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#so 2 allows me to contain them and the chaos to one lot
mokeonn · 1 year
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I am trying to decide what I want to draw today so I think I'm gonna make the Mane 6 in the sims and see where it goes from there
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inmyheadimobsessed · 1 year
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More Than I Should {pt. 1}
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pairing: riri ✘ black!fem!reader
series summary: riri williams hated you. from the cold stares and the snide remarks, there was no other conclusion to be drawn. the logical response in this circumstance would be to ignore her, avoid her at all costs. you weren't friends, so this should be an easy task. you only had one class with her, and you rarely saw her around campus outside of it. that was until you started dating her best friend. suddenly you'd found yourself thrusted directly into her life, and suddenly her attitude towards you was becoming an issue. you were never one to care what people thought of you, but something about riri captured your need to please. it was easy to convince yourself you only cared because of your boyfriend. she was his best friend, so the two of you needed to get along. he was none the wiser, chalking her coldness toward you up to her naturally standoffish nature. but you knew better. one way or another, riri williams was going to like you, you would make sure of it. (or the one where you're on a mission to make your boyfriend's best friend like you and the two of you end up falling for each other instead)
chapter summary: riri likes to stare, you'd gathered. she hates you, but enjoys watching you. everything she does leaves flustered and confused, and craving her approval. all of which goes unnoticed by your boyfriend. a party leads to drinking and drinking leads to riri reluctantly driving you home, where she extends a slither of kindness.
word count: 9.4k
contains: angst, CHEATING, fluff, smut (eventually) 18+, reader has a boyfriend, friendship betrayal, lying, riri is mean (at first), reader is a baby gay (very confused), jealousy, slow burn (kinda), and just a lot of mess
tags: @verachii @szalipcombo @rxcently @coolestgay @widowmakker @fetchyourlife @blackgcomica @n7cje @shurisbbymama @bestfriend491 @mocha-aya @uhwhatsay @shinsousliya @bratydoll @shuriswifereal @shuriri4life @letitias-fav @axailslink @chidinma @xoxo-dede @yvxmpire @generallysapphic @mbakuetshurisprincess @quintessencewrites @adeola-the-explorer @dejaonline @bubshri @zayswriting @la-reine-insane @shurisjournal
divider by: @firefly-graphics
note: soo this is gonna be a series. this idea came to me while i was listening to some of my favorite sapphic cheater bops, specifically 'ur best friend' by kehlani & kiana ledé and 'more than i should' also by kehlani & jessie reyez, hence the name. i think we can gather two things here: 1. i love kehlani and 2. i love sapphic cheaters and i will always root for them. so fun! if cheating is not something you enjoy reading about, please do not read this fic because i plan to make it very messy lol. obviously i don't condone cheating irl or whatever, this is FICTIONAL! i feel like i have to say that idk. but for my chaos enjoyers, this is for you. mwah <33
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“You know she hates me right?” Your eyes climbed your boyfriend's lanky frame. You watched his laugh build from his core: abs flexing under his white T-Shirt, throat bobbing as his neck sprung backward, allowing the glorious sound to escape his lips. Loud, genuine, hearty — this was the only way Hakeem knew how to laugh. It consumed his entire face, breaking his deep dimples free every time.
A smile of your own was inevitable. Hakeem’s laugh made you laugh, but you were being one hundred percent serious with your accusations. “She does. That girl cannot stand me. And I know she don't want me here.”
“She don't hate you, she just… needs more time to warm up to you. She don't really like new people like that.” His laughter subsided and he lifted his fist to bang on the large garage door. It was obnoxiously loud, echoing in your ears and you winced. You rolled your eyes, at his words and at his actions. How much more warming did she need to do? Was three months not enough time to warm up to a person?
She should be sweltering. “Yeah well, she need to speed up the damn process cause I ain't going nowhere.”
He raised an eyebrow, eyes brimming with curiosity. “Oh, you not?”
“No. We locked in buddy, and your lil best friend need to get on board with that.” You couldn't fight your pout and his eyes softened the moment he noticed it.
He cupped your cheek, palm warm and calloused as you nuzzled into it. “I know how important it is for you to be liked. Just give it a little longer okay? She gon come around.”
You nodded and he kissed you gently. The door swung open then, but Hakeem refused to pull away. You, on the other hand, couldn't stand the idea of her watching you kiss him. When you broke apart, you weren't the least bit surprised to find her eyes already on you. It was a habit of hers, studying you, sizing you up. It wasn't hard to guess what she was thinking; Riri's expression broadcasted just how she felt about your being there. Her stare was intense too, and it made you feel exposed. Brown eyes housing the potential to heat, glared at you in the coldest of ways, shooting darts of ice right into your chest.
Hakeem was incorrect in his assumption about your need to be liked, the opinions of strangers mattered very little to you. But you let him believe that was the case, you thought it easier than admitting the truth. Riri’s opinion of you mattered for some reason, hers alone. That was the truth. An innocent one on the surface, she was your boyfriend's best friend. She was important to him, which in turn made her judgment important to you. However, the crippling guilt you felt each time you thought of her, and sought her approval made you acutely aware that your truth was not solely pure.
There was something else there and you refused to understand it. You weren't entirely sure you even could if you tried.
“Nigga why the fuck you banging on my shit like the feds?” She stepped aside, letting the two of you in as she gave you another once-over. “And why you brought her non-smoking ass? She not gon do nothing but sit there.”
Hakeem laughed, winking at you as he tugged you along past Riri, but you couldn't find the joke. He shrugged, “She wanted to come.”
“To do what?”
You ignored their back and forth about you. It was their pattern and quite frankly you couldn't bring yourself to be bothered. Being the center of attention was sometimes entertaining.
“Bruh chill. She not gon do nothing, just let her hang.”
Riri rolled her eyes, “That’s exactly my point. Her energy be fucking up my vibe and shit.”
You roamed the partially messy space, taking interest in some blueprints Riri had pinned to her board. It was your first time in her garage so you couldn't help your fascination. Being amongst her sketches, her creations, her tools; it was like stepping inside her brain. According to Hakeem, she only invited those who she trusted. Your being there was obviously not for that reason, but you were flattered nonetheless. Her willingness to let you in the door was something, right?
Fingers traced the images before you as your curiosity flared. Some of the diagrams looked familiar, but with a twist only achievable by the young scientist. You could tell a lot of work was put into all of it. Skilled, meticulous. “Riri, what are you building? This looks really cool.”
Her head snapped up and she darted to your side, completely abandoning her bickering with your boyfriend. “Don't touch that. Move.”
“We went over something similar in class, I was just wondering–” You reached for the paper once more, eyes twinkling in amazement, but you startled when she ripped it down.
Annoyance buzzed off her as she balled it up and tossed it into the trash. “See why ion want her around? She don't mind her damn business Keem.”
You eyed her, confused. You truly saw no issue with admiring her work. You appreciated a great mind, but maybe you’d offended her in some way. “Sorry Riri, I didn't mean to–”
“Well, you did.”
Hakeem spoke up, clearing his throat, “Okay nah, ease up on her. She ain't do nothing.”
You watched as Riri’s stiff body visibly relaxed at the bass in your boyfriend's voice. Her shoulders shifted downward in her orange sweater, slouching a little and she sighed. “You right. I just need to smoke, I'm kinda on edge right now.”
She turned to you and you caught a flash of something in her eyes. Something unfamiliar, something… apologetic. “My bad.”
When she spoke, her voice came out soft and rushed. Delicate, like she was desperate to comfort with words. A lousy ‘my bad’ was hardly an apology in your book, but for reasons unbeknownst to you, you were willing and eager to accept it. Being angry at her didn't even cross your mind. Her tone alerted you of her intentions and it was enough for you.
“It's okay.” A small smile formed on your face, it was quick, but she caught it. Riri didn't return the gesture, and you hadn't expected her to. You were content with the simple fact of her knowing you were not upset. There was a moment where you two stared at each other for longer than appropriate and you found yourself holding your breath. One beat, two beats, three; neither of you looked away. It was difficult, you found. It was difficult to tear your eyes from hers.
Hakeem’s arm snaked around your waist, pulling you in closer and he did the same thing to Riri. You peered up at his gorgeous face as he beamed, pearly whites and dimples on full display. “Aww look at my girls. See this is progress, Ima make sure y’all love each other soon, watch.”
You laughed at his enthusiasm and so did Riri, a rare moment of synchronism between the pair of you. Hakeem had that effect on almost everyone. He was inviting and convincing, impossible to deny.
“I'm finna roll up.” He let you both go and jogged to the couch in the back corner of the garage. Riri looked at you again before walking away. Those eyes, they knew just how to stir you, no matter the duration of the stare. Something always came alive when she watched you, creating even more confusion within you. You ignored it, because of course you did. Deciphering Riri’s coded glances was not a task you found yourself wanting to do.
A strange feeling barred you from trying, and you wanted no part in that either.
She followed after him and you after her, plopping right into Hakeem’s lap as you always did when the three of you hung out. Or rather when they hung out and you third wheeled. No matter, you had to solidify your place in his life, she needed to know you were there to stay. Riri Williams needed to grow used to having you around.
•••
“Just pick up the damn cards nigga, on my momma you doing too much.” He sounded amused, but his words housed a twinge of irritation. This tone of voice, the over-exaggerated drawl on syllables, was one you knew well as a girlfriend who enjoyed pushing buttons.
Riri shook her head, hellbent on ignoring him. “Y’all cheating cause how y’all both dropped two draw fours on me? Nah, I ain't picking up shit.”
“Bro, just pick up the cards.”
You looked between the two of them, holding your own cards to your chest. You’d moved out of Hakeem’s lap when he asked you to play, still using the space as a leg rest. His fingers massaged your ankle and toyed with your gold anklet as you sat silently, enjoying the show they were putting on for you.
He was adamant about making her pick up all eight cards, but Riri refused to let up. Firm in her belief that you two were cheating. You were, but of course, you had no plans to admit that. He’d slipped you the card when she inhaled the last pull of the blunt and you giggled.
“If I pick them up, how I know you don't got four more shoved up your ass just waiting to fuck with me again? No.”
This got a laugh out of you and Hakeem smack your foot. Riri was too smart for her own good, there should be no way for her to know you were working against her, but alas.
Hakeem stood his ground, declaring his innocence yet again but she was not buying it. “Man come on, you messing up the game.”
“Well, game over now. Cause I know y’all cheating. I don't care.” Riri threw her remaining cards onto the weathered coffee table, kicking her feet up onto the sofa.
“Bruh, why you can't just take the L and move on?”
She laughed, glancing at him as he threw his head back in frustration. He’d really believed he could win the game amidst his scheme, it was adorable. You took this as an opportunity to crawl back into his cargo-clad lap to cuddle and console him.
“Aww, baby, I'm sorry you lost.” Your head found his chest, poking his stomach and he chuckled. Hakeem was nothing short of a big baby, whining and huffing whenever he didn't get his way. You possessed the skills to end all his theatrics though, one method being tickling.
He laughed under your touch, kissing your forehead before shutting his eyes. Eyes. A different set was on you. When you peered across the space, the culprit revealed themself. Riri was watching you again, this time in sheer disgust. Her scowl was a thing of nightmares and it unnerved you. Suddenly you felt embarrassed, ashamed to have shown your boyfriend even the slightest drop of affection.
An overt expression of disdain; the scientist seemed shameless as her eyes flung sharp daggers in your direction. The look sliced at your skin, once again leaving you feeling bare.
“What?” You questioned, voice a dry croak.
Riri rolled her eyes and sat up, repeating your question mockingly. “What?”
“Okay...” You decided not to press it and went back to cuddling your boyfriend. Riri refused to cease her stare though. Hot, searing irises burned a hole through your flesh as you clung to Hakeem, who'd apparently dozed off at some point. Your arms looped around his torso, head against his stable chest. His heartbeat, consistent and calm like still waters, contrasted yours entirely.
The rhythm in your chest was but an uneven swell, rippling erratically the longer you held her gaze. Riri sensed your attempt to challenge her and she leaned forward, spreading her legs as she strategically placed her elbows atop her knees. The ends of her braids draped her shoulders, making her appear harder than you knew her to be. It was unsettling. Her expression did not falter, but you felt your own on the verge of cracking.
You watched her, unblinking, and she quirked her brow. Your sensitive skin tingled the longer she kept her eyes on you. Every tendon in your body pleaded with you to release them, allow them to loosen and cower away but you denied them the luxury. Two could play in this game.
Riri very obviously sought to intimidate you with her glances and it was working, but she didn't need to know that. You scanned her body, her posture, taking her in fully. Her eyes were bloodshot and barely open as she gaped at you, which somehow made the tension-thick air even less breathable.
The garage sat silently in wait, much like the two of you, anxious to see who would be the first to break. Riri’s whirring machines and the subtle snores Hakeem breathed out were the only audible sounds in the space. When he stirred under you, your body jerked. It startled you and ripped your focus from your consuming staring match with his best friend. You’d lost, just like in UNO. Riri smirked at you, pride in her victory evident by the way her lips curved. She got up, and with the utmost grace. Sitting down you appeared shorter than her, and as she strode closer to you, you grew frantic.
She said nothing as she towered over your body, still sporting that devious smirk. You weren't breathing and she knew that. Eyes fanned you up and down languidly, then she reached forward and you flinched. Evidently in vain because she was not reaching toward you, but instead toward your slumbering boyfriend. She slapped his face lightly to wake him, catching your eyes fleetingly as she did so.
You exhaled when she moved back, dizziness and confusion swirling inside your head.
“Wake up. Y’all gotta get up outta here.” She crossed her short arms, waiting for Hakeem to rise.
Seconds later, he did exactly that, yawning before pecking your cheek. The gesture calmed you a little, recentering your buzzing thoughts. “You kicking us out already?”
“Yes. I got shit to do and like I said, she fucking up my vibe.” A quick glance came your way before she turned her attention back to your boyfriend.
“She ain't doing shit, you just a hater. But we'll go, leave you to your super secret whatever the fuck.” He tapped your thigh and you stood, hugging your middle as you waited.
Once on his feet, he stretched dramatically, as he often did. It made you smile. He dapped Riri up before taking your hand in his and leading you toward the door you entered earlier. “Aight, Ima catch you tomorrow. Please don't blow the place up.”
“Yeah, whatever.” She chuckled, wide and toothy. You found yourself appreciating her smile. It was genuine and you liked that.
“Bye Riri.” You waved and were surprised when she cocked her head, acknowledging your goodbye. Warmth slithered throughout your system, clogging the punctures created by her watchful eyes. You grinned wider when you stepped out into the cool night air, walking hand in hand to your boyfriend's car.
•••
Tired eyelids fluttered shut for the fourth time during your lecture and your head descended to your open laptop, making you jerk up when your face collided with the keys. Your eyes widened as they darted around, desperate to know if your mishap was witnessed by anyone. Luckily, the number of students was sparse, and everyone seemed just as checked out as you, good. Everyone except for her. Much to your chagrin, Riri was the only person who saw you, because of course it would be her. The remnants of her light laughter caught your attention, making you turn your head to face her.
That everlasting smirk hung on her face as it did routinely, smug and jeering. Her expression displayed pity and you scoffed. How dare she pity you?
You squinted at her, shooting her a disapproving glower and she rolled her eyes in response. Within seconds, she’d returned to her own laptop, tapping away and zoning out for the remainder of the class. It irked you, the way she so easily dismissed your presence. Rarely did she regard you in the classroom, if at all, and when she did this was precisely how it always went. Like you were a bother and something easily forgotten.
When class was over she shot up, ready to book it out the door. Usually, you’d let her leave first to avoid any run-ins with her attitude, but today you were a little more than hopeful as you scurried after her.
“Hey! Hey Riri!” You called but she kept walking, short legs and tiny feet carrying her far. “Riri!”
“Oh my god, what?” Her head whipped around, knocking you back some. Regret bubbled in your stomach. You’d given yourself rules, usually, you followed the rules. Number one being steer clear of her if Hakeem was not present. It was for your own sanity as much as it was for hers.
Her bored pupils coupled with the uncontained irritation painting her face reminded you exactly why rules were a thing. Riri’s impatience was palpable and it beamed off her in heated waves, melting away your spurt of confidence.
There was no turning back now though, you had her attention. “Dr. Lucas is really boring huh? I almost fell asleep so many times during his lecture, it’s crazy.” Small talk accentuated your awkwardness. It was a curse, truly, and it was causing the shorter girl to screw her face up more.
“Yeah.” Her reply was clipped and curt, but it wasn’t like you expected anything more.
You blinked, breathing slowly in attempts to steady your racing pulse. God, her eyes were crafted with the specific intent to scrutinize. They scanned you, studying your mouth as it moved, pointless words spilling out of you with seemingly no end. And there it was again, that irritation. You had no idea how she did it, how she possessed the ability to rattle you so. With minimal effort at that.
“I took some notes, but I just couldn’t keep my eyes open you know? It’s like man you really putting me to sleep when I should be learning, you should be teach–”
Riri huffed, cutting you off immediately. You’d prepared for it, but the action still stung. “Is there a point to this conversation?”
“Well uh–” You stammered, having lost control of the train carrying your thoughts.
She smirked, “Use your words.”
“Hakeem and I are getting food later!” A lie, but one that could easily be morphed into the truth with a simple text. Your boyfriend was the king of spontaneity.
“Um okay, have fun? The fuck?” She spun on her heels, ready to leave you and your gaping mouth behind, but you grabbed her wrist. A mistake. Riri looked offended, like the very act of your hand on hers was in some way insulting. Her gaze panned from where your skin touched to your face. “You’re touching me.”
You ripped your palm away from her wrist hurriedly and cleared your throat, “Uh, yeah I'm sorry. But I- do you wanna come with me? And Keem? To Freeda’s?”
“No.”
You’d seen firsthand how much she loved their fries, Riri had never once turned down food from Freeda’s, so you knew she was saying no just to spite you.
“You sure? You know I work there, I can get you all the free fries you want.” You teased with a pleading grin.
A spark of excitement flashed in her irises, and you were certain you’d hooked her. But when she opened her mouth, your face fell. “Nah.”
She left without another word and you frowned. Now you were irritated, not just by her rejection, but by your own desperation. Why'd you have to approach her in the first place? The outcome of that conversation would be obvious to anyone. You sighed because you were hungry now too, so you decided to text Hakeem anyway. He could cheer you up. Fries too, fries would cheer you up.
You: Hey baby, meet me at Freeda’s in 20?
Keem: Bet.
•••
You had about forty minutes left in your shift, but waiting impatiently for the old couple in the far corner of the diner to finish their meal made it seem closer to forever. They looked happy though, and you couldn't help your smile. The image of them made you think of yourself and Hakeem at their age. Would the two of you make it there? Was he your one?
He hadn't arrived at the time he promised and it annoyed you some. You needed his presence around as a distraction from your thoughts.
The conversation, or lack thereof, you had with Riri soured your mood for most of your shift. You just couldn't shake the feeling you’d messed things up with her even more after that encounter. The way she looked at you when you grabbed her arm played on a loop with every order you took. Her face colored in pure disgust, eyes wild and accusing.
The diner was small and not very busy this late in the night, so the quiet gave you too much time to mull over every detail. You munched on fries as you sat at one of the empty booths, but they weren't doing the job of making you feel better. Something was missing. Hakeem and his pretty smile were missing. He’d be feeding you fries and allowing you to pout like he always did when you were upset. What use was having a boyfriend if he wasn't on call to rub your back and feed you whenever you needed?
“Thanks, y’all have a good weekend!” You smiled, waving at the couple on their way out the door. They were your last customers of the night and you sighed. At least you could eat your cold fries shamelessly without the fear of judgment.
The door dinged as you popped the greasy piece of potato into your mouth and your eyes shot up lazily. A grimace formed on your lips when a familiar face sporting a soft, apologetic smile greeted you.
“I know, I know, I'm hella late. But I actually have a good excuse.” He scooted in next to you and bumped your shoulder playfully.
“No. I'm mad at you.” You tossed a fry at his face and he winced dramatically, grabbing his chest as if you’d wounded him. He was attempting to make you smile, but you wouldn't let him off that easily.
Hakeem wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you impossibly closer and you almost broke. Almost. “I had a shitty day and you were supposed to be here to distract me from the shitty thoughts caused by my shitty day.”
“I'm sorry baby. My shit wouldn't start, you know how that car be giving me problems. I slick need a new one for real.” He pecked your cheek, soft and sweet and you had to wrestle a sigh of relief. His lips on your skin did many things for you, but you weren't done being annoyed with him just yet.
You pouted and he mirrored it, somehow appearing even cuter than he already was. Those pleading brown eyes and quivering lips were enough to make you fold. You grinned wide, poking his dimple. His reciprocated smile rivaled your own as he pulled you in for a kiss. The kiss was desperate on your end and you whined against his mouth. If only he knew how much you’d craved his lips all night.
Hakeem pulled away and pecked your forehead, lifting your legs into his lap. Fingers rubbed your thighs, smoothing up and down, and you relaxed into the feeling. There was something amazing to be said about his effortless ability to comfort and soothe. It was so simple for him, so natural. His eyes were on your face, reading you as one would an open book. “Let me guess, Riri?”
“Yes. Your stupid best friend ruined my day.”
His chuckle lit up his entire face, making his chest bounce and you threw another fry at him. “What her short butt do now?”
“She was mean to me.”
“Ain't she always?”
You shot him a glare and he apologized immediately, throwing his hands up. “I'm sorry she was mean to you. I’ll make sure to yell at her when she–”
Before he could finish, the bell dinged again and in walked the devil. You groaned at the sight of her and she was quick to do the same. Riri had changed out of her hoodie and jeans from earlier. She now wore loose-fitting cargo shorts and an oversized Aaliyah T-Shirt with gold jewelry that complemented her complexion. Her braids framed her face with the middle part she rocked and they swayed past her waist. She looked good.
She stuck her hand in her pocket as she approached the booth, hesitant to sit in front of you and Hakeem. Eventually, she did and like clockwork, her eyes found you.
“Why she said you was mean to her?” Hakeem questioned and Riri scoffed.
The scientist sucked her teeth, examining your cozy position next to her best friend, “Ain't nobody was mean to her.”
You stayed silent, words have never been kind to you in her presence, so you thought it best to avoid them.
