#(I was Nervous and didn't want my posts to be Long so I crammed a billion images into one row. ...They are too small to be seen.)

[chahnniesroom]

for richer, for poorer

pairing: bang chan x female reader

summary: gift giving has always been something you've agonised over. for chan, just having you in his life is enough.

word count: 3.4k

warnings: insecurities (especially related to finances), feeling anxious, hurt/comfort

a/n: i know it’s still a long time until october, but i didn't write it in time to fit as like a holiday related fic. formatted this on my phone bc i'm lazy so please let me know if anything looks weird!

bonus: minho's reaction to his gift (included as a reblog of this post)

till death do us part collection | read it on ao3 | masterlist

Gift giving has always been something that you agonised over. You wanted so desperately to get something meaningful and special that nothing you ended up getting seemed special enough.

So when Felix had proposed throwing both Chan and Minho a party for their birthdays, you were more than happy to help plan. You could see that Chan had hesitated when Felix had told them about it, but he had ultimately agreed when he saw the way Minho had seemed to perk up at the idea.

It wouldn’t be anything too big, Felix promised, just inviting some close friends to have dinner and hang out. It slowly balloons into more than a simple dinner, but the opportunities for the members to have their friends gather are so rare that you swallow your concerns.

The night of, you can’t help feeling a bit nervous. You recognise almost everyone, but that's the part that scares you - you've only seen most of these people through your phone screen before. You know Chan and Minho have a lot of idol friends, but you didn't realise there would be so many at the party. You had discussed the guest list with Felix briefly, but your concern had been about the number of guests and not who they actually were. Now you’re starting to regret it, you aren’t mentally prepared to be face to face with so many celebrities.

The time passes surprisingly quickly with people trickling in as the night goes on. Dinner is casual, you’ve helped to cook a number of dishes and takeout was ordered to fill the rest of the counter. There isn’t enough proper seating so everyone is spread throughout the kitchen and living room.

You spend most of the time just wandering through and making sure that there’s no shortage of drinks, appetizers, and that the empty dishes or cups are cleared away. Of course, you greet everybody as they arrive and thank them for coming, but it’s hard not to be intimidated by all the famous faces.

Eventually Changbin drags the birthday boys to the living room, standing them in front of the TV to open gifts. Everyone else either crams themselves onto the couches, sits on the floor, or loiters closer to the doors.

Chan insists that he open presents at the same time as Minho instead of one at a time like Jisung suggests. Someone pushes a couple of matching boxes into their hands and steps away.

It's almost comical how different they open them. Chan takes his time, carefully pulling apart the ribbon that's wrapped around the box, sliding the lid off and putting it to the side, then slowly peeling aside the tissue paper. Minho on the other hand, manages to pull the ribbon off the box without untying it and flips the box to shake off the lid and reveal the contents.

They're complementary hoodies in the casual and oversized fit that the boys usually go for. You recognize the brand, have seen the members wear it on more than one occasion, and know that they most likely cost the same as your monthly salary.

The next gifts seem fairly innocuous, a beanie for Chan and a baseball cap for Minho, but you know their pieces often go for over a million won, more than you’ve ever spent on a single clothing item.

It continues on like this, the boys receiving items like music equipment, alcohol, and sunglasses. It makes you swallow hard when you think of your own, mostly handmade gift.

Maybe the worst part is that nobody else at the party even blinks an eye at it. You can’t blame them, it’s the nature of their occupation that has gotten them desensitised to being surrounded by luxury and it’s not like they can’t afford to indulge in getting more expensive things.

When you look down, wanting to stop staring at the pile of opened gifts, you see that you've partially crushed the packaging of your own gift. It already looked shabby enough, it was obvious you had wrapped it yourself and the paper you used was from the supermarket, but now it was even worse.

When you try to smooth out the crinkles, your shaky fingers somehow make it ruin it more. You bite your lip, hard, then stop, self conscious about your appearance around all these idols.

It suddenly feels cramped and too warm, sweat starting to gather on your forehead and back. The room starts to spin slightly and you become overly aware of your heart beating in your chest.

A burst of laughter from the crowd spooks you, pulling you out of your head. You use the opportunity to get to your feet and excuse yourself. You slip away as quietly as you can and breathe a sigh of relief when you make it into Chan's room without anyone following you.

You don’t bother to turn on the lights, not wanting anyone to check up on you, and sit on the ground with your back against Chan’s bed. With the door closed, the noise from the party is muffled and it’s significantly colder in this area of the dorm. You press your hands to your face and take a few deep breaths to try and calm your heart rate.

You don’t know what’s wrong with you because you know you shouldn’t feel like his. You had been looking forward to watching Chan and Minho open their gifts, you had spent a lot of time preparing them and you had felt confident that they would enjoy them.

Well, until you saw everything else that they received.

Now your ideas just seemed silly. You feel humiliated at the thought of everybody seeing the obviously cheap gifts and even worse when you consider how ashamed Chan might be for others to know that you were his partner.

Although you were working full-time at the moment, you had only graduated from university last year and your student debt was an ever present weight on your shoulders that you tried your best to hide. Everything you had went to paying it back and checking in bi-weekly to see the number get smaller and smaller was the only thing that made you feel better.

Chan knew that you often worried about money. You had been mortified the first time that he had walked in on you trying to organise your finances for the next few months. He had glanced over your shoulder before you had even realised he was in the room and all the red cells showing where you were in a deficit were hard to miss.

It had been early on in your relationship and the dates that the two of you had been on as well as a couple unforeseen events had meant that you had been spending way more than what you had anticipated. Of course, Chan had treated you on a number of occasions, but you refused sometimes because you felt guilty every time he offered to pay, especially since it had been only a couple years after his debut.

He had been more than understanding, but you had been so embarrassed and caught off guard that you couldn't stop the tears from streaking down your face. Since then, Chan and the members had never done anything to make you feel like they pitied you or thought any less of you for your financial situation, in fact they did the opposite.

When you had first started visiting the dorms, opening the food delivery apps was like a reflex for all of the boys once it was dinnertime. You were always hesitant to choose anything and felt even worse by the nonchalant way that they covered the costs each time. Even though you knew they didn’t think anything of it, you couldn’t help but feel like you were taking advantage of their hospitality.

Somehow they caught on to your reluctance to buy food and now it's tradition that you cook for them when you come over, enough so that they keep the kitchen stocked with more than ramen, chicken breasts, and protein powder.

In particular, Minho absolutely loved your cooking and had needled you many times on sharing how you made it. You had always denied him though, saying that you didn't use exact measurements and came up with things on the fly. That’s why for his gift, you had taken the time to create a recipe book, complete with pictures for each step and modifications that he could make based on the ingredients he had.

You had spent a few months thinking about what to give Chan. He was harder to shop for since you knew he wasn't overly fond of celebrating his birthday and didn’t want you to spend money on him, but was always touched when you got him something. Usually, you tried to do something he was more likely to accept.

Last year, you had organised with the company to give Chan a day off and had taken him out to a movie. It was a pretty standard date, but the two of you rarely had the opportunity to go out together and you knew Chan had resigned himself to watching the movie when it was released online instead of going to the theatres like he had hoped to. Having to spend a few days trying to sort out all the logistics of secretly rearranging Chan’s schedule had been more than worth it with the way that his face had lit up when you had told him about what you had planned.

You don't know how long you sit alone, but every time that you tell yourself to get up and rejoin the party, it feels impossible to move.

“Hey,” Chan's voice is cautious, but you startle anyway, scrambling to stand up. Stuck in your thoughts, you hadn’t even noticed him entering the room. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I'm fine, I'm fine. Just needed some air, it was getting kind of stuffy in there,” you explain. “I didn't think you'd notice.”

“Of course I noticed. You were there one second and gone the next, I didn't know what happened.”

“It’s nothing.” You avoid Chan’s gaze, not wanting to see the concern that shines in his eyes.

Chan steps closer, then reaches out and tangles your fingers together, using your connection to pull the two of you to sit on the bed.

“Y/n, baby,” he says softly. “Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on in here.” He leans forward until the side of his head bumps into yours.

“It’s-”

“Don’t say it’s not important,” he warns. “It’s important to you and that makes it important to me, okay?”

“Uhm,” you pause for a moment, unsure of how you want to word your thoughts. You trust Chan, but it still feels scary being vulnerable. “I guess, I was just feeling… Insecure.”

“Insecure?” Chan tilts his head slightly. “About what?”

“Everyone-” you laugh slightly, embarrassed. “Everyone gave you guys such nice gifts, I feel like mine don’t even compare.”

“Y/n, you know I don’t care about that kind of thing. If I had the choice, nobody would be giving me gifts at all. Just having you in my life is enough.” Chan’s voice is painfully sincere.

“I know you don't mind. It just- It feels bad that I can't give you something nice like they can. It's dumb, I know, but I can't help it.”

“I can open it here, away from everyone else if you want,” Chan offers. “Or you don't even have to give it to me today, you can save it until you feel better. Or don't give it to me at all, it's all okay.”

“No no, I want you to have it,” you say immediately. Before you can think better of it, you reach down and retrieve the gift from where you left it on the floor.

“Whatever makes you feel comfortable,” Chan reassures you.

“This is fine,” you decide. “Just the two of us."

“Okay.”

“It’s not designer,” you say suddenly, fiddling with the ribbon that keeps the two packages together. Both of you ignore the fact that you’re just stalling at this point.

“I don’t need any more clothes, I barely wear everything I own now,” Chan jokes.

“Really, you might not like it,” you warn.

“Baby, when have I ever disliked anything that you’ve gotten for me?” Chan drops the teasing tone. You think for a moment.

“When you asked me to order noodles for you and I accidentally got you the spicy version and it made you cry?”

“Did I say that I didn’t like them?”

“No, you ate it all even though I warned you that it would make your stomach hurt for the next couple of days,” you say, smiling faintly at the memory.

You had gotten yourself the same dish and had found it to be bearable, while Chan’s face had turned bright red after the first bite. You had offered a few times to get him a non-spicy version so that he could enjoy himself, but he had been determined to finish, soaking his shirt and beanie with how much he had sweated. He hadn’t even been able to continue carrying a conversation with you, too busy trying to suck in air to cool his mouth.

It had been even funnier for you the next day, receiving multiple texts from Chan about his stomach hurting and having to continually pause dance practice to go to the bathroom.

“The pain was worth it,” Chan insists. “I'm actually convinced that I'll like anything you give me. Now come on, let me open my gifts!”

You hand over the gift and watch as he pulls away the ribbon to separate the boxes and peels away the tape on the first package. His brow is furrowed in concentration as he tries not to rip the wrapping paper.

This gift was more neutral, a set that contained a wallet and cardholder, both in black. Although Chan hadn’t complained at all, the wallet he had been using was from years ago and the synthetic material was starting to crack and flake away at the edges.

He looks delighted, examining it briefly before pulling out his old wallet and transferring all his cards and cash into this new one. Although it’s not a name brand, you had purchased it at a small shop specialising in handcrafted genuine leather goods at a surprisingly affordable price. It was good quality and suited the simplicity that Chan preferred.

“It's just what I needed,” he says, sounding pleased. “You pay so much attention.”

“I'm glad you like it,” you say, feeling relieved even though you had been pretty sure that he would be happy with it.

The unease comes back when he turns his attention to the second gift. Once again, he puts in effort to gently unwrap it, revealing an old chocolate box that you had repurposed from one of your dates.

You’ve always been on the more sentimental side and had saved it, wanting to remember the evening that Chan had taken you out and the two of you had spent 20 minutes in the shop, meticulously picking out the flavours that you wanted to try. The box is made of a surprisingly durable material and is the perfect size for this gift. You’ve painted over it too, concealing the original design.

Chan turns it around in his hands curiously, before sliding the lid up. You turn away to stare at your hands, overwhelmed by nervousness.

You already know what’s inside. It’s a deck of cards that you’ve transformed, with 52 things I love about you inscribed on one of the jokers. On the flip side, you’ve painted a picture of you and Chan smiling widely with your cheeks pressed together. It’s his favourite, one he always tells you would be permanently on his lock screen if he wasn’t an idol.

The rest of the cards are decorated similarly, a small drawing or painting on one side with the things, people, and places that Chan loves on one side, and something that you love about Chan on the other. The last joker is the only one that's different, you've treated it as a card and have a small message written on.

You had been so excited when you had thought of the idea, even though it was almost embarrassingly cheesy. Chan was often hard on himself, overly critical, and sometimes insecure. You tried your best to reassure him that he was doing well, both in his career and personal life, but you weren’t always able to be with him to do it in person.

As time goes by, your dread just continues to build, but you don't dare look up, not wanting to see Chan's reaction. Based on the silence, he’s clearly not thrilled with the silly idea that you had gone with. You can almost imagine his expression, jaw clenched and lips pressed together as he tries to think of what he can say to let you down easy.

Finally, you can't take it any longer and you lean forward, reaching out to grab at the cards that he's still reading though.

“I'm sorry, it's stupid, I know,” you say quickly. “You can tell me that you hate it, it's okay. I don't know what I was thinking, but just- give me more time, I'll get you something else, something nicer-”

It catches Chan off guard, and instead of successfully taking the cards away, you grapple with them for a second before they slip between both of your hands, scattering across the floor like confetti.

