#shes my best friend my girlfriend my closest confidante

[dreaminginmysoup]

the relationship between a girl (gender neutral) and her slow cooker can be so personal

[julianobungus]

Could you talk about which are your absolute favorite TOH ships and why you like them? I find your takes very interesting and it's so cool that you ship so many rare pairs!

That I can do! Thanks a bunch~! I just enjoy coming up with and seeing different dynamics, and some stick more than others or just appeal to me personally.

Luzador (Luz/Alador): I like this one for a couple reasons. Firstly and superficially, I think they look hot together (y'know, big burly man and lithe petite woman), so they have nice physical chemistry. Secondly, I feel like they have pretty similar/convergent personalities, both being socially-handicapped nerds who are considered deviant and who stand out in some way. I feel like they'd bond over that. I also feel like they'd have a fair bit of shared pain as well - with Luz being ostracised for being 'weird', as well as losing her father, and Alador being emotionally abused by Odalia and feeling guilt for messing up as a father because of her.

Huntleb(Hunter/Caleb): This one may be a little out of left field, but it appeals to me too. I've been seeing a few artworks and talk of it, so that's more or less swayed me hehe. To me, Hunter and Caleb are dadson/selfcest coded, bringing in the best of both worlds and being all the spicier for it. I feel like they'd get along well, with Caleb feeling a sense of duty to protect this poor, abused young man, and Hunter projecting onto him as the closest thing he has to a father figure. Couple that with the fact that Hunter doesn't know how to healthily process and disentangle romantic and familial feelings, and how Caleb has been repressed sexually because of his religious upbringing, and you have two young men giving in to their urges.

BumpEda (Bump/Eda): Okay, so hear me out. These two were already acquaintances in canon and actually got along quite well (to a degree at least, hehe). I'd imagine that Eda confided in Bump about the curse and what was going on with her family life, so I feel like he would have been a good confidante. A good reason for strong feelings to develop. And he even kept the Owl House's location a secret! Now that they're both adults, I'd imagine they have more time and confidence to explore the feelings they have toward one another, with what was once platonic friendship becoming something romantic~

We can't forget Lunter, which is definitely up here as one of my favourites. Even in canon they get along so well! I swear to God, if Amity was out of the picture they'd get together and it'd probably work! There's also the themes and symbolism behind it - the parallels to Caleb and Evelyn for example. It's all so juicy.

Beluz makes me pretty happy too. I'm a sucker for hero/villain ships just because of an 'opposites attract' type deal. Philip/Belos is devoted to Luz, and she needs a big strong man who probably understands her better than *anyone else*, or is at least willing to understand her (same vein as Luzador then, hehe).

Guslow (Gus/Willow): So sweet it makes me sick. Classic childhood friends blossoming into sweethearts. There's only a two-year age gap so I don't really know why this is considered proship (if it even is?). They just slot so neatly together: taller buff GF and short meek boyfriend - i.e., that size difference we all crave.

Camiluz (Camila/Luz): If there was another person beside Alador, Philip, and Hunter who would truly understand Luz, it's her own mother. Despite her mistakes, Camila thinks the world of her Mija and wants her to be as comfy as possible. I like to imagine that they discovered their feelings for each other after Luz came home, and have both just accepted the fact that they're now mother-daughter-girlfriends! Despite how much happier they are together, they feel a little bit of shame because they wonder what Manny would have thought of it.

Belunter (Luz/Hunter/Belos): Listen. Belos loves these two so much. They both remind him of Caleb and one of them is a beautiful human girl. He cherishes them even if they don't feel the same way. While you can definitely ponder the darker/dead-dove aspects this would all imply (of which there are aplenty), I'm a sensitive wee soul so I tend to focus on the soft stuff (with only some aspects of DD). I'm still formulating in my head the proper dynamics to fit these three, but trust me: they have all the more reason to love each other. Hunter was raised by him and has an unhealthy view on relationships; Luz has been ostracised for much of her life and is desperate for the company of those who understand and sympathise with her, and Belos? He's obsessed with them.

Lastly, I've recently been thinking of Amity/Edric. Writing those headcanons for them earlier (thanks to the anon who suggested them, btw) has made me a little gaga over them. It's a new and interesting idea/dynamic to me~!

[stellarhistoria]

hold on i wanna rant about the team for a second so forgive me for this

ace lancealot cytos: aryin's adoptive brother and the only person aryin has ever known who would have ever fit the true name of the cytos' if there ever was a person. headstrong and fierce, determined and brave, always helping those in need but never sacrificing himself and his own well being to do so (though one would argue that getting constantly in danger would be self sacrificing). one time, aryin joked that, if he was born into a family, would they have been twins? cayde grimaced at the thought; zee looked as if it caused him physical damage. canonically has (had?) a psychic link with aryin prior to the player disappearing.

cayde pendraco: aryin's best friend and closest confidante, the very definition of "you've seen me at my worst; you chose to stay". one of the people who encouraged aryin to step away from the clutches of his father's desires and wishes for him during the first three years away from the rest of the group, cayde could ask aryin to do anything and aryin wouldn't blink. no hesitation. they're also both ex knights, which makes them bond more.

juliet herald: ( over at @stellafortunae ) aryin's childhood friend and girlfriend of ace. known for being headstrong and brash, juliet is ofttimes uncertain of the people who show her gentleness, believing her surroundings as unsteady as the shifting sands. aryin can't say that she's unwarranted though. he was where she was, once. before rose. before peter. daughter of the most powerful man in existence.

jetsam ryder: ( over at @constellaeinfinitum ) aryin's philosophical debate partner and someone who aryin has become quite fond of in the past few years of knowing them. an ex privateer turned pirate turned magic user turned chosen hero, jetsam is not someone who rushes headfirst into danger, often found questioning why things are the way they are, and grabbing everyone else by their collars to keep them safe. and if all else can't be done - they're usually on the frontlines with aryin, regardless of their, ah, unfortunate health pool. may or may not be questioning if what they feel for some party members is friendship or true love.

gwennen gawain: ( over at @zodiac--muses ) aryin's girlfriend and the long lost princess, and sole survivor, of the gawain family lineage. aryin has always been a hopeless romantic, but he never believed he would fall so hard and so fast for gwennen gawain, even with all that he knows about her and her family. and oh, do the history books not do her endless beauty justice. he doesn't believe he deserves her, and some days he questions how he managed to get her to fall in love with a monster like him. but if a princess can fall in love with a monster, then this monster will rend the world to keep her safe.

addam druei: aryin's new boyfriend and the recently put back together, only son of mordred druei (i know, i know, i GET IT). aryin had made a half-joke ( half serious comment ) to quell the nervous man's energy to something pleasant about being a polycule, and perhaps aryin wasn't against it. but... last time, last time... they weren't strong enough. what if they aren't, again? what if they can't protect him, OR HER? addam is determined to make that smile aryin wears a real one, because he knows it isn't.

teachers under the cut:

zee genarel: described simply as a strawberry blonde twink of a femboy, zee is aryin's magic teacher, who taught them through their days of being an uncomfortable druid and cleric, and then again as they navigated the new classwork of wizardry with absolute glee in his temperament. however, to call zee a good man would be incorrect. zee is confident, selfish, and goal - oriented. this does not make him a bad person, but he is not good at handling those who have lost everything, time and time again. aryin respects him. that is all.

vivian ashwind: ( seen only in anonymous asks ) a twin sister without her twin brother, vivian highwind is an unwitting, but not unwilling mentor for the group of keykids trying to find what they fight for in this raging war. she has been around a long time, and while she herself is a wanted woman, she is not one to go down without a fight. she is a good woman, abrasive as she may be. aryin does not know if he can call her a friend, let alone a teacher, not after...

grey ashlynn: deceased. a gunslinging spitfire of a man who went through a deep effort to keep these kids happy and safe through any means necessary, even if it meant putting himself in danger time and time again. in many aspects, he was their honorary group dad, but none of them wanted to say it. if they said it, that would mean he could leave them. turns out, they just needed to know it for him to be attacked, to be killed, to be taken from them. aryin misses him. aryin misses his dad.

[zafirosreverie]

Por amor al arte (Julieta x Fem!Reader) part 25

part1 < > next

song used: En el mismo tren 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

"Go with her"

Julieta wasn't even surprised when Pepa whispered in her ear. It had been a terrible day and she had been struggling with the memories and the guilt. Karim was gone. She was late. She had failed you again.

She had run as fast as she could and still, it hadn't been enough, by the time she got to you, your brother was already dead, you were on your knees by the bed, sobbing uncontrollably while Eliza was lying on your brother's chest. She had approached you carefully and when she put a hand on your shoulder you had turned to her, throwing yourself into her arms.

Pepa and Felix were quick to take Eliza away while the brunette tried to comfort you the best way she could. But she knew that she really couldn't do much more than hold you tight while you let out all your pain. You had cried for hours.

Luisa had to carry you to the kitchen after Mirabel had managed to convince you to eat even a little and she was deeply grateful to her daughters. But the night was the worst. She had not been able to comfort you, no matter how hard she tried, and in the end, you had fallen asleep until sleep and exhaustion overcame you. It broke her heart.

This morning was not much better. The brunette had to help you while you put on one of her black dresses because you couldn't stop shivering, she also had to do your hair and makeup (although she gave up with your eyes, she knew there was nothing to do if you were going to cry). She didn't know what to do, you were some kind of zombie, staring at nothing and her voice couldn't seem to reach you. She didn't know what sin she owed to go through all this.

"It's not my place" Julieta whispered, still looking at you

“Juli-”

"At this moment, they belong to each other, Pepa" she interrupted her "let them cry"

The redhead just sighed and nodded, hugging her sister from behind and following her line of sight. You were on your knees, crying in front of the mound of earth where Karim rested, with Julieta’s daughters surrounding you. Absolutely everyone in the Madrigal house had resented the loss of your brother. He had been, just like you and Eliza, an angel in their lives, he had made them laugh, he had supported them, he had been there for the youngest and everyone knew that nothing was going to replace him.

Pepa had already spent the whole morning crying and there was no one to comfort her because even Felix had remained silent, devastated at losing another friend. Dolores had cried into Mariano's chest and the boy had done his best to assure his girlfriend that none of this was her fault, but the girl kept saying that she should have run faster. Julieta could understand her.

Camilo had tried to take a disconsolate Antonio, but the fifteen-year-old hardly took two steps and also collapsed, so he chose to cry with his younger brother in his arms. Bruno and Alma had been the strong ones, who had to take them all back to Casita for something to eat. The matriarch also took care of Eliza for you.

But of all, Isabela was the one who was most affected and she was currently crying just as devastated as you in your arms. Karim had been her closest friend, perhaps her first friend if she was honest, she saw him as an older brother, he was her confidante, her protector. She felt as if thousands of thorns were thrust into her body.

Once you had told her that she was like the quetzal, that she carried hope on her wings, and that she should show her sisters a land that doesn’t contain pain. She wanted to be that for you too, you deserved it after everything you had done for them. But the pain was too much and the oldest Madrigal granddaughter knew that she could not comfort you, not at that moment, so she chose to share your pain, carry it with you so that neither of you would drown.

Luisa decided to return the favor and, despite knowing that she didn't have to be strong all the time, she chose to be strong for you. Of course, Karim's death hurt her, he had been a good friend, but you had told her that it required great love and courage to go to a place where you knew you would be hurt. And she had learned to love you, so she would hold you as you had her every time she visited her father's grave.

Mirabel was silent, but always by your side. Whenever she felt that you were trying to suppress your emotions, either because of people seeing, or to try to comfort Eliza, the girl with glasses gently squeezed your shoulder and offered you a small smile. It was her silent way of reminding you that it would one day stop hurting and it was okay to cry in the meantime. The three of them had learned something from you and were more than ready to give you back a little of how much you had taught them.

And Julieta…Julieta just watched.

She watched sadly how the joy on your face withered little by little, how the cold loneliness pierced you, feeling useless. She wanted to take you in her arms, kiss you until the pain was erased, she wanted to go back to that morning that, despite having been only a day ago, felt so far away. She found it unfair and terribly cruel that destiny should take the small breath of happiness from her so soon. Tragedy after tragedy, she just wanted to love you, give you all of her and receive all of you.

But this wasn't about what she wanted, she couldn't be selfish right now. This was about you, and the terrible test that the universe imposed on you. Although, she thought, maybe it wasn't for you, but for her. You had pulled her out of the well of sadness, you had reminded her that life went on and that she could be happy, perhaps the universe thought it was time for her to show that she was capable of doing the same for you.

_____________________________

You didn't even jump or react when the sound of someone entering came from behind you, and that worried Julieta. She had stayed with you after the rest of the family and other people left the cemetery. It really brought back a lot of memories for her. She held you tight as you took out all your pain, sitting between the graves of Karim and Aharhel. She didn't care if the night caught up with you, she would stay there with you, gently rocking you for as long as you needed.

Going home was harder, each step you took seemed to cost you your life, but the older woman was grateful that you didn't protest when she led you to the kitchen, or when she placed a small plate of fruit in front of you. You ate without a fight, feeling the weariness of the day begin to take its toll on you.

Neither Alma nor Julieta nor anyone else had to say anything, but you understood the message perfectly when you heard Pepa say that she would go ahead and prepare a hot bath for you in your room. She didn't say "Julieta's room", she said "your room". They were offering you for the millionth time to stay with them, permanently. And this time you no longer had the strength or reason to refuse. You were staying. Julieta would have been filled with emotion and happiness if it weren't for the circumstances in which you had accepted.

How much sadness is in that girl's eyes

The crying she can never contain

A thousand questions in the air and she doesn’t understand

Why did this have to happen to her?

The rest of the family retreated to their rooms, leaving you alone for a few moments until you gently pushed your plate away from you when you couldn't eat without feeling nauseous. The brunette let Casita clear the dishes while she helped you up from the chair, carefully guiding you towards the stairs and letting you lean against her. She had left you in her room so you could get in the tub while she checked on your daughters.

She was deeply grateful that her precious Isabela was taking care of Eliza tonight. She knew her daughter was probably seeking comfort in yours, but at least she was giving you a chance to cry freely without having to be strong for the baby. However, she didn’t know that it was not only Isabela who sought comfort from Eliza, and she was surprised to open the door and see that Mirabel and Luisa were also in her older sister's room. Her four daughters together, seeking comfort among themselves, had fallen asleep in a sea of ​​tears.

Julieta simply covered them lovingly, planting a soft kiss on each of her heads before walking out of it, closing the door softly behind her, and returning to you. She had expected to find you already in the tub or at least in the bathroom, but she frowned when she saw you sitting on the bed, right where she had left you, futilely trying to unbutton your dress.

"Need help?" she asked you, approaching you slowly so as not to upset you

"...please"

The older woman felt her heart break upon hearing your voice, barely a whisper, so fragile and tiny. As you dropped your arms to your sides, she couldn't help but notice how small, yet older you looked. She shook those thoughts from her mind and carefully unzipped your dress, trying not to blush too much with every inch of skin she revealed. It wasn't the time to think about those things, you needed her.

She did, however, allow her fingers to gently brush over your skin, her brain recording the sensation, as she slid the fabric off your shoulders and carefully pulled out first one arm and then the other. She forced herself not to look away as the dress fell off your chest and revealed the pale pink bra you were wearing.

"Can you get up for me, love?" she told you softly

You did as she asked without saying a word, but you couldn't help but let a shiver run through you as the dress fell down your legs, making a heap at your feet. Julieta gave you her hand and helped you out, not wanting you to trip over the fabric. You heard her say something about helping you get to the bathroom and you shivered when her warm fingers brushed against your hip, urging you to follow her.

However, you felt the tears return. She was touching you so carefully, so reverently, her fingers leaving delicate caresses over you that had nothing to do with carnal pleasure, but deep adoration. As if you were something she was meant to protect, something precious and priceless. And that made you cry. You didn't deserve that, you didn't deserve her love or her kindness, not when you had failed as a sister, when you had failed in one of your most sacred duties. You deserved nothing more than the pain that stabbed into your soul.

Help me lord, she says to herself

Julieta gasped in surprise as you fell to your knees at her feet, sobbing loudly with your face buried in your hands. She didn't know what had happened, nor did she have any idea of ​​the strong current of feelings that flowed in your body, but that didn't stop her from falling next to you and pulling you closer, trying to take your hands off your face.

“Y/N? Mi amor, please look at me” she begged you “you are ok, I am here”

"No" you sobbed "you shouldn't be"

“Y/N?”

"I don't deserve you, Julieta" you said "I don't deserve anyone"

The brunette gasped again, her eyes widening. She knew that pain and sadness clouded your mind, but it didn't hurt her any less to hear you say that. You deserved all the best in this world and she was not going to give up until you remembered it, even if she had to spend years repeating it to you.

“Listen to me well Y/N Y/L/N” she told you firmly, although without raising her voice “you are the kindest, most empathetic and special person I have ever met and you deserve the world, you deserve something better than me”

"That doesn't exist" you protested

Julieta smiled a little and her cheeks warmed up a bit. She tried again to gently remove your hands from your face, caressing your drenched cheeks and pressing her forehead to yours when she succeeded. Her chocolate eyes bored into yours.

"You know what you don't deserve?" she asked softly "you don't deserve to suffer, you don't deserve the blows that life is giving you, you don't deserve to turn off"

"I failed Karim" you murmured "mi hermanito"

"You didn’t. It wasn't your fault” she told you firmly, taking your hands in hers “I know it hurts a lot right now, but with time you will learn to forgive yourself and you will see that it was never your fault, that it was a cruel trick of fate” she promised you

"How do you know?"

