#OKAY Y'ALL I AM SO STOKED ABOUT THIS FIC I HOPE YOU LIKE IT

[thefatedthoughtofyou]

So there's a 60s song. One of my favorites. I have several, but let's not focus on that. Its called Give Him A Great Big Kiss by The Shangri-Las, and everytime i hear it, it makes me think of steddie.

More so of Steve finding the song, probably in his mom's old record case. And he's always loved the song. But then he met Eddie. And it's meaning changed. His thoughts constantly drifting to Eddie when he hears it. And he starts singing it all goofy and love sick when he hears it now.

He and Robin work at a bar downtown, Eddie works at the mechanic shop around the corner. He comes in for early lunch a lot, and that's how they meet. They get along great. All of them do. Robin loves him to death. As far as she's concerned she gained another soulmate along side Steve. One who blabbers like her and they rant at each other constantly, Steve watching them fondly.

But he's also got it bad for Eddie. Obviously. And Robin knows this. Knows about the song. And the way Steve sings it all gooey and adoring and lost in thought.

After a few plays of the song she sings along with him, they duet they're hearts out when it comes on and the bar is empty. Usually right before they open. Both of them using mops, or bottles, or dishrags as microphones as they sing.

Eddie is pining too. He's got it so bad for Steve that he finds it hard to look at him sometimes. And Robin, drukenly one night, after Steve had fallen alseep in his chair beside the pool, had told Eddie to shoot his shot. That he'd sink it, or get a home run, or a touchdown, or some other sports term that neither of them really understood.

But everytime Eddie has tried to make a move, something comes up. They get interrupted. Every. Single. Time. Eddie had decided fate was against them and almost given up hope.

He'd had a plan today. Come to the bar for lunch before they opened, ask him, whether Robin was there or not. She'd been making it a point to not speak to them if it looked like they were talking about something important. Eddie knew it was pity for him. Was endlessly greatful.

But that was how he ended up at the bar. Ducking in the side entrance they left open for him. And he's about to burst in like normal, all loud enthusiasm to see his friends, but he hears Steve groaning about something, hears Robin laughing, hears his name, and it stops him, his hand pressed gently to the door.

"Uuugghhh my god. I'm useless. I was so good at this in school. I could ask anyone out. Like it was nothing." Steve grumbles, Eddie's stomach flutters, he pushed the door open, just a crack, can only see Robin where she's perched on the bar top, legs crossed.

"Maybe that's the problem." She shrugs, Eddie sees her drop her hand to the left, he bites his lip and carefully pushes the door a bit further. He has to stifle a laugh when he sees Steve, looking forlorn, head dropped onto the bar, Robin's hand petting at his hair absent-mindedly. He turns his head to look up at her and Eddie moves to the side a bit, hoping Steve doesn't notice him.

"Huh?" He huffs, glares up at her. She pats the side of his face a couple times and takes her hand back.

"You said you did it like it was nothing. Maybe this isn't nothing? With Eddie, I mean. Maybe it's... bigger. Better!" Her hands move in a flurry in front of her as she talks, Steve ducks away from them as he sits up on the stool properly.

"Better. ...elaborate?" He says slowly, his eyes on the ceiling, his face all screwed up the way Eddie loves, his concentration face, it would be Eddie's downfall one day.

Robin nods enthusiastically, plops her feet down onto the stool next to Steve.

"Well does it feel different? With Eddie? Than it did with all those other people?" She asks, looking down at him with an impossibly fond look.

Eddie watches Steve bite his lip, think for a long moment, his hand moves absent-mindedly to his stomach. Eddie mirrors him, his stomach fluttering as he watches. Feeling a bit guilty, but he can't look away. He can't move. He has to keep listening. Needs the courage, he tells himself. Steve nods.

"Yeah it does. It's different. He's different." Steve says, and he's got this dopey look on his face that Eddie's never seen. Robin nods, slides down off the bar, her butt replacing her feet as she holds Steve's knees tightly.

"Different then what? Then who?" Robin promtps, giving him a gentle squeeze.

"Different then everyone." Steve breathes it like a prayer and then immediately shoves his face into his hands with a groan as Robin makes a high pitched noise in her throat.

"You know what this needs don't you?" She asks, excitement coursing through her now. She's on her feet before Steve answers, bouncing out of veiw, toward the jukebox in the corner. Steve groans again and turns to follower her.

"Alcohol?" He asks, voice dry. Eddie hears Robin snort.

"Maybe after work. But right now what we need, is.... drum roll please." She draws out the please. Eddie watches Steve sit on the stool, watching her. He gives her nothing.

"I said drum roll!!" She shouts, and Steve grins, tapping his hands on the stool between his legs.

"Theeeeeee Eddie song!" She sings, and Eddie faintly hears the click of the Jukebox before a womans voice fills the air. Music kicking in after the first few words, Steve already bobbing along. Eddie's heart stutters in his chest. He knows this song. Has heard Steve humming it a few times. It's not a bad song. Eddie's open to things.

He watches Robin dance back into view as Steve starts mouthing the words, pretending to fight against it. But all Eddie can hear are the lyrics, as Steve really starts to get into it, taking Robin's hand and letting her pull him off his seat.

"Thick wavy hair. A little too long. All day loooong, he's singin his song." Steve starts to sway, and Eddie can't do it, they're moving out of view and he needs to see this. He ducks through the door quietly and sinks back to the back corner silently, both of them lost in the song as they dance. Robin chiming in now.

"Well, what color are his eyes?" She asks Steve, perfectly in sync with the song, they've clearly done this... a lot. Steve shrugs and counters,

"I don't know. He's always wearing shades." He sighs wistfully.

"Is he tall?" Robin asks, climbing back onto the bar, laying on her stomach, feet kicked up in the air.

"Well, I've got to look up." Steve stays out on the dining floor, dancing between the tables, swaying his hips.

"Yeah? Well I hear he's bad." Robin scrunches her face as she sings.

"Hmm. He's good bad. But he's not evil." Steve furrow his brow, 'thinking'.

"Tell me more. Tell me more." Robin sings, kicking her feet to the beat, chin in her hands as she grins at Steve. He does a fancy twirl and falls into a chair, dreamy look on his face as he continues.

