#you take one sentence from this story and two sentences from here and five words from this other version | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

magenta-embers · 6 months

Text

Fetus Jimin's Blatant Crush on Jungkook

Today I wanted to travel back in time and put a spotlight on a period of utmost importance when it comes to understanding the full picture of Jikook and part of what makes it such a legitimate possibility.

Believing that they could truly be a couple now is made as easy as breathing when you observe their history. You need the whole context to take Jikook from just another ship to something potentially very real. It's a context that the other pairings in the group just don't have.

The Jimin and Jungkook we know now are settled and comfortable with themselves and with each other. You could call them domestic. But back in the day, say 2013-2015, it was a different story.

To put it simply: Jimin and Jungkook had a massive mutual crush on each other and it wasn't even remotely subtle.

Most Jikookers know what I'm talking about, but if you haven't had a chance to look deeper into the context of these two together, here's a teensy intro.

I'm gonna share a select few of my personal highlight moments exhibiting Jimin's crush + his confusion/acceptance regarding it. There are hours of moments to choose from and an image/gif limit, so we'll keep it to a minimum.

We're going to focus on the Jimin side of things today. Jungkook will probably get his own post as these two expressed their feelings quite differently.

Present-day Jimin is very good at compartmentalizing what thoughts or parts of thoughts he shares with us. He's vague in all the right areas, chooses his words carefully, omits certain details, and is overall pretty masterful at the parasocial aspect of being an idol. Back then though?

Holy sweet mother of pearl, he just said and did anything.

He was honest (embarrassingly so) and he wore his heart on his sleeve. Because of this fumbling period with no brain-to-mouth filter, there exists some incredible retrospective insight into how Jimin feels about Jungkook at his core, without all the masking and nonchalance we get nowadays.

(Let's be real though, he still slips up)

"JK is coming."

Boy 💀

Let's get into it.

Exhibit A

This first section is going to look at a very young Jimin's struggle with these new, unfamiliar feelings he's been having lately (not necessarily in exact chronological order but some highlights within the "budding crush" stage).

A.1

While affectionately petting the maknae's hair and nape, Jimin wonders aloud why he likes Jungkook so much, as if he likes him an abnormal amount or differently than the five other friends he has in the group. If anything, Jimin should have liked Tae the most at this point since they were friends from school. Yet, Jimin openly questions what makes Jungkook different.

It's an introspective question disguised as a rhetorical one. Obviously, Jimin doesn't want JK to answer and JK, shy as he is, doesn't know how to answer a loaded question like that so he tries to redirect Jimin's attention to actual matters. It doesn't quite work.

Jimin then says, "These days, Jungkook..." and trails off while scratching his head with lighthearted frustration as if to say, "These days, Jungkook... plagues my mind," or something to that sentiment. JK's on his mind a lot and it confuses him. He doesn't finish the sentence but instead brushes it off with a laugh.

He holds back because it'll look weird to people if he gets into how much he thinks about JK or unpacks why. Still, he can't help but start to talk about it, because it's something that's actively bothering him.

A.2

Like I said, not only does Jimin think about JK too much, but he's also thinking about how people will judge him for how he perceives Jungkook. People might think he's strange.

Why?

JK's the timid maknae with big, curious eyes. Of course, he's cute. Everyone will agree. Everyone does agree. So why is Jimin concerned with what he can say about Jungkook that's okay to others? He even pouts sadly for a moment at the end. The maknae's cute and he's kind of glum over it? He's definitely been overthinking it.

Also, the way Jimin cartoonishly moves his head and eyes while talking about how bewildered JK always is and how adorable he is for it is a hilarious attempt at being nonchalant, but to me, it just looks like a schoolboy trying not to seem gushy about his secret crush.

A.3

Jungkook's so cute and so charming that Jimin can't function like he wants to. Can't live properly because Jungkook's on his mind constantly. He's super distracting. Is this a normal friendship thing? No. You don't see Hobi or Joon saying this about him. It's a problem exclusive to Jimin. And exclusive for Jungkook.

Jimin knows it's weird too. He's acting lighthearted about it, but to randomly say, "I can't live because of you" and keep bumping into JK is his frustration bleeding through. All the while he can't take his eyes off him as if he's trying to solve his dilemma right then and there.

Overall, It seems like Jimin doesn't understand what it is he's feeling, just that it's a lot, which makes me think that up until the Jungkook point, he hadn't really considered his sexuality on a meaningful level. We know that Jimin was the least experienced romantically, so it wouldn't surprise me if that's the case.

It's okay, Jiminie. You'll figure out a lot of things about yourself sooner rather than later.

Exhibit B

This section is about a period of time when Jimin accepted his crush and became unbelievably annoying vocal about it. You could also do an essay on why he was so in everyone's face about it.

B.1

Man, he just outright said it, huh?

Jimin wants to be with Jungkook and go on a date with him and hold hands.

Okay, pack it up everyone, we're done here. He like likes him, oooooooh!

Look at him clinging to JK's clothes and merrily skipping forward holding his wrist. Bless his heart. As Jimin once mentioned, "My heart that thinks of Jungkook is quite big."

Peep everyone else's reactions. JK has no objections and is just basically making his "Yeeeeeaaaah" face. Namjoon and Yoongi are a mix of confused and exasperated, both going, "What?" at the inappropriate(?) answer. Hobi attempts a poker face.

They shove Jimin away and attempt to move on...

And Jimin comes right back, practically leaps on Jungkook to plead with him to "live happily together." Okay.

When I tell you he's embarrassing.

Now Namjoon is straight-up irritated because Jimin didn't get the hint and is ruining the interview. He rolls his eyes and shoves them both back this time like he knows he's gotta get rid of the whole equation.

Hobi's glare poker face fails and he attempts to redirect focus to the topic with his own answer, complete with a pointed hand gesture.

Yoongi has a genuine scrunch of judgy confusion as if he just doesn't get wtf Jimin is trying to do because he should know better or why he's acting so clingy right now.

Jungkook quietly preens under Jimin's attention, but it's also awkward because he can read the room, so he doesn't quite know how to react other than remain pliable. He does reach for Jimin's hand subconsciously though.

I don't think it's even necessary to keep going, but oh ho ho, we're gonna keep going.

B.2

Tae: "I think he kind of likes men."

Now, I don't love the way Tae blurts this out, putting Jimin on the spot and nearly outing him. But also, it's meant to be a joke and he likely doesn't know yet just how on the nose he really is. Tae has grown and matured a lot over the years, so forgive him for this blip.

I imagine Tae has had to sit through a lot of sus rants from Jimin about Jungkook at this point. Because it's interesting that the statement came out of him so readily as if he's considered this about Jimin more than once. He's one of the closest people to Jimin, so if he's been pondering this about his friend then it's a pretty significant observation.

Now how does Jimin react to this out-of-pocket accusation? Is it:

a) "Haha, noooo!"

b) "What are you saying?"

c) "Not like that!"

d) "Come on now."

e) He doesn't deny it whatsoever.

If you answered e, you get a sun and moon sticker. It would've been so easy and expected for Jimin to deny this claim, but he doesn't. Because he can't. Because he'd be lying. Because he does kind of like men. Especially one in particular. And Jimin is just too honest.

He does very gracefully tiptoe around a confirmation (and a shutdown of the topic) by telling Tae he doesn't like him specifically. His reflex was to be defensive of himself and how much he likes Jungkook. It also further confirms that how Jimin likes Tae (his best friend) is different from how he likes Jungkook. It's all truly very telling.

(JK's reactions are very cute, but we won't get into that here.)

B.3

Host: "You're free to go anywhere in the world with anyone you want to do anything you wish. Where are you, what are you doing, and who are you with?"

Jimin:

Really? He had this romantic-ass answer ready to go. The other members gave normal answers about family and such. Jimin could've easily. But no. He then smiles sweetly over at Jungkook. The host is actually flustered by his answer and translates what he says, but conveniently leaves out the holding hands part.

But this is a fluke, right? He just said Jungkook as a silly answer, right?

Oh, look! Another instance when he can answer with anything and still ends up being honest.

"I think Jungkook is very cute." It's his go-to answer when people ask him why he likes JK so much. People keep mentioning it because his liking for Jungkook is noticeably and abnormally loud. Yet, Jimin's usual answer isn't really a complete answer, is it? "Cute" can be part of a reason, but not the whole reason. Cute is the safe detail he can share.

Lmao at Tae's side-eye at Jimin fawning over Jungkook shamelessly. You can tell he's thinking, "...this mf likes men" again. He hasn't perfected that Tae poker face just yet.

So Jimin really wants that private trip with Jungkook, hey? Why not with Tae, his bestie? His soulmate? Tae's also very cute, no?

Because he doesn't mean a friend trip.

(Don't fret, Jiminie. You'll get your private trip with Jungkook and it'll be beyond your expectations.)

B.4

A couple of examples of Jungkook being aggressively on Jimin's mind even when he's just answering basic questions.

No one: So, what do-

Jimin: Jungkookie <3

Literally, who asked? No one's twisting his arm here to make him answer "Jungkook" with romantic implications under these totally general questions. He could've answered with literally anything else.

Some thoughts:

If he was being speedy and just writing/saying the first things that popped into his head, it still means Jungkook is at the forefront of his mind. Plagues his mind, if you will.

If he was carefully considering the questions and answering honestly, it still means Jungkook is heavily weighing in his mind at a vulnerable level.

Jungkook still came before performing and receiving attention. The first thing. Not the last thing as a joke because Jimin couldn't think of anything else.

He makes sure to stake his claim over Jungkook in his description of him. "Mine." How fanfic.

His weakness is Jungkook. He can't resist him. Point blank. Why would he say that? How else am I supposed to interpret that?

Jungkook reaches every corner of Jimin's mind. Even if Jimin manages to convince himself he's just being playful and jokey, it's the repetitive nature and exclusivity of Jungkook being involved in his answers that are eyebrow-raising and give him away. He might as well doodle hearts around "JK" all over the page. It's a textbook crush. He's infatuated with this person he thinks is unattainable.

B.5

"Happy Birthday Jeon Jungkook! Please accept my love!" followed by blowing a kiss, an awkward giggle, and a glance at Jungkook.

What love? He's already accepted your platonic love; you guys are good friends, attached at the hip, and Jungkook's made it explicitly clear he likes you a lot and appreciates how well you treat him/take care of him. What more do you want him to accept, exactly, Jimin?

Again, unnecessary. No one's making him say this. No one's expecting him to say this. No one wants him to say this. And yet.

B.6

Manifest your dreams, Jiminie.

I don't even have to explain to you how common the "We look like a couple! Haha, just kidding... Unless?" thing is. We've all been there. You want to plant the seed in your crush's head. You want them to think about it, to consider the image of you two together. Jimin's planted a whole grove in JK's head with the way he's been all over him these couple of years.

Exhibit C

The kisses.

The amount of times Jimin either asks to kiss Jungkook, asks Jungkook to kiss him, or tries to kiss Jungkook is quite frankly absurd. These are just some examples. Some!

Imagine this was your friend who keeps trying to kiss you. For years. Jokes get really old really fast. You'd laugh and play along the first time. Laugh it off the second time. Force a laugh the third time.

At what point would you start wondering if your friend has legitimate feelings for you?

At what point do you think Jungkook did?

Especially considering Jimin's general behavior toward him.

(The other members don't laugh when it happens in front of them. It's always either wtf are you saying or they change the subject with visible discomfort.)

What Jimin is doing here (via "jokes") is testing Jungkook's boundaries, gauging his reactions, because he's interested in him beyond platonic limits. He really, really wants to kiss Jungkook and fantasizes about it, but he will not make a serious first move out of fear of being rejected.

Food for thought: Post-2015, Jimin doesn't ask Jungkook for kisses anymore or beg him to love him back, while coincidentally also becoming intimately touchier than ever with each other.

Perhaps Jimin finally got what he wanted? Hmm...

We can stop here. I think you get the point.

Everyone, say it with me now: Jimin wants Jungkook romantically.

He wants to go on dates with Jungkook.

He wants to hold hands with Jungkook.

He wants to kiss Jungkook.

He's expressed these things in every way he can:

He's acted them out.

He's said them aloud.

He's written them down.

Over and over and over again. What more do you want? I am not assuming anything. To say that he doesn't is just blatantly ignoring poor Jimin screaming it from the rooftops to fit whatever agenda you have. It's a you problem.

If you want to see more examples of everything (because there are still plenty), just watch this. In fact, watch every video on this channel. Treat yourself.

youtube

Also thanks to this heaven-sent channel for the captions on almost everything in this post (all gifs by me).

If I see a single one of you say with your whole chest that Jimin thinks of Jungkook in a brotherly way after this, I will hunt you down and beat your ass and your brother's ass.

Open your damn eyes.

I hope you enjoyed my spiel. Till next time!

#jikook #jimin

296 notes · View notes

hp-hcs · 6 months

Text

😜💖 friendship is magic 😌✨ (Chapter Four of The Doll) — slytherin boys x gn! ‘the boy’ (2016)! reader

❕new addition of Regulus Black❕

tws: dolls, obviously; reader referred to as ‘it’ (presumed inanimate); mentions of past child character death(s); mentions of a house fire—implied arson; violence; & murder

based entirely off of the 2016 film ‘the boy’. just slow plot shit this chapter, i’m afraid

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Determined to find the source of the leak, Blaise tromps back out to the hall to find wherever the L/Ns stashed their pole hook to open the attic. Tucked away in a dusty corner is where Blaise finds it, and he carries it back into Y/N’s room with a pleased expression.

This was going to be a piece of cake. If Blaise could find the leak and patch it up, maybe the L/Ns would put in a good word with the courts and shorten their sentences. Or his, anyway.

Slowly raising the pole hook up towards the ring handing from the attic ladder, Blaise missed multiple times, the ring bouncing off of the hook.

“Hey.”

“Holy fucking-” Blaise startles and drops the pole hook, taking a step back. The figure standing in the doorway of Y/N’s room waves awkwardly.

“Sorry- I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m Regulus? Er- Regulus Black? I’m the grocery boy for the L/Ns.” He trails off, motioning to the milk crate he held against one hip that was practically overflowing with produce and wrapped butcher’s packages.

“Oh! Yes, yeah, sorry. Uh, house just has me on edge is all,” Blaise rubs the back of his neck in embarrassment. “Do you need help with the groceries?”

Regulus’ eyebrows raise and he smiles. “That would be fantastic, actually,” he turns on his heel, already starting down the stairs.

Blaise has to jog to catch up, following the spry boy ahead of him down to the kitchen. Regulus is maybe a year younger than him, but has far too much energy for five in the morning.

“So why are you lot here? The L/Ns aren’t exactly known for their warmth and welcoming-ness. If you’ll excuse my bluntness, they don’t really have a propensity for entertaining guests.”

“They’re on vacation. Uh, we’re here as part of a…community service punishment,” he winces as he skates around the truth.

“Ah, nice,” Regulus seems unruffled as he puts away a carton of eggs. “What are they making you do? House-sitting?”

“Uh, babysitting.”

Regulus hums. “Ah, really? They didn’t take Y/N with them? That’s pretty surprising.”

Blaise startles. “Please tell me you don’t also think it’s…”

“Alive? ‘Course not. But it’s better to just humor them. Mrs. L/N gets awfully upset if you mention anything about it being inanimate, and this job pays too well for me to want to piss off my employers.”

Blaise laughs. “That’s fair. So…was there really an Y/N? Like, an actual one?”

Regulus nods, handing him a stack of cans and motioning towards the cabinet they belonged in. “Mhm. We were never allowed to play with them when we were kids. My older brother always called them freakish. And Mr. L/N only ever described them—the one time I asked, back when I very first started working for them—as odd.”

Blaise pauses halfway through stacking apples in the fruit bowl. “You knew them? Like, you were the same age?”

“They were a year or two older than me, but yeah,” Regulus accepts the mug of coffee Blaise offers with a quiet thanks, sitting down with him at the kitchen table.

“Anyway, story goes that they were playing out in the woods with Brahms—he was their only friend, that I know of—and they got in an argument or something… Mr. Heelshire—that’s Brahms’ dad—found ‘im by the river, skull all smashed up. The police chief wanted to question Y/N, you know, just to cover all the bases, but nobody could find ‘em and then-”

Regulus makes a fwoosh noise, setting down his mug to spread his hands out as if to imitate an dramatic explosion.

“Boom! The L/Ns’ house completely burned down. The only person inside? Y/N L/N.”

Regulus takes a sip of his coffee before speaking again. “Look, I’m not saying they’re connected, but…”

Blaise shivers, cracking his knuckles anxiously. “How long ago was this?”

“Oh, a while. Happened when I was real young. I think Y/N was…eight or nine. Should be just about a decade since then.”

“So why the doll?”

“Nobody knows,” Regulus shrugs. “They rebuilt the house after the fire, and then the doll just showed up one day. It’s creepy as fuck, I’m aware.”

“Just a bit,” Blaise drawls.

Regulus laughs. “You seem cool, man. D’you wanna come hang out with me sometime? I could take you to the good restaurants in town for like, lunch or something. Lord knows you gotta get outta this house.”

“Sounds great,” Blaise grins. “Would be nice to hang out with literally anyone other than those guys. I love ‘em, but y’know.”

“Well, if you’re not busy, how ‘bout today? There’s this awesome old-school diner that makes the best onion rings-”

Regulus chatters on, promising to pick Blaise up at noon for lunch. Blaise smiles, actually smiles, and tells him he can’t wait. After walking him out to his car, Regulus calls from the window, in a sing-song voice,

“See you soon, Blaisey-Waisey!”

Merlin, he’d get along great with Pansy, Blaise muses as he walks back towards the house.

168 notes · View notes

pablitogavii · 6 months

Note

Hey I’ve love your stories for quite a while now and it’s absolutely amazing btw!!!! But I kinda wanted to request like enemies to lovers trope. Something about Gavi and the reader hating each other but gavi still like over protecting and jealous over the reader

Nerd.

Pablo Gavi...loved my many...hated by some (mostly jealous fanatics) was the biggest bully you ever met in your life.

Everything started the evening the Gavira family invited yours to dinner when you moved to the neighborhood six years ago. You grabbed a cup of milk but as you turned back you collided with Pablo's chest spilling it all over his brand new white Barça hoodie.

Ever since then, he would purposefully bump into you, call you "nerd" and mess with your by stealing your glasses and making you reach for them. God! Couldn't he just get over something that happened when you were 11 years old!?

"Let's just take two cars and meet there?" Fermin suggested since there was quite a bit of people going to watch them play El Classico today at Camp Nou.

"I'll go with them.." you said walking towards the group away from Pablo just wanting to avoid his snarky comments.

"Whatever nerd!" he said and Fermin hit his chest in annoyance really trying to figure out why was his friend so mean only to you all the goddamn time!??

"Qué pasa!?Estás enamorado de ella o algo así, hermano?" Fermin said and Pablo just snarled shaking his head while watching you get into another car your skirt rising up as you moved. His shorts got tight!!!

When you arrived, there were some members form the opposite team already at the hallway and you got all shy being surrounded by so many famous players. Every single one was more handsome than the other...of course your bully had to be the most handsome of all!!! Damn, you're screwed in the head for thinking it!!!

One of the boys was definitely chatting you up while Pablo was observing the whole thing utterly furious. After barely five seconds, you heard Pablo's annoyed voice.

"Hey! Nerd! Come here!" Pablo said and you were rudely interrupted from answering a question from a boy who seemed genuinely interested.

"I was talking to him!" you say but Pablo's hand was already around your wrist as he pulled you away from a guy who was very loudly protesting while your friends watching in confusion.

"What do you want from me Pablo!??" you said pulling away standing in the empty room with Pablo pacing around and grunting in annoyance.

"You do know he is the enemy right!? You don't just go fuck an enemy!" Pablo was yelling without thinking about his words and you just stared at him in utter disbelief. Did he really think you would let someone do that after simply sharing two sentences with him!? Now, he really hurt your feelings!

"Good luck on your game, Pablo.." you said with tearful eyes clouding your classes before running out of the room just wanting to go home already. You were used to his occasional teasing, maybe even rude nicknames like 'nerd',or 'four eyes', but now he really passed the line.

"No..wait! Please! Nerd!..Um..Y?N!!!" Pablo was yelling after you but they were already calling him to join the others in the dressing room.

The whole game, Pablo was agitated getting angry easily and getting himself a yellow card already in the first half. You were at home still watching the game (ofc!) but it was mainly Fermin trying to calm down Gavi on the screen.

Seeing his handsome face despite bringing you butterflies now reminded you of those awful words..is that really how he saw you???

"Hijo de puta, ella es mía después del juego!" the player whispered to Gavi during the corner kick and he pushed him down without second though receiving another yellow which added into the red and got him kicked off the field. He theatrically exited tossing his jersey aside before sitting down in the chair.

Despite what happened with Pablo, Barça won, (luckily) and you turned off the TV getting ready for bed. You really dolled up today with a Barça jersey and your favorite skirt as a chosen outfit..you kinda wanted Pablo to notice but instead he called you a whore!

