#i’m so sorry this trope isn’t my favorite so it took forever to finish this list even tho it’s like three prompts | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

nyerus · 3 years

Note

Hi, nyerus.....If you don't mind me asking, who are your favorite MXTX characters (top 5 from each novel)? And why? I'm sorry if you've answered this question before.

Thank you so much for asking! I would love to! (Apologies for the delay, and also for how long this is lol....)

TGCF

1.) Xie Lian: I could write forever about why I love him, but XL is just a really great character who subverted my expectations. He's gentle and compassionate, but also funny and snarky on the inside. His character arc is the classic hero's journey but told out of order. So we meet him when he's already wise and world-weary, then get to see what he was like before, and how he finishes his journey later on. He's extremely inspiring, to show that our choices and our actions are what make us, and ultimately no one can take those from us.

2.) Hua Cheng: This is no surprise! I also just adore HC for being a very intense character! He's completely devoted to XL and that zealotry is very unique in a character. He's 100%, not 50, not 75. While he has a lot of relateable aspects, this part of him is utterly fantastical, on the level only myth and fable can achieve--which tracks. After all, he isnt a Ghost King for nothing. In the story, he is the embodiment of the purest devotion, no strings attached.

3.) He Xuan: I actually like him for the same reasons as HC! He too is a walking fable, only instead of devotion, he represents vengence. (They're actually like foils of each other, which is quite neat.) I really adore his arc, and how murky his whole character is. It tells a cautionary tale of how sometimes, our worst enemy--the one who makes us most miserable--is often ourselves. SWD wronged him greviously, but HX's obsession with vengence ultimately prevented him from getting the peace and recompense he wanted in the end. Absolutely stellar storytelling.

4.) Mei Nianqing: While I often question his motives and methods, he is still a really good character. Caught between wanting to be a mentor and protector to XL, but still loving (platonically or romantically, that's up to you) JW. He's the only father figure in XL's life that actually took him seriously, even if he did have to come around to it. But ultimately, he was proud of who XL became even before he ascended. He was just terrified of XL drawing the attention of the one man he shouldn't--and did. However his belief in superstition and fear of Hong Hong-er also makes sense, even if it's sad. MNQ is also just a quirky and fun dude lol.

5.) Mu Qing: I really like how complicated and murky MQ's is in terms of his inner turmoil. I'm somewhat similar to him in the way he thinks, and it's real work not to make things worse for myself by expecting the worse. His background makes him naturally suspicious of... basically everyone, all the time, and it's honestly understandable. Ultimately, he does understand that you can't make assumptions about people's intentions by projecting your own insecurities onto them--which I think is something everyone can relate to. I really like his subtle journey of self-realization and self-forgiveness, and he ends up far better for it.

MDZS

1.) Lan Wangji: I love the fact that LWJ was just so ready to Night Hunt himself to death upon the loss of his beloved. As you can tell, I really like complicated characters who have extreme traits, haha! That being said, I just also really like his stoicism and reliability.

2.) Wei Wuxian: Naturally, it's hard not to love WWX! He decided "yeah maybe the ends do justify the means" and went for it. To us, he is the hero. To the regular people of the world? Whose ancestors were dug up and disturbed to be used by the Yiling Laozu? His blackened reputation is not without cause! (Like... JGY literally has done more positive and helpful things for regular people than Wangxian, but those metas already exist lol.) Once again, his gray morality is what makes him so damn good, and can be debated at length!

3.) Jiang Cheng: JC gets a bad rep, but oh boy he doesn't make things easy for himself at all. However if I was in his position, I probably would be much worse off. He lost EVERYTHING, and still trudged on because there were people who depended on him. His hatred of the Wens also makes sense in the context that... that's often how humans react to and process extreme trauma. We find something to blame and *waves at literally every major conflict since the dawn of time.* (His rumored torture of innocent people due to that is reprehensible, of course, but given that MDZS is a book about how rumors can make or break someone's life... we should take that line with a grain of skepticism, much like all other hearsay.) He's not typically the type of character I like, but I found him really interesting to read.

4.) Jiang Yanli: I really love JYL, who decided to be the emotional backbone of her family from the time she was a child. It was an undue and extremely heavy burden to bear, but she did all of it without complaint. That's strength. I think many elder siblings can relate to her having to step up and be the third parent, when the actual adults fail at it.

5.) Wen Qing: I really like her arc in the novel, where she makes some of the hardest decisions anyone will ever have to make, over and over and over again. I don't typically love very "rough" characters, but she has ever right to be that way (and it makes sense for her character, and isn't just a tacked-on character trait like hair color or eye color in a CC), and honestly I want to marry her very seriously.

SVSSS

1.) Luo Binghe: Probably the most misunderstood main character of all of MXTX's works. LBH is neither truly a crybaby nor is he a ruthless maniac. He's right in the middle, in the valley of misanthropy. And yet, he knows just how to use his charisma to get his way. Cunning and devious, intelligent and ruthless. Meanwhile, he craves love and intimacy--something he could only ever dream of.

2.) Shen Qingqiu (Shen Yuan): Extremely refreshing to see an transmigrator know how to handle transmigration almost flawlessly. (Me reading/watching other works with this trope and wanting to tear my hair out at the protags = me sympathizing on a personal level with SQQ.) This also proves to be SQQ's fatal flaw!! His knowledge of the novel is both a boon and a obstacle to him, and prevents him from understanding the other characters as people until he lets go of his pre-conceived notions. And of course, his snarky as heck inner dialogue is amazing.

3.) Liu Qingge: I don't actually even know why I love LQG as much as I do. He's just neat.

4.) Tianlang-Jun: Honestly same goes for TLJ. He's just great though, and I have a blast reading about him. He wanted to see the good in humanity, and ultimately comes around after writing them off.

5.) Yue Qingyuan: He's a fascinating character. Harmless on the outside, but a quagmire on the inside. His love for Shen Jiu was quite... problematic, in that he saught forgiveness from SJ, without actually ever taking the time to understand him or to make amends. Patronizing and judgemental, yet willing to let SJ get away with literally anything because of his own unresolved turmoil, etc etc. Fascinating.

#if this sounds like I want to study some of these characters under a microscope then you'd be correct #i also have a lot more faves i would want to talk about but actually it's a lot of work to Think #i just really love characters who make me think or are very complicated #tgcf #mdzs #svsss #asks #nyerus.txt #thanad-zid

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romanceforransom · 3 years

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Thank you so much for tagging me in this @earthlingeliott ilysm 🥰

if you’re a writer:

a fic that you’re really proud of:

Probably Hair’be. It was the first proper multi chapter fic that I wrote, and it took me so many months to write it. I know that it probably isn’t the best written thing and I have definitely gotten better since then, but I’m super proud of actually writing so much and being able to say that I finished it.

a fic that you were nervous to post:

Umm probably A Vision of a Dying Embrace. It was the first fic that I did and full of angst (and mcd oop) so I knew that barely anyone would read it anyway but yeah I was very nervous to put my work out there.

a fic you wished got more hits/kudos/comments:

It’s probably a tie between two. The first one being You’re the song I play in my heart, just because I really loved writing it but I feel like not a lot of people read it? idk. the second one is my Yousmina fic. That one is obviously because it doesn’t have sobbe in it and barely anyone reads wtfock fics that don’t have sobbe (this isn’t me being mad, i do this too), i just wish it had more poeple reading it because i’m actually really happy with how it turned out

one of your favorite tropes to write:

I love slow burns (if you couldn’t tell haha) and pining is great too, gotta get that ✨tension✨ but yeah other than that just fluff, tooth-rotting fluff because imagining sweet situations for sobbe helps me cope with not seeing them

another ship that you don’t write but you’d like to write:

I read Evak fics quite a lot so that would be one that I may write someday... the problem is with that, a lot of people have done so many amazing fics for them and I wouldn’t want to unintentionally steal someone’s idea.

one of your abandoned wip you never wrote but wish you did:

I literally have 13 wips on my computer that i haven’t touched for months 😬 but all of them i loved the ideas for. I think maybe it would be the one where Sander has to go to his cousin’s wedding but he has to fly there (he is afraid of flying) and sits next to robbe who calms him down. plot twist, they are actually going to the same wedding because it is Amber and Aaron getting married and boom they fall in love. that one i would love to finish one day.

Ooor a certain fic that me and a certain person thought about *cough* @sonderthroughthestreets *cough* that i haven’t added to in... i don’t even know how long oops. again, maybe one day

another writer you would love to collaborate with:

Literally everyone because you are all so talented and I am in absolute awe of you!!! like your talent honestly astounds me. But if i had to pick... @sonderthroughthestreets @womenstan @honeyandsinn (yes I know we already collaborated with one more night don’t come for me, i just wanna work with you because i love you and i think you’re super talented)

if you’re a reader:

a fic (or more) that you love to reread:

I literally reread fics every night... ummm... Ok this is just a few of them

rotten work by aholynight

I’m slowly falling away by @fockinglevendcliche (the tension literally kills me every time)

run and score by aurora winds

we’ve been through a lot of things. you and me by @yasminaselamrani

recommend a story to your followers:

Ok so obviously the ones i listed above

mornings, yours & mine by ivy_seas

The entire sobbe!dads series that @honeyandsinn is doing (go and read it, it’s amazing)

If I asked you now, would you be my prince by @sonderthroughthestreets and @starryfreckles (they are doing the lords work with the ballet au)

All I Want by @if-music-be-the-food-of-love

tag an author you discovered recently:

Ummm i don’t think i really found anyone recently (literally constantly in the tag soo) but if you are a new writer and i didn’t realise, I’ve probably read it haha

spread the love!

tag someone who inspires you to write:

Literally everyone in the alt er writers block, you are all incredible and i love you so so much. And @sonderthroughthestreets @womenstan @honeyandsinn (sorry to be tagging you so many times in this) you are all so amazing and truly inspire me, so thank you 🥰

tag someone who you’ve admired forever:

Wow literally so many, like when i first got to ao3 i was mind blown (still am)

I’ll just list a few of the people and minimise my awkwardness as much as possible haha @yasminaselamrani @earthlingeliott @nbrook29 @foxsake5 @fockinglevendcliche @sobbefairytales (i know some of you I have never spoken to before... but hi you’re amazing, I love your fics 😊)

tag your writing support:

haha the alt er writers block (so yes hello @12monthoctober this includes you too my lovely, ily) are my saving grace. Also all the people who leave comments on my fics (I don’t know what their tumblrs are or i would tag them) but they help so much with my motivation.

I have no idea who has done this already but if you have already been tagged or if you’re reading this and want to do it, feel free!

#tagging games

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infinitelytheheartexpands · 3 years

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Faust (Paris, 2021): Reactions, Part III

And now, on to the finish!

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW Siébel is accompanying Marguerite to the doctor’s office like a great friend <3

“are you the happy father-to-be?”

“well...no. it’s complicated.”

Siébel is so encouraging and adorable :)

:( she deserves SO MUCH BETTER

“uh, ma’am, I hate to break it to you but I am not a licensed therapist”

“then again, ma’am, you do have a lovely voice and you’re very emotional so continue as you please”

oh wow how are they doing that

OH SHIT THE BABY HAS TINY DEVIL HORNS

“what did you DO to make her cry?!”

have fun trying to kill Satan, who was the one who knocked her up here

we all need a friend like Siébel and also THANK YOU FOR ACTUALLY INCLUDING THIS ARIA

she’s actually crying :(

awww he’s trying (but it’s not working)

poor child with righteous anger deserves better

wait this is supposed to be the church scene why are we in the Paris Métro

okay so she’s traveling from her appointment, where she found out that (though she doesn’t know the father isn’t who she thinks it is) her baby has devil’s horns and now she is Thinking About This And How It Could Connect To Religion

okay... I guess that could work...

(sorry this is my favorite scene in the opera)

oh look who else is in the same car

oh no now they’re alone in the car together

oh no I just realized that if at all, she has only briefly seen him (because she was blindfolded when-- let’s call a spade a spade here-- he raped her) and would thus likely not recognize him so if she even sees him at all, she’d think he was just some rando who knew about her life (creepy) and was lecturing her about her “impurity” (gag me) and not, you know, the guy who brought this upon her IN THE FIRST PLACE

“wait ARE MY HEADPHONES POSSESSED”

WOW they are both excellent in this

he finally left the car so now she can say what she needs to say

once again, AMAZING projection work

and this is gonna sound so stupid but I have to say it: even though this is, ahem, not set in a church, this performance was...incredibly musically AND dramatically sound IMO

Siébel, who is presumably sick and tired of all this shit and just wants his friends to be happy: *stares directly into the camera like he’s on The Office*

welcome back and also uh-oh

SOLDIERS’ CHORUS TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIME

“yeah!!! we can play pickup basketball together again!!!”

“well, we lost one of our own rip Wagner”

noooooooooooooooooooooooo

well look who’s back

that will not help but it is a fabulous voice so I’ll give you that

“hey, I’m ba-- oh gosh, sis, are you okay? lemme help you--”

OH NO OH NO OH NO

“is that...is that...oh God...is that...”

DON’T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT HITTING HER (he didn’t)

this is such a creepy but slaptastic song

“DID YOU SERIOUSLY BECOME A SUGAR BABY WHILE I WAS GONE BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE”

once again: this happened to your SISTER not YOU

way to throw him under the bus for something that (in this production) you did

this trio SLAPS and so do the singers

you’re going to regret that life choice

Valentin has a knife while Faust is unarmed in an inversion of the recent trend of disarming Valentin for the duel

and the trope was promptly un-inverted because Faust managed to get the knife and stab Valentin with it :(

omg he took Valentin’s cowboy hat and gave it to Faust I HAVE to chuckle a little at that

oh shit that’s a lot of blood

no :(

OKAY NO THAT IS ABSOLUTELY UNCALLED FOR VALENTIN WHAT THE FUCK

she deserves SO MUCH BETTER

the chorus is right also that is a LOT of blood

he is extremely good at dying onstage

:( :( :(

Siébel tried to run inside after Marguerite :(

oh SIÉBEL

this effect is back!!!

his ‘empire’: *is the airspace over Notre Dame Cathedral*

I always forget how cool this music is although given the remaining time in this video I don’t think we’re getting the ballet music :(

OH MY GOD

okay, I am not normally the type of person who likes to be prudish about potentially controversial content in productions because I do try to have an open mind, but this is just INSENSITIVE AND UNNECESSARY.

and the director was expecting to show this to full-house audiences in Paris, the city in which this happened, less than two years after this happened??? buddy, that smacks of major insensitivity to me. not a good look.

steal the horses, go on a joyride

PLEASE CAN WE STOP KILLING THE BABY ONSTAGE

“ah, je pleure de me voir si terrible en ce miroir...”

SHE DESERVES BETTER

hey, remember in Act 1 when you hesitated about whether to go with Satan or not? you should have kept hesitating forever

THE KERMESSE MUSIC *cries*

Old Faust is mouthing the words :(

HERE WE GO TRIO TIME

she’s trying her best and sounding FABULOUS

WELL DONE BRAVI

“oh wtf you were actually an old man all along?!”

:( :( :( :( :(

AND THERE IT IS :)

SIÉBEL IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OH MY GOD YES YOU GO SIÉBEL

“YOU DON’T GET TO MESS WITH MY FRIENDS”

omg Méphistophélès told the demons to let Marguerite go I’M CRYING

WAIT WHAT NO

what is HAPPENING

I AM NOT FUCKING OKAY

THAT WAS NOT OKAY I AM NOW LEGITIMATELY SCREAMING I DO NOT CARE THAT IT IS THREE THIRTY AM

anyway this was great but also VERY WTF

#opera #opera tag #Faust #opera liveblog #Gounod #Charles François Gounod #brilliant but also ????#and that ending OH MY FUCKING GOD

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scarlettwitcher · 4 years

Text

Javier Peña Drabble

Hear me out.

Javier Peña falling in love with Pablo Escobar's daughter!reader.

See cause, this seems like such a cliche trope right? Good guy falling for villain's kid but like it's so good. Because here's the thing, I've been watching Narcos and I'm halfway through season 2. I'm getting close to the end. I'm ready and this whole time I kept thinking like, look at poor Javi's face when Carrillo is using his "unconventional" Methods to find out where Pablo is. Javi's face when Carrillo shoots the kid who's one of the lookouts or the way he refuses to go with him and Murphy on the helicopter with Gato and that other guy.

So what if one day Carrillo calls him and Murphy to meet him at an abandoned warehouse saying he found something that would definitely get them Escobar. Both men get there as fast as they can and when they finally enter, there's Carrillo, two of his men, and someone tied to a chair. Javi's steps falter. "What's this?"

