the ending of Toy Story 4 and how it made me cry like a little bitch again like the third installment did. It’s upsetting to me because I don’t buy Woody’s decision to stay with Bo and leave his friends and his new kid behind.

I totally get that Woody may have chosen to be a lost toy because he feels no more purpose outside of Andy, and can’t let go of him, and maybe Bo symbolizes a connection to those early and simpler days (even though she’s entirely different now). With that in mind, I do like his self-appointed purpose of guiding forky as his development transitions from wanting to always be the favorite to using that knowledge and humility to help a new favorite toy adjust and understand its role for a kid and accepting that he is still loved regardless at the end of the day and has his family through infinity and beyond. But Woody abandons his new and old family for a new life, throwing out the whole loyalty to your kid aspect and not wanting to see Bonnie grow up. Woody’s decision in TS4 is basically if he stuck with the Tokyo choice in Toy Story 2. I like how TS4 wants to challenge the franchise’s conceptions on toys and their purpose, but it’s also insulting at the same time, attempting to demolish and reconstruct original elements. 

Alternate Routes.

After being tossed away by Hannah, either have Gabby Gabby a) realize she doesn’t want nor need a child to play with her to be happy and embrace the lost toy life, or b) double down on her insecurities and blame Woody forever getting her hopes up in the first place, challenging his ideals of a toy’s purpose and sense of loyalty toward a child, becoming an anguished, heartbroken, antagonist going after Woody in anger or stubbornly stewing away in the curio again.

Have Woody realize he doesn’t have to be the favorite or constantly played by his kid as proof he is loved and wanted by Bonnie, possibly overexaggerating his fear of abandonment earlier on. Have him rejoin the toys with a new sense of duty and belonging that is similar to his actions as a lost toy, but watching over forky’s adjustment and staying loyal to his family and friends with Bonnie picking him up and playing with him again similar to the alternate scrapped ending (possibly with his voicebox still removed because that was so heartwarming). This can also lend a nod to Woody’s struggle with being damaged and fixed by Andy in TS2. In TS4, this can be extended to Bonnie not only reassuring Woody she still loves and wants him despite being broken, but even if he’s unfixable.

Let Woody become a lost toy for his re-connection with Bo (emotionally and romantically stronger on both sides) for the “he’s not lost” line and the infinity and beyond line even separated, as let’s say that because he’s found someone he didn’t realize he’s missed so dearly due to fixating on Andy, he doesn’t want to leave her again not knowing if he’ll ever see her again and because he can’t let go of the past (my least fave solution but yes to toy romance and concept of lost toys having a purpose besides playtime meaning in each other awwe it’s too corny).

So... What’s the Point?

It doesn’t help that the movie gets confused about what message it’s really going for - toy independence but also stay loyal to your kid. In the deleted scene intro to “She’s the One” in Toy Story 4, Josh Cooley stated that he wanted to avoid Woody not changing as a character and essentially resetting the movie back to the beginning where Woody stays with Bonnie and the toys, despite him liking this ending which had come close to being very impactful and emotional. The more I think about this clip, the worse it sounds. Woody can absolutely be in the same place and change as a character at the same time, like overcoming his attachment to Andy by being there for his new kid who wrote her name on his boot like Buzz and Jessie, or wanting to continually guide and support forky as Bonnie’s favorite toy from his experience and knowing he is still loved and with the other toys. A movie can end with the characters physically in the same positions as the beginning, but with learned lessons and values that imply or confirm different actions in their future like bettering themselves aka staying true to Woody’s character and lending an interesting contrast to their earlier positions in the film, Josh Cooley. Similar visuals with different context behind them can be very powerful.

I really don’t understand why Josh Cooley and co. didn’t embrace their initial ideas because I would love to see them explored and he clearly wanted to include (at least some of them) in the final product. Editor Lee Unkrich of Toy Story 1 has said it is hard to cut things out in a film that you really love, worked hard on, and feel important to the story and characters. But you have to remove it or feel like you must in case the scene is affecting the film’s pacing/flow, etc. in referencing the Woody and Buzz bonding scene in Sid’s room, which Unkrich regrets shortening in hindsight.

