#so both Q and I were under the impression we would be getting help fixing the place

[quins-makeshift-menagerie]

Brb gotta just yell into the void

[fabricated-misslieness]

Hey, can you do a Dazai x Port Mafia Executive Male Reader. Where reader is Dazai former partner before he gets replace by Chuuya and instead of Chuuya coming for Q and fighting Lovecraft its reader instead. Readers ability is like Shigaraki from bnha.

Dazai Osamu x sadistic!male reader

Ngl I was a little confused cause the last time I watched bsd was months ago.

Also made the reader sadistic because yes. i forgot the reason

Part 2

Requested: Yes

Word Count: 3859

Warnings: Mentions of suicide (Dazai stuff ofc), angsty boi

“You want me to pair up with this rookie?” You gesture in the vague direction of Dazai. You know he’s there, but you don’t act like it.

Dazai huffs, offended by your words. He crosses his arms. You weren’t giving him the best impression and if you were going to be partners, he at least had to tolerate you enough to keep his head on his shoulders.

“Now, now,” Mori chides with a sweet tone. You don’t trust the guy, he may act kind, but you’re sure he hides something with that kindness. “He’s already a port mafia executive.” You roll your eyes, he was only one of them because he witnessed the old boss handing down his title ‘willingly’. You seriously doubted he did do it willingly, seeing as it was a mere few minutes before his death. That sort of coincidence belongs to a movie.

“Like I don’t know that.” You shake your head. “Fine, fine, I’ll be his partner. I only want to know what he can do. He has an ability, doesn’t he?”

You finally acknowledge his presence, turning to him and sizing him up. Dazai is flustered by the gesture, but he pretends to act calm and collected, something that works with that young poker face of his.

“Yes--” Mori is interrupted by the executive himself, who is eager to show off.

“Yes, I do.” Dazai replies, uncrossing his arms. “But what’s yours?”

You furrow your eyebrows. Abilities are wide and unique, ranging from psychological to physical to straight magic. Knowing your ability could be a part of his ability. You were to work together so he’d know either way, but at the moment, you wanted to know his weaknesses.

“That’s valuable information.” You crack your knuckles and stretch, pretending to prepare for a fight.

“No fighting in my office.” Mori reminds you. “Or the building, for that matter. One of your abilities is particularly destructive, and we don’t know what you could do. Go to the training area if you’re going to fight.”

You give both of them a smirk, “Who says I was going to fight? I was merely enjoying the look in Dazai’s eye.”

Dazai frowned, quickly fixing his composure. It’s true, he was a little intimidated and he did not mean to let it show.

“You’re quite sadistic, aren’t you?” Mori chuckles, shaking his head.

“That’s one thing right about me, boss.” You smile brightly. Dazai furrows his eyebrows and examines you. That smile of yours is sickeningly sweet, almost mocking. You look like a monster, but maybe that was part of your act. He’d know your ability in no time.

“Well, as partners you do have to know each other’s abilities. I picked Dazai specifically for you.” That gave each of them a hint to each other’s abilities, more to Dazai than anything.

You nod letting out a sigh, “Do you have anything you don’t want, Mori?”

Dazai quirks an eyebrow, interested in the peculiar question. Mori nods, nudging forward a tongue depressor, those big wooden popsicle sticks, one he could very well spare.

You pick up with all but one finger, your middle finger, holding it up for both of them to see. “Do you have anything for the debris?” Mori slides a metal tray towards the edge of the table.

“Pay close attention, Dazai.” You give him a glance before looking back at the stick, putting your final finger on it. It disintegrates in a matter of seconds, turning into pieces so small that they look like ash. “What’s yours?” You turn to him.

Dazai seems to shrink under your gaze, but he keeps a stoic look. “Put your hand on my arm.” You raise an eyebrow. Does he wish to experiment with your ability or is it part of his?

You put your hand on his arm, once again with all but one finger. You don’t trust him, that much is clear.

“Trust me.” The look he gives you is genuine, albeit the smile is devilish, though you oblige all the same.

Your eyebrows furrow when your ability has no effect. The skin doesn’t disintegrate, nor does it fall apart as usual. “That is my ability, No Longer Human.”

“And that is why I paired you two up.”

You huff a little angrily once you realize. His ability stops other abilities, what triggered it you didn’t know, but that wasn’t the most important thing for you. He paired you two up to have him be your control. You don’t need anyone to control you and you don’t want anyone to control you. You want to do you and you do not want this boy to hold you back.

You open your mouth to protest but Mori interrupts you. “This is my decision and mine alone, you cannot say otherwise.” As much as you want to mess up his pretty face, you couldn’t disobey the boss.

“Fine.”

As time grew on, Dazai had become a friend, though sometimes he felt like more than a friend. Despite your early refusal to the idea, you’d really warmed up to each other.

Dazai, the young bastard, was also quite the prick at times. Though you couldn’t really complain about his age since it turns out you’re within the same age range. While he was a prick, he was also caring, as you’d come to learn.

Sometimes he’d hold your forearm when you were touching something, even though over the years you’d built up the habit to not use your middle finger. Every time he did so you would laugh and it would somewhat fluster you, you’d tell him you didn’t need it and without fail he would say “Just in case.” It was nice to know he cared, and the other little gestures he would perform were even nicer.

You were known for being a little sadistic, taking joy from inflicting pain for no reason. When he’d hold you back from attacking some random lackey at the time it would make you angry, but a few minutes later you’d be grateful for it. After all, that lackey wouldn’t be very useful with an injury.

Though sometimes even he couldn’t hold you back. When you’d start a fight with another executive just for your enjoyment, he was quick to be there and keep you in touch. Perhaps you did need control after all.

The other executives were rather thankful for Dazai, as you chose someone to pick on every week. Something you hated about Dazai was that he was immune to your mockery. He got used to it from your partnership and he couldn’t be hurt by your ability. But you supposed it was for the better, the other executives were starting to get really annoyed by you.

Except everything changed when Nakahara came along.

Although your partnership was relatively new, you found comfort in each other’s companies. You protected each other’s weaknesses and complemented each other’s strengths; so when the news came along that Chūya would replace you as Dazai’s partner, both of you were a little ticked off, per say.

Dazai’s first impression on the newer rookie didn’t help their relationship. Chūya annoyed him to the very ends of the Earth and he did not want him to replace you. It wasn’t just Chūya either, he’d grown very fond of you. Sometimes he couldn’t even fight without you; He was used to you being there to back him up, though this detail he would not tell you.

In time, you didn’t look like the monster he’d thought you were in his first impression of you. You actually looked sweet.

Your smile, which for everybody else would be sadistic, turned out to look more endearing to him. Everybody caught onto the fact that the smiles you’d directed at him weren’t the smiles he’d show others. Somehow you hadn’t realized it, but he had.

You’d grown to like him, dare say crush on him, which was something you denied. His triumphant smile after the end of a mission and the jokes he’d make as you fought were always the highlight of your day.

None of you wanted to give up the other.

“This is his decision and his alone, we cannot say otherwise.” You mocked, making Dazai snicker. The fact he used the same words was quite ironic, really. 

Tomorrow marked Chūya and his first mission together, so you’d dedicated this day to each other. Dazai did not look forward to tomorrow, and as much as he wanted to vent to you about Chūya’s very abundant annoying qualities, you’d both promised not to talk about it.

The news of your separation had made both of you realize your growing crushes for each other. You were no longer in denial, though you loathed the idea… but when you really thought about it, you didn’t loathe the idea. Musing to yourself about hugging him, playing with his hair… thinking about the fact that you did in fact like it made you gag.

As the night neared to an end, your guts told you to tell him. You wouldn’t see each other all that often anyway and if you were never to interact much, at least you would be getting this off your chest.

“Dazai.” You both stared out the window of the HQ, prior to you speaking up you were in an awkward silence. None of you wanted to say goodbye.

He turned to you and you to him. As much as you wanted to avoid eye contact, you thought it might help. “I like you… don’t joke with me.”

Dazai was going to make a joke. It was amazing how much you got to know him in so little time. He smiled, and your hopes raised when you took notice of how it wasn’t pitiful. “I like you too.”

You immediately let go of the breath you didn’t know you were holding.

“Where’s the big sadistic lion?” Dazai questions, playfully mocking how meek you are right now. His smile seems more joyful than usual, as it should with what just happened.

You snicker, giving him the sadistic smile he’s used to. “I’m right here.”

Dazai was your anchor in the Port Mafia, even when he plead for double suicide with you. Before you were partnered up, you absolutely despised the place. The other executives and the occasional lackeys were fun to provoke but it was almost as if that was your coping mechanism. You often complained about how awful the Mafia was handled with the previous boss, but he would never change anything. He was an idiot up until his very death.

You thought Mori’s recent ‘crowning’ would change your opinion, but it didn’t change it at all. You still hated the place. It was almost as if their only objective was to keep their hands on Yokohama. You wanted more than that, you wanted the whole of Japan to be your turf.

Mori didn’t want that and while he would take the opportunity once presented, he wouldn’t do a thing otherwise. He was perfectly happy with that and you weren’t.

Dazai was the only reason you stayed, but now the reason had been diminishing. You barely spoke and barely hung out. This wasn’t what ‘dating’ was and both of you knew it.

He wanted to try harder and so did you, but with your current situation, you couldn’t. When he wasn’t with Chūya, you were out on a mission. No, you weren’t jealous. This wasn’t Chūya’s fault nor was it something either of you could control. There were various times you debated on breaking up.

Dazai was the only thing holding you back from leaving, so if you broke up you didn’t have to worry about him. But you liked him and both of you would be heartbroken. You never liked thinking about it, but someday, it had to be addressed. That day never came.

The final day you were with the Port Mafia was the day that you had a brush with death.

You’d called for backup, you’d received none. The henchmen you were commanding left like cowards. To think these were the people you’d trained.

One of your big weaknesses was fighting groups of people alone. These henchmen knew that and they’d run. Where were their morals? Where was their faith, their loyalty? Where was their honor, their pride? It was then that you’d learned the Port Mafia wasn’t your place. These people weren’t your people, this turf wasn’t your turf. They were cowards and you were no coward.

Alone and fighting recklessly, you were down. You refused to flee, and that stubbornness was what caused you to nearly die. Luckily, you never crossed death’s doorstep. The people you were fighting presumed you dead the moment you dropped to the ground.

They were fools but a fool you were too to let your emotions get the best of you.

That day somebody had found you on the brisk of death. They claimed to be a spy and they offered to get you help.

Of course, you accept without asking for conditions. You were dying, what else could you have said? The conditions turned out to be joining his organization and feeding them with information or something equally as important.

No longer would you be associated with the Port Mafia. You were glad to leave them. But your only consequence being leaving behind Dazai, the love of your life and the highlight of the day. It was a hard decision to make that was for sure, but it was either this or death.

You felt selfish.

Months after joining them, the so-called ‘Guild’, your heart ached. Leaving Dazai was your biggest mistake but joining the Guild was the best thing that had happened to you since him. For the longest time, you’d wanted to tell him. You never had the guts to. And then you left Japan to join the bigger part of the guild in North America.

In time you’d stopped thinking about Dazai.

The crew was polite, a contrast from the cold lackeys and executives from the Port Mafia. It’s a nice change, one you wish won’t ever change. But maybe the hope of a different life blinds you from how bad these people really are, their underlying motives and morals, their similarities to the Port Mafia executives.

The guild is ambitious, their leader most of all. They have a turf and the turf is way bigger than the Port Mafia’s, something you’re proud about. You certainly feel better about this place than the Port Mafia.

Your sadistic personality never changes either, and while the others are certainly annoyed by it, they handle it in a different way. They make sure you know that you can’t hurt them severely, or there’ll be repercussions. Maybe not repercussions from the Guild’s rules, but them hurting you back. It’s a nice change, one that gets your adrenaline pumping every time you pick a fight.

The only time you did think of him was in your nightmares, the middle of the night. Those nightmares consisted of him calling you a traitor, betrayer, but that wasn’t what hurt you. They played out scenarios of you telling Dazai.

He’d kiss you, hold you tight, ask you where you’d been, question the new stitches and scars… and then you’d tell him.

His face would be ridden with denial. “No. No you couldn’t have! You’re joking, you’re lying!” He laughs, tries to believe it’s a joke, but he can’t get it out of his head that it isn’t.

“It’s not.”

It’s then that he lets out a sob. He trembles, pushes you away from him, looks you in the eye with a look full of betrayal. It’s then that he calls you names, which stated before aren’t what hurts you. It’s how he looks and what he says next that hurts the most, “I thought you loved me.”

That’s when the nightmare ends. You wake up with tears of your own, they’re hot and sting on your cheeks. You furiously wipe them away, but more keep coming.

You sob loudly, which wakes up John and Lucy. They’re the only ones you’ve trusted with your secret, Dazai. They comfort you the best they can but the most they can do is tell you it’s going to be okay or something along those lines. As much as you try to believe them, you can’t.

Dazai becomes a mere figure of your past. You think of him as unreachable, unattainable, as something you should scold yourself for thinking about.

If you could’ve taken him with you, you would’ve.

Learning that you will go back to Japan because of the leader’s obsession with a ‘tiger’ almost breaks you like your ability would.

You hadn’t thought about Dazai nightmares in the past year, but now you remember him again. You begin to regret leaving him, your heart aches again and your nightmares act up again. Everything gets worse when you arrive in Japan.

War breaks out between 3 organizations but the only thing you can think of is the Port Mafia. It’d been 6 years. Could he still remember you?

You don’t care who wins, you just want this whole thing to be over with. It upsets your ‘teammates’, but you don’t care. Once again, you think about leaving the organization, maybe live a normal life. That sort of life feels far-fetched right now and you know it’s something you’ll never have the chance to achieve. But still, you hope for it.

But then you see him again.

The second your eyes land on him you want to run. His eyes land on you and they must look the same as yours.

It hurts, but you have to persevere. “Hey, Lovecraft?” You glance at the man with the strange ability and appearance. “You want to go sleep, right?” You let out a mocking yawn of your own, giving the two in front of you your signature sickly smile.

“Yes.” Lovecraft replies, voice monotone and deep as always.

“Go get John and leave, get to sleep faster.” You nod in the direction you’d seen Chūya knock John towards. Your eyes stayed on the two in front of you. They both act as if they’d never seen you before, which you’re glad for. You don’t know if you could’ve handled seeing the same look Dazai would give you in your nightmares.

“But Francis and... you.” You’d like to think you’d gotten close to Lovecraft, but really he treated everybody the same because of his ‘contract’ with Francis.

“I’ll be fine. I know these guys’ weaknesses, anyway.” He doesn’t question how you do nor does he protest further and leaves immediately. “Quite the reunion, huh?”

“(y/n)..” Chūya growls. He glares at you, something you’d never seen 6 years ago as his senior executive. He never dared to interact with you. He knew he’d be replacing you as Dazai’s partner and knew about your relationship together. If anything, it was out of pity, and that you hated.

“Chūya.” You reply. “How’s the family, the mafia, the kids?” You mock. Chūya all but seethes, he looks like he’s ready to strike.

“(y/n),” Once Lovecraft is gone, Dazai gives you the look you dreaded to see. “H-How--” He doesn’t know what to say and neither do you. Your smile fades, turns into a frown. You don’t want to fight him but you also don’t want him to take on Lovecraft. As much as you liked the guy, he was a nightmare incarnate.

“Dazai.” Is all that you say. The vague response hurts you both.

“Chūya you might want to do that here.”

Chūya looks back at Dazai, shocked and taken aback. “You want me to do that? Dazai, I don’t think that’s needed and you know how shit that makes me feel.” It’s clear he doesn’t want to give into his corruption.

“You shouldn’t underestimate him.” Dazai speaks with experience, and it hurts you to know that he knows that.

“Don’t hurt him too much, we’re dating.”

“You’re still dating?!”

“Technically we never broke up!”

You laugh, staring at the limp body next to you. Chūya is deep asleep, or knocked out, you don’t know. You never really saw the aftermath of his corruption.

“That was a nice fight.” You remark, loud enough for Dazai to hear despite how weak you feel. Chūya had basically broken both your legs and injured you, but at least he hadn’t killed you or put you into a coma. The pain was unbearable for most people, but it was a simple background thought for you.

“It’s been…” Dazai starts.

“6 years.” You finish for him.

“I missed you.” You’re glad to hear that instead of the words from your nightmares, but you’re sure those words will eventually come.

“I did too.”

“You did?”

You sigh, nodding. “There were plenty of errands I had to run around and do for Francis. That rich old guy didn’t do anything himself. I didn’t think much of you, but I never forgot you. I had my own fair share of nightmares about you, they’re all the same.”

Dazai moves you to lean against the bark of a tree. You look into each other’s eyes, and you can tell that his are pleading. “Please stay.”

You ignore his remark, weakly reaching over to feel his coat. “New coat?”

“Yes.” Dazai grumbles, sitting down next to you cross legged. “Answer me.” He pleads again.

“You don’t want to know why I left, first?” Dazai shakes his head, taking your hand in his and squeezing it, prompting a pained groan from you. He quickly apologizes for it.

“I don’t know if I can.” You sigh, rubbing the back of his hand. You were quite touch starved, seeing as you couldn't really hold or touch anything properly. “If Francis wins I’d have to stay with him. If either of you win, I’ll most likely end up in prison.”

“Join me.”

You think back to the Guild. They were inviting and you thought them to be good, but just then did you think about how bad they really were. You’d known all along but you always refused to believe it. You wanted to be there just to escape the Mafia, you never wanted to be there because it was the guild.

“What was it… the Armed Detective Agency?” He nods. “How would that stop me from going to prison?”

“I don’t know.” Dazai admits with a huff. “Just.. please stay.”

“Okay.” You smile at him. Dazai remembers that smile, it’s burned into his memory and he takes note of how it hasn’t changed a bit. He’s missed it ever since you left. “Would they accept me, though?”

“They will, they will.” He says it as if he were determined, but he knows there’s a high chance they’ll refuse.

Dazai pulls you into a much deserved kiss. Long, gentle, sweet, and full of fireworks, it’s almost like your first. The only thing is it’s a little weak on your end, but he can’t blame you.

“Not going to mention sucide?”

“I haven’t seen you in 6 years, at least let me cherish this for another 2 months.”

[h2bakugou]

hi ! could I request a fic where Kirishima and his s/o have the cutest, innocent and softest relationship to everyone in Class 1-A, but the next morning during breakfast everyone sees a big hickey on both of them (which they forgot about) so they’re trampled with questions, and maybe even Mina scolds both of them for being so careless, I hope that makes sense, I thought it would be cute and funny

a/n: hi hun! of course!!! this idea is so cute omg djkhjdsh thank you for the request hun!! 

summary: your relationship with kirishima was pretty innocent, at least to the public eye. but when the two of you emerge with hickies visible to the naked eye, you’re trampled with questions.

key: (y/n) - your name / (f/n) - first name / (l/n) - last name / (e/c) - eye color / (h/c) - hair color / (y/q) - your quirk

warnings: swearing, fluff, 16+? some spice~

wordcount: 1k

»»————-　★　————-««

»»————-　★　————-««

Your relationship with Kirishima was innocent. Anyone looking at the two of you would’ve seen that from a mile away. PDA was kept to hand-holding and hugging, of course, Kirishima wouldn’t mind sneaking in a kiss or two just to let others know that you were his if need be.

Your classmates knew firsthand just how innocent you two were, or seemed. Kirishima was nothing but kind to you, always opening the doors for you, or carrying your stuff, and you’d do the same for him if he ever gave you the chance. 

But nonetheless, your relationship with Kiri, behind closed doors, was anything but innocent.

“Kiri!” You giggled as his large, rough hands, tickled your bare sides, his hands slipped under your shirt.

“What?” He gave you a toothy grin, his fingers tickling you mercilessly. You couldn’t stop laughing and squirming underneath him. He finally eased up and bent down, pressing his lips to yours.

It was a rough kiss, needy.

His lips seemed to fight against yours, battling for dominance. His tongue slipped past your lips and into your mouth, taking you completely by surprise. A part of you wanted to laugh at the weird feeling, but your mouth was doing other things, graciously letting him explore.

When he pulled away, the two of you were breathless.

“I just wanted to see what tongue kissing was like.” Kirishima explained, a hint of red on his cheeks. You smiled and gripped his shirt collar, pulling him back down to your lips.

“Don’t explain, just do it again.” You crash your lips back onto his, taking the lead this time.

This went on for hours. You had nothing else to do. But you eventually ended up falling asleep in his arms, completely unaware of the hickey growing on your neck from his intense kisses that trailed down your neck, a few bite marks scattered here and there on the skin of your neck as well.

Kirishima’s neck wasn’t free of bruising either. You’d given him a few good hickies, marking him up as best as you could since he enjoyed doing it to you.

You didn’t think they’d be too noticeable, after all his shirt seemed to cover them just fine laying down there was no way they’d be noticeable.

When morning came, you were thankful to have the day off, not lessons, no training, just an easy day of rest. Your stomach woke you up, rumbling, and searching for food.

You could head down and get breakfast. But you woke Kirishima up first, shaking him lightly, his ruby eyes opening slowly, adjusting to the light.

“This is my favorite sight to wake up too.” He grinned at you, his pointy teeth showing. You straddled his waist, wearing one of his signature red t-shirts. As cliche as it sounded, you were pretty sure the two of you had a drawer full of each other’s clothes by now.

“Come one, I’m hungry.” You smile and begin to tickle his sides, attempting to wake him up some more. His hands grabbed at your wrists and quickly stopped you from causing any ‘harm.’

“Don’t start something you can’t finish, baby.” He smirked at you. You rolled your eyes and leaned down to press a kiss to his lips.

When you were both dressed, you had to sneak out of his dorm. Kirishima peeked carefully, letting you know the coast was clear. Of course, if anyone asked, you’d make up an excuse as to why you were in his dorm, granted it was early, but you’d make it work.

Dressed in your own clothes, you and Kiri appeared in the commons for breakfast and to greet your friends.

While you were fixing yourself a plate of what smelled so yummy, Kirishima was grabbing you and him a glass of water.

Kaminari and Mina stared at the two of you, eyes wide. 

“Are those-” Mina whispered to Kaminari.

“Hickies.” Kaminari confirmed, of course, he would know. Kaminari was quick to tell Sero and Bakugou, who made it seem way lamer than it actually was. But Bakugou was pretty impressed. You’d managed to mark up Kirishima, yet by the large marks on your neck, he assumed Kirishima had gotten his own revenge.

Mina whispered about it to the girls, and when you sat down to eat, everyone was surrounding you.

“Where did you get those marks?” Mina asked, her voice somewhat stern, like a mother’s voice counseling her child.

“What- shit.” You cursed under your breath. Your head whipped to look at Kirishima who had a toothy grin on his lips, smiling at you. Your eyes widened as you quickly whipped back around, embarrassment and fluster writing itself on your features.

“You guys made out!?”

“They left hickies, dumbass!”

“Woah, Kirishima did you bite her or something?”

“Guys, what they do privately is their business! Let’s leave them be.” Despite wanting to leave the couple alone, even Iida was slightly curious about how you're relationship seemed so innocent yet clearly here it was anything but that.

“Iida’s right! Go, shoo!” Mina shooed everyone out and took a seat in front of the couple.

“You guys are using protection right-”

“Mina!” You blushed, waving your hands to cut her off.

“We haven’t done anything like that.” Kirishima reassured Mina. Kirishima looked to you before taking your hand in his own.

“We’re being safe, no need to worry.” He smiled, grateful for the concern of his pink-haired friend.

