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justwearthegoddamncardigan · 4 months

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hi I’m obsessed with your Maze Runner stories and was wondering if you could do a fem!reader x Aris set during scorch trial. Where reader is really shy and has trust issues so when their at WCKED the only person she talks to is Aris and once they escape the others thinks that she’s just stuck up so one night when reader is asleep they mention it to Aris and he defends her and tells them about her past. That’s all I’ve got I hope it makes sense. But don’t stress if your not able to write it🫶🏻

First aris request!!! <3

It's you and me

Aris x fem!reader

Set during scorch trials (movieverse)

Warnings: injury including a twisted ankle and Crank bite, language/swearing

"So we know there's something off about this place," says Aris, voice hushed.

"I mean, yeah," you say.

For days now, you and Aris have watched the continuous cycle of scientists wheeling new bodies in daily, into a room you can't even access through the vents.

The two of you sit at the top of your bunk; the bed you've been sharing since the other girls from your Maze have been gradually taken away, supposedly to a safe place.

"I think we're in danger here," you say quietly.

"Yeah," agrees Aris. "Listen, we need help."

"Help?"

"I saw this guy today, Thomas. He's from Group A. I think he might be able to help us."

You frown. "You think we can trust him?"

Aris squeezes your hand. "We're just two people, we'll need more if we want to do anything. I think we have to trust someone."

You sigh, flopping back in your bed. "Fine, you're right."

Aris lies down beside you. "I'll talk to Thomas tomorrow."

"Okay," you say, turning to him. "Just- be careful."

⭒----⭒

It's a couple days later that you're standing outside a storage room while Aris picks out a new shirt, and someone starts walking towards you.

"Hey, it's Y/n, right? You're with Aris?"

You blink at the guy, confused. "Yeah," you say cautiously. "Who are you?"

"Minho," he says with a friendly smile. "Thomas told me about you and Aris."

He swings his gaze around the corridor before leaning forward to whisper to you, and you instinctively take a step back.

"Listen," says Minho, voice low. "These bodies you guys saw, any ideas on what they actually mean? Cause Thomas is going a bit crazy about it, and we wanna-"

"I'm sorry," you cut him off. "I- I don't really know you, and I'd rather not talk about..." you trail off, ducking your head.

Minho blinks in surprise, and you turn to peek into the clothes room. "Aris, got something yet?"

"Yeah, hang on." There's a few muffled sounds from the changerooms before; "Okay, I'm done. Let's go."

"Uh-" You turn back to Minho, who's still standing there awkwardly. "It was nice meeting you," you manage to say, before grabbing Aris' hand and tugging him away.

"What was that about?" asks Aris as you're lining up for checkups.

You shrug. "He just wanted to talk."

You eye his new shirt, a dark grey abomination with both horizontal and vertical stripes (but somehow not checkered?). "Really?"

"What?" huffs Aris.

"Nothing, I just thought- given that you were in that room for ten minutes, you were trying to pick a really nice shirt."

"Hey, I like this," says Aris in mock-indignation.

"I'm sure you do..." your gaze drops to the uneven white hem. "Did you pick an ugly one on purpose to annoy me?"

Aris answering grin is the only confirmation you need.

You roll your eyes and prop your elbow up on his shoulder, leaning on him as you wait in line. "You're making me miss that cursed hoodie."

"Don't lie, you always loved that hoodie," replies Aris, nudging you with his shoulder.

You snort, ducking your smile into your sleeve.

You spot Minho across the checkup queue, and think back to the conversation you had with him.

Look, you know you're not always the nicest to people, you've just had some trouble... trusting, in the past.

You gaze at Aris, the only person left from your maze, your rock and the one person you trust with everything.

He turns to you as he senses you looking, raising his eyebrows. "You alright?"

"Yeah. Just- thanks, for everything. The person you've been for me this whole time."

Aris huffs out a laugh. "Where's this coming from?"

You shrug. "Just wanted to say it. I've been lucky, to have you."

"You'll always have me, Y/n. Always."

⭒----⭒

"Hurry, this way!" yells Thomas.

It took about ten minutes for whatever Aris and Thomas' plan was to go sideways, and they'd come rushing back into the rooms telling you and the rest of Group A to run, get out.

You managed to find their friend, Teresa, and now all of you are sprinting towards the main doors.

WCKD guards chase behind you and one of them manages to kick out your leg.

You trip, and pain shoots up your leg as your ankle twists. "Fuck!"

"Here, come on, come on, quick!" A Group A boy, Frypan, punches the guard behind you and grabs you off the floor.

"Don't touch me," you hiss, smacking his hands away.

"Here, I got her." Aris loops your arm over his shoulder, his other arm going around your waist.

You run as best you can, before stopping at a massive door. Thomas reaches forward and turns down the handle, wind gusting in as you step out into the desert.

"This way!"

You run until you're sure your too far for WCKD to find you, ducking down into some covered abandoned-looking place.

You bend you inspect your ankle, the others' arguing going over your head. It's swollen, and twinges with pain when you move, but you follow the group as they pull up a door into some storage room.

"Looks like people lived here," says Minho, rummaging through some supplies.

Around you, lights click on as the group finds torches and lamps.

"Here," says Newt, tossing one to Thomas. "Y/n, want one?"

You turn in surprise. "Yeah, thanks," you say, catching the torch.

"Pack up some stuff," says Thomas, to the group. "Anything you think you might need. We'll split up, meet back here."

You move into another room, sorting through some clothes. "Oi, Aris."

"Ye- woah," he catches the shirt you toss towards him.

"Get out of that sweater," you tell him, grinning at his responding laugh.

You turn away as he gets changed, finding a jacket to pull on over your shirt. You uncover a box of supportive boots, thinking of your twisted ankle. Perfect.

You find a chair nearby and sit to put the shoes on. You hiss softly in pain as you tug off your old shoes, jostling your ankle.

"Here."

Aris kneels down, helping you slide the boots on.

"It's fine, I can-"

"Just let me help," he insists, shooing your hands away.

You let go of the laces, sitting back. You watch as he ties the shoes for you, carefully tugging the sides of the boots around your injured ankle.

"How's it feel?" asks Aris, looking up at you.

"It's good," you say softly. "Thanks."

He gives you a smile. "You're welcome."

You hold his gaze for a second, until you hear shouts coming from nearby.

You jump up, feeling oddly shaken as you snap out of the weird haze you'd felt.

The shouts draw closer, and you realise what they're yelling.

"Run," breathes Aris.

You grab the bag you packed, throwing it over your shoulder.

"Is your leg..." Aris reaches out to support you.

"It's fine, just go!" you urge him.

The two of you catch up to Newt and Frypan, looking over your shoulder to see Thomas and Minho being chased by...

"What are those things?" exclaims Frypan.

"Go!" shouts Thomas. "Move!"

The group runs through the building, ducking through enclosed passages. You start to lag to the back of the group, keeping on Teresa and Aris' heels as Newt runs just behind you.

"Watch out!"

You smack into Teresa's back as the group skids to a halt, three Cranks blocking the way.

"Other way, other way!" yell Thomas.

"Y/n, look out!"

You duck at Minho's warning as a withered arm swipes at your head, but you shout in pain as you feel teeth sink into your forearm.

"Y/n!"

The Crank goes down as you kick it, and you scramble back as Aris jumps in using a metal bar to beat it back.

"Here, this way!"

Aris grabs your uninjured arm, pulling you in Thomas' direction away from the Cranks. You run until you escape the building, finding shelter under some crumbled buildings in the desert.

"We should be safe here for the night," says Thomas, voice slightly unsure.

Everyone is equally doubtful, but too tired to object, so you settle down, using backpacks as pillows.

"You guys need to wrap your wounds," says Newt, passing bandages to you and Winston.

"Thanks," you say.

"I'll help Winston," says Frypan.

