#weekly bottom jay

[jaysgirlx]

Can you do a Jason Todd x reader where the reader doesn’t think she has a chance with Jason because “he’s a 10” and the reader has low self esteem

❝ 𝐇𝐄’𝐒 𝐀 𝟏𝟎 ❞

❥ pairing: jason todd x reader

❥ summary: jason has always call you names like pretty, gorgeous and beautiful and you could never fathom he ever meant them.

❥ warnings: insecurities, anxiety, crying & comfort.

❥ wc: 2.1k

You sat on the roof of Wayne Manor as the rain poured down quickly. The roof was quite slippery at this point so you didn't mind staying up there a little while longer. It was just water right? You looked down from the roof, noticing Jason Todd also in the rain looking up at you with that dumb cheesy grin that never failed to make you smile.

Is he…looking at me?

He waved and for a brief movement, he seems as if he was thinking before you watched him attempt to try and climb the building while it rained. His looks definitely made up for his lack of brain cells. After many, many failed attempts Jason had actually managed to make it up there and sit down next to you. He could tell you were holding in a laugh but only smiled at you.

"Hey beautiful"

Your heart always fluttered at his compliments especially since you knew that you wouldn't ever hear them from anyone else.

"Hey Jason"

"Why are you up here in the rain? You could get hurt y'know"

You watched him relax and lay down a bit as the water washed through his dark black locs. You were too focused on his hair to even remember his question. Without asking you threaded your hand through his curls, at first it had startled him but it only took you seconds before you relaxed him by massaging his head gently. You'd never noticed how curly his hair was until now, probably because you'd never seen his hair yet. It wasn't fair that you had been deprived of such a sight for this long.

It wasn't long til it had started to settle into your mind that he liked to call you pretty, beautiful, cute and etc. You never corrected him because why would you, someone as hot as him gave you daily compliments that you didn't even deserve and it was all on his own accord. But that made you wonder, why would he do this. This Jason we're talking about. Jason that bitches about patroling with Dick. Jason that teases Tim about his boyfriend. Jason that somehow managed to trick Daimen into watching Gossip Girl. Why would he call you pretty?

"Jay?"

"Hmmm…yes pretty?"

Another flutter? Jeez, calm down.

"Ummm, why do compliment me so much?"

"Cause you probably don't hear it enough"

To you his words translated as, "No one probably calls you pretty" and it wasn't wrong. You never had anyone actually tell you they thought you were beautiful or stunning. While your mind wandered you began to chew on your bottom lip, thinking about all of your insecurities. Your weight, lack of confidence, feminism, looks and there was so much more, and day and night they ate at you, made you feel so inferior, so weak, almost as if you meant nothing.

Jason sits up causing you to quickly retrieve your hand from his locks. The rain had slowed and it was probably safe to get down. You could tell because it didn't take Jason much to get to the ground. He looked up at you, his cheeks tinted a pink hue from what you assumed was the rain.

"You coming?"

"Not yet, I'll see you at dinner, Jason"

Jason's mouth opened and closed multiple times, as if there were words he wanted to say but just couldn't form. After a while, he nodded and walked into, Leave you alone outside once again with your pathetic thoughts.

I'd never have a chance with a guy like him…

—

"Get off my case Grayson"

"I'm just trying to understand why you've been avoiding him lately"

"Can't we just enjoy our weekly lunches in silence?"

"I just want to help you y/n I swear"

You looked at Dick Grayson for a moment before taking a small bite of your sandwich. If you told him he'd get off your back and it's not like he'd tell Jason right? Once your voice found the words, you began "To me Jason is like a 10 and I'm…" your voice cracked slightly and you stopped talking instantly. You knew that if you had continued, you'd spill out all your dumb insecurities all those things that made you so pathetic.

"You're what y/n?"

"I'm like a 2/10 on a good day"

Is my self-esteem really this low?

The air between the two of you was deathly silent. You watched Dick's fists clench but quickly relaxed as his gaze met yours.

"Who told you that y/n? I want specific names. Did Jason say that to you? Tell me because if he did I will kick his ass if necessary-"

"Grayson, no one said anything. No one had to because I already know it and Jason probably already thinks it, he compliment me because he knows no one else will"

For a while you just looked at the table, you were sure that by now you were crying because of your blurred vision. You couldn't face Dick like this, you were a ticking time bomb waiting to explode and you didn't want him to hear you. So you left. You ran out of that cafe and got yourself out of there, right after grabbing your phone of course. Dick didn't need to hear all the things you hated about yourself and all the things that made you doubt everything aspect of your being.

Why am I like this?

Once you were out of there, you decided to go back to your apartment. Though you lived at Wayne Manor, you had your apartment in case you needed some private time or just somewhere to lay low. You decided it would be best to walk, so you could clear your mind a bit.

You wiped away your cold tears and tried to keep on a happy face or avoid drawing any unnecessary attention to yourself especially because of the scene you had probably caused at that cafe. This whole thing felt so dumb in your head, why did you have to avoid Jason. It was not like he was hurting you, if anything his compliments were one of the highlights of your days but maybe that was a good reason to avoid him. There was no point getting attached to someone who was definitely of your league.

You pushed those negative thoughts out of your head and decided before heading to your apartment, you'd do some shopping and maybe even buy yourself some food. Eagerly, you went to the nearest clothing store in the neighborhood and decided to splurge a bit on a couple new clothes then decided to treat yourself to some seafood as takeout. Little things like these were the only things sometimes that could make you feel loved.

When you had finally arrived at your place you were relieved. No one was there plus none of your neighbors were around so you could rest and relax in-

"hey there y/n"

You jumped at the dangerously familiar voice. Jason? Why was he here? In your apartment? You took a couple steps back, getting ready to make a run for it. You couldn't talk to him, not yet, and especially not after today's events. You looked up at him studying his body, he was dressed in his gear except his helmet was nowhere to be found and he had on a different shirt.

"Please don't run away, y/n," Jason said taking a step towards you. The two of you locked eyes for what seemed forever before Jason started to close the distance between the two of you and you let him. So many things raced through your head, you thought about pushing him away, running away again, or maybe just hearing him out. The thought of him being this close to you was a dream come true under the right circumstances but this wasn't the time to be thinking like this especially when you knew he didn't see you the way you saw him.

"Dick told me a bit about what happened earlier at the cafe, he said it would be best if I came to check on you," he said looking down at you. By now your back was pressed against the door and you'd dropped all your bags. You needed to get him out of here.

"Jason I'm fine, you can go"

You never would've thought Jason cared this much for you. So much that he broke into your apartment just to see you. But you were thinking of this all wrong, Jason was a nice guy who probably just wanted to clear things up that's all. There was nothing more to this and you had to convince him just as you convinced yourself that the two of you would never happen.

"Did you know I hate the rain?" he said quietly picking up your dropped bags. He grabbed the clothes and gently put the food in your hands. There was a voice in your head warning you to not drag this out any longer but you didn't want to listen this time. "But when I saw you on the roof the other day, suddenly I could tolerate it"

"So many bad things happened on rainy days but seeing you… that was best thing"

Jason grinned at you as he grabbed your bags filled with new items and clothes and placed them on your kitchen counter. He then motioned for you to come to sit with him on your couch once he was done. By then any sense of self-respect had gone out of the window now. Without much hesitation, you followed him which earned you a soft chuckle from him that sparked something in your chest.

"Y/n I think I gave you the wrong answer the other day"

He can't say anything worse than last time if I avoid it.

"For what?" A beat passed, and you looked up at Jason and he was… nervous? he was sweating and could barely make eye contact with you. He clearly had trouble finding his words and that was partially your fault because you knew exactly what question he was talking about and you could even admit it yourself. It was a stupid question that you had asked in the heat of the moment and you wished you could both forget about it and move on but that's not how things work. Though you regretted asking, you still listened to what he had to say.

"When you asked about why I compliment you so much. What I meant to say is that when I find a girl undeniably beautiful all I can ever do is remind her of it every fucking day"

There had never been a time that your heart had raced this fast until now. Jason took your hand and held it, softly as if you were going to break. The small space that you put between you on the couch was now gone as Jsson pulled you closer to him.t

"You are not a 2/10 sweetheart, you are so much more than that and I will do whatever it takes to make you see that," he said flashing you one of those cheeky grins you loved so much. If your face hadn't been red before, it was sure to be red now. It was at this moment that you knew he meant it. That Jason did not pity you and in fact thought that you were one of the most attractive girls he had ever seen.

Jason had wanted you to know for a while, he thought you did at first but after hearing from dick what you thought of yourself, he found himself willing to do anything for you to understand how you felt about you. How Jason Todd saw you and now you had no doubt now in the way Jason saw you.

"Jason you don't know how much that means for you to say that and how much I needed to hear that," you said as if you were out of breath even though you had only said a couple words. because this was literally breathtaking. "I really really like you Jay"

Jason looked at you before grabbing you into what was a mesh of a hug and a tight squeeze and saying, "Please don't say anything else just lemme hold you" he said quietly as he held your body close to his. squeezing his big arms around your waist and pulling you even closer together as if you'd run away if he dared to let go.

"Because I really like you too pretty girl"

Always remember that you can be loved guys<3

#✩ kleo's kollection ✩ #✩ secret messages ✩ #✩ just for you hun ✩ #divider by saradika #jason todd #jason peter todd #jason todd x reader #jason todd imagine #jason todd x you #jason todd x y/n #jason todd is red hood #red hood #red hood x you #red hood x reader #red hood imagine #dick grayson cameo #dick grayson

[gimmethatagustd]

cosmic collision (1) | myg + jjk

A responsible weedman, Yoongi always tests out new marijuana strains before selling them to his customers. When his supplier offers him a new strain, Cosmic Collision, Yoongi is eager to try it. What he doesn't expect is the alien that comes with it.

↳ pairing: weedman!yoongi x alien!jungkook

↳ genre: BTS | 18+ | supernatural | strangers to lovers | slow burn | crack | fluff | smut

↳ wc/date: 6.8k | april 2023

↳ warnings: marijuana | yoongi blacks out from being too high, but i promise nothing bad happens to him | jungkook is so precious you might not survive | yoongi is TRYING HIS BEST

↳ notes: welcome to this silly lil world of galactic mysteries 👽 i hope you enjoy the journey. pls keep your arms, hands, legs, feet, and head inside the spacecraft at all times

↳ main masterlist // series masterlist

↳ what was jai listening to? know yourself - drake

✨ complete this form to be added to the taglist ✨

“What’s this one called again?” As Namjoon speaks, a thick cloud of white smoke rushes out of his mouth. 

Hoseok is quick with a response, answering before Yoongi has a chance. “DJ Short Flo,” he reads the piece of masking tape stuck to the top of the glass jar on their coffee table. The name is scribbled in blue Sharpie. 

Namjoon repeats the name to himself in a low and scratchy tone. He clears his throat a few times more than is really necessary. “What the fuck’s that supposed to mean?” 

Yoongi’s not sure the names of marijuana strains really need to mean anything, but he’s not part of the conversation. He’s too busy counting a rather fat wad of cash as he stands in the entryway of his apartment. 

Suddenly, the chill vibes playlist Namjoon so artfully crafted for the group’s weekly Friday night smoke sesh pauses. He flashes a glare at Taehyung spread out on Yoongi’s bean bag as he passes the blunt off to Hoseok, who is now making grabby hands next to him on the couch. 

“This is that nasty flow!” Taehyung belts the Drake lyrics prematurely, using his phone to switch from Namjoon’s playlist to the song that has seemingly popped into his head at the mention of Flo. 

Hoseok’s eyes widen as he lifts the blunt to his lips. He takes a drag from it while his head leans over the back of the couch. “Hey, wasn’t that Yoongi’s rapper name in college? Or was it DJ Short Glow?” 

“Top boy in this shit, I’m so international!” 

Yoongi slams his foot into his dirty red Vans. He has to bend over slightly to hook his finger in the back of the shoe to pull it out from underneath his heel. Life would be much easier if he just untied his shoes and put them on correctly. 

“It was Gloss.” 

“Reps up is in here, got P Reign and Chubby and TJ and Winnie and whoa!” Taehyung’s voice cracks as he chokes out the lyrics, and smoke simultaneously puffs out of his nose and mouth. 

“DJ Short Gloss?” Hoseok asks. 

“Yeah, and you know how that should go!” 

“Man, shut the fuck up.” Yoongi throws his middle finger up at whoever may be looking. “I’m not even short.” With his shoes on, Yoongi shrugs into a light windbreaker and stuffs the money into one of the pockets. He has to wiggle the pocket’s zipper a few times before it fully zips closed. “I’ma be back in probably two hours, okay?” 

Hoseok and Taehyung are now belting an Ariana Grande song, so only Namjoon acknowledges Yoongi’s announcement. He throws his friend a thumbs up as smoke unfurls around the blunt squeezed between his lips. 

“Have fun, bro. Tell Jin he better respond to my message on Discord. We got games to play.” 

Yoongi gives the front door a sharp kick before he yanks it open. He reminds himself to figure out how to fix it from getting stuck constantly. The paint on the bottom corner is starting to crack from the number of toes that have jammed into it. 

“Yeah, yeah. I got you, Joon.” 

Seokjin is notoriously difficult to get ahold of. Yoongi can’t text him, which is understandable, even if using other apps like Discord to communicate is annoying. It always goes back to not wanting his real phone number associated with their conversations. Yoongi never feels like pointing out that a Discord account - like literally everything else - can be traced back to Seokjin’s phone. It’s a losing battle, and Yoongi isn’t the type to argue. 

So he shoots WWHandsome#7451 a quick “omw” and drives the thirty minutes to Seokjin’s brother’s house. Or was it his cousin? Best friend? Yoongi can’t remember. All he knows is the guy is cute, and that is enough to make Yoongi not want to go to his house. 

It’s a small house tucked away in the culs-de-sac of a modest but nice-looking suburb. Yoongi always feels dirty as he parks on the curb in his 2001 Honda Accord. The car has wires sticking out where the spoiler was once connected in the back (accidentally ripped off by Taehyung, who closed the trunk too hard). The metal below his front left headlight is dented and stitched together with black zip ties after Yoongi idiotically let Namjoon drive and his friend hit a mailbox.  

The feeling of being out of place typically intensifies as Yoongi trudges up the walkway to the front door. He feels frumpy in his dad hat with a frayed bill, eccentrically-patterned pink button-up shirt over a white graphic tee, and forest-green joggers. He never cared about fashion; throwing on whatever’s clean is enough for him. But when Seokjin’s friend (Yoongi is now remembering they are just friends) flings the door open and lets his eyes roam over Yoongi’s frame, he wishes he’d at least ironed his shirt. 

“Hello,” the man purs. He brushes blue-grey hair away from eyes that are sharp and heavy as he looks up at Yoongi through his bangs. Yoongi tries not to pay attention. “Jinnie’s in the basement.” 

The basement is really just one giant gaming room with a spot off to the side dedicated to Seokjin’s rather impressive inventory of marijuana. He’s exceptionally organized, which Yoongi appreciates, with each glass jar and drawer stuffed with green buds neatly labeled. It makes the exchange quick and easy. Yoongi would prefer not to linger. 

It’s not that Seokjin has ever done anything wrong. In all honesty, Yoongi can’t quite put a name to the feeling he gets in the elder’s presence. He just knows something about Seokjin makes him uneasy. 

“Yoongi-ya, good to see you, my friend.” Seokjin’s hand clamps over Yoongi’s shoulder and his fingers dig into his clavicle. 

“Good seeing you, too,” Yoongi mumbles. He shrugs off his backpack and holds it against his chest like a shield. However, it doesn’t protect him for long because Seokjin almost immediately pries it from Yoongi’s grasp. He watches as the older man tosses the empty bag onto the coffee table in front of a large TV, making the glass rattle. 

“Sit.” 

Yoongi plops onto the couch. Halo Infinite is paused on the TV. He knows nothing about video games, but he’s sure Namjoon would squeal over Seokjin’s setup. Yoongi makes a note to never tell him about it. 

“Want your usual, right?” Seokjin asks though he’s obviously not in any rush to get Yoongi his supply when he settles beside him on the couch. He tilts his black bucket hat back, pulling the brim away from his eyes to expose dark eyebrows. 

Seokjin wears clothes similar to Yoongi’s usual attire: comfortable graphic tees and joggers. He always manages to look better, though. Sleek and expensive, with logos of brands Yoongi doesn’t even know stitched into the fabric, all monochrome rather than the patterned clothing that makes Yoongi look like a rainbow threw up on him. 

“Mhm,” Yoongi hums. “Chem Valley Kush, XJ-13, and DJ Short Flo sold really well.” 

Seokjin’s eyes crinkle as he grins. In the dim lighting of the room, Yoongi swears his teeth look sharp. “XJ-13 put your ass in gear, didn’t it?” 

This Yoongi has to smile at. “The most productive I’ve been in my life,” he laughs. “That tangerine aroma, too? Fuckin’ beautiful.” 

Seokjin reaches for the clear glass bong atop the coffee table. He brings it to his lips, pausing momentarily to say, “It’s the Jack Herer in it.” 

Yoongi watches the smoke furl through the intricately curled tubing. He’s always been more of a bowl kind of guy, but he doesn’t say no when Seokjin passes him the bong and a lime green lighter.

“I’ve got enough of all three, but try out this one.” Seokjin watches expectantly as Yoongi inhales and doesn’t continue talking until he blows a thick cloud toward the ceiling. “It’s called Cosmic Collision. Totally brand new strain, an experimental hybrid. Nobody’s got this on the street except me.” 

“Cosmic Collision?” Yoongi runs his tongue across his teeth, then the inside of his cheeks, like he’s gathering the taste in his mouth. It’s fruity and went down so smooth it almost felt more like vaping or hookah than weed. “Tastes like cereal.” 

“Good, right? Shit’ll take you somewhere otherworldly.”

Describing the strain as experimental and otherworldly is relatively accurate, Yoongi muses as he takes a few more hits from the bong. Each pull is smooth and surprisingly kind to his throat as he breathes it down. Weed like this is hard to come by on the streets. Most are harsh, perhaps from being doused in pesticides or growing in shoddy environments. Seokjin has never let Yoongi down, though. Everything he provides is always high quality, to the extent that Yoongi wonders if the man grows it himself or if he’s got the hookup with someone professional. 

Before long, Yoongi sinks into the couch and forgets his promise of returning home after two hours. His phone buzzes in his pocket with text messages he can’t seem to find the desire to check. He doesn’t hear the notifications, only feels the vibration against his thigh. The sensation warms him to the point that the way his body tingles is a little embarrassing. 

Something else buzzes in his ear, something he can hear as a muffled squeak that pulses against his eardrums. It’s rather annoying. Yoongi’s face twists into a slight grimace that quickly melts away when he feels something poke his cheek. 

“Yoongi-ya!” 

His head is almost too heavy to turn, but he manages. Seokjin’s image is blurry initially. It takes a few blinks for Yoongi to adjust, and only then does he realize his eyes have been closed for a good while. 

“Hm?” Like his head, his tongue feels heavy to lift. His mouth tastes like Froot Loops. A small smile stretches his lips against his teeth. God, he’s so fucking high. 

“Jimin and I need to leave; I’m sorry,” Seokjin gives him a sheepish look. 

Yoongi blinks a few more times and wills his arms to lift up. He stretches his back with a groan. “Shit, sorry. Didn’t realize how long it’s been.” 

His phone tells him it’s been nearly four hours since he arrived. His brain struggles to comprehend this new information, just like it struggles to accept that he has somehow migrated upstairs and is now sitting at the kitchen table with a glass of water in front of him. When the fuck had he moved? 

Seokjin gives him a knowing smile. “Drink more water when you get home. And drive safely!” 

Nodding his head, Yoongi slings his backpack over his shoulder and follows Seokjin to the front door. The bag is heavy with what Yoongi assumes is weed - the whole reason why he came to the house in the first place. But he has no recollection of Seokjin giving it to him. 

“That’s some strong shit,” Yoongi mumbles mostly to himself as he says his final goodbyes. 

There’s the knowing smile again, though Yoongi doesn’t know what Seokjin knows that he doesn’t know. “Like I said, otherworldly. Have a good night, my friend. I’ll see you around.” 

As he returns to his car, Yoongi decides that Seokjin most definitely gives him the creeps. A twinge of guilt accompanies the thought because Yoongi knows Seokjin hasn’t actually done anything to deserve such judgment, but he can’t help it. Knowing that he completely blacked out for hours with the guy sends a shiver down Yoongi’s spine. Smoking has never affected him like that before. 

The car ride home is frigid and quiet. Yoongi leans forward against the steering wheel, grasping it with both hands and straining his eyes to see into the dark. Driving while high is a skill Yoongi has perfected over many years of smoking, but tonight he finds himself struggling to stay focused. His eyes keep flicking up to check the rearview mirror. He knows this means he’s so high that paranoia starts kicking in. He usually cuts himself off before that point, but tonight got away from him. Checking for cops in the rearview mirror is one of those paranoid habits of his. At least the sense of self-preservation isn’t too ridiculous. Driving while under the influence of marijuana is illegal, after all. 

