blogmiss

[jessicas-pi]

absolutely dying laughing over a scene i wrote. I am a comedic genius.

[inagetawaycarxo]

Post Breakup Run-Ins [WWE]

Warnings: breakups, mentions of cheating, angst, crying, heartbreak, breakout them tissues, me listening to SOUR while writing this, more angst, roman’s part is FULL ANGST, broken hearts, Roman being an ass in Jey’s part and his own part, as well as Drews, asshole!roman, mentions of cheating, insecurities, heartache, alcohol, Seth’s part is short.

A/N: All two parts. This preference involves Drew Mcintyre, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins. REQUESTS ARE OPEN!

Drew McIntyre:

Drew and you were on different brands so a breakup was inevitable. Drew and you broke up before survivor series. You were lucky you haven’t run into him yet, but that was all going to change when survivor series happened.

You thought you could avoid him but you were so wrong. You ended up crashing right into his chest.

You were talking to Jey, so your attention wasn’t in front of you. nor was his he was looking at you. you crashed right into something solid. Nearly falling, put a strong muscular arm caught you. the familiar smell invading your nostrils. It was him.

You looked up. Staring into his eyes. he stared into your eyes.

The moment was interrupted by Jey when he pulled you off of Drew. Drew looked annoyed.

“Come on y/n/n,” Jey spoke, before dragging you away quickly. Drew and you stared at each other till you disappeared.

.✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.☆.*｡･ﾟ✫*.

“You, okay?” Jey asked noticing that you were spaced out while he guided you to Roman’s private locker room.

“Do you think I should talk to him; I mean the way he stared at me…” You spoke. As Jey and you walked into Roman’s locker room.

Jey fought the urge to roll his eyes. He didn’t why you were under Drew’s spell. He broke your heart because you got drafted to smackdown while he stayed on raw. He couldn’t even bother to try a long-distance relationship with you. In Jey’s eyes Drew didn’t deserve you or a second chance.

“He broke up with you because both of you were on different brands,” Jey pointed out.

“I know but…” You sighed, but Jey cut you off.

“Y/n, if he cared about you, he wouldn’t have broken up with you, he would have tried,” Jey grumbled. Trying to prove a point to you. You must have forgotten all those nights you cried till you had no tears left to cry.

“What are you flapping your gums about?” Roman demanded. Rubbing his temple. Jimmy looked up from his phone, while Paul looked at Jey then at you, then back at Roman.

“Y/n ran into Drew and now she wants to get back with him, which I think is stupid,” Jey grumbled. Making you roll your eyes.

Roman let out a huff. Rolling his eyes. Obviously, you forget how much it broke you when he dumped you.

Roman composed himself. Looking at you. Making your heart jump to your throat.

“He broke your heart, y/n, he couldn’t be man enough to make it work, so he dumped you, broke your heart into pieces, you spent years trying to get over him, and now you want to get back together with him,” Roman hissed out.

“But…” You gasped out. Heart thumping wildly against your ribcage.

“I’m not done talking yet, you are better off without him, he isn’t a man,” Roman spoke in a cold tone. Like he was lecturing you.

Roman got up. Walking over to you. He gently rested his hand on your cheek. Eyes looking into yours.

“I don’t think your heart could take another heartbreak from him,” Roman sighed, stroking your cheek before leaving his locker room. Leaving you standing confused. Paul followed him, as well as Jey. Jimmy trailed behind but stopped beside you.

“Y/n, don’t listen to them, do what your heart tells you, if you want to be with him, then be with him,” Jimmy spoke. Making you smile.

“Thanks, Jimmy,” You beamed. Making him give you a playful wink before he left the room.

You quickly spun around. Opening the locker room door and walking out. Searching for Drew.

After about an hour of searching for him, you were about ready to give up. You couldn’t find him. Cursing to yourself. Maybe Roman and Jey were right.

Pouting to yourself you hopped onto a crate. Wishing the world would swallow you whole. You didn’t see Drew sit down next to you.

“Hey y/n, I’m surprised your guard dogs aren’t around you,” He joked. Making you look up. Surprise edged on your features.

“Drew,” You gasped out. Mentally cursing yourself.

The two of you looked into each other’s eyes for a minute or so of gazing into each other’s eyes, both of you broke the silence at the same time.

“I want to give us another chance,” Both of you spoke at the same time.

You smiled at his response. While he smiled back at you. Drew took a hold of your hand. Intertwining his fingers with yours. Your heartbeat beating a hundred miles. Butterflies swarming inside of your stomach.

“I shouldn’t have broken up with you, these past few years have been torture,” Drew spoke. As you starred at him.

“It’s okay, all that matters now is that we want the same thing, and that’s that we want to get back together, to give us another chance,” You spoke. As Drew closed the space between him and you.

His other hand grabbing the side of your face. Lowering his lips down to yours. His warm lips pressing against yours softly. Eyes fluttering closed as he kissed you…

Jey Uso;

You avoided Jey, and if you did see him you would run in the other direction.

Ever since he joined Roman, he had changed and not for the better either.

Roman told Jey to forget about you, that you weren’t supportive and if you dumped him because he joined family then you never really did love him. The truth was Roman was manipulating him and you couldn’t stand it anymore.

At first, Jey listened to his cousin giving you death glares, but that all faded. He missed you. He missed your touch, your smile, how your hair smelt, how you laugh, he missed deep conversations with you. He was aching for you.

So, he planned to corner you into a corner.

“Jey, what do you want, here to glare me to death,” You asked. Placing your hands on your hips.

Instead of answering you he just grabbed the side of your face and kissed you roughly. Placing your hands on his chest and pushing him away.

“Jey…” You gasped out. Eyebrows furrowing.

“I miss you so much, I need you, I want you back,” Jey begged you. Making your heart ache.

“We can’t, you’ve changed so much, ad Roman hates me,” You sighed. Looking at him with sad eyes.

“Then what if we date in secret?” Jey suggested. Making you think for a second.

You let out a sigh.

“Okay,” You whispered. Jey was close enough to hear. He smiled before kissing you again.

.✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.☆.*｡･ﾟ✫*.

Jey let out a content sigh, as you snuggled into his bare chest. Both of you coming down from your high, after having multiple orgasms.

You traced his tattoo. Looking at a bruise of his in concern. Jey knew you weren’t fond of Roman. Or his actions, in fact, you liked to call him a self-centred asshole. Telling Jey he is manipulating him.

“What’s going on in that pretty little mind, well dirty mind?” Jey asked, winking at you on the last line.

You moved your head up, looking at him, to see him staring at you. You playfully rolled your eyes. Lightly swatting him. Jey let out a fake ow.

“I just… I wish your cousin wasn’t so self-centred. He could come and save you when you get attacked by his opponents,” You sighed. Pouting at him.

“Don’t worry, babe,” He replied. His hand cupping the side of your face.

“But I do, you get hurt, and he doesn’t, it’s hard not to,” You sighed heavily. Jey had to distract you. He was still horny, so he thought why not go for another round.

“Let’s not talk about my cousin, not when we can go for another round,” He spoke, shifting his body so he was on top of you. Your heart rate accelerating a few beats.

“But…” You tried to speak but stopped you by putting his finger on your lips.

“Sh,” Jey shushed you making you pout. Jey positioned the head of his cock with your entrance.

Before you could even protest, he entered you. Making a gasp escape your mouth. Jey smirked. Satisfied he got that reaction. Your hands gripped his forearms.

“See so much better than talking about Roman.” Jey groaned out, as your walls clenched around him as he continued to slide into you till bottom out. Your legs wrapped around his waist.

What the two of you failed to notice was that Jimmy and Roman entered Jey’s hotel room, walking in on Jey and you naked about to have sex.

“Yeah, let’s not talk about me while you are fucking this whore, in fact, I thought the both of you broke up, please don’t tell me she manipulated you into sleeping with her,” Roman shouted. Voice booming.

You let out a slight scream. You could have sworn he locked the door. But the two of you were both driven by the lust for each other that the two of you didn’t lock it. However, your shock disappeared at what he said. What a hypocrite, he was the one that was manipulating people.

“Uce,” Jey hissed out. Covering him and you. Jimmy awkwardly adverted his eyes, while Roman just glared at you. You glared back at Roman.

“We wouldn’t have broken up if you didn’t manipulate him,” You hissed out. Giving him an icy glare. Which he shot right back at you.

“Babe,” Jey gasped out. Roman scoffed.

“You are such a brat,” Roman growled out.

“Least I don’t let my cousins do my dirty work or get injured because I couldn’t be bothered to save them,” You hissed out.

“You wouldn’t understand you aren’t a part of the bloodline,” Roman shot back.

Jimmy wished he had popcorn, Jey wished this would end, because he knew Roman would make him choose and he couldn’t do that.

“Uce,” Jey hissed out. Shooting Roman a look.

“You such a manipulating asshole,” You shouted. Voice rising two octaves.

“Y/n,” Jey huffed out. Looking between Roman and you.

“Least I’m not sleeping my way to the top,” Roman smirked. You narrowed your eyes at him.

“That’s enough,” Jey shouted, slightly upset at Roman’s words.

“And there it is,” You chuckled darkly.

“It’s true, you slept with Jey, got attention, now you will probably want to sleep with someone else,” Roman growled out. Glaring at you coldly.

“You really think that low of me,” You spat out.

“Yeah,” Roman smirked.

“You are such an asshole,” You yelled.

“Might be but you wouldn’t understand, even if Jey did make you understand you just wouldn’t get it,” Roman spat out. Crossing his arms. Did he just call you dumb? you thought to yourself. You wrapped the sheet around you, getting up. Jey quickly covered himself with the quilt cover.

“No, you are being a manipulating toxic asshole, I honestly think you need a reality check, and I hope Brock knocks some sense into you,” You shouted. Walking over to him. Roman’s glare intensified.

“Y/n,” Jey hissed out. While Jimmy looked amused. Damn you had balls to stand up to Roman and say that.

“Jey is either her or us?” Roman spoke, giving him an alternative. Making you narrow your eyes.

You quickly slapped him hard. Making Jey gasp and Jimmy try to control his laugh. The slap echoed through the hotel room. Roman grabbed his cheek a red mark formed on his cheek.

“I’ll do you one better, I’m done,” You hissed out. Casting a look at Jey, before you turned your head to look at Roman. Giving him an icy glare. You stormed off. Jey quickly got out of the bed, holding the quilt close, as he chased after you. Roman rolled his eyes.

“Y/n, wait,” Jey gasped out. Voice full of panic. He couldn’t lose you again.

“You are just going to walk out with a sheet wrapped around you,” Roman questioned smugly. Jey shot him a look, as you stopped in the doorway of the front door. The door was half-opened.

“Well, got to keep my slutty reputation up,” You spat out, slamming the door after you exited it.

Jey glared at Roman.

“What the hell was that?” Jey hissed out.

“She wouldn’t understand, and she is a distraction,” Roman responded. Shrugging his shoulders like he just did Jey a huge favour. Jey glared at his cousin….

Jimmy Uso:

Jimmy cheated on you. He begged you for forgiveness telling you it was a moment of weakness and he missed you.

But you weren’t having any of it so, you ended it.

Jimmy vowed to get you back. Yelling at you that he wouldn’t stop until you were his again.

You weren’t really surprised to see him at your doorstep.

The loud sound of persistent knocking came from your front door. Taking you away from the tub of ice cream and the show that was playing on the TV. You whipped your tears away. Before walking to the door. Unlocking it and taking the lock chain off, before opening the door.

You let out a groan of annoyance when you saw Jimmy at your doorstep. Eyes red from crying. He was the one that got himself in this mess. Holding a bouquet. Like they were going to fix the issue.

You were about to close the door, but he stopped you. a look of panic crossing his face.

“Please, y/n, I love you, I am so sorry I cheated on you, it was a moment of weakness, please, I love you,” He pleaded.

You closed your eyes. Fighting the tears back. You then reopened your eyes.

“If you ever loved me, you would have never cheated on me,” You snapped. Before slamming the door and locking it. Putting the chain lock across before walking back to the couch. Turning up the volume on the TV to drown out Jimmy’s pleas.

.✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.☆.*｡･ﾟ✫*.

You wished your self-doubt would go away, you wished you didn’t fall in love with Jimmy, but nothing is ever simple or easy in life.

The first few months of the breakup you wallowed. Crying your eyes out. Eating junk food to comfort you. To soothe your breaking heart. It didn’t help when Jimmy kept coming around with gifts trying to apologize. You didn’t want the gifts, you just wanted his love, but he couldn’t give that to you. Because if he even loved you, he wouldn’t have cheated.

He only went away when Sasha threatened him. Chewing his ear out. It pained you to see her get up him, but he did hurt you, and he did deserve her grilling. Sasha was your best friend in the company. Claiming you were the best hairdresser in WWE.

So, when you didn’t come to work, she started to worry about you. Till the point, she came over. Comforting you and telling you, you needed a distraction and to forget about him.

So, here you were at the salon you worked at. Trying to distract yourself. But failing miserably.

A bunch of teenage girls going to prom, made you think of Jimmy. Wishing it were that simple. You styled their hair. Doing your best not to think of Jimmy, asking about who they were going to prom with, what their gowns looked like, but it was hard not to think of Jimmy when his twin brother made his way into the salon. You rolled your eyes, as he walked over to you. The teenage girls swooned over him.

“Is he your boyfriend?” One asked.

“He is so cute,” One of the girls spoke.

“He is so hot,” Another one swooned.

“What do you want Jey?” You asked as you continued to curl the teenage girl's hair. She was the last one.

“Do you have a minute?” Jey asked. As he sat down on the bench to the side. The teenage girls stared at him in awe. While Jey shot them a wink. Some of them blushed while some of them giggled. You rolled your eyes. Shooting him a look.

“Are you two dating?” The teenage girl whose hair you were curling asked. Jey’s eyebrow flicked up.

“She wishes,” He teased. Giving you a playful look. He was trying to cheer you up. Seeing how miserable you looked. You rolled your eyes at his answer.

“He wishes,” You grumbled. As you curl the last strand of her hair.

“Nah, she dated my twin brother,” He spoke. Making the teenage girls gasp.

“There’s another one that looks like you,” One of the girls gushed out.

“Alright girls, all done, go to the counter and I will ring up the price,” You spoke. They all obliged, but not before giving Jey flirty looks.

“Can I have a word?” Jey asked. Making you let out a huff.

“I’m busy,” You huffed out, as you unplugged the curling iron.

“I’ll wait,” Jey responded. Crossing his arm as he sat on one of the chairs.

“Fine, just give me a second,” You sighed. Walking off to go charge the teenage girls. Their mums were there as well. Paying for the styling. You smiled warmly at them as they left the store. Telling the girls to have fun.

You let out a heavy sigh. Dreading to go back and talk to Jey. You knew he would want you to get back with Jimmy.

You took a deep breath before letting it out. Walking back to Jey.

“What do you want Jey?” You sighed out, as you reorganized your kit.

“He misses you, and you miss him, the two of you look like shit, and I before you argue and say he cheated on you, he regrets doing it, he needs you and you need him, can you please look past the fact he cheated on you and go back to him, at least give him another shot or be his friend,” Jey pleaded.

“I can’t Jey,” You sighed. Tears gathering in your eyes you quickly wiped them away.

“At least come back to WWE, everyone misses you,” Jey sighed. You thought about it for a second before looking up at him.

“Fine, but keep Jimmy away from me,” You sighed. Jey smiled brightly. Wrapping his arms around you and pulling you close into his chest. Giving you a bone-crushing hug. You let out a groan of pain. His plan worked, now all he had to do was get Jimmy and you back together…

Roman Reigns:

Breakups were hard. Especially how Roman and you ended. He ended up telling you he still has feelings for Galina and wanted to try again with her.

That left your heart breaking into two. You quickly rushed out of the room, while he called your name.

Ever since then you have been avoiding him. It didn’t help that the two of you worked in the same place, smackdown.

Doubts setting in your mind, where you a placeholder? Did he ever love you? Did he cheat on you?

Unfortunately for you, your luck ran out. You bumped into him in the hallways.

You felt like your throat was closing up. Heart thumping loudly in your eardrums.

“Hey, y/n, I haven’t seen you lately, how are you? Are you okay?” He asked. Looking at you with a general interest. His eyes looked sad. The nerve of him to ask you that, to even speak to you like you are his friend.

“Okay?” You shouted out. tears pricking the corners of your eyes.

“I can’t even look at you without bursting into tears. You broke my heart, you ruined me,” You snapped. Tears falling from your eyes.

Out of habit roman went to wipe them away but you slapped his hand away.

“Did you even love me? Or was it just fake, maybe you even used me just so you felt less lonely,” You snapped. Bianca noticed the Commotion. She quickly walked over to Roman and you. she wasn’t too impressed with how Roman broke your heart, after all, you ran to her crying your eyes out till you passed out. She was your best friend, so she felt a little protective over you.

“I hate you; I never want to talk or see you ever again, heck, I’m going to see if I can go to raw, and if I can’t then I quit,” You yelled. roman looked heartbroken, but you didn’t care.

“Come on y/n/n,” Bianca spoke softly, wrapping her arm around your shoulder and pulling you away from Roman, casting him a glare over her shoulder.

“It’s okay, I’ve got you,” She spoke in a soothing voice. While your body shook in anger.

.✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.☆.*｡･ﾟ✫*.

You no longer had emotional breakdowns over Roman. Lies. At least not in front of anyone. Though Bianca believed you weren’t over Roman. Especially since you got drunk to numb the pain or have one-night stands with other guys, to forget about him, and the fact he chooses her not you.

Roman on the other hand after his encounter with you, wasn’t doing so well. He made a mistake breaking up with you to be with Galina.

He saw how cold you were to him, but deep down he knew it was all a front. He knew you were breaking, and he was breaking too. But he knew he couldn’t break up with Galina as well.

She noticed Roman’s behaviour as well. Often finding him deep in thought. Or scrolling through his phone. Looking at selfies of you. Sometimes he would stalk your Instagram as well. At first, she felt jealous, but then she accepted that a part of Roman was going to love you.

“You still love her, don’t you?” Galina asked as she noticed Roman was looking at photos of you again. He quickly locked his phone a little too quickly for her liking.

“It doesn’t matter, I’m with you now, I picked you,” Roman spoke. Flashing her a soft smile. That didn’t quite reach his eyes.

She let out a sigh. Just because he flashed her a smile. She could tell it didn’t reach his eyes. He was miserable without you. Every time he was happy his mind would then wander off to you. His smile turning into a frown. She could tell he missed you.

“Talk to her,” She sighed.

“She hates me,” Roman sighed.

“She hates that you choose me over her, and truthfully I only think you choose me because of the kids, and maybe you do still love me, but I know you love y/n more,” Galina spoke. Giving him a sad smile. He needed to hear it.

Roman tried to speak but Galina cut him off again.

“Go win her back, give you her your all, and if it doesn’t work out, we can try again,” She spoke.

Roman smiled at her sadly. Getting up and walking over to her.

“I’m sorry, for doing this to you,” Roman sighed. Cupping the side of her face. She looked up at him. Slightly smiling. Leaning into him. Her hands grabbed his wrists.

“I know, but you still love her, go get her,” Galina spoke. Leaning up till her lips pressed against his. Kissing each other passionately one last time before he went to your apartment complex…

Nerves racked throughout Roman’s body. Palms clammy. Rehearsing in his mind what he was going to say to you. Roman took a deep shake breath in then exhaled. Clenching his hand into a fist. Bringing his fist up to the door and knocking.

He knocked three times. Calling your name. But got no response. His heart hammered against his rib cage.

“Look, y/n, I know you don’t want to see me, but I left her, I want us to get back together,” Roman spoke voice slight loud.

Roman heard the door behind him. Making him glance over his shoulder. Seeing your neighbour standing there in their pyjamas. Looking slightly annoyed.

“She’s not home,” They grumbled. Looking at Roman in irritation.

“That’s fine, I can wait for her,” Roman replied. Giving your neighbour a forced smile.

“You’ll be waiting for a while,” One of your neighbours spoke. Making Roman shrug his shoulder.

