#a wonderful found family. he is kind and gentle but he is also so full of ANGER and he is so set on things being as he sees them. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

dmitriene · 4 months

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cw: tooth rotting fluff, comfort no hurt, retired leon, selfdoubt, mentions of child and pregnancy, mother and fatherhood, established relationship, kisses, young parents

initially, you and leon were both not particularly confident and focused on the topic of having a child, there were many reasons to doubt — your common youth, his dangerous job, the complexity of family life and his fear that he, as a father, will not be enough, with his work, with his inexperience, with his gnawing darkness.

but everyone deserves their own attempt at a happy life, and you literally gave it to leon — with the warmth of your home, your kisses and gentle touches that drew the constellations of his scars and stroked his mop of blond hair when he was tormented by nightmares, and you also gave him a charming girl, the happiness of his whole life, a wonderful baby who was an incredible cross between your common genes and proof that leon has the right to love and happiness.

no matter how afraid he was, how he doubt his ability to raise a child and become a good father to him — he became, the little girl doted on her young daddy, and you couldn’t look without a smile at how he babysat her, changed diapers, fed, bathed her, took her to the doctor and personally rocked her in his arms before putting her in the crib to sleep, whispering quiet purrs — «shh, sleep tight, my pretty princess» oh, how he loved her.

you knew he was taking some kind of vacation when he found out about your pregnancy, oh, there was no way he would have decided to continue going on missions when he knew that you, carrying his child and being in one of the most difficult periods, would be at home alone — leon would never allow this, and so it was, he immediately announced that he would no longer be able to appear due to circumstances, to which he was released much more voluntarily.

only his absence dragged on, as soon as the baby was born, and as soon as he saw her?

he realized that he would stay here for the sake of you two forever, for the sake of his little girl, for the sake of you, his beloved, so very soon he left the ranks of being an agent, even despite all your uncertainty, you knew that work of this kind is important, you didn’t want to oblige him, knowing that it could be hard, but the firm confidence in his blue eyes and how firmly he crossed out the things that he was accustomed to reassured you, and his serious, muttered words, full of affection and those very sincere feelings, became more confident — «i won't let you and her be alone, sweetheart, i'm gonna stay, as long, as you'll accept me»

so time passed, you devoted yourself to motherhood, and leon to fatherhood, allowing your baby to grow up in complete love and care, while she became older and older, faster and more talkative, and leon was faced with completely new feelings, non acceptance of the fact that his beloved daughter getting bigger and bigger every day.

birthday after birthday, year after year, she gradually learned to walk and even babble charming words, after which she also learned to speak full words, and very soon to speak, and it is worth noting that leon was on the list of those who could not hold back their tears when she called him dad, oh, he really cried when he heard a small, childish voice babble enthusiastically — «dada!!», and this was the last straw before the salty tears fell from his blue eyes, and his hands joyfully picked up the baby, making her giggle.

today started earlier than usual, mainly due to the fact that the baby had been running around the house since the very morning and didn’t let you and leon sleep much, especially when she came to your room, immediately climbing onto the bed and starting to jump on the mattress, enthusiastically for some unknown reason, causing you and leon to growl sleepily before he opened his eyes, scooping her by her small body between your bodies and allowing her to immediately begin to speak with undisguised childish joy, looking at the two of you, while you gently ran through her brown locks with your fingers — «wanna go to playground with mama and daddy!! can we go??»

little ones request brings a bright smile to the two of you, besides, the child needs something to do with it's activity, and the weather outside is good, so you nod, while leon lifts her with his hands and sits her on his chest, causing her to giggle with joy when he carries her in the air for a while, and then she sits comfortably on him, as he gently rises to kiss her forehead, and then stroke her small cheek, purring — «course we can, princess, but first of all, what about breakfast? and then we'll go getting ready, yeah?»

she jumps joyfully, hastily getting off his chest and, in general, your bed with hasty mutterings — «okay daddy!!» before running out of the room and turning around the doorway, running into the living room, but her next noisy steps that sound like a splash on the linoleum make you look at the entrance to the room, as the top of her head peeks out from the side and she babbles, seriously, before running away again and make you and leon laugh out loud — «oh!! and i wanna eggs with bacon, please!»

soon the aroma of a freshly prepared breakfast was in the air after you all ate, leon enlisted to wash the dishes while you went to dress both yourself and your daughter, making sure that the baby was dressed comfortably and for the weather before sending her to her dad, leon, while you in the meantime, started doing your makeup, sitting down in front of the dressing table and starting to sort out the necessary cosmetic accessories, until a child’s voice and the sounds of footsteps were heard behind you again.

leon imposingly walks in with her in his arms, holding her with his hand underneath while they both focus their attention on how you put on makeup, making you arch an eyebrow and look at them in response through the mirror, to which leon just smiles widely and waves his head, and the baby looks nothing more than interested and enthusiastic, watching your every move while leon purrs — «mm, our mama all dolled up for us, eh, sweet girl?»

you giggle in response as your daughter points her hands in your direction and leon, picking up her wish, steps towards you until he stops very close, bending down to put her on the floor, seizing the moment to kiss the top of your hair, when she tugs your hand, forcing you to be distracted by her and put your blush brush aside, stroking her hair and asking gently — «what do you want, sweetheart, hmm?»

a child's curious gaze looks at a used, slightly blush stained brush before small hands take it in their own and she proudly, loudly declares — «wanna be pretty like mommy!! can i put some too?» but then she is interrupted by another voice, rougher and strangely tense, the voice belonging to leon — «uh, no, sweetpea! you're still little for these things, no?»

your eyes widen in surprise and an awkward silence hangs in the room, except for the fact that the little one immediately crossed her arms over her chest and began to build an offended expression on her face, and leon’s face filled with an awkward blush before he turned towards the exit and muttered under his breath, leaving you two alone and rubbing the bridge of his nose in shame — «i'm.. i'll wait for you in the living room, just come out when you're both ready!»

nodding, you acknowledge his words with calm — «alright, lee» before turning your full attention to your daughter and stroking her cheek, playfully pinching and taking the brush from her little fingers, leaning down to whisper in her ear, squinting your eyes playfully and making her light up with joy in response — «let's put some blush together, what do you think, baby?» and she nods, jumping up and hurrying to settle on your lap while you alternately touch both her and yourself with the brush.

when you finish applying makeup on both yourself and her, you immediately put everything back in place and leave the room, allowing leon to notice you both with a slight smile on his lips before you finish a few touches, putting on your shoes and taking things like your purse and wallet, before leaving the house and heading towards the playground, while leon carried your daughter in his arms, periodically playing with her and chatting, answering her curious questions, but you still felt that something was wrong, there was still some kind of sadness on his face?

being in thought for some time, you decide to act as soon as you reach the playground, where leon immediately puts her on her feet and allows her to happily run towards the slides, while you, meanwhile, sit down together on a bench, your soft hand carefully finds his, intertwining your fingers as he strokes your knuckles but stops, blue eyes moving to yours in surprise when you ask coyly — «what's that been, lee? with the makeup, like.. what's wrong?»

his cheeks are flushed with embarrassment and his eyes dart around as he instinctively squeezes your hand a little tighter, but gives no reaction other than to look away, nervously licking his slightly plump lips and focusing on your cute girl playing on the playground before he quietly, uncertainly mutters — «it's.. it's stupid, really.. it's nothing, sweetheart»

you frown, raising your eyebrows, what you hated most was when leon brushed off his worries and problems, no matter how many years passed, this habit was the hardest to knock out of him, so sometimes you had to be assertive, like now, scooping his face by the cheekbones as much as possible gently, making him turn to you before you say sternly, forcefully, but at the same time your tone of voice is still nothing more than gentle, inviting — «leon, love, talk to me, is something bothering you? we can talk about it and find a way to navigate, like we always do, yeah?»

he nods meekly, lowering his head slightly, causing a couple of blond strands to fall on his face, before he purses and unclenches his lips and says, placing his warm, calloused palms on top of your warm ones, saying quietly, with a mixture of shame and uncertainty, but wanting to open up to you nonethless — «she's.. she's growing so fast.. i just.. i don't know, darling, it's so hard to watch»

as soon as his words reach your ears, your gaze immediately softens and you are already openly cooing, softly kissing him on the lips and laughing softly, making him look at you more boldly, but still with the same tenderness and uncertainty, what he experiences cannot but cause a pleasant warmth in your chest, and misunderstanding in him, only because he is not at all familiar with such things as a young father, but for this he has you, so you immediately hug him gently, saying comfortingly — «oh, leon, baby.. it's alright, it's a completely normal thing, but she's growing up, and that's what life is»

he just nods, silently burying himself in the crook of your neck and sighing, hugging your waist and tightly squeezing his fingers around the curve before turning his gaze to your daughter, lifting his face and simply resting his head on your shoulder, you're right, children are growing up and quickly enough, but how he wanted her to remain so small and charming forever, and one of his sighing mumbles makes you chuckle quietly as he says — «you're right.. just.. she looks so adorable like this, my innocent little girl»

smiling, you place a gentle kiss on the top of his head before lovingly hugging him tighter to your shoulder and chest, softening your gaze even more when the little one waves to you from the landing, causing the two of you to wave back at her at the same time as you murmur — «she's still her daddy's innocent little girl, isn't she?» and leon chuckles quietly before pressing your fingers to his lips and kissing them tenderly, saying as he exhales — «yeah.. she definitely is»

#.𐙚july's writings #.𐙚july's requests #leon kennedy x fem reader #leon kennedy fluff #leon kennedy x reader #leon kennedy comfort #leon scott kennedy x reader #leon scott kennedy fluff #leon scott kennedy x fem reader #leon scott kennedy comfort #leon scott kennedy x you #domestic leon kennedy #leon kennedy x you #leon scott kennedy #leon kennedy drabble

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bat-writer · 11 months

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Bruce doting on a pregnant batmom 🥰 (I might have sent this twice sorry but if so I still hope you have a wonderful day/evening/night ❤️)

A/N: Yes. THATS all just Y E S - I may have gone overboard LMAO

‿̩͙‿ ༺ ♰ ༻ ‿̩͙‿ ‿‿ ༺ ♰ ༻ ‿̩͙‿

Probably has a hunch way before you. This is Batman/Bruce Wayne. He know your cycle, signs and symptoms and all!

One day he came into your bedroom with some breakfast in bed and a small plastic wrapping

“What is it?” You asked

“A test. It’s been a week since your period should have been here. don’t be nervous or afraid we’ll talk it over with the results” he didn’t want it to sound like a business transaction but he wanted it to be a serious conversation

If it was negative or positive he’d be there with open arms and full support. Whatever your choice may be.

You step out of the bathroom with no emotion on your face and walk over to him. You place a kiss to his lips and whisper

“We’re having a baby” with a grin. His large arms coming around your frame to embrace you in a strong but gentle hug. Was it planned? No. Was this the best news he could hear all day? Absolutely! The woman he loves carrying his child is just beautiful to him.

Goes downstairs to tell Alfred about the news and has him set up a doctors appointment as soon as possible to get everything in order

During the first trimester you thought he might secretly be a caretaker. From morning sickness, to fatigue, to even your aches and pains he found some kind of solution for it all. He started to move things around the manor to make space and to start planning a nursery.

He would have a tape measure to measure your stomach each week to see the growth

"Honey, I won't be showing until I'm at least 3 1/2 weeks" you giggle

"I'm telling you the bump in right there! You just cant see it because your breasts are swelling" he tried to defend, when in fact they have not grown yet

During your second trimester he tried to crack down on crime as much as physically possible for your new addition

Speaking of new additions, he had to inform the rest of his family about who would be the newest Wayne. First up with Jason and Dick.

“Congrats you two!” Was Dicks response and of course Jason says

“…you still do it at your age-“ dick hit him in the ribs to not ruin the moment.

Either way, they were both happy for you and let you both know if anything is needed. They were there to lend a hand. The only other person left now was to tell Damien. Luckily Damien had a liking to you. However, when he had first gotten to the manor, he had his clashes with a dick so he doesn’t know how exactly he’d react to a new baby.

He also would secretly ask them to right down any kinds of foods or combos you liked so he could always have them handy

“As long as it stays out of my space It wouldn’t really matter. And as long as Y/N is okay with it…” it was his own unique way of saying as long as you were happy, he was happy

Damien also made it habit to be around the same area as you when Bruce was out and Alfred was busy. You even asked him once if he wanted to feel the developing bump. He did and for a spilt second you could tell he was a bit flustered. After he had his fill he’d move and tell you some fact about your state in the pregnancy

Also his way of showing he cared

Bruce’s favorite thing was to watch you sleep in the morning and watch as you’re bummed rose and fell from every breath that you took. He also really love to watch you walk away because you’re starting to get a slight waddle from the new center of gravity on your body it was adorable.

He also loves when you have his shirt on and the slight bump that stretches the fabric so slightly

Hes on the verge of banning you from the Batcave and watching the computer. It gets pretty chilly down there. He doesn’t want you or the baby getting cold. Even though you told me you were fine and you have three blankets on you but because he loves you so much he loves his stay there.

Speaking of, missions is the only time he’s constantly in communication with you to make sure that you are right which also means Alfred is constantly being called to check in on you. But he did love coming home and taking a nice warm shower with you and feeling your bump

He gets a new glimmer in his eyes when the baby starts to kick and move more. There was one time the baby had a big stretch. It was a little scary but also fascinating and slightly painful 😭

He’ll give you the entire bed just so you could be comfortable!

Lots of massages and kisses. Anything he can relive for you! He’s also restricted you!

No bag carrying, no going up the stairs (had tried to instal one of those chairs to take you up and down), no bending down to get something, no kitchen knives, etc.

He wanted you to just be pregnant💀but you just could not love that way! So he lets you help with very SMALL things

He has also gone overboard on baby clothes, accessories, and just anything baby!

Has 2 cribs one in the nursery and one in your bedroom.

He organized your baby shower and just made it soft, elegant and beautiful. Gender is left as a surprise since he’d want to keep any media as far from you as possible

Sometimes feels guilt when he sees your struggling with pains he can’t really take away. Like when you experienced a Braxton hick he was reminded of what you would soon go through when it was the baby’s due date but he’s also reminded that he will be father once again tk a new baby.

This time he’ll be there from the very start.

Oh he’s also booked you the best suit in the hospital with only the best doctor and midwife. He knows sometimes hospitals can be inconsiderate of their patients so he wants only the best in securing your safety and the baby’s

He helps to pack your bag for when you go into labor. While you go through it all you hold up the tiny clothing that will soon be filled by a tiny version of you or him! At one point you do get a bit emotional and overwhelmed

It was a lot

You’re going to be a mother, you’re gonna push a baby out, there was A LOT more than just having a cute baby. Feedings, doctors, loosing sleep, all of that so you cousins help but cry. Bruce put everything down and came over to you and inlet in front of you

“Hey, hey, it’s okay…..I can’t lie to you and say it’ll be easy as pie. But I can promise you I will be there for you both always. Anytime you need help, a break or just need me there. I’m always here for you both” he said placing a kiss to your bump and one to your ring finger where your ring sits

He wipes your tears away and kisses your head. You finish packing the bag and set it aside. You snuggle into Bruce’s side and lay in comfortable silence

In this bed Bruce was holding the love of his life and the product of their love that grows inside of her

-kitty🐈‍⬛

- part 2???👀

#bruce wayne #batman #bruce wayne x reader #Batman x pregnant reader #dc comics #batman fanfiction #batman x fem!reader

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purplekissinger · 3 months

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hmm…hey, dear! I saw that your requests are open and I would like to know, can I get a fluffy (if that's possible) Voldemort, but as Voldy and not Tom (I mean with his snake form and not human) and wife fem reader (ambiguous appearance) in which he introduces her to his followers(with the right of him calling her his lady or queen or something like that) and despite the regrets and what everyone thinks, he is really devoted to her (even a little yan ) and the reaction of the diners seeing the way the dark lord treats his lovely wife (who is a magnificent witch, by the way) please? keep this wonderful fanart (https://www.tumblr.com/snake-queen7/730095728446291968?source=share) credits to the original author

Death and the Maiden

“why, I am growing quite sentimental... But look, Harry! My true family returns...”

Hiii anon!! Thanks for such a cool idea :3 Look, there is fluff here, Voldemort being nice with reader and all that, BUT!! I accidentally added some pretty dark themes. Like, really dark. Y/N uhhhhhh revives the Dark Lord, no less than that. There are not many details here, but the description of the ritual is sort of the same as in the fourth book. TW: blood, mention of cuts, morally grey reader, Voldemort and Y/N being a disaster couple.

Oddly enough, the most difficult part was finding the grave of Merope Riddle.