To his horror, the next time he looks into the mirror, the empty street isn’t what greets him. Instead, Yoongi stares into two large, bright eyes. 

There’s a motherfucking person in his backseat. 

“What the fuck?!” 

Yoongi stomps on the brakes. The abruptness violently lurches the guy forward, making him smack his face into the back of the passenger’s seat. 

The guy groans loudly and cups his hand over his nose. “Owww.” When he meets Yoongi’s eyes through the rearview mirror again, they’re shiny and wet. “You hurt me.” 

“Who the fuck are you?!” 

It doesn’t matter that he’s stopped in the middle of the street. Yoongi puts the car into park and twists in his seat to see the person behind him better. Any feeling of intoxication has swiftly left his body. He doesn’t think he has sobered up so quickly in his entire life. 

The guy appears to be a few years younger than Yoongi. His shaggy black hair falls into his eyes, though most of his face is obscured by the large hood of his mossy-green sweatshirt. Looking down, Yoongi sees that he’s in a pair of black basketball shorts that are inappropriate for the cool autumn weather. Tattoos of strange symbols litter his hands and creep up his arms, from what Yoongi can tell. The thought that his teeth look sharp like Seokjin’s do flashes in Yoongi’s mind, but he’s too freaked out to linger on that. Imagined sharp teeth are nothing compared to how the younger man’s eyes glow with a turquoise ring around his black irises. 

Despite the fear those eyes strike in Yoongi’s body, he can’t help but admire how beautiful the man is. Something about him feels… otherworldly, Seokjin’s voice sounds in Yoongi’s head. 

“My name is-” 

Whatever the man says is lost to Yoongi. His supposed name is nothing Yoongi has ever heard before, sounding more like strange clicks and whistles instead of a real language. 

Apparently sensing Yoongi’s confusion by his mouth hanging open, the man gives him a nervous smile. “You may call me Jungkook if that is easier for you to pronounce,” he whispers hardly loud enough for Yoongi to hear. “When I am in this realm, that is the name I go by. Elder Seokjin gave it to me.” 

Realm? Elder? 

Yoongi shakes his head while his palms press into his eyes. Maybe if he slowly counts backward from ten and focuses on his breathing, the marijuana-induced hallucination will disappear. 

Silently, he mouths the numbers until he finishes his ten seconds of attempted meditation. To his chagrin, he opens his eyes to see the strange man sitting on the edge of the backseat with his hands clasped between his thighs. He watches Yoongi in earnest. 

“I can tell that you are upset.” He speaks slowly as if he thinks Yoongi may not be able to understand him. “There was nothing else that I could do, sir. Elder Jimin and Elder Seokjin closed the portal when they left after they assumed I had returned home without them. But I was in the garden! I do not like the smell of marijuana. It hurts my head so badly. I needed to get fresh air until you left.”

The man waits rather impatiently for Yoongi to respond. He fidgets in his seat, though he keeps his eyes locked with Yoongi’s. His gaze is so intense that Yoongi has to look away. 

It’s too much. 

Before any more bullshit can spew from the guy’s mouth, Yoongi flings the door open, snatching the keys before slamming the door shut behind him. His hand shakes as he presses the button to lock the doors, leaving him standing outside and the younger man inside. 

He looks up at Yoongi through the back window with confusion. Yoongi could swear that the turquoise rings around his eyes dim. 

Turning his back to the car so he doesn’t have to look at the man anymore, Yoongi finally takes out his phone. It takes Namjoon three calls to pick up, but Yoongi can’t be mad; he’s just grateful his friend picked up at all. 

“Yoong. It’s three-thirty in the morning. Hobi said you never came home.”

There was a reason why he called Namjoon instead of his roommate. Hoseok is such a heavy sleeper, Yoongi knows it would have been pointless to try. 

“I need you to come get me. I don’t really know where I am, but there’s a guy in my car.” 

Silence on the other end of the line makes Yoongi grow antsy. He lets out a loud huff, then another to indicate the sense of urgency he needs his friend to share with him. 

“What?” 

“I’m not kidding, man. There’s some random fucking dude in the backseat of my car.” 

Yoongi takes a peek over his shoulder. The guy has crawled halfway into the front seats and is pushing the buttons on Yoongi’s radio. Probably fucking up all his saved stations. Yoongi lets out a hiss. 

“Bro, you’re tweaking.” 

“Fuck you, I’m serious.” 

“Tweeeeeaking,” Namjoon drawls. There’s a giggle in the background, the soft deepness of the sound unmistakable. 

“Give Taehyung the phone.” 

For a few seconds, Yoongi only hears more giggling and some rustling. He tries to respect his friends’ privacy and not ask why they are still together so late at night. 

Eventually, Taehyung murmurs a greeting. “Hey, boss man.” 

“Come pick me up right now. This dude is refusing to get out of my car.” 

“What if he hotwires it, and when you go back in the morning, it’s gone?” Taehyung raises a valid concern, but Yoongi isn’t in the right mind to think with common sense. 

“Then it’s fucking gone! It’s a piece of shit car anyway!” 

Taehyung gasps. “Don’t talk about Mary Jane like that!” 

Yoongi pinches the bridge of his nose and squeezes his eyes shut. Maybe he is tweaking. The universe must agree since he turns around to see an empty car. 

“Yoongi?” Taehyung’s voice is small and distant. 

Yoongi holds his phone a few inches away from his ear and stares at his car in disbelief. He slowly approaches it, peering into the windows to inspect the backseat. There’s nothing. 

“Uhh… nevermind. I’ll be fine. Make sure Joon drinks some water, okay?” He hangs up before Taehyung has the chance to question him further. 

With trembling hands, Yoongi unlocks the car and slides behind the wheel. Another quick look around confirms that he’s again the only person in the car. How was it possible for the other guy to get out? Yoongi knows that he locked the doors when he got out. But perhaps he unlocked them from the inside, and the alarm didn’t go off? Yoongi can’t think straight, but he supposes it doesn’t matter. His car is empty. 

It remains empty for the rest of the drive. Yoongi is on edge the entire time, but he has calmed down considerably by the time he parks on the street near his apartment.

However, Yoongi doesn’t feel true security until he’s in bed, after showering away the smell of weed and the tingling feeling of his skin. The marijuana is put away, although he hides Cosmic Collision in his closet. He doesn’t know why, but something tells him to keep the odd strain to himself for now. 

With how droopy the weed made him and the stress of the ride home, Yoongi quickly falls asleep to his Pink Noise playlist and tries not to dream of turquoise-ringed eyes. 

Yoongi loves autumn Saturday mornings. He loves snuggling into his blankets while the sun gently kisses his skin. He loves tilting his head to see red and gold leaves glowing in the sunlight outside his window. He loves knowing there’s nothing that needs to be done, that he has a day to slowly move through the kitchen in his pajamas with a cup of coffee and a blunt with nowhere he needs to be. He loves gentle days. 

Today, he does not have the pleasure of enjoying a gentle day. 

Rather than the sun waking him, it’s his roommate. Hoseok squeezes Yoongi’s shoulders a bit too tightly as he shakes the older man awake. 

“Yoongi,” he whisper-yells. “Yoongi, you didn’t tell me you had someone over. He’s really fucking hot, I get it, but you have to tell me! I just walked out of my bedroom naked, which I should be able to do since it’s my apartment, and I knew you wouldn’t be up yet, and surprise! Some gorgeous man is sitting on the couch, eating my chocolate chip cookies, by the way, staring at my dick! Do you know how embarrassing that is?!” 

With squinted eyes and a scrunched nose, Yoongi stares up at Hoseok. To be perfectly honest, all he heard was hot, naked, cookies, dick. Which… Is not what one expects to talk about before their eyes have even adjusted to the daylight. 

“Wha-what, Hoba, what?” Yoongi forces himself into a sitting position. 

Hoseok flaps his arms at his side and lets out an exasperated sigh. “Your hookup is still here. And he saw me naked. And he’s eating my food. That is what I’m trying to tell you.” 

“My hookup?” 

“Yes, fuck. He’s really sexy in an adorable kind of way. I was shocked. Not really your usual type, but an improvement, honestly,” Hoseok rambles.  

Ignoring the subtle dig at his taste in men, Yoongi tries to focus on the meaning behind his roommate’s words. He is no stranger to casual sex but seldom brings people over out of respect for Hoseok. It’s a situation precisely like this that he tries to avoid. 

“But I came home straight from Jin’s… Didn’t I?” Yoongi wracks his brain, desperately searching for some kind of missing link. “I swear on my life, Hoba. I swear on my life I went to Seokjin’s and came straight home. You can ask Joon and Tae. I called them after I left because-” 

Hoseok leaps back as Yoongi rips the blankets off of his body. “Fuck!” He flies out of his bedroom, feet barely touching the ground. 

He’s breathing hard when he bursts into the living room. 

The man from the night before - Jungkook - is cuddled up on the couch. He’s wearing the same outfit, though his hood is lowered now. Yoongi can see just how disarmingly beautiful the man is without the fabric obstructing his view. His face is round with flawless skin that practically glows in the daylight. His bangs are sticking out in all directions, hair mused in what Yoongi assumes is bedhead. Yoongi can’t help but find him kind of adorable, especially when his cheeks are puffy from stuffing so many chocolate chip cookies in his mouth. 

Except he shouldn’t be fucking real! Or in his apartment!

As Yoongi steps closer, he notices the turquoise rings around Jungkook’s irises. Fear that Yoongi can only describe as primal tickles the base of his spine. It’s impossible to stamp down, no matter how many deep breaths he takes. 

“You.” He points an accusatory finger. “You.” 

Not his most intelligent moment, but his brain doesn’t know how to function anymore. A cookie-covered smile makes Yoongi falter, but he does his best to maintain a stern expression. 

“Good morning, Yoongi! Your apartment is kind of dirty, but it feels cozy. I like it.” Jungkook places the now empty container of cookies on the coffee table. The action draws Yoongi’s attention to the stack of other empty food containers, beer bottles, weed residue, and game controllers littering the table’s surface. Maybe he is dirty. 

Nah, fuck that. This is not what’s important right now. 

Yoongi shakes his head, his shaggy blonde hair falling into his eyes. “Why are you here? How did you get here?” 

Hoseok makes an odd sound that Yoongi desperately tries to ignore. But then he feels the press of a warm hand against the nape of his neck, and he can’t brush him off from how tightly Hoseok is digging into his skin. 

“Yoongi…” He sounds like he’s about to scold him. 

Before he can start, Jungkook hops up from the couch. Both strangely-tattooed hands lift upward, about chest-high, and he twists them to hold his palms out. 

“It is my fault, Mr. Hoseok.” 

“Just Hobi.” 

Jungkook nods. “I did not explain the situation well. Elder Jimin and Elder Seokjin told me never to speak to humans about this, but I don’t know what else to do. No one else from our team is here, and they must wait until the next cosmic collision for the portal to reopen.” 

His voice trembles as he speaks, and Yoongi worries the guy is about to start crying. He tugs at the many hoops adorning his earlobe and rocks on the balls of his feet, much like children do to comfort themselves. 

Maybe he’s a dick, but Yoongi would prefer not to deal with a stranger crying in the middle of his living room. 

“Cosmic collision? Like the weed?” He understands all the individual words Jungkook uses, but none of them in how he has strung them together. 

The man bites his lip. His teeth wiggle as they dig into the pink flesh. At night they had appeared sharp, but in the daylight, they are blunt and almost too big for his face. 

“Not the weed,” he says without further explanation. 

Hoseok’s grip on Yoongi’s neck tightens until he turns to look at him. Human? He mouths not so subtly. 

Yoongi shakes his head. Nothing about any of this makes sense. With a sigh, he runs his hands down his face and grimaces at how oily his skin feels. 

“Look,” he starts, furrowing his eyebrows in Jungkook’s direction. “I’m gonna take a shower. And then I’m gonna drink a cup of coffee. By that point, I expect you to have called Jin or Jimin, fuck, I don’t care who, to take you home. Okay?” 

Jungkook opens his mouth, likely to protest, but Yoongi tuts his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Nope. I said what I said.” 

“Yoongi-ya,” Hoseok protests on behalf of the bewildered man. He follows Yoongi back into his bedroom, awkwardly wringing his hands as he watches him look for clean clothes to wear. “He seems genuine…” 

“Genuine?” Yoongi scoffs. 

Hoseok shoots him a glare. “Yes.” 

“Did you not hear him, Hoba? Humans? Cosmic collisions? Portals? Last night he said he goes by ‘Jungkook’ when he’s in this realm and made some weird ass clicking sounds like The Predator, like that was supposed to be his fucking name.” 

“Okay… that is a bit strange… But I think you’re being harsh. Clearly, the guy is confused, and if he’s a friend of Jin, I think you should be nicer to him.” 

“Jin gives me the creeps, too.” 

“Yoongi!” Hoseok untangles his fingers to wave them around. “Just, just take your shower. I will get all of us coffee, and we will sort this out.” 

They do not sort this out. 

While Yoongi showered, Hoseok probed Jungkook a bit further. It was all more or less the same, though. Utter nonsense. 

He discovered that Jungkook didn’t know what coffee was, didn’t seem to understand why Hoseok had initially been upset that he’d seen him naked because “nudity is the natural state of all humans,” and seemed shocked that Hoseok could “alter” his features - pointing at the deep orange he had recently dyed his hair. As if to explain his thought process about the hair observation, Hoseok watched with thinly-veiled horror as Jungkook’s hair turned a deep purple right before his eyes. 

Needless to say, as Yoongi inches his way into the kitchen after a shower that should have been refreshing but only left him feeling cold, he does not expect to see Hoseok leaning across the kitchen table to stare unblinking at their odd guest. Their odd guest whose previously-dark hair is an icy blue. 

“Umm?” 

Hoseok lifts his eyes to Yoongi. They’re bright and full of wonder, so shiny Yoongi worries he might be on the verge of tears. Out of sadness or something else, he’s not sure. 

“He’s magic.” 

Jungkook giggles at Hoseok’s declaration. However, one look at Yoongi’s narrowed eyes makes him clap his hand over his mouth. 

“Excuse me?” 

“He can change his hair color. And his eyes! See, look. Show him, Jungkookie.” 

Jungkookie? In the time it took Yoongi to shower, they’d gotten on nickname-level? 

Pouring himself a cup of coffee, Yoongi forgets about his previous threat to kick Jungkook out. Instead, he sits at the table, lets the mug warm his hands, and tries to tell himself that the wave of heat burning down his body is from the coffee and not the intensity of Jungkook’s stare. 

A stare that glows brighter the longer Yoongi looks at him until he watches the turquoise rings turn a deep pink. When Yoongi finally pulls his gaze from his eyes, he sees that Jungkook’s hair compliments his new eyes. 

“What in the actual fuck?” 

“I can change other parts of my body, too!” Jungkook beams. He shakes his head, and his hair returns to its original black. His eyes’ turquoise rings replace the pink. “It takes a lot of energy to change big things, like my facial structure. Hair and eyes are the easiest. I made myself taller when I first got to Earth, though. I like being tall.” 

Yoongi slumps in his seat. If Hoseok wasn’t here witnessing this, he would assume that the weed Seokjin gave him was fucking with him harder than he could have imagined. But Hoseok is entirely sober and untainted by Cosmic Collision. 

That means only one thing. 

This shit is real. Whatever the fuck this is.

“Where were you before you came to Earth?” Hoseok is too willing to go along with this. But, on the other hand, Yoongi feels like everyone is playing a game he doesn’t know the rules to. 

Jungkook’s nervous lip-biting returns, but he seems to push through his feelings. “Our planet is called Zephipra.” He shoots a quick look at Yoongi. “It is further into the universe than you humans have visited. Your scientists do not know about us.” 

“So you’re an alien?” It comes out like a challenge without Yoongi meaning for it to. He feels a tiny bit bad when Jungkook deflates, closing in on himself as he draws his shoulders inward. 

“We don’t like that term.” 

Hoseok reaches an arm across the table. He flips his palm upward as though offering it to Jungkook to hold. 

“What is a better term for you?” he asks softly, and Yoongi envies his roommate’s ability to be unconditionally kind. 

It takes a few minutes of silence before Jungkook hesitantly squeezes Hoseok’s hand. 

“I suppose extraterrestrial, but my people are called Zephi. That is also the language we speak.”

The gulp of coffee Yoongi takes is scalding. He should have waited for it to cool, knows this means his tastebuds and throat are burnt to shit and nothing will taste good for days. But he needs something to do as Jungkook rambles on about the history of aliens like this is all real.  

Hoseok hums along, asking a few follow-up questions when something Jungkook says confuses him. Yoongi finds it all confusing, but he doesn’t say anything. 

“So,” Hoseok claps his hands together and startles Yoongi out of his thoughts. “You said you’re stuck here until some kind of space phenomenon happens?” 

Jungkook nods. 

“And there’s absolutely no other way to get home?” 

Another nod.

“Hmm…” 

Yoongi accidentally catches Jungkook’s eyes once again. He knows his cheeks burn, but he doesn’t understand why. The heat only dissipates once Jungkook averts his gaze. 

“How long does it take, usually?” 

Jungkook draws the coffee Hoseok fixed for him closer. He peers down at the dark liquid and gives the light steam radiating off the surface a few sniffs. Yoongi doesn’t want to find how he scrunches his nose adorable, but he can’t stop the thoughts once they start. 

“Hmm, usually a few weeks.” He looks at Yoongi again, and Yoongi really wishes he’d stop doing that. “Sometimes a month or two, right?” 

Yoongi’s eyebrows shoot up into his bangs. “How would I know?” 

“Well, how often do you purchase marijuana from Elder Seokjin?” When Yoongi doesn’t respond, Jungkook sighs. It’s the first time he looks genuinely upset. “I have never been here alone.” 

By the time what Jungkook has said clicks in Yoongi’s head, he and Hoseok have migrated back to the living room. Yoongi scrambles after them as he pulls up Discord on his phone. No new messages from WWHandsome#7451. 

Scrolling through their history, he finds that there is a pattern to how often Yoongi buys from him. Once he sorts through stoner memes and news articles about the legalization of marijuana at the federal level, he can see that each conversation about picking up a new order occurs around every four to five weeks. Yoongi rarely initiates the conversation; he doesn’t have to. Seokjin will let him know he has a new supply, and Yoongi suddenly realizes that, yeah, he’s almost out. He mentally joked with himself about how astute Seokjin is, that he must have some sort of supernatural sense to know when Yoongi is running low. 

Now Yoongi wonders if there’s more to it than that.  

“Are you not supposed to be here on your own?” Hoseok drapes a blanket around Jungkook’s shoulders and tucks him into the corner of the couch where the cushions are the comfiest. With Jungkook taken care of, he flops onto the couch beside him, leaving Yoongi room on the opposite end. 

Although Yoongi considers himself to be a pretty reliable guy, Hoseok’s ability to take control of an emotionally-charged situation is Yoongi’s saving grace. Unfortunately, he’s not the best when it comes to emotional shit.  

Jungkook tugs at his earrings once again. His other hand curls into a fist he repeatedly hits on the top of his thigh. It’s not hard or aggressive, but it’s distracting. 

“No. I am an… intern? I believe that is the correct term. Only researchers are allowed on Earth alone. Interns must stay with their research mentor. Mine is Elder Seokjin.”

Hoseok lets out an understanding hum. He peeks at Yoongi out of the corner of his eye, but Yoongi doesn’t think he gives Hoseok much to go off of. Yoongi still has no idea what to think about all this; his brain won’t let him. 

The three men are silent for what feels like forever. The air is full of tension, although Yoongi wonders if he’s the only one who notices it. Jungkook simply looks worried, his fist still thumping against his thigh and his fingers playing with his earrings. Hosoek is almost completely relaxed. Yoongi knows his roommate well enough to tell from how his shoulders sag, and that he’s reaching for the pre-rolls and lighter resting on the coffee table. 

“Is this the 93 Boyz?” 

Yoongi shakes his head, amazed that his friend can casually light up a joint as if this is just a normal day. “Chem Valley Kush.” 

“Nice,” Hoseok speaks out of the corner of his mouth before inhaling as he brings the lighter to the tip of the joint. 

Jungkook makes a small noise, perhaps a cough, when Hoseok exhales. His cute little nose wrinkles up, and Yoongi remembers that he doesn’t like the smell of weed. 

“Want some, kiddo?” Hoseok hands the joint to Jungkook, who hesitantly pinches it between his fingers like a snake ready to lunge at him. 

With furrowed eyebrows, he brings the joint to his lips and sucks in the smoke. Yoongi averts his eyes when Jungkook looks up at him through his lashes, cheeks pink and hollowed. There’s something about the guy that makes Yoongi’s skin crawl. 

