#sigh. romance mechanics are weird

[dungeons-and-dragon-age]

ok damn that escalated quickly |'D

[beenbaanbuun]

chevrolet w/ mechanic!Jongho

words - 3.1 k (i’m planning a part 2)

genre - smut

warnings - smoking, bff!yunho, pining, dom!jongho, sub!reader, begging, boot riding, light clit play, nicknames, light degradation, insecurity, making out, kneeling (i’m a slut for kneeling…) and i think that’s it

——————————————————————————

By the door to the garage stands a tall man with a cigarette between his lips. Handsome is too light of a descriptor for this man. Sure, it was accurate, but it does him no justice. Because not only is he hot as fuck, but he is also huge. Wide shoulders lead to thick arms that carry strong, veiny hands and long, lithe fingers. His honey skin is completely clear except for a single mole on his neck that serves to remind you that he is an actual human and not just a daydream that you’ve thought up within your romance-deprived mind.

You sigh loudly as you drop your head into your palm, elbow resting on your knee as you sit cross-legged on the hood of one of Yunho’s cars. No doubt he was silently seething about you using his precious 1967 Chevy Impala as nothing more than somewhere to perch, but he’d learned a long time ago that scolding you for it is futile. Besides, where else was going to give you such a perfect view of Jongho?

“Stop staring at him,” Yunho grumbles to you, breaking out of your trance as he pushes a tyre past you, “you’re being weird.”

You watch him as he leans it against the body of one of his customers’ cars before bobbing down to take a closer look at the wheel of the car. If you were listening to him just a few moments prior, you’d know exactly what was wrong with the car. It's just that as Yunho was monologuing about the wheel rims, Jongho was also unzipping his overalls and pulling them free from his top half. How could you focus on anything else when the man of your dreams was practically undressing himself in front of you?

“I’m not being weird,” you say as you go back to watching Jongho just in time to see him flick the ash away from the tip of the cigarette. The sleeve of his black t-shirt constricts around his bicep as he lifts the almost burnt-out cig back to his lips to take another puff. You swallow down a wad of drool that had gathered upon your tongue. It's a shame you can’t so easily get rid of the moisture that had gathered uncomfortably between your thighs.

“You know, just because you do something every day, it doesn't mean it isn't weird?” He sends a sarcastic smile in your direction, but you miss it, too focused on the way Jongho’s lips purse to exhale a plume of white smoke into the air. You lick your lips just as he takes one final drag and you feel your heart skip a beat as he tosses the butt to the floor and stomps it out with one giant combat boot. Oh, to be that cigarette, you think to yourself before shaking yourself out of your dizzy stupor.

Your eyes flicker away from him as he pushes himself away from the garage door frame and turns to walk back inside. The thud of his heavy boots against the concrete floor is enough to send shivers down your spine because even though you’re not watching him, you can hear him growing closer to you. Slow, careful footsteps grow louder and louder as his soles thud against the floor. Over and over they ring through your head like a metronome until at last they come to a stop right in front of the Chevy.

Carefully, you lift your gaze, letting it scan every inch of him until you reach his face. Thick thighs hidden by his tight denim overalls that you’d just love to rip open and see what's underneath. You bet they're soft; perfect to dig your teeth into as you sit between them. Stomach that you just know is toned to the point where it looks like it's been sculpted by Michaelangelo himself. Arms folded over his chest, muscular and ready to slip around your throat and choke you until you're gasping for breath. Jaw set in stone as he stares down at you with a steely gaze and a taunting smirk playing on his lips.

You suck in a sharp breath as he looks you up and down, eyes lingering on your cleavage for just a moment or two before making their way up to your face. Behind the initial iciness you see in them, there's something else. A hint of playfulness, perhaps, although it looks a little more sinister. You shudder underneath it, pulling your eyes from his to study your fingers instead.

“Hey, Yun?” He calls out to the other man, yet never once takes his eyes off of you. All pretty, sitting there in those jersey shorts that sit flush against the bulge of your pretty thighs, and that low-cut top that shows too much for him not to sneak a glance every once in a while. The way your nipples peek through the thin material lets him know that you forewent a bra when you were getting dressed this morning. They pebble up as the cool afternoon brushes against them. Jongho can barely pull his eyes away from them.

“What?” Yunho grunts as he uses a cloth to wipe a grease stain from the chrome spokes of the wheel he was messing with.

“Do you want to take the afternoon off?” You don't need to look at Yunho to see his excitement at the suggestion. The clattering of metal tools against the cement was enough for you to understand that yes, Yunho definitely wants to take the afternoon off. “I’ll finish up here and take the Princess home when I’m done. I’m sure she can be patient and sit on her little throne until I’m finished, can't you?”

No. You absolutely cannot be alone in a room with Jongho. It takes a lot for you to be in a room with him when Yunho is there too. Being with him alone would break your sanity in two. Absolutely not.

“I can walk,” you say, voice wavering so much it's practically a whimper. God, you sound pathetic.

“Don’t be silly,” Jongho purrs, from where he stands above you, “I'm sure I speak for both of us when I say it’ll make us feel better if one of us sees you get home safe.”

“Then Yuyu can take me,” you spit out a little too quickly. Yunho lets out a snicker, and if Jongho’s imposing form wasn't blocking you from his view, you'd shoot him a middle finger in payment.

“I was going to visit Mingi,” his boyfriend that he insists isn't actually his boyfriend, “and his cafe is in the opposite direction to your house...”

Despite him not saying the word, you know it's a no. Whether he just wants to see you suffer as you try and keep your desperation for Jongho under lock whilst you're alone together is an entirely different question; you wouldn’t be surprised if that really was the case. He seems to find the way you squirm whenever the other man is near amusing.

“I’ll take care of you, Princess,” a finger gently brushes against your chin, tilting your head up until you lock eyes with Jongho’s once more. His tongue darts out to wet his lips - those plush pink lips - before disappearing once more, leaving nothing but a trail of spit in its wake. That pool between your legs only grows, “I’ll treat you even better than Yuyu does.”

You hear the condescending use of the nickname you have for Yunho; it goes hand in hand with the way he slurs the word, Princess. All of it makes you feel tiny beneath him and you just know that you won't make it out of this garage alive.

“So I’m good to go, yeah?” Jongho calls out a reply that you hardly register, and before you know it, Yunho is hopping into his regular car and driving off into the distance. The rumbling of his engine covers the sound of blood rushing through your ears until it doesn't. Until everything is silent and it's just you and him.

Jongho.

The man you’d been thirsting after from the very moment you spotted him. Always avoiding talking with him in favour of watching him. The way he smiles as he talks with Yunho, or furrows his brow when he’s studying an engine. The way he bites his lip as he lifts heavy metal pieces into his arms and sighs long and hard whenever he gets to put them down. The way he laughs whenever he’s told a joke and frowns when he’s made a mistake. Watching all that has just added to your fixation on him.

And now you are alone together.

You're alone with him. Alone and you don't know how to act. Yunho has always been a buffer to lead the conversation but now he isn't there and your mind has just gone blank. You hope Jongho says something first since you can't think of anything to say, but you also hope he doesn't say anything at all. What would you even reply? Something completely idiotic, more than likely. Something that makes you look like an absolute fool in front of the man you’d been silently wishing would pay you even a modicum of attention for the past year.

Well, his attention is finally on you so you need to be perfect. Desirable, but not to the point where you seem desperate. Intelligent, but not to the point where you seem like a smart-ass. Agreeable, but not to the point of being a pushover. You just need to be perfect.

How the fuck do you be perfect?

Jongho finally slips his finger away from your chin, but you darent look away. Are you supposed to? Is that what he wants? Oh god, what if he thinks you’re being weird by holding eye contact for so long?

“You can relax, Princess,” he chuckles, eyes crinkling up at the corners as he smiles. So pretty, you think. “Untense those shoulders and take a deep breath for me, hm? Can't have you feeling overwhelmed before we even start, now can we?

You do as he asks, for him.

Your shoulders drop a few inches and your chest rises and falls dramatically.

Relax… for him.

“That's a good girl,” he utters, voice low and breathy in a way that goes straight to your pussy. “Sit tight while I go and lock up, okay?”

You nod blindly before your brain kicks in just a second later. Lock up? You thought Jongho was supposed to be driving you home, yet his car sits on the far side of the garage, very much inside. If he locks up then…

“I thought you were going to drive me back to mine?” you finally say as Jongho pushes the door shut and locks it with a key he slips from his pocket. You hear the lock click and as soon as it does, he is on his way back to you, heavy boots thudding against the floor. They remind you of a clock, this time, counting down the seconds as he stalks closer to you; the seconds until you reach your demise.

“I mean if you want me to, I will,” he shrugs as he passes the car Yunho had been working on, “but I was hoping you’d want me to do… other things for you.”

Tick tock, tick tock.

His feet taunt you as he takes the longer route to get to you. They drag out your torture, the stickiness of your pussy growing as your thoughts seem to race through your brain at a speed too fast for you to comprehend. Thoughts about what you should be doing to appear perfect simply come and go, much too fast for you to dwell on them. You don't have the brain power to try and slow them down, so you just sit there dumbly as Jongho finally comes to a stop in front of you.

His footsteps come to a stop, the clock that counts down to your doom falling silent.

“I mean, you spend all that time staring at me and you think I don't notice, but I do,” he lays his hands down on the hood, pressing his weight down onto them as he leans over you. Your eyes go wide as his face comes to rest mere inches from your own, hot breath fanning over your face. From this distance you can smell the cigarette smoke that permeates his clothes, mixing deliciously with the gasoline and car oil that swims through the air of the garage. It's intoxicating. “I saw the way you stared at me during my cig break; eyes all glossed over as you sat and fidgeted and pretended that you weren't already dripping for me. God, I bet it's like a fucking ocean down there, Princess, all slick and ready for me.”

With two fingers, he walks his hand closer to you until it catches on your knee. You break eye contact to stare it at as it slithers its way up your thigh, rising higher and higher until his fingers catch on the seam of your shorts. He hums your name to bring your attention back to him. You obey.

“Can I?” he whispers as he pushes his face even closer. His lips are millimetres from your own; you’d barely have to move to take a kiss from him, “Or do you still want me to drive you home?”

You do it.

You close the gap.

All caution flies out of the window as you dive right in, pressing your lips hard against his own. No more thoughts of whether or not you’re perfect enough as you take what you want from him. He tastes of mint and smoke and it makes you dizzy. He kisses you back almost immediately, lips sloppily dancing over yours as if he’s just as desperate for you as you are for him. You moan into his mouth. He reciprocates it with one of his own, and the sound is just as beautiful as you imagined. Soft and musical and just as pretty as he is. It just makes you dive in deeper, arms swinging up until they're wrapped around his neck to hold him close. He takes that as a green light and dips his fingers into your shorts.

They travel up the inner seam, heading straight to your aching pussy. You’re sure he can already feel just how wet you are, just from feeling your inner thighs. When he smiles against your lips, you know you're right. They linger there for a few seconds, playing with the stickiness for just a moment or two before continuing their journey to the apex of your thighs.

When they reach it, Jongho stills his movements for just a moment or two. His lips pull away from yours so he can let out a soft chuckle. “No panties and no bra?” He tilts a brow as he flicks a finger against your clit, drawing another sound from your lips. “I didn't realise I was dealing such a slut,” he growls as he lunges forward to attack your lips once more. His tongue immediately darts out to brush against your lips and demand entry. You give it to him, bottom jaw going slack as you let him lick into your mouth.

His finger begins to tap at your clit with the same metronomic pace as his footsteps from earlier. Each hit sends a shiver down your spine as a jolt of pleasure lurches through you. But it's not enough, and as soon as it's there, it's gone again. It's torturous in the best way possible, and it leaves you wanting more.

“More,” you whine as you pull away for breath, “Jongho, I want more.”

“More?” he teases, stopping his finger in place against your clit, “you’re a greedy little thing, aren't you?” He slips his fingers completely free from your shorts and takes a step back from the car. “How about you get on your knees and beg? If you prove that you can be the good little slut I know you are, I’ll give you whatever you want.”

It's a deal too good to pass up, so as quickly as you can you slide off the bonnet and drop to your knees. The bare concrete scuffs your skin, but you barely give a wince, too lost in the lust that clouds your brain that you don't even register the pain. It's a small price to pay to get what you want, anyway.

“Hands behind your back,” he says as he stares you down. You do as he says within mere milliseconds. It makes him smile to see you obey so quickly, “legs spread, too.”

Again, you do it, shuffling your knees against the concrete until they sit shoulder-width. You're sure there's a wet patch on the material, but you don't blush. In fact, you're rather happy to show him just how much of an effect he has on you. It only feels right after pining over him for a year; he deserves to know just how much you need him.

He studies your form, his annoyingly cocky gaze brushing up and down your body like he has all the time in the world; like you're not at his feet desperately wanting more. He huffs out a breath before using one of his boots to kick your knees even wider, spreading your thighs until they ache due to the stretch. You whine up at him, only getting a sly smile in response. “What?” he coos, “I told you to spread your legs, didn’t I?”

And you suppose he's right; he did ask you to spread your legs. You just didn't know that meant for you to spread them until you couldn't anymore. Until you could feel the chill of the room brush against your wet thighs, the gusset of your shorts barely covering your pussy, never mind anything else. You shiver at a particularly cold draught, and Jongho laughs.

And then something colder hits your core. Icy and hard, just like the steel toe cap of a boot. You glance down to make sure you're not going insane; the big black tip of Jongho’s shoe pressing up against your clothes pussy is enough evidence that you're not. You swallow hard as he moves it back and forth against your slit, dragging the inner seam of your shorts against you. You inhale a shuddery breath as your gaze travels back up to his face.

His stupidly handsome face.

“You like that?” you nod, “then be a good girl. Do what I told you to, and I’ll let you cum on my boot. Beg, Princess.”

[fandxmslxt69]

Daisy (modern, small town AU)

mechanic!Frank castle x f!sunshine!reader

Warnings: Frank's an asshole lmao. UM me making up shit as I go about cars (i dont know enough abt them okay). Um, Frank works at an automobile shop/garage (he owns it more like but whatever). WRITTEN IN LIKE 3 HOURS AND AN IDEA THAT WAS BIRTHED THIS MORNING. Some swearing, lazy descriptions, probably HORRIBLE structure but idc idc idc.

Synopsis: You just moved to a small town, and just your luck, your car breaks down after a few errand runs. You have no choice but to go to the town's official Mr. Grumpy (Frank) to ask for help.

Word count: 1.8k (WHOOPS)

A/N: BAHAHAH SO THIS WAS BORN LIKE THIS MORNING/LAST NIGHT and i could NOT get the idea out of my head so I had to do SOMETHING about it. Yeah, there'll probably be more to this but FIRST, i have to go study after putting it off to finish this. SORRY IT MIGHT BE SOOO FUCKING OOC AND CRINGE BUT I WAS TOO LAZY TO WRITE IT PROPERLY! this is kind of just a set up/build up bit it gets BETTER promise promise anyway was this just me reading like 10 small town romances and going "all of them, but with Frank?" yeah basically, you're welcome.

Tags: YEAH um @soft-girl-musings its kinda your fault for encouraging me (im kidding ily) and um @runa-falls cuuuz yknow you <3 and Frank <3

Imagine a modern AU in a small little town where Frank owns the only garage there. It’s just a small happy town with a little community that grew up with each other- everyone knows Frank as Mr Grumpy- he’s always got that frown and those eyebrows knitted together in annoyance. 

Imagine you’re new in town and you feel just a bit out of place in this tightly knitted community. You try to make some friends, but it’s hard fitting into already tight social circles. 

Imagine your car breaking down on your way home from a grocery run. The front of smoking and its making weird jumbling and rumbling noises. You leave the car quickly, not wanting to be inside of it in case something goes wrong. You’re nowhere near your house, and the cute sandals you’re wearing are in no shape to walk the rest of the way. You really don’t want to barge into a random shop and ask for help. But you notice, a little far from the rest of the shops in town, a little store with an ugly neon sign that said GARAGE in big, flickering red letters. You sigh heavily, making sure to grab your keys from the car, along with your purse and phone, lock it, and start walking towards the shop. 

Imagine walking into the little automobile shop to find it pretty much deserted. The walls were lined with different tires, tools and various car parts lined the little room with a small area left unlittered for the cash register. And yet, there was no one to man the station. You walk around, feeling hopeless, until you hear voices coming from behind the door at the back of the room. 

Imagine walking through the door hesitantly into a big garage, and you’re greeted with the sight of a gorgeous shirtless man in loose jeans stained in grease stains. He’s bent over a car and wiping the windshield while a radio beside him blasts some country tunes. You stood in the doorway, mouth hanging slightly open at the sight. Who could blame you? His hair looked so soft, and from what you could see, his face was probably just godly. He looked heavenly,and he clearly didn’t hear you come in from how loud the music was. You clear your throat lightly, clutching the strap of your purse tightly. “Um, excuse me-” you say as quietly as you can, not entirely sure you want to draw his attention. Yet somehow he still hears you. His eyes snap up to meet yours and the look of peace on his face immediately transforms into a look of permanent annoyance. 

Shit. He does have a pretty face. A sculpted jawline and a little stubble lined his jaw. Pretty eyes too. 

Imagine the way his eyes would roam over you. Your hair held back in a little ponytail, your short blue sundress with daisies that barely just reaches your thighs. The way his pretty lips would set in a hard line and his jaw clenches, and while his eyes take in your pretty look, the way that dress rides up your thigh whenever you take a step, you can see his jaw tick and the frown lines forming. 