"Big bulky sweaters, to match his eyes. Dirty fingernails, oh boy what a prize." He swoons a little, his head resting on his chin for a moment before he spins up out of the chair again, dancing towards Robin as he sings through the chorus again.

Eddie's breathing is fast now, his palms sweating as he watches and listenes to Steve sing about kissing him in the street, and loving and caring for him. Wanting to always be there for him. Eddie doesn't miss how fond he looks.

He's looked fond this entire time. Fond and... something else. Eddie's not sure there's a word for it. But he thinks 'longing' might be close. He wipes his palms on his grease stained jeans and moves foward, slowly, not wanting to draw attention, but he can't stay put any longer. Robin chimes in again, rolling onto her back dramatically, arms crossed over her chest.

"Is he a good dancer?"

"What do you mean is a good dancer?" Steve laughs into the line and Eddie's stomach flutters, he could watch Steve like this forever.

"Well how does he dance?" Robin sings, sitting up and facing Steve as he closes in on the stool in front of her, places his hands on it and practically sighs the last line.

"Close. Very, very, close."

The music fades. Robin singing the last of the 'oohs' gently as it does, both her and Steve smiling at each other. Eddie takes this moment to bump into a chair, sending it screeching a few inches across the floor, both of them flailing as they turn to look at him.

"Oh my god!" Robin yells, her hands clamping over her mouth. Steve is frozen as she looks between him and Eddie. Eddie raises one hand from his thigh, wobbles his hand in an awkward wave.

"Uhh... hey." He says, brilliantly. Steve's face is getting redder and redder as he stands there, and Eddie can see him tensing. About to bolt.

So he does something he's never been very good at. For Steve. He finds his bravery and walks right up to Steve, plants himself in front of him, hands landing on his shoulders harder than he meant too, but Steve doesn't flinch.

"Hey." Eddie breathes, his thumbs soothing over Steve's collarbones.

"You already said that." Steve says flatly, he's still staring at Eddie. Eddie's pretty sure he hasn't blinked since he hit the chair.

"Right. Yeah. Lemme try somethin else then." Eddie breathes, ducks forward, presses his lips gently to Steve's, feels Steve gasp against his lips and then feels his hands clamp down on his hips, hard.

It's a small kiss. Just a press of lips really, warm, and sweet, and gentle. But when Eddie pulls back, they're both breathless. Eddie vaguely hears Robin make that happy high pitched noise again, and clapping. And then any sounds from her are drowned out by the next song that clicks on, You Send Me by Sam Cooke. Eddie loves this song.

"You wanna dance?" He asks, brushes his nose against Steve's cheek, laughs when Steve follows him, trying to catch his lips again.

"I dunno. Are you a good dancer?" Steve asks, smirking at Eddie, though his eyes are shining and soft.

"What do you mean am I good dancer?" Eddie asks, feigning offense.

"Well... how do you dance?" Steve recites, sounding almost shy.

Eddie bites his lip, wraps his arm around Steve's waist, and pulls him tightly to his chest as he turns him further onto the dance floor, guiding them between tables with an out of character grace.

"Close. Very, very, close." Eddie breathes, his heart fluttering as Steve throws his head back and laughs, his arms circling Eddie's neck as they sway together, holding each other close as the music plays on.

#OKAY Y'ALL I AM SO STOKED ABOUT THIS FIC I HOPE YOU LIKE IT #I. GONNA POST IT AND THEN RUN AWAY AND MAYBE REPAINT MY NAILS AGAIN CUZ IM NERVOUS BUT EXCITED OKAY HERE WE GOOOOOO #steddie #steddie ficlet #steddie blurb #Fates Endless Inkwell #fei #steve x eddie #steve harrington x eddie munson #platonic stobin #platonic soulmates stobin #my writing #mine #my fic

[lowkeyorloki]

4, 7, and 9 for the asks? i hope you're doing well <3

Thanks anon :') I hope you're doing well too.

4: Tell me about one of your abandoned WIPs. Why did you abandon it?

I currently have a multichapter fic that's on hiatus on ao3. The premise is the reader is the newest Avenger in an age where the Avengers are treated like celebrities. She's coming off a breakup with Steve Roger's and is dealing with her image of being America's innocent sweetheart when she begins to fall in love with Loki.

I wouldn't say the fic is abandoned, because I do want to finish it in the next couple years (and I will!). I'm just waiting until I have a more solid outline to continue it. I can tell you I'm super stoked abt it ((:

7: Were there any ideas for [insert fic] that you couldn't make work? What were they?

I'm not sure which fic you're referring to, but I did have a plot line in She Shall Have that I cut after a few chapters. In the first 1-3 chapters of the fic, the reader is reading a book and telling the audience about the events that are taking place. Initially, the book was going to be enchanted by Loki, and anything that he and reader did together would happen in the novel. This would have (he hoped) encouraged the reader to get with him, and made her pine anymore. I dropped the plot point because it was sort of hard to work smoothly into the writing. That's okay though - ssh has a TON of subplots and got a bit messy, so it's probably good we didn't see that arc follow through.

9: Are there any fics you'd love to see but don't want to write yourself? What are they?

LISTEN y'all know I am the angst king and I love reading fics of characters I'm in love with reacting to me dying. I would love to read a fic of like... Loki holding me as I'm bleeding out or something to see how he would react (I sound insane). I don't want to write it myself because I don't feel like I'm very good at writing action scenes.

