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sergeant-spoons · 2 years

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Darling, Swing, and a Sapphire Ring

What is it about George Luz that inspires me to write friends-to-lovers fics? Oh, wait, no, I’ve got it. It’s those big brown eyes and that big cheeky smile.

Luz, you’ll be the death of me yet.

Pairing: George Luz x Female OC

Word count: 11,003 (well goddamn)

Tone: Best friends to lovers, flirting/banter, postwar reunions, dancing around feelings, quite a lot of pining

Summary: He’s got an engagement ring and a reunion to attend—now all he needs is a real, live, not-so-genuine fiancée.

Taglist: @tvserie-s-world @thoughpoppiesblow @victoryrollsandredlips @now-im-a-belieber @50svibes @mgdln97 @tina1938 @drinkwhiskeyandsmile @ask-you-what-sir @indecisiveimpatience @whovian45810 @brokennerdalert @holdingforgeneralhugs @onlyyouexisthere

"You want me to pretend I'm your what?"

"My girl!"

"I still don't get it."

"My girl! My beau! My beloved!"

"Yeah, George, I understand that part, but why?"

"I need you to pretend to be my girl for the reunion this weekend," George Luz repeats patiently, then pouts when all he gets in response is a deepened frown. "Why are you lookin' at me like that?"

"Because-" Magdalena Saas splutters, flapping her hands in emphatic circles. "Because that's nuts! It's absurd! Totally asinine!"

"Really pulling out the thesaurus for that one, sweetheart."

She shoots him a dirty look, and his smile starts to drop.

"You really think it's a bad idea?"

"I think it's an awful idea, George, and there's no way in hell I'm going through with it."

He looks genuinely baffled.

"Now why would you say a thing like that?"

"Let me think." Maggie ticks off her impressions on her fingers. "First off, charades like this never work out the way you think they will. Secondly, everyone plus your mother knows you and I are just friends. And thirdly—well, thirdly, it's a lousy idea!"

"That's only two valid points," George declares. "The third's more of an unproven opinion."

"Well, isn't two enough?"

"I mean..."

Maggie's head falls back and hits the bedframe with a thunk. She's managed to avoid blushing up until now, when George sucks in a breath through his grimace and tucks his hand between her head and the hard wooden frame, his palm caressing her hair.

Thirdly, this is not at all the kind of proposal I wish I'd get from you—and for the cherry on top, you're clueless.

"Fine."

"Fine?"

She crosses her arms and turns her head towards him, and just when he's thought he's won her over, she adds, "My third point is that you've clearly not thought this through."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah."

"What if I prove you wrong?"

She sits up and squints at him. He flashes that lopsided grin she adores and she sighs, slouching again as she waves for him to go on.

"I'm listening."

"I've been thinking about this for two and a half weeks."

"And you're only just letting me in on your little scheme the day before?"

He waffles. "If I told you I kinda had to work up the nerve to ask, would you believe me?"

Seeing the crease of his brow and the sheepishness in his gaze, she glances aside, shushing the fluttering of her heart, and tells him she would.

"Good, 'cause it's true."

"Uh-huh. So what's your plan, anyway?"

"Huh?"

"If you really have been thinking about this for two and a half weeks, surely you've got some semblance of a plan."

"Yeah! Yeah, sure I do."

Maggie reaches over and taps his knee. "Then let's hear it."

"Well, to make it short and sweet—like you-"

"Of course, you had to go there."

"-you come with me to the reunion tomorrow, we pretend we're together, everybody is completely awed because they've never seen a more perfect couple-"

"Debatable."

"-and we go home happy and a little bit drunk after a night of fun!"

Maggie presses her lips together on one side of her face and thinks about what he's asking from her. On the surface, it's not much—pretend to be his girlfriend for four or five hours—but there's a lot she knows he probably hasn't considered. She loves George, but he's not the best with foresight. For one, it probably hasn't occurred to him that she's not going to know anyone there.

"But I will," he says happily when she brings this up, "and I'll introduce you to every single person there, if you want, and then you'll know everybody, and everybody will know—and adore—you."

"If you say so," she blusters. "Well—then what about getting there and back?"

"We'll take my car."

"Really? How close is this reunion?"

"A two-hour drive. One-and-a-half if we don't hit any traffic."

"Oh." This is a likable detail. "Alright, that's reasonable."

"I wouldn't be asking you if it wasn't."

She tries to be skeptical, but he's right. He's never asked anything of her he didn't think she could do. And this is the first ask she can think of that she's been hesitant to agree to.

"You do have a good track record," she admits, and he beams, knowing he's starting to win her over.

"Any other questions?"

"What's the expected attire for this thing? Am I good in jeans or should I wear a dress?"

"A dress," he answers, and she can tell he's being honest, not just picking and choosing what he himself would prefer. "As good as you look in those Levi's-"

"Stop looking at my ass."

"-it's a bit more of a formal event. Not suit and tie fancy, but button-up shirt for me and a dress or a skirt for you."

"Or a pantsuit?"

He grins. "Or a pantsuit."

"Hmm..." She pictures her wardrobe. "Yeah, I can work with that. Are we gonna be dancing?"

"All night long."

"My comfortable pumps it is, then."

"Pumps?" He scrunches up his face. "I don't think there's gonna be any tires that need inflating at the dance hall, sweetheart."

"It's a type of heel, darling."

"Oh." He laughs at himself. "Well, in that case, definitely go with the comfortable option."

"I mean..." She gestures to the pumps, sitting on a shoe rack across the room by the closet door. "They're a beat beaten up, I've had them for so long-"

"You think anybody's gonna be lookin' at your feet?"

He tickles her socked foot and she shrieks a laugh, careful not to move too sharply as she kicks his hand away. He grins and leans back against her bedframe, and when she tries to remember how they ended up sitting on the carpet like this instead of on her bed where the gin rummy game is still spread out, she can't remember.

"Are we talkin' a dinner party, or just dancing?"

"We usually go out to eat in a big group after everybody's tuckered out—usually, we get tired of poker, but this time, it'll be dancing, so my guess is we'll all get hungry quicker."

"And will there be drinking?"

"You know it."

Maggie laughs. "Well, you know me. So long as there's good beer, good company, and the potential for good food, I'm happy."

"Then I think you'll really enjoy yourself tomorrow."

"Only if I agree to this batshit crazy idea of yours."

"It's not that crazy," he insists, and though she knows he's probably right, she holds out a little longer.

"It's a little crazy."

"Yeah, maybe a little."

George adjusts his seated position, turning to look at her more fully, and Maggie half-wishes he hadn't—it's much easier to deny him when he's not mooning at her with those big brown eyes.

"There anything else you wanna know?"

Yeah—what am I supposed to do when we come home and I'm not yours anymore, because I never was yours, and probably won't ever be yours? What the hell am I supposed to tell my poor heart then?

She swallows back the premonition of regret and flashes a smile.

"Nope. Not unless you've got more to tell me."

"Well, there is one more thing..."

Maggie sighs dramatically, tossing her hand upon her forehead. "Oh, will the demands ever end?"

He snorts a laugh. "It's just one thing. One relatively small thing. I think."

"Alright, spit it out. Do I have to wear a wig? Fake teeth? Dye my eyebrows blonde?"

"What? No." He shakes his head as if clearing a startling image. "We gotta get engaged."

"What?"

George laughs, but she can tell he's nervous, very nervous, and she gets the sense he thinks she'll rescind her agreement now that this particular detail is out in the open.

"When I told the fellas, I may or may not have boasted about, um, my girl. A lot. And then Guarnere—love the guy, but he likes to run his mouth—started blabbin' about how he didn't believe me, and I just sorta blurted it out, and that got them impressed, so I ran with the bit, and now..." A sheepish smile is paired with a shrug. "They wanna meet my fiancée."

Maggie sighs yet again and pinches the upper bridge of her nose.

"Oh, George, darling George, what am I ever going to do with you?"

"Marry me?" His cheeks pinken. "I mean, only hypothetically, for this very specific event, and maybe for the next time you pretend to be my girl-"

"The next time?!"

"Forget I said that!" He gulps, studying her expression with wide eyes. "Well? Will you still go with me?"

Maggie considers. She could get something out of this, make a deal of it. She deserves something in return, really, for all the heartbreak this is no doubt going to cause her. After a moment's more thought, she nods, just once, and George beams.

"I'll do it on one condition."

He flashes those puppy-dog eyes and Maggie wonders for a moment if she should do this simply because she loves him.

That's exactly why you shouldn't be doing this, you cretin.

"Yeah? What is it?"

She squints at her best friend, then tosses her hair, feigning ignorance.

"I get to be the best woman at your actual wedding."

George seems relieved. "Oh, thank God."

Maggie gives him a curious look. "What did you think I was gonna say?"

"No idea," he laughs, "I'm just glad you picked that. I mean, you're a shoo-in for the position anyway-"

"Then maybe I oughta ask for something else."

"No, no, that's perfect," he says, laughing anxiously.

"Too late! I've changed my mind."

"I just had to run my mouth, didn't I?" He tugs at his ear. "So... what else?"

"It's... a secret."

He gapes at her, and she reaches out and shuts his mouth with her thumb and forefinger on his chin. She almost believes it when he swoons, and she leans back, rolling her eyes.

"Alright, Drama Queen, you've had your fun."

"I'll grant you your wish," he swears, rolling around to kneel before her. "Anything you want, my dearest Magdalena, is yours."

"Oh, yeah? Anything?"

"Anything."

"I wish you would find yourself a real fiancée instead of roping me into your bullshit."

George grimaces. "Okay, I can grant any wish except for that."

"Damnit." She scrunches up her nose. "Um..."

His smile turns into a smirk. "You don't actually know what you want from me, do you?"

I do, actually, but it's something I don't think you'd give.

"I do," she bluffs, "but I'll keep it a secret until the morning after we get back. Then you'll really squirm."

"Oh, yeah. Lots of squirming to be had right here."

"Shut up," she groans, then pushes at his arm when his smirk grows "Hey, watch it, buster, I could still change my mind. If I want to keep my payment secret—don't look at me like that, you know I don't want your money—then that's my prerogative."

"Fine, fine—but you'll do it? You'll go with me? As my fiancée?"

Rationally, she knows it's not for real, but when he looks at her like that, asking her to be his...

Don't think about it too much.

Too late. Her heart skips a beat.

"...Yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes, I'll go with you. As your... fake fiancée."

"Yes!"

George throws his hands up, then grabs her face and plants a wet kiss on her nose. Maggie makes a face and rubs her sleeve across her face, but George is beaming so wide she can't help a small smile of her own.

"Oh—and you're driving."

Her best friend stops his preemptive celebration to pout.

"But Maggie-"

"Here we go."

"-all the guys'll be drinking, and it's a reunion, I can't just pass up a party-"

"Fine. You're driving on the way there."

"Yes!" he hisses through his toothy smile, pumping the air with his fist. "You're the best, you know that, Mags?"

She sighs, but lets him wrap his arm around her and kiss the top of her head regardless.

"Yeah, yeah. Just put on a ring on it and let's get back to gin rummy."

"Alrighty, I will."

He produces a small velvet box from his back pocket, and Maggie has to stare at it for a solid four or five seconds before she believes it's actually real.

"Sweetheart?"

She rolls her eyes to hide how her heart has started skipping all around her chest and holds out her left hand almost flippantly.

"You really have been planning this for a while, haven't you?"

"Two-and-a-half weeks."

"How'd you know my ring size?" she starts to ask, surprised that it fits so well, but he interrupts, rambling the way he does when he gets excited.

"Well, now that we've made that decision, we gotta figure out what you're wearin'! Not that you don't always look pretty, but I wanna make you the star o' the show, y'know? Everybody's gonna be so jealous o' me, sweetheart, just you wait..."

As Maggie watches George pick through her dresses and blouses and two pairs of work overalls she hasn't worn in a month, she leans her head against her hand and wonders what on earth she's gotten herself into. The metal of the ring on her finger presses to her temple, a stark reminder that the stakes for this are high.

And I bet they'll just keep getting higher.

"You know, you've got two—three—of the same dress in here. Different colors, same cut."

"Yes, I do know. It's my closet, smartass."

She moves her hand in front of her face and examines the ring while he's got his back turned to her. It's a silver band with an inlaid sapphire. Nothing too fancy, but certainly elegant. It's beautiful. It's perfect.

"Do you prefer blue or brown?"

"What?"

"For the dress. Blue or brown?"

Lifting the ring to her face, watching the sapphire twinkle in the orange-tinted light of her bedroom lamp, she can't conceal a small, giddy smile.

"Definitely blue."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Why did I let you talk me into this?"

George puts the car into park and leans over the side of the seat, his signature, surefire grin flashing across his face.

"That is not a very reassuring look."

He attempts a sympathetic pout, but when he bats his eyes at her with those downturned lips, he resembles a basset hound so sufficiently that she snorts a laugh.

"Now you just look extremely regretful."

He tries again, emphasizing the pout, and Maggie starts giggling (and it's only half from nerves).

"George Luz, you are the picture of remorse."

"Ah, but I made you laugh," he says, smiling again. "You wanna head inside?"

She hesitates, and though she tries not to look down at her hand, feeling the ring where it has hugged her third finger ever since last night (she didn't have the heart to part from it even while sleeping), she does. Softening, George reaches across the gearbox and lays his hand on Maggie's knee. She draws her lips between her teeth and pretends she’s hardly noticed the feeling of his palm against her skin.

"This is gonna be great," he vows. "It's you, me, all my buddies, and all their girls—good people, remember? And good beer, or so Perconte promises. And dancing! You like dancing."

"Yep," she chortles weakly, swinging her fist across her chest, "I do love me a good shindig."

George pauses, then squeezes her knee, his thumb brushing a little higher up her thigh. Maggie almost squeaks but manages to catch the sound behind her teeth.

"You know what we're gonna do, Mags?"

"What?" She coughs lightly into her fist. "What are we gonna do, George?"

"We're gonna dance a whole lot, so you won't hafta talk much if you don't want to."

A smile creeps onto Maggie's lips, and as she pats George's hand where it remains on her leg, she fails to notice the relief that sags his shoulders when he sees she’s relaxing.

"It's not all the people that's got me nervous," she admits. "It's... Well, it's that I'm afraid I won't play the part right."

"Pfff," he scoffs, fondly wrinkling his nose up at her. "People'll take one look at us and go 'Yup. That's George and Maggie. Always have been, always will be'."

"You think so?"

"Sweetheart, I know so."

They share a smile that lasts a bit too long for friends (but just right for the relationship they're supposed to have) until a bird flying straight past their windshield startles them and they look away, laughing awkwardly. They get out of the car. On one side, George locks the doors and takes a deep breath. He can't let it on, but he's starting to have doubts about this ruse—is one afternoon of pretending worth the sting of tomorrow, when they'll go back to how they really are and laugh about this later? He's not so sure anymore. On the other side of the car, Maggie straightens her blue dress and looks up at the four o'clock sun with a smile, her confidence revived, oblivious to George's fresh uncertainty.

"Ready to go, sweetheart?"

He offers her his arm and she gladly takes it.

"Ready as I'll ever be, darling."

Once the excitement of their arrival has subsided (Maggie is unsurprised to learn George is very popular among his former Company), George takes her up beside him and grins at the friends who've come up to greet him first.

"Fellas," he announces, "I'd like you to meet my gorgeous fiancée."

He turns and shows her off on his arm, proud as a peacock, and for all the ridiculousness of their ruse, Maggie can't deny she feels rather special with him going on like this.

"This is Ms. Magdalena Saas-"

"Call me Maggie."

"-soon to be Mrs. Magdalena Luz. Can you imagine that?"

"Yeah, Luz, that's usually how matrimony works," teases a friendly face out of the already amicable crowd. He takes George's hand to shake, then Maggie's. "Harry Welsh. Great to meet you, at last, Maggie. Luz here hasn't stopped talking about you for weeks—not that I'm any better about my own wife."

Flustered stupid, Maggie can only nod and blurt out a meek, "Oh?"

"Oh, yeah. Every time I call, it's Mags this and Maggie that." He chuckles. "I think he talks about you more than I talk about Kitty."

"Now that's saying something."

A smart young woman with a brilliant smile has appeared; she beams at Maggie, brightening up visibly when Welsh wraps his arm around her.

"I'm Kitty."

"I figured."

As they shake hands, Kitty laughs. "You do seem like a good fit for George—at least, from the stories Harry's told me."

"Better than good!" George declares, and the mystery of his sudden disappearance is solved when he hands Maggie one of the two beers in his hands. "She's absolutely perfect."

Maggie can feel her face heating up. Luckily, before she's forced to make a witty quip to deflect what she takes for a lie, Harry makes a face and jokes a complaint at George.

"Hey, what about my beer?"

"And mine?" Kitty laughs.

"I'm goin', I'm goin'," George laughs, waving off their teasing. "You stay put, Mags, I'll be right back."

He leaves them again, but not without planting a quick kiss on Maggie's knuckles, the left hand that blatantly bears his ring. She can feel her face heating up. Not for the first nor the last time tonight, she wonders if she's made an irrevocable mistake in agreeing to this mad plot. George gets a fiancée and points with his friends out of it, and she gets—what? A place at his side at his wedding to another woman and the whatever-it-is she's calling a secret but can't even decide for herself. Her throat gets tight, but she swears she won't cry, not until she's home and alone and this unreal night is over.

"Maggie, was it?"

It's Kitty, looking at her with growing concern.

"Sorry if I'm being nosy, but are you feeling alright?"

Maggie shifts on her feet, wishing she had pockets or a handbag or really any place to put her hands. She fiddles with her fingers and averts Kitty's well-meaning smile.

"Oh, yes, I'm fine."

"You sure? That's the same kind o' shifty-eyes bullshit-"

"Harry."

"Sorry, love. The same kind of shifty-eyes nonsense I pull when I'm not feeling well." Welsh frowns. "Come to speak of it, I usually come down with a cold this time of year..."