“Yes?” He said slowly, one eyebrow raised. 

“Um,” You shuffled a bit, carefully stepping into the garage, but making sure to keep a distance from him and the car. “Um, my uh, my car broke down, and I kind of need help,” 

He wipes his hands on the towel tucked into the pocket of his jeans, walking around the car to stand in front of you. Well, more like tower over you. He was, to put it simply, enormous. At least 6 foot something with broad shoulders and a deliciously sculptured and defined chest. His muscles weren’t the pretty boy skinny things you’d see at the gym- his biceps looked big enough to crush a man’s skull, and his chest looked comfy enough to use as a pillow. 

He clears his throat, and you realise you missed a question. You look up (practically STRAINING your neck) to meet his eyes. He definitely looks frustrated. Maybe he's annoyed that he has to repeat himself. 

Imagine how mean he’d be about it- he doesn’t mean to be rude, or to come off as an asshole. He definitely didn’t mean to act as if your lack of knowledge in this situation bothered him. Normally he didn’t care, but the way you looked up at him with big worried eyes and the anxious fiddling of your hands just…ticked him off. He certainly doesn’t mean how condescending his tone is, but he just can’t help it. Pretty girls fucked him in the head. 

“What’s wrong with your car, doll?” 

You fiddled with a strand of your hair. “Um, I don’t actually know,” He lets out an annoyed grunt, running a hand down his face. “Where’d it stop?” “Um, just a little back,” You pointed behind you. “Not too far. I don’t know, it started smoking and making weird noises. Assumed it was bad, so I came here,” He shakes his head, throwing the towel in his hand to the side and grabbing a shirt from one of the chairs. “Yeah sweetheart, that is very bad,” 

“Okay well, I figured,” You hesitated. “Can you uh, can you fix it?” “Depends,” He grunted, pulling the shirt over his head. He’d walk past you out front to grab his truck keys from the cash desk, making a couple more caveman noises to indicate that you should follow him. 

Imagine getting to his truck and you stand there awkwardly because there’s no fucking way you could get in there. It’s too high up, and you sure as hell can’t just jump into it. You throw your purse in, brace your hands on the door, and try to lift your leg high enough to reach the step. 

Imagine Frank getting so fucking pissed when your dress rides up to barely even cover the curve of your ass and he just places his (very big, very warm) hands on your waist and hauls you up, firmly sitting you on the chair and slamming the door shut. 

Imagine how the short drive to where your car stopped is just filled with really awkward silence as you clutch your purse to your chest. Frank's got the radio on, an arm hanging out the window, but his other hand on the steering wheel is holding it so tightly his knuckles are turning white. And he looks almost calm, if not for the way he’s clenching his jaw so hard you think he might shatter his teeth. 

You pull up to your car, and Frank whistles quietly as he gets out of his truck and walks over to examine it. “What d'ya do to this thing?”

You practically hopped out of the truck, frowning. “Nothin’! I didn’t even do anything. I was just driving back home and it broke down,” 

“Well ya must’ve done somethin’ if she broke down this bad,” He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth. “Can you open the front?” 

“What if it like- explodes on you? What then?” You ask horrified. That’s a horrible impression to leave on someone.

“Not gonna explode, now open the damn front,” 

You nod hesitantly, unlocking the car to open up the front. He tries to blow away the smoke with his hand, but it’s really no use. “Yeah, might need to take it back to the garage,” 

“But-” You felt your bottom lip wobbling. How could everything go to shit so fast. “I need to get home!”

Despite how grumpy Frank wanted to stay, he can’t help soften when it’s clear how panicked you felt. He knew you were the newest person in town, and he also knew he’d have everyone on his ass if he didn’t try and help a little more. 

But he’s still gonna be an ass about it. “I’ll drive you back to your house and send someone for your car, no need to cry ‘bout it, doll,”

You nod hesitantly, taking a few deep breaths. “Okay. Okay, thank you,” And then you smiled this shy, grateful smile at him and he felt like the air was knocked right out of his lungs. You were gorgeous, he knew that, but looking at you now he felt a wave of protectiveness wash over him. You looked….cute. And he wanted to keep that smile on your face. Shit. Imagine Frank realising just how fucked he is, having to help such a cute and pretty girl out, he’d just shut himself off even more. His frown deepens and he only communicates in grumbles and grunts as he drives you back home and calls someone to come pick up your car. He only holds out his hand to ask for your keys- not even uttering a word, just holds out those really sexy hands. He just sits in his truck with his arm out the window as you hop out of the seat and make your way up your porch. He feels so screwed. Even your house looked cute. 

“Thank you,” You call out to him.

He raises a hand in return and then he pulls out from in front of the house and drives back to his shop. 

You falter a bit, feeling a tad stung at how shut off he is. Maybe not everyone is as open as you were, but he could have at least smiled. You sigh, walking into your house and dropping your purse at the door. You discard your shoes, and head to the kitchen to grab a couple snacks and collapse on the couch, feeling overall exhausted and drained from the whole day. Maybe you won’t have to see Grumpy for another few days- just so you could cool down. 

The landline rings a few minutes after, and you frown. Who the hell would have the landline’s number? You get up and answer the phone. “Hello?” “Hey daisy, it’s Frank. You left your groceries in the car,” Frank’s voice fills your ear (god he sounds so…so hot) 

Your eyes widen and you gasp in shock. “Fuck, I did!” 

He hums in response. “Yeah. Bet you need those, don’tcha?” 

You nod slowly. “Yeah, I kind of do,”

There’s commotion from Frank’s side, it sounds a lot like someone yelling at him. He sighs heavily. “Alright daisy, I’ll figure somethin’ out f’r you,” And then he hangs up. 

Daisy? Figure it out? And why was it so oddly comforting to know he could handle this without you needing to worry?

[silvandar]

BG3 Durge run: casualty list, sunmary etc. Durge spoilers.

I absolutely loved this run. Durge is like playing a completely different game! The plot is fantastic, and the dialogues are hilarious and very clever.

My Durge looks almost exactly like this! Love this tattoo design.

Party: Durge fighter, Astarion, Shart, random hireling sorcerer. Picking Duergar was a Choice, their movement is dogshit and they keep getting stuck on jumps 😭

Act 1

Gale: maimed, presumed dead. Unless Mystra took pity on him.

The Grove: bloodbath. Stole everything that wasn't nailed down.

Wyll: dead

Goblin leaders: dead. Minthara tried to shiv me when i picked Astarion over her, should have rerolled just to see her romance scene but it was late and I was tired.

Karlach: dead. Attacked me on sight yelling about the Grove massacre, which was weird but cool. How did she knowwwwww.

Laezel: dead, because she tried to shiv me when i was sick. Otherwise we were besties 😭

Act 2

Oliver: squished

He Who Was: openly likes me, headcanon dating.

Last Light Inn: bloodbath

Jahira: dead

Isobel: dead

Yurgir: freed from contract because i couldn’t trick him into yeeting himself

Nightsong: dead

Shart: Dark Justiciar mode.

Durge plot: think I'm figuring it out. Orin is getting slapped later.

Daddy Thorm: dead. Surprisingly easy to kill when everyone has misty step and range.

Githyanki plot: pretty much ignored.

Romances: dating Astarion, flirting with Shart.

Durge has slayer form which everyone else in the camp thinks is gross, but Durge absolutely loves it.

Act 3

Picking and choosing quests is fun! I'm already level 8 so can easily ignore stuff that feels too "good" to be of interest.

Somehow my general terribleness has made me Chronically Single. So I had to bang drow beef without the offer of a foursome. Sigh. Choosing the "kinky" options was hilarious.

Kissed and made up with Gortash. He's a good guy really, very swauve. Looking forward to killing him later.

Ascended Astarion. Went at level 10, fight was surprisingly easy now I know the mechanics of the power boosts. Also having Turn Undead is big and clever. Watching Cazador scuttle like a cockroach was very cathartic.

Murder tribunal: Met Saravok, he was fun! Chatted about the old days, killed an elephant, bathed in some blood. Good times.

Nightsong redux: Robbed Lorroakan while he sulked about the Nightsong being dead. Astarion can now summon Ghouls. (Genuinely, just hopped on downstairs and cleaned out the vault. Not a single combat reaction from anyone. Bugged? Or just wizarding hubris? Didn't try to take anything from the main tower tho as I didn't need the robes or staff.)

House of Grief: Shart turned about 1/4 of the adds to our side, so it was a surprisingly easy fight. Shart is now God's Extra Special Princess.

Orin: died in 3 turns, just went Slayer on her and ripped her apart. Fun! Astarion has a new sword.

Saravok redux: Durge has a nice new sword and hat. Although he did one-shot me at one point. Don't know why I expected anything other than a fight, honestly.

Gortash: roasted by the Netherbrain. Saves me killing him I guess. Bit annoyed that I couldn't loot him.

Ignored Raphael and Orpheus completely. Gave the Emperor the Netherstones. Pretty much zero Githyanki plot on this run, as it seemed pointless with Laezel dead.

Netherbrain: much harder with only 2 sets of allies! Blinding the dragon helped, and for some reason the mage got stuck and glitched, so I consider the fight Cheesed By Accident.

Ending: murdered the Emperor, dominated the Netherbrain, turned my party into thralls, ruled the world as Bhaal's Chosen. Epic end scene, absolutely brilliant. IN BHAAL'S NAME!

[travlersjoy444]

Nature, Human or Otherwise

2012 Raph x Reader

You and Raph find a baby alien-turtle. Alternate title: The Epic Highs and Lows of Co Pet Ownership.

'Tis a loose sequel to my fic 'Human Nature', but you can easily read it on it's own. Could be read as platonic/queerplatonic, but the romance vibes are stronger here than in the last one.

Word count: 3k

***

  “Hey, is that some sorta egg?” Raph asked, somewhere behind me.

  I shrugged, not really in the mood for that considering we were on a tiny ledge hanging over a pit of lava.

  “I think it is.” He mumbled, and I heard him move closer to it.

  “Okay…” I grunted, fiddling with my dumb high-tech grappling hook. “Who computerizes grappling hooks, anyways?!” I hissed. “This is so stupid-”

  “(Y/N), look!”

  “Oh look, whaddaya know. It just had to be turned off and on again, apparently.” I scoffed, hitting the hook against a rock. “Stupid thing…me and Donnie’s mechanical design works way better. Alas, they’re all back on Earth, our dear home that we have left in favor of pursuing the stars…” I lamented, but Raph grabbed my shoulder pauldron and spun me around instead of listening to my monologue.

  “Hm?” I asked, tilting my head at him.

  He pointed at whatever it was that he’d been talking about. I blinked, taking in the object’s round shape and spotted pattern…

  “Oh my god, is that an egg?” I gasped, whipping out my blaster. “Are we in an alien nest like in Mikey’s comic?!”

  “Hey- watch where ya aim that thing!” Raph yelped, shoving it away from the egg. “We don’t know what’s in there!”

  “Exactly! It could be Squirrelnoids again, or something even more freaky and unsettling!” I said, but I lowered my blaster anyway.

  “Well…I still don’t want us to kill it until we’re sure it’s terrifying. I really don’t need to have killed two innocent creatures within a year.” Raph said, crossing his arms, and I remembered how this was a slightly touchy subject for him.

  “Ah…okay. Fine.” I sighed, shoving my blaster back into its holster. “But if it tries to asexually reproduce inside of your digestive system again, I ain’t helping.”

  Raph rolled his eyes. “Ew. Ya just had to mention that, didn’t ya.”

  “Look, it may have mildly traumatized me-” I began to admit, but Raph cut me off.

  “Lookit, it’s hatching!” He whispered, pointing at the egg.

  I swallowed. “Radical.” I muttered sarcastically, but my curiosity grew as the creature began to poke its head out of the eggshell.

  It was little, and…purple, with big purple eyes and…was that a shell? 

  Yeah, that was definitely a shell…it was a…turtle?

  “Aw, it’s kinda cute!” Raph said, beaming as he scooped it up.

  “Alien turtles, eh?” I said, leaning over his shoulder. “...Huh, weird coincidence. And…yeah. That’s pretty adorable.” I smiled, and the turtle gave a happy squeak.

  “Where’s your mama, little guy?” Raph cooed, which was also pretty adorable, though he’d probably kill me for saying so.

  The alien turtle smiled up at us, and Raph petted its head before handing it to me. “It’s soft!” He breathed, grinning.

  I held it gently, stroking its head too, although I couldn’t feel the texture through my gloves.

  “Aww! It’s makin’ that sound you make when you’re happy!” I said, grinning as the turtle began to…purr? No…churr was the word Donnie used. “He’s churring!”

  “Shut up, I don’t do that.” Raph scoffed, failing to hide a blush behind his hand.

  “Well regardless of whether or not you do that -which you do- it’s fucking adorable! Aww, I am so glad I didn’t shoot you, little guy!” I giggled.

  “See? Told ya.” Raph said smugly.

  “Well it coulda been Squirrelnoids or Squirrelanoid-adjacent, Raphael. We’re just lucky this time.” I said, sticking out my tongue.

  Raph sighed. “...I guess.”

  I smiled and set the turtle down. “Where’s your nest, little guy?” 

  It squeaked and took a few steps forward.

  “Woah, careful…” I frowned as it tottered towards the cliff edge.

  Raph panickedly jumped over, blocking it off. “Woah- you’re too close to the bad lava, lil’ fella! …Better stay with Uncle Raph for now.” He smiled, setting it on his shoulder.

  “Uncle Raph?” I beamed. “This is so fucking cute.”

  He rolled his eyes, but smiled. “Hey, we can’t have him just wander into the lava, can we?”

  “No, you’re right, you’re just also adorable.” I smirked.

  Raph blushed. “Shut up, (Y/N), I am not.”

  I shrugged. “Sure, and I’m a Sqirrelnoid.”

  “...You are not letting that one go, are ya?” 

  “Look, I’m not kidding when I say that that was traumatizing. And I wasn’t even the one who had to eat squirrel…eugh…bleh.” I winced at the memory…ugh. 

  “...Just use your grappling hook an’ get us outta here, okay?” Raph sighed.

  “Okay, okay.”

***

  “Hey guys, look!” Raph grinned as we reached the top of the wall.

  “Seriously, check this out!” I smiled, patting the little turtle’s head as it sat on Raph’s shoulder.

  “Woaaah.” Mikey said, staring wide eyed as he helped me up.

  “A baby turtle?” Casey said, bounding over to take a look. “What’d you do, lay an egg down there?!” He added, prodding Raph. Raph rolled his eyes.

  “Hilarious, Jonsey.” I said, snorting. “Obviously that isn’t how it would work, biologically speaking, considering Raphael is-”

  Raph punched me in the arm, and I grinned. “What, not in the mood for some sweet sweet science, Rafa?” I said, wigging my eyebrows.

  “You know, sometimes I really like you, (Y/N)...And then you do this and we go back to square one.” Raph deadpanned.

  “Hey- this is not a good time to adopt an alien pet, guys.” Donnie scowled, but he was interrupted by Mikey swooping in and snatching the turtle.

  “Aw, loooook! He’s almost as cute as me!” Mikey grinned, spinning it around. Raph clenched his fists, and swiped the turtle back. 

  “Hey! We found him first.” He said with a scowl. 

  “Yeah, this is our adorable alien turtle, hands off!” I said, crossing my arms.

  “Ouch!” Raph yelped behind me.

  “Oh jeez, you good?!” I said, spinning around, but by then he was already smiling again. In fact, he almost looked proud.

  “M’ fine, he just bit me.”

  “Aww, is chompy here learnin’ violence? I’m so proud!” I cooed, patting its head.

  Raph snapped his fingers. “(Y/N), that’s it! We’ll call you Chompy Picasso, little guy!” He exclaimed, nuzzling the baby turtle that was now named Chompy.

  “Ohmigosh, it got cuter.” I all but squealed.

  “What, the alien or Raph?” Casey teased, leaning on my shoulder.

  “Both.” I grinned, not even making the effort to act embarrassed. 

  “Well what you guys need to do is find out who his mom is and give him back.” April pointed out.

  “Forget it! We’re on a mission to save Earth, not alien turtles!” Leo protested, somehow looking even more done with our shit than usual.

  “Hey, hold up, we gotta-” 

  But Raph was cut off by the sight in the distance.

  Triceraton ships.

  Shit.

***

  Still reeling from everything that’d happened in trying to retrieve the generator piece, I stared out the window of the ship.

  I swallowed thickly as we catapulted away from the supernova, away from Tokka, and away from…

  Away from Chompy.

  Raph grimaced, coming to the same realization. “Chompy was with her.” He said softly, his voice coming out broken, not unlike the time I’d found him crying over a baby turtle back on Earth.

  I rose from my station and stood by him, and he wordlessly pulled me into a rare side hug.

  “Now he’s gone.” He whispered into my shoulder, putting words to the truth that we wished wasn’t true.

  “I’m so sorry, Raph.” I murmured, squeezing him slightly.

  “Uh…dudes? What about the lil’ guy hitchin’ a ride on your shell?” Mikey interrupted, and sure enough, something crawled onto my hand where it rested on Raph’s back.

  I jumped and pulled away…only to see Chompy happily perched on my hand. “Omigosh! Raph!”

  Raph’s eyes widened, and his sad expression fell into a grin. “Chompy!” He exclaimed, snatching the turtle from me to give him a hug. “You’re okay!”