Thank you for the ask! These were fun :D

#SORRY about the ssh slander if you are a fan of the fic #i like it i just. idk she's rough #i get anxious whenever i get a notification that someone commented on it haha #anyway! interesting tidbit abt it #ask #anon #ssh

[titan-fodder]

ok um. where does one begin to talk about this story?? well i guess first with this last part, the ending, the epilogue, the grand finale, and oh my god, you delivered. it was so good. it felt like everything fell into place. of course they would meet up in their work (work that they love). of course hange would bet on them. of course they would reconnect no matter what. i think my favorite small part about this last part is rhi. i didn't like her, but i didn't know her. but just thinking about her and reader bonding over shitty college dudes? no yeah good for them. the way mike knew how he was gonna propose with those godforsaken fucking short oh my god. he's perfect, the love i have for the way you write him it's like i want him. i want giant man to propose to me with his stinky old frat boy shorts. and erwin? oh my god, i know you have spin-offs planned but literally just getting his speech at the wedding and nothing else would be the cherry on top of this massive fucking cake. i literally have to go back and look at everything i loved about this last part because it's everything. it just so fucking good, i can't stress that enough.

this whole fucking story was not just fanfic, i mean yes that's what it is, but the story, the characters, your writing style. it all feels like an actual book. i want this book. i want to see netflix adapt this shit because they could never come up with something this good. i've been reading your writing for a while now (it's kinda ironic bc deflowered was the first thing i read from you and i can't look at zeke rn after this) and this whole thing just proves not only how good you are as a writer but how much you love it? i hope this makes sense, but prima vista is such a labor of love. even with all the fucking pain and frustration you made all of us go through, it was clear that it was made like with so much care (clearly with how much it fucking hurt me). also you never tagged this as a soulmate au, but god fucking dammit they're fucking soulmates. they struggled, but they also knew they were for each other and it sucked it took them ten fucking years, but like it also gave us this wonderful story i will be re-reading like every fucking week. i love prima vista. i love ur writing style and characterization and this only further solidified that. thank u so much for sharing this frat au (i forgot while reading the last part this really did start off with some rando coming up to her and being like "shotgun this (gross) beer?" like how did u make a frat au so beautiful. how.)

this is a monster of an ask, and i am not lying when i say it brought me to tears. like, i just kept shoving my face further and further into my hand cause *shrieks*

i'm so stoked you liked the ending so much. i tried to add in as much as i could without turning it into its own fucking fic (and believe me, it was tempting). but yeah, i needed them to have the long break, grow, then reunite cause hhhh reunions get me every fucking time. and bro, i love that everyone is digging the rhi arc. like i wasn't sure if it would be well received but people seem to like that little circle.

i had a ton of fun writing erwin in this whole fic. like, i don't know if y'all noticed, but he was probably my favorite part aside from mike x mc. he just ggjkjgn i love him, okay. even when he was being a dickass, i had so much fun.

I FEEL SO VALIDATED knowing i kind of ruined zeke a little after dragging so many people down into hell with deflowered like kjgernkjn my greatest achievement. mike deserves so much more love than that rat bastard does (but i'm a little biased lmao). but really, i'm flattered you like my writing so much. i would be mortified if netflix ever tried to make an adaptation, though hahah

it really was a labor of love. that said, it felt really natural. like, the words just flowed. i had so much fucking fun writing it. i have never been able to write something of this length in such a relatively short time. i think it took me, like, a month, or so to start and finish writing it. but i wrote a lot. like, pretty much all of my free time went to this fic. i didn't mind, though. i had a blast. so i'm glad that showed through.

your soulmate comment is what really choked me up like erkjnrekj you're making me fall even deeper in love with my own story, and i cannot thank you enough for it. seriously. it means so much to me.

it really all did start off with mike chanting "shotgun! shotgun! shotgun!" hahahaha. what a dork.

#mels nonsense #mels prima vista

[my-one-love-is-music]

The Successful Acrobat’s Guide to High School Ch.8

So this was supposed to be posted a week ago, but because I was insanely sick for the past week I've only had the energy to do it now that I'm finally coming out of it.

As always, I love this fic and am stoked to get to share an update with y'all so please enjoy!

Also on AO3!

Dick bit his lip as he paced in front of the school. He hadn’t bothered changing out of the shorts and crop top he wore for practice, not in the mood to put his sticky, soda-covered clothes back on.

The rest of the cross-country team had already walked out of the building, some of them being friendlier than usual, but Dick was more concerned with Wally. He knew his fall hadn’t been a bad one and he’d been walking alright, but Dick knew if he got injured badly enough that he was out for the season or even just a couple of practices, it would be enough to send his mood spiraling.

“Dick, I’m sure he’s okay,” Megan said, trying to catch his arm as he carefully kept out of reach.

“But what if he’s not?” he huffed, running a hand through his hair.

“He’s fine, Dick,” Zatanna said with a roll of her eyes. “He just had a cut over his eyebrow and maybe a skinned knee. It’s nothing that won’t heal in a matter of days.”

“I guess…” Dick said. “But what if-”

“No, what ifs!” Zatanna cried. “You’re not doing yourself any good imagining the worst-case scenario and it’s ridiculous you’d think he’d have internal bleeding from a little fumble.”

“I don’t think he’s got internal bleeding,” he muttered even as his brain latched onto the idea.

“What’s up with him?” Connor asked, wandering up to their group.

Megan grinned and wrapped her arms around Connor’s arm, watching Dick with soft eyes.

“Dick thinks Wally’s terminally ill because he fell at practice,” Zatanna bit out, crossing her arms.

Connor frowned. “Oh yeah, I think I saw that. He was fine though, right?”

“He was completely fine,” Zatanna agreed. “But for some reason Dick can’t wrap his head around that even though we keep telling him there’s nothing to worry about.”

“But what if-” Dick started, whirling around to face her.

“No!” Zatanna shouted, pointing a finger at him.

“Is everything alright?”

Dick’s shoulders slumped and he pouted, glancing over his shoulder to find Kaldur behind him.

“Don’t even ask,” Zatanna threatened.

“I don’t think I need to, it would be pretty difficult to not understand Dick’s concerned for his boyfriend when you’re not being subtle in your argument,” Kaldur said with a smile. “But don’t worry, my friend. He will be fine.”

Misery curled in Dick’s stomach and he wiped the back of his hand across his mouth.

“Wally’s not my boyfriend,” he sighed, ignoring how he sounded more miserable than he should. They were best friends. That was all he needed. He shouldn’t be allowed to be bitter about something he’d never have.

He ducked his head, missing the confused look Kaldur gave Zatanna who shook her head.

Zatanna sighed, her irritation draining away. “Look, Dick…”

He shook his head. “No, it’s fine. I just…you know what? Never mind.”

The door opened behind him and Dick whirled around, eyes hopeful. Relief washed through him as Wally stepped through the double doors.

“Wally,” he cried, rushing over to him. “Are you okay?” he asked, gripping his face between his palms to turn his head from side to side to get a better look at the cut on his eyebrow. “You’re good to keep running, right?”