"Y/n, want a hand?" offers Teresa.

"I-" you hesitate, before nodding. "Yeah, okay. Thanks."

⭒----⭒

"Winston's getting worse," murmurs Newt, eyes clouded with worry.

It's been just a day, a day of inching slowly across the desert towards mountains that seem to get further every day.

"Have you checked your arm, Y/n?" asks Thomas.

"No," you respond, running your thumb across the bandage.

Thomas leans forward, and you instinctively pull your arm in, holding it protectively to your chest.

Slowly, Thomas reaches to grab his bag, raising his eyebrows at you slightly.

You mentally shake yourself, embarrassed about how jumpy you seem.

You turn as Aris squeezes your shoulder, giving you a comforting smile. It's fine, don't worry. "Get some sleep, Y/n."

You're asleep within a minute, exhausted from travelling.

"Hey, Aris," says Thomas, voice low.

"Yeah?"

"Does Y/n... not trust us?" asks Thomas.

Aris shifts slightly, flicking his gaze over you and seeing you're sound asleep. "What do you mean?"

"It's just- I always feel like she thinks we're gonna hurt her, or something," explains Thomas. "Like just then."

"Really?" Thomas and Aris look to Minho, who's lying down but apparently still awake. "I'm gonna be honest, I always thought she was just kinda stuck up. ...sorry, Aris."

"It's not something to be sorry for," says Aris steadily. "But if you're sorry you should be talking to Y/n, not me."

"Well I-"

"What Minho means," interrupts Newt, frowning at his friend. "Is that it's hard to connect with her. I'd think she's just not a people person, but she seems close with you," says Newt, nodding to where you're pretty much leaning into Aris, sleeping in a half-slumped position.

"We're not trying to insult her," clarifies Thomas. "It's just that we're gonna be a team from here on out, so it'd be nice to get to know her."

"I mean, okay, look," begins Aris. "That's great, and you should get to know her, cause... well she's the best person I know. But you've gotta respect her boundaries. She does have a few trust issues, and you're gonna have to work through those. But if you put in the effort she'll meet you halfway, cause I think she's really trying.

"It... it's hard for her to even be here, with you guys." Aris looks down at you as he speaks, voice soft.

"What do you mean?" asks Thomas. "If you're okay with, uh- telling us."

Aris takes a deep breath. "Alright, I don't know how it was in your Maze, but for our group the first few months was hell. They sent thirty of us in at once, with a Box full of weapons and resources. People saw the weapons and got the wrong idea. So many people were hurt and killed in those early days."

"Dark days," murmurs Newt, staring into the ground. "It was the same for us."

"Yeah," says Aris. "You could hardly trust anyone. Everyone ended up broken into groups, mostly small groups since no one really felt safe with other people. We only had five in our group.

"There was this girl in our group, and she and Y/n were close; really close, practically bonded like sisters at that point. Until this girl betrayed us for the largest group. We had resources they wanted. She practically led us to be killed," says Aris, eyes clouded.

"Y/n got pretty fucked up, cause of that," he continues quietly. "That scar on her shoulder? It's from just barely dodging her best friend's knife to her heart."

"Jesus," mutters Minho.

"Even after all of us got our shit together and started working with each other, Y/n only really trusted our old group. But WCKD's got Rachel now," says Aris, gaze dropping. "And Harriet and Sonya just disappeared."

Aris trails off, lost in his memories, until-

"Alright Aris," says Thomas, sitting forward, voice resolute. "This is what we're here for. We're getting away from WCKD. We'll find our own peace, in a safe place. You and Y/n, and anyone else we meet, we'll protect you. Cause we're a team, and we're gonna look after each other. I'll talk to Y/n later, of course, but that's the promise I'm making you now."

Aris grins at Thomas' intensity. "Thanks," he replies. "And if you do get Y/n's trust, she'll protect you too, all of you. The embodiment of ride or die, that girl. Trust me."

⭒----⭒

The group stumbles upon an abandoned supply area the next morning, and you pull Aris away to collect water alone.

"I heard you guys, last night," you tell him.

Aris turns to you, not nearly as surprised as you thought he'd be. "Yeah? How much?"

"Just the end of it," you say, capping a water bottle and passing it to him. "I wanted to say thanks, for explaining for me. And I'm gonna try, you know, talking to the others."

"That's great, Y/n," says Aris, smiling.

"I can tell they're good people. And I want... I miss having people, I guess. Friends. You know."

"What, gotten bored of me already?" Aris quirks an eyebrow at you.

You huff out a laugh, shaking your head. " 'course not."

"Good," says Aris. "Cause I'm planning on sticking around your stuck-up, traumatised ass for years to come."

"Thanks," you say flatly, hiding your grin.

Aris' expression shifts. "Speaking of years to come... and generally living,"

He reaches out, pulling your arm into his grasp. "Can I?"

At your nod, Aris unwraps the bandage from your arm, revealing the Crank bite marks, present as ever but visibly healing and uninfected.

"How does it feel?" he asks, hope clear in his eyes.

"Fine, honestly," you say softly. "I'm okay."

Aris lets out a breath. "Thank god."

"Yeah," you say, smiling.

"So you're Immune," says Aris.

"Right... Okay, listen," you say, finding your own voice tight with emotion.

You swallow. "If I hadn't been Immune, I would've been... content, happy even, to just have lived this way- with you."

Aris blinks at you.

You frown in thought, quickly ducking around the tank to check on the others still gathering supplies.

"So I-"

"I wouldn't be," interrupts Aris.

"What?"

"You're saying you would've been fine to die, just cause we've had a few years together? Fuck no, Y/n."

"I don't-"

"I want a long, peaceful life," Aris barrels on. "And I want it with you. Because I love you."

What? You take a breath, barely daring to hope. "...platonically, or-"

"Jesus, Y/n. I'm in love with you. Idiot."

"Hey, I'm just making sure," you protest.

You duck your head, kicking the sand lightly. "I was- I was trying to lead into a confession," you tell him.

"I know, I figured," huffs Aris. "But you were struggling, very cutely by the way, and I had to beat you to the punch."

You snort, shaking your head. "I'm unbelievably lucky to have you."

"Nah, I got all the luck," he says, voice soft.

You look into his eyes, the corners crinkled with his smile, and lean forward to press a kiss to his cheek.

"We should get back to the others," you say quickly, grabbing his hand and marching towards the group.

You glance over your shoulder to see Aris looking straight at you, cheeks dusted with pink, before he leans forward.

"I think you missed my lips."

You grin back. "Next time."

Harriet and Sonya were enemies to lovers, btw. Sonya was with Y/n's team, but Harriet was in another group in the early days.

Thanks for reading <3

#the maze runner #aris x reader #tmr aris x reader #tmr aris #my writing

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danganronpasurvivoraskblog · 3 months

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Two Blank Faces: Part 2.

This is rather out of the way, isn't it?

Based on my calculations, this is the most effective way to avoid anyone else interrupting our conversation...And also the most effective environment should this escalate into a fight.

Yes...I calculate the same thing..,

Ok you intellectuals, let's just get to the point already.

*Matta leads Izuru and Chiaki through a passageway outside of the factory. They keep walking until they finally come into a quiet clearing in the forest, with all the fighting heard far off in the distance. Once they come into an open, quiet clearing, he stops and turns around.

I want you to be honest with me...Do you have any idea why it is I've called you out here?

Actually...I don't.

You don't? But...can't you just predict things with your fortune teller or analysis talent?

It's true. I have superhuman analytical abilities and intuition thanks to my powers, which enable me to make startlingly accurate predictions with remarkable speed. I can also judge a person just from a glance.

However, this situation is different. There are no visible queues or ticks on this gentleman, and the mask certainly doesn't help. And there's something about his aura...

Like he exists to be unpredictable...unreadable...Like a...paradox...

