#rewarding your reading with a song rec

[shrekgogurt]

My brain has not been very kind to me recently so I have not had the chance to write much aside from half-heartedly dragging myself through my writing heavy coursework. I have been so exhausted and anxious and honestly quite sad that even imagining little stories in my head takes too much energy. In short, things are not great over in my swamp.

Nevertheless, here are precisely six new sentences from chapter three of Escape to Space (Simon’s POV):

His face steels into nothingness again. Why does he keep doing that? What is going on inside his head? He’s locked down like a jewelry safe, designed not to easily open. I try the Niamh trick—investigating his eyes—but they’re impenetrable. I would hate to play him at poker.

Self-Indulgent Rant & Tags under the cut:

For real though…my self-talk has been atrocious. I’ve convinced myself everyone in my life secretly hates me and that I’m bad at all my crafts. I may in fact be in my Wayward Son era which is pitiful because I mean…I didn’t kill my dad or lose my magic. But…do I ever want to get out of bed????? No, that shit is cozy!!!!! And I know it’s me self-sabotaging. And I know deep down I’m capable of all the things and I’m not totally unloveable. However, I can’t bring myself to believe it enough to kickstart the inertia which drives me CRAZY. Like girl, why aren’t you doing your work when you could just…do your work??????????? Why don’t you believe people want to actually spend time with you when they’re spending time with you????????????? What’s! Not! Clicking!? I guess…you know what they say… I Shouldn’t Ghost My Therapist

Thank for the tags today and this past week @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @martsonmars @fatalfangirl @captain-aralias @technetiumai @larkral @palimpsessed @ileadacharmedlife @thewholelemon @basiltonbutliketheherb @artsyunderstudy @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @onepintobean @ivelovedhimthroughworse @chen-chen-chen-again-chen @aristocratic-otter @confused-bi-queer + a bonus @raenestee simply because I adore you. I’m sorry if I don’t know some of y’all well and forced you to wade through my whining.

[lomlhwa]

you're such a nerd (j.ww)

pairing: tutor!wonwoo x student!reader

preview: you really need to pass biology so you asked your teacher to hook you up with a tutor. now, he didn't expect you to literally hook up with your tutor. how could you not? he looks so cute in his glasses.

tags/warnings: fem reader, some biology terms, reader is kinda obsessed with wonu's glasses, voice kink on the reader's part, praise, pet names (baby, baby girl, baby cakes, good girl) academic rewarding, light choking, like one spank, semi-public sex, unprotected penetration (wrap it before you tap it), m & f orgasm

trigger warnings: n/a

wc: 1.4k

song recs for this fic: light a flame by seventeen, kiss me if you can by the boyz, die for you by the weeknd

a/n: can you tell i have a thing for men in glasses? you'll be able to tell as soon as you start reading this fic. also every time i wrote about those roll-y chairs my brain went "AUTOBOTS, ROLL OUT"

then….

“mr. kim i really need to pass your class. are there any students you could hook me up with to tutor me?” you gave your professor your very best puppy dog eyes.

you’re borderline failing this man’s class. a class you need to pass to get your degree. a class you willingly signed up for and you pay money for.

“yeah there is. wait here” he walks away into his office. you hear him pick up his landline phone and dial a number. you take a seat on one of the stools at the counter. 

“he’s on his way. we’ll wait for him.”

about 15 minutes pass before a tall, nerdy looking boy bursts through the door. he almost tumbles over, the handful of books in his hands almost toppling out. he’s adorable. but the cutest thing about him is his circle glasses that he’s pressed back up his nose at least three times already. 

“you said you want me to tutor a student, mr. kim?” he sounds out of breath. did he run all the way here from his dorm? “yes. this is y/n. she’s failing this class and wants some help” your teacher turns to you. “y/n, this is your tutor.” your new tutor waves at you.

“hi, i’m wonwoo. jeon wonwoo.” 

god, his voice. you’re gonna love being his student.

now….

“wonwoo, i don’t get this” you hold up your worksheet to your tutor. over the past couple weeks, you could say you’ve grown close with him. quite close.

“okay, put your listening ears on baby cakes” he rolls his chair over to you. his unhooks his glasses from the collar of his shirt, sliding them up his beautiful nose. 

“so, a chromosomal mutation is a mutation involving a long segment of dna. these mutations can involve deletions, insertions, inversions, or translocations of sections or segments of dna” you nod, trying your best to pay attention. “...and in some cases, deleted portions may attach to other chromosomes, disrupting both the chromosomes losing the dna and the one gaining it.” you nod again, the movement being so mindless.

“you won’t pass bio if you keep zoning out like that. i just explained chromosomal mutation and you weren’t listening. that was your one shot, baby girl” he flicks you lightly on the forehead before rolling away again. 

“no no no, one more time wonwoo” you roll yourself over to him and pull him back to your desk. he rolls his eyes and playfully tries to pull himself away from you. “i already explained it to you though” you manage to pull him back and he pouts. 

“one last time” you push your worksheet towards him. “explain it differently this time. like a chromosomal mutation remix” you giggle. 

“ugh okay so, chromosomal mutations can result from errors in dna replication during cell division, exposure to mutagens or a viral infection” you nod, actually listening this time. watching his plump lips move helped you really listen in. “...and chromosome abnormalities often happen due to errors during dividing of sex cells, meiosis or errors during dividing of other cells, mitosis.” 

“okay, now do your worksheet” he slides it back over to you. you expect him to roll away from you, but he doesn’t. he hovers next to you, inspecting your answers. you don’t notice at first, but his hand slowly trails up your thigh.

when you finally realize, it’s because it slides all the way back down to your knee. you erase your previously written answer and try something else. it must’ve been right because his hand moved up again. you figured out his system. 

wrong answer? hand back down at the knee. right answer? hand moves up and under your tennis skirt. 

you finally get to the last question; a question about the cause of chromosome abnormalities. unfortunately, you’re blanking at what wonwoo told you. his hand had fully come up to your core and he had been playing with your clit over your panties for the past 10 minutes. your brain was becoming hazy. 

“i taught you this less than an hour ago, baby girl. if you get this right, i’ll let you cum. come on, it’s the last question” your breathing hitched and you nod. you focus in and try and remember the answer. you write down your answer and wonwoo pounces on you. 

he mashes your lips together in a rough, sloppy kiss. he licks over your bottom lip and you open your mouth instinctively. a loud whine leaves your throat as his hand keeps it’s ministrations going.

“cum for me baby. you did so well” his mouth leaves yours and trails wet kisses all over your throat. he breathes heaving in your ear, his other hand coming up to push his glasses up.

“please, ah, please keep talking” you whine, shifting uncomfortably in your chair. “i need your voice.” he smirks at you. he knew his voice was nice. but the fact that it’s helping you get off? that was amazing to him.

“come on, baby girl. you deserve it. you’re doing so well for me. my good, sweet girl”  the mix of his heavy breathing, his sweaty musk and his words sends you over the edge. your hand flies down to his wrist to slow him down. “there you go, that’s it. that’s my good girl.” 

you lean your head back on the chair, catching your breath. he picks you up out of your chair, flipping you around and bending you over. the coldness of the desk on your arms shocks you and you jolt a little. 

“god, baby. you look so pretty in your little skirt” he says as he flips it up. he takes his glasses off and places them on the table. “no no no, please, keep them on. you look so good with them on” you beg. “you can’t even see me” he laughs. you hand them back to him, turning at the waist to glance at him. “just do it.”

he slides his glasses back up his nose and sighs. he pulls your panties down to your mid-thighs. he pulls his pants down the same length on his own legs. “i would really like to have you screaming my name, but we are kind of in public. i’m gonna need you to be quiet.” 

out of nowhere, he plants a hard spank on your now exposed ass. you squeal, your hand coming up to cover your mouth. “knew you’d like that, baby” he teases. he palms his length and teases your hole with his tip. 

he rests his hands on your hips as he pushes into you, his pelvis meeting with your ass. he lets out a deep breath, one of his hands falling on the desk next to your ribs. “fuck, my god baby girl” his voice is low and it makes you clench tightly around him. 

he drags out of you slowly before slamming back into you, your ass jiggling at the contact. your arms weaken almost instantly, laying down onto the table. wonwoo reaches around you and rips open your button-up shirt, the buttons popping off and scattering all over the floor. 

“wonwoo!” you cry out. “sorry, baby. i got impatient” he digs his fingers into your hips and sets a steady pace. his fingers are sure to leave marks on your skin. marks you’ll be admiring for days in the mirror. 

he presses your head into the desk. your mouth hangs open, drool pooling next to your face. your eyes roll into the back of your head repeatedly. 

“what can chromosomal mutations involve?” he says suddenly. “what?” you pant. “what can chromosomal mutations involve? give me the right answer and i’ll let you cum” he attaches the pad of his pointer finger to your clit, speeding up your oncoming orgasm. “oh my god uh” you pause to rack your brain for the answer. 

as your orgasm threatens to crash down on you, you blurt out the answer. “mutations can involve deletions, insertions, inversions, or translocations of sections or segments of dna” you cry out, your orgasm causing you to twitch on the table. “fuck fuck fuck, good girl” he pulls out of you, letting his orgasm spill onto your skirt. 

you pick your head up off the table and wipe the drool off the side of your face. “y’know, when you asked mr. kim to hook you up with a tutor, he didn’t mean for you to hook up with your tutor” he pulls your panties back up your legs and flips your skirt back down. 

“you got the last question wrong by the way” he nods towards your paper. “but by then, i couldn’t keep it in my pants” he kisses your drooly lips, smiling at you. “what the fuck, wonwoo.”

“sorry, baby cakes. do it again and maybe we’ll go for round two.” 

© lomlhwa 2023

[nichoswag]

Are you taking requests? If so can I please get an Euijoo one where he tries teaching you Japanese? He's so gentle and kind and patient. Every time you make a mistake he rubs your hand and shows you again. And when you get it right he rewards you with a kiss. I live for soft Euijoo

incentive . byun euijoo

pairing: bf!ej x gn reader

warnings: coma-inducing fluff, sweet and patient bf ej (i have to include that as a warning), kissing, petnames (baby, like twice)

synopsis: in which euijoo teaches you japanese but you're easily distracted, so he gives you an incentive.

song rec: stuck with u - ariana grande + justin bieber

a/n: i don't think you understand, i literally audibly gasped when i read this request. the idea is way too cute for my brain to handle... also sorry this took a few days, the requests have been piling in! anywaysss, i hope you enjoy!! ♡

"there are a few ways to say 'thank you' in japanese," your boyfriend explains.

this is your third japanese lesson. a few days ago, you had asked euijoo to teach you japanese, so he's been giving you a lesson a day. now, you both sit on the couch, him teaching you and you taking notes.

"the difference in each phrase is how polite they are." he adjusts his glasses on his nose, and you look away from him and at your notes to focus on the lesson rather than his face. "for example, you would say 'arigato' to a friend or someone your age. however, to someone you don't know well or an elder, you should say 'arigato gozaimasu.' did you get that in your notes?"

you remain spaced out, staring at his features for a moment before shaking yourself out of it and nodding. "yeah, i got it."

he grins at you. "it feels like you're paying more attention to me than the words I'm saying."

you smile. "you're very distracting."

he chuckles. "just try to pay attention baby."

you think for a moment. "why not give me some motivation?"

he stares at you, puzzled. "what do you mean?"

"hmm... how about for every question i get right, you give me a kiss? like an incentive."

he chuckles. "you sly fox. you just wanna kiss me." you nod, giggling. he ruffles your hair, continuing on with the lesson.

he launches into the other ways to say "thank you," such as past and present. you remain attentive and continue taking notes. when it comes time for him to quiz you on what you've learned, you are able to answer correctly by looking at your notes. that earns you a few kisses, to your enjoyment.

"you're doing so good, baby," he exclaims, proud. "now, let's try without your notes. let's say your grandmother does something kind for you. how would you thank her?"

"uhh- arigato~?"

"not quite," he says, rubbing your hand he's been holding through the lesson. "that's how you would thank someone your age. to be polite to an elder, you would say 'arigato gozaimasu.'"

"arigato gozaimase," you repeat after him.

"good. the 'z' is more of a soft 's' sound," he explains.

you slump in your chair. "japanese is so hard!"

he smiles at you. "it'll get easier the more you practice. do you want to stop for now and pick up more in a bit?"

you nod. "i wan a hug..."

he chuckles softly. "of course." he places your notebook and pen on the coffee table and pulls you close to him, wrapping his arms around you.

"thank you for being so patient with me," you say quietly. "i know it's not easy to teach me."

"everyone learns at their own pace," he says. he presses a kiss to your forehead. you lean in to kiss him on the mouth, but he backs away. "ah-ah, that's only for if you get a question right."

you groan loudly.

©nichoswag | do not copy my work or repost onto any other platform.