You were working diligently on your assignment trying to get your mid off things while it was roaring rain outside. Suddenly someone knocked on the door of your apartment. You were terrified...it was late..your mom was on her business trip..and someone is at the door!? Scary!

You tried looking through the peep hole but it was too dark to see.

"Um..who is it??" you said and there was a silence for a few minutes.

"It's me! Open up, nerd!!" Pablo said and you sighed in relief that it was someone you knew but then you realized who exactly was in front of your door right now..what was he doing all the way up here tonight!?

You opened up and there he was completely drenched looking hotter than ever before..damn it's even better than in the edits..Get yourself together Y/N!!! "Um..what..what are you doing here P..Pablo?" you were a mumbling shy mess and he could tell that he was making you very much nervous right now.

He changed into some clean clothes he had in his bag from practice before coming our of the bathroom to your still flustered face.

"Why are you always so shy around me!?" he said a bit roughly and you just looked down in embarrassment. You couldn't exactly be hones't, could you?? It's because I love you even though you make fun of me every single waking moment of every day!!!

"Ughh you're impossible to understand nerd!!!" he said walking into the living room and you followed after him like a lost puppy. He saw all your paperwork on the floor matching with your books and graphs.

"You weren't sleeping?? It's late?" he said and you just shook your head sitting back down on the ground wanting to continue your work.

"I had to study.." you answer simply.

He sat down as well looking at you working but what you didn't know is just how much in awe he was seeing you like this..it made him want you so badly. You might be the sexiest nerd he's ever laid eyes on...

"You know why I call you nerd???" he said raising up your chin and you looked into him with those dowey eyes through your big glasses. He slowly took your glasses off smirking at your blushed cheeks.

"Because you hate me..?" you say finally gaining bravery to look him straight in the eyes and he smiled shaking his head while caressing your chin. Was this really real right now!!?

"Because I love you.." he said and your whole belly got filled with butterflies..this was indeed real..you were not hallucinating..Pablo Gavi loves you too!!?

"Umm..today was the first day to hear you call me Y/n.." you say to that looking away from his eyes again.

"And did you like that??" he asked this time tucking a strand of your hair behind your ear. You just shrugged your shoulders not knowing how to feel about all of this..it was so sudden..you were excited and scared of waking up from a dream all at the same damn fucking time!!!

"Because, you know..there are other things I can call you..hmm..like mi amor..." he moved closer while whispering that nickname into your ear and then leaving a slow kiss on your earlobe while you closed your eyes in ecstasy.

"Nena preciosa.." he whispered again this time moving lower to kiss your neck and you gasped which he really like..you knew what you were doing to him. Little minx!!!

"Mi princesa guapa.." he said moving up and sucking marks into your skin until reaching your chin and kissing it softly while holding your face as you slowly opened your eyes to look at his hungry looking lips. He was like a starved predator and you were his only prey.

"Aii mis ojitos negros lindosss...I always loved how you looked at me with glasses on..like a good little girl..me vuelves loco siempre princesitaa" he said and you were still looking at his lips wanting desperately to feel them against yours right now!!!

"Are you a good little girl, preciosa??" he asked teasingly touching your lips with his thumb and you pouted nodding your head completely under his thumb right now.

"Hmm that's good,..but I want more..I want you to be only my good little girl, vale? I don't want you talking to anybody ever again..toda mia siempre!!" he growled the last part finally devouring your lips as you moaned into the kiss moving to straddle his lap and he welcomed it with a smirk.

Pablo was groaning the more you were moving on his lap before you two pulled away from air and he kept you on his lap with his strong arms wrapping tightly around your body.

"I only did it to piss you off.." you said and he looked at you with raised eyebrows.

"I talked to him because it was making you angry.." you paraphrase it and his hands lowered resting on your bum where he squeezed roughly.

"And here I thought you were a good girl nena???" he smirked and you moaned hiding your face into his neck shyly.

"I just wanted you attention..papi" you kissed his neck while he groaned at the use of the nickname he dreamed about hearing from your lips for years.

"Well you got it now preciosita" Pablo smirked kissing you again while standing up and carrying you into the bedroom putting you underneath the covers.

You were making out in bed for a good half an hour before he pulled away catching you by surprise.

"Todo bien, Pablito??" you ask and he smiled at the new nickname you found for him. If it was anyone else he would be annoyed..but you could call him what you wished to call him at all times.

"I just want to say I'm sorry about how I've been acting for the past years..I just didn't know how to show you I like you properly..so I bullied you..it's dumb!!!" he spoke and now it was your turn to take charge and shut him up with a kiss.

"Hmm I always knew you had a soft spot for me in here Pablitoo tho.." you say touching his chest where his heart was being fast and regular rhythm.

"H..how?" he was pretty stunned but wanted to hear more of it.

"Little things..you would always call me annoying whenever I got cold but always gave me your jacket.." you say and he nodded remembering how much eh would love when you give it back and it smelled so strongly of you.

"Whenever we go out and I drink, you never do..you are always the one to drive me home" you say remembering the night you accidentally 'confessed' but refused to talk about it afterwards. Pablo would often call you out on it just to annoy you but when his feeling got stronger he stopped doing it.

"Or that one time you were holding my glasses above my head so I can't reach and I slipped, fell and started crying" you said and that one made Pablo become sad..he was really an asshole and he had a lot of making up to do for you..

"Amor..I'm.." he couldn't finish the sentence because your hand was on his mouth while you were sitting on top of him.

"You dried away my tears, put my glasses back on and helped me up..I always knew I was your weak spot" you giggled removing your hand while he watched up from below in awe sitting up and starting to kiss you passionately again.

"Nerd.." he whispered into your mouth with a smirk and this time you smirked back nodding your head while wrapping your hands into his curly hair.

"Hmm a nerd that got you weak Pablo Gavi.." you said and he nodded with a chuckle laying you both back down as you were making our before both feell asleep in each other warm arms.

#gavigif #gavi #fc barça #fc barcelona #fc barca #pablo gavi x you #pablo gavi x y/n #pablo gavi x reader #pablo gavi icons #pablo gavi #pablo martín páez gavira #pablo gavira #pablogavira #pablogavixreadersmut #pablogavixreaderfluff

298 notes · View notes

mxtantrights · 2 months

Text

Bounded by blood and shadow (11)

Azriel x magic!fem!reader

“We need to go back, now.” You bark.

You haven’t talked since the man said his name. Your ex-husband. What words could you use to describe him? Deceitful, lawless, cowardly, stupid.

“Woah, can we just talk about what you did?” Cassian asks.

You give him a sharp look, “I’m about to do the opposite of healing if we don’t go.”

Cassian’s eyes widen. Then he’s offering you his hand, you take it. He winnows you back to the dawn court. Right in the middle of the tea room actually. Which creates quite a fuss.

“What happened?” Feyre shouts.

You are reminded of your dress and the mess you have on it. You look over to Thesan who shares Feyre’s sentiments. You run your hands over the blood stains on the dress and get rid of it. Like the blood was never there.

“Nothing. I need to go home.” You say.

“I thought this was your home?” Nesta asks.

You roll your eyes. Right. You live here all of the time, at least that’s what they think. Not anymore. Right now you couldn’t be vexed to keep up with the lie.

“It’s one of them.” You answer quickly.

“The last boat went out at least two hours ago.” Thesan says to you.

You sigh, “This can’t wait until morning.”

“They can take you.” Amren says from behind you.

You look at her like she’s grown another head. She gives you a look too, like she didn’t want to say it but she still did. You cannot bring the fae back home.

“Where exactly are we taking you?” Cassian asks.

“You’re not taking me home. That’s out of the question.” You answer.

“We just saw you heal a child with a life threatening wound.” Morrigan pipes in.

“So you’re a healer?” Nesta asks.

You groan, “I don’t have time for this. People are in danger!”

Thesan grabs a hold of your shoulders. You hadn’t realized he had gotten up from his seat. He looks at you sternly.

“Speak plainly.” He whispers.

You shake your head, “It’s Kynas. He has to be behind this, behind everything.”

Thesan holds a hand over his mouth.

“Who is Kynas?” Rhysand asks.

Thesan nods his head, “If you want to get home tonight, you have to tell them.”

You crack your knuckles. Great. You needed the night court. You never thought that sentence would come to your mind. How you hated too. You’re not used to needing anyone, not anymore.

“It’s a long story. But to keep it short Kynas is my ex husband.” You explain.

At your admission you see a few things. Nesta's face doesn't change. Feyre and Rhysand share a look between each other. The other sister, Elaine, her eyebrows shoot up on her forehead.

“And he has to do with your brother’s sudden disappearance?” Rhysand asks.

You nod your head, “It has to be him.”

“I’m confused, what the hell are you?” Cassian throws the question out.

“Tiyamelu.”

At the sound of Azriel’s voice finally joining in the conversation you turn to him.

How did he know that name? It was very old. You don’t think you’ve heard it for at least five centuries. Maybe more.

He’s looking you in the eye now. You keep eye contact with him.

“Where’d you get that name from?” You ask him.

It’s dead silent in the tea room. He clears his throat.

“The man said it, after Cassian winnowed you out.” he answered.

You let out a shaky breath, “It what they used to call us. But the most recent term is Blood benders.”

You watch as realization settles across some faces. Or confusion in some cases. Like for Nesta, Elaine and Freyre. But Rhysand, Cassian and Azriel seem to understand even if a little about what you just said. So does Morrigan.

“You can’t read her mind but you can read mine, I’ve been to her home before.” Amren says, switching the topic back.

“Okay, Azriel can take you there.” Rhysand says.

“Wait. The wards! No fae are allowed inside.” You explain.

Amren curses under her breath. She had been the exception because she’s not fae. You couldn’t get there without them, but you couldn’t get in with them.

No unless—it would be dangerous but it might work. They would probably never go for it.

“Do you have another way?” Azriel asks.

“It’s dangerous.” You shake your head.

“Well we live a bit for danger. Don’t we?” Cassian says jokingly.

You look at Thesan, “Hand me that knife.”

Thesan does so without asking why. The metal feels cold in your hand. You turn the blade around so the sharp part is pointing at you.

“Hold on, what do you need that for—“ Cassian starts to ask.

“It’s for me.” You cut him off.

You make the incision on your palm, not too deep and not too wide. The blood flows slowly, red liquid taking up the expanse of your palm. You look at Azriel then.

“If you’re the one taking me, you’ll need this. To trick the wards and get in.” You explain to him.

You see Cassian and Morrigan make faces at the thought. It would weird you out too if you weren’t a blood bender. Azriel, without saying a word, steps to you and takes your arm in his hand. You watch him carefully as he raises your hand up.

He ducks his head below your closed palm, “Go ahead.”

You open your hand and the blood starts dripping into his open mouth. His eye pierce right into you, you can’t keep eye contact with him. No one in the room knew the significance of this. No one knew the last time you fed someone your blood you were getting married.

After a few more drops land you take your hand back. He stands up straight. You look him over once. The transfer can be different for everyone but especially for those who are not blood benders.

“Are you okay? Do you feel different?” You ask him quietly.

He looks around the room, no doubt feeling the effects already. You aren’t sure he’ll be able to winnow you right at this moment. He needs some time to adjust.

“It feels,” he breathes and smiles the tiniest bit, “light.”

You only saw him smile a handful of times. Around his family all of the times you can recall. He looks nice with a smile.

His eyes glide to you, “Are you ready?”

You can’t speak right now. A bit too tongue tied. You just nod. He holds out his hand for you to take. You take his hand into yours. It feels warmer than usual. Maybe its’ your blood in his system.

Darkness surrounds the both of you.

He lands you right in the palace. It’s eerie and silent. Like before, but this time you can feel the presence of no one inside. This is bad. Really bad. You turn to Azriel.

“Okay, you should winnow back. I don’t know how long my blood will trick the wards.” You tell him.

He gives you a look, “And leave you to fend for yourself?”

You pull the end of your dress up, reaching for the hilt that you had strapped to your heel. You take it out and stand up straight.

“Where’s the—“ he starts to ask.

You know what he’s going to ask so you beat him to it. You summon the blood blade. You watch as his face goes from unsure to shocked in a matter of moments.

“I’m serious. You have to go now.” You speak.

He nods his head, “Okay.”

He turns to leave and you realize how rude you might have been. He basically helped you get back home. Well, not basically, actually. You reach out and grab his wrist which stops him from moving.

He looks down at your hand and then at you.

“Thank you.” You say.

He gives you a firm look. It’s not a smile. It’s not a frown either. You let go of his wrist. He turns back around and so do you. You can hear the whooshing sound that usually comes with winnowing.

You hold your sword up in defense as you begin to ease further into the palace. Doors are left ajar, which you know is wrong. Cyril would never let that stand.

As you approach the council room you stop. You don’t know what you’re going to find in there. It could be the worst sight of your life. It could be nothing. Maybe everyone had just simply gone out.

Gone out, didn’t leave a note or think to lock the palace doors. Yeah. That would explain it.

You peer your head over the door. You see it slowly then all at once. Bodies in chairs, unmoving and inbreathing. You enter the doorway quickly and almost drop your sword.

Cyril. He sits at the same seat as always. They all sit at the same seats. But they are no longer alive. They are pale, no blood in them. That’s why you couldn’t sense them. They were here but they weren’t alive.

You run over to Cyril’s body and put your sword down on the table. You cradle his face in your hands, trying to shake him awake. A big part of you knows that it won’t do anything. If all of his blood was drained there was nothing for you to work with, no one for you to save.

“Cyril, please, please don’t leave me…” you cry, tucking your head into his chest.

You can’t will him to hug you back, you can’t will him to breath. You can’t do anything. You sink to your knees. The red drops of blood from your eyes falling on your dress, staining it once again.

#blood and shadow #acotar x reader #acotar imagine #acotar fic #azriel x reader #azriel imagine #Azriel fic

71 notes · View notes

kitthepurplepotato · 4 months

Text

🎄Love letters and mistletoes!🎄

Purple Potato Christmas Special!

~•🥦•~

Pairing: Midoriya Izuku x Reader

Genre: One shot - Fluff, strangers to friends to lovers, hint of angst on Izuku’s side (five sentences max)

Summary: With Izuku’s favorite holiday approaching, you decide to give your work partner a present he’ll never forget. Is that a good or a bad thing? - we shall see.

Warnings: Swear words, mention of someone getting hurt, Midoriya is quite depressed at the beginning of the story.

Two more warnings: The story is really fluffy and cute but it’s quite melancholic overall, except the ending!

Also, English isn’t my first language so please be kind! Feel free to send me a message if I messed something up really badly!

If you like the story please check my Master List! 🥦

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

“Merry Christmas, everyone!” Midoriya Izuku raises his glass of orange juice with a proud smile on his face. “Thank you very much for your hard work, as always. I’m so lucky to have you, guys.”

“Cheers, boss!” Your half-drunk colleague yells, making the whole team and Midoriya giggle with his shenanigans.

There is one thing everyone knows about the “boss”; he’s humble to a fault. Whenever something good happens it’s always his agency who gets the praise; Izuku Midoriya can’t take a compliment to this day and he just makes everything sound like a team effort even though he’s the one doing 95% of the job, saving people back and forth, 7 days a week with no holidays in between but he never even complains once.

Well, not in public. He doesn’t complain to anyone but you and that’s the biggest achievement of your whole life, to be honest.

You started working at Midoriya’s agency when you were twenty; pro hero Deku was already a big name back then. He was just about to open his own agency but he had no idea about the business side of it; you still have no clue how you managed to get this job with your non-existent experience but here you are, five years later, sitting in the massive meeting room now decorated with garlands and string lights, while you look at your favorite companion with nothing but love and respect.

Midoriya Izuku absolutely adores Christmas. He decorates the whole agency every year, usually by himself then brings a ridiculous amount of food for the team to feast on after their working hours which he insists he made by himself, but judging by the seasoning it’s probably Dynamight’s doing who also insists “he has nothing to do with this shit.”

Both of these people are terrible liars, by the way.

This year, you were lucky enough to help Midoriya with the decorations. You couldn’t believe it when he asked you to stay longer with him; he might be the friendliest person in the whole world but when it comes to things like this, he somehow enjoys to do them alone, with no one around, just him and the Christmas music blasting from the speakers as the sun slowly sets in the background.

He was much worse five years ago; he loved to chat around about silly things but he absolutely hated to talk about himself, about his feelings, about his plans, about anything that involved him, really; he always changed the topic to something else (or someone else) as the first personal question left the other person’s mouth. After a while, the team just gave up on Midoriya Izuku and they only talked about themselves with him but you couldn’t ignore the massive bags under the hero’s eyes, nor his self-deprecating words when someone somehow managed to make him talk about something personal; you’ve always found the most ridiculous excuses to stay behind with him, to be next to him, to give him support, even if it’s from far away.

Things have started to change on a gloomy Thursday afternoon; Midoriya’s agency managed to catch a massive villain group but not without a price; one of the sidekicks got gravely injured, barely made it out alive and you knew Midoriya was blaming himself for it.

You were just about to leave for the day when you heard the tiny sniffles coming out of his office; needless to say you threw all your belongings on the floor and ran towards the sound right away.

Midoriya was a mess. His eyes were swollen, tears streaking down his cheeks as he continued typing on the computer, completely ignoring his fickle mental state just so he can do some more work. He didn’t even look up from his screen as you opened the door; he tried to school the scowl on his face, he really did, but it was all in vain - he couldn’t hide his red-rimmed eyes or the bags under it.

“Hey, your shift is over, go home. Enjoy your evening, Y/N, I’ll be out myself in a second.”

Lies.

“I’ll wait for you then.” You sat down on the sofa right next to his desk, faking obliviousness.

The silence was awkward, but somehow Midoriya could sense that you wouldn’t leave even if he would have insisted for you to do so, so he nodded to no one in particular and continued his paperwork, continued the sniffling and then finally, the tears came and none of you said a single word about it.

Not until Midoriya Izuku finally broke.

“I should have been there. I should have saved him from that blow…” He muttered to the screen in front of him. You’ve never seen him so heartbroken before and it broke your heart, you could hear it shatter on the floor as you looked up to see the young, Number One hero who’s usually so full of energy and positive thoughts crouching by the computer with nothing but pure blankness in his eyes.

“You were on the other side of the battlefield. I checked the footage already. You can’t save everyone, Midoriya. No human being can, not even All Might.” You whispered into the silence. “She’s okay, by the way. It was a close call but she’ll be fine. Your quick response saved her life. You are not the reason for her suffering. You are the reason she’s still alive.”

Midoriya looked at you like this is the first time he’s seen you for real; your voice was raw, much deeper than your usual work-voice but apparently it was the right choice to show your real self to him because after this, something changed; his walls started to crack as he looked up at you, vulnerable and raw.

“Why are you here, Y/N?” Midoriya asked, but there was no malice in his voice; it was quite the opposite actually; it felt like Midoriya has opened up a bit, let you see the broken pieces inside him then he let you choose if you want to stay or leave.

“Because I really want to hug you.”

Midoriya’s walls shattered completely in only a few seconds after that. You wanted to share his pain and your wish was granted; Midoriya couldn’t stop the tears anymore, his cry loud and incoherent as he meandered over and sat down next to you. His head landed on your shoulders with a loud thump and he cried and cried, for a few minutes or hours, you have no idea but eventually, the sobs subdued and there was silence, a really comfortable one at that. Your fingers raked through the messy, unwashed curls as Midoriya finally let himself fall asleep in your arms, probably for the first time in the last 48 hours.

Something shifted around you two after that. You didn’t need to ask what’s wrong anymore; if you stayed longer for no reason Midoriya took it as an invite to went, talked about his life, about his problems, no fake smiles, just words and incoherent mumbles as Izuku let out everything that has been bothering him during the day in one go.

It was quite a surprise to see Midoriya’s “ugly” side; you didn’t think he had so much hatred in him, mostly towards himself, you didn’t think he could get so offended by stupid things like the comment section on his Instagram profile but the most surprising thing was that somehow, during his rants and smile-free conversations you managed to fall in love with his broken soul and it only got worse once he let you in when things were good as well; his smile came back and it became more real when it was only the two of you in the building and it made the butterflies have a break dance battle in your tummy, it made your chest tighten, and finally, it made your heart beat in a new, strange way and it felt so right yet so wrong at the same time you couldn’t decide what to do with it for years.

You two became close friends after that. Midoriya invited you to come with him every time his friends went out drinking then kept you close and safe until the end of the night, he opened your door for you and didn’t leave until you fell asleep. You were his plus one whenever there was an event he had to attend, casual or business, you stayed at his office and listened to him talk almost every day, but that was all, there was never a sign from him that he wants this to be more than a close, work-related friendship so you’ve never made a move. It’s not like there haven’t been a chance to do so; oh no, there have been several; like the time you two ended up cuddling on his sofa while you watched a movie after a ridiculously busy week. Midoriya’s fingers went up and down your naked arms while you nuzzled into his neck, happy and content and you were so close to leave a tiny kiss there, but you stopped yourself because you felt like… this, whatever this was, was too pure to ruin with your “dirty”, unrequited feelings.

