#I could make a whole list of things I love about this tin can

[gniteruirui]

I just think he’s neat // doodle

And hard to draw 🧍🧍🧍 💢

#mirage transformers #my art #rui rui art #he it just so cool #friendly #easy going #chill guy #I could make a whole list of things I love about this tin can #favorite #his personality it just chef kiss*

[wynnyfryd]

Trailer park Steve AU part 48

part 1 | part 47 | ao3

cw: mentions of smoking/sexual activity

Chapter 11

February

For two and a half months, Steve’s life goes perfectly. He didn’t realize how far into a pit he’d fallen until Eddie showed up to help Robin and the kids lift him out, but the difference is jarring. Golden hour sunlight after catching a matinée.

Steve spends two months blinking.

He sloughs off his sadness like a snake shedding skin; spends the winter getting back to being Steve, restocks his favorite hair products and restarts his fitness routines — morning runs through the woods, afternoon pick-up games with Lucas and some of his teammates when the weather doesn’t suck. Weightlifting in the evenings because Eddie says he likes how Steve’s arms look when they get a little big, says it’s more fun to pin him down when he knows it’s just for show.

And he tries new things, too, just because Eddie likes them or because the kids think they're cool. He reads a Vonnegut novel. He eats Indian curry. He even learns a song on guitar.

...Sort of.

Eventually.

(Actually, that whole thing goes pretty horribly and takes for-fucking-ever. Eddie spends an afternoon patiently encouraging him and doing his best not to tease while Steve clumsily moves through a beginner chord progression, and then breaks down wheezing when, after the sixth attempt with no improvement, Steve puts the guitar down in a huff and threatens to demote his pinky finger from his hand if it doesn't start cooperating. Eddie laughs so hard he tips face-first into Steve's crotch, and it takes them a sticky-spitty-sweaty half hour to get back to the lesson.)

Anyway, he likes the way their lives entangle. As easy as weaving his hands through Eddie’s hair.

He gets invited to band practice; he sits in on D&D. Sometimes he watches sports with Wayne when he's got a day off, then he heads out with Eddie for long joyrides through the countryside.

Eddie blasts his metal music when they get out to the backroads, and he talks too loudly over the bass and laughs even louder and rants about nothing and smokes cigarettes while he headbangs to his favorite guitar solos — almost lights his hair on fire on more than one occasion, fucking dumbass — and he does this silly, lewd shit that makes Steve's chest just ache. Makes it clench around the word that's been burning a hole in his tongue since New Year's Eve. Eddie wags his brows and palms himself through his jeans and asks if Steve wants to take another joyride when they get home, and Steve thinks:

God, I love you.

I love you.

How could I not love you?

And really, how could he not? And how much longer can he keep not telling him so? When it feels like the word is going to burst out of his chest Alien-style any second.

When it feels like Eddie's the reason he even has a home to get to.

Slowly — so slowly, hours spent thrifting and bartering and keeping an eye out for free stuff left out on the curb, even more hours sanding and painting and caulking and sweating to death between trips to the hardware store — they redo Steve's whole trailer. Floor to ceiling, wall to wall, they exorcise the haunted tin can. They make it his; they make it theirs.

Eddie injects life into every inch of the space, fills it with weird art and funky lamps and a big, comfy leather couch that he likes to bend Steve over. Comes inside him in every room when they get done working on it as a reward; gasps in Steve's ear about how he always wants to be inside him: in his home, in his body, nestled deep inside his heart. "Keep me right here, baby," he breathes as he fucks Steve against a wall, his left hand gripping Steve's chest while he fills him from behind.

It’s perfect.

It's perfect.

Everything is beautiful and nothing hurts unless Steve asks.

And then, because this godforsaken town and everyone in it are fucking cursed, one day it isn’t anymore.

—

part 49

tag list in separate reblogs under '#trailer park steve au taglist' if you'd like to filter that content. if you want to be added please comment and let me know (must be over 21; please either verify in the comment or have your age visible on your blog)

#trailer park steve au #steddie #steddie fic #steve harrington #eddie munson #my writing #my fic #oh giant joseph head we're really in it now

[flightfoot]

Fanfic Recs For Queer Miraculous Fics Completed In 2023

There are a lot of Miraculous fics out there that center around queer pairings or just generally queer themes, so I figured that people might like a reclist for a bunch of queer fics! All of these come from the fic rec lists I came out with earlier in the year of the best Miraculous fics overall from 2023, so if you want to see more fics I recommend, you can check out the collection I set up!

The Universe is an Accidental Ally? by @lostinthe–stars

‘As it turned out, the universe was very homophobic. Or very into overpopulation. Either way, this was bad news for Adrien’ <3 Adrien is dreading his soulmate, just hoping for the best that whoever it is, is down for being platonic soul mates. Luck, for once, is on his side. <3 Just a short soul mate AU oneshot, with a bit of a different spin on things.

This was hilarious! The universe might be homophobic, but it’s terrible at it XD.

---

Confession Plans of Questionable Sanity by yellow14

Nathanael Kurtzberg has a confession to make. He’s in love with his big classmate Ivan. With the help of Marc, Marinette, Adrien and Nino, he’s going to confess, using increasingly complicated schemes. Marc meanwhile, is busy coming up with even more complicated schemes to sabotage those schemes so he can confess HIS feelings for his redheaded friend. Nothing could POSSIBLY go wrong with this, right? Written for the March 2023 gift exchange on the Miraculous Fanworks Discord forum for CassieTheweirdWolf.

This fic’s just really funny. These kids love to make things waaaaay harder than they need to be. But hey, everything ends up working out in the end, even if it’s not the way they planned!

---

All Of Them? Every Single One? by @liiinerle

It turns out that Marinette loves a lot more people than she’d initially thought.

This is hilarious and adorable. Tikki lays out how Marinette has a crush on basically every girl she’s met - and even girls she doesn’t know are girls yet XD. 

---

Anchor by @liiinerle

“Marinette. Please take that sabre out of your neck.” “Right. Thanks. I forgot it was there.” She grabbed hold of the guard and pulled; the blade slid out like it had only been run through butter. After dropping it on the floor, she picked up one of the teacups and picked up a biscuit from a tin she’d brought in; she placed the biscuit on the saucer plate and handed the whole thing to Kagami, who could only really resign herself to accepting it. —– Marinette has raised Kagami from the dead, and also happens to be dead herself. It turns out some bad choices were made in the past. But that doesn’t mean they’ll lead to bad outcomes for them now.

I love this, Marinette’s incredibly blase about being a zombie - which makes sense, given how long she’s had to get used to the idea. And she’s waited so long, tried so hard to bring Kagami back as well, though if she didn’t WANT to be back, she’d accede to that request. Luckily, Kagami doesn’t seem to mind as long as she’s with Marinette XD.

---

Emotional Mountain Ranges by @liiinerle

After Zoé’s attempted romantic confession to Marinette is interrupted by an incensed Chloé and Audrey Bourgeois, she’s left distraught and adrift, a crying mess in an alleyway far from home. Ladybug saves her from the incoming akuma, and tries to help her back on her feet - and Zoé wonders what she could possibly have done to earn this much attention from a superhero…

Lovely Zoenette fic here! I especially like how Marinette talks to Zoe, reassures her that she’s good enough, that she (as Ladybug) isn’t as perfect and composed as she thinks, and just… tries to get Zoe to have more confidence in herself. It’s mostly from Zoe’s perspective too, which I like since there aren’t a lot of Zoe POV fics.

---

You’ll be the prince and I’ll be the princess by @mexicancat-girl

With Team Miraculous now full-time holders, Ladybug has them patrolling in pairs like her and Chat Noir. New partners Pigella and Purple Tigress get along phenomenally, their easy banter and similar wavelengths making working with each other a joy in and out of combat. But sometimes Tigress is surprised just how close she is with her partner. Sometimes she tries not to feel too guilty thinking about it.

There’s some nice Julerose here! I love them kinda getting into a lovesquare with each other, though it’s not as much of a problem as it is in canon since it’s reciprocal in every relationship and they’re both down for a poly. It’s fun, and I love the “Luka attempting to woo some of his love interests” plot going on in the background XD.

---

the best laid plans (of bugs and bakers) by @mexicancat-girl

Paris is buzzing with the appearance of a new ladybug-themed hero, Scarabella. Alya decides to use her second hero identity to help her best friend Marinette. A bit of her flirting with Marinette is bound to make Marinette’s crushes jealous and finally ask her out! Her plan is fool-proof…! Except when it’s not. Not enough people are talking about Scarabella flirting with Marinette. How can Alya properly help her best friend if the news can’t be bothered to cover Marinette’s budding romance with Scarabella and only posts things about Marinette with Chat Noir?! So Alya puts her all into her plan, upping up her flirting each time she appears as the newbie hero Scarabella. This totally does not backfire in any way.

I adore fics that center on Alya, I haven’t exactly been shy about that fact. This is a nice one for some Alyanette adorableness! (And some Scarabella and Chat banter, I really enjoyed reading that as well). “Fake” flirting to make crushes jealous tends to turn real very quickly, and this is no exception. It’s hilarious, Alya’s the last one to figure out that her romantic relationship with Marinette is very much real XD.

---

Within Your Heart by Inkyibis

It’s Valentine’s Day and Ladybug just wants to her superhero partner to find his love. And what she wants, the Lucky Charm will create. If only she could remember what it is she did last night.

Adrino fic here! Marinette’s drunk and feeling awful that her superhero partner is alone on Valentine’s (she’s in a loving and committed relationship with Alya), so she creates a Lucky Charm to help Chat find love! In this universe, Ladybug’s Lucky Charms have the power to create new rules for the universe to follow, such as making one that demands that if you have any magic in you, you have to tell the truth or else you’ll freeze. Or in Adrien’s case, that he has to wake up in the arms of his true love every day XD. It’s very sweet and I love both Adrien’s and Nino’s relationship, and the relationship between the rest of the Miracuteam members as well, even though that’s not the focus.

---

Rocking the Cat-Eyes by @buggachat

“I like being a girl.” “That’s the alcohol talking,” Marinette snorted. “I’ve always been a li’l jealous,” Adrien admitted. “… Of what?” “That you get to be a girl,” Adrien murmured, “and I don’t.” — When Marinette and Adrien host Girls’ Night at their apartment, Adrien is easily welcomed to attend as “one of the girls”… but has a bit too much to drink. Some drunken confessions are spilt, some assumptions are made, and most of all… Adrien is confused.

This is a great Genderfluid!Adrien fic. Marinette actually figures out that Adrien’s not entirely cis before he does, and tries to let him know she’s supportive… but unfortunately Adrien comes to some incorrect conclusions…

Anyway it’s a lot of fun, and Adrien rocks a dress and makeup!

---

Swimming in Circles by @generalluxun

Life has moved on for Marinette Dupain-Cheng. She’s not where she thought she would be seven years ago, but she’s still in a good place. Classes, hobbies, friends, her life is full despite the lingering shades of her faded yet sweet middle-school romance. Then just as quick at the first time, someone drops into her life and turns her into an absolute mess once more. Love and crushes might be her undoing, but she’s got a little more experience this time to weather the storm. This fateful stranger stirs memories as well as emotions inside of her, and with a forthrightness her old self would be jealous of, Marinette takes the plunge.

So this is a Trans fic, with Marinette’s new crush being a trans version of a certain classmate who she doesn’t recognize, who’s changed a lot, for the better. I like how it deals with the baggage she has with that person, has her think that through.

---

Three’s company by @torvalvt

Kagami has been doing her best for years to ignore her feelings for her friends. It doesn’t help that Adrien and Marinette insist on spending as much time as possible with her, even going so far as inviting her along on their dates together. If only the affection she felt for them wouldn’t get in the way of their relationship. Because it is growing harder and harder to tamp down her feelings with how close they are getting to her.

This is adorable. Adrien and Marinette really want Kagami to join their relationship and she just doesn’t dare hope for it. If you want some adorable Adrigaminette from Kagami’s perspective, I recommend checking this fic out!

---

The moment I knew (I’d no choice but to love you) by @bbutterflies

“He’s dating me,” Nino said, taking Adrien’s hand in his own.

Adrien could only stare back at him in shock.

“How dare you all force him to come out?” Nino continued, glaring at the reporters. “That was disgusting.” He pulled Adrien over to the car, guided him in, and shut the door behind them.

In the relative quiet and privacy of the backseat, Adrien finally processed what had just happened. “So… when were you going to tell me we were dating?”

This Adrino fic is delicious XD. Reporters keep hounding Adrien about his love life, so Nino finally gets them off Adrien’s back by fake-dating him. Problem is, Adrien’s actually been madly in love with Nino for years but has never been able to tell him. And now as they’re spending more time together, Nino’s beginning to find that he’s enjoying all these “couple” activities more than maybe he ought to if it’s entirely platonic...

If you want to see Adrien and Nino PINING for each other while “fake” dating (is it really fake if both parties want it to be real?) then you’ve come to the right fic!

---

Evillustrator Reimagined by onewaywriteturn

A full, mostly-standalone rewrite of the episode "The Evillustrator".

Nathaniel never planned to tell anyone about his secret crush on his friend Marc, but his world changes when Chloe picks up his sketchbook and mocks his art in front of the whole class, inadvertently outing him as bisexual. Now as the Evillustrator, he has two objectives: to take vengeance on Chloe for what she did to him and to go on a date with Marc for his birthday.

At the same time, Marinette is already struggling to defend Sabrina from Chloe when she learns of the Evillustrator's crush on Marc, one of her good friends. And while getting Marc involved with an akuma fight is messy enough, the fact that Marc has secretly liked Nathaniel for a long time complicates the situation so much more.

