#we almost always see her (at least trying to be) upbeat

[thats-a-lot-of-cortisol]

Maybe a doodle of Alfira from bg3? I just think she's neat and I've hardly seen any art of her

You're so right?? I didn't realize it until you said it but yeah. For such a well-loved NPC art about her doesn't float around all that often

I wanted to draw her singing but I can't stop thinking about how intensely upbeat she has to stay for the kids. The poor woman has to be at her breaking point

[c-e-d-dreamer]

Wreck My Plans, That's My Man: Prequel

A/N: Sometimes, family is... (checks notes)... being in a band with your brothers? That counts, right? @cassianappreciationweek Listen, I just wanted an excuse to bring back Drummer Cassian! Time to find out how Cassian and Nesta met and how Cassian got that first date 😉 If you've read the first part, there are some fun easter eggs in here like Cassian writing the song and a callback to “I can’t wait for you to be mean to me for the rest of our lives.”

Part One // Read on AO3

“I think the end of the queue is this way.”

“I can’t believe there’s already so many people here.”

Nesta allows herself to be led down the sidewalk by her linked arm with Elain, the middle Archeron following the path carved by Feyre forging ahead. As they walk, Nesta can’t help but eye the crowds around them. Elain is right, there are more people than Nesta expected, almost all of them dressed up in some way. Some have face paint scrawled across their cheeks, some have handmade signs clasped in their hands. And Nesta even spies a trio of girls dressed as cows, some sort of band inside joke that she’s clearly not privy to.

Although, she’s not really privy to anything when it comes to the band.

She still can’t believe she allowed Feyre to talk her into attending this concert in the first place. Sure, she’s always had a deep love of music, ever since she was a little girl. Something about the way a lilting melody can carve and embed itself within her very bones, about the way a harmony can flood and warm her veins, about the way a simple string of notes can somehow sing to her very soul, plucking at strings within her until only peace remains.

But she has no knowledge of what type of music she can expect to hear tonight.

And when the choices are curling up beneath a pile of blankets with a glass of wine and her latest Sellyn Drake novel or standing all night while dealing with screaming girls and songs she doesn’t even know? Well, Feyre and Elain are lucky that Nesta loves them.

“What time do the doors open?” Elain asks, drawing Nesta out of her thoughts.

“They should have already opened,” Feyre explains, trying to peer around the bodies in front of them. “Either way, we don’t have to worry. Our tickets are for one of those fancy boxes.”

“Really?”

“We could get one of those fancy boxes but not a special entrance that doesn’t require standing in line?” Nesta asks dryly.

“Alright, grumpy,” Feyre teases with a roll of her eyes. “I’m sure it’ll move quickly.”

At least, Feyre’s assumption is correct. They continue to shuffle forward and forward until the line of doors is in full view, workers making quick work of checking bags and scanning tickets. Wristbands are secured around all three sisters’ wrists, and then they’re stepping inside the venue. Upbeat music from a playlist blares through the sound system, fans excitedly rushing forward toward the general admission crowd gathering along the floor in front of the stage.

“Come on. I want to get a t-shirt,” Feyre declares, wrapping a hand around each of her sisters’ wrists and dragging them toward the large table to the right.

While she and Elain wait for Feyre to make her purchase, Nesta eyes a pair of girls also waiting to buy merch. One of the girls has a sign, looping red letters declaring, Won’t you be my Van-Daddy? The request has Nesta snorting softly to herself. She still remembers when Lucien Vanserra first hit his growth spurt, when he was all middle school gangly limbs in their kitchen while he and Feyre worked on a school project. And that nerdy boy with unruly red hair is meant to be “daddy?”

“Got it,” Feyre announces, stepping back over to them and holding her shirt up for them to see.

“Isn’t it a bit weird to have a shirt with your childhood friend’s face on it?” Nesta asks, tilting her head as she takes in the design of the front of the shirt.

“More like hilarious,” Feyre argues, folding the shirt and tossing it over her arm. “When we get up to our seats, you have to take a picture of me in it, so I can send it to Lucien.”

They make another pit stop at one of the venue bars, each ordering a drink, and then finally, they make it to their seats. Nesta has to admit, the view is pretty amazing. She steps right up to the low wall meant to act as a railing for their box, peering down at the throngs of bodies excitedly awaiting the start of the show along the floor. Her eyes trail up and to the stage, skating over the setup for the opening act. It’s simple, just a drum set and two microphone stands set in front of it, but despite the good view of the stage, Nesta can’t quite make out the white script on the front of the drums.

“Who’s the opener?” Nesta asks, turning toward where Feyre is posing with her new shirt thrown over her dress while Elain takes her photo.

“Um…” Feyre hums, taking her phone back from Elain and typing away at the screen. “Some band called the Bat Boys.”

Nesta snorts softly. “What a stupid name for a band.”

As though the Mother herself is laughing at Nesta, the lights dim as soon as she’s made the comment, an echo of cheers ringing out all around them. Three men step out and onto the stage, each of them with dark hair and dressed in all black. They take up their spots, the guitarist speaking into the microphone and to the crowd, but Nesta finds her gaze instantly drawn to the drummer.

He’s certainly larger than his bandmates, all wide shoulders and chest. The black tank he’s wearing stretches against his size and his skin, the swell of muscle of his arms and the ink swirling along the golden brown skin on full display, and those very arms and muscles flex with every swing of his arms against the drum kit as he plays the opening song of the band’s set. His hair hangs loose around his face and down to his shoulders, dark curly strands practically swaying along with the beat of the music he’s creating. And even from her vantage point, Nesta can tell he’s got a wide, cocksure smirk plastered across his face, even as he leans forward to sing into his own microphone.

“For a band with a stupid name,” Feyre leans over to shout in Nesta’s ear over the music. “They’re pretty good.”

Nesta rolls her eyes at the almost smug tone of her youngest sister, but she can’t quite disagree. She finds herself tapping her foot and nodding along with each song that the Bat Boys play, humming appreciatively when they slow it down to a more stripped back song.

But when the song ends, the drummer jumps to his feet, peeling off his tank and tossing it into the crowd, showing off every hard line of muscle and every line of tattoo ink. A clamor of screams rings out from the crowd in response, making the drummer’s grin widen as he makes a big show of flexing.

“One two three four!” he shouts, banging his drum sticks together and jumping into the next song of their set, another upbeat one.

Nesta shakes her head. “What a fucking show off…”

~ * * * ~

Nesta’s ears are still ringing, an ache pressing against the balls of her feet, as she follows her sisters down the steps and out of the venue. The cool, night air is a welcome reprieve after the heat inside, and Nesta takes a deep breath, allowing it to prickle across the skin of her cheeks. She can still feel the music humming through her veins, still hear the last song the Band of Exiles played winding around her mind, her soul.

“Should we split an Uber?” Nesta turns to ask her sisters.

“Actually, Lucien sent me the bar they’ve gone to for post gig drinks,” Feyre offers with a sly smile. “He said we’re welcome to join.”

“Really?” Elain asks, the clear excitement coloring her tone leaving both sisters blinking in surprise for a moment, but Elain doesn’t say anything more. She merely turns away as though the night will hide the blush flooding her cheeks.

“Then you two go,” Nesta says. “I’d rather just go home.”

“Oh, come on, Nesta,” Feyre pouts, looping her arm through Nesta’s as if that will physically keep her from leaving. “It’s just one drink. It’s not going to kill you.”

Feyre continues to pout at Nesta, making a big show of blinking her eyes as if she’s seven years old again and that look will make Nesta give her an extra cookie for dessert. Still, it has Nesta sighing with a fond roll of her eyes.

“Fine. One drink and then I’m going home.”

“That’s the spirit! And just think of the money you’ll save on an Uber by waiting out these crowds.”

Nesta rolls her eyes again, but it doesn’t deter either of her sisters. Feyre doesn’t even bother dropping Nesta’s arm, using their linked arms to tug Nesta along the sidewalk in what she assumes is the direction of the bar. At least, it’s not a far walk. A small consolation, Nesta supposes.

The bar itself isn’t one that Nesta has ever been to before, but she can admit it’s quite nice. Pendant lights hang above the dark wood of the bartop, painting the whole space in golden light that bounces off the colorful bottles lining the shelves behind the bar. With the moody green wallpaper and the dark tiled floors, it’s as though the space has stepped directly out of an elegant speakeasy.

Unsurprisingly, there’s already a large crowd enjoying the drinks and ambience and their respective Friday nights, but Feyre leads the way up a set of stairs and to what appears to be some sort of private event space. Nesta glances around at the smaller secondary bar along the left side of the wall, the people gathered around it and the various high top tables lining the railing to the right.

“Feyre Archeron.”

Nesta turns just in time to find Lucien Vanserra now standing in front of her sisters. He’s certainly had another growth spurt since Nesta last saw him all those years ago, Lucien now standing a head above them all. He seems to have grown into his red hair too, the strands hanging around his face and framing the high cheekbones and strong jawline of his features.

“Lucien Vanserra.”

Feyre and Lucien continue to stare at one another for a moment, but then, Feyre is letting out an excited squeal, all but leaping into Lucien’s arms. He hugs her back tightly, lifting her off her feet in the process and laughing into the golden brown strands of her hair.

“Did you get shorter?” Lucien asks, setting Feyre back down on her feet.

“Fuck you,” Feyre gasps out on a laugh, punching him in the arm. “It’s not my fault you went and became a giant after going away to fancy private school. You know, I still remember when I had to defend you on the playground as kids.”

Lucien laughs easily, shaking his head. “We remember those days very differently clearly.”

Nesta clears her throat loudly, finally drawing back Feyre’s attention. “Sorry. You remember my two older sisters, Nesta and Elain.”

“Of course, I…” Lucien begins, his voice trailing off when he meets Elain’s brown eyes. “Elain.”

Elain smiles sweetly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I really liked you and your band’s songs.”

“You did?” Lucien asks, his voice practically breathless.

“Especially that one song about losing a love, but still dancing with the ghost of them in the kitchen.”

Lucien’s smile is slow, russet eyes bright and only on Elain. “I wrote that one myself actually.”

“It just really spoke to me,” Elain tells him, stepping forward as though tugged by some invisible golden thread. “Right to my heart.”

“Can I buy you a drink?”

“Please.”

They don’t even say anything else, don’t even bother looking back before Elain and Lucien vanish toward the bar. It takes everything within Nesta not to snort in amusement at the whole thing, at the way they’re both so clearly staring at one another with stars in their eyes. At least, one Archeron is ending their night happy.

“Is she serious?” Feyre asks, affronted. “Lucien is my friend.”

“Can I go home now?” Nesta asks in response instead.

“Only if you’re going home with me.”

The deep timbre prickles along the back of Nesta’s neck, and when she whirls around, she comes face to face with the drummer of the Bat Boys. He has that same cocksure smile that he wore up on stage, and he seemingly found a fresh black shirt to pull on, the fabric clinging just as tightly as the tank did.

Nesta had known he was large when she saw him on stage, but face to face, she realizes she still may have underestimated. This close, she realizes that his eyes are hazel, a burning maze of greens and flickering gold, that there’s a scar through his eyebrow of the right one. This close, she realizes he smells of pine and leather and that sweet scent that twists on the breeze right before it snows.

This close, she realizes he is unfairly attractive, and she just might hate him for it.

“Did you really think that line was going to work?” Nesta asks dryly.

“Can you blame me for trying? A woman as beautiful as you, I had to shoot my shot.”

Nesta raises an eyebrow, settling the drummer with a look cold enough to send any man scampering back to his table. “Compliments will get you nowhere.”

In a surprising twist, rather than cut his losses, the drummer throws his head back and laughs, the sound deep and warm. It seems to come straight from within his chest, seems to curl around Nesta’s limbs. When he meets Nesta’s gaze again, there’s a fire blazing in his eyes, a challenge, and his smirk has morphed into one of pure amusement. The reaction sparks the embers in Nesta’s own chest, but she’s quick to douse them, quick to keep her face perfectly cool and neutral.

“So it’s a no for pickup lines. A no for compliments,” the drummer notes, daring to lean in closer into Nesta’s space until she gets a lungful of pine and a crackling fire. “How about bribery then, sweetheart? Can I buy you a drink? Your choice.”

“And what if I order the most expensive drink I can get? Top shelf.”

The drummer hums as though he’s actually considering it. “Alright. But you have to chat with me until you finish the drink.”

“Deal.”

The drummer holds his hand out expectantly, and Nesta has to blink a few times at just how large his hand is. But she refuses to be fazed. Raising her chin, she slides her hand into his. His calluses slide against her palm, fingers curling around almost her entire hand and threatening to send a shiver skittering up her spine. His touch is surprisingly warm, his entire body and presence seeming to resonate heat.

Before the handshake can last too long, Nesta yanks her hand away again. She turns on her heel and strides toward the bar, heavy footfalls behind her and the gaze burning into her back informing her that the drummer is following. She leans against the dark wood of the bar top, quickly grabbing the bartender’s attention with a simple raise of her hand.

“Can I get a shot of your best, most expensive vodka? On his tab,” Nesta requests, gesturing with her head to where the drummer now leans against the bar beside her.

The drummer laughs again, an easy chuckle. “Now that’s just cheating.”

Nesta turns toward him properly, finally giving in to the smirk she’d been biting back. “Guess you better talk fast.”

“How about we start with names? I’m Cassian, and you are…?”

The bartender returns at that exact moment, setting the small shot glass full of clear liquid down in front of Nesta. She swipes it up and tosses it back. The vodka is smooth, but it still burns on the way down, mixing and coaxing the burn of satisfaction low in her gut. Slamming the now empty shot glass back on the bar top, Nesta spins around toward the door.

“Time’s up. Better luck next time.”

She keeps her chin raised high, keeps that smirk firmly in place. She revels in the prickle across her skin at that gaze she can still feel pinned to her, and if she sways her hips a bit more than she normally would, well, no one but her has to know.

~ * * * ~

When Nesta checks her phone while enjoying her morning coffee, she’s surprised to find a new follower and a new DM request on her Instagram. She clicks on the account and almost rolls her eyes at the hazel eyed, curly haired man smirking back at her in the profile photo. He’s certainly dedicated, she’ll have to give him that. She knows that she should ignore him, maybe even block him, but curiosity has her clicking back over to the DM.

@BatBoyCass Hello, Nes 😏

@LadyNesta Stalking me on Instagram? Really?

Nesta’s surprise only grows when almost instantly the three small dots appear at the bottom of the screen, indicating that Cassian is typing. Was he waiting by his phone for her response? Didn’t he have band practice or something? According to Elain, the tour was moving on to a new city today, much to her younger sister’s apparent disappointment.