You didn’t think you will ever have a chance and to be honest, you still don’t think so… But there was this one moment, just a few days before, that made you think that maybe, telling him about your feelings wouldn’t be the end of the world and knowing how understanding Midoriya is, he would probably fight for this friendship even if you fuck it all up with your confession.

You two laughed so much during the decorating and it really didn’t feel like overtime; Midoriya’s honest, sweet laughs were much better than the loaded paycheck by the end of the month. It took you guys ages to finish the whole thing so you two ended up crashing on Midoriya’s office sofa after a quick shower in the communal bathroom.

There wasn’t enough space for the two of you to be comfortable so soon enough you ended up cuddling, Midoriya’s thighs halfway down the sofa but somehow, both of you felt content like that, like it was normal, like it was meant to be.

“Y/N, can I ask you a silly question?” Midoriya mumbled, halfway asleep.

“Hm?”

“Have you ever felt like you have everything you’ve ever wanted but somehow, something is still missing? Is it selfish to want more than what you can get… sometimes?” You couldn’t miss the way Midoriya’s hand clenched by your middle as he said that.

“Midoriya, I respect you but all you’ve got is several mental issues and a good job. There is more to life than that.”

Midoriya’s ugly snort was the cutest thing you’ve ever heard in your life.

“Like what?”

“Uhm…” You giggled into Midoriya’s neck. “Puppies. Seeing the world. Learning something new. And uhm… falling in love, maybe…”

“Have you ever been in love, Y/N?” Midoriya asked, and the conversation turned serious. “Is that something you wish for?”

“Only with the right person.” You admitted. “I don’t want to go on blind dates and stuff. I just want… this. Being content. And happy. With someone I respect and adore.”

“Are you happy now?” Midoriya’s voice was right next to your ears but somehow, it sounded so far away; like he’s talking to someone else, to someone watching you two from above, a deity or a guardian Angel.

“Right now? I am.”

~•🥦•~

Being Midoriya’s friend was getting harder and harder every day. The urge to touch, to kiss the fresh scars on his nose were almost unbearable sometimes, especially on the days when Midoriya was hard on himself for no reason whatsoever. Thankfully, most days - now that Christmas was approaching - were filled with Midoriya’s laughter instead of the sound of his heartbroken sniffles.

The first day after decorating the office is always fun; everyone cheers as their eyes meet the thousands of colors swirling around the walls, dread of the early morning long forgotten; the Christmas snacks in the cafeteria makes everyone’s lunch a tiny bit more cheerful - there isn’t a single grumpy person in the whole agency on the first day.

After five years, you kinda got used to this but for you and Midoriya, this was a special day for another reason; it was the first day you two woke up in each other’s arms. Something shifted again, but you had no idea what; everything felt the same but somehow different, like the distance between you and Midoriya got halved, like he was in an arm’s length now, waiting for you to finally reach out but you were quite sure it was only the night before that made it feel like that. Until…

“I also brought some things in if that’s okay!” One of your colleagues spoke up with a shit-eating grin on his face. You love this guy but he’s always up to no good and once you’ve seen the mistletoe hanging right above you, you knew what’s his “mischief of the day” was. “Oh no, it seems like we need to kiss...” The guy couldn’t even finish his sentence properly as suddenly, Midoriya appeared out of thin air, right next to you; he spun you around once, making you laugh with his sudden cheekiness, then twice and you two ended up right under the mistletoe. Midoriya’s cheeky smile made your heart do a somersault in your chest and you swear your heart stopped for a second as Midoriya left a comically loud smack on your cheek and left the room, giggling to himself like a mischievous child. “Dang, boss, you are such a cockblock!” He yelled after his cheeky boss while he laughed - there is no way anyone can be mad at Midoriya when he’s in a good mood. He’s just too adorable.

All you could think of for the rest of the day was how soft Midoriya’s lips were and how much you wanted to taste them.

Maybe it’s time for me to tell him. - you thought to yourself as you came up with a Christmas present idea.

~•🥦•~

“Next Christmas, I want us to thank you for your hard work, not the other way around.” You tell Midoriya as you two take a little break from cleaning out the office after the Christmas celebration. Calling Chargebolt over was a terrible idea - half of the team had to be taken home by a taxi as Chargebolt couldn’t stop refilling their cups while they weren’t looking. Needless to say, you two haven’t drunk at all, knowing that someone will need to make the place habitable again for tomorrow because hero life never ends, not even on Christmas Eve.

“Having you here with me is enough. It’s not fun to clean up alone.” Midoriya gives you that damn smile you can’t get enough of, even though you see it quite often these days. If this feeling inside your chest isn’t love you have no idea what love is. There is no way there’s a stronger feeling than the ache in your heart as you look at the small, barely visible wrinkles by Izuku’s eyes, the beautiful, gorgeous freckles that didn’t fade with age at all - they also make him look 10 years younger than he actually is - this ache in your heart is urging you to touch, to soothe, to please, to make the other happy; it’s painful but it’s also pleasant, a burn that stings but leaves a nice, tingly feeling afterwards.

“Midoriya… actually… Izuku…” You look up at the most important person in your life and he looks back at you with nothing but pure wonder in his eyes.

“Why does it sound like heaven when you say it?” Izuku mutters with a red face but you are too terrified to actually step back and think about his reaction, because this is it - You are just about to confess and ruin everything you’ve worked so hard for.

“I… I have a present for you. You don’t need to accept it. Please, only accept it if you… if you really mean it.” You mumble as you take out a small envelope and give it to him with shaking hands.

It’s so stupid. And so childish. There is no way in hell you can do this in a proper way so you focus on a random scratch on the wooden floor; you can’t look into his eyes while you slowly let your heart out through your mouth just so he can punch it back into your chest and break it into pieces. Not like he would ever would do such a thing, but still.

He looks at the small envelope with a happy smile on his face for a while then finally, he opens it up and starts reading out loud. You really want the ground to open up under you right now.

“Dear Izuku. (I hope you don’t mind me calling you that.) No, I don’t, I like it haha - You won a prize! … what is this, Y/N?” Izuku giggles but the smile slowly disappears from his face. Every second feels like an eternity. It’s like something is choking you but you can’t do anything about it. “It’s a ticket for a one on one Christmas date with Y/N, platonic, or romantic, depending on your… de…cision.” Izuku looks up from the little card with pure confusion written all over his face.

“As I said, you do not need to accept this at all. I have a plan B. But if you do and you decide on the romantic date… I… I must add that the romantic ticket is non-refundable. And it’s not… for one day. Think about it a Christmas puppy. You give it to someone for Christmas but it’s a responsibility for a lifetime. Oh my god, that sounds so stupid, I’m sorry, I can’t do this, please just forget about it and give that back to me…” you try to get the card back but Izuku pulls it away.

“Do you mean it?” Izuku mumbles; you can’t look into his eyes, you can’t, but at the same time you really want to see his face right now, you need to see how he reacts. You look up from the floor for only a second; and that one second turns your whole life upside down.

Izuku’s eyes are full of tears, but somehow, his whole face looks… happy?

“What?” You mumble back, mesmerized by the sparks in Izuku’s eyes. Were they always so beautiful or is it just the magic of Christmas Eve?

“The romantic date… no refunds, for a lifetime… do you mean it?”

“Would I be shaking like a leaf if I wouldn’t? I’m freaking out, Izuku.” Your voice cracks by the end of your sentence, tears prickling your eyes as you try to keep eye contact.

“I also… have a Christmas present for you.” He mutters, not answering your question which is an answer itself. You know Izuku well enough to know what he means by dodging a question; he’s been doing that for a whole year before you two became friends and you hate how much it hurts to be on the receiving side again, especially in this situation. It was so stupid for you to do this on Christmas Eve. You ruined the holiday for you both and Izuku has been so excited about it and now every year, he’ll think about your stupid confession and how you ruined the only holiday he genuinely enjoys…

“Here. Please, read it. I want to see your face when you get to the end of it.” Midoriya gives you that damned smile again; the smile you love so much and it’s so out of place in this situation but somehow, it gives you hope; it makes you believe that maybe you didn’t ruin your friendship nor the holiday completely and this can be salvaged after all. “Please.” He repeats as he gives you a cute letter, steadying your shaky hands with his own; the feeling of Izuku’s rough fingertips on the back of your hands almost makes you yelp out loud but after a few deep breaths you school your face into something neutral and start reading.

“Dear Y/N. Getting a silly little letter from me must not have been on your bucket list but I hope at least it will make you feel happy. We’ve been close friends for four years now and knew each other five. I think about you as one of the most important people in my life and the feeling only got stronger and stronger as the days has passed and at one point, my feelings got out hand and wandered to an unknown path and it took me literal years to realize what they really mean, so I’m sorry if this letter is a little bit too late.” You need to take a deep breath. This letter sounds suspiciously like a love letter but Izuku has always been an emotional person so maybe, this is his way of telling you he thinks about you as family? “The first thing that made me wonder about my feelings was that… I love to touch you. I love to keep you close. I enjoy being with you alone more than I enjoy sharing a drink with you in a pub when my friends are around. The second thing was that somehow, over the years you got prettier in my eyes - you’ve always been pretty, don’t get me wrong but my eyes got caught on certain things a friend’s shouldn’t; your lips, your cheekbones, on the way your hair flies in the wind and small things like that. Then the third and final thing was only a few days ago; on the first day of our Christmas extravaganza when someone was about to kiss you under the mistletoe.

All I could think of was that… I want you to be mine.”

Your heart is having a hard time and so is your mind. This can’t be real. There is no way this happening right now…?!

“Izuku?!”

“Just continue.” Izuku smiles at you, his eyes full of affection. He moves his hands to your middle once he deemed you strong enough to be able to hold a single piece of paper and you can feel the twitch in the movement as he struggles to not pull you close and you can’t believe you’ve missed the sighs until now; Izuku looks at you like you are the prettiest star on the sky, like you are the reason the sun shines above you and it’s so endearing yet so natural… this moment, here, right now, at 10PM on a cold and dark Sunday evening… this moment was written in the starts thousands of years ago, you can feel it in your heart, in your soul, fucking everywhere.

“We cried, we laughed, we cheered, we mourned; we did all of these together but now it’s time for the next adventure - if you are up for it, of course.” You can’t stop sniffling as you get to the end of the letter. “So your Christmas present… is my heart. Because it’s all yours. It always has been. Is it even a present if it was yours for so long already? Great question. I think it’s the thought that counts.

Dear, Y/N. I love you. From the bottom of my heart to the tip of my toes.

Yours Sincerely;

Midoriya Izuku.”

There isn’t a proper word or a proper sentence to describe what you are feeling right now. You want to cry and laugh at the same time, you want to break down but you also want to stand tall and proud because your feelings just got reciprocated.

“We came up with the same silly idea, Y/N. If that’s not a sign then I don’t know what it is.” Izuku laughs as he finally pulls you close. “Y/N, will you be my girlfriend?” Izuku’s voice is so childish and so giddy you can’t help but laugh. He rests his forehead on yours and takes a deep breath; it’s all so new and so strange yet it feels so right, just so-so perfect it makes your heart melt into a puddle on Izuku’s office floor.

“You mean it?” You parrot his own words back to him with a cheeky smile which ends up much bigger than you wanted it to be; Izuku’s hold gets tighter and tighter around your middle, the distance almost non-existent between you two now.

“Can I kiss you now? Because I really really want to kiss you now.” Izuku mumbles, completely ignoring your cheeky retort. You do your best to make an offended face but it’s extremely hard to concentrate while Izuku’s breath tickles your lips.

“You are so impatient, Izuku, I haven’t even answered yet.” You giggle to yourself, your lips already touching Izuku’s, but only a tiny bit, it’s more like a tease than an actual touch. “Where’s the mistletoe, then?” You add cheekily and Izuku doesn’t say a word to that; his hand wanders to your face and caresses your cheek with his thumb then gently moves your chin up to look at the ceiling right above you; you notice that the mistletoe your colleague brought in is clumsily stuck to the ceiling with… tape. You can’t help but roll your eyes while Izuku’s happy laughter fills the office as he slowly moves back into your personal space and finally steals a kiss from you.

First, the kiss is tentative and slow, one peck then two then three; Izuku grins between the small kisses and suddenly something shifts; he barges back with more fervor, the kiss deep and scorching hot but Izuku can’t stop smiling so it’s also a little bit awkward but somehow it’s still the most perfect kiss you’ve ever had.

“I love Christmas.” Izuku kisses you again. “And you.”

“I love you too, you grumpy, adorable fucking nerd.” You finally deepen the kiss properly; you take his bottom lips in yours and suck on it, making Izuku yelp with the sudden action. It doesn’t take him long to take revenge though; he licks over your lip then barges into your mouth, his tongue having a slow dance with your own, his body flush against yours as you slowly kiss away the remaining two hours until the clock hits midnight and you two freak out over the mess you still need to clean up before the new day starts, but not even the lateness of the day nor the grimy work can ruin your mood as you two slowly get the building tidy until every surface sparkles under the shine of the rising sun.

“You should have just asked the cleaning crew to clean this up in the morning.” You mumble into Izuku’s ear as you two try to have at least two hours of sleep on the small sofa before the day starts.

“Well yeah, but then I wouldn’t have had an excuse to ask you to stay for longer.” He admits sheepishly. You can’t believe this man.

“I fucking love you, you silly nerd.”

The end

Extra:

“Fucking finally!” Katsuki’s voice blasts through the speakers. You are not even surprised that Katsuki is the first person Izuku tells about the news, barely a few hours after you two got together. Also, he’s video-calling, because apparently, calling someone like a normal person is too ‘impersonal’. “You two, my place, tonight. We are having fucking Katsudon, thank the motherfucking gods above I don’t need to listen to you moaning about your unrequited fucking love anymore! Shitty hair! We need booze!” Katsuki yells to his half asleep flatmate. “Deku finally grew some balls! Also, you owe me 10000 yen!”… then he ends the call without even saying bye.

“Will we ever have a good sleep ever again?” You mumble to Izuku and his two massive Gucci bags under his eyes.

“No. Mum’s celebration will last a whole week. I hope you are not on a diet by the way, she loves to force feed people.” He smiles at you and …honestly? You don’t need any sleep if you can keep staring into those beautiful sparkling eyes full of love and affection instead.

“I can’t wait.”

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Potato ramble:

- Reader: writes a stupid note about Deku winning a date with her

Deku: Writes a full on essay about his feelings

Also Deku: Wow it’s the same!

Honestly Y/N, that present was so cringe, did you even try? 😂😂😂😂 💜

- There is one thing I realized while I was writing this: I hate one-shots. I don’t think I’ll ever do one ever again. They always feel so empty and rushed even if I try to put as much information as I can into it. I like to take my time with this stuff, show the audience how the two characters ended up in love with each other… so yeah, I don’t think I’ll ever do a holiday special ever again haha

- Sorry for all the folks waiting for the next chapters of my ongoing series, I absolutely hyperfixated on this one and I also knew I won’t be able to be on time with those two thanks to the Christmas rush in retail (bro, I’m dead) so I kinda gave up. They’ll be coming soon I swear!

- I hope you guys have a lovely Christmas or whatever holiday you guys enjoy around this time! I’m not a big Christmas person myself but I do like a good Christmas-themed fanfiction :D

If you liked this story, send me a lovely comment and check out my Master List! 💜

Merry Christmas, everyone! 🎄

#bnha x reader #mha x reader #midoriya x reader #midoriya x y/n #midoriya x you #midoriya izuku x reader #pro hero deku x reader #deku x reader #midoriya izuku x you #midoriya izuku x y/n

132 notes · View notes

igotanidea · 1 year

Text

Babysitting: Dick Grayson x fem!reader

A/N: there's an easter egg in this story. Let me know if you get it :D

(testing some fandoms vigilance here) :D

"Me and Kori got some business to take care of."

That freaking sentence!

Of course he and Kori had business to take care of together. Not that he was my boyfriend. not that I was the one who was always left behind with Rachel, Gar and now also Conner and Tim.

Jealous? Of course I wasn't jealous.

Not even a little. I loved those kids.

But who the hell was I in this relationship, a babysitter?!

***

Let me put it straight: I am not hero. I have zero fighting skills (maybe except my wit. quoting someone I knew: sarcasm is my only defense) and I could not hurt a fly, let alone another human. But. I am smart. I am intelligent and I was determined enough to do something more with my life and became a lawyer. Pretty unusual career for someone who was born and raised in Gotham (even If I moved out of this hell hole after graduation). And yet, I made it. Feeling like I was doing something right, standing up for people, defending them.

Well.

One day someone decided to put my thinking and beliefs to the test.

“Counsellor. You have a visitor.” Our new paralegal was kicking her heels nervously in front of my office.

“Ok, Amy, first of all calm down. That’s right. Deep breaths. Unless it’s Joker who came to visit me, I don’t see any reason for you to be so flustered. “ I raised an eyebrow at the girl, who all of a sudden turned red like a beetroot. “Amy?”

“I’m sorry, counsellor…..”

“How many times, do I have to tell you, you don’t need to use that title when we’re alone? You’re like what, five years younger than me?” I playfully shook my head at her

“Sorry, I …..”

“Never mind, we’ll talk about it later” a little pat on her shoulder was enough to bring her back to reality “Now. Who is there to see me?”

“Detective Dick Grayson. Bludhaven police.” Ok, now I understood why Amy was so nervous. This guy was really good looking and for a twenty-year-old that must have been a sight. I was far more reserved. In my years as a trainee solicitor I had my fair share of handsome lawyers, detectives and other officials. One way or another all of them were the same – pretty. Pretty conceited. So at this point, at the age of 25 I was not impressed solely by a lovely face.

“Well, morning detective. How can I be of help?” I reached my hand out and he shook it firmly.

“I need some information about an on-going case of yours.”

“All right. As soon as you prove to me you can get the access to the confidential records I can’t see any reason to deny it.” I shrugged and lead him into my office.

And that was how it started. One case somehow lead to another, and another and another. He might have thought he had me cornered, but I was a lawyer. My job was to see patterns and predict the outcomes of actions and behaviors. I had him figured sooner than he knew and before he realized I got him right when I wanted him when he confessed to switching out cases just to have a chance to work with me. And then, some well chosen words, two or three dates, some more or less heated kissed and we were a couple. Oh, how I loved this boy! Like crazy. And he was very eager to use that against me.

“Detective Grayson? How can I be of help to you today?” I asked with my most professional voice noticing him standing at the entrance to my office. “And how long have you been standing there?” I smirked at him.

“Long enough” he pouted “you are just glowing when you’re working you know that? You have that irresistible spark in your eyes….” he closed the door coming closer to me and crouching on the desk eyeing me carefully.

“I’m sorry, how exactly did you get here?” I tilted my head in confusion.

“You know, Amy has a soft spot for me.” He put on his most charming smile.

“Yeah I’m aware of that. Clear sign I need to hire better security.”

“Is that so?” he grabbed me so I had to raise from the chair and stand between his legs.

“I’m busy, Dick.” I objected pointing towards the pile of documents.

“Mhm. I bet you are” his hands was now on my waist, pulling me closer, his face inches away from mine “I am too. Extremely busy….” He whispered and leaned in, closing the distance completely. I hated him. He had the audacity to show up in my office, uninvited, in the middle of the day, with all his charm and distract me from my duties. He was reckless, irresponsible and childish. And a hell of a good kisser. Just a touch of his lips on mine made me want more as I let him caress my face and my back. Only for a second though, as my rational thinking made me pull away and smirk at his disappointed expression.

“Oh, come on, Dickie. Don’t be a child….” I ruffled his hair and sat back down “Now, shoo. I really have a lot of work to do and if you want me back home tonight…..”

“Believe me, I have a whole plan for tonigh.” His eyes turned darker with lust as he said it.

“Can’t wait then. Hope you won’t disappoint me, detective.”

***

I came home late. Really late. Absolutely shagged, hoping my boyfriend would be there to ease my stress and anxiety with just his presence, but in fact I was about to be disappointed. The lights were off, the apartment cold and empty. No matter how sad it was for me I was a bit used to him working up late. He was a detective after all. Maybe he was at some undercover operation at the moment. Calling him was not an option since it may put him in danger, so trying to shake the emotions of the day by myself I just got ready to bed and before I realized I was dozing off.

I had no idea what hour it was, but at some point in the night I was woken by the squeak of the bed on the other side and a pair of arms sneaking around me. Dick was back safe.

“Hi.” I muttered, recognizing those hands and smell and shifting my position to get closer to him, resting my head on his chest.

“Hi baby” he whispered back, kissing my forehead and running a hand through my hair.

“Work?”

“You have no idea.” He sighed deeply and I caressed his side gently, trying to make him relax, but it didn’t bring the effect I wanted.

“Are you all right?” I was now totally awake, propping myself on the elbow to look straight into those beautiful blue eyes of his “are you hurt?” concern in my voice was so audible that a flash of pain crossed his face.