“Good. Because I’m not becoming a babysitter.” Mina joked. You let out a nervous laugh. While what Kirishima had said was true, there was no doubt that you hadn’t thought about it once or twice.

“I just want you guys to be safe, next time, go a little lower unless you want everyone to see them.” She winked at you two before getting up and heading to where Kaminari and Bakugou sat.

“You are such a dumbass!” You teased. 

“You made these big on purpose!”You couldn’t help but smile. Kirishima was doing the same.

“They’ll go away in a few days, but what can I say, maybe I wanted everyone to know who you belong to.”

»»————-　★　————-««

masterlist

[duvetsandpillows]

Lewis Hamilton Fluffy A-Z

A = Attractive: what do they find attractive about the other?

Your voice. Your accent is the most beautiful thing in the world. He loves listening to you talk and will stay on the phone to you all night just to hear you talk and occasionally singing to yourself.

B = Baby: do they want a family? why/why not?

You had a little baby girl when you and Lewis had started dating. The father had abandonded you and you were worried that Lewis would get scared off but Lewis fell in love with her immediately and vowed to be the best father figure he could to her. You two had discussed having a baby together and found out just before your one year anniversary that you were pregnant.

C = Cuddle: how do they cuddle?

Lewis loves cuddling with you. He's such a busy man that when he has the time to cuddle he will make the most of it. He had the habit of while talking to people he would stand behind you and wrap his arms around your shoudlers, pressing the occasional kiss to the side of your head if you didn't have much to say in the conversation.

D = Dates: what are dates with them like?

Lewis likes to make dates meaninful. They aren't usually extravagant but they are always perfect to you. He loves taking you along to race weekends as much as possible and would always take you out somewhere in every country you visit. Whether it's going out to dinner or a walk across the beach with Roscoe, the two of you enjoyed spending the time you got together.

E = Everything: “you are my ____” (e.g my life, my world…)

You are my flame.

F = Feelings: when did they know they were falling in love?

After your fifth date Lewis drove you home and walked you to your door. You invited him in for a coffee and he happily accepted. The two of you were chatting on the sofa, he looked at you as you spoke about your childhood, a smile growing larger as you spoke. "What is it?" you asked placing your mug on the sidetable. "It's nothing... I just-" He took his hand in yours, placing his other hand atop of yours. "The last few weeks have been amazing and I don't think I ever want to loose you. I wanted to as you if... well if-" You put your other hand ontop of his and smiled. "Is the Lewis Hamilton nervous?" His cheeks began to turn a light shade of pink. "I would love the honour of being your girlfriend."

G = Gentle: are they gentle? If so, how?

Lewis is always gentle with you nut not too gentle. He knows you aren't made of glass and don't like being treated like a china doll. You two liked to play fight together and you've been trying to teach him some Jiu-Jitsu as you'd learnt it growing up but it usually ended up with him giving yp and insiting on you giving a million cuddles.

H = Hand/Hold: how do they like to hold? how do they like to hold hands?

Lewis liked holding your hand in public because he wants everyone to know you are his. He would always give your hand a squeeze and rub his thumb across your hand when there are large crowss of fans around. He knows you struggled a little but with all the attention and were slowly getting used to it and wanting to help you through it.

I = Impression: first impression/s

He first met you in the park. You were walking your dog  and Lewis spotted you standing under a tree as your dog ran acround the playing with a tennis ball you had brought. Roscoe bolted over to your dog, causing Lewis to smile, giving him an excuse to talk to you.

"It's like they've always known of each other." he said flashing a small smile. The two of you chatted for a while and Lewis thought you were the most interesting person he had met. When you said you had to go he made sure to get your number and a couple of days later asked you out on a date.

J = Joker: are they into pulling pranks?

You two aren't much for pranks but were always making each other laugh with jokes or messing about and being silly.

K = Kisses: how do they kiss?

Lewis always gives you the most passionate kisses. If you're in public he dials it back a little but always makes sure his kisses show you how much he loves you. When you're sad he always presses gentle kisses all over you face, it always helped calm you down and it may not fix what was happening you would know that you aren't on your own.

L = Love: who says I love you first?

Both of you. Lewis had brought you along to the Mercedes christmas party and it ended up with the two of you getting pretty drunk. When the taxi dropped you home Lewis carried you up to his apartment saying 'a princess shouldn't have to walk'. Once you took your makeup off and changed into a pair of his boxers and t-shirt you walked into the bedroom to see him sitting on the end of the bed staring at you. He reached out and pulled you towards him so you were sat in his lap. You ran your fingers through his hair as he pressed kisses up your neck until he reached your lips.

"I love you," the two of you said in sync as you pulled away before you both were in a fit of giggles.

M = Memory: their favourite moment together

You'd decided on having a home birth. After the midwife had cleaned your daughter up and passed her back to you Lewis went out the room and came back in with your older daughter. He sat the two of them on the side of the bed and placed her on his leg facing the baby.

"This is your little sister." The two of you watched as she reached out and gently held her hand, staring at her in complete adoration. You passed her over and Lewis helped your daughter hold her, making sure her nack was being supported properly. Tears began to fill your eyes as your daughter whispered 'I love you'. You two couldn't have asked for a more perfect moment.

N = Nickel: do they spoil? do they buy the person they love everything?

Lewis couldn't help but spoiling on you. It wasn't always extravagant gifts but if he would see something that reminded him of you he couldn't help but get it for you. He also couldn't help but spoil your daughters, they had the biggest wardrobes and even did a kids line for his collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger.

O = Orange: what colour reminds them of their other half?

The whole rainbow. You loved colour, your house and wardrobe was vibrant and Lewis loved it. He could look at any colour and it could remind him of you. Seeing bright green trees, a beautiful red dress or a painting of a lake would always bring his toughts back to you and you showed him how to appreciate every colour no matter how 'boring' other people find them.

P = Pet names: what pet names do they use?

Beautiful, sweetheart, my hero

Q = Quaint: what is their favourite non-modern thing?

You loved helping him design clothes. He would always come to you with first drafts and asks for your opinion. You two would sit at the table for hours until half the room is covered in sketches and bits of fabric you had picked up to try and make a prototype.

R = Rainy Day: what do they like to do on a rainy day?

You two like to go out for walks. Letting the dogs run around and play together while your daughters play in puddles. When you get home one of you will wash the dogs off while the other gives your daughters a bath. Then you'll all cuddle up on the sofa watching a movie together, eating a takeaway.  

S = Sad: how do they cheer themselves/each other up

Lewis usually comes to you fairly quickly when he's upset. You have a very level head and would always be able to find the best way to help his situation. If he's feeling down and not too sure why your daughters will give him lots of cuddles and get him to play a game with him. They were his best distraction and would remind him that no matter how tough it is right now his family is there for him and how lucky he is to have all of you.

T = Talking: what do they love to talk about?

You two talk about everything. Human rights and what's happening in the world at the moment and how you can help, race weekends, tv shows your obessed with, world politics. You two loved to have intense discussions about world issues and Lewis loved how passionate you are about them and how badly you want to help. Even when you made some questionable words to another driver whose comments royally pissed you off.

U = Unencumbered: What helps them relax?

Spending time with your daughters. After a race weekend he loved to come home and get engulfed in cuddles. he will always make sure to spend the whole evening with the three of you with no distractions. Having a teddy bear tea party, playing dress up and then winding down with a movie which usually ended up with you all falling asleep on the sofa together.

V = Vaunt: what do they like to show off? What are they proud of?

Lewis isn't one to show off anymore. He likes to keep most of his life private, expecially his daughters. He would post the occasional picture and would bring them along to race weekends but doesn't want them in the spotlight. He mostly just shows off his projects that he's been working on. he would show you off sometimes, although always making sure he has your permission first, he wants everyone to know how lucky he is to have you and how stunning and intelligent you are.

W = Wedding: when, how, where do they propose?

Lewis took all four of you away for your birthday to a small private island so you could have some privacy and enjoy your holiday. One evening you were all sat int he beach, building sandcastles. You were lying on a towel as Lewis and the girls were trying to build a sandcastle resembling the disney land castle (although it was quite wonky). Lewis called you over to come take a proper look, your eldest daughter pulling your arms to speed you up.

"Mummy look in the door we found a surprise!" You knelt down and and reached your arm in, pulling out a small box. You opened it up to reveal a small diamond ring.

"Lewis what-?" You turned around to see him on one knee, daughters either side of him, your eldest flashing the biggest smile in the world, looking as if she was about to burst.

"(Y/N) (Y/L/N) everyday you fill my life with pure joy. Every since we met you've always made sure I have a smile of my face and have always been there for me no matter what. Will you do me the honour of marrying me?" You burst into tears and nodded your head before flinging yourself at him, wrapping your arms around him tight. The two of you shared a passionate kiss and he slid the ring on your finger while your daughters were cheering in the background.  

X = Xylophone: What’s their song?

Run the World - Beyoncé

Y = You’re the ___ to my ___ (e.g the cookies to my milk, the macaroni to my cheese)

You’re the light to my life.

Z = Zebra: if they wanted a pet, what pet would they get?

Lewis obviously has Roscoe and you have your dog too. You wanted to get a cat but it was a work in progress as Lewis said it was a mad house already but he decided to surprise you for christmas with one after the girls hadn't stopped asking him for once since September.

[bqstqnbruin]

Meet the Hughes’

Ok, this was requested over two weeks ago and I have another request that is the same premies with a different boy so it might take me a while to do this.

But hey, as y’all probably know, I’m on track to be a high school chem teacher and even though Pride Month just ended it would be really cool for you to look into charties like GLSEN, which addresses issues surrounding LGBTQ+ students in the K-12 education system. 

I hope you like this! Here is the original request! ________________________

“Ok, but what if they don’t like me?” you say, running around the apartment looking for your bag. You know you put it somewhere in the living room so that you could grab it and just leave when Quinn came to pick you up. 

“They like Jack and you’re better than him.” He leans back further into the couch cushions, figuring the two of you would be here for a while. He had to admit, watching you run around in that dress of yours was not something he was about to complain about. 

“But they have to like him, that’s your brother.” You start to bend down to see if one of your roommates slipped it under the coffee table; they had a habit of taking anything in the room and shoving it down there with the rest of the candles, miscellaneous remotes that you had no idea how to use but wouldn’t get rid of, and other random shit. 

“Babe, relax.”

You shoot up and look at him. “Has there ever been a woman in your life who has responded well when you told them to ‘relax?’ And can you please get up and help me find my bag, I don’t want to be late! That’s an awful first impression!” 

He gets up, pulling you off the floor and grabbing you into a hug. Out of stubbornness and sheer anxiety you leave your arms by your side. “Point taken.” He pushes his upper body away from you so he can see the pout you have on your face. “But, trust me. I wouldn’t even think of letting you meet them if I didn’t think they would love you more than they love any of the three of us.” You finally pull him back in for a hug. You’ve never been in a serious enough relationship where you had introduced him to your parents or he had introduced you to his. Knowing that they could literally tell him they don’t like you was stressing you out more than anything. 

“I just want them to like me.” 

“They will love you. But I think you put your bag in the kitchen.” 

“Why didn’t you tell me that!” you screech, pulling away from him to go find it. 

“Because you look so damn good that I just wanted an excuse to look at you.” 

You look up at him, debating if you should be mad or flattered. “You’re lucky I like you or I would have to kill you,” you deadpan, knowing he would burst out laughing like he does. He lets you go to find that your bag was sitting on the kitchen table, not where you remember leaving it, but who cares as long as you found it? “Ok, should we go?” you ask, taking his hand as he leads you out the door. 

The entire ride to the restaurant where you were meeting Quinn’s family, he did everything he could to try to calm you down. First, he put on your favorite radio station. When that didn’t work, he let you take control of the aux, which he almost never lets you do because he doesn’t like the nostalgic 2010s teenage girl pop that occupies your playlist. When that didn’t work, he had you find a song you both love, Dream On by Aerosmith, for you to blast and sing poorly and loud until you get to the restaurant. You couldn’t help but laugh as Quinn tried and failed to hit Steven Tyler’s high notes at the end of the song, the veins in his neck popping out as he tried to hit the note but ended up sounding like a screeching cat. 

“Feeling better?” he asks, smiling as he pulls into the first parking spot he can find. 

“Still nervous, but at least I’m not jittery.” 

“I promise, you’ll be fine. Just be yourself,” he reassures you, taking your hand and leading you in. His parents and youngest brother were already at their table, all in town to see Quinn play, Jack playing and traveling throughout the weekend unable to make it. “Hi,” he says, kissing his mom on the cheek, hugging his dad and Luke, “This is Y/N, my girlfriend.” 

You smile as his parents get up to greet you, “Hi, it’s so nice to meet you!” you say, trying not to let the nervousness get the best of you as his mom wraps you into a hug. You weren’t ready for it, but it was weirdly calming for you as she gushed about how happy she was that she could finally meet you while his dad stood behind her to just shake your hand. 

Everyone sits down, you, Quinn, and Luke on one side with Jim, and Ellen facing you. Your leg starts shaking out of nervousness, Quinn’s hand finding your thigh under the table to try to get it to stop. His parents start talking to Quinn about his season so far, all the nerves melting away as his hand stays where it is. They finally turn the conversation to you as the food arrives, asking you about what you do, your family, all the basic stuff you would ask someone to get to know them. 

“Do you have any siblings?” his father asks you between bites of food. 

“I have an older brother, but I also grew up surrounded by a lot of cousins on my dad’s side.”

“Sometimes I wish I had a girl,” Ellen says, her eyes fixed on her pasta.

“Wow, thanks, mom,” Luke says, you and Quinn bursting out laughing. 

“What she really means is that she wishes you were a girl. You were her last chance,” Quinn says, playfully shoving his brother in the arm.

“You’re only saying that because you’re such a mama’s boy.” 

“I’d rather be a mama’s boy than have her wish I was a girl.”

“What’s wrong with being a girl?” you ask. Quinn turns back to you, looking between you and his mom. His eyes are wide open, his face turning bright red. He keeps opening and closing his mouth like a fish trying to figure out what to say while his dad and brother can’t stop laughing at the hole he just dug himself into. 

“Go ahead, Q. I wanna hear this too,” Ellen eggs him on.

“Uh, well. I believe there are pros and cons to, uh, either gender,” Quinn stammers. He keeps babbling for a few minutes, trying to find a good enough reason for you not to be mad at him.

“I would just stop while you’re behind. It doesn’t look like you’re going to get ahead,” you say, patting his leg. 

His dad can’t stop laughing, “She’s a good one, Quinn.” Quinn looks at you and smiles, taking your hand on the table and kissing you on the cheek as his mother gushes over the two of you, causing both of you to blush. 

“Please tell me you have some sort of embarrassing story about him,” Luke begs, practically bouncing in his seat.

“I don’t think he could be any more embarrassed than Jack posting the picture from Easter where Quinn is wearing his Crocs,” his dad says.

“Oh, my god. Those Crocs. When he invites me over I won’t go into his place unless those Crocs are away. I have such bad memories with crocs that I can’t stand them now. But -”

“Wait what happened to you?” Luke interrupts you.

“No, we’re embarrassing Quinn right now, not me.” 

Luke’s eyes go wide, his mouth open, “Do you know the story?” he asks Quinn. 

“No, this is supposed to embarrass Quinn, not me,” you say again, holding back laughing. 

“Dad, how much trouble would I be in if I told this story?” Quinn asks.

“If you lived together, you would be sleeping on the couch tonight,” he shrugs. 

“Then this is the only time I’ll be saying that I’m happy we don’t live together,” Quinn says, turning towards his brother, “When she was little, she was running through a parking lot one night and tripped and tore her knee open.”

“Ok no, it’s worse than that. I was with my mom for some meeting she had to go to, and I tripped over a curb that was painted black and unlit. I had to have surgery for my knee!” 

“Yes, but. You tripped because you were wearing Crocs.” 

“Which is why I hate them. If I had on a better shoe, that never would have happened. But,” you say, Quinn knowing exactly where you’re going, “I still get to embarrass you.” 

“Please, no,” he begs, his hand back on your thigh.

“The pasta incident?” 

“I already know that I raised you better than whatever it is she’s about to say,” Ellen says, her eyes closed as she shakes her head in premature disappointment.

“So he was over my place for dinner one night when he didn’t have a game. My roommates and I had some friends over so we were all making some food, I was making a pasta dish. I’m in my room, finishing getting ready and I asked him if he could start the water boiling so the food would be ready when everyone got there.

“I’m just finishing up getting dressed and I hear him calling my name, so I go and check on him right?” you tell them, Quinns face getting red with embarrassment, “He goes, ‘should I smell gas when I turn the stove on?’ And I just look at him and I go, ‘It’s a gas stove. If you smell a little gas when you turn it on, that’s fine.’” Luke has already lost it, Quinn still has his hand on your thigh, knowing that he had this coming, while his parents just look at him and try not to laugh. 

“But, it gets better. I tell him once the water starts to boil to put the Angel Hair pasta into the pot and then cover it and I can take care of the rest. I finish getting ready and I’m assuming that if he hasn’t called me then that means that everything is going fine, which I should not have. I finally get back into the kitchen and he’s standing there with a try piece of pasta that is on fire,” you finish as his parents finally give in and start laughing. Even though he hates that story, he can’t help but smile at you, you reciprocating. “And what did you say to me when I asked why you did that?”

“I wanted to see if it would catch on fire,” he admits in a small voice, his family erupting in laughter. 

“It was something thin and frail in an open flame, babe. What else did you think would happen?” you say, placing your hand on top of his. He leans over and kisses your cheek again. He already knows his parents love you. Anyone who can make them laugh is someone they love, even if it does involve embarrassing their son. 

You look at Quinn’s parents who are beaming at the two of you. “She’s probably the only girlfriend of yours that I’ve liked, Q,” Luke says into his food, his parents nodding along in agreement.

“I’ve liked the other ones, but I like her the best,” Quinn says, taking your hand in his and kissing it . You can’t help but blush as all the worry that you had about meeting his family has melted away. 

The rest of the dinner went great. It felt like they liked you; any time you tried to make them laugh, they did, they didn’t seem to mind Quinn showing affection towards you, they shared stories about Quinn and Luke growing up that you loved. You just hope they actually liked you. What if they were faking everything? Judging by what you know about Quinn, you didn’t think they actually would, but there’s also a chance they’re really good actors. 

At the end of the dinner, you’re back to being a little nervous, but at least you had fun, right? Once you’re in the car, Quinn starts gushing, “Oh, my god, they loved you!” 

“You sound a little shocked considering you’re the one you who was saying they would from the start.” 

“Well, yeah, but I think they like you more than they like me?” he says as his phone starts buzzing with a text from Luke, “Wanna read that for me?” 

‘She’s great, Q. We all love her.’ You can’t help but blush as you read it out loud to him, the smile on his face as big as it can be.

“I told you! They love you. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” 

[psychopersonified]

Car Troubles and Not Quite Dates

Part of the prequel series to "Are we ever going to talk about this?".

This one revolves around a series of car troubles that inadvertently leads them to spend more time together. 

Tags: Not dating, dates. Clueless Q but not quite. Intimacy in plain sight. Fluff so sweet I’ve developed a toothache writing this. Humour. 

-------

“So…. I’d offer you a lift, but something tells me you would be more comfortable taking the car service.” Q gestures to his dinky red Daihatsu apologetically. 

-------

Incident #1

It is absolutely pissing with rain and his DB5 is making that squealing noise again. Bond is not sure if it’s just moisture in the brakes or something more serious. 

If it were the brakes, he was hoping it would dry up by the time he had to leave. But now, four hours later, he can’t even engage the reverse gear to back out of the parking bay.

There is an awful grinding noise when he tries to throw the gear into reverse - startling people and drawing odd stares from the other employees leaving for the day in the SIS underground carpark. 

Among the exodus happens to be Tanner, briefcase in hand. He comes around to the driver’s side and Bond opens the door partway. Tanner is a bit of a gearhead himself and might be of some help. 

“Hmm… sounds frightful. The old girl acting up?” Tanner observes. 

“Yes…,” Bond agrees dully. 

“Did you engage the clutch fully?” Bond tries again, trying for first gear this time with the same result. The painful screech and grinding making both the men wince. 

“Try revving to 2000rpm, then engaging slowly.”

Bond does as instructed, depressing the clutch all the way, revving the engine slightly and then engaging the reverse gear. The gear engages, but with an unbearable screeching protest. He tries to release the clutch gently, but all that does is cause the car lurch back a few inches before cutting out. 

“I guess she’s just not in the mood today. Poor old thing.” 

:Beep! Beep!: 

A cheery if somewhat cartoonish honk sounds in greeting from behind them. A tiny red 1981 Daihatsu Charade rolls up behind the DB5. The paint faded and bubbling in some spots and on other areas missing altogether.

The driver-side window slowly and jerkily winds down before stopping halfway. The driver peeks out over it and a familiar voice calls out to the two men. “Everything alright?” 

“Ah Q! Probably the best person to take look at this. What’s your assessment?” Tanner waves him over.  

Fifteen minutes later and the diagnosis is dire, Bond will have to leave the DB5 in the building. Q-Branch will take a look at the transmission and gearbox in the morning.

Tanner excuses himself shortly after that, leaving Bond in Q’s capable hands. 

“So…. I’d offer you a lift, but something tells me you would be more comfortable taking the car service.” Q gestures to his dinky red Daihatsu apologetically. 

“I’m not as much of snob as people make me out to be.” Bond collects his coat and locks the DB5.

“Oh, you mean that tantrum about flying economy two weeks ago was entirely a figment of my imagination?” Q reminds Bond as the agent walks past him. 

“Well… when one is conducting business, one should keep up appearances should we not? Lest we give our ‘clients’ the wrong impression?” He circles round the back of the Daihatsu to get to  the passenger side. 

The agent hooks a finger around the door handle and pulls, internally relieved that it didn’t come right off, “Privately however, I’m not averse to rubbing shoulders with the working class once in a while.” 

Q chortles, “Suit yourself.” - giving him fair warning and gets into the driver’s seat. 

—

So… Bond might have spoken too soon. The rain hasn’t let up and the humidity is making the inside of the car fog up. The heating is… intermittent at best, so Q has to to wipe down the windscreen and windows with a towel (Bond had wondered what the little piece of cloth on the dash was for) when it gets too difficult to see out of. To top it off, the wiper blades need replacing - the noise they make is grating while doing jack all to remove water from the glass, merely smearing it around.

He supposes he should be thankful that the seatbelts work. Bond’s hope that the unassuming little car was hiding some high-tech Q-type modification was dashed quickly. It really was just a four decade old mass produced Japanese car with a rusty undercarriage that is letting moisture seep in. 

Dinner made up for it though. They stopped at an American style pub in Chelsea for some sinfully greasy burgers and southern grill & fry. The red brick walls and cozy booths made for a lovely intimate atmosphere despite the kitschy americana decor. 

With the conversation free flowing and comfortable, they stay longer than either expected. 

———————————

Incident #2

There is an ominous dark puddle under the DB5. -Lovely. What now?-. Bond wonders. The thing about driving a classic is that while it might add to one’s debonair charm; no one understands how temperamental they can be. A handcrafted British icon might in theory, sound like the final word in quality - but in reality it is far more unreliable than a modern mass produced machine. 

Bond remembers hitting a speed hump a little more vigorously than he should have on the way in. Perhaps that has shaken something loose. 

He removes his jacket, tossing it onto the driver seat and crouches beside the car, careful not to get oil on his clothes. Turning on his phone’s flashlight, he sweeps the beam underneath the car to assess the situation. He can’t see exactly where the leak is coming from, but it is patently obvious how large the puddle of oil is. Not a good sign. 