@BatBoyCass Actually, your sister gave me your handle. She refused to give me your number and decided this was safer. Quite protective. Rhys was into it But that’s not important. How’s your morning going, Nes?

@LadyNesta It’s Nesta. Not Nes

@BatBoyCass Guess you should’ve stuck around last night. Could have told me that yourself. It’s too late now. Nes 😜

@LadyNesta Is this your next tactic? Bribery didn’t work so now you just plan to annoy me?

@BatBoyCass Actually, my next tactic is this

Nesta frowns down at her phone screen, at the message, but then a moment later, a photo comes through in the chat. It’s a mirror selfie, but Nesta can’t tell where it was taken from the background. Although, it’s hard to focus on anything other than the large body taking up the frame. Cassian is shirtless, black fabric draped over his shoulder presumably the remnants of his shirt.

Nesta can do nothing but stare at the hard cut of his jaw where his head is tilted to look at the phone in his hand. At each swirl and loop of black ink across the golden brown skin of his chest and arms. At every hard line of muscle that makes up his stomach. At the waistband of what looks like gray sweatpants hanging low enough that his v lines are on full display.

The whole sight is enough for Nesta’s mouth to go dry, for heat to creep up her neck and spill across her cheeks. Before she even realizes, her bottom lip has found home between her teeth, eyes tracing over the photo again and again. What would it feel like, getting her hands on that body, feeling each hard line and curve beneath her fingers? What would it feel like to have his hands on her? She still remembers just how large they were compared to her own.

“Fuck,” Nesta whispers to herself, mentally chastising herself and shaking her head of any of those sorts of thoughts. Instead, her fingers tap across the screen of her phone.

@LadyNesta What’s next? A dick pic?

@BatBoyCass That goes against Instagram’s guidelines. You’ll have to give me your actual number for that Or I’d be more than happy to give you a show in person😏

@LadyNesta You’re not even in Velaris anymore

@BatBoyCass Did you look up our tour, Nes? I’m touched 🥹

Nesta scoffs and rolls her eyes, setting her phone face down on the table. She goes back to finishing her coffee, but she barely lasts a minute before she’s swiping her phone back up. She refuses to let him have the last word, refuses to let him continue to believe she would ever look up his tour dates.

@LadyNesta You wish. My sister mentioned it

@BatBoyCass Don’t worry. There’s only a few weeks left of the tour. Then, I’ll be back in Velaris. Maybe we can get dinner then?

@LadyNesta Pass

@BatBoyCass How about another bargain? You have to send me a message every day, just one. Unless my irresistible charm has you wanting to send more 😉 But one message, that’s the deal. Maybe a fun fact about yourself? One every day until I’m back in Velaris. And then if you still don’t want to get dinner with me, then I’ll leave you alone

@LadyNesta Fine. Here’s my first “fun fact” about me. I’m incredibly stubborn and I hate not winning. So hope you’re prepared for the crushing disappointment of rejection

With a satisfied hum, Nesta sets her phone down for good. The man clearly needs to learn how to phrase his bargains better. One message a day. Easy. It will be the easiest thing Nesta has ever done. And in a few weeks time, this stupid drummer with his stupid chiseled body and his stupid easy smile and warm laugh and pretty hazel eyes will be out of her life for good.

But when Nesta finally dares to check her phone later that night, she finds a new message from Cassian waiting for her. He’s shared an Instagram Reel with her, and when Nesta clicks it, Jake Johnson’s voice blares from her speakers, ‘Stop being so mean to me or I swear to God I’m going to fall in love with you,’ and there, in the quiet and dark in her bedroom, where no one else can see her, Nesta laughs.

~ * * * ~

Nesta wakes to another photo in her Instagram DMs, but this time, Cassian is nowhere to be seen in it. Instead, the photo is of a beach. The waves crashing against the sandy shore look almost silver, the silhouettes of birds flying just above. The horizon is a line of purple that gives way to pinks and yellows before fading into the deep blue of night still clinging to the top of the frame.

Sunrise. It’s the beach right before the sun rises, Nesta realizes. She finds herself wondering what he was doing awake so early, almost going so far as to type out that very question and ask before she catches herself. She holds down the backspace, focusing on Cassian’s message below the photo instead.

@BatBoyCass Good morning, Nes! We’re in sunny Adriata today. I bet you’d look gorgeous in a bikini 😍 Definitely wish you were here. I could rub sunscreen on your shoulders. You could rub sunscreen onto mine. Sounds like a dream…

@LadyNesta Sounds more like a nightmare

Nesta continues with the rest of her morning, getting ready and heading to one of her favorite brunch spots in town to meet with Emerie and Gwyn. It isn’t until she’s settled at the table, thanking the waitress who sets down three waters while she waits, that Nesta finally looks at her phone again.

@BatBoyCass Not a fan of the beach, sweetheart?

@LadyNesta Oh, I love the beach, but I much prefer a cold drink and a good book on the beach rather than obnoxious drummers

@BatBoyCass You like to read? What kind of books do you like?

Instinctively, Nesta starts to type out a response, always more than happy to talk about her love of books, about her current read, but then she remembers their bargain. And she’s already shared her ‘fun fact’ about herself for the day, already met her quota, and she still refuses to lose. She quickly deletes the message she had typed out, but Cassian must be watching for her reply, must have seen the three dots to show that she was typing appear and then disappear.

@BatBoyCass That’s alright. We can save that question for tomorrow. I’ve always preferred historical fiction. I actually just finished reading Hatfield 1677 while on tour and really enjoyed it I think if the band didn’t work out, I’d end up a history teacher. I’d be good at being a history teacher. Maybe in another life

@LadyNesta Another life? I didn’t take you as the type of person to believe in that sort of thing.

@BatBoyCass I hope I meet you in every life

“Who has you smiling and blushing at your phone?”

Nesta snaps her head up to find Emerie now standing at their table, her brown eyes alight with amusement and a small smirk tugging up her lips. She scowls fondly at her friend, setting her phone face down on the table and willing the heat prickling her cheeks to dissipate.

“No one.”

~ * * * ~

@LadyNesta Do you ever get nervous up on stage?

Loathe as she is to admit it, over the last couple of weeks, Nesta has come to enjoy her messages with Cassian. There’s something easy about it, about their back and forth. Something about the way her teasing and jabs only leave him laughing, the way he gives back as good as he gets. Something about the way he genuinely cares about what she has to say, about her ‘fun facts.’ Something about how he doesn’t balk when she dares to share a deeper piece of herself.

It’s surprisingly comfortable, as though she’s known Cassian much longer than she actually has. As though she’s known him her whole life, as though her very soul somehow recognizes him. As though there’s music entwining them like golden threads.

@BatBoyCass Actually, I love it. It’s exhilarating being up there. I can feel the music all the way down to my bones. And to hear a crowd sing back a song you wrote? There’s nothing like it

@LadyNesta You write songs?

@BatBoyCass That’s right, Nes. I’m more than just a pretty face 😎 I even started writing a new song just yesterday

@LadyNesta Let me guess. You’re going to play it for me?

@BatBoyCass Not until it’s finished. I still need that last bit of inspiration Hoping to find it tomorrow 👀

@LadyNesta What’s tomorrow?

Nesta stares at the screen of her phone, waiting. She watches the three dots appear and then disappear. They appear and then they disappear again. It has Nesta tilting her head curiously, eyebrows dipping in confusion. She knows that she hasn’t known Cassian particularly long, but this certainly doesn’t seem like him. He’s usually so quick to respond to her messages, so quick to turn on the teasing and the charm without a second thought. What could it mean that he’s typing and retyping his answer? Is he… nervous?

@BatBoyCass Tonight’s the last show of our tour. In Scythia. I’ll be back in Velaris by tomorrow afternoon

Nesta’s heart skips a beat in her chest. This is it, the moment of truth, the end of their bargain. She could tell him that she’s still not interested, and that will be the end of their interactions. She’ll never receive another message from Cassian. She could tell him that his charm and his kind heart and good looks has had no effect on her.

But she’d be lying to him just as much as herself.

Only a few weeks, and already Nesta can’t imagine a day without talking to Cassian. Just the very idea has ice bleeding between her ribs and threatening to crystalize in her chest. She wants to see that fire blaze in his hazel eyes and push back to meet it until he’s smirking in amusement. She wants to hear his crazy stories from tour and his teasing innuendos. She wants him to make her laugh. And if she’s really being honest with herself, she wants to see and feel that body and those hands outside of a mere photo.

@LadyNesta 7pm. Don’t be late

~ * * * ~

The knock on her front door sounds through the apartment just as Nesta is finishing up the last touch ups to her makeup. She glances toward the clock, the red digital numbers declaring the time to be 6:58. Punctual. One last look over herself in the mirror, and Nesta steps out of her bedroom.

When she pulls open the front door, Cassian is standing on the other side. His hair is scraped back away from his face, piled into a bun at the back of his head, and a comfortably worn leather jacket hangs on his frame. His hazel eyes in person spark that same way Nesta remembers, a slow smirk tugging up his lips as he leans casually against the door frame.

“Hello, Nes.” His eyes sweep over her, his jaw slackening. “Mother save me. You look amazing.”

“I thought we already established that compliments will get you nowhere.”

“Can you blame me when you look this beautiful?”

Nesta has to swallow down a blush at his words, at the sincerity burning in his gaze. She rolls her eyes and shoves lightly at Cassian’s chest, enough to get him to move back so she can step out of her apartment.

“Are we going to dinner or not?”

“Of course,” Cassian confirms, holding his hand out until Nesta threads her fingers through his own larger ones. “I got us a reservation at Carmichael’s.”

Nesta’s steps stutter for a moment and she peers up at Cassian in surprise. “Carmichael’s? Don’t you need to make reservations weeks in advance there?”

“Oh, you do. I made the reservation as soon as we agreed on our bargain.”

Nesta comes fully to a stop at that. She blinks a few times, trying to wrap her mind around this new information, and she can’t help it. She laughs. Cassian’s eyes light up at the sound, the gold flecks within the hazel practically glinting beneath the lights of the hallway. His smirk morphs into a wide, genuine smile, and the sight is enough to leave Nesta feeling breathless.

“Feeling confident, were you?” Nesta teases, trying and failing to fight back her own grin.

“I’m confident about plenty of things, sweetheart,” Cassian tells her, stepping closer into her space. He uses his free hand to twist one of the strands of Nesta’s hair framing her face, the tips of his fingers skimming along her temple.

“Is that so? And what else are you confident about?”

“That I’m going to marry you one day.”

—

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[misshoneyimhome]

i love the willy kick you’ve been on but can you do an auston enemies to lovers? maybe she’s will’s best friend in it too?

I can always do something with Auston, bb 😉❤️ And of course, as always, I got a bit carried away - I mean, how can you not love this handsome face 😍

Word count: 4.3K

・✶ ｡ﾟ

I'm so furious at you for making me feel this way

"Ugh, he's just so annoying..." you muttered quietly as you entered Willy’s apartment, returning to his place after a casual dinner with the team.

"Come on, y/n, you have to find a way to be around Auston. He's one of my best friends, and since you're one too, I want you two to get along."

**

For months, William had been trying to build a connection between you and Auston. 

Having just moved to Toronto six months ago, your childhood friend William Nylander had been so kind to introduce you to the city. You had happily accepted a new job opportunity, and within a few weeks, Willy messaged you on Instagram after seeing your post about the move.

As children, William had always been one of your closest friends, but due to his moving around, it was sometimes challenging to meet up. However, thanks to social media, you both managed to stay updated about each other's lives.

And as your old friendship quickly rekindled, returning to its comfortable roots, you swiftly became best friends again.

Soon after spending quite the amount of time together, William had introduced you not only to his closest friends but also to the entire team. However, there was a catch – Although your heart might belong to another team, Toronto had to earn a soft spot as this was your new home.

Fortunately, you clicked well with everyone on the team, including their significant others. Yet, for some reason, Auston had irked you from the moment you met him.

He hadn't particularly done anything against you, but it was his smug expressions and comments about your sudden switch in team loyalty just to impress Willy that grated on you. Then, he had the nerve to suggest that you wanted to cosy up to your "so called" best friends to gain entry into the NHL world and snag hockey tickets.

"Probably just to boost followers on her Instagram," he quipped one evening, speaking low enough for only a few people to catch, yet loud enough for you to hear.

However, your intentions were far from that. Fame or social media followers were nowhere near your goals. All you wanted was to spend more time with Willy, and since you loved watching hockey, you were more than willing to pay for your own tickets.

So, from that moment on, every time Auston was around, you saw red. He exuded excessive confidence and an overall air of being too much. Sure, he was a star player on the team, but he wasn't constantly on top form. He had his off days, yet he was terrible at owning up to his mistakes.

To say the least, your thoughts about Auston weren't exactly positive, and his opinions about you weren't any better.

In his eyes, you were plain and uninteresting. A workaholic who seemed to indulge excessively on weekends, not holding back when it came to alcohol. He observed you flirting with almost every guy when out, and your perpetually upbeat and positive attitude was just too sickeningly cute for his taste.

The only reason he put up with being around you was because he recognised how much you meant to Willy and what a good friend you were to him. That, he could respect.

**

"I can be around him, Willy - I just prefer not to," you quipped, as the two of you headed first to the kitchen to grab a few snacks before settling on the sofa after a long walk with Pablo and Banksy.

"I mean it, y/n/n, I want you two to get along," William sighed lightly, though his friendly smile remained.

"I know, but we just... don't," you attempted to flash a sweet smile as you conveyed your feelings to William. "I can't put my finger on it... maybe it's his terrible moustache that he's always so damn proud of..."

"He's a Movember ambassador..."

"Well, he doesn't limit it to just November," you replied, a hint of disgust in your expression and a sigh. "He's simply not my cup of tea, and I'm definitely not his either."

William regarded you with a thoughtful expression, slowly coming to terms with the idea that the relationship between you and Auston might not improve, although a part of him thought otherwise.

"You know, you two are actually more alike than you think," he chuckled, trying to gently nudge you out of your comfort zone.

"Oh really?" You retorted with a light huff. "And how exactly am I similar to that self-absorbed so-called hockey star?" You raised an eyebrow.

"Well, for starters, you're both incredibly stubborn," William laughed heartily, a point you begrudgingly had to admit he might be right about. "And secondly, you're both insanely passionate about what you do. And you both care about your family and friends..." He continued softly, meeting your gaze as his words began to ease your tense demeanour. "Come on, Auston's a really great guy once you get past that tough exterior of his, and you're a wonderful person too - he just needs to see it. Then, I think the two of you could actually become pretty good friends."

William genuinely believed in what he said, but he was gradually growing tired of the ongoing friction between you and Auston. So, he made an effort to establish some sort of connection.