[sitp-recs]

Teddy Lupin Appreciation Reclist

I hope everyone’s already read my gorgeous gift Wield Me by @tackytigerfic because that fic finally inspired me to finish and post this rec list! I’ve been a big Teddy fan since his name came up in the books; thanks to @lqtraintracks I was lucky to get introduced to and fall in love with Harry/Teddy many years ago. Sometimes it’s hard to read them together with other ships because just like Peter Parker, Teddy holds a very special place in my heart and I just want him to be happy and loved 🥹 so to celebrate my long-standing love for this character - which was boosted a hundred times by Tacky’s gift, I thought I’d share my favorite Teddys - both in romantic and platonic relationships - in fic. btw if anyone wants to start a Teddy centric fest let me know!

🏍️ Coming Up for Air by @lqtraintracks (Hardy, M, 2k)

I could have died of it, your tenderness toward me. Instead I decided to live.

🍑 Five Years Since Bimbleswats by tryslora (Tedrarry, E, 4k)

It’s been five years since Bimbleswats, and Draco thinks that is definitely something worth celebrating.

💦 Waiting Under Vain by supergrover24 (Hardy, E, 5k)

Teddy wants to know how sex really should be. Harry can't resist, no matter how much he tries.

🥩 The Lies We Live With by @bixgirl1 (Jeddy, E, 5k)

It doesn’t really count… is almost always followed by a lie, James learns, growing up.

🎨 Surface Texture by @the-starryknight (Hardy, E, 5k)

I've drawn a hundred portraits, but none quite like Harry's. In the early hours of the morning, I lay him bare in charcoal and paper.

👠 When It Alteration Finds by @lqtraintracks (Hardy, E, 7k)

Teddy thinks this is the way to finally get what he wants. But there is more than one way to Harry's heart.

🧁 Holding Out for A Hero by @writcraft (Hardy, E, 7k)

Even as he says no, Harry’s hands push into Teddy’s hair. Even as he protests, his lips connect with Teddy’s. Before Teddy can offer any reassurance his heart’s thumping wildly in his chest and Harry Potter’s kissing him as if there’s no tomorrow.

🐉 On the Same Side by rillalicious (Teddy/Charlie, M, 7.5k)

Teddy is heading to Romania to protest a proposed anti-dragon law. He finds an interesting ally there.

🧅 Shut Up and Kiss Me by @unmistakablyoatmeal (Hardy, E, 8k)

There's a reason Harry walks an extra ten blocks to go to the shops and it has nothing to do with onions. AU.

🪞 Portrait of a Young Girl by @thusspoketrish (Drarry, M, 8.6k)

Recently married, Harry and Draco are tasked with raising a four-year old Teddy, whose emerging gender identity brings up an array of questions, fears, and revelations for them when they realise that Teddy might be transgender.

⚔️ Wield Me by @tackytigerfic (Drarry + hints at Tedrarry, E, 10k)

Draco Malfoy, blacksmith, is renowned through the magical world for his skill and exquisite creations. He could quite easily spend the rest of his days making pretty trinkets for the fae court, and being handsomely rewarded for the privilege. But why take the easy route when instead he could get involved in a dangerous mission with Unspeakable Harry Potter (who also happens to be Draco's... well, he's something, isn't he?). A little story about learning to strike while the iron is hot.

🦆 Hallo Spaceboy by @shiftylinguini (Jeddy, T, 10k)

Or: James kissed Teddy last night. This may or may not be the end of the world.

🧹 Overexposed by @nv-md (Tedrarry, E, 10k)

Teddy never expected to become a model for Nimbus, and he definitely didn't expect any of the adverts to catch Harry and Draco's attention. But now that it's happened, Teddy can't deny he gets a thrill every time he catches Harry and Draco staring, and he's going to do everything he can to keep their eyes on him.

🎸 like the lost lyrics of a song suddenly remembered by @lqtraintracks (Teddy/Bill + Jeddy, E, 11k)

Teddy Lupin, aging rockstar, is making a comeback after his life and career were nearly ruined by an illegal potions habit. Everyone's out to support him tonight. Including the man he's always tried so hard not to love -- as well as the man he's always turned to instead.

⛺️ Good Intent by @maesterchill (Jeddy + past Hardy, E, 12k)

It all starts on the camping trip when James gets his dick out in the tent.

🎾 Game, Set, Match by @writcraft (Hardy, E, 13k)

Teddy is smitten, Harry is lonely and tennis seems like a great way to avoid dealing with this thing between them.

🤝 Team Players by @shiftylinguini (Jeddy + James/Oliver, E, 15k)

Everyone has that one celebrity they’d move heaven and earth to get between their legs, and James Potter is no exception. He just never anticipated that number one on his Freebie List would end up in the same room as him, let alone would make the first move. But lucky for James, Teddy is a team player―well, he probably is, especially with what James is suggesting.

🍨 The Strongest Affinity by eidheann (Drarry, T, 17k)

Trouble finding a wand for Scorpius leads Harry and Draco to something they never imagined.

🦋 Meet Me at Midnight by @the-starryknight (Drarry, T, 57k)

Harry was beginning to wonder if he’d ever make anything again when Malfoy stormed through the door of Harry’s furniture shop. Now Harry’s got an impossible Ministry commission to finish, and even less energy than ever to deal with his elusive muse. That is, until he stumbles upon the surreal and beautiful world of a mysterious fae creature…

🌳 By the Grace by lettered (Drarry, T, 140k)

Harry is an Auror instructor. Malfoy wants to be an Auror.

[spelllingandthemysteryschool]

hi yaz 💕 i was wondering if you had any recs to start reading poetry. i like reading dreamy, melancholic or warm concepts? i don’t even know if this is useful. but i literally have no idea where to begin 😢

hi hi hi! omg i’m actually so excited on your behalf... getting into poetry is like opening a door you always knew was there for the very first time and stepping into a brand new world laid out just for u! there is absolutely no wrong way to go about exploring it. 💌

firstly i really recommend signing up for a daily poetry newsletter because i have found so many wonderful poems that way. you can sign up for the poetry foundation newsletter here & the academy of american poets newsletter here & the paris review newsletter here! poetry anthologies are also a wonderful way of getting a taste of a lot of different works centered around a particular time period or theme & poking around in the poetry section for an interesting one next time u find yourself at a bookstore might be very rewarding for you!

and secondly here are some recs that came to mind when i thought of the words dreamy, melancholic, and warm. luckily there are lots of poems out there that fit these parameters. i hope u like them!

heart by dorianne laux

there is a gold light in certain old paintings by donald justice

the shampoo by elizabeth bishop

we have not long to love by tennessee williams

the leaving by brigit pegeen kelly

winter love by linda gregg

your night is of lilac by mahmoud darwish

my mother’s music by emilie buchwald

this morning by jay wright

effort at speech between two people by muriel rukeyser

in the museum of lost objects by rebecca lindenberg

sometimes, when the light by lisel mueller

a girl ago by lucie brock-broido

a song on the end of the world by czesław miłosz

dead butterfly by ellen bass

the spinner by paul valéry

[khofiecloud]

how to preserve your mental health at school

School is probably one of the most mentally taxing things a teen can go through. It certainly is mine. With the pressure to be the best, to get ahead, and to generally succeed, it's hard to not be affected. The mental strain is unavoidable, and I struggled with it for most of my school years, but over time that has led me to find tips that could help anyone going through this cope.

There are a few signs that can tell you whether or not you are being severely affected. You might be unmotivated and apathetic throughout the school day, and just because of school itself. You might feel like crying in school during the whole day and every day. Reasons can range from academic pressure to bullying and social ostracization to feeling inferior to your over achieving classmates.(If it's bullying, please tell someone who can help you) But here's some tips that might help based on what I learned from experience:

Find a piece of comfort (that you can come back to whenever you feel bad) .It can be a show, anime, song , movie, fanfic, manga , book, food, piece of clothing, or really just about anything (my recs are saiki k, ghibli songs and movies) . It’s best to have multiple just in case you get too used to 1 of them.

Get a support system: the way you can get this may differ based on your specific problem but here’s some ideas : make new friends offline or online (best app is slowly) and strengthen your existing relationships with friends and family.

Find a 3rd place which is not electronic: A third place is any public area away from homes and school/work ,where people meet and interact in an open environment. But the real challenge is not making your 3rd place your device .It's hard but here are some ideas for a 3rd place : libraries, arcades, gym, yoga place, sport club, skateparks, playgrounds, parks, coffee shops and cafes, bodegas. Make sure to choose a place where you feel comfortable. 

Get enough sleep: being tired will just make you feel so much worse. Never underestimate the power of a good night's sleep. Just to make it extra too, listen to some calming music, light candles and wear your fanciest sleepwear.

Put your mind on other things and focus on finding things that'll make you proud of yourself: You could get new hobbies, especially creative ones since those allow you to express yourself easily. Some examples are crocheting, embroidery, drawing, painting, sculpting, pottery, dancing, writing music, performance art and writing (stories, poetry, essays)

Take a leap of faith: create or design something based on your interests and skills and share it with the world. This can develop into being your own personal extracurricular activity. It might be scary but that's what makes it so rewarding in the end.

1) Video editing : post videos on your favorite subject and post on tiktok or youtube 2) Fashion and Photography : take pictures of yourself wearing cute clothes (or just your fav ones) and post them on your social media 3) Painting and Sustainability : paint an exhibit and display it in public 4) Volunteering and Social Media: make and run the official Instagram account of a local business 5) Gaming : make a game on roblox 6) Reading: start a book review blog These are just a few pretty ambitious ideas. You don’t have to follow these. Create your own project, it all depends on who you are. Take the best out of all of you (pieces of your soul) and create a masterpiece. If you don't have any interests (post on tips coming soon) just make something out of your skills . Make sure to only take on a project if you have time and resources.

Lastly, this is a tip I got from Quora. It’s to make a slow nights document. You can write this down on paper or open a doc and write down your comforts, favorite movie, favorite art pieces, places you’d like to go in the future, what you think your life will be in 10 years and so on. Just write things that will make you you.

School can make you feel drained, insecure and hurt for so many reasons. It may end up in you being numb and apathetic. In most cases, the problems you have can’t be solved by just forcing yourself to look at the bright side or forcing yourself to avoid or ignore them. They are real issues. And when asking for tips on the internet isn’t enough, I hope this post will help you. It probably didn’t solve all your problems, but I hope it showed you a way to go. Thank you for reading and Good Luck 

[imakemywings]

End of Year Fics

Tagged by @swanmaids and @polutrope

Recommend up to 5 series or multi-chapter fics from 2023 that everyone should read (multi-year WIPs count, if the last update was in 2023).

Recommend up to 5 single chapter fics/one-shots (long or short) from 2023 that everyone should read.

Recommend up to 5 fics NOT from 2023 that everyone should read (oldies but goodies).

Recommend up to 5 of your own fics (completed or WIP) from 2023 that everyone should read.

I'm so sorry to tumblr-only posters but this is limited to things on AO3 because I do not have the time or energy to comb through my tumblr fanfic tag for the last year.

This was hard (┬┬﹏┬┬)

5 Multichapter fics

A Light Burns in the Forest by fictional_hr_department - T - Heartbreaking close-up of the Second Kinslaying.

The Stone City by earthbound_misfit - T - This fic creates such interesting relationships between Maeglin and his family in Gondolin where they're almost poised to be healthy and happy, but he tips the scales the other way.

Opening by @meadowlarkx - T - Finrod/Sauron - I'm counting this as multichapter. Lark creates such an intensely compelling push and pull of power between these characters that you cannot look away.

As Flowers from the Sky by Beleriand Death Trip - E - Fingolfin/Thingol - Sex counts as diplomacy, right?

A King is He That Can Hold his Own by iddump - E - Maedhros/Thingol - The dynamic is soooo good and the sex is soooo hot.

5 Oneshots

The Salt in the Wound by @swanmaids - E - Curufin's wife/Luthien - Fuck yeah, toxic yuri. I have been obsessed with their dynamic since Heather first proposed this ship and enthralled I remain.

Less Wise by @meadowlarkx - E - Maglor/Thranduil - I literally cannot say anything coherent about this fic; I am twitching on the floor about it as we speak. MUST read.

Elwing's Strategy by lifeisyetfair - T - Characterizations of Maedhros and Elwing in this are SO fucking fantastic.

Prick a Finger, Cut Your Hand by @welcomingdisaster - E - Indis/Miriel - Lena is a femslash queen of this fandom and this messy Mindis relationship is so compelling.

Angels Would Not Condescend by crownlessliestheking - G - GOD everything about this fic is just masterfully done. It's so tasty. Feanor uses math to blaspheme.

5 Oldies but Goodies

Ear to the Ground, Eye to the Sky by allthegoodnamesaretakendammit - E - Thorin/Thranduil - Masterful retelling of The Hobbit with Thorin trying to avoid the mistakes he's foreseen himself making.

The Other Things We Never Knew About Frodo's Soulmate - T - Frodo/Sauron - Look just trust me. It's so worth it.

Little Tenderness by batshape - E - Feanor/Nerdanel - I know I've recced this before but this author gets their dynamic SO well and so beautifully.