Wally cleared his throat and stepped back out of Dick’s reach. He scratched the back of his head and Dick watched his cheeks turn a light shade of pink.

“I’m fine, Dick. Just a few scrapes and cuts. There’s nothing that’s going to keep me out of practice or our upcoming meet. I just need to be more careful.”

Dick sighed and smiled, the tension and worry that had been holding his body hostage finally draining away. “Good, I’m glad you’re okay.”

Wally nodded, his hand falling back to his side.

“Well now that we’ve got proof you’re not getting whisked away to the hospital, how do all of us feel about going to the diner for a snack?” Zatanna asked.

Dick nodded at her and turned to say something to Wally when he caught the shake of his head.

“I think I’m just going to head home today. Thanks though,” he said, taking a few steps to the side.

Dick’s good mood soured slightly that Wally was leaving so soon.

“I’ll talk to you later. Okay, Dick?” he said, walking a few steps backwards before he turned on his heel and left them behind.

Dick frowned. “Maybe something is still wrong with him,” he muttered. “He never says no to food. Maybe I should go check on him and make sure he gets home okay.”

“He’s fine, Dick,” Zatanna huffed, grabbing his arm. “And you’re not going to do yourself any good by chasing him down.

“She’s right, Dick,” Megan agreed. “I’m sure he’ll be back to his usual self tomorrow at school. He’s probably just embarrassed and frustrated at having fallen at practice. Didn’t you say he was ahead of the rest of the team? He was probably hoping to beat them.”

Dick shook his head, trying to put what he was feeling into words. He knew Wally. And this kind of behavior was so far off from how he usually was.

“Come on, I’m sure a snack from the diner will make you feel better,” Zatanna sang.

Dick shook his head. “I don’t think so. Not today.”

Zatanna huffed.

“I’m just gonna call Alfred and have him take me home. I’ll see all of you tomorrow, okay?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder.

Zatanna’s expression softened and she patted him on the shoulder. Megan waved and Kaldur and Connor nodded before they walked off.

Dick pulled out his phone and shuffled over to the bench in front of the school. He rang the house phone, biting his lip as he waited for it to be picked up.

“Wayne residence,” Alfred answered politely.

“Hey Al. It’s me, Dick,” he said.

“Master Dick, what can I do for you?”

“Can you come get me from school?”

“Is everything all right?” Alfred asked, concerned.

“Yeah, I’m fine, I just…I just want to come home,” he murmured.

“Very well. I’ll be around with the car soon.”

“Thanks, Al,” Dick said and ended the call. He shoved his phone into his pocket and buried his face in his hands, his leg jiggling up and down on the sidewalk.

He was worried about Wally and he felt terrible and awful like he could’ve done something to help him. Avoiding a physical injury was a miracle and Dick could only hope it would stay that way. Maybe he could make Wally feel better if he took him out for pizza after his first meet of the year.

But knowing Barry and Iris, they’d do the same thing and it wouldn’t matter what he wanted to do…

“Master Dick?”

Dick sighed and dropped his hands, looking up at Alfred who was standing in front of him.

“Are you ready to return home?” he asked, gesturing to the car.

Dick nodded and stood from the bench, shuffling over to the waiting car. He climbed into the back, letting Alfred shut the door behind him before he slid into the front seat and pulled away from the curb.

Dick stared out the window, glad for the momentary silence as they drove through the streets of Gotham.

He sighed and rested his head against the glass, letting his eyes slide shut. He could practically feel Alfred’s gaze on him through the rearview mirror and only hoped that he wasn’t so concerned he wasn’t paying attention to the other cars around them.

“Why don’t you go and get changed and meet me back in the kitchen?” Alfred asked, breaking the silence.

Dick blinked his eyes open and found they were already crawling up the drive to the house.

“Why?” he mumbled.

“Trust me, Master Dick,” Alfred said, slowing to a stop in the garage.

Dick hummed and shoved the door of the car open. He crawled out and shut it behind him before shuffling through the door into the house.

He navigated the house by memory until he reached his room and dumped his backpack on the floor, barely remembering to pull his dirty clothes free to toss in the hamper. He grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a tee to replace his sweaty cheer clothes.

Dick sighed, feeling a bit better once he was changed. There was more pep to his step as he jogged down the stairs and pushed through the door to the kitchen, but his swirling thoughts about Wally still weighed down his shoulders.

“You’re already looking much better,” Alfred said, placing a plate of cookies on the table. “Now, I think it’s time for a snack.”

Dick slid into one of the chairs, pulling his legs underneath himself to sit cross-legged as Alfred took the seat across from him.

“Would you care to tell me what has you so down, Master Dick?” Alfred asked, giving him a moment to enjoy the warm cookies.

Dick swallowed and stared at the food in his hand. “It’s Wally.”

“Is something wrong with him? The two of you never fight so I can’t imagine it’s something like that.”

Dick shook his head. “Not really. I mean, he fell at practice and got a little scraped up, but he’s okay. He didn’t get seriously injured. But he wasn’t really acting like he usually does and I’m worried about him. I mean, he didn’t even want to go to the diner for a snack! And food is always what’s on his mind.”

Alfred nodded and smiled. “Well, I think with such a kind friend as you looking after him, he’ll be just fine.”

Dick nodded and swiped another cookie from the plate, taking a large bite from it. He chewed slowly, the sugar helping lift his mood a little more.

“You know what I think, Master Dick?” Alfred asked.

Dick raised his head and swallowed. “What?” he asked.

“I think you should meet me in the car because there’s somewhere we should go.”

Dick frowned. “But what do we have to do? There’s not an event for Bruce’s work tonight and I just got home from school.”

“Trust me, Master Dick. I think there’s one other place where you should be.”

“Okay,” he said, not sounding convinced. He shoved the rest of his cookie into his mouth and stood from his chair. He swiped two more cookies and padded out of the kitchen.

He stopped in the foyer and grabbed a pair of shoes that hadn’t made it back to his room, shoving his feet into them as he munched on one of the cookies.

Dick pulled open the front door and jogged down the steps turning towards the garage, the door still open from when they’d arrived home.