You instantly drop to your knees, scrabbling to scoop them up like the most awful game of 52 pick up that you've ever played in your life. To your horror, the task gets even more difficult as tears start to well up in your eyes.

“Y/n-” Chan says gently, reaching out and taking your wrists in his hands to stop your frantic movements. “Come here.”

You resist for a moment, but he pulls you into his arms, cradling your head so your face is resting on his shoulder. The tears leaking from your eyes soak into the fabric and you sniffle softly.

“I'm sorry,” you say, voice partially muffled. “I'm a mess.”

In response, Chan pulls back slightly and when you don't turn towards him, he taps a finger against your cheek until you face him. Your eyes widen when you notice that he also has tear tracks streaking down his face.

“What-”

“It's okay, I'm a mess too. I should have said it sooner,” he says, voice low and gravelly. Still in his embrace, you can feel the rumble of it in his chest. “I love it. I was overwhelmed, I wanted to say something but you left me speechless.”

“Don't just say it-”

“I've never had a gift so thoughtful, Y/n,” Chan says earnestly. “How could you think this was stupid? You must have spent hours and hours on it and I really appreciate it. It’s just- is this really what you think of me?”

“What do you mean?” you ask.

“Do you really love that-” Chan picks up the closest card to him and flips it so that he can read the message. “That I snore? Y/n, why do you even have this in the list?”

“Yes, snoring was one thing and it's because with everything, there’s always a reason to love it. It's not that I love that you snore, but with your insomnia, hearing you snore is a relief because it means you're sleeping, that you're resting. Even with your insomnia, I know you're busy thinking of every little way you can make things just right for you and the members. It's because you care so much, how could I not love these parts of you?”

“You- you really love all these little things?”

“Of course I do,” you say in a hushed voice. “Of course. When I was making these, I couldn't fit it all. I love everything about you, Chan.”

This time, it's Chan that breaks eye contact, shaking his head as if in disbelief.

“I don't know what I did to deserve you.”

“It's not about deserving. You didn't have to do anything, that's the whole point. I love you just as you are.”

“You know that's how I feel about you, right?”

“Chan-”

“Even if you never got me anything ever again, I wouldn't love you any less. You being in my life, by my side, that's the greatest gift you could ever give.”

till death do us part collection | read it on ao3 | masterlist

#for richer for poorer #till death do us part collection #chahnniesroom #skz fanfic #skz angst #skz fic #skz x reader #skz x female reader #skz x y/n #stray kids angst #stray kids x female reader #stray kids x y/n #stray kids x you #stray kids x reader #stray kids fluff #bang chan x y/n #bang chan x you #bang chan angst #bang chan x reader #chan x y/n #chan x reader #chan x you #chan angst #bang chan fluff #chan fluff #skz imagines #stray kids #chan #bang chan

[choochooboss]

Submas sketchdump! Vol. 1

April-June 2022

Literally dumping all the presentable works as promised, whether I'm proud of them or not! This is where I started, even before the first thing I posted online (That subway station one). Many of these are not on Twitter yet so there's lots to see!

The top piece above the header is my very first digital Submas artwork!! I never finished it bc I didn't know how to pull my vision of as I wanted & started modeling the train and didn't finish that either, whoops! I really want to remake this later and make it super cool!

^^^ My reaction to breaking 500 likes & 100 followers in a single day with my first tweet (the battle subway one) all the way back in May!! I was completely floored by all the attention, oh how it skyrocketed my excitement and anxiety! Crazy times, I was so super nervous to be there with so many amazing artists and doubted if I could ever survive there ahahah!! Many had joined the community much much earlier than me, so I had arrived with a late train to PLA/neo Submas hype!

Next up is a bunch of stuff I haven't posted before:

One of my fav sketches! Been saving this for so long bc I really really want to finish this one day!

One of the first submas sketches with an actual story behind it! The subway bosses are running late for their flight because they didn't pass the safety check! The irony!! This would never happen as bosses are always on schedule. But Emmet hadn't noticed a wild Joltik hiding under his coat, so he set up the alarm and they got examined and interrogated of smuggling! How embarrassing for them! The bosses resolved the situation by catching the Joltik, but will they be able to catch their flight anymore?? Maybe if Elesa can distract the stuerts performing the safety protocol for a minute!

More sketchbook stuff...

In case you can't make any sense of it, Emmet's dreaming of different combinations of pokémon. Meanwhile Ingo snores louder than the train! HONK SHOO!

Top 7 every submas fan draws at some point!

Submas trademark posing

submas sleeping in a train

sad Emmet

Emmet with Joltik

Ingo with a cool solo pose

Emmet being chaotic & Ingo reacting to it

a bunch of mirrored submas poses

I sure have a full bingo card lmao, most of them you can see here XD

Next up is a sad man...

Stay strong our friends!

My typical sketchbook pages, crammed and messy as usual. x)

Post-PLA exploration:

A few examples of how my pencil sketches evolve.

I've done so much art experimenting with submas. I really like this black & white painting but I don't think I'll finish it anytime soon.

Where did you go?

The way I draw the twins' faces has changed a lot. They started with softer features and somewhat neutral emotions, because I wasn't as familiar with them or comfortable drawing them yet. Now there's hundreds of submas sketches, and they still keep evolving! My style is also kinda hard to pull off well, so their features differ from picture to picture.

This one was inspired by some submas music videos, can't recall their names anymore. The glowing eerie eyes and yellow&orange + black&white color schemes were neat!

I keep telling myself I need to draw more butlers, these twinks look so lean and neat and have more color and are posh with their monocles and have fun tailcoats!

(...why eyeglasses are not called binocles??)

I was there for the vinegar chaos. Good times!

That's all for now, I hope you got something fun out of this! Still got loads more art to share but I'll save them for another time. Next round I'll bring in my first submas comic!

#submas #sbms #submas ingo #submas emmet #pokemon ingo #pokemon emmet #subway boss ingo #subway boss emmet #ingo and emmet #sketch dump #chandelure #archeops #sinistea #submas butlers #butler ingo #butler emmet #too many ideas #butlermas

[shaunamilfman]

It’s been so long since I’ve sent an ask in, i fear the kids will think we’re in a divorce. So today I came to offer up a situation I believe in 1000%.

Jackie Taylor in college not knowing how to flirt with women, so whenever she meets you for the first time she doesn’t know how to talk to you. She ends up buying those stupid men’s pickup artist CDs, the like late 2000s type. She believes it completely and thinks that this is how you get girls and buys like the whole box set. It comes with douche clothes, a small notebook of pickup lines and a huge textbook along with like 10 CDs. Literally any normal person would know these lines and tactics would absolutely not work, but she’s convinced herself. So she tries approaching you in a bar and when you don’t follow the script that the pickup artist said you’d respond with, she gets nervous. She pulls out and skims through the pages of a huge book that in VERY bold letters on the front reads, ‘HOW TO GET WOMEN’

She eventually gives up on the textbook after she sees the weird look you gave her upon seeing it. Just ends up taking a bar napkin and writing “Do you like me?” With 2 options below that read “Yes” and “YES”. She’s looking at you like she’s so proud of herself that you cant help but circle the option in all caps. (She thinks that means you’re dating, immediately)

excellent ask as always bro. feels like we haven't spoken in soooo long. waiting by the window for my husband to come home from war. checking the post office every day for one mere letter from the front lines 😔

the way that little book is the only thing jackie's taking notes on before she got to college. she bombed her first exam and is like "omg how do you study in college???" and then looked at her 10 pages of notes from "chicks 101" and a lightbulb lit up

jackie has the best pickup lines written down and her phone and keeps checking the notes app as shes walking towards you (walks into a pole). forgets them immediately the second she starts talking to you (you talked first and she forgot what she crammed) but refuses to admit it and tries it anyways. completely flips the line around. like "you're the only ten i see, are you from tennessee?" and immediately winces.

screams into her pillow atleast once a week. did not realize that flirting with girls would be so fucking hard. no one tells you this thing. she almost misses when she thought she was straight. the shit was soooo easy. she's so good at flirting with boys that she's still pulling them without even trying.

also jackie for fucking sure memorizes how she wants conversations to go in general when she's nervous about something i feel and the second someone goes off script she's like "hold on now". has to schedule a doctors appointment for the first time and they ask her a question she didn't have written down and she hangs up (they needed her middle name. she makes shauna call them from rhode island lmaoo.).

peering over jackie's shoulder and she's got 20 tabs open all along the lines of "how to kiss", "how to tell her i like her", "how to flirt with women when you look straight", "how to be her friend in a gay way", "lesbian. girl pretty. help"

jackie does NOT believe in situationships. what do you mean you're not in love with her??? you went on three dates?? she secretly sprayed her perfume on your pillow when you were in the bathroom and everything. yahoo answers swore it would make you fall in love with her

side note jackie immediately hard launches you after one date. queen. writing mrs jackie taylor in all her notebooks for sure. calling shauna up like "i found the one" and shaunas like "...where is she from?". "unimportant. anyways so on our date..."

you see a no faintly written under a shit ton of eraser marks before she changed her mind and wrote another yes. (was nervous about giving you the option lmaooo)

#jackie thoughts 🩷 #jackie taylor x reader #yellowjackets x you #yellowjackets x reader #soffsh

[ro-is-struggling]

Hello Hello & Congratulations

Recently gotten back into some Bucky feels & wanted to ask for him with lyric prompt 2 please! Made myself laugh with a friends to lovers idea where you're cooking for Sam & Buck & Sam slides a magnet into your back pocket cause obviously he's the best wingman (& tired of the pinning). Then I found comic panels with Buck & a little white cat & if that's Alpine!! & that first show prompt is open... Don't want to over ask but just know if it's down to the wire & no one asks for it...someone asked for it >.> Thanks for reading and stay hydrated!

Hi beautiful! Thank you so much for participating in the celebration and I’m so sorry it took me so long to post this! I LOVED this prompt and the little twist you gave it so much I wrote this in like a few hours. It’s short and sweet, I hope you like it💜💜💜

More Than Friends || Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: Sam is tired of always getting caught in the middle of the flirting and nervous glances you and Bucky subject him to every time you're in the same room, so he comes up with a plan to give you two the little push you so desperately need to confess your feelings —and laugh at you along the way.

Warnings: set somewhere after civil war where team cap is on the run together, mutual pining, friends to lovers, fluff, humor, Sam being tired of your shit 

English is not my first language

Word count: 2000

Notes: I'm pretty sure this one is gender neutral? but I wrote it with a fem reader in mind so I'll tag it like that just in case some description slipped my tired brain while editing

This fic is part of my 600 followers celeration

Sam was tired of watching you and Bucky dance around the feelings you two clearly had for each other. Sometimes he thought you were doing it on purpose, like some kind of elaborate prank to torture him as revenge for the times he made fun of you. It was the only logical explanation he could find for your attitude. Otherwise he didn't understand why you would continually refuse to face the obvious. You were in love and everyone seemed to see it but you.

Life on the run was torture when he was stuck with the two of you. Watching you two get flustered from being crammed in the back seat of the car, Sam really thought that maybe he should have taken the Clint and Scott route and made a deal with the authorities. Home detention sounded so much better compared to the heavy tension in the air that seemed to follow you everywhere. On particularly bad days - like that time a man flirted with you in a bar and Bucky was in a bad mood all day - even traditional jail seemed like paradise in comparison. 

Sam had tried everything to help you. He used to leave you alone on missions, put you in the same hotel room under the pretense that they had no more rooms, even made you sit together in the back of the car when you traveled. But despite all his efforts, you were no closer to facing your feelings than when he started. Even his subtle comments and pep talks didn't help. Every time he even dared to bring up your feelings, you acted confused and dismissed his words. He had tried it with Bucky and with you separately and you both had had almost the same response, which only proved Sam's point. 

The rest of the team was tired of you too, but since they didn't have to spend half as much time as he usually did stuck with you, they didn't care. Wanda would disappear from time to time to see Vision, and Steve and Natasha were usually together in their own little world, figuring out what the next step would be. Which left him stuck with Bucky, you and the unbearable tension in the air. That's why no one understood his suffering and therefore no one was willing to help him. 

Steve and Nat had told him that he should give you time, that eventually you would figure out your feelings and everything would get better. But Sam was beginning to think that would never happen. You had been dancing around each other since the day you met and showed no signs of changing. He had done everything he could to help you in subtle ways —talking to you privately or creating certain situations without your knowledge— all so as not to expose you and embarrass you, but apparently that was exactly what you needed, for something to expose your feelings and force you to confront them. And he had the perfect idea.

It came to him suddenly as he watched the two of you struggling to get comfortable in the back seat of the car. It was way too small a model, clearly not meant to comfortably transport a super soldier, so Bucky ended up taking up more than half the seat. Sam watched as he fiddled nervously with his hands, adjusting his position every five minutes to make sure his legs didn't accidentally brush yours. And as the sunlight beamed on his metal arm, Sam chuckled to himself at the thought that maybe next time he should give you pants made of magnets just to annoy Bucky. 

It was like a light switched on in his head. It was the perfect way to get back at you while helping you deal with your feelings. A hilarious idea all around that made Sam proud of his creativity. It wasn't hard to execute either, he just bought some magnets and waited for you to leave the bag with your belongings unattended to slip them into the back pocket of one of your pants. 