“I'm fine. I’m sorry I made you worried. And sorry I woke you.”

“Don’t ever be sorry. Honestly, I could never have a good sleep knowing you are out. Remind me why I agreed to have a detective boyfriend?“ I smirked but he was not in a mood for verbal teasing.

“I love you” he whispered closing his eyes, hiding everything there was inside, all the emotions kept under lock and key.

“Dick?” now I was serious too.

“Yes?” he opened them again and looked straight at me.

“You can tell me everything. There’s no need to hide. Whatever you did or whatever happened I have my ways to get you out of trouble.”

“I know. I know. I just love you so fucking much. I… I just need you next to me now, all right? Please?”

„That I can do” I laid back down, hugging him tightly, breathing him in, but at this very moment I knew something was off. We both held to each other, but it was more desperate than loving. More “I have a secret, I can’t tell you and it's killing me” than “I want to share my secret with you.”

***

I was spending another sleepless night alone just tossing and turning in the bed. Last three days was a disaster. At first glance nothing changed between me and Dick but under the surface …. Tormented by my own thoughts, I was truly thankful when my work phone broke the silence of the night.

“Y/L/N speaking” my voice was still hoarse, but it didn't stop me from using official tone.

“We need you here, counsellor. It’s an emergency and it requires your immediate attention.”

“On my way. Where exactly is here?”

***

Holy shit! The place was a disaster! Blood, massacred bodies, about ten injured people and two destroyed buildings. And one person accused of it all on the run.

“How could you let him escape!?” I was about to tear my hair out, but there was no time as I had to deal with the witnesses and potential accomplices taken to custody. Those who apparently were aware of their civil rights and refused to say anything without lawyer present. And Bludhaven police called me to be this lawyer. Fine, after all I had nothing else to do. “You know what, don’t answer that, just… do your freaking job and find the gangster boss who….”

Before I could even finish the sentence, said boss fell right in front of me.

“What the….?” I muttered looking up noticing the characteristic cape. The colors were a blur but everyone knew it was Robin. I sighed deeply and rubbed my forehead. Whoever was behind that mask I should have hated him, given how many laws he was breaking on a daily basis. The truth was, however, he was making my job slightly easier. And for that, ironically, I was thankful.

***

It took me another three days after which everything dawned on me. Dick was visiting my office every day, trying to get to know what I was working on and even when I refused to give away professional secrets, I knew he gathered some information. And then, miraculously, during night, all my perpetrators and criminals were brought to police station by no one other than Robin. Of course he himself never showed up. I would have to be blind, deaf and stupid not to see the connection.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked as soon as he stepped through my office again “and don’t give me that I don’t know what you’re talking about look. Let’s talk seriously, all right?”

“All right." he closed the door making sure it was shut tight and took a step towards me scratching his head "I’m sorry. I was worried that if you find out….”

“No.” I interrupted him.

“Sorry?” his surprised look made me use all the strength to hold back a laugh. He looked like a wigged kid.

“You don’t get to think so little of me. Did you really think I would leave? Or worse – was it the classic I was scared someone would hurt you bullshit? Dick, god damn it! I'm a lawyer. Do you have any idea how many times I got death threats? And here I am! Still alive and breathing! "

“I’m sorry.” He repeated.

“I’m also pretty case-hardened with keeping secrets, so I would never give yours away.”

“I know and….” He looked down, embarrassed and defeated under the weight of my arguments.

“I got a simple conclusion here: you are an idiot. Foolish, egoistic, inane….”

“Ok, that’s enough….” He stood up abruptly, making me shut up by kissing me, pulling me close so all my mind would get blurry and distracted by his toned chest, muscles and the way he was holding me, like his (or mine) life depended on it.

“Nice try, Grayson” I said pulling away too quickly for him to enjoy being in control of the situation.

“Please, don’t leave me. I can’t lose you.”

“You’re only proving my point here. I'm not going anywhere. But no more keeping me in the dark, all right? I told you once - I can keep you out of trouble, not the other way round. After all, you are a wanted vigilante.”

“Whatever you say” he pulled me in a kiss again and this time I let him. But still, he was about to apologize properly when we were alone.

***

From then on, everything went quick. Rachel, Gar, Kori. Titans. San Francisco. Gotham again (meeting Batman was a bit weird, but enjoyable experience), Dick dying and coming back to life (I almost killed him for that when he magically resurected). Conner, Tim. Wild ride. Wild. Oh, and somewhere in the meantime Dick ditched Robin in favor of Nightwing. Well, he looked hot in this black and blue outfit and I couldn't...... back to the point!

But I didn’t mind as long as Dick kept his promise of not keeping me away. At least for as long as in his own words it started to get really dangerous. When he reopened the Titans tower, training Gar, Rachel and Jason, I was there, watching over them, helping them crack cases and even joining on the field. I felt like a part of a team. But slowly, especially after Jason left (from the time perpective I think he was the only one to ever understood how it felt like to be cut off) my role was more like a caregiver. I was there to take care of the wounds, to throw a joke or defuse tension. Of course, I was still giving some advice, some tricks on how to play bad guys psychologically etc. but I knew I was being omitted. Dick was more distant, more tensed and more reserved than before, not that I blamed him. But I missed him. I accepted his vigilante lifestile, never complaining, but I wanted to feel like he still needed me to be his. His girlfriend, equal to him (but maybe smarter) and not someone to look after a bunch of kids (who I loved, but still).

Me and Kori has some business to take care of.

Right.

In a while he was always doing something with Kori. I liked her, truly, we were pretty good friends, but it was not right. I mean, I get that, she was a freaking fire princess, gifted with supernatural powers, all confident and fierce. All I had was logical thinking, connecting facts, fast reacting, resourcefullnes and imagination. It was more than enough to be a lawyer, but apparently not to be a part of the Titans team.

I wasn't jealous of Kori, really. I didn't envy her, I was just sad that all my good traits weren’t enough for Dick to consider me a valuable member of the team. Never letting me into real action anymore, never allowing me to train with the rest, even Tim, who wasn’t exactly skilled with his gear. Always working with Kori. And I knew confronting Dick about it would end up the same way as years ago. I can’t risk you getting hurt. I don’t want to see you in pain. I’m only focused on you when you are out in the open. Well, I understood his point of view, one way or another he was right, can’t deny that, but he could not possibly be there for me all the time. I had to be able to be more than just an easy to hurt one.

“You good?” oh, now he was realizing something was happening. Great job, Sherlock.

“No, I’m not” I always prided myself of being honest and direct in my communication with him. Boys can be so oblivious at times.

“Do we have to talk about it?” He looked at me carefully, his eyes begging me to postpone this conversation since he absolutely had to go investigate.

“Yes.” I nodded “Later. Now go.”

“Thank you.” He sighed and kissed my temple lovingly. I missed that.

“Go deal with that business of yours and come back to me. In one piece.”

“Promise.”

"Take care of him, ok?" I send Kori a sad look and she just nodded understanding everything he couldn't.

***

“Hey, brief, are you ok?” Conner used the nickname steming from the times I forgot knocking me out of my trance. Eventually, I ended up back at Star Labs with Conner and Tim, watching them fight against each other. Or rather Conner standing in place and taking poorly aimed Tim’s punches without flinching in the slightest.

“Take a guess.” I muttered “you should aim a bit lower, Tim”

“What?” the newly-appointed Robin looked at me confused.

“Lower” I emphasized “Conner may be superboy, but he’s still half human. And humans have weak points, so aim lower.”

Tim shrugged in a whatever manner, but stuck to my advice and to both, his and Conner’s surprise the latter hissed in pain.

“What the…..?” Superboy gasped turning his gaze on me. So did Tim and Bernard.

“Do you want to tell us something, Y/N?” the scientist asked “are you hiding some supertalents?”

“Just observational skills. Mixed with experience in medical records during my lawyer times.”

“That is interesting. You see anything else to use against Conner?”

“Wait. What? Use against me? I did not sign up for this!” Conner protested watching as my eyes twinkled in excitement. Now, I had my chance to prove to them I was more than met the eye.

***

“What is going on here?!”

“Oh, hey, Dick, your back. How was your business?” I brushed the sweat from my forehead and smiled at him. I couldn’t remember last time I was so happy and fulfilled. For the last two hours I was sparring with the boys under Bernard’s watchful gaze. It was exhilarating. “She’s the business I suppose.”

“Not voluntarily.” The pink-haired girl smirked “so you’re the girlfriend he was worried about on the way here?”

“I was not worried…..”

“I’m sorry about him. He can be …. Intense…” I cut Dick off. "I'm Y/n?"

“Tell me about it” she rolled her eyes “I’m Jinx.”

“The witch? Can you show me any spell to …..”

“All right. Y/n, I think we need to have that talk now.” my boyfriend, if that was still the case grabbed my hand and started dragging me away.

“It was nice to meet you, Jinx. I’ll catch you up later!” I managed to say in her direction before Dick picked me up and threw me over his shoulder still walking away. "Put me down, now!"

***

“What were you doing there?”

“It turns out, I'm pretty good at finding opponents weakness and turning it against them”

“Tim being the opponent?” Dick laughed

“Conner, in fact. And don;t be condescending.”

“What?!”

“Mhm. Did you know that he has a soft spot just right under his belly button? I might have bruised him with the impact I put there.”

“You did what?”

“Yeah. So many years of wasted potential." I blew a raspberry "And that’s because of someone who has been treating me like a babysitter for the past couple weeks.”

“You mean me? I never…..” I cleared my throat suggestively and it made him hesitate “ok, maybe I did. But you never said a word!”

“Because I knew it would lead to fighting with you. And despite everything I hate seeing you lose those arguments. Come on, you always surrender in verbal sparring.”

“Y/N….”

“It’s always you and Kori going everywhere together, dealing with stuff together, cracking cases together. I felt like I wasn't needed anymore. Apart from watching over kids.”

“Because they trust you. You are a role model for them.”

“One of the role models, Dick. Just one. And that’s nice. I just want you to realize I am so much more than just a bystander.”

“I don’t…..”

“Blah, blah, blah. I know all your arguments inside and out. Hurt, pain, loss… Please."I rolled my eyes at him "I’m good, all right? I want to learn to fight.”

“Are you jealous of Kori? There’s no need.”

“You idiot” I smacked his head. Lightly but he still hissed and looked at me with hurted expression. “You don’t get a word I'm saying! I am not jealous of her. I'm furious beacuse of you treating me different than anyone else!"

“Because you are the one I love!”

“I love you too." I said, more sofly, more gently and locked my hands on his neck, playing with the hair on his nape. That little gesture always made him relax and this time was no different as he hummed in pleasure "but I never told you to stop fighting, did I?"

"No...." he leaned into my touch so just to tease him I withdrew my hands. "Please, don't stop" soft, almost inaudible whisper got me melting "I missed that....."

"So, you agree with me that you've been pushing me away."

"I never said that and ....." I kissed him before he said anything else. Oh, the way it turned him on instantly.... Out of instinct his hands found their place on my waist holding onto me, caressing my skin, bringing me closer. Clearly he did miss me. I almost gave up, so lost in his touch, his warmth, wanting more and more and ......

"So, you agree with me....." I pulled away, not letting him get away with answer this easily.

"Yes, I fucking agree with everything you are saying." He rested his forehead on mine. "I'm sorry. I never meant to push you away. Never meant to make you feel like you didn't belong. I don't know what I would do without you."

"Hm, I know" I hummed "you would be absolutely lost. And probably dead. More than once."

"Mhm" he muttered. "Please I need you. You are like the only stable thing in my life...."

"I'm always here, Dick" I hugged him tighly, knowing well enough he was on the verge of breaking from the last weeks' stress and pressure and in desperate need of comfort and warm embrace "I'm always here. But I don't want to be a liability, ok? Or a housemother."

"Ok....." he held me tighter, not ready to let go.

"Let me train. I won't go against you, but please...." I kissed his temple, not to make him break, but just to assure him I was going to be fine. That we were going to be fine.

"Ok....." he chuntered "I'm tired....."

"I know, Dickie, I know. But you are not alone in this mess, babe. You are not alone."

Guess I was babysitting again. but this time, out of my own volition, and the fact that I had a choice in the matter made me feel good. After all, he was my baby.

@somest1

@pinksirensong

633 notes · View notes

loveshotzz · 1 year

Text

Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

Burn One chapter four: Two out of three ain’t bad.

Series Master List

Summary: Movie night with the Hellfire club.

Warnings: none really, mentions of weed and weed smoking. Making out, dry humping.🤫

Word Count: 7k

A/N: Thank you to every one for their patience with this chapter I had rough month mentally. For those of you that have been following this story you have no idea how much it means to me. Thank so much for reading my work and a story that I put so much time and effort into. Everyone should be thanking my wife @myobmaya if it wasn’t for her idk if this would be written right now. I was up till 2:30am editing please be nice if I missed anything. 2nd to last chapter of the series, let’s goooo.

“So you’re telling me nothing happened with you and Munson after the party?” Steve questions with complete and utter disbelief.

“No, nothing happened. I cleaned him up and then he went home.” Refusing to meet his skeptical gaze you busy yourself with a stack of tapes that were ready to go back on the sales floor. The perfect escape plan from his line of questioning and your own personal mission not to think about Eddie for at least five minutes.

“That just doesn’t really add up to me.” Steve presses as you pile the stack in your arms, eyes darting around for any sign of Robin, the last thing you needed right now was for her to join in on this. You’d been able to avoid them for almost a week trying to give yourself enough time to sort through your own feelings. Even though deep down you knew there was nothing you needed to dwell on. You liked Eddie, you just didn’t want to say it out loud yet.

Lost in your thoughts as you escape Steve from behind the counter you don’t see the person you were hoping wasn’t paying attention block your path with crossed arms before you almost run into her. The tapes in your arms that you’d expertly stacked teetering dangerously close to falling over.

“Jesus, Robin.” Irritated you try to maneuver around her the best you can with the little balance you have left. Side stepping you she grabs the tapes out of your hand setting them back down on the counter so you have no way of avoiding her blue eyes.

“You see Stevie boy, you’re asking the wrong questions here. Did anything happen?” She peers over your shoulder to her best friend with a sly smirk before focusing her attention back on you. “No? Sure I believe that.”

With a light hum she starts pacing small steps in front of you, tapping her index finger on her chin as if deep in thought before turning around narrowing her eyes at you.

“Did something almost happen though?” Cheeks heating up automatically at her twist of words, your eyes search for anything else in the room to focus on. Robin was too smart for her own good and sometimes you hated her for it. This was one of those times.

Both of them take a moment to take in your anxious appearance, hands shoved in your pockets rocking on your heels avoiding eye contact with either one of them acting like they weren’t even in the room.

“Ah, there we go. Look at her, GUILTY!” The way Steve points his finger at you is like you’ve just been caught in the worlds biggest lie. Almost tripping over his own feet he hurries out from behind the counter with quick steps once he catches his balance.

“Seriously guys, this is ridic- “ A loud thud on against tempered glass window of the entrance cuts your sentence off before you can finish.

Jumping at the sound three more follow ringing out through the empty video store like gun shots. Looking for the source of the disturbance you notice the glass bow slightly under each hit threatening to break. The chime of the doors reminding you that you’re still alive, exhaling a breath you didn’t know you were holding.

“I’m telling you, he’s not gonna care if we switch the movie.” A familiar lisp catches your ears as the group of boys you’d remembered from a few weeks ago come clambering in.

“Jesus Henderson! You idiots almost broke the damn glass. It’s called a kick stand, ever heard of it?” Hands immediately going to their natural place on his hips, Steve looks like a mother scolding his four disobedient children. Lips set in a smirk the tension in your shoulders release completely entertained by the fact that all of your new friends seemed to hang out with these kids.

“Calm down, calm down.” The one with the long black hair begs hands raised as if to ward off a fight, long legs plant themselves between Steve and the kid that had only ever been referred to as Henderson. His big brown eyes catch your face brows twitching in question before he brings his attention back to his friend. “Eddie will absolutely care if you change the movie for movie night. Have you lost your mind?”

The mention of his name is enough for your brain to slowly start it’s descent into the things you were trying to lock away for later. Robin’s eyes flicker towards you clocking the dazed look in your eye and it makes you wonder if she can see just how sweaty your palms are.

“You aren’t just a little bit curious what everybody is talking about?” He questions with a wiggle of his eyebrows. Losing interest in their argument while you tried reigning in your thoughts, your zoned out gaze catches the eyes of the only boy you didn’t recognize from that day. His uncomfortable posture confusing you, one arm clutching the other you could see the white’s of his knuckles.

“Not if it means we suffer the wrath of a pissed off Dungeon Master. He’ll make Hellfire a living hell for at least a week, do you really want that?” Mike’s voice going up and octave brings you back to the argument happening in front of you.

“Listen Dustin.” The kid with the letterman jacket interjects with a hand on Dustin’s shoulder. “I think you really need to listen to Mike, we can just rent it some other time.”

“Lucas, I thought you of all people would have my back on this.” Dustin groans throwing his head back in annoyance.

“I don’t know guys, I kinda wanted to watch The Hobbit.” The kid you’d been trying to figure out finally breaks his silence with a soft protest.

“Why am I not surprised you’re all chickening out on me.” Rolling his eyes he lets out a defeated sigh stare landing on his dirty sneakers.

“What are dingus’s even talking about?” The rasp of Robin’s voice is dripping with annoyance when they finally giver her moment to speak, the bickering non stop since the moment they walked in.

The first time in the last two minutes there’s nothing but complete silence at Robin’s question. The brown carpeting beneath their feet becoming the most interesting thing in the store. Mike’s the first one to break, eyes darting nervously towards Dustin he shakes his hands straightening his posture.

“It’s movie night and Eddie specifically requested that we get The Hobbit but Lucas over heard the guys in the locker room talk about this one scene in um - in Fast Times At Ridgemont High.” Voice trailing off he’s too scared to say the reason that you all knew out loud.

“You want to see boobies.” Steve says flatly.

Eye’s going wide they all start talking over each other, explanations getting jumbled in their sentences you can’t make out a single thing that’s being said. Will’s mouth set in an irritated line behind them.

“Aren’t you a little genius Dustin? I thought you’d be able to do basic math, none of you are old enough to even rent that movie.” Robin snorts before shoving her hand in Mike’s hair ruffling it as she walks passed heading back to the counter.

“Yeah, while that may be true. We’re friends with the people who work at Family Video.” Dustin gives it one last shot giving the three of you what he thinks is a wink, one eyelid falling shortly after the other it ends up looking like a strange blink instead.

“As if Henderson, like I would risk hearing about it from any of your parents.” With a flick of his wrist Steve is waving them off as he walks away, leaving no room for argument in his tone.

“Fat chance boys, but nice try.” Robin grins from behind the counter, perching herself up on the chair. There’s a brief moment where you think you’ve done the impossible. Your plan to fly off the radar seemingly in your grasp. A slow smile creeping over your lips, you use the opportunity to turn around fingers grabbing for the stack of tapes again.

“Wait, I know you.” Dustin’s voice stops your plan before it even has a chance to take off. Back stiff you keep your body frozen in place, eyes closed tight you were hoping that if you just didn’t react he’d just drop it. You’d only seen him briefly from across the lot that day, he couldn’t possibly remember you. Dustin’s statement mixed with the way you looked like you wishing yourself to be anywhere but in your body peaked your two friends interest again. The subject you thought you’d successfully avoided coming back to rear it’s ugly head again, and it sat right on Dustin Henderson’s lips.

“What are you talking about?” Mike’s confusion and lack of memory of you is exactly what you were hoping for, but you knew it was too late.

“Eddie’s girl.”

Eddie’s girl? Eddie’s girl?

Your stomach flutters at the sound of something so possessive, like you belonged to him and you despised how much you liked it. Shaking your head in defeat your hands drop the impossible to put away stack of movies. Taking your own page out of The Book of Harrington you pinch bridge of your nose in frustration.

“Whoa ho, ho, hold on. Did you just refer to our friend over here as Eddie’s girl?” Robin’s out of her chair faster then your can open you eyes, an excited smile breaking across her freckle smattered face as she leans over against the glass.

Groaning loudly in irritation you turn around with a cross of your arm, the only armor you have against the group that was now entirely fixated on you.

“I’m confused. What’s going on?” Lucas looks between all of his friends searching for any clues as to what was happening, his memory of you just as fuzzy as Mike’s.

“You’re kidding right?” Dustin’s voice cracks as he gets worked up eyes darting between all the clueless looks on his friends faces. “The girl Eddie’s been obsessed with, the one he never shuts up about?”

Staring at their friend there’s finally a fleeting moment of silence before the three of them “ohhhh” in unison, curious eyes landing on you with looks on their faces like they couldn’t believe you were actually real.

Steve joining the spot next to Robin you can’t feel the two of them practically vibrating at the new information flowing from Dustin. Your mouth had been a steel trap for weeks no matter how many times they pressed you.

