#or maybe i'm right and it's fucking annoying to hang out with someone who's very vocal when they're not having a good time lol idk 🤷

[anotherpapercut]

CORRECT THANK YOU FOR SHARING

[confinesofmy]

soo crazy how after about a year and a half of leaning heavy on my family because my mom died and i was falling apart i am now pretty sick of the majority of them lol. like i finally fell in with them properly because the circumstances were right for it and uhhh turns out they're bad. can't stand em. lowkey. not good people, like for OTHER people they're not. but also me personally they're not good for me to be around. so now i know lol. 😵‍💫

[leviraaaaaa]

All that's left.

“I know you’re there.”

Levi called out, startling you. You’ve been watching him from the side of the wreck, watching as the ghosts of your comrades appeared for one last time, one last salute. One last declaration of all they dedicated. One last goodbye.

And when Hange gave you a nod, you nodded back.

You two are all that's left.

You stayed out of his sight even after they disappeared, giving him the privacy to mourn. God knows he needed it. You didn’t think he had noticed your presence, but then again, who were you trying to fool? His extraordinary instincts were never to be underestimated.

Sighing, you pushed yourself to stand straight and stumbled forward. He glanced at you with the side of his eye. Ever resilient, ever strong, the cracks were so slight, just barely there. But you knew. You could always tell.

“Hi.” You mumbled. He stared at you as you dragged yourself in front of him, slightly limping.

“Nice of you to make it out alive.” He said.

“Who would’ve thought?” You shrugged.

“You made an ugly titan by the way.”

“I’m sure you would’ve looked charming.”

“Bet.”

You smiled. The conversation was so unbelievably normal. Here, in the wreckage of everything, all the corpses, smoke, blood and ruins, here you were, back to how it always was. It almost felt surreal. Almost as if you concentrated hard enough, all of it would go away and you’d find you and him back in the soggy cafeteria of the scout headquarters, back to bantering with him and arguing about silly little things that don't really deserve arguments but it’s you and Levi so of course it’d end up an argument.

You felt so old suddenly.

How come you ended up here? In this way?

And Levi looked so tired, you could cry. Hasn’t he given enough? Doesn’t he get to rest now?

“Does that..” You glanced down at his leg, the one he had spread out in front of him. It was clear it was beyond repair. The fabric of his pants were torn at the knee, from where it was crushed between the titan’s jaw, a bloody, mangled mess. “Does that hurt?”

“Not really, no.” His eyes went to where yours were. “Numbed down a while ago. Can’t feel shit really.”

You sighed. "Not very humanity's strongest anymore, huh?"

Levi raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?" He said. "Careful, I could still kick your ass."

"I'm sure."

You grinned. Then went ahead and dropped yourself beside him. He frowned.

“Shouldn’t we be getting up now?” He said. “Why are you getting all comfortable?”

“Why not?” You muttered, pulling your legs upto your chest, hugging them. “What’s it matter what we do or not? Armin’s the hot shit now, let him deal with shit.”

He didn’t answer, but he made no attempt to get up either. If anything, he looked more relaxed. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to spend the rest of your life here. After all, you were so tired, and you were sure he was too. This was as good as anywhere else would be.

Because there’s no home to return to anymore.

“Do you think there’s anything left of Hange to bury?” He suddenly said.

You shuddered. What do you answer to that?

And your head pounded so hard, you couldn’t really think. Far away, you could hear someone yelling at another someone, but you couldn’t bother to pay attention to the words. Armin and the others would figure something out surely.

You were exhausted.

“Say, Levi.” You said tiredly, nudging him slightly.

“What?”

“Wanna get married?”

Levi almost choked, he was suddenly all uptight, stiff as a board as he looked at you with wide eyes.

“What the fuck?” He asked, scowling. “Are you seriously gonna make jokes here? Here?”

“Not joking.”

You lifted up your head, tilting it to look at him. It was hard to tell whether he was annoyed or flustered. You’re not sure where the sudden boldness came from, but this is as good a time as any. Might as well. “You’re right. It’s a bad time to make jokes. So I’m dead serious.”

“No, you’re not.”

“I am.” You nodded, turning your expression very serious.

“You’re weird as fuck.” He sputtered out after a few attempts to speak. The tips of his ears were red, red as it always was whenever you used to jokingly suggest that he should date you. Except you weren’t really joking anymore. You haven’t been joking for a long, long time.

“I mean..” You closed your eyes. You were too tired to even feel embarrassed. “We’re the only ones left. Me and you. You’re all I have left, Levi. So, why not?”

He stared at you for a few seconds, gaping. Then he started shaking his head. “You’re insane.” He finally said.

“You’re just realizing that?”

“No.” He muttered. “You’re insane. And it’s rubbing off on me.”

He turned to you, peering at you with one good eye, pondering. And finally, he made up his mind.

“You’re insane. And I’m no fucking different.” He sighed. “I must’ve hit my head pretty damn hard because I’m actually considering this shit.”

You grinned. “Go on, say it. You like me.”

“Wrong. I tolerate you.”

“Good enough. You don’t tolerate a lot of people, so I’ll take it as I'm special.”

He sighed, turning away, hoping that’s enough to hide his heart from you. You were special to him, always. But you didn’t need to know that. He didn’t want you to know that. He didn’t know how to let you know that.

“Can you believe us?” He scoffed. “We’re practically sitting in a graveyard. Half the world’s ruined but then there’s us.”

“That’s fine. Let’s keep being us. The world can go fuck itself. Meanwhile, we can—”

“Do not finish that sentence.” He glared.

You stopped, a laugh breaking through. And you laughed so hard your stomach ached and there were tears lining in your eyes. And even Levi smiled, just the slightest, barely. A subtle quirk of his mouth.

“We’re insane.” You admitted. With that, you stood up, stumbling a little before you found your balance. You reached out your hand to Levi, who took it without question.

“Come on, Lev.” You pulled him up, letting him wrap an arm around you to brace himself. “Let’s go home.”

You were right, Levi thinks as he limps with you, letting you support him. It was nice to finally let himself lean on someone.

You two are the only ones left.

You’re all he has now.

The world has taken enough from him. He’s so tired of letting go.

And he’d be damned if he let you go too.

[chrisbesitos]

chris x fem¡younger reader ( like 1-2 years younger) he just babies her the whole time, and is very protective of her.

SWEET RELIEF.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀chris sturniolo × fem!reader.

warnings: fluff, nsfw, cursing, sickness, angst (a lit bit).

synopsis: Chris dates a girl who's two years younger than he. Chris is 21 and the reader is 19.

— Chris and Y/N relationship are public, but they keep private.

Chris never hide his relationship with Y/N, but they never made any hard launch in the social medias, because Chris didn't want his fans to being mean with her. Y/N is only 19, Chris knows how evil people on internet can be and he doesn't want his girlfriend to suffer with this.

But sometimes he can't stop this, but he can make her feel better with his love.

"Hey, gorgeous." Chris said, he found his girlfriend on their bed. He was out with his brothers, recording a video and Y/N stay home waiting for Chris, so they could sleep together.

"Hi, I couldn't sleep without you." She replied, Y/N looks a upset, Chris could notice. Y/N gave him a sad smile, he frow his eyebrows and sit in the corner of the bed. Chris extends his hand to Y/N, holding hers.

"What happened, baby?" He asked, Y/N low her eyes and let go Chris' hand. She rubbed her own arms, Y/N knows she couldn't hide from her boyfriend. "Tell me what's wrong."

"Why you with me?" Y/N looked at Chris, the boy frowned his eyebrows doesn't understanding why she were asking this.

While she was waiting for Chris, she spent time scrolling her 'for you' page on TikTok and saw some comments about her. People were saying she wasn't right for Chris, because he needs to stay with a woman of his age, calling her childish and annoying. Then, she couldn't stop thinking about this, maybe Chris really needs someone who's not two years younger.

"Why are you asking this, baby?" Chris asked, he sat by her side and pulled her to his lap. He let kisses all over her face, making her giggle because of his beard. "I'm with you, because I love you so much."

"And I love you too, but–" Chris cuts her off.

"Why are you asking this? You didn't answer me." Chris hugged her shoulders, Y/N lay her head on the crook of Chris' neck. She started to draw invisible circles on Chris' chest with her finger. "Y/N."

"I saw comments on TikTok saying that you should date a woman of your age." Y/N said sadly, Chris hugged her harder and kissed her forehead. "They said I'm childish and annoying and–"

"I don't want to hear these lies about you." Chris held Y/N's chin to make her look at him. "None of these people knows you as much as me and I don't fucking care about what they think about our relationship. You're my girlfriend, I want you and only you." He kissed her lips.

"I love you so much, you know this, right?" She smiled, Chris nods his head smiling too. "I just. . . I don't want to care about it, but sometimes I can't help it."

"I know, It's hard, baby, but these people are trolls who want to make you feel bad for being you." Chris pulled her to his chest, Y/N embrace his waist, laying her head on his chest. "Don't worry about it, I'm gonna make sure they'll know I'm not gonna tolerate these comments."

And he did. After Y/N fall asleep on Chris lap, he posted a note on his Instagram story. He wrote he would not tolerate mean comments about his girlfriend, because it's anyone business who he dates. He protects his girlfriend all coast, you can say he babies her all the time and protects from everything, but he didn't care and so Y/N.

— Y/N's mad at Chris, because he wants to protect her from everything.

"Stop babying me all the time!" Y/N said angry. She was getting ready to hang out with her friends, friends who Chris doesn't like, because he thinks they are a bad influence to Y/N.

"Well, you didn't seem to care until now." Chris rolled his eyes, he sat on his bed and crossed his arms on his chest. He was trying to stop Y/N from going to a party with them, but she was being stubborn. "Come on, baby."

"No! I want to go out tonight, they're my friends, Chris." She groans, hitting the sink with her hands. Even though she didn't care when Chris babies her, now he's acting like she's a kid. "It's just a party, Chris."

"Oh, these friends? You mean the guy who got arrested? You told me, don't remember?"

"Jeez, Chris. It was a misunderstanding." She got out of the bathroom. Y/N was wearing a tiny dress, make up and hair ready, Chris thinks she looked gorgeous, but he didn't trust in other guys. Chris got up and held Y/N's shoulders.

"You want to go out? We can go, but I don't trust these people."

"Chris, why don't you trust me? I can take care of myself, damn."

"Did I say that I do not trust you?" Y/N rolled her eyes. "Fine, I gave up. Go hang out with them, but don't call me when you get in trouble because of them."

Y/N groans angry, she got her purse and phone and stormed out of the room. Chris followed her until the door, he watched her walk to her friend car, he knows she will end up calling him, but if she wants to know by her own, he will let her do.

"Oh, how would you get into a party? You're not twenty-one yet, they would not let you in." He said sassy.

"Fuck you, Chris!"

He was right, he always is. Chris waits for Y/N call, because he knew she would call at some point. It was almost nine in when Y/N call, only an hour after she leaves. Chris answered quickly, even though he was mad with her, he still worried.

"I told you, didn't I?" Chris said.

"They left me here." She cried. "They got in the club without me after the security said I couldn't get in, they just said sorry and left me."

"I tried to warn you, Y/N. I told you they wouldn't let you in." Chris sighed, he got off the couch and catch the car keys. "Send me your location, I'll get you."

"I'm sorry, Chris." She sobs.

"I know, baby. Now, send me your location, okay? I'm gonna bring you home."

Y/N send Chris her location and he drive until her. She was sitting on the highway with tears on her face, Chris parked and opened the window, Y/N get in the car in silence. She sniffed, Y/N cleaned her tears and the mascara of her face, Chris tugged his hoodie off and gave to his girlfriend.

"Now you understand why I didn't want you to go out with them? They left like you were nothing."

"I know." She whispered, putting on his hoodie. "I'm sorry, I should've listened to you."

"Baby, when I do these things it's not because I don't trust you, it's because I don't trust them." Chris said, he started to drive back home. "I'm sorry if you don't like when I baby you, but it's because I love you."

"It's not this, I just feel like you were treating me like I'm a kid."

"I'm sorry, you know I didn't mean." He stopped at the red lights, Chris rubbed Y/N's tight. She held his hand and kissed the back. "I'm gonna try to not baby you too much."

"No, I like when you baby me." She crossed her arms on her chest, Chris giggled. "Just don't treat me like I'm a kid."

"I will not, not anymore." Chris smiled and gave a peck on her lips. "In 'n Out?"

"Please, I'm starving!"

— "You don't have to carry me everywhere, Chris!"

Chris loves to carry Y/N everywhere. They arrived home? Chris has to carry his girlfriend inside. Arrived in a hotel in the middle of the night during the tour? Chris carried Y/N until their room while she sleep. Bathroom in the middle of the night? Here he goes, carrying his girl to the bathroom and waiting for her, so he could carry her back to bed.

Y/N loves too, but she can walk, but Chris insists in carry her.