  Chompy churred, nuzzling my hand as I petted him. “He made it!” I beamed.

  Raph paused, a flicker of remorse flashing across his face. “But what about Tokka? …She was just trying to protect the fragment…and Chompy…”

  “I mean…I guess sacrifices have to be made, or something like that, but still…” I trailed off, sighing. “Poor Tokka.”

  “What about Earth?” Leo challenged, ever the beacon of hope and joy as he so often was (n’t).

  But he was right, aside from my attitude.

  Earth easily took priority over alien turtles.

***

  “Got the stuff?”

  I smiled proudly, taking the bag off my back.  I’d just returned from a chaotic shopping trip with the Professor, and I’d managed to find the supplies we needed.

  “So I found a fabric merchant. Also may have gotten into a knife fight, but who’s to say- that’s unimportant at the moment, though, because I do indeed have the goods.”

  Raph grinned, opening the bag. “Chompy is gonna have the coolest space turtle bed.”

  “Right? I found so many cool fabrics!” I beamed. “Like lookit, this one is so freaking soft!” 

  “This is perfect- hey wait you got in a knife fight?” Raph said, pausing.

  “Yeah, it was both fantastically invigorating and completely terrifying. Did you know alien knives sometimes have blasters in them? Because I did not until very recently. Apparently alien knives sometimes have blasters in them.” I shrugged. “I’ve got my armor though, so everything was mostly fine.”

  “‘Mostly’?!” He exclaimed, eyes wide.

  I nodded. “Don’t worry, the worst injury is this friction burn on my fist from punching some idiot whose entire outfit was made of sand paper for some reason. I’m good, Raphael.”

  “Good, ya better be. The med bay here is really depressing, I’d hate having to go there more than I have to.” He said, seemingly trying to sound gruff.

  “Awww, so that means you’d visit me Red?” I teased, leaning on him dramatically. 

  “No.” He grunted, shoving me off. “Chompy would miss you, that’s all.”

  “Ah, of course.” I nodded, playing along. “Well please inform Chompy that I’d love for him to visit me during my theoretical trip to the infirmary, as his company is truly delightful.”

  “Maybe you should tell him so yourself.” Raph smirked, petting Chompy as he sat on Raph’s pillow, sleeping.

  “Oh beloved Chompy-” I began dramatically, “It’s been so long since I’ve seen thine adorable face…”

  “Shh, don’t wake him up!” Raph nudged me.

  I held my hands up in defeat, and whispered “Thou hast no taste for the dramatics, dearest Raphael.” 

  He scoffed and rolled his eyes good naturedly. “You’re a nerd, you know that?” 

  “Having an extensive knowledge of the arts does not make me a nerd.” I grinned.

  “No, but writing your own grappling hook blueprints when you already have a grappling hook totally does. Who does math on purpose?!”

  “Creative people who have limitless access to a mechanics genius. I probably wouldn’t be doin’ anything like this if Donnie didn’t help me out as often as he does.” I said, smiling fondly. 

  “Plus- I’m sorry, but Fugatoid’s computerized grappling hooks are unreliable and frustrating to deal with. I can’t not build my own when faced with such inefficiency, it’d be a safety hazard.” I rambled, clenching my hands into fists at the thought.

  Raph shook his head, coughing something that sounded suspiciously like ‘Nerd’.

  “You’re a nerd, you read vegetable comics!” I retaliated.

  “Shut up! You gave me those vegetable comics!” He snapped.

  “Yeah well you read them, Mr. Tough Guy-” I egged him on.

  “They were good! The characters were really deep and shockingly relatable despite the ridiculous premise!” He yelled, flinging a fabric roll at me. 

  I caught it, eyes narrowed. “Hey. Don’t.”

  Raph’s eyes widened for some reason. “Oh- shit, (Y/N), I- I’m so sorry-”

  I tossed the fabric back at him, raising an eyebrow. “Dude if we’re gonna spar we gotta not wake up Chompy.”

  “Oh- we’re gonna spar?” He stuttered.

  “Yeah? That’s what we do?” I grinned, hopping off the bed.

  He relaxed a bit. “Okay, usual rules?”

  “Mild contact, no weapons or excessive strikes…but I guess fabric as a weapon is fair game this time?” I offered, balling up my fists and bouncing on my feet as I settled into my fighting stance.

  “First one to hit the ground loses?” Raph smiled, slipping into his own fighting stance.

  “You’re goin’ down, Rafa.” I grinned.

  “Not if you do first!” He exclaimed, lunging at me.

   I smirked and tossed a ball of blue fabric at his face, and as he stumbled, I jumped behind him.

  He tore the fabric off and caught my wrist, but I twisted his arm until I was the one holding his wrist. He tried to shove me off, but I pulled him towards me as hard as I could.

  Sadly, he took advantage of the proximity and used his free hand to grab my ankle, pushing both of us off balance, and we fell to the floor with a loud THUD.

  I sighed as I realized I was at the bottom of our tangle of limbs. I’d hit the ground first.

   That meant another heartbreaking tally on the ‘Times Raph beat (Y/N) at sparring’ scorecard.

  Raph grinned at me, apparently realizing the same thing as he propped his head up on his elbow.

  “How’s the weather down there?” He said smugly.

  I rolled my eyes good naturedly, smiling back. “Heavy?” I grunted, sticking my tongue out.

  He smiled fondly. “Hm. That sucks for you, I guess, loser.” He said with an exaggerated yawn as he spread himself out.

  “You know- relaxing your body- just- makes you- feel heavier?” I hissed.

  “Hm? Can’t hear you from all the way up here.” Raph said.

  I shook my head. “You’re an arse, y’know that?”

  “Ew! What the- guys, you can’t do that in front of Chompy!” Said a voice at the door, and Raph stiffened. 

  “Mikey- Shut up!” He said, voice cracking. “We’re sparrin’!”

  I nodded, feeling heat rise to my face as I imagined what this looked like. Raph was on top of me, his plastron spread diagonally across my stomach, and he had been resting his head on his hand as I glared at him across the floor…which could easily be misread, especially at Mikey’s angle from the door…

  But instead of voicing my understanding, I replied in a monotone voice “Can confirm- we sparred.”

  “Yeah I know that!” Mikey exclaimed.

  I raised an eyebrow. “Then wha-”

  “Parents shouldn’t fight in front of their kids, imagine how poor lil’ Chompy must feel!” He said sadly.

  Raph’s face went as red as his mask. “MIKEY- (Y/N) and I aren’t- shut up!”

  I nodded again. “We're co-pet owners, not co-parents. Chompy ain’t a kid, really, he’s a baby alien who has mannerisms similarly aligned with those of a dog or cat or other domestic mammals and…whatever.”

  “...Well I still got my eyes on you. This is mighty suspicious.” Mikey hissed.

  “No it’s not! We spar all the time, Michelangelo!” Raph yelled. “Now get outta my room before we both decide we wanna spar you!”

  “Okay okay okay!” Mikey squeaked, ducking out of the room. 

  Raph sighed as his footsteps finally faded, relaxing onto me again. “What a doofus.”

  “Yeah…” I agreed, smiling a bit. “You’re still on top of me.” I noted. I was pretty sure my limbs were close to falling asleep.

  “And you still-” He paused to yawn for real this time, “-lost.” He smiled, and something about the way he was looking at me felt…softer than usual. Gentler…

  A weird feeling on my stomach broke me out of my thoughts though. It was like…a hum…and it was coming from Raph? After a second the purr-like noise followed it, and I grinned. He was churring again.

  But Raph’s eyes widened in surprise and mortification. He rolled off me and stood straight up at record speed, blushing even redder than he had earlier, but the churring continued. 

  He slammed his hand over his mouth then, only somewhat managing to muffle the sound. He blushed harder, cringing.

  I clambered up after him, and fell back onto the bed next to Chompy. 

  Chompy blinked an eye open, and I took his apparent consciousness as a cue to hug the little turtle.

  “...You know, when Chompy purrs, I think it’s sweet, not freaky or embarrassing…” I said casually as the churring stopped, stroking Chompy’s head.

  Raph mumbled something that was rendered unintelligible by his hand, but his eyes softened.

  I patted the spot on the bed next to me, smiling as encouragingly as I could.

  He sighed and sat awkwardly next to me, staring at the floor in embarrassment. 

  “So…” I said, trying to sound gentle. “So I’m assuming you don’t...like it when that happens?”

  “….I can’t control it.” He finally said, petting Chompy as the little turtle churred in my arms.

  “Neither can he,” I pointed out.

  Raph rolled his eyes. “He’s a turtle turtle, not a mutant turtle. Like you said to Mikey, he’s like a cat or something. I mean… it’s cute when he does it, but…”

  “You do it around your brothers too, you seem fine when that happens?” 

  He shrugged. “That’s different, they get it. They do it too, they don’t think it’s weird.”

  “Well I like it. It’s sweet, Rafa.” I smiled.

  He blushed, finally looking up at me. “...really?”

  “Yeah. So does he.” I grinned, smushing Chompy into his face. 

  “Aw, Chompy!” He laughed, pulling both of us into a hug.

  “Hey- hey dude, I appreciate the affection, but you’re screwin’ up my hair-” I laughed, my face pressed into his plastron.

  “Oh no, this is a chokehold, actually.” He grinned, and set Chompy on my head. Chompy chewed on a strand of my hair. “See?”

  “Dammit you two! This is a betrayal!” I giggled, but didn’t make any effort to get out of it.

  Raph’s churring started up again, but this time he just shot me an embarrassed shrug and pulled me and Chompy closer. I smiled.

  I missed Earth a lot, but at least I had my weird little family here with me, right?

   And maybe that family is a disgruntled mutant teenager with anger issues and our pet space turtle…and maybe I missed my Earth family too, but either way, at the end of the day, I was happy.

  Y’know. So long as we managed to successfully save Earth…but that was a worry for another day.

*** 

Author's note: Can you tell how much the Squirrelnoids episode freaked me out? :')

[esther-dot]

I'm the 2011/2013 Tumblr anon, and this is kind of embarrassing to admit but I'm also the original Dune anon, if that gives you any idea of my fandom background. (*/ω＼*) I've been in fandom since I was probably eleven or twelve, so fandom is basically home to me lol. I was always more of a sci-fi fan than a fantasy fan growing up, and so it wasn't until GOT I heard of the books; I'd never been a fan of the show, and I was impartial at best to the books. (At school, I knew classmates were reading them--- but for full context, I was a nerd disliked by other nerds for being too weird, so I wanted nothing to do with Tolkien/GRRM lol). I still have a bone to pick with GRRM (and this is partly what limits my participation) and in the case of my regular fandom, I'm very much used to isolation lol. (It's alt-right trolls who have a problem with me... sigh. Imagine a ship like Jonsa which redeems the books' thematic ideas and that's my situation).

I actually was familiar with the Sansa/Sandor ship long before I was interested in either media, because of the shipping circles I run in. Going from that lack of context to the context revealed in the actual books was very weird, because they seem like extremely disparate concepts. If you take Sansa/Sandor scenes and rearrange things, including the numbers in Sansa's age, it does feel like a powerfully violent BatB rendering with a dash of medieval pseudorealism; he's no prince and the romance is impossible, but perhaps he could be her knight or guardian in an unconsummated chaste romance or secret affair etc. It made me really rethink some of the ships I was interested in, and why, and where my tastes diverged from people I usually trusted. I am much less interested in ship archetypes by themselves than how those are enshrined in the narrative/themes at stake. It's also just interesting to me that Jonsa is an arguably truer, redeeming rendering of BatB, or a revisitation of that theme--- which GRRM is interested in, Sansa/Sandor fans are correct about that, but I think it's foreshadowing a future arc for her. Surely all the BatB exploration is being set up for something big?

So how did I find Jonsa.... well, it was a consequence of reading the books lol, though I imagine many people would say the show was illuminating (which is no condemnation that antis think it is). My interest in the books was primarily piqued through the show's ending--- I came to things rather late, but I'm thankful for that, considering that it seems like some of the best fandom discourse has taken place since then. I was mostly interested in it for the purposes of comparison of adaptation, which I find very interesting, and because I find predicting endgames in general very fun albeit painful. I watch a lot of things just to see what my instinctual feeling is because I like practising my narrative divination. I like engaging with storytelling! But I do have a mechanical fascination with it as well. I think this motivated my sending an ask about Dune to both you and transdimensional-void, mostly because the thing that often leads me in the right direction is getting a 'feeling' for the tone of something--- sometimes even beyond pure narrative reasoning. Lol

You'd ordinarily think the show would be offputting to a Jonsa theory (and this is a major spanner in the works, although I do kind of only semi-ironically believe they paired Jon with D/aenerys because E/milia Clarke is shorter than Kit H/arrington, where S/ophie is too tall, which they couldn't have predicted before being informed about a potential Jonsa resolution--- when in doubt, assume stupidity) but Jonsa is also deliciously ironic and tragic even if redeemed through an actual marriage (and we have so many weddings, over and over, that a symbolic redemption of Rhaegar/Lyanna's wound is basically being begged for--- Lyanna is realised in many ways in the story, through both Arya and Sansa... but it makes sense they'd redeem two sides to Lyanna, the wild wolfgirl and the girl married to a dragon. The wound inflicted through Rhaegar's absconding with Lyanna has to be redeemed, whether that is positively or shirking the possibility of a Lyanna/Rhaegar union altogether, so the door is open for tragic Jonsa in my eyes. These types of narrative questions are what I look out for when predicting narrative resolutions and is what led to me to seriously consider Jonsa). I was meditating on this recently because people were asking whether Cat and Ned would approve, and the marriage is only possible because they're dead. A Jon/Sansa arrangement is only possible because they have lost the people they loved most, and perhaps--- like I've seen suggested!--- it might even drive Arya away. As a writer, that, to me, is how you make Ned and Catelyn's deaths in the story echo in a bittersweet way. It's good storytelling. It goes beyond 'and we re-enact the lessons of parents' which is the normal way you'd realise parental remembrance and legacy. And something tells me GRRM isn't interested in predictability. Unless you've read Gothic literature.

So, beyond Jonsa I'm very interested in the reasoning underpinning the show's derivations, and in my case I'm much more interested in Jonsa in the books than the show (that wasn't really what did it), though in the case of the show, I'm interested in where you can potentially see reflections of a book dynamic. But so much of the adaptation is muddied that it's hard to parse, and I'm really not sure how much of GRRM's suggestions they truly had versus what they stuck to. If they knew they needed 'a Jon romance', in the same way as they needed Robb to break his wedding pact with the Freys, but supplemented Talisa, what was motivating their decisionmaking? D/aenerys was the selling star of the show and basically the face of it, and the face of the merchandise and the cultural conversation etc. (which is why they made her death punishing--- the storytelling is so spiteful, and normally I'm a villain apologist through and through, but this case was particularly egregious) and it would seem silly not to give her a romance, because how can you write important female characters without romance? Now, I'm a perennial romance apologist, but the thinking here, to me, seems rather suspicious. So, I think what's special about ASOIAF right now is we've got a theoretical ending through the show, but where does that translate to the books? And where does the fandom get it wrong, and where do they get it right? The historic ubiquity of Sansa/Sandor, and many other fandom trends (e.g. D/aenerys is the rightful ruler, or tragic heroine, and so on) is kind of like honey to me, because all of those theories were completely blown out of the water by the show, but critically--- critically--- there's still room for expansion in the book for other directions. I was put off by simplistic interpretations of the books that floated around and when I read them the fandom characterisation, crossplatform, was actually shocking to me.

Since you asked--- and I'm terribly sorry--- I have a lot of feelings about when TWOW may or may not come out, not just because of anticipation, but because GRRM's authorial struggle is hard to watch through the eyes of fandom. The condemnation of his procrastination, his apparent carelessness--- that he 'took the money and ran'--- the hopelessness--- it's very hard to watch, and what I wonder is how he feels as a writer. Releasing TWOW will lead him into the final endgame, and he'll have to say goodbye to his magnum opus. That is very hard, beyond the show sailing ahead, and beyond anything else. It also gets to me in a personal way (which no one else can help!) because I am a writer trying to finish a long work, and I'm literally at the equivalent point GRRM is, and--- although he's a celebrated published author, and I'm writing for the sole joy of it--- I think that there is probably something fundamentally similar there, which is that holy fuck it's hard. It doesn't matter how much you know what you need to do, doing it is hard, and writing itself is actually an extremely difficult task. And by writing that means formulating ideas, as well as actual finger to DOS machine.

Writing sometimes is kind of like trying to paint a person, except you've never seen a human being before.

But I think that if GRRM is really committed to his bittersweet romanticism, he can pull off a goodbye, lol. And as much as I quibble with his narrative ethos and sometimes he makes me tear my hair out, I want to see him complete his work, because I think every single author deserves that. And because I think that at a minimum, for something like ASOIAF, the legacy of its ending ought to be his final say. I can't speak to his actual psyche but I do fully believe if he can publish TWOW, he can do ADOS. My observation is that TWOW is structurally much more difficult than ADOS, and I think that's one of many reasons he's been dragging his heels, long before the show caught up. Once he gets to the victory lap of ADOS, he will probably have both a professionally and emotionally easier time in terms of having to finish it. TWOW merges the split threads of AFFC and ADWD, whereas ADOS will only have to follow through (touch wood) on the one book, where many perspectives and their storylines will have converged--- at some point, we may have Sansa, Jon, and Brienne all unified! Which resolves character goals as well as being more economic with POV distribution. This is the angle I find very interesting because I think the way he uses character chapters to establish context and meaning beyond pure character is actually genius and rarely done so well in genre fiction, and I'm completely envious of it. (This is also why Jon/Sansa makes so much sense).

