catch me bringing a shiny red apple to my next doctor's appointment so he knows how much i hate him

Choose Me Instead II Draco Malfoy x Reader II Chapter 3 of 27: Honesty

Summary:  Pretending to be in a relationship with Draco Malfoy to get back at your ex might have not been the smartest idea you ever had. Especially during your last year of Hogwarts where you should be focusing on exams and your future plans. However, you were just pretending. There was no way in hell you could actually catch feelings for someone like Malfoy. … Right?

CHAPTER 2

A/N: I’ve come to the realization that I’ve changed so much in this story during the past few days and added some chapters that it can probably already count as a slow-burn fic. I guess. Not sure. Have fun! Thanks for the lovely feedback! I love you all to death <3

Words: 3583 Pairing: Draco Malfoy x female!Reader, post-war Warnings: mentions of sex, light swearing

It was weird being back at Hogwarts. Something about it still didn’t feel right. After the war, it was unimaginable for you to come back here and finish school. But they took their time and closed it off for over a year. The school got rebuilt, the victims buried, the survivors tried to heal and move on. On the first anniversary of the end of the war, McGonagall – the new headmistress of Hogwarts – publicly announced that the school would open for the coming year and the seventh graders were given the chance to repeat their year.

You were excited about coming back and seeing your friends again, gaining a little bit of normalcy. School, homework, petty drama – you wanted nothing more than to be busy with all of those things. Yet something felt different when you stood in the Great Hall for the first time after your arrival. Something had changed. You had changed.

“You’re daydreaming again, Y/N.”

Ginny’s voice pulled you back into reality. Your best friend sat across from you with her eyebrows raised, chewing on a croissant.

“Tired,” you replied and smiled briefly.

“From what?”, she asked. “You left super early last night!”

“Yeah, because it was super boring.”

The redhead shook her head. “It was not! There was a fight between two Hufflepuffs and that’s the best indicator for a fun party.”

You chuckled. “Is it though?!”

“Or,” suddenly she put down her croissant. A devious smile appeared on her face and she began talking with a lowered voice: “Did you leave the party early with your date to –”

“I beg you to not finish that sentence, please!”

Ginny laughed. “Oh come on! McLaggen is kinda cute!”

“He’s awful.”

“He doesn’t need a good character to –”

“Ginny!” You playfully threw an apple at her. She caught it, laughing. “You’re the worst,” you said and shook your head.

Just when you wanted to change the topic, someone else started walked in. You stopped midsentence, staring at the couple who were coming down the hall, holding hands.

Ginny saw them too and she knew what you were about to do next. “Don’t, Y/N,” she said softly. “Stay here. At some point, you’ll have to face them. They’re our friends. He’s my brother. We have classes together now.”

You knew she was right. Yet, running away still seemed like a better option to you. Ginny sensed that, reached over the table and squeezed your hand. “Stay,” she repeated.

Ron and Hermione sat down right beside you, cheerfully wishing you a good morning. You didn’t reply but smiled at Harry instead who sat down next to Ginny and gave her a kiss. They were a cute couple and you were happy for the both of them. They finally found each other.

The four began to talk right away. It was still exciting to be in the same year as them, to finally share classes and spend so much time together. Well, not for you to be honest. You could happily live without seeing Ron every day.

You tuned out their conversation after a while, still debating whether or not you should leave the table. Your eyes drifted over the other students in the Great Hall and got stuck at the Slytherins. Not many people sat there as most of them had already finished breakfast. Before you knew what you were doing, you noticed he wasn’t here.

You felt a little sting of disappointment and frowned. Where did this came from? As if you cared about seeing Malfoy.

Saying that you didn’t replay that kiss in your mind over and over again would have been a lie. When you left the small room last night, you felt dizzy and confused. Yet you repeatedly told yourself that the kiss meant nothing. It happened so you didn’t get caught. Good god, it was Draco Malfoy, probably the last person in this school you wanted to kiss (well, besides McLaggen). So no. This kiss didn’t mean anything.

“Y/N?”, you turned your head when Hermione said your name.

“Why are you staring at the Slytherins?”, she asked.

You shrugged but the blush on your cheeks betrayed you. “No reason. I was thinking.”

She frowned. Ginny and Harry looked at each other in confusion.

“So? What is it?”, you asked.

“Right, um, we wanted to ask if you’d like to come play Quidditch with us?”

You raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you play Quidditch?”

“Ron taught me over the summer,” she smiled at her boyfriend. “Besides, they have to try out for the team in two weeks anyways so why not practice a little.”

You looked at Ron who stared at his plate. He probably felt as comfortable with the thought of you playing together as you did. The way he avoided your eyes made you angry though.

“No, sorry”, you quickly said and suddenly stood up. “Homework.” This was it. You had to leave.

 ***

You gritted your teeth angrily as you made your way up the stairs. God, you still hated him for how he treated you three months ago. You were supposed to be friends and he fucked it all up. Now you could barely stand the sight of him and every encounter left you feeling like you needed to punch a brick wall.

Being so lost in your thoughts, you almost ran around the corner, crashing into someone.

“Watch it, Y/L/N!”

Great.

“Watch it yourself, Malfoy!”, you snapped.

Draco Malfoy stood in front of you, one hand in the pocket of his pants, the other gripping your arm to prevent you from falling down. It must have been out of instinct because as soon as he realized he was touching you, he let go as if you were a hot plate.

“Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed,” he stated dryly.

“Shut up,” you mumbled, lowering the tone of your voice a little. “And let me through.”

He did neither. “Did McLaggen find you after all?!”

“None of your business, Malfoy!” With that, you pushed him aside and continued walking down the corridor. You were too mad for Malfoys bullshit.

“Y/L/N!” Apparently he was particular talkative this morning.

You ignored him.

“I couldn’t care less for your obvious boy troubles –”

Who did he think he was?!

“– however, I still have something that belongs to you.”

This made you stop dead in your tracks and turn around. “What?”, you asked, brows furrowed in confusion.

He smirked. “Your shoe.”

Oh. Oops.

Annoyed, you shrugged. “So give it back to me.”

“It’s in the Slytherin common room.”

“I’d rather die than go down there.”

“I’d change the attitude if I were you. After all, you want something from me,” his voice grew colder.

You were unimpressed by that. “Make me,” you shot back.

There it was again – that look on his face. The same look he had yesterday as he gazed over your body in the small room. It made you shiver – and for a second you weren’t sure if it was the good or the bad kind of shiver.

Then he smirked again: “Quidditch field. Tonight after dinner.” And while he already started walking backwards he added: “I’d rather die than be caught talking to a Gryffindor.”

Goddamn Slytherins.

***

It was unusually cold for a September night. You shivered and zipped up your jacket, regretting that you didn’t bring a scarf. No student or teacher seemed to be outside at this time, only the occasional crow flying above your head and the rustling of leaves accompanied you on your way to the Quidditch field.

The reason why Malfoy chose the Quidditch field of all places to give you back your shoe was beyond your knowledge. Yet you didn’t complain. In about half an hour, your friends would join you. Before the war, this was one of your favourite spots to just hang out and talk.

When you arrived on the field, it took you a while to spot Malfoy. He sat way up on the bleachers. You groaned and made your way up the stairs. Malfoy didn’t notice that you came as he was busy writing something in a small green notebook. Huh. Interesting.

He flinched when you sat down beside him and quickly closed the book.

“What are you writing?”, you asked curiously.

Malfoy pretended not to hear your question and instead reached inside his bag. “Here,” he pulled out your shoe, handing it to you.

“Thanks,” you put in the small bag you brought. “So what are you writing?”

He looked at you with an annoyed expression. “You have what you want so you can go.”

“You’re no fun, Malfoy.”

“Says the Gryffindor.”

“Excuse me?”, you raised an eyebrow. “We’re more fun than all the Slytherins combined.”

“Right,” he scoffed.

Still, you didn’t move or leave so with a sigh, he added: “Do you have no friends to bother?”

You grinned. “I do. In fact, they’ll be here in –”, you took a look at your watch, “– twenty minutes.”

Malfoy rolled his eyes. “Perfect.”

“Why did you tell me to meet you here?”

“I was gonna be here anyways,” he shrugged. “Easier to make you come to me.”

You ignored his sly remark. “You were going to be here anyways? Alone?”

Another shrug.

Leaning back, you watched Malfoy from the side. He had dark circles under his eyes and kept his gaze focused on the field, his fingers playing with the sides of the notebook. Something (beside you sitting next to him) bothered him.

“So what was up with you this morning?”, he broke the silence.

You raised an eyebrow. “As if you care.”

“No,” he admitted. “But you’re obviously not leaving until your friends come and that question might make you stop staring at me.”

You chuckled softly. Then you realized that he was actually waiting for an answer. “Nothing important.”

“I figured.”

“You’re a jerk.”

“Probably,” Malfoy stated without any emotion in his voice.

You were silent for a few seconds. Part of you wanted to get up and leave. After all, Malfoy was probably the last one you could trust. He didn’t care and it was literally none of his business. You didn’t even like each other. Keeping it simple and vague was probably the best approach: “Dumb stuff, really. Like you said – boy troubles.”

Malfoy shifted without noticing it, turning his body more towards you, leaning in a little. “Well, now I’m curious. Who managed to make Y/L/N this mad and can he teach me?”

“I don’t know if you’re keen on Ron being your teacher,” the sentence just slipped out. You regretted it right away.

Malfoys eyes widened. “No fucking way.” Then he began to smirk – that evil, ‘I’m-better-than-you’-smirk he had perfected over the years.

Your face felt like it was on fire and you were glad it was getting dark already. Maybe he wouldn’t notice the blush. “Oh, be quiet!”

“Weasley?”, he scoffed, not believing it. He stared at you with quite the interest now. There seemed to be a lot more to you than he would have guessed. “How the fuck did that happen? Isn’t he dating the … isn’t he dating Granger?”

You knew what he wanted to call her but were surprised that he stopped himself. That never happened before.

“Yes, he is,” you mumbled and gave him a suggestive look.

This caused Malfoy to laugh. It was a dry, short laugh. He leaned back a little. “You’re kidding, right? Fucking hell, Weasel managed to not only screw you but do so while dating Granger?”

“I like how eloquently you phrased that,” you said sarcastically.

He ignored you. “How did that happen?”

“Okay, first of all”, you began, “… they weren’t dating when it happened. I’m not a homewrecker, that’s probably more of a Slytherin thing.”

“Does she know?”

“Know what?”

“Does Granger know you two f–”

“Geez, Malfoy, watch your language,” you interrupted him quickly, before you added: “And no.”

“So cheating isn’t a Gryffindor thing but lying is?”, Malfoy concluded, smirking again. “Good to know.”

“Oh, shut up,” you raised your chin. You were right about this in the beginning – you shouldn’t have told him anything. How were you supposed to get this right? Even though there was no reason for you to explain yourself to him, you still felt the need to: “They were going through a crisis and broke up and well … I spent a few weeks with their family and I always considered Ron a good friend but … but something happened. And then he ended things with me and got back together with Granger. Well, he got back together with her first and announced it in front of everyone, including me.”

“That’s how he told you that you two were over?”

You nodded. “Yup.”

“Phew,” Malfoy let out a whistle. “Wow. I must admit, I’m impressed.”

“Sure you are.”

Suddenly Malfoys facial expression changed from amusement to confusion. “So what’s the big deal now? You two screwed a few times and now he’s playing house with Granger again.”

You sent him another suggestive glance which caused him to let out another laugh.

“Please don’t tell me you got feelings for the Weasel,” he said in complete disbelief. Then his eyes suddenly began to wander further down and you realized he was looking at your … body. Rude. Before you got the chance to put him in his place, he simply said: “You can do a lot better, y’know.”

Oh. This was unexpected. You felt a blush creeping up your cheeks again and felt actually a little flattered by his words. Yet, they confused you. Why would he give a Gryffindor a compliment?! Was there a hidden insult in it? Maybe a slight undertone you didn’t notice?

“It goes without saying that this conversation stays between us,” you cleared your throat. “No one knows about this whole mess except Ginny. And you.”

Malfoy nodded. “You put an awful lot of trust in me.”

“Don’t disappoint me then.”

The two of you were quiet for a few moments. It was almost completely dark by now and a nervous glance to your watch made you aware that Ginny and the rest of her friends might appear any second now. The silence grew uncomfortable after a while.

“What’s up with that whole engagement thing, you mentioned yesterday?”, you wanted to know, remembering that weird comment of him. “And don’t act all mysterious again. I told you my mess now you have to share yours.”

Malfoy snorted. “Ask away.”

This was easier than expected. “Are you dating the little Greengrass?” Totally understandable if he was – Astoria was the perfect mixture of smart and drop dead gorgeous. A lot of guys were into her.

“No.”

“She called you ‘honey’.”

“Yes.”

You frowned. “I’m confused.”

“Do I really have to explain to you how pureblood marriages work?”, Malfoy said with a mocking undertone.

“Of course not. I just thought we left that behind us when the war ended”, you remarked.

He gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “As if hundreds of years of tradition can be forgotten with one war.”

“So you’re forced to marry her?”, you tried to understand the situation better.

“No, it’s an arranged marriage which is not even official yet,” Malfoy shifted slightly. “Mother would like it because the Greengrass family is still respected and …”

“… rich.”

He glanced at you quickly. “We lost a lot.”

“I bet,” you scoffed.

Abruptly, Malfoy got up and grabbed his bag. “I should leave.”

Out of instinct, you extended your hand to reach for him but stopped just inches in front of his arm. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that”, you apologized. Feelings of guilt and pity appeared inside of you as you didn’t expect him to be so openly hurt by what you said. “I heard … well, everyone heard about the trials and your parents and all that. Sorry.”

Malfoy hesitated but then sat down again. His whole demeanour had changed in just seconds. He had almost been … approachable but now the look in his eyes was as cold as ice again.

You cleared your throat. “Do you want to marry her?”

He didn’t answer right away. You wondered what went through his head in this moment.

“I don’t ask myself that.”

The answer didn’t surprise you. “Why not?”, you tried to dig deeper.

Again, a few seconds passed before he mumbled: “No, I don’t want to marry her. I hardly know her.”

“Hmm,” you nodded. “Does she want to marry you?”

“I don’t know”, he gave a half shrug. “She had a thing with Zabini over the summer so I guess … I’m probably not her first choice.”

The answer to all of his problems seemed so easy, you thought. Yet it would be met with much apprehension. Traditional pureblood families like his were difficult when it came to this stuff.