"Our road to Escobar." Carrillo reaches over and grabs the person by the hair, revealing you. You’re shivering, looking up Carrillo with anger and fear. You’re radiating fear. Javi can see it in your body language, the way you cower away from any touch directed your way. He can see it in your frantic eyes and something inside him starts to bend. You’re covered in cuts, bleeding from every surface of your skin that’s visible.

“1Yo no se nada! Dejenme ir!” You scream out. Carrillo clicks his tongue quietly as he caresses your cheek. In a split second, your head is sharply facing the left. He slapped you. You sobbed quietly into the large room, all eyes on you.

After that day, Javi is in charge of watching you until Carrillo returns. He watches you, tries to get conversation out of you, but you’re quiet, reserved, afraid. It takes him days to finally get you to answer one of his questions and it’s one he never even asked. “2Mi color favorito es amarillo. Mi mama siempre me vestia en un vestido amarillo cuando era niña.” You whispered this so quietly, he could’ve missed it if he wasn’t already straining his ears. He nodded softly and even let the smallest of smiles color his features.

“3El mio es verde.”

That’s how it went for a few weeks. You would exchange just a few words with Javi, and spend the evening being tortured by Carrillo or one of his men. Javi soon came to learn you were raised by your mother. You didn’t know who Pablo was until you were already 19 years old. You were the product of an affair he had with a woman when he was newlywed. When Pablo found out you were his daughter, he took you in. He gave you and your mother a home, he sent you money, and would try to see you as often as he could. You didn’t particularly care for him. He didn’t raise you but you also weren’t going to betray the kindness he’s given you. Even then, you didn’t know anything. He always came to you.

Javi tried to tell this to Carrillo but he wouldn’t hear it. He was thoroughly convinced you knew things and you were covering for him. You were reaching your limit with the torture. You wouldn’t scream anymore. You stopped crying weeks ago. Carrillo decided it was best to resort to new tactics. He’d let touch starved men touch you. He’d leave you sitting naked in your chair, arms and legs bound together while different men came and did their thing. This caused new reactions from you. At this point, Javi couldn’t watch. It was too much.

The next day when he sat with you, he cleaned you. He cleaned every wound on your skin and the dirt from lack of wash. He dressed you in an extra shirt of his he brought. Even going so far as giving you some boxers of his and socks. You were grateful and when Carrillo returned that evening, he was pissed. “4Porque mierda tiene ropa?”

“5Es humana. Ya te estas pasando de verga. No sabe nada. Si sigues, la vas a matar. Si matas a la hija de Pablo..” Javi doesn’t even finish his sentence because they both know exactly what Pablo would do. Carrillo leaves but he leaves Javi watching you.

It isn’t til he watches Carrillo torture you the next day that he realizes he really cares about you. He has feelings for you. He listens to your screams and something inside of him snaps. He pushes all the men off of you and stands in front of you protectively. He’s breathing heavy, growling quietly in warning. You are now off limits. Carrillo glares at him and warns him to think of what he’s doing. “6Ella no sabe nada. Ella se puede ir.” Javi doesn’t think twice. He pulls out his gun and holds it out in warning. He ties you free as he holds his gun before slowly taking you in his arms, knowing you’re way too weak to walk. He walks out of the warehouse, intent on taking care of you for as long as he can.

“7No te preocupes mija. Yo te tengo.”

Spanish to English translations:

1: I don’t know anything! Let me go!

2: My favorite color is yellow. My mother always dressed me in this yellow dress when I was a little girl.

3: Mine is green

4: Why the fuck does she have clothes?

5: She’s human. You’re fucking crossing the line. She knows nothing. If you continue, you will kill her. If you kill Pablo’s daughter..”

6: She doesn’t know anything. She’s leaving.”

7: Don’t worry mija. I have you

Forever Tags: @iwantthedean @authoressskr @sorenmarie87 @reigningqueenofwords @goldenolaf25 @giftofdreams @winchesterprincessbride @chelsea072498 @kitchenwitchsuperwhovian @itakeawfultoawholenewlevel @fictionalabyss @gabby913 @angelkurenai @sea040561 @sleepylunarwolf @smoothdogsgirl @carryonmyswansong @feelmyroarrrr @evyiione @sofreddie @sis-tafics @nitelotus @trexrambling @dancingalone21 @manawhaat @mermaidxatxheart @winchest09 @ellen-reincarnated1967 @mrswhozeewhatsis @just-another-busy-fangirl @lovebodymindstuff @backseat-of-deans-67chevy @chook007 @akshi8278 @evansrogerskitten @bringmesomepie56 @persephonehemingway @blacktithe7 @donnaintx @queenxxxsupreme @whitewolfandthefox @riviawitch3r

People I think would be interested in this: @thesadvampire @mcudisiac @chibi-liz05 @marvel-avengers01 @themandjalorian @gollyderek @zeldasayer @generaldamneron @flower-petal-blooming @cptnbvcks @gryffindorwriter @damerondjarin @angelicpascal (sorry if this is random, i dont have a tag list for pedro lol, please don’t hate me)

#javier #javier peña narcos #javier au #javier peña au #javier peña drabble #javier peña fic #narcos #pedro pascal #javier peña x you #javier peña x reader #pedro pascal x reader #pedro pascal x you #pedro pascal au #pedro pascal drabble #pedro pascal fic #horacio carrillo #javier peña #pablo escobar #scarlettwitcher original

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xnchxntmxnt · 3 years

Note

Hi Spencer!! Ahhh I hope you’ve reached 200 by the time you get this! It’s been so amazing watching you grow and your works have brought lots of comfiness into my life 🥰 thank you so much for creating and writing and making one of the most aesthetic blogs I’ve ever seen (hehe love the constellation aesthetic) sending lots of positive vibes and appreciation your way 💕

For the matchup event (ahh it’s my first time ever doing one and I hope I didn’t put too much 😱) thank you in advance 💖

Name: eggu

Pronouns: she/her

Preferred partner: open to anyone

MBTI: INFJ

Horoscope: Aquarius

Aesthetic: light academia, soft, oversized sweaters, korean street wear, fandom merch, white and pastels, 4:00 am talks about life, stars and clouds

Some things about me:

I took piano, dance and martial arts lessons growing up and I still enjoy playing piano a lot

I enjoy playing video games on my spare time (I’m currently selling my soul to genshin impact)

I really love music of all genres but I’m currently really into kpop and khiphop (my favourite artists are seventeen and stray kids)

I really like naps and sleeping in general and prefer it over eating — I would say I have pretty low energy in general

I like desserts, pastries and dim sum

I recently got into watching art streams, journaling and collecting cute stationery

I’ve pretty much been a huge geek/fangirl all my life and have loved reading and animation since I can remember

I just finished watching jujutsu kaisen and am currently watching fruits basket (lol I enjoy both extreme shounen and fluffy shoujo)

I’m human and have lots of insecurities but I’m learning

Ideal traits in a partner:

Able to appreciate the quiet moments

I’m not a super physical person, but it would be nice to be physically close to someone I trust and that respects my boundaries

Trustworthy — didn’t have a great past relationship 😞

Isn’t afraid to keep up with banter and has witty remarks... someone that can keep me on my toes

Is driven in something they love

willing to learn and grow alongside me

@eggutartu

Thank you so so so much!! 💕💕💕 i worked really hard on the aesthetic so I’m glad you like it and I’m glad you like what I write! If you ever have ideas, don’t be afraid to share!

Anyway, onto the notes & matchup (I was really proud of this one 😁😁😁)

WHEN I TELL YOU I IMMEDIATELY HAD AN IDEA, I I M M E D I A T E L Y HAD AN IDEA. I was so proud of myself when i got this lol cause I saw your entry when I woke up, barely skimmed it, and said…

TSUKISHIMA KEI

✧ 𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑀𝑒𝑡 ✧

Okay okay hear me out

Hot topic (or something similar but I’m American so hot topic)

He was looking to get something for Yamaguchi’s birthday & maybe something for himself because don’t tell me Tsukishima Kei isn’t into anime I know he is

Probably shonen but still

Anyway

You were both reaching for the same thing (yes I’m using THAT trope)

Fortunately for you, there was more than one keychain but still

He was about to get low key defensive like “hey watch it” y’know like

Was in a v short mood

But the second he got the word “hey” out he turned to look at you and just

Froze

And got all embarrassed because look at this beautiful girl he’s standing net to shit he was just cursing you out in his brain

So he’s staring at you with wide eyes and you’re like “oh I’m sorry--you like JJK too? That’s cool”

And he’s stuttering Tsukishima Kei is flustered, everybody

So he’s like “uh yeah kinda I guess I don’t really talk about it a lot cause my friend isn’t into it”

“Well I mean if you ever wanna talk about it we can”

“Really?”

“Yeah, gimme your phone I’ll give you my number. If that’s chill”

“Sure, I guess, yeah”

Akiteru was home that day and hadn’t seen his brother smile this much since he was a kid

Any time he asked though Kei just got all huffy and went to his room

✧ 𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑛𝑠 ✧

U two make playlists for each other on a regular basis (Spotify playlists w collaboration turned on are your best friend)

They're always killer and hit a little too hard

When you tell him you have a new favorite song, he listens to it on repeat until he knows all the lyrics and can pick on you for saying the wrong lyrics if you ever do

Also because it reminds him of you

He loves that he can be himself around you

Really he does

Like that’s one of his favorite things

He doesn’t have to hide any of his hobbies or really anything about him really and he appreciates it so much

It took a while to get there with him, but once he trusted you 100%, he realized he was in love with you

Love and trust are the same things to him (or at least similar) so he knew he loved you when he realized he really could be himself with you around and probably told you as such

He’s not one to push your boundaries, but just had to tell you so it was probably a text like

“Look I don’t expect you to say this back if you’re not ready for that yet, but you’re so amazing--I need to be honest. I’ve done nothing but stare at the ceiling for an hour and think and just realized how in love with you I am. I really am. Take that as you will.”

And then just straight up DIDN’T ANSWER UNTIL 2 AM THAT NIGHT LIKE “sorry I was at Yamaguchi's” LIKE BRO JUST DROP A BOMB LIKE THAT DAMN

Needless to say, he WAS at Yamaguchi's and left his phone at home but it was because he was too afraid of what you’d say

He got home at 11

He just procrastinated for three hours until he finally answered you back

And when you told him you loved him too, his heart SOARED he proceeded to call yams and squeal like a seven-year-old girl for a half hour

If ur shorter than him he uses your head as an armrest, no exceptions

He does it if you're taller than him too he just goes up on his toes to do it

Anyway

Can and will pick on you for everything

It’s the way he shows his love alright

Cute stationery? It’s tacky and “why do you have this it’s irritatingly adorable”

“You’re irritatingly adorable”

“I’m not adorable”

“Yes you are Tsukki"

Lets you call him Tsukki until you can call him Kei

You have to have a thick skin with him because sometimes it’s hard to tell when he’s being sarcastic or not

If he ever did make you cry or genuinely upset though, he’d tear himself to pieces about it for hours and be completely unresponsive to his phone if you text him because he thinks you hate him

When he finally texts you back he’ll never admit how upset he is, but he will apologize for making you upset

It’s really hard to do emotions with this dude but you try to manage

If you can figure out how to make him talk about his problems “let’s talk about Akiteru” “no”? Yamaguchi will love you forever

You get the best friend approval anyway but you get an extra gold star if you can get him to open up more

Oh and you totally like to show up at games or practice and everyone including Ukai and Takeda love you for it because he tries a little harder so he doesn’t look bad in front of you

It’s like a switch he goes from like 5% to 70% effort but that’s the best he’s giving until it’s game time then he’ll crank it to 100%

✧ 𝐷𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐼𝑑𝑒𝑎 ✧

Okay okay but but but but but

Anime dates

Like once a week you two sit and watch anime over discord or smth

You don’t usually talk much but it’s nice to be in each others’ presence

Or close to that

When you can get together it’s that much better

You trade off whose house you’re at every other week, and whoever's visiting picks up snacks on the way

You’ll watch tv, make fun of the characters together, roll your eyes at the sappy moments but lean over to kiss Tsukki anyway

It’s overall a very wholesome scene

But there will be times when he is stressed and tired for whatever reason and he’ll fall asleep

Sometimes he’ll be curled into a little ball on his side of the couch

Sometimes he’ll slouch his head against your shoulder with his arm around your waist

Sometimes he’ll pause the show and pull you down against him and just lay with you for a while

Not even watch tv just

Be happy in each others’ presence

He’ll fall asleep from time to time and you take his glasses off for him

He looks so soft when he’s sleeping and not glaring at people

✧ 𝑍𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑐 𝐼𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 ✧

Libras, while they may not exactly say it, are romantics. They enjoy little things about romance, however modern, like spontaneous dates and flowers. They initiate clever ideas and Aquariuses are good at adding a different perspective, so prepare for in-depth conversations. On the other hand, Aquariuses tend to be trendsetters, which Libras support wholeheartedly.

✧ 𝐴𝑒𝑠𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 ✧

✧ 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 ✧

my boy - Billie Eilish

Hug - SEVENTEEN

King of the Clouds - Panic! At The Disco

She’s In The Rain - The Rose

I Can’t Handle Change - Roar

Runners up: Sugawara Koushi, Akaashi Keiji

#✔︎ — announcements #ꕥspenceranswers

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seasonofthegeek · 5 years

Text

Forgetfully Yours

Here comes another drabble from the fanfic trope mash-up requests, featuring Ladybug and Chat Noir. The prompts are “forgotten first meeting” and “character in peril”. Thanks so much to @27percentonrottentomatoes for the ko-fi donation!

___

He would forget her again.

It was probably a selfish thought to have as Ladybug watched Chat Noir’s body disperse into a cloud of sparkling glitter, but she couldn’t help it. She’d seen him die so many times now, seen him sacrifice himself so many times, and it only made her tired. She knew she could bring him back, but the cost was becoming too high. His memories reset with every Cure that gave him life again. It hadn’t been quite as bad when they were still young and new and his memories reset often, but now they were getting older and she’d fallen in love with a man who forgot who she was in this form every few months.

The akuma’s cackle broke off into a surprised gasp as her necklace rotted away, thanks to Chat Noir’s last act of Cataclysm before his glittery demise. Ladybug went through the motions of catching the dark butterfly as it pulled away from the destroyed necklace and she released it with a sigh when the cleansing was complete.

They’d made it so far this time. They had inside jokes and favorite places to meet and he knew what she liked on her pizza and they’d almost kissed...

She trudged back to her discarded Lucky Charm, ignoring the distraught victim for the time being, and threw the spotted towel up into the air with a mutter. Magical ladybugs raced around the city and the akuma’s victims popped back into existence, including Chat Noir.

Ladybug took a moment to help the confused woman to her feet and explain that she’d been akumatized. After another citizen came to her side, Ladybug excused herself to go to her partner. He gave her the same confused look she’d seen on his handsome face too many times, but she offered her hand.

“Thanks for your help. You must be Chat Noir.” She watched his brow furrow beneath his mask and then he glanced down his body as he always did, eyes widening slightly before he looked at her again. An easy grin fell into place and it made her heart ache.

“At your service, my Ladybug.” He took her hand and dipped low like he’d done dozens of times during their first meetings. His gaze was playful as his eyes met hers and even though she was exhausted and heartsick, she did her best to smile back at him because despite it all, it felt good to have him by her side.

___

“So I forget every time?”

Sometimes Ladybug explained what happened to Chat Noir; sometimes she didn’t. And then there were times like this one where she didn’t have a choice. Stumbling across old footage of your younger self as a superhero with no memory of it would be confusing for anyone.

She nodded and offered Chat Noir the bag of macarons she’d picked up at her parents’ bakery on the way to meet him. “We’ve met...” She trailed off and mentally added the most recent death to her tally. “Hmm, I believe this last time made number forty-two.”

He choked on the bite he’d just taken and crumbs sprayed out to fall to his lap. “I’ve died forty-two times?!”

Ladybug winced. “At least you have more than the usual nine lives for a cat.”

“I can’t decide if I want to laugh or cry.”

“You can do both, if you want.” She reached over and placed her hand on his. His hand stiffened and she missed the instant reciprocation they’d gotten to before, but it didn’t take long for him to turn his wrist so their fingers could slide together.

“Thanks,” he said quietly. “How long have we been doing this? We looked young in that video.”

Ladybug felt the years sink in. They’d had this conversation more than a few times. “We started when we were fourteen.”

“I’ve been forgetting you since I was fourteen.” His eyes tightened. “I don’t understand...how is this possible? I can remember everything else about my life.”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged helplessly. “For some reason, your death and the Cure bringing you back only affects your memory as far as being Chat Noir is concerned.”