Not knowing when you would end up wearing said article of clothing added a layer of spontaneity to the situation. Even Sam had forgotten which pants he had chosen and when he saw you emerge from your room in the morning he didn't even realize his plan had been set in motion.

It was the first time in a long time that you hadn't slept in a crappy motel. Thanks to an old contact of Natasha's, you were able to stay in a safe house that had several rooms, good water pressure and a large kitchen. It wasn't the Avengers compound, but it was much better than the places you'd become accustomed to living. So, to celebrate you decided to prepare breakfast for the whole team.

You didn't let anyone help you, the very idea of someone else hanging around the kitchen while you worked on the pancakes made you anxious. You weren't a great cook by any means, but you found it easier and more relaxing to work when you had total control of the kitchen. So you sent everyone to wait elsewhere while you finished cooking. Steve opted to go out for his morning run and Natasha went back to bed, mumbling something about being woken up when there was food on the table. That left you with Sam, who settled down at the kitchen island with a glass of water to chat and keep you company. And not long after, Bucky popped his head through the door frame.

"Bucky! Just the guy I needed right now!" you said with a smile as you saw him enter the kitchen, dragging his feet as he rubbed his eyes to shake off the sleep. "Breakfast is almost ready, could you get the plates from the cabinet, please?"

Sam didn't think much of it, only that he would have to prepare himself for a morning of uncomfortable looks and flushed cheeks since you were in Bucky's way and to help you he would undoubtedly have to get closer to you than he seemed to be able to handle normally. Sam didn't remember his little joke until he felt the unexpected gasp you let out when Bucky's metal hand made contact with your backside as he reached behind you for the cabinet. He nearly choked on his water, laughter getting stuck in his throat as he watched Bucky panic, not understanding what had happened.

"I-I didn't... I mean, I'm sorry, I..." The super soldier tried hard to form a coherent sentence, but his mind was short-circuiting and his cheeks were turning a vivid shade of pink as he pulled his hand away from your body with difficulty. There was an inexplicable pull that drew him to you, making his metal arm move of its own accord, seeking to cling to you again. Bucky had to take a few steps back from you to make sure that didn't happen again. 

"Well, the cat is out of the bag. Finally!" Sam exclaimed with a mischievous grin that told Bucky everything he needed to know. "Although to be honest, I was hoping you'd find a more subtle way to confess your feelings, Buck. Or at least do it in private."

"You did this?" Bucky asked, though he already knew the answer. Sam simply let out a long laugh as he rose from his seat and disappeared out the kitchen door. "You're dead, Wilson!"

“What is he talking about?”

The sound of your voice snapped Bucky out of his angry state, his gaze softening as it settled on your confused expression. The urge to murder Sam faded as he panicked, searching for an answer to give you. This wasn't the way he would have liked to confess his feelings for you, but he couldn't lie to you either-Sam had made sure of that.

"I..." Bucky hesitated, having trouble finding the courage to tell you the truth. He could hardly remember when he had last been in that position of vulnerability, having to search for the right words to express feelings he didn't know how to describe. He was rusty, the skills and confidence that characterized his younger self had been buried in the past and now he had no idea what to say to you.

"Yes?" You spoke as he fell silent, looking up at him with glittering eyes waiting to hear that thing you'd been dreaming of since the moment you two met.

Bucky sighed, defeated. "I like you, doll, like more than just a friend." He said finally, cringing at his poor choice of words. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that Sam figured it out and has been pressuring me to talk to you about it and I guess he got tired of waiting and did all this to fuck with me."

Bucky was rambling, talking at a speed that was not normal for him. He was also having trouble making eye contact with you, his eyes looking at everything but you. You'd never seen him this... nervous. He was nervous. His cheeks turned a darker shade of pink with each passing second and he spoke so fast that his tongue threatened to get stuck halfway through each word. He was so adorable that you couldn't help but let out a giggle.

"I'm glad that he did." It took Bucky a few seconds to process your words, his flustered expression slowly morphing into a frown of confusion.

"What?" he muttered and you smiled. 

Reaching into your back pocket, you pulled the magnet out. It rested flat in the palm of your hand as you got closer to Bucky. In an instant, his metal hand was on top of yours, cold against the soft, warm skin. You intertwined your fingers with his, your smile widening as he copied your movements.

"I might have to thank him later because, you see, I kinda like you too. And I've been trying to do something about it for so long but I just couldn't, so Sam kinda saved me there cause I was starting to lose it." You let out a chuckle and Bucky joined you, completely understanding the sentiment.

The room fell silent, but it wasn't awkward or uncomfortable like other times. Although you could still feel the tension in the air as Brucky's gaze traveled from your eyes to your joined hands, lingering on your lips for longer than necessary. He took a step toward you and your breath caught in your throat, your insides vibrating with anticipation.

"Can I kiss you?" His voice was a soft whisper. His warm breath collided against the sensitive skin of your face as he rested his forehead on yours, looking up at you through his eyelashes with a hint of desperation. He was waiting for your consent, needing to hear it from your voice before proceeding.

"Please." It was all you could say before Bucky's lips crashed against yours.

It was a soft, slow kiss. Bucky's lips moved with torturous sensuality over yours, a gentle brush that barely satiated your need for him. But despite that, you let him guide the kiss to ensure his comfort. Bucky wasn't usually comfortable with physical contact —not after all he'd been through— and you knew this was a big step for him. So you embraced the softness of his kisses, quieting that voice in your mind that was screaming for you to grab his face and intensify it. It was tempting, yes, but you would have time for that.

Bucky didn't pull away from you immediately when you broke the kiss. He kept his forehead pressed against yours as his flesh hand traveled upward to caress your cheek. He looked at you with complete adoration, his fingers gently stroking your skin, as if he couldn't believe what was happening, as if he was afraid of being too rough and breaking the fantasy into a thousand pieces. Then he let out a chuckle and a smile broke out on your face as you heard such a sweet melody.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, is just that... Sam is never gonna let this go."

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x fem reader #bucky barnes fluff #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes #ro's 600 followers celebration

[happyocelot]

The Same Sky and Moon and Stars

Happy Inukag Week!

I didn't realize it was InuKag week until now 😅

Not sure if this fits exactly with the prompts as it's more focused on Kagome's friends and family dealing with her returning to the past to be with Inuyasha, but I think it goes well with Day 1: Love Languages.

If it doesn't fit the prompts too well, please forgive me and ignore this 🙈 (Too nervous about tagging haha, what if it doesn't match the prompts well?)

I always wondered what Kagome's friends and family thought of her vanishing into the well, and how they dealt with her absence after years and years. This is my interpretation of how that might have been. I haven't seen more than a few clips of the sequel series yet and I am not too familiar with the storyline, but I saw a clip of Moroha hugging grandpa and maxing out Sota's credit card and I thought that was so cute. Please tell me what you think! :)

Summary:

"His family had gotten on well enough, knowing that his sweet, beautiful granddaughter was safe and happy in her new home, but even so, he could detect longing and anguish for her phantom presence. He knew better, though. She hadn't gone anywhere. She was right there with him, under the same blue sky."

Kagome, and the world she left behind. Post-series.

FFN / AO3

Be sure to come to Wac's at noon! Eri had told Kagome, beaming brilliantly. Then we can go to the arcade, and then we can watch a movie.

Finally.

After months and months of cram school and late nights studying, entrance exam torture and nervous breakdowns.

Finally.

They'd graduated.

Yuka would move all the way down south to Kyushu for college in a few months, and Ayumi would go straight north, north, north, right into the depths of the snowiest mountains. Eri would remain in Tokyo.

Kagome still hadn't said what she was planning to do after high school, but as her grades had somehow drastically improved three years ago soon after starting high school, Eri was certain that Kagome, too, had gotten into a prestigious institution.

She hadn't said where that was, but Eri was sure that she would spill the beans after a couple of burgers and milkshakes.

Truthfully, she was hoping that at least Kagome would stay in Tokyo with her. It would be lonely with Ayumi all the way in Aomori, and Yuka in Fukuoka. Notwithstanding her strange illnesses and absences back in the ninth grade, Kagome had been dependably the next desk over in class, sharing notes and lunches and smiles for years and years and years. Eri didn't want her to go too soon.

Noon became 12:15, and 12:15 became 12:25.

Eri ordered a heaping of fries, and Ayumi an extra-large milkshake.

Yuka had taken the liberty of ordering for Kagome the extra extra extra large burger that she liked, and tapped her foot impatiently. By 12:45, she had crinkled her brow in a blend of irritation and concern.

"You don't think she suddenly got sick again, do you?" Ayumi asked. "Hang on, I'll call her house."

She pulled out her brand-new Nokia flip that Ayumi's parents had gotten her as a graduation gift. (They would all color-coordinate their phones soon. Ayumi had insisted.)

"Yes, ojii-san, this is Ayumi. I'm calling to ask about...oh, really? He's back so suddenly? She's gone to meet him?...Well, tell her to come to Wac's soon, please, her burger is getting soggy."

She hung up, her face clearing, her brow smoothing, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"It's her delinquent boyfriend again! He's back from that three-year trip and he's gone to meet Kagome!"

Their table erupted in squeals and applause.

"So Kagome isn't in a long-distance relationship anymore!"

"Ooooh, this is way more interesting than college plans!"

"Think he's still not as good a match as Hojo-kun?"

"You think she's gonna bring him here? We need to check him out!"

"She better!"

One o'clock came and went.

Kagome still didn't come.

They shrugged their shoulders, not all that concerned. She and her boyfriend were all lovey-dovey. She was constantly getting piggyback rides from him and all. They had probably lost track of time after three years in a long-distance relationship.

Eri wrapped up the burger and dropped it off at the Higurashi house with a friendly, teasing note that Kagome would never read.

***

Five years had passed since high school graduation, and honestly, Ayumi was still a bit miffed at Kagome.

You would think that Kagome's best friends would be invited to her wedding. You would think that they wouldn't suddenly elope out of nowhere right after the last day of high school. Really, what were they thinking?

She'd been meaning to call for years now, hoping to give Kagome a piece of her mind. Kagome's mother had given her a phone number, but whenever Ayumi rang, there would only ever be a beep and a polite, robotic voice, telling her that the number was invalid and to please dial again.

***

"Mama, who's that?" her daughter asked one evening, pointing to a gaggle of smiling schoolgirls in Yuka's old, yellowing photo album.

"Hmm? Those are Eri-san and Ayumi-san. They settled down in Tokyo last year. You met them at that party, dear."

"No, mama, I mean this person."

Yuka rubbed her aging eyes and blinked.

Ah.

It had been decades, but something in her heart lurched even so.

"Well, that's Kagome-san. She was a good friend of mine in high school. Don't know what she's up to now. I haven't been in touch with her for years."

Every once in a while, she would call the Higurashi shrine and ask about Kagome, if she was busy, and if Eri and Ayumi were in town, if she might want to stop by at Wac's and take a selfie and a burger for nostalgia's sake.

Kagome never was home. Her mother would always sigh softly and say that Kagome was "abroad." Whichever country she was in now, the Higurashi family definitely didn't seem keen on telling her.

It was life, she supposed. You moved on.

Still, a part of her would close her eyes and drift back to sleepy, golden afternoons and biking back home, happy smiles, and rapid-fire discussions of Kagome's strange, delinquent boyfriend.

***

There used to be a girl he liked, back in high school. Higurashi, wasn't it?

She was quite beautiful, and though he had been happily married for thirty years now, her bright, smiling face crossed Hojo's mind sometimes.

She had fallen quite sick in the ninth grade. All sorts of strange illnesses. Economy class syndrome and swine flu and chicken pox and even a bite from a potentially rabid dog.

Yet through those bizarre and alarming-sounding ailments, Higurashi's face always seemed to glow. She certainly didn't have the look of a sick person. Hojo hoped that meant all the get-well cards and medicines he gave her had worked.

He'd gone to an all-boys school after that and didn't get to see her as much, but every few weeks, he would run into her on the street and she would always greet him with a nod and a smile. They'd even gone to the movies once or twice, but soon enough, Hojo could tell she never saw him as anything other than a classmate. He was dejected for a while, but soon enough recovered his good cheer, and was happy that she still enjoyed his friendship.

She'd vanished after that.

Just one day, out of the blue, he stopped seeing her around on the street. He supposed she had moved away for college and a job.

Was she doing all right now? Hojo hoped that, approaching late middle age as their generation was, that Higurashi was taking care of her fragile health.

He touched the missing button of his shirt and smiled.

It was true, he had been happily married for years and whatever romantic feelings he had for her had long since faded into the breeze. But he hoped that Higurashi would always have a bright, smiling face, wherever she was, enjoying good health long into old age.

She did say that they could be friends forever, and surely it wasn't wrong to wish his friend well.

***

Her scent faded from the house slowly and steadily.

First downstairs, then upstairs, from the kitchen and living room and eventually from the shrine grounds. Her room stopped smelling like her long, long ago.

She used to give him good ear scratches and let him lie on her chest. She filled his food bowl much more copiously than did her brother, and she was always ready with treats from the supermarket for him.

The memory of her face was fading at the edges. Buyo was getting on in years.