Your eyes scanned her beautiful face as if trying to find the answers in her. You desperately needed someone or something to tell you how to get rid of the guilt, how to move on. And the other woman knew immediately.

"Because I felt the same when Bruno left" she confessed to you

She let it sink on you for a bit before she moved gently, backing away from you a bit so she could settle back cross-legged. She didn’t think about the cold of the floor, nor the forgotten hot bath. She focused only on the feel of you, the way your soft, warm skin felt against her as she pulled you to sit on her lap, the way you hid your face in her neck, causing your tears, though less frequent, to soak her skin.

She wrapped one arm under your back and her other hand settled on your calves, pulling you closer to her. She didn't care if in this position she could feel more of your body, in fact, that was quite far from her mind. All she cared about was giving you some comfort, no matter how small. A wave of pride washed over her as you relaxed more against her, just taking in her scent.

“It hurts me to admit it but, the night Bruno left, I didn't even realize it” she confessed “I was so busy with Mirabel, trying to calm her down, trying to make sure my daughter didn't feel the weight of the world crashing down on her, even when I myself was terrified and confused, that I didn't even realize that my little brother had disappeared "

You sniffed a bit, burying yourself deeper into her. One of your hands gripped her blouse tightly, crumpling it beyond her recognition, but she didn't seem to care. She would let you hold on as tight as you needed.

"It wasn't until the next day that I realized" the brunette continued "Breakfast had been too tense, neither Bruno nor Mirabel came down and no one asked anything, after all, it had been a long night for everyone and maybe they needed to rest more. After making sure that Mira was asleep in the nursery, I went to Bruno's room to get him something to eat…and then I saw his door dark and lifeless. I don't think I’ve ever screamed so loud."

It wasn't hard for you to imagine the scene. Memories came to you of the night Casita had collapsed, Julieta's desperate cries as she mourned her husband and searched for her daughter. She had always been a woman that loved too much, especially her family and the fear of seeing her brother's door turned off must have penetrated her bones. You imagined how she felt. Yes, you hadn't screamed, more than anything to not scare Eliza, but your soul had been torn apart when Karim closed his eyes forever.

“We searched for days, everywhere. We shouted his name and prayed for an answer…until mom canceled the search parties and everyone started to forget about it” You felt her fingers tighten a little bit harder, but not enough to hurt you “Except Pepa and me. We searched all over Encanto, under every rock, on top of every tree, we went through all the places we used to hide when we were children. But we never found him…and then Pepa stopped looking too. She always said that she was upset with him, using the wedding as an excuse, but I know my sister, she felt the same pain and despair as me”

The older woman shivered a little under you, no doubt remembering those days that must have been so hard for her. Oddly enough, the story, though sad, was helping to calm you down…though maybe it was just her warm, soft voice. If you were honest, she could be reading you her recipe book and you would still find peace in her voice, that was something that Eliza had definitely inherited from you.

"I tried to continue with the search" the brunette continued with her story, without noticing how your eyes began to close "but I couldn't do it alone, and after a while...I had to resign myself. No one ever said it out loud, but everyone, especially my sister and I, feared the worst...And I felt so guilty. I felt like I hadn't done enough for him, that maybe he was trying to talk to me and I was too busy. I felt like I had made him leave."

The woman knew that she wasn't doing anything for you, that this had suddenly turned into something about her and she hated herself for it. She had no right to talk about past pains when you were in such a fragile state. She wanted to stop, to refocus on comforting you, but the words kept coming out of her mouth uncontrollably.

“But I also had another little hope, maybe he had gotten lost, maybe he had tried to come back and just couldn't find his way back. That kept me on my feet and forced me to keep walking, to try to save my little brother…that's why I was the last to stop looking”

When she finished speaking, she sighed tiredly. She really shouldn't have dumped all this on you, not now. You were supposed to be the one to vent, not her. She tried to apologize, but your voice, barely a sleepy whisper, stopped her.

"You love too much, Juli," you whispered against her collarbone. You felt your eyelids heavy "...if I got lost one day...would you also go looking for me?"

“Until the end of the world” she told you almost immediately, earning a weak smile from you.

“I love you too, Madrigal”

Julieta gasped silently and her cheeks quickly turned red. She watched as your eyes finally closed and your warm breath tickled her neck. She didn't know how you fell asleep so soon, but she guessed that exhaustion had finally caught up with you. She wasn't going to complain, at least you looked peaceful, not like the night before, where you had been so restless, with nightmares haunting you.

"Good night, mi niña" she whispered, giving you a kiss on the forehead.

A part of her was glad you fell asleep because until that moment she hadn't realized how insensitive she had been. Yes, she wanted to tell you that she understood your pain, but the thing was, she didn't really. She and Pepa (and the rest of the family) had assumed the worst, but since there had never been a body, her sister and her could from time to time hope that Bruno would return, no matter how many years passed. But you had seen your brother die, you had buried him, you had to say goodbye to him. You knew he wasn't coming back.

How I want to paint her another illusion

Tell her that in me there’s

Understanding for her heart

Julieta pressed you closer to her as she leaned back against the bed. She knew she would have severe neck and back pain in the morning, but she wasn't going to risk waking you up.

“Please let her rest,” she murmured, praying to whoever would listen, “she's been through so much already, she's lost too much. She doesn't deserve so much pain… please let her be happy”

She looked at you again, caressing your cheek gently before placing a chaste kiss on your lips. Once she asked for consolation and the universe sent you to her, she asked to get to you and Eliza on time, and here you were in her arms. Perhaps it was greedy to ask for one more miracle, but she allowed herself to be selfish for a moment. She wanted you to stop suffering, that the universe would let you be happy, and she hoped that you could be by her side.

Every time I see her cry, it breaks me too

I will always love her

Because in her walk, I'm on the same train

____________________________________

Julieta tag: @emril-osvigne @smolgayhooman @arination99 @kitthedino @cryptocry @iloveitwhen

[littlenahsstuff]

In love, I swear.

A/n Literally my first time writing actual fanfiction. This might be a flaming dumpster fire idk. I will persevere and cringe later, but for now, enjoy.

supreme!Cordelia Goode x reader

TW:nothing much, just a big old fluffernutter sandwich. A little angst. Swears I guess.

Synopsis: Cordelia has just recruited you to be a counselor at Robicheauxs and it's safe to say you are head over heels for the supreme. Unfortunately, you aren't the one to tell her.

You always thought that you weren't too special of a witch, you had the basic witchy spells down and specialized in the people who struggled on the inside... but in a more witchy sense. You also helped the witches who needed to get their powers more developed or who ones that are just behind in school. A sort of glorified counselor you suppose. It's sorta funny, especially since you aren't the most confident, how you can talk to all of the girls. When it boils down to it you are just a witchy gal searching for love. Specifically Cordelia's. It could never happen though.

Your love life wasn't the only area you lacked in before Robicheauxs, you had been struggling to find a job suited for your interests. Let's just say that you have a lifetime ban from one of the Mcdonalds in Louisiana. Fire and grease doesn't mix.

Of course, if it wasn't for dear, sweet, precious, Cordelia, you would be living on the streets. Luckily that didnt happen and so here you are today, three months in to your teaching position at Robicheauxs.

Oh, the moment, "You're hired. I look forward to expanding the academy's family and getting to know you better especially," left the Supremes lips, the better off you were.

And yet, even with all of the joy that comes with finally getting paid, there were the challenges as well. For starters, everyone was extremely nice to you, even though you kept mostly to yourself, there was this one person that made this heaven more hellish. Madison the bitch witch Montgomery.

You had been warned by Zoe, your closest confidante in this new place and also Madisons freaking girlfriend, that she was no pleasant peach. Never in all of your doubtful thoughts, had how bad it actually was crossed your mind. It was never the cockiness that got to you, you had a different appreciation for it than most. Found the confidence refreshing almost. No, no no no no. It was in fact, that she was constantly trying to dig up dirt on you.

"You're too much of a goody two shoes y/n," she once stated with a glare. The same day you had heard Zoe squabbling about something and your name came up. Your name and the fact Madison had stolen your wallet to look at your license. It turned up later on your bed stand.

Madison's a lover of Zoe and drama you've come to find out.

It's harmless though really, you dont mind the extra bit of attention that comes with it. Its flattering so no need to complain to anybody, especially not Cordelia.

Cordelia, mmm, yeah now shes the biggest threat here. She is the reason you got this job and might be the reason you lose it.

She once caught you with your doodle journal. It was a harmless question,

"Y/n, what're you drawing?" She looked over your shoulder. You almost jumped out of your skin and your sketchbook went flying.

"Oh dear, are you alright?" She worried her lips a bit. Her big, plump, kissable lips. Come on Y/n, get out of it.

"Yes," you squeaked. Sinking farther into the sofa. She chuckled her beautiful chuckle and sat on the couch arm.

"So, what was my favorite school counselor drawing just then?" She questioned. Glancing to the thrown book.

Your face went red.

"Uh-" you paused, come on you're making it a bigger deal than it has to be, "you." You couldn't look into her eyes.

She gazed at you at you and it felt like a hole was being burned into your skull.

"Okay," Cordelia said, leaving it at that. Stood up and made to walk away.

"Wait!" She paused and turned back to you, seeing you scramble to get your sketchbook.

"Yes?" Her eyebrows raised in surprise.

"I- don't you want to see it?" You said and you slapped yourself mentally for about the hundredth time she walked in.

She smiled softly at you, "Of course, I thought you didn't. You looked scared to death, like bambi."

"Okay," you flipped back towards the page and cringed. It wasn't your best peice. You could never capture her beauty right.

Her eyes scanned over it, widening before squinting with her grin.

"It's so good!" She gasped.

"Yes, that is Cordelia Goode," you joked in a monotone manner. She slapped your shoulder jokingly, making you snort.

"You nerd, I didn't mean it that way. Either way, you did a fantastic job! I wished I looked as good as you make me seem," she muttered the last bit, bit you heard it. It saddens you to remember the damage Fiona did.

"Hey, Cordy," you started. You realized that you used a nickname that Madison did, but she doesn't seem to care.

"You know what I think? I think that you're wrong. You see I just can't for the life of me get your soft proud loving smile right. Your eyes aren't as warm and glowing as they are in reality. I couldn't manage to picture the right placement for those worry lines or crowd feet you have. You might not like them, but to me they show that you worry and care and that you laugh at the stupidest of things, which is a trait I adore. You are more perfect than any Davinci or Van Gogh," you say. You don't like when your friends feel bad about themselves.

Cordelia's tearing up a bit and wiles it away. "Didn't know you were a goddamn poet too?" She joked with a giggle, "thanks y/n, sometimes I need to hear something like that."

"No problem Cordelia," I can't help it, you're my muse, is what you want to say.

"Well, I have some paperwork, but it was nice to see ya," she hurriedly excused and rushed out.

Unbeknownst to you, Madison was watching. She knew exactly how to get dirt on you now. She had something all along.

The next week you spent daydreaming about Cordy...elia, you couldnt help but go back to that conversation. You needed to be more discrete, way more descrete.

So you made sure to draw your crush no more. That didn't change the fact you forgot to destroy the evidence in writing.

You had slept in a little too late, so in a rush you were to get to your office. The reason you had being you daydreaming about Cordelia and yours faux life together a little too long.

A bunch of new juicy stuff for Madison as she snatched it from your bedside table. It was too easy really.

She opened it up to the first page. It acted like a normal diary, just stating checklists of things to do and things you did. The size was fairly large, so skipping a few pages till she got to the juicy stuff and the part where you actually did know Cordy wasn't harmful.

It was a barf fest of emotion. "Oh Cordelia is so awesome, oh I'm so lucky to work with Cordelia, oh my, I won't ever get a chance with Cordelia, she's the supreme!"

"Ew," Madison groaned, whipping out her phone.

Then she found it, the goldmine of confessions. It was all the way in the back, meaning you had wrote it recently.

"Dear, myself

Cordelia today caught me drawing a picture of herself and said something I didn't particularly enjoy listening about herself. I can't believe Fiona would send her into such a deep hatred of herself that even with her gone she's hurting. She's no mother. Cordelia is the love of my life, even if I'm not hers, she deserves all the love I can give. She's not broken, but she just needs someone to love her and I do. I promise to give her as much love as possible without her finding out what kind it really is, I'm in love, I swear.

Sincerely, Y/N."

So she snapped a picture of the page.

After school was over Cordelia was not expecting Madison to barge into her office. Let alone with something regarding YOU of all people.

"Cordy, I've got something to tell you about y/n!" Madison sang out, waving her phone in front of Cordelia's face as she sat on top her desk.

Madison was just careless with others and too carried g about herself. It was the perfect storm. The only person who could ever take it too far to just prove a point. That there was something wrong with you.

If Madison Montgomery had taken one moment to actually think about it, she was just jealous. Jealous that another person at the coven was better than her to Cordelia. She was one spoiled bitch growing up. Guess it backfired.

"What?" Cordelia questioned in concern, "Is she okay? Madison what did you do to her!?" Her thoughts raced, Madison's pranks often went a little too far. She did kill Misty.

"Now now Cordy, don't get your panties in a twist. Here read this," Madison demanded to her supreme, she shoved it into her face and Cordelia grabbed it.

Her eyes expected headlines on the news or a mugshot, but she realized it was just your writing.

"Madison," she warned.

"Come on, I know you can read!" Madison poked Cordelia's forehead, prompting a slap from the Supreme.

Ms. Goode exhaled, "Fine."

Her eyes fluttered over the words, brows furrowing with every sentence. She couldn't comprehend, could she read?? It seemed to her as if her brain was creating what she wanted to see, but no, you wrote it. Unfortunately.

Everything's silent. Then the thought flits across her head, you like her back.

"In love, I swear."

Oh she's mad. Not at you, no, she could never. Madison on the other hand better,

"Get out of my office right now," Cordelia whispered. Madison's smile faltered.

"What, didn't you want to know your feelings are reciprocated? Come on, I'm just trying to get you two to speed up the process." Madison hopped of the desk and sauntered out.

What has she done.

Cordelia was wracked with guilt for awhile, with no way to tell you either. How does one even go about telling someone they read their deepest darkest secrets. How!?

She couldn't, so she did what she could. She pulled away from you and into her work. All of those lunches spent together stopped. The nights in the green house gone. Reading together on the weekends by the fire, gone.

And it left you empty. You had no idea what you did, but you must've done something.

So you decided to confront her, you hadn't gone much sleep since, so you were literally and figuratively tired of all of this shit.

Your knock on the door startled Cordelia, but your presence startled her even more. Both of you looked like wrecks.

"Oh, Y/n! Please, come in," Cordelia gestured and you did, closing the door behind you.

It was then that you finally broke down.

"What did I do Delia!?" You sobbed, falling to your knees. Yes it was dramatic and not even you expected it but you were holding your emotions for so long.

"Oh," Cordelia briskly moved over to you, concern painted on her face. She was watching you carefully, you looked so fragile. Just like she had felt at times.

"I'm sorry," you whimpered, "What did I do?" Her hand tilted your head towards her, but you still couldn't look into her brown eyes, opting for the floor. If you did, you probably wouldn't be able to look away.

"Y/n look at me sweetie," the nicknames never failed to make your heart soar. It was your weakness, your eyes met and they were glued there.

"What did I do?"

"Nothing nothing!" She took a deep breath, "I saw a page from your journal."

You froze, terror crept up your spine.

"Oh my god. Um Cordelia I am so sorry, you, wow I- god I'm so creepy! It's perfectly fine if you want to not be my friend or fire me. I didn't do it to be weird, it was how I expressed myself. I was trying to hide it I promise, i dont even know what happened!?"

"I'm gonna kill Madison, faster than my mother did," Cordelia groaned.

"Wh-" your brain malfunctions. Is-Is Cordelia kissing you? Right now?

Indeed she was and just like you dreamed about, her lips were so soft and her kiss gentle.

Maybe Madison could be forgiven... but not without a harsh talk.

"In love, I swear," she repeated in a whisper against your lips.

[sergeantsporks]

Moving On

General Audiences

Gen, with some background Staja and Jlaire

Everyone seems to be moving on after the battle against Bellroc. Douxie seems to be the only one who can’t

Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/32747662

Or read under the cut

Jim had the chance to fix it all—to go back in time and keep everything from happening.

And he chose not to.

He said they had to soldier on. To carry the burden, respect the dead. He’d destroyed the time stone.

Douxie knew, in his heart of hearts, that he was right. That time travel would only bring more heartache—he knew that from experience. He knew that meddling with time was a bad idea. He knew that knowing the future was a responsibility, he knew that you couldn’t just “fix” everything. Jim was doing the right thing.

But JIM hadn’t lost everything.

Jim still had his girlfriend.

Jim still had his mother.

Jim still had Blinky, and AAARRRGH!!!.

Jim had lost Strickler, yes. And he’d lost his best friend. He hadn’t made it out unscathed, Douxie knew that. He knew he had no right to be angry at Jim for his choice, his RIGHT choice.

That didn’t make it any better.

That didn’t stop the raging, sick feeling in Douxie’s stomach as he thought about a future without Archie. Without Nari—even though he’d only been with the demigod a year or so, she was FAMILY. He’d put off his feelings for the fight—he’d moved on fast because he’d had to move on fast—but those feelings were catching up to him.

Claire was comforting Jim. Douxie stumbled away from the scene.

It wasn’t fair.

Krel and Aja hadn’t lost anyone—in fact, they’d gained about 7 someones. Good for them—at least they’d gotten out of this unscathed.

Jim and Claire had lost their friend. Jim had lost Strickler. But they still had others, their families.

Douxie had lost everything.

