#we've now reached the trope of:

[masteraqua]

i just rewatched puss in boots the last wish after seeing wish yesterday and just. like.

it's insane to me how similar they are in terms of themes and subject matter (wishes, fairytales, etc.) but where one of them is realized with groundbreaking visual artistry and a gripping story rooted in potent human experiences, the other rings hollow and flat, both visually and narratively, in its cynical, weak-willed pursuit of corporatized nostalgia.

[ellemj]

Needs & Wants - Sex Pollen Trope Pt. 10 (FINAL PART)

Bucky Barnes x Reader

*Read parts 1-9 first for the full effect!*

Summary: Everything is out in the open between you and Bucky now, but there are two rules for your new secret relationship.

Warnings: unprotected sex, teasing, possessive!Bucky (hehehe), maybe fluff (?), profanity, use of y/n, MINORS DNI, 18+!!!

Feel free to comment and let me know if this requires any other warnings.

Word Count: 2.2k

Author's Note: We've finally reached the end. I think I'll miss this version of Bucky and reader but I'm pretty excited about the work that I'm planning on putting out here next. Hopefully everyone's okay with the conclusion of this, I didn't want to have anyone riding off into the sunset or anything, but I also didn't want to have a horribly sad ending, so this felt right. You guys should totally let me know in the comments what kind of things you'd like to see from me soon! I don't know if I'll take specific requests anytime soon, but I'd love to at least find out what might get you all excited. Thanks for the umpteenth time to @littlemiss-yeehaw for being the best cheerleader and warnings-writer out there. She also draws some unbelievable shots of Bucky based on scenes in these fics.

           

In the shower, on the hotel bed, in the chair by the window, hell, even on the floor when the two of you rolled off of the bed in the heat of the moment. You’d successfully christened every surface of your hotel room before the clock ever struck midnight. You hadn’t meant to go at it like horny teenagers who found themselves home alone for the first time, but that’s what happened. It’s like you were both thinking about how this may not continue once you get back to the compound tomorrow morning, so you fit as much as you could all in one night.

            Now, you’re laying side by side in bed. Your most recent tryst involved you on your hands and knees with Bucky doing all of the right things behind you, and it thoroughly winded you both. You listen as your collective breaths fill the air, the two of you each coming down from your post-orgasmic highs.

            “Do you think Dr. Raynor will figure this out?” You ask softly, raising a hand and wiping a bit of sweat from your brow. Bucky laughs and turns his head to look at you. He still can’t get past how pretty you look after doing such dirty, animalistic things with him. Even without the super soldier serum decreasing his refractory period to mere minutes, he thinks he’d be recovered and ready for round five just from looking at you like this.

            “That’s what you’re thinking about right now?”

            “It’s on my mind, yeah.” You admit. You’re probably more worried about it than you should be, but deep down, Bucky’s worried too.

            “So, how do you want to handle it?” Bucky asks, fully rolling onto his side to face you.

            “Maybe we just wait and see what she has to say after observing tonight’s mission and then go from there. I don’t want to say anything first and give her anything to use against us.” He’s listening to your words, honestly, he is. He doesn’t think he could ever miss a word you say. But he can’t stop himself from reaching over and running his fingertips along your flushed cheek. You turn to look at him and he lets his fingers ghost over your lips and down the column of your throat until he reaches the notch between your collarbones. His eyes linger there for a moment. Something’s missing.

            “You never gave me my dog tags back.” He whispers. You’re not wearing them, and neither is he. So, where are they?

            “Yeah, I wasn’t sure when to give them back.”

            “Bullshit, you wanted to keep them.” Bucky teases. You push his hand away from your neck at the accusation, but can’t stop the smile that’s creeping over your features. Fuck, he’s so into you. He closes the distance between the two of you and places his body carefully over yours under the covers, leaning down and pressing a gentle kiss to your lips. Even just kissing you sets off fireworks inside of him.

            “They’re sitting on my nightstand, back in the compound.” You tell him, hoping it doesn’t make you sound too obsessed. You had planned to give them back all week, but avoiding him made that a little difficult, so instead you left them sitting beside your bed. It was sort of comforting to see his name every night before you fell asleep, and every morning when you woke up.

            “Keep them.” He insists, pressing another kiss to your soft, soft lips. You get lost in the moment, focusing on the feeling of his tongue working against yours, his scent enveloping you in the most consuming way, and his weight keeping you pinned to the mattress. You could stay like this forever.

            This, of course, is when Bucky’s phone would ring. He groans in annoyance as he breaks the kiss and touches his forehead to yours, looking down into your eyes.

            “Tell me not to answer it.” He pleads. You purse your lips, knowing it’s probably someone from the team calling with some kind of update or new order. Bucky groans again before rolling off of you and snatching his phone off of the bedside table. He answers it and puts it on speaker, confirming that it’s someone from the team.

            “Hey, sorry to call so late. The threat has been neutralized so you guys can head back now and get some sleep, we’ll debrief in the morning.” Sam sounds tired but calm, so it must have been more of a nuisance situation than a major threat. Bucky closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose with his vibranium hand.

            “Sounds good, we’ll be back soon.” He grumbles. You can tell he’s annoyed that you won’t be staying the night here. When he hangs up the call, he lets out a deep sigh before sitting up on the side of the bed, with the covers gathering around his waist. Without thinking, you crawl up behind him and wrap your arms around his torso, hugging him from behind. He stiffens as if he didn’t expect your touch, but that just makes you lean into him more, resting your chin on his shoulder. You feel him slowly relax and having that effect on him warms you to the center of your being

            “We’re going to go home, get some rest, and debrief in the morning like this was any other mission.” You say, attempting to be reassuring.

            “That’s what you want? To pretend like this was any other mission?” He questions, running his hands over where your arms are wrapped around his abs.

            “I didn’t mean it like that, I just meant we don’t have to run in and tell everyone that something might be going on between us.”

            “Might?” He chuckles. You feel his abs shake beneath your hands as the melodious sound leaves his lips. You never heard him laugh much before, and you didn’t expect to like it as much as you do.

            “Hey, I told you that I fell for you, and you said fuck, I’m cumming. How am I supposed to know you feel the same way?” You tease, letting go of him and laying back on the bed, drawing the covers up over your naked body. He turns a bit to face you and starts pulling the covers away from you slowly.

            “Y/n…” He says your name with so much genuine feeling that it sends tingles throughout your body. Has he always said your name like that and you just never noticed before? Yes. “I made you wear my dog tags while I fucked you.” What the hell does that have to do with what you just said? He can see the confusion on your face and it brings a smile to his. He slides back under the covers next to you and begins peppering kisses across your shoulder and collarbone.

            “Bucky…” Fuck, if you start saying his name again there’s no way either of you will make it back to the compound tonight. He quickly makes his way up to your face, attaching his lips to yours for a moment and then tugging on your bottom lip with his teeth as he pulls away. It’s the nicest way anyone has ever shut you up.

            “I wanted to be able to pretend like you were mine. I fell way before you did.” He whispers against your lips. Holy shit. He feels the same way. Bucky Barnes feels the same way about you as you feel about him.

            You know that you have orders to head back to the compound, and neither of you are the type to disobey orders from above, but how are you supposed to pack up and head out after finding out that you have feelings for each other? You can’t stand the thought of traveling back to the compound tonight knowing that you’ll have to put on a show and pretend like nothing happened here. So, why not delay a bit and take what you want one more time?

            That very rational thinking is what inspires you to slide your hand between the two of you and wrap your fist around Bucky’s already-hardening cock. He sucks in a breath at the feeling of your small, soft hand wrapping tightly around him, and he wonders how he went so long without having you this way. You’ve been right across the hall from him all of this time. You’ve been going on missions with him for the last two months, giving each other shit nearly every waking moment, and completely missing what had been there the whole time. Love. He won’t say it out loud yet, he doesn’t want to scare you off, but that’s what it is. He’s sure of it. He loves you. He may not say it but he can damn well express it.

            That’s how Bucky finds himself, for the fifth time tonight, guiding the tip of his cock inside of your perfect cunt. He’s done this enough times now that he knows as soon as he bottoms out inside of you, you’ll tense up and scrunch your eyes closed, trying your hardest to adjust to his size. He watches as you do just that, and then he feels your entire body relax beneath him and he knows you’re ready. He pulls one of your legs up and over his hip as he begins fucking you into the mattress. When your eyes flutter open to meet his, he has to go completely still inside you so he won’t cum right then and there. You laugh to yourself. You know what eye contact does to him and you love it.

            “What’s the matter, James? Keep going.” You taunt, wiggling your hips and forcing his cock to slide into you another inch. He’s only halfway inside of you. He breathes out a slow, calming breath before leaning down and nuzzling his face into your neck, letting his cock sink into you slower than it ever has before.

            “You like rushing me, don’t you?” He asks, giving your cunt gentle thrusts. A soft hum leaves your lips at the pleasure that’s beginning to build in your lower stomach. You’re so focused on the feeling that you don’t even acknowledge his question. “Don’t rush me tonight.” He buries himself to the hilt before stilling once more, drawing a whine from your lips. “We’re making love, not fucking, sweetheart.”

---

            A few hours later that same morning, a very uneventful debrief took place in the conference room at the compound. You and Bucky turned in your mission reports, leaving out the details of what happened in the hotel room, and then you were dismissed to have a few hours of freedom before having to meet with Dr. Raynor.

            Everyone probably assumed that the two of you went off to your respective rooms upstairs, but it took little convincing to get Bucky to sneak over into yours. When he stepped inside and shut the door behind him, the first thing he noticed was his dog tags, right where you said they were.

You kick your shoes off by the door and walk over to sit on one of the small gray chairs that you have off to the side of the room, feeling surprisingly nervous that Bucky Barnes is seeing your room for the first time. Nervous. After everything the two of you have done this week? You’re ridiculous. You watch him as he crosses the room and scoops the dog tags off of your nightstand. He stares at them in his palm for a moment, and for a second you worry that he might pocket them. However, when he turns to you with a soft smile and a mischievous glint in his eye, your fears are assuaged.

“Do you have any rules? For this thing that we’ve got going on?” Bucky asks, taking the free chair across from you and setting the dog tags flat on the coffee table that separates the two of you. You tilt your head to the side, studying him closely. You see what he’s doing. The first night, while under the influence of that chemical, you gave him one rule: no kissing. He returned with his own rule: wear his dog tags while he fucks you.

“I have one. We keep this a secret, just between us, for as long as we can.” You respond, letting your eyes trail over his physique. He’s sitting in your chair the same way he sat in the chair in the hotel room last night. The man knows how to demand attention without saying a damn word. You watch as his licks his bottom lip and then leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands together in front of him.

“Fine. It’s a secret.” He agrees, his gaze briefly lingering on your neck. “But I have one rule too.” He reaches out with his flesh hand and begins sliding the dog tags across the table toward you. “You’ll never take these off again.”

BONUS CHAPTER

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[lynnielovestlou]

bodyguard! abby anderson x princess! reader (500 followers special)

꩜ synopsis: based on the book "twisted games" by ana huang. you are next in line for the throne, and abby is your bodyguard. only one problem: you can't be with her. you have to marry someone of royal blood, and abby is not. but that won't stop you from being with her. she knows she can't have you, but she's taking you anyways.

꩜ cw: forbidden love trope , reader and abby sneak around , eventual smut (fingering, strap use, multiple orgasms, pet names, spanking, dirty talk, etc) , reader has a brother , afab! reader , fem! reader , bodyguard! abby , semi-public ,

masterlist

.. ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠. ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠. ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠. ◠ . ◠ . ◠ . ◠. ◠ . ◠ ..

it all started when your brother abdicated. he quite possibly ruined your life the day he fell in love with a flight attendant and decided he didn't want to be king anymore. but you couldn't blame him. he chose love over the throne.

in reality, you could've done the same. not a single part of your body wanted to be queen. too much responsibility and stress, and not enough time to prepare. but everything you do reflects your country, and it would look bad to back out when your brother had done the same.

your grandfather was king, but as he grew older he had to teach your brother, next in line for the throne, how to rule an entire country. he had been preparing to do so for years, but when he met mckenna, he decided he didn't want to. so now, you were next to be queen. and you only had four months to prepare.

you had a dance to attend tonight, because the board decide it would be best for you to marry before coronation. so there you were, sitting on an uncomfortable throne in a room full of men that wish to be your suitor.

"are you paying attention?" a voice to your right says.

another thing. abby fucking anderson. your buff, exponentially attractive bodyguard. you two had a fling before there was this whole drama with your brother, but it soon fizzled out at the reality of the situation. you wanted her, and she wanted you. but the only problem: you can't be with her. she's not of noble blood, so by law, you can't be together.

"i dont need to be. i don't want to marry anyone here." which is almost a lie. you don't want to marry any man here.

abby sighs through her nostrils, her broad shoulders twitching, "c'mon, princess. there's got to be at least one person here that you think is good enough to be your husband."

there wasn't. even abby knew that.

"no thank you." you say with a huff, standing up and straightening out your dress just as another suitor had approached you.

you walk away without another word, abby short on your tail, "where are you going?"

"bathroom." you answer shortly, "i'm fed up with everything and this dress is making it extremely hard not to pee myself."

you excuse yourself for the second time, walking through the marble corridors of the castle while the faint sound of chatter is left in the ballroom. the only sound heard now is the clacking of your heels on the slick floors, the shoes rubbing your feet in the most uncomfortable places.

once in the bathroom you reach behind your back, fumbling with the strings of your corset.

"need some help?" abby questions. you hadn't realized that she followed you.

"i know you're my bodyguard, ms. anderson, but you don't need to follow me in the bathroom."

she chuckles lowly, "we've fucked three times and you still refuse to call me abby, huh?"

a familiar heat rushes to your cheeks.

and somewhere else.

she doesn't wait for an answer before positioning herself behind you, untying the strings for you and giving you immediate relief on your ribs.

"you know how much i hate that i have to watch you dance with other men? how much i hate that their hands are all over you...?"

you swallow, hard, "how much?"

"so much," she begins, "that i want to bend you over that sink and spank your ass raw."

your breath catches in your throat, and you stare at her in the mirror, mouth agape. your heart is hammering against your chest, like it's trying to head-butt itself out.