Despite his dislike of the smell of weed, Jungkook takes a few hits of the joint like a champ, only coughing once, and even then, the sound was dainty and soft. 

Yoongi accepts the joint from Hoseok when Jungkook passes it over. He tries not to think about how Jungkook’s lips had just wrapped around the end of the joint, the same place Yoongi is about to put his lips. He keeps the hit quick and deep, passing it on to Hoseok before he’s barely inhaled fresh air to push the smoke further into his lungs. 

Only after Hoseok starts the second round of the rotation does he say, “Well, you’ll just have to stay here until the collision or whatever happens.” 

Yoongi’s heart drops into the pit of his stomach while a blinding smile blooms across Jungkook’s face. “Whoa, wait a second. Why can’t he go back to their house?” 

“We can’t leave him alone!” Hoseok chastizes him as though this is the most obvious solution to their dilemma. 

“Hoba, where is he going to sleep?” 

“Your room.” 

Yoongi scoffs. If it’s Hoseok’s bright idea, it should be him giving up his bedroom. “Then where am I sleeping?” 

“The couch.” Hoseok shrugs and passes the joint to a still-hesitant Jungkook. “Or with him, if you’re gonna be a little bitch about the couch. Do you care, Jungkookie?” 

Jungkook inhales too deeply and sputters a rough “No, of course not” in between coughs that sound painful. 

There’s no way in fuck Yoongi’s going to sleep in the same bed as an alien. “Do ali- I mean, Zephi, even need to sleep?” 

Smoke rushes out of Jungkook’s nostrils. The rigid set of his jaw makes him look older and more angular. The masculine aggression of it makes Yoongi’s stomach twist - which he ignores. 

“Yes,” Jungkook hisses. “We are not freaks.”

“No one said you were, kiddo.” Hoseok lightly flicks Jungkook under the chin before shoving the joint in Yoongi’s face with a grimace. “You, behave.” 

With that, Hoseok rises from the couch. He places his hands on his hips and looks between the two men. Yoongi hates when he gets like this, calculating. Usually, whatever that over-imaginative brain cooks up is never good for Yoongi. 

“Is there anything at your house you need while you stay with us?” Hoseok asks with his head tilted to the side as he examines Jungkook. 

The alien - Zephi - chews on his bottom lip. His cheeks are still pink, as are his eyes. Except this time, it’s from being high rather than being some supernatural oddity. 

“They took all my things when they returned home,” Jungkook admits after a long pause. He stares at his hands in his lap, lacing and unlacing his fingers to the point that Yoongi wants to grab his wrists and force them to his sides. “I don’t require much, though. I do not want to be a bother.” 

At that, he steals a shy glance at Yoongi. Yoongi feels heat spread over his cheeks, so he opts to look at Hoseok instead. Which is a mistake because his roommate is glowering at him. 

“Jungkookie, no matter how much of a dick Yoongi is, I promise you are not a bother,” he speaks to Jungkook but keeps his eyes on Yoongi. 

“I’mnotadick,” Yoongi grumbles. He folds his arms against his chest and stares at his reflection in the TV. It’s not a clear reflection, but it’s enough to tell that his hair is, rather unfortunately, sticking straight up on his head. 

“Anyway, I’ll let you borrow some of my clothes. I tend to wear them baggy, so they should fit you fine. I have to go to work soon - I’m a hairstylist. Fucked up, working on the weekends, right? Ahh, but anyway, you can stay with Yoongi.” 

Jungkook merely nods with bright, round eyes gazing up at Hoseok as though the man is divulging his most remarkable secrets. 

“And if he’s mean to you, you can, I don’t know, shoot him with lasers out of your eyes or whatever scary things you’re capable of.”

“Oh, I would never do that,” Jungkook quickly disagrees, turning those beautiful eyes to Yoongi. 

“You can do that?” 

“Yes, but I promise I wouldn’t do that to you. I promise.”

Yoongi throws his head back against the couch and groans. His body starts to slip down the cushions, but he does nothing to stop himself from falling onto the floor. 

“You cannot leave me with him, Hoba.” 

“Oh, hush.” Hoseok swats the back of Yoongi’s head as he makes his way to his bedroom to get ready. “You’ll be besties in no time.” 

all rights reserved © gimmethatagustd on tumblr & AO3

do not copy, repost, modify, or translate any of my work

#yoongi x jungkook #jungkook x yoongi #yoonkook au #min yoongi #bts fanfic #yoongi fanfic #yoongi smut #yoongi fluff #bts fluff #bts smut #jungkook fanfic #jungkook smut #jungkook fluff #cosmic collision #jai writes #gimmethatagustd

[wrestler-smash-or-pass]

Weekly Wrapup 12/24/23 (late!)

Top five smashable wrestlers this week:

Jon Moxley - 84.8% smash

Eddie Guerrero - 77.0% smash

Sonya Deville - 70.1% smash

Seiya Sanada - 69.7% smash

Ricky Starks - 66.8% smash

More stats under the cut, along with my observations, commentary, and some of my favorite tags...

Bottom five smashable wrestlers this week:

Ink Inc. - 25.0% smash

Shanky Singh - 25.8% smash

Sting - 40.7% smash

Scott Hall (NWO Reboot) - 48.2% smash

Dexter Lumis - 56.7% smash

Most total votes this week (most enthusiasm)

Jon Moxley - 349 votes

CM Punk (RoH) - 300 votes

El Phantasmo - 280 votes

Sting - 273 votes

Jay White - 266 votes

And least total votes this week (least enthusiasm)

Shanky Singh - 155 votes

Ink Inc. - 164 votes

Sonya Deville - 187 votes

Scott Hall (NWO Reboot) - 193 votes

Seiya Sanada - 198 votes

The closest match was Scott Hall (NWO Reboot), who lost 93-100.

Top Five Overall

Kris Statlander - 91% smash

Hangman Adam Page - 86.4% smash

Hikuleo - 86.0% smash

Jon Moxley - 84.8% smash

Rhea Ripley - 84.2% smash

Bottom Five Overall

Vince McMahon - 3.9% smash

Kane (Corporate variant) - 10.1% smash

Triple H (Terra Ryzing variant) - 18.6% smash

The Boogeyman - 22.6% smash

Brock Lesnar - 23.2% smash

Top Women Overall

Kris Statlander - 91% smash

Rhea Ripley - 84.2% smash

Julia Hart (Spooky Variant) - 81.9% smash

Chyna - 78.2% smash

Penelope Ford - 72.9% smash

Top Men Overall

Hangman Adam Page - 86.4% smash

Hikuleo - 86.0% smash

Jon Moxley - 84.8% smash

Eddie Kingston - 82.8% smash

Kenny Omega - 82.1% smash

Top Tag Teams

The Golden Lovers - 80.4% smash

Best Friends - 66.7% smash

Motor City Machine Guns - 65.5% smash

Young Bucks - 43.8% smash

Ink Inc. - 25% smash

Average Smash Rating

Week 1: 52.7% Week 2: 57.7% Week 3: 54.4% Week 4: 62.9% Week 5: 58.4%

No write up or favorite tags this week because I am exhausted and I still need to set up a ton of polls because the queue is down to zero (plenty in my inbox aka the pre-queue!) and I'm headed out of town for a few days. Next week might be posted Sunday pending New Years Eve plans, but it will be back to normal otherwise even if it's posted on Monday.

Merry Christmas if you celebrate!

P.S. I'm going to Dynamite/Rampage tomorrow. It's my first wrestling show and I am extremely excited.

#weekly wrap up

[bizarrequazar]

GJ and ZZH Updates — September 10-16

previous week || all posts || following week

This is part of a weekly series collecting updates from and relating to Gong Jun and Zhang Zhehan.

This post is not wholly comprehensive and is intended as an overview, links provided lead to further details. Dates are in accordance with China Standard Time, the organization is chronological. My own biases on some things are reflected here. Anything I include that is not concretely known is indicated as such, and you’re welcome to do your own research and draw your own conclusions as you see fit. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or additions. :)

[Glossary of names and terms] [Masterlist of my posts about the situation with Zhang Zhehan]

09-10 → Gong Jun Outdoor Office posted a photo of him from the Jay Chou concert he had attended on 09-07.

→ 361° posted two photo ads featuring Gong Jun.

→ Tissot posted a promotional video spoken by Gong Jun. (1129 kadian) Caption includes: "Because of love, we keep moving forward and race against time. Those who cherish time will also be loved by time."

→ The Instagram posted seven photos of "Zhang Zhehan" at a river.

→ Zhenguoli posted a promotional video with a voiceover by Gong Jun.

09-11 → Tissot posted four photo ads featuring Gong Jun. (1129 kadian)

→ The Instagram posted ten photos of "Zhang Zhehan" and scenery.

→ Gong Jun Outdoor Office posted a photo of him at the airport. Caption: "Let's go!"

09-12 → Gong Jun arrived at the JFK airport in New York, where he was welcome by quite a large group of fans. Fan Observations: - He turned around for several seconds to look at a pair of wenzhou cosplayers. [video] [stills] He reportedly turned to look at them again as his car was driving away. 🥺 - Throughout the week fans bought a number of screens in Times Square to display videos of Gong Jun, many also including Zhang Zhehan. Videos: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] There were some incidents of solo fans trying to report down CPF-made videos; as far as I've seen none succeeded in anything more than coming across as bitter.

→ The Instagram posted eight photos of "Zhang Zhehan" and scenery.

→ Gong Jun's studio posted a photo ad of him for the Asian Games and 361°. Caption: "The grand event is approaching, let us preface the past events and focus on the future. Let’s walk through the Asian Games time with @ Gong Jun Simon , retrieve the love in our memories, and light up the flames of the Hangzhou Asian Games. Cheer for the Hangzhou Asian Games!"

09-13 → Chriselle Lim, an American influencer, posted several videos to her Instagram story that included Gong Jun, referring to him . The two reportedly were filming something together for Net-A-Porter.

→ Tissot posted a photo ad featuring Gong Jun. (1129 kadian)

→ The Instagram posted ten photos of "Zhang Zhehan".

09-14 → Tissot posted a photo ad featuring Gong Jun. (1129 kadian)

→ One of the scam gang's body doubles was filmed at airports flying to Kuala Lumpur. MYFM posted several photos from this.

→ #ZhangZhehanKLConcert trended on Twitter and would continue to do so periodically throughout the week.

09-15 → Tissot posted a photo ad featuring Gong Jun. (1129 kadian) They later posted a promotional video spoken by him.

→ The Instagram posted eight photos of "Zhang Zhehan".

→ Zhang Sanjian held a livestream on TikTok, which included him acting quite rude on multiple fronts. [clip of an example] The platform allows for "livestreams" to be prerecorded, though this doesn't seem to have been the case here; as has been mentioned numerous times by now, deepfakeing (both faces and voices) can be done in real time. (Photos of ZSJ at the bottom of this post, those with sensitive stomachs avert thine eyes.)

09-16 → Zhenguoli posted a photo ad featuring Gong Jun.

→ Net-A-Porter posted two photos of Gong Jun in New York.

→ Zhang Sanjian held another livestream, this one on Instagram. Same comments apply as with the TikTok one, except this time he somehow looked even less like Zhang Zhehan than usual (different body double maybe.)

I usually avoid including Zhang Sanjian pictures in these posts, but just to make a point, here are various people the scam has tried to pass off as Zhang Zhehan; far left is from the Instagram livestream. Addition 09-29: Clip from the livestream where you can clearly hear a voice change as the deepfake glitches.

→ The Instagram posted six photos of "Zhang Zhehan" at a stage rehearsal.

→ #ZhangZhehan trended on Twitter.

Additional Reading: → A reminder of the upcoming Mid-Autumn fandom event on 09-29! The deadline for participation in the vlog part is 09-20.

previous week || all posts || following week

This post was last edited 2023-09-29.

#Zhang Zhehan #Gong Jun #Word of Honor #woh cast #lld timeline

[twwpress]

Weekly Press Briefing #71: October 29th to November 4th

Welcome back to the Weekly Press Briefing, where we bring you highlights from The West Wing fandom each week, including new fics, ongoing challenges, and more! This briefing covers all things posted from October 29 - November 4, 2023! Did we miss something? Let us know; you can find our contact info at the bottom of this briefing! 

Challenges/Prompts:

There are no open challenges/prompts that we know of this week. Do you have a challenge or event you’d like us to promote or know of one we’re missing? Be sure to get in touch with us! Contact info is at the bottom of this briefing.

This Week in Canon:

Welcome back to This Week in Canon, where we revisit moments in The West Wing that occurred on these dates during the show’s run.

Season 1, Episode 6: Mr. Willis of Ohio aired on November 3, 1999.

Season 2, Episode 5: And It’s Surely to Their Credit aired on November 1, 2000.

Season 3, Episode 4: On the Day Before aired on October 31, 2001.

Season 4, Episode 6: Game On aired on October 30, 2002.

Season 5, Episode 5: Constituency of One aired on October 29, 2003.

Season 6, Episode 3: Third-Day Story aired on November 3, 2004.

Season 7, Episode 6: The Al Smith Dinner aired on October 30, 2005.

Photos/Videos:

Here’s what was posted from October 29 - November 4:

Allison Janney posted a photo and touching message in memory of Matthew Perry. Amy Landecker posted in memory of Ady Barkan, sharing a photo of herself and Bradely Whitford with Ady and a thoughtful message. 

Bradley Whitord posted a video of himself and Matthew Perry, along with a moving tribute to his late friend. 

Dule Hill posted a video collage of his stay at St. Regis Mexico City with his wife Jazmyn (their first trip in 4 years!).

Josh Malina posted an infographic about a 17-year-old taken hostage by Hamas.

Kim Webster posted a photo of herself and a friend in Halloween costumes. 

Kim Webster posted photos of herself in costume as Jessica Rabbit. 

Marlee Matlin posted a birthday message for Henry Winkler and a photo of herself holding his book. 

Marlee Matlin posted a photo and message in memory of her brother-in-law Dr. Jay Goldstein, who passed away this week. 

Marlee Matlin posted a photo of herself and her “girls” at the National Association of the Deaf Breakthrough Awards. 

Melissa Fitzgerald posted a graphic promoting Dule Hill playing for All Rise on Celebrity Jeopardy on November 2nd. 

Rob Lowe posted a throwback photo of himself as a little kid. 

Donna Moss Daily: October 29 | October 30 | October 31 | November 1 | November 2 | November 3 | November 4

Daily Josh Lyman: October 29 | October 30 | October 31 | November 1 | November 2 | November 3 | November 4

No Context BWhit: October 29 | October 30 | October 31 | November 1 | November 3 | November 4

@twwarchive: October 30 | October 31 

Edits/Artwork:

#thewestwing : wE cHaNgED TiMe zOnEs by @abigailbrtlet [VIDEO EDIT]

Editors’ Choice: 

Sometimes you just need a change. This week, we’re recommending some of our favorite alternate universe fics! There are so many great ones that we had trouble narrowing it down, so be sure to share some you love as well!

darling, so it goes (some things are meant to be) by mikaylawrites | Rated M | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | “Hey,” Josh says as he approaches his friend, gesturing in the general direction of the stage. “Who is this?” Sam rolls his eyes. “I’m doing well, thank you for asking.” When Josh doesn’t respond, Sam gives him what he wants by responding, “It’s Donna.” “Donna?” “Donna Moss.” The name sounds vaguely familiar, but Josh can’t put his finger on why. “You know, Donna? She and I were on Andy Wyatt’s tour together last fall? She’s the one who said she didn’t believe I could go shot for shot with her at a dive bar after our St. Louis show and ended up having to drag me back to the hotel and put me into bed afterward.” The story of rising country singers Josh Lyman and Donna Moss everybody talks (it started with a whisper) by JessBakesCakes | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress | Being the White House Press Secretary, Josh realizes, is one of the toughest jobs in the administration to begin with. But with her co-workers' propensity for going viral, CJ certainly deserves a raise. (The West Wing, set 20 years later.) Wear the Crown by sam_writes_fics | Rated M | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress | but some knights are meant to wear the crown. and proving worthy of its power is a noble quest indeed. // royalty/fantasy au yeah, me too by smallandblueandloud | Rated G | C. J. Cregg/Andrea Wyatt/Toby Ziegler | Complete | “Josh, what is it?” He’s got his gaze firmly three inches to the left of her face. “Have you been getting the feeling that something’s going on? Something they’re not telling us?” (or, Toby knows something. CJ and Josh don't. They'll be #19 and 20, eventually.) rewrite an ending or two by jazzjo | Rated G | C.J. Cregg/Andrea Wyatt | Complete|  It didn’t do her well to dwell on the reasons why her mornings were the most peaceful part of her day.  It did her even less good to press on the bruise that was her discomfort at leaving after closing.  or, on a clear day you can see forever, and it's the first clear day in years. i think i missed the gun at the starting line by ansatz for heliotropic | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | "I really wanna win this thing." // After qualifying for the Olympics in 2016, but being unable to compete due to an injury, Donna Moss is back, ready to run, and completely focused on earning a medal for Team Canada. Enter Josh Lyman, reigning Olympic champion with a heart of—you guessed it—gold. Two countries, two sports: one chance to fall in love? Flour Dusted Smiles by JediAnnieScrambler | Rated T | C. J. Cregg/Toby Ziegler | Complete | “Did Sam let you in?” Toby asked, crossing the kitchen. CJ jumped between him and the oven, holding her arms out like a shield, “You can’t look in the oven.” “It’s my oven!” “You weren’t supposed to be here until later!” Butterfly is the Worst Stroke by myrmeraki for dogsbreath | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Sam Seaborn | Complete | A snapshot of swimmer Sam and his increasingly tired boyfriend. Yeah I headcanon butterfly to be Sam's favorite stroke, yeah it's also *the* worst stroke, this does not conflict.

We will be reblogging this post to add this week's fics shortly!

#josh x donna #the west wing #josh x sam #samjosh #cj x toby #josh lyman #donna moss #toby ziegler #andy wyatt #cj cregg #sam seaborn

[thesugarclubs-blog]

Say You Do - Bucky Barnes x OC

warnings: tfatws-bucky, friends with hidden feelings, tension, pure fluff

word count: 8k

WP: https://www.wattpad.com/1338893019-say-you-do-jayden

Masterlist

Jayden twirled around her freshly-made cookie smelling kitchen, humming the theme song to Jurassic Park to herself as she pulled the hot baking sheet from the oven. Her blonde waves flowed freely over the shoulders of her oversized stolen grey hoodie. It was her favourite day of the week, finally. Well, sort of. Her neighbour and forced best friend had cancelled their weekly movie night the week prior and had promised to make it up to her. 

Having a superhero as a friend came with its perks and its downfalls. One was the cancellation of plans when the world needed saving. She didn’t mind and wouldn’t have it any other way, but the disappointment still crept in each time. 

She placed the still warm cookies on a white ceramic plate and slid it onto the counter next to the mountain of other snacks that she had ready, a soft smile gracing her pink lips. 

Just as she was checking that everything was ready and to Bucky's liking, hoping with everything in her that he'd be able to make it this time because she missed him, the ding of the elevator outside her door was loud enough to alert her. 

She sprung into action, hurriedly opening the door and catching the super soldier with a baby pink sticker in his hand raised and ready to place it on her door.

Jayden let her gaze wander down to his hand and the sticker that he was still holding.

"A pink hibiscus flower?" she asked with a little smile on her lips.

"Yes. It reminded me of you, so I convinced Sam that we need to go back to that shop before flying back home. He wasn’t very happy, mumbling mean things the entire time. But he’ll get over it. He always does." Bucky's eyes were fixed on the hibiscus sticker as well, a slight blush on his cheeks.

"Why did it remind you of me?" Jayden now raised her gaze and when Bucky tilted his head upwards as well, their eyes met. Something sparkled in his ocean blue ones, but she couldn't tell what it was.

"The hibiscus is a symbol of positivity, joy and cheer. Thought that was fitting." Bucky answered, his lips curling up in a shy but visible smile.

“You’ve obviously forgotten what I’m like before coffee,” she teased.

“I tried to block it out,” he rolled his eyes jokingly, both of them chuckling.

“You’re still gonna come over later, right?” Jay asked, seeing how exhausted he seemed, preparing herself for his refusal as he sighed deeply.

“I…” Bucky just couldn’t let her down, no matter how tired he was, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”  She smiled softly when he suddenly reached out and stuck the pink flower sticker on the tip of her nose.

"Hey, that's not where it belongs" Jay scrunched up her nose looking at the very amused Bucky in front of her. His normally stoic and no-nonsense kind of expression that seemed to be permanently etched on his face softened and a smile formed on his lips. A smile that was only reserved for a few select people and she was happy that she was one of them. Because when he smiled warmth bloomed in her heart. That smile was her own personal sunshine.

With a shrug of his shoulders, the super soldier backed a couple of steps down the hall, smirking and sparkling his ocean blue eyes at her, "You’re rarely awake when I get home, and this way it keeps its sticky-ness for when you put it in your photo album that you keep under your coffee table." 