He didn’t crawl into the back seat of the car, choosing to lean against the trunk as he waited for Alfred to exit the house.

“Go on and get into the back. We’re going for a little bit of a drive,” Alfred said, unlocking the car.

Dick nodded and crawled into the back, putting his seatbelt securely in place as Alfred slid into the front seat and started the car. He backed out of the garage and closed the door, turning to face the gates as they creaked open for them.

Dick stared out the window as they navigated the streets, not giving much thought as to where they were going until he started to recognize the familiar streets that led to the less affluent suburbs on the outskirts of Gotham’s main city.

“Um, Alfred?” Dick asked.

“What is it, Master Dick?” Alfred asked.

“Where exactly is it you’re taking me?” he asked.

“I’m taking you where I think you need to be,” Alfred answered cryptically.

Dick froze as Alfred turned down the next street.

“Alfred are you taking me to Wally’s house?” he cried, sitting forward.

“Of course, Master Dick. Where else would I be taking you?” he chided, slowing the car to a stop at the curb in front of Wally’s house.

“But Wally doesn’t want to see me,” Dick muttered, pressing himself back against the seat as Alfred walked around the side of the car and pulled the door open.

“Why, I think you’re being rather ridiculous Master Dick. Of course your best friend would want to see you. It would make him feel better after a rather eventful practice. Now out you,” he said, waving him from the car.

Dick carefully unclipped his seatbelt, keeping his eyes on Alfred as he slid to the open door. He hesitated before climbing out, but Alfred waited patiently, shutting the door behind him.

Alfred placed a hand on Dick’s shoulder and guided him up onto the path that led to the front door. Dick winced when the wood of the porch creaked and groaned under their feet.

Alfred raised his hand and rapped on the door.

Several moments passed and Dick almost thought the door would go unanswered, but Barry pulled it open with a grin.

“Al, so nice to see you,” he said with a grin. “I really appreciated your call earlier and I’m glad you could stop by.”

Dick frowned and glanced up at Alfred.

“Dick, you can head on up to Wally’s room. I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to see you here. He’s been in a bit of a funk since he got home. Alfred, would you like to come into the kitchen? Iris was making some cookies and I’m sure she’d love to have someone like you on hand to help out,” he said with a chuckle.

“Of course, Master Barry. I wouldn’t mind in the least.”

Barry chuckled and stepped to the side. Alfred nudged Dick over the threshold and gave him a pat on the back. Barry shut the door and they disappeared around the corner, leaving Dick at the foot of the staircase.

He glanced up the stairs, the second floor silent. He swallowed and placed a foot on the first stair, glad when it didn’t make noise. He took a deep breath, knowing it was too late to run. He just hoped Wally wouldn’t throw him out on sight.

Wally’s room was uncharacteristically quiet as he approached. Normally, Wally had some music or a show playing or was making some noise since he could rarely stay still, but it wasn’t until Dick was at Wally’s cracked doorway that he heard him muttering under his breath.

He couldn’t make out the words, but Wally didn’t sound happy.

Dick raised his fist and knocked on the doorframe, listening as the muttering stopped.

Wally huffed and the springs of his bed creaked. “Barry, I already told you that I don’t want any-”

His protest died when he pulled the door open and came face to face with Dick. He blinked and Dick smiled, feeling sheepish and small.

“Hi,” he said, giving Wally a little wave.

“Dick,” he breathed, staring at him. He shook himself. “I mean, hey, hi, hello, what’s up? What are-what are you doing here?” he asked with a small chuckle, his cheeks turning pink.

“Alfred brought me and has abandoned me in favor of making cookies with Iris. Are you busy? I’m not bothering you, am I?” Dick started to take a step back, ready to go back downstairs and tell Alfred it was hopeless.

“No!” he said, shaking his head. He cleared his throat. “No, you’re not. I was just trying to read for one of my classes, but-”

“But’s it’s the last thing you want to be doing,” Dick said with a smile.

“Kinda, yeah,” Wally said with a shrug.

“Are you feeling okay after the whole…” Dick waved at his face.

“Yeah, I feel fine. Great even. I’m ready to lace my shoes back up and get ready for our first meet. Do you want to come in?” he asked, realizing they were still standing in the hallway.

Dick nodded and slipped past, throwing himself into one of the beanbag chairs in Wally’s room. Wally fell into the other one, sighing as it wrapped him in a hug.

“Feel like playing some video games?” Wally murmured, eyes still shut.

“I mean sure, but it’ll be easier than usual to beat you if you’re going to play like that,” Dick said, sitting forward to press the power on the game console. He grabbed the controllers and tossed one to Wally who caught it easily.

“Don’t think you’re going to beat me this time,” Wally said, sitting forward to brace his elbows on his knees.

“You say that every time and what happens? I beat you.” Dick crossed his legs on the chair underneath him, sitting up taller to hold his controller in his lap.

“We’re still going to Jason’s soccer game later this week, right?” Wally asked, clicking through the menu options they’d long ago memorized.

“Of course,” Dick scoffed, watching as the screen faded to black before opening on their first battle arena. “We can’t not go to his game. Besides, Tim is going to be there and we have to catch him drooling over Jason in his uniform at least once.”

Wally chuckled. “We don’t have to go to a game for that. He drools over him practically every day.”

Dick snickered, making his character jump over Wally’s as he tried to attack him first. He used the control expertly, making his character spin and bring their sword down on Wally’s head.

“You’re right about that. But I’m hoping one of these days we can convince them that they really should date.”

“How about this?” Wally asked, tongue sticking out as he concentrated on countering each of Dick’s moves. “If they don’t get their shit together by prom, we stage an elaborate flash mob in the school to get them together as dates.”

Dick grinned, sneaking in under Wally’s defenses to take another swipe at him and lower his health bar. “I think that’s a great idea. I would counter that with we should do that in time for Homecoming, but I’d like to give them a little more credit than just October.”

Wally snorted. “They’ve gone how many years already without realizing they’re basically in love with each other?”

Dick shrugged, bringing his sword down on Wally’s head to take the last of his HP for the winning strike.

“Oh come on!” Wally whined.

Dick cackled. “I told you, you can’t beat me.”

“We’ll see about that,” Wally promised, pointing a nonthreatening finger in his direction as the screen shifted to the next round.