She died as Tom Riddle Sr's lawful wife, you now knew this for sure, because you rummaged through a thousand decayed documents in search of the name of the cemetery in the ground of which her poor bones lay. The archives of the hospital, the morgue, three Confunduses and one Imperio led you to Tottenham Park, to the old cemetery, where the poor were buried at that time, where on a tiny piece of land the unfortunate woman finally found peace. The peace that you were now about to disturb.

“Bone of the mother, taken with respect, you will renew your son!” you said in a whisper. And, looking at the ground that had parted under your feet, you thought that it’s good that they didn’t think of cremating Merope.

***

He has many names and so does Y/N.

“Y/N” — he’s the one who calls you that when no one can hear. This name is for him only, like a password, like a key on a chain hidden under a shirt, like a secret door in a solid wall. “Y/N.” "Tom".

“Mistress of the Riddle Manor” is a little cheesy, but you like it. It was you who persuaded him not to huddle at Malfoy’s, but to take the house that rightfully belonged to him, it was you who remade and altered everything here to your taste, it was you who turned an abandoned mansion into a cozy fortress on the border of the forest, it was you who caught a smile on his lips when he saw a tapestry with the Slytherin coat of arms on the wall. “My lady, you have impeccable taste,” he said then, and you bowed playfully.

“She Who Remained Faithful” is not something anyone among the Death Eaters actually calls you, but Voldemort likes to mention this epithet at meetings to emphasize what they should all strive for. When Bellatrix hears this, there are angry tears in her eyes. You are the eternal employee of the month. If there was an honor roll at Riddle Manor, it would have a full-length photo of you on it.

Newspapers are not so kind. In the headlines of the ‘Daily Prophet’ first pages, you are always “She Who Should Not Be Remembered.” The soft “should not be remembered” looks touching in comparison with the stern “must not be named.”

“You should call my wife “Mistress” or “My lady,” Voldemort says softly, looking around the room. “No other way. Although I do not recommend kissing her hand because it could cost your life”.

The Death Eaters gathered around the table nod uncertainly. You smile slightly, touching his palm under the table. His long boney fingers are cold, but only you know that they are also very, very gentle.

“Perhaps,” he adds thoughtfully, looking sideways at you, “such a kiss should be worth your whole life.”

At the wave of a pale hand, they rise from their seats, take turns approaching you and bowing at a respectful distance, and swear allegiance.

“Thank you for your invaluable help...” Snape says rotely. He is the only one who fully understands the incredible level of witchcraft you achieved by performing the ritual. He is the only one who understands how dangerous the mistress of Riddle Manor is, who has not a single murder to her name, but only one revival of the Dark Lord.

“... and I swear eternal fidelity...” Peter whispers. His small eyes sparkle and he tries not to look at you, but he can’t. Not even the fear of getting Crucio'd stops him.

“...my lady,” Bellatrix spits. In her eyes there is resentment, envy, longing... admiration?..

***

Tom Riddle had no friends. Voldemort neither. But, since you convinced him to do the most risky experiment in the world ever, to change the ritual of “Flesh, Bone and Blood”, then you had to go all the way.

You needed to sneak into Hogsmeade under the cover of darkness, which in itself is not an easy task, slip into the castle, find the Chamber of Secrets and allow Tom to possess you so that with your lips he could say the cherished “Open.” You had to jump into the cold darkness, you had to walk through the damp tunnels, you had to close your eyes when, rustling its scales, a huge creature approached you and, sniffing the air with its terrible nostrils, emited a bubbling hiss, in which any Parseltmouth would recognize the delight of a long-awaited meeting. “Why, you recognise me, after all,” Tom said tenderly, without leaving your body, and your arms wrapped around the thick snake neck. “Well, hello, Susie. Long time no see". A quiet, gentle hiss was the answer. "Thank you. Listen, there's something I really need you to do now...”

In one motion, you knocked over the fogged diamond vial over the cauldron. The blood of Susie the basilisk, the only creature in the world that Tom Riddle had ever considered a friend, turned the potion golden.

“Blood of the friend,” you said, breathing in, “given willingly, you will ressurect your ally!”

You understood Susie perfectly. Knowing Tom meant being willing to do anything for him.

***

“Do you want to celebrate our wedding at the Ministry or at Westminster Abbey?” Voldemort asks casually.

These quiet mornings are just for the two of you. When the fog over Little Hangleton had not yet cleared, and a cool freshness reigned in the garden, you, slowly, hand in hand, walked through the garden, and you proudly showed him the new flower beds, and he listened very carefully and admired both the flowers and you .

“We’re already married, Tom,” you reminded him and with a graceful gesture you raised your left hand, as if to show him a thin ring with an emerald. He quickly grabbed your hand and brought it to his lips.

“No,” he answered seriously. “It was a formality. I want a celebration for all of London, all of England. I want everyone to see you and know whose wife you are”.

Means a lot coming from someone who can throw the Cruciatus curse at any insolent person who dares to even look at you.

“Oh, aren’t you ambitious, my lord,” you laugh, running your finger along his pale cheek. “Is there anything else you might want?”.

“Of course there is,” Voldemort says with no hesitation, but for a brief moment you think that he’s trying to joke. “I want you to wear the crown of England.”

You hide your smile, turning away.

“Then we’d better get married in the London Tower.”

***

The potion hummed impatiently in the cauldron as you hurriedly unbuttoned your shirt with numb fingers. The third ingredient was too easy, a simple task. It has always been with you, from the day you and Tom looked into each other's eyes.

‘Flesh of the beloved!’ you gasped, breaking into a scream, when the dagger made the first cut on your left shoulder, ‘Given lovingly!.. You... will revive!..’ a little bit more, just a little! ‘Your loved one!"

Will is what is important. Intention is what is important. You don’t need to throw your entire arm from shoulder to hand into the cauldron, just a small piece of flesh is enough, which is worth more than thousands of Galleons, more than unicorn blood and basilisk venom. The will and intention of Her-Who-Remained-Faithful.

***

“You are the most precious thing I have,” Voldemort says quietly when the meeting is over and the two of you are sitting by the fireplace, hand in hand, your head on his shoulder. “I never expected to find such a treasure. And now it is not only with me, but also inside of me… Oh, how are you so loyal to me, my lady?”.

“I would throw my heart into the cauldron if necessary,” you say honestly.

“Don’t you ever say that,” he hisses angrily. “for it's mine”.

#harry potter #tom riddle #tom riddle x y/n #harry potter x reader #voldemort x y/n #voldemort x reader #voldemort #tom riddle x reader

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misguidedasgardian · 1 year

Text

The Winter Sun (13)

13. Dragonstone

MASTERLIST

Summary: You travel to the White Harbor and Dragonstone to see your family again

Pairing: Cregan Stark x Fem!Targaryen Reader

Warnings: Cursing, medieval and asoiaf customs, AGE GAP, Cregan is 12 years OLDER than reader), arranged marriage, SMUT, shenanigans on top of a Dragon, might miss some warnings

+18, MINORS DNI

Wordcount: 3,3 k

Notes: uff hope you like this one

Your stay in the White Harbor was brief, very brief, you arrived when the sun was already setting ni the horizon, and it gave you a breathtaking view of the city

The harbor was huge and beautiful, many ships were making port there, Cregan had taught you that New Castle, the seat of the Manderly’s and all the houses around it were built using a strange was rock they found in the shores of the White knIfe, the river, withered by the salt and waves, so it indeed looked like the entire city was white

But the most impressive part of them all had to be the huge wall that surrounded the city, it was the same color and the New Castle, that rested on top of a hill looking at the harbor

It was quite a sight

You landed in a huge patio surrounding the castle, Vhaelar behaved herself spectacularly, letting you and Cregan climb off of her, standing very still, purring even. And when you guessed was Lord Manderly approaching, she didn’t even move

“My Lord and Lady Stark!”, he greeted with open arms, and Cregan smiled widely and went to his embrace, hugging him tightly

“Lord Manderly”, they separated quickly and the old man’s attention falls on you

“My lady Stark, what a sight you are!”, you don’t remember him from your wedding, so you guessed he hadn't attended, he took your hand in his and kissed your knuckles, making you blush

“You flatter me, My Lord”, you whispered. He looked over your shoulder towards Vhaelar

“Fearsome creature!”, he admired, “sometimes I can’t believe they are real”, he laughed, with a sign of his hand he led you both inside

The insight of the castle was as white as the outside, it gave it an ethereal feeling, it seemed like it was midday when in reality the sun was hiding in the horizon

“I’ve taken the liberty to prepare a small meal”, Lord Manderly said, “to receive you”, inside the very hall was a table set to receive you, and you were looking up at the gallery of the main room of the castle wide-eyed, everything was so beautiful, it looked like it was made of marble.

“My Lady, My Lord”, a sweet voice greeted you and you were met with what you guessed was Lady Manderly

“My wife, the Lady Mara”, presented Lord Desmond

“Thank you for having us”, you said with a wide smile, “your home is beautiful, White Harbor is beautiful”, you admired, and by the look of wonder in your face they knew you weren’t lying. You missed the tender look Cregan gifted you

“You are too kind, my lady, I see the tales of your beauty were told short”, she said, “they didn’t do you justice”, you laughed nervously

“Please, let’s be seated, you must be hungry”, the truth is that we were hungry, servants showed up to show you to your seats, you sat right by Cregan’s side, and he grabbed your hand over the table and gave it a gentle squeeze, you smiled at him widely.

“I’ve been told you are on your way to Dragonstone”, Desmond started the conversation

“Yes”, Cregan said, “we are visiting Princess Rhaenyra, my wife’s cousin”, he said

“We are also taking my dragon��, you added, “she will rest in the dragonmount as Winter is at its worst”, you implied

“We will be honored to escort you from Dragonstone in your way back”, he said quickly

“You are too kind Lord Desmond”, said Cregan

“The journey will take two full weeks”, he said

“So we request you departure immediately after we left”, said Cregan, “it will take you two weeks to get to Dragonstone”, you found yourself loving seeing your husband all “lord” and commanding, you bit your lip as you looked at him

“Of course My Lord, it will take me one week to get the ship ready”

Cregan as he looked at your face of wonder looking at everything you could, promised you would stay a few days on your way back, and you were happy to do so, you had found White Harbor beautiful, and furthermore he had said that here is where the rest of his family lived, his uncle, and his children.

He only held you that night, kissing your shoulder gently, the rooms of Lord Manderly being next door you felt so nervous to do anything.

And early in the morning, you found your dragon resting in the forest in the back of the city, you prepared her as Cregan discussed the last details with Lord Manderly, and then, he climbed on your dragon and you did as well. And you departed White Harbor as quickly as you came.

You couldn’t help but turn around to look at the fai city as you flew South, the views from the air always took your breath away.

“Now, this is our chance”, Cregan whispered in your ear, hugging you and taped you to your side

“Cregan”, you giggled, holding into your reigns

“You looked so beautiful yesterday”, he whispered, “all cute, nervous, my little lady wife”, he purred, creating goosebumps in your arms

“And you looked so handsome”, you whined needily, as his hand sneaked down the front of your riding pants, “all bossy, and commanding”, you mocked, he kissed you under your ear, and then he kissed down your neck

“What happened with “no funny business on top of my dragon?” my lady?”, he asked mockingly

“Fuck that… mmm”, you moaned when his fingers found you wet and ready for him

And your husband stuffed you with his fingers all the ride south to Dragonstone

And you landed in Dragonstone in the afternoon, you planted your feet in your family’s ancestral home, in your riding gear, your hair braided like a Targaryen, but with your beautiful white cape, symbolizing house Stark, and Cregan right by your side

You were greeted by a group of soldiers, and Vhaelar roared but took to the skies again to fly over the Dragonmount.

“This is truly breathtaking”, whispered Cregan, as he placed his big hand on your lower back and guided you, you flinched as you walked, your sore pussy bothering you, and he chuckled darkly.

“See that is the dragonmount, possibly the most dangerous place in the seven Kingdoms, there lies dragons, wild and bonded alike”, you told him.

The guards led you through a long stone bridge, that is was as much dangerous as gorgeous

Cregan looked everywhere wide eyed, and you smiled widely, grabbing his hand

It was a long and silent walk towards the castle, and soon, the great doors were opening in front of you.

This led directly to the main hall

“Lord Cregan of House Stark and his Lady wife, princess (Y/N) of House Targaryen, Lords of Winterfell, and Wardens of the North”, presented a white cape, and soon the doors opened and show you both to the room filled with Rhaenyra’s family

“Cousin!”, she greeted, even though she had never greeted with such a wide smile before

“Cousin!”, you greeted back, and you received a somewhat warm welcome with smiled and hugs

“I see marriage has treated you well”, Daemon’s voice made you shake where you stood

“It has”, you said sincerely, and he looked you up and down and smirked, you didn’t even know what it meant, but he seemed pleased.

You now were greeted by your nephews, they had grown more in this two years, they were young men now

“I am pleased to receive you both here” Princess Rhaenyra said as Baela hugged you

“You are too kind, Princess Rhaenyra”, said Cregan, “it is an honor to be in the ancestral home of house Targaryen”

“We were surprised to read your letter”, said Daemon, “is there something you wanted to tell us?”, he asked, and you and Cregan exchanged looks

“We request a private audience with Princess Rhaenyra, and Prince Daemon”, said Cregan, and Daemon only nodded

It was not accustomed to talk business within the first day of one’s arrival, but, this was kind of important

Everyone, Daemon’s daughters and Rhaenyra’s children left the room, leaving you with her, Daemon and Cregan

“We have come here because we have something to tell you”, said Cregan, and he looked at you, he found fear in your eyes, he knew how fearful Aemond made you.

“What is it?”, she asked gently

“Speak!”, demanded Daemon

“Aemond Targaryen had threatened my wife”, said Cregan

“I took care of him”, said Daemon, “I told the fucker that if he ever bothered you again…”

“His threat included something in the likes of treason”, explained Cregan

“He spoke of treason?”, asked Rhaenyra

“I know this might sound like nothing”, you said with a broken voice, “but he said, and these were his exact words, “When my brother is King he will annul your marriage and I will come for you "", you repeated exactly as he said it.

You saw Rhaenyra shared concerned looks with Daemon

“When my brother is King?”, she repeated

“We wouldn’t have come all this way if we didn’t think this was serious”, said Cregan, “those are the words he threatened my wife with, and it makes me believe not only he is unhinged and the very life and comfort of my wife is in danger but, that he speaks of the highest treason”, he said seriously

“It makes me believe the Hightowers will betray you and take your throne”, you said with certainty, “they have faithful friends in the royal council, they have the means and the desire to do so, cousin”, you said, “I’ve lived with them”

“We thank you, for coming all this way to speak these words”, said Daemon, “we will not take them lightly”

“My father bend the knee to you, Princess, he swore allegiance to you as heir, our word is not to be taken lightly, is part of our oath to report anything we might perceive as treason”, he said firmly

“And for that we thank you” , she said with a shy smile, “you are welcome here to stay as long as you need too”, she took your hands in hers, “Aemond will never come close to you again”, she whispered, “not If I can help it, I’ll see to it”

“Thank you cousin”, you whispered, and she smiled softly as you

“Now that the worst is over, let’s drink and feast for the god’s sake!”, laughed Daemon, placing his hands on Cregan’s shoulders, and he smiled, “I have questions for you boy”

This welcome truly surprised you, they treated you as one of their own and you couldn’t help but wonder if it was because they wanted your allegiance, of because they truly saw in you a member of her family

Perhaps a mixture of both

Perhaps they didn’t received much visits here in Dragonstone, and they were bored

Perhaps a mixture of those three things

A feast was arranged pretty quickly, and soon when the sun hid under the horizon you were drinking and eating with your family. Jace and Luke seemed particularly chatty, and Jofrrey had gotten so big, and Aegon and Viserys were so cute and small.

The good thing is that you did start to feel at home here, surrounded by your family.

Jace was seated right beside you and asked you a lot of questions, which was surprising, he asked if you liked the North, and if you were comfortable, and you found yourself smiling at him and said you were.

He seemed pleased by your answers so he nodded, drinking from his cup

“What about you Jace? have you been practicing with the sword?”

“Oh yes, and also hIgh Valyrian”

“Gaomagon ao vaoresagon īlon ȳdragon Valyrio Eglie?”, [Do you prefer we speak in High Valyrian?”

