#since they're not fully materialized and just passing through

[highvern]

Between the Titles

Pairing: Min Yoongi x fem!reader

Genre: fluff, smut (mature/18+)

warnings: egregious caffeine consumption, yoongi smokes cigarettes, reader is about the same height as yoongi (its me hello im almost the same height as him), gay taehyung, volunteer jungkook, silver fox yoongi (he just has some gray hair bc hot) smut warnings: making out, grinding, fingering, oral (f. receiving), semi-public sexual acts, bathroom sex, protected sex, praise kink

Length: ~9.5k

Note: no thoughts, just big brain yoongi in a sweater smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee. btw almost all the books in this are real but i haven't read them so if you have lmk if they're worth the read lmao. thank u to my dearest @gyuswhore and @idyllic-ghost for beta-ing this

Summary: Five days a week in the library means you're very familiar with the senior research librarian. It also means he has no qualms about making his own book recommendations either.

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This blog is intended for 18+ only! Minors/blank blogs will be blocked.

The sweet aroma of old books and strong coffee infiltrates your nose as the heavy doors into the library swing open, offering reprieve from the storm raging on outside. It’s far too early for anyone to be here beyond staff and a few other morning birds. You glide right to the circulation desk as if fatigue doesn’t pulse through your veins, barely quelled by the second cup of coffee you sip from.

As always, the same familiar head of dark hair with sparse silver streaks waits at the circulation desk. He’s the only person working this early despite being the senior research librarian but you never hear any complaints louder than muttered annoyance under his breath when he thinks no one is around to hear. Bent over his laptop, Yoongi doesn’t even bother to look up as he slides a heavy stack of books to the edge of the counter. 

Eleven total, ten heavy volumes on ancient fertility cults across the globe, and one book you know he’s mixed in for his own amusement. 

It’s become something of a game between you two. At first you thought he was mixing your materials with someone else’s, but every time you brought the additional copy back to his desk, Yoongi insisted he had no idea what you were talking about and questioned your reading choices. Each time the titles got more ridiculous: Castration: The Advantages and the Disadvantages, How to Enjoy Your Weeds, Amish Vampires in Space, the list goes on and on. But after he slipped Why Fish Don’t Exist into your stack a few weeks ago, you decided to start responding. 

You left the stack at his desk like usual, ears perked for his reaction to Fishes I Have Known. An amused snort rang out just as you opened the doors to leave for the afternoon. The sound was so unlike the stoic man you’d become accustomed to over months working on your thesis; not that you heard him talk much to begin with.

Since then you’ve made a point to match every book he leaves for you. Yesterday, Yoongi chose I Could Pee on This: and Other Poems by Cats. At the end of the day, you spent thirty minutes searching shelf after shelf for an appropriate response, every book failing to meet your expectations. It wasn’t fair he knew the expansive collection like the back of his hand but nevertheless you found something up to par.

Yoongi rolled his eyes when you passed your books over the counter, a copy of Staying Dry: A Practical Guide to Bladder Control, like a shining star on top. A brief pink of his tongue flashed across his lips, a feeble attempt to muffle an amused smile. It was the most obvious reaction since the first time you responded.

Smiling like the cat who ate the canary, you left on clouds last night.

But this morning you have notes to write.

Snagging the collection, you make your way deeper into the building. Your unassigned-assigned desk tucked away on the fifth floor, far enough away from any noise so you can fully immerse in work without the threat of distraction. An uninterrupted view of the courtyard below is an added bonus.

The wooden table top is covered in a neat collection of pens and sticky notes in minutes; your laptop and the foot tall collection of references you devour over the next eight hours taking up the other half.

A few titles you request over and over sit on top, too valuable to be checked out for long term use so you settle for keeping them in constant rotation since no one else bothers to read the dusty yellowing tombs. For now, you focus on the new pieces you hope hold the information you need.

Earth rites: fertility practices in pre-industrial Britain, Archaeology and Fertility Cults in the Ancient Mediterranean, Metamorphosis of Baubo: myths of woman's sexual energy— 

I’m in Love with Mothman…

Well there it is.

You thumb across the glossy cartoon cover, failing to bite back a smile. Yoongi has a penchant for tossing in the most outlandish romance books he can find. Maybe because he knows you spend just as much if not more time than he does between the stacks. The suggestion box at the desk was full of cards stained with your penmanship asking for longer hours; several of which you’ve seen Yoongi rip in half as he pointedly met your gaze.

Tossing it aside, you pull forward one of the more musty books and start reading.

When you finally manage to resurface from laborious tales on several cults of Aphrodite, the rain is long gone. Even the darkest corners of the old building seem to glow gold in the evening sunset filtering through the glass doors. They're the only thing standing between you and freedom in the form curling up on your couch with a glass of wine and a new episode of your favorite reality dating show. But first, Yoongi needs his books back. 

His desk chair is abandoned and the return cart is gone as well which means he could be anywhere in the building. Disappointment leaches into your spine at the fact you won’t be able to witness his reaction to the twelfth book in your pile; the one you spent an extra fifteen minutes looking for in the corner of the third floor. 

A thick piece of library paper lists the materials you’ll need for the next day lays atop the neon green cover of Pest Management Solutions: How to Manage Your Moth Problem. They decorate the corner of the desk until Yoongi returns to find them. Hopefully he appreciates your humor.

Yoongi isn’t at his desk the next morning when you come in either. Instead, a doe eyed man with a lip piercing occupies the chair, clearly playing some game on his laptop. 

Approaching the counter, you begin to ask, “Where’s Yoon–”

“Staff meeting,” he interjects like he’s already answered the question a million times despite the library opening only five minutes ago. The white of his teeth threaten to blind you. “But I can help you!”

His name tag isn’t the same engraved golden metal Yoongi’s is, it’s a plastic sleeve with a paper insert with barely legible handwriting you decipher as  “Jungkook” and below “Volunteer.” You’ve seen him before from a distance. Usually trudging through the shelves with the book return cart in tow, occasionally taking a quick read inside before putting them in their rightful place. 

“I need to pick up some books. I gave Yoongi the list yesterday.”

“Sure.” Jungkook jumps up, approaching the shelf lined with piles for other patrons. “What’s your last name?”

He combs through the list after you answer, finding your stack easily enough. 

“Alright so Yoongi left a note that the encyclopedias you wanted are on the usual desk you have upstairs. But other than that I’ve got: Historical Studies of Changing Fertility, Sacred Mushroom and The Cross, Archaeology and Fertility Cults in The Ancient Mediterranean…” Jungkook lists off the titles, checking to make sure they're all in order. “And, um, this one isn’t on the list.”

It must be Yoongi’s choice for the day.

“What is it?”

Jungkook looks like he’s trying to hide his own amusement as he slides it over for you to read.

If I Were a Bird, You'd be The First Person I'd Shit On.

“Huh,” you blush. “Wonder how that got in there.”

“He must have left it by mistake. I can put it ba–”

“No, I’ll take it.” You toss it on top of the other, less embarrassing books in your stack and gather it into your arms before Jungkook can get in another word. “Thanks for your help!”

Scurrying towards the hallway housing the elevators, you attempt to juggle the pile of books, your stuffed bag, and coffee without taking a spill. It’s one thing to have your silent battle with Yoongi, but having someone else witness it makes you feel downright silly. And for the first one witnessed by others to be such an absurd and downright passive aggressive selection sends embarrassment through your veins.

As promised, three encyclopedias sit neatly on your desk; the volumes so thick they protrude from the table top like a small mountain. No wonder he left them there instead of making you carry them up in individual trips. But Yoongi’s goodwill clearly ended there. A sticky note on top of the stack pens his discontent at your selection.

I had to spend 3 hours in the basement to find these. If you need them again, don’t.

Even though he hadn’t signed it, you know it’s from him. The tight script fits his personality; thin lines of annoyance bleeding through the ink, not just his words. A waft of musty old paper and dust breezes through your nose as you open the first copy. They must have been housed in a forgotten storage area. At least his bird book makes more sense now. 

You don’t dig into the heap until after the sun is halfway through the sky but when you do it only proves to unravel your wits. Reading on, the wrinkle in your eyebrows deepens further. Page after page of conflicting knowledge passes by, each sentence more confusing than the last; minutes negating months of research. The thick pages hardly provide a soft landing for your head as you allow it to thump forward in exasperation.

The scrap of chair legs alerts to a new presence watching your meltdown in real time.

“Something wrong?” Yoongi asks.

With a heavy sigh, you respond.“I want to die.”

“Get in line.”

Shifting in your seat, you peer in his direction. A different day but the same wardrobe: dark button up, glasses, same unapproachable facade. But what Yoongi is doing sitting next to you is new.

Yoongi makes himself comfortable, picking at his nails as he waits patiently for an explanation. 

“Everything in my thesis is either wrong or the world authority on fertility in Europe is full of it.”

“Bummer.”

“Your sincerity is overwhelming.” You snap.

Yoongi rolls his eyes. Boredom seeps across his face but he doesn’t move to leave, just sinks deeper into the chair. “You’ve read almost half the collection since you started coming here, why are some old dusty books such a big deal?”

“Because all of those books cite these books which means those books are wrong and all my work is in the toilet.”

“Those books are from the seventies, the information is probably out of date.”

Slamming the copy serving as a pillow shut, you take a second glance at the title: Encyclopedia of Women and World Religion, Volume 7.

“Yoongi,” you sing.

Yoongi’s gaze flashes to yours, a trickle of confusion flashing across his eyes.“What?”

You stack up the books and push them across the desk with some effort. Just to savor the satisfaction of besting Yoongi, you indulge a long sip of now cold coffee before speaking again. No one else is around to witness your victory but that won’t dampen the high.

“Looks like you’ll be back in the basement because you brought me the wrong editions.”

He opens his mouth to argue, snatching one of the books to investigate but you beat him to the punch.

“I asked for the twenty-fifth edition, not the seventh.” You smirk. “I think you're losing your touch.”

He watches you over the rim of the cover. A fleeting glance in your direction but it makes your heart squeeze with need.

“Well, I guess you’re right,” Yoongi sighs, standing. “Do you still need them for anything or can I go ahead and take them?”

With your approval, he heaves the heavy tombs on to his cart. The strain of his forearms, bare from rolled up sleeves, catches your attention. Veins raised under creamy skin, lean muscles leading down to hands you’ve noticed since the first day you started visiting the library.

If you keep staring, you’re likely to start drooling. So you dive back into one of the useful books littering your desk and pretend to read until he’s disappearing down the hall.

On your way out, leaving much earlier than a typical day due to Yoongi’s mistake, you drop the remaining books off at the circulation desk. Along with a copy of Avian Hunting Techniques. He’s absent again but it doesn't matter.

You continue out the doors and down the sidewalk only to spot him leaning against the brick exterior further down the street. Even from a distance you can make out the natural scowl he’s constantly sporting. Except this time his lips pout around a cigarette. 

Of course he smokes.

The quasi-mysterious librarian who flirts with you through book titles, smokes cigarettes and looks hot doing it. 

“You know those things will kill you, right?” 

“That’s what the box says but they aren’t holding up their end of the deal,” Yoongi responds, flicking the ash before looking at his watch. “Wow, out before six. I’ll alert the press.”

“Well, if someone gave me the right books then maybe I’d stay longer. But I’m not about to wait around while you get the ones I need.”

Yoongi takes another drag of his cigarette before responding, “Are you trying to say I forced you to take a break?”

The realization dawns on you. Yoongi is the senior research librarian. He’s never given you the wrong books, even when you request the rare copies needed to be loaned from a different part of the country. The few times you’ve offered understanding if he couldn’t get them were met with a challenge in his gaze and smug satisfaction when handing them over a week later.

“You brought me the wrong copies on purpose!”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He’s lying. You know it. Yoongi definitely knows you know by the way he smirks. But he’s already crushing the filter under his shoe and moving back towards the library by the time your brain catches up to your mouth.  “Have a good night, Y/N.”

With a scoff of indignation, you stalk towards your car.

The next morning, you march straight through the class doors to where Yoongi sits, fueled by snowballed annoyance from the previous day. Waking up on the wrong side of the bed is an understatement. If there are any gods, Yoongi should pick one and pray.

Your free afternoon of yesterday was spent dealing with the chaos your apartment has become over the past few weeks. Unfolded laundry, stacks of random papers, out of place books, and errant dust bunnies all became new victims to energy usually reserved for a full day of research. Taehyung practically shit himself when he woke up before dinner and found you scrubbing the bathroom sink.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, hand to his chest like a flustered old woman.

Bleach curled in your nostrils. “I live here.” 

“Not between the hours of eight and seven.”

But after the mess was dealt with, aggravation set in. How dare Yoongi purposefully meddle in your work. Well meaning or not you were an adult and could decide when enough was enough. The purposeful mishap hadn’t set you back far, one afternoon but a drop in the bucket in comparison to the months you’ve already spent chasing new leads. But the principle of the matter is that it’s none of his business what you do and when you do it.

Yoongi slides a slimmer stack over when you stop in front of him.

“Encyclopedias are on your desk,” he announces through a sip of coffee. He continues to type away, feigning disinterest as you sort through your stack with measured annoyance.

“Are they the right copies this time?”

“Double checked them myself.”

You open your mouth to verbalize your doubts but Yoongi’s pick of the day catches your eye.

Surviving Your Stupid Stupid Decision to Go to Grad School.

Scoffing, you flip the book around and shoot daggers into his face with your eyes. “Do you think you’re funny?”

The corner of his mouth twitches then becomes a full blown smile. Leaning over the desk, he drops his voice, “I think I’m hilarious.”

Remembering you are, in fact, in a library, you manage to muffle a frustrated groan. You dump the supplementary reading back on the counter for Yoongi to deal with and head upstairs. 

Unlike the usual days where you put off finding a response to Yoongi’s extra copy until the waning hours of the afternoon, you drop your bags and head straight for the shelves. The fifth floor houses a collection of textbooks and other reference material. It’s why it's always deserted unless some poor fool stumbles on it by accident; the perfect place to work uninterrupted for hours.

You head down stairs, circling the fourth and then third floor like a shark in a feeding frenzy. A few covers spark interest but nothing captures what bubbles in your veins: annoyance, anger, confusion. A brief flutter of interest as to why Yoongi decided to mess with you but those feelings are more dangerous than the acidic ones.

Row after proves unfruitful in your quest for passive aggressive revenge. None have the same bite as his book, or seem to curb the homicidal thoughts raging in your head.

Until a little white book peeps back at you from the end of the aisle.

Yoongi jumps when you slam Bitter Is the New Black: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass in front of him. A feat in and of itself to sneak up on him given the loan desk has a perfect view of the entire first floor but whatever he’d been clicking away at on the computer was distraction enough.

“What's this?”

“Thought you might like some new reading.” You flash your teeth.

His chin jerks towards the glossy cover. “I already gave this two stars on Goodreads.”

Of course he has.

Face prickling in embarrassment, you turn back the way you came without a word.

Hours later, when half the day has ticked by and the ache for more caffeine burns your eyes, Yoongi stops by your desk. He doesn’t speak, doesn’t try and gain the attention you pointedly withhold. He sets a paper coffee cup on the corner of the tabletop and leaves.

You snatch up the cup after he rounds the corner out of sight. The lack of sugar leaves much to be desired but free coffee is free coffee, especially to a PhD student with limited means. 

It isn’t much of an apology but guilt blooms down your spine anyway. He meant well. You aren’t known for giving yourself breaks; unable to quit while you’re ahead. A voluntary day off is less likely than winning the lottery. You’re a busy body and the constant work keeps you from dissolving into chaos.

You don’t see Yoongi again until every book at your desk is exhausted, begging for a break from your manhandling. Double and triple checking notes and citations are the poor excuse you implement to delay the inevitable. At some point you’ll have to go downstairs to face the music. 

He’s waiting like always, scanning the mountain of returns littering the counter from a long day. Each step closer withers something in your stomach. 

The copies in your hand shift onto the wooden surface, joining the stack for him to work through. Yoongi flashes a polite grimace when you catch his eye before immediately diving back into his work. Hopefully he understands why you chose Thank You for Smoking. And why you covered the second half of the title with a sticky note.

Jungkook’s smiling face greets you bright and early. His name tag has been upgraded from flimsy paper to a plastic one and a printed label with his name. 

Handing over your library card, he quickly scans it and grabs the books meant for today’s dissection. 

“Yoongi wanted me to tell you that if you want more coffee while you’re working, you can go to the staff lounge on the second floor.”

“Oh.”

Jungkook continues sifting through your requests, making sure each is correct.  “Between you and me, the coffee down the street is better. But don’t tell him I said that.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s a coffee snob and thinks his shit—sorry—stuff is the best.”

“Okay,” you say, grabbing your pile. “Thanks.”

You set up your station like always, sorting through each book and devising a mental to do list. The desk resembles a feast but instead of food it’s encyclopedias, printed articles, and dusty manuscripts Yoongi wrangled from who knows where. On the outer board of your work station rests the feature of the day: How to Beg for Cigarettes.

A few hours pass between the pages. Your previous research is confirmed by the significantly less dusty encyclopedias this time, corroborating the basis of your thesis. A new work you haven’t seen is cited in the back, piquing your interest for more evidence. 

Instead of bothering one of the staff, you use the library website and find it in their catalog. It’s somewhere on the second floor where Yoongi offers free coffee. Two birds, one stone; a new book and a new cup of coffee.

The layout resembles all the other floors. A collection of study tables in the center crowded by bookshelves on all sides. One person, an undergrad by the look of pure dread on their features, occupies a table but that's it. Glancing at the note with the call number, you start towards the stacks on the left.

You find the correct area, eyes scanning up and down the different shelves to no avail. Hundreds of books, different sizes in an array of colors, flash by but none are the one you need. You’re about to call it quits when you spot it on the top shelf, just out of reach.

Call it a moment of stupidity, a brief blight of recklessness, but the book sits only a few inches beyond your fingers. You look around to make sure no one is around to witness the brilliantly flawed idea crest in your brain. With the coast clear, you hoist yourself up the shelf.

A deadpan voice nearly makes you fall.

“Looking for something?” 

Yoongi stands a few feet away, head cocked to the side. Of course he’d find you in such a ridiculous position. Even through the blur of your peripheral vision, the harsh lines of his usual uniform clashes against the back drop of books. Dark jeans fitted over his thighs, dark button down rolled up his arms, and a pair of glasses that make him look hot. But you’re in no position to dwell when the risk of falling on your ass is so high.

“Nope, just getting in some exercise” you grunt, moving your foot to the shallow hold of the next shelf.

Yoongi moseys up behind you before continuing. “And climbing a decades old bookshelf is how you stretch your legs?”

“You smoke cigarettes, I climb old furniture. We all have our vices.”

Your foot slips from its perch, making you squeak before catching your balance. 

“Alright spider-monkey, that's enough.” His hands slide across your hip, fingers curved around the softest part of your waist as he helps you down. 

Distracted by the weight of him still on your hip, the heat of his chest a scorching across your back, you don’t even think to disparage him for the cheap Twilight reference. The few inches Yoongi has on you allows him to reach overhead to snag the copy you need with ease. But as you watch his hands close around the spine everything beyond fades to black; like the universe pinholes where you two stand.

“This one?” You feel the vibration of his words up and down your spine, warm breath tracing across the shell of your ear.

Body on autopilot, you turn to face Yoongi. His mouth moves, eyes scanning the book cover but every word deafens in a muddy haze. He doesn’t seem to realize his hand is still on your waist, or how he crowds you into the shelves; chest to chest, stomachs barely an inch apart.

“Huh?” you ask, tearing your eyes away from his mouth.

“I said, if you asked for this book earlier I could have gotten it for you.”

“Oh.”

“You okay?” he asks, stepping further into you. “You look a little flushed.”

The bastard smiles. A God’s honest smile like his thigh isn’t between your own, or he isn’t waiting for a reply while his fingers dig in beneath your ribs.

Just when you open your mouth to say something, Yoongi silences you with a firm squeeze of his hand. His head lowers until his breath ghosts along your chin. 

Then you’re kissing; lips sliding together easily like he anticipated it. The world shatters all around from just a few passes of his mouth across your own, the weight of his body flattening you against the bookshelf. 

The first hint of his tongue against the seam of your lips makes you gasp and Yoongi takes the opportunity to taste you. You melt under his attention. Head tipping back, shoulders bowing to take more, your senses flood with the remnants of coffee and something else; something so quintessential Yoongi your head spins. It lights a new flame in your veins, one burning with pure want.

A handful of his shirt pulls him closer. Yoongi follows easily but gets more than asked for when one of your hands tangles in the back of his hair, tugging until he’s tilting his chin the way you want. It’s a bad habit other dates have subtly complained about but a noise bubbles in his throat at the dig of your nails; responding with his own palm squeezing roughly across your ass until your hips meet his. 

The crash of the book near your feet is like a bucket of ice water.

“Oh my god,” you gasp. Jumping back proves futile as the shelf digs further into your spine. “I–”

Puffy lips and lowered eyes stare back at you, clear evidence that you haven’t hallucinated what just happened. Yoongi dips down to kiss you again but you slither out of his grip.

Forgetting the book on the tiled floor, you mumble an apology and flee back upstairs, beelining to the vacant restroom.

To your own mortification, your features mirror Yoongi’s; lips swollen, eyes glazed. Your sweater twisted around your torso clearly betraying your rendezvous in the stacks. Beads of sweat cling to your forehead and neck.

A few splashes of cold water help clear the fog in your brain but as it dissipates embarrassment sets in. Making out with a handsome man is one thing. Making out with the librarian assisting in the most important work of your life is an entirely different ordeal; one that can only spell trouble.

Pacing back and forth, the cool paper towel on the back of your neck helps calm your racing heart enough to leave the safety of the ladies room.

Try as you might to drown under piles of books, it’s useless. You pretend to read the same passages over and over but none of the words register. The kiss replays over and over and over again. You kissed Yoongi. Yoongi kissed you back. He tried to kiss you again when you pulled away.

The end of the day inevitably comes which means you have to face him whether you want to or not. But you won’t allow a single lapse of judgment to affect your work; a moment of weakness propelled by months of abstinence that just so happened to coincide with a surly librarian’s entrance into your life. You just needed to get it out of your system. If it hadn’t been Yoongi it would have been someone else. 

At least that’s what you tell yourself.

A glance at your watch informs you that today is the second day you’ll leave the library early. Rather than give into the stubborn instinct to stay, you decide putting as much distance between yourself and Yoongi is far better for your mental health. With squared shoulders and a raised chin, you head downstairs. 

Yoongi’s waiting behind the counter. He isn’t typing on his computer or scanning books. He watches every step you take, arms crossed in front as he leans forward like he’s eager for a confrontation. 

“Yoongi,” you say.

“Y/N.”

You use every fiber of will to maintain eye contact as you pass your stack over the counter. “I’ll need these same ones tomorrow.”

“Okay.” He nods. “And the kiss?”

“What kiss?” you croak.

Yoongi’s eyes blaze like you’re a new puzzle to be solved, like he wants to take you apart and find exactly what makes you tick. You feel naked. “The one where you—”

“Must have been someone else. Sorry. Have a good night!” You rush for the door before he can say another word.

Another morning is another day in the library, but this time your roommate begs to tag along. 

“Look, I’m not getting anything done on my thesis so maybe you’ll rub off on me,” Taehyung says.

Rolling your eyes, you step through the door he holds open. “I think you’ve had plenty of people rub off on you.”

Gasping with fake indignation, he catches up easily. “Are you calling me a slut?” 

“Yes.”

“Good, I wanted to make sure we were on the same page. Is that him?”

Yoongi and Jungkook are talking behind the counter. Jungkook’s hands wave wildly as he recounts whatever information to his boss while Yoongi listens with fake interest. Or that's what someone else might think. The subtle signs he cares are hidden in the details; the miniscule lift of shoulders, a cock of his head, and when Jungkook pouts in a way too ridiculous for a man his size, Yoongi hides a smile in the shake of his head.