“Your problem,” Your neighbour grumbled. They were about to slam the door when Roman spoke again.

“Is she doing, okay?” Roman asked.

“By okay you mean, coming home drunk while her friend helps her, or doesn’t come home at all till the next day?” Your neighbour shot out. Shotting Roman a glare. Before shutting the door.

Guess he deserved that. But that got Roman worrying more about you. You weren’t doing okay, and it was all because of him….

“And after all, he put me through, I still fucking love him,” You drunkenly blurted out. Making Damian furrow his eyebrows as you downed the shot. An idea popped into his mind.

“How about I get him off your mind?” Damian suggested.

“How?” You asked as Damian got up off the barstool, tilting his head to the side hinting at the dance floor. Holding his hand out to you. You bite your lip, a small smile forming on your lips.

“Okay, handsome,” You slurred out, getting up and taking his hand. Damian pulled you towards the dance floor…

Seth Rollins;

You tried to get transferred to NXT but no, Vince wanted you on Smackdown live.

It was hard to avoid someone you loved, hard to look at him, hard to be happy for him since he was now a father. You weren’t too happy when you found out the woman, he cheated on you with Becky was pregnant, it broke your heart.

So, when you did bump into Seth you cast your gaze down to the ground and walked off muttering an apology and walking off.

Seth felt bad. All the guilt of cheating you eating up inside of him. he tried to apologize to you he really did, but you ignored him. he knew he broke your heart. He loved Becky but deep down in his heart you always held a special place.

.✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.☆.*｡･ﾟ✫*.

The alcohol only numbed your heartache to a certain extent. Though you always ended up crying yourself to sleep. You wished that you didn’t fall in love with him, then you wouldn’t be so broken. Wondering what you did wrong.

You tried your best to avoid Seth, especially Becky. You were hoping you would get released to at least ease your pain, but that never happened. You could only wait till your contract ended. Then you could be free of him. Maybe you would wrestler in AEW or Impact anywhere that was free of Seth and Becky.

All you wanted was to be enough for him, and you weren’t. You thought he loved you, but he didn’t. You were sick of feeling heartbroken…

FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED! IT WOULD MEAN A LOT TO ME IF YOU LEFT FEEDBACK! REQUESTS ARE OPEN!

[pars-ley]

The couples package

Pairing: Yoongi x female reader

Summary: Asking one of your friends to pretend to be your boyfriend on an all expenses paid work trip seems like a great idea...until you discover couples therapy is also part of the package.

Genre: Fake dating au / friends to lovers / angst / fluff 

Rating: 15 + (SFW)

Warnings: Explicit language / Therapy session / Making out

Word count: 2K

Notes: This is a request from my milestone drabble game (all my requests for it have been in the works for a million years, sorry it’s taken me so long!) for @unoriginal-username15432 I hope you enjoy this!

Beta Reader: @bluewhale52 thank you so much for your helpful suggestions.

"A free holiday?" Yoongi asks you, turning his head and raising a suspicious eyebrow. "What's the catch?"

You wince, hoping he'd just accept without question...you should have known better.

"Well, maybe it requires you to be my... partner."

"Huh? Your partner in what?"

You roll your eyes. "Life partner, Yoongi. My boyfriend, my other half, the love of my life you know."

His shoulders visibly tense. "I...I think that's weird, don't you?"

You pinch your nose, trying to ease the tension. "A little I guess, but Yoongi, I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate. The role that opens up for promotion is only ever filled by someone who's gone on this couple's retreat."

He turns to you, leaning back against his kitchen counter, arms crossed over his chest. "Are you telling me, you can only go to this resort if you're in a relationship?"

"Yes." 

"That seems really-"

"I know, its stupid, unfair, should be illegal, but that's how it works and I really, really, really need this promotion Yoongi, so please…" you clasp your hands together in front of you, begging. "I'll get on my knees if you want." you can't help the suggestive tone in your voice knowing it will make him blush. And there's nothing you love more than seeing him flustered.

"Fine. I'll come." he avoids your eyes as the crimson hue spreads across his cheeks.

"Thank you!" you throw your arms around his neck and lock him in an embrace. "You'll enjoy it, I promise and I'll make it up to you big time."

"Yea, yea." he says, arms winding loosely around your waist.

You savour the moment. It's not very often he's physically affectionate with you, much to your dismay.

"Ok, start packing. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning sharp." you order, "You're my bestest, best friend ever!" you call out the door. Once you’re outside, you can't help the excited flip your stomach does. Not just at the prospect of being in line for this promotion but also the idea of playing house with Yoongi, of pretending to be everything you actually want, of an intimate glimpse at a life with him at your side. That's better than nothing.

As you step off the boat and onto the pale sand of the island, you bask in the warmth of the air, taking a deep breath and holding your face up to the sun.

A nudge in your back snaps you out of it. "You coming?" Yoongi’s voice by your ear sends a shiver down your spine.

You wind your arm through his, receiving an awkward sideways glance in response but you choose to ignore it.

Trudging through the sand, a guide leads you to the entrance of the resort. At the reception desk, a bell boy takes your bags and leads you up to your room.

Yoongi's jaw drops as you both walk in - a huge queen size bed, covered in delicate, red rose petals, is next to double doors that open up to the balcony, framed by thin, scarlet veil curtains billowing softly into the room. You tip the bellboy and he leaves with a smile.

"Wow, look at the size of this shower." Yoongi calls out to you. 

Turning; you see a large bathroom with a roll top bath and a shower big enough to hold a conference in.

"I think it's designed that way for more than one person at a time." you fight the giggle, picturing the shocked look on his face as you start to unpack your suitcase.

Clearing his throat behind you, he says, "We have a problem."

"What's that?" you ask, shoving your underwear roughly in a drawer.

"There's only one bed." 

"Oh no, disaster!" you mock him and laugh. "So what, are you telling me you can't share a huge bed like this with me for four days? There would be almost a whole continent between us in there."

He scrubs the back of his neck. "I guess so."

You had to admit, the idea of sharing a bed with him had excitement blooming heavily in your heart...among other places.

Yoongi heads outside to take a look at the view from the balcony, but a knock on the door distracts you from following.

Opening it, you see your boss' smiling face staring back at you. "Ah welcome, welcome!" she says pulling you in for a rapid, impersonal hug. "I'm so glad you're here. Listen, first thing on the agenda is couples counselling, so settle in briefly and meet us in conference room number 4, ok?"

She starts to head off but you pull her back by the arm. "Er, I'm sorry, couples counselling? No one mentioned this."

She gives you a sympathetic smile. "That's right, I forgot, it's your first time here! I'm so sorry. It's just part of the package here, you have a session once everyday."

You blink at her, picturing Yoongi's reaction to this added piece of news.

"Ok? I'll see you down there. Can't wait to meet him by the way." she grins, her eyes searching the room behind you before she heads off and leaves you staring at an empty corridor.

You swallow down your fear and close the door behind you, knowing this will be the first argument you have here but certainly not the last.

"Oh, Yoongi my dearest…"

You prop your head up on your hand trying to look interested as you sit in the room full of strangers, listening to their mundane grievances with their partners. The chairs are all set out in a circle so wherever you look, you meet eyes with someone.

You glance over at Yoongi, who is slouching in his chair with arms folded and tension rolling off him in waves. You are  dreading your turn. He is definitely not an actor, he gets flushed when he's lying and he stutters. How on earth will this ever be convincing?

"Y/n, Yoongi, I'm sensing some friction between the two of you. Anything you want to discuss?"

You freeze, suddenly rigid in your chair as the counsellor directs his attention to you. 

"No." Yoongi's deep voice sounds beside you, low and unamused.

"I'm sensing some hostility about being here? Therapy can help the two of you bond and become closer." he clasps his hands together in dramatic fashion, making you inwardly roll your eyes.

"We're fine. Bonded and close as we can be." he mumbles.

"Y/n, do you agree with that?" The therapist turns to you, all eyes now on your face.

"We are very close, yes." you swallow, feeling like you're under interrogation.

"And are you happy with your relationship the way it is?"

No. The room feels hot, too hot, as you're aware it's not lying that's bothering you;  it's revealing the truth that's making your gut clench. You see Yoongi look your way from the corner of your eye, your silence must be confusing him.

"Y/n? You're in a safe place, you can speak openly here." 

You barely hear the counsellor’s words over the wild thrum of your heart, and suddenly a word leaves your mouth before you can stop it.

"No."

The counsellor leaps forward, on the edge of his chair, practically hovering in mid air, eager to get more from you.

"Honesty is the path to mindfulness." he says. "What are you not happy about, y/n?" 

"I want us to be closer." you say quietly. "I feel like he holds himself back from me."

The counsellor nods dramatically and looks straight at Yoongi for a response.

"How? I'm here with you aren't I, even though I didn't want to come."

Yoongi scoffs, turning in his seat to give you his undivided attention.

"What I'm hearing, Yoongi, is that maybe what you're offering isn't enough for y/n?" the counsellor says, leaning forward and  giving him a pitying look.

You see Yoongi's neck flush, knowing he's about to lose it as the vein bulges prominently in his neck.

"And what I'm saying, counsellor, is that I don't see how it's any of your business what I offer her." He says with gritted teeth, his low growl holds a powerful bite in his words.

The therapist holds his hands up in surrender. "You're right, it's not, but you're here in my session and it seems like it's y/n who really wants to know. And it's definitely her business." He leans forward in his chair. "So tell her, what it is you're offering her." 

"I'd offer her everything, anything I could. If she pulled her head out of her arse long enough she might realize that."

Your head snaps over to him, wondering if his acting skills have drastically improved or if…no, he must be acting.

"Have you told her this Yoongi, have you bared your soul for her?"

He scoffs again. "What difference would that make? She should know how I feel if she knows me that well."

You grind your teeth, annoyance running rampant through you. "I'm not a fucking mind reader, Yoongi. Am I supposed to guess what's going on in that big, dumb brain of yours?"

"For goodness sake, I want you to be my wife and have my kids one day! There. Are you happy? Clear enough for you?"

He slumps back aggressively in his chair, arms folded, face emblazoned with rage and embarrassment. All you can do is stare at him. You have no words to say as you're not entirely sure what to make of this heated exchange.

"Perfect. Guys, you've done really well this session. Unfortunately, time is up, but I'm going to enjoy working with you two. We've got lots to uncover, I can sense it." The man is almost vibrating with excitement and it unnerves you. 

Yoongi leaves first, making a swift exit with you hot on his tail, not wanting to be confronted by anyone.

As soon as the door to your room closes,  you find your voice again. "What the fuck was that?" 

There is no response as he drags his suitcase from under the bed and starts wildly shoving clothes into it.

"Yoongi, what are you doing?" 

"What does it look like? I'm leaving." He mumbles, eyes down and focused, body turned away from you.

"You can't leave after that!" You close some distance between you, fury boiling inside and bubbling over into the words spilling from your lips. "What about us!?"

He laughs a sad, exasperated laugh. "What about us? 'Us' will never be the same. I can't stick around to be pitied and pushed aside. I can't have you around me all the damn time not be able to hold you, I can't do it anymore, y/n. So please, don't ask me to." 

You see his cheeks turn a bright shade of fuchsia, his hands clasp his clothing so hard his knuckles go white as he still refuses to look your way. 

Your feet feel like they're rooted to the spot for a moment before you feel the ground come out from under you. A cloud captures you and floats you around the room, light and carefree. The words you think you'd never hear have finally been said and you cannot describe the pure elation and euphoria you feel.

You reach out to his shoulder, hoping to ground yourself as well as to offer comfort.

He sighs under your touch. "Please, don't."

His hands still and his shoulders slump. You grab him and turn him to you, lifting his chin till his gaze begrudgingly falls on you. Your heart is pounding hard in your chest from the promise in his words but also from the fear of being mistaken and rejected.

"I can't take it anymore, I need you. Right here. Right now." you whisper, voice husky and thick of want.

His eyes widen as he curiously examines your face.

"Please, Yoongi." you plead, hand drifting down to his, your fingers hesitantly entwining together with his. "I've waited so long for you."

His mouth crashes against yours in an instant and it takes your breath away. His sweet lips moving rapidly with yours, the taste of him enough to have your entire body throbbing violently with need. 

His hands find you and pull you closer, your body now pressed tightly against him. The heat rising from him drives you crazy and as his scent swirls your senses, it makes it impossible to think of anything but him.

"God, you make me crazy, woman." He whispers against your mouth.

You can't help but smile as your hands find anchor in his hair. "Yea, but you love me for it."

He kisses you deep, softly massaging his lips against yours, caressing them in the most gentle way. You feel like your worries and problems have dissipated, leaving you light and full of adoration.

"No arguments there." He replies.

[miabrown007]

seven is my lucky number — ch. 4.

“Dating you, platonically, and moving in with you, platonically, that’s definitely optimal! No problem at all!” Chat Noir said to Ladybug, and realistically, it should have been true. He was having a crush on Marinette for the longest time.

***

aka post-reveal pre-relationship roommates. but is it really pre-relationship if they are fake-dating?

seven is my lucky number (11,604 words, 4/14 chapters, Teen)

They needed to do something about it.

And quickly, because Marinette knew the incident in their new apartment wasn’t the first one, nor would it be the last. The teasing of her friends and family didn’t seem to cease, and however understandable it was that they were elated about all of her teenage fantasies coming true, they didn’t know the half of it. Which, again, wasn’t their fault, but Marinette needed them to tone down the casual remarks, and telling jokes, lest Adrien learn the true extent of the deception she roped him into. (Just when he was already so over her that she was nothing more than a ‘childish infatuation’...)

Marinette couldn’t have that.

Unfortunately, the thing they needed to do was actually act like a couple, instead of two best friends who said they were dating — at least as far as Marinette’s night-long meditation allowed her to map out the possibilities. Which, on one hand, was great, because hey, they had a solution! On the other, it was a catastrophe.

Marinette even entertained the thought of asking Tikki for advice, but she soon decided she wasn’t that desperate, yet. It was hard enough to convince the kwami everything would be alright with this plan — it wasn’t — and that the complications wouldn’t affect her partnership with Adrien — they did. She couldn’t allow herself to walk back on that promise. So when Tikki asked how she was doing, Marinette flashed the same smile she had worn around Alya the past weeks, and said that everything was under control. And Tikki — bless her naive heart — believed her.

So — albeit without outside input — her plan was ready. It was only awaiting execution.

“Do you trust me, Adrien?”

It was probably a weird thing to ask in the middle of IKEA, but Marinette had to give it to her partner, he didn’t even bat an eyelash.

“With all my heart.”

“Okay,” Marinette nodded. Like clockwork, his careless declaration sent her heart into a somersault. Still, she kept her voice even. She stepped into his personal space, handing him her phone. “Take a picture of us, please?”

“A picture?” he asked back, eyebrows raised.

“A selfie. You know, like couples do,” she said, pointing at the wall covered in mirrors they were standing in front of. “We have to step up our appearance game, and posting on social media seems easy enough.”

“Yeah, that’s— that’s smart. Let’s do it!”

He took the phone, freeing Marinette’s hands. She immediately hugged him by his waist, and prayed that despite the skin-to-skin contact, he wouldn't pick up on her increasingly pounding heartbeat. However, their pulses appeared to be synchronized, which must have meant, it was solely his body heat affecting her, and not the proximity. Otherwise Adrien wouldn’t have had the same reaction, right?

Standing on her tiptoes to reach his face, she still asked, “Is this okay?”

“Of course.” Adrien smiled a little too wildly, his arm coming around her. “Just like on patrols, right?”

Before she could change her mind, Marinette pressed her lips to his cheek, just as the artificial sound of a shutter closing could be heard. They shot a few pictures in different poses before she drew away. Then — totally not in order to not to meet his eyes before her cheeks cooled down somewhat — Marinette examined the photos.

“I took eight,” Adrien beamed.

“Eight?”

“Eight photos! So there wouldn’t be seven of them. That would have been unlucky,” he said with a smirk.

[read the whole chapter on AO3]

@mlbigbang @miraculousfanworks

[sachirou-senpai]

Kageyama, Yaku, Kenma and Hinata as sugar daddies.

request: ELLIE YOU CAN'T GET AWAY WITH PUTTING THIS IN MY HEAD AND LEAVING ME LIKE THIS AHSHSUSVSHS,,,, can I request some headcannons for Kageyama, Yaku and Kenma as sugar daddies? Or Hinata!!! Even though he's a sugar baby already shsghsbas ;;; Or you can choose whichever you like best between them??? I will be happy with every crumb I can get 🙏

warnings: mentions of s*x and sugar daddy/sugar baby relationships, hoshuimi is a nosy bitch, yaku has the confidence of a god (must be a leo thing) kenma is so cute ahhh, Hinata just wants someone to love and call mommy, i really love this. implied fem!reader for hinata, although i guess you could call a gn person or a male reader mommy. whatever floats your boat.

a/n: this was very fun. ;)

Kageyama:

what the fuck

how did he even get a sugar baby?

great question

it happened because he had a fuckton of money and had no idea what to do with it

and hoshuimi, of course

cause hoshiumi's a nosy lil bitch

saw kageyama checking his bank account app on his phone and was like

WHAT THE FUCK WHY DO YOU HAVE SO MUCH MONEY

it's cause he never spends it

hoshuimi offhandedly tells him he should get a sugar baby

later that night kageyama googles what a sugar baby is

he's shook

doesn't think about it for months

until he gets this ad for a "meet sugar babies" website on a volleyball video he was watching

he thinks oh hell, why not

so he signs up, and meets you

he's so awkward oh my god

but you think it's adorable, and you're glad he's not some old dude

he doesn't know what to do so he asks you a lot of questions about what you like and stuff

the first thing he sends you, i kid you not, was a fucking volleyball

you call and ask him about it and he's like:

"it's the best quality"

you keep it.

eventually he starts sending you stuff you ask for, which works out better for both of you

you help him with the concept of a 'luxury life'

eventually gets a black card and literally just says:

"please use it for me, i don't know how"

and you're like damn okay

the first time you attempt to do something sexual he literally short circuits

you have to explain to him that a sugar baby usually repays their sugar daddy/mommy with sexual favors

he makes the 😮 face

he didn't even think you were sexually interested in him?

he'd be lying if he didn't think you were the most beautiful thing he's ever seen

and he's definitely had some um, not so pure dreams about you

and definitely jacked off to the pictures you've sent him

which he just thought was to show him what you liked

so god if he didn't fucking jump your bones right then and there

it was uh, intense, to say the least

best sex of your life

and the cuddles afterwards? on point.

you two get very attached

he really really likes you

introduces you to the team

which was embarrassing

eventually, you decide you want to become financially independent, and so you tell him you want to cancel the agreement

he fucking cries

he so desperately doesn't want to lose you

cause he's fallen in love with you

he tells you about all of the feelings and how you make him want to do anything for you and he's sobbing while telling you

you're shook, because you've kinda been developing feelings too

so you're like, okay, no sugar daddy stuff, be my boyfriend instead

total 180°

tackles you and holds you, on the floor, for like 3 hours

he still spoils you, it's a habit of his now

but you don't really mind, because you have one hell of a man by your side

(gimmie a kageyama pls)

Yaku:

knows exactly what he's doing and knows exactly what he wants.