He still had Claire, of course, and Jim, and Steve.

But he’d never been their top priority—Jim and Claire had each other, and Steve had Aja, and Eli. And that had been FINE, he didn’t NEED to be everyone’s top priority. He’d had Archie and Nari, and he’d made them HIS top priority. And he’d been theirs.

But now?

Now, he’d lost them.

Nobody seemed to notice him go. They were mourning Toby. Of course they were mourning Toby, of course they SHOULD mourn Toby. It wasn’t fair to put his feelings over theirs—this wound was fresh. Of course they should have time to grieve. That was only fair.

Fair, fair, fair, fair.

Nothing was fair.

When he was far enough that he wouldn’t disrupt their mourning, Douxie finally gave out. He collapsed to his knees with a scream, a burst of magic breaking anything nearby that the titan hadn’t already destroyed. He pounded one fist into the ground, his vision blurring with tears and blue magic.

Nari.

Archie.

And he’d lost others, too, some time ago, but the new grief brought up old loss.

Merlin.

Morgana.

His parents, who he’d never known.

It’s not fair, it’s not fair, it’s not fair!

Douxie punched the ground again. His knuckles slammed into broken glass and stone, but he didn’t care. He screamed out a sob, pressing his arms to his stomach, bent over double. Magic was emotion—and his was out of control. Blasts of energy were pulsing out of him in random bursts, clearing the area of rubble.

The magic and screaming faded to ugly, heaving, sobs.

No one had noticed.

No one had come to see where he’d gone.

Nobody noticed that he was hurting, too. That his whole life had been torn to shreds in the last 18 hours, and there was no fixing it.

Well, there had been a chance to fix it. But even that chance was gone, now.

Douxie would have given it all up—his staff, Merlin’s approval, everything—to see Archie and Nari again.

But he didn’t have that option.

The funeral passed in a blur. When his friends asked what happened to his hand, Douxie shrugged and said it must have happened in the fight. Everyone cried when they talked about Toby. About Strickler. Even Nomura got a few tears. Everyone cried for Archie and Nari.

Everyone but Douxie.

He didn’t think he could.

They asked if he wanted to say a few words for them, since he’d been the closest to them.

He couldn’t do that, either.

That would mean accepting that they were gone.

Archie wasn’t even dead. He just had to find him, he just had to—

“Douxie?” Claire took his bandaged hand. “You know we’re here, right? You don’t have to do this alone.”

Right. But he was alone. Archie had been there for him before—Archie had been his confidante, Archie had been the one he’d brought his feelings to. Archie.

Douxie clutched Claire’s hand so tight the tips of her fingers turned white. “You can—Archie’s not dead, you can find him. We can portal in, we can—”

“Douxie—Douxie, we can’t. The den is protected against my magic. Remember?”

He turned desperately to Krel. “The wormhole—they wouldn’t know to protect against that, you can open up a wormhole into it, then, right?!”

But Krel was shaking his head, too, “Not without coordinates—which we don’t have. I can’t lock in on feelings like Claire can.

If Nari had been here, her empathy magic would have been able to find coordinates.

But Nari wasn’t here.

And neither was Archie.

Jim wandered over, wiping his eyes. “Douxie. I’m sorry. I know you lost people, too.”

That didn’t even begin to cover it, but Douxie nodded and said thank you, and left.

The world went on.

Everyone else seemed to be moving on.

They had a memorial service every anniversary.

Jim, Barbara, and Claire brought flowers to the graveyard every weekend. Douxie planted some live ones on the empty grave that marked Nari’s date of death and let them grow wild.

It was what she would have wanted.

Everyone else seemed to keep going.

They went to work.

They finished school.

The learned to laugh again.

Everyone but Douxie.

Douxie scoured Merlin’s grimoire for clues that could bring Nari back—bring back Nari, bring back Archie with a wormhole. Easy. But there were none.

So he raided what was left of the bookstore. He read and read and read until he was sick of words, until his eyes were strained and he couldn’t see far away anymore.

But there wasn’t anything in the bookstore, either.

He moved on to the Camelot libraries.

He forgot to eat most days. Even on the days Jim showed up and cooked for him, Claire would clear away untouched plates.

And who needed sleep anyway?

Years passed. Years. He’d made it halfway through the Camelot library.

Except he couldn’t summon the energy to climb the library ladder anymore. He brought books down from the top shelves with magic, and discovered it was easier. So he stayed at his table, magic cycling books through.

He had to tie his hair back in ponytails and braids to keep it out of his face. The blue color had faded out of it, leaving it its natural black.

He missed Jim and Claire’s wedding, despite the fact that it took place a few doors away.

He missed Steve and Aja’s children growing up.

But he’d waited 900 years for Merlin. Surely he could work at least that long on getting Archie and Nari back.

Some days, he broke down and threw books across the room, angry at himself, at the Order, at Archie and Nari.

Other days, he’d stare at the wall for hours at a time, his magic waiting to clear away books he wasn’t reading.

Some days, he ran through the empty halls of Camelot, sure he’d seen Archie’s tail whipping around a corner. Sure he’d seen a flash of green.

He never really had.

On those days, he couldn’t make it back to the library. He’d collapse in the hallway, trying to summon enough energy to get up and keep going.

It was on one of those days that a shadow portal opened underneath him, dumping him neatly on a couch. Claire was waiting, her arms crossed. When had she gotten so mature and beautiful? And when had Jim, who was standing next to her, gotten so tall?

“Enough,” Claire snapped.

Jim put a hand on her shoulder. “What Claire is trying to say,” he said gently, “Is we’re worried about you. We have been for a while.”

“We were giving you time,” Blinky said quietly, “Time passes differently for wizards and trolls than for humans. We thought if we gave you a few years, tried to support you, you’d move on. Like the rest of us have—even AAARRRGH!!! But you cannot go on like this.”

Looking at the troll made a revelation drop on Douxie’s head. “I’ve been looking in the wrong place! Blinky, I need all of your books, I need to find out how to get into a troll market without the bridge, there is a way, I just—”

“NO!” Claire yelled, “No more research! No more books! Stop! Just… stop.” Her voice broke. “Douxie, you’re not okay. You’ve wasted away, and you can hardly walk. You don’t sleep. You don’t eat. You just read, and read, and read, and for WHAT?! Archie and Nari wouldn’t want you to waste your life like this!”

“I’m fine!” he protested.

Claire swiveled a makeup mirror towards him. “Look at yourself! Do you look fine?!”

Douxie stared at the reflection. It was a stranger. Claire and Jim had gotten older, had changed.

He’d stayed the same age.

But he’d changed, too.

His face was pale, gaunt, cheeks sunken in. The shadows under his eyes had always been prominent, but now they were so dark Claire could probably use them to make portals. His hair had gotten long, and dull.

And his eyes.

They were desperate. Tired. Strained.

And so, so sad.

Claire sat down next to him, taking his hands. “Archie and Nari are gone, Douxie,” she said, her voice cracking again, “Toby’s gone, Strickler’s gone, Nomura’s gone—we get it. It hurts. But they’re dead, and they’re not coming back. It doesn’t matter how much you destroy your health. It doesn’t matter how many nights you stay up, how many meals you skip, how many books you read. They aren’t coming back. You can’t keep going on like this. You said you hoped Archie would be happy. Don’t you think he’d want you to do the same?”

And Douxie finally broke down crying.

He hadn’t cried like this since the day it had all gone wrong. Since he’d first realized that he was alone.

He sobbed into Claire’s shoulder, ugly, heaving sobs that made his chest hurt. He cried all of the tears he couldn’t cry at the funerals. He cried all of the tears he’d held in on frustrating nights when he’d nearly given up. He cried until he didn’t have any tears left.

And Claire let him. She hugged him tightly—she’d gotten older. His student had become an adult. And he’d missed it. He’d missed so much.

“What—what do I do now?” he hiccupped, “They’re gone—and if I can’t get them back, what do I do?”

Jim put a hand on his shoulder. “The same thing we all did, the same thing we should have helped you do at the beginning, instead of letting you go this far alone, the same thing we’re going to help you do now. Shoulder the burden. Heal. And move on.”

[ackerfics]

Hiiii is it okay to request something? I just really love your fics 🥺 I saw that you did song fics, so I was thinking Still Into You by Paramore mixed with Thinking of You by Katy Perry since I legit couldn’t get those out of my head. Also I’m having Mikasa brainrot rn, so maybe a fic about exes getting back together? Where reader is like already in a new relationship with Historia, but they still love Mikasa, and the pining is mutual. Thank you so much 🥺

we sang along to the start of forever  — mikasa ackerman

— mikasa ackerman x female reader (modern au)

— warnings: angst but it transitioned into fluff in the end so we’re fine :)))

— summary: you still love each other and like puzzle pieces, the two of you thought about trying out the relationship thing again.

— word count: 4.8k

— author’s notes: i’m so sorry this took so long, we have so many backlogs  but i thought that writing would be a great thing to unwind so here it is !! i also made the reader a girl because as soon i started writing, mikasa with a girlfriend just keeps popping in my brain and i can’t help it sjjkjksjs and thank you so much for requesting !!

reblogs are greatly appreciated !!

< you said move on, where do i go

“Hey, there you are.”

A melodic whisper got you out of your daze from looking at your laptop screen. Exams are around the corner and your professors thought that it was the perfect time to dump more work for you. Tomorrow, you have a deadline coming up for a 2k-word essay about a topic that you could care less about, it wasn’t even under your major. Yet here you are, in one of the study areas of your university, trying to squeeze your brain just so you could reach the word count without caring for the outcome of your essay. But it seems like the gods graced your prayers because a small figure with golden blonde hair appeared in front of you, her blue eyes shining under the lights of the study area.

You started dating Historia Reiss not too long ago, it was probably ranging for three months at most. It was quite rocky at first, with you being out of a long-term relationship and Historia balancing out her time between extracurriculars and academics. The long-term relationship that got you all wound up was with a close friend back in high school and it sucked because you were such a good pair together — maybe fate wasn’t by your side that time. The two of you were immature and young but your time together was golden, having known each other way before asking one another out. You promised each other you’d move on and clearly, you did, your eyes finding your current girlfriend sitting in the neighboring study desk, taking out her stationery and color-coordinated notes.

Historia was a sweet person, always patient and caring when it comes to you. You met during a lecture that you two happened to share. She forgot her Apple pencil and luckily, you still had yours in your bag, lending the gadget to the blonde since you already have your laptop perched in front of you. With small smiles, the two of you gradually became friends, sitting next to each other during that lecture. Those small moments grew and later became study meet-ups in cafés or hanging out in one of the university’s libraries. The best thing that connected you two was your personalities, it matched so well that people sometimes thought you knew each other way longer before college. When you noticed Historia showing some signs that she likes you more than a friend, you couldn’t quite believe it at first. It was Historia being so understanding of you that made you say yes to her dates.

And now, here you are.

“Yup, you found me,” you told her, stretching your arms above your head before smiling at your girlfriend.

“Is that essay for Mr. Smith’s class?” Historia asked, leaning over to your side to get a glimpse of your screen. She patted your shoulder at the number of words you wrote. “Wow, you already got past the 1k mark. That’s amazing! Don’t forget to take breaks, though.”

“Of course, Tori,” you smiled. “You, too. I know your exams start four days from now. How is that holding up?”

Historia opened her readings, sighing at the thought of the dreaded season of the student body. “I don’t know if I can answer anything that well. I mean, we’ve been having study dates every day but I get so nervous just thinking about the exams. I know I’m going to be prepared but my anxiety said ‘no’.” She buried her hands through her hair, eyes softening when your face started showing how worried you are for her. “I’ll just think that this will be over a week from now.” Historia reached a hand out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind your ear. “Hey, why don’t we go to that restaurant just outside of uni for dinner?”

You took her hand in yours, squeezing it affectionately. “I think that’s perfect.”

The two of you proceeded to work on your separate tasks until you both agreed that it’s time for a good dinner. Historia helped you tidy your things up, occasionally smiling softly at you when you yawn. You bid goodbye to some of the students in the study area you know and the two of you went out of the room with joined hands. It was a nice walk around the university, the golden glow of the Sun bathing everything in orange, and making you relax despite the many backlogs still on your to-do list. That was until you saw a familiar figure going out of one of the many buildings of the Business Department. The blonde beside you even recognized the young woman hiding her face behind her scarf, blue eyes darting to you with a worried air.

It also happened that Mikasa Ackerman looked up from adjusting her scarf, her stormy gray eyes meeting with yours by chance.

Her eyes slightly widened at the sight of you, her gaze then dropping to your hands still joined with Historia’s before pursing her lips. Looking up to tangle your eyes again, she rose her hand in a little wave. You reciprocated the gesture weakly, never leaving your stare off her retreating form. You noticed that her shoulders became tense after that little encounter, fists enclosing the straps of her backpack and steps hurrying to get to her apartment that was just a walking distance from the university.

You felt a light squeeze coming from the girl beside you, knocking you out of your reverie.

“Let’s go?” Historia asked, eyes knowingly roaming your face.

“Mm-hmm,” you only hummed, following your girlfriend out of the campus.

You thought there wasn’t anything left but why were you still stuck in a limbo that you couldn’t get out of when you stared into those gray hues haunting your dreams?

< recount the night that i first met your mother

Mikasa had her life figured out. 

Everything was perfect. She has the most amazing people she can call her friends. She has the most supportive parents (and brother, but he can be a little shit sometimes but that’s beside the point). She has the perfect grades that can maintain her standing in the university, earning her great credits from various professors on the campus. She has scored a good apartment with her best friend, Sasha, all equipped with the best rooms and views that she can pay for a reasonable price. She is still a member of the university’s track and field long-distance running team, a regular and a manager at the same time. She also had the most beautiful girl as her lover and confidante, someone she could be herself with (not that her closest friends and brother didn’t see her real personality but being with her lover was a different kind of bliss compared to hanging out with her friends).

Well, had a girlfriend.

Ever since meeting you again earlier that night, suddenly Mikasa’s schedule for the night seems to blur.

It was her turn to cook for dinner but she couldn’t do anything properly. First, she managed to burn her sauteed vegetables, something that she had never done before knowing that this is her favorite go-to dish. Second, she boiled the pasta too long and now they’re too soggy. She nearly threw the pot down the sink but she didn’t want their neighbors to call the cops to their place, she just didn’t want to have a repeat of the first time that happened. (The first time their neighbors called the cops because of them was all Sasha’s fault, it appeared to the brown-haired girl that Mikasa’s cooking is one of the best in the world that she screamed bloody murder in the middle of the night.) Now, the gray-eyed girl had no choice but to start from scratch with the pasta, it was a good thing it was only the pasta though. 

The front door of their apartment opened with a bang while Mikasa tried to concentrate this time. Without looking up, she can see a brown-headed blur dashing towards the kitchen. “Stop right there, Sasha,” she said while stirring the alfredo sauce in the pan. “If you reach for the chicken one more time, I’m going to skin you alive. I don’t have the energy to hold your hungry ass back right now.”

Sasha backed away at the look of her roommate who was ready to commit violence if she steps out of line. “Whoa, who pissed at your day?”

Mikasa blinked, realizing that she might have been unreasonable with her remark. Of course, she wasn’t the only tired one in their apartment right now. Sasha was also struggling with academics and extracurriculars, not to mention, her love life is perfectly stable despite being in a relationship for a year. Not that Mikasa felt slightly jealous but she did everything she could to save their relationship but it still ended on a consensual note. The black-haired girl relaxed her tense posture, sighing deeply to expel the negativity accumulating her mind at the moment (Sasha called them dark forces after Mikasa told her about it, it took everything not to leave the room when the words came out of her friend’s mouth). Turning back on her sauce, Mikasa stated, “I’m sorry, I’m just stressed. You know, with the exams coming up and my track team entering this meet at the end of the month for official records. It’s just,” she sighed, “too much right now.”

“Aw, Mikasa,” Sasha empathized, going around the countertop to wrap her arms around Mikasa. She placed her head against her friend’s, petting the latter’s hair until they became a mess on her head. “I know just the thing to make us feel better. Let’s watch some of those anime movies that Armin recommended while eating dinner. Or anything that you want to watch if you don’t feel like watching anime right now.”

Mikasa smiled a little, resting her head on top of Sasha’s and relishing the comfort her friend gave her. “Thanks, I appreciate it, Sash.”

The moment she shared with Sasha reminded her of when you two were in high school. At that time, Mikasa was one of the star athletes that belonged to the track team. After the rigorous training their coach gave them, Mikasa’s knee started to hurt. This was dismissed by the head coach, saying that this wasn’t serious at all. You witnessed it when she ran more laps than what was written in her training regime to the point that her knee gave out. It was a good thing that her knee only acquired a sprain and a good rest from physical activities for some time will heal it gradually. Mikasa never had anything against it because getting some time off from her club meant that she could spend her free time with you. It was spent staying on her family’s couch, watching movies to pass the time while making small talk about her friends. The reminiscing continued until Sasha helped her prepare the living room for their movie night. She just couldn’t help but associate every little thing with you. You were a great part of her life since middle school.

She missed everything about you.

While the movie played out, her mind went to a time when it was time to introduce Mikasa as your girlfriend to your mother.

It was in the first months of being first-years in university. There was an issued academic break set by the faculties, taking the time to invite Mikasa to your home. You were so excited that that’s all you can talk about while the gray-eyed girl drove you two to your hometown. That was the only thing enjoyable in the entire trip. Everything went into shit when you blurted out that Mikasa has been more than a friend to you ever since high school. The look on your mother’s face was enough for the two of you to tell that this shouldn’t go on as planned.