He'd never forget her scent, though. Fading though it was, it lingered at the well and at the foot of the huge, old tree.

Lately he would venture down there, down that well, hoping to catch a whiff of her distinctive scent. He'd always get stuck, and her brother would pull him out.

***

It didn't hurt when she wasn't at his high school graduation. It didn't even hurt when she wasn't at his wedding. Once she went into that well, she couldn't come back out.

He knew that. And he knew that nee-chan was happy over there with her new family and friends. He couldn't begrudge her happiness. It wasn't like she was walking home after school one day and vanished without a trace, in potential danger. He knew exactly where she was, on the other side of the well.

Sota knew that she loved him all the same, whether she was here in the present or in the Sengoku Jidai with his new brother-in-law.

But –

He turned to his left and caught a wrinkle on his mother's forehead, and he turned to the right and caught the slow shuffle of his grandfather's feet –

And suddenly his eyes blurred with crystal tears.

New family.

New friends.

They were all getting older and older, and she was already gone, new and ancient all at once, somewhere in the distant past, before any of them were even born.

***

The day she became a mother was the happiest day in her life.

The day she learned she was a grandmother was yet happier.

Her tears wet the earth and soaked into the roots of the Goshinboku, all the way to her daughter.

Thank you, Kagome.

***

Some of Kagome's friends were sad. Others were mad. His family had gotten on well enough, knowing that his sweet, beautiful granddaughter was safe and happy in her new home, but even so, he could detect longing and anguish for her phantom presence at the kitchen table, at the hospital, at the shrine entrance greeting visitors.

He knew better, though.

He rested his aching back against the tree and breathed deeply, sensing her peculiar power.

He wasn't worried. He didn't miss her. Why would he? She hadn't gone anywhere.

She was right there with him, under the same blue sky.

***

Kagome stilled, her palm against the tree.

A light night wind made the branches sway and rustle under the starry sky.

She could feel it.

Feel them.

Old family and new, all at once.

The tree always did have a special power.

She wrapped an arm around her sleeping husband and daughter and smiled.

#inukag #inuyasha #inukag week #inuyasha x kagome

[naswoop]

hello everyone welcome back to [epic action movie trailer voice] DIVORCE ANON (trademark also pending) ✌️ im here to be deeply unhinged and say nothing of substance about start again, again. anyways this has ABSOLUTELY no basis in canon but could you imagine if for a brief moment in sasasa2 siffrin's character class changed from "the traveler" to something along the lines of "the interloper" instead. for reference and if i remember correctly interloper means roughly the same thing as traveler but with the added connotation that they are unwanted or unneeded

on that note can you believe it's gonna be sasasap's first year anniversary already?? like wow it's nearly been one (1) whole year already??? whack

heH [theme song starts playing]

Oh gosh. Oh gosh we gonna keep adding to Sif's Rough Times (tm). Ya misfit, Siffrin, you.

[I just felt like drawin' him, probably not exactly what you meant by this but this is what happened]

Yeah!!!! It's almost its first year!! It's so weird to think that it's already been that long. Sometimes I forget just how much Stuff I drew.

#art #sasasa #start again start again start again #sasasa:p #sasasa spoilers #kinda #(...I really need to fix the formatting on those old posts too.) #(I was Nervous and didn't want my posts to be Long so I crammed a billion images into one row. ...They are too small to be seen.) #ask #Divorce Anon

[silverrstarrr]

Hello, today I am starting a Eren x black reader fanfic. And don't worry, yo girl over here is Nigerian😋😋 I do plan to put smut into it but I've never written smut before so please be easy on about that part! (The reader and Eren are both 18, their first year in University.)

Y/n L/n. Daniyah

Dylan. Jason

Yume

Normal Girl<3

Chapter one:

You love the way I pop my top. Or love how I lose my cool

Music was playing in the background on a loud Bluetooth speaker as you were preparing yourself for the day. Looking at your reflection in the mirror, you take off your bonnet, your long black box braids flowing down to your hips. Which cost a bitch. You were cleaning up your face and doing a causal face routine. You grabbed your makeup bag from under the bottom cabinet and began applying. Doing your eyebrows, eyeliner, eye shadow, lipgloss. Placing the brown foundation on your skin to cover up the bumps that were on your face, contour and more. You placed your false eyelashes on, ruffling up your hair a bit more. After a good 15 minutes, you were ready for the day.

Or love how I look at you. Say why?

The song Normal girl by SZA continued to play as you hummed to the rhythm of the song. Finishing up laying down your edges, you gave yourself a small smile in the mirror,  feeling hella confident in your looks. Even though you were self conscious, you had this thing when you believed you that you're the most ugliest bitch in the world, next thing you're in love with yourself. It was currently 8 am in the morning, class was starting by 8:45.

You wanted to freshen up before you left for school. Your roommate you shared a dorm with was currently out grabbing you guys breakfast.  You guys both settled for Dunkin' since their drink prices were reasonable and good unlike starbucks. You left the bathroom and grabbing your bonnet on the way out, switching the light off. You tossed the hair net on your bed as you went over to your dresser.

For your affection, tryna be down. No fighting and no stopping, Stick around

Oh shit, this was your part. You started to sing to yourself, not ACTUALLY singing it but you know, saying the lyrics.

"Wish I was the type of girl you take over to mama! The type of girl, I know my daddy, he'd be proud of. Yeah, be proud of."

You were singing your heart out at this point, who doesn't enjoy SZA?!

Not to mention, you relate so much to the song. Since you weren't America's "normal girl". You didn't have Blue eyes, blonde hair, or white pale skin. You were a beautiful brown skin woman, with black curly hair  and brown eyes. Not to mention you had 4c hair. But it wasn't a bad thing in your opinion, you loved your hair because at the end of the day, you knew it was long ass hell.

A bzzt sound came from your dresser, instantly your grabbed your phone and unlocked it. It was your roommate, Yume. Yume was a pale skin girl, with brown eyes and long black hair. She was mixed. Her mother was Japanese and her dad was white. Yume was pretty outgoing and bold, a lot of people on campus knew who she was. She was a party person. She still managed to get decent grades by that, you meant that she crammed at the last second and got a C+ or above. Opening up messages, you read the ones from Yume.

colonizer but times 2🧑🏻‍🦲

Attachment: 1 photo

 

Look what I gooottt😩❗❗

y/n is funky🧑🏾‍🦱🦷❗        

y/n liked a photo

Girl, hurry up and bring the food😭

over here posing with the dunkin' bag, goofy😭😭

colonizer but times 2🧑🏻‍🦲

I KNOW, IM ON MY WAY

I'm getting in the car now, see you later hot melatonin queen, wakanda queen 👸🏾 remember BLM✊🏻❤

y/n is funky🧑🏾‍🦱🦷❗  

LMAAAOOO, I HATE YOUUU

GET TF ON DAMN COLONIZER 😕

You began laughing, using your hand to cover your mouth. You left messages and began scrolling through your other social media. First you check snapchat, it was a bunch of your friends and people who added you, leaving hearts under your post story. Since you posted a little selfie.  You had on a cute graphic t shirt that hugged your upper body and showed your stomach. You didn't have a flat stomach but a little tummy. You had on faded blue jeans that rested at your hips. Even though you didn't have a flat stomach, your curvy body and a dump trunk made up for it. You had a few necklaces resting on your chest as well with a few rings on your finger.

I wish I was a normal girl, oh my. How do I be? How do I be a lady?

You clicked on instagram. You had a decent 10k followers. You were considered one of those pretty aesthetic pinterest girl, especially because of your outfit ideas.  You look through your feed for a bit, then you came across yume's page. You scroll through her post and liked her recent. You checked the comments and all the guys fawning over her, it wasn't anything new but you didn't expect this one person. They left a black heart under their post and yume replied to it. You clicked on the profile just to check if she had a secret lover and she wasn't telling you. The username was "eyeager45". Surprisingly, he had 18k followers.

Normal girl, oh

I wish I was a normal girl.

I'll never be, no, never be uh

This shocked you, not his follower count but the fact your roomie got him commenting hearts?! Nah, you need to find out. You scrolled through his feed, looking at his photos, he didn't have a lot of post. But damn he was fine. He had long brown hair that rested on his shoulders, his eyes were a teal color but you were still stuck deciding if it was blue or green. Most of his photos, he had it tied into a sloppy bun, a few strands stood out flopping over his forehead. Without thinking, your dumbass liked his photo.

"I-" you said. Before you can unlike the photo, yume barges in with breakfast. It was already 8:20, classes were starting.

"There was traffic on the way and since it's rush hour, everyone and their crew was getting coffee."

Yume placed you guys drinks and food on a nearby round table. She quickly ran to the bathroom to pee, closing the door behind her. You placed your phone back on your dresser and went over to grab your drink. You took a sip, It seem like this time yume got your (f/d) correct and not just getting a random flavor she sees on the menu. Opening up the bag, you grab your (f/f) along with the other food that was apart of your meal. You went back over to the dresser to grab your phone, then back to the small table. You sat down on the small couch that was close to the table and started eating.

"Hey! Make sure you got your own shit and not eating mine by mistake" yume was washing her hands in the bathroom.

You nodded your head with a "mmm". You were digging in, eating fast because class was starting soon. Coming out of the bathroom, yume whistled looking at your outfit. She always gassed you up & was your number one fan.

"Look at you~ all cute and shit" she ruffled through the bag, grabbing her donut already taking a bite out of it then her breakfast sandwich as she sat down next to you. Both of you guys were munching as if the food was running away, like slow tf down. You took out your phone to take a quick insta video of your food and yume. She was taking a sip of her drink when you pointed your camera on her, she did a quick deuces, which made both of you laugh a bit. You quickly added it to your story and tagged her. You went back and forth with your drink and food, until it was finish. You still had a some coffee left but the food? Gone. 

You and yume shared an apartment together. It was close to the campus and it was cheaper. Dorms costed a load for no reason. Most of the time they had no kitchen and barley any room other than for the beds. You met yume during high-school but you guys weren't that close but still kept in touch. Summer break came around and you guys so happened to have the same job. It was the best summer of your life, you were really greatful for meeting yume. She was also the first to offer you to share an apartment together since you both were attending the same university.

Both of guys were majoring in different things but that was fine. Yume was planning on becoming a nurse while you were in the cosmetic industry. It's been a dream ever since you were young. Grabbing your mother's makeup bag and just smearing it all over your face by the age of twelve. You remember the first time you did your makeup and showed your mom.

She laughed so hard and took you into the bathroom to fix it up. Slowly you started getting better and better at makeup. You had your own YouTube channel by the time but it wasn't a lot of subscribers, about 3k. Now you were 19 and had a 500k subscribers who supported you all the way. Being in the beauty industry on YouTube was a hassel because there was always drama here and there but you were never included. More like a "I just sit back and observe" type shit. 

The apartment you guys shared was pretty big. You had your own room and bathroom, the same with yume. Yume parents were wealthy since her mom was a dentist and her dad was a doctor. Yume never made any real friends. They always ended up leeching off of her and her money, one of the main reason she kept distance from you and others during high school but the summer brought you guys together. 

It was the beginning of the first semester, you had your first class today. You were excited but that didn't stop the anxiety creeping up your spine. What if you didn't make a good expression, or did some stupid shit and fell.

"Hellllooooo, y/n. You good?"

yume was waving her hand in your face. She was laughing at bit because of your face expression while you were in la-la-land.

You nudged her lightly and giggled back.

"Stoop, leave me alone. I'm just nervous about my first day"

Yume grabbed the empty bags and wrappers that were on the table, walking to the kitchen to threw them away. She had on a cute oversized black sweatshirt with a white collar. It went well with her white tennis skirt and beige color platforms. Yume was 5'6 but looked 5'7. She was really pretty in your opinion. It was surprising she didn't have a boyfriend.

"Girl pleaseee, you'll be fine. You're pretty and you have a cute laugh—who wouldn't fall for you?" Yume continued cheesying. She went over to the doorsteps and grabbed a pair of pair of  black air Jordan 1 retros(the high ones). She walked back over and tossed them on the ground next to you.

"You aren't wrong about that...but you know I literally don't know what to say after 'hi'. I don't know how people do it, it gets so awkward after that point."

"Shit...you're right...well since we're in college now, we can ask others about their majors and stuff but I rather not hear about a guy talking about how much he likes the human body system."

Loosing up the laces, you slip your foot in  and began tying the strings—you repeated the same process with the other foot. You grabbed your coffee and did a quick stretch before heading over to your dresser. You picked up your phone and keys, your bag was next to the door, you'll grab on your way out.

Yume grabbed her jacket and you did the same.

"How many people do you think we'll be in my class?" She asked

Since she was majoring in nursing. You titled your head up and started to think.

"Maybe around 335 people."

You zipped up your jacket and placed your phone in the pocket. Opening up your airpods, you placed one in your ear.