Knowing what his reaction would be, you still had to say it: “So don’t get engaged.” Before he could reply, you raised your hand. “Yeah, I know, traditions and all that bullshit. Why don’t you just start breaking traditions?”

Malfoy shook his head. “My family works a little different than yours.

“Not that different to be honest”, you whispered under your breath.

He heard you and you were met with a very confused look. When you didn’t elaborate, he continued talking: “Anyways, I can’t. I could try to postpone but I’d need a very convincing reason.”

“Like?”

“Another girl from a good family.”

“And?”

“And what?”

A grin appeared on your face. “There are at least ten girls I can name right away who’d love to get a shot with you.”

Seriously, even most of the Gryffindor girls your age had been crushing on Malfoy at least once. He was very attractive and clever and that whole ‘bad boy’-act made quite a few girls weak in their knees. You had noticed this too but being so close friends with Ginny and Harry those thoughts never found room to grow inside of you. In your mind, Malfoy had always been an arrogant jerk. Still is, you corrected yourself quietly.

“Have you spoken with them since I became a –”

… a Death Eater, you finished the sentence in your head. Looking at the young man in front of you, wearing his school scarf while sitting in a sports stadium, the whole concept of him being a dangerous criminal just seemed absurd to you.

“Besides it’s a dumb idea”, he continued. “It would be a fake relationship and no one in their right mind would agree to that.” He let out a dry laugh. “Only a Gryffindor can think of something like that.”

In that moment, your eyes met. Never before did you notice the unusual colors in them like you did now. The piercing grey reminded you of storm clouds on an autumns day. Yeah, a fake relationship. Who in their right mind would … Unless …

The sudden thought that appeared in your mind made you flinch. He seemed to be thinking the same when he quickly broke the eye contact, straightening up and staring over at the field.

You got up in a rush, swinging your back over your shoulder. To your big relief, Ginny and your friends had just entered the Quidditch field. Their laughter echoed through the whole area.

„I should go. There’s Ginny.”

He nodded. “Right.”

“Thanks for the shoe.” Could this situation be any more awkward?! You doubted it. Hastily you turned around and almost stumbled over your own feet when you made our way back to the stairs. Something else came suddenly to your mind.

“Oh, and Malfoy?”, you stopped. He didn’t turn to look at you but you knew he heard you by the way he slightly moved his head. “I know a lot of fucked up stuff happened and pureblood families are the worst but … but don’t spend the rest of the year sitting here alone. I bet that there are still quite a few of your Slytherin friends that want to spend time with you.”

There was nothing you expected him to say in response to that so it surprised you when he suddenly said your name. “Y/L/N?”

“Yes?”

“Get over Weasley. It’s beneath you.”

You were glad he didn’t see the big grin on your face.

 ***

Ginny was surprised to see you coming down the stairs and running across the field. She wondered what you did up there and frowned when he saw a guy sitting there with the all too familiar white-blond hair.

“Is that Malfoy up there? Were you talking to him?”, she wanted to know when you finally reached the group.

“Oh, um,” you stuttered. “We ran into each other.

Ginny squinted her eyes. “Right”, she doubted. “How did you –”

Bang! You let out a short scream at the sudden noise.

“Sorry!” Someone shouted and a very distressed looking Seamus Finnigan appeared behind dark smoke.

“What the hell did you do?” Ginny squeaked and with that she forgot all about Malfoy.

You looked back up to where he was sitting just a minute ago. He was gone now. A weird feeling was left inside of you after the rather unusual conversation you had with the Slytherin. You shook your head, trying to get rid of it and turned your full attention back to your friends.

***

I hope you like it! I’d love to hear what you thought about it! <3

CHAPTER 4

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Peter Parker - I’ll find my way to you(1)

Did I watch Far From Home and decided to write about it instead of doing responsable things? Of course. This will be a little different to what you’re used to do, becuase I’ll follow the movie and dialogues mostly, only that reader is the romantic interest instead of MJ. Hope you enjoy it, I’m really excited for this series!

If Tumblr fucks this fic up and doesn’t show the tags I’m suing them

Plot: Peter Parker couldn’t be more excited for the trip. It wasn’t only the best vacation he could dream of - I mean, Europe? Cool - but they also gave him the chance to spend more time with you, his new found crush that makes him stutter and blush. He should have known that something would get in the way.

-

Spider Man far from home featuring Peter Parker as a clueless, cute baby and reader, who is Bucky Barnes’ daughter and as badass as her father.

Warnings: far from home spoilers - but come on, you’ve seen it.

“I have a plan”

Peter all but fell on the chair, dropping his bag on the ground and making a few classmates look his way. He had just ran through the hallways, nearly colliding with a few people in his way. But if he wanted to talk to Ned before the class started, and the rest of the students came in, he had to be quick. Flash was talking about how the teacher had to grab some books from the library before starting the lesson, and he had took his chance; because lately, finding Ned alone was something weird.

Said boy looked at his friend with raised eyebrows, and put his notebook away. He had been making a list about the best ways to impress an European girl, something he didn’t want to forget. Ned was determinated to meet some pretty girl and impress them with his American accent; Peter had a hard time believing that, but he didn’t dare to break his hopes.

Before talking, he made sure there was no one around who could listen to their conversation.

“Okay, first. I’m gonna sit next to Y/N on the flight” Peter rushed his words out, and Ned hummed. “Second, I’m gonna buy a duple headphone adapter and watch movies with her, the whole time”

“Right” Ned nodded, his eyebrows furrowing as Peter kept talking.

“Three, when we go to Venice – Venice is super famous for making stuff out of glass, right?”

“True”

“So I’m gonna buy her a bright read star necklace, cause her favourite colour is red” Peter shrugged, moving his hands around. “And because of, well”

“It reminds her of her father, a worldwide recognised assassin but also the man who lives five blocks away from your apartment” Ned completed. “Didn’t he drive you to the last decathlon competition?”

“Yeah, her father” Peter nodded, not even blinking at Ned’s words. “Four. When we get to Paris, I’m gonna get her to the top of the Eiffel tower, give her the necklace, and then five, I’m gonna tell her how I feel. And then six hopefully she tells me… she feels the same way”

“Oh, don’t forget step seven” Ned crossed his arms in front of his chest, and Peter missed the sarcastic remark as he reached again for his notebook, where he had written down all the steps. “Don’t do any of that”

Brown, tired eyes met Ned, and the boy felt bad for about a second. It was obvious that Peter had been having a hard time in the last months; Tony’s death, the feeling of being on borrowed time because of the ‘blip’, and the pressure of being Spiderman in a world who needed superheroes more than ever. He could count with the fingers of one hand how many hours of good sleep he had gotten that week, and they were on Wednesday. Besides, he was also stressing with the stupid plan with the steps, and the final trip to Europe.

May had had the idea of writing down the steps. He had come to her – after Ned proved to be useless for it and Happy refused to talk about girls – when he had realized he had feelings for someone. Not just someone, but one of his new friends who shared with him more than just a friendship. Y/N Barnes, friend and work-colleague, talking about avengers. And of course, crush.

“Why” he sighed, not even asking. He thought of himself as a balloon that had just been poked with a sharp needle, and was slowly deflating.

“Because we’re gonna be bachelors in Europe, Peter!” Ned said, his voice too similar to a whine.

“Ned…”

“Look, I may not know much, but I do know this” he nodded at his friend to make sure he was still listening. “Europeans love Americans”

“Really?” Peter tilted his head and raised his eyebrows, knowing that probably Europeans didn’t really care about them. If he was European, he would sure not give a damn about America.

“And more than half of them are women!”

“Okay, sure. But… I really like Y/N” he gave him a tight smile. “She’s awesome. She’s super funny in a kind of a dark way. And sometimes I catch her looking at me and I feel like I’m – She’s coming – don’t say anything!”

Ned looked to his right, and indeed, another person walked in class. Betty waved from the door at you and you gave her a small smile, still not used to her and having so many teenage attention to yourself. Still, you made an effort and contributed to some of her conversations, although most of them were monologues. Again, that feeling that Ned had had about being wrong just moments ago came back when you looked at them and lighted up at the sight of Peter.

Not a lot of people noticed, but you were nothing like your father. The stereotype of a bad mean soldier died when someone talked with you for a few minutes. You were shy, liked puppies and colour pink, and even if your jokes sometimes crossed the line of personal baggage and were a little too dark, you were funny.

You clutched the big sketchbook to your chest and skipped towards your friends. Peter kicked Ned softly under the desk to avoid him saying anything about the plan, and Ned just chuckled awkwardly.

“Hi” you smiled at them, dimples on your cheeks that made Peter mess with the pen on the desk. “Excited about the trip?

“Hey. Uh, yeah” Peter tried not to make it too obvious that he was staring at you, so he looked at Ned. “We’re just – talking about the trip”

“Yeah, and Peter’s plan”

“You have a plan?” you raised your eyebrows, and Peter felt himself stopping breathing for a moment.

“I-I don’t… I d-don’t have plan”

“He’s just gonna collect tiny spoons while we’re traveling through all the countries”

The wink that he sent his friend wasn’t at all discreet, because to do so Ned moved all his face along with his left eye. Peter didn’t feel any better with the answer, if anything it made him feel a small pressure on his chest. He turned the pen around his fingers as he looked at you again, who thankfully, looked unsuspicious. In times like that he was grateful that you still hadn’t caught everything about the sarcasm and indirect intentions.

But even you, who spent more than half of your life locked in a cell and used as leverage for the winter soldier, knew that it was something weird to do. So you hummed and made a small grimace.

“Like a – like a grandmother?”

“I’m not collecting tiny spoons” he scoffed, pointing with the pen at Ned. “He’s collecting tiny spoons”

“Oh. Okay. Well… that was… a real rollercoaster”

Peter’s eyes drifted to your wrist as you moved your hands around, and his previous mood fell like a ton of bricks. He knew he should be thankful that you were allowed to come with them to Europe, since your father wasn’t welcomed in at least half of the countries. Thick, black bracelets fell on your wrist, a huge contrast to your delicate skin. They had a small red light that was always on, unless you broke one of the rules Thaddeus Ross had set.

He had been there when the secretary forbid you to leave the country, using words as ‘freak’ and ‘danger’. Between your father, Sam and a little bit of help of Pepper Potts, he had agreed as long as you carried the bracelets. Peter himself had threatened to go and talk to him too, rambling and speeding across the walls and ceilings as he traumatised May. But then, you had asked him to stay put, and he could never say no to you.

Peter bit his lip and tried to hide his discomfort at seeing your wrists. You had to endure enough from the rest of the classmates, and he would hate himself if you dropped that smile.

“By the way, my dad gave me some stuff for you” you changed the topic, digging into your backpack for something. A metal, clanking noise came from inside. “Told me you should have it since I’m not even allowed to cut an apple if I want to stay out of jail. In case something happen”

“What – don’t!”

Peter jumped out of his seat and pushed your hand back into the bag, careful of the sharp edges. He was too busy pushing the knives back into the bag to notice how your hands touched for more than one second, or to admire how your cheeks turned pink and you eyes went wide. You were so close that he could smell your vanilla scent, and you could see the wrinkles of his sweater’s neck.

The whole class seemed to disappear around as he finally noticed what he had done. Peter was always careful of not being too close to you, in case you could get overwhelmed – like in your first day of highschool – or feel uncomfortable. His own cheeks went red, and the tips of his ears started to burn. He pulled his hand out of your bag so quick that he got a scratch on his palm; not that he cared, as he jumped back to his seat and almost fell out of the chair.

“Did you bring knives to class?” Ned squealed out. A girl nearby had noticed, but she chose to turn away.

“Well, not knives” you tried to explain. “They are like – uh – daggers? Throwing daggers. Dad got them from internet, and some of them have dents so that when you stab someone –“

“Okay, class! I’m here!” the teacher cut your conversation, and a flow of students filled the class.

You quickly ran to your place at the back, besides another boy your age, and Peter tried to follow you as you moved. He could have sworn that you smiled when you passed his side, but he wanted it so bad to be true that he could have imagined it. Most of the times he thought you were looking at him in class, and when he looked at you, there was nothing to see. Sure, you liked to sit beside him at lunch time, and never turned down an awkward proposal for a “date” with Peter, although he was the only one calling them that, as nothing ever happened.

Still, he allowed himself a sweet second of happiness as he watched you greet your classmate and pull down your sketchbook.

“Dude” Ned chuckled behind him, and Peter stared with amused eyes. “I think that went really great”

-

“Yo, Parker”

Peter turned around and saw Flash calling him from the other side of the plane. He was sitting on the closest side of the window, but even from there he could see the boy’s smug smirk. So far, the whole ‘getting into the plane and not having any problem’ was going good. He had his headphone adapter on his right hand, and was preparing himself to tell Ned to change places with MJ and let him sit with you. The rest of the class seemed fine too, and he was enjoying the trip so far.

But of course not a lot of things in his life went right, and he felt his mood lower down a bit when Flash called him. He fidgeted with the adapter on his hands and nodded at him.

“This is called an airplane” Flash said, and to Peter utter mortification, you stopped right beside his seat to look at Flash. “It’s like the busses you’re used to, except they fly over the poor neighbours instead of driving through them”

“Madam?” a kind looking woman appeared beside Flash and looked at you, smiling. “He blipped, so technically he’s sixteen, not twenty one”

“I’ll take that”

“No – no she’s – s-she’s lying! I don’t even –“

Flash trailed behind the woman as he tried to take back the drink, giving you the nastiest look he could manage. Which wasn’t too big, as he was mostly embarrassed.

When you had first arrived to Midtown, two years ago after you father went to Wakanda and Tony – as a favour to Steve, who was like you uncle – let you stay with him and attend highschool, Flash thought you were pretty. He followed you everywhere you went, tried to win you over with the stupidest and most expensive details about his life and invited you to every party. Then, he noticed that you ignored him in favour of staying with Peter, who you had met in that airport fight. And from that moment, he liked to pretend he hadn’t liked you at all.

Once he was gone, you looked at Peter and gave him a small, shy smile. He smiled back, his face melting at the sight of you. He almost dropped the headphone adapter as he watched past by, if it wasn’t for Ned catching it in the last second.

“Classic of Y/N, right?” Brad Davis appeared out of thin air, following you into the airplane and making Peter drop his smile.

“Did you know Brad was coming?” he asked Ned once the boy was out; although he didn’t stop looking at him.