If you ever wanted to see Evillustrator rewritten to focus around NathMarc, this is the fic for you! The two of them just PINE for each other so hard and are so convinced that the other person couldn’t possibly actually want to date them, even with Evillustrator making it uh. Exceedingly obvious XD.

---

In Direct Opposition by @generalluxun

Alya Cesaire is a brand new student to Francis Dupont, to Paris even. The first student she meets is one Chloé Bourgeois, and Alya is determined to make a friend. Things advance Chaotically. Her new 'friend' is definitely a handful, and suddenly Paris has a supervillain and two brand new superheroes! Alya finds herself balancing a lot of things, trying to live up to her ideals and those of her icons.

And then reality seems to contradict itself.

As time progresses it seems to happen more often. Becoming a hero, battling villains, staying alive, working through friendships. Something is lurking, tweaking events at times, changing them, and no one seems aware. Alya will need all her wits to get to the bottom of this. Her investigative mind can only get her so far though, and then she needs to rely on her friends. This is not a foe you can beat head on.

I betaed this entire fic, it’s really good! I adore the focus on Alya’s philosophy here, her determination to be a hero, to help people and defeat evil - and that defeating evil means trying to reform the people doing bad things when possible, to try to save EVERYONE, even the “villain”. I thought it was really clever the ways Alya would redirect Chloe and subtly encourage her to be a better person, while also trying to get the people around her to give her a second chance and keep an open mind. 

Also Alya and Chloe are an adorable sapphic couple XD.

---

Chemistry With Him by @bbutterflies

It kind of sucked Nino was taking chemistry, but classes had filled up fast and he needed to take something and his advisor had said the credits would, somehow, count towards his major. It really sucked he was taking it first thing on a Monday morning (and Wednesdays, and Fridays, unfortunately). But he could get through it. He knew he could.

So no more boys. No distractions. He could do this all on his own.

“Is anyone sitting here?”

Nino looked up to find the source of the voice. A blond, green-eyed, absolutely beautiful someone.

Okay. Maybe one distraction.

Ah, adorable Adrino. This is a universe where Adrien never went to public school, so while Chat Noir, Ladybug, Carapace, and Rena Rouge all know each other (and Marinette, Alya, and Nino all know each other’s identities) they’re unaware that they are all already friends with Adrien. I loved seeing Chat and Carapace excitedly tell each other about their awesome crush/boyfriend, not knowing they were talking about each other XD.

---

Accidents Are Also Miracles by @liiinerle

After a few turbulent days where four new people discover her secret identity, Marinette loses faith in her ability to keep the secret hidden. Wracked with doubts and insecurities, she pleads with Alya to take over as Scarabella, but she still can't let those worries go. Especially not once Monarch starts taking a particular, and personal, interest in her.

Along the way, she also starts to date Kagami, and has to deal with changing feelings about herself, Adrien, Alya, Kagami, and the idea of being Ladybug. At the same time, Alya works to uncover Monarch's secret identity, while Kagami struggles against a controlling parent, and a girlfriend who seems bent on destroying herself - with or without Monarch's involvement.

Fantastic Marigami fic here! You’ve got three major POVs in this fic: Marinette, Kagami, and to my delight, Alya. I loved getting to see Alya cope with taking over as Scarabella especially.

But of course, this fic centers more around Marinette and Kagami, with Marinette struggling with Monarch targeting her, and Kagami struggling against her abusive parent, as well as both of them trying to navigate their relationship together when they know that not everyone will approve. 

There’s also some other plots going on in here, like Sabrina breaking away from Chloe and becoming more independent (and closer to Adrien in fact), as well as a Lila takedown plot, though thankfully not one that involves demonizing other characters. While there are conversations about people believing Lila and siding with her, no one’s actually attacked for it except for Lila herself.

Oh yeah, and while this fic may not have much focus on Adrien, he’s still treated fairly and with respect, even when he messes up. He can make mistakes, but people understand where he’s coming from, and are still kind to him and want things to be okay, and to help him escape his abusive circumstances.

#ml fanfic rec #queer #lgbt #lgbtq

[celestialseph]

november fic rec list (a few days late!)

my blog is 18+, and so are most of these stories. minors are not welcome.

welcome to my (stranger things, you can find the call of duty one here!) november fic rec list! this'll be a combo of october and november. here's all of my favorites from the last two months! enjoy :)

eddie munson

death of me (masterlist) by @munson-trashcan - a sequel to days of the week, which can be found here!

crybaby by @indouloureux - on my top five eddie fics list, seriously. i cannot tell you how often i think of this fic! i've had full-on dreams about it, a round of applause for this one (for all their works, but this one in particular gets a whole ass standing ovation from me).

masterlist from @upsidedownwithsteve - i am still going to link some of my favorite stories from her in their respective sections, but seriously, all her works are fantastic!

masterlist from @sunflowergirl522 - also one with so many amazing stories! (if you didn't see my last rec list, i literally call my cat angel face because of this fic!)

masterlist from @carolmunson - the sadist!eddie stories..... whewwwwwwww

baby, slow it down and baby, kiss me quick by @upsidedownwithsteve

kiss of the knife by @indouloureux

i want your video by @thefreak-thebanished - (i just want it known that as soon as i started typing the title for this, this song came on lol)

trapped heat inside a small, tin box by @chaseadrian

get your fix by @munsonquinns

forget the broom, ride me instead by @laheymaze

breakup sex and part two by @munsonquinns

scream my name by @munsonquinns

scandals & handcuffs; burning altars by @indouloureux

eddie kink series by @corrodedhawkins

right here by @upsidedownwithsteve

kinktober day three: anal by @prettyboyeddiemunson

black dahlia by @munsons-curls

drunk on you by @wndalovebot

life's no fun without a good scare by @nyxoz

making deals by @munsonslove

easily by @roanniom

bad things by @goldenbuckyyy

living dead girl by @usedtobecooler

eddie loves when people hear you fuck by @icyharrington

rocket queen by @sgrantsgf



steve harrington

a little mean for me and a little nice for me by @upsidedownwithsteve

breeding with steve by @forourmoons

take care of me by @fettuccin-e

filthy whispers by @fettuccin-e

sick like summer by @upsidedownwithsteve

keep my hand in yours by @harringtown

hot for teacher by @handful0fteeth

a cozy day with steve by @joellkeeny

lover's lake by @stvharrngton

tricks and treats by @sailor-steve

call it what you want by @sunshinehollandd

missed you by @pillow-titties



steddie

out of touch by @lilacletter

somethin' unholy and dirty, dirty boys by @upsidedownwithsteve

getting high with the boys by @munsonquinns

kinktober day twenty seven: cuckholding by @mcplestreet

boys on film and part two by @corrodedcorpses

steve teaches virgin!reader how to blow virgin!eddie by @usedtobecooler

what best friends are for by @hard-candy-writing

you, me, and steve by @lis-likes-fics



robin buckley

once in twenty lifetimes by @harringtown - this one made me cry, it's so cute and sweet and soft and just all around beautiful. i love it, so much. here's her masterlist because all her robin (and all the rest of them, some of my favorites are scattered in here too!) fics are so, so wonderful.

yours is the first face i saw (ao3) - THE GLASSES FIC! this shit broke me in ways i didn't know a fic could break me. seriously, i couldn't stop sobbing for over an hour. highly, highly, recommend.

absolutely smitten by @sunshinehollandd



blurbs

THE TIKTOK SERIES by @morganbritton132 - literally just scroll the whole account and you'll see why it's my new favorite obsession

robin coming out to the party, chaos ensues by @simpforsauron

sub eddie by @corrodedhawkins

blurb masterlist by @eddies-ashtray

missionary with eddie by @indouloureux

seeing steve for the first time in a while by @joellkeeny

the fruity four living together by @steddiealltheway

not the same steve by @metal-dads

perv!eddie teaching you how to suck his dick by @chainsawmunson

cockwarming with eddie by @mantorokk-writes

modern fruity four living together by @werewolf-stevie

chapstick by @corrodedcoughin

#stranger things #stranger things 4 #eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x steve harrington #steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x you #robin buckley #robin buckley x reader #robin buckley x you #robin buckley and steve harrington #fruity four #fic recs

[nifreti-ii]

Sun x Ex-bouncer Reader x Moon

    I got a little carried away, this shit isn't short what so ever. 1,074 words. Reader is about 5′8 to 6′1

To start, The boys would have already known of your past occupation, Having access to your resume and information.

When Sun first met you, he was pleasantly surprised.

He surely thought you would be some brute!

So when you beamed up at him and firmly shook his hand, he couldn't help but be excited. 

Oh goody! What a lovely new friend! 

And you were so polite and kind to the children when they accidentally came behind the security desk!

And when a little child asked if you'd play hide and seek with them. (Even though Sun insisted you didn't have to) You accepted!

You were such a good sport! 

Even if Moon was making snide comments about how you were just putting on a show, Sun couldn't be happier for their first handler to be you!

You even hugged him and exclaimed how excited you were to work with him at the end of your shift!

Sun spent the whole time buzzing with excitement, much to Moon's dismay. 

It wasn't until the next day, during the scheduled naptime did he understand why Sun liked you so much.

Moon was humming, making sure the children were asleep. Side eyeing you, making sure you weren't doing anything loud.

Just as he passed a child, they got up and ran towards you, gently weeping. 

When he reached the desk, what he saw surprised him.

You had them on your lap, gently cooing at them that it was alright. That Moon was just making sure that they slept safely.

The child sniffled, quietly asking if you could stay with them while they slept.

Surely you would have just handed them to him, right?

Lo and behold, you rested them on your hip, softly smiling at Moon as you passed him.

You tucked the child in, gave them a reassuring whisper, and lay flat next to them. 

And you lay there until naptime was over.

To say Moon was dumbfounded would be an understatement.

Once the day was over, you headed home, giving Sun a hug while saying goodnight to both of them.

For once, during Sun's joyful rant about you, Moon didn't make a snide comment about you.

Things went on like this, Sun dreamily talking about you and Moon being amazed at how genuine you were.

That and the children absolutely adored you, referring to you as Mx. Handler.

Despite your former position as a bouncer, they thought you couldn't hurt a fly.

The key word being thought. 

It happened before the end of your shift. Most of the children were gone.

A little boy, James, was known for especially taking a liking to you. 

You've caught him staring at you more times than naught, blushing as he turned away from you.

His father worked late at a factory, which meant James usually was the last child to be picked up.

A week ago, his father mentioned that his ex-partner wasn't to pick up James.

Sun later confirmed that they were now black-listed from pick up. 

You weren't sure why they were black-listed, but you had an idea.

Sun was busy with the children when the daycare doors opened, and the ex-partner stood there.

"Hi! How can I help you?" You asked, swiftly walking towards them, blocking their view of the daycare.

They reeked of alcohol.

"W-where is James?" They stammered out, slowly swaying. 

Your eyebrow twitched as you looked at them, your smile slowly going sour.

"I'm sorry, but you are no longer authorized to pick up James. I'm going to have to ask you to leave." You said as your shoulder squared out and your posture straightened.

Their face turned red as they slowly brought it closer to yours.

"If you and your tin bucket don't give that fucking kid, I'll make sure you get your ass fired, and that thing gets scrapped." You drew the line when they went to grab you.

In a quick motion, you grabbed their arm and twisted it. They yelped as you kicked in their knee, head locking them as they fell.

Sun quickly ran over after hearing the commotion.

The shock in his body, seeing the malice in your face, dissolved when he saw a knife on the floor.

"Ruler breaker! Rule breaker!" Yelled, marching towards both of you.

"No sharp items in the daycare! Security alert! Security alert!"

With ease, Sun lifted the both of you apart, placing you gently on your feet.

Security bot rushed in and dragged the ex-partner away, screaming and kicking as they were hauled away.

Sun glanced at you before running back towards the children, who were now crying.

You stood there for a moment, memories flooding your mind.

Before you could fall further, a small hand grabbed yours.

Looking, you saw James staring at you, his big eyes sparkling. 

"You know, you're kinda like a hero Mx. handler. You saved us from that big meanie like one would." His smile covered his face as he looked up at you.

You sighed before picking him up. 

"Thanks, James. Let's go to the others, ya?" James nodded.

After telling James's father what happened, he profusely thanked you before leaving. James stared at you the whole time, it was kinda adorable.

It wasn't till the daycare doors closed did the area fill with tension.

Sun stood next to you, his tall frame towering over you.

You looked to the side, eyes downturned.

Instead of a lecture, you felt arms wrap around you.

Sun held you tightly as you returned his hug.

"You should be more careful, friend. You should let me deal with rowdy adults. I don't want you getting hurt." You laughed as he finished.

Sun pulled away, his rays spinning as he tilted his head.

You quieted down before reaching up and gently holding his face in your hand, Sun jumped before nuzzling into it.

"Seems like someone forgot I used to deal with 'rowdy adults' every day as a job." Sun's smile downturned as he pouted.

"Moon says If you don't listen, he'll make you stay the night with us." Sun claimed, staring into your eyes.

"HAHAHA, I'd like to see him try!" You bellowed out.

Your laughter stopped when Sun stared at you, his smile slowly stretching.

What proceeded to follow was a flurry of screams and evil laughter as the daycare was engulfed in darkness.

