#so I was walking home from school and this random dog comes out of nowhere behind me

[colorfulplasma]

not me being jumpscare'd by a frickin bunny and dog on the same day-

[nogitsunbae]

The reason Bily got moved out to the middle of nowhere, Indiana, was because one night on the beach he had gotten a bit too drunk, and the rest of his crew had left, and Billy was grinning up at the full moon all lopsided and happy, when a stranger approached him.

And attacked him.

Afterwards, Billy figured out he’d been bitten by a goddamn werewolf, and now he’s being moved out to bumfuck because he’ll be less of a threat there, his dad could control him better there, he couldn’t form pack bonds there.

Sucks for his dad, there was already a pack in Hawkins. They were quiet, knew how to control their transformations and emotions. Smelled it on Billy the second he walked into the door of the high school.

And Billy didn’t understand why these random people were being so nice to him. Why the chief was checking in on him every week. Why Nancy Wheeler offered a study session with him. Why King Steve Harrington kept giving him puppy dog eyes.

Didn’t understand the way they made him feel, either. Like how the brats made him want to protect. Robin made him feel like he was a part of something. How Hopper made him feel like he was home.

How Steve made him feel things he’d rather not think about unless he was alone at night, breath hitching and his hand underneath his covers.

He didn’t understand until the first full moon came around while he was in Hawkins, and he opened the door to find them all there, waiting.

“Aren’t you coming?” Nancy asked.

“Coming where?”

Hopper huffed. “Kid, you’re kinda… pack, now. We’d like if you’d run with us.”

And it hit Billy then that these people were like him. He didn’t have to hide it from them. And at first he was nervous, but then he went, and transforming with a pack was so much easier than on his own, because he had Robin rubbing gentle circles into his cracking back, Dustin and the rest of the pups running around him, yipping at him to hurry up so he could play.

So he played with them after he had finished shifting, ran with Robin and Nancy and got on Hopper’s last damn nerve whenever he got the chance. There were others there, too. Joyce, her boys. Steve.

This went on for a few months. Nothing too elaborate. Just him getting acquainted with his new pack and ignoring Steve because fuck if he didn’t smell like home and safety and everything Billy craved.

Then one full moon Steve knocked at his door. Asked him to run with him tonight instead— just him. And Billy faltered.

But he agreed. And they ran and ran and ran under the bright full moon until they were too tired to run anymore, collapsed by the quarry and panting back in their human forms.

“You can smell it, right?” Steve asks.

“Smell what?”

“You were meant to be here. With us. With me.” The last sentence had a lower pitch, gravely, and Billy shuddered, because yeah, he’d been thinking a lot about Steve and being with him. Being his.

“I— yeah.” Billy says. Steve looks over at him, his eyes gleaming brilliant yellow in the dark.

“Can I have you?”

And Billy doesn’t know a lot about werewolves or courting or dating yet, but he knows that when they finally kissed that night his heart was racing ten times faster than it did when he was running as a wolf.

[legolasghosty]

Wildlife rescue au?

Now that I have dealt with the zombie au stream, I can do the last couple of these! Hehehee!

Okay I'ma put them in a small town in the middle of nowhere, the gang runs a vet clinic and wildlife rescue center. They do some work taking care of the pets and farm animals of the town, but a lot of it is following up tips about wounded wildlife.

Julie and Alex are the main veterinarians. Most of their time is spent in the clinic, working with whatever injured animals get brought in. They do sometimes make house calls or go out on tip checks if the situation seems serious thought. Alex mainly specializes in small animals and domestic ones, with a keen affinity for taking care of birds. Julie's forte is the bigger animals, lots of deer and foxes and the occasional wildcat or wolf.

Willie and Reggie are the main ones who go out to follow up on tips. Luke sometimes joins them as the driver, but mostly it's the two of them. Willie is basically an animal EMT, cause he has most of the same training that Julie and Alex have, but hates being cooped up in the clinic. Reggie is both a really good off-road driver and is a lot more perceptive than people assume. He'll usually notice smaller injuries even before Willie does, and is much more likely to realize if an attacking animal is still lurking or if something else about the situation seems off. They make a great team!

Luke is the driver and delivery person mainly. He's always moving back and forth between their home and the nearest larger towns to get supplies and pick up mail and packages. He's also surprisingly good with dogs, who would have thought? Julie enlists him to take their pup patients out for walks and stuff all the time.

Flynn handles most of the business/paperwork stuff. They have a state government contract, and it's not a for-profit business, so it's a lot of papers, grant reporting, and general office stuff. She frigging thrives on it. She also very much enjoys being able to threaten the guys with not signing their paychecks when they annoy her.

Ray and Carlos live in the next larger town over and visit whenever they can. Ray usually brings his camera and helps Flynn out with keeping their website up to date. Carlos is adored by all the local kids cause he'll come guest coach for the school baseball teams when he's in town. I mean, who's gonna say no to some help from a AA professional? A couple of AAA teams have an eye on him though, he's hoping to move up soon. MLB, here he comes!

The whole gang has a big, rambley farmhouse near the clinic. It has character. Or at least that's what Reggie and Julie claim. Alex is more likely to call it busted, but whatever. Luke and Reggie are the main repair people of the house, but everyone chips in on the bigger remodel projects. Currently they're working on adding a big bay window to the living room.

Ack why do I talk so much?! Sorry this was probably more random stuff than you wanted, but... yeah that's what you get for asking me things I guess? Hope you liked it!

(Send me an AU and I'll give you 5+ headcanons about it!)

[betouma]

hai... it's velvet (beyuwol & bejaeyoung) again. LMAO. who would've thought! today i'm here with asakura touma, a rather impulsive app... even though he's been in my head for weeks... so as you can tell i'm woefully underprepared but i'm happy to introduce you to him!

under the cut is a short rundown of his background and some plot/connection ideas! here is his profile (the only presentable page lmao). please LIKE THIS POST if you'd like me to slide into your ims. i also have discord/twitter upon request (and i'm definitely better at responding there... for the most part).

background

born in osaka, japan

has a messy family, grew up listening to a lot of fighting between his parents so he learned to take care of himself so he doesn't bother his already busy & stressed parents

eventually his parents divorced when he was in middle school, and he moved with his mother. his mother remarried, and touma now has a step brother who is significantly younger

unfortunately, his mother and his step-father also fight. but this time, not wanting his brother to go through what he did, ended up being the peacekeeper and the mediator. he learned how to analyze/observe his parents behaviours and traits and tries to get ahead before things blow up out of proportion (they start yelling at him too, it gets really bad every month, and he learns to tune it out somehow)

was always an artistic kid, he started graffiti art as a way to vent his frustrations because he has nowhere else to dump then. he ended up connecting with music for that same reason too

he can play the bass and the drums, was in a band in school for a while just for fun

loves dancing, fell in love with choreographing in general. he thinks it's a beautiful way to express yourself, he would make up random dances to trending songs that he can do with his brother

his mother and step-father started relying too much on him to communicate and the stress is becoming a lot to bear. graduation rolls around and they were too busy arguing with each other to come to the ceremony

he finally wants out, and he enrolls in a university in korea. his mother is hesitant at first because he'd be staying with his biological father who moved to korea, but she relents when he mentions that he got a scholarship

it still kills him to leave his brother though, and he doesn't want to but he feels like he'll start losing himself the longer he stays

ironically, he decides to major in psychology

also became a freelance dog walker bc to him that's his free therapy

plots/connections

friends from japan! he'd be happy to see people from back home. he's always welcoming and it's easy to talk to him, so he'd also approach anyone simply because of this one thing they share

someone for him to take care of that reminds him of his younger brother

maybe he... walks your dog sometimes! touma thinks he does a good job at it, but maybe your dog got scared of something that's out of his control and now it won't leave his house

inevitable... exes. someone that came from japan, or a summer roamnce when your muse was in japan, that he ended up meeting here too. he's also been here since at least 2-3 years ago, so a more recent ex can work too! he can be dense and 'too friendly', might've acted more like a friend than a partner. would've coddled instead of treating his partner like a proper equal because he's not used to being taken care of instead lol

dancing friends! someone he would dance with, share choreos with, film tiktoks with... things like that

someone who scared him when he was doing graffiti art somewhere and in reflex he sprayed you with his paint... woops

uni friends, fellow artistic friends, friends who can teach him how to sing, composing friends that he thinks are inspirational

an almost fwb situation except he thought he was genuinely going to your home to see your pet and to eat actual ramyeon. he did not get the hint!

someone who noticed that he gets a little too involved when there's an argument happening around him which is... a bit! worrying! maybe!

someone that can use a 'therapist friend' except he's actually a psych major and it kind of just happens

anything and everything! i love talking about dynamics and whatnot B)

[sj-ficrecs]

fic rec 11!

just a random collection of what I’ve read and enjoyed lately. as usual, no specific order.

This is purely a fic rec blog, always reblogging fics I enjoy. usually Bucky x reader, sometimes Steve x reader, Chris Beck x reader, etc. So check out more I’ve reblogged on this page. :) See my past fic recs below:

PREVIOUS FIC RECS HERE! // Q & A

(divider by @bwbatta)

Bucky x reader:

Flashing Lights by @pellucid-constellations​ Paramedic!Bucky x reader

“Bucky’s worst fears come true when he’s called to a scene. If he’s the one with the dangerous job, then why is it your life that’s hanging in the balance?”

Operation: Freefall by @constantwriter85​ Bucky x reader

“When Bucky fell from the train in 1945, he didn’t just leave behind his family and friends. He left behind the girl he was going to marry, a girl he never stopped loving. Decades later, Bucky continued to search for her, only to find out that she had disappeared without a trace in 1955. But when Steve hands over the shield to Sam Wilson, he also has something for his childhood friend—a redacted S.H.I.E.L.D. file code-named Operation: Freefall, a file with more questions than answers. With Sam’s help and a handful of Pym Particles, the file sends Bucky on a trip to the past, trying to solve the mystery and save the woman he still loves.”

Recovery by @wicked-mind​ Biker!Bucky x reader

“After going through rehab and recovering, you move back to town to live with your mother as you sort out what to do with your life, but your mom has other plans that include hooking you up with a hot biker by the name of James ‘Bucky’ Barnes”

Teacher’s Favorite + Sharing My Sweetheart by @suitk0via​ Single dad!Bucky x teacher!reader

“You are first grade teacher and Bucky is a single dad who wants to be involved with everything his little girl - Elaine - does. He’s the dad all the parent’s and faculty drool over. You quickly become Elaine’s favorite teacher and Bucky’s just gotta meet you.”

Uninvited by @mymoonagedaydream​ modern!Bucky x reader

Reader is a close friend of Sam’s. Sam and Bucky are roommates, so reader spends a lot of time with them. Bucky becomes colder towards reader and they ask Sam about it - finding out Bucky, who is taken, is falling out of love w/ his gf because he has a crush on reader.

You Know Me Too Well by @nexusnyx​ Tattoo Artist!Bucky x reader

“there is a thin line between pain and pleasure. that line is real and palpable, except for the times when you sit in bucky barnes’ table and feel his hands holding your skin. his job demands him to hurt you, but the only problem is that you enjoy it. a lot.”

The Slip Up by @justkending​ dad!Bucky x reader

“After a last hurrah to graduating college with a future to be a family practitioner, a little slip up happens… Seven years down the road, just when things just now seem to be going smoothly, Y/N approaches that slip up from all those years ago. She’s not looking for anything right now. She is just where she wants to be in life. It seems the universe has a different idea though. One called James Barnes.”

Invisible String series by @dirty-holy-things​ Bucky x reader

“You were fairly certain that landing a date through court-ordered therapy was some sort of HIPAA violation, if not just an ethical one, but you couldn’t help but be intrigued by the mysterious storm cloud of a man who you shared the waiting room with every Thursday.”

Sacrifice by @wkemeup​ Bucky x reader

“In the midst of an attack, you’re dosed with an unknown chemical and your healing ability becomes compromised.”

Purgatory by @wkemeup​ Bucky x reader

“While on a mission, Bucky becomes dissociated into the Winter Soldier. But instead of becoming a threat, his instinct is to protect.”

Behind the Storm by @wkemeup​ Bucky x reader

“On a mission, you’re hit with a spell that takes away your ability to see. Bucky does what he can to make you feel safe.”

We Were Screaming in Color by @samwlscns​ Bucky x reader, soulmate au

“james buchanan barnes was your soulmate and you were his. despite everything the world threw your way, bucky always kept his promise to make his way back home to you. even if that meant having to lose him more than once.”

Bulova by @babycap​ Bucky x reader

“In the five years between the two snaps that changed it all, life had moved on, as life is want to do. In the aftermath of that final battle, you discover that time waited for no one (least of all you), and those you loved marched forward into it without you. Sam suggests you volunteer at the local retirement community to keep you busy, keep your mind from lingering on what—and who—you lost. In giving back, you find that time can be just as generous as it is cruel. A non-canon compliant, friends-to-lovers fic.”

And They’re Roommates by @golden-barnes​ Modern bartender/roommate!Bucky x reader, New Girl au

“Your boyfriend cheats on you, and now you have nowhere to go. So when you found an ad for a shared loft, you didn’t hesitate to say yes. Come to the realization that you will be sharing it with four guys. Four guys, one of them who is extremely hot and zero brain cells between any of them. What else could you ask for?”

Keep Me Cool by @chouettedubois​ Bucky x reader

“You and Bucky are on your third undercover mission acting as a couple. Things go awry when you fall ill. Cue caretaker!Bucky to the rescue.”

Love in the Workplace by @cxddlyash​ Gardener!Bucky x Receptionist!reader

Working at the same hotel, a new gardener is recently hired.

“Your breath hitches in your throat at the sight of the new gardener. 

“What is it?” Sarah asks you and you clear your throat before tearing your gaze from the man.

“Uh, nothing. I finally see the gardener that the hotel hired,” you mention while walking closer to the place.”

Dad Biker!Bucky being adorable with his kids blurb by @angrythingstarlight​ dad biker!Bucky x reader

dad biker Bucky and his kids making pancakes and breakfast for mom :)

Tap by @houseravenclaws​ Bucky x reader

“bucky never talked much. he fell in love anyway.”

Teach Me How to Love by @thefalconthatcriedwolf​ Godfather/single dad!Bucky x teacher!reader

“Natasha leaves behind her precious daughter, Yelena, and with her dying breath asks Bucky to look after her. You happen to have Yelena in your class this school year.”

To Build a Home by @buckyjamess-archive​ @buckyjamess​​ Mechanic/single dad!Bucky x single mom!reader

“a mechanic and a nurse walk into a schoolyard..both new in the single parent life, chaos arises when the two come together but they wouldn’t have it any other way.”

A Good Kind of Fire by @dolcezzasfantasy​ Modern!Bucky x reader

“Character A runs a flower shop downtown. Character B is terribly allergic to flowers.”

If I Could Fly by @ceeellewrites​ actor!Bucky x actress!reader, social media au

“Bucky Barnes is an actor with a small (just a tiny) celebrity crush on Y/N L/N, one of the industry’s well-known actress. Well, it’s just a celebrity crush, what could go wrong?”

The Rumour by @sidepartskinnyjeans​ Bucky x reader

“after a, mostly, chance meeting with Sergeant Barnes starts a rumour around the compound that soon gets out of hand.”

See the World the Way You Do by @vanderlustwords​ Bucky x reader, soulmate au

“You start to see colour when you meet your soulmate. Bucky thinks that soulmates are a one of a kind thing—you get one and that’s it. His world used to be colourful once and then he lost that. He’s resigned to see black and white for the rest of his life…until flashes of colours would appear from the corner of his eye. And it seemed to happen more and more as Bucky spends time with you.”

Crawl Home to Her by @nexusnyx​ Bucky x reader

“when bucky finaly returns from his mission, he finds you sleeping in his sofa and the apartment much different than when he left. much prettier, with a touch of home. apparently, while he was away you took his advice to “do what you want with the place, doll” seriously - or as a distraction - and now he got to come home to this.bucky’s heart takes a leap and he stands there for a second, frozen in his spot.”

Signed by the Author by @wintersfilm​ Bucky x reader

“on a mission to improve his conversations with sam, bucky wanders brooklyn and into a bookstore where he finds his new favourite book and the most adorable bookseller he has ever laid eyes on.”

Seasons of Love by @constantwriter85​ Army vet!Bucky x reader, modern au

“Bucky gets a service dog, but Winter’s only got eyes for the dog across the park…and her owner.”

One Single Thread of Gold (Tied Me to You) by @pietrotica​ Bucky x reader, soulmate au

“on your sixteenth birthday, the first words your soulmate will speak to you appear on your wrist. in a world where it’s quite common to get a simple ’hi what can i get you’ or common phrases, you’ve managed to get their name. that doesn’t make it easier to find him.”

Sunday is a Family Day by @lazyangeltreemoney​ Bodyguard!Bucky x rockstar!reader

“You’re stubborn, annoying and hot as hell which seems to be an awful combo to mix with Bucky Barnes. However one day he realises he got you all wrong and now there’s a little kid in the mix that needs both of your help.”

[ded-space]

A Stray Puppy, Can We Keep It?? (GN!Teen!MC!) Ft. The OM! Bro's

Reblogging Perms ✅

*You and the bro's (except Lucifer who's with Diavolo) were walking home from School when they hear a soft whimper*

Mammon:GAhh! Oi! Who's there! *Takes Stance*

Satan: Sigh.. It sounds like a small animal.

Asmo: Oou! I hope it's a cute one!

Beel: Is it tasty?

Belphie: I don't think so.. Beel.

Levi: Eer- It sounds like it's coming from that alleyway..

Mc: Let's investigate! *You look down the alleyway and see a small puppy in a box"

Satan: By the looks of it it's been here a while..

Asmo: I bet it would clean up nice! :D

Mammon: What're we gonna do 'bout it?

Levi: Of course we have to take care of it!

Belphie: We don't have to.

Beel: But we should.

Mc: Let's try and convince Lucifer to keep her!

Beel: How do you know it's a- *Hand covers his mouth*

Belphie: You will learn in anatomy class next semester..

Satan: Hmm.. Mc, I believe you would have the best shot at getting Lucifer's approval. I think you should be the one to talk to him about it.

Mc: Me!?

Asmo: Yep! It's because he's crushing on you!

Mammon: Tsk!

Levi: Hm Hm! Stupid Mammon is also!

Mammon: Shuddup! Dumb Otaku! Ya like Mc too!

Levi: EEhhh!? *Blushies*

Asmo: Ouu! He didn't deny it! Things are getting interesting!

Belphie: And nowhere..

Beel: *Found some jerky in his pocket*

Satan: I agree, *snatches the jerky from Beel* She's Probably hungry. *offers out the food to the puppy*

Belphie: *Pats pouting Beel on back* It'll be alright we have more at home.

Beel: Mm 😔

Mammon: Won't it bite ya?

Levi: W-why would she, we're feeding her?

Asmo: If she's scared, it's possible that she might bite.

*The puppy crawls out of the box, inching towards the offering*

Satan: Despite being more of a cat person myself, I must say this puppy is quite cute.

Levi: I-I think she has a bit of a limp?

Asmo: Poor thing!

Belphie: She might be too tired to walk properly.

Beel: Mm Let's hope she's not injured.

*The puppy begins to naw on the jerky*

Mammon: So what're we gonna call 'er?

Asmo: Oou! How about Jem!

Beel: Bisquit!

Levi: Ruri!

Belphie: Athena?

Satan: Hinata?

Mammon: Ellie!

Mc: Those are all good names! How about we do a draw!

(A/N:I actually put the names into a randomizer)

Mc: Athena wins! So we'll call her Athena!

Asmo: She looks cold..

Satan: You're right.. Mammon, Give me your jacket.

Mammon: What!? Why mine!?

Belphie: Sigh, just give it to him Mammon.

Levi: *Chuckles*

Mammon: *Looks to Mc* Grr.. Fine. *Hands Satan his jacket.* Tsk.

Satan: *Wraps Athena in Mammon's jacket*

Beel: Can we go home now?

Asmo: Yes! Let's!

*Everyone (Except Lucifer) gets home*

Satan: Asmo would you please get the shower running?

Asmo: Sure!

Satan: Beel and Belphie, will you two go out and try to find some dog food for Athena.

Beel: Mm.

Belphie: Argh I'm tired but I guess..

Satan: Mammon, will you help out in cleaning her off?

Mammon: Yeah, aight.

Satan: Levi, since you found using Mammons jaket so funny earlier would you throw it in the wash?

Levi: Fine-

Mc: I'll start thinking about how to approach Lucifer about this.

Satan: Good Idea.

*Everyone except Lucifer meets back up in the common room in preparation for his arrival*

*Athena is clean and groomed. Beel and Belphie are back with the dog food.*

*Click-Click, the door unlocks*

Lucifer: *Walks in* Why are you all gathered here?

Mc: We made a friend on our way home from school! *Holds up Athena, who's wagging her tail*

Lucifer: She's very cute, who does she belong to?

Mc: ..She was abandoned.. Please Lucifer can we keep her!? Athena is the sweetest! And We'll take good care of her!