"Pssshh, that's an underestimate. I think around 400 or more"

Yume opens the door, tossing her bag over her shoulder— you grabbed yours also. Stepping out the apartment, she stood by the side as you locked the door. You pulled your phone out and played your playlist. It was time to start the day.

pt 2

#x reader #attack on titan #eren headcanons #eren x reader #eren yeager x reader #anime #eren yeager #eren x black reader #x black reader #aot x black reader #eren jeager x reader #eren aot #eren yeager x y/n

[iguessweallcrazyithinktho]

New school

Request: Can I request Tom Holland he's a frat boy in college and he finally happy his gf transfer to the same college as him ~ @dangerouslovefanfic

Warning: Fluff

Pairing: Tom holland x reader

Word count: 810

Masterlists | request closed for now

Please don't post any of my content anywhere else without my permission. Comments and reblogs welcome!

Without you around Tom was a lost puppy. He couldn't touch you, he couldn't kiss your lips, he couldn't get your help with his work, the only contact he has with you is through call and facetime. You were always busy so it usually only happens during the night time, but that wasn't satisfying for Tom, and especially you.

You couldn't take the distance it was killing you, you couldn't do it anymore. You needed to be where Tom was. You made some calls, lots of calls and after a few hours you were finally able to get transferred to Tom's school.

You wanted to jump around in joy as you walked back to your dorm to pack up your things.

As you entered, your roommate looked at you from the couch. "So, Are they allowing you to transfer? She knew that it was hard for you being away from Tom, she was the one who came up with the idea that you should transfer.

"Yes!" You screamed out in excitement. She laughed and got up. "That's amazing," she hugged you before pulling away. "I'll go let you pack so you can get going to see your man" You nodded, laughing before turning to your side of the dorm to pack your things?

——

Clothes and school necessities were all over the floor and bed. You weren't sure how much you had until now. You were so into what you were doing that when your phone rang it scared you. You picked it up off of the bed, smiling when you saw the caller ID.

"Hi Tommy."you cringed a little at how loud you yelled his name. Tom laughing on the other end makes you smile even harder.

"Hi baby, what are you doing?" You didn't want to tell him you were transferring until you were there, so you lied. "I'm just studying." Tom hummed and spoke. "Okay well when you're done, maybe we can Skype yeah?"you nodded even though he couldn't see you. "Yeah sure, that uh, that sounds great." You mentally slapped yourself for how nervous you sounded?

You heard someone call Tom's name behind the phone telling him it was time to get back to work. "Alright love," he sighed. "I gotta go. I'll talk to you later." You both said your goodbye before hanging up.

Tom felt that something was off as he ended the call. You seemed nervous and that wasn't like you at all. He put down his phone turning back to his computer to finish up some work. He couldn't focus as much because he still was trying to pinpoint what was up. After a few minutes Tom just let it go. Maybe you were just nervous about a test you had to do..

———

All of your things were packed and crammed into your small car. You returned to your dorm to check once more before leaving. You were going to miss this place, but leaving needed to be done.

You took one more glance at the room before leaving.

The drive to your new University wasn't that long. 5 hours and 30 minutes later, you finally arrived. It was dark out but you knew lots of people were still up partying. You got out of your car and left all of your things inside, because it was too late to move into your dorm. You just need to see Tom right now

You walked down the halls of the dormitory. Tom told you sometime back which room he is in and you remembered. When you made it you took a deep breath before knocking. You could hear footsteps walking towards the door. Your heart beating hard against your chest. The door finally unlocked and you were greeted with Tom in nothing but sweats and a hoodie. "Darling?"

He looked at you shocked. "Wha- what are you doing here? He grabbed you pulling you into a hug. He was completely dumbfounded.

"This is my new school Tommy." You pulled away looking in his eyes. "I couldn't be away from you anymore so I transferred."

A smile spread across his face. "I love you so much." He kissed you before pulling you into his dorm. He led you all the way to the couch without breaking the kiss. You sat down next to him with your arms around his waist. "I'm so happy you're here." You pulled away from his shoulder. "I was going crazy without you." You smiled up at him.

"Me too Tommy." He kissed your cheek before pulling away. "Can we have sex now."

You laughed at him. "Tom, I haven't been here for 30 minutes yet." He gave you a pouty face. "Peas." You rolled your eyes before caving. "Okay fine. Touch me Tommy." He picked you up and tossed you over his shoulder. "With pleasure darling."

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭ 。.・

@quaksonhehe @london-dreamer71 @prkrholland @theamazingtomholland @jillanaholland

#Tom Holland x reader #Tom Holland x you #Tom Holland fanfiction #Tom Holland fanfic #Tom Holland smut #Tom Holland x y/n

[alj4890]

Misfortune's Intentions

(Liam x OC*Elisse Millan) (Drake x Riley) in a Choices: The Royal Heir fanfiction.

A/N Sorry for the delay. Life got in the way of my editing for posting this final part of the story. Thanks so much again for indulging my head canons, LOL. We now will wrap up our Liam x Elisse saga with some peeks into the future.

@gkittylove99​​​​​ @krsnlove​​​​​ @kingliam2019​​​​​ @texaskitten30​​​​​ @hopefulmoonobject​​​​​ @yourmajesty09​​​​​ @mom2000aggie​​​​​ @ofpixelsandscribbles​

Masterlist

Chapter 7 Never Ending

Valtoria's Hospital, Cordonia...

"Sit down." Hana patted the seat next to her. "You've been pacing for hours."

Maxwell shook his head. "I'm too nervous."

"One would think you were the expectant father." Olivia remarked.

"I am kinda responsible for this." He smiled at the thought. "After all, I'm the one that talked Riley into coming to Cordonia in the first place."

Liam and Elisse returned to the private waiting room.

"Any news yet?" Hana asked.

"It's begun." Liam explained. "A nurse told us that Riley is doing well. Drake is a nervous wreck."

"Sounds about right." Olivia grumbled, standing up to stretch.

She smiled when Elisse handed her a bag of salt and vinegar chips.

The cravings had begun, and as much as it surprised the sugary treat loving parents, the triplets were causing Olivia to want salty and sour foods.

"Thank you." She popped one of the chips in her mouth, sighing in delight.

Liam shook his head. "Are we sure those are our children doing this?" He teased.

"I think it's their way of showing how much they appreciate Olivia taking care of them." Elisse added with a laugh. "They know she isn't as fond of desserts as we are."

The duchess rolled her eyes even though she was secretly touched at Elisse's words. The thought that the babies would go out of their way to keep her as comfortable as she could be seemed more like the royal couple than anything else.

Each evening, after she got settled in bed, she would talk to the triplets. Olivia shared childhood memories of her years growing up with Liam. She told them observations and conclusions she had made concerning Elisse.

She would never tell anyone else she did such, in what was her opinion, ridiculous things. Yet, a part of her wanted the babies to know how important she, herself, thought they were. How much she cared for Liam and Elisse...and now their family.

The fact that she was giving the royal couple what was once thought impossible brought a pricking of tears to her eyes.

"Damn hormones." She grumbled, blinking rapidly to keep the tears from slipping out.

Drake chose that moment to burst into the waiting room.

"She's here!" His smile practically glowed. "The baby is perfect. Looks just like Brooks!"

Everyone voiced their congratulations while Olivia gave up the battle and allowed her tears to fall.

At least I'm not the only one crying.

Hana was delicately dabbing at her own eyes while Maxwell bawled.

Soon they were taken to see the newest Walker.

"Everyone," Riley said softly, "meet Hope." She handed the infant to Drake. "She hasn't quite learned that one should stay awake when company visits."

After Hana cuddled her close she passed the baby to Liam.

He regarded the bundle in pink blankets, thinking about her nearly being the heir to the throne.

He wasn't about to question how all that he had gone through the last few years had led to his life resembling one he could have never imagined.

Each misfortune he had suffered had somehow pushed him toward his finally finding a happiness all his own.

Leo's abdication led to meeting Riley. Though their love had not endured, it had revealed to him what he had truly needed in a significant other. It gave him the courage to not allow anything to take it away from him again if given another chance to fall in love.

If he had not been so impatient in naming an heir, then he never would have had a chance to really get to know Elisse. He might have encountered her down the road at some international event, but would he have pursued her?

Would she have pursued him?

He handed Elisse the baby, watching as a tender smile formed on her lips. He knew they both were imagining what it would be like to hold their babies.

His eyes rested on Olivia. She had one hand protectively over her slight baby bump.

If her parents had not died in a traitorous act, then she might not have volunteered so readily to being a surrogate. Would she be such close friends to Liam if they had lived? Would she have been so willing to do whatever sacrifice was needed for Cordonia?

Seeing now that there had to have been some kind of grand design in each heart wrenching moment in their lives to lead them to what they were meant to have helped when reflecting back on the past.

Once Hope was back in Riley's arms, he quietly observed Drake with his family.

He had once held bitterness toward him for taking the one he had lost his heart to. And yet, now that he had Elisse and a family of his own in the making, he couldn't feel anything other than a simple joy that his best friend had found a happiness all his own.

Seeing them together with their little public displays of affection didn't phase him at all. There was no twinge of pain. No...nothing.

Elisse slipped her hand in his, drawing him away from reminiscing.

Liam lifted her hand to his lips, smiling when she rested her head against his shoulder.

The future lay before them and he was more than excited at what was next for them.

***************

Beginning of the third trimester, the Royal Palace...

"You're going to have to stop traveling." Ethan explained. "In fact, I'm putting you on bedrest."

"For how long?" Olivia asked.

"For the rest of the pregnancy."

Preparing for an argument, Ethan was surprised when Olivia dropped her head into her hands.

Her shoulders shook with silent sobs.

Elisse laid a hand on her back, trying to soothe her.

"Olivia?" Liam gently touched her shoulder. "Are you in pain?"

"No." Her voice cracked. She lifted her eyes to Ethan's. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No. Not at all." He reached over and placed his hand on top of hers. "This happens often when carrying multiples."

She took deep breaths to try and call down.

"I'm sorry." She wiped her eyes. "I seem to be crying over everything lately."

Elisse shushed her while Liam praised how well she had been doing.

Once the couple were reassured that everything was still looking well, they left after hearing the babies' heartbeats.

"I want to monitor you through the night." Ethan explained when Olivia moved to return to her room.

"You do?" Her eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"You've had two bouts of contractions." He continued to type his notes, believing that to be the end of their conversation.

"Can't I be monitored in my room?"

"No."

"Ethan!"

He lifted his eyebrows at her outburst.

"Can I at least move to the hospital bed, or were you intending on me staying on the examining table from now on?" She snapped.

"Olivia, what's wrong?"

She folded her arms over her stomach. "Nothing."

"Nothing?" He snorted softly.

"Yes, nothing." She grumbled. "Nothing you would be concerned over or even consider worthwhile."

He closed his laptop and gave her his full attention. "Does it involve you?"

"Obviously." She averted her eyes. "Why else would I be sitting here?"

He rose and helped her off the table. "Come on. Let's get you settled, then you can tell me what is going on in that head of yours."

"Why must you make it sound like I'm some emotional idiot?" She raised her shirt for him to place the tocodynamometer around her belly.

"I don't do that." He argued.

"Yes, you do." She placed her hand where a little knee or elbow was pressing. "Even the heirs agree."

He snorted softly. "My apologies. I thought I treated you rather well."

"You do." She admitted. "I don't know why I'm trying to fight with you."

When she kept her eyes downcast, Ethan pulled a chair next to her bed and sat down. "I have all the time in the world to hear what is really wrong."

"I'm..." She grit her teeth, hating the words that were about to come out. "I'm scared."

"Of?"

She shot a glare at him for making her explain. "Of giving birth." Needing to justify herself, she hurried to defend such a feeling. "This isn't something I could train for. And given the few women I know who have given birth, no one has the same experience."

"That's true."

Olivia tried to wait patiently to see if he would say anything else. When he simply looked at her, she felt her irritation return.

"That's true? That's all you have to say?!"

He shrugged. "Well I certainly don't have any first hand experience to offer."

"Your bedside manner is remarkable."

He leaned forward and placed his hand on hers that rested on her belly. "I don't know how this will go. I can give you medical facts and statistics, but they will do little to ease your mind. I can tell you about all the successes I have had as a doctor. It still won't matter."

"You're making it worse." She tried to pull her hand away.

Ethan gripped her fingers. "What I can tell you is that I will do everything within my power to get you and the triplets through this." His thumb brushed her hand. "I will be right by your side if we do have to perform a cesarean. I will make certain you have the best of everything."

She studied his face, feeling reassured by the calm determination stamped in his features.

With a squeeze of his hand, she relaxed back against her pillows. "Thank you Ethan."

He smiled softly at her while settling in for a night of monitoring.

*******************

Nearly two months later...

Elisse trembled as she tried to put on the surgical gown she was given. She crammed her hair under the cap while trying not to think that within minutes, she would see her children being born.

When Olivia's contractions started the night before, Elisse and Liam had rushed from their bedroom knowing that this could very well be the moment.

There had been numerous false alarms, but this one was finally it. What they had not anticipated was how long it was taking.

Ethan and some obstetricians he had worked with in Boston had decided that a vaginal birth did not seem to be possible. One of the triplets was still in a breached position and blocking the other two.

Olivia had taken the news well, though most of the color had drained from her face. She was already exhausted from the nearly twenty hours of contractions and silent worry. She gripped Ethan's hand when he tried to leave to prepare.

"I'm only leaving to change." He explained.

"Then you'll come back?" She asked.

"I promised you didn't I?" He asked.

She nodded.

He was surprised when she pressed his hand to her cheek.