If you enjoy my work, please reblog or consider buying me a ko-fi!

#birdflash #molim writes #fic: acrobat's guide #fic update #high school au

[my-one-love-is-music]

Forget Me Not ch. 20

I CAN EXPLAIN, I SWEAR!!!!

Okay, so not really. Hi, I know you just got an update yesterday, but, uh, have another??? That's inexplicably longer than every chapter that's come before it???

Basically I'm just looking forward to what's coming and am super motivated to write so that I can get to that point and the writing gods have blessed me so yeah, here you go. (It might be a little rushed. Sorry, I'm excited, okay?)

Also, kudos to Jo who suggested that Rolo flirt with Keith. Had a lot of fun with that. And there's a little surprise at the end that I think y'all are going to like, too.

And this fic is officially longer than the minimum word count for a novel so that's a thing.

Also on AO3!

As soon as the Sun had risen over Arus, everyone had moved from their beds and convened around the healing pods to wait for Lance to wake up. Hunk and Coran had made it back safely and brought along the new crystal that they quickly used to replace the one that Sendak had hooked up to the Castle.

Keith was surprised by how fast they were moving once Lance came out of the healing pod, but he guessed that he really shouldn’t have been. There was nothing that was keeping them on the planet and they had a group of people to rescue that had put themselves in danger to help Hunk and an entire empire of dangerous aliens to fight.

“Wait,” Pidge said as the group was getting ready to leave the dining hall. “I think it’s time for me to come clean.”

Keith’s brows furrowed before he understood what she was about to do and he smiled.

“I’m a girl.”

Everyone else ignored the sounds of Lance’s complete and utter surprise at the fact as they all murmured their understanding and that they already knew.

“Pidge, owning who you are is going to make you a better Paladin. I’m glad that you finally felt comfortable enough to tell us,” Shiro said, nodding at her. “Now let’s get going.”

Keith slung an arm around Pidge’s shoulders as they walked from the room.

“I think it’s great that you finally decided to tell everyone,” he said, ruffling her hair.

“Thanks Keith. It was time. Even though it probably won’t change much…it feels good. Not feeling like I have to hide who I am or like I’m being forced into being someone I’m not.”

“Come on, let’s go get changed. We don’t want everyone waiting on us.”

Leaving Arus was a lot less anticlimactic than Keith was expecting. When you took out the large Castle that took off from the planet and nearly broke the rock that it had been wedged in in half that is. But it was strangely nice to be back into space and once they’d gotten pointed in the direction of the Balmera and were free from the atmospheric disturbance that takeoff had bombarded them with, they were able to move around the control room and hang out.

And grill Hunk over Shay.

Pidge seemed to be taking a certain type of sadistic glee in teasing Hunk over his desire to get back and help the woman who was the reason that they were able to get back to the Castle and save Lance. The rest of them just sat back and watched really. Keith thought it was nice. Even if Hunk didn’t harbor any romantic feelings for Shay, it was nice to see him put so much energy into helping another person.

It should’ve been weird. They’d been thrust into an intergalactic war that had been raging for over ten thousand years, but the moments like this…this was what Keith knew he was going to hold onto forever. He had nothing else and he was okay with that. Was learning to continue to be okay with it. Because he had friends and people who cared for him and people who he cared for. And that was all that really mattered at the end of the day.

And the days only continued to prove it to him.

It was almost easy to fall into conversation with Rolo. After explaining the situation to them and giving a list of parts to Hunk to collect from the ship, he was friendly and open to him, Shiro, and Allura. Pidge was off playing with Beezer and Lance had immediately moved off to keep Nyma to himself. Not that he was complaining or anything. He’d much rather sit around and talk with Shiro and Allura than get in the way of Lance’s courting rituals. If you could even call them that.

They relaxed quickly, sitting around on various storage crates while Rolo started a fire. Thankfully the atmosphere was stable enough that they didn’t have to wear their helmets and Keith was more than grateful to take his off. When he shook out his hair to avoid permanent helmet hair he caught Rolo staring at him and self-consciously ran a hand through it, wondering if it was sticking up weird.

“So where are you from? You seem to be pretty far from home. I don’t think that I’ve ever met someone from your species before?” Rolo asked, only addressing Keith.

He glanced at Allura and Shiro. “Shiro and I are from Earth. And humans haven’t been this far out into the galaxy before so it’s understandable that you haven’t met anyone like us before.”

Rolo looked between them for a moment almost as though he was assessing them. “Are the two of you mates?”

Keith felt himself flush at the question and frantically waved his hands in front of himself. “No! No, no, no. We’re not.” He cringed at how horrified he sounded, but he really wasn’t ready to address his own feelings on the matter since they were still a jumble from the day before. He shot Shiro an apologetic look who only smiled at him sadly and shook his head.

Rolo grinned, looking delighted by the news. After he finished stoking the fire, he sat down on the crate next to Keith who subconsciously shifted away because he was a little too close. “So would you say that you’re one of the most beautiful of your species? Because you certainly seem to be out of the rest of your group.”

Keith frowned and heard someone spluttering behind him. “That’s a little rude. Everyone has their own traits which are beautiful and insisting on trying to compare people when we’re all so different is what’s already caused problems on our planet.��

Rolo leaned into his space and Keith leaned away from him just as much. Aliens seriously didn’t have any boundaries or sense of personal space and it was starting to get on his nerves.

“Have you ever thought about traveling the universe? Exploring new planets and seeing new things?”

Keith shrugged and tried to put distance between them. “Sure. That’s why I joined the Garrison. That’s why Shiro joined the Garrison. Right?” he asked, looking over his shoulder.

The look on Shiro’s face took him by surprise. He honestly looked furious, helmet held tightly against his side and other hand fisted. If Keith hadn’t spent so much time around him for the past few days he wouldn’t have noticed it, but his posture was absolutely rigid.

“Right,” he answered, voice too tense. It made Keith frown. He didn’t know what he was angry about, but he didn’t like it. This was supposed to be a relaxed and easy stop.

“Anyway,” Keith said as he turned to face Rolo again and stopped. He’d gotten even closer, peering up at him with hooded eyes. He swallowed and stood abruptly, nearly hitting him in the face with his elbow. He started to pace, hoping to work off his nervous energy that had just sprung up. “What happened to you guys? You said that you’ve been fighting the Galra?”