You.

he probably met you at some sort of event, you going because you were the personal manager for some really weird guy there

he knew he wanted you the second he saw you

and he was straight up about it too

we're talking like walking up to you and saying:

"quit your job, let me take care of you."

and you're surprised, because who just says that?

you don't even know what happened, but you said yes

quit your job that night, and left with him

yeah, you fucked on the first night but so what?

he is the best sugar daddy omg

he already knows what you like just by looking at you

(no he doesn't, he's just called Alisa so many times she swears her phone is gonna break)

he's more of a surprising you with what he's gonna buy kind of guy, but he always enjoys when you surprise him

he takes you everywhere with him

he has a game in another country? you're going. guaranteed.

he just always wants to be near you

it's clearly more than a sugar daddy/sugar baby relationship from the start

and he likes it that way

he just doesn't want to make you uncomfortable, so he doesn't say anything

you two fuck....a lot

it's clearly not because of the arrangement anymore

you're just naturally drawn to each other

it's intense

and you spend a lot of time together, not only because he literally takes you everywhere

just because you like it

there'll be periods of time where he doesn't buy you anything and you don't buy anything either, but you still stick around and you still have sex

and that's when he knows you actually have feelings for him

HE'S SO HAPPY OMG

you've been in the arrangement for several years

you're practically dating

and so one day he just asks you to marry him and you're like

fuck yes

who wouldn't want to marry yaku morisuke?

cause i sure as hell want to marry him

Kenma:

i think kenma likes to watch twitch streams in the background while he's playing his games

it's just relaxing

with a fake account, of course, he didn't need all the hype from when he joined their stream

one day, a streamer he was watching ended their steam and raided yours

he first heard your voice and was SHOOK

you had the prettiest voice he'd ever heard

so he looked at his computer screen and nearly died

how could someone have such a pretty voice and a pretty face?

wildly unfair, he thought to himself

at first it was just a low-key thing

he'd watch your streams, whenever you were streaming

it was a miracle you two never streamed at the same time

you were just his go to relaxation method

one day, he heard you mention offhandedly that you were struggling with money

and so you know what he did?

donated 10k

he was already basically in love with you, so why not help you out?

and your reaction was perfect

you started smiling so hard, and thanking him over and over

it put a smile on his face for the next week, kuroo though he was sick

and he did it again, the week after

and again

and again

and so finally you messaged him asking why he kept sending you so much money

and he just sent you his number, with the message "call me"

you were so nervous

but you did

AND OH MY GOD IT WAS KODZUKEN?

WHAT?

you were such a big fan

and you really didn't know what to do

he was ever so kind, (lmao no) and just said:

"let me take care of you. i don't want you to ever have to stop streaming and go find a job that makes you more money."

you're so surprised you can't even speak

WHO SAYS THAT??

KENMA FUCKING KOZUME, APPARENTLY

you agree so hesitantly, and he notices

"you deserve it, please don't feel bad. i want to spend my money on you."

"o-okay"

"good."

and so that's exactly what he does, he'll just send you money every week

and little trinkets too, stuff you've mentioned in your streams or in the calls you'll have

you don't live close at all, but you wanted to meet up

he was sooooo nervous

kuroo, yet again, thought he was sick

and he probably was

but he came to you, and you just walked around a little, you showing him your favorite things about your city

he was just staring at you the whole time

he had come to stay with you for a week

and insisted that you stayed in a hotel with him, even though your house was literally right there

you slept in different beds

until one night you just got really paranoid about the horror game you played earlier

so you walked over and just got into bed with him

he was half asleep, but all he knew was the person of his dreams was laying in a bed next to him and he would hate himself in the morning if he didn't hold you close as physically possible

you woke up in each other's arms

annnnd that's when you both knew you were done for

he asked you to move in the day before he left

you said yes

(now i want a kenma too)

Hinata:

oh my god what a baby

he just wanted someone to be with, really

atsumu was the one who suggested it

after kenma stopped sponsoring Hinata, he ended up learning how to manage his money and he was really good at it??

he invested well and now had a loooot of money

he was talking about his money like a Grown Man

and atsumu was like,

"do ya spend any of it?"

"yeah, on my investments"

"no, i meant like on yourself"

"well for food and stuff"

"LIKE FOR ENJOYMENT"

"m-my gym membership?"

"oh my fucking god"

so atsumu tells him to get a sugar baby

"a baby? i don't have the time for a child!!!"

queue atsumu literally dying inside

he shows Hinata an app and is like,

"don't worry, they're all grown"

"oh"

so atsumu helps him fill out the profile for the app

atsumu uwu's inside when he sees Hinata checked the box for 'emotional fulfillment only'

cause like, what a precious baby

anyway, a couple hours later he gets a match

and he's like

"WOAH ATSUMU LOOK LOOK HOW PRETTY THEY ARE"

"damn, okay hinata, nice kill"

he's so happy to find someone to talk to besides his family and volleyball friends

you two talk

ALL

THE

TIME

and he sends you the cutest things omg

like a little plushie he saw? in the mail the next day

some MSBY merch? yeah, he's sending that too

little snacks he thinks you'd like? yep, those are going too

he sends you the stereotypical sugar baby stuff too, like pretty dresses and suits and lingerie and jewelry

he was blushing so hard when he tried to put the lingerie in the mail, atsumu had to do it for him

a couple days later, you send him a picture of you wearing it

he

wow

sure, he knew you were pretty, and was undeniably physically attracted to you

but he'd never felt like that

he took the LONGEST shower

he couldn't even message you till the next morning because he knew he'd have to look at the picture and god he'd never get to bed if he looked at it any more

he was surprised in the morning when he had messages from you saying sorry and that you shouldn't have sent it and that you didn't mean to make him uncomfortable

that you would understand if he wanted to call off the arrangement

he was like WHAT???? NOOOO

so he drives alll the way to where you live and pounds on your door

you're like hinata what?

"PLEASE DON'T THINK THAT I HATE YOU AND WANT TO CANCEL THE ARRANGEMENT I JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO YOU LOOKED SO PRETTY AND I JUST I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT AND THEN I STARTED THINKING ABOUT BAD THINGS LIKE WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE IF YOU DID NAUGHTY THINGS TO ME AND I WANT IT I WANT IT REALLY BAD I-"

you're kissing him

wait

YOU'RE KISSING HIM???

holyshitholyshitholyshitholyshit

he doesn't know what to do

he's desperately trying to process what you're doing, but with your tongue shoved down his throat that's a little hard

so you know what he does?

he fucking whines

and you're like ohhhh shittttt

yeah you fuck

and you get the nickname mommy

which you love

such a sweet relationship

yes, relationship

you got together

he's so happy

looks like he got laid all the time

(which he usually did, but that's beside the point)

he's just giddy

and it's the cutest thing

10/10 relationship, please cherish him forever

(now i want a kageyama, yaku, kenma and a hinata DAMNIT)

oh my god this was so fun and perfect

@warmbearhugs i'm so glad we talked about with this, and i'm so glad you requested it

taglist: @warmbearhugs wow, i've tagged you 3 times in this post now @beanst0ck @your-local-abyss @oof-she-needs-therapy @tendouthighs @oyasenpai @senkuwu-chan @lovetsuki @kuroos-babie @keijination

send an ask to be added to the taglist!

[writing-in-april]

Unsolved

Raymond Wadsworth (MGG in Suburban Gothic) x Gender Neutral Reader

Summary: Raymond runs into the buzzfeed unsolved duo again while investigating the same place he is, plus their cute camera operator.

A/N: Day 3 of 7 for my 500 follower celebration! This ended up in a wildly different direction then I was planning on going but I still really like this one a lot- plus it’s my first time posting for Raymond! Thank you to @ontheoddoccasioniwritestuff who planted the idea into my mind 🥰 Go check out their stuff it’s amazing (Especially Between Bars it’s my favorite) ~this is also unbeta’d so sorry if there are grammar mistakes~

Warnings: A few swear words, Sexual Innuendos- Plus the lightbulb breaking over Raymond story (this is way more tame then the movie however)

Masterlist Word count: 1.0k

Working as a camera operator for Buzzfeed Unsolved was a dream come true for a young adult not that long out of college like myself. Now, I personally didn’t believe in ghosts like Ryan did, but the appeal of the show for me was being able to be surrounded by great moments in history. I got to visit some of the most famous historical landmarks, ranging from the supposedly haunted ghost town of Tombstone, Arizona to the subterranean terrors of the London Tombs. Sure- it was all under the guise of ghost hunting but even that still had its charms even if I did believe every ‘encounter’ was bullshit.

My most wild encounter at a site we were investigating didn’t come from a ghost at all, rather it came from a man named Raymond when we had been at Waverly Hills Hospital. Raymond was a paranormal investigator who was far more invested compared to our group- even more so than Ryan.

It was funny to hear Raymond’s ‘experiences’ with ghosts. Compared to what I had seen with Ryan and Shane the ‘ghosts’ that had haunted him in the past seemed rather amusing to me. However- I still did not buy his story. I was more inclined to believe that any encounters with ghosts were a figment of everyone’s imagination or a story made up for profit.

When it comes to Raymond normally I’d assume that his whole story was just to get a quick buck, I mean he did have a business based around the supernatural. But, the difference between everyone else’s stories Raymond’s seemed wildly outlandish to the point that I slightly questioned his sanity. (However, that didn’t affect how attractive I found him)

Who would make up stories like his? If they were fake it was a bold move to make his whole business based off of ghost stories that even the biggest ghost enthusiast would have a hard time believing. Even Ryan raised his eyebrows every time Raymond told another one of his tales. Either that or his story of a jizz filled light that broke above his head was really true and everything I’ve ever known or believed in was bullshit. He was a puzzle for me to solve and it was one that I wanted to solve desperately.

“So you’re telling me a light bulb exploded above you and jizzed all over you?” Shane was in disbelief at this new story that Raymond was telling us. We had run into him again when we started to investigate the Sorrel-Weed house just as we were about to enter.

“I believe you think you saw that.” I piped up to say right after Shane, it was fun to get Raymond riled up. He always tended to look down at the ground with a frustrated glare whenever we tried to disprove his theories everytime we saw him. However, even though I definitely did not believe his stories, there was still something incredibly endearing about him. The way he talked animatedly and with passion every time we had a rousing debate about the existence of the paranormal or maybe it was the fluffy curly hair that looked like a bird’s nest. Whatever it was didn’t matter- just the fact that every time I was in his presence my eyes were glued to him, hanging on to every word no matter how unbelievable they were. I couldn’t help shamelessly flirting with him this time around as well the little blush he had on his cheeks everytime that I dropped a sexual innuendo during our debate only egged me on further. When Raymond left so we could film our episode I found myself getting sad, I wanted him to stay and investigate with us.

—-

After we had investigated the place we were standing by our cars listening to Ryan talk excitedly about how he saw a ‘ghost’ in the house. My bet was that it had actually been the caretaker though there was no chance in convincing Ryan of that, though I would've given anything to see Raymond’s reaction to the ‘ghost’. I was more focused on what Shane was doing at the moment, he was leaning back giving me a funny look- one that he had been giving me the whole night for some reason.

“You like him don’t you?” He suddenly remarked to me after a brief pause in Ryan’s spiel, which also gained Ryan’s attention.

“What? Who?”A blush fell across my cheeks and the rock that I had absentmindedly been kicking was now the most interesting thing in the world. I pretended to play coy, I knew who he was referring to- I had not been exactly subtle in my flirting with Raymond today.

“Raymond- You were looking at him in like- awe the whole time he was here.” He kept pushing and Ryan concurred with his thoughts. I might as well come out and admit the fact that I liked the lanky spaz. I nodded my head in confirmation to the two of them, my blush deepening even further.

“Well- just promise that you stay a Shaniac if you ever act on your feelings, I don’t want to be outnumbered.” I snorted a little at his comment and Ryan let out a little wheeze. Maybe this would be the push I needed to act on my feelings- I was pretty sure he liked me as well as his eyes tended to light up everytime I walked into a room or I started talking with him. So why not? I already happened to have his phone number in my phone so I took a leap of faith, texting him and asking him out on a date. Maybe we could go ghost hunting.

Whether or not the Sorrel-Weed house was haunted will remain-

Unsolved. (Though Ryan would debate that)

But- Whether or not I feelings for Raymond was-

Solved.

[harrysweasleys]

sweet as apple pie //d.m

Summary: hi! i was wondering if you could do a draco x reader where draco is only soft and sweet to a ravenclaw girl but gets embarrassed when other slytherins notice? you can end it however you’d like!

Warnings: none

Word Count: 1.8k

A/N: i wrote this in like an hour because i was so inspired and in one of those ‘loving draco malfoy’ moods, as always! hope you enjoy! :)

—

The Black Lake, though the thought of going in was slightly terrifying, brought you great peace and comfort on sunny afternoons where you’d find yourself homework-free. Some of your best afternoons were spent here, really.

The soothing ripples lapped against the rocks and shore as you sat in the shade of an old beech tree, the birds chirping melodically and the occasional bee buzzing by to land on a flower. The grass swayed in the fresh spring air and the smell of nature took over your senses.

You’d sit here for hours, reading silently or sketching the view under the comfortable shade, the distant laughter of students being the only distraction you could be faced with.

However, that was proven to be false as Draco strolled across the grass and sat across from you, his face lighting up immediately as you smiled over at him.

“Thought you’d wait for me outside the common room,” he grinned, teasing you as you placed your bookmark in the page you had just been invested in, putting the book aside and turning your attention to him.

“Sorry,” you forced a fake pout, “The sunshine was calling to me and I didn’t want to wait in the mouldy dungeons.”

He placed a hand over his heart, pretending to be offended, “Mouldy? I’ll have you know that’s currently where I reside, thank you very much.”

You tossed your head back against the tree, laughing at his dramatic twist of your words.

“I don’t blame you, though,” he looked up to the cloudless sky with squinted eyes, “It’s a rather marvellous day.”

You nodded, your laughter subsiding, “It is, I agree. The only problem is that you’re too far away.”

“This, I also agree with,” he raised his eyebrows and stood up, walking closer to you and sitting under the same tree, his arm pressed up against yours. He was close enough for you to smell him, to take in the delicate features that graced his face. You could even see the adoration in his eyes — the fondness — causing you to bite your lip in order to suppress your growing grin.

“Better?” he asked with a smirk, catching you in the act of staring at him as if in a romantic daydream. Not that you hadn’t stared at him in that exact same manner on countless previous occasions, of course. But he’d tease you about it anyways.

“Much,” you replied softly, the pink hue forming on your cheeks. You wanted to tell yourself it was due to the heat, but you knew damn well it was Draco’s doing.

He wrapped his arm around your shoulder, pulling you in to his side. His grip tightened slightly as he pressed a kiss to your forehead, butterflies fluttering wildly in your belly at his touch.

Nearly a year of dating and this man still had you as giddy as you were on your first date.

You knew he was well aware of the effect he had on you — he relished in it, actually. He’d send you winks during class to see the blush form on your cheeks, he’d also purposefully leave his sweater behind so he could compliment you non-stop as you wore it the next day. Every little thing he did would cause your butterflies to erupt and your cheeks end up sore after smiling like an idiot.

“Your hair smells like apple pie,” he muttered after a comfortable period of silence, his head resting against yours, “I like it.”

“My shampoo is actually citrus,” you chuckled, “but thank you.”

“Oi, Malfoy!” a loud, abhorrent voice called out and ruined your intimate moment. You looked over with a grouchy expression to see Crabbe and Parkinson crossing the lawn, their eyes squinted under the peak sunlight as they headed straight towards the two of you. You internally scowled as they got closer, already wishing they would just leave.

Draco’s arm retracted from around you and he waved weakly at them, his face dropping and all traces of the soft, loving person he was just moments ago was covered up. Your heart sank slightly as you shifted away, causing the distance to grow between the two of you.

“What is it?” Draco snapped, the tips of his ears slightly pink as he stared up at Crabbe’s obliviously blank expression.

Crabbe’s eyes widened at the tone, “Just wondering where you went. Thought we’d see what Potter was up to.”

You bit the inside of your cheek, wanting to speak up but knowing it was best if you didn’t. Draco’s friends, as witless and brainless as they were, could be quite arrogant if contradicted and the last thing you wanted was to put Draco in a weird position.

“I’m alright,” Draco replied dryly before looking over at you, “I’ve already got plans.”

You relaxed at his words, glad he wasn’t leaving you to hang out with his idiot peers. Not that he ever really had before, but Draco always seemed to hold himself to a different standard around them.

Crabbe and Parkinson looked at you, both furrowing their eyebrows before turning back to Draco.

“Malfoy growing a little soft, is he?” Pansy asked, placing her hands on her hips and grinning down at the boy next to you. You smirked at her teasing tone, knowing how easily flustered Draco could get.

“What — soft? No —,” Draco rambling was cut off by Pansy’s rambunctious laughter.

“Let’s go, Crabbe. The lovebirds clearly don’t want our presence.”

Crabbe rolled his eyes in disappointment and followed after her as she dragged him away, leaving you and Draco in silence.

“So, embrassed by me, much?” you asked, crossing your arms and cocking an eyebrow.

Draco sighed, dropping his head, “No, of course not, love,” he reached for your hands, “I just — I don’t know — feel like I have a reputation to uphold. Especially around them.”

You nodded, not upset or offended, but simply just wanting to know what was going on in his complex mind. There had been a few instances, usually around his Slytherin peers, where Draco would pull away from you or act a little colder when people pointed out the way he behaved around you.

Softer, nicer, calmer.

You loved it. Loved that he cared about you enough to show his softer side. You knew you were the only one he showed it to. But you only wished he was confident enough to not shy away every time someone caught him like that. That he’d be more open to having others see him be more human.

“Draco, you realize no one actually cares if you’re nicer to me?” you smiled at him, “I’m your girlfriend. If anything, it’s better. It’s making you nicer to other people too.”

He shook his head, “Is it? Ask anyone in this school — I don’t think any of them would describe me using the word nice.”

“That’s only because of your stupid reputation,” you mocked his voice, causing his lips to turn upwards into an amused smile.

He picked up on your teasing tone and flashed you a smile, shaking his head, “You’re something, you know?”

You nodded, “Oh, I know. But next time, please don’t shy away. I’m proud of having you as my boyfriend and I want to show that off.”

He failed at trying to hide his flushed cheeks as he pulled you close, “Okay, I promise. I’ll show the whole school you’re mine.”

——

The atmosphere in the Great Hall was tense leading up to tonight’s Quidditch match between Slytherin and Hufflepuff. With good reasoning, though, as whoever won this match would play Gryffindor for the Quidditch Cup in a few months.

You looked over to the Slytherin table, noticing how Draco would hesitantly pick at his food and put it back down. Clearly, his appetite was leaving him as the nerves settled in.

Usually calm and collected, Draco would rather die before telling anyone he was nervous. Lucky for you, though, you could read him like an open book.

Dinner ended and he stood up, walking straight towards you as you finished your food and bid good evening to your fellow Ravenclaws as you jogged over meet Draco.

“Are you going to be at the game?” he asked quickly. He had asked the question so quickly that it took you a proper moment before you could process the words that had come out of his mouth.

“Course,” you replied with tilt of your head, “Always am, aren’t I?”

“Wear this,” he peeled off his emerald green ‘Slytherin Quidditch’ sweater, leaving him only in his button up shirt, and handed it over to you, “For my luck, of course. And because you’re my girl.”

You beamed as your cheeks grew hot, “Alright.”

Pulling the sweater on over your head and smelling his cologne, your heart did a jolt. He grinned at you, leaning down and pressing his lips against yours, right in the middle of the crowded Great Hall.

He had only ever kissed you in private before.

Shocked by his open reaction, it took you a second to register the kiss and reciprocate. You wrapped your arms around his neck and leaned into him, deepening the kiss and pouring every ounce of love that you could possibly muster into it.

You heard wolf whistles, whether from his friends or yours, you couldn’t tell. You didn’t care, either.

“Well,” you mumbled as you pulled away, lips feeling swollen and your heart rate definitely increasing, “Wonder how good the kiss will be if you win tonight.”

“Guess you’ll have to find out, love,” he winked your way.

Forget an increased heartrate — your heart was now going into complete frenzy. You nearly forgot to breathe for a second.

Draco Malfoy and his damn charm.

And, luckily for you, Slytherin had pulled off a glorious victory. Draco had caught the Snitch and Slytherin had won loud and proud. You had cheered him on from the sidelines, donning his sweater and grinning like a fool every time he’d pass by you and shoot you a thumbs up.

You could tell his confidence was very much present as he zoomed around on his broom, not bickering with the other team and focusing his attention on actually playing the game. So, when Slytherin won, even though you weren’t in said house, the victory felt very well deserved.

You were one of the first to rush down onto the field afterwards, Draco too busy priding himself over his catch to even notice you charging in his direction. You hopped onto his back, wrapping your arms around his neck and pressing a large kiss to the side of his cheek.

“You did it!”

He put you down and spun around, wrapping his arms around you and lifting you off the ground, not even caring that practically the entire school could see the two of you. His smile was wide and his eyes wild. You didn’t even care that he was sweaty and sticky — you were too proud to care.