Lucifer: You already named her!?

Mc: Yeah, we did a draw. Belphie chose the name, I think it suits her.

Lucifer: I don't think my brothers can handle the responsibility that comes with having a pet.. Just think about what happened to Henry 1.0..

Levi: T-that's different!

Mc: The 7 of us can split the responsibility and i'll make sure she's taken care of so please! We all worked together to take care of her just now! Satan, Asmo, and Mammon all washed and groomed her! Beel and Belphie went out and got her food! Levi washed Mammon's jacket and I played with her while we waited for you to get home!

Lucifer: Why did Levi have to wash Mammon's.. I suppose it's irrelevant.

Everyone: *Puppy dog eyes (Even Satan)*

Lucifer: ..Eer- Very well! However, if I find out she's not being well taken care of she is going to be put up for adoption! You're lucky I'm a dog person..

Everyone: Thank You Lucifer!

Mc: *You give Lucifer the biggest hug!*

Asmo: Is Lucifer blushing!?

Lucifer: N-No I'M NOT

Mammon: *Click* *Flash*

Lucifer: MAMMONN!!

Mammon: EEK!

Levi: HEHEHEH

Satan: Pfft-

Beel: MUNCH *He ate all the dog food while everyone was talking*

Belphie: ZzZzzZZ *Fell asleep*

Athena: ARRF! 🐶 *snuggles Lucifer's leg*

A Month Later;

*Athena follows everyone around, marching behind people cutely*

Mammon: *Taught Athena some tricks, how to play dead, roll over, and shake! Fetch.. is a work in progress..*

Beel: *Now has a little friend to share leftovers with*

Asmo: *Put's little accessories and outfits on Athena, He's constantly pampering her.*

Lucifer: *Enjoys when Athena lays on his lap as he watches TV or does paperwork. It's a very cute sight.*

Belphie: *Athena likes to take naps with Belphie*

Satan: *Likes taking Athena to different dog parks, sometimes with Mammon so they can play*

Levi: *Athena likes to tap keys on his gaming pc, it's all cute, fun and games until he loses his save..*

Requested by: @dexpairs-blog

🎉🎉🎉50th post!🎉🎉🎉

[volleychumps]

Found your tumblr acc recently and im INLOVE with it 😂. Idk if this is weird but, Can i request a fluffy imagine with nishinoya, bokuto, oikawa, and kuroo in which before practice the reader underestimates he's ability to lift stuff (calling him weak and other stuff) then out of nowhere, he lifts the reader to prove how strong he is and the other volleyball members there are like "... B r u h" lmao

c u t e 

Warning(s); cursing

Underestimating Their Ability to Lift Things and Getting Lifted in the Process (Nishinoya, Bokuto, Oikawa, and Kuroo) -headcannons-

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

Nishinoya

- come on you know better

- is the hardest simp for you, but you always say no because you really can’t take him seriously with the way he fawns over girls 

- so surprise surprise when he literally almost cries in joy when you pop your head into the volleyball gym with a stack of chairs they had requested tucked under your arm

- “Need a man to help you carry those, Y/N?” all puppy dog like, omg please pet him 

- “A man?” You tease, not seeing the way he had frowned while stilling in place “It’s okay, I doubt you could handle it-” 

- a whole beat of silence comes from him amongst the rowdiness of the gym before his eyes shine over in competitiveness

- and you don’t notice until he’s literally holding you by the waist, lifting you up like you weigh nothing with the chairs 

- grins widely up at you, blinking as if nothing were the matter as heat floods your cheeks

- he was literally holding you like a child, and you have to tighten your hold on the chairs so they don’t fucking fall 

- Now the whole gym was silent: like why the hell is their libero holding up some random girl in the middle of the entrance 

- “...do I need to call the police-” “Tsukki nO-” 

- Asahi’s literally palming his face while Suga is covering Hinata’s and Yamaguchi’s eyes, telling them not to take notes on how to treat the girls they like

- Daichi is behind him in a second, sweatdropping and ready to catch you if Noya decides to drop you because he’s so unpredictable 

- Tanaka is in the background nodding his head in approval while Kiyoko is just lightly shaking her head and thinking of a billion ways to apologize to you

- “O-okay, you can handle it!” You manage out, flushed as Noya’s grin widens, putting you down before scratching the back of his head

- “So ice cream after school?” As if he didn’t just pick you the fuck up, and your heart beats surprisingly a little quicker at the situation before you groan, spinning on your heel

- “...yes. It’s not a date though!” 

- let’s just say the gasp around the gym was collective as you rushed away, Noya grinning like a madman before punching the air as Suga and Tsukishima blink in disbelief 

- “That did not just work-” “I’ve suddenly seen enough today, I’d like to go home.” 

Bokuto

- bold of you to assume he wouldn’t 

- you’re the manager of the Fukurodani volleyball team, and you’re filling a large container with water bottles for the boys after they finish practice

- Bokuto’s your boyfriend, but still a newly-minted one that was always leaving practice to come up to you to bargain for hugs to keep him energized

- hugs are just his thing, okay?

- “Y/N can I help?! That looks heavy!” “I don’t know Bo...it seems like a bit much for you, don’t you think?”

- literally does not pick up on the teasing in your tone, and his face falls for a second before his eyes light up with an idea 

- so imagine Fukurodani’s surprise when a shriek fills the gym, and all of practice stops to see their ace had somehow managed to slip away from practicing to be the core reason of said shriek

- deadass lifts you high enough to where you’re sitting on his shoulders, legs draping over them as a hot blush fills your cheeks as he bounces on the balls of his feet, as if he were warming up

- “And now I’m gonna run-!” “Bo, nO-” 

- Akaashi takes a good two seconds to pinch the bridge of his nose as Konoha cackles at the sight before them, Bokuto grabbing your thighs to keep you steady as he runs around the outer gym

- Komi and Sarukui both shake their heads in disbelief as you hold onto Bokuto for dear life 

- “Konoha, get over here and help me stop him.” “Akaashi he’s your pet, you go get him.”

- only lets you down when he runs a full lap, and you blink in slight dizziness before expecting he’ll let you down-

- sike bitch you thought 

- “Y/N, can you do that cute thing where you lean your head over?” “Like...this?” 

- you’re still trying to get your thoughts together, and you hang your head over his upside down so your hair is draping downward, meeting Bokuto’s gold eyes from the odd angle 

- kisses the tip of your nose after grinning at your obedience, and you yelp before hiding your face in your hands after straightening with a blush

- Akaashi approaches him as if he has a hostage, both hands in the air as it looks like Bokuto’s about to start running again with a dazed you atop his shoulders

- I’m dying Konoha’s filming this 

- “Bokuto put her down.” “Gotta catch me first, Akaashi!” 

Oikawa

- “Why are you standing in front of Y/N-chan?” “Stop whining, idiot- it’s so you don’t look at her ass while she’s helping the coach lift some of the trophies onto the shelves of the gym.” 

- gasps at the accusation as you stifle a laugh from above, balanced atop stacked practice mats with Iwaizumi and Matsukawa chilling in front of you 

- “Y/N-chan, I’m being bullied down here!” “...I don’t know, maybe they’re onto something-” 

- feigns a second gasp of shock as you giggle before slightly struggling to lift a particularly heavier trophy onto the shelves 

- “Need help?” he’s done joking now, frowning when he sees you wobbling from your balance as you offer him a thumbs up when you lift it, too distracted to think about the impact of your next words 

- “As if you could offer me any form of help, you pampered setter.” 

- I kid you not this brunette really took those words to heart despite the laughs Iwa and Mattsun gave at your words, and walked up to your balanced form to push lightly on one of the mats 

- bitch the fuck

- you yelp before Oikawa catches you smoothly bridal-style, hugging one of the smaller trophies to your chest as you blink up at him with an owlish expression as he grins down at you

- “...did..did you just push me over to prove a point-” “OI SHITTYKAWA” 

- “Hang on tight, Y/N-chan, we’re going for a spin!” “A what-” 

- runs away with you in his arms as Iwa and Mattsun call after you like some kind of parents as you run away with an unapproved boyfriend 

- “...should we help her Kunimi?” “Nah she’s a goner, Kindaichi.” 

- Hanamaki considers tripping his captain but decides against it because it would probably hurt you too as you wrap your arms around his neck to keep from falling

- “...if you really want me to get her I can tackle really well.” “Kyoutani, sit your ass down.” 

- only sets you down when he makes it to the hallway conjoined with the gym, laughing at your bewildered expression as your back touches one of the lockers 

- “Still think I can’t help you, Y/N-chan?” “You are so dramatic, Oikawa Tooru.” 

- you shake your head before going to walk back to practiice only for his arm to stop you as he pouts down at you, leaning down as the pout contorts to a smirk

- “And what if I said I just wanted to get you and your pretty face alone?”

Kuroo

- “Kuroo stop flirting with our manager, you have to share!” “She’s my girlfriend, you imbecile.” 

- glares at Lev who pouts, wanting your attention as the tall boy impatiently waits to talk to you before you giggle, gently pushing your boyfriend away 

- “I’m everyone’s manager babe. I need Lev’s help to lift some of the mats out of the gym.” ...why didn’t you just ask me?”

- in all honesty you didn’t really think much of asking your boyfriend for help first, thinking it wasn’t a big deal as you grin teasingly 

- “Duh. Because I doubt you’d be able to carry one, babe.” “Is that right?” 

- But you’re already walking away to bend down to help Lev with the mats, not seeing the glint in Kuroo’s feral eyes as he watches 

- not gonna lie he was probs looking at your ass and trying not to admire it because he was trying to be annoyed 

- so as you come back laughing alongside Lev he’s really annoyed now, so when you bend back down again he walks up to you and scoops you up from behind, flinging you over his shoulder like a rag doll possessively 

- “Tetsurou, what-?!” “Team meeting!” 

- And I kid you not Kuroo leads this team meeting in the most casual-manner with you slung over his shoulder, Kenma sighing because he feels bad for you as if it were a test of trust, daring anyone to look at what was his 

- “Hey Kuroo? You’ve got a little something...” “Where, Yaku?” 

- “...oh nevermind, just a fly.” “YAKU MORISUKE-” 

- grins as he ignores you hitting him on the back, and when the meeting’s over he doesn’t put you down as he hums, lifting three of the mats with one hand

- “...I get it. You can lift things. Put me down now.” “I have no idea what you’re talking about, sweetheart.” 

- Lev is lowkey jealous while Yamamoto gapes at the cuteness of you two as you kiss the top of Kuroo’s head with a pout, trying to bargain you’re way down as Kuroo simply ignores you 

- “They’re an odd couple.” “If I said what she did, it would probably be me- he’s just insane.” 

- “KENMA I HEARD THAT.” “Says the guy with his girlfriend slung forcibly over his shoulder.” 

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General Works: @takemetovalhalla @savemesteeb @kasandrafaye@dreebbles @yams046 @aprettyfruit @therestless101 @dai-tsukki-desu @lifeisntjustblackandwhite @curiouslilbeast@wisepandaslimeland @deadontheinsidebut @lmkjimin@h0ngh0ngh0ng @theworldupthere @itz-tooru @orangegiraffe7@let-me-have-my-own-name

[scarletwinterxx]

that time i knew i liked you too

as always, I was melting everytime the dreamies release new content. Hyuck just looked so adorable I cannot handle it. So here’s another scenario with him😊🌻

for my other works you can check them out here, and for my other story series’ you can check them out here.

All works are copyrighted ©scarletwinterxx 2020 . Do not repost, re-write without the permission of author.

“No no put me down, let me at him. Jeno, put me down” you said as you trash around Jeno’s shoulder. How you got there is a repeated story that always starts when you and Haechan are in the same room. 

“No, you’re going to hurt someone”

“Yea, I’m going to hurt him. Let me down, stop using your strength on me” you pounded your palms against his back but he just continued walking further away from Renjun who was holding Haechan back from you

“Would it hurt the two of you to just admit you like each other?” you hear Jaemin ask from beside you “Want to get smacked too? for the last time I don’t like him” 

Jeno finally put you back down on your feet, the two guys looking at you with a ‘we don’t believe you but we’ll pretend we do’ look

“I don’t!”

“Mhm, sure we’ll go with that” Jeno told you with a smile, his eyes disappearing completely while he does. This time instead of manhandling you, he just threw his arm casually around your shoulder but you know he’s trying to make sure you won’t run back to where Haechan was. 

“There’s a very thin line between love and hate” Jaemin mumbled, you looked over at him with a glare making the boy shoot his hands up in surrender. 

The chaotic relationship between you and Haechan started with friendly banters, he was a natural joker, the mood maker of the group. You on the other hand, is the exact opposite. 

When you exchanged schools, only knowing your cousin Jeno, he was quick to introduce to his group of friends. Ofcourse they were very nice and welcoming, you were on the same year as the four of them: Renjun, Jeno, Jaemin and Haechan. Soon after that you became an honorary member of that group, girls and some guys would sometimes ask favors from you to set them up with the guys. This always made you wonder why, not really understanding the craze other people have over your friends. In your eyes they were pretty normal, at times weird most times too loud.  

“Remember that time you threw a tantrum when someone asked you to give Haechan their valentine favor”

You scowled at the memory, last year during valentines one girl came up to you asking you to give Haechan her card and chocolates. You were too shy to say no, so after school was finished and you were all waiting in the parking lot, you all but practically shoved the box of chocolates to Haechan. The rest of the guys cheering but you cut them off by saying it wasn’t from you. 

“I did not. I was just not having a great day that day”

“Sure, you should see the look on his face when you said it didn’t come from you” Jeno said making you look over at him “Why? How did he look?” you asked, your curiosity getting the best of  you

“Wouldn’t you like to know” Jaemin teased you

It is true you both get on each other nerves, there’s one little thing that contradicts everything that just came out of your mouth though. 

You do like Haechan, more than you will ever care to admit. You’d rather be dead than ever admit you like him. Because at the end of the day, even when you two want to rip each other’s head off, you always end up together somehow. 

The next day you were waiting for Jeno to finish his last class since he picked you up this morning, sitting outside on one of the empty benches with book in hand. You were too emerged on your reading material that you didn’t notice the figure now sitting in front of you. Only when you turned the page and craned your neck to stretch it you did you notice the guy sitting across from you, 

“What the fuck! How long have you been there?” You asked Haechan, holding your book against your chest. “Long enough to notice how bad your posture is” he answered

“Says the guy who can’t sit or stand straight” you mumbled, closing the book and tucking it away in your bag

“If I were you, I’d be nice to the guy who’ll be driving me home”

“I don’t see Jeno here” you said looking around you, your cousin nowhere in sight. “No stupid, he has basketball practice. He asked me to drive you home”

You just shot him a blank look, for a couple of seconds he just shot you the same look before standing up

“Have it your way, I can just leave you here” then started to walk towards the parking lot. Scowling at his retreating figure, you quickly threw your bag over your shoulder following Haechan’s steps. 

He can already hear your hurried steps, a faint smile forming on his lips but he quickly shook it away. Acting nonchalant when you finally caught up with him,

“No, you won’t. Jeno will have your ass if leave me”

“No, he won’t” 

“Oh yea my bad, you don’t have an ass” he looked over at you, tongue poking the inside of his cheek. Silently daring you to repeat what you just said, so just send him a big sarcastic smile

“Watch it, babe. Don’t bite what you can’t chew”

“I don’t even know what that means, but let’s just pretend I do for your sake” You pat him on the shoulder before walking ahead. For awhile, neither of you said anything. A random playlist was playing while Haechan hums along, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. 

“Hyuck”

Haechan looked quickly over at you, your attention was focused on the scenery outside. If he could, he would look at you a little bit longer but he didn’t to be too obvious and that would be dangerous. So he just hummed as an answer, 

“huh?” you asked, looking over at him

“What?”

“What do you mean what?”

“You called my name?”

“Oh I was just thinking about it, I didn’t know I said it outloud” you mumbled, you really didn’t mean to say it outloud. You were just looking out the sunset, it reminded you of his nickname which then made you think of his name. 

“You were thinking about me?” he chuckled

“I’d rather not comment on that” then it was silent again, thankful that he didn’t push it any further. 

“Want to grab something to eat?” he asked, this made you look over at him “I heard there’s this new café in town” he added. 

“Tell me the truth, can you read minds?” you asked him, you were just thinking about that too. You were planning to go later today after he dropped you off, maybe ask Jeno to come with after his practice but it makes more sense to just go now. You just didn’t expect Haechan to ask you 

“Only yours” he said with a smirk, sending you quick side eye. You rolled your eyes at him, “Can we go though?” you asked

And that is how you find yourself at the new café with your frenemy and kind of crush, Lee Haechan. You happily entered the place, taking in the smell of coffee and cake in the air, 

“Are you a dog? Stop sniffing” You hear Haechan say from behind you “Can’t help it, it smells so good. Oh my god is that chocolate cake” your attention was already on the rows of cake displayed. Completely missing the fond look on Haechan’s face as he watch you excitedly look at the snacks. 

He won’t say it but he finds it so adorable how happy you get with just the little simple stuff. 

“Do you want that? What do you want to drink?”

“Vanilla latte for me” you smiled up at him, for a second Haechan forgot how to breath forgot how to act around you. You were smiling so genuinely at him he wasn’t sure what to feel. 

“How about you?”

“Will you eat all the cake again or will you actually share it this time?” he asked back, dismissing his previous thoughts before you notice anything weird happening.

“I don’t recall doing such thing”

“Mhm sure, sweetheart. I have three other guys as witnesses” you scowled at him before turning back to the cake

Haechan ordered your drinks and cake while you sat outside and wait for him, you offered to split the bill but he just pushed you towards the door when you tried to pay for your food. Like he literally pushed you out

“Wipe that pout off, here’s your cake” at the sound of his voice, you put your phone down and smiled up at him. Well more at the plate of food he was holding

“Have I told you you’re my favorite?” you teased him, making the boy chuckle at you. You were already diving into the snack, happily swaying one hand in the air. 

“I’m starting to think you only like me when I give you food” 

“You’re thinking right” you answered straight away to tease him, chuckling when you felt him lightly kick you under the table. 

Later that day when you were finally home and was doing some homework, Jeno came over to check on you

“You made it home in one piece, that could only mean Haechan didn’t”

“Can’t say he will be missed” you replied, not even bothering to look up 

“You will though” this made you glare up at your cousin, “Why are you here again?”

“Oh right, well me and the guys plus a couple of other friends are going out of town this weekend, want to come with us?”

“When, where and who?”

“The guys, girls on some of our classes and Mark hyung is coming too. We’re renting a house with a pool, it looks really cool and we’ll stay there from Saturday til Sunday afternoon maybe”

You contemplated whether you wanted to come or not, it did sound fun. Plus you feel like you do need the time off anyways. 

“I thought you hated each other” Jaemin said, looking between you and Haechan who is sporting the same look of boredom and annoyance. It’s currently 4am, kind of freezing outside and the guys are still loading the car with stuff.

“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed” Renjun added, that earned a glare from Haechan and you. 

“Who else are we waiting for?” You grumbled, you wanted to get in the car and get some more sleep. Almost regretting ever agreeing to come to this trip, you felt a tug on your jacket sleeve. Looking over at Haechan who was holding out his coffee to you, you just shook your head at him. You liked drinking coffee, but  iced americano is not something you’d ever opt to order

“The girls are meeting us there, they said” Jeno answered you

“So who’s going in whose car?” Renjun asked, looking around the group

“Who’s driving again?” you asked, “Jeno and Haechan” 

You looked over at the boy leaning beside you, “You’re driving? You look like you’re about to pass out”

“That’s why I’m drinking this”

“I’ll go wherever I can sleep for the duration of this trip”  Jaemin said, already walking towards Jeno’s jeep getting in the passenger seat. 

“How about you?” Jeno asked you, “I’m with Jaemin, I don’t really care as long as I can sleep some more”

“Backseat is still pretty spacious, make yourself comfortable” he said then opened the car door for you, doing exactly what your cousin just said. 

“I thought you were going with Haechan” Jaemin said from the front seat, “Don’t start with me right now, let me sleep then you can bug me about him later”

The rest of the trip you were sleeping soundly at the backseat, the two boys talking amongst themselves. It was a four hour car ride so by the time you got to the vacation house it’s still too early for lunch. 

“Who wants to go to the grocery with me?” Jaemin asked, Renjun saying he’ll come with and pulling Haechan along with him

Hours later when they got back and finished unloading all the food for the weekend, you were just lounging around. Some of the guys were by the pool while you were in the lounge area with Jaemin and Jisung when Jeno and Haechan showed up. You were happily snacking on some cookies you when Haechan spotted you, Jeno immediately noticing Haechan’s gaze on you and the cookies you were holding

“Please tell me you you’re not going to fight over cookies”

“Will that make you happy?” Haechan asked his friend to which Jeno nodded as an answer, “Too bad then, give me back my cookies” Haechan turned his attention back to you, reaching out to grab the bag of treats

“I don’t see your name written here, plus I was the one who told Jaemin to get it at the grocery store”

“I went with him to the grocery store”

“Should’ve bought your own cookies then”

“I did! Those are mine”

The two of you were too busy arguing to notice the other guys have left the room to join the others outside, leaving you and Haechan alone in the lounge area. You sat on the opposite sides of the big couch, just chilling when Haechan walked in demanding to give his cookies back

“I’ll give you five seconds to give it back”

“Oooh I’m so scared”

“5, 4, 3” just as you were about to take another cookie from the bag, you feel his hand clamp around your ankle then pulling you towards the other side of the couch where he was sitting.