“It’s… so weird” Ned chuckled, looking at Brad too. “Like, one day he’s a little kid that cried and got nosebleeds all the time, and suddenly we blip back and he’s totally ripped and super nice. And all this girls are after him”

“Not all the girls are after him”

“No man, they’re all after him”

Peter felt a sudden weight on his chest that he couldn’t describe. Brad was helping you to put your handbag on the top part of the plane, apparently saying something funny; really funny, because you weren’t using that fake smile you put when you didn’t get what was funny or what people were talking about. The sound of your laugh usually made his stomach flutter, but that time it made him feel sick. He knew he was selfish for thinking that way – you were allowed to have friends, to be interested in someone, and to like Brad.

But he didn’t know all of that, it was just you laughing with Brad. He was so busy drowning in his own feelings that he missed how you looked at him once more before sitting beside MJ.

“Anyway” Ned went back to his bag, taking out his computer. “Onto more important things, it’s an nine hour flight. We play beast slayers the whole time”

“I need your help sitting next to Y/N” Peter blurted out, finally tearing his eyes away from Brad.

“Seriously?” Ned sighed. He left his computer on the desk and tried to look miserable to Peter, who was too busy already tearing his seatbelt away.

“Yes, seriously”

“What about our plan? American bachelors in Europe?”

“That’s your plan. That’s a solo plan. Come on, this is my plan” Peter tried to remember how May told him that he could get almost anything with those puppy eyes, so he put them on for Ned; who couldn’t be more unbothered by them. But Peter really, really wanted to sit with you. “Please”

Ned threw his head back and scoffed, leaving the computer back on the bag and tugging at his own seatbelt. Maybe the puppy eyes didn’t work with him, but Peter was glad to have such a good friend.

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Housebound

Paring: Victor Creed/Reader

Tags: gender-neutral reader, past Jean Grey/Logan, current events, quarantine, angst, angst with a happy ending, brotherly love, light fluff, alternative universe - modern & no powers

Summary: You and your boyfriend Victor are stuck at his brother's house during a quarantine lockdown.

Word Count: 1,611

Current Date: 2020-03-30

Requested by: @queengiuliettafirstlady​ 

The nation-wide call for a lockdown happened at the worst time. Well, it could have been worse - well, a lot worse. Yeah, it was unwise to visit Victor’s brother, all things considered. It wasn’t Logan’s fault that he’d found his wife had been cheating on him. It wasn’t his fault that the affair had happened since the 2016 election and that she wasn’t at tennis with her teacher at all.

Now you three were stuck in a flat.

“Of all things…” Logan cracked open another beer. At the rate he was going at, there’d be no liquor in two days, let alone the projected lift on the ban.

“Look, she’ll get what’s coming for her. You know, karma and all that,” you tell Logan, meaning it. When he doesn’t respond, you lean forward and take the bottle.

Quite unhelpfully, Victor has been staying out of all of this. While he’s not the best negotiator, he’s Logan’s brother and knows him better than you. Throughout lunch, he’d been quiet, near-brooding, patting Logan’s back when he sighed, passing things when he asked for them, grunted in response when conversation asked it of him. You’re not sure if this is because he’s mad that you insisted on helping Logan in this tough spot, or because he’s never really liked his brother, or perhaps, it’s your fault that you’re both stuck here in the one-bedroom flat in the poorer area of town.

“________,” Logan growls. “Give it back.”

Victor swipes the beer and returns it to his brother’s hand. “Let the man grieve,” he wrestles Logan to the couch, moving to the TV for something nonsensical to change the mood. “C’mon, bro. Save some beer for the rest of us.”

You sigh and push yourself up onto the bench. Outside the tiny kitchen window, the streets are bare, and there’s no traffic at all, except for the stray emergency vehicle. You can hear the start-up tone for Netflix as you begin to think of your lonely houseplants.

---

Come ten o’clock when everyone’s eyes felt like sandpaper, Logan retired to the bedroom. With the taste of unusual toothpaste in your mouth, you and Victor looked to the second-hand couch for respite. A couch that had lived a prolific life of stains and tears in its time, spills and thrills from the living rooms it had spent time in. Not counting the night that just had been, it must have lived for years off the arses of its owners. You looked at it with a distaste, thinking how Victor and Logan had spent hours watching something with subtitles that you didn’t catch the name of.

Victor wasn’t particularly chatty since Logan left the room. Not that he was any time, but anything to break the eerie silence would have been preferable. Thankfully, you had your phone charger with you, and your smartphone was a lovely distraction.

“You heading to bed?” Victor broke the silence.

Over your mobile game, you nodded. “I’ll take the floor.” You offered.

“Nah,” Victor rebutted, “You never know what Logan’s tracked into the carpet.”

Quietly, you agreed and took the couch. When the light was switched off, it felt less intimidating. Perhaps darkness was the best reveal of true strength, or maybe the anxiety of it all had caught up with you. Either way, you felt exhausted, but not too tired to reach for your boyfriend’s hand in the dark.

“What are you doing?” he grumbled, following the sound of him turning over.

“I -,” you stop, backtracking, “um. Good night.”

---

There’s nothing fresh left to eat after, other than the health food that was slowly turning to mould in the bottom of the fridge. Logan hadn’t stocked up a lick of anything, except for the beer, and frozen chips and gravy. Maybe homemade poutine was his comfort food, but it wasn’t something sustainable for any of you three.

Thankfully Jean had apples that were days away from turning bad, and with what ingredients you could find in the pantry, it was clear that there was only one way to make best of a bad situation: and that was by making apple pie. While Victor scrolled on new sites for any updates to the world news, Logan was watching through his boxset reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond. Leaving you to your messing around in the kitchen, complete with your headphones playing your favourite music to block out any negative thoughts.

By midday, you’d crafted pastry by hand. Lumpy, but pretty good for your first ever attempt at that sort of baking. By five, the apple pie was warm on the bench, growing colder beneath the window.

Quietly, you unplug your earphones and look around the apartment. The boys have moved since you last saw them, and tired, you trudge to the bathroom for a long shower to commemorate your success. Maybe, if you’re lucky, Logan’s cheating wife would have left some nice shampoo and body wash for you to filch.

You’ve been away from yours and Victor’s shared place for two days now, and it feels strange. It feels like you’re stuck at a sleepover, or it’s like that bit between Christmas and New Years’ Eve, or something else liminal. By the time you get out the shower and change, you go back out to check on the pie.

It’s still there. But, minus a sixth.

---

When Victor asks what’s wrong, you ignore him. Partly, that’s because you know there’s a chance that he’s the one who robbed your pie. Partly, it’s because lately, he’s been distant with you, and some part of you, a petty part of you, wants back at him. Logan doesn’t notice the pie, and Victor doesn’t talk about it. You’re silent, waiting. But it’s not brought up.

If you hadn’t already taken a shower, you’d go back in there and cry under the showerhead for a solid five minutes unhindered.

But when Logan makes his cheese-less poutine for dinner, you three all eat in silence in front of the seven o’clock headlines. When everyone’s ready for sleep, you wait. You know you’re the last awake when both brothers’ snores are reverberating in the room, and it’s then when you finally let it out.

At first, it’s just about the pie. You’re upset that one of them took from you without asking and didn’t bring it up or apologise at all. You’re upset that Victor isn’t talking to you. You’re upset that you haven’t slept in your bed in so long, and you miss your things. But then, you realise that you’re worried about the goings-on in the world. The unknown of it all. The fact that there’s no idea of what’s going to happen other than what you know -

“Babe are you crying?” you hear Victor murmur.

Sniffling, you wipe at your eyes, even though it’s dark, you try to roll away. But you feel Victor’s arm on yours, and suddenly he’s holding you in his arms. You’re caught by surprise, and the next sob comes out a little louder, but he’s holding you tight, and you cry into the crook of his shoulder, feeling the negativity come out.

“Tell me what’s wrong,” he says after a while.

“Everything is -,” you stop to cry some more, “I don’t know what’s happening! Logan’s not talking to me, and you’re distant and my pie -,”

Victor tilts your head with his hands, and in the darkness, you can barely see his face. But he kisses you, his lips dusting your face with the tears that had already fallen. While your boyfriend is never the most communicative, you could always rely on him, especially when life got you down.

“Logan’s Logan. He’ll get over himself. I’ve been packing up Jean’s stuff with him, and it’s…not easy for him.” Victor explains quietly. In the next room, you can still hear Logan’s snores reverberating through the shared wall. “and I’m sorry I’m distant. I pick up other people’s feelings, you know that.”

“You’re a nightmare to bring to a funeral,” you reminisce, sniffling.

“And Logan took your pie slice. He did it and felt bad, but he’s the worst at owning up, so hold it against him so we have leverage for next time he does you wrong, okay?” Victor snorts, and you chuckle back in response.

“I don’t want to blackmail him,” you moan. “I…I just want you to be proud I made a pie.”

“According to Lo, it’s the best pie he’s ever had,” Victor cheers you. A beat passes, and he kisses your cheeks once more. There are fewer tears there now, and his smooches are less watery. But they’re tempered, well-placed, and soon enough, your breathing is almost normal, and the tears have almost stopped falling. “and the thing is, babe…nobody knows what’s happening,” he whispers. “in the world.”

“Nobody?” you ask.

“Yeah. But that’s okay.” He exhales, and you lean closer.

You wrap your arms around him, bringing him close to you. The authorities have said to stay apart, but you’re a unit. You live together, even when you’re not at his brother’s house. You’ve been with him for years, and years and there’s no way you can part now.

“Yeah?” you prompt.

“Yeah.” Slowly, Victor takes you from the couch and lowers you onto the floor where he’s set up to sleep. You pull the comforter you had off with you, and together, you snuggle in each other’s arms. “…I mean, the world is big, but we’re all in this together.”

“Are you quoting High School Musical to me?” you ask him.

Victor’s arms around you are warm and comforting. “I’d do nothing less for you.”

18/11/2020 Additions to Reylo Fluff

These fics have been added to the Fluff list located here.