“Yes.”

“And I’m the slut?” Taehyung scowls as you pinch his shoulder. “What? He’s a nerd’s walking wet dream.” 

“And he can hear you, so shut up.”

“Morning!” Jungkook calls on his way past with a cart full of books. 

He grins like he knows exactly what happened on the second floor yesterday but that can’t be true. Yoongi doesn’t seem like the type to kiss and tell. Only the type to kiss and tease you relentlessly for it when no one else is around to hear.

Taehyung’s attention immediately locks on him. You love your roommate, always have and, unfortunately, always will; but he is a slut and Jungkook is definitely his type. However, he’s on your turf and knows better than to fuck where you have to eat for the next few months. 

“Y/N, Y/N’s friend,” Yoongi says when you approach his desk. 

“Taehyung.” 

“Right,” Yoongi drawls, blinking lazily before sliding your books over and turning around to sort something on the opposite counter.

Taehyung, ever the gentleman, grabs the pile for you and follows upstairs. 

“Well he seems like a cup of sunshine,” Taehyung whispers. 

“Just because he isn’t fawning over you doesn’t mean he’s an asshole.”

“I’m very fawn-able, ask anyone,” your roommate argues as you approach the fifth floor. “Wait, what's this… How to Defeat Your Own Clone and Other Tips for Surviving the Biotech Revolution. This is the type of shit he’s giving you? You’re easier than I am.”

“Give me that.” You snatch the paperback out of his grip. “Stop being nosy.”

Taehyung lets you work in peace after that, disappearing to gather more of his own materials. Even in undergrad he’d never been one to sit still for long. But he still managed to get a spot doing an engineering thesis despite the constant changes in his attention.

After several hours of mind numbing typing you need a break, and another cup of coffee on someone else’s dime sounds perfect.

“I’m getting coffee.”

“Bring me some,” Taehyung says without looking up from his screen.

The staff lounge is nothing fancy. A couple small tables with plastic chairs tucked around, a cork board covered with fliers, and a white board stuck to the fridge scrawled upon with black dry erase marker. The coffee pot sits full in the machine, still hot to the touch. 

You pour two cups. Taehyung’s gets loaded with creamer cups until it’s closer to white than black while yours is sweetened to sickening perfection. When you try to take a sip, the liquid immediately burns your tongue. Too hot coffee is better than cold coffee but an ice cube would help make it more palatable.

Moving back to the fridge, you go to open the freeze but stop when the white board catches your attention again.

Most notes are chores or friendly reminders about time cards but almost half the board is dedicated to a back and forth.

‘Unofficial Employee of the Month: Jungkook’ 

A note in Yoongi’s tight script: ‘You don’t work here.’

‘That’s why it's unofficial!’ in what must be Jungkook’s messy handwriting.

‘You’re my official employee of the month. - Namjoon’

At the bottom is a crude drawing of stick figures, two tall smiling ones holding hands under a rainbow labeled ‘JK’ and ‘Joon’ and a comically shorter one with evil eyebrows surrounded by storm clouds and ‘yoongi :(’ overhead.

“Snooping for secrets?”

“Jesus Christ,” you jump, turning to face Yoongi. “Has anyone ever told you it’s rude to sneak up on people?”

“You’re in the staff lounge, there’s gonna be staff here.” Yoongi crosses to the coffee pot on the counter and pours himself a cup. He doesn’t add cream or sugar or anything else to lessen the bitterness. Cliche. “So, was bringing your boyfriend here your subtle way of letting me down?”

“You think Taehyung is my boyfriend?” You whirl around in shock. Yoongi raises a brow, prompting you to continue. “Jungkook is more his type than I am.”

Yoongi releases a pleased hum, eyes shining. “So no boyfriend then?”

“Nope.”

You’re shaking but don’t look away from his hungry gaze. Yoongi takes a step closer, and another and one more until you're pinned to the countertop and his mouth is on yours. 

This time, you're more aware of everything. The smell of his cologne, the tickle of his bangs along your forehead, all the tiny details that were muffled before. Yoongi’s lips are firm against your own, a little chapped but it only makes you hotter with each pass.

His mouth is everywhere; your chin, your jaw, peppering down your throat until he pushes aside the hem of your shirt and sets to work on the jut of your collarbone like he’ll never get a chance again. 

“Yoongi,” you hum on the first rake of teeth. 

He takes it as an invitation to dig in harder, sucking the skin until your spine threatens to break and you say his name again. Desperate for some kind of anchor, you knot your fingers back in his hair and pull. 

A throaty noise responds and the need to hear more rears its head. Yoongi who always watches with measured fascination undone by some light petting. The power is addictive. 

Legs spread, he presses in flat. The heat of his cock, rigid beneath the fabric of his jeans, teases across the seam of your own. You're technically still in public but the consequences concern you less than the knowledge that you’ll go mad if you don’t feel him. His arms circle your back, pulling you firmer against him, right to the edge of the linoleum counter.

Wedging a hand between your bodies, you manage to get his zipper undone while your tongue traces along his jaw. Yoongi angles his hips to help, curling into your palm when you cup him over the fabric of his boxers. Every press has him swelling harder. 

His hands reach under your shirt. Skin on skin, the rough calluses of his fingers trace your ribs, thumbs following the cup of your bra in a tease. It’s a simple touch but your own hands falter when he brushes a nipple. You melt into each other.

“Hey, Yoongi, do you know where—HOLY SHIT!”

Jungkook stops at the door, eyes wide, mouth wider. 

“Get out!” Yoongi barks. He’s trying his best to keep your body covered from the younger man’s view but even if Jungkook isn’t getting a full frontal he isn’t dumb enough not to realize what’s going on.

Yoongi shudders a few breaths. Head hung low, he tucks himself back into his pants without moving away. You’re already slipping down from your perch when he looks back up.

“I’m just gonna…go,” you mumble, scurrying out the door.

Jungkook waits outside, eyes still bugging out of his head but at least has the decency to pretend he didn’t catch you in the act.

Tugging your shirt down, you avoid his gaze. How far would you have let Yoongi go if Jungkook hadn’t interrupted? 

“Coffee?” Taehyung asks as you approach the table.

You know what you look like without a mirror. The same as yesterday with glassy eyes and bruised lips, clothes wrinkled. Thankfully, Taehyung is more interested in his modeling software than where you’ve been. 

“They were out.” 

With a sigh like he is personally victimized by the lack of caffeine, Taehyung collapses on the table and plays dead. But he perks up at the sound of footsteps approaching behind you.

“You left this in the break room,” Yoongi says, dropping a cup of coffee by your side before disappearing. 

You turn to follow his retreating for until he’s hidden back between the shelves. The back of his hair is still messy despite his attempt to fix it, same with the wrinkles in his shirt from your hands.

“I thought they were out?” Taehyung eyes you suspiciously when you look back at him.

Cradling the still hot cup in your hands, you avoid his gaze. “Shut up.”

“So you do have to sleep with someone to get a cup of coffee.” 

“I’m not sleeping with him,” you spit in a harsh whisper.

“Why not?”

“Because…”

Because what exactly? There isn’t a good reason other than the fact Jungkook was the king of cockblocks. You would have let Yoongi do just about anything he wanted and he seemed to be in agreement. But you’d rather die than admit that out loud.

“You are so smart and so incredibly stupid.” Taehyung rolls his eyes, rising to pack his things. “I need to pee.”

You point him in the direction of the bathrooms and get back to work.

When Taehyung returns minutes later he starts shoving his things in his bag. “I’m leaving.”

“Why?”

“This is like the epicenter of hot smart men and I refuse to suffer any longer.”

“You got Jungkook’s number,” you deadpan.

Taehyung can’t hide his own shit eating grin. “Yoongi gave it to me.”

“If you’re leaving, so am I.”

“Why?” your roommate whines. 

“Because I got you a hot date and that means you owe me dinner.”

“Technically it was Yoongi but I’ll concede.” Taehyung heaves his bag up. “Come now my dearest, we can still get happy hour if we hurry.” 

You reach in your own bag and toss him your keys. “Go wait in the car. I’ve gotta go grab another book real quick.”

“Whatever,” Taehyung says, mumbling something like ‘nerds’ under his breath as he heads downstairs.

You find Yoongi while on your way to his desk, already toting around the cart piled high with returns from the day. Several of the covers are Taehyung’s picks and somehow the knowledge they’ve spoken almost knocks you off kilter. Taehyung is a good wingman and that’s what worries you most.

“Hi,” he says, kneeling to put a book on a low shelf.

It shouldn’t have the effect it does but something about the way Yoongi looks up at you, on his knees, head tipped back, has your mind running wild with the image of him in the same position with both of you wearing far less clothing. Maybe if you weren’t interrupted in the staff lounge you’d have seen it in real life.

“Hi. Mind if I add these to the pile?” 

“Go ahead.”

The Stocking was Hung sits on top. You don’t wait around to see his reaction.

The temperature had steadily been increasing over the past weeks but this morning is the worst of all. That inescapable warmth fully seeded overnight and promised the comforting days of sweaters and pants are long gone.

Heat makes you lazy and fitful. In the early hours, long before you actually need to be awake, you stare up at the ceiling of your room. Not even a frigid shower helped the stickiness of your skin or laying still in your bed in nothing but one of Taehyung’s shirts and ratty shorts. It followed you everywhere until you left for the same brick building you spend more time at than at home.

Without thought, you throw on the first seasonally appropriate outfit in your closet; a thin dress that covers enough for the public but promises to keep you cool.

Yoongi seems to be taking the change in weather as well as you are. His usual attire is absent, nothing but a white shirt clinging to his torso. The pale skin of his forearms briefly catches your attention but you focus anywhere else to stop from rounding the desk and finishing what started upstairs.

You steel yourself and approach the desk, determined to act normal.

Familiar dark eyes flash up to greet you but Yoongi’s mouth doesn’t form any words. He just stares at you. You can feel the weight of his gaze on your shoulders, your neck, and then he pointedly keeps them trained on your eyes. Like he's willing to pretend yesterday didn’t happen. 

He doesn’t speak when he passes over the same pile of books as yesterday but you can feel him burn a hole in your back. Even after you climb up the stairs and out of sight, the prickling sensation you’re being watched follows.

You don’t get anything done. The words on the page might as well be another language as your mind races.

Yoongi didn’t give you an extra book today.

An endless list of potential explanations race through your mind. Maybe you’d been too forward with your choice. Maybe he’s gotten it out of his system, a quick tryst in the employee lounge enough to satiate his curiosity. Maybe because it’s the second time you’ve brushed him off. Even if it wasn’t your fault Jungkook stumbled in before anything worthwhile could happen. 

But he isn’t speaking to you and he isn’t giving you the random book you’ve come to look forward to every morning. 

Channeling the restless energy of overthinking, you take a lap around the floor. You pause to flip through random books as you zigzag through the stacks. Anything to take your mind off the unshakable tension sticking in the air like syrup.

Your laptop is in sleep mode by the time you reluctantly come back. Everything is as you left except a book you’ve never seen before sits on top of the open one you’d been reading.

There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom. 

A sticky note sticks up from the inside of the cover. A bolt of excitement shoots down your spine. When you flip it open a familiar handwriting stares back: ‘on the seventh floor’.

You hadn’t been gone too long but the fear of making him wait has you rushing up the stairs. Each step brings you closer to where he waits until you’re opening the bathroom door.

“Yoongi?” 

A hand wraps around your upper arm, yanking you in. Another hand silences a surprised shout before you realize it’s Yoongi and not a murderer pinning you to the interior of the door you just came through.

“Jesus, you scared me.” 

“Sorry,” he breathes. “It’s just not a good look for me to be up here.”

“Oh, really?” You smile. “And why is that?”

“This is my job.”

“Didn’t seem to stop you before.”

“Who says it’s stopping me now?”

He thumbs the strap of your dress, hooking under the thin material and dragging it down your arm. The heat and weight of Yoongi against you, touching you so simply, makes you vibrate. Yoongi moves into your neck, panting with a grind against your thigh. “I swear I don’t usually do this.”

You want to argue that you have two accounts that he does do this often, at least with you. But for someone who says they don’t, Yoongi is surprisingly natural. The tease prickling the end of your tongue fizzles out under his teeth across the curve of your shoulder, goosebumps blossoming along your back. 

A whimper unbecoming of an adult woman breaks the lullaby of summer air conditioner singing through the vents. You’re sweating under the cling of your dress, skin hot to the touch thanks to Yoongi’s attention; long fingers curved around your waist, thumbs skimming just under your breast.

“Could have fooled me.”

“This is a very nice dress.” His mouth bites down your neck, taking advantage of the new strips of skin the neckline unveils.

“That’s all it takes?” you pant from the wet of his tongue. “A pretty dress?”

“If you think,” he whispers into your ear. “I’m doing this because of your dress then you really haven’t been paying attention.”

The dark locks of his hair are too alluring to resist, tempting one of your own hands to scratch against the tip of his spine when Yoongi rolls against you again. A firm tug brings him to your mouth, lips molding to one another in a searing kiss. You can taste the coffee from the lounge and the faintest hint of cigarette smoke, like he thought to hide it before asking you to follow him.

“How long? How long have you wanted this?”

Yoongi hooks one of your thighs higher, savoring the heat of your core against the crotch of his pants with a slow thrust. “Since you came in and busted my balls over not having that archived manuscript when the website said we did.”

You remember that day. Patience thin from Taehyung’s loud overnight guest, you stormed into the library looking to take it out on a photocopy of the manuscript only for the only copy to be AWOL. Yoongi became the surrogate for your rage, his eyes burning into your skull as questioned how he could let it happen.

The next day was when he started adding books to your stack.

“That was months ago.”

“I’m a patient guy.”

You want him naked; ache to catalog what he’s hidden underneath bulky sweaters and loose button ups over the past few months. But that idea has to wait for somewhere less risky. You settle for dipping your hand under his shirt, tracing your fingers over the elastic of his boxers peeking from the waistband of his pants.

Attempting to hide the effect he has, you loop your fingers in his belt loops and pull him even closer so your face is hidden in the crook of his neck. “There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom? A little on the nose, don’t you think?”

“Like The Stocking was Hung is any better?” Yoongi sighs as your mouth ghosts over the rising vein webbing the side of his throat.

“Hey!” you object, rising to face him. “I thought you’d appreciate it after that mothman book.”

“I appreciate you complimenting my dick plenty.”

Yoongi doesn’t let you go, hands palming at the swell of your ass the entire way from the door to the counter. He’s got one hand curved along your jaw, thumb hooked around your chin and his teeth bruising your lower lip. The edge of granite digs in your spine but not for long as he lifts you and settles on his knees to dive under your skirt. 

He kisses up your calf, tongue snaking across the knob of your knee then the plush of your thigh. Just when you feel a puff of breath against the damp crotch of your panties, Yoongi falls to repeat the same path against your other leg. 

You don’t suffer for long. Pooling the excess fabric around your waist, Yoongi blinks up from between your thighs. The pink of his tongue follows the edge of your panties, wetting the fabric more until it clings obscenely. 

He pushes his glasses up to rest on the top of his head, keeping the mess of gray and black hair out of his eyes before diving back down.

His tongue lathers over your covered slit with a groan. “Taste better than I imagined.”

“You thought about this?”

“Couldn’t stop thinking about it. On my desk, yours, against that fucking bookshelf.” Yoongi punctures each word with more wet kisses against your core. “In my car, my bed. Everywhere.”

A cool breath has your thighs squeezing around his head thanks to the erotic combination of his spit and your own fluids drenching your panties. “Is this all you think about?”

“I had to come up here and jerk off yesterday because I couldn’t stop thinking about your hands.”

Your panties are pulled to the side before you can indulge in the new visual blooming on the edge of consciousness. “Yoongi.”

Eyes closed, his mouth circles your clit, tongue gently stroking you to life. Every pass against the sensitive bundle of nerves has your thighs squeezing around his head. 

The first prod of fingers makes Yoongi’s hold on the crook of your knee tighten. He stretches you back open, eyes following the way you suck him inside; coating his spindly digits with more arousal each time.

“A-ah,” you shake. “Please.”

Yoongi chances a glance up at your face, the needy sheen in your eyes, the way your mouth gapes, and decides to take mercy. 

He latches back onto your clit. Yoongi groans as you tug his hair, knocking his glasses to the ground. The pace he works your remains lethargic, savoring the kick of your hips until you grind against his mouth. 

Throaty groans vibrate against your cunt, tightening the muscles along the inside of your thighs. Neither of you are doing a good job muffling yourselves but if it’s between getting caught and having him stop then you’ll deal with the consequences when they come.

“Oh, Yoongi.” Your chest pulls tight; spurred on by the sounds of Yoongi bullying your insides, his mouth smacking against your folds. “I’m— oh, oh, oh!”

The rough crook of his fingers sends you flying. Only the pressure of his shoulders keep you from slipping off the counter as you explode against his mouth. Euphoria rushes your veins, licks of pleasure overwhelming. Every muscle quivers as Yoongi works you through until you use his hair to pull him away.

He’s quick on his feet. You’re still recovering as Yoongi pushes your bra down and draws one of your nipples into his mouth, licking and sucking until you pull his hair again. Eyes cinched tight, face wet, you force his pants open then his underwear until Yoongi is almost as exposed as you are; pretty in your palm, sticky and hot to the touch.

But it’s not enough to feel him in your hand, you need to feel him inside. To fill you up where you sit hollow and aching without his fingers to provide a sliver of relief. “Fuck me.”

Yoongi doesn’t tease, has no quip about how needy you are. He keeps his mouth on your chest and uses his hands to grab something out of his pocket. It happens so fast you don’t even realize the condom is on until he nudges between your legs.

Your nails dig into his back, breathing through the initial stretch is the only way you stay quiet. Yoongi hides himself back in your neck, strained noises clawing out of his throat.

Yoongi isn’t gentle. Not caution or waiting. Months of push and pull destroy any desire for him to treat you as something fragile. He rushes into desperately, forcing your palm flat against the mirror behind you for some semblance of stability.

“God,” he grunts. “You’re incredible.”

You whimper a quiet acknowledgement, too fucked out to blush under his praise; pulling Yoongi closer until he’s scooping his hands underneath your ass, thrusting into you over and over. His mouth finds yours. Greedy. Hungry. 

It’s Yoongi who struggles to stay quiet. Even through the kiss he moans loud enough you feel it in your throat. You listen to them all, twisting the hand knotted in his hair to hear the whine you’ve quickly become obsessed with.

“Should have done this sooner,” your back arches and Yoongi’s mouth slips back down. 

“I tried. But you kept ignoring me.”

“I wasn’t—fuck—ignoring you.” Yoongi is everywhere. His taste on your mouth, cologne burned in your nose. The feel of him all over your body. “Shit.”

He fucks you harder to prove a point, hand slipping down to rub your clit. Your second orgasm glows on the edges. If Yoongi keeps playing with you, stretching you in half on his cock and biting a mark into your breast, you know you’ll come.

You focus on breathing. Letting it come to you instead of chasing it, overthinking it to the point it evades you. It’s easier than usual. Yoongi doesn't leave room for anything else beyond feeling good. 

“Oh my god,” you whisper as the cord tightens. 

Everything turns white hot, pleasure tearing through your muscles and ripping them to shreds. You convulse in Yoongi’s hold, only pinned down by his hips fucking you brutally. Nerves shot, Yoongi babbles praise in your ear but it's indecipherable from the headrush.

Yoongi follows you over the edge a few strokes later, twitching inside you until he stills. His hips give a few arrhythmic bucks as he fills the condom with his load. 

There's something nastier about clothed sex. The way sweat makes your clothes cling tighter, the rush of needing each other so badly you can’t be bothered to do more than pull things to the side. 

You feel dirty but in a good way. Yoongi kisses across the apples of your cheeks, your chin, your forehead, even your brows, but never returns to your lips. Each leaves you more frustrated than the last, muscles twitching beneath and head turning at the last second to try and meet his mouth. 

Tricking you with a brief connection, he laughs when you chase his lips as he dodgers back. But a pout and whine bring him back into your orbit.

He cleans you up with paper towels, wiping away the mess between your thighs with something akin to disappointment. But he doesn’t complain as he fixes your clothes and then his own. Muscles like jelly, you fall into his side when he helps you down from the counter. 

With a kiss to your temple, “Let's get out of here.”

“Morning, Yoongi.” You smile as you walk up to his desk.

A set of dark eyes rise to greet you, taking the cup of coffee you so graciously offer before smiling as well. “Good morning.”

Jungkook gawks like he’s never seen you two speak before. Round eyes bounce between you and Yoongi as if it’s a tennis match instead of a normal conversation. Probably because Yoongi was less than subtle when he pulled you out of the building yesterday, telling him to call Namjoon if anything came up.

Or maybe because you’re wearing one of Yoongi’s shirts.

You discovered much about the mysterious librarian overnight. He’d taken you back to his apartment; a perfect extension of himself decorated with dark furniture and more books than anyone could possibly read. Yoongi owned a collection of vinyl records that rivaled his book collection, he was a great cook, and he was studying to take the entrance exam for law school. 

After you were wined and dined, Yoongi dedicated hours between your legs. On his couch, against the massive bookcase in his living room, between the sheets of his bed. 

He also had a kink for eating you out while you explained your thesis in precise detail.

You’d only been allowed to leave when Yoongi was getting ready for work, not that you'd put up much argument. 

You make a scene of sorting through the stack he slides over. It’s not that you don’t trust Yoongi. But now that you’ve had a taste, you’re addicted to his presence. But he unfortunately can’t follow you upstairs so you savor the time now. 

“One of my books is missing,” you say.

“Oh, right.”

Yoongi passes over an unfamiliar copy.

Maybe He Just Likes You

And the blue sticky note attached, with his handwriting. ‘Dinner when you're done?’

Taglist: @tomodachiii @cvpidyunho @miniseokminnies @ddaengpotate @arycutie @gaebestie @primoppang @gyuguys @mine-gyu @doremifasire @missminhoe @toplinehyunjin @crvs4vldtn @prettygyuuu @sliceofwoozi @dokyeomkyeom @yoonguurt

© highvern. copying/reuploading/translating my work anywhere is strictly prohibited.

[vilnmelling]

NPMD Digital Ticket details!

Since not every can/can afford to/wants to buy the Digital Ticket for Nerdy Prudes Must Die (and the bonus material that comes with the purchase), for your inclusion purposes, here's a list of fun background details, funny moments and comments made in the track commentary, for you to use however you like!

Ruth doesn't actually need to wear her headgear anymore, but she wears it anyway because it makes her feel safe.

Jeff pitched a Nightmare Time episode about the problematic puppy from Steph's verse of High School Is Killing Me, meaning there is a story there.

In the line, "I learned that at the anti bullying assembly last month, fucknugget!" there's a long pause before "Fucknugget!" which really makes it sound like Max forgot to insult Richie and just threw the word out.

All of the little noises Ruth makes, she makes because she has more she wants to say, but she can't say them (presumably due to anxiety).

In the proshot, you can't see fully how low Richie goes while he and Ruth sneak up on Peter, but Jon is fully crouched down. He then uses Pete's pockets and elbows to climb up like he's climbing a mountain (he mimes using a pick or axe to get good hold).

While Steph is talking, Ruth and Richie try their best to hear through the phone by getting as close as they can to it.

The reason Max and Jason were in the Pasqualli's parking lot is that they were practicing their skateboarding. They do that at Pasqualli's instead of at school/at a skatepark because they don't want the smoke club and skater kids to make them look like noobs. (This was a cut bit from the Pasqualli's scene).

The line, "Some big... dumb... sexy... football star" is expanded. In the Digital Ticket, Grace says, "Some big... dumb... sexy... sweaty... hot... well-spoken... beautifully tall football star."

When they're in the boys bathroom, Steph jumps to see over the stalls.