This is a terribly long ask so please don't feel the need to respond line by line, lol. I think I got a little excited! Having a positive fandom interaction is so nice. It's really weird that fandom has become such a polarised place (I mean, we had ship wars, but people kept to themselves more), and you're lucky Jonsa is your first fandom--- well, outside of the anti-Jonsas--- because I think it's a lovely place.

This goes for any Jonsa reading it: thank you all for literally keeping me sane. 🥰🥰🥰🥰 If I may ask, Esther, I think you've said that you came to Jonsa through the show then the books--- what drew you to Tumblr fandom? I'm always interested in how people find fandom!

Dune, anon! I'll tag @transdimensional-void because your convo about it did make me finally watch Dune (although I still don't think I'll read the book, sorry!), but the film was gorgeous. I didn't realize the director was Villeneuve. He always has very interesting projects and arresting visuals. Arrival was such a surprising take on an alien movie and it has really stayed with me. I think he has exquisite pacing, too.

Well now I’m even more concerned about the attempted doxing! Horrifying. The internet can be a wonderful thing, but I swear, it brings out the absolute worst in people.

I totally get what you mean about S*nsan seemingly being a BatB thing, but I’ve suggested before that it’s more in line with one of the old monster movies or even King Kong which love to pair something terrifying with a beautiful woman or little girl. It doesn’t mean romance, it’s the juxtaposition of extremes, raw power being stopped by beauty, violence being calmed by gentleness. There’s that line at the end of King Kong, “It was beauty killed the beast.” IMO, the beast and beauty idea is certainly there for the Hound and Sansa, I just don't think it's Disney's Beauty and the Beast. It's a highly romanticized idea, but not a romance in the way we use the term now.

My parents are both huge readers, not really into novels. My dad liked The Hobbit and LOTR tho, and got really into doing dramatic readings of those at bedtime for us kids. I remember The Hobbit the best because he’d make up tunes for all the songs and sing them. They’re very nostalgic for me, that love extends to the LOTR movies, but made it impossible for me to sit through the Hobbit adaptation. Anyway, I read a few sci fi and fantasy books, but I never really got into it. My little sister on the other hand luuuuurrrvs fantasy and she was the one who got me to watch GoT (I’d heard of the books, hadn’t read them) together, but then we ended up living in different states and she decided that it should be our thing to avoid spoilers and only watch the show when we got together. So, we were always running behind from that point on, but we made it through s5 that way. Eventually we just didn’t have the time to do that, and she was so disgusted with s5 she was happy to drop it completely--never watched another episode. I was too invested to stop, so I watched s6-7 myself and was simply appalled by the characterization of Jon. It made me get online for GoT content for the first time. This was in 2018. I saw that Martin gave interviews saying the show’s ending would be his ending, so I a) sped read the books, b) started listening to some of his interviews, c) saw the term “Jonsa” for the first time in the comments of one.

It took nothing to get me onboard because Jon and Sansa were my favorites, I really loved their scenes together, I hated everything after they separated in s7, and I read a lot of 19th century lit as a teenager, so cousin marriage didn't even strike me as weird in the historical context. I can't remember which meta it was I read first, one of Fedon's or blindestspot's prediction of a Jonsa reunion and marriage from 2013, but I got on tumblr and was totally sucked into the fandom.

“I do kind of only semi-ironically believe they paired Jon with D/aenerys because E/milia Clarke is shorter than Kit H/arrington, where S/ophie is too tall”  — I’m screaming. D&D @ Kit: "Sorry buddy, if you didn’t want your character to fall in love with a mass murdering tyrant you should have kept growing." lmaooooo.

“Jonsa is also deliciously ironic and tragic even if redeemed through an actual marriage (and we have so many weddings, over and over, that a symbolic redemption of Rhaegar/Lyanna's wound is basically being begged for--- Lyanna is realised in many ways in the story, through both Arya and Sansa... but it makes sense they'd redeem two sides to Lyanna, the wild wolfgirl and the girl married to a dragon. The wound inflicted through Rhaegar's absconding with Lyanna has to be redeemed, whether that is positively or shirking the possibility of a Lyanna/Rhaegar union altogether, so the door is open for tragic Jonsa in my eyes.” --You put this so beautifully. I wish you'd get a side blog and post that in the Jonsa tag, I love it!

One of the major puzzles to me is how the fandom all know just how much the text talks to itself, it's notably self-referential, so the way they dismiss the idea of Rhaegar's son and a Stark girl romance...I have a really hard time believing they don't see the logic there, how it would bring things full circle. The way they treat S*nsan as "practically canon" while calling Jonsa a crack ship when we have that hanging over our heads is a little incomprehensible.

“I was meditating on this recently because people were asking whether Cat and Ned would approve, and the marriage is only possible because they're dead. A Jon/Sansa arrangement is only possible because they have lost the people they loved most, and perhaps--- like I've seen suggested!--- it might even drive Arya away.” --I agree with this too. I am very struck by how NedCat, some of the best people and one of the best relationships Martin offers, has this pain and tragedy written into their love. That's a big reason why I can't quite get on board with an easy resolution to Jonsa, because Martin is just drawn to conflict which is why his characters and story is so compelling, but also makes me think, there will be layers to Jonsa, some real pain there.

“And something tells me GRRM isn't interested in predictability. Unless you've read Gothic literature.” — I once posted a list of gothic lit tropes and he’s included all of them. But Gothic heavily influenced horror, and ASOIAF has horror elements, so that isn't totally surprising when you think about it. It still amuses me though!

It’s definitely a real struggle to see the sense behind D&D’s choices but when I was reading an interview looking for a specific quote, I did see that even in 2011 Martin was saying he knew the endgames, which is a) comforting for Sansa ending up safely in Winterfell purposes, b) reassuring for Dark Dany believers, c) hilarious when you think about how many people are still pissed about Arya and Bran’s fates. And Jon? Well, I’ve made my peace with a tragic ending (although I’ve mocked it a great deal too because I can't see how it works), but we all know they fucked him over the most in s7-8, so I could also see D&D trashing what his ending was meant to be in favor of catering to Targ fans. Apparently Emilia has recently reiterated her frustration that Jon “got away” with killing Dany, so like…imagine the rage if he’d killed Dany and then got a HEA in Winterfell. 

My feeling is that Martin told them Jon would kill Dany and they chose to do "the romance" (which imo, they didn't like because the way they wrote and filmed it and permitted Kit to act it just...sabotaged it in every way imaginable) to make it more palatable to her fans who ate it up. They actually are comforted that Jon "loved" Dany and after s8 dropped pics/gifs of him cradling her dead body into our tag bragging that he loved her. Like, D&D made really crappy choices, but I think it was about manhandling their audience while hitting Martin's plot points they knew the Targ fans would hate, not a result of them throwing out the endgames.

“ The condemnation of his procrastination, his apparent carelessness--- that he 'took the money and ran' --I’m not a Martin defender, I have real reservations with some of his choices, but I have family his age and do try to think of him as a person. I find a lot of how people speak of him...well, I have no issue with people being frustrated we don't have TWOW considering how long ago he said he'd finish it (like, back in 2016) and how often since then he's indicated getting close to the end only for it to then sound like he's quite a ways away. As long as people don't harass him, I don't think it's an issue to talk about this in fandom spaces. However, they often sound ignorant of what it takes to write something like ASOIAF, with all the levels he's trying to work on. Also, his writing style sounds like a total nightmare? The idea of tearing things up to fix them seems hopeless to me, and he’s talked about doing this repeatedly—it would be so hard to finish a chapter or several and then realize, nope, gotta rework all of it.

“because I am a writer trying to finish a long work, and I'm literally at the equivalent point GRRM is, and--- although he's a celebrated published author, and I'm writing for the sole joy of it--- I think that there is probably something fundamentally similar there, which is that holy fuck it's hard.” --Oh ho ho! Well, you know that’s gonna make me have all sorts of questions, so if you want to tell me about your work (genre, tome or series, influences, themes etc) I am all ears, but I also know some writers have to keep all that to themselves until they’re done so I won’t pry. Although, because of our exchanges, I would be interested in how you use romance in your own writing.

“writing itself is actually an extremely difficult task” // “Writing sometimes is kind of like trying to paint a person, except you've never seen a human being before.” —dead! I think the issue is, many people don’t distinguish between types of writing? So someone doesn’t distinguish between the goal and what say, a modern romance is attempting to accomplish versus a Jane Austen novel. They might end the evaluation at "like or didn't" and not grasp what all goes into different types of novels, their individual successes or failures, and why some novelists can complete multiple novels in a year, another might spend a few years on one. I think about this a lot when I see people suggest Martin get some ghost writers, and like, this man isn’t churning out genre fiction (which I love, I was a snob as a teen and cured myself, but it is an entirely different kind of writing!), so it's just...a lot of fans totally misjudge the effort required and how easily replicated the work would be.

“I think that at a minimum, for something like ASOIAF, the legacy of its ending ought to be his final say” --I find it incredibly sad every year that goes by and the chance of him completing his series dwindles. People forget that what holds sway over a culture doesn’t always have staying power and a) I think his work is doomed to being forever misinterpreted unless he finishes and b) I don’t think he’ll have accomplished what he wanted to regarding elevating fantasy / getting it the respect he believes it deserves unless he gets to that ending. It's a shame.

I enjoyed reading all your thoughts on Jonsa, the ideas it touches on and how GoT/ASOIAF might differ. Thank you!

[glamfellens]

not to be the guy making a bioware game comparison but the astarion & gale situation really reminds me of the garrus & kaidan fandom shitshow. you know when one character just exists and the fans of the other one decide he's their mortal enemy and must be slandered at all cost. granted i haven't seen astarion fans bring him up on posts about other LIs much but i also don't interact with the bg3 fandom nearly as much as i did with the ME one

i was literally thinking about this earlier!! like oh we are still in a place where we're going to overly criticise a character for their romance flags incorrectly firing instead of taking game mechanics with a pinch of salt?? we're going to hate a character because he talks about a past love interest that isn't the player character? Sigh idk there's just this weird trend where people are so willing to forgive astarion for his cruelty, his selfishness, all of his bad qualities because thats how he learned to survive or whatever, which like yeah i do sympathise with him on that! but then the same kind of empathy and understanding and willingness to give a chance is not extended to other characters like lae'zel, shadowheart or gale because like? idk they don't find them sexy? their pain isnt sexy? exhausting also the criticism i've seen levelled at wyll for being "too whiny"? its just like... every character in this game has been shaped by an abusive authority figure and they will talk about this at length if they trust the player character. why is wyll being singled out as whiny? it's just such obvious racism. because like idk how dare a black character show vulnerability or feelings lol

[kodzukii]

🗯 THE WIND KNOWS ME (BUT I WANNA KNOW YOU BETTER) ft. kise ryouta.

SUMMARY !   in which kise ryouta hears the wind — but not when it comes to you.

PAIRING !   kise ryouta x gn!reader

GENRES ! fluff, romance

WARNINGS !  none!

TAGLIST ! @n0vad (send an ask to be added <33)

WORD COUNT !   670+

NOTE !  i’m a little amazed i actually wrote smth ngl 🤧🤧 anyways hi knb fandom this is my debut <33 ik y’all are dead rn but hopefully this gets a few people to rise from their graves a lil bit 💗 also if the tense is a bit weird ik sorry abt that i rarely write in present tense <//3

kise ryouta hears the wind.

the ceaseless chatter and shuffling of his classmates continues around him. “hey, wanna be my partner?” floats around the room, receiving varied yes or no responses. kise sincerely hopes he may be able to dodge the question just a little bit longer. his gaze stays trained onto the half opened glass barrier next to his seat, giving him a view of the vast, azure sky outside. he sighs discontentedly, mechanical pencil spinning between his fingers. his weary pout deepens the more his fist indents his cheek. 

through his peripheral vision, kise sees a figure walk toward him. he inwardly groans, realising that the dreaded question is now floating towards him. what a shame. he may have jinxed himself this time. with the softest of sighs, he turns toward the figure and – oh crap, not her again. he plasters a smile onto his lips before his displeasure can show. 

“oh, kise-kun! i couldn’t help but notice you don’t have a partner yet! you look so all alone.”

her voice is so grating that kise can almost taste how disgustingly saccharine it was. her bright, glossy lips form into a pout as she says this, and kise muses that the overly cakey makeup on her skin does nothing to hide the rotten personality (and zits) underneath.

“ah… i spaced out while everyone was picking their partners. so it seems i’m the odd one out,” he says with a laugh, voice like honey.

“well, well. i seem to be all alone as well.” 

kise nearly gags at the seductive tone her voice had now taken. her lips seem more red now than ever as she leans in a bit, allowing kise to catch a whiff of her vanilla (artificial– and cheap, he notes) perfume. 

“oh, is that so?”

the wind becomes louder.

“soooo, we’re perfect – i mean, it’s perfect! silly me.”

he wishes the wind would drown out her laughs – it was like a broken violin grating against his eardrums.

“i suppose. but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all.”

and this beholder sees nothing beautiful in front of him.

“you’re right! always so insightful, kise-kun!”

kise thinks his laughs are starting to become out of tune, too.

“heh, of cour--”

“kise-kun? you dropped this in p.e.”

the wind suddenly begins to quieten.

“hey, we were–!”

“(l/n)cchi! i was wondering where that went. thank you so much for returning it.”

to him, the way you glowed was akin to that of an angel. this beholder was proven wrong today. and though he’s never believed in abstract concepts such as fate, today he finds himself thanking the lucky stars midorima seems to oh-so-adore.

“it’s alright. be more attentive of your things next time, okay?”

wow, he really wishes he could hear you lecture him more often. however, before he could do more than nod and say “okay”, you have already left, only a whisper of (and very much natural) scent left in your wake.

he watches you take your seat, scribbling notes in your workbook, likely something to do with the assignment. he thinks he hears the girl’s noisy calls for his name next to him, but his intent gaze stays trained onto your figure. the thoughtful hum that slips from your lips is music to his ears, and he can’t help but find your focused expression rather attractive. and… you’re alone? 

the wind is silent.

the chair scrapes from beneath him as he rises to his full height. with the girl forgotten behind him, he walks toward your desk in confident strides. he sees you look up when you sense his presence, and he sends you a smile as he closes the distance between you two. you smile back! wow, your smile is gorgeous. gemini must be on top of oha asa’s list today (maybe midorima is onto something with his belief in fate, kise thinks).

“hi again, kise-kun. do you need something?”

“yes, actually.”

kise ryouta hears the wind.

but never when it comes to you.

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - I have thoughts on voice overs

Aug 2022 Wk 4

Being a highly subjective assessment of one tiny corner of the interwebs. Organized by which ones (in each category) I’m enjoying the most.

Ongoing Series - Thai

The Eclipse (Fri YT) Ep 3 of 15 - The splinter thing was cute. I liked that they used it to show that Aye is a capable boy, and I enjoy that quality in a character. The disciplining of the 3 queer boys plot is giving me So Much in Love vibes. I’m a little confused by the friendship between Thua and Aye, did that come out of nowhere or is it just me? 

Vice Versa (Sat on YT) Ep 7 of 12 - It’s been interesting to watch Sea come into his own with this show, since at first Jimmy takes up all the air in the proverbial cinematic room. But Sea is good, subtle. Do I feel a little manipulated by the external conflict? Yes. And I still think Jimmy‘s character’s motivation is suspect. In other news, it should not be as weird as it was to watch someone eat carbonara Thai style, but it totally fucked with my head.

21 Days Theory (Sun YT ) Ep 3 of 4 - They are all so cute. The side noona romance, even the side Cyrano romance. I’m deeply grateful they ff the singing trope for me! OMG its so ADORABLE when X&Q switch to using X and Q. Eeeee!!!!!!! Q is so nervous and pleased about it. I love this show so much. The representation of an elder gay advisor, teaching about proper communication and warning of damaging romance tropes, PLUS language play and high school? Everything about this show is in my wheelhouse. 

My Only 12% (Fri iQIYI) Ep 3 of 15 - Well if anybody can advise a lonely confused gay boy in high school, I suppose it’s Fuse Kung. This one is moving along swimmingly, it’s complex, nuanced, and very well done for essentially a simple premise from Thailand. It’s not a pulp, but it’s not high production either. In style it’s more in the vein of UWMA than anything I’ve seen out of Wabi Sabi in a LONG time. Thumbs up. 

Love Mechanics (Sun WeTV) Ep 10fin - I really loved the class conflict with these two, and what it says about the characters in their families. Honestly THIS could’ve been the plot for this whole drama. It would’ve been so much better if it had dwelled in this space of family drama, rather than the chaotic messy bi-slut cheating space. And guess that’s it. That’s the end. Sigh. In the end I went with 6/10, I compare this to My Gear and Your Gown (a classic 6/10), and find it’s about the same. Yes YinWar are great, and they were great in this, but the story was not good, and not improved by being given more time to hang itself. I like the shorter En of Love version better (yes I think they can and should be compared) and I’m was left simply hoping YinWar get more better work in the future. 

Coffee Melody (Mon Viki) Ep 6 of 10 - Pleng & Yi are good communicators (now) but this show is kind of boringly slow. Jean is a KILLER flirt. Like the best, really. Yi should have taken lessons.