Speak, Friend, and Enter by Lady_Gavroche - E - Celebrimbor/Narvi - This one is just so cute and I love this portrayal of Celebrimbor <3

You Are Coming Down with Me by TheLionInMyBed - T - Fucking crunchy tasty look at Kindap Fam; probably my favorite fic for them.

5 Self-recs

A Cup Always Half-Empty - M - Maglor/Thranduil - Maglor wishes he could want less.

Extinguished - M - Nerdanel had hoped to beat Feanor to Formenos, but she came too late.

One Last Song - T - As Luthien prepares to surrender to old age, she is visited by a long-lost friend.

What the Water Gave Me - T - Finduilas/Nienor - Finduilas had never thought she had been saved for a reason, until she found the woman in the river.

Maedhros' Good Report Card - E - Maedhros/Thingol - Maedhros gets a reward for a job well done.

[dearestpartnerofgreatness]

do you have any fanfic recs for Kataang?

Ohhhhh yeah. I'm missing a ton; but here's a rough list of semi-recent favorites and I will try to reblog with any more I come up with later! Hopefully I will get my act together soon so I can write/post my first Kataang fic too ;) 

Y'all know I'm a HUGE fan of @itsmoonpeaches and some of favorite Kataang works by them are helpless (I am so into you), A Breath of Sky, The Soul-Farer, and Threads of Fate but they have TONS of fabulous Kataang fics to choose from so please peruse at your leisure!

look into your eyes (and the sky's the limit) by oreocheesecakes: “If it takes fighting a war for us to meet, it will have been worth it,” he said with a smile, his eyes never leaving hers. A fluffy in-universe Kataang AU where Aang saves the world without her, and they meet after the war instead. If you’ve ever wanted to read love at first sight Kataang, pining!Katara, and smack in the middle of charming and dorky!Aang, this might be up your alley. Inspired by the song “Helpless” from Hamilton." - AS CUTE AND FLUFFY AS APPA

No One Else in the World by BaSingSeSocialite: "On a vacation to Kyoshi Island after the end of the war, Aang reflects and muses." - very much in tone with the show, feels so much like an episode. Really great descriptions of waterbending too, which is SO tricky to write! Honestly all their Kataang Week 2022 works are great.

and my voice becomes the driving force by @thinkingisadangerouspastime: "Katara hates the quiet. That’s why she talks to him." - as they say in the notes, it's more of a Katara character study BUT explores what Aang means to her in a beautiful and deep way!

Speaking of @thinkingisadangerouspastime​ ...I also recommend broken pieces still belong (AMAZING exploration of Katara's character and her "emotional journey from the events of "The Western Air Temple" to those of "The Southern Raiders," as she experiences firsthand both the challenges and rewards of forgiving others (and perhaps even learns to forgive herself along the way)"; Exposition (incredibly inventive AUs!!!!! Like some of the most fascinating I've ever seen!!!); Love of My Life (a *chef's kiss* Katara and Aang reunion after the final battle that's filled to the brim with tension); and we have all eternity (to love the dead) (a remarkable take on the soulmates au).

Getting Even by SilverThunder: "Sometimes the most important thing is just settling the score - and Katara has some catching up to do." - One of the earlier Kataang fics (2012!!) but captures the playful flirtiness between them super well and the dialogue is so in character!

The Riot's Gone by margaerystark: "It didn't work. Katara clutched the amulet of spirit water to her chest, her heart pounding against her knuckles. The moment her fingers left Zuko's face - revealing unchanged, leathery skin - was the moment she knew she had made a mistake. The properties that the water once held were gone, and Zuko's scar hadn't even been healed." Katara goes through with using the spirit water from the oasis on Zuko's scar and bears the consequences." - SUCH a cool, unique AU and I love how it focuses on Katara's deep love for Aang through the lens of almost losing him

you cut through all the noise by wanderinghooves: "A year is such an excruciatingly long time. Aang is sent abroad for a year of diplomacy while Katara helps to rebuild at home. Distance makes the heart grow lonely." - Characterization and descriptions were GORGEOUS, and captured that deep love loyalty of Kataang that makes it such an everlasting romance.

teach me to live my life (because i can’t remember how) by @northerngoshawk (another one that is very much a Katara character study and helps paint a more nuanced picture of Kataang’s bond and their relationship dynamic imo) and their other fic gods don’t bleed (except you do): “Katara always thought that being the Avatar meant being a god. She learns from Aang that she is wrong.”

blue ribbons by OceanMyth: “Katara has always been fascinated with Aang's tattoos. In which old scars are healed, and broken tattoos are mended.” - Made me tearbend! I’ve never seen anyone write the take that Aang’s tattoos could be mended after he is scarred and I adore it so much. They have tons of short drabbles that are Kataang-centric too, so if you prefer short & sweet this is the person to go to!

[tsunflowers]

Honest question how would u rec ensemble stars as a game. I would like to play.

it's a pretty solid rhythm game, comparable to bandori or love live in gameplay

unlike bandori it's almost all original music so you don't get the groups doing covers of popular songs but there's a good variety of songs and styles

there's like 50 guys so you can probably find someone to be your special guy. also one of them is a girl

it takes longer to fully max a card than in those other games bc you have to raise the level and complete most of a branching skill tree to "bloom" the card, plus each time you use the card in play it gains "fans" which each card has a finite number of. I find it more rewarding in some ways but it could also be more annoying

the gameplay is largely divorced from the story. you have to clear a song every five chapters during the first main story arc but for the second there's no gameplay needed. event stories need you to gain a certain amount of points but there are many other stories you can just read

if you like rhythm games it's a good one. the story is insane and worth reading. the one issue is it's technically a sequel to a previous game that isn't playable in English so I don't know how it would feel to start with this one. it has new main characters and shakes up the premise so I think you can still get onboard starting with this one. if you're curious about the events of the first game most of that is covered in the anime

[imaginespazzi]

nivi!!

I’ve been so busy that I’m just now getting caught up with GH, but I wanted to let you know that your writing is brilliant (as always) and it’s my favourite reward after what has been a busy couple of months.

when I have more time soon i might write a more detailed recap of my thoughts and theories about each chapter so far, but for now just know that i love the themes you’re exploring and how you’ve executed them (exes to lovers with all their history goes absolutely crazy, the angst, tension, pining, regrets, etc. like hello??? not to mention in between there was rejection, marrying someone else and pregnancy AHHHHH I love it). I know there’s a couple more you’ve yet to introduce, but for sure there will be a “to move forward, you must let go of the past” and a chance at emotional redemption themes. I’m ready for angst, I honestly might need it just to feel smth (even though I will 100% be in shambles at possible Stephie angst), but I’ve been enjoying the fluff as of late

now some song reccs i thought of for writing motivation:

Paige pov

* glimpse of us by joji — “'Cause sometimes I look in her eyes, and that's where I find a glimpse of us” the whole chorus tbh is honestly Paige’s during her relationship and marriage with Olivia, ngl I’ve been imagining a lot of scenes of them while I listen to this song in my head 😭😭

* My favourite clothes by rini - “Cause I can't make you stay if you wanna go (But I will wait for you to say ‘Come home’)” this is the song in my head when I imagine their initial breakup, can’t wait for how it plays out in the story and in your timeline of events but i see this as like after P gets drafted to Dallas and is packing up her stuff (and maybe leaving clothes for azzi 💔)

Azzi pov

* chilly by niki - “Does her love feel just the same (Is she the one to take your last name)”, I LOVE NIKI so this might be biased but a lot of her songs fits the fic tbh. I imagine this for when azzi found out about olivia (ooo possibly when she flew to Dallas?? or whenever she first found out about them…. UNLESS SHE FOUND OUT ABOUT THEM FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN SHE FLEW OVER?? AHHHH)

* Oceans and engines by Niki - “But heaven denied, destiny decried (something beautiful died too soon)” another song I had in mind for while P is leaving after the draft or even during Azzi’s flight back from when she flew over

* Wish you well by Jeff bernat - “If I could go back, I wouldn't hesitate (But I know by now it's a little bit too late)” this is for during those many times A is contemplating calling Paige and struggling with her overthinking tendencies, in the end she obviously decides all she could do was wish her well 💔

Bonus for Olivia pov

* backburner by niki - “Cause maybe you'll finally choose me (after you've had more time)” i might be in the minority but I wouldn’t mind a look into Olivia’s perspective just cause I find her character interesting and as someone who’s lowkey been in her position, being the second choice and the person they settled with is never fun

Bonus pt.2 for next chapt, ooo if we’re getting the bar scene I could see ‘Die for you’ remix with the weeknd and ariana grande as an inspiration for a potential tension-filled moment, but as always I can’t wait to read what you have planned for us!!

- 🧜🏽 (you don’s have to post this btw! just wanted to show some appreciation and possibly some inspiration 🤍🫂)

Ah my love, if you do every choose to a deeper review, I would love it very much but never feel pressured. I'm so glad you're enjoying the fic!

Thank you so much for the song recs! They all fit so well but especially Glimpse of Us is perfect for Paige and Olivia's relationship honestly.

I'd love your thoughts on if you feel like Die For You would work for the next chapter! I think it would personally.

[jamiesfootball]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love 💗

So I wasn't going to do this because I don't even have five fics posted yet, but then I decided you know what? Fucking goals, man. So here's the two I've got and the (top) three that I'm working on that should see the light of day this year:

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. fic - Did you like the 2015 Man From UNCLE movie? Did you walk out of that theater going 'what a wild romp? I sure hope it gets a sequel.'

Well we're never getting a sequel, but here's a lovely OT3 fic that I was lucky enough to co-write with the very talented @thischapstickaddict (the bestie with the best outlines). She brings the romance, I bring the punchy action scenes, and together we crafted enough dramatic backstory to hopefully satisfy the 100 other people online who were obsessed with this movie in 2015.

The Garrison Reserve (aka the BBC's Musketeers Cooking AU fic) - Speaking of older fandoms. Are you hungry? Would you like to be hungry? Come be hungry what started as a crack idea but slowly became a thinly veiled excuse for me to talk about food for 64k words and make my case for why D'Artagnan is a manic pixie Florida man (until depression and life circumstances dragged me to a crushing halt at chapter 4/5 with half of chapter 5 written and never posted) (ngl I miss this fic and now that i've got brain waves again it's back on the menu) (as soon as i relearn every side character's name again it's back on the menu) (we also did, in fact, write a real menu for this. those are real recipes)

NOW ONTO THE NEW STUFF BABY!!!!!!!

[Redacted Title] Post Season Three Fic - MY TRIUMPHANT RETURN. It's gonna have all the hits for me: food! crying! backstories for people who didn't get backstories! food as a love language! shameless nerd culture quotes that no one but me will notice! shenanigans! fun group scenes with multiple people talking and being friends! friends who are your family now! If you, a blessed Ted Lasso fan reading this post have somehow stuck it out this far here's your reward - I'm feeling really good about the progress, and I maybe might don't want to jinx it but I might be able to start posting. Soon. Soonish. Like within the month. Previously aforementioned bestie has been getting snippets and I am tentatively excited that it will be up to snuff. This is good news that only you, the patient one who's read this far, now know. Yay for you!

Pavlov's Dog (the Jamie falling asleep 5+1 I've mentioned) - it is going to be a race to see if this one beats [Redacted Title] to the light of day. This one takes an episode coda / deleted scene approach and its fueled by punk and sadness and rage (so mainly The Wonder Years songs with the occasional Mountain Goats lyric thrown in). I was actually making really really good progress on it and then Mom City happened and [Redacted Title] was born.

Now I've got a handful more Ted Lasso fics half-started in the rafters, but the other fic that's likely to get posted this year, the one that I've been just dying to get out there, that one that i'm like a redbull and an ADHD fit away from posting even though no one but me has ever wanted it:

MY BATFAM / THE CONJURING AU - THAT'S RIGHT. ARE YOU A FAN OF BATMAN AND SPECIFICALLY HIS ADOPTED FAMILY? DID YOU LIKE THE MOVIE THE CONJURING? ARE YOU SCARED? WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE SCARED? IT'S SCARY. I WROTE A THING AND IT'S SCARY.

This is my mid-year resolution! These things I have written - people will see them!

[lapinneok]

always love more dh song recs if youve got them but also are there any dh fics you'd personally recommend <3 ive been scouting and finding good well-characterized ones is an ordeal unfortunately

SONGS! these are the old ones from my sideblog: - girl with one eye by florence + the machine is about billie and delilah (they change places depending on my mood) - worms (re-edit) by aliceband billie. im going. insane. this is too personal 2 me.

i don't read that much fics (its hard for me to read in general tbh. embarrassing) but here's five i really like:

come hell or high water - emily & billie talk! their dialogue is executed here perfectly, im in love. also it was a dhgift for me, how can i not recommend it? 10/10

The Contract - THE CONTRACT

the ghosts of the hound pits pub - billie/cecelia fic. honestly i haven't yet fully read it because i need to take breaks to scream (/pos). love me a good written rarepair.

your reward's in the sweet by and by - LOVED the idea. this fic is what inspired me to make the billie mimir au.