Hakeem grabbed your hand, lacing your fingers together and you smiled to yourself. “Now we both know that's a lie. What I tell you about easing up on her? Got my girl all sad and shit.”
“It's fine Keem. I'm over it.” You lied, scanning Riri's unbothered form in front of you. Her arms were crossed and she eyed the basket of cold fries you were previously munching on.
“Y’all want fries?” Riri’s reaction was the only one you checked for and sure enough, her eyes lit up like a Christmas Tree. They both nodded and you stifled a laugh, pushing Hakeem out so you could get up.
Before you went to the back, he reached for your wrist, eyes gentle and concerned as he watched you. “You sure you good?”
Your response was a short peck and you nodded.
“What I tell you bout giving out free food to your friends?” Your manager Benny quizzed with a hot glare. You rolled your eyes grabbing the baskets of fries anyway.
“It's just fries.” He groaned in response before walking away. Benny was all bark no bite, and he let you get away with a lot, not that you were complaining.
When you returned to the table, Riri and Hakeem were laughing at something on his phone and you smiled at the sight of them. Both their faces grew brighter when the aroma of greasy fried food hit their nostrils; they were practically salivating.
“Here you go babe, and here's your ranch,” You placed the basket in front of him and kissed his cheek before turning to Riri. “And I made sure to put that seasoned salt you like on there.”
Her face expressed shock, but only briefly before she grabbed the fries from you, fingers brushing over yours in the process. “Thanks.”
The first word she'd uttered to you since her infamous “nah” earlier and it made you oddly content to be thanked by her. You sat, watching them eat as you sneakily tried to take one of Hakeem’s fries. He smacked your hand away instantly, and you whined.
“Ion even know why you tried that,” Riri spoke up and you shifted slightly. She was right, Hakeem never shared food with anyone, not even you.
You cleaned up after they finished and the two of them fell into a conversation about Hakeem’s car. “You sure you can have it ready by Sunday? I gotta drive up to see my grandma, she in the hospital.”
“You know I gotchu man. I might actually be able to get it to you tomorrow if it's just your engine again. If it's something else, we'll shoot for Sunday.”
Hakeem shook his head and she looked confused, “Nah you can't tonight. I got a party to go to.”
Riri raised her brow, face unimpressed. “And what that got to do with me?”
“Wait lemme rephrase. We got a party to go to, all three of us. You gotta drive.”
Your head jerked at the same time Riri’s did, “Oh nah.”
“No.” Good to know the word was just as icy when she shot it at him.
He huffed, rolling his eyes at the both of you. “So y’all not tryna slide? It's Friday night.”
You shook your head, “Absolutely not. I'm way too tired and I got homework. Plus, I ain't dressed for no damn party.” You gestured to your work shirt, riddled with stains, and your jeans. Hakeem nodded in agreement, making you scoff.
“And I just don't wanna go.” Riri added.
“Look, Riri can just get you home, you can change real quick, and we can go.” He poked out his bottom lip knowing it would make you weak.
Riri’s dry laugh let the both of you know exactly what she thought of that idea. There was no need for words, and yet, she said them anyway. “That ain't happening. I already didn't wanna come here, but now you telling me I gotta drive her home, wait for her to change, drive to a party I don't wanna go to, then drive the both of y’all back to your separate apartments? And I ain't heard nothing bout no gas money either. You got me fucked up.”
She had a point. It was a lot and you didn't want to be a burden, nor did you even want to go to the party. You looked at her stern face for longer than necessary, and instead of snarling at you, her eyes softened. They regarded you kindly. Odd. But you took it.
“Riri’s right.” Your attention was still on her and you could've sworn you saw the glint of a smile under all that rubble.
But of course, Hakeem got his way, and you were now on your way to your place to shower and change. Riri begrudgingly agreed, but not before spitting a few choice words at her best friend. Words that you agreed with, words that made you giggle.
Riri and Hakeem sat in your small living room while you got ready. You were strapped for time, so black leggings and a simple backless halter top made the most sense for the night, pairing the outfit with your black and white dunks. Casual, yet still very cute. If you got cold later you would just steal Hakeem’s hoodie.
“Baby, can you tie this for me?” You called, stepping out of your bedroom. You loved the top, but tying it in the back was always a chore. You shoved your back in his face giving him no choice in the matter, which meant your accentuated bosom was facing Riri, who sat across from you.
Hakeem struggled with the strings; you could tell by his long sighs that he was frustrated, but you were too caught up in the way Riri sat silent and unmoving as she watched — no ogled you, to care. Her eyes honed in on your chest, gulping anxiously at your barely covered breasts. It was fascinating, garnering this reaction from her. She did nothing to conceal her stare. It was blatant and open. Probably because she was too caught up in it to notice anything else, like your awareness. She’d never regarded you with anything similar to awe before and you quite liked the look on her face. Hot was hot you guessed, even if she did hate you.
You smirked, deciding to play into it. “Ugh, Keem baby you doing the shit wrong.”
“I never said I knew what I was doing.”
Your glance alerted her immediately of your plan and she shifted uncomfortably. She looked flustered. Like actually flustered at the simple thought of what you would request. Being on the other side of this sort of torment boosted your ego, you loved it.
“Riri, can you help me? I know it'll be easy for you.” You sang your words, practically sauntering toward her and she stuttered. She floundered nervously, drowning in your sentence and your drawl.
“Uh, yeah.” Her voice cracked a little, but only you noticed because you were looking for it, planned for it even.
Your eyes traveled up the short girl and she cleared her throat when she realized she'd been caught staring at your cleavage. A grace fueled twirl turned your back to her, but said grace evaded your body the moment fingers grazed your spine. Riri gripped the strings, yanking them tighter than necessary as she tied your top. The harshness of the act, the bite — it made you gasp, trapping a bubble of air in your throat and you covered your mouth.
Your neck twisted to face Hakeem immediately. He was blissfully unaware and scrolling through his phone. Good. An unfamiliar sensation coursed through you, heating your ears and leaving you embarrassed at your reaction.
“There you go. Now can we leave so I can get this damn night over with?” She shoved you away slightly and you tiptoed back to where Hakeem sat on your couch’s armrest.
His smile was breathtaking when he looked up from his screen to you, eyes twinkling in sync with his earrings. “You so damn fine.”
“Boy shut up.”
Hakeem pulled you in by your waist and bit his lip. “Come here.”
A blush crept up your exposed back, searing you all over as he took you in. You leaned in to kiss him and he grabbed your ass, making you screech. “Keem stop it, oh my god!”
“You ready.” He whispered, lips padding over yours still.
You nodded with a smile, then pecked him again.
“We going or what? Cause I can leave y’all to finish whatever it is y’all starting over there.” Riri’s voice echoed in the small space and you froze just as Hakeem rolled his eyes at her.
He got up and grabbed your hand making you smile wide. You loved having his hand in yours, it made you feel protected and safe, even here. “Ayo why you always so damn grumpy? Do all short people be that grumpy all the time?”
Riri was not a fan of the teasing. She trekked to the door without a word, clearly not caring if either of you followed behind her or not.
•••
Sitting in the backseat of Riri’s car did not shield you from those eyes of hers. Each time she peered at you through the rearview mirror, you shuddered, mind racing back to the feeling of her hands on you. You couldn't stop thinking about how roughly she’d handled you. Your insides bristled and shame consumed you. Because you liked it.
There had to be a logical explanation lurking somewhere beneath your puzzling thoughts. Your attention shifted to the city lights now, taking them in as Riri zipped down the road. Maybe their gleams could give you some insight. Maybe you only thought you liked the feeling, when what you really enjoyed was the kindness she'd shown you. Riri helped you without protest, without contempt. That's what you liked.
With that conclusion drawn, you decided to give your brain a break, refusing to delve into the other thing she did that made your insides swivel. You refuted the idea of it entirely, tucking it in the depths of your thoughts.
The party would do you some good, help you unwind. You just wanted to enjoy good music, get drunk, and grind on your man.
Hakeem opened the door for you and stuck his hand out. “So chivalrous, oh my.”
“You know how I do.”
You gripped his right and he extended his left for Riri. For a moment she just watched his palm with a scowl and crossed arms, but when Hakeem brought out the dimples, she cracked. She plastered on a smile of her own and shook her head before snatching his waiting hand.
“Mmm, yeah. That's what I thought.”
If anyone could put her in a good mood, it was him. A twinge of jealousy struck you then. Unexpected and shifty as it arose — the feeling unnerved you. You weren't jealous of Riri or her dynamic with your boyfriend. That was never the case. Your mind had been betraying you all night, and this was just another instance of that. Alcohol would fix it, it would fix everything.
The three of you walked up the steps as a unit, hands swinging back and forth per Hakeem’s doing. You giggled lightly, widening your smile when you caught Riri doing the same. She made no move to shift her happiness when she grew aware of your gaze, instead she quirked her lips, aiming the expression directly at you. The gesture made you blush and you soaked up the fondness there. Housing it because the likelihood of it happening again was practically nonexistent.
Entering the house party was like stepping into a packed sauna. Warm bodies filled the tight space, bumping into the three of you as you attempted to maneuver through the crowd. Lil Durk blared from the speakers and a steady rhythm bounced in your system. You guys had barely moved past the front door before you began feeling sticky.
Liquor mingled with the rancid smell of piss and nausea threatened you. The flashing lights were not helping. Bright beams made an already dizzy mind all the more unsteady. How you were talked into coming here, a mystery unsolved.
You shot a glance at Riri still clinging to her best friend's hand and her bored facial expression told you she too regretted coming. Hakeem on the other hand, looked elated to be there. His eyes roamed the filled living room, presumably looking for the nearest place to get alcohol.
“Y’all want a drink?” He asked in that giddy tone of his. You should shake your head, say no, but you needed to forget a few things. A nice buzz would assist you in doing exactly that. You nodded and Riri did the opposite, finally letting go of his hand.
You trailed her steps as she walked away. It wasn't good to split from the people you came with in an unfamiliar setting, you thought, so keeping an eye on her was the smart thing to do. She trotted off to a corner, propping her back against the wall. By her stance, you could tell she would not be moving for the rest of the night.
“Stay here, Ima be back,” Hakeem instructed before leaving to get your drinks. You did not need to be told twice.
When he returned, he placed a red solo cup in your hand before knocking his own back within seconds. So that's how the night was going to go. Great.
“Come here baby.” You sipped your drink and he pulled you to him making you giggle. Hakeem’s hands found your bare waist, and you began to sway to the current song. The look in his eyes melted away any apprehension you had about the party, his touch once again providing you with security.
When he spun you, he hooked his chin over your shoulder. A giggle climbed your throat at the feeling of his wet lips on your neck. You pushed your ass back against him, knowing it would drive him insane. The low growl he breathed out was a confirmation and a cry for you to continue. You obliged, bending over and grinding into him hard. The liquid in your cup was strong as you down the last of it, tugging on a cough and you breathed out.
Unrest melted away the longer you two danced, confidence taking its place, no doubt brought on by the alcohol swirling in your system. Hakeem’s chest pressed tightly against your back and he allowed his fingers to graze your butt. Now that was something you liked, the sensation of his hand there, the way he touched you with care. He was asking for permission to go further and you granted it with a roll of your hips. An action that contrasted Riri’s earlier one entirely.
The icy sweep of his gold chain along your naked back sent a thrill through you. You smirked, reaching your hand up to wrap around his neck and he chuckled. “Damn girl, you better relax.”
His words barely audible, weighed down by the booming music. Hakeem’s cologne was strong and heady, and it made you all the more tipsy as you threw your ass back against him.
“Or what?”
He shot you a knowing look, making you blush. It was all calculated, he wanted a reaction out of you.
All the while, Riri watched the two of you from her corner. You were aware of it, her stare was a thing you were well acquainted with now. You looked up catching her angry eyes. Her expressions were usually the same: Irritation. Disgust. But anger was not at all common. What reason did she have to be angry at you? The look puzzled you as you held her gaze. There was a cup in her hand and the bottom of her shoe indented the wall. She seethed with each hip switch, eyes skimming Hakeem’s possessive grip on you.
You watched her lips wrap around the cup, watched her throat bob with each gulp. Something was off with her and you found yourself desiring to know what.
“Hey Keem, I’m gonna–”
“Yo, Keem that you?” A tall man you’d never seen before approached the two of you and your boyfriend let you go to greet him.
Hakeem patted the guy's shoulder and then hugged him, bearing that smile everyone loved. “Kyle? Whatchu doing here? I thought you moved.”
“I did, but I'm back for my sister’s wedding, the whole family up here. Dre back too.”
You watched the exchange, feeling forgotten as your boyfriend caught up with an apparent old friend. The conversation stretched on and he made no move to introduce you, causing you to grow irritated.
“Hakeem.” A stern call of his name caught his attention and he cursed under his breath, now aware of his mistake.
He grabbed your waist, sliding your stiff body closer to him. “Oh shit, this your girl?”
He nodded proudly and Kyle stuck his hand out for you to shake. You did not shake Kyle’s hand, glancing over to Riri instead. Her demeanor showcased less tension in her body and she was smirking a bit.
“Alright, my bad. I ain't mean to interrupt.” Kyle took your rejection seemingly well. The longer the two of them spoke, you began to realize he carried the same happy-go-lucky attitude as Hakeem. You learned that they were childhood friends, but Kyle moved down south when his father got a job offer there. He seemed nice enough, immensely different from the loser-y frat guys your boyfriend hung out with on campus.
He turned to you and the glint in his pupils told you he was preparing to beg for something you weren't likely to grant. “You mind if I go catch up with my friend Dre? I ain't seen him in years. Please baby? I won't stay too long, he just outside.”
You rolled your eyes, but allowed him to go. Your mind was still set on Riri anyway, and you made your way over to where she stood after he dipped out the door.
Approaching her with caution seemed like the best bet. You never knew what you would get with her. She saw you coming and scooted over a little so you could slip in next to her.
“You okay?” You yelled over the noise. Drunk students were now sliding down the steep staircase in laundry baskets and cheering. The act looked dangerous, and this was someone’s home, but no one seemed to care. Nothing mattered when you were bathing in booze.
She nodded, sipping from her cup again.
“You having fun?” Of course, you knew the answer already, and Riri’s look of annoyance confirmed that you were correct.
She chuckled into her drink before speaking, “Are you having fun? I mean your boyfriend just ditched you so…”
“He didn't ditch me.”
She laughed again as if she knew something you didn't and brought the cup up to her lips for the final time. “Oh, he didn't?”
You wanted to turn away, but everything about the way she sipped the liquid called to you. It was a thing you could not understand.
“Are you mad at me about something?” You didn't mean to blurt the question, but letting it out lightened the weight on your shoulders for some reason. You were glad it was out. Her anger from moments ago seemed to be quelled now, but you still sought a direct answer.
She turned to face you, leaning her shoulder on the wall. The outline of her face still looked good under the low light. There was a smirk there, on her lips, and it made you fidget.
“You do something to make me mad?” Riri raised her eyebrow.
You shook your head, “No.”
“Well there's your answer,” She waited a beat before speaking again. “And Keem ain't coming back by the way.”
“Yes he is.”
Your optimism made her chuckle again and she shook her head.
•••
Riri was correct. An hour had passed and Hakeem had not returned. You were beyond enraged as you scrolled through the dozens of texts you’d sent yelling at him. He left you on delivered, meaning he had to be actively ignoring you. Red blurred your vision as you seethed. It hadn't even dawned on you that you’d wandered away from Riri. There was a new cup of something in your hand and you swallowed it all, reveling in the sting that heated your throat.
Someone in the kitchen shouted shots, and you ran, knocking back four. You didn't care that drinking this much was reckless, nor about having work in the morning. You wanted to forget, you needed to forget. About Hakeem coaxing you into attending a party you wanted nothing to do with, and his grumpy best friend who congested your brain. You blinked, seeing only images of her: her lips, her smirk, her eyes on your boobs. It was all too much and you wanted to scream.
The group of girls you'd infiltrated were now dragging you back to the dance floor and you let them. They held your hands and they were nice, complementing your outfit and nails.
The upbeat song reverberated in your sternum, mixing with the liquor permeating your whooshing bloodstream. You felt light, like you were dainty and floating. Intoxication consumed your mind and reality was lost on you. Unknown hands made you jump when they looped around your middle, pulling you into them. The person wanted to dance and you were in no state to say no.
“You fine as hell shawty.” Mint and beer hit your nostrils, inebriating you beyond reason as you giggled. Their voice was husky and low, you liked husky and low.
Before you could grind into them, you were yanked away harshly. This time by hands you did know, hands you'd just learned. Riri's hands. “Yeah, Ima need you to get the fuck up off her.”
Her tone came out dark, dangerous, and it scared you sober. Wild eyes scanned the stranger. Riri, as short as she was, knew just how to intimidate because the person left jarred, and without a word. She scolded you with her glower, tugging you through the crowd and out the door. Nippy fresh air hit your feverish skin and you shivered, making you more annoyed. Hakeem was supposed to be there with a hoodie for you. He wasn't supposed to leave you.
You tried wiggling out of Riri’s grasp as tears began to sting your eyes. “Let me go! Get the fuck off me!”
“Yo what the fuck is your problem?” Her voice still housed that darkness, but it was less heavy now.
She scanned your teary face and rolled her eyes, obviously not moved by your emotions. She never was. “The fuck are you touching me for? I said let me go!” You weren't even sure why you were crying, but you were drunk enough to not care.
“Oh, now you got a problem with somebody touching you? Cause it ain't seem that way a minute ago. Letting random niggas rub up on you and shit like you don't got a boyfriend.”
You quieted. She was right, but you also wanted to get back at Hakeem for ditching you. The back of your hand swatted away streams and you sniffled. “Why do you even care?”
“I don't.”
You tried walking away, but you stumbled. Riri watched you, unmoved and unimpressed by your determination to leave. “Girl if you don't get your drunk ass in the car. I'm taking you home.”
“Don't need you to do that.”
She pulled you anyway, ushering you to her car skillfully. She opened the door for you and helped you sit, hot hands warming your chilled skin. You let Riri buckle you in and she groaned when you giggled at the contact. Your skin was sensitive and when she touched you it tickled.
“This is exactly why I didn't wanna come. I knew Hakeem fast ass would do this, leave me to deal with you.” You heeded her complaint as she climbed behind the wheel. So this was something he did often you’d gathered. Noted. He would definitely be getting yelled at and ignored simultaneously for the next few days. You relaxed into the seat as Riri drove off, kicking your feet up onto the dashboard before you lazily.
“Get your damn feet off my dash.” She reached her arm over to smack your ankle and you whined.
You really did not understand her problem with you.
“Why d’you hate me smuch?” Slurred words danced tipsily off your tongue. Everything was spinning and the city lights made your head split. Riri’s eyes darted from the road to your intoxicated form in the passenger seat for a few seconds, taking you in as well as your question. She said nothing and the car sped up a little, the motion shaking your stomach contents.
“Is it because I’m with Hakeem?” Silence again as she pulled up to your apartment building. She parked the car, sitting behind the wheel as still as one could, but it did nothing to stop you from seeing two of her. The alcohol in your body distorted her image and you narrowed your eyes to get a better look at her face. Riri’s face. She had a nice face, you thought. Pretty. No, not just pretty, gorgeous. Stunning.
“You like him or something? Is that it? You secretly in love with your best friend Riri?”
Her eyes rolled, “You're drunk and you should shut up.”
“That wasn't a no! Why you not answering my questions, huh?”
She was annoyed, you were annoying her and she spoke through gritted teeth. “Can you get out on your own?”
“I can do anything on my own, m’strong. Really strong. I'm like that iron girl from youtube.”
This made her chuckle and it bothered you for some reason. She didn't believe you were strong, that's probably why she picked on you as often as she did. Riri thought you were weak.
You moved to step out of the car, to show her just how strong and capable you were, but your still-buckled seat belt choked you and pulled you right back down. Riri opened her door, face baring utter frustration, and stepped out. She was at your side seconds later. Her arm reached over your body, brushing your exposed waist as she moved to unbuckle you. It jolted you, the touch. It made the hairs on the back of your neck rise. Your senses were already at their peak, and that brush of contact teetered on the thin line between bliss and sheer overstimulation. But one could argue they were one and the same.
She felt it too, despite her unwillingness to acknowledge it, her eyes spoke it all as she looked at you. Riri didn't move, instead, she squeezed herself onto the edge of the seat just to watch you, just to take you in entirely. There was a sensation brewing, bubbling inside you. It was not unfamiliar; you knew it well. The feeling awoke every time she glimpsed at you. It was intense as hell. You’d never seen her use that stare on anyone apart from yourself. Riri was a girl who had trouble controlling her facial expressions, even when she bit her tongue. Riri’s face betrayed her, laying all her inner thoughts out for the world to read and learn.
It was easy to discern when she was irritated or elated. But this look, this one was difficult to deconstruct. It was a look reserved for you, that much you knew. But its meaning was lost on you.
You knew she disliked you, she made it exceedingly obvious. You were aware she hated being around you for too long. She hated your relationship with Hakeem, or rather she didn't respect it, she didn't respect you. But each time she looked at you this way, each time her eyes studied and stripped you bare, confusion bustled inside you. This glare, it spoke something foreign. It contrasted her actions.
Riri’s eyes were on your mouth. They stayed locked on your lips and it made your already intoxicated mind sizzle with uncertainty. “Can you make it upstairs on your own?”
“I-”
She sighed, standing up and sticking her hand out, presumably for you to grab onto. When you hesitated, she seized your fingers instead, making you flinch. Riri pulled your drunken form out of her car, holding your palm firmly in hers. You wobbled, and she placed a hot palm on your back. A touch meant to steady, you’re sure, but it did the opposite.
Riri’s fingers being that low on your back heated your skin and sent your entire body cascading to the pavement. She caught you though, seconds before your knees hit the ground and she pulled you in close.
“S’okay Riri, I got it. Thanks for the ride, but I think I'm good n-now.” Your attempt to loosen her hold on you was proven to be useless. She held you tight. Strong. Really strong. She was smaller than you, but her grip was sturdy.
She pulled you, and your back collided with her front. “No. You're not good now. And I ain't letting you go nowhere by yourself.”
“O-okay.”