Unforgotten Night (Weds on GaGa) Ep 10 of 12 - I got drunk this time in order to make it through. Good thing too, I I NEEDED to be drunk. Because they threw a random threesome and a highly worrying and unstable kink in the shower sequence at me. It’s such a terrible show. TRASH WATCH HERE! I’m gonna start moving this to Thursdays and watching back-to-back with LITA for alcohol consumption reasons. 

Love in the Air (Thurs iQIYI) Ep 2 of 13 - there was a spanking, so that’s something, I guess? DUMPSTER FIRE TRAH WATCH ALONG HERE.

Check Out (Sat IQIYI) Ep 12fin - hadn’t dropped yet for some reason and I could not care less. 

Work from Heart (Thurs WeTV? YouTube?) from DV8 an office BL featuring lots of other couples. Stars Love With Benefits pairing Gameplay & Folk. It isn’t even listed on WeTV streaming in my territory, but it is airing to WeTV Thailand. Probubly still hunting for distribution.  

What If (Mon WeTV) Is on WeTV but for VIP only (pay wall). Neighbors who grew up together and have special feelings for each other but keep it to themselves. And then... university.  My FairygodBLer has provided, so I’ll be reporting in on what I can get starting next week. I must rewatch WBL2 first tho. Priorities!  

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Minato’s Laundromat (Japan Weds GaGa) Ep 9 of 12 - The mystery behind Asuka and Shuu is finally explained, and as @heretherebedork​ points out, is being used as a foil for the main romance thread. Also, the director did this transition around which character is being filmed standing in doorways and on thresholds (from Shin to Minato) that was SO CLEVER I kinda lost my whole tiny mind for a while. I ended up doing an unexpectedly deep dive into this filming trick as a narrative technique on the SQUEE WATCH ALONG . And yes, I think it’s possible this came directly from the manga, the manga seems very very SMART. 

Takara-kun and Amagi-kun (Japan Thurs GaGa & Viki) 2 of 8 - I can’t believe we are getting BOTH these from Japan right now. Japan, and I say this in all seriousness, we do not deserve you. These two are so shy and awkward and cute, and it’s so high school it’s almost unbearable. But I really enjoy the way burgeoning desire works with high school characters better than in any of the other setting Japan might choose. I gnaw on my knuckles and squeal a lot with this show. The handholding is so adorable. Also Amagi is so awkwardly jerky and angular in a way that doesn’t seem overblown like it did in Kieta Hatsukoi. Clever shooting on the erotic dream sequence too. I see what you did there, Japan. Amagi’s fears are all the fears of first love (and not just queer love, anyone’s first). I really like that. Also I really love the internal dialogue that’s happening around communication. Because part of first love should be learning how to talk to each other and communicate. The way Takara communicates is so good and so important to the genre I did a whole post about it.  

Papa & Daddy 2 (Mon GaGa) Ep 4 of 8 - Taiwan handles a love triangle so differently, especially with mature characters. It’s actually kind of beautiful to watch them explore ideas around infidelity, affection, lost love, and rediscovery. Also I love the gay sibling couples sharing tips on how to manage kids and parents. 

Want to See You (Vietnam YT) Ep 13 of 14 - I definitely like it better after the time jump. But I still feel jerked around by the uke’s behavior and decisions. Golden rule of BL: he’s never asleep.

In Case You Missed It

Viki has picked up old fan favorite Ossan’s Love 1 & 2 (the original Japanese version) which I don’t like very much. 

Viki also got Korea’s Love Class, which I enjoyed. review here. 

Japan is airing キスkissキス AKA Kiss X Kiss X Kiss Perfect Scandal starring Ryuga Akahane and On Nakano, on dTV. Depicts an “extremely risque yet beautiful forbidden love between the two idols, A and B, who were in the same idol group. The fans knew that they were good friends. However, the real relationship between them is... lovers.” WHY IS THIS NOT IN FORNT OF MY EYEBALLS RIGHT NOW? (It’s poorly rated so I am assuming sadness.) I am not alone the comment thread of people trying to get ahold of this is insane, seriously Korea why are you sleeping on this idea? 

The OnlyOneOf BL universe crossover continues with part 3. Oh Kpop. 

Gossip

Oh My Assistant is going for the reshoot option. Fascinating. Honestly this says a lot about the KBL industry that it’s so cheap to produce, it’s easier just to redo the whole thing when you’ve  the option on a popular manwha. Original info on why I thought this one was DOA. I’m delighted to be proved wrong but remain nervous over the fact that this is Korean doing high heat. 

Next Week Looks Like This:

Starting this week: About Youth turns out to be uni set, not high school (this is my sad face). Still I’m looking forward to new BL from Taiwan and it’ll be on GaGa starting Monday. 

Ending: Check Out, Want to See You. 

MIP (missing in production): Ghost Host, Ghost House. 

Coming September 2022 we hope:  

9/14 Once Again (Korea) Viki we think. From Moving Picture studio & Idol Romance (Wish You, Ryu's Wedding, Tasty Florida, Tinted With You, and Kissable Lips - also forthcoming Happy Ending Outside The Fence and The Circumstances of Pungdeok Villa Room 304) Stars actors (no idols) Moon Ji Young (also star in an upcoming BL The New Employee), Lee Hyuk Jun, and Kang Woo Jung. time-slip fantasy BL

9/16: More Than Words (Japan) Amazon Prime Video JP adaptation of Etsuko’s two mangas In The Apartment and More Than Words, starring Ryōko Fujino (Fujoshi, Ukkari Gei ni Kokuru), Yuzu Aoki (Kakafukaka), Daisuke Nakagawa (Colorful Love), and Daiki Kanechika (EXIT). 

9/26 Ai Long Nhai (Thai) no international distribution as yet. 

Coming September 2022 we hope:  

Fahlanruk (Thai) WeTV

Comfort the Boy (Korea) - got an R15+ rating for topic & vulgarity, stars idols Jaehan & Yechan BOTH from Kpop group OMEGA X.

Happy Ending Outside the Fence (Korea ) Star Leo of VIXX. 

SELF the series (Thai)

This week’s best moments?

Advising elder gay REPRESENT!!! (21 Days Theory) 

Communication represent! (21 Days Theory) 

This should have been what this series was about (Love Mechanics). Or they could have wrapped the fathers reservations up with Vee’s miss behavior making for a more complex family dynamic because Mark’s dad would have been partly justified. 

Consider I recently did a post all about comparable Asian honorifics including how nong is (and is not) like Japanese -kun, this was very fun to see pop up on my screen. Thank you Love Mechanics. 

I love this friendship group. (The Eclipse) 

Such a little shit. (The Eclipse) 

Honestly? Takara & Amagi hit it out of the park this week, I have a bunch of shots from it because ep 2 was SO GOOD. 

(I’m not gonna tell you want’s happening in this shot, you gotta watch it. SO GOOD.) 

(last week)

current earworm? Jang Woo Hyuk’s Echo 

[vole-mon-amour]

I think Sun Haven is too much for me. Furries, anime characters (absolutely not!), so much is going on that it overwhelms me. And I dislike how my MC looks, which also looks straight from a fantasy anime.

More power to people that love it, but the style is absolutely not for me, I outgrew it more than a decade ago (plus, I often dislike traditional manga, preferring a European oriented/themed approach. Like Castlevania on Netflix). The only anime I'll love is Kuroshitsuji bc I'm emotionally attached to it from 2008 and I ship Seb with Sebastian (but when they're drawn in a more realistic style? Yes please.)

So far the only new farm sim I would really like to buy when it's WAY cheaper is Fae farm. The farming mechanic is nice, although the dialogue mechanic is weird. Why you have to listen to the npcs talking when you just need to turn on a quest is beyond me. Oh, and the romanceable options are, like, six? Which is also weird. Mining seems kinda tedious (while the fighting seems improved compared to SV).

I also liked Snacko, but the dialogues are reeaally weird & I dislike two out of three characters that were available in the demo.

Overall, deep sigh.

upd: Oh, and absolutely not to Paleo Pines. Seems useless, childish, and the quests are unclear. Also, the Dino could use the harness placement on its neck, not on its face.

[snappedsky]

Borderlands: Skies the Ultimate Treasure Hunter

Skies, Gaige, and the Vault Hunters arrive to the Lodge.

*Links to previous and next chapters in reblog*

--

Guns, Love, and Tentacles Part 2

Gaige the ex-Vault Hunter stands next to her robot companion, Deathtrap. She glares at Skies suspiciously. “Hey, Skies. Hammerlock warned me you were coming.”

“Heh, oh yeah?” Skies mutters, “wish he had warned me.”

“You know this lass?” Zane asks as he and the other Vault Hunters stand next to her.

“Yeah,” she replies, “guys, this is Gaige. She was one of the Vault Hunters who uh...took down Jack.”

“Oooh, so you guys got history history,” Amara remarks.

“Juicy,” FL4K comments.

“Hammerlock told me about you guys too,” Gaige smiles, “we go way back. He’s kinda my favourite. I’m the wedding planner.”

“Anyway, we are late!” she booms, “let’s get a move on. The brochure says there is a ‘charming gondola’ that should get us up to the Lodge. Come on! Let’s walk-and-talk.”

Gaige leads the way through the tundra, shooting at any wildlife that get in their way. Skies keeps to the back of group, hanging her head.

“You alright?” Moze asks, patting her shoulder.

“Ah, yeah,” Skies smiles awkwardly. “Just a little...awkward for me. I haven’t seen Gaige in years. If I had known she was gonna be here, I...”

“Ah, come on,” she scoffs, “it’s not like you to be scared. This is a good thing. You can reconcile with her.”

“Yeah, I guess. She probably doesn’t hate me as much Maya did, at least, and I almost had drinks with her.”

They come out onto a cliff with a closer view of the giant monster corpse and everyone takes a second to admire it.

“Man, that is one giant freaking tentacle monster,” Gaige comments, “I mean, it was in the brochure and everything but, oof...the pictures did not do it justice.”

They soon arrive to the gondola and head up the stairs to the top. “Here’s the gondola!” she exclaims, “heh heh, not quite charming but I’ll give it a...rustic? Let’s see if we can get it going.” She pulls a lever on the control panel but nothing happens. “Ugh, the motor’s fried. I’m gonna have to improvise some repairs. See? Planning only gets you so far.”

“Those wires must lead to a power source,” Skies adds, “let’s just see where they go.”

“We’ll see where they go,” Moze says, stopping Skies from leaving the platform.

“Aye, you two have some catching up to do,” Zane adds.

“Ah, w-wait- don’t-!” Skies tries to insist but the Vault Hunters run off giggling, leaving Skies alone with Gaige. They glance at each other and Skies awkwardly clears her throat.

They both wait at the gondola platform, awkwardly silent for a few minutes when Gaige says, “so...what do you think of Hammerlock and Wainwright? Weird pair, right? Hammerlock’s all ‘dashing headlong into danger’ and Wainwright’s all ‘books and glasses of old brown stuff’.”

“You know how hard it was to find a venue they agreed on?” she continues, “but I think I freaking CRUSHED IT! The last thing they wanted was a tourist trap and this place isn’t even on most review sites! Or maps.”

“Heh, yeah,” Skies chuckles, “they are uh...pretty different. But I think that’s why they work. I mean, I don’t know dick about romance, but I’ve seen them together and they seem to...I don’t know...complete each other?”

“Heh heh, you’ve gotten pretty sappy huh?” Gaige remarks.

“Psh, yeah right,” she scoffs.

They both chuckle and sigh.

“You know, when Hammerlock told me you were invited, I have to admit, I wasn’t...sure about it,” Gaige says, “but now that we’re here...it’s good to see you again.”

“Yeah?” Skies smiles. “It’s uh...good to see you too.”

They smile at each other as the Vault Hunters return, coming up the steps.

“Mission accomplished,” Amara states.

“Nice,” Gaige replies, “I think we’re almost good to go back here. Let’s get a move on- we are late!”

She digs around in the engine of the gondola, plugging things in or pulling things out. “Almost...got it...just one more tweak, annnnd...ha! There we go!”

A mechanical whirring starts up and Gaige leads the way to the gondola. “Let’s move! To the party!”

She flips the switch and everyone steps onto the carriage. The door closes behind them and it carries them up into the mountains, closer and closer to the giant monster corpse and soon they arrive to a large, wooden chalet built directly underneath it.

“Hmm, charming,” Skies comments as they walk along the deck to the front door, the word ‘LODGE’ over top of it.

Gaige throws open the doors. “Hey-hey! Vault Hunter delivery- and treasure hunter! Where my grooms at?”

Hammerlock and Claptrap are sitting in comfortable chairs in front of a crackling fireplace. They both stand up as the group walks in.

“Gaige!” Hammerlock chimes, “wonderful, wonderful!”

“Ah, very good, very good” a man behind the bar purrs with a voice that could curdle milk. “More guests for the...big event.” A pale man with a thin moustache, small glasses, and eyes blacker than coal faces everyone with a sinister smile. “Welcome! Welcome to the Lodge.”

Skies and the Vault Hunters glance at each other and approach the bar. “So, be honest, bro,” Skies says, “you’re definitely gonna like try to sacrifice us to some elder god, maybe the one this lodge is built under?”

“Oh, no, no, no,” the man replies, “I am Mancubus Bloodtooth...host and proprietor of The Lodge. Please, please, enjoy your stay. I am always available, should you find yourself in need of...hospitality.”

“Okay...” she mutters, unconvinced, but goes over to the fireplace.

“Skies, so happy you could come!” Hammerlock chimes, squeezing Skies’ hand.

“I’m happy you invited me!” she replies, “I’ve never been invited to a wedding before.”

“You are the first guests to arrive,” he says then side-eyes Claptrap. “At least, the first ones INVITED...”

Claptrap laughs. “Oh, Hammerlock, you’re such a kidder! You know I wouldn’t miss this for anything!”

Hammerlock groans with annoyance.

“Uh, Claptrap!” Gaige says quickly, “I have a super-duper important wedding planner mission for you. I need you to find a...um the Pearl of Ineffable Knowledge. Can you do that for me? The whole wedding depends on it!”

“Minion!” Claptrap gasps, “you want me...to save the whole wedding? You picked the right guy!”

He quickly rolls out of the room and Hammerlock heaves a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank goodness.”

“I am not going to let anything spoil your big day, Hammerlock,” Gaige says reassuringly. “Wait, where’s Wainwright?”

“Oh, Winny’s been such a nervous mess,” he replies, “I’ve tried to get him to relax, but he insists on dashing about, making sure everything is perfect.”

“But,” he continues, “the party must continue! Thank you for trekking all the way out to this frigid wilderness! Winny will be back soon and all will be well. Yes, yes, this will be a celebration to remember!”

“Okay, wedding planner powers activate!” Gaige exclaims, “we need party decorations, stat! Vault Hunters, I’m thinking balloons.”

The Vault Hunters nod and begin putting up balloons all over the Lodge.

“Want me to do anything, Gaige?” Skies asks.

“Nah, Skies, you ain’t a Vault Hunter,” she replies, “this is a holiday for you, right? So holiday it up!” “Sweet,” she grins and sits in a chair in front of the fire, stretching out.

She doesn’t relax long however before a private call comes through her ECHO communicator from Wainwright. “Skies. I have a favour to ask. Meet me in town. And don’t tell Alistair where you’re going- just make up an excuse.”

“Let’s get the night started with a good hunting tale!” Hammerlock declares, “gather round, whilst I recall the time I defeated the Heresian Slitherjaw armed with nothing but a rotten banana!”

“Oh, man, you know I love a good hunting story, Hammerlock,” Skies replies, “but I...feel the call of treasure c-uh c-calling to me...and you know if you don’t answer the call of treasure, they don’t call back. So I’m just gonna go...answer the call...”

“Oh! But you’ve only just arrived,” Hammerlock sighs, “no matter. The banana can wait. And if you see Winny out there, do tell him to come in from the cold.”

“You got it,” Skies grins and hurries over to the side door. But she gets there to find Mancubus blocking it.

“Valued guest,” he says, “I could not help but overhear your plan. I must caution you against entering the town tonight.”

“Why?” she asks suspiciously, “harder to sacrifice me when I’m not in your lodge?”

“You see, the people of this town are all...afflicted in their own ways,” he explains, “some might say...cursed. You might encounter some strange behaviour.”

“Can’t be stranger than this,” Skies mutters and clears her throat. “But I have encountered some curses in my time as a treasure hunter and I do prefer to avoid them. Still, I gotta do a favour for the groom so I’ll just take some back-up. Kiddos!”

The Vault Hunters stop tying up all the balloons and hurry dutifully to Skies’ side.

“Ah, you have a responsibility to assist,” Mancubus nods, “I understand. Do return soon. The Lodge will miss you.”

He steps away from the door and Skies and the Vault Hunters exit out onto the deck and head for the gondola to take them to the town of Cursehaven.

[ajwamiju]

Scene 2: 'A Change of Genre

CW: None really, just some preparations.

Note: Since I'm almost done with act 2, I think I can give y'all a little treat.

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“‘Sumi… when I said I wanted to star in a movie with Suna Rintarou, I didn’t mean a romance drama. And a series at that!” You mutter as you re-read the script your friend handed to you.

“I’m sorry!” Kasumi squeals as she kneels in front of you in an attempt to hide her face. “I really did try to find good horror movies that would star you and Suna, but there is literally none!”