"take off your dress and spread your legs." she whispers in your ear, to which you comply. you'd be an idiot not to.

once you were stripped of your clothing, the cold air hits your skin and makes you shiver. but the cold doesn't last long before abby is taking you into a sloppy kiss.

"here's what's gonna happen." she says, hands snaking around your body and settling on the plush of your ass, "i don't like seeing you dance with men. so you're going to sit here and let me fuck you like a good girl, alright?"

her fingers slide through your slit. your breath catches for a second time and your body arches towards hers.

you shudder at every word, rutting yourself against her in an attempt to feel friction. she's quick to grab your hips and stop them, pulling a whine from deep within your chest.

"how many men did you dance with?" she demands, her hot breathe hovering on your lips.

"o-only six."

"seven." she corrects you, pinching and pulling on your clit, making you squirm.

"p-please, abby..."

"please what? use your words, princess." she says softly, contradicting her harsh actions.

"please... fuck me already." you plead, bottom lip quivering. your thigh muscles are shaking, and you glance at the pile of discarded clothes on the floor opposite of the counter you're pressed against. your clothes, to be exact. abby is still dressed, but you can see her bulge through her pants. the pants that squeeze her thighs and highlight every muscle. she truly is glorious.

"you wore your strap to the ball?"

she nods her head, taking her hand off your mound and using it to unzip her trousers. you whine at the lack of warmth, the cold air of the bathroom returning to your skin and giving you goosebumps.

"dont worry, sweet girl. once i'm done with you, you'll be sweating." you smirk at this, lifting yourself onto the cold tile counter. you hiss as the temperature hits your bare ass, but abby shuts you up with another kiss, "now stay still. i need to stretch you out before giving you what you really need." she says.

"but i've taken your strap before. it's not that hard."

she laughs at this, "i know you have. but this one's not the same."

your eyebrows raise, but before you can ask what she means her pants and boxers pool around her ankles. this certainly wasn't what you were expecting.

it's much longer and much girthier than than the one she's used on you before. it's even a different color. this one a hot pink, sparkly shade that's enough to force a laugh out of you.

abby giggles in unison, "you like it?" you nod, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her towards you. she's quick to shut that down, "nuh-uh. i told you i've gotta stretch you out first. spread those pretty legs f'me."

you comply easily, spreading them further. she whistles when she sees your twitching, glistening cunt, just weeping and begging for abby to take care of it.

"shit, honey... you think this country knows how wet their queen is right now?"

"but, im not the queen yet— oh!" youre interrupted when abby's middle and ring fingers slide easily into your cunt, your warm walls welcoming her familiar skin. you look down and watch your pussy swallow her up greedily, clenching around her like you're scared she's going to pull away.

"there she is. there's my girl." abby coos, kissing your knee before increasing the speed in which her fingers pump in and out of you.

all that's heard is the sloshing of her fingers in your pussy. the heel of her palm slams against your clit, deliciously stimulating it as your legs begin to shake. abby knows what she's doing, and she loves it.

"gonna look so damn pretty with a crown on your head." she huffs as that familiar coil bubbles up in the depths of your stomach, "s' pretty baby."

a string of moans cascade from your mouth as she pulls her fingers out, letting you have your orgasm on your own. usually she's fuck you through it, but she's not done with you yet.

she grabs the base of the strap, teasing your puffy and swollen folds with it but not putting it in. you whine in protest, but she tuts you in response.

when she finally does push in, however, a strained gasp falls out of your mouth from the stretch of the strap, your hands finding abby's shoulders and squeezing them, "abby— abs— i can't-"

"shh... yes you can. you can take it." she says, letting you adjust before slowly pumping in and out of you, "you can handle being queen but you can't handle this cock?"

"not-" grunt, "queen," grunt, "yet."

she pounds harder and harder, hips slamming against you. your legs are already weak, and you can tell you're going to be bruised tomorrow.

"abby," you say in between breaths, attempting to maintain your composure, "they're going to be wondering where i am."

her hips stutter, but they don't stop. the base of the strap was hitting her clit just right. she was just as close as you are, "shh... almost done. cum with me, baby. c'mon, you can do it."

with only a few more pounds you're both spiraling. you both hope to god nobody is outside the bathroom door, otherwise they would be sure to hear your heavy breathing and tight moans.

once you come down from your high, abby is already tucking her strap back into her tight slacks, the material hugging her thighs beautifully. she helps you dress yourself again in your pretty gown (after she had cleaned you up, of course).

"sorry we have to sneak around, princess. i promise one day we won't have to." she says, pecking a sweet kiss to your temple. without another word, she walks out before you, making sure it doesn't look too suspicious that you were in there together.

you're left with your reality again. you have to go back out there and dance with men that you don't love. a so simple, yet so not, marriage of convenience, when the person that your heart really belongs too has to watch from the sidelines.

but abby was right.

she couldn't have you, but she was taking you anyways.

[yuri-is-online]

"The moon is beautiful tonight" bro if someone said that to me I'd choke 💀. So here's a request ig. Octavinnle and scarabia saying this phrase in casual conversation causes like. it doesn't mean anything in twst, but yuu doesnt know that. So yuu just looks at them like

And suddenly they're being a hell of a lot more affectionate towards them specifically, which is really starting to fuck with their emotion at this point. Cause like. "I've thought of what we'd act like as a married couple a million times and you are acting exactly like that"

So now like, idk, 2 months later or something, the boys basically do a "reject me so I can move on. Or not, please not, actually"

And yuus like? We've been together for 2 months now? I thought we were taking it slow but not this slow??

He doesn't even fully remember what he said, or the context that brought it up. If someone were to offer him all the world's wealth and power he wouldn't be able to tell them what brought about this change.

If he did he might find it ironic that in your world there was a place and time where "I love you" could be translated into "the moon looks beautiful tonight." For what else could he have been trying to say?

I LOVE THIS TROPE I LOVE IT SO SO MUCH. UNREQUITED REQUITED ACCIDENTAL LOVE CONFESSION MY BELOVED. Anyway yeah sure I can do this easy. Also can someone tell me what "ig" means I am an elderly woman ☆ヽ(o_ _)o notes: they/them used for Yuu, angst with the intent of comfort, not all of them follow the flow of the prompt exactly sorry, idk if I like this one? I'm so sorry it took so long I loved this prompt but for some reason when I sat down to write it my brain fried. More fic can be found on my masterlist here.

Azul

What He Says:

You can't actually see the moon from Octavinelle, so how the conversation topic got around to it is quite lost on you. "You just don't really seem like an astrology h- person to me?" It is all you can do to bite back a different description as you try to pretend your focus is on the silverware you are rolling and not the ever so slightly disheveled octomer across the office. You treasure these times, though you have to wonder just how intentional they are. Azul always has an aura of manufactured perfection around him, so to see him with ink stained hands and a crooked tie... you wish you were quick enough to get a picture with something other than your mind's eye.

"I could say the same about you," he smiles as he speaks in a way you want to believe is affectionate "though I suppose it shouldn't, every planet large enough to host life will have a moon." Your fingers fidget with the napkins as you wonder where to take this talk, talking with Azul is a lot like a dance at a masquerade you haven't been invited to. One small slip and he has you at his mercy.

"I was surprised your moon looks so similar to mine." You try. "It was very comforting to know it still represents my deepest, truest self."

"Then it must look beautiful tonight." Azul says softly, as if he is more testing the words in his mind than he is saying them. But still you startle and drop the silverware and make him jump.

"I'm sorry?" You stumble over yourself to pick it up and see a worried Azul standing in front of you.

"I said the moon must look beautiful tonight." He says as he bends to help, so casually that he has to call out to you again to make you realize this isn't a dream.

"It is." You pull yourself up and stand closer to him than you have ever previously dared.

When He Breaks (Two Months Later):

Ramshackle Prefect: Morning Azul ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

Azul stares at his phone as if he is unused to the words on his screen. His thumb hovers over the heart as if he could reach out and touch what sits on the other side and know.

You: Morning, a bit early for you isn't it?

Not that he is upset exactly, this is a lovely thing to wake up to. But it's torture, pure torture to lack the context for any of this. When you started messaging him in the morning he had been too pleased to think critically. His mind conjures up images of how sweet you could sound when half asleep, what it would be like to hear that wish from you every morning out loud instead of on a screen. He shakes his head trying to blink back the tears as he rises, these thoughts are like one of those mirages he'd heard Jamil describe before. If he looked too hard it would disappear and leave him with nothing but sand, and there is nothing a merfolk fears more than the absence of water.

Ramshackle Prefect: (｡•̀ᴗ-) Ramshackle Prefect: hehe im goin back to sleep now. Ramshackle Prefect: dont overwork urself. it's supposed to be the weekend!!!

"Supposed to be the weekend" he wants to die. His heart hammers away at his chest as reads and re-reads his messages searching for a sign of how or why he is getting these messages. It's a thankless task, he's done this every day for... it feels like years but he knows from his carefully kept notes it's only been two months one week and three days. And he does mean notes, so what if he's taken to keeping Yuu's file in his night stand it's still kept in a file which means it isn't a diary. Not that it would be a problem if he did-

Ramshackle Prefect: oh before I forget is it ok if I stop by the lounge later? I tried making a pudding and want to know if it tastes good Ramshackle Prefect: y'know to people who don't eat literal dirt