"No, no, no." Chris stopped Y/N, they were watching a movie in the living room. "Where are you going?"

"I didn't sleep too much last night, gonna have a nap."

"Then, let's have a nap." Chris turns off the TV, he gets up the couch and holds his girlfriend in a bridal style.

"You don't have to carry me everywhere, Chris!" Y/N giggled, holding Chris' neck. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, rubbing her nose there.

"But I can, so why not?"

Chris carried Y/N to their room, he lay her in the bed and covered with the blanket. Chris turns the lights off and lays by her side, Y/N hugged Chris' neck with her arm and embrace his waist with her leg.

"Just lay on me." He chuckled. Y/N yawn and climb Chris' body, he holds her and let her sleep on he.

— If he babies Y/N all the time, when she got sick it's even worse.

"100.4° F (38° C), damn." Chris said looking at the thermometer visor. Y/N was acting weird the whole day, Chris thought she was getting sick, but she insisted she were okay.

Until now. They got home after the day shopping, Y/N passed out in the bed for two hours until Chris comes to check on her. He knows she was sick, but for some stupid reason she was acting like not.

"It's not that bad." She complained.

"Oh, yeah. A higher fever is not that bad, Y/N." He said being sarcastic, she sighed. Chris helped her to sit, he tugged her hair from her face. "Open your mouth." Chris said holding a pill.

"I don't need this." She frowned her nose, but the look Chris gave to her made her open her mouth. Chris put the pill on her tongue and gave her water to swallow. "Thanks, baby."

"Rest and I'll make you a soup, okay?" He kissed her forehead.

"You don't know how to cook." She giggled laying down.

"I'll figure it out."

She was right, Chris doesn't know how to cook, so he had to ask Nick to do it. After the soup is ready, Chris put in a bowl to Y/N and goes to his room. She wasn't sleeping anymore, Y/N was watching TV with her body all covered by the blankets. Chris smiled at her while he closed the door.

"You cold?"

"A bit, probably because of the fever, but I'll feel better if you lay here with me."

"I bring you soup." He put the bowl in the nightstand and sat in the bed, Y/N sat too with Chris help.

"Who made it?" She jokes. Chris rolled his eyes getting the bowl back, Y/N tried to hold, but Chris didn't let her. "Why? You gonna feed me?"

"Of course I will." Chris said and Y/N didn't complain. The boy gave her a few spoons of the soup until she felt filled.

She fell asleep again on Chris' shoulder, feeling too tired to stay awake. Chris held her the hold night and the whole day after until she felt better.

— Always gentle with her while they are having sex.

"Tell me if you want me to stop, okay?" He said looking at his girlfriend laying down in bed, he was on top of her, ready to be inside of her. Y/N nodded. "Words, baby. I need words."

"Yes, I'll use our safe word." Y/N said breathing hard, she was needing Chris so hard. "Please, Chris. I need you."

"I'll be gentle with you."

"You always are."

Then, Y/N was moaning Chris' name loudly while he push his cook in Y/N's pussy. His slow movements, catching every reaction of his girlfriend. He keeps kissing her face and saying lovely words to her. Chris let her come as soon as she needed, because he didn't want his girlfriend to suffer. Her loud moan was music to his ears, he didn't take too much to come inside her.

— Aftercare always, everything to his girlfriend.

"Sure you okay? Did I take it too rough with you?" Chris asked, rubbing her tights with his nose, his beard tickling her sensitive skin.

"You're always gentle with me, baby." She smiled lazily, Chris nodded. He tugged his T-shirt from the floor and used it to clean her tights, giving pecks in her skin. She yawn.

"I'm gonna run us a bath, so we can sleep, okay?" He kissed her lips and then the forehead, she nodded.

Chris filled the bathtub and put all of Y/N bath products, he carried her until the bathroom and get in the water with her. Chris washed her hair and her body, giving kisses on her pretty skin, giving all the pleasure that she deserves.

Then, he carried Y/N back to the bed, Chris lay lazy by her side. She smiled at him, slowly closing her eyes. Chris held her waist and laid his head on her tits, slowly getting asleep too.

hope you like it <3

Tags: @lizzymacdonald06 @deliciousluminaryanchor @lushjunkie @sweetreliever @watercolorskyy

join my taglist!

[drdemonprince]

can i ask for some sex advice? im a bisexual trans guy, i’ve been with cis women and had hookups with a cis guy where he just went down on me. i’m generally attracted to all genders, but sexually i find myself turned off/repulsed by penises and cum so i’ve only pursued hookups with ppl with vulvas (so far cis women and other ftms) or situations where i don’t have to interact with the penis. totally fine with trans women and femmes who are post-op, etc. i’ve just been worried that i’m gross/transphobic/a chaser? even though im bi i feel like a shitty person for not being into dick.

Hey, thanks for the question. I think it is a good thing to be asking oneself. I think that even if you were to conclude that your attitudes were transphobic, I don't think the solution would be pushing yourself to have sex you didn't want to have or trying to force yourself to "get over" the associations that you have. That won't work, and it's not your fault for having them. What matters is how we treat people, not what fleeting thoughts and emotions we might have privately, which is part of why it is so annoying for cis people to act as if they are persecuted for having a "genital preference" or whatever. The problem isn't their feelings. It's their exclusionary, cruel, often violent actions and the words they express publicly.

I think it's worth contemplating that many trans femme people have absolutely no desire to use their penises during sex, or can't because of various medical issues, and do not produce cum that looks anything like the way most cis men produce cum. How would you feel about a trans woman who does have a penis using a strap-on on you? About you two fisting each other? About you using a hitachi magic wand on her? How do you feel when you see a trans guy with a post-phalloplasty cock? Try to reflect on questions like these with curiosity and not judgement.

Maybe you will explore your feelings and find that there are still barriers; maybe for example you wouldn't feel comfortable going down on someone's penis, but would be happy to be fucked with a strap-on by someone who has a penis, or to fuck them. That's okay. Lots of trans women want exactly that kind of sexual encounter anyway. And lots more are open minded and recognize that T4T sex is experimental and free-floating and doesn't have to involve any specific sex acts. Negotiating these things should be done delicately and respectfully, but it is always fine to say "I don't do [xyz]" or "I don't want to do xyz right now."

I relate more to your question that you might know, albeit from a different direction. I have a lot of dysphoria about having a vagina; though PIV can feel good, what I most picture myself as having in my mind's eye is nothing at all between my legs. I hate receiving oral, as I've talked about a lot, but I'm also dysphoric about and disturbed by giving oral to a person with a vagina. I have also experienced a lot of sexual trauma that involved a (typically cis male) partner forcing or pressuring me to have sex with cis women. That's happened to me many times over the course of my life. It's also made facing any pressure whatsoever to have sex with women (either cis or trans) deeply triggering and upsetting to me.

All of my own personal hang-ups and traumas have left me feeling funnily very much like that one line from Saltburn, "Women are too wet. Men are so lovely and dry."

I do get into my head about it being super transphobic of me sometimes. But I have also had fun, carefree, experimental, gratifying, hot sex with trans men with vaginas. I might not be able to eat them out, but there's lots I can do. I can finger them, put my hands in them, eat their asshole, take their strap, suck their strap-on, kiss them, fondle them, play with their nipples, be fucked alongside them, writhe atop a single hitachi together with them, slap their ass, put a dildo in them, whatever. I just don't want to eat them out or have them eat me out, for the most part.

It would be highly understandable if a trans guy felt invalidated by my feeling that way or didn't want to have sex with me given those limits. that's fine. I understand this stuff is fraught and sucks sometimes. I don't talk about my feelings around this topic publicly often because it is so contentious and I don't want feelings to be hurt. But in my heart I'm comfortable with where I am at. I know which limits I have that seem immovable and I don't really want to push them ever again. Having those limits pushed is what traumatized me. At the same time, I know it's not connected in any way to seeing trans men as lesser than cis men, or as less attractive, and I know it's not a barrier to me having sex with trans men if the moment and our interests both align. I'm not a bad person for feeling this way. It's actually really hard to be trans and to be wired this way. But I'm doing the best I can with it to both grow, and not be an asshole, and also to find fulfillment.

[happy74827]

Oblivious to Love

[Mike Ross x Female!Reader]

Synopsis: Finding that your crush was evidently hiding something from you became more nerve-wracking than you thought. But something tells you that maybe it's worth the chase through the office, much to Harvey's displease of course.

WC: 2323

Category: Fluff

I wrote this mostly for my friend (love you @yoursacredqueenmother), but honestly I wrote it for myself too. Plus, there’s barely any Mike Ross fics on this app so I wanted to give some popularity towards him.

Oh how I love writing underrated kings.

『••✎••』

When you first met Mike Ross, he was nothing but a loser, a sorry excuse for a man. From his annoying habits of always being right to his slightly disheveled appearance, the way he always looked like a lost puppy in the morning. Everything about him was just... annoying.

Yet you couldn't help but fall for him. Fall for that crooked smile that seemed to make your knees wobble, those blue eyes that you swore were made out of crystals, and that damn brain of his. God, his brain was impressive. And every time you watched him work, you could only think that this guy was a fucking genius. He was just a brilliant person, and you knew it.

And he knew you knew it. Mike Ross was a very talented man, more talented than you. The way he talked, his words seemed to flow out of his mouth as if they were enchanted, and with one single phrase, he could convince you of the existence of unicorns. He had always had this way about him. It was like he could get anything he wanted by simply giving a smile. And even though Mike didn't know this about himself, he was able to make you melt with just a few words.

And after getting to know Mike better, you found that he was an amazing person. Sure, he could be a bit cocky at times, but his cockiness always came with the fact that he knew he was doing something right, and he was willing to admit to his wrongdoings when it was necessary. That's something that not everyone is willing to do, and you found that really impressive. He also had the most caring eyes you had ever seen, always willing to take care of anyone who needed help. Mike was a great guy, one of the best you knew. And when it came to his intelligence, you had no doubt that he was the smartest guy in the world.

But you still couldn't help but think, what was a guy like Mike doing with a girl like you?

You were nothing compared to him. He was intelligent, quick-witted, and attractive to boot. He was like the epitome of a perfect human, while you... you were just another boring girl who happened to be lucky enough to be in his life. You could never compare to someone like him, someone as amazing as Mike Ross.

It wasn't long before your feelings for him began to show, and when they did, it was inevitable that Mike would find out. It seemed that he could read you like a book, and you had no idea what gave away your feelings, but you had a sense that Mike had caught on early. Of course, it was only speculation, but the evidence was… well, there. He came up to you more, wanting to hang out with you, and his words to you were even sweeter. You were too embarrassed to think straight, and you had no idea what to do with yourself.

"You alright?"

It was lunchtime when Mike decided to show up, his blue eyes glancing down at you. His question took you by surprise, and you gave a quick nod in response.

"Yeah...yeah, I'm alright," you said, looking down at your salad. "I'm just a bit tired today, that's all."

He seemed to buy your answer because he didn't push any further on the subject. He just continued on as if nothing had happened. But something did happen, and you could tell that Mike was avoiding your eyes. You noticed this right away because he would never look away from you for so long, and you began to grow suspicious. What did Mike know?

The first person you decided to chase down and confront was Donna, the woman who knew anything and everything. She was like the goddess of knowledge, and if there was anyone who knew what was going on, it was her.

"Alright, what's up with Mike?" You questioned, waiting for an answer.

Donna looked up, giving you a questioning look. "What do you mean?"

"Don't give me that, D. You know exactly what I mean. Mike is being… I don’t know, he's being strange. I know you know why."

The older woman gave a sigh, taking a bite from her salad. "I don't know, he hasn't told me anything," she replied. "But are you sure he’s the one being weird? Because, you know, you're not exactly normal yourself."

"I am exactly normal!"

"You're so not normal."

"And how would you know that? Have you ever seen me? I look normal to the naked eye!"

Donna only smirked in response.

"You're useless," you groaned, turning away from the woman and sitting down at the table. Just as you did so, Harvey decided to walk past on the way to Jessica’s office. Of course, Harvey. Mike and him are practically glued at the hip.

He must know something.

"Harvey!" You shouted, causing him to halt in his tracks. The man turned around, his face contorting into one of confusion when he saw you. The confusion only stayed for a minute, though, because the second you went to open your mouth, he shut you down.

“Nope. I’m not doing this," Harvey said, pointing to the door. "Not this time."

"Doing what?" You asked, following behind him as he continued on his way. "You didn’t even know what I was going to ask.”

"Doesn't matter. I’m not getting involved with you and Mike."

"How’d you…?" You stopped yourself before you could finish your sentence, watching Harvey continuing on his way to Jessica's office, ignoring your complete presence.

Why was everyone avoiding you?

"Alright, what the hell?" You said, stomping back towards Donna. She gave a look of concern as if she was expecting you to explode any second now. “What’s going on? Please, tell me. Please don’t make me go to Louis. If I have to hear him talk about going mudding one more time, I might just snap. I swear to God-"

"Alright, alright," Donna interrupted, holding up her hands in defense. "But just remember, you asked for this."

