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mrsnancywheeler · 4 months

Text

the lakes (6) // finnick odair x f. reader

merry christmas to all who celebrate, my gift to you 🎄

summary: it's supposed to be over, you and Finnick are supposed to spend the rest of your lives helping each other heal. living as peacefully as possible, but the the third quarter quell throws a wrench in your domestic bliss.

previous chapter / next chapter

midnight rain

5k words

warnings: angst, fluff, SMUT MDNI (y'all better eat it up while it's here bc this might be one of like twice or three times so merry christmas lmao), orgasm denial, teasing, unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it), slightly mean finnick but also softdom, mentions and allusions to trafficking and sexual trauma, self-hate, manipulation of someone's feelings, allusions to death/violence, pnv, usage of weapons, terms of endearment, no use of y/n, unedited, cumming inside, mental health issues, self doubt, hypocritical reader, savior complex finnick

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

Cold air hit your skin as the doors to the training center opened, instantly you could feel the onslaught of goosebumps on your arms. “Remember brush up on skills, knives, spears and number one objective-”

"Katniss.” You finished for him. "You go get your hands back on that trident, and hopefully my instincts will remember what it takes to throw a knife or a spear.”

"If not, work on some survival skills, but I think the instincts will kick in.” You tilted your head to the side, uncertain but humoring the idea. He kissed you softly, “See you soon."

"I'm only going to be a few hundred feet away, Finnick.” You smiled and he did too.

“Well that's a few hundred feet too far.”

"Good thing you can come find me anytime you want.” Squeezing his hand as you reluctantly took a few steps back.

“You don't want to come and admire me back in my element?" He joked, his grin bearing his shining teeth.

“In your dreams, Odair."

“Absolutely!" Finnick's eyebrows quirked up before you finally pulled yourself out of his magnetic field to focus on the more viral thing, survival.

It had been so long since you'd thrown a knife with purpose, over half a decade which had been what you felt most confident in. Of course there had been a couple times, admittedly more than a couple, when your nerves spiked up and a moment where you were simply making dinner, chopping something up, to being spooked by a noise that led to a knife wedged in a wall or cupboard. So Finnick cooked and cut, he wasn't as easily startled or on edge.

This year they had clearly made more of an investment into the training, a little pad verifying it was you when you stood on the elevated block. You took a second before lifting the tiny weapons from where they lay, the weight was instantly familiar in a way that made your chest heave. It felt like you were that same young girl again, trying to see what could help her survive, help her overcome others. Finnick has been right, how to throw a knife, how to throw it to kill, all came back like child's play.

The instant the first hologram appeared it was like your brain went on autopilot, they weren't real but your brain was screaming, survive, survive, survive. Each knife flew from your hand with lethal aim, your arms instinctively knew what to do, how to throw precisely as fast as possible. So you trusted your body when suddenly the simulation was over, you felt your head coming back to reality. It was terrifying, you'd felt like you were in a dizzy high and suddenly you were that same young girl terrified in the arena. Full of guilt and regret for the lives you'd taken.

“I thought your weapon of choice was a spear." A voice cut through your thoughts, bringing your thoughts back to the person you were now. Peeta, ever outgoing and charismatic just as he'd been depicted, with an untrusting looking Katniss not far behind.

“No, that's what was convenient at the end, but the spear was never mine, it was-"

“Conway’s." Katniss finished the name you hated saying, hated remembering for you. “You killed in the Bloodbath with knives and then the girl from District 2." She must have been rewatching everyone's games, learning their tactics.

“Ironic, weren't they the District 2 girl from last year's weapon of choice as well?" You asked, stepping off the platform.

“Yes." She was tense, stiff it radiated off of her, stagnating the air.

“When there's such limited options, it's hard to get much differentiation. You certainly helped mix the bag last year.” Not just with her little bow and arrow, you hoped she knew what you were really saying, but couldn't with the people watching from above. She probably didn't, she was like a guard dog who didn't know whether or not one could be warmed up too, but would always assume the worst.

“I'm glad that was entertaining." Her voice was bitter as if she had no idea that everyone here has gone through the exact same trauma and felt the same way.

“It certainly was for them." You glanced upwards, towards the head game maker and his cronies observing you all like lab rats. “Most of us were." The Morphlings certainly had to be the most boring show of all, to those who couldn't realize it was such a smart tactic to stay alive, even if it didn't make great daytime television.

“You should teach us how to throw sometime." Peeta inserted himself back into the conversation. "If you want, we could teach each other things. I could go over camouflage.” He offered with a smile.

“Yeah of course!" You smiled back. “When you blended into the rocks by that stream, it was truthfully unfathomable in talent to be able to do that."

“And Katniss can shoot, I'm sure you've seen, but she never misses." Katniss shot him a glare, "Just following Haymitch's orders.” Peeta shrugged before his eye was caught by Johanna finishing up with her ax training. “I should get a formal introduction." He was walking away when Katniss spoke again.

“Why'd you volunteer for that girl?" She asked, and you turned your head towards her.

“For Annie?" You felt like it was obvious, but Katniss just nodded. “I wasn't going to put her through this again, that wouldn't have been fair of me. I couldn't let any of them, I couldn't have lived with myself if I had, so I might as well die on that hill now." Your candor seemed to make her less stiff. “You know, she was the first tribute I mentored. Years after my games, I did everything I could to help her win, to prepare her, but I couldn't prepare her for what happened after. Seeing her after that it was like I failed." Annie would forever be known as the one who went "a little crazy.” Maybe that was a blessing though, maybe it saved her from a much worse fate. Katniss' eyes finally looked more soft, not off guard, but not blocked off from your words.

“Even though you know this time only one of you can come out?" Her eyes briefly flickered towards Finnick before landing back on you.

“I'm not expecting to be the one who makes it out and she wouldn't have either. It's worth it to save her, he'll be fine without me." The words were too raw, too much like being stripped naked, but you knew you needed her to trust you and being honest would probably be the most effective route. Of course she couldn't completely trust you if she'd watched your games, you didn't blame her for that, but you just needed a little of it. “It's not different from what you did for your sister, sometimes you just know when that person needs to be protected no matter what that means for you."

Katniss began walking over to where the spears were located, “Like Peeta said, if you show me how to use the spear and the knives, I can show you how to shoot the bow and what plants and berries you can trust." This was her way of some form of acceptance you realized and internally congratulated yourself.

“Sounds like a deal to me." You picked one of the heavy spears up, it was also just as you remembered. It brought back flashes of the boy who taught you how to use it, the boy you'd killed with it. You could tell what she was thinking as you held it, how you used Conway, used his emotions and then his own weapon. “You know, the funny thing is people act like he didn't know, but that’s really what made it so brilliant.” Katniss looked confused as you stepped into the platform, which confirmed it was you. "Looking back you realize how early on he had me figured out and was playing me right back, I really think that's what endeared us to each other in the first place. He was trying to beat me at my own game almost from the beginning and I didn't even realize.” You launched the spear into the first hologram before quickly grabbing the other as Katniss watched on, absorbing the seemingly impromptu rant. “I can't blame him, I don't blame him even if I'm the one who gets it all placed on my head, which I probably deserve." Another spear knocking the hologram figure apart. The final one ready to fly. “You just have to remember who the real enemy is."

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

"You two already have an advantage being from District 4, plenty of opportunities to practice with what you would be good at using in lessons. So stick with whatever you were good at then to impress, but don't forget to learn other skills that could be life saving in the long run.” Finnick was breaking down the plan for the two of you as the walk for the first training session with the other tributes was about to ensue. Although it went unspoken you'd also been blessed with extra practice even from back when you were dating Finnick in the district, he was so anxious that he needed to ensure you knew how to protect yourself. That you polished your skills, which he was sure you could do.

"Show off your strengths, but don't forget you're not just impressing the gamemakers, but the approval of other tributes can be vital. Alliances are important.” Ondine added.

Finnick nodded in agreement, “Another advantage from District 4, is the availability of the Career pack of tributes. All of the best trained and prepared tributes, especially if you show off enough to impress Districts 1 & 2 you're both a shoe-in. I'd encourage that as the strongest choice."

“I don't think we should do that." Conway’s voice of disagreement made you stop in your tracks. What was wrong with him? What could possibly be going on in his head that possessed him to argue with your mentor, someone who'd won before? Finnick raised an eyebrow, in a look you could only describe as patronizing. “I'm just saying that also means they're the best prepared to stab us in the back when it comes down to it. If we ally with tributes from a less prominent district it could make it easier when it comes down to it, make it less vicious.” He was delusional, it would be vicious no matter what when there were just a few people left.

You looked at Ondine who’s eyes were closed as she shook her head, Finnick's arms were crossed as he looked at the two of you, and Conway looked expectantly right at you. Then it hit you, this was a test. In order to maintain his trust in the fantasy you'd been carefully creating you'd have to take his side, prove you weren't loyal to every thing Finnick muttered. Even if it was hypocritical it angered you, it felt hellishly unfair that he would put you in a predicament like that. Who cared about the relationship between you and Finnick when he was the mentor offering advice to save both of your lives?

Conway pointed at you, urging you for a response. “I mean, what do you think? I'm just babbling aloud, I'll drop it if you think it's stupid." Maybe you were just paranoid, no, this was definitely a loyalty test. To him your love would mean support, it would mean unwavering devotion. So you painfully forced a caring, understanding look in your eyes, for your muscles to relax, and a loving smile on your face.

“Of course we should keep our options open, I mean we're not even there yet, the Careers this year might not even be the best options. You're right, Conway, we should consider every path to help us." Of course the Careers would be prepared, he was going to get you killed if he kept pulling this. Reasoning that at least your actions were well calculated not blindly emotional scrutinization. It made you slightly resent him, but the answer seemed to satisfy him as he grinned at the other two before beginning to walk again.

The slight spring in his step was obvious to anyone paying close enough attention, it upset you. When you hoped Conway wasn't watching, you shot a look towards Finnick. It was quick, but you grimaced and hoped your eyes could express your annoyance. Although the bob of his head was equally quick you could see he understood and was feeling just as enraged as you felt if not more. How could Conway claim to care about you when he could threaten a potentially life saving alliance to try and prove a point about how much you felt for him over Finnick? Although Finnick still wore a charming smile you could feel him seething and it comforted you somehow to know that he would never, that he would always pick safety, your safety and that he wouldn't stand for Conway’s games either. Even if rationally it did make sense, you were messing with him which both you and Finnick knew, but there wasn't time to think on that when it was life and death.

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

“You're brilliant, even if it pains me to admit that you beat me to it." Finnick shook his head, smiling wildly. Haymitch had informed you that so far Katniss would have liked you as an ally if it weren't for the package deal that included Finnick. A feat considering all the tributes that wanted to ally with her after her impressive show in the archery station. It had truly been amazing, how smoothly she used the weapon, and how accurate she was.

“Well, you're welcome." You pecked him on the lips, smiling. Sitting down on the bed and smoothing out your robe, Finnick soon followed.

“I love you so much." He mumbled as he crashed down onto the mattress.

“I love you too, Finnick." Your head lay down by his, quietly counting the freckles scattered across his face.

“Staring is rude." His eyes shone with his internal brightness that he couldn't hide from you.

“Isn't that a perk I should get being your wife and all?" He scooted closer, nose brushing against yours.

“I suppose. Don't know why you'd need to, there's no need to memorize when you're stuck with me forever now."

“Good." There was nothing you wanted more than to see his handsome face every day, from when you woke to when you slept and every moment in between.