"Thank you." She breathed as another contraction began. Her fingers tangled with his as it caused a groan of pain to slip out.

He waited until she relaxed before easing his hand away. "I'll be back."

Liam and Elisse had followed him out.

"Will she be alright?" Liam asked.

"Yes." Ethan scrubbed his hands and arms. "Dr. Lahela is one of the best surgeons I've worked with. With him and the obstetric team on hand. All four of our patients should do well."

Elisse had remained quiet as the medical team rushed to set up the room for the delivery. Her eyes followed the young, handsome surgeon who greeted everyone with a confident smile.

Liam stepped up beside her and gently squeezed her hand. "This is it, my love."

She tilted her head to the side, noticing the crinkle around his eyes. Though the surgical mask hid the lower half of his face, there was no denying his excited smile.

She let go of his hand to hug him.

He held her close, resting his cheek on top of her head.

"I love you, Liam." She raised her eyes to capture his. "Our life, our family, is more than I could have ever hoped for."

He tenderly cupped her cheek. "I love you too." He took her hand and pulled her along. "Now let's go meet our children."

The pair stood at Olivia's head while the cesarean was performed. Liam kept his arm around Elisse as they waited for the first glimpse of their children.

The duchess kept her eyes on Ethan's profile. He had taken her hand as soon as he returned to her side. When Bryce had placed the scalpel to her abdomen, Ethan had intertwined his fingers with hers. His piercing gaze went from the procedure to her face. Seeing her remain calm helped him to focus once more on the birth.

Bryce lifted one of the babies out. "Looks like you have a prince." He smiled at the couple who watched anxiously as the nurses and assisting doctors cleaned and examined the wailing newborn.

"And his twin brother." Bryce removed another, chuckling when the crying infant peed on a nurse. "He'll be trouble."

Elisse covered her mouth as tears streamed down her cheeks. She placed her other hand on Olivia's shoulder as Bryce delivered the smaller of the three.

"Poor little princess, trapped with those rowdy boys." He chuckled when her softer wail was given as a response. He looked up at the royal couple. "Congratulations, your majesties. You have a family."

****************

A couple of hours later, Elisse and Liam sat with Olivia. Each held one of the babies that had been born.

"What will you name them?" Olivia asked, smiling when the little prince frowned at her.

"We never did decide on names for a boy." Liam chuckled when the crown prince in his arms yawned.

"Our princess shall of course hold the name that means the most to us." Elisse placed a kiss on her daughter's forehead.

Liam smiled in agreement. "Hopefully she will carry it well."

"What are you going to call her?" Olivia asked.

"Libby for short." Elisse replied. "Princess Olivia for all formal occasions."

****************

Epilogue, Applewood Manor, four years later...

Liam chased after his children in the apple orchard. Their squeals drew laughter from Elisse as she set out their picnic.

When Libby was swept up in her father's arms, her brothers, Connor and Christopher, each tried to save her by grabbing onto Liam's legs.

Liam playfully dropped to the ground. "Help!" He cried out to his wife. "I'm outnumbered again!"

Elisse rushed over, to only collapse in giggles when the triplets rushed into her arms.

Liam watched them, feeling as if his heart would burst with pride over his family.

These last five years had been the happiest of his life. His marriage to Elisse had been what he and Corodnia had needed. The birth of their children had been a day of celebration across the country.

Peace and prosperity had followed.

Amalas visited often with her allies, causing Cordonia to be one of the most sought after countries in the EU. Trade and tourism grew from these alliances. Cordonia's unemployment rate became nearly nonexistent, causing more contentment than the country had seen in the last three hundred years.

As the triplets grew and the people caught glimpses of their sweet personalities, they were just as beloved as their parents were.

Elisse drew him from his thoughts when she spoke to the children about their upcoming trip for a wedding.

Olivia had been hailed by everyone as a hero. Liam and Elisse took every chance they could to say that they wouldn't have their children if not for her generous offer. No one, they said, could have done a better job.

Olivia had returned to Lythikos shortly after giving birth. Ethan had gone with her to assist in her recovery and to begin the plans for a research hospital. They had developed a close bond during those months of pregnancy. It only became stronger the more they worked together.

Though most of her friends whispered that there was something more between the fiery duchess and renowned physician, nothing seem to come about from their time together.

At least, that's what they thought.

Imagine everyone's surprise when one night at a ball in in the palace, Olivia asked Liam and Elisse if the triplets could be in her wedding.

"Wedding?!" Riley sputtered. "You're getting married?!"

"Why else would I ask for ring bearers and flower girls?" Olivia rolled her eyes. "And I suppose I will need Hope as a flower girl also to make it even."

"Who's the lucky guy?" Drake asked, unable to imagine anyone voluntarily tying his life to her.

"Who else?" Came a deep voice from behind them.

Ethan came around and stood next to Olivia. His hand found hers while they met everyone's curious stares.

After congratulations were given and promises that the children would do their best, Olivia and Ethan had left the group to dance.

Speculation amongst the group of how and when were whispered. Knowing the pair well, Elisse knew that guessing was all they would get. Neither Ethan nor Olivia would likely tell them anything about their love life.

She couldn't help but secretly hope that her fertility issues had somehow helped in putting them together.

She believed she owed them everything. Both had a hand in giving her and Liam their hearts' only wish for a family.

Elisse had suspected a closeness between them but had never said anything about it. She knew that neither Ethan nor Olivia would appreciate any interference, much less attention toward their relationship.

Watching the couple as they danced, she couldn't imagine any two people she thought deserved to find happiness more than them.

Months of wedding planning went by. Practice and fittings were completed. People from near and far were making the journey to the cathedral nestled in the snowy mountains.

"Mommy?" Libby asked once they were seated on the picnic blanket. "Can I keep some of the flowers? I don't want to throw them all."

"Do we get to throw the rings?" Connor asked.

"And the pillow?" Christopher pretended to throw an imaginary pillow at his brother, laughing when Connor pretended to be knocked down by it.

"I don't think that is quite what Olivia and Ethan want." Liam explained. "I suggest you keep to how we practiced."

"We will." Christopher promised.

"And we can always pick more flowers." Elisse reminded Libby. "You want Olivia to have a pretty aisle to walk down, don't you?"

The couple shared a smile when Libby quickly agreed to make it beautiful with the petals she would be given to toss.

Their children kept up a happy chatter about the upcoming trip. Snowmen, snowball fights, and sledding were planned amongst the three.

Liam reached for Elisse's hand as they listened to the cheerful voices. She scooted closer to him to kiss his cheek.

He returned the kiss, a soft smile forming with the thought that his life was filled with endless moments like this.

Everything he had ever wanted was right here.

#misfortune's intentions #liam x oc #drake x riley #ethan ramsey x olivia nevarkis #choices the royal heir #choices the stories you play #trh liam #trh drake #trh olivia #olivia nevrakis #ethan ramsey

[thestarsaroundyourscars]

84. Eddie ofc.

Hi, thank you! I’ve had this one for a while but I figured I could wait and post it on Thanksgiving!

84. “I may love you but I will kick your ass if you tempt me to.”

Read on AO3

Richie stopped pacing for a moment to take off his glasses and drag his hand down his face. He was currently standing in front of the Denbrough house⎯ had been for the past ten minutes, trying to prepare himself for what was inside.

Eddie.

It would be the first time Richie saw him in person since they broke up four months ago and Richie wasn’t ready. He thought about skipping Friendsgiving with the losers so he wouldn’t have to face Eddie just yet, but Stan had threatened to fly to California and drag him to Derry by his ears if he tried to do that.

“You’re gonna have to see him at some point Richie, we’re all friends. Stop being a little bitch.” Stan had told him before hanging up and that was it.

For a moment, Richie thought he could handle it. Their breakup was mutual, they were moving to different states for college and they were scared of what the distance could do to their relationship. It was better to end it before letting it ruin their friendship as well. They still talked⎯ at first it was a little weird while they learned to navigate the awkwardness that came with going from boyfriends to just friends, but they made it past that and now it was almost normal. 

Except for the fact that Richie was still in love with Eddie and he missed him every day. Hiding those feelings was easier when it was only texts and phone calls, but now he would seeing Eddie in person and he didn’t think he’d be able to act like everything was okay.

The door opened, snapping Richie out of his thoughts. Bev stood there, raising an eyebrow at him.

“How did you know I was here?“ 

"I saw you pacing from the kitchen window and I got tired of waiting for you to get your shit together." 

“Oh right.” At least it was Bev who saw him. He smiled at her, big and honest. "I’ve missed you, Marsh.”

Her expression softened and she opened her arms, smiling back at him. “I know. Get in here, Tozier.” Richie listened, enjoying the hug and the happy squeal she made when he squeezed her waist.

“Everyone here already?" 

She gave him a knowing look, seeing right through his question. "Yes, Eddie is here and don’t worry, he’s just as nervous as you are." 

"Fuck you, I’m not nervous.” Richie said, she simply rolled her eyes and closed the door behind them. Then Richie heard it, the noise coming from inside. Their friends talking and catching up and over all of that, Eddie screaming at Bill to deal the fucking cards already! 

Hearing his voice in person was like being doused with ice cold water. It must have shown in his face because Bev gave his arm a squeeze before dragging him towards the living room.

“Look who I found lurking outside!" 

"My mother’s cat?” Bill asked distractedly without looking up from the deck of cards. 

“No, your mom’s boyfriend.” Richie replied, grinning and doing finger guns at his friends.  

They all groaned and rolled their eyes, but also crowded around Richie to hug him. When it was Eddie’s turn, they both hesitated. Richie didn’t know if they were supposed to hug or if that would be too weird. 

“Hey Eds.” He said, waving awkwardly. 

“Hi Rich." 

His friends were trying to give them space, turning their backs to them and engaging in meaningless conversation. Richie loved them for it, but it made the moment even more awkward. 

Well, if it was already awkward⎯

Fuck it, Richie thought and wrapped his arms around Eddie, pulling him in. Eddie let out a little yelp before relaxing and tentatively slipping his arms around Richie’s waist. Richie didn’t want to let go, he had missed Eddie so much his heart ached, but he forced himself to pull away after a few seconds.

"Okay!” He cleared his throat, putting some distance between him and Eddie and trying not to stare at his cute little blush. “Are we gonna eat or what? I’m fucking starving!”

They crammed into the table, jostling for seats. Richie ended up between Eddie and Stan. He thought about asking Stan to switch, but he didn’t want to cause a scene. He already knew what Stan would say, they used to sit like this even before he and Eddie started dating and Richie would just have to suck it up. 

Conversation flowed easily, the seven of them speaking over each other while they ate, talking about their classes, their dorm rooms, the people at their college. Richie was having fun and he was happy that he came. He’d missed his friends, including Eddie. 

Once they got past the initial awkwardness, they easily fell back into their usual banter. Richie made fun of Eddie and the wet wipes he pulled out of his fanny pack, Eddie bitched at Richie for eating with his hands and they bickered over silly stuff. It was good, normal⎯ as long as Richie ignored the way his heart sped up when Eddie smiled at him a certain way or how his breath caught in his throat when their knees touched under the table. 

After dinner, they moved to the living room. His friends had been playing Uno while they waited for Richie to arrive, the cards still spread out on the coffee table. Bill, Eddie, Mike and Richie crowded around it to play another game while Stan, Bev and Ben sat on the couch and browsed Netflix for something to watch. 

Their game dragged on mostly because whenever one of them was close to winning, the other three would band together to make sure that person had to draw a bunch of cards from the pile.

It was already the third time Eddie was down to one card, after yelling uno! so loud and sudden that he startled Ben who’d been falling asleep on Bev’s lap. Eddie did a little dance, a smug smile on his face. Richie had to bite down on his tongue to stop himself from blurting out cute cute cute.

He stared down at his cards instead. He had a lot of them. It turned out that Bill sucked at shuffling and during his last turn, Richie had to draw like ten red cards before finding the yellow one that he needed. That was okay though, Richie wasn’t trying to win, he only wanted to have fun and pissing off Eddie was always a sure way to do that. Luckily he had the perfect card for it. 

Eddie knocked his feet against Richie’s leg. “Are you having a stroke? Your face is doing something weird.”

“It’s called a smile Eds, you should try it sometime.” Richie shot back with no heat. 

Eddie stuck his tongue out at him. 

After Bill and Mike placed their cards on the pile, it was Richie’s turn again. Eddie was anxiously bouncing his leg, waiting for Richie to play so he could do the same and win. 

But Richie was about to rain on his parade. 

“I have a surprise for you, Eds.” Richie singsonged, smirking. 

Eddie frowned, then his eyes drifted to Richie’s cards and those eyes widened. “No! Richie, no! Don’t you dare.”

Richie’s smirk widened, he picked the Draw four card from his pile and showed it to Eddie, whose eyes narrowed. 

“Richie, no.”

“Richie, yes.”

“Do not use that card.” Eddie told him, pointing a menacing finger at him. 

Richie lowered the card slowly towards the pile, making a show of it. “Or what?”

Bill and Mike were watching the exchange, both amused and exasperated. Richie could see Stan shaking his head at them from the corner of his eye.

“You were so close, Eds." 

Eddie groaned, reaching for Richie’s card with a quick movement but Richie saw it coming and he held it above his head. "Give me the card, Richie.”