“Iksan zūgagon ñuha Valyrio Eglie iksis daor hae sȳz hae aōhon”, [i'm afraid my high valyrian is not as good as yours], he said a little but rough, but it was pretty good

“Ao jiōragon konīr”, [you’ll get there], you assured him, and he smiled at you, you turned to Cregan and realized he was getting grilled by Daemon, who was whispering in his ear while his arm was over his shoulders bringing him closer

“You married my niece without any man there to gave her away”, he threatened, both were a little drunk by now

“It was Princess Rhaenys”, he answered, truly concerned for his accusations, “she gave her away, didn’t she, my dear?”, he asked looking at you, and you, amused, nodded

“She was there, my lovely drunk husband”, you giggled, and he smiled dreamily at you, he leaned in and kissed you gently and shortly, and then he turned towards Daemon, who watched the scene with a silly smile

“See?”, asked Cregan, “we conducted affairs with diplomacy and decorum”,

“I’m glad then”, he said, palming his shoulder, “she is the last reminder we have of my brother, Aegon the conciliator”, he said

Those words stuck with you for the rest of the night.

“Why don’t you wait out Winter here?”, suggested Rhaenyra, over Daemon

“I’m the Warden of the North”, Cregan said, “I have to be with my people when winter is at its worst”, and then he looked down at you

“And my place is by your side”, you said then, and he smiled, kissing you again on your forehead. And you continued feasting and drinking with your family

“I could get accustomed to this”, Cregan laughed as you reached your room, he looked all around the room, he was marveled at the carved dragons decorating the walls, as you were, “even for only a few weeks”, he whispered, looking back at you

“You heard Rhaenyra, we can come whenever we wish”, you said with a smile, he stumbled towards the bed, still a little drunk, and with a wicked smile on his face

“Cregan!”, you warned and he threw himself, ever carefully, on top of you

“My lady wife”, he purred, kissing you sloppily, “oh no”, he whined, frowning

“What? what is it?”

“I am a little too drunk”, he whined, kissing you one last time

“Yes me too, that feast was too much”, you muttered, he smiled, and kissed you one more time

“Let’s sleep wifey”, he said, “I love you”

“I love you too”, and you both fell asleep right there, holding each other

Daemon kidnapped your husband the very next morning, to show him around and to train, and you decided, on your own, to enjoy the day here, until you had to return to the frosty North.

A walk along the beach seemed like a fantastic idea.

Using your riding gear and your cape you abandoned the safety of the Castle to walk amongst the coast, your silvery dragon flew over the Dragonmount, it was a beautiful day, the skies were clear, the sun shining, but still a cold breeze told you something undeniable… Winter was coming.

Jace found you walking slowly on the beach, and he reached up to you running.

You turned around to receive him with wondering eyes

“Jacaerys”, you called, and he fought to regain his breath

“Hey”, he said, “My Lady”, he greeted with a shy smile, “Sorry for interrupting your walk”, he said, scratching the back of his head lazily

“It’s quite alright”, you said with a shy smile

“I wanted to talk to you, no, actually, I wanted to apologize”, he said, you didn't know why, but he was nervous, you both started walking, side by side, as you thought it was going to be easier that way

“For what?”, you asked

“I was awful to you when we were children”, he started, “I know what it sounds like”, he said, “That I’m saying this to you because we want your alliance, but the truth is, it had been in my mind since I saw you when we visited the capital about the succession”, he said sincerely, “only then, and thanks to Aemond I realized that we didn’t laugh with you, we laugh about you, and that was terrible”, he took one of your hands in his, and you let him, “And I’m truly happy that you found a home, and a family, that deserves you and cherishes you, it is clear that Cregan Stark adores you, and you deserve that and more”

Your eyes shined with unshed tears

“You are too kind”, you whispered, “We were only children, and I, accept and appreciate your apology”, you said softly, and he smiled

“It eases a weight from my shoulders”, he said, he took your hand to his lips and kissed your knuckles, and you decided that wasn’t enough and you hugged him, he returned the hug.

You kept walking along the beach together, talking and laughing, sharing stories.

When you returned to the castle, right by lunchtime, another Targayren entered the hall

“Aunt Rhaenys!”, you greeted, and she received you in her arms

“I heard you were making the journey and I wanted to see you”, she said, with a wide smile

“I’m glad you are here”

With her came the other of Daemon’s daughters, Baela.

And now it was a true family gathering

Cregan will have to brace himself…

So you spend three long weeks, feasting and drinking, with a great portion of your family, and Cregan and you had fucked everynight, sometimes in the day time, sometimes more than once time per night.

He was insatiable

And you were too

You liked the fact that he and Jacaerys were becoming friends, and in a more weird way, you were happy Daemon seemed to approve of him, you didn’t know why, but you were glad.

Lord Manderly was close to arriving, and you were preparing mentally to return to Winterfell, not that you didn’t want to, but you had spent three marvelous weeks with your family like never before.

But you smiled, content, as you were leaving the Maester’s tower to confirm what you already suspected.

You smiled tenderly, caressing your belly.

You couldn’t wait to tell Cregan

So much so you ran to your room and you found him there, looking over the balcony towards the dragonmount, something you noticed he enjoyed doing

You hugged him by the back and you noticed how he grabbed your arms too, caressing them

“I’m with child”, you whispered, so softly you doubted he even listened

“What?”, he said, in a second he turned around, still in your arms, he looked down at you wide eyed, and with a wide smile

“I’m expecting”, you said more surely, looking up at him with eyes filled with hope

“Are you sure?”, he asked, you noticed he drew a sharp breath, but he held you tighter

“I am, I’ve miss two blood moons, and the Dragonstone maester just confirmed it”, he laughed, letting out a relaxed breath, and he hugged you tightly, and kissed you repeatedly

“My love!”, he said, “I’m so happy!”, he said, he grabbed you in his arms and led you to the bed. You giggled when he laid you there gently, and climbed in the bed right behind you

“Cregan what are you doing!?”, you laughed, as he accommodated himself between your legs and starting raising your dress to uncover your lower part

“I wish to speak with my unborn child”, he said, like it was obvious

“I’m not even showing yet!”, you felt a little self conscious, when he uncovered your belly, “Cregan!”

“Shhh woman, I’m speaking to my baby”, he said gently, and then he leaned in over your stomach, “hey little pup”, he said softly, laying soft kisses around your belly button, “this is your papa speaking, be nice to your mother, mmm?”, he purred, you giggled with his warm breath tickled you, “grow big, strong, and beautiful”, he said winking at you, “come when you need too, but come healthy, and happy, we will be waiting for you, my little pup”

“Maybe is a dragonling”, you suggested

“Shhh”, he shushed you again with a smirk, “we love you, we will be waiting for you”, he said, placing a longer kiss in your lower belly

And then he laid there, hugging your midsection

You didn’t know it then, he was not only happy, he was also fearful.

taglist!

@severewobblerlightdragon @missusnora @stargaryenx @poppyreader @chainsawsangel @court-jester-stuff @batprincess1013 @eddiepicker @lyannesworld @arujee @kamisunshine @mss-nthng @partypoison00 @grimistangel @elleclairez @may-machin @prettykinkysoul @justagurlwithships @champomiel @laura-naruto-fan1998 @zoleea-exultant @devotedlythoughtfulanchor @zoleea-exultant @llleon666 @dark-night-sky-99 @bitchigoteverythingissues @harrypotteranna23-blog@esposadomd @ajanauia @phantomtea19 @let-love-bleeds-red

#misguidedwinter #cregan stark x reader #cregan #cregan x reader #cregan stark #house targaryen #daemon targaryen #rhaenyra targaryen #targaryen!oc #targaryen!reader #hbo house of the dragon #house of the dragon #house stark

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nerdyjournals · 3 months

Text

Flowers have sad meanings too

Florist!Y/N

Many believe that working in a flower shop is all gumdrops and rainbows, but it's not. It's stories of heartbreak and sadness. I wish I could remember their names, but I can't grieve every one of them. No matter how hard I try.

Author's Note: 3/8 of these mini tales are based on encounters I have had while working in my field. They are INSPIRED and not exact.

DISCLAIMER: ANY SIMILARITIES THESE ENTRIES HAVE TO A PERSON, PLACE, EVENT, OR SITUATION IS COINCIDENTAL AND NOT INTENDED TO MIMIC ANYONE.

WARNING: THIS PIECE TOUCHES ON DEATH AND ITS AFFECTS, SUBJECTS OF DEPRESSION, AND ASSUMED SU1C1D3. IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO SUBJECTS LIKE THESE, PLEASE SKIP THIS POST.

Boy #1

He was a boy with his whole life ahead of him. His mother said that he was very protective of his siblings, so protective that it's what took him.

She said it was a break in, one that happened in the dead of night. She never heard it. All she heard was the sound of her daughter screaming for help as her husband tackled the man to the floor. She didn't even hear the gun go off.

He was on his way to college in the fall, full ride. He was very talented. They hope to release his works down the road, but for now, some things stay locked away. Not because they're bad or sad, but because the grief was too fresh.

Boy #2

He was an interesting story. A quiet kid that everyone thought was mean, but was a very sweet guy and an only child. He loved animals.

His flowers were ordered by his friends because his parents were too shattered by the news. One of them couldn't keep it together, ended up telling about him. He was off volunteering to help build houses when one of them collapsed on top of him and a few others. They came out with minor injuries, but he wasn't so lucky. They spew out so many things about his kind heart but stone-like demeanor. It hurt to see that it was also his undoing.

Other families came and ordered, many of them being young kids in the dance classes he taught. Many of the kids still not understanding why their favorite teacher wasn't coming back. His parents finally arrived to order, but my heart was too fragile to be there.

Boy #3

His sister wouldn't stop talking about how he had wanted to do a lot with his life. She said that he was going to the gym everyday to get stronger. He was a gentle soul, a loving gentleman. Sickness took him far too soon.

It started off with a bad cough and a fever, she said. Then it just kept getting worse. By the time he was eighteen, he was fully living in his hospital room. It broke her heart to see how he dwindled away until he was almost nothing but skin and bones. She was thankful that he went in his sleep, going painlessly.

She couldn't stop repeating that she felt like a bad sister, that she should've done more to help him recover. It broke me a little more on the inside when I couldn't tell her that it wasn't up to her to fix him. I could only stay silent.

Boy #4

Only one person ordered him flowers, but it was a lot of flowers. Other than his parents, this boy received flowers from dozens of people. Friends, teachers, acquaintances - you name it. They all ordered through one person as they were the only one in town.

The pieces were extravagant, ranging from small vases to large sprays. They said that they wanted to reflect him; an artist surrounded by colors. No one knows what took him; whether self or sickness. They just found him in his studio one cold winter morning, slumped over an unfinished painting.

They said he'll have a gallery set up after the service, show off the wonders he created. I might go. If not just to see a fellow tortured soul. One day, his name will be known alongside the greats. For now, he'll be known to me.

Boy #5

His flowers were ordered over the phone by his mother, said something about it becoming too final if she stepped into the store.

I heard about this boy on the news. They found him in his car, just off the highway. He was so young, but the demons got to him before anyone else could.

I could only sit silent as she cried in my ear, blaming herself for not helping him. Little does she know the demons live in everyone. Including mine.

Boy #6

This boy was proof that the brightest smiles hide the darkest demons. His sisters couldn't hold themselves together as I flipped through the binder. The older one said that she blamed herself, saying that she should've seen the signs.

He went as he slept, passing in silence. She said that he had been bullied for years, but since he stopped talking about it, they assumed it stopped. They found him gone in the morning. I can never understand how some people find it acceptable to be so harsh to another.

They showed me his photo. He had a bright smile, one that was even wider with his family. It almost breaks my very soul that he suffered alone.

Boy #7

This was my first family order. The poor family was lost due to a faulty monoxide detector. The remaining members were in the middle of suing the landlord on top of mourning the family.

They didn't know until the son failed to show up for school for three days, unlike him they said. Same for the parents.

The boy was said to start high school next year. They were all excited since he would be attending the private school near the edge of town, one that was hard to get into without good grades. Now, the world could never see what he would amount to.

Boy #8

He was a child.

No mother should ever be allowed to outlive her baby. He was innocent, a victim of medical circumstance. They never said what he had, but they ordered him a beautiful urn display.

His younger brother, one still so small, would almost never know about the brother who left too early. His older brother was deployed, but is in an emergency flight back over to give his good byes.

A child...goodness.

#kpop fanfic #stray kids x reader #stray kids imagines #skz fic #skz imagines #skz au #skz fanfic #skz x reader #stray kids texts #stray kids text imagines #skz angst

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if-lost-please-return-to-maliksi · 4 months

Note

kay maliksi ulit hehe || hmm modern au music rec is glue song

highschool sweet hearts sila tas nagkita ulit tas ikaw na bahala ate? (ate ka ba)

saranghe (napapagod ka na ba sakin)

((HAHAHA. Hala ka, ate ba ako? Hulaan nyo xD))

Disclaimer: I do not own Maliksi and Makisig. Full Credit goes to HC - @ask-emilz-de-philz. Please check out their blog for amazing art and the wonderful world of Planet Puto. All involved characters are adults. Self insert? Might be. Char.

Genre: FLUFF

NON- #PhilMytCrea related AU.

Maliksi softly hums a tune that's been playing on his earphones as he started watering the potted chrysanthemums in front of his shop. It's been 3 months since he inherited the family's flower shop business because his Kuya Makisig wanted to pursue his career as a pilot instead. He didn't mind as he's more than happy to work at his own pace and without someone to boss him around.

He wouldn't admit it to others, but despite him being snarky and sarcastic most of the time, he's actually a gentle guy who loved peace and quiet- the only thing the plants and flowers on his shop absolutely gives everyday.

Maliksi was almost done watering the flowers when he remembered that he had some gypsophila delivered earlier. He smiled as he unloaded the pots and placed it gently in a sunny spot near the windows.

Gypsophila-

How nostalgic.

He can still remember how he begged his Kuya Makisig to teach him how to make flower arrangements- they both practiced using the shop's prettiest flowers- except their parents made him pay out of his allowance but he's already spent half of it on the local arcade earlier that week. In the end, their parents refused to let him keep the bouquet they made.

Maliksi sulked so much that his Kuya Makisig ended up sneaking him a gypsophila bouquet to school the next day- their parents never found out since gypsophila is usually just used as fillers on floral arrangements and it's quite cheap, yet his Kuya Makisig just knew how to make it look like it's one of the more expensive types of bouquet.

He can still remember how happy you looked and how red your face was when he handed you flowers on the last Valentine's Day of your highschool journey. You were the top of your class and Maliksi always hated how he always came second. All your highschool years were you two trying to see who will one up one another be it academics or extracurricular activities.

You were his rival- until you're not.

During your third year, you both were chosen to play as the famous Romeo and Juliet. All the late after school practice, the pancit canton chilimansi fueled all-nighters, and the endless phone calls with one another to have the perfect play also ended up with you two getting closer- not that you'll have it any other way.

After graduating, your family had to move back to the province due to your father's work. Maliksi ended up losing contact with you after a few months and that's it. Such fleeting first love.

He can only softly chuckle to himself as he reminisced those good old days.

"Excuse me...What are those called?"

Maliksi's attention snapped back to reality and at the short highschool boy who is now standing inside the shop, pointing at the flowers he's currently holding.

"Uhh.. these? Gypsophila."

The boy nervously looked around the shop once again, twiddling his thumbs before speaking.

"M...my Ate has a bouquet of that kind and she's got it preserved for a very long time...but I destroyed it accidentally when I was playing with my soccer ball in her room."

That's so cute and sweet.

Maliksi smiled, "I can recreate the bouquet for you. Do you remember what other flowers is in there?"

The boy shook his head before pointing at the flowers in Maliksi's hand "Nothing else. Just that." The boy started fumbling along his pockets before finding three crumpled 100 peso bills and some change. "I saved this from my allowance. Do you think you can do it with this?"

It was clearly not enough but Maliksi didn't mind since he also used to be a highschool student who relied on weekly allowance for stuff he wanted to buy. "Of course, buddy. Let me get your sister's bouquet started."

Maliksi prepared some cotton paper and pastel pink cellophane and started to masterfully arrange the flowers- making a very pretty bouquet that anyone is bound to swoon over. It is a skill he's developed while growing up and occasionally helping hie parents at the shop during holidays. Once he's done, the boy stared at the bouquet in awe, eyes twinkling in admiration.

"It's so pretty! Prettier than the one I accidentally destroyed."

Maliksi smirked at the kid before softly chuckling. "What? I don't think I ever made an ugly bouquet my whole life."

"I...How much do I need to add if I'll have it delivered at my Ate's work? I have a soccer game in 10 minutes."

"You know what, I'll make it free delivery if you promise me you'll win your soccer game, deal?"

"Deal!"

"My ate works at the bank. She'll be out at 5:30pm. If you see some woman with curly hair, around your age and is wearing a cute dress- that's her. Thank you so much!"