Sweet Home by Violetwilson (AO3 2018  Rated E Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Honestly, she only came to Waffle House at two AM to pick up Finn and Poe and maybe order some pancakes. Maybe. But what was she supposed to do when she found a hot businessman with a broken car in the parking lot? Not invite him to sleep over at her place until the town's only mechanic sobered up?) A Child and a Mortgage by AverageEpaulet (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: It was bring your child to work day. Whoever came up with that bright idea had a special place reserved in hell for all Ben Solo cared. He loved his daughter, more than anything, but that didn't mean he liked flaunting her around like a trophy with ”Got laid at least once” engraved on it.) I Still Do by merrymercy (AO3 2020  Rated M Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: 'Remember when you had a huuuge crush on me?That was so embarrassing for you.'' Drunk Rey greets her husband.) We'll tell our kids we met at Starbucks by M1ssJess (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, 2 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey goes on a date with Poe but ends up spending a much more enjoyable night with his roommate Ben.) Clumsily Yours by Hellyjellybean (AO3 2020  Rated M Complete, 3 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey is injured at work. She is shocked when her boss Ben Solo carries her to his car and takes her to hospital much to her embarrassment. He is over-bearing and over-protective of her during her stay and Rey doesn’t understand...although it is sort of sweet in a way...could it be that the big bad executive Ben Solo actually likes her?) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 46 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2020  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey's familiar, Kira, usually hates other people but keeps escaping to go visit her neighbor Ben, could he have his own secret?) Goodnight Moon by LittleAndikin (AO3 2020  Rated M Complete, 2 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben's 3 year old daughter Lily won't go to sleep without listening to the library's podcast reading of Goodnight Moon. When she's in the elevator with her father & a neighbour, she recognises Rey from her voice as the person who reads to her every night.) Where's my wife? by AverageEpaulet (AO3 2020  Rated M Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey dresses up as Ben's favourite TV character while he's out for drinks. But she's underestimated drunk Ben's loyalty.) Crisis: Girlfriend by perperuna (AO3 2018  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben had been in love with Rey for over a year when he asked her to go with him to his ex’s wedding as his date and ‘girlfriend’.) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 11 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2020  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben asks his father for help with the classmate that has been frustrating him. ) Pining and Puzzles by greywilde (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, 2 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey finds scraps of paper in the washer as she's doing her laundry, and her roommate Ben is acting strange about them.) Threads by Hellyjellybean (AO3 2020  Rated M Complete, 2 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben Solo is a cantankerous boss known for throwing away any gift his underlings give him. When newbie Rey decides to knit everyone a scarf for the start of fall, she's warned that Solo will not appreciate it. Everyone is surprised when he shows up the next day wearing it.) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 35 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2020  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben is always suspicious about his mother's matchmaking. This is how he fell for it again.) About You by LadyBrettAshley (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: An eight-month dry spell drives Rey to create a Tinder account. Already stressed about work, she finds herself exceptionally discouraged after her first date is a flop, and her neighbor, Ben, won't stop harassing her for being on Tinder in the first place. That is, until Ben makes her an offer she can't refuse...) In Bloom by Celia_and (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, 4 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: The flowers that bedeck her skin don’t lie. Ballet dancer Rey is in love with her partner, Ben. But the years go by and his skin stays resolutely, devastatingly blank. He doesn’t love her. But when his hands are on her body, she can pretend.) How Not to Break Up by LadyBrettAshley (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Nothing means more to Leia than her Annual Pumpkin Carving extravaganza. That’s why Ben asks Rey to keep their recent breakup a secret until after the party. After a carving-related accident, Ben comes to her aid and it turns out... they may not have to tell anyone they broke up at all.) Only Make-Believe by Hartmannclan (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey is in a car accident, so best friend Ben races to the hospital to be with her. What happens when she wakes up with amnesia and believes they are married?) would you be so kind? by youcarrymeaway (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, 3 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: An au where Ben accidentally hits Rey with his car, and also falls in love with her a little.) urgent caring by blessedreylo (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: ben meets rey on a visit to the local urgent care, and somehow keeps finding ways to see the cute girl behind the front desk (hopefully not losing an appendage in the process). ) What if I want to kiss you tomorrow? by Hellyjellybean (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben needs to share Rey's bed for the night, but does he want to share more than a bed with her? ) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 45 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2020  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: From childhood to adulthood, Ben is practiced at catching a clumsy Rey.) Close Enough to Kiss by Somewhere_overthe_Reylo (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, 2 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey's daughter comes with her to take a final exam. Dr.Solo ends up being soft for babies.) a tale of baseball and broken elevators by Zoa (AO3 2019  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey has sprained her knee. The elevator in her building is broken. She lives on the sixth floor. Her neighbor, Ben Solo, has arrived in the nick of time to help, but there's one problem: she hates him.) Lizzy Solo by Hellyjellybean (AO3 2020  Rated M Complete, 3 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Its bring your kids to work day and little Lizzy Solo meets Rey for the first time. "Are you the same Rey that my dad told Uncle Hux he was half in love with?") a night under the stars by blessedreylo (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Grandma Padme's retired life mostly takes place at the local senior center. When it comes time for senior prom, she asks Ben to go with her. Padme introduces him to senior center employee Rey, for whom this is the first prom she's ever experienced.) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 5 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2020  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben reluctantly helps his friend Kaydel pick up lingerie. In the dressing room, he runs into his intern Rey as she's trying out some items.) Wrong Number, Right Guy by greywilde (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Grandma Padmé texts Ben to invite him for dinner and reminds him he can bring his apple pie but she's mistyped his number and texts a stranger. Rey texts back to let her know she has the wrong number but Padmé invites Rey to join them anyway.) Anything You Need by SuchaPrettyPoison (AO3 2020  Rated M Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben knows women don’t come to him for his lacking social skills and awkward nature; they want to see if he's big all over. He figures why not finally use his assets to his advantage and (try to) flirt with and impress trainer Rey by working out in only biking shorts?) say it with a braid by reylo_mo (writermo) (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, 2 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: An AU where hairdresser Ben loves to style actress Rey’s hair in braids for events. There’s even a particular type he always goes for.One day Leia texts to ask him why he hasn’t brought his fiancée over for dinner. Thing is... he’s been giving Rey Alderaanian wedding braids.) I'm going to teach you (all about love) by Trish47 (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: When Rey's imposing roommate lands a position teaching kindergarten, she spends the year celebrating his victories and cheering him up in equal measure. It just so happens that Rey discovers her favorite method for doing so: kissing him.) You Make Me Weak by Hellyjellybean (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey decides to faint to get her boss's attention.) to climb steep hills by galvanator (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: No one really talks to the new girl who sits in the back of the class. She’s been here a month but kids are afraid of her and teachers are too overworked to be able to solve a problem like Rey. No one really talks to the new girl - except for Ben. A childhood to adulthood love story.) When Love is Like Pulling Teeth by CaliforniaQueen (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Han sends Rey his favorite mechanic to pick up his son Ben after a dental operation. High on meds, normally arrogant and cold Ben becomes quite the chatterbox.) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 30 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2020  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ex-military Ben doesn't expect anyone to wait for him in the airport. And yet...) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 2 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2020  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey constantly needs librarian Ben to help her get books from the top shelf.) Rey is Tired by mcloveproductions (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, 2 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey Niima is tired. Tired of college. Of her shitty interning job at Plutt's garage. Ben is also tired of the job he just quit. When he meets and pretends to be Rey's boyfriend, maybe that'll be the answer to their problems.) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 30 Sequel by Ayearandaday (AO3 2020  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey is attracted to morons. Ben assumes she doesn't like him and tries to apologize for his feelings.) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 18 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2020  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey asked for something to keep her warm for her birthday. Poe decides the best present he could get is Ben.) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 24 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2020  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben is absolutely terrified of the dentist. Luckily, Rey is by his side.) The Prince of Alderaan & Me by lalaitskelcey (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, 5 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey’s daughter steals popcorn from the prince of Alderaan, and a clip of it goes viral, much to Rey’s dismay.) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 20 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Meddly Mama Leia only wants her son to find his love and give her pretty grandkids to spoil. That's not too much to ask, right?) By Hand by Celia_and (AO3 2020  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Socially anxious Ben visits the same cafe every morning, and he’s fallen for sweet waitress, Rey. Every day he writes down a lovely thought about her, folds into a boat, and leaves it behind to be swept into the trash. He doesn't know that Rey has kept every single one.) I Don't Wanna Live Forever by MotherofScavengers (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Love goddess Rey has been tasked with finding love for Kylo, her friend and god of death. After centuries refusing any of the suitors she suggests, Kylo finally names the only person he would ever be willing to marry: Rey herself) Find Something You Like by ekayla (AO3 2020  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey is playing hide and seek in IKEA with Rose and Finn. She hides in a wardrobe. Ben is in need of new furniture. He finds a lot more than ample suit space when a freckley brunette nearly gives him a heart attack jumping out of one of the shop floor examples.) i found love where it wasn’t supposed to be, right in front of me by Lutrosis (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben’s the sweetheart nanny to Rey’s twin daughters. When her new boyfriend is frustrated that he’s lower on her list of priorities than her children, he dumps her. Rey texts Ben and comes home early to find her kids tucked in, and Ben, ready with ice cream.) An Open Invitation by monsterleadmehome (AO3 2019  Rated E Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey has a crush on her boss's son, Ben Solo. Ben is head over heels for Rey. They hang out all the time--he cooks her dinner, they cuddle on the couch. But he can't work up the courage to ask her on a real date. Rey thinks they're already dating and wonders why Ben won't kiss her.) Rocky Mountain High by reyloanne (AO3 2019  Rated M Complete, 11 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Pro tennis player Ben Solo suffers a season-ending injury in the finals of the US Open, prompting a personal crisis that leads him back home to Colorado. He just may find more than he was searching for along the way in the form of a pretty park ranger named Rey.) that's where you take me by blessedreylo (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, 2 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Single dad Ben asks his daughters nanny Rey to live with them during quarantine so she can help take care of her while he works remote. Lots of domestic proximity and mutual pining ensues.)

( hilarie burton morgan, cisfemale, she/her. ) — see piper rhodes?  that’s the girl next door of fairview . the thirty-nine year old has been a resident on neighborhood for eighteen years and currently works as an art teacher. they were rose's best friend. since the news broke their usual creative manner has seemed to been replaced by a insecure demeanor cracking under the surface. maybe it’s the fact that a dark cloud in the form of she needs a kidney transplant. burnt lasagne, half-finished canvas, wild bedhead curls and the smell of coffee.

Let’s start with a little HISTORY (TW: Death, Cheating)

Until she was ten, Piper Erikson’s life was boringly average. And looking back she liked it better that way. She had a loving mom who taught her how to draw and basically ran the PTA, she had a doting father who was only ever home on weekends, she had a big golden retriever who ran around the yard with her better than any sibling could. That all fell apart when her mother, just driving home from a Saturday night dinner with her girlfriends, was killed by a drunk driver. They were perfectly normal one minute and then overnight her world had changed.

Tom Erikson gave up his job, dedicated himself to raising his daughter and never truly got over his late wife. Their love story, her father loyalty to her mother even after her death, made Piper romanticize marriage slightly. She became convinced that there was only one person who there for everybody, and if you were lucky enough you found them.

However, her mother’s untimely death and her father’s sole devotion to her, also had Piper craving a normal family. One that felt complete. One she’d had once.

When she met Eric Rhodes she thought that she’d found her elusive one and even better, he convinced her that they would have the family she’d lost. They would be stable and whole. They’d be happy.

And for a time they were. Within six months of meeting the two were engaged, they’d known each other less than a year when they got married. First comes love, second comes marriage, third comes. After her daughter was born, Piper thought she had everything she’d ever wanted. Sure she wasn’t the perfect wife Mrs Erikson had been, she couldn’t cook to save her life and she could never get trouser creases ironed just right. But she had her husband, she had her child, she had the nice house in the good neighbourhood.

She should have known it would all fall apart. Should have learnt that not everything that shimmers is gold.

When she found out that Eric had been having an affair she was livid, heartbroken, devastated. He’d broken every promise that she had built her life on and suddenly she felt like a failure. As a wife, though she loathes to admit it, but more importantly as a mother. She felt as though she’d let her daughter down, at least her father had always preserved the image of his perfect marriage. She didn’t even have that to offer.

She wishes that she could hate her ex as much as she should, as much as she wants to, but she certainly hates his new girlfriend and the fact that out of every place they could live in Fairview they’ve chosen the next door.

She and Rose, despite having been friends since the Rhodes moved onto Wisteria lane, had a bit of a falling out when the affair became public. In Piper’s mind, her longtime friend wasn’t doing quite enough to support her over Mila. They made up, and had been trying to move passed it before Rose’s death, but things were still more strained than they’d been before.

For the last eighteen years, Piper has taught at Fairview High. Once dreaming of becoming an artist, the instability just wasn’t compatible with her life as a married mother. Even moreso now that she’s a single one. However, it was important to her that she kept art in her life and she still puts her art school education to good use. It was her final connection to her mother, she might not be able to bake those apple pies or collaborate a bake sale, but she can still create and that makes her feel powerful.

At the beginning of last December, she was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, further along than her doctor would like. She’d planned on telling her friends, but she hadn’t wanted to ruin their Christmas - Christmas is her favourite holiday and God forbid anything ruin the sanctity of the holiday - it turns out she needn’t have worried with Rose’s death effectively killing all their spirit. She hasn’t found the right time to drop her own healthy bombshell on them, and frankly she’s feeling guilty that she could have passed the disease onto her daughter. She already feels as though she’s failed her so much.

And now for some PERSONALITY

Piper at her core is a creative. She might not be a Pinterest mom and she struggles with elements of DIY but give her a blank canvas and she you’d swear she could create magic.

She’s determined, doesn’t know when to give up. Sometimes she has to be flexible, she’s learnt how to adapt, but she always gets there in the end.

Much to her embarrassment, Piper is the clumsiest person you’ll ever meet. Sometimes it’s as simple as going over on her heel, which is why she’s always preferred flats, or tripping over a step. However, coupled with her forgetfulness, she has gotten herself into some humiliating situations over the years. It’s a wonder she can still look her neighbours in the eye.

Piper used to be fun and confident. However, still the affair there’s been a notable change. Surely anybody would understand though, your husband of nearly two decades cheating on you with the new young fit neighbour, it would be enough to make any woman insecure.

Ile de Re (Chapter 1)

I wrote this fic  last year, mostly while on holiday on this lovely island.  If you are on Archive of Our Own, you may have seen it before. Written before Matrix 4 was announced and before Covid so sorry that the timelines are no longer realistic!

Summary

Keanu meets a chef to help him prepare for a movie role. Events conspire for them to spend even more time together than they planned and despite the large age gap, romance ensues.

1 2 3 4 5  6 7 8

April 2020

Keanu hung up the phone and quietly fist pumped to himself. He’d just had news that a new project had been green lit. It was one he’d been collaborating on for some time - where he’d play an American chef, somewhat down on his luck who was establishing a new restaurant in a rural French town. The thing that thrilled him most was that the project afforded him the chance to finally learn how to cook – at least a bit - because he’d need to demonstrate some skill in the film itself and to ‘find’ his character he wanted to understand more about the craft of being a chef – especially the passion that drove them.

He went to his office and pulled out his laptop, opening a file holding details of some chefs who Erwin’s team had tracked down that fit the bill in terms of the knowledge they had and their personal experiences. He dropped an e mail first to a chef names Yves Le Gouhier and another to a woman called Claire Bonnevin. They each had restaurants in LA but were French natives who had trained at home before heading to America to open restaurants of their own. He hoped that the guy would say yes since he felt he’d probably relate better to his experience however he checked out both of their bios and looked at restaurant reviews on line.

A few days later, the decision was made for him as to who would give him the coaching as Mr Le Gouhier was out of town for at least a couple of months, establishing a new restaurant whereas Ms Bonnevin was able to fit him in for some daily ‘classes’ starting the following week. Whilst mildly disappointed, he also recalled that he’d actually eaten at Ms Bonnevin’s place once and had really rated the cooking which mixed homespun flavours with Gallic finesse - the seafood there was to die for.  He responded quickly in the affirmative, and ever the perfectionist, asked if there was anything he needed to bring or any preparatory work he could do before Monday. Claire replied that if he could let her have a working copy of the script and tell her what his favourite meal was before the weekend – they could work on the skills he’d need to demonstrate in the film and, depending on what the meal was, also aim to make his favourite meal to a good standard by the end of the week. If he had some friends who’d like to eat what he made, then he should ask them if they were free.

“What a question!” he pondered, thinking about what his favourite meal was. Keanu was a man who liked to eat - so much so that he needed the counsel of his trainer Denise to keep off the pounds in between films! Would it be a good steak with garlicky greens and crushed potatoes?, veal with a cream and mushroom sauce, roast lamb with flageolets and dauphinois potatoes – this task was just making him hungry!  He decided on the latter thinking it would be a challenge and fitted with the style of cooking they had at “Le Chat Botte” which was Claire’s restaurant. The pressure of feeding something he’d made that wasn’t bacon and eggs or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich was both thrilling and unnerving. He messaged his sister Kim, his mother and friends Rob, Alex and Josh who were all pleased to be free although they joked that they might need to go to Macdonald’s to fill up afterwards!

Monday came around and Keanu pulled up at “Le Chat Botte” at 9am prompt. Entering via the service entrance as instructed, he walked into a spotless kitchen with gleaming stainless steel work stations, hobs and ovens  ranged along one wall and a large wooden kitchen table in the centre which had 2 sets of chopping boards in different colours along with a variety of knives, spatulas and other cooking implements arranged side by side in the centre of the table. No-one was in sight though Keanu could hear the sound of a voice coming from an adjoining room. Walking across the kitchen he stuck his head round the door of what turned out to be an office where he saw a petite, dark haired woman he recognised (from her bio) as Claire Bonnevin  - she was speaking to someone on the phone in French. She raised her hand to him in greeting, mouthing sorry and hurried to complete the call.

“Oui, Oui, je te rapellerai demain  - mon nouvel client vient d’arriver, oui oui c’est lui, donc il faut que j’accroche.  D’accord d’accord, je sais. Au revoir”

Claire turned to Keanu blushing - she had the distinct impression that he’d understood that she’d just referred to him in her conversation.

“so sorry about that – that was my restaurant manager back home in France just giving me an update on my dad  - he’s not been too well recently so we’ve been talking every day” Her English accent was excellent with only a slight gallic note.

Keanu stuck out his hand

“Nice to meet you Ms Bonnevin and no problem – you didn’t need to rush them off the line on my account”

Claire smiled and shook his hand, “I heard you were impossibly polite! – of course I did, I was eating into your paid time – nice to meet you too by the way. Keanu grinned - Claire could feel the colour rising in her cheeks again  - she wasn’t exactly sure why - maybe it was the directness of his gaze or the brilliance of his smile.

“So, are you ready for your training?”

Keanu chuckled and responded with what he thought was the expected reply “hell yeah” but Claire didn’t react, “maybe the Matrix reference was unintentional” he thought – she was pretty young after all, (her bio said she was 35) so maybe she was one of the few whom it had passed by!