“That sucks.”

“Yeah.”

He worried his bottom lip. “Do you know who I am when I’m not Chat Noir?”

“I do.”

“Ah.”

“You know who I am sometimes too.”

“But not right now.” His claws dug into the top of his thighs. “You don’t ever forget?”

“No.” She knew her answer was too quick, too flat, but she couldn’t help it. She wanted to be past this. She wanted to be back to laughing and cuddling and being best friends. These awkward new beginnings always twisted her stomach into knots. She knew she had to ask him what she asked him every time, and she already knew what his answer would be.

“I can take the ring,” she offered. “You can just be Adrien and then there isn’t anything to forget.”

His black ears dipped low and then he shook his head; he always did.

“No. I’ll just be more careful this time around. I can do this. I want to.”

___

Chat Noir jumped in front of an energy blast meant for her, and Ladybug was shaking as she finished off the akuma on her own.

Thirteen months.

They’d made it thirteen months without him dying. Thirteen months without him forgetting. Thirteen months of him falling just as much in love with her as she was with him.

She couldn’t lose it. She wouldn’t survive this time; she could feel it in her bones.

Ladybug was ruthless as she beat down the akumatized man. She shattered the glass orb of his cane with such force that the shards flew up to shred across the skin of her cheek. She slammed her yoyo into the dark butterfly as it tried to escape and felt anger building up as she released it to the heavens. She was about to begin the Cure when a cough followed by a groan caught her attention.

Chat Noir rolled onto his back and coughed again. “I’m here,” he whispered weakly, his eyes finding hers. “Bugaboo, I’m alive.”

She fell to her knees beside him, tears streaming down her face. She had to release the Cure--and she would-- but she needed this moment. She needed to feel his chest rise under her hand and see the strained smile he gave her.

He was okay.

They were okay.

___

“I think you should marry me.” Chat Noir grinned widely at the surprised expression on his girlfriend’s face.

“Excuse me?”

“Marry me,” he corrected. “Don’t you wanna?”

“You can’t seriously be proposing to me while we’re sitting here stuffing our faces after a patrol,” she replied, dropping what was left of her pretzel back into its paper bag.

“Why not? I’m madly in love with you, my Mariboo.” He wiggled his brow. “And I know you’re madly in love with me.”

She hummed noncommittally but knew she was grinning like an idiot.

“Come on, say you’ll marry me. We’ll go pick out the biggest ring in the city right now.”

“You’re a nutcase, kitty.”

“Marry me, my Lady. Make me the happiest cat in all of Paris.”

The lightness she’d been feeling dropped like a lead balloon. “I can’t.”

His beaming smile wilted. “Why?”

“Because it could happen again.” She hugged herself and felt the soft pretzel she’d just eaten churn in her gut. “I can’t...I don’t know what I would do if I lost this now, and I just think marriage would...” She swallowed against the lump in her throat and shook her head. “I can’t.”

“It’s been two years.”

“I don’t think there’s a time limit.”

He took her hand in his. “We’d still be married as Marinette and Adrien. I wouldn’t forget that. Wouldn’t that be enough?”

She took in a shaking breath and half-turned so she could cup his cheek. “You’ll always be enough for me, but if you forgot as Chat, I’d lose half my life with you. I don’t know how I would cope with that.”

“Please say yes,” he pleaded, eyes glassy and voice soft.

“No,” she replied, voice even softer.

____

The first time Queen Bee appeared during an akuma attack, Ladybug mistook her for one of the bad guys.

“I’m on your team, dummy,” she spat, dodging Ladybug’s yoyo. “Chat Noir sent me.”

And thus began the parade of heroes that showed up to fight by Ladybug’s side. Sometimes she recognized the people behind the masks and sometimes she didn’t, but they’d always been sent by Chat Noir and they always fought as hard as they could. She wanted to object to Master Fu allowing it, but she couldn’t find it in her to actually do.

And after every battle, Chat Noir would be waiting for Ladybug, a diamond ring in his hand.

And she kept saying no.

Until one night, Ladybug went to the spot he was always waiting for her and found Adrien down on one knee with a black ring in his hand. “If this is the one that will get you to say yes, you can have it,” he said. “I think I understand now.”

Her chest tightened with the next breath. “You do?”

He looked past her at the skyline of the city thoughtfully. “I’ve been watching you risk your life over and over again and forced myself to stay out of it because I trusted the help I’d sent you. I guess after a while, I realized this must be how you feel.” He curled his free hand into a fist over his chest. “It’s terrifying watching the person you love get hurt and feel helpless. I can’t imagine what it’s been like to watch me die and come back with no memory, to have to relive that over and over.” He dropped his head. “I’m sorry, Marinette.”

She went down to her knees in front of him and lowered the hand with the ring but kept it held between hers. “Maybe it’s time for a new chapter for both of us.”

“What do you mean?”

“You also proved to me that we aren’t the only ones willing to help. Maybe we can let someone else take the lead for a while.” She smiled sadly. “We deserve a chance at life, don’t we?”

“No more Chat Noir and Ladybug. I’m not sure how to feel.”

“Me neither honestly, but I think I want to give it a shot. Would that be okay?”

“Is it going to be forever?” he asked.

“I’m not sure,” she admitted, “but we can be.”

Adrien’s face brightened with a beautiful smile. “Then that’s enough for me.”

Buy me a cherry coke?

#ladynoir #ladybug #chat noir #miraculous ladybug

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theworldwithoutmagic · 4 years

Text

Decompression - zutara ff

Just wrote this oneshot thursday so its CONTENT HOT OFF THE PRESS.

Im fresh off a rewatch of A:TLA and I finished Southern Raiders on wednesday with a Mighty Need to write a missing scene. I was so striken by Zutara feels that I had to bang out this one shot in a single day.

Here is 3000 words of shameless enemies-to-bedsharing-trope. Set in missing scene during Southern Raiders.

I really need feedback as iv never written zutara before and idk if I have their Voices down. concrit welcome as id like to improve before a longfic. PLEASE message or comment.

i also need blogs to follow..

So here we gooooo

—————————————–

Katara and Zuko stop to rest and talk about what happened that day. They get a little closer than expected. Zuko wonders how he became so lucky.

Zuko looks up from Appa’s saddle at Katara, seemingly just as determined to get back quickly as she was on the way here. She is beautiful, he thinks to himself not the first time, even now leaving the scene of an almost murder. Her wrists were flicking occasionally, bending the water in the clouds around them to give them a modicum of safety from any eyes that might look to the skies. He knows she must be exhausted at this point. He saw see the circles under her eyes hours ago. Appa himself is starting to slow down and he knows this pace can’t last forever.

“Katara, we have been flying for hours and Appa needs to rest.” He didn’t mention Katara herself. He knew without asking that she would not appreciate any comments on her ability to keep going. He hoped she might stop and process some of what happened today instead of going full speed back to their training regimen. His uncle would have said so, at least. The day was a lot more intense than even he expected.

“What we need is to get back to Aang. The comet is approaching and this was a waste of time,” Katara said.

“We won’t make it back to Aang at all if Appa collapses and we land in the middle of a fire nation village. Look at him. His eyes are starting to droop.” It was true, the bison was not at full strength. Katara did not turn around but her shoulders dropped a bit. She wouldn’t want to hurt Appa.

“So, where do you have in mind we stop? This is the middle of the fire nation and you are pretty hard to miss,“ she said.

“We can make camp in one of the many caves in this region. Look how rocky it is down there. I know that is how your gang usually hides from the fire nation. I think I see a decent spot down there right now,” he pointed down to an outcropping of rock high on a hillside, protected on all 4 sides from direct view.

Katara remained silent. “If this is some kind of trick Zuko…”

He tamped down the biting response he wanted to give. “Katara, I would not have come here with you and helped you find a firenation ship and captain just to trap you in a random cave. Appa needs rest, that’s it. So do I. and you,” He said, the last bit under his breath.

“Fine.” She said, after looking him in the eyes and finding some answer she wanted. “But only until sunrise. We don’t have time for this.” She snaps the reigns and directs Appa back around towards the overhang. He is relieved she agreed.

When they land, Zuko inspects the cave. It’s not so much of a cave as it is a large overhanging rock. It’s not deep, but big enough to hide a bison in. Unfortunately, he deduces they won’t be able to have a fire tonight. The smoke and light might attract too much attention. They will have to eat from the dried stores and sleep in the dark. He knows Katara will agree with him about the fire. Katara…

He had no idea she was so strong. He keeps thinking back to the sea raven ship. He is pretty sure she bended a living person. Not supposed to be possible, but he guesses there is much he does not know about water bending.

Even now, her back is ramrod straight and she is standing in front of her bedroll a little lost looking now that they arent moving towards a goal. He promised to help her on this mission but he is the last person who knows how to help her with the aftermath. He isn’t sure what he expected from this trip.. things went very differently than he imagined. She needs to talk her brother or Aang or literally anyone other than him, he thinks. He considers that he might be a monster for even suggesting this murder mission as he leads Appa under the rocky overhang.

With the Bison in the “cave” with them, there is not a ton of room. He puts his bedroll by Katara’s where there is a little space and dry ground and pulls out the last jerky they have. Its stale and he thinks he can start to taste the beginnings of mold on his piece. They were preserved in a hurry and it’s been a little too long since the group resupplied. But its food and it’s all they have. He holds one out to Katara.

“Uh, you should eat something.” He tries, “It has been a long day. We have a lot of flying to do to get back to Aang.” Damnit, but it’s not just about the flying. He doesn’t know how to breech this subject.

“Of course we do, Zuko.” She whips around, “I am fine. I didn’t even want to stop.” She still takes the jerky and rips into it. She finally leans back against the wall of the cave, sitting on her bedroll. He watches her face and almost panics. Her eyes are shining with unshed tears and she is nowhere near sleep tonight. It races through his mind again that she faced her mother’s murderer today and is somehow still standing.

“Ok.” is all he says for a while. He has to say something else. What would uncle say? What would the Avatar say? He doesn’t know. He knows she might need more than he can give. In the end he says nothing and silently berates himself. He knows sleep will be a long time coming for both of them.

It starts to rain. He looks out of the wet, terrible cave into the storm. The rain is beautiful in a way. It runs in shining rivulets down the other pale rocks, the nearly full moon reflecting in the puddles, and he tries to imagine what it would be like to bend water instead of this horrible fire. He starts talking and hopes he’s not ruining things again.

“The rain is nice. I’ve always loved the sound. As a child I never hated the rain as much as the other fire benders in the palace. The rain restored the land. Brought life back to the burn scars in the garden from our training.” Then, as an afterthought, “The turtleducks loved it, too.” He thinks that’s what got her to speak.

“It never rained in the south pole. Always snow. I didn’t see the rain until I left with Aang. Standing in the rain for the first time and feeling the pull of each raindrop at the southern air temple is one of my favorite memories.” Katara said. She is staring into the growing tempest outside now too. “I always hoped I would get to see it. My mother used to tell me about the rain from her travels with dad.”

She is sitting against the wall very close to him. The thought crosses his mind that if he scooted over, he could reach out and touch her. He doesn’t think he should. Instead, he quietly, so quietly hes not sure she can hear it over the rain, asks, “Do you want to tell me about her?” He closes his eyes and waits for the anger.

“I would like that.” She whispers. “My mom was not a bender. Her father and both of her sisters were. She lost them all to the fire nation before I was born.” More pain and suffering at the hands of his people, he thinks to himself. “My mother was still powerful in her own way. I remember she helped our tribe remember how to create houses without water benders. There was a while we thought our tribe could not survive without benders to keep the ice at bay. How would we do anything without benders to make new ice houses? But she figured it out.”

Zuko realized all over again what cruelties the fire nation had forced on her people. Taking away the benders of a tribe completely reliant on it for survival. It was only through sheer force of will they were still here. He lets her continue.

“My mother was the best cook in the village. Sokka thinks my cooking is good, but I learned only a little for her before she die- before she was killed.” Tears leaked from her eyes now and her voice shook. “The worst part is Sokka is right. I barely remember her now.”

“I’m sorry. I know it’s not enough, especially from me. I really hoped that by taking you to her killer I could help you. Help you get closure and a bit of payback. I see now that was a mistake and I’ve made it worse” He chokes out. The whole trip was a mistake. She would never trust him now either, being reminded of all the sins of the fire nation.

“It wasn’t a mistake. Zuko I thought that by coming here I could finally get revenge. Aang was right about that. I was not seeking justice or closure. If my mother’s killer had been that man on the ship, I think I would have killed him.”

The man she had.. bended. He knew she was not lying right now. “Katara, whatever you did to him, he.. he deserved it.”

“No, he didn’t.” She was still trying to hold back her tears and failing. “I bended his blood Zuko. A technique I swore I would never use. I was just so angry! He had the gall to stand there on the ship meant for raiding my people and claim he didn’t know what I was talking about. Probably just coming from another murderous raid against another town. There was water everywhere, we were on a ship! But I reached inside him and took something that should never be taken. I could do that right now to you, or anyone else.”

Zuko’s eyes widened. Blood bending. He hopes that man never realizes what exactly she did to him. The fire nation would not stop until every waterbender was extinct if they knew that was possible. He is in awe of the woman beside him. “Katara, I think you are amazing.” He blurts out, before he can even explain.

She barks out a half laugh, “What? Zuko you SAW it-”

“Yes, and that is the first time I have ever seen it. Iv chased you all over the world and seen you fight many times. All those times, you didn’t use that power. Do you know what the fire nation would be doing with that power if they had it? Marching people right into prison camps. Stopping a whole fleet of human hearts before the battle even starts.” He meets her eyes now, “But this blood bending you can do… you didn’t even hurt the man with it. If there is one place its justified to lose yourself, I’d say on your mother’s killer is one. The restraint you show in not using it against every one of your enemies, your enemies who have murdered your family for generations, is more than I have ever had. I would use any weapon at my disposal against Azula or my father if I thought it would give me an edge. You’re nothing but good and even more powerful and amazing than I thought.” He means it. and he hopes she can hear it in his voice.

She only cries more and he thinks he’s made things worse, his eyes close and his heart drops- then he feels her hand on his shoulder. “Is this ok? Zuko, I.. I don’t want to sit alone right now.” She looks exhausted in the weak light of the moon filtering through the storm as she leans into him. He almost forgets to answer.

“Yeah, this is fine, this is.. this is fine.” Zuko doesn’t know what to do. He has never been able to comfort anyone with his touch. He slides his arm around her shoulders because thats what it seems like she wants. She exhales shakily and turns further into him and his heart skips a beat. She is warm in the chilly air and clinging to him like she needs it to breath. She is almost in his lap and he has already never been this close with anyone.

“I’m not as strong as you think Zuko.” she whispers into his shoulder. “I’m so sorry for how angry I’ve been at you. I knew this whole time, ever since the South Pole, there has been good in you too. I just didn’t want to be wrong again, after the crystal caves so I lashed out. I was fighting my instincts to trust you. This journey just proves to me again that I was right from the beginning.” A pause, her tears coming harder. “I’m sorry I’m such a mess right now.”

“Il do whatever you need of me Katara.” He says quietly, instead of what he wants to say. I need this too. You are stronger than I think. Don’t ever leave this spot. He tightens his embrace and she does too.

They listen to the storm outside. Finally, Katara sobs openly against him. He rubs circles on her back and lets her cry. He doesnt press her to talk anymore. He breaths into her hair and can’t pinpoint what he has done to earn this trust, but he will do everything in his power to make sure she is never this upset again. If he has to personally kill every fire bender who has wronged her. Eventually her sobs clear and she relaxes, still not letting go of his shirt. They fall into steady silence, with only the sound of the rain outside, and he can only think of how wonderful it feels to be a comfort to another person instead of a source of pain.

It gets steadily chillier in the cave and he eventually releases her to reach for her blankets and pull them over her shoulders. He’s not going to push her off anytime soon, he will let himself freeze to death and not sleep a wink if she needs it. When he brings his arms back around, Katara still doesn’t speak and pulls them down from their sitting position leaning against the wall. His heart is about to beat out of his chest and he knows she can probably feel it. She pulled them so he’s lying down on his bedroll and placed her head on his chest like she means to sleep this way.

Zuko is absolutely frozen. One of her knees is resting on his thigh, her arms are around his torso, and she is so soft. He wants to curl around her. He wants to express something unnamed.

“Zuko, you home?” He can hear the smile in her voice. At least she is feeling better, his racing mind supplies. “I hope this is ok too. Please.”

He stiltedly brings his arms back around her now prone form. He lets one of his long legs tangle with hers. His shirt rides up and her fingers are quick to find a bit of his skin. He doesn’t know if this is right but it feels like it is. He sighs and tries to live in this moment forever before he speaks and ruins it.