His hot hands embraced your cold face, making you shiver and he smirked. It was so patronizing, how he knew that his skin to yours was like fire on ice so you had no choice but to melt, but you couldn't stop yourself from softening anyways. Before you could even try and conjure up words to try and call him out, his lips were on yours.

He wasn't aggressive, never, but his gentleness didn't take away from his control. Your lips chased him and suddenly you were beneath him, swept up in his plush lips. Hands searched for him before he pulled his face away. You couldn't stop yourself before you whined at the removal of his lips from yours, pouting at him.

He scoffed, looking down at you slightly condescending, “Really, angel?" You could feel your face heating up as his eyes gazed at you, his hand delicately tracing the hem of your robe. “We don't have to do this, if you don't want to, sweet girl. You have to communicate with me, I don't want to push you, if you even don't feel comfortable you need to tell me." It felt like too much in the moment when it seemed so blatantly obvious that you wanted him, craved him. But it also made you love him so much more.

For so long it had been difficult to even be touched. The Capitol had come in and dug their talons into you, your own intimacy didn't even belong to you. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. You'd tried to push it down, he'd dealt with it for so much longer, since he was so much younger. Pushing it down didn't stop the roots of trauma from taking root deep within your soul though.

You felt guilty for not being able to give yourself in so many ways to Finnick who was unbelievably patient, of course he was, he understood, he cared. When you'd finally grazed your hand against his and let him grab it, the pureness of the touch was enough to make you burst into tears. That made it more difficult too though, your tears. A tactic that had once seemed wise in winning over the Capitol as a sweet, innocent girl had come back to bite you. Echoes of how pretty you were when you cried.

When you'd finally given that part of yourself to Finnick, of your own accord, the will that has usually been taken from you. He'd made sure you wouldn't regret it, he brought back the positives of intimacy which you'd forgotten about. You were so used to calling upon the tears as you zoned out, floated away. But not with Finnick, never with him. Where you both belonged to each other and were truly connected as one.

“Are you comfortable?" You asked softly. It felt selfish that he was so worried about you with what he'd been through as well, like it was too much about you.

Finnick sighed, “Don't do that." You looked at him quizzically, “Averting the question, you shouldn't be doing it to please me, I'll be okay. I wouldn't have gotten this far if I wasn't.” His hand stroked the side of your face which chased each movement. "Are you certain you want this? I'm not going to be upset if you say no, angel.” The way he loved you so deeply to be going step by step wasn't even grating anymore it just made your heart buzz even more.

"I do want this Finnick, I know what to say if it is too much.” The thumb grazing your neck was enough to make your eyes roll back, your entire body sensitive with the waiting.

Finnick nodded, slowly. Making sure you weren't just trying to appease him, "Color?”

You sighed dramatically, "Green.” He tugged your hair lightly, "Ow!”

"So impatient, trying to take good care of my girl and she's too desperate to appreciate it.” He shook his head, clicking his tongue in disapproval.

You pouted, “I'm sorry, Finnick. I'm just-" You gasped as his hand slipped in your rope, warm hand grazing the cold, hardness of your nipple. Legs rubbing together, his other hand, instantly sitting between them to hold them still.

“Speak up, angel. Just what?" That's what you appreciated so much, he was dominant, took care of you without the casual cruelty others often used. Of course he could be cruel in the best way, a type that still cared and knew what the line was and respected it.

“Need you, please. So, so bad." Your hands grabbed his shoulders, then the sides of his neck desperately trying to feel more of his warmth.

He hummed condescendingly, “You do?" His hand left your breast to the toe of the robe which he slowly unknotted. You nodded, brows furrowed as you tried to buck your hips. The hand prevented your legs from getting closer together, hitting your inner thigh but not in a forceful manner. “Come on sweet girl, can't you behave for me, won't you be my good girl?" His ocean eyes had you nodding along mindlessly. “Words."

“Yes, please, I just, please I need more."

“So needy." The knot on your robe untied, falling open to reveal you to the crisp air. His hand trailing down to where you needed him most, the feeling already sending shocks through your body. You wanted desperately to buck your hips up once again but resisted. He chucked, “Is this all for me? I haven't even really touched you yet." You nodded desperately, the teasing made you want to cry in desperation. Which was fine, but thinking about it scared you, the way they'd taken away two things that were so natural, so personal would distract you.

“Finnick." You said shakily and the time instantly made his face get serious.

“Are you okay? Do we need to stop?" You shook your head vigorously.

"No, just-” Your fingers fiddled with the blanket, embarrassed, "Can you just take some deep breaths with me?”

"Of course, my love.” He grabbed the hand nervously moving around the blankets to hold it to his heart. “You're okay, in and out with me, angel." You closed your eyes, breathing with him, his heart reverberating through you. “Let me know when you want to keep going or stop." He whispered.

“Finnick, I just want to cry, not in a bad way just it's been so, so ruined for me." Weaponized, sexualized.

He nodded, “You can cry if you want, I'll wipe them away from you." The idea made you want to cry at his sweetness alone.

“Okay." Your voice was shaky, “We can keep going, please." His fingers began moving again, right over your core. Palm slightly running against you and it took all of you to not rub with him. Fingers delicately circling your sensitive nub and you moaned out. The first tears falling which he diligently wiped away with his time and pressed a kiss to your cheek. “Is that good?" You nodded blissfully and he swatted at your bareness causing a yelp.

“Yes, thank you Finnick, so good."

“Good girl, such a fast learner." You whimpered, toes curling. “What do you need?"

“In me, please."

“What, my fingers?" He held one hand up, moving them in front of your face. The man was mocking you, he knew what you meant and he kept rubbing your clit, making it nearly impossible to keep verbalizing.

“No!" You stammered out desperately. He smirked and removed his fingers from your bundle of nerves, causing you to hit his arm in frustration before he was grinding his clothed member on you and your hands wrapped around his shoulder tightly. You nodded intently, “Yes please. Want you to be inside of me, want to be one Finnick, yours." It hit you that this was the consummation of your marriage which made your heart swell as well as your need.

“Can't deny you anything, sweet girl." He was such a liar, but right now he followed through. Your hands began pulling down the pants he wore, desperate to free him so he could be buried in your walls. He groaned as your hand grazed his tip, precum dotting it. You licked your lips and he smirked cockily, “Another time, angel."

"How do you want me?” You asked, you'd take him anyway he wanted just to be clenched around him.

"Just the way you are is perfect, wanna see you, beautiful.” He lined himself up with your soaked entrance, "Are you sure, you're ready? Don't need more preparation.” You shook your head vigorously, pushing yourself forward to feel the tip and he grunted.

“Don't need it, so wet, I can take you, promise."

"Only if you're sure.” You nodded again, pouting.

"Please!” You whined and with that he didn't hold back, pushing his full length in and you nearly screamed. Clenching your walls around him, fingernails digging into him.

“That feel good?"

“So, so, so good." You began sliding your hand down, but he caught it tutting in disapproval.

"I've got you, angel, just lay there like a good girl. Let me take care of you too, you're making me feel so good.” His expert fingers went straight back to your clit as he began pounding in and out of you.

“Oh God, Finnick!" Your eyebrows pulled together and eyes snapped shut as he filled you. It was like you were a perfect fit for each other.

“So perfect angel, just looking at you made me think I wasn't even gonna make it into you." Finnick groaned, he knew exactly what you liked, what pace to go. You'd been so used to faking it or them not caring at all, but with him he could get you there so fast, so hard, and could do it over and over so perfectly. His fingers rubbing into your bundle of nerves that had you biting into your bottom lip to stop you from waking the whole floor. Both actions made you want to scream in ecstacy. “Are you close already, angel? Do I really make you feel like that, so fast?” You nodded, dumbly making mindless noises as his hips thrusted in and out. “Me too. I don't know how you do it to me. Where do you want me, stomach, mouth, inside?" His groaning was making his own speech shaky.

“Inside please, need to feel it, Finnick."

“You sure?" He asked, biting down on his bottom lip as your moans from his skilled fingers working their magic as he kept moving inside of you made him even closer.

“Yes, yes, yes, need to be one, just you and me. Need it inside." He pinched the bundle of nerves lightly as he hit the spot inside of you that had you kicking your feet on sheets. “I'm gonna, oh I'm gonna-"

“I know, just wait a little bit longer, angel, I'm almost there. So close, be my good, good girl." You whined, nodding.

“Wanna be so good for you."

He nodded, the words bringing him even closer to the edge as he roughly thrusted into you. “You are, so good, just gotta hold back a little longer." You were sobbing, lost in the high as he wiped away the tears streaming down.

“Feels so good, Finnick, I can't please let me, need to."

“Wait." He said sternly, at this point he felt like he was denying himself too just to watch you squirm and listen to his every word. Grabbing your face softly so your eyes were trained on him, hand still rubbing fast circles on your clit. “Been such a good girl, don't ruin it." His hips started stuttering inside of you.

You shook your head, “I won't, I'm sorry. Wanna be good." He let go of your face with his free hand and pinched your nipple. “Finnick, please, I can't. Please don't be mean, I need you.”

"Making me feel so good, my love. Clenching around me, trying to hold back, you're such a good listener." He pinched your clit again, he was being mean, he couldn't deny it but the way you cried out and started trying to push away from him was bringing him straight to the edge. “Color?"

“Green." You choked out, “Please, Finnick, I can't." Your hands pushed against his chest.

"Then you know what to say, angel." He raised an eyebrow, “So you can." It would feel so much better, be so much harder for both of you the longer he kept this up. His lips attached to your breast and you tugged his hair, he moaned onto you and the vibrations had you desperately trying to fend off the orgasm approaching.

“Please, I need to. I know you are too." He thrust into that special spot in you again and your hands hit the sheets in frustration as your eyes fluttered.

“Be patient, don't be a brat." He pulled away from your breast to look at you. He pressed down on your clit and thrust into you again, “Oh god, gonna let go inside of you now, angel. Be all over your walls, gonna feel so good. Been such a good girl, you ready to let go of me."

“Yes, please!"

“You can let go, sweet girl." His lips pressed to yours to quiet both of you moans as you finally both let yourself go. You could've sworn the way his split inside you made your shaking even harder. It was so good, so worth it.

You were nearly breathless when you pulled away, “That was new."

“Are you okay?" He asked, eyes full of concern.

“Yeah, of course. I just, you're always incredible, I'm great.” You laughed breathlessly.

"Oh, good.” He let out the breath he didn't know he was holding.

“Thank you."

“You don't have to thank me, angel."

“Yes I do, they've taken so much of both of us and you just bring so much of it back to just being so real, so it doesn't feel like they own it anymore."

“That's just being a decent human, I just want to take care of you. Through all the ups and downs." He was so kind, it made you ecstatic that for as long as either of you were alive you'd always be one with each other, bonded through everything you loved. “Come on, we have another long day tomorrow, let's get cleaned up."

“What if we just didn't go, just laid here together, until it passed."

“I'd love to." His eyes were earnest and like pools you could drown in, “Nothing I want more than being with you forever. But they'd drag us out and we have things to do, my love.” He helped lift you up from where you lay comfortably. Your nose scrunched up." What?”

You pulled apart your thighs, "So sticky.”

He laughed before he could stop himself, "Well I'm not the one who asked for it.” That smug, loveable ass.

"Shut up, you loved it.” Softly shoving his arms as you went to stand.

He raised his arms in defense, "Guilty as charged."

He was so perfect, the way he was so effortlessly funny, so compassionate for all your needs even if you didn't verbalize them, how patient he was yet so stern and guiding. Much too good for what you could give him, you'd go to hell and back to do half as much as he did for you. Of course he always assured you of all you did to help him, but it felt so miniscule compared to what he did for you. The things you would sacrifice to help him, to be by his side were unmatched.