Paradox? I-I don't get it...But if you can't see what he's going to do, isn't that bad?

Not particularly...The unknown excites me.

Ah yes...Ultimate Hope...The power to do anything and everything you put your mind to with ease...What a sickening power that is...

And how sickening it is to see you have fallen...Driven down by everything around you being so obsolete and boring...Your life would have been so much better

I would argue that I'm living quite comfortably right now.

...But for how long?

What?

You have no motivation...So how long will it be before you eventually get bored of the life you're living, and move on. Before you fall back into that old pattern?

I'd give it a few years...personally speaking...Well, maybe NOT so personally...

...I'm not sure I really get what you're talking about.

Yeah, me neither.

What I'm about to say won't be pleasant for you to hear.

Back when you first became...this...It must have been absolutely thrilling to wake up to that kind of power...But quickly you discovered that it wasn't all it was cut out to be.

Instead of a blessing of power, it was more like a curse. Even if you accomplished everything you set your mind to, you would still be unhappy with life BECAUSE everything would go exactly as planned for you. You had no sense of satisfaction or pride because you didn't need to think...

And then...Junko Enoshima came along.

She may have initially tried to kill you because of your reputation as the Ultimate Hope, but her real goal was to attack you because she knew she couldn't prevail and wanted to demonstrate how erratic Despair can be. How...unpredictable it was, even for both of your ever-powerful analytical prowess.

And like a rat with cheese on a mousetrap, you fell for it...

...

In the end, she persuaded you that a world of hope was boring and a world of despair was too unpredictable for even an Ultimate Analyst, which made life much more exciting. She did this by forcing the Hope's Peak student council to kill one another and by framing you to demonstrate what despair looked like.

Partners in crime...That's what you were in the end...and the world suffered for it.

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pizzapasta23045 · 1 year

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Kaeya gender real.... one of my favorite niches of fic is "kaeya indulges in Gender clothing with a Gunnhildr (who has her own gender feelings) while she analyzes him as a person". If I had a nickle for every one I've found I'd have two nickles which isn't a lot, but they were both fantastic so I think people should write more, etc. G is for gender and Gunnhildr, more people should let them have it.

(I was considering the theory/hypothetical that was getting thrown around of Skirk being an Alberich, but I'd just looked at that one Jean gender post so one of the first things that popped up in my head was a "Are you a boy or a girl?" sliding scale from Jean "I'm a Gunnhildr and a knight" to Skirk "I'm an Alberich and a weapon/threat" with Kaeya in the middle. Violence is one of the only things we know about her and it was funny in my head.)

🕸💐

No because about the Skirk think I have this whole conversation planed out for her character in this modern au situation. Like if she's an Alberich.

(Keep in mind that in this au Childe comes from a conservative part of the country and has never met a nonbinary person, so some mention of transphobia to determine gender. Nothing super bad or anything just, it's there and I'd rather be safe.)

It was like:

Childe: Are you a man or a woman?

Skirk: I'm an Alberich.

Childe: I... Just answer the question.

S: I'm an abomination, a curse on mankind, the destroyer of worlds.

C: No. Oh god! Just... In which side of the shop do you shop at? The men's or the women's?

S: Ewwwww! I don't wear clothes off the rack! I'm an Alberich! Heaven's sake, stop talking nonsense.

C: Which bathroom do you go in?

S: The men's. Less queue.

C: But can you pee standing up?

S: Wouldn't you like to know. Pervert.

#skirk #textpost #abyss order #childe #modern au #skirk's gender: abomination #also sinner #inquiries to a pizza

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nikoiine · 1 year

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I posted 94 times in 2022

1 post created (1%)

93 posts reblogged (99%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@haechantaeil

@femaleidols

@buglovescas

@emptydespair

@mandu

I tagged 93 of my posts in 2022

Only 1% of my posts had no tags

#kpop - 58 posts

#i'd rather have queue cursed or not - 55 posts

#nct - 26 posts

#run2queue - 22 posts

#dh - 11 posts

#mark - 8 posts

#txt - 5 posts

#bp - 5 posts

#rv - 5 posts

#spn - 3 posts

Longest Tag: 71 characters

#ok but this is reminding me of long burried trauma of being a teen help

My Top Posts in 2022:

i need nct blogs who post pretty shit to follow...

0 notes - Posted January 29, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #lolll #i still need pretty nct blogs

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destielo · 5 years

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christmas with the winchesters

#i'd rather have queue cursed or not #smol bois #a very supernatural christmas #sam winchester #dean winchester #christmas #gifset #spn gifs #supernatural #spn

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no-depression-for-vampires · 6 years

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I really have missed how funny this show can be. This episode was A+

#destiel #supernatural #i'd rather have queue cursed or not #season 13 spoilers #scoobynatural

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theartofangirling · 6 years

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characters i love: Leslie Knope (Parks and Recreation)

We need to remember what's important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn't matter, but work is third.

#leslie knope #parks and rec #parks and recreation #character aesthetics #character moodboard #characters i love #mine #i'd rather have queue cursed or not

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heartsdepth-arch · 5 years

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i think im just gonna reply 2 my few threads...perhaps scatter some asks through n queue things up bc a break from aquas blog i may be taking

#not that im super active here these days anyw but its been especially depressing lately n i'd rather be on any other blog #of which i have a few!#i'll probably be on catra for most of it....working on this garnet blog too #seeing the cursed content i saw yesterday n the realization that this rpc just feels bittersweet makes me think hm being away will be good #i'll follow in rains footsteps...w/ an absolutely fat queue

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castieltrash1 · 2 years

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michigan motel → dean w.

summary → a late night call from bobby singer urges you to check in on the winchester brothers’ christmas hunt, resulting in you joining their last-minute holiday celebration

word count → 1.2k

genre/warnings → dean x gender neutral!reader; fluff/comfort, sam is a friend and wingman, christmas things, canonical szn 3 angst, “a very supernatural christmas” details, mentions of injuries, one mention of doctor who, mostly just a feel good found fic with some flirting !!

a/n → this fic is for the lovely @immortalecstasy-blog as part of the @spnfanficpond’s secret santa exchange! i was honored to receive a lovely fic from them and am glad i can provide one in return! i hope whoever celebrated this year had a joyous holiday season and, if not, maybe this fic can provide some comfort :)

Your car’s engine sputters as it pulls into the motel’s parking lot, paint borders barely visible under the half-melted snow that crunches beneath your tires. Bundled in a pair of gloves, your frozen-stiff hands reach for the heater, hitting the vents a few times before they exhale a hot gust -- barely enough to combat the vicious weather of a Michigan winter. Out of all the states, of course, you had to come here.

After haphazardly parking, you make sure to roll your windows up and grab the extra coat in your trunk; a size too big and stained in more than one place, but comfier than anything else you own. You pull it on as you search the many doors for the number that Bobby told you over the phone, and you hold your breath as you knock on the scuffed wood.

A part of you, the pessimistic side that being a hunter brings, fears you won’t receive a reply. When you hear shuffling from inside, the cautious part of you forces you to tap your hip, ensuring your silver pocket knife is tucked securely into your waistband. However, when the door swings open to reveal a gangly and flustered Winchester, you know you’re in the right place.

“Y/N?” Sam asks in shock, not bothering to let you respond before pulling you into a warm hug. You slam into his chest with a laugh, arms wrapped around his broad torso while he pats your back. His white shirt smells unnaturally festive, and you pull back a few inches with a scrunched nose and furrowed brows.

“You smell like… a candle.”

Sam snorts. “Air freshener,” he corrects, with a grin. “One of those little tree ones, you know?” When you nod, his smile falters and he shakes his head. “What are you doing here?” He pushes the door open the rest of the way with his foot and leads you in, the motel’s shitty heater a warm welcome from the outside conditions.