“Bond? Car trouble?” Moneypenny says by way of greeting. 

Bond straightens from his position on his hands and knees then turns around. Eve is standing with several other women from the various departments in MI6. They are all watching him with interest. 

He smiles charmingly at them, “Unfortunately. Careful where you step ladies, the floor is slick.” 

“Do you know what’s wrong?” Edna from Procurement enquires. 

“Not yet. Couldn’t get a good look.”

“I can hold your flashlight for you….” Samantha from Accounts volunteers. “...if that helps.” Eve turns slowly to fix her with a disapproving look.

“Thank you, but it won’t be necessary. I’ll have it dealt with in the morning. “

“Do you need a lift home? We’re not in a hurry this evening,” Ginny from Research offers. Eve targets her glare at her next.

Bond is a little surprised at the offer, “How… considerate; but I wouldn’t want to keep you from your plans for the evening.” 

“Are you sure? It’s no trouble at all. We’re just heading out for dinner and drinks.” Edna chimes in, “Perhaps you’d like to join us?” The three ladies level him with hopeful looks. 

Eve throws her hands up n the air in exasperation. Next to her, Jenny Khoo better known as R from Q-Branch ends the call she was making and pockets her phone. 

“Come on ladies, let’s go before before they give away our reservation. No need to worry about 007. He’ll be taken care of. Someone from Q-Branch is on the way.” Jenny reassures her colleagues and winks at Bond.

“Shoo-now, move along, nothing to see,” Eve prods the others along when they didn’t seem inclined to go. 

“Enjoy your evening ladies,” Bond waves to them as they leave. 

:Meep! Meep!: 

An honest to goodness golfcart rolls up next to his parking bay. Security uses one of these for patrols around the grounds of the building, but this is one belongs to Q-Branch. Bond has seen the minions use it to ferry equipment and packages around the compound. 

The driver today is none other than the Chief Overlord himself. He takes one look at the size of the dark puddle and shakes his head. 

“Judging by the speed of the leak, it could be a ripped pipe or a cracked oil pan. Either way, we’ll need to drain the system before repairs. I’ll get someone to have a look in the morning.” 

Bond watches as Q unloads a large shallow metal pan from the golfcart and nudges it under the DB5 to catch the remaining leak. Then spreads a bucket of sand around the edges to stop it from spreading further. He even has a ‘Caution: Slippery floor’ sign that he places behind the DB5 to warn everyone.  

Satisfied that this would have to do for now, he turns to Bond, “Need a lift?” 

“Of course.” Bond smiles. 

—

He’s back in the little red atrocity. At least it is not raining tonight. However, without the rain and the distracting noise of the wipers scraping against the windscreen, Bond now can concentrate on the other annoying aspects of the car. 

Like how the seat cushions are threadbare and the foam compressed to near nothing, he can feel the springs digging into his backside. And how the turn signals make the most irritatingly sharp and neurotic ‘click-clack’. The passenger side window winder handle is missing so the metal nub is exposed and digging into the side of his thigh. At least the prospect of dinner with Q makes up for it.

They end up at an alfresco Vietnamese noodle bar. The little establishment is wedged between two buildings and partially hidden behind a flower shop. 

They each get a large bowl of Pho - the bracing noodles in beef broth, perfect on a chilly evening. Intimacy is augmented by the crowded seating and small furniture which meant that they had to sit opposite each other, with their knees knocking. They quickly manage to find a comfortable compromise, slotting their knees between each other’s thighs - which suited Bond well enough. Any brushing and squeezing, was purely accidental. 

With dinner over far too quickly, they decide to head over to a nearby pub for a pint.

———

Edna elbows Sam when she sees the couple that just walked in. Their table in the dining section at the back of the pub is angled perfectly to offer them a good view of the patrons coming and going. Sam’s fork nearly flies out of her hand from the assault. 

“Eddie! What the hell—” Sam hisses in annoyance. 

“Look! At the bar…” Edna hisses back.  

“What are you girls on about?—” Eve turns around in curiosity, her back was to the bar. She spots the blonde first. The neatly cropped almost military style hair she recognises even from the back. The second man, the whip thin brunette with the shock of messy hair is partially obscured by the larger blonde crowding against him. 

“Who’s he with?”

“Isn’t that Collin Mitchel from Q-Branch? Jenny, don’t you work with him?” 

“Huh, I didn’t know they hung out.”

“Should we invite them over?” 

“NO.” Both Eve and Jenny answer in unison. The other three look at them like they have gone mad. 

“Well, it’s only polite.” Ginny decides with a stubborn air. She uncrosses her legs and starts to stand. In an instant, Eve has her wrist in a death grip - pulling her back down. She searches R’s face for an excuse. She’s got too much riding on those two getting together for a bunch of horny harpies to ruin it - even if they might be her friends. 

Jenny cooks one up on the spot, “Ginny wait! Um… I report to Collin. I already have to see him on a daily basis, I don’t fancy having to see him after hours too.” Jenny pleads for understanding. 

“Is he that awful?” Edna jumps to conclusions. 

“No! No. It’s just... we’ll end up talking about work and that’s not what tonight is about is it?” Jenny is quick to nip that misunderstanding in the bud. 

Ginny does not look particularly convinced. Neither do the other two but they let it slide... tonight. 

Back at the bar, the two collect their pints and retreat to a corner to continue their conversation. Again thank goodness for crowded establishments. They find a couple of high bar stools and Bond seats himself with his back to the wall, legs apart. He pulls the other chair close to separate them from the other patrons in the bar. Q settles in after, making no move to adjust the chair’s distance which effectively puts him between Bond’s thighs.  

Their body language is unmistakable. It speaks of comfort levels beyond that of colleagues and even some friends. Small touches, arms and shoulders brushing, practically whispering into each other’s ears. Bond’s chest is pressed against Q’s shoulder at one point when he leans in close to whisper something and then conveniently doesn’t lean away again. 

In the dinning area, the five women watch unblinking. Eve and Jenny share a hopeful conspiratorial look. Then Sam verbalises what they are all thinking, “Huh… wonder what they’re talking about?”

—

Amid the din of the bar, the incredulity in Q’s voice can still be heard, “You want… a wing suit. Have you gone mental?” The green eyes behind the glasses are shining with mirth. 

Bond makes a face and shrugs - pressed close as they are, the movement produces a pleasant comforting friction against the shoulders and arms, “Might come in useful.”

Q smiles companionably, faint dimples showing, “How about we leave the HALO missions to the SAS?”  

—————————————————

Incident #3

The key turns but the DB5’s engine does not roar into life as expected. Instead it chokes and sputters before wheezing like an asthmatic, then cuts off completely. 

Bond twists the ignition key back to ‘off’ and rests his forehead on the steering. He loves the old thing but it is starting to really test his patience. Classic cars like these do not take well to being left undriven for long stretches at a time. 

He tries the ignition again - the engine whines and sputters noisily in protest, refusing to turn over. There is a small crowd gathering. -Why doesn’t this happen when no one is around?-

He pops the bonnet and reaches in to check the connection on the batteries. 

“I could give you a jump?… I mean for the battery.” Bond turns around to face the the woman calling out to him. -Samantha. Accounts.- he recalls her name. 

She’s dressed a little nicer than usually required for a government employee. Likely going out considering its Friday evening - the shoes give it away. 

“Thank you. But I wouldn’t want to impose.” He tries to decline politely. 

“Oh no! It would be no trouble at all.” Samantha begins to root through her little purse for her keys. 

“Sam! We’re leaving.” Moneypenny’s voice rings out from somewhere behind her. 

“But—“ Sam beings to protest. Eve appears next to her. 

“Oh, evening Bond. Car troubles again?” Eve ever the observant one. “Need any help, or is this something only Q-Branch can deal with?” She smiles egnimaticaly. 

Bond takes the escape route he’s been given, “I think it’s best to let the boffins take a look at it.” He unlocks his phone to make a call, more to bring home the point than anything. 

:Brring! Brring!: 

A trilling bell alerts them to the new presence. It is attached not to a bicycle but to a Segway - another one of those vehicles that security uses to patrol inside the building and around the grounds. Which of course means that Q-Branch has a couple as well - used to zip around the labs and onsite storage facility. 

Q glides to a silent stop next to the DB5. He looks adorably ridiculous in the dorkiest way possible - high-vis vest and a neon orange bicycle helmet over his usual shirt and cardigan ensemble. 

Bond only just manages to catch Eve’s whispered lament, “Oh sweetheart, why?”

“Hello Eve, Samantha. Evening Bond, trouble with the car again?” He asks pleasantly whist manoeuvring the Segway out of the way. 

“Well! Seems like you’re in good hands 007. We best get going. Night Q!” Eve takes her leave - pulling a reluctant Sam along by the elbow. 

“Oh! Good night ladies.” Q calls out to them, surprised at the abrupt departure. 

Bond recalls R mentioning that the Quartermaster’s afternoon was booked for a meeting with a component manufacturer, “Q, please tell me you didn’t go into the meeting with the external vendors looking like that?”

Q checks himself and shrugs, “Well, I took off the helmet during the meeting… Why?”

-Oh Lord-. “Oh, nothing.” He plays it off lightly. “Mind taking a look at this?” He circles back to the problem at hand.

A few minutes of tinkering later and the DB5 is still obstinately dead. 

“Well, the old thing due for an overhaul I think. It’s almost six decades old and seen some fairly serious action. Are you sure you want to keep it? I could just have it decommissioned. And we could issue you with a Prius as your daily driver.” Q knows that would get a rise out of the agent. 

Bond turns to him, expression one of stunned disbelief. Decommission?… Prius? He’s not sure which idea offends him more. 

“Who are you? And what have you done with the Quartermaster?” he gives Q his best interrogating-a-terrorist scowl. 

“I’m just being practical!” Q defends himself. Then grinning, “Joking about the Prius… maybe.”

“How about, you get someone to take a look at it on Monday?” Bond counters. 

“Alright. Fine... Lift?”

“Yes please. Dinner first?”

“Sure, why not. Drinks after?”

“Would be my pleasure.”

—-

They treat themselves to a Korean BBQ a short walk from their building. Premium cuts of meat perfectly cooked on a grill at their table, ginseng chicken soup, crispy seafood pancake topped off with refreshing Korean beer. 

After dinner, they take a turn along the Riverside Walk across from the SIS building. However, that also meant that there stood a higher chance of them running into colleagues who might be thinking the same especially since it is a Friday evening. 

Which of course they they do. Eve is holding court with a few of the more outgoing ladies and gentlemen of MI6 at one of the fancy alfresco bars that line the Riverside Walk. Her little gathering turning into an impromptu party when more colleagues join in, taking the opportunity to enjoy the break in the weather. 

Trevelyan is among them, making his way around the group. His noisy socialising usually involve plenty of shoulder claps, hearty back pats and  chummy faux punches with the men; and with the women, outrageous flirting if they let him. The unapologetic extrovert is everyone’s favourite Double-0. 

Bond and Q drop in to say hello and show face, then sequesters themselves on the edge to enjoy the collegial atmosphere and jazzy lounge music without being in the thick of it. 

When Alec finally makes his way them, he wedges himself between the two, throws a friendly arm around Q’s shoulders (or Collin Mitchel as he known by; his civilian cover) and drops his voice into a stage whisper, carefully loud enough so that no one misses out on their conversation, “So Mitchel, I heard the committee approved the budget for the new ‘fleet’…”

Alec is referring to the Black Budget that included rumours of an allocation to upgrade the performance vehicles used by the Double-0 division - simply put, the agents were all hoping for new very expensive toys. 

“…Who’s your favourite and how do -I- get to the top of that list?” Trevelyan jabs himself in the chest with a thumb as he says this. 

Now this catches the attention of everyone within earshot. For those in the know, cash money might be riding on this answer.  

“Alec, who’s my favourite and the who’s on the list for an upgrade are separate things. You should know by now we prioritise based on ‘project’ requirements.” Q admonishes him. 

“Bah! Surely favouritism can get me somewhere.” Then more seductively,”You know… I’m not averse to performing favours when the occasion calls for it. I’m very well trained…” Alec puts on his best come-hither face.  

Bond just rolls his eyes at Alec’s theatrics and Q just laughs outright at the blatant attempt, nearly snorting on his drink. “Yes Alec. In case you’ve forgotten, ALL of you are. I don’t see how that separates your value proposition from the others.”

Mark from IT (one of Q’s closest colleagues outside Q-Branch) supplies the appropriate sound effect -  a loud descending whistle followed by a violent explosion. The table erupts into laughter.  

Undeterred, Alec pushes on, “Ah, so it’s not entirely out of the question, I just need to find my differentiating factor.”

Q tips his head close, matching Alec’s stage whisper from earlier. “Oh Alec, don’t be so hard on yourself,” he says to the agent sympathetically. “You differentiate yourself from the others on a regular basis. Compared to them, you’re a right plonker and an annoying bellend. Unfortunately neither qualities get you very high on either list.”

“Alec, quit now. There’s not enough hydro-gel plasters in medical to help you with that burn.” Bond joins in the friendly ribbing in between his own laughter. 

Raucous laughter. Even Alec has to laugh at his own roasting, hands in the air in surrender. 

—

It is late when they leave. Q rolls the car to a stop at the red light somewhere just outside Vauxhall. The night had been fun. Bond had been excellent company, and bizarrely he hadn’t gone off to catch a ride with Alec in his more image appropriate BMW. Q knew Bond hated his little Daihatsu with a passion but for some reason still accepted rides from him.

The light turns green and the Fiesta in the left lane next to theirs roll forward; Q’s old Charade is just a second slower off the line. 

He’s about to enter the junction when Bond sees it, a movement in his peripheral vision. A white Camry coming down the three o’clock street faster than it should. At that speed and distance, it is unlikely that whoever it is will be able to stop in time.

In a split second Bond’s reflexes kick in - he grabs the handbrake and pulls it hard. Q’s little car comes to an immediate jolting stop - throwing both of them into their seat belts and squeezing a surprised gasp from Q.

The Camry barrels through the intersection at considerable speed, missing them by a hair’s breadth. But the Fiesta next to them isn’t so lucky, the Camry clips it violently on the front right wheel arch, spinning the smaller Fiesta partially around and pushing it several feet up the onto the pavement. There is an explosion of plastic and metal debris all over the road. The Camry already on the other side of the intersection slows to a stop on the shoulder of the road. 

“Oh shit!... That was a close one,” Q is certain he had not touched the brakes yet the car came to a complete stop just in time. He checks for the cause and catches sight of Bond’s hand still wrapped around the handbrake.

Bond looks over at him, “You alright?” His right hand is already reaching for the seatbelt release. They should check if the other drivers are alright. 

Q nods, heart hammering in his chest, “Let me move out of the way.” 

He carefully manoeuvres his car around the debris field to the side of the road, behind the Camry. Just before Q comes to a full stop, the driver of the Camry seems to have had a change of mind. Instead of attending to the situation, it suddenly speeds off, tyres squealing. 

“Ah the wanker… PZ65BYV.” 

“Bugger it… PZ65BYV.” 

They both say at the same time as Camry disappears. They turn to each other, eyes locked for a moment - acknowledging the mutual training that helps them remember details like these when needed.

In the end, they stay with the unhurt but shaken 18 year old driver of the Fiesta and her friend until police and one of their parents arrive. They were on their way home from work at a local restaurant when the incident occurred. 

Q gives his statement as Collin Mitchel and gives them the number plates of the Camry; but keeps Bond out of the police report. He doesn’t have any cover identification at the moment and they don’t want his real name appearing in police databases even as a witness. 

 —

“Thank you… for pulling the handbrakes earlier. A few feet more and it would be a different story. I owe you for that,” Q puts the car into park in front of Bond’s building. 

“Just reflex. No need to get all gushy.” The agent downplays his action.

“Well thanks to your reflex, it was a near miss. So I’m very glad you were in the car. ”

“Speaking of near misses, are there any safety equipment in this car? Seatbelts aside?” Bond can’t imagine the thin sheet metal doors would hold up to any kind of collision. 

Q looks sheepish, “Haven’t found the time. Besides, fitting missile launchers into a supercar is far more exciting.” 

Using humour to deflect the question only increases Bond’s unease. He can read between the lines.  In Q’s list of priorities, his own safety is below that of his agents. Granted he is hardly ever in the line of fire, they make sure of it - but tonight has demonstrated that they can’t take his safety for granted even off duty. Bond’s instinct, the same one that pulled the handbreak serves up a word: Unacceptable. 

On a whim he asks, “Would you like to come up?” Then when he glimpses Q’s cautious expression, he adds with a smile, “Aren’t you the least bit curious?” 

Of course Q’s curious. But he’d never thought it appropriate to ask before. “Is there anywhere I can park?” 

—

The apartment is fastidiously clean but depressingly bare. Q tells him so. He had expected the complete opposite. Perhaps cluttered with objects from his extensive travels - a refuge from the impersonal hotel rooms that the agent is subjected to so often. Somewhere Agent 007 becomes just James Bond. 

“Tea? Coffee?” Bond asks once the tour is done, not waiting for an answer before putting the kettle on. He’s scrambling for a good enough reason that would stall Q’s departure. There is nothing he can come up with that is the least bit sexual, because he has never faced this context before i.e. taking it slow. 

He removes his jacket and holster, then turns on the telly to give himself time to think. It is tuned to to BBC One; the usual litany of depressing world news scrolls by - sex scandals, mindless violence, systemic financial fraud, looming global recession, security threats and sabre rattling between world powers. Just one night, he’d like to escape it all. 

“Tea please.” Q answers coming out of the bathroom. 

-Yes!- Bond thinks, he’s at least committed to stay for as long as the tea lasts. Bond retreats to the kitchen dutifully, handing the remote to Q as he passes. 

When he returns, it is with a large mug of tea for Q and a coffee for himself. The telly is now showing the Netflix landing page. Q scrolling though the catalogue at a dizzying speed. 

He rarely watches it himself, not for want of trying, but just the sheer variety gives him decision fatigue. He usually ends up spending more time deciding what to watch than actually watching. 

“You don’t mind do you? Just that the news was depressing.” Q gestures to the screen with the remote. 

“No. Go ahead. Netflix and chilling is fine with me.” He had heard the phrase before and he assumes it is a reference to how media content is consumed on demand these days.

Q pauses his high-speed scrolling to look over at Bond who is now settled casually on the armchair - not a trace of irony on his face. 

For once, Q has to smile at Bond’s innocence, “I don’t think it means what you think it means...” he gently leads Bond to correct his own assumptions.

“What? … Netflix and Chill?” Bond looks perplexed for a second, “Wait… it’s not a euphemism is it?”

“It absolutely is.” 

Bond shrugs away his embarrassment, “Learn something new everyday. Right then, what are we watching?” 

They end up watching the first three episodes of ‘A Very Secret Service’. A comedic and irreverent take on the French Secret Service set in the 1960s which pokes fun at the spy film genre - the bureaucracy, the tactics, the gadgets and the politics. All of which they can relate to. It is therapeutic in a way, to be able to find humour in their work - a brief escape to decompress. 

Q is asleep, curled on the sofa by the time the credits roll on the third episode. Bond pauses the show. He looks for a blanket to cover the boffin with. 

“Wha-time issit?” the question comes out endearingly sleepy and slurred. 

“One thirty.” Bond answers softly as he tucks the blanket around him. 

“Oh goodness… apologies. Must have been more tired than expected.” Q yawns and makes a half hearted attempt to sit up. “I probably should get going.”

“Stay. You shouldn’t be driving in this state.” Then before Q can make up a protest, ”Do you want to change into something more comfortable?”  

Q really did feel exhausted. Besides there is no harm staying the night for the sake of safety, right? It should be commendable even. “Mmm… okay.” 

—

The sight of Q padding around his kitchen in the morning clad in oversized sweats and sporting the most unruly hair nearly sent him back-pedalling into his room. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea after all, considering his self-control. -SLOW! We agreed to take it slow.- he argues with his libido. 

He takes Q out for breakfast as soon as the shops open - which meant out of Bond’s clothes and into a public area. This way he is forced to keep his hands to himself, more or less and his pants on.

—————

Three weeks later…

“Bond… I can’t accept this!” Q  protests. The agent had lured him to the parking garage under the pretence of squeaky breaks on his DB5 - but instead of the Aston Martin, a completely different and much newer car was parked in its space. 

The late model red Hyundai i30 in front of him is wearing a small tacky stick-on bow made from metallic plastic ribbon on the driver side-mirror.  

“Not to worry, it’s second hand. I managed to get a good deal.” Bond waves the concern away - as if that made it better. Like a car was a perfectly normal gift among friends. 

“Bond this is ridiculously extravagant. I’m a government employee—“ 

“—So am I. Consider it a birthday present.”

“I already have a car, Bond.”

“Yes… but this one…” Bond opens the driver-side door. “This one, all the electronic bits work. And more importantly, it comes installed with all the fancy active and passive safety features.” 

He uses a finger to point out each feature on the car as if Q didn’t know more about automotive engineering than he did, “All round airbags… anti-lock brakes… stability control… crumple zones… side impact bar… passenger safety cage—”

“—Bond!” Q cuts the agent’s sales pitch short. “I can’t accept gifts that may appear to compromise my personal judgement or integrity,” he quotes the government rulebook.  

“Yes I know…” his patience running out, time for a different tack. Bond walks back towards to the bloody-minded quartermaster, crowding him into the crook of the open driver side door, cutting off escape routes,  and regards him seriously. 

“Look, don’t think I don’t appreciate how sentimental that little Daihatsu is to you. I know, you’ve had it since university and you think that quirky little thing is an extension of your personality, but frankly Q… it would help me sleep better at night if I knew you weren’t driving around in that death trap.”

Q is rendered speechless. Both by Bond’s uncharacteristically sweet but misguided gesture and the unexpected admission. 

“You don’t have to get rid of of the Charade - just, don’t drive it around… Please?”

It’s the ‘please’ that gets him - turns him gooey inside. Bond could have said ‘I love you’ and the effect would have been the same.

He sags against the doorframe, holding a hand out for the keys. “I don’t see your DB5 around, so I’m assuming you’ll need a lift home?”

Bond has a massive grin on his face, “How kind of you to offer. Dinner first?”

“Naturally. Drinks after?” 

“Needless to say.” 

——The End ——----------------------------------

Note: If you liked this fic, there’s more like it on the blog. Enjoy!

[garyrennell]

FLUFF ALPHABET — GARY RENNELL🧸

hi beautiful people💕 i’m doing the fluff alphabet challenge by @ravena-dottir, in collab with awesome @mrsgaryrennell✨ we really took our time to analyze crane boi’s personality here, to give the most accurate responses posible💖 aaaand this is a long one, as everything i write😂 i hope you like it.

A = Attractive (What do they find attractive about the other?)

physically, he is drawn to a girl’s eyes and smile, as he compliments MC for those in the game. he also is a butt and thigh guy👀 personality wise, he appreciates curiosity, intellectuality and overall kindness.

B = Baby (Do they want a family? Why/Why not?)

absolutely YES. he wants to have children of his own to take care of and to prove himself that he can be the best dad ever, the father he never had. he dreams of taking his little boy to football practice and teach him mechanics💙 you bet he’ll be there for this children whenever they need him and will be extra protective and such a cool dad🥺 and if he finds a girl with the same love and care inside of her, there’s no doubt he’d be eager to start a family asap.