"Alright," he sighed deeply. "I suppose I can give him another chance..."

"That's all I'm asking for," William chuckled lightly before both of you diverted the conversation and turned your attention to the TV show you had planned to watch.

**

A couple of days later, you found yourself back in your usual spot at the Scotia Bank Arena, where the Leafs were facing off against the Senators.

Despite your efforts over the past 48 hours to shift your thoughts about Auston, making an attempt for the sake of your best friend William, as the players were announced and his prominent face appeared on the large screens, applauded for his talent, you couldn't help but feel a knot of discomfort within you.

"Fucking twat," you muttered under your breath, fortunately unnoticed by anyone around.

However, as the game began, you shook your head, attempting to push away any negative thoughts about him. You concluded that he wasn't worth your energy and mental space, but avoiding thoughts of him was easier said than done. After all, you were at a hockey game where he played, and his number was frequently mentioned.

Nonetheless, you did your best to ignore it and enjoy the company of other fans, including girls and families supporting the players. The arena reverberated with cheers and excitement as both teams alternated in scoring and taking the lead, making the match almost unbearably intense to watch.

During the third period, the score stood at 4-4, and with just three minutes remaining, if nothing changed, the game would head into overtime.

Your pulse raced alongside your quickened heartbeat as your eyes fervently tracked the play. And just before the buzzer sounded, number 34 skilfully manoeuvred the puck around the skates of two Senators and swiftly shot it under the goalie's pads, concluding the match with a 5-4 win for the Leafs. Which also secured him a hatty for the game.

"Of course," you thought, lightly shaking your head as the entire arena erupted with cheers and excitement, loud applause echoing through the air, and hats being thrown onto the ice.

Following the game, everyone gathered outside the locker room, waiting for the players to finish showering, attending to media commitments, and celebrations, where Auston was naturally announced as the player of the match.

You were engaged in conversation with some of the girlfriends as the players gradually exited the dressing room. And as one of the last to emerge, you patiently waited for Willy.

"Hey," he greeted, approaching you with damp hair, dressed in his post-game outfit. "I thought you had a date tonight?"

"Oh yeah, but we rescheduled since he had to cancel," you replied with a sweet smile and a light shrug.

"You didn't ditch him, did you?" William chuckled.

"What, no, he just cancelled on me. So, I chose to come here and offer my support to my best friend and his team," you playfully responded with a light smirk.

"Alright, well, I just need to finish up some things with Brad, then maybe we can go out for a late-night snack?" William suggested.

"Sure," you said with a friendly smile as William began to walk away. However, your smile quickly faded as a certain Arizona lad playfully joined your personal space, prompting you to turn and face him. 

"Already tired of your new victim, y/n?" Auston's voice was filled with his signature confidence, clearly relishing the moment, especially after tonight's game.

"What's that supposed to mean, Auston?" Your tone was sharp and fierce as the tall lad stepped in closer to you.

"Well, just seems like you've been through every eligible bachelor in Toronto, and nobody seems to be good enough for you," a smug grin stretched across his tanned face, his ridiculous moustache curving along his lip.

"I haven't been through every bachelor in Toronto..." you retorted defensively. "Besides, there's nothing wrong with having standards - I mean, at least I'm not like you, poking into every available cunt you can find."

Your words seemed to hit a nerve with Auston, yet he responded with a dismissive huff and a chuckle, brushing off your comment.

"At least I'm getting some action - maybe you could use some too," his chuckle was cocky, and you couldn't help but express a disgusted look.

"Well, I'm sorry I don't sleep around like you do and actually prefer to be with someone I genuinely like," you retorted, matching his smug attitude. Though you knew it wasn't entirely true; you were open to casual hook up now and then, but you did prefer to get to know a person a bit before getting intimate. 

"I'm just saying it might be good for you," Auston chuckled. "Besides, didn't you just get dumped last year? I mean, you should be out there, playing the field after ending a relationship."

"I didn't get dumped! And how do you even know about that?" you retorted sharply.

"Willy mentioned it a while ago," Auston replied with a smile.

"Hmm, well, yes, I... we broke up, but that doesn't mean I've given up, you know," you huffed gently, almost desperate to make a point. You understood Auston wasn't the most romantic person, and his confident, boyish manner shouldn't make you believe that all men were like him. "And I especially don't need to go around sleeping with everyone."

You crossed your arms defensively, fixing him with an intense gaze.

However, your stern comment only made Auston chuckle even more. "Whatever, still think it'd be good for you."

And as if on cue, William returned from his chat with Brad, and Auston quickly walked away after nodding to his teammate.

"Hey, you ready?" William asked with a friendly smile.

"Yeah, I'm all set," you replied with a smile, though your attempt to contain your annoyance wasn't entirely successful.

"What was that all about?" He chuckled a little.

"Oh, nothing," you gently rolled your eyes. "Just Auston being Auston."

Knowing you well enough, William merely chuckled and let the matter drop.

**

The following Sunday, you found yourself feeling freezing, sitting outside on a bench and waiting.

Your date had been rescheduled, and now you were impatiently enduring the cold while waiting for him to show up by the outdoor ice-skating rink the city. The first 20 minutes were bearable; you assumed he was just running late. But after 40 minutes with no replies to your messages and no sign of him, you started feeling rather foolish.

This turn of events caught you off guard. Based on your last two dates, everything had seemed to go smoothly, and you'd been texting each other every day for weeks. However, suddenly, for some unknown reason, he appeared to have lost interest in you.

But you wanted to maintain some semblance of dignity, to believe that he had a valid excuse, and that something unexpected had caused this delay. However, you also didn't want to be too naive. And after an hour had passed, you realised it was time to leave. It wasn't a mere mistake about the time; he had indeed stood you up and ghosted you.

And just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, a familiar voice spoke from behind as you stood up from your seat.

"Still waiting for your knight in shining armour?"

It was Auston. Of course, HE was here. And he'd spotted you.

"Shit," you muttered to yourself as you slowly turned around to face the last person you wanted to see right now.

"And what are you doing here?" you flashed him an unsatisfied grin, letting out a deep sigh.

"I was just ice skating with some friends," he simply replied, one hand tucked comfortably in his pocket to keep warm, while the other held his pair of skates. "So, are you here alone?"

"Why do you care, Auston?" your tone softened, yet it held a deep, sharp edge.

"Just noticed you were sitting all alone from across the rink..." he spoke almost gently, taking another step towards you, a smirk still on his face.

"And what? So, you thought I was looking pathetic, and you decided to come over here with your smug face and revel in the fact that I'd been stood up? Well, I'm sorry Auston, but I'm not in the mood for your annoying comments right now," you said sarcastically, feeling your tone might be a bit more aggressive than intended. However, you couldn't seem to control yourself at this moment. It turned out you were more hurt than you initially thought.

"What... no, y/n, I'm sorry, I didn't know you'd been stood up," Auston spoke, his smirk slowly fading as he noticed the genuine sadness and disappointment on your face. "Honestly, I didn't even know you were on a date; it was just a joke."

Your eyes met his, and you found yourself unable to respond immediately. While slowly, you felt tears starting to well up, but you tried your best to hold them back and not let it show. 

"I'm sorry..." you said. "I just didn’t find it particularly funny..." Your arms crossed over your chest, not defensively but more as a way to comfort yourself, as a tear trickling down your cheek, and your heart heavy with disappointment.

Auston's expression had also completely changed. He seemed almost... concerned about you?

In that moment, Auston found himself genuinely impacted by seeing you so vulnerable. You were completely exposed emotionally, and he felt a sense of empathy for you, being treated in such a manner. While you might not have been his favourite person, he also didn't believe you deserved to be treated this way. And it stirred an unexpected urge in him to offer you comfort.

So, without overthinking it, he found himself speaking up.

"Do you want to skate together?"

His words surprised both you and himself. You never expected Auston to ask you to spend time with him, let alone attempt to console you in an emotional situation.

Baffled, you stood there, still in your skates, amidst the cheerful sounds of people skating and having fun around you. You simply stared at the man before you, shaking your head gently, trying to gather your thoughts to respond.

"What?"

Auston chuckled lightly, realising the surprising nature of his question. Yet, a sense of warmth grew within him as he contemplated trying to uplift your spirits.

"I asked, do you want to skate together?"

Though still slightly baffled, you regarded him with a curious look.

"I thought you were here with your friends?"

"I am," he flashed a smile. "But they have each other – you, on the other hand, seem like you could use some company."

You weren't entirely certain what to make of this situation. Was Auston joking? Was he playing around or something?

But oddly, he seemed genuine.

"Why... would you do that?" you inquired, a curious smile forming on your lips, prompting Auston to release a soft sigh.

"Well… maybe Willy has asked me to be a little nicer to you… and, since he's my best friend, and hanging out with him also means being around you from time to time, I figured…" Auston shrugged lightly before continuing, "Maybe I can, I don't know, try and get to know you a little bit better. And since you're all alone, why not now."

You found yourself holding your breath momentarily, contemplating his words. Yet, as you observed him, his smirk faded, gently licking his lips and replaced by a soft smile on his face.

"Alright," you replied softly, meeting his gaze as your eyes reflected the city lights around the rink. “But only if you promise me one thing…”

"Which is?" 

"You won't laugh at me skating…" you timidly requested, a hint of embarrassment colouring your cheeks.

"Why would I laugh?" Auston gently smiled.

"I'm good at skating, but I'm also rather clumsy," you admitted, a small smile forming on your lips, and Auston simply replied with a casual chuckle.

"Don't worry, I'll catch you if you fall then."

After putting on his skates as well, both of you headed onto the ice together with soft laughter. And surprisingly, Auston turned out to be excellent company.

Surely, at first, it was a bit awkward. Breaking the tension that had built up over months between you wasn't easy. But gradually, as you continued skating side by side, the atmosphere lightened. William was, of course, the primary topic of your conversation, as he was your strongest common link. However, the conversation then gradually shifted to hockey – what you both liked and disliked about the sport. And soon, you found yourselves sharing personal details, discussing your upbringing and your personal stories.

Auston even laughed when you shared childhood stories about you and Willy, talking about the times when you gave him advice about girls during your teenage years. He then reciprocated by sharing stories from their road trips and the challenges of growing up while playing in the NHL. He delved into tales about his family, highlighting how supportive they had always been, and mentioned being the protective brother and the struggles he faced in finding close friends with whom he could form genuine bonds.

And this sudden display of vulnerability started to alter your perception of him, if only slightly. As you continued gliding across the ice, maintaining your closeness, Auston began discussing how many people in his life had come and gone, primarily seeking his friendship for the sake of public recognition.

You found yourself developing a small soft spot for him as he gradually opened up, revealing a side you had never seen before, one that he probably never showed to the team or to many others. And despite having tried to maintain a distance from him, you slowly came to realise that you did, in fact, know Auston quite well. You understood that he wasn't comfortable discussing emotions or engaging in heartfelt conversations, so this talk was a significant step for him.

Eventually, both of you skated to the edge of the rink to pause for a moment, a brief silence settling between you before you decided to break it with a soft sigh.

"Is that why you said those things about me when Willy first introduced me to the team?" you looked up at him, facing each other, both resting a hand on the border. "That I only wanted to be close friends with him because of fame."

Auston understood exactly what you meant, and you were spot on. That had indeed been his initial thought about you when you re-entered the life of one of his best friends.

With a gentle nod, he softly replied, "Yes."

Another quiet moment settled between you, and it became evident what this misunderstanding had truly been about. Auston's initial desire to shield Willy from a potentially damaging friendship, and your perception of him as cocky and arrogant because of his defensive stance from the start.

Once again, your eyes locked, a bit more intensely this time, as you both felt the opportunity to break free from this tension between you.

"Well, I hope I managed to prove you wrong then," you sighed softly, offering him a sweet, friendly smile.

And Auston simply matched your expression. "You did," he replied.

With a few shared light laughs, the profound tension suddenly dissipated. And a new sensation seemed to grow between you both – perhaps even a potential friendship.

But just as everything seemed to settle into a comfortable rhythm, someone suddenly appeared out of nowhere and forcefully crashed into you, causing you to fall over and straight into Auston, who lost his footing and ended up falling backward onto his back, pulling you along with him. In the midst of the fall, you accidentally collided, your head hitting his face, resulting in both of you letting out loud yells.

"Fuck!" Auston shouted.

"Shit, Aus, are you okay?"

Your head was spinning from the adrenaline rush.

"Yeah, I think I'm good... how about you?"

"Well, I did land quite softly," you tried to offer a light chuckle, prompting Auston to do the same.

And slowly, with a bit of assistance from the stranger who had accidentally bumped into you, both of you managed to regain your footing. However, your attention snapped back to Auston as you noticed something alarming.

"Fuck, your nose is bleeding!"

Auston touched his nose, confirming that it was indeed bleeding from the collision.

"Come on, let's get out of here," you suggested, gently taking his hand as you both stepped off the ice and made your way to sit on a nearby bench.

Auston tried to lean back to prevent too much bleeding, while you gently guided him and then applied a piece of tissue to his nose. Thankfully, you had had the foresight to have a package in your pocket, though not specifically for situations like this, it turned out to be quite practical.

Sitting closely on the bench, you carefully wiped the blood off his nose, feeling a twinge of guilt despite knowing the accident wasn't your fault. And Auston's intense gaze focused on you as you attended to him.

"I guess this wasn't how you thought your date would be," he chuckled.

"Maybe not," you gently smiled back. "But despite the blood, I actually think it's been a rather fun day," you softly admitted, meeting his eyes.

Auston reciprocated your smile, feeling your gentle touch close to his face.

"He's an idiot, you know, for blowing you off like this," he gently spoke, causing you to pause and look up at him.

"Thanks, but I suppose it's just my luck… you were right, I've dated so many guys, and although I promised myself never to give up on love, it's just not always easy," you softly admitted.

"Hey, it's his loss – I mean, you're... sweet, funny, and quite good-looking, so if he doesn't want to date you, he’s the one missing out. You shouldn't feel bad about it."

"You really think so?"

"Yeah... I mean... I know I haven't always treated you nicely, but... I've always thought you were hot," Auston chuckled.

"You're not too shabby yourself," you flashed him a sweet smile, eliciting another laugh from him. 

As you sat closely together amidst the vibrant winter wonderland in the heart of Toronto, both of you couldn't help but feel a sense of connection.

It felt odd.

It was as if all previous tension had vanished. You were now just two individuals, engaged in pleasant conversation, enjoying each other's company.

And Auston finally understood what William saw in you. He had never felt this comfortable opening up and expressing his thoughts to someone. No one had ever made him feel so at ease and relaxed during a heartfelt conversation like you. You were certainly something else.