“So let’s go through to the kitchen and get started” she said leading the way back to the room where Keanu had entered earlier.

For the next 4 hours they talked through and tried out some of the particular skills that would be needed in kitchen scenes. Whilst they worked, they got to know each other a little with Claire wanting to find out about Keanu’s food knowledge and experience and Keanu quizzing her about her beginnings in the industry. He discovered that she grew up on a tiny west coast island in France called L’Ile de Re” where her Dad still owned a restaurant called, like hers in LA, “Le Chat Botte”.  He no longer worked as a chef there but lived in the little village where it was, hence the manager being able to keep Claire appraised of his health.  She’d learned her craft there and then moved on to train in Paris, New York and then LA to establish her namesake restaurant in the US.

For her part, from what Keanu said, she could see that despite not having grown up in a house where people had a passion for cooking, he nevertheless clearly had a passion for food  - from the humble sandwich to fine foods from around the globe. He was also a quick study, picking up the knife skills needed to finely chop onions and garlic on film that he’d need. She was a patient teacher, though she would occasionally break into French when she was struggling to communicate the exact technique such as when at first he couldn’t master the rotation of the knife needed to chop finely:

“tient tient, comme ca” she said, placing her hand over his to show how the blade needed to rock back and forth over the garlic.

At 12 they broke for lunch at which point Claire challenged Keanu to make her his best sandwich from the ingredients on hand. He asked her what she liked and created a layered club sandwich which she declared excellent. By the time he left at 1pm, Keanu was convinced that she was an excellent choice of teacher and one he’d enjoy learning from. He could hardly wait for the next day when they were going to study cuts of meat by going to Claire’s favourite butcher.

The week progressed with a mix of hands on cooking classes and continued trips to suppliers which served to explain the importance of provenance and quality ingredients. They also worked on timings  and started to plan the stages of creating the menu Keanu had planned for Friday’s lunch.

On Thursday Keanu tried out the dauphinois potatoes and was thrilled with the result - he was really starting to enjoy cooking and his rapid growth in skill. Claire praised him warmly and suggested he try a dessert as well for the next day.

“You could try something simple like a mousse au chocolat but I think you’re ready to really wow them”

“Oh yeah?” Keanu grinned “With what?”

“A tarte Tatin”

“What!, are you sure?”

“Absolutely – you’re an excellent student - let’s do one today together, you’ll master it I’m sure”

She showed him how to prepare the sugar and butter in a special tin that could go on the stove and then in the oven to finish. They prepped the apples placing them rounded side down in the tin and proceeded to caramelise the butter and sugar until it was a gorgeous molten mahogany. Then he learned how to make the shortcrust pastry using cool hands to rub the butter into the flour then bring it together to a dough which rested in the fridge. Once rolled out, he placed it onto the cooled apples, tucking in the edges round the sides. The result when they turned the tarte out (upside down to reveal the apples) was amazing – sweet, tender apples with the sugary caramel cut a little by freshly grated lemon rind and a melt in the mouth pastry to top it off.

“See!” she smiled, “I knew you could do it”

“No, you did it!” he grinned

“Well, OK so today we both did it but tomorrow it will all be down to you”

Friday came and Keanu got to the restaurant at 8am wanting to have as much time as possible to get everything perfect.

By 11.30 the lamb was resting, his gratin and tarte were in the oven and the beans were simmering gently.

The meal was beginning with a simple salade aux lardons  - it was time to dress it with the vinaigrette he’d made earlier. He started to toss it gently but some lettuce flipped out over the side

“Watch out you don’t drop too many said Claire – unless you want lots of children’ she laughed!

“What?” Keanu asked, shooting her a quizzical look.

“it’s a saying we have in France that the number of leaves you drop when you’re tossing the salad tells you the number of kids you’ll have.

“Oh right” he chuckled, “that’s cute, but it’s way too late for that”

“What do you mean?, you’d have time to have them if you wanted, surely”

“I’m too old Claire”

“What, you must only be what?”, she paused to look at him and consider his face “…. About 45”

“Ha ha” Keanu laughed heartily.

“No, I’m fifty five”

“Merde” she exclaimed “ce n’est pas possible!”

Keanu shook his head and smiled - he loved how she reverted to French when she was reacting spontaneously to something.  

“I’m afraid it’s true, so even if I had a wife or even a girlfriend, I still think it’s too late to be having babies. I might be dead before they’re 20 or 30.

Claire’s face clouded over

“Sorry I didn’t mean to be all maudlin” he said

“Don’t worry, it’s just my mother died when I was 25 so I know that’s hard – but people die all the time, young and old.

“Ain’t that the truth” Keanu agreed quietly, remembering his own past.

“and lots of guys have babies when they’re older. Maybe you shouldn’t rule it out”

“Maybe maybe, anyway, enough serious talk, we should raise a toast before our guests arrive”

He poured himself and Claire a glass of wine.

“Here’s to satisfied customers!” she said

“and here’s to you for being such an amazing teacher – I can’t believe you’ve got me this far so fast”

“well that’s really down to you” she replied, smiling, “you work so hard and learn so quickly, it’s very impressive”

“I don’t know about that!” he said blushing, “Anyway, let’s not get ahead ourselves, I haven’t served it yet!!

They put down their glasses and Claire went to see if the guests had arrived at the table they had set aside in the restaurant. Meanwhile Keanu busied himself with finishing the salad and carving the lamb which he was happy to see was just the right shade of pink. He put it in the warming oven and also took out the tarte Tatin praying that it would be as good as the one yesterday when he turned it out later. Finally, with the main course as ready as it could be, he took the salad and some French bread through to the dining room.

The meal went down a storm - at the end Keanu stood and raised a toast to Claire

“Thank you for all your kind words folks but we really need to toast this amazing lady who has taught this old meat head some cooking skill. He took her hand and placed it over his heart

“ thank you, thank you, merci beaucoups, I’ll be forever grateful!”

Claire laughed and blushed.

“Just wait until next week when we’ll have you working in the restaurant kitchen, then you might not be such a fan!”

He laughed

“That may be!”

They said their goodbyes to Keanu’s amazed guests and went to clean down the kitchen.

“How’s your dad by the way?”

“Oh about the same apparently – no better, but no worse, he just needs to take it easy and stay off his damn bike”

“Oh, a pushbike or a motorbike?” Keanu asked, his interest peaked

“A push bike – he’s not a racer guy like you!” Claire saw Keanu pull up each day often on different bikes so she knew about his passion for them.

“everyone goes everywhere on bikes on the Ile de Re” she continued - it’s a cyclist’s paradise with cycle paths across the salt marshes and oyster beds and through the forests. But he had a heart attack last year and whilst he is supposed to exercise, he just pushes himself too much and that worries me”

“Do you have any other family there to keep an eye on him?”

“No, I’m an only child and there are no aunts or uncles either.

“Is your father still alive? She asked.

“Yeah – well at least I haven’t heard otherwise! He left my mother when I was three and I haven’t seen him since I was 13.”

“Mon dieu that must have been tough growing up without a dad”

“Yeah well I had my mum and my sister - he wouldn’t have been a good role model anyway”

“I could see today that you adore Kim and your mother”

“Yeah, yeah  I do - family and friends are my rocks to come back to  - after every project that’s what I look forward to”

“You know you’re not at all what I expected!” Claire stated.

“Oh, how so?” he asked

“Well, a couple of people I mentioned you to said they heard you were a nice guy and very polite but I guess I just expected someone more ………..starry, you know!”

Keanu burst out laughing.

“Well I’ll take that as a complement” he said

“you should – you’ve made it a very easy first week of teaching” she smiled

“Well thanks” he said the colour rising in his cheeks.

They finished up in the kitchen and Keanu took his leave saying he’d see her at 9am prompt on Monday for his week in the working kitchen.  He’d enjoyed her company so much that he’d almost asked her to dinner but held himself in check. She was so much younger than him and he knew his feelings weren’t entirely platonic. She was very cute with olive skin, beautiful eyes and a slender yet not too skinny figure – he didn’t really have a type but she hit the spot with him. He’d just have to quash those thoughts, focus on the learning and keep things on a friendly footing.

https://allie1804-fan.tumblr.com/post/625977593110364160/ile-de-re-chapter-2

thank you! i think you're genuinely the only person that has ever said they actually like the fact that my bathrobe is obnoxiously pink. and you're absolutely right, one of the things i like most about it is that it hurts people's eyes. i love it actually. if you ever celebrate halloween you should absolutely add your bathrobe to your costume. an amazing idea. since it has a mouse face on the hood it could be two costumes rolled into one - both a vampire and a mouse (if in the middle of the evening you get bored of one), which i think would be awesome. and you probably wouldn't get cold (is it cold in nz during halloween? because here it almost always is). we don't celebrate halloween in lithuania either though. which i'm a bit bummed about, because halloween sounds super fun. mostly because of the dressing up! but i did celebrate it once, when i was 11 or 12 maybe? me and a couple of friends decided it would be fun even if it's not really celebrated here. so we dressed up, even went trick ir treating (half the houses had no idea what was happening and also i pretty much froze to death because i was dressed as a dead bride and refused to put a coat on because then you couldn't see my dress) and also watched horror movies. 12 (or 11) year old me thought it was amazing.

oh yeah! i've broken a knife on 2 separate occasions i think. once i tried to get something out of between the blender's blades, used a knife and then accidentally turned the blender on (i'm so fucking glad it was a knife and not my fingers). so the tip of the knife broke off (the blender was ok tho). and the second time i have no idea how it happened. i was cutting up broccoli and the knife just fell apart??? i was so confused, because one second i'm holding a knife and the next it's just two pieces of a handle and the metal part, all separate. had fun explaining that to my dad. you sound pretty unlucky too! i mean, a cut every time you use a knife, but you don't even notice it at the time? i think it's just that knives are out to get us (it's my newest conspiracy theory). i actually get double vision too sometimes! mostly when i'm tired, but i just figured that it was because i have really bad eyesight

they definitely SHOULD teach about gender and sexuality in school. it's a really big problem that in a lot of places it's either not compulsory or not even in the curriculum. honestly, everything i know about sex ed or lgbtq+ i had to learn myself on the internet, because we only had one class when we were like 13 years old with a guest speaker and it was mostly biology and then a little bit about menstruation and pads for girls (i have no idea what they told boys because we were also separated). so sex ed definitely sucks a lot in my country and i bet it's the same in a lot of others, which makes me really mad

exactly!! it's so hard to tell whether i'm feeling romantic or platonic love sometimes! it's confusing. also i remember one time me and a couple of friends had a sleepover and the friend's, who was hosting, parents weren't home so we watched romance movies (scandalous i know). again we were maybe 12. and they kept going "oh he's so hot" and intensely watching the sex scenes. while i was looking away from the tv whenever sexy times were going on and commenting on how much i loved the house design and the garden. gee i wonder what that means. (still can't believe it took me this long to figure out i was ace)

the breakfast went very well though! it's so interesting how different traditions are everywhere. i hope your lunch and the rest of christmas day went well too! (also i forgot to ask last time, but what is boxing day? google says it's mostly a shopping holiday, is it that? we just call it the second day of christmas and it's pretty much the same as christmas day but there's no presents!) but yeah i hope you had fun with your extended family on boxing day!

having acid reflux sounds like it sucks. i love breakfast, it's my favourite meal of the day (when i don't have to rush that is) and i skip lunch a lot because i usually have no time for it (my schedule kinda sucks), so i usually try to have a bigger breakfast. but hey, peanut butter is good! so at least you can have something that tastes good for breakfast!

aaand i feel like this ask got away from me. sorry it's so long!

it’s because i have t a s t e. it may not be GOOD taste but it sure is...taste...and i am proud of it. and yes, i love the idea of adding my dressing gown to my costume specifically because it means i’m basically in my PJ’s. minimal effort. comfort to the max. living the dream. halfway through the night i’m tired of being the vampire no one invites in so i drop to my knees and start the mouse act. mice are good at getting in houses and getting to chocolate and such. the dream. also i absolutely would get bored of one costume within the space of a few hours knowing me, so that’s a plus. uhhhh halloween is october which is. mid-late spring so it really depends on the day. it might be a little cold, might be shorts weather. I rarely leave my house at night so I’m not an expert on nighttime temperatures sdflsdfjsd. 

I used to wish we did Halloween here but that was mostly because I wanted lollies. Although I also liked playing dress up as a young kid so maybe very young me would’ve vibed with the costume aspect. I know there’s a photo of me when I was like, 5 and my best friend of the time dressed up as witches at some point, maybe we had our own little halloween. I also possibly had a halloween themed birthday party once as a kid? I remember the little gift bags having spooky things in them and also possibly a bat cake but my memory is too bad to remember for sure. aha that’s the problem here too, no one locally would ever think to buy lollies to give out so it’d just be like um. you can have an apple I guess? at least you had fun though! i respect the commitment to the costume despite the cold. 

that is such a stressful story to read, i fear for your life. although i understand the knife breaking in that first scenario. that would be terrifying though. what if the blender launched it,,, nOPE. i’m very glad it wasn’t your fingers, that’s some horror movie shit. the second time is just,, it be like that sometimes. it was probably just waiting to happen. my parents have a cheese grater with a loose handle and it. falls off. every time. i dry it. with the dishes. and every time i fear for my life as the grating bit drops off towards my feet as i’m left holding the handle. i should expect it by now but i never do. I get scared every time it happens. knives are definitely out to get us, i fully support this conspiracy theory. oh yeah, tiredness doesn’t help with double vision. i kind of need bifocal glasses by now but I also don’t want bifocal glasses so i just suffer but I suspect having them would reduce the double vision. maybe. maybe not.

yup! i remember someone handing out tampons and pads at primary school, i assume after giving a talk about periods, idk. i do also remember a teacher pulling the girls aside and being like yo, this is what a period is, here’s a horror story about my daughter and a tampon, enjoy the trauma, go back to class. good times. we did actually get really comprehensive sex ed concerning most things at my high school but that is faaaarrr from the norm around here, clearly. although teenage boys are good at filling in gaps, in my experience. they’re like little sex encyclopedias that offer up information without you asking. i didn’t ACTUALLY want to know that but i do now, i guess, thanks michael. 

dude. the ‘oh he’s so hot’ comments are so confusing. ‘hot’ is like a category of attractiveness that I’ve never understood. ‘isn’t he hot?’ what does that MEAN rebecca. i think i asked once if it meant like, attractive or good looking. and the person i asked was like, you know, hot. you just look at them and, you know- no i don’t know. what is this. i don’t think i’ve ever watched a sex scene with people my age though, generally i just zone out for them sdkfhskdfh. i feel like there’s definitely all these indicators when you look back like oh yeah, should’ve realised i was ace then, but it’s just. such a hard sexuality to figure out. not that other sexualities aren’t but you’ve got to figure out an absence of something when you don’t even know what the something feels like- it’s a challenge.