“Nope." 

Eddie pounced, climbing over Richie to get it himself. Richie blinked up at him, slightly panicked at having Eddie in his lap. He still managed to keep the card out of his reach. "Eddie, what the fuck?” He said, voice a higher pitch than usual. 

“Give me that card! Richie!” He yelled, reaching for it, straddling Richie and almost sending his heart rocketing out of his chest. He could hear Mike trying to coax Eddie from his lap, bless his heart, but Eddie wasn’t listening. “Goddamnit Rich, I may love you but I will kick your ass if you tempt me to.”

Richie let out a strangled noise, Eddie froze realizing what he just said. He stared down at him with big brown eyes that looked as shocked as Richie felt. The living room was completely silent, except for the movie playing in the background. Richie could feel all of their friends staring at them.

Then Bill was standing up, clearing his throat. "I think I just saw my mom’s cat through the window.” He said, exchanging a look with Mike. “Do you guys want to see if we can⎯”

“Yeah.” Mike cut in, also standing up. “We’ll leave you two to it.” He told Richie and Eddie, walking to the door. Bev and Stan did the same, dragging a confused Ben with them. 

When they heard the door close, Eddie scrambled off Richie, his face a dark shade of red. He sat back on his heels, staring down at his lap. Richie sat up and watched Eddie closely, there was a tiny crease between his eyebrows and he was biting on his lower lip. 

“Here.” Richie said, offering Eddie the card. He accepted it with a snort, playing with it. “Listen Eds, I know you didn't⎯ It’s fine. This isn’t the first time you said something you didn’t mean in the heat of the game.” He chuckled nervously. Eddie still wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I mean, there was that time you said you’d cut off Bill’s hand while we played Monopoly. At least I think you didn’t mean that, but you know, if you did⎯”

“I meant it.” Eddie said, so quiet that Richie almost didn’t hear him over his own rambling.

Richie frowned confused, even if Eddie wasn’t looking at him. “You wanted to cut off Bill’s hand?”

Eddie gave him a look, the you’re an idiot look Richie knew so well. “No Richie, the⎯ the other thing.” He said, flicking the card at his face. “I love you.”

Hearing those words again made Richie feel warm all over, it had been so long. He tried to squash down the feeling but he couldn’t help softly asking, “You do?”

“Of course I do, Rich. I never stopped.” Richie stared at him, mouth opening and closing but no words came out. Eddie wrinkled his nose. “I knew this would happen, shit. That’s why I didn’t want to come.”

“I didn’t want to come either.” Richie said, biting the inside of his cheek. “Stan had to fucking threaten me. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from kissing you or doing something stupid like⎯”

“Like saying you still love me?” Eddie supplied with the faintest of smiles. 

Richie let out a snort. “Yeah, something like that.” Eddie giggled softly. Richie stared at him, sure that there were literal hearts behind his eyes. How could he forget how cute that sound was? “I do by the way. Still love you." 

Eddie sighed, mouth curled downwards. “That doesn’t change anything.” 

“Why not?”

Eddie shook his head, frowning. “Because even if we love each other, we still live in opposite sides of the country Rich, we can’t make a long distance relationship work⎯”

“We’re making a long distance friendship work Eds, how is that any different?” Richie argued. He didn’t know where this was coming from, he hadn’t planned to try and get Eddie back, but now that he knew there was a chance, that Eddie still loved him, he had to give it a shot. 

“It’s different if we’re together, you⎯ you could meet someone.” Eddie said, voice small and sad. “What if you meet someone and you like them and you can’t be with them because you’re stuck with me? Your boyfriend that is a thousand miles away.” 

“I already met someone I like.” Eddie’s face fell and Richie had to stop himself from rolling his eyes at him. “It’s you, you idiot. I don’t want anyone else. Do you?” Eddie shook his head without missing a beat. “Then why the fuck are we still arguing, when we could be making up for four months of not kissing?”

Eddie chuckled, leaning in and butterflies exploded in Richie’s chest at having Eddie so close. Before their lips touched though, Eddie paused. “Do you really think we can make this work?” He asked, Richie heard the fear and worry in his voice. He was worried too, but he loved Eddie too much to let fear get in the way again.

“I think we at least deserve a chance to try.” 

“Okay.” Eddie said before finally closing the distance between them and capturing Richie’s lips in a kiss. Richie responded eagerly, pouring four months of longing into the kiss. Eddie climbed on his lap for a second time that day, Richie gave his thighs a squeeze. 

“Fuck, I missed you.” Richie said, smiling against Eddie’s mouth.

“Me too, Rich.” Eddie cradled Richie’s face. “But if you use that Draw four card on me, I’m breaking up with you again.” 

Richie let out a laugh, nodding. He didn’t care about the stupid game, as far as he was concerned, he already won. 

Tag list: @daddyphantomtbh​​​​ @yes-dillman-yes​​ @richietoaster​​ ​ @beepbeeprichiellc​​ ​ @its-stranger-than-you-think​​ ​ @lemonaayyee​​ ​ @losers-gotta-stick-together​​ ​ @tinyarmedtrex​​ ​ @richiefuckfacetozier​​ ​ @sam-i-am2468​​ ​ @richardtoz​​ ​ @s-s-georgie​​ ​ @reddie-for-anything​​ ​ @eddiefuckinkaspbrak​​ ​ @constantreaderfool​​ ​ @stanleuyris​​ ​ @jesuschristsupruvestar​​ ​ @mirandonsky​​ ​ @reddie4diaster​​ @alargedepresso​​ ​ @purplepoisonedgem​​ ​ @pan-ini​​ ​ @reddie-to-cry​​​ @reddieforlove​​ ​ @trashmouthnick​​ ​ @multi-fandom-wby​​ ​ @wheezyeds​​ ​ @nancynwheeler​​ ​ @reddieslashgeneralhorror​​​​ @madi-personal​​ ​ @reddie-tozibrak​​​​ @lover-mouth​​ ​ @atownofeggs​​ ​ @that-weird-girls-blog​​ ​ @appojoos​​ ​ @castielwinovak​​ ​ @a-gay-treee​​​ @twoidiotsinl0ve​​ ​ @fcngirltrxsh​ @spirited-marvel​​ @typewrxter​ ​ (if you want to be added, let me know!)

#reddie #UNO bringing people together instead of apart for a change #getting back together #losers club friendsgiving #monse writes #newtopiarising

[guiltybskarsgod-blog]

The Librarian (Bill Skarsgård x Reader One Shot)

A/N: I got this idea from a post I saw on @skarsgublers blog!! Their blog is awesome, give them a follow for some good content!! I am super excited to share it and hope you guys like it! I am definitely writing a part two because I really enjoyed writing a version of Bill like this.

Warning: smut, shy but sexy bill, mild cursing, THIS IS ALL FICTION AND DOES NOT REPRESENT BILL SKARSGÅRD AS AN ACTUAL PERSON

You rushed through the doors of the library, finding your usual quiet spot in the back corner. It was needless to say that you were cramming this homework. It was due later that night and you needed to finish it immediately, however you were awful at English and needed help. You didn't know anyone who could help you and groaned as you rested your forehead on your palms in frustration.

"Can I help you with something?" A voice speaks, breaking your moment of self loathing. You turn to see a tall man, well over six foot sporting a jumper and black skinny jeans with Chelsea boots. His hair was styled neatly and a square pair of glasses sported his nose. He pushes his sleeves up his broad arms, flashing his gold watch as he awaits your answer.

"I don't if you would be able to help, but you could try," You give a sad smile and he looks away from you quickly, he seemed nervous in your presence and you found it oddly charming. He pulls out the chair next to you, sitting down and focusing on the laptop screen rather than you.

"What do you need help with?" He asks, skimming over the page you had been assigned.

"I'm supposed to try to give my own interpretation of what these Fitzgerald quotes mean and think 'outside the box'," You use your fingers to insert air quotes with an eye roll. "I just need help with number seven, I feel like it means more than one thing."

"'I don't want to repeat my innocence, I want the pleasure of losing it again'," He reads aloud, squinting under his glasses, pushing them further up his nose with a long digit that made you bite your lip. He was so gorgeous, too gorgeous to be working in a small town university library.

"What do you think it means?" He asks, looking down at his hand and trying not to look at you.

"Well, it could mean that they don't want to go through the obstacles of growing up but miss the excitement that came with making it through it. But that's not so outside of the box," You scratch your head as you give him your thoughts and he nods slightly before leaning back in the chair.

"They could also be referring to virginity as innocence, saying that they don't exactly want to lose their virginity again but rather want to experience the excitement of it," He shrugs, his cheeks heating up at the mention of it.

"Actually that's a good way of looking at it," You smile at his smart answer and decide you could expand on that idea.

"Or maybe they could be talking about innocence between two people, two people with no romantic connection who lose the innocence of their relationship. They didn't want to deal with being just friends again, but they wanted to feel that spark and electricity again that they felt when they finally lose the innocence they share," You conclude, looking up at him as if a light bulb flicked on in your brain. For once, his pale green eyes meet yours and you feel as if it takes your breath away. His eyes burning with such an intensity that it made your composure falter. His eyes flicker down to your lips, tracing the shape of them before looking away.

"Um," He coughs awkwardly as he looks away, "that's good, yeah. That's outside the box but it makes a lot of sense."

You couldn't help but feel that heat pooling in your stomach, you wanted him and for some reason his shyness was more of a turn on. You wondered if he had ever done anything before and smirked to yourself at the thought. You were trying to think of a way to corrupt his shy nature and have him come out of his shell

"Obviously you work here, what do you do?" You ask curiously, looking at his name tag. Bill.

"I'm a librarian, it's part time. I do another job full time, I'm only here on weekends," He explains, looking up at you again and licking his full lips, unintentionally teasing you.

"Do you like working here?" You ask, studying his features and tracing the sharpness of his jaw.

"Yes and no. Some of the students and staff are crap people but the pay is okay and I like books a lot so I don't mind," He shrugs.

"What's your other job?"

"I'm a publisher, for books and magazines," He answers, chewing the inside of his cheek after answering.

"Do you um..have a girlfriend or anything?" You asked bluntly, wondering how embarrassing you had sounded.

"No, I mean not that I don't want one or anything. I just don't like anyone, well-I mean..not that I couldn't I just..um-haven't," He trips over his words and you try to hide your amusement.

"Are you..a virgin?" You ask, hoping he didn't feel disrespected by your blunt questioning and how quickly the conversation had taken a turn.

"No, not at all. I just haven't been with someone that way in awhile. I don't really put myself out there that much, in case you haven't noticed," He laughs awkwardly as his gaze flickers away from yours and back to your lips.

"How long has it been since you were last with someone?" You asked, calculating his expression which had remained emotionless but more anxious.

"A while," He breathed, his voice quiet in the large library.

"Do you find me attractive?" You asked, your heart beating faster in your chest as you waited for him to answer.

"Yes.." He meekly responds, his eyes not meeting yours again, fearing your reaction.

"Would you fuck me?" You asked. He felt the shift in the air, feeling his pants tighten arround his crotch as he started to grow hard with your words. His face was flushed deep red as he looked away from you.

"Yes..any man would be crazy to not want to," He answers more than his usual short reply and it shocks him, he fears he has said too much. You feel that sweet tingle between your thighs, growing wet at the sight of him.

"Prove it," You challenged, waiting for him to make a move but you knew he was too shy to ever do so.

"I.." He trailed off, looking around him nervously to see if anyone was watching you or listening. You grab his hand and pull him away to your secret spot at the dusty area in the back of the library where no one ever went.

"We can't-I cant do this here, I don't want to lose my job," He whispers, looking at you bewildered.

"No one ever comes back here, it's fine," You assured, grabbing him by the belt buckle and pulling him closer. You press your lips against his in a hurry, feeling him stiffen before relaxing and kiss you back. He responded feverishly, kissing you with a ferocity you hadn't realized he was capable of, he was seemingly innocent and put together. But you knew what people had always said, be careful with the quiet ones. They were always the most dangerous ones. The ones who needed to release all the frustration they had held back out of shyness. You were shocked when his large palms smoothed over your ass, gripping it as he pushed you back into the book shelf, causing it to shake slightly.

"Shh, we have to be quiet," You hushed against his lips, and he kissed you harder. His tongue delving into your mouth, devouring you and making your head swim with desire. He lifts a hand to cup your jaw, holding you close as he kissed you rough. His fingers slid back into your hair, gripping it tightly as he invaded your senses. You hadn't realized that it was possible for a man who barely used his mouth to have such a skilled one, his lips finally making their way down your jaw. His grip tightened in your hair to pull your head back, giving him better access to the skin of your neck as his lips pressed against your jugular. His tongue smoothed over it before he sucked against it, making you hiss before pushing him away. You fumbled with his belt buckle, unzipping his pants and moving his pants down only a small amount until he slipped out.

"What are you.." You cut him off as you sunk to your knees in front of him, licking a path up his cock and making his mouth drop open.

"Oh fuck," He breathed, his hand coming down to tangle in your hair when you wrapped your lips around him and slid him down your throat, your lips hitting his base and making you gag slightly. He held you there with his hand, making your eyes water as you looked up at him. He licked his bottom lip into his mouth as he watched you, using his free hand to push his glasses up his nose again.