Witches, Bitches, and Pulling Out Stitches - emily/billie after the events of dh2. it's lighthearted (/pos) imo, i found the story captivating. this fic touches upon the fate of the witches after the delilah's coven is gone. pretty sure it has other fics related to it's plot, but i haven't read those yet (but afaik the plot goes wild in a good way).

as always song and fic recs are appreciated! <3

[fixfoxnox]

Hi I am the Sweetheart/Baby and Ed Prosek Anon. I gained sentience, so you get a face now.

I literally cried reading your response on Roach's brothers. I myself have only just started as an adult getting to be a real sibling and stepping up like I've wanted to, so it hits.

As for the songs, Yes!

They were intended for SitO. I have been listening to "The Otherside" nonstop since I've started reading SitO (Somewhere at chapter 4/5). I do think it reflects the work as a whole at face value. I looked into meaning behind the lyrics; because my partner was super convinced this was about some Liche trying to convince people to die, and its really about your future self looking back and encouraging you to keep on moving forward, because once you get through all the tough shift, the rewards are totally worth it. So honestly with that context, I feel like it could sit in a lot places.

Two more song recs:

Chainsmoking by James Banks - This is coming from where my head went post chapter 20. The idea of Roach realizing his attachment to Past!Simon and Past!Ghost isn't healthy for him and its dragging him down but he's conflicted on letting them go.

The Hardest Part by Olivia Dean - Though behind this one is that Past!Simon and Past!Soap notice the changes in Roach and Roach coming to understand that he's moving forward, while they're not and has changed from who he once was, and waking the fuck up.

Sorry for the monster dump! Much love.

-Glitter

Ah hello!

I loved the sweetheart/baby idea its so good and just such a good read on the characters and everything. Sibling relationships are one of my favorite things to write, and these three are just such an interesting case! A brilliant idea!

Chainsmoking by James Banks is such a good song choice for chapter 20 and chapter 21. You literally hit the nail on the head with what's going on currently. Roach has to come to terms with the fact that he's focused so much of his new life on getting back to something similar to his first life. He's been so focused on the past that he's not ever been able to truly join the present.

He loves his first life, loves Past! Simon and Past! Soap so much. He's kinda placed them on this pedestal in his mind. He doesn't ever remember any of the bad from that life because he's so focused on the fact that he lost his chance there. In a way, because of that, he's never let himself truly mourn what he lost.

And he knows that, deep down in his mind, he knows that holding on so tightly to his first life, comparing everything that he does to his first life, never seeing the bad from it, isn't good for him. He's never allowed himself to fully process his feelings, which is also part of the reason why Makarov was able to pick him apart so well. He was being forced to face things that he'd buried in his mind.

And now? Now his mind has decided that its done letting him shove all of these things down. He knows he needs to process these things, so he's forcing himself to see the truth in this dream version of his first life.

Excellent song choice!

[sheetbeat]

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hi! i'm leslie, a multifandom nut.

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SheetBeat is my main, AO3 is 24HoursRemain (◕‿◕✿)

this is a chonky post! sections are a heads-up, my stuff, characters and links.

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I'm 19, based in the UK (BST/GMT) and love a ton of things. Honestly, this post is here mainly to keep my brain sorted, with satisfying anyone's curiosity as a plus.

I'm very into DQXI, Banana Fish and especially Hunter x Hunter. That's not an exhaustive list. The following won't be either, but it's a start!

In the following fandoms I'm less active, but I don't love them any less. If you want to talk to me about these things, that would be just as swell!

- ffvii (mainly the original)

- jjba

- cardcaptor sakura (haven't seen clear card)

- ace attorney (haven't played dgs/gaa yet)

- fallen london

-monster and mawaru penguindrum (these I don't read fic for but I do read a bunch of analysis posts!)

- and reading outside of games / manga (sometimes)! Peake, Poe, Le Guin...

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☆.｡.:*　a heads-up　.｡.:*☆

Should've used one of the many appropriate specific hxh image references for this, like the Troupe's coin-tossing habit and what happened at the Arena around the Succession Contest time. Darn. Anyway...

- My main is SFW, but many of the series I'm into includes more heavy stuff. And my AO3 (sometimes NSFW) bookmarks reflect that, I think!

- Will make it a habit to tag properly. Please let me know if I slip up! Just be aware that I'm a fan of Banana Fish, which is an animanga series that takes a stab at very sensitive and potentially triggering topics. Take care - I'll be as clear as I can with tags so you can make informed judgement calls.

- The same goes for tagging major spoilers. I'll tread even more carefully with ongoing series and manga spoilers.

- By the way, any HxH fan who hates Gon, thinks he's bland /a psychopath / a monster? I respect your opinion, but we're never going to see eye-to-eye on that one 😅

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☆.｡.:*　my stuff　.｡.:*☆

I have work to do, but fandom is more fun.

- Betaing. I only do one fic at any one time.

At the moment, I'm very busy and very happy working on a HxH!BB entry :D

- HxH nerdcore recs including geek music from Brazil. Gets my minimal language muscles going and transcription is real rewarding. Plus, I get to share some cool songs!

I still need to start my nerdcore recs ^^"

- Greed Island writing prompt fills, provided by the server. It's a great community giving out HxH writing prompts based on the G.I cards among a ton of other challenges.

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☆.｡.:*　characters　.｡.:*☆

I'm a fan of quite a few characters. Naming all of them would take a while. Here are the ones I read about / analyse / think about the most.

Roughly in order, but love isn't a science. I do like a bit of cheesiness.

HxH Gon, Killua, Leorio, Hisoka, Melody/Senritsu, Bisky, Kurapika, Machi, Netero, Knuckle.

DQXI Sylvando/Sylvia : the wholesome jester who is actually a jester.

FF7 Barret and Aerith.

Jojo Josuke, Jolyne, Johnny and Gappy.

Banana Fish Am basic. Ash, Eiji, Shorter, Max.

CCS Tomoyo, Sakura, Syaoran, Toya

Ace Attorney Phoenix, Edgeworth, Maya, Apollo, Larry, Gumshoe, Athena

Monster Lunge, Eva, Tenma, Johan, Grimmer

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☆.｡.:*　check out my links　.｡.:*☆

...If you want! There's a couple of blogs I've not properly fleshed out. Shorter To Sing and Sheet Dump are pretty empty sideblogs. These are my links:

24HoursRemain is my AO3.

SheetBeat (hello! you're here!) is my main. It's for general fandom shenanigans - mostly HxH.

pop me a message - i love a natter!

Due to timezone tomfoolery and life getting in the way, I don't know when I'll be active. But I love rambling about fandom and hearing others do the same. Feel free to send a DM my way. We can talk about about some amazing series!

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[wincore]

deck the halls (with spiderwebs) | ldh

pairing: spiderman!haechan x fem!reader

synopsis: donghyuck’s short term goal is to finish his bachelor’s degree even if it’s with a 20% attendance, and his long term goal is to be the smoothest, coolest spiderman ever. the latter, however, doesn’t really work out when he’s crashed into a wall thrice in public because of you.

genre: spiderman!au, bff2l, action (??), comedy, fluff

warning(s): injuries (so many), sexual innuendos, language, j*ke gyl*enh*al slander

words: 10.2k 

song rec: sunflower by post malone, swae lee

notes: ok so. pls read this like a movie in your head bc i was thinking of movies instead of actual literature writing this. also thank you miss cat, pun queen and professional title maker, for donating this title to me bc i could never come up with something so good 😩

There’s a two hundred-foot-tall stone gargoyle in front of Donghyuck’s university. Donghyuck has no idea why there’s a two-hundred-foot-tall stone gargoyle in front of his university. 

It stands proud, eyes trained on the horizon, looking way too lively for marble. In fact, the most disturbing part is probably that the thing is alive. Its face is a little less scary than the actual gargoyle statues at monuments, owing to the rather kind, round shape of its eyes. A stone mustache follows under its nostrils, falling into place (it’s a sculpture) in a way that makes it seem refined. God, why is Donghyuck evaluating a behemoth stone figure obstructing pedestrian traffic? He should get up there and convince it to leave.

“What the fuck is that?” Renjun says from beside him.

“A two-hundred-foot-tall stone gargoyle,” answers Mark Lee, ever so helpful.

“Well, why is it here?” Renjun hisses.

“Uh.” Like Donghyuck mentioned, Mark Lee is ever so helpful with his answers.

You know who’s actually helpful? That’s right—Professor Kim for not kicking Donghyuck out of his classes for the last few weeks. Granted he was only an average of five minutes late and less truck-accident-core than before. The second most helpful person in Donghyuck’s life is obviously Spiderman. If it wasn’t obvious, that’s because he forgot to mention he’s Spiderman.

“When will we get a peaceful walk home?” Jaemin rolls his eyes. “It’s some bullshit every week.”

“It’s not like you have to do anything,” Jeno counters. “Spiderman comes and gets rid of them.”

That’s his cue, and leaving might arouse suspicion but not in this case. Donghyuck knows these guys. They wouldn’t care about finding Spiderman’s identity unless they were rewarded with pizza coupons or chocolate chip cookies. 

“I’m gonna go ahead…” Donghyuck flashes them a pair of finger guns.

“Oh no,” Renjun huffs in annoyance. “You are an asshole but you have to stop leaving us during times of crisis.”

“Ugh. I don’t care about the gargoyle, I care about not getting kicked out of ochem. Spiderman will handle it anyway, right?”

That’s partially true. He does not want to get kicked out of class again but he also doesn’t want an animated gargoyle the size of a Boeing to destroy his campus. He’s going to make this quick. Evading this bunch of idiots isn’t that hard, honestly. 

Just as Donghyuck is about to fasten his pace, he bumps into another unwanted face in front of the engineering hall. 

“Oh, hey, (name).” His voice cracks immediately. 

Donghyuck clears his throat. He’s not trying to impress his best friend since third grade, certainly, but putting on a smoother, deeper, and sexier voice can’t hurt. He needs a rep boost as just Lee Donghyuck. “Hey, (name). Didn’t see you there.”

You cross your arms.

“You are way too relaxed for someone failing ochem,” you chide.

“I’m not failing ochem,” he defends quickly. “I know what aminoethanoic acid is.”

Why would he say that? He's far from smooth now.

“What does glycine have anything to do with that?” You raise an eyebrow. “Weirdo.”

“No… particular reason. God, I’m not arguing with my rich, hot, nerd best friend who tries to act better than everyone else. Resolve your daddy issues first.”

Donghyuck stomps his foot in impatience before attempting to bypass you and your stupidly gorgeous face. (He didn’t say that out loud and he never will.)

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” You grin. “You think I’m hot?”

“That’s why you stopped me?”

“Oh, uh. Right. I need help. You noticed the huge gargoyle outside campus?”

“Huge is an understatement. Either that or you’re really bad at using guesstimating words.”

“Shut up.” Your voice lowers, and Donghyuck hates to admit this, but the sudden spark of concern in your voice tugs at his heart in the most maddening way possible. 

There’s a long pause.

“Well?” 

You mumble out an answer, “That…uh… that may have been my fault.”

“Oh?” Donghyuck straightens. “Is that so?”

“Don’t get cocky.”

“I was born better than everyone else, can’t help it.”

He was better than everyone else till a spider bit him. Now he has to find cats and fight some ridiculous fish monster at 3 a.m (the fish monster was a one-time thing but they get increasingly unbelievable each time) and deal with dark circles as massive as a continent. He thinks he'd make a far better supervillain. Having to be all goody-two-shoes and friendly in public has given him a blow to his dignity. 

But whoever said being a superhero is not fun and games was also a big, fat liar. You get to do sick backflips and gain public praise, you get free churros from old Dominican ladies you happen to help cross the road, and most importantly, you can read all the horrible thirst tweets because everyone has a thing for Spiderman’s voice now. (Donghyuck would wash his brain with bleach to erase those memories.) No, but, really, he might be pretty popular as Lee Donghyuck, but there’s a certain freedom that crimson mask grants him—that he can do anything, and people will still love him. 

And yet, there’s only one person he looks to for love. 

“Look, you know how… aliens and wizards and cyborgs and stuff are totally normal, right? It’s not like I’m putting anyone in mortal danger. Right?” You try to gather your words.

“Uh-huh.”

“I… accidentally… sent a distress signal from one of the pile-of-rocks-looking aliens that visited dad for business last week.”

Donghyuck blinks. “And how… did you send this distress signal?”

“In my defense, it’s really not a thing someone with common sense would suspect.”

“Go on.” A smile is tugging at Donghyuck’s lips, watching you shift your weight from foot to foot. This better be embarrassing enough to tease you till next Halloween.

“I didn’t know singing the lyrics to ‘Last Christmas’ would activate the stupid ring I stole from the aliens, Jesus.”

You hug yourself, avoiding eye contact at all costs. Would you stop being cute? That face of yours has made him swing straight at a building more than once. They even wrote an article on that! It was titled “The baby spider has yet to grasp his powers—find out why!” and they didn’t even get the reason right; pinning it on some crappy conspiracy theory about how glass makes Spiderman weaker. (If only they knew a glance from you is what brings him to his knees.)