“Katara, I just don’t want you to regret any of this tomorrow and realize that I’m the enemy again. I don’t know if I can take it if you hate me again tomorrow.” He admits. He pulls her even closer anyway. Every part of their bodies touching. Gods she feels so good against him. Like she was made to be there. Why has he never done this with anyone before? “And iv never…” He tries to pick the right words. “I’ve never been this vulnerable with anyone.”

“I promise you that I won’t hate you again. I’ve wanted to trust you for so long and truthfully, I already did. I wouldn’t have come with you if I didn’t.” Katara said, “This was not easy for you either. Offering to take me across the world where we planned to murder a man from your country in cold blood. I would have never known who killed my mother without you and no one else in my entire life would have come with me for this. Aang and Sokka never understood what I needed and they still don’t. I love them both but I knew you wouldn’t judge me no matter what I chose, even if I was rude to you this whole time.”

“I could never judge any choice you make.” He shivered and lowered his face to her hair. “I’ve admired you since I met you. Even when I sent pirates after you. I really hoped you would choose my side then. I’m glad you didn’t now.”

Katara seems embarrassed for a moment and squirms. He jerks slightly when a knee brushes an intimate part of him and he feels a slight grin from her against his shoulder. He has no idea if that was an accident but his head is spinning. She speaks, “I know fire nation royalty aren’t particularly touchy feely.” She runs a slender hand down his ribcage and he struggles not to let on how much the sensations are affecting him. “but my people are. and it has been what seems like a lifetime since anyone has just let me cry and comforted me like a human. Even when I was still at home.. our village lost so many of its softer customs to the demands of war.”

“The only people who have ever even hugged me in my entire life were my mother and my uncle, Katara.” He admits, embarrassed too. “I.. you.. this is nice.” he settles on. Nice doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Katara only hums. He feels her sigh contentedly and hopes she is done teasing him. Katara is pushed against every plane of his body and he thinks his heart might still fail from how lucky he is to have earned her trust despite everything between them. Her breaths slow until he is sure she is asleep. The rain still falls outside and he watches her and he watches the rain and just feels until finally the warmth and contentment begins to pull him toward sleep. His last thought is about how he hopes he will get the chance to do this again one day… tomorrow they have to go back to the Avatar and face their destinies.

#zutara #zutara ff #zutara fanfiction #atla #avatar #pls respond #im a decade late #is the fandom still alive

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sugarcoated-pain · 5 years

Text

Heavy Rotation-Part Two

Alright guys, I know it’s been a while but I’ve finally finished Part Two of my series, Heavy Rotation.

Best Friends to Lovers (eventually) trope- original character + Ashton

Part One

Warnings: Cussing and drinking. I think that’s about it though.

Another giant thanks to my homegirl @sublimehood for helping again!

“Come on, guys! Just one more game!” I beg, bouncing on the loveseat next to Ashton. I'm sitting cross-legged with my knee against his thigh and he has not moved away. I take small victories where I can get them. In the three months I've lived with these guys, I've started a little game I secretly like to call 'how much can I flirt with Ashton without anybody noticing’.

“No fucking way. Absolutely not.” Calum replies as he abandons his place on the couch next to Georgia to get another beer.

“You kicked our asses FOURTEEN times! Why the hell would we keep playing?” Mikey declares indignantly, tossing the Wii controller on the coffee table.

“Yeah I’m fucking done.” Luke chimes in.

“Don’t be sore losers. It’s very unattractive.” I add condescendingly, eliciting a chuckle from Georgia.

Ashton takes a swig off of his beer before contributing to the conversation, “I’m still playing. I came THIS fucking close to winning last round! But you have to change your character this time. No more ‘Lucky Luigi’. “ he mocks, “and we’re doing Battle Mode.”

“Deal!”

Just as the next round starts, I hear a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it.” Mikey says as he jumps up to answer the door. “Oh. Hey Camille, come on in.” Oh, NOW he moves his leg. Typical.

“Hey babe! What're you doin here?”Ashton asks, pausing the game and standing up to greet her.

“Uh, you said we could go to the club tonight, remember?” She shoots me a glare, potentially having noticed how close he and I were just sitting. I roll my eyes and unpause the game while Ashton is distracted and proceed to kick his ass.

“GODDAMNIT EMMA! You little shit!” He laughs “Come on, not cool!” He shouts, grabbing his Wii controller and pausing it once again. “The club, that's right, “ he adds, hearing Camille's impatient huff as she crosses her arms. “Yeah no problem, let me just get changed. You guys wanna come?” He asks the room at large. To Camille’s clear delight, no one else was interested.

The two of them were gone within fifteen minutes, and it wasn’t long after when Luke and Michael retreated to their rooms. I continue playing Mario Kart with Georgia while Calum rests his feet in her lap, leaning back on the couch and browsing aimlessly on his cell phone.

“BRB.” Cal says, eliciting an eye roll from myself and Georgia, as he gets up and heads down the hall to the bathroom.

No sooner do we hear the door close than Georgia pauses the game and rounds on me. “Alright, spill.” She demands.

“Uh.. you're gonna need to be a little more specific.”

“You and Ashton! Something is definitely happening between the two of you...” Georgia watches me with intrigue as an excited grin passes over her face.

I unpause the game nonchalantly. “I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.”

“Oh come on, Em!” She pauses the game yet again. “I know you better than that by now. You can trust me.”

I sigh, and look around the room to make sure no one else is around. “Okay. Fine. I may or may not have ...slightly more than platonic feelings for him...” Georgia lets out an excited squeal, but I cut her off before she can say anything “BUT. I have no intention of ever acting on this. He has a girlfriend and I am not here for guys. I am here to make music and I'm not letting anybody distract me.”

“Seriously?! 'His girlfriend’ is awful and you know it. He deserves WAY better than her. And what if he feels the same way you do?”

“What if who feels the same way?” Of course Calum walks back into the room at that exact moment. He makes his way back to his spot on the couch, eyeing us both curiously.

“NOBODY!” I shout a little too quickly, glaring at Georgia, who is now wide eyed and holding her hands over her mouth.

He grins mischievously and leans closer to her while watching me curiously. “Nope. I'm not buyin it. I know what I heard. Come on. I'll get it out of her sooner or later so you might as well just tell me…”

Georgia looks like she's about to explode. “UGH fine!” I snap and bury my head in my hands.

“EMMA HAS FEELINGS FOR ASHTON!” she whisper-shouts excitedly, bouncing a little as she says it.

Calum grins. “Excellent! Let's call him and tell him right now. I bet he dumps that dumb bitch on the spot!”

“NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! He cannot find out! Do you understand me?? Neither one of you can ever speak a word or this!” I demand frantically.

“Emma, he's my best friend. I can't NOT tell him something like this.” He replies, pulling out his cell phone.

I immediately slap it out of his hand and onto the floor. “I'm dead serious. He is currently in a relationship and I, on the other hand, am not looking for a relationship. Ashton can't ever find out. Nobody can. PLEASE. I'm begging you.”

They exchange a look. “Fine, I won't say anything.” Cal replies with a huff, glaring at me angrily as he reaches to pick up his phone.

“But Em, I know you don't really want to be single forever.. don't you ever get lonely?” Georgia asks.

“That's what Tinder is for. I'm not interested in anything more than a one night stand right now, and roommates slash best friends are NOT one night stand material.” I pick my cell phone up off the coffee table and start to get up. “I'm going to bed, but please promise me you will keep this between us?” They both nod.

Once in my room, I plop onto my bed with a deep sigh. Guess I took my little game too far, but no more. It’s time to get serious and stop daydreaming about the guy across the hall. No more flirting. No more touching. It’s music time. I grab my favorite journal that has my best song lyrics written in it, and climb out my window onto the fire escape. In my first week in the apartment, I discovered one of my favorite places in the whole world : our rooftop. With a perfect view of the LA skyline, it is by far the best place in this building for song writing. There isn't a ton of space up there, just room for a couple of people comfortably. I found that out in my second week here when I went up there only to discover I'm not the only one who uses this hideout. Ashton was already sitting there, but he let me join him. And of course, we talked music, cracked stupid jokes, shared a joint, and had deep philosophical conversations for hours- the usual “just friends” stuff, right?

I was glad to know he wouldn't be up there tonight though. I needed my rooftop spot for thinking and writing. With my favorite fuzzy throw blanket around my shoulders, I start writing. All my thoughts and emotions from the day easily flow out of me, through my lucky red gel pen and onto the paper. Lately, my writing has mostly revolved around my feelings for two things: my dramatic change in scenery, and Ashton. I hold it back and fight it off as best as I can in the daylight, but up here alone, I can’t help writing about him. What can I say, he seems to be my muse. After I’m completely drained of words and energy, I head back down the fire escape to go to bed.

The next day starts out the same as any other. Camille stayed over and is walking around in one of Ashton’s shirts and little else, which makes me sick to my stomach so I avoid the kitchen at all costs until it’s time to head downstairs for work. It’s my turn to open the record store. Everybody else will probably wander down whenever they feel like it. Joys of being the newbie.

I go through the opening checklist that the guys made for me, and finally open the doors. It's a Saturday so we will probably be busy later in the day, but nobody is ever here first thing in the morning. I wander around hunting for busy work to do, but eventually end up sitting behind the counter doodling on receipt paper. After a while, Luke comes down to start his shift in the store, and I see that someone has opened up the recording studio.

As one would expect, my obsession with that studio has only grown in the time I've been there. Once Luke gets settled, I casually wander through that heavy purple curtain, under the guise of making sure the trash cans were emptied the night before. Ashton is already helping some random musician nobody has ever heard of record their album. I'm fascinated by everything happening in the room- the buttons, the knobs,the lights, the flawless human being operating them all so effortlessly.

“Oh! Hey Em. I didn't see ya there.” His voice breaks me from my trance.

“Morning.. I'm just .. uh.. just making sure the trash was taken out in here last night…” I reply as I quickly grab the nearest can.

“Bullshit. I watched you empty them last night.” Ashton chuckles. “You're just trying to get close to the board again to see how it works….”

“Yep. That's definitely all I was looking at. You caught me..”

“Well, come on then.” He motions for me to take the chair next to him.

“Seriously?!”

“Yeah. This is a pretty easy client. Good one for you to learn on. Sit down.” I hop over to the empty swivel chair excitedly. Ashton shakes his head with a small laugh at my enthusiasm, and then begins talking through the different steps in the process. I force myself to concentrate on the words he is telling me, and not the way his perfect hazel eyes light up when he talks about something he's really passionate about.

After about thirty minutes, Luke frantically pops his head into the studio. “There you are! Come on, Emma, I’m gettin my ass kicked out here!”

“Oops sorry!” I bounce up quickly to follow him out, before turning back to Ashton. “Hey thanks for showin me this stuff.. It was awesome.”

He smiles. “Anytime.”

My shift goes by in a blur after that. Any moments not involving customers are spent daydreaming about my time with Ashton this morning. That nagging part of my brain that knows he’s off limits tries to stop me, but I can’t help myself. He was so sweet and patient with me today. Since I’ve gotten here, Ash has definitely been the most interested in my music and the most supportive on my path to learn more about the music industry in general. I know by now that this is just the type of guy he is, but there is another part of me that wishes it was more than that.

The guys have band practice scheduled that evening. There’s a small, old warehouse attached to the back of the store that Liz let’s them practice in. They’re pretty good together but their practices are entertaining as hell to sit in on. Georgia and I have started bringing snacks and booze to watch. We even recently made a drinking game out of some of the stuff that regularly happens. I lay out a blanket on the floor for us to sit on and start setting up camp while Georgia playfully feeds popcorn to Calum while he’s getting ready. They’re so cute I could puke.

“Hey G, first shot of the game. Mikey’s late again.” I say as I pour cheap vodka into two dixie cups. Georgia takes hers as she sits down next to me on the blanket.

“Cheers.” she says, holding it out as if to toast. I clank my plastic cup to hers and down it in one quick motion.

Michael finally shows up and practice begins. I pour white wine into two red solo cups for Georgia and I.

Relaxing a bit as they finally start playing, I find a comfortable sitting position and take in the music. They're actually getting better, even in just the few months I've been here. But what I really love about their practices is how passionate they all are about their music, particularly Ashton. The way he moves when playing the drums, the intensity in his face. It's mesmerising.

“I've got an idea for another one..” Georgia says in a low tone with a mischievous grin, leaning closer to me. “YOU have to take a drink every time I catch you checking Ashton out.”

“GODDAMNIT GEORGIA!” It's meant to be a whisper but it comes out as more of a hiss, as I look around frantically making sure nobody else heard her.

She laughs, “Actually, make it a shot this time. You were practically drooling.”

As I pour another shot into my dixie cup, I glare at her. “I hate you.” Georgia laughs again as I throw back my shot.

Practice continues and I make an extra effort not to look at Ashton. This is apparently an impossible task for me at this point. His energy on that drum kit is like a black hole sucking me in. I try to find other things to focus on. I stare at Luke for a while. He’s pretty enough to keep my attention, right?

“OH! Luke touched his hair. Take a drink.” I say. Georgia and I both drink.

“And now Ashton is drumming on something that isn’t his drums. Drink.” Georgia said, smirking in my direction.

“Are you purposely drawing my attention to him drumming on his thighs so I have to drink AGAIN?” I shake my head and take another drink while she laughs at me as the guys start playing their next song. Within a matter of seconds, I realize I don’t recognize it. I’ve been overly familiar with all the covers they usually play, and now know the couple of originals they’ve thrown in but this one is different.

“Is this an original?” I ask Georgia curiously.

“I guess so.” She shrugs.

It’s surprisingly good. I’m actually genuinely enjoying this song. It’s heartfelt and emotional, raw even. It has a different feel than most of the other songs they play, but in a really good way. They stop a couple times during the song to discuss aspects of it, and I can tell they aren’t completely happy with it, particularly Ashton.

“There’s just something about the bridge that didn’t feel right.” He says, tapping his drumstick absentmindedly on his knee, as he often does when he’s thinking. They continue debating it for a couple minutes, struggling to agree with what was missing from the sound.

“For the bridge, what if you switch the vocals only to a minor key, but keep the guitar in major?” I chime in loudly. Everybody stops talking and turns to me.

“What?!” Luke asks, apparently stunned that I would speak up during their sacred practice.

“No that’s actually a REALLY good idea. You up for trying it, Luke?” Ashton asks, with a quick smile at me. I really hope I’m not blushing but I’m almost positive I am. Luke shrugs. They start the bridge over, but this time with Luke singing the lead in a minor key. It sounds a million times better, or maybe I’m biased. Georgia turns to me, completely impressed. They finish the song, and Ashton is beaming at me. The other guys nod their approval, looks of mild shock on their faces. They all thank me and compliment me on the idea.

When they’re all finished, Ashton walks over to me. “That was seriously a genius tip.”

“Ha. Thanks. It was already an excellent song, just needed a little tweak.” I shrug, hoping again I’m not fucking blushing.

“You really like it? That means a lot. I wrote this one.”

“I’m not surprised at all.” I say quickly under my breath.

“What is that supposed to mean?” He asks with a curious smirk.

“Never mind.” I answer as I finish packing up our little picnic site to head back upstairs.

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Part Eight

#heavy rotation #5sos #5sos fanfic #5 seconds of summer #5 seconds of summer fanfiction #5sos fanfiction #ashton irwin #calum hood #luke hemmings #michael clifford

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mrchalamet-mrstyles · 5 years

Text

2018 Fic Year in Review

@perpetuallyvex kindly tagged me in this. Thank you, Vex. I love and miss you and can’t wait to see you in a couple of months xoxo

1. Number of stories (including drabbles) posted to AO3:

I can’t believe it, but in 2018 I posted 13 stories to AO3. It’s the most I’ve ever written and why I am so grateful to have discovered CMBYN. It inspired me to rediscover my love of writing and for that I will always be grateful.

2. Word count posted for the year:

Looking up this number blew my mind because I had no idea it was that much, but I apparently have posted 187,055 words in 2018- what??? That is the most I’ve ever posted, even during my Sherlock fic writing years.

3. List of works published this year (in order of posting):

the feeling still deep down This was the first fic I wrote back in January 2018. Timmy/Armie RPF. It was prompted by discussions in a group chat and became the first installment in my Futile Devices series which is my take on bts vignettes between Timmy’s birthday in 2017 and PSIFF 2018.

eyes like sky Continuation of the feeling still deep down, from Armie’s pov

Buttons an angsty porny one-off about that sweater. You know the one.

save a prayer It was a prompt I couldn’t resist. Rentboy!Timmy and Armie the actor. But it turned out to be so much more than I bargained for. Still a WIP but will be completed because I owe it to these characters for everything they have given me.