“First of all I’m no one’s girl, and I have a name.” Despite all eyes on you the sound of your voice for the first time makes them all jump as if further proving the point you weren’t just some figment of Eddie’s imagination.

“Oh, we know your name.” Dustin’s the first one to speak up and you aren’t even the least bit surprised. Reading the clearly frustrated expression on your face his brows furrow in confusion under the bill of his cap. “Wait, he hasn’t asked you out yet has he?”

Choking on air at his question it was the last thing you thought you’d hear leave his mouth. Dustin’s loose lips sink your barely floating ship that Robin and Steve had already poked their own holes into.

Steve’s boisterous cackle behind you has your head whip back with a glare, both of them looking too smug for their own good.

“We’re just friends, I don’t know how many times I have to repeat myself.” Even you don’t believe the words when they come out of your mouth this time.

“I can’t believe he didn’t do it yet, what a coward.” Dustin actually looks disappointed when he hears your lack of confirmation. All you focus on is pretending to be a person that looks completely unfazed despite everything that’s just been given away.

“Yeah, didn’t he refer to her as his soulmate or something like that?” The only one that hadn’t annoyed you speaks up and for some reason it feels like a betrayal.

All of Eddie’s secrets come spilling out of their mouths like it was common knowledge, and despite having an inkling for how he felt about you hearing it all out loud was enough to make your head spin.

“Interesting, soulmate. Sounds exactly like two people who are just friends to me.” Steve quips next to Robin sarcasm laced in his words.

“I’ve got an idea!” Dustin’s sudden outburst brings the attention back on him. “When are you off?”

Thanking whatever gods (Keith) scheduled you to close today of all days, your glare softens when you know you get to let them down quick.

“She’s off right now.” Robin interjects with a quick lie, stealing away your victory. Steve was off right now, you weren’t suppose to be off for another 5 hours.

“What? No I’m-“ with an elbow to his ribs Robin shuts him down muttering something between clenched teeth.

“But I have a date.” Steve whines before throwing his head back in defeat. “Fine, fine.” Shaking his head with frustration he waves his hands before walking away.

“Then it’s settled, you’re coming to movie night.” Dustin grins picking up on Robin’s queues and ignoring the way Steve’s sulking figure in the corner.

The thought of seeing Eddie again had your stomach in knots, it wasn’t that you didn’t want to see him again because god, you did. The fear of a new awkwardness taking over the usual comfort you felt around him was what kept you away. He hadn’t gone out of his way to see you either and it’d been almost a week since the almost kiss in the bathroom. Almost a week of him completely consuming your every waking thought. The kind of butterflies you didn’t think you could get anymore make residence deep inside of you, coming out in a way that makes your legs weak at the thought of him.

“I don’t know guys, I don’t want to crash your little hang out.” In a last ditch attempt to get out of it your eyes meet Steve’s silently begging him to stand up to Robin and let you stay. It was a feeble attempt even you knew that.

“It’s not crashing if he wants you there.” Dustin argues with so much certainty it almost annoys you. Something in his tone.

Completely convinced the universe and your friends were conspiring against you there really was no other option but to face your fears and get it over with.

Exhaling loudly through your nose and a roll of your neck you give a defeated nod before shrugging off your vest refusing to look at your traitor friends in the eyes.

“Fine, grab the movie I’ll get my bag. I can maybe fit three bikes in my trunk, but ones gotta be in the back seat with three of you.” Tossing your vest over your shoulder you point to the one you know is the ring leader.

“Shot gun!” Dustin yells braces shining in the florescent lights above him, his dibs earning loud moans of protest from behind him.

——-

The car ride back to the trailer park is crowded and painfully loud. The constant bickering of Mike and Lucas from the back seat had kept drowning out your music. It didn’t matter how many times you’d raise it their voices would always match the new volume. Giving up with a frustrated sigh your eyes meet Will’s from the rear view mirror, annoyance evident on his face as he sits sandwiched between the two arguing boys.

Dustin was being suspiciously quiet next to you and you weren’t entirely sure if that should make you nervous or not. Making quick secretive glances from the road you do your best to try and figure out what schemes were going on in his head, the wheels inside very obviously turning.

Your relieved when you hit the entrance of the trailer park, but it’s short lived when your eyes connect with the chocolate ones you missed more then you’d let on almost instantly. Headlights hitting him as you pull in, he was sitting on top of the table in the court yard with a cigarette dangling from his mouth. Face lighting up like the sky on Fourth of July his lips pull up around his unlit smoke. The excitement is short lived when he notices the boys in the car with you, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

With a tight lipped more then awkward smile you pull into your drive way, head swimming with what you should say first. A simple Hi? Do you hug? Your irritation quickly being replaced with the kind of nerves that make you nauseous, the tires of your car barely come to a stop before they all open their doors. Foot slammed on the break your car isn’t even in park as they fly out in a flurry of cuss words and metal clanking against your center consul.

“Careful! Careful!”

Bike tire catching your elbow you wait until their gone before you even attempt to get out of the car. Slamming your gear into park you close your eyes relishing in the new silence, their muffled voices seeping further into the distance as they make their way towards Eddie. Running a tired hand over your face taking a deep breath before your fingers wrap around the door handle. When it opens before you get a chance to do it yourself, the composure you’d finally gained flies out the window, a loud gasp erupting from your chest.

Eddie’s smile is nervous when he holds the door open for you, his hand outstretched for you to take. Not expecting to come face to face with him so quickly, it takes you a minute to comprehend the gesture. Eyes roam his features unashamed missing the hidden freckles that scatter across his skin only noticeable from this distance. The bruises on his face were less prominent the before, the dark purple gone, fading into a barely noticeable tinge of yellow. The cut on his lower lip looked almost close up, your eyes catching his tongue when he traces over it out of habit. Clearing his throat your surrounding come back into focus and your face starts to feel more like the surface of the sun. Quickly averting your stare a shaky hand starts to fumble with the key in the ignition, only to drop them as soon as you slide it out.

“You good?” Eddie chuckles as he watches you, cheek pressed firmly to your steering wheel your fingers frantically search for the keys on the dirty carpeted floor of your car. Desperate to find them and end your embarrassment.

When your skin comes in contact with the cool metal you snatch them up pushing yourself back into your seat with a huff giving him your best smile and a lie.

“Never better.”

His whiskey eyes sparkle when you throw your smile his way, cheeks blossoming red when your hand finally lands in his. Slippery palms meet in a mixture of nerves and sweat, both of you silently hoping the other doesn’t notice. The image of you standing between his legs with fingers tangled in his messy hair is harder to fight when he’s right here in front of you.

Helping you up with a gentle tug he doesn’t make any effort to move when you land right in front of him. Just like every time you get stuck by the chocolate of his eyes, the rest of the world ceases to exist when he looks at you like this. The weight of not seeing each other sinking in, he doesn’t let go of your hand. The callouses of his finger tips catch your skin when he laces them with yours. His thumb smooths over your knuckle reminding you to breathe.

“Are we watching this movie or are you two just gonna stand there and stare at each other?” Dustin’s voice from Eddie’s front door step brings you back to your driveway reminding you both that you weren’t alone.

“Look if you don’t want to, you don’t have to.” Eddie’s own self doubts plague his consciousness when he brings his attention back to you.

Despite the boys spilling all of his secrets about how much he liked you a mere thirty minutes ago, his reaction kicks your anxiety into gear mirroring his own. Was it weird that you showed up here with them technically uninvited?

“I mean, if it’s like a club thing I get it, I can just go home if it’s weird.” Unease taking over scared that you’ve read everything wrong you, drop his hand wiping your palm on your jeans.

Eddie almost immediately realizes he’s said the wrong thing. Not really knowing how to act around you, the answer you’d given him the last time he was you was ominous with no real time line put in place.

“No!” His voice has a desperate edge to it startling you out of your overactive thoughts “No, I mean no it’s not a club thing or it doesn’t have to be.” Grabbing your hand again he pulls you back not liking the space you’d unconsciously put between you. Closing his eyes he exhales through his nose before the full force of his gaze is on you again. “I want you there.”

There was something different about hearing him actually say it, the words “I want you there” igniting something inside of you. The awkwardness that you were fearing proved to be nonexistent.

“Okay, okay don’t get your panties in a twist. I’ll come to movie night.” Teasing you give his hand a gentle squeeze before letting it go, noticing the small frown at the loss of contact. “I’ll meet you over there give me like twenty minutes.”

“Anything longer then thirty and I’m sending the clowns over.” Eddie smirks before turning around to the pile of boys who were all watching from his front door. Stopping in his tracks when he makes eye contact with them, the knowing grins on their faces disappear quickly being replaced with fear as they scurry inside his trailer. The idea of them being actually scared of Eddie was hilarious to you, chuckling to yourself with a slam of your car door Dustin’s words from earlier ring out loudly in your head.

“He hasn’t asked you out yet?”

——

The faint smell of stale cigarettes cling to the fabric of the couch in Eddie’s small living room. Mugs line the wall above your head all mismatched each one for a different mile stone celebrated in Wayne life. The material of the couch is scratchy under your skin, worn down and well slept on the cushions sink under your weight pressing you into Eddie’s side. Dustin sits on the other side of you, a small pillow wedged between as a barrier pushing you even more into his space. There’s was a part of you that knew he was doing it on purpose, the scheming in his head never ending.

The three other boys were sprawled out on the floor at your feet, using whatever pillows that were in Eddie’s room to prop themselves up their eyes were zeroed in on the TV completely enamored with the film. The soft glow of the screen was only light illuminating the inside of the trailer.The early darkness of winter coating the outside pitch black after 5pm.

Pizza boxes stacked on the dining table everyone’s food coma was starting to set in. The volume of Eddie’s yawn startles you, raising his arms he stretches his legs out purposely kicking Mike’s foot in the process earning him a dirty look from the boy on the floor. Chuckling to himself you feel his arm drape around the back of the couch, the ghost of his finger tips brush against your shoulder. Dustin snorts to himself clocking what Eddie was trying to do, ringed fingers flick the back of his ear in response.

“Ow! Not cool, not cool at all.” Rubbing his ear Dustin gives him the same look Mike had shot him just a few seconds ago.

“Watch the movie Henderson.” Pointing at the TV you feel like you can see Eddie’s facial expression in his tone. Dustin stares him down for a moment, the internal battle of how stubborn he wanted to be clear on his face. The two stare at each other for a moment longer before the curly haired boy finally caves bringing his gaze back to the TV.

Settling back down in his seat, Eddie pushes himself further into the cushions. The dip of his weight making your body sink down with him, arm falling off the back of the couch when you roll into his chest. Breath catching in your throat at the new found position, Eddie’s body stiffens under yours waiting for your reaction too.

The warmth radiating off of him is enough for you to give in after a few awkward minutes pass of both of you stiff as board. Burrowing yourself deeper into his chest you inhale his scent greedily, arm reaching across his stomach your fingers curl into his shirt pulling yourself closer.

The breath Eddie had been holding fans over the top of your head before his arm curls around you. Cheek pressed to his chest you can hear just how fast his heart is beating under your touch as your fingers absentmindedly play with the hem of his shirt.

The comfort of his body is enough for you to melt into him, the quiet thumps of his heart slowing down to a calming rhythm. Fingers trace the line of your spine, adding light pressure when he feels the tightness off your muscles. Eyes roll in the back of your head when your body starts to turn into butter under his touch, your eyelids turning heavy you stop trying to fight the sleep that was evading you.

—-

“What do you mean I can’t bring home a box of pizza? You’re gonna eat all of it?” Dustin’s voice stirs you awake and it takes you a minute to remember where you are. Keeping your eyes closed you decide to listen for a minute brain not fully functioning just yet.

“Yeah I’m gonna eat all of it, I paid for it. When you get a job you can order your own pizza to take home.” Your lips twitch at Eddie’s lose term of job.

“Either she’s having a really good dream or she’s awake.” Lucas’s whisper sounds like he’s right in front of your face, much closer to you then Eddie and Dustin’s. Not willing to give yourself away just yet, you try to control the muscles in your lips the best you can.

“She’s probably having a dream about Eddie.” Mike laughs before a light gust of wind blows across your face followed by a soft thud cutting him off.

“Shut it Wheeler. Go pack your shit, I’m trying to get you twerps home by 8.” Eddie’s tone is nothing short of irritated and you decide this is probably your queue to reveal yourself.

Somehow becoming horizontal on the couch there was a blanket wrapped around you tucking you in and away from the chill in his trailer. Shifting to sit up your tired eyes land on Eddie who stood eyeballing you nervously from the kitchen wondering just how much of their conversation you’d actually heard.

“Sleeping beauty is awake! Look, you didn’t even need to kiss her.” Dustin grins from his spot next to Eddie in the kitchen. Eddie’s face twists up in annoyance earning the curly haired boy another flick behind the ear. “Dude! That actually hurts.”

“Maybe you should think about the things you say then Dustin.” Eddie snaps face softening almost instantly when he brings his attention back to you. The bags under your eyes giving away how much you needed the sleep.

“How long was I out for?” Sleep thick in your voice you stretch the full length of your body before rubbing the sleep out of your eyes, catching the way Eddie’s eyes roam the length of you as you did it.

“Like the whole movie and a board game.” Mike answers lamely from the ground still sprawled out on the floor where the pillow took him out.

“Shit, I’m sorry. I’ll get out of your hair, I didn’t mean to come crash your movie night with a nap.” Chuckling nervously you start to untangle yourself from the blanket ignoring the way you can see Dustin shoving his elbow into Eddie’s side. Both boys bickering in the corner in hushed voices before a loud “Just do it.” From Dustin catches the rooms attention.

“Ummm” Eddie starts as you get up off the couch, eyes going big when he realizes he’s about to ask you to hang out with an audience now. “Wanna come with me to drop the boys off? I could umm show you one of those spots I told you about?”

You almost forgot about the places he’d been trying to show you since that first night, they seemed almost elusive at this point. Part of you had started to assume they weren’t even real anymore. You let the whole group squirm with baited breath as you pretended to think about the answer that was already sitting on the tip of your tongue.

“Sure.”

Eddie eyes widen at your answer almost like he wasn’t actually expecting you to actually say yes, the boys let out the breaths they’d been holding since the question left Eddie mouth. Mike even going as far as putting his hand on his heart.

Clapping his hands loudly, Eddie throws you the kind of smile that you thought was only reserved for that night in your bathroom.

“No time to waste boys, get your shit and let’s go.”

——-

“Here be helpful.” Eddie teases shoving the metal lunchbox into your chest. A small grin tugging at his lips when you huff at him. Opening the back doors of his van with a creak that shudders off them so loud it echos through the empty forest surrounding you. The unsuspected noise making the shuffle of critters catch your ears while your eyes stare up at the clear night sky with the same wonder as that first night at Family video. That night seemed like a life time ago, the passing of time hitting you like the cool November air chilling your bones under the thin material of your sweater.

“Okay, we’re all set.” Eddie’s voice breaks you out of your mid evening crisis, and it makes you realize how hard you’d been clutching onto the metal in your hands.

Tearing your eyes from the stars your met with his equally beautiful chestnut ones, with enough brightness in them there could be a whole galaxy inside his pupils.

“I gave you the extra pillow, you know for the working girl.” Charm turned up to ten he sits on his knees on the pile of blankets he’s straightened out messed up from rowdy boys that were in there just twenty minutes before, the pillows that were usually scattered all over the back are pushed against the back of the seats up front. Far enough from the cold but close enough for you to see the light of the moon dance off the reflection of the lake he’d taken you to.

“Eddie this is... this is perfect.” Pink tints his cheeks at the word perfect. A reminder of what you called him on Halloween.

Clearing his throat he shakes his head a little, teeth peeking out from between his lips in a smile before extending a hand out for you to take for the second time that night.

“I’m glad you like it sweetheart, I’ve only been trying to take you here since that first night we hung out.” Chuckling softly with a big calloused hand wrapped around yours he helps pull you up.

Knees landing on the plush comforter the tension in the van thickens, chest to chest your eyes drown inside each other while your breath becomes his between parted lips. The silver of his rings catch the beam of the moon and the glint catches your eye when he reaches up to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. Gaze softening his lips pull up at the corners, rough finger tips trace the shell of your ear before sliding down your back, giving you a light push ushering you towards the make shift bed.

Shuffling over your surprised at how fluffy they are when your back hits the feathers. Sinking in you wiggle yourself deeper before letting out a content sigh when your feel them mold perfectly to your body. The tension from the day slowly seeping out of your pores, closing your eyes you take a deep breath of the fresh air feeling the weight of him sink down next to you. The warmth of his body was almost enough that you didn’t need the blanket he was pulling over both your spread out legs.

The leather of his jacket squeaks as he adjusts to get comfortable, arms and legs pressed together the smell of the cigarette he smoked on the way here mixes with his cheap corner store cologne in a swirl of Eddie.

“I brought you a little something. Why don’t you open her up.” Tapping on the top of the metal he looks at you like a parent does when they are watching their kid open up a Christmas present.

Giving him a suspicious look your fingers rest over the lock, trying to read the expression on his face confused by the excitement and panic that flashes behind his eyes. Arching your brow you flip open the lock. Looking down your eyes scan the inside and when nothing out of the ordinary catches your attention you let out the breath you didn’t know you were holding, completely unsure of what you were even expecting.

Eddie’s eyes dart between the lunch box and your face trying to gauge your reaction before irritation takes over the softness of his face. Leaning over his curls tickle your cheek when he peers inside the tin on your lap.

“God dammit.” He mutters under his breath reaching in you watch him flip the small bag of weed over revealing a messily scribbled question in what looked like permanent marker.

Running a hand over his face he sighs loudly through his nose when he leans back against the pillows.

“Well that wasn’t as smooth as I wanted it to be.”

Furrowing your brows in confusion you look back down eyes reading over the messy hand writing.

Do you want to go on a date?

Reading the question a few more times, you feel Eddie’s whole body tense up with anticipation. The sounds of his breathing becoming non existent while he watches the wheels turn in your head. Looking up, his dark chocolate eyes are swimming in nerves as they search your face for answer, too impatient to wait for it to leave your tongue. When he sees the corners of your mouth twitch up his eyes soften slightly letting himself get excited for the first time. Taking your bottom lip between your teeth you give a small nod too scared to use your voice.

His breath fans hot across your face when he exhales, shoulders dropping as the nerves slowly leave his body.

“Yeah?” The question leaves his mouth in desperate plea needing to hear you actually say it out loud.

Tired of fighting something that seemed impossible win, you finally accept your defeat. The twists and turns of your life despite the darkness all led you to this place, convinced now the universe pushed you here like it was your destiny to meet the boy sitting next to you. Moving the lunch box off your lap, you turn yourself to face him and it’s almost too much looking at him dead on like this with so much ready to burst out of the seams. Nervous fingers search for his intertwining them with they meet sending the butterflies in your stomach into over drive before you have the courage to find your words

“Yeah, I’ll go on a date with you.” The shake in your voice is subtle but he catches it. Raising his free hand to your face he traces the line of your jaw, cocking his head to the side enjoying the way goosebumps follow. Cupping your cheek with warm calloused hands the pad of his thumb smooths over the heated skin.

Closing your eyes you lean into him, all the anxiety that was holding the muscles in your body hostage disappearing into his touch. The softness of his lips startle you when they press against the side of your jaw, moving to the tip of your nose, only stopping when they hover yours. Eyes fluttering open he’s already looking at your lips silently asking for permission to close the gap. The air in the back of his van feels electric, everything leading you both here. Pushing yourself forward you capture his mouth with yours in a flurry of pent up emotions. Soft like silk his lips move against yours lazily not wanting to rush something he’s wanted since the moment he laid eyes on you.

Times stops when you finally give in,the universe coming to a halt at the cosmic connection erupting from the way you mold against each other. Hand leaving your cheek his fingers wrap themselves into the hair at the nape of your neck, pulling slightly he tilts your head back tongue swiping against your lower lip begging for more of you.

Sighing into the kiss your tongues meet battling for dominance, everything you’d been holding back trying to be conveyed in the heat of your mouth. Fireworks exploding behind closed eyes, your fingers grasp onto the collar of his shirt needing him closer. Grunting he pulls at your hips urging you onto his lap. Mouth never leaving his one leg slings over his hips knees tucked against either side of his waist. Even through both layers of your jeans you could still feel all of him, the arousal in your panties only making it easier to rock your hips against the hard bulge underneath you. Losing yourself in the kiss your fingers find their way back into his hair grinding your self down on him with more vigor. Moaning at the new pace you were setting his lips finally break apart from yours trying to catch his breath.

A desire that you had forgotten existed completely consumes you, using the break from his lips to trail sloppy open mouth kisses down his jaw nipping playfully at the bone before making your decent to his neck. Lulling his head back he gives you better access. Tongue tracing along his pulse point you wrap your lips around the sensitive spot behind his hear. Hips still rolling against his, the seam of your jeans pushes between your folds each time he meets your thrusts. His lips find yours again meeting with a scrape of your teeth all the gentleness from earlier gone.