Now your legs are draped on his lap while his arms rest on them, “You said 5!”

Haechan just glared at you before snatching the bag out of your hands and taking some cookies for himself

“Leave some for me” you said as you try to reach for the bag “No, you already ate half of it”. 

You scowled at him until he gave the bag back to you, not even moving from your current position since you are pretty comfortable and the boy don’t seem to mind. Already busy scrolling through his phone, 

“Why aren’t you downstairs with the guys? I heard the girls arrived too”

“Too tired”

“I heard Yeji came today”

“Mhm”

“You know she gave you those chocolates last year for valentines, right?”

“Like you would ever let me forget” he was still scrolling through his phone, one hand resting on top of your legs comfortably. If any of the boys walk in on you know they’d probably shoot you weird looks but when it’s just the two of you, you don’t really fight like cats and dogs. 

“Don’t you like, like her back atleast?”

“Why?”

“I mean she said she liked you, don’t you think it’s a bit mean to not talk to her after that. Plus,. I think she came so she could spend some time with you and yet here you are hiding away”

“Well maybe I like spending time with you”

You looked at him like he told you the most ridiculous and confusing fact, Haechan looking over at you when you didn’t reply back to him

“What’s that look for?”

“Who are you and what have you done to Haechan?” You asked, leaning over to put a hand over his forehead. He just chuckled at you, swatting your hand away

“I just got the chills when you said that”

“Like the good kind of chills?” he teased, “No, the kind that’s making me want to throw up kind of chills” you sarcastically replied

He scowled at you, pushing your legs off of him before standing up. “You know, it’s not that hard to just admit it”

“Admit what?”

“That you actually like hanging out with me”

“I never said I didn’t, even if you get on my last nerves”

“I like keeping you on your toes, baby. I’ll be outside if you miss me” he winked at you then walked out the lounge area. 

What just happened? Was he flirting with you? Did he know? You thought to yourself.  

And boy does he love getting on your last nerve. You will never assume that he’s doing thing on purpose just to piss you off, but after your conversation with him he’s been talking more to Yeji the whole day. 

He’s naturally friendly and affectionate, no one can argue that. And it’s not like you have a right to be jealous, your pride is too high to admit Jaemin’s actually right.

You do like Haechan. 

So what do you do? you mope around without meaning to, the boiys noticing your change in mood throughout the night. 

You were just standing beside Jaemin as he grill the meat for dinner, not really saying much

“You’re going to burn holes to the ground if you keep staring at it like that” Jaemin said as he look over at your brooding figure

“Let me be, I don’t any place else to be”

“Uh how about hanging out with our friends”

“Your friends” you mumbled making Jaemin laugh at you, “Oh my god, I cannot with you. If it bother’s you this much, just admit it already. It will save us both the time and emotional stress”

“Hiw are you getting stressed, I’m literally not even saying anything here” you told him, lightly hitting him on the back. 

Meanwhile, on the other side of the garden area, Haechan was watching you and Jaemin. Not in a creepy way though. He just happen to notice you’ve been missing, only to find you standing by the grill with his bestfriend

“Yah Jeno, is there something going on with Y/N and Jaemin?” Haechan can’t help but ask when Jaemin laughed at something you just said

“Huh?”

“I mean they always hang out”

“Yea, well they’re friends” Jeno shrugged, “We’re friends too” Haechan grumbled, taking a big gulp of the drink Jeno just put on the table

“Are you perhaps jealous of the two?” Jeno asked, “Absolutely not, I was just asking”

“Well, don’t tell Jaemin I told you this but I think he’s going to ask her out this weekend” that was a complete and total lie, he only said that to push Haechan to finally do something. And judging by the way he’s now practically glaring over your make makes Jeno think he did the right thing. 

“I heard you even went out on a date with him” Jaemin said, making you look at him with confusion 

“Huh? When?” “The other day when he had an emergency practice”

“We just went to the cafe, it wasn’t a date”

“Right, right. Because that’s how you spend time with a person you don’t like”

“I don’t don’t like him”

“So you like him?”

“If i say yes will you stop?”

“I-” “Say yes to what?” Someone said from behind you, making Jaemin stop his sentence. 

Haechan looked back and forth between you and Jaemin, while Jeno looked like he was about to laugh. 

“Nothing” you answered quickly before Jaemin could utter another word, then skipped away to where the others were. Jeno was shooting his bestfriend with the ‘just go with it’ expression before Haechan catches on

“What was that about?” Haechan asked, “Oh I was just asking her something” Jaemin answered with a cheeky smile

He couldn’t have asked her already, right? Haechan thought. As the night went on, he can’t help but notice how you were obviously avoiding him. You looked like you were enjoying yourself when the guys invited you to play beerpong with them while this time he’s the one moping around. 

When you went inside to get something from the kitchen, Haechan immediately shoot up from his seat to follow you. Itching to ask you if Jaemin asked you out or not. 

“You think he’ll ask her out?” Jeno asked as he watch Haechan follow you, “Huh? Haechan? Why what did you tell him?” Jaemin asked back

“That you were going to ask Y/N out”

“Bro what the fuck, he’s going to kill me if I do”

You on the other hand had no idea about this, so when Haechan cornered you in the kitchen suffice to say you were pretty shocked, 

“Did you say yes to Jaemin?” he asked

“Say yes to what?”

“Didn’t he ask you out?”

“Huh?” you asked confused, Jaemin definitely did not ask you out. You know for a fact that he’s currently crushing on the new girl, Yoo Jimin. 

“No?”

“Are you not sure or you just don’t want to tell me”

“I’m so confused, one why would Jaemin ask me out and two why would I not want to tell you?” You asked, geniunely confused with him. “Because”

“Because?” you urged for him to continue

“God! You’re really going to make me say it first will you?” he sounded so frustrated you almost laughed, “I don’t know what you want to say Haechan, but please go ahead because like I said I’m very confused right now”

It took him approximately five seconds to think about his next actions, he counted up to three in his head before saying screw it then the next thing he know he was grabbing you by the waist, his lips on yours. 

You definitely did not expect that this is how your weekend will turn out, and you most definitely not think you would end up kissing Haechan. But here you were, trapped between the counter and him. His arms secured around your frame while your hands were resting on his arms. 

It’s like your mind and body were to separate entities, not one part of a single body because in your mind you were freaking out but your body was acting like this was how it was supposed to be all along. 

When the two of you eventually had to come up for air, you can’t help but stare at him

“What was that?” you whispered, his forehead resting on yours

“Me shooting my shot” 

Then you were laughing, Haechan looked at you like you just lost your mind

“You know this is the part where you say it worked”

“I- wait hold up. You like me?” you asked him, “You liked me first!” he screeched, pointing a finger at himself

“Says who?” 

“Says your cousin, then Jaemin and Renjun. Then you” You made a mental note to hit those three guys later

“Me? Just the other day I almost punched you in the face. If that was your indication of me liking you then you’re really messed up in the head”

“So you’re saying you don’t like me?” he asked, this time with a more serious look on his face. 

“I could neither confirm nor deny” you answered, trying to rile him up even more. You already know the answer, but it was nice to see Haechan like this.

“You know in my head, this wasn’t how I imagined this moment would turn out”

“Oh so you imagined kissing me” he smirked you, “As much you imagined kissing me” you retorted back, you had him there. 

“And?” 

“A bit underwhelming, not gonna lie”

That made Haechan do the thing you think is so attractive but never told a single soul because it was your secret, it’s when he pokes the inside of his cheeks with his tongue whenever he’s annoyed or things don’t go his way. 

“Are you saying I’m not a good kisser?”

“I’m saying it could be better” you shrugged, enjoying your new found power over him. It was short lived though because the next thing you know you were thrown over his shoulder then he was walking back out the patio. 

“Yah, Haechan don’t hurt her. I need to bring her back in one piece” you hear Jeno say 

“Sure, but it’s fine if she’s a bit wet right?”

“What?” you screamed then you were thrown in the pool, quickly resurfacing to the surface to see Haechan smirking at you. Instead of saying anything you just swam towards the ledge, hoisting yourself out the pool. 

“You look like you need a hug” you shot him a wicked smile as you walk towards him, you can hear cheers and laughter coming from your friends

“No thank you, baby. Maybe later”

“Come here”

“Don’t want to”

“No more kisses for you. 3 2″ then you were back in the pool again but this time Haechan was in there with you. Laughing as you watch him shake his hair out of his face, 

“Stop laughing you look like a wet dog” he said as he swam towards you, arms snaking your waist once again. As his lips close on your once again, you can’t help but smile. You’re pretty sure you heard your friends scream but all of that was background noise, it’s just you and him now. 

“How about that? Am I a good kisser now?”

“I don’t know, maybe try again”

[screamin-abt-haikyuu]

A Comedy of Errors. Chapter 3: The Way of the Aces.

Please read the previous chapters before proceeding!!

Click here to read Chapter 1: Negotiations.

Click here to read Chapter 2: Suga the Setter.

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Background: Y/N is a transfer student who joined Karasuno High in her second year because her family shifted to Miyagi. She is a volleyball player and plays as a wing spiker (ace) in the Girl’s Volleyball team.

Pairing: Karasuno x fem reader || Romantic Pairing: Asahi x fem reader

NOTE: Y/N plays volleyball in this. I am not familiar with all the rules of the game so pls 2 forgive if I get any of the technicalities wrong.

Genre: Fluff and comfort with sprinkles of comedy this time! || SFW

A/N: At last, the final chapter. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. I really poured my entire soul into this. --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Say, since you guys are already here. Why don’t you stay and watch us practice?" Asahi's lifespan is being shortened with every word as Suga invites Y/N and Michimiya to watch them practice. Asahi waits with bated breath. Even though he is extremely nervous, a part of him does want you to stay. So, when you do say yes, he doesn't know whether to feel happy or run out of the gym screaming. As they walk off to warm up, Suga whispers to him, "I know you're probably thinking about how you're going to fuck up your play and embarrass yourself in front of her. But while you're at it, maybe you should also think about what will happen if you actually play well." Asahi nods. "Suga." "Hmm?" "Thank you. For everything you just did. I really do appreciate it." "Of course! I'm just glad it worked out well." "And you are right, I do like her. I don't know her much but I would like to." "Aha, finally some truth around here! Well, then we just gotta make sure you give her a show worth remembering!" Suga says, winking.

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

Michimiya had been watching the game intently, as was evident by her gasps and comments on everything. But you? You hadn't been able to keep your eyes off of Asahi the entire game. So much so, that you had barely given a second thought to the first years' amazing quick attack or Nishinoya's outstanding libero skills.

Asahi's spikes, his serves, his receives, his posture, his spirit, and his determination had you just...rapt with attention.

"In case you are wondering, yes, he is single." Michimiya's whisper startles you.

"W-what?" you start to blush. "I'm just taking notes!"

"But I didn't even specify who I was talking about."

You turn redder.

"He's really nice too, you know. A very genuine and kind person. I think you two would make a cute couple."

Your face is so hot now that you're sure you'll hear a sizzle any moment. You turn your head back towards the game to avoid Michimiya's gaze.

"I- I don't know who you are talking about."

Michimiya chuckles. "Of course you don't."

Even though you can feel Michimiya's gaze on you, you can't help but smile as you watch Asahi land another beautiful spike in the opponent's court.

You didn't know, of course, that you being around and watching him had been a huge boost of motivation for him to perform at his peak. You didn't know how he had been wondering what you were thinking about him the entire game. You didn't know how hard it had been for him to not glance at you after every move he made, just to see your reaction.

But he didn't know how you had felt either. He didn't know how your heart rate sped up every time he came on to serve. He didn't know you had also felt frustrated whenever his spike got shut down, feeling as though you had been shut down. He didn't know how you had wanted to shout and cheer him on but you hadn't because you didn't want to come off as a weirdo.

Truly, you would make a good couple.

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

Practice is now over. Asahi's team won both the practice matches (of course they did, Suga would not have had it any other way). You and Michimiya walk over to the third years. As Michimiya starts gushing to Daichi about their game, you turn to Asahi.

"You were really - glorious, brilliant, like a God, I wish you were spiking me instead - amazing out there," you say, your eyes full of admiration.

Asahi instantly turns a deep shade of red.

"Th-thank you." He says with a smile.

"See, I told you he is great!" Suga says with a proud smile on his face.

"You were right. Karasuno really has a very talented ace."

"No, it has two of them," Asahi says, looking at you with a smile.

Now it is your turn to blush.

"Aah, I wish. I'm not quite there yet. I'm definitely nowhere close to your level," you say.

"I would love to help you any way I can."

"I would be honoured to learn from you," you say with a bow.

Suga piped up, "It's Saturday tomorrow! The boys' gym will be free till 10AM. If you want, we can practice here early morning. Say, around 7? Asahi can teach you the techniques and I can set for you both. We'll ask Daichi and Michimiya too if they want to join." and before you can answer, Suga is off to ask Daichi and Michimiya.

Wow, he really doesn't wait for an answer, huh.

Asahi looks at you and he can see you're a little unsure. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, it's just... I really don't want to bother you guys so early in the morning like that."

"It's no problem at all, we usually practice early on the weekends anyway." Asahi says with a reassuring smile. That seems to melt your doubts away.

Suga walks back to you. "I've spoken to the two of them, they will join us but a little later."

"It's sorted, then." you say, smiling.

Of course, Asahi was the one who ended up walking you home that night.

Of course, Suga was "late" for the morning practice the next day, giving you and Asahi a lot of time to get comfortable around each other get nervous and DIE.

Of course, situations like these happened more than a few times.

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

Before you know it, two months have passed. With Asahi and Michimiya's help, you improved tremendously and the Karasuno Girls Volleyball team cleared the first set of qualifying rounds for the Spring Interhigh. And so did the boys.

During this time, you and Asahi have become really good friends. Since you two live in the same area, you often end up going to school and walking home together, giving you a lot of time to talk about every topic under the sun. It took a while but you are now very comfortable around each other. In fact, Asahi himself wonders how he is able to tell you things so easily.

Both of your friend groups (and your entire school, also the neighbouring schools, random passersby, street dogs, birds flying past - you know, basically anyone with eyes) can see that you two are absolutely head-over-heels for each other. The only two people who don't know it are you two.

The way Asahi had gone out of his way to teach you everything he knew; how patiently he had walked you through every technique, every mistake; how he had sweetly asked you for permission every time before correcting your posture and showing you the right finger placement (mind outta the gutter fellas, we talking about volleyball here); how every time he did that, you felt a jolt of electricity whenever his fingers touched you (I promise it is still about volleyball); how he cares about even the littlest things regarding you; how every time he smiles reassuringly at you, the world feels all right again; how supportive and encouraging he has been through it all: You have fallen for him harder than you have ever fallen in your entire life.

And you just keep falling harder and harder every moment you spend with him. He has become your comfort now. No matter how stressed or nervous you are, just having Asahi around makes you feel much calmer and confident.

Asahi, on the other hand, has smiled more in these last two months than he has ever smiled. He can't help it, being around you just makes him feel like he is floating. He was blown away by how talented and hard working you are and is so proud of the progress you have made.

The way you are so kind to him. The way you always speak up whenever someone makes fun of him. The way you always hype him up and believe in him. The way the world seems to stop every time you smile at him. The way your laugh has become his favourite sound in the world. Asahi could not be more enamoured by you even if he tried. You too, are his comfort now. He knows he can talk to you about every "sentimental" topic on earth without being made fun of.

The only problem is: You both are afraid that this comfort you find in each other will be ruined if either of you confesses and the other does not reciprocate your feelings. It is now a waiting game to see who spikes their ball into the other's court first, if at all.

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

You are shaking. Partly with excitement, partly with nerves. After defeating Tohoku High, only one school remains between you and the nationals: Niiyama Joshi, one of the most powerful schools that always makes it to nationals when it comes to the Miyagi prefecture.

The boys' game had ended earlier than yours and they had already left the stadium. You were absolutely delighted to hear that they beat Seijoh. Now, they have to face Shiratorizawa, another powerhouse school that always makes it to the nationals.

You and Asahi both have your own mountains to climb tomorrow.

As you are walking out of the stadium with your teammates, you spot something.

"Hey, you guys go ahead, I will be right there." you say and turn back.

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

It's been a very long day but you cannot sit still at all. You cannot stop thinking about the match tomorrow. Your hands are sweaty knees weak, arms are heavy because you keep clenching your fists open and shut as you pace around your bedroom. You had hoped to be able to meet Asahi and maybe feel a little better but by the time you had reached school, the boys had already left. You know how big a day it is for him tomorrow too so you don't want to bother him by asking him to meet. However, you should at least text him and congratulate him on his victory. You open your phone and see you already have a message from him:

Asahi: Hey, I heard you guys beat Tohoku! Congratulations! I knew you could do it.

You smile.

You: Thanks, I still can't believe we did that!!! Congratulations on beating Seijoh!! I heard it was a close match.

Asahi: Thanks! Yeah, it was anyone's game by the end. It was really intense. But we managed to win. Also, I had full faith that you would make it!

You: Damn, wish I could have seen it. Sooo, Shiratorizawa next. How are you feeling?

Asahi: Really, really nervous. They're really strong and I don't think anyone believes we can beat them.

You: Well, you just gotta prove them wrong, then! I truly believe that you guys can do it.

Asahi: I really hope so. Anyway, what about you? How are you feeling about going up against Niiyama tomorrow?

You: Honestly, I cannot stop shaking and thinking about tomorrow. We are so close and I just don't want to screw up and let my team down.

Asahi: Can you get out of your house?

You stare at your phone for a moment before replying.

You: Yeah, I can sneak out the backdoor. Why?

Asahi: Sneak out after 5 minutes. I'll be there.

You: You sure about this? It's late and you need to rest for tomorrow too.

Asahi: I'm sure and I'm already on my way.

You grab your schoolbag and quietly make your way out the backdoor. You see Asahi standing outside your house. He's wearing a purple t-shirt and is carrying a bag in his hand. He smiles and waves at you as you make your way towards him. The knots in your stomach are already starting to loosen.

"Hey, Asahi!"

"Hey, Y/N, I'm sorry for making you sneak out like this but... I couldn't help myself when I read your messages."

"No, it's completely alright. Actually, to be honest, I was kind of hoping to meet you too. I-I always feel calmer after talking to you."

Asahi blushes.

"R-really?"

"Yeah."

"I always feel better after talking to you too."

You can feel the heat starting to build in your face as you smile at him in response.

Asahi continues, "I-I know I am not good with words. But I want to tell you that I know exactly how you feel. You won't let anyone down. I have seen you play and really, you have nothing to worry about. You have made it this far and you are strong enough to take it further."

His words make you want to cry. He has always shown so much faith in you. You look at the ground and don't say anything as you try to hold back your tears.

"-And I - uh - got you something that I thought might make you feel better."

You look up in surprise and you see him reaching his hand into the bag he brought with him. As you watch, he pulls out a light blue cloth. It's a t-shirt.

You gasp as you recognize what it is.

He holds the t-shirt open by the sleeves so that you can read what's written.

It's a "The Way of the Ace" T-shirt.

"Oh my God!!" you say loudly.

He is completely thrown off by your reaction as you throw your head back and laugh.

Oh no. Does she think this is lame? Asahi starts to panic.

You reach into your own bag and pull out a similar looking light blue cloth. Asahi's eyes widen.

"I bought this today at the stadium for you. I know how important tomorrow's match is for you and I knew you'd be nervous so I wanted to give you this as a motivational sort of good luck thing." you say as you hold out a larger sized "The Way of the Ace" T-shirt.

All of your tension and nerves melt away as you both stand there laughing and holding the T-shirts.

"I hope I got the right size," Asahi says as you exchange the t-shirts.

"Same."

"It's perfect!" You both say at the same time and erupt into a hearty laugh again.

"Thank you, Asahi. I feel a lot better now. Really, thank you for everything. We wouldn't have made it this far if not for your help."

"It was all you, Y/N. All I did was show you the way. You walked it on your own."

"Yeah, you showed me the way of the Ace." you say, smiling.

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

The score is 30-31 and it is match point for Karasuno Girls' High School against Niiyama Joshi for what seems to be like the 100th time. It has just been ties after ties after ties and every set has stretched well into the 30s. Somewhere at the beginning of the fifth set, you looked up to see the Karasuno boys piling into the stands to cheer your team on. From the looks of it, they won their match against Shiratorizawa.

Playing such intense 5 sets back to back has taken a massive toll and the players on both sides of the court are at their limit. However, it is now your turn to serve and if you manage to get this point, you will be through to the nationals.