She guided you through the door and onto the elevator up to your apartment hand in hand without words. You stumbled a little bit on the journey, but her gentle touch kept you upright. When you reached your door, she politely asked for your key and you placed it into her other palm. The door opened and you stepped under the threshold, turning to face her.
“I got it from here.” You said, leaning your shoulder against the frame and her head dipped in a nod, but she made no effort to leave. She was watching you again and you held your breath. Riri took note of your inhale, smirking slightly.
You cleared your throat, “Why can't you be this nice to me all the time? I'm sure it takes less energy than constantly hating me.”
This instance was the longest she’d tolerated your presence without scoffing or gagging. This was a lengthy stretch of kindness, much more flattering than her tying the straps of your top. You appreciated it, much more than you should, you're sure because it was all you’d wanted, for her to be nice to you. And here she was, offering it up without malice. So of course you took it, and of course you ignored the batting shame in your chest.
“You really think I hate you?” She bit her lip, eyes flickering to your fingers that were still interlocked. You hadn't noticed she was still holding your hand, but Riri sure did. The thought made you blush, releasing a gust of unidentified emotions inside you. They trampled and toppled your growing shame, making you crave confinement.
You slipped your hand from hers, folding your arms across your chest as you breathed out. “Don't you?”
“Hmm.”
Your eyes turned curious, narrowing into an accusing glare.
“I’ll text Keem, let him know I got you home safe.”
She sauntered off, hitting the corner to get back on the elevator. You listened closely for the ding. Once you were certain she was no longer on your floor, you huffed a long exhale, willing your heart to stop thumping, begging your blood to stop rushing. Everything felt off, you were exposed to the air, and it judged you profusely.
You shut the door hurriedly and pressed your back against it, rubbing the heels of your palms in your eyes. That entire encounter, as mundane as it would seem to any prying eyes, was anything but. Or maybe you were just drunk and your insane overthinking skills were wide awake and at play.
“Hmm.”
‘Hmm’ was not an answer. ‘Hmm’ only bred more confusion.
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eggtartz · 1 year
Note
Can I request a Sukuna x Fem!reader
Sukuna meeting the reader that has the same power as Muzan from kny. IT WOULD BE TOTALLY CRAZY😵
Or you can just do a headcannons or a oneshot whatever you like☕🍵
a/n : AH THANKYOU ANON I WANTED TO WRITE ABOUT JJK SO BAD BUT DON'T HAVE ANY IDEAS AA thankyou for requesting and enjoy 🫶🏻
summary : when sukuna thinks he just met someone worth a fight
: reader is a jujutsu tech teacher who takes care of yuji until one day sukuna caused chaos, reader has a similar curse technique as muzan's demon art, sukuna isn't too powerful (yuji estimated has swallowed 2-3 fingers), sukuna is a menace, might have a part two that contains fluff (if requested <3)
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- like a switch yuji itadori's behavior changed, you unprepared with what is going to happen
- you were drinking tea with itadori alone so he could improve his curse technique while gojo is on a mission outside japan (also the higher ups insisted that you took care of yuji incase the vessel might switched accidently)
- you abruptly stand from your chair when you didn't hear the sweet voice of the pink haired boy instead there was a deep, raspy voice
- instantly you created a veil to avoid unnecessary sightings but while doing so, sukuna has already injured some customers in the tea shop
- "heh sensei, the brat adored you so much you know. would be a shame if i killed you now eh?" he said mockingly, challenging you
- "you know y/n, in our era woman doesn't need to do this. they stay at home, they serve their husbands. only man are needed for combat" he said once again while scratching his long, black nails on the wall
- "that's where you're wrong ryomen, this isn't your era anymore" you wasted no time and lunged towards him while expanding your limbs, multiplying them
- sukuna also had multiple limbs however he is incapable of releasing his original form so he struggled a lot with your limbs that kept attacking him
- "is that all you got y/n?! just few arms that i can slash over and over again, this is boring!" he said with joy on his face, while you kept attacking him with the remaining energy that you have
- sukuna wasn't unaware, that you had another technique up your sleeve. the technique that allowed you 'control' curses, using them for your advantage
- while sukuna was enjoying his time slashing away your long arms, he wasn't paying attention
- you have released the technique upon the humans in the tea shop that has been turned into curse by sukuna (although this technique is risky as some curses can remain as curses and never change into humans again)
- as sukuna ripped off your last arm, he sharpen his nails and approached you when one of the curses bit his arm
- confused, sukuna ripped his head (only for it to regenerate back because he didn't used any curse energy) soon, more curses were piling on him and you again expanded your multiple arms to trap the king of curses
- "tch is that all you got? you're weaker than that white haired man then, you jujutsu sorcerers think you're all strong and shit"
- "i was never stronger than him to start with. but i know im strong enough to bring itadori back. itadori! itadori come out!" you said while smashing the head with curse energy hoping it would bring yuji back (and bring him back with the injuries too)
- "tch you and the brat would suffer from this, one.. one day"
- "it's an honour for you to target me, now give itadori back" you said softly, almost like talking to a child to be gentle
- sukuna's thought was like huh what, she's a little cute that i noticed. huh no one talked to me ever so gently like her huh?
- he let his guard down and the body psychically changed, itadori was back
- "huh sensei what happene- HUH SENSEI I CAN'T SEE, WHAT'S HAPPENING SENSEI? AH THERE'S SO MANY CURSES SENSEI HELP" the panicking boy exclaimed while blinking his eyes furiously due to the blood trickling down his forehead
- you reversed the curse energy on the curse that changed them into human again and lifted the veil
- you rushed to call ijichi and after 20 minutes or so he arrived to bring you and yuji to the hospital
- while in the car yuji blurted "sensei i don't know if this is a dream of mine or a thought of sukuna's but he thinks you're really pretty"
- ijichi accidentally hit the brakes "AH I'M SORRY" he said (no he would be panicking GOMENASAI! 😭)
- you slowly turned to look at yuji only to see the mouth on his cheek smirking at you. that bastard you thought
- "well what else did he say?"
- "uh he said something about marriage? marrying you i think?"
- "yeah i think i'll pass the offer ryomen"
- "we were bound to be y/n! become mine and i will-" he didn't finished his words as yuji slapped his mouth "sorry sensei, he's already annoying to me. i don't want him annoying you too"
- you smiled softly at itadori, forgetting that sukuna can see you too making him unconsciously blushed
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lu15d4 · 1 year
Text
Revisiting Infernal Tokyo now that Akira is king (SMT4)
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Did you know you can revisit Blasted and Infernal Tokyo after defeating Lucifer in the neutral route? Have you seen all of its new content?
2 things to say before we start
This blog contains spoilers of Shin megami tensei IV so I wouldn't recommend you to read this blog unless you at least got locked in one alignment and be in the monochrome forest.
Sorry for the poor quality of the pictures, I took them directly from my phone
With that said, let's get started!
Not long ago I realized you can revisit blasted and Infernal Tokyo if you get locked into chaos or you beat Lucifer in neutral.
After getting locked in one alignment, if it allows you to freely get to the yamator reactor room (am I right Merkabah?), go there. Once you're there, Burroughs will ask you if you want to go to either Blasted Tokyo or Infernal Tokyo, or just stay in the Tokyo you're in now.
So I didn't think twice and decided to explore both Tokyos to see what's new in them.
For Blasted Tokyo I haven't seen much change. But for Infernal Tokyo tho, damn there's a lot here to discover:
Ikebukuro and Shibuya are fully open to explore
New sidequests
A LOT of new dialogue from npcs
Ikebukuro and Shibuya
During your first time in Infernal Tokyo, before Akira became king, you couldn't enter these districts because they were owned by Kenji, and if Akira was only allowed to pick up trash and be humiliated in there, of course the guard wouldn't let you to even set a foot in.
But now that Akira is king, I went there to see what would happen if I got there. And well, the guards are now even polite towards me.
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So now that they let me pass, we can freely explore the districts. Obviously, being Infernal Tokyo a Tokyo that isn't meant to be stayed in for a long time, the districts are much smaller than ceiling Tokyo, but in both of them there's a pub where you can heal and take challenge quests, shops, npcs to talk with and even a domain (pretty much all like Infernal Shinjuku). Speaking about sidequests...
The sidequests
There are both sidequests you can get from the pub and from speaking with demons.
The pub ones is killing one of the many funny d*ck demons from a ritual and Fornite in Infernal Tokyo :)
The others are beating the demon from the domains (Loki and the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse) and sidequests mostly about hindu mythology demons.
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Honestly, none of them are bad, but compared to other sidequests of the game, they aren't the greatest either. The Kartikeya one is pretty cool because it gives you a bit of hindu lore but not much else.
The npcs
Now this is what I really want to talk about.
There's a nice amount of npcs around Infernal Tokyo with new dialogue, from the ones of the newly unlocked districts to the ones from Shinjuku and Akira's former base.
What they talk about can be divided between:
The ones who talk about how life has been as demonoids/nurishers.
The ones who talk about king Akira
The ones who talk about their life as demonoids/nourishers
There's not much to say about them other than how most npcs say positive things about it
However, there are 2 cases I want to mention
1- the one who calls Kenji a hero. He says that before the nourishers were a thing, demons used to eat humans until Kenji arrived, killed the demons and established the demonoid/nourisher system.
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What I find interesting is how, despite Kenji leaving Tokyo a place where everyone kills each other and the strong abuse the weak, his actions improved the situation for some people to the point some of them call him their savior.
What's kinda funny is that how Ikebukuro from the unstable Tokyo is somehow more stable than the Ikebukuro from the lesser unstable Tokyo (ceiling Tokyo).
2- The demonoid you find near the cocoon in Shijuku (while his dialogue already appears even before Akira took Shinjuku, I believe this is still worth mentioning).
What this guy says is a bit of his story about the reason he became a demonoid, which was to overcome the death of his daughter, who just like Akira's sister, rot in the cocoon.
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With this I think it's safe to say that Akira's case wasn't a unique one, with the cocoon filled with nothing but children (and maybe teenagers); once it was opened many had to see at a very young age their siblings/cousins/friends not only dead, but also in a rotten state, as well as many parents who had to see their children dead and in a rotten state.
Probably many people turned themselves into demonoids just to overcome the death of people really close to them. After all it must have been a really traumatic experience to all these people. Just look at Akira, who after 25 years of the events he visits his sister's grave every time he picks up trash, which it's pretty much a routine. There's also the demonoid near the cocoon, who might visit it frequently because of his daughter.
The ones who talk about Akira
Because how can a story of a walking joke who did nothing but be humiliated and pick up trash and suddenly becomes the king of Tokyo not be a topic to talk about a lot?
A lot of the demonoids talk about his obvious lack of strength compared to Kenji and how they feel bad for him or believe he really needs help.
Others give their opinion about his plan of making Tokyo more equal.
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Most demonoids say how unused they are to the word "equal". Some nourishers on the other hand, say some of their new rights for nourishers, such as having more food (said by the same nourisher who previously said that Akira would give them access to baths) and even having vacation days.
For that to work, Akira decided to every now and then go to each district and count the amount of nourishers each district has, to bring more to those who lack of them.
It really looks like when he became the leader of Shinjuku, he found out the big amount of nourishers he had, so he decided not to let the nourishers keep feeding the demonoids all the time. And since he really liked that, he decided to do the same regulation in all Tokyo.
A sentence that stands out a lot is "he's (Akira) kind of a weird demonoid. But then again, he's the only one who treated us like real humans". This opens a headcanon I have about how nourishers are treated.
While initially, the main perk of being nourisher is that you won't be killed by demonoids, it was just initially.
There's a nourisher in Kasumigaseki who said (before Akira took over Shinjuku) that the good thing of being a nourisher is not being killed, but the thing is that the districts weren't keeping in touch each other, so each of them had their own way to manage things.
Which means that while Akira's nourishers might actually live the perks of a nourisher (because he's a cinnamon roll) and think that's how other nourishers live, the nourishers from other districts might not at all. And since everyone can do literally what the want, I'm sure the nourishers must have been living severe cases of abuse or even be killed if the demonoids thought they had more than enough nourishers.
Because it's in our nature to take advantage of the weaker, to exploit the weaknesses of the one next to us, just like when you nonstop threw bufu to minotaur once you realized he's weak to ice, and if nothing is stopping you, even if it's just your morals, then you'll just do it.
Akira was a special case, he wanted the nourishers to be treated like decent human beings, plus even more if he couldn't get more nourishers.
Also, I'm pretty sure the leaders of the districts usually abused even the demonoids from their district. Just like in a company, one person from a higher position in the company, can easily abuse the ones from the lower positions.
In a place where strength is was matters, the leaders surely are the strongest of their district, and there's nothing stopping them for doing what they want, so why not doing what you want with your people?
But with all that, there are 3 dialogues I want to highlight
1- a demonoid from Shinjuku was asked by Akira to pick up trash for him, just like how he has been doing before being king. What's impressive is that he seemed sad when asking that.
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Maybe Akira after many years being humiliated by a guard, picking up trash and going to his sister's grave as a routine, he might have developed some form of Stockholm syndrome to that and therefore he might actually deeply miss that routine.
Plus, that same demonoid mentioned previously how Akira murmured about how he won't be able to visit his sister frequently anymore.
2- In a pub in Ikebukuro, there's a demonoid who talks about how some demonoids from Kasumigaseki killed demonoids from Ikebukuro because they didn't support Akira. And to that there's a lot to say.
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First of, there's something clear about this, no matter what you do, no matter how good your actions are, no matter how good you are as a leader of a region, there will be ones who will not be happy, who will prefer the other thing; and probably there are a great bunch of demonoids who preferred Kenji as the ruler, maybe because they had more freedom.
Second, the fanaticism some developed for Akira. For every famous person, there are people who will follow them like if they were Jesus, who will agree with whatever they say and will do something against anyone who disagrees/doesn't support them. And even if the people from Kasumigaseki got their life improved, they probably didn't get the fact that there are people who not only didn't, but also politically disagree with them.
And this might perfectly be something Akira didn't even want, but this could perfectly make the ones who initially were against him, dislike him even more, specially if Akira doesn't do anything about it, things could go really bad.
3- A nourisher from Ichigaya was given a new role by Akira, which she says she's grateful for that because she just won't give brain juice anymore. However she says that Akira was apologizing "from the bottom of his heart".
For what she, other nourisher and a demonoid in Ichigaya say, I think Akira brought some male and female nourishers and made them do nothing but make babies.
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If it's true, I have to say
Akira is so damn cute.
After seeing how others have done far worse things for "the greater good" (ehem ehem, Tayama, ehem ehem, Yuriko,...), as well as finding them justified and on top of that, showing no remorse whatsoever, Akira apologizing from the bottom of his heart for a far lesser bad thing, Akira, I really love you.
Although this shows how even Infernal Akira, despite having the role of representing the nice, benevolent, necessary, uncorrupted side of law (just like Blasted Akira with Chaos), has to dirt his hands even if it's a little bit.
And finally, Akira
As for Akira however, he doesn't say much. It's much more what others say about him rather than what he says.
What he says is how difficult it will be to take care of everyone in Tokyo (now that it's not just the people of Kasumigaseki) and how he's already tired, but he has to stay strong nonetheless.
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We already made him king of Tokyo and there not much we can do other than hope for the best, now that Tokyo and its future is in his hands.
Also notice how he calls you "boss", which it's not the first time he does. I think we're pretty much a hero for him, making his biggest wish come true, which was something that would be practically impossible if it wasn't for us. Plus, it could perfectly be the only reason why he decided to stay alive and endure 25 years in an unfair and depressing Tokyo.
And well, that's everything Infernal Tokyo offers. I'm surprised how more than half of its content is inaccessible until you get locked in chaos or you defeat Lucifer in neutral. And it's quite a lot considering it's from something really hidden I didn't know it existed until not long ago.
So hey, thank you for dedicating time to read this ;)
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cogbreath · 8 months
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please tell me your best 9/11 facts im actually curiojs
1. This is my favorite fact of all. there exists a photo of one of the hijackers doing bong rips. the sad part is we aren't allowed to see it. I asked all the right ppl but unfortunately its not something the public will probably get to see :(
2. Mohamed Atta once went to see the jungle book in theaters with his roommate in germany. He (Atta) got so mad about all the people talking during the movie that he kept angrily muttering "Chaos!" the entire time and was so mad about the whole ordeal he shut himself in his room the rest of the day.
3. So lets talk about jet fuel and steel beams. Sure, jet fuel itself cant melt beams. What really happened is the impact of the plane crash blew off the fireproofing in the towers. The jet fuel and the explosion ignited a lot of fires, and the steel beams of the towers started to become malleable (not melted!) from the intense heat, causing the walls of the towers to bend in on themselves. Eventually the force of the walls sagging became so intense that the building collapsed in on itself, causing a sort of domino effect. The twin towers were constructed with a method that is characteristically different than other skyscrapers have been built with. I am not too well versed on the physics of it all, but basically, a unique construction led to a unique collapse and that is "the deal" with the way the towers fell. Also, some of the jet fuel fell into the elevator shafts and exploded into flames on lower floors. Basically, the fact the towers were built to be more open and hollow compared to other skyscrapers meant that a lot of fires were able to spread in these circumstances.
4. The architect for the WTC actually worked with The Saudi Binladin Group, a construction conglomerate founded by Osama Bin Laden's Father. As far as I know, thats as far as the connection goes between the two and anything that says theres more to this is just kind of unfounded theorizing
5. observers actually thought that flight 77 (the one that crashed into the pentagon) was a military aircraft, because the speed and advanced manuevers they saw made them think it was a military plane. On that note, the hijacker pilot of this flight, Hani Hanjour, was unique in that he had a career as a commercial pilot beforehand in the 90s.
6. Ziad Jarrah's roommate in florida once saw him crash a plane into a building while playing microsoft flight simulator. He (the roommate) found it funny at the time, but not in hindsight, of course.
7. Also, according to this same roommate, Jarrah really enjoyed watching the show F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
8. Ironically, when designing the WTC, they did wonder about a situation if a jet airliner were to crash into the towers.
9. Also when designing the world trade center, they increased the floor space plan to be (coincidentally) about as large as that as the pentagon.
10. Mohamed Atta's email was discovered to have contained file attachments infected with the SirCam malware. (i just like this fact bc its a crossover between my special interests. malware and 9/11.)
11. Lastly, they actually didnt decide on what targets to hit in the attack until July of 2001 despite having planned the attack for the past 3 years!!! crazy!
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ot7heaven · 28 days
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Never Let You Go
Pairing: idol!hobi x manager!reader Genre: fluff, angst Words: 4362 Warnings: none Chapter 2: San Man Previous Chapter | Next Chapter Series Masterlist OT7Heaven Masterlist
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Just as Hunny starts tucking into her salad, Jihyeon glides into the break room. Effortlessly rocking the heels she loves to wear, Jihyeon looks the part. It’s not hard to believe she’s a nail technician judging by the way she’s always so put together. Hunny has only known Jihyeon for a month but she already admires her so much. Her infectious laughter, calming and kind personality, professionalism and kdrama actress good looks have made Jihyeon a favourite with staff and spa clients. Hunny is so glad to have found a spa with such nice employees.
“Is everything going okay out there?” Hunny asks, popping a cherry tomato into her mouth.
“The girls out there look rushed off their feet!”
“Let’s stay in here and hide for a while then,” Hunny laughs. “What scrumptious food have you brought in today?” The spa manager asks.
Setting her lunch on the table, Jihyeon replies “Kimchi Jjigae and also homemade brownies for afterwards.”
“My mouth is watering just thinking about those brownies!” Hunny exclaims. Last week it was Namseok’s birthday. Jihyeon brought in homemade matcha croissants for the waxer’s birthday. Needless to say, there were none left for him to take home after everyone enjoyed them on the morning break.
“Actually Lucas made these.” Jihyeon explains. Her boyfriend is a pastry chef in the kitchen of one of the fanciest hotels in Seoul - no, in all of Korea. Having a hot French pastry chef boyfriend at home is a blessing Jihyeon could never take for granted.
“So I'm guessing they’re out-of-this-world amazing, then?” Hunny asks as if the answer isn’t at all obvious in any way.
Laughing as she nods her head, Jihyeon slides the container across the table towards Hunny. Hunny is on a diet - again - but how can she resist? Surely one little brownie is okay… With its chunky chocolate chips and an ‘eat me’ deeply chocolatey scent… She barters with herself and decides to go to the gym 6 times this week instead of the usual 5. She inspects the brownies until she finds one with the most chocolate chips. She makes that brownie her victim.
Noticing Hunny’s tactics, Jihyeon smiles “I think they all have lots of chocolate chips in them. Lucas knows we would have to break up if he deprived me of chocolate.”
Hunny puts the chosen brownie in her bag so she can enjoy it later at home. “Seriously, chocolate owns me. Chocolate has made me its little slave.” She disposes of the salad container and sips on her coffee. “I wonder if it settles down when we're back out there.” Huuny says hopefully as her eyes drift towards the door.
“Ugh, I hope so,” Jihyeon says, putting a cube of tofu in her mouth. “It seems that every guest in the hotel decided that today is the day for manicures and massages.”
The first verse of 'Dynamite' by Bangtan starts playing on the radio. Hunny smiles to herself as she reminisces about her chance encounter with Hobi yesterday. She’s spent so long being bombarded with Bangtan on the radio, television and even on Tumblr. One of her mutuals often posts edits and one shots regarding idols. Scrolling through Tumblr, she has seen one shots of Hobi. Hunny always scrolls by quickly when she sees Hobi’s name as it’s just too weird. Yes, Hobi is hot. Yes, he’s an idol. And yes, Tumblr is rife with Hobi thirst traps and edits. But being his childhood friend, Hunny thinks it crosses a line. One that she couldn't possibly allow herself to cross.
Gesturing upstairs towards the hotel rooms, “If you were doing in-room treatments you'd have no radio. So maybe being down here in the chaos is actually better than the tranquillity of doing treatments in the peace and quiet of a fancy suite.” Hunny offers, taking another sip of her coffee.
Giving it less than five seconds of thought, Jihyeon shakes her head with a slight smirk. “No, I have to say I actually prefer to be down here in the spa. Upstairs, I don’t have you or Namseok or anyone else to talk to. I feel a bit intimidated by the guests in the rooms.” She honestly admits.
“You do?” Hunny would never have guessed that Jihyeon's Achilles heel would be her confidence.