“Do you really want to talk about that?” Rolo asked, standing to approach him.

“Yes,” Shiro said tightly, stepping in between Keith and Rolo.

Keith was relieved that Shiro had interfered honestly. He didn’t know what was up with him, but Rolo was making him very uncomfortable. He’d have to remember to ask Allura about other alien species later and how comfortable they were with personal space. And what the polite way was to let someone know that they weren’t comfortable with that. He hoped that it wasn’t offensive to brush off the close contact, but he didn’t think doing so right now could lead to anything worse than the intergalactic war they were already involved in.

Rolo frowned openly at Shiro for only a moment. The change back to his calm demeanor was almost instantaneous, but he moved over to a crate on the opposite side of the fire and sat down, beginning his tale. Shiro gave him a look before he moved off to stand to the side. Keith took a seat on one of the crates next to the one that Allura was leaning against and listened to what Rolo was saying. He figured that this wasn’t the end of it, but he didn’t know what this was exactly.

Keith’s breathing was a little heavier than it probably should’ve been, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care. His hands were shaking with the leftover adrenaline rush that had surged through him as he darted and flew and twisted through asteroids in order to help get Lance’s Lion back. It felt good though. He hadn’t gotten the chance to fly like that in…a long time he was sure. The closest he’d come to this feeling was when he’d had all of his friends on his bike and had to jump off of a cliff to escape the Garrison rovers that were chasing them.

After they dropped Rolo and his group off for good, they loaded the Lions back into the Castle and continued through space, Keith found himself in one of the alcoves. He tucked himself onto the plush cushion and watched as the stars moved past the window. The shaking in his hands had stopped long ago, but he could still feel the faint traces of energy thrumming through his veins. He held on to the memories of how the controls had felt in his hands, unconsciously shifting from side-to-side as he’d done in the Lion. Feeling every turn and change in direction. Every movement.

He sighed and closed his eyes, tipping his head back to lean against the wall behind him.

“There you are.” Shiro’s voice didn’t startle him like it probably would have days ago. He found it soothing now, even though it didn’t do anything to help the jumble of emotions that were at war within him. It was a comfort. Just another reassurance that he wasn’t alone. “You feeling okay?” he asked, taking a seat across from him.

Keith let his eyelids flutter open and looked across from him. “Yeah, I’m good. Just working to come off the adrenaline rush from earlier, really.”

Shiro hummed. “Still have problems with that, huh?”

Keith dropped his head to look at Shiro more fully. “You mean this is a regular thing?”

“I wouldn’t say it’s a regular thing, but it’s happened before.”

“Huh.”

Keith thought that he should be bothered by this new piece of information. That he was being given something that wasn’t his own, but…he wasn’t. It felt like nothing more than an easy comment about the weather. Something that didn’t have any impact or consequence. Maybe it was because he’d experienced it for himself and had a reference to the feeling. Maybe it was because this was Shiro and he was becoming far more comfortable around him than he’d ever thought he’d be.

“What do you think’s going to happen when we fight Zarkon?” Keith asked, changing the topic even as he stared out the window and at the stars that continued to pass them by.

Shiro sighed. “I don’t know. I know that it’s going to be tough. He hasn’t been in control of the universe for ten thousand years for nothing.”

“Do you think we can do it?” he asked, turning to look at Shiro again.

He smiled in a sad and sort of self-deprecating way. Keith didn’t need an explanation, he understood immediately. It wouldn’t be a walk in the park. They knew that much. They could only hope to do their best and have the power and the resources to take him down once and for all.

“We should go and find the others. I’m sure that we’re probably getting close to the Balmera and we don’t know what’s going to happen once we show up.”

Keith nodded and stood from his seat. He looked through the window one last time, trying to memorize the patterns of the stars and commit all of this to memory. When he turned to follow Shiro and caught sight of his back he cocked his head and watched him. He still seemed tense and Keith wondered if something was still bothering him. He’d seemed sort of off ever since they were talking to Rolo earlier.

“Shiro? Are you okay? You look kind of tense,” Keith said, walking up next to him and scrutinizing him.

“Uh, I’m fine. It’s nothing really.”

Keith narrowed his eyes and watched as Shiro relaxed. He knew it was forced. Could tell that there was still something lurking close to the surface. “No, you’re not. Something’s bothering you. Has been since we met Rolo. What is it?”

Shiro waved away his concern. “Really, it’s nothing, Keith-“

“Don’t try and brush this off, Shiro,” Keith said firmly, taking hold of his arm. “What’s wrong? And don’t even think about lying to me.”

Shiro looked at him, eyes flicking away a few times before he sighed and closed them. He swallowed once. “Okay. It…bothered me. How Rolo was flirting with you. I didn’t like it.”

Keith’s mouth dropped open in shock. “What do you mean? He wasn’t flirting with me.” He let his mouth drop from Shiro’s arm and took a step back.

Shiro rolled his eyes and gave him a look that was a mixture of exasperation and fondness. “Keith. He was flirting with you.”

“But…but…” he said weakly, trying to find some argument. Some evidence that proved he hadn’t been flirted with. He made an embarrassed noise in the back of his throat and felt his face heat up. Shiro managed to pat him on the back in the most patronizing way which only worked to further Keith’s embarrassment.

“I’m never going to talk to anyone ever again,” he said, burying his face in his hands.

Shiro chuckled. “I don’t think that’s going to be possible. You’ll have to talk to me and Coran and Allura and Pidge and Lance and Hunk at least.”

Keith curled forward drawing another chuckle from Shiro. Muscular arms wrapped around his back and pulled him forwards against a firm chest, making Keith still. He was glad that Shiro was still laughing and hadn’t noticed the change in him. As he relaxed into the embrace, as slow as it was, Shiro’s arms tightened around him, making his breath hitch inaudibly.

After a moment Shiro let his arms fall away and he stepped back, letting Keith straighten now that his face didn’t feel like it was going to burst into flames for how embarrassed he was at it all. They continued down the hallway, remembering their original intention to get back to the control room and see where they were in relation to the Balmera.