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

thank you so much for reading!! I haven't written smut in so long and this really isn't a smut heavy series but I felt like exploring how what snow did to the victors who were deemed to be desirable would effect their intimacy and sometimes a little spice is needed to deal with all the angst I write. if you enjoyed it feedback is always appreciated, likes, comments, reblogs, anything and my ask box is already open if you have any questions or ideas! thank you all so much for reading 💋

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babyleostuff · 8 months

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Ok ok but how cute would they be when you try to teach them how to make your favorite comfort foods, i feel like there would be so much playful banter

oh my god, i love you so much for this request this is the cutest shit everrrr 😭 i low key cried while writing this, cuz i'm never going to experience this (i'm really fighting for my life here)

teaching them how to make your comfort food | ot13

CHOI SEUNGCHEOL

𓆩♡𓆪 he’d probably whine at some point that it’s to complicated and that he’s already lost, but at the same time he’d fight you for the knife, because he insists that it’s too dangerous for you to chop the ingredients on your own

𓆩♡𓆪 when you get past the whining stage though, he’d be actually so excited to learn how to make your comfort food, and (he would not admit this) for some reason he was very touched by the fact that you wanted to show him how to do it

𓆩♡𓆪 because it surely must be very personal to you, and the fact that you want to share it with him??? His tummy is all warm and fuzzy from the amount of love he has for you

𓆩♡𓆪 but then again, he’d randomly tell you that you’re doing something wrong and how you’re supposed to do it, which shut up Choi Seungcheol

𓆩♡𓆪 you actually called him by his full name once and he got whiny again

YOON JEONGHAN

𓆩♡𓆪 he’d try to gaslight you that he already know how to make it, which??? how???

𓆩♡𓆪 you’d drag him to the kitchen and tell him to make it then, to which he’d just give you his sweetest smile and say that he was just joking - nothing new when it comes to your “devil dressed in a disguise of an angel” boyfriend

𓆩♡𓆪 but that would be the perfect opportunity to actually teach him how to cook your comfort food, so you’d put on some music, give him one of your matching aprons and get to work

𓆩♡𓆪 he’d question everything you were doing, acting as if he was the pro here, but anytime you’d turn back to him, again, he’d have his sweet smile on his face, acting as if he wasn’t just bossing you around

𓆩♡𓆪 but after some time, he’d get really invested in the cooking and he’d abandon the teasing to actually focus on you and how you were explaining everything so patiently, looking so happy to teach him how to cook your favourite food

𓆩♡𓆪 he’d be the type to roll up your sleeves and kiss your forehead, while still focusing on what you were doing, just because he didn’t want to miss any of the steps

HONG JOSHUA

𓆩♡𓆪 you’d think that it would be just a normal afternoon cooking time with Joshua, where you’d spend some nice quality time together, make your favourite food and listen to some comforting music, while you did all of the corny relationship things, right?

𓆩♡𓆪 wrong

𓆩♡𓆪 for some reason, the one time that you actually wanted to show him something important and dear to you, he decided to pull out the most random moves on you

𓆩♡𓆪 it’s not that he ignored the fact that you were about to teach him how to cook your comfort food, no - he loved it, but why make it an ordinary cooking session, when he can make it fun and very much unforgettable?

𓆩♡𓆪 so when you’d try to show him one of the steps, he’d take the ingredient and do something very much questionable, while having the prettiest smile on his face and saying “look at this, darling”

𓆩♡𓆪 in the end, not only did you teach him how to cook your comfort food, but it turned out to be one of the best and fun dates you’ve ever had

WEN JUNHUI

𓆩♡𓆪 I don’t know why, but I feel like he would giggle at everything that you were doing??? You could literally be cutting a steak with a machete, and he’d still laugh??? I don’t know, but I’m sure he’d be all giggly and smiley if you’d drag him to the kitchen, trying to persuade him to cook with you

𓆩♡𓆪 but he wouldn’t be able to say “no” to you (he never is)

𓆩♡𓆪 the moment he messes up, he turns into the poutiest baby, apologising for doing it wrong, but when you mess something up - he just straight up laughs in your face, which is so not amusing Wen Junhui (but then he does something wrong again, and you laugh at him in revenge)

𓆩♡𓆪 still, he’d try his best to focus and follow your directions, looking at you and mirroring your movements carefully, as to not mess up your comfort food, that he knew was important to you

𓆩♡𓆪 no matter how it turned out in the end, you were still proud of him for even trying and grateful that he found some time in his crazy schedules to do it with you

KWON SOONYOUNG

𓆩♡𓆪 we know he doesn’t quite know how to use a kettle properly, so putting him in the kitchen is a bit questionable, but you thought it would be a fun activity to cook together, especially because you’d teach him how to cook something that is important to you

𓆩♡𓆪 he’d really try to keep up with you, looking frantically around the kitchen with wide eyes, acting as if never had to cook before (at some point he’d try doing something to make you laugh, but he accidentally knocked over the flour, so the kitchen ended up looking like a big mess)

𓆩♡𓆪 to be honest, he lost the grip on what you were doing after adding like the second ingredient, so he just decided to improvise and see what happens, which led to you chasing him around the house with a kitchen cloth

𓆩♡𓆪 but you knew he tried, he really did, and he put a lot of love into the making, so no matter how it turned out it, the most important thing was, that it was made with love

JEON WONWOO

𓆩♡𓆪 okay, making him cook is a dangerous thing and Wonwoo in the kitchen usually equals disaster, but you really wanted to teach him (+ you’d get to spend some quality time together)

𓆩♡𓆪 you’d tell him to get some salt to which he’d pull out a bag of sugar, BUT to his defence he forgot to wear his glasses, so he couldn’t really tell the difference (at some point he also almost burned the pot and you almost threw him out of the kitchen)

𓆩♡𓆪 but after a while he got a hang of it, and actually started doing a good job, so as a reward you decided to peck his cheek anytime he got something right - which wasn’t the best idea, because he got so distracted every time you did it

𓆩♡𓆪 also, when you fed him small spoons to check if everything was good, his answer was always “tasty”

𓆩♡𓆪 but to be fair, it really was tasty, and because Wonwoo was so proud of himself, he was flexing for the next week how good of a cook he was (you did most of the work, but that made no difference to him)

LEE JIHOON

𓆩♡𓆪 when you proposed teaching him how to make your comfort food he simply nodded, trying to act indifferent, but the slight blush that adorned his cheeks didn’t go unnoticed by you

𓆩♡𓆪 he was actually a lot more focused on the cooking than you thought he’d be, which made you so happy, you couldn’t stop smiling the whole time

𓆩♡𓆪 he’d turn on some music, and you’d fall into a comfortable conversation, making sure that he was getting everything right from time to time

𓆩♡𓆪 at one point, you tried to open a jar, which you were struggling with, and instead of helping you Jihoon stood by, his arms crossed across his chest, looking all smug (are you trying to flex sir?)

𓆩♡𓆪 you had no other choice but to give him the jar, which he opened with ease (who would’ve guessed)

𓆩♡𓆪 at the end, he even suggested himself that you should do it again some other time, trying to act as nonchalant as he could - despite that, the happiness was so prominent on his face :(((

XU MINGHAO

𓆩♡𓆪 you know that soft smile Minghao has when he looks at his members - that smile would be apparent on his face for the whole time that you were cooking, and even after when you were eating it on the sofa, cuddled under a blanket

𓆩♡𓆪 he’d be attentive to your every move, but at the same time he’d tease the shit out of you (I’m sorry, how am I supposed to hold the spoon according to you Minghao?)

𓆩♡𓆪 but you knew that it was all for fun and games, because would he roll up your sleeves if he didn’t love you? Would he hold your hair back anytime you’d lean over the pot? Would he put his arm around your waist when he was standing closer to you?

𓆩♡𓆪 he’d also blow at the spoon anytime you wanted to try the food to see if it was okay

𓆩♡𓆪 you’d probably giggle a lot about some random stuff, slowly realising how domestic you were being, which made you both a bit shy, because you both knew that this is how you’d love to spend everyday

KIM MINGYU

𓆩♡𓆪 he’d act all Gordon Ramsey on you and try to teach you how to make your comfort food. Which, excuse you Kim Mingyu???

𓆩♡𓆪 but seriously though, he’d be over the moon, because well - he loves cooking for you, and now he’d be able to make that one special dish that always brightens up even the gloomiest days for you

𓆩♡𓆪 he’d be so so so focused on you and what you were doing, so that he would get everything right later on

𓆩♡𓆪 it’d be so adorable, honestly - he’d have like this cute little pout, while his eyes would follow your every move and he’d ask a bunch of questions and ughhhhhh

𓆩♡𓆪 at some point he’d try to make it corny as well, like wrapping his arms around your waist from the back, putting his head in the crook of your neck or on top of your head, kissing your cheek from time to time

𓆩♡𓆪 Kim Mingyu focus, it’s not the time for your puppy-like behaviour

LEE SEOKMIN

𓆩♡𓆪 the amount of love he’d pour into making your comfort food is astronomical - he is so focused on doing everything perfectly, because it’s your comfort food, and it makes you happy, so he has to get everything perfectly

𓆩♡𓆪 but you’d have to take some breaks in between, because his attention span is rather short

𓆩♡𓆪 at one point he just randomly started singing and dancing to “Fighting”, because he was struggling with something, which okay??? Everyone has their ways of dealing with stuff, I guess

𓆩♡𓆪 and because he is so random with his antics, once, he spooked you to the point where you dropped a bowl full of ingredients to the ground

𓆩♡𓆪 but over all, you had such a great time and you were laughing so much to the point where your stomachs were aching, but you wouldn’t have it any other way

BOO SEUNGKWAN

𓆩♡𓆪 he’d make the whole experience so funny, there would be a second where you didn’t want to crumble from all the laughing

𓆩♡𓆪 even when he was silently judging your ingredient choices, giving you his famous side eye, you laughed so much to the point where your stomach ached (in the best way possible)

𓆩♡𓆪 when you insisted he was doing something wrong, he threw a tantrum, waving the spoon, causing some of the food to land on the walls

𓆩♡𓆪 and he never touched the spoon again, so you ended up doing most of the work yourself

𓆩♡𓆪 but that didn’t change the fact that he was paying attention to your every move, and he was already planning when he’d make you your comfort food by himself to surprise you

CHWE VERNON

𓆩♡𓆪 you’d have to write him a manual on how to use the kitchen and a VERY specific recipe (at least two pages long), before he even stepped into the room (otherwise it would end with a fire)

𓆩♡𓆪 did someone say fire??? Uh, take off your mask now / 이제는 해제 now, it's time to dance now, uh (ooh-ooh!)