Richie Naruto runs when they're going to Waylon Hall. Pete slaps his hands down, but after they pause to look at the house, Richie looks over his shoulders at Pete a couple of times before darting away from him, once again Naruto running.

Richie stops in the door at the Waylon Place, so Pete pushes him inside.

Ruth and Richie speak at the same time when they say, "I'm allergic to deodorant" and "I have overactive sweat glands."

Ruth goes straight to Richie to complain after the "pus in my pits" exchange with Steph.

When Steph suggests saying there's a party at the Waylon Place, Pete, Ruth and Richie all react negatively (mostly nervously groaning).

While Grace sings the "He's just a nerd in disguise!" line, Richie can be seen practicing the first move of the Bully the Bully dance.

After Ruth says, "We're gonna cut off his nips!" you can see Steph look confused and ask, "What?"

While Pete and Richie talk in the Waylon Place ("Am I reading as ghost or Lin Manuel Miranda" & "She came all the way out here just for you."), Ruth and Steph discuss and practice Ruth's skeleton moves.

Richie gets stuck in the dangling parts of Pete's costume when he says, "You could just hit it and quit it, bro!" He then aggressively detangles himself.

The line "He's just really fucking brave!" comes from Richie being jealous that he's not that brave.

Richie hypes Ruth up a bit after Max says her skeleton bit was really special.

Grace hides behind Ruth while Max is dying.

Richie rolls his eyes when Grace says "It was an act of god!" (Similarly, Shapiro sighs and looks away in disbelief when Grace later says "It was god's plan!")

Pete gags when Grace says "Hack all his limbs off." Richie can also be seen gagging and holding his stomach several times.

Ruth hands Max's nipples over to Grace after cutting them off.

Jeff Blim is the principal of Hatchetfield High. Not a character of Jeff's, just Jeff himself.

Brenda still seems quite judgmental after the two weeks have passed. She makes a lot of not-quite-friendly faces when the football team's talking about Richie smelling bad.

When Richie struggles to remove the Zeke the Fightin' Nighthawk costume, he accidentally removes his jacket as well, leading to Jon having to put it back on (which he also struggles with) (and which creates a funny situation, since Richie was supposed to go shower).

Richie seems to have hurt his leg by the second fall in Nerdy Prudes Must Die (the song).

After Steph tells Grace to "Leave Ruth alone!" in the principal's office, Ruth tries to grab Steph's hand.

The wig Joey wears when he plays Dan Reynolds isn't Dan's real hair. Dan Reynolds wears a toupée.

Trevor and Angela's drama student encourage each other after they finish rehearsing.

Additional line when Grace is lying to Shapiro: "Suddenly, I remembered a crucial detail that made everything make sense. A picture came flashing into my mind, like I was Enola Holmes!"

"My dad sells women shoe! Shoes!"

Angela misses the chair at Beanie's and falls on her ass, leading to her, Joey and Mariah (mostly Mariah) breaking character.

During The Summoning, Tinky focuses ONLY on Pete. The entire time, he looks like he's restricting himself from lunging out and attacking him. At one point, he points at the Bastard's Box while staring at Pete.

90% of the time during The Summoning, Pokey's staring at his own mask.

Steph facepalms after Max says "That's nasty! ... I like it!"

[ailithnight]

Aheem... prompt from @regonold

16 Hours

Danny remembers the first time something shorted out his powers. Vlad with his stupid Plasmius Maximus thing. Well, 'remembers'. Mostly he remembers the aftermath.

Apparently Vlad hadn't known at the time exactly how Danny ended up half ghost. He thought it had been a slower progression like his own development. It hadn't occurred to him that Danny's original death had been much quicker.

Danny remembers a short, light shock. Really, the spector deflector was worse. But this shock... suddenly his muscles were seizing, his heart stuttering, his Lichtenbergs burning. And then, nothing. A blank space in Danny's head that apparently spanned 3 hours.

Next thing he knows, they're in some kind of vehicle. There are sirens outside (a police escort, Danny would later learn). His mom is driving like her life depends on it. And Vlad is giving him chest compressions, looking grieved and panic striken. He's crying. They both are.

"Please tell me you didn't have to kiss me." His voice comes out pained and raspy. Mom almost crashes the vehicle.

"No, Little Badger. Thankfully, you kept breathing. Just your heart that was struggling." Vlad chuckled, guilty yet relieved.

It was another hour before they made it to the nearest hospital from the stupid hunting cabin. 6 more for all the stupid medical tests. "An accident," Vlad told them. "Small shock, but with an already weak heart..."

Any other time, Danny might have argued. Tried to make Vlad admit more guilt. But the whole ordeal had exhausted him to much to care then.

The second time was marginally better. At least with the Fenton Crammer, it was a steady loss. And Danny managed to fix it before his healing factor fully failed. It still hadn't been pleasant, fighting Skulker and dealing with Dash while phantom echoes of his death arced across his body. But he'd managed.

This. This is so much worse. Danny thought it would be like the Crammer again. A steady decline. But it isn't.

And it isn't like the Maximus either, a one then done, pain then nothing, dying then dead, moment.

No. This is more like the blood blossoms. This is torture. This is hell.

The suppression cuffs let just enough of his power bleed through, just enough healing factor, to keep him alive. Alive and in agony for... hours? Days? Weeks? Minutes? Danny couldn't really tell. His thoughts had long since turned to nothing but static and pain. All he knew was that time was passing around him while he was here, suffering on the absolute brink of death yet unable to embrace it.

Oh god he wanted to die. Please just let him die already! It's too much. A death that should only last a few seconds drug out into an eternity. His muscles ached with the strain of being locked up. His insides were broiling from the electric heat. His heart stuttered and stopped and started and stuttered. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts!

He might have been screaming. He might have been Wailing. Or he might he been choking on weak uneven breaths. Danny didn't know. Didn't care to know. Didn't care if he ever found out the details of his time in chains. He just wanted, no needed, it to end. But it just dragged on and on and on. And Danny was lost in it.

Too far gone to even realize when it ended.

.

Batman hadn't been there when the new meta appeared, quite literally materializing from nowhere in the conference room mid-meeting. He had been dealing with a mass Arkham breakout at the time. So he wasn't there. An unfortunate fact which will haunt him for the rest of his life and possibly beyond.

He should have been there. If he had only been there...

He didn't blame his team mates. They didn't know. Who would have guessed that simple power suppression cuffs could ever be an instrument of torture. He'd never considered it possible.

He didn't blame his team mates. How could he blame them? Batman wasn't even the one to connect the dots. Red Robin figured it out. He always was good at stringing together thoughts know one else would think to connect.

Red Robin asked the right questions. He figured out in 5 minutes what the rest of the league and the best doctors -not technically- on earth had been agonizing over for 16 hours.

16 hours too long.

He should have been here. Should have come sooner.

"Don't know, B!" Flash had met him at the Zetas, already rambling at top speed before he could reorient himself after teleportation. Everyone else had gone home, unable to help and needing to tend to their own cities and responsibilities.

"He just- He appeared out of nowhere while we were in meeting. Didn't trip any alarms or nothing. Just popped up. We figured it had to be teleportation, but he'd have to know where the Watchtower was to do that.

So we figured, you know, random kid teleporting into the Watchtower during a Justice League meeting. Not good. Big threat. Bats would tell us to detain. So we did.

But before we could get him to a holding cell, there was this flash of light and he changed or something. He had white hair and green eyes and some sort of jumpsuit on when he appeared.

But after the light he had black hair and a t-shirt and jeans and I actually didn't see his eyes cause he just collapsed on the spot.

Started convulsing or seizing or something. And screaming. God, B, the screaming... So we took him to medbay and...

He's dying B. He has to be. He's got a fever that keeps spiking and dropping, his muscles keep spasming, and his heart keeps giving out...

He looks 14. He looks like..."

Flash had trailed off there, as they reached medbay. Bruce understood his reluctance to complete that sentence as soon as he saw the boy.

He looks like a Robin.

Like all 4 of his sons combined.

Like someone mixed Dick's and Jason's faces and put it on Tim's body at Damian's age.

It can't even be a trick. The suppression cuffs are nullifying his abilities. This is what he truly looks like.

His sons.

In pain.

In agony for 16 hours because Batman prioritized Gotham over an emergency on the Watchtower.

"When exactly did you say he collapsed."

"When we were moving him to a holding cell after we caught him. He was a trick to catch too. He-"

Red Robin cut him off. "Yeah, sure. But when exactly did this start. What happened immediately before?"

Flash was less then pleased about being interrupted, but acquiesced after a look from Batman. Tim had an idea. Tim was on to something. "Like I said, just after we caught him and got the cuffs on so he'd stop slipping away again."

Bruce couldn't keep the growl out of his voice one he realized what Tim was suggesting. Of course he knows it wasn't their fault. He's told all of them as much since. But in the moment...

"Take them off!"

"What?"

"It's the cuffs! Take the damn cuffs off! They're killing him!"

Flash wasted no more time, bolting out of the room to fetch the disabler. Tim didn't bother waiting for the fastest man alive. He had the cuffs disabled before Flash would have been able to swipe his access card into the detainment center storage room. Bruce practically threw the cuffs out of the room in his haste to get them away.

The change had been... not nearly as quick as Bruce would have liked. The heartrate settled out almost instantly, although into something a bit too slow for comfort. But it was steady and Bruce knew nothing about this kid's normal physiology so he counted it a win.

The screaming, of course, had long since choked off. According to Flash's report, his vocal cords failed after about an hour. But his facial expressions still indicated consciousness, though not awareness.

The muscles stopped spasming and unlocked slowly over the course of several minutes. Flash was back by then, looking a bit put out to have lost a race against Red Robin. Batman could not give a single flying fuck about Flash's ego right then.

Shortly after his muscles unlocking was when he finally passed out. Once more, Batman thought about 16 hours. 16 hours and he hadn't even been able to slip into unconsciousness for relief. He should have been here.

The fever was the slowest to break. In that it still hadn't broken almost 2 hours later. Batman had sent Tim and Flash home after Red Robin finished squeezing all the details he could out of Barry. Tim had given him a look before leaving, some mixture of worry and mischief. "Should I tell Agent A to prepare a room?" Bruce just rolled his eyes and shooed him off. Hopefully to bed. Knowing his son, probably not. Tim was most likely still up doing research. Bruce wanted to call Alfred to wrangle Tim to sleep.

But calling Alfred would mean leaving the room so the still potentially a threat meta couldn't hear if he woke up. And Bruce couldn't leave him. Not until the fever broke. Not until he woke up. Not until he knew the boy that looked like his sons would be okay.

Not until he could apologize for being late.

16 hours.

16 hours too late.

[doubleddenden]

The new trailer was interesting. It did the thing I didn't really want it to do by spoiling story related stuff and not reveal the actual new Pokémon we're missing, but for what it's worth it seems like the story will be pretty content heavy. Let's look at some screens I took and speculate on some stuff: and a friendly reminder that nothing I say here has any bearing on leaks that are possibly out there, so if I guess anything in the future, it was just a guess:

This crystal tree is pretty suspicious. Like first of all, this appears even DEEPER into Area Zero than we've been before, assuming. Did something or someone plant it here? Is it the remains of an underground world? Could it possibly be related to a legendary? Not to mention the FULL crystallization of the tree, vs the partial crystallization of the trees up top. It's definitely not safe to be here for long.

Next, Z move pose! BBA is off the coast of Unova, but there's a lot of Alola rep here. I wonder if they're doing this because Bank will shut down soon and this will be where they want us to get Alola forms for the next 5 ish years before they discontinue Switch online services?

Next, this is Crispin and what appears to be proof the BBE4 won't be restricted to singular types. My friend pointed out that this could possibly be a sun team with Exeggcutor there. Wonder why they opted for Kanto when Alolan is there? (I mean besides Kanto being why).

Next, the reveal of, WHOA WHODA THUNK, Champion? Corrupted Kieran anyway. I made a post a few months back when they showed off this guy from the neck down and made the prediction he'd be champion- that's not entirely confirmed just yet, but it does seem to be pointing in that direction. It's not really that much of a W because GF can be very predictable with their writing.

Anyway he looks heavily corrupted- YEAH LETS GO VILLAIN ARC!!!! His hair is fully purple now- honestly I'd have preferred it with black like before, but it's probably symbolic of his corruption. My friend even pointed out his hair kinda looks like the Toxic Chains the Loyal Three have- theory time, whatever gave them the chain is also corrupting Kieran because look at him. No light left in those eyes. Just rage. Fun :D

Next we have this- I assume it's Penny or Mela tbh, because I saw from a ways back where it seems like Team Star's Giacomo has reintegrated into Naranja/Uva Academy. Maybe Penny has stopped dying her hair and grew it out or Mela is being super proper now or something. Could also be a completely unrelated character.

Lastly for major story stuff, this is cool poster material. Kieran's rage or possibly fear of Terapagos, Carmine's worry for her brother, Briar... I mean come on, she's a villain in waiting, look at her face. Idk if I'm too quick to claim Terapagos is evil though, because the anime has firmly planted him in Just A Little Guy territory and I don't think they'd want to ruin that image considering they've been in charge of hyping him up since Horizons first started.

But yeah, the culmination of everything we've been through in one image. Kinda exciting.

Oh, and just some small tin foil hat pics

It's odd that they paired these trios together to me. Pokémon loves sprinkling breadcrumbs to tease at future projects, and these could pass for potential Legends starter trios.

But not for Unova.

Tepig and Snivy are the odd ones out here because it'd be kinda dumb to re use Unova starters for a Legends Unova game- now for Johto? Squirtle, Treeko, and Tepig COULD work, but Squirtle is also pretty close to home.

If I'm being real, this is probably nothing and just meant to highlight the starters across different generations coming home, with Tepig and Snivy being stand outs because this will be their first time being available on the Switch. Ever.

Other notable things I didn't screenshot:

BQs: basically side quests.

Synchronization? I guess? We can actually control a Pokémon. Conspiracy brain wants to say this is alluding to something, but I'm unsure. It's at least kind of neat because this has been a topic of various NPCs in the series for years. Those were probably just alluding to Mystery Dungeon games, but when Game Freak does something like this in DLC, it could hint at a future mechanic or possibly a feature in a future game.

Legendaries returning: I'm gonna be real, I'm not really all that excited by the prospect of yet another Legendary Bargain Sale that they've been doing since ORAS at this point. ORAS, USUM, Crown Tundra, and now Indigo Disk. At this point the legendaries are more common and accessible than some common pokemon like Furfrou or the elemental monkeys.

What's interesting to note are a couple of things:

1. DLC pokemon from SwSh are here too, including Kubfu. That's interesting, I wonder how it will evolve considering we needed the two towers in IoA last time? An NPC from the dojo?

2. Boi if you thought I wasn't gonna talk about the Unovan dragons- they didn't HAVE to single them out like that! They didn't have to. They did, though. I'm pretty sure we all know their next projects.

You may be saying "but it's too fast!" And I agree. They need to stop rushing things and take their time, but we all know they won't. All we can do is hope they actually try this time.

Anyways that was the last trailer for Indigo Disk. Maybe it's my severe depression talking, but I'm actually excited for Indigo Disk. It looks very content heavy and a bit prettier to look at than before. I hope it runs okay- I mean it won't, but I still hope it. I also hope this isn't as quick as Teal Mask was.

1 week lefts, bois

[totesnothere04]

Unexpected Turn of Events Pt. 2

Tonowari x Fem!Reader

I do not own ANY of the fanart or screenshots used with my fics.

Pt.1 here. Pt.3 here.

You ended up sitting in his family's marui so he could prepare food for everyone instead of just you. You get up to try and help him, but he shooes you back to where you were sat.

"Is there a reason behind you being nice enough to make me food?" You asked the intimidating man infront of you.

"Is this not a custom that humans have when they court a potential mate?" Tonowari asks and you feel the heat rush to your cheeks.

"M-mate? But I'm human." You say and he looks you up and down.

"Were human. You're Na'vi now, and a very beautiful one at that." Tonowari says.

"In any case, I haven't passed an iknimaya so I am not an adult in the people's eyes." You said and he smirked.

"I can train you." He said as he set down a leaf with a serving of food on it. At this point, his children ran into the marui and stopped in their tracks.

"Hey (Y/n)." Tsireya said as she grabbed herself a serving of food and sat down next to you. Ao'nung grabbed his food and sat across from you, and Tonowari sat down on your other side.

"So you're not human anymore." Ao'nung said.

"Really? I couldn't tell." You said and Tsireya laughed lightly while Tonowari held in his laugh.

"Ha ha. Are you planning on training now?" Ao'nung asked and Tonowari nearly jumped at the chance to answer his son.

"I will be teaching her. To hunt, to breathe, to ride an ilu, and eventually a tsurak." Tonowari answered his son.

"I better keep my med kit handy. I can't say I'll be a natural. I've been in the books since I was a kid." You said and they looked at you oddly. "Oh books? They're uh paper stacks that have information on the front and back of every page." They still didn't have the idea fully grasped but didn't say anything about it.

"We will start tomorrow to test your breath endurance." Tonowari said and you nodded.

"I mean I was on the swim team in high school and college. It's how I paid for my schooling." You said. "Uh competitive swimming is a sport on Earth."

"The only thing that sounds fun about your planet." Ao'nung joked and you laughed as well.

"It was sometimes, but there were some people that were too into it. They'd cut any and all hair off of the body so they could slice through the water faster." You told him and he looked even more confused. "Anyone here would've been able to outswim all of those people. I mean you're naturally evolved to be in the water. I mean this is a fin... You can't tell me otherwise." You say as you run your fingers over the fins on the side of your left arm. Tonowari snatches your hand and looks at it.

"I think... I think the Great Mother cleansed your body of all demon blood. Only three fingers and a thumb." Tonowari pointed out and you were surprised. You hadn't noticed that it was different from Jake's.

"I assumed that I would have four fingers like Jake." You said quietly then looked outside to notice it was approaching eclipse. "I should probably go home and rest it's close to eclipse." You say as you stand. "Can I help clean up?"

"No, you were a guest. Plus it's my turn to clean up after dinner." Ao'nung says.

"I will walk you home." Tonowari volunteers and the two of you set off in the direction of your home. "We will need to get you clothes that fit you." He says breaking the silence you look down at your body and realize how your clothes sit on you.

"I didn't even realize how much smaller my clothes are on me now. I'll start weaving a new outfit." You say and he nods.

"Until it is ready I know the weaving circle will most likely have extra pieces they've made. So long as we make an exchange with some extra material they'll be willing to part with them." Tonowari says and you stop outside of your marui.

"Thank you for dinner, and allowing me to care for Kiri." You say.

"That's the issue. Tsireya was not fully trained to be Tsahík before her mother passed away. You said Ronal implanted her wisdom into your mind. She did that so you could complete our daughter's training." Tonowari said. "I bid you goodnight."

"Goodnight Tonowari. I look forward to you teaching me." You say as you disappear into your pod and close the flaps loosely. You never fasten them in fear of being needed to tend to someone during the night. You lay down on your mat and fall asleep quickly.

The next day you were awake bright and early, ready for a day of training with Tonowari. You prepared yourself a quick breakfast, ate, then left your marui. You found a good place out in the open so it would be easy for Tonowari to see you when he was ready to start. You decided to start working on your breathing and slowing your heart rate. You had sat in the same spot only for about half an hour when footsteps approached you.

"I see you're ready to go." Tonowari said as he reached you.

"Yes. I didn't want to keep you waiting." You said as you opened your eyes and looked up at him.

"We will start with diving, move into riding an ilu, and finish with learning to hunt." Tonowari says and starts making his way over to the docks. You get up and follow behind him as you fiddle with the top the aunties gave you this morning. "Let me see how well you can dive." You take position and dive into the water head first and continue down. You swim a little further ahead and you're soon joined by Tonowari.

"You dive very good." Tonowari signs and you thank Eywa that Kiri has been teaching you their Na'vi sign language.

"Thank you." You sign back and he looks at you shocked.

"I'm surprised you know our sign language." Tonowari replies.

"Kiri has been teaching me." You sign to him and he nods once. He starts leading you through the reef showing you the designated hunting areas, and the best places to get clams. At the end of the tour of the reef, he leads you to the shallows to teach you to ride an ilu. He clicks his tongue to summon the creatures and he eventually has two that come up to him.

"In order to successfully hunt you must learn to ride an ilu. When the time comes I will teach you to ride a tsurak... Unless you want to start on a tsurak." Tonkwari teases and you feel the color drain from your face.

"No, no. I'm not Jake. I'm not going to get ahead of myself." You say and chuckle nervously. He smiles warmly at you and then guides one of your hands to the ilu. When your hand makes contact it chitters happily then grab your queue. You calm yourself from your nerves then make tsaheylu and you feel your heartbeat move in sync with her heartbeat. You mount her and Tonowari makes his way around you positioning you correctly.

"When riding an ilu position is important. They move through the water fast, and you need to have a good grip on the handle." Tonowari says and you nod. "You can tell them what to do through your connection." You get a good grip on the handle and will the ilu to move forward slowly. It does so and then starts picking up speed as you get accustomed to riding it. You make your way back to Tonowari and dismount your ilu.

"You learn fast. Now you learn to hunt. Come." Tonowari says then leads you to one of the designated hunting areas.

"Any advice?" You ask him.

"Anticipate their movements and aim for their forward movements. I will demonstrate." Tonowari says then leads you down and takes aim at a fish. He pulls the trigger on his weapon and it delivers a killing blow to the fish. He turns to you with a cocky smirk and you mimic a small clapping motion. He quirks a brow and motions for you to try, and your teasing facade falls a bit. You'd never hunted a single time in your life, so you knew you'd mess it up somehow. You readied your weapon and steeled your nerves then snuck up on some fish. You aimed at a fish and waited for the right moment then pressed the trigger. Your jaw dropped in surprise when it hit its target and you turned back to Tonowari still wearing your surprised expression. He smirks at you again and you gather your hunt while he gathers his and you both surface.

"I thought I was going to miss... I've never hunted before. Or fished." You said and he led you over to your ilu and showed for you to place your fish in the ilu's bag.

"Maybe you were meant for life with the Metkayina." Tonowari suggests and you look back over the horizon.

"That had to be beginners luck. I say I try again and see if I can do it again." You tell him and he looks impressed.

"If that's what you wish then we shall continue hunting." Tonowari says and reloads his weapon and you do the same. Continue hunting the two of you did. You just continued to get better and Tonowari was very impressed by your abilities. When you both decided that was enough for the day you realized you had way too many fish for just you.

"Hey Tonowari... I got carried away and definitely have way more fish than what I need." You said sheepishly and he couldn't help but agree.

"The weavers and elderly will most likely appreciate the fish." Tonowari says. "We should head back." The two of you mount your ilu's and race back to the village. When you get back it's slightly past midday and you follow Tonowari's lead. He teaches you to prepare the fish to be cooked and eaten and then takes you to the weavers.

"Olo'eyktan!" One of the women says happily as the two of you walk into the area.

"My student caught too many fish today and was wondering if anyone wanted to make a trade." Tonowari says and motions for you to show your extra catch. You do so and are met by silence for a moment, but two women jump up at the same time.

"This is perfect timing! My mate has fallen ill and I'm providing for our family. I'm Ra'ina." Ra'ina says as she starts showing you what she has to offer for trade.

"Your mate is ill? Why haven't you come to me? I can help." You say as you look at her in question.

"Oh, he didn't want to bother you with all the responsibilities you have now." She says sheepishly.

"Nonsense. My job is to heal people. That is why I am here. I will retrieve my medicines and go with you to your marui to help your mate." You said and she nodded.

"Thank you (Y/n)." Ra'ina said with a smile.

"I'm Sya." The other woman says and you can tell by looking at her, that she is still very young. "I don't know if you were there last month, but my father passed away. My mother is still mourning so I've been trying to provide for her and my younger siblings." She says and you frown. You must have come in right after his funeral because you don't remember attending his service.