“The stupid thing started beeping like crazy and I had to run out of the shower half-naked—don’t picture that, pervert.”

“That’s a terrible accusation, also your terrible singing activated some terrible weird alien device and you never mentioned it to anyone?”

“It’s not terrible, and no! How was I supposed to explain the stealing part to my dad? He’s an intergalactic businessman!”

“It is terrible, it probably sounded like an alien creature wailing for help and hence—activating your little device.”

“Enough with that already! Help me out now.” You huff.

Donghyuck sighs, rolling his eyes at your determined face. Just how capable do you think he is? Sure, he’s your reliable, handsome, popular best friend but it’s not like you know he can shoot webs at stuff and swing around New York City whenever he wants. He’s not letting you shoulder the burden of a secret. (It’s also because you have a loud mouth.)

“And you think I can help because…?”

“You’re Spiderman!”

Donghyuck blinks. What?

“What did you say?”

“You’re Spiderman. What, did you think you could keep a secret from me?” 

Play dumb, he thinks.

“Who’s Spiderman?”

Not that dumb. 

You give him a look, specifically the look that spells ‘Hey, Lee Donghyuck, you’re an idiot and I can see into your soul’. Or maybe, that’s his inner voice talking. Regardless, he’s a little unsure how to respond. Why is it always you ruining his smooth operations?

He breathes out. “No, wait. You don’t understand.”

Donghyuck quickly pulls you into a corner, leaving barely any space between the two of you. He would be uncomfortable like this on any given day, all red in the face and palpitating heart. This is kind of an emergency and though Donghyuck’s job description is handling emergencies, he’s not sure how to react.

“You’re not supposed to say that out loud,” he hisses. “What if someone heard?”

“Oh. Uh… sorry. I didn't think that through.” You flash him an apologetic smile. “Are you actually weak to glass, by the way?”

“No, I’m not. Jesus, has everyone read that theory?”

“Most people in the fanclub.”

“Wait, what?” A surprised chuckle leaves Donghyuck. “Fanclub? You’re in my fanclub?”

“No… not exactly. I heard… from my friends… who are in the fanclub.”

“You’re a terrible liar.”

“And so are you, if your secret is so easy to figure out.”

“I’m only bad at lying to you.”

“Ugh, whatever,” you groan, throwing your head back. “Can’t argue with you. I only joined it to check up on what cool things you were doing every day. I mean, you fought one of the Aquanoids? So cool.”

“What the fuck is that?”

“You know, eight-foot-tall half-fish with the poison spikes.”

“It has a name? And there’s more of them?”

“Ugh, Hyuck, don’t be boring. You get to swing through skyscrapers and bust some cool moves and save people in times of crisis. I wish I had that kinda superpower. To be free.”

You mumble the last part. He’s come to hate that despondent look on you. But Donghyck knows how to cheer you up. He wasn’t voted class clown from grade six through ten for nothing.

“Wanna go swinging?” He asks.

“What?”

“Through the buildings. Your eyes lit up when you said that. Oh, look, they’re lighting up again. Did you emotionally manipulate me into making this offer?”

“Yes! Yes, yes, yes! You’re the best, Hyuck!”

Donghyuck smiles back at you, the tension growing larger inside his ribcage into a sticky spiderweb of emotions. Then he remembers the two-hundred-foot-tall stone gargoyle. 

“I should- I should deal with your marble mishap first,” he says.

“Is that what you’re calling it? Ooh, do you have secret mission names for each of them?”

He makes a face, an exasperated hand gesture following.

“Right, got it.” 

You walk with Donghyuck side by side, a slight skip to your step.

“So, do you have, like, a secret lair like Batman? Ooh, or a Spidermobile!”

“I don’t even have a driver’s license.”

You laugh, and Donghyuck is grateful for the sound. When the two of you reach the locker room, you still stand outside like a child in front of an ice cream truck. He had no idea you had a thing for superheroes. He might've told you this whole thing earlier.

“Give me some space, creep.” He grabs you by the shoulders to gently push you away, a disapproving look on his face.

“Well, you’re not changing in front of the locker room, are you?”

“No, but it’s so weird having you wait in front like that!”

“Fine, fine.”

You step back until you're pressed to the windowsill and he makes his way inside, quickly closing the door. He's gonna run you through his ‘Do not tell people I'm Spiderman’ manual later in the evening.

Donghyuck has decided to swing out the window of the locker room. It still feels surreal that you know, and he’s not sure if he wants to face you in spandex when you know it’s him. He’s getting a little self-conscious about his butt. 

He shakes his head. 

“Whatever. This’ll be quick.”

Donghyuck climbs out the window, crawling over the wall to the top of the building. He has a great view of the gargoyle from here, and in fact, this stone creature has the greatest set of abs Donghyuck has ever laid eyes on and possibly, will ever lay eyes on. He shoots a web over to the next building, swinging close enough to sling another web at the gargoyle’s shoulder. Thankfully, this did not activate a defense mechanism involving lasers and chainsaws like he anticipated.

Donghyuck lands gracefully, a move he prides himself on, and perches atop the gargoyle’s shoulder. 

“Great abs!” He yells, not sure why he did. “Wait, uh, that’s not the point.”

The creature is still looking over the horizon. He shoots a web at the forehead, hoping it’s not too rude, and lands on its nose. 

“Hello?” He waves his hand in front of its eye. “Anyone in there?”

He follows its vision trained on the horizon. It’s not exactly the horizon, he discovers, but a specific building within the campus. 

Donghyuck groans. He’s gonna have to get you, isn’t he? After a few seconds of contemplating his misery, he swings back over and pretends that was part of his plan. Luck must truly be on your side today.

Donghyuck can’t lie. Your pout gets the best of him. He would’ve rammed straight into the closed window like a fucking bird if he noticed it too late.

“You totally left me!” You huff.

“I did not.” Donghyuck places a hand over his heart. “Anyway, get on.”

“On what? You? Like a bike?”

“Jeez, stop making it sound dirty.”

“Hyuck!” 

He loves the embarrassment in your voice, a grin forcing its way onto his face. You can’t see it, but he gets the feeling you know anyway. How did he not see it coming? That you’d figure it out? Admittedly, it doesn’t feel as awful as he thought it would. A sense of relief washed over him instead. He’s not a terrible liar, but his stomach would always churn trying to keep things from you. Maybe it was because you were always so honest. If you found something interesting, the whole neighborhood would know and if you had a crush, the school would be getting you together with them already. It got on his nerves countless times, but eventually, he found that he loves it’s the way you are.

“You’re choking me, (name),” he says. Your legs are around his waist snug but your arms around his neck are a little too tight.

“Now, who’s being kinky?” You scoff.

“Really not the time, (name). We could fall to our deaths ten storeys below. Just you though. I have lightning-fast reflexes to keep myself alive.”

You groan, your grip on his neck loosening but now your legs tighten. This is going to take a few tries to get right and Donghyuck can only hope you don’t ask for free swing rides around NYC every day. 

Just as Donghyuck is about to swing to the gargoyle’s shoulder, it turns its head in a manner so sudden and unnerving, he almost misses—the web landing near his armpit instead. Donghyuck has never thought of death so soon—not because of the gargoyle but because of your iron grip. Seriously, you could be murdering supervillains left and right if you put this strength to use.

A low whine emits from his throat as he struggles to get up to the shoulder with you on but he does get there.

“Dude, it’s looking directly at us,” you say, getting off him as he falls to the stone beneath immediately, breathing heavily.

“I think God’s looking directly at me.”

“Hello? Hello!” You yell. 

A sudden whirring sound makes the whole unit shake, your hands naturally grabbing onto his arm. It makes him feel strong in a way a prepubescent boy with a first crush would feel so he pays no heed to the rising bloom of emotions in his chest. It’s cool, it’s cool. He’s Spiderman. He’s been bitten by a radioactive spider, and god, he has really sticky hands. He hopes you don’t try to hold them. 

“Greetings.”

An odd smile stretches across the stone structure—odd because it’s freaking cute. 

“Can you, uh, go back to space?” Donghyuck yells.

You smack his chest, eliciting an ‘oof’ from him. “Don’t be rude, Spiderboy.”

You turn back to it.

“What is your purpose here?” You yell.

Donghyuck snickers. “What’s with the fake Thor accent?”

“It’s called a British accent, idiot. And it’s so I sound cool and important.”

He rolls his eyes, although he can’t help the smile.

“I am here to collect an Earth innovation sample as per instructions.” The voice isn't as booming as Donghyuck thought it would be. It's quite friendly, in fact, and the voice emanates from a very specific part of the gargoyle's throat.

“Oh, great, what the hell is that?” Donghyuck asks.

“So you’re not here to destroy Earth and devour its remnants?” You pipe up, frowning. “That’s so boring, man.”

“Shush,” Donghyuck pushes your head down. “You’re not even helping keep earth safe.”

“I’m sorry, say that again? I donate to fighting pollution and global warming every month.”

“What’s an Earth innovation sample?” Donghyuck asks. “Is (name)’s stupid robotics project okay?”

“Hey! I worked for three months on that.”

“And all it does is beep and take photos of street cats.”

“You’re telling me that’s not peak innovation?”

“Maybe if it had a snack dispenser.”

The stone gargoyle seems to be observing your conversation and Donghyuck suddenly feels a little awkward under the hippo-sized eyes.

You clear your throat. “Uh, Mr. Gargoyle, sir? What exactly is an innovation sample?”

“Your latest radiofrequency devices, Miss.”

“Oh, so, like, phones!” You answer, bright-faced and stupidly proud of getting that right. Donghyuck presses his lips together before realizing you can’t see him smile so he might as well.

“Oh, so you won’t answer me but her, Stonehenge? Anyway, I have a great solution. Stay here.”

“It’s not like I’m gonna jump o—”

Donghyuck jumps off the shoulder, a sharp laugh following as he swings around the gargoyle’s arm and then from the knee to finally land in front of a familiar group. If that doesn’t impress someone, they have to be the most boring person in the universe (or multiverse, who knows?)

“Oh my God, it’s Spiderman!” Mark exclaims, lighting up. 

“Don’t make that face, Mark, you’re embarrassing us in front of Spiderman,” Chenle quips.

Donghyuck wonders how disappointed the older boy would be if he learned about Spiderman’s identity. Donghyuck has the urge to tell him just to scandalize him.

“Hey, guys,” Donghyuck greets, “Do you mind if I borrowed your phone? Permanently borrowed, that is.”

“Are you mugging us?” Jaemin asks.

“Well… the two hundred foot stone gargoyle is here to collect data and any phone or computer will do. I mean, I could swing by the labs and get one of those computers that’ve been there since the sixties but I’d feel bad scamming the big guy.”

Donghyuck knows he’s a piece of shit for scamming his friends instead, but he’s serving a higher purpose.

“Oh, well, if it’s really necessary,” Mark responds, shuffling through his bag. Oh, for the love of God, does he have to be the nicest person on earth? Maybe he should’ve been the superhero instead. Or at least his sidekick, because Donghyuck is getting really tired of handling things solo. (Huh, ‘Spiderman and Buggy’ sounds pretty great, he thinks.)

“No, not yours, Android boy,” Donghyuck says, shaking his head. “Give me that.”

He points towards Jaemin’s phone in his hand. Finally. Goodbye to Jaemin’s stupid alarm that wakes up everyone in the whole building but him. (This is a higher purpose, okay? He worships his sleep time.)

“Uh, okay.”

Donghyuck is so glad Jaemin is too tired in the morning to argue. He knows the guy would squabble to death over the smallest things, Spiderman or not. 

“Thanks, guys,” he says, the grin evident in his voice before swinging back.

“Wow. Spiderman.” Mark whispers before getting several elbows from the guys.

Back at the gargoyle’s shoulder, you seem to be engaged in conversation with the thing—Donghyuck isn’t really surprised. After the day he met you and talked your ear off, he learned what it meant to really talk someone’s ear off. And Donghyuck thought he was annoying.

“Here!” Donghyuck yells, waving the phone around.

“We got it!” You tell the gargoyle, smiling brightly.

You’re kind of cute, Donghyuck thinks. You’re a little too cute.

The whirring starts again, the stone structure shaking and Donghyuck is perfectly fine, owing to his sticky feet but that’s when he notices you falling off, a scream dying in your throat. 

He grabs onto your wrist just as you’re about to lose footing and fall backwards to your death.

“Pull me up!” You scream.

“Say please!”

“Fuck you!”

“Do it yourself,” he mutters, pulling you close.

“You- I- You’re- You’re so insufferable, Lee Donghyuck!” You breathe heavily, face steaming from chagrin.

He laughs, the sound resonating in the area and you look like you’re about to pounce on him and beat the shit out of him. The unbeatable Spiderman has only you to fear, after all.

You notice the little door at the neck of the creature, skipping over and peering in.

“Ooh, it’s really dark in here.”

“Just drop the phone, (name).”

“Ugh, fine. Wait, is this Jaemin’s phone?”

“No.”