Jayden narrowed her eyes, "Hey stop snooping around my apartment!" 

"It's not my fault you take forever in the shower, I had to amuse myself somehow while I waited for you to be ready," he quipped, resulting in the tea towel in her hand being flung at him, pulling a genuine laugh from his chest, "nice sweater by the way." 

Her tongue swiped her bottom lip as she crossed her arms over her chest with a smirk, "Thanks, I stole it from this old man that lives in the building."

Bucky tsked, opening his apartment door, "Stealing from old men... I should have you arrested."

“Would you visit me in prison?” Jayden asked, batting her eyelashes, “smuggle me in some contraband?” 

Bucky tilted his head as he thought about it, leaning in his doorway with his arms folded across his chest. The leather of his jacket pulled tight across his biceps and Jay’s gaze lingered there until Bucky clicked his tongue. 

“If you were good,” he replied with a tired but cheeky grin. He pushed off into his apartment with a wave of his hand, “I’ll be right there, don’t start without me.” 

Jayden threw him a salute, matching Bucky’s grin as he disappeared behind his closing apartment door. 

“Remember, comfy clothes or no admittance!” 

“Yeah, yeah,” she heard, followed by Bucky’s soft chuckle echoing across the hall.

"Oh and Bucky?" she now yelled in the empty hallway. His door was almost closed, but she heard it open again and his head appeared behind the door frame. She needed to chuckle, he looked like an alerted meerkat.

"Yes, my favorite sweater-stealing neighbor?" he asked before winking at her. There they were again: the butterflies in her stomach.

"I've made your favorite cookies. You know, the chocolate chip ones from my Grandma’s recipe. So make sure your sweatpants are flexible enough." she smiled at him while swirling the tea towel around so that it was resting on her left shoulder.

Bucky's eyes widened slightly and Jay saw his tongue licking over his bottom lip. This swift movement made the butterflies in her stomach flutter and she had problems ignoring the heat in her lower belly. 

"Give me 20 seconds to change. Don't eat them without me!" he responded, before disappearing into his apartment. Jay could hear loud noises from it as if he was running through the main room and bumping into some furniture.

She looked cross-eyed at the sticker that still sat on the end of her nose and huffed out a chuckle and removed it, tapping it between her finger and thumb as she went back inside and retrieved her album from under the coffee table.  She flicked through the pages, photographs of her family, her friends, and Bucky…all interspersed with stickers of all shapes and sizes, each one representing a promise kept.

Finding one of her favourite pictures of Bucky, where he scowled like the grumpiest little shit she’d ever seen, she smiled to herself before sticking the pink flower over the top of the image so it looked like he was wearing it as a hair clip.  Satisfied with her devilry, Jay headed back into the kitchen to check over the snacks one last time.

Hearing heavy footsteps in her hall, she looked up to find Bucky in a pair of gray sweatpants and a black t-shirt, his silver dog tags imprinting on the fabric from the inside. His feet were clad in a pair of green dinosaur socks that Jay had given him last Christmas which he swore to burn after Sam and her had spent 10 full minutes cackling at the expression he made when he opened his present. The man that looked so tough and hard on the outside was wearing dinosaur socks.

Jayden pursed her lips suppressing a smile, "Look at youuu in your cute little dino socks, adorable." 

She couldn't help but chuckle at how Bucky's eyes narrowed as he looked down at her bunny slipper clad feet and lifted his gaze back up with a raised brow. 

"Really Harper? Have you seen your feet?" 

"You got a problem with my bunnies, Barnes?" she challenged with a smirk. 

He raised his hands in mock defense, shaking his head with a laugh. "Me? I could never, you look adorable in them." Jayden proudly smiled and shimmied her shoulders with a giggle, "I know." 

Their friendship had stemmed from small neighbourly quips at each other in the hallway into actively bullying each other. It was one of those things that she wouldn't have accepted from anyone else besides him because they each knew that it came from a place of friendship. Sam had said a few times how they fight like an old married couple, and Peter once asked Sam if they were flirting or fighting. But that was just how their friendship was. 

Sure, on occasion Jayden had imagined what his lips felt like, or what it would be like to walk down the street holding his hand. To keep up those late night chats they had, laying next to each other in her bed. The pesky butterflies crept into her chest once more, igniting a soft smile to dance at the corners of her lips. 

"Earth to Jay, hello..." Bucky's voice pulled her out of her head and she turned her hazel eyes to meet him. "You okay?" 

"What? Yeah of course!" She chuckled nervously, shaking her head, "Can you grab the snacks from the counter? I'll get the movie set up since you can't work my TV."

“Sure thing,” Bucky smiled, “and I tried okay? Not my fault you bought the most complicated TV to exist.” 

“You literally press two buttons to get Netflix up, Buck.” 

“Two buttons too many,” Bucky grumbled. “And don’t steal my favourite blanket,” he added as he left her to the TV and moved to retrieve the snacks. 

Jayden laughed and decided not to tell him that it was a little too late for that. The knitted blanket was still laid over her bed where it had been tangled with her duvet for the past week like it always was whenever Bucky went away. 

She went to fetch it once the TV was set up, laying it neatly over the armrest on Bucky’s side of the couch and ignoring the warmth that flooded her at the thought of it holding his scent again.

"What about 'Jurassic Park'? Since you’re already wearing those cute little dino socks. Whoever gave you those really has good taste." she snickered.

Bucky rolled his eyes a little at her, before answering: "Sure. If they don't have any movies about annoying little bunnies, we can go for the dinosaurs." 

"You won't regret it, I promise. Also, the music is great. Gives me goosebumps every damn time." Jay said with a little too much excitement, making Bucky laugh when he returned with his hands full of snacks. As soon as Bucky settled next to her on the couch she placed the bowl of chips on her lap and pressed play.

"Is it even realistic? Recreating dinosaurs? From blood within a mosquito?" the brunette man asked with furrowed brows before turning to grab the plate full of chocolate chip cookies he’d set on the coffee table. 

"You tell me, Mr. Dinosaur. You're over a hundred years old and still walking around my apartment very alive. What mosquito did they use to recreate you?" Jay giggled, but she stopped the moment she saw Bucky's shoulders tensing and halting his movements. He turned his face her way, looking at her with slightly widened eyes.

"Sorry... I didn't mean it like that," she added with guilt written all over her face. 

Suddenly Bucky's face changed and he burst into laughter. Jay furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. Then she heard him hum within his laughter, "You should see your face. All concerned and sorry and that shit. I’m messing with you, little bunny. But don't call me a dinosaur again, or this old man won't share the cookies with you."

"NOT FAIR!" Jay exclaimed before showing him her best theatrically exaggerated pout.

“Anyway,” she continued, not able to hold even a pretend pout for long around him, “you’re the science nerd. Do you think they could do that?”

He sat back with the plate of cookies in hand sliding one her way. 

“I actually read something about that,” Bucky hummed.  “They’ve tried to recreate the genome of a woolly mammoth but the DNA is too old and degraded. They’d need to create an artificial womb too because an elephant’s womb isn’t close enough to…”

“Oh my God shut up already!” Jay whined in mock distress.  “My brain’s leaking out of my ears!”

"Don't be so dramatic, Harper."

Jay fake yawned right in his amused face, "You're a nerd, Barnes." 

He snatched the remote from her hand and turned up the volume.

Soon they were engulfed by the familiar melodies and Jay snuggled herself deeper into the couch.

Jayden looked Bucky's way every so often as the movie went on. Watching his reactions to them was probably her favorite part of movie night next to simply enjoying his company. 

In those moments, he wasn't the hardened shell of a man who had been ripped away from his life at twenty-eight and forced to fight and kill. He wasn't Sergeant Barnes or the Winter Soldier, he was just Bucky.

Her Bucky.

Her grumpy but incredibly sweet and selfless neighbor turned best friend.

At one point when she was watching him, that soft smile that seemed permanently plastered on her face when he was around grew on her lips once more, Bucky looked over and caught her hazel eyes. His brows furrowed and he looked over her features with confusion. 

"What?" He mumbled in the middle of a bite of one of her cookies. 

 Jayden let out a giggle and shook her head, "Nothing..." 

As he reached forward and grabbed the remote, she couldn't help her eyes as they wandered to the stretch of his t-shirt around his biceps and she didn't even notice that he'd managed to pause the movie. What was wrong with her tonight? It was never this hard to push these thoughts away. 

"Jay..." Bucky uttered quietly. 

"What?" She snapped her gaze back to his face, noting the slight concern hidden behind his ocean blue eyes. 

"Talk to me, you seem off tonight," he nudged her knee gently. 

Jayden breathed out a chuckle, "I'm not off, I'm just... happy your home, safe," her lips pulled into a straight line and she turned her eyes down as she fiddled with her fingers, "you don't usually see this part of when you get home from missions..." she admitted quietly.

Bucky huffed out a sigh beside her and Jayden wiggled a little closer, her head falling against the back of the couch. She leeched Bucky’s warmth as she pressed alongside him. 

“Talk to me, sweetheart.” 

“It just takes me a while, usually, once I see the sticker and I know you’re home… I kinda, I don’t know, fester in it. Every so often I have to remind myself that you’re just across the hall, sleeping it off and I guess having you here right now, so soon after— I’m not used to it. I’m happy you’re here… with me. And now I’m rambling— fuck sake.” 

“Hey, I like it when you ramble,” Bucky chuckled, “and I’m happy I’m here too. If it wasn’t always the middle of the night when I get home, you know this is the first place I’d come, right?” 

Jayden nodded, plastering on a smile as she rested her head on Bucky’s shoulder and grabbed the remote to press play. 

“Pass me a cookie,” she mumbled as the classic music started up again, squeezing Bucky’s arm in thanks when he handed her two and pressed a kiss to her head.

It wasn't unusual for him to kiss her on her forehead, there was even a time when he’d kissed her on the cheek, it was the first time he'd tasted her cookies. The elation lighting up his face that day as he pressed a mouth to her dimpled cheek and left a few crumbs behind as he tried to chew the cookie off was still seared in her mind. 

But this kiss got to her. Maybe it was because it came after being open and vulnerable with him instead of avoiding this topic to relieve him of carrying another burden, worrying about her when his shoulders already bore so much weight. 

She willed the sting of tears welling in her eyes away when Bucky whispered a quiet "I'm okay, I'm here" with his lips brushing over the skin of her forehead tenderly before backing away and slumping back against the couch, the warmth radiating from his close body a comforting reminder that he is indeed okay and there with her.

Bucky's eyes were fixed on the screen again, where the characters were currently facing a much too aggressive Tyrannosaurus Rex. 

"Every time..." Jayden started, before swallowing the lump in her throat. "... every time you're gone for a mission I’m concerned you're not coming home. With all those aliens and bad guys out there. I know you’re a super soldier and very skilled in everything that you do, but still. When I hear movements in the hallway I always hope, even pray, that it's you returning from your mission safely." 

It had taken her a lot of courage to speak out these words in front of him. Tonight something felt different, although she couldn't point a finger at what exactly. From the corner of her eye, she could see Bucky grab the remote control and pause the movie again. Then he turned his face towards her, studying her features for a few seconds.

Jay had an inner debate to crack a joke to lighten up the mood, but before she could even open her mouth, he spoke. 

"I will always come home. I might be battered and bruised some days, but I would never forgive myself if I miss a movie night with my favorite neighbor." 

There was that smile again. The one he had reserved just for her. And the moment she saw it, the concern in her heart was washed away and she couldn't feel anything else other than happiness and warmth.

“Can I ask you something, Jay?” He said, his face serious.

Jay swallowed and nodded, sure that he could hear her heart beat out its rapid rhythm. If she’d been paying more attention to him and not the way his hand fiddled with the edge of the blanket she’d have seen the devilish twinkle in his eye.

“Would you rather be eaten by a velociraptor or a T-Rex?”

“What?!” She asked, her brows drawn in confusion.

“I was thinking probably T-Rex ‘cause it’d take fewer bites,” he smirked and with that he pulled his arms inside his shirt and screeched like a dinosaur, scrabbling at the blanket as if he were trying to attack her.

"How are you gonna get me with those short arms, Buck? You can't even clap." 

Jay jumped up, running towards her bedroom knowing full well she had no chance against a super soldier and war veteran. The screeching came closer as she cackled her way into her bedroom, Bucky not even a foot away from her.

Jay jumped up on her bed but before she could grab a hold of her headboard, Bucky had already circled her waist with his strong arm, making it impossible to escape. 

"Gotcha."

"Cheater."

Bucky gasped dramatically, "I would never!" 

Before Jayden could answer, Bucky flung her body over his shoulder pulling giggles from her chest effortlessly. The smell of his musk filled her nose as she wrapped her arms around him from upside down, feeling the outlines of his sculpted stomach beneath her fingers. Every nerve in her body ignited and her brain suddenly felt fuzzy with romantic thoughts of him once more. 

Her body was flung easily and softly back onto the couch, with Bucky's hand cradling her head. He towered over her, his blue eyes tracing her features as their gazes locked. He brushed a strand of blonde hair off her forehead and smirked at her from above. 

"I win," he quipped. 

"You cheated, super soldier," Jayden answered quietly, trying to calm her pounding heart.

She watched as he smiled at her, his dimples showing themselves. 

“I improvised,” he countered. “There’s a difference.”

Jayden sat up and rolled her eyes as Bucky sat back down beside her, watching her from the corner of his eye. “What on earth are you planning in that brain of yours?”

She grinned, discreetly stretching out her fingers before launching herself at him, attacking his sides until he was a giggling, writhing mess beneath her. 

“I was thinkin’,” she began, as he caught his breath, “that you should know better than to let your guard down, Sergeant.” 

“And here I was thinkin’ I was in my safe space,” Bucky countered, nudging her softly. 

His expression was still playful, blue irises sparkling, the happy lines at the corners of his eyes deep as he flashed her his usual lopsided smile. She loved him like this when the burden of being who he was seemed to lift and most of his worries was how many cookies he could eat. Proven right then as he shoved another in his mouth, humming happily. 

“You wanna order dinner? You can’t live on cookies.” 

“Watch me,” Bucky mumbled around his mouthful.

"Buckyyyyyyy." Jayden whined. He was staring right into her hazel eyes, grabbing another cookie and placing it in his mouth. It was provoking but still adorable. Almost childish. 

Jay loved to see the shell of the strong and resolved soldier crumble in front of her every time he took a step into her apartment. As if she was the only one with which he could be his true self. The nerdy, funny and sarcastic Bucky. The one that ate way too many cookies, complained about it the entire day after, but still would do it exactly the same the next time. 

"Jshsai 'hen yu hngri" he mumbled with now one and a half cookies in his mouth, but Jayden couldn't understand a single word.

"Stop speaking with your mouth full of cookies!" she snickered and slapped his vibranium arm playfully. 

"Just say when you're hungry and we can order dinner," he repeated after opening his mouth a little and sticking out his tongue to show her that it was empty this time.

He laughed as Jay shook out the sting from her hand, a disgruntled frown on her face.

“I’m hungry,” she grumped, pulling out her phone.  “What are we eating?  Chinese?  Thai?  Moroccan?”

“Chinese,” Bucky mumbled around yet another cookie, “and don’t look at me like that.  I have a fast metabolism.”

Shaking her head with a chuckle Jay clicked on to the app and ordered their usual Chinese food.

“It’ll be thirty minutes,” she confirmed.

Bucky made a face, but then smiled, "I don't think I'll ever figure those damn phones out, but ordering takeout without having to talk to someone?" He held his hand to his heart with a happy sigh, "Best invention of the modern age."

Jay giggled, stretching out on the couch beside him, "Can't argue with that."

She blinked at the TV screen, "Oh, shit, we forgot to pause the movie!" The credits were scrolling across the screen.

Bucky smirked, pulling his arms back into his sleeves, "Bucky Rex couldn't reach the remote!" He growled, making Jayden collapse in a fit of giggles.

She smiled and shook her head as she caught her breath, "You're ridiculous, but you're cu- that was cute."

Jayden, what is wrong with you?

She felt the heat at her slip-up creeping up her neck and she was sure her face was just reaching tomato red as he looked back at her with a bashful smile on his lips. 

"Jay, would you mind if I take a quick shower while the food gets here? Actually try to wash that mission off, you know?"

Jayden shook her head and gestured to the bathroom, "S'all yours, I'll get plates and everything ready," she bounded off the couch, and didn't make direct eye contact with him as she grabbed the emptied bowls and made her way toward the kitchen. 

She could feel Bucky's blue eyes following her movements through her apartment, walking behind her as he brushed past her and went into the bathroom. Jayden leaned both her hands onto the counter and closed her eyes, huffing out a breath. Why was this so hard tonight? 

The bathroom door creaked back open and Bucky's head poked back out, "Hey Jayden..."

Sucking in a sharp breath, she smiled once more and turned around to meet his eyes. 

"Thank you, for tonight..." his lips pulled into a thin line and he looked down to the floor, "I uh, really needed this after that mission and you... you really came through"

“You’re welcome,” she answered easily. “We can do this anytime you need to relax.” 

Bucky grinned at her before closing the door again, then the sound of the shower turning on was able to be heard.

Meanwhile, Jayden leaned against the counter with a groan and ram her hands over her face. This is so hard! Every time I look at him or he gets close, my heart feels like it’s going to explode.

She nibbled at her lip, turning to watch the bathroom door like it was going to miraculously tell her how to deal with her feelings. 

The faint sound of Bucky humming echoed from the bathroom and Jayden sighed with a quiet chuckle, resigning herself back to her task of getting plates. 

Bucky was her best friend. He was goofy despite his hardship, soft when he wanted to be, smart as hell, and — not that she would ever dream of telling him — the light of her fucking life. And the thought of ever letting that slip? Terrifying. 

The shower shut off before she could dwell on it anymore, and she listened simultaneously for Bucky emerging and their takeout arriving. Bucky appeared first as she was setting plates and cutlery on the coffee table. His damp hair glistened and his squeaky clean skin glowed as he padded back into the living room smelling of her raspberry shampoo. 

“Better?” She asked as he flopped back on the couch, yanking her down with him. 

“Mhmm,” he hummed, the sound vibrating from his chest and setting her body tingling as he hugged her tight, “thank you.”

"You smell pretty... fruity!" she chuckled in his ear, while he was still holding her close. 

"I know. I like that smell on you, so I feel honored to have a part of you on me now." he whispered back mischievously. His arms let go of her small figure with gazes locked. Something shimmered in the depth of his ocean blue ones. She had seen it earlier today as well.

A drop of water dropped off of a slightly longer strand on the front, trailing down his forehead and into his eye. Bucky blinked several times while grimacing his entire face. 

The weird tension between them was gone when they both burst into laughter. 

Keep it together, Jay! He's your best friend. A hot one. But your best friend. You don't want to ruin this by acting weird today.

Her hormones were driving her crazy today for no reason. Damn hormones.

Bucky must have noticed the shift in her brain because where his normal tense crease in his brow sat returned for a brief moment, his eyes raking over her features. The butterflies in her stomach turned into a tornado as he reached for her his hand coming dangerously, well as dangerous as this gentleman could be, to her cheeks. He tugged gently on a strand of her hair, pulling back and holding up a bright blue ball of fluff from her knitted blanket. 

A grin spread across his features, "you could make a wish with this," he chuckled, sucking all of the air out of her chest. She loved the sound of him laughing, even when it was the deep low rumble he had just let out. 

"It's not an eyelash," she quipped through a shaky breath. 

Bucky shrugged, "I'm deeming it so, c'mon darlin, close those pretty eyes and make a wish."

So she did.  Jay allowed her eyes to flutter closed and wished for the one thing she’d never say out loud.  She opened her eyes again to see Bucky staring at her, his head slightly tilted, and a soft expression on his face.

“What did you wish for?” He asked.

“Ha, like I’m gonna tell you!” Jay snickered, smacking the back of her hand gently against his chest.

“Some best friend you are,” he grumbled with a playful pout.

“Yeah, you just remember that the next time you want some cookies baked,” she retorted, laughing at his look of feigned horror.

“Bunny please, I’m beggin’ ya!  You don’t gotta be so cruel!” He whined.

Jayden sat up straighter, trying to look as serious about her threat as she could before she crumbled back into laughter, "As if I could ever deny those puppy eyes!"

He cackled then tackled her, tickling her as they tumbled off the couch, Jayden laughing more as she squirmed under him. 

A sharp knock at the door made them both freeze, Bucky hovering over her as she panted. Had half an hour really gone by that fast? As one, they both swallowed, the air sizzling between them before another knock broke them from the moment.

"C-coming!" Jay called out as Bucky moved, standing and holding out his hand for her.

She placed her hand in his and felt like every nerve fiber in her body was shocked at the contact. He tightened his grip on her as he helped her get to her feet, a sea of blue once again locked on her hazel eyes. Jayden whispered a thanks and beelined her way towards the door trying to calm down her racing heart. 