"She was not here at that time Sya. I'm sorry for your loss." Tonowari is quick to jump to your aid. "I'm sure if you ask assistance from my hunters we would be glad to help where we can." He offers the young woman and she smiles in a thankful manner.

"Thank you Olo'eyktan." Sya says and you look at what both women are offering in exchange. Ra'ina was offering a top and Sya was offering a loincloth. You split your hunt between the two and they're both thankful for the fish. You smile at your new clothing as you leave the weavers with Tonowari.

"Alright I need to retrieve my items so I may work on healing Ra'inas mate." You tell Tonowari and he nods.

"Then it is good we finished lessons for today." Tonowari says as the two of you stop infront of your marui.

"This is my stop. Thank you for teaching me Tonowari." You say and he dips his head.

"You're welcome. It is my pleasure to teach the woman I plan to court." Tonowari says and you feel yourself blush. He lifts your hand to his lips and kisses the back of your hand. "I will see you tomorrow (Y/n)."

"Have a good evening Tonowari." You tell him and he turns and walks away. You can't help but allow your eyes to roam over his retreating form. Taller than you by atleast a foot, broad shoulders, tattoos, good with children... You felt yourself mentally swoon at the God of a man named Tonowari. You turn and make your way into your marui and gather your supplies and then make your way back to the weavers. The entire evening your mind couldn't expel the thought of what Tonowari's plans are. He wants to court you, and you aren't planning on objecting or rejecting.

The next day you sat in your marui with Neytiri, Tsireya, Kiri, and Ra'ina. You were all kind of just joking, gossiping, and having a pleasant conversation as you all worked on individual projects. Neytiri was working on a gift for Jake, Tsireya was making a bracelet for Lo'ak, Kiri was mending some of her siblings' things, and you and Ra'ina were working on a new mat for her and her husband. A knock sounded on your door and you looked up to find Jake smirking at Tonowari.

"I told you they were all in here." Jake says with his voice full of humor. Tonowari rolled his eyes in amusement.

"Are you looking for something?" You asked them.

"Well..." Jake starts bashfully and you know someone is hurt. You send an apologetic look to the ladies.

"I shall return as soon as I can. I must attend to Jake's mess as per usual." You joke with them and they all chuckle, including Neytiri.

"Neytiri! My beautiful mate... You wound me by not standing up for my honor." Jake says dramatically and you smack the side of his head.

"Take me to the wounded." You demand.

"Do you see this Olo'eyktan? She abuses me." Jake says with a pout and Tonowari looks away from the two of you.

"See what? I didn't see anything." He says and Jake sighs in defeat and then starts to lead the way.

"What happened? Who's hurt?" You ask Jake.

"Don't tell Neytiri." Jake says and you look at him quizzically. "Tonowari and I took the boys out to hunt so they could hopefully bond, but Lo'ak accidentally grazed Neteyam with a bolt from his crossbow." Jake explained and you sighed while massaging your brow.

"You realize she will find out sooner or later. I cannot heal an injury into non-existence before she returns home." You tell him and he nods.

"I know." Jake says.

"Besides they are children they will learn at their own pace. Whether it be, get out of the way of a lined-up shot, or don't shoot your sibling... Either way, it is a lesson learned." You tell him. When you walk into their marui Neteyam looks annoyed as does Ao'nung, and Lo'ak is panicking. Neteyam looks up to see you and holds out his arm and you kneel next to him.

"So what happened exactly?" You asked him.

"Lo'ak was talking to Ao'nung about something and wasn't paying attention to his hands. He pulled the trigger of the crossbow and it grazed my arm." Neteyam explained and you looked to Lo'ak.

"Kid... You gotta learn proper weapon etiquette. Your finger rests idle near the trigger when it's not in use." You tell him and he nods.

"I know. I just got really into the conversation." Lo'ak said and you sighed.

"I'm just glad that it isn't something severe." You said as you started to apply the few stitches needed for Neteyams wound. Once you finished and wrapped it in seaweed bandages you pulled Lo'ak and Neteyam into a hug. "I am just happy that both of you are alright. My beautiful nephews." You say with a joking tone and Lo'ak groans while Neteyam smiles at the praise. You turned to look at Ao'nung who was laughing at the interaction. "Don't make me pull you into this group hug kid."

"My dad wouldn't allow it." Ao'nung says when he realizes you started to turn toward him. You look to Tonowari who smirks at you.

"It would allow you to bond with ma (Y/n), Ao'nung." Tonowari told his oldest who did a double take at what his father just said.

"Did you just call her 'ma (Y/n)'?" Ao'nung asked his father.

"Yes. What else do you call the person you plan to court?" Tonowari says and Ao'nung looks at you shocked.

"You could call her yawne or yawntu." Jake suggested, and your cheeks start to burn with embarrassment and your ears fold back.

"I do not think you will have any problems with courting her father. Look at her reaction." Ao'nung started to join in on poking fun at you. You finished cleaning your hands and hid your face in your hands.

"I am retreating to my marui." You stated and stood up to leave. "Neteyam be careful with that arm. You could pop the stitches if you do any strenuous activity." You tell him and he nods.

"I am very aware Auntie. It's not my first time getting stitched up." Neteyam says and you nod then leave.

"Have fun doing whatever men do in their freetime." You call over your shoulder. You hear them laugh as you leave and a small smile makes its way onto your face.

[vodika-vibes]

LOL Cody lied about Alpha toning it down to be a good big brother calming down anxious Dad Rex 😂 what happens when the kids find out he didn’t tone it down for them? 🤭

Cody is an amazing big brother, and all of the kids are shocked to hear that they survived actual ARC training.

"This has been the worst six months of my life," Vali declares from the front of the line, "I had to have my prosthetics replaced three times because of this training." "Yeah, but now you have better prosthetics. You know, actually useful ones, compared to the pretty ones that Naboo paid for." River points out from just behind her. "Yeah, yeah. I know." And he's right, Vali's arm is now made of a much more durable material, and it's matte, rather than silver, so it doesn't reflect light anymore. The group of fourteen kids comes to a stop in front of Alpha, with Vali and River working together to make sure the Junior ARCs are lined up properly, before turning their attention to the adult ARCs near the back and bullying them into formation as well. Alpha watches this with a gleeful smirk on his face. River and Vali have the makings of CCs, and their armor even has CC designations on them. In fact, of the nearly 28 people in the room, only River and Vali have CC designations. Cody is going to lose his shit. "Quiet." Alpha orders, as Vali and River settle into place in front of the formation, "Congratulations, all of you. You've passed ARC training." He smirks at the puzzled expression on some of the little CTs faces. The pair of CCs have a look of resigned exasperation on their face. Figures they would have figured it out. They're the only ones who regularly interacted with the older cadets after all. "Did you really think that I had the time, or the inclination, to create a Junior ARC program and run it at the same time as the regular ARC program? No. Absolutely not. You are all fully qualified ARC troopers." Vali sighs, "Dad's going to flip his shit." "Yeah, well, Rex went through ARC training too, so he can take it up with me if he has a problem with it." Alpha says, "Kamas and pauldrons will be distributed at the end of the day. Vali and River, with me." The pair share a look and then they hurry after their uncle. He leads them through the halls, and into a very specific supply room, "They ready?" "Yes, sir." Pep, one of their uncles, says from where he's getting something set up. He favors the kids with a grin, and then moves to the side, revealing two, nearly identical, sets of armor. "River, you're probably going to grow until you're in your twenties, so you'll be making several trips here over the years. But Vali, you're done growing, side effect of being a woman." Alpha says, "So you shouldn't need any replacements for the armor we prepared for you." Vali eyes the armor, "Ba'vodu...that's Commander Armor." "I'm aware." Alpha says with a smirk, "Commander Armor and Commander Helmets. For the both of you. Neither of you are getting pauldrons, since we decided to give you the visored commander helmet instead. What color paint do you want?" "Blue," Vali says immediately. "Purple." River says at the same time.

[that-stray-bird]

The Outworld Melodia

Sorrows and ideals come to light, while the troubled one's soul remains unbright. Lost in an uncharted world from the past, the regret's shadow forever to last.

Warnings: mentions of abduction, bomb threats, lack of sleep, reader having some family issues, robbing, chasing, teleporting, nightmares, passed away people, someone dying, angst, rain, and some comfort for Kunikida.

Chapter 5

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

The city was shrouded in mist. The distant blaring of car horns in the city's center reached your ears while dimly lit shopping signs adorned the buildings, catching your eye. A group of doves, pecking at the sidewalk for crumbs, scattered into the air as you walked through them. You carried your violin on your back and held a phone to your ear, tears streaming down your cheeks like a furious river.

"Mom! I'm serious! Why can't you listen to me once in a while?!" you screamed since it was your mother on the other side of the phone line. "I just want a week of peace without those two ruining everything!" you declared. "(Name)! Calm down! You're overreacting!" your mother started from the other side.  

"Overreacting! You let those two do whatever they bloody want, but once I want something. I'm suddenly the bad guy! Those halfwits are literally breaking more laws than I have ever broken a single house rule!" you said. "I don't want to spend time with those criminals. Why are you forcing me to tolerate them?!" you yelled. "They're your siblings. They might misbehave once in a while, but they’re your family,” your mother gave the same excuse you had heard a thousand times. 

"Step-siblings! And they're not my family. They've been nothing but a thorn in my ass ever since you brought them into the house with that man, and when they literally break the law, you don’t even properly discipline them. You let them go with a measly warning and then do whatever their father tells you to do!” you said.

 “You are a sad excuse of a mother!” 

"(Name)! You come home right now! You're grounded!" your mother said with frustration.

"Exactly! Every time I express my feelings, I get punished, while those two brats get ice cream after breaking some poor kid's toy." you flailed your arms, and tears welled in your eyes. "This is why I can't rely on you for anything!" you yelled at her and ended the call before she could respond.

Stopping in your tracks, you took deep breaths, but then you kicked a trash can and cried angrily. You covered your eyes as the tears forced themselves out of your eyes. 

When did your own mother become so distant from you? When has she started valuing the feelings of stranger's children over yours?

You wiped your tears away with the sleeve of your jacket and tried to calm the storm of emotions raging within you. Crying openly in the middle of the streets was not something you wanted to do, so you steeled yourself and tried to continue your journey back to your apartment.

Someone suddenly bumped into you. "Hey!" you yelled, glaring at the hooded person.

"Sorry," the hooded person mumbled and quickly walked away. You took a deep breath, trying to control your frustration, but then you noticed that your phone and wallet were gone.

"Hey!" you yelled with increasing anger as you realized that the hooded person was the one who took your belongings. The hooded person quickly sprinted away, and you gave chase, fully aware that losing your phone and wallet to a robber would only add more to your troubles.

You chased the hooded burglar to an empty street corner. They momentarily vanished from your sight, but when you rounded the corner, you were astonished to see the burglar standing at the dead end, their hands glowing with an eerie blue light. They made a motion with their hand, and a large portal materialized. You nearly rubbed your eyes to see if you were dreaming, but it was very clear that you were not dreaming or imagining things. The portal was real, like something out of the movies you’d seen. 

Despite your shock, your determination to retrieve your belongings overcame your hesitation. You charged at the burglar, shouting, "Hey! Give me back my things!" and tackled them. Unknowingly, you pushed them and yourself into the portal, and you plunged through the blue vortex. As you fell, your voices merged into terrified screams until you both landed hard on the forest floor.

Groaning in pain, you pushed yourself up from the grassy ground, feeling a throbbing ache in your arms and legs. As you struggled to regain your bearings, you noticed the burglar getting up and fleeing. "Hey! Get back here!" you yelled, but your numb legs prevented you from giving chase.

Sitting on the grass, you patiently waited for the feeling to return to your legs. You glanced down at your phone, which you had managed to snatch back from the burglar's pocket during the chaotic portal tumble. Unfortunately, the burglar still had your wallet. 

“What the hell?” you uttered when you noticed your surroundings. 

You were in a forest even though you clearly remember being in a city. The forest was shrouded in darkness, and unsettling, unnatural sounds emanated from the shadows, like something beastly was lurking nearby.

You gasped when you heard something rustling, and then you saw a sinister sight: a gnarled tree with black, malicious eyes and fangs protruding from its bark. Its roots and twigs writhed toward you, no doubt prepared to snare you. Overwhelmed with fear, you screamed, and suddenly, all turned black.

—

Gasping awake, your heart pounded against your chest as you stared at the ceiling. Soon, you realized you were lying on your futon, safe in your familiar dorm room, and that it was just a bad dream you just saw. 

Letting out a fatigued sigh, you ran your fingers through your hair, scratching the back of your head as you got up from your bed. Your eyes stung from dryness, and you groggily made your way to the kitchen for a glass of water.

Unwashed dishes lay scattered around the sink, a chore you had been meaning to tackle but struggled to find the time and energy for. In the corners, a collection of clothes and dust had accumulated, leaving your place in a less than pristine state, quite unlike its usual cleanliness.

The turmoil in your head began to subside as you poured a glass of water and took a painkiller to address the persistent morning headache. You couldn't pinpoint the exact cause of these headaches, but your best guess was your irregular sleep patterns. Lately, you've been struggling to maintain a healthier sleep schedule.

As your mind cleared, you couldn't help but think about the dream when it came back to you. A realization dawned that it wasn’t just a random dream but a memory, the haunting memory of how you ended up in this world, separated from your own. 

Fortunately, there was no tree monster to eat you when you fell from the portal that day; you were just left to fend for yourself in those woods. 

You then had been trying to track down the burglar, especially once it became clear that they possessed the unique ability to traverse between worlds. The motive behind their robbery remained a mystery, but you were certain that finding them was the key to helping you return to your own world. 

It's just been challenging since you didn't dare to ask for the agency's help. They didn't know you were from a different world, and you were too afraid to find out how they would react if you told them, so finding the burglar had been a quiet project for you. Luckily, you had some people who knew and promised to keep a lookout. You should ask them later if they have found something new. 

Your phone vibrated, and you took it out to see it was a message from Dazai. Sighing, you looked into what he had to say, knowing he had something mischievous in his mind. 

"Hey, (Name). When you're awake come to the agency," - Dazai had written. 

"Why?" - you typed. 

"Just come. I have something to show you =) " - Dazai replied with a smiley emoji. 

You closed your phone and began preparing for the day. You knew that arguing with Dazai could be exhausting, and he had a way of being persistently annoying when it came to you joining his shenanigans, so it was just easier for you to say yes and see what he was up to. 

—

You walked into the office and spotted Kunikida, Atsushi, and Dazai engrossed in a conversation and working on something. You had heard they were working on an abduction case, so it piqued your curiosity even further what Dazai wanted. "Good morning," you greeted them with a sleepy tone as you approached.

"Morning, (Name)," Atsushi greeted you with a warm smile until he noticed your fatigued appearance, which prompted his concern. "Are you okay? You look very tired," he inquired.

You stifled a yawn and replied, "I just had a rough night's sleep. It's nothing to worry about."

"You know, you would get more sleep if you lessen your nightly violin sessions," Kunikida said while focussing on typing on his computer. "I could then start doing some gigs again, but then you would start scolding me for working less in the agency," you stated, then glanced at Dazai. 

 "Anyway, Dazai, what is it that you wanted to show me," you glanced at the brunette. 

"We were discussing Kunikida's affection for his meticulous planning and his vision of the ideal woman," Dazai said with a mischievous grin. "As a lovely lady yourself, perhaps you could share your thoughts on his dream lady?" He then revealed a section from Kunikida's notebook, which he likely pilfered.

Kunikida stared at Dazai, startled and clearly annoyed. "You bastard, when did you swipe that?!" he exclaimed.

You looked at Dazai disappointed. "Dazai. I don't think it's nice to make fun of — Oh!" your eyes widened when you finally comprehended the words in Kunikida's notebook. "See. I told you it was something interesting!" Dazai said as he let you take the notebook from his hand and read it thoroughly. 

"Dazai, you bastard!" Kunikida said as he tried to strangle the bandaged man. Atsushi looked at the scene concerned while you closed the notebook, having read enough. 

"Kunikida," you said, making him freeze and give you his attention.

"With all due respect. You have the right to your preferences and types in a partner, but..." you said, making him nearly flinch from your tone of voice. "Is it really that too much?" he questioned. "No! No!... but..." you winced, and Atsushi grimaced at your obvious failing attempt trying to be nice about the whole thing. 

"I think if you want to have chances in the future, don't show this to your potential partner," you handed the notebook back to Kunikida.  

Kunikida appeared nearly defeated, Dazai was snickering, and Atsushi regarded you with a sympathetic gaze. You awkwardly patted the taller man on the shoulder. "Uhm... don't take my words too seriously. I'm sure you'll find someone perfect for you one day," you tried to sound comforting, though it might have come across as insincere.

"She's right, but what's regrettable thought is this..." Dazai took out a newspaper. You looked over to see a picture of Kunikida. "You should have picked sexier eyeglasses. If you ended up in the news," Dazai then looked at Kunikida. "These are so lame," he grabbed Kunikida's glasses, "Hey!" Kunikida protested. 

Dazai then put the glasses on himself. "Only a natural flamboyant person like me could pull off wearing them," he said. He then struck a little pose. "What do you think, (Name), Atsushi?" he asked."You look good," you said. "Not bad," Atsushi added. 

Kunikida was quiet for a moment, most likely thinking something. He then looked like he had a realization. "What's the matter?" Dazai asked, and Kunikida took his glasses back. 

"Let's go. I know who's behind this," Kunikida said. 

"Oh dear..." Dazai sighed and then turned to you. "Ah, (Name), I almost forgot. I was supposed to ask if you could take care of a few things while we're away and look after our latest guest." He handed you a parchment. "She's a victim we rescued from drowning yesterday," he added as you read the note.

"Yeah, sure. I can handle that," you replied.

"Thank you~" Dazai teased with a grin and stood up. "I knew we could always count on you for extra help."

"Yeah, yeah... be careful," you said as they left to investigate Kunikida's suspect.

However, you were curious about the thing Dazai asked you to do. 

—

Later in the evening, after cleaning up your place and making a place for a guest, you placed a cup of tea on the table. "I'm sorry for the trouble, Miss Sasaki. You had come to a peaceful trip but right after being saved from abduction. The whole city is now under a bomb threat. It seems these are very unlucky times now," you said as you sat on the opposite side of the dinner table. 

"It's alright, (Name). I'll understand. Thank you for letting me stay at your place, " The dark-haired woman softly smiled as she accepted the cup of tea. "It's the least I could do since you are technically in our protection," you said. 

"So... you're a university teacher?" you asked. “Yes, I study and specialize in criminology,” Sasaki smiled at you. “That’s an intriguing subject. Do you have any thoughts about this whole case with the Azure King and all?” you questioned. “How much do you know about the Azure King?” Sasaki asked. “Not much. I do find his case interesting. I’ve heard he was a leader of a terrorist group and that he had intense ideals. It kinda reminds me of Kunikida,” you said, making her chuckle. 

“I agree with that,” she softly said. “I mean… Kunikida’s not terrible, but he should take it easy once in a while. If he doesn’t I’m afraid Dazai will end up being right, and he dies from cribbling anger or something.” you said. Sasaki smiled amused. 

“He does remind me of my lover a bit,” Sasaki said, her gaze fixed on her tea, her emotions hidden but suffused with deep sorrow. It seemed that something had happened to her beloved.

Curious, you inquired, "What was your lover like?"

Sasaki looked surprised for a moment as if she hadn't anticipated the question. "Well... as I said, he was quite like Kunikida. Filled with ambitions and ideals. I admired those qualities about him because I didn't have many of my own," she replied. Your curiosity led you to ask, "I'm sorry, but he 'was'? Did something happen to him?"

Sasaki's surprise lingered. You realized she unintentionally revealed a truth she might not have meant to share. "I'm sorry for being rude," you quickly apologized.

Her voice softened as she confessed, "No, it's all right. I told the others that my lover is still alive, but the truth is he passed away in an incident a long time ago, and I find it difficult to talk about him."

With empathy, you responded, "It's all right. I completely understand."

“I’m sorry. I didn't mean to cause any unpleasant memories,” you said sincerely. Sasaki remained quiet till her eyes landed upon your violin, which was placed on a stand. “You play music?” she motioned at the violin. “Yes. I used to be a music student. It helps me relieve stress,” you stated. “Why aren’t you a student anymore?” she questioned curiously. “I had a little incident, which forced me to quit. Would you like to hear me play?” you questioned. 

“Oh, (Name). I would love to hear you play,” Sasaki smiled with her hands together. “My lover had his ideals and ambitions, but he had a certain appreciation for music,” she revealed. You stood up and grabbed your violin from the stand. 

“Well… I hope I can bring good memories with my playing,” you said, placing the violin on your shoulder and slowly beginning to play a familiar tune. 

Your dorm room resonated with the melody of your music, and Sasaki appeared content as she listened to you play. Having your ability fully active, you had access to her full spectrum of emotions. From the outside, she presented a soft, seemingly happy, and contented tune due to your music. However, delving deeper into her inner world, you discover hollowness and emptiness that nearly startled you. 

You could sense deep hatred and sorrow. Sasaki’s tune was sorrowful yet hid something dark behind the brightness. Now, you understand why Dazai asked you to look into her feelings through your ability, her true feelings. She was not what she claimed to be. 

Carefully yet willing to please your guest with songs, you spent the night playing till it was time to rest and wait for good news. 

— 

Good news greeted your ears when the morning came. Atsushi, Dazai, and Kunikida had successfully defused the bomb in time, leading to the arrest of a couple of ability users, who had been manipulated by another party to commit those actions. The city was safe, but unfortunately, this meant that the Azure Messenger case had not yet been solved.

You ascended the stairs intending to meet with Dazai to share the information you had gathered during your time with Sasaki.

However, you did not intend your foot to miss a step and make you fall backward. “Shit!” you embraced for impact, but then a pair of hands caught you, pulled you back, spun you around, and then you were faced with Dazai as he held your back and hand from falling but keeping you in a dip position with a cheeky smile on his voice. 

“Careful now. You could have hurt yourself,” Dazai said. 

“My foot slipped, but thank you, Dazai,” you replied as he helped you stand and let go. 

“Did you have a pleasant time with Miss Sasaki?” Dazai asked. “I did. She was nice company, but… I learned something,” you pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Dazai. “I’m afraid she’s not who she claims to be and that…. she might be involved in this whole case,” you explained as Dazai read everything you had written on the paper. He had a disappointed expression on his face. 

“Well, that is a shame indeed,” he said as he refolded the paper. 

“You had a lead all this time?” you questioned. “Let’s just say I had a little hunch. I need a few more proofs to fulfill my suspicions,” Dazai replied. 

“How do you think Kunikida is going to react? The two seemed to have grown a liking to each other?” you questioned. “Unfortunately, this is going to be the misfortune he has to face. There’s no denying that,” Dazai said seriously. 

You remained silent, feeling a sense of pity for Kunikida. Dazai, however, interrupted your thoughts by clapping his hands together, gaining your attention. "But let's not get too melancholic just yet. We'll know more once this case is finally wrapped up," he stated before leaving. "Thank you, (Name). I'll treat you for your help in this," he added.

Playfully, you responded, "If your idea of a treat involves a double suicide, I'll pass."

Dazai exaggeratedly feigned offense. "Ugh! Harsh words! (Name)! How about you strangle me to death with the strings of your violin as well?"

"Oh, shut it, you drama queen!" you retorted as he exited through the door. You shook your head at his dramatics while still contemplating the potential tragedy Kunikida might face with Sasaki. You could only hope that it wouldn't be too devastating.