“What do you think?” you joke, elbowing him before falling into the couch in the middle of the room. “Bobby sent me -- said you two were fighting a couple pagan gods. When you didn’t call, I offered to come check on you.” You were more than confident in the Winchester’s hunting abilities, but Bobby was nothing if not protective, and you knew he’d make the drive to Michigan himself if you didn’t. And, in all honesty, a snow-filled road trip seemed like an alright way to spend the holidays.

“Well, we’re alive,” Sam says, and you pull up your legs to make space for him on the couch, which he greatly accepts. It’s only then that you notice the bandaid on his fingertip and the gauze wrapped around his forearm. Sensing your shifted gaze, he follows your sightline and sighs. “Just some blood -- and a fingernail,” he tells you, and you shiver at the thought.

“Gross,” you respond, but you both know you’re relieved to see Sam is mostly unharmed. “Dean alright?” The question comes as an afterthought, though you presume Sam is aware of your preferences for his brother, since he rolls his eyes at your worried tone.

“He’s fine. I sent him to the store so I could fix up the room.”

You lazily glance around, noting the mini-tree donned in air freshener ornaments and lights, plus the Merry Christmas banner above the TV set. “It doesn’t come like this?” you ask, sitting up to take a better look upon realizing. “Thought Martha Stewart threw up in here or something,” you joke, before softening. “It looks nice, Sammy.”

Sam offers a half-hearted smile and you try not to see the lingering melancholy behind his eyes. “Got some eggnog too, and a few gifts.” He gestures to the grocery bag on the desk, and you reach forward, eager for a holiday drink. “If I’d known you were coming, I’d have bought you something,” he starts, and you cut him off before he can look any more pitiful.

“Let me spike this drink and we’ll call it even.”

---

When Dean makes it back to the room, you’re half tipsy on rum, and scramble to look presentable as the door creaks open. The soft part of your heart aches at the childlike look in his eyes as he takes in the decorations, lights reflecting underneath his long lashes. His gaze lands on you, and you send him a toothy grin as he pushes the door closed to greet you.

“Looks like Santa came early this year,” he exclaims, reaching down to gather you in his arms. His leather jacket smells like home and you hide your warm face in his shoulder, letting him press a kiss to the top of your head. You can still feel the warmth of his body when he pulls away to raise a questioning brow at Sam.

“Did you get the beer?” Sam asks, and Dean nods, still confused.

“What’s all this?”

“What do you think?” Sam responds, awkwardly, and you realize there’s some unresolved tension between the two of them, something your presence acts as a barrier to. “It’s Christmas,” Sam continues, and he tilts his head in your direction. “I didn’t know Y/N would be here, though.” His voice is reassuring, however, and you’re glad to see you haven’t overstepped any boundaries.

You stand up from the couch quickly, pretending not to notice both brothers exhale in relief at you cutting their conversation short. “Try the eggnog,” you tell Dean, handing him a cup. “Helped make it myself,” you tease, and he visibly shudders after taking a sip. You and Sam both laugh as Dean’s face scrunches in disgust, lips flattening into a straight line as he swallows the spiked drink.

“I think he likes it,” you say, and Sam grins as he grabs the newspaper-wrapped presents off the table. Dean scrambles to do the same, making your heart warm at the thought of them both buying gifts despite seemingly not expecting to celebrate.

“I didn’t get you anything,” Dean suddenly says, looking to you with wide eyes.

“I know,” you reassure. “Not having to spend Christmas alone is a gift enough for me,” you tell him, and his freckled cheeks turn pink. You tell yourself it’s from the alcohol, despite knowing Dean is far from a lightweight.

“I’ll let you share my bed?” he offers, and Sam playfully groans at the unrestrained flirting that never ceases between you two.

“Can I turn on the Doctor Who Christmas special?” you add, and both brothers shrug. “Deal,” you respond, a little too quickly. A part of you wonders if this will be the last time you sleep in the same room as Dean before… but it doesn’t matter. An air of sadness suddenly stifles the room as the impending realization settles in everyone’s minds, and you blink away the unshed tears threatening to spill. Nose stinging with emotion, you clap away the tension, breaking out in a half-sincere smile.

“Go on! I wanna see what you guys picked for each other.” You push Dean into the center of the couch, sitting beside him and peering over his shoulder as he passes his own gifts to his younger brother, before pulling you into his side.

It might be your last December with him, but as you snuggle up to him, you know you wouldn’t spend it any other way.

fic exchange/dean tag list (crossed out unable to tag): @mrswhozeewhatsis @princess-of-the-snake-pit @hi-my-name-is-riley @aiofheavenandhell @okkulta @joshyygar @eunoia-kth @godhatesyouandi @frederickandgeorge-weasley @teenwolfbitches2 @holding-on-to-starwars

#SPNFanFicPond Secret Santa #dean winchester x reader #supernatural fluff #dean winchester fluff #supernatural imagine #supernatural oneshot #dean winchester #sam winchester #dean winchester imagine #dean winchester oneshot #supernatural fanfic #t: writing #i'd rather have queue cursed or not

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whetstonefires · 2 years

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Ooh do you have a pent up rant on Ella Enchanted? I loved that movie as a kid and tried the book when I got older, but I didn't like it (I loved Fairest, which was set in the same universe by the same author so 🤷‍♀️). I'd love to hear any thoughts you have on it!

Hahaha 🤘 okay going for it! I’m specifically of the age that Ella Enchanted was one of my top five reread books as a child and I was in high school when the movie came out, so.

Among other things I think reading the book when ‘older’ is a funny idea because. It’s a children’s book. How old were you when you saw the movie for the book to be later?? I guess it is appropriate for fairly little kids, come to think about it, although small-child me would not have liked it. On its own merits, without taking its failures as an adaptation into consideration.

And okay, queue the salt. The Ella Enchanted movie is such a bad adaptation. Record-setting. It contains none of the significant themes, worldbuilding, or basic narrative content of the book other than item: attend a giantish wedding, and only about 4% of all characterization.

The titular enchantment isn’t even the same--movie Ella effectively has superpowers as a result of her curse, since telling her to ‘freeze’ actually stops her midair etc. The fact that book!Ella doesn’t have superpowers of any kind but if you order her to do something impossible she’ll be compelled to try anyway, and keep trying until released or dead even if her body breaks in the attempt, is one of the underlying threats driving the fear of her curse that hangs over the whole story.

Obviously, the film people took it a different direction. I guess feeling that ‘the helpless anxiety of being at the mercy of others’ is not a child-appropriate subject despite being relevant to the experience of basically all children ever.

And it’s not even like, a sincerely bad adaptation! It’s solidly kitsch, cynical to the bone, a deliberate series of decisions to be as screamingly shallow as humanly possible to maximize marketability over all. This is by rights a soulless B-movie with the budget of a god.

It’s really an incredibly terrible adaptation of the book, which is a slow, thoughtful, character-driven work whose final act in particular is highly psychological. (By the standards of children’s literature, obvs.) With a main romance that develops through several stages over a number of years based on personality and respect foremost, and several other key relationships that all have their own unique tone and process, mostly with women. The fairy godmother--the actual one, not that terror Lucinda--is one of the main characters and they cut her from the film entirely because no part of her was compatible with the kind of flash and glitz story they were telling. It is really a masterwork in ‘not actually adapting this material in any meaningful way.’

The fact that this towering stack of complete corporate-workshopped disaster nonsense manages to be pretty fun to watch even as someone with an attachment to the book (i get mad about the ogre and elf writing choices but for their internal inconsistencies rather than wrt the book) is really a testament to the passionately hamtastic performances of the whole cast, and Anne Hathaway in particular. She’s just very capable and I respect both her talents and her work ethic.

Also the editing team did an excellent job; the pacing is so tight in just the way you need in a comedy. And everyone involved in the visuals, actually; I don’t think they made the right movie but the movie they made is visually cohesive in a satisfying way.