“Well, the guests that come down to the spa are relatable. I easily find common ground and I can just be myself. The guests in the suites? The fancy expensive suites? They expect more and I don’t always know how to connect with them.” She trails off shyly.
Hunny feels touched that Jihyeon felt she could be this open with her. “You just have to be yourself with all of your clients. I mean, you’re working in an award winning hotel for a reason! If you run out of topics to talk about you could always tell them about Lucas’ tasty croissants.” Hunny offers this advice sincerely because she knows how scary it can be to talk to rich clients who expect the world.
With a raised eyebrow, Jihyeon quips “Lucas’ tasty croissant? That’s for me and me alone.”
“You can behave yourself right now!” Hunny laughs. “You know what I meant.” She says as she disposes of her coffee cup. Heading towards the door to continue her shift, Hunny offers Jihyeon one last piece of advice. “If you ever need some advice or just a chat, my office door is always open.” 
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After her shift, Hunny decides to get her eyebrows waxed. Namseok made a joke about them looking a little too wild. She thought that they looked fine - oops. She didn’t want to ask him to stay at work late so she tracked down a salon that she’s heard good things about. Pulling her car into a parking space, she turns the radio down so she can call her sister. Jinseong went to university in Denmark and fell in love. She stayed in Denmark after graduation to be with her Danish boyfriend. Not long after graduation, they got married and started a family. Hunny sometimes wishes she studied abroad. She thinks of the life she could be living right now if she left Korea. She could be fluent in English instead of her skills being just about conversational. She could improve her Japanese speaking skills. Hunny wishes that her speaking skills were as good as her listening skills because she feels overwhelmed and lost most of the time when she speaks Japanese. Hunny could have gone on so many adventures and seen so much of the world. She’s not yet left Asia apart from trips to see Jinseong and her new family. Jinseong may only be two years older than Hunny but she still feels so far behind her cool older sister. Hunny’s attempts at playing catch up have amounted to nothing. This only makes her break up with Sonhee more devastating.
After a few rings, Jinseong answers. “Hunny Hunny!”
Just hearing her sister’s voice fills Hunny’s heart with love. She beams, “Eonnie, I've missed your voice. How’s your day?”
“It’s only 10:30 in the morning so the day hasn’t even started yet,” Jinseong jokes. “Well, that’s if you don’t count Karen’s morning tantrum which seems to be a daily occurrence now.”
“Oh no. What happened? Is my little angel okay?” Hunny is her niece’s fiercest protector.
Jinseong scoffs, “Little angel? Little angels don’t cry because they want to come to work with mommy. Lars has taken her to see his parents so they'll be out of town until the evening, I guess.”
“So you can come home from work and relax in the bathtub with a very large glass of wine?” Given the time, Hunny assumes that Jinseong is on her morning coffee break and would love something a little stronger than coffee.
”Ooh, that does sound like a good idea! How are you doing? It’s been so long since we last spoke.”
Realising that they haven’t spoken since Hunny moved to Seoul, she mentally scolds herself for not keeping in touch during the move. “I’m good. All settled in now. Just missing my Karen.”
“Have you made any friends yet?” Jinseong asks. She really cares about Hunny. Knowing it can be scary moving to a city, she just wants to give Hunny a huge hug and tell her this adventure is going to be amazing.
“I’ve made a few friends at work. My colleague, Jihyeon, gave me a homemade brownie today. I just couldn’t resist. So Sunday will no longer be my rest day. A quick 30 minute jog and that brownie will be forgotten about.”
Jinseong sighs, ”You’re lucky that you don’t live in Copenhagen. The bakeries here are amazing.”
“I’d never see a rest day again in my life!” Hunny laughs.
“So Jihyeon bakes?” Jinseong quizzes.
“Her boyfriend does. He’s a French pastry chef. Jealous doesn't even begin to describe how I feel” Hunny jokes.
“I bet. She’s a lucky girl. And how are you feeling today,” her tone shifts, “with it being the day of what would be your four year anniversary?”
Reality hit Hunny like a brick. She spent so long surrounded by memories of him in Gwangju. Memories that she thought she’d never escape. Four years of being a dream team gone. Just like that. Ouch. She now remembers why she was so desperate to move to Seoul. She hasn’t cried in weeks but feels tears threatening to spill. The man she thought she might marry is no longer in her life and she hasn't thought about it for weeks. That’s either Hunny moving on Hunny going on autopilot to cope with this big life change. She’s surprised that Jinseong remembered the anniversary and she didn’t.
Shaking her head and blinking fast, “I haven’t thought about Sonhee much recently. I think I’m just trying to get used to being in Seoul that I haven’t really had time for anything or anyone else. I’m sorry that I haven’t called you in a while.” 
“Hey, don’t be sorry. You’ve been busy. I just want you to be okay.” Jinseong reassures her younger sister.
“I think I am going to be okay. It just may take some time for me to really believe it. One of my colleagues - employees - said that my eyebrows were looking a little too wild today. Wow, saying 'employees' is going to take some getting used to.” Hunny laughs, “He was only teasing. Everyone at work has been welcoming and kind, so I think I’ll be okay. They all seem like great friends.”
“Is he a friend or something more?” Jinseong cheekily asks.
“Namseok is not even a friend yet. I don’t know him that well so it’s been weeks of polite small talk.” Hunny says, hoping that she gets the chance to know him as well as everyone else at work knows him. “I’m actually about to get my eyebrows waxed. Would you mind at all if we ended the call here and carried this conversation on later?” Hunny hates ending phone calls with Jinseong. Timezones and busy lives mean they don’t even get weekly check in calls.
“Go! Go get your sexy brows and we can talk later. I’ll call you on my afternoon break. I love you Hunny.”
“I love you Eonnie. Bye.” After cutting the call, Hunny steps out of the car and makes her way to the salon.
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After what felt like an unnecessarily long day all Hunny wanted to do was sit on her couch, watch Business Proposal and eat that dreamy homemade brownie. Just as she took her first bite of chocolatey goodness, a flash of pure white came running in from the hallway. The surface of Hunny’s face was just 90% pure smile at the sight of her cat. Sonhee had gotten Hunny a kitten for her 25th birthday. She spent so long saying she wanted a dog. However, her apartment was tiny. It would not have been ideal or realistic to raise a dog in that apartment. Sonhee compromised and brought San into Hunny’s life. San is the best friend she’s ever had. He occasionally reminds her of Sonhee but he’s a nice way to remember the good times they shared. She doesn’t know how she would have coped with moving to a new city if she had to leave San back in Gwangju.
With her eyes rolling back at how good the brownie tastes, Hunny licks her lips. “San Man, why can’t you bake like this?” The white ball of fur nestles next to her on the couch. He purrs with contentment, happy to have his owner back home from work. Before Hunny can even miss the taste of the brownie on her tongue, her phone starts to ring. Leaning over to look at the coffee table, Hunny notices that it is Jinseong. A video call? Now that’s more like it. Hunny misses her eonnie’s face. Propping her phone up against a decorative potpourri bowl on her coffee table, she presses the answer button.
No sooner than the call connected did Karen’s little face take up the whole screen. Hunny’s five year niece beamed as she saw her long distance auntie for the first time in too long. “Hunny Eonnie! Eomma told me to give you a kiss before I have a nap,” the small shouted into the screen, not realising that her indoor voice would be much appreciated.
“Karen, I love your kisses. Thank you so much my little Bunny.”
Jinseong appeared as she placed Karen on her lap. ”Let’s see those brows then,” she said, trying to hold a hyperactive Karen in place as she attempted to wriggle out of her mother’s grip.
Hunny leaned down so her sister could inspect her brows through the screen, “I think they’re the best I’ve ever had. Don’t you think so?”
After a quick inspection, Jinseong nods in approval. “Lookin’ good, girl! Just don’t tell the waxers at work that you cheated on them,” Jinseong laughs. She looks over to the right as she places Karen back on the floor. “Karen, give Hunny Eonnie one last kiss. Appa’s ready to read you a story now.”
“Can he read me The Little Mermaid?” The sweet child asks with the biggest puppy dog eyes Hunny has ever seen.
Jinseong beams down at her daughter and teases, “Only if Hunny Eonnie agrees.”
Okay. Hunny was wrong. These eyes are the biggest puppy dog eyes she’s ever seen. In a way, Hunny is lucky she doesn’t live in the same country as Karen. She knows she would have to say goodbye to her disposable income and free time. And maybe, her sanity.
“Hunny Eonnie…” those puppy dog eyes get bigger with each syllable. Hunny doesn’t know how Karen does it but she has everyone wrapped around her finger at all times. There must be magic behind those sparkly brown eyes. “Can Appa read me The Little Mermaid?”
“Seeing as you asked so politely, of course he can Bunny. But first, I want another kiss.”
Karen kisses the screen for the briefest of seconds. Not wanting to miss out on any reading time before her nap. And in an instant, she runs out of the room.
“Wasn’t she going to see Lars’ parents today?” Hunny asks suddenly, remembering that Jinseong should be at work and Karen should be at the coast with her appa’s parents.
Jinseong pouts, “She fell over and cut her knee up pretty badly. She wouldn't let Lars’ eomma clean her up unless I left work early and kissed it better.” It’s never easy seeing your child in pain and hurt. Especially when you’re almost one hour away. As much as she loves her marketing job, she would drop everything to be there when Karen needs her. And she has. Multiple times. She really can do it all - career woman and mother. Hunny is always in awe of her.
Hunny’s heart sinks at the thought of her little Bunny being hurt. “Oh, no. When you go into her room make sure to give her extra kisses from me.” There’s no ocean Hunny wouldn’t cross just to make her little niece giggle and smile. Man, she loves Karen’s lopsided grin. She’s currently missing one of her front teeth but that somehow adds to her charm.
Nodding, Jinseong sits up straight. “So, come on. Anything new with you?” Always one for a gossip session, Jinseong brings out Hunny’s talkative side like no other. Jinseong feels like a friend rather than a sister. Hunny’s so grateful for that. If Hunny had a brother instead, the connection just wouldn't be the same.
San stretches out, taking up even more room on the couch. At this point, Hunny will need to buy a bigger couch. Stroking the mini cloud beside her, Hunny thinks back to her meeting with Hobi yesterday. Jinseong still doesn’t know about it. Jinseong got along with all of Hunny’s childhood friends. The kids in the neighbourhood all hung out together. Everyone knew everyone’s business so eventually Jinseong would become friendly with Hunny’s friends, and vice versa. The fact that Hobi lived 4 houses away meant that he would be at Hunny’s house almost every day. The days when he wasn’t, Hunny was at his house. Jinseong hopes that Karen’s childhood will be like that. Living in the centre of a big city should be great but it lacks the small town feel that everyone’s childhood needs.
“Well, yesterday I went to this cafe near my apartment. Jihyeon from work recommended it to me because we live in the same neighbourhood and she knows all the good spots.” Hunny starts.
Jinseong’s eyes light up, “Ooh, how was it?”
“I have to say, it lived up to the hype. Most cafes in Seoul are pretty but the drinks are terrible. Thankfully that was not the case here.” Hunny makes a mental note to go back to the cafe soon. “I was about to leave and guess who called out my name.”
Jinseong wracks her brain. Who do they both know living in Seoul? Unless it was someone from their hometown who was visiting Seoul. But who? “I really have no clue,” her eyes dart to the side as if she’ll find answers there. “I can only think of Eomma and Appa… have they moved to Seoul to secretly spy on you?”
Hunny laughs in amusement, “No, they’re still on their American cruise. Eomma keeps sending me photos of Baskin Robbins!”
“Aw, she’s so sweet. Someone needs to tell her that there are such things as international chain restaurants.” The elder sister smiles as she remembers being surprised when she first recognised the names of restaurants and stores in Denmark, quickly learning that 711 was not a little Korean secret. “But, who? I couldn't even begin to guess. My mind is empty. Well, it’s empty apart from the ‘Encanto’ soundtrack.” She laughs, never being able to escape ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ thanks to Karen’s latest favourite movie.
“Jung Hoseok - I saw Hobi!” Hunny bursts out unable to contain her excitement.
“No way. He was just in the cafe?” Jinseong found it hard to believe an idol would be in a space so public and potentially busy. Don’t idols hangout at their companies where they can socialise away from prying eyes?
With a nod accompanying a beaming smile, Hunny replies “He was sitting in the corner but, yes. I had to do a double take. It’s been years. Like, so many years but that’s still my Hobi.” Now Hunny was the one whose eyes mimicked an innocent puppy.
“How is he doing?” Jinseong asks with a warm tone.
“Oh Eonnie, he seems so happy. And he hasn’t changed.” She says just as San purrs.
“I think San approves,” Jinseong jokes.
“I should hope so! We exchanged phone numbers and we’re hanging out on Friday.” Hunny feels as though she’s been given the biggest lifeline by finding Hobi. If they can recreate their childhood friendship, Hunny will need no one else. The two best friends were inseparable once and, if life hasn’t burned them too much, hopefully their old roles will fit like a glove.
“You’ll have to say hello from me.” Jinseong says.
“We’ll have no time to talk about you. We have a LOT to catch up on,” The younger sister proclaims in jest. “Min Yoongi was also there…” She sheepishly utters. She can’t even attempt to hide how flush her cheeks have become at the mere mention of her bias and celebrity crush.
“Hunny, tell me everything! Have you set a date for the wedding yet?” Jinseong quips.
“Don’t even joke about that because if I let myself daydream about marrying Yoongi, I’ll start to be severely disappointed when I remember that I live in the real world.” Hunny doesn’t have a list of boxes a man needs to tick to win her heart. Her dream man doesn’t need to look a certain way, have a certain job or have certain hobbies. That being said, Yoongi ticks every hypothetical box imaginable. And extra boxes. If there was a dream man, it’d be Min Yoongi and Min Yoongi only. Yoongi is perfect. Or rather, the public image he projects is perfect.
“Was he everything you’d hope he’d be?” Meeting someone you admire isn’t always advisable. Idols have a certain image that their companies have created for them. Just because an idol is funny and sincere in an interview, that doesn’t mean that they’re not a major jerk when they’re not at work.
Smiling into the phone screen, Hunny may need to pinch herself to ensure she’s reminded that the encounter wasn’t a daydream. “After a while, it felt just like talking to Hobi,” she admits.
“That’s so great. A couple of weeks ago I watched their show that they livestreamed from Seoul. Was it called ‘Permission To Dance?’ Or something like that?” Jinseong searches her mind for the name of the concert.
Instantly, Hunny has the answer. Of course she does. “Yep, ’Permission To Dance’. You’re starting to become an army?”
“Well Karen has gotten into kpop since I played Blackpink in the car. I wish she spoke more Korean so kpop karaoke sessions in the car are becoming our morning routine. I even heard Lars singing ‘Whistle’ whilst cooking dinner last week.” Jinseong chuckles.
Hunny laughs, “Please tell me his bias is Jisoo.” Jisoo is Hunny’s Blackpink bias. It seems as though Jisoo is the least biased member, so Hunny always gets excited whenever she finds out Jisoo is someone’s bias.
“I think she might be.” Jinseong tries to recall listening to Blackpink with Lars, but she can only remember her excitement at having a fellow Blackpink fan in her house.
“Good man Lars,” Hunny approves. “So you were watching the Bangtan concert?”
“Yes. So Karen has decided that Bangtan might be her next fixation. She begged me to watch it so that she could learn their songs,” she explains.
“I knew there was a reason I liked that kid.”
Jinseong laughs, “She kept on saying ‘I like him’ whenever Yoongi appeared on the screen.” It’s highly likely that thousands, if not, millions of girls shared Karen’s exact thought. “I think she wants to marry ‘Life Goes On’ Yoongi when she grows up.”
“Get in line, kid. But seriously, I think it’s so cute that she may become a little blink or army,” the doting auntie remarks. San, clearly not  impressed at the prospect of having another army in his life, jumps off the couch and retreats to his bed next to the floor length window.
Hunny yawns. She wishes she could be discreet about it and yawn like a lady. She wishes she could be like that. Sadly, her tiredness forces her manners to take a backseat. Before she can comprehend what it takes to begin to feel embarrassed about showing Jinseong all of her teeth along with her tonsils, she yawns again. These gigantic yawns are becoming increasingly involuntary.
“Tired?” Jinseong giggles. She realises how late it must be in Korea. Hunny actually completed a full shift today, unlike her elder sister. On top of that, she also worked out before work. Jinseong respects Hunny for working out before work every morning. Why on earth would anyone want to wake up earlier than absolutely necessary? Hunny should just workout after she finishes work. Like normal people. Like Jinseong.
“So tired,” Hunny mumbles along with another yawn. Stretching her arms in an attempt to wake herself up, Hunny stumbles and slides off the couch. Luckily she has a large sheepskin rug placed under the coffee table to break her fall.
Unable to hold a laugh in, Jinseong reluctantly mocks her sister. “Be careful. If you fell through the floor and into your neighbour’s apartment, you know I’d pee myself from laughing so much.”
“Meanie!” Hunny pouts as she finds comfort on her leather couch. Trying to take the high ground would prove useless because Hunny knows all too well that she would laugh so hard if the roles were reversed.
“You should head off to bed. We can talk again soon. Next time Karen can talk your ear off about Yoongi.” Karen loves talking about her new obsessions. Once she gets started, she doesn’t stop. She reminds Jinseong of a young Hunny. Maybe that’s why they get along so well.
“I like the sound of that. Talk soon?”
“Jinseong nods, “Soon.”
“I love you Eonnie.”
“I love you Hunny. Sleep well.” Hunny’s phone screen returns to her wallpaper of San sleeping on Hunny’s periwinkle blue pillows.
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Hunny finally takes herself off to bed once she finishes brushing her teeth and completing her skincare routine. Getting her nightly routine down to just five steps is an accomplishment Hunny is proud of. Her skin certainly thanks her for it. But right now she’s that tired that it feels like a twenty step routine. Her bed has never felt as cosy as it does tonight. Her pillows are soft and plump. Her mattress is just the right level of firm. She welcomes sleep as soon as her head hits the pillow.
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namethatghostling · 10 months
Note
Give me your strong opinions/headcanons on Harley Quinn❤️🖤
Transgender
had a pretty intense and genuinely embarrassing truecrime girly phase through like her late teens/college. probably would have started a podcast if shed had the ability at the time.
i think that and her desire to pursue a career in psychiatry/work at arkham sorta stem from this same root interest in like understanding why certain people commit violent crimes which was well-intended but ultimately came from a kind of ableist place. like she always sympathized really heavily with the people in her care but also like subconsciously saw a lot of them as these poor lost little lambs that needed her help rather than full complex human beings and thats what kinda fucked her in the end.
generally an empathetic person. tends to take on other peoples burdens. sometimes to an unhealthy degree.
i think her and bruce actually have a lot in common in that regard and when theyre not actively at odds they vibe p well for that and other reasons. also shes just the sort of person whos rly easy to get along with. she may one of if not the only rogue who none of the others rly has any lasting beef with.
bi and poly (this is basically canon anyway). i feel like some ppl tend to act as if shes only ever dated the joker and pamela but i def think shes been in and out of a lot of relationships over the years, some better than others.
she has a bad habit of 1) finding kinda messed up power dynamics a lil sexy and 2) harboring some serious "i can fix them" energy when it comes to her more obviously misguided crushes. she likes the security of a partner who she feels like will take care of her but who still relies on her emotionally and unfortunately some people use that to take advantage.
i dont know if she would necessarily consciously identify as a Femme but like. she soo is.
this is like more related to my specific dyke scarecrow au than anything canon but i see them as old exes. in true dyke fashion, they have stayed good friends in spite of the breakup. take this one or leave it but either way i like the two of them as besties soo much.
has always struggled with this impulse towards violence especially when shes feeling restless or manic. (i say struggled but shes probably having a blast with it now) i think in the past she was very self conscious about this (especially when she was newly out and trying very hard to be perceived as feminine) and tried very hard to present herself as someone self contained and in control. for better or for worse, shes much happier when shes allowed to be a force of chaos.
lowkey had a weeb phase. still very much loves j-fashion and magical girl anime. plays some video games but largely prefers the feel of a big clunky cabinet arcade game over a home console. its the buttons, the lights, the ability to loudly and dramatically tip the whole thing over if youre mad enough about losing. has watched mlp. fav is pinkie pie. obviously.
there is an aspect of her like hyper girly almost childish persona which is kind of a performance. like. it is her to a degree, but its also kind of a coping mechanism. almost like a form of drag, shes leaning into the stereotype to get a rise out of people or to protect herself. sometimes both at once. the few people who really know her well enough will start to notice little tells to differentiate when shes really feeling the vibe and when shes deliberately putting on a show.
has definitely given herself a shit haircut/dye job while in a depression spiral.
generally its just like. she feels so so so so so much all the time like oh my god make it stop for two seconds.
theres probs more but this is what i feel certain of in this moment ✌️
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shallowstories · 11 months
Text
The story of the chicken and the black snake
NOTES FOR LATER:
1. Fun substitution stories: It bears a lot of similarities to the story of Zeus and the stone substitution. Zeus was supposed to be killed soas not to challenge ranking deity, who kept eating and damning any and all rival gods to his cosmic belly. Cosmic kings eat their rivals and their children in order to grow in power. The goal is to damn them to food, to becoming sources OF power, not challenges TO power.
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2. Ineffective usurper God narratives: Cas tried to muster up "godly/creative" power by following the footsteps of cosmic paidophagy. By swallowing the Purgatorial souls and Leviathans, he became the black snake, and like all aggressive gods that try to entomb power by consuming others' children, he would arouse the mother's anger and fail.
The devilishly clever mother, knowing the usurper God is not efficiently boundless as she is, and is not strong enough Void, plants and incites a battle from within. This deception is typically wrought by enticing the predator to swallow poison (or a stone or a hardboiled egg), or by imbuing the children with secret strength to allow them to violently burst forth and overpower their father. So it was with Primordial Eve, hiding her her "bomb" from within, that would tear the inefficient God asunder.
Ergo, the Leviathans are the egg, Eve/Tiamat is the chicken, and Cas was the black snake in whose corpse the hidden children would feast upon. God overcome.