C = Cuddle (How do they cuddle?)

in canon, he’s always giving cuddles or asking for them, so crane boi here is a cuddle fan💖 @mrsgaryrennell and i came to the conclusion that Gary’s love language is mainly physical, because cuddling is his type of intimacy and his way to show affection, rather than words for example. he likes bed cuddles with his girl lying on his chest and his bigs arms around her, especially in the morning. even if his girl is not close, he’ll pull her into a cozy cuddle or simply ask for one✨

D = Dates (What are dates with them like?)

he prefers very casual dates and if he gets to plan it, he’ll put thought into it. for example, he plans a simple picnic date and makes sure he brings good food and takes his girl to a nice place; or a movie date and makes sure to buy popcorn and get really good seats. overall, Gary transforms simple dates into something especial without going over the top💕 during the date, expect a “top quality banter and an absolute gent” lmao, especially the gent part because he’s basically proud of his nan educating him like that.

E = Everything (You are my ____ (e.g. my life, my world…))

he’ll probably turn this phrase into a joke because he doesn’t like being a melt😂 it would ruin his lad image. in joking mode, he’d say something along the lines of “you’re the loaf of my life” while holding a piece of bread lmao, but in a serious occasion he’d say “you’re my happiness” or “you’re my favourite”.

F = Feelings (When did they know they were in love?)

in the game, we think he realized he had fallen for MC while the girls were away in CA. he found himself missing her big time and thinking about her all the goddamn time, wishing she was there with him. also the idea of having a domestic life with MC is what made him sure that she was the one💖

G = Gentle (Are they gentle? If so, how?)

gentle is basically Gary’s middle name lmao, that boi is full of gentleness. he’s gentle when he holds his girl, when he kisses her, in his wording even when he’s not very good at expressing himself with words. everything he does, he makes sure he does it with care and tenderness🙈

H = Hands (How do they like to hold hands?)

as most of his way to show affection is through physical contact, he often reaches for his girl’s hand. Gary is a simple guy, so he doesn’t really care if he’s holding the back of her hand, her palm, if his fingers are intertwined or not— he doesn’t really care as long as their hands are together💕 he’s also the type to caress the back of her hand with his thumb in a soothing manner.

I = Impression (What was their first impression?)

oh boy oh boy, when it comes to first impressions, Gary comes across as handsome, confident, cheeky and flirty, which can result into him looking like a laddy lad type of guy💪🏻 it’s not far fetched lol but in the first impression of him you miss a lot of the depth of his character and personality.

J = Jealousy (Do they get jealous?)

not👏🏻at👏🏻all. he doesn’t mind if a guy approaches his girl and flirts a little, because he likes to see that others appreciate her too. when he would definitely get jealous is when the person hitting on his girl is really bold and obvious. Gary is a “silent jealous”, which means that he will not be confrontational about it but will throw deadly glances, frown and mutter under his breath. he will just stand at one side trying not to look bothered, arms crossed and grumbling to himself lmao. and then, when asked, he’ll deny to death that he’s jealous💀

K = Kiss (How do they kiss? Who initiated the first kiss?)

we all know the guy has experience, so he is definitely an expert kisser. he really enjoys slow kisses and likes to take his time, he doesn’t rush and is also very gentle. basically, he knows what to do, when to do it and how to do it😉 he likes playful and sneaky kisses too, everything that comes along with some cheekiness. in the game, MC always initiates the kisses, so there’s that🤷🏻‍♀️ but it fits his personality more for him to be the one initiating the kisses.

L = Love (Who says ‘I love you’ first?)

him, and it’s canon. Gary is an open book, so as soon as he is sure that he’s in love, he’ll try to let his girl know in the most intimate way posible. he’ll say it in private and will make sure he picks the right moment.

M = Memory (What’s their favourite memory together?)

in the game, the final date, when he asks MC to be his girlfriend. outside of the Villa, definitely the shipyard date, because it’s the first time a girl accepts to go watch the lights of the cranes with him🥺💕

N = Nickel (Do they spoil? Do they buy the person they love everything?)

crane boi doesn’t spoil, less with expensive things🤷🏻‍♀️ but, he will treat his girl with everyday, simple and casual details. she likes a certain type of tea? he will make sure to buy it whenever he can. she likes chocolate? he’ll buy some whenever he goes grocery shopping. maybe will even buy her a flower if he wants to come home with a surprise. in general, he buys small, meaningful things that will come to usage for her.

O = Orange (What colour reminds them of their other half?)

for MC, he reminds her of navy blue and the color red. the first one is partially influenced by his eyes and the second is because of his cozy flannel💕

P = Pet names (What pet names do they use?)

in canon, he uses “love, babe, cutie, darling and poppet” when referring to MC. he also uses “mate” as kind of a pet name too😂 we recently noticed that Gary is all down for melty pet names and even makes them up himself, so he surely will have a personalized and creative nickname for his girl💕

Q = Quaint (What is their favourite non-modern thing?)

he likes old and vintage appliances, especially ones that are broken so he can fix them. @mrsgaryrennell has a cute headcanon in which Gary likes to fix old stuff (e.g radios) for elderly people or for donating them to charity😢💙

R = Rainy Day (What do they like to do on a rainy day?)

Gary loves rainy days, it’s canon. he either is down to go dancing in the rain or to spend it at home, cuddling next to a window with his head lying on his girl’s lap as she plays with his hair💖 and drinking a warm cuppa, of course.

S = Sad (How do they cheer themselves/others up?)

this is a heavy one. we all know Gary’s struggles with mental health, so even after his therapy his first option is going to the gym. he thinks it helps with sadness when it doesn’t, but at least he feels less stressed out afterwards. after that, if he is really down, he’ll go talk to his nan about it🥺 to find comfort and support in her.

when cheering others up, he is all about company and being reassuring. he tries to get people to talk about their feelings because, through therapy, he has learned that it works. when the other person is well enough, he will try to make a joke to lighten the mood✨ as my girl @mrsgaryrennell said: even though he’s a little broken himself, he still tries to make others feel better.

T = Talking (What do they like to talk about?)

cRAnEs🏗 aND hiS nAn👵🏻😂 he’s a Star Wars fan, so he would be very chatty about it, or about science in general. he also likes to share funny stories lol.

U = Unencumbered (What helps them relax?)

again, the gym thing, sadly😔 but apart from that, he likes to fix broken stuff when he is stressed, or build things for other people.

V = Vaunt (What do they like to show off? What are they proud of?)

his killer pecs and huge arms💪🏻😂 crane boi is very proud of who he is, so he mostly shows off his thicc body. we also have this headcanon in where Gary likes to show off his girl, to let the world know how amazing she is. he never shuts up about her💕🙈

W = Wedding (When, how, where do they propose?)

he would propose after a 3-4 year relationship, to make sure the time is right, and wouldn’t do it without talking about the idea of marriage with his girl first. he would propose in a very intimate and private way, just the two of them in a especial place for both💙

X = Xylophone (What’s their song?)

Do I Wanna Know by Arctic Monkeys and Stone by Jaymes Young🎶

Y = You the ___ to my ___ (e.g the cookies to my milk, the macaroni to my cheese)

he’d say “you’re the levers to my crane” lmao or “you’re the safety to my worksite”💀

Z = Zebra (If they wanted a pet, what would they get?)

he wants a big, energetic dog (just like him lol) so probably he would own a fluffy golden retriever🐾

[lauriejuspeczyk]

embarrassing q&a about izzy and john,,, @honeybite and @kiryukazumas ayyyy

1. How did they first meet? Izzy gets transferred to Hope County and on her literal first day on the job she gets sucked up into the whole fiasco with the peggies and she ends up stranded in Hope County (with Reina and Aria wooooo). She and John first find out about each other when she helps Nick Rye steal back his plane!!! Nick tells her about what’s goin down and she feels sorry for him, and then he describes John to her and she’s like “wow he sounds like a douchebag. let’s break into his shit.” because Izzy loves being a shit disturber. It turns into a whole big rivalry after that. 2. What did they think of each other at first? What was their first impression of the other? They do a lot of just like, hearing about each other from other people, or arguing over the radio before they actually physically meet. (They physically meet for the first time when Izzy gets kidnapped to be baptized). John’s first impression is she’s just another out of control sinner who needs to be shown the error of her ways blah blah blah pbbtbtbtbpbt. Izzy thinks John is pretentious and very high strung, which supremely clashes with her own personality, but she really likes fucking with him and gets a lot of satisfaction from making him mad lol 3. Were they immediately interested / attracted, or did that come later? Oh they hate each other at first!! They finally actually like MEET meet at the baptism. John knew who Izzy was right away but she didn’t really piece together who he was until she heard his voice. John was physically attracted to Izzy when he saw her and he like,,, wasn’t expecting that, because all she’d done up till then was piss him off lol. It causes a lot of inner turmoil for him because it’s the whole,,, “I shouldn’t feel like that because you’re a filthy sinner so I’m gonna repress the fuck out of this. im sure nothing bad will come of that. bottling ur feelings is good and works”. He tries drowning her right away at the baptism and Joseph has to come and be like “chill.” Izzy doesn’t really think anything of John after she first meets him, it takes a lot longer for her to be interested in him like that than vice versa, but getting almost drowned is really a big wake up call for her in that the guy she’s fucking with probably has a lot more personal issues than she realized lol 4. Why did they fall for each other? lMFAO UHHHFHFHH its so complicated, fuck. John’s feelings are at the start just a big crush at first. He just thinks she’s very pretty and she pisses him off constantly but he subconsciously likes the attention she gives him. John wouldn’t realize he’s in love with Izzy until a while after their rivalry starts weirdly turning into a strange friendship. I’m writing a stupid fic that may or may not actually ever be finished so I’ll just recap events here: There’s a moment when John is really angry (For reasons...u’ll see... or will u... who knows...) and Izzy calms him down by like,,, grabbing him and making him lie down with his head in her lap and she just kinda like shushes him, and he just lies there looking up at her and he’s like,,, never really been touched like that his whole life. Like never when he was growing up and then certainly never now, especially in response to his anger, so he just kind of I think,,, realizes it in that moment. but also he has a LOT of conflicting feelings about it because he also realizes he can NEVER change Izzy in a way that lets them be together (ie make her join edens gate, nevuuuurrr gonna happen). For John it’s a combination of she’s brave and kind and patient and all her fucking around aside, she’s genuinely a good person, and she relates to his pain and they have funny conversations and she makes him feel good and loved, just like NORMAL ASS REASONS TO FALL IN LOVE? but again, he can’t acknowledge that he genuinely loves her, because she’s a sinner and working against Eden’s Gate, so instead he processes it as this weird crazy religious thing where he thinks she’s a bigger deal than she actually is, like she’s somehow really important and God sent her just for him or something lmao... basically realizing he was in love with her really fucked him up a lot more. For Izzy it’s EVEN MORE COMPLICATTTEDDDD... She probably has feelings for John by the same time he does for her, but she represses it a lot harder and better than he does. For her it’s this thing of she also has genuine reasons to love him but she struggles a lot with how broken as a person he is. She thinks she sees a genuinely good side to him that she’s in love with but she can’t figure out how to make the like,,, crazy part of him,,, stop lmao, and she also struggles with the idea that it’s not her responsibility to BASICALLY FIX HIM so she just represses instead. She also struggles a lot with how he’d probably want her to join Eden’s Gate and how she knows she can probably never convince him to leave so she doesn’t even try to have that conversation. She handles all the repressing like A TON BETTER than John does lmfao she’s much more emotionally stable and just like way more level headed than him, but it’s still a big thing that she’s really just not sure what to do about, so she does......Nothing! 5. Who flirted more before they started their relationship and how? Izzy! flirts! all! the time! She mainly does it as a joke because she loves how fuckin mad John gets when she does lmao!!! 6. Who made the first move/confessed first? no confessioooonnnn I don’t think... probably not ever, or at least not until it’s way too late lmao. See #4, they both are basically pre-convinced that it would never work so they never do anything about it. If anyone was to confess it would be John but he’d have to be under a lot of pressure to do so ie: one of them is about to die or something 7. When did they have their first kiss and under what circumstances? GOD I DON’T EVEN KNOW HONESTLY I HAVEN’T THOUGHT THIS FAR AHEAD JKJKFKJAFJK. I can honestly imagine Izzy doing something stupid as fuck like asking John to kiss her because she thinks it’ll just make him freak out or get mad, and John actually doing it and then Izzy being like UHHHHHHHHHHH I HAVE TO GO.  8.  Which one is more easily made jealous? John 100% but he pretends he doesn’t get jealous :-) but he is toxic as fuck and getting jealous puts him in a MOOD 9. What do they fight about? Who’s the first to apologize? THEY FIGHT LITERALLY ALL THE TIME IT’S ALL THEY KNOW BAYBEE!!!!! JOHN JUST GETS MAD AT HER AND THEN IZZY LAUGHS ABOUT IT THATS THEM THAT’S THE WHOLE DYNAMIC!!!! 10. Did they have a first date? Where did they go? lmfAO I mean they have a lot of little hang outs together at John’s cabin that despite their intentions can sometimes get TENSE... but   again...you’d have to beat them with a stick to get either of them to acknowledge the romantic undertones to anything that happens between them 11. What do their friends and family think? Do they approve of the relationship? NOBODY KNOWWWWS LMAO. Izzy goes out of her waaay to lie about it; she tells Jerome for example that she’s just spying. Some people think its like glaringly obvious though (ie Adelaide being like “hey so John Seed is like...crazy in love with you huh” and Izzy being like “WHAT?????? NO???????”) The only people who know she’s friends with John are Reina and Aria, but even them she lies to about how deep it got. She’s esp cautious with Reina because Reina hates John and honestly she thinks that’s hilarious. In general depending on the person she actually feels kind of ashamed because it feels like she’s betraying hope county on some level? so she just kind of is constantly juggling various lies depending on the person lol 12. Do they like to cuddle/hold hands? Do they prefer to do it privately rather than in public? honestly I can imagine them ending up holding hands or something and just like NOT looking at each other at all when they do, and then stopping and never acknowledging that it happened ever again lmao 13. How long do they wait before sleeping together for the first time (If they do)? Under what circumstances does it happen? ajsfkjsajkfjkakjfjskkjakasfasjf I DON’T KNOW!! I haven’t thought this far but it would probably happen at his cabin when they are alone and they’d probably just like somehow end up just making out somehow lol and Izzy would constantly break it off for a second to be like “we should stop” and then keep going lmfaofjsafkksaj it would be just like way 2 messy and way too much touching and kissing cuz they’re both way too much bottled up, and it would most definitely only happen ONCE and then John would be even more obsessed with her afterwards and Izzy would be like “wow I fucked up lol” 14. Who tops? physically John; emotionally Izzy, does this make sense, who knos......... 15. Do they get married? Who proposes & how? that’s a no from me dog 16. Do they have children? How many? What are their names? again no, but I feel like if you brought up the stupid ass cliche idea of getting married and having some kids and having a little suburban house John would start frothing at the mouth and then izzy would wake up in a cold sweat somewhere

[kanasmusings]

[Translation] StarMyu Season 3 Kao Kai - Character Q & A - Part 2

Here’s part 2~! It covers Kasuga-chan, Irinatsu, and Chiaki! I had so much fun reading all of these because it just gives us a glimpse about how the new Kao Council are outside of their usual activities in school~ After this, the new songs will be posted~! 

Now, I’m wondering-- Who’s everyone’s favorite new member for now??? XD 

※ Please don’t re-post and re-translate this interview under any circumstances. If you want to translate it to your native language, the kanji is readily available in the anime official website.

Anyways, full interviews under the cut, enjoy~!

[Kasugano Shion Q & A]

  1.) Please introduce yourself.

- Musical Department 3rd year. I’m the Kao Council’s Kasugano Shion.

2.) What first impression do people usually have of you?

- “Behaved”. And then when we get to know each other a bit more, it becomes, “You’re kinda weird.”

3.) But really, it’s?

- I don’t think that I’m a noisy person. I don’t know whether I am weird or not, too.

4.) What are you confident in?

- I don’t get surprised no matter what happens. My fortune-telling hobby sometimes warns me greatly about certain happenings.

5.) What are your weaknesses?

- … Shiki and Irinatsu said that I sometimes get easily offended…

6.) What was your nickname in middle school?

- “Shion,” and “Haru.” When I got to high school, Irinatsu started calling me, “Kasuga-chan.”

7.) What’s your favourite way to travel?

- If the weather is good, I like to walk.

8.) What was usually written on your report cards?

- … “One flaw he has is he’s quick to be offended.”…

9.) What’s one thing you absolutely can’t forgive?

- When Shiki’s keeping things to himself-- If he experiences a painful memory then… I won’t forgive myself.

10.) What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

- Fix my bedhair. Since I have soft hair, it takes quite a while to fix it in the mornings.

11.) What’s your favourite food?

- Shiki and Irinatsu have said that I like things that have a lot of calcium in it.

12.) How do you spend your days off?

- Lately, I’ve been researching ways on how to make fortune cookies. I can eat as many as needed until I get the “great luck” fortune.

13.) What is one bad point about yourself?

- … That maybe I really am… a bit quick to be offended.

14.) What’s your favourite place?

- I love the school’s rooftop. I feel so calm when I do fortunes there. I feel like I’ll make a really accurate fortune reading and stuff like that.

15.) How do you relieve your stress?

- I’ll try to predict what my luck is for that day. Fortune-telling is not “magical” at all but is based on data so, it is connected to self-analysis, too. Above all else, it makes me feel at ease. If that doesn’t work then… I’ll make a voodoo doll of the person giving me stress.

16.) What’s the thing you want to do the most right now?

- I want to oversee my students properly while they prepare for the upcoming Ayanagi Festival. I also want to be of help to the other first years even if they’re not my pupils. That’s because it’s what Shiki would want, too.

17.) What subjects are you good at?

- Math and science. I like subjects that have a definite answer.

18.) What subjects are you bad at?

- Japanese language. There are a lot of questions that have multiple answers depending on the person answering them so, I just can’t feel convinced about it.

19.) Sleep or eat, which one can you not live without?

- Shiki… I wonder if he’s eating and sleeping properly. Lately, I’ve been a bit worried about him…

20.) Any parting words?

- The Wheel of Fortune… I feel like something is about to happen…

 OMAKE:

21.) What’s your favourite drink?

- Green tea and o-shiruko.

22.) Are you skilful with your hands?

- I might be dexterous. The other day, I had Irinatsu play with me and I did some tarot card table magic. It went better than I thought it did.

23.) Favourite weather?

- A sunny day with a slight breeze.

                                  »»————-　★　————-««

[Irinatsu Masashi Q & A]

  1.) Please introduce yourself.

- I’m the Kao Council’s Irinatsu Masashi~!

2.) What first impression do people usually have of you?

- “Are you half [foreign]?” Ain’t that funny? (laughs)

3.) But really, it’s?

- I’m Japanese! (laughs)

4.) What are you confident in?

- ‘Course I’m confident in my ability to make music. It’s a talent I inherited from my mom and dad after all~ That’s enough to make me feel confident in it, right?

5.) What are your weaknesses?

- I get hungry quickly. I munch on stuff even during meetings sometimes and Ryo-chin glares at me (laughs). Sorry, Ryo-chin!

6.) What was your nickname in middle school?

- “Masashi” “Irinacchan” “Nacchan” “Massan” “Masa” That too much? (laughs)

7.) What’s your favourite way to travel?

- Running! Sweating it out’s the best!

8.) What was usually written on your report cards?

- “Too lax,” or something? I was living in my grandma’s house when I was in elementary school, y’know? That’s why my body clock was like an old man’s, too.

9.) What’s one thing you absolutely can’t forgive?

- I tend to forgive anything! In exchange, it’d get pretty scary when I become super angry, ‘kay?

10.) What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

- I let out a loooooooooooooouuuuuuuuud voice! It relaxes me and ain’t it gonna help you wake up if you get surprised by your own voice?

11.) What’s your favourite food?

- Shaved ice. Unlimited sea grapes. I also loved the chanpuru* my grandma used to make me. Grandma, are you doin’ well~?

12.) How do you spend your days off?

- There’re times when I just laze around at home, there’re times I go to cafés to look for inspiration, too. I found a really good shop lately! It’s got a good atmosphere and at night there’s a piano being played there, too!

13.) What is one bad point about yourself?

- Only one is boring (laughs). Go ask everyone!

14.) What’s your favourite place?

- The work-room is my castle. It’s got everything there in order for me to express the music I make. Oh, and then after that, ya just gotta wait for your imagination to overflow!

15.) How do you relieve your stress?

- I play the piano fervently in a sound-proof room. I get drunk on hitting the keys as loudly as I can (laughs).

16.) What’s the thing you want to do the most right now?

- Camping! “Chiaki-chan, wanna go with me?” I realized I asked him that back when we were second years. That guy’s definitely the outdoorsy type and he’s got good physique. He looks like he’s good at putting up a tent!

17.) What subjects are you good at?

- Music’s gotta be number one, y’know? And then, social sciences? Like Japanese and English. I write lyrics, too, after all.

18.) What subjects are you bad at?

- Hm, I don’t think there’s much. I love everything.

19.) Sleep or eat, which one can you not live without?

- If I were to choose, it’d be food, probably~ Ah, but sleeping gives me good ideas, too~ Both are very important, y’know?

20.) Any parting words?

- The Kao Council will do their best to fire up the Ayanagi Festival, ‘kay?! Expect a very hot atmosphere, got it!?

 OMAKE:

21.) What’s your favourite drink?

- Hot coffee. Doesn’t it feel refreshing?

22.) Are you skilful with your hands?

- I play instruments so the dexterity between my right hand and left hand is pretty different. If it’s attacking someone with tickles then, I’m an expert (laughs).

23.) Favourite weather?

- Definitely sunny!

 Translator’s Notes:

* “Chanpuru” is an Okinawan stir-fried dish and is kind of a stable food in Okinawa. It’s also called a representative of Okinawan cuisine.

                                  »»————-　★　————-««

[Chiaki Takafumi Q & A]

  1.) Please introduce yourself.

- I’m Chiaki Takafumi. Nice to meet you.

2.) What first impression do people usually have of you?

- I get called flashy a lot. I think it’s ‘cause I grow my hair out.

3.) But really, it’s?

- I’m pretty serious and don’t have a lot of free time.

4.) What are you confident in?

- I’m pretty good at embroidery. Every year during April, I make a huge amount of stuff for my younger brother and sister.

5.) What are your weaknesses?

- You might not understand but, it’s “mochi”. When I was a kid and we went to a mochi-making event, I kept seeing Ryo eat it while looking so disgusted. I saw that and I ended up disliking it, too. Eating something with such a sour face is nonsense, you know!?

6.) What was your nickname in middle school?

- “Takafumi” and “Fumi”

7.) What’s your favourite way to travel?

- There’s really not any but, I do want to have a driving license soon.

8.) What was usually written on your report cards?

- When I was a kid, “Very mature,” was always written. I’m the eldest child so when I was still the only child, I was pretty behaved. There were a lot of people at home that it was hard to go out.

9.) What’s one thing you absolutely can’t forgive?

- Fuyusawa Ryo.

10.) What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

- Make breakfast. Lunch and dinner are what my younger sister’s in charge of so, I have to at least help with breakfast.

11.) What’s your favourite food?

- Likes and dislikes aside, I make sure to finish anything my sister makes for me. She makes me a character boxed lunch everyday so, it’d be scary if I got teased for that.

12.) How do you spend your days off?

- Taking care of my family. Though, Irinatsu keeps inviting me to go camping. What nonsense.

13.) What is one bad point about yourself?

- I think it’s me spoiling my students too much. I’m probably weak to those younger than I am.

14.) What’s your favourite place?