𓆩♡𓆪 even if he can’t cook and does not do it often, he’d really try doing his best - like, just take a second to imagine his confused, yet focused face (he’s the babiest of them all, I can’t anymore), and you’d have to be very patient with him, but it’s okay, because he’s trying :(((

𓆩♡𓆪 he would constantly be asking questions, and nudging you with his shoulder to get your attention, so you could check if he wasn’t messing anything up

𓆩♡𓆪 and even if he was, if he added too much or too little of something, you’d still tell him how great of a job he was doing

𓆩♡𓆪 it made him so smiley, and he blushed a little at your words :(((((

LEE CHAN

𓆩♡𓆪 oh, he was so happy when you suggested that some time you could try teaching him how to make your comfort food, to which he went “some time? Let’s do it now”, and he dragged you to the kitchen himself

𓆩♡𓆪 he’d take it so seriously, even when you assured him that he doesn’t have to get everything perfect, as long as it’s edible it’s fine, but he insisted (he’s such a perfectionist, I swear) that he has to get everything right

𓆩♡𓆪 guys, I can practically hear his laugh echoing in your kitchen when you joke around

𓆩♡𓆪 then again, Chan isn't the best cook out there, so there were times where you just wanted to laugh at him for being so clumsy and oblivious, but he looked way too cute for you to do that

𓆩♡𓆪 so you just stuck to helping him out (also the way he smiles when you put your hands around his waist to guide him, I NEED HELP)

𓆩♡𓆪 he’d spoon feed you after, because why not

taglist (if you want to be added, check my masterlist): @weird-bookworm @sea-moon-star

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moonstruckme · 7 months

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On Thin Ice

part 1 | part 2 | part 3

When your usual figure skating partner Regulus is injured, you're forced to prepare the most romantic routine you've ever done with Sirius Black. You've known Sirius since you were little and have always found him irritating, but as you spend more and more time together, your feelings towards him start to change

cw: injury (no details)

Figure Skater!Sirius Black x fem!reader ♡ 1.7k words

You can finally feel the music again.

Your legs push at the ice in tandem with Sirius’, taking his hand before drifting away from him again to the melody of the strings. That lightness is back, the intuitive rhythm you’d had with the routine before Regulus’ injury threw you off-balance. Every sweep of your foot underneath you, every stretch of your arms and back feels right in a way you thought you’d lost during the last two practices. Maybe more right than it ever has.

You return Sirius’ smile as you finish, hands linked with your arms extended between you, and Coach practically whoops from the edge of the rink.

“That’s what I like to see,” he declares. “We’ve got some stuff to clean up—you came out of that last spin too fast, Y/N, and Sirius, I wanna see you let her get lower on the death spiral—but that was great, great progress. If we keep at it, I think we’ll be ready for comp.”

You can’t stop smiling, giddy at the prospect of getting to perform such an impressive routine when, just yesterday, you thought you might never be ready. Sirius sets a hand on your shoulder, squeezing excitedly, and you don’t shake him off like you usually might. Whatever his flaws, something had changed last night between you and Sirius. You wouldn’t call it friendship just yet, but there’s a sort of camaraderie now, an understanding of your mutual investment in this partnership, this routine. You have to work together, and it may as well not be an entirely unpleasant experience for the both of you. Plus, it means you get to enjoy moments like this. You place your hand atop his, squeezing back.

“Ready to go again?” Coach says. “Let’s take it from the spiral sequence.”

☆ ☆ ☆

Over the few practices, you and Sirius become more and more in tune with each other, until you suspect no one would guess you haven’t been partners all along. You’re beginning to forget that too. The feeling of his hands on you has become a familiar pressure, you’ve learned to anticipate each other’s tiny movements in a split second, and you’ve grown fond of Sirius’ grander style of skating, enjoying the flow of mirroring his maneuvers. You’ve begun mirroring his expressions, too, returning his smiles automatically and engaging with the playful looks he sends you when one of you wobbles or misses a step.

Though you’ve always had fun with Regulus, he’s all business on the ice. Sirius rarely stops joking around, seeming to find everything amusing even though you know skating really is important to him. He’s at the rink early every day and on the days when he doesn’t walk you home, stays late to correct whatever mistakes he made during practice. It’s rare for your coach to give him a direction during one session that he hasn’t implemented seamlessly by the next.

Another difference: whereas Regulus has raw talent, Sirius works hard for it.

Drive isn’t something you honestly would’ve associated with him before, but you suppose that’s because he never draws attention to it. He’ll give up his practice to help you fine-tune a difficult turn in an instant and he’s more given to speculating about what your costumes will look like than discussing his efforts to improve his form, but left to his own devices, Sirius will drill and drill a move until not even your coach can find flaw in it.

Still, you would never guess that he’s even trying to concentrate as he winks at you, the both of you coming out of a synchronized turn and going into arabesque. Your fingertips brush for the barest of seconds, and you can’t say whether it’s the wink or that which takes your mind off your skates as you launch into one of your solo jumps, but your thoughts are spinning nearly as quickly as your vision as you twist through the air.

You feel the slip, the slight shift of your back foot to where it shouldn’t be, while you’re still airborne, but there’s no time to correct it before you’re hitting the ground, skate catching oddly on the ice. Your leg twists under you, and you throw yourself to the side before you can land on the blade. You feel something pop before your shoulder hits the wall that borders the rink with a dull thud.

Naturally, you’ve managed to turn a small error into a spectacle of injury. Your pride hurts worse than anything, but your knee is fighting hard for second place. Already the initial sharp pain has given way to a manageable throbbing, but it feels stiff, locked in place. There’s a swish of blades, and then Sirius is beside you, eyes darting over you with something close to panic.

“Are you okay?” His hands ghost over your shoulder, your face. “What hurts?”

You push yourself up with your hands, trying to straighten your leg before hissing in pain.

“Don’t.” Sirius sets a hand just above your knee as if to stop you from repeating the motion. “Don’t move. Is it your ankle?”

You swallow, feeling like you could burst into tears. If you have to sit out this season, after all your hard work, you’re going to be so disappointed in yourself. “My knee. I don’t think it’s bad,” you say, knowing that’s probably wishful thinking.

“Hopefully not,” he agrees, and your coach finally makes it to you, crouching by your leg.

“Does anything feel broken?” he asks, prodding at your shin. “Dislocated?”

“I, um,” you hesitate to admit to anything too drastic, as if that’ll change the actual severity of whatever’s wrong with you, “I felt something pop, but it doesn’t feel dislocated. And it doesn’t look like it, right?”

“Right.” Coach pokes at your knee, and you flinch a little, gasping. “I don’t love that, though.”

“You hit the wall with your shoulder too, didn’t you?” Sirius’ expression is as severe as you’ve ever seen it, and you find yourself shrinking under all the attention.

“Yeah, but that’s fine,” you reply hastily. “It’ll probably just bruise.”

Coach eyes you, a preparatory disappointment in his gaze that worsens your own apprehension. “Can you put weight on it?”

You hesitate, and Sirius steps in before you can answer. “Let’s not chance it, yeah?”

Coach nods. “Okay, yeah, let’s end practice for today. Go get it checked out and text me what you find out, alright?”

You nod, and neither he nor Sirius seem angry with you, but that does nothing to stop the acute upset that’s forming in your chest. “Okay.”

Sirius eases an arm carefully under your knees, slipping the other behind your back. He’s slow as he brings you to his chest, watching your face. “Does that hurt?”

You shake your head, and he stands with you in his arms, making his way to the exit.

“I’m really sorry,” you whisper, hiding your face in his shoulder as tears arrive unbidden, distorting your vision. “I don’t want to mess this up.”

“Hey.” Sirius’ breath is warm on your forehead as he speaks softly, head bent over yours. “Don’t be sorry. You aren’t messing anything up, it was an easy mistake.” He steps off the ice, setting you down on the bleachers and ducking his head until you’re looking at him. “It might still be nothing, yeah? Maybe you just tweaked something. So don’t cry just yet, shortcake, alright?”

You nod, wiping embarrassedly under your eyes. Sirius sits on the bench below you, unlacing your skates before you can even think to reach for them. “And even if you were out for the rest of the season,” he says lightly, “you’d just be coordinating your break with Regulus, and then the two of you could perform together next season.” He slips your first skate off, starting on the second. “Just like you wanted, yeah?”

You look at him, pieces of hair that have escaped the knot in the back of his head falling in his face as his fingers move deftly over your laces. You do want to skate with Regulus again, but you’re not so ready to forgo this season as you might’ve been when he was first taken out of the running. You like having Sirius as a partner. You enjoy practicing with him, talking with him, just being around him. And if this is your only season to do that, you’re not ready to give it up quite yet.

“Yeah,” you say weakly, and something indecipherable flickers across Sirius’ face before he pulls your other foot free of your skate. “Thanks.”

“Anytime, sunshine.” He grins at you, whatever you might’ve seen skillfully hidden away. “I’m known for being great at pep talks, you know.”

You do your best to match his playful tone. “I believe it.”

“Alright.” He pats your good knee, standing. “Do you think you could get a ride home? I’d carry you the whole way if I could, but I’m not sure you’d thank me for it if I messed up our throws tomorrow.”

You laugh. “Yeah, I’m sure I can get a ride. Thanks, though.”

You expect Sirius to leave, but he sits with you until your ride arrives, insisting on helping you to the car when you won’t let him carry you. After a long and somewhat teary phone call with Regulus that night, you make an appointment with a doctor for the next morning, where they tell you have something called a meniscus tear. You leave with a compression bandage around your knee and instructions to rest over the next couple of days. Coach echoes your relief over the phone, saying he’ll train with just Sirius until you can come back to practice and making you swear to do nothing but rest your knee until then.

You almost call Sirius, too, but eventually settle for telling Regulus, sure that he’ll convey the message. You’ve never been happier to have to sit around, especially since it means you’ll still be able to compete this year.

And you never thought you’d be this enthusiastic to finish out the season with Sirius Black, but you can’t wait until your next practice.

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oomisluvr · 2 years

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ALL THE NIGHTS WE USED TO LOVE (HOW IT USED TO WAS)

synopsis: every relationship is bound to have arguments. it doesn't mean you love each other any less. angst. hurt/comfort. swearing.

Song: Childs Play (feat. Chance the Rapper) - SZA

“You’re neglecting your responsibilities as a girlfriend.”

You slide your bluelight glasses from your face, pinching the bridge of your nose to smooth out the indents you’re sure they’ve left behind.

“Responsibilities?” You squint up at him from your place on the couch, eyes stinging from working on an essay the past four hours, “Like what? Cuddling? Back massages? A fucking handjob?

“Precisely all three of those things.” Though his height and overall demeanor allows him to loom over you, the facemask smoothed to his skin makes him look less than threatening, “Come to bed. It’s late.”

“Kiyoomi, it's barely eleven-o-clock.”

“Exactly,” He seethes, the facemask flopping a bit around his mouth, “I’m supposed to be in bed and asleep by ten-thirty!”

“Then get in the bed and go to sleep.” You snort, brushing him off and redirecting your attention to the unfinished google doc on your laptop. It sounds harsher than you intend, but you don’t have the emotional capacity to babysit his emotions right now. “I’ll be there in a bit.”

“You’ve been saying that for the past two hours.”

“And I already said sorry, alright?” You sigh, “Everything is just… a lot right now. Can you please just give me tonight to get this done?”

“No.” Something snaps in Kiyoomi, something ugly and childish stirring in his core. He reaches to shut your laptop closed, your fingers just barely making it out before being smushed.

Furious, you turn to him, “What the fuck!”

“I’m trying to have a conversation with you and you won’t even look at me.”

“What conversation? I already told you,” You fume, “What part of ‘I’m working’ don’t you understand?”

“You’re always working, though.” he spits, looming over you, “It’s like you’re not even here anymore!”

“I don’t complain when your job makes you disappear for months at a time,” you say, “I shut the fuck up and support you like a normal girlfriend does. Why can’t you do the same for me?”

“Watch it.” he damn near growls, and something about his tone has you standing to your feet to look him in his face.

“Or what, Kiyoomi?” you challenge, “Or fucking what? Are you threatening me now?”

“I fucking miss you!” He explodes, “Is that so bad? Is it so evil to want to spend time with my partner?”

“You think I want to do this shit? I don't! I get treated like a doormat every single day, Kiyoomi!” You’re screaming, hot emotions overwhelming you and bubbling out, “But I do it because I’m building a career for myself, a future!”

Kiyoomi goes as still as a statue, studying your expression with a cold calculation you’ve only ever seen him use on the court. Finally, he asks, “And what about us? Our future? Does that matter at all to you?”