"Just tell me, Donna. Tell me now before I die of curiosity!"

Donna sighed, rolling her eyes and looking you dead in the eyes. "Mike knows.”

"Knows what?"

"He knows.”

Oh.

Oh.

Oh no.

Donna must’ve immediately picked up on your panicked state because she was suddenly in front of you, grabbing onto your shoulders and trying to ground you as your eyes widened in sheer panic.

"Calm down," she whispered, shaking you slightly. "Just breathe."

"Is this bad? I think this is bad. This is bad. I’m going to die of embarrassment now. I won’t even be able to look at him ever again-"

"Stop." Donna slapped you in the face, her actions taking you by surprise. "Look, I'm going to tell you what I told him, alright?"

You only gave a small nod in response.

"After Mike asked—”

“He asked?!”

“Shush! After Mike asked if you were in love with him, I asked if he was in love with you."

"And?"

"He wouldn’t say. So, I asked him if he thought he was, and he didn't give me an answer.”

You blinked at her. "Okay. I don't think this is helping."

"You don’t understand. That’s a good sign. When you want to tell someone how you feel, but you don't want to give them the satisfaction of saying it out loud, you refuse to answer a question when someone asks if you feel that way about them. It means they really care, you know? Mike doesn't want to risk telling you how he feels, but he doesn't want to lie to me."

You stared at her, unable to respond. Donna just gave a sigh and patted you on the head.

"Look, all I'm trying to tell you is that this might work out. Just give it time."

You, in fact, didn’t give it time. You practically went insane to the point of going back to Harvey to question him again. This time, he gave you an answer.

"Does Mike like me?”

He gave you a confused look as if he were expecting you to explain what the hell you were talking about.

"…I’m going to pretend like you asked a real question," Harvey said, crossing his arms over his chest. “I don’t know if you've forgotten, but this is a law firm. Not a damn soap opera."

"I need to know!" You pressed. “I know Mike said something to you. That man cannot keep anything secret. It's just not possible."

"Dammit," Harvey muttered, rubbing his temples. "This isn't something I want to deal with right now, I’m busy-"

"Harvey, it’s a simple yes or no. I will literally leave you alone for a whole week if you tell me. I promise I won't bug you at all; I swear on my life. So, please. Just tell me."

Harvey sighed, putting down his pen. There was a part of you that felt bad about interrupting his work, but this was too important just to ignore. You had to know.

"Mike likes you, kid. Now get the hell out of my office," Harvey said, waving you off as you left, feeling a huge weight off your shoulders.

Oh, man. Oh boy. This was actually happening. Mike Ross, the smartest man in the world, liked you. The smile that surfaced on your face was involuntary, and you couldn’t help but put it on full display as you walked past Donna, who raised an eyebrow.

"You need to talk to him," Donna said. "Or else you'll never stop smiling like an idiot."

That's what you did.

The second you saw Mike, you rushed to his office, where you could see that he was alone. You entered quietly, making sure to close the door behind you as Mike looked up, his blue eyes locking with yours.

"Hey," he said, clearing his throat as you made your way towards him. “I was just—”

“Harvey said you liked me.” You blurted, causing Mike to freeze. You didn’t mean to just come out and say it like that, but you couldn't stop yourself from doing so. He looked a bit shocked, but his expression quickly changed to one of curiosity, his eyebrows arching.

Then, he did something you hadn't been expecting at all. He gave you a smile. Mike Ross, the man you had been pining over for years, gave you a smile that made your knees wobble, and you felt your stomach tighten.

"Funny enough,” he said, leaning back into his chair, still wearing that grin on his face. "Donna said the exact same thing about you.”

You couldn’t help the soft laughter that escaped you because it was funny. Donna and Harvey. Everyone seemed to know except you two, and that was almost humorous. But it wasn't enough to stop your nerves because you still wanted to talk to him.

"Listen, Mike-"

"No," he interrupted, shaking his head. "Not until you listen."

He paused for a moment, waiting until you were fully in attention before continuing.

"You don't need to say anything," Mike said, his voice taking on a serious tone that surprised you. "I’m smart enough to know how you feel about me. I knew it as soon as I saw the way you looked at me. Sorry that it took me so long to say something, but I wanted to make sure it was real, you know? Because you can't just trust someone based on looks, not with stuff like this. You know?"

“Mike,”

“I’m rambling, aren’t I? I’m totally rambling, aren't I?"

"Mike-"

"I feel really awkward right now," he said, a nervous chuckle escaping him. "Because this is normally the part where you would just kiss me, but you haven't done anything of the sort."

"You want me to kiss you?” You asked, your heart pounding so loud that you could feel it in your throat. “That’s a little bold, don't you think?"

Mike leaned forward, giving you a look that caused your heart to practically leap out of your chest. His eyes seemed to be sparkling as if he were asking a question you already knew the answer to.

"Since when has anyone said I was shy?"

You let out a small gasp, almost like a squeak, as he grabbed onto your hand and pulled you closer to him. The chair Mike was in was not made to sit two people, and you had to squeeze in between him, your bodies pressing against each other.

He leaned into you, his nose brushing against yours as he closed his eyes, giving you a second to do the same before he kissed you. It was soft and warm, and the second his lips touched yours, you were gone. His hands came up to your face, and you could feel his fingers caress your cheeks as you pressed into his kiss.

The first time you kissed someone, you knew it was special. Something about it caused butterflies to swarm in your stomach, and you wanted nothing more than to continue this for the rest of your life. But as you kissed Mike Ross, you knew that it was even better.

His kiss was passionate and full of longing as if he were kissing you for the first time. It was a feeling you never experienced before, and it was amazing.

When the two of you finally parted, your cheeks flushed and your lips slightly swollen; you couldn't help the giggle that escaped you, watching Mike as his face turned slightly pink.

"That was… wow.” Mike bit down on his lip, trying to hold back his smile. "I never knew."

"Never knew what?”

Mike looked up, giving you that crooked grin that you adored so much. "That a kiss from you can make my heart stop beating."

[xzinbdg]

YO WHAT?

- heart racing

ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ: ʏ/ɴ ᴍᴏᴠᴇꜱ ɪɴ ʜᴇʀ ɴᴇᴡ ᴀᴘᴀʀᴛᴀᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪꜱ ɢᴏɪɴɢ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ'ꜱ ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ᴏɴ ʜᴇʀ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ɴɪɢʜᴛ ꜱʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴡᴏᴋᴇɴ ᴜᴘ ʙʏ ʟᴏᴜᴅ ᴀꜱꜱ ɢᴜɪᴛᴀʀ ɴᴇxᴛ ᴅᴏᴏʀ.

all of your friends were hanging out in your new apartment, well almost all. sohee was absent but he's on his way. "maybe he's visiting wonbin? that traitor" you thought. not even a minute later your doorbell was heard.

- you almost missed the movie - said visibly annoyed anton

- sorry, some last minute stuff came up with the band, as we're on the topic would you guys like to come to our show this weekend?

that was a bit tricky, you always loved hearing sohee sing but he won't be the only person there. you unlike your friends never met sohee's band mates so it could get a bit awkward, not to mention wonbin will be there and it could be the first time you actually see him aside quick glances in passing.

- i'm free - said the youngest of you all

- you're always free anton - said minjeong - but im free as well - she quickly added

- yea me and won also don't have work - this time karina spoke for herself and your shared friend, since they work together. now everyone is looking at you for an answer.

- i'll go as well but keep me away from that bitch - you signed

- wonbin?

- who else is a bitch around here?

- I know lots of people - remarked winter.

2 boring days passed very quickly and today was the day of sohee's band show. minjeong and jimin came over to get ready as they were really excited for your first real outing since you moved in and of course you were excited as well but also nervous as hell. after 2 good hours of picking outfits and doing makeup the three of you were ready and heading to jimin's car. just as you walked out the door, wonbin also walked out of his. your two friends giving slight side eye to each other and then at you.

- wow a homebody is finally leaving the cave - he smirked, you turned to him.

- yea, you better play good today or else i'll boo you - with that you tuned and walked out to the elevator. your two friends sent wonbin an apologetic smile.

- good luck today! - said karina before running to you with minjeong.

- where the fuck is sohee?

- i'm here, let's go!

you were starting to regret this. right now sohee is taking you guys to the back stage to meet his friends and with each step you feel your anxiety rising.

- everyone meet yn! it's my dear friend that moved in recently...next to wonbin...- he finished kinda weakly

- hi! sohee always talks about you is a pleasure to finally meet you - a slightly taller then sohee man greeted you - i'm shotaro - he gave you a smile.

- ah..i'm y-yn - the introvert in you was screaming seeing all those new people.

- i'm sungchan, hi! - he was very tall even taller than anton which you thought was impossible - yo i'm eunseok - he didn't even look at you just checking his bass guitar.

- hi, i'm seunghan! it's nice to meet you - his soft smile made you a bit calmer - ahh you know that one - he said awkwardly looking at wonbin - hi neighbor, i'm wonbin - he gave you a challenging look - i know - you rolled your eyes.

- okay let's get you to your seats - trying to keep peace sohee quickly got you out of the back stage room - wow she really doesn't like you - smirked eunseok.

the show was 2 minutes from starting. you felt more excited now. hearing sohee sing again after almost 2 years was something really special to you as you grew up together and always attended his shows. the sound of guitar brought you out of your thoughts and the show was starting. as always sohee sounded amazing but someone else was catching your attention. it was wonbin. you were mad for even thinking that but seeing him do something he loves made him like 10x times more attractive. you made eye contact with him for like a minute and your heart skipped a bit.

previous ✮ next ✮ masterlist

a/n: is someone falling???? 🤭 double release today!!

pairing: guitarist!wonbin x reader

genre: smau, crack, strangers to enemies to lovers, boy next door! wonbin, neighbors, band au

taglist: @p-d1ddy @wiggledingle @pxnklover @pinklemonade34 @cherrytaesan @soheendo @jiaisfox @i03jae

[lowkeyrobin]

OMG I've had this idea for a while but fuckshit x shy turned confident reader where they're in the same class but fuckshit doesn't really notices reader until reader starts dressing for themself and does things they want to do instead of letting people walk all over them and fuckshit starts developing a crush and starts seeing reader everywhere !!! Thank you love you robinnnn <33

-♠️

STOP I LOVE THIS WTF ♣️ dw I saw the other thing ik its u bae ; love you too freakazoid ; thanks for requesting pookieeee hope u enjoy

FUCKSHIT ; confidence

summary ; fuckshit develops a crush on the new you

warnings ; language, censored racial slur, weed

disclaimers ; fuckshits real name is gonna be olan (like the actor himself) as much as I don't like it that much it's the best bet + I don't wanna make up some random name for him 😭🙏 it's just bc ain't no teacher is gonna call him fuckshit and stuff ; also I do censor the n word one bc I'm not black, two it's how ray and fuckshit talk, it's not overused or anything, I'm just not trying to whitewash their speech and mannerisms and them reclaiming that word is kinda important for them because they're black skaters in the 90s so 🙏

word count ; 1k

masterlist

You used to cover yourself up a lot, even during summer. Sweaters and long sweatpants and jeans paired with hightop Converse were your usual outfits, even in the blazing LA heat.

You skated here and there, not at any parks or popular spots, just around. You shared a class with Olan, or Fuckshit as he likes to be called, at school. You had 12th period history with him, where he sat next to you.

You were very shy and reserved, you never talked to anyone unless spoken to and spent your time in the back of the class just getting through your work. Every so often, Fuckshit would try to talk to you to little or no avail. He never really noticed you much in the hallway or any other class either, so he didn't have any other way to talk to or see you through the day.

He didn't know much about you, which is why he also didn't know much about how you'd let people walk over, use, and bully you. He'd defended you in class once, but that was the extent of it. He wasn't a bully whatsoever, a fuckboy, yeah, but he wouldn't make fun of you for some dumb reason like the way you dress or the way you bite your nails.

But, now, he couldn't help but stare at you.

He could finally see your gorgeous eyes again, your smile proving that you were much happier this way. You seemed so excited and confident. He even noticed you in the hallway talking to someone with a smile on your face.

He had to say something.

"Oh, shit, like your shirt. Gravediggaz is fire." He smiles.

You return said smile. "Oh, thanks! You listen?"

"Hell yeah, n****"

He sees the kids who usually made fun of you snicker and whisper a few feet away, but pays them no mind. You follow his gaze and get a quick look before rolling your eyes and turning back to him.

"Fucking annoying" You say, placing a finger gun to your temple. "You skate, right?"

"Yeah, why? You trynna hang?"

"Maybe" You chuckle and shrug, "Going to the courthouse, just wanna show off some tricks at that party. Wanna come with me? You'd make it way less embarrassing"

"Yeah, of course" He grins, "Mind if I bring my boys along?"