“Jesus.” Rippibg his mouth away like it was the hardest thing he ever had to do, he rests his forehead against yours, chest moving with the quickness of his breaths his fingers dig into your sides to try and stop your movements. “You’re gonna make me cum in my pants baby.”

Biting your lip at the new nickname, you roll your hips one more time loving the way it makes his eyes roll in the back of his head.

“You’re a menace.” Chuckling he places a chaste kiss on your turned lips.

“Are you surprised by this?” Grinning like an idiot you almost feel sick with happiness.

Tangling your fingers in his thick waves you kiss the tip of his nose before pulling yourself back to get a better look at him. Swollen lips and blown out eyes look at you like there should be hearts there instead of pupils.

“Not even a little bit.” Mimicking your actions his finger tips trace across the line of your cheek bone as his eyes focus on every detail of your face like it’s a work of art. The intensity of it all has you reeling at the kind of intimacy you hadn’t felt in so long. Fingers leaving his hair to fidget on your lap, your nerves come roaring back to life.

As if reading your mind he tilts your head up with two fingers under your chin gripping just tight enough that you could still fight his hold if you wanted to.

“We can take our time okay? There’s no rush.” Clearing his throat a little you notice the pink that starts to dust his cheeks when he lets you go. “Besides, I don’t have too much experience in that department anyway sweetheart.”

Eddie almost looks ashamed when he shares his lack of experience with you not understanding how much of a relief that actually is.

“Hey, I don’t care about that.” Cupping his cheek you can feel the heat of his embarrassment under your skin when he looks up at you with big vulnerable eyes. “It’s actually kind of perfect.”

Perfect had become Eddie’s favorite word and he’s only ever been called it two times in his life, and both were by you.

“What time are you off tomorrow?” Covering your hand with his, you can’t see your fingers when they envelope yours.

“I’m off at 6 tomorrow.” Taking advantage his closeness you lean in nudging your nose against his, smirking when you kiss the corner of his mouth he pulls away slightly trying to refocus your attention.

“Pick you up at 8?”

“Don’t be late Munson.” Chasing his lips again he meets you half way with a smile so big his dimples show deep in his cheeks.

It was just you and him. Two broken souls finding the kind of peace you never thought was meant for people like you inside each other. Lit by the stars in his backseat like this was exactly where you were suppose to be.

Final chapter

——————————————————————-

Taglist: @emotionaldreamer @eddiesprincess86 @bimbobaggins69 @rach5ive @luckyysstarr @h-ness1944 @stolen-in-moonlight @bohemianrhapsody86 @ms1oftheboys @maximizedrhythms @amethyst1258 @princesseddie @munsonology @sammararaven @edsforehead @b-irock @triplethreat77 @justherefortheescapism @micheledawn1975 @ethereal27cereal @superbcoffeedrinkersubparwriter @elthreetimes @chickpeadumpsterfire @manda-panda-monium @fckyeahlames @angelsarecallin @sweetsweetjellybean @boomhauer

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x female reader #eddie munson x fem!reader #eddie munson smut #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson imagines #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson x you #joseph quinn #eddie munson fanfic #steve harrington #stranger things fanfiction #robin buckley #dustin henderson #lucas sinclair #mike wheeler #will byers

629 notes · View notes

celtics534 · 8 months

Text

Little Moments That Pass Us By Chapter 8

First Night - July 1998

This chapter is the reason this lovely story is rated M, that’s my only warning ;)

Time for a little spice. I hope you all like it!

Also Read On: FF.net or AO3

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When Ginny pressed him back into the sofa cushion, Harry lost all conscious thought. He didn’t think about how he was at the Burrow, or how Ginny’s parents were just three floors above them. All that mattered was the way Ginny’s lips felt on his, how her legs straddled his lap, and how her fingers were knotted in his hair.

It was incredible how she felt. Everything about Ginny was fantastic. After everything he’d been through, Ginny had supported him. Been a shoulder to lean on. She was the only person Harry had felt comfortable talking to. Truly talk too. After the things he’d done over the previous year… the things he’s learned over the last few years… Ginny was his confidant. And he was hers. He’d held her close as she described the things she’d been forced to endure at the hands of the Carrows. She’d told him about her fears during the last three years, and he fears for the future. Harry wiped away her tears after she’d cried over Fred’s grave.

And all of that had led them to be here. They found emotional comfort in each other, but also found passion in each other's bodies. Since that first kiss after he’d fled her bedroom they’d reconnected. Sneaking outside to find quiet corners to be with each other. Snogging, talking, touching.

Over the last few months, they’d gotten up to more than they had at Hogwarts. Getting to see Ginny take off her bra again had been incredible, but then getting to slide his hand into her shorts and feel her heat… getting to help her reach her climax, his fingers being what set her over the edge… that had been one of the best moments of his life. That moment had been knocked from the pedestal when Ginny had gone down on him for the first time, which had been superseded when he had gone down on her five minutes later.

Typically, they were cautious about where they did things. Even with Ron and Hermione in Australia, the Burrow was a hub of people and the fear of getting caught by brothers or mothers was strong. But tonight, there was something that was making them throw caution to the wind.

Harry couldn’t put it into words. The moment Ginny had come to gently kiss him, he’d instantly needed more. He’d pulled her into his lap and deepened the kiss well past anything they’d done in the public sitting room.

“Harry,” Ginny moaned his name in one of the hottest whispers he’d ever heard. It was enough to pull him out of the drugged state Ginny’s kisses had sent him. Or maybe it was the way her fingers had gone under his shirt and were dipping lower.

And there was that insatiable need. Her hands on him, the feeling of her sucking lightly at his bottom lip… it made his normally cautious and polite attitude disappear. His hands came up to run along her sides, trailing until they found the hem of her shirt. It was up and over her head before Ginny could make a noise of surprise. Her bra clasp was undone a second later and Harry had lowered his head so he could kiss her hardening nipples.

“Merlin, Harry,” Ginny whispered, a tone of surprise and what Harry thought was awe. It flattered and made his male pride roar in delight. “I knew you were good at that, but this could have gotten you into a world record book.”

Harry chucked against her chest, loving the way she shivered and arched into his warm breath. “You know what they say when people have the right encouragement.”

Now it was Ginny’s turn to laugh. “Oh really? And pray tell, what else might you be encouraged to do?”

“I’m sure between the two of us we can come up with some great idea,” Harry said, pausing to kiss his way to her other breast. “But right now —”

His sentence was cut off by the sound of creaking floorboards a story above them. They both froze. Ginny’s hands were tightly locked in Harry’s hair. Harry’s lips hovering just above her left nipple, his fingers halfway into the back of her shorts. They waited with bated breath, listening. Harry could feel his heart racing a mile a minute as he prayed her parents were simply visiting the loo and not coming down for a late-night cuppa.

After the longest two minutes of his life, Harry heard the sound of the water running through the old pipes and then the sounds of the same floorboards creaking as the person wandered back the way they came.

“Bloody hell,” Ginny muttered, her shoulders falling as the tension seemed to ooze out her system. “That could have been bad.”

For his part, Harry couldn’t relax. It was all hitting him at full force what they’d been doing and where. “Merlin, Gin. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have — in the sitting room — I don’t know what I was —”

Ginny cut off his ramblings with a hot, hard kiss. Her fingers tightened in his hair as she kept him close to her. “Take me to bed, Potter.”

Everything in Harry’s system buzzed at those words. His blood started to heat and his already tight pants seemed to get worse. “What?”

“You heard me,” Ginny said, her eyes blazing like a fire. She got up from his lap, holding out a hand to help him off the sofa. “Take me to bed.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Harry didn’t know what to do with his hands. Hell, he didn’t know what to do with any of his body parts. He just stood there like a statue after Ginny had shut her bedroom door behind them.

Their discarded shirts (and her bra) were bundled in his hands, and he just stood there holding them. He swore his body had gone numb as he watched Ginny (a topless Ginny) move around her room. He was only half aware of what she was doing, but he was fully aware of her (and her hard nipples). She’d locked the door, he was certain of that. The rest of her movement was lost on him as his brain started jumping from one thought to the next.

“Hey.” Ginny’s soft voice right in front of him made Harry’s vision come back into focus. She was standing right in front of him, her small hand resting lightly on his forearm. “About what happened downstairs —”

Instantly Harry jumped to apologize. “I’m sorry I pushed so far. It wasn’t… I shouldn’t have done that… Right where anyone could…” He was rambling like a nervous child about to get scolded by the headmaster. Harry didn’t want Ginny to think that he’d ever take advantage of her, especially not in her parent's sitting room. “Gin, I would never —”

Ginny’s index finger cut him off as she pressed it hard to his lips. “Harry, stop.” He pressed his lips together to keep his ramblings at bay. “Look at me, Harry.”

He lifted his eyes to look into hers. He expected to see anger, maybe annoyance. At least disappointment at his foolish actions. Instead, all he saw was heat… desire. Her tongue came out to run along her bottom lip.

“Good, now just shut up and kiss me.”

He hesitated for at least five seconds. A solid five seconds where his mind and body were both too surprised to comprehend what she’d said. Then the bundle of clothing was landing on the floor with a soft thud, and his arms were around her waist.

The moment his lips were on hers, Harry was lost. Lost in her. The feel of her. The taste of her. It was everything.

Her body pressed hard into his as her hands roamed from his back to his hips. It wasn’t until her fingers were at the button of his jeans that Harry’s mind started working again. He pulled away from her tantalizing mouth. His lungs filled with much-needed oxygen as he stared at her. “Gin?”

She met his gaze with a determined look. “Harry.” Her fingers stayed on his button.

Harry sucked in a deep breath, before swallowing hard. Her message was clear. Actions spoke louder than words and her actions were practically screaming. She was just waiting for his approval. She was making sure he was ready.

And fuck was he ever.

With speed that would impress a cheetah, Harry recaptured her lips. She moaned into his mouth as he opened his mouth to hers. He felt it when Ginny’s fingers resumed their quest. He nearly hissed as she pulled the zipper down.

“Okay?” Her words were muffled against his mouth.

“Fuck yes.” The hoarse whisper slipped out without a second thought.

Ginny's deep chuckle went straight to his dick. If he’d had any blood left in his head, it had just all completely moved south as had her fingers. Ginny’s small hands had completely removed him from his jeans and were making their way back to the waistband of his boxers.

Harry’s eyes closed on their own accord. Fuck it all felt so incredible. They’d done this before, hell they’d done more than this before, but for some reason, it felt different tonight. It was… there was more.

When her fingers wrapped around the head of his cock, Harry’s eyes shot open. Ginny was grinning at him. That grin alone turned him on just as much as her touch. She kept her movements slow at first, but when Harry’s hips jerked into her ministrations.

Harry gritted his teeth, trying to gain back some control. It felt so fucking amazing, but yet… Harry wanted more. He wanted her to be naked too. Hell, he wanted to be hovering over her, their bodies pressed tightly together.

Without a second thought, he took her face into his hands and kissed her hard. Ginny gasped in surprise, her hand pausing and eventually falling away from his cock. With his hands still cupping her face, Harry took the first step toward the bed. Ginny easily fell into step, walking backward until the back of her legs bumped into the mattress.

She fell onto her back, bouncing a little before he crawled over her. Harry didn’t hesitate finding her lips again. His hands moved to slide along her sides, finding her sensitive nipples. Harry lowered his lips to her neck and sucked hard at the sensitive skin. Ginny let out a surprised gasp as her fingers dug into his back. He could feel her nails pressing hard into his skin. That was the tipping point.

Harry nipped at the pulse point pounding in her neck. “Ginny, I want — I want — ”

“I want you to make love to me, Harry.”

Ginny’s confident words came out steady, interrupting his garbled attempts to say the same thing. His head came away from the crook in her neck so he could look into her eyes. Her eyes were locked on his, and the bright fire in them set his skin aflame.

He could see the certainty in her dark eyes. See it in the small smile curling her lips. So he leaned down to kiss her, letting her fingers curl into his hair as she pushed her tongue into her mouth.

Everything in his body thrummed with adrenaline and anticipation. He didn’t know what he was doing, other than he would let her lead him. Breaking their kiss, Harry started trailing his mouth down. Starting at her chin, neck, collar bone, the center of her chest, her left breast, and her right breast. Harry let her noises and reactions decide where he’d spend more time and when he’d continue down to his goal. He pressed a hot open mouthed kiss just above the button of her trousers before his fingers until the clasp and tugged down the zipper.

Ginny lifted herself from the mattress so he was able to slide her trousers and knickers completely off her body. Harry didn’t look away from Ginny long enough to know where he tossed her clothing. Her soft laughter reverberated around the small room. It was one of the best sounds in the world to Harry. He kissed her stomach again, loving the way her body squirmed as if being tickled. Then he went lower. Her soft moans thrilled him. She was hot and wet, so ready for him.

Harry teased her with his tongue, enjoying the way she sighed his name when he reached the spot she craved him. He added one finger. Then a second. He made sure to keep up her ministrations as she writhed under him. Not willing to stop for anything until she came.

“Fuck, Harry, right there. Don’t stop. That’s perfect, don’t —” Ginny’s words became garbled as her body became overwhelmed. Harry followed her instructions as she went over the edge, her cries loud in the late night.

When she fell back into the mattress, her breathing heavy, Harry moved back up her body.

“Holy shit,” Ginny muttered as Harry pressed a kiss to the underside of her jaw. “You truly are getting way too good at that.”

He chuckled. “I had a good teacher.”

She lifted a hand to tilt his chin so she could kiss him. “I’m just hoping my parents are truly asleep or they’ll know how good you are at that.”

Harry could feel his cheeks heating. He lifted himself nearly completely off her. With a quick motion, he reached into his loosened jeans in search of his wand. “Fucking silencing charm.”

Ginny laughed as he cast the spell. “We were a bit distracted to remember it.” She cleared her throat. “While you’re at it, can you cast the contraceptive charm?”

His heart rate picked up as her request registered in his mind. He turned his attention back to her and saw determination and desire in her expression. Taking a deep breath, Harry turned his wand to himself, muttering the incantation under his breath. Ginny's lips curled into a satisfied smirk.

Her hand came up to curl around his neck, pulling him back down over her. Her lips brushed just under his ear as she whispered. “Take off your trousers, Harry.” Then she nipped at his earlobe, sending a shock wave of desire down his body.

Without hesitation, Harry reached down to push his loose trousers down his legs. The cuffs got caught around his ankles, but he didn’t care how ridiculous he looked as he struggled to get them off. His boxers went to the floor much easier.

They were both completely bare. Harry hovered over her as she smiled at him. His heart pounded a brutal pace against his ribs but when Ginny pulled him back to her lips with pressure on his neck Harry forgot about everything but her. The way she brushed her tongue along his lips, how incredible her chest felt against his, and the heat that emanated between them.

Harry didn’t try to speak as he lowered a hand to guide himself into her. He kept his movements slow, giving her every chance to pull away or tell him no, but she didn’t. Instead, she lifted her hips from the mattress, making it easier for him.��

The second he entered her, Harry nearly lost it. He’d thought she’d felt incredible before, but this… this was… he couldn’t think of words. Hell, he couldn’t think much at all. It took all his concentration to keep moving slowly. Harry was only slightly aware that his breathing had become heavy as he clenched his jaw in focus.

Ginny’s hand came up to cup his cheek. He looked into her face, needing to see she was okay, that he wasn’t hurting her. His chest tightened at the look of pure affection on her face. The soft smile gracing her lips was perfection.

Fuck, she was perfection.

He stopped when he felt resistance. Ginny, however, didn’t hesitate. Her hands came down to grip his ass, giving him a squeeze. “Don’t stop, Harry.” Her voice was an octave lower and was just as tempting as her body. Her body was so warm and soft under him. Merlin, it would take a stronger man than him to resist anything Ginny Weasley asked of him.

Pressing forward he cringed at the intake of breath that came from Ginny. He froze again. His mind and body were at war. Well, one particular part of his body to be precise, but Harry refused to let his dick be in charge. He held himself over her, letting her adjust. Harry pressed his face into her neck, breathing in the mixture of sweet flowers and sweat. His lips moved on their own accord, gently nipping at her skin as her breathing steadied.

“Move, Harry.”

Her words sent a shiver down his spine, and again he instantly followed her orders. He moved slowly. Pulling back and pushing forward. Back and forward. The feeling was like nothing he’d ever experienced. It was taking all his willpower not to explode in the first few thrusts. But when she let out a satisfied groan his brain nearly shut off completely. He looked down into her blazing eyes and was gone.

He was lost in her, lost in the way her body gripped him. Harry managed one last thrust before it was over. He came down from his orgasm slowly, his senses returning to him one at a time. First was smell (sweat and her amazing flowery scent), touch (her fingers caressing his back), and finally sight (red hair and flushed skin).

Slowly he lifted his body above her, taking in her face. The smile curling her lips was so sweet it made his heart flutter. Her hand came up to cup his jaw. She lifted up to press a gentle kiss to his lips. As she lay back, Harry watched her sweet smile turn into a coy grin. “Well, Potter, I’m glad to see your stamina isn’t just for quidditch or catching bad guys.”

He felt his brows lift high into his damp hair, his own lips curling to match hers. “What can I say, I live to please you, darling”

Her little hum of satisfaction sent pride coursing throughout his body. “I’ll say.” When her head rested on his chest, Harry’s eyes closed in serenity. He was asleep before Ginny’s whispered words of love reached him.

#hinny #harry potter #harry x ginny #harry potter fanfiction #harry potter fan fiction #hinny fic #harry and ginny #little moments that pass us by #hinny fanfic

129 notes · View notes

literaryavenger · 3 months

Text

Captain America: Civil War

Summary: When on a mission in Lagos things don't go as you expected, Secretary Ross offers the team a solution.

Pairing: Platonic!Avengers x F!Reader

Warnings: Descriptions of violence. Language. My poor attempts at being funny.

Word Count: 3K

A/N: It's only half of January and I've already been sick, great! Anyway, basically all the other parts of this story were queued and ready to go, so I got some time to rest but now I'm here writing with a fever! So, if anything doesn't make sense or I missed some mistakes, that's why. Enjoy!

Masterlist | Series Masterlist

After months of tracking down Rumlow, you finally have a chance to get him once and for all.

You’re in Lagos, sitting at a cafe.

“All right, what do you see?” Steve’s voice comes in your ear. You know he’s talking to Wanda, she’s still learning how to be an Avenger.

“Standard beat cops,” she looks around her. “Small station. Quiet street. It’s a good target.”

“There’s an ATM in the south corner, which means…” he trails off letting Wanda finish his sentence.

“Cameras.” she promptly says.

“Both cross streets are one way.” Steve keeps going.

“So compromised escape routes.” Wanda reasons.

“Means our guy doesn't care about being seen, he isn't afraid to make a mess on the way out.” Steve says, “You see that Range Rover halfway up the block?”

“Yeah, the red one?” she asks “It’s cute.”

“It's also bulletproof,” you discreetly point out ”which means private security, which means more guns, which means more headaches for somebody. Probably us.”

“You guys know I can move things with my mind, right?” she says and you smirk.

“Looking over your shoulder needs to become second nature.” Natasha answers from a few tables away.

“Anybody ever tell you you're a little paranoid?” you hear Sam ask and try hard to contain your laughter.

“Not to my face. Why? Did you hear something?” Natasha says and you can see her smirking.

“Eyes on target, folks. This is the best lead we've had on Rumlow in six months. I don't want to lose him.” Steve says in our comms.

“If he sees us coming that won't be a problem.” Sam says.

“Yeah, he kind of hates us.” you add.

There’s a minute of silence as you all keep an eye on your surroundings, then you hear Steve’s voice again. “Sam, see that garbage truck? Tag it.”

You turn around just in time to see Redwing flying under it to scan the truck.

“Give me X-ray.” Sam orders the drone. “That truck’s loaded for max weight. And the driver’s armed.”

“It’s a battering ram.” Natasha says and your eyes widen a little.

“Go now!” Steve says and before the words are even out of his mouth you’re moving.

“What?” Wanda asks confused.

“He’s not hitting the police.” you say and then you’re all running in the truck’s direction.

Steve and his supersoldier ass get there first, then Sam and Wanda who can fly, while you and Nat are stuck driving your motorcycles as fast as you can, but can still hear the conversation through the comms.

“Body armor, AR-15's.” Steve says “I make seven hostiles.”

You hear some gun fire and then Sam “I make five.”

“Sam.”- Wanda says and, after a few seconds, Sam again “Four.”

“Rumlow’s on the third floor.” Sam says, then Steve says in his Captain voice “Wanda, just like we practiced.”

“What about the gas?”-you hear her ask.

“Get it out.” he orders. You can see the green and red whirlpool from the street.

“Rumlow has a biological weapon.” Steve after a few minutes, just as you and Natasha get there.

“We’re on it.” she says and basically jumps off her motorcycle and it skids into an agent.

You make a sharp turn and come to a sudden stop in front of an agent on your right side, so you push your left leg off the bike and, twisting your body, you kick the guy hard on the stomach while also dismounting the motorcycle.