I’m glad it did! It is interesting, for sure. I’ve always been interested in how winter Christmas’s work. As a young kid I didn’t understand hemispheres...obviously...i was like 5...and i’d go out on Christmas morning to see if there was snow. and sometimes it’d be a bit chilly in the morning and I’d be like damn. we almost had some this year. it’s a shame our climate tends to be too hot for snow on christmas :// like no you tiny dumbass it’s summer you little idiot there will be no snow no matter what. everything ended up going super well here :). boxing day is basically just a shopping holiday, i don’t know if it has any significance in any other way, i’m sure it did at one point, but i know there’s always boxing day sales everywhere. I think it’s also a public holiday (?) to give people another day off work and that, but I could be wrong there. I know I also used to regularly go to the races (horse races) nearby that were always held on boxing day, it was like a 150 year old tradition or something until people in attendance started dropping and I think they finally shut it down a couple years back. I didn’t care all that much about the horses but they also had food and carnival-type rides and such for the kids which is why I loved it. also we tended to meet extended family there for a picnic lunch.

acid reflux is like the least of my problems sdfkjshdkf. it’s annoying but it’s pretty managed with medication, I have to watch certain foods and drinks but I’m used to it by now. I think it’s also what causes me to not be able to eat large amounts normally so I survive a lot on snacks and a reasonable sized dinner. works for me. but peanut butter is good! i’m glad i can have that! I used to also have vegemite but that’s a bit more of a push, it’s easier to stick with peanut butter.

also it’s fine!! my responses are always very long too sdfjhskdf.

Dancing With Our Hands Tied  (DutchxOc)

Summary: Lexie didn’t mean to fall for one of her brother’s tormentors.

Chapter 1: Noble but stupid

Lexie LaRusso turned her walkman on and started nodding to the song playing, her hand running over the blank page in swift, light motions. Figures flourished from the white paper, their shapes almost cartoonish.

She grimaced. Not good enough. The temptation to rip off the page and burn it was great, but instead she tried to salvage her work.

After a few minutes, she left the notebook on top of the small coffee table and stood up. Maybe she could go outside for a few minutes, the change in lighting could do her some good. It was a trick her old art teacher back in Jersey had taught her.

Grabbing an apple and helping herself to a glass of water, she quietly opened and closed the door, not wanting to awake her mother. The California air was nice to her hot skin, cooling the thin layer of sweat that covered her.

Lexie took a bite, looking around the complex. It wasn’t the greatest place to be in; it was neither better or worse than her old home in Newmark; it just was, she supposed.

“It’s still a roof over my head.”

She, just like her older brother, hadn’t been thrilled to move all the way across the country. She didn’t want to leave the rest of her family or friends, but it wasn’t as if she had much of a choice. Her mom, Lucille, swore that they had hit the jackpot with this job offer she’d gotten. Being a single mother in charge of two kids couldn’t be easy, so Lexie did her best to not give her mom further hardships. She helped her around the house, cleaning and cooking; she never asked for anything unless absolutely necessary, and as of recently, she kept her opinions on the move to herself. Her brother also helped, but he didn’t mind giving everyone a piece of his mind (even though anyone rarely asked him).

Lexie closed her eyes, clearing her head, enjoying the air and the way her curly hair was pushed back, the locks brushing her shoulders.

A grunt had her heart jumping up into her throat. She looked around, her eyes of melted silver finding a moving figure on the staircase, advancing towards her.

“Daniel?”

Her older brother stopped, hidden in the darkness.

“Oh, hey, Lex. Didn’t know you were up.”

“Couldn’t sleep. How was the party?” she asked, hiding the bitterness. 

She hadn’t been invited, and Daniel had been less than thrilled when their mom suggested that he take her with him.

“I don’t wanna go. Stomach ache.” she had blatantly lied, anything so long as she didn’t have to reveal her hurt.

“The par-? The party? Oh, it was great, yeah. You should’ve come.” liar. “We played soccer, the hot dogs were great-”

“They’re just hot dogs.”

“Yeah but these were something else, I tell you.”he hesitated, still not coming closer, and she felt her sixth sense tingling. “So, you planning on staying out much longer?”

Lexie pursed her lips.

“Actually yeah. The entire night. I wanna see the sunrise.” Daniel sighed, and she rolled her eyes. “C’mon, Dani, what is it?”

“Okay, but just, don’t freak out. And don’t wake mom.”

The only answer she gave him was a non-comitional sound.

Slowly, Daniel stepped further into the light, and Lexie’s eyes widened.

“Crap, Daniel, what happened to you?”she rushed to his side and took his face in her hands. He hissed and she apologized. “Who did this?”

“Don’t worry, okay? You should see the other guy.”

She snorted.

“Yeah, right.”

“I mean it.”

“Mhm.” she pulled him further near the light coming from their living room. It looked nasty. “Can you see? Does it hurt too much? Are you hurt anywhere else?”

“Yeah, no, no. It’s nothing, really.”

“I can cover it with makeup if you want.” The look he gave her was answer enough. “How did it happen anyway?”

“This guy was just being an ass to a girl at the beach. He broke her radio and all.”

“Douchebag.”

“Right?!”

She wanted to tell him he shouldn’t have gotten involved, but she didn’t. As stupid as he was, he meant well. As annoying as Daniel was, he was a protector. They may not like each other too much, but at the end of the day, Lexie knew her brother would be on her team. She couldn’t remember all the times he’d gotten into some fight or another over her.

“Mom’s gonna freak out.”

“Is she asleep?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, then she won’t see me.”

“What about tomorrow?”

“Oh, shit.” he swore softly, staring into the distance. Lexie shook her head, unfazed, taking a sip from her water. “Can I have your sunglasses?”

“That’s your plan? Why not makeup?”

“That stuff’s for girls, Lex!”

“That’s not true! What about actors?”

“They don’t wear makeup.” he argued, like the idea was ridiculous.

“They do!”

“Whatever.” he rolled his good eye, and one of his hands flew up to the other. He snatched her glass and pressed it against his face. “Just give me the glasses, I promise I won’t break them.”

“You know that’s gonna stay there for a while, right?” she pointed at the glass which hid the bruise. “This plan of yours won’t last.”

“Please?”

“...Fine.”

“Thank you! Thank you, Lex!” he cheered up immediately, smiling through his pain and leaning in to kiss her cheek. The girl just watched him, unimpressed, as he skipped his way into their new home. “Thanks, Lex, really.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just don’t wake mom, fart-face.”

He gave her a thumbs up and headed in.

Lexie turned her gaze back into the night, the sporadic sounds of cars and bikes passing nearby and the lack of people giving her a sense of meaningless and solitude despite her silly brother moving about inside the apartament just a few meters from her, and the others inhabitants of the complex.

Last year, she had spent the last night before going back to class at a friend's house. They watched movies, ate until their stomach hurt and came up with silly choreographies to some of their favourite songs at the moment. Now she wasn’t sure if she’d ever see them again, and the idea of going to a school and not knowing anyone bought some anxiety and despair to her.

She hoped she’d make a friend, but at the same time she hoped not to.

God, she was almost as stupid as Daniel sometimes. She took a few, final small bites from her apple and checked her wrist watch.

She headed back in, locking the door and tip toed her way to hers and Daniel’s room. He was already in pajamas, tossing a baseball.

“Hey, you nervous about tomorrow?” he whispered.

She looked up and tripped over a box, cursing loudly as she went down and a clattering sound followed.

“Lexie! Bed! Now!” their mom’s voice was heard.

Daniel had his fist in his mouth, his shoulders were shaking.

So much for not waking her up.

In 2020 so far, have you…

Had Beer Smoked an entire cigarette Done drugs. Written on a bathroom wall.

Read a George Orwell book.

Had a physical fight.

Used Twitter. Listened to Lady Gaga Been in a car accident.

Gotten suspended.

Gotten expelled.

Been allergic to something.

Got a computer virus.

Touched a real gun.

Had a dog.

Had a cat.

Been pregnant.

Camped out Swam in the ocean.

Wore a bikini. Driven a car Been sent to the principal. Ever liked someone. Failed a class. Failed a test.

Went to summer school. Got worse than a D Got A’s and B’s. Read an entire book.

Recorded my own music.

Had an xbox. Worn heels more than 3 days in a row.

Wore fishnets.

Wore skinny jeans. Hated someone.

Been cheated on.

Cheated on someone.

Practiced Christianity/Catholicism.

Worn makeup. Lied to my parents about where I was going. Had surgery.

Had my license.

Been to college.

Graduated high school. Attempted suicide.

Self-harmed.

Worn colored contacts.

Painted my nails black. Broken someone’s heart.

Had my heartbroken.

Cried for an hour straight. Lost something very valuable.

Got separated from one of my parents

Broke a bone.

Gotten stung by a bee

Eaten something bad/expired.

Threw up from being so drunk.

Saw someone throw up from being so drunk. Danced with someone of the same sex. Owned an iPod

Danced with someone of the opposite sex. Owned an iPhone.

Fell for a best friend.

Stole a friend’s significant other.

Went far away from home for more than a week.

Moved out.

Ran away.

Had a job. Been fired.

Lied to a friend. Lied to a family member. Had a Facebook. Posted a video on Youtube.

Started a rumor about someone.

Talked bad about someone. Dropped out of school. Deliberately failed a test.

Been skinny dipping.

Counted to a million.

Counted to a thousand.

Ate rabbit meat.

Ate duck meat.

Had fast food. Been to Church.

Been to Canada.

Been married.

Had a divorce.

Broke a glass.

Threw something out of the window. Ignored a text from someone on purpose. Wish you were somebody else

Had my feelings hurt by a friend and never told them.

Kissed someone Been to a concert Seen your favorite band live

Met a celebrity

Met your favorite band

Own more than 10 CD’s

-

I prefer to be out and about on weekends. I ended the last relationship I was in. If someone is playing me around, I’d rather be told about it. It really bugs me when people play games with me. Sometimes, it takes me forever to get the energy together to get out of bed in the morning. Someone has told me they like me as more than a friend in the last week. I haven’t kissed anyone in the last seven days. If I have a deadline to meet, I can’t get motivated to do the work until the last minute. I drink a lot of soda and juice. I love apple donuts. I’m going to have the house to myself this weekend. I know someone who is absolutely addicted to the Guitar Hero/Rockband games. I have a wii in my bedroom. I hate to admit it, but I feel really lost without the internet. I have a bad habit of reading texts and completely forgetting to reply to them. I’ve fallen asleep texting someone in the last few days. I love waking up to good morning texts. I’m guilty of “liking” a lot of fan pages on Facebook. It seems that a lot of people don’t have time for Tumblr anymore. I’m currently wearing a hoody. I hate getting out of bed in the mornings. The last person to text me was of the opposite sex. I have two friends coming to stay with me this weekend. I have two presentations to do tomorrow. I text a lot more than I call. I swear I need to go to the bathroom a lot more often than other people. In general, I’m quite a light sleeper. I have the latest iTouch, and I absolutely love it. I use Twitter on a daily basis. The first thing I do in the morning is to check my Facebook/texts. I hate it when people lie to me to try and “spare my feelings” - man up and tell me the truth! I don’t see the point in going out to get absolutely shit-faced drunk. ^What’s the point in going out if you can’t remember any of it the next day? I have more than seven piercings. I’m getting a new piercing within the next week. I haven’t seen my dad in over a month.

-

It is Sunday

My weekend was fairly good though

Although I had little arguments

I took a long walk today

I talked to at least 4 of my friends I didn’t have the mood to talk much

I got a headache

I slept too much I woke up after 12 p.m

I went to sleep late last night I talked to my boyfriend I also talked to an old friend I didn’t talk to him for 3 years

It’s November

I’m waiting for December I am working out sometimes I just finished a book a few days ago

I am searching for a new book to read

I like walking at night with someone I am going to sleep after 12 a.m I am not sleepy yet Music was a big part of my life this day

I took a photo I recorded a video of myself I updated my blog(s) I always use Tumblr I have another account here It’s my personal account I didn’t play any video games today

It is a short survey

I drank tea

I am now in the chair

My sibling is in the same room as me I am not home alone I am already in my pajama It’s almost 1 a.m

I wore at least 3 outfits

I cussed someone out I left the house at least 2 times

I already took a shower

My vocabulary is weak af

I am not in any clubs in school I don’t like being in school I want to get a tattoo

I know what I am going to get

I am not planning to stay in this country

I speak English/Spanish/Hungarian daily I write in English/Spanish/Hungarian daily I spent money on something today

I have plans for the next summer

I have plans for the next year in general I support a soccer team

I am in a sport team inside/outside of school I am 16 years old

I am a junior

I drink a lot of water My phone has a phone case I want to get a new one

I am quiet And shy But not with my close friends I was happy today I want to keep this blog for a long time I haven’t eaten in 3 hours I am going to sleep now

-

You’re not in your home country right now. You wish you were somewhere else right now. Italy is your favorite country. You’re able to speak more than 3 languages. You’d love to be able to speak Italian perfectly. But never had the opportunity to learn it. You’re single. The last person you argued with was a family member. The argument was about something really stupid. Most of the time you don’t give a shit about anything. That’s why you don’t really care about what you’re arguing about. But it often seems to be important to your counterpart. Your family doesn’t understand you at all. They don’t respect you and your attitudes as well. They often make fun of you and your plans. That’s why you decided not to tell them anything anymore. All your grandparents are still alive. You get along best with one of your grandma’s. Your family is a fan of family reunions. You think Marina is better than Lana. You don’t listen to any of the bands that are popular on tumblr. Tumblr has actually drawn your attention to a band you’re now obsessed with. You think gay marriage should be legal. You actually understand why people are against gay marriage. But you don’t support their opinion anyway. It’s just that you’re good at empathizing. You wish you could read peoples’ minds. You’d prefer another super power. You’ve never watched the Avengers. You’re not an English native speaker. You wish you were. You suffer from some kind of mental illness. You know someone who does and you’re close to them. It’s a family member. You wish you could change something about yourself. You’re confident with your body but not with your personality. You’re confident with your personality but not with your look. You’ve never heard of “Reamonn”. You hate the Arctic Monkeys. You love The Neighbourhood. You dislike Lana del Rey. But her music is perfect. You’ve never heard of “Hoobastank”. You’ve been to an opera before. Someone you know has killed themselves. You’ve never been to Paris. You’ve never been to Berlin. You’ve never been to Venice. You’d love to visit one of the above. You’ve dated the same person more than twice. He’d dumped you every time. Someone has picked on you in kindergarten. They also hurt you physically. You’ve never told an adult. You used to be an outsider in elementary school. You were actually pretty “popular”. You liked all your elementary school teachers. You don’t know what you’re going to do with your life. You think everything will turn out fine. Someone in your family is/has been (seriously) depressed. Someone in your family is/has been suicidal. Something is holding you back. You have never cried in front of people. You have cried in front of others to get attention when you were older. You’re an only child. You’re the favorite child. You think every parent has a favourite child. Just like every child has a fave parent, deep down. You don’t know who’s your favourite and you don’t wanna know. Someone always calls you when they’re drunk. You’ve never been drunk. You’ve never smoked weed. You think smoking is attractive. You think skinny people are disgusting. You hate talking about your weight. Someone has called you fat before. Someone has called you ugly before. Someone has called you anorexic before. A family member has said such things. Someone has called you cold hearted before. You think that’s not true. You’re a very social person. You don’t understand why people always hurt each other. You think it’s inevitable. You hate the last person you talked to. You love the last person who texted you. You’re currently mad about someone. You often apologize. You think some people are meant to be on their own You think everyone has a soul mate. You need to get things clear with someone.