The boy left right away for his soccer game, leaving Maliksi with the bouquet. He then started closing the flower shop before grabbing his black hoodie and wearing it above his plain white shirt paired with his grey sweatpants- he's not really up to dress up right now since it'll be too much work when he'll just be delivering a bouquet to some stranger.

Three minutes before 5:30 - Maliksi was already outside the said workplace, leaning on his motorcycle with the bouquet in one hand, waiting for the boy's sister.

You glance at the huge wall clock, waiting for it to struck 5:30 so you can get out of this place already. Your youngest brother has a soccer game going on right now, yet you've been ignoring him for a whole week now after he sneaked into your room and accidentally broke some stuff.

Maybe I should buy him something and him on his game? But he might get embarrassed since he's at that angsty teenager pace...

You walked out of your work, eyes on the ground as you deliberately think if you should sneak on your brother's game to watch him-

"Excuse me, I believe this is for you- Y/n?!"

You quickly looked up to where the voice came from and hurriedly ran towards him with an embrace. "Maliksi!" He made sure to catch you in his arms while you both giggle like two kids as he spins you around before setting you down.

"Ah, it's been so long! I missed you!" You softly giggled before gently ruffling his hair like you used to do to him back in highschool.

Maliksi smiled, not bothering to hide the slight blush that has been forming in his cheeks while still holding you. "I missed you too. I never thought I'll see you here again. You told me yor family will be staying at the province for good."

"We're supposed to. But my brother wants to attend an engineering program for college so, here we are. Our parents stayed at the province though."

"Wait...your brother-"

"Jake, That chubby little kid who used to crawl all over our highschool projects!"

Maliksi's eyes widen in realization that the shy and goofy kid he was talking to earlier was the kid that often bothered him and Y/n's study time back in highschool.

"He's grown! I've met him earlier. He wants me to give you this, because apparently, you were mad that he accidentally ruined the original one."

You can feel your cheeks heating up as if you were caught red-handed to be cherishing that one bouquet you received from Maliksi back in high school very dearly that you went out of your way to preserve it after all these years.

Maliksi burst out chuckling at your flustered face, finding it as adorable as ever. "You could've just tried to look for me when you got back. I would've made you a bouquet for each Valentine's Day we missed since high school."

((I'LL MAKE A PART TWOOO! I'M SO SORRY, I'VE BEEN SICK AND MY BRAIN IS SO SABAW FROM ALL THE ANTIHISTAMINES I'VE BEEN TAKING))

ALSOOO- I'll melt if someone tells those lines to me helppp. AND LOOK AT THAT FACE----- IMAGINE THAT RUNNING TO HUG YOUUUU AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Art is by: @ask-emilz-de-philz , please support them! <3

#planet puto #philmytcrea #planetputo #rp tamawo #maliksithetamawo #rp maliksi #writers on tumblr #ianewrites

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sillyblues · 11 months

Note

I loved the fanfic of Ronal x Tonowari and [name], it's so wonderful and incredible that it made me cry. I really loved the new part where [name] meets a Na'vi who loves her. I was thinking about how she met her beloved. I called him Ha'wnu because it means protect/shelter. I like to think that he had a personality similar to Tsireya when he was younger, and [name] was like Lo'ak, feeling lost and very insecure about herself, that's when she met Ha'wnu, the beautiful Metkayina, who was a respected young warrior. I imagined them getting very close while Ronal and Tonowari were together. They went to the same place where Tsireya said "I see you" to Lo'ak, my Eywa, I think Ha'wnu said "I see you [name]". Both [name] and Ha'wnu became great warriors, they became very respected. It's funny to think that when the Sully family came to ask for shelter, they found two Metkayina with lots of tattoos. And also Rotxo being [name]'s son, I see [name] and Ha'wnu talking to Rotxo after what he and his friends did to Lo'ak. I would love to see more [name] with her partner, and the arrival of the Sully family... I love your fanfic.

totw au pt.2

ੈ✩‧₊˚notes: YOOO!! omg i am so happy and glad you love my fic ughh tysm!!😭🫶🏼🫶🏼 also your Ha'wnu?? read and him are so cute together JKSGKSBDFJ

Aight so i never really expanded much on the alternate ending where you ended up with another because technically, it didn’t happen and i intentionally left some descriptions vague so you guys could fill it up with your imaginations on who your partner is and who your children are and im so happy that i got to see one of your visions to this ending!! If u got some more don’t be afraid to hit my inbox up anon or not bc id love to talk and share abt it all with yall!!

Okay so in this ending, i initially thought a gentle and soft mate like the reader, someone who is not a hunter and is by your side most of the time would be good for you and is great about communication and affirms you in all the best ways possible (the opposite of tonowari and ronal initially—). But now that i thought about it more i think a strong hunter, someone who would be Tonowari’s right hand man would suit reader more bc i am weak to gentle and soft reader x strong gruff man pairings yfm? Also its like a loop to the reader’s parents who are a teacher and the Olo’eyktan’s right hand man (maybe the previous olo’eyktan and tsahik loved your mother and had to watch their son suffer from the same pain as they did who knows)

When the sully family came to the Metkayina Clan, your family was assigned to teach them of the ways of your people alongside with the Tonowari’s family considering the one that asked for uturu is Jake Sully, the Toruk Makto. It was absolute hell for them yk because the love they had for you never went away and they were so close to you, skin almost touching, made you laugh a couple of times and sometimes, they like to think that you were mated to them. But that’s all they can do because at the end of the day, you aren’t theirs and they are not yours.

Your mate and Tonowari are quite close so they were fine with teaching Jake with the Tsurak. You and Ronal however… I means, Neytiri disliked Ronal for the harsh words thrown at her family. She doesn’t explicitly shows it but you could tell. You were more kind and understanding of their situation, their discomfort, despite not knowing full of the context why but you didn’t pry. You didn’t force her to tame a Tsurak when she didn’t want to and Neytiri was grateful for you that. When it came to knowing the ways of your people, Neytiri was more silent with Ronal but engaged more with you. You try your hardest to engage them both but sometimes and they appreciate it but sometimes, it just doesn’t work.

Your children, Ao’nung, and Tsireya taught the Sully children and it wasn’t that good but it wasn’t that bad either. Now, Ao’nung is a good child, great child even. He and his sister loves you more than anything and in their heart (Ao'nung would never say this out loud), they call you their second mother because you’re so gentle and kind and caring to them. Tonowari and Ronal loves them truly but they are the Olo’eyktan and Tsahik so they arent by their side all the time and they got expectations of their children. When the Sully family came, their strictness and expectations got a bit worse since the leaders of the clan were cautious of them. Ao’nung is like the heir to the position of the next Olo’eyktan so the stress is high man. Naturally, he takes it on others. Your children help ground him and call him out and defend the Sully family.

Your children stop him with one mention of your name and Ao’nung just stops.

“What would the Karyu think?” “Sa’nok is going to be disappointed in you, Ao’nung.” “Sa’nu doesn’t like mean boys.”

The Sully children def got curious bc why is this mean little brat quiet and apologizes quickly as you were his mother? So your children introduced them to you and not even a minute in they were like “..ah.”

The Sully family is not stable. The parents were often fighting and the children felt so out of place in your clan. They all felt like they didn’t belong here. But you and your mate was so healthy and loving to the children you basically took them in on days where they didn’t want to be with their parents.

Your mate is a strong hunter and teaches them how to hunt on his free time and their daddy issues are like “why can’t our dad be like this to us now :(( ”. You teach Kiri and Tuk as well and they miss their mother who is so deep in her loss of the Omatikaya Clan that they feel like she doesn’t see them anymore. Your children help them all the time and they’re so friendly and nice and the Sully children tells them stories of their people back in the Omatikaya Clan and your children are like, “Wow really?? That’s so cool!! Tell us more!!!” You and your family make them feel like they belong and they love it but they also hurt after spending time with you because they miss the love in your family in their own.

You notice this ofc so you spend time with their parents as well. You listen to their pent up rants, their grief, their suffering, their worries and you were there for them. You give them advice to spend time with their children and to not treat them as warriors 24/7 because before they were warriors and a healer, they were their children first. You lowkey became a family therapist lol.

In conclusion, you a great mama and a teacher. 11/10 they all love u.

series-taglist: (tumblr won't let me tag some blogs so if you changed your username, please lmk!) @totesnothere04 @ducks118 @narutoboi @yeosxxx @fanboyluvr @ladylovegood-69 @northsoulss @thatfictionalwh0re @ghostlyworld @toodaloo432 @lovefromjazzy @greendino7 @neteyamforlife @vermilionzombie @vxncxntt @adaiasafira @tsuteysyawntu @mooniequeen @eywas-heir @arminsgfloll @dev1lm4n @myh3artttt @thehoneymushroomhealer @delightcandlelight @shadowmoonlight0604 @dae-dreamer @buttercup-beeee @ms5m1th @cryingwhilereading @im-in-a-pansexual-panik @manumanulau @ssc7514 @loveofvernonslife @cheolattes @bobaopal @riahpickle-blog

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wearethewitches · 3 months

Note

Could you maybe gives us a bit of a peak, or insight about the fics you put up to vote? At least maybe the top 3? No pressure, just very curious!

oh i can DEFINITELY do that!!!!!!

Shadowheart, time travelling cleric of Selune; Shadowheart/Aylin/Isobel

disclaimer: i don't have stuff written for this, so i'm copy-pasting a paragraph or two of my vast, vast selection of notes for this fic. i generally write a synopsis of every chapter for my planned fics.

Shadowheart wakes the moment her tadpole is given, protected from Shar's influence and marked for all to see. White hair. Sees everything from a new perspective, shocked at how loyal Lae'zel is to Vlaakith and how genuinely sad everyone else is. Whole thing about being a cleric of Selune instead of Shar, and getting rid of her armour. Gives the relic to Lae'zel and doesn't believe the Emperor when he tries to convince her he's a friend; only Selune's mark protects her divine knowledge of the future and she advises the Emperor not to touch her thoughts unless he has to. Ends up being the party leader for the most part, though abstains from speaking to strangers; adopts their pets without pause and asks Mol if she knows how to find Nine-Fingers, etc., gaining her trust after refusing to steal the idol.

2. Jaheira/Karlach; "Hero Worship"

i do actually have fic written for this, as it's only a one-shot, but i got distracted and forgot to finish it, so when i'm in the mood, i will be finishing + posting this in full - so watch out!

‘Tired?’ came the teasing voice of her best and worst nightmare, Jaheira reaching over to flick a clump of sweaty hair off her eye. The druid laughed at her suffering, ‘Feeling lonely, Karlach?’ Say my name again, the tiefling thought. At Jaheira’s attention she straightened, knee knocking against the table leg, cursing as the abrupt movement nearly spilt hers and someone else’s tankards everywhere. The other tankard, she realised as Jaheira reached to catch them, sliding into the other seat, was Jaheira’s. Shit, she’s sitting across from me. Shit, shit, shit-

Mwahahahaha......and finally-

3. the next chapter of (Selûne, thou) with softest starglow.

oh boy, but have i got a treat for y'all with this one. i've currently got 9k of what i think will be around 40k for the next "chapter" (genuinely wondering if i should split it at some point, tbh. might make it easier, but also ruins my three chapters for the acts, and interlude and epilogue game i've got going) - and i have a new spotify playlist, dedicated exclusively to selune thou.

because i'm nice, i'll put some of the new chapter under a cut for you. how much of it, you ask? oh....only about 350 words. should be enough to make you go "wtffffffffffff!!!" and that's the kind of reaction i love. again, you should expect the new chapter to come out in late february, at the earliest.

enjoy!

excerpt from chapter 4 of selune thou

Smoke billowed from the centre of town, a tower of blackened soot and ash as the house burned, despite the veritable sheets of rain.

‘Fireworks,’ Jaheira rasped, eyes distant as Halsin scrubbed lathered fingers through Shadowheart’s ruined hair. The few other adventurers—Jaheira and Shadowheart having been joined by Lae’zel, Valeria and Astarion that morn—were bitter as they explained the conspiracy to harm refugee children. Exploding toys, Isobel found, were not even the extent of the problem.

Her daughter, mumbling through a bread cauldron of soup, said, ‘There was a house, with a basement full of fireworks. We’re going to track the bastard who lived there down—Astarion was suspicious about what he might have had stashed there, and he was right. We put two and two together. Then I set off a trap. The new family barely made it out faster than we did.’

‘It was like something out of a play,’ Shadowheart hissed, batting her purpling hand against Halsin’s convenient thigh. ‘Oh, you aren’t Loviator! Stop it!’

Isobel watched as the gentle druid halted Shadowheart’s flagellation, quiet words in her ear calming her in seconds. Halsin, she’d discovered, was quite the specimen—and although she was immune to his particular charms, he’d clearly set his sights on more than one of Valeria’s friends.

‘Why does her hand hurt?’ Yenna whispered rather loudly from the other side of the barn. Halsin’s oddity, Minthara had called her, before giving her—and her cat—a tour of the camp herself. Isobel refused to forget what she had told them.

I have known the pain of losing a child to violence.

‘She is cursed by the goddess, Shar,’ the drow explained to Yenna, voice grave, ‘who kidnapped and converted her to Shar’s, quite honestly, ridiculous tenets of loss. Shadowheart rediscovered that she was a Selûnite acolyte quite recently, and so the curse is doing its very best to remind her who took advantage of her for nigh on forty years.’

The young girl’s eyes—her skin pink underneath, a sign that Isobel had best give her a look over sooner rather than later—went wide, before she looked to Isobel and Aylin, asking Minthara, ‘How many Selûne followers are here?’

‘Counting Valeria-’ judged Minthara, grimacing. ‘Four.’

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hanako-san · 4 months

Note

Hi Hanako-san ^^

Well, I'm not here to ask you a question, but…

I've been thinking about this for a while, I was a little embarrassed to say it but I wanted to let you know. Your love for Amane makes me want to see more of what you have to say.

The way you can see him, the way you protect him, the way you still see him as a person, not a ghost, not a dangerous supernatural, just a little boy. The one who is clearly asking for help in silence… lonely.

Sometimes I think that you would be the person he would fall in love with if that were possible. Because you have to offer him everything he so desires.

I like him a lot, whether as Amane or as Hanako, and it always hurts me to see him get close to so many people who despise him, or how his own choices lead him to get close to people or loves that will hurt him. Your desire to protect him is so genuine that I can see it without much effort.

I like how you really see Amane, not Hanako, but Amane, who he really is. I like to see how he has such a strong meaning for you to the point that you are happy to notice that on his birthday it snowed where you live. I like seeing the true love you feel for him, it warms my heart.

Even though I am impartial with all the characters, and know that they all have qualities and flaws, including Hanako, I can understand that, even though he made mistakes, he still has a gentle and kind heart, and that he deserves to be happy too.

Nowadays, I meet people who like and talk a lot about Tsukasa, I also really like this little one, but I wish they gave a little more love to Amane too, so I'm happy to have found you. You give him the love he deserves.

Happy New Year, I hope this message warms your heart 💕

Hi Thelunarfairy ^^

I will answer right away that your message surprised me, made me happy and warmed my heart. Thank you with all my heart for such wonderful message!🥺✨💕 I wish you Happy New Year too💕

I'm glad you wrote this message overcoming your embarrassing. You really shouldn't be embarrassing. There's really no reason.

I'm very glad that you noticed it and that it really shows. I actually see it the way you described it. Amane, being a supernatural, is still the same poor and lost, wounded boy who calls for help in silence, but also doesn't want anyone to help him because he despises and hates himself. This boy is still there, being supernatural doesn't change anything. The fact that he has a slightly changed personality as a supernatural doesn't change anything for me. Is he dangerous. I have no idea. So far, he has shown that he is willing to do anything for the people he loves. If he is dangerous as a supernatural, then so be it. The only thing we have to support this claim are the words of Grandma Minamoto, Teru, who are not a reliable source of information for me. A fight broke out between them. I believe this because Amane said it with such experience, but I don't believe the rest until I see it. This lying and murderous family is not a reliable source for me and I know they are biased against Amane. And if he is 'dangerous' then let him show it! I want to see him in his full strength. I want him to destroy everyone there without exception. Others can, so can he, right? I know that Amane is a boy who does something for a very good reason. His actions are always well thought out, he knows what he is doing and what the consequences are,and he does it mainly for the sake of those he loves. He don't care about myself and his pain, because, as I said above, he thinks he doesn't deserve it. I want him to finally start thinking about himself and his own home, to put himself as the most important person and his own feelings. He fulfills his duties, gives himself completely for others - especially for the people he loves, but he doesn;t think about himself. It's so sad! My poor Moon. Hanako is Amane. Amane is Hanako. They are one and the same person. This boy who suffers and has great pain behind him is there and suffers even more as a supernatural. Amane needs love and protection. What I can give him, and I do. I'm really glad that it really shows the way I wanted it to. I always thought I was really bad at words and couldn't convey it. I'm very glad I was wrong.