“So, you’re telling me that Mikasa has been in our home, doing God knows what to you since high school?” Your mother flatly questioned.

The coldness of her tone made you stiffen in your seat. You can see Mikasa from the corner of your eyes trying to calm herself down by rubbing your hand under the table. It couldn’t be helped that your father, the only understanding person in the family, was absent because of his job. This is why your father chose to live separately from your mom, seeing as she was the kind of authoritative parent and wife, always hovering around each of her family members to keep them in line. You now understand why your father left her because God forbid, it was tempting to cut off ties with the person who gave birth to you as she threw degrading words at Mikasa left and right. You furrowed your eyebrows, tightening your hold on your girlfriend’s hand, which was trembling on your lap. The first time you saw her this shaken was when her knee got injured during her track training. Her skin was so pale like that time that you wanted to pull her out of the house and stay at a nearby hotel to get away from your mother’s wrath.

“Mom, please,” you pleaded, tears prickling your eyes.

“No, [Name], don’t you say another word,” she pointedly snapped at you. “I feel like I have become a failure of a mother. I don’t understand why you have a woman as your lover. It’s just not right. I support it but not if it’s with my daughter.”

You abruptly stood up with half-lidded eyes that never strayed from your mother’s similar shaded ones. Your hand still gripped Mikasa’s, your thumb stroking the back of it in a soothing circle that contrasted the indifferent gaze you gave your mother. When you were a child, you understood her sentiments because you’re her only child, the only person left in her life. But when she started badmouthing the little things observed from other people, you started questioning her parenting. You were told that people who love others of the same sex were sinning the word of a divine being but if that’s the case, you’d gladly be condemned to the pits of Hell if it meant protecting Mikasa from your mother’s harsh words. “We’re leaving.”

“What—?” It was Mikasa.

“Come on, Mika. Let’s find some restaurant downtown. This place is becoming stuffy and I don’t want you to suffocate any further.”

“Hey, Mikasa? Are you alright?”

Mikasa jumped, looking around at their apartment’s living room as if she was confused as to why she was there. She slightly shook her head before turning to the concerned brown irises of her roommate. Trying for a convincing smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, Mikasa forced a laugh as she mindlessly twirled the pasta on her plate with a wistful air surrounding her. “Yeah, I think I’m alright. Just saw my ex earlier when I got out of my last lecture for the day. I feel like that’s the reason why I don’t feel like myself today.”

The movie was then forgotten when Sasha positioned her body so that she could give Mikasa her undivided attention. With a serious expression that the gray-eyed young woman didn’t see in a long time, Sasha asked, “That gorgeous beauty?”

A nod was all Mikasa could answer. Gorgeous was an understatement when it comes to imagining you. You’re practically the most beautiful girl Mikasa saw in her lifetime. 

“Damn, it’s been what? Half a year since you guys broke up?”

A nod from Mikasa. She wrapped her arms around her knees, pushing them further into her chest, feeling so small at the moment. “It would have been fine if she’s alone but…”

Sasha’s mouth parted with realization; eyes wide as she stared at her roommate. “Oh,” she breathed. 

Scooting closer to the gray-eyed girl, Sasha wrapped an arm around her shoulder to let the former lean against her side. She always viewed the two of you to be endgame, seeing as you were dating since you were in high school. It sucks that no matter how much the two of you proved that you belong to one another, it just ends inevitably. Sasha even liked you when Mikasa introduced you to her new roommate when you were first-years. You were shining in the brown-eyed girl’s eyes; smile so bright that she couldn’t help but think you’re pretty, hair perfectly mussed by the wind during the ride to the apartment, casual clothing fitting you in the most pleasing way possible, and personality that one could describe as amazing. You even gave her some of your food when the three of you ate out together. (Mikasa always scolded you for giving away your food when you’re barely even eating regularly.) And when you guys broke up, Sasha saw how Mikasa ended up at the lowest point of her life, locking up inside her room and only going out when Sasha’s asleep. It was only recently that Mikasa slowly became herself again.

Now, Mikasa became that closed-off version of herself after the break-up, and Sasha instantly pulled her in for a hug.

The television kept playing the movie they chose to watch, Mikasa’s silent sobs blending with the movie’s dialogue and seeping through the night.

< she kissed my lips, i taste your mouth

You nearly pulled away when you tasted lemon instead of strawberry.

You nearly looked away when you saw azure instead of metallic gray after the kiss.

You felt so bad for thinking of midnight tresses instead of spun gold every time you lay in bed after hours of studying. Guilt bloomed in your whole torso like a giant wad of roses prickling your insides with their thorns, images of Mikasa plaguing your mind a week after you saw her again after six months. And every time you close your eyes to let sleep pull you in their embrace, arms so secure would wrap around your middle in your dreams, the smell of a rose-scented soap enveloping you in a warm cocoon. It was so contrasting to the minty scent you tried so hard to get used to in those three months you were together with Historia. You promised yourself you’d never date someone else after Mikasa but you tried because she told you to find someone who will treat you better than her. As much as you pleaded with your rationality to not follow her advice, Historia was a breath of fresh air.

It was a rainy night the time you and Mikasa broke up. Funny how you always love the rain and yet the one moment tormenting your daydreams occurred in a thunderstorm.

“Mikasa, what are you talking about?”

Your favorite-colored irises couldn’t meet your stare. “I said you deserve to be with someone who can make you glow with happiness.”

“Where is this coming from?”

She only shook her head, short black hair moving along with the movement. “I feel like I’m not giving enough in this relationship. I noticed how happier you look when you hang out with your friends from your department but when you’re with me, you’re mellowed down and so drained that I’m starting to feel like I’ve done something wrong.” Mikasa buried her hands in her hair, elbows placed on her knees, making herself feel smaller in front of you. You stood up from your bed to kneel in front of her, covering her cheeks tenderly with the palms of your hands. Yet she continued, “My mind is telling me these thoughts that I denied a long time ago since we started university.”

“What thoughts, Mika?”

“That our spark had died down for good.”

You searched her face for any sign of a joke but you could only stare at her downturned eyes.

“That I think we should break up for you to be happier with other people.”

“No,” you murmured, tears starting to blur your vision. “Mikasa.”

“I love you so much to see you unhappy with me.”

“I’m never unhappy when I’m with you. Where did you get that idea?”

Mikasa smiled despite her wobbly lips, gingerly placing her lips on your forehead. “I love you, [Name], I hope you’ll find someone bright enough to let you shine even more.”

It hurts just thinking about that but something pinched it even more when you stared at Historia in front of you, Facetiming someone on her phone. You two were celebrating the end of your exams in a café, treats covering the expanse of your table. It was a breather from all the stressful weeks draining your energy and now you feel refreshed. The book you recently bought was snug in your hands, eyes skimming over the words as Historia animatedly talked to her friend, Ymir. Hearing her laugh at something the freckled girl said, you couldn’t help but look up from a paragraph you were engrossed in. Historia looks so happy, cheeks flushed and giggles so clear that she couldn’t even contain them with her small hand. She never looked like this with you and as much as you anticipated the pain brought by the sight, it didn’t come.

Now, you understood what Mikasa felt, only this time you had to let Historia go because she already belonged to someone else.

Historia just said goodbye to her friend and you knew you had to hold on to this chance.

“Hey, Historia, I have a question.”

She sipped her iced tea. “Shoot.”

“You like Ymir, don’t you?”

The silence and flustered reaction that followed was all it took for you to smile.

< no more mistakes ‘cause in your eyes i'd like to stay

Getting out of a four-hour lecture was bliss to Mikasa. She stretched her arms over her head, letting out a deep breath of relief at the thought of spending her weekend without any backlogs. Finally, she can relax without feeling guilty. After all that hell her department professors gave her, she deserved this break.

Mikasa walked down the hallways with a slight spring in her steps, feeling her phone vibrate with a text message in her bag. Stopping by a little bit at the side of the hallway, Mikasa opened the outer compartment of her bag and turned on her phone. A smile instantly overtook her confused expression.

armin

hey, wanna watch a movie tonite?

eren suggested we could unwind after the exams

figured you needed it

you can stay the night here too !!

Her fingers typed out a reply almost giddily.

Sure.

Let me just text Sasha that I won’t be sleeping in the apartment tonight.

Another message from Armin appeared.

armin

yey !! see you later, Mikasa

At this point, her smile couldn’t be erased on her face.

See you later, Armin.

Then, another message from Armin popped out that made Mikasa laugh a little.

armin

this is eren

mikasa, can u bring dinner PLS

armin and i are too lazy to cook 

plus, you love us 🥺🥺🥺

The gray-eyed girl rolled her eyes, typing out a ‘fine’ before closing her phone. Her brother was sometimes too hard to handle but he can be sweet as well and saying that he needs dinner is just a way for him to say that he misses Mikasa’s cooking. When she looked up, a very familiar blonde and one of Mikasa’s classmates in a general subject came into view in one of the gazebos. Confusion was an understatement while she continued staring at Historia and Ymir laughing as if they were the only ones in the world. It was only a few weeks ago that she saw the blonde girl holding hands with you after a whole day of lectures. Maybe it was because she was staring too long at the couple that Ymir turned in her direction. As the freckled girl recognized the black-haired, stoic girl in one of their general classes, Ymir rose a hand in the air as a greeting. It also didn’t help that Historia looked at where Ymir was waving, with Mikasa tensing at the attention. She hastily waved back before turning in the direction of her car in the parking lot.

Several theories flickered through Mikasa’s head as she pulled out of the parking lot, the department store in their part of the city as her destination. Her mind was still a questioning mess the whole time she roamed the vegetable aisle until she bumped into another shopping cart, the clang of the metal breaking her trance.

“I’m sorry,” she told the person holding the other cart without looking up from her groceries.

“It’s fine.”

Mikasa quickly lifted her head at your voice. She probably looked like an idiot gawking at you in the middle of an aisle. You were dressed in an aquamarine shirt tucked in a pair of black slacks; your hair slung over one of your shoulders but for her, you looked so pretty. She concluded that you also got back from one of your lectures since your bag was placed inside the shopping cart, leaning beside a carton of strawberry milk. At the sight of the beverage, Mikasa’s chest pounded with her loud heartbeat, all the memories of you saying you like the taste of strawberries because of her entering her mind. Even after a full minute of you staring at each other, Mikasa couldn’t bear to look away. You’re so beautiful and she misses you so much.

“I miss you, too, Mikasa,” you murmured with flushed cheeks. “And you look good as usual.”

Mikasa’s face burned with embarrassment, reaching her ears, as she realized that she said her thoughts out loud. She was acting like she was in high school when she came to terms with her feelings for you. “U-Uhm, how are y-you?” Fucking hell, what is she stuttering for? It’s not like she got a below-passing score on one of her majors.

You softly smiled, tucking a stray lock of her behind your ear. “I’m doing fine. I was just thinking of making some homemade dinner tonight.” 

Mikasa nodded, recalling that you got a single apartment. “Me, too, but Eren asked me to make dinner for our movie night with Armin.”

At the mention of the two men, your face brightened. “How are they?”

The gray-eyed young woman reciprocated your smile. “Armin is still reeling Eren from doing anything stupid. You know how that dingbat is.” Your laugh made her day better. She faintly noticed that the two of you started walking side by side, pushing your carts to who knows what section of the department store. “The last time I saw them was before the exam week and we were studying so we didn’t do any catching up. Speaking of exams, how are yours?”

You hummed. “I think I got a passing grade on Parasitology and Microbiology. Those were the only subjects keeping me up for how many nights in a row.” You chuckled at your caffeinated state the previous weeks. “But the others were all papers so I guess I’m fine as of now.”

“Don’t tell me you got yourself palpitations from all the coffee.”

“You know me so well, Mika,” you laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to order coffee every time I go out this time. I don’t want a repeat of that night when I studied for Para. It was worse because I don’t have a roommate. How is Sasha doing, by the way? Still a ball of sunshine, I hope.” You spotted a cereal box you wanted to try so you mindlessly reached out for it but it was on the top shelf. Mikasa noticed your struggles, stopping behind you after chuckling to herself at how adorable you looked to reach the cereal box. You visibly tensed when you felt her front brush against your back, the box of cereal greeting your vision with Mikasa’s hand brushing on yours. “Thank you,” you whispered.

“You’re welcome,” she answered, patting your head before taking her cart and pushing it in the direction of the dairy section. “Yeah, Sasha is still as rowdy as the day you last visited. I threatened her again when she tried eating what I was plating for dinner. It was not a lovely night.” Mikasa paused, looking behind her when you’re not following close. She slightly panicked when she saw you looking down and gripping on the handle of the shopping cart. “[Name]? Are you okay?”

“Mikasa, I’m still into you.” You faced her with a smile. “Will you let me love you with all my heart again?”

Mikasa was speechless, her throat clogging up with overflowing emotions. She let out a delighted light, looking at you with eyes full of love.

“Yes. Will you let me in your heart again, [Name]?”

“Always, Mika.”

Their song of forever played once again and it felt so right that they wondered why they stopped it in the first place.

[slythergirlimagines]

Just Us With Some Hugging -Part One

Prompt: Prompt #1- Fake dating with Prince Zuko!

@darthsokaaa thank you for your request! I hope I did it justice! Who doesn’t love some Prince Zuko;) Masterlist

Just Us With Some Hugging- Part 1

You and Zuko had been close since birth. Your mothers had been best friends and the closest of confidantes, and because of this you had spent nearly every moment of your life with Zuko. As you grew up, Zuko became a trained fire bender and you became a trained warrior. Even during his exile, you were checking up on him through letters.

It had been nothing to pick his side over Ozai’s, and easier still to join forces with him against Azula to place the rightful Fire Lord on the throne. As soon as Zuko was crowned, he named you a member of his personal council. For three years, everything had remained somewhat peaceful, and Zuko and you had fallen right back into your friendship as if you’d never spent any time apart.

That’s why when Zuko had all but manhandled you into this conference room, you didn’t expect anything unusual. Maybe an important meeting, or just some time to catch up and talk. Never in your wildest dreams could you have predicted that he would ask you to pretend to be his girlfriend.

“What?” You say, blinking in shock.

“Y/N, it would just be for the duration of the Peace Celebration. Just a short little weekend, nothing much.” His face is a little flushed, his cheeks a light pink. Zuko has always struggled to ask for help, particularly anything dealing with emotions. Anxiously, he starts rubbing the back of his neck.

“I know it’s a lot, but think about it! We’d get to have a fun trip to Ba Sing Se. And it’ll be a fun party! We’ll get to see everyone again, they’re all coming this time.” He gestures with his hands. It’s almost endearing.

You’d be lying if you said the idea didn’t have any appeal. It’s been a long time since you’ve seen any of the Gaang. After the war, everyone had spread out and getting together had been nearly impossible. This would be the first Peace Celebration that everyone would be able to come to.

If you were extra honest with yourself, the idea was appealing for another reason entirely. Somewhere along the endless years of friendship, you had fallen in love with Zuko. Maybe it was seeing his growth as a person, or maybe it was his devotion to Fire Nation and righting Ozai’s mistakes. Maybe it was just that he was the single most attractive man you’d ever seen.

Regardless, you were in deep. And that was really the reason that you couldn’t say yes, as much as you might want to. You knew if you let yourself get that close to Zuko, it might ruin everything. Your friendship with Zuko was one of the most important aspects of your life, and you would never forgive yourself if you let your own feelings ruin what you all had.

“Zuko, I really don’t think...”

“You know, I’m kind of the Fire Lord, I could command you.” He says quietly. His voice is huskier than normal, and heat instantly floods your face.

Why was he doing this to you? It wasn’t fair that he was able to do...well to do that! He had no idea how much power he held over you, how you would do anything for him. And now that he had asked like that, there was no way you could say no.

Something in your expression must have given away your broken resolve, because Zuko’s face breaks into a huge grin.

“Thank you!” He exclaims, jumping up and happily running around the table to throw his arms around you. He’s warm, like all fire benders are, and hesitantly you hug him back and tuck your head under his chin. You’ve never been particularly affectionate friends, but the embrace doesn’t feel as unnatural as it probably should.

“I haven’t even said yes yet.” You grouch. You can feel the reverberations of Zuko’s low laugh in his chest. It’s too much, being in his arms like this.

“I know you.” Is all he says in reply. His words send warm tingles down your spine. With a final sigh, you pull away from Zuko, breaking the hug.

“Why do you need me to do this again?” You ask. Your eyes trace over his face, memorizing the contours and lingering on his scar. He used to act so ashamed of it, the scar he never asked for. Now he wears it like a badge of honor. You knew his troubles stemmed from his perceived lack of honor, but you can’t help but feel he was wearing his honor the entire time, right here on his face.

“I told you. Uncle drives me crazy with his matchmaking. He keeps telling me that ‘A single tea leaf makes the worst tea.’ Or something like that. I don’t even know what he means!” Zuko throws his hands up in defeat, breaking your trance. You snort, but don’t comment. Frustrated as he may be, Zuko loves Iroh.

Zuko had briefly mentioned the matchmaking to you before, but he had always played it off as a joke. You had no idea that Iroh was being so serious about it, or that it bothered Zuko so much.

“Why don’t you just tell him that you’re too young to settle down? You have a Nation to run, after all.” You interject.

Zuko looks at you and rolls his eyes.

“You know Uncle. He never listens when it comes to this stuff. I told you about the girl in Ba Sing Se he made me date!”

You force down the irrational swell of anger that builds in your chest. Zuko had mentioned the date in one of his letters, and it had bothered you for reasons you never wanted to think about.