"Oh, please. The more the merrier" You nod, "I'll be under the left tree at six, yeah?"

"Yeah"

Safe to say he couldn't wait to talk to you later considering he wouldn't shut the fuck up about it. Ray had been making fun of him all afternoon while Fourthgrade filmed it all, Ruben's laughter prominent in the background.

He was basically bouncing off the walls as the minutes ticked away, time coming closer and closer as to when he'd see you again.

"Put your dick away"

"Shut the fuck up! I'm just excited"

"Yeah, excited alright"

"I swear to God-"

He basically sprinted out the door when it hit 5:50, leaving the others in the dirt as he skated down the sidewalk as fast as humanly possible.

He saw you waving for him as he entered, and he quickly walked towards you with a smile and a blunt in his hand.

"Hey" He smiles, offering you said blunt.

You take it and blow a puff out of it, "Hey, glad you made it. Where's your friends?"

He looks over to the side, waving to a group of boys who were clearly trying to look for him. The three nod and talk toward you two, talking about something you couldn't hear.

You wave to them as they approach and sit with you, joining the conversation about everything skate and music related. As the sun sets, the area illuminated by white and colorful neon lights, you get up onto the building, top of the stairs, to show off some tricks. You see Fuckshit and his friends watching you, along with many other strangers who were watching other skaters show their shit off.

You grind down the metal railing and hop off with a kickflip. You glance over at the curly haired blonde, who's shouting some inaudible compliments. You see his one friend, tall and blonde, filming with a Camcorder. You didn't mind, you thought it was pretty sick.

The youngest out of them, maybe fourteen or so, hands a blunt to the dark-skinned boy with the locs, both of their eyes on you, like they're scanning your high-school coolness level or something.

"Ayeee, that was sick as fuck!"

"Olan, is there something you need to share with the class?"

Fuckshit's eyes slightly widen as he slowly looks up at the teacher who'd caught you two whispering in the back of class.

"Nah, I'm good"

The teacher turns back to the board as you two quietly smile and snicker.

He can't help but get lost in your happiness, feeling comfort in your sneaky smile. He can't help but adore everything about you, from your humor to your skating, your music interests, it was like you were made for him.

The bell rings, nearly popping your eardrums once more as it dismisses you for the day. You walk side by side through the halls, taking the longest way through the school to go toward the front doors to leave.

"I just don't understand being a poser like that, it ain't getting you any pussy" He laughs, agreeing with your long tangent about how being new at skating didn't mean you were a poser, and that being a poser is lame. "Like what you doing when someone asks if you can do a trick or show them? You just paid for a deck to look cool?"

"Exactly! They act like we can't tell who's a poser and who's not!"

You reach the entrance, having to go your separate ways home.

"See you tomorrow, dude" You smile with a light chuckle, waving him a little goodbye as you step on your board to skate away.

"See ya! I'll bring those cookies tomorrow too!" He smiles and waves back at you.

Ray and Fourthgrade approach, confused and amused looks on their faces.

"Cookies? When did you become a baker, n***?" Ray asks.

"Shut the fuck up, I owe them"

"For what?" He asks again as the trio walk down the sidewalk, straying away from the street til they got off school property.

"Inviting us to that thing on Friday, and homework answers"

"Ugh, here he goes again"

[oolhan]

Too Many Beds (Part 2)

okayyy so I finally had the time to continue the little fic I wrote about reverse trope of having too many beds instead of sharing one like they got used to do. I'm publishing it on ao3 here so I can navigate it easier. Give it some love there! Oh, read part 1 here. This will be in three parts, so enjoy this second one! Thank you! Edit: part 3 is up here!

Part 2:

Peeta’s bed was long empty before she even blinks sleep from her eyes. She hears some laughter outside their room as she puts on her robe but, well, it just could happen everybody is awake already.

“Oh, do you remember that time I got detention just from eating cookies in class?”

Hold up. It’s a familiar feminine voice and definitely not Jo’s or Annie’s. Katniss quietly peeks through the corner between the little dining set up and the hallway.

“No, no, Madge, I totally forgot that part after I was in detention for the first time,” Peeta accuses with sarcasm from the dining table.

Oh god, Madge? In France? Sitting prettily on a quaint chair eating some pastry in the morning? WITH PEETA?

“eh, tu l'as bien mérité,” Madge sips her coffee.

God, she’s French now, too?

Of course she is, because the Undersees flew to France shortly after their only daughter’s high school graduation, sending Madge off to a fancy college and never got the hang to be in touch with everybody. Well, except maybe for Annie and Delly. Madge Undersee was pretty popular in their batch, having been the student body president and an active advocate for several political issues. She fell into their group because Delly was part of her council and because she was, quite literally, head over heels for Peeta at the time.

Katniss can still hear the gasps in the school gym when Council President Madge Undersee tripped on her feet confessing to newly titled wrestling champion Peeta Mellark just after finishing his match. Katniss was stupidly giddy that day and had to keep herself from smiling because one, it’s horrible to be weirdly satisfied with someone’s embarrassing moment in public and two, Peeta gently rejected her confession.

It’s not that Katniss secretly hates Madge, not really. She respects her especially her courage in speaking out for different causes, as nonchalant as she may seem. It’s just that the girl’s advances towards Peeta comes off annoying as hell for someone like her. She’s always so sweet and so fluid with her walk and her hand gestures and she’s always speaking truth against the government and really smells so good whenever she arrives and always requests Peeta to bake her some strawberry shortcakes because why wouldn’t you bake for someone so irritatingly good? They really match well considering Peeta’s not only active in sports but also in social commentaries-

“Fuck!” Katniss hissed as Cinna placed a hand on her shoulder.

“What are you doing peeking here this early?” He whispers.

“Why is Madge here?” Katniss seethes, narrowing her eyes at Cinna’s bed head.

“Oh right, sorry. Hadn’t had the chance to tell you last night. She was in the city and heard about you guys from Delly. She got in very late,”

“Yeah, yeah,” Katniss agrees and turns when she hears another fit of laughs. She finds Peeta’s head thrown back from laughing while holding his mug. Cinna follows her line of sight.

“After all these years, huh?” He mocks, smiling knowingly.

“What—”

“Good morning, Peeta!” Cinna cuts her off by walking into the dining room, joining them in the laughter. Katniss huffs and go as well.

“Madge Undersee. It’s been a long time,”

“Oh Katniss! Katniss Everdeen! It’s been a long time!” Madge stands to hug her and had no choice but to wrap her arms around the blonde who still smells like strawberries and frosting. Shit, she also has a French accent now. If she speaks against some corrupt government leader it’s much sexier.

Katniss doesn’t now how her ears are reacting, much less how Peeta is reacting.

“Yeah, I think it was your father’s home vacation when I last saw you. You look… good.” She almost said French.

“Well, I didn’t really keep in touch with the lot of you but thankfully Delly and a few added me on their socials so I still hear some high school drama. If you know, you know, yeah?” Madge winks as she sits and proceeds to drink her coffee. “Coffee, Katniss?”

She blinks.

“Katniss doesn’t drink coffee in the morning. Would you like some hot chocolate?” Peeta supplies abruptly, leaving Katniss rendering what Madge was implying. She notices Cinna smiling swirling his mug.

“Uh-yeah, sure,” Peeta stands up to make her one. She sits on his chair and takes some sliced bread.

“So, uh, how are you finding living in Paris?”

“Ugh, je suis épuisé, please, don’t make me rant about shit here,” Katniss smiles at this because all these years, it’s still amusing to know how nice-pretty-sweet achiever Madge can talk so vulgar. She sips from Peeta’s mug while waiting.

“I’m sorry, just tired and all. Hopefully this trip to Venice won’t leave me feeling guilty for resting,”

“You’re going with us?” Katniss blinks as Peeta places her mug and drinks his.

“Yes, I just found out just before you came in. Apparently, we need her as tour guide for Venice.” He sits beside her and reaches for some bread like they didn’t fight the night before.

Well, they didn't really fight. It was just some awkward exchange of disagreement, so she lets him take a bite from her toast and lay his arm around her chair.

They eat as Madge discusses on what's been occupying her all these years while partly helping Cinna every Paris Fashion Week when she questions, "Okay, so I know it's early to ask but…” Madge seeks Cinna’s eyes and he nods.

Katniss and Peeta anticipates.

“I'm curious how are you two? did you finally hit it off? you seem like an old couple."

Katniss chokes on her hot choco and Peeta coughs his toast, suddenly remembering their encounter the night before and how those skimpy shorts were underneath her robe right now.

"Oh, no madame, you're very wrong. They're still friends," Cinna laughs as he helps Madge kills the curiosity.

"Come on madame Madge, like you didn't just tripped confessing to me in high school," Peeta teases her to dispel the awkwardness he feels rising beside him. Madge gasped dramatically.

Katniss was still coughing when Cinna hands her some water. Peeta tries not to pat her back. Like patting her would make it more awkward.

"Please deflate that ego, Peeta Mellark. I just didn't know how small your dick was compared to frenchies I've sucked," Madge throws and Katniss bursts out laughing at this.

Yep, totally vulgar.

Not at all awkward.

--

She’s fumbling her braid, trying not to act so annoyed hearing Peeta and Madge conversing beside her. Despite not sleeping enough the night before, Katniss feels well rested on the flight to Milan, waking up to her head resting on Peeta’s shoulder. But the rest she felt quickly turned sour when Madge woke up beside Peeta and started catching up with old news from their social circles.

She planned on watching Before Sunrise with him as a quick remedy from their awkward tension just a while ago. It seems they’ve been hanging on some tension ever since they separated beds last night. Weird. Thankfully, after hearing Madge’s comeback they heard Annie shriek from surprise followed by a sleepy Finnick, waking up Delly and the others. They got to pack by lunch time and wished Cinna the best before getting on the short flight to Milan.

She felt dread when coincidentally, Madge’s seat was beside Peeta, and Katniss at his left. Great. What if she switches with Jo?

No, it’ll turn more awkward than it already is. Jo will just tease her.

And yet now she wishes she switched places with Johanna as she sighs, tapping buttons on the TV panel until the film starts. She tries very hard to fade out their annoying nostalgic conversations on high school memories.

Like can’t Madge just move on from their high school era? She thinks and crosses her arms, really, really focusing on Jesse and Celine.

“Oh! Before Sunrise! Haven’t watched that in a while,” Peeta suddenly turns to her, his face a huge ball of energy.

“Yeah, I haven’t too,” Her annoyance is simmering, she can feel it.

Why is she so annoyed though? It’s not like something is off with her or with him. Or with Madge.

“Imagine watching that when we were in Vienna, seems like some cathartic experience. Too bad we didn’t think of it,” Peeta continues, making her more irritated.

“Hmm,” she just nods.

Madge suddenly panics, tapping furiously at Peeta. “Arm cramp! Arm cramp!” she hisses, trying to stretch her arm and avoids yelling in pain.

Katniss tries really hard not to roll her eyes when Peeta takes Madge’s arm and massage it to calm her muscles. “it’s okay, I get this all the time,” Peeta soothes.

She can’t focus on the fucking movie.

--

Peeta's beginning to get suspicious. He doesn’t like this strange feeling at all. Like they’ve been avoiding each other at the same time laughing and bantering like usual. He can feel it from her subtle distance, like when he offers her a snicker bar on flight but she declines.

And when he tries to take her suitcase from the baggage counter she dismisses him, mumbling she can carry it herself and catches on with Annie and Delly.

Maybe he's just overanalyzing things. Especially since he noticed the bags under her eyes when he made her tea this morning. Guess she's just tired.

"Okay! old routine everyone. Just drop your bags and freshen up. Come back here in 20, we'll find some late dinner, sleep, then catch the train first thing in the morning. Chop chop!" Delly directs before following Thom to the right of the hallway.

Peeta's eyes automatically goes to Katniss, a little nervous. A little expectant.

Gale and Finnick go left. Johanna stands with Madge and Annie, leering their suitcases away conversing.

He gulps down when Katniss walks towards him. From relief? tension? He doesn't know, what he knows is she won’t meet his eyes, but she’s still share a room with him.

"Let's go, we're 1208," she dangles their key room and walks past him, his eyes on her form and his feet stumbles before following her.

The door's creak fills the silence. They are quiet as they enter the standard room with Italian accents, and even more quiet as they see the single queen bed on the center of it. Why the fuck's so awkward and tensed? it's not like they never shared a bed. Peeta coughs and drops his bag on the left side facing the window.

"Dibs on this side," he tries casually, tossing himself on the bed and letting out a tired groan, closing his eyes. A moment later he felt the mattress dip and he glances to his right, seeing two pools of droopy grays and a soft smile.

"I'm tired, Peeta." She whispers and closes her eyes for a bit. He stares at her soft skin and long lashes. Oh, the things he'd do just to freeze this moment and live in it.

He lets out a sigh of relief and closes his eyes, smiling.