She took the takeout bags and thanked their delivery person, turning around and shutting the door with her foot. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Bucky following her movements. All the while, Jayden set the bags down on the free spot on the coffee table without so much as a breath in Bucky's direction. 

Kneeling in front of the table she tucked her legs under her as she settled in her spot before opening up their takeout containers. 

"Jay, are you ok?" Bucky asked as he sat down on the floor next to her. 

"Mhm yeah no no I'm fine, I am starving though. Aren't you?" she raced out.

She watched as Bucky narrowed his eyes at her, before nodding once and turning his attention to the food in front of them.

"I'm always hungry," he finally answered, busying his hands as he helped her unpack the food. 

Smooth, Harper, real smooth she thought to herself, grabbing the remote from under some boxes. She flipped through Netflix until she found the second Jurassic Park movie, turning it on without consulting her friend. He'd said when they started things that he trusted her to show him things the way she thought was best and she took that responsibility seriously. 

"Ok so, I know we didn't totally finish the first one but you didn't miss much, just the ending bits, but you should be fine enough to understand the second one," Jayden rambled, still keeping her eyes on the table or on the TV, anywhere but meeting his gaze.

“I’m sure it’ll be just as chaotic as the first one was,” Bucky mused as he opened a packet of soy sauce and poured it over his rice. “Did you get those crunchy roll things?” He stirred up his rice and swallowed thickly. They were so close earlier. So so close. 

“Is the hot actress in this one too?” Bucky asked as Jayden passed him the carton he was looking for. She arched her brow and Bucky thanked her with a grin, wiggling his own eyebrows playfully. 

“The blonde one? Laura Dern?”

“Yeah.” He nodded, suddenly hopping up and heading to the fridge. Jayden watched as he grabbed two beers, flicking the caps off with his left thumb. 

He handed one down to her as he settled back on the floor, a little closer than before. 

“No. But this one has Julianne Moore. I think you’ll like her.” 

Bucky hummed, eyeing her with thought. 

“We’ll see,” he replied, shoving a crispy roll in his mouth with a shrug.

"You liked Laura Dern?" She asked fumbling with her chopsticks as she tried to clamp down on a bite of noodles. 

His eyes flickered from the screen to her. That mischievous grin returned to his features and she couldn't help but laugh with his cheek chimpunked full of crispy roll. Bucky swallowed with a nod, "why wouldn't I? She's blonde, brilliant, feisty, funny, kind..." His voice trailed off as he took a bite of rice, "reminds me of someone I know." 

Jay's eyes widened for a moment looking from the screen to him just as a piece of shrimp from her chopsticks flew onto the table. He couldn't have meant her... right? She stammered as she moved to pick up the meat from the table, her cheeks turning a bright shade of pink as she tossed it back into her container and stared back at the tv. 

"You okay over there?" His voice suddenly behind her as he scooted back onto the couch, "Did you forget how to use chopsticks between now and the last movie night?" Bucky teased. 

She turned to glare at him, only earning herself one of the scrunched nose laughs she loved so much. 

"There she is," he muttered taking another bite of rice.

Picking up a piece of water chestnut Jay squinted a little to aim and then flicked it towards Bucky’s face.  His hand whipped up and he caught the veggie missile with his chopsticks half an inch before it would have splattered against his face.  He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows before popping the water chestnut into his mouth and crunching it.

“Cocky little shit,” Jay grumbled.

“You love it,” he sassed back.

“You wish,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. “Shut up and watch the movie,” but she couldn’t help smiling at Bucky’s happy and carefree expression.

"As you wish," he murmured, smiling when she raised an eyebrow at him. "What?"

"Did you just quote the Princess Bride?" 

He blushed a little, "Maybe?" 

Jay smiled to herself. He'd pretended to hate it when they'd watched it, but she figured that was just a remnant of the era he'd grown up in. 

"I might have watched it again, on my own," he admitted, putting his empty container to the side and moving to the couch. She almost didn't hear the last bit, "Three more times."

She couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up from inside her, her head falling back against the couch cushion behind her. Pure joy rang through her at the picture of Bucky sitting at home watching The Princess Bride and very likely, as he's done with other movies they've watched together more than once, mumbling the words with the actors. 

"I told you you'd love it," she smiled, "why didn't you tell me? I love that movie." 

"Next time I feel like watching it I'll come get ya, promise. Watching movies is better with you anyway."

Jayden tilted her head to the side and met his glinting blue stare, "I'm holding you to that" 

A comfortable silence fell between them as she continued eating her food and Bucky went back to snacking on the cookies. She wasn't sure how he did it, but a small part of her was jealous at the amount he could eat. Her eyes flickered over him, being careful not to draw his attention away from the screen. He really was pretty, even when he was exhausted. Jayden knew he was trying to hide it but at this point, there wasn't much she didn't know about Bucky Barnes. 

Lightly, she jabbed her elbow into his calf and smirked, "Save some of those! Or just don't tell Sam and Peter that I made them. They'll be so mad at me if you eat them all!" Jay breathed a laugh. 

Bucky shoved another one into his mouth and shrugged, "What cookies?" he grumbled with a playful smile.

Jayden rolled her eyes and got up, situating herself back onto the couch beside Bucky and stealing part of the blanket from him. 

“You are such a brat, you know that?” She laughed. “I’m going to have to start hiding some of the cookies so they can have some too.”

Bucky looked over at her with wide eyes. “You wouldn’t…”

“I would. They like them too, and you like to hog them.” 

Bucky frowned slightly. He always thought Jayden’s cookies were special. They reminded him of his mom’s cookies from when he was young. 

Jay sighed. “Are you really going to give me the puppy eyes?”

Bucky turned and rolled onto his back, placing his head right in her lap. “Jay…”

“Don’t think you get to act all adorable and I’ll give you everything, Barnes. I don’t even know how you do that. This big, burly man and you turn into a pussycat at the drop of a hat.” 

Bucky giggled, all sleepy, a yawn stealing his laugh as his eyelashes fluttered closed. 

“Only for you, my little bluejay.” 

“Sweet talker.” 

Bucky grinned up at her, scrunching his nose before getting comfy. 

“Shush now, I wanna watch this one properly.” 

“You’re almost aslee—“

“Shush.”

She held back the laugh that would've escaped her seeing his ridiculously serious face as he shushed her, shaking her head as she tried to calm herself at his proximity.

It's no wonder I'm in love with this goof, she thought to herself gazing over his features. He tried holding back another yawn but she saw him and held back a teasing smirk when he glanced up at her again with a pink tinge to his cheeks.

"You can sleep if you want," Jayden offered. Settling her back comfortably against the couch and fumbling with where to put her hands before letting one rest on his hair and dropping the other to her side. 

His voice was quiet as he answered with stubborn determination.

"Nope. I'm wide awake." 

"Okay." 

They fell quiet knowing that he would fall asleep anyway.

Jay had finally settled the hammering of her heart as the movie continued. She hadn't realized that her fingers were combing softly through his hair until the sound of the T-rexes roaring jolted her out of whatever trance she had fallen into. Her body froze as she glanced down at Bucky and as she figured, he was completely asleep. 

His lips were parted slightly and the soft snores coming from him only made her smile. She appreciated the small smattering of freckles that danced along his cheeks and the few that painted the bridge of his nose. God she was in love with him. 

"I'm not sure when it happened," she whispered barely audibly, her eyes flickered to the screen as terror ensued before moving her eyes back to him hoping she hadn't woken him up with her voice. Jay felt like this was going to be the only time she'd ever get the chance to tell him and even if he was sleeping she hoped it would relieve some of the ache her heartfelt every time he left, "I don't know if it was when you came back tonight, or when you steal this blanket and leave it smelling like you..." her voice trailed off, "or that you trust me enough--" she faltered for a moment, "--even after everything you trusted me into your life..." 

What was she doing? Her cheeks warmed with the idea of him. The way his nose scrunched when he laughed or really smiled, how the slightest touch of his fingers on her skin lit her on fire and at the same time gave this overwhelming sense of calm to her body... she had spent so much time working out in her head if he felt the same way and deep down she hoped he did. 

"You snuck  your way into my heart...and I'm not sure when it happened or how it happened, there's too many moments," she paused taking a deep breath, her fingers still mindlessly combing through his hair and her other hand feeling the gentle rise and fall of his chest as it rested on his side, "but somewhere along the way I fell in love with you..." Jayden's voice was barely a whisper at this point but it felt good to tell him how she felt, even if he was fast asleep in her arms.

Jayden let out a quiet sigh, still moving her fingers through his hair as the movie continued. 

There was no way he would ever return those feelings.

Bucky turned his head suddenly, looking up at her. Her heart jumped into her throat, had he heard everything?! 

Without breaking eye contact, Bucky tugged her hand away from his hair, pulling it till it was in front of his face, and his lips placed a soft kiss on her palm.

He almost looked scared for a moment, before he spoke. "I didn't think you felt the same way," he paused, licking his lips while he continued to look into her eyes, "But, I love you too."

Jayden sucked in a shaky breath, blinking her hazel eyes at him, unable to break their eye contact. He could have moved or coughed, or something to let her know that he was awake and listening to her. Anything to let her know that she was making a fool out of herself and confessing things that shouldn't be said out loud. She felt like her heart was about to explode out of her chest, the sounds of the movie fading completely away as those words left his perfect lips. 

"Bucky..." Her voice came out quieter than intended but she didn't really know what to do with herself. 

Maybe she had fallen asleep too and this was all in her head. Had he really returned her feelings or was it some sick joke from her subconscious? Perhaps he was just saying that as to not make it awkward and was getting ready to bolt out the front door. 

Bucky shook his head, and sat up, scooting closer and hesitantly taking her hands in his, "Jayden I - I was," he let out a small breath and looked down at their entwined fingers, "a shell of a person when I moved into this building," his voice had a small shake to it, causing Jayden to give his hand a small squeeze, urging him to continue. 

"I was lost and alone... Until the day you knocked on my door," Bucky breathed out a laugh and looked up once more, his blue eyes glistening with the threat of sadness, "You brought sunshine and hope back into my otherwise bleak and terrifying life... Of course I fell in love with you," he admitted, bringing a hand up to cup her cheek, tracing a small circle into her skin with his thumb.

Jayden felt tears threaten to fall from her eyes, making them sting. Her heart was pounding hard enough that she knew he would be able to feel it beneath his touch. “Y-you love me?” She couldn’t help but ask, her voice just a whisper. 

Bucky only smiled at her as he gently wiped an escaped tear from her cheek. “Of course I love you. I love you so much my heart could bust, my little blue jay. It aches for me to leave you every mission I do. But I am always racing to get back here to you.”

“I don’t— I can’t—“ 

“Sweetheart,” Bucky murmured, hauling her onto his lap with a soft “c’mere.” 

Jayden melted into him, her face tucked into his neck. 

“We’re idiots,” she sniffled, her body shaking with Bucky’s as he laughed, rich and rough with sleep. 

“I’m an idiot, not tellin’ you sooner.” 

“When did you know?” She asked, meeting his gaze — steel blue and full of tender adoration. Her fingers moved to trace his jaw, thumbing at the dimple in his chin. 

“That first time you suggested the sticker system,” he admits, “I couldn’t believe— I couldn’t believe someone other than Sam cared enough to know I was home safe and yet there you were. This gorgeous woman, greeted me with the most beaming smile every time she saw me, baking me cookies and— God, Jay. I had fuckin’ butterflies over you every time. Me? Butterflies!” 

Jayden sighed, content as she studies his strong features, lined with sleep and love for her.

"Say it again please." She begged. Voice low and thick with emotion and tears.

Jayden's eyes were committing every little detail of his face to her memory, she wouldn't allow herself to ever forget this moment. She wanted it on constant repeat until her last breath.

His ocean eyes were sparkling waters as his face broke out into a smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling and she could have done anything just to see that smile light up his face all the time.

Both his palms lifted to rest on her face, thumbs brushing back and over her skin as he pulled her closer and she felt him take a deep breath before focusing his gaze back on her eyes and whispering softly in the few inches between them.

"I. Love. You."

Her hands rested against his chest, feeling the way his heart thundered under her palm only sent hers into a frenzy. She dipped her head, pressing her forehead to his, her eyes sliding closed, "again," she whispered only to hear the words roll off his tongue like a prayer once more. 

Bucky chuckled softly, "I love you, my sweet Bluejay." 

Jay's fingers dug gently into the hard muscle of his chest and for once she didn't wonder what he would feel like under the weight of her touch. His breath fanned across her face as he pulled back gently, his eyes a bright shade of blue and the flecks of silver in them glittering back at her, "I really wanna kiss you right now," he admitted, the corners of his mouth quirking up slightly, "can I kiss you?" 

She sucked in a breath and barely had time to nod her head before his lips were pressed against hers, slotting perfectly together like the missing piece to the puzzle of her life. It was tentative at first, slow but sweeter than anything she could have imagined. He tasted like chocolate with a bite of the cinnamon she claimed as the secret ingredient in her cookies. Her cookies had never tasted better than how they did on his lips. 

He pulled back gently, his hand pushing back the long tendrils of her golden hair behind her ear, "that was..." 

"I love you," she blurted in a whisper, remembering that she hadn't said it back in the frenzy and plea for her lips, "I don't know how much of what I said you heard, but I think I've loved you since the day I found the first sticker on my door." 

The corners of his mouth quirked up again as he dipped his head and pressed his lips to hers, "The bluejay," he whispered against her gently. 

Jayden nodded her head, her hands skating up and around the back of his neck to play with the hair at his nape. His arm snaked around her waist holding her firmly against his chest. "The bluejay," she repeated. 

She leaned in to kiss him again, allowing herself to melt into the man before her. The stubborn, flirty, goofy man that bared himself to her with no regrets. He was hers. Her Bucky. Something she never thought would be possible and yet...

She was always unequivocally his.

#one shot #marvel imagine #marvel oneshot #marvel one shot #marvel au #marvel fanfiction #marvel fanfic #marvelous #bucky barnes #bucky barnes au #bucky barnes oneshot #bucky barnes one shot #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes imagine #james bucky barnes #hidden feelings #friends to lovers #friends with hidden feelings #bucky barnes fluff #collaboration #writers #fanfic writers #fanfiction writers #fanfic authors #fluff

[herrmannhalsteadproduction]

A Fun Fair, an Alleged Flirtation, and a New Living Arrangement

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

Part One was Oopsie Baby which you can read here.

Part Two was Promises Kept which you can read here.

Part Three was Stop Adopting My Friends which you can read here.

Part Four was If You Give a Mouse a Cookie which you can read here.

Part Five was Now Kiss! which you can read here.

Part Six was Where There's a Will which you can read here.

Part Seven was First Rule of Game Night which you can read here.

Rating: Teen Audiences and Up

Relationships: Christopher Herrmann & Original Female Character, Jay Halstead & Original Female Character, Will Halstead & Original Female Character, Jay Halstead & Will Halstead, Greg 'Mouse' Gerwitz & Original Female Character, Jay Halstead & Greg 'Mouse' Gerwitz, Jay Halstead/Erin Lindsay,

Warnings: Light angst over a housing situation and Bex being real bad at flirting. That's pretty much it.

A/N: I'll post the link to the ao3 page at the bottom. This story has not only an OC character, but some quirky elements which may or may not be everyone's jam. Just FYI. Wrote this part up as a reward for getting some of my work done. Not sure when the next part will be up, but be ready for: Will and Bex - ROOMIES!

A Fun Fair, an Alleged Flirtation, and a New Living Arrangement

“Baby Herrmann!” Uncle Bo called out as Bex walked up to the fire house. “Just the person I wanted to see.”

Uh-oh. She knew that look.

“What’s the disaster?” Bex asked him. “And how can I help?”

Uncle Bo smiled at her, one of those wide and charming ones that he used so sparingly. “Now see, this is why you’re my favourite Herrmann.”

“I heard that, Chief!” Chris called from where he was organizing one of the truck compartments. “You wound me.”

Uncle Bo chuckled before turning his attention back to Bex. “You know what this Saturday is, correct?”

“Of course,” Bex nodded. The annual First Responder Family Fun Day. She hadn’t been since she was a kid, but from what she remembered, it was pretty much as advertised. A fun fair for first responders and their families put on by the city.

“A friend of mine on the planning committee got in touch,” he said. “Some of their volunteers had to pull out and they’re scrambling for replacements.”

“And they’re not having much luck when it’s less than twenty-four hours notice?” Bex guessed.

“I was hoping I could talk you into getting a crew together,” Uncle Bo said. “For the face-painting booth?”

“Face-painting?” Bex was already pulling out her phone to open the roomies group chat. “Piece of cake, Uncle B. I’ve got you covered.”

“Favourite Herrmann!” he threw an arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “No contest.”

“Still here, Chief.”

“You’re my favourite Herrmann, Chris,” Uncle Mouch said, walking up to Chris and clapping a hand on his shoulder.

“Aw, thanks, Mouch!”

“Any time, bud.” He made eye contact with Bex behind Chris’s back, shaking his head and mouthing ‘you’re my favourite’.

She smothered a laugh before heading to the break room to drop off the ridiculous amount of cookies she’d made last night. Stress baking at its finest.

When Bex had come home from college, she and her friend group had found two side by side apartments. The nine of them had moved in and had been happily sharing space for the last couple of years. It had been awesome.

Of course, with seven of their nine paired up as couples, Bex knew there was a time limit on their housing shenanigans. And sure enough, during their weekly roomie meeting, Kira and Malia as well as Faith and Ben had let everyone know they were planning on moving out.

Which led Devon and Sam and Isaac to confess that they had been thinking of moving. (Yes, that was a new development. Bex had been sure Isaac would pine over Emery forever, but apparently Devon and Sam had helped him move on quite well.)

She and Emery were the two left standing.

Bex knew it was inevitable that their group living situation wouldn’t continue forever. Not with so many couples in their midst inevitably wanting their own space. But she’d thought they’d have at least a little bit more time. It felt like the end of an era.

She was super thrilled for all of them, but…seeing everyone move forward was making her feel like she was spinning her wheels a bit. Plus, now she and Emery had to find a new roomie which was definitely not going to be fun.

She sighed as she plopped the five boxes down on the break room table. This could be a problem for next week’s Bex. Today’s Bex had a Family Fun Day to prep for.

***

“Baby Herrmann!” Uncle Bo flagged Bex and her friends down as they entered the park.

“Oh, my god, that’s adorable,” Devon whispered. “We’re stealing that nickname.”

“Firehouse 51 has exclusive rights to it, thank you very much,” Bex laughed as she jogged ahead of her friends to give her uncle a hug.

“Thanks again for helping today, Bex,” he said before turning to her friends. “I’m grateful to all of you for saving the day and agreeing to run this booth.”

“We’re happy to help, sir,” chirped Kira.

“Plus, we were told there would be hot fire fighters,” Emery whispered and Devon gave her a sneaky low five.

Uncle Bo raised an eyebrow at Bex as he led them to their spot and she shrugged at him with a smile. “You asked me to get a crew together,” she said. “I got them here however I could.”

“That you did,” Uncle Bo smiled at her, just on the edge of ruefully. “Have fun, everyone,” he waved at her friends before heading back to the rest of the organizers.

“If he was our first taste of the hot firefighters,” Devon said as he started unloading supplies. “I think I can safely say that we will.” Emery and Kira laughed and Bex shook her head with a grin before they all pitched in to get set up.

Their booth was set up right on time as the crowd started trickling in. Within twenty minutes, they had a line up of kids waiting to get faces done up and Bex and her friends were pulling out all of their tricks. You wanted it—they’d paint it.

Chris and Cindy stopped by with the kids; each one demanding to be painted up like a Minion which Bex was more than happy to do. They looked dang cute when she was done with them.

The crew from 51 trickled through to say hi—much to her friends delight—and Bex managed to convince them all to get at least a little something painted on their faces.

“How have you not every tried to hook up with one of those guys?” Emery asked her as she watched Kelly and Casey walk off with Shay and Gabi, heading toward the cotton candy stand. They were in the middle of a little lull and cleaning up while they had the time. Kira had gone off to grab some food for everyone.

“Emery, gross,” Bex frowned at her. “Those guys are all like my brothers. Don’t even start with that.”

“What about the guys at Jay’s work?” Devon piped up. “Who was that one we met the other day? With the beard…”

“Adam?” Bex squeaked. “Again, no. Like a brother. Brothers and uncles, across the board, and also, what is up with the sudden interest in my love life? How about a little more face painting and a little less matchmaking?”

“Who are we matchmaking?” Kira asked as she walked up with her hands full of sandwiches and drinks.

Emery grabbed some to help her distribute the bounty. “We’re trying to hook Bex up with one of the hundred million hotties she’s surrounded by.”

“The ones she’s grown up with and are like family to her?” Kira scrunched up her nose.

“Thank you!” Bex pointed a triumphant finger at her. “Kira gets it.”

“I just don’t want you to be alone,” Emery said before a guilty looked flashed across her face.