To say Sun and Moon enjoyed your sleepover wouldn't even cover half of it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lowkey went a little over board, any constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated. Honestly love these two, I WISH THERE WAS MORE OF THEM ACK. hopefully the dlc will give them more time to shine, poor sun probably traumatized D:

#sun x reader #sun x you #sun security breach #security breach #fnaf security breach #moon security breach #moon x reader #moon x y/n #sun x y/n #reader #reader insert #fluff #slight violence #gender neutral s/o #gender neutral #fnaf x you #fnaf x reader #security breach x reader #headcannon #fnaf headcanons #security breach headcanons

[herrmannhalsteadproduction]

Wingman? Wingwoman? Wingperson. (Chapter Four)

Summary: This is Part Seventeen of my series A Herrmann/Halstead Production. It is an AU where Christopher Herrmann's mom had an affair with Pat Halstead resulting in a baby. The series follows this OC character (Rebecca "Bex" Herrmann) as she grows up and gets to know her brothers and the various Chicago teams. It is very much an AU, just to underscore that. It doesn't follow the same timeline and characters will follow different paths.

Click here for the Series Rundown where you can find the links to read all of the previous installments (which I highly recommend you do so that this one makes sense.)

Rating: Teen and Up

Relationships: Christopher Herrmann & Original Female Character, Jay Halstead & Original Female Character, Will Halstead & Original Female Character, Jay Halstead & Will Halstead, pre-Greg 'Mouse' Gerwitz/Original Female Character, Will Halstead/Connor Rhodes, Assorted OC Couples

Warnings: Referenced Domestic Violence and Threatening Behaviour (these are warning tags for a brief scenes with Ty), Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Rejection, Self-Sabotage, Swearing, and I'm adding Emotional Whump because writing this one hurt me, but also on the flip side - Connor and Will still being too freaking cute to handle.

A/N: To underscore my previous note, this is an alternate universe so things have unfolded differently. This will not follow the canon arc exactly by any means. But I hope you'll still enjoy it!

Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Bex

Will called them back in the middle of the afternoon and it was pretty much the best phone call Bex had ever received. Top five for sure.

Her brother was giddy and the two of them were just as bad, drawing stares as they did a happy dance in the middle of the sidewalk. He couldn’t talk long since he had to go back to work, but promised to tell them the whole story later that night.

After his date.

“You’re next, Bex! You got this!” Will’s whispered cheers echoed out of the speaker phone. “I’ve got to get back to work, but I believe in you! Love you, bye!”

He disconnected before she could respond, leaving her standing there holding the phone and giggling as soon as she made eye contact with Emery.

“I would love to be a fly on the wall there for the rest of the day,” Bex said, still chuckling. “He is so spun.”

“That’s going to be you soon enough!” Emery knocked shoulders with her. “Got a game plan yet?”

“Still a work in progress,” Bex mumbled and Emery shook her head.

“Take your own advice, Bexie Babe,” she said. “And breathe.” She linked arms with Bex as they headed back toward the car. “What else was it you said to Will? You’ve already got something great and this is just taking a step toward something even better.”

It had certainly worked out for Will.

“Speak from the heart,” Emery continued. “You’re good at that.”

Breathe and speak from the heart. That seemed straightforward enough. “Okay, yeah,” Bex said, taking a shaky breath. “I’ve got this.”

“Say it again with confidence,” Emery demanded.

“I’ve got this,” Bex yelled.

“Yeah, you do!”

They high-fived and climbed into the Tin Can 2.0 to finish off the rest of their errands. High on Will’s success, they managed to zip through the remainder of the list and soon enough, Bex was dropping Emery off at Kira and Malia’s.

She waited until Emery was safely inside before getting ready to pull out of the parking and just as she was about to leave, her phone went off with a series of dings.

Picking it up, she swiped the screen to see a bunch of messages from Emery.

Pep talk texts before you go! Breathe! Be brave! Remember – horrible, horrible honesty.

And the last one was a bunch of emojis: lips, heart hands, and—

“Seriously?” Bex laughed as she dumped her phone back in the cup holder, ignoring the string of eggplant finishing off the message. Mission accomplished in any case.

A game plan was starting to form…

She felt lighter.

She felt ready.

Well, she needed to grab one more thing and then, she’d be ready.

***

Adam

As far as work days in Intelligence went, this one was actually kinda boring? With a break between cases, Voight had declared it paperwork day which sucked, but at least Adam was all caught up now.

Unlike Halstead, Atwater, and Upton who were still upstairs typing away. Dawson and Olinsky had ducked out awhile ago—no idea how they’d managed to be so fast.

Al typed with two fingers.

Kim was finished too so they’d made plans to meet up for pizza and a beer. He jogged down the front steps of the precinct, whistling to himself and feeling pretty pleased with—

“Adam.”

“GAH!” He flailed away, nearly falling off the last step when Bex popped up out of nowhere.

Where the hell had she come from?

“You’re awfully jumpy,” she said mildly, leaning up against the railing with a tray holding two iced drinks in her hands.

“What are you doing here?” He looked around, trying to keep one eye on her and the other scouting for traps. “If you’re looking for Jay, you’ll be waiting awhile.”

“I’m here to attend to…other business.” She maintained eye contact with him while picking up one of the drinks to take a slow sip.

Other business. Like…revenge business.

“Right. Cool,” Adam said, keeping a careful distance away from Bex as he navigated around her on the sidewalk. “I’ve gotta go, but I’ll see you around.” He kept her in his sights, walking backwards toward the parking lot.

“Not if I see you first,” she called out.

Yeah.

He was inspecting every inch of his car before he got in it today.

***

Bex

That was fun.

She watched Adam scuttle off with a smirk.

“Bold move terrorizing folks outside of a police station,” a familiar voice said.

She spun around to see Mouse standing on the steps behind her, mouth quirked in a crooked little grin.

“They all know it’s justified,” she said, waving a hand at the precinct in general.

Mouse chuckled for a moment until his gaze met hers. All the good humour slowly faded away and tendrils of doubt started to creep into Bex’s mind.

He cleared his throat and adjusted his bag on his shoulder. “So, uh, you looking—you looking for Jay?” He jerked a nod back at the door. “I think he’s gonna be an hour or so still.”

“Actually, I came here to see you,” she said and his gaze snapped back to her.

“Me?” He looked like a deer in headlights and Bex wished she could hear what he was thinking because this one-eighty in his behaviour lately was giving her whiplash.

***

Mouse

Mouse couldn’t breathe.

He’d been trying so hard to keep his distance—to take some time so he could be around Bex and not want…fucking everything.

But now here she was. Standing there looking beautiful with a smile of pure sunshine and she was here for him.

And he couldn’t.

Breathe.

How was he supposed to do this?

“I got you one of those iced caramel monstrosities you like,” she said with a teasing grin, holding out a cup with a familiar logo. His favourite coffee shop from three streets over.

He unclenched a hand from the strap of his bag and reached out to accept it with a jerk. “Thank you,” he managed to say.

“Soooo…” Bex tossed the tray in the trash and rocked back on her heels, taking a small sip of her drink. “You busy right now?”

Say yes and walk away.

Say yes.

Walk.

Away.

“Well, I’ve got this monstrosity to work my way through now,” he said instead, clearly not in control of his own mouth anymore.

“What do you think about taking a walk with me while you do that?” Bex asked, fingers clenching on her cup as she bit at her lip.

If he was a better man… a stronger man…he would say no. Mouse could see where this was headed from a mile away. It had been building for weeks. Months really.

There was never any real possibility of hiding from it. Distance was never going to stop it.

Inevitability made him a weak man. He needed to live in this fantasy for a few moments longer and pretend that this was his life. That he and Bex were taking this step toward something more.

Something great.

Instead of a mistake.

He wanted a few more minutes to pretend he could have this because when it ended how he knew it was going to end…the fantasy would be all he had left.

Mouse wanted to hold onto as many scraps as he could.

“Yeah,” he murmured, hating himself for giving in to this desperate need. “I could go for a walk.”

***

Bex

Bex and Mouse walked down the sidewalk together, bumping arms occasionally as they drifted into each other’s space. He filled her in on the boring day of paperwork they’d had and she told him about Emery’s progress.

Easy chit-chat that barely masked the humming tension between them.

She was doing this. Bex could hardly believe it, but she was doing this. The first part of the plan—get Mouse’s attention with a tasty beverage—has been successfully navigated and now she just had to make it through step two.

Set the stage.

There was a little garden park a block south of the precinct. Erin had actually introduced her to it one time when they met up for coffee. It was fairly quiet, nicely shaded, and had the added benefit of being relatively neutral ground that she and Mouse could both escape from if things went seriously south.

Plus a nice little bench they could make out on if things went seriously well.

…way to get ahead of yourself, Bex.

She deftly steered them into the park and made a beeline for the bench, patting the spot beside her for Mouse to take a seat.

He veered left instead, taking a spin around to look at the flowers.

Okay.

That was fine. She could pour her heart out while standing just as easily.

Well, not easily either way, but whatever.

Bex left her drink on the bench and wandered over to Mouse’s side. He was staring hard at a bed of daylilies, jaw clenched.  

He looked stressed.

…maybe this wasn’t the right moment.

But what if there was never a right moment? There was always something going on and finding a perfect time was probably never going to happen.

And if he was freaking out about them getting closer, then there was never going to be a moment unless she took the initiative.

So.

Time to leap.

“Mouse,” she said quietly, but still managing to startle him. “Sorry. Um, I came looking for you today because there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”

His forehead furrowed into a deep frown. “Bex—”

“Just let me get this out, okay?” She said in a rush, holding up a hand to ward off whatever he was going to say. She’d come too far to stop now.

“We’ve known each other for…a long time now,” Bex said with a little laugh and he smiled back at her faintly. “You’re one of my best friends, but I feel like lately, we’ve been getting even closer and it feels like we’re moving toward something—something more than friends.”

Oh, god, could she be any more awkward?

Focus, Bex.

“What I’m trying to say is that I would like that. And I’ve been getting the feeling that you would too,” she said, voice going up in a questioning note. “So, would you like to go on a date? With me?”

Bex held her breathe as all her hope and fear and excitement swirled in one terrified vortex.

Mouse’s eyes went wide. “Bex, no—”

Her brain stuttered to a halt and the vortex stopped.

Everything was silent.

Then that crack, the one deep inside that had been patched up so crudely, split and opened its jagged maw.

She—

She’d done it again.

What the hell was wrong with her?

To think that Mouse could lo—that he might—

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I think I misjudged what was happening here and—oh, gosh. I’m so sorry, Mouse, please forget I said anything, okay?”

“No, Bex, no—” He grabbed at her arm to stop her very necessary retreat and she couldn’t look him in the eye because she was two seconds away from losing it.

“Not no no,” he said and what did that mean? Did he not know any other words right now?

“I’m trying.”

Oh. She’d said that out loud.

“Bex, please look at me,” Mouse said and it was the desperate note in his voice that had her looking up. “Not no, I don’t want to, but no, I can’t. We can’t.”

“What do you mean, we can’t?” Bex halted her escape attempts and now Mouse wouldn’t meet her gaze. “I need a little bit more here, Mouse, because I’m so confused.”

“You didn’t misjudge anything,” he said softly. “There was something there.”

…was.

“I thought about being with you. Wanted that so much.”

She reached out to lay a gentle hand on top of his. “Me too,” she said. “Don’t you think it’s worth trying?”

Mouse shook his head in a rough jerk. “It would be a mistake,” he said flatly, stepping back.

“Or it could be amazing,” Bex said. “And honestly, I’d put better odds on that outcome.”

“No, it would never work—”

“I think you could give us both a little more credit.” Frustration was starting to edge out the shock now.

“It wouldn’t be you,” Mouse said, looking out at the garden with a thousand-yard stare. “I would mess it up, Bex. There are things you don’t know about me—”

“But I want to know—”

“I could never be who you need me to be.” He tapped a fist against the centre of his chest. “I can’t give—there’s no way it wouldn’t end in disaster, Bex and then—I’d lose you.”

She didn’t know what to say. How to break through this horrible imaginary scenario he’d spun for himself. “Mouse, no—”

“I’d lose you,” he said, firm now in his conviction. “And I’d lose Jay and I can’t do that, Bex. You and Jay are the most important people—you’re my family.”

Mouse moved back into her space suddenly, gripping her hands in his. “I can’t risk it. Do you—please understand, Bex,” he said, voice breaking. “Losing you and Jay would be it for me. I couldn’t survive that. I can’t—it would—”

“Okay.” Bex fought to keep her voice level as the reality of things finally settled in. “It’s okay, Mouse. I understand.”

There would be no convincing Mouse that his fears were unfounded.

She couldn’t say with one hundred percent certainty that they weren’t because no one could predict the future—although Mouse seemed to think he could—and maybe they would end in disaster.

She’d rather try and see how it went then never try at all, but it took two of them to make that decision. Bex liked to think that their friendship could survive a break-up, but maybe that was her being naïve.

Maybe Mouse was saving them from a broken future, but that thought didn’t do anything to fix the widening crack of pain and grief spreading through her.

They were trading possible, imaginary future heartache for very real heartache right now.

How was this better?

Bex dug deep and forced a small smile on her face. Mouse looked like he was careening toward a panic attack and she knew how hard it must have been for him to get all of that out.

The last thing she ever wanted was for him to lose his family.

For them to lose each other.

For them both to fall apart.

At least she had more people to help her pick herself back up.

Mouse had Jay.

And he had her.

She could suck it up and hold them both together for now.

“You are never going to lose us, Mouse,” she said, squeezing his hands back. “You’re my family too and I don’t know if you’ve noticed this about us Herrmanns, but once we latch on to you, you’re stuck with us for life.”

They both chuckled a little wetly at that.

“We will always be friends,” she said. “We will always be family. Nothing could ever happen to make us lose each other.” She shifted their hands into a pinky swear. “I promise.”

He stared down at their joined fingers as she shook them. “I’m so sorry, Bex,” he began.