But then clearing your throat, you broke the intense gaze you shared.

"Perhaps I should better get going... it's getting late, and I shouldn't be keeping you from your friends like this," you timidly suggested, looking down at your hands for a moment before beginning to unlace your skates.

With a nod, Auston followed suit, swiftly changing back into regular shoes. Standing with your skates in hand, you exchanged a sweet smile before an unexpected surge of confidence propelled you to lean in and plant a timid kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you, Auston... I really enjoyed spending time with you today," you softly expressed, while tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.

"You're welcome," he replied, exhaling softly. 

But then as you turned to walk away, an unexpected desire to keep you close surged within Auston. And with his free hand, he swiftly caught yours, drawing you back toward him, pressing his chest against yours before tenderly kissing your lips.

The kiss was gentle, yet both of you found yourselves leaning slightly into it. Auston dropped his skates, using his hand to cup your face, holding you just a little closer, before slowly pulling apart.

You exhaled deeply, confusion mingling with a pleasant sensation, ultimately giving way to a smile.

"So, I guess this means we're good?" you tentatively joked.

"Yeah... and the next date you're going on will be with me," Auston stated firmly, wearing a wide grin.

"God, you're way too confident," you teased, playfully rolling your eyes at him.

"Maybe, but I know you like it," he countered, raising an eyebrow before leaning in to connect your lips once again.

[pink-sparkly-witch]

The One That Got Away - Chapter Fourteen

Warnings: flirting, insecurities.

Word Count: 1.8k

Pairing: Firefighter!Dean Winchester x Female Reader

A/N: I didn’t have a beta for this, so all mistakes are mine.

You can catch up here!

 My Masterlist AO3    Ko-Fi

“Hey, Princess,” Dean said as he answered her call. They’d started to fall back to old ways, calling each other several times a day. Not that either of them minded much.

“Hey, Dean,” Y/N responded, trying to sound as happy as he did, but her words came out in a sigh.

“Uh oh, I know that tone. What’s wrong?” Concern laced Dean’s voice and made her guilt grow.

“About tonight…” Y/N sighed again, and Dean’s heart sank. “One of my nurses had to take a leave of absence, and I’m the only one who can cover her shift at short notice. I’m sorry, Dean. I was really looking forward to our date tonight.”

“It’s fine, sweetheart. I’ve been there myself a hundred times. I understand, and, hey, name another day and I’m there.”

“How about Thursday?” Y/N asked, sounding more upbeat than she had before.

“I can’t do Thursday. I’m on shift. How about Friday?” Dean replied.

“I’m doing a double shift Friday night. But I could do Sunday?”

“Can’t,” Dean huffed frustratedly. “It’s-”

“Family dinner on Sundays,” they said together and shared a laugh.

“Unless…” Dean continued, “you know you’d be more than welcome-”

“No!” Y/N panicked.

“Come on. We’re not that bad!” Dean chuckled. “Besides, you’ve already broken the ice by having them all in the same room when I was in the hospital.”

“Yeah, but that was on my turf, where I was in control and everyone was too worried about you to focus on me,” she explained.

“Okay, we can save family dinner for another time,” Dean laughed.

“Thank you,” she chuckled softly. “So, it looks like our date will have to wait until next week.”

“Well, sweetheart, they do say that absence makes the heart grow fonder,” Dean said, and she didn’t need to be able to see him to know he was sporting that cocky grin she loved.

“So you’re saying you’ll be even more smitten with me by next week?” Y/N grinned when she heard Dean laugh.

“Are you flirting with me?” he teased.

“What? No! Okay… maybe a little,” she giggled, feeling the heat rise to her face and settle on her cheeks. “And don’t let that go to your head, Winchester!”

“The woman of my dreams is flirting with me! You’re damn right I’m gonna let that boost my ego!” The cockiness Dean had had always made her knees weak, and it seemed some things never changed.

“Okay, while you do that,” Y/N chuckled, “my break is almost over, and I gotta get back to work. So, how about next Tuesday for our date?”

“That works for me, sweetheart. I’ll talk to you before that, though, right? I don’t think I can go a whole week without at least speaking to you,” he said, the grin evident in his voice.

“Now who’s flirting?” she teased, and Dean laughed. “I’ll call you on Friday before I go to work.”

“Alright, talk to you Friday, but I’ll text you before then,” Dean smiled. “Have a good night, Princess.”

“Thanks, Dean. Stay safe on shift,” she replied.

“Always, Princess.”

Dean went to his brother’s house to work on the nursery. Sam had asked for his help at the weekend, and Dean happily agreed to work on it whenever he had free time. He’d been there yesterday and had planned to go again tomorrow, but now that he had an unexpected free night, he decided to go over.

“Dean! I wasn’t expecting you tonight,” Sam said as he greeted his big brother at the door. “Aren’t you supposed to be on a date with Y/N?”

“She took my shift, didn’t she?” Jess spoke from the sofa.

“Wait… she said one of her nurses had to take a leave of absence… she meant you?” Dean shoved his way into the house and crouched next to his sister-in-law. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I had to start maternity leave a little early. Hazard of the job at this stage. High stress leads to high blood pressure, and long hours on my feet have given me painfully swollen ankles. Y/N really took my shift tonight?”

“Yeah, she said she was the only one who could cover it at short notice,” Dean confirmed. “You, uh, you don’t think she was just saying that, do you? About being the only one who could do it?”

“No, I don’t,” Jess smiled. “Y/N signs up for her share of overtime shifts, just like the rest of us, but she’ll always offer a cover shift to one of her nurses first so they can get a little extra. And she was really looking forward to tonight, which means she couldn’t get someone from another department to cover for me either. If she said she’s the only one, you can take her word on that.”

“Okay,” Dean nodded, accepting what Jess had told him. “And you’re good?”

“Yes, Dean,” Jess rolled her eyes. “Now, tell me why you thought Y/N was lying?”

“It’s not that I think she’s lying. It’s just that I keep thinking she’s gonna tell me she’s changed her mind about staying and is going back to Chicago,” Dean admitted. “So, I was wondering if this might be her way of pushing me away.”

“You think she’ll leave again?” Sam asked.

“Why not? She had a good life up there,” Dean countered. “Friends, a good job-”

“That had her working over seventy hours a week, Dean! It was a good life if all she wanted to do was work. Her job there got her where she is today and has made her a phenomenal nurse, the best I’ve ever worked with, but it wasn’t a life. Not really. Talk to her about it. She’ll tell you that herself.”

“Come on, Dean. You really think she’d have taken a job here and moved all her belongings across the country if she wasn’t planning on staying?” Sam said, always the voice of reason. Dean often went for the emotional response before the logical one, at least when it involved his own feelings.

“She left before,” Dean shrugged, “and my biggest fear since she came back is that she’ll leave again.”

“Have you talked to her about this?” Sam asked.

“When we first talked, like really talked, I asked if she was back for good, and she said it depends on what happens with us.”

“And when she called to cancel, you thought she’d changed her mind? Realised it was a mistake coming back?” Jess smirked softly, understanding what fuelled her brother-in-law’s insecurities.

“I always find a way to fuck everything up, and I always end up alone. It’s only a matter of time ‘til she realises that being with me is a mistake,” Dean voiced.

“That’s not true. The only reason things didn’t work with the others is because they weren’t Y/N. They weren’t your girl,” Sam comforted his older brother. “You and Y/N started dating at fifteen, right? And were together for how long? Three years?” he asked, and Dean nodded. “Before that, you were best friends. Wherever you were, she wasn’t far behind and vice versa. Always. And you and I both know that if it hadn’t been for her father and upbringing, she’d never have left, and you’d still be together now. I guarantee it.”

“You should listen to your brother, Dean. Sometimes he talks sense,” Jess smirked, and the older Winchester smiled a little.

“What probably isn’t helping,” Sam continued, “is that your first date was what, like a month ago? And because of her father and work, you haven’t had that second date yet-”

“I’m sorry. I feel like that’s my fault,” Jess frowned.

“That’s not on you. Don’t even go there,” Dean responded firmly.

“But if I hadn’t-” Jess started, but Sam quickly interrupted.

“The point is,” Sam veered the conversation back on track, “that everything seems to be going against you right now, and it’s no one’s fault,” he glanced pointedly at Jess. “You arranged another day for your date, right?”

“Yeah,” Dean sighed. “Next Tuesday.”

“Then you’ve got to stay strong, keep fighting. Keep calling, keep trying! You never know when an opportunity might come up for coffee or lunch; even if you can’t see her, remember that you’re meant to be together. You’re being tested and need to fight and not give up because you’ve hit a few hurdles.” The younger Winchester said.

“I know. You’re right, Sam,” Dean nodded. “Can’t just be easy, though, huh?” he chuckled.

“With your history, I really wish it was,” Sam laughed. “God knows you deserve it. Both of you do. And that’s why you keep expecting things to go wrong.”

“Alright, enough of this chick flick shit. Let’s get to work on my nephew’s nursery.” Dean changed the subject, wanting the attention off him and his insecurities.

“Nephew?” Sam scoffed. “You know something we don’t?”

“That,” Dean exclaimed, pointing at his sister-in-law’s protruding stomach, “is a boy. I feel it in my bones, Sammy!”

“Well, can you tell your nephew to stop kicking my bladder?” Jess grinned.

“No can do, sweetheart. Winchester boys are stubborn. There’s gonna be no telling him what to do!”

“Figures,” Jess rolled her eyes. “Already in cahoots with your daddy and uncle, huh?” she giggled, rubbing her stomach affectionately.

ONE WEEK LATER

As Dean walked into the firehouse for his last shift before his date with Y/N, he texted her the same thing he’d sent every morning this week.

Dean Good morning beautiful 😘

She was working the night shift, and Dean smiled widely when she responded with her usual reply instantly.

Y/N Good night handsome 😘

Dean walked into the changing room to change into his uniform and put his belongings in his locker, knowing that in twenty-four hours, when they had this text exchange again, it would be the day of their second date.

When he found out that she would finish work at seven on Tuesday morning, he’d asked if she wanted to change their date to later in the week to let her sleep and had said no in a tone that killed any further argument he could make.

Y/N explained that after her last night shift, she never slept more than a few hours, so she’d be tired enough to go to sleep at a normal time and get into a routine to enjoy her days off, so, she insisted they go; not wanting to postpone it even longer than they’d already had to.

Dean couldn’t deny hearing how keen Y/N was for their date was immensely comforting and did a lot to tame his insecurities. Still, nothing seemed to stop the expectation that something would go wrong somewhere. That feeling in his gut was unwelcome, and he could only hope it was just his nerves playing tricks on him. 

Brushing his worries to one side, Dean tucked his shirt in, closed his locker and took a deep breath, throwing a silent prayer to the universe that his shift would pass quickly.

Next Chapter >>

Tags: @acitygrownwillow @akshi8278 @ashbatz @candy-coated-misery0731 @chriszgirl92 @deans-baby-momma @deans-spinster-witch @deansbbyx @deanwanddamons @duncanhillscoffeecups @foxyjwls007 @giggles1026 @globetrotter28 @hobby27 @hoboal87 @impala67rollingthroughtown @iprobablyshipit91 @jackles010378 @jamerlynn @jc-winchester @k-slla @kazsrm67 @kmc1989 @lacilou @ladysparkles78 @leigh70 @lyarr24 @maliburenee @michecolegate @mrsjenniferwinchester @nancymcl @negans-lucille-tblr @nelachu2423 @octoberclidan @perpetualabsurdity @roseblue373 @sandlee44 @sexyvixen7 @snackles87 @spnbaby-67 @spnwoman @stixnstripesworld @stoneyggirl2 @suckitands33 @synmorite @tristanrosspada-ackles @twinkleinadiamondsky @waters-2567 @winchestergirl1720

[baileypie-writes]

~My Thoughts on Wonderful Precure: Episodes 21-25~

~~~🎀~~~🎀~~~🎀~~~

This will be updated weekly, so be sure to come back if you want to see my thoughts on new episodes!

~~~🎀~~~🎀~~~🎀~~~

Episode 21 - Mayu and Yuki’s School Life:

I loved this episode! It was so funny!

As expected, Yuki’s good at pretty much everything in school. I wonder if there’s gonna be anything she’s not good at. Maybe there’ll be an episode surrounding that.

I just about died when she tried squeezing into Mayu’s chair, and then tried getting that kid to move out of his, so she could sit next to her. She clearly doesn’t get how assigned seats work. But I guess she’s content enough with having to sit behind Mayu instead.

The whole embroidery thing was super cute. I love how Mayu’s kind of teaching Komugi and Iroha how to do it. Also, I just wanna brag that I knew exactly what the girls were trying to embroider, even though it looked terrible😌.

As a little critique, I thought the whole “backstory” about Mayu and her old friend was really random. It just came out of nowhere, with almost no foreshadowing whatsoever. Yuki treated it like some big, serious thing, but I feel like it’s probably not gonna be mentioned again.

Next, I just wanna take a moment to gush over the “Nyanderful Precure” part. I was really hoping that would happen! I wonder what Satoru and Daifuku would say when if they become Pretty Cures. I don’t know what sound rabbits make in Japan.

I like how the first thing Cure Nyammy does with a Kirarin Animal’s power, is turning Cure Wonderful into a tire. Just thought that was funny. She didn’t bother turning herself into one. Nope, just Komugi.

We also got a new animation for Lillian and Nyammy for calling the animals home. Though, I wonder if they’re using Wonderful and Friendy’s suitcase, or if they got their own and we didn’t see.

Overall, I loved this episode! I can’t wait for the next one!

Episode 22 - Wonderful Go!:

This episode wasn’t my favorite. I’m not a fan of sports/athletics episodes. But it was still alright. I mean, it was super cute. So it couldn’t be awful.

I was a bit confused on how Komugi didn’t understand Iroha’s first commands, because she understands human language perfectly. And she usually obeys every other time. But I guess it was just for the sake of the plot.

It was pretty cool how in sync Wonderful and Friendy were during battle. The platforms were a nice idea too. And it’s great how even though this episode was focused on them, Nyammy and Lillian still got plenty of screen time. They even did the finishing attack.

Lastly, I just wanna express how excited I am for next week’s episode! The festival episodes are always some of my favorites. I love seeing all the pretty yukata designs, and the cute hairstyles! Komugi looked absolutely precious in the preview, and Yuki looked so beautiful!

Episode 23 - Making Wishes, Wao~~~~~n:

I always love the festival episodes. They’re always so fun! And this one was no exception!

Everyone’s outfits were so cute! Komugi’s was definitely my favorite. Precure always puts so much care into designing yukatas for their characters. Well… except for Satoru, I guess. His was so plain.