“Does anyone else know?” Keith finally asked, not entirely sure if he wanted the answer to that question.

“Allura maybe, but the others too distracted that I don’t think they picked up on it. I only noticed since I was there and saw what he was doing.”

“Sorry.”

“Hey, you have nothing to apologize for,” Shiro said, gaping at him.

“Yeah, but I’m sure that you felt put out by it all and my own feelings are all a jumbled mess and-“

“Keith,” he said, cutting him off. “It’s okay. We’ve already established our boundaries. Yes, I got angry and I wasn’t happy with the situation but that was because I still care about you. It wasn’t my way of trying to pressure you into anything and if you do find yourself wanting to date someone, don’t let my feelings be a barrier for that. I probably overreacted, but you did seem pretty uncomfortable with some of the questions that Rolo had been asking and how close he was to you.”

“Shiro?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for looking out for me. I really appreciate it.”

“Anytime Keith. Anytime. Now let’s see what’s going on with the Balmera.”

Keith didn’t know what he was expecting when it came to the Balmera, but he could admit that it wasn’t a total surprise when they were immediately attacked as soon as they broke through the atmosphere to land. He was all too happy to run to his Lion and suit up and get going. He followed Shiro’s directions easily, the five of them taking on their roles and doing what they could to help.

Working as a team was reassuring. It gave each of them someone to lean back on and find comfort even when things seemed dire like when they’d become trapped in the core or when they were facing off against a new monster that Zarkon had sent after them. The Balmerans even helped save them once they found their reason to fight and decided that they weren’t going to lay down and let themselves or let the Balmera die.

Keith wanted to collapse in relief after the Balmera trapped the monster in its crystal. It had been the longest and hardest fight they’d had so far. At least when Sendak had captured the Castle, they’d still had hope and been able to formulate a plan as to how to get out of the mess they were in. He was glad when he was finally able to strip out of his uniform and find a place to think. He ended up back in one of the alcoves and was quickly becoming one of his favorite spots. It gave him a great view of the Balmera and the new crystals that had formed on the surface, providing an almost eerie blue glow to it all.

His mind kept flitting between the conversation that he’d had with Shiro earlier and everything that they’d managed to do. Shiro had never given him an answer as to whether they could beat Zarkon or not. When they’d thought that they’d defeated the monster after knocking it down because of Hunk’s blaster, it had given him hope. Hope that even though they weren’t strong enough to beat Zarkon. Weren’t as strong as they needed to be, maybe with time they’d be able to get stronger.

They’d be able to defeat each new opponent until they could face off with Zarkon and actually have a chance at winning. But when that monster had gotten back onto its feet. It gave Keith doubts. Made him think that they wouldn’t be able to do it after all and they were just kidding themselves with taking on the roll as the Paladins of Voltron.

He sighed and let his head fall forward so he could stare at his hands.

“I can hear you thinking from all the way over here, you know.”

The smile that tugged at Keith’s lips at the sound of Shiro’s voice was definitely something that he wasn’t used to. But he was tired and if he could use that as an excuse to put off thinking about how he felt about this whole situation for a little longer then he was fine with that and wasn’t about to complain. He looked up as Shiro sat down across from him.

“I wish I could make it stop, but that’s a no go. I just keep getting caught up on the idea that we might not actually be able to defeat Zarkon. Especially after today, my doubts are going strong. I mean, we weren’t even able to take out that new monster entirely and we’re expected to go up against the strongest person in the entire universe?”

“You’re right that we weren’t able to defeat that monster completely, but we did take out that battle cruiser. And I think something that we all need to remember is that we’re not alone in this. Most importantly, we have each other and we have Coran and Allura. But we also have everyone else who’s not going to lay down and obediently obey Zarkon. The Balmerans showed us today that they’re willing to fight. They helped us.

“There are going to be other people out there, Keith. It’s not just us and it’s not just you. It’s everyone. And when we all stand together…well then, we’re certainly a force to be reckoned with. And I don’t think Zarkon even has the strength to overcome something that incredible.”

Keith stared out the window, taking in everything that Shiro had said.

“You’re really confident in all of this, Shiro,” he murmured quietly.

“That’s because a universe ruled by Zarkon isn’t one that I think I could ever live in. Being a Paladin of Voltron gives me a purpose and if we lose and Zarkon wins, then I’d rather die than have to experience what that’s like.”

“So you’d rather die than stay with the rest of us?”

“If I was given the chance between dying and being with you, I’d choose being with you, but if that also meant living under Zarkon’s rule…I don’t think that’s something that I’d ever be able to go back to.”

Keith stood abruptly before he could even question himself or stop himself. Shiro looked surprised, but Keith only saw his expression for a moment before he had wrapped his arms around his shoulders and pulling him to his chest. Shiro’s arms remained limp at his sides.

“Um…Keith?”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry, Shiro.”

“It’s okay, Keith.”

“No!” he answered sharply, pulling back to grasp Shiro’s face between his hands to make him understand. To try and make him understand how wrong all of this was. “It’s not okay. It’s not okay that you were trapped with the Galra for a year and forced to fight and when you show up on Earth you don’t even have anyone to lean on. Instead, you’re suddenly put in charge of a group of people who are supposed to save the universe and free people from the oppressive regime that you’ve suffered at the hands of.

“And you still won’t let yourself lean on anyone. You keep everything to yourself and it’s not fair. You shouldn’t have to bear all of that! Especially when you used to have someone. When I…when I…”

When I like you.

The realization crashed through him so severely that he had to take a step back. Had to clamp down on the words, on his tongue to keep them from spilling from his mouth as everything came into perfect clarity. He backed towards the arch of the alcove. He needed to be alone. He needed to think, because this was too much. This was all becoming too much.

“Keith?” Shiro looked uncertain and worried. Even after Keith lectured him on taking care of himself and giving himself time, he was still worried about him.

“I need to go,” he blurted before slipping around the corner and hurrying down the hallway. He wanted to run. Wanted to sprint away from there. Wanted to get away from his thoughts and feelings until he was too exhausted to even think about them, because it was terrifying even though he knew that it shouldn’t be.

#sheith #voltron #molim writes #fic: forget me not #update #second update in two days #OTL #don't get used to this please