"Oh, no-" Maggie forces a laugh. "-I'm in good health."

But are you heartsick? Kitty asks with her eyes, and as much as Maggie wishes she could hide it, she's never been much good at camouflaging her heart. Just as she's about to mutter some excuse and run away to sit in the car until the reunion is over, George resurfaces. Once he's passed along the second pair of beers to his friends, he wraps his arm around her waist and tucks her against his side as if she belongs there. After a beat, she relaxes, reminding herself who she's doing this for.

"Hope you didn't miss me too long," George says, and when he steals a fleeting kiss on her cheek, he scans her gaze to make sure she approves. She puts on a smile and nudges his shoulder with her own, and his smile grows just enough for her to relax.

"Miss you?" She turns to Kitty and laughs. "I couldn't get rid of him if I tried."

She giggles. "He does seem rather attached."

"Hey," George pretends to complain, "I brought you a beer!"

Maggie giggles. "Oh, darling, you know I'm just as bad about you."

He looks astonished, and Kitty and Harry both laugh, not knowing how she has offered this confession like it's a known fact. George puts on a smirk and winks at his 'fiancée', who doesn't have to fake the blush his affection brings to her cheeks.

"That's right. Who could ever get enough of the one and only George Luz?"

He tickles her waist with the arm he's got around her, and as she almost spills her beer laughing, she has to remind herself he is her best friend and nothing more, no matter how affectionate he is tonight.

"Oh, stop it, you," she protests, pressing herself against his side to get away from his wicked fingers, and he grins.

"You know you love me."

"Uh-huh."

She expects him to drop the matter, but he persists.

"What? You mean to say you don't?"

"Oh, brother. Here we go again."

"Stop the party, there's been a murder—of my heart!"

"Kitty, S.O.S."

Kitty, who has been laughing this whole while, sobers herself up enough to pat Maggie sympathetically on the shoulder and then promptly lapses back into laughter.

"Harry, are you hearing this?" George gasps, clutching his beer to his chest and almost spilling it down his shirt.

"Loud and clear."

"She's trying to turn Kitty against us!"

"You are such a drama queen."

Maggie grins and tips her hand at Welsh. "Thank you. Agreed."

George sighs and droops his head, sipping forlornly at his beer until Maggie gives him a pitying look and nudges a kiss onto his cheek. He lifts his chin and sniffles.

"I hope you know that I, at least, love you."

"I love you, too, George."

Pretending not to mean it is difficult, and when his grin finally returns in full force, she has to look away lest he realizes the truth to her words—or, worse, he gets the idea to confirm their played-up affections with a real kiss. Hiding in her beer, she listens to George chat with Harry about this and that for a minute more before they part ways, her and George going to meet other friends while Kitty and her beau try to find a spot at the packed bar.

"You think they bought it?"

Maggie's smile flickers, but she nudges George's arm and scrunches up her nose at him playfully. "Of course, they did. We're two peas in a pod, you and I."

He beams. "Yup. We go together like peanut butter and jelly."

"Sunshine and summer!"

"Rainstorms and cuddles!"

Maggie laughs. "I dunno about that last one..."

"Pfff." He loops his arm around hers as they walk. "The only good thing to do on a rainy day is cuddle up with blankets and popcorn and a good movie—and especially with good company, if you've got it."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah." He shoots her a smile a bit fonder than she expects it to be. "Next time it rains, I'll be sure to call you up."

Maybe this time it's not so unwarranted when her heart gives a tremble.

"I'll bring cookies."

"And I'll pick the movie?"

She quirks a brow. "Just so long as it's not Seven Sinners again."

"What, you didn't like it? I mean, I've only seen it fourteen times, I could go for one more."

"Fourteen?! You've really seen it fourteen times?!"

"Sure have." A cheeky grin. "Viewing number fourteen was with you. And I, for one, wouldn't be opposed if you were there to make it fifteen..."

"Jesus Christ Almighty." Maggie shakes her head. "Watch it again on your own rainy day time, not on mine."

He snorts a laugh. "Oh, fine."

"But hey, if you're gonna watch Meet Me in St. Louis again—don't watch it without me!"

"Wouldn't dream of it, love."

Before she can wrap her head around the new pet name, he's started cheering a name, and he drops her arm (not unkindly) to embrace a trio of men who are all grinning to see him.

"If it ain't George Luz!"

"Babe Heffron! How you been?"

"Good, good. Bill and I joined a pool team." Heffron wiggles his auburn eyebrows. "You oughta see us on a good night—we rock the damn house!"

"Yeah, playin' with my techniques," grumbles another who's grinning just as much as smirking. "Still never got that game from you, Luz."

"That's 'cause I beat you at darts one too many times and you never wanted to play me in anything again, Johnny."

The group howls with laughter, and just when Maggie thinks now would be a good time to slip away and maybe find Kitty again (or a stiffer drink), George steps back and takes her hand.

"Fellas, this is the love o' my life," he says, and when he stumbles on the last word as if realizing what he's just said, Maggie doesn't notice, too caught up in the second use of 'love' in reference to her over the last few minutes. "'Member when I told you 'bout my fiancée back at that poker night last month? I know you couldn't make it, Malark, but I bet one o' these two fools mentioned it sometime."

"Johnny did," chuckles the second ginger of the trio. "Said you talked about her the whole night."

George grins. "Sure did. Drunk and sober."

As the other two grin, remembering the circumstance likewise, Maggie finds the courage to step forward and offer her hand. She means to shake and introduce herself, but her left hand is her dominant, and all eyes go to the ring. The one George has called Malark lets out a low whistle as they all crowd around.

"That is one helluva ring."

"That's a sapphire, right? Pretty."

"You musta saved up for months for that, Luz."

Maggie draws her hand back, self-conscious, only to realize what they're saying is not just complimentary but their honest revelations. Her face feels warm. She thought the ring was just a costume piece George had bought or borrowed from a friend in the theater business (of whom he has many). Knowing he went out of his way to buy a real genuine engagement ring for her—well, for tonight—has her feeling all kinds of ways—but no, she ought to focus, not break the facade. While she's been reeling, George has been telling the story of where he got the ring, and though she regrets missing most of it, she catches the last bit about seeing the ring in a shop in New York City and knowing it was perfect for her. Malark whistles a second time and (perhaps a little belatedly) extends his hand to shake. Maggie, embarrassed enough as it is, almost blurts out an apology when the ring in all its glory grazes his skin.

"Donald Malarkey, ma'am," he says without batting an eye. "Pleasure to meet you."

The other two echo the sentiment (while looking her up and down appreciatively) and she repeats it back to them as she learns their names. Malarkey's fellow redhead is Edward Heffron, who they all call Babe—"'Cept for my girlfriend, funny enough."—while the man with the perpetual smirk to his smile is John Martin.

“Admire while you can, gentleman," George encourages, squeezing Maggie's hand where he still holds it between them. "You'll never see such a beautiful woman again."

Maggie has to put her beer down on the nearest table before she sips at the wrong time and chokes on it.

"George!"

"What? It's true."

"It is most certainly not true."

Maggie swats his shoulder harder than she means to, but his smile doesn't even falter and he grabs her hand to kiss the finger with his ring on it.

"Says who? Says you? 'Cause if so, you are very wrong, like super-duper levels of wrong-"

"George!"

"Mags!" He bats his big, brown eyes at her, and she melts. "Can't I be proud of my girl, too?"

"He sure can—and should."

"Bull!"

A tall, broad man with a cigar perched in his crooked smile shakes George's hand heartily, then does the same to Maggie, adding a kiss to her cheek for good measure.

"Pleasure, ma'am," drawls the tall man. "Denver Randleman, at your service."

"Charmer," George grumbles, wrapping his arm around Maggie's back, and she wonders for half a second if he's jealous.

"It's a good thing I like the charmers," she teases him, testing the waters, and when his brow bends down, she hurriedly adds, "I wouldn't be marrying you if I didn't."

Immediately, the frown is gone. He lights up like the star map in her living room, the one he nearly knocked over just a few hours ago when he burst into her house with a dozen roses and a cheery promise that he'd make tonight worth it. For the most part, he's lived up to that pledge.

"Marrying him!" Malarkey whistles for the third time that night. "Never thought I'd see the day."

"What?" Maggie chortles. "Did he used to be a- a playboy, or something?"

Heffron bursts into laughter, and George, a little disgruntled, pushes him into Martin. They have a brief joking spat before tuning back in to what Malarkey's been saying about George.

"-was a bit of a flirt, sure, but honestly? I thought it would take longer for him to find somebody who lived up to his expectations."

"Oh, yeah?"

"He's really a hopeless romantic," Malark goes on, oblivious to the squinted, disapproving look he's currently receiving from George. "But hey, so am I." He raises his glass. "To love!"

"To love!"

They all drink, George and Maggie a bit more than the rest for the same undisclosed reason.

"And thank God he tripped over you," Heffron jibes, nodding to the sapphire on Maggie's finger. "You're a saint for takin' him off our hands."

George grumbles a retort, but then Maggie kisses his cheek, and all his discontentment vanishes in an instant. It doesn't go unnoticed by either of them that this is the first time she's been the one to initiate physical affection tonight. George hands his beer to Heffron and fans himself with his hand, spouting nonsense about how hot she is until she takes him by the arm and drags him away to—as she excuses to his friends—"find a better use for his stamina on the dance floor".

"My beer!"

Grinning, Heffron raises it in a toast and takes a sip—it's his beer now. George pouts, but the look lifts when Maggie bumps his hip with her own.

"You can have mine," she laughs, picking it up off the table, "just stop gushing about how great I am!"

He scoffs. "Now why would I do that?"

"Because, um..."

They've found a spot on the edge of the dance floor, but they can't go out there with the beer still in hand, so they trade it back and forth as they talk.

"Because?" He prompts, his smile turning a little devilish. "You can't even think of a reason."

Maggie makes a face. "I do have a reason."

"Then what it is?"

Passing back the glass as it quickly empties, she leans in and whispers in his ear, coming up with an excuse on the spot.

"Think of how many guys have brought their girlfriends and wives here."

"So?"

"You don't wanna offend anybody by saying rash things like that. I certainly don't wanna offend anybody."

"By bein' your pretty self?"

"George," she murmurs, but she's blushing, and there's no hiding it from him.

"Hey, I'm not the outlier here." He nods toward a couple across the room, raising his voice. "Look, Bill's over there showin' off his wife."

The man George refers to is standing with a crutch on one arm and a very pretty, very pregnant woman on the other. Maggie hums under her breath.

"Wow, they sure didn't waste any time once he got home."

George chokes on his beer. Stifling his laughter into snorts as Maggie rubs his back, trying to coax the breath back into him, he gasps, "Guess not."

"Heya."

Malarkey, along with Heffron, has followed them over after a detour to the bar. He glances between the pair, a brow quirked amusedly.

"What'd I miss?"

"They're flirtin', ya dingus," Heffron reprimands jokingly. "Leave 'em alone."

Maggie's face suddenly feels hot. George sighs, leaning close to whisper a reassuring joke in her ear that's meant for her and her alone. When his breath tickles her ear and she shivers, she wonders if there is some universe where this isn't a charade and he feels a chill when she comes so near. She giggles belatedly, and Malarkey chuckles, sipping at his drink.

"Say, how'd the two of you meet? From what I heard, they tried coaxing it outta Luz the last time some o' the guys met up for poker, but no dice."

"It's not a very remarkable story," Maggie deflects bashfully, and George pouts.

"Aw, c'mon. It's remarkable to me, sweetheart."

"Sorry, darling-" Without thinking much about the familiarity of the action, she draws her thumb across his upper lip, ridding it of a thin layer of foam. "-I guess it is a little bit remarkable."

He beams and pleasantly surprises Maggie when he holds her closer, practically hip-to-hip, his arm snug around her back.

"You know, you really were the talk o' the night." Martin quirks a slight smile. "All good things, of course. 'Luz's wonderful fiancée' and all."

"Of course," Maggie gasps, baffled, and when George kisses her cheek, she turns to him beseechingly. He pats her hand and turns to his buddies with his typical grin.

"We met at Cape Cod last summer, on the beach."

"Right," Maggie breathes. "I remember it like it was yesterday."

Heffron, along with the others, grins. "Yeah? Do tell."

"It was about a year ago—last June."

Maggie glances at George, hoping he'll let her take charge of this lie of theirs for just a minute, just for the part that is completely true. He seems happy to oblige, his smile widening as he nods for her to go on.

"It was a very hot day, so I was out with some friends on the beach. I'd just come in from the water—I like to surf, see—and I was just getting ready to sunbathe when darling George here-" She jostles her pretend beau a little, pleased when it makes him laugh. "-was running to catch a baseball and tripped right over me."

"He what?" Malarkey gasps as Heffron throws his head back in laughter.

“When I said you tripped over her, I didn’t actually mean it, Luz!"

Malarkey’s laughing now, too. "I knew you were clumsy, George, but holy hell!"

George hits his arm in a friendly punch, mumbling that his balance is just fine, thank-you-very-much, but when he looks back at Maggie, there's an affection creeping into his gaze that surprises her. Sure, they're friends, and they've been friends for a while, but he's looking at her with the kind of tenderness she'd expect him to show to—

To someone he really does want to see walking down the aisle to him one day.

"What can I say?" George quips, taking over when he sees Maggie has hit a standstill. "The minute I saw her-" He lays his hand over his heart. "-I fell."

Malarkey, Heffron, and a newly resurgent Bull Randleman all groan, but when Maggie laughs, they light up with smiles fonder than she expects.

"Wow. Somehow, Luz, you've managed to find the one person who actually laughs at your crummy jokes."

"They're not crummy," George and Maggie chorus, and Malarkey and Heffron share a grin.

"Uh-huh."

"They're not!" George insists with Maggie nodding right along, glancing up and down his face while he's too indignant to notice.

"Fine, they ain't crummy," Heffron concedes. "But hey—what happened next?"

"I took one look at her and told her I was gonna marry her someday."

Maggie can't help a laugh. "I think it went more like 'Sorry for tripping over you, can I marry you? Today?'"

Even Randleman rumbles a laugh.

"And what did you say?"

"No," Maggie admits, stifling her own amusement. "I said no."

"I'm pretty sure you hesitated," George insists, trying to maintain some of his dignity, and though Maggie shrugs mildly, willing to accept this, Heffron is apparently not.

"You sure it ain't 'cause you were helpin' her to her feet after knockin' her clean over?"

Malarkey jumps in on the action. "And then the first thing you said to her was 'sorry, marry me now'—jeez, Maggie, your head must've been spinning."

"It was," she giggles.

"If I'm hearin' this right-" Even Bull inputs his two cents. "-sounds like you were still strangers at that point."

"We were."

"But now," George interrupts, reclaiming the floor, "we're not. In fact-" He wiggles his ring finger as if it's Maggie's, grinning like this story really is the beginning of a happily ever after. "-we're engaged!"

"And congratulations for that!" Malarkey exclaims, beaming. "Say, would you mind if I took your girl for a spin on the dance floor, Luz?" He nods at Maggie. "If you want to, of course."

"Yeah, alright," she agrees, and George echoes the phrase, though a little more breezily than she would have expected. She gives her hand to Malarkey and they step out onto the dance floor, joining the multitude of veterans and their beloveds already two-stepping the night away.

"You sure can dance!"

As her partner twirls her, Maggie laughs. "Thanks! So can you!"

"You think so?"

"Yeah!"

"I'm glad!" He nods over at the other side of the dance floor. "I'm tryin' to catch the eye of the girl behind the bar over there, and my buddy Perconte—he lives kinda local—told me she likes to dance, so..."

"You want me to help you look good?"

Malarkey shrugs, too sheepish to confirm it, and Maggie grins.

"Any friend of George's is a friend of mine!" She clicks her heels, takes his hand, and kicks their dancing up a notch. "All you had to do was ask."

They jitterbug and jive out on the dance floor for a good ten minutes. About halfway through, Maggie twirls Malarkey three times and mutters in his ear with each pass that the pretty girl from the bar is looking their way. He straightens up, shoots her a grin, and dances some of the best swing Maggie has seen in years—not that she would give up George as her permanent dance partner for the world. They even get a small round of applause when the song on the radio trumpets its last riffs, and Maggie pushes at Malarkey until he takes a small bow. In return, he has her curtsy, and when she looks up, her cheeks warm, the first thing she sees is George looking at her from a dart game he doesn't seem all that involved in. There's a gap in the crowd that fills in an instant, but the look on his face has her heading for him immediately.

"Are ya winnin', champ?" she teases, coming to hang nonchalantly off his arm, and he gives her a crooked grin.

"'Course, I am."

A man Maggie doesn't yet recognize lands a perfect shot, and amidst the cheering of other onlookers, he turns to the pair, grinning.

"That'll be one lovely pack o' smokes, Luz."

"Damnit."

Maggie snickers as George puts down his beer to free one hand, and he wrinkles his nose up at her. She kisses the corner of his mouth and he beams until his darts opponent clears his throat.

"Aw, c'mon, Buck, didn't we used to play together?"

"Yeah," Buck chuckles, "used to." He takes his tan cap, the words 101st Airborne emblazoned in white on the front panel, and tips it at Maggie. "Evening, ma'am."

"'Evening, ma'am'," George mimics, fishing the cigarettes out of his pocket, and Maggie laughs as he hands over the goods.

"I'll reimburse you."

He waves her off. "Nah, you don't hafta-"

"Shh," she says, perking up, and when he follows her gaze over to the bar, he tenses up.

"Malarkey? What about 'im?"

"Just watch."

George's shoulders are still stiff, but he complies, and together, they spectate as Malarkey leans on the counter, stalling the pretty bartender. She seems interested, glancing him up and down, and when he jabs his thumb back toward the dance floor, Maggie grabs George's hand and squeezes.

"What-"

"For good luck."