Mayu’s mom finding out that Yuki can turn human was disappointingly underwhelming. I was expecting her to be overjoyed, but she was so casual about it. But oh well, at least she accepts her.

We also got some foreshadowing to Daifuku becoming a Cure(hopefully)! According to Yuki, he’s no ordinary rabbit! And of course, we also got some cute little crush moments from Satoru. The part where he helped Iroha with her sandals was so sweet!

Also, all the Kirarin Animals are back! But it seems something else is coming…

I hope we get some real villains soon! Maybe then, the Pretty Cure will actually start fighting!

Lastly, I gotta talk about the new ending.

It was so good!

I can’t decide if I like this one better, or the first one. The song is just so cute and upbeat! And it sounds so unique compared to all the others! It is a bit sad that they got rid of the expensive models though..

I wonder how they’ll add the midseasons to it. Maybe, we’ll get a whole new song entirely? Though that’s probably just wishful thinking…

Episode 24 - A Very Strange Egg:

This episode was alright. Not my favorite, but it was good!

First thing I wanna get out of the way is that I had no idea Niko-sama was a girl. I always thought of her as a boy haha. Not that it matters, but I was just shocked for a second.

I’m very curious as to what Niko-sama will look like. Judging by the horn on the egg, it’s clear she’ll be at least a bit unicorn-like. But Mey-Mey said that there are no other animals like her, so she might be completely unique. Although, unicorns don’t exist, so she might just be one. But at the same time, horses are almost identical. Hmm.

I was super excited that the egg only lit up once everyone was touching it, including Satoru and Daifuku! Hopefully this is a sign of them becoming Cures! Also, it’s super weird how the egg keeps teleporting to Iroha’s house. I wonder why it does that…

Next, I’m gonna mention the new version of the ending! We got a Nyammy and Lillian duet! I really like it. It’s very sassy and cool!

I’m not super excited for the next episode. It’s clearly a beach filler episode, which I’m not a fan of. But I do have to say this: Komugi’s swimsuit is adorable! I want it for myself!

Episode 25 - Summer! Beach! Homework!:

Just as I suspected, this episode was just filler. But it was still alright.

I really liked the design of the girls’ swimsuits! I want to own all of them! Well… except for Satoru’s. Did the designers even try with his outfits?

I surprisingly learned quite a bit about sea turtles. I didn’t know that the temperature could determine the gender! Thanks, Satoru!

I found it pretty odd how the focus and drama all of a sudden shifted to Mayu and Yuki during battle. It just felt really random. The drama was really laid on thick too. It really wasn’t all that necessary.