“We need to talk logistics here.” You recross your arms. “What’s our story? How are we going to pull this off in front of our friends and your uncle?”

Zuko begins rubbing the back of his neck. The sleeves of his red robe fall down a few inches, and you quickly avert your eyes before you’re caught staring.

“I don’t think it will be too hard.” Zuko says. He’s too nonchalant about it all, which is mildly infuriating. He sees the irritated look on your face and hurries to explain. “I mean, we’ve been friends forever and we’re always around each other. It was bound to happen right?”

Your heart stutters and nearly stops. Did you hear him right?

Zuko clears his throat.

“I mean for story purposes that is.”

“Right.” You say. There’s a long awkward pause. You’ve never been comfortable with silence, so you hurry to break it.

“So one day we just decided ‘This is it.’ And I jumped your bones?”

The sarcasm lightens the mood, and Zuko laughs. His amber eyes twinkle in the light, like they’re shining.

“How come you jumped my bones?” He teases.

“We both know I’d have to make the first move, you’d never do it.” You challenge him.

A weird static energy settles in the room, reminding you of Azula’s lightning. Zuko has never looked at you so intensely. You swear the air is crackling.

“Right.” He says, and is it your imagination or are his eyes flickering to your lips?

The spell is broken by one of Zuko’s men opening the door.

“My Lord, I’m sorry to interrupt...” He trails off, looking between the two of you.

You and Zuko both notice the lack of space between you, and jump apart.

“Right, no it’s fine.” Zuko says, clearing his throat and gesturing for the man to come in.

You take the opportunity to leave while you still have some dignity left.

“Oh, and y/n?” Zuko says before you’re out the door.

“Yes, Zuko?” You ask. You hope the blush isn’t too noticeable on your face.

“I’m glad you said yes, because I already told Uncle last week.” His face splits into a cocky grin, and his scar crinkles.

Your infuriated scream echoes through the whole palace, mingling with his delighted laugh.

_____________________________

You’re already reconsidering this arrangement by the time you reach Ba Sing Se. Zuko looks astoundingly good when he’s more relaxed, and there’s no way you’ll be able to control yourself like this. Today he wears the clothing of a fire nation commoner. The deep red is striking against his skin and dark hair. It also highlights his scar and the amber of his eyes.

Ba Sing Se is gloriously overdecorated. There are flowers and banners covering every visible inch of the city, and they blend together in a colorful blur as the train moves through the city. Zuko smiles, face turned toward the glass, eyes taking in all the festivities. It’s been too long since you’ve seen him look so peaceful.

He turns from the window and catches your expression.

“What?” He asks, self-consciously.

Your voice is too soft when you answer him.

“Nothing. Ba Sing Se looks good on you.”

You have no idea where your boldness comes from, as Zuko shifts uncomfortably under the complement. Before you can tease him about it, he switches topics.

“Ok, so we’re really going to have to sell this thing, aren’t we?” He starts, making you roll your eyes.

It’s a typical Zuko move to save the panicking until right before. You had already done your fair share of freaking out, and had already done your meditation. You were a lot calmer about it all than you expected to be.

Of course, you knew that would probably change the moment you had to start pretending, but for now you were ok.

“Meditate Zuko. Deep breaths.” You tell him, giving him a gentle kick to the shin. He rolls his eyes, but takes the advice anyways.

“It’s going to be okay.” You tell him. “We just have to be us with some hugging. Or handholding. They know us and they know how we behave normally. We just have to act natural.”

Zuko nods, and a strand of black hair falls in front of his eyes. He flicks it away, and then settles deeper into his seat.

“Just us.” He says.

“With some hugging.” You amend.

He cracks an amber eye open and you shrug at his expression.

“It’ll be weird if we don’t touch each other at all.” You say.

“I didn’t know you had such a deep desire to touch me.” He says, with extra emphasis on the word “touch.”

Your body begins to tingle again. This has been happening more and more frequently with Zuko, where one of you says something with a double meaning. The electricity settles in again, but is broken by the abrupt stop of the train.

An enthusiastic stewardess comes to escort the two of you off the train. She’s pretty and she notices Zuko immediately.

“Welcome to Ba Sing Se!” She chirps happily, more at Zuko than you. You can’t help your irrantional flare of jealousy.

Zuko, noticing your aggravation, slings an arm over your shoulders and smirks.

“Yes, sweetheart. Welcome to Ba Sing Se.”

You give him a hard elbow to the ribs, and laugh at his grunt of pain.

Iroh is waiting with open arms when you get off of the train. He immediately takes Zuko off of your hands, and tries to smoosh Zuko as close to his body as he can. Zuko does a very un-Zuko thing and hugs back with as just as much force. It warms your heart to see them interact. Iroh breaks the embrace and hugs you next.

“It’s so good to see you both again!” He says. “And with such happy news.” Iroh wiggles his eyebrows and winks at the two of you.

“Uncle!” Zuko groans, throwing his hands up exasperatedly.

“Sorry, Sorry. Couldn’t help myself, y/n.” Iroh chuckles.

“It’s ok!” You try to say brightly, but it comes out breathy. If you don’t get it together, you’ll expose your own lie before anyone else can.

Zuko takes your hand in his, and shoulders both of your bags on his other arm. You do everything you can not to think about the fact that Zuko’s incredibly warm hand is wrapped around yours. You definitely don’t think about what this hand has done before, or what it could do if it wanted.

“Uncle, where are we staying?” Zuko asks.

For once you’re grateful to the heat of Ba Sing Se, for it camouflages the fact that you’ve started to sweat.

“We’ve set up a lovely house for you two and all of your friends! You’ll all be together.” Iroh says, bouncing around.

“Is anyone here yet?” You ask him. You can fight the excitement bubbling up inside you. You hadn’t seen your friends in a long time, and soon they’d all be here!

“Everyone but Aang and Miss Katara.” Iroh says. “They’ll be here later.”

You have an extra pep to your step as you wind through the streets of Ba Sing Se. Zuko laughs at your enthusiasm, and squeezes your hand. Iroh notices and practically starts glowing. A stab of something goes through you as you think about the lie you’re telling, but it all fades away as you let yourself enjoy the moment and the warmth of Zuko’s hand.

_________________________________________

In an effort to keep peace and spread good will, Ba Sing Se had been selected to host the annual Peace Celebration- a celebration honoring the peace ushered in by the Avatar, the end of the war, and the continuing efforts to preserve it. Ba Sing Se had been the natural choice to host the whole affair. Not only was it the biggest city, but it was the most neutral. And Ba Sing Se certainly knew how to throw a party.

You and the group were currently sandwiched tightly around a table. The whole Gaang was here. When you had arrived at the house, it had been a nonstop hug fest. Everyone had been so glad to see each other. Toph had taken you to your room across from hers, while Sokka had taken Zuko to his. You had fully expected the shakedown from Toph about your relationship, but she had said nothing. That scared you more than anything, because it could only mean she was waiting for the right time.

Zuko had told you about Toph’s ability to sense lies, and you had been privileged enough to see it first hand. If anyone was going to figure out your secret it was Toph.

You had wanted to get Zuko alone and tell him about your fears, but there hadn’t been time. Aang and Katara had arrived and then everyone had to get ready for the party. Now you were all here, and it was basically life as usual. Except for the fact that you were anxiously waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Katara and Aang were making eyes at each other, Sokka and Toph were competing to see who could hold their liquor better (Toph of course was winning), Zuko and Iroh were engaged in a discussion of the rebuilding of Ba Sing Se, and that left you and Suki to make awkward conversation.

You admired Suki a lot, but you hadn’t really gotten to know her well. Both of you had been sitting in silence. Suki takes a slow sip of her drink, and twirls the edges of her short brown hair.

“So you and Zuko?” She asks, nodding her head at the arm Zuko had wrapped around your shoulders.

You take a long sip of your drink, and then nod.

“Yeah.” You say quietly.

You had been waiting on pins and needles all night for this. Toph had yet to spring her trap, and Suki’s question seemed to catch the attention of the entire table.

“Yeah! Tell us how that happened!” Sokka says, half of his drink spilling over the rim of his mug. Like Zuko, Sokka has grown into a man since the war, well a childish man but a man none the less.

“Well...” You start.

“It just happened.” Zuko interjects, saving you. You start to take another sip to finish your drink. “And then y/n jumped my bones.” He laughs.

The surprise of his statement chokes you, and you start coughing. Zuko breaks into carefree laughter, and starts patting your back. The Gaang quickly joins in laughing, except for Toph, who cocks her head and stares with unseeing eyes at Zuko.

“I’m...going...to....murder....you.” You tell him, as you try to catch your breath. Zuko smiles warmly at you, and reaches up to smooth a piece of hair behind your ear. Your heart skips a beat, as he catches your eyes with his.

Toph and Sokka resume their contest, and you sigh with relief. Maybe she’ll be too drunk to tell or care if you’re lying. Zuko catches your eyes again, and it’s all you need to know that you guys are on the same page. Crisis momentarily averted.

“Come on, let’s dance.” Zuko says, pulling you away from the table.

“Zuko? Dance?” You hear someone mutter behind you.

“Zuko, if we act too different they’ll find out!” You hiss at him when you’re a distance away from the table. You try desperately to wiggle out of his grip.

He ignores you, and seamlessly incorporates you with the other dancers.

“I just want to dance with my girlfriend.” He bends his head down, whispering in your ear. “Is that too much to ask?”

He has a wicked grin on his face when he pulls away, and you would give anything to be able to bend him across the room.

“It is when you never do that! You never danced with Mai.” You point out, and then instantly regret it. Mai was a sore spot with Zuko. You watch as Zuko freezes, losing his buoyancy from earlier.

“I would’ve. She always said no.”

You shuffle closer in your embrace trying to offer him some comfort. You always put your foot in your mouth.

Zuko and Mai’s breakup had been awful. The relationship had been bad for a year, but when it finally came to a head, it had been explosive. Zuko had been positively horrid to deal with for weeks.

“Oh.” You say like a genius, but it isn’t really your fault that you can’t speak in coherent sentences with him holding you like this.

“Yeah.” Zuko says, and you know that if you don’t act now he’ll brood for the rest of the night.

“Well I’m a hell of a better dancer than Mai, so you’ve definitely upgraded.” You say flippantly.

Zuko smiles at you and pulls you closer.

“I certainly did.” He says.

Maybe it’s the alcohol, your close proximity, or the fact that Zuko has just told you that you are an upgrade from your biggest rival, but something in you snaps. Without warning, you find yourself leaning up and pressing a kiss to Zuko’s lips.

(A/N: I’m doing a part 2! This just seemed like a story that needed to be broken into two parts! Let me know if you enjoyed it and don’t forget to submit a request if you want me to write something! I do write for multiple fandoms! I’m currently working on my other requests so keep an eye out for those this week! You should be able to see all the fanfiction I’ve written by clicking on my tag slythergirlimagines)

[five-miles-over]

Heyyyy I saw you take requests for Willie, I'm so happy!!! we really lack fics with him. Could you please write an imagine (or HC ) about Willie needing comfort, he feels lonely, perhaps rejected and judged by most people around him and reader comfort him pretty please? can be pure fluff or end nsfw. Thank you so much and I really love your writing <3

Hi, @darknessisafriend ! Thank you so much for your request and your compliments (and thank you for your patience as well). I’m starting to enjoy writing for Willie, and I’d love to do it more often. Hope you like this fic, my friend :)

The Light Blinking at the End of the Tunnel

Pairing: Willie Gutierrez x Reader

Warnings: swearing, mentions of violence, references to the film The Yards.

"I suppose you want to ask me why I killed him,"

You lowered your eyes while Willie took a large bite of a pizza slice, chewing slowly and glaring. Almost as if he dared you to say something back to him, knowing fully well that you weren't expecting him to get so defensive all of a sudden. The surprise was clear in your body language - the shortness of your breath, the partition of your lips, and the way your eyebrows curved - that you'd never even thought about how dangerous his past could possibly be.

———————————————————————————————————

Ever since the blackout a few months ago, when you'd accidentally knocked on Willie's door to borrow some candles, he had become your closest confidante, possibly your only ally in your new neighborhood situated the shady heart of the Bronx.

The two of you bumped into each other again in the hallway another morning after that fateful night. That time, you exchanged phone numbers and promised again to hang out sometime. At the time, you told yourself that he was just saying those things to be nice to you, that he couldn't really be serious about spending more time with you.

Much to your surprise, Willie showed up at your door the next Friday with a bottle of your favorite liquor - the one he saw you drinking when he came over to your place during the blackout - and a pack of beer for himself. From the scent of his breath, you could already tell that he'd already had a drink or two before coming over, but who cared? You had to give him points for the liquid courage.

After to let him inside, you and Willie spent the entire night talking, ranting about your horrible jobs, and laughing at the world. And soon enough, it became a tradition for you to spend Friday nights together. Even thought Willie eventually gained the zeal to go clubbing and try new places with strangers around town, you both had an implicit agreement to keep Friday nights reserved for each other.

And so today, like any other Friday night, you came over to his place carrying a box of pizza and some garlic bread with dipping sauces. That was always the arrangement between the two of you. Since you didn't have much to spend, one of you would always bring the food while the other brought the alcohol. It didn't matter who was hosting.

"Come on in." He joyfully opened the door, saying your name as if it were one of his favorite words or the way that a game show host would announce the winner. Willie hugged you tight, trying not to damage the food, humming contentedly. "Rough week?"

You nodded, entering his apartment. You had just begun telling him about your dreary week at the office when someone knocked at Willie's door. "Don't worry, I'll take care of it." He quickly told you before answering.

From the corner of your eye, you could see Willie and a man of almost equal height talking about something important. The smile that greeted you disappeared faster than the man could state the words 'New York Police Department', and Willie's eyebrows seemed to furrow with each word the man said after that.The man continued to inform Willie of something in a hushed tone, and curtly left when he was done.

"Who was that?" You asked absent-mindedly, turning to face Willie after he closed the door.

"No one. Could you maybe keep the fries on the table over there?"

You raised you eyebrow, wondering if he might've been referring to the garlic bread instead. "Willie…I didn't order any fries."

"Well maybe you should have!" Willie yelled.

Startled by his sudden raise in voice, you swallowed and went back to unboxing the food. "If you want fries, I'll go over to the place in Erben Avenue."

"No, it's too late. Just…forget this fucking thing ever happened."

Not wanting to push the matter any further, you put the food out as normal and began to help yourself. And Willie brought out the liquor he'd promised to get for the both of you. As the sun began to set, you tried to make small talk with him, asking about his week and whether his bathroom sink finally stopped leaking.

He answered you with short,  almost one-word answers. You didn't have to be a psychic to realize that he was still thinking about what happened earlier with the man. Normally, you would've tried your best to brush the whole thing off, but it was alarming to see your typically-enthusiastic, extroverted friend talk in short sentences. It had gone so far that Willie was barely looking you in the eye, almost as if he were speaking to the pizza instead of you.

"Okay, I'm going to ask you again. Who the hell was that guy?" You inquired with a hint of exasperation, "Because he seemed to take your tongue with him."

"You saw his uniform." He snapped back. "He was a policeman."

"What was he doing here?"

"That's none of your business. It's my apartment, and I can have whomever the fuck I want."

"Right." You sarcastically retorted, "Because it's your apartment, you just decided to invite a policeman over."

With a scoff, Willie took a large bite of pizza. "It's my parole officer." He muttered begrudgingly through a mouthful of dough and sauce. "That's not a damn policeman."

"You have a parole officer…" You did your best not to gasp loudly. Having a parole officer usually meant that a someone had a criminal record, possibly a heavy one.

"Yeah. Did some time years ago." Willie tried to remain casual as he confessed to you.

"What did you do…if I may ask?"

"Murder." He bit into his slice again, taking his time chewing and swallowing before speaking. "I suppose you want to ask me why I killed him,"

It was definitely tempting to try and get more information out of him. Whom did he kill? Was it family, was it a friend, was it a stranger? Could it be…could it be a former neighbor, one who lived in the place you live now?

Instead, you took a cue from his downcast, green eyes and his unprecedented silence. With a deep breath, you quietly responded to his statement. "No…I actually don't want to know why."

Taking it as a sign you  were pretty much done with him, Willie finished his pizza slice and stood up to open the door for you. When you asked him what he was doing, he told you that nobody like you should be in the same room as a murderer. That you were a decent person with a bright future ahead of you, deserving of much better than a convict for company.

You stood your ground and protested, saying that you weren't going to leave. Willie continued to persuade you to leave, saying that leaving him would be the best thing for you. And you still refused.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" He punched the crumbling wall and cursed your name while a little blood trickled from his knuckles. "I just fucking told you that I'm a murderer…and you still can't take a fucking hint?!"

"Because you're my friend!" Slamming Willie's door, it was your turn to yell now. "You're my friend…"

He blinked in disbelief at your declaration, completely taken aback by this turn of events. "You see?!" Willie repeated, addressing your name. "You see your problem?! You see too much good. You fucking still see good, and that's why you've got to go. You've got to go before you get hurt."

"Willie…"

Telling you to shut up, Willie turned away from you. With his back facing the door, he ran a hand through his thick, jet-black hair and muttered under his breath that he killed a rail yard master with a pocketknife and his girlfriend with brute force. The second case was a complete accident, but it left him completely alone.

"After she died, her stepfather - my boss - cut me off." His eyes began to sting with tears as he slumped onto the couch. "None of his guys offered to bail me out or vouch for me…I got out on parole after five years because I was good. I was good to the guards and all, not causing trouble or shit like the others. But…nobody 'xcept for my high school friend offered to get in touch with me or talk to me. I was pretty much alone, and thrown out here."