The script is such incredible horseshit though, I cannot. 😂 But, I mean, in a way it’s good they bolted out the gate with inanity, once your expectations are on the floor you cannot be disappointed. (This is I think the principle the new Batman film employs with the 500% cheese opening voiceover; it works.)

The Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle (another childhood favorite) actually wound up bothering me a lot more because it started out as a reasonable adaptation more or less and then lost all the significant themes and story beats as it went. When the key strength of DWJ’s writing style was how it would start out meandering and low-stakes, and then tighten into a needlepoint as you got to the end.

But that is the wrong salt! Lmao.

So yeah I’m not mad about the movie--well, a little right now, because making a movie that wildly different from a book creates that exact phenomenon you describe, of people being disappointed by something really good because it’s nothing like its derived material.

But. Wow. Ella Enchanted. Did you ever see anything so Hollywood in your life.

#hoc est meum #ella enchanted #adaptation #children's fiction #i throw salt #anne hathaway #gail carson levine #i think?#and yeah i found Fairest inferior to Ella Enchanted because the plot wasn't as tightly textured #and relied more on Dramatic Events Occurring #but it's good too

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redwinterroses · 2 years

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I totally get you! The only reason I said my age was because I was on anon haha being old enough to remember when you told nobody anything about yourself online is a curse

For me, I was into mcyt back in ye olde yogscast and mindcrack days, fell off for a bit, and came back into mcyt around 2 years ago! These block people make my neurodivergent brain go nuts as well lol

But as I stuck to mainly hermitcraft, it's been really interesting to see the bleed-off from the dsmp side when they come over here and see these "old" creators. Especially because dsmp wouldn't be as popular as it got without an older CC like Wilbur, who had the life experience and knowledge to pull together a semi-coherent narrative.

And this is just coming from previous fandom experience here, but if you don't have a wide range of ages within the fans, the fandom tends to die as people age out and move on. So having older fans is just as important as younger ones, but people act so weird when it's mentioned that older people exist in the mcyt space.

In regards to your tags, oh boy don't get me started on the infantilisation of older, more popular CC's! Like these are grown-ass adults and it's so strange to see them constantly represented as teens or young adults. I get art styles are all different and some stylizations lean younger but I don't know, I'd love some older hermit representation.

But I suppose that's just an experience thing that happens when you get older, and you realise that people that you relate to (like a fav CC) aren't going to be the same age as yourself.

Look at me still ranting haha I think I might need that rocking chair actually :P

I'm just posting this mainly without comment because YES all of this. Look at the most long-lived fanbases -- Lord of the Rings, Sherlock Holmes, Star Trek, Star Wars, Marvel... you know what they all have in common? A wide age-range of fans. Parents who love it passing it on to their kids. Young people discovering the massive backlog of content that fans before them have created. It's beautiful and a self-sustaining fandom ecosystem needs all ages to survive and thrive.

Honestly age-segregation is stupid. Obviously there are limits, let's not ignore that, but kids should be able to have friends who are adults -- "mentors" are just "friends" who also happen to be able to impart life advice lol. It's very healthy to interact with people who have more life experience, rather than just your own peer group who's all trying to figure it out together, and from the opposite end it's very healthy for "grown ups" to remember what the heck being a kid is like. Good luck trying to maintain a childlike sense of wonder in the world if you never actually interact with real kids lol.

...okay anyway, happy Thanksgiving to all my American followers; I'm getting off the internet and letting the queue take over for the rest of the day. XD

#also anon -- feel free to come off anon and drop by my dms to chat more #redwinteranswers #discourse #i guess? lol

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iamnightduchess · 3 years

Text

Kiss Me More #02

"Don't Dream It's Over"

(Formerly named 'The Soulmates Series')

Read Ep.01

Pairing: Reiner x Mikasa (ReiKasa)

Universe: SnK High School Caste Canonverse

(Feat. Quarterback!Reiner & Goth!Mikasa)

Trope: Unexpected Date

Summary: He sees her sitting all alone at the matinee waiting area with a large popcorn bucket, a large soda with two straws and the saddest eyes he's seen on her ever. It wasn't his intention to turn that frown into a smile by the end of the evening, but he did it anyway.

Rhythmic Muse: Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House

"Don't dream it's over. They come to build a wall between us, we know they won't win."

He stands in a long queue in front of the cinema's ticketing booths, next to a vigil Bertholdt. The tallest boy in their school has his nose buried in a new dystopian novel he just bought from the bookstore only 30 mins ago. From the looks of it, his best friend's already passed the first 3 chapters - evidence that he's already won over by the new universe crafted by the sci-fi series' famous author. Reiner's eyes squints to read the screens displaying showtimes from the far distance. Times like these, the recurring suspicions that he might need a pair of glasses doesn't seem too farfetched after all.

A low snort and a guffaw break his focus as he looks at the Galliard brothers; Porco, the younger one, is showing a funny meme on his phone to his older brother, Marcel, a first year student from Marley University.

"Hey," he calls for their attention, "which movie are we catching?"

Porco whips his head to his direction, "Captain Marvel, duh."

"Most of the earlier tix are selling out fast. I'd rather we just get the evening show so we could still get the best seats." He suggests, before continuing, "I'm ok if we stayed until dinner time. My mum's not needing my help for the whole day."

Marcel, the oldest one in the group, nods in agreement. "Sounds good to me. I could also check out the IT store for some hardwares."

Porco and Bertholdt shrugs, the former suggesting 'Arcade' while latter suggesting 'Cat Cafe' to kill time until their possible movie time.

Reiner lets out a small laugh in response and chides, "We have time to do both." He whips his phone out and goes on his 'gram, scrolling past pictures of Jean standing next to a horse that's trying to eat his face. He quickly types, 'Hey Jean, your uncle's missing you so much isn't he?' in the comment box, not forgetting to include an evil laugh emoji before he presses the send's arrow button. He scrolls past his feed, occasionally commenting when he sees something of interest and chuckles hard when he sees the pop-up notification of Jean's reply to his earlier comment with some unsavory curse words.

His thumb pauses on his screen the moment an image of a petite, blonde-haired beauty appears in his feed. He likes the photo before scrolling down towards the comments section. He cringes the second he registers the flirty comments singing praises towards the girl's picture. He sighs, 'When will you notice me, Historia?'

Marcel quips, "I heard the sigh. What's up?"

"Nothing."

Bertholdt peers from the top of his book and gives a side glance at the school's star quarterback. "Unrequited crush."

"Hey, Historia's the girl of my dreams!" Reiner falters, right before he sheepishly adds, "I want to marry her someday. She's the girl I want to have that white picket fence whatever thing, one day with. Sort of."

Marcel lowers his head to take a good look at the picture on his screen. "She seems...well...." The older Galliard brother shrugs his shoulders. "So, you like the blonde, princess types huh?"

"What?"

"Nothing. What makes your boat floats, I guess. Didn't think you'd go for the plastics." That blonde hair, blue-eyes and ruthless eyes with a background of constant luxury materials just screams a lifetime of high maintenance, gaslighting and emotional manipulation. Marcel Galiard has an innate ability to read people's true characteristics only by seeing their faces - a gift that he's been more content in keeping to himself and between his parents. Even his younger brother isn't aware of such things.

"She's not a plastic! She's pretty, kind and has a nice smell!," objects Reiner adamantly.

Marcel jibes further, "Ok....and?"

"What else do you want me to say?"

Marcel shares his immediate observation. "Rich man's daughter? Drives a convertible or has a driver that waits on her hand and foot? Designer dresses and shoes bought with Daddy's black card? Gangs up on those who look different? Walks with her nose up in the air?"

"Fine. Stop it. No one's perfect. I don't care--" Reiner almost chokes on his own response. "--what everyone in school says about her. I know she has a good heart."