"Y/N, GIVE US A NICE SERVE!!" the boys cheer for you from the audience.

Your knees are quaking and you feel like you can barely stand, much less run or jump. You are so out of breath that you feel like you are going to pass out any minute. As you somehow force yourself to walk into position, you can feel your knees buckling under you.

As you stand there, waiting for the referee to blow the whistle, your eyes instinctively search for Asahi. Even though he is far, you can easily spot him due to his height and the familiar light blue t-shirt he has changed into after his match.

As your eyes meet, Asahi cups his hands around his mouth and BELLOWS.

"JUST ONE MORE. YOU GOT THIS!"

The whistle blows.

BAM.

You barely have time to realize what happened as you are tackled to the ground by your teammates. There's a lot of hugging and crying and shouting.

As you recover from your shock, it finally registers. It was a service ace. Niiyama's libero had tried to dig the ball but it had bounced out of bounds.

You've won.

Tears of exhaustion and exhilaration start to flow from your eyes as you hug your teammates.

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

Your feet are killing you as you walk out of the locker room towards the bus, wearing your own WotA t-shirt. It's late and the corridor is silent and empty as you're one of the very last few people to leave.

"I told you you could do it."

You look up and see Asahi standing a little further ahead, smiling at you.

You don't say anything, you just walk up to him and hug him. He seems taken aback but only for a bit as, barely a second later, you feel his large arms wrap around you tightly.

You both stand there for a while, both too exhausted to speak but finding comfort in each other's arms. It just feels so...right. Like this is exactly where and how you are meant to be.

When you finally break apart, you can see that Asahi is looking a little nervous.

"S-say, Y/N. I was wondering... i-if you would maybe want to go on a- on a date with me?"

Your eyes widen in surprise.

"It is completely okay if you don't! I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anythi-"

"Yes, yes, YES! I will go on a date with you."

"Really? You really want to go out with me?"

"Yes. Honestly, Asahi, I fell for you a long time ago. I was just afraid of freaking you out and ruining our friendship. So, I didn't say anything."

Asahi let out a little laugh. "It's freaky how we think so similarly because same." He takes your hand in his. "I fell for you the day I met you. And I just kept falling harder and harder the more I got to know you. I just never imagined you would feel the same way for me too."

"I do, I do, I so do! I always have!"

Both of you have the biggest smiles on your faces as you stand there holding hands and looking into each other's eyes.

You suddenly start to blush furiously.

"So...um...since we usually seem to be thinking the same thing. Um, would you like to kiss me?"

Asahi's eyes open so wide that you're worried they'll pop out of their sockets any minute. He is blushing furiously as he simply nods and leans in.

Your heart is thundering as your lips meet. But, it's Asahi. He kisses you with such tenderness and affection that you just melt into him.

The two aces of Karasuno walk out of the stadium hand-in-hand, wearing their matching WotA T-shirts. You're going to nationals, you've found some really great friends and you have found each other. Life is good.

FIN.

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

Finally, I am so happy with how this turned out. I was stuck for a while trying to decide where to go with this story and I was panicking a little about not updating sooner. But I am glad I did not hurry this up because I really LOVE the turn this took in my head which it wouldn't have if I hadn't let the ideas stew in my mind for a while.

I know this was a long read but I really hope you guys enjoyed it and it was worth the read and the wait.

Likes, comments, reblogs and follows are always appreciated. Please DO NOT repost

Buy me a Kofi! <3

[no-brain-just-akutagawa]

i am so curious now, how did aftg get you into bsd?

Oh my.

*record scratch*

You might be wondering how I ended up in this situation.

So it’s not like it grabbed me by an ankle and threw me right into bsd (however it would be just as fitting), but it set off the weirdest plan I’ve ever made. Buckle up, because by the end of this story, you will have lost some brain cells. Also a slight spoiler warning, though I won’t say any names. More under the cut, because it’s quite a long story actually.

So it all begins one random evening in June 2021. I’ve just finished heartstopper like 10 minutes ago and now I’m bored to the moon and back. I think well I’d like to read a book so I check my to-read-later list and there it is. All for the game. Alrigthy, now I’ll be set for at least 3 days, I think and start the first volume. I finish it at midnight, but I want more so I immediately start the second one. At 2 am I fall asleep. I wake up at like 10 am and I finish the second book. I take my dog on a walk, come back and start the third book. By this time my brain is 100% liquid, but it’s the most fun I’ve had in months. I take one more break for a late lunch and some shopping, come back home and finish the last book.

You might think it’s very random like girl why are you telling this story but it’s important for you to know I’ve never read a whole trilogy faster. Like 3 books in 26 hours?? Idk how people do it on a daily basis, I felt like my brain was done for it. So that was special and idk what kind of hormones my brain started producing but I was like I NEED MORE. But of course the trilogy was over and the extra materials weren’t all that interesting, and I ran out of fics to read in like a month. Yet I wasn’t going to give up on my endorfin rush (or whatever it was) so I was like I need to make a plan. Let’s do it strategically.

I made it my summer mission to find something that’ll give me the same emotional experience as aftg, which I call the Rush.

There were 4 important parts of this plan:

people seemed to be comparing this trilogy to anime like the whole industry, so I was like I should probably look for an anime (I’ve seen a few anime before so it wasn’t that big of a potential change)

exy is a sport, so maybe a sport anime? Something set in school?

there are lgbt+ themes, so maybe I’m just in a mood for an lgbt+ story (like always so nothing new there)

there’s mafia – funnily enough I said nah I had watched jojo part 5 before and it didn’t give me that rush, so why would another story with mafia do so (and look where I am now that’s irony, a literal irony)

And so my search began.

I started with a book and it wasn’t it. It was a good book but nowhere near the level of the Rush. Now I was sure it HAD TO be an anime. There was simply no other option (told you, no brain cells were used during this whole process). Funnily enough I went straight to jojo part 4 for idk what reason. Like idk what prompted me to go there but I did. Then I remembered I was supposed to be checking out some sport anime and I went for Haikyuu which gave me some rush but after finishing it wasn’t really lingering, so I continued my search while finishing jojo part 4. As I finished Haikyuu, my instagram began to be flooded by different fanarts and memes, and then I saw a fanart of Langa from sk8 the infinity (thanks algorithm, you did well) and I was like waaaait I've heard about this show. So I sat down to watch it and binged it in one sitting. And I thought yeah that’s it, that’s the Rush. But wait a minute, it’s too short, oh no the Rush is leaving me!!

Conclusion: I need something longer.

So I went back to jojo part 4, which again was a blast to watch (it made me appreciate jojo in all its quirkiness), and it reminded me that dio is a vampire and as you may know, I like vampires. This in turn reminded me that vanitas no carte was supposed to be coming out around this time. So I went to google vanitas no carte but as the first season was still ongoing I was like, you know what, I’ll wait until it finishes before deciding what to do with it. But instagram kept giving me spoilers and I saw people comparing gojo (from jjk, which I also watched in hope to get the Rush but as you can imagine it didn’t click this way) to vanitas and some dude called dazai who was from bsd. I was like hmm bsd reminds me of something else, but I’m a curious goose, so I went to google it, very scared, and it turned out that bsd is actually an anime about a detective agency and not what I expected it to be, and I was like… yeah whatever I don’t care, that's not what I'm looking for.

Now I was sure the rush was gone, I’ve been defeated by my own hubris. I flew too close to the sun and nothing was going to compare. So in that mood I went to tumblr to search for some franz kafka quotes because this man just always gets it. And then I see some people talking about a new chapter and I’m like a new chapter of what exactly?? Hasn’t kafka been dead for like 80 years or something?? A posthumous release? And what is an asagiri? A title? So a googled it and surprise, surprise! I see bsd AGAIN. I’m like you know what I don’t care anymore, people say that the characters are very pretty, so I might as well watch it just to forget about the failure that’s been my very-much-unhiged-with-zero-chance-of-working plan and then I'll go back to my search.

I turn on the first episode and I’m like waaait it’s actually good?? Like yeah silly, but way better than I expected and I feel the mutual understanding between me and Atsushi grow, so that's VERY GOOD. I see the opening and the ending at the end and I’m like oooh do they have any meaningful connections to the plot, because it seems like it? Who are these people? So instead of watching the second episode I decided to do a quick research consisting on going to the wiki and trying to figure out who is that emo dude that seems to take half of the ending for himself and who I'm probably not gonna like (jokes on me, oh jokes on me). And then I see his description with the undead written under the status. I’m like undead?? in what way?? So I start reading about him more and I see that he’s apparently a vampire. And I go WHOA NOBODY TOLD ME THERE ARE VAMPIRES HERE. And so I went back to watching bsd, the Rush came back and it’s been here ever since. I thought it was going to go away, so that's why I made this account to kinda keep myself busy not to lose it, but I still thought it was going to be lost again for some time. And now it’s still going strong and even has a friend in the form of the jojo part 6 Rush, so everything worked out perfectly in the end.

And that’s the story how my dumbest plan produced better results than I could have ever imagined.

And if you're wondering how long this mission lasted - 6 weeks. Literally 6 weeks.

[a quick info: all the things I mentioned are fantastic and I highly recommend them. Rush or no Rush, they are wonderful and I'm a fan of them all!]

[dreamescapeswriting]

Lockdown Jealous ~ KNJ [Request]

WORD COUNT: 3.4k

PAIRING: Jealous!Namjoon x Fem!Reader

GENRE: Fluffy, angst, jealously, fluffy ending.

A/N:  I hope this is okay! I’m not great at the whole slow burn thing so I hope you enjoy this

Throughout the whole of the pandemic, you had been in Korea with your long-term boyfriend Namjoon visiting him while you had some time off work. The pandemic had gotten bad when you'd gone to stay with him for a while and you ended up spending lockdown with him and the boys at the dorms. You and Namjoon had been together for three years but moving in together wasn't an option since visas were a little hard to come by and you still had a life, family and job back home. Visiting one another seemed like the best idea, for now, you would get to have a nice relationship together while maintaining your life back home. Once the lockdown rules hit you couldn't leave Korea and fly back home so the boys ended up taking you in with them and treated you like their younger sister. As Jimin put it, "it was a trial period for living with Namjoon," but it had been one of the best trials you'd ever had. After months of living with them and spending most of your time with them all, you'd grown close with each of the boys but you'd gotten especially close with Yoongi. It wasn't anything more than a friendship but it felt as though you'd gained a best friend while living there. You could go to him with anything and everything and whenever Namjoon was busy Yoongi would be the one to offer to spend time with you. 

"I have a meeting baby, do you want to wait here?" Namjoon's voice interrupted your thought process and you glanced up at him. He'd invited you to the company building for the day so you could get out of the dorms for a little while. Being copped up in one place wasn't doing you any good and he wanted to make sure you could have some fun while being safe. 

"Yeah, I'll wait here it's all good...Do you mind if I-" You nodded over to the blue guitar that was sitting in the corner of his studio and he shook his head at you, going over to it and picking it up. It was something he was supposed to be learning but hadn't ended up doing, instead, he took up painting classes during his days off.

"Go for it. I'll be back as soon as I can," He promised you, bringing over the guitar before leaving a small kiss on the top of your head. You were used to him running off for different meetings all of the time so it was nothing new to you you knew exactly how busy your boyfriend was so it didn't bother you. 

Sitting further forward on the small sofa you placed the guitar onto your lap and began to tune it. You'd taken lessons since you were old enough to hold a guitar and it had been a while but the timing seemed perfect to try and practice again. Lockdown had brought out a bunch of new hobbies for you and the guys, painting, dancing, gaming and even doing Jigsaw's with Hoseok every Sunday night while watching some random drama he would find on the TV.

As Yoongi was walking through the halls towards his studio he heard a tune coming from Namjoon's studio, he frowned at the thought of Namjoon playing guitar but headed into the room. He knew Namjoon was supposed to be taken lessons but he hadn't thought he was taking it seriously, he moved closer to the door and smiled. It was open just a little so he peeked through to see you sitting there, eyes closed as you casually played a tune that Yoongi had never heard before in his life but it sounded good. After watching you for a couple of seconds he pushed the door open and smiled at you placing the coffee he had in his hand down onto the table. 

"Where did you learn to play?" Your eyes shot open as you realised you weren't alone in the room and you jumped a little to see Yoongi standing there. A smile plastered across his face as he waited for you to answer his question, you smiled back at him as you slowly placed the guitar down against the sofa.

"I learnt in school, I feel like I haven't played for years." You admitted as he sat down next to you on the sofa, 

"It's good...You should teach me. Seriously, all I know how to play is Mary had a little lamb." He groaned at the thought of it. Much like Namjoon guitar was something that Yoongi wanted to learn through the pandemic. He thought some acoustic guitars in the back of some of their songs would be special, not to mention it would be good on stage if he could play for ARMY. 

"Sure," You laughed softly as you looked at him, he was giving you the puppy dog eyes as he tried to convince you even more to teach him.

"It's pretty easy once you know the basics I guess. Do you have a guitar?" You questioned looking over at him again, he nodded his head. He'd gotten a guitar years ago with the intentions of learning but never actually learnt.  

"My studio. I've been using an app but I don't think it's even in tune." You laughed softly and nodded your head getting up from the sofa to go and join him in his studio instead. 

"I will buy you food in return, I promise." He admitted as you both headed down the hallway in the direction of his studio, passing Jungkook and Jimin on the way as they heard the mention of food. 

"Dinner on Hyung? I'm down," Jungkook admitted as he attempted to follow you and Yoongi but Yoongi scoffed, 

"I'm buying for Y/n, she's teaching me guitar since somebody else wouldn't," Yoongi remarked at Jungkook who could play the guitar perfectly. The golden Maknae seemed to excel at everything people were putting their minds into during lockdown.

When Namjoon finally came back to his studio hours later he was surprised to see you missing, normally he would come back to find you curled up and asleep or reading a book but you were nowhere to be seen.

"Hey Tae, have you seen Y/n?" He questioned as he walked back out of his studio to see Taehyung heading home for the day, he nodded and pointed over towards Yoongi's studio where the two of you had been for the last four hours. 

"She's teaching Yoongi how to play the guitar," Frowning to himself Namjoon went off on the hunt for you and found you and Yoongi sitting quite close together as you taught him some basic chords.

"Babe?" You looked up when you heard Namjoon's voice and smiled at him noticing the clock behind him. You hadn't realised just how long you and Yoongi had been sitting together until now, 

"Sorry...We just lost track, Yoongi wanted to learn so he asked me for help." Namjoon smiled at you as you got up from the sofa and walked over to hug him, snuggling your head into his chest as you hummed. 

"Don't be sorry, I just wondered where you'd gotten to." He admitted as Yoongi began packing up his guitar and looked at you both,

"I stole her away for a while...I think I'll do it whenever I can, I'm learning so much more than that App could ever teach me." He admitted as he stretched, it was true. You took one look at the app before deleting it from his phone entirely. The thing was awful, couldn't teach anyone to do anything except maybe how to get frustrated at something that wasn't real.

"That's fine, she could do with something to do while I'm working." Namjoon chuckled, kissing your temple as you both go ready to head back to the dorms for the night. Another lockdown movie night with them all but this time it was Jin's turn to choose the movie and snacks. 

After a month of teaching Yoongi guitar Namjoon was starting to grow a little jealous of how much time you were spending with one another. At first, it hadn't bothered him since he was busy with writing songs or doing other hobbies he had during lockdown but once all of that frazzled out he realised you were spending more and more time with Yoongi than you were with him. Normally Namjoon was level headed and he wouldn't get jealous over something so small like this but it was starting to bug him. Especially when he would invite you to lunch with him but you'd cancel because you had something with Yoongi. He thought he was supposed to be the one you spent all your time with. 

"I'm going to get some water, do you need anything?" You asked Yoongi and Namjoon as you got up from the floor and glanced at then. The three of you were the only ones in the dorms today since the others were all working at the studios in groups. Namjoon thought it would be the two of you at home but he was wrong, 

"No, I'm okay," Namjoon answered as he stared at Yoongi waiting for them to be alone so he could finally speak to him about what had been bothering Namjoon for so long. The kitchen door shut and Namjoon moved closer to Yoongi, 

"What are you doing?" He questioned looking at Yoongi who cluelessly stared back at the band member having no idea what he was talking about, 

"I'm watching movies-"

"I mean with Y/n, what are you doing with Y/n?" The question only seemed to confuse Yoongi more as he stared at Namjoon with a confused look on his face. His eyebrows screwed together as he tried to figure out what was going on, 

"She's teaching me the guitar, you already know this..." Yoongi said slowly as he waited for Namjoon to respond to him, it was as if Namjoon had completely forgotten the fact that you'd agreed to teach him but Namjoon hadn't forgotten at all. 

"It doesn't take this long, stop taking lessons with her. I don't want you and Y/n spending time alone together anymore." Before Yoongi could even question what Namjoon meant by that you were walking back into the room with a glass of water and some snacks. 

"I got popcorn for the movie," You had a giant smile across your face as you sat down ready to continue the movie marathon but Yoongi got up on his feet, 

"I'm going to go and shower...Then head to the studio, I forgot I said I would help Jungkook with his mixtape," He lied as he looked at Namjoon for approval, 

"I thought we were going to finish-" Namjoon cut you off by shaking his head, 

"Babe if Yoongi said he's busy, we should let him go." You nodded at him and Yoongi left the room leaving you and Namjoon alone for the first time in a while. You snuggled down into Namjoon's arms and smiled as you pushed play on the movie, Namjoon smiled to himself happy that he had you back to himself and he didn't have to share you with anyone else. 

A week later Yoongi had been avoiding you as if you had the virus and you couldn't seem to find out why. He went to great lengths in ignoring your calls and texts and even ignoring you in the dorms. 

"You okay?" Jungkook asked as he walked into the living room on Saturday morning to see you sitting alone while watching a cartoon. 

"Yeah, just bored." You admitted as you spooned some cereal into your mouth while watching the screen, 

"I know since Namjoon made Yoongi give up your lessons you're both so bored." The spoon you were using to eat dropped into the bowl as you stared at the clueless Jungkook who hadn't realised he'd just dropped Namjoon in trouble. 

"I'm sorry? Namjoon did what?" You questioned, leaning forward to place the bowl down onto the table, at the mention of his name Namjoon walked into the room and went to give you a kiss but you moved out of his direction. 

"Kookie, go and tell Namjoon what you just told me." You spoke as you stared directly at Namjoon, getting up from the sofa as you waited for the Maknae to say something but he never did. He just skillfully made his way out of the room and into the direction of his dorm room not wanting to be there when the fight happened.

"Jungkook told me you told Yoongi to give up our lessons...Is it true?" Namjoon began to stutter over his words as you stared at him waiting for some kind of answer. Folding your arms over your chest you stood your ground only making Namjoon more nervous, 

"Yes! It's true but-"

"But what? I was having fun with Yoongi." You mumbled as you thought back on the lessons you'd been giving to him. It was the most fun you'd had since the lockdown rules had come down. 

"That's the point! He's not your boyfriend, I am!" Namjoon yelled out shocking you a little. Namjoon would hardly ever raise his voice in front of you so it was shocking to hear him do it, the two of you hardly fought and hadn't since the start of lockdown. 

"Namjoon...You can't seriously be jealous because I was spending time with someone else?" You questioned as you looked at him, eyebrows raised as he nodded his head. 

"How else was I supposed to feel? You're always around him, always whispering and joking together about things." The idea of you cheating on Namjoon crawled back into his mind and he grew angrier even if it wasn't true. His jealously was never going to let it be anything less than it. 

"Namjoon I was hanging out with a friend, you said you loved that me and d the guys got on." He shook his head at you,

"Well, now I don't....I hate it. I saw the way you would look at each other while you hung out." He mumbled as he folded his arms over his chest, you fought back the urge to laugh at the fact that he thought you and Yoongi looked at each other differently than you looked at anyone else. 

"Yoongi looks at me like I'm his annoying little sister, Namjoon there's nothing between me and Yoongi just like there's nothing between me and Hoseok...You don't stop us hanging out together..." Namjoon shook his head at you as he thought about it,

"How do I know you're not sleeping with them all?!" The yell came out louder than the first one and you heard someone's bedroom door open slowly as they came to see what all of the noise was about. It wasn't even 9 am yet and Namjoon was yelling at you for something you hadn't, and would never, do. 

"Do you really think I would do that to you?" You questioned calmly, you knew that it was the lockdown getting to everyone. Being trapped with the same people day in and day out was probably getting to Namjoon just as much as it was getting to everyone else so you weren't going to hold it against him.

"N-No, but I saw how he looked at you..." You stared at him with a blank expression across your face. 

"He looked at me like he looks at everyone Namjoon..." There was no talking sense into him though, Namjoon was already past the point of making sense and his brain didn't seem to care what his mouth was saying as he spoke to you. 

"I've seen the way he smiles whenever you hug each other, friends don't smile like that." He mumbled as he began to list off everything he could think of. Everything that had been playing on his mind whenever he saw the two of you alone together. 