- We moved to a newer building since 2nd term started but, I was pretty fond of the old school building we used during the 1st term. The facilities are old but it’s calming.

15.) How do you relieve your stress?

- Going back home and playing with the kids.

16.) What’s the thing you want to do the most right now?

- I feel like I won’t be able to relax until the Ayanagi Festival’s test stage is over. Making sure my students get into the Musical Department is what I wanna do the most for now.

17.) What subjects are you good at?

- I’m pretty fine with any subject but my specialty is probably kanji, geography, and calculation.

18.) What subjects are you bad at?

- Those shapes in math and time, too.

19.) Sleep or eat, which one can you not live without?

- I’m an early sleeper… Staying up late is nonsense.

20.) Any parting words?

- This term’s Kao Council members are independent. We don’t interfere with each other’s guidance policies and we respect each other’s opinions, too. But—Not having disagreements would make things too smooth, right? I wonder who’s being such a goody-two-shoes here…

 OMAKE:

21.) What’s your favourite drink?

- Floats. I don’t care about basic drinks.

22.) Are you skilful with your hands?

- Ah, I’m dexterous.

23.) Favourite weather?

- Sunny, probably.

                                  »»————-　★　————-««

※ Please don’t re-post and re-translate this interview under any circumstances. If you want to translate it to your native language, the kanji is readily available in the anime official website.

If you enjoyed this, please consider buying me a ko-fi here to support my work! It’ll be a really big help. (o^▽^o)Thank you!!

[aharris00britney]

                                                                                                                                ASKS 14

Ok so 24 hours after I planned to do this but... last time I answered stuff was January(5 months ago). There is a lot under the cut ;n; sims, nonsims, other games, all kinds of stuff ya know

Anonymous said: Hi! Wcif the shirt you used on your Belle hair post? (Btw, that hair is GORGEOUS.)

I have the cc I use in my previews linked on Patreon. Makeup/skin and all that will be on my resource page once I get around to updating it for my 2 new models (who will be up for download soon hopefully). Also ty <3

Anonymous said: What make-up do you use for most of your posts?

The only eyeshadows I use are by @crypticsim or @catplnt. The makeup I use on Macie/Taylor are listed on my resource page. The other two models makeup will be added once I get them added on there but I know they both use similar stuff to Macie/Taylor.

@thatsimmergirl91​ said: Just wanted to take a moment out and say how amazing you are ! I love all your stuff and your blog. Never forget how awesome you are 💗💗💗💗🙌🏻🙌🏻

Thank you so much. Like I know I am going to be typing a lot of thank yous in this post, but I truly mean them. Playing Sims/Making cc is something I did not think would be such a big thing in my life but god is it and I love doing it. Thank you again <3

Anonymous said: You're incredible and I love all your hairs! In fact, you're my favorite cc hair creator. My question is are you planning on making any hairs with the Island Living meshes anytime soon?

Thank you! I am glad you enjoy my hairs <3 I am planning some stuff with the island living meshes. Probably just a conversion to toddlers if I am able and I might do something simple with the adult meshes to release outside of my Patreon stuff. We shall see though! Ty again

@ayoshi​ said: When are you opening an Onlyfans?

idk babe when are you posting your birthmarks? ;)

Anonymous said: Heya! Love your cc! You're real talented

thank you! <3 It isn’t so much talent, more or less just a lot of practice and time. I appreciate the compliment though

Anonymous said: any tips to get high quality sims screenshots??

I have 2 methods I use. When I am taking CC previews I rotate my screen using Ctrl + Alt + the ◄ key. For my lookbooks/upcoming Sim downloads I use a method by foursims who deactivated?? This is the method/video <3

@verdeclaroangels​ said: What skin do you use??💕PS i love u

I use @luumia​ newest vanilla default, alongside his Smooth Butts overlay, and my own fruitpunch overlay. All are linked over on my resource page <3

@vhlori​ said: Austin queen of pop!

q king of edits! <3

Anonymous said: i love your creations and i appreciate the time you put into your cc, i wish i could support you 💕

Thank you!! Sometimes the time crunches can be stressful but I put them on myself so I survive haha. Don’t feel the need to support me please <3 I make sure everything is public eventually so that people dont feel like they are missing out on anything by deciding not to pledge. Thank you for wanting to though, I appreciate that a ton.

Anonymous said: Just a rant here. I'm annoyed that there are no rings in the glove category or some other category. The reason I want this is because I use eyelashes that are in the skin detail section and rings don't work and I don't want to use the accessory eyelashes because my sim wears glasses. It annoys me but that's all.

i... rant away luv i feel u

Anonymous said: What do you do besides sims? That is all you post about and I was curious if that is all you play?

I play Roblox with @ayoshi sometimes, cause that is about all my computer can handle lmao. I have a switch so I play some Nintendo titles on there like Zelda, Splatoon 2, and other stuff. I also have been plying Fortnite recently with @imvikai @greenllamas and @pinealexple. That is about all I play right now lmao. I play Animal Crossing Pocket Camp and Pokemon Go on my phone.

Anonymous said: Hi there ! Just wanted to say I've also been experiencing that problem with your 'downloads' page. I don't have a Tumblr account so I had to tell you this way. Perhaps it's a MacBook issue ? I'm not sure, but I'm using a MacBook Pro. Anyways, thank you for all the beautiful cc you provide us with, you're the best.

Yeah I got another ask about them using a Mac for it. That seems to be the problem. I am not a coder, nor do I know a single thing about coding. All I can suggest doing is going to http://aharris00britney.tumblr.com/tagged/s4cc and using that which sucks to page through I know :( I am sorry

Anonymous said: This is really random, but I love your Sims! I normally don't like Sims with Clay hair, but GIRL, you make them work. Just want to say to keep it up, and if I had money I would support you <3

Thank you lmao <3 stan clay hairs

Anonymous said: Literally im in this sims discord nd they were DRAGGING how you make the same sim in different skin colors and how you make such cookie cutter sims and honestly i felt bad

Meanwhile me in CAS:

Anonymous said: This may be a strange request but what does that one alien toddler you've used on multiple occasions to model hair look like when he's older?

He uuh... idk where they are in my library tbh I can’t find them cause I was going to age him up and show ya but.. yeah idk what happened RIP alien toddler

@amorimlulu said: Hi! I love your creations, they're incredible! I'm completely in love with two of your sims: the asian woman from the patreon 06-16 post and the woman from the ava hair post. Could you, pretty please, upload them on the gallery? I'm dying to play with them. Thank you ^^

I am planning to in the next month! I have the photos taken I just need to get the CC list together and plan it around Island Living posts, CC posts, all that jazzzzzz

Anonymous said: Hello Austin! I really like the way your sims look, so I was wondering if you can tell me where to get the skins and lashes, please? I am new to the Sims 4 and searching for some cute looks :)

Hey! I have this stuff listed on my resource page, and I have over 100 WCIF’s I have answered along with my lookbooks for some clothes. My cc finds blog is @aharris00finds​ if you want to look there :D

Anonymous said: can i just ask? how do you remove the shadows on hair with S4S? im a complete noob at s4s and i was wondering how you would do it?

You just need to click shadow, then make blank :) pic below

Anonymous said: Hi, just a quick message to say THANK YOU for all those beautiful creations. You are so talented and I want you to know that. Thank you so much for making my sims look way more beautiful !

thank you so much <3 I have said it before and idk if anyone will be able to convince me, but I am not talented lmao it just is experience :)

Anonymous said: hey, could u pls make a tutorial abt how u make ur mesh?? i love ur hair meshes so much

I have tried filming a tutorial before and I will just have to wait til I get a good mic lmao. My speed meshing videos are somewhat useful for learning but they are sped up and without instructions so take it with a grain of salt

Anonymous said: would you ever try to recreate lydia martins hair in 3.04? sorry, but you're the only teen wolf fan thats a simblr that i know and i desperately need that lovely hair in my game. thanks!         

tbh I never finished Teen Wolf XD I stopped at the end of season 5 I think. Idk I just lost interest as I grew up :(  Also I have no idea what hair that is sdfgfvb and google isnt telling me either. If you can send a link to a picture or DM me a picture I can see if I can make it <3

Anonymous said: Hi, could you please please upload this sim post/183989453251/e41 ! She's just too pretty

Anonymous said: please upload this sim from your post/183989453251/e41 for download? Thanks   

Idk if I still have her saved but if I do I might upload her. I will check and see later tonight lmao                    

Anonymous said: Is there any way to put everything you make into a .zip file. I really like what you make and I wish there was a way to mass download it. It sounds dumb but really I enjoy your content

Tbh since I post hairs 3 times a month it would be hard for me to keep everything up to date. I might do something like all my CC from 2017 in one zip, and all my cc from 2018 in another? and then make one for 2019 at the end of the year. I’m not sure though.

Anonymous said: Wheres the hair in yo profile pic? And will you upload that sim? AND can you make more clothes ur amazing at it!!! (Also, asking 4 my bff <3 r u boy or girl?)

the hair in my current profile pic is Maddie Hair, the sim is already for download, and I will have some clothes coming next month :) I am a boy :P

Anonymous said: hello! is the model sim in your eve hair valentines special downloadable? I find her really pretty. I really enjoy all of your cc!! I love all of them soooo much.. :)

I will check if I saved her to my library, if so I will add it to the list of stuff I wanna try and do <3 also thank you

Anonymous said: Hey! Love your hairs! Can I request a Riley hair without the hairclip?

the riley hair doesn’t have a clip so I am going to assume you mean the Peyton hair since it was released in the same month. It wouldn’t really be possible to do Peyton without the clip since it has a part of the hair going up into the clip. Without it there would be a hole and if the hole was filled in it would still look weird since the hair would be going up into nothing. I’m sorry <3

@lacr1mation23​ said: Kinda not a question. But, i'm gonna fangirl all over you. You ROCK!!! I LOVE your CCs. BEST. HAIRS. EVAR.   Impressed like woah from Florida. 

thank you so much ;n; this made me smile lmao I appreciate stuff like this a ton

Anonymous said: Hey I think there's something wrong w/ your Lydia hair.. could u fix it?

I’m not sure what the glitch is, so if you could send me a photo or an explanation of what it is then I could help.

Anonymous said: I'm sorry you're having a bad day! I want to let you know your CC is lovely and I hope you have a better day tomorrow! Lots of love and if you like chocolate then I'm sending you plenty of virtual chocolate to help you feel better!

lmao idk what ‘bad day’ I was happening when this was sent but thank you!! I had a rough semester but I am doing a lot better now I think :)

@simsloverlilian​ said: Hi lol I just think this is really funny, my friend asked me where do you get your cc? and I was like: "oh.. ahoob's WCIF place xDDDDDD" and we both died laughing.. at your place you can get amazing hairs, accs, shirts! (lol love your cc keep it up! ;))

thank you so much! I love that yall use my blog for finding cc :)

@raha-plays-the-sims​ said: Okay... I actually want to take a screenshot of my Sim with your new Riley hair on to my hair dresser and tell her to cut my hair that way XD I love it so much! Thank you for continuing to make amazing content!

lmao i have wanted to do this before with a male hair i found for my game. I never went through with it though XD thank you for the compliment <3

Anonymous said: Everyone!!! Stan LOONA for clear skin and good health...

stan red velvet and WJSN

Anonymous said: I just want to say that "EVERYTHING" about your blog/cc/sims is absolutely immaculate. Your CC is like renaissance to Sims 4 modding(I ain't even kidding).Thank you for sharing/uploading them here on tumblr.  Would you be uploading any video on how you create your sims on youtube anytime soon? And what sliders do you usually use in creating sims if there are some?

thank you so much!!! I have tried recording my game before and the footage just comes out super lag. Hopefully later this year I will be able to get a computer and I could record something then. Also I don’t use any sliders or presets on my main Sims :)

@lllac-lady786​ said: This isn’t a question, but your sims are just so pretty and you are so talented 🤩

thank you <3

Anonymous said: Did something happen to your Lydia hair?

I don’t think so? It seems to be fine for me

Anonymous said: How are you able to edit the new game pack when sims4studio hasn't been updated yet? I am itching to edit some stuff but I can't yet :(

I use CAS Tools! I might make a tutorial this week depending on how busy I am. Not sure though <3

Anonymous said: How likely would you be to recommend the new pack to another simmer out of 10?

(this was sent during Strangerville) I would say 8/10 recommendation. But I love storylines and stuff in games so my opinion is very based on that.

Anonymous said: Would you ever make male hair or recolour some of ea's so they work with your ombre accessory?

I am thinking of doing some ombre accessories for the new Island Living pack for the two ombre hairs. I am not sure if I will be able to or not but I will see :)

@milugameplay​ said: Hello sweetheart, I just like to say that I love the hairs that you create. Thank you for sharing them with us.            

thank you <3 i appreciate the compliment

Anonymous said:Hi! When you uploaded peach earrings, the blonde sim had a braided hairstyle. Was it cc or a maxis one?     

hey! It is from outdoor retreat GP :)     

Anonymous said: Have nothing to ask. Just want to tell you that you are amazingly talented. ❤ I have been playing the sims since its original Sims 1 release, and have always been a heavy CC user. (Upwards of 50GB in sims 3). Never have I ever felt the need to download EVERYTHING a creator has ever made, until I found you.  So, in short, you are amazeballs. Keep it up.

this is so sweet lmao. Even I don’t have all my own CC in my game <3 I appreciate this so so much. Thank you for this

Anonymous said: How did you learn to create custom content??Did you see any video tutorial? I'm trying to create a hair but I can not get it :(((( help me please

most of the stuff I have learned from trial and error, or help from S4S fourms and friends :) Feel free to message me with questions on tumblr or discord

Anonymous said: I know Sims 5 is still so far away, but I still have a question! With the release of Sims 4 so many awesome creators for Sims 3 just stopped creating from one day to another. So my question is: Could you imagine yourself creating Custom Content for Sims 5? I'm asking because I seriously love every single piece you create for Sims 4, and I really wish the glory era of Ah00b won't end with the release of Sims 5. Ily! <3

it depends on the style that TS5 goes for tbh. I love Sims 4 style and I don’t know much of anything about creating alpha hairs so if TS5 goes that direction I doubt I would be able to create for it. also thank you for calling it the glory era of ah00b lmao

Anonymous said: You have hairs named after all the girls in black pink except Rosé. Is there a reason for this?

Well I named a hair Rosanne thinking it was close enough to her name lmao. I might name a hair coming in July Rosie. We shall see when it gets to July XD

[mayanangel]

Oohhh fluffy and cute frian/maycury please! I alawys thought they are a LOT like Lilly and Marshall from HIMYM the longer you think about it the more sense it makes! Could you do Something with that pretty please?

Hey, anon! Thanks for the request! Unfortunately I’m not the biggest HIMYM fan, so while I do know OF Lilly and Marshall, I’m not like, the biggest expert on their relationship dynamic. 

So maybe I can offer you some fluffy and cute modern!AU Frian instead?

And by “fluffy and cute modern!AU” I mean something that somehow became a makeup artist!AU, because I’m a terrible person :(

Again, sorry for the suuuper late fill, but I hope you’ll like it! And of course, feel free to request something else if you want to. XOXO

x-x-x-x-x-x

“Don’t move.“

“I’m not.”

“I just sai-..! Brian! I said don’t move!” Freddie half-laughed, half-complained, grabbing his boyfriend’s fluffy - and giggling - face between his hands. “Now look what you’ve done - your eyeliner’s gone all crooked!”

Brian laughed. “I’m sorry, babe, I really am. Can it be fixed? I’ll be still this time, I promise.”

Freddie narrowed his eyes at his boyfriend, sneering jokingly. “You sit on a throne of lies, you liar.”

Brian chuckled, shrugging at the camera. “Well, I tried.”

Freddie flipped him the bird, while rummaging through the mess of cosmetics on his filming vanity for a makeup wipe. "And… I’m out of makeup wipes too, apparently.”

“Oh, are those the wet tissues you make Roger and I use after we perform? They smell nice.” Brian spun idly on his boyfriend’s spinning stool, a delicate finger just barely scratching at his nose. He knew better than to just rub at the itch the way he usually would; the last time he did that, they had to pause shooting altogether, due to Freddie almost bursting into tears over Brian ‘ruining his contour’.

Enter John, swooping in with an emergency cuddle while Roger laughed his ass off behind the camera.

“Ugh, whatever. Fuck those wipes! We’re doing this old school with a q-tip and some makeup remover. Now stay still, love!”

Brian practically held his breath as Freddie cupped his face with one hand, and then very carefully worked a wet q-tip near his eye with the other.

It was a strange sensation, having someone prodding around so near to his eyeball - but he trusted Freddie with his life. And to be honest, he really did try to keep perfectly still - after all, Freddie had been begging him to do this video for weeks, and he wanted nothing more than to make his boyfriend happy - but he just couldn’t help being both curious about everything Freddie was doing to his face, while also just appreciating his boyfriend’s very focused, and almost uncharacteristic seriousness, while he worked his magic.

And could you blame him? His boyfriend was gorgeous.

Today Freddie had done his own makeup hours before they even started filming, and like always, Brian had been distracted from the moment he saw him fully glam’d up. He just… he looked like a fucking work of art. Exactly how his boyfriend managed to look both prettier and more handsome at the same time when he was all dolled up, he had no idea. All he knew was that, beyond all the eye shadow and lipstick, he was just as mesmerised with this part of his boyfriend - or ‘Melina’, as Freddie dubbed his feminine persona - as he was with Freddie himself.

Sure she was a force of nature to contend with, his Melina; just as much a runaway storm as his Freddie. But he couldn’t stop loving either if he tried.

Fully dolled up, or hair slicked back, dressed head to toe in leather - Brian was hopelessly enamored with his boyfriend in his entirety.

Of course their fans knew about Freddie’s dabbling in makeup and the occasional drag. And of course, there were those who tried to make Freddie feel bad about it. But he and the others had decided long ago - before Freddie started his Melina youtube channel - that they would stand by their lead singer no matter what. God knows the amount of times he’s walked in to find John calming an irate Roger down from another screaming match with his laptop screen - all because some troll had commented about how Freddie was the death of decency in rock music.

As if rock and roll was ever 'decent’.

Those bastards could fuck off.

But Freddie - oh how his man just kept on being amazing and outstanding, despite the shit people were throwing at them.

Instead of giving up on drag and makeup, their lead singer had instead gotten even better at his craft, and eventually started his own youtube channel, where he could be honest and open about being queer and doing drag, while also being a rockstar. His makeup tutorials were especially popular; and as they grew as a band, Freddie began to grow as an exceptional makeup artist.

Told you my bloody art degree would come in handy, he once told them, and Brian couldn’t agree more. He’d practically lost track of how many times he’s watched Freddie paint his face, and yet the process still never failed to take his breath away.

The way every movement, every action, every deliberate touch - slowly transformed all that was Freddie, until Melina finally took her place; it was fucking artistic poetry in motion. In fact, he even suggested once that Freddie do their shows in drag, but his boyfriend had laughingly declined.

'Melina’ isn’t made for singing on stage in a rock band, dear, he had told him. Melina was beauty, Melina was glam. Melina was fantasy.

But Freddie however - Freddie was made for the stage. Freddie was music, Freddie was performance. Freddie was for their fans, who had stuck by them, from their days of singing cover songs on Roger’s youtube channel, to performing original material on their official band channel, to them releasing their album and touring the country performing live almost every other day of the week.

For those fans, Freddie was Freddie, and Freddie enjoyed keeping it that way. Perhaps Melina could drop by once in a while, he mused, but at the end of the day, if he was going to stand on stage and sing while Brian, Roger, and John played their hearts out, he was going to do so as Freddie Mercury.

Besides, he cheekily added, he very much enjoyed being unmistakably male when teasing Brian during his solos.

Kept the thirsty ladies (and boys!) in their audience suitably reminded of their places, should any of them get the dreadful idea that his boyfriend only really 'liked’ him because he wore makeup and occasionally did drag.

Well, joke’s on them. Brian’s boyfriend may like to wear makeup and wear lingerie - but he still had a dick, so there.

Without even meaning to, Brian felt a fond smile form on his face. In front of him, Freddie finally stepped back to assess his work, eyes darting left to right to check whether Brian’s eyeliner was finally even. Brian hoped it was - he really didn’t want more things poking near his eye.

Freddie whooped. “Perfect! Done! Now, we just need to fix the foundation a little - as you can see, some of it’s come off around here - but other than that, I think we’ll just need to pop on some mascara, and then mayyyyyybe some fake lashes? What do you think, babe? Does this… supermodel, slash Hollywood starlet, slash Fairy Queen fantasy need some fake lashes?”

Not gonna lie, Brian kinda liked how Freddie described him as some sort of cross between an ideal and fantastical beauty. Made him feel like a real showstopper - a stunner.

He turned to the camera, puckering his lips and striking some semblence of a pinup pose. “Then I’ll finally be prettiest of them all?” he asked demurely.

“Oh please,” Freddie grinned, pecking a brief kiss onto his lips. “You know you’ve always been pretty, love.” He giggled when he saw that some of his lipstick had transferred to Brian’s cupid’s bow. “How else did you think you convinced me to date you?”

Brian straightened in his seat, eyes twinkling with mischief. “Well, I was thinking it was because of my big pe-…”

Freddie gasped, dropping his mascara and scrambling to cover Brian’s mouth. “BRIAN HAROLD MAY, DON’T YOU DARE!”

John and Roger broke down into peals of laughter off camera.

Brian snickered behind Freddie’s palm, gently removing it so he could smile indulgently at his boyfriend. “I was going to say PE-rsonality, love. Personality. Honestly, Fred. This is a family show, calm down.”

Freddie responded by rubbing indignantly at the trace of red on his lips, feigning annoyance and muttering under his breath.

“Yeah, Fred, let Brian tell us more about his 'big personality’!” Roger hollered off camera.

Freddie swiftly turned towards his giggling bandmates. “Shut up, Rog!” he mock scolded, embarrassment and amusement breaking out all over his face. “We are not doing that, okay - NO, sto..- John stop encouraging him! - I repeat, NO ONE needs to know about my boyfriend’s… personality or whatever, alright? This is a makeup tutorial - and you BASTARDS are trying to get me banned from youtube, when I’m not even halfway done with his face! Shame, the lot of you!”

Brian laughed heartily, taking Freddie’s hand to get his attention.

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry, babe, I’ll be good now, I promise. No more talk about… big… personalities.. Whether they be mine or yours!” He turned towards the camera, pointing a finger at their imaginary audience. “No more!”

“You insufferable knob, I hate you!” Freddie hid his face in his hands, eyeing Brian through the gaps between his fingers.

Brian batted his perfectly painted eyelids at his boyfriend. “Liar. You love me.”

Freddie pretended to consider for a moment, cheeks burning red, before giving in and looking up with a bashful smile.

“Fine, you’re right. I do. I love you.” He leaned in for a kiss, stopping halfway to grab a tissue to press over Brian’s lips, then planting a firm smooch on Brian’s tissue-protected face. Brian grinned at his boyfriend’s ingenuity, wholly impressed when Freddie pulled away smiling and lipstick transfer-free.

“Oi! Get a room!”

Brian took the tissue from Freddie and threw it in John’s direction, the other man scurrying to hide behind an equally giggling Roger.

Freddie laughed, flipping off their friends for good measure. “Alright, enough! Let’s get back to work!” He reached for his mascara, manhandling Brian’s head back into the perfect position.

“Now, you need to sit perfectly still and hush, alright? For real, this time! - or I swear I will stab you in the eye with my mascara wand, and let Roger turn you into one of him memes.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Try me, love.”