George goes quiet, leaving Maggie unaware that the thought of his mere self being a sort of good luck charm to her has left him in a real tizzy.

The bartender Malarkey is flirting with glances over his shoulder at the dancers, then back at his smiling face. Maggie squeezes George's hand a second time.

"Moment of truth."

After a beat, the woman sets aside the glass she's been wiping with a dishrag and starts to nod, a smile creeping onto her lips. Maggie doesn't realize she's grinning twice as wide until she looks back at George and sees him visibly ease, uttering a laugh that betrays his relief.

"Didn't think you'd be playing matchmaker tonight, sweetheart."

"And I didn't think we'd be so good at being engaged, so what's the bigger surprise here, darling?"

He blinks at her, whatever tease he'd been about to toss back dying on his lips, and her cheeks heat up.

"Forget I said that."

"Yeah, nope."

"George-"

"Absolutely not forgetting that." His grin is infectious. "You're right, sweetheart, we are excellent at being engaged."

Maggie is still embarrassed, but as he holds her by the hips and sways her a little, her own lips start to turn back up.

"I guess we really do go together well."

"A little too well." His mouth turns up on one side, but his usual confidence is missing from the look, and it catches Maggie's attention. "You know, for a minute there, I was a little afraid Malark was gonna steal you away from me."

She laughs lightly. "Who, little old me? I'm lucky as hell I somehow managed to get you, George, no way I'd leave you in the dust like that. Besides-" She wiggles the fingers on her left hand. "-I'm clearly quite committed."

He doesn't banter back as she expects; in fact, he's fallen completely silent. The seconds pass and her cheeks heat up as he just stares at her, the beer in his hand dripping condensation down his wrist, all but forgotten.

"Don't talk like that," he says quietly, and she glances aside, chuckling awkwardly as she reaches for a counter napkin.

"Right, right, sorry. This isn’t real." She pats his wrist dry. "Where'd you-"

"No, not that."

"What?" She looks between his damp skin and the napkin, confused. "Did you... want your hand to be wet?"

"No, no-" He shakes his head, but she only glances up briefly. "-don't talk like that about you being lucky."

Maggie eases, laughing gently. "Why? I meant it. There ain't nobody out there like my George Luz."

He quirks a small smile, but it's fleeting, and she realizes she's misunderstood him again.

"Thanks, love-" He's frowning, and it makes her sad. "-but it's the 'somehow managed to get me' bit that I'm stuck on."

"... Yeah, I kinda figured that out as you were sayin' it."

"It's not true, Mags. There's no 'somehow' in there. You-"

"Didn't really get you," she reminds him for her own sake more than his, forced to check her overeager heart. "But, uh..."

"What?"

"Well, to tell you the truth, you're kind of the only guy who talks to me... on a regular basis." She clears her throat. "Who's my friend, I mean."

"That's stupid."

"That you're my friend?"

"That men aren't falling over themselves for you like you deserve."

There's such righteousness in his gaze when she meets it that she can't help but blush and stumble over her words. He takes this as if he's said something wrong and sighs, looking away. After a beat of uncomfortable silence, he turns back to her with a smile plastered on his face and downs the rest of his beer in an impressive swig.

"Wanna hit the dance floor with me?"

She can tell he's faking his enthusiasm, but she matches it, taking his hand when it is offered and letting him lead the way.

"Hey, George?" she asks as he finds them a spot on the edge of the floor, not far from where Malarkey and his pretty bartender are dancing with stars in their eyes.

"Yeah?"

She lifts up her hand only to discover it's still holding George's. They share a brief laugh as they find a rhythm in the music.

"Where did you get this ring, anyway? Was it really in New York City?"

"Yeah."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

He's distracted by something, but what, she can't tell. As they keep dancing and he trips over his feet more often than usual—noticeably so—she starts to worry. Then he almost knocks over another couple and she drags him off the dance floor, brushing off his apologies for windmilling his arms like that.

"I don't know what's gotten into me tonight," he says, and though she can tell it's a lie to make her worry less, she pretends to believe him, only worrying more.

"That's alright—I think I've had enough dancing for now," she replies, pretending she's tuckered out, and he nods, quickly leading her away from the epicenter of the music and chatter. They find a table near the back, one of the only empty ones, and when she sits down, kicking up her feet, she's not surprised that he doesn't join her.

"Why don't you go socialize?" she suggests, deciding that must be what's on his mind.

"You sure?"

"These are your people. Go make 'em realize just how much they've missed ya." A smile as she reaches up and pats his cheek. "You're a real hoot, George Luz. Life o' the party."

He's smiling again, but still, he hesitates.

"I don't want to just leave you here."

She laughs. "I think me and my aching feet will survive."

A wince. "Sorry about that."

"Don't be." Sincere, her smile grows. "Really, you should go talk to people. That's what we're here for, George—not for this song-and-dance with you and me but for you to catch up with your buddies."

Finally, he gives in, his smile growing where he had not before allowed it to. He leans down, kisses her right on her lips, and as he steps back, he tugs fondly at a loose curl by her ear.

"Thanks, love."

He's gone into the crowd before either of them has realized what he's just done wasn't supposed to happen, and Maggie's startled gasp almost makes her fall backward, chair and all. Kitty Welsh—savior that she is—steadies her and pulls up a chair, but Maggie is so bewildered that she hardly registers Kitty's teasing greeting.

"Hello? Maggie? You with us?" Kitty frowns. "Frannie, did you happen to catch how much this dear's had to drink?"

The very pretty, very pregnant woman that Maggie recognizes as Bill's wife huffs as she lowers herself into the next available seat. "Nope," she replies once she's settled in, "but I know drunk, and pretty Miss Dazed here ain't drunk."

"He kissed me."

Kitty and Bill's wife—Frannie, her name's Frannie—share a look.

"Yeah, honey—is that... unusual?"

"Well, I mean, we're engaged... I just can't believe it."

"Ah." Kitty relaxes. "Young love."

Frannie rubs Maggie's shoulder, and it's quite soothing, enough so that Maggie snaps out of her shock.

"You're still in the honeymoon phase, aren't ya, sweetcheeks?" Frannie supposes. "Still can't believe you got that happy ending?"

"Yeah," Maggie sighs happily, using the better part of her willpower to keep herself composed and play along with their assumptions. "Yeah, that's about right."

Kitty's smile grows. "That's sweet. You really love him, huh?"

"I do. I really do."

It's such a relief to admit it after all this time that the admission comes out louder than Maggie means it to. She covers her mouth and giggles when the two wives fondly echo the sentiment for their own husbands.

"Bill's a handful, but he's my handful." Frannie giggles. "Not that I'm an angel, either."

"Oh, hush. You're better than he deserves."

"Kitty!" Frannie playfully swats her friend's arm. "What if I said that about you and Harry?"

"Then you'd be wrong."

Frannie rolls her eyes. "No justice for the wed."

"She's married, too," Maggie points out, nodding to Kitty, and Frannie lets out a booming laugh that has her husband grinning broadly at her from all the way across the room.

"I knew I'd like you, sweetcheeks." A small smirk as she reaches over and pats Maggie's hand, the one with the ring on it. "I think you'll enjoy married life."

"Oh, and speaking of," Kitty chimes in, "congratulations!"

"Oh—oh, thank you."

Both women are now beaming at her, and Maggie isn't sure how she manages to keep her chin up and pretend she's really one of them.

"When's the wedding?"

"It's, uh..."

"Late October."

"George!" Maggie clasps her hand to her chest, playing off the shock he's given her as a joke. "I thought you were mingling."

"Yeah, I was, but I missed you."

She blushes, and Kitty and Frannie share a knowing look.

"Well, we'll leave you to it."

They get up and start to leave, and Maggie isn't sure she wants them to. She can't find it in herself to say so, though, so she faces her heart—otherwise known as George Luz—and acts as if he left her with his usual smile and not a very unusual kiss.

"You didn't have to come back so soon-"

She gives a start as soon as she looks up.

"George, what's the matter?"

"Matter?"

"You've gone pale."

"Oh." He glances to and fro. "I... I think I need some air."

She's seen this before. Sometimes the memories from the war will hit him out of nowhere and Mr. Life of the Party will need a minute to himself. She's not surprised it's happened here, with all his buddies from the service, so when he looks at her imploringly, she takes him by the hand and scans the venue for the closest exit.

"Alright. Let's go get some air."

He heads for the back door, and though she tries to tell him it only leads to an alleyway, her words fall on deaf ears. She squeezes his hand, trying to remind him she's right here by his side, where she'll always be, no matter what, even when it hurts to know she can't promise him any of that out loud. He knows she cares, right? She wouldn't be here with him tonight, with this beautiful, damning ring on her finger, if she didn't care.

She just hopes he doesn't see all the way through her. No coming back from that.

The door hasn't finished shutting behind them when George drops Maggie's hand. He leaves her on the stoop, crossing the few short strides to the opposite wall of the alleyway. He leans against the tattered bricks, crosses his arms, and takes a few slow breaths. Patient, she sits down and waits for him to ask anything of her, anything at all.

"God, this was a terrible idea."

She knows what he means as soon as the words are out of his mouth. It still doesn't lessen the sting—but there's no shock to the admission. After a few seconds of waiting for him to go on, maybe to take it back, she leans her elbows on her knees and sighs.

"If it helps at all, I was kind of expecting this to happen."

"Expecting what to happen?"

"You to figure out you didn't want... this." A faint chuckle. "I mean, it was your idea, but sometimes impulsive things like this-"

"Impulsive?"

"Yeah. Impulsive."

"No."

"No?"

"Seven months and one day."

This timespan does not ring a bell anywhere in her memory. She looks up at him, her confusion evident in her expression. He's still leaning on the brick wall, but he's straightened up, and the color is returning to his face.

"Sorry?"

"Seven months and one day. That's how long I've had the ring."

"... Okay?"

She blinks. If there are dots to be connected here, she can't find them. George groans and rubs his face with his hands. Maggie starts to rise, but he shakes his head, and she sits back down.

"So you've had the ring for seven months."

"And one day."

"And one day," she amends. "Is... something about it bothering you?" She curls her hand into a fist and hides the blue gemstone against her skirt. "I can take it off. If anybody asks I can say I didn't want to drop it dancing and put it away for safekeeping in the car."

He's still quiet, and it's so unlike him, so unnerving, that she wants to cry.

"George, it's alright, I'll take it off-"

"Don't!"

"Don't?"

"Please don't," he says, and he's begging, and she doesn't understand.

"Why not?"

"I- I can't see you without it."

She balks. "What? What does that mean?"

Maggie can count the number of times she's left George Luz speechless on one hand. Beholding the terror in his eyes as he gapes at her is the most frightened she's been since the war ended. Steeling the last of her nerves, she jumps up, stamps her foot, and, for the first time since this lie of theirs started, stands her ground.

"Christ Almighty, George, if you don't tell me what the fuck is bothering you so much, I'm gonna go back in there and drag Malarkey away from his pretty bartender for another dance!"

"Oh, please don't do that."

She throws her clasped hands out at him like a last-resort prayer.

"Then tell me what's wrong."

He drops his hands to his sides. They hang there, empty, until she steps forward and takes them to hold. Finally, he draws his gaze up to meet hers, but it doesn't last long before his attention falls to her lips. Twice.

"I want it to be real."

This, combined with how he licks his lips before glancing at hers for the third time, knocks the breath out of her.

"What?" she tries to ask, but all that comes out is a whisper—and worse, her voice breaks.

George takes it the wrong way. He steps back, drops her hands, and presses his back against the bricks as if he can blend in, hide from her there. Unfortunately for him, his shirt is not red but a pale blue. She helped him pick it out not six hours ago. She would have gone with a nice forest green—she thinks he looks especially excellent in the color—but she was worried it would remind him too much of his Airborne uniform, especially today.

"I shouldn't have said that."

She startles back into the moment. They've been staring at each other; only now has one of them (him) broken the silence.

"George-"

"Just- just go back in there and tell them I went out for a cigarette break, they'll get it, they know how it gets, with the nicotine—and jeez, it's June again, did you know Normandy was in June? It must'a been in the papers, you prob'ly read all about it-"

"You really did buy the ring for me, didn't you."

It's not a question. It's all clicking into place; the more he rambles, the more anxious he gets, and the more she hears threaded between his buzzing. Knowing she's come to understand makes him fall silent and look away. She feels as though she can feel his heart beating against her very own. He's afraid. She wants to tell him Don't worry, I am, too, but when she steps toward him, he turns his gaze further away, looking down the long alley at the quiet street.

"Did you? Buy the ring for me."

He tries to take a deep breath, but it shakes, and they can both hear it.

"George, please."

He nods, just once, but it's enough.

"You bought the ring for me because you actually did want to marry me."

"Did?" He chuckles hoarsely. "Whoever said it was a 'did' and not a..."

He trails off, but they both know what he almost said.

His voice drops and his head goes with it.

"God, I really wish I had you- shit, I mean, a smoke right now..."

"A smoke?" she asks skeptically. "You want me to go ask that Buck fella for one for you? I'm sure if I was nice about it, he'd-"

"No!"

He lurches toward her, then freezes as if he's forgotten he's supposed to be walling himself away from her. He swallows; she watches his Adam's apple bob.

"No?"

"Don't go."

"Alright, then do you want a smoke or do you want me? Because I can give you one of those things, but probably not the oth-"

"You!" he cries, and it's as if the words have been ricocheting around his chest all night, made louder every time his heart skips or flutters. "Always- always you."

He scrunches up his face as if he's trying not to cry, and Maggie drags her knuckles under her eyes, trying to diminish her own tears.

"Goddamnit," he whispers. "I'm sorry, Mags. I'm real sorry."

She sniffles. When he shuffles a step towards her, it's instinctual; he's quick to retreat again. Finally brave enough, she goes and wraps her arms around him. It takes a moment, but he returns the embrace, a bit clumsily but no less earnestly than he might have yesterday, before this all began.

"I'm sorry, too."

"For what?" He snorts derisively at himself. "What in the hell could you possibly have done that's more insane than buying your best friend a goddamn engagement ring-"

"Falling in love with him the day I met him, how about that?"

He gapes at her.

"You what?"

She sighs. His nose flutters; his breathing is still unstable.

"George, when you asked me to marry you that day on the beach, I didn't freeze up 'cause it was such a startling thing to ask a stranger—even though it definitely was-"

"You didn't?"

"No. No, I froze up because I looked at you, with your big, brown, puppy-dog eyes and your smile all stricken by something that I think might have been awe, and my first instinct was to say yes and marry you on the spot.”

"It was?"

"Yeah, it was."

Maggie shrugs, running her hands up and down George's arms, hoping to soothe him. Her touch, accompanying her confession, seems to do the trick.

"It took all of five minutes for me to fall in love with you then and I'm still in love with you now. Now, I dunno if that's crazier than buying somebody an engagement ring before you've asked 'em out on a first date... But hey, if our standard here is longevity—whether it be two and a half weeks or seven months and one day—then I'm pretty sure I win."

They share a faint laugh, always watching each other's expression, worried one will frighten the other off if they say just one thing too much.

"Only by a few months."

"Aw, there's that smile." Maggie reaches up and caresses his cheek, and to her continued delight, he leans readily into her touch. "I love that smile."

"Sweetheart?"

"Yeah?"

He turns his head and nuzzles a kiss into her palm, and the warmth that fills her chest is more comforting than he could ever know.

"What was that secret you wanted from me? After this was all over?"

"Honestly?" Her smile turns a little shy. "It was you all along."

His grin falls, and for a moment, she's terrified he's only now come to realize all she's been saying. And yet, he doesn't turn away, he steps toward her, and his lower lip is trembling when he murmurs:

"You really do love me."

"I really do," she confirms, still a little afraid he's going to run despite the ring he's now taking off her finger—

"George? What’re you-"

"I know this might not be the best place, but I wanna do this right before I lose the nerve."

He drops to one knee. She gasps, and again it sounds strangled, but this time, he takes her surprise at its harmless face value.

"Marry me, sweetheart?" He's choking up, she can hear it in his voice just as much as she can see it in his eyes. "Marry me for real?"

"Yes," she whimpers, "yes, I'll marry you for real—but for the love of God, George, kiss me."

He surges up to meet her, and they embrace like they've been waiting an aeon for this moment. It kind of feels like they have, even though they've known each other for only a year. He kisses her dizzy and she returns the favor. His hands on her face, caressing her arms, bunching up the back of her dress at the small of her back to pull her flush against him—it's all she's ever imagined and more. When she twirls a brown curl around her finger and accidentally tugs, he groans into her mouth. She nearly has a heart attack from all the things it—he—makes her feel. When they stumble back into the dance hall, drunk off each other, they beeline first for the bar. A celebration is certainly in order—be it two toasts or ten—and if they get too drunk, someone here will get them a hotel room or a taxi. Maggie spots Kitty and Frannie and breaks away, murmuring apologies when she sees the pout already forming on George's face.

"Meet me over there," she mumbles against his lips, delaying to kiss them several times before making her departure.

"You look happy," Kitty remarks as Maggie floats on over. "Happier, I should say, happier than you've looked all evening."

"I am, and for jolly good reason!"

Maggie's two new friends lean over the table towards her, pleased that she has come to them first with her shiny news.

"Oh, go on," Frannie urges, "Spill the beans!"

"It's George- well, it's both of us, really!" Maggie blurts out, hasty in her elation.

"What about you?"

Triumphant at last, Maggie raises her left hand and shows the ladies that magnificent ring and the real, genuine promise it comes with.

"We're engaged!"

While Frannie looks confused—

"Weren't ya already?"

—Kitty's smile quickly turns knowing.

"Frannie, I think our friends Maggie and George might have been fooling us until, say, five minutes ago?"

George reappears—it seems he has missed Maggie just as much as she has missed him in the forty-five seconds they've been apart—wrapping both arms around her torso and cuddling her to him. Where the drinks he was supposed to get have gone, Maggie doesn't know and doesn't much care.