All in all, this episode was fine. But I hope the next one will be better.

~~~🎀~~~🎀~~~🎀~~~

~~baileypie-writes

[gatitties]

kinda wondering if you could write wakatoshi ushijima x fem! basketball player reader headcanons where compared to him, she's the social butterfly with her being so cheery, upbeat and optimistic but is a hyperactive person that none can keep up with her energy. (and maybe a tomboy as well) also she doesn't seem to be intimated with ushijima's appearance at all after meeting him?

─Ushijima Wakatosi x fem!reader

─Summary: a confusion makes you meet the volleyball captain with whom you decided to befriend like anyone else

─Warnings: none

just say that they accidentally write basketball player but they referred volleyball player

─ The first time you met Ushijima he mistook you for a boy trying to get into the gym's girl bathrooms.

─ Definitely none of you had a good vision of the other, because he scolded you for trying to spy on the other girls while you were offended by the accusation, you got to the point of telling him that if he wanted you could show him a tit so he would believe you.

─ Luckily for both of us, one of your friends came out asking why you were taking so long to come in, you were usually one of the first to wash up after an intense volleyball practice.

─ Ushijima completely confused there while you rubbed in his face that you were right, of course, you hadn't felt the least bit intimidated by his presence in this little incident you wouldn't on other occasions.

─ The second time you saw him was because he came to apologize for the misunderstanding, Ushijima can be many things and among them a true gentleman who knows how to accept and correct his mistakes.

─ You didn't need much more and automatically 'adopt' him into your friends list than one, they don't have that many friends or two, they're not very talkative.

─ At the end of the day you ended up coinciding in volleyball tournaments, he appreciated your passion for the game that he also enjoyed, and sometimes if he could go to see your games.

─ No one can change this thought, but a tireless person full of energy is equal to a libero (most of the time) so yes, that was your position.

─ Ushijima doesn't mind that you're the one who always leads the flow of the conversation, he has Tendou on his team so he's used to it, he's a good listener.

─ He doesn't care that whenever you decide to go for a run or a walk, you stop to say hello to almost half of the students you meet, although if this interrupts the rhythm he will simply put you on his shoulder and continue running with your weight dead on it, you keep waving to people from there.

─ You are Shiratorizawa's personal cheerleader, yes, yes, we all know that they have an amazing band that sings and claps the anthem, but the entire male team will always find you in the crowd, either because of your screams or because you decided to buy a costume of eagle as if you were the mascot of the team.

─ No doubt you and Tendou are best friends after you and Ushijima start dating.

─ There is not much change after that, you continue to behave the same with each other, only now there is more intimacy on other occasions.

─ He respects that you want to catch up with the large number of friends you have just as you know that he has a strict training schedule, but you always make time to be together despite this.

─ Many students question how the most expressive person on campus ended up with the least expressive, they assumed that opposites attract, or rather, complement each other.

[intrusiveinks]

I absolutely loved Pinkie Pie when I was younger (also got called Pinkie Pie by friends for a bit but that’s a different story) and I’d love to hear your hc’s about her (and honestly the rest of them if you want)

PINKIE IS ONE OF THE BEST MFS ON THE SHOW UR SO REAL FOR THAT

Most of my hcs surround her being ND tbh (tho I'm a pegasus!pinkie truther lmao)

I also feel like pinkie kinda also has some issues w mood regulation, like we see in the show kinda. When she gets upset she often takes it really hard and has issues when trying to ask and clarify things so the sadness kind of festers, yknow? She likes being the funny one, but when she's upset its hard to talk because she feels like nopony would want to hear her actually be sad.

On a more upbeat note, I like to think that pinkie actually models for rarity a lot n LOVES to see rarity's designs because pinkie is also just into creativity in general obviously! So the two of them bond over it!

Pinkie probably likes horror movies, not like a "I'm scary. I like scary things." Way, They just give her an adrenaline rush like a roller-coaster!!

Pinkie probably has tasted a Lot of different foods, I think that could go w the mini hc of mine that maybe she lived short term in a few other places than ponyville before settling there, so she got to try a bunch of different types of dishes from different kinds of ponies and maybe even other creatures!

I believe I've said something like this before but I don't think pinkie directly labels herself, not bc she doesn't care, just bc it's doesn't come to mind for her really, tho she's probably pan, she's just one of those ponies others are like "hmm..... I Think she likes girls but also that's just pinkie so who tf knows" (mainly with rainbow bc those 2 are almost always hanging)

She knows a lot of random little facts you wouldn't expect, and she probably has hyperfocused on random types of unicorn magic in the past n checked out books to read on them even if she isn't a unicorn.

Pinkie has Totally dyed her hair, just bc I think it would be funny for images of her when younger to have her w blonde hair then blue hair then even black hair, but she's probably calmed down on it by the time the show comes around. (Rainbow dash and Rarity actually probably both helped her dye it probably)

That's not too many but I just wanted to at least get One out because I felt bad for suddenly dissapearing again like I normally do, lol

[basilone]

KILLY!!!! hello! here to send in a prompt for my girl Stella and prompt 46 - protection! :) thank youuuu!

Hiii! 💙 Love that you wanna see more of Stella, ty!! Hope you'll like this one. 😊

protection

She should have waited.

Waited for Max and Jules, at least, because waiting for Tiny to get ready would have meant waiting for half the party to be over by the time they finally got there. Dee was out of the question – a stomach bug even Lucy couldn’t fix – and Lord only knows where Nora disappeared off to after dinner. She’d half-expected to find the others at the party, laughing and joking and drinking, but…

Stella heaves a sigh. Then another one. Locks eyes with Douglass, who seems to be waiting for a response she’s not about to give him. Lets her gaze slide over his buddies – Blakely the only one she can name – before fixing on the same piece of wall that’s gotten her through one-sided conversations like this one before. She should get Push to mention to Lemmons that the wall’s paint is peeling off in the corner right above that ugly armchair. Maybe he can spare it a lick of paint or figure out what to do about it that’d make it less crooked.

“Hey, that wall isn’t gonna dance with you,” interjects Douglass, stepping back into her line of sight in a way that’s got her balling both fists. “We’re all friends here, right?”

We work the same job, sure, she almost retorts. Just because we blow things up together doesn’t mean we’re friends now. Stella knows he won’t get the nuance. Guys like him never really do. She allows her eyebrow to raise just a little, just enough.

“Come on, Lombardi”– and he doesn’t even pronounce it right, elevates her name too much –“us bombardiers, we got a bond, don’t we?”

An arm slips over her shoulders before she can convey her new retort with a well-practiced huff. A thumb rubs a small circle over her insignia, soothing, while she’s pulled against a very warm side. Soap and aftershave are playing tug-of-war with a sharp whiskey twang, settling in her nostrils and coating her tongue with the urge to feel the latter’s burn in her throat. She knows this scent and touch as well as she knows her bomb visor. Relaxes into it the moment it fully registers, letting her shoulders drop and her balled fists unfurl.

“You trying to get between that pilot and bombardier bond, Doug?” His question is good-natured. Upbeat, even. Teasing where it counts, defusing the fact that he’s interceding at all. “Lombardi here”– and of course he gets her name pitch perfect, rolling off his tongue like that’s where it’s always been –“is owed a drink by me tonight. Gonna get her one before Lottie shows up and takes that glass outta her hand!”

Somehow, he’s already managed to steer her away from the offending party. Somehow, his hand’s clasped firmly around her shoulder and squeezing her to his side as he guides her over to the bar. She just about manages to nod at Cleven in passing – his answering nod is minuscule – but lets her gaze slide straight over Egan, who’s far too busy pontificating about which song he wants to be singing later tonight. There’s still a half-full glass on this side of the bar. A spare coaster. Meatball’s leash dangling from a stool – the dog itself being entertained by the Clubmobile girls who don’t really talk to the bomber girls any – and his jacket hanging over that.

“You looked like you needed a rescue there,” he says, smiling, leaning them both against the bar before letting go of her. “You should just tell him no next time, all right? He’s good about that. Not that good about silences.”

“No often comes with the why not,” she reminds him, “and I don’t have enough breath in my lungs for how long that answer would be.”

Benny’s eyes crinkle further in amusement. “That bad, huh? Poor Doug.”

“He’ll live,” judges Stella archly, following that group’s new beeline for the Clubmobile girls. “Would you look at that. I guess the bond between bombardiers is forgotten real fast after all, huh.”

He nudges her side. “Pilot and bombardier have the better one, don’t ya think?”

The safer one, she almost says. The one that gives me some protection among the wolves. “You fishing for compliments here, DeMarco?” she laughs instead, nudging his side back in response. “Shame on you.”

“Ow, Frosty, watch where ya put that damn elbow!”

“You’re such a baby,” she sighs, shaking her head in dismay. “That wasn’t even that hard. You’re real fragile, sir.”

“Lombardi,” he grumbles, rubbing his eyes as though he’s already tired of her, “call me fragile one more time…”

“Yeah?”

“You’ll be on your own, kid,” decides Benny, raising his glass to her. “So you better be nice to me now, huh?”

Stella affects a pout she doesn’t mean a lick of. “I’m always nice to you.”

“Yeah, yeah, sure,” he chuckles. “Bossy as hell, you are. Those guys should be thankin’ me for rescuing them from you.”

She stops. Stares. “Benny,” she says, “that’s some bullshit.”

“Is it?”

“Yeah, it is.” She rolls her eyes. Locks her hand around a new glass, half-full like his, once it’s set in front of her. “You already got plenty of bossy girls in your life.” She knows Lottie is. Darlene, too, though most wouldn’t peg her like that. “Hardly need me adding to your troubles there.”

He shoots her a long, searching look out of the corner of his eye. “Who says I’ve got troubles?”

Stella snorts out a laugh. “You did, last time we were drinking.” She remembers him clinging to her shoulders. Whiskey breath mingling with chocolate. “Hope you solved them,” she laughs, sipping her drink exactly the way she was taught not to, “because I’m sure as shit not gonna help.”

“Cold, Frosty, real cold.”

She shrugs. “Hazards of the job, mio fratello.”

“Remind me why I like you.”

“I’m the best bombardier in the Hundredth, that’s why.”

“Ego.”

“All true, baby.” She grins. “Now, how about you tell me more about that bet you got going on with Lottie?”

His answering groan just makes her laugh out loud even more.

[seangelfish]

Yumenosaki's Little Romance

Kanata Shinkai x Reader ♡ Genre/s: Fluff, established relationship, she/her pronouns ♡ Word count: 858 ♡ Synopsis: A short little fic about you two being the cutest Yumenosaki's romances. Showcasing how much Kanata loves you and how happy he sees you around the school.

It was during break that you decided to roam the halls. Humming a little melody to yourself, you stopped by one of the advertisement boards to see whether there was anything going on this week.

Suddenly, you heard loud footsteps coming near you. The sound was getting closer and closer. You turned your head to find Tetora panting in front of you, his back bent and his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.

"(Y/N)-san... have you seen... Shinkai-senpai anywhere?!" he asked between breaths. "We need him for rehearsals and he hasn't shown up...!" Before you could reply, he continued, "I've checked the fountain too... He isn't there... That's why I came to find you...!"

"I actually haven't seen him since this morning," you replied. "I'll go find him for you. Go back to practise, alright?"

You patted his shoulder reassuringly. Tetora sighed in relief.

"Thanks, (Y/N)-san!"

You watched him run back the way he came from. You sighed, wondering what Kanata was doing if he wasn't at the fountain. You thought about calling him, but if the other members couldn't get a hold of him, what's the use of using your phone too?

You decided to check his classroom. Before you made your way upstairs though, a soft voice called out to you.

“Ah, (Y/N)~!”

You turned around to be greeted by the blue haired boy. He skipped over to you with his arms stretched out. Automatically, your arms did the same as you both came into a warm embrace.

You loved hugs with Kanata. They were comforting and soft, just like his hair when you stroked it. However, you didn’t realise until seconds later that he was soaking wet.

“You were in the fountain just now, weren’t you?” you sighed lovingly.

“Yes, it was fun~!” he admitted. “I’m sorry for getting your uniform wet…”

“It’s fine. Where’s your towel?”

You dried him off gently. He giggled at how you did it. The floor beneath his feet formed a puddle due to his wet clothes, but at least he was a little bit drier.

With the towel still on his head, you tiptoed to reach him for a kiss which he bent down to your height to return.

“Tetora was trying to find you, you know?,” you said. "Get to practise already."

“Okay, okay~” he replied with the biggest smile on his face. "But can I get another kiss~?"

You smiled and nodded. Kanata leaned down yet again as you pulled him in closer. Your lips touched his softly until he grabbed your back to bring you even closer to him in order to achieve a deeper kiss.

This surprised you a bit, but you melted into the kiss almost immediately.

“You know we shouldn’t be doing this in the hallways,” you hissed with a sheepish grin.

Kanata smiled and tucked your lose hair behind your ear. He kissed your temple softly.

“But I don’t care who sees,” he said. “I want people to know that I’m with you… that I love you.”

His hand was caressing yours. Your face was tinted pink.

“I love you too,” you responded. “Come on, it’s time for you to meet up with the rest of Ryuseitai.”

Kanata grinned, “Okay, I’ll be off then!”

He kissed your knuckles before he left, walking down the hallway with his arms swaying by his sides. You couldn’t help yourself but smile at all the kisses he gave you today.

[Extra]

“Hahaha, that was so sweet,” came a dark, deep voice.

“I am SO happy that you two are happy!” came another voice, one that was more upbeat and energetic.

“Rei, Wataru,” you acknowledged. “Please tell me you weren’t watching all of that.”

“We were,” stated Wataru happily. “It’s so nice to have a little romance in Yumenosaki~”

“And it’s nice to see Shinkai so happy too,” said Rei. “Thank you for always taking care of him.”

You smiled at their words, but before you could say anything, Natsume popped out of his hiding place with a smirk.

“So what did I tell you?” he went, putting his palm out in front of Wataru.

“You made a bet?!” you cried, even more embarrassed than before. “Were we that obvious?!”

Natsume laughed at your reaction. Wataru handed him a 1000 yen bill which he took gratefully.

Shu wasn’t hiding anywhere unlike the three other oddballs. In fact, he was merely taking a break from sewing and ended up bumping into you four.

“Fancy seeing you lot here,” he sighed.

“Shinkai’s with (Y/N),” Rei said quickly, chuckling at your reaction when he blurted that out.

“Oh, I know,” Shu replied nonchalantly. “Kanata told me already.”

You just wanted to sink into the floor. You covered your face with your hands in total embarrassment. You didn’t want to publicise your relationship, and not only were you two so obvious, Kanata had already told Shu too.

Shu gave you a celebratory yet pitiful smile. He didn’t want to tell you, but he was happy to see you two together. He thought the two of you were perfect for each other, and that said a lot.

Intro page | Ensemble Stars masterlist | Rules

[nightlyrequiem]

The Other Side of Paradise

8) To Bond

Cross posted from AO3

Ch.1, Ch.2, Ch.3, Ch.4, Ch.5, Ch.6, Ch.7, Ch.8, Ch.9, Ch.10, Ch.11

You try to make the best of your life working at a small bakery in a city with rising cartel violence. One slower day, a man starts harassing your coworker. Despite the obvious threat, you stand up to him anyway. Unbeknownst to you, Valeria just so happened to be there to witness it.

A/N- All chapters containing smut will be labeled mature. The fic is fully written with the whole thing on AO3 but chapters on Tumblr will be posted one a day.

Tags/Warnings: Fluff, Angst, Dual POV, Happy Ending, Plot with Porn, Graphic Violence, Inappropriate Use of a Knife, Masturbation, WLW

'What are we?' That's the newest question burning through your mind. You have to stop yourself from blurting it out when she visits you occasionally at work. You have to stop yourself from texting the question whenever you pick up the phone. Lest you come off as needy and desperate. The budding romance between you two is still new and delicate and you'd hate to scare her off by springing a question like that on her. If you pretend to be chill and relaxed and let things progress naturally then everything will happen like it should.

That being said, you take extra care to make yourself look nice. More than usual. You go about your workday with a little more energy. Just the chance that Valeria will come in to visit you is enough to make you feel giddy. To give you a renewed sense of purpose. You wash dishes and pack up baked goods with a small smile. Whether or not anyone notices your slightly more upbeat energy, they don't comment on it. Although you almost wish someone would ask you about it. You'd love to gush about your feelings to another person. To talk endlessly about Valeria. It's all you can think about. She's all you can think about.

You wipe down the tables and keep an ear out for the sound of the door opening. At one point, it did, and you turned with a smile only to see some guy. Your disappointment was immeasurable, and you were glad he already knew what he wanted so he'd leave faster. The door opens again, and you look, trying not to be too excited in case it isn't who you're hoping for. It is, and you smile. Resisting the urge to drop the rag and bound over to her like a puppy. Instead, Valeria walks over to you and leans against the wall. Immediately you can tell she's had a rough week. There are slight dark circles under her eyes and just a general aura of exhaustion radiating off of her.

You set the rag down and turn to face her fully.

"I'm glad to see you." You say softly. Hoping to provide at least the smallest amount of comfort. Valeria runs a hand through her shiny black hair.

"Yeah." She replies. "It's nice to be here." You plant your palms on the table and hoist yourself up so you're sitting on it. You'll have to wipe it down again later, but you don't mind.

"Especially near closing." You reply.

"Mhm, it's always so quiet." She murmurs. Her hand reaches out for yours and she casually interlaces your fingers with hers. Your heart acts like it's the most exciting thing to have happened to you.

"I know, I used to come here after school to do homework." You reminisce. You did more eating and reading than actual work, but the details aren't important. You still passed after all.

"I'd seen you a few times, actually." Valeria says quietly. Turning her head to look at you. "My friends used to make fun of you for being by yourself.

You blink. Not entirely sure how to respond to that information.

"Oh. Well... did you ever... participate in that?" You ask awkwardly. Valeria stares at you silently for a few seconds before replying.

"No." You aren't sure how true that is but that was back in high school. She's clearly changed if she's willing to be here with you right now. You're holding hands. Why let that ruin a good thing? Forgive and forget, right?