“Time for my victory kiss, love,” he grinned as you lowered your head and met his lips with yours, the world vanishing around the two of you.

Who’d have thunk that a Slytherin would be so soft for a Ravenclaw?

—

taglist:

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@mikumana

@msmimimerton

@pit-and-the-pen

@diary-of-an-onliner

@theweirdsideofstuff

@ickle-ronniekins

@thoseofgreatambition

@theweasleysredhair

(message me to be added!)

[aperrywilliams]

Maxcer HC/Blurbs: Mike Davis

Another one for Maxcer HC/Blurbs/Mini-fics! I’m working on the requests that have been sent to me so far. This one is a little longer.

Request: “Blurb request: Max and Reid and they encounter one of her ex-boyfriends who is total opposite of Reid. Thx.”

Word Count: 1.5k.

Warnings: Spencer being insecure and with lack of confidence. Jealous Spencer.

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After what happened with Cat Adams, the name “Mike Davis” didn’t come up again between Max and Spencer. Until it did, three months after that. They were in Max’s apartment eating pizza and watching a movie when in a scene, the characters started to talk about their past relationships. Max didn't bring the topic before because she knew about Maeve: after his release from the hospital, Max took care of Spencer for a couple of days, and one of those nights, he had a nightmare naming Maeve. Then he told her what happened. To say Max was shocked after hearing the story was an understatement. But Spencer didn't know much about Max's past boyfriends, so he asked. Max thought for a moment before answer.

“I haven't had many serious relationships in my life, but I guess the most important was Mike,” she said. Spencer narrowed his eyes, searching the name in his brain.

“Mike Davis?”

“Yeah. Well, I guess that's why I remembered his name when that psycho asked,” Max acknowledged.

“And why you both...?” Spencer wanted to know what happened, but he didn't want to invade Max’s privacy.

“Oh. You know, it wasn't easy. We lived together for five months, and in the beginning, things were like a honeymoon. We were so in love. For me, he was everything I wanted in a man. A lot of confidence, good-looking, connected to the art’s scene, charming. I know, an old-fashioned stereotype. But, things didn’t work in the end,” Max shrugged.

Spencer saw Max talking about Mike with some kind of nostalgia, so he knew the man was someone important in her life despite things didn't work out between them.

The days and weeks went by. Spencer and Max were feeling head over heels for each other. They spent a lot of time together, and both were more than okay with that. Everything was working so well that was unusual for Spencer. He wasn't used to be happy for more than a couple of weeks in a row. And now he was feeling like a teenager - the teenager phase he couldn't experience back then.

One night, after came back from a case, Spencer invited Max to dinner in a restaurant. They were having a good time after no seeing each other in five days. At some point, Spencer excused himself to go to the bathroom. When he returned, he saw Max talking with a man sat by their table. Spencer noticed two things studying the guy: he was obviously good-looking, and he was wildly smiling at Max. He approached the table and cleared his throat. Max and the man turned to see him.

“Hey,” Max greeted, smiling. The man looked at Spencer, frowning. Spencer did the same, taking his seat beside Max.

“I’m sorry if I took too much time,” Spencer apologized.

“No worries, baby. Well, let me introduce you. Mike, this is Spencer Reid, my boyfriend. Spencer, this is Mike Davis... we - we dated for a while,” Max said, not so sure about if it was the appropriate way to say that.

“C’mon, Max. ‘A while’? We lived together,” Mike corrected, extending his hand to Spencer. “Mike Davis,” he repeated. Spencer felt a heat rising in his body and a twist in his guts.

“Dr. Spencer Reid,” he introduced himself, extending his hand as well and shaking Mike’s.

“A doctor, uh?” Mike remarked. “Since when are you keen for the academia, Max? I thought you hated that,” Mike interjected casually. “This girl is a free spirit deep inside. She always complained about my unorganized lifestyle, but I know she loved it,” Mike teased.

“Mike, please. I don't think you know what you are talking about,” Max complained.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was joking. Please ignore me, doctor Reid,” Mike faked an apology.

Spencer could tell that the guy was an asshole, but he couldn't deny why girls feel attracted to him. A young man, good-looking, green eyes, with a charming smile. Long blond-haired. Toned pectorals behind his tight shirt. Casual clothes, according to his age and stature. And exuding a fucking huge confidence. The opposite to him: tall, lanky, with disveleshed hair, body barely toned. He always dressing in vests that make him look like a nerdy professor—and better not talking about his lack of confidence and constant insecurity. Yes, Spencer has improved on that, but Mike Davis was years ahead of him.

“Okay guys. I better go now. I don’t want to interrupt your dinner anymore. Was good to see you Max. Nice to meet you doctor Reid,” Mike said goodbye and left the place.

Max looked to Spencer searching for a reaction or comment. She knew Spencer profiled Mike for sure, but Spencer didn’t say anything. They finished their dinner in awkward silence.

“Are you okay?” Max asked after they paid the bill. Spencer nodded.

“Yes. I am,” he said.

No, he wasn’t. In his head the image of Mike Davis disturbing him. He was so different from him. The most annoying sentiment for Spencer was that Mike seemed a better match for Max than him. That only meant that his days of happiness were soon to end.

They left the restaurant and walked to Max’s apartment. When they arrived, Max knew something was off with Reid.

“Do you want to come up?” she asked. Spencer, with his hands tucked in his pockets, shook his head.

“No. I think I better get going home.”

“Oh. Okay,” Max wanted to ask him what was bothering him. She was clever enough to have a clue: Mike Davis. But she didn't know why Spencer was acting like that. Nothing extraordinary happened besides Mike being an asshole.

“Bye,” Spencer kissed Max’s cheek and turned to go home. At that moment, Max decided that she would not stay like that without knowing what was happening.

“Doctor Reid. Stop right there if you want to see me again.” Spencer stopped in his tracks and turned to see Max. “Now, you're going to tell me what’s wrong, and don’t tell me that nothing is wrong because you would be lying. I know I’m not a profiler, but I can tell.” Spencer gulped and approached her. Max folded her arms over her chest. Spencer sighed.

“Okay. It’s silly, I know, but I couldn’t stop thinking about if ours is... could be, in the future... I know! We said taking things slow, but... Why are you interested in me? I’m not even close to Mike Davis! And he is ‘all you wanted in a man’” Spencer quoted her words of months prior. Max’s eyes softened. In front of her, a nervous Spencer. Her heart ached knowing how confused he was. Spencer started fidgeting with his hands. Max took one of them in hers, trying to soothe him.

“I know. I look pathetic,” Spencer scoffed.

“None of that. Hey, listen to me. Please, Spencer, look at me,” Max asked. “It’s true what I said before: Mike ‘was’ all I wanted in a man. But time taught me that I wasn't going anywhere with that. Yeah. He said I’m a free spirit. Would you call free spirit someone that has her weeks and months all scheduled in a planner?” Spencer chuckled. “And I’m comfortable with that. Yes, I have my artistic side, but that was never a scene for me as it is for Mike. And I’m happy with that.” She cupped his cheek with one of her palms. “And I’m happy with you. You’re different from Mike, and thanks to God you are!” Spencer looked at Max mesmerized.

“You’re telling me that for not hurt my feelings,” Spencer mumbled, trying to sabotage himself.

“Look at me in the eyes. I’m lying to you?” Spencer did so and didn’t see any sign of deception.

“I like you a lot, Spencer. And I’m so eager to know you better and to share more of me with you. I don't need a Mike Davis when I have the chance to know and be with Spencer Reid. You’re my present Spencer. And I want all of my present time with you. And if the future comes and you don’t get sick of me, why not share the future?” Max’s voice was soft and Spencer could have melted in the spot. But before that, he cupped Max’s cheeks and leaned to kiss her. A sweet and deep kiss that Max reciprocated instantly. When they parted, both were smiling.

“That’s an appropriate kiss, you know?” Max teased. Spencer chuckled.

“I know. Thank you,” Spencer mumbled in her lips.

“Why?”

“For being honest with me. For being you. For coming to my life,” he leaned and kissed her again.

“I would say the same. Now, doctor Reid, are you really leaving me alone tonight? After no seeing us for five days?” Max asked, frowning. Spencer cleared his throat.

“Of course not. When did I say that?” he faked ignorance. Max laughed.

“That’s what I thought. Come on genius; we have a lot to catch up.” Max said, winking at him and grabbing Spencer’s arm. They both walked inside the building, hand in hand.

Now, Mike Davis was definitely in the past for both of them.

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

Permanent Reid’s Taglist: @dreatine @andiebeaword @calm-and-doctor @mind-of-a-girl  @katelynnwrites

Maxcer’s Army: @dreatine @andiebeaword @ironwoman18

[anika-ann]

Nothing but the Truth - Pt.1

The Photo Evidence

Pairing: Steve Rogers x reader        Word count: 2480

Summary: A fake dating AU. Be sure that when you have one lunch outside the Tower, you will be found and accused of dating Steve Rogers, aka Captain America. Yep, that’s just your luck.

Warnings: swearing, fluff...?

Story Masterlist

“So…” Tony crossed his arms on his chest, raising a challenging eyebrow, making you sink into your seat. He stood next to the hologram, staring you and Steve down with a glare so intense you thought he might have got possessed by a demon or something, because since when was Tony Stark able to look like a disappointed parent? That was Steve’s domain as far as you had been informed! “Either of you have anything to say for yourself?”

You gulped, averting your practically-boss’ gaze and pressed your lips into a thin line as your fingers fumbled with the hem of your blouse.

“So? Just so you know, the press is loving this. They have a freaking field day,” Natasha added, crossing her arms as well and you truly felt like you were five and were being hauled over the coals, your father and now your mum giving you a hard time over a broken vase or something.

You eyed Steve, who shifted in his seat, his eyes fixed on the photograph. He didn’t utter a word and you bit your lower lip, wondering what was on his mind.  

You would love to say that you had no idea how this happened.  

Except you had every idea.

Meeting Steve in the lobby just outside the cafeteria, you couldn’t help but smile up at him and he returned the favour, a crinkle of green in his blue eyes.

There had been a time you had been intimidated by him – it had taken you several encounters to lose the stiffness in your shoulders, the barely audible tremble in your voice (that was when you actually found the courage to speak) – but now, seeing him almost every day, welcoming him with the corners of your lips upright felt like a second nature.

After all, he was one charming bastard. And what worse, he was a gentlemanly, honest and witty bastard, who was one of Sam’s closest friends, if not the best one; replacing you, which... okay, you could be Sam’s best female friend, you were alright with that.

You and Sam went a way back; you had been the first person to welcome him at the VA centre and as he was yet another charming bastard, even at that time, you instantly hit it off, mostly because of him; it was near to impossible not to seek his company, he was like… like some sort of a life-charger.

If you were being honest, there was a time when you thought you might even become more than friends, because who were you kidding, that man was ridiculously attractive, but when you met… he was still healing from losing his wingman and a relationship was the last thing on his mind. And later… you were too deep into your friendship, friend-zoned for eternity and too comfortable with each other, you guessed. You were alright with that and you wouldn’t trade his friendship for the world.

And then the world turned crazy, Sam had a literal run-in with Captain America, became at first a part-time and then a full-time Avenger and practically dragged you to the Avengers Tower to apply for a job in administrative. You had been hired on spot despite still being employed at the VA. But seeing as it was the only way of keeping Sam and your lunches together and as you weren’t too opposed to a change of scenery…

Sam introduced you to Steve way too early and against your will. Well, not that you didn’t want to meet the Captain, alright, but he was the kind of man that was not running in the same social circles – until recently – as you and Sam just brought him to one of your friendly lunch dates in the Tower cafeteria and nearly shook your hands for you. Which was… odd. You were rendered speechless and you didn’t say a word during the whole lunch.

However, Sam apparently had a vision in his head, needing his two besties going along perfectly and lunches in three became a regular thing so you would crawl out of your shell. And funnily enough, it worked and you and Steve fell into a rather easy friendship, most of that happening when Sam had been called away and you were forced to have lunch without him. You might have started to enjoy those even more than when he tagged along.

Which brought you back to today.

“Hey, Steve. No Sam today?”

He shook his head and you swore there might have been a tiny eyeroll to go with that gesture.

“Tony needed him, because of the Falcon wings. Urgently,” he emphasized, making you chuckle at the billionaire’s insistence. It didn’t surprise you, you heard of that infamous feature of his enough times.

You most definitely did not run in the same circles as the Avengers, unless they were Steve or Sam; sure, you had met them, because Sam was a mingler who mingled and adored you enough to insist on introducing you – bless his soul – but just because you worked at the Tower, it didn’t mean that you were in everyday contact with the Earth’s mightiest heroes. You were nothing but an office rat, one of way too many at the Tower, one wheel in the huge machine that was needed to run Stark Industries, which founded most of the Avengers’ work.

You just happened to be Sam’s – and if you dared to say it, Steve’s – friend.

“Where are you today?”

You blinked as he held the glass door opened for you, smiling at him in thanks and snapped back to reality.

“Huh?”

“You keep zoning out on me. Anything… troubling you?” he asked gently as he fell to the line with you, ignoring the menu boards in favour of scanning your face for signs of distress. He was sweet like that.

You just shook your head, deciding on partly admitting the truth; partly, because you knew he wouldn’t be happy to hear you say anything resembling him being out of your league (of any kind of social interaction) and you wondering how the hell that happened.

“Eh, just remembering when we started getting lunch here,” you shrugged, eyeing the menu absently. “You know, all three of us?”

He hummed in affirmation, following your suit. “You wouldn’t talk to me.”

“Can you blame me?” A gorgeous man and a hero, biceps size of a bowling ball? With a smile that might as well serve as a powerstation with its brightness? “I was a bit stark-stuck, cut me some slack.”

“You wouldn’t talk to me until the third lunch.” Your heart stopped. He remembered the number of lunches? Worse, he remembered that at all? You felt your face get hot. Not in a pleasant way. “Sam was trying so hard to get us to talk and laugh, but it wasn’t working until-“

“Don’t,” you basically growled over your shoulder, only to see his signature shit-eating grin. Why had you ever thought he was a virtuous man?

You placed a soup on your tray and moved over to the salads.

“-until you attempted to stab a tomato-“

On a second thought, you weren’t in the mood for a salad today-

“-and it landed in my plate.”

“I hate you,” you mumbled, turning around with your tray, only to feel a bump from your side, causing you to sway the tray hazardously.

You would have been able to balance it and save it, but the soup was fucking hot as it splashed from the bowel to your abdomen and your hand and with a yelp, you let go of the tray in order to pull the burning-hot material of your blouse from your skin, your afflicted hand shaking wildly in attempt to cool itself at least a bit.

Before you could fully comprehend what was happening, you heard a shattering noise as the tray hit the ground, a ‘shit’ and a ‘sorry’ and you were being cooled down from a bottle of water which Steve charmed out of fucking nowhere, the cool liquid like a balm on your burned skin.

Yeah, you were soaking and you’d feel like dying of embarrassment because of people probably watching you later, but at the moment, you adored Steve for his quick reactions.

He was asking for another bottle of water, but you stopped him with a simple raise of your hand, eyes closed as you breathed through the pain; less sharp, but still present.

Whoever you had collided with was long gone, the staff eyeing you with concern and already rushing to you with cleaning supplies. Steve’s gentle hand led you away from the mess, brows furrowed as his eyes kept flickering from your face to spy in how much pain you were, to your slowly reddening burns.

“Let’s get you to the bathroom and then get you some dry clothes, okay?” he whispered over the buzz of cafeteria and nodded at the staff as they dismissed you both with a wave of a hand. You felt a different kind of burn in your face as many, way too many people stared at you.

You were sure some of them were cackling, you noticed even when you tried your best to keep your gaze glued to the ground; when you looked up and saw their gaze travel up a bit, whatever mean smile they had froze on their lips and they swiftly minded their business again. You only guessed that they had met Captain America’s disappointed glare; you had seen it, never been at the receiving end, luckily, but you didn’t blame them one bit and you were immensely grateful to Steve for not letting you do your walk of shame – in which you were an utterly innocent participant – alone.

He waited in front of the ladies’ room until you cooled your burns again, walked you to your office where you stored an extra set of clothes just in case of whatever and offered you an apologetic smile and soft ‘I’m sorry’ on his lips.

“…what are you sorry for?” you asked him, utterly confused and it distracted you for a minute from the embarrassment that had come knocking at the door of your mind. Christ, how many people saw your little scene? Did anyone snap a picture?

“If I haven’t been teasing you about the-“

“Oh my god, Steve,” you groaned when you caught up, your hand landing on his bicep on autopilot, a gesture to get him shut up, which was something you were used to from when you wanted to silence Sam whenever he was being stupid.

You quickly snatched your hand away when you realized that the sensation was slightly different, the bicep under your palm felt just a bit thicker and firmer than usual and you had in fact very much groped Steve.

Great, now both of your hands felt like on fire.

You gulped, hoping foolishly that he hadn’t noticed your slip. You had noticed, okay. You would have very interesting dreams tonight…

“Don’t be ridiculous,” you added.

He frowned, dissatisfied, but then his face lightened up. “Come on. Let’s grab a lunch-“ you froze at the horror image of you coming back to the hellhole of cafeteria only about a half an hour after you giving them the super-awkward show. “-somewhere. I’m paying. What are you in the mood for?”

And he asked with such cute inviting smile, his eyes shining, that stupid green spark dancing in blue sea and you didn’t even have the heart to point out that you hadn’t crashed into anyone, but had in fact been crashed into, let alone to tell him no.

It ended in a lovely lunch date and it… kinda felt like a lunch date, his long fingers gingerly checking on your burned hand at one point which wasn’t hurting at all anymore because he was your hero and… yeah, you might have been crashed into, but it was getting harder and harder to ignore that you had a freaking crush on Steve Rogers.

Thinking about it, the photo did make it look like a date as well. So, you didn’t really blame that the tabloids plastered it over the front pages with Steve being who he was and him usually keeping his private life secured as Fort Knox. This was huge and would have been even huger if it wasn’t one big misunderstanding caused by a ridiculous game of chance.

“It was, eh, a coincidence, honestly. One thing led to another, we had a little incident in the cafeteria-“ Steve finally started to explain and you felt just the tinniest bit of the burden that had seated itself on your chest when you had been called into the small conference room disappear.

You had utterly and truly freaked out at the idea of explaining to Tony Stark and his PR why did every tabloid and some newspaper too now – only a day after, less than 24 hours in fact – thought that you were Steve’s girlfriend. One of the reasons being that you were not running in the same circles as the Iron Man, not really knowing him, another one that at some point you would have to admit how stupid it all was, because hello? You were no one special. How had they even drawn a conclusion like that?

Eyeing the photo, you were reminded exactly how.

Steve could apparently be very tender when he wanted to, which was by some miracle visible in the photo and in return, you might have been looking at him like he was the eighth wonder of the world. In addition, he had a teeny-tiny soft smile on his lips and the way his brows knitted in concern was not helping the whole situation.

Speaking of Steve’s tender fingers, they were connected to a large hand, to an impressive forearm and a massive bicep you had possibly dreamt about last night-

“Well, normally I’d say don’t tell me, tell the PR,” Tony smirked shortly and sighed. “But…”

Uh-oh. You did not like the ‘but’. What did the ‘but’ mean?

“…but this in fact might be a blessing,” Natasha finished, resigning to her posture of a disappointed mum and relaxing.

Huh?

You were confused to no end by their cryptic talk. Shooting Steve a look, you were slightly relieved to see that he seemed to share the sentiment.

He was also apparently at loss of words.

So were you, but you managed to stutter out two: “…what? How?”

Tony grimaced and with a motion of his hand, ten different faces, five different men and five women, each in an individual frame, paired up as the line of men was on top (rude) and the women below them, appeared in the hologram, replacing the infamous photo evidence of your supposed relationship with Steve.

You still didn’t understand. And what Tony Stark said next didn’t help either.

“Because we need your help.”

Part 2

‘I solemnly swear I’ll work on that fic I’ve been promising to finish for ages.’

Eh, failed again.