-so no he wasn't keeping a diary but maybe Jade is on to something and he should really start because he hears those are good for managing stress.

~~~~

"Not that I am unimpressed with your efforts," is what Azul says out loud with a great deal of effort "but is it just me or have you been trying to cook a lot more lately?" It had started with little sandwiches and maybe a salad on days he was still at work late into the night, dropped off with the claim that Yuu was worried he wasn't taking care of himself but they never actually stayed to watch him eat it. This was new, as if they were testing the waters of something from their position on his couch, face still puffy with sleep as they settle themselves deep into its puffy cushions and watch him at his desk. Maybe they were concerned he would not want a desert and intended to stay and make sure he didn't throw it out. That had to be it, but then why visit dressed so casually? He can count on one hand the times he has seen Yuu out of an NRC uniform, and none of those allowed him a glimpse of their actual preferences in clothing.

It's like they've forgotten who they are dealing with.

"Well yeah, it's a good skill to have." Yuu looks at him with a genuine unguarded smile. "Besides it's fun to get your opinions on my food, I don't always understand how you come up with them but I feel like it helps."

"My I didn't realize you held my advice in such high esteem." He feels much more like himself now with this information. Of course Yuu has been messaging him more, they need him for something. It might sting, but it's safe. Logical. Something he can work with. "Maybe I'll just have to start charging you, can't have you taking my secrets and stealing away my customers, can I."

But for some reason this just makes you laugh. "No need to worry about that, I only really cook for you. And Grim I guess but like I said, he literally eats dirt. I mean just the other day-

"What did you say?" Azul's voice sounds strained.

"About Grim eating dirt?" You say, and Azul finally for someone so smart and so proud on his ability to read people thinks that he might have made a mistake. "He says he's making a tier list."

"Why are you so painfully human?" His smile is strange, you can't say you have ever seen him like this before, it's a strange mix of happiness and resignation. "Your heart is so- prefect do you trust me?"

"Yes." You answer, seemingly confused as if your answer to that question shouldn't have been something he doubted.

"Would you trust me with your life? Your secrets?" He makes his way out from behind his desk to stand above you, to look down at you and confirm that for some damnable reason you are still calm. "Would you trust me with your life?"

"...only if you wanted it." Finally he sees a trace of fluster in you, finally you feel as nervous around him as he does around you constantly. He places a finger under your chin and forces you to look at him.

"Then tell me how you feel about me truthfully. Because everything you have said and done up to this point has been driving me crazy into thinking I have a chance." You blink. Once. Twice. And then a look of pure confusion distorts your perfect face.

"You- you don't know? But I thought- I mean you said-" And then suddenly Yuu has managed to jump out from the couch and the intensity of the moment stutters closer to comedy as Azul watches you curl under his desk like it's an octopot. "You said the moon was beautiful."

It's Azul's turn to blink. Once. Twice. He feels like he should be holding back tears, or disappointed in some way but- "I did say that... but what does that have to do with, anything?" You don't move and Azul considers his options, and decides to walk slowly to his desk and pick up the pudding before settling himself just out of sight from where you are hiding. And he waits, he waits for you to speak like his hands aren't clammy and he is not worried at all about what you might have to say.

"In my world when you say that it means something." You sound so small and alone, but still he waits. "I was really happy to hear you say it, but I didn't think... no I just didn't think. I'm so so so sorry."

"What did you think I said?" His mind is racing with the possibilities, but he has an idea because really what else could he have said that would explain all of this behavior?

"I don't wanna say it. It's embarrassing." You sound close to tears and Azul can't have that now can he? He crouches down to look at you curled under his desk and thinks that Floyd must have been wrong when he called you a shrimp, how could you be anything other than another octopus, waiting for someone who understood them too?

"As embarrassing as saying it again?" He doesn't wait for you to reply. "The moon looks beautiful tonight." He watches your breath hitch in delight as he fully invades your space and whispers what it looks like he should have just said all along. "I love you."

And gets to hear the one thing he has wanted most. "I love you too."

Jade

What He Says:

"And that is the Hero constellation." Jade makes sure to keep his hand as close to you as plausible, resting the back of it against yours as he uses his pencil to point at the star chart you are examining to avoid having to move it away from your addictive warmth. He delights in the way you try to suppress your shudders yet make no move to shake him off, what a dangerous game it is you have decided to play tonight. "Named after the Hero who dove into the underworld to fetch back his beloved from death itself."

"It looks familiar." You swallow and try to focus on the stars, Jade had been kind enough to offer you some "opinions" (because help would cost you and he has no intention to charge yet) when he saw you struggling to read your astrology homework. "But I don't think it was as important to astrology back in my world..."

"Oya? Your world also values the guidance of the stars?" Jade is always hard to read, but even more so in the dark. Something to do with his natural habitat you suppose, not that you are excited about the potential he sees you as some sort of prey. Not that you couldn't be if you knew just what sort.

"Well yeah sometimes. But I think it has more to do with the zodiac constellations and the position of the planets." You smile and hope this little bit of information is enough for Jade to take as payment instead of a favor but he simply hums.

"Yes I do seem to recall you saying something like that." He says with a smile and you desperately wrack your brain for how he could know that when you know damn well it wasn't to him.

You were only sort of right, he had been there, just out of sight listening intently as you described the differences in the mythological origins of the various signs and their importance in match making.

"Only in some cultures Ace!"

But you had made no mention of whether or not that culture was yours, which was all Jade really cared about. Not that he placed much interest or faith in the stars but if you did that was important data. But no matter how carefully he tried to poke the only thing you ever seemed to really like talking about was the moon. "The moon looks beautiful tonight." Jade says, bitterly, head full with ideas that he wants to give but cannot without overplaying his hand. And yet-

"Do you mean that?" He turns his head abruptly, blinking in confusion down at your flustered self. Jade knows right away that he has said something without meaning to, your reaction screams it but just this once- no he is always selfish when it comes to you. So in keeping with his habits, he drops the pencil and folds his hand around yours properly.

"Every word." It is all he can do to keep his teeth from showing as he watches you fold into him. Normally when Jade offers to walk you home you make up an excuse or outright decline, but when he offers tonight you are happy to accept. You even let him help you pick up your things and when he decides to push his luck and ask for your hand-

You let him take it. His brain is fried, the only thing he can think of and feel is the texture of your skin and the weight of your fingers intertwined with his. Neither of you speak on the way back to Ramshackle, Jade barely hears himself whispering you a goodnight as he swears you stare at his lips in the same way he always dreams of yours.

His mind works overtime as he walks back to his dorm, thinking and re-thinking his words and wondering if he has reached the right conclusion. Data, he needs more data on this change. You have let him get close to what he wants in moments of weakness before, but you have never let him touch and as much as he wants to throw himself into you and be consumed with his assumptions...

When He Breaks (3 months later):

He is long past collecting data at this point, he is just being a coward. Jade is fairly certain that Yuu is courting him... but that pesky doubt keeps creeping back in the longer he looks at them. Not that Jade is unfamiliar with doubting himself, or waiting to strike but you...

"Are you alright, Jade?" You're laid across his lap without a care in the world watching that damn moon again, completely unaware of him unraveling beneath you. "You've been spacing out a lot lately."

"I've just had a lot on my mind~" He caresses the side of your face and you let him, you even whine a bit when he retracts it and speed up his heart rate just enough to make him hyper conscious of his breaths. "Can I ask you something?"

"Technically you already have." You squirm to try and dodge his flick but don't seem too fussed by it. "But sure, what's bothering you?"

"Do you hate me?"

"What?" Oh that look of shock on your face is precious he hasn't seen it in a while. Slowly, giving you just enough space to run if you want Jade bends towards you, smiling wide and tootful as he repeats the question.

"I was wondering if you hate me dear Prefect. Because you see," he sniffles and tries to pretend he doesn't hear you groan in exasperation "our relationship these past few months has been nothing but pure torture for my poor self."

"Oh has it now." You don't sound like you believe him how tragic. "I didn't realize I was such bad company."

"Oh the worst sort." He whimpers. "The sort of company that takes advantage of the thin lines between you and does all sort of things to your poor heart."

"... thin lines?" Finally. FINNALY. You sound just as worried as he's been these past three months. He ceases his blubbering and looks at your embarrassed face properly. It's adorable, he'll have to ask for your forgiveness later for his lengthy pause admiring it later.

"Please be truthful." He whispers just a tad lower than is necessary. "And be gentle with me in your rejections so I can move on if I must but first-"

"We're not dating?!?!?" How rude you don't let him finish before you interrupt and try to run away. His long arms interrupt your retreat, pulling you down with peels of laughter (from him it's clear you don't find this funny) as he rolls you onto the grass, pinned directly beneath him. You look good like this, eyes focused entirely on him and no longer pining after the moon.

"There seems to have been a misunderstanding." He says and you try your best to glare threateningly up at him. "I can't quite remember anything I might have done to make you think we were together. Was it something I said?"

"You said... I'm so stupid."

"I don't seem to recall ever having said that outloud." You try to knee him in the groin but he pins your leg down with his own, such useful things though a tail would have made this entire confrontation much more efficient.

"Of course it doesn't mean the same thing. This is a different world." You look genuinely distraught, and though Jade doesn't regret his teasing one bit he doesn't want to keep you in suspense much longer. So he bends his face directly next to your ear and whispers.

"The moon looks beautiful tonight." Your breath hitches and Jade rolls to his side, pulling you up onto his chest before you can go back to being angry at him. "You're right, it doesn't mean whatever you think it should here. After all if I wanted to say how I feel about you I wouldn't use a metaphor."

"And just what would you say about me?" You sound so impossibly small, just as in need of reassurance as he had been just mere moments ago.

"I would say that I love you, of course." It's hard to say out loud, but worth the reward of your warmth settling into him once more, with clarity this time and no need for cowardice.

Floyd

What He Says:

Floyd has been in a strange mood lately, not quite bad, not quite good, and yet somehow very clearly not somewhere in between either. Reflective is the word you would choose yourself, but no one is really asking your opinion they just want you to fix it.

Not that you have any real clue how you are going to do that, you will be the first to admit you didn't have much of a plan when you asked if Floyd wanted to climb up to Ramshackle's roof and shoot the breeze. Not that you are really complaining it had been funny watching him try to figure out the climb.

"I though you were supposed to be good at this." You laugh from your perch waving a bag of flavored potato chips in encouragement as Floyd snorts just below you.

"I'm real good at parkour, just haven't really climbed trees before. I ain't a monkey fish." Still he manages to hoist himself up just fine and plop himself next to you with a thud that reminds you of just how much weight there is to him. He's tall and lean, his figure seems to go on forever as he stretches himself out next to you, eyes fluttering shut as he lets out a breath and holds out a hand for a chip.

You stuff it into his mouth and try not to laugh too hard when he chokes. He spits some of the chip shards back at you and tries not to smile too wide when you sputter and whine about how gross he is for spitting on you.

"Ya do this a lot back home?" It's not the first time Floyd has asked about your world, but it is certainly the most random.

"We've got stars in my world too." You snort, trying to think about just how you are going to turn this conversation around into something more cheerful. "But nah, pretty sure someone would have called the cops if they caught me on the roof at 2 am." Floyd rolls onto his side, propping himself up on his arm to really look at you as you look through your grocery bag of loot deciding which of the drinks you brought up you want to drink.

"I meant invite people to hang out real late." You stop your search to look down at him and find your words caught somewhere between your heart and your throat. Not like this. You want to say. Not for this reason. But instead you shrug and try to offer a bottle he doesn't take. You aren't avoiding the question tonight. "Ya gotta have done something for fun, right?"

"Sometimes I'd walk around a store or something." It's weird explaining stuff to a merman, sometimes they get what you're trying to say but other times they come back with "so it's like that time Jade and I got caught chasing a dolphin around the school playground and got yelled at for tying him up in seaweed" and you just have to smile and say "yeah totally" because what the hell. You're pretty sure it's not but you lack all sorts of context to try and make him understand. "Or we'd sneak out and just drive around and talk about stuff. There's- not a bunch of exciting things I know how to do I guess." If this was a normal night Floyd would roll his eyes and lie back down, whine about that's why you always make him do all the work because shrimpies have shit for brains and his plans are always so much better.

But he doesn't. He reaches over and tugs on your leg, gently enough that you can run away if you want but clear in his desire to have you closer. So you move, expecting his hand to drop but it doesn't, not until he settles his head in your lap and he physically can't keep it there anymore.

"Ya ever talk about things that matter with those guppies?" Maybe he's homesick and that's why he's so focused on this. "Things that make ya miss them?" Maybe he's just projecting that onto you since he knows you will listen and be nice about it. But then his hand reaches up and turns your head so you can look him in his eyes.  They're glowing, you barely realize your own hand going to cup Floyd's cheek before he moves his other to keep it from going.  "You ever miss one of em in particular?"

"Not really."  How could you when Floyd looks like this?  "It'd be nice to see my friends again, sure, but it's not like there's one specific person I miss."  Floyd lets out a breath that it sounds like he has been keeping in for a long, long time.  His hands both fall to his side as he lets you look away in embarrassment, wiggling in slight happiness when you choose to rest your hands on his shoulders.

"The moon looks beautiful tonight." Floyd's voice sounds sleepy and oddly content.  Your eyes immediately snap back to him, but he isn't looking at you now. There is a a slight red tinge to his ears that makes you laugh quietly as you run a finger over the shell of one.  So that's what this is about.

"It's always beautiful with you around Floyd."  And finally he is looking at you with a smile.

When He Breaks (2 weeks later):

When you gave Floyd a guest key to Ramshackle he'd been extremely happy. Sure he'd acted like it was no big deal in front of you, beyond a few teasing comments about how buttering him up wouldn't get you anywhere unless you put it in writing. But back at his dorm he had been beyond insufferable, obsessing over just what color thread he should attach to it (purple for the sea witch, teal for the eel, or grey for ramshackle? decisions decisions), wanting to keep it close at all times until he had an excuse to replace it with you.

Because that's what he needed right? An excuse? Floyd wasn't exactly... shy in showering you with his affections but you. You. Until that stupid conversation on the roof a month ago you had always been sort of shy about it, if not outright dismissive. He assumed it was because you just didn't reciprocate but now...

"Floyd?" You can't really remember the last time he knocked, even before you gave him the key he sort of just let himself in. But today he knocked, only once and waited for you to open the door in eerie silence. Even when Floyd was coming over because he was bored he still managed to drag himself through the door or a window if he was so inclined.

So why not today?

"Not having a good day?" You try softly, he walks into your lounge with an eerie quiet about him. The last time you saw him something very nice happened, so you can't exactly say you are too worried but. It still sucks to see someone you care about in distress.

"Kinda." Floyd doesn't look like he had much of a plan now that he's in your dorm. "Had a lot on my mind is all."

"Aw that's no fun." You both stand doing nothing for what feels like an hour but you're sure is only a few seconds. "Do you uh want to talk about it?"

"..." And just like that Floyd feels really silly. He wanted to see you so that's why he came, but he wants to be as far away from these painful feelings as possible. "I kind of want to take a nap."

"Oh?" You don't sound surprised, but are clearly confused. Floyd begins to head towards the guest room without looking back. The guest room feels like you just enough that it can soothe his longing and distance himself from his internal conflict. "Would you like to use my room?" Or he could just not be allowed to distance himself at all because you could just say- "I've got some stuff to do but I can join you af-"

"Are you fucking serious." Floyd's voice is dangerously low and he is dangerously close to your face like you have said something wrong. "Look Shrimpy-" He swallows, like he's really considering what it is he has to say so he breathes and just goes for it "Yuu. You're killin me with this. Humans are already so fucking confusing. I give ya a shell and you get all cold for a week, and now, now you wanna sleep with me?" He pouts at you, like your suggestion had been scandalous. "'s like you think we're together or something."

"... we're not?" That's the only thing you can think to say even though the fact you have to say it answers the question for you.

"No?" Now Floyd sounds confused. "Ya- you can't do this to meeeeeeee." Despite his protests he seems just fine with grabbing onto you and dragging you into an embrace and resting his cheek on your head so you can't see his face anymore. "There's supposed to be a process to these things ya know? I'm supposed to give you gifts, and then you're supposed to give me some back and then I tell you I love you but every time I tried that I said something stupid instead. Like 'oh wow the moon looks beautiful tonight or some shit." He huffs and he puffs and he waits for you to say something. But you don't, you take a deep breath.

And laugh.

"Is this fucking funny to you?" Floyd is taken so a back he lets go of you only to find you laughing harder. You stand and reach to cup his face. Floyd doesn't like being squeezed, but there's something about the light squish you give to his cheeks that he likes, he likes a lot.

"No- well maybe a little bit. It's just, I knew. I knew what you were trying to say." Yuu says it like it is the most obvious thing in the world, like it's something Floyd should have known all along. "I owe you an apology, I should have asked, made sure you knew. In my world, it's sometimes considered too forward to say 'I love you' so instead..." You close the distance between you once more, leaving just enough room that Floyd can back away from you if he wants, "instead we say 'the moon looks beautiful tonight.'" Floyd takes in a deep, deep breath and you wait. The anger and frustration slowly fades as he exhales, shoulders sagging as he searches your face for signs.

"The moon looks beautiful tonight." He says it slowly, voice dipping low with the same strange gravity it had the first time he said it.

"It does, doesn't it?" You smile, and Floyd finally reaches for you, arms wrapped much more loosely than you ever thought possible.

"You're really mean sometimes ya know that." As if he doesn't find that attractive.

Kalim

What He Says:

Sometimes you worry about Kalim. He has this way of talking about things that, if it had been anyone else who said it, should be a major cause for concern. But because Kalim seems relatively happy most all of the time and has a family with a bunch of money no one really makes much of a fuss about it.

So when he says, off handedly, completely as a joke, that you should listen to his worries sometimes you don't give him a chance to play it off. You sit up from where you had been lying down in the Scarabia Lounge and move just a bit closer to where Kalim is relaxing so he can see how serious you are.

"Of course you can talk to me if you have worries." Your voice must have been abnormally serious because Kalim doesn't respond immediately. At first you wonder if the noise of the party behind you had somehow drowned out what you said but then you see Kalim's face. He looks conflicted, as if there is something he desperately wants to say, but instead he looks at you with a smile.

"I don't really have any." But he doesn't laugh when he says it, not that he sounds unhappy exactly just thoughtful. He doesn't move away from you either.

"Even if it's something you think might be silly," you say slowly forcing yourself to continue even as Kalim looks away "of if you're able to dismiss them. If something makes you sad for even a moment, you can tell me. I won't offer my opinion if that's not something you want, or won't help, I can still listen."

"You're really insistent about this huh?" Kalim sits up now too and you turn to look up at the stars decorating Scarabia's night sky. You wonder briefly about how exactly they might have gotten that to work when he says it. "The moon is beautiful tonight." He sounds so wistful but it's gone in a blink as he reaches for your hand and doesn't let you respond to his admission. "C'mon! Let's take the magic carpet and get a better look." You try to contain your excitement as he lets you lace your fingers together and doesn't even try to let go.

What He Breaks (1 week later):

Technically, Kalim isn't the one who breaks. He notices, of course he notices, the way you are more comfortable in seeking him out. How comfortable you now are with his casual touches, how willing you are to hold his hand and even give it a little squeeze. It's heaven, like he found the treasure cave the Sorcerer of the Sands had searched so long for. If it was up to him he would have let it go a little longer.

But it isn't exactly up to him, it never is. Not that Jamil looks angry exactly, but then again as Kalim has come to accept he's not the best at reading his moods.

"I thought you said you weren't going to ask Yuu out?" No Jamil sounds confused and Kalim fidgets with his bracelet under his questioning stare because he knows what he's about to say will probably actually make him mad.

"I didn't." Jamil takes a deep breath and Kalim immediately waves his hands to try and soothe him. "Promise! I remember everything you said about wanting to know and I agree it's just... are you sure you aren't misreading things? That Yuu isn't just... comfortable around me now?"

"... it's always a possibility given just how weird the prefect can be, but no. I'm pretty sure you must have said something that's given them the wrong impression." Jamil sighs and rubs his chin thoughtfully. "It's going to be awkward, but you should probably clear things up with them and tell them how you really feel."

"You mean tell them I'm not allowed to-"

"Like I said before," Jamil actually smiles now, and Kalim really hopes it's real "it's not my place to tell you who you can and cannot date. Sure your parents might have an idea about what they want you to do, but you and I know that a political marrige would never really work for you. It's just not how you're built." And with that he leaves Kalim to his thoughts.