“Okay, I get that, but why a romance drama?” You ask, your brows furrowing even more at the script. “I’m known as the ‘Queen of Modern Horror’! Do you really think I’d be fit to star in a romance drama as the female lead?”

“I tried telling Director Kurosu! I really did! But he insisted on casting you and Suna as the leads!” Kasumi explains as she sighs, sitting up straight. “He said Suna’s manager had already accepted the role and that you’re really needed for the role of the female lead!”

“Damn it!” You curse under your breath as you rub your temples, disgruntled by the current situation. “Fine. But tell Director Kurosu not to expect me to be good at this role.”

You sigh once Kasumi exits your office. You lie down on the loveseat, letting your legs dangle off the armrest. It will be the first in your career, after years of acting as the ghost, murderer, victim, or survivor, this is a role you have the least experience in and you’re basically stepping into the fog blindly.

“Well… I basically accepted already… no use moping around like this…” You mumble to yourself as you will yourself to sit up.

And for the month before your designated filming time, you try to feel the character you’re playing, Shoji Kumiko, while Kasumi reviews the contract and does negotiations back and forth until the contract is agreed upon by you and the filmmakers.

The story isn’t as cliche as you thought for a romance drama. Sure, you notice the usual tropes used, but the premise of the story involves both male and female leads to be somewhat outcasts due to their niche interests or personality, trying to navigate their way through their last year of university together.

Shoji Kumiko, the character you’re playing, is an aloof and quiet forensic science student who has an almost unhealthy interest in religious cults and how they form. She only seems to ramble on about religious cults making her seem weird in the eyes of her peers even if she’s actually quite intelligent overall, already getting offers to work in the police force two semesters before it’s time for her to graduate college.

Ashikaga Hiroki on the other hand, the character Suna’s playing, is a mechanical engineering student who’s a loner and constantly pushes people away due to severe trauma and trust issues from his past. In the movie setting, he’s seen as weird and people avoid him to get away from any of his outbursts from the blurred boundaries he sets.

Kumiko somehow gets through Hiroki’s thick walls, getting him to trust her and open up to her while Hiroki accepts Kumiko’s quirks wholeheartedly, making them have a sweet ending even though the people around them still look down on them. The characters themselves seem to fit your and Suna’s vibes perfectly, no wonder Director Kurosu was so adamant in casting both of you as the leads.

Still, you’re unsure if you’re able to pull this off considering the dramatic and somewhat cheesy lines and scenes you have to act out with Suna. You’re quite sure you’ll mess up a lot during filming as when you’re practising Kumiko’s character alone, you burst out into fits of laughter too many times to count.

The first day of filming rolls around and you and your team arrive at the university where you’ll shoot the scenes needed, meaning you’re staying at a nearby hotel for the next month to complete all the scenes shot in the university. You’re ushered to meet Director Kurosu who smiles at your arrival.

“[Surname]-san! I’m so glad you made it in time. I want to personally thank you again for taking this role.” Director Kurosu says, greeting you.

“It will be quite a challenge for me, but I’ll try my best to embody Kumiko.” You say with a soft smile.

“Oh! Suna-san’s over there, would you like to talk to him first?”

Director Kurosu’s question makes your ears perk up, you’ve always looked up to Suna Rintarou and you would absolutely love to chat and become acquainted with him. You turn your head to where Director Kurosu is pointing at and see Suna there, listening to his manager talk about something, the scene looking like a father (Suna’s manager) scolding his overgrown teenage son (Suna).

Suna’s tall frame has always been noticeable when it comes to most people, visibly muscular even under his hoodie and taller than most Japanese men. His face is a kind of handsome where it looks mysterious and eerie, the kind where his gaze would intimidate another person. Suna Rintarou as a whole absolutely fits the horror genre, either as the villain or the hero of the movie.

“I would like to discuss some parts of the series with him so everything flows more naturally.” You answer, not taking your eyes off of your co-star.

“Then run over everything you need. We’re taking everything slow for today so both you and Suna-san can get used to the flow of everything.” Director Kurosu says. “It’s understandable if you’d like to get used to everything first since both of you have never acted out of the horror genre before.”

“Thank you, I’ll be leaving to go over some things with Suna-san now.” You say with a nod as you walk away from Director Kurosu to talk to your co-star.

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Taglist: @mirophobic @atrashsith @lilith412426 @rntrsuna @reignsaway @fallenisded @sunaemoby (Drop it here to be included in the taglist!)

[warmau]

☆ [nostalgic] summer romance! younghoon had to do something for his late bday because i adore him others: juyeon

the disappointed look jacob gives you as he pulls into the parking lot beside your school is that of a parent, deflated with the rowdy actions of their only child

you hold your physics textbook in your lap in the passenger seat and try to smile at him as some sort of compensation

kevin chuckles from the backseat

"can't believe you're stuck in summer school the year before you graduate."

"shutup kevin the only reason you passed physics is because jacob lives down the street from you and let you copy all his old notes. otherwise, you'd be in there with me."

kevin shrugs and motions for you to get out of the car, you stick your tongue out and thank jacob for the ride

"waterparks gonna suck without you."

he says before he rolls up the window

you groan and mutter a "don't remind me about the waterpark dude" before turning to head inside

the room is barely air-conditioned and your summer physics teacher is some old lady who tells you all to read for the next hour and do the exercises on page one hundred and three

she then puts on an ancient pair of headphones and seemingly tunes you and the other summer school students out indefinitely

she doesn't even notice when the door opens half an hour later and in the frame is the tall, almost infuriatingly handsome figure of kim younghoon

you blink back in surprise - i thought he was a pretty good student?

younghoon notices you too, smiling as he passes your desk to sit in the one behind you

you look down at your textbook and suddenly don't know the weird feeling that washes you over

the room is pretty empty, he could sit anywhere else....

five minutes later, you feel a gentle tap on your shoulder

you turn and younghoon smiles again - his teeth are blindingly white and he doesn't have one acne scar on his pretty face

"do you know if the teacher took attendance?"

you shake your head, "she's basically been comatose since i got here."

he chuckles softly enough that just the two of you hear it

"got it. so we'll just be sitting here in silence for two hours?"

"looks like it."

he takes a pause and looks at you as if he has something else to ask, but it doesn't come out

the first day then drags its feet until finally it's over and you drop your worksheet off on the desk

the teacher mutters that the homework for tomorrow is the next chapter and you give the fakest smile you can muster before trying to beeline for the door

before you can leave though, younghoon calls out your name and you turn to see him standing in the empty hallway

"if i need help with the homework - can i text you?"

you reluctantly make your way back toward him, you take your phone out and hand it to him

"sure, add yourself to my contacts. god this summer is gonna be so boring."

younghoon takes a moment before handing you back your phone, he nods in agreement

"at least we'll suffer together."

you don't think much of it when he says it - actually you don't think about it at all

the only reason it finds its way back into your head is because later that night your phone vibrates and it says you have a text from 'hoon [seven different flower emojis]'

younghoon?

you open it and see that's a long message whining about the confusing chapter you were assigned. you giggle because you've been whining to yourself while reading it too

but as you start to type out a reply you wonder.........

'at least we'll suffer together'.........we barely even know each other? is it really normal to say that - what about being together with a stranger makes summer school of all things better?

your hand hovers over the send button - you close your phone instead and go back to reading, forgetting about the text and falling over yourself in physics terms you should have remembered when you first were taking the class

the next morning, jacob doesn't drive you to school - you walk there and bump into younghoon whose on his way over too

he somehow manages to look tall and unaffected by the sweltering heat

he waves at you with another one of those priceless smiles

"did you do the homework?"

he asks as you fall into step with each other

"barely - i had to look at cobi's old notes."

"cobi?" younghoon tilts his head and you explain that it's a nickname for jacob

something on younghoon's face is confusing, it's like there's a twinge of sadness but you assume it's just a reflex squint to the glowing sun

"you didn't text me back - so i thought you might have given up on it!"

he laughs slightly and you clasp your hand over your mouth

"oh right! sorry - i must have spaced out and didn't hit send. but i totally agree - fluid mechanics could put anyone to sleep."

before you realize it you and younghoon are in the classroom again, sitting in the same seats

you're early so the teacher isn't there yet and younghoon flips to a page from the chapter to ask you if you know what its talking about

you explain what you think it means (from the information you got from jacob's old notes)

and the entire time you're maybe inches away from each other

when you aren't actively thinking about it, it's fine - but then your hands brush and suddenly it dawns on you and you sit back in your seat suddenly

younghoon senses the shift and opens his mouth to say something when the door swings open and a monotone voice tells you to open up to page one hundred and fifty-seven

like what younghoon said and his text, you soon forget about the momentary skinship

your brain starts to melt of boredom as the class drags on and you get past a note from younghoon when the teacher isn't looking

'do you know the answer for problem #3?'

'it's 23.56 m/s'

'woah you're so smart'

'more like the person who used this textbook before me wrote the equation on the page'

'lucky - let's trade textbooks?'

'in your dreams :P'

another long day comes to an end and you wave a goodbye to younghoon, he smiles and waves back and adds a - "reply to my text this time, ok?"

you nod and only again do you think about what he says when you're home and thinking straight under the graciousness of your AC

does that mean he's going to text me?

and like yesterday, younghoon does text you complaining about the reading

you answer and a conversation that comes almost way too easily starts

this cycle starts anew the next day, and the day after that, until at some point you realize you are forming a sort of summer friendship with kim younghoon

and that's normal - that's fine

but there are moments where you look up at him when you're paired together for a makeshift lab or when you've agreed to stay behind some extra hours to study

that you see younghoon in all this detail up close and he's undeniably handsome but also you see something more

for all the years you've been in the same school together, passed each other at parties, probably even stood together at assemblies

you've taken him at complete face value. perfect proportions, always someones crush, the pretty and popular boy who somehow hasn't added complete selfish jerk to that title as well

he's just - kim younghoon - untouchable, out of anyone's league

and now he's more real.

you see the mole on his neck, the way his eyes crinkle when he finds something really funny, the pickiness of his eating habits and how he can't hold a pen properly with his left hand.

they're things that make him human and they're things that you can't help but notice because like anyone, you are instantly attracted to younghoon

it's just crazy that beyond that face there's a boy who you could easily see yourself falling for

of course, you end the thoughts right there.

even though sometimes, you get a weird kind of feeling that younghoon is noticing something about you too.

it really starts to eat at you after you guys are at the halfway point of summer classes - and you have your first test.

you're both panicking about it, because if you don't pass this one - you probably won't pass the final - which means physics again when autumn comes around

so you and younghoon have been spending a lot of time in the library after class with your textbooks, snacks, and jacob's old notes

of course you're both grinding, but distractions happen and you end up taking a break to toss candy into his mouth and doodle cartoons of your boring teacher in the margins of your notes

giggling like maniacs over the inside jokes about class and school you've both come up with, getting scolded by the ancient librarian if you're just a little too loud about it

and then younghoon asks you: "do you have plans after the test?"

you huff and cross your arms

"yeah, to go home and curl up on my bed and forget it ever happened."

he chuckles, puts his hand on his neck and then pauses - what you think is a light pinkness starts to dust his skin

"same, but if you want instead i though-"

your phone goes off just as the words string together - you pick it up and try to wave an apology to the librarian who rolls her eyes at you

with a whisper you turn your head to answer

"what? jacob? what - no i don't know where kevin is i thought he'd be with you."

younghoon's lips thin out and you barely react as you duck under the table you're studying at to keep your voice low

you finish the call and come back up with a sigh

"what were you saying by the way?"

younghoon shakes his head

"nothing, is kevin ok?"

you get back in your seat and you don't want to comment on the weird thin blanket of tension that seems to undertone the question

"he's fine, jacob will find him over at eric's or something."

you look at younghoon and he doesn't return your gaze, he's pushed his chair in closer to the table and picked up his pen

you do the same and try to break whatever this weirdness is

"should we go over chapter five again?"

that moment replays in your head for almost a week straight, it almost distracts you during the test but thankfully you and younghoon both pass

you flaunt your 84 versus his 82 but the happiness of it seems to wash away any excess awkwardness from before

at least for him, for you - you somehow can't stop analyzing it in your head

to make matters worse, more pocket-sized interactions like this start to pop up

younghoon is always seemingly on the verge of asking you to hang out with him outside of class but he never really does

something always stops him

and you kind of start to wish he just would, or if the question that's always on the tip of his tongue isn't that - then you really want to know what it is

you overthink and it frustrates you more than you admit, but at the same time younghoon had been right when summer started

the fact that you have each other to suffer together actually doesn't make this whole thing worse than it originally was going to be

the only reason you're having a tolerable summer is because of him

you don't want to ruin it by prying him with questions

wanting to know if he wants something more than just a physics class-based friendship

because it gets to a point where you don't know what to do, you ask your best friends

when you explain that you and younghoon just click - and it seems like he might want to be around you more, the way you want to be around him -

jacob and kevin give you the same look

jaocb's just nicer when he says "why don't you ask him to hang out first?"

while kevin just laughs and calls you a big dummy - popular pretty boy or not, that's crushing behavior you're describing

you think about it

what's stopping me from asking him first? seriously - am i going to be that person who needs to wait around for prince charming to pull the first move?

so you decide you will, it takes jacob giving you a pep talk before you go into class the next day but you are resiliant

and when younghoon comes through the door - you stand up

"oh, a standing ovation did i do something right?"

he jokes and you have to tell yourself not to focus on how cute he is and get straight to the point

"do you want to hang out after class?"

younghoon's bag drops from his hands and you both kind of startle at the noise

oh shit. here it comes. the big 'oh i hope you don't think this is something more than it is....' line

"oh - i - sure, i mean i saw jacob's car in the parking lot is he not gonna pick you up later?"

you blink in confusion

"no, why would jacob come pick me up?"

younghoon and you have a moment of complete silence and then

"you're dating him, right?"

you're pretty sure you let out a sound that's a mixture of a little yell and an attempt at a laugh

it's embarrassing and before you can backtrack it, the door opens and the teacher snaps her fingers for you and younghoon to sit

as you do - you realize your entire body has gone kind of numb

is that the reason he's been dancing around me this summer, because of jacob?!?!?!

you turn before the teacher can even write the pages to work on on the board

"no!"

you exclaim and younghoon blinks those big, brown pretty eyes at you

"i am definitely not dating jacob bae!"

a sense of relief seems to wash over his face, but you can't even enjoy the way he looks happy because the teacher clears her throat

"the matter of who you are or are not dating is not the topic of this class - physics is. so pay. attention."

you nod, looking down at your textbook as the other students snicker to themselves

halfway through the class younghoon passes you a note

'how about we go see a movie or something?'

your first date goes well.

actually it goes really really well because it turns out younghoon is scared of horror movies and you're not and when he nearly jumps into your arms with fear you just laugh and hold him close

by the time it ends he's got his head completely in your neck and you have your arms wrapped around his waist

it's actually insane how comfortable you two are with touching each other despite the fact that all of summer you would knock knees and it would set both of you into a state of petrification

and when you text your gc after, jacob sends a thousand loving emojis

and kevin replies with: but is he a good kisser tho?

turns out he is, although he kisses with a shyness that is unexpected considering how loud and fun he can get around you

he lets you take the lead, which is nice, and when you kiss him right on the jawline he inhales sharply and you figure out the part of kim younghoon that gets him all worked up

a secret you're sure the rest of the student body will be jealous of you for knowing

the summer goes from tolerable to magical in the snap of a second

your classes finish, you and younghoon both pass the final and celebrate with ice-cream and a trip to the amusement park

you end up on the ferris wheel and younghoon sheepishly admits he had always been a little sad thinking about how you were doing these fun things with jacob and not with him

and you scrunch your nose up and tell him the last time you and jacob were on a ferris wheel together you were comforting kevin for his random fear of heights

speaking of moonbae, they both really like you and younghoon together

jacob thinks he's a mannered young man and kevin is just like soooooo you're nice enough to put up with them (you) you must be a saint

the four of you finally get to go to that water park you missed out on in the beginning and while you and younghoon are holding hands on the lazy river sharing little cute kisses

kevin is splashing jacob to a point where the lifeguard on duty has to intervene

younghoon still sometimes dances around what he actually wants to say or do - and so you coax it out of him with the threat of complimenting him

which you learn is your greatest weapon, you call him pretty and it's practically game over

but seriously he just tucks you into his arms and mumbles something and you're like hmmm and he's like mumbling and you're like younghoon words or i will list the top five things i like about you and he's like

"oK i just wanted to ask if you wanted to stay over........."

you do :) and when you take the liberty of stealing a big flannel of his younghoon hides his face in his hands for like ten minutes straight

before autumn finally comes around for good - you and younghoon talk about how you both flunked physics

you explain that you just did not put the effort in at all and skipped more times than you could count, but younghoon just says he thinks he just messed up pretty bad on the final

"why did you do bad on the final?"

he looks away and you scoot closer, "younghoon?"

"well remember how we all took the final with our seats switched ..... the teacher put me next to you and it was distracting...."

"no way - are you saying im the reason you were in summer school?!?!"

you sit up and younghoon does too with a laugh

"maybe - but it was worth it. i got to spend a whole summer with you."

years down the line you still bring the story up as a fun meet-cute

everyone thinks younghoon is 100% joking, there's no way he failed a final because he was sitting next to his crush

but younghoon swears it's the reason why - he's sure if he could find his original test paper he could show everyone that where he was supposed to have written out the equation he just wrote your name down ten times

jacob accuses him one day for flunking it on purpose since he probably knew you were going to end up in summer school

you turn to your fiancee and ask him is that true, did he really fail it on purpose to spend more time with you?

younghoon's ears turn pink and the whole room erupts into laughter

"younghoon, why would you do that!"

you push him gently, your hand on his chest with the glittering band he gifted you

he shrugs back with a big smile

"i really really really liked you - and hey, it worked out didn't it?"