Between the Lines co-written with @694699 this fic took on a life of its own. Following the manic success of CMBYN, the boys’ careers are at an all time high.Timmy’s in London, filming The King. Armie’s in New York for his run in Straight White Men. Their friendship as strong as it ever was, they are still being lauded for their work in Italy, directors are fighting over themselves to work with them, they should be on top of the world.So why aren’t they?A peek into their world via all forms of communication.

white ferrari part 3 in the Futile Devices series. Timmy returns to New York but is in a really bad place. Armie continues to struggle.

la muvi star A slice of life, bit of bts from my fic Save a Prayer.

delicate It's 'technically' a college AU. Armie is the star quarterback, Timmy the kicker. But none of that is really important or even needed to know in order to read this. It was just an excuse to write these two getting it on. Finally. And, Armie is only a couple of years older than Timmy.

once bitten A coffeeshop AU of sorts.

pink+white part 4 in the Futile Devices series

special delivery an excuse to write some porn with a twist?

flicker This time last year, there would have been someone keeping an eye on it for him, taking the glass from his hand, waving off the waiter with a firm blue stare to keep him from overindulging. This year was… different. He was a real boy now. Grown up and on his own. It was fun, just not the same. My first foray into Stylamet territory (Timothée Chalamet and Harry Styles)

collaboration Inspired by Tim and Harry’s interview in i-D Vice mag.

4. Fandoms I wrote for:

I guess CMBYN is ‘technically’ the fandom, and Harry Styles fandom?

5. Pairings:

Timmy/Armie and Timmy/Harry

6. Story with the most hits:

Between the Lines with an astonishing 34.864 hits!

7. Story with the most kudos:

I am so proud to say that save a prayer received the most with a staggering 1347 kudos!

8. Story with the most comments:

Between the Lines has 2693 comments, but 6 and I both tried to respond to everything in the beginning, so the numbers may be skewed a bit due to that.

save a prayer received 1665 comments which I think is nothing to sneeze at for a solo act.

9. Work I’m most proud of (and why):

I am definitely most proud of save a prayer. I started that fic with the idea to make it a sexy, cute romp but somewhere along the way, those boys decided they really had some issues to work out. It’s not been an easy ride, but it’s helped me in ways I never saw coming. It was the first Timmy/Armie AU in this fandom, and I’ll always be proud of that.

I’m also really proud of the Futile Devices series. There’s something very pure and ‘true’ about this series.

10. Work I’m least proud of (and why):

It’s not that I’m not proud of them all, but I know there are some that could definitely be better, given more time, but I’ll leave that up to readers to decide.

11. A favorite excerpt of your writing:

“Really? Then tell me, Armie Hammer , these real friends, how many of them know you can’t sleep at night? How many of them know you are scared fucking shitless about this film coming out?” Timmy steps up close, lifting his chin, close enough they are nearly chest to chest. Armie holds his breath. “How many of them know you want to fuck a rentboy while you have him tied up and defenseless? No wonder you’re divorced. Does your ex know what a fucking pervert you are?”

Armie shoves him before he knows what he’s done and Timmy stumbles back, somehow managing to stay upright, his face a study in shock.

Armie is shaking, fighting the urge to hit something. He’s so much bigger, stronger, than Timmy; knows it would take nothing to really hurt him. He doesn’t want Timmy to become his target— a victim in yet another instance of his life— so Armie moves away, shoving his hands in the pockets of his track pants.

He has no idea what to say. There is no response, not an honest one. Everything Timmy said, he knows is somehow the truth. No one knows him. Not really. And he hates it. Armie never meant for it to be this way, unclear exactly how it had— isolated and lonely.

“You’re right. No one knows. I don’t even know how you know.”

Floor to ceiling windows flank the fireplace of Armie’s living room. He makes his way over to stand, looking past his own shallow reflection to the ocean beyond, black and endless.

Armie isn’t sure how long he’s stood there and knows he probably could have stood there forever if Timmy hadn’t spoken up.

“Sorry,” his voice barely loud enough to hear from where Armie stands.

Armie shrugs and looks at Timmy’s reflection behind him in the glass. Their eyes meet before Armie lifts his hand, pressing it against the cool, smooth surface— the only safe way he knows how to touch Timmy.

12. Share or describe a favorite review you received:

Man, they’re all like my children, I can’t pick just one. I do have to say that I’ve never before experienced the kind of feedback and heartfelt messages that I’ve garnered from a lot of my fic. To have people tell me that I’ve inspired them? That they re-read my fics. It’s what every writer dreams of hearing.

13. A time when writing was really, really hard:

The last half of 2018 was hard for me. Health issues, personal issues, fandom issues. It was a tsunami of funk that left me reeling and without the desire to get words on the page. I waffled on the daily on whether to delete everything entirely, whether it was worth the trouble to try and post anything for this fandom anymore. I think I’ve started to turn a page and have listened to friends and supporters, starting now to remember and understand I have to write for myself first. It’s all for the love of whatever I decide to write. That’s what matters most.

14. A scene or character you wrote that surprised you:

Timmy in save a prayer surprised me most. He’s helped me in ways I never imagined.

15. How did you grow as a writer this year:

This is a hard question. I think I’ve learned the value in less is more. Streamlining words for maximum impact. Realising I value substance over flash. I need a story and not just sexy times or that sex isn’t the most integral part of a really well told story. I think, moreso in this fandom than any other I’ve ever been in, that that’s become the case and it’s just not something I’m interested in.

16. How do you hope to grow next year:

I definitely plan on finishing things in 2019. Working on original fic and branching out into other fandoms, maybe. I want to get back to writing for the love of a story. That is a feeling like no other and I miss it.

17. Who was your greatest positive influence this year as a writer (could be another writer or beta or cheerleader or muse etc etc):

Hands down that would have to be @iknowthebattle. Her unwavering support and guidance and friendship has seen me through some really hard times. But her writing inspires me beyond anything else and I strive with every word I put down to somehow try to live up to her standards. (I never will because, jesus, she’s the real deal)

And of course, I have to steal Vex’s answer here too and say, the READERS. Every last one of you that have messaged me with love and heartfelt support, to keep going, the comments and all the lovely praise, it doesn’t go unread or unnoticed and definitely makes me want to keep writing. Thank you all so very much. <3

18. Anything from your real life show up in your writing this year:

Surprisingly, yes. And I didn’t see it coming when I started it, but save a prayer and Timmy’s struggle became my own as I worked through issues I thought I’d long put behind me.

19. Any new wisdom you can share with other writers:

Cheesy as it sounds- just do it. Who cares if it’s been done before, if it’s a trope we’ve seen a million times? No one has done it the way you will do it. It is true, the more you write, the better you get. Just keep at it. Let life inspire you. Fill the world with your words and love.

20. Any projects you’re looking forward to starting (or finishing) in the new year:

I have a couple of ideas and half-formed fics in my drafts that I hope will see the light of day this year. I know I want to finish save a prayer and try to publish it at some point as original fic. But there’s not rush. I’m not sure where I go from here. Timmy/Armie RPF may not be something I write anymore once these fics are finished, so the world is mine for the picking I guess.

21. Tag some writers whose answers you’d like to read:

I’ll tag a couple of fandom writers that really inspire me- @iknowthebattle @etal-later @dreamofhorses42 @cumpeachx

And, @cristinasea, I know you don’t write, but you are such a prolific reader and just the bestest pal, we need to come up with one of these for readers, to get your perspective. Maybe we can chat about it ;)

Thanks again, @perpetuallyvex for the tag. This turned out like a walk down memory lane. <3

#2018 fic year in review

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saveourskinship · 3 years

Text

Thanks for the tag @thusatlas I’ve never done one of these. So

How many works do you have on AO3?

16 works, but if you count my collection of drabbles it is 42 (soon to be 61 once I finish updating my Ficlet Snack Pack.

What’s your total AO3 word count?

429863

How many fandoms have you written for and what are they?

Harry Potter mostly, but when I was twelve I wrote Greek God fanfiction but it’s hard to tell what fanfic in that space. I mean, the masterpiece that is Lore Olympus isn’t exactly fanfic, right?

What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

1) Transit of Venus

2) Curse of Fascinus

3) Her Curious Valentine’s

4) Are There Still Beautiful Things

5) Always Being Let Go

Do you respond to comments, why or why not?

I do! Even if it’s just to thank someone and wish them a lovely day. I think the only comments I haven’t responded to are ones like ‘huh?’ or ‘eh?’. I can’t do much with those.

In a very gross way, comments are like laxatives. If you want more shit out of me, shove comments down my throat. My motivation will jump from toodle-doo to PHWOAR if anyone knows or understands what that means.

What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending?

The Alternate Ending (Tragic) to Transit of Venus.

Transit of Venus was already pretty angsty, but the people wanted to see the most harrowing of the five endings I wrote. So I put on my patent-pending Sob Through Anything glasses (eucalyptus on the nose grip, moisture wicking on the glass) and edited a Romeo + Juliet- style ending.

Do you write crossovers? If so what’s the craziest one you’ve written?

No, but I do write Easter Eggs. Though I do have a plunny to crossover Derry Girls with Harry Potter where the character of James is Harry being sent to Derry for his protection.

It is the only crossover I’ve ever dabbled in and the the couple pages I’ve written are utter madness so I don’t hold out hope I’ll ever publish it..

Oh, but do songfics count? Because then I have LOADS. Mostly Taylor Swift because folklore stole my soul.

Have you ever received hate on a fic?

Yes, my favourite was telling me the entire premise of Transit of Venus was stupid and I should have taken a leaf out of their country’s way of doing things to up population and given tracts of land to couples . Soo... colonialism with implications of people displacement and other more heinous consequences they found preferable to a soul spell.

Do you write smut? If so what kind?

I do write smut. My favourite type of smut to write is romantic, sensual smut. I’m also very much looking forward to writing the smut for my crackfic.

I think my most favourite smut scene I’ve written though is in Her Curious Valentine’s where Theo reads really bad, gratuitous Dramione smut out loud in the company of both Draco and Hermione while they try and ignore him.

I laughed a lot writing that.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

I honestly have no idea how I’d even check that. But probably not. I doubt anyone would want to take credit for anything I write.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

No, but as an exercise to practice my Te Reo, I occasionally translate passages of my own.

What’s your all time favorite ship?

Dramione. I ‘White Flag by Dido’ Dramione. I stan, simp, ship, fangirl and tresh Dramione. I refuse to feel guilt, only pleasure. Please don’t come for me Ronmione fans, I like Ron, okay? I’m just shit at writing him and just make him say, “Bloody hell!” all the time.

But also Theo with anyone, particularly Harry. Theo is my favourite character because he is almost 100% fanon. He epitomises the Harry Potter fanfic community for me so I have to love him forever and ever.

What's a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

I’m writing a WIP called ‘The Madnesses of Men’ that details seven women’s relationships with the men in their life: The three Black sisters, Pansy, Luna, Ginny and Hermione. Each has a Seven Deadly Sin as the title of their chapter and each has a completely different writing style. Luna’s chapter is entirely poetry. Bellatrix is an exercise of insanity and a stream of consciousness. Narcissa’s is all letters to Andromeda that she never sent.

I would love to finish it because it is something very different for me but I’m struggling to find Pansy and Andromeda’s voices. Le sigh, maybe one day. (But let’s be honest, it’ll never happen.)

What are your writing strengths?

Humour - I have a knack for gargling up ridiculous scenarios when I’m brushing my teeth, giggling maniacally like a calcium-deficient vampire while frothing at the mouth with reckless abandon. I put these scenarios in my writing and it goes over well.

Angst - People tell them I make them cry and have been known to punch the heart’s out of people’s bodies so I thank them and wish them a nice day. I once exacerbated someone’s chronic pain condition (which I still feel soul-crushingly guilty about) and was asked to reiterate the ‘Heartbreak’ tag on a fic. I guess that means I’m good at it. Sorry again to that reader!

Trope Twists - My favourite thing to write are twists on tropes. I enjoy finding new ways to tell old stories. Stay tuned for my take on the ‘Unexpected Pregnancy’ theme coming soon.

What are your writing weaknesses?

Run-on sentences - I have a tendency to, more often than not, plug in far too many words which I think stems from some sort of childhood instinct that if I kept talking and talking then my sister won’t find out I drank all her juice and accidentally threw it back up on her favourite Skydancer.

Sticking to my plotting/theme - This has happened a lot. Incandescent was supposed to be a cottagecore, cute, fluffy romance Theomione. Now it is a sprawling space opera where Hermione has fought a god, has learned another version of herself will either save/destroy the entire world (not to mention Atlantis) and rescued a star after it was eaten by a black hole. Oh, and it takes place over one weekend.

The Absolute and Total Defeat of One Draco Malfoy had been fully plotted out for twenty-two chapters. It only took three for me to completely deviate. But it’s a crack fic, so it felt inevitable

The montage/transition pieces - I hate writing the banal parts between plot points. And I hate it because I’m really bad at it. I either skip over it too much or get bogged down in too many details.

What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

I personally like reading dialogue in other languages. If used in a way that makes sense. Especially if the fic is set somewhere that doesn’t speak English, I like to learn a little of the setting’s language to immerse myself.

I tend to use use other languages sparingly in my own writing. Mostly because I don’t want to get it wrong and when I try, I end up in four hour long research holes of the best way to say ‘Hello’.

What was the first fandom you wrote for?

Ancient Greek mythology, I think. If it can be counted. Would that make ‘The Iliad’ or ‘The Odyssey’ fanfic? Oh gods, I’m going to obsess over this for days now.

What’s your favourite fic that you’ve written?

Transit of Venus because it taught me a lot, though I feel like I best nailed the setting I was going for in Are There Still Beautiful Things. The Absolute and Total Defeat of One Draco Malfoy always cheers me up.

But if I complete it and start posting (which I am DETERMINED to do, I WILL finish it before I start posting), I think my favourite will be my new WIP: What’s Owed When.

Tagging: @ohlenalena @megamegaturlte

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revivedandabandonedkids · 6 years

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Writing Tag Game

I was tagged by @vraberika literally just now holy cheese and puddings I am somewhat remembered and wow I was pleasantly surprised.

Seriously thank you so much/// You’re? The actual sweetest?

What is your total word count on AO3?

113153

Since? October of 2015 wow I write slowww

But to be fair I have tons of abandoned wips haha.

Pretty sure a huge chunk of it was from the DEH series I completed a while ago.

How often do you write?

When I get the time to do it. Between school and the translations I do on another site, there isn’t nearly enough spare time for writing than I’d like. Then there’s the writers’ blocks and those are always fun amiright

I really really wish I can write more though... at least finish up my previous wips hnggggg I’m very very sorry I’ve been so inactive but I just don’t have the time and effort to manage everything.

Do you have a routine for writing?

Not really? I just go with the flow mostly. Idk what you mean by “rountine”... I’m pretty...un-routinely.

What are your favorite kinks/tropes/pairing?

Enemies to friends/lovers probably. I don’t know why it’s always intrigued me!! I also love fantasy AUs <3

As for pairings... I have a bunch? But for the Ina fandom it’s afufubu (no surprise there)

Do you have a favorite fic of yours?

I automatically hate every fic I write because I’m never really “satisfied” with them. I mean yeah they probably took days, weeks, even months of planning and rewriting, but there’s always room for improvement, because I’m obviously not the best writer. I always get this feeling aw darn I ruined that idea. I bet [insert random fanfic writer] could do amazing things with this idea but I had to sabotage it.

As you can see I don’t have the highest self-esteem.

But if we’re really talking here.....

Probably either Freshly Drugged and Ready to be Slaughtered, which I wrote for the Haikyuu fandom, because I got to explore my version of the characters when put under the harsh environments that is the Hunger Games (and also I love writing angst AHAHA)

Or Tips to Teen Angst, Friendship Maintenance, and the Art of Matchmaking, which I wrote for the Dear Evan Hansen fandom. I got to write a bunch of fun texty dialogue. (I made them swear a lot whoops) I don’t know I really enjoyed the pacing of this one.

If we’re talking about the Ina fandom though- I’ve actually written a bunch of fics I never posted online. My favorite has got to be the one titled 吹雪（敦也）on my blog, which literally just means Fubuki (Atsuya). I like to sound sophisticated. Fight me.

I really love writing that one because I got the explore the dynamic between Aphrodi and Atsuya, who have never actually interacted onscreen!! It’s just so interesting!!! (Hi I’m a professional rarepair shipper. Romantic/platonic/rivalry we have it all!)

Your fic with the most kudos?