"More like seven," he mumbles into her shoulder blade, and she giggles, placing her hands over his on her stomach. They sway a bit, and Maggie turns her head to feel his glorious kiss again. He pecks her neck—mostly innocently—and little flares spark fire through her stomach.

"Love you, darling."

"Love you, too, sweetheart."

Frannie looks at the fawning couple, then at a very satisfied Kitty, then back at Maggie.

"We love you, too, Frannie," Maggie giggles, a little delirious. "And Kitty, of course."

Kitty raises her glass in a mirthful toast. "Why, of course."

Frannie shuts her gaping mouth, blinks several times, then leans back in her chair.

"Mhmm. Okay."

She takes a deep breath, then hits the table with a soft open palm, and fixes her incredulity directly on Maggie and George, who couldn't be bothered less.

"What in the flying fuck did I miss?"

#band of brothers #george luz #fanfiction #band of brothers fanfiction #band of brothers one shot #band of brothers fic #hbo war show #george luz x oc #one shot #george luz fanfiction #hbo war show fanfiction #hbo war show one shot #hbo war show fic #long shot

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ahaura · 9 months

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my thoughts about character/reader fics are as follows:

firstly want to preface this by saying my feelings may stem from 1) growing up primarily on ffnet where certain types of formats were not allowed iirc (ex: second person POV, choose your own adventure) and so if people wanted to make a self-insert they had to make an oc like everyone else 2) it possibly being a genuine new creative wave that i am not familiar with or 3) following/coming alongside the implementation and popularity of tiktok or 4) something else

secondly i want to say that i have been writing for years & wholeheartedly support OCs whether they're general OCs or self-inserts i think for the most part if there's a sandbox you can build castles in go for it yk?

thirdly i do. wholeheartedly. and entirely. understand wish-fulfillment. i am not a wish-fulfillment or fantasy or fun-having hater. im genuinely not

HOWEVER. it feels like in the last few years? couple years? last year???? there has been a MAJOR uptick/flood of reader/character fics in literally every aspect of fandom like you simply cannot escape it. it's in every single tag for almost every single movie for so many characters. which. like. is annoying for people not into it but i'm not saying, like, it's harmful. annoying =/= bad.

i love my fellow writers i love people reading i love people having fun etc etc etc

all those disclaimers being said. i am SO unbelievably tired of them in a way i have not been tired of a trend in fandom in a very long time. (and im talking about a trend rather than a serious issue.)

i DO think that it requires effort to write reader/character fics. however my beef with them is that they are effectively one-size-fits-all cardboard cut-out wish-fulfillment slots. the goal SEEMS TO ME to maximize engagement. to fulfill the wishes and fantasies of as many people as humanly possible. but the thing is... there is no one-size fits all. there are undoubtedly people who cannot squeeze themselves into the cutout made by the writer.

and moreover i don't think that is the funnest thing to write. is it WRONG to write it? no. is it BAD? no! but i simply wish. that more people would not focus as much as pleasing as many people as humanly possible with their writing and instead do what fulfills THEM. and i don't mean in the "how many comments/how much engagement" you get. i mean, what creatively stimulates you.

that doesnt mean this doesnt require creativity or that some people dont geuninely enjoy writing them. im not saying that.

what im SAYING is that i am SICK of seeing it everywhere and i would ENCOURAGE these writers to TAKE CHANCES! i personally do not find a blank-slate cutout appealing!!!!!! i love, love, love OCs!!!! whether they're general or self-inserts! i love it when writers take chances, when they give their characters defined/explicit traits and personalities! im sick to death of this "y/n" bullshit give me a name give me a general appearance give me an attitude give me a past give me SOMETHING - for lack of a better word - REAL!!!!!! something with meat! something i can chew on!

I WANT WRITERS TO COMMIT! NOT EVERYONE WILL LIKE IT BUT NOT EVERYONE IS MEANT TO! ITS OK TO MAKE SOMETHING THAT SOME PEOPLE WONT VIBE WITH! that's just how art goes!!!!!!

i have personally tried to get into it. and it's not for me. i can say that too, my POV is definitely influenced by that. that's whatever. im not trying to make a moral argument here

second person POV is fun to write in! you can write (OC or not) in it if you want to! it's atool like any other! use it!

i am just. SOSOSOSOSOSO sick of seeing it EVERYWHERE and while im sure it is genuinely creative and stimulating for some people it just feels so. game-ified like those tiktoks that are like "POV: im you're s/o" or whatever like there's nothing WRONG with it but i DO think that sooooo many people are missing out on both the reading And the writing aspect! stories are not SUPPOSED to be "one size fit all!" the goal of art, IN MY OPNION, should not be to maximize engagement! and also WHY is it in every tag cant you guys like make a separate sight for it. ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#hvaña #its 4am this does NOT make sense this is not a moral argument this is an OPINON POST!!!!#IF U DONT AGREE THATS FINE! idc!!!

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lokilysolbitch · 1 year

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My new fixation is bad poetry

and its making me think about how to define art and poetry and what makes poetry good etc but I can't go back and find my sophomore english teacher and rant about it so I'm making it yalls problem. but mr c if ur in here pls read also what do you mean thats one way to skin a hamster. thats not how it goes what are you talking abou

first of all, ive finally figured out my current definition of art: records of the human experience or just experience in general. so yes paintings and poetry but ALSO tiktoks or a decorated room. idc if you think its stupid there are remnants and references to human experiences ALL OVER those. so basically if it left a mark at any point, its art. maybe not always "good" or skilled, deep, etc but it is art (to me)

secondly, what is poetry? the same sophomore english teacher asked this at the beginning of a unit and the class was struggling. every time we listed a requirement for poetry he went "is that necessary though?". "it has to rhyme" "does it?" "it has to be deep" "does it" "it needs to have words!" ".....does it?" man idk i was 15 and sleep deprived

but now im less sleep deprived and i have an answer. I would consider poetry a spectrum (but not necessarily flexible. i wouldn't say you have to bend it's meaning to make something fit) but also playing with language, to be playful with it and have fun with it, to use it as a toy in a way. using language in a way different from its intended use. so writing a personal narrative about a deep topic? not poetry. maybe you had fun with it but thats still its main use. to make words rhyme, to alliterate, to use words just plain wrong? probably poetry. its still a spectrum. and im aware this means that saying something like "yew nork/glass fork" would count as a shitpost and poetry while "Ill love you and ill never stop loving you" doesnt and um i dont care i said what i said--

this would also mean most books and speeches would have little bits of poetry in there and i stand by that too. maybe the entire thing isnt poetry but bits of it could count. i came to this conclusion on the meaning of poetry because i saw too many "aesthetic" free verse poems that were just. tweets. you coulda just made it a sentence and posted it for free. there was no attempt to play with language. you just used it the way you were supposed to. its just a quote.

im definitely going to add more onto this about what i think poetry critics miss sometimes and why formal teaching of poetry is flawed but not all in one post bc its a lot. However i have one last concept to attempt to define. this one has always made me the angriest

GOOD VS BAD POETRY/ART

where do i even start. maybe we should just get rid of these terms completely and make people say what they mean. is it good or did he just use literary devices correctly. is it good or is it genuine. is it good or is it deep. is it good or is it entertaining. is it good or do you like it. is it good or is it popular. is it good or is it complex. is it good or is it creative.

ive been saying since i was i was maybe 12-13 that even though good does not have a solid stable meaning, there is still a sense of what good is. We know what its supposed to be. classical music, Edgar Allen Poe, Da Vinci are good. sure most people barely know or understand or care about these things other than one piece of work they can recall because they had to look at it in highschool that time and the teacher seemed to appreciate it. and we know that reality tv, messily hand drawn animals, and half assed near unintelligible tiktok skits are bad.

but....wait we like those though

ive come to the conclusion that while still shifting, "good"'s meaning in scholarly settings tends to come down to whatever those somethingth century european dudes and what the modern smart looking guys deemed intelligent. and in colloquial settings, what everyone likes.

many pretentious types will say rap is bad and the subject matter is crude and the same way im sure some old european guy would have said or has said traditional african music is too weird and primitive to be respectable.

now. i dont really listen to rap intentionally. if its in there its in there. I used to be pretentious and after changing i just never got too deep into it BUT. i listened to a Nicki Minaj song one time just to see and yeah it was not family friendly but dear god was it clever. the way she'd drop the most genius alliteration-personification-allegory-englishvocabword and then just keep it moving like im not gonna have to stop and ponder the seven layer reference to bedtime hanky panky. its smart. its creative. its complex. and so many rappers can write about the same topics over and over and still come back with a new way of phrasing it. its genuinely impressive

but so many still wouldn't consider it good.

the term good when it comes to art, while having somewhat of a meaning is still useless. make your own personal standards for what is important for you to see in art. its kind of silly for us to collectively decide "okay this art? we like it. this is good" and then go to a different community (age group, culture, race) and go "were going to show you the new gold standard for good! its what we liked! you dont do it like this?? then yours is bad!". historically thats never been a good move

what i find important with poetry (and by poetry i mostly mean song writing bc i dont even read poetry like that) tends to be "is it a poem? or a sentence/paragraph". everything other than that just has to do with my taste and what I prefer in the moment. and it goes the same for everyone else. there's no universal good or bad with art. its just what a dominant or culturally respected group of people said was important.

limericks are bad tho jesus told me/j

TL;DR: i think anything that records an experience is art. i think toying with language mostly makes it poetry, and i think its weird people create little boxes for good and bad and make everyone else adhere to it

#poetry #poetrycritic #creative writing #formalapollooffering #instagrampoetry #instapoetry #art #philosophy #songwriting #bad poetry #rap #writing analysis #literature #ididntproofreadthis #infodump #hyperfixation #adhd #literary device #handmadeorganicpost

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slow-button-off · 1 year

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this is going to be long, you might not read it and i might not make sense but i need to take it out somewhere so

babyfication of literally ALL drivers happens nowadays, even max and alonso. all over tiktok and twitter.. personally speaking i hate the level it's reached because some fans refuse to treat the driver as humans and reach insane levels of shipping drivers together. ive seen such werid tweets it makes me ill even tho im part of the same generation looool.

it's just that since there's a perception that apparently *charles only has fangirls* and *young teenage girls support him because he's good-looking* he gets the same treatment from the other drivers' fans and media.

lol at them because firstly these men always fucking always admit he's good looking. secondly they prove that they ALL are misogynistic creeps who can't accept the fact that a woman who supports a good looking man (which they'll never be) have more knowledge about a sport than they do.

the constant he's depressed at ferrari narrative is all over the world by now, it's naturally understandable why the media behaves like that no?

i don't know who the fuck considers carlos an alpha male when that guy literally has the most ''i don't know what I'm doing here im clueless" look on his face. yesterday he was almost on the verge of tears on the radio. BUT since he's spanish he's considered an alpha apparently like alonso. alonso doing these tiktoks is considered funny but if charles ever does the same he'll be crucified w the words focus on driving. max gets told off by kelly in whatever clip of a documentary i saw on twitter, and i fully support everyone who bashes her because heck yes she is wrong. there everyones feeling bad for max and understandably so but god forbid that was charles in the clip i fucking bet half the qts from men would be for him to grow balls and stop her from pointing fingers.

at the end of the day it all comes down to one perception that he only has fangirls. which is so so so untrue. so wrong. BUT even if he does, it's okay. people don't want women to enjoy sports. are we not supposed to support an athlete at all?

deep down it's all the men showing how misogynistic they can be, this time, it's by targetting charles because that's the way they think they can reach majority of the female fanbase.

sorry once again this was extremely long charles' lack of luck and stupid takes of twitter have driven me crazy

Genuinely I read all of them and I love reading all of your guys thoughts! It's just if I don't have the brain to respond immediately I just forget.. and I am really sorry about that.

To the babygirlifying can get a bit much too, but with fans overall I am fine because I feel like most of them do know that they are talking about grown adults. Or at least it is somewhat in the back of their heads. But also it's fans and fandom is allowed to be a bit strange sometimes imo.

Yeah, that weird reaction to Charles having fans is so wild. You'd think he was just pretty but trundling around a minute off of the field with how convinced some people are that he only has fans because of his face.

Some of them are so adamant that I am convinced that they only have an issue with him because they are jealous. Also like what do they want him to do? take off his face? It's not like he is going out of his way to look the way he does it's just his fucking face.

It always makes me wonder about how the brains of men work if they always assume that women can't find someone attractive and still hold other positive opinions of them. Like are men that blinded by peoples attractiveness? They can't grasp that someone being nice to look at is quite often just the cherry on top of many other things.

The depressed at Ferrari thing can be funny but like anytime he isn't smiling in a picture it's because of Ferrari apparently. that's a bit much. I don't really feel like that's the media narrative tho. or maybe I've just not seen that stuff.

Overall I don't think that what drivers say in the car and even to a certain extent in the post race interviews should be held against them. Obviously as long as they are being respectful. But a race with all the adrenaline is a very emotional situation for them and I think that's fine.

But yeah the double standard is what pisses me off. Carlos being upset means he is the only one that cares but if that had been Charles the narrative would've been completely different. I hate all of the narratives I just don't get why they are so weirdly different.

I think it's a mixture of he is pretty, he has a lot of fangirls (and anything that women especially young women like has to be bad) and the fact that he is kind.

But it's so funny because he has always been infantilised to a certain extent in F1 but like in 2018/19 the whole thing used to be that Max should learn from him because he is so much calmer and so much more in control of himself. But even though Charles himself hasn't changed that much it's apparently the opposite and it's bad or he doesn't have control over himself.

People on twitter having dumb opinions is annoying but doesn't bother me nearly as much as the fact that this weird narrative about him is also being perpetuated by the pundits. By the professionals.

I'm glad that he doesn't seem to be too bothered by that, like it probably annoys him a little but he isn't like upset about it and he isn't going to change because of it.

I just wonder if the pundits are aware of what they are doing and why they are doing it. and what they would say if they were confronted with facts and how they keep contradicting themselves.

again, don't worry about the length I love reading thoughts like this. I just need to find the time to give a proper response.

#asks asks asks

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unidentifiedfuckingthing · 2 months

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idk i feel like the goal of intersectionalism is understanding that all systems of oppression are arbitrary and post-hoc justifications for forming a society where some groups are systemically disadvantaged and other groups give up some part of their freedom of expression (as in, that which associates them with the underclass) as an agreement to willingly keep the other people disadvantaged. right. and it seems to me like still trying to sort out whether *discrete incidences* of prejudice are actually transmisogyny* or another thing because the person being victimized isnt a trans woman*

*literally anything but this is the thing rn

is unhelpful because the system punishing people for transgressing acceptable social categories is the whole point. so firstly whether an instance of prejudice was "misdirected" or not, it serves to publicly reinforce the boundaries between acceptable and unacceptable for people on both sides of the line. a cis woman getting fucked up for looking like a trans woman is straightforwardly transmisogyny; which is a separate discussion from whether she's systemically targeted by transmisogyny; which is even a separate discussion from whether she's the social and economic target of transmisogyny on a cultural scale. it's untruthful to say it wasnt transmisogyny just because its victim wasnt a trans woman, and it's also untruthful to say that experiencing transmisogyny on an incidental or interpersonal level is equivalent to being targeted by systemic transmisogyny or to being within the category of people transmisogyny is intended to subjugate, because all of those are just different things.

secondly the invocation of "intersectionalism" to mean that each axis is its own straight line and they only "intersect" at single points is materially, a bad analog of the function of oppression, and theory-wise, serves to create a lot of discussion of exactly which oppression or misdirected oppression someone faced in some incident that doesn't actually like, benefit the discussion at all. it isn't like, *either* misogyny or transphobia or intersexism or ableism when cis women with nonnormative presentations receive aggression, because those are all a coherent spectrum of the same thing. the reason you notice the same punishment of forbidden gendered embodiment as misogyny and homophobia and transphobia and intersexism in racism and ableism is because they grow from the same taproot. and honestly i would assert (and my experience is) that the fact it's consistently so difficult and contentious to pare apart different axes of oppression to analyze & discuss them individually is the proof that it's an incomplete framework and the point at which you should be asking questions about missing links that would square that circle.

so the main point im interested in making here is that tme/tma (and "straight/lgbt", and "white/nonwhite", and "abled/ablebodied/disabled", and...) are useful rules of thumb, because describing the effects of vectors of oppression that naturally operate on an impersonal, systemic, theoretical scale, on individual people and especially individual incidents is usually relevant and useful while generally not cleanly accurate. tma and tme don't literally mean "will or will not receive all possible transmisogynistic aggression" and taking such strong offense to the use of the words or the framework implies to me either:

literally genuinely thinking that the extent of transmisogyny is whether strangers have harassed you on the street. which is a shamefully common mindset and speaks to a perspective that has blissfully never once interacted with the multifaceted reality of oppression but still insists on being an important part of its discussion;

an insecurity in ones own victimization and the right to claim it when thats not actually being challenged (which, like, nobody can take that from you, but it's stupid and childish to refuse to recognize a boundary between real aggression and other people having discussions you can't look at right now);

or else, plainly being against the discussion of transmisogyny, and just conveniently finding an explanation for that Bad Vibe it gives you in the terminology being bad and bigoted. this just sucks man it's incredibly fucking frustrating to throw a fit at feeling implicated in culpability or complacency in discussions of/by a class you aren't a part of but also thinking you deserve to be seen as an ally. have a little fucking grace

the second point is if every time people argued about whether something was *really* transmisogyny or homophobia we replaced it with synthesizing the shared characteristics of different axes of oppression and how movements in one affect the other we might get somewhere more useful

#dude ive had that backstreet boys song stuck in my head since i saw that post like 9 hours ago i am at my limit

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myimaginarywonderland · 1 year

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Another long post in coming:

This fandom has gotten so weird.