"Did she ask you to either do her homework or run some errands for her, just so she'll able to get to her facial appointments or shopping spree, dude? Uses you like a boyfriend but never sees you as one?"

Reiner curses. "Dammit. Shut up, Marcel!" He doesn't like that the older boy's shallow, judgmental perception were spot on even when he'd never even met said girl.

Marcel shrugs. "I've seen more of those type of girls in college, Reiner. Believe me when I say this - pretty faces alone ain't the ones you'd want to bring home to mom in 10-15 years. You'd best be setting your sights on a homegirl not a trophy wife."

Porco looks up from his own phone and chimes in, "The Queen Bitc-I mean, Bee? Hah, dang right. Reiner always goes for the hot, manipulative ones who's always 'Me, Me, Me'."

"What's your type then, Marcel?" Comes the challenge in his words. How dare Marcel even judge Historia and groups her with the girls he'd seen in his campus. Historia is special. She's a QUEEN.

The brunette scans around the cinema hall and shares, "That, that and that."

"You're just being random."

Marcel releases another low chuckle. "I'm not looking to date but IF I was, I'll definitely march my ass over to that lounge and talk to that cute goth over there. Now, that is a girl I'd know I could have an amazing conversation with."

The three boys follow his line of gaze and all three have different expressions on their faces - Bertholdt's almost beaming, Porco's gasping and Reiner with a surprise on his face.

"Ackerman?" The synchronized voices exclaim out loud, upon registering the identity of the girl who has ensnared Marcel's interest.

"Wait, you guys know her?"

While the other three boys are conversing, Reiner sees her sitting all alone at the matinee waiting area with a large popcorn bucket and a large soda with two straws and the saddest eyes he's ever seen on her ever. He'd seen when those eyes held nothing but either sheer determination or fascination when they were in classes together. Despite how the popular clique jeered at the school's wallflower, whispering behind her back and calling her with unsavory names, Reiner knows that underneath those thick makeup and black eyeshadow - that layer of cosmetics actually conceals a human being with a high IQ and EQ despite her introverted front.That girl's secretly a gifted genius yet not even once she wanted anyone to know. He'd once overheard the conversation that confirmed this taking place between the school's counsellor, Mr. Dietrich with Ms. Brzenska, their Physics teacher after school hours.

Bertholdt's voice breaks his instantaneous train of thoughts as the tall boy offers the information of said girl to the group. "She's the new transfer student from East Sea. Came in last summer. Already surpassed Reiner's top spot in the school's Calculus, Physics and Maths ranking and based on the grapevine of the teachers' lounge - a potential valedictorian."

"Beauty with brains, huh? And graduating?"

"Bro," Porco jumps into the conversation, "She threw a ball right across the hallway gobsmack into my balls on her first day in school. I had to get myself iced the whole day. Ackerman's got a strong grip. She would've made a good linebacker if there's a girls football team."

Marcel nods his head in admiration. "Beauty with brains and balls of steel who terrified my brother? I'm going to get her number."

Reiner snorts. "Sure, if you're planning to go to jail."

Porco shivers in reflex. "Bro don't. She'll stab you in the guts. I heard she transferred from a juvie."

Completely ignoring his baby brother's plea, Marcel presses on. "Isn't she your classmate?"

"She's fifteen but she's in the senior's class and Porco, shut your mouth. She's from an elite convent school not juvie. Get your facts straight. Jesus." Reiner's eyes had almost roll back into his skull at that point.

The nineteen year old's mouth gapes open in sheer disbelief. "You don't say." There is a gleam of admiration on Marcel's face as if the metaphorical sun's ray just glazes over him out of nowhere.

Porco quips, "I thought she's always with that loser Jeager and nerd Arlert?"

Before Reiner could answer the question, Bertholdt lifts his head again from his reading and offers an information that even he wasn't aware of. "They're always together but Eren seems to be more annoyed with them both constantly hovering around him."

"How did you know about her?"

"We're in the Theatre Club together. We do talk to each other, you know. Besides, everybody in school knows about her legendary crush on Eren."

"The unrequited crush, huh?" repeats Marcel, giving nod to to the taller boy's earlier remark. "Hey, do you follow her 'gram?"

Reiner squints his eyes and asks, suspicions visible in his dark hazel eyes. "Why?"

"I'm just curious."

Reluctantly, Reiner hands over his phone to Marcel. The latter's eyes reflects the light from the screen as he scrolls down the feed on his classmate's social media profile. He gasps shockingly and snatches the phone away when he realizes what Marcel is doing by double tapping on the screen. "What the hell, man? Those are old posts. She might think I'm stalking her!"

Marcel whistles low. "Hey, I didn't know you guys took a selfie together before? You guys actually looked cute together."

"When did--oh that was for a proof of our Physics project in the lab." After a while only then he registers Marcel's last sentence. "Wait what did you just said earlier?"

"Why did you never like it? Douche." There was an evil grin on the older Galliard brother's face. "Like." He reaches over and double taps on the screen of the phone in his hand.

"You asshole!"

"You can't unlike now or you'll be the asshole." Marcel sends him a sly wink instead. "The future you will thank me a lot in the future."

The group standing in front of them shift, forcing them to move along and he'd almost missed the figure belonging to the topic of their conversation passing by unnoticed.

"Mi-mikasa!" Bertholdt called out for the goth girl's name. Reiner could only hope she never gets the notification on her phone or notice the way his eyes are almost popped out of his sockets upon seeing her up close.

His eyes sweeps over the younger girl. She'd actually look adorable in the full dark purple plaid overall dress and fishnet stockings, a fresh change from her usual attire in school - black shirts and red or black gingham skirts.

Mikasa pauses, her hands still full with her snacks and two movie tickets of a show that had actually began 30 minutes ago. "Bertholdt?" She looks up to the gentle giant with a tight smile on her face. A smile that never seem to touch her eyes. Not the same as the one he'd seen whenever she's around Jeager.

"Great seeing you here," says Bertholdt, a sincere tone in his greeting.

Mikasa nods her head slowly. She looks like she'd rather disappear there and then than having small talk with the same group of people she tends to avoid at school. "Eren took a raincheck." Reiner didn't miss the visible look of disappointment on her face when Jeager's name slips out of her lips.

Porco pipes in unabashedly. "He stood you up? That sucks Ackerman. Ow--" He yelps when Marcel's palm hits the back of his head due to his insensitive remark.

She hands over the huge tub of popcorn and the large drink tumbler in her hands towards his bestfriend's hands. "I don't think I'll be needing this anymore, Bertholdt. Please enjoy it and don't worry, I haven't taken a sip yet."

Reiner felt the nudge from Marcel's elbow against his ribs, prompting him to ask, "Are--are you leaving already?" When did he even begin stuttering?

She gives another slow nod in return.

Bertholdt took the offered snack and already sweating beverage container as the ice had melted quite a while since it was bought. "But it's raining outside. You can't be waiting for the bus in this weather."

"I'll wait." Comes the slow, hesitant reply. It's fairly obvious to everyone there with the exception of Porco who has an inability to read his surroundings, of the well-concealed dejected sigh underneath the girl's breath. She was really looking forward to this 'movie date' with the guy who stood her up.

"Hey," eases Marcel, "Why don't you join us? If you don't mind catching the new Marvel movie. Afterwards we can stay and wait together with you at the bus stop if it's still raining after."

Mikasa's eyes widen in astonishment at the stranger's friendly offer. "I--....Thanks but it's alright."

Reiner smacks his palm on his own forehead. "Marcel, stop being a creep. She doesn't know who you are."

"Introduce me then."

Reiner clears his throat, mildly embarassed at his senior's boldness and eventually introduce them to each other. "Mikasa, this is Marcel Galliard, we've been friends since we were kids. He's studying in Marley U. Marcel, this is Mikasa Ackerman, our classmate."