Yes, that explains her silence. She's just tired, that's all. It's just some jet lag. Nothing that cannot be dispelled.

--

Except it is not nothing.

Katniss’ scowl isn’t new to him, but seeing her scowling standing by the side as he takes a picture of Madge in front of an Italian antique store gives him an odd feeling.

The group is finally walking and exploring the city all afternoon after nearly missing their train in Milan because of Katniss and Peeta. They accidentally slept their way through the night and woke up from Delly’s insistent knocking and suddenly stumbled from one another’s limbs. Well, maybe just Katniss. He notices some pink blushing her cheeks when she stands up to open the door, but his mind is still asleep. Guess he must be imagining things.

“What? You just woke up? You two didn’t even fucking told us you planned on staying in last night and you just woke up?” Delly nearly shouts, helping Katniss with her bags while she washes her face in the bathroom.

“Sorry Dell,” Peeta rises and rubs his face from sleep, quickly opening his luggage for fresh clothes.

“Just wash your fucking faces and get down in 10! Everybody’s ready! We’re running to the station,” Delly almost slams the door, annoyance from having to baby her completely-capable-to-wake-up-on-their-own friends.

Despite their rushing, he still feels warm from waking up next to Katniss, and he tries not to smile as he feels a rush of giddiness. He pulls his shirt off and rummage for his toothbrush, walking towards the bathroom seeing her brushing her teeth as well.

Their eyes meet on the reflection on the mirror, and Katniss quickly looks away.

And she continues looking away from him all day. In fact, he feels her distance when she sat beside Gale and Johanna on the train ride. He had no choice but to seat beside Madge and listen to her antics for two hours.

He thought they were okay after sleeping again together. He clearly thought wrong, and he’s determined to find out why.

“Peeta! One more!” Madge grins a perfect smile as she poses in front of the camera.

Of course, Peeta is the guy with the camera on these kinds of trips. He delights on taking pictures of everything, from sceneries to his friends, especially when Katniss rarely wants one. But he’s distracted all afternoon because he still didn’t have a picture of Katniss. Or a picture of both of them. And they were on their fourth place of Delly’s itinerary.

He steals another glance on Katniss when Madge pulls Delly and Annie for another picture. He sees her looking back at him and she quickly takes her eyes off, heading towards Finnick, Thom, and Gale. He takes another picture.

She stands beside Finnick, “seems like we need to put some time limit on picture taking,” she rants.

“Come on, they’re just taking souvenirs. Why not join them?” Finnick defends, eating del Moro’s.

“Yeah, Catnip, what’s up with you today? You’ve been kinda silent,” Gale supplies.

“Relax, she’s just envious of Madge,” Johanna says, walking into the conversation with some street food for Gale. Katniss huffs.

“What? That’s not true! I’m just—”

“You’re what? Just exhausted? I can read you like a book, Kat. You’ve been jumpy ever since Frenchie here joined us yesterday.”

“and why would I be jealous of her?” She snaps, taking the pasta from Finnick and eats it. That’s such a ridiculous notion, even for her.

Because yes, Madge is pretty opposite from her. Prettier, funnier, easier to get along with. But that’s not why she’s upset. She doesn’t even know why she’s grumpy at all.

“Ugh, this is so high school all over again. You were always this stubborn and seething when miss pretty president is in our table,”

“and poor Peeta always suffer with it,” Thom laughs. What does that even mean?

“Suffer from what?” Peeta suddenly stands beside her and she tries not to choke on the pasta.

“Suffer from taking hundreds of pictures of the same pose,” she supplies casually, glaring at Jo’s wicked smile and the guys’ snorting.

“Okay come on, it’s nearing sunset” Finnick pats her on the back, looking around to see Annie and the girls buying from the stall far from where they stood. He clears his throat and whispers, “Jo, make sure she’s distracted enough when we walk to the bridge, talk with Delly and Madge.”

“Wait, what? What’s going on?” Katniss seems clueless, and Jo rolls her eyes. “He’s proposing at sunset, brainless.”

“I thought Peeta told you?” Finnick’s brow crinkles. Katniss looks to Peeta, annoyance bubbling.

“Uh-I-I couldn’t find a moment, sorry.” Peeta clears his throat, avoiding her eyes.

They were walking all afternoon and he didn’t have two seconds to tell her? Katniss’ tone almost borders on shouting, “and I’m just finding out now?”

“I was just told on the train!” he turns to her, his patience exceeding.

What’s wrong with her?

What’s wrong with them?

“Will you two just don’t be children for a second?” Jo sighs, exasperated. “This is for Annie and Finnick, alright? Calm your assess off.” She scolds, watching as Peeta and Katniss blush from embarrassment. They were indeed acting like children.

“Okay, they’re still paying. Peeta, camera’s still good?”

“Yes.”

“Gale, record it on your phone, okay?”

“Got it, boss.”

Finnick heaves out a nervous exhale. He still can’t believe he’s doing this, in a bridge in Venice, of all places. Peeta notices his nervousness and pats him on the shoulder.

“You got this, man. It’s been a long time coming,” he says warmly, easing his friend’s nerves.

Peeta has to admit there’s a small part of him envious of Finnick. No, scratch that. Envious of Finnick and Annie’s tooth-rotting relationship. Their group always knew they end up married to one another, as their love can’t be mistaken when they glance at one another, but Peeta; Peeta witnessed this romance from day one, when Finnick went home to their dorm from his first date with Annie and declares right then and there he’s marrying that girl one day. The sparkle on Finnick’s eyes leaves no doubt.

“This would’ve happened anyway, Finnick.” Katniss adds, and Peeta’s eyes automatically goes to her. He can’t help but picture himself looking up into those gray eyes filled with all the things he needed, kneeling in front of her with a ring.

His heart aches from the longing, and Katniss can’t help staring back at him, feeling a weird sensation in the pit of her stomach.

“Okay they’re coming.”

Katniss looks away, exchanging the weird feeling with annoyance on having been the last one to know.

--

“Okay, come on. Tell me,” Peeta catches up to her, his camera dangling. They are headed for Ponte delle Guglie, a bridge with the most beautiful trajectory of the sunset at the right moment.

They are the last one on the walk, with Madge, Jo, and Delly distracting Annie ahead of them. Peeta thinks it’s the perfect timing to get her to talk.

“Tell you what? The fact that I don’t know my two friends are going to be engaged by sunset because you didn’t tell me?” She snaps, her words thick with sarcasm.

“Well, it’s not like I could talk to you.” He retorts, eyebrows crinkling from impatience.

“How can I even talk to you when you’re busy taking pictures of Madge’s ass?”

“Oh, so this is about Madge now? You can’t even look at me, you’ve been weirdly distant, and—"

“No! this isn’t about miss pretty little sunshine!” Katniss yells. She knows she’s becoming irrational now.

“Well, I’m sorry I was bonding with our friend that I hadn’t spoken to for a long time!”

“No, Peeta. This is about you not telling me things I’m supposed to know. Imagine if I hadn’t been there awhile ago! I would’ve look stupid for not knowing!”

“You’re the one to talk. As if you’ve been honest with me on why you’re so annoyed all of a sudden. Is this about us sleeping?”

Katniss gets caught off guard from the question. She inhales, ready to answer back, only to hear Annie shriek from surprise.

“Shit!” Peeta runs off from her, positioning his camera near a kneeling Finnick and a crying Annie, rushing to snap the moment.

Katniss suddenly feels ill from their argument and from almost ruining Finnick's proposal. What a memorable trip this is becoming.

[yoonsenji]

Summary: Daddy little girl! (Platonic)

Tokyo Revengers ×××

Character's:- Sanzu (Bonten), Mikey (Bonten), Izana.

Haruchiyo Sanzu!

It was no surprise that Sanzu would have a kid oneday since this man can't keep his dick to himself. You have your mother features the only thing that makes you appear related to Sanzu was your personality.

The Rosy pink haired male couldn't help but groan by your presence, he doesn't really like you even tho you're his own blood (he hope). He would bring you anywhere since he doesn't want you to be kidnapped either, killing and taking drugs infront of you he was unhinged.

While Sanzu was busy inhaling some cocaine the guy he have beaten up which Sanzu thought was dead would slowly rise up. You watch as the man glare at your father and take out a knife, unfortunately Sanzu was too high on drugs to realise what was about to happen. As a sound of bullet piercing through a human skull echo through the broken down building.

Sanzu turn behind to understand what the hell happened just to see the man he had beaten up on the group a puddle of blood forming around his head. A pocket knife on his hand as he look at you, you were still holding the gun as you look at your father with a cute smile. This was when Sanzu knew you were really his daughter.

He treat you better than ever from that day, he always thought you weren't his which make him not treat you that well and since he is too busy to take a DNA test. He always thought some whore who he have slept with just lie and drop you off and run away.

Your mother did just put you infront of Bonten building and put a little note that say "Fuck you Sanzu, you ruin my life. So, you should take care of this plump of cell not me".

The more Sanzu actually spend times with you the more he realised that you are just like him. Your laugh sound like his, you hav his charm, thank God since he doesn't want you to have the charm of a whore, Sanzu was excited to teach you how to used a gun. He would tie up people and used them as a target, whenever you shoot right through their head your father would give you a high five.

Sanzu treat you like a princess if Rindou or Ran tried to mess with you he's so read to put a bullet through their head. "Y/n... Did you know that your mother was a whore?" Ran told you as you only sigh "Yes, uncle I know my mother was a whore... Please enlighten me on how I should react" You reply back, "See, even the kid is annoyed of you!" The younger haitani added as he laugh.

Even Mikey like you which make Sanzu like you even more, just like your father you admire Mikey but unlike your father you weren't the type to lick a ground if Mikey say so.

But, Sanzu start to go to the club not that often now. Even if Ran or Rindou beg him to go as long as if he have a plan with you he would just reject the offer. Sanzu does bring prostituted back home but he always make sure not to be loud although you already understand what is going on.

"Princess, what should I do with her?" Sanzu would ask you as he grab the hair of the woman who tried to steal Sanzu wallet, he asked you since he knew damn well you would always come up with a creative way of killing people. Kids do have a wild imagination and killing someone the same way over and over was boring. "Daddy, why not cut off her hand so she won't be able to steal anything anymore... Maybe after that you can feed her family using her" You reply with a smile on your face the woman skin turn pale as she start to beg for forgiveness. "Ah! My princess is so smart, I'm so proud of you, princess" Sanzu praise you as you smile proudly.

Sanzu sent you to the best school he could possibly find since his princess deserve the best. You were guarded by gang members 24/7 if not they'll die. No matter how dumb you are no school have the gut to reject you since they still want to live, if you're smart the teacher would treat you very good cause their life is on your hand at this point.

You usually hang out at the Bonten building, Mikey allowed you to. Mikey clearly have a favourite and it's definitely you, you weren't noisy nor cause a fight, you would tell him story which makes his life a bit less boring, you listen to him and ask nothing in return and you're a cheeky kid who is good at tricking people.

"So, the unicorn couldn't cross the river because... Even tho there was.... A beutiful tree the unicorn couldn't left his friend behind... The end!" You say with a smile as you close the book, Mikey who was listening to your story closely although you pronounce some word wrong it was pleasent to hear, Mikey still have his childish side so he would asked you to read more story until you fall asleep while reading a story for him.

Manjiro Sano!

Mikey doesn't even know what the hell he was feeling to even have sex with some random chick but now he have a kid... Your mother just casually drop you off and flew to another country.

Your eyes were similar to Mikey a fucking void of nothing. You don't cause tantrums nor cry loudly, you were quite patient and listen to anything your father say, but no one else could literally control you it doesn't matter of Mikey send them if you do not see your father you're causing a big tantrums.

You would sit quietly while drawing a picture using a crayon, Sanzu was your babysitter since Mikey trust him enough somehow. The Rosy pink haired male was not that happy but atleast you're Mikey daughter.

"I could go out with some chick's but here I am babysitting you" the Rosy pink haired male complain once again, even Ran and Rindou were simply sitting there not complaining and Sanzu was only blaming you, "Could you stop yapping your mouth... Y'know some of us have things to do other than yapping" you told the older male as Sanzu was pissed off. Even if you are Mikey kids you ain't Mikey, "I didn't know an idiot like you could talk" Sanzu said trying to hold back his anger, "You're a grown ass adult arguing with a kid, I wonder who the idiot is" Seem like you got your mother mouth.

You're always ready to throw hands with anyone especially Sanzu, among the elite members of Bonten if we forget your own father Koko like you the most. Unlike those idiots you actually know how to used money properly, you somehow managed to pull money out of no where... He used your innocent to steal things to.

Everyday you have a playful fight with Sanzu... It get violence real quick tho, it's either you throw things at him or he pull his gun out and point it at you. You two do not get along very well but you never bad mouth him to your father, even if Mikey tried to stop the daily fight you simply just say it's yours and his problem... No one can butt in.