I do not know what it is but something has definitely shifted and it honestly makes me uncomfortable to see how open some of you will be when it comes to not only invading drivers privacy but also just their general life it almost feels like.

Not only has it become normal that drivers are sexualized and treated like characters from a fucking TV Show but you are also all way too comfortable when it comes to treating them like an almost object. The amount of shit that some of you will post on public platforms where drivers can easily get access to is genuinely baffling. Some of you will have no hesitation telling a driver they should get ride of themselves but then will be not be sure about a fucking driver change?

So many of you will be so open to make posts about drivers ships and then go to said drivers and demand they comment on it and it's like, when did you all get so comfortable? Who gave you the right to demand a person's opinion on a complete non-existent relationship that you created in your fantasy?

Not to mention this weird wag culture, drivers insert like they don't have real girlfriends and this doesn't border on objectifying the drivers.

I know some of you might be young but the way many of you behave is truly not okay and you should maybe take a step back if you can't figure out why your behavior might not be mean.

And I don't mean there is anything wrong with complementing a drivers appearance or mentioning how the friendship of two drivers is sweet or intriguing.

There is a line and then there is going widely beyond.

Not to mention the complete willingness with which you will all blatantly play favorites like all of these drivers haven't done or said fucked up things in the past. They are human , they are bound to make mistakes. Of course you do not have to forgive them for that especially not when their hurtful actions affected you directly but don't act like most of these people would even be able to find a common ground with most of probably very open-minded and colorful folks. I can tell you that most of these man would probably if you actually talked to them one way or another in the way that some of you want to, turn out even shittier than previously assumed because their nothing like us common folks. They life in a compleltly separate and different environment than any normal working class person and they grew up in such a secluded way that ignorance is probably something that is bound to have been taught to most of them. What they do later is compleltly their decision but many are still growing and figuring out their place so maybe stop judging them while some of you are supporting people who are 27 and dating 19-year Olds. There's a German saying "Wer im Glashaus sitzt, soll nicht mit Steinen werfen" which means that someone in a house of glass shouldn't throw stones, translating to maybe don't judge if your position to judge is built on something just as bad.

Secondly this entire Lewis/Max fanbase feud has gotten so out of control that I feel like some of you are genuinely a hivemind that can't use critical thinking. We don't have to use every fucking word those two say and make it about how it could get ride of them or how they clearly are still hung up on etc.

I don't care who you support on this but maybe just stop fucking judging everything they say based on how you like/dislike them. Just like in the real world someone we might not like will also happen to make good points in an argument and there is literally nothing wrong with admitting that. I know we like to tag the position on this but like it's really not hard to ignore one side if you want to.

I am not asking you all to understand the other side in this because I agree that some of us just can't and won't see eye to eye and that's fine. But I wish some of you would step being so obsessed about a weird rivalry that really wasn't even that when there are so much more important and bigger problems we as a fan base should be talking about.

Another thing that I will never understand is this bitterness towards a driver who get another drivers seat. Yes, it will hurt especially if it's your favourite driver but also, the driver is not responsible for any decisions a team makes when it comes to who drives for them. That decision is either made in mutual agreement or the driver will be kicked out. And this is F1. Contracts really do not mean shit here and aren't a guarantee especially if there's any reason (performance, marketing etc.) that another driver looks more promising. I can guarantee that no driver is a villain in that sense and you should absolutely first and foremost blame the team.

Also I will never understand this weird only hating RedBull thing when it comes to teams. Like listen yes RedBull is an absolute shit hole and has treated their drivers badly but at least they give their drivers a chance to fail. The academies and driver programs for other teams are even worse with people just stuck in a category hoping, waiting to move up and missing out all opportunities to go to any other sport, let alone a different team. The entire way drivers are handled is done badly by so many teams. If you only accuse RedBull you are so off. Just look at Kevin and Stoffel at McLaren, Pascal who was tossed aside although he is clearly now proving his worth in FE, Nyck never being able to go anywhere because he couldn't afford it, etc. The problem is way bigger than just RedBull and to only look at them completely missed any point.

Additionally this is a special shout out to the Seb fandom Listen, I know it might sting that the car is now performing. But Seb willingly made the decision to leave in order to spend time with his family. He looks so much happier and relieved now then I feel like he was for years. Let him enjoy this. If you can't enjoy F1 since he is gone that's fine or even if you need a break. What isn't okay is wishing a driver to be ill so that Seb could come back when it wouldn't even be him as a first choice. Maybe some of you should take a page out of Mike Kracks book because he said it so beautiful in that interview. Sure you consider what ways there are to bring him back but ultimately you should respect his wished and decisions to be there for his family while exploring other passions and continuing to advocate for environmental causes.

Lastly, I wish some of you would realise that in F1 there isn't anything such as a goat unless you are purely using statistics which doesn't work. People have opinions on drivers and that's all fair to prefer one over someone else. What isn't fair is to dismiss a drivers career or results without actually fact checking or providing evidence for it. There's many reason why a driver might be more of a team-mate in a season like 2020 that some drivers missing out on races due to Covid which just means they had less race to prove their worth and get results. You can't compare drivers from different eras because F1 was complelty different in both instances and we couldn't possibly prove which one was the better driver. What I want to say by this is : You can prefer a driver but that doesn't mean he had to be one of the bests. There's no shame in supporting a driver whose results might be lacking. What is not okay is to shit on drivers or other fans while most of you ignore actual facts that determine said drivers points/position in the statistics. Before you engage in why one driver is better than another maybe consider actually looking up said drivers career and when I say this I mean beyond just plain race results or points and actually seeing their starts, development, qualifying etc.

F1 is currently very hard to enjoy but sometimes this fandom makes it so much harder.

So a tip for those of you who struggle with it currently and start to see that it's affecting them negatively: Take a step back and maybe reflect on how you want to enjoy this experience.

I can guarantee there a beautiful and fun communities out there who will welcome anyone that is kind and respectful. I can guarantee that once you actively start to make your own experience and maybe also form your own opinions there will be a revelation that this sport isn't that important and serious.

Breach out. Look for other racing because there is so much more interesting categories out there who actually will give a happy experience.

Racing doesn't end with F1, it merely starts there.

But also, that does not mean we should let some of the treatment that has formed in this fandom especially on here be tolerated.

Like I said the line from drivers being actual people and athletes that you admire to this weird cult like characterization has become way too accepted. Maybe consider not being a part of that or reflecting and questioning why you might be.

#f1 #if any of you have something else to add please do if it's respectful #weird rant but yeah hope I got some points across #also to everyone: my blog will be a safe space for everyone as long as you are respectful and treat others with kidness #yes I do not support all drivers but I refuse to become someone who actively roots for anything bad to happen to them #favourites are normal but the way some of you treat them isn't #also I will also welcome new fans and answer questions #look at other racing series guys!#there's indy and FE both with so exciting championships this year #and so many other racing events #yes there might be fewer fandoms for those buf it just makes them feel like more of a community than anything else

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torydarixs · 2 years

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hi im genuinely tired of this day but im not sure if you know what an apology is supposed to look like

you werent trying to be islamophobic on an inherent level, i think i get that? maybe? youre just a tad ignorant about a lot of stuff

but nowhere do i see anything like 'i see how my actions were horrible and hurtful and im so sorry'

all i see is you saying you 'should have worded it better' or that you 'are sorry people are hurt'

which doesnt cut it, shatrupa

also no one said religion is a determinant for you when it comes to liking or disliking people

you dont dislike queer people, either

but for someone who doesnt dislike queers, you sure seem to do them a lot of harm

and no offence, but no one asked for an apology

we dont need an apology- least of all one along the lines of this

for the people this has reassured: im happy for you all!

i was just hopeful, i guess, like the stupid person i am, that maybe things weren't as bad as they were, or as bad as i thought they were

happy 18th birthday

anon. first off, i don't care if you asked for an apology or not. i did it because i wanted to, because unlike what a lot of you might believe, i actually do care about hurting people's feelings. spit on me if you want to, but that's the truth.

secondly, i literally said "i'm sorry i did not mean to offend anyone"??? i understand that you're mad at me but please don't say untrue things.

as for the whole queer thing, again, believe it or not, i'm trying to make things right. i'm not a heartless, hateful monster, and i realize my mistake and i'm fucking trying, okay?

could this not have waited for ONE day? did you really have to ruin my 18th fucking birthday? even us bad people deserve to be happy sometimes, and you just ruined my mood. hope you're really fucking happy with yourself.

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vegetalass · 3 years

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If you come back to this, would you consider doing hcs for the rdr2 boys coping with bad breakups? 👀🙈💖👉👈😳

I love your stuff btw! Hope the hiatus is going well and you're having fun being absorbed into new fandom stuff <3

JSKajhdhajfskhjdkajsh AHHHHHHHHHHH YOU ARE TOO SWEET WTF🥺🥺So I just went ahead and wrote this request for you LOOOOOL😎💘😳🤠

even tho I would still say I’m on hiatus.... I was just thinking about Mister Arthur Morgan today and how much i want to sit on his lap and hug him and kiss his cheeks and hold his face against my chest.... So I figure this is as good a time as any to write some stuff for rdr2...

Plus... I really am happy about the fact that people like my work enough to still send me asks!!! I miss the rdr2 fandom a lot tbh because as I’m sure you all have been know... The bnha fandom is a little..... wack tbh..... But regardless, I am having as much fun as i possibly can under the circumstances!!! Theres a lot of good content there...

and just in case u like bnha... you can actually find me at @ihatebnha if you want to read any of my current BNHA stuff (tho im sorta taking a break there too temporarily). Either way, even if you don’t, i appreciate u all for sticking with me and I MISS U GUYS so i hope this does u all some justice!

anyway... i hope this is what you were looking for because I LOVE UUUUUU!! ENJOY💚🧡❤️

Arthur

First of all………. If you break up with Arthur I personally will come beat you up

Secondly….

Honestly, he probably just goes completely numb

He doesn’t have the emotional stability or strength to handle unpacking how or why it’s happening

You ask to break up with him and his soul leaves his body and he’s just “Ok.🙂Whatever you think is best, baby.”

And that’s the end of it. Won’t even let you explain.

This means don’t prank him by pretending to break up with him either because you’ll accidentally kill him

Like he genuinely probably thinks that he deserves whatever it is that made you want to break up with him and that there’s really nothing he can do to feel better about it

Even if was just something like, long distance problems or needing a break

This also hurts so badly because I feel like… getting to the point where Arthur even wants to date you takes FOREVER… He really really needs to trust and love the person who he’s with…

And so to see them leave would just break his heart up into pieces and he wouldn’t be able to handle that all over again

He just… becomes a ghost

Anyone from the gang even mentions it or asks how he is and he just tells them he’s fine and doesn’t need to talk about it

Even if he really is aching deep down… He just can’t bring himself to talk about it because it still doesn’t make any sense to him

And honestly, he just doesn’t want things to hurt any more than they already do by acknowledging them or facing them head on

So he just submits to it all being his fault, it was the right thing to do, that you’re happier without him, etc. and permanently shuts himself off

If you left him, that would be the absolute final straw and he would just throw himself into his work and never look back

And honestly wouldn’t even notice if someone else was making moves on you, that’s how out of it he is.

You wouldn’t even notice something was wrong unless you TRULY knew Arthur

He’s a tough cookie

John

John is the guy who acts like he’s fine if anyone sees him but cries 24/7 when he’s alone

If anyone asks him about it he’s like “I don’t care, it’s fine and I respect their decision… I’m a man, not a baby.”

But the truth is…. Sir… You ARE baby

Honestly…. He’s just saying all that so people don’t really know how much he’s hurting or think he’s weak and try to help

And in a modern setting, Abigail, Arthur, Hosea, anyone really, can’t go to his apartment because he’s lost all motivation to take care of himself

Dishes piled up, laundry everywhere, he’s been wearing the same pajamas for a week, his trash is full of microwave meal packages… It’s just so fucking bad

Single Man Shit

Probably goes through bouts of rage too

Was he not good enough? Did you think you weren’t good enough? Was it the fact that he has Abigail and Jack? Is he too ugly for someone pretty like you?

It’s in these moments that he starts throwing stuff around and kicking chairs and whatnot

I imagine it’s all pretty nonviolent but he still just wants to make a mess to release all that pent up frustration

But he always just ends up on the floor or in bed crying again because he really doesn’t understand what went wrong since he was trying so hard to be a good partner

He wanted to be good for you :(

At least to make up for what he did to Abigail

Probably a couple months after the breakup he starts feeling better…

Picks his laundry up and does the dishes and starts to open up to the gang again

He’s definitely still sad when he thinks about it all… But he knows he’ll get over it as long as you seem happy from afar

If any of the other boys from camp try to make a move on you, he does his best to ignore it… Knowing it’s not his place to speak for you anymore, even if seeing you with someone else does make him sad

And he probably takes some extra time to spend with Abigail and Jack, too

There’s really no one like your family (even if they’re chosen) to make you feel better in situations like this

(Especially since they went through the same thing as him BY him)

Karma’s a bitch, lol

Charles

Charles... My love….. My baby…….

He takes a while to fall apart because honestly, he’s just so confused

He definitely does not recover quickly, but of course, appears to function kind of normally

If anything, he just gets more quiet and distant than before, simply because he needs a lot of time and space to think about everything

And because looking at you hurts so badly

When you mention breaking up, he probably just stands up and walks away

And if you chase after him trying to explain, he’ll tell you that you don’t need to justify yourself, and that he just needs to be alone

However, deep down, he’s gutted and really just needs the space to process what you said and then calm down

He doesn’t want to face the gang, and possibly you, again, crying, hence why he doesn’t come back for a while, but he knows that he can’t just run away from everything

He never thought that you’d be capable of hurting him in the way that you did

And he wonders what the final straw that pushed you over the edge was

He definitely saw you staying together for a long time, and had a lot of ideas for your future, so the breakup was especially surprising and devastating for that reason alone

And he would probably never want to speak to you again

Not really because he hated you, but because it would be too emotional for him to be around you knowing you didn’t feel the same as him

And even though he’s okay with emotions, the gang just isn’t exactly the right space for him to deal with them

Though he probably eventually talks about it with Arthur after a couple months, once he finds another normal, and bonds with him over the shared experience

He would never be able to ask you this, but he wonders if the reason you left him was for the same reasons he’s shunned in society

I think that would hurt him the most… if you didn’t want to be seen with him in public

Even though he knows that it’s unlikely, since he didn’t want to hear your reasons for leaving, it’s something that he thinks about

Even if it would hurt him to see you with someone else, he wouldn’t do anything about it

And as always, he’d just stay quiet, watching

Micah

Micah blames you

Everything is your fault. Everything.

Oh, you want to break up with him? When he’s been so nice to you? So good? He’d literally do anything for you, and you’re not happy with that? You’re such an ungrateful bitch! Fuck you! He never even wanted to date you in the first place, so it’s your fault for making him love you. Sorry he tried soooo hard.

Any semblance of sadness he feels about losing you turns to rage so quickly since he just really cannot fathom why you’d leave him

Genuinely thinks he’s the best boyfriend you’ve ever had and ever will

SIR…????

Despite his anger, he probably is sad deep down… He just doesn’t really recognize it as sadness in the first place

His chest aches when he thinks about you? His eyes sting and burn when he looks at you? His stomach hurts at any and every thought of you?

You’re just an ugly witch who wants him dead.

He has never felt any of these things before, and frankly, he hates feeling like this.

And absolutely refuses to admit to himself that maybe… MAYBE… he just misses you and wants you back…

Honestly though, you will never get word nor wind of this, and before long, he really just does start to hate you.

If you weren’t in the gang, and were ever in a situation where you saw him again, he’d try to make your life a hell.

He’d tease you in front of whoever you were with, talking about how he’s probably the best fuck you’d ever have and that “if you still wanted to fuck him,” he “wouldn’t blame you…” and might even think about it going at it on more time

In a modern setting, he’s definitely a hate fucking type of ex

And if he ever saw you with a new boy, he would probably try to lay some hands on them for even thinking about touching you

AND STILL doesn’t realize that this means he still loves you… But whatever

If you break up with him, guaranteed you’re probably never getting back together

Dutch

Dutch is a tough one… I feel like it really depends on how long you’ve been together, the reason why you want to breakup, and how much value he has for the you and relationship itself

I think he’d be more upset about a long term relationship ending than anything and he’d definitely try to argue with you about any of the problems you bring up

He definitely hits you with the, “you should’ve known what you were getting into,” which, honestly, is a pretty fair point

He doesn’t actually want you to leave him, though… He just doesn’t really want to change

Which is why the whole thing ends up being so T O X I C

But if he realizes that you are actually serious about breaking up, he isn’t above saying that he’ll put the work into fixing everything

Though that’s kind of a lie, since he’s mostly just saying it to get you to stay

If the argument gets too intense, he’ll let you walk away

But only because he’s going to brainstorm about how to get you back

I’m sure this is a given, but none of the other boys at camp are allowed to even think about getting close to you

It wasn’t so bad when you and Dutch were still together, but if he wants you back, everyone is a threat

Arthur and John are given direct orders to not even comfort you… And Dutch even tries to get Miss Grimshaw to be mean to you

At least so he can swoop in and save you… Thinking that you’ll run right back into his arms if no one except him is nice to you

Because that’s where you belong

If he doesn’t manage to succeed in winning you back, the moment he realizes that everything is over, he will 100% start ignoring you

And don’t put it past him to try show off the fact that he’s found someone new to fuck

Honestly, since he’s the leader, at this point, he’d probably just be looking for a good way to get rid of you

Nothing violent, just find a little brothel he can pop you in when the gang’s about to leave some random town

Seems like a good idea to him… Since if he’s not special, no one is.