I don’t know what to say here because I’ve literally never put any of my Ina Eleven fics on AO3........ pysch!

How Do Friendships Work Again (Dear Evan Hansen), with 166 kudos. Which is strange. Because yes, I spent a lot of time and thought on that fic, it’s really not one I struggled with. It was not one of those ideas that I carry with me everywhere, it was not one of those stories that I spend forever revising and replanning. It was quick, it was written on a whim. I still cherish it very very much, but it just comes to show how the popularity of certain fandoms affect the stories’ feedback. I could spend grand lengths of time and devotion to this one, well thought-out fanfic I wrote of a rarepair, and get completely dismissed. I could spend a few hours to write this short, sweet fluff piece that doesn’t really hold much lore or depth, and get a bunch of attention just because people like that particular pairing.

Anything you don’t like about your writing?

Everything lol.

I have so much to work on.... The flow, the pacing, the vocabulary, the list goes on and on and on.

The only thing I can write is dialogue, and it’s not like I can make my characters talk forever.

Or maybe I could.

I should experiment it sometime.

Now something you do like about your writing?

Oops already answered that one above.

The dialogue, because I am a certified Trash-TalkerTM So I’m constantly applying that skill onto the sassier characters.

I mean people have told me that I write really fun dialogue and honestly I trust their tastes over mine.

Imma tag @ozrockbitway I guess? If you’d like? *hides behind a pillow*

I’m a huge.... outsider......... actually............because I’m always...........disappearing randomly....................and I apologize for that..............................I’malsoreallybadatmakingfriendssotheresthathaha

I’ll... try to be more active in the fandom but honestly? No promises. I love Ina Eleven because it made up a huge part of my early cringe teen years, and I always will love Ina Eleven, but I have school, I have other fandoms, I have other projects I’m working on and I don’t know how to divide my time fairly anymore. Especially recently I’ve been pushing myself to update things that I’m not really feeling, but because my followers are really looking forward to them, I update anyway. Not the healthiest, I know. I have no idea what I’m doing with my life anymore.

I honestly have a lot I’d like to say about the new Ina Eleven series, but I haven’t found the time to put them into words yet. I’d say keep a lookout if you’re interested in my piece of mind.

Thank you all so much for the support you’ve shown me in the past. You are all amazing, no matter what you might think or what others might say, every single one of you!! I hope you all have a wonderful day!!! And oh boy how in the world did this turn into a self-reflection post I thought this was a light and happy tag game.

#tag game #thank you guys so very very much when the hell am i coming out of hiatus tho #on a seperate note #broadway musicals are amazing people!! seriously you will not be disappointed

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xswestallen · 6 years

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She’s Not my Girlfriend

Part of my Westallen trope series.

Barry's said that sentence a lot over the years.

The first time it happens is in fourth grade. Barry and Iris sat together everyday at lunch and played together everyday during recess. Iris made some other friends in the class, but Barry really only hung out with Iris. Their peers were growing out of the 'boy/girls have cooties' phase. So thankfully, Barry and Iris were being teased less for their friendship. Little did they know, they were about to start being teased about being more than friends.

One day, when their teacher told the class they could pick their own partners for their project, Barry and Iris immediately teamed up. Barry noticed the other kids snickering.

"Of course you two are partners." Katie Thompson said with giggles.

"The lovebirds!" Billy Peirce joked.

"Barry is always with his girlfriend!" Eric Nelson teased.

Barry was embarrassed. "She's not my girlfriend." he muttered.

"You spend all your time with her. You're alway looking at her. You like her." Katie said. "If she's not your girlfriend, you should ask her to be."

That was the day Barry started thinking about relationships and dating. He was only 9 and had never thought about asking out a girl, or kissing, or having a girlfriend. He knew he wasn't ready for all that yet. But, he began wondering what it might be like one day. Would Iris still want to hang out with him as they got older? What would kissing her feel like? Would she want to be his girlfriend? Iris was his best friend and needless to say, the best girl he'd ever met. If he was going to have a girlfriend, it made sense for it to be Iris.

It happened a lot in high school, mostly it was other students who assumed Barry and Iris were dating. Once, it was a teacher. Barry sighed as Mrs. Braden handed him his test with a large, red 'C'.

"If you spent more time studying and less time with your girlfriend you would've done better." Mrs. Braden said.

Barry was confused. He wasn't dating anyone.

Mrs. Braden looked over to Iris, then back to Barry. "I know she's very pretty."

Barry laughed. "No, um we're- Iris, she's not my girlfriend." he clarified. "We're just best friends."

Mrs. Braden raised an eyebrow before passing out the rest of the test results.

It happened once on Valentine's Day. Barry and Iris were both dateless and decided to go get ice cream together. He'd almost forgotten about the holiday since he never did anything to celebrate it. Iris tapped a finger against her cheek as she considered which flavor to order. She usually got mint chocolate chip, but claimed she was going to "be different" this time.

"I'll have rocky road, please." Barry told the cashier.

"And for you, Miss?" The cashier asked Iris.

"Um, I'll have a double scoop of mint chocolate chip." she replied.

Barry smirked. "I knew you'd end up choosing it in the end."

"It's just my favorite." Iris shrugged.

They paid the cashier and took to their ice cream to a table.

"Bear," Iris said, pointing to her own lips. "You got a little rocky road there."

Barry wiped it off with a napkin. "Oh wait, you have a little something on your face too." he said.

Iris took a napkin and wiped but nothing came off. "Did I get it?" she asked.

Barry shook his head.

She tried again. "How about now?"

"No." Barry learned across the table. "It's right," he pushed the cone of mint chocolate chip into her face. Iris's lips, nose, and part of her cheek were now covered in ice cream. "There!" Barry finished with a laugh.

"Oh you're gonna pay for that one!" Iris threatened.

Barry smiled and folded his arms in triumph. "Hit me with your best shot."

Iris kicked his shin, a little harder than necessary.

"Oww!" Barry cried.

They both burst out laughing. Barry loved watching Iris laugh. Her eyes creased and nose scrunched up. She thought her laugh was goofy, but Barry thought it was adorable.

The cashier approached their table carrying a banana split. "You two are just so cute!" She put the banana split down on the table and handed them each a spoon. "Enjoy a Valentine's Day treat, one the house!"

Barry's face turned scarlet. "Oh, we're not a cou-"

Iris kicked his shin again, thankfully with less force this time. "Thank you so much!" Iris smiled.

"How long have you two been together?" The cashier asked.

"Oh we've liked each other for forever." Iris said, already digging into the dessert.

Barry's insides turned to jelly and his eyes bulged.

"Well, you're the cutest couple I've seen all day." The cashier said.

Barry smiled. "It's easy to be cute when I'm sitting next to her." he said.

Iris faked a laugh. "He's the sweetest."

The cashier walked away and Barry glared at Iris.

"What?" Iris asked with a mouth full of ice cream.

"We've liked each other for forever." Barry quoted Iris's earlier comment.

"Oh" Iris giggled, "Well, it's not technically a lie! We may not be dating but we do like each other, right?"

Oh, she didn't know how right she was.

"And you are the sweetest." Iris smiled.

Barry laughed uncomfortably. He knew Iris was trying to justify her little fib, but he couldn't help the way his heart soared when she complemented him. He was giddy at the fact that a person assuming they were in a relationship was so easy for her to play along with. Plus, for people to assume they were together meant they thought Iris liked him.

Of course, if they were dating, Barry would've taken her somewhere nice for Valentine's Day, not some little ice cream shop. He would've brought her flowers. She would probably wear that pair of boots she liked so much (and he pretended not to like so much). Maybe he'd have enough courage to lean over and kiss her.

Then, reality hit Barry like a punch in the gut. He looked down at the melting ice cream.

"You're not my girlfriend." Barry reminded himself aloud.

"So? Nobody needs to know that." Iris told him.

Barry faked a smile and finished the banana split with her.

It happened once in Jitters. Barry would often come into Jitters and wait for Iris's shift to end so they could have a coffee together. One day, he didn't see Iris. He was sure she was working that afternoon, so he asked one of the baristas, Kelly, where Iris was.

"She's doing inventory in the back. But, she'll get off at the same time." Kelly said as she handed Barry his coffee.

"Thanks." Barry said.

"No problem." Kelly looked Barry up and down. "Iris is a lucky girl."

Barry didn't understand what Kelly meant. "Why do you say that?"

"She has a sweet boyfriend who comes to talk to her and walk home with her everyday after work."

It took a second before it dawned on Barry that Kelly thought he was Iris's boyfriend. "Oh, Iris isn't my girlfriend." Barry said, regretfully.

Kelly pursed her lips. "Could've fooled me. You act like you're in love."

Barry felt his body tense up. Was he being that obvious?

It happened at S.T.A.R. Labs a few days after Barry awoke from his coma. He was eating lunch with Cisco and asking about what he missed while in the coma. Cisco told him about current events, spoiled a few episodes of Breaking Bad, and told him that Iris spent a lot of time at Barry's beside.

"So, what's the deal with you and Iris anyway?" Cisco asked. "Are you like, together or..."

Barry couldn't meet Cisco's eye. "Um no, no. Not like that. She's not my girlfriend or anything. We're just.....friends. Best friends."

"So would it be cool if I ask her out?"

"NO!" Barry said way too quickly and way too loud. It was a reflex.

Cisco held up his hands in surrender. "Alright. Chill, I was justing asking."

Barry rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry. I just meant um, she has a boyfriend."

"You?"

"No, not me. Some other guy, Eddie Thawne. He's a cop."

"You don't seemed too thrilled about that."

Barry felt his stomach drop. "What do you mean?"

"Dude, you like her. Everyone can see it." Cisco laughed.

"Everyone?" Barry squeaked.

"Well, I guess she can't. Otherwise, she'd probably dump that Eddie dude and get with you. She was real upset when you were in your coma. She talked to you for hours and kept saying how much she missed you. I think she's into you."

Hope filled Barry's heart. "You think so?"

Cisco nodded. "And that you seem excited about."

Barry blushed but decided he might as well just tell Cisco. "She's not my girlfriend. But, I really wish she was."

#westallen #westallen fic #westallen fanfiction #westallen fluff #barry allen x iris west #barry x iris #barry allen #iris west

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worstchosenone · 7 years

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Even If It’s Just Pretend

A new chapter! Also, this is for Snowbaz Feda Day 3 (@snowbaz-feda ).

Description: Simon is broke, his foster father is an asshole, and he knows he has nowhere to go when summer break comes around. So when he sees an ad for a paid psychology experiment involving romantic couples, he’s quick to pretend he’s in a relationship…with his nemesis/roommate Baz. AKA the faking dating trope that we know we all love.

Chapter 1/Chapter 2/Chapter 3

Simon

I stay at Penny’s for a while, mostly because I’m not ready to face Baz, my fake boyfriend. But also because Penny was talking to me, and I could talk to Penny for hours. I finally do leave when Penny’s roommate Trixie gets back, her girlfriend slung over her arm, both obviously drunk. I leave as fast as I can, Penny shooting me death looks as I grab my stuff. I mouth a quick sorry before shutting the door, grinning.

When I get back to the room, Baz is showering.

I throw my bag onto my desk and myself onto the bed. Baz will be out of the shower soon, and then we’ll have to talk about it. This whole thing, we’ll have to talk about it, and I desperately wish we didn’t.

Baz takes forever, and I decide that I’ve got to be doing something when he comes out, instead of just lying on my bed, waiting. So I grab my schoolwork from my bag and start on my math homework. By the time Baz steps out of the shower (ten minutes later) I almost have the second problem finished (which frustrates me so much I nearly throw my papers at him, unprovoked). Instead, I set them carefully by my side, eyeing him.

“So,” I start furrowing my eyebrows, he sort of turns to face me from where he’s sorting through his drawers. “How are we going to do this?”

“I don’t know Snow,” He sits down on his bed, pulling on a shirt he grabbed from the drawer. “We need to know each other, at least enough to fool them. And I guess we should get more comfortable being...closer to each other.”

My cheeks light up in a pink flare, and I hate that they do. I hate that I care. But I don’t say that, I just say: “Okay,” and stand up, moving just a few feet over to his bed. Baz eyes me, but he doesn’t say anything as I keep going and lower myself onto the bed next to him. He’s tense, so I grab his hand and he practically jumps off the bed.

“Is this...okay?” I ask, I really am trying to be nice, there’s no point in making this harder than it’s already going to be (and it’s going to be really hard).

His hand is warm in mine, and It’s kind of nice. I haven’t held anyone’s hand since Agatha and I broke up. It’s different. Baz’s hand is bigger, his fingers are longer, but they're just as soft.

Baz

Here I am, holding Simon Bloody Snow’s hand, and he’s letting me (more than that, he’s the one that grabbed my hand). I try to look cool, but he’s just staring at me with those blue eyes and I want to kiss him (maybe I could, and say that it was for the practice).

He just keeps staring at me like he expects me to react to this. I don’t, but I feel like I’ve been given a gift. The chance to stare at Snow, and hold his hand, and maybe kiss him? (I don’t know if that’ll happen, what situation would arise where we would even have to?). But it also might be a curse, because I can stare at Snow or hold his hand, but I’ll always know that it disgusts him. The thought makes me sick to my stomach, so sick that I yank my hand away. He looks shocked and sort of hurt (or maybe that’s just my fantasy leaking through).

“Okay Baz, you know we’re going to have to hold hands a lot,” He runs his hand through his hair (the one that was just holding my hand), his eyes fighting me. “So can you just stop being such a prat all the time? Like, can’t we just stop? For now?” He practically growls at me, which I think it pretty prat-like, but I don’t say that.

Instead, I say: “Okay, fine. Truce.”

“Truce?” He echoes, tilting his head like a cat. We’re so close, and I can see every freckle on his face.

“Yes, truce,” I sneer, trying to hide every emotion boiling inside me. “No acts of aggression, while we’re doing this thing. Nothing past bickering, and even that, we should keep to a minimum.”

“Okay,” He nods, licking his lips. “But why?”

“Why what?” His question makes no sense, he’s the one that wanted this. I’m just trying to make it work.

“Why are you coming up with rules? Why do you not want this to fail? Why did you agree to this?” He asks, all at once. I don’t even have time to process one question before he’s on to the next one.

And suddenly I’m acutely aware of the weight of his knee against mine, and of everything that I’m doing, and how none of this makes sense (especially in his mind). Why did I agree to this? He’s going to figure me out. Even Snow’s not that daft.

Simon

Baz suddenly jumps up from the bed, and I shift with the sudden movement (that’s how close we were). “What was that?” I ask, standing up beside him.

“That was...nothing,” He sneers again, and I kind of want to punch him. “And, I’m doing this because I want to see what happens. I never miss an opportunity to make you uncomfortable.” He says it with only half the animosity of usual, and I feel like I’ve missed something.

I want to press him, ask him more questions, but this truce is already fragile so I don’t push it.

“Well, tell me about yourself,” I say, shrugging.

He looks at me like the idea is revolting. “You first.”

“Okay,” I try for a smile, anything to ease this tension between us. “I was raised in the foster system, and I bounced around to a lot of different homes until I was about eleven, that’s when Davy-” I try to keep my voice calm at his name, but I don’t think I do very well, “-Took me in, let me live here, with him. I stayed with him until I was 18 and then…” I nearly say that he got me in here, but Baz hates that, so just say. “I got in here, and I’ve lived here since.”

“Okay, Snow,” He sits back down on his bed, and I do too, but further away this time. “I was raised in a rich home, my mum died in a fire when I was three. At this school,” He looks around the room as if imagining his mother. His face is sad, sadder than I’ve ever seen it, and I want to comfort him in some way. “And ever since then, I’ve been raised in part by my odd aunt and my cold father. Are you happy, Snow?”

“Yes, actually,” I grin, shifting subtly closer to him, “What’s your favorite color?”

He looks at me for a moment, takes a breath, and says: “Blue.”

“Red,” I say, smiling a little.

Baz

We stay like that for a while, Snow asking me stupid questions, me answering them. I don’t want to admit how nice it is, to be his friend. Because it’ll only hurt that much more when it’s over.

Which is how long? I wonder. I’m not sure what’s standard for a psychological test on couples, a few months? I can’t imagine Snow would be up for pretending to date me for a few months, but I couldn’t have imagined that Snow would be up for pretending to date me at all, Snow will surprise you like that.

We come up with a plan on how to approach this.

“When should we go down there?” He asks, he’s smiling. He’s been doing a lot more of that lately (at least, a lot more around me). It’s blinding. “I mean, I think we have everything we need. What are they gonna do? Accuse us of faking it?”