It's a cheeky reference to what Yahweh/or other culture hero god did to them, exploding and feasting upon the bodies of Leviathan as world nourishment to "create the world." Castiel's sundering is symbolically "Zeus as ineffective container" (or "Kronos as ineffective container"), bursting forth in an extremely violent reversal of Yahweh's original Leviathan victory. Cas can rouse chaos. But as "Heaven/Sky only," he cannot contain it.
This is because Cas is not a creator god, so in order to Wield Power of God, he must be facilitated by joining forces with Earth or other allies (Sam, Dean, Meg; later, Kelly Kline) in order to Complete the Circle. (When Cas turns his back on allies of Hell and Crowley, he effectively dooms himself.)
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Cas "Heaven" cannot complete the circle "crown" alone. It is the Love and Healing, not War-making, that allows a more complete joining with his allies. (Image by LLA).
Interestingly, SPN 12x19 The Future (above GIF) is full of circle motifs because Jack is emerging into the Universe.
Jack, on the other hand, is much, much fuzzier in terms of his abilities. He's so strong that he embodies Both Modes (Earth AND Heaven, Human AND Angel). Jack is vast and boundless; Cas is not and never has been. That's why Jack is able to become God, but Cas is one-half-of-God/needing-allies, or else an ineffective solitary "culture hero" locked in eternal narrative of warfare without any real gains.
Castiel is more effective when he shares power/burdens and joins forces with his human family. (This manifests as, "support me and stand behind me 100%" VS "fight alongside me and don't be afraid to air your disagreements." It also manifests in the hiding of key details of the fights in order to "spare" them the burden of war's ugliness.)
Unfortunately, he tends to reach to share power with fellow angels on high, like Lucifer and Chuck, and that just leads to more of the same, ineffective "bright" wars. Ironically, it is his failing to share burdens (with his own rebel angels, Crowley, sometimes even Sam and Dean) that cause his most extreme losses.
Hell, Heaven, and Earth are most powerful when linked together; and they are weakest when ripped apart. Still, that isn't enough on its own, because they need to be linked together in peace, not isolation and aggression. (This is why Heaven, Earth, and Hell do not overcome Amara. Only choosing peace and reconciliation does. And yet, even that reconciliation is incomplete, because the light and the dark become too isolated from Heaven and Earth, cascading down into Lucifer's heartbreak and Dean's loss of Heaven in season 13's speech, "You said the earth would be fine, but it's not.")
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3. Cas as culture hero: We see more power struggles at play in season 15 when Cas returns to Purgatory, where Leviathan corpses are again linked to blossoming of godly power, specifically the power to take down God (reference to the Classic Chaoskampf). Corpses of Leviathan are symbolic of Yawheh's (El's) original victory.
In Supernatural, the Leviathan were defeated/banished by the uniting of Cas and Dean against them. This is why their reconciliation is a key component of defeating God. United, perhaps they can take down God. It's why in 15x09 The Trap's deleted scene/alternate future/victory, they arrive marching in tandem, with the specter of the Double Diamond casino representing their combined pragmaticism. (However, as with all war, even when you WIN, you LOSE.)
Another interesting thing about Purgatory, though, is that Tiamat/Eve does not appear to be hunting down Dean. She's hunting down Cas, for "killing her Alphas and predatorially swallowing [her children]." Cas is characterized within the landscape as "Bright" and "Orderly," the eternal threat to her chaotic children.
Cas's characteristics of being Awake and bringing both Narrative and Meaning to The Empty also make him an eternal threat to the Cosmic Void, the Shadow. Cas imposes Limits/Order/Rebellion on the boundless forces, but he is independent enough to be flexible (unlike Death/Billie/Dean who swung too close to Order at the end of the series). These qualities liken Cas to Order and Disorder, "the spanner in the works," and he functions as The Great Escapist, which likens him more closely to the culture hero. (Which is why to so many astute viewers, Cas feels like not just A Main Character, but The Main Character.) In bringing Cas to such high highs (Superman, puppet God, angelic warrior) and such low lows (object of ridicule and scorn and emasculation), and such a wise middle of the road (renewed faith and values, finding strength IN weakness), they've accidentally transformed him to true protagonist.
Ergo with respect to Eve/Tiamat and The Empty/Void, Castiel IS the real cosmic culture hero. (Sam and Dean are culture heroes in their own right, but of Earth, so they can be heroes when aided by God/Heaven/"Equalizer" favors).
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Jack is triparted God, the same as he represents Sam and Dean and Cas. He's also the egg and the chicken and the snake.
But when you try to be all things, as Dean tried to be all things (re: his conversation with Mary in season 12), you effectively became nothing. "It's not fair!"
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luna-the-shark4254 · 2 years
Text
Daily incorrect quotes :)
Me: Am I a boy? Am I a girl? It doesn't matter. I'm going to burn your house down.
049: The universe is cold and unfeeling. The only constant is chaos. 035: Was that place out of chocolate-chip pancakes again?
035: I mean, sure, I have my bad days, but then I remember what a cute smile I have.
Kiki: My future partner must be brave, strong, intelligent, successful and organized. Andy: *steps on a caterpillar and proceeds to drop to their knees and sob while apologizing profusely* Kiki: That one. I want that one.
Kiki: Would you slap 035- Andy: Yes. Kiki: I didn't even finish! Andy: Sorry, continue. Kiki: Would you slap 035 for 10 dollars? Andy: I would do it for free. 035: Rude...
035: What did you guys get in your yearbook? Kiki: 'Prettiest Smile' Andy: 'Nicest Personality' Catgurl: 'Most likely to start a bar fight' 049: 'Least likely to start a bar fight, but most likely to win one'
Andy: That's ridiculous, Kiki doesn't have a crush on me. Catgurl: Yes they do. 049: Yes they do. Kiki: Yes I do.
Catgurl: You're violent. Kiki: Yeah but I'm also short and that's adorable.
Kiki: Damn, the power went out. 049: Don’t worry, I got this. 049: *stomps foot* Kiki: What-? 049: *Sketchers light up*
035: *looks at 999* 035: Baby boy. Baby. 035: *looks at Catgurl* 035: Evil.
Kiki: OKAY, YOU KNOW WHAT?! TIME OUT! GET ON TOP OF THE FRIDGE! GET UP THERE! 049: *Climbing* THIS HOUSE IS A FUCKING NIGHTMARE!!!
Kiki: Andy is too tall for me to kiss them on the lips. What should I do? 035: Punch them in the stomach. Then, when they double over in pain, kiss them. 049: Tackle them! Catgurl: Dump them. 999: Kick them in the shin! Andy: No to all of those! Just ask me to lean down!!
999: I'm so tired of this life. I want to be a roomba. I want knives taped to me. And I want to be set loose.
049, holding a fork: You know your talking a lot of shit for someone who has 2 perfectly good eyeballs each cost about $16,000 on the blackmarket. Kiki: .... 049: *lip smack*
049: Catgurl... Catgurl: I can tell by the tone of your voice that you are disappointed. Alas, I must further disappoint you by affirming how little I give a fuck.
035: I give up. I am so tired. 999: Get the emergency supply! Andy: *carries Kiki and places them in front of 035* Kiki: *smiles* 035: AND I AM BACK BABY, LET’S GOOO
999: Blue M&Ms are the best. Kiki: whAT IS THIS SLANDER? 999: What about it? They are. Kiki: I WILL NOT ALLOW SUCH LIES ON MY CHRISTIAN MINECRAFT SERVER! Kiki: THE RED ONES ARE THE BEST! 999: YEAH? WELL YOUR MOM'S A HO! Catgurl: They're all chocolate inside, the colors don't mean anything. 049: I like the yellow ones. 999 and Kiki: SHUT THE FUCK YOUR MOUTH!
Kiki: Mint is just cold spicy. The Squad: ... 049: What the actual fuck is wrong with you.
Catgurl: Here you go, 999, a nice hot cup of coffee! 999: It's cold. Catgurl: A nice cup of coffee. 999: It's horrible! Catgurl: Cup of coffee. 999: I'm not sure if this even IS coffee. Catgurl: C U P.
999: So 035 was just using me? Catgurl: I’m sorry, 999. 049, trying to contain their amusement: You must feel pretty stupid right now. 999: Catgurl: Ok, that’s a time-out. 049: No, I was just trying to- Catgurl: Go sit over there! 049: *walks away in defeat*
049: How do you know how to kiss? Like who teaches you? Kiki: Well it’s actually a class, but unfortunately it’s full right now. Kiki: Would you like me to tutor you? Andy: That was smooth.
999: So uh, for this party and everything, do you, uh... 049, sighing: You don't know how to dress for this, do you? 999, panicked: WHAT IS CLOTHES???
049: *gets a text* Oh! It’s Catgurl. 035, excitedly: Did they get me the stuff? 049: Yeah, they say they got you the clown costume, the power drill, and 12 gallons of blood. 035: Wow! Where’d they find 12 gallons of fake blood? 049: You wanted fake blood? 035: 049: I’ll go call Catgurl.
999: HYDRATE OR DIE-DRATE! 999: *aggressively throws water bottles* Kiki: Uh... what's up with them? Andy: They're trying to yell mental health and wellbeing into us. 999: I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU! 035, crying: It's working.
Catgurl: Wow, this parking is as straight as I am. 035: I know I should be focused on the fact that you just came out, but HOW DARE YOU INSULT MY PARKING!
999: Okay! Let’s play Kiss Marry Kill! 999: First who would you kill? *Kiki points at Catgurl* *Andy points at Catgurl* *035 points at Catgurl* Catgurl: *shrugs* I would kill me too.
049: Guys, my friend here is bilingual. Kiki: Yes. 049: Which means they like both boys and girls. Kiki: Ye- wait, what- Catgurl: 049, that's not what bilingual means- 049: Shhh, it's okay Kiki. I still love you, man. Kiki & Catgurl: ... 049: bUT NOT LIKE THAT-
Kiki: I wish I was a cat, but not in a furry kinda way, more like a “I can sleep all day and hit people with no consequences” kinda way
Kiki: Can we go out to get icecream? Andy: Did you ask Catgurl? Kiki: They said no. Andy: Then why did you ask me? Kiki: They're not the boss of you. Andy, internally: It's a trap, it's a trap, it's a trap.
Catgurl: How would you like your coffee? 999: As dark as my soul. Catgurl: Got it, one cup of milk coming right up!
Catgurl: Why do you think I don’t like you? I do. I would kill for you. Catgurl: Ask me to kill for you. Female 049: ...First of all, calm down-
Catgurl: It's locked. You got a lock pick? 999: Yeah- Kiki: *kicks in the door*
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blackbat05 · 3 years
Text
Day by Day
Shangqi x Reader 
A/N: My love for this man has hit an all time high so let me capitalize on it while I still can! If you read everything, I sincerely thank you for doing so!!! And holy cow 2 fics in 2 days have I gone back into my prime days? 
Genre: PG-13
Notes: As the title mentioned, I’ll probably set it some time after endgame. You could see it as a prequel to my first post! Reader is a social worker and she’s just dealing with all the mess that the snap bought back. The reader’s name as Jen Lee. I also apologize in advance for the potentially long fic. 
***
‘Excuse me, I’m looking for my child? Her name’s Wang Yiman and she’s seven.’ Another frazzled-looking parent fought her way to the front of the receptionist, approaching the helpless intern who looked like she was going to be on the verge of tears if another request came in. 
‘I got this,’ a hand calmly reassured the young intern as she beckoned the relief parent. ‘Mrs Wang? My name is Jen Lee and I’m the social worker here.’ I offered my hand for the anxious mother. ‘Oh thank god! Is Yiman ok? She must have been so scared!’ I slowed to a stop outside the room at the end of the corridor, gently sitting her down. 
‘Yiman has been a very brave girl Mrs Wang, but I will not lie to you. The sudden disappearance of their parents has traumatized a lot of kids. We’ve managed to explain to them what was going on but they will need a lot of support.’ I gave a glance over Mrs Wang’s shoulder, nodding to my colleague, Tammy who was holding the hand of a little girl in pigtails and a floral dress. 
妈妈! mā ma (mommy!)
The young girl ran into her mother’s open arms, allowing the floodgates to open from both ends. I turn to Tammy as we shared a silent agreement to leave the area. ‘That’s the last one for the day,’ Tammy unceremoniously plops herself onto the chair, letting out a groan. ‘Thanks for your hard work Jen.’ 
‘Right back at you.’ I entered the last bit of paperwork before uploading Yiman’s case file onto the portal. Yiman’s reunion with her parents meant the Children and Youth Centre were halfway in getting every displaced child back to their parents. Looking at the dingy television that was hung on the walls at the waiting room, despite not being able to hear anything, it didn’t take a genius to figure out what was going on. S.W.O.R.D was apparently in a stand-off against Wanda Maximoff? Reported rumors that Sam Wilson didn’t want anything to do with the shield? It’s been a crazy few weeks but that was utter- 
‘Bullshit! If anything it’s the government. They must have psyched him into giving up the shield.’ My chair swiveled to face Tammy who returned a nonchalant shrug. ‘What? You know I’m right. Doesn’t matter if half the world’s gone or our universe gets split into two - they’re the true evil here. I’m still struggling to find a place after I found a couple making out in my apartment! And you know what the global repatriation council told me? We’re only dealing with urgent cases right now. Well I say f-’
The incessant ringing of the bell interrupted our conversation, replacing Tammy’s tirade into a cheeky grin. ‘Look who’s here!’ 
Shangqi stands behind the counter, dressed in his usual red varsity jacket and jeans, holding bags of what I could only make out as takeout from the Chinese restaurant that was run by a friendly Singaporean couple. ‘Did I interrupt something?’ He scratches his head nervously. ‘Nope, in fact you just saved me from Tammy’s monologue, any further and she’ll explicitly tell me what she saw in her apartment when she got dusted back that day,’ I shivered in mock fear. ‘Still haunts me up till today.’ Tammy meets us by the door, bag in her hand. 
‘I thought you were staying? We got fried dumplings and 泡饭  pào fàn (poached rice).’ 
‘Last minute duty - A parent called, gotta run! Enjoy your dinner date.’ She waggles her eyebrows suggestively, much to our embarrassment. ‘What? It’s not...’ Shangqi stutters, trying to form intelligible sentences. ‘Get out before I throw a fried dumpling at your face Tammy!’ She winks at me, before darting out of the door. Once my nosy colleague was out, I turn towards a red-faced Shangqi. ‘I’m so sorry... just don’t mind her.’ 
‘Huh?’ The man was knocked out of his stupor. ‘Oh yeah... sure,’ in an attempt to forget everything that had just happened, he opened the packets of fried dumplings. ‘Ready for war?’ 
‘I was born ready.’ 
Thirty-five minutes later, all that was left were the remnants of fried dumplings and three empty containers. 
‘This should be illegal,’ I patted my stomach in satisfaction to his amusement. ‘Laugh at yourself! You lost track of how many dumplings you had and ended up taking my share!’ 
Raising his hands in defeat, Shangqi starts to clear the table up. ‘So how’s the center? Everything alright?’ I nodded numbly. 
The past five years had been a blur. Hazy, even. All I remembered was a kid running into the office telling me that half of the staff disappeared during a school holiday program that we were running with a dozen other kids. Parents who survived the snap rushed to our center, demanding to see their children. We couldn’t give them any answer as we too, were equally perplexed. Maybe the only thing that made sense was Shangqi and Katy bursting into the center to help us with the chaos. 
Coming back from what could be the 1000th phone call, I got a glimpse in the children’s playroom where the five years old kids were at, treating myself to an amusing sight. They all had red cloths draped around their neck, each holding a stick that was from the abandoned prop box. Katy wasn’t spared to as she was wearing her own red cloth that seemed a few sizes to small for her. Not that she didn’t seem to mind. 
‘Alright my warriors! Chargeeeeee!!!!!!’ 
In unison, little pairs of feet pattered across the room towards their ‘enemy’, a cardboard cutout of a monstrous creature who was really just Shangqi in disguise. 
‘RAWR! I’ll eat anyone who stands in my way!’ He stands up, mimicking a dinosaur that was about to trample an entire city. I decided that the paperwork could wait, standing near the door to watch an Oscar-worthy performance. With great effort and bravery from the kids, they finally managed to take down 5 foot 10 worth of muscle. 
‘Again! Again!’ 
I chuckled upon seeing Shangqi on the floor, about to drift off into wonderland. It was time for me to step in. ‘Alright kids that’s enough for today! Dinner’s here.’  As the kids dispersed with the help of Katy, it was just the two of us left to clear up the mess. ‘Thank you so much, both of you. I honestly can’t think of what would happen if you guys didn’t come to help.’ 
Perhaps my body language was screaming ‘I’m dead tired, please just knock me out’ as Shangqi takes a cloth from me, folding it back into the box. ‘It’s what we would have done, this place, it means a lot to us - to me.’ 
A small knock on the door diverts our attention away from the trash. Little Yiman stands at the door, as she stares at the both of us with big round eyes. 
‘Yiman, it’s late, what are you doing here?’ I squat down to her eye level. The little girl beams, ‘ 妈妈 said that I could give this to you!’ She passes me a juice box together with a handmade card with colorful scribbles. Maybe I was carrying too much on my shoulders, as I suddenly felt a boulder lifted off me. ‘Thank you,’ I smile at her sweetly, ‘I love apple juice.’ Happy with the response, she runs to Shangqi. ‘Shangqi 哥哥 gē ge (brother)!’ 
He breaks out into a smile, opening his arms wide. Yiman nuzzles her head into his shoulder before breaking out into uncontrollable giggles from his sudden attack of tickles. ‘Are you hear to help Miss Jen?’ I took the trash from his hands, giving him some time with the girl. 
‘Yes I am. Miss Jen needs some help so I’m here today!’ 
‘Are you her boyfriend?’ 
Shangqi freezes on the spot. He had undergone what could be the toughest training by his father, fought the greatest assassins in the world and here he was - stumped by a question from a seven year old. ‘Well... I’m her close friend since when we were very young,’ Yiman looks at him expectantly. ‘She helped me when I was in trouble so I had to be a good friend when she was in trouble too.’ 
‘Like how Ningning helped me when I injured my knee?’ 
‘Yeah... something like that.’ He breathes a sigh of relief, thankful to escape his first crisis. Honestly, he wasn’t even sure if he was telling himself the truth. 
‘Yiman! Your mother’s here!’ The little girl gives him one last hug before running to the waiting room. Shangqi takes a moment to recollect himself. ‘Here I am thinking that you finally managed to have some stamina while interacting with young children, maybe I was wrong.’ I teased as I sat beside him. 
‘Har har, hilarious.’ He tosses me a straw for our peach teas, as we were greeted by the amazing night view of San Francisco. ‘Enough about me, you good though?’ Looks like he didn’t forget the conversation that was cut off earlier. My mind goes back to a few minutes earlier, eavesdropping on the conversation.
‘I had to be a good friend when she was in trouble too.’
Life has been so unpredictable, I don’t even want to think too far into the future. With appearances from more superpowered beings, I don’t know what’s real anymore.
‘Yeah. To be honest, it’s been so crazy and overwhelming but I’ll get through it. I have you don’t I?’ Giving him a wink, I slowly sipped on the sweetness of the tea, savoring the pearls. He pauses for a moment, nodding thoughtfully. 
Life isn’t the same as it was before. But maybe, just maybe... if I had Shangqi, I’ll take each day on one at a time. Day by day. 
[END]
A/N: Hoho! I literally spent the whole afternoon writing because I just had to get this idea out and also because work was pretty slow today. I have no idea what is up with my first two fics hinting at unrequited love? I guess I got inspired by Shangqi’s and Katy’s platonic relationship because I thought it was so well written but I also love Shangqi so I guess is a compromise kinda thing. Again, do like and comment if you wish! Really thankful that y’all have been so kind to me so far! 
Perhaps I’ll try my hand at shorter ones like headcannons before this girl exhausts herself out and I don’t want to do that because I believe I have more to show! 
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staticscreenwriting · 3 years
Text
LOVE LIKE THE MOVIES // BUCKY BARNES
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TWO - Grease 1 & 2
Masterlist 
Summary: This is a story of boy meets girl. The boy, Bucky Barnes, finds himself thrown into a world that seems so different from everything he’s ever known. The girl, (Y/N) knows entirely too much about rom-coms and is quite particular about the way she eats her popcorn. Bucky meets (Y/N) a few months after returning to NYC. He knows almost immediately that becoming her friend is inevitable. This is a story of boy meets girl. This is a story about love. (Bucky Barnes x female!Reader // a few spoilers for TFATWS)
[additional note: I am German. Sometimes I get the tense wrong or make mistakes. I am useless when it comes to punctuation. Go easy on me, please.]
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“  I made a friend. “
Dr. Raynor doesn’t look up from her notebook but the slightly surprised raise of her eyebrow doesn’t get lost on Bucky.
“ Thought you might want to know. “
She stops writing for a second and glances up at him, her eyes holding a certain sense of hesitation and reluctance. He can almost see the gears in her head turning. She’s trying to get one step ahead of him, figure out what smartass comment he’ll throw at her. Only this time there isn’t one. This time it’s all genuine. It’s all true.
“ I do. That’s — good. Where’s the catch? “
“ There’s no catch. I made a new friend, just like that. And it’s not some making amends thing either. “
She closes her notebook, places it on the table to her right, and then folds her hands in her lap the way she does sometimes when Bucky knows he’s said something important. He has her entire and undivided attention.
“ That’s good, James. Tell me more about this friend. “
“ Her name is (Y/N). She’s a waitress and she’s really into movies. “
“ Oh. “
“ Oh? “
“ It’s a woman. “
“ Yeah it’s a woman, is that a problem? “ Bucky asks. Now it’s time for him to raise an eyebrow in question.
“ No. It’s not. I just didn’t expect it. “
“ Are you saying men and women can’t be friends? That’s awfully antiquated thinking, Doc. Have you ever seen when Harry met Sally? “
“ I have. Have you?”
Bucky scoffs as if the question is an insult to his intelligence.
“ Sure. It’s a classic. “
He hits her with a sarcastic grin, the one he knows she hates. The one she knows is fake and fabricated but that allows him to be unreadable to her for just a second.
“ Well then. I’m glad you’re making friends. It’s a big step, James. But I don’t want you to get attached to someone because you think that’s gonna make you get out of this arrangement any sooner, “ she says and motions her finger around the room in a twirling motion. “ It’s a more permanent situation. I hope you are aware of that.”