“Shut up.” She released his hands and pulled Mouse into a hug. He held stiff for a moment before putting his arms around her and holding tight. “Believe that we’re going to be okay,” she said. “That’s all I want from you.”

“Okay,” he whispered into her hair.

She’d try to believe it too.

They had to be.

***

Mouse

Bex left shortly after that, saying she had to pick up Emery.

Mouse stayed in the little park, sitting on the bench and peeling at the edges of the label on his cup thinking that if he waited long enough…the ache in his chest would go away.

That the knowledge he’d done the right thing would kick in and he wouldn’t feel like he’d gone ahead and destroyed everything that mattered the most to him anyway.

But deep down, he knew.

He knew—

This wasn’t how doing the right thing was supposed to feel.

***

Bex

Bex sat in her car outside of Kira and Malia’s building.

She’d somehow found her way back to the Tin Can and driven all the way there without noticing and that was definitely not good. She was lucky she didn’t get into an accident.

The sun was beating down on the windshield making it rapidly more uncomfortable in her sweat-sticky seat, but she couldn’t move yet.

Not when moving meant facing people and facing people meant telling them—

She couldn’t move yet.

Her phone buzzed and she fished it out of the cupholder to check the message.

Will.

Checking in to see how it went.

Oh, god, she couldn’t tell him. He’d totally cancel his date with Connor and he was so excited for it. She didn’t want to be the one to ruin that.

She’d had her fill of ruining things today.

BEX: I chickened out.

A laugh slipped out at the keyboard smash he texted back. Another rapid fire set of texts followed it.

WILL: We’ll work on your game plan. WILL: It’ll be GREAT!!! You’ll see!

BEX: Sounds like a plan. Have fun on your date. Emery and I will be at Kira and Malia’s so you’ve go the apartment to yourself. 😉

WILL: a;lsdfa;ds

BEX: How red is your face right now?

WILL: STOP WILL: IT’S OUR FIRST DATE

BEX: I’m just saying…

WILL: 😩😩😩 WILL: We’re taking it slow, okay? WILL: I don’t want to mess this up.

A lot of that going around.

BEX: Sorry, I’ll stop teasing. It’s going to be great. You guys are perfect for each other. BEX: Have fun, okay? I can’t wait to hear all about it.

WILL: See you tomorrow

Yeah. She definitely was going to hold off telling him the truth for a few days. He deserved to have this time right now.

They could deal with her disaster later.

Bex took a deep, bracing breath and headed up to Kira and Malia’s apartment.

You’re okay.

You can talk about this.

You’re fine.

She knocked on the door and Kira answered immediately, Malia and Emery peering over her shoulder from behind.

Kira took one look at her face and reached out to pull her inside. “Oh, sweetie.”

Bex bursts into tears

***

Actual and Honorary Bastards Group Chat

MALIA: 911 MALIA: everyone come here now

ISAAC: WHAT’S WRONG?

SAM: do you need actual 911? We’ve talked about this, Malia

FAITH: Use your words

MALIA: Mouse said no.

DEVON: ON OUR WAY

BEN: We’re getting in the car

MALIA: wait

SAM: ????

MALIA: bring snacks MALIA: and alcohol MALIA: a lot.

***

Isaac

Their crew was assembled at Kira and Malia’s within twenty minutes.

He wasn’t quite sure what kind of scene they’d be walking into—everyone remembered AJ—but Bex seemed remarkably composed.

That was actually more disconcerting if he was honest.

She was teary as she gave them the run-down of her conversation with Mouse, but every time her voice started to break or she got choked up, she stopped and tamped it all down before continuing.

A quick glance around at his friends told him they were growing just as concerned.

“I’m so sorry, Bex,” Emery said, reaching over from her spot beside her on the couch to rub her back. “You must be crushed.”

“It’s not like we were even dating,” Bex said, looking down as she knitted her fingers together in her lap.

“That doesn’t make what you feel any less real,” Faith said softly. “It didn’t have to be official for there to be a real relationship there.”

Bex nodded, swallowing hard. “I just—I feel like I should have realized that’s why he wasn’t making a move, you know? And now I’ve pushed it and freaked him out and what if it’s all ruined anyway? I shouldn’t have said anything—”

“Bex, stop.” Isaac made his way over to the couch and wiggled his way in between her and Kira. “Anyone who saw the two of you together could tell there’s something special there and you’re not a mind reader, okay? Don’t beat yourself up for putting yourself out there.”

“I’m worried he’s going to pull away even more now—”

“You don’t let people get lost, Bex,” Emery said with a gentle smile. “Not for long and never forever. Mouse is in the Herrmann orbit for good and he’ll figure that out soon enough.”

“Okay. Yeah, I guess we just…see how it goes.” Bex sniffed and rubbed at her face before glancing around the room. “Please tell me there’s junk food in those bags you hauled in.”

“So much!” Devon hopped up and started rifling through them. He tossed Bex a bag of salt and vinegar chips first. “We’ve got you covered, girl.”

Isaac used the food distraction as a chance to slip away. His phone had been buzzing non-stop with people wanting to hear how it went.

Wanting to hear the good news that didn’t exist.

As far they knew, it was a sure thing so what was the harm in a few—many—playful check-ins.

They had Bex safely squared away, but he had no idea where Mouse was and he didn’t want to risk anyone making a playful comment to his face.

The guy had made a mistake, but he had to be hurting just as much as Bex right now.

Taking a deep breath, Isaac unlocked his phone and opened up the message thread that had been hopping all day.

He said no. Still getting the details. Best if everyone just forgets about this for now.

Two seconds of silence and then…

The Bouse group chat erupted.

***

Bex

Isaac’s phone was going crazy. He’d muted it, but she could see him peeking at it every once in awhile and a flood of notifications flashing across his screen every time.

“Okay, what is going on?” she finally asked, not able to take it anymore.

Whatever it was, maybe it would be a good distraction.

“Hm?” He quickly flipped his phone face down again, not looking at her. “Oh, nothing. Sorry. Work stuff.”

Right.

“Isaac,” she said and he hummed, still not looking her way.

Her friend was wonderful at so many things, but lying to people’s faces was not one of them.

“Isaac, look me in the eye and tell me that’s work stuff.”

He looked her in the side of her nose as he picked up his phone and started to get up off the couch. “It’s work—oof!”

Bex leapt across Emery to snatch the phone out of his hands. “You forget I know your unlock code,” she said.

“No, Bex!” He tried to grab it back, but she already had it open and more notifications were flashing across the screen. “I’m so sorry,” he said, flopping back on the couch. “I—”

“Is this?” She swiped through the messages. “There was a bet going on me and Mouse?” She looked up to see a room full of regretful nods and Emery rolling her eyes.

“For the record, I was not involved,” she said. “I haven’t even been here.”

“Who is?”

“Pretty much all of Fifty-One and a good chunk of the precinct and Med,” Sam admitted. “Not Chris and Cindy or Jay and Will. Or Connor actually.”

“Are you mad?” Isaac asked in a small voice. “We didn’t mean for it to get this big.”

Bex sighed. She wanted to be, but she didn’t have the energy. And honestly, she wasn’t even surprised. Fifty-One had been betting on everything for as long as she’d known them. And she knew how easily their shenanigans spiralled out of control. They couldn't help themselves.

Part of her wished they’d managed to curb those impulses for this particular situation though. She didn’t need it to get any messier than it already was.

“I’m not mad.” She waved the phone at him. “I’m more concerned about these reactions because you know how my family is. I don’t want anyone saying anything to Mouse.”

Well-meaning or not, it would make things ten times worse. None of them could possibly understand all of the layers at work. They’d just see her hurting and want to take action.

“I’m gonna—” She motioned toward the screen of Isaac’s phone.

“Oh, for sure,” he said. “Go ahead. It’ll be better coming from you I think anyway. More effective.”

Oh, she could do effective.

Bex opened the group chat and started a voice message.

“Hello family and friends. This is Bex. Yes, I know about the bet. I hope you all lost money. By now you’ve heard that ‘Bouse’—who thought of that by the way? Never mind. Not important. Bouse isn’t happening and the most important thing to know here is that it’s no one’s fault. It is what it is, okay? Under no circumstances is anyone to say anything to Mouse. Not one word. If you do, I will know and I will make your life a living hell. And on top of that, I will never make any of you cookies every again. Think about that. If one of you steps over the line, no one gets cookies. Forever. So please just…try and be cool, okay? Love you. Bye.”

She closed the chat and tossed the phone over to Isaac before leaning against Emery with her eyes closed. Everyone was quiet for a minute. Emery stroked her hair.

“Chief Boden is backing you up in the chat and telling everyone to behave,” Isaac reported and Bex sat straight up.

“Uncle Bo was in the chat? God, you really did get everyone.” Bex shook her head. “Okay, no, we’re officially done with that little side quest. It’s too much. Food and drink and snuggles, now, please.”

Her friends leapt into action and she let them do all of the fussing. She was going to let herself be a mindless slug for the next few hours.

Except—

She should do one last thing.

Bex picked up her own phone and sent a quick text to Jay.

Would you mind going to check on Mouse? No questions asked, please. Just do me a favour and check?

He immediately asked a bunch of questions, but when she didn’t respond just wrote “Okay.”

There.

Now Mouse had someone too.

*** Shay

She stared down at her phone. “Don’t say it,” she said, holding up a finger to Julie, knowing she was giving her a look without even having to check. “I know, okay? I know.”

“I wasn’t going to say I told you so.” Julie cuddled up beside her on the couch, hooking her chin onto Shay’s shoulder as she checked out the rapid fire messages being exchanged in the group chat. “I was going to ask if anyone has actually talked to Bex. Do we know how she is? How she really is?”

Shay shook her head. Isaac had been light on details, but she could read between the lines. Plus, Bex sounded awful in the voice memo she’d left in the chat.

They needed to start organizing. Figure out ways to support Bex.

If there was one thing she knew about heartbreak—hard won through her years and years of experience with it—

It always got worse before it got better.

***

Jay

He made his way over to Mouse’s place in record time.

Bex had sent him that cryptic freaking message and then refused to respond to him so he had no idea what he was walking into.

A prickle of fear crawled up the back of his throat as he thought about past situations he’d walked into with Mouse. Things he thought his friend would never come back from.

“Mouse!” Jay banged on the door. “You in there? Open up!”

He kept on banging until the door finally opened.

Mouse stood there, looking like shit and blocking his way in. “What’s up, Jay? You’re gonna get me kicked out of the building if you keep yelling like that.”

“What’s up?” Jay tried to move forward, but Mouse wasn’t budging. “You tell me what’s up? Bex sent me a text asking me to check up on you—”

Mouse’s face did something complicated at that before settling back into a blank stare.

What the fuck was going on?

“Why is she worried about you? What happened?”

“She’s probably just worried because I’m doing what you said.” Mouse focused on a spot on Jay’s shoulder as he talked, voice slow and flat. “Pulling back a bit. Keeping my distance.”

That wasn’t—no, Mouse had got it twisted somehow.

“I didn’t mean don’t hang out with her,” Jay said. “I want us all to hang out like we always do. I just meant it was a bad idea to date.” He started to dig his phone out of his pocket. “Look, I’ll text her and we can have a movie night or something and get some pizza—”

“Jay.”

His tone stopped Jay mid-screen swipe. Jay looked up to see Mouse watching him with a pain in his eyes that he hadn’t seen there for awhile now.

“You’re not getting it, man,” he said. “If I can’t—you said it would be a mistake, right? And I get that. I do. So, I’m trying to walk it back, but it’s—it’s hard.” Mouse’s hand gripped at the door as he took a breath. “…I just need a bit of space.”

“Mouse—”

The door was shut and Mouse was gone before he could finish his sentence.

“Shit,” Jay whispered to himself as a voice in the back of his head started rumbling that he may have seriously fucked up.

***

Will

Will had been counting down the minutes until his shift was over, racing home as soon as he was free. He fed Kol, took him out for a walk, and then hopped into the shower.

Then he stared at his closet and really wished Bex was home.

He settled for sending her pictures of his outfit options until she and her friends helped him narrow it down to the perfect one.

Will felt like a teenager getting ready for his first date. It was a little bit ridiculous.

But fun?

He decided not to examine it too hard.

One final check on his hair and he was out the door to pick up his date.

Connor was waiting for him at the door of his building, but Will managed to get out to open the car door before he made it there. “I would have come up to your apartment,” he said. “Knocked on your door for the whole nine yards.”

“Okay, don’t laugh,” Connor said, pointing at warning finger at him. “ButIgottooexcited.”

“What?” Will laughed, hearing enough of that mumbled mess to get an idea of what he said.

“I got too excited to wait upstairs and decide to come down to wait for you here,” Connor said, rolling his eyes. “Happy now?”

“Yes, actually,” Will grinned at him as he got in the car. “Very.”

They had dinner at one of Will’s favourite restaurants—an Italian place that was more hearty, than fancy. They stopped at a bar afterwards—not Molly’s because neither of them was interested in that level of scrutiny on a first date—for some after dinner beers and a few rounds of darts.

Will kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and for things to take some kind of turn, but it was…

Amazing.

Conversation flowed easily between them with lots of laughter. They stuck to fun and interesting things. Kept it light. They’d had plenty of heart to hearts already so there was an unspoken agreement to lean into the levity of a first date.

And then there was the flirting.

Apparently Connor had been holding back before because Will was overwhelmed in the best way possible. Although he liked to think he was giving as good as he got if Connor’s heated glances were anything to go by.

They stayed out until midnight. Hours later than they should have considering the day they’d both worked, but neither of them had been ready to say goodnight too soon.

Will took Connor back home and walked him to his front door.