Wow! That's nice and you know what? Thinking about it. Then I would be a better girlfriend than daikon. It's so nice of you!!! and thank you again! 💕

Do you like him a lot!!! I'm so happy to hear it!!! I know exactly what you mean. This also makes me sad and I consider it an injustice. I know this is how Amane wants to be perceived, which hurts me more and shows that he truly sees himself as a bad person who deserves nothing other than hatred from others. He thinks he deserves it. I completely disagree with him on topic! I'm really glad that my desire to protect Amane is visible. I really am so happy!

Wow! I'm super happy that you wrote this! I feel very,very,very happy that my love for Amane will warm your heart!! 🥹💕

I'm glad you're impartial to every character. What you write is absolutely true and I will tell you that whoever knows me privately knows well that I can criticize Amane or even say that I don't like his actions. I still feel that way and I know that he has qualities and flaws and what he does is sometimes wrong and I still don't like everything about what he does, but I know why he does it and I completely accept him with everything and I will continue to support him in his actions. Do I like them or not . It doesn't matter. Let him do what he wants.I will support and protect him no matter what happens in history and what he does. I love and support him with all my heart.

I know exactly what you're talking about. The same here. I meet Tsukasa stans more and talk to one of them. Earlier, I also talked to one stan Tsukasa and I realized that Tsukasa is more loved than Amane, despite the hatred Tsukasa receives. I'm glad you wrote this message. I know someone likes Amane too, not just Tsukasa. If they love Tsukasa more, it will be difficult to give love to Amane, because Tsukasa is important to them. That's how I see it. It's the same with me. I love Tsukasa, but I don't talk about him all the time and that I love him, because Amane is the one I really love and I want to talk about him and protect him. My love for Tsuaksa is much less than for Amane and I care less about him or not at all? That's I meant i'm indifferent to Tsukasa's pain and don't care about him but my will support, care for and love Amane with all my heart! Because Amane really deserves it! He's a wonderful boy. I'm glad you found me and sent me a message 💖

Thank you again for your message. You flatter me 💖

#thelunarfairy #my answers #so cute mgs!! thank youu<3

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imglowinginthedarkness · 4 months

Text

revamped some of my old mlp ocs !! lil bios and whatnot under the cut (o´〰`o)♡*✲ﾟ*。

Valentine

agender! they/it

their friends call them Vee!

their talent is writing those really cheesy and dumb valentines day cards that come in packs of like 24 at michaels. at least, that’s what they tell anyone who asks

a cutie pie, knows it, and often uses their looks to get what they want

their dad is a changeling and their mom is a pony. their birth was unnatural and 70% magic

bit sketchy ngl. lil bit of a bitch. talks behind people’s backs

loves their gf Cheshire and though they tease her a lot, if anyone else says anything even kind of mean to or about her Vee will literally kill them

Cheshire

Vee’s anxious bat pony girlfriend

lives in the woods

cries when she walks into table corners

her talent is talking to rodents? she can’t talk to any other animal but rats and mice love her

kind of a dumbass but tries her best. just has no braincells

can and will dissolve into tears at any second

usually found with a multitude of scratches from various encounters with unfriendly creatures in the Everfree Forest

nonbinary! she/her

Rag Doll

everyone calls them Doll

their talent is making crochet stuffed animals

an absolute sweetheart and is, like, a suspiciously good person. they probably murdered someone in a past life

has a very gentle kind voice and lovely doe eyes

demi gal! they/she

nonbinary lesbian :)

the kind of person everyone falls at least a little bit in love with

adopted kid of Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer

Rainstorm

her friends call her Rain, her family calls her Rainstorm

mute, uses pegasus sign language to talk

gf of Sterling and basically the only pony Sterling actually gives a shit about

her talent is aerial dancing

has a twin brother called Typhoon who isn’t around much but Rain still loves him

quiet and thoughtful. very introspective and usually keeps to herself, though she’s not antisocial

is bi! used to go out with a guy from the dance studio she attends

Sterling

defensive and closed off, doesn’t like being vulnerable

gf of Rain and would literally die for her, since she’s pretty much the only person who genuinely seems to enjoy Sterling’s company

her talent is jewelry making

has had a multitude of admirers but has scared off literally every potential romantic partner (except for Rain, of course)

disaster lesbian

has been in love with Rain since they were foals

volunteers at Cheerilee’s school even though she claims she doesn’t like kids

Hazelnut Spread

goes by Hazel or Hazelnut

honestly a bit stuck up but really does mean well

more loyal to her family than anything else

claims she doesn’t like Doll because they’re “too nice”. actually secretly has a huge dumb crush on them and hates the fact that they make her feel all warm and fuzzy inside

her talent is making those super fancy crepes that look amazing but are really impractical to eat

her mom is Pinkie Pie, her bio dad is Pokey Pierce

trans-femme!

Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness

has like a hundred nicknames cause their name is a fucking mouthful. mainly goes by Marzi but is also called Mads by their family

SO loud like jesus christ bitch please fucking chill

its talent is making rock candy that doubles as hallucinogens

has ADHD and physically cannot sit still

the “rebel child” but in name only. she loves her family and they approve of everything she does (except Hazel but, you know)

pangender! they/she/he/it/xe/fae/whatever else, marzi’s not picky

xer mom is Pinkie Pie, xer bio dad is Cheese Sandwich

does a lot of ecstasy and shrooms

Chestnut

her talent is making really wonderful coffee. like it’s not fancy or anything, it’s just normal coffee, but it’s the best and most comforting you’ll ever taste

trans-femme!

very warmhearted and welcoming. has a knack for making others feel safe around her

everyone calls her by her full name, but Jagged Note calls her ‘Chex’ sometimes

constantly stressed out, deals with a lot of anxiety though she manages to hide it well. more or less. sorta

Jagged Note

Chestnut’s loving bf

known to everyone as Jay

his talent is making hyper pop scream-o music

trans-masc! he and chestnut are T4T :)

very chill and laidback, thus is the one to calm chestnut down when she gets overwhelmed

claims to be punk and badass even though he cries at that one chef boyardee commercial

#glow doodles #my litte pony friendship is magic #mlp fim #mlp next gen #mlp oc #mlp oc art #glow ocs #mlp:fim #mlp: friendship is magic #my little pony: friendship is magic #illustration

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absolutebl · 2 years

Note

Hi hi :D back again after asking for the free recs (thank you again!), to ask about you're recs on gagaoolala, or did you already do a break down per platform? (and yes I'm procrastinating again...xD)

Of course, I'd be delighted, since source is one of those things I track I can go straight to the spreadsheet for this. I should say I am based out of the USA so what they offer will depend on where you are based as well.

GaGaOOLaLa BL Rec List

In some kind of order, my favorites at the top.

Rate 9/10 - absolutely recommended, faithful to tropes, happy ending, good chemistry, only few flaws or pacing issues, some parts have rewatch potential

Utsukushii Kare (Japan)

AKA My Beautiful Man

One of the best most Japanese BLs to release in the last decade, as weird and as messed up as any 2000′s yaoi: emo af and hella warped, entirely true to itself with no attempt made to modify its POV for modern sensibilities or current BL fandom. It used seriously old school problematic and kinky tropes, like whipping boy, for a truly uncompromising piece that also manages to hit up themes of communication, consent, and self acceptance. It’s a wonderful BL but uniquely dirty and harsh, in the best possible way - Japanese cinema, uncompromising.

My Ride (Thai)

Thai BL grew up with this pulp - a truly lovely and special little show featuring the extremely rare pairing of sunshine/sunshine AKA a cinnamon roll couple. Mature explorations of relationships using one of the softest, sweetest and most innocent friends to lovers vehicles. Kindly, overworked doctor meets broken-hearted motorcycle taxi driver in an “other side of the tracks” slow burn romance. The support cast is excellent, making for great friendship groups and family dynamics. With honest queer rep that adds to, but doesn’t impede the story, and genuine conversation about the nature of class, wealth, and classism, not to mention communication, honesty, and respect for boundaries, you can’t go wrong with this show. In other news, I am a sucker for a single dimple.

Our Dining Table AKA Bokura no Shokutaku (Japan)

Lonely salaryman and talented cook gets accidentally adopted by a college kid and his little brother. It’s a quiet & cozy little parable of found family alleviating loneliness. Possibly too slow for some but definitely high up there for me with the best of what Japan can do, it’s only flaw (if I dare say such a thing) is that it is not really “romantic.” Lovely & sweet but the romance beats are being used to build a family relationship, not just couple intimacy, it’s OK with me, but not traditional BL.

Step By Step (Thai)

This was Thailand’s answer to The New Employee, and everything I loaved about that show I loved about this one. This was an office romance between stern boss and sweet subordinate that felt more authentic to an office environment than previous Thai BLs of this ilk. And that authenticity added tension to the narrative and character development (how novel).

Takara & Amagi AKA Takara-kun and Amagi-kun (Japan)

I gnawed on my knuckles and squealed a lot with this show. Reserved cool kid who must learn to communicate to keep the tiny disaster nugget he’s madly in love with. It is beyond charming: soft and gentle, packed with cuteness and high school angst, thirst, & yearning. Was there plot? Not really. Was it emotionally tense and paced well enough for me not to notice? Absolutely. Did I enjoy the hell out of it? Oh yes. Full review.

Minato's Laundromat AKA Minato Coin Laundry AKA Minato Shouji Koin Randorii AKA Minato Shouji Coin Laundry (Japan)

A classic age gap romance where a high school student pursues the man of his dreams (who runs a laundromat). This BL is so steeped in yaoi tropes and archetypes, not to mention a typical romance arc, that it will overload some, but those of who love this genre for its DNA will adore it. It made me very happy because it did everything I want a BL to do - there’s not much more I could ask of a BL than this. It’s the closest Japan has come to perfect live action yaoi since Seven Days (and I never make that comparison lightly). Squee watch-along here.

Rated 8/10

recommended, some concerns around tropes (like dub con) or story structure but still satisfies as solid BL

Some More - Strongberry short (Korea)

One of my most favorite of Strongberry’s shorts, about a city boy on a bike tour who gets injured and rescued by a taciturn, but (as it turns out) very gay, farmer. Age gap, country mouse/city mouse, SO CUTE. Just too short.

DNA Says Love You (Taiwan)

DNA deserves extra marks for an upbeat approach to a queer story arc that other shows have systemically mishandled with sadness (in the guise of realism). There is a twist, which I found predictable, but knowing what would happen didn't spoil this show. The leads are luminous and engaging, and it’s full of queer found family representation and an unexpected amount of domesticity, plus it’s Taiwan, so the kisses are great. The last few eps really are special and life/love affirming - and the ending is big-grin charming.

Love Class (Korea)

This was a fast-moving, bloated, complicated little show with stronger than usual story structure, well-acted if lacking in chemistry, that managed to be very appealing and engaging despite itself. What it lacked in content it more than made up for in pacing. Both bingable and rewatchable.

Rated 7/10:

recommended with reservations i.e. isn’t quite BL, convoluted, not strictly HEA, too short/long, or chemistry issues.

Red Balloon (Taiwan)

I should probubly do a rewatch, I’ve never done a elevator pitch for this one. It’s been a LONG while. I actually havent’ ever watched it on GaGa, I got is grey years ago.

Papa & Daddy (Taiwan)

Cliff hanger ending, season 2 coming soon, recast one of the leads. No review because I’m waiting for the full series.

My Esports Genius Brother (China)

A strangely cute, somewhat incomprehensible, censored magical realism BL micro series about fated mates who balance each other out and must find the courage to stay together.

Long Time No See - Strongberry (Korea)

One of Strongberry’s few longer pieces and the rating takes into account the fact that I don’t think this is strictly BL. It’s about assassins on either side of a terf war who fall in love not knowing they are on opposite sides. Or do they? Good fight sequences, mature characters, high heat, very suspenseful, AND an HEA. If you like KinnPorsche you will LOVE this one.

La Cuisine (Thai)

A sweet and kind of pure show, and like Thai desserts perhaps requires too much patience for a layperson. Because of the pacing and the focus on the bad girl character, I did dock it. But if you like stuff in the Oxygen vein, then this show is for you, and far better than most Thai BL pulps. That said, I suspect that I enjoyed it more than many would.

Step For You -Strongberry short (Korea)

Microfilm from Strongberry about a reporter from the student newspaper who has to interview an older dancer and falls in love with him.

Private Lessons - Strongberry (Korea)

Another one from Strongberry that I love and given it is age gap and teacher/student (catnip) it shoudl go higher. The chemistry is slightly off though, but stil I do love this one. Certainly world watching especially if this is your trope.

Naked Dinner AKA Zenra Meshi (Japan)

A civil servant and seemingly perfect man has a secret: he likes to eat completely naked. I have to be honest, I didn’t really like much about this show. The central premise was too odd and the main character too clumsy & slow on the uptake. I like the food, but there have been food-set BLs before that failed to meet expectations. Too many of them. This one joined that throng. Good ending tho.

Pure Vanilla (Singapore)

It’s very sweet. Bit awkward acting. I love seeing real tats. I wish Singapore would give us a full proper BL.

Rated 6/10: worth watching but seriously flawed probably around the ending or in narrative structure/cohesion or censorship. I don’t always have notes on these because many I have only watched once and don’t usually recommend.

Being Me (Korea)

River Knows Fish Heart (China) - this BL managed to sneak by the censors probably because it’s not very well acted and low budget. It’s also in Addicted territory, only this time with the jock who falls madly for the nerd and then just moves into his house to takes over his life. The tsundere uke is VERY tsundere and the seme is hella pushy so it goes right into dubcon territory but also it’s very teen angst about it.

Legend of Long Yang Rebirth (China) - whipping boy trope... literally, servant character takes the strap for the prince, who then makes him his bodyguard and lover when he becomes king. Low budget historical, comes off as kind of cosplay wuxia version of Irresistible Love, but we get (in the credits) an actual kiss, and they both live. So yay for small mercies.

Paint With Love (Thai) - For me the mains were unlikeable and the actors had poor chemistry. So while this offered a lot of what I thought I wanted from a Thai BL - mature characters, office setting, adult themes - I’m wasn’t wild about the execution. I suspect Thai pulps are better when they stick to university/high school. This one felt like a better version of Loveless Society (not hard). The side dishes (Yoon & Yacht) gave us more chemistry and a better kiss but had little screen time. It was interesting to see them portray BL actors being shipped and then confessing to actually dating each others. I’m not sure how I feel about the handling of it but it was different from Lovely Writer. In the end, this show was nicely grown up but boring and became a matter of endurance for me. I can’t ever see myself rewatching it.

As if You Whisper - Strongberry (Korea)

My Pistachio - Strongberry (Korea)

Sonnet 18 (Korea)

Sweet Curse - Strongberry (Korea) - low-gore atmospheric horror but with very high heat BL.

The End Of The World, With You AKA Bokura no Micro na Shuumatsu (Japan)

Rated 5/10: watch it if you have nothing better to do but don’t expect much, it’s a total hot mess. A lot of these are shorts.

Faded (Taiwan)

Meet Me Outside (Pinoy)

Suddenly Last Summer (Korea)

Fanatic Love (China)

Every Moment that I Think of You (China)

We Are Gamily (Taiwan)

Innocent (Taiwan)

Light (Taiwan)

Two Weddings and a Funeral (Korea)

Secret Roommate -Strongberry (Korea)

Love Stage!! AKA Rabu Suteiji (Japan) - the Thai version is heaps better

Top Secret Together (Thai)

My Personal Trainer - Strongberry (Korea)

One Last Order (Korea)

List current as of Oct 2023 only.

Some shows that ALSO air on Viki in the USA may not be present, since I prefer to watch on Viki's UX.

(source)

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bibuddie · 2 years

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i will carry you

769 words | 5x16 coda | for @adamsparirsh

read on ao3

"God has spoken." Linda says, smiling knowingly up at Eddie.

Eddie's not believed in a God for years now — how could he, when all he's known is war and bloodshed and agony and anguish. His mother whispering to him don't drag him down with you, Eddie those few years ago that feel like a lifetime. How could he ever believe in a God? What kind of God would take the mother of his child away from him, cause him so much heart-break?

But the events of the day that just unfolded make him question if there's some higher power driving all of his thoughts and decisions. Maybe it's destiny, he decides, destiny is what's driving him forward. Ever since stepping into the fire academy four years ago, Eddie's felt like maybe he was born for this — he was put on planet earth to fight fires and to make sure other people got to go home to their families, even if his was fragmented at best.