~~~~

"Have you ever considered throwing smaller parties?"

"Haha this is a smaller party~ I only invited you and your freshmen friends." So Kalim says and so you see, but you suppose everything Kalim does comes from a rather skewed sense of small. It's nice to look out on though, Ace is amusing one of your other classmates with his card tricks while Jack and Deuce take turns at arm wrestling. Epel even manged to get Sebek to participate in something, though he might have regretted making it an eating contest. And above it all, tucked away in a little alcove, Kalim rests his head on your shoulder and hums along with the music playing through his dormitory loudspeakers. It feels domestic in a way despite the grandiose display around you.

"It's very nice Kalim." You lean your head on top of his and he sighs in contentment. "But you said there was a worry you wanted to tell me about?"

"Mhm. I'm worried I said something accidentally that made you realize that I liked you." If he wasn't holding you so intimately his words would have been like ice water over your self confidence. You still cringe and Kalim laughs slightly, happily holding you just a bit closer. "Hey I didn't say that I don't like you, I just want to make sure you understand what that means. I could put you in a lot of danger you know?"

"More than half a dozen overblots?" You lightly joke but Kalim just hugs you a little harder at the thought. "We'll cross those bridges when we come to them, it doesn't make me love you any less. After all," you press a gentle kiss to his forehead and smile as he shakes in happiness "the moon looks beautiful tonight." Kalim gives a little gasp.

"Oh that's a wonderful way to say it!"

Jamil

What He Says:

"I get that your world is a bit behind ours because it doesn't have magic, but really?"  Jamil's voice lacks the usual venom that would accompany his teasing if he hadn't been the one to propose this idea.  "Wanting to make a mix tape has got to make you practically per-historic."   You try to suppress your own smile as you watch him work from across the floor.

"I prefer vintage."  Your smile breaks free as Jamil finally laughs, you wonder if he knows just how beautiful he is as he swipes a misbehaving hair out of his eyes and gives his stereo another once over.  "I'll have you know making mixtapes have a long and storied tradition in my world."  You keep some of the possible implications to yourself, and try to pretend the concept hasn't been swirling around in you brain since he first suggested this.  "Why aren't you using magic to clean it?"

"Because I get to keep you here longer."  The words dance on the tip of his tongue and he forces them away with a smile.

"It's old, and I don't really want to go searching for a new one if I break something."  The lie has just enough of a trace of truth to fool you, but Jamil isn't one for taking chances.  "Aren't you supposed to be looking for stuff you like?  You won't get that by staring at me."

"Not like I'm going to find anything till your done cleaning."  You snort and finally take your distracting eyes away from him and direct them to his tapes.  "I don't know any of this stuff."  But you can still tell this collection is pretty impressive.  Some of the tapes look newer, but there are others that while well cared for are clearly old.  Album art featuring sandy landscapes and people posing is sandwiched between vaporwave cartoons and aesthetically confusing 3-d models.  This belongs to Jamil so you have a feeling it's organized, but you can't tell how.  Not that he leaves you wondering for long lightly taps your nose with a new cotton swab and nudges your pouting face towards a specific section of the box.

"Here, I set some aside based off the kind of music you said you liked."  And some that just reminded him of you, but that's nothing you need to know, yet if ever.  "Anything else you can think of?"

"Do you have any songs about the moon?"  The question pops out of your mouth before the thought that birthed it is fully formed, making you stumble over your explanations.   "Yeah go ahead and laugh there's just... this one song I miss."  It makes you think of him, from the few words you can remember.  You've written it down again and again to try and make sure you don't forget them, but the tune has begun escaping you; much like all your memories of home will one day be fragmented, not that the reality makes it hurt any less.  "I'm worried I'll forget what my moon looks like."  Jamil's amused confusion remains, but his eyes soften in response to your distress.

"Is there a specific reason you need the song?  Yo- The moon is beautiful tonight, do you need the exact song to see it?"  Jami

"N-no."  Your voice shakes.  Neither of you move to look away, what gives you the strength to move yourself to sit next to him you don't know.  But he doesn't move away and you let out a deep breath from sheer and relief and joy.  "I think I'll be able to see it just fine next to you."

What He Breaks (two months later):

Things have been going missing from Jamil's room lately. Nothing he actually needs really, the sort of little things you would take if you were really desperate to remember the feel of a person. The sort of things you would take if you were dating that person, which isn't at all the thought he would have had if he didn't know who was taking them. Not that Jamil could come up with a reason for Yuu to be taking these things, his first thought had been to take something of Yuu's the next time he visited Ramshackle, but that seemed to make you happy. "Fair game" he'd thought. "I want an excuse to see you and you want an excuse to see me."

Still he wasn't prepared for this.

"Jamil!" there is something refreshing about how calm your happiness is. You've always had a way of extending that calm to him, wrapping him in it and allowing him some space to breathe. But today, today. Today the Ramshackle Prefect has decided that he wasn't allowed peace, because yesterday they had stolen his sweatshirt, and today they have decided to wear it. "Everything ok?

"ha." Jamil wants to tug the hood of his dorm uniform over his head. He wants to run, he wants to shake you, he wants to scream. He wants to do a three act play complete with an interpretive dance because that would be easier than trying to speak. But he has to, because there's only so many deep breaths he can take before you reach out to make sure he's ok. So he takes your hand in his as you do and places it directly over his heart. "You know," for some reason he finds it easier to smile now that you know how nervous he is "you can't have taken that without knowing what people might say."

"Oh I don't know." You smile and bring yourself into his space, that strange calm he finds in your happiness begins to weave itself around him again. "Maybe I wanted to clear some things up. Make it good and clear where I belong." Jamil takes another deep breath, your arms go around him and he makes sure to look long and good into your eyes to make sure there isn't a shred of a crimson glow. That this is something you have decided of your own free will and not a dream or an accident involving magic.

"I never properly asked you out..." Technically he never asked you out at all, but Jamil would rather die than say that out loud. Maybe sometime long long in the future when he's ready to laugh at it and not now when he needs you to confirm that's what you thought he did in the first place.

"Oh! That's not-" You bury your face in his chest with a light laugh and he tries not to die in the time between the seconds until you respond. "I was so happy to hear you say the moon line it didn't really occur to me you might be worried about that."

"Who wouldn't?" Not that he's worried now, every other possibility has been ruled out so he can say exactly what he's been wanting to for so long. "Will you be mine?"

"I already was." It sounds so much better outloud than he could have ever dreamed.

[throneofsapphics]

Hello how are you Irene??? I hope you’re well you amazing thing!

If you’re a still taking requests, could I please ask for Rhyzriel and a sick or injured reader? Gimme that hurt/comfort trope badddddd 😂😂😂

Love you and your work!! ❤️❤️

horrible timing

Rhyzriel x Reader

Summary: Rhys and Azriel come home, finding you injured. 

Warnings: injury, mentions of blood 

A/N: thank you so much <3 I’m doing well! I hope you’re having a great day !

It was stupid, really, how you ended up in this situation. Falling up the stairs, mother above. You’d deserve any teasing coming your way. Gritting your teeth, trying to drag yourself up and yelping. Something was broken, but you couldn’t figure out what. 

“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” 

You chanted as many curses as you could, like that might alleviate some of the pain currently shooting up and down your leg. Daring a look down, you saw - nope, and tilted your head back up to the ceiling. 

Running the stairs in the House of Wind. Cassian’s idea. Now, you were stuck on step one-thousand something, both Rhys and Azriel out in Illyria, and Cassian upstairs. Maybe he’d come looking for you if you didn’t return. 

After a few minutes of careful breathing, you realized you’re the only one who can get yourself out of this situation. Miserable, this was misery in it’s prime. Given the situation, you figured some dramatics are acceptable. 

Palms pressing against the stone, you winced as your upper body took on the brunt of your weight, alternating each push with a yell - as if someone might hear. 

Maybe twenty stairs, and you were already exhausted - your head swirling, nausea creeping in. You pinched your cheek, now is a horrible time to fall asleep. 

-

Rhys couldn’t quite put a finger on it, but he knew something was wrong. Off. He and Azriel were due back that night, and the only thing getting him through dealing with the Devlon was the knowledge you’d be waiting there for them. Maybe awake with a book, or a cup of tea, waiting for them, cuddled in a blanket. 

Rhys, Cassian’s panicked voice came through, faint with the distance. 

What? He questioned, panic starting to rise in him. It took minutes for the reply to come back. 

She’s hurt. Fuck. Devlon was still pattering about something insignificant. 

“There’s something we need to deal with,” he said coolly, hiding his panic, and held an arm out to Azriel. “We’ll be back.” 

Azriel followed his lead without question, and he dropped them into the sky just above the house of wind, flying the rest of the way in. 

The first thing he scented was blood. Your blood. Then your fear, and a hint of your pain. 

-

Apparently someone heard your yells, or realized something was wrong, because you awoke laid out on a couch, Cassian crouched next to you. 

“Don’t look,” he advised. “Mor’s getting Madja. They’re on their way.” 

Relief filled you, mostly that they, meaning Azriel and Rhys, were on their way. 

“I’m an idiot,” you grumbled. 

“We've all been here,” he chuckled, “how did this happen?” 

“Will you keep it a secret?” 

His mouth tilted up at the corners, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I promise.” 

“I fell up the stairs.” 

Laughter, and then rapid footsteps. Cassian backed up, clearing the way, and Azriel and Rhys were there in seconds, a blink and they’d crossed the room, even though they couldn’t winnow in here. 

Rhys’s hands ran over your face, panicked, and paled when he saw your leg. “I wouldn’t look,” you said a bit weakly. 

The pain started coming through again, the tiny relief of adrenaline wearing off. You vaguely heard Mor telling them Madja’s on her way, but pain encompassed every inch of your being. Flaring through your nerves, flooding your senses, vision, screaming at you, taking over every sense, and black greeted you, unconsciousness tugging you back under. 

Complex break. A week to heal. Take it easy. 

Fragmented phrases came in, your vision blurring in and out. Head tilted, a tonic poured down your throat, your body too weak and limp to try and protest. Gods, it was nasty. 

When you came into full consciousness, you were awake in your bed. Clean, changed, and tucked into cozy blankets and pillows. A hum of content left your throat, not unlike a purr. 

Clattering against wood. Peeking your eyes open, Azriel had dropped a dagger on the dresser, a sharpening stone still in his other hand. You gave him a weak smile, and he crossed the room in a few powerful strides, sitting next to you on the bed, clutching your hand like a lifeline. 

Cold, your hand was cold, even in the absolutely boiling room. His was warm against you, scarred skin brushing the cold away, his thumb running soothing strokes over the back of your hand. 

Azriel didn’t say anything, only looked at you like he was seeing you for the first time again, memorizing every inch of you. 

“Hello,” you said quietly, giving his hand a small squeeze. 

“Hello,” he replied, brushing some of the hair away from your face. 

The door quietly opened, Rhys sliding in. 

“You could’ve told me she’s awake,” he hissed at Azriel, shoving him off the bed, taking his place next to you. The other male grunted, pinning Rhys with a look that promised vengeance. He didn’t notice, only running his hand up and down your cheek. 

“How do you feel?” 

You wiggled your fingers, and they felt heavy, like you were trying to push against something. The same thing with your toes, but … there was some kind of hard bandage wrapped around your left shin and calf. Kicking your other foot, you started trying to push down the blankets. Rhys picked up on it, and much more gently tugged them the rest of the way down. Sure enough, thick bandages covered the entire area. But … you couldn’t feel any of the pain, everything was numb. 

“Numb,” you’d come across the right word. 

“That would be the tonic,” he said dryly. 

Azriel was still glaring at him, and you caught his eye, patting the mattress on your other side. They could share. Still silently seething, he settled on your other side, looping his arm around your shoulders. 

“How did this happen?” 

“Cassian didn’t tell you?” 

“He refused,” Rhys answered. “Said you asked him to keep it a secret.” 

A small laugh, “I forgot about that.” 

“How did this happen?” Azriel repeated himself, not seeming quite happy to do it. 

“Your shadows didn’t tell you?” you teased. It was rare you knew something he didn’t. 

Put him out of his misery, Rhys said to your mind, he’s been trying to figure it out for days. 

Days, you’d been out for days.

“Promise you won’t make fun of me?” 

“Never, darling.” 

A slow exhale, and you leaned into Azriel, his arm tightening around your shoulders. 

“I fell up the stairs,” you mumbled, burying your face into his side. Neither replied, but you felt his chest moving - a barely concealed laugh. You pinched his side, but he didn’t react. “I told you not to make fun of me,” you said a bit louder. 

“We haven’t said anything,” Rhys moved closer, voice laced with amusement. 

“You’re laughing.”

[lecsainz]

Could you write friends to lovers with Ollie Bearman? Something really fluffy where they realise they have feelings for each other, thank you.