Brian grinned, already thinking about the many ways he could use those words against his boyfriend later. “Very well. Do your worst, babe.”

Freddie smirked. Roger and John rolled their eyes.

“Gayyyyyy~!”

“Shut the fuck up, Rog!”

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

“….And this is the final look, guys! What do you think, Brian? Did I do a good job?”

Brian stared at his reflection in the mirror.

“Oh my…Fred, you did amazing! I look… oh, I look gorgeous! This is… oh wow. This is fantastic!”

“Really? You really like it?” Freddie asked earnestly. Brian nodded with enthusiasm.

“Freddie, babe… I love it!”

Freddie beamed, feeling probably the proudest he’s ever felt since coming out to their fans all those years ago.

To think that they would be able to have a moment like this after everything they had all been through, was humbling. Queen was doing great, his boyfriend was literally the best boyfriend in the world (John can kiss his ass if he thinks otherwise, no offense to Roger), and their fans - as far as he knew - loved and accepted all of them just the way they were, no questions asked.

Freddie honestly could not have asked for a better moment to bask in.

Well… then again.

He watched as Brian gingerly poked and prodded at his masterpiece, still enthralled by his new face. Freddie bit his bottom lip. There was one other thing that he’s been dying to ask of Brian. One other thing that he’s been dying to have Brian do for him.

Something that his wonderful boyfriend has consistently - albeit politely, because Brian - declined to do ever since he first offhandedly suggested it.

But then… considering how well he was taking the makeup thing - perhaps now would be a good time to ask?

“Uh oh.” Brian was turned towards him; mirror put away, camera still recording.

“What?”

“I know that look.”

“I didn’t even say anything!”

“But you were thinking it, and I love you, but the answer is no.”

Freddie pouted. “But Brimiiiiiiii…”

“No, Freddie.”

“But-”

“I already let you put me in makeup, babe, what more could you want?”

Another pout, but even closer to his face, because Freddie was now dangerously close to sitting on his lap. “…..Please?”

Brian sighed. “Freddie…”

“Just for one night! I promise it will be amazing, love! You’ll be amazing!”

“Freddie, I- I… you know I can’t dance…” Now it was Brian’s turn to pout, insecurity looming it’s ugly head. Of course he knew what Freddie was suggesting. He’d been suggesting it for almost as long as he’s been begging him to do this video. And it wasn’t that he didn’t like the scene or anything - hell, he probably enjoyed it more than Freddie did!

It was just… the whole over the top theatricality of it all could be so intimidating. He enjoyed watching Freddie and their other friends when they were into it, but he just couldn’t see himself ever having that kind of confidence to pull it off.

Freddie was having none of it, though, reaching out and lifting his boyfriend’s beautiful face to look at him.

“You stop that right now. You know as well as I do that it’s not about dancing, it’s about being and enjoying yourself. And in my personal opinion, darling, I think you’d be magnificent at it!”

Brian blushed. “You really think so..?”

Before Freddie could answer, Roger beat him to it. “I mean… if it’ll make you feel any better, John and I would definitely join in if you agree to it, Brian.”

“Yeah, Brian,” John added. “Roger’s been begging me to put him in drag for ages now, we could make a night out of it. What do you say?”

Freddie smiled, hopefulness blooming anew on his face. Brian worried his bottom lip, tasting lip gloss on the tip of his tongue. It tasted like sweet peaches.

“So… what do you say, Brimi? Ladies night out at a drag club in full drag? I’ll make sure you’re extra pretty.”

Brian smiled softly despite himself, already knowing that he had lost this fight. Who was he kidding? He never stood a chance.

“Fine.” He agreed, taking Freddie’s warm hands in his. “On one condition.”

Freddie lit up exponentially, already thrumming with excitement and ideas. “Anything, love.”

“Promise me…. that we’ll be prettier queens than John and Roger.”

Freddie burst into laughter, throwing his arms around Brian while their two friends protested loudly off to the side.

FUCK OFF AND GET A DAMN ROOM, YOU WANKERS.

Brian joined his boyfriend laughing, kissing the side of his head as he held him close. A bit of lip gloss stained his temples, but Freddie couldn’t care less. He was just elated to be sharing another part of his world with Brian. His beautiful, sensational, and wonderful lover, Brian May.

He pulled away with a final kiss on Brian’s lips, then turned towards the camera.

“Well, that’s it guys! I just did my boyfriend’s makeup, and you heard it here first! Queen will be doing a drag night out - Coming to you soon!! Keep a lookout on all of our social media, which will be linked below in the description, and make sure you subscribe…”

Brian smiled to himself as he watched Freddie close out the video. He looked positively giddy, grinning from ear to ear, mind probably already designing the outfit he wanted Brian’s drag persona to wear. Well, he thought, he’s already been many things. A good son, good kid.

School nerd, space nerd. Rock musician, rock guitarist.

A closeted fool who once pined for another’s love; and now, an out and proud fool who was shamelessly in love with the love of his life.

Honestly, what harm could it possibly bring to add another thing to that list?

Besides, he thought to himself as Freddie slid onto his lap, if it made Freddie happy, then it was well worth doing, wasn’t it?

He saw Roger in the corner of his eye throwing his hands up in exasperation as John rushed to stop the camera’s recording; the set lights going dim a few moments later. John had all but dragged Roger out of the room by then, no doubt to get some alone time of their own - the horny bastards.

His attention was brought back to the man his arms when he felt Freddie leave his lap, moving to clear a space on the makeup table - just enough for him to hop up on, and beckon to Brian, legs spread apart oh so invitingly.

Brian wasted no time to stand between them, hands on Freddie’s hips while Freddie leaned back on his elbows, shamelessly smudged bottom lip between his teeth. Undoubtedly Brian knew his own makeup was probably ruined, but judging by his boyfriend’s reaction, it was far from an issue at that very moment.

In fact, it might well be the exact opposite of a problem.

Brian smirked. Oh yeah. Definitely worth it.

[themagiciansreccenter]

Five @ Five @shmazarov

As a part of our author spotlight, we’ve asked each writer to highlight 5 fics and tell us a little about their experience writing (or reading) them.

If It Makes You Feel Better by lazarov

"Jesus Christ," Quentin moaned. "I am such a fucking asshole! All I remember is that Margo started kissing me, and I was all emotionally jumbled up and she was crying and you were there, passed out -- and this was a huge, horrible mistake.” He paused. “Uh, no offense.”

“Mhmm.” Eliot rolled his eyes and pulled out a bottle of Cuervo, pouring two sloppy fingers into a tumbler and topping it up with what could generously be called a splash of OJ. He slid it towards Quentin. “Tequila sunrise pour vous? ”

“Please no.”

“Suit yourself.” He slid the glass back towards himself and took a sip, before furrowing his brow and examining Quentin’s face. “Did you say Margo was crying?”

Twitchily, Quentin shifted under his gaze and shrugged. “It was just leftover bottled-up emotion brain-junk. No biggie.”

“Alright,” he said slowly, and Quentin suspected he wasn’t quite off the hook. But Eliot’s forehead relaxed and he changed the subject, pacing in a circle and waving his drink around, explaining: "Look, you were extremely drunk and hopped up on bootleg magic. The cheap, street stuff is like bottom-shelf tequila: nobody can be blamed for their actions after a few shots, worm and all." Eliot paused, quirking an eyebrow and leaning his elbows on the counter. His robe slid an down his shoulders, revealing a fucking bite mark under his left clavicle, and Quentin dragged his eyes away, doing his best to convince himself that the reddish-bruised imprint was way too small to have come from him. "To be honest, boo, I didn't think you had it in you."

This was my very first fic for the Magicians fandom, and my first attempt at developing an ear for Quentin and Eliot's voices. I didn't quite hit the mark, but I think it was a decent early start. It's satisfying to see how much further I've come in developing a feel for these characters.

Caught You by lazarov

"I thought that after all this turned out to be real, that I wouldn't..." Quentin sighs and thumps his head backwards against the wall, frustrated. "I shouldn't still be doing this. I shouldn't want to..." He trails off.

"Why?" Eliot says. "Because of magic?" He spits the word out like it's vinegar in his mouth, then sighs. "The fact that magic didn't fix all your problems doesn't make you ungrateful. And you're not stupid."

Quentin quirks the corner of his mouth, a doubtful sort of 'maybe.'

Eliot's hand have finally stopped shaking enough that he can let go of Quentin's arm ("You take over," he murmurs) and start to form a spell. There are probably better ones, stronger ones, but his brain feels scrambled and it's the only one he can bring forth with reasonable certainty.

His hands work methodically but cautiously as he moves through the procession: slow, carefully-drawn arcs and deliberate patterns. He nearly stumbles on the third movement, a transition from bhramara to Flamel's Interlock, but he manages to keep going, the energy building in his hands like glowing coals. Quentin watches him with tired eyes, tracking the movements with clear interest; it's not a spell he'd've learned yet, second-year Fundamentals of Wellness spellcasting stuff, and something twits in his stomach as he realizes Quentin is committing it to memory.

I love Caught You, the whole series is so important to me. Not just because I feel it was vital to explore what could've-been with Quentin's depression after Dean Fogg suggested he go off his meds, but also because I think this fic is the one where I found my voices for Eliot and Q as well as my personal style for writing hand-spellcasting.

Stories We Tell by lazarov

They stayed wrapped in each others arms for a long while: warm, slippery skin pressed together in cold water, the immediacy of their thoughts drowned out by the constant, soothing white noise of the falls, only occasionally pierced by the sound of songbirds sweetly singing to each other across the clearing.

"Will you tell me what you thought when you first saw me?" Quentin asked, his breath hot on Eliot's shoulder. He dragged his teeth against Eliot's trapezius, eliciting a shiver.

"At Brakebills?"

Eliot felt Quentin nod. He nosed against Quentin's temple: "I thought you were beautiful" - he pressed a kiss to Quentin's cool skin, over his eyebrow - "and intriguing" - another kiss, between Quentin's eyes - "and I immediately began plotting an intricate plan to make you fall head-over-hells in lust with me."

"You're supposed to tell the truth," Quentin said quietly, giving Eliot a gentle, admonishing bite.

"I know," said Eliot. "I am."

He was.

I generally have an extremely hard time writing romance but this? I was proud of this. There's something about setting a mood and teasing out exactly the moment you want from the setting you've created that is satisfying as fuck. This fic is an off-shoot of Caught You, but stands on its own as well: Quentin and Eliot trying to figure out how to be alone with each other - and take care of each other, despite their respective hang-ups about feeling loved - in Fillory.

One and the Same by lazarov

“Well, I hope that jackrabbit got eaten! Mashed up and squished right between a killer turtle’s teeth so he can’t call me names ever again.” Still draped over Quentin’s shoulder, Rupert did his turtle impression again. He poked Quentin in the back. “Turn me so I can look at dad.” Dutifully, Quentin spun so that Rupert was level with Eliot’s eyes. “What do you think? About him getting eaten?”

“Well.” Eliot tapped his chin with one finger. “First of all, I don’t think turtles have teeth. Second, I guess whether or not I wish a horrible death upon him depends on exactly what name that rabbit called you, buddy.”

“He called me a…” Rupert frowned, reconsidering, and waved Eliot closer. Eliot dutifully leaned forward so that Rupert could whisper with one hand cupped around his ear: “A two-legged idiot.”

“Well,” Eliot said gravely, rocking back on his heels. Quentin’s shoulders were bobbing with silent laughter and Rupert bounced gently along with them. “That is particularly rude. And I’m glad you chose not to repeat it in front of your dad. We both know he’s very sensitive”—

“Hey!” Quentin protested.

“But, if we’re talking eaten-by-turtles bad? I think I could find it in my heart to let that rabbit go. Mercy is a virtue, no?”

Rupert nodded, pleased with the answer, and Eliot stepped towards them. He pressed his lips against the sun-warmed top of Rupert’s head, before nosing at the soft, stubbled spot below Quentin’s ear. Gently, Quentin leaned into his touch

—

“Jesus fuck.” Eliot slammed one angry fist on the table and then buried his face in his hands. The sharp pain in his wrist helped to draw him out of the memory, but he was still stuck half-in and half-out: he could still smell Quentin’s hair and the damp of his skin after working on the mosaic in the afternoon heat. He could still feel a tiny hand tugging at his linen shirt. Eliot suppressed the urge to throw his chair backwards and rip himself away from it. “Jesus fucking Christ,” he said again, wounded, his lips muffled against his palms.

“Hey,” Quentin said quickly, shooting one hand out to gently grab Eliot’s wrist. “El? You okay?”

He couldn’t answer – paralyzed by the memory, he opened his eyes and slowly blinked before taking stock of himself: they were in a shitty diner in midtown. In front of him, there was a scuffed white plate with a bagel on it. There was lox on the bagel. Quentin was sitting across from him. Quentin was wearing a grey sweater. He could feel Quentin’s foot touching his foot. Quentin’s warm hand was on his wrist.

This is an in-progress series about Eliot and Quentin dealing with their memories of the mosaic timeline. I tend to write what I want to read and, if I could read nothing except fic about Quentin and Eliot emotionally processing flashbacks of that timeline for the rest of my days in this fandom? I would be very lucky indeed.

spring sooner than the lark by greywash

"I love you," Eliot says, very quietly; and Quentin says, "I know."

"I'm in love with you," Eliot says; and Quentin says, "I know," and then lifts up his head.

Straightens. Quentin reaches up. Rubbing a thumb against Eliot's burning cheek: Eliot can't stop looking at him. His lovely serious sweet face.

"I think I've always been in love with you," Eliot says, barely breathing; and Quentin nods, cupping his cheek.

"I know, sweetheart," he says, really gently. "But that's not what I asked."

His big dark, sad eyes.

Eliot swallows. There is an odd, unstable sort of a wobble, buried somewhere under his sternum. "If I said no," he says; and then takes a breath, and corrects: "if. If it doesn't work out."

Quentin closes his eyes, and then touches their foreheads together.

"Then we'll figure it out," he says, very quietly, "that's not what I'm asking."

Eliot closes his eyes; and Quentin takes a breath.

"This is your home," Quentin says, very quietly. "I'm—yours, whatever happens, we're yours, I'm not going to leave, and I'm not going to—to take Teddy away from you, or something"; and Eliot—Eliot can't— "Oh, Christ, El": Quentin slides his arm around Eliot's middle.

Pulling him. Close.

Eliot curls up. Tucking his face into Quentin's throat.

"You know you gave him to me, right?" Quentin says, very quietly. "You're as much his father as I am"; and Eliot presses his eyes to Quentin's warm rough sweat-smelling skin.

Get the FUCK out of here with that intensely gorgeous prose. Talk about setting a mood. Ever since I read it, this gorgeous fic has spurred on my desire to write for the Magicians and my desire to WRITE BETTER.

[mrdanielbond]

Bond’s New Flatmate (Chpt. 4)

“Duck? Swann? Same thing.”

[James Bond X Reader]

Plot; She’s here. Bond’s girlfriend has finally arrived. Dr Madeleine Swann. Don’t they make the perfect hot couple? Well...after spending some ‘quality’ time with James’ new girlfriend, unfortunately, you already find her the most irritable person you have ever had the displeasure of sitting in the same room with….

[Word Count; 4000+ ]

[Y/N - Your Name]

[Y/L/N - Your Last Name]

[Warnings? Does a crazy girlfriend count?]

[A/N; It’s back- God knows how many times I suffered through a brain fart because if this. But on the bright side, Madeleine’s character is a blend of her in Spectre and inspiration from others. Also Jonathan, the new friend is an actor you can imagine just to open things up for you! You’ll see more of him soon! I really do hope you enjoy this! ]

1 Week Before…

“Come on Y/N. Sit with me.” James said as he shifted aside on his bed.

He had been working on a case to do with a Turkish terror threat for a while now and the case had proved to show some difficulties. It was 9.00 pm and you could see Bond was slightly frustrated with the way his shirt was untucked, sleeves rolled up and slightly unbuttoned, his tie had been thrown to one side, he didn’t really care how he had looked, especially in front of his flatmate half the time. You didn’t care how you looked either, in a long t-shirt and a pair of leggings beneath, you were starting to feel more comfortable in the flat almost over eight months in. You both had been getting a lot closer - well in the eyes of others, you two made more snarky remarks to each other as a way of ‘respect’ or some form of friendship.

“Are you’re scared I’m going to bite?” He remarked.

“In all the wrong places.” You teased. “You have no idea…” You mumbled that part to yourself quietly.

“Come on. I won’t bite.”

“No touching.” You said with a stern tone in your voice.

“No touching.” He repeated with his hands up.

“I’m being serious.”

“I’m not going to do anything Sir.” He laughed, “I just want you to look at this case with me that’s all...Unless you’re uncomfortable with that.”

“Please. I’m the one who does the uncomfortable making, not you.” You said as you sat next to him, leaning against the headboard and looked at the photographs of the terror suspect.

You two sat together talking about the case for over an hour and you realised, you hadn’t been this close to James ever. And for the first time ever, there were no flirtatious jokes - well he managed to slip in one or two but he really did want your help. He turned to you, smiling once you’d both finally stopped talking.

“So just out of curiosity, do you think you will ever divorce your husband?”

“Way to drop in the question.” You laughed, “And why are you asking? So you can try and jump into my bed and prove you don’t go around sleeping with married women?”

“No.” Bond chuckled shaking his head, “I’ll wait two weeks after.”

You turned, glaring at him, prepared to jump out of the bed and make a run for it, “I’m joking! It’s a genuine question. You two aren’t even a couple so you’d understand why I’d ask that question.”

“Well, I don't know. I’ve just been too lazy.”

“But what if you weren’t feeling lazy?”

“I can’t imagine myself being bothered enough though.”

“God you’re annoying.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s almost attractive.”

“Not happening James.”

“Got it.” There was a silent pause before he continued, “So did you love him?”

“At one point, yeah. But it’s just I think we see each other more as friends.”

“Uh oh. That’s the kind of thing you say once you’ve had a break up.” He laughed.

“No. I told you what happened. We had to move away to different places and just grew distant. Had no time to talk to each other about anything or even bothered to see each other down the line.” You looked down at your hands with a sigh, James was genuinely interested. He listened to your every word when you opened up about your marriage, it was almost an odd therapy session.

“So, same time next week? This time a little less talk and more action?”

“In your dreams.”

“Fine. Playing hard to get, you won’t be able to handle this anyway.” He winked, looking down.

“Handle what? There’s nothing to handle, not even downstairs.” James became stunned as you slipped out of his bed smiling, was he trying to undress you with his eyes?

“Oh and don’t stare too long, you have a girlfriend.”

“What girlfriend?” He said, enjoying the view behind you.

***

The evening in Chelsea had finally hit and during winter especially, nothing could defeat the feeling of soaking up the warmth of the flat, being on the couch wrapped up in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows and some popcorn with (your favourite show) on television, James’ light blue shirt and your PJ bottoms. To set the record straight, you had always borrowed his shirts for experiments in the labor at home and never returned them but this was a different case. Your laundry had stacked exponentially and the clothes you had left were down to the ugliest t shirt and bottoms you owned, which you were not willing to put on at all, especially when you’re living with someone like James who knew how to tease. So on your day off, you had to get that sorted immediately. Today was your day off and you appreciate it more than anything. A day away from James and his ridiculous saga with Q, which still you haven’t been able to divorced from (your laziness had increased by a milestone since you moved to London) and had the displeasure of being the centre of it. Today was definitely a break. From Bond and all his questions, his flirtatious tricks and from Q and his snarky remarks. James was out working as usual, considering he was ‘Mr. 24/7’ and had to be alert all the time - something about a debriefing had to take place, you couldn’t remember. It’s evidently clear you aren’t one to listen to what James is usually up to at work.

Just when you thought you were going to spend the entire night like this, binge watching your favourite television show, that thought was immediately defeated by the sound of the door unlocking. James stepped in and noticed you resting comfortably on the couch.

“Oh hello.” He mumbled quietly, noticing you in a change of clothes, “This is the most comfortable I’ve ever seen you in the flat.” His rich voice caught your attention instantly. You turned to him and casually ate popcorn, giving him a slight shrug.

“I live here too, don’t I?” You responded with a proud smirk. “Better take advantage of what I have.”

“That being my shirt? Not that I’m saying it looks bad on you.” He smirked too, except his eyes were on you completely, eyeing the way you were dressed in particular to his fascination.

“What? I had to call the plumber to fix the washing machine.”

“Really? A plumber? You should’ve told me that the washing machine had a problem.”

“You’ve been really busy as of late I couldn’t disturb you being on that case for a washing machine and what would you have done? Shown your manly skills off in front of me?”

“If you wanted me to, I could’ve made time to help you out and who knows? I don’t even think a washing machine would even have to be involved. I could just show you what it does.” He winked. The man was at it again, he was at his flirtatious jokes once again, yet this time you had no remark or form of response to that. You simply shook your head, knowing he wasn't going to give up.

There was a comfortable silence between you two, as James appriciated the way you looked, especially in his shirt, it was almost - attractive in a way. The way your hair was let down to one side, while you were practically covered in two blankets, one being James’ shirt almost completely covering more than just your arms and the actual blanket itself. It was almost tempting for him to join you.

See the emphasis on the almost? Here’s where Bond stops himself in his tracks…

Footsteps came from behind him and entered the flat. A woman with flowing blonde hair and a slim figure stood beside James, with a long expensive coat, under that an all black outfit, black blouse and trousers and you could’ve sworn you saw a pair of Louis Vuitton heels and handbag. Shit. An upper class snobby woman had just casually walked in wearing - was that - were those - Bond’s Tom Ford sunglasses? You quickly took your phone and cursed yourself realising what day it was. Shit. It was MONDAY. And you knew what that meant. Bond’s girlfriend, Madeleine Swann was standing before you. Something inside you wanted to poke and prod her, see if she really was as snobby as your assumptions believed her to be - you were just that type of person or maybe she dressed to impress for him. James does have a love for dressing lavishly in suits. In fact, you may or may not have been ruining a £500 shirt at this current present moment in time. Though you’ve seen him dress completely different to that and you considered those his best days, so you weren’t embarrassed to be dressed so casually in front of her. She looked around the flat for a moment, with a smile on her face, impressed by the sight. Then she turned to you and slowly took her sunglasses off with a curious look on her face. She then looked at James then back at you, confused.

“Oh right!” Bond ended the silence quickly, “Sorry. Y/N this is Dr Madeleine Swann. Madeleine this is Y/N Y/L/N, she’s one of the forensic investigators who works on the same branch with us sometimes. Mainly when a body is involved. Oh and she’s my flatmate.” He looked at the both of you, eagerly smiling.

Dr of what? You thought. Perfecting the sciences and study behind the resting bitch face? How you wanted to say something smart to test her, and it wasn’t even because you were jealous, it was just because of the way she looked at you. But then again, maybe that’s the way she normally looked, so you had to give her a chance and held your tongue. You rose from the couch and extended your hand, “Hello. I’ve heard so much about you.”

She paused, looking at your hand for a moment, you could’ve sworn that was a dirty look, “And I’ve heard very little about you.” She said in a more serious tone. She then laughed it off and shook your hand after a short pause.

“Nice shirt.” She remarked.

“Why thank you, I do know a thing or two about dressing appropriately for the occasion, especially in the comfort of my own flat. What’s the point of dressing as if I was going to meet the Queen all the time? Would be quite painful, especially for the people around me.”

She scoffed and turned to Bond with a smile, “James, with the way you described your flatmate, I thought he would’ve been some dirty, greasy, big man, who works as a bouncer at a nightclub. I didn’t know you were staying with a woman after all you’ve told me.” She smiled.