Bex frowned at that. “I might be single,” she said. “But I’m not alone. I’ve got all of you and my family. I’m fine, guys. I’m happy!” She studied Emery’s face for a moment. “What are you really worried about?”

Emery bit her lip and studied the table before finally making eye contact again. “Don’t be mad, okay?” she said in a rush. “I didn’t mean for it to work out this way, but I was telling Ty about everyone moving out and he invited me to move in with him so I’m going to be moving out too and I feel so bad that I’m leaving you alone, but I really love him and want to move in with him too and I’ve been feeling so guilty—”

“Emery, stop,” Bex reached out to grab her friend’s arm. “Stop, it’s okay. I’m not mad.”

“Really?”

“Really,” Bex squeezed her hand. “I’m glad you told me. You’re really sure about this?” She exchanged a look with Kira and Devon who were standing behind Emery, concern written all over both of their faces.

No one in their group was a fan of Ty.

Emery had dated some jerks in the past, by Ty was something else. He gave everyone a bad feeling. They’d tried to talk to Emery about it, but she was adamant that he was great and she was happy. But moving in with him…

“I’m sure,” Emery said firmly. “I know what you guys think of him, but really, he is so sweet with me. He’s just not good at showing that side of himself.”

Bex highly doubted that was the case, but Emery was entitled to make her own decisions.

“Well, then I’m happy for you,” Bex said, trying to make it sound believable. She honestly did hope that it would all work out for Emery. Even though she had a sinking feeling that Ty would disappoint her in the end.

“I’m sorry to leave you with the apartment,” Emery continued and crap—that part just sank in for Bex. If the chances of her and Emery affording the place between the two of them were slim; the chances of Bex affording it on her own were non-existent.

“I’ll figure something out,” Bex sighed.

Just then they were hit with another crowd of kids and the conversation was put aside as they got back to work. The rush lasted for a solid hour before dying off. Only another couple of hours to go and then she could go home and faceplant into her bed while she tried to figure out her life.

She was cleaning up some of her brushes when a frosty cup of lemonade was set on the table in front of her. She looked up to see Mouse smiling his crooked little grin down at her.

“Thought you could use that,” he said before passing the tray with three other lemonades over to Emery for her to pass out to the others.

“Mouse,” Bex laughed, jumping up to give him a quick hug over the table. “Thanks. You have perfect timing. I definitely needed a pick-me-up.”

“I spotted it when Jay and I were checking things out,” he said with a shrug. “Seemed like a good idea.”

“Jay’s here?” Bex rose up on her tiptoes to peek over his shoulder.

“Oh, yeah, uh, somewhere,” Mouse said, looking over his shoulder. “I think Lindsay convinced him to go down the games section so he might be out of commission for awhile.”

“He never learns,” Bex shook her head. Erin was going to kick his butt. Again. She shot Mouse a grin. “Hey, how about I repay you for the drink?” She waved a brush at him.

Mouse squinted. “Is that repaying me? I don’t know—”

“It’ll be fun! Come on, everyone at 51 got a little something,” Bex motioned for him to sit down and waggled her eyebrows. “It’s Family Fun Day, Mouse! Emphasis on the fun!”

He shook his head, but plopped himself down in her chair. “Something small,” he cautioned before closing his eyes and tilting his head back.

“Promise.” Bex couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face as she picked up the black paint pot. She knew exactly what to do.

He scrunched his nose up as she swirled the brush against the end of his nose and then stilled while she stroked it against his (perfect) cheeks. She looked up to tell him she was all done and saw his eyes were already open. He watched her quietly. She stared back at him for a moment, cataloging all the shades of blue. “All done,” she said softly, taking a step back. “Want to see?”

She held up a mirror and waited. He glanced at his reflection before chuckling. “Seriously, Bex?” He tilted his face to check out the mouse nose and whiskers she’d drawn on him. “Alright, I kind of dig it.”

“Thought you would,” she set the mirror back down. “Thanks for the drink, Mouse.”

“Thanks for the paint job,” he ducked his head, smiling as he stood up. “I should go track down Jay and make sure Lindsay’s not destroying him too badly. I’ll see you later, Bex.”

She waved him off before picking up her lemonade and taking a sip. And suddenly noticed how quiet their booth was. She turned to her friends who were all staring at her.

“What?”

“Ew, Emery, they’re all like my brothers, I could never!” Emery sing-songed at her. “Bexie, let me tell you. You could.”

“Mouse?” Bex felt her face heat up and took another deep sip.

“Bex,” Devon shook his head. “Girl. Please. Please do not pretend there’s nothing going on there.”

“The tension,” Kira shivered dramatically. “We had to shoo the children away.”

“Okay, stop,” Bex said, cutting a hand through the air. “Just—it’s Mouse, okay? He’s Jay’s best friend. He’s known me since I was fourteen and he does not think of me that way.”

“Notice she did not say she does not think of him that way,” Emery murmured to the other two.

“If you don’t think he’s thinking about you at least a little bit that way,” Devon said with a shake of his head. “You need to pay more attention.”

Bex was pretty sure that paying more attention to Mouse was the last thing she should be doing. She didn’t want open that door and have it slam shut in her face. Mouse was too important to her and to Jay for her to rock that boat.

But a tiny little voice in her head was agreeing with her friends. It felt like there had been a moment.

She shook it off. Nope. No. That road lead to frustration on every level.

“He’s just a friend, guys,” she said firmly. “End of story.”

“Uh-huh,” Devon nodded while Emery and Kira drank their lemonades with wide eyes. “If you say so.”

Luckily, things picked up again shortly after that and they were too busy to tease her any further. An hour later and things were wrapping up. Emery, Devon, and Kira helped her clear everything up and then headed home. Bex gathered up the leftover supplies and hefted up the two bags to bring to the organizers. She was chuckling to herself about Jay never stopping by. Probably didn't want to get talked into getting his face painted. 

Because she definitely could have talked him into it.

“Bex!”

She turned to see Will jogging up. “Oh, hey! Didn’t think we’d see you today.”

“I managed to get out of work on time today,” Will said, his smile turning a bit rueful. “Not in time for the fair it looks like though.”

“I’ve still got everything.” Bex patted the bag, “Want me to paint your face? Get a taste of the fun fair experience?”

“I think I’m good,” Will laughed. “Let me help with that though.” He lifted a bag from her shoulder and walked with her to the drop off. “What are you doing now? Want to go grab a bite to eat?”

Bex was run off her feet, but delaying her return to the apartment sounded kind of perfect. Anything not to have to think about her imploding living arrangement.

“That sounds great.”

They headed to their usual spot which was nice and close to the park (it was the one they always stopped at after their runs.) Will filled her in on his day—the parts he could share anyway—and she told him about the fun fair. Leaving out a few key moments.

He started telling her about some charity race that was coming up and she picked at the last of her fries, fighting against the worries that were crowding her brain the longer she sat there.

“Hey,” Will nudged stole a fry off her plate, pulling back her attention. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” Bex said, mustering up a smile. “Yeah, everything’s fine.”

“Mmm.” Will shook his head at her. “Try again.”

“Seriously, Will, it’s fine. I’ll figure it out.”

“So, there’s something to figure out.” he stole another fry and pointed it at her before popping it into his mouth. “Come on, Bex,” he said. “We turned new page, right? Working on this brother and sister thing?”

She nodded.

“Okay, so share. What’s going on?”

Bex sighed and then let it all out, filling him in on the mass roommate exodus and her worries about finding a place she could afford on her own or finding non-serial killer roommates and her very serious doubts about the feasibility of either option.

He nodded along while she spoke, making sympathetic noises at all the right points, and then sat quietly when she finished, thinking it all over.

“Aren’t you glad you asked?” Bex laughed a little dryly.

“Yeah, I am,” Will said seriously. “I want to know this stuff. And help if I can.” He played with his straw wrapper before looking up at her again. “I think I can help, Bex.”

She perked up in her seat at that. “Really? Do you know of a place? Or someone looking for a roommate?”

“How about me?” he smiled at her.

She sat back, not expecting that at all. “Are you serious? Is this—” Bex tried to think of how to phrase her racing thoughts. The last thing she wanted was for Will to agree to something he might regret. “I don’t want you to offer because you feel bad or like you should, you know.” She pressed on before he could interrupt. “I don’t mean that in a bad way! I love that you’re offering. It’s—seriously, so nice of you—but, five second rule, okay? You can take it back if you need to—”

“Bex!” Will reached out to grab her hand and squeezed it so she’d stop babbling at him and then sat back. “I get it, okay? But this is a serious offer. I just found out my rent is going up and things were going to be tight. I’ve got the extra room and plenty of space. Maybe this was meant to be? The universe giving us a chance to really bond, like you did with Chris and with Jay.”

It sounded extremely tempting. But part of her was still worried—

“Listen,” Will leaned forward. “Maybe it'll work out or maybe it'll be a bit weird...or both...but I’d rather live with you than some stranger. I think we should give it a shot.”

It was definitely going to be weird, but maybe weirdly awesome? Will was right.

“Okay, roomie,” Bex said, lifting her glass. Will clinked his against hers with a grin.

"To giving it a shot."

Click here to read Part Nine of the series - Will and Bex: ROOMIES!

(Here is the link to read A Fun Fair, an Alleged Flirtation, and a New Living Arrangement on ao3.)

#chicago fire #chicago med #chicago pd #one chicago #christopher herrmann #jay halstead #will halstead #halstead brothers #oc character #rebecca 'bex' herrmann #halstead sister #sibling bonding #found family #team as family #fluff #alternate universe #not canon #not beta read #my first fanfic series #A Herrmann/Halstead Production

[journalforamerica]

On My Block

On My Block is a coming-of-age story that works through the battles that come from living in the hood. Jamal, Monse, Reuben, and Cesar are a crew, best friends from before the show began. They’re each from different backgrounds, Monse having grown up without a mom, Jamal who has been living a lie to make his parents proud, Reuben (Ruby) who is too smart for his own good, and Cesar whose family is part of the local gang and in turn, force him into that lifestyle. This story relates to the screenings and readings by establishing a unique perspective with diversity at its core. 

From top to bottom: Ruby Martinez, Cesar Diaz, Jamal Turner, and Monse Finnie.

The characters throughout the show focus on their ability to be friends against hardships. The first season focuses on Cesar and his life inside the gang. The crew knows that this life isn't for Cesar and they do everything to help him. This type of life they live all relates to a cultural identity: a shared home, language, and even cultural barriers. Cesar, Jamal, Ruby, and Monse would do everything to protect one another, even if it meant danger for themselves. I think that speaks to their ability to adapt to their rough environment which can be attributed to the stereotypes that come with being Hispanic and Black.

Although this show focuses on four main characters, one character, Monse stands out among the rest. Monse identifies as multiracial: she’s Black, Latinx, and White. This weekly reading is about multiracial and mixed-persons. Being mixed in this country has many connotations and the article addresses how many students struggle with their cultural identity because they are multiracial. For example, in the NYTimes article written by Susan Saulny she writes, “..But, he continued, “I don’t even like to identify myself as a race anymore. My family has been pulling me in two directions about what I am. I just want to be a person.”.” (Saulny, 2011) It can be hard not knowing as well, Monse didn’t grow up knowing her mom or her heritage, but learning about that side also gave her a new perspective. She got to appreciate both sides, which is very similar to the reactions the students got when they realized they could celebrate themselves, not based on what they identify as, but just because they are there. UWM’s own Professor Gregory Jay once stated, ““Race,” then, can be socially constructed by marginalized groups as a vehicle for self-understanding, political resistance, and cultural affirmation.” (Jay, NA) Professor Jay means that groups like Monse’s can view race as a common ground rather than a diverging point.

GIF: Cesar (the one with the gun) was threatened (by the guy in the jacket) in a drive-by. The one in the jacket pulled a gun on him. Cesar's brother determined Cesar's best bet at living would be killing the other guy first. This isn't what Cesar wants. This scene depicts what I think can be seen in real life. I've never experienced it, but drive-bys and gang violence are real. They happen, and this scene shows what can occur if someone doesn't really want to participate but is at risk if they don't.

This next scene (shortened on YouTube), is an honorable mention for me. When it comes to racial identity or ethnic identity, this show doesn't explicitly touch on those topics. It's a given when the show features an entirely diverse main cast. However, this scene specifically plays into the intersectionality that was explored in this course. Socioeconomic status is always a topic that arises when dealing with racial disparity and identity. The Halloween scene is the first time the audience sees the characters outside the hood. They go to Brentwood, the preppy, rich neighborhood. The people in this neighborhood are almost entirely white and of a higher socioeconomic status than the main characters. As the scene will show, there's hostility between the poor and the rich kids based mainly on where they grew up and how they lived. I mentally noted this scene specifically as being one that screams importance regarding racial identity and status.

Citations:

Saulny, S. (2013, February 5). More young Americans identify as mixed race. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/us/30mixed.html

"Terms for Multicultural Studies: Defining "Race", "Ethnicity", and "Nationality" - Prof. Gregory Jay

#Youtube #OnMyBlock #on my block #Cesar Diaz #Monse Finnie #Ruby Martinez #Jamal Turner

[aromanticbuck]

a soft place to land chapter 2/6

Summary: Some bad luck leads to some bad decisions, and even high and struggling, Mouse ends up on the right doorstep to get help.

Warnings: addiction and drug use, anxiety, Mouse’s mommy issues

Words: 18,812 (so far)

Mouse-centric, Team Mom Platt

Sneak Peek:

The rapidly cooling mug in front of him had barely been touched, and he was sure that all of the sugar that had been put into it had resettled at the bottom. There wasn't really a point in trying to drink the tea anymore, not when it would just be cold and bitter and entirely unsatisfying. But he felt bad, because it had been made for him, and here he was, taking one sip and then barely looking at it.

In reality, Mouse was barely looking at anything.

The dining room was dim, lit with the gentle orange glow of the old bulb overhead, and that was what he should have been aware of. But it was hard to be present when his life was crumbling around him. For a few months, everything had been okay. He had a job that wasn’t completely horrible, even if he didn’t necessarily enjoy it. He had a routine that was so easy to fall into of weekly lunches with Jay and weekly dinners at a house he still couldn’t believe he was allowed to visit whenever he wanted. He had a family again, the one he thought he’d been leaving behind for good when he left, and everything was good. It was exactly the life he knew he didn’t deserve, so of course he couldn’t hold onto it for very long.

Budget cuts and restructuring meant he was going from having a steady paycheck every other week to no paycheck at all. And he had enough money sitting in an account that it wasn’t much of a problem. It was enough to pay his rent for a month or two, and keep up his half of lunch when he went out to catch up with Jay over the weekends, at least while he was looking for something new.

Except one month of the job search turned into two, and then three, and rent was paid but he’d had to cancel three lunches in a row. The excuse of picking up an extra shift didn’t even raise any suspicion, because there was no reason for it to. So he kept up the lie and tried to get interviews, instead, but that wasn't exactly easy to do, either. And then his bank account was draining faster and faster, and then it went red. When the first overdraft fee hit, after he picked up an energy drink from the market down the block, of all things, that was when reality hit.

[ read the rest on ao3 ] [ or start from chapter 1 ]

#one chicago #mouse gerwitz #greg gerwitz #greg mouse gerwitz #trudy platt #cpd #chicago pd #alex writes things #phone call wip #fanfiction #one chicago fanfiction #one chicago fanfic #cpd fanfic #chicago pd fanfiction #*holds this up* happy mother's day #the platt fam

[esoutherngolf]

The End of MLR

A letter to from the PGA of America in conjunction with PGAs worldwide may have sealed the fate of the Model Local Rule (MLR) placing limits on the carry distance of the balls played by elite golfers, essentially those on men’s professional tours and in national championships. The two-page letter signed by Seth Waugh CEO of the PGA, the organization representing the club golf professionals that run our game day to day, in part said, “…the proposed changes could seriously interrupt the current momentum in the game and be fundamentally damaging and detrimental in the long run.” Quite a statement but Waugh followed that with, “We are also very aware that there are sets of data that conflict with the R&A and USA materials. This is confusing and, in our view, needs to be considered fully, reviewed, and clarified prior to any final decision being made. The point in contention is the USGA and R&A creation of the MLR rolling back the allowed performance of golf balls and since the rule is not to apply to recreational play it would effectively split golf’s rules into “us” and “them;” something most of golf’s stakeholders say is fraught with negative consequences. Two weeks previously a memo from PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan used similar language pointing out the MLR “is not warranted and is not in the best interest of the game” enjoying all-time participation. The operative question today is, will the ruling bodies do…stick with the MLR, drop it, or try for a compromise? Or is there some other way for them to save face and revive their relevancy to the game that seems to have passed them by? Heads of both organizations, the USGA and R&A, have publicly repeated the stance that doing nothing is not an option. Therefore, for now it appears since Fred Ridley Augusta National Chairman, home of the Masters, has said they support a ball roll back, the U.S. Open, the British Open and the Masters will play a new shorter ball and the rest of the professional tournaments run by the PGA Tour and PGA the old ball. The distance the ball travels is not the crux of the problem even as pro-roll backers cite stats about driving distance and myriad other numbers. Anyone who has ever played or just watched on television knows it’s scoring that counts and some would have us believe records are being busted weekly. Not true. Below are PGA Tour scoring statistics for the lowest average, the 100th place player and the Tour overall average as well as ten and twenty years ago. Draw your own conclusions but it is reasonable to be of the opinion that the differences are not enough to make game-shattering conclusions such as a ball performance roll back justifiable. - 2022-2023 1st-68.28, 100th-70.47, Tour average-70.70 - 2012 1st-69.63, 100th-71.01, Tour average-71.32 - 2002 1st-69.00, 100th-70.98, Tour average-71.29 The center of the discussion is the solid core ball which is dramatically longer than the previous balls of wound construction with Titleist’s Pro V1, the most played solid core ball, being introduced in 2000. It is generally acknowledged driver design has eked out the most yardage possible within the present equipment rules and any other gains in distance are attributable to course conditioning—firmer for more roll—and the increasing athleticism of elite players. Insiders know the bottom line is pros are swinging faster, giving them more clubhead speed and more distance. Regular golfers, so-called recreational players, according to a survey of almost 45,000 golfers done by TaylorMade Golf showed that an overwhelming four to one do not agree with the MLR and by the same margin are against splitting or bifurcating equipment into an elite category. Additionally, 77% said the distance pros hit the ball is not a problem. So where does that leave the USGA and R&A in this mess they created? The quick answer is out of touch with golf and golfers by focusing on a problem that doesn’t exist. Read the full article

[gimmethatagustd]

jai's fic updates

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active wips & schedule

as of March 31, 2024

This schedule is subject to change, but most due dates are hard deadlines.

If a fic is part of a fest, it won't be immediately posted to Tumblr or AO3 because fest fics are posted anonymously for a certain time frame (anywhere from a few weeks to a month) before the authors are revealed. Once the authors are revealed, I'll post the fic to Tumblr. If you want to read the fic in advance, definitely don't send me a DM to ask for the AO3 link, which I absolutely can't give you because it's supposed to be a secret. 😏

100 Drabble Challenge | MxR & MxM

Weekly, throughout 2024

Venor | KTH + JJK

April 14, 2024

Omega Jimin Fest | KTH + PJM

April 20, 2024

BTS Knot Fest | KTH + MYG + KNJ

April 23, 2024

DILF BTS Fest | PJM + JJK

April 30, 2024

Top KTH x Bottom JJK Fest

May 9, 2024

Hype Boy | KTH + PJM

June 2024

The Rarest Pair Fest | KSJ + PJM

June 13, 2024

Keep Singing This Lie | KTH + JJK

July 2024 (preferably sooner)

Vmin Lemon Fest

August 4, 2024

Agust D Fest | KNJ + PJM

August 4, 2024

Cosmic Collision | MYG + JJK

October 12, 2024

*Please feel free to send me an ask about any of my wips!

#fic update

[wrestler-smash-or-pass]

Weekly Wrapup 1/28/24

This Week's Rankings:

Hiroshi Tanahashi - 87.7% smash

Jamie Hayter - 82.8% smash

Shotzi Blackheart - 77.6% smash

Ruby Soho - 69.8% smash

Kip Sabian - 67.3% smash

Mark Davis - 57.5% smash

Shingo Takagi - 57.1% smash

Clark Connors - 54.8% smash

Austin Gunn - 51.7% smash

Nikkita Lyons - 48.2% smash

Frankie Kazarian - 42.2% smash

Shelton Benjamin - 42.2% smash

The Miz - 35.4% smash

Juice Robinson - 31.5% smash

More stats under the cut, along with my observations, commentary, and some of my favorite tags...