"Galliard?" Her eyes dart back and forth between the older stranger and the blonde-haired jock whom she knows from school; the latter seems to still be terrified of her ever since the 'ball-busting' incident on her first day in Paradis High.

Porco stammers, "Yeah...he's my big brother. Please don't throw anything at me, Ackerman." He almost hides himself behind someone, which happens to be Bertholdt 'the human wall' Hoover, to take cover like a second nature now. This girl is so dangerous up close and personal. He'd never be caught dead trying to pick a fight with her. She'd be the type to shank him with a swiss knife she'd hidden somewhere inside her combat boots if he'd even so much look at her the wrong way.

He could only gulp in nervousness when he sees his own brother extending a hand towards the girl, which she shook gently. With kindness and a smile. With kindness. And a smile. What the fuck? Porco stares, horrified when he sees an unfamiliar beam and a soft gaze on his own brother's face.

Somebody call the Devil because hell has frozen.

Marcel is already smitten with this girl and they just met!

-oo-O-oo-

Reiner saunters wordlessly next to Marcel who's already smoothing his way into a conversation with the goth girl while the group heads towards the arcade on the fifth floor. Mikasa, despite the initial awkwardness and who seems to be a bit shy at first, gradually settles herself into a cordial conversation with the older teenager. They've got time to kill. Their movie's not starting for at least another one and a half hour.

"So, Reiner told me that you guys are lab partners. Did he mooch off his work a lot on you?," asks Marcel, jokingly.

Mikasa shakes her head. "Not quite. He's been really helpful."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Reiner listens in to their conversation, being the silent spectator while Porco is already dragging poor Bertholdt towards the front of the group. The boy's hand is already shoveling a handful of the caramel popcorn from the tub in the latter's hand straight into his mouth.

"What do you like to do for fun, Mikasa?" He heard Marcel's question, to which she responds to with a quick, "Besides beating your baby brother up?"

Marcel couldn't hold back a loud guffaw from his lips. "Shit- sorry, yeah, besides beating my brother up."

"I like to take a walk into the woods and offer little sacrifices to appease the Dark Lord."

"Se--seriously??"

"Not really. I only hex people for fun."

Marcel's face is already turning pale.

"Just joking."

"Holy crap. I really thought that you're a witch."

"I only ever messed with an Ouija board once. You really don't wanna know of the literal skeletons in my closet."

"Occult lover huh?"

Reiner's already clutching his belly, trying to hold his laughter down. He'd never realize how much he's been missing her quirky comebacks and oddball humor ever since she's become much closer to Jeager. It's like when she's around Eren, she hides the true real person from within.

Just like how he's always putting on this façade of a popular, devil may care and life of the party kind of a guy in school, especially in front of Historia.

The things we do and front just to impress people who don't even think we're worth a minute of their time.

"Bertholdt told me you might be graduating earlier than your peers. Done any college tours yet?" He'd heard Marcel's query towards the soft-spoken girl, who's now walking in between them.

"Not yet. I'm looking into pre-med programs in Karanes or maybe in Hizuru."

"You know, Marley U has an amazing science foundation for medicine. If you ever feel like checking it out, maybe you could give me a text and I can always give you a tour around campus."

"I really don't want to trouble you."

"No sweat. Here, let me give you my number. Whether you text me or not, it's really up to you."

Reiner immediately rolls his eyes when Marcel gives him a sly, victorious smirk; flexing his smoothness.

'Fifteen' He mouths sternly, sensing a natural inclination to be slightly protective over his younger classmate.

-oo-O-oo-

"It's funny that you've never noticed what's in front of your face all this time, Reiner."

"Whatever the hell was that supposed to mean?"

"A polite girl who you can talk to about anything, who has a quirky sense of humor, who saved our asses in House of The Dead 4 and kicked our asses in Street Fighter? That's a keeper, man, for sure."

"Pfft."

"She's a homegirl."

"Haha..."

"Make sure she gets home safe."

"Give it up, Marcel."

"We'll see."

"I'll book you a place in prison if you even dare text her for a date."

"Aah to be able to see the blossoming seeds of jealousy. 'Twas an amazing feeling."

"Shut up."

Reiner suggests out loud as they both stand in front of the mall's entrance, "Hey, I don't think the bus is going be here anytime soon and it's almost getting dark. Let me give you a lift."

"There's no need, really. I really don't like troubling anyone." She shakes her head, a hand lifting in a timid resistance.

"I insist." He could feel a smile on his face when the shakes turn into a tiny nod. "I also insist you keep the jacket on too. The wind seems to be a bit chilly than usual tonight." The cold draft of the evening wind only makes the prickling blush on her cheeks turn a shade darker.

"Thanks. I really appreciate it." She encloses his bomber jacket around her front and she pulls at them snugly. Despite the jacket being two sizes bigger, it truly feels comfortable enough for her.

"Sorry if it smells a bit funky. I always wear it in school."

"I don't even notice at all. Maybe because I'm already used to sitting next to you in classes?"

Reiner couldn't help the little chivalrous feeling from within when he sees her small action ever since she accepted the offer of his jacket from inside the movie hall hours earlier. Unlike a certain girl who wrinkled her nose in disgust whenever he offered it to her in school especially during rainy days. She said it reeked of his sweat.

Marcel's right. Mikasa is a really polite girl.

He pries open the door to his trusty old four-wheeler, a priceless hand-me-down from his uncle and apologizes to her for a potential discomfort. "My car heater's a bit busted so--"

"Do you always apologize when you're nervous?"

"Whuh?"

"I notice that you do that a lot. Especially in class."

"I do?" He waits until she manages to hikes herself up against the worn out leather upholstery of his car seat. He pushes the car door shut and gets into the driver's seat, instantaneously turning on the ignition by reflex. The engine roars to life before regulating into a steady rhythm.

"You notice things like that about me?" He quickly checks on his rearview before heading out of his parking spot, navigating the lanes into the main road carefully.

"We're lab partners for more than 2 terms, it's really difficult not to start picking up things about you."

"I'm really flattered to hear that, Ackerman."

Her eyes remain fixed to the road ahead. "Are you nervous about something?"

"Well, it's just that apart from my mom and baby cousin, you're actually the first girl who's ever ridden in this 4-wheeler with me driving."

She whips her head around, mildly disbelieving his sudden, voluntary proclamation. "That's surprising." She immediately squints as she mock whispers, as if there could be anyone watching or listening in. "Won't your squad be giving you trouble if they know about this?"

"Eh-- don't worry about it. Bert and Porc's seem to be surprisingly cool with you today. Even Porc said his brother's crushing hard on you today."

"Marcel?" She finds it difficult to believe that she had to repeat the name again. "Marcel?"

"Yeah...I'm just curious, what do you think of him?" The grip against his steering wheel tighten apprehensively, waiting to hear her response. Out of pure curiosity as a friend of course.

A quick notification ding diverts her attention towards her own phone, letting his question remains unanswered, and robbing off the demure smile away from her slightly flushing face.

"Is everything ok?"

Mikasa nods her head, yet her pursed lips tell him the opposite. "Just a text from Eren. Saying he's sorry that he just remembered we're supposed to catch a movie together today."

"But you said earlier it was a raincheck?"

She drops her head down in an awkward silence, her hand presses on the phone's lock button. A bit embarassed that he might've caught on to her little white lie.

Eren never texted her earlier to let her know. He'd only texted her at 6pm when the show would've ended by more than 3 hours ago.

He actually left her hanging all by herself just like that.

Reiner huffed none too gently. His mother raised him to be a gentleman and seeing Mikasa's face lost the cheer it had only a minute earlier frustrates him a lot. He quickly turns his head towards the passenger seat, asking, "Hey, are you alright?"

Her quivering lips told him the answer she couldn't say. He gives her the space to gather her breathe, without pressing her any further.