You were tempted to spit the remainder of your hot everage on her expensive shoes. Well that was rude. But then a thought crossed your mind...

Woman. Now that’s what offended her. The fact that you were a woman living with her boyfriend as flatmates - when you put it that way, any jealous girlfriend would’ve thought this was the perfect scenario. Then again, what competition did she have? If James was to describe you to anyone, you could’ve sworn he would’ve used the word ‘sociopathic’ considering that’s how you were and that was a definite turn off for him. Plus did she just call you a dirty big guy? You were sure to have words with James after that, but for now you had to be a kind host, make the woman you would gladly never see again welcome into your shared flat.

“Yeah, she’s a woman. Did I mention that to you? I swear I did.” He chuckled to himself.

“Baby, is that one of your shirts?” Madeleine turned to James holding his hand tightly, with an innocent look in her eyes.

“Uh yeah, it’s - the laundry ran low so I let her borrow one of mine.”

“Really? Was she so poor that she couldn’t go out and buy something else other than borrow someone’s boyfriend’s things and claim it as theirs? I mean doesn’t she have a husband to borrow things from?”

“Unbelievable. You told her didn’t you?” You asked Bond, who kept his eye on Madeleine, in particular her lips.

He then turned to look at your direction and noticed that you were uncomfortable and felt insulted, simply through the fake smile ‘death’ glare you had given him. You wrapped up your blanket and picked up your cup.

“Please, make yourself feel at home.” You said, keeping your piece and headed to the kitchen to put it away. There you were with your manners, you so wanted to completely annihilate her with insults there and then, starting with the way she walked in like the flat was hers, but if anything, you were taught by your close university friends not to take that road so quickly. You left James and Madeleine to talk alone while you washed your cup.

“I’ll be back in a second.”

You heard from James. He walked into the kitchen and leaned his back against the counter so he could see you clearly. “So, what do you think?”

“What do I think of what?” You asked, finally finishing with the washing and dried your cup with a dish towel.

“You know what I’m asking. Y/N, you’re a very intelligent and capable woman but sometimes I think you purposely decide to have a dreadfully slow mind for the sake of being ironic.”

“Do I?” You gasped sarcastically, “Says the one who can’t catch up with the fact that his girlfriend is a slight stuck up bitch.” You mumbled low enough for him not to hear.

“What was that?” He asked.

You chuckled to yourself and shook your head, “I’m sorry I was just saying that I don’t have an opinion on what you just asked because my dreadfully slow mind would need time to process all of this. Come back to me tomorrow when I finally am able to keep up with you.”

“Y/N…” He said with a stern tone in his voice. “What do you think of Madeleine?”

“Oh you’re talking about the doctor - by the way what does she have a PHD in? I’d like to know, so my dreadfully slow mind doesn’t find itself in the predicament of finding the answer out from her.”

“Are you jealous?” He smiled.

“Jealous of who?” You laughed, practically in hysterics, “Bro, I think she’s an absolute charmer and I can’t wait for the day you start to pull your hair out because she’s driving you crazy - I mean crazily in love with her. I mean it’s already happening with me.” You said and quickly moved passed James, “Try not to make too much noise. Good night.” You said as you walked down the hall.

Morning had arrived and you knew that Madeleine was here. You just knew she would be, especially with the time she arrived at the flat. You were in no mood to see her and James, only because if that was what you were facing for an entire day, you’d rather work a full day, then overtime, then overtime that overtime. There was something about her. Something off about her. Her clinginess to James, the way she eyed you as if you were competition, the way you dressed, well maybe she was having a rough night. So you tried to brush away the thoughts and took a shower, heading into the front room to find James and Madeleine stood in the kitchen - together. His arms wrapped around her waist as he was in just a robe and she was in a nightgown, she couldn’t keep his hands off him, constantly kissing him as if it was the last time they saw each other.

“Oh gross.” You said, walking straight into the kitchen, you squint your eyes, disgusted and tried to make yourself some toast when you heard Madeleine giggling and Bond mumbling something in his deep voice. These two were not teenagers! Fuck it. You thought. You quickly drank your orange juice and grabbed your toast, heading for the door.

“Y/N? Where you going?” James finally asked, letting go of Madeleine and aware that you were about to leave.

“Work.”

“But I thought you don’t have work today.” He said. Madeleine turned to you, moving his arms around her waist once more and looking at you with a smile.

“Now I do.” You responded. “I just think working is much better than doing nothing - you know - watching a wet blanket cling on to some old tool or teddy bear.” You said closing the door behind you. God that was gross. The remark itself made you smile, but you were still annoyed you couldn’t have the day in peace.

You kept yourself busy, catching up/texting a new friend of yours, Jonathan. You both met at a bar, while you were out with colleagues and had gotten to know each other better ever since. He was comfortable to be around, easygoing and hella handsome if you could say so yourself. After that you were sent to a crime scene, as part of an emergency to collect different samples for a double murder. Bond and his clingy girlfriend ceased to exist in your mind by the time you were off busy. However, by the time you returned home a few hours later, there was something off you sensed. You headed into the flat and suddenly realised there was a change. You looked around and found all the furniture in odd places, the television had moved into a strange area, far away from the window, the dining table was distanced all the way to the front door but the thing that ticked you off the most...your chemistry set moved.

“WHAT THE FUCK?” You shouted, seeing Madeleine move some more of the furniture around the flat.

“Oh hi!” She jumped and turned to see you with a smile but then she sensed your slight anger and frowned, “Sorry, James and I thought the flat could do with a little feng-shui, a change to feel a fresh breath of air.” She said swaying her long, expensive skirt towards you. God you were fuming, you felt the heat starting to boil inside you, your anger rapidly grew, it was getting harder and harder not to plant your fist into the wall.

“I’m currently choking in this air created by stupidity right now.” You growled, “Sorry, who said you could touch my equipment?”

“James.” She said looking down to her feet innocently, “He said that it was perfectly fine to move things for the sake of making room if that was going to make all of us feel more comfortable and at home.”

“Did he now?” You raised your eyebrow and balled your hands into a fist, your breathing grew quick and sharp, attempting not to stab Madeleine with your piercing glare.

“I had to.��� Bond said as he walked in with a two cups of coffee, one for him and one for Madeleine, “You could do with a change, your work is cluttered everywhere. Madeleine said that such a mess brings negativity into the flat. She also said that it was good for the vibes in the flat and a positive home definitely brings a positive mind.”

“Who the fuck is she? A fucking monk? Don’t you presume to tell me about negativity when you kill people for a living!” You raised your voice, it was impossible not to rage, especially at the woman in front of you, who had irritated you in record breaking time. There were things you got angry about. Even though you were a sarcastic individual but one thing that ticked you off was when someone messed with your work. That was crossing the line, which she did.

“Y/N, oh my god I’m so sorry. Look if you don't like the way the flat is, I’ll put everything back.” She began hyperventilating in front of Bond, who began to glare at you as he rubbed her back.

“Yes that is what I want and I don’t want you to touch my shit again, that would be great. When are you leaving again?”

“Y/N…” He said sternly.

“What?!” You hissed at Bond.

“There’s no need to take out your anger out on Madeleine, she was just trying to help! You’re blowing this way out of proportion.”

“I’M DOING WHAT?” Your voice raised even louder, in disbelief.

“Y/N, A word please.” Bond said, as Madeleine looked at the two awkwardly. She began sniffling, which you thought was complete and utter bullshit then stormed off into the kitchen as James spoke to Madeleine.

“I was just trying to help…” She said, frowning, in a timid and terrified voice.

“It’s fine, love. I’ll get this sorted.” He kissed her cheek and gestured her to sit down then followed you into the kitchen.

You stood staring out at the window, holding both hands on the counter and looked down trying your best to slow your breathing as Bond watched you from behind, annoyed. He then headed over to you and flipped you around to look at him with a hard tug on the shoulder.

“What was the meaning of that?!” He asked.

“That was rude! Don’t grab my fucking shoulder!” You shoved his hand off it and almost went to hit him but you stopped yourself, glaring at him with your hands balled into fists, “You know I told you in confidence that I was married, you know that my work is very important to me, YOU KNOW that when you have a visitor in this flat they are YOUR responsibility and as your responsibility you make sure that no one touches my stuff! So why on earth did you let Dr Mindful Duck touch my chemistry set and files!”

“Her name is Madeleine and it’s not duck, it’s Swann.”

There was a silence between the two of you. You were both extremely close to each other and you felt the walls closing in on the both of you. The tension was there. The anger was definitely there. The sharp breathing and deadly sound of silence took over the kitchen for a brief moment before you said...

“Fuck you.” You spat, squinting your eyes in disbelief.

“I’m sorry I didn’t know you were going to get this angry! You being married to Q isn’t even a big deal, why are you complaining about it!”

“It’s not just that James. Who knows what kind of stuff you said about me behind my back! I thought we were friends! Friends don’t describe their friends to other people as a dirty, greasy nightclub bouncer do they? What have you said behind my back actually?”

“Nothing Y/N! I’ve said nothing!” He sighed, “Look, I know you don’t like your things being moved and I’ll deal with that myself. I’ll put it back. Just please go and apologise to Madeleine.”

“And why would I do that?!”

“Because you haven’t been nice to her or given her a chance the moment she walked through the door!” He hissed, “Here’s the reason you are struggling to make new friends, have you considered not being a complete arse from the beginning and trying to be friendly for once! Madeleine hasn’t been in London a minute and hardly knows her way around! She is out to impress you and you don’t even appreciate what she’s doing for you! You’re making life really difficult for me Y/N and I seriously don’t appreciate it when my own flatmate is butting heads with my girlfriend!”

Before you could come up with a smart remark, you smiled, “You know what? I’ll apologise. I’ll go and make yours and everyone else’s life easier and say sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t be an arse and give people a chance…”

“Really? Thank you.” He said, relieved and smiling. “And I’m sorry I grabbed you like that, I know it was wrong. I just want you two to get along. It’s really important you do.” He extended his hand, “No hard feelings?”

You looked at his hand, shaking your head, “No thank you. I don’t know where’s that been. And besides, you don’t want to shake hands with someone that is a complete arse,” You nudged passed him, and he rolled his eyes, sighing deeply, “Christ…”

The moment you stepped back into the front room, Madeleine jumped from her seat, waiting to hear from you. “So Madison-”

“It’s Madeleine.” She corrected quickly.

“Yeah - same thing. I’m sorry for being a dick, I know I can overreact sometimes and don’t really care about the other person’s feelings as much, which is awful…” You turned around and found James watching you expectantly with his arms folded, “I just wanted to say, I’m willing to start over if you are.” You smiled.

“That would be great! Thank you so much!” She said smiling, relieved and hugged you quickly, in which you didn’t respond to it, leaving your arms by your side. She really was an off person. You pushed away for a moment smiling - well you were actually freaked out by her strange behaviour, “Well, I’m just going to sort a few things out.” You turned around slowly and walked down the hall, “James I expect my shit back on the table otherwise tomorrow isn’t going to be fun for anyone.”

And with that, you left the two alone again.

“Is she always like that?” Madeleine asked James, who looked at your direction, watching you walk into your room with a smile.

“Unfortunately, she is. But don’t worry there's more to her beneath the surface.” He practically smirked, with his hands in his pockets.

“Excuse me?” She said, disapprovingly.

“What? Nothing.” He turned to her smiling and moved his arm around her waist, “I meant she’s more of an open person if you get to know her and much more friendlier.”

[chockfullofsecrets]

Skyfall: Coercion

Rating: Gen

Summary: James Bond is assigned to escort his Quartermaster home, whatever it takes.

Wordcount: 1780

Everyone at MI6 was some sort of an idiot. It was, in fact, one of the tacit job requirements. But as James Bond stalked down the hall towards the technology branch of the building, he decided that Q was possibly the biggest idiot of them all.

After the… incident had been wrapped up, the new M had requested that Q fix the security systems as soon as possible. When he had time, of course; everyone had run themselves ragged in the past few weeks.

No one was expecting Q to finish the week’s work and then lock himself in his office, tapping furiously at his computer without rest. And that had been three days ago. Moneypenny had brought the problem to his attention (more accurately, she had thoroughly scolded one of the world’s most dangerous agents for not noticing sooner) and sent him to drag the quartermaster out by force if necessary. 

When he swiftly entered the office (locks were more of a polite request than anything else where spies were involved, and Bond wasn’t known for his subtlety), he he found his quartermaster disheveled and weary. Q didn’t even look up. “Double-0-Seven. I’m a bit busy right now.”

“As you’ve been for the past few days. At least you’ve been eating, I suppose.”

Q blinked at the sandwich on his desk in surprise and then jerked back to work. “Eve brought it, I think.” There was a long pause while he took a sip of coffee and resumed his frantic typing. “I’m sure it would have been delicious if I’d tried it.”

Bond took a step forward, fixing the technician with a stare that would have been impressive if he’d bothered to look up. “Look, Q. You’ve been at it for three bloody days. Mallory is concerned. Moneypenny made you food. I’ve been assigned to make sure you’re safely at your apartment by sundown.” Another long pause. “Let’s go. You need your rest.”

“Look who’s talking.”

“The adult in the room, of course. I can afford to lose a little sleep now and then; I’m almost twice as old as you.”

Q finally looked up, and the black circles underneath his eyes were obvious even behind his glasses. “That’s the point. I screwed up. Silva got into the network, and I’m going to make sure it never happens again. No one else should be able to take advantage of me being such a child.” The word was tinged with bitter sarcasm. “I’m not leaving till I’ve finished, so you might as well go.”

He turned back to his work with a sense of finality, but Bond simply walked around the desk to stand behind Q’s chair, smirking insufferably. If Q had seen the expression, it would have given him considerable pause. That smirk meant trouble, usually for the other person involved. “You know, you’re very tense when you’re working – perhaps you should get a better chair? If I can’t convince you to take a break, maybe I can at least help you relax a little.”

Being much more accustomed to seduction and coercion than anything resembling normal social interaction, Bond had no qualms about distracting Q by massaging his shoulders.

He definitely didn’t expect the quartermaster to hunch his shoulders up to his ears and let out a noise that sounded disturbingly like a squeak. “Q? Are you all right?”

Q’s hands wavered over the keyboard as he tried to regain his composure. “No, no I’m not, just stahahahp!” The spy squeezed experimentally, eliciting another strong reaction – wait, was that a smile?

Interesting.

He wriggled his fingers as much as possible while extracting them, and the grin twitched onto Q’s features again. “Leave me alone; I’m trying to work.” He went back to his typing, trying to ignore him. 

“You’ve already finished your work. Take a break.”

“You can’t make me.”

Bond snorted inelegantly, and that, of all things, made Q twist around to stare at him. “What was that for?”

“You sound like a five-year-old. One that needs to go to bed. Grow up, Q.”

Q’s eyes widened, and then his face went completely blank. He turned back to his desk, posture ramrod straight. Oh. Oh. That’s what this whole thing was about, then. Q was trying to prove that he was mature and responsible and able to fix his own problems, and – oh hell, Bond had just told him to grow up… this would be an excellent time to abort the mission.

But the fact still remained that Q needed to rest, and he was the one that would have to coerce him into it.

Bond was dangerously close to hauling the recalcitrant quartermaster out of his chair and dragging him out of there, but that seemed far too dramatic. Well. The tickling seemed to distract him if nothing else, so why not? 

Stepping close behind Q’s chair, he put his hands back on the younger man’s shoulders and squeezed repeatedly. Q flailed and curled in on himself, almost knocking his computer off the desk. “Stahppit! I swear I’m going to -”

The spy in question stroked experimentally at the base of Q’s neck, and the computer genius’ threat dissolved into helpless laughter. “Ah! Wahahait, dohon’t! Stop!”

Bond simply raised an eyebrow. “Don’t stop?”

“I didn’t sahahay-” He tried to move away, but the torturing fingers just followed him. 

“Of course you did. Are you accusing me of misinterpretation?”

“Yehehes! I mean – no!” Q seemed to be recovering from the initial onslaught, so Bond decided to change tactics. Leaning against the back of the chair to ensure that it couldn’t move, he ran fingers lightly over Q’s sides. 

The quartermaster howled with laughter, trying desperately to get away, but he was trapped between desk and chair with no escape.

“Feeling trapped by your work? I suppose it happens to everyone,” Bond deadpanned, digging into the tender spaces between ribs. Q squirmed helplessly, trying to pry Bond’s hands away and lash out behind him at the same time. 

“Get… haha… get the hell – dahahamnit!”

“Such bad language, Q. I thought you were mature.”

Q finally managed to shove the chair backwards, pushing Bond’s hands away. “Really.”

“Of course. Usually you’re much more sensible than that.”

Q’s eyes narrowed. And yeah, maybe he was laying it on a bit thick. But that was the point.

“Seriously? Now you think I’m mature. And sensible. Next thing I know, you’ll be admitting that I’m over the bloody drinking age. “

“Oh, I wouldn’t go that far. Through you do act over your age, you’re still just a teenager.”

“What! Where did you get that from?”

“Oh, I know these things.” Bond gave him his best supercilious eyebrow lift, and Q started to laugh again, suddenly in a good mood.

“I’m twenty-five, you idiot.”

“Really? As old as that?”

“Yes, Double-O-Seven. And twenty-five-year-olds need to work.” He started to roll back over to his desk, but Bond was having none of it. Hoping to shock Q a bit, he grabbed the chair and all but flung it to the opposite corner of the room. Then, with only a bit of hesitation, he started tickling Q again, aiming for a spot just under his arms.

Q shrieked and curled into a ball, laughing hysterically. He seemed to be attempting to plea for mercy, but couldn’t get the words out. 

“So,” Bond started conversationally. “You seem to be under quite a lot of duress just now.”

“Whehere – is this go-hahaha…” 

And no one would blame you if you decided to submit to my demands. After all, I did use one of the worst forms of torture on you.”

“What?”

He slowed his assault to a light drumming of fingers. “My demand being that you come with me. Immediately.”

“But… I’m not… done.”

“Or I could keep going -”

No, wait, fine! I’ll go.”

The spy backed off, smirk firmly in place. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“I hate you. Really. You know that?” Then Q grinned. “So much for the torture resistance seminar, then.”

“That thing is bloody useless, and everyone knows it.”

“Just give me a moment to get my stuff, yeah?” Q paused, looking awkwardly around the room. “You’re going to let me finish sometime, right?”

“Why not? Look, Q. The security breach wasn’t completely your fault, and you’re not the only one who would have fallen for it. So you don’t need to half kill yourself trying to fix it.”

Q sighed, letting himself sag tiredly against his desk. “This is still absolutely rich coming from you.”

Bond couldn’t help grinning at that; it was true and he knew it. “Don’t push your luck, or I may have to resort to torture again.”

“You wouldn’t dare. You need me to fix your technology.”

“I don’t have problems with technology.”

“Really.”

As if on cue, Bond’s phone began to ring. They both stared at the device in horror. 

“What the hell is that?” Q scowled. Bond closed his eyes and sighed.

“When the sky FALLS…,” the phone trilled.

“Some girl in public relations with too much bloody time on her hands. She composed it after the Skyfall incident and tried to pass it to me through Moneypenny, of all people. It was... messy.”

When it crum-BLES… “Why’s it on your phone?”

“Moneypenny. And possibly M.”

“No, why’s it still on there? Can’t you get it off?”

“I would.” Bond’s features reached a whole new level of uncomfortable blankness. “I just didn’t want to shoot the phone.”

“… shoot the phone.” There was an ominous silence, broken only  by a shrieked “you may have my number, BUT YOU’LL NEVER HAVE MY HEART!!!”

“Oh hell – give me the phone. Before I shoot you.” Q snatched it, pressed a few buttons, and the held-out notes of the chorus dragged to a pathetic halt. He did a bit more fiddling and then shoved the device back at the older man. “There. Got rid of it, stuck one of the preprogrammed ones on there… I have lifted a great evil from the world.”

The spy inclined his head in thanks, only half joking. Then the phone buzzed. “I should probably take that.” Q leaned back against the desk and waited. “Hmm… yes, the package is en route. No complications… no it wasn’t hard.” Bond abruptly hung up. “Let’s go.”

“Oh, so I’m a package now? Isn’t that a bit rude?”

“Don’t worry. You’ve got first class shipping.” Q barely had time to roll his eyes before Bond propelled him out the door. “Let’s practice some stealth tactics, shall we? Packages don’t talk.”

They were bickering all the way out of the building.

[faangirl101]

Webbed and flirty, Peter x reader

Peter parker x reader

Anonymous asked: Could you write a Peter Parker x reader where the reader is Peter Quills daughter and when her and Peter meet its like flirting plus Tony and Peter Q being dad’s? Thank you

Authors note: all you have to know is that Peter Quiell is “papa” and Tony stark is “dad”

MASTERLIST

“Parker”, my dad, tony stark, turned his back to me as he whispered low into the phone. The rest of the conversation was hard to judge from the whispered words i actually caught.

“Today”

“pyjamas”

“tell your aunt it's the internship”

He was talking to peter parker, of course. I mean, i am Tony stark's daughter after all, did he really think he could hide the fact that spider boy is peter parker? We used to go to the same school, peter and i, and still after being extremely attracted to him, i did not once have a real conversation with him. Then we graduated and everything was lost, well until i eavesdropped on my dads and overheard them mention peter parker. After that it wasn't hard to figure out the rest.

Peter Quill, my papa (which i called him to not mix him him up with my other Tony), sat trying to handle the ipod he got from Tony on his birthday. “Yo”, he bumped his shoulder with mine “this thing can keep like, 300 songs, can you pinch me darling, i just wanna be sure i'm not dreaming”. I rolled my eyes, trying to look uninterested, even if a smile was threatening from him being this happy “Dad, its 2018, catch up”.

He pointed his tongue out at me before putting his headphone in. Music streamed out, reaching my ears.

I was bored again. “Daaaaaad”, i muttered getting up and started walking after Tony. “Not now, pumpkin”, he reached out a finger in front of me shushing me. I don't like being hushed, long story short. i tried to speak again but Tony hushed me again. “No you don't have to bring your own own pyjamas, i've told you i've already made you a new suit”.

Before any of us really could react, i snatched the phone out of Tony grip and placed it onto my own ear. “Heya peter”, i tried to calm my beating heart and rising blush. Tony tried to take the phone back but i slipped out of his reach and jumped up on the coach were Peter was sitting. “h-hey”, i heard the teenage boy stutter on the other line. “y/n Stark, Tony's daughter here, we went to Italien class together”. i heard a nervous laugh on the other line “right. Starks daughter. Ummm, we never really talked, not the same friend circle”. I felt the blush rising up in my scalp, no matter how hard i tried to cool it down. I saw Tony grimace behind the yellow sunglasses as he mouthed “give it back”. But i wasn't done messing with him just yet. “Well that's all going to be changed when you come here, Spider boy, i can't wait to catch up with you”, i said with the sweetest voice i had, fluttering my eyelashes even if dad was the only one who saw. Then i bounced down from the couch and handed Tony back his phone. He was surprised, to say at least, not only because i knew Peter was spiderman… but also because i just flirted with him. Dad gave me one last warning look before leaving the room with the phone pressed tight against his ear. Right before the door slammed shut i heard him say “That, Penis parker, is my daughter. She's off limits, don't look at her and don't even think of her”. I couldn't wait until Peter got here.