OUT OF MY CONTROL

˒ ⌕ masterlist . . .

parings: ollie bearman + fem!reader

summary: the one where you and ollie are best friends and ollie finally creates the courage to declare yourself.

🗒️ : best friends to lovers are definitely my favorite trope!

type: fluff ಇ

Ollie had known Y/N for as long as he could remember. He first met the girl with y/h/c hair in elementary school. Ollie remembered the six-year-old Y/N approaching the seven-year-old Ollie, taking his hand, and saying, "You're my boyfriend." At the time, young Ollie had bolted away from her, and every time he saw her, he'd hide. That was until the day Y/N decided she wanted another boy to be the father of her dolls and chose the boy who always ran from her to be her best friend.

Today, all Ollie wanted was for his best friend to see him in a different light. Not that Ollie was afraid to make a move, as he was popular among the girls, but he was afraid that Y/N would distance herself from him as she did with any other boy who wasn't Ethan – a guy Ollie disliked.

What did that blond boy, who played football, have that he didn't? He raced a car at almost 200 km/h and was afraid to compete with someone who kicked a ball.

He couldn't recall when he started having feelings for Y/N. Maybe it was during his first race when she showed up wearing a shirt with his number, or perhaps it was during the countless nights they spent talking at each other's houses. It might have been when he saw his best friend cry over Ethan, either because they had broken up or because they weren't speaking. The fact that he couldn't remember didn't change anything, but he simply wanted to be able to call her his. His girl. His girlfriend. Not just his best friend.

One sunny afternoon, Ollie and Y/N found themselves sitting in the park, chatting away about various topics, as they often did. The laughter flowed effortlessly, and the warmth of their friendship was evident. Ollie knew that he had to find the courage to confess his feelings soon, and he couldn't think of a better place to do it.

As they watched the children playing on the swings, Ollie's heart raced, and he decided it was now or never. He cleared his throat, trying to find the right words.

"Y/N, there's something I've been wanting to tell you for a while," Ollie began, his voice trembling ever so slightly.

Y/N turned to him, her eyes curious. "What is it, Ollie?"

Ollie took a deep breath and looked deeply into her eyes. "Y/N, you mean the world to me. You've been my best friend for as long as I can remember, and I cherish every moment we've spent together. But lately, I've started to feel something more, something beyond friendship. I don't know when it happened, but I've fallen for you, Y/N."

For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Y/N looked at Ollie, her eyes wide with surprise. The weight of his confession hung in the air, and Ollie felt like his heart was in his throat.

Y/N's expression softened, and she reached out to gently touch Ollie's hand. "Ollie, I... I don't know what to say."

Ollie couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety. Had he just ruined their friendship? Would she distance herself from him?

But then Y/N smiled, a warm and genuine smile that made Ollie's heart skip a beat. "You know, Ollie, I've been waiting for you to say that for a long time."

Ollie's eyes widened in surprise. "You have?"

Y/N nodded. "Yes, I have. I've been feeling the same way, Ollie. I just didn't want to ruin our friendship by saying anything. But now that you've said it, I can't hold back any longer. I've fallen for you too."

Relief and happiness washed over Ollie. He couldn't believe his luck. "Y/N, you have no idea how happy that makes me."

With a mixture of excitement and relief in the air, Ollie and Y/N leaned closer to each other. The world seemed to fade away as they closed the distance between them, their hearts pounding in anticipation. Their lips met in a soft and tender kiss, sealing the confession of their feelings.

It was a gentle, sweet kiss, filled with the promise of a new beginning. Ollie's hand cupped Y/N's cheek, and her fingers gently threaded through his hair as they shared a moment that had been a long time coming.

[sassydefendorflower]

People love to compare Roy and Bradley or Ling and Wrath, but I think there is a special beauty in the narrative parallels between Riza and Winry.

Because these woman manage to break out of the Shounen mold in a way that reaches beyond the Strong Female Character trope and quickly secures itself as... good character writing. Period.

And they do so in a very clever way. Someone else on here once pointed out that Hughes/Mustang/Hawkeye are the trio that runs parallel to Ed/Al/Winry and while they aren't narrative foils to each other - at least not in the way many of the other characters are - they do present a similar function within the story. The three young people who went on an adventure. Only Hughes died and Riza and Roy were permanently altered - and Ed, Al, and Winry got a chance to save the world.

But especially when it comes to Riza and Winry there is something more to the comparison. Especially when it comes down to the choices they made.

But why are Riza and Winry more interesting?

Because when Roy recruits Ed and Al, Riza tells Winry that she followed Roy into the military because she had someone to protect - and this - in other stories - would clearly be a setup for Winry later following Ed and Al into the military to "protect" them. A direct parallel between the two "girls" in a Shounen trio. We've all seen it before.

And I think we see Winry play with that thought when she sticks around Central with them after her first apprenticeship in Rush Valley - she tries to be the third girl to Ed and Al's action duo… but it doesn't work out.

She - strong, clever, genius, confidant Winry Rockbell - suddenly feels weak. Because she can't punch danger away from Ed. She can't repair Al's scratches and dents. She can't kill Scar to save her friends and avenge her family. She can't learn how to shoot and kill just to protect her friends - no, that's not quite correct, is it? She won't. She won't learn how to kill.

And that sucks. Because Winry isn't used to feeling like that, so lost and insecure, at least not constantly. Yeah, when Ed and Al are away, she worries, and that's part of the reason why she tried to join in, but that is nothing compared to the powerlessness she's facing now. Maybe she would worry less if she could be there when they fight, if she could protect them like Riza does with Mustang… but that's just not who she is.

Her job isn't to protect Ed and Al - her job is to give people arms and legs and good costumer service. I really like that scene/episode (23, me thinks) where she gets a phone call from Rush Valley and all these people ask for her to come back. Because Yes, Ed telling her thanks for helping him is VERY important for her character… and yet I think this phone call is the moment Winry realizes that she's not Riza. That she won't take a gun into her hands and kill for Ed and Al.

She will never be Armstrong or Hawkeye or even Izumi… she will be Winry Rockbell, automail engineer and genius.

And that's the reason why only she could have pulled Scar on their side. Because she chose healing over killing - her telling Scar in Baschool that she'd save his life because her parents would want her to honor their choice? That was Winry following the deeper themes of the show, by adding positive energy to the flow of the universe.

Riza saving Scar? Wouldn't have worked (why would he listen to the woman with a gun in her hands?). Armstrong helping Scar? Wouldn't have happened (what reason would General Armstrong have at this point to spare a murderer?). Mei saving Scar? Would have ended with the Ed/Marcoh/Scar/Al alliance falling apart (it is so much easier to fall apart if no one has been forced to see past the horror yet).

And it's not because these characters were even a touch less well written than Winry - if anything it showcases how unique all of the female characters in FMA were/are.

In this we find Riza again - because Riza chose differently than Winry. She followed Roy into the military, she learned and perfected how to shoot and kill. Their narratives mirror each other - Ed carefully prying a gun out of Winry's hands so she doesn't kill, only to give Riza a bloody gun a few episodes later, knowing she will clean it and use it to kill.

When Riza tells us that she has lost the right to feel squeamish about killing because of often she'd pulled the trigger, she is Winry's foil - Winry who was stopped before she could make a similar choice.

And it's not just that, is it?

Riza let her hair grow because a young Winry Rockbell had long hair and seemed to like it - and Riza needed a change after coming back from Ishval.

Winry got her ears pierced because the strong Lieutenant visiting them had looked cool (and because she needed a place for all of Ed's little gifts) - and Winry needed something steadfast, now that her friends were growing up.

There's just something about the two of them, so similar, so loyal and stubborn and full of love, that fascinates me. Because at every turn they make a different choice, at each turn one walks deeper into hell and the other chooses healing - and yet, while they couldn't be more different, they also couldn't be any closer.

I can't imagine how glad Riza was, when she realized Winry hadn't followed Ed and Al into the military.

I can only guess how happy Winry was, when she saw Riza follow Mustang further if only to make sure the future actually changed.

A mirror doesn't have to be a perfect thing, and if anything I think that is on purpose.

[dragonlands]

There's so much negativity around Izzy's death so I wanted to address some of the points I keep seeing thrown around.

"Izzy's death was pointless"

No, he just had his big speech about how basically they can kill him but they cannot kill the movement. That is a clear paraller to a lot of real life protestors of unjustice. He died protecting the community, he died so the community could go on.

"Izzy's death made his healing pointless"

No it didn't. Healing is always good, feeling happiness and belonging are ALWAYS worth it. We never know how long we've got, doesn't mean we gotta stop trying to be better or happier. His healing was still real. It still mattered.

"Izzy's character arc was left unfinished, it's bad writing"

Oh my god. If you open any writing guide about how to write impactful deaths, and the first thing that comes up is to leave some part of their arc unfinished. And his arc did go through quite a beautiful line, sure there could've been more but his story didn't end like, mid arc. As a writer, of course you want to make the audience sad when a character dies. It's good storytelling. Good stories are supposed to make us feel.

"Izzy died on the arms of his abuser"

Where the hell did this idea come from? Ed and Izzy have been in a toxic codependent relationship way before this show started. You could argue that Izzy was Ed's abuser, but that is not the argument I want to make here. Yes, we saw Ed driven to madness shoot Izzy on screen, but we know Izzy's the one that forced him to be Blackbeart when he didn't want it anymore. There's turmoil all around them. But the final moment is them finally meeting as people, not as components of Blackbeard.

"Izzy's death was unnecessarily awful"

His death was sad, yes, but it was quite beautiful as far as deaths go. He was surrounded by family who cared for him. He was loved, and accepted as he is. He knew his legacy will be carried on.

"They killed off the only character that showed us healing is never too late"

Did we watch the same show? That begins with then unhappy 40+ year old Stede deciding it's finally time to reach for his dreams? Where we see Blackbeard slowly gaining back his humanity? Where Black Pete starts off as toxically masculine dude but ends up in a soft gay marriage? Where most of the crew wanted to mutiny but then they realized being soft is good, actually. Jim's whole purpose in life being revenge but them learning to let that go and instead concentrate on love and fun and family. And so on. Izzy's arc is beautiful, but he's not the only person healing who thought it was too late already.

"Izzy's death was bury your gays trope"

No, what, no. In a pirate show where everyobody is queer some queer people will die. Bury your gays is about only having one or few queer characters and killing them off while the straights get their happily ever afters. This is so far from that.

Also, I want people to be aware of the phenomenon, where creators of diverse shows are subjected to more critism than those of non diverse shows. If this intrests you, Sarah Z on Youtube made a great video on it called Double standards and diverse media. Our flag means death has given us so much, queer love story with a happily ever after, finding community, nonbinary character. And the creators have always been so kind to fans, so let's show them tht kindness back. Because critizicing this one aspect can easily turn to seeming like the whole story is just unwanted. That stories like Ed and Stede's aren't worth telling. And I'm so aftraid that will happen, when just now for the first time in years we are finally getting queer stories.

Also, I understand people are sad. I am sad too - Izzy was an amazing character and his death was sad but that's just. Good writing. You can grieve, but trying to turn it into a moral or dramaturgy issue is just not a good look. And attacking the creators of this wonderful show is just horrible.

Remember - this fandom is a safe space ship 🏴‍☠️🏳️‍🌈

[vhstown]

love you more

— 1610!miles morales x gn!reader

summary: Miles sneaks in while your parents are asleep; he always has to get the last word in.

warnings: fluff, angst if you squint

word count: 0.9k

a/n: i love this trope too much who cares if its cliche i love loserboy in love

look outside ;) Read 2:53 AM

Fire escape — sitting outside your bedroom by his hands and feet, was Miles in all of his 3am glory, the slyest grin on his face. Heaving the covers off of yourself as a grin of your own formed, you quietly slid the window open. You glanced at him, then at your door. The house was silent for now, and as much as you were trying to be too, it was almost always impossible with Miles.

He slipped off his shoes by the escape stairs, leaping easily onto your mattress through the window in one fluid motion.

"Hey." His voice was barely above a whisper, hints of adrenaline and drowsiness in it as he turned to look at you.

You shuffled over to make room for him, pulling the covers over his bare shins. "Hi."

Apart from the glow of the mellow streetlights, it was totally dark in your room. You still could make out the way his eyes were shining, softened as they reflected back you. Miles didn't get to see you at the most ideal times, but you didn't need perfect. This was more than enough, even if the boy was wearing shorts on a freezing spring night. He shuffled closer, shoulders tensing up from the cold.

"What time do you call this?" You couldn't hide the warmth in your voice. It had been a while.

"Uh, morning...?" He let out a breath for a laugh, brows knitting together in amusement. "You sound like my mom."

"I could call her."

"You wouldn't." He pulled you into a loose embrace, and any teasing energy you had left was completely taken over by a comforting tiredness as you hugged him back. If you saw the red and black material underneath his hoodie, you didn't say anything.

"Need to lock my door," you murmured, leaning towards the edge of your bed only to be stopped by a hand on your shoulder.

"I wont stick around long." The half-smirk Miles gave you was almost boyish as he pulled you back against his chest. His hoodie was soft and smelled like lavender, and you missed him too much to care, letting him rest his head on top of yours. "Besides, we've never been caught."

"You've never been caught." You didn't want to mention the time you tried to sneak out. That was beyond embarrassing. And rocky.

"Cause your boyfriend's got superpowers."

"Like I don't know, Spider-boy."

"Spider-Man." His voice leaked through into a defensive murmur, making your heart race a little for more than one reason.

"Yeah, yeah..." Your arms came around his waist, and his silent laugh made your heart swirl. It was almost more embarrassing how much you missed him. Maybe you'd have to try and sneak out again. "Where were you?"

Your voice was muffled, but the question was genuine — sombre? Miles could never make you sad. Right now, he was here to fill the Spider-boy-shaped hole in your heart. Even then, your hand reached to squeeze his hand to keep him from disappearing. He probably would in a couple of minutes.

He squeezed your hand back, fingers locking into yours. "In another universe."

A part of you might've believed him, maybe because of the sleepiness. You let out a sigh that was far more expressive than any of the words you'd exchanged before. His arm wrapped around you tighter.

"You know I love you, right?" he murmured into your hair.