But this also doesn’t mean you should throw every idea you have on the cutting room floor either, especially if it serves the story, characters, or plot in a beneficial way (hopefully all three). Josh Cooley’s Hungry Hippos idea and among other storyboard concepts I’ve expressed here are all really cool ideas and I wish they would’ve been explored as these are hinted at in previous films like Toy Story 3 and the vending machine scene, which can be developed further with the underworld of toys and gambling via board games concept. If you are passionate about what you’re making and have fun with it, the results will be great, something John Lasseter says at the end of the Toy Story 2 bonus features, and I fully believe that the things Cooley and others wanted to do could’ve worked out if they had that same drive to create and entertain while telling an engaging story that aligned with the characters and their journeys. 

Seeing the scarce amount of bonus features in the Toy Story 4 bonus disk genuinely broke my heart. I’m not sure if they used practically all their generated ideas in the final film or had close to none in the first place to expand the world and rules of toys compared to the last films, but it’s a damn shame regardless to see little to no creativity in this product that has so much more unexplored potential and creative ideas waiting to be immortalized with the ogs of animation in film besides visual quality. Of course I know that Toy Story as a franchise will come to an end eventually, as “toys don’t last forever,” and another franchise may develop these things better or more extensively with toys or otherwise, but I would’ve appreciated at the very least, to have a Toy Story series that either stopped while it was ahead, or be fully treated with all the passion, enjoyment, and respect it initially had as its creators did while enriching the world and lives of these toys to its full potential.

also,

How dare they break this duo up wtf. To infinity and Beyond? more like my waterhole has been poisoned, snakes are in all my boots, buzz lightyear is not coming to my rescue, and the mission is fucked. smh. truly the end of an era.

[nn1895]

AU August Fic 22

Surfers

 His friends had dragged him out to surf the thermal vents to take his mind off of ‘that surface mech’ that he’d been moping over.

 He was not moping.  He was just…remembering.

 Was he not allowed to remember cute bots?  Was it a crime to think about the serious, confused little frown on the mech’s face when Jazz had brought him to the surface?

     “Excuse me, do I know you?”  The half-drowned mech had sounded so baffled, Jazz had gasped out a laugh.  

     “Nah, mech.  We haven’t met yet.”  

     “Oh…”  The mech sputtered and cycled his optics.  “I beg your pardon.”  

     Jazz gently flipped the mech over so he was floating on his back and wrapped an arm around his middle.    

     “For what?” he asked as he towed the mech towards the shore.  

     The mech reached out and ran his servo over the delicate white fins on Jazz’s forearms.  

     “Pretty…”  

 How was Jazz supposed to just forget all of that?  It wasn’t like anyone else had come to help.  He’d heard the shock wave of the surface mech’s shuttle hitting the sea.  The others had retreated.

     “Jazz!  Don’t mess with it!”  

     “What if someone’s alive?”  

     “Then we’ll let the sea finish them off!”  

 It didn’t happen often - but Jazz had seen the shuttles and boats along the bottom of the sea.  It seemed like such a terribly lonely way to die.

 He couldn’t leave some bot - surface bot or not - to drown and sink to the bottom like that.

 “Hurry up PrettyFins!” Cliffjumper called back to him.  “Get your helm back under the ocean or we’ll all beat you there!”

 Jazz shook his helm and ignored him.

 Primus had gifted Jazz a quick-thinking processor with a truly devious bent.  He was the youngest bot to earn a seat on the Council.   He had been one of the warriors chosen to bring peace offering to their neighbors in the Serpentine Sea.

 Primus had also gifted Jazz a frame meant for conserving energy and long, heavy endurance journeys rather than quick sprints.  He’d earned the annoying nickname ‘PrettyFins’ because he had the biggest tail fin out of them all.

 Three kicks brought Jazz even with Cliffjumper, but the idiot only smiled and darted forwards again through the tangle of rocks and glowing crystal kelp.

 Jazz grumbled to himself and used his servos to pull himself through, collapsing his tail fin a small as possible.