It's impossible to kidnap you since you're always with Mikey or another elite members of Bonten. Even when you go to school atleast one elite member have to pick you up since you're Mikey kid.

You're the whole reason Mikey haven't completely lose himself so if you're gone everyone is going to be fucked up.

You're literally Bonten princess, you hold a very important role in Bonten since you're the reason Mikey is not insane yet... You would usually be near your father and you weren't afraid of gruesome scene since y'know your father and his friends kill people on daily basis.

Mikey doesn't allow you to touch any of his gun nor any gun, he might be the most dangerous gang leader but he ain't gonna let his princess touch something that can harm them. What's the point of being a good father if you need to learn self defence at early age.

"Rinrin... What happened to my teddy?" You ask as you stare at the teddy bear on the groud, it was really fucked up there was a bullet hole in your bear. "Um... Well you see" Rindou tried his best to find a good excuse since making you cry was bad even tho Mikey isn't here. His older brother Ran was just looking at him smirking, this all happened because Ran said something that provoke Rindou to pull out his gun and shoot which was Ram plan and make him shoot the bear instead. "You... Ruin my bear!" You were tearing up badly. And you cried, you were throwing everything you could get your little hand on and throwing at anyone.

Whenever you get sad or mad you throw anything at anyone only your father can calm you down during such period. Or you straight up bite, kick, pull, scream. You only do such things when you are seriously mad or sad, but after everything you would apologise a half ass apologize you weren't sorry it's their fault for provoking you.

"I swear your father won't like it if you stand out in the rain!" Sanzu was trying to get you out the rain but since any umbrella was near he wasn't ready to ruin his beautiful hair and outfit. "Bleh! No!" You said as you took a step back getting further away from the pink haired male. "Shit man! Why do you have to be so difficult!?" Sanzu asked as you stick out your tongue at him. You were freezing cold but there was no way you were going to back out easily. "Blah blah blah! Keep talking pinky pie!" You said as you told your arm and sit down on the groud. "I'll buy you a dorayaki?" "Okay!".

You're a easy to buy since just like how young Mikey was you were in love with Dorayaki, you never share food tho even with your father you hesitate a bit and give it to him. You only eat food if a flag can be added or else you're not eating it.

You were sitting on the soft sofa as you much on the freshly buy Dorayaki as you swing your life feets, every bite bringing you to heaven as you enjoyed in silence. "Y/n" the younger haitani call out your name as you look at him "Can I eat some... Even a little crust would be nice?" Rindou asked, they bet him to take even a little bite off your food as you smile at him. Rindou for sure though that you'll say yes since the way you were smiling was closed to the word yes. "No" you simply answer as you continue to eat your dorayaki. Rindou look disappointed at himself it seem as his charm didn't work on you and Sanzu and Ran were laughing at him. As your father entered the room you jump up from your seat and walk towards your father with a proud smile. You snap the dorayaki in half although it was not even, "Daddy, want one?" You asked as you already put out the dorayaki for him "Sure, princess" Mikey reply as he grab the dorayaki and eat it. You just simply go back to your seat and just ignore the younger Haitani brother who was simply flabbergasted by the obvious favourism.

Kurokawa Izana!

He doesn't even know what happened that night... He didn't mean to have sex with anyone he was simply too drunk and the girl seduced him.

Now he have to take care of you and yeah the woman even throw the DNA test paper to him.

At first he literally ignore your existence and kaku take care of you all the time. Whenever Izana looked at you, you remind him of himself when he was younger not wanted by his own mother.

Hence, he started to treat you like how he wish to be treat by his mother when he was younger, he would hold your hand while walking, make kaku read bedtime story for you, play the guitar for you and he even beat up any guy who look at you the wrong way.

He tried his best to not get you involved in any of his gang activities but they do adore you alot. Even tho Shion is a scary ass dude you would just play with his hair and listen to him talk about anything. You do not like Kisaki at all... He tried to get along with you but yeah you'll run and hide behind anyone. The haitani brother treat you like their little sister, kakucho is your mother at this point, hanma... He play with you too much.

"Y/n... Why don't we buy ice cream hm...?" Kisaki asked you as you look at him terrified, Kisaki reminds you of a monster which make you run and hide behind the older haitani. "Eh...?" Ran look confused as you grab onto him tightly, "Look like y/n doesn't like you" Rindou said out as Kisaki only Chuckled, he was hella mad inside. His whole plan was to make you like him and kidnapped you.

You don't talk much nor do much, you are just you... Unlike your mother who left you, you were alot calmer and patience, but just like Izana your determination was strong and you got Izana eyes as well.

You would just sit down on the groud and listen to everyone talk since Izana doesn't trust anyone who isn't Kaku... And kaku have to attend the meeting to, most people think you couldn't talk at one point but you could clearly do that.

Izana would never take you to anything that includes other gang... He'll just simply locked the door from the outside door and since he trust you enough to be alone.

But, if anyone dare to bad mouth your father thinking you were too much of a coward to say anything... They're dumb, although you aren't much of a talker unlike your mother, you have the same attitude as your mother.

"Y'know, boss would be nothing without the haitani brother's" the guy say although you were right there "Dude! Boss daughter is right there... Keep it shut or boss will kill us!" The other guy tried to warn his friend as he laugh in response "She is too much of a coward to do shit..." The other guy would simply say. You literally pick up a rock and throw it at the guy "ouch! What the hell is wrong with you?!" The guy asked as you stood up. "Annoying..." you told him as you walk away "Dude I told you..." The other guy told him "She only talk big she won't rat me out" the guy say with full of confidence. You did tell you father and everyone you know...

You rat people out if you have to... Izana is a very sweet and protective dad, he would hold your hand if you ever walk out anywhere. Making sure he doesn't neglect you and have enough time to spend with you. If he can't spend time with you kaku would definitely be the best replacement for such tasks.

Kaku was definitely worried when you didn't talk much and thinks you have a talking problem. He told Izana about his worried, Izana didn't want you to get bullied for such silly reason that Izana start to talk less so you won't be alone... It wasn't that deep tho you just think talking too much is a waste of energy.

You would sit down and work on your little project for hours, you were making a drawing of you and Izana with your crayon which Kaku bought for you. You were very careful with your drawing and whenever you see even a tiny flaw you would just redo the whole drawing.

You tug at your father pants to get his attention "What is it princess?" Your father ask you as you give him the drawing "I draw for you..." You would say with a sweet smile as Izana just smile at you and admire your work as well... "I'll put it on the fridge so everyone will get to see it, okay?" He ask you as you nod your head a yes.

[wannaeatramyeon]

Hi~ can I request "she fell first, but he fell harder" with Vin Jin? And please include the confession time too! Thank you in advance 💙

Fuck yeah, Vin Jin hours! Was feeling like I haven't written about this douchebag [affectionately] in a hot second.

Vin Jin x Reader: You're his type

Another Vin Jin confession fic. Feat a lil bit of the Queen, Mary Kim.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Fuck off," Vin mutters, his heart isn't in it as he stares out the window.

Regardless, that earns him a harsh ear pull from Mary for his shitty reply, yanking him out of his daydream and back to reality.

What's wrong with him? Where to start.

.

.

Vin is hot, that is an objective fact. According to him anyway.

Girls and boys alike throwing themselves at his feet is not new, barely warrants batting an eyelid.

You though? One of his inner circle? When you started to blush around him, stammering your words, avoiding eye contact, just generally being awkward as hell; he decided to ignore it. He's seen this a million times before.

Why ruin a good thing, right? Especially if he didnt return your feelings.

But since you started to see Vin in a new light, and who the hell knows why after already knowing him for so many years, well.

His subconscious got curious too.

.

.

Annoying as fuck, bratty. That's how he would describe you.

For some reason, you would always get your way with him, and that used to irritate him no bounds. Your special way of knowing exactly which buttons to push that even Mary is impressed with.

Over the last couple months, this trait has somehow become endearing. That you know him better than he knows himself.

And you're clingy too. Always have been.

Yet your budding crush on Vin has made you pull back. Spending fewer hours together, retracting your casual touches. He never thought he could possibly miss you, but even when you're standing right in front of him, hand just casually hanging there like a normal person, he wants to reach out and grab it.

And if someone asks if you are attractive? Yeah, sure, you're definitely hot.

A man can have eyes, can't he? Even behind his shades, even with three pupils. He can see that and he can see your line of admirers though you've never really been Vin's type.

He can hear Mary's voice if he told her that, her scoffing and asking "what even is your type, you're single as fuck." Vin doesn't know, ok? It's just never been you.

And now all of a sudden, it's you. Completely, one hundred percent, you.

It's you so much that anytime another guy even glances in your direction he needs to hold back from uppercutting them in the jaw.

Maybe most importantly. You're ride-or-die.

If push came to shove, and someone held a knife against his throat, he would admit it.

Him, Mary, and You. The best export from Cheonliang. Friendship built on unrockable foundations. You both worming your way into his stupid, silly heart but in very different ways.

Really, damn you for presenting this dilemma. Why did you have to fall for him because now he has no doubt fallen harder.

Worst of all though? For you, Vin realises he is a romantic, and he is undeniably cringe.

Street cred will be ruined for sure.

.

.

That brings him to the present.

With Vin thoroughly distracted, every waking moment consumed with thoughts of you.

With him catching feelings, mind and heart betraying him alike.

With him having to hold back around you when the confession almost slips out, bolting out the gate until it's almost too late.

Vin is absolutely not a coward. He will tell you, he just needs to pick his moment.

Sitting in the empty classroom, he was busy contemplating the next move until he is rudely interrupted by Mary. Now, he still doesn't have a plan but has gained an aching, throbbing ear for his troubles.

"ACK!"

At his yelp, Mary releases him. Hand on hips, tapping her foot impatiently, she glares down at him as he rubs his ear. "What is wrong with you these days?"

"Nothi-"

"Say nothing and I'll kick your ass."

"I'm fine."

"You've never been fine, asshole."

"..."

Vin resumes staring out the window, hoping if he ignores her long enough she would piss off.

Mary gives a long suffering sigh. It really is long, and really is suffering. After so many years, he still hasn't learnt.

"HUP!" Mary bounces over to him, quick as a whip, and puts him in a headlock.

"WHAT THE FUCK-"

Vin flails around, trying desperately to wiggle himself free but Mary has the upperhand. Using the proximity to her advantage, she leans in close.

Quietly, "Is this about Y/N?"

With his restricted movements, VIn still full body recoils as if he's been hit.

"NO!" And he can hear himself. Too defensive, unbelievable to even his own ears.

Mary looks at him with eyes full of pity. What a stupid bastard.

"You need to tell her."

"W-what? I have nothing to say!" Again. Completely unbelievable.

With another sigh, Mary releases him - moving just out of reach to avoid his retaliating strike.

"Why are you both like this."

"Like what?"

"Listen." She slams both hands down on his desk and Vin jumps, "If you keep making googly eyes and pining for each other in front of me, I will skin you both alive."

"..."

"Sort. This. Out." Mary flicks him aggressively on the forehead, smirking when she realises it will leave a mark. "Got it?"

"Got it, got it..." Vin mutters, refusing eye contact and fiddling with his sunglasses as Mary leaves in a whirlwind of blonde hair and chaos.

Honestly. Vin trying to pull wool over Mary's eyes over his crush is like you trying to pull wool over Vin's. Unconvincing at best, completely laughable at worst. You all know each other too well to get away with this sort of shit.

Ok. Fine, fine. Today is as good as any other day.

Vin makes up his mind and seeks you out.

...Today is not as good as any other day.

Blood rushing to his cheeks when he sees you, Vin chickens out.

.

.

His thumb hovers over the text. Just something simple and straight to the point asking you on a date.

He hesitates.

He tries again a few days later, sitting in the school canteen together when a rowdy first year bumps into you, causing you to spill your drink all over yourself. When your fist meets his nose, Vin watches on in awe, realising he's in love with you.

Still, the moment didn't feel right.

He prepares some lyrics, working on them through the night. Until the next day, sleep-deprived and bags under his eyes, Mary takes one look at them and smacks him over the head.

"No! You cannot start this rapping about Y/N's tits!"

.

.

The confession spills out in a quiet moment together. Catching him as offguard as his feelings did.

You sit next to him, bodies pressed close together, eyes watching the action unfold on the laptop screen.

Another movie night, usually accompanied with Mary. This time, when you invited her over in the group chat, Mary declined and in a separate message, threatened Vin with death if he didn't make 'you and him happen'.

He supposes that that's fair.

As he sits and watches you rather than the film, his face naked and bare, he wonders what more is there than this quiet bliss.

The peace of two people completely comfortable with each other, of two well matched souls; you having seen him countless times at his worst and him with you.

That you know all his secrets and his past and yet you're still here. Next to him.

"Are you even watching this?" You ask, turning towards him. Guess he was too obvious with his staring.

Vin's usual bluster and cocky retort is nowhere to be found.