But then he got shot, and almost died for a second time in two years, and it had him questioning everything. Was he the right man for this job? Is he good enough to do this? Is he worthy? His recovery had taken a lot longer than expected, and been a lot rougher. He's still trying to patch up his wounds now. Bi-weekly sessions with Frank are helping, and he's slowly feeling like he's coming back into his own skin and, more importantly, he's feeling more and more like he's gaining his own identity back — his sense of self.

Because here's the thing:

Eddie's liked labels for as long as he can remember — soldier, firefighter, dad, boyfriend. The list is endless, and Eddie has labels that each facet of his personality can fit into. But he's also tired of that. He's tired of having to fit himself into rigid boxes that tend to feel more constricting than comforting. He wants to figure out who he actually is, beyond the superficial labels.

God has spoken.

Yeah, he thinks to himself, smiling at Linda small and genuine. Maybe he has.

The hospital waiting room is a place Eddie has found himself way too familiar with over the years, and he finds himself drifting into old memories from the year gone by. Getting picked up when he was discharged, getting dropped off for PT appointments, the list is endless. Buck is a steady, solid presence at his side, just like always. He turns to him them, full of nervous energy as he tries to catch Buck's eye. "Hey." he murmurs.

Buck blinks rapidly, eyes flicking to meet Eddie's, full of tenderness and another emotion Eddie's too tired to place. "Hey yourself." he responds, smiling slightly as he tucks his thumbs into the suspenders holding his turnout pants up.

"That was —"

"A lot."

Eddie snorts, shaking his head slightly. "I'll say. Guess it's just another day at the office for you, hm?" he teases, knocking his shoulder into Buck's in an all too familiar gesture.

Buck snorts, scrubbing a hand across his face, trying to stave off exhaustion. "Not so sure about that one." he's quiet for a second, and Eddie lets him have the moment, sensing he needs it. "I - when Lucy called the May Day about Cap. I thought - I really thought —"

"I know." Eddie soothes, a balm and an assurance all in one. "Me too."

Buck sighs, running a hand through his hair as his eyes flick back over to Taylor and Lucy. Huh, Eddie muses, I wonder what that's about. He shakes his head slightly, chewing on his bottom lip. "Hey, Buck?" he tries, to no avail. Buck seems to be lost in his head. He lays a gentle hand on Buck's arm, aiming to be a grounding presence. "Evan?"

Buck blinks rapidly, turning his attention back to Eddie. "Hm?"

"Weeks ago, I asked you if you thought what we did was worth it."

"...Yeah." Buck says quietly, fingers brushing lightly against Eddie's. "Given it any more thought?"

Eddie's eyes drift through the E.R. doors then, spotting Athena, Bobby and May huddled together, holding onto each-other like a life-raft through a storm. Suddenly it's all clear to him. "It's always worth it when we get to help someone come home to their family. I want to do this for the rest of my life."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Eddie says, strong and more sure of this than anything. "I was born for this."

God has spoken.

The universe is screaming at you and you refuse to listen.

Eddie's decided it's time he started paying attention.

#911 spoilers #eddie diaz #evan buckley #buddie #buddie fic #rebecca writes #911 on fox

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somedaytakethetime · 1 year

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So... @studysimsx.. I have something for you 😶👉🏻👈🏻 I have something for anyone else that might want to read it too, of course. Prompt: Slowburn, a little angsty, childhood friends to total fools in love Nicolò Zaniolo thingie was requested and.. well... 😶😶.. here it is. I hope you enjoy it, I gave it my best shot and hopefully that's okay 😭 Rating: totally family friend. There's a few curse words in there, and a few kisses at the end. Only the absolute faintest mention of a broken nose and a potential broken hand. But it's all very Catholic, I promise 😂 IT'S ALSO ALL VERY VERY WORDY AND I'M SORRY I CAN'T WRITE SHORT STUFF

Also little side note: a somewhat recurring part of the plot is the reader, aka all of you that might find this, being from another country. I'm portuguese so, being foreign is part of my identity and I like the cuteness that can arise from teaching someone parts of my language and have them teach me theirs 🥺

You meet as children. Your family has just relocated to Italy, your father found a better job and you've all been packed up and uprooted with him. You're excited and scared, you're so young and you don't speak this different language that you hear all around you once you arrive at your new home. You have no clue how to communicate with anyone around, you're in a class full of children that sound so strange to your ears, you miss home. One the first day you break down in tears in the middle of class and you can't understand if the children are mocking you or trying to help you. That's when you meet him. He's in your class too. The boy with the kind eyes. That's how you think of him once you see him. He's smiling softly as he takes your hand. You can't understand a word he says but he's being so gentle and calming that you stop crying. The teacher tries her best to communicate with you too, she's soothing and pretty. She's your favourite teacher immediately, that's something that will always remain in your head. The boy sits down beside you and holds your hand through the whole class, nodding and smiling encouragingly whenever you try really hard to say the same things they say. He's your favourite too in that moment. And that's something that will remain for many years to come, but you're yet unware of it.

"Nicolò" he smiles softly and points to himself, waits and expects you to give your name too. You say it, soft and slow, and point to yourself just like he did. He has trouble saying your name, just like you have saying his. He's clumsy with it, fumbles it a little but his smile doesn't falter at all, he's not embarrassed to make a mistake. You're new to him, everything about you is new to him, just like he is to you. But you're scared and overwhelmed, he isn't. He doesn't scare easily, doesn't feel overwhelmed, he has a confidence you have never seen before and it impresses you. You want to be like that. So you follow his guidance, which he offers freely and gladly. He sits next to you for every class, holds your hand when your voice shakes and tears sting in your eyes after you feel like you fumbled this new language and embarrassement burns inside you. "Calmati" he says so softly. You have no clue what it means yet but it has a softening effect on your shame and nerves. You remember how he's not embarrassed to make mistakes, he laughs it off when he fumbles words too. And this is his language. Yet, he's fumbling words. You wonder if he's doing it on purpose, to help you feel better, but you think that's silly. He would never do that, he barely knows you, why would he make himself look foolish just to help you feel better? But still.. it lingers. You slowly learn as the weeks go by, slowly start to feel better about this new language, feel less ashamed of not understanding it. Other children befriend you, the girls are all so sweet and kind, they help you so much, but the boy keeps by your side. You like him the best still. You'll always like him the best, you know it in your heart.

What you didn't know is that he's somewhat of a big deal. Well, not really, not quite. But his father is. You don't quite understand anything at that age but his father is someone that people know. You hear the children make a bit of a fuss when he comes to some afterschool activities one time. You feel shy around him when Nico introduces you to them, feel shy around his mother too, she's very pretty. They're nice to you, they say some things you don't understand, they speak too fast but whatever they said makes Nico's face turn pink and he looks sour and huffs at his parents. They just laugh and ruffle his hair. You don't get to spend much time with him but you discover something. He's really good with his feet. A game somehow starts with all the boys and he's good. You don't care too deeply about football, or any sport for that matter, but even you can tell he's good. Your father says so too, "That boy is going to be good, he has a spark.", and your father is always right so you accept his opinion as your own. You watch Nico play with the other boys, watch him laugh when he slips and gets up, watch him celebrate and keep going even when they try to hold him back. And you hope your father is right. You can't explain it, you don't understand it, but you're so fond of this boy. He's been so kind to you. So encouraging, so supportive. He didn't have to be, but he is. And you want to pay that kindness back, you have nothing to give, but you wish that one day you'll manage to repay his kindness. You close your eyes and you wish so hard that he'll be good and his dreams will come true, whatever they may be. And in a more quiet thought, you wish that he won't leave you behind when he does.

The years feel like they drag on. Yet, your parents keep saying they're rushing by. You grow and grow, get better and better, you start to feel like you're home now. Your parents are happy, your siblings are happy. And you start to feel happy too. You make friends, the words get easier, you keep pushing forward. It gets easier and easier, things change and get better. But your friendship with Nicolò doesn't change. Even when you land in different classes, he's still your best friend. No matter how many years pass by both of you, he's still the one that you want beside you. He's still the one you spend the most time with outside of school. It's still his voice that you hear in your head, every time you're nervous or embarrassed or scared, "Calmati". It became your mantra when you understood what it meant. You still hear it in his childlike voice even though his voice is deeper now. When you close your eyes in moments of stress you still feel his hand holding yours firmly as he said it. And when you open them he's there. He's always there. And you're always with him too. You've followed him to games when you could over the years, you still do the best you can to support him. Show up on your own when your parents can't accompany you and your friends don't want to go. You're there for him, because he was there for you. That very first day when you cried. He was there. And you promised yourself you'd repay the kindness. As the years pass there's something.. something that you never quite allowed yourself to understand before. Nico gets rather handsome. He always was the sweet boy with the kind eyes, but he starts to become.. something. You don't know what. But it makes your heart flutter a little. It makes you feel warmer around him. Teenaged hormones aren't much help in trying to figure it out. Because they make it worse. The need to spend time with him starts to become.. more annoying. Especially because he's hormonal now too. And the other girls can see that he's handsome. "Don't tell me that you're jealous now? Come on, you'll always be my special girl. We're best friends, remember?" he always says with that smirk, that teasing smirk. The cruel smirk, you call it. The cruel smirk that makes your heart flutter and makes you huff and insult him softly because he doesn't get it. He still goes off with other girls. So you can't explain it to him either. Because he wouldn't get it.

Your first boyfriend causes a strain on things. Nicolò is pissed. He can't stand that guy, absolutely despises him. He knows he's going to break your heart and he already wants to crack his face before he even has the chance for it. He knows he's been going around a bit, but he likes girls and the girls like him. It's not that deep to him. He's not in love. He can't be because… you wouldn't understand. He can't tell you, it would be pointless. He knows you're best friends. He gets it. This is it. He accepts that. But he doesn't accept that you're dating who he likes to think of as his biggest rival. He's fuming when you tell him. You don't talk for weeks after that. He can't even bear to look at you. Especially not when you're with him. In this time he knows he does more wrongs than he does rights. He's not proud of himself at all, but he's doing what he needs to to make it hurt less. Because it hurts. He'd been imagining that you could be by each other's sides forever and things seem different now. That guy is a pebble in his shoe constantly. Even after you try to make things better between you. He tries to be polite and collected but it's so hard. Nico will always think of that as the lowest point of your lives, he's miserable. And he knows you are too. He can see it in your eyes. You look sad all the time. Especially when that idiot starts to turn. Like he knew he would. He ends up dumping you for another girl. You're heartbroken. Nico finds out from a girl that knows her. And he's definitely not proud of what he does that afternoon. But it had to be done. He ends up at your house, you're in total tatters, and he comforts you. He pushes your questions aside in favour of holding you while you cry over a broken heart. He thinks he might have a broken hand but he knows for a fact that idiot definitely has a broken nose so it makes up for it. He lies and tells you he got in a tiff during practice and they all had a brawl. You don't find out that he beat up your ex boyfriend for at least a few years and by the time you find out there's no point in scolding him for it. All he does is laugh anyway, "What did you expect me to do? He broke my favourite girl's heart. I don't allow anyone to do that to my best friend." the cruel smirk is back by then. So is the way your heart flutters around him.

Nearing adulthood changes everything. He's been on the rise this whole time. But everything changes when he starts to make it to big clubs. They don't treat him the way he deserves, there's so much anger and heartbreak during these years. He feels like no matter how hard he tries, he keeps being told he's not good enough to be really big. As big as he deserves to be. As big as you hoped and wished he would be all those years ago. You stick by him, keep him company, keep going to every game. You become his support, his comfort. You get invested in this game now, truly invested. He teaches you things and you start to make sense of it all. You start to get even better than he is at understanding the tactical side, but he's gifted he doesn't need to understand the deep logic, he just needs to do it. Always says with a teasing laugh "I don't care about logic, my feet just go and I follow. That's all that needs to happen.". And it does. He tries harder and harder to prove himself. Overworks himself. Falls in and out of heartbreak, and you're the one that holds his hand now. "Calmati", you're the one that tells him now. It gets both harder and easier for you. You've finally understood what the fluttering feeling is. But you're rational now. You understand you're only best friends. As long as you can stay that way, that's all you need. "You won't ever leave me, will you, Nicolò? You promise?" and he always gives you a smile, that same smile that he gave you on the first day, "Never. I will never ever leave you. We're best friends, remember? I promise it'll always be that way no matter what happens.". And you believe him. Even as he gets in a few messy relationships. Even as his personality starts to shift and become.. different. Even as he finally makes it and starts to get really big and you can tell it's clearly getting to his head. He keeps promising the same, and you try so hard to believe him. But the more time passes, the less you start to believe it. He's not the same he was. Louder, flashier, more arrogant at times. He does things you don't think that little boy you met all those years ago would do, he says things that don't feel right coming from his voice. You start to fear you're losing him. The less time you spend together, the more he leaves you to go out with other people, louder and flashier people, the more scared you get that he'll leave. And it's starting to wear on you. You keep trying to stand by your promise, to give back that kindness he gave you, but it's so hard when he barely feels the same now. Even when you go to the games, so much louder and brighter than they ever were before, he pays attention to others before he notices you. Hurts like hell. He wouldn't undertand why. You feel… forgotten. And one night, when he breaks that promise, it all crashes down.

You were going to have a night in together to watch that film you've been wanting to so much. You cooked dinner, his favourite, and you had everything ready. And time keeps ticking by. The food gets cold. He doesn't reply to your texts. He doesn't answer your calls. You eat alone and mope until you feel like moping no more. In a moment of wildness you get dressed. Put on that one outfit that you love and feel amazing in. Because.. Nico complimented you once in this. You watch yourself in the mirror and you can see it happening all over again. His eyes darkening as he looked you up and down, the way he paused and his body froze in place. He took so long appraising you and then his voice sound.. rough.. when he said "You look amazing in that.." the look he gave you after.. it still makes your blood rush in your veins. You shake yourself out of that thought, you take a deep breath, maybe tonight someone else can make your blood rush in your veins. You're tired of feeling pathetic. He doesn't like you, you tell yourself as you put your shoes on and walk out of the door with your purse in hand. You don't even know where you're going but your senses drive you to this club. You've been here before. A few times with Nico, when he took you with his other friends too. You wouldn't say it's the best place ever, but it's definitely a nice place, nicer than many other dingy spots you've been to in your teens when you were sneaking out at night with your friends. The bodyguard at the entrance smiles at you and he eyes you a little. Normally you'd feel uncomfortable, you still are a little, but he's not unattractive and for once you're allowing yourself to feel empowered by the fact someone openly finds you attractive. You've had flings, a boyfriend or two, you've have your own exploration while Nico was going around burning through the female population near you like a wildfire, but.. it wasn't it. You know why. You finally understand your heart. You're finally open about it. And maybe tonight you're ready to forget it for good.

A hand touches your waist and it startles you a little. It's so warm and firm.. you think you've felt this touch before. But that's insanity. You swivel around quickly to yell at however is putting hands on you without permission and come face to face with Nicolò. He's just as surprised as you are if his eyebrows raising to the ceiling are any indication. "What the hell are you doing here!?" comes out of his mouth harshly and you just roll your eyes "Having fun after someone ditched me without giving me an explanation.", you're beyond annoyed and you don't care if you're harsh, he deserves harsh. You watch realisation sink in his features "Holy shit, that was tonight!?" and you can't even fake it. You shake him off, roll your eyes, "Fuck off, Nico. You know damn well that was tonight. I have texted you, called you, did everything and you ignored me. Just leave me alone.". The look of offence on his face almost makes you laugh but you don't stick around, you grab your purse and just walk away from him. He follows you "My phone is at home, it's not working well. Where do you think you're going!? Why the hell are you even here dressed like that?!", it stops you in your tracks. You turn around so fast he nearly slams into you, "Dressed. Like. What. Go on, Nicolò, dressed like what? Tell me what I'm dressed like. I'm curious." he looks apologetic, "No, no. No. That's not what I mean. I mean that you're just.. you're too hot to be walking around like that in this place, the guys will hit on you!" he sounds like a whining child. Looks like he's about to throw a tantrum too. And you laugh in his face. A humourless laugh. A bitter laugh. "Oh? The guys will hit on me? And that's not allowed? I'm not allowed to be found attractive by men now?" "Not by random men like the ones at this club.." "Funny because you had no trouble coming over to me and place your hand on my waist like you know me yet the other men here, none of whom have approached me may I add, are all sleazy and not good enough for me." his eyes darken but you don't stop, "Fuck off, Nico. I don't give a shit what you think at all. Maybe I want to be attractive to other men. Maybe I want them to hit on me. I'm attractive and I'm allowed to flirt with random men, even go home with them, if that's what I please." "You're definitely not." there's anger in his voice, and you get angry back, "Yes. I. Am. You ditched me tonight, you keep ditching me constantly actually, give me a lousy excuse as to why you're ignoring me too. Listen to me: you don't own me, I'm not your dog. Go back to your little friends, Nicolò, and stop bothering me. You've ruined my night enough, just leave me alone." you walk away from him, rush past people to get outside. You're fuming. But so is he.