This ends your whole stone gargoyle ordeal and while Donghyuck’s glad it’s over, he doesn’t enjoy your parting from holding onto him. It’s a weird feeling, like a spider’s woven a web all across his heart and decided to squeeze it into overdrive. Adrenaline doesn't feel this way. No freaky radioactive spider hormone feels this way. 

“See you in ochem,” you whisper, tiptoeing as he sits on the window ledge.

The action, however, catches him off guard and he stumbles backward, falling straight into garbage cans outside the building with a loud, embarrassing cacophony accompanying.

“Are you okay?” You yell, heavily concerned.

Donghyuck can only gesture a thumbs up while he tries to pull his soul back into his body. 

This is bad. This is very bad. Lee Donghyuck has caught feelings in his spiderweb.

Lee Donghyuck starts classes the next day with two bandaids on his face and a bandaged arm. You think the swelling on his cheek isn’t that bad—the puffiness is honestly making him look cute for once. 

This was before you accidentally flew your drone into his face.

“You’re lucky I didn't get stitches,” he grumbles, holding an ice pack to his forehead, where yet another bandaid has been added.

“I’m so sorry, Hyuck, I got so excited to see you I pressed the controller too hard. Do you want me to hold that for you?”

“Hold the weight of my broken heart. Also my bags and the ice pack, yeah, thanks.”

“Drama queen,” you tease.

“You know, you don’t have to walk me all the way back.”

You ignore his statement. Your curiosity is tugging at the corner of every thought you have, and you add a skip to your steps, smiling. 

“Hey, do you lay eggs?”

“What? No! I’m a dude.”

“Do you spit venom?”

“No.”

“Do you never let me hold your hand because your palms are sticky?”

“...No.”

You give him a look and he groans, before yelping at the pain.

“Sometimes they get sticky when I don’t want them to. It’s mostly under control. Besides, why would I wanna hold your sweaty hands?”

You roll your eyes.

“You have your key?” You ask as your apartment comes into view.

“In my bag. Wait, no. My pockets? Oh no. I left it on the roof!”

The energy seems to drain from his face as his eyes roll up in exasperation. He looks back at you with a pointed look. “I’m very responsible—this was all Mark’s fault.”

“What did he do?” You furrow your brows.

“I don’t know, it’s always his fault.”

You shake your head. “I have my key, let’s go. Where would you be without me, Lee Donghyuck?”

“Suffering fewer injuries.”

“Fine.” 

Somehow, you managed to get him to his room without furthering his injuries—despite how accident-prone you are. Hyuck would call it a miracle but his mouth probably needs a nurse checkup too. He says a nap cures everything and you’d call bullshit but he does miraculously heal after a nap. It all makes sense now. 

You have one evening class and you are so going to grill some answers out of Hyuck after that. Only because you think superheroes are cool. It’s just that Spiderman is the coolest. (You had the thought before you learned it was your lame best friend.) And you’re mixing up some of your feelings because surely, your pulse shouldn’t be rising when you think of him. You gulp.

You’re not in love with Spiderman. You’re not in love with Lee Donghyuck. You’re not in love with your best friend. In eighth grade, you had deemed it scientifically impossible to be attracted to him.

However, however, the loudest your heart has ever beaten in your life was caused by just holding onto him. You’re not afraid of heights—you’ve gone bungee jumping before—so even if you blame it on the adrenaline, the doubt will always eat at your mind.

You jog all the way to class, a bit too in your feelings to notice your surroundings. It’s a short walk anyway. 

“(name)!” Jaemin yells from across the street, a big grin accompanying. “Want me to walk with you?”

“Sure!” You smile back. Walking with you will only delay him by ten minutes and it’s not like Jaemin cares about getting to class on time anymore. He’s the only guy that hasn’t cared about class timings even in freshman year—well, him and Hyuck—and you’ve got to say, he does emanate a very relaxing aura. 

What if that’s some superhero power too? You think before shaking your head. It would be convenient if Jaemin was going to sit the villain down for tea and give them therapy. 

“You’re not gonna believe what happened yesterday,” he says.

“The gargoyle?”

“Yup, he took my phone! Why didn’t I complain earlier?” He furrows his brow, hard at thought.

You laugh, about to respond when a loud crash, a grunt, and an ‘oof’ follow one after the other on the opposite side of the street. 

“Is that… Spiderman?” Jaemin blinks.

“Huh?” Your eyes follow to where he’s focused and an incredulous laugh bubbles up to your throat as you try to hold it in.

Spiderman is lying with his back flat on the pavement, and you’re sure Hyuck needs a checkup at the hospital for sure this time. He doesn’t look like he’s in mortal danger, just horribly exhausted after the accumulation of injuries. You run over, Jaemin following with long strides.

“I’m not following you guys, you have a stalker,” Spiderman informs with a finger raised, voice painfully raspy and bordering on a whine. You’re not sure what height he fell from but his back is definitely not okay.

“Okay, Spiderman,” Jaemin says, raising an eyebrow.

“Not you, twerp,” he snaps, groaning as he gets up and you grab onto his arm to help him stand.

“He’s in a bad mood,” you tell Jaemin, apologetic but not sure why. You’re not Spiderman’s mom.

“Also, I need help with my late assignments,” Donghyuck whispers to you.

“I’m sorry, what?” You whisper through your teeth. “You’re making me miss class for this?”

“There really is someone following you!” He whisper-yells.

“Are you both gonna keep aggressively whispering to each other?” Jaemin asks. “(name), I didn’t know you were so close to Spiderman.”

“I’m- uh- We became friends a few days ago,” you explain. 

“Friends is hardly the word,” Spiderman interrupts, “More like a lucky fan.”

You give him a disgruntled look.

“Oh, that’s great for you, (name)!” Jaemin breaks into a teasing smile. “You’re always—”

“Aah, let’s go, Spiderman! I feel an ominous presence. My spidey senses are tingling.”

Spiderman stares directly at you and you can’t see his face, but you think his lips are curling into a smile just about now.

“Are you gonna swing me back?” You ask, hope twinkling in your eyes, and Jaemin chuckles beside you.

“No, my bac—you know what, sure.” He shrugs. You’re not sure what made him agree so fast but you’re overjoyed, a little bounce on your feet following your ‘yay!’

“You’re so cute, (name),” Jaemin says, laughing, and you flash him a peace sign, sticking out your tongue. You don’t exactly think you’re cute. You just get excited easily. (“Like a dog,” Donghyuck said once before getting whacked in the head.)

Jaemin starts, “You know, we should—” 

“Alright! It’s time to leave. Have fun at class, dude,” Donghyuck says, placing an arm around your waist and flashing Jaemin a peace sign, copying yours.

“That’s so rude—”

You’re swung up alongside your best friend, your legs wrapping around his waist and your arms around his neck so he can let go of you and focus on swinging.

“(name). (name). A little loose on the neck—gah! Your hand is on my nose! Why are you so bad at this?”

“I’m trying!”

“I can’t see! You’re covering my eyes now, holy shit.”

Before the two of you can crash through a skyscraper and get tens of thousands of glass cuts, Donghyuck lands safely on the roof of one of the shorter buildings beside. He wobbles forward, tripping and falling with you on him. He pulls off his mask, breathing heavily. The band-aid across his cheeks is coming off, the bright red scratch standing out.

“God, you’re bad at this,” you breathe out.

“Excuse me?! You’re the one getting all handsy over me.”

“You- You insufferable sack of—”

“You cannot resist me, can you?” He grins, dog-tired and yet with still enough nerve.

“I’m resisting a punch right now.”

“You can’t hurt me, I’m Spiderma—ow! Okay, you made your point.”

Your heart is still beating, the pulsing loud in your ears. You’re not sure how long adrenaline stays. All these years and you don’t know when your heart gave up trying to predict him. Behind intelligent eyes and a soft frame of face, you have no idea what he’s about to say or do next. Maybe that’s what makes him so fun. Maybe your heart was always beating this fast around him and you couldn’t hear it over the sound of his voice, warm like liquid sunlight and sweet as honey. You should’ve recognized it behind the mask right away.

“I don’t- I don’t get to chill on a roof much,” he says, “Contrary to popular belief.”

“So, this is nice?” You smile.

“I like swinging better.”

You sit up grinning. “Let’s go!”

“Let an injured man rest a little.”

So, when you do get home, it’s past midnight. Hyuck had to make a few stops between to catch a cat burglar along with a literal cat, but on the whole, you think you’ll never feel the wind on your face like that again. You’re also touched that Lee Donghyuck agreed to swing you around New York after all that he goes through.

He’s just a boy, you think. Why does the city rest so comfortably on his shoulders?

“You know, this is the first time I’ve climbed in through my own window,” you tell him as he steps into your room and closes the window behind him. “Also, it’s so fucking cold. Is your suit heated?”

“Stark product,” he answers proudly, taking off his mask to shoot you a boyish grin.

You smile back at him. 

“Oh, shoot, homework,” Donghyuck realizes out loud, eyes widening as he scuffles around.

“Oh, shoot, Jaemin,” you remember. “You should apologize to him.”

“What, now? I will not tarnish Spiderman’s reputation by breaking and entering just to apologize.”

“It sounds like something he’d do.”

“Shit, you’re right. But I’m not apologizing to him—it’s like middle school again.”

He huffs, crossing his arm.

“What happened in middle school? Oh, was it when Lana dumped your sorry ass for Jaemin?”

“No- Yes- but- gah, why do you remember that?”

“Ooh, are you jealous of Jaemin walking me to class?”

“No, that’s stupid.”

“You’re too busy to walk me home, anyway,” you tease.

He chuckles, pressing his tongue against his cheek, at a loss for words.

Right then, shuffling outside your room puts the two of you on alert. Donghyuck is still in the suit and both of you struggle to get it off as quickly as possible before Jaemin or any of your friends discover Hyuck’s secret and it gets messy.

“Woah, when did you get abs?”

“I was born sexy, why are you asking me now?” He responds. “Pass me a shirt.”

Before you can reach for any of your T-shirts, the door opens with a loud creak and Jaemin stares blankly at you, mouth open but no words come out. That’s when you realize what it looks like—Donghyuck is in his boxers in your room, you’re holding the suit bunched up and the both of you are up in each other’s personal space. 

“The walls are thin,” Jaemin says, “I’ll put on some earphones. You guys better be practicing safe sex.”

“It’s not like that!” You and Donghyuck yell at the same time.

“Then why did you strip Donghyuck in your room, (name)? Aren’t you cold, Hyuck? It’s late December.”

“He was trying on some clothes we ordered,” you answer quickly.

“Yeah, I’m playing Santa for some schoolkids downtown,” Donghyuck follows along.

“Isn’t that Spiderman though?” Jaemin points at the suit in your hands.

“I’m playing… Spiderman Santa…” Donghyuck explains.

Jaemin looks impressed and you’re so glad he doesn’t ask further. 

“You know, you had me scared there for a moment. I thought your obsession finally went too far and you convinced Hyuck to dress up as Spiderman for some kinky shit.”

Your ears burn hot. “That’s- I would never- what- why would you say that?”

“You have a pathetic crush.”

“I do not.”

“She’s totally crushing on Spiderman,” Jaemin informs, turning to Donghyuck. “Like, you don’t even know who he is. What if he’s like a thirty-year-old man? What if he’s Jake Gyllenhaal?”

“That’s not possible because Spiderman is a good guy,” you defend, crossing your arms.

“Ugh, (name), are you going to talk about how hot Spiderman is again or…?” Jaemin throws his head back. “Because he is not in my good books this week. First, he left me hanging in the middle of the street. And yesterday, he took my freaking iPhone and sent it to space! Oh, by the way, could you buy me a new one to cover the damage? I’ll forgive him then.”

“I’m not his PR manager,” you respond, exasperated, desperately avoiding Hyuck’s gaze from beside you.

“But you are his most loyal fangirl. That counts for something.”

“I’m not a Spiderman fangirl! Shut up.”

“By the way, I brought some medicine for Hyuck. I was going to tell you to buy it before Spiderman cut me off mid-sentence—you know, he’s a real asshole. Kind of like Donghyuck but his anonymity pisses me off.”

“Maybe he was in a bad mood and misunderstood,” Donghyuck mumbles.

“I know, I know.” Jaemin waves his hand around. “Guy has it rough. The peace of an entire city shouldn’t be one person’s burden. You think he has a life outside being a superhero? It must be sucky.”

“It’s not that sucky,” Hyuck counters, “Probably. I mean he gets to swing through buildings and stuff.”

Jaemin emits an exaggeratedly long groan. “So tiring.”

Donghyuck chuckles, Jaemin joining in. 

“Wow, thinking about being Spiderman tires me out,” Jaemin says, shaking his head. “Anyway, good night, guys. Remember to attend Karina’s Christmas party this weekend, and bring some alcohol because she never has enough. Also, if you guys decide to fuck—”

“That will never happen,” you say.

“Right,” Jaemin responds, a cheeky spark in his eyes. “I’ll sleep with earbuds on anyway.”