He opens his mouth, words so close to spilling, tongue nervously darting out across his lower lip-

And he notices your eyes drop to follow it, hears your breath hitching.

The words don't come.

Instead, he leans in close. Moving slowly and carefully to give you an easy out, to give himself an easy out to ease the sting of rejection.

To play it off as a joke, though he doubts if he or his ego would ever recover from this.

When you don't move, eyes searching his, looking him fully in the eyes and not flinching, never flinching, he brings his hand up to gently cup your face.

A move that he has cringed at countless times with romance scenes, but now he gets how right it is in the moment.

Vin feels your soft smile against his palm, you leaning hesitantly into it, and it gives him the final push he needs-

You beat him to the punch.

"I... really like you," you say, lips almost touching his, the heat of your breath leaving his skin tingling.

A smirk that is so him settles on his face. In hindsight, why was he ever nervous. Why did he ever think you weren't his type.

"I know."

Vin presses his lips to yours and finally calls you his.

[differenteagletragedy]

Y'all ever been in a club and some guy grabs you and dances on you and it's weird and awkward and awful? Here's what happens if that happens with the Step 3 gang.

Cove in a club lolololol

You'd seen a lot in your 18 years. Well, maybe not a lot, but you'd seen some stuff.

Including the sight before your very eyes right now, a sight so bizarre you couldn't have imagined, even in your wildest dreams, that you'd ever live to see it.

Cove Holden was in a nightclub.

"You look miserable," you yelled at him over the pounding music, dancing near the spot where he stood unmoving on the dance floor.

"It's because I am," he yelled back.

You laughed and looked around at the crowded club, spotting Terri and Miranda goofily dancing together near you. Baxter was over at the bar, getting some water -- at least that's what he'd said he was getting, you certainly wouldn't put it past him to have a fake ID.

The five of you had been hanging out earlier in the day when the idea of clubbing came up. You'd never been, and obviously Cove hadn't. Baxter had back in Virginia, and Terri and Miranda had gone once when Terri had turned 18.

Somehow you decided it would be a fun summer adventure, and you parted ways in the afternoon to prepare to meet up at a club in the city that night.

Baxter had driven you and Cove, and Miranda and Terri met you there. They had told him that it would be loud and probably a little overwhelming at first, but he'd chosen to try it out anyway, since that's what everyone else wanted to do.

Looking at him now though, waves of displeasure radiating off of him, you thought maybe he was reconsidering that decision.

"This is great!" Terri yelled, sashaying over to you and Cove. She had Miranda's hand in hers to keep her close, and soon the three of you were laughing and dancing together.

"Is it this loud the whole time?" Cove asked, leaning down so you could hear him better.

"No, in a little bit they'll turn it off and we'll all play Duck Duck Goose," Terri responded, cackling.

Cove rolled his eyes, but before he could be teased any further, Baxter approached the group

"There you are," he said brightly. He looked at Miranda and Terri, then to you and Cove.

"Would either of you care to dance?"

Cove scoffed, but before you could answer you felt a hand snake around your waist and yank you backwards. You looked back and saw a man you didn't recognize at all, and you felt him start to grind up against you. His whispered something in your ear -- it was too loud to hear his exact words, but from what you did catch, it wasn't exactly polite conversation.

The guy hadn't abducted you or anything -- you were still standing by your friends. And he was dancing with you, which is what people tend to do at a club. Still, you were uncomfortable, especially when he pulled you even harder against him.

Cove scrunched his eyebrows, not entirely sure what was going on but clearly not a fan. Miranda and Terri exchanged a look, but weren't positive on what to do either.

It was Baxter, the one you'd known for the shortest time, who realized how uncomfortable you truly were and decided to step up.

"Pardon me," he said loudly to the much larger man as he dug his fingers into your hips, pulling you closer still. "I believe the polite thing to do is to ask for a dance, not to take it."

"What?" the guy asked dumbly. "Get lost."

"I'm saying that it would be best to find a dance partner who actually wants to dance with you instead of forcing someone to dance against their will."

"Against whose will?"

Baxter was getting annoyed with trying to be reasonable, and you shot him a look that you hoped conveyed what you were thinking, which was "Help me." He jerked the man's hands off of you and pulled you against him by your hands, and when he let go you instinctively put your arms around his shoulders.

"Ugh, fuck off," the guy muttered, then went off to find another unsuspecting victim.

"Are you all right?" Baxter asked you, leaning closer to your ear so you could hear. He brought his hands up to rest on your waist too -- not in a creepy way like the other guy had. This was nice.

"Yeah," you told him. "Sorry, I just sort of froze ..."

"No need to apologize," he said. "Would you like to go home?"

"No, we can stay."

"You ok?" Cove asked, coming closer.

"I'm fine," you repeated. "Just dance, Cove."

"I never will."

You laughed, loosening up a bit after the unpleasant encounter. Noticing that Baxter still hadn't let you go, you looked at him, offering him a smile.

"Would you like to dance?" he smirked.

"Yeah, but I don't really know what I'm doing," you admitted. "First time, remember? Giant perv over there doesn't count."

He grinned softly and said, "When it comes to dancing, there really isn't much to this style. It's less about grace and agility and more about just 'feeling the music,' it seems. I'm no expert either to be clear."

"You're the dancer though," you argued playfully. "So what would you advise?"

He paused, glancing down, then asked "May I?"

When you nodded, he moved his hands just a bit lower so he was holding onto your hips. He began moving them to the beat, and when he was confident that you got the picture, he moved a hand up to your back to pull you just a bit closer while he started moving too.

"Is this ok?" you asked tentatively, a bit nervous about your own abilities next to Baxter.

"Very much so," he assured you. Something in his voice sounded a bit more heated than it had a moment ago, and it was definitely doing things to you. You inched just a little bit closer and saw his lips curve upward once again.

You weren't sure exactly how long you stayed like that. Time seemed to move a little funny when you were so close to Baxter, and you just kept getting closer. You'd lock eyes with him and look away bashfully, only to look again when you saw that damn smirk out of the corner of your eye.

Eventually you felt a tap on your shoulder, and you looked to see Miranda standing there by herself, looking a little apologetic.

"Hey, Cove's pretty much ready to go," she said. "He's fine with going somewhere else, but he wants to leave."

"Of course," Baxter said, pulling away from you but still leaving one hand on your hip. "Please, lead the way."

Miranda turned to take you to the rest of your group so you could leave together, and Baxter smoothly moved his hand to take yours. He looked back and gave you a quick wink before pulling you along to follow Miranda through the crowd.

Yeah, this summer just got a little more interesting.

[joesalw]

Ok I'm sorry but this is gonna be a long rant.

I am an ex swiftie (also a minor) and I joined the fandom back in 2022 after midnights released. Before that I had heard a few songs but I barely knew anything about Taylor before 2020 and I did not know about the Kimye stuff or anything.

When the bejeweled music video was released I did not realize the easter eggs so thus I thought that I need to become parasocial and I NEED to know everything that taylor has done every minute of the day (referencing Do you really wanna know where I was April 29?)

I went deeper into the hole. I started getting obsessed with Taylor. I clicked on every video , post and podcast mentioning her. I genuinely became a parasocial fan. I only heard her songs and barely cared about other artists. I hated on her exes (Jake Gyllenhaal and John Mayer especially) because I believed that they had hurt Taylor to no extent. I still don't like them/am neutral but I don't hate them anymore. In march I joined tumblr because I heard Taylor was on here and I have no other social media to support her from so I came here to give her my support.

In April , the breakup happened. I was genuinely devastated. Joe was and is an amazing person. I was shocked to see her move on so quickly and date m*tty he*ly . I was even as a child shocked as to how someone can move on so fast. But also move on to someone so problematic after calling herself an activist? Idk what was wrong with her. But IG as long as she is happy.

She broke up with him. We all rejoiced. Speak now TV was also announced! Yay!

I remember so well on 7th July I was in school and I was so fucking excited about it coming so soon I couldn't sit still. I was counting down minutes until it's release even tho I did not have any devices to listen to it on. My friends were so happy to see me happy and excited af.

I went home and heard speak now tv. Amazing experience for me at that time.

I became the person who said shit like : I hate everyone but Taylor and Taylor is a gift to this Earth and etc etc.

But the amount of joe hate and joeover and joebless jokes annoyed me. Why were we hating a person who was in her life at her worst moments? Taylor would never condone or allow this.

But boy was I wrong.

Most of the hate against joe was my #Strike 1 for leaving the fandom.

Then came along Traylor. I was like oh ok as long as she is happy :))

Then she started associating with the nfl people. Br*ttany M*homes and Abuser bitch.

When I heard of this I was like wtf Taylor???

Weren't you the one who was going off about being on the right side of the history and believing victims?

I was like it's fine maybe she doesn't know or maybe she will stop once she knows.

She didn't

Then she won person of the year. I was already very unhappy with Taylor at that time. But I still was like Yay! Congrats! But maybe you shouldn't be the one to win it?

Then the doxxing by a swiftie happened. It was #strike 3

I left the fandom. I still had hope she would change.

Now after seeing her jets emissions (I'm a huge Environmentalist and a feminist so this shit bothered the living helm out of me) and her continuously hanging out with brittany piece of shit and all the joe hate going on, I am beginning to despise her.

I had initally blocked hate pages like yours but Now I open your posts everyday and check them because I relate to them sm.

I went from a person defending every action of Taylor's, being the only one in my entire theatre who knew the lyrics to all the songs of the eras tour movie , having Taylor as my top artist of the year with more than 60 percent of the songs being hers to despising her so much for being fake and stuck up.

I remember after I left the fandom and not many people knew about it , A classmate said something against Taylor and her songs directly to me daring me to oppose it and I genuinely wanted to cry because I thought that I would now always be associated with this fandom.

The ex swiftie in me genuinely wants 2016 to happen again so Taylor will be removed from the pedestal she is put on by so many. She needs to be saved from herself and her parasocial fans.

And I used to say I would love Taylor forever but I suppose forever really is the sweetest con.

TLDR :- I USED TO BE A PARASOCIAL SWIFTIE WHO USED TO LIVE AND BREATHE TAYLOR BUT NOW I'M SLOWLY STARTING TO DESPISE HER.

Sorry this was so long I had to get it off my chest.

Thanks for reading it!

ex swifties are my favourite people in this planet rn

[mylittleredgirl]

previously on mylittleredgirl: [four seasons of m*a*s*h] [six weeks of screaming about margaret houlihan]

i have now finished season five disc one and a bullet point recap is due! [yeah there's more screaming in it]

bug out was a fucking DELIGHT

god i was so worried though when klinger had to trade all his dresses i was wailing internally. what if he just wears fatigues forever!?!??? but it's all okay!!!! that tassel mod dress he has on in "the abduction of margaret houlihan" healed me ten times over. his outfits have been 🔥 this season.

such a mix of really dumb slapstick comedy and "oh god the war is Right Here" drama and little character sweetness... love it.

and the family reunion happiness at the end!!!! god bless. i left my body for like thirty-six hours.

i really really love the tone they're striking with frank this season. they've walked back the cartoon villainy of late season four, so he's once again a relatively harmless clown. i breathed a huge sigh of relief. he's soooo much more fun this way.

margaret's engagement: bonkers. delightful. she's unbearable. there is so much wrong with her. i want to study her in a jar. i will never shut up again.

with this put together with some bits later in the disc (including that cut scene crayon joke lmao), did she somehow manage to trade DOWN from frank? is that even possible??? it's either that or this new dude is actually just The Exact Same Guy, but now she'll be the fool wife at home instead of the beloved mistress.

i mean personally if i were louise burns i'd be very happy for my dumbass husband to fuck around on the other side of the world for as long as possible while i enjoy the $35,000 house and two cars without him, but for someone like margaret who is far more interested in being wined and dined than running a household, this... may not be the field promotion she thinks it is.

hawkeye rising to frank's defense and him and b.j. enabling frank's little takedown of margaret at the end felt very real. sure, in the grand scheme of things, margaret is Annoying and frank tried to have hawkeye executed last season, but bros before hos.

okay how FUNNY would it be though if the "little redheaded nurse" frank planned to seduce was baker-from-the-nurses, because she would have scratched frank's eyes out for trying and not felt bad about it

and actually, that's a plausible backstory for the extra bad blood between her and margaret, too??? oh yeah. that definitely happened.

i actively missed frank/margaret as the disc went along though. maybe the show had stretched the tension of that relationship as tight as it could go, and it's nice that they get to do new things... but they're so funny and awful together and i miss them sharing scenes!!!

i really assumed - like frank did lol - that they would continue to rabbit around together, only now she would also get to string him along with the jealousy game, but...... well, i'm glad it's still hanging out in the background of the narrative, anyway. i live in hope that they will slip and fuck and it will be soooo messy.

FUCK is it possible i shipped that for real???? god. i don't know if my family name can bear this dishonor.

out of sight, out of mind...