“Are you kidding me? Is that a fucking joke?” You humorously laugh, “Are you giving me an ultimatum right now?”

He opens mouth to speak, but you raise your hand with alarming ease, dismissing him.

“Actually, save it.” You decide, marching to the coat rack by the door, “I don’t need this right now. I have a fucking paper to write.”

It’s only when you grab your purse does Kiyoomi understand your intention to leave.

“Y/N, please. I’m asking if this even matters to you.” His voice cracks when he speaks, watching you toss on a heavy coat, “Because it feels like I’m more invested than you sometimes.”

“That is not fair.” You whisper, hand frozen on the door handle, “That’s bullshit. After all the shit we’ve gone through? Hell, after all the shit you’ve put me through, you don’t get to stand there and say I don’t care.”

“Can you stop putting words in my mouth?” he says, “Fuck, I’m not saying that’s what’s happening, I’m saying that’s how I feel.”

You’re breathing hard, like you just ran a marathon. When you don’t respond, he continues, throwing himself down on the couch cushions.

“I feel like I’m… losing you; like you’re slipping through my fingers and there’s nothing I can do but watch. When was the last time we went on a fucking date? When was the last time we had a normal conversation without it blowing up like this?” He sighs, and you see the exhaustion in his eyes. You’re both tired.

“I just…” He trails off, the last of his anger fizzling into something raw and vulnerable, “I just miss you. That’s it. I miss you, Y/N. All I wanted was to fall asleep next to you. I didn’t mean to blow up on you. I’m sorry.”

His honestly stings worse than if he would have just let the argument escalate. Communication used to be such a struggle for the two of you, and sometimes those old habits come back. You’re both in the wrong, and the realization feels like a slap in the face. The words you used, your tone, your volume–that’s not how you speak to people you love.

And you do love Kiyoomi, despite everything.

“Don’t apologize when I’m the one who should be sorry.” You whisper, shrugging off your coat and hanging up your purse. You approach him on the sofa, shame heavy in your heart, “You were only trying to look out for me. It wasn’t fair of me to go off on you. You didn’t deserve that. I’m sorry, Kiyoomi.”

“Are we…” He starts, staring at you with bloodshot eyes. He looks scared. Vulnerable. You wonder how many people had abandoned his younger self, what buried emotions you unearthed, “Are we going to be okay?”

The question hangs in the air, unanswered. Relationships were so much fucking work. They were exhausting, and took a real effort to keep both parties happy.

But they’re worth it. Kiyoomi was worth it.

He’s been there for you, and you for him. He’s seen all your good and all your bad, and still loves you the same. The two of you have struggled hard to create careers for yourself, fighting tooth and nail for even a shred of recognition in your respective fields. It’s been hard on the both of you. And as bills stack and debts pile, it only gets harder.

You grit your teeth. It’s been tough, but the two of you are tougher. You’ve come so far. Love bends, but it won’t break. You won’t let it. It was you two against the world. Always will be. These petty fights would never change that.

Sometimes difficult to like, but always easy to love. He’s fully, wholly, entirely yours.

And you, his.

“Yes,” You say, and it’s not a lie, “We’ll be okay.”

“Okay,” He nods, eyes still glazed over with an emotion you don’t quite recognize, “We’ll be okay.”

Your hands find his, pulling him up from the couch, “Let’s go to bed.”

“No, it’s fine.” He deflects with a breathless chuckle, “I know you really need to finish this. I can survive one night alone.”

“I just need to add my sources by noon tomorrow. I’ll be fine.” You say, and Kiyoomi knows you both need this, “Let’s go to bed, baby.”

He caves, following you to the bedroom. He helps you with your skincare. You two will be okay. You both apologize a dozen more times to each other. Kiyoomi laughs when he realizes he’s had a facemask on that entire time. You two will be okay. You tell him you love him, and he says it back to you. He promises to take you out for lunch tomorrow.

You two will be okay.

#sakusa #kiyoomi #sakusa kiyoomi #kiyoomi sakusa #msby sakusa #sakusa x reader #msby #haikyuu #kiyoomi sakusa x reader #haikyuu sakusa #haikyuu fic #haikyu #haikyuu!!#angst

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distant-velleity · 3 months

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A Fair Price (Vol. 0)

Summary: Apparently, Azul's definition of "wrapping up" certain loose threads involves extended torture. Of Davis in particular. Word count: 1.1k+ Warnings: none, I think A/N: HELLO EVERYONE. I'm not done with my OC/Canon tomfoolery and you are not done having to see it. This was honestly supposed to be a joke but I think I got a little too invested and now this is like crack taken seriously..................... Anyway, this is the first of a few planned parts, so please let me know if you want to see more and I will probably get it written within the rest of the school year! Hopefully!! :,)))

Vol. 0 || Vol. 1 || Vol. 2

(Day 0 - Wednesday.)

It all starts after winter break, with little more than a conversation.

(Really, it’d started with the anemones following midterms and the ensuing incident—but that would be water under the bridge eventually. Just not today.)

Azul approaches Davis one day at lunch, finding his usual spot on a bench in the courtyard. “Here you are.”

Davis looks up from his phone and forgotten, half-finished sandwich. His eyes narrow. “…Azul? Do you need something?”

It’s not like 2-B and 2-C have had any joint classes recently… or any time soon…

“Well,” Azul says pleasantly, as if choosing not to acknowledge the other’s rightful wariness, “I hear that you’ve been rather sullen ever since before the break, especially regarding me, which could only relate to one thing. And seeing as I’d rather wrap up some loose threads sooner than later…”

It’s difficult, resisting the urge to scoff, but Davis manages to do just that and keeps a relatively straight expression.

“Right,” he says slowly. “It’s a little hard to not be, in your words, ‘sullen’ after seeing your treatment of student-workers.”

To Davis’ immense disappointment, Azul takes the seat next to him with a sigh. “If it pleases you, Yu has already lectured me on the severity of my actions. I’ve been taking it to heart and treating them more justly.”

“Uh-huh. Do you need to hear it from another mouth to really get it?” Davis isn’t angry, just… riled up in a tired sort of way. His phone burns like phantom pain with the weight of various victim accounts in it. “I don’t need you to please me. Rather—has anyone actually been holding you accountable for any of this?”

“Plenty,” mutters Azul under his breath with an unrecognizable tone, before adjusting his glasses. “I’ve given remuneration to many students who were physically harmed by the twins, as well as met several of my own students’ demands.” There’s a glint to the frames as they catch the light. “I’m genuinely curious—what else would you like to propose I do?”

That gives Davis pause, although not for the expected reason. It’s because—

(“What do ya think we should do?” Jacques asked.

Davis’ eyes widened. “Me?”

“Yeah, you. Youse our only walkin’ mouth.” In a too-casual gesture Davis was getting used to, Jacques slung his arm over his shoulders. “The strike was your idea, no? So I gotta trust you to be the brains to my brawn.”

Davis scoffed in amusement, and Jacques grinned at him.)

—because of something that doesn’t really matter anymore, something he should have left behind when he left RSA. Really, his little grudge against Azul is also a remnant of baggage he should have abandoned a long time ago.

Still, Davis isn’t one to swallow his words at the first sign of being off-mark. “Does that really make up for all of it?” And just like that, an idea strikes him all of a sudden. “Come to think of it… how often do you work at the Mostro Lounge? I’m sure it’d satisfy a lot of people to see you doing the same work as them.”

Azul opens his mouth to say something, but then closes it and gently furrows his brows in a thoughtful look. His gaze flicks from Davis to the ground, then back again. “I find myself pleasantly surprised by the way you think,” he says finally with a smile, not elaborating on his own thought process. “If I allot some time every week for the next month or so to take a few shifts, then there could be unexpected benefits…”

“Really?” Davis raises an eyebrow—even though he can recall when Azul and the twins decided to take a shift at the Lounge post-Overblot, he’d assumed that was a one-time thing on the housewarden’s part. “I didn’t think you’d do more manual work than necessary.”

“Never let it be assumed that I don’t strive for self-improvement,” is Azul’s lofty reply.

“...Alright.”

Davis is more than ready to leave the conversation at that and return to his lunch, but something about the way Azul crosses his legs and props up his elbow on one knee disturbs him; if not the way that he rests his chin on his hand with a Look™ to his eyes. And true to form—

“Since this was your idea… how about you take some responsibility?” Azul suggests. “I’m sure the fair price of keeping me company until my ‘atonement’ tenure ends is acceptable.”

“Keeping you… company?” echoes Davis in disbelief. “Won’t there be some kind of catch to this? I thought you were over your contracts.”

Azul waves his other hand as if to dismiss that topic. “This isn’t a contract—merely an exchange of sorts.”

“I’m not working for free, I’ll have you know.”

“Rest assured, I’m not asking you to work. Goodness, you sure enjoy covering all your bases…” Azul shakes his head, somehow without losing even a fraction of his cordial yet opportunistic demeanor. “I just think it’d be in both our best interests for me to better acquaint myself with both a classmate and a member of the school newspaper.”

…Right. Leave it to Azul to remember something most people didn’t care about for him and then milk it as an opening to profit.

Of course, Davis had been lectured on the power of the press many a time before when he was still at RSA. Being the manager of a student-run business on campus, Azul would take to forming a solid connection with the newspaper staff like maybe a vulture to a carcass. But just as easily as he could advertise the Lounge, he could slowly weasel his way into controlling what goes into the paper…

“Hardly anyone reads the paper,” Davis mutters, still trying to get out of this half of the ‘exchange.’ “I don’t think you’ll find what you’re looking for.”

“While that was true in our freshman year,” Azul admits, “it’s thanks to your work that I’ve noticed many students actually read the online version or get their hands on the physical copy. Which is why I hadn’t seriously considered this option until now.”

Davis frowns. “Thanks for the flattery… But even if you want a collaboration, I usually don’t write articles—”

“That wouldn’t be a problem, we can find some way to make it work.”

Man, thinks Davis, I really can’t tell if it’s the universe or just Azul himself out to get me today.

Azul exhales and adjusts his glasses again. “Besides, we’re getting a bit sidetracked. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

“Right,” Davis concedes. He curses himself silently for getting carried away—this was, in part, his own idea and he should be willing to pay the price. Otherwise, he’d just be a hypocrite.

“So…” Azul extends his hand. “Are we in agreement?”

Davis looks down at it, many thoughts passing through his mind, and sighs. Finally, he reaches out to shake Azul’s hand in what feels like an admission of defeat. “Sure. But this is just for those guys who suffered under you.”

“Of course,” Azul replies; as much as Davis would like to think it’s in a condescending tone, that’s just his imagination.

#kai's writing #twisted wonderland #twst #azul ashengrotto #twst oc #davis jayme #runs away im always too shy to use big tags but how else do i organize my blog #'hes out to get you... for a date dawg' - niaa in my dms (<- correct and true)#i find it so funny that newsies is abt taking a stand and the exploitation of young laborers #and then im shipping davis with azul aka known capitalist #i mean to balance it i have daviruggie but . LOL

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decamarks · 1 year

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i bought ultrakill forever ago but never got around to playing it. what is the deal why has it spawned such a dedicated fanbase. you seem like you'd know....