Clextober19: Fall Festivities

Back to school was the favourite time of year for most. Parents were overjoyed that their children would be supervised while they were working; children were overjoyed the see their friends again; teachers were overjoyed to… well, they were overjoyed for the weekends.

Madi, on the other hand, hated back to school. Being a half witch meant she had half the human antibodies, and half the witch antibodies, therefore, she was in for a whole dose of unrelenting colds during the first two months. She would get sick at least twice in that short amount of time, causing her to miss a lot of school and a lot of the time that children spent making and solidifying their friendships.

But, she couldn't go to school. Not when her nose was stuffy and running and she was sniffling and sneezing and turning her mother into an elephant, blowing her Aunt Raven up like fireworks, and sending her mama into the desert and back again in a wiggle of her nose.

But Ms. Indra insisted that she be present for the first field trip of the year. The kids were going to the apple farm, after all, and Lexa had volunteered as the class chaperone.

In hindsight, Madi should have known that her class would have been more interested in Lexa and her superstar status than the actual field trip. Even as the ten year old curled up in her mama’s shoulder, she was still having to deal with boys and girls interrupting to get a picture with her mama or ask for her autograph.

Madi sucked down the hot tea that her mama had packed in her travel mug, a blend of echinacea and magical herbs to fight off both sides of the cold virus. It relieved the aches and pains, and most importantly, stopped the sniffles for the time being.

The class wandered through the apple farm for a majority of the day, getting lost in corn mazes, learning how to bale hay for the animals, petting tiny lambs in the petting zoo, and drinking warm cups of apple cider and eating apple pie.

Madi had made it throughout most of the day without mishap aside from sneezing and blowing her mom across the corn field. Lexa snapped her fingers and fixed the holes that were created before anyone had noticed, though.

The last part of the trip was the horse rides around the farm. Each child in the class took a turn on one of the ten horses for a tour of the entire farm.

Madi brushed her hand along the nose of a chocolate pony. “Hey. Your name is Ryder. It’s cute.”

The horse stomped it's foot in the mud and shook it's head up and down. “I think my handler was a punny guy.”

Madi chuckled. “That’s actually funny.”

The horse took a step back. “No way you can understand me.”

Madi smiled up at the big nose, lifting her hands in deference like her mama had taught her to approach animals. “Duh. You speak English. You just have a weird accent.”

The horse neighed, catching Lexa’s attention. and she took a quick picture of her daughter smiling up at the giant and sent it off to her wife.

Ryder bowed his head and said, “Well I’ll be, aren't you just a smart lil cookie. Hey Cleatus! Lookie o’er here! We got us our own Dr. Doohickey!”

“Dr. Doolittle,” Madi corrected, and Ryder huffed at her.

A black stallion galloped over towards them and sniffed Madi’s neck. “She smells like apples. I love apples!”

She giggled at the contact, and pulled an apple out of her pocket, holding it out for Cleatus.

“You can hear us?” Cleatus asked.

Madi nodded and giggled more when he stepped right into her space, his giant eyeball looking into hers.

A white mare saddled up to Madi shortly after, nudging her bum with her nose.

“Ponyelope,” Ryder scolded. “She’s a good one.”

They were interrupted by the sounds of her classmate yelling. “Look at this weirdo!” Josephine Lightborne pointed at Madi, who was surrounded by horses. “She can’t make real friends so she hangs out with animals!”

Madi’s classmates pointed and laughed, and Lexa had to squeeze her hands together to stop them from snapping and giving all the ten year olds wedgies. But, if Josephine ended up stepping in a suddenly appearing cow-pie, Lexa was none the wiser.

“Don’t mind them, darlin’” Ryder consoled. “Let’s just go on a good ol’ fashioned ride. That’ll cheer ya’up, I promise,” he neighed.

Madi sighed, but smiled when Ryder rubbed his nose against her cheek. Ryder took off at a slow cadence once Madi climbed aboard, describing all the parts of the farm to her. He wandered as far away from the rest of the group as he could without drawing suspicion to point out the magical flowers in the fields and the magical animals that could only be seen by those with abilities.

The path wound around and through the pumpkin fields, and Madi tensed. "I'm allergic to pumpkins!" She hissed to the horse.

Ryder slowed his trot, but the cowboy handler that was leading the group circled around and forced him to carry on.

Her nose tickled, and she looked over to Lexa with fear in her eyes. She clutched at Ryder’s fur, and her heels dug into his sides.

"I'm trying, I'm trying," Ryder said, trying to console his rider. He tried to move faster, but his handler wasn't letting him, tired of his antics.

Madi sneezed and all hell broke loose.

She had turned the pumpkin patch into a giant, living creatures that scared Josephine's horse into bucking with her still on. She fell off the back of the horse and straight into the mud with a scream.

The rest of the horses followed suit, kicking and bucking their riders off so they could free themselves.

"Whoa, whoa!" The handlers tried, but the terrified animals wouldn't heed. The animals kicked and whined, and started to run off.

"What did I do?" Madi questioned, her voice shaky with sadness.

Ryder didn’t buck his rider off; however. He took off with Madi on his back, straight to the rest of the now free horses. All the horses had run about a hundred yards from the scare and we're circling the ground, huffing angrily.

"What was that?"

"I'll kill it!"

"I hate pumpkins!"

"Fight back!"

Madi jumped off the horse and approached the pack with her hands up. "Whoa, whoa," The horses were frazzled and frightened. "I know you're all scared. It's okay, it's my fault."

"Kill the girl!" One horse yelled, neighing and rearing back on its hind legs. Ryder moved in front of her. "Calm down, Otis, she's just a girl!"

"It was an accident!" Madi pleaded. "It was an accident. I can't control my powers."

"She scared us!"

"But we're fine!" Ryder said.

"Let's just all calm down," Madi said. "I'm sorry I scared you. I won't let it happen again."

The horses huffed and sneezed, but Madi wouldn’t move from the middle of the pack.

"Madi, no!" Her teacher called.

"Wait, wait," Lexa said, grabbing the teacher and stopping them from interfering. “They’re calming down.”

“Please, just come back to your owners. I promise, no more magic. No more pumpkins.”

Ponyelope looked around, her ears twitching with nerves.

“Please,” Madi breathed.

Ponyelope took one step, then two, then moved right past Madi and headed towards the handlers. The rest of the horses followed, and Ryder pressed his big head into Madi’s chest. She laughed and hugged his nose.

The class looked on as Madi corralled the horses and got them to follow her back to the handlers.

"How did you do that?" Aden asked when she got back.

Madi just shrugged.

"It's because - it's because she's a weirdo!" Josephine said, covered from head to toe in mud. "She doesn't have any friends so she talks to animals, and even they don't listen to her!"

A few of her classmates laughed at Madi, whose cheeks became warm with embarrassment. She ran back to the bus, and Lexa trailed after her.

"Hey, shut up!" Aden Forrest, they typically shy and well mannered boy, yelled. "She saved your life, Josephine! She saved all of us from getting really hurt!"

***

"Mads?" Lexa asked, slowly sitting next to her daughter on the large seat of the deserted bus.

The only sound was a sniffle, and then Lexa felt the soft flutter of snowflakes cascading onto her head.

"I hate this," Madi whispered. "I hate having magic! I hate being human! I hate that I'm just a weird half-thing!" The sound of her voice grew louder until she shouted at her mama. She turned and punched the seat in front of them as tears poured from her eyes.

"I'm sorry you feel that way Madi," Lexa said, dusting the snow off her shoulder and then wrapping her daughter in a warm hug.

Madi sniffed again as the tears fell and Lexa was pelted with sand and dirt.

Lexa snapped and created an umbrella to hover above her and her daughter to stop the onslaught.

"You have so many special gifts, Madi, but the best one is that you're kind. Don't let someone like Josephine take that away from you. What you did today made me more proud than you learning your first spell. You're a great person, and kids are just dumb. It'll get better, I promise. If you want to be sad right now, or if you can't help it, that's okay. I'm right here. But, never hate who you are. You’re the best parts of me and the best parts of your mom. You’re an incredible kid, Madi."

Madi leaned into her mama and hugged her tightly around her neck. "I love you, mama."

"Love you too, Mads."

Aden was the first student to enter the bus since the incident, and his heavy, awkward footsteps sounded until he was standing directly in front of Madi and Lexa’s seat. "Hey, sorry, Hi, Mrs. Griffin-Woods. I'm sorry to interrupt, but uhh," Aden said, shuffling awkwardly from foot to foot. He had a piece of paper in his hand that he folded and unfolded methodically.

Madi hid her face in Lexa's collar, and it took everything inside of the brunette not to snap at the boy. "Yes, Aden?" She asked, already pulling her pen out of her pocket to sign his paper.

"Sorry, um, thank you for offering, but I don’t want your autograph.” He ran his hand through his shaggy blonde hair, “but can you give this to Madi for me? I just want her to know that she's the coolest person ever and say thank you for saving us." His earnest blue eyes pleaded with Lexa and he thrust the paper into her face. She gracefully retrieved it from his fingers and opened it only after he scurried away and off the bus.

Lexa’s heart melted at what she saw.

Aden had written a big 'thank you' on the cover of the card. Inside, all the students in the class signed the left side of the page. On the right side, he had drawn a picture of Madi with a cape and a horse. And on the back, he scrawled, 'Madi, thank you for saving us. You're a superhero. Can I sit with you at lunch tomorrow? - your friend, Aden'

have any mamamoo fanfic recs?

oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy

Archive Of Our Own

I’d Like To Be With You, Really by Zucchinis (bc_bread) - A bunch of one shots that are non-linear but are connected. One of my favs really. The characterizations are very nice. (Incomplete, 6/?)

Darling, denial is my middle name by teabreathingdragon - Moon byulyi. Arrogant. Irresponsible. Cute. Annoying. You really don’t like her. Second POV Yongsun. From Trainees to Successful Girlgroup members. (Complete, 6/6)

Engraved on Me by fromhowarts ( @missbyulyi ) - Soulmate AU, College AU. (Complete, One Shot)

All Nighters by mytholora (shipsinkandsails) - Also a bunch of one shots and non-linear ish collection but are all connected. One of my favourite things to happen in a fic are in here hue very well written. (Incomplete, 8/?)

Oh Baby, Look What You’ve Started by jinxfabray - FAKE DATING AU BUT WAS IT EVERY REALLY FAKE? (Complete, One Shot)

Officially Girlfriends by krscnl - ANOTHER FAKE DATING AU that I really wish would update guys it’s so good I love how it’s written, the characterizations here are so nice and the humor is on point. (Incomplete, ¼) Author update when i crei everytime I reread it.

Flowers of Love by wheeins - Soulmate AU where there’s a flower on your wrist that will bloom when you fall in love. (Complete, One Shot)

The Valet by fireroasted - One of the first fics I read for Moonsun. Moon Byulyi was the perfect Valet. It was a simple agreement: to be the perfect platonic companion for women everywhere. Her dream job was fulfilling and uncomplicated. Until it wasn’t. (Complete, One Shot apparently I thought it was chaptered lmfaoshjdfk)

GLASS: A Metafic by fireroasted - Cries about this fic. It’s so meta that it hurts. By the end you’ll be like, ‘damn when will this happen to me?’ (Complete, One Shot)

Beyond The Sea by fireroasted - Yongsun had run away from the city to live a simple life in a small fishing village. Everything was so simple, easy, and comfortable. Until her luck runs out, and nothing is easy anymore. (complete, one shot)

From Bitter Coffee Dates to Burnt Dinners (if it’s with you, it’s all good) by pabottokhae - I think this is one of my top moonsun fics. College AU. Slight One Sided Wheebyul (wheein’s side). (Complete, One Shot)

fast_car.mp3 by plue - Based on Starry Night MV. Cheesy and Cute and perfect. (Complete, One Shot)

Introspection by @missbyulyi and @welldonedragonnim​ - Modern working age AU where Yongsun works at the Convenience store Byul frequents late at night. (Incomplete, 11/?) I love that this fic shows that there’s more ways to get ur people together other than dramatic break ups that happened because one party was an asshole by cheating or something. PEOPLE DRIFT AWAY AND I LOVE THAT THIS WAS PORTRAYED HERE.

I believe You Have The Wrong Number (Or just the right one) by @missbyulyi​ - Yongsun drunkenly tries to text her ex, gets Byulyi’s number instead. (Complete, 20/20)

Life may not be fair but it sure is beautiful by @missbyulyi​ and @welldonedragonnim​ - Historic AU. Princess Yong and Royal Guard raised as a boy Byul. (complete, 25/25)

In The Dark Eternity (like sunshine, you fell down to me) by thewoundupbird - GOBLIN AU. Grim Reaper!Yong, Goblin!Byul. You don’t have to know anything about Goblin to read this. Angst btw. (Complete, 5/5).