— 

The day had truly been filled with misfortunes. Miss Sasaki had indeed been responsible for the recent events. Dazai and Kunikida had confronted her, but the encounter had left Rokuzo severely wounded, who then upon chance took Sasaki’s life before succumbing to his own injuries. The loss had hit Kunikida hard, as he had cared for Rokuzo after the boy's father was killed in the explosion caused by the Azure King, who in the end, was Sasaki's deceased lover. Losing both of them like this was an epitome of twists and tragedies.

Despite Kunikida's preference for solitude in moments of mourning, you felt compelled to check on him. You knew he would likely be at the cemetery, where Rokuzo's father was laid to rest, and there he stood, silently before the tombstone. The sky had turned gray, and somber clouds dominated the weather. The usual bright and determined tune of his emotions had fallen silent, replaced by a deep, quiet well of pain and sorrow.

You silently appeared next to him, holding an umbrella above his head since it began to pour, an impeccable timing for such a sorrowful day. 

“I wonder…” Kunikida started, his voice oddly quiet. “What he would say now that I have allowed his only son to die under my watch?” his question silently haunted the air as you thought about what to say to him to even slightly relieve the pain from his heart. 

Telling him it was not his fault would be useless since he was technically drowning in guilt. 

“I think he might feel grateful…” you said, “And why do you say that?” Kunikida glanced at you. “Because you were there for Rokuzo at least till the very end. When he couldn’t,” you glanced at the tombstone. 

After a few seconds of silence, you heard Kunikida release a silent gasp and saw tears finally pour down from his eyes like the rain around you. You remained quiet, letting him shed his sorrow. In other cases, it would have been strange to see him in such a state since he was always so confident and level-headed, but in this case, it only felt natural. 

Kunikida allowed his tears to fall for a moment till he took in a deep breath and dried up his tears, recovering from the sudden rush of emotions. You felt the pain in his heart relieve just a bit, and it was enough to make you glad. 

“I will be handling the funeral. (Name)...” Kunikida paused. You glanced and hummed to hear what he was about to say. “Will you be willing to play a few songs there? At least to revoke some good memories,” he questioned. You gently nodded. “Of course,” you replied. 

“Thank you…” Kunikida said as the rain continued to fall around you, watering the gray tombstones and washing away the sorrows.

[be-ready-when-i-say-go]

Food Fight

Enjoy this rambling.

Feel free to send me Eddie requests!

_____________________________

Eddie keeps clean old clothes in the back of his van. He does so for reasons--some of the pure laziness, some of them out of necessity.

You and him have been friends for years, since middle school. You don't really have a crowd and while you get along with Eddie's friends as you've always just sort of floated throughout your school friends. You hang out at the Hellfire lunch table most days but other days you duck away to the library and read in there when you're overwhelmed.

And as long as you've known Eddie, Eddie's known your sibling. They're three years younger and cling to you like a life raft, which means by default Eddie adopts them too. They're a little bewitched by Eddie sometimes. The boisterous personality can be like a magnet. But they're still a little shy and don't cause much fuss at all. Once you graduate, and Eddie repeats his senior year for the first time, he makes a point to let them know if they ever need him to go to the nurse's office and have her ask for him. He does share his schedule, should it ever become a necessity that they find him directly.

The school nurse is nice and Eddie gets along with her the most.

Eddie's trying not to gauge his eyes out in biology. He gets the material, but he's antsy. He's always needed to get up throughout any extended periods of time to help him concentrate. Mr. Smith is not a forgiving man and so Eddie sits in the back leg shaking, tapping his fingers and rings to the table, trying to get his brain to actually cut through the noise of random thoughts--laundry, get some grocery, band practice, ice cream sounds good.

A knock sounds at the door. The entire classroom snaps their attention to the door and there at the door is another student. A yellow pass in their hands--Eddie knows that pass anywhere. "Eddie Munson--is he in this class?" the kid asks.

Eddie's up and out of his seat and crossing the room. "He is. What's the reason? Is that a nurse pass?" Mr. Smith interrogates.

Eddie's at the door of the room, polite as he can, to squeeze by Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith is holding the pass up to the light as if to try and inspect the signature. "Mr. Munson, I haven't released you yet."

"The nurse--she needs him," the kid states. "Said it was an emergency."

"Mr. Munson!" Mr. Smith calls out to the back of Eddie. He's halfway done the hallway now. "Mr. Munson, I haven't released you yet!"

Eddie spins. "You don't need to. The nurse did." He has to resist the urger throw the biology teacher the middle finger. He turns back around and round the corner. "Bastard," Eddie adds under his breath.

The nurse, an angel literally sent to spare Eddie's sanity, never calls for him. She usually only covers for Eddie when he really needs it, or when his fingers have bled through the last of the bandaids at home because of hours on the guitar. It's a mutual relationship, but Eddie's never the one needed. But there is one person that would call for him--your sibling.

He breaks into a run through the last corridor and skids barely to a stop at the door. His entrancedis breathless. The front desk is empty but he knows there's another room and he steps through and knocks on the second door. The nurse creaks it just a little and she smiles when she spots Eddie. "Are you behaving Edward?" It's an inside joke.

"Barely," Eddie returns, just remembering his mandatory response. "What's going on?" he asks, eyes flickering to see beyond the door that's not even fully open just yet.

The door opens soon after and your sibling is sitting hunched over in Hawkins gym clothes. "Kid," Eddie whispers, stepping in closer and squats down in front of them. "What the hell happened?"

"I have first lunch this year," they whisper and it comes out scratchy. There's only two lunches for the entirety of the school. Eddie'd always been blessed with the second one, which meant that if he wanted he could skip the class immediately after lunch easily. "And some-some of the," a small sob cracks their chest. "I just wanted to sit at a table," they cry.

Eddie brings them into his chest. "Hey, hey, I got you."

"They dumped a trash can on me. All because I told them to shut up about all the shit they talk. They were trying to start shit about you and your friends."

Eddie laughs, softly. Noticing small bits of corn still in their hair. He picks it out without thought. "You defending my honor? How lucky am I?"

Another sob racks their frame against Eddie's chest. "God, I hate it here."

"Yeah, yeah it's ass." He lets them shake against him as much as needed. "Thank you--for sticking up for me. Do you want something else to wear? Then I can take you home? You can get cleaned up."

"I-I don't have anything else."

"I've got a couple things in the back of my van." The short sleeves of the gym shirt won't do much against the stiffening breeze of November. "What about just a flannel? Just to keep you warm?"

They nod. "Thanks, Eddie."

"Of course, kid. I'll be back in a second, alright." Another nod and Eddie and the nurse exit the room. Eddie's hands are shaking and he's not sure he's seeing the room really at all.

"It's some of the kids on junior varsity," the nurse says quietly. She reaches for her stack of yellow passes. The sound of her pen clicking cuts through the anger just enough to keep Eddie's eye from twitching. "Wouldn't give names and I'm not necessarily looking forward to tending to some black eyes, but I for one wouldn't say anything if a couple came through."

Eddie takes the yellow note--his pass to get to this car and back with minimal harassment. "More than a couple," he mutters and then looks back to the second door. Your sibling's more important than a witch hunt, for right now. He goes back to his van and opens the box. It's mostly his stuff that doesn't really fit anymore but is still in good shape. There's someone that could use it or something he could use the clothes for. So he keeps them, tucked here, in the van. Occasionally when they're worried about the water bill, Eddie sneaks into this box to find something to stretch out until they're sure.

He finds the orange shirt and tugs at the collar. Still clean--no holes. It's a tad cold so Eddie slips it close to the chest, under the jackets, to hopefully warm it up.

When he returns back into the building he takes a detour. The side door the cafeteria is only a few feet from the nurse's office. It doesn't have to be a witch hunt if he can create a pointed list of fuckers that deserve their skulls bashed in. He pokes his head in and spots a couple older basketball players with their junior varsity counterparts like lap dogs. Simmons, Blackard, Hunt, and Peterson, they're closing in on crossing the threshold to varsity and would have every reason to prove loyalty.

Eddie tries to get a little closer to their table without being spotted and leans up against one of the pillars.

"Yeah, but my mom's still going to be pissed about the pudding in my shirt." It's Simmons' voice. Eddie knows that much--he can pick the squeaky voice out anywhere.

Pudding? Why would any of them have pudding in their clothes?

"It was a lucky shot, no worries and it's not going to stain."

It's all Eddie needs to hear before he slips out and back into the nurses office. Eddie knocks on the second door before cracking open the door. They're still hunched over, hands rubbing over their arms.

"Cold?" Eddie asks. He squats back down to drape the orange shirt over their shoulders.

"For a second I thought about punching one of them. There were too many and I knew I'd lose, but god, I wanted to."

"I heard you got a good sling in with some pudding."

They scoff. "Something like that." The pair get sorted--backpacks sorted--and Eddie leads them out of the building. The drive to your home is short. It's too short, because as Eddie watches that your sibling gets inside safely and they give a thumbs up from their bedroom window, he thinks he's going back to school and he's going to do the thing they didn't. There's not enough time to think about the consequences.

The hallways are crowded and Eddie rubs at the band of his rings, eyes scanning the faces. Simmons, Blackard, Hunt, Peterson. That's all who he needs to see. Gareth tries to get Eddie's attention but can't seem to hold it. Gareth watches the man fighting up stream with a thin line of angry over his brow and lips.

"Eddie! What happened?"

Simmons, Blackard, Hunt, Peterson.

"Eddie!"

Simmons, Blackard, Hunt, Peterson.

"Dude! Hello!"

Simmons. Eddie shouts out his name and the boy barely has enough time to turn around before his jaw is smacked with a fist. He clatters into the metal lockers.

Blackard. He calls out for Simmons then glances up to see Eddie coming in for another swing. He manages to dodge it, but trips over his own feet and lands on his back. Eddie takes the advantage and delivers a swift kick to his ribs.

Before Eddie can deliver another blow someone's holding him back. He's not sure who's keeping him at bay but he does his best to attempt to get free. Someone--Peterson Eddie guesses--gets a swing at Eddie. It should hurt more but Eddie's own heart is thumping in his ears. More people are jumping into the midst and the fight settles just as quickly as it starts.

It lands him a week of suspension. Eddie doesn't really care. His leg shakes in the seat and the principal yaps on about how Eddie's lucky he talked the boys and his parents down from pressing charges. And it's not like Eddie's not aware of Hopper and legal ramifications. But maybe--just maybe--as the nurse checks his knuckles he thinks there's yet another angel watching over him.

He's supposed to go home. Jeff promised to collect his assignments and drop them off at band practice and then again at the gig at The Hideout. Eddie's supposed to go home and ice his face. But he goes to your house. Your car's brake lights just turn off when he pulls up on the street.

You throw yourself out of the car. Your fingers are shaking as you try and get your keys to work. "Don't shoot," Eddie says.

You jump at the sound of his voice and your keys go clattering to the ground. "Jesus, Eddie!" you huff and pick them up. Eddie climbs the steps behind you and the two of you enter into the house. "What happened? They called me at work and I left so fast to get here."

"Dumb jocks," Eddi returns. "I got them home and I, uh, came by to drop off their homework too." He holds the folder up and you turn to actually look at him paused on the steps.

"Why aren't you at school?" You start back down the stairs and notice the bruise blossoming on his face. "Did you get into a fight?"

Eddie nods. He's never been able to lie to you. "Started it. Junior varsity boys dumped a trashcan on them after they defended me or something. Figured I'd repay the favor."

"Eddie, you dumbass. You could've been arrested." You scurry around him and find a bag of frozen corn out of the freezer. He catches it as you toss it over to him.

"Don't tell them about it," he pleads nodding up to the stairs.

"Does it count if you told me?"

You and Eddie both turn to the voice, not quite expecting the addition of your sibling.

Eddie laughs. "Whoops."

"Did you get into trouble?" they ask--freshly showered and in clean clothes.

Eddie only shrugs. They hold out the flannel to him. "Thanks--for being there. And being an dumbass to start a fight four on one."

"I got two of four," Eddie returns. "Keep it. Fits you better than me anyhow."

You are gentle as you place another bags--frozen peas this time--on Eddie's knuckles. His smile is soft as he asks,, "Do I look tough?"

"You look like a dumbass," the two of you retort in unison.

"Figures."

[chordsykat]

I just finished Dethkomic and can't say enough about how cool it was! Do you have pointers for how to write like that, so things feel like they're really epic from the start? Really I can't wait for the second comic for that reason.

That word "epic" gets thrown around a lot, does it not? I appreciate it, though. It's definitely one of the adjectives I'm going for when I write. :)

As I've said in previous answers, I do fully intend to go into more detail about how I write and keep everything together for longer stories. But since you asked specifically about high-stakes fiction, I will give you a few things I've picked up over the years:

#1 - Kill your tank.

Well, maybe don't kill him/her. But take them out in a capacity that lets your audience know the looming threat, whatever it is, is not only very real, but probably going to be made all the tougher to disarm without the heavy.

I do this right out of the gates in Dethkomic II, because we're in that in-between of seasons 2 and 3 where Charles is dead -- but that won't be all I'll be doing in order to tip the scales in the bad guys' favor. You'll have to wait and see what I mean, but suffice to say, I kill a lot of tanks pretty early on.

Uh. Again... probably best you don't take that too literally. I know I'm kinda getting a reputation ever since I killed my own character but I'm not a monster...

Probably.

#2 - Mind your pacing. Mind your direction. Don't give your audience a chance to brace for impact.

There's a reason drama seems amped up ten-fold in a comedy, and it's the complimentary nature of both genres to build up a sense of security in what starts as a lighthearted romp, and ends with the floor falling out and everyone clinging on to what they can grab as shit suddenly gets serious out of nowhere.

This is why I like to write Dethkomic so much, and if I had to guess, why so many of us like MTL in the first place. If you're always surprised by what happens next, then you're going to be compelled to keep watching.

#3 - Do a musical number.

Music/singing/dancing is an immediate cue that some serious emotional turmoil is about to go down. If you can manage it, and if you're musically inclined, why not try to incorporate an original song with some foreboding lyrics into your story?

But wait, in a comic? Who would be crazy enough to...

#4 - Have compelling characters in the first place

This is easier in fanfiction than it is in original fiction, for sure. People are already following you because they find the canon material and its cast compelling. OCs too, get a pass I feel. Even if people don't love them immediately, they'll tolerate them so long as you're giving the main characters hell and putting them through crazy scenarios.

But don't neglect giving your OCs interesting backgrounds or fail to put them in equally frightening situations because you're worried about distracting from the canon. That's the stuff that'll get people on their side faster than anything. I guess, don't be afraid to write your own babies with all your heart.

So! I'll have more on this at a later time, I'm sure. It's a great question and one worth several journal entries, I think.

And now, if you're still reading, I'd like to take the time to respond to another anon query I got but cannot answer, publicly due to the question itself:

Jesus. I am forever damn impressed by you guys and how hardcore you all are about picking up these little breadcrumbs I've left behind in the things I post about Dethkomic.

To that end, I'm sorry I can't post your question in full here, OP. It's too spoilery.

But the answer is yes.

[sparklefics]

Cuddles & Cocoa

For Kathie’s @pellucid-constellations writing challenge. #loveletterswritingchallenge

Chubby!College!Bucky & F!Reader

WC: 5.7 ish

Warnings: Hurt comfort, loss, grief, depression, overall sadness, therapy.

A/N: Happy Valentine's enjoy the most self indulgent piece I've ever written. It got a bit out of hand. What can I say, I was inspired.

Prompts were: "I take it you’re here cause you read my letter." & "I'm sitting here, with this stupid pen in my hand, and damn I can't believe you have me writing right now."

Part 2 ➡ because I have no self control.

"So, you're back early. How'd it go with Sweets? Isn't she great?" Steve asks as Bucky walks through the door of their shared apartment.

Steve tried to set up Bucky with you. Bucky was fresh out of a failed relationship.

"She's nice." Bucky says with a grimace already expecting Steve's reaction.

"Hmm, so when are you going out with her?"

"I'm not...I didn't ask her out."

"WHY NOT? She's perfect for you. She's sweet and nice, and smart which is a step up for your usual type."

"I can tell from just two hours of knowing her. That girl gives off wifey and best friends vibes, that shit is rare. She's not rebound material, she's the type of girl you bring home to meet your ma."

"Hey, Buck." Your sweet voice brings him out of his thoughts about you. "Mind if I join you?"

It's way past midnight and Bucky had tossed and turned in bed for the past two hours, he eventually gave up and decided to sit by the fireplace in the living room. He'd rented out this cabin to enjoy one last holiday break with his friends in their last year of school. It'd be their last hoorah before fully going off into adulthood.

"Not at all." Bucky smiles and pats the space beside him for you to join him. "Couldn't sleep?" he asks when you curl up in between his legs and lay against his chest, turning your face towards the fireplace.

"Nope. Nat and Lillian were making out and doing some heavy petting, they think they're quiet but they're really not."

Bucky chuckles and brings the blanket higher up on your body until it rests at your shoulders along with his big arms. You tilt your head to the side and a shiny piece of metal catches your eye. "Oh hey, what's this?" You bring it closer for inspection. James Barnes

"They were Grandpa's dog tags."

Bucky had a hard time dealing with his grandpa's passing earlier that year. His grandfather James had been sick for a long time, his illness had taken its natural course and earlier this year passed away in his sleep. At least it was peaceful, but that doesn't make it hurt any less to Bucky.

"What about you, why are you still up?" you gently squeeze his bicep.

"I don't know. Couldn't get comfortable enough I guess." he sighs.

"How about cuddles and cocoa?"

Cuddles and cocoa were your thing. It was a totally normal occurrence between the two of you.

It all started when you got ghosted by your date in your sophmore year. Bucky came to the rescue and met you at the cafe you were supposed to have a date but got stood up instead. He got you hot cocoa and cuddled up with you in the reading nook by the back of the cafe. A couple of weeks later, when Bucky failed a calculus test you showed up to his and Steve's apartment with hot cocoa and your old notes from when you took the class. You drank the cocoa, cuddled and then tutored him. He aced his next test. Ever since whenever either of you had a bad day you'd treat each other to hot cocoa and cuddles.

You were truly the best of friends, always in tune with each other's needs.

Bucky smiled and bopped your nose. "Yeah, cuddles might help."

"You stay right here, I'll be right back." You get up and tuck the blanket around him, dropping a quick kiss on his forehead before dashing to the kitchen to prepare the hot cocoa.

It hurts to see him still hurting like this. He's put himself on the back burner for so long.

After his grandpa passed Bucky stopped going to the gym, stopped going out with the guys and started over eating, missing classes. It was starting to become a problem, Sam and Steve didn't know how to talk to him without it sounding like an intervention or like they were judging him. So Steve asked you to do something, when you showed up with a loaded cardboard cup holder from your favorite cafe and a box of pastries he protested.

"No,Sweets, come on. I just got him to stop eating pancakes for dinner. We're trying to help him here--"

You cut him off. "Steven, just let me do my thing. He doesn't need to be told what he can or cannot do, what he can or cannot eat, or when he can or cannot eat. What Bucky needs is comfort. Now, get the door for me, please."

Steve knocked on Bucky's door before opening it and announcing your presence. Bucky just grunted in acknowledgement, you stepped into his dark room. Dirty laundry laid on the floor, old stale food on his bedside table, you took note of everything around you, cluing you into his state of mind.

You remind yourself that you are not there to judge but to help.

"Bucky."

"I can't believe Steve called you in."

You move to open the curtains and Bucky winces when the sunlight burns his eyes. You get a good look at him, pale face, dark circles around his eyes, a hint of a shadow where a beard used to be-- apparently Steve got him to shave at some point. Bucky wore sweatpants and a big sweater, it was all he wore since he started gaining weight. His hair had gotten longer and began curling at the base of his neck, a side effect of not going out- not even to get a haircut. Objectively speaking Bucky looked bad,of course he was still handsome, but the guy laying in bed was merely a shell of your best friend.

"Get up. Shower, wash your hair," You instruct. "And be quick, I don't want our hot cocoa to get cold."

At the mention of cocoa Bucky perked up and disappeared into the bathroom. While he showered you decided to clean up around his room, picked up his clothes and threw them in the hamper. You took out the trash, tidied up his desk, and even changed the sheets of his bed. Steve was impressed when you asked him for clean sheets.

When Bucky came out of the shower in a clean set of sweats, you noticed he'd shaved which you didn't ask him to. He did that all on his own. You smiled at him and patted the spot next to you on his bed. "C'mere. It's cuddles and cocoa time."

Bucky takes the cup of cocoa and the box of pastries.

That's another thing that's developed. Bucky is so quiet now, the total opposite of him. You're used to him being loud, the life of the party, the glue that keeps the friend group together. He's so withdrawn and monosilabic it's very sad to see him this way. There's really only so much you can do for him, which is being here. That's why Steve called you.

"How are you, Buck? Like really."

"I'm okay."

"Jamie…" You go in for a hug but he pulls back from your touch. That hurts.

"Please, don't call me that." He begs quietly on the brink of tears.

You want to take it back but it's too late. "Jame-Bucky, please, I just want to help you. Just tell me how."

He whispers 'shut the blinds' so quietly you almost miss it.

It's all he says, he's already met you halfway and now it's your turn. He showered like you asked so you shut the blinds like he asked. The room goes back to darkness and Bucky exhales loudly. You go back to the bed in the dark and immediately Bucky takes a hold of your hand. You don't say anything, neither does him. For a while you sit there holding his hand and drinking cocoa, you pass him the box of pastries and he takes an apple turnover, it's not his favorite but he can't tell the pastries apart in the dark.

"Buck, Steve told me you haven't been going to class."

"Yep."

"Why not? Do you want to drop your classes? It's okay if you do."

"No, I just don't feel like being around people."

"Well, why don't you switch to online courses?"

"I can do that?"

"Yep! I can set up an appointment with the counselor if you'd like."

Bucky stays silent for a minute pondering about it. "Would you go with me? I don't wanna back out…if you go then I can't not show up. I could never let you down."

"Aww that's sweet, Bucky. Of course I'll go with you, I just have one condition."

"I guess that's fair. What is it?"

"Cuddles?"

"Okay."

Bucky has gone through an emotional rollercoaster since his grandpa died. After the funeral Bucky retreated into himself, which you expected since he was depressed. When Steve started to worry alarms went off in your head, you got closer to Bucky just to be sure that he knew he wasn't alone, that he could count on his friends for support.

When your own father died you had no one to turn to, no one understood your pain. But for Bucky it is different, you understand his pain and thankfully he lets you be there for him.

You were there to help him cope, whether it was with cuddles and cocoa or just sitting with him in his dark bedroom holding his hand.

Eventually the cuddles and cocoa turned into cuddles and cocoa and talk.

With a belly full of warmth, and his arms full of you Bucky feels talkative and once he starts, he can't shut up. "...it's pathetic. It's almost been a year, everyone has moved on but me. Now I'm almost done with school, no future job lined up after graduation, fat, single and miserable."

"Uh-huh. Right. Pity party for one." You jab his ribs with your elbow.

You're both lounging on the pillow fort Bucky made while you prepared the cocoa. You are wrapped up with Bucky in between some thick blankets, your arms bound around his torso and one of his arms around your shoulders while the other trails up and down your spine.

"I'm not having a pity party, I'm being a realist."

"Well if we're being realistic, you still have months until graduation, plenty of time for you to line up a job. Second, you're not fat, there's just more of you to love." You move your hands to squish his cheeks in that adorable way that makes his lips pout. "Third, you're single and miserable by choice, I know a lot of girls who would love to date you."

"I don't want a lot of girls, just one in particular."

"That's good, Buck. See? You are moving on, setting goals for yourself. What's that thing your therapist says?"

"Celebrate the small victories." Bucky mumbles.

So you remind him that he has made progress. Bucky goes to therapy now, which has helped him out a lot. He no longer avoids his friends, or his family. He also switched back from online classes to in person for the fall semester, and then he planned this whole holiday getaway. He's very different from the sloppy, sad guy from months ago.

So what if he doesn't have his future figured out? It's no big deal.

"Grief is not a one size fits all type of situation. Not everyone has their futures figured out."