“I like the whole nine yards,” Connor said, quirking a smile at him before leaning in. “So…where does a goodnight kiss fall on the taking it slow spectrum?”

He pretended to think it over. “It’s allowed,” Will finally said, moving to close the distance between them.

It was tentative to start, in the way of first kisses, until Connor tilted his head just so and everything slotted into place. Will felt the sparks down to his toes as he deepened the kiss.

He chased the feeling until Connor made a surprised noise and Will pulled back to see he’d somehow crowded Connor into the wall of the building.

Oops.

“We should probably stop before we break the spectrum,” Connor said, sounding a little breathless.

“Right,” Will released him with an embarrassed chuckle. “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t be.” Connor darted forward to give him one last peck. “I liked it.” He smiled at Will before saying goodnight and heading inside.

Will’s phone went off as he headed toward his car and he knew before he checked it would be Connor.

CONNOR: What are you doing Friday night?

WILL: Going on a date with you?

CONNOR: My fancy car and I will see you at seven.

WILL: I’ll be waiting on the sidewalk.

He knew he was grinning like an idiot the whole ride home, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care.

He’d gone on a date with Connor Rhodes.

And it was awesome.

Walking back to a Bex-less apartment was less awesome. He wanted to tell her every single detail, but that was going to have to wait until tomorrow.

At least he wasn’t completely alone.

“Kol,” he said, as he flopped down on the couch. “Come here and let me tell you about the wild day I had.”

***

Bex

She and Emery made it back to the apartment by ten the next morning. Well after the time Will would have left for work so at least she wouldn’t have to face him until that night.

Or so she thought.

His stuff was all hanging by the door when she opened it and she could hear humming coming from the kitchen.

“Will?” She called out, sharing a resigned glance with Emery. “What are you doing home? Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” he called back. “Somebody needed a switch so I don’t go in until noon. Glad I still get to see you…” He trailed off as he came out of the kitchen and got a good look at her as she stood in the living room.

She tried to look normal, but—

“Oh, Bex,” he said, face falling as he made his way over in two strides. “What happened?”

“I’m fine,” she said, but her voice breaking on the last word didn’t help her cause at all.

Kol lifted his head up from the couch and whined at her.

“Kol says that’s bullshit,” Will said.

“Language, Kol,” she managed to mutter before Will had her wrapped up in a gigantic hug. He maneuvered her toward the couch, getting Kol to scoot over to make room. Emery murmured something about making tea as she headed for the kitchen.

“I really am okay, Will,” she started to say before he cut her off with a flat look. “I will be okay,” she amended. “Talking with my friends last night helped a lot.”

“You can talk to me too,” he said earnestly and she loved him for it, but—

“What I really want to do right now is talk about your date.”

“Are you sure?” He didn’t look convinced by that plan of action at all.

“Oh, my god, yes,” she exclaimed. “I need the serotonin, okay? Do not leave a single detail out. I want to hear about the date. I need to hear about the asking! I mean, I know it went well, obviously, but I want to hear it all from you.”

“I did the sleeve thing,” Will said, already blushing.

“I knew it would work,” Emery yelled from the kitchen.

“Yeah, definitely not how you thought it would though,” Will said, rolling his eyes. He proceeded to tell them the whole hilarious story and Bex sat back, letting herself bask in her brother’s joy.

***

Bex

Later that night, when it was dark and quiet and Will was still at work, she and Emery sat on the couch with Kol between them.

“How are you really doing?” Emery asked her.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Bex shot back.

Silence filled the space between them as neither one moved to answer the question.

But—

Horrible, horrible honesty, right?

“I’m not okay,” Bex whispered. “I feel like I’m walking around with my chest ripped open and I’m trying to hold it together and it shouldn’t be that hard, but every step keeps dragging me down.”

Emery nodded, reaching over Kol to grab her hand. “I’m not okay either,” she said. “I thought I could keep busy and distract myself, but I’m—I’m scared all the time, Bex, and it’s so exhausting. I hate that everything is such a mess, but I can’t find my way through it.”

Bex shuffled around to fully face her on the couch. “I don’t want to talk to my brothers about this right now,” she said. “It’s just too complicated—it’s too much, but—”

“You need to talk about it,” Emery said.

“We both need to talk,” Bex countered. “About all of this stuff. Without pretending we’re okay.”

“So, we’ll be not okay together for awhile.” Emery squeezed her hand and Kol grumbled, rolling over on the couch so they could give him belly rubs. “I can handle that.”

Not okay. Together.

Sounded like a plan.

If you need something to make you smile after reading this and you haven't spotted it yet, I rewrote the break room scene as a little ficlet from Connor's perspective. It's called I'm Looking Disrespectfully, Sir and you can read it here. (Two other bonus ficlets are also available: IT'S DECEMBER 23RD, WILL!!! which takes place before Sometimes You Need and The Grocery Store Trip which takes place after Game Night 2: Fresh Blood. Hope you check them out!😀)

Click here to read Part 18: Honesty. Horrible, Horrible Honesty.

Click here to read Wingman? Wingwoman? Wingperson. on ao3:

And here is the tag list (let me know if you wish to be added or removed):

@sorry-i-spaced, @iunnowatuwant, @thegirlwhowishedeveryonelived, @ivyalmighty, @thewannabewriter, @lexhalstead3, @multifandomgrl08, @foxes-and-cats, @sensitivemallysix, @thebewingedjewelcat

#A Herrmann/Halstead Production #one chicago #chicago fire #chicago pd #chicago med #jay halstead #will halstead #christopher herrmann #oc character #rebecca 'bex' herrmann #a herrmann/halstead production #alternate universe #not canon #not beta read #angst #emotional hurt/comfort #rejection #self sabotage #flirting #first date #supportive friends #sibling bonding

[kawarikisaki]

Maybe the Ekoda gang could do a Wizard of Oz group costume with Akako as the wicked witch of the west , Hakuba as the tin woodsman, Kaito as the titular wizard , Aoko as Glenda and Keiko idk the scarecrow. That way Akako can dress as a more traditional witch.

Okay so I love this and am maybe thinking way too hard about it because my brain has decided to just run wild with the idea of the Ekoda gang putting on the Wizard of Oz as a class play....

And if you needed any evidence for how much I've latched on to this:

I love excuses to play dress up but anyway....

They're doing this for the school festival and there's a prize for the class that gets the most votes of being the best, and I can't decide what the prize is, but whatever it is our beloved Ekoda gang has decided they must win. (like really funny if it's just a pizza party or something, but maybe there's a trophy that has a gem in it and Aoko wants to have it so she can protect it from Kid and the others are along for the ride).

So Aoko is playing Glenda, but she feels like she's been miscast, because 'isn't this character supposed to be super pretty? Wouldn't Akako be better for this?'. But everyone is reassuring her and Akako is really happy in her evil witch role- she's even practicing her evil cackle, really living her best life.

Kaito is playing the wizard, but let's face it, Kaito is as extra about things as he can be at any given time. So he's also the make-up artist for the whole production, and also in charge of all special effects (the class knows he's a magician, they know how good he is when he's just having fun, they're going to enjoy having his chaos as a weapon in their arsenal to win at school festival-ing.)

Saguru definitely bummed at least one of their classmates out a little bit casually mentioning how the Tin man in the classic movie had gotten very sick because of make-up made with a lead based paint, it's how he ended up in that role. Saguru is pretty sure Kaito doesn't dislike him enough to try to make him sick.... but he has noticed that Kaito is being very intentional about making sure that he can't see the label on the silver make-up he's using....

Anyway I'm gonna stop before this becomes a whole fanfiction (though it is getting added to my list of story ideas...)

#dcmk #magic Kaito #Kuroba Kaito #Koizumi Akako #Hakuba Saguru #Nakamori Aoko #my art #asks #I slipped one of my less canon-grounded headcanons into the art this time #wonder if anyone will notice....

[petcr3]

petcr3’s RomCom Party! { a Valentine’s Day event }

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s with friends, a significant other, by yourself, or not at all, there’s one thing no one can resist… a good ol’ romantic comedy!

So to celebrate V-Day, I’m hosting a movie party! Send in the movie titles, guests, and snacks that correlate to your favorite tropes, characters, and extra flair! Feel free to be specific in what you’re looking for or let me take the reins! You can make a whole movie marathon or just come for the snacks, it’s up to you! While I can’t guarantee I’ll get to everything (and I’ll definitely be working on this stuff past February 14th) I’m really excited to be taking requests again!

Check out the options below!

The Guest List (aka who I’m accepting prompts for)

Top Gun: Maverick - Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, Reuben “Payback” Fitch, Robert “Bob” Floyd, Mickey “Fanboy” Garcia, Javy “Coyote” Machado, Jake “Hangman” Seresin, and Natasha “Phoenix” Trace

Leverage - Tara Cole, Sophie Devereaux, Alec Hardison, Parker, Eliot Spencer

Stranger Things - Jonathon Byers, Robin Buckley, Chrissy Cunningham, Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Nancy Wheeler

The Amazing Spider-Man - Peter Parker (as played by Andrew Garfield), Gwen Stacy

Movies (aka tropes, scenarios, etc)

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days - Dating based on a bet! Specify whether you’d prefer the reader or the love interest to be the one making the bet. Otherwise, dealer’s choice!

13 Going on 30 - Childhood friends/Friends to lovers, perhaps a la the girl/boy/person next door trope!

Say Anything - Grand romantic gestures! Can be for any reason; specify if you like! Maybe a character wants to apologize or someone needs cheering up. Maybe even a love confession!

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World - This one’s all about exes. That could mean exes to lovers, a run in with an ex while out with a partner, or just a simple dating history conversation. If you feel called to, get creative!

Sleepless in Seattle - Anything long distance/related to being apart!

You’ve Got Mail - Enemies/rivals/frenemies to lovers!

Bridget Jones’s Diary - Love triangle or two (or more!) characters competing for someone’s heart!

My Best Friend’s Wedding - Love is in the air… somebody’s getting married! Who knows what could happen? Meet cutes, objections, love confessions, or whatever your heart desires!

No Strings Attached - When friends with benefits become something more!

The Proposal - All things fake dating! Green card marriages, making someone jealous, helping out a stranger at a bar, placating the family… it’s all on the table!

He’s Just Not That Into You - Not so unrequited love! Mutual pining, idiots to lovers, etc.

Never Been Kissed - This one’s for firsts! First kiss, first time, first date, first relationship! Can be a one-sided first (ie, character A’s first kiss ever) a mutual first (both characters have never had a serious relationship before) or a together first (first time the characters have been together).

It Happened One Night - Road trip! Is this a romantic getaway? Is someone running from a bad breakup? Is this just a fun drive between friends that blossoms into something more? You decide!

Snacks (aka extra plot elements/details)

Candy Hearts: a love confession occurs!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries: the story takes place on Valentine’s Day!

Popcorn: the characters sing karaoke (or sing along to any kind of accompaniment)

Pop Rocks: the characters fight! (And then make up because I said so)

Cotton Candy: any kind of hurt/comfort, whether it be emotional or of the whump variety

Bonus (aka flavor of fic)

Musical - Song Fic! Either choose a song or I’ll pick one that I think fits the vibe of your choices!

Rated R - Things get a little heated… (it’s smut)

Sequel - What it says on the tin! A sequel to a previous prompt reply!

Happy Valentine’s Day everybody! I can’t wait for you to join the party! 💘

#petcr3romcomparty #top gun maverick imagine #top gun maverick x reader #bob floyd x reader #hangman x reader #jake seresin x reader #rooster x reader #bradley bradsaw x reader #phoenix x reader #natasha trace x reader #fanboy x reader #mickey garcia x reader #javy machado x reader #coyote x reader #payback x reader #reuben fitch x reader #eddie munson x reader #steve harrington x reader #robin buckley x reader #nancy wheeler x reader #Chrissy Cunningham x reader #eliot spencer x reader #Alec Hardison x reader #Parker x reader #peter parker x reader #andrew garfield!spiderman x reader #andrew!peter parker x reader #peter 3 x reader #leverage imagine #leverage x reader

[digestionsack]

Mike’s Playlist Analysis: Part 1

*Adjusts tin foil hat* Alright gang leggo.

1: “Love is a Stranger” by Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, and Dave Stewart

Starting off a little chill.

“Love is a stranger/In an open car/To tempt you in/And drive you far away”—Definitely giving Byler road trip vibes. This actually isn’t the first time cars are mentioned (see “Cars” by Gary Numan, #11 on this list), and “drive you far away” is really fitting with the “running away” motif I have noticed in Mike’s playlist.

“And I want you”—This line is repeated lots of times in this song. It makes me think about the “love you because I need you vs need you because I love you” themes we have discussed in the Byler tag. “I need you because I love you” basically says “I want you.” When we look at the way Mike wants to be needed but also fears that because El does not need him she does not love him, it becomes clear that what Mike really needs in a relationship is to be needed because he is loved and wanted for who he is. I wonder who can give him that kind of love—oh wait…

Extra note about this song: I noticed that El has a song by the same band on her playlist (“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by the same artists). Mike’s version is said to be a remastered version of that song, but when I listened to them both, the lyrics were completely different as well as the melodies. Is this a metaphor, I wonder?

2: “In The Face of Evil” by Magic Sword

This song had no words, so the analysis I made had to come from the title, the artist, and the album cover alone. The title of this song is very hero-esque in regards to the “good vs evil” motif that I’ve seen pop up a couple times in this album. The title plus the band name makes me think of Mike Wheeler Main Character/Redemption Arc in S5. The band name especially is very interesting, because some on the Byler tag have pointed out that the sword imagery is yet another parallel between Hopper and Mike (when Hopper uses the sword at the end of S4 to kill the Demogorgon. Adding onto the hero/sword idea, the album cover for this song is an image of a sword. Also fits with Mike’s D&D character (Paladin)—it would make sense if he had a sword, especially considering he was wielding one in Will’s painting.