For some reason, Smallville popped up in my mind recently (I blame Tom Welling’s cameo in the mega DC crossover). This fic is inspired by episode 8x05 ‘Committed’, if it means anything to anyone :D

Also, fake dating was on my non-existent to-do writing list.

Enjoy and leave feedback if you’re willing :-P

Tags:

@mermaidxatxheart​

If anyone wishes to be added or removed from the tags, let me know, it’s no trouble.

[jessicas-pi]

TFW you go on one (1) fake date together to win a bet but then all your friends won't leave you alone about it

Ezra ignores Wedge's question and Tarik's scoff and Aylan's elbow, which is repeatedly jabbing him in the side, and looks across the mess hall, catching Sabine's eye. The girls surrounding her are absolutely freaking out. As he watches, the littlest Togruta clasps her hands to her cheeks and screeches while one of the pilots pretends to faint dead away.

(picture without text under the cut)

[thefanficmonster]

Always Here

Connor Walsh & Michaela Pratt (How To Get Away With Murder)

Warnings: MAJOR TW: Rape, Trauma, PTSD, Swearing

Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Platonic Relationship

Summary: Following the less than poor advice of her ‘friends’ Michela finds herself at the apartment and in the hands of a piece of scum eager to take advantage of her. Connor is not having any of it, rushing to her rescue and impatient to teach the bastard a lesson, punish him for the horrible, disgusting thing he did to his friend.

Requested by Anon as a birthday fic. Hello dear, happy birthday! Hope you have the best one yet! Sorry for the downer of a fic for such a happy day in your life (I was genuinely surprised when you requested such an angsty fic but I’m not complaining) hope you enjoy the read nonetheless. Enjoy your special day, hope you have a ton of fun and make great memories! Lots of love, Vy ❤

“Nah, I think you’re judging him too heavily.“ Laurel comments, taking a sip from the coffee cup on her desk, “He seemed rather nice when I got to talk to him last week. He seems to be really into you too.“

“Well, just because he’s into me doesn’t mean I’m into him.“ Michaela points out, irritation in her voice and a shudder running down her spine at the memory of the creep Laurel talked her into meeting a week ago - Charles Mahoney. Michaela immediately felt the oddest and creepiest vibes coming off the guy, but Laurel was persistent and Michaela tried to talk herself into trusting her friend’s judgement, despite her gut screaming at her to get out of the situation, accompanied by the alarm going off wildly in her head. The guy didn’t do anything to set off those alarms and he wasn’t acting like a creep per se but as Michaela put it when complaining to Connor later that same day: He seemed like a creep trying to act and behave like a normal person would. Connor noted the odd feeling he had in regards of that guy.

It was something about his demeanor, but not something she could pin-point to Laurel and use as concrete evidence that her gut was right. And, as a lawyer, she knew that without concrete evidence she wouldn’t get anywhere with that argument.

“Or it just means you’re too picky.“ Laurel swoops the file out of Michaela’s hands, earning herself a death glare from her friend, “Who says you have to date the guy? Just have some fun, a couple of drinks. Maybe a hook-up if you’re feeling it. Who knows where that might lead?“ She sits back down and flips open the file, eyes skimming over the text as if the discussion is over on her part.

Michaela’s about to complain when Asher decides to share his two cents on the subject, “Right! I agree with Laurel, he seemed like a nice guy. To be fair, we didn’t get to talk much, but he seems like a cool dude. Easy on the eyes too, not gonna lie.“

Michaela rolls her eyes, having heard enough about this Mahoney guy from these two. In fact, they’ve been playing this game of persuasion for two days now, neither of them giving a concrete reason on why they were doing it. Although, she might have a guess on their intentions: a few too many drinks one night and she ended up spilling her guts on how lonely she feels sometimes. She did her best in that drunken state to pack the emphasis on ‘sometimes’ but Asher and Laurel seem to have brushed past that bit, seeing as how they’ve made it their personal duty to play matchmakers. If only their choice of guys to pair her with wasn’t so crappy, they may have come in handy to fill the nights she didn’t have any work to do and really felt the lack of company setting in.

Seeing no other way to get the two off her back for good other than feed into their attempts and humor their ideas, Michaela sighs exasperatedly, resting her forehead in the palm of her hand as she speaks, “Will you get off my case if I give him a call and go out with him tonight?”

Asher opens his mouth but Laurel cuts him off before he can throw their chances of succeeding with this in the water, “Permanently. A lawyer’s word.” She nods, giving Michaela a tight-lipped smile that’s supposed to represent faux innocence which instead hides her fondness of her success at last.

“A lawyer’s word doesn’t mean much.“ Michaela mutters under her breath but pulls out her phone nonetheless, standing up to exit into the hallway to make the phone call to Charles Mahoney. She stops in her tracks, turning on her heel to face Laurel once more before exiting the room, “We need a safe-word, just in case.“ She snaps her fingers, trying to get a simple word to come to mind for the purpose of a GTFO signal.

Laurel suddenly gets an idea, “How does ‘trophy’ sound to you?”

Michaela can’t help the shiver that runs down her spine, “Like a nightmare and a ton of bad memories.” She replies bitterly, knitting her brows together in a displeased frown.

Her friend tilts her head to the side, “Then it’s perfect.”

She contemplates Laurel’s reply for a second. Well, contemplates the whole situation and the decision she’s about to make. Sure, it might not be final and she could still cancel if she changes her mind later on, but it’s still a borderline ridiculous move to make. But, when compared to finally being given some peace from the pesky Asher and Laurel, she finds spending a few hours with Mahoney to be worth it. 

So, with that, Michaela turns back around, heading out in the hallway to make the phone call she has no idea will lead to the worst moments of her life.

                                                             *  *  *

“Oh shit!“ Laurel curses, quickly disconnecting her phone from the charger where she had left it while her and Asher went to buy some dinner for the rest of the team to enjoy back at the office after Annalise had called in they were on their way and they had some important news to share with them. Some concerning news, if her voice was anything to go by.

“What’s up?“ Asher asks, setting the plastic bags he’s been carrying on his desk.

“Missed calls and texts from Michaela. Twenty seven of them, almost all saying ‘Trophy’.“ Laurel replies with a sigh that’s a mix of frustration and concern. The call goes to voicemail almost right away which only fuels the concern as she taps the button to call again. “Shit, she’s not answering.“

“She’s texted and called me too.“ Asher says, taking a look at his phone, “She could be in danger.“

“I know, Asher! I know she could be in danger!“ Laurel snaps, squeezing the phone tightly, pressing it against her ear, swearing and fighting the urge to slam it on the floor when the second call also goes to voicemail, “Damn it!“

Just then, the door to the office opens and in walks Connor, closely followed by Annalise and Frank who he ran into on his way in. The mention of a ‘she’ that could be in danger immediately puts him on edge as his eyes skim over the room, looking for his frenemy - Michaela Pratt. ‘On-edge’ is replaced by an early onset of panic when he takes in her absence, connecting the dots that the ‘she’ Laurel was referring to is indeed her. But, just to be safe and avoid a false alarm, he decides to fake nonchalance and ask:  “Danger? What’s going on here?“ He tilts his head, his gaze switching from Laurel who’s still trying to reach Michaela to Asher who is doing his best to avoid eye-contact with anyone in the room.

Annalise cuts the crap, way less nonchalant than him, “Where’s Miss Pratt? Didn’t I tell you all to stay in one spot?“

Laurel looks to Asher for backup, but when she realizes she’s clearly not gonna get any, she turns back to look at Annalise, feeling as though she’s shrinking under the woman’s intense and powerful gaze. “I-it’s my fault. Michaela left before you called and...”

“And she’s now gonna come back! Call her and tell her to return her ass here as soon as possible!“ Annalise cuts her off, her eyes glinting with anger the Keating 5 were so used to seeing yet were terrified of just the same no matter how many times they saw it.

“Well, that’s the thing. She left two hours ago to meet with Mahoney and she isn’t picking up her phone and...“ Laurel trails off, the words dying down in her throat, failing to reach or leave her mouth.

“And we think she could be in danger.“ Asher whispers, finally finding it in himself to speak up despite feeling guilty as all hell.

Annalise’s eyes widen as her heart drops, a sickening feeling overcoming her in the form of cold sweat covering her whole body at once, “YOU THINK?!” She snaps, eyes briefly blurred by tears. “You think she could be in danger when she’s in the hands of a fucking rapist?!”

The phone slips from Laurel’s hand, falling to the floor with a crash at the sound of that word. Asher’s reaction is not different by much - he becomes but a frozen statue in his spot, both him and Laurel looking at Annalise with deer-caught-in-headlights looks and pale faces that suggest Annalise’s heart isn’t the only one that’s dropped. Fear, guilt and despair has paralyzed the two in their spot, unable to think of something to do. Unable to find it in themselves to move.

One person, however, doesn’t remain paralyzed. He takes action, driven by his protective instinct that has set off all the alarms in his head and has sent shots of adrenaline pumping through his veins at a rapid pace. With trembling hands, Connor pulls out his phone, the one calm part of his brain reminding him of his pact with Michaela to always share their location with each other. Opening the app, he reads the address out loud. “Where is that place?!” He snaps, unable to contain his anger that’s blended in with the dreadful sense of fear for his friend’s safety and well-being which are most definitely at a huge risk at this very moment.

“The fucker’s apartment.“ Frank replies, looking up from his own phone where he had looked up the address Connor read out.

Without a second to spare, ignoring the fact his blood’s run cold and the numbness in his face and limbs, Connor takes off, running out of the office and straight to his car, closely followed by the rest of them.

“Connor, wait!“ Annalise attempts to stop him, but you cannot stop a hurricane with your bare hands. And this hurricane is a raging beast with a mission to save his friend and teach the fucker who’d dare touch her or harm her a lesson in the form of beating him bloody.

‘God, please tell me I’m not too late‘, he chants to himself silently, praying for the first time in a long while. ‘Please, keep her safe just a little longer, then I’ll take over.’

Little does he know, the worst has already happened.

                                                              *  *  *

Michaela feels herself coming back to her senses. She doesn’t want to wake up though. She wants for her eyes to remain closed and for her to perish, never again to be seen by the world outside of this apartment that to her now represents hell on Earth. Her survival instincts are kicking in but rather lowly and slowly, almost as if they’re afraid of scaring her or making her snap. So, instead of making an effort to move, she stays completely still and listens, takes in her surroundings. She can’t see much without turning her head which is facing the ceiling, but she’s too afraid to do so. As if her body has been rigged with explosives and the tiniest movement could set them off.

The first thing she hears is the sound of a shower running not too far away. The sound is faint but not faint enough, and neither is the humming that’s accompanying it. She recognizes the tune, she’s recently heard it. With a slight tilt of her head she catches a glimpse of a coffee table which has red wine spilled on it, one wineglass has fallen over and is still dripping tiny red drops alike blood on the carpeted floor. She vaguely recognizes the setting and she feels sickened looking at it, but it takes her a moment or two to place exactly why she feels that way.

And then it hits her.

The tune the voice is humming, she heard it in a bar earlier. The bar she went out to have drinks at. With Charles Mahoney. The Charles Mahoney who then persuaded her into going back to his apartment for a continuation of their drinking session. She remembers the repulsion she felt at the thought of going, but she wasn’t receiving any help from neither Laurel nor Asher whom she has texted and called countless times. So, she succumbed, regretting every step she took that led her closer to his apartment. Her gut was screaming at her the whole time, repeating over and over how bad of an idea that was and how she should make up some bullshit excuse and ditch the situation.

But she didn’t.

And he took advantage of it. Of her body, her tipsy vulnerability. Of her.

It was my fault

With that horribly wrong thought in mind, tears rush to Michaela’s eyes prickling them, begging to escape and relieve the tiniest portion of her pain. She allows them to, the silent tears slowly turning into suppressed sobs that escape her aching chest as she continues lying on that couch, helpless and in pain that cannot be healed or seen.

Her sobs come to an abrupt halt when a round of aggressive and loud knocks, or rather bangs are delivered to the front door that right beside the living room. She only then becomes aware of the subsiding of the running water in the shower. She renders herself silent, faking unconsciousness when she hears the bathroom door open, followed by hurried footsteps coming down the hall, passing the living room and stopping at the front door.

Charles had expected many things, but what he didn’t see coming was the punch that sent him falling to the floor with a broken nose as soon as he opened the door. He didn’t even get a good view of the person but he recognized the voice that called out to the girl he had raped barely an hour prior.

“Michaela!“ Connor shouted, his chest aching, heart racing so loud he could hear it in his ears. He rushed down the hall but stopped in his tracks when he caught sight of the living room where he found who he was looking for. And he found her in a state that broke his heart, “Michaela! Oh God, I’m too late! Fuck!“

Hearing the familiar voice of her friend, Michaela’s eyes snap open, catching sight of Connor’s concerned face hovering over hers. “Connor.” Her coarse voice barely makes it out of her throat in the form of a choked up sob.

Grabbing a blanket from the nearby armchair, Connor wraps it around Michaela covering her almost completely naked her body. Securing the blanket in place, he takes her face in his hands, directing her gaze to his eyes to prevent her from looking anywhere else, prevent her from seeing anything that will further confirm what has happened to her. “It’s ok, you’re ok now. I’m here. I’m here, Michaela and I will never leave you again, ok? You hear me? Focus on my voice, ok? It’s over, he can’t hurt you ever again. The cops are on their way...”

“Hands in the air! Get up! Search the apartment!“ Just as Connor says that, the urgent shouts of cops come from the hall, startling Michaela while also giving her the smallest spec of relief as she once again breaks out in a fit of uncontrollable sobs that are the result of that mix of trauma, emptiness, relief and disgust.

Connor wraps his arms around her pulling her close and resting her head on his chest, not making any attempts at subduing her cries, aware that she needs to get it out of her system before having to face and deal with anything else.

“Michaela?!“ The shout of her own name doesn’t get registered by her, but Connor hears it and feels rage building inside of him when he sees Laurel, Asher, Annalise and Frank enter the living room, “Oh God, Michaela, I’m so sor-“

“You’ve done enough damage!“ He snaps at her, the message meant for Asher as well, “Leave her alone, she’s had it with you and you bright ideas!“

Just then, a cop approaches him and Michaela. He’s not spared Connor’s death glare either, but he doesn’t allow himself to be too intimidated by it, “Sir, we’ll need to take Miss Pratt to a hospital and then to the station to give a statement.“

The rage continues bubbling up inside of him but forces himself to stay calm, seeing as how he’s talking to an officer, “You really think she’s fit for an examination and questioning right now? Can’t you see how traumatized she is?”

“It’s procedure, sir. We must follow a very strict protocol in these situations. Miss Pratt needs a proper examination and all harm done to her needs to be aided and handled properly.“ The officer makes another attempt at persuading the distressed Connor whose arms are still wrapped around the trembling Michaela who suddenly raises her head off his chest, placing her hand there instead.

“It’s ok, Connor. I-I can handle it. But...“ she trails off, a stray tear escaping her eye again.

“But what? Tell me, what do you need?“ he takes her hands in his, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

She inhales shakily before replying, “Could you stay with me? I mean, could you come with me for...well, for it all. I don’t wanna go through it alone.” She bites her lips, still looking down where their hands are connected, unable to look him in the eyes because of how weak and pathetic she feels that request was.

“Of course, Michaela. I wasn’t planning on leaving even if you tried chasing me away.“ He gives her hands a reassuringly, “I’m always gonna be here for you, ok? Never forget that.“

That finally gets Michaela to look up and allow her eyes to meet his. Fresh tears have welled up in her eyes, having grown emotional because of Connor’s words as she whispers a barely-audible, ‘Thank you.’ which says a lot more than just her gratitude for him accepting her request.

It shows how grateful she is to have a friend like him, to have him as a friend. How thankful she is he found her and is willing to stay with her through the nauseating experience she’s about to endure. How happy she is to have found a safe haven in his embrace - his arms serving as a barrier, keeping her safe and shielded from the world that has harmed her so many times and will continue doing so. She’s just glad she won’t have to heal her wounds on her own, all alone. She’ll never have to deal with anything by herself, cause she has him - someone she trusts. Those people have been rare in her life - the trustworthy ones - Connor has the privilege to be one of them. One day, he might even hear her say it, not that he needs to hear it to know though.

That’s what their friendship is - a connection that doesn’t require verbal communication in order to reach an understanding. Even if that understanding has more often than not been ‘agree to disagree’. Still, a friendship as strong as a fortress nonetheless.

[vjoongup]

NCT 127: Reaction to their Crush Being Stuck in a Bad Relationship (Part Three)

Request by Anon: hiiiii love could you please do a nct 127 + ten reaction to having a crush on a girl and she has a boyfriend who doesn’t really treat her right and they like her but she’s kinda stuck in the bad relationship with her boyfriend who isn’t really nice to her? thank you! I love love your writing! keep up the good work!

Members in Part Three: Doyoung, Mark, Taeyong

Warnings: Angst

Contains: A lot of angst and some fluff here and there. Maybe a little smutty toward the end? But it’s very light smut.

Other Parts:

Part 1~ Click Me!

Part 2~ Click Me!

Notes: Crush is an idol. This is also my first anon request <3

Doyoung~

She was center now. Her rapping was putting the audience into an uproar. Her other members were forming a triangle with her at the point. She was appealing to everyone, personality wise and visually.

Doyoung happily watched her with a huge smile on his face and a sparkling glint in his eyes. A few other NCT members stood near him, watching the group's performance from the left stage exit. However, Doyoung only had eyes for her.

When he finally did peel his eyes away from her, it was to look at the other stage entrance/exit. Her boyfriend could be seen at the other side from Doyoung's viewpoint. He was talking to a female stagehand, who was smiling and standing way too close to him. Honestly, her boyfriend probably didn't even realize her group's song was ending in five seconds and the ending was simply running off stage with her at point.

She would see him immediately and Doyoung knew all good emotions from performing would be replaced by bad ones. Doyoung wished she was exiting on his side so she wouldn't be faced with that scene of her boyfriend shamelessly flirting in the middle of her group's concert. He didn't want her to hurt the whole time she's on stage after that moment. She deserved to have a blast in front of her fans.

Her and her boyfriend's relationship was never great. It was put together by her and the other star's manager. She was stuck in that relationship, for now, and the guy never even tried.  Meanwhile, she was forbidden from doing many things with other males, including being seen in public with them. It was the reason many of the NCT members tried to bargain with her manager through their own manager so she wouldn't be put in that situation and stripped of happiness. It was the reason Doyoung was restricted to this side of the stage with other NCT members while the crappy boyfriend was on the exit side of the performance in hopes that a picture of them would be taken.

Any one of the boys in NCT would have been better but her manager wanted more publicity and the solo star gave a ton of that. Recently, Chenle offered to get her out of the relationship but he was much too young according to the manager despite him belonging to the upper class.

Her song ended. Doyoung watched as she darted toward the exit while smiling and waving to her fans. The boyfriend attempted to approach her once their eyes met and quickly separated from the girl but when she knew she was out of sight, she pushed her boyfriend into the wall and turned on him, anger written on her face. The eldest member of her group grabbed her waist and pulled her away without breaking stride. The stagehand took off and the boyfriend was left with an exasperated, surprisingly confused look on his face.

Doyoung turned and ran toward their dressing room, past even more NCT members lurking backstage. Some of the members decided to follow Doyoung at a walking pace, knowing exactly where he was going and realizing something must've happened.

He brushed past the girl the boyfriend was talking to. She looked sheepish and embarrassed. She should have been, Doyoung thought.

Her group members were all outside the room drinking water and other workers were fixing their makeup. They greeted Doyoung in unison. He asked quickly, "Can I go in?"

The eldest nodded. "The managers are arguing they probably won't be back here for a while. You have five minutes before wardrobe barges in and demands to dress her."

Doyoung thanked her and opened the door without knocking. She turned to look at the intruder with a fire in her eyes.

Her fire calmed at the sight of him. Doyoung closed the door behind him and wasted no time walking toward her in the center of the room. He fully embraced her, using a hand to gently press her face into his chest.

Her hands gripped at the sides of his t-shirt while she buried her face into him, breathing in his familiar cologne. His hand began stroking her hair while the other had a tight grip on her shoulder.