Same reason why, if you cheat on him, you will never see the whites of his eyes again

Much less anyone from the gang

Kieran

To give Kieran some credit... He’s probably the most in touch with his emotions

He doesn’t respond very well to the breakup, just says okay and lets you walk away, but he’s not above accepting the truth and just crying about it for a while

First and foremost, you need to be happy, even if it means without him

Part of him wants to beg for you to stay so badly… Hold onto the bottom of your shirt and cry… But I know that he probably thinks he doesn’t deserve to and would be able to stop himself

Obviously, you know better than him about everything so why would you be wrong about breaking up?

His work definitely lags and he ends up spending more time with the animals than anyone else, but he’s okay at holding himself together

No one would even know he’s still suffering unless they talked to him about it

Which they don’t, really, and honestly he’s sort of glad, because it gives him a lot of time to think about everything

Which is why, even months after the breakup, if he hasn’t found someone new, he still thinks about what it would be like if you stayed

Daydreams about cuddling with you, about dancing with you, about brushing the horses with you, starting a family, everything…

He wishes it were his so badly

And so seeing you with another boy, especially if it were someone else at camp, would absolutely kill him

And yet, he’d still manage to keep it all to himself. Nothing but his greedy eyes left

Self esteem gone forever… He’d take you back in a heartbeat

Doesn’t help that the poor baby definitely gets clowned by Dutch and Micah about not being able to keep “a good fuck” around

It really hurts… But in the end, he knows they’re right

Javier

Javier probably gets over everything the quickest out of all of the boys.

I just see him as having the most romantic experience out of all of them, so he understands how relationships (and breakups) work

His logic is, why would he want to be with someone who doesn’t want to be with him?

Which makes getting over you faster than normal

Especially since, regardless of why you wanted to leave, he’s going to respect your wishes

Definitely a little peeved at first though because he thought things were fine between the two of you

He’s just not going to bother trying to get you to stay

Especially since he knows that he can be kind of flirty with people even when he’s with you

That being said, if he sees any of the other boys at camp trying to get with you, he’s going to be BIG MAD

First of all, he was there first, so they should know better than to touch someone else’s things

And second of all, it would just feels like they’re showing off the fact that you left him, rather than the other way around

But honestly, he probably wouldn’t care if you found a stranger to mess with. It’s not like they know your relationship history, and honestly, he knows it wouldn’t be fair if he were ever to find someone else he likes.

So he’s fine watching you run around

It’s only ever late at night, if it’s been a while since you’ve spoken to him, or he’s feeling lonely, that he thinks about what things would be like if you were still with him

He wonders what really made you leave, and if you were honest with him during the relationship

Overall, he’d be okay, but would definitely still be down to fuck if you ever wanted! You may not want to be with each other anymore, but it doesn’t change the fact you guys had some bomb ass sex

Sean

Sean is another boy who’s going to be a bit more angry than sad

That being said, he’s no where near as bad as Micah and knows that the anger comes from the sadness

He’s just extremely frustrated that things didn’t work out, and resents the fact that you didn’t even want to try and fix things with him

It’s not like he really blames you for that… But he wishes that he could

Especially since throughout it all, even now, he doesn’t actually hate you, and still wishes that you would come back

He’s knows his personality can be a little overwhelming, but he would’ve been willing to change if it made you happy!

But honestly, since he doesn’t need to anymore, everything about him just gets a bit… Worse

Constantly making a show of showing off for the other girls at camp, always trying to flirt with the girls at the saloon, talking the boys’ heads off about anything and everything…

Just to distract himself and prove that he’s doing fine… That you didn’t hurt him at all, and he doesn’t need you

But even he’s not all that convinced

If any of the other boys at camp start messing around with you, he’ll definitely start a fight with them, feeling like were just doing it to piss him off

He’d lose, though, and would end up just going to bed and crying.

If he saw you flirting with a stranger, he’d be equally as mad, but he probably wouldn’t do anything other than get super drunk in front of you to ruin the mood

Eventually he starts feeling more like himself, and it definitely helps if you don’t treat him weirdly, but he finds that he does still think of you when he sees cute married girls or children, wondering what he would’ve had if things didn’t go wrong.

Especially since he also gets teased by the gang for not being able to hold it down… Despite his constant talk

#red dead redemption 2 #rdr2 headcanons #arthur morgan x reader #red dead redemption 2 headcanons #rdr2 #rdr2 x reader #I HOPE THIS IS WHAT U WANTED #ur ask was just so sweet i had to write something for it #and this was fun #anon #ask #Anonymous

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notthatiwilleverwriteit · 3 years

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Hello!So there's always been this theory that he tian will join the family business.but dosen't this a contradiction to everything he had done until now? he tian wanted mo to be good and even he tian was trying to be his best self throughout all this time. so he tian joining the business will be like joining the "dark side" at least that what he tian also thinks. so I don't know what reason there would be to make him join because he would need to do some bad things if he would be part of it, im afraid it would ruin his whole process

Hello, dear anon!

I have talked quite a lot about my thoughts regarding the future of HT (and Tianshan). Here are two previous posts that I feel like could be useful for your questions, especially:

Would HT work for his family in the future?

About the distance in Tianshan and HT’s future

However, your question had an interesting character development angle that I don’t think I have pondered before as such. And I feel like the recent chapter had some curious crumbs that also got me thinking about this whole thing again. So, at the risk of repeating myself, I am once again diving into this.

A quick note before getting further, though. The translations of any chapters that come after 341 used in this post are done by @1154lizz Please, go support our fandom’s precious lifelines!

“there's always been this theory that he tian will join the family business”

This has actually been one of the things that the new chapter got me to reconsider. I have heard the theory of HT potentially working for his family in the future, and I have always thought it very likely based on the Christmas specials.

I still think he might end up in the family business, but after the newest chapter, my focus somewhat shifted (ch. 348):

In the Christmas specials, the boys are at college age. ZZX is going to a university while JY is catching up on his high school education. MGS seems to be working, but the pile of books hints that he might be studying something, too.

Considering the He family a bit more, I actually think HT might be going to a university in the Christmas specials. Despite their presumably criminal line of work/involvement, I think the He family puts importance on intelligence and prestige. HT always scores top of his class. He is viewed and treated like an apple of the eye by the teachers, their prized pupil. I also think that if HT is to inherit the position of his family, he is expected to be smart and educated. Not to mention, prestige always means a lot of money which attracts powerful people to rub shoulders.

So, HT having a university degree (in business, perhaps) would make sense in my head. And if Mr. He is located abroad, HT is probably going to a foreign university as well. Of course, that doesn't mean he can’t be already somewhat involved in the family business by then, but I would say it’s entirely possible he’s still being groomed.

But this was just a side note. Whether he is already working for his father or otherwise getting close to that doesn’t really change things that much regarding your question.

“dosen't this a contradiction to everything he had done until now? // I don't know what reason there would be to make him join because he would need to do some bad things if he would be part of it”

This is actually something I haven't really thought about before. At least, not in so many words. I was talking about HT’s future with a friend of mine, and she said that she wishes HT won’t “give up on himself” in the sense that he stops rebelling against this father/family. Especially after everything he’s been through with MGS trying to make him fight for his own future and not submit. What would be the point of him telling MGS to be his own person if HT himself then joins the dark side even if it’s against his will?

Before I get to my thoughts regarding all that, I think it’s important to remember that the future is very much a question mark to us still. Even though the fact that HT seems to be staying abroad (among other things) gives us a base to make certain guesses, we still don't know for sure what he is up to in the future-related chapters. It’s good to keep that in mind when pondering the overall character development.

But I do take my friend’s and your points, dear anon. I could see why it would be disappointing if HT basically undid the progress of working on himself and went against his own principles. I could understand why it would be sad to see his fight have been for naught in the end.

But...as much as I do see where you’re coming from, I still kind of prefer the idea of HT getting involved with the family business one way or another in the future. Instead of disappointing, I would find it realistic and more interesting. HT having to compromise on his rather idealistic principles but still having them represented in MGS would have the kind of angsty layers that personally appeal to me. Both the good and bad being present in HT’s characters in a realistic way - imagine the complexity of that! The bitter-sweetness of “don’t become what I became”. Also, HT trying to keep the world of his family and whatever he has with MGS in the future separate would definitely be my kind of mafia ship aesthetic.

As far as potential reasons why HT might join his family business in the future, I think there are some possible reasons that have been hinted at in the current timeline already. I have talked about these before in the previous answers I linked above, so I won’t go as deep into this topic.

First of all, I think the He family has the kind of resources and influence that could help HT protect his friends and people who are dear to him (ch. 244, 245, 267):

HT’s character seems to have this contradiction that he despises his family’s behavior and way of dealing with things, but he will take advantage of that manpower and influence when it suits him. Granted, he does use them to protect his friends and I’m sure relying on them is less than ideal in his mind, but it still goes against him “being his own person”. In the end, resources matter and even HT can’t ignore that which makes his situation realistic.

Ultimately I think HT using his family could lead to him owing to them and basically being made to submit to his family’s will that way. In fact, I would say it has already happened a couple of times. At the back of one of those incidents, HT had to agree to go see his father. I don’t see why that arrangement couldn’t escalate further in the future as the steaks go higher. I think it very likely that in the future he will keep sacrificing his own ideals and principles to protect the good people who don't deserve to be oppressed by people like Mr. He.

Secondly, despite everything, this is still HT’s family we’re talking about, and I think he is more hung up on them than he would like to admit (ch. 229, 251, 252, 292):

I think the topic of family is very difficult for HT and he has a love-hate relationship with them. It’s painful to be disappointed and let down by the people you love as instinctively as one loves their family. HT has clearly been put through a lot of pain and trauma by the dangerous and ruthless life his family has chosen to lead.

But I don’t think even that has made HT completely given up on them. Perhaps not even when it comes to his father. I’m not sure if he is naive enough to expect them to change their lifestyle, but on some level, he might be waiting for something. When it comes to our families, the human mind works in mysterious ways. It’s easy to stay in a toxic environment and wait for something to change. And really, there are only two things that can change in those situations: them or us. Either they change themselves for better or worse or we make a decision whether we stay or leave for ourselves. I would say HT’s situation belongs in that last category where he is at this mental crossroad of trying to be separate from his family but also not being able to quite see it through.

Which brings me to another detail that got me thinking in the latest chapter. The issue of HC’s view on Mr. He that has been brought up before in the comic already (ch. 252, 348):

I think when it comes to their father and family in general, HC and HT are in very different kinds of mental positions. As the older son, HC has been subjected to the teachings and principles of their father for longer. I’m not sure if I would say he’s internalized them as such, but he has at least accepted them as a way to live his life. As an older brother, he has also naturally fallen into the role of responsibility a lot more than HT. He hasn’t had the position and freedom to rebel like HT has.

So, when HC tries to defend their father to HT, I think it’s wise to take his “background” into account. I’m not saying he’s lying when he believes their father does care about HT, but I think his disposition as the older brother makes him somewhat biased.

And yet...

And yet, I’m curious about how the new chapter brought this issue up again. Whenever HT accuses their father of just seeing his sons as pawns for his own gain, HC always seems genuinely taken aback by the outburst and how HT is talking about their father. The way HC said HT will “understand in the future” especially piqued my curiosity. Does HC know something about their father that HT doesn’t? Something that could - if not justify - then at least begin to explain his apparent ruthlessness? If that was explained to HT, would there be a chance that he would be less declined to join whatever his family is doing? I would even go as far as asking is HT waiting for a reason that would make thinking about his family less painful if there was something behind it all? Is it possible that HT had learned something like that by the time of the Christmas specials?

Now, that would be interesting.

Overall, I do get why it would feel like a setback in HT’s character development if he indeed ends up working for his family. But personally, I would be more interested in the complexity and realism of him being a part of both good (MGS and their relationship) and bad (the family business) at the same time. In my opinion, including the idea that life is much more complicated and grey-shaded than noble ideals would be really interesting to see.

Thank you for your question and ponderings, dear anon!

#19 days #he tian #he cheng #Mr. He #answered ask

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juwon-ah-moved · 3 years

Photo

hi friends! this year had its highs and lows and i’m ready to let go of it, but i won’t let go of the beautiful people i met on here in the past months, and those i already knew and who keep bringing joy onto my dash! i got into a new fandom that brought me many joys and new beautiful people into my life and i couldn’t be happier about that! you’re all cool so here’s my humble thank you to you ♡

i don’t follow that many people, i kinda find comfort in seeing the same familiar faces on my dash, but i have been trying to look around more because honestly especially the (lgbt) fandom for asian dramas/”bl” has so many nice and funny and talented people that it’s a pity not see who else is on here! so here’s to hoping i’ll meet even more awesome people in 2021 :^) also, if i forgot anyone, i’m really sorry! and to those of you who i for whatever reason haven’t followed back but who are always around, i want you to know i see you and appreciate you showing up in my notes, it genuinely makes me happy and know that you can talk to me any time! love you! <3

okay i talk too much, here we go:

@amasawaseiji aaaa edo!! now we pretty much only talk outside of tumblr but we did meet on here and !!!! ur the only italian i respect jdskn ur seriously one of the nicest and funniest people i know and ur a very dear friend to me, i know i always tell u but it never hurts to hear so: i love you!!!! i hope 2021 will be a good year for u and that we can finally see each other again, i will fight covid :(

@petekaos rahul, what can i say!! i feel so lucky to have gotten the chance to know u this year, we had so many never-ending convos, on here, on twitter, we shared heacanons (ram and bohn friendship forever, @ perth Listen To Us) and you’ve been a great friend to me, you’ve always supported me even when i was at my worst and i will honestly never forget that. ur kind and funny and we can go from talking about serious stuff to laughing about u quoting gandhi and that’s friendship to me! u also have read i think 2 of my fics before i posted them at this point and both fics mean the world to me and the fact that u supported me through the process of posting them when i was so insecure also means a lot to me! as do all our conversations about my engineer, manboss, petekao, etc. just... i love you! never forget to take care of urself <3

@pangwave daaaawn u are such a kind and strong person and i really appreciate how u were there for me when i was questioning earlier this year. i know u understand a lot of what i was going through and in general we have stuff in common that i know if i talk to u about, ur gonna understand. i wish u the best always and we should catch up one day, please know i am always here for u, for anything! and u have such good taste and i love seeing u on my dash :) !

@yioh yuraaaaa im gonna say it again i need to find a nickname for u. u have the worst one for me but it is so endearing at this point that i love it sjdsk ur such a nice presence on my dash and i like coming by ur askbox every once in a while bc first of all i love you, secondly u always have the best replies to asks. i can’t explain it ur just nice and ur energy is amazing !!! ur art is also so pretty and warm and makes me feel... home. i wish u the best with uni and with ur life and aaaalso ur The cherry magic blog to me. see cherry magic? think of yura. also given always makes me think of u. i associate so many little pieces of media with u bc ur just so lovely when u talk or blog about the shows and movies and stuff u like that when i see those things i immediately get reminded of u idk!!

@gigiesarocha cata!! even if we haven’t talked that much, u are such a light on my dash and i always love seeing ur posts, be it gifsets or reblogs. u have amazing taste! when u said u still listen to the playlist i made for u i was so happy, im glad u liked it :’) keep being the sweet person u are!

@morksuns sumaya!! u beautiful human!! it’s always so nice to see u on my dash, i know this will sound like a silly reason but for example i love ur tagging system, it’s so satisfying to look at u tagging everything. i just think it’s neat. u have great taste in shows and great opinions (both on Good Shows and on Bad Shows/Rep) and i know i can trust u! also, ur very pretty and i love ur moodboards! i hope ur 2021 will be filled with good things <3

@lesbian-earn may! oh my god okay, i literally have been following u for 2 seconds but! we’re getting to know each other a little and talking to u is really so nice and ur such a sweet person!! ur support for my itsay fic warmed my heart so much and so does ur general kind words and OFC the cat pics u send me. what a blessing!! i wish u the best of luck with ur exams and i hope we can talk more because i already am fond of u! <3

@brightwin jelly!! u are such a warm and kind light in this fandom and i honestly enjoy even just seeing ur url, before i see any post, because u just bring so much positivity with u! ur gifs are so pretty and i can always tell they’re yours immediately. i miss them and u tbh!! i hope ur doing well! :)

other people i love following a whole lot: @fushiguroo @labontas @mrchicsaraleo @speedrunsuicide @ikarosapollo @panncakes @makotokyoqoku @burfee @class2clown @metawwin @leoyunxi @asianmelodrama @lesbianspeedy @earthfluuke @wjmild @lakornladies @torfight @khaotungthanawat

honorable mentions for my football sideblog (@franckkessie): @captvandijk @montosmadman @hendos

#follow forever #nico.txt

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wherestoriescomefrom · 3 years

Note

Hey, I have an academia aesthetic tumblr((not Desi, it's kinda exclusive , I do talk about my desi identity but mostly i post yk English/Italian photos)) , and I post, about my academics their, what I'm reading and learning (mostly stem). I do like cottagecore as well.

So, I read your post and I do not understand it. I am well aware of the casteism and I am not ignorant but I don't understand that what's wrong with this.

I just happen to like aesthetic, fuck colonisers but their architecture be good, yes, so is Indian architecture but I'm just liking that more these days so what is the problem.

I'm privileged, very, but I feel like a piece of shit since your post, I do not understand.