"How has your day been?" You ask. Switching topics. You're starting to really like the casual small talk with her. It feels domestic.

"Long." She sighs.

You give her hand a slight squeeze.

"How about we go for a walk after I finish cleaning up?" You suggest.

"Doesn't your shift end at ten?" She asks. Furrowing her brows. You just shrug after getting off the table.

"It's only an hour, I'm sure Mateo won't be too mad." You remark. Grabbing the rag to re-wipe the table. Valeria watches you work. You can feel her gaze on the side of your face. It makes you feel a little self-conscious.

"A walk would be nice." She finally says. "We should go down to the creek." Valeria doesn't have to specify which creek. Everyone who grew up in Las Almas knows which creek. It's where children held mock wars and swam. It's where teenagers made it to fourth base and partied. Well, some teenagers anyway. You didn't know enough people to get invited to parties.

You finish up with closing duties and lock down the bakery. You and Valeria decide to walk towards the stretch of woods housing the creek instead of driving. The bakery isn't that far and the whole point of this outing is to walk. To your surprise, your hands stay connected while you two traverse the nearly empty streets. It helps reassure you that your feelings aren't just one sided, as if making out and heavy petting didn't make it clear enough. You make it to the woods and walk along the path in comfortable silence. You forgot about the bug population and have to keep slapping at your own limbs to fend off against hungry mosquitos.

You and Valeria arrive at the creek and sit down in the soft grass beneath a large oak tree. It's dark and a little cool out so you lean against Valeria for warmth. She wraps an arm around your shoulder and holds you. You feel content. You feel happy.

"I used to come down to catch frogs and salamanders." You murmur. You weren't ever successful. Not even with a net.

"I used to play hide and seek; I had this big group of friends when I was ten." Valeria replies. She turns her head to look at you. "I was an excellent hider, always the last to be caught."

"But you were caught eventually, or did you have to come out once everyone gave up looking for you?" Valeria smiles. You catch the glint of her white teeth as she speaks.

"The kids I played with didn't know how to give up." She says. "I was always good at hiding but I couldn't stay hidden forever."

You smile, amused.

"I used to love playing hide and seek, I didn't have many people to play with though and that number dropped significantly once I reached high school."

"I would've played with you." Valeria murmurs. You rest you head on her shoulder.

"No, you wouldn't have." She scoffs but doesn't rebuke your comment. You both know you're right.

"If I were less afraid over what people would've thought of me then I would have." You pause. A little caught off guard by the admission. Valeria never struck you as the type of woman to care what others thought. She was always confident, an a little mean if you're being honest.

You stare off at the glittering water.

"You worried over what people thought of you?" You ask.

"I was a teenage girl, of course I cared." She replies quietly. "I always cared. I always worried I wasn't good enough, not pretty enough, not feminine enough." She admits. She sounds uncomfortable. Valeria straightens up a bit. Her tone hardening. "I'm more than enough now though." You're still surprised over her revelation. Hearing that the woman you've always been a little envious of was probably just as insecure as you had come as a shock.

She doesn't speak again, and you don't ask. You just enjoy her company while you two look out at a shared childhood hotspot. After a while she removes her arm from your shoulder and stands up.

"We should go." She says. You wouldn't mind staying for a little while longer but if she's not staying you don't want to. Being out in the dark woods on your own isn't ideal. You stand up and follow her back to the path. She doesn't hold your hand this time.

[this-is-a-dystopian-parable]

Intermission

1/2/?

So of course already we were losing our minds over the show. Everyone was doing an amazing job, we had heard the new Needy replacement!!! (No new name yet but I'm going to call it One Last Dance until further notice)

Headed out to the lobby. Told Krista we were loving it so far and asked if we were being distracting being right down in front and she said no which was good. Spicedch4i and I were CLINGING to each other. We had our arms in each others laps just gripping for dear life like we were on a roller coaster. We were tapping our feet and hands to the beat and silently mouthing our favorite lines and trying to point out little moments without causing too much of a distraction.

It was just so surreal. The set is the same, the choreography is almost entirely the same. It felt like more than just seeing the show, it was like seeing the original show way back in 2015 come to life in front of us. The comments so far, song by song:

Introdemmo:

MSM lyrics (the cuts stayed) with 2015 YMTC vibes and choreo. The commentators are WONDERFUL, if you're a fan of 2015 commentators you will love them, they're the perfect match but also bring their own energy and chaos to it. New to this production, the contestants are no longer just staying on motion for the duration of each heat, it's ALWAYS. This means that even in lulls, they have to awkwardly shuffle their feet around to stay "dancing" it's not distracting actually, it's just interesting.

So Smart:

Pretty much as expected. There's more dialogue here setting up Ellie and Zander as antagonists, plus the "oh so you think gay people are freaks?" line is cut. In fact, there isn't a hint of homophobia from any of the teens in this one, and I like that! Not that it was a major plot point before or anything, but at least there were hints of it. Now it's gone, Grace and Tye are open about their relationship and everyone supports it.

Northern Star:

The length is the same as MSM, but the list portion of the song has new nouns! This isn't a huge change thematically but I do think it's cool. Zander does a death drop in the choreo. He's been vogueing a lot while he talks, the two are super flamboyant all the time.

Dancing Plague:

They cut "fewer rats doesn't mean no rats" :(((((

All the heats have great new projections that are better mapped to the set! This one has a border and background of medieval tapestry, with cutouts of people placed on top and moved a round a little like they're dancing. I enjoyed it.

The henchmen have STRETCHERS NOW. THEYRE BLACK.

Sampson's "I didn't feel a pulse" came after a looooong break it was great.

Needy ONE LAST DANCE:

Here it is: THE NEEDY REPLACEMENT!!!

So in general, the trio's interactions have changed. Janelle is no longer with Cyrus, or at least, the whole sex deal is no longer part of their dynamic. It's a lot more centered in on Harper and Janelle, with Cyrus and Harper being a different interaction, and then Cyrus and Janelle having their moments comforting each other.

This song is a breakup tango. It's an intense and moody song where Harper tells Janelle their "very special friendship" is at an end, while Janelle begs for one last dance with her before it's over, in a verse with a more upbeat waltz feel. And they are tangoing, Janelle even dips Harper. It's amazing.

I'll put a link to the lyrics here as not to make this post any longer lol.

And Janelle KNOWS this is coming, she's forward and honest about knowing that this was going to happen eventually, but she's not doing a very good job of hiding how upset she is, and later lashes out a couple times.

Jazz Age / Subtle:

Not much different, the "how are you two" was given back to Cyrus instead of ensemble. Roy & Nicki are MSM lines & backstory with 2015 vibes.

The DJ:

Ohhhh baby. Oh god. Oh man. He is everything.

You know me. Number one DJ fan.

He is everything I missed in each version. He is all the confidence and charisma and showmanship of 2015 but edgier and more a purposeful bully like MSM. His voice has a Beetlejuice growl and he's incredibly expressive with it. The LAZER GLOVES that are used during the pre-existing puppet choreography. I fucking love those gloves I'll probably be writing an entire breakdown of his costume.

The way he jumps and dances around the set with such EASE despite his PLATFORM BOOTS is incredible.

AAAAND THAT'S ACT ONE!

I will type up act 2 and also all of our conversation after the show into the next post!!!

1/2/?

[lavender-long-stories]

Spoilers for Lavender Sand | Chapter 2 | Rated T

As the meetings broke off into groups of topics, people moved to who they needed to speak to, shifting around the room. Hinata stood by her father until he signaled with a subtle flick of his wrist behind his back. She instructed Hanabi to stay while she moved around to play her part as the easy-to-approach Hyuga. People took the bait, dropping hints that showed their true nature when they spoke to her. Eventually, she turned away from a conversation and came face to face with bright purple face paint.

Hinata flinched back to focus her eyes on the Suna male. “I’m so sorry.” 

“Hyuga, right?” Oh, she almost ran into him because he was about to get her attention?

 Hinata bowed her head respectfully. “Yes, Hinata Hyuga.”

He shifted stiffly. “Your clan is important to the decisions made by the Konoha, right?”

Hinata chose her words carefully, always. “Yes, our clan is a large part of the community. We are considered in most decisions made by the village.” 

“I’m Kankuro.” Kankuro pointed to the Kazekage, who sat next to the Hokage, glaring at the table like he was trying to set it on fire. Yet, Naruto was talking at him with the biggest smile. “Adviser to my brother Gaara, the current Kage of Suna.” So they were related. Gaara. She recognized that name. Naruto spoke highly of him, but she couldn’t place any details other than that. 

“Pleased to meet you.” Hinata bit down on her tongue before taking a risk. “He doesn’t look very happy today, does he?” 

Kankuro’s face twitched, making another uncomfortable face. “No, he never really is.” Red flag. Was his brother scared of him? Had they fought? The Kazakage didn’t seem like someone you would want to have a disagreement with. He looked like a man who would make a strong stance and not care to listen to yours, but you couldn’t guess everything on looks. 

“Will you be handling relations with the clan then?” It explained why he approached her so awkwardly.

“That’s the idea, an important year for peace and all.” Kankuro’s moved his wary look from his brother and focused on her. Hinata smiled to ease his worry, offering for them to sit. She sat up straighter. Kankuro was taller by two heads, at least. 

“Are Hyuga women all so beautiful?” Kankuro sat beside her, giving her a crooked grin, changing his demeanor with the subject.

Hinata faulted as a blush crept to her face. That was a complete change of mood. “That’s a matter of opinion, Kankuro-san.” Hinata attempted to will away the redness, but the confident grin he gave her didn’t help. Men had made comments all morning. Honestly, this was the first comment to be a little charming. She was sick of hearing men twice or more her age make passing comments on her purity and ‘birthing hips.’

Kankuro was pleasant. They spoke about how the Hyuga influenced the village. How and why their decisions mattered. He kept an upbeat, cheery demeanor but occasionally tossed a wary glance at his brother like he was waiting to be scolded. Hinata took one of those as a chance to ask about him. Kankuro dodged her by giving her another compliment or turning the question around on her.

“Hinata-chan?” Hanabi whispered over her shoulder. “Can I sit with you for a while?”

Hinata motioned to the chair beside her. Hanabi was starting to look worn. These events took a lot out of you, and it only got worse by the day.

“This is Kankuro-san. Kazekage’s advisor and elder brother.” Hinata motioned to him. “Kankuro-san, this is my younger sister, Hanabi-chan.” Hinata introduced them. Hanabi bowed her head like a lady. Good girl.

“See what I said? Hyuga’s are beautiful.” Kankuro commented.

Hanabi didn’t even flinch, merely thanked him with a proud smile. Hinata wished she had her sister’s confidence. She was still trying to flush blood from her cheeks.

“The Kazekage doesn’t look like he wants to be here.” Hanabi got a tap from Hinata’s finger on her leg, telling her no, but it was too late.

“No. Not really, but he always looks like that when he’s working. He probably would have just sent us if it weren’t for his little friend.” Kankuro gave another glance to his brother. Hinata was starting to get the impression he wasn’t worried about getting caught doing something he shouldn’t but rather about what his brother might do if he wasn’t being watched.

“Naruto-kun?” Hinata wondered. Kankuro nodded.

“Why?” Hanabi pressed.

Kankuro’s eyebrows came down in confusion. “You haven’t heard about him?”

The two Hyuga girls shook their heads.

Kankuro sat straighter, shifting his eyes, unsure how to word himself. “My brother is not known for good things. As the vessel to the one tails, he’s been known as the monster of Suna. He’s been a respectable leader, but he has a past of being ruthless and harsh, with no remorse for killing his enemies. All that isn’t easily forgotten. It’s built him a reputation that he lives up to. He’s usually fine when in a calm social setting, but he’s still fierce when working. Unfortunately, he’s a workaholic.”

Hinata’s heart broke for him as she remembered all that Naruto went through growing up a vessel. Naruto grinned like all was good in the world, shouting to the Kazekage, who glared at him with only a distaste for his volume. 

“It must be hard on him to be considered that way. It’s cruel. It’s not the child’s fault that the last generation decided they should take on a demon. It can’t be easy growing up, managing a whole other being inside you.” Hinata turned her sad gaze from Gaara to Kankuro, who looked like she slapped him. “I’m sorry?” Has she missed something, lost her thoughts? Did she say something out of line? Hanabi was just as confused as she did.

Kankuro held his hand up, whipping his head around, looking for someone. “Can you excuse me for a moment?” What had she said that caused such a reaction? Kankuro ungracefully weaved through the room to the other Suna-nin, hastily dragging her from her conversation with Shikamaru. When had he come in? Was he a security detail?

The woman became irritated, but with a few whispers, her face slowly twisted into the same thoughtful shock as Kankuro had.

Had Hinata said something insensitive for Suna culture? Hanabi shook her head. She was just as lost. 

The Suna set approached, prompting Hanabi to stand up. “I think they will want to talk to you alone,” Hinata felt that too, but she wasn’t sure why. Hanabi squeezed her hand before disappearing to return to her father’s side.

“Temari, this is Hinata Hyuga. Hinata, this is my sister Temari.” Temari was everything Hinata wasn’t, tall, tan, strong, and confident.

Hinata bowed, hiding her confusion. “Pleased to meet you.” 

Temari sat, throwing one of her long legs over the other. “Hinata, have you met the Kazekage yet?” 

Hinata sat straighter, tucking her crossed ankles under the chair more. “No, but Naruto-kun said good things if memory serves.” Hinata looked over at the tailed-beast holders again. Another pain hit her heart, seeing Gaara’s scowl at the world. Why were they treated like monsters? They both had to work so much harder to become strong leaders of their people.

Turning back to the Kazekage siblings, they both gave her an odd look. 

Temari broke the silence between the three. “Do you know the village well, Hinata?” 

“Yes,” Hinata answered.

“If you’re not busy after the meeting, could you take my brothers on a tour? Naruto was going to take them, but he will be caught in paperwork for the Hokage.” Temari looked back over to Shikamaru, who might actually be asleep against the wall he was leaning on. 

Kankuro leaned forward. “Temari wants to take off with the bum.” He received an elbow in his rib cage for the comment, which he rubbed viciously. “Hey!” 

“I’m not sure if I’m the best to do so, but I can do my best.” Hinata agreed. 

Temari lit up. “Perfect.”

--**--

Hinata fiddled with her fingers as she waited by the door. She felt much more nervous about this arrangement now that she knew her father had spoken to Kankuro before she had. Of course, he mentioned her eligibility. Hinata hadn’t considered Kankuro, a possible suitor, but his sister’s proposed tour made more sense now. It was a set-up.

Brother to the current Kage of Suna was a high enough status for the Hyuga council.

Hiashi warned her not to offend them. He didn’t need an ‘or else,’ but if she wasn’t self-conscious taking the two most eligible males in Suna on a tour alone before, she was now.

Two sets of footsteps approached, prompting Hinata to straighten her back and force a smile. She deliberately clasped her hands behind her back to stop fidgeting. “Ready to start?” 

The Kazekage stared her down as if she should already know the answer. Kankuro nodded, returning her smile. She was very aware of the Kazekage’s distaste. Was it for her or because Naruto wasn’t the one taking them? Hinata led them out the door and down the steps, squeezing her hands behind her to calm her nerves. She kept a speed that would be comfortable for their long legs, sacrificing the usual casual pace, especially in heeled shoes. She kept her shoulders straight and her head tall. She was probably failing. She probably looked like a walking chicken or worse. 

Hinata turned her head over her shoulder. “Was there something you wanted to see first?” It felt uncomfortable to be leading. She was always a step behind her father, Neji, and Shino. 

“Gaara has been taken to see the Hokage mountainside, but I haven’t,” Kankuro answered. Gaara said nothing, so Kankuro determined where they went. Gaara’s glare became darker when their eyes met. She took the hint and faced forward.

Kankuro took to walking beside her, which she was grateful for. He asked about landmarks on the way, which she answered to the best of her ability. Gaara stayed silent, which prompted her to continuously check if he was still there. They nearly made it to their destination when he finally spoke up. “We’ve gone the wrong way.”

“What do you mean?” Hinata hadn’t made any odd turns and took the shortest way. 

“This isn’t where Naruto took me,” Gaara explained as he crossed his arms. 

“Oh! Well, that’s because I like the view from up here better. Fewer people come up this way. Naruto likes to stand right in front of it… or on it.” Hinata mumbled the worst attempt at a joke. 

Gaara’s crossed arms tighten. Hinata wasn’t sure what to do. Should she show him her spot or do things Naruto’s way from this point on?

“We can always see it from upfront. I want to see what you got.” Kankuro passed her, though his voice didn’t seem sure of himself like he was testing his brother’s limits for the day.

Gaara’s shoulders stiffened more before he gave an audible heavy breath, following his brother up past her. Hinata closed her eyes to collect herself for just a moment. Letting out a silent sigh of relief as she followed them, glad to be in the back of their small group.

Kankuro climbed the hill. “Awesome.” Gaara soon joined his side, gazing out over the village toward the mountainside. 

Hinata attempted not to let on that her heels were sinking into the dirt. “It’s not the detail you will see from standing in front of it. But it looks more like spirits are coming from the mountain from here.” Hinata looked out over the mountain with them. As a child, she thought it looked like they were pressing their faces through the mountain. She used to have dreams of a full person coming out and walking over the village. Maybe those were nightmares. “We can still go right up to see it if you like.” She offered, seeing how Gaara’s mood hadn’t improved.

“Maybe later. I like this one.” Kankuro answered, not realizing she wasn’t asking him. 

“Kazekage-sama?” Hinata added to be more specific. 

Gaara turned only his eyes to the side at her, then returned them to the mountain. “This is adequate.” 

Hinata shriveled inside. She hoped he would at least enjoy the new point of view. “Whenever you’re ready, I can take you through the town. I can go the way Naruto-kun likes.” Hinata wasn’t taking any more chances of offending the Kage. He already didn’t like her for merely not being Naruto.

“Sure.” Kankuro turned to go back down the hill. Gaara followed him. Arms still crossed, shoulders still tense. Hinata stepped forward, feeling her heel sink into the ground again. This was going to be a long day.

Lavender Sand

Pairing: Gaara x Hinata Rating: T