[padawansuggest]

Also hot take: Peli is my fave character and I hope season 3 is her and Din being disasters together. She’s the one who has three different Jawas in her bed over the course of the season (with jokes saying ‘she doesn’t even realize they’re different Jawas they’re communal creatures’ lmaooo) and he’s the ex-Mormon with a kid and just found out his sexuality has an actual name and not just ‘weird’ (it’s panromo asexual) and they raise small children, space ratties, and droid babies together. The BD unit is actually their second toddler now. All BD units are toddlers. Fennec and Boba keep inviting them to brunch so once a month they close up the garage (where they nerd out on making badass ships together all the time it’s super cute) and head over to Boba’s palace where the teen mods and entertain Grogu (as well as the Tusken child and also the entire hoard of Cult-Watch kiddos they found cause obviously they all survived too) and the BD unit and Fennec and Boba force them to gossip about boring things like romance and parenthood and Din has a family now. Luke keeps showing up to play hot potato with Grogu with Din and Peli probably def knows him cause she watched him be a teenage dirtbag himself when he was a teen and she was just getting her garage settled. Also R2 causes chaos with the BD unit and Grogu as his sidekicks.

Does anyone else realize how much I love Peli? Main characters who do important shit whomst???? I just want a bunch of middle aged queers getting together for brunch with their baby queers (the mods are also invited but they choose to entertain the babies most of the time cause Fennec and Boba are too much like mom and dad to properly gossip with) and run a mechanics garage. Thank you. This is all I need. Luke is considering trying on Leia’s dresses and he hasn’t told anyone about the impulse yet but when he mentions it it’s oddly enough Boba who’s got the most experience with drag queen-ing and gives him tips. They ask Fennec briefly about wearing dresses and tips for them and she’s all ‘I have NEVER worn a dress in my adult life wtf’ but she gives Drash Drag King tips instead cause she feels like she could give someone some really important life advice here.

Black is trans and he’s not sure if he should bring it up yet. He’s not afraid they won’t accept him. He’s afraid they’ll think he’s One Of Them now.

Luke drags Mara along for next months brunch and sits her next to Fennec like ‘she wants to be a King help her plz’ and then six hours later he’s limping cause she took to being a king too well and he can’t sit right anymore. Whoops.

Grogu eats everything that falls on the floor like a horrid little gremlin tooka and Luke and Din just sigh and accept that he’s like this.

This started as a mechanic AU and ended as queer brunch. That’s usually how it goes.

[thewordworrier]

Call Me Babe For The Weekend - Chapter Twenty Five

Series Masterpost

Word Count: Just under 5k. Notes: Chapter title from “The Sharpest Lives” by My Chemical Romance. Almost there guys, one more!

Chapter Twenty Five - A Kiss And I Will Surrender

Shelly made her way to Gerard’s office building as quickly as she could. Halfway there, she was almost tempted to take her shoes off and run, before she could lose her nerve. Needless to say, she was a little tired by the time she stepped in the elevator and pressed the right buttons to go up to his office. Actually, she missed the button the first time because she was so nervous; her hands were starting to shake. As soon as the doors closed she checked herself in the mirrored walls, grateful that she looked reasonably presentable. The elevator ride up to Gerard’s floor normally didn’t take that long but today she felt like taking the stairs would’ve been quicker, even in heels. She knew that was ridiculous because literally nothing about the lift or its mechanics had changed. Maybe she was just impatient, even though she was also kinda terrified. She stepped out of the elevator and made her way down the corridor to his office. Jesus Christ, she must’ve been nervous, because the corridor felt like it had stretched and she wasn’t sure what was louder; the sound of her heels on the floor or the thudding of her heart against her ribcage. Too soon for her liking she was standing outside his office door, and she knew she needed to knock, really she did but… What if she was wrong? But what if she was right? All she had to do was turn up - that’s what her grandmother had said. Turn up and go from there. Shelly swallowed and knocked on the door. There was a brief pause before she heard him give permission to enter. She gave herself a brief once over, straightened her shoulders and pushed the door open, forcing herself to keep her eyes down until she’d closed the door behind her. Only then did she give herself permission to seek him out. Gerard was sitting at his desk, shirt sleeves rolled up to above his elbows, head in his hands. She wasn’t sure but she thought she could see a few more undone buttons than normal. He looked like he’d been running his hands through his hair, maybe tugging on it here and there in… Possibly frustration, she thought. His suit jacket was thrown over one of the chairs in front of his desk, which was covered in paperwork. That was unusual; she’d never seen it so messy before. She had to speak; she had to say something, she knew that, but she didn’t know where to start. She must’ve stayed quiet for a little too long, because Gerard removed his face from his hands and looked right at her. She wasn’t sure what his expression had been before, but she noticed that it changed to… Relief? “Shelly.” She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth, biting down on it. She hadn’t realised how much she’d missed the way he said her name. “Shelly, oh thank god, you’re alright.” His shoulders relaxed, but the words started falling out of his mouth. “I nearly came by the shop, I was tempted to come by your apartment, but I didn’t want to be weird and I thought it might scare you.” “I’m sorry.” Shelly hesitated before taking a few steps away from the door. “For making you worry. I didn’t mean to do that.” “Why’d you go quiet on me Shell?” He watched her slowly make her way over to his desk, tentatively, a little like a shy animal. “Is everything okay?” “I…” She reached the chairs in front of his desk and cautiously held onto the back of the closest one. “It wasn’t, no.” He frowned. “It wasn’t? Is it now?” “Um…” She dropped her bag onto the seat of the chair she was holding onto. “It might be.” “Did I do something wrong? Because I’m sorry if I did. I don’t know what I did but I’m still sorry.” Gerard pushed his chair back a little, but stayed sitting down, not wanting to move too much in case he spooked her. “No! No, it wasn’t you. It was…” She sighed and shook her head before leaning down and pulling something out of her bag. Gerard watched her for a moment. She pulled some paper out of her bag and stayed in one spot, looking over it. Carefully, he pushed himself to his feet and made his way around his desk to lean against the front of it, just to be a bit closer to her. “Are you alright? You’re not sick are you?” “No, no I’m okay.” She swallowed. “I… We…” “Take your time.” Shelly smiled a tiny bit at his gentleness before she huffed and waved the bit of paper. “We have something to sign, right?” Gerard felt his heart hit his shoes and hoped it wasn’t written on his face. “Um, yeah, that’s true. Give me a minute to tidy my desk real quick, okay?” Shelly nodded and sat on the other chair, leaning back against both the back of the chair and his suit jacket. She watched him as he made quick work of shuffling all the paperwork into a single pile, which then ended up in the corner. Soon after that, he opened a drawer and pulled out his own copy of their agreement, which he put on the desk before resting his elbows on the wood, lacing his fingers together and resting his chin on them. It wasn’t too far off the position he’d been sitting in way back when they first started this whole… Situation. When he’d called her to his office and then proceeded to drop her notebook on the wood between them. Except this time… His hair was darker and it was longer, his expression softer and she knew so much more about him. She was nervous for a different reason. He was still wearing a suit from her grandfather’s. But, she still thought he looked incredible. Still edible. That thought made her smile a little to herself; some things never changed and maybe that was a good thing. Gerard watched her gaze move from his desk as soon as he put his copy of their agreement on it. It dropped to her lap, where her copy was, but she didn’t seem to be looking at it exactly. He noticed her lips form a tiny smile and wondered why. Maybe because it was all going to be over soon? He cleared his throat quietly and she looked up at him. She hummed, stood up and put her copy on the desk next to his before reaching into the inside pocket of her blazer and pulling out a pen, which she offered him. He had his own, they both knew this, but he took hers anyway, just to touch her again even if it was only briefly. He signed his copy of the agreement, feeling her eyes on him the whole time. Before he pulled her copy close so he could sign it, he looked up at her to find her looking at him with an expression on her face that he couldn’t read, and he didn’t like that. She noticed him looking at her and offered him a small smile, which naturally he returned before going back to signing her copy of the agreement. Shelly watched him, kinda more focused on his fingers and hands than anything else. Any other time, she probably would be thinking about how they might feel on her body in all kinds of sexual situations, but right now she was remembering the way her hands fit in his, the way he held her hand to kiss the back of it, the firmness of his grip when he wrapped his arm around her waist to hold her against him and how much of a comfort his hand on her waist had become. He cleared his throat softly and it made her jump and look back up at him to see him arching a single eyebrow at her. “Sorry,” she whispered. “I got a little lost in my head.” “It’s okay.” He offered her her pen back, trying not to sigh when he felt her fingertips brush against his hand as she took it. She clicked the pen closed and turned both agreements around to face her, her eyes scanning them as she nibbled her bottom lip. Gerard tried not to stare at her mouth too much, really he did, but he’d been haunted by memories of the way they’d kissed at the wedding for the last… However long it had been since then. The pureness of it had reminded him of the kiss they’d shared just a few feet away on the couch in this office way back in the beginning and how impure that almost was. She’d almost ended up in his lap and he’d almost let her. He was really regretting hitting the brakes on that now. He could almost feel her signing her name on his heart with every stroke of the pen on that paper; engraving a reminder that she’d been there that would last for the rest of his life. A little bit similar to the way people carved their initials in trees, except she was carving her whole name. Shelly finished dating the second agreement, clicked her pen closed and hummed softly, moving to stand up straighter and put the pen back in the inside pocket of her blazer. Gerard watched all of this, and was still watching her when she looked back at him. He wasn’t sure if she was aware that she was biting her bottom lip, but it reminded him of something else. “Ah, um, hang on…” Shelly cocked her head as he stood up and went to retrieve his suit jacket off of the chair in front of his desk. She watched him hold it up before pulling some sheets of paper out of the inner pocket. He unfolded them and looked them over briefly, pink rising to cover his cheeks before he cleared his throat, folded them back up and offered them to her. “Hmn?” She looked confused as she took them from him. Gerard watched, almost in horror as she leant back against the edge of his desk before unfolding the sheets of paper. He watched her eyes scan the text on them before realisation dawned on her. “Oh! Hmn. I’d almost forgotten that you had another copy, if I’m honest.” She looked over the top sheet again, frowning slightly before turning that single piece of paper over and looking at the back. “Hmm…” “Wh- what?” Gerard said. “You’ve folded and unfolded these a lot in the time you’ve had them Mr. Way,” she avoided his eyes, but had a tiny grin on her face. “Have you perhaps been studying these? Memorising them maybe?” She’d looked up at him with this last question and Gerard swallowed quietly, trying in vain to come up with something to say; something clever, something flirty - it didn’t matter, but he needed something. When he’d been silent for a little while, she smiled, shook her head gently and folded the papers back up, sliding them in one of the outer pockets of her blazer, the smile fading off of her face as she did this. “So,” she said quietly a minute later. “That’s it then.” “Yeah. That’s all done.” She swallowed softly. “I’ll leave the breaking up to you, I guess?” “Ah, yeah…” He paused and found that he couldn’t look away from her for a moment. “It won’t reflect badly on you. I promise. Don’t worry.” Shelly looked up to see that he’d sunk down into one of the other chairs and was focused on fiddling with his watch. This wasn’t what she’d expected - she didn’t know what she’d been expecting but it hadn’t been this. Had she been wrong? Had she misread everything? She’d turned up - that had been hard and had used up all her bravery. She’d turned up and now what? What was she supposed to say? Where was she supposed to go from here? “Okay,” she whispered before swallowing, any confidence she’d previously had now dying in her chest. “I… I guess I’ll go, then.” Gerard looked up to see her pushing herself away from the edge of his desk and moving to grab her bag. She took a few steps away from the chairs before he found his voice. For the most part. “Shelly, I…” She turned to look at him, hugging herself a little bit. “Yes?” Gerard opened his mouth, trying to get literally anything else to come out but… Nothing. And he was so internally angry because if he didn’t say something she was just going to walk out of his office and then everything would be weird and he wouldn’t have this opportunity again. He watched Shelly tilt her head slightly as she waited, a small frown on her face. He swallowed again and finally something came out. “Is now a good time to point out that I caught the garter at the wedding?” “I… And I caught the bouquet? So what?” Shelly’s frown deepened and she shook her head. “They’re old wives tales, Gerard. It doesn’t mean anything.” Her eyes dropped to the floor and the volume of her voice did the same. “Like everything else. It wasn’t real, Gerard.” “What if it was?” She looked back up at him, her frown gone but replaced with a look of confusion. It took a few minutes for the words to sink in before she snorted quietly and she spoke before she even thought about what she was going to say. “You’re kidding me, right?” She watched him blink rapidly at her for a moment before she shook her head and sighed. “I thought so.” Gerard watched her shake her head and start to head towards the door again. He growled to himself and turned his back, hoping that maybe the window would give him some answers, but still desperately listening for the sound of his office door opening. “Gerard.” He turned and noticed that she’d stopped again, and was looking at him once more. She bit her bottom lip, twisting her fingers in her clothing - that was one of her nervous ‘tells’ though he wasn’t sure why she would feel that way. “Before I walk away,” she continued. “I just have to know one thing.” His heart had picked up the pace at the first sentence. “What’s that?” She paused for a moment and nibbled her lip again. “It’s a stupid thing, but, I think it’ll eat away at me if I don’t at least ask.” “What?” She glanced to her left for a moment and her cheeks went that beautiful shade of pink that he’d seen a lot over the last few months. She opened her mouth to speak, closed it and swallowed before finally managing to get her words out. “How accurate was I?” He raised an eyebrow. “Accurate? In regards to what?” “The…” She paused and lightly touched her blazer pocket, where she’d put the sheets he’d copied from her notebook. “The thing that got us here.” Gerard blinked rapidly and she met his eyes with a small smile, almost like she knew that he was putting it together, and like she knew that he was thinking about it. He swallowed a little before straightening his back. Her eyebrow rose and he wasn’t sure if it was a question or a challenge, but decided the latter would be far more fun. He crossed the space between them in fewer strides than normal. One hand grabbed her waist as the other cupped her cheek as he kissed her; with as much of that ‘stubborn Aries determination’ that she was always saying he possessed, as he could. He could feel her hesitating, so his fingers tangled in the hair at the back of her head as his other hand slid around her waist to pull her tightly against him so he could grab at her that way. So he could grab at her and pull her against him, hold her there and keep her by his side, which is where this incredible woman belonged. He was determined to pour how he felt into this kiss, to get her to understand the way he felt about her without having to actually say it. Although would saying it actually be that awful? Would it be that hard? Probably not, but this felt better. Gerard tightened his grip on her, refusing to let her go and hoping to melt that hesitation like she’d so easily melted the icy barriers he’d kept around his heart, his soul, for the last few years. That she had just come in and destroyed with her non judgemental ways, warm heart and engulfing presence. This girl was pure Leo in every sense of the word; from her spitfire like personality, her unyielding loyalty and her fierce protectiveness. She was the brightest light he’d ever encountered in his life and, much like when a moth is attracted to a flame, he’d touched and he’d been burned. Yet despite that he couldn’t find it in himself to stay away. He couldn’t, wouldn't and more importantly, he didn’t want to, singed fingertips and burned feelings be damned. If he didn’t try, he would never know and that would be worse than any scar any burn could ever give him. “Come home with me and I’ll show you.” “G- Gerard - ” She took a small step back from him, but otherwise didn’t move. Well, she hadn’t immediately turned on her heel and run away, and she’d kissed him back a bit with her hands on his chest, so that was a good sign. “Tell me that wasn’t real,” he pleaded. “Tell me that didn’t feel real, and I’ll leave it alone.” Shelly stood in a stunned silence for a minute. “I… I can’t tell you that.” “It might’ve started out as nothing but quite frankly, pornographic stories and fantasies and thoughts,” Gerard continued, taking her hands and smiling a little as he saw her blush. “Stories started by you, thoughts and fantasies continued by me.” Shelly giggled very softly, still blushing. “But they, the thoughts, didn’t stay that way. It wasn’t pornographic all of the time. Sooner than I anticipated, they started becoming a little more innocent, a little more…” He paused to think about it. “Domestic?” “O- oh?” She watched him kiss the back of both of her hands. “Like?” ”Like, I don’t know, snuggling on the couch after a long work day, in the evening when the ki - ” Gerard cut himself off and let out a slight groan, letting go of one of her hands to cover his face. Shelly knew exactly where he had been going - she wasn’t born yesterday. Tentatively, she used her free hand to gently run her fingers through his hair, smiling when he seemed to relax a little, dropping his hand from his face and grabbing her hip instead. “Fuck,” Gerard muttered, seeing the look on her face and knowing full well that she’d filled in the rest of his sentence. “Okay. Screw it. Sometimes I think about... Not just like a raw, passionate one night stand, but believe me I’ve thought about that a lot - ” “When you’ve not been re-reading my stories,” she teased gently. Gerard at least had the decency to go a very nice shade of pink but he couldn’t help but smile at her. “Well, I meant it when you said that you have a way with words.” “If you’re the Way, am I the words?” He laughed and pulled her against him again, incredibly pleased when she didn’t resist as he wrapped his arms around her and buried his nose in her hair. “Please. You can be that any time.” He held her a little tighter as he felt her slide her arms around him. “The tea to my coffee, the sun to my moon, the Lion to my Ram, the music to my art,” he shifted so he could gently lift her chin to look at her properly. She blinked rapidly at him and he swallowed. “I’ve thought about more than that; more than the good night I think I can give you. I’ve thought about a future with you.” “A future?” Shelly tucked some of her hair behind her ears. “Y- yeah,” he croaked, gulping to get his voice back. “I mean. If you want. It doesn’t have to be anything too serious, it doesn’t even have to last that long but I - ” Instead of putting her arm back around his waist, she cupped his cheek. “Gerard. Take a breath.” He did as he was told, humming softly at the feeling of her fingers on his cheek. “There we go,” she whispered, still gently stroking his cheek. “Try again.” Gerard placed a hand over hers, turning to gently kiss her palm and taking a minute to choose his words. Shelly giggled as he kissed the palm of her hand and gently squeezed his cheek. Although she chose to remain quiet and wait. “Okay,” he exhaled softly, before leading her over to the chair behind his desk and making her sit down. She raised an eyebrow but did as she was told, putting her bag down on his desk. “Look, here’s the thing,” he wrung his hands together for a moment before he started to pace slowly. “For the longest time, I thought this job was what I wanted and that I was happy. I thought I had a great life.” Shelly leant her elbow on the armrest of his chair and rested her chin on her hand. “Then all of my friends started having their moments, like I told you on my couch that day. Mikey got engaged and I started questioning things a little. And then I met you.” He looked at her and spoke softer. “I met you. You came along with your entire self, your sass, understanding and your patience. You came along with your picnic dates, travelling art shows and you listened to me. You shredded up the blueprints I’d drawn up for the rest of my life and showed me that yes, I was very much indeed missing something and that I wasn’t truly happy. I wasn’t happy in the slightest. But you made me realise that I could be.” She wanted to interrupt, to say something, maybe even get up and interrupt him with a kiss, but she had a feeling that he had more he wanted to say, more he wanted to get out. “I thought that all of this fancy stuff - my car, my watches, my suits and whatever. I thought it all made me happy. But they don’t make me happy. They’re not what I want,” Gerard paused and chewed his lip for a moment. He swallowed when he realised that she hadn’t taken her eyes off of him, but he continued. “You make me happy. You’re what, who, I want. You make me so incredibly happy and I want you to stick around. You make me want to be domestic, for goodness sake. I never really thought that I’d want that.” Shelly ducked her head to hide behind her hair as she giggled softly, biting on her bottom lip to try and muffle the sound. When she glanced up, Gerard was looking at her with the fondest expression painted all over his face. Her eyes met his and his small smile faded as he ran his hand over his face and let out a sigh. “I know… I know I don’t deserve you; I trapped you into helping me and that was so incredibly wrong, but you were so graceful to go along with it, and smart by wanting it all in writing too… And you knocked it out of the park because not only do my family love you,” Gerard paused and took a small breath. “I do too.” Her elbow almost slipped off of the arm of the chair so she held her hands in her lap and she sat up straighter. “I... What?” “I... I love you.” Her eyebrows rose and her jaw almost dropped. “I… I don’t know if I have anything that you’d want,” Gerard continued quietly and quickly, rubbing the back of his neck and doing his best to avoid looking at her. “Either in general or in a romantic partner, but I would really, really like a chance.” Shelly had ended up on her feet by the time he’d finished the first sentence and had started rubbing the back of his neck. She crossed the gap between them as quietly as she could, pressing herself up against him and only having to lean up a tiny bit to press her lips against his. Gerard felt this and his hands went to her waist, both to steady her and to make sure she was real; that this was happening. “Shelly, I - ” “Shut up,” she murmured, running her hands up his chest to wrap her arms around his neck. “Shut up and kiss me again.” Gerard went to oblige before she stopped him with her hands on his chest. “Wait, wait,” she grabbed his hands. “Better idea.” He blinked rapidly and let her lead him over to the couch in his office, also letting her guide him into sitting down before she sat next to him. He raised an eyebrow at her and she giggled. “Normally when you kiss me I get a little weak at the knees,” she confessed shyly. Gerard leant forward, took her face gently in his hands and kissed her softly. She hummed against his lips and melted against his body as she wrapped her arms around his neck. The whole kiss wasn’t dissimilar to the first one they shared on that very couch in that very room, all those weeks ago. Except this time, when Gerard licked into her mouth and started to tug her into his lap, neither of them stopped it. If anything, he held her tighter and pulled her closer, smiling when she giggled against his lips and kissed him harder. He still pulled away first though, trying really hard not to smile too big as she rubbed the tip of her nose against his, giggling quietly but remaining in his lap. “Um…” He was cut off by her kissing him again; a short but hard kiss that almost took his breath away. “Jesus. Um… God, I’ve been wanting to kiss you properly for so long.” “I know,” her voice was soft and almost shy, as she rested her forehead against his. “I’ve been wanting the same thing.” “So, um. What now?” Shelly leant back a tiny bit and looked him over before gently running her fingers through his hair, staying quiet for a few minutes. Gerard hummed softly, tilting his head to her touch, but otherwise let her gather her thoughts. “If the way you really are is the same as the way you’ve been with me over the last few months,” she said after a minute. “And I think it is because of how quickly and how easily you fell into the boyfriend role - ” “That’s because that is how I am,” he admitted, leaning forward to press a kiss to her throat. “I’d do anything, give anything, be anything for my partner.” Shelly hummed and nodded. “Then I don’t think that you need a chance.” Gerard frowned, clearly confused and wondering where she was going with this. “In that case,” she continued, pressing her lips to his forehead. “I don’t need to give you a chance because you’ve already proven yourself.” She swallowed. “And I already know that you’re who I want. If you want me too.” “Yes,” he kissed her hard. “Oh god, yes, I do. Are you sure?” “So sure.” She swallowed. “I... I love you too, Gee.” Gerard smiled brightly and kissed her again, feeling her smile against his lips. “So,” he chewed his bottom lip. “You’re my girlfriend now?” Shelly giggled and nodded. “Yes. No contract needed.” He laughed and held her tightly. “Agreed.” “Though truthfully?” She cupped his face in her hands. “I think I have been the whole time. I think I stopped acting very quickly.” “I think I did too,” Gerard smiled and gently removed one of her hands from his face so he could kiss the back of it before lowering his voice. “What… What now?” “We’ve got some catching up to do, I think,” Shelly said. “I think you should take me out and then take me home.” “Mm,” he pulled her against him and pressed kisses to her lips. “Can I just skip to taking you home?” She tried pretending to be cross but the smile on her face said she felt very differently. “Mr. Way, that's very rude.” “I’ll buy you dinner afterwards?” “Afterwards?” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Not before?” “Oh, babe,” he grinned and moved to speak into her ear, lowering his voice and deepening his tone. “I’m gonna make you work up an appetite.” Shelly hummed and felt a shiver travel down her spine. Gerard chuckled at her hum, his voice still low and near her ear. This made her swallow and nibble her lip. “Is that a challenge?” She managed to get out eventually, with a small smile. “Or a promise?” “I mean,” he rested his forehead against hers and smiled when she giggled. “There’s a few things I’ve been dying to try.” “Oh really?” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Would they be things you’ve read, by any chance?” “Yes. I…” He grinned at her. “I might’ve read a very interesting book.”