A stray strand of hair had fallen out of its place to rest on his forehead as he looked down at you. He pulls your head back, pushing it back down again and repeating to pleasure himself. You found it insanely sexy the way he was taking control of the situation, still quiet and not making much noise. You wanted to make him moan for you, you wanted to see if you could push past that shy exterior. You hollowed out your cheeks, increasing the suction as you simultaneously rubbed your tongue along the underside, making him let out a breathy moan. It boosted your confidence, feeling accomplished for pleasuring him. You were addicted to hearing his voice and you chalked that up to his coy personality. You pulled back, pulling him out of your mouth.

"Do you like that?" You ask, looking up at his face twisted with an eagerness for you to taste him again. He nodded as he bit his lip, his hand tightening in your hair.

"Say it," You practically begged in a whisper, hoping you didn't sound as desperate as you felt. You needed his appraisal, it turned you on endlessly and had you soaked. Without saying a word, he pushed his cock into your mouth again. He gripped your hair in a pony tail, thrusting his hips forward to maneuver in and out of your warm, wet mouth that he had quickly become obsessed with. He uses his other hand to brace the shelf in front of him, keeping his knees from buckling at the pleasure he was receiving.

"Fuck," He let out a breathy moan, slowing his pace and decreasing his intensity when he felt you gagging around him, the walls of your throats contracting around him and making him grunt. It was when the two of you heard a book being pulled from the shelf in the row next to yours that you jumped to your feet. He stumbled over as he adjusted his buckle and zip, concealing himself and running his hands through his hair in an attempt to smooth it. You stood up on your tippy toes to readjust his hair into place, making it look neat again before smoothing your hand down the front of his jumper and placing a small kiss on his cheek.

"Maybe I'll see you around sometime?" You asked, slipping away from him and making his heart stop. As you walked away he stood watching you, unsure of whether or not to come out of his shell and initiate anything with you. In a sudden rush of panic, he sprung into action. He caught up to you in a few strides with his long legs as an advantage over you. Gripping your wrist and spinning you to face him. His eyes seemed so mysterious and green always, it was enticing and you knew he had that advantage over you with looks that could kill.

"I want to cook you dinner tonight, my place. Wait for me to get off," He offers, licking his lips as he knotted his fingers through yours.

"Hmm, fine. Only if you try not to be shy," You tease, making him roll his eyes with a smirk he tried to contain. He places one last kiss to your mouth as he holds your face in his large hands, your lips were tingling with the feel of him still when he pulled away.

"No promises," He gave you a half smile before you pulled away from his hold, turning to go back to your corner in the library. You finished your homework in an attempt to make time go by faster. You couldn't wait until he got off tonight.

#bill skarsgård fic #bill skarsgård fanfic #bill skarsgård smut #bill skarsgard smut #bill skarsgard imagine #bill skarsgard #bill skarsgard x reader #bill skarsgård x reader #bill skarsgård imagine #fanfic #roman godfrey #peter rumancek #hemlock grove #librarian bill skarsgard #librarian bill #skarsgard brothers #skarsgård #smut #writing

[aacinedinburgh]

Week 2: Glasgow, Portobello Beach, & the First Week of Classes

And we're back! Quick note, in case you didn't know: clicking on the pictures will open them and improve the viewing resolution! Without further ado...

Classes started this week, although it's a pretty light academic week. Two of my classes have asynchronous lectures, and the other two only have one lecture a week. Seminars and tutorials, which are smaller in-person sessions, don't start until next week.

Basically, that means that I have time to take a day trip to Glasgow on the first day of school. As I learned in the museum I went to (more on that later), Glasgow was in a post-WW2 downward spiral essentially from the collapse of the industrial sector, but in the 80s, began to reinvent itself as a center of arts, music, and culture. So now, Glasgow is the big Scottish stop for touring musicians, conventions, etc.

One of my favorite artists, dodie, is currently touring the UK, and when I saw she was performing in Glasgow, I knew I had to go. I only have class until 10am on Mondays, so I decided that I might as well make a day of it and explore the city.

The (doubledecker!) bus ride to Glasgow was only supposed to take about an hour, but there was apparantly a gas leak on the M8, so it ended up taking a little over two hours, and I got there in the early afternoon. The good news is I found a really great Indian restaurant for lunch. The best part? The signs hanging inside:

After lunch, I walked over to Kelvingrove Park, in Glasgow's West End. Despite the gray skies and sprinkling rain, there were still tons of people out having picnics with their kids or walking their dogs. Inside the park is Kelvingrove Art Museum and Gallery. There was a little bit of everything inside: big natural history exhibits, the history of Glasgow, old French paintings, and an Ancient Egyptian sarcophagus. The grandiose halls were probably my favorite part, though:

After the museum, I walked through the University of Glasgow campus. One of the main buildings gave off serious Hogwarts vibes. I also walked through the Glasgow Botanical Gardens. Unfortunately, I got there late enough in the afternoon that the greenhouses were already closed, but it was still a nice walk-through.

After the Gardens, I took the bus over to George Square, in the city centre. The bus was rickety as hell. Like, shaking so badly it made Wile E. Coyote on a jackhammer look stable. Nevertheless, I arrived safely. George Square has a whole bunch of big grand buildings, with pillars and arches and domes and the like. I grabbed some fish and chips while I was there before catching another bus down to the concert venue.

Oh my god, y'all, the concert was so good. Shoutout first to the girls in line who let me borrow their portable phone charger and to the girl from Minnesota who was also alone, so we stuck together through the night. Seeing dodie live was such a dream, and it was a great show: the lights, the string quartet, plus getting to stand, I don't know, 10 yards away from the stage? Amazing.

I was kind of nervous about getting back to the bus station and to Edinburgh by myself at night, but luckily, lots of people were headed to the same places, and since probably 90% of the people in attendance were women under 25 (the guys behind me in the picture are honestly some of the only men I saw all night), it ended up being a gaggle of girls all going to the bus station together. It was so weird seeing Edinburgh at the dead of night - it was completely deserted. Even on the most busy streets downtown, Princes St, the Royal Mile, etc., there was not a soul or car to be found. Eerie. If I hadn't been walking back to campus with other people, I would have been super unnerved.

Thanks also to everyone who was checking in that I had not, in fact, been murdered. Gold medal goes to Schyler "please tell me you are not alone rn" Rowland. I love and appreciate you.

I truly enjoyed my visit to Glasgow, but I'm honestly glad that I'm living in Edinburgh instead. Glasgow felt much more like a big city, with all the positives (cool venues, events, and things to do) and negatives (some slightly spooky, grungy, industrial areas) that come with that. Edinburgh has this cosy village feel, even with the 500k+ population, and I'm so glad I get to experience that!

I also made my way over to Portobello Beach, Edinburgh’s coast looking out over the bay. There were lots of dogs and fun stands set up along the beach - I grabbed some gelato from a cart! It wasn’t sunny, but that’s not unusual for Edinburgh and it was beautiful nonetheless.

It's also been a week full of dance classes! This week I went to tap, contemporary, hip hop, and a pole dance class, and next week I'm headed to jazz, as well as African and swing dance classes. You have to pay for membership and attendance to events at the student organizations here, but these first two weeks of the semester are free trial periods, so I'm trying to cram as many classes in as possible. If I get videos of routines I do throughout the semester, I'll upload them here. :)

Stray observations:

- The Glaswegian (yes, that's what they're actually called) accent is so thick. Like the accents from Brave upped significantly. A man at the subway station spoke directly to me for 30 straight seconds, and I understood exactly zero of the words that came out of his mouth. Thank God none of my professors have thick accents. One of them has an Italian accent, which I definitely did not see coming and is also very fun.

- Favorite thing I saw in Glasgow: a hot pink PSA sign that read "be a tidy weegie." Amazing.

- Apparantly spiral notebooks aren't a thing here? I spent about 2 hours going from store to store, and they're not on the UK Amazon either. I ended up with a huge notepad that I put sticky tabs in to section off my classes.

- My respect for pole dancers has just skyrocketed. It was a half hour class, and my wrists are sore (they were popping in and out the whole time, haha), my shoulders hurt, my knees are bruised, and I've got a friction rash on my forearm. It was so fun to try something new, especially something I've wanted to try for a long time now, but seeing as I have to pay for all the orgs I choose to be a part of, I might stick to a style of dance that's a little less painful.

- Happy Bi Visibility Week! To my many bi friends and family, I love you and am so thankful to have you in my life. <3

See you all next week! I have some fun adventures planned in the meantime. ;)

[phoorn]

Day Two

Note about formatting

I’m not formatting stuff right in these posts, using code tags instead of, I guess, block quote tags? The colouring is wrong, anyway. Tumblr thinks it’s looking at code.

I also noticed that Tumblr ignored code tags entirely when showing you posts in your feed. I guess there’s nothing I can do about that.

Report

A decent success. The story’s got something. Let’s hope nobody realises I wrote it around the time series four of Attack on Titan came out.

It’s the weird-things-are-happening type of story. I like that type. I don’t think I’ve written one, though.

I think I’ve got it all planned out, nothing missing. I’ve made sure to decide exactly why the weird things are happening.

I don’t plan to tell the reader, though. I’m going to drop hints. And I feel confident it’s going to work out. Obviously I’m saying I’m confident because I’m actually nervous – sometimes people get to the end of my stories and say, “It’s great! I can’t wait to read the rest!”

They don’t notice my heart shrivelling up and dying within me.

No, it’ll be clear enough that the monkey god is responsible. There’ll be unanswered questions, though, and I hope people won’t flame me for it.

The thing is I like unanswered questions. I don’t give a shit about explanations. You lose something with explanations. Take Donnie Darko, for example.

That was a great film, of the weird-things-are-happening type. I bought the Director’s Cut DVD and watched its director’s commentary. It had Kevin Smith on it, quizzing the director about his changes, about what the hell the story was all about.

Well, it turned out the story was about an AI or something in the future looking back at Donnie and trying to fix some cosmic thing that had gone wrong. It was a fine reason for what was going on. But it was better without it.

The more you put into a story the more you narrow what it is. That’s why the best part of a lot of stories is the beginning. And the worst part us nearly always the end. Oh, there are great endings. But who cares. I tend to tap out in books about 20% from the end, the bad guy still not defeated. If it’s a part of a series I get excited for the next one.

Doing something different.

I’m doing something different. I’m merging the planning and the writing stage. Normally what I do is write a synopsis, put it aside, write the story. I don’t like it, don’t like planning. It feels like I’m repeating work. And I never look at the synopsis while I’m writing anyway.

This synopsis is the story, a very abbreviated version. It’s written in rough prose. Normally my synopses look like this.

Our guy goes to the place Meets whatsherface. She eats him. "Why?" he said. "Duh," she said. Mention that the elephant at the cheese.

NOTE: My main character is always “our guy” or “our girl”, even if she/he’s 500 years old.

This one’s written in sort-of prose. An excerpt:

2 I didn't search more that day. I was stunned. It was _her_. She wasn't _human_. Other people started going missing. After a few are gone they find them They're in a group and they disappear like smoke when people find them But then more and more 3 Now it was just me I could see them out there, their campfires, small groups, just sitting there

Right?

The plan is to inflate this like a bicycle tire.

I know other writers work like this. Terry Pratchett called his first drafts Draft 0. He said it was about 1/3 of the final book. I think you can see what his Draft 0s looked like if you look at the last third of his final – unfinished – book, The Shepherd’s Crown.

I think Brandon Sanderson works kind of like this, too. He’s got a Youtube channel. You should go subscribe. He gives a lot of useful advice.

If you want to look at the synopsis, it’s synopsis.txt in the repo. I’ll leave it there.

5,000 words

I’m determined to keep this story within 5,000 words. I find keeping stories short really hard to do these days. It pisses me off.

You might say, what a great problem to have. But it’s not. Firstly, short story magazines don’t want long short stories from new writers. I mean, they’ll take it if it’s incredible. But I don’t know if this is going to be incredible.

Secondly, my stories are getting long because I’m being indulgent. Short stories are not novels. I’m not capable, I think, of writing novels, so I have to be sensible about it. What I’d like to be next year is someone who’s published, let’s say, three short stories. I don’t want to be someone whose published no nothing.

You level up in writing by finishing stories. It’s like an RPG. You don’t get XP if you die.

And it’s a matter of principle. I used to pride myself on my ability to write short stories. I thought I’d really cracked it. I need to show myself I can still do it.

The last reason I have for wanting to keep the story short is I think letting stories sprawl is a sign of WEAKNESS. I think they sprawl because you’re frightened to solve a problem. It’s easier to defer than do.

Situation: your hero has made it to the Chamber of Death. He needs to get the Thing of Beauty. But he can’t because you had a thief steal it 3,000 words ago. OK then, you say, and have your hero not steal the Thing.

You have to send him off to the thief’s house, beat him up, when you really should have just had the thief not steal the thing, or had him steal the wrong thing, or had him have stolen the thing ages ago and has now put it back.

Stories are annoying puzzles, the kind where you have to fit shapes into a small box. I’m saying you should do the work, solve the actual puzzle rather than make the box bigger.

ALSO. There’s something to be said about cramming big things into small spaces.