IT'S JUST REALLY GODDAMN FUN!!! that's the short answer and honestly the best answer. it's really ridiculously fun. like probably one of the most fun games to ever exist.

there is a ridiculous amount of care and skill and soul packed into every design choice; it culminates in some of the most immaculately ecstatic and visceral gameplay i've ever experienced. it cannot be understated how brilliant this game's design is. the only way to really understand why it excels is to just play it!

if you'd like an anecdote to represent the overall ultrakill experience, here's mine: when i played the demo for the first time, after maybe 5 minutes i became so physically nauseous that i had to stop. and in that time i immediately went to get the full game. it's DELIGHTFUL. (see also: jerma's playthrough where he starts screaming "humans aren't supposed to be doing this" during a boss fight.)

but even aside from pure gameplay, there really is a lot to love… there's a certain self-aware sincerity to everything. it's unabashed on purpose, and in the best ways possible. despite its obviously absurd violence, don't at all mistake ultrakill for something cynical or misanthropic—there's a lot of depth and heart dancing beneath the surface, a lot of it in places i didn't expect to see it, and so much that i didn't expect to appreciate nearly as much as i do.

[okay this got too long. the rest is going DOWN HERE ↓]

like okay, obviously the music is just. insane. the goddamn midi metal/breakcore genre fusion is THE most hilarious and unfathomably genius stylistic choice that could have been made. and it's not even just that!! there's ambient & drone & harsh noise influence all across the ost, which just enchants and delights me. i DEFINITELY didn't expect it, but i love it. (the fact that there's like, a level named after a sunn o))) song, and that the latest update contains a godawful joke about trout mask replica might tell you exactly what kind of game ultrakill is, or it might tell you literally nothing.)

the writing and worldbuilding can be rich and compassionate in ways i really didn't expect, too... it's so evident that it's a work of passion, with really sincere and often sweet philosophies sprinkled throughout all the bloodshed and grotesque silliness—and often within them. it makes me smile! also gabriel is a really good character. people go apeshit over that guy. for good reason. he's just REALLY good.

if you're just interested in understanding its amassed fanbase, yeah ultrakill's is pretty ridiculous and dedicated. and it's extremely deserved! the game is fun & the characters are fun. being in early access, it's kinda built on ongoing feedback, so it makes sense people are invested. the devs really seem to embrace the fanbase wholeheartedly, which helps a lot too. that is also why, kind of inexplicably, ultrakill is kind of a gay & horny game. please note that i do not say these things flippantly or lacking deliberation; there's an extremely good essay to be written about gayness across ultrakill & its communities. like aside from the general hilarity of a game having official buttplug support, the fact that the dev team hired an artist specifically because he drew a lot of incredibly beautiful/obscene depictions of gabriel DOES say a lot. this, of course, makes ultrakill 100x better.

anyway that's the basics. i could definitely write THOUSANDS of words about this game and that's honestly... not what i expected when i booted it up the first time LOL. it really just happened to appeal to a lot of things i sincerely adore, in an unexpectedly sincere way—all while being a STUPIDLY good game.

TL;DR: it's a fun robot video game where you shoot things. and there's blood and explosions. it's good you should play it

#ultrakill #for the record i haven't actually been into it for that long... it's been around for years now so i'm relatively new to it.#but MAN it's great. thank you for giving me the opportunity to blurt out all my thoughts about it LOL #going through the game's developer museum today has me thinking about Making Things in general. it's seriously inspiring...#i just love when you can see heart and soul and passion positively bleeding through a piece of work. AAAGHH...

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hanasnx · 3 months

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no yeah i need more of the indy x beef love story!! add a cut if you have to (jokey joke i'm not trying to nag) i've got a cup of ice water and a bowl of popcorn beside me (also a joke. the popcorn, not the ice water. it is toasty rn) i'm invested, i'm seated, i'm tuned in!! much love xoxo

part one sorry this took so long

i had this sense of belonging with him. i was already comfortable with him even though we'd only had a handful of conversations. this was a big step for me seeing as how i'd only ever been with people that gave me that thrill in my stomach especially if i was doing something wrong. in this case, that thrill was completely gone, replaced with a sense of safety i'd never felt before besides a friendship that was very dear to me. so i thought i needed to be his friend. i wanted to hang out with him.

i think i decided this when i went out walking late at night because its my favorite thing to do and it started pouring rain so i went to the little mailbox garage to keep my phone/earbuds dry otherwise i wouldnt have minded the rain. but i was sitting there and i found myself wanting to run into him. i was wishing he'd, for some reason, come check his mail so that we could talk more.

now that its decided that i knew i wanted to be closer to him, i did not have a game plan. instead, i applied the logic i usually would apply to this situation: if it's meant to be it'll come back. because i was too scared to make a move when he came in for coffee in the morning. we said our usual hellos etc but i did not give him my number. i was disappointed, even though it was my own fault, because its rare that i see him twice in one day. so the "if it's meant to be it'll come back" was kind a way out for me, 1) i wouldnt have to do the thing i was dreading, creating a sense of relief 2) but that would mean i dont get to do the thing i wanted to do, creating a sense of disappointment.

i was working all day and my boss left early, which means that when i went home for lunch, i put on non-corporate dress code socks because my feet were cold. ones that her micro-managing ass would've noticed and told me to take off. but i was behind the desk, it was nearing the end of the day, no one would notice my crazy socks. my coworker that knew i liked this guy was sitting next to me, and my head maintenance guy who didnt know and could not know. we were all talking when beef came in.

like i said before, it was rare to see him twice in one day, so my stomach did a flip. it meant i had to give him my number, i made that commitment. i wrote it down on a sticky note, waiting for my chance. but my maintenance guy wouldnt leave, and beef was making his coffee. i was running out of time. i didnt know how to find a situation to give it to him in which my maintenance guy wouldnt see it because i knew his ass would report me or hold it over my head. and beef left before i could figure it out.

crestfallen, i hadnt fulfilled my commitment. i was really upset with myself, it was perfect. he came back just like he was supposed to, just like the mantra. if it's meant to be it will come back.

i was beating myself up for it tbh. "you always do this shit, indy, you always do this shit." which is so rare considering how kind i am to myself, which goes to show just how upset i was at myself for not manning up about it.

some time passed and it was probably the last thirty minutes of the day, so i was gonna go put the golf cart back. i was walking out when something told me to go back to my desk, so i went back, and i grabbed the sticky note with my number on it. to this day i have no idea why i did that. something came over me that i went back to my desk and grabbed the sticky note with my number on it to shove into my pocket to take with me. maybe it was because i didnt want other people to see it on my desk, but i couldve just thrown it away.

i drive around and i go the longways because i usually did that. its about evening time, the sky is orange, im still upset over earlier.

and i see in the distance a familiar silhouette. one i've seen a thousand times. it was beef roller blading alongside his running dog. i cant believe my eyes it was like magic. i was genuinely, to my core, shocked. a third time. a third time in one day.

he goes to the sidewalk to let me pass, but i turn in to a parking spot like a mad man. i am determined to get this over with. a third time in the same day, ive never seen him three times in one day, this had to be it. i have to give him the number and miraculously i brought the fucking note with me. i march up, i say "hi (name), hi (dogs name)" quick asf. "dont look at my socks" i tell him because im still wearing the crazy socks that dont go with my shoes or outfit and the first thing he fucking does is look down at my socks. he laughs at them. i hand him the note "call me if you wanna hangout sometime." i say and get back in the cart to take it to the garage.

an hour later he texts. "hi :) this is (name)" and we text for hours. paragraphs about our pasts and shows we like and what we do for fun, everything. at one point he texts that he feels like he needs to say that hes "not ready for a relationship, and hes happy being friends" and i said "thats fine because thats why i gave you my number. to hang out" which is true. i asked him if he wanted to go around the community yard sale on thursday with me, and he said yes.

around 11 o clock that day, we meet up, and i remember he looked me up and down. he gave me that scan. it was subtle but i was like oh?

we walked around together and i got a bunch of stuff for my roommates cats and a lemon soap dispenser for my roommate who loves lemons etc. beef hasnt gotten anything, but he helps me carry my stuff :) he had insisted on it. at one point we come across a collection of framed paintings, and he looks particularly taken with a small portrait of a snowy landscape with a man in furs. he sets it back down. i check the price, its $5 so i buy it for him. he looks touched.

we text a little for the next week, but he says hes really busy with work and has to focus on that so i give him that space. at one point i subtly try to hang out with him late at night using the excuse of putting our crystals out for the full moon, and he says that he'd love to but can't, and i had to backtrack and act like i wasnt trying to hang out 💀

towards the end of that week, i had started texted with an ex-best-friend of mine we'll call her EBF. ebf invited me to a kava bar, then asked if her boyfriend could come, i said no that makes me uncomfortable bcos i dont know her boyfriend, she says "oh then i cant go", im like wow i wonderrr why we stopped being friends u pos but whateverrr so i said "if you get to bring someone, i get to bring someone" and invited beef. i said "hey i know its short notice but im going out tonight at a kava bar you should come" he says "great! give me the address ill be there" so i do. while im getting ready, EBF texts to cancel last minute. fucking dick n balls, right? so i had to text beef to be like "hey man so sorry but my friend cancelled. do you still wanna go just us?" and he says yea :)

he picks me up and at one point i pay a compliment to myself, i say i've got nice curves. he looks at me while hes got a spare moment driving and gives me a little once over again... and says "yeah, you do have nice curves" i couldve died

we talk about anything and everything on the way here, at the kava bar, and then when we take a walk. we walk up and down that strip for like an hour and a half. we drive back to the community and we take another walk. when i look at my phone after all this walking and talking it realize its 2am and we started hanging out at 7pm. so i have to run back home bcos ive gotta get ready for work in 6 hours.

the next day my roommates rly wanna meet him, so invite him over to hang with them. after that, i walk him home, and spent a bit of time with him there. i tell him im cold, and he says "heres my favorite hoodie". i go home and spend a few hours apart at my place. we keep texting, and he says "let me know if you wanna play some games tonight" as in like online, but i was like "im literally packing up my ps3 to bring over rn" bcos he had mentioned he wanted to play black ops 2 and i was feeling spontaneous. around midnight im back at his place and we play games until way later, and im feeling too tired to keep playing so we put on a movie and we "cuddle" which was kind of spooning but he kept his crotch away from my ass. (he tells me later that the reason he did that was because he got a boner laying down with me)

we fall asleep watching rio, our first sleepover. he had set an alarm for me so that i wouldnt miss work and i didnt even ask.

the next day he asked me to come over again. he cooks me dinner. we have another sleepover. i got to work, and then i go right back to his place. that night we're sitting and facing one another in the dark, that invisible string is pulling us together. he's murmuring, "i don't wanna be friends. i wanna be your boyfriend." and we kiss. its soft and slow, and it marks may 7th our anniversary.

since our first sleepover, i did not sleep again at my own place, which means that before we were officially dating, we were technically living together first.

#🥩 beef tings #indy lore #indy shoots the shit #thanks for the msg!!#anon

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nobodysdaydreams · 3 months

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Doug Eiffel is hilarious and deserves his own series of radio shows

(Or my reaction to Wolf359's three untitled mini episodes!)

Welcome back dear readers! I wish I could react to more full length episodes, but life in terms of health and work load has not been kind to me (yep. I'm sick again). Fortunately, I was informed that these mini episodes can be listened to at any time and they are fairly short, so I'm gonna give it a shot! (If I was misinformed and am about to have a ton of plot spoiled for me, I apologize in advance!)

Tagging the mutuals who got me invested in this, and if you want to be tagged or untagged from these posts, lmk, or you can follow my blog or simply follow the tag "#bods wolf359 reactions". Anyone who has followed me for a while knows my updates are inconsistent, so I apologize in advance for that and for any spelling/grammar mistakes in my posts.

@sophieswundergarten @oflightningandstars @acollectionofcuriousreblogs @herawell @commsroom

Mini Episode: Adventure of a Lifetime

Ohhhh... a field trip into the mysterious rooms!