"Love you too." There was a moment of silence, and you let yourself sink into it. Your defences were down a second too long, already imagining the grin on his face.

"Love you more." You were about to mumble out a retort, but the sound of creaking in the hallway forced you to sit up.

The both of you held your breath, hands still loosely laced together. Click! The glow of the bathroom light faded and you let out an exhale, meeting Miles' window-lit eyes.

You were quiet for another second as the bathroom door locked, before whispering again. "Love you the most."

"That's cheating." The smile warmed his voice, and he leaned over to capture your lips, hand on your shoulder. Chaste, warm, kind of minty — you already missed the feeling of his kiss.

"I loved you first," you challenged, not sure if it was even true. Your eyes narrowed with mirth; he wouldn't win this time. You leaned in to kiss him again before he could protest, only to pull away at the sound of the bathroom door opening again. The hallway light switched on. Silence, and both of your eyes fixed to your bedroom door, and footsteps. His hand slowly slipped from your shoulder.

"I told you," you mouthed, though it wasn't obvious what you told him. He pushed off of your shoulder, gently manoeuvring behind you to the window. When the strip of light underneath your door shadowed, he pressed a kiss to your hair, mouth still by your ear as he leaned backwards onto the windowsill.

"I still love you more." You didn't even have a chance to process his words before he let go of your shoulder and rolled out of your room, pulling the window shut.

Not bothering to see where he went, you quickly pulled the covers over you, turning away as your door creaked open and the hallway light bled into your room. Of course Miles had to get the last word. Still, your cheeks heated as you processed what he said, the feeling of his lips against your hair leaving a warm tingling sensation as you waited to be alone again.

As soon as the door closed, a smile spread across your face. You reached for your phone, burrowed under your blanket as you typed out a text.

ily more Delivered

Miles had probably turned his read receipts off; you wouldn't put it past him. Deciding not to call him, you went to bed that night swearing you'd get him next time. That's what you told yourself every other time, at least.

Read 7:21 AM

🕸️🔭🎧

thank you for reading ^^ this is my first sort of one shot drabble thingy idk lol i thought of this at at 3am i love miles 🫶

reblogs appreciated ! love ya

catch my atsv masterlist here!

[koostarcandy]

stay

pairing: jungkook x fem!reader

summary: jungkook comes in and out of your life like a recurring side character in a 90s show. you wish that he would stay, just like the main character that he is.

genre: fluff, angst, slight smut, this is the "she fell but he fell harder" trope ;)

wc: around 2k

a/n: loosely inspired by the visitor by iu and cornelia street by ts. also, a scene from nevertheless made its way in here. thanks for helping me out, art (@onlyswan)! ♡♡

you know he's near when the ruckus and gushing of compliments from blushy 1st years becomes louder.

boisterous laughter and sounds of creaking shoes against the floor comes nearer, you go closer to the wall like its instinct. you will yourself to not look at him, knowing you'll lose the battle either way. his tattooed hand effortlessly holds his thick psychology text, stacked with a big book of cell and molecular biology.

that's weird, you think. what business would he have with a reference book like that when he's a psychology major?

he's coming closer, bunny smile growing bigger at the sight of you. "i found this in the library," he says. you're surprised, this isn't in your head, he's actually talking to you for once.

so nonchalant, the way he says he knows you were looking all over for this particular book.

so straightforward, the way he puts the book in your hands, his warm and large hand brushing with your cold and clammy one.

so coquettish, his wink and slight smirk, quietly telling you to look at the sticky note he pasted in the index of the book.

and he's gone. without a trace, without even a hint of a shadow. just like those nights.

you open your eyes, feeling slightly elated. you feel sore but unusually happy. your hand goes out to your side instinctively, for some unknown reason. you turn to half of a perfectly made bed, pillow and covers seemingly untouched. not like a certain someone practically fucked you into the bed, his hands all over you. your hands had to grab onto something, his words making you feel like you were in another dimension.

"what's the hurry, hmm?" he responds to your pleas to go faster already, kisses trailing from your chest to your neck, "we've got all the time in the world, sweetheart."

he seems to be enjoying this, you note. he holds you and handles you in ways which are beyond your imagination. his fast paced thrusts and smoldering gazes make your eyes roll to the back of your head, his wandering hands going down again. he touches you like you're the most precious and fragile gem he's ever seen, occasionally tucking your hair behind your ear, paired with kisses all over your face.

you shake your head, miffed that you're still thinking about last friday night. and the nights before. its tuesday now and today was the first time he had ever talked to you in a while, putting aside the fact he had whisked you away from the library, saying he had enough of studying and planned a night of netflixing and chilling, willingly providing all the snacks you needed. he had pinned you in classic style against your front door, hands against your head and needy lips on yours.

you walk to the library, the place where you can trust to find solace. you can vividly recall the time jungkook had randomly proposed a study date in the library after finding out you were in the same mandatory class for communicative english, practically revolving around you until you had accepted it and told him you'll help him. that was the first time you had seen a peek of the real jungkook, always munching on a snack or sipping on a sweet drink. he was remarkably clever, wondering why he had even asked you for help.

settling down in a corner where you're sure no one will bother and you're sure you can get some work, you finally open the big book of cell and molecular biology, fingers mindlessly flipping quickly until you reach the index. there lies a light green sticky note, with the words, "let's study again, fr. no netflix and chill this time ;)" neatly scrawled.

jungkook knows he's left you feeling utterly clueless, glancing at your lone figure at a corner in the library. the soft sunlight streaming from behind you make your whole existence seem unreal. you're bopping your head to the music blasting in your ears, taylor swift maybe? he thinks, recalling the vinyls you had propped up on your desk.

he knows he's not supposed to do this to you, he was specifically warned not to. his friends had said you were a sensitive being, never really interacting with anyone unless you were approached by someone. your silent hard work was never left unnoticed, becoming prey for people who have no intentions of passing their degree with effort. maybe that's what they suspect, jungkook muses, guessing his hyungs think he's approaching you for that sole reason.

but why did it have to be you?

you, with your quiet nature and alluring aura. you're always seen on campus, the library, cafeteria and classes your usual haunts. whenever your eyes meet his, it curves into polite half-moons, pretty lips turning into a graceful smile. you're almost like an angel, flitting in and out of his vision. he can't help but admire you, eyes trailing over your attractive stature.

maybe you felt his gaze or you just happened to look his way. whatever it is, he can't bear to look away from you, your eyes bearing an unreadable emotion. he reluctantly breaks away when a book is shoved in his hands, "developing emotional competence. is this the book you wanted, dear?" the old librarian asks jungkook kindly. he nods, following her to finish the process of borrowing it.

he can't leave without looking at you again, even it's the back of your head, hair tied into a pretty knot, a few strands falling out. your shirt falls off the shoulder, his plaid shirt, jungkook realizes. he leaves the library, feeling oddly exhilarated, feeling even more excited to see you in the evening.

"you can touch darling, you know that."

"jungkook stop it, that sounds wrong!"

he chuckles at your cheeks coloring, tattooed hand slowly caressing your bare calf. your eyebrows are furrowed in concentration, frown lines creasing your forehead and he smooths out your lines, eliciting a small smile from you. you're quickly sketching his muscles on paper, the sound of pencil gliding over paper a lilting lullaby for jungkook's ears.

jungkook's currently shirtless, tattooed arm around you for support. your soft request of, "can i draw you for my anatomy class?" and your pretty eyes had him melting, not really expecting himself to strip himself for study purposes. he had settled on your cloud of a couch, spreading his legs immediately. he patted the space he left in between, silently asking you to sit with him. you could never say no to him.

he peeks into the drawing pad, impressed at your skills. you're erasing and defining his left arm muscles, small arrows and handwriting indicating the parts. you drop the pencil and pad on your lap, breaking your knuckles and stretching your arms. "aigoo, my model student," jungkook praises, linking his fingers with yours, kissing your knuckles, "you've worked hard today as well," he says to your hands, massaging them. you wonder if he does this to every other person he hooks up with. does he hold their hands with his supple ones, kissing each of their knuckles? does he keep as their drawing materials aside, pulling them impossibly closer? does he effortlessly carry them to their bed, laying them oh-so-gently on their pillow?

you're on your bed now, you realize. jungkook's kissing you like you're the answer to all his questions, fingers gently gripping your neck. he kisses you like he wants to commit you to his memory, pulling you up so you're sitting on his strong thighs. your eyes almost roll back when you recall the last time you were in this position.

"eyes on me, pretty girl," he murmurs into this kiss, pulling apart to gaze at your siren eyes, always luring him in. "we don't have to do anything," he says firmly, "you could talk about cupcakes and sprinkles and rainbows, i swear i'll listen to you." you chuckle, tucking his hair and fixing it up, not a least bit sorry in making it messy.

"what brought that on?" you ask him, trying to figure out at what point of your impromptu make out session did he read your mind. he gently puts you on your bed and your heart almost drops, if it weren't for his hands still on you.

"i feel like we haven't talked about what this whole...thing is," jungkook admits, surprised at his hands fidgeting nervously on your lap.

you think you can hear your own heart break when you say, "it can be anything you want," knowing his anything could mean hooking up for atleast a week and then ghosting you, never to be seen again.

"but that's the thing, i don't want it to be just anything," he says earnestly, "i hate that this sounds cliché but i want this to be something nice," he grips your hands, inching closer to you.

a loud clap of thunder startles you, flinching and glancing at the rapidly intensifying rain. you look back at jungkook, whose doe eyes still bore into yours. "you should go now, you know before the rain becomes worser." you turn away from him, hands feeling peculiarly empty.

you don't hear shuffling behind you. you don't see him walking past you to pick up his shirt and wear it, taking his bag and leaving like he wants. "don't make me do things i don't want to do," a strong arm curls around you, head leaning on your shoulder. you look down at his hand fidgeting with the hem of your oversized t-shirt. he isn't making any moves to get you back to bed, slow breathing tickling the back of your neck.

you reluctantly push yourself back to bed, leaning against the headrest. jungkook doesn't make any advances to touch you, despite being so close to you. "i like what we're doing now," you say truthfully, "the study dates, long nights and your random cups of coffee while i'm in the library," he smiles, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.

"but?"

"there isn't one. i'm just scared."

his wandering and awkward gaze is on you immediately, eyebrows scrunched in question. "i've heard what you do and i'm terrified of that happening to me," you say frankly.

"i like you too much to do that," jungkook says sincerely. you look up from your twiddling thumbs, wide eyes on his honest ones.

"you've been so nice to me and i've done horrible things and yet you're still not pushing me out the door," he says, lips turning downwards.

"i want to stay in your life," he continues, "if you'd let me, of course."

"am i dreaming or are you actually making me breakfast?"

you smile, flipping the pancake and look at jungkook waddling sleepily, arms immediately around you. "come back to bed, we have so much to catch up on," he mumbles into your shoulder.

you put the last pancake on the stack, wiping your hands, "what do we have to catch up on?"

"we stopped anatomy halfway through last night," he reminds you, turning you around and lifting you up so you're on the counter.

you roll your eyes at his cheekiness, looking down at his crinkled eyes and bunny smile. he nuzzles into your neck, hands wrapped around you tightly. you never thought you'd see him like this, beyond the wildest of your midnight dreams. he's real and you hope he never disappears, always wrapped around you like how he is right now.

coaxing you to come back to bed, sweet kisses from your shoulder to your neck and finally onto your lips. he holds you like you'll vanish from his sight, large hand splayed on the small of your back, tattooed hand cupping your face tenderly.

he kisses you like its the last time he'll see you, warm hands slipping under your t-shirt and staying there, nothing more and nothing less. you wrap your legs around his lithe waist and he whisks you away to your bedroom, your happy giggles filling your tiny abode.

pt time: @armys-dna ; @junsai-tree ; @soobhyun ; @shatzkrinslinzki ; @highly-functioning-mitochondria ; @cherishoshi ; @fragmentof-indifference

[biblio-smia]

one bed (ends up cuddling) trope with Mike Schmidt please! thank you & congratulations :)

thank you!! | part of v’s 800 follower celebration!

when you'd picked abby up and she told you about the upcoming overnight field trip her class would be taking, you were signing up as a chaperone before she could even finish speaking. you'd assumed mike would be busy and you were happy to keep an eye on abby. you'd thought it was settled, then, and you spent the afternoon with her until mike came home.

you'd fallen asleep on the couch after abby had gone to bed, mike's late shift keeping the house quiet until a little after eleven. you wake at the sound of keys jingling and by then, you've forgotten all about abby's field trip.

it really slips your mind until you're at the schmidt's, right and early, overnight bag in your backseat. mike is confused, telling you that abby has a field trip today.

"i know," you say hesitantly. "that's why i'm here?"

the two of you turn to look at abby, who's giggling to herself.

"abby!" mike starts with a sigh but it's clear abby feels no remorse.

"they said we could have up to two chaperones!" she defends.

you give mike a look that says well, what can we do? and get abby's stuff in your car.

and really, you don't mind. you'll never protest against time spent with mike and abby, arguably some of your favorite people in the world.

however, you had not anticipated the accommodations.

you'd skimmed through the section briefly before signing off, under the premise that you'd be accompanying abby alone. while students would be spending the night "under the stars" in the observatory, parent chaperones were sent to a nearby hotel.

and, of course, assuming that two chaperones for one student were together, you and mike found yourselves sharing one room - and one bed.

"i can... call? or go to the front desk, we can try to get another room," mike offered quickly, avoiding your gaze, holding on to his things in the instance that he would have to leave the premises.

"that's okay," you say a little weakly. but really, you don't want to shove that responsibility onto mike.

"i can sleep on the floor," mike suggests.

"mike," you say, almost laughing. "i don't mind."

neither of you dare speak of it out loud, taking turns getting ready for bed in silence. it's awful and unlike any time you've spent with mike in almost the entire time you've known him (save for the very first time you'd met). there's a strong avoidance of eye contact as each of you climb into bed on very opposite sides - you're almost afraid mike is going to fall off.

you've been physically closer before, but now there's an intimacy surrounding both of you that frightens you. you're nervous, overly self-conscious of every little movement you make, every habit you have while lulling yourself to sleep.

you wonder what goes on in mike's mind with your backs turned on each other and suddenly you decide you can't take it anymore.

you roll onto your back and, a few moments later, feel mike do the same. you take it a step further, roll onto your side to face mike.