"What the hell do you mean by that? Why are you talking to me like this?! You've never talked what way before!" you're so angry you want to smack him with your purse, "You have also never ditched me this way before! Remember all those stupid promises of never leaving me behind, Nicolò? Remember those? Guess what you've been doing lately!? Guess??" "I'm not leaving you behind! I'm having fun with friends, am I not allowed that anymore!?" you laugh bitterly again "By all means be my guest, Nico! I barely see you these days, you leave me on read constantly, you don't even answer my calls after matches that I can't attend when I want to talk to you to see how you're doing but by all means act like I'm constantly hogging your time! When was the last time we've spend time together? In person. When was that?" his face drops, he's counting the days.. weeks… a month or more.. you've been growing further and further apart. He can't say anything, just straightens up and masks his shame with indifference. And it pisses you off. He's putting the mask on. Like he does for cameras. Like he does to lie to people. He's never done it with you. It shatters your heart and you can't take it. You promised and he promised and together you promised.. and now he leaves you this way..

You look at him, "Are you not going to say anything? Not even a single word?" you can barely mask the hurt, your accent comes out and gets thicker, when you're upset it always does, you'll never be Italian, you'll never belong.. no matter how hard you try to fit in, you'll never be one of them.. it used to hurt you, but Nico accepted you, made you feel like you fit in. Made you feel like you're part of this place. You used to have a place here. In his life. This used to be home. You're not sure it is anymore. You take a deep breath, try to gather yourself so you get your regular accent back, the one they all know as your best approximation to Italian, but you fail. You sound very much yourself. Like you did as a child. Memories of all the years spend with him, laughing together, teaching each other words, speaking to him in your language flood you, they make your heart ache, the longer you stand there looking at him, silent and stoic, the more it hurts. You nod slowly, "Alright. I get it. It's over. I'm done trying to hold on. I hope you have a good life. Good luck in your future, and thank you for the friendship over the years." you don't pause to look at how he reacts to the others. You just walk away. And he watches you, taking slow steps, then quick steps as you get more and more upset. Watches you disappear and he feels his stomach dropping.

'What are you doing.. no.. what have you done, Nicolò..' he paces outside, curses and kicks at nothing, feels angry, hurt, broken. He just broke your heart. He could see it. Your eyes got cloudy, you couldn't look at him, your voice shook and you sounded so.. you. The accent was back. His favourite sound. He leans against the wall, closes his eyes and let's himself sink into the memories. Flashes of spending years by your side. Always holding your hand, hearing your voice get more and more confident as you spoke his language, your beautiful smile, the delightful sound of your laugh, your comforting embrace, the soothing sound of your voice… all those memories when you thought him words in your native tongue. All the memories of tender touches, being so close to you.. all the times he nearly kissed you. He wanted to so badly over the years. He's been pining for you for so long. Got entangled with so many girls just to feel any different. And he couldn't. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw you. He was taken by you the very first time he saw you. He just couldn't help it. You looked so small, so frightened, so shy. He wanted to hold your hand. He still wants to hold your hand. He always does. He wants to hold your hand as he takes his last breath. He needs that. He can't let you go. Because he doesn't know how to be if he doesn't have you around. You're the one constant he's had in his life. You stuck with him. You believed even when others faultered. And he's let you down. He hurt you. He feels like the biggest asshole on the planet. He's allowed the fame and the glory to get to him, he let it happen. He broke the promise he made to you. He has to fix this, he can't lose you this easily. His friends snap him out of his thoughts, but he just tells them he has to leave, shrugs them off and rushes to his car. It can't be too late. He needs to make amends, he needs to ask for forgiveness, he'll do anything to have you back. You can't leave him, how is he supposed to exist if you're not around?

You're not expecting anyone to knock on the door, you don't want anyone around, but you still pull yourself from the couch and head to the door. Your heart is in tatters, you probably are too. You've been sobbing since you left him, cried the whole way home and could barely see while driving, it's a miracle that you're in one piece, you've been rumpled on the couch since you arrived. There's a hope.. a silly little thing, small and weak like a baby bird. It flutters it's wings in your heart. You hope it's him. You miss him already. You don't know what to do without him, he's always been around to hold your hand. You're.. dependent on each other. You've been dependent on him since he held your hand all those years ago. You feel cold thinking he'll never do it again. You shake as you reach for the handle, the door feels so much heavier than it's ever felt when you pull it open. And he doesn't even let you think, he pushes past you into your house and sounds so hurt when he says "How can you say that? How can you say all of that and leave me like that? How can you do this to me? How can you not even give me a chance?", he registers your red nose, tear stained cheeks and puffy eyes, you sniffle meakly and just say softly "What am I supposed to do? Sit around like an idiot waiting until you notice me again one day? I've given you chance after chance, I can't keep getting this hurt.." he's by your side immediately, takes your hand off the handle and pushes the door closed, holds your other hand, "I'm so so sorry. I'm a dick, I know I am, I've been so wrong for what I've done. I shouldn't have pushed you away like this, I'm truly sorry. You mean so much to me, please don't think you don't." "How am I supposed to believe that? We've barely seen each other.. you didn't even remember tonight.. lied about the phone... I just miss you Nico. You were my best friend.. I thought we'd always be the same.. but you've changed.. and.. it's feels like I no longer have a place in your life.." tears gather in his eyes. It's not the first time you've seen him cry but this time it feels different. He's deeply hurt. Because he regrets how he's treated you, sounds clumsy and soft, "No, no. No. Don't say that. No past tense. Don't say it like that. We are. Present. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I've made you feel this way. Don't say you don't have a place in my life anymore… I- you-.. look at me" his eyes are shiny, they're.. for the first time in your whole life, you see it. He's truly looking at you. The way you look at him when he's not looking. He sees you. Like you see him. Like you've seen him for over a decade now. He- "How can you say that you no longer have a place in my life.. when you're all I have a place for? You're everything to me. My support, my company, my best friend, my everything, my.." he gets even closer to you, takes a deep breath, "my love." neither knows who moves first, but it doesn't matter. You're moving together. Clinging to each other. Kissing like it's the first kiss of your lives. You melt in his arms and he holds you tightly, kisses you deeper, moves from desperate to soft and slow. Kisses you until he feels you breathless and then pulls away, rests his forehead on yours, eyes closed, voice so so tender "You're my love. I've been in love with you for years now. I can finally say it, I've hid it for too long. And you didn't deserve that. You didn't deserve any of what I've done. But my feelings are true. I love you"

You look at him. Time stops. You're a child again. He's sitting beside you. His hand holds yours tightly, soothingly, his voice is soft and gentle "Calmati". His smile is radiant and you feel your heart flutter. You feel like this boy you just met is going to be the love of your life, you want him to be. The boy with the kind eyes. You're looking at him now, a grown man who makes mistakes and acts like a child from time to time. His eyes open and meet yours, his smile is unsure. He's insecure. Afraid you'll turn him down. But how could you? He's the boy with the kind eyes. He's the boy that held your hand when you were scared. The boy that helped your pronunciation get better over the years. The boy that got injured fighting for you when someone hurt you deeply. The boy that's made your heart flutter every single day for years now. He's foolish at times, teasing at others, proud and nearly arrogant when his confidence gets too high. He's flawed. But he's human. And he's always been kind. He's yours. "I love you." you can't help the hiccup and the flood of tears that bubble up from you after you say it. Your accent is the thickest it's ever been in years. He smiles so brightly before he nearly crushes you to his chest. Muffled into his shirt your voice, in your language, comes out and declares your love for him again. And a million other things you can't express in Italian right now. But he laughs, happy and giddy, excited and so so in love. "Those have always been my favourite sounds, you know?" he looks down at you, looks so deeply into your eyes, "I love you. I've loved you for years. I'll love you forever. I promise that from the heart.". And the boy with the kind eyes, after all, loves you back.

#@ Italy: please don't come for me if you guys wouldn't say that like that.. i barely speak my language much less others 😭#i'm using portuguese logic for that one sorry in advance #also.. i hope you'll like this dear! i wrote this one for you! i don't know your name or nickname but this one if yours 🥺#hopefully there isn't a ton of spelling errors #i could see the images so clearly that i just had to write it #adventures in a clown's dreams #that's the tag i have on the blog for other stuff i've written..#don't snoop.. there's a bunch of nasty nasty on there 😭#football imagine

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ailendolin · 2 years

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Fluff Friday - 1 - Yonderland

Title: Anniversaries [AO3]

Fandom: Yonderland

Characters: Ho-Tan / Vex

Prompt: Vextan celebrating an anniversary. - Prompt by the wonderful @a-small-bear can be found here.

A/N: The first Fluff Friday fic is here! I'm so excited! I hope you all enjoy our beloved Elders celebrating their (rather unconventional) anniversaries.

Prompts are open, so if you want me to write a story for you as well just send me an ask with the fandom, characters and your prompt. I’m writing for Ghosts, Yonderland, Horrible Histories and Bill at the moment.

Six Idiots Whump Wednesday / Fluff Friday masterlist is here.

————

Anniversaries

1. Ho-Tan

Throughout her whole life, Ho-Tan meticulously kept track of important dates. She had a little notebook that was full of her friends and family’s name days, wedding dates, anniversaries and other significant milestones. Every person had a page in her book, from her siblings to the Elders and their Youngers and even Debbie of Maddox and Bob Peter Peter. Ho-Tan only needed to find the right one to be able to tell which days of the year were a cause for celebration for them.

There was no page for herself in the book.

Her parents had never put much value in anniversaries of any kind. Ho-Tan had vague memories of her second and third name days being celebrated with stale leftover cake from the day before but after that, there was nothing; no more cake, and no more celebrations. By the time her fourth name day came around she’d already had two younger siblings – the Twins, as they were still called by everyone to this day – and a third one on the way. There simply hadn’t been time to celebrate, or so her mother had told her back then until Ho-Tan had finally stopped asking.

She hadn’t been happy with her name anyway. There was no need to celebrate Alfred when she’d always been more happy as Alfie. And yet Ho-Tan couldn’t quite deny the quiet longing she felt every time she made a cake for one of her siblings and decorated the kitchen with balloons and bright, sparkly Happy Name Day banners. It would tug at her all day, relentlessly, and make her wish someone would recognise who she truly was and just once acknowledge and celebrate Alfie’s existence with her.

That someone eventually came into her life in the form of Vex. Ho-Tan had never met someone like him before. He was easy-going and seemingly without a care in the world; soft-spoken where her parents had always been loud and gentle where her siblings were rough. But most importantly he was more perceptive than all of her family put together.

From the moment they’d met under the apple tree, Vex had seen past the boys’ clothes and the short hair. To him, Ho-Tan had always been Alfie, never Alfred, and even to this day he never got tired of correcting people if they called her by the wrong name. He’d also made it his mission to keep track of all the milestones in Ho-Tan’s life once he realised no one else was remembering them, Ho-Tan included. He kept a list, messy and chaotic and so Vex it had made Ho-Tan smile when she first saw it. It contained the day she decided to grow her hair out; the day she wore a skirt for the first time; the day she was supposed to take her uncle’s place in the Council of Elders and ended up taking Nestor of Maddox’s instead; the day she finally told her family she was a girl instead of a boy and many, many more.

Even now, years and decades later, Vex still remembered those anniversaries and added new ones to the list. The lengths he was willing to go to to make these days special for her never failed to amaze Ho-Tan but it was the quiet moments they shared before the celebrations she actually liked the most; the moments when it was just the two of them and Vex did something incredibly sweet.

This morning, he came up behind her as she stood in front of the mirror and gently pushed her hair out of the way so he could press a kiss behind her ear. Ho-Tan smiled and closed her eyes, knowing by the way his lips lingered against her skin that today must be one of her important days. “Which one is it?”

“It’s Hairclip Day,” Vex murmured against her skin before he peppered it with more kisses.

Ho-Tan huffed out a soft laugh. “I don’t think pinning my hair back for the first time warrants a celebration, dear.”

Vex looked up and their eyes met in the mirror.

“Maybe not,” he said quietly and reached past her to pull a blue butterfly hairclip out of her self-made and battered jewellery box. “But it was the first time I saw you smile when you looked in the mirror.”

Oh.

With infinite gentleness, his fingers gathered up the hair on the left side of her face and secured it with the butterfly. Its blue wings had dulled over time and so had its fine golden body but when Ho-Tan turned her head to the side to get a better look at it she felt like she was sixteen again and seeing her hair reflect her true self for the very first time.

“There it is,” Vex murmured softly and rested his chin on her shoulder. “That beautiful smile I fell in love with all those years ago.”

Ho-Tan’s eyes softened. She placed her hands over his on her stomach and turned her head to brush her lips against his temple. “Thank you, Vex.”

“Happy Hairclip Day, my love.”

2. Vex

Vex was not a morning person. Ho-Tan knew that. Ho-Tan had known that for years and yet here she was, gently coaxing him awake with loving kisses and soft whispers of, “Vex, my dear. Wake up,” even though the sky beyond the window was still dark.

“It’s night,” Vex grumbled and turned to hide his face in his pillow.

Behind him, Ho-Tan laughed softly. “It’s not. Come on, if we hurry, we can catch the sunrise.”

With that she first pulled the blanket away and then dragged him out of bed. Literally. Still half-asleep, Vex stumbled after her into the bathroom and blearily blinked at the clothes she was pushing into his arms.

“These are not my robes,” he said around a yawn.

“Of course not. You can’t very well go hiking in those, now can you?”

Vex squinted at her as the gears in his head slowly woke up from their slumber and began to turn. Hiking, sunrise … “Oh, is today –?”

“Yes,” Ho-Tan beamed before she pressed a quick kiss to his lips. Somehow, she was already dressed. When had that happened? “Now hurry up or we’ll miss it!”

Warmth pooled in Vex’s stomach as he took in the excitement on her face. He blinked away the final haze of sleep and pulled on the shirt, trousers and sturdy boots Ho-Tan had given him together with the old walking stick that rarely saw any action these days. Even though Vex could think of better ways to spend his morning – namely in bed and preferably in Ho-Tan’s arms – he gladly tiptoed after her through the hallways and out the door, knowing how important it was for Ho-Tan to commemorate special occasions.

And today, Vex had to admit, was indeed rather special.

The air was already pleasantly warm as they hiked through the woods and up the little hill on the outskirts of the city. It was the height of summer and all around them the trees and bushes were laden with fruit. Vex’s stomach growled noticeably as they passed a particularly delicious looking patch of blueberries and Ho-Tan stopped to look at him over her shoulder.

“We’re almost there,” she said and lifted the basket in her arm in a silent promise of breakfast. It was covered by a cloth but Vex knew from past experience that it contained a cake Ho-Tan made herself as well as some bread, cheese and juice. His mouth watered just thinking about all the delicious food she’d prepared.

True to her word, five minutes later Ho-Tan led them out of the forest and onto a little ledge that faced East over Yonderland. The horizon was just starting to light up in a faint, light blue when she spread out the blanket on the ground and laid out the contents of her basket. Vex’s mouth fell open when she didn’t pull out just one but three cakes – each of them shaped in one of the letters of his name and smelling of apples.

“Debbie kindly got me these baking moulds from her world,” Ho-Tan explained sheepishly while she arranged the three letters on the blanket. “It’s amazing what things they have over there, isn’t it?”

“You’re amazing,” Vex breathed, dragging his eyes away from the cakes to look at her. He reached for her hands and shook his head. “Every year you go to so much trouble to surprise me on this day. What have I ever done to deserve that?”

Ho-Tan brought his hands to her mouth and pressed a lingering kiss against his knuckles.

“You came into my life and changed it for the better,” she smiled, a little teary-eyed, before she leaned up to give him a proper kiss. Vex’s eyes fell close and he allowed himself to get lost in the feeling of her lips, the sound of birdsong echoing through the woods around them and the smell of apples in the air. When Ho-Tan pulled back, there was a soft, loving smile on her face. “Happy Name Day, Vex.”

Today wasn’t his actual Name Day, of course. That had already come and gone, unnoticed and unremarked. Today was his New Name Day – the day Ho-Tan had found him on her family’s farm and given him a new life. When she’d asked him for his name Vex had told her the first thing that came to his mind. “Vex. I’m … I’m Vex.”