"He always wants to hang out with you, everyone can see it...Everyone can see the way he stares!" You continued to let him yell since you knew he clearly needed to get it out of his system. Behind him, Yoongi slowly came out of his room to see what the yelling was about and he froze as he heard Namjoon. 

"I just needed him to stop being so close to you...Now you're mine again, you never see it when they hit on you but I do, they all hit on you," You knew in the past the boys would jokingly flirt with you to wind Namjoon up but there was never anything else behind it. The acts were all innocent jokes which you all went along with not knowing how much it clearly bothered Namjoon. 

"They know I'm yours and you know it was all a joke Joonie." Your voice came out calm as you reached out to touch Namjoon's hand and calm him down but he shook his head, stepping away from you. 

"I see him staring at you, holding your hands while you're playing the guitar..." Thinking back on all the times you taught Yoongi how to play you nodded your head, 

"I had to show him his hand placements Joon...There is nothing between me and Yoongi stop being so jealous." You finally broke, having enough of him acting as though he was a possessive teenage boyfriend when you were all adults. You had the freedom to hang around with whoever you wanted and no one could stop you. 

"I'm not being jealous I just don't want someone else's eyes on you," He yelled out and you scoffed having enough of his childish behaviour.

"You better start blinding people then! Are you actually stupid Namjoon? People are going to look at me...What are you going to do? Stop everyone in the world from talking to me!?" You snapped out not realising how angry you were getting until the words left your lips, 

"If that's what it takes!" He yelled back but you just scoffed, leaving the living room as he called after you but you ignored him. Locking yourself into the bedroom so you wouldn't have to listen to how insane he was acting right now. 

"What?!" You heard him yell out at one of the boys who asked him what that was all about. Pulling the pillow over your head you ignored them all, wanting it all to go away.

Yoongi tapped on the door a couple of hours later telling you there was food there for you so you opened the door. Thanking him before disappearing back inside to eat but nothing felt good, you didn't want to eat or do anything without speaking with Namjoon but you also didn't want to be the first one to talk. 

"Can I come in?" You heard his voice ask from the bedroom door, you rolled over to see him waving a white tissue around as a sign of surrender from him and you laughed softly and sat up,

"You can come in..." You looked at him as he walked into the room carrying your favourite cupcakes and your favourite drink. 

"I'm sorry I was a jerk..." He admitted as he sat down on the bed in front of you, you took the cake and hummed in reponse. 

"You were a total and utter jerk." He laughed softly and nodded, he wasn't going to disagree with you when he knew it was the truth. There was no real reason that he had to be that kind of jealous and possessive boyfriend and he saw it now. 

"I'm sorry I was jealous...I just...Watching the two of you and then-"

"Being trapped in lockdown all the time...It just got to you?" You questioned as you took the icing from the cupcake on your finger and placed it into your mouth.

"Yes...I didn't actually think you would cheat on me with him and I don't actually think he likes you like that..." You smiled weakly at Namjoon who seemed genuinely upset with himself and you knew you could never stay mad at him forever.

"I know he doesn't Joonie...We were just close friends and I hope we still can be but I'll stop hanging-" You were going to say stop hanging out with him but Namjoon began shaking his head at you, 

"You don't need to stop hanging with him just because I got jealous...You should keep giving him lessons," You smiled at him and kisses his lips softly, 

"I promise to make time for you both..." You whispered as you kissed his lips again, trying to reassure him that everything was okay between you both now. 

"Good...Because...The dorms are empty now..." He whispered to you as he looked into your eyes but you played the oblivious card as you ate your cupcake, 

"Movie night?" You suggested not wanting to let him get off the hook that easily just yet.

Tagline: @lyoongx @mitzwinchester @rjsmochii @kneel-begyourpardon @taestannie @fan-ati--c @bisexualmess007​ @sw33tnight​ @sweeneyblue1​ @jin-from-the-block​

[unbridgeabledistances]

hi so @self-absorbed-pretty-boy (💖💖) sent me an AMAZING list of prompts a week ago and while i had truly no time this week to do as much writing as i wanted, here is a 4+1 thing i whipped up between classes that is pure husband fluff— i hope u all enjoy<3

prompt: the first time mickey calls ian his husband in front of a stranger (could be a cashier, a pharmacist, a cop, some weed buying college kids, you decide)

--

The first time that Mickey did it, he didn’t even really realize it— it was a slow Tuesday morning, just after their “honeymoon,” when he woke to the abrasive, slanted sunlight streaming in through the blinds. He immediately noticed that the house was silent, surprisingly quiet from any of the classic Gallagher clamor that usually bounced through the thin walls in the mornings, especially these days with Franny and Liam in their final weeks of the school year—and the absence of noise made Mickey curious enough to rub his eyes and open them, finally pulling himself out from the last warm dregs of sleep.

Ian’s arms were wrapped around him, a comforting spoon bear-hugging him in close, and Mickey took a moment just to take in the sensation of the solid, sleeping weight of him— he could feel the rise and fall of Ian’s ribcage pressed against his back and the soft fabric of the t-shirt that clung to Ian’s chest, the only barrier between him and Ian’s pink, sleep-warmed skin. Mickey rustled in Ian’s arms, reaching for his phone on the bedside table; and no wonder there were no cabinets slamming or lunches being packed or Debbie screaming that they had to get out the door— it was nearly noon for some fucking reason, and he and Ian were still sleeping like babies.

Which, okay, maybe that had to do with the fact that last night involved lots of tugs of hair and searing kisses and bodies pressed together until late into the night— Mickey felt his lips tick upward at the memory of it. But still— ever since returning a few days ago from their honeymoon in the dingy motel with the musty satin sheets, they had both been tired; the last few months had been compounded by a release from prison, a murdered P.O., the engagement shitshow, and a wedding to top it all off, and each incident had pushed a sense of normalcy more and more off-kilter, until finally they both just had to crash.

There was no mistaking that this was harder, more draining, for Ian; he was trying to sink back into a routine existence in the Gallagher house after all of the events of the past few months, and it was clear that he was still reeling from the shift— Mickey could see it now, in the way that Ian was so deeply sleeping well past noon, a dead weight pressed close against him.

Mickey scooted himself up to a seated position on the bed, letting Ian’s arm limply fall off of him and cascade onto the bedsheets with a muted thud—and again, he let himself take a moment to just look at Ian, his mouth parted and breathing steadily, the light coming in through the blinds illuminating the constellations of freckles smattered across his face and cheekbones, threads of sunlight weaving between the strands of bright, rusty hair on the top of his head that were partly splayed onto the pillow. Since getting home Ian had been slicking his hair back less now, and letting it grow wiry and wild and curled—Mickey fucking loved it, and he couldn’t resist reaching a gentle hand out to brush Ian’s hair back from his forehead, feeling its mossy give. He took it all in; the tides of Ian’s even breathing, his fully relaxed face, and the blossoming blue rings of exhaustion that were still there under his eyes, even in his sleep; and Mickey felt a swell of gratefulness that Ian was still sleeping soundly, that he could sleep all fucking day if he needed to, at least for now while they were just getting back and settling into a rhythm—if Ian deserved anything, he deserved to recharge.

Mickey silently sat beside him, absentmindedly scrolling through his phone and every so often running a hand through Ian’s hair—because, fuck it, his husband was sleeping next to him, soft and warm, and something about touching Ian always grounded him. He was leaning propped on a pillow he’d shoved between his back and the wall, and was just beginning to contemplate putting on the tattered robe he’d found in one of the stray bedroom drawers and dragging himself downstairs to make some coffee when he heard a buzz from Ian’s phone on the nightstand, and saw the screen flash with a silent alarm:

“PICK UP MEDS”

So ultimately that was the reason why Mickey forced himself to crawl out of bed that morning— or afternoon was more accurate— and detached himself from the cocoon of his husband’s warmth to go for what was usually Ian’s own Tuesday morning walk every month before his shitty shifts with Paula to go over to the pharmacy and get his meds. He bounded down the front steps of the Gallagher house, turning the corner to walk down a few blocks to where the sagging houses turned to the brick storefronts and neon signs of the few ramshackle businesses that were left on the Southside. Since getting back a few days ago, he and Ian had barely done anything except lounge around the house with everyone, settling in— and now Mickey realized how long it had been since he’d gone for a walk outside, breathing in the not-so-fresh Chicago air that smelled of gas exhaust and cigarette smoke, but also of something earthen and familiar. Sunbeams were radiating off of the sidewalk, and the air was cool, like the late spring weather had finally just broken into something crisp and clear— Mickey let his feet carry him over the pavement past the dingy corner store with the faded sign hanging crooked above the awning, and then two more doors down to the business with the glowing red and white sign that read “SAVE RITE PHARMACY.”

Mickey entered the pharmacy, hearing the tinkle of a bell as he pushed through the glass door.

There was no one really in the store on a Tuesday afternoon— his eyes adjusted to the waves of artificial light bouncing off the white shelves that contrasted with the soft glow outside. Mickey made his way through the aisles to the pharmacy counter at the back of the store, and was met with a middle aged woman in a lab coat typing on a computer.

“Hey. I’m, uh, pickin’ up for Gallagher.” Mickey slid his ID over the linoleum counter, quickly doing a double-take to make sure that this was a real ID and not one of his fake ones; not that it would really matter anyways, no one was getting high off of whatever shit Ian was taking on the daily.

The woman glanced at Mickey’s ID over the rim of her classes, then clicked the mouse a couple of times.

“Gallagher. Just one moment.”

She turned and filed through a few organized-looking bins, and retrieved a crinkly white paper bag and placed it on the countertop. Mickey stood there in silence, listening to the heavy thud of keys typing on the desktop computer.

“And who are you in relation to Mr. Gallagher?”

Mickey opened his mouth—and for just a millisecond, he let himself pause. Usually he just said “partner,” or sometimes “family” when the situation required him to be vague—but in this moment, he had a flashing realization. They were married—and today he got to drop that word, and all the weight of it, into the empty aisles of the drugstore on a Tuesday afternoon. Mickey cleared his throat.

“S’my husband.”

Mickey couldn’t help it—there was some weird, warm, giddy rush in his chest as he said it. It wasn’t natural yet, and he almost fumbled over the word as it fell out of his mouth, like a kid trying to swear for the first time— but he said it. And the pharmacist barely flinched—which, thank fuck for that, after the whole geriatric florist incident a few months ago. She just gave him a curt nod, a half-smile, and she handed Mickey the paper bag and a printed receipt and sent him on his way.

And so what if Mickey stopped at the grimy corner store on the way home and bought a pack of cigarettes for himself and a fucking Kind bar for Ian, because he knew he liked that shit— and so what if there was a little extra bounce in his step as he walked back from the store, his arms swinging by his sides in the cool, early summer breeze as his feet hit the sunwarmed pavement and he headed home to his husband who was curled up in the warm safety of their bed, sound asleep.

His husband.

**

The second time it also just sort of… tumbled out of Mickey’s mouth, a little more naturally this time. It was a day or two later, and he and Ian had finally rejoined the land of the living— and to Debbie, that meant that the two of them were now available to be drafted into a circuit of random chores and errands with lists of shit to pick up, tasks that Ian tried to squeeze in between shifts at his new warehouse job and that Mickey mostly just ignored. But much to Mickey’s dismay, there was no getting out of their assignment this afternoon; Debbie had some hotshot welding gig on the Northside and Frank was nowhere to be fucking found, and Liam needed a parent or guardian to come to his parent-teacher conference at the end of the school year. Liam had softly voiced this information in the swirling hurricane of conversation at dinner the evening before, and Ian couldn’t resist saying that he and Mickey would go, even though Mickey had repeatedly kicked his shins hard under the kitchen table and passed him a series of dagger-like glares. Mickey didn’t realize why Ian had volunteered the both of them to go to this shit— it was Ian’s brother, not his— but after lots of long glances and fucking puppy-dog eyes and some very intense manipulation the night before, when Ian whispered into the crook of Mickey’s neck at a very inconvenient time and said with a mischievous smile “C’mon Mick, I don’t want to go alone”—well, let’s just say that was how Mickey ended up weaving through the sweltering, barren hallways of Liam’s public school on some random muggy summer afternoon with Ian, trying to find Liam’s teacher’s classroom.

As much as Mickey did not want to be here right now, in the paint-chipped locker-lined halls of the public school that mostly just brought up a lot of angsty memories of dirt under his fingernails and cardboard signs written with sharpies and pasted up with duct tape, the whole thing also felt vaguely nostalgic— like those days before everything went to shit and he’d gotten married to Svet, just after he’d busted the fuck out of juvie and was trying with all of his might to force down all the tidal waves of feelings he had about gangly fucking teenage Gallagher with his crew cut and his camo pants—and walking through the halls next to Ian, feeling his tangible presence beside him, was enough to keep Mickey’s mind from veering into other darker places about his own wasted potential.  

“Where the fuck is this room, anyways?” Mickey huffed out. All the rows of lockers looked the fucking same, and all Mickey wanted to do right now was go home and lay back on the couch and sip a cold beer, instead of standing in this stuffy hallway with sweat dripping down his neck.

Ian playfully elbowed Mickey between his ribs. “We’re in Liam’s school, Mick. You’re not supposed to say ‘fuck.’”

“Fuck you.” He flipped Ian off for good measure.

Ian halted in front of a closed classroom door, glancing down at the slightly crumpled piece of paper that Liam had written his class number on.

“I think this is it.” Ian softly rapped his knuckles on the classroom door, and a young woman in a pencil skirt appeared to open it.

“Hi, lovely to meet you both. You must be Liam’s dads?”

Mickey spluttered out a laugh, a surprised noise catching in his throat. His first feeling was a flicker of annoyance at this random lady, that always popped up anytime someone so immediately knew he was gay, which probably had to do with some deeply internalized shit— but his second feeling was a warm sort of astonishment. Liam’s dads?

He and Ian could be someone’s fucking parents someday. Fuck.

Ian’s cheeks had turned slightly pink, like he was equally as affected by the assumption— so Mickey spoke up, trying not to sound like his insides were squirming as much as they were.

“Nah, man, you got it all wrong. I mean— not totally wrong, he is my husband. But we’re not his dads.”

Ian’s ears nearly perked up when he heard the word— this was the first time they’d called each other husbands so casually out in the world, while they were both in each other’s presence. A crooked smile crept onto Ian’s face, and he tentatively reached out to ensnare Mickey’s fingers in his.

“Yup. Husbands.”

Liam’s teacher just looked at them, raising her eyebrows expectantly, like she was slightly confused.

“Alright. So, who are you to Liam, then?”

Ian let out a quick breath of a laugh. “Oh, right. I’m Liam’s brother.”

And as Ian led him by the wrist to sit beside him in a fucking uncomfortable plastic chair meant for ten-year-olds, chattering away with Liam’s teacher, all Mickey could think about was the blood rushing hot, hotter than usual between his ears.

He didn’t know if he’d ever get tired of calling Ian his husband.

**

Mickey had never given much thought to pet names, or any sort of frilly bullshit like that, with Ian—every time that he called Ian something that wasn’t just “Ian” or “Gallagher,” it was some punchy and witty nickname that he’d concocted in the moment in an attempt to make a smile burst onto Ian’s face, with “sugar-tits” and “babyface” being his personal all-time favorites; but never any of that sappy bullshit that other couples called each other, like “babe” or “honey” or other garbage.

But, fuck. Fuck if Mickey didn’t love the fact that he could call Ian his “husband” now, that he was allowed to just do that, whenever anyone was in earshot.

It was a late night at the Alibi, the first time that most of the Gallaghers had been out of the house since the pandemic started; the mayor had finally loosened some restrictions, and Kev had sent a text to the Gallagher family group chat with way too many cork-popping emojis telling everyone to come by the Alibi after their respective evening shifts—and when he and Ian had walked through the door nearly half of the neighborhood was there, including Sandy and Debbie, and a bunch of random Southsiders that most of them hadn’t seen for weeks or months.

Kev had immediately handed Mickey a foamy beer as he walked through the door, and readily poured Ian a shot of Jameson—and now the room was pressed tight with bodies, full of random-ass neighbors puffing on cigarettes and some music playing low, the air hanging heavy with the fog of secondhand smoke and boisterous conversation. At one point, after taking one too many sips of something, Sandy had convinced Kev to give her control of the aux cord—and now the music turned more upbeat, and some of the younger people in the room had started dancing, which obviously caused his over-enthusiastic husband to grab Mickey’s wrist from where he was seated at the bar and pull him into the crowd. And maybe it was just the fact that Mickey hadn’t been around so many people for so long, or maybe it was the fact that he could see that Ian was having a good time, his cheeks flushed and glowing in the dim lights— or maybe it was just that he’d had one or two more beers than usual, if he was being totally honest, but Mickey was feeling happy and light, feeling a buzzing in his veins.

And now they were dancing, and Mickey was just kind of shuffling side-to-side and probably looked ridiculous but he didn’t really care, and the room was getting hazier with smoke, and he could feel the heat rushing to his cheeks and the bass of the speakers thrumming in his chest and the rising tide of his pulse and he felt alive, alive—

And Ian’s body was pressed next to his, doing that stupid fucking dance move he always did where he just kind of bopped up and down with his hands raised above his head with the energy of a golden retriever— and Mickey couldn’t fucking help but lean in, pressing his lips close to meet the shell of Ian’s ear; and yes, they’d been married for a couple of months now, but he couldn’t help the airy feeling rising up, bubbling up in his stomach from the heat of the flames licking at his insides that made him whisper:

“We’re fucking husbands.”

Mickey knew Ian could feel his hot breath in his ear, could smell the whiskey on his lips—and Ian’s eyes lit up, his mouth splitting open in a tipsy grin.

Ian hummed and tilted Mickey’s chin up and pressed their lips together— there was light dancing in his eyes, and Mickey loved him, and he was his husband.

“Yeah. Husbands.” Ian murmured the words against Mickey’s mouth under the music, into the air between their lips.

“Fuck.”

And in that moment, Mickey realized that he’d never really known happiness before, not really— because nothing could fucking compare to the feeling of having his hands wrapped tight around his husband’s warm hips, while Ian’s arms were slung over his shoulders and Mickey could burrow his face into the sweet skin at the crook of Ian’s neck…

And yeah, maybe Mickey could get into the idea of calling Ian his husband a lot more often.

**

It was the evening on some run-of-the-mill weeknight after their security runs, and they were at that fancy hotel gym they’d gotten a trial membership of weeks before— Ian had loved the fancy weight machines and the steamed towels so much (and let’s face it, Mickey had also definitely enjoyed the fact that he could check guys out in the steam room) that Mickey had used some cash he had on hand (of questionable origin, which just made Ian frustratedly roll his eyes) to get them both a membership at the place for a month— and Mickey had to be honest, working out under mood lighting and mirrored walls with a bunch of chiseled gay dudes beat hauling kegs around the musty back room of the Alibi any day.

So now, they made a habit of stopping by the gym after work, typically parting ways after stripping off their camo by the lockers to go do their own thing in the weight room. At the current moment, Mickey was standing off to the side of the open floor plan, leaning against a weight rack and curling a 40 pound dumbbell into his bicep— but more accurately what he was doing was drooling over his husband, who was across the room with his tank top sticking to his skin, energetically hitting a static punching bag hanging from the ceiling. Mickey let his eyes bore holes into Ian from across the room, watching the sweat gleam on Ian’s body, watching his muscles ripple—and fuck, he was married to a fucking Greek god, like those fucking sculptures he saw in textbooks at school that made his blood run hot when he stared too hard, wasn’t he?

Mickey was so fixated on watching Ian that he barely noticed when his upper arm started to burn, and he realized that he’d forgotten to keep track of how many times he’d curled upward. Fuck it. Mickey bent down to place the weight back on the rack—and that was when he noticed another guy, some scrawny, slender dude wearing a neon-green tank top and with fucking hot pink sweatbands on his wrists, who had his eyes locked in on Ian from across the room almost intently as Mickey did.

Tank Top noticed Mickey staring at him and sheepishly smiled, putting a hand on his hip—and then in the spirit of light gym-time chatter, something Mickey was definitely not interested in entertaining, the dude opened his mouth.

“You think he’s gay?”

The old Mickey, Mickey from a few years ago, would’ve pummeled this guy’s sorry ass for even looking at Ian the wrong way, and even Mickey from a few months ago would’ve felt some sort of anxious panic or jealous fear that someone other than him desired Ian— but today there was a heavy band of silver pressing into Mickey’s finger, and he could feel the solid weight of it. So Mickey just raised his eyebrows, and gave a passive reply as he placed his dumbbell down and strolled past Tank Top Dude to walk across the room towards Ian:

“He’s my husband, asswipe.”

**

It was late— all there was in the empty room was a half-deflated air mattress, sinking under their weight. The streetlight beamed in through the paper-thin curtains— they would definitely have to invest in a better pair to block out the light, but that was an issue for tomorrow.

Right now Mickey and Ian were just sprawling out on the mattress, letting themselves sink into it—their few boxes of belongings were stacked along the wall, the papers had been signed, and now they could let themselves breathe.