When you turn around Nat cocks her eyebrow at you and you shrug. “What? I’m not throwing my bike at these assholes.” she rolls her eyes at you as you two keep taking out soldiers.

You can see Nat getting dragged by Rumlow, but you’re too busy fighting off some agents to help her. You vaguely hear him saying ‘I don't work like that no more’ and frown, you manage to take out the last one around you and, just as you turn, you see Rumlow launch a grenade into the truck and say “Fire in the hole.”

You run towards it, knowing Natasha’s probably in it, but it explodes before you can get close and do anything, the door flying and Natasha falling out of it coughing.

Once you’re sure she’s okay, you turn around but Rumlow’s already gone.

“Sam. He's in an AFV heading north.” you hear Steve say and, sharing a nod with Natasha, you get back onto your bikes and run to catch up with the truck.

“I got six, they're splitting up.” Sam says just as you and Natasha get to where they ditched the truck.

Natasha jumps onto a car and then another and you follow her. “I got the two on the left.” she says.

“I got the middle!” you say and start your pursuit.

“They ditched their gear. It's a shell game now.” you hear Steve say as you run after your two guys. “One of them has the payload.”

Just as you manage to catch up to your guys and knock one of them out, you can hear Sam saying “He doesn't have it. I’m empty.”

You quickly take down the other guy and search through them. “I struck out, too.”

Then you hear Natasha say “Payload secure.” and you allow yourself to relax.

“Thanks, Sam.” She adds.

“Don't thank me.” he answers and you frown, confused as you start making your way back.

“I’m… not thanking that thing.” is all Natasha needs to say for you to understand, and you roll your eyes.

“His name is Redwing.” Sam corrects her.

“I'm still not thanking it.” she says.

“He's cute. Go ahead, pet him.” he says and you can’t help but laugh.

Your amusement is cut short as you hear Steve’s grunts, clearly still in a fight and you try to move faster to make your way to him.

You catch up right after Wanda, just as Rumlow says “And you're coming with me.” and activates the bomb vest he’s wearing.

You don’t have time to even try and cover yourself as Wanda keeps the blast contained in a ball around Rumlow, his screams the only thing that can be heard.

She launches him in the air and the ball of energy explodes too close to the building next to it, setting a couple of floors on fire.

As you all watch in horror, you barely register Steve asking Sam for Fire and Rescue as you put your hands on Wanda’s shoulders and turn her away from the building. You let her rest her head on your shoulder as she starts crying, your own shocked attention still on the building.

This is not good.

It’s been a rough couple of days for the team after the mission in Lagos.

You’re all back at the compound now, and you’re on your way to the conference room to wait there for Tony when you pass Wanda’s room and hear her talking to Steve.

“Rumlow said ‘Bucky’ and… all of a sudden I was a 16-year-old kid again, in Brooklyn.” Steve pauses “And people died. It's on me.”

“It's on both of us.” Wanda counters.

“This job…” Steve starts “we try to save as many people as we can. Sometimes that doesn't mean everybody. But if we can't find a way to live with that, next time… maybe nobody gets saved.”

You see Vision approach and keep walking to make your way to the conference room, exchanging a knowing nod with him.

When you get there you’re a little startled to see The Secretary of State, but you sit down at the table in silence.

Once everyone gets there, Steve sits at the head of table, to his left Sam, then Vision and then Wanda, to his right you then Natasha, then Rhodey and Tony is sitting in a chair by himself to the right of the table.

Secretary Ross is on his feet in front of the table and, once everyone takes a seat, he starts talking.

“Five years ago, I had a heart attack. I dropped right in the middle of my back-swing. Turned out it was the best round of my life, because after 13 hours of surgery and a triple bypass… I found something 40 years in the Army had never taught me: Perspective. The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt. You have fought for us, protected us, risked your lives… but while a great many people see you as heroes, there are some… who would prefer the word ‘vigilantes’”

“And what word would you use, Mr. Secretary?” Natasha asks.

“How about ‘dangerous’?” Your eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Definitely not the word you were expecting “What would you call a group of US-based, enhanced individuals who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose and who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind?”

Ross activates a screen behind him and News footage from past Avengers and SHIELD matters flash on the screen as he speaks.

“New York.” A Chitauri leviathan. Terrified citizens. A soldier firing a gun. The Hulk smashes into a building and sends a dust cloud that engulfs the camera. Rhodey looks regretful and he glances behind him at Natasha.

“Washington DC.” The three Insight helicarriers, firing on each other. The destroyed Triskelion. A helicarrier crashing into the Potomac and throwing up a massive wave, engulfing citizens and the camera. You and Sam look at each other, then down.

“Sokovia.” Terrified citizens, running. The city rising. A building falling over. Everyone’s eyes are glued to the screen.

“Lagos.” The burning building. Paramedics moving a body. A dead girl. Wanda is particularly affected by the footage from Lagos. Steve sees this and intervenes.

“Okay. That's enough.” Steve says, looking at Wanda.

Secretary Ross nods to his aide and the images disappear, then he starts talking again.

“For the past four years, you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution.” he places a thick document on the desk and passes it to Wanda. She looks at it and then slides it over to Rhodey. “The Sokovia Accords. Approved by 117 countries… it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organization. Instead, they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if that panel deems it necessary.”

“The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place.” Steve points out. “I feel we've done that.”

“Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?” Steve looks up and meets Ross's eyes. “If I misplaced a couple of 30 megaton nukes… you can bet there'd be consequences.”

You narrow your eyes at him. They’re people, not weapons. Before you can voice your thoughts he goes on. “Compromise. Reassurance. That's how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground.” He points at the Accords.

“So, there are contingencies.” Rhodey says, familiar with the politics by now.

“Three days from now, the UN meets in Vienna to ratify the Accords.” Steve glances at Tony “Talk it over.”

He starts to walk away when you speak up for the first time. “And if we come to a decision you don't like?”

Ross stops and looks back at you. “Then you retire.” he deadpans.

You simply nod, trying to stifle a grin and, when you look at Natasha, you can see she’s doing the same.

He leaves with his aide and there’s a moment of silence before you all get up and walk quietly to the common room. Some sitting, some standing and Tony laying down on a chair. And then the discussion starts.

“Secretary Ross has a Congressional Medal of Honor, which is one more than you have.” Rhodey says to sam. You’ve lost track of how long the team has been discussing.

“So let's say we agree to this thing. How long is it gonna be before they LoJack us like a bunch of common criminals?”

“117 countries want to sign this. 117, Sam,” He leans in to look at Sam since you’re currently between the two men. “and you're just like, ‘No, that's cool. We got it.’”

“Why am I always in the middle of this?” you say, a little exasperated at the two that are almost glaring at each other now, you make eye contact with Nat and she clearly feels the same way you do.

“How long are you going to play both sides?” Sam says, ignoring your comment.

“I have an equation.” Vision jumps in and everyone looks at him.

“Oh, this will clear it up.” you say sarcastically and cross your arms in front of your chest.

“In the eight years since Mr. Stark announced himself as Iron Man, the number of known enhanced persons has grown exponentially. And during the same period, the number of potentially world-ending events has risen at a commensurate rate.” Vision explains.

“Are you saying it's our fault?” Steve asks.

“I'm saying there may be a causality.” Vision clarifies, before going on “Our very strength invites challenge. Challenge incites conflict. And conflict… breeds catastrophe. Oversight… oversight is not an idea that can be dismissed out of hand.”

“Boom.” Rhodey says and you roll your eyes while Sam glares at him.

“Tony. You are being uncharacteristically non-hyper-verbal.” Natasha points out.

“It's because he's already made up his mind.” Steve says.

“Boy, you know me so well.” Tony says sarcastically and gets up, rubbing his head. “Actually, I'm nursing an electromagnetic headache.”

He walks to the kitchen and grabs a mug before continuing. “That's what's going on, Cap. It's just pain. It's discomfort- Who's putting coffee grounds in the disposal? Am I running a bed and breakfast for a biker gang?”

He puts his phone in a basket and taps it, the phone projects an image of a smiling young man. He looks down, then back up, and pretends to notice the picture for the first time. “Oh, that's Charles Spencer, by the way. He's a great kid. Computer engineering degree, 3.6 GPA. Had a floor level gig at Intel planned for the fall. But first, he wanted to put a few miles on his soul, before he parked it behind a desk. See the world. Maybe be of service. Charlie didn't want to go to Vegas or Fort Lauderdale, which is what I would do. He didn't go to Paris or Amsterdam, which sounds fun. He decided to spend his summer building sustainable housing for the poor. Guess where, Sokovia.” Everyone is listening to him intently as he seems to be having a little meltdown, but his words are clearly affecting the whole team.

“He wanted to make a difference, I suppose. I mean, we won't know because we dropped a building on him while we were kicking ass.” He pauses and takes a pill with some coffee, then faces you all. “There's no decision-making process here. We need to be put in check! Whatever form that takes, I'm game. If we can't accept limitations, if we're boundary-less, we're no better than the bad guys.”

“Tony, someone dies on your watch, you don't give up.” Steve says.

“Who said we're giving up?” Tony promptly answers.

“We are if we're not taking responsibility for our actions.” Steve counters. “This document just shifts the blame.”

“I'm sorry. Steve. That- that is dangerously arrogant.” Rhodey says. “This is the United Nations we're talking about. It's not the World Security Council, it's not SHIELD, it's not HYDRA.”

“No, but it's run by people with agendas, and agendas change.” you interject, seeing Steve’s point.

“That's good. That's why I'm here.” Tony says, pointing at you. “When I realized what my weapons were capable of in the wrong hands, I shut it down and stopped manufacturing.”

“Tony, you chose to do that.” you tell him, then Steve talks, nodding at you.

“She’s right. If we sign this, we surrender our right to choose. What if this panel sends us somewhere we don't think we should go? What if there is somewhere we need to go, and they don't let us? We may not be perfect, but the safest hands are still our own.” Steve says.

“If we don't do this now, it's gonna be done to us later.” Tony reasons. “That's the fact. That won't be pretty.”

“You're saying they'll come for me.” Wanda speaks up for the first time since this discussion started.

“We would protect you.” Vision says confidently.

“Could we?” you say and everyone looks at you, so you elaborate. “If we don’t sign this we’re criminals for even trying to keep her safe. If we do sign, it’ll be our job to come for her if we get ordered to.”

There’s a moment of silence while you all think about this, before Natasha speaks up. “Maybe Tony's right.”

You all look at her, surprised. “If we have one hand on the wheel, we can still steer. If we take it off-” she gets interrupted by Sam.

“Aren't you the same woman who told the government to kiss her ass a few years ago?”

“He’s not wrong, Tasha.” You add.

“I'm just… I'm reading the terrain.” She explains. “We have made… some very public mistakes. We need to win their trust back.”

“Focus up.” Tony says and looks at Natasha, clearly amused. “I'm sorry, did I just mishear you or did you agree with me?” you roll your eyes.

“Oh, I want to take it back now.”

“No, no, no. You can't retract it. Thank you. Unprecedented. Okay, case closed--I win.”

They all start to talk over each other, but you’re focused on Steve’s phone that you can see over his shoulder since you’re standing right behind him. He gets a text that says ‘She’s gone. In her sleep.’ and you frown, watching Steve quickly get up.

“I have to go.” is all he says while dropping the Accords on the coffee table and, when he exits the room, you exchange a worried glance with Sam.

Requested taglist: @sapphirebarnes @aki-ham

112 notes · View notes

homestuckreplay · 7 days

Text

Week 1 Retrospective: Who Is John Egbert?

It’s official - Homestuck is one week old today! And while a week is not a long run for a comic, it’s already got more pages than the author’s earlier work Bard Quest, so maybe it’s something worth recognizing. So I wanted to mark a week of Homestuck by doing a deep dive on what we’ve learned about our protagonist John Egbert so far. It’s some fact collection, some wild speculation, and some ongoing questions. It’s over 3000 words, so it’s under a readmore for anyone who’s interested.

If that doesn’t sound like a fun time to you (or even if it does), you can take the John Egbert Big 5 Personality Test to see how you score on John’s five key personality traits. It’s 14 multiple choice questions, so a much quicker read.

We’re introduced to John on page 4, where we’re given five key interests of his: bad movies, programming computers, paranormal lore, amateur magic, and gaming. I’ll take these one by one and use them as a framework for John’s character so far.

“You have a passion for REALLY TERRIBLE MOVIES.”

John has eleven (11) movie posters on his walls. Of these, three star Matthew McConaughey and two star Nicolas Cage. More notably, six have a Rotten Tomatoes rating below 50%, and two of these are below 10%. I haven’t seen any of these movies, but as far as I can tell, here are the one sentence summaries [broad spoilers for all these movies].

Little Monsters: A boy befriends a monster and visits the monster world, where they try to convert him into a monster too.

Con Air: A paroled man disrupts a gang of prisoner’s escape from a prison transport plane.

Deep Impact: Earth tries to prepare for extinction after a comet is found on a collision course with Earth.

Ghostbusters II: After going out of business, the Ghostbusters reunite to combat a negative energy slime monster.

Mac and Me: A boy befriends a young alien who gets separated from his family and lost on Earth.

Contact: An Earth scientist successfully discovers alien life and travels to an alien world.

A Time to Kill: A father is acquitted in court for killing the perpetrators of racial hate crimes against his daughter.

Failure to Launch: A 35 year old man’s parents hire a woman to persuade him to finally move out of their home.

Face/Off: A terrorist and a FBI agent go through facial transplant surgery and temporarily swap identities.

Armageddon: A group of space workmen go on a mission to stop an asteroid from destroying Earth.

Ghost Dad: A man temporarily dies but is able to interact with his children in ghost form.

From this we can see that John really likes science fiction movies related to aliens, ghosts and monsters, as well as action comedy. We also know from page 21: ‘Films about impending apocalypse fascinate you’. A Time to Kill and Failure to Launch are the only ones that don’t fit his taste. The implication here is that John really loved Matthew McConaughey in Contact and so watched his other movies even though they were things he wouldn’t usually watch.

I’m curious if these movies are intended as clues to John’s character, the future of the comic, or both. In terms of his character, they make me see him as someone who’s imaginative and goofy, young and carefree, not concerned with other people’s opinions, more interested in watching movies for their surface meanings and exciting stories, maybe wants to escape to a different world, might be a little bit gay.

In terms of the future of the comic, it could be that we’re going to see literal aliens or monsters - they could even be already here, keeping John ‘homestuck’. Slime monsters are particularly highlighted, with Slimer from Ghostbusters appearing on John’s shirt and computer background, and his chumhandle, ectoBiologist, relating to slime. Slime invasion honestly feels too obvious, and anyway, several of John’s movies are about befriending a more benign supernatural force - could John’s Pesterchum friends be something other than human? Or maybe it’s a more metaphorical meaning, referring to John having a very different life to his friends?

Two of these movies feature Earth extinctions by giant space rocks, but there’s absolutely no indication of this being a real world threat John is dealing with. Again, it could refer more generally to a sudden, life changing event that’s about to happen to disrupt John’s current state, something that would fit thematically with this being John’s 13th birthday, a milestone age.

There’s also a theme of crime and the legal system in several movies, including Con Air, the one that’s been most highlighted. The most obvious interpretation of John’s dad right now is that he’s a clown or performer, but there’s an outside chance he could be in law enforcement, or a criminal. It’s even possible that he’s currently in hiding or some kind of safe house. This would explain John being ‘homestuck’ and sick of spending time with his dad.

Speaking of John’s dad, I’m concerned for him based on the Ghost Dad summary - the comic keeps teasing his presence, but we haven’t actually seen him yet. Could he be a ghost? Or become one at some point? Alternatively, we know John has an already dead relative - could his nanna be a ghost? Did John dropping her ashes release her ghost? Family is a really common theme in movies, so I don’t know if a large number of these movies being about family (especially fathers) is relevant, but I’m noting it all the same.

“You like to program computers but you are NOT VERY GOOD AT IT.”

John claims he ‘likes to program’, but it actually seems to make him angry. We first learn ‘[y]ou were never all that great with data structures and you find the concept [of the stack modus] puzzling and mildly irritating.’ We then see three files on John’s desktop, two in ^CAKE - ‘pff.^CAKE’ and ‘FUCK FUCK FUCK.^CAKE’ and one in ~ATH - ‘AAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH.~ATH’. These tell a clear narrative of John trying to work on his programming and getting increasingly more frustrated with his attempts, until inevitably giving up. Both of the programming languages are puns, too. ^ is often called a carat (carrot cake) while ~ is a tilde (til death).

I know this is wild speculation, but… John started off coding in a harmless programming language, was already struggling, then for some reason switched over to the most ominous possible sounding language, screwed it up even worse, and now… he’s constantly haunted by the ghost of failed programming attempts in the form of his sylladex, which he appears to be new to using (he had no prior understanding of it on page 7 - although this could be handwaved due to video game tutorial logic), and which operates similarly to a computer program and seems to cause John endless frustration. He’ll have to figure out how to exploit the inventory system in ways that help him, which involves actually figuring out some stuff about coding, in order to partake in some real life ghostbusting, or monster hunting, or dealing with whatever threat he’ll have to deal with by using inventory hacks.

“You have a fondness for PARANORMAL LORE,” (...)

By far the interest of John’s that we’ve seen the least of so far, John’s love of the paranormal is mostly inferred through his movie preferences, and we don’t see any direct evidence of an interest in lore. However, I can’t stop fixating on John’s chumhandle: ectoBiologist. The comic’s first act was to draw attention to giving John a name, and for many 2009 kids, the names they go by online are more meaningful and representative of them than their real world names.

‘ecto-’ means ‘outer, outside, external’ according to dictionary.com, and it’s actually a common prefix in a variety of fields of biology, but there’s no such thing as ‘ectobiology’ as a field, or an ‘ectobiologist’ - neither term has any search results prior to Homestuck. I think it’s way more likely that this refers to ectoplasm, a term from both cell biology and spiritualism that was popularized by Ghostbusters to mean any substance secreted by a ghost, in practice often manifesting as green slime. Slimer, who we can guess is John’s favorite, is a benign ghost made of pure ectoplasm. I love the idea that John loves this dumb ghost so much that he’s memorized all the lore about them in their appearances throughout the franchise, and devised this username based on being an expert on these ghosts right down to their biology (or at least thinking he is).

The only catch is, ‘fondness for paranormal lore’ is very passive and doesn’t even imply much knowledge, much less action, while ‘biologist’ implies that John has been doing actual experiments. The idea of John trying to create a real life Slimer the same way other kids make slime in their kitchens is really entertaining, if an off the wall theory. Does ‘homestuck’ just mean John is grounded for an unethical science project?

(...) “and are an aspiring AMATEUR MAGICIAN.”

The magic chest is one of the biggest, most eye catching and most colorful objects in John’s room. We see its contents on page 8, which lean more into joke store items than things a magician might use, except for the trick handcuffs and perhaps the collapsible sword. The narration on this page states that John is neither a skilled magician nor a cunning prankster. I’m nitpicking definitions here, but everything John has done so far has been way more about pranks than about magic.

John’s uses of the magic chest to date are…

various putting things into his inventory and removing them (funny, but unintentionally)

combining fake arms with cake (p.36) out of necessity, which ‘makes the cake at least 300% more hilarious’

merging hat with beagle puss to create a clever disguise (p.45) and wearing it for 25+ pages, which he acknowledges is a ‘shitty disguise’

attaching fake arms to harlequin doll (p.65), which makes it ‘AT LEAST a million percent funnier’

All of which are definitely not magic tricks, and honestly not even pranks. Arguably John’s best and most successful prank so far has been when he pretended not to have arms for the first six pages, before revealing his arms after the interface had gone to the trouble of moving the cake off his magic chest to get him some arms.

John keeps thinking about reading Colonel Sassacre’s Guide to Magical Frivolity and Practical Japery, but always finding some excuse not to. He can’t read it until he captchalogues it, but once he does that, it gets buried in his inventory. He assumes that the book can tell him the exact percentage increase of hilarity a prank leads to, but it’s too big for him to actually look anything up.

An outside theory for this that I don’t think is likely simply because it’s so much darker than the comic has been so far, is that John loves this book, but since the incident where his nanna was killed by a copy (perhaps even this copy?) he hasn’t been able to bring himself to read it. A far more likely theory is that while John is an aspiring amateur magician, it’s more of a big idea, and he hasn’t actually done any magic yet. This also tracks with his weaksauce pranks above. And if that’s true, then it says a lot about John that he defines himself by a hobby he aspires to but doesn’t actually practice - he’s someone with big dreams and less motivation, just like his big dream of going to collect the mail from his father despite the lack of motivation that’s kept him messing around for 70 pages.

“You also like to play GAMES sometimes.”

Potentially most important of all is Gamer John. We get a list of games John likes to play from inspecting his CD tower the same way we get a list of movies from looking at his posters.

Bard Quest

The Caper Havers

Problem Sleuth

And It Don’t Stop

What Pumpkin?