Eyes averted to the floor, Bucky nods his head in understanding.
“ I know. That’s not the reason. I — she knows me. Knows about me before all of the bad stuff. In her eyes, I am the man I used to be before Hydra. It’s nice to go back to that even if it’s not the truth. (Y/N) gives me a chance to figure out who I am right now without being reminded of all the bad things I did. “
When he looks back up Dr. Reynor regards him with a look he’s never seen before. Softer. She even smiles a little bit and he hardly ever sees her smile. Granted, he doesn't make these sessions easy for her so what does he expect really? Her smiling at him feels like he’s doing something right.
“ She sounds lovely. “
“ She talks so much and she sends me weird videos I don’t understand. Like, yesterday she sent me one of a kid saying he’s 19 and he can’t read and — I have no idea what it meant. And she makes fun of me for having a flip phone. But it’s not mean-spirited or anything. She doesn’t make me feel left out. Doesn’t make me feel stupid. “
“ Anything else you know about her? “
“ Her coffee tastes horrible. “
Dr. Reynor lets out an airy chuckle. “ James, I like the fact that you’re making friends. We all need friends, especially during times when we feel like we’re lost or have no direction in life. And it sounds like this friendship is good for you. “
“ But? “
“ Why do you think there’s a but ? “
“ There always is. “
She regards him for a second then nods slightly. “ You’re right. But it’s not a bad one. Listen, it seems like this woman knows a lot about who you used to be. How about you learn a little more about her? Even the playing field. A friendship is based on mutual understanding and trust. That’s my homework for you. Get to know her better. “
“ Your homework is for me to spend time with a friend? “
“ Yes. Now that doesn’t sound so bad, does it? “
Bucky shakes his head in reply.
No, that really doesn’t sound all that bad.
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The bell above the door chimes as Bucky steps inside the diner. It’s quite a bit more crowded than the last time he’s been here.
“ Grumpy!”
His head snaps towards the counter at the enthusiastic exclamation of his new nickname.
  (Y/N) stands behind the counter clad in the diner’s signature baby blue polo shirt, a pencil tugged behind her ears, and a frilly apron wrapped around her waist.
Her lips pull into a smile as he approaches and plops down onto one of the barstools.
“ You have impeccable timing, Grumpy.”
“ I guess that’s gonna stick? “
(Y/N) only nods her head in agreement, eyes full of mischief and determination. There’s no sense in arguing about this topic. That’s one nickname set in stone now. And really, it’s not like it doesn’t fit him.
“ I have something for you. “
“ You do? “
“ Well it’s not technically for you specifically but I need someone to try it so — “
Before he can even react she rushes back into the kitchen, her sneakers creating squeaking sounds on the shiny linoleum floor.
“ Do you want some coffee? “ the other waitress approaches, holding out the pot filled with the dark brew. It smells warm and delicious and Bucky wants to say yes until he remembers the last time he’s had coffee here and how bitter and burned it had been. And how he drank it anyway because he couldn’t bear to let (Y/N) know that her coffee was horrible.
“ Don’t worry, “ the waitress speaks up again, obviously picking up on Bucky’s complicated feelings towards the diner’s coffee “ I made it. Won’t let her near the pot when I’m around.”
“ In that case, please. “
Just as the mug fills with coffee, (Y/N) comes back tumbling around the corner and out of the kitchen. She leans against the counter, next to the red-haired waitress, and plops a Tupperware container in front of Bucky.
“ Try these and tell me what you think. “
Bucky takes a sip of his coffee before slowly opening the container to be greeted by a pile of cookies, of all shapes and sizes, no two quite the same.
“ Cookies? “
“ Eat one! “
“ Whoa, hold up.” Bucky exclaims as he raises his hands in mock defense. “ this sounds awfully suspicious to me. Are you trying to pull a Snow White on me here? “
(Y/N) eyes grow big and the most radiant smile spreads across her face at his words.
“ You made a pop culture reference!”
“ Saw it in the cinema. “
“ No way.”
“ Mmmh. With my sister.”
“ I just decided I love it when you make pop culture references. “
“ Noted.”
“ Okay, so since no one thinks it’s important to introduce me, let me do it myself,” the red-haired waitress chimes in and holds out her hand for Bucky to shake. He can see her eyebrows furrow a little as she notices his gloves. It’s not yet cold enough for people to not wonder about it. They know something ain’t right with him and he hates it. Wishes they’d just disregard it. Act like it’s a completely normal and feasible thing.
“ I’m Robin, (Y/N)’s best friend. “
“ I’m Bucky. Hopefully, not the first victim of (Y/N)’s poisoning.”
“ Oh, how arrogant of you to assume you’d be the first. If you don’t want my cookies, give ‘em back !”
(Y/N) tries to reach across the counter only for Bucky to snatch the container away holding it out of her reach. “ You gave me the cookies, you can’t take them back. That’s not how gifts work.”
“ Then try one for god’s sake! “
“ Alright, calm down. I will. “
He hates the fact that both (Y/N) and Robin are staring at him as he takes a bite of one of the cookies. The whole thing is almost the size of his face and littered with chocolate chips. It’s a damn mess of a cookie and he’d loved to have been there when she made them. No doubt it was chaos. No doubt it was an awful lot of fun too.
The cookie is — a lot. It’s too much sugar, too much chocolate. Too much of everything. He can practically feel the cavities building with every bite he takes. It’s that sweet.
But she looks at him with such glee in her eyes and this big beautiful smile that rivals the sun with its brightness and there’s no way in hell he can tell her the truth. Not when lying about it keeps that smile on her face.
Quite honestly,  Bucky thinks, life isn’t about telling the truth at all times. Sometimes, life is about knowing when to use your little white lies. Sometimes telling the truth isn’t doing anyone any favor.
“ So ? “
“ They’re — sweet.”
And they are. So really, it isn’t even an actual lie after all.
“ Good. They’re supposed to be. You see, I have a date tomorrow and I asked him what his favorite dessert was and he said cookies. I’m not sure they count as a dessert but anyway. Thanks for being my guinea pig. “
Robin throws him a look over (Y/N)’s shoulder. A look that lets him know she’s not buying it. She’s looking right through him. But she smiles so maybe she too realizes that sometimes lying saves everyone the heartache that may come with the truth.
“ You have a date? “
“ I do. His name is Russell, we’ve been hanging out for a while but he had to go to Europe for work and we haven’t seen each other in a few months. It was never anything serious, kind of a wrong place, wrong time thing. But maybe this time it works. “
“ Oh please, “ Robin exclaims, furiously slamming the pot back into the coffee machine. “ This loser has been stringing you along for far too long now. He’s not worth it. Trust me you can do so much better than him. “
There’s something about the way (Y/N) mood changes, the way she falters, that Bucky doesn’t like. Not even a tiny little bit. It’s a split second, just the whisper of a moment and then she’s back to her joking, bubbly self. But that tiny second is enough. Enough for Bucky to know he never wants to see it again. The doubt and hurt fluttering across her eyes. He’s seen too much hurt in too many eyes. It’s never getting any easier. It just makes him realize how much he hates seeing it in hers.
“ Ignore the crazy lady, he’s not that bad.” (Y/N) tries to reason, though the light and airy tone in her voice doesn’t sound quite as convincing as it usually does.
“ He refuses to put a label on your relationship and he treats you like you’re disposable. “
“ Sounds like a catch, is this the one with the fish picture or the one with the star wars facts? “ Bucky asks, biting off yet another piece of the tooth-achingly sweet cookie.
“ Neither. We met while walking our dogs. He’s nice, really. “
“ Sounds like it. “
“ He is. Robin over there just thinks she’s the expert on romance because she’s about to get married. Don’t believe a thing she says. Her own fairytale romance makes her blind to other people’s romantic struggles. “
Robin shakes her head in disagreement, making her red curls bounce with each motion. “ You’re a big girl, you know what you’re doing. I’m just calling things as I see them. Anyway, I gotta serve table 4.”
Silence falls upon them as Robin leaves to tend to the customers and (Y/N) averts her eyes back towards the countertop.
“ Hey, “ Bucky speaks up, getting (Y/N) to look up and meet his eyes. “ I hope the date turns out well for you, you deserve that. And if it doesn’t, just text me and we can watch another movie or something. “
“ You’d do that for me? “
“ Yeah. Sure. It’s what friends do. We’re friends now — right ? “
(Y/N) smiles “ right!”
And it’s nice, Bucky thinks, to have a friend again. Even though it’s all new and fresh, it feels wonderful. Like a tiny bit of weight has been taken from his shoulders. Like he can take a breath for the first time in a long time.
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Joe’s Pizzaria is an American restaurant that tries desperately to trick Americans into thinking it’s an authentic Italian restaurant.
And while it does have a certain undeniable charm, (Y/N) gets a bit tired of chomping down on yet another breadstick while staring at the red and white checkered tablecloth and pretending not to grasp the gravity of the situation. He’s not gonna come. He’s two hours late. Two whole hours. Half a bottle of wine and one salad late. The waiters pity her, it’s painfully obvious. The way they keep checking on her, keep asking if there’s anything they can bring her. Keep filling her breadstick with no upcharge.
Pity, (Y/N) thinks, is her least favorite emotion. It doesn’t do anyone any good and in the end, everyone just feels worse.
A "ping" coming from her phone pulls (Y/N) from her thoughts and for a teeny-tiny second a flicker of hope sparks in her heart that maybe Russell is just late and this is him apologizing and explaining. Maybe she was worth it to him after all.
Then her eyes register the name on the screen and disappointment fills her veins. Does he really not care? Does she really mean so little to him, he doesn't even feel the need to cancel the date? Is this some sick joke?
Bucky's message reads: Hope you're having fun. Did he like the cookies?
It's a weird feeling, to know someone she hasn't known for very long wastes even the smallest thought on her while her date doesn't give a shit. All it does is set into perspective that her blossoming friendship with Bucky is worth any effort it might take.
"Don't ask. Hey, what are you doing right now?"
"Oh, that bad? Not much. Trying to figure out what to have for dinner. Why?"
"How do you feel about spaghetti and meatballs?"
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He doesn’t have a couch.
That’s the one thought that spooks around his head as soon as he realizes what he’s just agreed to.
He’s been living here for months and he doesn’t even have a fucking couch.
When (Y/N) asked if she could come around, when she said she’d bring food and asked if her dog could come, he couldn’t say no. Not when she's already been stood up that night. Nevertheless, everything inside him starts twisting up in knots at the thought of opening his home to another person. Home. That’s really the problem now that he thinks about it. This place doesn’t feel like a home. It’s 4 walls and a roof. Nothing has felt like home in a long time.
He invited her over and he doesn’t even have a fucking couch.
There’s a TV and an armchair, a few cupboards, a chair, and a bed he doesn’t sleep in. Sometimes he thinks back to his childhood home, with all his mother's porcelain figurines collecting dust on the shelves and the wall of family pictures. It felt warm and cozy and like it was meant for people to live and learn and grow. It was their own.
This apartment is a box for him to stay at. Nothing here is in any way personal. But how do you make something your own when you don’t even know who you really are? When all you remember are times long gone or times you want to forget.
He snatches the sheets and pillow off the floor and throws them on his bed. He might not be able to get any more furniture in time for (Y/N) to arrive but he sure as hell doesn’t need to let her know that his nightmares don’t allow him to sleep in his own damn bed.
A knock sounds from the front door and for a second, Bucky’s blood turns cold as ice. No one ever talks about how scary it is to let people in. Would it matter to her and their friendship that his apartment is just as empty as he feels inside?
As soon as he opens the door, a fluffy bundle of white and brown fur rushes past him and runs a lap around his living room before settling by his feet, tail wagging and tongue hanging from his mouth.
“ Oh god, sorry. She’s just so excited to meet new people. “
Giving the dog a few pets, Bucky turns back to (Y/N), who gives him one of her signature sunshine smiles as she holds out a paper bag to him. The smell of delicious food reaches Bucky’s nose as he takes the bag from her and ushers her inside.
“ So, Spaghetti? “
“ Yup. And meatballs. “
Bucky nods his head in approval, “ Sounds good to me. “
She smiles at him again but there’s a kind of sadness surrounding her that he wishes he could take away. Whoever that Russell guy is, he’s a damn fool for not showing up.
“ Food’s still warm so if you tell me where your plates are … “ (Y/N) trails off as she really takes in the state of his apartment for the first time since she’s stepped inside. He can basically see the thoughts running through her head, one after the other, none sticking around long enough to form a coherent string of words to express what she’s thinking. He knows she wants to comment, can see it in her eyes. But something is holding her back and he can’t blame her. Their friendship isn’t that deep yet. You don’t ask someone you’ve just gotten friendly with why their apartment is so fucking empty. It’s sad and there are implications there that run deeper than one can see.
So to spare her any more awkward silence, Bucky speaks up again.
“ I uh — I just moved in. Haven’t gotten around to getting much furniture. We can sit by the kitchen counter or you can take the armchair and I’ll take the floor. “
“ That’s fine, we’ll make it work, “ she replies, before turning towards the kitchen cupboards, “ now … plates ?”
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“ This is delicious “ Bucky exclaims as he stuffs yet another fork of Spaghetti into his mouth.
Lady, (Y/N)'s Cocker Spaniel, casually lounges on his armchair, eyes always trained on the dishes of pasta, while Bucky and (Y/N) sit on the floor, backs against the wall.
“ Right? I love Meatballs. Last time I was at Joe’s Pizzeria, I was there with Russell and he got real pretentious about not ordering Spaghetti and Meatballs from an Italian restaurant because it wasn’t authentic Italian cuisine. As if I care. It tastes good, that’s all that matters.”
“ Well, he really does sound better with every new thing you tell me about him.”
(Y/N) shrugs and avoids eye contact with him. It’s strange, Bucky thinks, to see her this way. All of her bubbly personality and contagious energy are suddenly drained from her. Like someone squeezed her too tightly and pushed all the joy out.
“ Yeah he’s an asshole, I don’t know what I was thinking. I guess whatever we had going on just felt familiar and sometimes going back to something you know, even though it’s bad for you, is easier than opening yourself to something new. “
“ Wow, my therapist would love you. That sounded so smart.”
“ It did, didn’t it?,” (Y/N) says and lets out a little chuckle. It’s nice to hear her laugh even though it doesn’t hold the radiance, the pure happiness it usually does.
“She gave me some homework.”
(Y/N) looks at Bucky between bites, raising an eyebrow in intrigue. “ She did? “
“ Mmmh. I told her about you and our friendship and she thought that, because you know a lot about me, I should learn some things about you. “
(Y/N) quickly swallows the pasta before placing both her hands over her heart and staring at Bucky with an expression he can’t entirely read. There’s a glimmer of mischief in her eyes but there’s more, he just needs to figure out what exactly it is.
“ You talk to your therapist about me? Awww. That’s how you know a friendship is worthwhile. When they mention you to their therapist, that’s when you know it’s real. “
“ Aw man, now you’re just making fun of me. I take it all back. “
“ No! No, Bucky. I think that’s very sweet and it makes me feel important,” there’s a sincerity in her eyes that makes him feel a little weird. Not a bad weird. Just — different. He didn’t think this was gonna be such a big deal to her. And while he still feels extremely self-conscious about it all, he’s a little glad that he mentioned her to Dr. Reynor. Maybe it would do both of them some good, him and (Y/N).
“ It’s nice that our new friendship matters enough for you to mention it to her. Getting stood up by Russell felt like a punch in the guts. It made me feel incredibly inadequate and like I wasn’t worth enough for him to text me let alone show up. Knowing that there’s someone who thinks about me every once in a while, that’s a nice feeling. Least my friends think I’m worth it. "
Hearing those words fall from her lips sends a wave of anger and disbelief through Bucky. (Y/N) is the first person in a long while that makes him feel like he can figure out who he is and who he was and not feel guilty about it. To think she feels inadequate or like she's not good enough is just unbelievable to him.
"Just forget about that guy, he's clearly an idiot. You deserve someone who shows up. When it matters and even when it doesn't. "
"He didn't even get to try my cookies. I worked so hard on them."
"What? Oh my god, okay see - he's a damn fool. Those cookies were - so sweet. His loss, really."
(Y/N)'s laughter echoes through the halls of his empty apartment and Bucky thinks that maybe that was one of the things missing from this place to really make it a home. Emotions. Laughter and joy. Something other than fear and regret. Something other than pain.
“ Bucky, you’re so nice but you don’t have to lie. I know the cookies weren’t all that great. “
“ No! They were good, they were just — very sweet. And you know what? You deserve a guy who eats them anyway.”
She doesn’t give him a reply to that comment and maybe it doesn’t ask for one either. Some statements don’t need answers, they just are.
“ Hey, do you want my last meatball? “ he asks, and at her smile and enthusiastic nod, he rolls it from his plate onto hers.
“ Now what movie did you bring? “
“ Oh boy, “ (Y/N) proclaims and looks at Bucky with an unwavering excitement “ you’re in for a wild ride. Tonight we’re doing a double feature.”
“ Bringing the big guns, huh? “
“ You have no idea. Tonight we’re watching Grease 1 and 2. “
Two couples stare back at Bucky from the bubblegum-colored DVD case (Y/N) pulls from her purse. Something about the bright colors and the over-the-top hairstyles makes Bucky think that these movies won’t be the absolute pinnacle of sophisticated filmmaking.
“ What’s the lesson this time?“
“ Eh, “ (Y/N) says and shrugs “ when I was younger I thought it was meant to teach you that if you want to be with someone you can overcome any obstacle. No matter how different you seem or what other people might think. Now that I’m an adult I think it’s just about the 50s aesthetic and the killer musical number. “
“ Musical numbers? “
“ Mmmh. And well, the second one is pure garbage but it’s so bad it’s good. It also helps that Michelle Pfeiffer and Maxwell Caulfield look absolutely gorgeous in this film. “
“ So this isn’t gonna help me with my romance skills then? “
(Y/N) regards him for a second, purses her lips, and taps the side of her face as she thinks about her answer. “ I mean, the second movie is basically about how cool men who ride motorcycles are. Do you ride a motorcycle? “
“ I do actually. “
“ What? Oh, you just got 10 times cooler. One could say you’re a — cool rider.”
Bucky furrows his eyebrow in confusion.
“ Don’t worry, Grumpy. You’ll get the reference later.”
“ If I’m Grumpy, which of the 7 dwarves are you? “
“ Sleepy? “
“ Dopey? “
“ No. How about Happy ?”
It’s meant to be silly, just a joke really, but Bucky can’t help but think that it fits her. Even when she’s sad, there’s an infinite positivity in her eyes, an aura of joy and happiness and being around her is just so easy.
“ You know what? I think that’s the one. “
“ I like it. Now — let me introduce you to the students of Rydell High.”
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“ What in the world did you just make me watch? “ Bucky asks as the end credits to Grease 2 roll across the tv screen. Lady is snuggled up in his lap and his right hand lazily combs through her soft fur.
“ Two absolute masterpieces. “
“ In the first one they flew away in a car. And that second one, I don’t even know what to say.”
“ Because it was so good? “
“ Mmmmh no. That's not why. “
"Oh please, you can admit you l-" a big yawn interrupts her words and Bucky notices just how tired she looks right then.
"You're tired." It's not a question, more an observation.
"Mmmh Lady and I should probably head out."
He doesn't want her to leave. Disappointment, it's a feeling he knows very well, it's familiar and almost comfortable. Usually, though, that disappointment is directed towards himself. A lovely dose of self-deprecation. This time it's different. This time he's disappointed about the situation. About the prospect of being alone again. Alone in his empty box of an apartment.
The anxiety of letting someone in is slowly being overshadowed by his fear of being alone again. With his thoughts and his failures and the images of all the faces that have ever looked at him in fear.
"You can stay"
"Bucky … you don't have a couch. Where would I sleep?"
"Bed," he says as if it's the most obvious of all answers ever given.
"Grumpy, I'm not taking your bed."
"I'm not sleeping there anyway."
"Why?"
Her eyes are so soft and gentle as the question tumbles from her lips. So full of concern. For him. Concern and care, for him. It's not like he deserves it but it's a nice feeling either way.
"It's too soft."
It's painfully obvious that she knows there's more to it, that his words hold more gravity and weight than just that simple fact.
She doesn’t push it though and for that Bucky is eternally grateful. Sure, talking to her is easy and it helps him in some way or another. But this, his nightmares and his trauma and the faces that won't leave his thoughts, that haunt him as soon as he falls asleep, that's a can of worms he's not ready to open yet.
"Where do you sleep?"
"Floor."
"Oh, Grumpy. Hey uh - how about we both stay on the floor? You're in luck too because I also have a live version of Grease the musical we can watch."
He doesn't necessarily want to watch another movie where they sing pretty much every two minutes but if it means she'll stay, he'll do it. 
" Okay then."
"Okay."
That night, Bucky sleeps on the floor just like he does every night only this time there's a friend with him just a few meters away , close enough but not suffocating, and a dog resting on his chest, softly breathing gentle breaths.
That night Bucky sleeps on the floor just like he does every night only this night, there are no nightmares.
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Everyone cries (but only because they’re stupid), they go home, and Leon wins a lot of money :)
Merlin’s Angry Magic Reveal, part 5 (final part)
Part 1   Part 2   Part 3   Part 4
TW: Lots of death again I suppose (you’ll see what I mean)
The gang watches on in amazement as Merlin calls lightening strike after lightening strike, seemingly unbothered by the chaos around him, and the power he was displaying.
Merlin really wasn’t kidding when he said they should be scared of him. Damn.
They worry for a moment, and Lancelot has to hold Arthur back, as they notice the first of the three enemy sorcerers step into their line of sight. But they calm quickly when they see Merlin look towards her and nod, before going back to the battle at hand. If he trusted her, then they would to.
Elyan points to her and shouts at everyone to keep a tight grip on the horses as they see the ground beginning to shake, the ripples in the mud heading towards them at an alarming pace.
“Brace yourselves!” is shouted by Leon moments before it reaches them, and all of them are thrown to the ground violently.
No one is injured, but they are dazed, and it takes them a few moments to right themselves again. The next time they look out, a frenzied blue fire is ripping into those closest to Merlin, and dissipating into the air around him.
Now with some space, it would appear that Merlin had taken inspiration from his new found friend, and the ground shakes even more violently than before (though this time much more contained, The Gang doesn’t feel even a small tremor where they stand).