[nincompoopydoo]

LOVE IS STRANGE

PAIRING: Poe Dameron x reader WORD COUNT: 1.9k SUMMARY: The union of Ireca and Mohash may seem a typical cliche of love in comparison to your depressingly lonely state, but when a certain poster boy pilot emerges during the celebration, you wonder if love works in other underlying ways. A/N: I found this in my google docs, first written about a year ago. so, wohoo i present to you my first ever poe dameron content, i think? he's so charming and carelessly beautiful. please leave a comment and tell me what you think or what else you'll like to see from me 💖 gif by @john-seed from this gifst WARNINGS: mentions of alcohol and getting drunk, space swearing. support my writing through ko-fi💖 MASTERLIST

Love is strange. Delicate yet fierce. So forceful that it manages to seep through the cracks created by bombs and gunfire of war. Unexpected at times, appearing out of nowhere. Yet, it’s beautiful because it brings those with beautiful hearts and minds together, entangled in the constant dance of intimacy and devotion.

It’s what Ireca and Mohash have.

Ireca was from the Logistic division, a mechanic herself and your colleague. She was to be married to her long-time lover, Mohash, a flight engineer for the Cobalt Squadron. As far as cliches go, wartime love falls along the lines of a romance cliche. Yet, war was all you’ve known. It’s what everyone has ever known. It’s common to develop some kind of a feeling other than the constant emotions during battle—fondness, the feeling of falling in love with someone. It’s truly what we stay alive for.

Maybe that’s why you hate it so much. The absence of the feeling that everyone describes as so fucking amazing that it completes you. You feel empty most of the time. It’s definitely the reason why you put all your effort into fixing things you can rather than complicated problems and issues that continue to reside in your mind, especially in the wake of midnight.

You find yourself sitting by the makeshift bar, tucked away from the crowd of friends and colleagues. There’s music playing, the sound of drums, and the seven-string hallikset reminds you of your brief visit to Naboo three cycles ago. You’re nursing a warm cup of something that tastes closer to acid water than alcohol.

Ireca emerges from the crowd with flowers in her braided hair. She approaches you with a bright smile and calls out your name wistfully. You shoot a strained smile her way, feeling the bags under your eyes weigh a little more. “What are you doing here all by yourself, huh?” she asks, leaning against the bar with a gentle pat on your shoulder.

“I’m just really tired. Last night was rough. Plus, I’m behind schedule.” you sighed heavily, running your fingers through your hair. She flashed you a smile of sympathy as you continued, “I’m sorry, Ireca. Don’t let me ruin your night. Go, have fun.”

She raises an eyebrow as you take another sip from your cup.

"Go. I'm sure you don't want to miss Mohash's special performance." You gesture to a drunk Mohash, who seemed to be searching for the woman. Ireca merely laughed. "Oh, it sure is going to be special." With a gentle touch to your back and wave, you watch her make her way into the swarm of bodies. You're left alone once again.

You’re still trying to figure out how Mohash even got hold of any sort of alcohol and managed to smuggle it into the base. Someone must have nicked it during one of the previous missions in the Mid Rim.

You rub your eyes, half-awake at this point; your cup is placed beside you as you rest your head against your folded arms on the table. Your mind is in a daze and incapable of irrational thought, deciding it would be best to just camp out here, by the makeshift bar, for the night. You were too tired to drag yourself all the way to your quarters, which felt like miles away, in the first place.

As sleep began to weigh heavy upon your eyelids, you suddenly felt a sharp tap on your shoulder. A soft groan escaped your lips as you shifted your head, still resting on your arms, just enough to peek at your sleep intruder.

It’s Poe Dameron. Commander and Black Leader. Incredibly talented, confident, and effortlessly handsome.

Ugh, you hate this guy.

Yet, you don’t feel so tired anymore.

“Are you drunk?” There’s amusement in his voice with a tinge of mockery. It made you realize the stun you were pulling. Classic Dameron. It was supposed to be a happy ceremony, but it was truly Ireca’s fault for manipulating you into coming tonight. Parties, events, and social gatherings were never right up your alley. You prefer spending time with machinery and your greasy hands.

Poe’s eyes are gleaming under the fluorescent lights, filled with concern, but you spot the smugness in his emerging smile. A flash of a thought, you kind of want to feel his lips on yours. The image immediately stings. You want to gag.

Poe is irritating, arrogant, and careless. Not charming. Nope, definitely not charming.

You straighten yourself, trying to shake off the burning image, shoving it to the back of your head. You lift your head, propping your elbow on the table and resting your chin on the heel of your hand. “You actually think I’ll even touch that bantha shit?”

Tearing your eyes away from Poe, you reach for your cup only to realize it was empty. He casts you a look. Your eyes shoot daggers with an extended pointer finger his way, “Don’t you dare say anything, flyboy.”

Poe raises his palms in defense, lips pursing. “Wasn’t going to.”

You catch a glimmer of mischief in his eyes, one hand discreetly reaching under his tawny leather jacket. Then, a bottle of Corellian whiskey emerges, shining under the lights of the Resistance hangar. Your face lights up at the recognition of the bottle, memories of your rare trips to Corellia, sharing whiskey drinks with your colleagues. It was the only planet you’d been to ever since you joined the Resistance.

You’ve only tasted Corellian whiskey once because of how expensive it is. You’ll happily get drunk to that in a heartbeat. Drink the worry and sorrow away with the lingering taste of frankly exorbitant whiskey.

Like a child with grabby hands, you reach for the bottle, but as your fingers brush his, Poe quickly lifts it to the air and away from you. He smacks your hand away. You whine, feeling a little lightheaded. The contents of the mysterious drink are starting to kick in.

What the blinkin' mradhe muck was in that drink?

“What do you want from me? It’s not like I have a drinking problem.”

He’s giving you that look like he’s judging you, but with a hint of amusement at the slight tug of the corner of his mouth. “You definitely have a drinking problem, but... i'll let you drink this on one condition.”

“For kriff’s sake,” you mutter, rolling your eyes, glancing away. “I’m not doing any weird wacky favors for you, Dameron.”

He scoffs, expression bewildered. “Hey, I don’t ask for weird wacky favors,” He articulates his words with a defensive tone, index finger stretched to your face. You simply smack it away as Poe clicks his tongue and continues to clarify his proposition. “All I’m asking is for you to fix my ship.”

Your wide-eyed gaze flies to him, shaking your head furiously. “Oh, no, no. No. Never in a million cycles. Never in a million millennials. Nuh-uh—”

“Hey, quit being dramatic. It’s a simple job.”

Your eyes grow even wider, voice raising. “A simple job? You fly that ship of yours like we have hundreds of spare ones. I’m not putting all my time and effort into fixing a lost cause.”

“But you haven’t even—”

“No. I’m not fixing your ship, and that’s final.”

Poe blinks and you’re back to fussing over your empty cup. The chatter of the crowd grows louder as a group of pilots of the Cobalt Squadron began rendering verses of an unknown traditional drinking song to your ears. You steal a look to only find Ireca and Mohash amidst a dance, tangled in each other's arms.

He eyes closely, noticing the turn of your lips, trained eyes deem melancholy. He knows the face of a loner very well—usually recruits with lost family and homes. They enlist in a mass community of freedom fighters for the restoration of good in the universe, and to finally feel a sense of familiarity and belonging. He doesn’t know much about you but he knows you don’t truly have anyone to depend on but yourself. It’s the reason why you’re constantly fierce.

Poe clears his throat, shifting closer to you as he watches the way you carry your gradual gaze to hold his. They then flit to the space between the two of you, raised eyebrows acknowledging the weird close proximity of his presence to yours.

“Look, you’re the best mechanic there ever was and probably ever will be. So, fix my ship, and you get to have this Corellian beauty. All of it.” He sways the bottle in the air, but you don’t look at it.

“You know, that’s bribery.”

“Yes, and it’s working.”

You scoff. “No, it isn’t.”

Poe laughs. “Yes, it is. I can see it in your eyes.”

Another scoff, you look fully aggravated. “How dense do you think I am?”

“Oh, very, but let’s not get into that.”

Bickering was the only language the two of you spoke fluently when you found yourselves tangled in a conversation with one another. Thrown insults were spoken lies—saying you hate each other when you know that isn’t true. Well, at least you don’t mean it and you hoped Poe didn’t either.

You’re exhausted, physically and mentally. For once, kindness and acceptance seem to be the easiest route.

A sigh passes your lips as you blink up to the ceiling, sending a silent prayer for blessings from the Maker above. “You’re right. I am dense. Truly dense. So, yeah. Okay. I’ll fix that stupid X-Wing of yours.”

Poe blinks, dumbfounded. “Wait, really?”

With a roll of your eyes, they meet his very own wide ones. “Yes, really. Only because you complimented me. Now, hand me that Corellian whiskey before I change my mind.”

He then makes a sound that resonates between a cough and a pleasantly surprised laugh, eyes crinkling with delight. Poe happily and absentmindedly passes the whiskey to you, still reacting like your agreement is some sort of object of ridicule in the best way possible.

“Wow—Maker, you have no idea what kind of trouble you’re saving me from. If the General ever found out—man, pfft. Thank you. Thank you so much—”

A swift and unexpected motion, he is reaching you, palms clasp and either side of your face, and plants a quick peck on the side of your left temple.

Poe isn’t thinking straight.

There you are, mid-swig, lips so close to the rim of the bottle with eyes so wide. You steal a steady glance at the pilot whose expression seems to reflect yours. His hands are still on your cheeks. He’s unbelievably close to you and he’s staring with that stupid look of his.

‘Maker, preserve me.’

A cheer erupts from the crowd from across the space and just like that, the moment is gone. Whatever the moment even was. His touch is no longer on yours and his gaze shifting away.

The tension, however, is still very present.

You finally take a swig of the whiskey, wanting to ease the sudden tightness in your chest. You hum at the stinging sensation on your tongue. You catch a glimpse of Poe from the corner of your eye who busies himself with tapping his fingers nervously against the surface of the bar.

Then, in an awkward motion, you stretch your arm to him, offering the drink.

A beat. His gaze shifts between you and your hand. When he finally gives in, a smile curves upon his lips, fingers brushing against yours. They’re delicate and you smile at him. It's small, but it makes his heart skip a beat and you wonder to yourself about the strangeness of love.