Ian cradled the back of Mickey’s head in his hands, giving him a quick peck just above his eyebrow. “I’m fucking exhausted.”

Mickey breathed out a low chuckle. “Yeah, man, me too.”

Ian rustled, turning onto his side on the wobbly mattress to face Mickey fully. “‘Man?’ You’re my fucking husband. I think we can do better than that.”

Mickey smirked, leaning in close to hover over him. “Whatever you say, husband.”

[pebblysand]

novembre, salope parmi les salopes, traitre parmi les traitres.

this post is an odd one. the kind that has been brewing in my head for weeks, thinking of what i would say on the day of, something clever and perfect and respectful. something to honour the dead. now, nothing sounds right, of course. i was once told you should never try and talk in the name of other people, that the only person you can ever speak for is yourself. so, perhaps, here we are.

some of you may already know this (though, if you follow me since my the good wife days, i really do wonder what you’re doing, following this trainwreck for this long, haha) but i was in paris on the 13th of november 2015. if you're not french, the date might not mean much to you, or you may have forgotten it. if that's the case, hopefully, this handy wikipedia article will now jog your memory.

for me, though, november 2015 was: my last year of law school, my first year back from michigan. i'd spent a year in the us studying falling in love, and flew back home sad and heartbroken about a boy. i remember that in paris, the weather was wet but warmer than what i'd gotten used to, i'd moved back in with my mum and would take the dog out on walks at the dog park. there was another boy there, on whom i had a strange rebound crush that led nowhere. i wrote mountains of words that i now cringe at. i was young and twenty-two.

so, yes, i was in paris, that day, but i wasn’t there. not at the terraces, not at the bataclan. i had a job interview that night, for an internship with a law firm i kind of liked. it had gone well. i remember cycling home from it and the cobblestones on the way to the invalides glistened under the rain. i was hopeful - the thought of a job after graduation doing wonders. i know that most people remember their uni years as this wild, multi-year-long party, but i just recall being anxious. about what i was doing, what i was choosing, what path i would take. i was coming up on my sixth and last year (yeah, i have two masters, i'm an educated bitch) and in a bit of a pickle. i felt like i couldn’t stand school anymore, everything seemed vapid and pointless. i wanted life (real life) to begin, but couldn't figure out what i wanted it to look like. all of my friends were applying for traineeships in big law. i guessed i should, too.

i remember being tired, deciding not to go out that night. luckily, everyone i cared about was tired, that friday. my best friend from law school (we'll call her naomi) and her boyfriend were supposed to eat out. a little cambogian restaurant down the street from where she lived (yeah, that restaurant). ended up getting lazy, ordering in instead. we spent a lot of time, the both of us after the fact, wondering what would have happened if they had gone out. having now spent the last few weeks reading court transcripts off twitter, through victim testimonies, i think that no matter who you are or where you look, there were a lot of could-have-s and should-have-s and what-if-s, that night.

now, just to be clear, i’m not writing this as a badge of honour. i'm not writing this to paint myself as the victim i am most certainly not. i am writing this to show and explain the impact that, six years later, a single act of violence can still have on the life of a random bystander. the only thing i can claim is: a) i was living in paris when it happened and b), the attacks had a life-changing impact on my life. that's it. i didn’t survive anything, i just carried on living.

that evening, i found out about what was going on outside over a text alert. i was sitting on the couch, watching homeland with my mother. i waited until the end of the episode to tell her. i watched the news until two, maybe three in the morning. she went to bed much earlier than i did. it never felt like she cared as much as i did. in retrospect, i think she’d seen enough horrors in her lifetime for this just to be one of them.

i remember the president's voice breaking on national tv. i remember his words: ‘dozens of people dead,’ ‘hundreds injured.’ i remember facebook check-ins. i remember the police sirens and the ambulance sirens, endless for days and weeks, and what felt like months on end. i remember hugging naomi the first time i saw her again. we were in line for the security checks before getting into uni. everywhere had new security checks, after november. uni and shopping centres, and even pubs. i remember her tears on my shoulder and me standing there, stock still but unable to speak. i remember the makeshift memorials at republique and the crowd panics. i remember wanting to get out, drawing in millions of people in the streets like we had after charlie. i remember not being allowed to, because public gatherings were forbidden in a state of emergency. we hadn’t caught them all, yet, you see?

i remember feeling unsafe. it is a strange day-to-day that is hard to explain unless you've experienced it. i remember my appointment at the apple store that week to get my iphone screen fixed, and the deserted louvre, with all the tourists gone. me and the mona lisa and a brave spanish couple. i remember going in to eat crepes the next day and crying silent tears into my plate. i remember watching, always watching, whenever i was sitting outside at a cafe and a car with dark windows drove by.

that is still there. whenever i am in france, i people watch and always know where the exits are.

i remember nice, a few months afterwards. the truck down the waterfront. i remember the same tears, the same shaking hands. you may call me unlucky but i am from nice, originally, grew up there. by that point, it just felt like the horror was following me. i remember feeling angry - i still lived in paris back then and it felt like people had moved on. life went on and no one gave a shit.

i didn't lose anyone in nice either, so maybe i'm actually pretty lucky.

i remember that period of history feeling like my life could end anytime, any minute of any given day. i remember looking at what i was doing with the days i did have, law school and the job after that, the big law, eighty-hour weeks and the practice area i’d dreamed of, and this recurring question in the back of my mind: what is this all for? i remember finding out about her, this woman at work and her beautiful, eighteen-month-old daughter, and her partner, killed at the bataclan. she got out, he didn't. i remember really wondering, then: what for?

we're not in contact anymore but i still think about her. often.

i remember cycling into work every day and reels forming in my mind: if i got hit by a car, is this what my entire life would amount to? this shitty job and this shitty uni, and this shitty life i didn’t feel like i’d even really started. i remember feeling ashamed, being like this, because i wasn’t a “real” victim. because i wasn’t dead, because i hadn’t lost anyone, because i wasn’t even there.

i stopped writing after that. for a very long time. (until early 2017, as a matter of fact. you can still see the gap - in my tumblr posts, and on ao3. i think about that often, too.)

eventually, i got better. i won't bore you with the details but it is now 2021. november again, six years later, and my main challenge right now is to do nanowrimo. for the record, if you're interested, i have around 8000+ words on the next chapter of castles. i'm terribly below wordcount, but i have high hopes to catch up over the next couple days. so, again, i suppose what i’m saying is: it does get better. in hindsight, it’s easy to say that i was depressed, maybe a little traumatised. that i was feeling uncertain about my choice of careers, about my decision to leave a boy i loved, that i was feeling stuck at home and aimless and terrified. that what happened, that november, was just the icing on the cake that made me lose my balance for a time.

everything is always easier in hindsight, isn’t it? the truth is that at the time, it felt drowning. but: i was young, and i was proud, and i didn't recognise the signs. i thought people who were depressed wanted to die. i was just terrified. i felt like i could die any moment, and that i'd have lived such an unhappy life, prior to it. i probably should have gotten therapy but this was 2015, not 2021, so i just ploughed on. spent eighteen months struggling but finally turned my life around. i stopped pursuing a career and a life that made me miserable, moved to ireland and slowly, i got out.

since they opened in september, i've now been following the 13 november trials religiously. i’ve dialled into twitter every day and read the transcripts produced by journalists of every victim testimony, every cop interview, every summary of the investigation that led to this. i’m okay, now. happy even. some days have been harder than others, but i suppose that's fair enough when you're spending an hour every day hearing the speeches of people who either got shot themselves, or lost loved ones. my life is so much better now than it was when this happened.

as i said, i moved to dublin, i changed work-environments, i’m seeing a boy who’s cute and funny and who i’m trying not push away, and i’m even writing again. and, i’m listening and reading everything i can on these trials, not because i’m a victim, but because i feel like i owe it to them. as horrible as what happened in paris that day is, it was - for me - the wake-up call i needed. what they went through, in an odd string of butterfly effects, it changed my life. and, i owe it to the real victims of this tragedy to try and understand even a fraction what they went through. i owe it to the accused to try and understand how kids who grew up with me, who went to the same schools i did, ended up with kalashnikovs in their hands, executing 130 humans at gunpoint. i owe it to them to never let that happen again.

i have a great life now, and i’m trying to keep being happy for those who can’t.

and, so, it's the 13th of november again, today, but i don’t really have a clever conclusion to come to. i'll just leave you with this: if you speak french, i encourage you to read this speech by aurelie silvestre, whose husband died at the bataclan. it is one of the most beautiful pieces of writing i have ever read. if you don’t speak french, i will leave you with the wise words of one of my favourite artists, lily allen.

"ever since he can remember, people have died in his good name. long before that september, long before hijacking planes. he’s lost the will, he can’t decide, he doesn’t know who’s right or wrong. but there’s one thing that he’s sure of: this has been going on too long."

(and, if you’ve reached the end of this and are wondering: wait - is this what castles is about? then, yeah, a bit. perhaps.)

[drabbles-of-writing]

Bonesborough’s Resident Troublemaker

This is part of my Four Years AU

AO3

Masterpost

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Bonesborough, even by Boiling Isles standards, was never an incredibly normal place.

First of all, it was the home of Emperor Belos. A town housing a man with such power was bound to be recognizable by name alone.

Second of all, it seems to have a knack for attracting trouble. Even more so than other towns. Small or big, Bonesborough has it. From a thought-to-be extinct basilisk attacking the local school to a cursed owl beast appearing every once in a while to a random human girl of all people staging a prison breakout.

Speaking of the human girl…

Last, but not least, Bonesborough held some of the most powerful and strangest witches the Boiling Isles had ever seen.

The two most notable ones being The Owl Lady, a covenless witch that was once the strongest witch alive. Advanced in wild magic and sharing a half-curse with her sister, also known as the former Emperor’s Coven leader. Until her magic died out. Though there are rumors she is finding a way to regain it.

And then there was her apprentice.

A human girl who appeared out of nowhere and learned her own form of magic. In just a single month she had been banned from Hexside School of Magic and Demonics, somehow managed to enroll in said school, convinced the principal to let students study multiple tracks, befriended the Bat Queen, defeated Grometheus, and fought Emperor Belos himself. And she survived.

To the rest of the Boiling Isles, Bonesborough was a battleground of the strangest people with even stranger stories.

To Bonesborough, however, it was any other morning with the residents of The Owl House. And their most common troublemaker the past few years; The Owlet.

“Owlet, that better not be you.”

Slowly, very slowly, a black and white owl mask poked up on the other end of the stand.

“Hey,” The Owlet waved shyly, slowly pulling her purple hood off.

“Owlet, no.” The greengrocer warned, grabbing her produce at the edge of the stand and pulling it closer today.

“Please?” The Owlet begged, her mask's eyes going as big in her puppy-dog look that everyone knew Eda must have taught her.

“No, bad Owlet.” The greengrocer teased, lightly swatting at the thief's hand as she tried to reach for the vegetables. “Go steal from someone else. Or, you know, pay?”

“But I’m saving!” The Owlet whined. “You see, I had an idea--

“I hate to sound rude but I frankly don’t want to know or be involved with whatever idea you’ve concocted.” The greengrocer butt-in. “I have a business to keep.”

The Owlet whimpered and dramatically lay her chin on the table, staring longing at the vegetables. The greengrocer looked between her produce and the girl for a few moments before sighing and shaking her head.

“If you really need to steal something,” She said slowly, noticing the way the Owlet perked up. “I know of a certain someone who can definitely afford it…”

“Stealing from the rich? Even better!” The Owlet exclaimed, jumping up excitedly. “Where do I find them?”

The greengrocer, surprised and mildly amused, pointed further down the marketplace.

“He sells somewhere down there, closer to the richer side of town. He’s got a big banner that’s cluttered with saying how ‘fresh’ and ‘organic’ his produce is.” The greengrocer huffed.

“Normally I wouldn’t care so much, but the guy literally uses magic to grow his produce and only makes his son do it on the side. I’m not exactly worried about his financial status.” She grumbled.

“Well then, I will be delighted to be of help.” The Owlet grinned, pulling her white staff off of her back. “Thanks for the tip!”

“Now you be careful out there, young lady!” The greengrocer warned as the Owlet rose into the air. “You’re still just an Owlet!”

“Pfft, since when did that ever stop me?” The Owlet replied.

She saluted the greengrocer before flying off, vanishing among the growing morning crowd.

The countdown for morning shenanigans had begun.

“Miss Blight?”

“Owlet again?”

“Yes, Miss Blight.”

Amity sighed and rubbed at her temples from where she sat at her desk.

“What did she do this time?”

“Stolen produce,” The guard said. “We have her bound as we speak.”

“Is that Amity in there?” A voice called from outside the tent.

“Think you can handle her this time?” The guard asked, a smug tone in his voice.

“And what’s that supposed to mean, Keene?” Amity demanded, a little too quickly, as she stood up from her desk.

“Nothing, Miss Blight.” The guard said simply, turning his head to the side. “Good luck trying to wrangle her.”

“Thank you,” Amity growled through gritted teeth, grabbing her gray beaked mask from where it hung on the wall and slipped out of the tent.

“Amity!” Owlet grinned.

The thief had her wrists bound together with rope and was being led from said rope by one of the newer guards.

Poor guy.

“I’ve taken all of her glyphs, Miss Blight!” The young guard said happily, waving around a handful of paper cards with glee.

“Good job, Laris.” Amity sighed, knowing very well there was no way he had gotten all of her glyphs.

“Where’s her palisman?” She asked, walking up to Owlet and looking down at her, pulling her best ‘Really?’ face.

“Over here, Miss Blight.” One of the other guards said, holding up Owlet’s staff...with no palisman on the end.

“That’s a staff without a palisman, Xena.” Amity deadpanned.

“What? Where--?” The guard, Xena, began looking around frantically for the snow-white owl, who had somehow escaped her grasp.

“Where’s Snowy, Luz?” Amity sighed, turning back to the Owlet, who was looking very smug.

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” The Owlet said smugly. “I’m not talking. You’ll have to torture it out of me.”

“I can arrange that!” Xena called gleefully from where she was still searching for the palisman.

“No! No, Xena, we are not doing that.” Amity said sternly.

“Aw,” Xena mumbled.

“Titan save me,” Amity mumbled. “Look, why were you stealing produce?” Amity turned back to the Owlet. “I know why you stole from that guy, but vegetables? Can’t Eda steal her own?”

“Pfft, and let me miss out on all the fun?” The Owlet grinned. “And I’m saving.”

“...is this seriously about the glyph tattoos?”

“Yeah,”

“Oh for the love of--” Amity pinched the bridge of her nose, remembering just where she was and who was watching. Best to not reveal more to a whole squadron of Emperor’s Coven guards.

“You’re impossible,” She grumbled.

“I know,” The Owlet smiled. “Anyway, it was nice chatting with you, and especially you,” She nodded to Laris. “But Lilith’s gonna be mad again if news of my capture makes the news. Again.”

“Hey, you’re not going--”

“Laris!” Keene shouted. “Duck!”

The new guard only froze up before a screech sounded from above. The Emperor’s guards all looked up just in time to see a large snow-white owl swoop down.

It knocked right into Laris’ head, almost knocking off his beaked mask as Amity wisely took a few startled steps back.

With Laris’ hold on the Owlet's bindings loosened, she managed to jerk out of his hold. She dug both her tied wrists into her cloak and revealed a hidden pocket within the cape itself and drew a fire glyph.

“Get her!” Xena shouted as Amity pulled on her mask, becoming invisible among the swarm of guards as she moved further to the back.

She’d tried ‘fighting’ the Owlet before, and it did not end well.

The Owlet only smiled and tapped the glyph, burning the restraints off her wrists and sliding out of the way of a guard lunging for her.

The Owlet darted through the crowd of guards, leaping and kicking a few to get momentum to where Laris was frantically trying to gather up all the stolen glyphs he’d dropped.

“Thanks for holding these,” The Owlet grinned, causing him to jerk his head upwards.

The white owl swooped down again, shrieking as it kicked and clawed at Laris’ mask, making him yelp and stumble back.

Owlet ducked to the side as a guard threw a spear that impaled through one of her plant glyphs.

“Hey, rude!” The Owlet snapped, grabbing multiple glyphs off the ground. “Now I can’t use that one.” She complained before grabbing a new plant glyph and tossing it at one of the guards.

It lit up upon impact and a massive vine exploded from their forehead, reaching out and entangling many of the other guards.

“C’mon now, don’t be shy.” The Owlet said, stepping back and scooping up more glyphs in her other hand and spreading them both out like fans, showing what she had to the guards.

“Who wants to go next?”

“Ten snails say that she’s late again.”

“She is not going to be late again.”

Among the many other things the residents of Bonesborough dealt with were certain...thrill-seekers. Namely kids who had discovered the newest hiding spot of the Owl House and tried to have a little fun. Which ranged from waiting to see if they could catch a glimpse of one of the residents or trying to break in. Yes, that happened.

Twice.

The Owl House may have gotten a new hiding spot every month, but it was never overly far from Bonesborough. And Hooty did his job well.

During break-ins, that is.

“Jorah, I’m telling you, Owlet is definitely going to be late. My uncle said she got caught by the Emperor’s Coven again.”

“I’m not giving up my snails that easily!” The boy snapped, glaring at his other three friends. “I still have three minutes left.”

“You stubborn idiot,” One of his friends shook her head.

“Frances, I dare you to go talk to the tube bird.” A second girl grinned.

“I am not doing that.” Frances shook her head. “First of all, I’ll be caught. Second of all, that thing terrifies me.”

“Then why did you come?” Jorah raised a brow.

“Because you guys would bully me if I didn’t,” She grumbled.

“She’s not wrong,” The fourth kid shrugged.

“It’s just because you’re a wimp.” The second girl taunted.

“Would it kill you both to shut up?”

There was a snap and a thump from far off in the trees, and all four kids went quiet. They ducked down in the bushes that were only a few meters from the house.

Frances slowly stuck her head between the bushes and looked around.

Mere moments later, a figure flew out from the trees and crashed to the ground in front of the Owl House, groaning as her staff clattered onto the front porch.

“Hi, Luz!” Hooty greeted.

“Am I late?” The Owlet worried, taking off her needless mask and hanging it around her neck.

“Hmmm, nope! You got here with a minute to spare.” Hooty said cheerfully.

“I’ll take it,” Luz sighed with relief. “Sorry, Snowy.” She apologized to her palisman, picking up her staff and stroking the birds head.

Snowy chirped and turned her head away grumpily, but didn’t refuse the pets.

“I WIN!” Jorah cheered before slapping his hands back over his mouth.

Luz whirled around, staff raised and body tense as Frances darted back into the bush as her, and everyone else, gave Jorah furious glares and terrified looks.

“Who’s there?” Luz demanded, raising her staff.

“Some kids were betting in the bushes,” Hooty said, head coming out of the door slightly. “They thought you were going to be late again.”

“Oh,” Luz instantly relaxed, looking mildly annoyed at the worst. “Well, since they’re game is over and I’ve got a certain someone who’s going to be visiting and berating me soon, do you mind escorting them off?” She asked the door bird.

“Would I?” Hooty said excitedly.

“No, no! We’ll leave, we’ll leave!” Frances shouted, quickly getting up and already backing away.

“Too late!” Hooty chirped before extending his neck straight-on towards the kids.

They screamed and began bolting back through the woods, Hooty talking gleefully all the way.

“Sorry, kids,” Luz winced, a tad regretful as she placed Snowy back on her staff. She then opened the front door and stepped inside.

“You’re late,”

Luz sighed and looked towards the couch, where Lilith was ‘casually’ having a cup of tea.

“No, I’m not. I had one minute to spare. Could you not hear Hooty?” Luz said, hanging her mask on a hook by the door and resting her staff next to it.

“It was a very close call.” Lilith said simply. “You left, what, over three hours ago? You only went to get vegetables and spoons.”

“...well I got the spoons,” Luz said, sheepishly pulling out a handful of silver spoons from a pocket in her cape.

“Good enough for me!”

King scampered into the living room and climbed up Luz’s leg to snatch the spoons from her hand. She didn’t bother to react or stop him as he dropped back to the ground and hurried into the kitchen.

“Nice to see you still alive, kid,” Eda greeted much more casually as she poked her head in. “No vegetables, though?”

“Sorry, you’ll have to get them yourself.” Luz apologized. “I kinda...maybe…” She glanced at Lilith and weighed her options for a moment. “...got caught by the Emperor’s Coven.”

“Again?” Eda and Lilith accused.

“They got the jump on me!” Luz defended. “Besides, it was only Amity’s group again. Nothing to be worried about.”

“Kid, at this point, I’m convinced you want to be caught just to bug Amity,” Eda snickered, shaking her head.

“Well, it’s not true all the time…”

“You both are ridiculous,” Lilith shook her head. “Eda, you need better control over your apprentice.”

“Says you,” Eda rolled her eyes. “In case you haven’t noticed, not every kid is like Amity.”

The front door slammed open, startling the inhabitants as they whirled around. Even King poked his head out of the kitchen.

A rather grumpy Amity stood in the doorway, mask pushed up on her head. She hadn’t even bothered to change.