Jaemin turns around and leaves, not even closing the door. It’s like he’s a mother at the tender age of twenty-one because he sure acts like one. Donghyuck closes the door himself, turning around to give you his winning smile—the nerve in this boy is unmatched. He walks closer and your pulse spikes instantly.

“So, were you fangirling about me before you knew I was Spiderman or—”

“Shut up, Donghyuck,” you say, pressing both your hands to his mouth. Evidently, it does not help change his demeanor because he still gazes at you with the cockiest expression.

“Mmmpf- mmmh mmpsph?”

“Ew, did you just lick my palm like a dog? Your saliva isn’t gonna poison me, right?”

“No, stupid.”

You roll your eyes. “What were you saying?”

“How did you figure out I’m Spiderman?”

“You mean you didn’t think anyone could connect your mysterious disappearances with Spiderman’s mysterious appearances? Especially your best friend?”

“Yup, definitely thought I could run with it.”

“I mean, come on, you’ve responded to Spiderman once or twice. Also, you come in through the window sometimes, it’s really weird. And Jaemin said you’ve been leaking reds onto his whites whenever you do laundry.” 

He sighs, throwing his head back. 

“You can’t tell this to anyone, alright?” He says, returning his gaze to you. “Remember what I said about thinking before opening your mouth?”

“I’m not a kid anymore, Hyuck,” you mumble, leaning back and crossing your arms. “Of course I think before opening my mouth. Sometimes.”

He shakes his head. “This is why I’m smarter and have superhero powers.”

“I bet you really wanted to tell everyone.”

There’s a pause, and a smile fights its way onto his face.

“So bad,” he answers, clenching his fist. Your smile grows. 

“You have a cool job, dude.”

“But I don’t get paid. All I get is back pain.”

You laugh. Funny, sweet Lee Donghyuck. Always everyone's favorite and there's good reason to be. But you never saw him beyond your best friend. This whole unmasking thing was easy for you but now you're in a whole new dilemma of your own. You'd suspected it for a while. Were you already falling for him then?

Your eyes travel down and back up to his eyes. You clear your throat. “You should wear some clothes.”

“Why? You’re clearly enjoying this.”

Your face heats up even more. It’s not December anymore if the temperature is like this. You reach for your T-shirt and throw it at him, his laughter flooding your room with sunlight. 

You go through your missed notifications while he changes and you’re a little surprised to see the number of tags you have on Instagram. Apparently, someone caught footage of you on your little outing with NYC’s number one hero.

Donghyuck plops down on your bed, faceplanting into your pillow. “Ugh, do I have to turn in my assignments tomorrow? I’m late anyway, might as well take a whole week.”

“Christmas break starts the day after tomorrow. That means you’ll have to turn them in tomorrow.”

You get a muffled cry in response.

The video is just you holding onto Donghyuck for dear life alongside the gargoyle one from yesterday. It’s no big deal. You’ve been in news articles since you were six years old, owing to your dad’s ambitious business ventures. Ever since the first alien encounter twelve years ago, Earth has slowly been building up cordial intergalactic relations thanks to your very own father. That man has probably spent more time with aliens than he has with you. At the very least, you’ve got considerable pocket change. The tangled webs people weave for themselves are complex and hidden—sometimes you wouldn’t understand the people around you.

You sit down beside Donghyuck and he turns his head, looking up at you. You lie down directly onto him and he grunts, complaining about how heavy you are. Eventually, the two of you fit into the bed just fine.

The boy beside you made it so simple. You don’t have to understand complexities. You can just take them in and share your own till you’re all tangled up with other people. That’s how the world works—through tangles and knots and webs that make a pattern of cooperation. For the first time, you knew you had a little place to fit in. 

You want to hold his hand all of a sudden. They used to be very warm. You’re sure that hasn’t changed.

“Oh? Look, they wrote an article about the two of us,” you tell Donghyuck, tapping on the news notification that popped up. 

“If they’re being mean, let me know. I could really do with some new insults for you.”

“Hush,” you crib. “Spiderman involved with tech giant Nacorp CEO’s daughter…? They don’t even say my name anywhere!” 

A small chuckle leaves you before you can read the next sentence aloud. 

“The relationship is purely speculative at this stage but netizens suspect there may be monetary factors involved—what the fuck, do they think I’m your sugar mommy?”

Donghyuck is beside himself with laughter, snorts supplementing the silences in between. You can’t help but join in, tears pricking at your eyes.

“Whore,” you accuse, when you finally calm down.

Your foreheads are nearly touching and you’re aware friends aren’t supposed to stay at this proximity. Friends aren’t supposed to feel heartache looking at each other. Friends aren’t supposed to lean in.

A sudden rattling outside your window makes you jump away from each other.

“Is that a rat?” He asks, making a face.

The two of you get up to look outside. There’s nothing—just snow and two Italian men yelling on the floor below. But Donghyuck is on high alert, eyes scanning the perimeter and shoulders stiff.

“Something’s coming.”

You don’t like the sound of that.

Suddenly, he pulls you close and opens the window. A blast of air makes you cringe and you wonder how Hyuck is dealing with that in clothing so thin. Do spiders not feel cold? Or is it just a Donghyuck thing to be warm no matter where he is?

“We should spend some time at the ultra secure facility your dad has,” he says.

“What? Why?”

“I think someone has a grudge against you.”

You hold onto him as he climbs to the roof of your apartment building.

“They’re not gonna- They’re not gonna blow up this place, right?”

“They’re probably just after you,” he responds, eyes still on the horizon.

The sudden seriousness in him makes you feel chilly.

“The guy who was tailing you the other day, he was mostly just figuring out your routine. I thought your dad was planning an elaborate surprise party for you but his vibes were so off.”

“Wait, so this radioactive spider gave you a functional vibe checker too?”

“Yes, I am literally better than anyone you know. You don’t have to tell me you feel blessed, I already know.”

You roll your eyes. Even if he looks that serious, no word of his ever will be. 

You're about to open your mouth when a strange whirring fills the air, making you step closer to Hyuck. Why didn't you have a radioactive lion bite you or something? You could’ve been the queen of the concrete jungle. You're definitely making your next project a cool weapon. 

Donghyuck reacts before your eyes can catch the source of the disturbance. He slings a web opposite the direction you’re facing before pushing you down to the floor.

“Is that a man with a chainsaw arm?” You screech before squinting to see more clearly. “Holy shit, that’s kinda cool.”

You can finally see the perpetrator—a large bearded man with a noticeable scar across his pudgy nose, and most importantly, you see the chainsaw arm from which the loud whirring emanates. You really don’t think spiders can win against lawnmowers.

Donghyuck, however, is always ready to prove you wrong. A shot from his web -linger jams the chainsaw first.

“That buys us ninety seconds,” he tells you before shooting more webs at the man’s feet to root him.

Another shot at the man’s face makes him grunt in annoyance and Donghyuck takes the opportunity to drop a kick at the back of his knees, making him fall to the ground.

“Okay, big guy,” Donghyuck starts when he’s immediately met with a punch from the man’s left hand.

It makes you cringe, the blood running from his nose more so but he recovers quickly. He glances at you and signals a thumbs up.

“Focus on the guy,” you yell, exasperated.

“Right!” He yells back.

Donghyuck twists the guy’s chainsaw arm back and sticks it to the ground right when it breaks free, denying the man movement. You’ve gotta say, Donghyuck fights smarter and less flashy than you thought he would. 

“Who’re you working for and can you please turn yourself in? It’s really cold and I forgot my suit,” Donghyuck tells him.

The man snorts. “It’s a kid. It’s a fucking kid. I’ve got a daughter your age.”

“Sorry, I’m not interested. I’m sure she’s lovely but I have someone I like.”

The man groans. “It’s an annoying kid,” he corrects.

“Just tell me what’s going on,” Donghyuck presses.

“And I just want my money.”

“I’m not letting you hurt my friend,” he says, voice low.

“Look, I didn’t know the target was a little girl.”

“I’m an adult!” You yell to clarify.

The man looks conflicted, eyebrows furrowing into frustration.

“Christmas,” he says finally. “He wants to kidnap the daughter and get some money from the father. Not sure about the exact details. This guy is a newbie anyway.”

“Thanks!” Hyuck says brightly. “I’ll tell the police to shorten your sentence. Also, cool arm by the way.”

The man rolls his eyes. “Punk. You’re lucky I’m retiring soon.”

“I knew this guy would be cool, I didn’t sense bloodlust,” Donghyuck tells you, grinning. 

After the ordeal is over and Donghyuck has dropped the man in front of the police station, you can get no word in against staying at your dad’s security locker. Donghyuck won’t listen.

“Hyuck, I know you think it’s inconvenient but what am I supposed to tell my dad?”

“Anything! You just have to be safe till I find this guy.”

“I’ll be fine!”

“No! You won’t!” He sounds genuinely frustrated for once. “You do things before you think—it’s stressing me out.”

You frown. “I… I’m sorry, Hyuck. I just- If I make myself a weapon, am I good? I- I really don’t want to be stuck in a cold, steel room.”

He pauses to think before sighing.

“I’m not gonna say sorry because it feels weird in my mouth but… fine. You can just stay with me. Like within five feet at all times.”

“Jeez, do you want me to sit on your lap while we’re at it?”

Why would you say that? God is certainly frowning upon you.

Donghyuck doesn’t respond, eyes looking directly into yours and a flush shoots up to your neck and face.

“I was kidding. I was kidding! Obviously.”

It makes Donghyuck laugh, finally, albeit it’s a small and short one. It makes you remember Jaemin’s words. He’s just a boy. He shouldn’t be holding the thread an entire city’s peace hangs onto.

“It’s gonna be okay,” you say. “There’s so many other superheroes if this guy proves to be tough.”

He laughs. “I appreciate your attempt at comforting people, sunflower.”

“Hey, it’s not that bad!”

“I just want you to be safe. You’re an idiot so- you’re just accident-prone.”

Your cheeks are hot and you don’t know what to call this feeling. You wish you were closer, even if it was by a few more centimeters. 

“I’ll be fine,” you say finally, almost indignant. “If you underestimate me again, I’m going to make you wear a maid outfit over the suit.”

He blinks before a grin spreads across his face. You love it when you make him smile. Surely, there’s a name for this feeling?

“Alright, princess, let’s get this rat bastard dealt with then. It’s your first mission.”

“I won’t mess up, sir!” You salute, breaking into laughter and suddenly December is warmer and louder.

“Really? On the birthday of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ? It’s like he died for nothing, dude.”

Donghyuck looks at the man in black disapprovingly. 

This guy did not prove to be tough. Life is full of disappointments like that. It wasn’t that hard to find him, considering he was on your company-owned building’s helipad and looking like an adult emo, embarrassing even you. He has his henchmen with him, who are better dressed in formal suits and some funky patterned ties.

“You’re Spiderman,” the man snarls. 

“And I’m (name)!” You introduce yourself.

“I don’t really care. Men! Take care of the little girl.”

You place your hands on your hip. “You are so rude! Get him, Spidey.”

“Yeah, don’t be mean to my…uh, sugar mommy!” He points an accusatory finger at the guy.

The man is a little disappointing considering you spent an evening researching all the cool villains Spiderman has fought before. This guy just looks like a rat.

You blink.

On closer inspection, he looks uncannily like a rat. 

“Are you like a rat hybrid?” Donghyuck asks, scratching the back of his head. He’s in his suit but even through the mask, his confusion is obvious.

“You have no idea what this trashy billionaire does to his workers,” he growls. “And you’re judging me?”

“Let me guess, you fell into some weird radioactive stuff? You guys have got to stop falling into stuff! Follow some workplace safety guidelines for the love of Jesus,” Donghyuck complains.

The man turns red in the face. Not a humor kind of guy, you guess.

“Look, billionaires are trashy—except Tony Stark—and no offense, (name).” Donghyuck begins.

“None taken.” You shrug.

“But you’ve really got to plan stuff out before you do things. You don’t think cooler villains than you have tried this exact same thing? No offense.”

He rolls his eyes. “I’m not having a kid lecture me.”

“I’m not a kid!” he retorts quickly.

Instead of a verbal response, you’re met with a net shot right at you, tangling you in ropes as you fall backwards. You kind of expected this. You’ve been kidnapped before. Granted Thor was visiting Earth and it ended up being ten minutes of sitting in a van before getting saved. You also got a sweet autograph out of it.

The rat man—it’s a really inappropriate time to laugh at names—is faster than he looks, pinning Donghyuck down all of a sudden.

However, you’ve come prepared. Your little science project took only two days to make and it’s a mini laser shooter you made with stolen equipment from the company’s R&D department. Not as cool as you wanted, yes, but it serves its purpose. First, you need to have Hyuck distract them.

“Shouldn’t you be more worried about your damsel in distress?” The villain laughs, and Donghyuck shakes his head. How long did the guy practice to make it sound evil?

“First of all, that’s not a damsel in distress. If anything, she’s a rather distressing damsel.”

The villain looks unimpressed.

“Second of all, you should really look out for the Stark drones on your left.”