...this might not work out for you Doug, but I hope you find something useful.

Huh. Empty rooms. ...why do I get the feeling they aren't all empty?

Different shade of grey paint? Doug have you never played a video game? I mean, I haven't either, but even I know what that means.

Great, now he's locked in.

"I'm hungry, I didn't have breakfast, It's been five hours." WHY AM I DOUG 😂

Doug yeah the grey spot sounds pretty bad.

"Did you try pushing?" Hilbert is so done with him.

19 minutes? I'm not sure if that's funny because Doug is dramatic, or spooking because these rooms actually mess with time perception.

"You never mention this to anyone and I won't ask you what you're doing on this part of the station" Doug you really oughta be asking though.

Oh. That was it? Huh. Very short. I wonder what the next one has in store...

Mini Episode: Step One

Ah! More Doug! Why IS he going outside?

Hey, Doug. Do not speak badly about the commander. Trust me, the day will come when you realize Minkowski is the best commander you could ever have.

He stole her diary? Oh Doug...

"If this tape shows up in my murder trial, you'll know why I made this recording"

Imagine if Cutter tried to use this audio to frame Minkowski for Doug's death (he would. He'd drop it off at her husband's office like "sorry about your wife becoming a murderer. Apparently a disgruntled employee took her diary and she snapped").

Poor Doug. Scrambling to solve a mess he created in a very unsafe way because he can't ask for help or else he'll get caught? Why is he so dang relatable. Someone get this man to a doctor. He needs Adderall. And his daughter back.

"I have the perfect plan" oh dear. Doug, those words never go well for me either.

"Doug was great, I need to lighten up a lot" 😂

"She somehow saw through my forgery" oh poor Doug.

Are these episodes just Doug getting himself into situations? Because that's hilarious and wonderful.

Mini Episode: Space Rage

"Badass McAwesome" Is that Doug doing a southern accent? I love his radio shows.

Is he talking about Minkowski? Is he broadcasting that through the ship?

"Our God given American right to free speech and funny jokes!" Amen Doug 🫡

Oh my gosh he's talking to himself 😂.

"I'm stuck in this crappy job searching for alien life for 14 hours a day" "we've all certainly been there" I can't, please 😂😂😂

"There's this script you're supposed to broadcast" "sound like command trying to keep you down"

"I've been reciting every Simpson's treehouse of horror episode from memory" / "That's the way Abe Lincoln would have wanted it."

I love this. I love patriot cowboy Doug. 🤠 You can't be taking his freedoms!

"Fighting the good fight" aksjkfjsdlf;kj

Oh who is the sponsor this time? Oh Dr. Hilbert's seaweed coffee. "It's the only thing we have. It's the only thing we have."

"You're live. Let freedom ring!" Doug is the best honestly.

Oh dear.

"Okay you're taking me alive. That's all the time we have for today folks!"

Doug is iconic.

These were great. Short, but great. Maybe I'll try to listen to the Mission Mishap ones a few at a time so that I can still give you reactions, even if I don't have the time or health to give you the full length reactions you deserve dear readers. But don't worry. As soon as I have time, I will react to the rest of the series. Thanks for reading!

#bods wolf359 reactions #wolf359 #renee minkowski #doug eiffel #alexander hilbert #wolf 359 #w359 #wolf 359 spoilers #dear listeners #wolf359 reactions #wolf359 reaction #wolf359 podcast

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ectonurites · 1 year

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My unpopular opinion is arguing over comic book characterizations is stupid when their personalities change all the time

strongly agree | agree | neutral | disagree | strongly disagree

BOOOO TOMATOES TOMATOES

like listen—yes things change, and considering comics are an ongoing medium they are going to continue to change and evolve over time. But if you just are okay with and passive about the idea of characters literally ending up as names & designs that have nothing else consistent about them... what's the point in being invested? that's just blank slates? like I suppose I understand it more if you are ONLY ever engaging with fan content—because that can be a situation where blank slates mean you can explore a lot of different things in that fan content.

But if you're someone who actually reads & follows along with the comics???? that just does not work in my brain in the slightest. for me at least, a big part of the appeal of comics (DC specifically because that's what I read) is the way that there's this huge universe with stories told over time with many of the same characters and you can see the way things connect and intertwine and yeah there are some things that don't line up but when you look at the whole big mess of things they do usually fit together in their own janky way (and i LOVE approaching that—trying to piece things together)!

being able to talk about/discuss/argue over characterization when taking in these stories is just... part of that fun—being able to look at a comic and say 'oh he would NOT fucking say that' and pull up examples to explain your line of thinking... that's FUN for me!!! Things may be inconsistent at times and sure there are always going to be extreme examples of 'jesus christ this is a drastic change' but genuinely I do think people (on here in particular) way over exaggerate how bad it is a lot of the time (like, in large part probably as jokes initially which then get taken at face value by people who aren't as deep into the comics, and so it just keeps perpetuating. comics fandom becomes SUCH an internet game of telephone).

Also on a more serious note, plenty of times the way characterization & personality is changed can be part of bigger issues that are worth discussing—the portrayals of characters of color, female characters, lgbt characters, etc when changed drastically in ways that maybe show something bad about the author's biases... discussions and arguments around that, and pushing back against it when it happens, is very much so not stupid.

#ask games

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eemcintyre · 7 months

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"Stretch" (2014) review

Aka ✨ why this movie is one of the most underrated ones I've ever seen and why it is some of Patrick Wilson's best work ✨

"If you like stories about chance and coincidence, here's one you've never heard" gives me the chills every time 😮‍💨

Patrick Wilson is one of the most underappreciated actors of his time, like, not only do his other projects demonstrate that he has drama, romance, instruments, and singing down ✨, but here he is finally given a chance to flaunt his impeccable comedic timing, vocalizations, and expressions

Idk maybe I just love movies with narration (ex., "Heathers," "Jerry Maguire," "Amelie," "Eloise at Christmastime," "Megamind," "American Made," "The Outsiders," etc.)

But jokes aside, I will defend Patrick Wilson's narration throughout the movie no matter whAT ANYONE SAYS YOU CAN PRY IT FROM MY COLD DEAD FINGIES; IT IS AT TURNS FUNNY AND RELATABLE AND PROFOUND AND WE GET TO KNOW THE MAIN CHARACTER BETTER 😤😤

It does start a bit slow, especially if you aren't as invested in Patrick Wilson as I am 🙃🫠 but if you stick with it and pay attention to the subtle comedic elements in the meantime 👌🏻

This movie is not afraid to be a bit irreverent, which is a modern and mainstream rarity

Stretch and Charlie are so cute together; I wish more of their interactions had been kept in the final cut because when I think of the quality content that we missed 😩💖

"Who gains weight in their neck?" "Sexy people." "Three months of Rosetta Stone- I HATE THE FUCKING FRENCH." "We was gettin' all romantic, watching Titan-tic..." and so, so many more

Honestly, Karl is an integral part of this film as well- he may seem overtly cartoonish to some, but again, we get to know the main character better through him, as his presence gives us a visual of Stretch's inner struggle; he contributes to the dark humor vibe, and Ed Helms was clearly having the time of his life (as was the entire cast)

Speaking of which, stellar casting all around, especially those who were cast against type; love when directors give that stuff a chance. Everyone was made for their role

Dark humor, satire of Hollywood, homage to 80s films

The Navstar scene. If you know you know

Same goes for the post-Candace club exit scene with the valet, the wannabe rapper, and the sex club exit scene (there's a man wearing only balloons. need I say more). I mean, the whole movie is basically the best part and I'm trying not to make this review me just naming every scene and going "yes. this is good" but these are some of the most standout parts

The soundtrack may be atrocious overall, but the exception is the song at the end (although I was disappointed when I read that it was originally supposed to be "Telephone Line" by ELO but they didn't have enough in the budget because that would have gone so hard) 😩💕

Speaking of the ending, why is it so incredibly pure and sweet to me that it would almost make me cry if I weren't medicated? 🥺 Something about the setting of the diner, exuding vintage charm and glowing in the sun the quiet morning after the previous night of chaos, and the serendipity of how Stretch and Charlie finally reveal how much they've obviously liked each other for a while, and after all of the danger and depravity, everything ends soft and gentle and alright 😊💖

This film is somehow so sleazy and wholesome at the same time- against the backdrop of drugs, sex clubs, threats of violence, and constant swearing, it's ultimately a story about overcoming cynicism and self-destruction, getting your "mojo" back, taking control of your life, and allowing for the possibility that things happen for a reason ✨ Honestly? 10/10

#patrick wilson #stretch 2014 #joe carnahan #chris pine #ed helms #jessica alba #brooklyn decker #action film #action movies #cult classic #cult film #cult movies #underrated movies #underrated #underappreciated

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kairoscler · 1 year

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First Ruikasa fic ever! Inspired because @ticklish-n-stuff makes amazing fics and because I love Ruikasa angst/comfort and idiots falling in love or idiots realizing they're in love!

Warning: does contain tickles! Though they're not until a little ways in.

The Ruikasa happens near the end!

Rui sighed for the bazillionth time that day, plopping right back down on the bed after having gone over to his door and grabbed the doorknob. He had ended up not opening the door, noticing his fingers were ever so slightly trembling.

As he stared up at his ceiling in the dim light, his little inventions piled up everywhere around him, the purple-haired boy could not help but be frustrated at himself.

He knew what time it was. If he didn't leave now, he would be late for rehearsal. And he was usually the first one there.

If the others had specific questions about the tech... Rui wouldn't be there for them. But he couldn't confront Tsukasa. At least, not before figuring out what was going on with himself first.

Why had that one joke Tsukasa made yesterday affected Rui so much, when he'd completely brushed off much worse insults by complete strangers at school? Rui Kamishiro of all people was sulking in his room because of some stupid joke? This whole situation has got to be some stupid joke. And Rui had tried laughing at it, laughing it off. But it sounded far too bitter, and the feeling that came along with it was far too uncomfortable.

"Rui! If you don't want to take it seriously, then leave!"

At least, Rui thought it was supposed to be a joke, as the words echoed through his mind again.

Maybe Tsukasa had just had a bad day, or maybe it was a really bad attempt at a joke, but the intention hardly mattered when a single quiet sob broke the silence. It surprised Rui enough to stop and think yet again. No tears ended up coming out, but he was only increasing in frustration. Why had one line affected him so much when he felt fine the previous day?

Admittedly, Rui already knew the troupe could probably manage going on without his ideas. It's something his classmates had made abundantly clear from a young age. No one really needed his ideas. Sure they might be different or funny or ambitious, but everyone in his past could always make something just as good without them... they'd all said.

That night, Rui couldn't sleep no matter how long he tried for. He tried everything short of sleeping pills, since he didn't have any. In the end, he ended up pulling an all-nighter working on his next mechanical project to take his mind off of whatever was going on. It worked for the night, but...

Rui remembered he had to go to school still. He might not pay attention because he can learn it on his own and get the homework done relatively quickly, but attendance was attendance.

Even at school, his classmates observed Rui being a different kind of strange. Instead of scribbling ideas and mumbling to himself, he was oddly spacey, staring outside at the sky and taking several minutes longer to realize that class had ended.

Not to mention, he timed his pathing to completely avoid Tsukasa, not even taking the opportunity to get into any messes or trouble. Even the teachers, who knew the way Rui was, were getting a little concerned. One even approached him in the hall and asked if everything was okay because "You haven't done a single disruptive thing, and you look kind of down."

Rui seemed to be rather caught off guard by that sudden concern from a teacher, even laughing a little bit at that.