“Speak of the devil,” Eda muttered.

“Hey, Amity,” Luz waved shyly.

“Again with the glyph tattoos?” She demanded, shutting the door.

“You’re still on about those?” Lilith blinked.

“They could be useful!” Luz insisted, sitting on the couch, opposite of Lilith. “I may have a lot of pockets and places I can stash glyphs, but the tattoo glyphs could be useful! Especially with the stronger ones.”

“We don’t know what something like that is gonna do to you, kid.” Eda shook her head. “This type of magic hasn’t been used in forever, it’s unlikely you could use magic with those glyphs without causing harm.”

“We don’t know that,” Luz said, scooting further into the corner as Amity exhaustedly sat on the couch between her and Lilith. “It could end up being really useful! And if it ends up being a bad idea, I can get a tattoo over it to cancel out the glyph.”

“You're barely seventeen, Luz. It’s illegal.” Amity pointed out.

“Since when has that ever stopped me?” Luz raised a brow. “And can’t I get them with permission from Eda? Or is that just a human realm thing?”

“How much have you saved for one already?” Eda asked.

“Almost two hundred,” Luz said proudly. “I wanted to try and get a less-dangerous spell first. Like a fire or a whirlwind glyph.”

“A fire glyph?” Lilith exclaimed.

“Would you rather I have a glyph that will shoot a spike of ice from my skin?” Luz raised a brow.

“Luz, for Titans sake, my parents are rich ,” Amity groaned, running a hand down her face. “I can pay for any of your tattoos you don’t have to excessively steal while you save.”

“It’s your parents who are rich, Amity. Not you,” Luz reminded. “I’m not forcing you to talk to them for snails for my sake. What kind of degenerate asks her girlfriend's parents for snails to get tattoos?”

“First of all, you’re not forcing me.” Amity raised a hand. “Second of all, I meant I would ask Ed and Em to be the ones to ask for the money. I promised I’d never speak to my parents again, and I’m upholding that.”

“Too bad, I’m paying for this myself.” Luz crossed her arms and turned on the couch so she was leaning against the armrest and lay her legs across Amity’s lap. “So take that, Miss Blight.”

“Shush,” Amity grumbled, cheeks pink as she glanced away.

“Hmm,” Eda thought, leaning on the other side of the couch armrest. “I guess a small one wouldn’t hurt…”

“You can’t be serious?” Lilith demanded. “You’re allowing this?”

“My kid, my rules.” Eda said, giving her sister a righteous look. “It’ll only be a small one, anyway. See how it goes before we try more.”

“You’re the best!” Luz grinned, reaching behind her to grasp at Eda, who stepped out of range.

“I know I am,” Eda said proudly.

“Amity, you’ve dated into a family of morons.” Lilith deadpanned, looking towards her apprentice and taking a sip of her tea.

“You’re part of the family, too.” Eda pointed out.

“Suffer with the rest of us, you fiend!” King called, trotting in from the kitchen and climbing up onto the couch to flop on Luz’s stomach, making her wheeze at the sudden weight.

“I regret a lot of my life choices, but especially the one that led me to this moment.” Lilith grumbled.

“Then maybe you shouldn’t have cursed me when I was sleeping, huh?” Eda sneered.

“I don’t think that cemented it in--”

“Irrelevant,”

Luz, Amity and King all silently watched the women continue bantering for a few minutes before they all looked at each other with faces that said ‘well this isn’t going to end soon.’

“Anyway,” Luz sat up more and picked King up to place him on the couch head. “I told Gus I’d be meeting him at the library for more studying. He said he found some old human relics that could be enchanted.”

“Actual enchantments this time, or alleged enchantments?” King raised a brow.

“Actual enchantments, King.” Luz said, swinging her feet off Amity and getting up.

“I’ll come with,” Amity said, quickly getting to her feet as well. “Since you’re going to be using my hiding spot, as per usual.”

“Excuse you, I think the correct term is our hiding spot.” Luz teased, kissing her cheek. “But don’t you have to send in a report later?”

“Keene can take care of it,” Amity waved her hand like it was no big deal. “You’re more important.”

“Aww, you’re so sweet,” Luz teased, laying her head on Amity’s shoulder.

“Hey, flirting teenagers, could you not do this in the middle of our argument?” Eda snapped her fingers, getting the girls attention. “I’m about to win it.”

“No you are not! I am making reasonable points!” Lilith insisted.

“You’re not even arguing about the curse anymore!” King threw his small paws in the air. “You're just bringing up mild annoyances that happened last week!”

“Your point?”

Luz rolled her eyes before turning and smiling to Amity. She returned her look of smothered amusement.

“Let’s hurry before they start getting into a glyph-fight,” Luz said, grabbing the witch's hand and hurrying to the door, making sure to grab her mask and staff along the way.

“You do know that people recognize you more with the mask than without it, right?” Amity asked, flipping her own mask down.

“I know, but I think it looks cool.” Luz shrugged, bringing up her hood. “Last one to the library has to clean Hooty!” She shouted before throwing open the door and racing out.

“Wha--not fair!” Amity shouted, tearing after the Owlet as she raised her staff and flew into the air, laughing all the way.

Amity summoned her own snake staff from the air beside her and leapt onto it. But by then, the Owlet was already gone, having raced through the trees and into the town.

And aside from the occasional on-looker, nobody batted an eye.

[mariamermaid]

The bathtub key

Tyler Locke x Reader

Summary: After weeks of flirting with you, Tyler is just about to give up, when a mysterious night involving your key necklace changes everything….

Words: 2.7k

A/N: based of an anonym request with the prompts 20. “Where is my Kiss”, 24. “You have something in your hair”, and 50. “If you could only see how wonderful you look right now”

 You groaned as Tyler ran after you on your way to school. “We had a bet, Y/N!” He yelled until he finally caught up to you. You carried your books with both of your hands and threw an annoyed glance at him. However, he wasn´t wrong; you did have bet. Tyler had been after you since the day he first saw you in school. You weren´t easy to get, everybody knew it. Javier and Brinker had even warned him, but Tyler wasn´t going to give up anytime soon. He didn´t know why you tried so hard to distance yourself from him and you hadn´t given him an explanation either. But he felt this mysterious pull towards you. He didn´t know about the necklace around your neck, didn´t know about the key that was dangling on it…

“Where is my kiss?” You let out a sigh, and stopped. It was hopeless and you knew you had lost. He had won the last hockey game and you had bet that he wouldn´t make one shot. There was nothing you hated more than admitting you were wrong. But you were. Stopping in front of the school building and pulling him by his arm, you ended up near to a few protecting trees. A somewhat safe place to give him his price. “Fine.”

Before Tyler could realize what was happening, you leaned on your tip-toes and placed a kiss on his cheek. Then you turned on your heels and finally made your way into the school, a satisfied grin on your lips. At your locker, Tyler was again next to. “That wasn´t a real kiss.” You shrugged. “You never explicitly said where to kiss you”, you explained and his jaw fell open. Devilishly grinning you threw your hair back. “Also, you hadn´t stated by whom the kiss should be, so at least be grateful that it was me, and not my dog.”

Tyler was left in the clearing school hall. After weeks of watching and trying to analyze you, you continued to be a riddle. There was obvious chemistry between the two of you, but why on earth, didn´t you go on a date with him?

It wasn´t until a week later, another party at Javier´s place was hosted, when Tyler was about to find out. When you entered the room, it had been late already and Tyler had been drinking. First, he started to get into the mood, but after two hours he had lost hope. He thought you wouldn´t come and continued drowning his disappointment. But then you did and all he could do, was stumbling to you. You saw him coming, it was really hard not to see him. A good amount of almost falling over, stumbling against several people and leaning against the kitchen counter was deeply needed.

“Hey Y/nnnnnn”, he lisped.  He eyed you in your high waisted jeans and the glitter top. You took the cup out of his hand. “I think you had enough”, you added, but then decided to sip yourself. He chuckled when you squinted your eyes at the bitter taste. “Tyler, that´s strong”, you admitted and he grinned somewhat proudly. “I thought you wouldn´t come”, he then admitted a little quieter. You shrugged, avoiding his waiting glance. “I wasn´t planning on it, Christina dragged me here.” He continued to eye you obviously, but that might have been the alcohol in his veins. Out of nowhere he spoke up again. “Are you okay?” You looked up and forced a smile. “Yeah, just stress from home.” Tyler wanted to continue to ask, but he was suddenly pulled away from Brinker, a new round of beer pong was beginning. When he turned back, the place where you had just leaned, was empty.

Two, or had it been three rounds? Nevertheless, Tyler lost track of time and his condition was not improving either. He had lost the beer pong, his mind was still settled on you and he couldn´t think straight. It was already after three in the morning, when this sudden urge ran over him. With all balance that was left in his body, Tyler stumbled to the toilet. He fell on his knees and immediately threw up. You were alarmed by the noise and followed the choking sound. The sight wasn´t pretty, Tyler half passed out, hanging onto the toilet bowl. It hurt you to see him that way and the feeling of guilt laid like a burden on you. You bend down to him and offered a glass of water. “Hey Ty, drink this.” Even in his state, his eyes lit up when seeing you. It hurt even more. He wanted to take the glass, but his hands were still shaking. So, you knelled down next to him and help to guide the glass to his lips. He drank the entire glass in one go and with some toilet paper, you cleaned the edges of his mouth. “You should go home, is your mom picking you up?” Tyler shook his head and mindlessly pulled out the car keys. “You want to drive home? Not in that state!” “But-“ “You´re too drunk!” You argued and took the keys from his hand. Then you took his arm and pulled Tyler back on his feet. “C´mon, I´ll drive.”

It should be mentioned that it took all of  your efforts, to rather pull Tyler into the car, fasten his seatbelt (he constantly wanted to hug you), drive him home in the middle of the night with the street to Key House barely enlightened and as quietly as somehow possibly, bring him upstairs to his room. In the meantime, you had pressured Tyler to drink some more water and while he almost fell asleep on the ride to his house, he seemed to be much better now.

“I smell like shit”, he admitted when sitting down on the bed and you chuckled lowly. “No need to tell me, I sat next to you.” He starred at you and started smiling as well. “Thanks.” “Don´t worry, it´s what friends do.” He shook his head and walked over to you. “Do you see Javier or Brinker here?” He wasn´t wrong, when you were leaving, they were both flirting with random girls. Tyler furrowed his eyebrows and his hand reached up to your hair. “There is something in your hair”, he added explaining and pulled out a confetto. However, in the process some of your strands were pulled back and his eyes landed on the necklace around your neck. The necklace you always wore, but Tyler had never seen what was on the necklace. It must have escaped from your shirt when you pulled him in the car or something, but the old key was now in the open…

Tyler stumbled back and his hands went through his already messy hair. “What key is that?” He asked and you saw the angst in his eyes. “It´s nothing, I swear”, you tried persuading him, but Tyler knew what a key like this meant. And by your way of hiding it, he knew that you weren´t as unaware as you might seemed.

“What do you know about this house?” He asked you again, jumping off the bed and taking a few steps to you. He sounded dead serious and a weird mixture of worry and tension laid in his eyes. You sighed, knowing it was now useless. He had seen the key; you had no other options left than telling him. “Not much…” You admitted quietly. “My grandfather gave it to me, he began to tell me all those stories about key house when I was just a little kid.”

You knew the story wasn´t particularly short and the slight ache that was dragging along, pulled you down by your shoulders. You sat down on the bed, Tyler did as well and remained patient listening. “I was a child, I believed in Santa Claus, so why not in a house with magical keys? However, when I turned nine, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s…”

You paused, trying to control your shaking voice. “It was really bad in the beginning, because he realized that he was forgetting things and there is no cure. The day came, where we had to bring him into a retirement home, it was also the day he gave me the key. I hadn´t forgotten about the stories, but I was almost eleven at that point and I didn´t believe like I used to. When we came to visit him and I was alone with him, there were those small moments, where he came back and began rambling about this house again… I didn´t know what to believe.”

“And then…” “Then I came, didn´t I?” Tyler spoke up and for the first time since talking, you actually looked directly at him, nodding. He cleared his voice after minutes of silence passing. “Do you think he will remember? If we´d ask him about key house?”

“Tyler… He died a few months ago.”

Tyler sighed and started walking up and down in the room. Meanwhile, you took off the key from around your neck. “I guess yours… Do you… Do you know what it does?” He took it carefully and eyed it. The key was golden, in a much better state than the other keys he and his siblings had found. The connecting part, also called the forging die, had a small star… Actually, it was starfish. The bow was carefully formed into what seemed a wave. The front part, the bit, had small detailed golden bars, that formed into a crisscross. Tyler stopped abruptly, he remembered now where he had seen a fitting hole. “Follow me, be quiet.” “Tyler, what-“

He opened the door from his room and let the light outside stay off. You didn´t have a chance to question and followed him down the hall. Finally, a few feet in front of you, he turned on a light again. It was the bathroom. After you entered, he closed the door and locked it. You turned around to get a better look and your eyes stopped at the bathtub. It was a off-white tub, with typical golden feet and a golden tab. You wanted to step closer, but Tyler´s hand grabbed your arm. “Before we do this, you have to promise me; don´t tell anybody. Not your friends, or parents and if my siblings ask, you don´t know anything, okay?” You nodded quick witted. “I promise.”

Then you stepped aside so Tyler could go first, the key in his hand. He leaned down to the tab of the bathtub. “I had seen it somewhere, when I helped looking for my sisters earring.” He started explaining and you shifted to closer as well. To get a better look, Tyler stepped inside the tub, still in socks, until he found the keyhole again. “Here, I found it!” Carefully, the keyhole was placed under the tab, which made it hard to even notice, he put the key in. Tyler leaned back, waiting and for several seconds, absolutely nothing happened. Then, suddenly, water started running. “What is happening?” You asked slightly worried. Tyler shrugged and wanted to turn off the tab, but it wasn´t even on. The water continued running, with a very high speed and his socks were quickly wet. Within seconds, the water was up to his calves. “Tyler!” You exclaimed, clearly alarmed by now. “Don´t!” He gestured for you not to come closer. “It feels like…”

“Like what, Tyler?” “The floor, it´s vanishing…” “WHAT?”

Just after Tyler had said the words, his body completely dropped into the water. He didn´t fall, the tub wasn´t as deep, he was just gone. You immediately fell on you knees next to the tub and grasped in it, hoping to catch anything from him. But even leaning over the edge, your hands didn´t reach a floor. The running water stopped as abruptly as it had begun, the water now at the rim of the tub. “Tyler?” You asked carefully. No answer.

“Fuck!” You exclaimed. “What do I do?” You jumped off the floor and looked around the bathroom. Wake his sister? You didn´t know where Kinsey´s room was and if Tyler didn´t know what the key could do, how could she? Behind the bathroom door, next to the shower was a toolbox. You quickly started searching, and somehow, luck was on your side; you found a rope.

“Okay, Y/n, calm down, you can do this.” You tried to calm yourself down, as you took off your shoes and tied the one end around your waist and the other against the heater. Then you sat down at the edge of the tub, your feet dangling in the water. Taking a last deep breath, you let yourself fall into the water. Within the first second, you lost track. It felt like a strong undertow, that pulled you deeper in. Then finally, you were able to see again. And what stunned you, was even hard to put in words…

A beautiful underwater landscape with corals and the soft movement of seaweed. A few fish swam in the back, their scales reflecting in a light coming from above. The corals that were spread across the stone slopes were in pastel colors, while some animals made their way through the labyrinth. The water had a comfortable temperature and reminded you of the ocean close to the equator; warm and turquoise. You didn´t know where the light was coming from, were you in the ocean? But then something even weirder hit you; you could see everything crystal clear. It wasn´t like the times when you were a child in the pool and pretended to be a mermaid, you could actually see underwater. Out of reflex, a gasp escaped from your mouth, and while you watched the air bubbles float up; it hit you once again. You could breath. It all felt like a fairytale and you were the little mermaid.

Then, a little more away, you made out a figure. You could breath, but when wanting to call out Tyler´s name, only bubbles came out of your mouth. You glanced back, following the rope with your eyes. It ended in a dark hole within a stone slope, looking like a cave. Carefully you pulled, checking how much rope you had left. Beginning to move your body, you started swimming towards Tyler. Just like you, he floated in the middle of the breath-taking scenery, not realizing how you came closer. Not completely planning your plan of approaching, you arrived with way too much speed. Not wanting to miss him however, you grabbed his shoulder and the two of your started spinning. Surprised to see you, Tyler grinned widely. The hug was first slightly awkward, but then, when the spinning slowed down and your arms remained on his shoulders, you both couldn´t help but just smile at each other. Tyler noticed the rope around your waist, in which you were both now tangled up. Tyler´s smile faded when he looked towards the cave, where the two of you had come from. You nodded sadly. It was safer to leave for now. Still admiring the landscape, which seemed like sculpted by Poseidon himself, you followed the trail. First, Tyler swam through the cave, and after waiting a few seconds, you followed.

The pull you had felt previously, made you end up in the bathtub again. Gasping now for air, you found yourself in Tyler´s arms. He sat in the bathtub, back against the tub and the rope still tangled around the two of you. The floor of the bathtub had suddenly appeared again, only the water that was filled before, was still there. Your face was only inches away from Tyler´s, you both starred at each other, not believing what just happened.

“If you could only see how wonderful you look right now”, Tyler breathed. 

In that night had happened so much, it ended with you leaning for and kissing Tyler. You remembered how Tyler kissed you back, how you dried off and he lending you a sweater from him. You remembered not driving back, instead sleeping cuddled together with Tyler, your hair still smelling like ocean water. And when you woke up the next morning, it all seemed like a dream. But Tyler was still next to you, the key around his neck.

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tags: @hahaboop @ delicatetriumphkitty 

[quicksilversquared]

The Substitute Ladybug: Chapter 7

After Lila takes things too far and Marinette ends up with a broken leg, Paris is going to have to deal with a different superhero arrangement for a bit. Having to share her superhero identity with her parents before Hawkmoth can be defeated isn’t something that Marinette had planned on doing, but- well, it might end up being a bit of a blessing in disguise.

links in the reblog

Three and a half weeks into her time on crutches, an akuma attack struck when Marinette was halfway across Paris, in the middle of a crowd and with nowhere she could go to transform and then Portal her way back to her bedroom.

She shouldn't have accepted Alya's invitation to go out with her and the other girls for ice cream, but Marinette had just been so tired of not being able to go on outings because her crutches made things difficult. Besides, her physical therapist had encouraged the exercise, because otherwise she was going to lose a lot of muscle tone. So Marinette went, and- well, things had gone relatively well. They couldn't walk and eat their ice cream like usual, but it was fun to get to hang out with her friends outside of school.

And then the akuma showed up, and how was Marinette supposed to safely navigate the fleeing crowds and the akuma's zapping power on crutches? It was impossible, there were no stores nearby that weren't already packed with people, and if she didn't get injured in the stampede- well, then she'd end up as an akuma's zombie, wouldn't she?

Marinette didn't want that to happen. It didn't sound fun, obviously, and also- well, as much as she trusted her mom and Chat Noir, Marinette liked being in control. She liked being involved with the attack and the plan. Part of it was just that she was used to it, as Ladybug, but part...

Well, no one really liked feeling like they were at the mercy of an akuma attack, did they? There had been people who had left Paris and good jobs because they hated it so much.

Regardless of how pointless it was, Marinette propelled herself as fast as she could on her crutches. There was always the off chance that there would be a spot where she could duck in and transform, even if it wasn't likely. Her breath was coming in pants as she pushed herself along, and Marinette gritted her teeth as she got jostled by a couple fleeing people. One particularly hard hit sent her stumbling, cringing as weight landed on her broken leg. With a cry, Marinette fell to the pavement. Behind her, she could hear the akuma's cackling growing closer.

There was no way out now. No way, no way-

And suddenly, Marinette found herself in the air.

"Gotcha, Princess," Chat Noir said cheerfully, leaping over another building. "Unfortunately I couldn't grab your crutches, but with any luck, maybe the Cure will get them back to you. If not, this cat can play fetch."

"Are you sure you're not part-dog?" Marinette teased, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Chat Noir sent her a frankly offended look before grinning.

"You know that some cats fetch, right? Maybe I'm just that kind."

"Ha ha," Marinette deadpanned, then had to resist the urge to hold on tighter during a slightly harder landing. As much as she hated to admit it- she was a superhero, darn it, and even if she wasn't transformed, she had been carried like this before- having one leg not at 100% made her feel a lot less secure. "Thanks for the save, by the way. I've been lucky enough before to not be out in public when akumas hit."

"It probably helps that there's been fewer attacks, huh?" Chat Noir adjusted his path suddenly, and Marinette looked away from him and out across the rooftops. Several blocks away, she could see Coccinelle approaching. "This'll just take a minute. I want to check in with Coccinelle so that she knows that I'll be running a few minutes late."

Marinette could only nod before Chat Noir was off again, racing across the rooftops. Coccinelle had spotted him coming and paused on a rooftop, watching curiously as they approached. As soon as she recognized Marinette in Chat Noir's arms, her eyebrows crawled into her hairline.