3: “A Real Hero” by Electric Youth, College

Again with the “hero” motif. this title defiantly solidified my “Mike Wheeler S5 Hero/Redemption Arc” expectations. But I’m also wondering if the “hero” motif is a nod to Mike’s saviour complex—how he feels useless unless he is needed? I also noticed the name of the band (Electric Youth), which made me think of another song (“Are ‘Friends’ Electric?”) on Mike’s playlist, along with (as many Bylers have pointed out) Dustin’s comments to Lucas in S2 regarding his romantic chemistry with Max (“I could feel it.” “What?” “The electricity.”) The lyrics are pretty standard for a hero narrative (“A real human being/And a real hero/Back against the wall and odds/With the strength of a will and a cause”).

4: “Ghostbusters” by WALK THE MOON

A reference to Halloween, of course. What I find really interesting is that this is not the only Halloween mention in the playlist (will cover that in Part 3). Crazy together, maybe?

5: “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?” By Gary Numan

Ah, we all know what this (if not, see #3 for context). Are friends electric, Michael? Girl stand up.

6: “Dead of Night” by Dance With The Dead

This song has no lyrics as well, so I’m left to go off the title and the artist…and it isn’t looking pretty. That’s a lot of death references there, bud. Makes me a little scared for Mike…The only thing that’s making me a little less scared is the whole “dance with the dead” thing. It sounds a whole lot like “flirting with death,” which is a way of saying someone gets really close to death but doesn’t necessarily die. I hope that’s what they were going for…

7: “A Victory of Love” by Alphaville

Makes me think of Matthew Modine’s “All You Need is Love” tweet (I’m sorry, I couldn’t find it, I don’t have Twitter). Love will win in the end—cheesy, yes, but tried and true and very wholesome. That was just the title, though. Let’s look at the lyrics.

“She’s really an angel/She stands in the sunshine/She’s closing her eyes/She’s starting to dream/She’s pulling the strings/She’s dreaming the strange dream”—That sunshine line is making me think that this is about Will. In the two scenes that we might be able to infer are at least partially from Mike’s POV (the van scene and the couch scene), Will is bathed in an almost angelic sort of light. “Strange dream” and “closing eyes” makes me worried that Will is going to be Vecna’d, though. “Pulling the strings…” Maybe that is hinting at Will gaining some sort of control over the Vecna trance, which also makes the sunshine line make sense (Max saying that “hiding in the light” helped her escape Vecna the first time).

“Counting/I count every second/And I'm standing/I stand in the rain, I walk up that lane/Which leads to the sunshine/She stands in the sunshine/She's closing her eyes/Then she takes me away and she's pulling the strings”—I think these lines foreshadow Mike getting Vecna’d as well, especially when we consider the lighting of the couch scene (Mike being in the dark, reaching out to Will in the light). The mention of the rain makes me wonder if these “stepping out of the rain and into the sunlight” hints began during the infamous S3 rain fight. If that’s the case…damn.

Extra note about this song: I noticed that on Mike’s playlist, this song comes directly after “Dead of Night” by Dance With The Dead. That song concerned me due to its lack of lyrics and death implications, but “A Victory of Love” being placed right after “Dead of Night” gives me hope that love truly will win in the end.

8: “Running in the Night” by FM-84, Ollie Wride

Right away I notice that we have another nod to the “running away” motif. Like damn, this is popping up a suspicious number of times…now the lyrics. I wasn’t able to sus out the meaning behind all the verses, but I found these particular lines interesting all the same:

“Oh, I'm running in the night so soon/I've got nothing left to lose/I'm leaving it all behind, running in the night with you/I won't let you get away again/We can see it through to the end/But whatever we do/I'm running in the night with you”—As I read through this, I’m pretty sure it’s about Will, especially with Mike’s “I don’t know, maybe I feel like I lost you or something.” Add that piece of dialogue with Mike being the one to grab Will’s shoulder in the cabin scene and their blocking on the hill in the final scene, and it just makes sense. Mike does not want to lose Will again. Omg the feels 🥰

“I used to be the one/I used to be your place to land/Under the shadows/Into the palm of my hand/You're always changing the situation/Just when we found paradise/You're always shutting down the conversation/I can never read your mind”—A reference to Will feeling secure around Mike, for sure. Season 2 Byler comes to mind readily. The part about changing the situation…that’s trickier. I think this might be a reference to the van scene, since that was the first time Will has ever lied to Mike. Mike can tell that something’s wrong, but he can’t figure out what.

9: “Something About You - 7” Version” by Level 42

“But making mistakes is part/Of life’s imperfections…Is it so wrong to be human after all”—This makes me sure that Mike’s wack-ass behavior these past two seasons is definitely not because he’s just as asshole. This was all intentional.

 “If ever our love was concealed/No one can say that we didn’t feel/A million things”—In an attempt to see it from multiple sides, I’m going to entertain the idea that this possibly could be about Microsoft, since El had to be hidden from the government. But my biased Byler ass is also pretty sure that this is hella queercoded.

“Oh these changing years/They add to your confusion”—Again, I’m going to try to look at this from both a Melvin and Byler viewpoint. But it’s still kind of going against Melvin—confusion about feelings over the years when, at face value, those feelings have been “clear” to the audience? And as for Byler…confusion about feelings…maybe referencing the shift from platonic feelings to something else? Again, pretty queercoded.

“I couldn’t live without you”—This is an interesting contrast to “I don’t know how to live without you” from Mike’s speech. Like other Bylers have mentioned, “I don’t know how to live without you” implies love because of need, and “I can’t/couldn’t live without you” implies need because of love. This is purely an opinion; these lines could be interpreted many different ways depending on where your biases lie. We all know which way I’m leaning…

10: “If You Leave” by Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark

I…honestly think this song is foreshadowing a Mitochondria breakup. Yes, the song is about the singer not wanting to let their love interest go (to an extent), but I also noticed the phrase “I need you” thrown around a lot. Because of that, and the energy of the other lyrics in the song, I was getting the sense that the singer was afraid of loosing the person they were singing to. This is pretty on-brand for Mike. It’s been made pretty clear that Mike does not want to lose El—platonically, in my opinion. He cares about her and does not want to lose her. And if we’re going off of that, he’s afraid that a breakup would cause him to lose her, even as a friend. But…as I’m reading through the rest of the lyrics, you get those hints of ��he doesn’t want to lose her, but he doesn’t want to be with her romantically either.” This was particularly clear to me with these lyrics:

“Oh if you leave/Oh if you leave/Don’t look back/Don’t look back.”

That kind of contradicts the rest of the song, which I found interesting, but it can totally apply to Mike if this is really how he feels about El.

11: “Cars” by Gary Numan

Okay, this is totally giving “repressed Mike/van scene” vibes. Lemme break down the lyrics:

“Here in my car/I feel safest of all/I can lock all my doors”—Feeling safe and locking doors sounds like the metaphor “putting up walls.” Mike has been putting up walls and repressing so much ever since S3 (and probably for much longer, considering his family life).

“Here in my car/I can only receive/I can listen to you”—Mike receiving and listening? Van scene vibes, 100%.

“Here in my car/Where the image breaks down/Will you visit me please/If I open my door in cars?”—Defiantly a reference to Mike feeling more comfortable around Will—letting his walls down, seeking emotional support. This goes not only with the van scene but the entire road trip in S4. An image breaking down…just remembering how Mike tried to pretend to be someone else when he first got to Cali to impress El. The “perfect straight boyfriend” image he was attempting to create. With Will, especially in the van scene, that image breaks down—Mike is more genuine, not trying to be someone else.

“I know I’ve started to think/About leaving tonight/Although nothing seems right in/Cars”—Ooooh…the implications. If we go with the idea that Mike knew he didn’t love El romantically before the van scene and was planning on ending things, this fits pretty well. And the confusion implied in the last two lines represents his conflicting emotions when Will gives him the painting and has the “being different” monologue. Will’s words made him feel loved, but he could still tell something was off (the Duffers saying that Mike “doesn’t fully understand” what went down during the van scene makes me think that although Mike didn’t get the full picture, he knew the pieces weren’t adding up).

12: “I Ran (So Far Away)” by A Flock of Seagulls

Right away, we see more still of the “running away” motif. In the title, and in some of the reoccurring lines in the song (“And I ran, I ran so far away/I just ran, I ran all night and day/I couldn't get away”). But then we get a little farther into the song and…well…things get interesting.

“A cloud appears above your head/A beam of light comes shining down on you/Shining down on you/The cloud is moving nearer still/Aurora borealis comes in view/Aurora comes in view”—What instantly came to mind was the lighting in the couch scene, of course! And then, it’s followed by THIS:

“Reached out a hand to touch your face/You're slowly disappearing from my view/'Pearing from my view/Reached out a hand to try again/I'm floating in a beam of light with you/A beam of light with you”—After Mike’s monologue, Will most definitely felt like he had no shot. He has attempted to rip off the bandaid and thinks it will be better for Mike and El if he just stayed back—so many Bylers have predicted that Will is going to try to distance himself in S5. But Mike doesn’t want Will to pull back. All the Byler moments after the monologue were initiated by Mike—and I’m specifically referencing the cabin scene here. The light imagery returns, and what we said about the couch scene (that Mike is reaching into the light for Will is foreshadowing for Mike realizing his feelings) is supported by the lyrics in this song.

13: “No Other Way” by Classix Nouveaux

“Where are the days/The days that time erased/Innocence/We've had has been replaced/We were so/Free of hate they've taken that away/All I see is responsibility forced on me”—I know we already had the theory that Mike was projecting his own insecurities in the rain fight with Will (“we’re not kids anymore” “it’s not my fault you don’t like girls”) but this really solidifies that for me. These lyrics prove that Mike really does want those days of being a kid back, that they are important to him but he is feeling the pressure to conform, be someone he’s not, and “grow up.” I really hope S5 will address this, because not only will this confirm that he was in fact projecting in that rain fight, but him wanting to hang onto his childhood and thinking that he can’t has become really important to discuss when we talk about Mike’s mental health throughout the seasons (especially S3-4). The rest of the lyrics reflect this message.

14: “After Hours Run” by Mitch Murder

This song had no lyrics—interesting how a great deal of the songs on Mike’s playlist have no lyrics. So I’m just focusing on the title and the artist. Mike’s playlist definitely seems to have a “running away” motif, something that many Bylers have pointed out. The word “Murder” being present makes me a little uneasy…

15: “Let’s Cruise” by Jordan F

This song…also has no lyrics. Inch resting. But “let’s cruise” can kind of fit with the “running away” motif.

16: “Night Crawler” by Gost

Yet another song with no lyrics. But the title and the album cover (picture below) are hella Vecna-coded and definitely further the “Mike getting Vecna’d” theory.

17: “Run Away” by International Music System

Yet ANOTHER nod to the running away motif. I believe this is brought up over five times in Mike’s whole playlist (emphasis on “over”). This song only has two lyrics:

“You can close your eyes to see me through”—Similar to “look right through me,” a line in “Mad World” (which I talk about in Part 2). Definitely implying that Mike is hiding something and putting up walls. Delusional theory time: Maybe when Mike is Vecna’d, El tries to piggyback to get him out (her using her sensory deprivation goggles to cover her eyes) and sees what he’s hiding? Fun thought to entertain.

“You can run away to search the truth”—Both the “running away” motif and a mention of truth. If we’re sticking with the theory that this song is about Mike and El, maybe the meaning here is that Mike needs to be broken up with El in order to learn more about himself (the truth). Honestly, this applies to El as well, since we’ve seen throughout the seasons that she grows so much more as a person when she’s broken up/away from Mike.

18: “Still Haunting Me” by Magic Dance

Without looking at the lyrics, this song totally foreshadows Mike getting Vecna’d. The use of the word “haunting” reminds me of this dialogue between Lucas and Max:

Lucas: “It’s like everyone Vecna targets has something in their life. Something that’s—“

Max: “—Hurting them. Haunting them.”

(Also, this is a bit of a tin foil hat theory, but to me, “magic dance” can sort of sound like possession depending on how you want to read it…)

And then I looked at the lyrics, and there wasn’t really anything alluding to Vecna’s trance, but I think it could be talking about Milkvan:

“There was this look in your eyes/Like fire burning to take flight/A distant call from the sky/Beckoning you to flee the night”—And again I say, ANOTHER reference to the “running away” motif. But I actually think these lines are about El, possibly foreshadowing a breakup with Mike. It’s giving “girlboss independent era” vibes, and I’m totally here for it.

“I never wanted it to end how it did/Another lover now crossed off/Off the list”—Yeah, from Mike’s POV I see how this could work, especially after the whole “I love you” monologue. If we’re right, and El is pissed and calling bs on that monologue, it probably won’t go well—we can maybe expect another fight. What makes me sure this isn’t about Will is that Will was never Mike’s “lover” and Mike isn’t aware of Will’s feelings (miscommunication trope, hello). And this song is fitting in with the other songs alluding to a Mitochondria breakup (a lot of these I will break down in Part 3). And although Will might have attempted to “rip of the bandaid,” he is not “crossed off” any lists in Mike’s mind. That shoulder touch and emotional conversation in the cabin were initiated by Mike, right? Right. Mike has not “crossed off” Will in any way shape or form.