 The mech had liked his tail fin.

     Jazz dragged the mech up on the beach as high as he could.  Then he looked down at him.  

     The mech’s optics were shut tight against the glare of the sun.    

     He wanted to see them.  

     Jazz flipped his tail over them and cast a hundred shards of colors over them both.  

     The mech opened his optics.  They were blue.  Blue like the shallows.  Blue like Jazz’s.  

     “You’re beautiful,” he said without a trace of mocking in his voice.  Jazz found himself turning his face away to hide his embarrassment like a sparkling.  

 His friends and family knew his complicated relationship with his frame - too slow, too colorful, and too noticeable.  It didn’t match Jazz’s quick, sly style.  New mermechs often assumed his frame matched his personality and tried to make a catch of him - a nice, homemaker, they thought.  Good for something slow and steady like carting around sparklings and fuel.

 The surface mech had only seen the colors and thought they were beautiful.

 And…if he had been anyone else, someone like Cliffjumper, he wouldn’t have been able to drag the mech so far from the shuttle to the shore.

 Jazz parted one last grove of kelp and arrive - after everyone else - at the thermal vents.

 There was one place in the ocean where his big fin came in handy.

 “Outta the way!  PrettyFins is up next!” someone shouted to his left.

 Jazz didn’t wait for anyone to move, he just aimed for the nearest jet and rocketed upwards.

 Freedom!

 No one was better at thermal surfing than Jazz.

 It was on the twelfth ride that it happened.

 Jazz was getting fancy now - twirls and tricks and fancy entrances.  This time he spun around the vent, just barely staying out of it, coiling tighter and tighter.  Then he let his fins catch just the edge - and he was spinning faster and faster upwards.  Beside him the other vents were packed with mech trying to beat his speed - below him were half a dozen mechs riding his thermal too.

 Then there was something ahead of him and it was coming down as fast as he was going up.

     Oh scrap. I’m going to die.  

 Jazz was too close, going too fast, he couldn’t stop.  His processor went blank as his frame acted.

 He pulled the fins on his left side and he started spiraling, slowing his assent.  He closed his tail fin tightly and slowed further.  

 It was just enough to give him time to circle around the massive object instead of crashing into it.  Below him he heard his friends glide out of the thermal, their fins slicing through the ocean like knives.

 There, in a bubble of glass, was the mech from the surface.

 The mech caught Jazz’s optics and there was      recognition    there.

 Then Jazz was dozens of lengths above him and looking down at a strange oval shuttle with a glass bubble.

 He dove out of the thermal and swam back down.  

 Inside the bubble, the mech was pulling things and pushing buttons.  His frame was still scuffed from the crash.  His face had the same serious frown as he worked.

 Then he looked up and saw Jazz again and his optics brightened to that shallows-blue and Jazz felt his spark stutter.

 It really was his surface mech!

 Jazz plastered himself against the bubble. He was trying to speak and wave his servos and smile all at the same time.

 The mech inside seemed to be having the same problem.

 Jazz slowed down and clung to the bubble as it slowly drifted down.  He leaned his helm against the glass and just smiled.

 The surface mech stopped too.  Then he darted forwards, releasing the controls and pressed his lips against the glass over Jazz’s.  He leaned back and clamped his servos over his mouth.

 A stolen kiss.

 Jazz laughed.  

 The sub drifted down in a lazy spiral, Jazz wrapped around it like a sea snake, tail fin fluttering above them like a silent sail.

[nyotasaimiri]

Arc Two (redux) 42

“But—” Hadley caught herself. She wasn’t going to get anywhere with Nyota in a mood like this, and besides, she told herself, that thing was damn spooky. Better just forget it happened. She turned to follow Nyota, and almost tripped over someone small and feathered.

“’Ey, I’m walkin’ here!” A soundly indignant penguin puffed himself up, caught sight of her face, and deflated just as fast. “Hey now! It’s the Princess! What’re you doin’ out this way?”

“Hey yourself.” Hadley cracked a smirk and flipped him off. “I’m on business, Toggy. I don’t have time to buy your stuff.”