They stood there in silence.

Even though words weren't exchanged, the silence spoke a thousand words neither of them dared to speak and held emotions neither of them wanted to acknowledge anymore.

They began pulling away from each other at the same time. They stared into each other's eyes as Doyoung's hands lingered on her wrists. When he finally pulled completely away from her touch, a feeling of loss began eating away at the two of them.

They stood there in silence a little longer. Neither dared to look directly at the other. Both found great interest in the scuffed floor.

Doyoung's heart was hammering in his chest when he finally looked back at her. She was chewing her lower lip between her teeth. Her hands were clasped together. She wasn't aware of how their time was quickly coming to an end.

He opened his mouth to speak. She looked at him upon hearing the beginning of a word. However, the door opened. His words were lost and unintelligible as a strange noise slipped out instead.

People filed in and several were already attempting to shoo him out the door. He looked at her a final time and their eyes met.

She grabbed his hand and ever so slightly gave it a small squeeze before he was forced to walk away with so many things unsaid between them.

They wouldn't remain unsaid forever. And he wouldn't give up fighting her manager.

Mark~

The noises and smells of the bar were suffocating. She knew it was Johnny's best intentions that brought her here with some of the other guys, but this wasn't her scene.

Mark was becoming more and more aware of her tension. He was sitting next to her in one of the booths. Taeil was on Mark's other side but the elder was about to get up with Jungwoo and Taeyong. Meanwhile, Johnny and Jaehyun were both with the same group of women tourists.

Mark looked at her out of the corner of his eye and saw the way her hands were continuously moving in her lap. She wasn't always like this. She used to be open and adventurous. She's retreated back into a shell and had been doing so since she began dating that guy.

When the others got up, Mark slipped his arm around her shoulder. She looked up at him with caution at first. The soft smile on his face made her feel safe and she shuffled closer to him, seeking security. He leaned closer to her ear. His nose was tickled by her hair as he spoke loud enough for her to hear. "Are you ok?"

Her hesitant response gave it away. She turned her neck and looked into Mark's brown eyes, knowing her conflict was enough for him to know she wasn't ok. However, the conflict of explaining it to him was something else entirely.

Mark had to take a deep breath. Her own nose was centimeters from his own now. She was biting on her lower lip and thoughts were wildly running through her head.

His brown eyes turned to liquid and the arm around her shoulder tightened. He was trying to comfort her, and that action also encouraged her to talk to him.

"He began dating me in hopes of getting to collaborate with me." She sighed, her eyes never leaving his as she slowly unloaded all her thoughts onto Mark's shoulders. "Everything has been a lie. He doesn't love me. He only wanted to ride my tailcoat."

Her face suddenly blanked. She wasn't looking at Mark anymore. She was looking through him. Saying those words aloud for the first time seemed to send herself into a brief state of shock.

"Y/N?"

Her eyes focused on his again, but she could see the newfound concern in his gaze. She looked away from him again but leaned into him more. Their sides were almost glued together. Mark could have sworn she could feel the way his heart suddenly hammered in his chest.

"This relationship is a waste. Love is a waste. What's the point?"

He could hear the irritation in her voice and see the lost, pleading look in her eyes as she looked up into Mark's trying to find an answer somewhere inside of them.

There was an answer that Mark wanted to give her. He would have given anything to tell her to how much he wanted her to waste it all on him. He wanted to show her it wasn't a waste. He wanted to show her how much he cared about her. He wanted to show her something incredible even if she thought love was a waste when he poured his heart and soul out to her.

However, she wasn't single. Now wasn't the time for Mark to say anything like those thoughts. He was forced to swallow hard and speak smoothly past the lump in his throat. "Just talk to him, sweetheart. Communication is the key for a great relationship. At least trying might make you think a little differently."

Taeyong~

"낯설다 하네 니가 좋아하던 나로 변한 내가 아니라 하네 예전에 니가 잘 알고 있던 내가 아니긴 뭐가 아냐 난 눈 멀었어 사랑은 뭐가 사랑 It's all fake love..."

Her singing completely mesmerized Taeyong. She was like a siren to him. Her voice was the most beautiful thing he's ever heard.

She smiled at the end of the chorus. Taeyong could see some of the vocalists gaping at her. However, her attention turned toward her boyfriend seated on her left. When she saw he was still buried in his phone, her smile faltered. The expression on her face fell.

She looked away from him and looked down into her lap. Taeyong, seated on her right, placed one of his hands on her exposed thigh.

He could feel chill bumps rise on her skin when she looked at him with a soft expression and gently pushed the comfort of his hand away. The boyfriend never even noticed this exchanged between the two of them. Taeyong's irritation toward him was slowly growing because he was more than aware of when the boyfriend touched her and when he didn't even look at her.

Taeyong rose and headed toward his shared room. A few eyes followed his profile concerned about his sudden leave, completely unaware of what bothered him. What he didn't notice was her getting up and following silently behind him a few seconds later.

He closed his bedroom door behind him when he entered and laid flat on his perfectly made bed so he could stare at the bland ceiling paint. Why did her manager force her into that relationship? Why?She's clearly not happy. Any of the members she knows could make her happier and she knows that.

The sound of the door creaking open stole his attention. She was peering in at him. Her eyes were looking for an invitation even though she didn't need one. She was always welcome.

He smiled at her.

Her stomach flipped and filled with butterflies. It was a feeling she hadn't felt toward her boyfriend since the first week they were announced as a couple.

She hastily snuck in and closed the door behind her. She made four long strides to his bed and sat inches away from his side.

He looked up at her, giving her his full attention, as she began to speak. "Taeyong... I think we should stay away from each other for a while."

His eyes widened. She looked away from him and began to stand. Taeyong's hand landed on her thigh to stop her as he shot upward to look her in the eye.

When she looked at him her eyebrows were together. Pain was hiding in her beautiful eyes. The reason she chose to take this path is because she could no longer hide her emotions from him. She was falling for him... hard considering her boyfriend was nothing like Taeyong and no emotions grew between the two.

Taeyong was everything she could ask for. She was everything he could ask for and even more than that. Taeyong had fallen for her faster than a falling star. "Baby, you deserve the world and I would gladly give it to you if I could."

She sighed, starting to lean her face closer to his as he leaned toward her. Her breath hit his face and her eyes were close to closing. However, she still whispered to him, "We shouldn't."

He leaned forward the few centimeters he needed to close the space between them. His lips carefully captured hers in a sweet kiss. Her eyes closed as she eagerly returned the kiss with a tenderness Taeyong didn't expect from her. She always struck him as someone to seize something and take it but this... this was unexpected and only made Taeyong's heart flutter.

It was as if she didn't want to break him or herself.

And then the kiss continued. With each second, their passion grew. She knew she shouldn't be kissing him back with equal fervor. He knew he should have resisted the temptation. She began to pull her feet up to the mattress so she could turn around while saying, "We should stop."

His eyes opened briefly to look into her own as he placed a hand on her shoulder, beginning to pull her down on top of him. "Make me."

His back hit the bed and her knees were on either side of his waist. Her nose touched his and her hair fell like a curtain around their faces. Their eyes were still locked. He whispered softly to her. "Show me that you don't want me instead."

Her center lowered onto his crotch. Her lips just barely grazed his own now. Taeyong resisted craning his neck up to kiss her lips. Both of their body temperatures were rising. She whispered back to him.

"I can't."

[solange-lol]

Summer Lovin’

Alternate Title: Five times Nico's friends tried to set him up with Will (and one time they found out they were already together)

SolangeloWeek Day 2 - Secret Relationship / Fake Dating

Words: 3040

Read on Ao3

I.

Annabeth was the one to point out the change to Piper on the plane.

“Have you noticed that this is the first time Nico ever brought someone along with him on this trip?” she gestured to the aisle diagonal to them, where Nico and Will seemed to be arguing quietly about something in their respective middle and window seats. Reyna was reading a book next to them in the aisle seat with her earbuds in, seemingly unaware of what was going on beside her. 

This trip itself had been an annual thing for a while now. It had originally been organized by Sally Jackson for Percy, Annabeth, and Grover. At some point, Nico started tagging along as well, and others just joined from there. They tried to find a date where everyone could come, but as they got older, they all found less time in their schedules. Grover, Rachel, and Thalia couldn’t make it this year. However, they found a new face joining them this year: Will Solace. 

Each of them had met Will at least once. It didn’t occur to them that maybe there was a reason why until this moment. 

They watched the two continue their conversation. Nico was gesturing wildly, probably complaining about being stuck in the middle seat, while Will listened and occasionally offered an opinion that would either have Nico agreeing or just cause him to go off again. Neither could tell what they were saying over the loud jets of the plane, but it was clear how wrapped up in each other they were. 

“Oh my god,” Piper remarked. “I’ve never seen him talk like this to any of us in this early in the day!” (Their flight was at 9:00 in the morning, which required them to all get up an ungodly hour). “Nico must like him a lot.”

Annabeth grinned. “Good thing, because-” she gestured towards Will, who was grinning as Nico leaned in slyly to tell him something, probably about one of them. “Will definitely likes him back.” 

***

Walking into their rental house was like lifting a weight off everyone’s shoulders. There was no doubt that this was the best part of the year; no responsibility, just the sun, and a beach, and the ocean. They had to start renting a bigger condo when more people started tagging along, but somehow everyone found their spot. 

“Okay,” Percy clapped as everyone stood in the hallway, unsure of where to go next. “We’ve got five bedrooms, each with a queen-size bed, two bathrooms, and a couple of pull-out couches and air mattress if we need them. Beds are my mom, and Annabeth, Jason and Piper, Hazel and Frank, and…” he trailed off, looking between his friends as if deciding which one he could save from a fire. Or, in this case, a couch. 

“Nico and Will,” Annabeth supplied. She and Piper made eye contact, sharing small smiles as Nico and Will didn’t react, although both blushed lightly. Nico’s probably just thankful to not be on a mattress this time, Annabeth decided.

Percy just nodded off his surprise. “Right,” he trailed off before looking back up to his other two friends. “Leo, Piper, you two good with the pull-outs?” They both nodded, traces of I’ve-had-worse evident in their face. “Great! One of the couches is in one of the bedrooms, so Jason and Piper can take that room and Leo can take that couch. Reyna, you get the living room.” With that, everyone went on their way to unpack. 

“How long have Will and Nico been a thing?” Jason whispered as they walked to their respective rooms. He looked guilty like he missed out on the biggest moment of Nico’s life.

“They aren’t. Not yet, at least. Annabeth and I have a plan.” Piper grinned. “You want in?”

“Oh, absolutely.”

They all gathered in the living room once they had finished, ready to talk game plan for the week.

“Okay, first things first, we need to go grocery shopping. Nico, Reyna, Will, can you guys handle it if we make a list?” Annabeth starts, perched on a ledge of the couch. 

“Why do we have to? We did last year-” Nico started, but Will put a hand on his shoulder before pulling him up. Nico just grumbled as he walked towards the door with Reyna, and Will turned back around to give them a knowing smile. 

The moment they walked out the door, Percy turned to his girlfriend with bewilderment. “What was that about?”

Piper grinned. “We’re trying to get them together.”

“And we have a plan,” Annabeth added. “We needed them out of here so we could tell you guys.”

Hazel looked like she was trying to hold back laughter. “I’m staying out of this,” she said, curls bouncing as she shook her head. “But good luck.” With that, she stood up and started to make her way back to her room.

“Oh, uh, me too,” Frank said, quickly getting up to follow her. 

“Alright guys,” Piper leans forward, rubbing her hands together like an evil scientist. “Here’s what we got.”

II. 

They put their plan into action the next morning, starting with Piper and Jason jumping onto Nico’s bed.

They were disappointed to find Will already awake and trying to help Sally with breakfast when they woke. (Keyword: try. The poor boy could barely make toast without burning it. Sally put him in charge of cutting fruit). Nevertheless, if any sort of accidental cuddling happened in the night, it would remain a mystery to the rest of them. 

“What the hell are you doing?” Nico glowered at them before shoving his face back into the pillow he had previously been sound asleep on before the two shook him awake. 

“We brought you coffee,” Jason offered. For a second there was no reaction before Nico finally lifted his head. He turned, sitting up and reaching out for the mug, a steady glare still set on the two. 

“You didn’t answer my question.”

Piper decided not to waste her time getting to the point. “Do you like Will?”

Nico squinted at them. “What is this, an interrogation?” he asked, cradling the mug closer to his chest.

“Don’t avoid the question.”

“Yes, I like Will,” he sighs. “Happy? Can I go back to sleep now?”

“We just wanted to talk to you because when a man loves a, well, man in your case-” Jason starts, the biggest shit-eating grin on his face. They got what they came for, now it was just time to tease him a little bit.

Nico cuts him off. “Oh my god, shut up.” He shoves a pillow at his face, nearly spilling his coffee. “Get out of my room, or I swear-” but they’re already gone.

Annabeth and Percy, who just had a similar conversation with Will, meet Jason and Piper in the hallway. “So?” Annabeth asks.

“Confirmed. Nico likes him.”

Percy grinned. “Will likes him too.”

They exchanged silent high fives, chattering quietly a bit more about the next step as they walked back into the main room. Sally was still bustling around in the kitchen, and Will, who seemed to have been replaced by Reyna on fruit duty, was setting the dining table. 

Everyone was awake by the time Sally called them for breakfast, and they spent the first few minutes eating without much conversation. It was when they got into the topic of last year’s vacation when Piper winked at Annabeth, signaling that she had an idea for the next step in their plan.

“Maybe we can go to that bar that we went to last year,” Piper said, waving a forkful of eggs. “Nico seemed to have met the love of his life on the dance floor, maybe we’ll meet up with him again.” 

(She was joking, of course, and Nico probably knew that too. In fact, she was there when he deleted that guy’s number off his phone. Piper was just looking for a reaction out of Will.) 

There was a few snorts and giggles from around the table as they all revisited that memory mentally. Nico had a few too many vodka shots that night, thanks to Leo telling him he needed to ‘let loose’, and met some random guy. The parts that weren’t captured on video by his friends were lost in history, but not in their minds. 

Nico immediately blushed, eyes cast downwards. “I was drunk,” he mumbled, and Piper immediately looked to Will. The blonde’s look was hard to read, but, he seemed more concerned than jealous. 

“Besides,” Nico said, clearing his throat. “I’m over it.” Both Will and Nico seemed satisfied with that end, and they switched conversation topics. 

Annabeth and Piper just exchanged a look. Huh. 

III. 

A classic vacation tradition for them is renting a boat to use for a day. Both Sally and Percy had a boat license, and occasionally Leo or Jason would take the wheel. There were a few different islands scattered around that would make a perfect beach day, or they would sometimes just float and have a boat picnic for lunch.

“I think I actually might be melting.”

Another vacation tradition: Nico complaining about the heat.

The Italian was already shirtless after a quick swim that his friends forced him into. (As in, literally forced. Hazel pushed him in). His jet black hair was damp from water and sweat, as was his neck and chest.

“That’s called sweating, Nico,” Will says without looking up from his book. Anyone within hearing distance snickers at the remark as he glared at Will. 

Only when he reached to grab his sunglasses did Will finally look at Nico. “Did you reapply sunscreen after you went swimming?”

“No?” Nico squints. “And it wasn’t voluntary, I got pushed me in-” 

“You’re burning up, idiot. You’re lucky you haven’t already gotten skin cancer already,” Will sighs, reaching next to him to grab the sunscreen. “Take some of this. I’ll do your back.”

Tan hands met Nico’s back, slathering white sunscreen into already-pink skin. Meanwhile, Nico was busy attempting (and failing) to rub it in on his face. He looked up to see Annabeth and Piper making kissy faces at him and smirking as Will rubbed his back. His squint deepened, and scrunched his nose and stuck out his tongue at them.

After Will was done, he instructed Nico to go sit in the shade for a little bit. Unfortunately for him, that’s right where Piper and Annabeth were parked.

“So,” Piper asked quietly, leaning forward in her hands so her elbows were balanced on her legs. “What was that about?”

“Will’s a pain in the ass about that sunscreen thing. Makes me wear it whenever we’re out,” Nico said with a shrug, but there was no real anger in his voice.

Annabeth grinned. “So you would say he makes you a better person?”

“Oh, shut up.”

IV.

Piper was surprised at how much Will seemed to love the beach. Actually, it didn’t really surprise her at all; he looked exactly like a surfer guy from any teen movie. It was just surprising after years of Nico being a beach bum to see him bring a guy who was the exact opposite.

That didn’t change Nico’s beach bum habits, though. While they were all currently paddling around in the ocean, he was taking a nap back on shore. 

Suddenly, an idea sparked in Piper’s mind.

“Will,” she hissed, grabbing him by his tan, freckled arm. “Do you see that bucket up there?” she gestured towards the bright blue plastic bucket on shore that Percy brought along for some reason, and Will nodded. “Fill it with water and follow my lead,”

Will seemed to know exactly what her motive was. He crept behind her towards Nico, now with a full bucket of water that he was trying his best not to spill. 

She gestured towards the sleeping figure, and Will had the biggest shit-eating grin on his face as he dumped the entire bucket over Nico.

Splash. 

“Will Solace, you are so dead,” Nico shrieked, jumping up and immediately charging after the boy, who had taken off running. 

He chased him around for a while, finally tackling him somewhere down the shore. They wrestled for a moment; Nico seemed to be trying to dump as much sand as possible into Will’s hair. (It was a classic brutal di Angelo move).

They rolled around until Nico found himself on top of Will, and for a second, time seemed to stop. Piper and Annabeth just looked at each other before looking back at the two. 

“Is it just me or are their faces getting closer?” Piper whispered. Annabeth didn’t respond, just shaking her head in bewilderment. 

It definitely wasn’t just her; the two heads were very clearly moving closer and closer. Will’s lips were nearly a centimeter away from Nico’s.

And then suddenly, they both pulled back like some sort of magnet came out of the air and forced them apart. They trotted back, trying to shake off the sand that was plastered to every inch of their body. Will headed for the ocean while Nico just grabbed a new, dry towel. 

“You two are assholes,” Nico said, pointing the towel at them.

Piper chose to ignore that comment. “Why didn’t you kiss him?” she asked.

“‘Cuz we’re in public?” Nico said, before walking off, muttering something about

fangirls. 

Piper glanced over at Annabeth, who just shook her head. “Hopeless”, she mouthed. 

V.  

Nights tended to be colder than the day, so they decided to plan a campfire one of the nights at a nearby park. They loaded Percy’s rental truck with all sorts of blankets and materials for s’mores as well as drinks. 

Everyone found their place around the fire. Piper and Annabeth sat next to each other, with their boyfriends flanked on either side of them. Each couple was sharing their own blanket. Next to them was Frank and Hazel, who had a blanket each but was still sitting shoulder to shoulder. Leo sat on a stump between the two groups; he was in charge of keeping the fire roaring. On the other side of Piper’s log sat Sally and Reyna, who seemed to be deep in conversation. 

Across from the campfire, though, was where Nico and Will sat. They were practically on top of each other, with one blanket wrapped around their shoulders.

Drinks were handed out as the stars came out above their heads, and in the dim lighting of the fire, Annabeth could see Will and Nico exchanging soft, fond looks.

She caught Nico’s eye as he laid his head down on Will’s shoulder. Grinning, Annabeth held up her and Percy’s intertwined fingers, raising an eyebrow as if to say go on, take your man’s hand!

In return from Nico, she got a glare, but he also reached down and laced his fingers with Will, resting them on his lap. Annabeth decided to take that as a win.

+I

Piper came into Annabeth’s room on the last day of their vacation. They were set to leave late that evening, which meant Piper should be packing, but there was something on her mind.

“I just can’t believe how clueless they are,” she said, flopping down on Annabeth’s bed. The blonde just shook her head as she continued to fold clothes to be packed. “I mean, where did we go wrong?” Piper asked. “We’ve been trying all week to get them together.”

Annabeth placed down another neatly folded shirt. “Maybe that’s our issue. Maybe it’s because we tried so hard. I mean, Percy and I were oblivious for years before we finally got together. It won’t take them that long.”