Description: Hinata reluctantly agrees to have a political marriage, but will marrying an unlikely friend be all that bad? Gaara isn't even looking to marry, but when presented with the opportunity and with Naruto's approval, maybe it will all work out.

Tags: Romance  |  Slow Romance  |  Hurt/Comfort  |  Fluff and Angst  |  Marriage  |  Friends to Lovers  |  Mutual Pining  |  Healthy Relationships  |  Twist on Arranged Marriage  |  Learning to Love  |   Happy Ending  |  Shukaku is an adorable brat  |  Rated for light limes  |  Gaara is sweet but clueless

Image by mattartz

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 81

Merry Critmas guys!

Another Meta Quest promo? Oh boy ... so this one will get weird again, clearly ... a magical year, really? Yeah, the editors are indeed fucking with you, Sam. XD Ah, highlights! Lovely ...

That's right, it IS Asgard, Samuel. NOT Ass-Gard ...

"Ass-Matt?" "Cominics?" Hmmm ...

Dani Carr! Hiiiiiii!!! Always so great to see you, sweetie! :3

Matt still can't quite get past their shenanigans, can he? At least they're consistent. XD

Yeah! That's right! Fearne and Ashton are full blown SUPERHEROES now!

Sam's shirt derails the game almost IMMEDIATELY ...

Oh shit, yeah ... that's a good point actually ... ARE THEY the same people now?

Well yeah, I mean Laudna does seem a lot more upbeat now, doesn't she? That's surely a good sign.

Chetney really does want to make a wish with Nana? Oh yes, good, they're doing the best they can to talk him out of it ... oh, now it's just getting surreal ... oh boy ...

Ah yes, the ill fated topiary garden ... O.O

Fearne (to Ashton): "Shall we see if we can make some lava?" Oh gods ...

Ashton is Raging, while Fearne shoots a Scorching Ray at him? Bloody hell ...

So ... they're like RIDICULOUSLY supercharged when they're together? Oh, MORE playing around? How crazy is this gonna get?

And now Ashton is IN THE GROUND ... oh, so he can just pop up anywhere he wants? Cool ...

Fearne is a Satyr version of the Human Torch? Pretty sweet ...

Ah, so he can't actually run through plant life, only stone ... that's interesting ... what, they're going to the ruin to see how deep Ashton can go? Hmmmm ...

Well no, he really SHOULDN'T be able to actually BREATHE through rock, should he?

Phasing like Kitty Pryde? Oh, that would be cool ... oh wow, that is SO AWESOME ...

Don't wipe yourself out for days, Fearne. Not right now ...

Oh yes, Fearne is FLOATING ... Wow ... that's ALSO very handy ... running and trying to set fire to the ground at the same time ... yay, scorched track marks ... I love that ...

Now we're seeing if he can use her spell along with the hammer ... okay ...

Whoa ... DOUBLE the damage? That is EXTRA sweet ... oh, and dhe is COMPLETELY IMMUNE to fire damage now? Extra cool ...

Ashton tries to shut down the effect ... uncut diamond form? Wow ... that's weird in a really striking way ...

He feels weird? Hmmm ... oh, here we go ... back to his normal physical form? Interesting ... but the idea that he's so used to the chronic pain that he's actually RELIEVED to get it back? I really don't think I like that ...

What fresh hell have you brought with THIS week's flask, Samuel?

Fearne: "We'll just have to accept our greatness." Ashton: "I'll accept YOUR greatness." Awwwww ... :3

Oh wow ... are they FLIRTING again? I don't mind that at all ...

And Fearne goes back to normal again too ... but not ENTIRELY ... which is cool ...

IS HE going to do the wish thing? Are you sure, Chet? Oh gods, he's really doing it ...

Oh that is just so creepy ...

Name the door ... oh boy ... Artax? What? Oh boy ... Push-Pull? Sir Push-Pull? Oh boy again ...

And now it's ASKING to be named Sir Push-Pull ... ye gods ... and Morri's all right with this ... wow ...

And here she is ... unsettling as ever ... hmmmm ...

Oh, so those poor buggers tried to RENEGE on their deals? That's ... interesting ... in a really horrible way ... oh, and now he's asking ...

Is this like some kind of pocket dimension for her to make deals in?

He wants to be the most famous toy maker in the whole world ... wow ... oh, what's he going to trade? Hmmmmm ... she wants a piece of the God Eater? A piece if Predathos ... that's actually not bad ...

The Golden Threads of Fate ... so cool to see that come back ... O.O

He's keeping it to himself, playing it cool ...

The Witch In the Woods ... oh yeah, like the Monkey's Paw, that's right ...

And now they're just teasing him about it. I live this so much ... Fearne is being especially cruel about it ... yup ... XD

Allura does not want to have anything to do with this foolishness and I do not blame her at all ...

Time for bed before they have to go to the Moon ...

FCG's been cooking? H'wine rolls? What the sweet fuck is this craziness ... a Hero's Yeast? Dear gods ...

Oh, so Mister and Pate can get in on this action too? That's pretty cool ...

Yeah, the Hero's Feast is always such a cool booster thing ...

Imogen's going to try that dream thing? Oh boy ... so who's going in with her? Everybody except Chetney and Fearne ... okay ...

Yet again, Travis rolls to see if Chetney DIES IN HIS SLEEP ...

Into Imogen's dream, then ... taking the Bloody Bridge, up to Ruidus ... oh, it's all very Stargate all of a sudden ...

Ruidus, then ... here we go ... and the studio lighting changes ... I really do hate that ...

Touchdown ... okay ... eye of the storm, now ... hmmmm ...

"Bring me home." Oh boy ... Imogen gives in ... it pulls her in ... oh, this is rightly terrifying already ... this is suddenly looking like a really BAD IDEA ...

Caverns? Some kind of labyrinthine tunnel network inside the Moon ... hmmmm ...

Wait ... the others wake up ... but Imogen DOESN'T?!!! Oh fuck ...

Fuck, is she trapped? What the fuck is HAPPENING?!!!

Oh thank the gods she's back ... is she okay?

Orym tries to get a read? Another big Insight roll ... LAURA gives Liam a Whispers? Crazy ...

Laudna is worried and rightly so ... this DOES NOT feel right at all. I am suddenly EXTREMELY uncomfortable about all of this. Could this come back to bite us in a really bad way later?

Brumestone? Hmmmmm ...

Oh yes, this IS going to be a problem, clearly ...

Yes, keep an eye on her while you're sleeping please, Laudna ...

Time for bed. A Long Rest ...

Orym goes to visit Nana Morri in the night? SERIOUSLY?!!!

Oh, that is disconcerting that she can sneak up on him ...

Fuck, is he REALLY going to make a deal with her too? Come on, Wee Man ...

Well he's doing this for his friends, maybe that's going to be enough to protect him in this ... but WOULD SHE actually take him up on this? Oh fuck, she really is ... Orym, come on ...

Fuck ... he's willing to offer himself up to HER service if she sees them through? Fuck ... I hate this already ... a "caretaker"? Jeez ...

If every one of them makes it back and they see it through ... very specific terms, at least ... fuck ... at least it's very dependent on their success ... shit, snd that's it, then ...

Gods damn it, Liam O'brien, making clandestine deals with dark entities again for the sake of his friends ... how much worse than Vax is this gonna be?

Time for a break ... gods ...

Matt: "Ten years nearly, I've had to put up with you guys." XD

Morning comes ... time to go, then ...

Ah, the creepy Fey Menagerie returns ... as unsettling as ever ...

Food? Okay ... Birdie and Ollie are cooking? Well that's a relief ... a nice pleasant breakfast ... and now here's Nana ... hmmmm ...

She has something special for FCG? Hmmmm ... a weird sphere of something ... IS IT food for him? Okay, he's giving it a go ... so it's just fine silver ... and he burps ... with SCREAMS ... fucking horrifying ... LOL

Wow, so Fearne is now the hot new thing in town? That's pretty cool ...

Allura, still as creeped out by Morri as ever ... XD

So heading to meet their allies in the Hellcatch Valley ... okay, then ... so they're making the move ...

Fearne says goodbye to her parents. And they are just SO PROUD of her, aren't they? :3

Working the spell, then ... WHOOSH!!! Time all but freezes ... oh, and that was CHAOTIC ... but they're finally back in Exandria. Right on target ...

Yup, the Red Moon still dominates the sky. Lovely.

Chetney's still slow for a minute ... Laudna: "You made his voice all sexy there." XD

Wow, this is a WHOLE LOT of people who've gathered here to help fight ... and they're all pretty tense about it, too. That's just great ...

Some kind of purpose made citadel "grown" specifically for this effort? That's pretty cool ...

These all look like some pretty interesting folk ... the Council of Tal'dorei? Interesting ...

Whoa ... BIG guy ... seriously BUFF old dude ... fascinating ... the Stormlord? Interesting ...

Oh, so they've been expected? Hmmm ...

Mythtaker Qi Mandozi? Cool.

Guardian Tofor Bretoris? Okay.

EARTHBREAKER GROON?!!! FOR REAL?!!! AWESOME!!!

"Mercenaries ... we get shit done."

Oooh ... is this some kind of fancy honour guard?

Earthbreaker Groon is clearly fascinated by Imogen and Fearne, but in a strange disapproving way, kind of? Interesting ...

Percy! Hey! And Keyleth! Yay!

Ah yes ... the timey wimey weirdness of the Fey Realm ...

Ah ... your typical war briefing, then ...

Butcher Wagons? Hmmm ... so very charming ... a nice gory diversion ...

Ten to thirty minutes to infiltrate? So ... not a MASSIVE window, then ...

Ah yeah ... the Reilora ...

Percy needs a little more time ... of course he does ... but then they do need setup time ...

No witnesses? Crap ... that is NOT a good ultimatum at all ...

So there is SOME flexibility, but still ... it's disconcerting all the same ...

Oh yeah, the Ruby Vanguard disguises ...

What are they looking for? What is the intelligence they need to gather?

Fearne questions Earthbreaker Groon ... oh, here we go ... he knows they're Ruidusborn ... oh, this is a sticky thing here? Chill out, guys ...

Oh yeah, these two witches be something special ...

Groon: "You are of the Storm, are you not?" Imogen: "I AM the Storm, baby."

Of course Keyleth still has utmost faith in them all, and Orym especially. :3

Qi likes FCG because he's funny. I like that. XD

A safe word for Imogen? In case the pull becomes too much? Probably a good idea ...

Fearne: "We're just the tip, guys. Just thd tip if the spear." Ashton: "Yeah, that's the safe word."

Laudna goes to talk to Keyleth. "You're very pretty." XD

Oh yes ... Vax. That's right ... she's covering, but yeah, that's at the core of it for her ...

His energy is being used specifically to power the bridge ... yeah ...

Keyleth: "I'm sorry." Laudna: "For what?" Keyleth: "For everything." Oh man ...

Telepathic Bond? Oh yeah ... that should be helpful ...

All right ... so it's time, then ... setting up for the distraction ...

Earthbreaker Groon wants to talk to Imogen ... oh no, THE STORMLORD wants to talk to her ... that wasn't, like, foreboding at all ...

Time to go ... everybody's ready ... and it sll hoes OFF ... the Butcher Wagons are rolling ... Allura gives the nod ... cue gibberish words as Imogen uses one of the Scrolls ...

And now they're just living clouds ... lovely ...

Coasting in over the Site now, approaching the Malleus Key ...

Crazy beasts on the attack in front of the Wagons ... oh, that's pretty slick ...

Touchdown on target ... okay ... Keyleth prepares their stormy cover ... Nice ... Voice of the Tempest indeed!

Oh yeah, Kiki you are AWESOME!!!

They put on their disguises, Fearne casts Pass Without A Trace, and FCG puts a Death Ward on Imogen.

Time to head in, then ... they make their way down and into the Storm ... Orym's leading the way ... no, Fearne ... maybe the better choice in this ...

Group Stealth Check with Advantage ... yup, BOSS rolls all round ...

Oh it is all just KICKING OFF right now ...

Aaaaaaaaaaah! Reilorans! Oh boy ...

CHAOS!!! IT'S A TOTAL MESS OUT HERE!!! And now the first Wagon bursts ...

They make their way in ... and Matt calls it a night!

Oh, visual preview of what's to come? Ooooh ... yay, Battlemap! Sweet ...

We'll see next session ... in the New Year ... roll on 2024 ...

[bengiyo]

Love in the Air Ep 9 Stray Thoughts

I've been worried about y'all this week. Everyone has been super quiet since we unpacked how everyone felt about Sky and Prapai. Hope we have a good rebound episode.

I do like the way Thai BL presents siblings most times. Very interesting that Prapai's siblings think he raised them.

Affective transition from Prapai's wealthy family home to Sky digging around an almost empty fridge.

Hey, so Peat is really good. The way he almost shuddered at the mention of love and fell back into a traumatic memory came through clearly.

I am glad Prapai noticed that something shifted with Sky and at least asked if he was okay.

The framing of them at the table also reinforces the economic gap between them.

I do like that Sky isn't cowed by Prapai.

Sky's shirt has reversed text that reads in a mirror, "SOME KINE OF WONDERFUL" I am going to lose it over these shirts in Thai BL.

It's kinda interesting how MAME always puts bisexuality in her stories, but Sky is sidestepping the concern Rain has about queer solidarity between besties.

This hurts. I've really grown to love the Rain-Sky friendship, so to see Sky shove him away like this is sad.

These trauma flashbacks from Sky are impactful.

I think blocking Prapai is a good choice for Sky.

Sad montages with slightly upbeat music my beloved.

I like that Sky is so dependable to his friends, and I also like that they have clear regard for how much is asked for him and his well-being.

Noeul is so long.

Sky is making me sad. I want someone to help him.

I just don't see how Prapai helps in this situation. I don't think he should go to the hospital.

I feel like Rain could have gotten Payu to bring his work, but I'll let it ride for the drama.

Oh god we don't need to do sponge baths.

Oh good, we did the sponge bath offscreen and Prapai remembered his promise to Rain. I feel like Rain would become an enemy if Prapai violated his trust like that.

Well, I still struggle with romances where someone keeps pushing past someone's boundaries, but I am trying to be understanding of what MAME is trying to explore here. It helps that everyone is just so incredibly attractive.

[kindheart525]

What does the rest of the apple family think about brackish's awful personality

I think almost everyone in the family is varying degrees of done with his behavior. As Varmint goes off into her own life with Blue Velvet (her beloved who Brackish hurt) I don’t think she’d talk to him at all anymore, except for the bare minimum needed to cooperate on farm work together. He wasn’t invited to her wedding to begin with. I like to think they used to engage in banter when they were younger, with Varm joking (accurately) that she’s better at attracting mares than him, but over time she gets so sick of his shit that not even that is fun anymore.

Brack still works on the farm where he’s needed so he sees Mountain Peak a lot, and knowing Mounty’s upbeat and social personality, he would try to make decent conversation with his brother and give him the benefit of the doubt. Brackish is a dick but he doesn’t like, dislike his whole family; that fact combined with his manipulative nature means he can seemingly get along with Mounty, but when he’s in a bad mood their conversations turn out more like this:

I established in Blue Velvet’s arc that Brackish’s parents (at least Applejack) don’t always notice his behavior because he’s so good at hiding and manipulating, but he grew up a troublesome kid in general and I don’t think AJ and Lime wouldn’t witness his ugly side and see that there’s something seriously wrong with him. They’ve already dealt with one problematic child (Summer) and they would deal with Brackish the same way: love and be there for him if he ever decides he wants to turn his life around, but acknowledge that he’s a grown stallion making his own decisions now.

Speaking of Summer, she’s the only one of the siblings who really likes Brackish at all, but we already know she’s not a good judge of character. She still asks him for flirting advice and such even though it always makes things worse. Brackish, Summer, and Crash are like a Toxic Trio.

You’ll see how Obsidian feels about Brackish in an upcoming arc!

As for the cousins, none of them really care to hang out with him, but Rainier—usually wholly accepting of anypony, to a fault—can’t quite bring himself to fully trust Brackish anymore.

[a-tale-never-told]

One Ride in the Sunset.

September 3rd, 2012, 4:15pm, 14th Avenue Drive, Kyoto, South Japan.

(Okay, that checks another thing off the list of chores they gave me this morning. Never expected that I'd have this much work on my hands though, considering that the paper info was really short .)

(Still, I've got a long way to go before finishing everything, so I should probably get to the post office to drop off the check now. In the meantime though, let's see what on's the radio for today, just to keep myself entertained for now)

*"After putting the paper down, Hajime reaches for the radio and begins to switch channels for anything, be it music or news*"

Brzzt!- Coming in from Toyoko, where a raccoon started to eat, what I presume is a chili dog-Brzzt!- Today on Sunday night live, we have-Brzzt!

(Hey... This actually isn't that bad of a song. It's catchy, so there is that at least, right? And it's decent for a sundown.)

*"After changing the Radio, Hajime lays back and turns to the left lane, heading for the postal area, as the song begins to play whilst the sun sets*"

(Well Haji, you've made it through the first week, and still, we haven't known anything about Natsumi, or any of the Kuzuryus. We also don't even know the reason why Honami has issues with the Kuzuryus... it's like we almost accomplished nothing last week)

( But then again, I cannot say that with certainty, as we did manage to get some stuff done, like going to the library to get some books to help me investigate the situation. As well as the fact that I managed to spend some quality hangout time with the girls outside of work)

(Speaking of that, I think that conversation really did help me calm down a bit yesterday. I honestly am glad to have people who truly care about me and my well-being, aside from my parents of course.)

(Mikan... the nurse who seems so timid and shy, yet is always caring and thoughtful of others, always willing to help the sick, old or young. She may look meek at first glance, but she's really much a sweetheart to almost everyone she comes across and I'm blessed to work with her, especially since she's so dedicated to her position as a nurse.)

( Ibuki... the girl that likes to party on and is pretty much hyperactive almost 80% of the time, but she surprisingly has a wise, contemplative mind for someone of her age. Still, I did really enjoy the wisdom she tried to give. I honestly never knew she was actually capable of doing that, especially since she seems so hyper and upbeat every single day. Still, she's pretty nice, to be honest.)

(And Chiaki... *sighs* God, where would I be without her? She's pretty much the first friend I've ever made in life, and we'd only grown stronger ever since. She's kind, considerate of others, inspiring, and just an absolutely nice person to be around. Even during the times when either I'm not in the best mood or she isn't, we both try to improve our relationship as friends, one step at a time. She pretty much tried to comfort me about my lack of talent and I greatly appreciate that.)

(I honestly don't deserve those three. They're far too sweet and compassionate for this world, which has now become a place where you have to be judged by society based on your racial color and talent. And through all of the darkness in this world, they're pretty much shining beacons of hope, to overcome the despair of feeling hopeless in life.)

( So I'll try. I'll try to take their advice seriously from now on, as this is advice to give me a healthy mindset going forward. I think the point of what they wanted to say is to be yourself and not lose your sense of self and individuality, to work for that talent while also not losing sight of the ones you love and cherish the most in life. And just... have hope for yourself and for the future. Because isn't that what life's all abo-)

BEEP! BEEP!BEEEEP!!

Wh-

CRASH!!! SHATTER!!!

KRGH!!!

"*Upon hearing those beeps, Hajime turns his head to the front to see a car coming straight at him. Seeing the vehicle right in front of him, Hinata tried to swerve out of the way, but it was too late, as the front of the car collided with the other car's front, sending shards of glass flying across the interior as both cars came to an absolute stop. One of the shards nearly hit Hinata right in the head, though he managed to get out of the way in time. Still, the impact is enough to make him fall onto the floor of the car, making him lose consciousness...*"