You gently placed a hand on his shoulder, sitting carefully near him. "Thanks for sharing with me, Willie," you whispered. "I…it really means a lot to me."

"I could hurt you too."

"Yeah…but you haven't." And it was the truth. Since you'd met him, Willie had been nothing but warm and loyal to you. Outside of your usual Friday night hang-outs,  he always said 'hi' whenever you passed by in the hallway, he offered to plunge your toilet when there was water trouble, and even taught you to haggle with the electricians when they tried to charge you too much to fix a bad outlet. He was like your 'knight in shining armor', always trying to help you and expecting nothing in return.

Sometimes, you even thought about asking him out on a date, maybe to see if something more could happen between the two of you. The only reason you hesitated for months to make a move was because of how good-looking and charming he seemed. There was no way that a guy like him could be available. None of the cute guys usually were.

"There's good in you, Willie. I've seen it for myself," You confided, rubbing circles on his back. "You told me yourself that it was good behavior that got you out of prison after five years. And I'm sure lots of others will see how good you are on the inside, just like I do."

"You don't have to be nice to me." He sniffed, giving you a tired glance.

"No, I don't,"You admitted. "But I want to be nice to you. Because you're nice to me." Closing your eyes, you wrapped your arms around Willie and inhaled the scent of fabric softener from his shirt. In return, he held your arms and accepted your hug.

"You're seriously the best thing in this goddamn place." Willie muttered with a sigh.

"You too, Willie." The two of you remained silent before he offered to let you spend the night, and maybe watch a movie after dinner was over.

"Fine," you agreed, promising to leave early so as not to give him trouble in the morning.

The truth was, after seeing how calm and accepting you were about his past, Willie wouldn't have minded you staying over until noon the next day...maybe even inviting you to have dinner with him again, somewhere nicer where the two of you could treat yourselves.

But all that was a bit far ahead. Right now, all Willie wanted was to enjoy the fact that there really was a light blinking at the end of the long, dark tunnel…and that he could see it sitting next to him on the couch.

[sukiandthemarauders]

FIRELIGHT (Zuko x OC) C1

word count: 2,989

warning: just mature language :)

a/n: This is chapter one of Firelight, excluding the prologue, and it MERELY shows a glimpse of Zuko and Kai’s future relationship :D I’m just going to pretend that I’m not already planning a Sokka fic because I’m just starting this one so... ENJOY!

<- Prologue | Chapter 2 ->

Masterlist

____________

Chapter 1

_________

“So when are the losers going to get here anyways?”

Kailani playfully rolled her eyes at Toph’s comment, knowing fully well that the earthbender missed the rest of their friends as much as she did. And as she stood in the edge of Air Temple Island with Toph, awaiting the arrival of her friends, she could feel the ball of excitement forming in the pit of her stomach at the thought of having a full reunion with her friends once again.

Although there had been plenty of other situations that required the Gaang to team up, everybody seemed to be busy with their own particular occupations. Suki returned to Kyoshi island and had stayed in the Earth Kingdom for the most part to train more warriors, and Katara mostly stayed in the South Pole with her tribe as she taught in a healing school for waterbenders. Sokka and Aang were probably the ones who traveled the most—being involved in the world of politics—but the two boys particularly enjoyed the South Pole, for it was Sokka’s home, and where Aang’s girlfriend mostly stayed. Zuko was the loneliest, all alone in the Fire Nation that he ruled, but he made it clear that he’d never oppose a trip (or what he liked to call an extended detour) with Sokka and Aang, claiming that international affairs would best be taken care of if the Firelord was personally delegating.

Toph had stayed in the Earth Kingdom, too (finding company with Suki), and had her metalbending students to teach. However, the Beifong girl decided that she would oversee the training of the metalbenders in the police force of the rising Republic City, which was why she found herself standing next to the airbender in the capital of the new nation Aang and Zuko were building.

While the rest of the Gaang continuously fought new threats and simultaneously trying to unite the world in a peaceful manner, Kailani had dedicated her efforts to the rebuilding of all four Air Temples. She had led the constructing of the damages, and adjusted all of the Air Acolytes that Aang sent her into their new homes. Along with the Acolytes were the flying bison and the ring-tailed flying lemurs that the Avatar had found, and she tried to make the temples as homely as she could for the native animals.

The goal seemed daunting at first, but Kailani was proud to say that she was successful in her focused task—even though the work kept her away from most of her friends for years. She had encountered Aang, Sokka, and Katara when they had visited her in the Southern Air Temple, and she might have kidnapped Suki and Toph on her way to the Eastern Air Temple for just a few days. But it wasn’t until her work was done at all four Air Temples that Aang had asked her to finish building Air Temple Island in Republic City, so he could visit Katara in the South Pole with Sokka (who had invited Suki along).

And so Kailani stood with Toph at her side, awaiting the arrival of her closest confidantes eagerly, so that she could enjoy and make up for the time that she had lost with them.

“You’re not going to be calling them losers when they get here.” Kailani teased in a sing-song voice, causing Toph to scoff.

“If you think I’m going to get all touchy-feely because we’re seeing our friends again, you thought wrong.” Toph spoke with a shrug. “Sure, I’m happy. But I’m not going to be crying bitch baby tears like you.”

Kailani dramatically gasped, feigning offense. “Watch it or I’m going to have to kick your—.”

Kailani was interrupted, for she found herself catapulted into the air by a stone with the slightest movement of Toph’s foot.

“Your sighted ass could never!” Toph shouted from below causing Kailani to let out a bark of laughter mid-air. As she manipulated the wind to make her fall graceful, the airbender caught sight of a familiar flying bison hovering over a large ship that headed in their direction. Allowing her lips to break out into a wide grin, Kailani grabbed Toph’s wrist, and pulled her to the edge of the shore.

“They’re here!”

Soon enough, the large ship stopped before the two girls, and Appa landed heavily beside it. Kailani didn’t wait a moment more before she jumped on Appa’s forehead, and began to caress his brown arrow.

“Appa!” She squealed excitedly.

“And Katara and Aang.”

Kailani whipped her head around to find the couple jumping off of the flying bison with their fingers interlocked. The girl immediately launched herself at Aang, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, and knocking him off balance with the force of her body weight.

“Aang!” Kailani murmured with a grin on her face. Regardless of the fact that he had grown much taller—taller than herself, in fact— she still looked at the Avatar as if he were her little brother, which was why she pulled away from the embrace, and forced his head down so she could rub her knuckles against his bald head. “Noogie!”

“Ow! Stop it Kai, I’m not twelve anymo—“

“You haven’t changed a bit, Kailani.” Katara spoke with a slight chuckle causing Kailani to release her grip on the humiliated Aang, and wrap her arms around the beautiful waterbender.

“Katara, it’s so great to see you!” The grey eyed girl enthused, always having a soft spot for the girl who had grown to be as close as a sister to her since they were younger. Being the only two girls for a while on their adventures allowed them to bond, and Kailani’s first hand witnessing of Katara’s compassion and kindness made her realize that there was no one better to be Aang’s girlfriend.

“I missed you, Kai.” Katara said with her signature motherly smile as she pulled away from the hug. “How have you been? I haven’t seen you since the Southern Air Temple two years ago.”

Kailani let out a sigh as she thought back to the last couple of years. “I’ve been good, albeit very busy. And it didn’t help that this one—“ she pointed her thumb at Aang. “—dumped the rest of his work on me.”

Aang let out a chuckle before gently resting his arm around Katara’s waist. “Sorry Kai. When Sokka told me he was going to the South Pole with Suki, I couldn’t miss the opportunity.”

“So that’ll be my fault.” Katara finished with a bashful grin, but Kailani only waved it off casually.

“Speaking of Sokka and Suki, where are they?” The airbender girl asked.

“KAILANI!”

As soon as the girl turned around, she was engulfed by a figure significantly taller than her. Her face slammed into his chest, and she groaned at the impact, but couldn’t help smiling at her best friend. He seemed to have come from his greeting with Toph, for the girl was walking their way from the location that Sokka ran from. While Katara and Aang gave a begrudging Toph a welcome hug (before Toph bended rock to come between them), Sokka pulled Kailani to face him at arms length with a wide grin plastered across his face.

“I can’t believe you’re finally with the Gaang again! While we’re fighting crime and saving the world, you always stayed at the Air Temples! But now we can have fun with you—“

“Where’s Suki?” Kailani interrupted causing Sokka’s jaw to drop, and snickers erupting from Toph, Katara, and Aang to sound beside them.

“You’re best friend is here, and the first person you ask for is my girlfriend?” Sokka accused in a characteristically dramatic tone.

Kailani slightly smirked. “Our girlfriend.”

“My girlfriend.” Sokka corrected swiftly while pointing his index finger to his own chest. “And you are a terrible best friend for that.”

Sokka and Kailani had been best friends from the moment he slipped and fell on top of her when he was helping her out of the iceberg. Perhaps it was because Sokka hadn’t been in the presence of someone the same age as him for years, or because they both felt the same responsibility when it came to their younger siblings (even if Kailani and Aang weren’t actually related). Either way they clicked immediately, and maybe even more than they had thought.

The two harbored a secret crush for one another for the first several months of their journey, but they soon realized that they were best as friends, and their ability to maintain their friendship after realizing their feelings only made them closer. Sokka later became involved with Suki (who Kailani cherished), and the airbender had... well, her Air Temple project.

“You’ve been a terrible best friend in many, many occasions, Sokka.” Kailani said with her eyebrows raised and her arms crossed.

“Oh yea?” Sokka challenged. “Name one time.”

“When you got us dragged into the spirit world by Hei Bai, when you forced me to drink that cactus juice, made Hawky poop on my head, not telling me about Yanchen’s festival, the New Ozai Society, or Gilak until after it was over, not visiting me for over a year and—“

“Okay, okay, okay I get it!” Sokka grumbled with a frown. “Suki’s still on the ship talking to Zuko about training his guards chi blocking with the Kyoshi Warriors.”

Kailani allowed her eyebrows to furrow. “Zuko’s here, too?”

“Oh so you care more about Zuko than your best friend—“

“Sokka.” Katara said irritated before facing Kailani once again. “Zuko wanted to visit Republic City in person, seeing as he’s been quite generous with the funds, and is its cofounder.”

“And he didn’t mind a little vacation from his Firelord duties.” Aang finished with a cheeky grin.

“I still can’t believe that guy runs a whole country.” Sokka said while crossing his arms and leaning against Toph.

“I can’t believe that Sparky hasn’t died of boredom with all that paperwork.” Toph responded. “All of that makes me glad I’m blind.”

Kailani let out a weak chuckle. “Was there a reason you guys didn’t tell me?”

Everybody—save for Toph—shared an curious look with each other before Katara spoke. “Is there a reason that he shouldn’t have come?”

“W-Well no, I suppose not—“

“Are those nerves I hear in your voice?” Toph questioned with a sly eyebrow raised.

Aang tilted his head in confusion. “Why would Kailani be nervous that Zuko’s coming?”

Katara wore a slight smirk on her face as she bored her eyes into Kailani’s grey orbs. “Do you like Zuko?”

Kailani, Sokka, and Aang’s eyes all widened, the latter two immediately turning to look at the airbender girl.

“It’s the scar isn’t it? That’s what got to you!” Sokka assumed while Aang seemed to be in a state a confusion.

“How long have you felt this way?” Aang asked.

“Oh I know, it’s because he’s hot!” Sokka turned towards Toph and Katara after he spoke and nudged them with his elbow. “Get it? Because he’s a firebender.”

“No, I don’t like him! How could I? I haven’t seen him in years!” Kailani finally announced, ceasing Sokka and Aang’s remarks, and she wasn’t necessarily lying.

Although Zuko had previously been their enemy, she remembered bonding with him after he joined them against his own father. She was quick to accept him after Toph declared that he was genuine with his offer to teach Aang firebending— which made the Prince grateful to her. But it wasn’t until she saw Zuko jump in the path of Azula’s lightning that was aiming for her that she began to feel something more for the boy.

However, after the war, Kailani was made aware that Zuko had reunited with his ex-girlfriend Mai, and thus she pushed aside any feelings she had for him, glad to at least have him as a friend. But soon after the war, she had begun her task of restoring the Air Temples, leading her to not see the new Firelord for almost six years now, and that was why she was nervous.

“And he’s not hot.” Kailani finished with a roll of her eyes. But as soon as she spoke, her eyes caught on two figures that headed there way from the ship, deep in conversation and unaware of the eyes glued to them.

Suki seemed to switch from Kyoshi Warrior to easygoing friend mode in a split second, for her furrowed eyebrows were quickly replaced with a cheery expression as soon as she spotted Kailani. Next to the Earth Kingdom girl stood Zuko in all his Firelord glory, wearing his nation’s formal attire, and his hair tied half up in a bun.

Kailani could’ve ate her words right there.

“You know, your mouth says something but your eyes say something else.” Katara whispered to the girl while Aang and Sokka walked away from them and towards Zuko.

“And your heartbeat says otherwise, too.” Toph teased. “Since I can’t really see your eyes.”

“Kailani!” Suki exclaimed as she catapulted into the airbender’s arms. Kailani let out a hearty laugh as she embraced the warrior, having found missing her bubbly personality, and her ability to make you feel like you could tell her anything.

“Suki, I missed you!” Kailani gushed with a grin. “I needed someone with the same alcohol tolerance as me! I almost died drinking with Toph.”

“Hey! It’s not my fault you’re a lightweight!”

“Kailani,” Katara said suddenly before linking her arms with the airbender. “let’s go see Zuko now.”

She knew that if she protested for any reason, her nerves would be confirmed to the two—now three— girls (even if Suki had no clue what was going on), and so she sucked in her words of denial and let Katara drag her towards the Firelord. She looked at Katara to see a cunning glint shining within her blue orbs, and then towards Toph who wore an extremely conspicuous smirk across her lips.

At least Katara was subtle.

“It’s rude to just pull me away from Suki.” Kailani said as she kept her eyes trained on a determined Katara. “We were in the middle of a conversation, you know.”

“It’s okay, I don’t mind.” Suki spoke from the other side of Toph causing Kailani to snap her gaze towards to warrior. Why was she going along with it? She didn’t even know of the nerves wracking her whole body! But as soon as the airbender’s grey orbs met Suki’s, the latter girl winked.

Never mind, she definitely knew.

“I-It’s still not well mannered—“

“Kailani?”

Hearing her name come from the mouth of the guy she was so conflicted with seeing startled her, and Katara could feel—from only touching one of her limbs— that Kailani froze. Her breath caught in her throat at the sound of Zuko’s deep dulcet voice that was familiar, but she was unaccustomed to from not hearing it after half a dozen years.

The first thing she could make out was the vibrant amber of his eyes; eyes that were staring right back at her. The right eye was surrounded by his milky pale skin, and his left eye was still slightly smaller and in the center of his dull red scar that had stayed exactly the same from all those years ago. His lips were slightly parted in surprise, but it quickly became a small smile that danced across his face, gracing his features with a look of soft delight instead of his previously confused expression.

Kailani immediately straightened her back, and hastily pulled her arm away from Katara before bringing her fist and flat palm together, and bowing.

“Firelord Zuko.”

Firelord Zuko, really?— she thought— Everyone just called him Zuko, so now I look like an idiot.

Her train of thought was interrupted when Zuko clutched her hands with his own and lifted her from her bow. Her face burned in embarrassment, but Zuko only shook his head with a bemused expression.

“Please Kailani, we fought my sister and almost died together countless of times. It’s just Zuko to you.” He said with a ghost of a smile that seemed minuscule compared to the shit eating grin that appeared on Kailani’s face.

She placed her hands lazily on her hips and lifted her chin up. “You’re right. I’ve saved your ass too many times to count, and I’m a century older than you. I’m the respectable one of us two.”

Zuko’s smile instantaneously dropped. “You’ve lost your mind if you think I’m going to bow to you.”

Kailani’s arms were suddenly thrown around his shoulders as she let out a string of giggles, reminiscing about the playful banter they exchanged when they were teenagers. Zuko’s serious façade melted away into a smile, and he was quick to snake his arms around her waist, missing the comfort that her embrace brought him after being robbed of it for six years.

“Kailani.” Aang spoke, thus, breaking apart the hug that seemed to last long enough for Katara and Suki to smirk, Sokka to raise an eyebrow, and Toph to snort violently. Aang—however wise and old (though not physically)— remained painfully oblivious, for his eyes were looking over and passed Kailani’s shoulder. “What’s that?”

Kailani turned around to trace Aang’s line of vision, only to meet Aang’s eyes once again—except these were made of metal; metal that matched the rest of the statue of Avatar Aang that was constructed by Toph (courtesy of Kailani’s idea) on a lone island of Yue Bay. It was a pale blue green color, and Aang stood with a staff beside his elevated bent knee.

The airbender girl pulled her arm away from Zuko’s warm—and admittedly intoxicating— touch, and leaned her head on Aang’s shoulder as they stood looking at his statue.

“That’s Aang Memorial Island.” Kailani said with soft grin, and laced her fingers through Aang’s. “Happy eighteenth birthday, little brother.”

Chapter 2 ->

[greyjoyofwinterfell]

and i lay, forgotten and hidden

Read it on AO3

"So you've finally accepted it! Yes! Excellent!! It all starts now for you! With my blood pumping through your veins, you will surpass me...you will fulfill my ambitions!!"

-

Enji Todoroki to Shouto Todoroki 

Birthdays have never been a joyous affair in the Todoroki household.

At first, they were expectant and anticipatory.

Father would wait with bated breaths to determine if one was worthy or worthless. If you were what he deemed was "worthy," he would drag you to the training hall and commence a rigorous routine. Those worthless were considered nothing.