“It's gone too far tonight/Let's bring our love back to the light/Where it once burned so bright/How can I let this die?”—Like I said before, after the whole monologue and Mike being desperately afraid of losing El in his life (platonically), he’s going to protest when El tries to break up with him. As we’ve inferred, he thinks that if they are not in a romantic relationship, she will leave him even as a friend—which she totally wouldn’t, seeing as they’ve been through so much, but it’s a valid fear, considering the “people never stay friends after they breakup” bullshit a lot of us have been fed. But what really stands out to me is the line “where it once burned so bright.” I’m not choosing sides in the gay Mike vs bi Mike thing (I think both would be great in their own ways), but if Mike turned out to be bi, I think this would fit pretty nicely. It would support the theory that Mike and El did once like/love each other romantically, but as they have gotten older, they have grown out of those romantic feelings.

20: “Beta Girl Lost in Forever” by SelloRekt/LA Dreams

Real tin foil hat theory comin’ at y’all now…

This song has no lyrics, so I’m just working with the title, album cover, and artists. I was having a hard time with the title, but the artists and album cover definitely stood out to me. First of all…LA Dreams? “CALIFORNIA DREAMING?” Damn, that’s a bit on the nose. The album cover…is pretty interesting as well.

So, we have two sets of lines forming an angle (colored blue and pink) and a glowing yellow sun. I notice that the album is called “Parallel Lines,” and the lines are running parallel—just not to each other. In fact, the blue and pink lines are not running parallel to each other—they are opposite each other. If you want to flip it around, the lines are drifting away from each other and fading out…

And then the glowing, yellow sun. The only thing shining a light on these two lines right now. The little extra circles of light overlapping with the blue lines. Yes, if the blue lines continued moving in the direction they are going (assuming they’re going up and to the left), they would eventually come in contact with the sun. Picking up what I’m putting down?

#byler #byler analysis #mike wheeler

[pedrito-friskito]

✨kay’s ultimate pedro ranking✨

ok ok ok ok @mandosmistress did this a while back (like a few days lmao what is time) and tagged me and I HAVE BEEN T H I N K I N G let me tell you.

so without further ado, under the cut is my (not so definitive) pedro pascal character ranking…..! (based mainly on attraction/how much I enjoy writing them)

FRANKIE MORALES. frankie. frankie frankie frankie. my man. sunshine of my life (haha see what I did there). there is just something about this character that really crawled into my chest, wrapped himself around my heart and said ”hi I live here now” and I’m cool with it. handsome in that rugged way, a little bit damaged, and good with his hands? done. hook, line, and sinker.

DIN DJARIN. oh the sweet soft-spoken tin can space man. in all honesty, him and Frankie fight for the top spot on a daily basis and sometimes the beskar-covered bounty hunter wins, and he truly was my pedro gateway drug so he’s gotta be high on my list.

JAVIER PEÑA. ohhhhhh mama I love me some Javi. (do I mainly blame my gargantuan crush on @the-ginger-hedge-witch and her brilliant Crush series YES AS A MATTER OF FACT I DO) something about those tight fuckin’ jeans and the stache and the aviators like yep honey take me I’m yours

JAVIER GUTIERREZ. sunshine baby angel too good for this world I just wanna give him a little kiss and carry him around in my pocket and make sure no harm every comes to him (no I haven’t written anything for him yet but I been thinkin’ thots okay)

DIETER BRAVO. ✨the trash man✨ another one I just wanna carry around in my pocket, also the hair does things for me (same with Javi G) like just let me run my fingers through it and I’ll die a happy gal. questionable life choices maybe, but we’ve all been there, right?

OBERYN MARTELL. oh my HEART. *cue adele* we could have had it AAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL. I would say spoilers but it was legitimately 8 years ago but he was so CLOSE and then so SQUISHED. tbh oberyn is the most intimidating to me to even think of writing but maybe someday….

MARCUS PIKE. I do really like Marcus. cheesy as hell? check. bit overboard sometimes? double check. BUT I really like the history of the character we got in limited scenes AND I have a fic idea for him I’ve been sitting on FOREVER and I def have to use it soon!

PERO TOVAR. okay I love me a grungy fantasy man okay like that’s my bread and butter. add in the grouchiness and the obvious way to his heart through his stomach? it’s go time, baby, I got plans for him too!

JACK DANIELS. oh darlin’, he hits the middle of my list for the sole reason that pedro and that whip awoken something in me that hasn’t shut up since I watched that movie and if you don’t think I’ve watched that clip where he pushes his jacket back and it’s a crystal-clear shot of his ass you are WRONG

EZRA PROSPECT. fits the grungy, violent thing pedro seems to work with half the time, and honestly, the linguistics of this man make my head spin (the main reason I haven’t written much for him because it’s a looooot of effort to try and think up dialogue for him!!!) BUT I do love that little moon-touched spot and the scar and the smile and just ugh yum

THE THIEF. full disclosure: I haven’t read a lot of fics about the thief (if anyone has recs let me at ‘em) buuuuuut I really like the whole vibe he has and the outfit? spectacular.

MARCUS MORENO. the glasses definitely do it for me but idk something about him I just…meh. have definitely read some fab fics about daddy moreno (maybe I’ll revisit him at some point). still hot, still delicious, just not my number one fav.

MAX PHILLIPS. maybe not the biggest asshole pedro’s played but definitely up there? I sat through the movie just for him, honestly the scene of him on the couch made it worth it and the smarminess is something else, but idk if I could ever write him! (kudos to all that do!)

DAVE YORK. ok ok ok ok OKAYYYYYYY. listen. he’s the baddie (and like a really bad baddie) so I gotta put him low on my list as far as attraction goes (plus I have mixed emotions about P without facial hair but I digress…) BUT I do have ideas. they are on the horizon. keep your eyes OPEN.

MAX LORD. I haven’t even watched wonder woman 1984 and I know he needs to be down here. maybe I’ll get some form of intoxicated this weekend and power through it, just for shits and giggles!

well KUDOS if you made it this far, this was actually so fun to do!

tagging a few pals just because, no pressure 😇

@prolix-yuy @pedropascalsx @mandoblowmybackout @mindidjarin @allfoolsinluv @iamskyereads and obvi anyone else who wants to play!!!

#pedro pascal #kay talks to people #mutual bbys #the ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN #pedro pascal characters

[fanfic-she-wrote]

With all of the Renault content lately, I’ve been feeling so spoiled but would it be a bother to ask for more? If you’re up for it, could I request a blurb with 💪🐾 and 💕? Thanks! 😊

Just Married

Captain Renault x reader

Renault finally ties the knot and marries reader. A bit spicey. Nothing graphic though. No swears. Casablanca was also released 80 years ago today! Hope you like it!

💪 Bridal Carry

🐾 Pet names

💕 Kisses

From this prompt list

The sounds of tin cans could be heard dragging behind the car that brought you and Renault to your hotel. You had just been married and were on your way to your honeymoon.

It had been a couple years since the war had ended and Louis found himself in America along with Rick, where he met you. Upon coming to America he thought he would have a bit of fun being the French playboy, but the minute he saw you he knew those days were over. You were the one. Also, you were Rick’s sister/brother and if Louis broke your heart he would have to answer to him which was not something he wanted to do.

You and Renault ran out of the car towards your door laughing all the way. You had put your hand on the doorknob when he suddenly stopped you. “Wait a minute.”

“What?” You asked turning to face him.

“It’s a tradition to carry someone you love over the threshold and I’m not about to break it now.” With that, he picked you up and held you in his arms. “There. Now open the door my sweet!” He exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement any further. He just couldn’t wait to finally get some time alone with you.

As told you twisted the knob and opened the door for him. He was surprisingly strong and carried you like he would carry a leaf. Carefully he placed you down and shut the door, locking it behind him. You barely had a chance to compose yourself before you found his lips pressed against your’s pushing you towards the bed.

“I’ve waited so long for this.” He breathed.

“Whoa, slow down hot stuff…” You said, giving him a slight push. “Let me get ready first.”

He gave you a quick look up and down. “You look fine to me.” He went to kiss you again, but you stopped him.

“I’ll only be a moment.” You assured him with a wink disappearing into the bathroom.

He sat on the bed and waited. Throughout the whole time you dated he did his best to control himself. You were different from anyone else he had been with, which were mostly one night stands. It was torture, but it was worth it. You were worth it.

When you finally emerged from the bathroom. His jaw dropped at how unbelievably sexy you were. Not that you weren’t always sexy. In fact, he found himself feeling slightly nervous, why he didn’t know. Which was odd for him. Maybe it was a newly wed thing to be nervous?

“I don’t think I have to ask to know what you think.” You remarked sitting on his lap.

“I think…I’m lucky to have someone like you. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” He admitted. You smiled and ran your fingers through his hair, making him melt. You hadn’t expected him to say that. You stared into each other’s eyes for a moment before placing a gentle kiss on his lips.

“I love you, Louis.”

“I love you too.”

#last one today #i’ll work on the rest tomorrow #renault x reader #captain renault #claude rains #casablanca #x reader #reader insert

[victorluvsalice]

Happy Birthday Newt!

@dont-offend-the-bees Inspired by your current love of Lockwood & Co., and your old love of DGHDA, here is “the two members who consider themselves the ‘sensible ones’ of their respective polycules complain to each other about their respective Disaster Boyfriends.” XD It’s at least ghost-hunting adjacent, as per what you said before? XD Anyway, enjoy!

---

“So. . .has yours ever come home and tried to hide the fact that he was ‘lightly stabbed?’”

“Not yet, but I would not be surprised if he did,” Todd replied, rolling his eyes. “Dirk is – not good with his own personal safety, let’s put it that way. He tries to blame the holistic stuff – ‘if the universe says I’m going to get hurt, Todd, there’s not much I can do about it’ – but I know it’s because he just doesn’t think about the consequences of his actions. Like, ever.”

“Yeah, Lockwood is definitely the same way,” Lucy said with a long-suffering sigh. “He’s always ‘rush in now, ask questions later.’ Which drives poor George mad.” She shook her head. “Poor fellow is always neck-deep in his research and Lockwood – well, he doesn’t actually ignore it, but he doesn’t listen to him as much as he could.”

“Yeah, I bet he doesn’t. . .I wonder if that’s how Mike feels sometimes,” Todd mused, taking a biscuit from the offered tin. “Thanks. . .he’s really into looking up all the weird phenomena we get tangled up in. Mostly because he’s always hoping it’s actually aliens, but still.” Todd dunked his biscuit in his coffee. “Dude works his butt off to get us as much information on the latest round of bullshit as possible. . .only for Dirk to ignore it because ‘I’m a detective who doesn’t look for clues, why would I do research?’”

“Mmm. . .admittedly, your ‘holistic’ bullshit seems rather different from our ghostly variation,” Lucy pointed out, taking a biscuit for herself. “Hopefully the boys don’t notice the change in the rotation. . .anyway, I thought the whole point of it is that it’s all coincidences and lucky breaks and bizarre accidents.”

“Yeah, but you can still write stuff down about it,” Todd responded through a mouthful of biscuit. He chewed and swallowed at her look. “Sorry. . .it’s not like people don’t do books on ESP and psychic readings and–”

“Isn’t Dirk very firm on the fact that he’s not psychic?”

Todd waggled a hand. “I think that’s more he doesn’t want anyone thinking he can see the future or predict shit on command. Like Blackwing thought he could.” He swirled his coffee, face hard. “He doesn’t talk much about what went down there. . .but I know it involved them calling him stupid a lot. And paintballing him in the face for some fucking reason.”

Lucy winced. “Right. I wouldn’t call myself psychic either if that’s what it meant.”

“Exactly. . .but he can still figure out shit that nobody else can, get these weird-ass hints from the universe that only he can piece together, so. . .” Todd sighed. “I dunno how to describe it, honestly. ‘Holistic’ fits as well as anything.”

“Yeah. What surprises me about it is that he’s still got whatever it is,” Lucy admitted, dunking her own biscuit. “The Talent. . .it doesn’t last long past a person’s twentieth birthday. And while I wasn’t happy about having it before – we’ve really started making a difference in people’s lives. And. . .” She sighed, taking a chomp of her soaked cookie. “I don’t know. It’s a dangerous life, but – someone’s got to do it.”

“Yeah, we all kind of feel that way about our stuff too.” Todd scowled. “Though we’re all in our thirties, not our fucking teens. Your ‘Talent’ is just one more thing I’m adding to the list of ‘shit I’d like to punch the universe in the face for.”

Lucy laughed. “If you ever figure out how, let me know. I’ve got my share of grievances.”

“No problem. Now – Lockwood ever accidentally set a house on fire while stealing a dog?”