All The Time In The World For You by captainwangtang - Future Fic where Yong and Byul date other people and it doesn’t really work out. A really good future fic tbh. (Complete, One Shot)

Apples by SlyEclipse - No one told Yongsun that the infamous ‘Big Bad Wolf’ was greasy. (Complete, One Shot)

The Mistake by mytholora (shipsinkandsails) - Yongsun snaps and Moonbyul gets hurt. Angst with a happy ending. (Complete, One Shot)

Being a Girl Crush is Dangerous Sometimes by mytholora (shipsinkandsails) - Byul gets stabbed.(Complete, One Shot)

I’m pretty sure there are for Ao3 but these are the top ones time to move onto

AsianFanfics

AFF is such a………. challenging site…… you can’t organize ur upvoted stories so I just… this might not be the best that I can give but I tried my best….

Urikkiri by kayden411 - Byul is serving life in prison. Solar is serving life without Byul. Honestly I was so skeptical about this fic but once I ran out of things to read I finally read it and holy shit it’s really good please read it. (Complete, 13/13)

You’re Right by byulbelly - AU where Yong lives off of her pet tortoise who is more famous than her and Byul as an emotionally detached medical practitioner that has a pushy step brother. Somehow they make it work. It’s such a nice and cute fic, very nicely set up and written….. I wish it would update soon :’D(Incomplete, 6/?)

Hey, Soccer Girl! by jinstal - AU where Yong is always at Byul’s soccer games. (Complete, One Shot)

Before You say, “I do.” by @byulyi​ - Modern AU. Domestic af. Girlfriends to Fiances to Wives. (Complete, 18/18)

Backtrack by RielleB - AU. Friends with benefits Wheebyul (But purely platonic). Angst with a happy ending. (Complete, 3/3)

Moving by Azrahunter - SolEric and YooByul, end game Moonsun. Angsty as fuck but it’s a good read. (Complete, 20/20)

Taste. by themoonishers - Coffee Shop AU (kinda? It started in a coffee shop so lol). From Strangers to finally getting together after like 4 years jsahdkjl. (Incomplete, 27/?)

That Kind Of Love by Mufasaisalive - AU where Yong is a flight attendant and Byul is a police officer and they meet at Wheein’s party. It’s…. so good but the grammar and stuff might be off sometimes and that’s okay honestly. Sometimes the names change too??? but whatever :’D it’s really good y’all. I love…. it so much…. (Complete, 3/3)

Welcome Back Idiot by Mufasaisalive - Byul is back after 2 years and she has some things she needs to patch up. (Complete, 15/15)

Laundromat at the Corner of the Street by Cyaboron - Yong’s washing machine broke so now she goes to this dinky Laundromat where she meets Laundromat expert Moon Byulyi. (Complete, 6/6)

Waltz Of The Moon and Sun, Flower Road by Joezette - Teacher!Yong, Inspector!Byul and Byul’s son Minhyul. (Incomplete, 6/?)

Next Scene (Forever Love) by mrsstefsunyanzi - Actors AU. For the first time in her acting career, Kim Yongsun was left stumped when her co-portner kissed her on the lips or the fact that it wasn’t even part of the script. (incomplete, 16/?)

Hotel Guest by ashensprites - In which Moonbyul is staying at a hotel and her boredom leads to some entertaining results. Needless to say, Solar is highly amused. (Complete, One Shot)

How To Say FxxK You in Flower by reebye - Yongsun works at a flower shop and Byulyi is really passive-aggressive. (Complete, One Shot w/ Bonus chapter)

Stay Awhile Longer by Malfunction - Where Yongsun is a cuddler for hire and Moonbyul is in need of a little warmth. (Complete, One Shot)

Shut Up And Dance by GrumpyGay - Neighbors AU. (Complete, One Shot)

Flowers, Tattoos and Hearts by weakink - Florist and Tattoo artist AU. This is actually a Wheesa fic with a side of Moonsun but it’s really good I’d recommend it :) There’s a moonsun bonus :D (Complete, 9/9)

35 fanfics all in all + 1 wheesa fic :’D I hope y’all enjoy this list.

Hello I was tagged by @flickerbyniall

Rules: tag 15 people you want to get to know

Name: Lydia

Gender: female

Star sign: Aquarius

Height: 5ft7

Sexuality: Gay af

Lock screen: Demi Lovato

Ever had a crush on a teacher? Yes my science teacher in high school (I used to give her presents all the time probably should’ve realised I was gay sooner) and one of my college teachers 😬

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? With a job and a car hopefully living my best life

If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Canada, to visit my pals or Disneyland  

What was your coolest Halloween costume? Pumpkin

Favourite 90s show: rugrats or scooby doo

Last kiss: my bampy on the cheek

Have you ever been stood up? No, I prefer to lie down

Have you ever been to Vegas? I’m broke m8

Favourite pair of shoes: my timberland boots

Favourite fruit: apples

Favourite book: anything by my main man Roald Dahl

Stupidest thing you’ve ever done: left my mum's womb

Tagging: @penguinsinpjs @princessclarke @skirtsandstresses (Not tagging 15 bc I don’t have 15 to tag) *Also you guys don't have to do it I just needed people to tag*

Tagged by @sir-vanfleet

Rules: Tag 10 followers you want to get to know better

Name: charlie

Gender: male

Star sign: pisces

Height: 5′7″

Sexuality: gay

What images do you have set as your desktop/phone wallpaper: the desktop on my laptop is a job corps dorm and STRAIGHT OUTTA JOB CORPS, my gaming rig desktop is two buff platypuses lifting weights, and my phone is a doodle of a farting unicorn flying over a rainbow that @roanoakstudios drew for me

Have you ever had a crush on a teacher?: i mean sort of, i wouldn’t say a /crush/ per se, he was my 8th grade math teacher and then like two years ago i got really drunk at an event he was working at i loudly told my mother “holy shit did you ever notice that mr. peters is hot af” and she said “yes everyone knows you had a crush on mr. peters go drink a glass of water”

everyone knew but me o.o (admittedly he is very much my type so how i didn’t notice until that point is a mystery) (yes he is an ex-naval officer in his sixties don’t ask stupid questions)

Where do you see yourself in 10 years: literally haven’t the foggiest idea. if at any point in my life you asked me this question, i’d have given you--and will continue to give--wildly varying answers. my life is a trainwreck and i’m not at the switch, i’m just here for the ride, pal

If you could be anywhere else right now, where would you be: w/ @roanoakstudios

What was your coolest Halloween costume?: probably maccready lol

What’s your favourite 90s show: unpopular opinion: i actually really dislike most of the stuff that was on during the 90s, it all just feels really lazy and uninspired. tbh most children’s programming rubs me the wrong way; in the 80s it was the toyline shows, the 90s was all visually repulsive, and the aughts are just child actors who can’t act for shit and all inexplicably have music related tie-ins or storylines

Who was your last kiss: uh...it’s actually been such a long time that i’ve actually forgotten o.o (yes i know i was dating someone last year. 47 years old and he thought “kissing was icky”. why do you think i broke up with him.)

Have you ever been stood up: once in portland, my friend sent me up on a date and we were supposed to meet at the nickelodeon and he never showed

Have you ever been to Las Vegas: not once

Favourite pair of shoes: probs my six year old job corps-issued shit kickers. the soles are worn down nearly flat but those things and i have been pretty much everywhere together

Favourite fruit: apples, probs

Favourite book: atlas shrugged

Stupidest thing you’ve ever done: well i’m not really sure. there’s only one gap in my memory, which means it’s the one thing i’ve deliberately blocked out, so i don’t know what i did. all i know is that i called someone who, at the time, i told /everything/ to, and told him that i’d done something stupid, i didn’t want to talk about it, and not to ask me about it. he recently asked me about it and i have no memory of it which means it was bad enough to block out...i just wish i knew what it was. i only have two clues; the fact that i was at austin international airport at the time, and two voicemails saved to my old phone that i know were saved that same day that i have no way of accessing anymore. any and all theories are accepted

imma tag @radiofreedom @beckiboos @whatshappeningcowboy @eisenhexa and @roanoakstudios

C: What member (character) do you identify with most? | F: Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it. | I: Do you have a guilty pleasure in fic (reading or writing)? | R: Are there any writers (fanfic or otherwise) (gonna specify otherwise plz) you consider an influence? | S: Any fandom tropes you can’t resist?

Fanfic Ask Game

C: What member (character) do you identify with most?

Bakugou. I was never a bully like him (at least I hope I wasn’t? remembering details of your childhood is always foggy, but I don’t think I ever did. Especially to the extent Bakugou did, and I never had a ‘Deku’. If anything, I was the ‘Deku’ to a lot of people). But GOD i had a temper. A lot of bad things happened growing up, and i was very sensitive about them. I broke my cousin’s nose for making fun of one of those bad things. If anyone picked on me, I would lash out and get very physical. I had to take anger management classes and I still have to reign it in, but i’m a hell of a lot better at it with age and practice. 

I’m fairly ‘chill’ now, but it took a hell of a lot of work to get to that point. And watching Bakugou grow as a person makes me extremely proud of him, and the progress I made myself. I don’t thing he reflects the person I am now, but he does reflect a massive part of my life. And while i’ve matured, he’s still a teen and getting there. proud of you, bakugou!!

I also swear like a sailor so writing Bakugou is just constantly ‘oh mood’

F: Share a snippet from one of your favourite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

“I loved him.”

[…]

“I don’t… want to pretend like I didn’t. Like he didn’t hurt me so badly.” There was another moment of silence, but it wasn’t warm. It wasn’t safe. Blake felt tiny beside her, and Yang only wanted to pull her closer. Offer her fire and heal her wounds. “I’m scared.”

I love dialog so much, but get me to sit down and try to pick out my favs and oof.

This was… one of the first ones to come to mind. I take pride in it because relationships like this have been such a huge part of my life. I’ve never been in one myself, but I saw my mother in so many of them. And I don’t like disregarding the fact that an abuse victim loved their abuser at some point. Not always, of course, but ma did. And I’m sure Blake did too. Because love can hurt. And love can be so gd toxic. And when you’re so use to love hurting you, it can become hard to trust that feeling again.

And i just love that with blake and especially b/m/b/l/b. just that hesitation and fear of being hurt by love again, but when you experience real healthy love, it’s such a shock to the system. Because it’s nothing like that painful ‘love’. 

b/m/b/l/bs so good ahaha fuck wow i’m so proud of that fic

I: Do you have a guilty pleasure in fic (reading or writing)?

never feel guilt yo indulge in it all. tryin’a keep this PG so that at least narrows down the indulgence

Angst with a happy ending. I love angst. i love those hard emotions, but GOD i can’t DEAL if it has a sad ending. mutual pining? good shit. polygamy? look, i can’t stand a love triangle, just let me have both. let me have a healthy polygamy relationship. have all the drama leading up to it but gosh just /let them all just fall for each other. rivals/enemies to lovers! I love a good rival ship. or, even better, villain/hero. i am a SUCKER for villian/hero ships. hero making the villain a better person? Good shit. Villain making the hero a horrible person? great shit. both are great. even better if no one compromises their morals (other than, you know, getting with the hero/villain).vampires. werewolves. dragons. all that mythical shit? nicey-yanderes…. scary yandere ladies/gents (in fiction only, of course. they cute but thank god they’re fictional). the creepier and bloodthristier, the better

R: Are there any writers (fanfic or otherwise) (gonna specify otherwise plz) you consider an influence?

imma be honest, i have,,, not read a book in a LONG time. i think the last book series i read was the hunger games when the first movie came out. I only really read fanfiction but hnnnnn let me list some authors from my childhood. a warning, i only ever really read fantasy or creepy shit. I don’t know if any really ‘influenced’ me, but they were the ones who got me into reading and writing so I suppose that counts!!

C. S. Lewis - the chronicles of narnia was the last gift i got from my grandfather before he passed away, and it’s a series close to my heart because of it. i adore the series so much.

Carole Wilkinson - while i did not like how the series ended, i adored the dragonkeeper series. it was,,, dark and gory, with dragons and murder and honestly why was the first book read to us in class? never the less, i loved the dark feel of it. it was sad and stressful, and the protagonist was exceptional. I wasn’t feeling the ending (tho i read it a long time ago. who knows, if i read it again i might appreciate it now) but it’s a series that stuck with me all through my childhood

Christopher Paolini - awful movie aside, i was obsessed with the inheritance cycle growing up. it’s another case of ‘i didn’t like the ending, but i still adore the series’. I wasn’t big on the protagonist unlike the dragonkeeper series, but i loved the minor characters. i would INHALE a series centered around murtagh and nasuada. I remember shipping them from the first book from crumbs, and losing my gd SHIT in the last book. ‘you know why’ fucking OTP RIGHT THERE. and oh look it’s my ‘villain’/hero ship!! Honestly think they probably started my love for that trope

Morris Gleitzman/Paul Jennings - Ever read an Australian book called ‘Wicked!’ because I did. In year three. I was like…. 8 when this shit was read to us by a teacher. Do you know how fucked up that was? This was a children’s book? What the actual fuck.

I probably have this book to ‘thank’ for my love for creepy shit in writing. This series was… disgusting and gruesome, with blood sucking worms that sucked out human’s and animal’s guts and left them skin and bone. murderous sheep. rotting apple head dolls. i don’t,,, even know. it was gross. I loved it. Both these authors were fuckign twisted so thanks for that

they went on to write another ‘disgusting’ story called Deadly! which i’m pretty sure was turned into a short tv series? which was… also just as gross. not as gory i think, but i still don’t understand how this was read to children uhirobfeoid

S: Any fandom tropes you can’t resist? 

- deaf/hard of hearing bakugou: as a hard of hearing person myself, god i love this. please just,,, assume every bakugou i write has a hearing aid because let me tell you he DOES. also he knows sign language don’t fight me- chef bakugou: let the boy cook. let him,,, cook,,,, let him be proud of it too. while we’re at it, bakugou who does not take misogynistic comments like ‘cooking is for women’. feminist bakugou who will punch a sexist bastard and cook like a god. beautiful. i’ll take seconds- trans bakugou: but, lets be honest, all trans headcanons are great. and trans canon characters. love you, big sis magne and tiger!- autistic iida: I appreciate so much- shinsou replaces mineta: look, i can dream, okay?- bakugou is bad at feelings: honestly it’s not even a trope it’s just canon- bakugou swears a lot: FUCK YEAH HE DO- todoroki is a salty/petty/sassy lil shit: god bless- all might lives: [sob] pls just let the man live! (i joke, of course, always write the story you want to write. but boy will i CRY LIKE A LIL BITCH IF I HAVE TO READ IT WITH MY OWN TWO EYES)- villain deku: see yandere note. especially if he’s used to mess with bakugou. villain verses in general give me life. make ALL the heroes villains!!