Piper just sighed. “I hope you’re right,”

They talked for a bit more about other ups and downs of the trip, already planning activities for next year. Piper got up when Annabeth was finished packing, and together they walked to the kitchen. It was their day to make lunch.

In the living room, Nico was sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Will, who was holding his phone out in selfie-mode. They were talking quietly, giggling occasionally at a goofy photo or when Will caught Nico off guard. Piper couldn’t help but to watch them; she really did hope they would get together in the end, or at least stay close friends.

“Just take one cute one with me,” she heard Will beg. “We don’t have any photos together!” Nico sighed, before closing his eyes and leaning in to kiss Will on the cheek. Piper looked over to Annabeth, who rolled her eyes as if to say leave them be.

It was when they actually did kiss that Piper reacted. 

“What?!” she gasped, internally losing her shit. Next to her, Annabeth’s eyes had nearly popped out of her head. “Since when have you two been together?”

Will and Nico gave them matching looks of confusion. “Like, 3 months now?” 

“You’re kidding me! And you never thought to tell us?” By this point, a few of the others poked their heads in. Percy and Jason both had looks of disbelief, while Leo and Reyna just looked plain confused. Hazel and Frank, who were sitting on the couch next to them, immediately burst into laughter. 

“Yes?! I thought you knew!” Now Nico was yelling. “With the way you’ve been treating us all week? I thought this was just Will’s weird initiation into the group!”

“No! We were trying to get you two together!”

For a second, nobody said a word. Then Will started giggling, followed by Nico, and then Piper and Annabeth, and suddenly everyone was laughing so hard, a few were crying.

“I can’t believe you didn’t know!” Nico said once he had calmed down a bit. “I mean, I changed my Facebook relationship status!”

Percy squinted. “Who uses Facebook anymore?”

Hazel and Frank both raised their hands.

“You knew the whole time?” Jason asked them. “And you never thought to tell us?”

Hazel shrugged. “We thought it would be interesting to see how it played out.”