Ho-Tan had given him a funny look at first but then she’d simply smiled and said, “It’s nice to meet you, Vex. I’m Alfie. Do you want to come inside, perhaps? Have a glass of milk and some bread? I mean no offense but you look like you could do with a meal or two.”

Vex would never forget the kindness she had shown him that day, and all the days that had followed.

“Happy Better Life Day, Alfie,” he whispered against her lips as the first rays of the sun bathed the lands below them in a warm golden light.

#scribe elder ho tan #wise elder vex #vextan #fluff friday #wwff challenge #my fic #yonderland

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that-ineffable-devil · 11 months

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Rainbow in the Dark | Chapter 6

Follow on AO3

Author's Note: The last two weeks have been hellish, but I think we're over the worst of it now--at least for the moment. I can't attest to the quality of this chapter--transitioning from Child!Eddie to Teenager!Eddie has been a CHALLENGE. Still, I hope you enjoy it as we get a little more into his motivations during S4.

CONTENT WARNING: This chapter references the effects of abuse and also describes how Eddie becomes a drug dealer. There's no explicit abuse, violence, or drug use--I just decided to err on the side of caution.

Chapter 6: Can’t They See It’s Why My Brain Says Rage?

The day he’d brought Eddie home from the hospital with him, he’d made sure that Eddie’s “welcome home and happy belated birthday” present was perched carefully against the sofa, a giant red bow tied gently around its body.

Even though he was still in pain and using mobility aids, Eddie had stopped in the open doorway and gasped loudly, his entire body rigid. Slowly, he’d turned his questioning eyes toward Wayne, who smiled and nodded in response. Eddie had approached the guitar slowly, with such care and reverence that Wayne wondered if the boy was afraid it might disappear if he startled it.

When he finally reached it, he gently ran his fingers across its strings, emitting the slightest of hums.

“Uncle Wayne…I…she’s beautiful…” his voice was soft but tight—almost fearful. “But…”

Wayne waited patiently for Eddie to finish his sentence, but soon realized Eddie had gone completely rigid again.

“But what, son?” he’d asked gently.

Eddie had jumped a little at his voice but kept his eyes on the guitar.

“I don’t know how to play…”

“Is that all? Don’t you worry, boy, I’ll teach you what I know—I bet in a year or two you’ll be out-playing my rusty skills with ease.”

Eddie had finally looked up at him then, his expression at first only shock, but it quickly morphed into the widest dimple grin Wayne had ever seen. He couldn’t help but grin back, knowing full well that this boy was now his whole heart.

Eddie never found out what happened to his father after that terrible night. He’d had his guesses, but he never asked—Wayne didn’t seem open to discussing it. As far as Wayne was concerned Eddie was his kid, and God have mercy on any soul who even considered hurting his boy.

Truthfully, Eddie was content to live in that reality, too. His memory of the time before Hawkins was a murky shadowland, full of all manner of unholy beasts waiting to consume him whole. So, he actively ignored anything his brain had been unable to repress—all but the Party and Luke. Eddie tried every day for a month to get Wayne’s permission to call them—he wanted to tell them he was OK. That he hadn’t abandoned them.

“You don’t understand,” Eddie had pleaded, “They…they’re family—they kept me alive!”

“Maybe so, but they didn’t keep you out of that hospital,” Wayne had replied, his gruff southern accent remarkably soft—a stark contrast to the Warden.

“No contact,” he continued as he removed the phone from the wall after Eddie had tried to sneak in a call while Wayne was out working on his truck. “That was the condition for the police releasing you to come home with me.”

It was half-true. It was a condition of his custody arrangement—just not the only one. Eddie hadn’t known that while he was still in and out of consciousness in the hospital, Wayne had arranged to move his entire life back to Indiana—the one place he knew his brother would never come back to. The court order was very clear that he and Eddie couldn’t stay at his last known address. When the judge asked why he’d chosen Indiana, he’d leveled them with a stare that could make a lion cower.

“There’s no safer place for him,” he’d said firmly, staring them down.

Nothing ever happened in Hawkins, Indiana.

Despite his baptism by fire, Eddie proved to be a gentle, funny, thoughtful boy with far too much kindness for a world that was all too unkind to him. Wayne could hardly believe his brother had even been partially responsible for creating this boy.

Sure, he was rough around the edges, a little prickly maybe, but he was never cruel. When faced with the choice, Eddie’d always choose kindness. Of course, Eddie didn’t like to show that part of himself. He’d rant and rave and bluster his way through each day, loudly expressing his anger at an unjust world.

Eddie had never been able to tolerate injustice, and there was just so much of it in the world. All evidence to the contrary, the boy had a strong sense of right and wrong—his right just didn’t always align with what society considered “right”…or lawful.

Sometimes, Wayne wished Eddie cared a little less—just to make his own life easier. But when Eddie appeared on his doorstep in handcuffs after being caught stealing a bike back from some bully that had taken it from another kid, Wayne loved him all the more. Wayne often felt like he was raising a superhero—his kid was going to change the world.

This was utterly different from Eddie’s opinion of himself. He was no hero—nor even particularly kind or thoughtful. If he had to describe himself in one word, he’d choose “terrified.” He saw the world as it was—unjust, unfair, and unkind to those who deviated from that very narrow scope of “societally appropriate.” And Eddie—well, Eddie was definitely a deviant.

Wayne had been the first adult to just let Eddie be—to express himself how he wanted, to speak freely, to make noise and trouble. To laugh. But the Warden’s lessons remained etched deep in his brain, as though he were branded with them. No matter the circumstance, no matter how frightened or upset he felt, he never cried—not even around Wayne, who had proven to be safe.

And love? Well, Eddie loved Wayne of course, but he never forgot that love was pain, and pain was love. Suffering was how you proved your love—but Wayne never made Eddie suffer. He never raised a finger in anger at Eddie—hell, not even his voice. So, Eddie had to find creative ways to show he was willing to endure anything so Wayne knew he loved him.

Wayne worked himself to the bone at the plant to make sure they had enough to put food on the table, but he wouldn’t let Eddie get a job in the afternoons or on weekends.

“Your job is to be a kid, son—and school. That’s it. You’ll have plenty of time to earn money in a few years, and we’re doin’ alright,” Wayne had argued, shaking his head at Eddie.

“But you work so…”

“No’s no, Eddie. Don’t make me call the businesses around here an’ tell ‘em what I think of you getting’ a job.”

Thus, Eddie found himself in the presence of “Reefer Rick” Lipton, the local drug dealer. The man oozed the personality of someone stuck in the 70s. His greasy, wavy mop of blonde hair was parted down the middle. His flowery green button-up shirt hung open, revealing his lithe form and ridiculously untamed jungle of chest hair. Though his pale blue jeans were tattered and stained, they were still evidently bell-bottoms hanging widely over his bare feet. And his enormous blue-ombre sunglasses with thin metal frames perfectly accented his gloriously bushy blonde brows and mustache.

Eddie could tell by the way Rick sized him up that he was younger than his usual…entrepreneurs, and he wasn’t convinced.

“I’m young, I know, but that could really work to your benefit, you know…” Eddie started, eyebrows raised.

“Uh huh, how’s that?”

Eddie flashed his dimples and lowered his eyebrows, leaning in conspiratorially.

“Well, based on the way you’re eyeing me with the suspicion of a cop being handed an unmarked brown package, I’m assuming you’ve got no sales reps in or around the schools, yeah?”

Rick’s eyebrows shot up as he nodded, also leaning in with interest now.

“I’d be your in. And a lot of those suburbs kids have money to burn—literally. Not only that, I’d be taking some heat off you since you won’t be at risk of being caught selling to minors. The only minor you’ll be ‘selling’ to is me.”

His arms crossed in front of him, Rick tapped a finger against one arm. His eyes were glassy, yet he seemed to be considering Eddie’s pitch.

“And I can read people, man. I can identify risks and match the products to the right users. I’m an enormous ass…et,” he added with a wink.

Rick doubled over, snorting with uncontrolled laughter. Eddie just grinned.

As Rick regained control, he smiled at the mop-headed runt in front of him. He pulled a joint from his shirt pocket and lit it, taking a long drag before offering Eddie a hit. Eddie breathed in as Rick released the smoke from his lungs in a slow exhale, aiming it away from the kid’s face.

“Well, I’ll be honest with you kid,” Rick said while taking back the joint, his glassy eyes meeting Eddie’s and a frown suddenly overtaking his face.

Eddie knew Rick was trying to play him, trying to make him think he wasn’t willing to work with him. But like he told Rick, he could read people. He could see the bright excitement behind the hazy glaze of the pot, the way the corners of Rick’s mouth twitched to fight off a smile, the way he leaned toward Eddie with interest.

“I know, I know,” Eddie said in mock disappointment. “I’m hired.”

“Ha! I got you kid! You thought I was gon…wait, what?”

“You liked my pitch. You want me to sell for you, and you’re giving me the job.”

“Well fuck man, you’re gonna be hard to fuck with…”

“You have no idea.”

Eddie found he was as good a dealer as he’d told Rick—hell, even better. He know how to identify potential whales—rich clients who were willing to pay a premium for lower quality products because they didn’t know any better. He could discern the reason behind a purchase and adjust products accordingly. He could even spot a set-up long before he’d put himself at any risk, much to the chagrin and frustration of Hawkins PD.

Though it put an even bigger target on his back from the sheriff and his goons, Eddie couldn’t deny the benefits significantly outweighed the risks. The rich punks at school still treated him like shit, but he was no longer a target for violence—nobody wanted to be responsible for removing the school’s source of “party supplies.”

And he’d been able to bring in enough money to afford some new musical equipment and band merchandise—he even bought himself a leather jacket—though he refused to replace the jean Dio jacket Wayne had given him for his birthday one year, so he ripped the already-tattered sleeves off and wore it over the leather.

He’d even earned enough to help cover his portion of household costs. Wayne had sacrificed so much to raise him, and Eddie thanked his unlucky stars every day that he’d been a good man, unlike the Warden. Eddie knew he was a lowlife and Wayne deserved better, so he did everything he could to avoid dragging the man into hell with him. Wayne never asked him where the money came from, but Eddie felt he knew. Maybe he thought Eddie had it rough enough without taking away what little protection he had. Maybe he just didn’t care.

Regardless, Wayne would smile softly at him when Eddie handed him a portion of his earnings every month, squeeze his shoulder gently, and tell him he was a good boy. Eddie’s eyes would flood with unshed tears so that he had to cough and rush away, his body viscerally reacting to the memory of the Warden’s reaction to his tears. Wayne didn’t get mad when Eddie cried, but it didn’t stop the pit in his stomach that opened like an abyss of emptiness every time tears threatened to spill.

If the Warden had ever taught him anything, it was vigilance. Eddie likened it to Spider-Man’s “spider sense.” While he’d struggled to understand unspoken languages in his youth, he’d developed this ability to read people like books. Though he couldn’t explain how, he could sense the biggest threat in any room as soon as he entered. He could feel when someone’s mood shifted and adjust his personality accordingly.

Whether he’d intended to or not, the Warden had taught him how to survive—Eddie just wished he could turn it off sometimes. It was exhausting, feeling the emotions of the people around him. So, like any wild animal when threatened, Eddie made himself big and loud—bolder than life itself. If he could appear more threatening than his predators and adapt himself to those closest to him, he could bluff his way out of anything.

It was how he’d convinced a group of absolute chuckle-fucks to come together and start a metal band—Corroded Coffin—after only 5 minutes of observing them individually. It was also how he’d convinced those same chuckle-fucks to play D&D for the first time, and how he got them irrevocably hooked after only one session.

It was what made him such an adept dungeon master during their D&D campaigns. He’d always been a natural at the game, but he’d honed the skills required of a good DM over the years. His strategies and puzzles were unparalleled, and where those failed him his improvisation skills rose to the occasion. It was rare for a party member to surprise him, and he’d never let them know if they did. The man was a master of “yes, and” and it showed in every moment of his games.

Being the “friendly neighborhood drug dealer” and the loud, brash leader of Corroded Coffin didn’t protect him from the rumors and hateful words bandied about as though he couldn’t hear them. According to various groups within Hawkins High—from the teachers down to the lowly AV club—he was a fag who murdered his father when he caught Eddie “in the company of” another man, a masochistic dope-fiend, and his favorite: the sadistic son of Satan himself. No one knew the real reason he’d transferred to Hawkins, and he wasn’t inclined to clarify.

He'd learned that there was a certain safety in being feared, and if you could build a group of like-minded, loyal individuals, like Luke had done…

Ah. Eddie didn’t like it when his mind wandered to Luke and his old Party. His heart ached painfully when he remembered what he’d lost, and that he’d never been able to say goodbye. But at least he had made some friends here…

You see, it wasn’t that Eddie didn’t like people. He did—in theory. The problem was that people didn’t seem to like Eddie, no matter what he did or how he changed. In his younger years, he’d tried so hard to fit in with anyone who was nice to him. But kids are cruel, and many of them were only nice so they could turn on him a week later—always a prank or a joke. After being stung again and again by the scorpions in Hawkins’ schools, he finally decided to lean into their worst ideas about him.

If they wanted him to play the part of town freak, he would be the greatest damn freak these small-minded bigots would ever experience. He’d begun dressing in baggy and black clothing; adorning himself with skulls, chains, and other “demonic” symbology; even allowing his curly brown hair to grow to what many considered an “unkempt” length.

While he hadn’t chosen the role, he decided to revel in this new character—Eddie the Freak. He rejected the status symbols and styles of the masses, denigrated their music, and preached the evils of the oppressive System. Eddie the Freak simply oozed superiority and self-ordained authority. If he played the part long enough, he might even begin to believe this was who he really was.

Eddie the Freak came with other perks, too. With the adoption of this confident hellspawn persona, he drew in other freaks. He remembered the kindness and solidarity he’d found with the Old Party, and decided this was his opportunity to build a new party—a Guild, even.

So, with the help of his band buddies—Gareth, Jeff, and Ben—he spent the later years of his school career identifying and gathering the other downtrodden, bullied, and freaky little lambs of Hawkins High into his “flock” so that he could shepherd the next generation of freaks into a better future. They created the Hellfire Club—a nod to his status as devil-spawn—to lend the Guild a sense of permanency and fraternity.

Hellfire gathered weekly to adventure through one of Eddie’s masterful campaigns. If he wasn’t welcome anywhere else, then he would create a niche no one else would fill. He leapt at any opportunity to share his disgust with conformity and normative society, and rarely would anyone stop him. No one wanted to challenge a group with Lucifer as its leader. This would be his legacy.

But not every lamb invited in wanted the permanency of being labeled a “freak.” Some, perhaps, were wolves in sheep’s clothing, hoping to learn just enough about his group to add fuel to the fire and gain ammo for the weaponized language of teenage cliques. Each wolf that defected broke off a piece of Eddie’s heart and took it with them, though he’d never show it.

So, he became guarded and more selective, protecting his group with a ferocity—one that may have become even bit too rigid—all in service to his desire to keep Hellfire together. To keep his friends near him. Because while they could survive without him, without them, he was just a lonely little freak too afraid to become a part of the larger world. A world full of people who leave like his mother and punish like his father. Hellfire had to survive, no matter what—because without Hellfire, Eddie would lose his friends and his legacy in one fell swoop, erasing any evidence that anyone other than Wayne had ever cared to know him.

Post Notes: In order to keep the story going, I rushed a bit past Eddie's adjustment period with Wayne--I feel like that could be a story all on its own. Still, I hope the shift wasn't too abrupt and the "why's" behind his actions in S4 are coming more into focus. Our next Eddie chapter will cover the lunch room scene, but will include far more detail about what was going through his mind and why he was so "revved up" to begin with.

Chapter 7 Preview: [In development--I'd originally planned to only write from Eddie's POV so I have several nearly-completed Eddie chapters but no Steve chapters to go between. Like Eddie, it will likely speed through some of his experiences and personal development (like seasons 1-3) so we can keep the story moving; I could fully do a fic entirely on Steve, given the time, but that's not what this story is about.]

Thank you to all readers who have made it this far! Likes, comments, and shares are deeply appreciated! I, like Steve, am heavily motivated by praise.

Credits

Bat dividers courtesy of StrayWords.

Fic title courtesy of Rainbow in the Dark by Dio.

Chapter title courtesy of Welcome Home (Sanitarium) by Metallica.

#eddie munson #eddie stranger things #stranger things #future steddie #eddie munson backstory #uncle wayne #wayne munson #gay eddie munson #fic: rainbow in the dark #fanfic #ao3 fanfic #read on a03

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