Fuyumi had been the latter. The first one to be worthless in their family.

After that, birthdays were nothing to her.

And today, as she turns one year older, Fuyumi can only stare emptily at her phone screen.

"Happy birthday," comes an awkward text from Father and a notification of money transferred to her bank account.

To other families, it may not seem like much. But considering Father, it still brings warmth to her heart.

Natsuo had wished her earlier, but then he had rushed to his room under the empty of words of "studying."

Shouto should be on his way, coming from Yuuei's dorms.

Her two brothers only in name call the Todoroki household their home and the Todoroki line their family. Both had found a new family amongst their peers and friends.

Even Father had immersed himself in work. Day and night, he toiled himself at his agency, rarely appearing.

It was only Fuyumi, who had caught herself in an endless loop of past, present, and future.

But how could she not? Ever since Touya had disappeared under blue flames and screams, she could only see him burning.

Her twin, her best friend, her closest confidante...

Only ashes remained to remember his last moments with her.

If Touya had still been here, he would have lifted her moods by crooked smiles and childish promises.  He would have-

A soft known resounded at the door.

Fuyumi turned to open it, and demand who it was even though she knew the answer.

Only Shouto's knocks were so quiet. Natsuo had always pounded the door in a booming manner, and Father rarely visited her. Mother always raised her voice just a bit and would wait for Fuyumi to open her door. And Touya would burst in, acting like it was his room without care for privacy.

"Come in," she said.

Shouto peeked his head in meekly. His bi-coloured eyes darted through the room, even though her room was a blank canvas with a little colour.

White walls, baby blue sheets, and misty furniture. The only form of decoration was a framed family photograph from years past.

Shouto cleared his throat. "Natsuo told me to call you."

Fuyumi nods, adopting her maternal image towards her little brother.

A simple vanilla cake rests on the kitchen table. The words "Happy Birthday Fuyumi" are placed on it.

Truly surprised, Fuyumi gasps.

Natsuo grins widely. "You know, I bought it from that bakery near my university that you love-"

"Cut the cake already," Shouto says in his monotonous manner.

"Cheeky little brat," mutters Natsuo as he hands Fuyumi an engraved knife.

There is a hollow place where Touya should be, but other than that, it seems perfect.

Perhaps, she can allow herself a little happiness for both herself and her long-lost twin.

When Father does not appear, Fuyumi saves a few slices of cake for him. Nonetheless, she certainly doesn't forget to place a slice on Touya's shrine.

Fuyumi coughs as she looks at the photograph.

Touya looks strange in his shrine. He is chubby with some of his baby fat remaining. His eyes are fuzzed and its natural turquoise sheen is muddled. Touya looks the perfect picture of a schoolboy. None of his scars and bruises are visible and his face seems emotionless.

There is none of Touya's typical wildness and ferocity. He looks orthodox, just as Father wanted him to be after Shouto was born.

In reality, Touya's facial immaturity would have given way to sharpened bones and piercing features. His eyes would be crystal-clear as always and perhaps he might have adorned himself with piercings as he had desired before. He would have grown lanky and slender but would smile sinisterly.

If she saw him now, Touya would be so handsome.

Fuyumi had always despised that photograph and she still does after so many years.

"I know you dislike vanilla, after all, it's too plain for you," starts Fuyumi. "If it was me, I would buy a vanilla cake with strawberries or strawberry icing like you always loved."

Fuyumi's voice turns quiet. "But you're not here."

"Shouto seemed happier than I've ever seen him with us. And Natsuo, Natsuo always smiles, but today I could sense the joy in him. Father didn't come as usual but I know he's changed. I don't think you believe that, do you?"

Touya had always resented their Father and Fuyumi worries that it would always remain that way.

"Natsuo and Shouto might be happier though, now that they found love. Natsuo has a girlfriend now, and Shouto seems to have a crush on his classmate with the suicide quirk that he faced at the Sports Festival. You deserve love too, you know?"

"You never believed in the concept of "love," but I don't think you found the right person. But I can't judge... I never loved anyone either. I find my small forms of happiness though, but you never did and still would not be. Even now, you deserve so much."

Others might call her insane and demented. Calling a "dead" twin alive was deemed by society, to be a mark of the mentally challenged. But, Fuyumi knows.

She knows it in her heart as there has always been a bond between her and Touya. It is distant now, but it is still there.  That is what matters to her. She still longs for him, but what truly matters is that he is alive.

"I worry about you. You never drink water or eat properly. You don't have a semblance of proper hygiene. You have no one now to change your bandages and wipe your blood."

Touya always cared so much about others and never about himself. It was both his strength and his weakness. Fuyumi wonders if it is the same now.

"You were much stronger and smarter than Father ever gave you credit for. But, he was right when he said you were turning to the wrong path."

"When you become mad, you never stop and think before you act. You would do what is right for you and nothing else."

Fuyumi is always scared when she thinks of that.

But he is her brother, her twin. He is the blood that runs through her and the strength in her bones. He is the better and worse half of her, a side to the same coin.

And if she lays, forgotten and hidden, he does too.

Fuyumi finds comfort in that. She finds safety in knowing she is not alone.

She will never be with Touya breathing.

Dabi wonders what it would be like if he still lived in the Todoroki household.

He would have brilliant red hair and an unburnt body. He would still smile openly and candidly. More importantly, he would be Touya, never Dabi.

But Touya was a part of him he left behind in the ashes of his doing. Touya was someone that clenched at his heart but did not exist. Touya was, should be nothing to him now.

But, Dabi cannot forget.

He sees Touya in the roots of his hair. In his repulsive eyes. In the scars on his skin.  In everywhere where he shouldn't see Touya Todoroki.

And he sees Touya today.

On this day, where he likes to say Touya died and Dabi born.

But it is the day where Fuyumi and he were born crying into the open world.

He should remember, just today, for his sake and Fuyumi's.

Only today and never again.

[windstormwielding]

Anonymous said via Send me 🍒 + a url and I will write some positivity for them (open!):

🍒  + @hanabiira​​

Bunny.

There is so much I could put down in writing about her that would ultimately defeat the whole point of this meme to just say positive things about fellow RPers, but this site is how Bunny and I met. Way back in 2013, I joined the Bleach RPC here on Tumblr and found a fellow OC by the name of Miki Fuyuno. We hit it off early, interacted plenty on here until our muses became each other’s main ship for a long while, all while Bunny and I took to chatting off-site until she quickly became my closest confidante, best friend... and now girlfriend.

THAT SAID, I’m not here to start drafting my vows and gush on how much I love her, how she means the world to me, how she’s the highlight of my every day, how each and every little thing about her makes my heart race until my chest burns and eyes water, or how desperately I want nothing less than to make her happy for the rest of our living days until we’re old, grey, wrinkly, and senile. So please allow me a moment to reign it all in and just...

HO-KAY, HERE WE GO FOR REAL.

Miki Fuyuno? Hella amazing OC. Captain OCs can understandably draw contempt because of shoehorning for the sake of shoehorning, but Bunny’s is nothing short of fantastic and would honestly be a perfect fit for the series proper. She came on the scene early during the Thousand Year Blood War arc, right when Shunsui’s promotion to Captain-Commander left a glaring vacancy for the 8th Division, so it would be a good long while before we’d come to know Lisa would succeed him (and I can’t think of anyone more fitting than her in Bleach to take up her old Captain’s mantle), but fuck it, I’ve come to adore Fuyuno in that same light and everything about her (and then some!) in that time.

Beautiful design and an absolute bombshell; a sweet and wholesome personality who unabashedly owns her femininity; a heavy penchant for plants on and off the battlefield, which we haven’t really seen in a canon shinigami’s skillset yet? She’s just lovely from concept through execution, and like Bunny herself for me IRL, Miki is a key highlight of my Tumblr experience and days without her on the dash don’t seem as bright!

And Bunny? You can all thank her for singlehandedly bringing me back to my old stomping grounds here and reinventing Kōta into the significantly more cohesive OC he is today. She’s done so much for me already and not just on Tumblr, and I feel like I never do enough to show her just how much I appreciate her.

She’s just... the best.

I love her so much.

[getitinbusan]

September 1st

Happy Birthday Jungkookie!

The balcony doors were open and a cool breeze drifted through the bedroom. Lazy days with Jungkook were rare, even when he was on a break he was always up to something. It had reached noon but you were both still laying in bed scrolling mindlessly through your phones when you brought it up. "You're going to be 23 soon, I think we should have a big party" He put his phone down and rolled into your side, "I was thinking about going to Jeju," he said matter of factly. "Oh, am I invited?" you asked smiling. "I was going to invite everyone, my family, the guys and yes," he giggled, "I guess you can come too. Would that be okay?" Running your fingers through his messy hair you pushed it back out of his face and nodded. "You shouldn't have to plan your own party Jungkook, we can do it together" 

You had a week to figure things out, guests,  accommodations, food. A party was one thing but coordinating a destination get together in a few days was a crazy undertaking. 

You really wanted Kookie to have the best time and just be able to relax and enjoy himself, he however, wasn't being very co operative. Everytime you asked questions he shut you down, if you brought it up he brushed you off. He was downstairs at the gym when you came across his to do list. 

Call and confirm guests✔ 

Book Flights✔

Book Hotel ✔ 

Schedule Dinner and party space✔

Reserve private beach✔

*do not forget to pick up the package*

Puzzled as to why these were already checked off as done you messaged Joon. 

Y/N: Hey Joon, I just wanted to invite you to Kookies party in Jeju. Are you down? 

Joon: Yep, already confirmed with JK last week.  

Y/N: What kind of cake do you think I should get? 

Joon: I thought that the guys were taking care of the cake? Don't worry about anything,  I think everything is already organized.  

Y/N: Oh… okay,  thanks. 

Flopping on the couch you couldn't help but feel left out. You heard Jungkook's key turning in the lock, the door squeaking open announcing his arrival. He was looking through his phone while he dropped his bag on the floor. "Hey Babe, Joon said you messaged him about the party? He walked over to where you were sitting. He tapped your nose with his finger, "I've already taken care of everything so all you have to do is pack" 

Feeling disappointed your face fell into a frown. "Jungkook, I just wanted to take care of you for once, to be able to contribute a little." He looked flustered, "I'm sorry Y/N, I just didn't want to burden you with it." Upset you stood up, "I can't believe you would think that throwing you a party would be a burden on me Jungkook… it makes me feel useless," your statement trailed off as you walked away to your bedroom.

Tae was your closest confidante and you knew he'd tell it like it is.  

Y/N: I know I'm probably overthinking and being too sensitive but I'm sad Tae.. 

Tae: What's wrong love? 

Y/N: If Guk doesn't think I'm capable of throwing him a party…this is so stupid… but he certainly can't think I'd be able to take care of him as a wife… it's been two years Tae we've never even discussed marriage. Does he think of me that way at all? 

Tae: Noooo Y/N,  he loves you so much. You are totally over reacting. Please, just don't make an issue of this, it's his birthday. 

You didn't know but in the other room Jungkook was busy texting Jin.  

JK: I don't know what to do Y/N is mad at me for not letting her help with the party. 

Jin: Just make up a job and get her to do it. 

JK: That's Brilliant!!  Thank you.  

He made a quick call, arranging that you would be picking up the last to do on his list, the package. He pulled the bedroom door open and lay down beside you, "I'm sorry, I've been keeping a secret from you." You set down your phone giving him your full attention. "Junhyung is going to propose to his girlfriend, he swore me to secrecy, that's why I've been planning everything, so she won't find out." You felt your temper rise, "Are you fucking kidding me?  You finally get your birthday off, you haven't had a personal party for years and your brothers using it to propose to his girlfriend all while making you plan it for him?" Jungkook laughed, "It sounds kind of shitty when you put it that way. It's really not that big of a deal Y/N, I'm happy he wants to share it with everyone." How could you fault him for wanting to help his family? He was such a giving person and it was part of the reason you loved him so much. "If you really want to help there's one thing left that you can do." 

It was all set, the flight was leaving at 3pm and you had been tasked with picking up the box and keeping it safe until the party. Arriving at the jeweller the older man greeted you kindly. "Would you like to see it?" he opened the iconic tiffany blue box while you nodded. It was a beautiful square cut diamond on a vintage white gold band, it was breathtaking. "The gentleman took a long time deciding on this particular ring, he said it had to be perfect. What do you think?"  Your heart was aching in your chest, lately you found yourself daydreaming about marrying Jungkook, him placing a ring just like this on your finger. "She's a lucky girl, I'm sure she's going to love it." It's not that you weren't happy about the engagement, you were just completely full on green with envy jealous. They haven't even been together a year and Junhyung is already confident enough in her to propose.

You knew you were being an idiot, Jungkook loved you, you lived together, he always made sure your needs were met but here you were upset because she was getting a ring first. Taking the box you snapped the little lid closed and put it into your purse for safe keeping. Enough, you needed to stop thinking about yourself. It was Kooks birthday and it was time to think of him and what he wanted, but what do you get someone who has everything? Wandering around you came across a neon lit sex shop, perfect! Three days away, three new sets of sexy lingerie and a bag full of goodies.  Maybe you didn't get to plan the party but you could make sure he had a few extra surprises.  

It was a short smooth flight and you were amongst the last to arrive.  Making your way to the suite to change for dinner Jungkook flung himself down on the bed, "I'm calling dibs on the first shower!" you called out. You got ready putting on the new black lace thong set, loose black mini sundress over top and wrapped your hair into a messy bun.  Exiting the bathroom you found Jungkook in the same position on the bed snoring lightly. Crawling on top of him, you pulled back his bucket hat to reveal his closed eyes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. He instinctively wrapped his arms around you and pulled you close for more. "You need to get up babe" he hummed softly into your neck, "that's the problem, I am up," he moved your hand to his bulge. Placing his hands on your ass he could feel the lace under your dress and he let out a needy moan, "Jungkook we need to go, everyone's waiting" he pouted, "but it's my Birthday." Getting off of him and laughing you couldn't help but throw it in his face, "Yes, and if I had planned this party I would have pushed dinner back so the birthday boy could have gotten his dick sucked before hand. You really only have yourself to blame Jungkook" he knew he was defeated so he rolled off the bed and sulked to the shower.  He came out about 20 minutes later skin glowing, tan hanbok pants with a white dress shirt, his hair long and fluffy. "You look amazing Guk," you walked over and hugged him sneaking a kiss onto the side of his neck. "You had your chance Y/N, now we both have to suffer all night" 

You walked hand in hand to the open air dining room where most of your friends and family were waiting at beautiful white rose adorned tables. "Jungkook, did you arrange all these details?" Smiling he nodded, "Did I do good?" That dull ache hit your chest again, yes he did good, he'd planned the perfect proposal… for someone else. You kissed his cheek and lay your head on his shoulder, "I think you've pulled off every girls dream" Trying to hide your melancholy throughout dinner you stayed pretty quiet only offering small smiles instead of conversation. You didn't want to be selfish but you knew in a few hours all talk would be about weddings. The thoughtless question on everyone's lips would inevitably turn to "when are you going to take the plunge?" It usually happened at family gatherings, you'd watch them corner Jungkook and he'd awkwardly explain that one day when his career wasn't so busy you'd be able to think more clearly about it. You hated how calculated of a decision marrying you would have to be for him. Seeing how romantic he could be with the laid out gestures before you, made you question why he could do it for someone else but not you? Maybe he didn't think you were the one? Like he could hear your inner thoughts he put his hand on your thigh under the table, "What's going on, is everything ok?" He asked quietly. "Just thinking about getting you back to the room later, that's all." He kissed your cheek but you knew he didn't believe you. He seemed a little out of sorts himself, maybe this whole situation had him questioning your future as well. 

"I think maybe we need a minute to talk Y/N, let's go while everyone's finishing." He took your hand and lead you away from the group  towards a private area of the beach. Sitting down in the sand he motioned for you to sit in between his legs in front of him. You sat with your back against his chest, head on his shoulder and he put his arms around you. The sun was beginning to set into a light shade of purple and orange, "I want to know why you're sad," he said it like he knew the answer but needed confirmation. "I just wish that this party was only for you, for your birthday, that it wasn't about engagements…" you were trying hard to not sound jealous but he could see through you. "How about you tell me the truth?" He kissed the top of your head. Reaching into your purse you pulled out the box and handed it to him. "This, this is what's bothering me. Jungkook…do you think that you'll ever want me to be your wife? Do we want the same things?" His arms still around you he held the box in front of you and opened it slowly, "It sure is a beautiful ring," he said. You closed your eyes, knowing it wasn't for you, "it really is," you answered softly.  

"Do you really not know what I want Y/N? I love you more than anything in this world. The only thing I wanted for my birthday this year was to bring you here, to sit on this beach with my arms around you and to propose with this ring. So… you tell me, do we really want the same thing? Will you marry me?" Absolutely 100% shocked you turned to him, "Are you joking with me Jungkook?" you hit his shoulder. He laughed, "I think I know better than that" still skeptical you asked, "So all of this was a lie? You really made me carry around my own engagement ring all day thinking it was for someone else?" His grin gave away the fact that he was pretty pleased with himself, "No, you haven't said yes yet so technically it's still not yours." You crashed your lips into his as he pulled you back on top of him in the sand, "Yes"

Walking back to the restaurant the tables had been moved and outdoor furniture and candles had taken their places. Everyone was chatting and drinking until they noticed your arrival, silence fell and eyebrows raised waiting for the news. "Of course she said yes!" At Jungkook's declaration everyone cheered and the waiters came out with trays of champagne as the boys carried out a large white cake adorned with sparklers. The rest of the night was perfect, you danced in the sand as guests slowly filtered out back to their rooms for the evening. Looking around, you realized it was just the two of you left, lost in your own world. "Maybe we should call it a night?" you said. "Maybe, but I don't really want this moment to end" he responded with a kiss. "Maybe… you forgot what I'm wearing under this, and that it's also your birthday, and that I still haven't given you your gift" He grinned and pulled your hand leading you back to the room. 