Ghostbusters II MMORPG

Little Monsters (for Nintendo)

Harry Anderson: Call My Bluff!

The first five games all reference previous work by the author of Homestuck, and as such probably don’t need in depth analysis. However, the fact that within the world of Homestuck, these are all games (instead of comics) is one of several suggestions that we should think of Homestuck as a game, something that needs further analysis.

The next two games are video game adaptations of movies we know John likes, and the last is a branded video game from Harry Anderson, whose book we’ve already seen in John’s magic chest. Notably, none of these are real video games in our world either. It says a lot that John plays game versions of things he already likes (he’s put ‘countless manhours’ into this assortment of quality titles).

However, it’s undeniable that the most important game in John’s life right now is Sburb. The poster is behind his head in the first panel, placed centrally with one of the only two splashes of color in the panel. The beta release is the only thing marked on his calendar for April besides his birthday, and the Sburb logo is even the picture printed on the calendar - perhaps it’s a calendar themed around new game releases? There’s clear delight on John’s face when he thinks about getting the beta, and his quest to fetch it from the recently delivered mail is the closest thing to a story this comic has so far.

Unfortunately, we know almost nothing about Sburb, so we don’t know what it says about John that he wants to play it. It’s publicized as the Game of the Year, and according to GameBro, the game may be about houses and the player may not get to thrash anything, although these details are provided by someone who hasn’t played the game so I’m not taking them as expert opinion. It might be multiplayer - TT has been pestering TG all day about playing it with her. Maybe John just wants to share a game with his friends.

Speaking of GameBro, John can’t stand the magazine, although he for some reason has a copy on his desk. He describes the publication as ‘a joke’ to TG, and he makes the effort to take it downstairs to the fire and burn it, presumably releasing asbestos fibers into the house and causing serious lung damage to himself and his father. Does he read this because it’s the only games magazine that exists? Or did he like it just fine until now, when it trashed the game he’s excited about, and now he’s furious with it? Either way, it tracks with John’s overall fondness for critically panned media that he would be angry about contrarian critics.

–

All of this has left me with a few questions about John as our main character. These are the things that I’m keeping an eye on and trying to answer as the story continues.

What is John good at?

We hear so much about what John is bad at. He’s explicitly stated to be bad at programming, pranks, and magic. He’s bad at using his sylladex. He’s clumsy and knocked over his nanna’s ashes. He’s got bad taste in media. He’s funny but only when he doesn’t try to be, and even then he’s sometimes the butt of the joke, where the joke is how not funny John’s joke is. He was tempted to squawk like an imbecile and shit on his desk. He has like six different prankster props and he doesn’t even use all of them. I’m saying all this with love and kindness because he also just seems like such a sweet kid, but so far he doesn’t have any defined strengths or skills.

Is he going to turn out to be really good at gaming and kick ass at Sburb? Are we going to get a curveball where it turns out John is an amazing baker, and he hates the cakes in his room and the smell of Betty Crocker because he can do so much better than that packet mix? Or is he starting off from this low point so he can develop skills as time goes on?

What is John’s relationship with his dad really like?

John doesn’t want his dad to monopolize his time and feels trapped in his room, despite his dad baking cakes and leaving notes on gifts telling John he’s proud of him. John’s dad gets his son one great present that John’s really appreciative of, and one terrible present that John immediately hates. All of this feels very reasonable and normal for a teen feeling misunderstood by a parent who’s trying their best.

And then there’s the clowns.

John can excuse magical frivolity and practical japery, but he draws the line at harlequins. He’s an aspiring magician, but his dad’s figurines are ‘fucking garbage’ and his dad ‘sure can be a real cornball’. John seems like somebody who gets angry at ultimately unimportant things, like bad reviews of games, too many cakes, and harlequin figurines, but because of the subject matter it reads like an intense rivalry between two highly specific subcultures that outsiders would group together. John is really making a huge deal of needing to disguise himself and mentally prepare himself to go down and face his dad, and I want to know if there’s any genuine reason behind John’s fear, or if it’s solely the overdramatics I’m starting to think are typical of him.

Is John ‘Homestuck’?

‘Sometimes you feel like you are trapped in this room. Stuck, if you will, in a sense which possibly borders on the titular.’ (p.30)

John clearly feels like he’s stuck at home, but is this the extent of the title’s meaning? His dad has recently returned from getting groceries, so leaving the house is in theory possible. Reasons why John might be homestuck include: he’s not allowed to leave the house (for example, he’s grounded, or his dad is very controlling), he can leave the house but there’s nowhere to go (he lives near major roads, bodies of water, farms, or other obstacles, and there’s no public transport to get anywhere), or he can leave the house but it’s not safe to do so (there’s some sort of external threat, either supernatural like a monster or alien invasion, or mundane like a criminal or bomb threat). Seeing out of John’s window and into his front yard does not provide any clues; it looks like an extremely average front yard with a tree, swing and mailbox, and we know the mail was recently delivered, so there can’t be anything too world-ending happening in the neighborhood. Right now John’s goal (the Sburb Beta disc) is inside the house, so this might not get answered right away - in fact, my running theory is that the game itself might hold the answers, as its logo is a house.

What’s the differentiation between John and the narrator?

My biggest question of all, and one that probably deserves its own essay. I’m fascinated by the lines ‘In a kid's yard, a tree without a tire swing is like a proper gentleman without a monocle.’ (p.27) and ‘In a home, a FIREPLACE needs a fire, because that's what FIREPLACE is for.’ (p.50). These lines carry so much opinion, but because the narrator is constantly addressing John with the second person ‘you’, I don’t think these are John’s opinions. The narrator does have a window into John’s thoughts, so the line between them can be blurred, but there's clearly a distinction somewhere, because there have been pushbacks and disagreements between the two of them.

One theory is that John’s dad is the narrator - John’s at home a lot for whatever reason, and so the constant and overbearing presence of his dad means that he can’t get him out of his head even when he’s alone, the commands at the top of each page reflecting John’s dad’s level of control over his son’s life. But I think this question is open ended enough that I’m not willing to commit to one theory yet. After all, we ‘examine 3rd and 4th walls of [John’s] room’ which is a directly meta allusion to the comic’s audience that only really makes sense if the narrator isn’t a character in the comic itself.

–

I think John Egbert has been really well characterized so far. He feels like a real kid, one who keeps getting off track and forgetting what he should be doing, but one who it’s enough fun to get to know that I don’t really notice. While the main character in media often doesn’t end up being the most interesting character, I do want to keep an eye on John because I think he has a lot going on to analyze. Above the style and the world and the mechanics, John as a character is the aspect of the comic I’m most interested in right now.

#homestuck #john egbert #analysis

53 notes · View notes

jazminrhode1 · 6 months

Note

Wow. I love the angst and I love your writing sm. Can you write something super nostalgic about the reader thinking back on her relationship with Matt after they broke up? Only if you have time and I know you have a lot of breakup/angsty fics but I love them!!

5 Years Matt Sturniolo x Reader One Shot

Summary: You reminisce on your previous relationship with Matt.

Word Count: 698 words

“So… where are you from?” you ask to fill the awkward silence of waiting in line. “Massachusetts,” the girl replied.

Whenever someone mentions that they’re from Massachusetts you always ask what part. A piece of you hopes that they’ll say they’re from Sommerville so that you can tell them about Matt.

“My ex was from Sommerville,” you replied. She nodded politely probably wishing she had a pair of headphones. You don't know what possessed you to continue the conversation but, here you were.

You met Matt when you first moved to LA at a party of a friend of a friend. You weren’t looking for love but, at some point he smiled at you and that was it. By the end of that July a little red heart replaced his name on your phone and you haven’t had the nerve to change it back yet.

“Why’d you break up?” she asked when she felt your eyes burning a hole through a spot on the ground.

The truth was that you went from being friends to lovers; from “come over” to “come home.” You spent 5 summers dreaming of 80 summers more. But, somewhere in the midst of that final winter, you lost your way back to each other. That spring was the last time he pulled into your driveway to pick up the last box of his things. When his taillights disappeared down your street you realized your little love story wasn’t meant to have a happy ending.

“I think we just grew apart,” you replied. You regretted starting the conversation.

“How long were the two of you together?” she asked as you both shuffled forward in the queue. “Five years” you responded quietly.

For 5 years he wrote you into all of his stories - past, present, and future. For 5 years, no matter where he was, his mind always wandered to you. In the 5 years that you were together, you never thought that you’d see the day that it would come to an end. But, after 5 years you couldn’t seem to find your way back to Matt.

“That’s a long time” she acknowledged, “it must be hard to be reminded of him.”

On the contrary, a beautiful sentiment lands with you whenever you think about Matt - he will always be young in your memory. When you remember him, he is a 20-something-year-old with all the potential in the world. He is happy living in LA with his brothers. Trevor is still waiting for him at home. He had adoring fans all across the world. And, you both still have more time together.

This version of Matt, the only one you’ll ever know, has fluffy hair and a fake Southern accent. He has too much Mattitude and he's still a picky eater. He wears lame phrases on t-shirts and sleeps with his stuffed animals… And he loves you.

“Next,” the server calls as you make your way to the glass cabinet pointing at the last vanilla cupcake they have left.

As you make your way home, it’s on nights like this that you pay a visit to his memory. Was he still struggling with anxiety? Were his brothers safe and happy? Did his parents take the trip to Costa Rica they were planning? Would his Grandma still remember you? Does he still sleep with the pug? Does he tell strangers about you in line at the coffee shop?

Maybe these are all the things you'll never know. All the sentences left unwritten in your story. But, every year you light a candle on his birthday and whisper a prayer for him. He’d never know after all this time that you still pray for his safety, his future, his everything even if that isn’t you anymore.

#Sturniolo Triplets #Matt Sturniolo #Matthew Sturniolo #Matt Sturniolo Fan Fic #Matthew Sturniolo Fan Fic #Matt Sturniolo Fanfiction #Matthew Sturniolo Fanfiction #Matt Sturniolo One Shot #Matthew Sturniolo One Shot #Matt Sturniolo x Reader #Matthew Sturniolo x Reader #Sturniolo Triplets Fan Fic #Sturniolo Triplets Fanfiction #Sturniolo Triplets One Shot #Chris Sturniolo #Nick Sturniolo

68 notes · View notes

gaiuskamilah · 2 months

Text

hide me in thy wounds bloodbound | T | 2.1k words | gaius augustine/main character

first chapter in a two-chapter story. written for @choicesfebruary2024 / agape: your character's relationship with a greater being.

[next chapter] [read on ao3]

chapter i: sanctify me

Late in the first month of a year that was well into his third millennium alive, Gaius Augustine stepped into the Musea Sanguis for the first time in decades.

He hadn’t returned to the underground museum since he’d left the Onyx Sarcophagus for good. Back then, Gaius was hellbent on taking back his kingdom, enacting revenge on his traitorous court, and finally ruling over all life on the planet. It was a good few weeks before he spent a few more as a tree and then the few days after that getting the very foundations his life was built on burned to the ground.

Needless to say, the few decades after that were spent outside of New York, the place he once called home.

“Can I help you, sir?”

Gaius turned his head and was met by a short, plump young man with brown skin and a mop of black hair. From his scent Gaius could tell that the man was a vampire. He gave Gaius a curious look, as if trying to place where he had seen Gaius before.

“I’m visiting,” was Gaius’ response. “I assume you’re the new keeper of the library?”

The man’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “I’ve been the keeper of the library for the past five years now, sir,” he said. “Are you a vampire? I’ll have to check for your brand.”

Gaius raised an eyebrow. In all his little adventures in the past decades, he hardly expected people to recognize him. But in New York? By the keeper of the Musea Sanguis? That was odd, if not entirely showing that the younger vampire was unfit for his position.

“The last time I was here was decades ago. The librarian was a different man,” said Gaius. “And no, no brand.”

“No brand?” the keeper asked, a bit of surprise in his voice. “Do you know your maker? It’s protocol to—”

“No brand,” interrupted Gaius, more firmly this time. “No brand, and I don’t need it, and my Maker thought I didn’t either.”

–

Gaius left the young librarian to his tasks and walked into the library proper. He ignored the librarian’s protests, and behind him Gaius could hear the younger vampire scramble across his desk.

The Musea Sanguis looked considerably different compared to when Gaius last saw it. Numerous artifacts were no longer on display in the museum, no doubt transferred to a more public setting after vampires were revealed to the world. Attila the Hun’s sword was no longer on display, and neither was the blade that was used to execute Marie Antoinette. On the other hand, there were new additions that even Gaius wasn’t familiar with. New tomes, cups, paintings, and other priceless items were now on display. Gaius examined these with a passing interest.

He wasn’t at the Musea for them.

He turned past another aisle of bookshelves. Even with the renovations and new additions, Gaius knew the Musea like the back of his hand. And if he was correct, the display he was looking for should still be where it was last left.

True to his hunch, it was still where he last left it. The Onyx Sarcophagus. His Onyx Sarcophagus.

The damned thing was now bound by red line ropes and had an additional display on the side describing it. The short description, of course, just had to include a sentence or two about his century trapped in the box.

“Feeling nostalgic?”

Gaius flinched with surprise. He knew that coming to New York meant a higher possibility of running into them, but…

“Magdalene. Good evening,” said Gaius with a composed voice. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“That’s my line, since the Musea is under my authority now and you’re the one visiting. You gave poor Ben a fright and he ended up calling me in a rush,” said Magdalene. She continued in a high-pitched tone: “‘Miss Magdalene, there’s an unbranded vampire at the library! He’s tall and looks scary!’”

Gaius, despite himself, gave an amused huff. “My apologies, then,” said Gaius. He finally turned to face Magdalene. She was dressed in a long-sleeved, knee-length blue dress. Her long black hair was loose and her fringe sat just on top of her eyebrows. “I’ve had no need for a brand for the longest time on account of… her. And I promise, I’m only visiting.”

“No new evil schemes?”

“None that I can dream of.”

Magdalene shrugged, then gave him a small smile. If his heart lurched just the slightest bit at that, that was no one’s business. “Alright then, Augustine,” she said, walking up next to him. “I hope you weren’t planning on ruining my display, though. That would be an evil scheme.”

“Well, I thought the library was still under Raines, but the circumstances seem to have changed…”

“Hey!”

“I only jest, Maria, don’t worry,” said Gaius. “I don’t plan on destroying this coffin anytime soon. I’m only visiting.”

Silence draped itself between the two of them, broken when Magdalene said more to herself than to him: “Maria.” She pursed her lips and absent-mindedly played with the small golden cross hanging on her neck. After a moment, she turned to him. “How long have you been in New York?”

“I arrived here yesterday evening. Just wanted to see the sights, maybe go a trip down memory lane…” answered Gaius. “I was planning on visiting just one more place before I leave New York. Unless you’ve decided my presence is so horrible that I have to evacuate now?”

“Your words, not mine. I’ve said no such thing. In fact, I may… say otherwise, even,” said Magdalene. After a beat, she said what was probably his biggest surprise of the decade: “I’ll go with you.”

“What?”

“I’ll go with you,” repeated Magdalene. “To wherever it is you’re heading to. Who knows? I might find out something new about New York. You’re older than dirt, and I think it’ll be interesting.”

Gaius swallowed, almost at a loss for words. He breathed out, then said: “I’ll… I’ll be visiting the temple.”

The look of surprise on Magdalene’s face rivaled his. She averted her eyes, then turned back to him. “I see,” was her reply. “You’re not planning on restarting First Vampire-ism or whatever in New York, are you?”

Gaius let out a bleak laugh. “No evil schemes like that just yet.”

–

Gaius pushed open the ornate doors of the Temple of the First. The temple was a shell of its former self, even more so than it was years ago. Weeds and plants broke through the stone foundations as the earth slowly reclaimed the abandoned temple. What was likely years’ worth of dust and blood covered the floor. As Gaius’ eyes adjusted to the almost absolute darkness, he could make out the cracks in the beams. Old craters in the walls, evidence of battles past, remained untouched.

Magdalene followed behind him as he walked. “I only ever come here once a year, on Jax’s death anniversary,” said Magdalene. “It feels… strange to be here.”

“It is indeed,” said Gaius. With a conjured flame in his palm, Gaius lit the archaic torches on the sides of the room. The room was bathed in a dim but warm glow.

“So…” started Magdalene. “Any particular reason you wanted to come here, specifically? I wouldn’t have expected you to come here, of all places, with what you said about…”

Magdalene trailed off and instead motioned to the front of the temple, where behind the altar and the decimated throne was a large stone statue embedded onto the wall.

Goddess.

The word rang in Gaius’ head on instinct, and with it a feeling of loathing and shame. He sighed, and after a moment, said: “Ever since you let me live, I’ve felt… aimless. Less so than I felt on the boat all those years ago, but still aimless,” confessed Gaius. “Even when Xenocrates imprisoned her and left me, I wasn’t alone. I had her will to guide me. I don’t… have that anymore.”

“It was terrible, and what she did was terrible, but for the longest time it was all I knew.” Gaius sighed. “And it makes me miss her.”

Magdalene’s eyebrows rose, but the revelation didn’t seem to surprise her as much as Gaius expected. “You do?”

“I do. She violated me, took over my life, and I did terrible things in her name. Things that make me feel disgusting,” said Gaius. “But it was still me, and also her. I don’t know where she ended and where I started. It was broken from the moment Iola was taken and I know it but some part of me… still won’t let it go.”

He slowly walked towards the altar; Magdalene again followed behind him. Centuries ago, he would have knelt by the altar, placed his lips on the table, and sent out a prayer to The First. Now, he merely stood and swiped a finger on the layer of dust that coated it.

He walked to the base of the statue and conjured a flame in his palm again. He motioned for Magdalene to come forward and she walked to him, a curious expression on her face. “You said you wanted to learn something new about New York. Here’s what I have for you,” said Gaius. He held the flame to light an inscription on the statue. “This is the first prayer The First taught me. I learned it at her knee, in a now dead language, when she first taught Xenocrates and I how to pray.”

Magdalene’s fingers traced over the ancient letters. “What does it say?” she asked.

Gaius paused for a moment, then in a language he hadn’t needed spoken in thousands of years, recited: “Blessed be the Goddess Phampira, and Her holy Tree of Life, from which eternity springs. Blessed be the Priestess Rheya, the First Vampire, Phampira made flesh, rightful Goddess and Queen of Mydeia,” He hesitated, the continued reading the prayer that once came to him as easy as breathing, “We pray for prosperity, for the life Her blood brings. We pray for Her hands, Her Prince and Her Soldier, Her will and Her blade, wholly Hers to work in Her name, forever and ever. Let it be so.”

When he finished reading, he half-expected the First herself to come back from the dead and smite him down for all his traitorous acts in the past years. But instead, nothing happened, and Gaius was met only with Magdalene’s stunned look.

“I… I understood every bit of that,” said Magdalene. “Rheya, she… do you really think she was a goddess?”

“I did. We all did. She had defied death itself and returned with what we viewed as Phampira’s blessing. Phampira made flesh,” said Gaius. “But I’ve had time. I’ve had time to think about it. I’ve had time to think about whether the gods are real and if they’ll save me, like I believed the First would. Now I’m starting to think that was just how we made sense of things. Maybe we — She — stumbled on the tree, something She, as a priestess, didn’t fully understand yet, and said it how She believed it to be.”

A moment of silence passed between them. Gaius said: “Then there’s the question of you, Magdalene.”

Magdalene let out a breath. “I know,” she said. “You saw what happened when I killed her. Her power… it became part of me. And for a few moments, I felt like I could do anything. There was so much rage and grief when Jax was lost and I felt like I could undo it all. I could make the world a better place. I could make it my world where no one had to suffer. I understood then, why people called her a goddess. But…”

Magdalene paused, pondering on her words. Finally, she said: “But it wasn’t enough. It was never going to be enough,” she said. “And when I finally let Adrian, Kamilah, and Lily drag me down from that high, I knew that I was not God.”

Magdalene sighed and sank down to sit on the temple floor. She leaned her head back onto the wall and closed her eyes. After a moment’s hesitation, Gaius sat down next to her.

“I hardly visit this temple because it brings up questions I try not to think about. Was Rheya God? Am I God? At one point, maybe I could have been. Rheya’s blood is mine, and mine hers. Where does she start and where do I end? It horrifies me sometimes, the harm I can do.” Magdalene held onto the cross on her neck. She turned to face him, and Gaius was struck by the intensity in her brown eyes. “I don’t think Rheya was God. You won’t find God in me, either. I don’t even know if God exists anymore. Maybe God was gone all along.”

“Maria…”

“No, not Maria. My name is Magdalene,” she corrected. “I live and I love and my power has limits and that was how I knew I wasn’t God. I’m not alone, and neither are you.”

#playchoices #choices #bloodbound #choicesmonthlychallenge #choicesfebruarychallenge #agape #gaius augustine #gaius augustine x mc #gaius x mc #gaius x magdalene #magdalene constantino #my writing

37 notes · View notes