Gwen speaks up quietly, but still loud enough that everyone can hear her over the shrieking:
“Gods above... how long has he been able to do that?”
Morgana answers her:
“The Druids don’t fuck around. They did say he would be The Most Powerful Warlock to Ever Walk the Earth, I guess we should’ve seen this coming.”
Everyone nods distractedly, but no one can tear their gaze from the scene in front of them. The ground snaps shut with one last rumble, over half the army having disappeared, and they see the remaining soldiers turn to flee.
Every one of them gasps in shock as vines burst from the ground, and begin to rip the deserters to shreds. None of them thought that Merlin was the type to kill someone who had their back turned, but like he said earlier... he was pissed.
Suddenly the battlefield is near empty, and silent. They’re distracted by the slight tilt of Merlin’s head, and the distant sounds of howling wolves (no doubt summoned to take care of the last few soldiers), so don’t see the frenzied King sneak up on him before it’s too late.
Arthur takes in a sudden breath when he notices and begins sprinting towards Merlin, no one holding him back this time.
The King of Camelot shouts his warning too late as the sword pierces Merlin’s back, and is forced with a shove out through his chest.
The sorcerers in front of him stare on in shock, too far away from Arthur for him to be paying them any attention.
He pulls his sword out as Merlin’s attacker stumbles back, and cuts him down without a thought, without looking away from Merlin for even a second.
He collapses on the floors behind his friend (could he really call him that after last night?) and begins to beg (begging who, he isn’t quite sure. Anyone that would listen, he supposes) :
“ No.... no no no, Come on Merls, don’t do this to me. You promised.”
He has to hold in a pained gasp as he turns Merlin over, and is struck with horror as he realises the exact resemblance to the vision from four days ago.
The blank stare of Merlin’s eyes, the blood from his mouth. All identical.
Arthur is so wrapped up in his shock, that he doesn’t notice The Gang finally catching up, and gathering around him.
Everyone is in shock, painful cries escaping them. Both at the death of their friend, and the sporadic breathing and sobs of Arthur.
Lancelot pushes to the front, and kneels on the other side of Merlin, taking his already cold hand in his own and whispering to himself (to Merlin) :
“Come on.... come on, Merlin. You can do it, you’re immortal remember. Come on.”
After what felt like forever, the forgotten sorcerers push through the crowd. Everyone is too shocked to notice the intrusion.
The girl takes in a deep breath, and whispers:
“Emrys...” before crouching next to Arthur, and tilting her head, as if waiting.
She looks up to her two companions, and they nod at her, seeming to all be agreeing on something. She swallows and looks back towards Merlin’s blank face, reaching towards the hilt of the sword at his spine.
Leon and Elyan jump into action, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her back:
“What are you doing?!” and “Don’t touch him!” are shouted simultaneously as they grip her, but she looks back in annoyance before replying sharply:
“I’m trying to help! How do you expect him to wake up with a great big bloody sword through his chest?”
This seems to get Arthur’s attention, and he looks up for the first time, eyes red and cheeks wet as he stares at her in confusion.
Her annoyance fades, and she gives him a soft look as she explains:
“He will be fine, I promise. But he won’t wake up if he’s just immediately going to die again. His body has to heal before his soul returns to it. We need to take it out.”
In Arthur’s state of shock and grief, it takes him a few moments to fully register what was said, but he shakes his head and looks back at her, before saying in a quiet, shaking voice:
“He’ll come back?”
All three of the sorcerers nod slowly understanding his grief, and the girl reaches for the hilt of the sword once again, slowly this time.
“Do it.” from Arthur prompts her to grip the metal, and pull it from Merlin’s body with a sickening squelch.
The whole gang grimaces as it come away slick with blood, and try not to look at the floor as the puddle around him begins to expand even quicker than before.
Everyone stares at Merlin with bated breath, waiting and hoping (well... the gang is hoping. The three helpers don’t seem too worried) for any sort of movement.
After what seemed like hours, Merlin’s eyes blink slowly, and he brings in half a shuddered breath before coughing violently, and rolling off of Arthur’s lap and onto the floor, onto his hands and knees.
The Gang stares in shock as their previously dead friend coughs and splutters, blood flying from his mouth, before he collapses down onto his back, clutching his chest:
“That bloody hurt.”
Gwaine is the first to begin laughing, not necessarily out of humour, but an adrenaline crash mixed with a no-longer-dead friend will do that to you sometimes.
Merlin stares up in confusion as everyone joins in, some hysterical (and probably still in shock), and some just quietly chucking at how stupid they’d been.
Percival is the first to catch his breath and speak:
“Are you telling me... that after all that worrying... we literally just had to pull the thing out of you, and you’d be fine again?”
Merlin shrugs as best he can from his position on the floor (made even harder by the fact that one of his hands was being gripped by Arthur, the other by Lancelot) and replies with a smirk:
“I guess so. I told you I’d be fine!”
Everyone shakes their heads in disbelief, and Lancelot stands, pulling Merlin and Arthur with him. Merlin is quickly engulfed in a tight group hug, the sorcerers having just managed to escape and standing off to the side, staring on in amusement.
Arthur is the last to pull away, and Merlin’s now free arms wrap around him without hesitation as he buries his head in his friend’s (?) neck:
“I told you. Nothing can keep me away from you... at least not for too long. Pull it out a little quicker next time, yeah?”
Arthur laughs quietly and pulls back, pressing his forehead against Merlin’s before quietly replying with a smile:
“Bold of you to assume I will ever allow this to happen again.”
It’s Merlin’s turn to laugh this time, and the both of them ignore the confusion on everyone else’s faces (as far as they were all concerned, that comment came unprompted out of nowhere).
Arthur coughs slightly and pulls back, his face flushed, seeming to remember that they were surrounded by their closest friends.
Merlin rolls his eyes before also stepping back, and giving Arthur a pointed look:
“Don’t look so embarrassed Arthur. I’m pretty sure this lot knew before we did.”
He doesn’t give Arthur time to reply, instead looking around at his friends with an exhausted, but shining smile on his face:
“Time to go home, I think.”
~
The journey back to Camelot is relaxed, and full of smiles. Arthur spends the whole journey glued to Merlin’s side, and Leon spends the whole journey with a self satisfied smirk on his face (if they get their act together at some point in the next 2 weeks, which Leon has absolute faith they will, then he wins a lot of money).
They had invited the three sorcerers to join them, but they declined, saying they had been missing a long time, and wanted to get home. The Gang provided them with some spare clothes, and helped them catch some of the enemy’s horses, (who had miraculously not run too far during the battle) before sending them on their way with an open invite to visit Camelot any time they would like.
They rush home, but they aren’t nearly as tense and desperate as they were on the way out, so it takes them an extra day to get there, not that any of them minded. 
Once Merlin had gained a little of his strength back, he reached out to the Druids who remained in the city as advisors, so that the council could be updated on the state of things.
The people were told that the King and the Inner Council had been successful in their mission, and would be returning home within a few days, victorious.
The meeting they got at the gates to the city was astounding. Banners and flowers and declarations of celebration surrounded them all the way from the city walls, to the castle, and even the Council seemed in a good mood (a rare occurrence).
They were especially happy when Arthur dumped a dented crown, and a slashed and bloody cloak on the table, announcing that the opposition had no heir, and if they moved quickly, the neighbouring Kingdom would be absorbed into Camelot. Arthur, King by Conquest, had almost doubled the size of his kingdom. 
He sent out half an army, along with Leon, Elyan, and Lancelot, within the week. They took medical supplies and food, as a show of good faith to the commoners. The first month or so would be spent clearing the kingdom of any supporters of the fallen king, and spreading compassion and help. Once that was complete, Arthur would go there personally, to greet his new people (and probably sign a lot of paperwork, but bleugh).
Merlin and Arthur are sitting back in their comfy chairs by the fire in Arthur’s chambers, when Arthur casually mentions gifting the new land to Merlin, and making him King. Or at least Lord.
Merlin looked at him indignantly, it had only been a few days since they got back, and they were both still exhausted, but he replied with such vigour that you would never have known that he’d died barely a week prior:
“Absolutely not. I don’t think I would make a good King, Arthur. And I don’t want it anyway. I’d be weeks away, and everyone I care about lives here. You can’t get rid of me that easily, especially not after such an emotional confession.” He raise an eyebrow and smirks as Arthur flushes, looking to his lap:
“Shut up.” 
The conversation hadn’t been had yet, but neither felt awkward about it, they both knew the truth. After Merlin woke up again, it felt like time had reset, like once more they had all the time in the world. Neither of them are great at talking about their emotions, and both were prepared to wait until the moment seemed right, until they both had the right words.
Merlin laughs at Arthur, before absentmindedly reaching out a hand towards him. Arthur takes it without question, and looks back to Merlin, face serious, but loving:
“I meant it Merlin. I love you, with everything I have. I would give all of it up for you, the crown, Camelot, everything.”
Merlin smiles, blushing, and stands, pulling Arthur to stand with him.
They still grip hands, and stare into the blue of each others eyes as Merlin’s voice echoes in Arthur’s head:
“I love you too. I told you Arthur, this is where I belong, with you.”
Both of them ignore the tears gathering in their eyes as they lean forwards. They meet in the middle, in a slow kiss that has both of their hearts jumping.
Merlin wraps his arms around the King’s waist as Arthur lifts his hands up to rest against his Sorcerer’s chest, pulling at his collar slightly. 
They pull away slowly, needing breath, but not willing to part as they once again find themselves resting their foreheads against each other:
“Merls, you'll stay, won’t you?”
Merlin responds without even a second of hesitation, a fond smile on his face:
“Forever.”
~
Leon gets his money (which Gwaine never stops grumbling about: “If they’d held off for two more weeks, I would’ve won!”) and is very smug about it.
As time passes, Morgana’s terrifying visions start to make more sense.
Gaius and Hunith did in fact cry... three years down the line when Arthur finally requested that the Druids perform one of their binding ceremonies on himself and Merlin, their closest friends and family as the only witnesses.
(There was, of course, a larger, more public celebration of their joining, but the private affair was the important one.)
The silver crown, forged by the Druids behind Merlin’s back (as a sort of... wedding gift, Arthur would say) was used a few days later in Merlin’s official crowning. Made to look like leaves and vines and flowers and berries, truly the most Druidic, magical, nature inspired crown anyone had ever set their eyes upon.
(Arthur thought that Merlin never looked better, more himself, than when he donned the crown. But Arthur would never say that out loud, Merlin was still shy at heart, and he didn’t want to discourage him from wearing it.)
The tombstone, they discovered, was the fallen King’s. He was cruel, and cowardly, but Arthur had honour, and had the crown and cloak washed and buried in his bloodline’s cemetery. Nothing fancy, just a stone and a name and two dates.
(For history’s sake. After learning the truth about magic, Arthur swore that he would never knowingly erase history, not even his own mistakes.)
The empty chambers were obvious in the end. It may have taken three years for them to be officially wed, but their rooms were down the corridor from one another... and Arthur had a nicer bed. It only took a week or so before they were sleeping besides one another every night, and who would argue against it? Arthur was King, and Merlin had once again saved the kingdom, they could bloody well do what they liked.
They never actually figured out specifically when Morgana saw nine of them sat at the table, looking blank. Merlin was so often late to meetings, leaving the rest of them to wait patiently (or not so patiently) for his arrival. It could have been any number of times over the years.
After all their fretting, the anxiety of the war and the worry for her friend had led Morgana down a grim path. Perhaps it was because she was looking for reasons to dissuade Merlin from going? 
Whatever the cause, her and Merlin continue to work together to hone their crafts, Gwen supporting her every step of the way.
Now. Morgana and Gwen. They were a little more subtle about their relationship, but they also moved a little quicker, and were quietly bound to one another within a year of the Great Battle of Merlin’s BAMFness. Not that anyone was that surprised, mind you.
Speaking of Merlin’s BAMFness, there were definitely more shows of Merlin’s power once they got home. Despite being Court Sorcerer, Merlin was still affected by the years spent hiding and in fear (something that Arthur never quite forgave himself for), and never used his magic in public much, not if he could help it.
He used it for simple things, or when asked, but never would he allow himself to succumb to his emotions, positive or negative, and always kept tight control. The last thing he wanted to do, was accidently convince someone that magic was dangerous and evil and undo all the work he and Arthur had done.
Nowadays, after months of pestering by the gang (mainly Gwaine and Percival) to “show us something cool! Come on Merlin, you defeated an entire army, we know you can show us something cool!” , he was definitely more comfortable using his magic in every day situations.
Arthur was eternally grateful for that, he had done all he could, and he continued to support Merlin, but he knew that unless that validation came from elsewhere as well, Merlin would never be comfortable in his own skin.
BUT for now they have everything. Merthur is happy, Leon is smug, Morgwen is happy and smug, and the gang stays together, and happy, forever.
All because Merlin got depressed and angry and yelled at Arthur in the middle of the forest one day.
~
THE END 
Actually the end this time. Might be a bit anti climactic, but happy ending are a little anti climactic sometimes, and that’s ok.
I have a bunch of drafts on the go but if you’ve got anything specific you want my take on, go for it ✌️
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dinosaurtsukki · 3 years
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[ it’s good to be home ] 
sequel to ‘the same eyes as you’ (read here)
pairing: tsukishima kei x f!reader
word count: 1.3k words
contains: fluff, tsukishima being an awkward dad
anon: helo..i'm sorry for requesting so suddenly--but can we get a part 2 of the same eyes as you???? like how hikari would react that mr tour guide man is her father and all fluff. if it's okay tho hdnsjfhd
a/n: okay i definitely feel like this drabble needs a part two because awkward dad!tsukishima is too good to miss. hope you enjoy this too !!
“brush.”
“wide one or tiny one?”
“medium one please.”
“you got it.” 
tsukishima watched out of the corner of his eye as his daughter, no, hikari, handed him the medium brush from his toolkit. the two of them were in tsukishima’s office in the museum, way down inside the basement where he sometimes worked on the cleaning and upkeep of some artifacts and fossils for display. 
it had been about a month since tsukishima met you again and he learned that he had a daughter. neither of you told hikari about it yet and figured it would be better to ease tsukishima into her life. of course, the ideal situation for him would be that you would also welcome him into your life too but he didn’t want to force you either. tsukishima was happy enough that you suggested that he pick up hikari from school.
he didn’t know the first thing about taking care of a seven-year old child, especially when it came to entertaining them. but to his pleasant surprise, hikari was pretty excited when she heard she was ‘going to mr. tour guide man’s office to help out’. right now, she looked as if she was enjoying being his little assistant and handing tsukishima his tools when he needed them.
“alright, ready to head home?” he asked once he looked up to see that it was already six in the evening. usually, he stayed overtime especially when he was finishing something but he knew it was only a matter of time when hikari would get bored or hungry.
“sure!” hikari hopped off the stool she was sitting on and grabbed her backpack before the two of them headed out of the museum. she had a habit of hopping over the sidewalk cracks when she walked, making tsukishima smile a bit as he watched.
“tsukishima-san, can we get strawberry milk again?” hikari asked, skipping to his side and pointing at the vending machine a few blocks away from where your apartment was.
“isn’t it almost dinnertime?” tsukishima raised an eyebrow. 
“i’ll still have room...” she pouted. of course, he couldn’t resist that either.
“alright,” he chuckled. “just make sure to finish all your dinner. and don’t tell your mother too. promise?”
“promise!” hikari grinned. 
there’s always that ache in his chest when he brings hikari home to you. everything -- from hearing hikari yell ‘we’re home mom!’, to the smell of your cooking, to seeing you emerge from the kitchen -- reminds tsukishima of what he’s been missing all these years because of something he did. and more than ever, he wants to make things right.
“welcome home,” you chuckle when hikari runs into your arms. “how was your day with tsukishima-san?”
“good! he let me touch some fossils but also to keep it a secret because no one else is allowed to,” hikari giggled.
“it’s called ‘assistant’s privileges’, remember,” tsukishima grinned at her.
“assistants privlidges,” hikari nodded.
“if you say so,” you laughed at them. tsukishima hitched his shoulder bag and stood up.
“well, i’ll be going ahead now,” he said, despite how much his feet hesitated by the door. “you two have a good night.”
“hold on.”
tsukishima stopped, feeling his heart leap to his chest when he felt your hand on his shoulder. from you, he heard the words he’s been wanting to hear for so long: “why don’t you stay for dinner?”
when he turned around, tsukishima met the softness in your eyes. you wanted him to stay. 
“sure,” he nodded. “dinner sounds great.”
...
you never thought the day when tsukishima would be eating dinner at your table right beside your daughter would come. but here it was: a family dinner unfolding before you. when you decided to let tsukishima slowly come into yours and hikari’s life again, you didn’t know what to expect. the tsukishima you dated back in your university days didn’t even bother with taking care of a plant, but he did have his moments of care especially when it was for you. 
needless to say, you were pleasantly surprised to hear hikari’s stories about being at the museum with her father and watching tsukishima intently listen to her talk about the fairy princess game she played with her friends.
maybe, this is something that could work.
“don’t forget to do your homework first before TV,” you called after your daughter after she ran off.
“yes mom!” she responded. and just like that, you and tsukishima were alone in the dining room.
“i’ll... wash up,” he cleared his throat and stood up to begin gathering the plates.
“no way. you’re the guest here,” you shook your head. 
“it’s alright. you cooked dinner already,” tsukishima insisted.
“okay, how about you wash and i dry,” you suggested. tsukishima blinked at you in surprise before nodding slowly.
“sure, why not?”
there was something comforting with feeling tsukishima’s arm next to yours as the two of you stood side by side at the sink. so much so that you ended up talking out loud a lot, just like those times when you two were younger. 
“sorry, i guess i got a bit carried away,” you laughed nervously as you put away the last plate. 
“i definitely see where hikari gets in from,” tsukishima snickered.
“oh, you have no idea,” you laughed. “sometimes i look at her and wonder how people were able to deal with me.”
“it’s not that much of a bad thing,” tsukishima glanced at you with a small smile on his face. “does she... does she ask about who her dad is?”
“yeah,” you nodded, staring down at the floor. “there was this one time she went through all my things and made a mess just trying to find a picture of you. she didn’t, though. and... i promised her that maybe someday, i’ll let her meet you.” with a sigh, you looked up at tsukishima. “but, i guess that day has come sooner rather than later.”
“i’m willing to wait as long as it takes,” he said earnestly. “until you’re ready. i mean, it’s not just for hikari but for you too. i... the past few weeks i’ve just been hitting myself in the head seeing how much i’ve missed all these years.”
“i know,” you nodded, leaning back against the sink. “and, it’s been nice having you around. i can tell hikari would absolutely love you too. but, it’s not all easy, tsukishima. you have to understand that.”
“i know. i’m ready,” tsukishima said. “well, actually not really ready but you never are for these kinds of things,” he chuckled.
“you’re right there,” you smiled and looked down the hallway in the direction of hikari’s room. maybe, it was now time. 
“would you like us to tell her?”
...
tsukishima knew that lingering by the doorway of hikari’s bedroom while you explained things to her was going to be one of the most tension-filled moments of his life. when he heard his daughter ask ‘so, why didn’t he look for us?’, tsukishima was almost certain that she would hate him. 
and then, she looked right at him, and asked: “are you going to stay now?” 
“of course i am,” tsukishima nodded. “i’ll stay for sure.”
“promise?” 
“promise.”
before he could react, hikari leapt off her bed and ran to where he was, wrapping her small arms tightly around his waist. “i knew it! i knew it!” she giggled.
“woah, knew what? that mr. tour guide man’s your dad?” you chuckled.
“cause he likes the same strawberry milk i do!” hikari insisted, grinning up at tsukishima. “you know, same traits passed down through evolution like you said.”
that made him laugh. “sure, hikari.” his daughter smiled at him and there was something different about it now that she knew she was his daughter. tsukishima didn’t know of any other happiness quite like this. he knelt down on the floor and wrapped his arms around hikari and looked up to find tears in your eyes.
“welcome home, dad,” hikari said softly. tsukishima held a hand out to you. 
“it’s good to be home.”
▸ 🎕 ┈┈┈┈ 🎕 ┈┈┈┈ 🎕 ┈┈┈┈ 🎕 ┈┈┈┈ 🎕 ◂
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milliumizoomi · 3 years
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𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓡𝓲𝓭𝓮!
Pairings: A! TodoKiriBakuDeku x O! Black Fem! Reader
Synopsis: You, your friends and all your pups went out and it took a turn none of you were expecting.
Warnings: Slightly Mad Alphas, Mild Cursing Fluff, Implied angst at the ending if you squint.
Masterlist
Go Back ⇢ Part 2 ⇢ Up Next
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So here you were on a Saturday, driving with your little pups purring and playing with each other in the back seats as you somehow got dragged out of your house by your friends. You hadn’t heard from the boys yet but you know that they will most likely not be too happy that you suddenly left the house.
Your friends wanted to carry the pups to the annual carnival that was being held. You decided to go since you knew that your little pups would love it. And plus, it would allow them to get used to all the different smells in the world. You scent was still lingering on them as they grew so you would have to make sure that no one else’s smell gets on them.
You had already called the girls and told them you and your pups were ready. You made sure to scent them so you could make sure of where they were at all times. So you were driving to the carnival with your friends following.
As soon as you got to the carnival, you parked and hopped out of you car and went to the backseats to unbuckle the pups out of their seats. “Mommy! This place is huge!” Katsuo said with stars in his eyes as you unbuckled him from his car seat. “I know baby that’s why I need all of you to stay close to me ok.” “Yes mommy!” All of your little pups said in unison.
“Cmon girls it’s time to goo!” One of your friends said as she help her pup’s hand. You and your other friend nodded. You told your two oldest pups to hold onto the their younger siblings hands and then you would hold onto the younger pups. Your friend got her two pups hands and started walking towards the entrance.
‘I hope the pups enjoy today!’ You thought to yourself as you smiled. You look down and your pups who were beaming with excitement. ‘Yup today’s gonna be an eventful day..’ you thought as you purred softly.
If only you knew how right you were..
With the boys...-
They had no clue you weren’t even home.