"You say that because you have that sweet job at Stark Industries lined up." Bucky trails his fingertips up your spine stopping at the side of your neck to tickle you.

"No, I say that because the future is uncertain, there are no guarantees. Like what does it matter that I have a job lined up, who says I'll even like the job?" In return for the tickling you wet your pinky finger and bring it up to his ear.

"Ew! Okay! Okay!" He swats your hands away. "I see your point."

You laugh and lay your head on his chest and hug him tightly. Bucky kisses your cheek, "Good night, Sweets."

"Good night, Bucky."

____________________________________________________________

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!"

You startle awake with the sound of your friends shouting. Bucky's arms are still around you and his legs are tangled with yours, his chest vibrating with laughter.

It's a holiday miracle!

You get to witness Bucky laughing, really laughing like he used to. His eyes are closed, mouth wide with his pearly white teeth showing, his nose doing that signature scrunch along with the crinkle around his eyes. You feel your eyes start to water, vision becomes blurry, you're so happy to see him back. Bucky, your Bucky is smiling like he used to, so carefree and genuine.

Merry Christmas indeed.

You smile and quickly wipe the tears from your eyes before anyone notices you, and get up and wish your friends a Merry Christmas then go get ready for the day.

Immediately after you leave for the bathroom, Steve and Sam ambush Bucky asking if he'd finally confessed his love for you.

"Not this again. Drop it." Bucky's friends really know how to damper his mood.

"You wait around any longer and you're gonna lose her, Buck." Steve warns.

"I'm telling you she's not interested." Bucky replies.

"Yeah, right cause she's been single for two years. Two years, Buck. Not a single date in two years. That's not suspicious at all." Sam argues. "Do you know what that's like? Don't answer that, it was rhetorical. You know cause you've been single since you met her!"

Bucky chose to ignore Sam's point, afraid he might be right.

Since the moment he met you, Bucky recognized exactly the kind of girl you are. And as he's gotten to know you and become your friend, he's realized you are his dream girl. You are all he's ever wanted and more. It's been too long, he knows he missed his shot with you. You two are too good of friends to actually be more. Yes, he has wanted you all this time and now he's afraid that you only see him as a friend.

But...then again...

Facts are facts though, and Sam does have a point. What are the odds you've both been single all this time? Could it be that you feel the same way about him as he does about you?

Or were you just projecting your daddy issues onto him? Did you just want to 'fix' him?

Bucky has a lot of questions and a lot to think about. He wonders what his therapist would tell him. He knows Dr. Raynor would point out that you might be projecting but that wouldn't be a bad thing, it would just mean that Bucky means as much to you as your father.

Bucky had a lot to dissect through.

Bucky remembers that summer night in his room when the two of you were cuddling. You thought he was asleep when you couldn’t hold your tears any longer.

Bucky was disappearing right in front of your eyes. Reflecting on how it felt to lose your father and how he withered away to nothing in front of you.

Bucky may not be dying but it feels like he is.

Bucky felt you shaky breaths, heard your whimpers and sniffles. “Sweets. Are you-- What's going on?” He turns you over to face him, a soft caressing hand on your cheek.

You can’t look at him. It hurts so much. The Bucky you knew was fading away and you couldn’t do anything about it. His eyes didn't hold that sparkle anymore. “Jamie. Jamie, come back to me.”

Bucky dry swallows, he's never seen you like this. You're an emotional person but he's never seen you this affected. "I'm right here. What are you talking about? Did you have a nightmare or something?"

"No. This is the nightmare." Your sobs make you hiccup, Bucky hugs you to his chest. He holds you tightly until you calm down a bit.

"Sweets, you're scaring me."

You bury your face into his neck and hold on to him for dear life. “I’m gonna tell you something, but please don’t hate me for it.”

“You can tell me anything.”

“You need help, Bucky. Real help, there’s only so much I can do. Cuddles and Cocoa is not enough.” You choke on a sob, but continue on. “I don’t want you to keep fading away.”

“I’m not going anywhere." Oh, it dawns on him that your tears are for him, because of him. "I have an appointment with a therapist next week.”

The relief that washes over you is unexplainable. You know it’s not a quick fix but it’s a start. It’s hope and that’s all you need.

“I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to figure things out. I’m not going anywhere. I promise."

"I know. Can I go with you?"

"That'd be great. I'm actually terrified..."

"Of what?" you ask, still sniffling, gently running your fingers through his hair.

"That I'll never feel whole again." A tear slips from his eyes, his voice cracks.

Bucky's words shatter your heart into a million pieces. You know that feeling, you understand it well. It takes you a while to find your words so in the meantime you hold him.

"From my experience, in our lives we give pieces of our hearts to those we love. So when we lose them it feels just like you said, like we'll never be whole again. But I choose to see it this way: in your case, your grandpa moved on to another journey, to another life or whatever you want to believe in-- the point is he took pieces of love with him. Your grandpa took a bit of love from you, your grandma, your whole family."

"When I lost my dad...Bucky, I too felt like that. It took me a fucking long time to realize that the hole in my heart, the bit he took, it wasn't empty or incomplete. It's still there, it's a bit of his heart now in its place. My dad took a piece of my heart with him and left me a piece of his instead. So I can tell you, from experience, that I know it sucks and I hate that there's no way to fix it. That this feeling will sit with you until you deal with it. And sadly, that fucking line that time heals all wounds, I hate to say it but it's true."

_____________________________________________________________

1 Week later // New Years //

You and Bucky were drinking the last bottle of champagne and eating the remaining grapes. It was 2 am and everyone had already either passed out or gone to bed.

Naturally you and Bucky settled in by the fire pit on the deck at the back of the cabin. It wasn't that cold outside so you could sit comfortably by the fire with a blanket and be fine.

You two get to talking about your expectations for this year, both academically and personally. Bucky admits he's excited to graduate but nervous about his little sister Rebecca who will be graduating high school and then going to you guys' school in the fall. "I wanted to look out for her, bust her balls too."

"You can if you stay in the city."

"I think I might."

"This might sound corny or stupid, or both, but I think this is gonna be great year." You take his hand and entwine your fingers, never looking at him just staring off at the flames of the fire pit.

"It's not stupid or corny, I know what you mean." He squeezes your hand and you look up at him. He smiles down at you. "Beginnings...they're special." You hum in agreement and Bucky continues. "And speaking of special, I wanted to thank you. This year, well past year was by far my worst one, but looking back at it...it had it's nice moments too." With the way his eyes bore at you, you know he's actually referring to you. "I want to start off the year on a positive note, set the tone, you know."

"Thank you for letting me be there for you. This will be your year Bucky Barnes. You fucking deserve to be happy."

Bucky smiles at you. He smiles at you a little too long. You start to imagine the way he leans into you.

Your heart leaps to your throat as he gets close. His warm lips press to your forehead. The prickly sensation of his beard against your skin makes you giggle. "Your beard tickles."

He leans back and runs a hand down his chin. "Been thinking it might be time to shave it off."

"No!" You protest. "You can't shave it off. It completes your look."

"It completes my look?" he asked amused.

"Yeah, the big burly, long haired, bearded look. It's really sexy in a lumberjack kinda way."

Bucky had noticed you had never complimented him on his looks, not even before he gained 30 pounds. So the fact that you were complimenting him when he was at his 'worst' did wonders for his self esteem, in fact his face was burning red. "Thanks? I guess."

That night Bucky got an answer to one of his many questions regarding you: Did he even have a shot with you? Yes.

After finishing the bottle of champagne you head inside, he follows you, unsurprised when you head straight for his room. You're already in sweatpants and a sweater he recognizes as his. It was a gift from Rebecca, it read 'It's okay if you don't like me. Not everyone has good taste.'. It didn't fit anymore. He gave it to you when you stayed over at his apartment after getting locked out of yours. He didn't ask for it back but he also didn't think you'd keep it.

You settled in the left side of the bed, taking your time fluffing your pillow. Once you settled in, Bucky slipped into bed beside you. Before turning off the bedside table lamp, he turned to check on you. "You good? Comfy?"

With the comforter up to your neck you nodded your head. "Yep. Good night, Buck."

Bucky turned off the lamp and got comfortable on the bed. He felt you roll over on your side to face him and smiled when you pressed your face to his shoulder. He extended his arm and pulled you to his chest. "Good night, Sweets."

Bucky could barely keep his eyes closed, every single ruffle of the bed set him off. You turned your back to him, and he thought he might finally get some sleep, but then you grunted. "Cuddlebug, you're so far away." You reached a hand blindly to grab him and pull him to you.

Bucky grabs your hand and your fingers find their place in between his. He pulls you back to the center of the bed, molding his body to yours. "You keep rolling off, sweetheart." He murmurs at the back of your neck before pressing his lips there.

_______________________________________________________

A couple of days later you all head back to the city and settle back into your daily routines, back to school. The semester starts off with a bang and a lot of work. Weeks pass by so fast you barely have time to meet up with Bucky. He’s been pretty busy too, but he always makes time to text you and check in on you.

And even though he texts and calls, you miss him.

You feel off, like something is missing. When you go to bed and toss and turn you realize that what you're missing is Bucky. You miss sleeping with him, just being around him brightens up your day.

And then it happens. Your old lab partner Peter Parker asks you out on a date. It feels weird being asked out on a date. Your immediate response was to say no, but before you can answer he tells you to think about it and let him know. No pressure.

Just then you see a smiling Bucky approaching with to-go cups that you're sure are hot cocoa. Your reaction is a pure knee-jerk, it happens without conscious thought, you squeal with delight. “Bucky!!”

Peter Parker, still standing before you, gives a tiny wave with his hand, “See you around, Y/N.”

“Bye, Pete.”

Hours later, Peter texts you. Peter: I'm sorry about today. I didn’t know you were spoken for. My bad 🥴

You stare at the text for like an hour. That’s how Nat finds you, sitting in the living room staring at your phone.

“Y/n? You’ve got thinky face.”

You give her your phone instead of explaining. Nat takes a seat and takes your phone.

“I don’t get it.”

“Peter asked me out and I didn’t know what to say, then Bucky showed up and now he thinks I’m not interested. He thinks Bucky is my boyfriend.”

“Understandable.” Nat sighs and fails to muffle her laughs.

“Why on earth would he think that?”

“Jesus, I thought you were in denial but you really don't see it.”

“Nat, what the hell are you talking about?”

“Sweetie, come on." She gives you her signature smirk, "When Bucky is around you act like no one else exists. Don’t even get me started on the way you look at each other and your grossly cute cuddles and cocoa thing. You two act like a couple.”

“We do?"

"Yes! I cannot believe this...I'm gonna try something. I will ask you a series of questions, and you will answer rapid fire. Okay?"

"Okay but what does that have to do with anything?"

"Just answer the questions, trust the process. Okay, here we go. How long have you known Bucky?"

"Almost three years."

Nat keeps asking questions, varying topics, it's hard to find a pattern or what kind of information she's trying to pull out of you. About three minutes in she asks, "Do you want to date Peter?"

"No." You kind of already knew that.

She shits topics again to food and colors, and up and down. Then she asks, "You're in love with Bucky, aren't you?"

"Yes."

You gasp and Nat laughs so hard she tears up. "Don't say I never did anything for you."

You sit there and ponder what to do with this piece of information. Should you tell Bucky how you feel? Would that weird him out? Or would he feel the same way? It's safe to say you don't sleep well that night.

________________________________________________________

Three days later, Natasha comes home with the mail. She got a care package from home, full of goodies and Russian candies, pictures and letters from her family. Her sister sent her a vest she saw and thought Natasha would love it, it had a lot of pockets. "Oh, hey, here." She hands you an envelope, "almost forgot. You got a letter."

You take the envelope in your hands to examine, your eyes nearly pop out when you read the name of the sender.

James B. Barnes

You tear open the envelope and take out two handwritten papers.

My dearest, Y/N

Did you know people still write letters?

I just got one from my grandma. She sent me some pictures of my grandpa and Steve’s. I’ll share them with you someday soon.

The other day I was on the phone with my grandma and I was telling her about you. She really wants to meet you. Something she said got me thinking. 'All the what-ifs, you're missing out on what is.'

She meant for me to live in the moment and in the spirit of that, that’s why I’m sitting here, with this stupid pen in my hand, and damn I can’t believe you have me writing right now.

Here's a wild thought: Maybe we're missing out on the what-if...

I’ll start at the beginning. It'll hopefully make sense by the end of this letter.

From the moment I met you, I knew exactly the kind of woman you are. And in case you didn't already know that was Steve's poor attempt at setting us up, there was no pressing matter he had to tend to that day. When I got home he was waiting for me, already asking if I had asked you out on a date.

I'd just gotten out of a relationship and was not looking forward to getting my heart broken yet again. But then I met you...and that's it. I was sold.

I know you're probably confused at this point. What is this idiot saying?

I WANT TO DATE YOU!! is what I'm saying.

You might think then why didn't this idiot ask me out if we were being set up by Steve?

I didn't want you to be my rebound girl...which is stupid now that I think about it, cause I've been single since I met you… for almost three years I've avoided dating altogether because after only two hours of knowing you, I couldn't picture myself on a date with another girl that wasn't you.

So I figured I'd take my time to get to know you instead of just jumping to the deep end. You are so special and wonderful. There aren't enough words in the English language that can fully describe you.

You are incredible.

You are perfect.

I could not have even dreamt you up.

I'm so happy I got to know you and become your friend. Being your friend has brought my life a whole new perspective, you have shown me kindness, love and compassion. Everyday you continue to blow me away, you are honestly the strongest person I know. I admire you so much. I am thankful to have you in my life.

You’ve been everything I’ve needed, a friend, a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, but you’re also all I’ve ever wanted.

I’m taking a risk here writing you this letter— and no pressure, I cannot stress this enough. I would love to take you out on a date. We have an awesome friendship and I would understand and respect if that’s all you want this to be.

I thought since Valentine’s Day is a holiday based on love and friendship (and we’ve already got that part down) it’d be a good day to test out the waters.

I’d love to have more with you.

I don’t want to have any regrets, especially when it comes to you.

So if you‘d grant me the honor—nay, the privilege to take you out on a date,

again no pressure if you don’t. Meet me at the cafe this Valentine’s at 7pm.

Your Cuddlebug,

James

P.S. I really mean no pressure.

Between you and the therapy I've become a sap! You have no idea how long this letter originally was...but I'll tell you it was giving Rachel's letter to Ross a run for its money. Ha! Another reference I get to make because of you introducing me to that show.

I will stop writing now. :)

You are speechless.

This is the absolute last thing you expected. A handwritten letter from Bucky asking you out on a date.

There’s no doubt you want him too.

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

Bucky Barnes does not get to be the only one to get cheesy and romantic over Valentine’s Day. You write down a response to hand deliver when you meet him at the cafe.

Natasha helped you out picking out a dress and getting ready for your date.

Walking into the cafe you realize that for the first time you're actually nervous about meeting up with Bucky, which is stupid because you already know that he wants to date you. You two have nothing to be nervous about. You've basically been on tons of dates already. The girl working the cash register notices you waiting, looking around, looking for someone. "Excuse me, are you Y/N?"

"Yep, that'd be me. I'm meeting someone here."

"Eeep! You're blue eyes' hot date!" She smiles and sighs, "He's waiting for you at the reading nook."

The reading nook! The very same were you shared your first cuddles and cocoa.

You turn around and go back to the counter and ask the girl for two hot cocoas.

You walk back to the reading nook with one hot chocolate in each hand, your clutch tucked beneath your arm. You almost drop everything when Bucky comes into view.

There he is. Bucky in a navy blue suit, black dress shirt. You do a double take because, yes he did, Bucky shaved his beard. Yet he still looks as handsome as ever, if anything it makes his eyes pop even more. And the smile that takes over his face when he sees you is absolut magic, it makes you want to melt.

"I take it you’re here cause you read my letter." Bucky says as you place the cups of cocoa on the table, along with your clutch.

"I did." You hug him. "I brought my reply." When you pull away from the hug you look up at him and smile, he smiles back. You can't hold on any longer, you pull his face down and quickly press your lips to his. It was a quick peck that lasted about a second but it left Bucky dizzy.

Bucky arranged for food to be brought to your table, a couple of Montecristos and other goodies like bonbons, macarons and those apples turnovers you love. As soon as you get to talking the nerves wear off and it feels like any other time you’ve hung out with Bucky. The only difference is that he holds your hand and tells you how beautiful you look. You live for that adorable way he looks at you while dropping kisses to the back of your hand.

By the end of the night he confesses he wished he would’ve asked you out sooner.

He walks you back to your apartment and you invite him in, he seems surprised. "Oh, did you seriously think we'd have our first date and not have cuddles? It's us, cuddles are our thing."

"I like the sound of that."

[touyasdoll]

Kinktober Hoevember Day 10: Office Sex

Pairing: boss!Eren Jaeger x secretary!reader (f)

Word count: 1.2k

Warnings: power imbalance, exhibitionism, biting, pussy job, unprotected sex, backshot

"If you don't quiet down, someone's gonna hear you," Eren pants in your ear, the warmth of his lips tickling the shell of it as he leans over you, hips rutting into your behind while his hands continue to grope at your breasts.

He's already breathless, too worked up over how worked up he's gotten you. He's confident that when he finally hikes up your skirt and tears through your pantyhose that you'll be thoroughly drenched and he's not wrong.

It didn't take much for Mr. Jaeger to get you into this state, never really has. Since you started here two months ago, he's been pretty up front about the effect that you have on him. On his cock, more specifically.

He's not the most smoothest talker on the planet, but he sure as fuck knows how put his mouth to good use in plenty of other ways. Much like the way that they're attached to your neck right now, sucking, kissing and nibbling while he's got you bent over his desk.

His impatient has already popped a button on your blouse, so you're trying to keep enough of your sense about you to unbutton the rest before he rips the whole thing open. Meanwhile, his long fingers trail up your thighs, lifting your skirt up while he taps the inside of your foot with the tip of his shoe, silently instructing you to spread your legs further.

You comply, widening your stance as you unfasten the last button on your top and shrug it off, letting it fall to the floor just before he drops his trousers, boxers and all. The familiar clink of his belt against the floor makes you gush a little and it almost embarrasses you.

It probably would've if Eren hadn't worked so tirelessly to rid you of nearly any shame pertaining to your body. Even now he's praising it, praising you, endlessly and selflessly.

"Gonna be a long fucking weekend without this perfect little pussy to bury myself in," he exhales the words as he nuzzles his nose against your cheek and you can feel the grin tugging at his lips. "When are you gonna let me take you out, baby? We both know you're too good for me, but can't you at least give me a chance?"

You're about to respond when he sucks particularly hard on the pulse point in your neck and cups his hand over your sex, rubbing his middle finger along your clothed slit, pushing the fabric right up against your core to ensure that it's thoroughly soaked, as if it wasn't already.

You moan in response, rocking your hips eagerly to try and catch some friction against his hand when he pulls away and you let out a soft whine.

"Ah, ah," he chides you quietly. "I've got a meeting in ten, so as much as I would love to take my time with you, we have to make this quick, babe."

One hand presses between your shoulder blades to bend you over further, so that you're nearly flush against his wide, mahogany desk before both grip your ass cheeks, giving them a firm squeeze as he leans back to marvel at the sight.

"Fuck, you're so hot," he mutters under his breath as his nails catch on the thin material of your pantyhose.

"Ere—"

It's too late, they're toast. Another pair has fallen victim to his impatience, but you don't have much time to be upset about it, because he's already got your panties pulled down and now his cock is gliding so effortlessly between your lips.

The swollen, leaky head of his dick catches on your clit with each slow pass, making you desperate with need and an intense desire to be filled that he fully intends to quell. You're thankful he's on a schedule, because you know all to well that he would toy with you endlessly if he had the time.

But today he doesn't.

Nor does he have restraint to keep himself from sinking straight into your tight hole, pushing in slowly until he bottoms out and lets out a throaty groan before he starts casting his hips at a steady pace.

"Oh shit," you pant, clutching to the end of the desk for some leverage to fuck back against him. "Eren, fuck yeah. Just like that."

"Yeah? You like that, baby?" His hands travel up your sides as he hunches over you slightly, both hands pawing at the cups of your bra to pull them down, freeing your breasts, so that he can roll your nipples between his fingers.

"Y-yes, love it. Feels—oh shit—feels so fucking good."

He chuckles and the sound is so promising, so luxuriously dark, that it has you gushing again, clenching around him as his cock makes such a mess of your greedy cunt.

"Hold on tight," his hands leave your breasts to seize your hips as he bends over to place a kiss to your shoulder. "Because we really do have to make this quick."

And with that, he leans back once more, tightening his hold on your hips as he quickly evolves his steady pace into one that's nearly relentless.

The sound of skin slapping against skin mingles with the bitten back moans that you're struggling to swallow as he delivers thrust after delicious thrust into you, each one pushing you closer and closer to the edge of euphoria until your grip on the desk is so tight that it nearly impossible to maintain as you brace yourself for the impact of your orgasm.

"What're you holding on for?" You can hear the smug smile on his unfairly handsome face as he reaches around you again, this time to press his finger to your clit, drawing intentionally tight circles around it until you're hit with the impact that you knew you were wildly unprepared for.

You cry out, entirely too loud before you clap a hand over your mouth, closing your eyes tight as you melt against the desk, body still bouncing off of his length while you try to muffle the moans and pleased whimpers trying to escape you.

"There you go, baby. Doesn't that feel better? Let it all out for me, gorgeous," he rasps, his own hips stuttering until he's dangerously close to finishing himself.

He withdraws quickly, letting his seed shoot onto your back while you lay against the cool wood and try to recover your breath.

"Damn," he sighs, noticeably more relaxed than he was when you entered his office to drop of his third, and entirely unnecessary, coffee order of the day. "Thanks, baby."

He reaches over to grab a couple of tissues from the box on his desk, wiping the evidence of your tryst off of your spine before he tidies himself up.

"Oh and uh, sorry about the pantyhose," he adds with a chuckle, accompanying the apology with a gentle tap to your behind.

Kinktober Masterlist

[starlightshore]

I know I’m real late but since ectoplasm is so harmful to humans, can Tucker and Sam be in the ghost zone without protection? Also, does possession still work, since ghosts are made of ectoplasm?

(continuation of this post)

not late at all! i'm really chatty rn so i'm happy to keep talking lol

so first i wanna rephrase and elaborate with what i meant by ectoplasm being harmful... i meant exposed and pure ectoplasm, so like, Danny's "blood" (internal ectoplasm) is reactive. In a more "pure" form, it's like an acid to organic material.

ectoplasm in different states would have different effects, like breathing it in? probably not good. but it's more "diluted" with the air. when it's not "pure" ectoplasm, it's harmless. i mentioned it's dark matter- that stuff is EVERYWHERE and iirc it's only known property is it's weight. but yeah like, drinking it? NOT GOOD. if it's compact enough to be a liquid then it's more "pure" and it'd be like drinking a high level acid.

the reason ectoplasm is so corrosive, as i like for it to be symbolically the "opposite" of life. they're incompatible. it react explosively makes sense to me, and ya know, traveling through a different dimension full of ghosts just sounds super dangerous to me lmao

(image description is within the image)

Sorry for the incredibly generic hazmat suit design. i'd have to do some research (i know there's different kinds and I'd also like to make this more astronaut like) it'd be very intensely important to wear one.

actually, thinking on it, imagine it's like this. you know how deep sea fish are built to a specific pressure within the deep water where gravity pushes harder? the fish there have a specific amount of water/and pressure that fills them to keep their equilibrium. that means they reduce their tissue density and have lighter bones. they're more jelly like -the same thing is true for ghosts!

ghosts are like, fully ectoplasm but ectoplasm itself is very varied -both in state of matter and also properties. the pure fluid ectoplasm inside is contained by a thing "membrane."