"I appreciate the concern," he did not, "Yeah, I'm fine, just haven't been getting as much sleep as usual." He explains it away, going on his way before the teacher could respond.

Rui continued to avoid going to a couple more rehearsals without any better reason than 'I have to work on the tech for the show' over text, and it was strange for the rest of WxS.

To Tsukasa, it was strange because Rui was always so invested in the rehearsals. Yet, now he's working a lot more on his machines than anything.

To Emu, it was strange to not have someone to bounce fun ideas off of. Someone to understand her noises and back her up that it's a good idea.

To Nene, it was strange because she knew that Rui wasn't the type to miss rehearsals. She knew he was the type to take shows very seriously in every aspect. And Nene's concern was the most concerning. If she was concerned with Rui not showing up without an actually good reason, there was something wrong.

Nene tried not to worry anyone, but after a couple more days of this completely avoidant behavior, she said to Emu and Tsukasa, "I'm sure it's nothing too serious, but just in case it is, I think it's best if I go talk to him first."

The others nodded. Out of all of them, Nene knew Rui for the longest and probably knew him best.

Once Nene got back to her own place, she figured she might need backup, because nothing she's seen Rui go through had made the boy hole himself up in his room and avoid everyone. So she called the only sociable person in her and Rui's childhood friend group (and in fact the last member of said childhood friend group), Mizuki.

Mizuki had met Rui on the roof of the middle school he went to. They were just as odd as he was, society had decided, so they became friends with Rui. While he and Nene were still friends, Nene had to go to a different middle school.

Rui's mannerisms had basically settled in by middle school, so Nene and Mizuki were the two most qualified to read Rui's expressions.

"Nene-chan!" Mizuki's voice chirped through the speaker, "We haven't talked in a while! How have you been?"

"I'm okay," Nene responded, "But, I need your help with something."

"Not even a 'how are you' back??" Mizuki joked with a giggle, then got back on topic, "What's up, Nene-chan?" They knew Nene wasn't much for conversation.

"Rui's been acting really weird lately and I might need you to come help and see what's wrong… you know how stubborn he is…" Nene did sound pretty concerned.

"Eh?! What's he doing??"

"He's just been avoiding us, especially Tsukasa, and he's been avoiding talking to us beyond greetings and pleasantries…"

"..." Mizuki was silent for a while, and Nene wondered for a second if they'd disconnected… until they spoke again, "... especially Tsukasa-kun?"

Nene nods… then realizes Mizuki can't hear a nod, "... yeah."

"He's in his place, you said?"

"Yeah, I'm headed over now."

"Alright, I'll be there as soon as possible!"

Nene hummed in affirmation, hanging up the phone, then headed out to head to her neighbor Rui.

Rui was working on machinery again, concentrating ability lessened due to the lack of sleep, but still working on machinery. At least it was getting done.

When he heard a knock at the door, Rui jumped for a moment. He had sat there for a moment before he heard a familiar voice come through the closed door, "Rui!" That was the loudest he'd ever heard Nene be, "Open the door, Rui… I need to talk to you."

Rui hesitated. He knew what she would want to talk about.

“… I’m coming!” He called back, nonetheless. He knew he could trust Nene to keep quiet with what he told her, so he put the parts of his machinery he was dealing with down onto his workbench in a specific order so he would know what was where later, and then finally opened the door.

The first thing he was greeted by was Nene’s concerned gaze. Rui realized he probably looked pretty tired too, but he still smiles at his childhood friend, “To what do I owe the pleasure, Nene-chan?”

“You know what I’m here for, Rui. Why have you been avoiding anything to do with Tsukasa lately?” The question causes Rui to pause, trying to determine how he should explain it to Nene, and she took that as wanting to come up with an excuse, “And don’t you dare say it’s nothing.”

It seemed that the long pause was the perfect length of time for Mizuki to arrive.

Since Rui was facing out the door still, he noticed them first, “Eh? Mizuki?” Nene glanced back at the newest arrival, to which Mizuki responded with a smile and a giggle, “Yup! That’s my name! Don’t overuse it! Let’s all go inside to talk!” They gently nudged until the three of them were inside Rui’s messy room.

Mizuki went straight over to Rui’s bed and sat on it and Nene followed suit. Now they were both staring at him expectantly.

“Well this is just like old times~” Rui chuckles, attempting to change the topic. He couldn’t necessarily just shove these two out, and he figured if anyone should know, it should be the two people he trusted most not to judge him.

“Rui,” Mizuki spoke first, rather sternly, “you’re making them worry for you, what’s going on recently?” Nene nods in agreement.

“… well…” Rui hesitates, a slight red coloration tinting his cheeks. This was hardly noticeable at the moment, but he was avoiding looking either of the other two in the eyes.

“… it’s… not exactly nothing, but it is ridiculous and highly unusual…”

“If it’s bothering you, we won’t judge,” Nene spoke up this time, “and I won’t laugh, though I can’t say the same about Mizu.”

“Hey!” Mizuki gently elbowed Nene with a giggle, “I’ll try not to~” they joked to lighten the mood.

Rui relaxed a little, chuckling just a bit, but ultimately said nothing yet.

All it took was a glance at Rui’s hands that were clenched in fists for Mizuki to realize the two of them needed to help him relax more so he would speak more freely. They looked at Nene and mouthed one single word. Nene nodded, understanding what they must do.

“Rui,” Mizuki got his attention first before reaching out, grabbing Rui’s wrist, and pulling him onto them after turning him so that his back was against Mizuki’s front, arms held to his sides by the beat hug Mizuki pulled him into, their legs wrapping around his legs.

“Eh?! What are you-?”

“Now, Nene~!”

Nene had instantly jumped up off of her place on the bed and got in front of Rui, devious fingers moving his shirt up and wiggling her fingers up and down his abdomen.

“Pfft-!” Rui wriggled around in Mizuki’s grasp, but his ticklish nature caused him to noodle his limbs as he squirmed, shaking his head as if it would help him hold back his laughter. It worked at first… until Nene moved to his sides.

“Nahaha- Mihizuhuhu! Nenehehe! Why ahare you dohoing thihihihihs-…?” Rui’s struggles renewed in their intensity as the ticklish sensation spread through his sides.

“Well, we need you to relax, Rui~,” Mizuki explained, “You know you don’t like to speak your mind when you’re so tense~”

Nene sees how Rui’s bright smile was plastered on his face as she tickled him, cheeks flushed at the prospect of being so helpless as he was being tickled.

While this was torture to him, Rui still had just barely enough mental capacity to not throw his head straight back so he avoided bonking Mizuki in the face when Nene's hands moved up his sides, as far as Mizuki's arms across his chest allowed.

But he really cracked when Nene wriggled her hands into Rui's armpits by moving her hands out and to the other side of Mizuki's arms.

"GYAHAHAHAHAHAHA- NEHEHE AHAHAHAHA STAHAHAHAHAP PLEHEHEHEHEHE-" Rui just about died, his laughter fading out into a silent laughter with tears in the corners of his eyes.

Only then did Nene stop tickling him, smiling down at her very ticklish friend.

Mizuki giggled, letting go of Rui and watching as Rui slid down to the ground in a fit of residual giggles. The two of them smiled at Rui, sitting back into his bed and letting Rui catch his breath.

After he could breathe properly again, Rui chuckled a bit, "... thanks, guys."

"Our pleasure, Rui~" Mizuki smiled.

"Now will you tell us?" Nene adds, also smiling.

"Fihine, yes," Rui stayed sitting on the floor with his back against the side of the bed and both friends messing with his hair, "... it's just that, Tsukasa-kun said something the other day, and I really couldn't figure out why it affected me so much…" he conceded.

Mizuki and Nene hummed in thought in unison.

"And besides that, how do you feel about Tsukasa-kun besides that?" Mizuki knew what questions to ask, Nene thinks.

"Well… he's just so bright and engaging, and just about everything he does is like a show in and of itself… and it…" Rui paused for a moment, "... it makes my heart feel like it's gonna beat out of my chest when he smiles at me…" Rui pauses again.

When Nene looks down at him, she sees his face is bright red.

Mizuki looks at him as well, "... ne, Rui…" he looks up at them, "... have you ever thought that maybe it's because you're falling in love with him?"

Rui froze, tensing for a few moments.

"Eh-?!" He was definitely blushing more somehow. He was literally a tomato.

The next day, they had rehearsal again. This time, Rui went to Wonderstage. Nene met him just outside and she was also just getting there.

"Ne, Nene," Rui got her attention, "I thought about it last night and… would you mind pretending to finish a last minute errand with Emu for maybe the first half hour?"

She smiled knowingly at him and nodded.

When Rui and Nene showed up at the stage, Tsukasa and Emu were there early.

Nene ran on ahead and asked Emu for help running an errand, and said to Tsukasa, "You stay here." Very subtle.

When Tsukasa saw Rui, the brightest smile came across his face and he basically tackle hugged the taller boy, though he made sure not to tackle him too hard. And Rui hugged him back, stumbling back a couple steps with a giggle.

"RUI! Why'd you avoid me so much?? Did I do anything wrong??" Tsukasa's expression almost immediately turned to a frown as he looked up at Rui, still hugging him.

"Well… just a little… but thanks to that, I figured something out. So it's not a big deal, Tsukasa-kun~" Rui explained.

"Tell me what I did, Rui, so I don't repeat that mistake! A world future star cannot be hurting the troupe he leads!" Tsukasa insisted, finally letting go and pulling back.

Rui chuckled after a short pause, "Will you allow me to tell you my realization first, Tsukasa-kun?" It was a genuine question.

Tsukasa tilted his head a little (like a curious puppy, Rui thought) and confusedly said, "... oh, okay."

"... I took several days off…" Rui took a breath, avoiding eye contact, "... I was thinking a lot about something, and Nene and Mizuki helped me realize that I'm in love with you, my star. Your smile, your hair, your style… even how you hated bugs, but you still tolerated me telling you all about them… I… I'm in love with you, Tsukasa Tenma."

The final confession caused his voice to tremble as he felt the tears in the corners of his eyes.

The silence was deafening in the moments that it took Tsukasa to take in all of what Rui had just said.

It took so long that Rui looked back at him with a concerned, "Tsukasa-ku-... mph-!"

But he was cut off when Tsukasa rushed up to him and pulled him down into a kiss.

Was this really happening? Tsukasa Tenma, the brightest and most accepting person he knew, was kissing Rui Kamishiro?

It felt like an eternity, and when Tsukasa finally pulled back, Rui had to catch his breath again. There were tears streaming down Tsukasa's face.

"Sorry, Rui, I-... I never knew you felt the same way…! I fell in love at some point and I didn't know when and… and I didn't say anything because I thought it might weird you out and I didn't want to lose my precious director because of uncontrollable emotions and-... and-"

Rui giggled and pulled him back into a hug to stop him from his rant, and of course, Tsukasa reciprocated.

They didn't realize how long they'd been standing there hugging until Tsukasa finally pulled back again and asked, "... so… what was it that I did…?"

Rui hesitated for a moment before responding, "... it was just… your remark about me not being serious… it… it really shouldn't have bothered me as much as it did so…" he fades off, looking away from Tsukasa again.

The blond looked like he finally understood.

"Ah! I never got to apologize to you for that! I felt really bad after saying it, but I never got the chance be-... but it's still my bad. I'm sorry, Rui."

Rui chuckled, "It's alright, Tsukasa-kun~ after all, it's how I figured out my feelings for you, my precious star~"

Tsukasa blushes… and they kiss again.

#ruikasa #ruikasa angst #tsukasa had a bad day #rui took something way too serious #lee!rui #ler!nene #ler!mizuki

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