“They could,” I point out. Snow sits back further on my bed, tucking his legs underneath him. He’s been so close all night, and I think that I’m finally starting to build up an immunity (that’s a lie, I’ll never build up an immunity to him). “Maybe we should...go out a few times?” I ask, as uncaring as I can with how much I do actually care.

“I don’t think we need to. But we should, at some point.” He groans, “I can’t believe we have to do that.”

It irritates me, another reminder that we aren’t actually friends. I stand abruptly up and run my hand through my hair. “Don’t worry Snow,” I sneer, “I think dating me will actually be a plus for your reputation.”

“As if,” He laughs a little laugh, “My reputation with evil people, maybe.”

“Evil,” I laugh, but it’s a tight laugh, “A bit dramatic, isn’t it?”

“No, you’ve always resented me,” He stands up too, and now I’m mourning our peace (why do I have to ruin everything?). “Just for being alive.”

“You don’t belong here,” I shoot. It’s cruel, but it’s our oldest fight. The reason we started fighting at all, and it’s what I always have in my back pocket when we’re fighting. “My mum made this school what it was and your father comes in, changes everything, and lets you in when you’ve done nothing to deserve it.”

“He’s not my father,” Is all Simon says, nothing to defend himself. I wonder why.

“Foster father.”

“No.”

“Mentor?”

“I have nothing to do with him, and I want nothing to do with him. That’s why I need this money.”

“What happened?” I ask, my tone just a shade softer. And I sit back down on my bed and slide back until my back is against the wall. Snow sits on his and pulls his legs up on the bed and rests his head on them, facing me.

“Nothing.”

I don’t push it.

We don’t talk for the rest of the night, we silently get ready for bed. Putting off any more preparation for tomorrow.

Simon

I don’t tell Baz what happened with Davy because it’s none of his business. I haven’t even told Penny, and we vowed that we wouldn’t keep secrets (I still feel a little bad about that).

When Davy told me he was my father, and that my mother was dead, I couldn’t face it.

“Why didn’t you tell me before, when I was spending all those years in the system? Do you know what kind of hell that was?” I’d practically screamed.

“It was sensitive, I had a school to run.”

“A school? That’s more important than your own son?”

He’d tried to comfort me, I’d shrugged away from him. Moving opposite him in his office.

“Why now?” I’d asked, I’d been crying.

He hadn’t said anything, but I could see it on his face.

“You wanted to use me. You’ve always used me. As a poster boy, for your school. Someone to care for, to show that you're human.” I’d growled, “Well, you aren’t human.”

It was the angriest I’d ever been, I had thought I was going to explode.

“Stay away from me.”

I’d fled the office, slamming the door and running down the spiral stairs as fast as my legs had taken me. I didn’t go back to the room that night, not wanting to deal with Baz (not wanting him to see me cry). Instead, I had spent the night with Penny, avoiding her questions and being stared at by her roommate (who really was nosy).

---

When I wake up the next day, Baz is still asleep. And for once in my life, I make an effort to be quiet. By the time I’ve showered and gotten ready, Baz is gone. Which is relatively surprising. It’s Saturday, and Baz rarely leaves the room early on Saturday.

I sit cross-legged on my bed and do some of my schoolwork (I have a never ending pile of it). The worst thing about getting into a school you don’t deserve to be in is you have no idea what you’re doing. Usually, Penny helps me with it, but I always try it on my own first (with poor results).

It’s about fifteen minutes before Baz returns, with coffee. Two coffees. I frown at that.

He offers one to me, and I just stare at it.

“What, Snow?” Baz asks, rolling his eyes. “It’s coffee, it won’t bite.”

“You got me coffee?” I ask, dumbfounded. For Baz, random acts of kindness are something to gawk at (or even just random acts of common courtesy).

He pulls his hand away, furrowing his eyebrows. “If you don’t want it...” He shrugs.

“No,” I push myself up from the bed. My work falling off my lap. “I want it, Thank you.”

Baz hands it to me, and I take a sip. “Chocolate mocha with cherry syrup?” I ask, smiling. “How did you know?”

“You told me last night,” He shrugs, and I remember us talking. “When you were asking me all those stupid questions and then answering them?” He takes a sip of his coffee, which must be…I think for a second and that he drinks pumpkin mocha breve.

“They weren’t stupid,” I shoot back, “I mean, It’s working. You’re already doing boyfriend things for me.”

Baz makes a disgusted face and raises his eyebrows. “You’re right,” He pauses, “Wow, I never thought I’d say those two words, together, to you.”

“Why do you do that?” I ask.

“Do what, Snow?” He sits at his desk, taking another sip. His eyes are on me, and he looks immensely bored.

“Insult me at every possible moment? Like, couldn’t you just, not?” I ask. I’m being sincere. I’m just tired of fighting (with Baz, with Davy, with everyone), especially when we’re supposed to be on a truce.

“I’m trying to be efficient,” He smiles, but not the genuine smile I saw last night. It’s a mocking smile. “Can’t have it your head that we’re actually friends.”

“Whatever, Baz,” I get up to leave, and he groans behind me.

“Wait, Snow,” He calls out, “I didn’t want you to get so offended that you actually left. Just wait, we can go down to the psychology place now if you want.”

“You think we’re ready?” I ask, biting my lip. This has to be perfect. “Like, you don’t think they’ll see right through it?”

“No, Snow,” He says, standing up and sliding past me. “I don’t think anyone cares enough to see right through it.”

Baz

Turns out, everyone cared. We didn’t hold hands or display any affection, but just walking from the dorm to the Psychology building together we got a lot of stares. I wanted to yell at them, to tell them to mind their own business, but I restrained myself because that would only draw more attention to us.

When we make it there, the woman sitting at the front just sort of stares at us (more staring, it’s becoming intolerable).

“Um,” Simon says, that’s how he starts half his sentences, with an “Um” or a “So”. I roll my eyes, but don’t say anything. “We’re here.”

She swallows, squinting, and I hate her already. “You two are here together?” She asks, “For the study?”

“Yes,” I cut in, Snow was about to say something but I don’t let him. “I’m his boyfriend and we’re here for the study.” I grab his hand, and it’s warm and sweaty in mine. I want to be grossed out, but I can’t find it in me. I feel weirdly protective of this fake relationship.

Snow smiles sheepishly over at me and my lips just quirk up at the corners.

“Okay,” She smiles tightly, pulling two clipboards from the drawer, and then two sets of papers. She slides them over to us and doesn’t say anything else.

I grab them both and hand one to Snow, letting go of his hand momentarily to do it but grabbing it again to pull him over to the chairs at the edge of the room. I could get used to this, holding his hand casually, pulling him places, defending him (and us).

“Sit apart from each other, the answers should be private!” She calls from her desk. Simon’s eyes widen, but I shrug. We prepared, we’ll be fine.

When I sit down I release his hand so he can take a seat a few chairs down from me and I grab the pen from the top of the clipboard. I take a look at the form. The first few questions are basic, name, age, sex. Then it starts to get into questions about our relationship.

‘How long have you been in a romantic relationship?’ I put down 13 months, Simon and I agreed on this when we talked last night. Nineteen months ago we had become roommates, and since then we’d been at each other’s throats. So we agreed that our story would be that we started dating shortly after school began, and kept up the rivalry act for show.

‘How would you characterize your relationship?’ The boxes below read: ‘Same-sex’, ‘Opposite-Sex’, ‘Other’. I checked Same-Sex.

‘What is your sexual orientation?’ There are four options: ‘Heterosexual’, ‘Homosexual’, ‘Bisexual’, or ‘Other’. I go for honest, and check ‘Homosexual’.

‘Are you cohabitating?’ ‘Yes.’

‘How long have you known each other?’ ‘19 months.’

‘Are you dating each other exclusively?’ ‘Yes.’

‘How satisfied are you currently with your relationship?’ I furrow my brows, Simon and I didn’t talk about this. I check the ‘Mostly satisfied’ box, we need room for mistakes.

‘How confident are you that your relationship will continue for the foreseeable future?’ Again, I go for mostly. I sneak a glance up at Simon, he’s writing on his paper. His foot tapping a rhythm against the floor.

I look back down at my own: ‘In the next year, do you expect to spend an amount of time greater than 1 month away from your partner?’ The options are ‘Yes (explain)’ or ‘No’. I check the ‘No’ box, even with summer vacation we don’t live that far apart and proper boyfriends would make the effort.

The other questions are about contact information, and when I’m finally done, I set my clipboard down and glance at Snow. He puts his clipboard down a second later and looks up at me, smiling nervously. I try for a reassuring smile but it’s an unfamiliar thing for me and I think it comes out strange because Snow frowns at me.

We take the clipboard to the women up front and she takes them and sort of nods at us. Looking over the information. “We have your contact information, so we’ll let you know when we need you back in.”

“Great,” Simon smiles at her, grabbing onto my hand and pulling me out the door (turns out it’s nice even when it’s him doing it).

Once outside, he turns to me. “Are you ready?” He asks, letting go of my hand.

“For what?” I ask, shaking my head slightly.

“For everyone to know,” He takes a deep breath, licking his lips. “Did you see the way everyone looked at us?

“Stuff like that spreads fast at this fucking school,” I add. “It’s like high school all over again. I hated high school.”

He kind of smiles at me, but kind of doesn’t. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“Yeah,” I make myself sound more annoyed than I am, more exasperated, less happy. But it’s the truth, I am ready. Because I am going to make the most out of being Simon’s boyfriend (even if it is fake). Because maybe that’ll satisfy my sick fantasies and my twisted crush (I mean seriously, my nemesis. Who does that?).

“Me too.”

#snowbaz #snowbaz fanfiction #simon snow #baz pitch #tyrannous basilton pitch #basilton Grimm pitch #Penelope Bunce #carry on fanfiction #carry on by rainbow rowell #snowbaz feda #snowbaz feda fic

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floral-and-fine · 7 years

Text

Almost Like the Movies

Pair: Reader x Thor

(F/n: first name)

(R/n: rival name)

Warning: tiny bit of cursing, I guess.

A/n: Just a fic based on an idea I thought was cute. This is my first fanfic. I also would like to apologize for any errors, grammar and I don’t always get along. Loosely inspired by Charlie’s Angels Full Throttle and Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion.

Special thanks to @sharknadoslut for helping me out.

As you were looking through the mail, you were extremely pleased to see a letter addressed to you. This letter was the first piece of mail addressed to you at your new home. It felt great to be acknowledged as a resident of the Avengers tower (even though you had been living here for several months now). At the height of your excitement which featured you dancing, jumping on furniture, and tripping over self. You had ended up the center of attention with pretty much everyone watching you.

"It's my first piece of mail guys!" you shouted, waving it around in air.

"Well aren't you gonna open it? As much as I love seeing you all giddy, I'm dying of suspense." Clint joked amused at how something so simple could make you so happy.

"It's probably an application to a credit card or something. Who even sends letters nowadays?" Tony said joining the group.

However his comment didn't dampen your mood at all, even if it were true it didn't change the fact that it was your mail.

"Well only one way to find out..." you ripped open the envelope, and read the letter mumbling some of its content aloud as you skimmed through it.

"It's an invitation to my high school reunion!" you exclaimed, your excitement from seconds early was coming to life again.

You loved the idea of a high school reunion, it's such a great TV and movie trope. Like Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion filled with drama, redemption, comedy, drinking, and dancing. You loved to dance! You could imagine it now, meeting up with old friends, showing off to the snobs, finding out an old classmate was in love with you, or better yet you could hire a date and then fall in love with him.

"Well I guess we can assume from her smile that she's going" Natasha's voice brought you out from your daydream.

"Of course!" you squealed.

"You seem pretty excited about that y/n. When I graduated high school I never wanted to go back," Bruce added.

"You didn't like high school Bruce?" you asked.

"Not really, I didn't exactly fit in."

"Same here," Steve chimed in, "I'm guessing you had a better experience?"

"Oh yes! I was the school's mascot, part of the drama club, and I did yearbook! It was great!"

Everyone with the exception of Thor and Vision were either smiling or laughing a little at the statement.

"Ah! I knew it our precious y/n was an adorable geek." Natasha said smiling at you.

Thor finally spoke up who was quite puzzled by the whole thing. "What is this high school and its reunion?"

As the group tried explaining it that's when you got the brilliant idea to invite him to be your plus one. What better way to explain it?

"Well... you could come with me Thor and see for yourself. It'll be fun, I promise!"

"It will be my pleasure lady y/n."

Unknown to you, Thor could never turn you down. Since joining the team he had been drawn to you, by your passion and spirit. Unlike so many Midgardians who hold back their emotions and hide their true intentions, you were honest and always approached life with such determination. And now he was feeling particularly content over the fact that you extended the invitation to him over the others.

On the day of, you spent forever getting ready. You decided to wear your hair down in loose curls, you picked out a simple yet sexy floral dress that was form fitting with a 3/4 sleeve and subtle set of pearl earrings and matching necklace to go with it. For shoes you choose a pair of red heels and prayed that you wouldn't regret the choice later. From what you heard Thor asked Tony and Steve for help on what to wear for the event. You had to admit you were pretty happy that you were getting to spend the evening with Thor. The two of you got along swimmingly, always joking around and hanging out. Plus you always felt safest going on missions with him. Your fighting styles worked well together, and anytime you were in jam he was the first one there.

There was a small knock on your bedroom door. You shouted for them to come in, as you were still busy in the bathroom finishing your makeup.

"Hey, it's just me and Nat" Wanda stated as they entered the room.

"This place is a disaster y/n" Natasha said, as she tried not to step on anything that had been carelessly tossed on the ground.

"Sorry about that, had to go through my whole wardrobe to pick out something to wear." you said, as you walked out of the bathroom. By the looks on their faces you knew that you looked stunning.

"Well my lady friends shall we check in on the boys?" you asked grabbing your purse and heading out.

As you walked down the hallway you could hear Steve and Tony complimenting Thor. Tony also added how the blazer he picked out is what really made the outfit. You could sense Natasha's eyes rolling at the comment as you giggled. Once you reached the living room and saw Thor and grinned. He looked handsome dressed in a pair of jeans, with a dark red dress shirt and a black blazer.

"Wow! Looking good." you stated winking at Thor.

You could have sworn that he blushed a bit. Tony quickly gave you once over, nodding approvingly. Steve also approached you commenting on how lovely you looked. Thor coughed drawing your attention away from everyone.

"Y/n you look ravishing, and I believe it is also time for us to depart." Thor offered you his arm which you accepted, and he led you towards the garage. Tony was nice enough to let you borrow one of the cars.

At the reunion everything went perfectly. When the two of you arrived, Thor was a complete gentleman, holding doors open, escorting you inside, pulled out your chair at the table; in other words he was the perfect date. You couldn’t picture anyone better. You also couldn’t help but notice all the people staring at him.

“You’re quite popular.” you mentioned, looking around the room.

Thor glanced around the room as well, “As are you lady y/n.”

“I’m definitely not as popular as you are tonight. I bet every single lady here would be happy to take you home.”

“Does that include you?” your mind went blank as you looked him.

He didn’t look like he was joking he looked very serious. You cleared your throat and mumbled about needing something to drink. Thor smiled at you before he got up, and walked over to the bar to get that drink you absolutely needed especially if he continued to flirt with you like that.

While Thor was waiting at the bar to order your drinks, he was approached by a woman. Even from a distance you could recognize her as r/n. She was such a bitch to you throughout high school. She constantly treated you like you were less. Maybe because you were the school mascot instead of a cheerleader or something. You tried to be friends with everyone, and overall had a great time in high school. Stephanie however was a constant thorn in your side. Always trying to one up you with everything from class projects to student council election.

When she flipped her hair the side and leaned closer to him, you probably would’ve snapped if Thor didn’t immediately move backwards away from her. You were so proud of him, when Thor declined all her advances. He didn’t do it very subtly either. His body language was easy to read. Thor was usually relaxed, but every time she spoke you could see his whole body tense. He kept his answers short and to the point. He even avoided all her attempts to touch him. It was becoming painful to watch. Without thinking, you strutted over there wrapping your arm around Thor’s.

“Hey sweetheart, there’s few people I want to introduce you to. We can get drinks later when the bar isn’t as crowded.” You tried to sound as sexy as possible.

Thor smiled down at you, catching on to what you were getting at. “Of course my y/n, anything for you.”

As the two moved away from the bar, r/n had the nerve to interrupt.

“Honey, I thought we were having a good time.” She said while batting her eyelashes up at him.

You were about to cut in and give her a piece of your mind, when Thor interjected, and in a stern voice stating he was not interested.

When the two returned to where you had been sitting, you let out a huge laugh you had been holding in.

“I can’t believe you turned her down like that, I knew you were the perfect date!” “Like I said anything for you.”