For a human* to come into the ghost zone, it'd be like an ocean of pure* ectoplasm. Thus, the suit. You'd expect the human to sink -being so much heavier than the ectoplasm but no, ectoplasm isn't water! it's a substance that's alien to the physics of earth.

and remember, Danny being a halfa, is paradoxically immune to ectoplasm reactions because he's a time/reality anomaly.

2) not literally pure. just like how our atmosphere isn't pure air, this ectoplasm is varied by a whole bunch of "elements" within it.

as illustrated here, ectoplasm is repelled by humans (assuming they have a protective layer, so really, any non-organic barrier) The repelled ectoplasm leaves a "gap" creating a darkness around the subject. Humans can move around as if they were in space (as there's no gravity) and can become tangible/invisible just as ghosts can in our dimension.

Likewise, ghosts don't glow and are "solid" and can't pass through. (i really loved this aspect in the original show!) Danny, being only 80% organic, isn't as repelling as other humans/ghosts, but it's not to a noticeable degree. (in this illustration it's exaggerated to make my point here) This, again, is a factor of his weird biology and paradox status. Ectoplasm and earth matter are confused -great going danny your existence breaks the rules of the universe!

(also minor aspect I like: light behaves differently here, so lights are more neon/darker.)

also important: because danny is the first human (aside from vlad lmao) to go into the ghost zone, Danny gets the wrong impression that the ghost zone is safe to humans. Thankfully before Tucker and Sam go in Danny's parents on day 2 are like:

(notably, Danny has more than one hazmat suit. this isn't the original)

anywayyyys as for your second question!

first i'm going to add a read-more cause this is getting long LOL

Also, does possession still work, since ghosts are made of ectoplasm?

Yep! Still works, even tho ghosts themselves are made of corrosive pure ectoplasm. Let me explain how this works: Ghosts are ectoplasm that has been given consciousness -remember, ghost zone is a layer onto earth it's not thousands of miles away. it's a different dimension. the natural ectoplasm (which is the zone, to be clear) that's around the earth atmosphere will accept the consciousness of someone who's died. (moving from the body to the ectoplasm) Also, it doesn't have to be humans, it could be an alien (from a distant planet or time period) or an animal or plant. or, like, something bizarrely confusing, like whatever Liminal Gates and Clockwork are. (and native ghost zone life, which are beings that developed from ectoplasm without an original consciousness from earth)

anyway, i bring this up because ghosts are a consciousness that uses ectoplasm as a body. The consciousness itself isn't necessarily connected. (Core anchor them to their body, however.)

So like, think of this way? Think of this extra dimension as a fourth x/y/z axis. Like how time is a different dimension that we can only experience linearly, ghosts are able to travel on this fourth axis. The ectoplasmisc body is "intangible" as in, existing on this different plane of existence. In the same way you can stand on the same x axis and a different y, the ghost can do so on the fourth plane. To our perspective, Danny is within Sam's body. But to Danny's body, it's on a different position just how we know something behind you is not literally in/over the thing behind it.

I hope that makes sense, dimensional stuff can be hard to talk about because we're only limited to 3 dimensions. Ghosts are 4D.

Anyway, while the body is outside our realm of (x,y,z), his consciousness overtakes Sam's when they're positioned in the same "spot" (again, technically not in the same spot, remember the x,y comparison to z) Ghosts are their own consciousness that doesn't have to use ectoplasm as it's body, though it needs it's core to sustain itself. (thus why Danny still needs to "connect" his body using gaseous ectoplasm when separating his body parts)

alright sorry this is such a long answer i love the HELL out of this kinda stuff. i sincerely hope this is comprehensible and accurate! its been a hot minute since i researched this kinda thing, but i'm pretty certain i got it right. (granted this is all pseudoscience! just like, loosely based on real theories that i can understand at a highschool level)

[colossal-fallout]

Coming right up ❤️

Fem!Reader X Eren

Warnings: 18+ NSFW smut / slight angst / cheating

Eren's brooding eyes snap towards his roomates bedroom door when he hears the muffled voices of you and your boyfriend. Your voices weren't quite yells - yet. But it was abundantly clear that there was almost certainly a storm brewing. Ignoring it, he returns his emerald greens onto the manga book he was reading, silently telling himself not to pry. This would be the fourth argument you two had this week - and it was only Wednesday. Over the course of the month...? He'd lost count.

He pushed away the irritation that began to claw under his skin. He'd always secretly had a thing for you and he seen that his douche bag of a roommate did not treat you as well as he should.

He leasuirely turns the page, his usual calm exterior hiding his frustration as sure enough, the volume of your voices begin to rise through the wood of the door.

He tries to ignore it, focusing on the magnificent art work that brought his pages to life. But he couldn't help but wonder in the back of his mind how much happier you'd be if you just left his ass and got together with himself.

When he hears your voice crack and an uncontrolled sob break through your lips, he leaps up with a sigh, scratching the back of his head and heading into his room. Hopefully by the time he has a shower and is dressed, the two of you would have hashed it out and made up.

Fat chance.

"You don't even have sex with me anymore..." He hears you cry tragically as he passes by the door to his room. "Do you think I'm ugly now...? I'm desperate here!"

His eyes widen and hands form into a fist, his entire body freezing at the sound of you sobbing those words.

Are you - no. Is he for real?! You're gorgeous. You're kind. Funny. Caring. Strong... What the fuck is wrong with him?!

He shakes his chestnut brown head and storms into his room, unintentionally slamming his door a lot louder than he'd meant to.

Eren takes his time in the shower - allowing the steam and hot water to relax him and refocus his mind. Really, it had nothing to do with him.

So why couldn't he shake you out of his mind?

He was relieved when he eventually got out, dried and dressed and he no longer heard the yelling. His eyes scanned the alarm clock next to his bed.

21:43

He'd been in the shower for a little over an hour. The warm water soaking into his skin and making it feel that extra bit soft. With a lazy yawn, he strolls to his door to pick up his book from the living room. He's surprised to see you sitting on the couch, alone reading his manga.

"Hey." He sounds, eyes wide as your beautiful form is melted onto the sofa.

"Oh, hey." You sit up nervously, placing his book down. "Sorry Eren, is this yours?"

"Where is he?" Eren asks, walking into the room.

"...I don't know." You mutter.

He could see that spark behind your eyes becoming extinguished due to that Jack ass and he wasn't going to just stand by and watch that happen.

He places his hands in this trouser pockets, leaning against the wall. His man bun a lot more loose than usual from his freshly washed hair; a couple of strands falling over his handsome face.

"You know... I think you're gorgeous." He admits without a care in the world.

You blink in surprise, not really knowing what to say. "I... Uh... Thank you, Eren. It means a lot."

"I know." He shrugs, slinking over to you and plonking himself down next to you, the weight of him making you sink slightly. "I couldn't help but hear you arguing. If you ask me..." He turns his head to look at you - his dark smouldering eyes peircing your very being. "He's an idiot."

Your cheeks begin to burn as you glance away shyly, your confidence well and truly in the back pocket of your boyfriend's jeans - wherever they may be or who's floor they're on right now.

He returns his gaze ahead, arms splaying over the back of the couch, his left arm over your shoulders but not touching you.

"I'm sorry you heard us arguing." You whisper.

"Doesn't bother me." He shrugs. "What bothers me is the burning question of why you're even still with him."

You don't answer. You don't have an answer. It's a question you'd asked yourself all too often.

Whatever shower gel Eren uses rolls off him into your nose. A mixture of spiced sandalwood with a hint of teatree maybe? Whatever it was, it combined with the warmth of his skin, blanketing you with such compassion you could almost feel his increased heart rate as his eyes slyly drink you in.

"I heard other things, too." He mutters, suddenly leaning his face close to yours with a smirk. "I can help you, if you want."

"H-help me?" You heart palpitates and butterflies flutter within you, his demeanor totally changing into something you'd never seen from him before.

"I can make you feel good." He explains with such simplicity, you were certain he couldn't possibly be taking about what you thought he was.

Your vacant expression forces him to spell it out for you.

With his large hand cupping your face , he brushes his lips against yours his eyes then scanning your orbs for any resistance. All he can see is how startled you are; wanting to kiss him but your conscience holding you back.

"Let me take care of you..." He reiterates, his hand now slowly moving up your thigh. "In more ways than one."

"E-eren..." You breathe, your logical thinking quickly being taken over by your now throbbing libido as this gorgeous man now gently slides his tongue into your mouth, catching your lips tenderly once he was fully inside.

He's beyond elated when you return his affections, your hands quickly finding their way to his hair; your breathing rate quickened yet heavy. His tongue caresses yours, swirling and entwining, his throat buzzing with a low, short moan.

It's a hurried kiss - your hands roaming each others face and hair with quick succession, your inhales and exhales pushing through your nostrils loudly, the both of you quickly becoming flustered.

Whether it were his alpha male DNA coming into play, or he got too fired up (maybe both) he ends up scooping you up with ease and carrying you, bridal style, into his bedroom. His lips never leave yours as he pushes the door closed with his foot behind hiny, reaching around and clicking the lock, before lowering you gently onto the bed.

He crawls over you, his breath heavy and eyes heavy lidded; his mouth finding its way to your neck and grazing it.

"Eren... I can't. It's not right..."

You hear yourself but it didn't feel like it was you saying those words, your body screaming at you to just shut the fuck up.

"I'm just showing you how you should be treated." He breathes, hand now roaming up your shirt. "You're not doing anything. It's all on me."

Your moan that escapes you as he pulls at your nipple pushes him on the verge of crazed lust, his lips returning to yours as he rolls your breast around in his large palm, squeezing and pulling. It had been so long since you'd been touched in this way, your body craved it so badly. You found yourself grinding against his thigh, your kisses now desperate as you tug at his hair.

Somewhere within enjoying his touches and kisses, he'd removed your pants. You weren't sure when, just one moment they were there, the next your legs were bare as his hand cups your crotch, your wetness soaking through the material of your panties.

"Eren..." You gasp, back arching at his warm skin - even through the material it felt so good.

His fingers hastily push them to the side with a groan, wanting nothing more than to have you fully. But he knew that wouldn't be possible. Not with the thought of him looming over you like a shadow.

You cry out a lot louder than expected when his long finger slides into you, followed by a second, his thumb circling your external magic spot as he continued to nuzzle into your neck; kissing, whispering and biting.

"Do my fingers feel good inside you?"

You nod, your grip on the sheets tightening, your legs tensing and releasing as he begins to wiggle his digits.

He'd spent many-a-night imagining you under him like this. His long cock was solid, and you could feel his yearning for you pressing tightly against your thigh.

Your body is on fire as he works you, picking up speed as your insides suck him in, caressing him and begging for more.

"You're so fucking gorgeous..." He hums, now looking down into your eyes. "Fuck... You've got me so hard."

You whine loudly at his words, back arching and nails digging deeper into his matress. Your face is burning, boardering on hysterical as your untouched sex is so lovingly caressed.

"yes, Eren... It's so good..." You sob, your mouth hanging open and your eyes clasping closed. "Ah~ Ah~~!"

"Fuck..." He marvels, watching you squirm at his charity.

"I'm going to... Already..." You warn, feeling suddenly full as the pleasure begins to get too intense.

"yes, cum baby..." He smiles softly yet devishly, his pace getting faster.

Your silent scream confirms your climax, your back springing and your insides clamping down, sprinkling his palm with your water as you swirl right down the drain and into the palm of Eren Yeager.

He watches you in sheer awe as you come undone, unweaving and unravelling at his mercy. Squirming and trembling, your body now under his control during those few seconds of unrestricted ecstasy.

You expected to be riddled with guilt when you'd come back to earth. But strangely you didn't. It felt... Right.

"Do you feel better?" He mutters, his mouth caressing your shoulder.

You nod, speachless.

He removes his fingers reluctantly; placing them on his flat tongue. "You taste good too." His tone has a bitter sting to it, you're perfect, just like he'd always thought.

"Be with me. Leave him." He states. "You deserve so much better. I want to be the one who takes care of you."

You think about it for a moment. It makes so much sense to do so. But well, y/n... Whether you take him up on his offer or not - it's up to you.

[everafterkeiji]

Song: Officially Missing You by Tamia

Summary: When Tsukishima realizes how much he needs you even if you just started dating

Pairing: Kei Tsukishima x fem! reader

Genre: Fluff

Word count: 5.8k

A/N: this is PURE, ALSO JRISNDOESN I FORGOT ABOUT THE DISTANCE OF MIYAGI FROM TOKYO SO PLS LET'S ACT LIKE THEY'RE SEMI NEAR-

"Yes! Of course, Kei!"

It's only been two weeks when the blonde finally received your sweet approval of being his. You probably wouldn't have guessed to see the harsh boy with red cheeks and a smile on his features on that day, but it was safe to say it was a sight to remember. Icons and nicknames changed instantly when you two got home, the giddy feeling in your hearts making the new lovers stay up and talk until the dawn. You also couldn't forget the look on Yamaguchi's face when he saw you two holding hands when Tsukishima was walking you to your bus stop for you to go home, the green haired boy rushed to you immediately hugging you, genuinely happy his best friend finally found someone.

Even if it was only two weeks ago, it felt as if it should've happened a little earlier than that.

The only downside to this new found love was that you didn't exactly go to Karasuno unlike your boyfriend. You went to Nekoma high unknowing they were soon to be Karasunos opponent but you disregarded the idea and still decided that he was in fact, good for you. So every morning, he calls you when you two when you were on your way to school. He insisted on this little habit knowing you two never really have the time to be around each other since he was busy with training and so that he can spend time with you without his annoying teammates scramming around that he has a girlfriend.

With you being hours away from him, it was only right to text or call him whenever you arrived, reassuring him you were safe and sound. Even when you two were walking home, there was no way for you to end the call, cautious of the time you spent even if it was through FaceTime. In a short amount of time, this little habit was already embedded in your relationship. Tsukishima even managed to take notice of your schedule the minute you got home. When you've finally made it back to your house, you were bound to finish all of the requirements so you can talk to him all night once you're done.

You also managed to slip in a little gesture for the boy, sending him audios of you greeting him good morning or overall reminding him to take care of himself. Telling him it was his little good luck charm, something to remember you by whenever he was training. Surely he shouldn't be affected by something so simple but since it came from you, his heart never fails to flutter whenever he hears your sweet voice, greeting him so early in the morning with your little giggle when you went to talk about a dream you had.

As far as Tsukishima knows, he hasn't really made it clear to his teammates he was in a relationship. He didn't want to hear the never ending questions of the mysterious girl or even how it started. Even Yamaguchi doesn't ask questions about you knowing Yamaguchi was the only person Tsukishima even introduced you to- well was forced to introduce you since he really couldn't find an excuse as to why he was a holding a girls hand late in the afternoon.

"T-tsukki?" Yamaguchi utters, his eyes switching back and forth between your hands that were intertwined and to you in general. He wonders if he was dreaming, there was a huge chance of that but remembering how his best friend mentioned a girl in one of their conversations he can't help but blink wondering if you were the girl he was talking about. You look up to Tsukishima while he lets out a sigh as he pushes his glasses forward.

"This is Y/N my uh..girlfriend." You smile at the familiar boy and remove your hand from the blonde before sticking your hand out aiming to shake hands with him but instead arms were wrapped around you shortly catching you off guard. You hear a tch behind you but your hands were clasped into his shaking it excitedly.

"I'm Yamaguchi! It's so nice to finally meet you!"

On your side of the story, Kenma didn't really wanna intervene but when he sees you smiling at your phone he can't help but wonder if it was a game. Which lead you to admit that it was just your boyfriend and hearing the words slip your mouth, he just continued on with his game not even asking who the boyfriend was but soon Kuroo found out about the little secret at practice when it was just the two of them knowing you trusted Kuroo as well.

"Y/N promised me she was gonna ask something about chemistry. You know where she is?" Kuroo asks but he only receives a shrug from the smaller boy.

"Probably texting her boyfriend." He says nonchalantly and Kuroos eyebrows furrow but once he realizes that Kenma was actually being truthful, a smirk appears on his face.

"Ah! A boyfriend! That's interesting, I wonder who the bastard is. Do you know?" Kenma shakes his head no but Kuroo only lets the sly smirk on his features as he thinks about the next day, ready to bombard you with teases.

Kuroo stuck to his promise, urging you to spill who the lucky guy was but you only remained quiet with flustered cheeks as Kenma slightly glares at him wishing he'd stop the jokes, fully respecting your decision of not letting Kuroo know who the boy is.

Up til now, no one really noticed that their tallest teammate was in love since Tsukishima really didn't show an ounce of adoration on his features and he was entirely caught up in improving his moves and mocking the first years so his love life was kept behind doors.

But even if his features didn't show, his heart says otherwise.

How can his heart skip a beat when he sees you? What is that happy feeling in his stomach whenever you hold his hand? What is that anxious feeling when your name flashes on his screen? Needless to say he was new to everything, but nothing beats the feeling of having him make his way home to your arms when you two meet. All his exhaustion from long practices vanishes quickly when your arms were around him, your scent rubbing off him, and especially when your lips press to his cheek.

Disregarding his crave for your presence, he was still in denial of being clingy. He never really liked the idea of a person acting in such a way so he assumed he wouldn't act like that but when a girl comes strolling into his life, of course he was bound to act different but then he remembers a certain conversation between you and him.

"How was your day?" He asks and he can see through his screen you were shuffling in your bed hugging a pillow underneath you, your cheeks resting on the soft material and Tsukishima smiles slightly at the appeal.

"All good, Tsukki. Did you miss me?" You teased with an eyebrow raised. He rolls his eyes when he hears your little giggle, making his heart jump at the sound.

"You really didn't miss me?" You chuckle again but you look at the camera to see him staring right back.

"Pft..Of course I did, dumbass but I'm not the one to be clingy." He states and you run your fingers through your soft h/c hair. "Its okay to be clingy, babe. I really wouldn't mind having my boyfriend be crazy for me." He chuckles at your comment but shakes his head before adjusting his glasses.

"Sucks for you then, you can't expect me to be clingy that's for sure." You pout and his lips merely broke into a smile. How cute. He thought.

"Then maybe you are crazy."

"Oi!" And your laugh just echoes through his ears, a sound he found addicting like his favorite song.

Now that texting was your usual way of communicating, he wonders what it'd be like to be around you all the time. If only you were in the same school as he was, he wouldn't dare to pass up the opportunity of being with you 24/7 even if he has to be with his teammates, he'd still pick you over them in a heart beat.

With your father switching between Miyagi and Tokyo, it was beneficial for you two to meet at a location while your father was at work, waiting for him to pick you up. After school you would just ask him to take you to your school then picks you up in the afternoon so he can finish his job at Miyagi. With pure luck, you'd arrive at Miyagi at 7:30pm, wherein they've yet to finish training so you spend time with him when you're able.

So here he was after practice, bidding goodbye to Yamaguchi with his phone in his hands messaging you if you were here. You replied a yes and he was already on his way to see you, eager to experience your embrace.

And this is part of the day that he loved.

Ending the day, exhausted and worn out, just to feel refreshed when his eyes land on her figure. His heart swells with joy when he sees her sitting on the bench with a longing expression of her face. Then light is brought upon his world when her eyes met his, forming a smile onto her features as she walks over to him, slowly wrapping her arms around his tall figure. A sigh of relief is expressed and he reciprocates the embrace immediately his chin resting on top of your head as his hands caress you waist gently.

"You wanna eat before you go home? You look tired babe." You say and he just mindlessly nods, lost at the sweet tone of your voice. You step away from the embrace, grasping your hands with his before walking inside the convenience store. As you two pick up the food to eat, you were back at the bench with your head to his arm while you two feast on the snacks enjoying the night sky.

"Kei?" You turn to him and he looks right at you the minute his name slips off your lips.

"What?"

"I might be busy for a bit. There's a group project and an individual presentation for me to do. Is that fine with you bub?" You ask and Tsukishima rests your head on his arm once again.

"Of course I'm okay with it, idiot. Just don't over work yourself got it?" You nod and place a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"What about you? Still training with Yams and the others?"

"Tragically, yes." He comments making you laugh. You threw the wrapper into the trash bin at the corner, Tsukishima following your movements as well. You both stood up, linking your arms with his as you two walk.

"I'm assuming they're not as bad as you make them to be. I mean Yamaguchi is so nice." You say earning a scoff from the boy.

"I promise you that two of them are little delinquents from hell-"

"Kei!" You slap his arm gently and he laughs at your gesture before planting a kiss to your hair, catching you off guard and making your heart leap with excitement.

"Okay, some aren't bad but you don't need to meet them. It's too chaotic and I know Hinata would not stop when he meets you." Tsukishima comes to a hault when you've received a notification from your father who was ready to pick you up. As expected, you immediately hug Tsukishima before pulling away and landing another peck to his cheek.

"I'll see you when I see you, Kei. Thanks for tonight." You say and he too lands a kiss upon your forehead before muttering a stay safe underneath his breath. You smile at his words before walking away from him, turning back to wave at him once in a while. Once you were for sure out of his vision, he smiles to himself, satisfied of another happy night with you.

-

As five days pass, he's yet to hear from his lovely girlfriend, not even meeting him in the morning now that she's driven to school by her father later than the time she usually goes with him. He's received texts later than he expected but it just proved she had a lot on her hands. He was the one who said to take her time so why's he missing her this fast? So he put his thoughts into practice knowing there was a practice match happening soon and he was expected to do his best.

"Oi, focus." Kageyamas voice detaches him from his thoughts earning a glare from the blonde. As the practice went on, his thoughts remained to be consumed by you.

Once they were back in their classroom, Yamaguchi takes a sit in front of Tsukishima who was busy scribbling some notes he'd missed when his mind was distracted by the thought of you.

"Did you and Y/N fight? You've been distracted all morning." Tsukishima crosses his arms to his chest, leaning back on his chair with a scoff to his expressions.

"No we didn't."

"Then what happened?"

"It's nothing serious." Tsukishima exclaims making Yamaguchi shrug before grabbing his snack and munching on it.

"Well that's good then. I like Y/N for you." Tsukishima playfully pushes Yamaguchi while his friend laughs knowing he made the taller boy blush.

When practice came to an end, he was expecting a message from you claiming you've gotten home safe, but all he saw was his wallpaper staring back at him, not even a single notification displayed or even a sound indicating a message. Beside him, Yamaguchi sneakily peaks at where Tsukishima was looking and he smiles to himself.

"Looks like somebody's missing Y/N-chan too much." He says earning a scoff from his friend.

"Shut up, I don't miss her."

"Your face says the opposite." But I do miss her, she's just really busy and I won't bother her for it but what if she's not at school? He thinks to himself. Worry rushing to his mind but his pride of messaging her stopped him.

"She's probably busy. Why don't you leave a message for her then?" Tsukishima rolls his eyes before plugging in his headphones that were around his neck.

"Like I didn't thought of that. I got to go." Yamaguchi bids a goodbye to the blonde before riding his own bike, heading home. Tsukishima stayed behind, hands gliding over his phone picking a song for him to listen to since his usual companion wasn't there.

"I like this song, do you have a playlist?" You asked while you walked alongside him. He nods making you smile.

"Can you send me your playlist?" Kei knew it was just a innocent question but it was enough to make his heart triple it's speed.

"No. Low class people like you don't deserve my music taste." He jokes making your remove the shared ear bud and slapping his arm playfully.

"You're a pain in the ass."

"Geez, thanks Y/N."

Once he arrives home, he laid in bed with his phone clutched to his hands, still waiting for the notification sound. The more he hears the annoying ticking of the clock, he unlocks his phone hurriedly before clicking on your contact typing away his anxiousness.

Oi, answer the phone dummie

Minutes turned into hours and soon his message was left on delivered.

I hope she didn't overwork herself. He thinks before wearing his headphones hoping his nerves wash away with every song but with every melody who does he think of?

You.