"I'm bringing Marinette back home," Chat Noir told Coccinelle, lifting Marinette slightly as if to show her off. "She was in the crowds near the akuma, and- well, they weren't being very careful if they just knocked over someone on crutches. I just want to make sure that she's safe before I go out."

"Good idea," Coccinelle agreed after a pause. "I'll- well, I might drop into an alleyway for a few minutes and try to get an eye on the situation like Vipera does, with tapping into security cameras. She's not online yet, so it might help to get a jumpstart on the situation."

Chat Noir tensed up, frowning. "I hope she's okay. We have a mind-control akuma on our hands this time, and if she's been hit..."

"I have a feeling that she's fine." Coccinelle's smile got a little wider. "Now, we should probably hurry, dear."

"Right!" Chat Noir straightened, making Marinette yelp as she was jostled. "Sorry, sorry- okay, I'll be right back! Hold on, Marinette!"

With that, they were off again. It took no time at all to reach Marinette's balcony, but much to her surprise, Chat Noir didn't just put her down there. Instead, he carried her inside, all the way down to the kitchen, before settling her down on the couch carefully.

"Stay safe," Chat Noir instructed sternly, glancing around as if to make sure that nothing was going to jump at her from behind the cupboards before patting her shoulder and stepping back. "I'll stop by later to make sure that you get your crutches back, okay?"

Marinette nodded, and Chat Noir was off like a shot.

"Helpful boy," Sass commented, floating out of Marinette's purse at last. "It's convenient that he grabbed you! There was no way that you would have dodged the akuma otherwise."

"Yeah," Marinette agreed. Her heart was still racing because of that. She took a deep breath- being all pumped up on adrenaline and buzzy wasn't going to work very well with the Snake- and let it out slowly, then nodded to herself. "Okay. Sass, transform me!"

  "I almost had a heart attack when I saw that the akuma was over where I knew you and the girls were getting ice cream," Mrs. Cheng told Marinette once the battle had finished and she had returned to the house. "I mean, I'm sure that Chat Noir and I could have managed, but it's just that we've gotten so used to you helping out and being our failsafe that the prospect of having to go without just felt unsafe." She sent a sly smile in Marinette's direction. "That was nice of Chat Noir to bring you home, though, wasn't it? He really went out of his way for it."

Marinette tried (and failed, probably) not to turn red at the teasing hint in her mom's voice. "I was really glad when he showed up. Someone had knocked me over when they were running away from the akuma. I was a bit worried that I would get trampled, and I bet he was, too. That's why he grabbed me."

Mrs. Cheng was smiling. "And carried you across the city... and to our house... and down to the living room..."

Marinette didn't have an answer for that. Usually when she and Chat Noir saved civilians- which wasn't regularly, by now they figured that most people knew to get out of the way on their own or knew the risks of staying close by and besides, they had to focus on the akuma and trying to save everyone individually was impractical- it was because the person in question was getting targeted specifically and they didn't usually go further than they needed to. Her mom was right- going to such measures to help what appeared to be a random civilian was a little odd.

But she was on crutches, and- well, she wasn't exactly random, was she? Even if she ignored the whole Ladybug and Guardian thing, Marinette had interacted with Chat Noir before. She had helped out with Evillustrator, and then there was the whole brunch fiasco. He had saved her when her grandma turned into Befana. He knew her on a more personal level, and that combined with seeing her struggling on her crutches (which hadn't been returned by the Miraculous Cure, unfortunately) had probably been enough to warrant the Gold Star treatment.

"That close call didn't seem to throw you off at all, though," Mrs. Cheng commented after a minute. She poured herself a cup of tea, giving it a gentle swirl before trying a sip. "I was worried that it might, but that was a very smooth fight. It helped that there was just an akuma, of course, and not the full supervillain force, but it still went quite well. I think Chat Noir is enjoying being able to hang around a little at the end of the attacks." She sent a smile Marinette's way. "Not that he won't enjoy having you back more, of course. He keeps asking how much longer you're going to be on crutches and then pouting when the answer isn't oh, she'll be back tomorrow."

Marinette had to smile at that. That sounded very much like Chat Noir.

"Sometime he acts like it's been a year since he had seen or heard from you last," her mom added with a small laugh. "Instead of just under a month since he's seen you in person. The way he carries on sometime, you would think that it's been absolutely forever."

"It feels like forever!" Marinette complained, slumping in her seat. "I knew when I got the cast put on that it would be a while before I could do things normally again, but this is ridiculous. I just want to get back out and running around again."

"You have to be patient, or you could run the risk of re-injuring yourself," Mrs. Cheng reminded her. She smiled. "Chat Noir and I are getting along fine. And I'll even have him turned into a perfect gentleman by the time you're returned."

Marinette's frown deepened and she straightened abruptly, giving her mom a dismayed look. "Wait, what do you mean, turning him into a gentleman? Chat Noir is great already! I don't need him to be opening doors for me, or carrying my things, or- or-"

"No- oh, that came out wrong," Mrs. Cheng exclaimed. "And maybe gentleman is the wrong thing to call it. It comes with behavior implications, I suppose. It's just- well, it's just like when you were younger and acted up sometimes, and I would talk to you about it. Or about any concerns I had, really, it didn't have to be just misbehaving."

Marinette sighed and drooped again. "Oh. You're mothering him."

"You say that like it's a bad thing!" Mrs. Cheng protested. "Or like he doesn't like it. He appreciates it, he really does."

Marinette hummed, not entirely convinced. Chat Noir was a teenage boy, and what teenage boy appreciated being told off or talked to about the stuff they were doing by someone who wasn't even their parent? None of them, probably. It was one thing to give him advice when he asked for it, but parental scolding was completely different.

If that was what was going on, that was. Though Marinette really couldn't think of what her mom could possibly be scolding Chat Noir about. Their battles were short and focused all the time now- with Vipera giving out all of the instructions, battle time banter had been cut down to a minimum so that they didn't get distracted- and there really wasn't anything that could go that wrong during their twice-a-week patrols.

Maybe- maybe it was all Chat Noir asking questions and her mom just wasn't communicating that very well?

"I promise, I'm not trying to change who he is at heart," Mrs. Cheng promised. "I'm not trying to make him act in a really specific way or anything. I wouldn't do that."

Marinette nodded at last, deciding to take her mom at her word, at least for now. Maybe she could call up Chat Noir some other time as Vipera and make sure that Coccinelle wasn't stepping over any lines, but that could wait for a bit.

On the counter, her mom's phone buzzed with a message. Mrs. Cheng picked it up, then made a slight face. "Ah, Tom wants some help with prepping dough for tomorrow. Will you be all right up here?" She glanced over at Marinette, her frown deepening when she noticed the lack of crutches. "Except you don't have your crutches- did they get left near the akuma site? I don't want you to be stranded in one place because you can't get around." Mrs. Cheng glanced from her phone to the clock to Marinette, concern growing on her face. "I want to go get them now, but..."

"Chat Noir said that he would bring my crutches back after the battle," Marinette assured her hastily. "If the Cure didn't bring them back, that is. So I bet that he's recharging and then he'll bring them over. I'll be fine."

"And if Marinette wants to move, she can just transform," Sass piped up from where he was munching on a small snack on the table. "I can add a pair of crutches to the transformation and she can just use those! We'd just have to be careful to not still be transformed when Chat Noir comes over."

Mrs. Cheng laughed at that, then covered her mouth. "Oh, I shouldn't find that funny, because I know that you've said that you aren't ready to do a reveal yet, but I was just imagining the look on Chat Noir's face if he came over with Marinette's crutches, only to find Vipera in our living room and figure out that he had, by complete chance, saved Ladybug from the akuma. You'd be able to knock him over with a feather, I just know it."

Marinette grinned at the mental image. As much as they weren't ready for a reveal- yeah, it would be a pretty funny reaction. "I think I'll leave the transformation option for a last resort, if I need to use the bathroom or something. Otherwise, I can just wait for Chat Noir to come. Unless something comes up, I doubt that he'll take long."

"If you're sure." Mrs. Cheng glanced around, making sure that she hadn't forgotten anything, and then with one last smile, headed back down to the bakery. Marinette settled herself on the couch, picking up her phone as she did. It was flashing with messages, and she opened them to find Alya and her other friends being super worried about where she had gone. She shot back a quick message assuring them that she was safe and Chat Noir had brought her home so that she would be out of harm's way- hopefully they wouldn't read into that and decide that Chat Noir had a crush on her or something ridiculous like that- and then flipped through her phone some more, idly browsing the Ladyblog and the superheroes' tag online. Once again, people were praising Coccinelle and Chat Noir for the short fight, gushing over their teamwork. Marinette wrinkled her nose when she spotted a couple comments about how 'clearly Coccinelle and Chat Noir make a better team', but she wasn't going to let it bother her, not anymore.

It was only going to be a couple weeks more before they made an announcement that would shed a little- but hopefully not too much- light on how much Ladybug was helping behind the scenes. They would see what the people dissing the normal superhero partnership thought about it then.

Only a minute later, there was a soft thump from upstairs. Marinette put her phone away, glancing upwards, and Sass quickly vanished under the counter before the trapdoor opened and Chat Noir appeared. He had her crutches tucked neatly under one arm as he trotted down the stairs and directly to her.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting long," Chat Noir told her, presenting her crutches grandly before leaning them up against the side of the couch, well within her reach. "And that even if the Cure didn't bring your crutches back, it at least dealt with whatever bruising you might have gotten from getting knocked over."

"It did," Marinette assured him hastily. "It was hurting, but the Cure came by and fixed me right back up. Or back to where I had been, at least."

"Yeah, it's unfortunate that it can't heal your leg entirely. At least I'm assuming it can't, at least." Chat Noir stepped closer, seeming to hesitate for a moment before taking a seat on the couch next to her. "Is there anything else I can do to help? I can do something while I'm here, if you need. If there's anything from your room- I'm assuming that you're sleeping somewhere else? It looked a bit more unused that I'm used to."

Marinette couldn't help but smile. This was classic Chat Noir, always helpful. Though- well, that than I'm used to was a bit odd, wasn't it? He had only been in her room a couple times, and mostly when there were akumas to focus on. Noticing that it wasn't getting used was normal enough- after all, all of her bedding was gone- but surely he hadn't actually remembered her room well enough from those few times to be used to what it looked like. "That's sweet of you to offer, but I think I'm good. And yeah, my parents have a guest room that I'm using, so that I wouldn't have to deal with two more flights of stairs."

"That's nice that you have that option," Chat Noir commented. "Crutches and stairs- yeah, it's not the best combination, is it?"

"Oh, not at all." Marinette made a face. She had been trying to learn how to go up stairs on her crutches- short flights only, and only when she didn't have another option- but it was hard. There were just too many moving parts, and too many things that could snag on the stairs and too many shifts in balance to keep track of. "I'm lucky that we got to have stair lifts put in the house. If I had to be restricted to just one level unless someone else was around to move me up and down the stairs, or if I had to just, like, sit on the stairs to go up or down..."

It wouldn't be any fun at all, and the whole six weeks on crutches would drag out even more than it already was. And considering that she still had two and a half weeks to go...

Well, it really would feel like eternity then. She would probably end up abusing the Horse's powers just a little bit, just to be able to not have to always be on the same floor.

"Ooh, yeah, having everything on one floor would be a lot better," Chat Noir agreed. "Which your place...does not. At all."

That was an understatement.

"Anyway, I guess if you're all set... I should probably go." Chat Noir glanced around, then got up. "See you around?"

Marinette glanced up at him. Chat Noir was acting twitchy, like he did on evenings when rain threatened to cancel their patrols but he really didn't want to go home. She had never asked why, but it was easy enough to guess that he was probably pretty ignored and lonely. She was ahead on her schoolwork, so it wasn't like there was anything that she needed to be doing right now. "Actually... would you like to play a couple rounds of Mecha Strike before you go?"

The way Chat Noir perked up was all the answer she needed.

  It ended up being way more than 'a couple rounds' before Chat Noir finally noticed the time and took off, hastily thanking Marinette for the game before he fled out the kitchen balcony. Marinette giggled as she watched him go, frantically pumping his arms and legs as though that was going to help him go any faster.

"I should check and see if Mama and Papa need any help," Marinette told Sass once Chat Noir had jumped out of view. She pushed herself up, reaching for her crutches. "They don't normally take this long to do next-day dough prep. I wonder if something broke?"

"It would be nice to be able to move around a little," Sass agreed, flying over to perch on Marinette's shoulder. "I know you didn't mean to, but you've been sitting a lot today. It's probably a good idea to get up."

"I've not been sitting any more than I normally would on a school day!" Marinette protested, but she could see where Sass was making a point. She had been sitting pretty much since Chat Noir snatched her off of the ground, hours earlier, and at school she was at least getting up between classes and moving around for a few minutes.

It didn't take long for Marinette to hop her way over to her chair lift and start downstairs. Her parents were nowhere to be seen in the front of the bakery- which made sense, since it was closed for the day and most of their equipment was in back anyway- so Marinette headed for the main kitchens instead, starting to push open the kitchen door and then pausing when she heard her name mentioned.

"- so I just want to make sure that Chat Noir knows how to pick up on it and figure out what he can do."

"Has he responded well to it?" Mr. Dupain asked over the clatter of dishes dropping into the sink. "Can you tell?"

"Of course he has, he only wants to be able to help her. And he hadn't realized how much different the levels of stress are, literally all the time. He's picked up when it's gotten really bad, of course, but not realized that it's a constant thing." Mrs. Cheng paused, and Marinette could hear the sound of dough being kneaded against the table. "So I've been working with him on patrols to pick up on more subtle signs of stress and to be able to recognize when it's a good time to joke around and when it would just be an unwelcome distraction, and how to differentiate playful flirting and pushing boundaries. He's been lovely about it. He hadn't realized- it's poor teaching from his parents rearing its head up again."

"I mean, it's a best case scenario, isn't it?" Mr. Dupain turned on the dishwasher, raising his voice a bit to be heard over the rush of water. "He just didn't realize, instead of being at least partially aware and not bothering to adjust what he was doing."

"Exactly. He's a sweet boy, and while it may take a little for him to really learn how to recognize the more hidden signs of stress, he's willing to learn." There was a smile in Mrs. Cheng's voice. "And he's been asking for ideas on how to help out to keep stress from becoming an issue and coming up with his own ideas to run by me. We've definitely talked about how he can help out more, and brainstormed ways for him to take on a bit more responsibility, both during battles and outside of them. It's- well, it's a little difficult to start implementing right away, of course, since Vipera changes battles so much, but we can talk over scenarios during patrols."

"The only problem with that, of course, is that he's not getting in practice with his changed behavior, so it might be really easy for him to fall back into old habits once Ladybug returns," Mr. Dupain commented. There was the hum of another machine now, and Marinette recognized it as the dough roller. They were working on croissants now, probably, which meant that they were really behind schedule. "But then he should hopefully just need a reminder or two to realize when he's slipped. The problem, I think, would just be the question of how to remind him, since he can't know who we are." A pause. "Or who you are, more specifically. Since he's only really met me the once."

"I'm sure I could figure something out. And- Tom, the roller is freezing up again. I really think we need to call for someone to come in and look at it first thing tomorrow morning, we can't be babysitting it all the time to get it to work."

"Of course! And- hmm. Can you unplug the machine? I'll just finish up this batch by hand."

Marinette carefully closed the door silently as the topic of conversation shifted back to regular bakery business, then pivoted herself around to head back upstairs. She couldn't exactly be of any help with the croissants- Marinette didn't know enough about the machines to be able to pick out any problems and fix them, and actually rolling out the dough took a lot of arm strength and weight. Her parents probably didn't want her eavesdropping anyway, and she could maybe start on some dinner prep while they wrestled the last of the Sunday evening preparations together.

"So that's what your mom meant when she was talking about making Chat Noir a gentleman," Sass commented as Marinette's chair lift hummed back up the stairs again. "That's not bad, is it? She's working to help improve your teamwork."

Marinette nodded, ducking her head to hide her smile. "Yeah. It's really nice."

"And it's helping you two move closer to being able to do a reveal!" Tikki piped up, appearing in front of Marinette and making her jump enough that she very nearly toppled out of the lift. "Which is very good!"

"You- you can't just pop out of nowhere like that, Tikki!" Marinette exclaimed, one hand pressed to her chest and the other clutching the lift's armrest tight enough that her knuckles turned white. "You scared me!"

Tikki giggled. "Sorry! But I sensed you listening in, and I wanted to come check in on you and make sure that you weren't seeing your mom as interfering when she's really helping."

"I know she's helping, it's really nice that she's talking to him about that stuff- wait!" Marinette cut herself off, the other part of what Tikki had said sinking in. She frowned. "I thought that we couldn't do a reveal unless something went wrong or Hawkmoth got defeated, Tikki! It's what you've drilled into my head from the start. And what- what about the consequences? Last time Chat Noir knew who I was- well, Chat Blanc happened, didn't it?"

"There are consequences if you reveal too soon and aren't ready for it," Tikki corrected her, floating down to land on her lap. "And while there are dangers no matter what when more people know your identity... well, if you know each other outside of the mask, then you can support each other all the time. You can know where the other person is when an akuma attacks. You can talk about Guardian information in a place that isn't open rooftops. But reveals do change things, and that's why we always start off recommending that you keep your identity secret!"

"Change things how-" Marinette started, and then paused, frowning. "Actually, I think I know what you mean. It could throw off the dynamic, and- well, we don't exactly have the time or the wriggle room to fix our dynamic if we really screw it up, not with Hawkmoth hovering around the corner all the time."

Tikki nodded proudly. "Exactly! You've always known each other as superheroes, and that shapes your perception, even if you know that under that mask, there's a normal civilian like you. But once the masks come off and you get to know each other as civilians- well, depending on if you know them and how well, your perception of what they're able to do might change. Even though you know better! But if you two are ready for a reveal- well, the concerns don't vanish, but they do go down a bit. Like, instead of taking twenty fights to get your perceptions back to pretty much where they had been, it'll just take two, and it shouldn't start out as bad."

"So even though we haven't been seeing each other in person, we're getting closer?" Marinette checked. "That- I mean, I understand how that's happening, it just seems counterintuitive."

Tikki nodded. "I'm not surprised! But sometimes you need to shake up the status quo for maturation to really get going again, and this whole situation- no matter how unfortunate it's been- has forced both of you out of your comfort zones. You've had to adjust to different roles within your team, and now you have another long-term team member, one who is bringing different life experience to your team. Having your parents knowing about you means that you can go to them for advice, instead of muddling through strictly on your own. Not that muddling is bad!" Tikki added hastily. "It's a good thing, to a point. Being able to be independent and solve your own problems is great, but it's also nice to talk to others and see how they might have approached it. Sometimes it turns out that your own approach was better, for whatever reason- maybe because you know your relationship with Chat Noir better, or there were other factors that your parents don't know about but you do, whether consciously or not- but sometimes talking it over can give you more ideas for in the future."

"Right," Marinette said at once. That was easy enough to understand, actually. She had done something similar before, going through comments on the Ladyblog when she had the time and reading over what some of the commenters thought that she and Chat Noir should have done instead to see if there was anything that she hadn't thought of any might be able to incorporate in the future. Most were fairly useless as far as suggestions went, or completely impractical, but occasionally there was a useful comment.

(Unsurprisingly enough, those kinds of comments were usually framed less as 'they should have done thing x' and more as 'I wonder if thing x would have worked?' instead.)

"But that applies for both battle things and personal things," Tikki added. "And then- well, your relationship can grow that way. And you two will have to do most of the work. But I think that this is going to help a lot! Most teenaged holders take years to really grow to fit together seamlessly enough that they would be able to do a reveal in these conditions."

"Tikki!" Mrs. Cheng called up the stairs. "Would you mind flying into the machine for a moment? Tom thinks he's found the jam, we just can't see for sure."

"Coming!" Tikki called, then turned back to Marinette. "Don't be worried about the reveal, Marinette, or try to force yourself into growth early. I just wanted to let you know about it with plenty of time so that you have some time to adjust to the idea before it become reality."

With that, she zipped off. Marinette watched her go for a moment, then pushed herself to her feet to head to the next leg of the lift.

She hadn't really given much thought to a reveal with her partner, ever since she had revealed to her parents. The emergency had been dealt with, and so it meant that things could continue as usual with her relationship with her partner- or as close to usual as they could get until she could return to the battlefield, at least. They had always planned on doing a reveal if they could after Hawkmoth had been dealt with, but that- well, it seemed like a years away sort of thing. Not because they thought that they couldn't beat him now, just...

Well, sometimes it felt like they were running in place, struggling to keep up with the new things that Hawkmoth threw at them and the losses of their allies.

But now Tikki was saying that it might happen sooner. That they might not have to wait. That sometime in the not-so-distant future, she and Chat Noir might be able to know each other outside of the masks, and not have it have the terrible repercussions that she so feared. That it could help her get more support- and help her support Chat Noir- instead.

As far as silver linings for bad situations went... well, that was pretty good.