Most total votes this week (most enthusiasm)

Hiroshi Tanahashi - 373 votes

Austin Gunn - 325 votes

Mark Davis - 322 votes

The Miz - 294 votes

Kip Sabian - 278 votes

And least total votes this week (least enthusiasm)

Shelton Benjamin - 180 votes

Shingo Takagi - 205 votes

Frankie Kazarian - 211 votes

Nikkita Lyons - 220 votes

Ruby Soho and Jamie Hayter - 232 votes

The closest poll was Austin Gunn, who won 168-157

Top Ten Overall

Kris Statlander - 91% smash

Athena - 90.2% smash

Hikaru Shida - 89.7% smash

Minoru Suzuki (Young Variant) - 88.7% smash

Swerve Strickland - 88.3% smash

Hiroshi Tanahashi - 87.7% smash

Hangman Adam Page - 86.4% smash

Bianca Belair - 86.4% smash

Hikuleo - 86.0% smash

Jon Moxley (AEW Era) - 84.8% smash

Bottom Ten Overall

Vince McMahon - 3.9% smash

Kane (Corporate variant) - 10.1% smash

Miracle Violence Connection - 11.8% smash

Triple H (Terra Ryzing variant) - 18.6% smash

Charlie Dempsey - 22.1% smash

The Boogeyman - 22.6% smash

Brock Lesnar - 23.2% smash

Marty Scurll - 23.8% smash

Ranjin Singh - 24.7% smash

Ink Inc. - 25.0% smash

Top Women Overall

Kris Statlander - 91% smash

Athena - 90.2% smash

Hikaru Shida - 89.7% smash

Bianca Belair - 86.4% smash

Rhea Ripley - 84.2% smash

Bottom Women Overall

Carmella - 47.8% smash

Nikkita Lyons - 48.2% smash

Julia Hart (Cheerleader Variant) - 49.8% smash

Sherri Martel - 63.1% smash

Aubrey Edwards - 66.1% smash

Top Men Overall

Minoru Suzuki (Young Variant) - 88.7% smash

Swerve Strickland - 88.3% smash

Hiroshi Tanahashi - 87.7% smash

Hangman Adam Page - 86.4% smash

Hikuleo - 86.0% smash

Top Tag Teams

The Golden Lovers - 80.4% smash

Best Friends - 66.7% smash

Motor City Machine Guns - 65.5% smash

Young Bucks - 43.8% smash

Ink Inc. - 25% smash

Average Smash Rating

Week 1: 52.7% Week 2: 57.7% Week 3: 54.4% Week 4: 62.9% Week 5: 58.4% Week 6: 55.9% Week 7: 59.6% Week 8: 56.7% Week 9: 53.3% Week 10: 57.6%

First things first: I had a poll queued for Ashley Massaro, and it was posted today. I apologize to everyone who felt it was disrespectful to her memory. Thank you to the people who let me know what happened to her during her time at WWE so I could delete the poll and avoid causing further distress. I can't promise tasteless stuff like this won't happen in the future (I am human and make mistakes), but I do promise to better research on wrestlers who get polls. In general, the policy of "any human adult" isn't going to change, but I will try to avoid poorly timed polls, and I will apply content warning tags to some wrestlers when appropriate.

Onto some happier news: Austin has been voted the more smashable Gunn brother, 51.7% to Colten's 42.9%. Also, we now have polls for all of Bullet Club Gold! Their rankings are:

Jay White - 65.4% smash

Austin Gunn - 51.7% smash

Colten Gunn - 42.9% smash

Juice Robinson - 31.5% smash

Hiroshi Tanahashi became the No. 3 ranked man and received the 10th most votes in the overall rankings, while Jamie Hayter just missed knocking Rhea Ripley off the women's rankings.

The average poll gets 259 votes. For polls that get 300 or more votes, the average smash rating is 71% (leaving out one major outlier), so it is so fucking funny to me when someone gets tons of votes only to get somewhere around 50% for their result. It happened to Mark Davis and Austin Gunn this week. Just...the extreme lust and extreme disgust is hilarious.

And now for some of my favorite tags and comments

@arthausen on Juice Robinson: #pass. that’s Toni’s purse dog and I respect Toni too much to be a homewrecker#also he looks like animal from the muppets I don’t think I could finish bc I’d be too busy thinking about animal from the muppets

@howlinghunters on Juice Robinson: #I want to smash him and make him scream like the old Honeycomb mascot but at the same time I want to smash him over the head with a bat

@booboo-eyedbambi on Mark Davis: #kyle u ran off with don callis so im fucking your wife

@regalityandcoffee on Frankie Kazarian: #smash. ill deal with the consequences and existenal crisis afterwards

@beefyandbloody on Hiroshi Tanahashi: #i want him to be my housewife who handomely burns the eggs and plays air guitar on the fluffy duster

@theringleader on Austin Gunn: #this dweebus can NOT get it bc this is a Stacey's mom situation for me

#weekly wrap up

[honeytae]

if you’re open for regular requests i’d love to request lil scenarios of the boys learning english alongside their english-speaking s/o! this is totally self-indulgent i’m doing the TEFL program and i’m going to south korea next year to teach :)

first of all, that’s amazing omg!! congratulations my love, i hope you have the best time over there and please don’t be shy in sharing your stories with us!!! i tried to stick to the boys actually learning english with their s/o but i strayed from that with a few members just bc i ran out of ideas lol but i hope you still enjoy!

fair warning....i’ve never ~seriously~ tried to learn korean, so i’m not entirely certain of the parallels between korean and english. i just hope these are wholesome enough to override that lmao

namjoon:

“You know,” Namjoon looked up from his phone, “I understand expanding your vocabulary, but why are there so many weird slang words?”

“Kids these days?” You shrugged, the man chuckling in response before flipping his phone around to show you what had puzzled him.

“If something slaps, that’s...good?” He wondered, watching as you suppressed a smile at the tweet he was showing you.

You could tell by the profile picture that the user was an ARMY, one of the many fan profiles on the platform, and the tweet was written completely in English.

Although there was a ‘Translate to Korean’ option readily available with just a tap of his thumb, you knew Namjoon never missed an opportunity to challenge himself to be able to fully comprehend what a native English speaker was trying to say.

You nearly snorted at the tweet’s content, smiling as you read it out loud.

“The Dis-ease bridge just saved my life. Seriously, this song slaps.”

Glancing at Namjoon, he raised his eyebrows, eagerly waiting for you to translate and explain what that could equate to in Korean.

“It’s definitely a good thing, Joon. They love it.”

At your interpretation, Namjoon grinned, nodding to himself as he pulled his phone back in front of his face to scroll through more reaction tweets to the new album release.

seokjin:

“What the hell is that?”

You picked your head up from your sketchbook when you heard Seokjin whine from beside you, eyebrows knitting together at his distressed tone. Taking a glance over at his laptop screen, you found his mouse bouncing from letter to letter on one of his weekly english lessons.

“What is that, like 15 letters? How do you even use that in a sentence?” He went on, obviously flustered by the word on the screen.

Pulchritudinous.

You placed your hand over his to stop his panicked counting of the letters, causing him to look over at you with a sigh as he frowned.

You nearly giggled at his reaction, but the genuine fear in his eyes made you stifle it as you soothingly held his hands in yours. 

“It’s just an over complicated way of saying beautiful. I don’t know why they’re teaching you that, nobody ever uses it.” You assured him, his eyes going down in size a bit at your words before he nodded.

Watching as a smirk tilted his lips, you raised your brows at the sudden expression.

“What?”

“Well like, I could say I’m...that?” He said, eyebrows raised cockily as he gestured to the long word stretched across the screen.

“Well it’s actually not used like,” you paused, giving in with a shrug as you grinned back at him.

“Sure, love.”

yoongi:

“Why did I skip English class all the time?” Yoongi sighed, pinching his bottom lip between his fingers as he plucked at the skin in frustration.

“Because you were trying to be a rebel.” You answered without looking up from your phone, the man obviously not liking your answer as he reached over to where you were laying beside him to pinch at your hip.

Yelping, you scooted across the mattress to get away from his hand, whining his name with a scoff before looking over at his notepad.

“What are you doing, anyway?” You asked, leaning on your palm as you scanned the rows of scribbled English letters written on the page.

“I’m trying to get better at writing.” He admitted shyly, a small grin on his face to match the fond one on your own. 

“Aw,” you pouted, Yoongi raising his eyebrows at your tone, “but I like your chicken scratch.”

“You’re such a brat.” He chuckled, adjusting the velcro on his brace with a grunt.

Since Yoongi’s shoulder surgery took away obvious straining activities like dancing and performing, he’d turned to studying English from the comfort of your bed during his recovery as one of the only safe activities he could partake in for a while.

It was now one of his favorite past times, learning new words and phrases he could potentially use in the future. It worked for you both because it took his mind off the pain and kept him motivated, and since you could speak both his and your language, you could help him out whenever he got stuck on something.

Usually he did lessons verbally on his phone, but it seemed today he had taken the old fashioned route.

“Your handwriting really isn’t bad, Yoongs.” You observed, the carefully placed tails at the end of each ‘a’ making you smile out of fondness for the man.

“My man has the prettiest handwriting.” You cooed, pushing a strand of his stark black hair out of his eyes as he blushed down at his notebook.

“Stop that.”

hoseok:

“Hey, babe?” Hoseok called for you, listening to your footsteps growing closer before you popped your head into the kitchen doorway.

“Yeah?”

“I’m having a little trouble.” He gestured to his open laptop on the counter, you recognizing it as an assignment from his English course.

“What happened?”

“Pronouns. Pronouns happened.” He pouted, his disdain for the new chapter quite obvious as he stared down his computer screen.

“What about them?” You asked, stepping closer to the man sitting at the kitchen island and placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“I need to make ten sentences using proper pronouns and I feel like I’m doing it all wrong.” He explained, causing you to hum as you looked over his sentences.

“These look great, Hobi.” You smiled as you glanced over the first three he’d written, flawlessly executed on the document.

“Can you help me with the next one?” He wondered, you nodding your head as you took a seat on the stool next to his.

“What do you want the next one to say?” You asked, watching as he glanced off to the side in thought, slightly squinting his eyes at the tile floor beneath the sink.

“My house is next to,” He spoke in English, pausing as he searched his brain for what pronoun to put next.

“Theys?” He answered as more of a question, then shaking his head as he switched back to Korean, “wait, no.” He sighed, placing his chin in his hand in thought before glancing over to you.

“I know it’s wrong, I just don’t know what the right answer is instead.” He explained, you shooting him a loving smile as you pushed the dark raven hair off his forehead and pressed a kiss to the newly revealed skin.

“I’ll help you, Sunshine. No worries.”

jimin:

Flopping onto the bed, you let your tired body fall on top of Jimin’s hoodie clad chest, his arm encircling your body as he mumbled a soft greeting to you.

“Hm, what are you learning about today?” You nuzzled into his chest, peering at his phone propped up on his thigh.

“Animals. Birds, mostly.” He answered, briefly turning from the screen to press a kiss to your head before focusing back on the row of English words matched with pictures of popular birds glowing from the device.

The first was a robin, the next a blue jay, and then a dove.

You listened as the virtual instructor prompted Jimin to repeat after her, spelling out the letters before stating the whole word. You smiled as your boyfriend followed instruction, pronouncing the words the best he could after the microphone chimed for him to do so.

“D-o-v-e. Dove.”

“Dove.” He repeated, smiling to himself as the app announced he got the point with a little heart.

“That’s cute.” He went back to his native language, you humming in confusion as you lifted your head up off his chest to look at him.

“The heart?” You asked, reaching up to twist a stray strand of hair out of his eye as he shook his head.

“Dove.” He said again, making you tilt your head, not knowing what he meant.

“It sounds like ‘love.’” He connected the two English words, you smiling fondly at him in response before scooting up the bed to kiss the tip of his button nose.

“You’re so cute.”

taehyung:

Three knocks at the door announced someone’s arrival to your bedroom, causing your head to lift from the novel you’d been so immersed in. Taehyung was home, but you’d wanted to give him space because you knew he needed to work on lyrics for his mixtape in order to submit them on time. 

“Hey,” he poked his head in with a small smile, “can you help me with something?” He asked sheepishly, stepping further into the room when you nodded.

“Of course. What is it?” You set your book down, marking your place before closing it to pay full attention to your boyfriend.

“Well, I’m trying to write this verse in English and,” he trailed off with a shrug, “you know.” He finished, you nodding in response with a gesture for him to come sit next to you.

He eagerly walked over to you with his notebook in hand, lowering himself to the mattress before rolling his way over to where you were leaning against the headboard.

Honestly, Taehyung’s English wasn’t bad at all. He was insecure about it, but you’d never really understood what the reason for that feeling was. His vocabulary was more than decent, his comprehension was good, and his pronunciation was great for having such a thick accent.

But there were many times where Taehyung came to you for guidance, as you were a native English speaker yourself.

And so, as he rested his head on your shoulder confiding in you about everything he wanted to say and how he wanted to say it, you patiently took him through what would work and rhyme best, smiling as he hummed the melody to himself to see if the phrases would work in his creation.

jungkook:

“Baby, can you read it to me again before we go on? Just one more time.”

You glanced over at your boyfriend in his makeup chair, several employees bustling around the man as they attempted to get him ready to go on stage while they had him seated.

With his arm extended backward to where you stood behind his leather chair, he offered his phone to you while shooting you a grin through the reflection in the mirror.

Taking the device from his hand, you opened it to the notes app where he’d written what he wanted to say in his statement on stage in just a few minutes.

You were in London tonight, which meant that all of the boys had been rehearsing their English so that they could communicate easier with their audience.

Jungkook, ever the over-achiever, was determined to do the toughest English tongue twister he could possibly find. Not only that, but in a British accent for his British ARMY’s.

“Betty bought a bit of better butter to make her bitter butter better.” You read from the phone, barely able to read the sentence yourself before you glanced up at Jungkook through the mirror again.

You watched your boyfriend nod as his brain took in the words you’d just said, taking a deep inhale before he began speaking the phrase back to you.

You gawked as the man effortlessly repeated after you, a few of the makeup artists stopping as well as Jungkook raised his eyebrows back at you.

“Was that okay?”

#bts #bts writing #bts fanfiction #bts scenarios #bts scenario #bts reactions #bts reaction #bts blurbs #bts blurb #bts fluff #bts member x reader #bts x reader #namjoon x reader #namjoon fluff #seokjin x reader #seokjin fluff #yoongi x reader #yoongi fluff #hoseok x reader #hoseok fluff #jimin x reader #jimin fluff #taehyung x reader #taehyung fluff #jungkook x reader #jungkook fluff

[twwpress]

Weekly Press Briefing #67: October 1st - 7th

Welcome back to the Weekly Press Briefing, where we bring you highlights from The West Wing fandom each week, including new fics, ongoing challenges, and more! This briefing covers all things posted from October 1 - October 7, 2023! Did we miss something? Let us know; you can find our contact info at the bottom of this briefing! 

Challenges/Prompts:

There are no open challenges/prompts that we know of this week. Do you have a challenge or event you’d like us to promote or know of one we’re missing? Be sure to get in touch with us! Contact info is at the bottom of this briefing.

This Week in Canon:

Welcome back to This Week in Canon, where we revisit moments in The West Wing that occurred on these dates during the show’s run.

Season 1, Episode 3: A Proportional Response aired on October 6, 1999.

Season 2, Episode 1: In the Shadow of Two Gunmen Part I aired on October 4, 2000.

Season 2, Episode 2: In the Shadow of Two Gunmen Part II aired on October 4, 2000.

Season 4, Episode 3: College Kids aired on October 2, 2002.

Season 5, Episode 2: The Dogs of War aired on October 1, 2003.

Season 7, Episode 2: The Mommy Problem aired on October 2, 2005.

Photos/Videos:

Here’s what was posted from October 1 - October 7:

Amy Landecker posted photos of herself, Bradley Whitford, and their former Transparent co-star Jay Duplass at the Documentary Emmys.

Amy Landecker posted photos of Brad and herself at The Broad Museum.  

Janel Moloney posted a photo of her twin sister Carey along with a birthday wish. 

Josh Malina posted an infographic encouraging people to donate blood for the American Red Cross, as well as a photo of himself donating. 

Josh Malina posted a photo of himself celebrating Sukkot. 

Josh Malina posted a photo shoot of himself in a furry coat in support of SAG-AFTRA.

Josh Malina posted a photo of Israel with the caption “Thinking of ישראל”.

Marlee Matlin posted a photo of herself with her dad along with thoughts of him on the tenth anniversary of his passing and a photo of a tattoo she has of his handwriting. 

Marlee Matlin posted a video of herself in Love Sign ASL Chicago Bears gear.

Marlee Matlin posted an image that said, “Pray for Peace” along with thoughts for people in Israel.  

Mary McCormack posted photos of herself and her daughter Rose at the Leelanau Uncaged festival in Newport, Michigan, along with a video of Rose performing there. 

Mary McCormack posted a photo of herself on the SAG-AFTRA picket line with Allison Janney and Richard Schiff. 

Peter James Smith posted a selfie from week 12 of picketing for SAG-AFTRA. 

Rob Lowe posted a TBT photo of a star-studded list of cast and crew hotel assignments from filming The Outsiders on location.

Donna Moss Daily: October 1 | October 2 | October 3 | October 4 | October 5 | October 6 | October 7

Daily Josh Lyman: October 1 | October 2 | October 3 | October 4 | October 5 | October 6 | October 7

No Context BWhit:  October 1 | October 2 | October 3 | October 4 | October 5 | October 6 | October 7

@twwarchive: October 1 | October 2 | October 3 | October 4 | October 7

Edits/Artwork:

#joshdonna: i’m not moving by @hvnleia [VIDEO EDIT]  [Ed. Note: There was an edit by Twitter user @carolshathways we were going to share but unfortunately their account was suspended. You can find them now at @abigailbrtlet.]

Fics:

Presenting your weekly roundup of fics posted in the tag for The West Wing on Archive of Our Own. 

Josh/Donna

Change Has Gotta Come by Shonio | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

I Have This Friend I Call by Juliethebibliophile | Rated T | Josh Lyman & Sam Seaborn, Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

Errors and Omissions by Chinesepapercut | Rated M | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

i believe in you. i believe in us. by wootcanal | Rated M | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

Snow on the Beach by MatthewsMary | Rated E | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete [Editor’s Note: While this fic is listed on AO3 as complete, it has continued to update and appears to be a WIP]

Worst Case Scenerio by Tyrols | Not Rated | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete 

Other Pairings/Gen Fic

it started off with a kiss... now it ended up like this by imawkwardlysoc | Rated G | Sam Seaborn/Original Female Character | In Progress

The First Lady by GlitteringNiffler | Rated G | Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet | In Progress

A Stranger Here Myself by JediAnnieScrambler | Rated T | C. J. Cregg/Toby Ziegler | Complete

I'll Call by youvebeenlivingfictional | Rated E | Josh Lyman/Reader | Complete

Multiple Pairings

do you think there’s someplace we could go? by fleurfemme | Rated M | Abbey Bartlet/C. J. Cregg, Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet, Jed Bartlet/Leo McGarry | In Progress

THE WEEKLY PRESS BRIEFING TEAM CAN BE REACHED VIA THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

Twitter: @TWWPress

Email: [email protected]

Feel free to let us know if we missed something, if you have an event you’d like us to promote, or if you have an item that you’d like included in the next briefing!

xx, What’s next?

#the west wing #tww #tww fandom #josh lyman #donna moss #tww fic #west wing #cj cregg #sam seaborn #toby ziegler #weekly press briefing

[royalsunshinehotel]

Pegging (Preference, 18+)

requested by my beloved @lover-jpeg, and co-written by my dearest @hecuba-of-troy

Anwar Kharral (Skins UK, 2009) - Anwar worships the pussy, we know this. We appreciate this about him. But before anything he is a Hoe. And bisexual icon. - You're beautiful, badass, partner. If you ask nicely, he'll be down. - Though what threw you was the fact that he did have his own strap for you to wear. - He said that his 'ex' left it, and you get side tracked about if he means the sweet, beautiful, Italian tennis player, or that mean heidi klum-knockoff that you fought at the VMAs. - You get around to the act eventually, and it's great for both of you.

Neelamani "Neal" Sampat (The Newsroom, 2011-2014) - Dude, Neal LOVES pegging. He's been around the block and he's concluded that it's one of his favorite things. - We know he's got experienced, but he's gonna wait for you to ask, because it seems odd to spring on someone you've just started seeing officially. - The man is a retired hoe, and switch, and truly, deeply, down for whatever the hell you're gonna throw at him. - When you see him fall apart for you, you conclude that this is going to be a tri-weekly thing for you and your partner.

Sunit "Sonny' Kapoor (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, 2011, 2015) - Like your entire relationship with Sonny, the conversation about pegging was spur of the moment. - You hadn't seen him in a square 24 hours because both of the Hotels had three weddings booked between them. - Your man is too damn hyperactive, he needed a break. - So the moment you could get your claws into him, you drag him away from work and push him down into your bed, and ask "do you trust me?" He says yes. - You tell him bluntly, "I'm going to fuck you." and his eyes get wide. - It has to be one of your favorite things to see Sonny calm down for you, just rock back onto your strap while you pull his hair and tell him what a "good boy" he's being for you. - From that moment on, it's your secret weapon on how to get Sonny to calm down.