"i bet abby's having so much fun right now," you say with a grin.

"oh, i bet she is passed out," mike challenges.

"i don't know," you hum. "this is, like, the ultimate sleepover."

mike hums and then he's quiet again until finally rolling over to face you.

"is this awkward?"

"i think you're making it awkward." you reach out to pat mike's shoulder. "we've taken naps together before."

"right," mike nods, laying flat on his back again.

you take a chance. you scoot closer to mike, wrap your arm around his. he turns his body towards yours, inviting you closer. you bite your lips as you lean into his shoulder, trying to relax.

"goodnight," you say quietly.

"goodnight."

mike fights, very hard, to resist the urge to kiss your head.

[milaeth]

୨୧┊ 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆. ( mick schumacher )

✧.* pairings ─ mick schumacher x fem! bsf! reader

✧.* genre ─ headcanons ⨾ fluff

✧.* summary ─ dating mick schumacher headcanons with the childhood best friends to lovers trope.

✧.* warnings ─ none, just fluff <3

✧.* mily’s thoughts ─ this took me way too long but was a lot of fun to make ngl. requests are open so please request ily mwah

∿ your trope would definitely be childhood best friends to lovers! (he just screams that trope, no criticism allowed)

∿ you may have met through your mothers who became friends and one day decided to bring their children with them.

∿ he was so shy at first, but he became so much more extroverted with you over time.

∿ the two of you did everything together and were basically attached to the hip.

∿ he was always too nervous to do certain things on his own so you came along with him or did it for him (now it's the other way around lol).

∿ you were at every one of his go-kart races, always supporting him and cheering the loudest.

∿ you always ran to him when he won a race and practically threw him to the ground with a big hug.

∿ your parents always said how cute you would look as a couple, but you two always stressed that you were just friends.

∿ growing up, you were there for every milestone Mick reached in his career, still cheering him on from the sidelines like you did as a kid.

∿ you were so proud of him when he won the formula 2 championship in 2020 and proudly told everyone that your best friend was Mick Schumacher.

∿ you both went through it all together. wether you laughed together in the best of times or cried together in the worst of times, he was your rock, and you were his.

∿ even though you were just friends, you were constantly mistaken for a couple, and you two always had to clarify with an embarrassed chuckle that you were best friends.

∿ but just as his career had shifted into something bigger over the years, so did your feelings for him.

∿ casual displays of affection were suddenly not so casual anymore.

∿ sharing a bed together because “we've always done it that way” suddenly made your heart beat ten times faster than when you were a kid.

∿ friendly looks had turned into longing ones over time.

∿ suddenly, you started to see him in a different light.

∿ you kept quiet about your growing feelings for him because you were embarrassed and thought they were one-sided. after all, you would rather be sad and unhappy than deal with the rejection that might have come from his lips.

∿ whenever you said “i love you” to each other, your heart ached because you thought Mick meant “just as a friend”.

∿ but little did you know that mick felt the same way, even longer than you did. he's always had a crush on you, but he was too nervous to tell you, just like you were.

∿ Mick missed you (more than best friends probably should) when you weren't there, for example at a race, because something important came up.

∿ he started hugging you a little longer and tighter than best friends did.

∿ he often admired your beauty and just stared at you in awe, while you thought he had simply zoned out (which happened quite a lot).

∿ he was always nervous when you complimented him, scratching his neck and avoiding eye contact while his cheeks flushed.

∿ or he smiled at you a little longer than usual after something you said.

"why are you still smiling?"

"hmm? what?"

∿ it's safe to say that you were both in love with each other, but too oblivious to notice that the other felt the same.

∿ after a million stolen glances and flushed cheeks, he finally confessed to you when you were both 22 (thank god, it was about damn time).

∿ he had been so nervous, but his mother had assured him the day before that you definitely felt the same way and he had nothing to worry about (even though you never told her about your feelings for Mick).

∿ the confession was super romantic. he told you to meet him at his house later that day and surprised you with a whole picnic setup in his backyard along with little lights decorating the scene. He had made you your favorite meal, and you both ate outside on the comfortable blanket in the warm summer evening. as the sun went down, he shyly confessed to you with a gentle smile adoring his face and pure love dancing in his blue eyes.

“i have loved you all my life” and “it’s always been you.” (sleeping on the highway tonight)

∿ after Mick and you got together, you found out that both your families had made several big bets about how long it would take for you to get together (his mother won).

∿ you later found out about the things she had told him the day before he had confessed, and you asked her how she knew.

“you knew about my feelings for Mick?”

“i think part of me always knew.”

“but i never told you...”

“you didn't have to.”

∿ now, two years later, you’re still dating your extremely taylor swift coded, golden retriever boyfriend who’s a literal sweetheart and does no wrong.

∿ Mick and you collectively decided that 'invisible string' by Taylor Swift is your song (he listens to it all the time and always has to think of you)

∿ you haven’t made your relationship public yet. many people know that you’ve been “just friends” all your lives, until now. you’re sometimes a little nervous about what the fans might say, but Mick is always quick to assure you.

“you're amazing, how could anyone not love you? and even if some don't, it's not your responsibility to make them.”

∿ he hugs you from behind and puts his chin on your head <33

∿ lying in bed and he just showers you with kisses :(

∿ sends you your favorite flowers!!

∿ forehead/temple/top of the head kisses>>> (he often says goodbye with a little peck on the lips or the forehead).

∿ you often comfort him after a bad race by holding him in your arms while he buries his head in the crook of your neck.

∿ he’s always checking on you, asking if you've eaten or how you’ve slept. he’s such an angel <3

∿ you had a stressful day? he’ll shower you in kisses and buy you your favorite candy so you have something to eat while you two watch a movie of your choice, all cuddled up while he rubs your back.

∿ after keeping your relationship a secret from the public for years, you finally feel confident enough to stop worrying about potential hate comments. you want to kiss Mick in public without fear of cameras being pointed at the two of you. so you decide to hard launch your relationship with an Instagram post.

liked by mickschumacher and 57.585 others

yourusername one single thread of gold tied me to you <3

tagged: mickschumacher

view all 9.689 comments

mickschumacher i love you <3

don’t forget to like, comment & reblog (it’s very much appreciated <3). requests are open so pls request stuff :)

© milaeth | 2023

[queenofbaws]

! Pride Month Challenge 2024 !

Well hi there, everyone! With May winding down to a close and June just around the corner, it's about that time again...the time where @jadedsunshine, @unicornaffair, and I host our yearly create-a-thon! 🥳

What's the Pride Month Challenge, you might find yourself asking? Well, this year it's a little bingo game we've put together, featuring some classic tropes. The aim of this particular game? Make something!!! Anything! Just get those creative juices a-flowin' and see if you can snag a B-I-N-G-O along the way!

This challenge is open to everyone and anyone who wants to take part, whether you know the three of us or not! We're going to be using the tag #pridemonthchallenge2024 for the stuff we create, so if you decide to join in on the fun and games, feel free to stick that tag on whatever you make, too! If you're interested in more details, you can check below the cut or reach out and ask ;)c

Either way, happy almost-pride, and happy creating!!!

I don't write fic - can I still participate?

Ab. So. Lutely!!! We've done this challenge for a few years now (we've missed a year or two for weddings and other life stuff, whoops!), but in the past we've had people doodle, sketch, draw, make edits, create props or other physical art, and even curate playlists! The three of us are writers, so you're very likely to see fic or ficlets from us...but you? Oh. Oh, you can do whatever your heart desires!!!

Are there word limits/expectations for a finished product?

NO!!! :D Zero. Literally zero expectations. We aren't putting together an exchange, we aren't holding a competition, we're just trying to get the spirit of creation in the air. That's it! So whether you're writing 50 words or 5,000, whether you've made a rough sketch on a notebook page or fully lined/colored a scene, you're good! You're so good. As long as you've made something, you've earned a stamp on that bingo card, baby!!!

What if I don't want to do something fandom-y? Can it be OCs/original work?

OF COURSE!!! 100%. You don't even have to ask!!! Show the world your OCs! Tell the world about your story's worldbuilding! It's all fair game :)

What if I don't want to post what I made?

Don't sweat it! Again, this is...the farthest thing from official. This is for fun, and this is for the sake of making something. Sharing your work can be nerve-wracking - don't feel like you have to! We'd love to see you playing along with us, of course, but as long as you've made something that you're proud of, you've earned that stamp! No ifs, ands, or buts!

Is it cool if my creations aren't necessarily pride-themed?

Totally! We host this challenge during pride month because (1) it traditionally works better for the three of us than NaNoWriMo because of our schedules, and (2) we're queer creators ourselves! But if you're feeling a prompt and can't find a way to make it relevant to pride, PLEASE don't sweat it! As I've been known to say (and then get laughed at for saying), this challenge is no rules, just right, Outback Steakhouse :P

Let's say I get a bingo...what do I win?

:) Nothing. <3

Wait, really?

:) Really <3 Hehehe, in all seriousness, this challenge has been a fun way for us to sit down, take our minds off of life and our bigger projects and just...make some fun stuff! In our humble opinion(s), being able to point at a finished piece and say "I did that! I made that!" is its own kind of reward. The bingo board itself is really more for bragging rights ;)c Which, of course, we encourage wholeheartedly. Nothing wrong with a little bragging!!!

We hope to have you along for our month-long adventure! Again, we're going to be using the tag #pridemonthchallenge2024 for our own stuff, so if you'd like to use that tag - or tag any of us!!! - in whatever you end up creating, feel free!!! We love seeing what everyone comes up with, and this challenge is always so much more fun, knowing other people are taking part! <3 Hope to see you along for the ride!

*The bingo board was made by the lovely @jadedsunshine 🥰

[autisticlancemcclain]

fic rec friday 47

hello and welcome to fic rec friday! where, on friday, i rec five of my favourite fics.

Damnit, Pidge by spirkylurkey

Pidge has some top-secret-classified-don't-tell-Keith-info that she accidentally lets slip to, you guessed it, Keith. Lance is an embarrassed mess. Keith isn't faring much better, to be honest.

this one made me LAUGH the way that this all pidge's fault and she's literally like. well. you shouldn't be so gay then. and she's right!! they're so dumb i love them

2. Operation: Faking It by @writeonclara

“What the hell, guys?” Pidge squawked, wrestling away from Matt. “Why are you pretending to be a couple?” Or: Matt and Lance pretend to be a couple because Shiro and Keith are clueless as hell.

do you guys remember shatt?? i remember shatt. adashi will always have my heart but shatt will literally always be funny bc ofc thats ur fic name. anyways. this fic is mostly klance but the entire concept is just so ridiculously goofy that u have to laugh. do you like lance and matt? do you like fake relationship to real relationship? do you like inverted tropes? do you like pining? do you like comedic jealousy? then this fic is well and truly for you because it has all that and more

3. all's well that ends well to end up with you by @coruscatingcatastrophe

Keith's jacket gets ruined, so Lance decides to be a good Samaritan and give him his. This is the beginning of the end.

megan's fic literally make me want to eat cement i'm so serious. i've read and been obsessed with TONS of her stuff but this one???? this fucking one???? oh god the slowburn kills me. the blossoming realisation that oh god we've been dating this whole time huh. the CHIVALRY...............a romance novel in the truest of senses and i am going to fry

4. as long as it won't separate you from me (i'll be fine) by @coruscatingcatastrophe

A little intrigued—not that she’d ever admit it—Pidge begins to climb the stairs. But before she even reaches halfway, the door—slams shut. All on its own, or so it seems. Pidge pauses, brows creasing in confusion, as she turns to look down at her dog. “Did you see that?” she asks. Peculiarly, she notes that Bae Bae’s fur is bristled, and he growls at the door before barking twice. That’s weird. Bae Bae never growls. Turning back to the door, Pidge feels unsettled, but she tells herself not to jump to ridiculous conclusions. There’s a logical explanation for everything. Maybe there was a gust of wind from the air conditioner, or the doorframe isn’t level. Whatever it is, she’s going to figure it out. - Or, a Beetlejuice au (kind of). Pidge isn't a fan of her new house, Lance and Keith are the ghosts haunting her attic, and together they hatch a plot to convince Shiro and Adam to skedaddle out of the house. There may be demon summoning involved. But seriously, Adam. Getting your hair set on fire really isn't that bad.

HAPPY (late) HALLOWEEN!!! ive been thinking about this fic all october and finally let myself reread it. ive never loved beetlejuice more than when i read this. it's so fun!! so interesting!! pidge gets a chance to shine!! klance are so!!! the way it had the story of beetlejuice but adapted well!! im!!

5. never thought i'd see the day in my life by @coruscatingcatastrophe

But Keith has somehow gone even paler in the short amount of time he’s been at the table, and he shakes his head. “No, something is . . .” His gaze flickers back to Lance, and he’s startled to find that Keith’s eyes are purple. They’ve got to be contacts. Ridiculous. As if the mullet and gloves and personality weren’t enough. Keith pushes away from the table abruptly, looking incredibly put-off now. “I, uh—gotta go,” he mutters, before angrily gathering up the backpack he’d dropped into the chair next to him and storming out of the cafeteria. “Huh,” Hunk says. “Well, that introduction could have gone a bit better. Don’t take it personally though; sometimes Keith’s just like that.” - Or, a Twilight au starring Lance as Bella, Keith as Edward, and the rest of the Voltron gang as themselves. Lance is insufferable, Keith is awkwardly trying to figure out why Lance is the way he is, and along the way they fall in love, or something. It's probably, definitely the best love story since Twilight itself.

now ive never read twilight and i refuse to on principle. but i didn't find this one creepy and instead it was super fun and dweeby and lance is indeed a ray of sunshine, thank you megan for noticing, and it turns out when the story isn't a hetero mormon wet dream it's actually a good time!!

that’s it for today!! i’ll see y’all back next friday for the next fic rec post!!!

[genericpuff]

So I just read episode 275 and I’m sort of confused?

(I took screenshots, but the ask won’t let me include them so) At the end of the episode Hera summons these little balls of light(?) , maybe small stars(?) and then she casts them down onto Kronos.