I am acknowledging it that so many people do not get to study and I'm not romanticizing it, I'm just talking about my life, and how I read and love to read and it is indeed a celebration of a "privilege" but what do i do? Not do this? Idk man? Idk

man i regret making that post. okay i reblogged it lately with more of an explanation, and here's the pull quote: "okay i was. in a mood the night i wrote this and i just wanted to say that i wish i had framed this with less anger and more gentleness. this was more of a personal rant, which has made it into the circles it speaks of. but for what its worth: i don’t actually have a right to be angry over this. i am UC, and as such, gentleness should come with my privilege. most of all, i wanted to apologise because this post makes it look like im not a part of this culture, which isn’t true. it isn’t as if i haven’t made posts about bollywood, or uncritically used the word “desi.”

i know this kind of online culture gives people joy. i have just seen too much of it which engaged uncritically, without acknowledging the wide wealth of history that is not uppercaste or north indian. (i think seeing another reclist with jhumpa lahiri on it did it for me. i’m sorry, i really dislike her as a writer… for personal reasons). i just wanted to express my problems with the version of india this kind of aesthetic produces, and provide context for my thoughts."

secondly. i know i'm not obligated to tell you what this means, but here goes nothing. often times, i feel, as UC people, we have a lot more access to global rhetoric. as such, being on very american spaces like tumblr, we get to talk to people outside of the mainland about our aesthetic, which is more often than not UC. the aesthetic that is used here makes me deeply, deeply uncomfortable mostly because of the sheer amount of labour that it glosses over. who do you think built the mughal buildings? do you remember the old story about the taj mahal, that shah jahan cut the labourer's hands after it was complete? for that matter, who do you think stitches the elaborate lehengas, the detailed zari work, and everything else it entails? it isn't us. we don't even pay a fair price for it. what makes me angry is that while there is more and more of an awareness of the inherent colonialism in dark academia, there is just not the same amount of awareness for casteism in indian academia. especially when brahmanism literally means that others don't get to study. idk, you can listen to Anurag Minus Verma's podcast on this, or maybe Buffalo Intellectual's. both good.

the aesthetic wouldn't even bother me so much if it wasn't for the rec lists. look, as upper caste people who have global audiences on tumblr, people pay attention to us. we're articulate, soft spoken, savarna. when i see reclists that regurgitate the same five indian authors as the be-all and end-all of south asian writing, i don't like it mostly because i know some non-indians are going to find it and think the same thing. it feels like such a disservice to the VARIETY of GOOD South Asian writing out there!!! i don't want to self promote, but here. i wrote a reclist a few weeks ago.

lastly. i don't actually care. you can engage with this aesthetic if you like, you can choose not to after this post, you can choose to engage with it more critically, do whatever you like. my intention was never to make people feel bad about what brings them joy. i don't think i was ranting for any reason except for my own, and i wish i'd either a) been gentler in what i was saying b) hidden the criticism from people who like leaning into this kind of online presence.

i don't care in the same way that i don't care about dark academia as a whole. it's imperialism, but it affects me very little as a mainlander. same with #desiaesthetic. it's more for nris than it is for me, and i can assure you, no one living in india actually cares either. i don't wanna say im involved in politics, but as someone with some experience of just student politics and indian academia, it's not like any of us sit and get mad at desi dark academia moodboards. as such, engage with it in whatever way makes you happy. me ranting to myself shouldn't affect your happiness, because you don't know me, and i might be a terrible person for all you know. who am i to pass judgement on what you do? i have no horse in this race. i do not make moral judgements on how you should engage with your media, that's entirely up to you.

i hope this answer made you feel better, genuinely. i don't want anyone to feel bad about the things i say, it was never my intention to do that. rest easy, sleep well, enjoy what you like in whatever way you like it.

unironically, love,

#sir i am very sleep and very tired i wish i knew what to tell you #just have an easy day #to the anon who asked about jhumpa lahiri: i will deal with you tomorrow #rest assured i also don't care that much about her #i just dont like her writing very much and thats a personal thing too #hello void this is ridiculosity #the people??? want me to answer???

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taehyungtrash2-0 · 4 years

Text

Sincerely, Love and Affection

— genre ➙ fluff!!!

— words ➙ 2057 bitch

— member ➙ Yuta Nakamoto

— warnings ➙ slowburn! strangers to lovers! foreigner!

Note: this was done out of inspiration from Kismet by Froggyyong! please look it up on AO3!!! So in the spirit of that all words in italics are them speaking in Japanese! This is the first of many imagines and maybe a part 2, let me know! pls take it easy on me

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

“HEY NO GO BACK” I yell at Hyuck because he can never seem to follow simple instructions. Everyone around us watching us play FIFA or on their phones, I know a few are in the kitchen doing whatever but right now I am trying to focus on kicking the other team’s ass.

“Hey I just wanted to give everyone a heads up, my sister is stopping by in a few” Taeyong yelled over the noise in the living room.

“Didn’t she just move back?” Mark called from the kitchen, why is everyone yelling out of nowhere, wait he has a sister?

“Is this the sister that Johnny thirsts after” Jaehyun chuckled out and nudged Johnny.

*SMACK*

“HEY, THAT HURT” Jaehyun whined.

“How old is she?” Sicheng called from the couch.

“HoW oLd iS SHe? What are you, 12???” Hyuck mocked him. Okay, now that was funny!

“I do not THIRST after her.” Johnny clears his name to the group.

“You cried when taeyong took her back to her hotel room because you couldn’t.” Ten laughed out, making everyone else start laughing with him.

“I WAS EMOTIONAL THAT DAY!” Johnny whined, with his face getting red.

“AS I WAS SAYING, shes going to come over and we are probably going to go to dinner so whoever wants to, can come.” he invites loudly so everyone can hear.

“ILL GO” Johnny screeched, standing up just for Ten to put his arm in front of him,

“First of all Johnny, Hyung said ‘come’ not ‘cum’ and secondly, you have a recording session with donghyuck, jaehyun, and I at 4 o’clock,” he said in response.

“When you try your best but you don’t succeeeeeddddd” Lucas starts yelling and Sicheng joins in, everyone laughing at Johnny all over again, myself included.

“I’m going to go get ready, everyone better have CLOTHES ON! IM LOOKING AT YOU JOHNNY!” Hyung yells leaving the room.

*Johnny cries in zipper*

“Hyung, has a sister?” I ask Ten, keeping my eyes trained on my player.

“Yeah, you and a few other members were busy with a photo shoot the last time she visited, remember?” he recalled, looking back at his phone.

Oh, I never really focused on it I guess.

-------

*knock knock*

“SHES HERE!” Hyung yells from his room.

*CHAOS ENTERS CHAT*

*Choking sounds in the background*

“JOHNNY IS DYING HELP!” Mark yells from the kitchen and everyone starts laughing al over again. Taeyong runs through the living room and opens the door as everyone crowds into the living room to greet her.

“Y/N!!!!!” he yells and covers her in a tight embrace. Wow, she’s a little thing, slim thick with your cute as-

“YONGIE!!!” she cheers back into his arms. AWWW even her voice is cute what the FUCK.

“Wait, is everyone here?? Wow!” she steps back, her eyes widening at the group, you can definitely tell shes hyung’s sister. Her eyes are so big, she looks like a little doll. I can finally understand the hype on Johnny’s part.

“Yeah, you haven’t met everyone yet,” Taeyong replied, guiding her further into the living room.

“Everyone this is y/n!” he presented to the class. Her little form bending to greet us all in unison.

“Hello! I’m a very big fan of the group! You all are so great! Especially this recent comeback! I have so much respect for you all!” she said sweetly, her smile is so heart-melting that everyone can’t help but smile back. It’s almost infectious.

“She’s so sweet” Sicheng coos.

“Look how cute” Lucas whispers.

“Johnny stop drooling!” Ten elbows.

“Y/n it’s so good to see you! You moved back finally!” Mark exclaimed, pulling her into his embrace. Are they a thing?

“Hey, Mark! It’s so good to see you too! And yeah ill text you my address so we can hang out again!” she states casually.

“AGAIN?! WHAT H-” Johnny’s voice being covered by Taeyong’s glare.

“Hey y/n! I’ve missed you so much, no one likes to go shopping much with me but you! So as soon as you get settled and arent too busy I’m treating you to a day of shopping!”

“I’ve missed you so much too Ten! Facetiming just isn’t the same and I would LOVE to go shopping! I can’t tell you the last time a man spoiled me!” she giggled out and I nearly choked. I say nearly because Johnny audibly choked and everyone laughed at him...AGAIN

“Hey y/n...do the thing I’ve been telling everyone about it, please!!! He has been acting like a total spaz since he heard about you coming back to Seoul.” Ten whispered to her.

“Cmon Ten, I can’t be that mean to him!” she whined out like a little puppy.

“Pleaseeeee?” he whined back.

“Fine,” he huffed out.

“Johnny?” she called, looking around past the group of boys until they met in gaze, he looks like he’s about to piss himself.

“Johnny!” she squealed, running to him and jumping into his arms. HIs huge form completely engulfing her, lucky little asshol-

“I think I missed you the most, you big teddy bear!” she muffled into his chest, his face turning a keen shade of red.

“I missed you too y/n!” he almost cried, is he smelling her hair?! She slowly unwrapped herself from him, waiting to be released, and she never was.

The End.

*Wheeze*

Taeyong stepping in to pull his sister from the giant as she winks at Ten and everyone laughing.

“So Johnny, why didn’t you call? I thought you missed me huh?” she pouted as she trailed her little finger down his chest flirtatiously. What a minx, no wonder Johnny was such a simp.

“I uh my um the Yong, I mean I’m aakjhladks I’m sorry, I gotta go to the restroom.” he blurted out, turning red all over again and leaving the room. God, so blatantly sexy, has a sense of humor, and she is so sweet I feel like I need a dentist on speed dial. WHAT A WOMAN LADIES AND GENTS.

“Y/n you remember Haechan and Doyoung right?” Hyung asks her, pointing them out as they wave.

“Of course! Hey!” she smiles and waves back at them, look at her so innocent and friendly.

“Hey, y/n I love your bracelet!” Hyuck tells her.

“Aww, thanks, Channie! And how are you holding up these days Doyoung?” she asks.

“I’m barely managing but thank you y/n.” Doyoung smiles at her, heading back to the kitchen. She’s so dainty and pretty, is it bad I just want to kiss her face. Her hair looks so soft and her voice sounds like butter. What the hell is wrong with me??

“I’ve been working on this for a little while so I think I’ve got it down pat, let me try,” she tapped her finger to her cheek, making her way over to all of us.

“You are Jungwoo, the sweet voice that also is always hungry?” she asked and smiled at him.

“HAHA yeah, hello hi!” he chucked and bowed to her, politely.

“Oh my lord, such an aegyo face!” she cheered at him as he posed for her, what a ham.

“You are Sicheng! Your voice is great! Your hair looks amazing by the way!” she greeted.

“Awww thanks! It’s so nice meeting you y/n!” he smiled and bowed to her.

“Taeil! Wow, your aura is just as striking in person!” she exclaimed getting to Taeil.

“Thank you! You look just like Taeyong but prettier!” he complimented with a bow.

“I get that a lot, especially with the hair. I like to see what colors work on him and use them to my advantage!” she laughed out. A sudden throat cleaning gets the attention Jaehyun is asking for

“And the notorious Jaehyun, who could miss such a face!” she smiles to him, he boldly grabs her hand and gives her a soft kiss to her knuckles.

“The gorgeous Y/n. I’m so sorry I had to leave so early last time,” he speaks softly to her, who does this handsome man think he is???

“Oh, its no problem at all! I understand really, I love your comeback photos by the way! The theme really suited you.” she complimented again.

“God, she is so hot! Do you think Taeyong would mind me getting her number?” Lucas whispered to Kun as everyone else was distracted.

“Hey man, that’s his sister!” Kun commanded.

“I know that’s why I said do you think he would mind. I mean she is so hot, I could cry!” he whispered back to him, no longer paying attention to the fact that she was now listening in as they were turned away from her.

“I think you’re very attractive too Lucas,” she whispered like she was in on the secrets passing between their lips. Kun and Lucas jumped so high she laughed and so did I. (HOw could you not when seeing this unfold).

“Oh my god! I am so sorry about him. Hello, I’m Kun and this is-”

“Lucas, of course, I’m actually a really big fan.” she smiled to him as he smiled back

“Oh really? Say less?” he chuckled lowly and started looking her up and down.

“DOWN LUCAS!” Yongie called out.

“Yes, WayV is actually my second favorite band entirely.”

“Oh, that’s cool! You should meet the rest of us then!” Kun added in, getting his phone out like Lucas.

“We should so do that!” she smiled.

“Here just give me yo-” Lucas fades into the background now… She’s looking at me... Her big doe eyes staring into mine. I feel my heart just drop to my balls. Her perfect form walking softly up to me, a gift of presence, really.

“And of course you are Yuta.” she smiles shyly at me.

“Hello! It’s nice to meet you y/n!” I say with the most genuine smile I think I’ve ever made.

“I think I’m a bigger fan of yours than Taeyongie’s! I was so sad I couldn’t meet you the first time!” she starts speaking to me sweetly and happily. Wait,

“You speak Japanese?” I ask, catching my jaw from its home now on the floor.

“Yongie didn’t tell you?” she quirked in confusion, looking at him and back at me.

“No, he just said that you moved back here, he never said anything else.” I chuckled in surprise, her pronunciation is so native-like. I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve heard such a clear pronunciation from a foreigner.

“He’s such a dummy, I just recently graduated with a major in Japanese Literature from the University of Tokyo. I’ve been living there for almost 5 years.” she giggled.

“You have no idea how happy I am to finally talk to someone in MY language! This feels like a breath of fresh air. That is so cool! He never said a word about it.” I ramble on, wondering how someone could dePRIVE ME OF SUCH HAPPINESS.

“It’s okay, I assumed he would either brag or neglect it altogether. I’m glad you enjoy the natural conversation if you ever just want to talk or vent in a way that’s easier for you, I’m always here! That’s if you want too…” she mumbled shyly, was that blush on her cheeks? God, she is so adorable.

“Of course yeah! I would love to talk more with you. Do you think it would be too much to ask for your number?” I asked, rubbing my hand on the back of my neck.

“Yes, Yongie can I have a pen?” she turns to her brother. With a confused face and everyone looking at her weirdly, he gives her the pen.

“All my friends back hom- well back in Tokyo all my friends call me Yua, so if that’s easier on the tongue you can call me that…” she recalled while writing her number on my palm.

“I’ll definitely text you later, is that okay?” I asked, looking at my palm and back at her.

“Can’t wait, it’s really nice meeting you Yuta.” she looked deeply into my eyes and took all my breath away.

“It’s nice meeting you too, Yua.” I smiled back.

“So Taeyong, show me your room so I can steal my beloved plush back!” she turned and call to Hyung.

No way…

#nct #nct smut #nct fluff #yuta #yuta nakamoto #nct yuta #nct imagines #yuta fluff #foreigner #strangers to lovers #slowburn #taeyong

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xianglingslesbian · 3 years

Note

oh I'll give u a character alright: Izuki, Kiyoshi, Riko and Aomine <333 technically that's four, but what goes around comes around (I'll keep this circle of love goin forever buddy)

VICCCC ily my man <33 thank u!!! aight putting this under a cut bc it got long

Izuki

Why I like them: izuki’s just overall so amazing! he inspires me to give my best in the stuff i do, and although it sounds a bit silly i try to be a person that he’d be proud of. his puns are hilarious and well-thought-out (as a person who loves words and word jokes, i’m naturally drawn to him lol). they’re also a way to take the heat off the team, he’s so hardworking and never views obstacles as obstacles, rather as hills he must climb to find newer skies. he’s also rather clever and employs his brains to great effect when his body fails him! izuki embodies the meaning of ‘eagle’ in the truest sense - waiting to strike when the time is right and not failing when it is.

Why I don’t: *sweats* can’t really think of a reason i don’t like izuki, at all??? i guess he can overwork himself a lot and tends to keep his true emotions hidden which could lead to misunderstandings between friends (although this is totally headcanon territory lol)... i also didn’t like the ableist comment he passed on hayama (“i’m just glad you weren’t smarter than me”). but i think he can (and will!) grow from that kind of stuff, he is that kind of person so yeah no particular reason for me to dislike him at all

Favorite episode (scene if movie): how dare you make me pick s3 e8 izuki vs kasamatsu, hands down. i know its like cliche or whatever but that moment just told me so much about izuki as a character? he’s willing to do what it takes to win, he’s adaptable and dependable and he doesn’t let shit get him down ever. it’s gorgeous

Favorite season/movie: s3, he got some fantastic moments in there!! although i will say i loved the spotlighting he got in s1 in the seihō match

Favorite line: “Fear isn't a bad thing. There are some things that can only be done by cowards.” this is first of all such a nice thing to say. ‘fear is not bad’ is just... so fucking wise? keep in mind that this boy is 17, i’ve met 30 year olds who are less mature. secondly it feels like izu’s speaking from experience?? like he has a lot to be scared of, i’m sure. particularly of falling behind and being a burden to his teammates. but it’s that ‘cowardice’ that drives him to practice so so hard. that visceral terror of weighing on seirin is what pushes izuki beyond his limits - which is why here he can empathise with furi’s fear, and knows how best to employ it.

Favorite outfit: look i hate last game w/ a passion but that lil tie/shirt/hoodie thing he had going? that was literally so cute. izuki in general has a p great fashion sense but his last game outfit takes the cake <3

OTP: hyuuizu oh my god i could talk for years about them but since this post is gonna be very long i’ll refrain. just. they are perfect they are fucking perfect

Brotp: kiyoizu!! kiyoshi is izuki’s biggest enabler and i love that for him <3

Head Canon: izuki can be very very passive aggressive when he’s angry at someone/sad and gets cold and withdrawn. it’s not fun to experience but tbh if you upset him you probably deserve it

Unpopular opinion: izuki should’ve been naturally better in canon. it’s not fair to shaft him and give the ‘trier’ thing off to himuro. that being said i am p happy with who he is as a person

A wish: i want to know how izuki felt after middle school! izuki’s and riko’s backstory focuses so much on hyuuga its dumb >:( he also would’ve been demoralised but he didn’t quit bball and i would like to know his thought process!

An oh-god-please-dont-ever-happen: i. uh. i guess izu quitting basketball. because i genuinely cannot see that happening. it brings him so much joy, he should never stop cold turkey. i can imagine old man izuki hobbling about a court giving little kids pointers and making them laugh T-T

5 words to best describe them: “big brain caffeine-powered clown baby”

My nickname for them: babyzuki/izu/shunshun

Kiyoshi

Why I like them: lots of reasons! kiyoshi is an admirable person. he’s strong, yet friendly and gentle, and he loves his team above all else, which i just find beautiful. i find his manipulative side also pretty cool, bc it shows off how multifaceted he is.