---

#Happy Birthday #dontoffendthebees #fanfic #lockwood and co #dirk gently #otherwise known as 'Lucy and Todd don't know what to do about disaster boyfriends' #also there is a touch of feels #based heavily on the fanfics you've done of the Lockwood trio #I don't have Netflix so I'm relying on fandom osmosis from you to get this right #hopefully Lucy sounds at least a little like herself #just after seeing all those posts about Lockwood #and your fic where he was 'lightly stabbed' #yeah this entered my head and wouldn't leave XD #Lucy deserves someone else to bitch about disaster boyfriends with XD #queued

[morzowo]

reveal your watch and rewatch drama list 

Thanks for tagging me @akk-theo uwu 💖

currently watching:

1. KinnPorsche - I remember watching the trailer and not understanding all this hype surrounding it. I thought it’d be boring and serious (like other mafia shows tend to be) but oh boy was I wrong. I could write long essays about it and its themes and interesting characters and dynamics between them and all that but there are plenty posts out there written by ppl that actually can use words so I’ll just say it’s FUN so much FUN

2. Old Fashion Cupcake - the whole vibe is just ahh from warm colours to chill music (that gives me persona vibes) and whole premise is also just so heart-warming, watching two grown man slowly breaking from their routines of everyday corporate work life and just enjoying little things together :’)

3. To My Star 2 - pain :) but the good kind, the one that makes you reflect on characters’ actions and emotions and even though it hurts it makes sense plot-wise and character-wise, I really like how Hwang Da Seul show stories (it’s not perfect but I still like it)

4. Triage - (;¬‿¬) "ᴵ ˡᶦᵏᵉ ᵗʰᶦˢ ˢʰᵒʷ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡ ᵃᵐᵒᵘⁿᵗ" ᴵ ˢᵃᶦᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ, ˡᶦᵏᵉ ᵃ ˡᶦᵃʳ, I love plot driven shows and it also has paranormal element of a timeloop and mystery to solve and corruption to fight and every character is interesting and has their own story and importance but show manages to make following the plot not that hard and it’s so easy to like the main character (dr Tin my beloved) and it’s also not always heavy it’s well balanced and romance is ahhhh yea yea I could go on and on, everybody should just go and watch it

5. Plus & Minus - I still have to watch final ep but yea it was nice and wholesome, love me some childhood friends shenanigans and clownery and  FLG and ZZS are very likeable also I loved Yuki’s cat behavior ajfkgh

6. Star and Sky: Sky in Your Heart - I’ve started it but I still can’t finish second ep, I think I’ll just give up, not much more to add

7. Rak Diao - it is technically on hold but I WILL finish it, I liked the humor (even though laugh track hit me like ton of bricks) and I love dynamic between main characters like they are so petty good for them

Rewatching:

nothing, my sense of time is broken, my time managing skills are non-existent

Looking Forward to:

The Eclipse (supernatural and has First as the main character so how could I not be excited), Vice Versa, Moonlight Chicken, UMG (plots of all three look interesting and all have really strong cast), GAP (self-explanatory and I have high hopes after scoy) (it’s mostly GMM shows lol but I’ll probably watch other things along the way that ppl recommend)

tagging: uh oh anyone who’s interested really and feel free to say I’ve tagged you I’m always looking for new things to watch and also other people’s opinions  👀 ᴵ'ᵐ ᵃˡˢᵒ ˢʰʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵖᵘᵗ ᵖʳᵉˢˢᵘʳᵉ ᵒⁿ ᵃⁿʸᵒⁿᵉ ᵃᵏᵍᶠᵈᵏ

#ah quite late response but * looks at rewatching section *

[this-is-not-a-slow-burn]

HEY. Are you an artist?

Do you do traditional watercolor (physical media as opposed to digital)? Do you use water brushes? (the kind that have water in the handle) Do you use them with aquarelle pencils? (water color pencils or water soluble colored pencils such as Caran d'Ache Museum Aquarelle, Albrecht Dürer Artists' Watercolor Pencils, or Derwent Inktense) ?

Tell me, what water brushes do you use and love? Which ones have you tried and hated?

I had some in some unknown brand (or I just forget the brand) and they were just ok. The brush head was rather stiff acrylic white bristles, not too unlike a toothbrush, and they were too stiff. The cheap ones my mom got from a dropshipper are almost the opposite. Way too soft, like cheap doll hair. They don't hold water and paint very well, it just floods the paper immediately. I'm looking for some that are not real animal hair, but feel more like a traditional brush. Any idea?

Blarbly ramble under the cut about watercolor pencils

Watercolor pencils have always intrigued me, but the cheap ones I kept buying were really not satisfying, because the paint would never fully dissolve. There was always lines still visible, and the colors were blah and muddy. I gave up on them, thinking they were just not a great medium.

I tried some Derwent Inktense about idk 6 or 7 years ago, and they were much better, but still not quite what I wanted out of something like a watercolor pencil.

Fast forward to about a year ago, when I ordered a mystery box of art supplies and in it was a Caran d'Ache Museum aquarelle pencil. OH. This was a whole other world. I was hooked. They're so smooth and the colors are stunning. But sadly they are kind of spendy.

So for Christmas I had put some on my list, (both Supracolor and Museum) among a bunch of other things, not expecting all of it, just trying to provide a wide variety to make it easier. (Wound up getting most of it, which while I'm appreciative of, it was unnecessary lol)

The result is that I am currently test driving the Caran d'Ache Museum Aquarelle and their SUPRACOLOR line as well. So far I like both of them more than the Derwent Inktense, though admittedly they are somewhat different products (Inktense are unsurprisingly slightly more opaque and ink like, sort of like an india ink, hence the name)

I also ordered one of their Keith Haring sets on my own, because they're Keith Haring, I mean come on how could I resist?

I was thinking they would just be Supracolor in a fun tin, but I don't think they are. They feel harder than Supracolor, because they don't lay down as much color and I have to press a bit more to get the same saturation. I still love the tin though so not a total loss. I'm sure they will have some use somewhere and I'll be glad to have them on hand.

The Supracolor are lovely to use, with smooth application and bright colors, and while not what I would consider inexpensive, they are lower priced than the Museum line. Better than student grade, but still not top of the heap.

Which brings me to the Museum Aquarelles. My gods. They are like butter! Silky smooth and they lay down so much saturated color it's like a dream. They're not smooshy soft like Faber Castell Gelatos which are pretty much lip balm textured watercolor paint sticks, but that's the closest I can think of in terms of being enjoyable to work with as far as texture and smoothness goes.

So I'm basically in a love affair with these, now that the good stuff has been discovered.

I love the fact that you can easily transport them and not worry about paint squishing out everywhere, and they're way lighter weight than pan paints. They're also great for painting in bed! This is specifically why I am asking about the water brushes. I was feeling like yuck because an ice storm forced the closure of local businesses, and I was unable to pick up my prescriptions for a week. I was going bonkers without anti-anxiety meds *and* basically having to stay indoors to avoid risk of a busted tailbone due to ice. So I took to painting in bed. I could have done it at a table, or my desk, but staying in bed for a day or two just felt right. Anyway, trying to balance a tiny lidded cup of water in bed was sort of a pain, but it seems my water brushes have all vanished. :|

Cons are the risk of breaking them while traveling, and the lack of flexibility in mixing color like you can with pan or tube paints. But there are workarounds like scrabbling the colors on some scrap paper in solid slabs, (sorta like those paint sheet books) and then picking up paint from each with a soaked brush and then mixing them on a palette. It's a tad wasteful, but works better than the other method of layering the colors on your paper like you would with standard colored pencils, and hoping you get the ratio right.

Hm. Didn't mean for this to become a rambly review of my experience with them, but there you go.

#Physical media art #traditional art #analog art #watercolor brushes

[oklahomapubliclibrarian]

Dog Man Day

What is Dog Man Day?

Dog Man fans of all ages are invited to join the supa epic event with activities and games. We'll play Dog Man bingo, a personality test, assess your sniffers, and more.

Dog Man is Go! That don't make no sense! But we like it!

I first came across this idea from a post from Ontarian Librarian. She was able to get a Comic Creator booklet and some other cool items to make her event a hit. I took a few of her ideas and made them my own but she is the reason I made this event.

I learned about Dog Man Day after Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea came out. Scholastic made an event kit with lots of activities. I read through them and picked the ones I knew I could do. With the power of these two sources, I was able to put together a plan for my own event.

What I did to prepare

I would say that reading at least one Dog Man book is a requirement for running this program. I read up to Brawl of the Wild and I can see why the series is so popular. 

Staffing was simple. There was myself and two others. One was there for the first hour and the other was shadowing the whole event. For the activities I picked out, I would recommend two people for the majority of the event. 

I ordered two plushies for prizes at the event. One was Bark Knight and the other is Li'l Petey. They are in the background in a few of the photos below. The kids loved these so much.

I planned activities that were going to be set up around the room as well two group activities. I'll list them below with more links.

Activities:

Dog food

K-9 Sniff Test

Make a Dog Man headband

Puzzle

Paper Activities:

Word searches

Dog Man face cutout

Coloring sheets

Draw a comic

Set Up

The first table was the nutritious snack of dog food and a few books for checkout! I bought coco puffs and put them in some dog bowls we already had. I told the kids we didn't have any spoons because they needed to eat the food like Dog Man would eat it. One child immediately got on all fours and literally ate like a dog! Other kids used their tongues or hands to eat. I was very tickled by the idea of them eating out of dog bowls and they loved it too. You might be worried about have a huge mess to clean up afterwards as was I. However, I did a few patrols and picked up loose pieces and only found one that had been stepped on. It was surprisingly clean for the whole event. 

The next table is the K-9 Sniff Test. I put smelly things in colorful cups then put tin foil secured by a rubber band on top and poked some holes in it. I picked things that I could easily get and would be a bit difficult for kids to figure out. I collected their guesses and gave one of our plushies to the winner. This is the list of smelly things I used: lavender oil, orange oil, peppermint oil, pickle juice, soap/bubbles, cinnamon and coffee. We already had a few essential oils on hand and they worked very well. 

The next table had the supplies to make a Dog Man headband. This station was a huge hit. Every kid ending up making a headband and they were so cute. I did precut some yellow badges to help out the smaller kids but this was very easy to put together. 

I found this puzzle on Amazon and thought it was perfect for my event. The kids actually put it together twice. 

The last table was various paper activities and supplies for them. I picked out a word search, coloring sheets, Dog Man face cutout, and how to draw Dog Man.

 I also decided to write down the schedule on the white board in the back of the room. This worked out well for me to stay on task and it helped the adults to know what was happening and when. I would recommend doing something like this if you plan to organize your own event. 

Takeaway

This was a great event. There were a few moments that felt slow but the personality test and bingo got everyone excited. The majority of guests left after I announced the winner of the K-9 Sniff Test. The few that stayed finished putting together the puzzle and took extra coloring sheets home. I'll put on a similar event when the next Dog Man book comes out. 

#public libraries #programming #engagment #dog man #dog man books

[myroleplayacademia]

Accepted! Mirio Togata

For you: Character name: Mirio Togata

Why do you want to play them?: I love how much of a goofball this guy is, and as someone who has been through a fair share of setbacks, his perseverance is something I identify with. If I could be a hero, he's the kind of hero I would want to be: someone who's always ready to help make someone's day better.

What is their quirk?: Permeation. It allows Mirio to make part or all of himself intangible - he can phase through any solid objects, including the ground.

What powers and limitations do they have: Powers: While Mirio's quirk appears to be dangerous or useless at first glance, training and determination have allowed him to master it. Additionally, he's very physically strong and in good shape; he can hold his own in close combat. Limitations: Mirio cannot apply his quirk to other people. Also, when he's using his quirk, everything passes through him: light, air, etc. So he cannot breathe or even see, and has to have his moves thought out in advance most of the time.

Describe the character’s personality: A cheerful, optimistic, and upbeat man who loves trying to make others smile, Mirio isn't one to let setbacks get him down. While he can be a little over-energetic, manic, and even downright corny with his various jokes and puns, his dedication to his dreams and his strength of will have helped him pull through some very dark moments. He's got a strong sense of right and wrong, and doesn't care about fame or money: he's doing what he does to help people, simple as that.

Preferred relationships (friendships, rivalries, ships, etc): I would love Mirio to be friends with Nejire and Tamaki, of course, and I've always seen him as kind of a big-brother figure to Izuku. Any rivals and any ships are welcome, as far as I'm concerned, as long as the chemistry is there!

Please list your goal(s) for the character (This can be a long term plan for the character’s progression, or an aspect of the character you’d like to explore!): I'd love for Mirio to get more character development - he's kind of a little too toxically positive at times, and I want him to learn about this and how to cope with it. Maybe he could spend a little more time confronting and dealing with his own weaknesses and fears, or with the fact that he seems to overextend himself a lot for others and doesn't really care that much about himself (I love drama, angst, et cetera, so I'm really open to a lot of things). I want him to be a successful pro hero but maybe one that's confronting new, deeper and more challenging struggles.

For your character: What do you think about UA University’s Villain Rehabilitation Program: To say that all villains are incapable of being rehabilitated is way too broad. One bad choice shouldn't ruin someone's whole life, and mistakes can and do happen. But... can everyone be rehabilitated? That's a harder question.

Pick two of the following prompts and write out how you would behave in that scenario. Minimum 100 words each:

“A friend is going through a difficult time, how do you comfort them?“  Be there for them! Make them food (or bring them food if you're a kitchen disaster), be a shoulder to cry on, clean their apartment, give them hugs, watch corny sci-fi movies with them and laugh at the pie-tin UFOs until your sides hurt. Or if that's a little too much, and yeah, it can be, because not everyone's into corny sci-fi, sit in the same room with them and just exist with them. Listen to them - well, don't just listen, really hear what they are saying, what they mean when they talk about what they need. Make sure they're not facing the difficulty on their own, you know? That's the most important thing a friend can do.

“You overhear someone talking bad about you from across the room, how do you react?”

“You’re in combat with a villain who is threatening to attack nearby civilians. How do you stop them?” That's a tough one. My first thought would be stopping the villain somehow, preventing them from getting to bystanders at all, but if they've got a way to hurt people in a wide area, like a quirk with range or something, then obviously my tactic's gonna be getting the civilians somewhere safe first. Their safety is way more important than capturing or defeating a villain, and yeah, I know people are gonna disagree with me on that, but I stand by what I said. I've been a human shield before and I'd do it again to keep innocent people from getting caught in any kind of crossfire. So... I guess that's my answer!

“You just received a thoughtful gift from a close friend. What is it and how do you react?”

“You have a moments peace outside of class and hero work, what are you doing in your free time?”

#submission #accepted #mirio togata #mha rp #mha roleplay