I feel like that was really anticlimactic and not illustrated well. Along with the viewer not seeing Hera fight Kronos, a God that’s been tormenting her, her last attack(?) doesn’t feel right — like, there’s no power behind, if anything, I’d compare it to what a healers animation in a game looks like.

Rachel even emphasizes how strong and brilliant Hera is with Persephone, but then doesn’t show us anything. I know the scene was split between Hera and Hades dealing with Kronos physically and mentally (asleep), but it was sort of disappointing.

What I think really sucks about the setup for the Hera vs. Kronos fight is that, as cool of a concept as it is to have Hera and Hades both fighting Kronos in separate timelines, it fails on multiple levels:

1.) All the build up of Hera saying "I was created to destroy you" winds up meaning nothing because it cuts away to Hades for the entire fight

2.) When it does cut back to Hera, she's just kinda... sitting on Kronos? Like what did she do besides just breaking one of his fingers? Why weren't we allowed to see that? I think this is more so clearly Rachel's inability to write/draw fight scenes showing through, so she relied entirely on the Hades' sequence which was less physical fighting and more just Hades monologuing before turning Kronos into a diamond.

3.) And speaking of the diamond thing... so we're just expected to believe Hades could turn not just people, but Titans into diamonds? This whole time? How is he just suddenly able to do this? It feels like a shonen anime where the main character has a flashback to a scene from 3 seconds ago (in this case, Hades' conversation with Melinoe) and then unlocks a new special ability through it, but it somehow feels even less earned than it does in anime (and trust me, I can't stand that anime trope at the best of times LOL) Like at least in something like Naruto it's like... okay we have this ability Naruto's been trying to master and we've seen him work at it for a few episodes so seeing him finally nail it on the brink of defeat is like, really hype and fun. But Hades just turns Kronos into a rock out of nowhere when we had zero reason or build-up to believe that would ever be possible. Why not, IDK, have Morpheus finally master her ability to dream dive and use that to trap Kronos in an eternal sleep? At least that would have had some pre-existing foundation especially with how much of S3 was focused on the dream diving shit. IDK, the whole thing's really contrived and silly and relies a lot on the reader just going "okay! yeah that makes sense!"

4.) So Hades turned timey-wimey Kronos into a diamond... but then it cuts back to present Kronos who's just been somehow defeated by Hera through ✨magic✨ and that's just it? What about present Kronos? Is he just still trapped in Tartarus now? Why isn't he also a diamond if Hades turned some past form of Kronos into a diamond? Or was the goal just to free Melinoe so present Kronos couldn't keep using her powers? But who's to say Kronos can't just do what he did again by reaching through time to grab Melinoe and start the whole thing over again? Especially now that Melinoe doesn't remember what happened and would be none the wiser that Kronos has attempted this before? Is it because this is present Kronos whose time abilities were 'exhausted' to him 'long ago'? Then how was he able to pull Hades into the time-bowl to begin with? Again, just like the diamond thing, this entire conflict relies a lot on readers just shrugging and accepting it because there's zero foundation for the concepts that are being portrayed and thus zero logic besides "just go with it".

I can go on and on about it but at the end of the day LO just isn't a comic that should have attempted having any big Marvel fight scenes. This is an issue in a lot of romance comics that have gone on too long, they start to lose the plot around their third season and then just throw everything out the window for some other big plot that makes no sense within the context of the story. Somehow LO, a Greek myth fantasy adaption, made fighting the God of Time seem out of place and boring.

God I can't wait for Hades 2.

[lilacwisps]

How about Sebastian, Garreth, and Ominis reacting to MC asking them to pretend to be her boyfriend? Maybe someone else's hitting on MC and she wants to get away?

You are a nonnie after my own heart, I love fake dating as a trope 💜

Sebastian: 

Sebastian's surprised and a little amused when MC asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend to ward off the annoying advances of an older student. 

He will not miss this opportunity to tease MC, "Is that really the best plan you could have devised? Can't you just teach him a lesson with some ancient magic?"

"If you don't want to help, you can just say that," MC scoffs, "I could always ask someone else."

It's almost embarrassing how quickly Sebastian folds upon hearing that - while he might think MC's plan a little silly, the last thing he wants is for someone else to have their hands all over MC. 

"Hold on, I was just trying to ensure you've actually thought through your plan. I will help you - after all, it's always nice to have you in my debt."

MC's plan turns out to be relatively straightforward. The older student often hangs out in the Transfiguration Courtyard by the fountain - all they need to do is pretend to have a date in the courtyard and ensure he sees them.

Playing pretend has always been Sebastian's forte - lying comes as easy as breathing to him, and he likes MC - so he knows he'll have no problems convincing MC's admirer that she's "taken". 

Sebastian will fully commit to the ruse - his arm's around MC's waist, pulling her close before they ever reach the courtyard. After all, they need to make this seem real, don't they?

Once in the Transfigurations Courtyard, he instantly spots the older student that's been bothering MC. Perfect. Sebastian leads MC to the marble pavilion by the pond, which just happens to be right in front of MC's admirer. 

Once they stand by the marble balustrade overlooking the water, Sebastian pulls MC closer. 

"Don't be a stranger - we need him to believe we're actually in love, don't we?"

Sebastian will take a few liberties with MC - run his hand up MC's back, tuck her hair behind her ears, and pull her even closer until she's pressed flush against him. 

He's enjoying himself more than he should - but then again, the feeling of MC against him makes it hard to focus. 

When Sebastian notices out of the corner of his eye that MC's admirer is staring at them and all but fuming, he cannot contain a smug smile. That's right, MC isn't for you. Will take MC's hand and press a light kiss to her knuckles, reveling in the way it angers MC's admirer. 

His hand lingers on MC's waist - the feeling of her pressed against his side is almost dizzying. When their gazes meet, Sebastian feels his heart race - and he cannot stop himself.

"Play along now," he murmurs, leaning in, "This should do the trick."

With that, he kisses MC on the corner of her mouth. The contact feels as though a jolt of electricity runs through his very core. 

The kiss ruins him - ruins him in a way Sebastian didn't even know was possible. Before he ever pulls away, he knows one isn't enough - will never be enough. He knows he'll be lying awake at night yearning - aching - to kiss MC again and again and again. 

When he pulls away, MC's looking at him wide-eyed, "What was that?"

Desperately trying to calm his racing heart, Sebastian nods towards MC's admirer, who's hastily leaving the courtyard, "You wanted him to believe that we were on a real date - from where he was sitting, it looked like we've actually kissed. Don't look at me like that - you had nothing to worry about. I wasn't actually going to kiss you. In case this was, you know, your first."

"It's adorable that you'd think that," MC chuckles, and a burning, all too familiar feeling of jealousy unspools in Sebastian's chest, "But I appreciate your concern for my virtue."

His gaze drops to her lips. It's the strangest feeling - just half an hour ago, he'd thought she was just a dear friend - and now he desperately wants to kiss her till she's flushed and breathless. 

"Still, I owe you one for helping me deal with this situation - so, how can I repay you?" she continues. 

A thousand thoughts rush through Sebstain's mind - and he'll sooner take each and every one of them to the grave than breathe a word to her. "Don't worry about it for now," he says finally, "I'll come to collect in due time."

"Don't keep me waiting too long."

Ominis: 

When MC approaches Ominis, asking him to pretend to be her boyfriend to get an older student that's bothering her to leave her alone, Ominis's quite perplexed by the request. 

"Are you sure speaking to him directly won't yield better results than this ruse?" Ominis asks. 

"You don't think I've tried," MC sighs, frustrated, "He's not the sort to take "no" for an answer."

The thought angers Ominis to his very core. If MC did not want to be with her self-appointed admirer, he should respect that decision. Even though Ominis feels a little awkward about MC's request - partly due to his lack of romantic experience - he instantly agrees to help her. He will not stand for someone harassing MC like that. 

It helps that MC's plan is straightforward enough. Apparently, her admirer likes to spend Friday evenings at the Three Broomsticks, and all MC asks Ominis to do is to head there with her and pretend to be on a date. 

Though he lacks dating experience, deep inside, Ominins is quite the romantic, and he's read his fair share of novels, so he has some idea of what he needs to do. The most crucial part, it seems, is not to take any advice from Sebastian - sometimes, Ominis cannot help but wonder how his friend gets away with the things he does without being slapped.

"You look very handsome," MC tells him when they meet on Friday afternoon, and, for some reason, that makes Ominis's heart flutter. He put a little more effort than he usually does into his appearance that morning - after all, he and MC are going on a date. Even if it is a pretend one. 

Ominis's heart races when he notices that MC is wearing his favorite perfume - not that he'd ever told her that it was his favorite, of course, but secretly, he could not get enough of it. 

They walk to Hogsmeade arm in arm - if they run into the older student who's been bothering MC outside of the Three Broomsticks, they still need to make their date look believable. 

"He's in there," MC whispers when they reach the bar. 

During their date, Ominis is a perfect gentleman - he opens the door for MC, helps her out of her coat, and pulls out the chair so she can sit down. It's a strange feeling when Ominis suddenly realizes that not only does he not mind - he actually enjoys doing all that for MC. 

Despite Ominis's original reservations, being out on a "date" with MC feels oddly natural - they are talking, and they are laughing, and he feels so at ease around her, the way he rarely does around others. 

His heart races in his chest when he feels his hand brush against MC's. Driven by a sudden urge, he takes her hand in his. Realizing what he's done, he half-expects MC to pull her hand away - yet, somehow, that is not what happens. 

"Good thinking," she says instead, interlacing their fingers, and Ominis can feel the heat rise in his cheeks. With every passing moment, it's becoming more and more challenging to focus on their little ruse. Instead, he tries focusing on his butterbeer and the sweet treats that they've gotten.

"Ugh, they should warm that the jam in this pastry is so liquidy," MC says, clearly annoyed, "Now I've got it all over my face - and we are out of napkins."

Blood rushes in his ears - he knows that he should go offer to get napkins for MC, but words leave his mouth before he can even think, "Let me help."

"Alright," MC responds, surprising him. 

Ominis doesn't remember reaching out - only the moment his hand finds her face. Her skin is soft and warm under his touch, and when he sweeps his thumb across her slightly parted lips, it's almost dizzying - he's never felt anything like that before. His heart flutters against his ribs like a caged bird, and the only thing Ominis wants is for this moment to last. 

"That should do it," MC murmurs, then adds, "Looks like he's leaving - great job!"

Ominis nods distantly - still too preoccupied with the feeling of her skin against his hand - when he suddenly realizes that his touch has lingered too long. Before he can pull his hand away from her cheek, suddenly, MC's hand is upon his.

"Thank you," she adds, leaning into his touch in a way that makes Ominis wonder if he'd imagined it. 

Garreth: 

 When MC asks Garreth to pretend to be her boyfriend to avoid the pesky advances of a certain older student, Garreth is equal parts concerned and amused. 

"I could talk to him if you'd like," Garreth offers, "I'll make sure he understands you are not interested."

"He won't listen to you either," MC sighs, "I know too many like him - the only thing that'll get him to back off is if he thinks I'm "spoken for"."

Garreth instantly agrees to help her - he hates the thought of someone continuing to pursue MC when she'd already indicated that she's not interested. Besides, Garreth enjoys a little mischief and chaos, and a fake relationship sounds rather entertaining. 

After all, how hard can it possibly be? He and MC are great friends who enjoy each other's company a lot - acting a little more affectionate than usual should be no problem at all. 

Still, Garreth's naturally a super affectionate person, especially in a relationship, so he makes sure to ask MC how much of a show they need to put on for this pretend relationship. 

"Just act like you normally would on a date," MC tells him. That Garreth can definitely do. 

MC's plan is relatively simple - they just need to pretend to be on a date during the next Quidditch game, which her annoying admirer will most certainly attend, and to ensure that he sees them together. 

As they walk to the stadium early on Saturday morning, Garreth holds MC's hand in his, interlacing their fingers. That way, even if they happen upon MC's admirer outside the stadium, it would look like they are actually on a date. MC's hand is soft and small in his, and Garreth would be lying if he said his heart did not beat just a little faster when she gently squeezed his palm and smiled. 

Once in the stands, they notice the student that's been harassing MC almost instantly - and settle a few rows in front of him, just to make sure he can see them well. 

As they sit down, Garreth drapes his arm around MC's shoulders - they are on a date, after all, it has to look real. 

 He doesn't expect MC to shift closer, pressing herself against his side and putting her head on his shoulder. She feels so delightfully soft and warm against him, and suddenly, Garreth finds himself completely distracted both from the Quidditch game and their little ruse. 

It almost catches him off guard just how much he enjoys being close to her. Garreth cannot help but steal glances at MC, mesmerized by her happy smile, the excited glimmer in her eyes, and her bright laughter.

Whoever gets to call her his one day will be a very lucky person.

Logically, he knows, of course, that they are pretending, yet somehow, it feels so right. 

The Quidditch match gets heated - everyone in the stands is on their feet as two Seekers rush desperately to catch the Golden Snitch. The effort is in vain - the ball escapes them both, soaring high into the sky. 

Garreth notices MC's house scarf loosened, one end hanging off her shoulder. "Here, let me help," he says. 

"Thank you," MC turns to him and stills as he fixes her scarf.

"All good now," Garreth murmurs, his hands smoothing the fabric.

Suddenly, he's acutely aware of just how close they are standing. MC's flushed and smiling, her face so full of happiness and life, and Garreth's breath hitches in his throat. His gaze drops, unbidden, to her half-parted lips, then darts back to her eyes. She's looking at him as though they are alone in the stands, as though nothing else matters, and he cannot resist - as if drawn by some unknown force, Garreth leans in. 

He comes to his senses just before his lips find hers, half-mortified that he'd given in to a sudden urge. MC's looking at him wide-eyed and dazed. He cannot do what he'd intended - and it would be far too odd for him to recoil now, so instead, Garreth shifts forward, pressing a featherlight kiss to the top of MC's head before resting his forehead against hers. 

"Oh," MC murmurs, and there's something in her tone that sounds almost like disappointment, but Garreth tells himself he must be imagining that.

His heart flutters in his chest when suddenly, he feels MC's hands around his middle as she shifts, hiding her face in his shoulder. 

"Thank you," she says softly, "I think he bought it."

"Of course," Garreth mumbles, his heart dropping as he wraps his arms around her, "Always happy to help."