They were currently on patrol in the same area but different streets. Kirishima was with Bakugou and Todoroki was with Midoriya. They were just walking around and doing their job. “I can’t wait to get home and and see y/n and our little pups..” Kirishima sighed and said as he stretched. “Got that right weird hair. It sucks ass that we have to work today" Bakugou groaned. They knew they don’t get much days off being pro heroes and such but they wanted to spend some time with you and the pups.
“I’ma call pebbs and see what their up to” Kirishima yawned. “Plus we’re practically finished with patrol so it shouldn’t be a problem.” Bakugou just shrugs. “Tell that nerd I said hi” he smirks and says. Kirishima nods. He took out his phone to see the message you had sent. “Bakubabe... can you take your phone out for a sec.. I need to see something” He continued, growing weary. Bakugou sideeyed him, looking very confused. “Hah? For what?” Bakugou asked. “Please I just want to check something.” “Fine whatever. Here.” Bakugou digs his phone out of his pocket and hands it to Kirishima. Kirishima takes the phone and as soon as the phone lights up, he sees the same exact message he saw on his phone. “They aren’t home..” Kirishima whispers to himself. “What??” Bakugou asked as he tilted his head to Kirishima and quirked his brow. “Pebble and the pups.. they aren’t home” Kirishima tells Bakugou. “What?! The hell you mean they aren’t home?? That shitty woman didn’t tell us she was planning to go anywhere today especially with the pups!” Bakugou said as he raised his voice a little and grabbed his phone from Kirishima.
Lemme fill y’all in btw.. ya see the boys are very territorial and protective of you and the pups. They don’t like anyone getting too close to any of you.
As Bakugou took his phone and saw the message you sent, Todoroki and Deku were coming around the corner from the area they just patrolled. Btw Kirishima and Bakugou were still walking. “Oh hey Kacchan and Eiji,are you guys done with patrol?” Midoriya asked as he rounded the corner with Todoroki. There was no answer to his question. “Uh.. guys? Did you hear me?” “O-oh uh hey babes um.. y-yea we where just about to head back to the agency..!” Kirishima stuttered trying to contain his anger while Bakugou was still fuming at his phone. Midoriya looked at him suspiciously. “Something’s wrong” Todoroki chimes in.
Kirishima growls and so does Bakugou. Midoriya furrows his eyes at the sound of the growling. “Guys what’s wrong??” Midoriya asked growing impatient. “Look at your phones..” Kirishima says while running a hand through his hair. Todoroki and Midoriya looks at each other confused then fish their phones out of their pocket. They watch as the screen flashes on and immediately your message is the first thing they see. “..what?” Todoroki says as he looks up and Kirishima and Bakugou for confirmation. Kirishima nods as Bakugou just turns away. “Did she mention this before?” Todoroki asks. “Not from what I remember” Kirishima answers. “Midobabe? Bakubabe? Calm down ok we can just blow up like this on the sidewalk.” Kirishima tells them. When they are silent that means they are LIVID. “Yeah.. granted were all on edge about this but we can call when we get back to the agency.” Todoroki says as he walks up to both Midoriya and Bakugou and rub their backs. “Now let’s get back ok?” They all nod and begin to walk to the closest agency, which was Bakugou’s.
While walking there and greeting civilians, Midoriya looked at his phone one more time to realize that you had left your location on. “GUYS! HER LOCATION! IT’S ON!” The other three men perked up at hearing this. “Nerd are you serious?! You better not be f*cking with us!" Bakugou growls. “Kacchan none of us play when it comes to our love and our pups you know that!” Midoriya exclaims. It’s clear that they are all frustrated right now but are trying to not let it get to them too much since they’re in public. “Look I’m sorry ok.. It just makes me frustrated that we don’t know where she or our damn pups are.. Makes me wanna blow something up..!” Bakugou says as he clenchs his fists. Midoriya walks over to Bakugo and runs his hand through his hair and gives him little kisses all over his face in an effort to calm him down. “It’s gonna be ok Kacchan.. it gonna be alright.. how about we see where she is now so that we can all feel a little calmer?” He along with Todoroki and Kirishima nod. Midoriya looks back down on his phone. “Uhh.. it says that she’s at a carnival” he said. “Oh you mean the annual one that the have every year?” Todoroki asks. “Yeah I think that’s the one. The pups probably wanted to go or she got invited or something.” Kirishima asks. “Probably.. nobody better touch her though ‘cause I will find them and when I do I-“ Bakugou starts. “Calm down hothead we all get territorial when it comes to her so cool your jets. We can scent her when she comes back or we could even surprise her and the pups.” “Ok whatever” Bakugou says as he rolls his eyes.
They walk and walk and walk until they finally made it back to the agency. They open the door to see nothing but absolute chaos unfolding. “HEY! WHAT’S GOING ON IN HERE?!WHAT THE HELL DO YOU PEOPLE THINK YOURE DOING RUNNING AROUND MY AGENCY?!” Bakugou screams, seeing red. His agency was a complete disaster. Paper was being thrown everywhere, people were frantically running around the place and people were talking a mile a minute on the phone. Everyone froze at the sound of Bakugou’s voice. They looked up to see the heroes in the top 10 rank standing at the doorway with a pissed off look on their faces. “W-were s-s-sorry Dynamight sir..! But we’re in a lot of trouble right now and police are re-requesting a-a-all of your a-assistance..!” A young woman bowed and said. “Trouble??“ ”What’s wrong?!” Todoroki and Deku asked at the same time while they all we fanning Bakugou’s face to help him calm down. “Villains...! Their attacking!” The employees yelled. “WHERE?!” The boys frantically asked. “AT THE ANNUAL CARNIVAL THAT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR..! THEIR ESCAPED CONVICTS AND THEIR TERRORIZING AND KILLING THE CITIZENS..! WE JUST GOT THE REPORT!” The same young woman screamed. The Alphas froze as their heart dropped to their stomach. The people they swore to protect with their lives... are at that carnival..where dangerous villains are attacking.
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Taglist: Open (just let me know if you would like to be added)
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drabbles-mc · 3 years
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I Like Me Better
Nestor Oceteva x F!Reader
Request from Anon: Hi! If you’re doing requests can I get a short fic based on the song I like me better by Lauv with Nestor🥺
Part 2 can be found Here
Warnings: language, lots of softness and pining
Word Count: 3.5k
A/N: (I know I’ve posted this story like 5 times today alone. So sorry to everyone who has been getting bombarded with it while I figure out my posting/tagging issues. Love y’all and I owe you xo) This story definitely took on a life of its own once I sat down and started writing it. I love me some Soft Nestor and the whole “almost relationship” type of deal. Hope you enjoy!
General Mayans Taglist: @mayans-sauce​ @thesandbeneathmytoes​ @paintballkid711​ @tomhardydallasstarsgirl​ @queenbeered​ @sillygoose6969​ @sesamepancakes​ @yourwonkywriter​ @chibsytelford​ @gemini0410​ @multiyfandomgirl40​ @behindmyeyes-insidemyhead​  @plentyoffandoms @georgiaaintnopeach​ @twistnet​ @garbinge​ @themoonandthewicked​ @bucky-iss-bae​ @encounterthepast​ @everyhowlmarksthedead​ @rosieposie0624​ @mylittlelonelyappreciationtoo​ @mijop​ @xladymacbethx​ @blessedboo​ @holl2712​
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You were laughing as you watched snowflakes get stuck in Nestor’s facial hair and braids as he talked to you on the phone. Ever since you moved, the two of you had one weekly scheduled phone call, and one video chat. No matter what either of you were doing, you always made time for those two things. Even if for the rest of the week you didn’t really get to talk to each other, you always had those two things.
When Nestor said he was going to have to talk to you on the go before he called, you didn’t expect it to be quite so literal. You figured maybe he’d be driving, but wherever he was, he was walking, and it was snowing. He didn’t look thrilled about either of those things.
“I’m not made for the fucking snow,” he was trying to sound annoyed but you could see the laughter building up inside him.
“Good thing you didn’t move with me to New York then,” you laughed as you watched him brush snowflakes off of his eyelashes, “You’d never last out here.”
“Why would you voluntarily put up with this every year?”
“It’s pretty when you’re not being a baby about it,” you laughed, “Where did Miguel send you anyway?”
“Into the cold, that’s where,” he kept a serious expression for a moment before laughing.
“Next time you wanna experience the cold, come do it with me! My door is always open.”
“You’re the only person worth braving this shit for, Y/N,” he chuckled.
“Well,” you smiled at him from the warmth and comfort of your couch, “me and Miguel, apparently.” There was a knock at your door and you sighed, “Hold on a sec, I gotta grab that,” you got up and walked over to the door.
When you unlocked and pulled the door open, the phone dropped from your hands as you took in the sight of Nestor standing on your front step. You squealed, throwing your arms around him in a hug that swept you off the ground. He laughed as he held you tight against him.
He gently set you back down, making sure that your feet didn’t land in the snow on your steps, or on top of your discarded phone, “I told you, you’re the only one worth braving this shit for.”
“I can’t believe you’re really here!” without thinking better of it, you reached and cupped his face in your hands, still trying to wrap your head around the fact that he was actually standing right there in front of you. He let out a slight shiver and it snapped you back to the situation at hand. You laughed as you waved him inside, “Shit, come inside. Get out of the cold.”
You grabbed your phone off the ground before you shut and locked the door behind the both of you, mind reeling from the fact that Nestor was at your house. You’d been back home to visit a couple times since you moved away, but he’d never made the trek to New York. You couldn’t blame him—you knew what his life with Galindo was like. You were surprised that he was able to be that far away from the family without it causing some kind of issue.
“What brings you out my way?” you took his coat from him and hung it up, chuckling as the snow fell off of it onto the floor.
“You,” he replied, looking up at you with a smile as he took his shoes off, “I wanted to see you, and not just through a phone screen.”
His words made your entire body feel warm. You motioned for him to follow you into the kitchen, nodding towards the counter for him to sit while you got the both of you a cup of coffee. He needed it more to warm up than anything else. He looked around your house with an approving smile. You’d given him the video tour after you had moved all of your stuff in, but it looked so much better in person. It felt so homey. Your walls were covered with photographs and artwork that you’d brought from home. Nestor smiled to himself when he saw that he’d made it up on the wall in a few pictures, along with the rest of your family and friends back in California.
You set the hug down in front of him, and he chuckled when he saw I ❤ NY printed on the side of it. He cupped his hands around it, letting the warmth seep into his fingers from the ceramic, “Fitting.”
You sipped from your own mug with a smile, “Gotta manifest it, Nes.”
The two of you existed in silence for a minute while he thawed out. You watched him as he looked around your small home. It wasn’t much, especially compared to the homes of all the people in his circles back in California, but it was yours and you loved it. You had never been someone who needed much. You just needed to feel comfortable and safe, and this house did more than just that for you.
You noticed him staring at the photos on the walls and the fridge, and you smiled. A little bit of weight settled over your heart as you watched him study them, knowing that he was looking at the ones of the two of you. It was all bittersweet to look back on. The two of you hadn’t ever dated, but you danced around the outskirts of it for a long time. There were times when the lines felt a little fuzzy, but nothing ever really happened. You were best friends, and you knew that he’d do anything for you, and you for him. But the timing was just never quite right, life was just never quite calm enough to try and make it work.
When you had told him that you had accepted a job offer on the other side of the country, he was trying so hard to be happy for you, but it wasn’t easy. You were a port in the storm for him, and he had no idea what he was going to do without you around. But he was supportive. He helped you pack, scrolled through apartment and housing listings with you, and found the best deal on a plane ticket. He never let you see how much it had hurt him—those were feelings that he processed in private. He’d thought about coming out to visit you every day since you left, but he worried that if he did, he wouldn’t come back home.
Before either of you could spiral too far into the past, you spoke up with a smile, “So, how long are you in town for?” he didn’t have any bags, so you assumed that he couldn’t be in town for long.
“I’m not sure,” he rested a hand on the back of his neck, “Told Mikey I needed to take some time. And this was the first place I thought to come to.”
You couldn’t hide your surprise—work had always been a priority for Nestor. Miguel was at the forefront of his decisions, always. “Really?” you raised your eyebrows, “You…you can take a leave of absence with…what you do?” you couldn’t quite wrap your head around it.
He shrugged, “Apparently,” he chuckled, “He said alright. So, here I am.”
You could feel that it wasn’t what he wanted to talk about, so you let the topic drop, “Well, you know you’re more than welcome to stay for however long you want to. Although your lack of luggage is a little concerning.”
He laughed, “Got lost in the shuffle. Airline said they’ll mail it here.”
You shook your head, unable to contain your laughter, “Damn, that sucks. Welcome to New York.”
You were on the opposite side of the counter from him, leaning forward onto it, propped up by your elbows. The two of you started to catch up about things that slipped from your minds when you called each other. He told you about some of the chaos that he wasn’t allowed to say over an unsecure phoneline. You listened intently, fighting the urge to reach out and entwine your fingers with his. Everything felt so right with him there with you.
“Sorry,” he chuckled as he took another sip of his coffee, “I don’t mean to do all the talking. I’ve just…I’ve missed having you to talk to.”
You nodded, “I know the feeling,” you drummed your fingers on the surface of the counter, “Well, now that you’re here, normally I’d say we should go do touristy things. But something tells me you’ve had your required dose of snow for the day?”
He laughed, “What’ve you got in mind?”
You shook your head, “Nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow. I’m sure you’ve had a long enough day. We can camp out at least until your luggage gets here. Or I can take you shopping, whichever you prefer.”
He smiled at you, “I think I’m alright with staying in.”
“That’s what I figured,” you chuckled, “Well, I was not expecting company. I’m assuming you’ll be alright with ordering in?”
“Sounds perfect.”
“I know this really great Chinese place. Their wonton soup is…perfection.”
The two of you made your way to your living room and sprawled onto the couch. You leaned up against Nestor’s side as you got your phone out to place the order. You picked a few things that you wanted to eat before handing it to him so he could pick stuff as well. While he was looking through the menu, you turned on the television and pulled the blanket off the back of your couch so it covered the both of you.
Nestor handed your phone back to you so you could place the order. He’d hardly noticed how you tucked the both of you in. He smiled as he rested his arm against your side, hand brushing lightly against your stomach.
“Is this…”
“I decided last week that I was going to rewatch all of Law & Order SVU from the very beginning,” you laughed.
He shook his head with a laugh, “Do you have a moral objection to happy shows or…?”
“It’s a good show!” you snuggled into him a little more.
“What has New York done to you?”
You smiled and shook your head, “Given me time to do shit like this.”
“You like it here though?” his eyes were watching the television, but one hand was gently massaging circles into the side of your neck.
“Yea, I do. It’s a nice change of pace—I think it was the right move for me,” you glanced up at him and smiled, unbelievably happy about the fact that he was really laying on your couch in New York with you. Never in a million years did you think that would happen.
Once the food got there the two of you switched up your positions a little bit. The TV was still on but neither of you were paying attention to it. You were each sitting cross-legged facing each other on the couch. You were laughing as you watched him fumble with his chopsticks. You had forks, obviously, but it was a matter of pride whenever you two ate together because he knew that you were extremely good at using them and he didn’t want to be left out.
“Almost two years since we got Chinese together and you didn’t use any of that time to teach yourself how to use chopsticks?”
He chuckled as he struggled with his noodles, “Didn’t make it to the top of my priority list, I apologize.”
“I’ll teach you before you leave. Way better than taking back a cheesy souvenir,” you smiled at him as you picked up a piece of chicken.
As the night wore on, your coffee table became covered in takeout food boxes, and a couple empty bottles of wine that the two of you had managed to drink your way through. You were sprawled across his lap, wine glass lightly hanging from your fingertips as you rambled on about what you had been up to since you moved. Nestor couldn’t take his eyes off of you, soaking up the fact that he was able to be so close to you.
“I’ve missed you,” you veered off your current story completely as you felt the warmth from his hand soak into your leg.
He looked at you, laughing quietly at the sudden admission, “I’ve missed you too.”
“Were you ever mad at me for leaving?”
He shook his head, no hesitation in his answer at all, “Of course not,” he studied your face, the way your skin glowed whenever you drank, the way your eyes got a little glassy when you had more than just one glass of wine, “Doesn’t mean that I don’t miss you, though.”
You hummed in quiet contentment as he reassuringly rubbed his hand up and down your leg, “I think about you all the time.”
His hand stilled for a moment and you were afraid that maybe you were saying too much. Maybe the reason that things worked so well was because everything was in limbo. Before you could worry too much he gave your leg a light squeeze, “I think about you too.”
The two of you fell into a comfortable silence after that, resituating yourself so that your head was resting against his chest. It was hard to focus on much of anything when all you could think about was the way your body was pressed up against his. The steadiness of his breathing felt like the only thing that was still grounding you. Your entire body felt warm from the wine, but deep down you knew it was more than just that.
“If you’re tired,” he spoke up after a few minutes of silence, “you can go to bed. Don’t exhaust yourself on my account,” there was a smile on his face.
You stretched, fighting back a yawn, “Come with me,” you sat upright and looked over at him, “I won’t lie to you, my guest room is empty because I have been putting off buying furniture for it,” you chuckled, “And my bed is way more comfortable than the couch, believe me.”
“Yea,” he nodded, his voice soft as he bit back a laugh, “okay.”
He followed you up the stairs and into your room, looking around the house as he did. It was hard for him to wrap his head around what your life was like now that you were so far away from everything that you had grown up with, everyone you had grown up with. It seemed like you had created such a cozy little life for yourself, and it couldn’t help but to think that you might never have had that if you hadn’t taken the plunge to move across the country.
“Don’t mind the clothes,” you apologized as you flicked on the light to your bedroom, “I promise they’re clean—I just hate folding laundry.”
He laughed, shaking his head, “It’s fine.”
You changed into a baggy long-sleeve shirt and a pair of shorts, immediately crawling underneath your blankets. You nestled back against your pillow and looked over at Nestor, who was unbuttoning his shirt, eyes cast down at the floor.
You were lying on your side, scrolling on your phone when you felt the mattress dip as Nestor climbed into bed beside you. He pulled the blanket up over himself and rolled onto his side so he could look over at you. You looked up from your phone, a smile starting to take over your features as you took in how close he was to you. You set your phone off to the side and rested your cheek against the palm of your hand.
“I still can’t believe you’re here,” you said with a laugh.
“Give it a couple days,” he joked, “Soon you’ll be begging for me to go back home.”
You snuggled closer to him, resting your face against his chest, “I doubt it.”
You woke up the next morning to the feeling of Nestor’s arms wrapped tightly around you, keeping you snug against his chest. Taking a slow, deep bre ath you took in the fact that this was really happening. He shifted slightly, arms squeezing you for a moment before he settled back into his sleep. The selfish part of you never wanted him to go home because you would love to wake up like this every morning. The warmth trapped underneath the blanket made you forget about the fact that there was a considerable amount of snow covering the ground outside.
You let your eyes close again as you focused on the steady beat of his heart. You slowly slid your legs and tangled them up with his. A few moments later you felt his fingers sliding lightly up and down your back. You glanced up at him and smiled when you saw that his eyes were still closed, but there was a peaceful smile on his face. You don’t ever remember seeing him so calm, so relaxed.
“Good morning,” he mumbled as he pressed his hand flat against your back, pushing you against him.
You chuckled as you rested your hands against his chest, “Good morning. You sleep okay?”
“Mhm,” he finally opened his eyes, “like a fucking rock,” he laughed.
You smiled up at him, “Good.”
The two of you laid there, soaking up the quiet peacefulness of the morning. You hadn’t woken up wrapped up in someone’s arms in a very long time, and there was something about the clinginess of Nestor’s grasp that told you he was in the same boat. You smiled to yourself as you felt his fingers lazily massaging between your shoulder blades.
“I’m sorry I didn’t come visit sooner,” he said.
You pulled back away from him so you could get a better look at his face, “You don’t have to be sorry—I know your life doesn’t make it easy. It’s hard to find the time.”
“I should’ve made the time.”
“Nes, don’t—”
He cut you off as he shook his head, “I’m not trying to make excuses. I know that I should’ve come out to see you. I just, I knew that it was going to be hard to convince myself to go back home once I did. I like me so much better when I’m with you,” he gently cupped your face in his hand.
You rested your hand over his, “Well, I like you all the time,” you smiled, “And no matter what, I’ll always be here whenever you need a break to recharge and get away from everything for a little while. But listen,” you waited for him to look at you, “don’t spend all of your time here thinking about the fact that you think you should’ve made it out here sooner. None of that matters. You’re here now, and that’s what matters.”
He rested his forehead against yours, “See? That’s what I mean—how am I supposed to go back home after that?” you could see the hint of a smile on his face.
You laughed, “Just remember how much you hate the snow. Short vacations out this way will be just right for you.”
He chuckled and shook his head, “Yea, maybe.”
You gave his hand a light squeeze, “C’mon, let’s go make breakfast and see if your luggage will come in today or if I get to take you shopping.”
He laughed, rolling his eyes, “Can’t wait for that.”
You flung the blanket off the both of you and hopped out of bed. Walking around to Nestor’s side, you held out your hands and pulled him up, laughing as he exaggeratedly stumbled into you and wrapped you in a hug. Your laughter was muffled against his chest but he reveled in the way it all felt.
While you were measuring out grounds into the coffee maker, you saw Nestor out of the corner of your eye looking through your fridge, trying to see what he could salvage to make breakfast with. You smiled to yourself as you set the pot to brew. You leaned back against the counter and watched him pulling things out from the drawers of your refrigerator.
“Playing chef today?” you asked with a smile.
“Better me than you,” he laughed.
You feigned offence, “Excuse you, I am an amazing cook.”
He smiled as he set everything out on the counter, “You are, but I’m better.”
“But I’m better,” you mocked with a laugh, “Cocky.”
“Doesn’t mean it’s not true.”
“How long did you say you were staying again?” you laughed.
“At least until I learn how to use chopsticks,” he chuckled as he looked through your cabinets for a frying pan, “So it might be a while.”
You couldn’t make yourself take your eyes off him, “Good.”
He heard the softness in your tone and looked over at you from his food prep on the counter. He smiled, tilting his head slightly as if to ask if there was something that you wanted to say. You shook your head with a small smile before walking over and wrapping your arms around his middle, the side of your face resting against his back. You didn’t know how long he was going to be staying, but you knew that regardless you were going to be making the most of it.
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