The penguin chortled. “Wouldn’t even dream of asking. And who’s the grey?”

“My boss. Don’t ask.” She glanced over at Nyota. The captain was watching them, bemused. Maybe even waiting? Okay then. A chance to prove herself. Hadley took it. She tilted her head as if considering an unheard offer. “Actually, there is some way you could get in my good graces today. You’d like that, right?”

“Sure, sure.” Toggy rubbed his beak. “Not every day we get the Princess ‘round these parts. Whatcha want?”

“I’m looking for a Doctor Akaggy. Seen her?”

Toggy’s eyes went wide. “Seen her? Seen her? Princess, I’m avoidin’ her! That bird’s crazy. She’s been squawking on and on about some kind of big metal space suit. Old EPP ain’t good enough for her now.” He shuddered. “Me, I don’t feel like being plucked and fried, so I hightailed it.”

“Cool. So, where can we find her?”

He narrowed his little eyes at her. “You serious?”

“No.” She leaned down close. “I’m a Hadley. Now can it, and show me where Akaggy is.”

-

“Watch your hop.” Toggy jumped down from the last ladder rung and hastily scooted out of the way as Nyota stepped down beside him. Hadley didn’t bother climbing the last few and just dropped in a neat crouch, then straightened and dusted herself off.

“You’re showing off,” Nyota whispered to her, smiling.

Her only answer was a glancing smirk. “Your point?”

“Hey! Hey, Doc? You in?” Toggy shuffled on ahead of them, beak clacking nervously. He definitely didn’t want to be here.

“In the back!” came the sharp reply.

Toggy looked back and gave Hadley a bird’s equivalent of a nervous smile. “Say, Princess, this is as far as I’m going, okay? You can find her from here.”

Hadley relented just a little bit. “You can tell her she’s got guests before you scram.”

“Aww…” He shuffled on the spot, then called, “Two guests for you, Doc!”

“Two? Well, come on back.” There was a short pause. “Toggy? Is that you?”

“Heck.” Toggy hopped back up the step and scrammed.

Hadley snorted, caught Nyota’s eye for a smirk, and led the way into the back room of the lab. Nyota’s first impression was one of controlled chaos. There were little pockets of mess: a heap of scrap metal against one wall, what looked like four metal arms arranged on a workbench, an unfortunate grease stain pooling under some ancient vending machine, but each mess was contained into its own little space, as if someone had left them on display. The walkway was almost surprisingly clear. There were no penguins in sight.

“Hello?” Nyota called. She stepped forward, fur prickling as she tried to stifle the back corner of her mind that insisted on pointing out how much of the room was ideal for setting up an ambush.

“Just a sec,” someone replied from the back. The voice was very muffled. Something clanged, loudly. Someone swore louder.

Hadley eyed the scrap metal. “You need a hand in there?”

The swearing stopped with a quiet, almost embarrassed chuckle. “Nah, just need a moment. Apex and human, huh? What’re you here for, anyway?”

Nyota weighed her options and decided to risk it. “Arkadis sent us. We asked him for help, and he pointed us your way.”

“Arkadis? Well! That’s a different matter.” There was another clang, three sharp rattles, and a loud squawk, followed by a puff of feathers. A penguin in a bowler hat shot out of a pipe, smacked into a very convenient pile of cushions, and high-tailed it out of the room.

Another penguin, this one wearing goggles, slid out from under a metal table with a clattering of lug-nuts. “Hey there, friend,” she said, adjusting her goggles. “I’m Dr. Akaggy, as you might’ve guessed. Folks around here call me Doc too, or sometimes ‘Hey you with the beak’. Though that could be any of us, really.” She stood up and rubbed engine grease off her bill with an old rag that had definitely seen far too many spots in its long life. “So what’s the old snow-ape sending you around my way for?”

“We want to explore the old gate out in the Muhlifain system,” Nyota explained. She described the creatures she and Lumen had seen out there.

Dr. Akaggy listened thoughtfully and clacked her beak a few times. “Sounds like Arkadis did right in shooting you out this way,” she agreed. “Come on with me to the back. I’ve got something you might like.”