...has taught us the very important lesson that hawkeye is 9000x more annoying without something to do (annoying to everyone else i mean!! not to me. i will happily watch him annoy everyone.)

him asking b.j. to visit him a million times a day 🥺

i'm almost satisfied now by the "doctor-experiences-the-role-of-patient" theme that i didn't get in "hawkeye." i suppose hurt/comfort fic can take it from here.

however i'm totally satisfied by how sweet it was to see everyone taking care of him!! and how much they love him!!

lt. radar o'reilly... devastating. i mean funny and delightful but it's mean!! so glad that boy is back in stripes. however they could have at least promoted him a little for his trouble. sergeant o'reilly???

i have already said more about the nurses (post here) than ever needed to be said. and yet. i'm quite sure i could say more if pressed

the abduction of margaret houlihan

........ will i never be free of colonel flagg episodes 😞

i love the continuing evidence that she has invested time in learning korean, and i really really really love the slow expansion of our perspective to include like oh yeah. there's a village where people live full time and it's literally right here.

imagine if after the war she becomes an ob nurse...

on the one hand, how do they not make frank do gun handling training. on the other hand they probably don't because it always ends with stitches and an accident report.

i sometimes wonder if mash was like jury duty for asian actors in the 70s. you probably won't get to say anything but they call you up and you just have to go.

dear sigmund!!!!!! this is another episode where people were staring at me through the window so i'll comment a little more:

the fandom's favorite guy sidney freedman deserves that crown. what a weirdo. talk about a busman's holiday for a psychiatrist to come to the 4077 for a vacation and psychoanalyze everyone. but for fun!

i really don't have a proper sense of the geography at play here because he really does like. just come by to play cards once a week. and drives through a war zone i guess to do it? he has probably sacked out in the swamp before when the air raid situation changes but this time he just... doesn't leave.

and aaaa!! margaret took her very special episode about How To Make Friends to heart!!!! she joined the poker game!!!

she had plenty of time to work on that lesson though because the jeremy bearimy time shenanigans are in full swing here at the 4077. we went from midsummer in 'the nurses' to a bitter cold march two episodes later.

i always kind of assumed the mash weather was loosely inspired by real human weather, but no, in fact the actors just have to randomly suffer in parkas or getting sprayed in the face to look sweaty in alternating weeks regardless of the surrounding conditions.

SUFFERING for their ART

also jfc b.j.!!!! dunking frank in cold water in freezing temperatures is a serious health and safety concern my dude!!!!

i'm afraid b.j. is still not beating the little brother allegations, he has just aged up from innocent baby to fucking gremlin

(i should confess that my little brother diagnosis is guided by the fact that in my complex family and housing history i only ever lived with "brothers" younger than me, and never older ones. but the innocent baby and prank gremlin stages are real.)

i made a note here of "margaret randomly drinking gin in the swamp now!!?!??" like the poker game was one thing, people could strong-arm her into that while she feigns protest, but ma'am WHO are you and what have you done with— and then the next note is "oh good she's still insane"

potter named his horse sophie <3 also he's collecting granddaughters, i think the count is up to 3 now. or baby sherry is experiencing a temporal anomaly of her own!

the letter radar wrote to the dead guy's parents and potter reading it... fucking ended me. please let harry morgan do serious bits more often, it's outstanding and far too rare.

it's not surprising that frank's wife changing (wearing pants! doing activities!) would stress him out, and not just because he's a dick. any of them would struggle with their families growing without them, because that means they can Never Go Home to the life they left!! (e.g. trapper losing it because his girls were getting older.) but it is kind of fascinating that he loves both his wife and margaret, and even said mid-fever that he wanted them to be friends, but he also wants them to be NOTHING alike.

all in all it's understandable that sidney would check in to the no boundaries motel to have his poker buddies shake it out of him, but he could also have taken his leave somewhere with indoor heat. so he's as crazy as the rest of them. <3

also they're not his patients he's just observing them like zoo animals so forget confidentiality he's absolutely gonna write a book about them someday.

mulcahy's war: i don't know why i have been misspelling his name with an 'e' the whole time because it was literally in the end credits of almost every episode for four seasons.

oh god he's so precious i don't talk about it enough. playing poker for orphans. feeling like he doesn't do enough while potter thinks he has the hardest job. that unrelenting positive regard for everyone. always with that little grin.

that little grin in FULL PLAY as he sneaks out of the house to go off to war when dad's not looking

radar should never be sent on a mission where people are bleeding when will they LEARN

corporal cupcake deserves every medal he gets!!!!

frank's foot fetish becoming his one true medical specialty is just. i don't know what to do with this. good for him??? do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life???

speaking of unrelenting positive regard, margaret's policy of nurses never talking back to the doctors in the operating room sure has taken a hit. i realize this is about frank being an intolerable ex, but i choose to believe that the detente between margaret and her nurses has turned the O.R. into a pvp zone. the next time hawkeye tries to seduce a nurse over an open body, he's gonna get wrecked and margaret's just going to shrug pretty and look the other way.

in conclusion: season five is soooo gooooooood!!!!! can't wait for disc two!

[captain-mj]

I love your writing 🥰🥰

ignore this if you don't like it but im thinking of graves trying hard to mend his relationship with 141 and it seems to be going well until he starts getting secretive again, and they start to think he's going to turn again, maybe even price is worried, only to discover he's actually helping his shadows, some of his boys who survived 🥺🥺

I got you!

~~~~

Price started to notice his team being skittish around Graves again. It wasn't the outward distrust before, more like they tried to avoid Graves being alone at all. Graves was getting annoyed, but clearly trying to hide that. At the very least, he seemed determined to grin and bear it. Price almost found it admirable. He knew he fucking couldn't.

But tonight was different. Tonight, Price woke up alone and Graves was in the bathroom. On the phone.

Price crept closer to hear him talking through the door.

"Listen, I'm trying. I promise." Graves was whispering, sounding upset. "Are you safe?"

The wood creaked softly and he realized Graves was pacing. His voice disappearing for a moment before coming back. Price frowned and tried to get closer.

Graves sighed softly. "I'll talk soon, okay? Stay safe guys."

Price moved backed, laying down and pretending to be asleep. He felt Graves slide back into bed with him. After a moment, Graves moved closer, putting his head on Price's chest with one arm slung over him. They sat there quietly a long time.

Price's brain went a mile a minute.

Was Graves working with someone else again?

He shouldn't have trusted him.

Graves lightly pressed his lips against Price’s chest. He squeezed him a little tighter before falling back to sleep. 

Price stayed close to him, but he knew very well that he couldn’t really prevent anything. He couldn’t do much but try to remind Graves how much happier he was with them. With him. 

Alejandro raised his concerns to him. “He keeps disappearing. Rudy caught him on the phone twice and he’ll hang up as soon as he gets close. I know you two are... close but...”

“I’m keeping an eye on it. Trust me.” 

Alejandro sighed. “So you noticed too huh? Not just me being paranoid...” He looked almost sad about it. 

“I’m hoping we’re all just paranoid.”

“For all of our sakes.”

For a while, Price thought it was behind them. Graves sought him out constantly and Ghost trailed him several times and he didn’t do anything suspicious. 

Price woke up to hear him on the phone again. 

Graves sounded sleepy, but he kept talking, reassuring whoever he was on the phone with. Price closed his eyes and sighed softly. He couldn’t keep doing this. If Graves was going to betray them, he wanted to know now. 

So he pulled himself out of bed, pulling on his sweatpants and waited. 

Graves froze when saw him up, phone still in hand. 

“It’s not what you think.”

“What is it then?”

Graves stared at him for a minute. “If half your team died, you’d do anything to protect the rest right?”

Price stared at him. “Phillip.”

“Don’t use that name right now.” Graves sounded hoarse. “John, I need you to promise you’ll hear me out.”

Price continued to stare for a moment before nodding. “Alright...”

“Couple of my shadows made it out. They holed up somewhere and I’ve been sending them money. Keeping them afloat. I promise I just... I can’t let them go back to the streets. A lot of them were like me. The company was all they had.”

Price bites back a scathing comment about that and nodded. “Alright. Where?”

Graves stared at him. “Price. I understand they’re criminals, but so am I. You can’t hurt them. They were barely involved in the events in Los Almas.” The desperation in his voice was something Price had never heard before. Graves had begged for forgiveness. Asked them not to kill him. But this was different. Price had heard it from his own mouth when Shepherd had told him his boys were MIA and to be killed on sight.

“I won’t.”

“And your team?”

“No one is going to hurt them.” Price promised, being sincere. “Where are they?”

“Motel near here. I’ve been trying to sneak away because you guys made that really hard.” Graves sounded petulant.

Price smiled. “Sorry. You could’ve told me.”

“You don’t trust me.” Graves said gently. “Not all the time. You may trust me with your life but you wouldn’t trust me with theirs. I couldn’t... I couldn’t risk. I let too many people down that night.”

Price nodded. “Alright. I’ll tell everyone to stop watching you all the time, okay?

“Thank you.”

“And maybe I could meet them sometime?”

“You could be step-dad Price.”

[goodluckclove]

I'm writing a new thing!! I don't really need advice I'm just excited about starting it. They're gay and one of them's a shapeshifter the other has a culturally engrained fear of shapeshifters given that as defenders of the wilderness/ basically very local gods they tend to fuck up anyone who's in their space. I also dong know how to start books which is an issue my beginnings are always weak. How do I start a book. Do I describe the sheep? He's a shepherd btw which I think is fun because the shapeshifter often takes the form of a wolf or coyote. It's also set in a relatively high fantasy setting (no elves and shit just weird magic and a different landscape) that vaguely corresponds to the late 17 or 1800s (they've got some guns i think, they ride horses and trains might exist). How do I start a book. What do I start with. Where do I start. There's no real solid beginning I've got in mind, just a dude trying to take his sheep over a large area on his own. Help please I do actually need advice

Well you see, Ghostie, everyone knows that the first sentence of a novel is the most important part of the entire story. It has to contain the main character's name - in fact, it has to contain the names of every character in your cast - and it has to provoke intrigue and resolve it in a satisfying way without being a too long and jesus christ i can no longer keep up this bit.

I'm annoyed by people who say you need to have a super profound first line. I mean, they're good when they happen. If you can think of one that's great. But if you can't you aren't fucked right off the gate. If your first line isn't something people will get calligraphed onto canvases to hang on the walls of their boring houses (Is this a thing? Did I just make up a type of person to hate?), it doesn't mean your beginning won't be good.

You want to hook the reader. That's what all the guides say, right? They describe a person picking your book off the proverbial shelf and leafing through the first page to see if it's something they'd be interested in. That's solid, but then some go on to make it seem like you have maybe ten words before they either buy the book or toss it across the room in disgust. I'm not saying this is never true. I'm just saying that, personally, that type of person is probably not someone who'd be interested in me or my stories to begin with.

Usually when I'm considering a new book I'll skim the first few pages and then a bit throughout the middle, just to see if I like the prose. I do not put that much weight in the beginning, but it's always a good sign when the general scene feels purposeful. It doesn't have to be a car chase/diamond heist/sex scene/murder. I read someone somewhere saying that you have to start with something exciting and it took like an hour off my life I was so angry.

Here's one out of a billion angles to tackle this puzzle from - where does the story start for you? What is the inciting incident to the inciting incident? This feels like something easy to answer, but oftentimes what you come up with might feel a little inconsequential.

A beginning scene - like, for instance, a prologue centered around only sheep and coyotes - does not necessarily sound interesting on its own. But in a world where shapeshifters usually take on those forms it both sets up the world and establishes a mood. You can play with how much information you give people in the world.

Using my book as an example because I've been watching my editor @hoard-sweet-hoard react to it in real time, at one point he commented that he didn't know if the Eddie in my initial prologue is the same guy as the Edgar in Chapter One. And I was like yeah man that's the whole goddamned point of the book you tiny little king of fools. I wasn't at all that mean. I made a really good sandwich for dinner so I'm feeling extra rowdy. But the point is that I focused less on the action and more on the feeling it would create in the reader.

With that mindset the action doesn't really matter. If it's mundane it can be comforting, or tiring, or numbing, or eerie, or unnerving. If it's far removed from the world we know it can be fantastical and whimsical and sexy, maybe? I don't know. God that sandwich was good. I'm getting really into bagels lately.

Also, from purely the perspective of a writer, you might think of a better beginning midway into the draft. So you can also go back and make a weak start much stronger. You can skip the beginning entirely if it's really fucking with your life. Come back to it later. Who will stop you? Me? I don't even know how to find you. And if I did, you could easily kill me. You have that vibe and I am very clumsy.

Also also start posting excerpts when you get going because that shit sounds rad as fuck.

My bagel had egg and bacon and a hash brown patty and caramelized onion. Man has done a lot of sin, but it is almost neutralized by the insight we once had to caramelize onions. They have a unique flavor that I can only describe as eating the house of a beloved grandmother? Or maybe just the way that house makes you feel?

Yum.