Why I don’t: this is more of a fandom reason but i really dislike how kiyoshi is always said to have had the greatest impact in hyuuga’s story. he badgered and manipulated hyuuga, and while some may argue hyuuga needed that push, it only worked bc hyuuga had had time to think about shit. he’d also been given space by riko and izuki (two integral parts of his life whom the fandom looooves to sideline for uwu kiyo//hyuu).

Favorite episode (scene if movie): yousen match (can’t pick the episodes)! i loved the backstory we got for kiyo vs mura and i loved how kiyoshi was willing to smile and play but also refused to lose. he truly stole the show despite kagami being the one to finally take down murasakibara, it was gorgeous <3

Favorite season/movie: s2 for sure. kiyoshi wasn’t allowed to shine much after yousen imo - all the focus was on hyuuga kagami and kuroko, and to a lesser extent izuki. not complaining, but yeah

Favorite line: “Let’s go have some fun.” i know it’s kinda cliche but i do love how kiyoshi’s always thinking about playing a good game and enjoying basketball. he wants to play because he loves it and as someone who loves a sport as much as kiyoshi loves b-ball, that love is so poignant and tender

Favorite outfit: practice clothes! kiyoshi looks great in pink <3

OTP: kiyohana. hateshipping amirite ;)

Brotp: kiyohyuu! i love them as friends so so much <3

Head Canon: kiyoshi is half-iranian on his mother’s side and is muslim. i won’t say too much because i am not muslim myself, i need to do more research into this but i’ve had this headcanon for quite a while now!

Unpopular opinion: he should be bullied more for the fact that his canon power is having yaoi hands

A wish: kiyo finds something he loves as much as b-ball. he can’t canonically play at this level again, so if he found another sport/competition/anything, it’d be amazing

An oh-god-please-dont-ever-happen: he should never become demoralised. kiyoshi at heart is a dreamer, so let him dream, let him look towards tomorrow with a smile always

5 words to best describe them: “useless dreamy dumbass cheerleader clown”

My nickname for them: kiyoyo, bc my feelings about him have yo-yoed a lot lmao

Riko

Why I like them: im a lesbian, next. /j i love her because she’s so tenacious and driven. yet she’s also kind and gentle, and never loses her humanity. she cares, and she cares hard. she’s so fucking smart too like... coaching a hs basketball team at 17 against players of NBA calibre and making them win? i could never. seirin without riko is nothing.

Why I don’t: i dont like the constant slapstick of her beating up her boys. also, i dislike how the narrative forces her to act ‘feminine’ and then has the boys think of it as nothing. like first of all if someone like her offered me a kiss i would so take 100, and secondly... why is a girl’s worth so tied to her femininity? it’s awful

Favorite episode (scene if movie): her sending in furi vs kaijō, early in s3. it was an exceedingly smart move that could have only come from her knowing her players’ strengths and weaknesses intimately, and being a brilliant coach. just amazing <3

Favorite season/movie: all of them! riko has some amazing moments each season, so i can’t really pick

Favorite line: “Humans grow. Don't act like you understand when you don't even realize that!” here, riko knows and knows well that she is in her element. momoi might have the data, but riko understands adaptability and knows how to predict stuff. in that way, one can draw parallels between takao vs izuki and momoi vs riko: takao and momoi are recon experts, whereas riko and izuki are strategists. momoi uses raw data; riko manipulates the data to her advantage

Favorite outfit: idk if this is exactly an outfit but her glasses are so cute oh my gosh. (i’d kill to see her in a leather jacket tho)

OTP: rikomomo!!! i’m 100% sure that momoi’s fixation w/riko’s boobs is just... repressed lesbian sentiments. also sports girlfriends gimme

Brotp: hyuuizuriko. i hc that hyuuizu were tgt since elementary school and riko joined them in middle school so... childhood friends feels!

Head Canon: riko knows how to shoot a gun. her father owns one so it makes sense

Unpopular opinion: riko does not need to have bigger boobs in fanart. please stop sexualising a 17 year old girl

A wish: white suit riko please

An oh-god-please-dont-ever-happen: her ever leaving behind sports in any way shape or form. it’s her thing. in the same vein, she should never have to change herself or become more traditionally feminine to be ‘appealing’

5 words to best describe them: perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect

My nickname for them: ai/riri

Aomine

Why I like them: aomine is just a pure, hurting young man that deserves help. he’s passionate, and his fire died down out of no fault of his own. that fire’s reignition through kagami is one of my favorite scenes <3

Why I don’t: he’s perverted as hell and i dislike that. it plays into the ‘brutish dark-skinned pervert’ stereotype which is yikes. also i thought we were done with pervs in anime

Favorite episode (scene if movie): s2 seirin v touou when kagami enters the zone!! aomine’s finally happy and it’s so amazing to watch <3

Favorite season/movie: s2, he finally got happiness and peace of mind

Favorite line: “You’re the best!” there’s just so much of pure joy in this line. he’s so so beside himself that he finally has someone he won’t destroy. kagami sees aomine the person, and that person is so happy, it’s beautiful

Favorite outfit: the leather jacket from the finale lmaooo he looked so cute

OTP: AOKAGA BABY i could write an essay tbh

Brotp: aomomo!! theyre such good friends and bi/lesbian solidarity too!

Head Canon: aomine cannot dance. he has stepped on kagami’s feet multiple times. he has also attempted to twerk when drunk. kuroko recorded the whole thing and uses it as blackmail in case the puppy eyes and “but aomine-kun you didn’t fist bump me back” don’t work

Unpopular opinion: more a fandom thing, but you all need to stop making aomine the aggressive/possessive top/‘seme’. it’s racist as fuck

A wish: aomine goes pro. it’ll be amazing for him, a huge challenge and kagami will be there too so its a win-win ;)

An oh-god-please-dont-ever-happen: he quits again/b-ball loses its allure. aomine at heart is someone who needs passion to drive him so i just want that passion to always burn bright within him

5 words to best describe them: “bastard baby needs a hug”

My nickname for them: dai-chan, momoi rubbed off on me

#izuki #kiyoshi #riko #aomine #vee #knb #ceru babbles #answered #omg i went OFF

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one-spidey-boii · 4 years

Text

BUMMER SUMMER || peter parker; ch. one

masterlist

an; heya friends. this is a story i actually began writing last year (yoinks) and im pretty determined to finish it now that we’re all stuck inside for who knows how long. thanks covid-19. since i began this last year, before i was well versed in the world of tumblr fics- this story does follow an oc of mine. but i’m pretty sure all my future works will be y/n’s. if oc’s bother you i completely understand. but thanks for reading if you’re interested!

**italics indicates flashback**

summary; edie (ee-dee) wolfe (wulf) can throw knives. peter parker can shoot webs. the two are tasked with watching the avengers compound for the summer while everyone is out kicking bad guy ass.

“do you even have a cool superhero name, wolfie?”

“i’m sure i can come up with something better than spiderman.”

warnings: mentions of battle wounds (i.e. blood/scars/etc), future smut, mature language, both peter and oc are 18+!!

word count; 2.5k+

edie's pov

i grab another chip from the half-empty bag laying next to me on the floor and shove it into my mouth. my other hand is scrolling through my instagram feed, only liking pictures of dogs and the occasional selfie of someone i follow.

the school day is over and i just got home, i immediately start stripping to my underwear and a big t-shirt. pants are for being around people, and i need some alone time.

today was weird. i'm quickly nearing the last week of my senior year and today i received some summer bummer last minute news from my friend, peter.

"hey, e." peter says while wringing his hands in front of him. i turn away from my open locker and look at him with a smile.

"what's popping, parker?" i ask as i close my locker and lean against it. he smiles weakly and shuffles in his place. i raise an eyebrow at him and fold my arms in front of me, awaiting an answer.

he clears his throat and looks at me with an unreadable glint in his eyes. "aunt may, uh, said we're going on vacation this summer." he says with a straight tone. my eyes brighten with interest.

"where to? somewhere with a beach, i hope," i say with a chuckle. he lets out a quick breath and drops his hands to his sides. he looks around the crowded hallway and pulls his lower lip into his mouth. i stop a smile from creeping at the side of my mouth. before he could say anything else, our mutual friend ned comes up from behind peter and grabs his shoulder playfully, making him jump a little.

"what's up, guys?" he asks with a huge ned leeds smile on his face. i let out a short laugh at peter's reaction and answer our friend, "hmm, we're just talking about parker's vacation this summer. i'm betting it's a luxurious beach getaway." i say with a wink in peter's direction.

peter lowers his eyes to the ground and tenses up. ned groans and rolls his eyes. "you mean the one that requires him to be gone all summer long?"

i furrow my brows and look at peter as his suddenly sad eyes snap up to meet mine.

so yeah. our best friend is leaving us for the entire summer. all plans are thrown out the window and stepped on by the thousands of people who walk the streets of new york. after that stupid news, my day just kinda went downhill. i was looking forward to spending my summer nights with the usual group of friends- staying up til four in the morning, watching movies, and making the most of our last summer together.

i shove another couple chips into my mouth as a knock sounds at my door. i grant entrance with a full mouth and my mom peeks her head in. "edie, did you leave your brother at school again?" she asks with disapproving eyes.

i pull myself onto my elbows and swallow my food, "he was running behind! i told him to be out at two o'clock on the dot." i huff out at my mother, "he's fine taking the bus." my mom frowns slightly at me and looks over my semi-messy room.

"you're lucky the school year is almost over," she says while still observing my room, "you should probably clean up in here. and put some pants on." i look at her blankly and flop back down on the floor with a sigh, focussing my eyes on the ceiling.

she cleared her throat and continued, "edie, do it."

i peer at her in my peripherals and mumble a snarky response. she chooses to ignore it as she closes my door and yells an 'i love you' through it before walking away.

"yeah, yeah, love you too," i grumble under my breath. there goes my mom, trying her best.

at that moment my phone chimes and displays a text from the one and only peter parker. i pick it up and read the message.

'can i come over? feel like we need to talk'

i open the chat and stare at the words for a moment before replying with a simple 'okay' and pushing myself off of the floor to begin picking up the clothes scattered across my room. i pick up my favorite hoodie and bring it up to my nose, immediately pulling away in disgust and tossing it into the hamper. perhaps my mother was right.

i continue this process until my hardwood floors are fairly clear and visible. spotting a lone sock under my bed, i bend down to pick it up.

before i can straighten back up, my door flies open and i hear a loud “SHIT” before it slams shut again. i whip my head up, hitting it on the end of my bed frame in the process. i throw the sock across the room, completely missing the hamper and cradling my head in one hand. ouch.

i walk over to my door and pull it open slowly, carefully peering my aching head out to look both ways down the hall. after concluding that nobody was there, i begin to close it before something catches my eye. peter stands there, pacing back and forth at the end of the hallway and rubbing the back of his neck with one hand, mumbling to himself. i clear my throat to get his attention. he whips around and stops in his tracks.

"are you lost?" i ask with a soft smirk. he shakes his head slightly and takes a step towards me, "i'm here," he rushes out with his arms spread in presentation, albeit a little awkwardly and takes a step backward, regaining the distance between us.

"i see that," i laugh, "let me put pants on real quick."

i leave the door open as i grab a pair of leggings and pull them up over my legs, only stumbling a few times as i hurry. walking back over to the door, i watch as peter stares at his feet and plays with his fingers.

"you coming?" i ask. he nods and slowly walks over to me. i turn on my heel and fling myself on my bed. peter enters my room, tosses his bag to the side and hesitantly takes a seat in my desk chair, looking anywhere but me. i open my mouth to say something but peter cuts me off.

"ishouldhaveknockedimsorry." he rushes out in one breath. i quirk an eyebrow at him and he takes that as a cue to explain. "i didn't knock. so i saw you in your... panties." he says, defeated.

i bite down hard on my lip to stifle a laugh as i sit up in my bed. peter and i have known each other for years, i could care less if he saw me in my underwear, but to play with him, i look him the eyes and fake a serious face, "first of all, the word 'panties' is off limits. that's a big no-no," i say as i shake my finger at him, "secondly, peter, who cares?"

he lets out a sigh of relief and relaxes in his seat. he smiles, "well that's good to hear, panties make me uncomfortable." it was silent for a few seconds before he processes what he said and stutters to fix it, "i-i mean the w-word 'panties' not a-actual panties. ah shit..." he trails off.

teasing him, i add on, "oh of course, 'panty-dropper-parker' could never be afraid of some measly scraps of lacey fabric." he rolls his eyes and genuinely smiles for the first time all day.

a comfortable silence falls over us as we lounge in my room. i know he came here to talk about summer, but to me, there was nothing to talk about. he's leaving and i'm staying here. as much as it sucks, i can't do a damn thing about it.

he speaks up first, "a-aunt may is really excited about the vacation. i guess we're going to a few different places, making it kinda like a road trip." i smile weakly and nod my head, deciding not to say anything. he takes this as a cue to keep talking.

"if i could take you i would, e." he says with a sad smile.

i sigh and wipe the disappointed expression off my face, "sounds like a good time, parker. make sure you bring me back something special." i say with a wink.

peter laughs and nods his head in agreement.

this is going to be a long summer.

i'm back to laying on my floor after peter leaves. this time i just stare at the ceiling and try to distract myself from the impending doom of the summer. rolling my head to the side, i catch sight of my black suit peeking out of the closet. my eyes widen and i spring to my feet to grab it off the floor.

"shit, shit, shit," i scold myself as i wad it up in preparation to throw it back into my closet, my only thoughts are hoping and praying that peter didn't see it. i stop before i throw it and stare at the stretchy fabric of the completely black suit. i haven't gone out in a few days, making me yearn for the feeling of the suit on my body. with no hesitation, i strip down and pull the one-piece up my legs and hips, threading my arms into the sleeves and pressing the button on my right wrist that makes it fit perfectly to my skin. i follow that by tugging on my black boots that come halfway up my shins.

i rummage through the duffle bag i keep under my bed and grab my set of knives. i put one in each boot and slide the rest into the utility belt that i clip around my waist. with a quick look in the mirror, i pull the hood over my head with a smirk and open my window to climb down the fire escape.

peter's pov

it's not easy lying to my best friend. but with great power comes great responsibility, or whatever. i hop down the remaining steps of edie's apartment building and walk over to the nearest alleyway, away from the public eye.

tossing my backpack to the ground, i unzip it and pull out my suit before stripping down and climbing into it. with a touch of the button on my chest, it shrinks to fit me and i pull my mask down over my head.

a few days ago, mr. stark asked me to stay at the avenger's compound upstate this summer while everyone else went to do crazy superhero stuff.

"okay, kid. nows your time to shine." tony says with a serious look on his face. we're on the roof of a random building and it was nearing sunset. i straighten my posture and nod at him sternly.

"yes, mr. stark. whatever you need, sir, i'm ready."

not letting his serious face falter, he continues, "i'm taking the gang away for the summer, figure we need some bonding time. cap and i still aren't on great terms." he lets his eyes drop during the last few words, but regains his focus quickly.

a smile crosses my face as i try to speak, but he cuts me off, "no, no, no. before you get your hopes up- you're staying here."

my face falls at his words. just when i think i'm going to be able to actually do something, i'm left in the dust feeling like a little kid. mr. stark notices my change in mood and grips my shoulder, "come on, kid. don't get pouty yet. we'll be gone, so you need to be here. at the compound...kinda like a bodyguard."

i perk up at him, excited that he saw me fit enough to protect that building and everything in it. "you got it, mr. stark."

as excited as i was, i knew that i would have to come up with a damn good plan to convince my friends why i would be gone all summer. so, that's where i came up with a vacation. i told aunt may that mr. stark asked me to stay with him at the compound for my internship, which wasn't a full lie. everything was worked out.

i've been out for a few hours- helping old ladies cross the street and responding to any cry of help in earshot. taking a quick break, i pop down on top of a building with my feet dangling over the edge, eating a churro that someone had given me for catching some guy trying to steal their cash register.

my ears perk up at the sound of metal clashing onto the ground. i stuff the rest of the churro into my mouth and follow the noise.

in the alleyway below, there's a female silhouette, surrounded by three men. their voices are low and hushed, enough for me to have to turn on my enhanced hearing to make out what they are saying.

"listen, fellas, why don't you just go on home and take this as a warning." the female silhouette stands with her arms in front of her, as if ready to fight if necessary. the men just chuckle at her and move in closer, mumbling crude phrases that would surely make aunt may slap me upside the head if she ever heard me say them.

with that, i take it upon myself to jump down and land in between both parties, facing the group of men.

"how's it going, guys?" i say playfully before shooting a web at the man in the middle, he flies back onto the ground and sticks there. i turn towards the girl, whose face is shadowed by her hood, and ask with a small smile, "need some help, m’lady?"

she scoffs at me and takes a step forward, kicking one of the remaining two men in the face, who was coming at me from behind. she brings her hands to her waist to reveal two throwing knives. with impressive ease, she chucks one at the last man, pinning his foot to the ground and he lets out a guttural scream. the man she kicked in the face is coming back around with a fist up into the air, ready to throw in a good hit.

i lunge forward to grab him, but before i can, she grabs his hand and knees him in the groin. "ouch," i grumble to myself, feeling the bad guys pain. the girl turns on her heel towards me, and holds the other knife in front of my face as she breathes heavily with a grim look in her eyes. this is way too close for comfort. i swallow thickly and take a step back, "guess you don't need help after all, i'll be on my way now." i rush out and extend my arm to shoot a web to the top of the building where i came from.

once i'm up there, i sneak a look back down into the alleyway and watch the three men scurry off. i shift my eyes and find the mysterious girl staring back at me. all i can see is the small smile on her face as she turns and runs the other way.

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