You left him waiting on the bed as you got ready in the bathroom. Finally revealing yourself,  you were fully naked, he whined "Babe what happened to the lingerie, I mean you're beautiful naked but… " you cut him off "But I'm not naked, I'm wearing this beautiful ring. It also just so happens that I bought you a ring too" you threw him the little black bag and he pulled out his gift. He blushed, "Oh mines a little bigger, and silicone and definitely not church appropriate." Cocking your eyebrow at him you added, "And it vibrates too. Happy Birthday Baby" 

[poedjarin]

dancing on my own.

hello, lovelies! i was really in my feelings yesterday, and this piece kind of just flowed out of me. i’ve never written for rog but really admire all of the lovely people on this site who do. this is purely self-indulgent, so sorry if it’s awful. it also helps to listen to Dancing on My Own by Calum Scott to get you into the feels. 

roger taylor x reader ; 2,052 words ; straight up angst and sadness, swearing, semi-smut 

You fought the cold night air as you took your last few steps towards the door of the pub you worked at. A cigarette dangled from your lips and you stole a long drag from it before stomping it out on the concrete. With all of the bullshit life had been throwing at you as of late, you were actually looking forward to work for a change.

Your coworker, Marcy, emerged from the bar, her arms slung over her chest and hands grasping her elbows to remain warm.

“What, are you crazy?” You started, running your hands down her bare arms. “It’s feckin’ freezing out here, babe. Get inside!”

“I tried to catch you on the telly before you left your flat, but I missed you.” Marcy cut you off. “Ed’s giving you the night off.”

“Don’t be daft. He knows I need the money. You know I need the money…” You narrowed your eyes at your coworker and confidante. “Marc-“

“He’s got a new girl…” Marcy broke the news to you in a sympathetic tone.

If your body wasn’t already tingling from the cold temperature, the news of that made you lose all feeling and sense of self. It shouldn’t have hurt as much as it did - because you already knew your ex boyfriend better than most.

“‘Course he does… He’s Roger Taylor, after all.” You reminded with a shrug. “Just ‘cause he settled down with me for a couple’a months doesn’t mean that he’s lost his old ways.”

The break up was as amicable as it could’ve been. You weren’t seeing eye-to-eye, and there was no love between the two of you anymore. You’d suspected he wasn’t being loyal, and he was fed up with your accusations. You decided that you’d rather cut ties with him now and give him the benefit of the doubt than catch him in the act that you’d never be able to forgive him for. He didn’t fight to keep you as his, which was all the confirmation you needed to know that the decision was probably for the best. 

You’d met Roger at the pub you worked at. You were a waitress there and he was a drummer for one of the bands who played there quite often. From the first time he’d laid eyes on you, he was determined to make you his. Even if it meant winks while a groupie whispered in his ear or a lustful gaze as you brought him a drink before Smile’s set. He’d spent weeks dazzling you before the two of you finally wound up locked in the women’s bathroom during last call.

“I’m not letting you put yourself through this.” Marcy said with a hand on your shoulder. “I’m giving you my tips from the shift and you’re taking the night off.”

“I’m a big girl.” You were slightly offended that she could think otherwise. “I broke up with him, remember?”

After becoming comfortable with each other, you began to catch him exchanging looks with other girls, much the way he did you when you first met. You’d addressed it, and he blamed it on maintaining the rockstar image. You stopped buying that once you caught his hands skim way too low on a fan’s bum one night. She drunkenly pecked the corner of his mouth and he didn’t stop her - even after he realized you were watching.

“S’all part of the game, love. Doesn’t mean anything.”

“Guess I don’t mean anything either.”

“I just don’t want you to get hurt….” Marcy’s tone was so sympathetic that it irked you.

“I’m not his to hurt. Not anymore.” You kissed her temple and pushed past her, fighting your way into the pub.

It was packed, but that wasn’t out of the ordinary for a Thursday night. Smile was currently performing, and you fought your way behind the bar, removing your leather jacket and scarf. Ed watched you tie an apron around your waist and furrowed his brow.

“Reporting for duty, fearless leader.” You crooned over the crowd, hand over your brow to salute. Ed just grumbled and shook his head. He was a man of few words to begin with.

You’d worked your way out from behind the bar and into the crowd, tending to patrons and collecting dirty glassware. You walked past a booth at the back of the bar and upon realization of who you’d just sauntered passed, your heart sank. It was the usual spot where the girlfriends of the band sat. You just didn’t expect to find someone fill your place so quickly.

She sat sandwiched between Veronica and Mary, with bright eyes as she watched the performance. She was beautiful - stunning, in fact. You’d realized you’d stared too long after Mary had offered a sympathetic smile.

You just quickly looked away and fought to fill your drink orders in a timely manner. You felt a squeeze to your shoulder and a kiss to your hair as Marcy walked past you with a full tray. She’d shagged the band’s lead guitarist but didn’t toy with the idea of doing anything but. Thankfully for her, Brian May was ever the gentleman and never made things awkward for her.

There was a different dynamic between your relationship with Roger and Marcy’s with Brian. You loved Roger, and the four of you knew that. This was just the price you’d have to pay for being so naive. You knew Roger was a playboy, but you fell for him anyway. Marcy and Brian were both two level-headed individuals who didn’t let their past get in the way of existing in the same space. You hoped to be able to reach that point with Roger some day.

You cursed under your breath when Smile’s set ended, the realization that you’d probably have to wrap up the night as the band lingered for the remainder of the evening. The reason why your friend was trying to send you home became more and more apparent as the night unfolded.

The music that replaced the band was lively and the crowd was loving it. It kept most folks there. They kept drinking, and kept tipping, so you kept on working. You’d willingly accept anything to distract yourself from the discomfort your were experiencing.

Your first cringey encounter of the night with a member of Smile was when you’d had to squeeze past Freddie, balancing a full tray of drinks in your hands.

“Looking beautiful as always, love.” He shouted over the music.

The compliment was laced with such pity that it made your stomach churn. Having to distance yourself from the entire band was hard on you because you cared for all of them. You and Freddie were the closest and cutting yourself off from that friendship hurt nearly as much as losing Roger did.

“Thanks, Fred!” You yelled back and kept walking.

You dealt out your tray and returned to the bar with full stacks of glasses to wash. You’d developed quite the talent for finishing this task with ease. However, you hadn’t realized that Brian had appeared in front of you, trying to get your attention with a warm smile.

When you finally caught onto the presence in front of you, you smiled apologetically and slung the bar rag over your shoulder.

“Sorry about that. You know how I get once I get onto a task. What can I do you for?”

“Not to worry,” Brian started. “Hate to bother you, but we’ve done our best to flag Marcy down for a round but she’s swamped at the moment.”

You looked at the spot behind Brian’s shoulder, where the view of their table was visible. The three couples sat in the booth, each preoccupied with something different. But you couldn’t keep your eyes off of your old flame and his one.

His grin lit up the very dark room, his new girl tucked pleasantly against his side. Her mouth peppered kisses against Roger’s jaw and his thumb caressed her cheek. Your own skin felt hot as the feeling of his calloused thumb teased your memory.

You forced a smile and shook your head.

“Never a bother, Bri.” You stated as you began to prep fresh glasses for the table. “The usual?”

Brian nodded, gripping the lip of the bar before speaking up.

“Plus, a lager - for…” Brian started, trying to finish the sentence diplomatically.

“A lager for the lady. And the usual. Coming right up!” You pat Brian’s hand and then shooed him away.

“Thanks. See you in a bit!” Brian lingered, trying to find the words he wanted to follow up with before surrendering and heading back to his table.

You could make the group’s drink order in your sleep by now. Still, you found your hands shaking as you poured their cocktails this time around. A gentle hand came to your wrist and you were met with your coworker’s smile.

“I’ve got it, hon. If you wanna go collect more glasses…” She lovingly caressed your wrist and you waved your hand dismissively.

“Thanks, Crys… But I’ve got this.” You countered in your most convincing tone.

Crystal nodded and begrudgingly left your side as you began to stack the drinks of your tray. You were thankful that your coworkers had banned together to get you through this shitty situation. They’d watched your romance with Roger spark, ignite, and then detonate before their eyes. They were cordial because they had to be, but they were defensive and protective of your feelings otherwise.

The world seemingly slowed as you made your way to Smile’s resident table with their drinks. There were seven occupants at the booth but only five gave you their attention as you approached.

“Hello, lovely!” Mary offered as you dropped her drink on a coaster in front of her. “I love your earrings.”

“Thanks.” You nodded as you continued to pass out the drinks, offering smiles to Deaky and Veronica.

You pretended that you didn’t see one of Roger’s hands hidden under the skirt of his new girlfriend as you placed their drinks of in front of them. Their lips were dancing against each other’s, too busy to thank you for just doing your job.

You almost scoffed when a stack of bills fell upon your tray, waking you from your daze. You placed it back down on the table and narrowed your eyes at Brian.

“No…” You scolded with the point of a finger. “Never.”

Brian sighed and then nodded as he took back the money. “Thank you.”

“Enjoy, folks!” You offered with an awkward wave, before quickly disappearing from their table.

Marcy was on your heels almost immediately, lips near your ear.

“What the actual feckin’ hell?” she asked in a whisper.

“They couldn’t get your attention. So, Brian came to me and ordered for them.” You shrugged, fighting back tears.

“A lager? And you paid for it?” Marcy nearly gagged. “Who orders a -“

“Me! I used to. When I was her.” You replied. “Because I never really drank it anyway. Was too busy getting fingered under the table, honestly.”

“Babe, I’m sorry. I didn’t -“ Marcy stammered.

“I need a cigarette.” You mumbled and pushed your tray into her hands.

You weaved your way through the crowd and snuck out the back entrance, pulling the pack from your waistband and lighting a cigarette immediately. The long initial inhale that you took wasn’t enough to calm your nerves, and you were unfazed by the cold air that danced around your bare arms and legs.

You were startled when the back door jolted open and Roger and his lover shuffled past you. They climbed into the back of the band’s van with a series of giggles and slammed it shut behind them. The loud sound triggered your tears, after working so hard to hold them back all night.

Roger didn’t owe you anything at this point. You were broken up, and everything you had was in the past. However, you hadn’t expected to be completely ignored by him the entire night. It was like you weren’t even there.

Was it always like this for him? When you were with him, did the rest of the world melt away and was the only thing that existed for him you? You’d never know.

[spriggan-tiggy]

Tiggy’s Character Masterpost

I decided to updated my roster, since I came back properly, AND now have the proper Commander character, I figured now is a good time as any to update my list, especially since the last one I did was a solid year ago lol A lot changed in the year, some of my characters are retired, while I’ll still play them, they’re no longer my main focus for story telling, others have been deleted (and they never got development to begin with), but without further ado, here’s the new guys:

Polly Roger

Profession: Daredevil/Deadeye Age: 28 Height: 5′9 Sexuality: Straight Relationship Status: Dating Relations: Ilia (friend), Keith (boyfriend), Dragon’s Watch (co-workers) Occupation: Commander

Polly was raised by a band of pirates, never knowing if any of them were her actual parents, and never really questioned her name, which is clearly a pun. Left that life in mid teens, becoming a mercenary, and eventually Hero of Shaemoor and a Vigil commander, showing excellent skill and knowledge in everything she put her mind to. Not a woman of many words, even in private, Polly kept her personal life and work separate, so no one knew she had a boyfriend and a daughter, whom she lost when Scarlet destroyed Lion’s Arch, sending her spiraling into abyss of bitterness and apathy, an attitude she held onto for 4 years, pushing everyone away, not showing much care or sympathy. Hired Keith as her ‘glorified secretary’, and much to her surprise, and initial disdain, ended up bonding with him a lot and came to consider him as her closest friend and confidante, opening up to him about her past, and reasoning for her attitude and behavior. Over the course of Elona travels and hunt to stop Balthazar, Polly finally managed to let go of her past, as it was something she would never be able to change, gradually coming out of her shell a bit, although she still remained of little words, she was less sharp around the edges. Her feelings for Keith developed further, something that was a mutual thing, and after Balthazar’s defeat, they began a relationship.

Keith Callhoun

Profession: Scourge Age: 25 Height: 6′1 Sexuality: Bisexual Relationship Status: Dating Relations: Ilia (sister), Polly (girlfriend), Dragon’s Watch (co-workers) Occupation: Commander’s right hand/Priory Magister

Youngest child in a noble family of tailors, Keith was always an odd one out. He was never good at sewing, and was more interested in reading and playing when he wasn’t doing the former. Very energetic and optimistic kid, his parents didn’t much care for either of their kids and often dumped them with nannies, Keith eventually got along great with Ilia, who was the only one who encouraged him to pursue what he enjoyed, and to never give up his optimism. He was given to a local temple of Grenth to study necromancy further, (and to be further from his parents, due to them seeing him as nothing but a utter disappointment) at the age of 18, eventually becoming an acolyte, however he never completed the training properly, as he was noticed by a Priory member, sometime after Mordremoth’s defeat, encouraging him to pursue his interests in reading and knowledge, where he quickly climbed up to the ranks of Magister. Applied to work for the Commander as a right hand, shortly before White Mantle take down, and got hired due to being least annoying (when he barely put two sentences in during his interview). Despite all the hardships, maintains the optimistic and happy-go-lucky attitude towards life, not letting bad things boggle him down, some thing that a lot of people like him for. Despite that, he can still be a huge socially awkward dork and mess, especially if caught of guard or presented with a situation he doesn’t have an intimidate solution for.

Ilia Calhoun

Profession: Necromancer Age: 33 Height: 5′10 Sexuality: Bisexual Relationship Status: Single Relations: Keith (brother), Polly (friend) Occupation: Seamstress

Ilia is an eldest child of a respectable tailor family in DR. Was left baby sitting Keith a lot, and due to their age difference, they didn’t get along at first, but they eventually bonded, and she want nothing but the best for him. She herself is a talented seamstress, and despite of what her family insists enjoys making all kinds of dresses for poor and rich.To horror of her parents, takes commissions from common folk for mere pennies as she believes everyone should dress nice. Genuinely enjoys sewing and sometimes even gives/does it for free, if her client can’t afford it. Despite looking mysterious and broody, Ilia is a very kind girl, who loves spiders and cats, and just wants to befriend everyone. Voted most likely to knit you a sweater to make sure you stay warm and cozy.

[dogboymutual]

excuse my french but, what LE FUCK is clone high

OH THANK GOD I GET TO EXPLAIN SOMETHING I CARE ABOUT BLESS

Clone High is a (sadly) cancelled TV show that only had one season. The show focuses on the concept of historical figures being cloned as high school students and dealing with issues that come with being a teenager, created by Chris Miller and Phil Lord, the dudes behind the first Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, 21 and 22 Jump Street, and The Lego Movie.

The main 5 characters are:

Abe (voiced by Will Forte) is the main protagonist of the series. He’s probably the closest to his historical counterpart in that he wants to make Abraham Lincoln proud. He has a crush on Cleo, and Joan has a crush on him. He’s generally incredibly awkward and naive. His best friend is Gandhi and he has a rivalry with JFK.

Joan (voiced by Nicole Sullivan) is a clone of Joan of Arc and is one of Abe’s best friends, and his closest confidante. She has a crush on Abe but eventually gets together with JFK after realizing that she doesn’t like the way Abe treats her. She’s also a liberal revolutionist.

Gandhi (voiced by Michael McDonald) is a clone of Mahatma Gandhi, and is essentially the most controversial character in the show. He has ADHD and really strives to be like his counterpart, but is also very interested in partying. He’s in a relationship with Marie Curie.

JFK (voiced by Chris Miller) is Abe’s on-and-off again rival, and the on-and-off again boyfriend of Cleo. He’s arrogant, sex-crazed, popular, and a jock. He truly cares for Joan as she is, and they start a relationship at the end.

Cleo (voiced by Christa Miller) is Abe’s love interest and later girlfriend. She’s self-absorbed, vain, and often mean-spirited, but she does have a softer side -- she helps Joan from time to time!

There are also the main antagonists:

Principal Scudworth [Dr. Cinnamon J. Scudworth] (voiced by Phil Lord) is the principal of the school, and wants to use the clones as hypothetical attractions for his theme park, Cloney Island. He’s as hilarious as his motives sound.

Mr. Butlertron (voiced by Chris Miller) is Scudworth’s robot butler assistant. He calls everyone Wesley. He’s also programmed to be sentient and have emotions. Exciting.

The Shadowy Figure (voiced by Bill Lawrence), as well as The Secret Board of Shadowy Figures, are supervisors over the school and the clones. They want to use the clones for a super army. They’re pretty cool. The government is watching you.

highlights include:

an entire episode where everyone gets high off of smoking raisins. it’s a musical episode

a kiss between abe and gandhi

vincent van gogh

say WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT ... “say what.”

gandhi and george washington carver (the guy who invented peanut butter) buddy cop movie

hot goth girl joan of arc

jfk’s gay adopted dads

“nothing bad ever happens to the kennedys”

marilyn manson teaching you about the food pyramid

abe vs. jfk student council president campaign

joan and jfk’s entire relationship arc

in conclusion, please watch all 13 episodes they’re hilarious and they’re great