The man spins to his left, on high alert, and it creates an opening. Donghyuck shoots a web right at his face before landing a clean kick to his stomach. He gets in another sweep at the legs, making his opponent fall to the ground with a miserable thud and Donghyuck isn’t looking for praise, but he really hopes you’re absorbing how cool he is.

“I can’t believe you fell for it, dude! Are you new?” He laughs. In this moment, Donghyuck decides that he would make a great supervillain even if the laugh was a bit on the boyish side. He can work on it.

“Shut up,” the man snarls.

“You know, I hear that a lot.”

The henchmen charge in first and it’s an easy bunch for Donghyuck to handle. A guy with a machete, a guy with a gun, a guy with a—is that a laser beam? Hyuck dodges just in time to kick the guy in the face. Most of them are incapacitated after getting stuck by his web shots. He hopes he doesn’t get a web block any time soon.

A thin arrow pierces his left bicep, making him cry out in pain. 

“It’s poison!” The rat man laughs, a crossbow in hand.

“Seriously?” Donghyuck complains.

Before he can make a move, the villain yelps and drops the crossbow. He turns to see you gesturing a thumbs up with a huge grin, the ropes piling around you. Why are you sitting there casually? He thinks. 

“I just want the girl,” the man snarls, holding his hand. Looks like you got a finger or two. Ouch. 

“What did she do to you?” Donghyuck asks, frustrated. “Just take it up with the dad, you wimp.”

“I will not stand for it. If I take over the lab, the whole city will learn the wonders of genetic modifications.”

“There it is, you selfish plan. It’s like you don’t care about defeating billionaires anymore,” Donghyuck huffs.

“The whole city will be serving me as creatures superior to mankind. You see, rat genes—”

“You’re…telling me… you want to turn the whole of New York into rat people? Because you became one? Not to sound insensitive but isn’t that a bit extreme?”

“Of course, a little bas—”

Donghyuck throws a hard punch at the guy’s face, making him stumble backwards.

“You…”

The man passes out.

“Sorry, what? Were you talking? I genuinely thought it was a ‘punch you in the face’ kind of moment.” Donghyuck cups his ear.

He’s out cold.

“We did it, Hyuck!” You run over to him, jumping onto him to give him a tight hug.

“Whoa! I’m just glad I didn’t get a scratch on my face before tonight’s party.”

Your smile drops. “Wait, he said it was poison.”

You gently take his arm to inspect. He pulls away.

“I’ve dealt with poison before, you know? I still can’t believe it was a rat. What’s next, a lizard?”

You chuckle. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Yeah, also, I’m swinging down so the press can get my good side.”

“What?”

He grabs you by the waist and jumps off the building with no warning, his laughter the only response to your scream. Donghyuck cannot believe he resorted to jumping off a building to avoid talking about his feelings. 

You’re still clinging onto him once he lands. A horde of reporters surround the two of you in a matter of moments. You forgot just how annoying they were. 

“Spiderman, who were you fighting?”

“Will there be more threats to the Nacorp Industries in the future?”

“Are you and (name) dating?”

“(name), any plans to take over the company?”

Donghuck clears his throat and an immediate silence follows.

“I- I was just clearing my throat,” he clarifies.

“Real smooth,” you snort.

“Why don’t you try answering, sunflower?” he whispers through his teeth.

A commotion ensues once again, questions flooding your ears and you swear you’ve never heard this many words at once before.

“Oh! I see Cat!” Donghyuck grabs your hand and makes his way through the crowd.

“Ooh, it’s Spiderman,” the pretty woman, who you assume is Cat, begins in a smooth voice. “What tidbit can we get from you today? You know the randomest fact boosts my salary so go ahead.”

She leans in to whisper the last part.

“Sicheng! Roll the cameras,” she instructs.

The cameraman, who looks terribly sleep deprived but still pretty, hums in response before signaling a go.

“Good afternoon, citizens. We have Spiderman here today with the lovely Ms (name) after they thwarted the attack by an anomaly at Nacorp Tower.”

“She knows me?” You whisper, a hot flush rising at the idea of someone as attractive knowing you.

“You’re, like, famous,” Donghyuck whispers back, clicking his tongue.

“I heard workers are often suffering at work sites but I have also heard that Nacorp CEO has made the decision to install AI worker suits that avoid hazards. Do you think this is a good idea, (name)?”

“Well, we have been working on it for a while and testing results are great! Like over a ninety-nine percent chance of success, and that is so cool. The demo will be out soon.”

Your bright smile makes everyone around smile instinctively.

“And Spiderman, this has been a hot question for a while now.”

She pauses to smile.

“What is your Zodiac sign?”

“Uh… Gemini?”

“Spiderman is a Gemini! You heard it first from Cat at the Daily Bugle, folks,” the reporter announces with a dazzling smile. 

“You two can go play in the snow now, the cameras are off,” she informs you before pulling Sicheng off the streets, “Have fun!”

Of course, you weren’t about to have a snowball fight in the middle of Times Square. So you return to your apartment—you’re getting used to the swinging now though Donghyuck still thinks his windpipe has suffered permanent damage.

“No, no, no, (name), this suit is skintight!”

A girlish scream follows as you manage to pull his suit back and shove a snowball inside, the evilest laugh he’s ever heard ringing through the empty roof. You were the supervillain all along—with your gorgeous laugh and stunning eyes and sincere words. He’s far off the deep end now.

God, why can’t he just spit it out? He’s in love and there’s no way to untangle himself out of these feelings. Tonight, he promises himself.

“So Spiderman swings by and says ‘Hey, nice phone, I’m gonna chuck it into space’ and now I have no phone,’ Jaemin tells Karina and Winter, both of them giggling at his miserable expression.

“I didn’t know you were a pushover, Jaemin,” Karina snorts. 

“I’m not! I was so sleepy that before I knew it, Spiderman stole my phone.”

“It’s been almost a week, get over it,” Hyuck mutters.

You chuckle at his annoyed expression.

Lana rolls her eyes beside Jaemin. You genuinely can’t believe she’s been with him all these years but you supposed she’d say the same about you and Donghyuck being best friends.

“You’ve lamented about your phone like thrice,” Yeji comments from behind the couch. “Also, (name), help me get some more beer cans. Ugh. I don’t know why you guys have this shit when wine exists.”

“I’m financially stressed, leave me alone,” Jaemin mutters, “And I agree on the wine part, actually.”

Everything is fine for now. You think you’ll stick to the lab instead of fighting—at least until you get more flexible. Epic battles are better suited to comic books, and so are grand gestures.

There’s just one thing unresolved now. Your damn feelings. The festive atmosphere is making you crave proximity, just one chance to tell him. You never knew what longing felt like before.

You follow Yeji outside the house, dragging your feet as you run a few million scenarios. God, why isn’t there AI to fix your love life? Do you have to ask the wizards for help? 

“So… Is it true you’re dating Spiderman?” Yeji asks, raising an eyebrow.

“No,” you answer quickly. 

“Oh good,” she sighs and you tilt your head inquisitively.

“I think you and Donghyuck should be a thing. No pressure though.” She raises her hand in a dismissive gesture.

“He’s… well… I can’t really tell what he’s thinking,” you answer honestly.

She hums. “Just tell him, then. You know him best and communication is key. God, I sound like a mother; Ryujin was right.”

You laugh and she smiles back at you. 

“Also, I bet money on you getting together with Donghyuck,” she says.

You roll your eyes. “Why did I expect that? My friends are all pretty jerks.”

She snorts. “Your choice of best friend gives it away. Oh, by the way, you don’t really have to help me with the beer, I just wanted to make sure you’re kiss kiss falling in love.”

“Huh?”

Instead of answering, she skips away with a cryptic smile. There’s another person you can’t decode but she truly is a fairy godmother.

You shiver at the cold, turning to go back inside when you hear shuffling on the roof. Donghyuck slowly lowers on a web, upside down and brown hair a mess around him.

“Renjun gave me a pep talk on the roof,” he says frankly.

You laugh. “Yeji gave me mine.”

“Our friends are really fed up with us, huh?”

“Are you- uh- are you sure you should be doing this in public?” You look around before stepping in close.

“No one’s getting out in two degree temperature, stupid.”

You don’t realize how close you stepped in till your noses touch and an instant flush floods Donghyuck’s face. Your heart beats so fast and for a moment, you think you can hear his. (It’s even faster than yours.)

You press your lips against his without further thought. The action, however, makes him let go of the web and faceplants onto the snow-covered ground. You hold in your laughter as he simply lies on his stomach there, his ears growing increasingly red.

He gets up, nose and cheeks all red.

“Good evening, Rudolph.” You giggle, unable to hold it in.

“Look, I tripped over Chenle and faceplanted onto a bowl of chili, okay? Who brought a bowl of chili to a Christmas party?” He complains, dusting the snow off.

You laugh, the warmth reaching your stomach.

“You know, we just kissed, right?” You mumble, starting to feel embarrassed.

There’s a silence and you’re not sure how to face him now. How did your confidence drain so easily? Your mother said you’d never run out of obnoxiousness—and she said the same thing about Hyuck. (“So you two better stick together, darling.”)

“Hyuck- okay, I’m sorry- that was uncalled for- I- I- just—”

Your words dissolve in your mouth when his lips meet yours.

“I- I- just- wow, I don’t- god, you made me so mad! Why did you go silent all of a sudden? I—”

He plants his lips on yours again.

“—you asshole… I swear—”

“(name). You’re rambling. Just shut up and kiss me.” He smiles against your mouth and you can’t help it either.

“You think it was the right thing to do?” You ask, peering down at Donghyuck on your lap.

“What was?”

“Rat man wasn’t exactly wrong. There are working hazards.”

“He was the same kind of wrong, just a different perspective. Turning NYC into rats is a bit much.”

You laugh. 

“Are you gonna get up any time soon?”

“I just fought a weird lizard man trying to turn New York into lizard people, give me a break,” he groans, burying his face against your side.

“I can’t believe you almost died again,” you say distastefully. 

“All’s well that ends well,” he says, shrugging.

“But I’m a new hell every time~” You sing.

He gives you the blankest expression he can muster.

“Okay, fine, but if we’re not singing Taylor Swift, we’re not singing Justin Bieber either.”

“Ugh, fine, Mariah Carey it is. She’s like my mom anyway.”

“You saved her once and your voice cracked when you spoke to her.”

“Never happened. Stop lying, (name).”

“Your cheeks are red.”

“They are not.”

“Like my favorite album.”

“Ugh.”

“And my favorite superhero’s suit color.”

A soft laugh erupts from him as he looks down and back at you. Gosh, he’s pretty. You slip your hand into his and he gives it a squeeze.

“My favorite superhero's Iron Man, by the way,” you say, a cheeky grin accompanying.

“Shut up, you love me.”

[crispy-chan]

-- tag game ✨

recommend 5 or more of your own works that you would rec to someone asking what they should read first & explain a little bit about the work. these can be the most popular, the ones you think are underrated, or your own favorites! then tag five other writers!

tagged by @decembermoonskz and @yyxgin (i think 😭) tysm <3

awaken {jisung x gn!reader; ghost!au, fluff, angst | 14.5k} my most popular (and probably favorite) work! idk i just tend to write in present tense and gn with jisung and ig it does something lol. very melancholic, lots of imagery and worplays and builds up nicely imo. definitely one of my favorites!

a song of ice and fire {prince!minho x princess!readr; royal!au, ice and fire bending, arranged marriage, e2l, fluff, angst | 35k} my longest one-shot. imho the writing isn't terrible (it grew on me) and i got very poetic with this one. slow burn af but like the nice and spicy kind hehe. i really came to love the relationship that blossomed between mc and minho and i think it is a nice mixture of everything - e2l phase, romance *wink wonk*, broken hearts and suspense. if you have the time, please do check it out!

in another lifetime {changbin x fem!reader; college au, reincarnation au(?) towards the end, coffee shop au, bad boy au, hurt/comfort, fluff, angst | 21.7k} very self-indulgent. changbin is the mfkn bad boy of my dreams who rides a motorcycle but comforts mc when she needs it. just in love with his character, ngl. brought me lots of comfort to write!

maze of memories (series) {bang chan x fem!reader (ft. felix); hunger games au, angst, fluff, action | 76.9k} career chan. that's it lol. but jk lots of plot twists, hurt and comfort and the good shit. from what i've been told it's rather good (?) and it's pretty engaging lol. my most interacted with work + basically my first work (carriwitchet doesn't count!!). tons of time went into this series too! it's basically my "write it you can't find it" piece, cause i decided to write it once i couldn't find skz hunger games aus lol.

neverending story {hyunjin x fem!reader; high school au, memory erasure, kinda dystopia, fluff, angst | 23k} every year, all your memories are erased so love feels pointless, doesn't it? well not if hyunjin has anything to say about it... my first proper one shot and surprisingly, i'd say it still holds up pretty much okay. i've been wanting to expand on this universe for as long as i can remember...

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pheew, this was actually really rewarding to list out! reminded me that i should be proud of what i've written, even if it's not perfect <3

tagging: @cosmic-railwayxo @hyunnows @seung-scrittore @minilinooo @chaninfused