“Thank you for coming with me.” You told Thor, lightly squeezing his hand.

The rest of the reunion continued without a hitch. You told him all about high school such as your favorite classes, teachers, sporting events, and dances. Thor had all your old friends entertained, telling stories of your great adventures as an Avenger. The best part was listening to the way he described you in the stories. Making you sound way more heroic than you actually were.

"Y/n's instinct and agility on the battlefield are unrivaled. Many times I have witnessed her ability to maneuver through enemy fire and attacks unscathed." Thor explained, as you sat there listening smiling from ear to ear.

In what seemed like a blink of an eye the whole reunion started to die down. Which might have been a good thing considering that you could barely walk anymore. You knew those shoes were a bad choice. You managed to waddle back to car despite Thor following you insisting that he should carry you.

And now here you both are back at the tower. Thor again insisted on carrying inside, and this time you gave in. He sat you down gently on the couch, and left returning with Band-Aids and hydrogen peroxide. As you took care of your feet, you decided to strike up some kind of conversation instead of just letting him watch you put Band-Aids on all your blisters.

"So what did you think, Thor?" "The festivities were enjoyable although I still do not quite grasp the purpose for such a gathering."

"I think it's just one of those things that seems important, like high school was really important to a lot of people and for some of those people it still is. It symbolizes a time in their life when they achieved things or had hope or something along those lines."

"I see...Then high school in those terms seems to be similar to my coronation, a time in my own life that I viewed as my greatest achievement. Although I now know that life has much more to offer and that achievements are not always recognized with crowns or celebrations."

"Did you have a good time?" you inquired.

"It was a most magnificent time."

"Yeah it was pretty incredible" you said thinking about the evening and that is when it dawned on you, you didn't get to dance with anyone.

Your sudden realization mixed with disappointment must have been obvious because Thor looked at you questioningly.

"Something wrong y/n?"

"It's silly, I'm just a little sad that I didn't get to dance with anyone..." Thor stood up immediately and offered you his hand.

"Dance with me."

"Really?" you sprung up off the couch and into his arms. "You're the best!"

With no music you and Thor slowly swayed back and forth. Your right hand in his, your other hand on his chest, and his on your waist. You were inexplicably content. You moved your head so you could look at Thor.

He was smiling down at you and without even realizing it you whispered "I love you".

Thor abruptly stopped "Do you mean that y/n?"

You felt your whole face heat up but you nodded anyway "yeah... YEAH! I mean it!"

Thor smiled widely as he picked you up your legs wrapping around his waist. "I love you as well."

You placed your hands gently on his cheeks as you kissed him. It soon became much more heated as you moved your hand to the back of his head your fingers tugging at his hair deepening the kiss. You other hand moved down from his cheek to lightly down his neck and clutched against his chest. His hands that were holding you up began to slowly explore further up your thighs. You broke away from the kiss wiggled out of his grasp, before he could question your motives you grabbed his hand and started running.

Holding his hand as tightly as you could you sprinted upstairs towards your bedroom. You came to a sudden stop in the middle of the hallway.

"Wait... wait..." you said short of breath. Thor looked at you, worried that perhaps you had a change of heart. "My room is a complete mess right now. Rather not have you see it like that...let's go to your room." you giggled, turning and running the opposite direction pulling Thor along behind you.

Taglist: @sleeping-with-the-snakes

#marvel #mcu #marvel cinematic universe #fanfic #fanfiction #thor #thor x reader #thor fic #thor fanfiction #marvel fanfiction #mcu fanfiction #thor imagine

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seasonofthegeek · 5 years

Text

Camp Fake It Til You Make It

This drabble featuring Alya and Kim is an anonymous ko-fi request from the fanfic trope mash-ups featuring the prompts “summer camp AU” and “fake dating”. Thanks so much for the support, Nonny!

___

“Please, Al, pretty please with a cherry on top,” Kim begged, following Alya from table to table as she put down cabin place cards for the campers that would be arriving soon. “I’m literally begging you. I can get on my hands and knees if you really want. I can even put my big toe in my ear if that helps.”

Alya paused her task long enough to look back at him and raise an eyebrow. “In what way would that help?”

He blinked. “I don’t know, but it’s what I’ve got to offer. It usually makes people laugh.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.” She pushed past him to start on the next row of tables.

"Why?”

“Because it feels weird and it would be lying for no good reason.”

“The very good reason is because Ondine’s dating the guy running the obstacle course and I’m going to look like a loser to everyone if I’m single now and she’s already moved on when we were engaged last summer.”

“Why do you even care what people think?”

Kim slumped down on one of the benches and watched Alya continue to wind through the tables. “I don’t know. I never have before but...” He scrunched his nose. “I guess maybe I’m still not over her.”

“Well, duh.”

“Hey.”

Alya dropped the remaining place cards on one of the tables with a sigh and made her way back to Kim, taking the bench opposite his. “I thought you guys parted on good terms.”

“We did, I guess, but...but they were mostly her terms,” he shrugged. “I’m not mad at her or anything because it would’ve been bad to get married when she wasn’t into it, but I still miss her.”

“You might be a little smarter than I gave you credit for.” She winked when she saw his frown and was glad to see it smooth into a small smile though it still held an edge of sadness. “I guess I’m just wondering how it’s going to help you if everyone thinks we’re dating. You’re still going to be upset about Ondine, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, I guess,” he admitted, “but I’m trying not to be.”

“It’s okay to be upset if you aren’t a butthead about it, but is this just something to try to make her jealous?”

Kim shifted uncomfortably. “Not entirely.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Max said getting a fake girlfriend for the summer might help me move on because people were statistically more interested in drama and and me still being single while Ondine isn’t would be more dramatic,” he rambled, “and you’re the only person I can imagine trying to pretend with and it not be weird.”

“It would still be weird.”

“Nu-uh. We’ve known each other, like, forever, and we don’t like each other like that and all you’d have to do is stand near me during meetings and stuff. We already hang out during free time anyway.”

“What about Alix? All the stuff is the same with her too.”

“She’d laugh in my face if I said any of this to her.”

Alya pulled at one of the loose frays from her cut-off jeans. “You promise it won’t get weird?”

“I double doozy promise,” Kim swore.

“And what do I get out of this little deal?”

“Oh, uh, hmmmm. What do you want?”

“A free pass to use you as a fake boyfriend in the future if the need arises. One of my aunts likes to visit and it gets exhausting telling her I’m not seeing anyone.”

Kim beamed at her and held out his hand. “It’s a deal. You’re my fake girlfriend for two and a half months and then I’m your fake boyfriend whenever you need me.”

Alya eyed his big hand warily before placing her own in it. “Deal.”

___

“One of the many perks of being my girlfriend--”

“Fake girlfriend,” Alya reminded him.

Kim continued, nonplussed. “Is that I happen to be an excellent maker of s’mores.” He held a line of marshmallows speared on a steel rod over the open fire.

“You’ve made me s’mores before so I think that’s just something you do.”

“Ah, but Boyfriend Kim’s s’mores are ultimately better than Friend Kim’s s’mores.”

“Well, I guess I’ll be the judge of that.” Alya braced her palms against the edge of the smoothly cut log and leaned back. The fire was almost too much heat on the muggy summer night but it was still nice to look at. “These are always my favorite nights.”

“The ones without the campers?”

“Mmhmm. It’s that nice period between finishing with one set and not dealing with getting ready for the next one just yet. That’s tomorrow Alya��s problem.”

“Yeah, I get that. You had a good group this week though.”

“They were sweet,” she agreed. “How were yours?”

“Fun as hell. I got them to all try to rope swing at the lake and not one of them wussed out.”

“We have different hopes for campers,” she noted. “I’m glad you had fun though.” She caught the odd way he was looking at her and it made her feel...something she wasn’t used to feeling around Kim. She cleared her throat. “You might be too hot.”

“What? Oh!” Kim yelped as the marshmallows caught fire and he dropped the rod into the flames. They both watched the lumps of sugar goodness blacken and fall off.

“So you were saying Boyfriend Kim is better at this? Have you seen him around anywhere?” Alya teased.

___

“I can’t believe you two finally hooked up.”

Alya glared at Alix who smirked in return. She made the mistake of looking past the smaller woman to see that Alix’s comment had grabbed Ondine’s attention on the other side of the small changing room by the pool. She was doing a poor job of attempting to look like she wasn’t listening to their conversation. Great.

“It’s not a big deal.” Alya jerked the top of her sock up too quickly and heard the fabric let out a pointed ripping sound. She ignored it and picked up her shoe. Alix knew she and Kim weren’t really dating. She’d figured it out the first week of camp so she was obviously doing this for Ondine’s benefit. A month and a half in and Alya had been able to avoid any major awkwardness from the situation and here came the half-pint with hot pink hair to stir the pot.

“I think it’s awesome. He needed someone smart and pretty.” Alix stretched out on the bench, apparently in no hurry to change out of her bathing suit and into her counselor uniform. “I’ve never seen him so happy.”

Alya could feel her face burning and didn’t dare look in Ondine’s direction. “Yeah, he’s great,” she muttered noncommittally. “You better hurry or your cabin is going to go crazy without you there.”

Alix waved a careless hand. “I got a buncha goody-two-shoes this week. They wouldn’t dare.” She stretched lazily and stood. “But yeah, yeah, I’ll get to it.”

“See you at dinner.” Alya gave her a direct look that she’d seen make lesser people shake but the most reaction she got from Alix was a slight upturn of her mouth. She hurried out of the changing room and ran straight into Ondine who’d been suspiciously loitering right outside the doorway.

“Oh, sorry.” Ondine tucked a short lock of hair behind her ear and a blush was spreading out beneath her freckles. “Um, I couldn’t help but overhear...”

Alya tried to meet her eyes but settled for looking at her nose instead. “Oh?” The word caught in her throat and she held back a grimace.

“I just thought I’d say...well...” She sucked in a loud breath. “I’m glad Kim found you. He’s wonderful and I hate things didn’t work out the way we thought they would, but...oh, but now he has you, and I just think that’s, um, that’s great,” she finished lamely. “So...great for you guys.”

“Thanks,” Alya repled slowly. “I appreciate that.”

Ondine gave her a quick nod and then she was quickly walking past her and out of the gate around the pool. Alya took a moment to gather herself before following the same path but veering away towards the boys’ cabins instead of returning to her own.

Halfway there, she spun on her heels and retreated in the direction of her cabin. Her campers would be waiting for her and she needed to be a responsible counselor. She could fake break-up with her fake boyfriend later.

The more she thought about the situation, the more irritated she became. It’d been unfair of Kim to ask her to play along with his charade. There had been no consideration for her feelings in the whole matter and now she was--

Alya stopped in her tracks, a twig snapping under the heel of her sneaker. Now she was what? Why did she care if Kim was thinking about her feelings? What did that have to do with anything? It wasn’t as if she had feelings about Kim, at least not anything more than friendship feelings.

She didn’t.

She most certainly didn’t.

She started to walk again, but this time slower as if her feet weren’t certain they wanted to reach their destination. It wasn’t as if there was anything wrong with Kim. He was obviously attractive and that dimple in his left cheek that showed up when he smiled was definitely nice to look at. He was goofy but it was endearing and even if he wasn’t exactly smart in the way most people think of, he noticed more in others and their feelings than most people and that was an asset all on its own.

It’s not like falling for Kim would be something to be ashamed of, but Alya didn’t have those kind of feelings towards him. They were friends and fellow camp counselors and fake boyfriend and girlfriend and that was the extent of it.

That was it.

She was almost sure of it, but the funny feeling in her gut was making her wonder.

___

“I made sure Ondine knew you and Alya are dating.” Alix made air quotes around the last word. “Oi! Manon! If you keep swimming with that lanyard around your neck, you’ll die!” She eyed the young girl in the lake and then nodded in approval when the lanyard was tossed on a float.

Kim went for nonchalant and failed miserably. “How’d she react?”

“I don’t know. Weird. I heard her telling Alya she was happy for you guys, but it sounded all fake.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to get back with her if this whole jealousy plan works. Come on, dude. Don’t be dumb.”

“It’s not a jealousy plan.” Kim stood and picked up a stray beach ball that landed on the pier and punted it back out into the lake to the cheers of campers. “It was just supposed to help with the drama.”

“Ah, the drama. This is why I don’t date, well, and like a thousand other reasons.”

He rolled his eyes. “I thought you liked Ondine. You were going to be my better man at the wedding.”

“Which I still say is a step up from being the best man,” she nodded. “Max can shove it.” She flicked at a water beetle that had crawled up the plank towards her hand. “I don’t know. I never had a problem with her, but I don’t like the way she did you so now I don’t like her.”

“Aww, you do care about me,” Kim teased.

“Shut up.”

His expression grew serious. “I don’t want you to not like her because of that. She didn’t do anything wrong.”

Alix shrugged. “Anyway, what’s the deal with you and Alya?”

“What do you mean? You know the deal.”

“Okay, sure, the deal.” She made air quotes again. “But I’m talking about the real deal that neither one of you want to admit to.”

Kim looked at her in confusion. “Uh, what?”

“You honestly don’t know that you’ve fallen for her?”

The universe was on his side because before Kim was forced to answer, there was a chorus of screams as one of the male campers broke the surface of the water with a bloody gash on his temple from showing off during his jump. Kim stood and went to the edge of the dock to help the laughing boy out of the water.

He didn’t dare look at Alix as he passed by. Her words were still ringing in his ears.

____

“I can’t believe we’re about to start the last week. I feel like this summer went by a lot quicker than the others.” Alya watched Kim force marshmallows onto the roasting rod and frowned. He seemed distracted and irritated and not his usual cheerful self during the campfires they had at the end of each week once the campers left.

“Yeah, I guess.” He swore under his breath as one of the marshmallows tore and dropped to the ground.

“Do you want some help?”

“No.”

“Okay.” Alya didn’t like the way his quick response made her feel. She’d started looking forward to these nights, counting down the days and hours until every camper left the grounds and she could meet Kim at one of the more hidden fire pits and enjoy a relaxing night with just the two of them. She refused to look too deeply into why she’d grown to love them so much, falling back on the easy answer that it was simply a nice treat after a long week of babysitting. “We don’t have to do this tonight if you’re too tired or something.”

Kim’s head whipped up and he looked at her with wide eyes. “No, I want to.”

She felt taken aback by his expression. “Okay...you just don’t seem like you’re in the best mood.”

He picked up the fallen marshmallow and tossed it into the fire. “Sorry. I think I’m a little bummed we’re at the end already.”

“Is it because I’ve been such a great fake girlfriend?” Alya batted her eyelashes and tried to pretend that she didn’t care what his answer was.

Kim grinned at her but it didn’t have the same spark his smiles usually held. “Something like that. Was it as bad as you thought it would be?”

She considered it. “The s’mores made up for the awkward bits.”

“I better get to roasting then.” His smile took on more of a genuine feel and that made Alya relax.

“Hop to it, mister.”

He saluted her and finished spearing the marshmallows.

Alya watched him, trying to decide if she wanted to continue in the same conversational direction or change the subject. She opted to be brave. “Do you think your plan worked?”

“Hmmm?”

“Was there less drama since other counselors thought we were dating?”

“There would’ve been less if Alix wasn’t around.” He shook his head. “But yeah, I think it really helped. Thank you.” He met her eyes over the fire and Alya felt like her heart was leaping into her throat. He really was gorgeous.

“It was no big deal,” she answered and was surprised her voice didn’t sound as shaky as she felt.

“I guess you’ll want to fake break up at the end of the week, huh?” Kim watched the marshmallows soften and Alya watched him.

“I...well, that was the deal, I guess.”

“Yeah.”

“But, you know, there will be the counselor appreciation thing like two weeks after we leave here.”

Kim frowned. “I forgot about that.”

“So I guess if we still need to be dating for that, we can be.” Alya bit her lip shyly.

“That would probably be good if you don’t mind.” He met her eyes but then quickly looked back down at the marshmallows as he pulled them away from the flames.

“I don’t mind.”

“Good.” Kim’s lips spread in a wide grin as he began to assemble their s’mores.

Alya echoed and knew she was smiling like an idiot. “Good.”

“And you know, when you look at it that way, next summer really won’t be that far away so it might be easier if--”

“Kim, just ask me out already,” Alya interrupted.

He jumped a little and then beamed at her. “You wanna keep being my fake girlfriend?”

“No.”

“Ah.”

“But for a few s’mores, I could be persuaded to be your real one maybe.”

“Is that so?”

“Eh, we’ll see how the night goes,” she teased, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and excitement.

Buy me a cherry coke?

#kimya #le chien kim #alya cesaire #miraculous ladybug

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