Piper and Annabeth just stood in the kitchen, laughing still. This was by far the most interesting story that had ever come from one of these vacations.

~~~ 

Thanks for reading!!! Taglist under cut (message me to be added/removed)

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[starstruckteacup]

Cottagecore Films (pt. 8)

Second Time Around (2016)

TW: character death - possible suicide (offscreen)

starring Linda Thorson, Stuart Margolin, Alexis Harrison, Louis Del Grande, Laura de Carteret

After enjoying a night at the opera, the vivacious senior Katherine suffers a major fall, breaking her hip and sending her into rehabilitation. Despite her protests, she has to stay in a retirement home to be cared for while she recovers. There, she meets a variety of new faces, including the charismatic and flirtatious Charlie and the defeated and introverted Isaac. When Katherine damages a piece of clothing, Isaac offers to repair it, at which point the two strike an unlikely friendship. As their relationship grows, the two get to know each other’s pasts, presents, and hopes for the future, and things truly escalate after a formal dance hosted by the home. Even when their situations grow dire, they still find room for love. Even after they both recover, they stay together, choosing to pursue happiness as a dynamic pair.

This has to be one of the sweetest, funniest, and liveliest movies I’ve seen in a long time. It takes a very real look at what life is like for the elderly in retirement homes, but it doesn’t dwell on the depressing aspects, instead choosing to rejoice in the many types of love. The characters felt so genuine, and I was constantly rooting for their success. For example, I’ve never been so engrossed in a scene of people getting ready for an event; I was cheering them on the entire time. You really felt the joy they got out of dressing up for this one special night. How can you not feel happy when people are so confident in themselves, and are ready to take the night? The acting in that regard was truly exceptional. It’s one thing to get into character, but the actors in this film seemed to feel their characters’ stories to the fullest, and it truly came across on screen. This film defies the stereotype for geriatrics to sit around, aspiring to nothing, by showing us exactly how unique and full of life they still are. The characters experience such a plethora of emotions, but it’s the acting that truly draws you into their reality. And where do I even begin on the chemistry? Every relationship in this film was as real as if it wasn’t a film at all. Love, attraction, envy, jealousy, every feeling a character directed toward another was impeccably real. The only critique I could possibly have for this film is the camera work, which was somewhat unstable at times, but it doesn’t detract from the quality of the film at all. If you’re looking for a joyful romance, this is the one. 8/10

Under the Eiffel Tower (2018)

starring Judith Godrèche, Matt Walsh, Reid Scott, Dylan Gelula, Gary Cole

When bourbon connoisseur Stuart loses his job, his friend’s family invites him on their trip to France. It doesn’t go well for long, however, when the 50-year-old proposes to his friend’s 26-year-old daughter beneath the Eiffel Tower. The family cuts him off, continuing on their trip and leaving Stuart to figure out his own way home. In the airport, Stuart meets professional footballer Liam, who encourages him to use his train ticket to Bordeaux and enjoy France while he’s there. On the train, the two meet Louise, an artistic winery owner, on her way home from Paris. The two men quickly find themselves stranded, and are taken in by Louise to stay in her chateau. Chemistry grows between Stuart and Louise, until several miscommunications erupt and send Stuart and Liam packing. This isn’t the end for the duo’s misadventures, however, as Liam runs into a familiar face and Stuart realizes he’d left behind the only thing that made him feel alive.

This movie was extremely disappointing. Not only did it have every cliché in the book, the characters were thoroughly boring and fake. Stuart was a highly unrelatable character, for starters. He’s introduced as an immature alcoholic who doesn’t think clearly and proposes to a woman half his age, already someone that the audience will clearly have no attachment to. Then for the rest of the film he’s portrayed as an artistic, business-minded, loving man, which doesn’t fit at all with how he was at the start. And there was no character growth to explain it. He just changed all of a sudden, yet he still reverted back to a bumbling child every time he saw his friend’s family. Liam was similarly immature and poorly behaved, never taking no for an answer and constantly forcing Louise to spend time with him. We’re clearly supposed to like him because he’s suave and handsome, and has a Scottish accent. Louise was a very dull character as well. We saw her paint once, and suddenly she’s supposed to have depth without the film actually showing it. With all of these negative characters, there’s no sense of satisfaction when Stuart and Louise run off into the sunset together. He’s still weird and creepy. Not to mention how weird and creepy Liam is after making moves on Rosalind. She’s 26 and more than capable of making her own decisions and dating older men, but she was thoroughly repulsed by Stuart and yet forgave Liam of his own age and creepiness only because he had a Scottish accent (yes, that’s what she says in the film). The scenery could have been breathtaking--a vineyard in southern France???--but the film showed next to none of it. Stuart even talks about it but there’s not a single shot of the landscape throughout the entire film. Save yourself the effort. 2/10

Midsommar (2019)

TW: intense gore, suicide (onscreen and offscreen), murder (offscreen), intoxication, drug usage

starring Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, Vilhelm Blomgren, William Jackson Harper, Will Poulter, Ellora Torchia, Archie Madekwe

A friend group of anthropologists--named Christian, Josh, and Mark--decide to accompany their close friend Pelle on a return trip to his home in Sweden. Dani, currently in mourning over the deaths of her parents and sister, agree to accompany them in an effort to take her mind off her grief. The group arrives at the idyllic commune, the Hårga, to participate in a special celebration that is only held once every 90 years. There they meet Pelle’s brother, Ingemar, and two of his friend’s, Connie and Simon. The group indulges for the first day, trying to learn about the Hårga and their traditions. On the second day, however, the celebration begins, and from the unknowing tourists’ perspective, things begin to spiral out of control. As more questions are raised and more of the commune’s beliefs are dishonored, people start to go missing. While Dani’s suspicions grow, the rest remain willfully ignorant, until only Dani and Christian are left. When Dani becomes the May Queen by winning a dance competition, tradition demands that she help complete the commune’s celebration. While it’s nothing she was prepared for, perhaps it is what she needed in the end.

I found that I enjoyed this movie in an uncomfortable way. I didn’t like it in the way that one would typically “like” a movie, but it was absolutely an excellent film. I don’t particularly appreciate intense gore, and while I understand that this is a horror film, I don’t think it needed to be that present. I suppose it was more to overwhelm the audience and put them in the same mindset as Dani, so in that way it does make sense, but it is very intense. The thing I liked most about this movie is what also made me the most uncomfortable. The character situation is so strange because the main characters are clearly selfish, manipulative, ignorant, arrogant, and disrespectful, without any real redeeming qualities, so you can’t possibly like them, but at the same time you’re unable to sympathize with the cult because of how foreign and violent their customs are. I watched this movie in this uncomfortable, removed but still invested way which I’ve never experienced before. It’s a beautiful film and the acting is incredible, especially from Pugh. The extreme way she depicts Dani’s grief is consistent throughout the movie, but the reactions she receives are vastly different each time, and Pugh adapts to the evolution of the story spectacularly. In summary, this film is an intense, psychologically horrifying art film, and despite being aware of the entire plot prior to watching (I don’t usually watch horror movies), I was still wildly unprepared for what I watched. 10/10

Part One // Part Two // Part Three // Part Four // Part Five // Part Six // Part Seven

[captainmeowvelwrites]

You Times Two (Ch.9)

Pairing: Marinette/Ladybug | Adrien/Chat Noir Words: 4345 Summary: Ladybug knew this was necessary. She was the Guardian. He had the Cat Miraculous. But when his suit evaporated in a glow of pale green, she sure hadn’t expected him to have something far more precious: her heart. Cross-posted: AO3 and FFN

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | ...

Recap: Previously, on You Times Two… Maribug was a bit of a depresso espresso, what with the impending Adrigami date and fifth wheeling her friends. That is, until our favourite dude cheered her up with pizza, turtle talk and some good ol’ Mario Kart. Of course, her kitty-cat’s banana puns might’ve helped a smidge. But will dustings of Adrigami continue to throw her off? And when Chilluka rocks up, will Jealadrien be far behind?

---

Chapter Nine

An hour after Adrien's slippery ascent to victory, they turned to Ultimate Mecha Strike III for some more hearty butt-whooping.

With one final zap of an energy beam, the words "KAGAMI WINS" flashed across the screen, and her crimson mecha-tank launched a clawed fist in the air.

"Aw maaan!" Nino dumped his controller on the coffee table. "How could I lose to a total noob?" He froze. "Uh – No offence! You did good, dudette – I mean Kagami!"

Alya clutched her stomach, her cheeks red from laughing. "Nice one, Kagami! You – You really got him good with that – ah – that triple kick hyperstorm combo!"

"Yeah, Kagami!" Adrien nudged her shoulder with his own. "Only your third game and already you're winning!"

Marinette gave a thumbs up. "You're a natural."

Kagami threaded a strand of hair behind her ear, the slightest of blushes grazing her cheeks. "Thank you, everyone. I couldn't have won without Marinette's expert teaching." She bowed her head, her mouth curving into a smile that simply looked like it belonged there.

That small fact made Marinette's own smile double in size.

"But, dudes, I'm sick of UMS."

Alya tapped down the brim of Nino's precious cap. "You're just sick of losing, babe."

Pouting, he straightened his hat. "That's not the point, Al." He bounced to his feet, eyes on Adrien. "Why don't we fire up Just Dance instead? Let's show 'em our swagger!"

Adrien's face practically glowed as he leapt from the sofa, Kagami's hands falling from his arm to her lap. "You're on, Nino!"

"Ha!" Nino flashed his signature finger guns. "On like Donkey Kong!"

With an overly dramatic scoff, Adrien placed a hand to his chest in a decidedly Chat Noir fashion. "Excuse me? Only I have the rights to that line… especially after my ape overthrew our princess." He sent Marinette an over the shoulder wink and naturally, a flush flamed across her face.

While Nino set up Just Dance, Adrien shrugged out of his blazer in one fluid movement and flicked it over the sofa with a ridiculous amount of flair. He rolled his neck, laced his fingers and stretched his arms out before him. Pair that with the fact his polished shoes, snug jeans, and long-sleeved dress shirt were all black and wow, he was but a tail away from his alter ego. The only thing missing was a poorly timed pun. The flush across her face deepened.

Adrien strutted up to the TV. Umber drapes framed the wide balcony doors to his left, swaying with the wind that weaved through the living room to fan his golden hair. With his eyes on the screen, he raised a thoughtful hand to his chin. His fingers were soaked in sunlight, its rays catching his ring at just the right angle to inspire a shine of silver. Buzzfeed had once dubbed this particular pose The Pondering Prince. It was easy to see why on a rainy day. And even easier when sunbeams spilled across his hair like a literal crown of sunshine.

Marinette wasn't staring.

Nope, not at all.

The choruses of classic pop songs cut through the air as Nino cycled through choreographies. She knew the moment a song stood out to Adrien, by the way The Pondering Prince transformed into The Keen Cutie.

An annoyingly catchy melody sprung through the speakers:

'Take me by the tongue and I'll know you. Uh! Kiss me 'til you're drunk and I'll show you—'

The boys exchanged an eager high five, while Marinette bit back a snort. Chat Noir choosing Moves Like Jagger?

"Only you would, Adrien. Silly ca—" Her mouth snapped shut, but his merry eyes were already on her. She went ramrod straight in her seat. "Ca – Can't be used to describe you row—I mean now – no, right now." She shook her head madly. "Or – uh – any time, really. Because you're so great. At moving. With your feet!"

Adrien stared at her. She could almost see the cogwheels turning in his eyes. Hopefully those cogwheels had nothing to do with her slip up and everything to do with interpreting her word vomit. Finally, he graced her with one of his classic, heart-warming smiles. "Thank you, Marinette!"

She threw two thumbs up. "Well done! I mean, welcome!"

To her right, she could just feel concerned eyes on her.

And to her left, Alya facepalmed.

Adrien's soft smile lingered on Marinette for a moment longer, before a "Ready, bro?" brought his attention back to the TV. She sucked in a breath.

That smile. That classic Adrien smile. It was a gentle, shy sort of smile. One that made you feel special. Chat Noir's smile, on the other hand, was silly, cheeky, at times flirty—and had prompted her to groan on several occasions. Totally different, right?

But they were the same person! As classmates, she could probably count the amount of coherent conversations she'd had with him on her hands. But as partners, they were closer than ever. She'd thought of him as one of her dearest friends long before learning his civilian identity. Now, an unpleasant question reared its awful head. Were his smiles wildly different? Or just her reactions to them?

Alya's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Daaang!" she called, flaunting a smirk. "You boys are pulling out all the stops today. Where've you been hiding those dance moves, Adrien?"

Marinette looked up at the boy in question and saw her friend, Adrien, dancing with the unbridled joy of her partner, Chat Noir.

And Alya's words must've emboldened him, for he broke away from the choreography with a suave spin on the spot. "Come on, Al. You don't actually think I spent home-school doing schoolwork, do you?" As Maroon 5 whistled on, he executed each move with a flawless flourish. To think, this was the same guy who high-fived street signs with his face.

Alya snickered. "Not bad, Blondie. Not bad at all!"

With an achingly familiar bow, he enacted the tipping of a fake top hat. A silent thank you. One with the pizzazz befitting of her partner.

His theatrics brought out a giggle. She'd seen her silly kitty cut a rug, as he liked to call it, more times than she cared to count. On quiet patrols. In the heat of battle. A few months ago, an amateur video of his dancing had even trended online (he'd reminded her for over a week). His timing was never impeccable, but as they'd grown closer, stifling a smile at his zest for interpretive movement had become increasingly tricky.

"Yes!" Nino wheezed, flinging his arm in time with the dancing avatar on the screen. "I'm catching up!" He was so out of breath. "Keep distracting him!"

"Oh Adrien," her bestie proclaimed, as he moonwalked like a professional zombie from Thriller. "Our dazzling King of Swag!" He held a hand to his ear, spurring her on. "Your flow knows no bounds. I must bow before such unrivalled finesse." True to her word, she bowed in her seat.

And boy, did he lap up the praise! He performed a ridiculously smooth body roll, and concluded it with a click of his fingers. His smile was nearly blinding.

That was all the motivation Marinette needed to pop in her own compliment. "In the not so distant future, bards shall sing of our swagtabulous leader's epic freestyling, and their song shall aptly be named Moves Like Swagdrien!"

Just when she'd thought he couldn't shine any brighter, a laugh burst from his lips. It was one she seldom heard without his mask and the fact she'd brought it out only swelled her sprinting heartbeat.

His next move involved a little hip swaying and a lot of arm swinging. Marinette had only played Fortnite a handful of times, but she had a sneaking suspicion she'd once witnessed it there.

"Keep going, ladies!" Nino implored. "I'm finally winning!"

"Yaaas!" Alya called. "Swagdrien The Suave!"

"Woo!" Marinette launched her fists in the air. "Swagdrien The Debonair!"

"Adrien," Kagami cut in, her puzzled tone stark against the laughter of her friends. "You aren't following the choreography?"

"Rules," he panted, "are made to be broken." As if to emphasise his point, he pulled a double arm wave.

Her brows scrunched. "But you're losing?"

Adrien, now mid-robot, incorporated a shrug into his dance. "This way's more fun"—he threw her a smile—"don't you think?"

His dancing didn't die down in the slightest, nor did the laughter that ensued in its wake.

---

Marinette, like most people, enjoyed bobbing along to Despacito at the best of times.

But this wasn't the best of times.

No, it was the worst. The absolute worst.

More good-natured trash-talking had led to Nino challenging Adrien to a dance-off. But not just any dance-off. No, a double couple dance off (read: everyone but her).

Furthermore, the universe was really testing her limits today—because Despacito's choreography was jam-packed with touching between partners. Sure, Kagami was rather stiff. She'd never played Just Dance before, but Adrien's skills more than made up for that. His hands nestled on her hips, their smiles broad and their bodies close as they moved to the beat.

She tried to smile. She tried to be happy for them. This was what they both wanted. Inserting herself between them – like matter between two magnets – would only be selfish. Even so, she couldn't deny the way her gut writhed at the sight of the happy almost-couple. And she couldn't help but notice Kagami's growing blush.

A distraction.

She needed a distraction.

As if some higher being had honed in on her thoughts, three knocks echoed throughout the apartment. Knuckles on wood had never sounded so wonderful!

Marinette jumped from the sofa. "I'll get it!"

Finally, she'd no longer be the fifth wheel to a quad bike. No, with Luka here, she'd instead be a part of some strange, six-wheeled hybrid. Much more appealing. She raced to the front door and swung it open.

Teal eyes smiled down at her, and their owner gave a little wave, black nail polish shining in the light of the stairwell.

"Luka!" She sprung a hug upon him and without hesitation, he returned it. The exchange only lasted two seconds – three tops – but by gosh, the rich scent of sandalwood delighted her senses long after. "So, how was your shift?"

"Oh, it couldn't end fast enough."

Truer words had never been spoken.

Marinette took his free hand in hers and guided him to the living room. The two couples were still dancing up a storm, guitar chords and Spanish lyrics echoing through the room. "Hey, I see you brought your guitar." She beamed up at him. "You'll have to play us something later. I'd really love to hear my song again!"

From the corner of her eye, Adrien stumbled mid-step.

"I saw that, Blondie!" cackled Alya, her hand in Nino's as they grooved from side to side. "You burning out?"

"Never!" He broke away from the choreography and Kagami quirked a brow as he puffed his chest out into a body roll, even more fluid than his first.

Luka slipped a guitar case off of his shoulders and against the sofa. "Hey, everyone!" He was answered by an array of breathless greetings. "Oh, right." He chuckled. "They're just dancing."

Marinetted laughed—

Until she realised the wordplay wasn't intentional.

"Wow!" Luka chimed, settling on the sofa. "Nice moves, Adrien."

Green eyes remained on the screen. "Thanks."

Marinette swiped the pizza box from the table, four pieces saved within it. "As promised, Luka!" Handing over the box, she sat beside him. "If you're not a cold pizza kinda guy, I can always heat it up for you?"

With a slice of pizza in hand, his free arm reached behind her, resting across the back of the sofa. "It's okay, Marinette. I'm perfectly fine with cold pizza." His eyes were as gentle as his smile. "The thought's appreciated though. Thank you."

A flush crept up her face as he looked at her, but she didn't mind. Not at all.

---

'We are one tonight, and we're breathing in the same air—'

With an easy smile, Marinette tapped her toes in time to the lively tempo of Turn Up The Love. To no one's surprise, Alya and Nino were nailing every move thrown their way—and fast approaching new high scores.

"Wow," Luka spoke up beside her, and her eyes flitted toward him. "They're so in tune, don't you think?"

Marinette gave a merry nod, recalling a time she'd said similar words to a certain blond.

She leant against the coffee table, smiling at the sight of her dancing friends. "They're so in sync with each other."

"You're right," Adrien said, from the other end of a FaceTime call. "Someday I hope I'll find someone I can share everything with… like they do."

In the present, she pursed her lips. Had Adrien been thinking of Ladybug then? Her eyes drifted toward the boy in question, only to catch his eyes zipping away that very second.

"Too right, Luka!" Adrien leaped into their conversation—and winced when his voice shot up an octave. Clearing his throat, he directed a smile at the dancing duo. "When's the wedding, guys?"

Alya skipped around Nino, her arms swinging to the beat. "We don't know the date just yet."

"But don't worry," Nino puffed. "You'll definitely be my best dude!"

"They're only fourteen, Adrien." Kagami tilted her head, her dark hair shifting. "How young do you plan to get married?"

Beside her, Marinette felt him tense. "Oh – I – Ye-ah." His voice cracked. "Fourteen's way too young! The legal age is – uh – eighteen, right?"

"You plan to be married at eighteen?"

"Err – Well, I don't – I don't know?" He squeezed out a laugh. "I mean, maybe. For the right girl?"

"Does that mean you'd marry the wrong girl if you were older?"

"No, I just—"

"Your indecision is troubling, Adrien."

Those words seemed to resonate with him. He shrunk into the sofa like a silent apology.

Marinette's nails dug dents into her palms—but Kagami didn't deserve her ire. She wasn't exactly well-acquainted with social cues. Heck, she probably didn't even realise what she was doing.

Flexing her paling fingers, Marinette turned to Luka, a wordless plea to fix this. She didn't trust herself to.

And he didn't disappoint.

"Hey, Marinette?" Both fencers looked his way. "Has anyone else tried your macarons yet?"

Adrien clung to those words. "I saw the carton on the bench, but I didn't want to be the first one to crack into them!" With a sheepish chuckle, he dipped a hand behind his neck. "I figured we were saving them for later in the day?"

If he didn't get his passionfruit macaron today, Marinette would scream to high heaven. "No no, Adrien!" She waved her hands for emphasis. "Feel free to help yourself. No, actually—"

She launched to her feet.

He did the same.

"—I'll bring them over," they said in unison. Blinking at each other, they laughed at once. "Sorry," they said. "I – Uh. You go first! No, you—"

Marinette held up a hand. "I'll bring the napkins. You bring the macarons. Deal?"

"Deal!"

---

A minute later, Alya and Nino collapsed onto the sofa, their chests heaving after their dance. To his delight, Nino had come out on top, destroying his former high score along with Alya's. (Not at all suspiciously, Alya had matched him point-for-point until the last thirty seconds, when her dancing had deteriorated just enough to let him win.)

A cardboard carton, with a golden emblem adorning its lid, rattled in Marinette's palms. While Adrien shared napkins around, she plonked down beside Luka. "I hope all this dancing's worked up everyone's appetite!"

Alya accepted a napkin. "By the grin on Adrien's face, I'd say his answer is a resounding yes."

"Can't blame him, babe. Those moves were unreal."

"It must be the fencing."

"From what I saw, he was a one-man sonata."

"Or a unicorn."

"Girl, did you just call Adrien a unicorn?"

Marinette nodded, unabashed. She was trying to get over him, yes. That didn't mean he wasn't still one of a kind.

With all leftover napkins now on the coffee table, Adrien resumed his seat between Marinette and Kagami. "Full disclosure: I'd make a magnificent unicorn."

Laughter erupted.

And only as it died down did Marinette speak again. "In that case, I sure hope unicorns like macarons!" She flipped back the carton in her lap, revealing an assortment of brown and yellow treats. "We've got two flavours: Belgian chocolate and passionfruit. I would've made more, but I was a little short on time."

"I'll believe it," Alya teased.

She stuck out her tongue. "Just a heads up, everyone—"

From the corner of her eye, Kagami reached for Adrien's hand and threaded it with her own. His smile wavered. He went to pull back, but Kagami tightened her grip—without realising? Adrien's struggling stopped.

"Yike—"

Marinette glimpsed a stern look from Alya.

"I mean LIKE! Yeah. I was, like, extra clumsy this morning and – err – dropped the macarons on this side." She jabbed a finger toward the left of the carton. "So – Um. Sorry about that."

Hands reached from all sides, lightening the carton in her hands, and delighted hums soon floated through the living room.

"Girl, you've really outdone yourself this time!"

"Ditto, babe!"

"I agree." Kagami admired the yellow, half-eaten macaron between her fingers. Her other hand still gripped Adrien's. "This is really delicious."

Adrien's face inched near as he marvelled at the macarons. "You made these, Marinette?" She thought she felt herself nod. "They look delicious!" He took one from the tainted side. Passionfruit, of course. His first bite— "Wow." He gazed at the treat like it was the answer to world peace. "Marinette, this macaron. It's… It's perfect!"

She felt herself beam as he savoured a second bite. This beautiful moment was most definitely worth the many Sundays she'd spent baking a single macaron.

In or out of the suit. Chat Noir or Adrien. He was her friend. Maybe she'd never see those three kids or that hamster. Maybe she'd never have that dog or that beautiful house. At least, not with Adrien.

Because they were superheroes.

Because of apocalyptic cataclysms.

Because he said he loved Ladybug, but in the end, he chose Kagami.

But she could still make him happy.

Luka reached for a treat last. His side pressed into hers as he leaned closer and picked a chocolate macaron. Like this morning, he went for the street-sullied side. With his free arm splayed behind her, he settled back into the couch cushions and savoured the snack with his eyes shut. "This flavour's even better! You're so extraordinary, Marinette."

Cheeks aflame, Marinette brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

Extraordinary.

Luka said she was extraordinary.

And it wasn't the first time. No, the first time he'd been under Hawk Moth's cruel influence. And she tried not to take a supervillain's words to heart.

But then he'd said it again, his hand warm on her arm and his eyes warmer still.

"You're the most extraordinary girl, Marinette. As clear as a musical note and as sincere as a melody. You're the music that's been playing inside my head since the first day we met."

Was it time to tune along to his song?

Marinette swallowed, searching for a reply to the wonderful words of her friends. Instead, she caught the green gaze of another boy watching her fondly.

A lump lodged in her throat.

From the day she'd met him, her heart had been his.

But he didn't want his classmate.

From the day she'd met Luka, she'd been the song inside his head.

He made sure she knew where they stood.

He supported her every decision.

He made things simple.

The logical choice was clear.

Yet her heart throbbed at the thought.

No matter what, someone was bound to get hurt. Her friend. Her partner. Herself.

For over a year, she'd saved Paris with quick-thinking and convoluted strategies. She was the girl with a plan, the one people came to when times were tough. Yet here she was, unable to think up a single way to save her and her loved ones from heartbreak.

Why was she so useless?

Why couldn't she just keep everyone happy?

How could she possibly choose between them?

"Earth to Marinette?" Alya interrupted her thoughts. "Guys! I think we broke her with compliments!"

"No! Sorry, I just—" Marinette placed a hand to her chest and drew in a breath. "Thank you, everyone." She meant that wholeheartedly, and turned to Alya with a smile. "Wanna get back to dancing?"

"You know it!"

---

'Starships were meant to fly! Hands up and touch the sky!'

Of course, Alya had picked an old favourite of theirs: Starships by Nicki Minaj. A bop that never failed to bump up her mood. She knew the choreography well, but was still surprised by her soaring score. Her every move displayed a grace she'd never thought possible without a little latex magic, and over and over, the word "PERFECT" flashed gold on the screen. It was like the game was a one-word dictionary, but she sure wasn't complaining.

"Oh my gosh, M!" Alya puffed. "You are killing it!"

"Call me Swagrinette!"

Adrien laughed from his place on the sofa. "I don't think Swagrinette has quite the same ring to it." She threw a smile over her shoulder—just as Kagami eased her head onto his.

Marinette misstepped, but caught herself before the floor could. "Oops!" She wheezed out a laugh. "Spoke too soon, Al." Her arms circled through the air in sync with the dancing avatar.

Alya snorted. "You're still owning it!"

"She's right," Kagami added. "Your dancing's impressive, Marinette."

She glanced back at Kagami, another smile at the ready. It died on her lips at the sight she beheld. Adrien's eyes were on his hand, laced with Kagami's, and the look he wore was a resigned one. Knitted brows. A slight weight to his lips. He was unhappy—

Pain sliced through her ankle.

In a tangle of limbs, she tumbled to the floor.

Voices cried out her name.

Steps pounded.

She didn't know when, but her hand had clung to her ankle, and her face twisted as it throbbed beneath her fingertips.

"Are you okay?!"

Her eyes flew up—and what they beheld was excruciatingly familiar.

Two hands were extended before her: black nail polish painted the one on her right and an unmistakable ring adorned the one on her left. Her right hand remained around her ankle. Her other lifted off the floor. It drifted left, right, then paused dead centre.

With a composing breath, Marinette chose neither. Instead, she reached for a nearby ottoman, small and round and pastel pink, and chose to help herself off the floor. "I'm fine, guys," she said, reaching her feet.

Everyone stared, eyes rife with worry, while Starships thumped on in the background. Such upbeat music now seemed woefully out of place.

Alya propped a hand on her hip. "You sure, Marinette?"

Nino stepped to Adrien's side. "Yeah, that was one heck of a fall."

"I agree." Kagami's eyes were on Marinette's ankle. "It looked pretty serious."

Marinette fixed up a smile. "Really, I'm A-OK. See?" She shifted her weight to her right—

Another zap of pain.

Two sets of hands sprang to her shoulders, steadying her.

Marinette waved both boys away. "No no. I've got this." She hobbled over to the sofa, stifling a wince, while steps tapped behind her. "It's not as bad as it looks"—she wasn't sure if that was a lie—"but just in case, I think I'd better be a spectator for the rest of the day."

Luka seated himself to her immediate right. "First, we should really take care of your ankle." He looked to a concerned Alya, who'd seated herself on the arm of the sofa. "Do you have any ice packs?"

Adrien claimed the free spot to Marinette's left. "Plus something to act as a barrier between the ice pack and her skin." An instruction, not a suggestion. "Painkillers too. And some anti-inflammatory cream."

"On it!" Nino rushed to the freezer.

"We gotcha!" Alya's red hair whipped behind her as she dashed to the bathroom.

Marinette clung to the cushion beneath her. This was a disaster. A complete and utter disaster. But she could at least avoid dragging her friends down with her. "No need to fuss, guys." She kept her tone light. "It's really not that bad. And I don't wanna ruin the afternoon by—"

A comforting weight on her hand gave her pause. "Never." Adrien's eyes creased as he smiled, giving her hand a light squeeze. "We're just looking out for you. You'd do the same for any of us."

Luka's hand found her shoulder. "You can tell us if you're not okay, Marinette."

"Yeah, I can call you a doctor," Adrien chipped in. "Or get my driver to take you. Just say the word, Marinette."

Kagami knelt on the floor ahead of her, a cushion in hand. "I believe elevating the injury above the heart reduces swelling. Here." She placed the cushion on the coffee table and with a substantial amount of care, eased Marinette's foot upon it.

A smile flooded her face. Her friends were truly the best.

---

With a metallic whir, daylight broke upon the silhouette of a lean man, and flocks of butterflies stirred, their pale wings catching the sun.

"Ahh… An aspiring artist with a penchant for Picasso. One whose dreams have been crushed by a hard-hearted critic." Each word floated from his tongue with a delighted lilt. "What perfect prey for my akuma."

He beckoned a nearby butterfly to his awaiting palm, carefully caging it between two gloved hands. Darkness materialized, clinging to the insect and soiling its snowy wings.

"Fly away, my pretty akuma, and evilize this wounded soul!"

[jacksgreysays]

One of my favorite fandom things is to see the protagonists of other stories as the background characters in fanfic for a completely different story. An example would be, say, the Inuyasha cast as the background ninja manning a border outpost. Not as protagonists in their own rights, but as obviously enough themselves that you can fill out their stories, lol. Do you have any characters you think would be great for that? Even OCs! And how would you need to adapt them to not be protagonists?

I also enjoy that trope! I don’t see it as often as I like? Or, well, I don’t see it often as more than just “I needed five names and I might as well use these names” as opposed to a more integrated “these five characters would work well in this universe, here’s a little easter egg for my readers”

I do something similar in Naruto/DoS fic… maybe not “protagonists” of other stories but definitely would-have-been secondary characters in other stories are still around.

For example, the teammates of my other Naruto fic. In Counterpoise it’s Ringo Nohara and Zakuro Yuuhi who graduated two years before the Rookie Nine and then in Externality it’s Komadori Ouba who graduated the same year as Team Gai. And then, I guess, arguably Kiyoshi Utsugi who is the main character in (In)Difference and possibly Kakashi’s mom?

All three of them are alternate universes but the first two–Counterpoise and Externality, that is–are alternate universes in a different way from (In)Difference. Because Counterpoise and Externality are “what if X character existed and were relevant to Naruto/Naruto’s story” ie Konran, Naruto’s twin sister or Tetsuki who helps Naruto graduate a year early and thus becomes his genin teammate. 

Whereas (In)Difference is an AU of “what if Kakashi’s mom was an SI!OC/had knowledge of canon” even though, when I was first building her I didn’t make her with being Kakashi’s mom in mind. I made her to be a kunoichi of an age with the Sannin and then had to figure out what would make a good teammate for Dan Katou (aka Tsunade’s boyfriend) and That One Guy who was on the same mission as when Dan died and who ACTUALLY HAD A NAME? aka Kunugi Mokume. So, like… with those two in mind, who would make a good teammate abilities-wise and then… it just kind of… grew into well, I guess she’s Kakashi’s mom.

I’m getting off track. So… even through (In)Difference is an AU, Kakashi obviously still exists so his mom must still exist so I just generally use “Kiyoshi Utsugi” as his mom whether or not it’s the (In)Difference version who has canon knowledge or not. But in Counterpoise and Externality, that’s the only instance in which Konran Uzumaki and Tetsuki Kaiza exist [in the Naruto world]. But their would-have-been-teammates still exist without them, so I use them pretty frequently as like. “Oh, I need a character who’s approximately this age and would be in the RnD department. Let’s use Komadori” Or “Hey, this person is going to the hospital but it’s not a major injury so they’d have a baby medic look at it, here’s Ringo.”

I actually designed Ringo and Zakuro to be the “those two guys” for the Konoha Twelve? Like, not part of the group, obviously, but a background sort of… like Izumo and Kotetsu?

So, I guess, the how do I do it for these characters is more of a… well… I took away their genin teammate so they didn’t pass their assigned jounin-sensei’s test so they went into Genin Corps/Medic Corps/had an apprenticeship or whatever… which I guess is kind of bleak.

Um…

I also had a fairly recent almost-use of this concept. In more of a fleeting daydream-y than a full brainstorm-y way and it had more to do with a reaction to a BnHA fanfic I read that then spun wildly out of control…

I should try to make a proper post out of it since it’s the advent calendar:

Fake Fic Summaries, 25/? the Alternate Lightning edition (2019-12-17)

Strikes But Does Not Roar

Izuku never gets One For All. He doesn’t go to UA. He doesn’t become a Hero.

But heroism isn’t just for the professionals. Neither is happiness or Family.

It’s a vigilante!Izuku, basically. But, specifically, a KHR!vigilante!Izuku.

I’m talking a reverse Tetsuki Kaiza ‘verse!

Just kidding, knowledge of Tetsuki Kaiza is not needed (ALTHOUGH)

The idea actually came to me as a weird knee-jerk response to bakudeku fic Just Like The Comics by brichibi which I do recommend if you A) like bakudeku fic, B) like AUs, and C) like screaming at your screen when fictional characters are having mutual pining romantic drama but also legitimate relationship issues and not just RomCom-esque misunderstandings 

It’s a very complex set of feelings.

And without getting too much into spoiler territory, there was a lot of discussion of Achieving Your Dream versus Being Happy and because I still have conflicting feelings about the bakudeku ship, part of me was like… okay, but what if an AU of this fic in which Izuku decided, well, just because I can’t be a hero doesn’t mean I can’t help people still in the most dangerous way possible.

And then I also thought, a little bit, how… not funny… but a greater slap in the face to Bakugou if Izuku started dating someone who, on the surface, was very much like him but on the surface a worse version. Like, on paper that is. Because Bakugou is probably very handsome, if he weren’t always so >:(, and very smart and successful and devoted to being a hero. Great, fantastic, Bakugou will probably achieve his dream of being the number one hero with or without Izuku.

But will he be happy?

Versus, Izuku in this AU will never achieve his dream. Has, actually, given up on his dream or, at least, the original version of his dream. But he can still help people. And if he happens to find happiness with a loud, pale-haired, bright eyed, muscular vigilante whose punches can kind of explode things then… well… Ryohei Sasagawa is not the smartest of dudes, but he is a good sunshine boy who I and Tetsuki love very much.

So this AU takes the brichibi’s theme of Achieving Your Dream vs Being Happy and twists it into an unhappy ending (for Bakugou, at least) because instead of both of them getting both, each of them only get one.

Well, that’s the origin of the AU, but it kinda took a life of its own when I decided to use KHR characters and this is where this weird fake fic summary finally becomes relevant to your ask, lionheadbookends, because it wasn’t just the idea of Ryohei vaguely looking like Bakugou and rubbing salt in a broken up bakudeku’s wound. It also wasn’t even the fact that IZUKU IS COVERED IN GREEN LIGHTNING WHENEVER HE USES OFA. It also also wasn’t even the whole “Vongola started off as a vigilante group” thing, though all of these did help, of course.

But the cold, brutal thought that in this world of quirks–where Izuku’s misery comes from being quirkless–that another boy who had been so bullied and ridiculed and given a cruel nickname would also be quirkless… and still, eventually, find happiness despite it. That’s right, I’m talking about Dame-Tsuna.

And, okay, I suppose I have to decided whether or not Dying Will Flames exist. I do know they are independent of quirks if they do exist. And while I would love to stick with the theme of “you don’t need powers to be a hero” I have no idea how Tsuna’s Guardians would have formed around him (specifically, Gokudera, Mukuro, and Lambo… although as an Actual Child, he will not be holding the Guardian title… if they even do still structure themselves that way)

Anyway, Tsuna is quirkless as well and all of his “Guardians” have weak quirks or quirks that aren’t applicable to being a hero but they still go out and be vigilantes anyway. Like, for example, Ryohei probably has a minor healing quirk. He did not want to be a doctor. But he likes helping people, even if its not through his quirk, and he wasn’t going to not help people just because his quirk didn’t match up to his methods. (Kyoko also has a minor healing quirk, and while she did go into the medical field she decided to be a NEUROSURGEON where her quirk isn’t exactly useless but doesn’t really apply during the main part of CUTTING PEOPLE’S BRAINS).

And Izuku probably falls into this group because he, I dunno, decides to take some self defense classes finally and Ryohei’s either the teacher or an assistant or something and that’s their meet cute but really it’s the introduction to Izuku being like… the friendly boy who I maybe like has way more bruises on his face than class sparring explains? WTF? He’s going out at night and fighting crime illegally with a bunch of his friends? (With or without Dying Will Flames) and then Izuku is just like… I WANT IN.

Anyway, because this is from Izuku’s POV, it does make the KHR squad into the non-protagonists. Not necessarily “background” characters, but secondary characters for sure. Although if we focus on the unrequited bakudeku aspect of it, then the vigilantism does become the “background” for the “childhood friends and former high school sweethearts dichotomy drama of Achieving Your Dream vs Being Happy…”

Tetsuki might exist here but definitely as a background character. She does a lot of undercover stuff as in canon for Trailblazers

… this probably isn’t what you wanted, lionheadbookends…