Two hours later, after 1 pound of makeup and the cutest summer dress i had Peter finally arrived to Avengers tower. My face was glistering of highlighter and my lips covered in a soft pink making them look more swollen. The dress was simple, yellow and off shoulder. The end of it reached my mid thighs and showed of my new shaved tanned legs. My hair was just half up and half down, to keep it out of my face. Okay, i will admit i made myself this cute because Peter fricking Parker, was going to show up. And… well because i wanted to piss of my dad. I looked in the mirror, grimacing in different “cute” smiles to myself. “Hey peter”, i said to my reflections while fingering on the end of my hair tipps. I wasn't being cute, i looked like a complete idiot. Plus, i had nothing on Liz, makeup or not. It was a well known fact about Peters crush and who really blames him. Liz was so cute and incredibly smart and supportive, you just couldn't hate her. Its weird i had two dads that both are considered beautiful but still ended up looking compelly average. “Peter”, i smiled honestly into the mirror “hows life?”. How's life? really? I blew out a nervous breath while fixing my hair. Maybe i should just stay up here, safe with a book.

“Y/n”, My papa called “That pete kid is here”. I could feel the familiar blush rising again, fuck, i never blush this often. “Umm, peter, Mr Quill”, i heard Peter correct him and just to hear his voice made butterflies scatter in the depths of my abdomen. “Coming!”, I called back as i took one last look in the mirror. At this point, he was probably dating Liz so it really doesn't matter what i look like. I swung up the door, tripping out in the corridor out in the living room. And my entire body went into “i'm screwed” mode. Peter fucking Parker got hit by puberty. Real good. His hair was longer now, flowing down his forehead in small curls. I could see pure muscles through his his tight star-wars t-shirt. His usual blue hoodie was wrapped around his firm waist, and i thanked god he made the day hot enough for him to take of the hoodie. He was taller now, at least a head taller than me. Jesus, this boy always found new ways to make me shake of adrenaline. I decided it was weird to continue to stare like this so i walked forward to my dad. Peter looked at me, his jaw fell open i shock at the look of me, but it looked like he caught himself when Tony gave him a warning look. “Peter!”, I smile at his t-shirt “ha, nice one”. He looks down the t-shirt which says “i could make a star wars pun, but i don't wanna force it”. He smiled back up to me as he rubbed the backside of his neck nervously “umm thanks, i like your dress”. I blush again, dammit. “Watch it, kid”, i heard Tony mumble under his breath. Papa put a hand dad's shoulder and gives him a meaning look. Dad seems to relax a bit of his husbands hand. “What are you working on”, I asked looking past Peters shoulder. On a table was peter suit firmly folded. “Well, Peter keeps cutting out the baby monitor protocol”, Tony put his arms over his chest stubbornly. I rolled my eyes “come on dad, he's 18”. Even if i know Dad probably mouthed my words childishly for himself i chose to look at Peter instead “you hacked into the suits safe system through the video cord right?”. Peter nodded and i laughed for myself “yeah, weak spot. That's how i hack myself into the surveillance camera he put in my room”.

Peter smiled impressed “well, i tried taking away the support wheel protocol with the same tactive but the video cord was too deep so i  needed Ned´s help, he was pissed at me cause he rather build the death star lego set with me…”. The Boys eyes shots upen as he looks down at the ground stumbling “why would you say that, peter”. His nervosity was adorable. “How many pieces?”, i ask and can't help but to look fairly intresseded. I'm such a nerd, jesus. Peter take a step closer like he's about to whisper “3803”. I wrinkle my forehead “what? no way? its like 4016”. He chuckles shaking his head “nah nah, its a common knowledge that its 3803 pieces”. I laugh mockingly at him “oh god, you're such a noob, everybody knows it's 4016, look it up, jar jar”.

He pretend to look offended by my comment “Did you just call me jar jar? i'm obviously Han”.

I take a step closer without really thinking about it “yeah? who am i then, obi wan?”. He gives me something i would judge as a flirty smile “More like Leia”.

We are so close to eachother now i can feel his breath on my face. I make sure to look at his lips before dropping my risky line “why? because you wanna see me in a golden bikini?”.

That shuts him up but i still catch him looking at my lips, if only for a second.

“Hey! Hey”, Tony push me gently out of the way “That's enough”. While Dragging Peter down to the lab i can hear him mumble something similar to “Kids nowadays”. Papa putts a arm around my shoulder “take it easy on your dad, kay?”. I nod but in the back of my head i'm screaming “lies”. My papa's beard tickle me as he bends down to whisper in my ear “yeah, by the way, keep messing with your dad. I haven't seen him this ireeterad since his and Stevens fight. he's really hot when he's bothered”. I groan pushing him away “Ewww, papa?! i didn't need to know that. Eeeww, pictures in my head”. Papa winked at me while clicking his tongue “plus i think that Peter kid really likes you. he's a good kid that would do  good to you”.

“Peter?”, i whisper scream while looking around the lab. According to JARVIS, Dad left about 20 minutes ago and Peter is still in the building. When i dint get an answer i tip toe further into the room “Parker?”. I hear a thumb followed by some swear words. On a bench, Peter sat grasping onto his head while groaning. I whine for myself before speaking out “I'm sorry if i startled you”. peter lets out a mix of a chuckle and a gasp “no problem, my spider senses should have sensed you coming in”. I walk over to him, seemed to surprise him the second time this hour by putting a hand on his head. “Lemme look at it”, i whisper as i try to ignore how good his soft locks feel between my fingers. He nod as he moves the chair under him so he sits right in front of me. I move my fingers gently through his hair, careful not to accidently press to hard. “You have soft hair, what conditioner do you use?”, i say jocklingy to light up the situation. It seems to work as he chuckles under me. It was like a silent approval to make him laugh as i smile proudly. Even if i'm way past looking for a wound, i continue to move my hands through his soft hair. i can't help it. it smells so good and i can't help but to think how it would feel between my hands while he eats me out. A warmth spreads through my stomach as i try to swallow down my desire. “That feels good”, he mumbles so low i just barely managed to hear him. “for both of us”, i whisper back as i can feel him push his head closer to me like he's chasing my touch. In the action the stroller on the chair bumps into my shoes, knocking me out of balance. But Peter seems to see this seconds before me as im suddenly  being catched by my waist and falls forward instead. I land on top of his lap, my sundress flying up to fall like a duvet over his jeans and my thighs. I'm out of breath, so surprised over the past seconds. His hands are still on my hips, keeping me from falling again.

I realize the situation i'm in. This looked wrong, sure, but it felt so right. “Thanks”, i mumble and do the mistake to look into his eyes. He's looking right ame me at the same time, and were stuck in eachothers iris. His eyes are dark, dangerously dark, like a promise about the things he could do. They pupil dilate at the sight of you. I lick my dry lips and he follows the action. I can feel the touch of his hands burn though the material of my dress and mek me all hot and giddy. I can feel his muscles as my hands are on top of his shoulders.

He looks down, like he's hiding a smile. I swallow the lump of anxiety threatening in my throat. “Umm”, he muttered as he slowly looks up at me “i really-y, like reeeeally want to kiss you right now”. I can feel the smile i try to hide escape and light up my face. My heart is so painfully big, that's what it feels like, like it's going to explode inside me. “You better, i've been waiting on it since the first year on collage. Kiss me now, Han”.

He gives me a honest smile, like a kid on christmas morning as he starts leaning in.

I close my eyes as i wait for his lips to meet mine. But instead i feel his hot breath on top them as he mumbles “you know, i had a major crush on you but then i became Spiderman and Tony and i decided to try to keep you out of this life”. I chaste a small peck against his soft lips “just kiss me, parker”. He olbigates at one's and move his head to the side to press his lips against mine. Finally after 3 years of longing he kiss me so i can't really hold back the moan. that only seems to spear him on as hand hug my neck so he can press me closer. He taste like green tea and lemon mints. My hands go back to his locks, still surprised over how soft they are. His tongue swipes over my inner lips, begging for permission. I smile against the soft sensation but dont grant him he pleasure. His hand suddenly squeeze my ass leaving me gasping of shook. He takes advantage of my open mouth to move his tongue inside my mouth. It's so much, his wet lips, his hand, his curls bouncing between my fingers. I press my lower part hard against him out of pure instinct. I realized it turned out almost like a grind against his pants. He didn't seem to mind. “Fuck”, he groans as he starts kissing my jaw in tickles soft pecks “you are perfect”. I giggle as his pecks finds their way to a ticklish point. “Come here, big boy”, i'm completely out of breath from the kissing but can't wait another minute for his lips against mine again. Just as he's about to kiss me again we get interrupted by a loud voice “Parker?!”. Fuck. We stumble away from him and i stroke down my dress as fast as i can. “I told you one thing”, My dad point at Peter, who looks like a scared child getting caught doing something bad “not to touch my daughter”. At this point i'm starting to get tired of Tony “please daddy’”. I rarely call him daddy, and it seems to actually catch is attention. I walk forward and place both of my hands on his bearded cheeks “Just.. its 2018 dad, i don't need your approval, okay. I really like Peter. Not to be rude or anything, but could you maybe leave not, old man, we were in the middle of something”.

Dad scoffs offended but still lowers his finger. I can hear Papa laughing from the middle of the lab “yeah, tony, let the kids have their fun”. Like usually, i'm thankful Peter is actually my cool dad. “You heard your husband”, i smile, almost mockingly “let me have my fun”. Tony scoff again before pointing at Peter “i swear on my stark industri, if i found out you two have…. cuddled, i'm going to make sure to pull enough strings so you can't get a job in all of America”. Peters is beyond terrified as his adams apple move “yes, sir”. i nod as a silent “thank you” to Tony as i make my way back to Peter. “So”, i slide my hands over his shoulders “where were we?”. He shift his eyes between my dad's and i “i don't really feel safe kissing in front of them”. I chuckle well pressing my nose against his “they will just have to deal with it”. Then he pressed his lips against mine softly and sweet. My dad might not be 100 % okay with Peter at the moment, but i know he will eventually. So right now, it's all good.

[briangroth27]

Black Panther Review

I absolutely loved Black Panther! The film felt like it belonged in the MCU while successfully carving out its own corner of the universe, making it feel like a world unto itself. Even with its fantastical technological wonders, Wakanda felt real and the incorporation of various African cultures gave the fictional nation a history and texture that made it feel fully-formed and granted a powerful sense of depth to the proceedings. The cast was excellent across the board, supported by writing (from Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole) that gave everyone moments to shine and stellar direction from Coogler to match.  

Full Spoilers...

I didn’t know much about Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) going in, having only seen him in Civil War, Fantastic Four and Avengers cartoons, and an appearance here and there in the comics. Civil War got me interested in the character and Black Panther cemented me as a fan; he’s hands down one of the most engaging characters in the Marvel Universe! Chadwick Boseman is effortlessly cool as T’Challa, a down-to-Earth king, badass superhero, and charming romantic lead. In an unexpected and very welcome twist, none of T’Challa’s inner circle are afraid to call him out or have a bit of fun at his expense (depending on the character), which made them feel like a family and gave him a much more grounded sensibility than I was expecting. I liked seeing T’Challa as a more measured and mature man here, growing nicely from the vengeance-obsessed version we saw previously; his first steps toward ruling Wakanda and deciding what kind of king he wanted to be—and what sort of country he’d like to rule—were great to see. That T’Challa was willing to listen to wisdom from all sides—including his enemies—made him an even more compelling and unique hero. T’Challa is bar none the most likable and relatable royal the MCU has given us, with none of the pompous, somewhat bloodthirsty bravado of Thor or the labor camp-minded royal family on Inhumans. That went a long way to making me sympathize with a monarchy instead of yearning to see it overthrown; T’Challa actually does care about the people under his rule. I do wish we’d gotten to see how T’Challa interacted with and was seen by the common people of Wakanda instead of just his inner circle and the other tribal leaders, but this was a very small nitpick that can easily be remedied in the inevitable Black Panther 2 or even Infinity War.

It was awesome to see such a diverse cast in this film and I’m equally pleased we got to see so many strong women showcased here (I can’t imagine how much more important this film must be for African American and female audiences who are finally getting representation like this onscreen). Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) was awesome from the get-go as a Wakandan spy living in the outside world, working to help those in need. I loved her insistence that she couldn’t settle down as a queen knowing there were people outside Wakanda who could benefit from her skills and Wakanda’s influence. It was refreshing to see a hero’s love interest not only have an important life of her own completely separate from the lead’s arc, but to see her unwilling to sacrifice that life to please her guy. Nyong’O brought an engaging, likable, and determined energy to Nakia and I hope we get to see much more of her as the MCU evolves in a post-Infinity Wars universe. Letitia Wright’s Shuri was another standout, stealing every scene she’s in with an infectious, upbeat energy, and I loved her sister/brother relationship with T’Challa. They felt totally natural as siblings, with her needling him from time to time but still clearly sharing a relaxed, loving bond with him. Shuri is very likely the smartest person we’ve met in the MCU so far, and that’s awesome! Like others have suggested online, I cannot wait to see her become best friends with Peter Parker and outsmart Tony Stark at every turn. I loved that she loved showing off and trying out all the gadgets she made, and it was so cool that this princess got to be the Q to T’Challa’s James Bond. At first I thought it would’ve been better had Shuri remote-piloted the aircraft to shoot down Killmonger’s (Michael B. Jordan) forces instead of Ross (Martin Freeman)—she had the experience with the tech to do it, after all—but my friend pointed out that putting her on the front lines instead was a chance for her to directly stand up and fight for what she believed in instead of repeating what she’d done earlier in the movie, which gave her a bit more range. Plus, her panther blaster gauntlets were cool! I’m really interested to see how running the outreach center in Oakland with Nakia changes Shuri.

Danai Gurira gave an excellent performance as Okoye, leader of Wakanda’s elite Dora Milaje, who became torn between duty to Wakanda—and whatever king ruled it—and loyalty to T’Challa. I went in expecting a stoic warrior, but while Okoye was definitely effortlessly badass, I loved that she was able to have a sense of humor about T’Challa freezing when he saw Nakia (and able to jovially inform Shuri of this fact); it was clear they were more than just king and royal guard, they felt like old friends. Okoye and her Dora Milaje were an awesome facet of Wakandan society and I can’t wait to learn more about them in the future. I think Okoye’s relationship with W’Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya) was perhaps a little too vague—amounting to the two of them referring to each other as “my love” without an explanation of what exactly that entailed—but it didn’t hurt the movie or either character for me. Instead, it added a bit more drama to W’Kabi’s decision to follow Killmonger while Okoye ultimately sided with T’Challa. I still would’ve liked to know more about the details of that relationship, though. Also regarding her relationships, it’s a shame a scene hinting at her being attracted to women was cut, but hopefully that will be fixed in a sequel.

W’Kabi’s insistence that the Wakandans take action to capture Klaue (Andy Serkis) and forcibly help the oppressed around the world was a great contrast to both Nakia’s stealthy attempts at helping outsiders and T’Challa’s initial belief that they should keep Wakanda separate. I loved that he was able to convince T’Challa to hunt down Klaue instead of leaving him to the CIA and that he spoke for a contingent of Wakandans who wanted to take action but not go totally public (at least at first). The fact that someone had to argue for capturing a criminal who’d attacked Wakanda was a great display of how intensely isolated the nation was and W’Kabi’s opinions added to the complexity of Wakandan views on the outside world. It was brilliant (and much more realistic) of the writers not to limit Wakandans to two clearly defined viewpoints. Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) was perfect as T’Challa’s regal mother and I loved what we saw of her relationship with him and Shuri. I also liked that she was genuinely willing to make peace with M’Baku (Winston Duke) to stop Killmonger despite him having earlier challenged T’Challa for leadership of Wakanda. It would’ve been easy to make her stuck in her ways and refuse to go to someone like M’Baku, but while it was a concern that he could become a problem, I liked that she had the faith to offer him the heart-shaped herb to give him the power of the Black Panther. I’m definitely interested in how Ramonda will react to the new era T’Challa is ushering in.

M’Baku was another great character I’m excited to know more about in future sequels. Like I’ve seen pointed out elsewhere, the idea that he and the Jabari tribe could peacefully exist separately from the rest of Wakanda—despite worshipping a different god and speaking a different language—was a refreshing surprise. I was definitely fooled into thinking that M’Baku would want power if Ramonda gave him the heart-shaped herb, so giving her the injured T’Challa instead was a great twist. M’Baku screwing with Ross’ expectations of what “tribal” behaviors were was funny and I’m glad the film smartly didn’t refer to M’Baku by his comics alter-ego, “Man-Ape.” How M’Baku and King T’Challa interact going forward is absolutely something I’m eager to see. Will M’Baku’s help in taking Wakanda back from Killmonger bring them closer together or show him that even with supernatural powers, T’Challa needs help holding his country and is potentially weaker than he seems? Forrest Whitaker’s Zuri was a perfect connection to the history of Wakanda, its treasured ceremonies, and its supernatural aspects, balancing Shuri’s high-tech modernity excellently. It’s impressive how easily the film weaved together supernatural and sci-fi aspects, and the extrapolation of those things into the characters was masterful.  

N’Jobu was only in the movie briefly, but I enjoyed his reaction to the world outside Wakanda. Sterling K. Brown’s performance absolutely sold me on his passion and the impact he’d have on his son, despite his short screentime. John Kani’s T’Chaka was very welcome and it was cool that he got to converse with T’Challa in the afterlife, another supernatural flourish that served to broaden the Black Panther mythos rather than muddle them with too many different sources of weirdness. I liked that T’Chaka’s past sins not only made T’Challa realize he was not perfect, but tied into T’Challa’s decision about whether to reveal Wakanda or not and gave Killmonger another reason to hate Wakanda. I was especially surprised and pleased that this hatred complimented Killmonger’s bigger goal of helping people rise up against their oppressors: his argument with Wakanda was that it stood by while people were enslaved, not solely that T’Challa’s dad killed his. That gave him so much more dimension than just being a revenge-minded villain.

As pointed out elsewhere, the film expertly weaves the mystical, science fiction, space, and superhero aspects of the Marvel Universe together. It also includes an added layer of social relevance in Killmonger’s concern about the state of African-Americans and others whose ancestors were sold as slaves around the world and are still oppressed today. All of this is tied into the film’s MacGuffin, vibranium, but Coogler wisely doesn’t frame the plot around some cliché MCU villain like an evil businessman or government agent seeking to plunder Wakanda’s vibranium (which probably would’ve been the most obvious place to go). Instead, Erik “Killmonger” Stevens has a legitimate point and that makes him the best MCU villain yet. Enemies who are out to burn everything down for no reason can be threatening—at least in terms of power—and corrupt businessmen and governments often make for obvious real-world villain parallels, but I would definitely like the MCU to start putting more effort into giving their villains honorable impulses taken to horrible, destructive extremes. That’s far more interesting and complex: it gives the heroes something to fight beyond a set of cool powers (and gives the audience something to reckon with in the real world and within ourselves). Killmonger being suspiciously watched while viewing a display of his own stolen culture is a perfect example of the simultaneous scrutiny and dismissal of African-American youth in present-day America, instantly giving him a relatable, realistic connection to the audience. Not only does that scene touch on this problem with our society, but it also masterfully ties into the plot. That Erik was able to so thoroughly affect T’Challa, essentially pushing him toward revealing Wakanda to the world so that it could do the most good, was a great twist. While the film does play into the MCU’s formula of a hero and villain with identical powers facing off, Erik’s position as king of Wakanda (a development I didn’t see coming at all; I was sure T’Challa would beat him in the challenge and he’d start an uprising) made the “mirror image” plot point feel much more natural. Their opposing views on how to best run Wakanda also gave them a great argument to fuel their physical battle, and that’s something every superhero movie needs to aim for (I’m more than a little wary about Thanos’ goal of killing half of everything resonating with the Avengers anywhere near as closely as Killmonger and Vulture related to their heroes). Killmonger’s final lines, about wanting to die a free man instead of going back into a cage, were absolutely powerful and affecting.  

Ulysses S. Klaue was fun as an entirely different sort of villain. Serkis was clearly having a blast playing the cartoonish supervillain archetype and I loved it. I’m always up for some classic villainy and this script gave us just the right amount. I didn’t expect Klaue to die, given his status as one of Black Panther’s greatest villains, but I don’t think they were going to do much more with him than what we got. A solid chase/fight with T’Challa with an argument about the Wakandans being hypocritical, an introduction for Killmonger, and a connection to Ross were all we needed from him, and we got just that. I definitely don’t want Everett K. Ross to become the new Agent Coulson, uniting the next generation of Avengers or something; I think the heroes should unite themselves (as a king, T’Challa could certainly lead that charge if Steve Rogers is no longer around). That said, I liked what the movie gave us of Ross and he was played with just the right amount of wonder at Wakandan technology. While I’ve seen criticisms online about him playing such a big role in the climax, like a claim that they still needed a middle-aged white guy to stop the bad guy, I disagree. He had piloting skills and needed Shuri’s tech to get the job done (she even configured the holographic projection to mimic a plane he was familiar with), so it’s not like he was successful just because he was a white guy. This also isn’t a Batman Begins situation, where Batman’s actions on the train with Ras Al Ghul were irrelevant to the finale because Gordon blew up the train tracks. Had T’Challa not defeated Killmonger, Eric still could’ve rallied his supporters and Wakanda would likely be in a civil war. I think Ross helped as much as was needed to be useful, but I don’t think he overshadowed anyone.

The complexities that must arise from five tribes living in such close proximity to each other, coupled with fun aspects like war rhinos, the mystical veldt afterlife, Shuri’s technological wonders, made this a world I want to visit many, many more times! Wakandan society seems like it’s brimming with interesting social structures, so I hope the sequel really digs into how T’Challa and his people relate to one another. I doubt everyone will be happy he revealed their paradise to the world and I wonder how quickly the needs of the international community will start to weigh on the Wakandans. How they balance their own needs with those of the world will be very interesting to see. I also absolutely love that African society here is portrayed as advanced, rather than what we often see in Hollywood films, and I was impressed by how easily a place as fantastical as Wakanda was rendered as a real, breathing community. I think it’s cool how much of Africa was represented here without Wakanda feeling like a generic and homogenous “Africa” (at least to my eyes; someone with African heritage might see that aspect very differently). While pulling aspects of several different African cultures to create the fictional Wakandan culture may be problematic for some (as I’ve seen online), I think the script has enough leeway to say people from those cultures were the ones who founded Wakanda in the first place.

Bucky’s (Sebastian Stan) brief cameo was cool and I would much rather see him find peace and purpose as a figure with the Wakandan War Dogs—if the White Wolf title is a hint he’s supposed to be the MCU version of Hunter, comics’ T’Challa’s adopted brother—than see him take over the Captain America mantle. If he took over as Cap, I have a hard time seeing how he’d be different from Rogers in the role besides being less upstanding and more angsty, neither of which I want to see (if the mantle must be passed, Sam Wilson seems like a chance to explore what today’s Captain needs to be/represent and adding flight to the shield would make for entirely new fight dynamics). In Wakanda, it feels like Bucky can forge an identity for himself.

At this point, I’m far more excited for Black Panther 2 than I am for Infinity War. I want much more of this world and these characters, and I’m excited to see how they interact with the rest of the world now that Wakanda’s no longer a secret. It would be a huge misstep if Wakanda is destroyed in Infinity War, so I hope that film doesn’t go that direction, since it feels like it would derail everything that’s been set up here. Instead, I’m hoping Wakanda is at the forefront of rebuilding the world after Thanos is dealt with.

Black Panther is still in theaters, commanding the box office for an astonishing fifth weekend in a row and it certainly deserves it. If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for? A trip to Wakanda is definitely worth a trip to the theater!

Check out more of my reviews, opinions, and original short stories here!