She eventually divulges, "I was fine and I really had a great time with you guys but it only takes one text message to pull me back from that good place."

He listens wordlessly, his eyes focusing back to the road.

She asks, "Have you ever feel so strongly for someone so much that it still hurts you over small things they do or didn't do?"

Reiner nods slowly. "I have." Still do.

The next thing he knows, Mikasa is seen burrowing her face into the folds of his jacket. Her heaving shoulders only confirms her unexpected breakdown.

"Crap" He panics, trying to rummage through his glove compartment for a napkin to offer and grunts when he couldn't find one. As a guy, he didn't really see the need for him to prepare such things but now is also a very bad time to regret his vehicle furnishing decision - or lack of it. On a second thought, he realizes that maybe what she truly needs from him is just his empathy.

And his bomber.

He tries to alleviate the piercing silence by switching on his radio and a slow 80's rock song could be heard mid-play from the vehicle's stereo speakers. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be insensitive but I thought maybe you'd prefer not to be heard. Not that I have a problem with either way you prefer to process."

Mikasa eventually lifts her head up and he finally sees her teary face. "I might have soiled your jacket. I'm sorry."

"Hey, you're the first girl who's ever ridden in my car and the first girl who has a minor meltdown in front of me, so don't feel bad about it. I'm secretly honored."

She takes a deep breath before rubbing at her eyes using a hand. "I was being petty over small things."

"You're not." He pauses his sentence when he stops to make a turn into a cross junction. "You always are quiet in class. This is the first time I'm seeing you like this. Hold on, let me just pull over."

"But...why?"

"So I could be able to listen to you better if you need to just talk."

He pulls the car to the side of the curb where it's safe and left the engine running. He places the hand gear to P, waiting for a little while until the engine slows down to idle. The light and easy rhythm of a slow rock ballad serves as a suiting, albeit slightly out-of-place accompanying music to their current situation. Like a scene from a cheesy teen movie. She's the sad, jilted female lead and him the ever loyal classmate slash good friend who's offering her a shoulder to cry on.

"I think I might have stamped all of my eyeshadow on the inside," sighs the goth girl as she pulls the big outerwear aside. Her lips purses in shame upon registering the unintended stains left behind by her sudden burst of tears.

Dismissing her guilt away, Reiner wouldn't be caught dead in ever admitting this out loud, but with her makeup almost gone from her face, he could finally see this girl's natural beauty - the one that's always been hidden underneath her regular cosmetics.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

She shakes her head without hesitation. "No, thank you."

"Alright then," he clears his throat from the chilly evening air, "but, a little unwarranted advice if you don't mind....from one friend to another."

He holds her teary gaze in his own unyielding stare. He could perceive her anticipation of his next words. He's a bit wary that he could have offended her in any way, considering they've never conversed anything beyond academics or the occasional shared preferences of music in school.

She tilts her head to the side, nodding once and he takes in the gesture as her acceptance.

"I know that you don't want anyone to know of how smart you really are but shedding tears for a guy who wouldn't appreciate your time? It's not befitting coming from someone so intelligent like you."

Another single tear trickles down her cheek when she hears those genuine words. She's stunned. Speechless. She'd never knew that the star quarterback has a lot more empathy than what he's usually displayed in public at school. He's one of the holier than thou do-gooders club members that picks on kids who just doesn't fit their status quo. She could barely tolerate his clique in school.

But on his own, Reiner actually has a good heart all along.

"And you," she chides, "Why do you hide your kindness whenever you're in school? Acting like the cool heartbreaker, trying to impress the head cheerleader?"

"I think we both might have been too caught up in trying to get the attention of the one we like."

They both look down in mutual contempt upon realizing that they could somehow see through the other's façade when it was just the two of them.

"You're setting yourself up for a heartbreak when it comes to Jeager."

"I think you could use your own advice too when it comes to the school queen."

The immediate closeness between them - discovered through their shared plight - instigates an unfamiliar yet a very welcomed feeling. He lifts a thumb to wipe away the melted mascara stain running down her cheek, causing her skin to flush even redder than before.

Have you ever look at someone's face and happened to realize how much you want to stop their tears and take their pain away?

Reiner relishes in the fact that he can now say yes to that question for the very first time.

When she grips his hand and squeezes it appreciatively in return, he could feel his heart's almost bursting out of his chest from such a simple action.

In movies, this is usually the part where they somehow find themselves in a magical trance before sharing a kiss.

"Your hand smells of popcorn." She remarks nonchalantly with a grin and they both burst into a hearty laughter.

"Shh Mikasa...you're breaking the spell you had me in just now."

"What spell? You really believe that I dabble in dark magic?"

"The way you make even the toughest guy like Marcel to be charmed by you upon first sight?"

"Really? How come it works on Marcel but not you?"

"What makes you think that it didn't?"

"Very funny, Braun." She shakes her head as she wipes her cheeks dry with the cuff of his bomber, fighting off the smile on her face.

Reiner smirks at their banter. At least his intended half truth-half humor had made her stop crying.

"Thank you for listening."

"And?" He leered at his jacket.

"Thank you for the jacket."

"Maybe I'm your Dark Knight after all huh?"

"That was a joke that Eren doesn't seem to get." There is a brief pause in her words as she realizes another truth. "But you do."

She's putting him under another spell and she doesn't even know it.

A distinctive guitar riff intro of a song came through the speakers and both their eyes lit up at the same time, proclaiming "That's my jam!"

"Jinx!" Their hands automatically searches the other's. He's very sure she's not the only one with a wide beam on her face inside the car.

Reiner grins as he turns the volume dial up and Crowded House's vocalist begins to sing.

"It can be our jam now. Give it up top, Ackerman!" He lifts his hand up and the girl's smaller, dainty hand meets his in an impromptu high five this time.

"Ready to go?"

She nods.

He puts the gear back to D and steers the car back into the main road, traversing the route heading towards her destination at a cruising speed. He hums the rhythm before he starts to sing along, his deep voice resonates against the four walls of his car.

But you'll never see the end of the road while you're travelling with me.

She remains mum but she couldn't help herself when she eventually joins him mid-chorus.

Her voice is just beautiful. Her speaking voice is slightly deeper than most girls he'd ever met but her singing voice; she could make the angels weep in envy.

'Damn you Marcel for putting ideas in my head.'

He decides to ease up on the accelerator just so he could prolong this moment with her, just feeling like they're on top of the world. No thoughts of Eren. No thoughts of Historia.

If Eren deems his time too important for her today, he'll be more than happy to keep her smiling until the moment he sends her at her door step.

She asks, "Reiner, are you in a rush for dinner with your mother?"

"Not really. She's actually at my uncle's house. Anything?"

"My aunt is inviting you over for dinner at her diner. On the house. As a thank you for treating me to the movie earlier--" She pauses and she bites her lips nervously, before finding the courage to share her appreciation. "-- and also for the company."

He snickers in glee. "You know it's rude for me to say no to a free meal."

"Great. Her diner's meat pies are to die for."

"You know there's a saying, 'A key to a man's heart is his stomach.' I'm flattered, Mikasa."

"Ha-ha." She derides his cheeky joke with a sarcastic laugh.

"Whatever happens in this car, stays in this car."

She rolls her eyes but even in the dim lighting of the sunset from outside the windows, he could still see the ghastly vision of the sweetest smile he's ever seen on her face.

Until he'd heard her asking, "Reiner....why did you like my old photos?"

Crap. Damn you Marcel.

-oo-O-oo-

End of Ep.02. Read Ep.03

#ReiKasa #ReiKasa fic #ReiKasaverse #snk fic #aot fic #snk highschool au #quarterback!reiner #goth!kasa #goth!mikasa #reiner braun #mikasa ackerman #ReiKasa modern au #snk highschool caste au #marcel galliard #porco galliard #bertholdt hoover #kiss me more series #by nightduchess #Spotify

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