It was all you. He even wonders if it was healthy to miss a person like this. He opens his phone swiping continuously, gazing at every picture of you two taken from his phone. He'd see the photos of your cute little smile when you two were out on dates, you casually holding his hand, or even pictures with him when his arms were around your waist. He finds himself chuckling at photos you told him to delete but to him they were all adorable. From staring at the ceiling with memories replaying in his head, he falls asleep.

-

For Tsukishima, it was rather weird to step into your school knowing you didn't even expect him to be there.

"Hinata can you shut the fuck up?" Tsukishima groans as he tries to block out the excitement of the tangerine haired boy. Hinata was rambling on about how he was ready to beat the team against them but Kageyama wouldn't shut up as well making the conversation last longer than expected. The bus stops making them all step out, face to face with the Nekoma boys volleyball team.

"I've never seen you in your school uniform before. What school do you even go to again?" Tsukishima asks while you fix your tie. This was the first time he was seeing you after school. He couldn't really ignore the dark colors of your uniform.

"Nekoma High. Did I really not mention it to you?" Tsukishima shakes his head and Y/N giggles. In every date, you disregarded conversations about school since you two always had a nick for talking about songs and movies so it was no surprise the question slipped through his mind.

"I'm sorry I didn't mention it before, my parents went to Nekoma so I'm assuming it was only an obligation for me to follow in their footsteps."

"Following them to be the shortest student in Nekoma then?" Tsukishima teases and you roll your eyes.

"Says the fucking giraffe."

"Oi, say that again."

"A gira-" Tsukishima flicks your forehead with his fingers before walking ahead chuckling to himself before you caught up to him smacking him with your backpack.

He watches as Kuroo and Daichi shake hands, Yamamoto and Tanaka looking like a brawl was bound to happen, and Yamaguchi beside Tsukishma as they both watch the two teams.

"Someone can finally see their girlfriend~" Yamaguchi teases and Tsukishima rolls his eyes before looking around to make sure no one heard Yamaguchi.

"Shut up and lower your fucking voice, she's probably in class anyway."

"What if she watches us then? I bet you'd lose focus huh?" Yamaguchi laughs beside him and Tsukishima smacks the back of his neck playfully making him groan in pain.

"Let's get going everyone!"

-

"Holy shit!"

You stare at your phone with a miss call and message from Tsukishima but you couldn't respond as fast since you woke up late. Staring at the wall beside your bed, you got off your bed immediately and rushed your way into the bathroom to take the fastest shower you can take. Exiting the bathroom and wearing your uniform not even bothering that droplets from you wet hair created a trail around your room as you pack what you needed for school.

You went downstairs and bid goodbye to whoever was in the room and immediately opened the door to reveal your father, impatient with his hand on the steering wheel.

"I'm really sorry!" Your dad chuckles breaking his angry facade as he opens the door for you as you step in panting at how your energy was drained from moving so fast.

"You didn't eat did you?" You shake your head and your father hands you your breakfast. "I saw you passed out on your table I figured you'd be late so I went ahead and bought some." You smile at him, thanking him as he starts the engine and you pray that you weren't late and that you were able to compose yourself for the presentation.

When you made it to school you were already greeted by cold winds and you clutch onto your blouse, irritated that you couldn't bring a jacket but then you remembered a certain boy had your jacket. You decided it was best to find the jacket after your nerve wracking presentation since now you were focused of keeping away the anxiousness that was creeping up on you.

As you walked into the classroom, you were greeted by your also nervous classmates cramming around you asking if you were ready to which you responded too defensively letting your confidence collapse. You desperately wished the teacher would just cancel the presentation or even continue it some other day but she just had to pursue it tdoay and now it was affecting everyone.

"Good morning everyone!"

A voice echoes through the room and you swore you can hear the silent groans from your fellow classmates but a good morning was their response back. Your eyes land on the wall clock above the board and you bit your lip wishing it would all finish alreasy.

"Is everyone ready?"

"Nice kill!" Nishinoya shouts as Tanaka hit another successful spike. Everyone had their guards up especially the Nekoma boys, overwhelmed at Karasunos quick attack from the first year duo. Kenma, observing every teammates and reading the game as he usually does and Kuroo looking as intimidating than usual.

The bell rings and you felt a weight lifted off your shoulders. You place all of your belongings back to your bag and immediately leave the classroom knowing you were freezing to death. The presentation went better than what you expected, not a single stutter in your presence but deep inside you were crumbling with every word you manage to say. The minute you sat down, your heartbeat never came back to its original pace and the sweatiness in your palms didn't go away either but now that the class is officially over, you can finally have a moment to properly breathe.

You wandered around classrooms searching for the quiet setter to retrieve your jacket but he was nowhere in your sight. You assumed it was because he was still in training so you grabbed a snack before walking to the Nekoma gym.

With every walk, the more chills ran up your spine, cursing you were forced to wear a short skirt as a uniform. By the time you've reached the doors of the gym you already wanted to beg for Kenma to give you your jacket.

"Kenma-"

Your voice echoes through the gym as heads turn to your direction. The game to a hault suddenly and a certain pair of wide eyed golden brown eyes were stuck on you. Yamaguchi's eyes land on you before changing his gaze to Tsukishima who had a very obvious surprised state in his expressions. Yamaguchi chuckles as Sugawara looks at the boy.

"Who's that?" Sugawara asks as his curiosity watches you from afar as you make eye contact with your boyfriend, whose heart was picking up a new pace with every second your eyes remain on his.

"Ah Y/N! Come watch-" Kuroos eyes gaze at you and Tsukishima. He wonders if this was what Kenma was talking about, but you've never mentioned a boy like him, especially from a different school and with this assumption in his mind, an idea surfaces to his mind making him smirk.

The game finally resumed and you hear your heartbeat all too loudly as you took a seat watching them. Why is he here? A practice match? Why am I suddenly nervous? You assumed that the reason you felt nervous was because you haven't seen him in a week and you certainly did not expect to meet him like this, especially when Kuroo was there.

Kenma waves at you from where you sat and you awkwardly wave back as Karasuno wonders who you were.

"I bet it's their manager." Tanaka replies as his hands came contact with a ball, receiving it. Daichi glares at him and Tanaka quickly turns his head avoiding his gaze and Kuroo takes another look to where you were, eyeing your worry to a possible member of the opposite team.

The sound of the volleyballs colliding with the floor is a sound you should be used to considering every match Tsukishima has, you have to be there. Now that this was your first match you see him in, it was very unexpected that you came in such a random time. Even if you were late to this match, what mattered to you is that you finally get to see him. You certainly didn't mind watching him in such a focused and skilled state.

Your eyes linger to his teammates, seeing Yamaguchi in the corner and you waved to him and he flat out ignores you and you wonder why. Sugawara turns his attention to you giving you a warm smile before returning to watch the game.

They all look kind, what is Kei even talking about delinquents from-

A loud sound caught you off guard as two Karasuno members shout knowing they've once again succeeded with their quick attack. You turn to see number 9 and 10 as the others compliment them on the move.

Is this what Kei was talking about?

You began to turn your attention to the two watching them play as if every move was planned beforehand, moving in synch with each other. Kuroos confusion now grows as he watches you switch back and forth between 9 and 10. At that moment he wanted to give up in finding the mysterious boyfriend but once a ball suddenly hits a certain player, his assumption was proven to be correct.

"Tsukishima-" You watch as your boyfriend winces when a ball harshly passed to his fingers making Tsukishima look over to you, seeing your face painted with a weary expression. As he reassures his teammates he was okay, a rotation begins and he was face to face with the captain of Nekoma.

"The boyfriend huh?"

Tsukishimas eye's widen at Kuroos words but the second he realizes he was being serious, he lets out a sigh before returning his focus to the game not wanting to disappoint the team.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Tsukishima replies before eyeing the ball carefully as Kuroo manages to spike it past him. Tsukishima glares at the captain but Kuroo laughs staring him down.

"Okay then four eyes. You better not be lying to me then." Kuroo says and Tsukishima sighs once more before forgetting the conversation that just happened, desperately wishing your relationship wouldn't be announced in this way.

Despite having to switch back and forth between classes and to the gym, you really wished the practice match ended already. You had no other choice anyway. With every visit to the gym, your eyes were still fixated on Tsukishima. He knows you were staring right at him and the nerves catch up to him the minute you watch him.

Now it's different, finally the practice match came to an end as you went to Kenma, tapping him slightly on the shoulder. He turns to you but another figure comes beside you two.

"Y/N. This is Shoyo." Shoyo excitedly shakes your hand with his and you smile at him and take in his features.

"Are you Hinata?" Shoyo happily nods but his head comes to a tilt when you mentioned his name knowing Kenma didn't exactly introduce him that way.

"Do we know each other? Oh! You're the girl who entered the gym! I'm so sorry I didn't notice you though!" He rambles on and you giggle at him, understanding why Kei was irritated at the small boy.

"Well not really but-"

"Oh Y/N, I forgot here's your jacket. Sorry for keeping it too long." Kenma hands you your jacket and you smile, hugging the fabric close to you.

"Thanks Kenma! I actually wanted to get it from you earlier, I didn't know you were in a match." Kenma nods to you and he signals you to move close to him. You awkwardly obey as he whispers into your ear.

"I think Kuroo knows who your boyfriend is." You chuckle at his words but when you pull away you notice a certain friend was staring down your giant of a boyfriend.

"T-thanks, Kenma." Now, you weren't humiliated of your relationship, what you weren't ready for was Kuroos endless comments on how you've finally settled on a boyfriend.

As Karasuno entered the bus, Tsukishima desperately wanted to stay behind so he can walk you home now that school ended but coach Ukai insisted on training once they were back. You wanted to talk to him but his entire team was caught up with talking to Kuroo and the others and you didn't wanna interrupt. Tsukishima didn't even notice when the teams were all gathered, you were already gone.

But now he's caught a familiar figure with hands stuck to their phone with earphones plugged in with their eyes calmly set ahead of them. Tsukishima stands up with his duffel bag catching the sleepy Yamaguchi off guard as he quickly makes way to his teacher asking if the bus could stop. Takeda questions the tall boy as the rest of the boys woke up slightly wondering if they were at school already.

"Sir please, I promise I'll make my way back to the school for practice. This is um- important." Tsukishima pleads and Takeda nods giving in the boys request.

"Are we here?" Tanaka lazily asks, rubbing his eyes and he watches Tsukishima making his way outside the bus. He was half awake so he mindlessly lifts his duffel bag in his shoulders thinking they've arrived but he watches through the window of Tsukishima catching the attention of a girl. Takeda eyes Tanaka wondering if he was going to leave as well.

"Tanaka?"

"Look Tsukishimas with a girl.. WITH A GIRL?" His scream awakens half the team but they groan and once Nishinoya lays eyes on the pair he was up on his feet, face near the window.

"TSUKISHIMA HAS A GIRLFRIEND- OH WAIT THAT'S THE GIRL FROM THE NEKOMA RIGHT?" Nishinoya shouts and Daichi runs a frustrated hand through his hair, now all the members of the Karasuno volleyball team had their curiosity to the window. Once they saw the girl give a peck to Tsukishimas cheek, they were all wide eyed and interested in what was happening.

"Are you sure she's isn't held hostage?"

"Yo, she looks hot-"

"Oh she's the girl Kenma was talking to!" Hinata exclaims and then they all look at the boy.

"Didn't know she was Tsukishimas g-girlfriend though!" He says and Ukai is confused as to why all the boys were all staring at the window, it's also been three minutes since Tsukishima left and the bus was still not moving. Sugawara looks over to Yamaguchi who had no reaction whatsoever so he nudges him.

"Did you know about this?" Suga asks and it was a moment of silence until Yamaguchi felt a dozen eyes land on him, suddenly feeling like he was gonna faint from how intense Tanaka and Nishinoya was staring at him.

"He- I uh.. m-met her already.." He shyly says earning a scream from the two years as they surround him.

"WHAT OTHER SECRETS DO YOU HIDE FROM US?"

"THIS IS BETRAYAL!"

They scream and Suga and Asahi laugh at the two years but smile as they watch Tsukishima walk with the girl, hands together with the afternoon sunlight shining on them.

"Let them be everyone. Sorry about that sir, we can go home now. " Daichi says and Tanaka and Nishinoya finally left Yamaguchi. Before the bus moves, Tanaka decides to bring up a plan for the blonde boy.

The trip finally resumes and once the couple was in their sight again, casually laughing, Tanaka opens the window with a goofy grin on his face along with his partner Nishinoya as the rest of the team open the window ready to tease the poor boy.

"HEY! I'M TANAKA! IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU TSUKISHIMAS GIRLFRIEND!"

"I'M THE LIBERO NISHINOYA!"

"I'm Sugawara!"

"Daichi."

"Asahi!"

"IT'S HINATA AGAIN! FROM EARLIER-"

"I'm Kageyama."

You didn't really understand why the Karasuno team was introducing themselves to you, especially when you were on the walk with your boyfriend who has been blushing the entire time, badly wanting for the earth to swallow him.

"I'm Y/N! H-hello!" You say with a giggle, laughing at Tsukishimas expression and he walks ahead, hands to his pockets with head low as you catch up to him with the bus still slowly following you two.

"YOU'VE GONE SOFT YOU BEANPOLE TAKE THAT HA!" Hinata screams and once Tsukishima hears his voice, his head snaps looking at Hinata before Hinata grabs onto Tanakas jacket tugging on it and yelling for someone to drive and leave now. Before Tsukishima can even run to him the bus drives off leaving a very happy Hinata and an embrassaed boy.

You link arms with him again, still laughing at what he just had to go through. Tsukishima hides his face from you and you pull his hand making him stop as you stood in front of him with that gorgeous smile he adores.

"Kei, seriously they're gone. Stop blushing already." You say making Tsukishima drop your hand as he walks ahead making you shake your head before chuckling.

"I'm not blushing, dumbass." He says stubbornly and you pull him by the hand again bringing him close to you. You were 5'7 so it was enough for you to place your delicate hands to his warm cheeks and before he can respond you've placed your lips onto his for the first time, and you can sense how shocked he was. You pull away with a cheeky smile as you walk ahead of him while he was still in deep thought of what just happened. He couldn't really put into words how his heart practically went in loops at the gesture.

If this is what he receives after days of not being with you, then maybe he'd consider being clingy.

"Huh, first time you've got nothing to say." You teased as you continue to walk laughing at the impact your kiss hand on him. He looks at you before a smile creeps on his lips, then catches up to you pulling you by your waist and now he was standing in front of you, his figure towering over yours.

"Oi, you think you can just pull a stunt like that pipsqueak?" You happily nod as he lowers his head making you roll your eyes knowing this was his gesture when he was ready to throw some insults.

But instead of an insult, all you got was a pair of lips on yours before it vanished before you, the blonde pulling away from the peck as he flicks your forehead like he always does, with his fingers dragging you out of the daze.

"Are you coming with me or not?"

".. of course I am, Kei."

"Good cause it looked like you wanted something else-"

"TSUKISHIMA!"

BONUS:

When he walks back to Karasunos gym, he was greeted by his teammates standing in front of him all lined up, as he lowers his head, Yamaguchi laughing silently at his friends embarassment.

".. yes she's my girlfriend-"

Then the sound of chaotic screams and endless questions has begun.

[sobredunia]

ah, so you just fucking put him through an angsty grinder, lovely work

If you're my oc it's p much required at this point

So anyways those two get sent to the lab, where the scientists have discovered this weird material that makes humans explode and turns animals into monsters made of the most random materials, so they decide to test It with those two through injections in the eyes. Nume's is successful, and they periodically grow flowers in their body, especially their eye. It stings a lot, and the flowers never wilt, and they get subjected to all kinds of stressfull/sad situations to see the reaction to the flowers they form

They're mostly lotuses, but extreme emotions can cause other flowers to grow, like cornflowers when sad, rafflesias when freaked out, and roses when angry. Roses are the ones that hurt the most, and they try to stay calm to make less flowers, but the scientists want more. They always want more. The flowers get sold as a secondary income, and they actually gain quite a buck, so they want them to keep on producing more and more with different torture methods

Mero, however, wasn't as lucky

First, the eyes injections went wrong, causing him to lose his eyes and only keeping the white scleras. She can still see, but lost her feline cat vision. Instead of flowers, Mero makes minerals. Which are much more painful because instead of just a small hole for the stem, the skin has to fully break apart to let the mineral through

With her, it works the opposite. The more calm/happy, the more minerals he'll make, coming out slowly and painfully. He mostly makes pyrite, stuff like diamonds coming out if she really concentrates, and since pyrite can't wilt by default and isn't really a valuable mineral, the doctors just give him painkillers once in a while and ignore her

Still, someone needs to keep on feeding her, so a doctor comes into his cage three times a day to offer some meat and maybe play with her with a laser pointer as if she was just a big cat

Could they just automate it? Yeah, but the doctor offered to do it so why the fuck not

With all the time spent together Mero and the doctor (Damian, he/him) actually ended up becoming friends. He told her about the outside and what living amongst humans was like, and she told him what being a humanimal was like

Damian felt bad for keeping Mero like that, and he also felt bad for Nume thanks to all the stories his fellow doctors told him, so he made an escape plan with Mero where they'd rescue Nume as well

It was mostly successful, although when Damian went into Nume's cage to rescue her, instead of following him, they were mortified. They feared humans for all they made them go through, what made them think that this wasn't just an elaborate plan from the scientists to make them to produce more flowers?

It wasn't until Mero appeared and told them to run with them that they actually walked out of their enclosure for the first time in two years

Once they all finally made it out, they hid in Damian's big house

Nume, however, wasn't the same

Their fear turned into hatred

They hated humans. They hated them so, so much

They no longer looked almost human when ransforming. Their legs looked like a bunny's, and they got the same fur markings as their bunny form

Mero got better

He knew that those scientists were bad, but not all humans were

Why should she hate all for the mistakes of the few?

Even though she wasn't allowed to go out since he couldn't pass as a human, and cheetah's definitely weren't common in the area, she was allowed to use the internet, where he saw what the world looked like

Nume was allowed to go out, but only on their rabbit form, so they decided to use one of their walks to get out of there

They wanted to go back home, and see if their family was okay, but the scientists found them in that area, so they couldn't go back

Snooping around they found a family that said they were going to move to a place called 'Japan', so they decided to appear like a stray rabbit for them to adopt and bring with them on their travel, and then ditch them

It worked, and now Mero was in one of the most human-crowded closed spaces in the world, with no money and no idea where the fuck to go

[luna-rainbow]

the general cop out of TFATWS

Saw this fantastic thread pop up today but since this post would be talking about everything else apart from Bucky, I thought I'd start another post.

TFATWS brings up very complex issues and some very dark themes. Unlike Black Widow which by and large does it well, TFATWS does not give these issues the complexity they deserve. It wants to be a political show, but it shirks away from actually giving those issues the gravity and depth they deserve.

1) Racial injustice

My particular issue with the racial injustice theme is that the MCU does not actually align with the real world. I mean half the world has just come out of non-existence, that messes up the social psyche in major ways - so this is not the same as the post-Floyd US we know in the real world. Especially to people living outside the US, we're going to need a little more than a bank and a police scene to show us exactly how racial injustice pervades the MCU America to the point that Sam/Sarah denounces the country multiple times, particularly as it had never been established as an issue before this series (again, only lightly touched on in Black Panther). It is also a missed opportunity to actually educate people outside of the US why racial injustice in the US is a problem that needs the world community's support. Go hard and go deep. Make it without a doubt that Sam could've gotten a loan if he was white - just need a passing comment that someone else in the same situation easily got a loan. Make it clear that in the MCU world, there are also unjust deaths in custody which preferentially affects BIPOC, and this problem has become bigger because the lack of resources has driven up petty crime. Talk about BIPOC being passed over for opportunities, which are going to be massively limited in the post-Blip world. Talk about how people can't get jobs, can't go to college, can't go to school because the colour of their skin pushes them down the list of priorities. Which brings me to...

2) Post-Blip mess

This is criminally glossed over in the series, with a lot of handwaving lines about "the GRC" and "things were better before the Blip". Again, show/tell us the horrors. There won't be enough food and water. There won't be enough housing or accommodation. Don't show us refugees living in clean European mansions. Show us overcrowded, poorly constructed, unhygienic refugee camps (see below picture from Syria). The world's population doubled overnight with no increase in infrastructure. You're going to have a LOT of displaced people literally on the streets. Crime will soar, deaths and illness will soar, and overall dissent will soar.

3) Resource allocation

Even in a world that hasn't had to deal with half the population disappearing then returning within a short time frame, we are having issues with vaccine inequity. Here's a recent JAMA article about this very issue:

Approximately 1.2% of the global vaccine supply has been received by low-income countries and just 14% by lower-middle-income countries, which account for nearly 40% of the world’s population. In contrast, more than half the US adult population is fully vaccinated (...)

Vaccine inequity is driven by insufficient supply and unfair allocation. Powerful high-income countries prepurchased sufficient doses for their entire populations, sometimes twice the number needed. In contrast, COVAX, a global initiative to procure and equitably allocate vaccines, failed to secure enough doses even for its modest goal of covering 20% of lower-income country populations this year. Pfizer, for example, agreed to sell COVAX only 40 million doses, and had delivered just over 1 million by mid-May.

Now extrapolate this across all resources, including food, fuel, medicines, materials, manufacturing machinery etc. For example, recently parts of northern Chinese cities went dark for days in the middle of a freezing winter because the power grid didn't have enough coal to run. This is going to be made so much worse when the population had suddenly doubled. Greedy corporations will want to capitalise on the sudden surge in demand. Large numbers of people will be dying from all of these reasons, and if the GRC is driving the inequity by unfair allocation of resources, people are within their rights to protest or push for change.

4) Police/Government corruption

It's a fine line that separates a terrorist from a revolutionary, and TFATWS shied away from portraying the gritty reality that would have made Karli a real heroine in this post-apocalyptic world. This is a particularly missed opportunity because Karli's story isn't even set in America, and even as someone who doesn't keep up much with world news I know there are ongoing issues of military/government driven brutality going on throughout the world, which would be many times worse post-Blip because the population will become more expendable.

For anyone interested, here's China's forcing sterilisation/contraception in Uighurs. Here's Myanmar military shooting young people posting Tiktoks of pro-democracy songs. Here's China (again) arresting staff at a pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong and driving it into closure.

Get into the dark side. Tell us how the GRC is colluding with corrupt governments. Tell us about the slavery that has shot through the roof because human labour is now so cheap. Tell us how governments are banning their own people from having children because of overcrowding concerns, and how the GRC plays into that propaganda. Tell us how corrupt powers try to censor these issues from getting to the media, and how the GRC's musclemen (like Walker) are unknowingly or intentionally used to silence people who are trying to fight for their right to live.

5) "I believe we can do better"

Maybe because I'm more a doer than a talker, but I'm still trying to recover from the cringe caused by that speech. Again, I don't blame Sam for either this speech or his talk with Bucky in episode 5, I can only lay the blame at the writers who clearly weren't interested in any of the practical ramifications of what they're writing.

Firstly, establish what they were doing wrong (see above, and there's lots more that could be added with just a cursive research into world affairs). Second, "The only power I have is that I believe we can do better" is a terribly avoidant reply when someone is pointing out rightfully that the issues are complex. This is a time when people want solutions, not just nebulous ideas. I mean, who doesn't want things to be "better"?? But you haven't established the why or what and now you're just handwaving about the how.

Point out what they're doing wrong. Talk about equity in resource and opportunity allocation. Tell them how their policies are driving crime and death and corruption in lower income countries. Offer to be on the Council as a representative for the layperson. Sure, committees might not seem very superhero-like, but other heroes have sat in on international meetings with politicians with success - Nat, Tony, T'Challa to name a few.

I know it's easy to use the excuse that "they tried to pack too much so they can't address all this" and I agree to an extent. But by taking the handwaving cop-out route with these heavy issues, it undermined several scenes that should have held more emotional weight.