Deon Wilson (CHAPPIE, 2015) - Deon's not the most experienced, he's been open about this. - Paired with the fact he had some major emergency surgery in Johannesburg, you take the physical stuff at his pace. That's some serious body trauma, you're not gonna rush him. - But then, one evening, he's hanging out at your apartment, and he asks you a question. You say yes immediately. - Deon's skittish, nervous, just as you expected. But you soothe him, like you always do. - He thinks he's going to die for a moment, but being an overstimulated puddle in your partner's arms? There are worse ways to go. He would know. - You reach around to jerk him off, taking in all his small moans and whines. He falls apart. 10/10.

Sheru "Saroo" Brierly (LION, 2016) - Saroo is literally too much of a dom. Like it's hilarious. - Like he doesn't really care about pegging, it just doesn't sound like it would be particularly fun. He likes being in charge. That's it. - That's all you need for a "no", because what else is there? - Though, to be honest, the last time you brought it up, the night ended with your bedframe broken and several major bitemarks in impractical places. Not too bad.

Sanjay "Jay" Menha (The Wedding Guest, 2018) - Jay is a no. But not a hard no. - Like maybe one day, once things have settled down. - When he's got you a house, with a white picket fence, and you guys eat casseroles or whatever the hell married people do. - But for now, he can't give up control. He can't let himself let go just yet.

David Copperfield II (The Personal History of David Copperfield, 2019) - David is a certified bottom. You guys are swingers, and your more than happy to share him with a handsome man who asks. - With David's enthusiastic consent, obviously. - He bottoms for men, but he likes to have you there. The natural progression is you wanting to try it for yourself. - It wasn't intentional, but the time you spend at the club is cut almost in half. Barring Edmund. You both adore Edmund, and that's final! - Adding pegging to your shared repertoire only brings you both closer together.

Joshua Madika (Modern Love, 2019) - Joshua definitely identifies as queer. Specifically pansexual. - He's bottomed before, but it's not common for him. Joshua is a CEO, and you don't become a CEO without loving control. - But the thing is, your his baby. You want to try it, and you always get what you want. Just as it should be.

Sir Gawain (The Green Knight, 2021) - This man will get tossed around by anyone and everyone. - He definitely gets pegged he's down for it. Whoever, whenever, he's down. - During orgies at the castle, he could be in a group with mostly women all over him, but he feels someone in that area - And our favorite whore of a knight just things "okay, whatever" and enjoys the ride. - He's never been pegged in private though. - When you bring it up, he gets a bit nervous. It's a bit too real if it's just the two of you. - But you take care of what's yours.

#dev patel #dev patel imagine #anwar kharral #skins uk #neal sampat #the newsroom #sonny kapoor #the best exotic marigold hotel #chappie 2015 #deon wilson #saroo brierly #sheru brierly #lion 2016 #the wedding guest 2018 #jay menha #david copperfield #the personal history of david copperfield #joshua madika #joshua modern love #modern love #sir gawain #the green knight

[justmypartner]

Still Breathing: Chapter 2

Summary: AU | When a case goes sideways, Hailey wakes up in the hospital with a revelation that leaves her evaluating her life. While she recovers at Med, she meets Jay, an aloof, yet intriguing patient that catches her by surprise. The two get to know one another as they take on the task of rediscovering what it’s like to truly live, and eventually learn their lives intersect in more ways than one. 

Writer’s Note: I know I said this wouldn’t be a weekly fic, but I finished this chapter a lot sooner than I thought I would so, surprise!! Thank you so much for the kind words on the first chapter. I so appreciate those interactions, and I’m excited to keep sharing this story. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy :)

Read on AO3 or below

Hailey was pulled out of a light sleep with the sound of a quiet shuffle into her room, followed by the rolling of wheels and the sudden intensity of light against her eyelids. She squinted her eyes closed, pulling the thin blanket that covered her body over her head as a soft chuckle filled the room. It was a daily occurrence she hadn’t gotten used to, and it only made her that much more ready to go home.

By that point in her short, but seemingly never ending stint in the hospital, she was used to all of the tests. She was also fully prepared to give a detailed rundown of her condition to anyone that asked. Her shoulder was of minimal concern, but the blunt force trauma to the abdomen was another story. The two bullets to the vest caused a large hematoma, otherwise known as the massive bruising along the bottom half of her torso. Usually that type of injury heals on its own, but considering the caliber of the bullets that hit her and the proximity of which they did, her doctors were concerned about rupture. Knowing all of this, she understood why daily, a doctor would have to come into her room with a portable ultrasound, pour a cold gel onto her stomach and make sure that things were healing as they were supposed to. It just wasn’t something she was particularly fond of, especially since it almost always took place before the sun was even out.

“C’mon detective, you know the drill,” a familiar voice said with a light tone as she approached. Hailey grumpily removed the blanket and pulled up her shirt to allow her to take a look.

It was Dr. James, a third-year resident on the recovery floor. She had spent the past few days running the check, allowing her and Hailey to get to know one another fairly well in the short period. They would spend time chatting each day, and it made her grateful to have a doctor she felt so comfortable with. Comfortable enough to go out on a limb and poke around about the nameless man she had met the day before.

“Hey, can I ask, do you ever work with the chemo-patients here?” she inquired, a timidness in her voice.

“Not really, I’m mainly here on the recovery floor, why?” the young doctor questioned.

“No reason,” Hailey shook off, avoiding the real and what she found embarrassing reason for asking.

“I don’t buy that,” Doctor James said as she moved the ultrasound device across her abdomen, looking away from the screen briefly to send her a knowing and curious look.

“I met a guy yesterday,” she gave in, watching as the doctor’s eyes widened with amusement.

“Oh did you now?” she asked with excitement.

“Stop, it wasn’t like that,” Hailey shot back with an embarrassed smile. “Anyway, he didn’t give me his name, but he mentioned being here for treatment, so I was hoping you had some insight.”

“Yeah, I don’t know any patients up there, but I can do some asking around if you’d like,” she offered, wiping the gel from her abdomen and pulling her shirt back down.

“No, no, not necessary, I was just curious,” Hailey shook her head, sitting up straighter in the bed. The doctor bobbed her head in agreement as she put away the equipment.

“What did this stranger look like?” She asked, raising her brows at the blonde. Hailey shook her head with a smile before rolling her eyes and giving in to the inquiry.

“Tall, muscular, and the most beautiful eyes I think I’ve ever seen, but there was something about him. I don’t know…” she finally said, her words falling off.

“Okay, now I really want to find him,” she snickered back. Hailey’s eyes once again rolled as she laughed with the doc.

“Jokes aside, you are healing up pretty well. I’m not seeing any signs of rupture, so I’ll pass on that info to your lead doctor and see about finally putting you out of your misery and getting you out of this place. However, if you’re meeting tall, muscular, and beautiful eyed strangers here, I don’t know how much misery you’re really in,” she joked, rising from her chair as she pushed the cart out of the room.

“You know, I was excited about leaving, but now I think I’m more excited just to not have to see you anymore,” Hailey said sarcastically as the doctor opened the door.

“Please, you’ll miss me,” she called back without even missing a beat.

“We’ll see…” Hailey mocked. “Thanks, Doc,” she added, sending her a sincere smile when she turned around just before leaving the room.

After the wake-up call, she couldn’t fall back asleep, so she got ready for the day. In hospital terms, all that meant was changing from one set of sweats to another and running a brush through her hair. With nothing else to do, she began reading the book she picked up in the gift shop the day before. By the time food service came with her meal a few hours later, she was more than halfway into it. She picked through the food as she continued lost in the story. It was about a girl who packed up her life after a break-up and moved to Italy, exploring the country with a stranger she had met her first summer there. 

She wasn’t big on romance novels, but this one had her hooked. She was completely captivated by the story and the characters. So much so that part of her felt like jumping into the pages and living in the little world the author had created. Yet, as much as it had her entertained, it also left her with that same crushing feeling she developed about her own life. For days she imagined throwing caution to the wind like the character did in the book. She wanted to chase that adventure she was suddenly craving, but she knew it wasn’t as easy as it sounded. She was not even a month into her dream job, and it wasn’t like she had days off to spare, especially after being out from her injuries. As much as she wanted to do more with her life, she also really loved her job. The more she thought about it, the less likely it seemed to be able to find a balance. So, she found herself diving deeper into the book as a distraction from it all. Late into the afternoon, after hours of quiet reading, she was interrupted with a knock on the door.

“Is it time for me to finally get out of this place or are you back to rub on my stomach a little more,” she asked half-mindedly, her eyes never looking up from the pages of her book. She assumed it was Doctor James, back for another check of some sort.

“I’m not really sure how to answer that,” a deep, but familiar voice replied, causing Hailey’s eyes to shoot up immediately.

In the doorway of her room, the eyes that seemed to be burned in the back of her mind peered over at her. She straightened in her bed, dropping the book into her lap.

“Hi,” she breathed out, stunned by the surprise visit.

“Hi,” he smiled.

“What are you doing here?” She asked, a frazzled look plastered across her face.

“I was here for an appointment when I overheard these doctors talking about some blonde detective asking around about me. Figured I’d do some asking around myself and well… here I am,” he confessed. She immediately blushed, mortified he’d found out she was looking for him. Dr. James, she thought, mentally rolling her eyes at how entertained she knew the woman would be by the interaction. 

“Yeah, I just- well I was-“ she stumbled over her words. He let out an amused chuckle as she sighed in frustration.

“How are you?” she settled on, dropping her eyes to her lap meekly.

“Alive, I guess,” he laughed. “You?” 

“Alive, I guess,” she returned. Her lips forming a small smile as she brought her eyes back up to him.

“Are you going to tell me your name today?” She asked.

“Nope,” he replied with a self-approving grin.

She pursed her lips together and her forehead knotted at his stubborn evasion.

“Ranger,” she read on his hat in an attempt to break through the awkwardness. “I thought you said you’re a cop?”

“I was a Ranger before. Two tours in Afghanistan.”

“Wow, every new thing I learn about you just makes me want to know more,” she immediately bit the inside of her cheek, fully aware of how bold she sounded.

He smiled shyly from the doorway, crossing his arms over his chest as silence filled the room. Hearing another piece of his history made her remember what he had told her the day before, about being a cop and about his condition, and suddenly a thought crossed her mind.

“Can I ask you something?” She finally broke.

He pushed himself from the door frame and came to sit in the chair positioned next to her bed. He propped a foot up on his opposite knee and settled into the back of the chair.

“Sure,” he said simply, nervously adjusting the brim of his ball cap as he waited for her question.

“Do you ever just stop and think about your life? Like the things you’ve done or the things you’ve missed out on?” she asked, twisting her body slightly so she was facing him.

“Um,” he breathed out, raising his brows and blinking his eyes slowly as he thought over the inquiry. “That’s a heavy question to ask someone you’ve just met,” he smirked, appearing both baffled and intrigued by the question.

“Sorry, I clearly haven’t had enough people to talk to these past few days. Forget I said anything,” she waved off, regretting bringing the subject up in the first place. 

“No, it’s fine. Really. I guess I’m just confused why you ask?” he raised back. Her chest rose as she inhaled deeply, preparing to put her jumbled thoughts into words.

“When I lost consciousness after I was shot, I had this vision, well, more like a recap of some things in my life. It was like the saying. My life actually flashed before my eyes. Yet, when I woke up I was disappointed with the life that I saw. I just figured- you said you’ve been shot before and with your…” her words trailed off as she realized what she was going to say was far too audacious.

“My what? My cancer?” He finished for her, an evenness in his voice.

“Yeah,” she said softly, flustered by her unintended forwardness. “Sorry, I just didn’t know if you’ve had a similar revelation after everything you’ve been through,” her words getting quieter the more she spoke. He took a breath, his head falling back as he seemed to weigh up her probing thoughts.

“Well, I’ve spent the majority of my life tempting fate. Pretty much all of my adult years were spent in careers that left me dodging bullets, not always successfully, taking beatings, spraining ankles, you name it, but the second I was told something else was threatening my life, something I didn’t get to choose? I lost it. My brother-“

“The idiot doctor?” She butted in with a grin.

“Yes, the idiot doctor,” he smirked. His face fell quickly as he continued the story. “He was the one that told me I should get checked out. He noticed the signs, and he caught it. I was so pissed at him for it. It obviously wasn’t his fault I was sick, if anything he helped me by catching it before it was too far gone, but I took my anger out on him. So to answer your question, yeah. All I did was think about life during that time. What I’d done, what I wished I’d done, what I wouldn’t be able to do... All of those regrets, they felt out of my control, so I blamed it on him. He was the one that, in my irrational state, seemed to have taken that control away from me,” he revealed, ending the story with a penitent look.

“You keep talking in past tense, how did things change?” She questioned, readjusting her position on the bed so that she could rest a fist under her chin.

“He put me in my place. It was the night after my first treatment. Mentally and physically I was wrecked. He came over to check on me, and I blew up at him. I said some pretty terrible things. Things that I didn’t mean, things that would’ve sent any other person right out the door, but he just sat there unfazed, a straight look on his face, and he said you’re still breathing, aren’t you? Basically I could sit there miserably, being pissed at him, at everything I couldn’t do, and at life, or I could use it as an excuse to take hold of it. That night, we sat down and he helped me come up with a list. A Still Breathing List as we call it. Basically a stupid bucket list, but it actually really helped pull me out of the dark hole I slipped into.”

“That’s really cute. Idiot or not, he sounds like a good brother,” she said softly, a teasing grin on her face.

“Eh, I guess, but don’t tell him I said that.”

She let out a quiet laugh with his words, causing him to laugh along with her.

“So what’s on the list?” She asked him when the low hum of laughter subsided.

“Uh, well a ton of stuff,” he said cryptically.

“Like?”

“Like rent a convertible and drive down Lake Shore late at night, find the best cup of coffee in the city, jump from the DuSable bridge into the Chicago River-”

“No way. Why would anyone ever want to do that?” Hailey interrupted, laughing and cringing at the thought. He smiled at her aversion to the idea.

“For the memory of it,” he shrugged as if it weren’t a completely repulsive thing to do.

“That sounds horrible,” she remarked with a snicker.

“Horribly interesting though, right? That’s what this list is all about. Do all of these random, bizarre things- things I’ve always wanted to do, things nobody would ever think to do, things that create memories so that one day when I die, I have the comfort of knowing I lived a little… So that people have stories to tell about me that don’t just involve wars and criminals,” he explained, something about the sentiment behind it all resonating so deeply with her.

She almost froze at his words. She recognized the way they reflected exactly what she had been grappling with since she woke in that room only a few days before. It was another thing about him that made their meeting seem serendipitous. Like they were supposed to be in that elevator at the same time, and her nosey doctor was supposed to go against her wishes and seek him out for her.

She thought over his words a moment. The main reason behind her epiphany was because every good thing in her life seemed to only tie back to her job. She thought turning that around would take something drastic like what the character did in her book, but his words made her think differently. Maybe all she needed to fill that void was a collection of small, yet intentional moments. It made her think maybe she needed a list of her own.

“Why won’t you tell me your name?” She asked him, her stare prying into the depths of his welcoming eyes. He looked at her with a gentle look, giving her that same feeling from the day before. That comfortable feeling of being around someone you know so well, a feeling that almost made her forget she still had no idea who he was. Just when she thought he was going to answer, a knock on the door pulled them from their entranced states.

“Ms. Upton, I’m here to check your vitals one last time before we discharge you,” a nurse said as she entered the room, her eyes buried in the papers in her hands.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she apologized as she looked up to notice the man by Hailey’s bedside.

“No worries,” she told her politely, her eyes never leaving his.

“Saved by the nurse,” she said to him in a low whisper only he could hear. He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth and raised his eyebrows at her as he pushed himself up out of the chair.

“No, you don’t have to go,” she said, reaching her uninjured arm out to grab at his wrist. He looked down at her fingers wrapped around his arm, then quickly shifted his eyes back to hers. She knew her chances of seeing him again after getting discharged were slim. She didn’t know his name, his number, nothing that would guarantee another encounter. She didn’t want to let him go before she knew there was a chance they would meet again.

“Okay,” he nodded, falling back into the chair as she released her grip.

He silently watched as the nurse checked her vitals. She could feel his eyes on her the entire time, she just hoped the way it had her heart racing wasn’t reflecting too much in her numbers.

“Everything looks good, I just have to run these by the doctor, and then someone will be by with discharge papers,” she said before turning to leave the room.

“Thank you,” she told the woman joyfully.

When they were once again left alone, she looked over at the stranger, her lips pursed to the side as she tried to work up the courage to ask for his number. She battled with it in her head, wondering whether or not it would come across too suggestively. She wasn’t after anything romantic. She certainly found him attractive, alluring, and she’d even go as far to say he was her type, but she wasn’t looking for a relationship or anything like it. At the least, she just knew she could use another person in her circle, especially one that seemed to be having the same feelings about life she was. Someone who understood that need for something more. She felt drawn to him, like somehow, someway, they were supposed to fit into each other’s lives. It was silent as she wrestled with her thoughts, and just as she took a deep breath to speak, he beat her to it.

“So, discharged. That’s good news,” he said, nervously picking at the shoelaces of his shoe propped up on his knee.

“Yeah, I can’t wait to finally be home. It’s felt like forever,” she got out, her thoughts fogging her conversational skills.

“So-“

“I-“

They spoke at the same time, interrupting each other and laughing at their poor timing.

“You first,” she insisted.

“I was just wondering if it’s too forward to ask if we could see each other again,” he replied bashfully. “I just- I’ve been pretty isolated since my diagnosis, and I don’t know… I feel like you’re easy to talk to,” he added before she could respond.

“Funny, I was trying to find a way to ask you the same thing,” she admitted, immediately feeling a warmth flush to her cheeks.

“Then uh… here,” he said, his eyes fall upon the book she was reading, now lying at the foot of the bed. He grabbed it and the pen from the top of her chart and began writing on the back page of the book.

“No pressure, no expectations, I just wouldn’t mind getting to know you,” he said simply, standing as he handed her back the book.

“Me too,” she told him, grabbing it and fidgeting with its pages as he turned to leave.

She opened it to read the note as his back was turned, and she breathed out an annoyed laugh as she took in the words.

If you ever need to be reminded you’re still breathing… the writing said, along with his number and his self-granted nickname signed at the bottom.

“Still sticking with stranger from the elevator?”

“For now,” he smirked, holding up a hand in goodbye before disappearing out the door and down the hall.

She wasn’t sure why he was being so reserved about his identity, especially after all of the personal details he had already shared, but she knew there had to be a reason behind it. He was still a mystery to her, and maybe that was another reason why she was so drawn to him. She spent her life solving puzzles, it only made sense that she’d be so invested in trying to piece him together.

She took a cab home from the hospital, lost in her thoughts as she imagined what she would include on her own Still Breathing List. She came up with a few ideas in her head, but by the time the driver pulled up outside her place, she realized she hadn’t been able to settle on any of them. She paid the man and extended him her thanks before walking to the front door and pulling out her keys. She sighed a breath of relief as she opened the door and took in the familiarity of the quiet townhouse. After settling her things in the foyer, she made way into the dark space. She was ready for a shower, maybe some food delivery, and eventually the warmth of her bed, but there was one thing she wanted to do before any of that. She walked into her office and pulled out a legal pad from one of the drawers of her desk. She scribbled a pen across the top, bringing to life her own plan to make new memories.

Still Breathing List

Get the stranger from the elevator to tell me his real name

She smiled to herself, quickly making her way back to her things from the hospital and digging out the book buried somewhere in the bottom of her bag. She brought it back into her office, copying the number into her phone before taking a photo of the note pad and typing out a message to him.

Starting a list of my own, what do you think of it so far?

It was her silly way of breaking the ice, and she was surprised when it didn’t take long for a response to light up her screen.

Sorry, who is this?

Only kidding, but I do think it could use some work.

She smiled at his words. She knew it was a foolish thing to include on what was essentially the start of her own bucket list. She was only half-serious about it being her number one thing, but list aside, she was determined to learn all about him. The way she viewed her life changed after the shooting. It changed in a way that left her feeling suspended, like she didn’t have a way to turn things around. Then almost immediately, he showed up in her life, sharing that same feeling for a different reason, but with a solution for it all. It was the strangest coincidence, and it took her by surprise. She wasn’t sure what else she’d eventually add to that list, but getting to know him? That seemed to be the only thing on her mind. In a way it scared her. She wasn’t sure why this stranger had such a hold on her, but oddly enough she was prepared to see where the curiosity would take her. If she was going to get more out of life like she’d hoped, she knew it would mean taking risks and getting out of her comfort zone, and he seemed like the perfect place to start.

#upstead #jay x hailey #hailey x jay #jay halstead #hailey upton #chicago pd #upstead fic #justmypartner fics #collection of Em’s fics