#and neither side realizes they're both making the same mistake

[fictionadventurer]

I love setting fantasy around and after WWI. It's such a good combination. WWI was a loss-of-innocence on a societal level. There had been this assumption that technology and progress could solve all our problems and make us better people, and then WWI comes and shows us horribly and violently that it does not, and then in the aftermath we have to deal with what this means for us as a society and as people.

Throwing magic into that is a perfect thematic fit, because magic and technology are basically the same thing--people trying to impose their will upon nature. It can do good things or terrible things, but the issue is not necessarily the technology or the magic itself, but the hearts of the people using it, the cost to bring it about, the drain on resources and the effect on the environment and people. In the aftermath of a major conflict, we have to take a long hard look at ourselves and the choices we've made and will continue to make. Are the benefits worth the cost? What is the true nature of man--can we ever trust ourselves again? Have we progressed to a better stage of humanity or reverted back to beasts? There is just so much to explore there. The WWI connection has been built into the genre ever since Tolkien, and it continues to be relevant to our modern world.

#random thought of the day #adventures in writing #fantasy #wwi #history is awesome #i've been thinking about this since i reread chunks of 'the fairy's daughters' last week #i started writing that not long after 'rilla of ingleside' first sparked my wwi interest #and i didn't know nearly as much about the war back then #i managed to hit upon a core truth that makes the central story pretty compelling #like there are big issues with the story on a logic and character level #but the core thing is that the fae have cut off contact with the human realm after seeing what horrors they were wreaking with technology #but the humans distrust my half-fairy girls because they're afraid of what they can do with magic #the girls fit in nowhere #and neither side realizes they're both making the same mistake #trusting or distrusting a certain method of imposing one's will on the world #and forgetting that it comes down to the choices of the person who has access to the technology or magic #and that theme is strengthened because it's a twelve dancing princesses retelling #so the story pivots around one human man who is trusted with a powerful magical item because he has a good heart #and my explanation here is really bad #but what i'm getting at is that the history weaves together with the fantasy here in really cool ways #because the specific conflict of post-wwi lends itself really well to this magical setting #i've also got my story idea where the spanish flu is replaced with a plague that gives people animal-shapeshifting abilities #so people are literally having to grapple with their beastly natures #which plays out a different aspect of the post wwi conflict #and no matter what form it takes wwi is just a really good setting for fantasy hence the above post #that refuses to put the words in my head into sensible order #i hope maybe a little of this makes sense

[celaenaeiln]

Based on the posts I've been reading, the Titans rlly dislike Bruce xD

Do you have a list of stuff of the Titans clowning/making fun/hating Bruce? 👀

If there's too many (omg is it??), maybe just your faves or those that rlly impacted you

They do!!

I had the post mostly done in my drafts when I saw your ask and decided this was the perfect opportunity to finish it!

BUT I DEFINITELY HAVE MORE!

The tug-of-war between the two groups comes from the fact that Bruce canonically has codependency issues with Dick. He honestly needs his son at all times for everything.

The source of Bruce and Dick's relationship problems all sum up to this:

Nightwing (2016) Issue #7

"I wanted to give him the freedom to make his own choices. To do things his way, even if that meant making mistakes. And then...well, then I blamed him for how difficult it was for me to let him go."

He's so, so proud of Dick but he refuses to release him to be free. When Dick manages to get away Bruce hisses and shrieks in rage and fury and hurt that Dick left. Even those long stints where Dick was ignoring Bruce after being fired or after Jason's death, Bruce never ignored Dick. Sometimes going as far as stalking him like at the circus.

This one is post-Jason, pre-Tim era.

The New Titans (1988) Issue #61

Ignoring the self-realization backtrack, it's applaudable that Bruce was even able to get those words out at all. Usually it's just heavily implied.

So the reason why Bruce hates the Titans so much is because they're his biggest threat. They have the possibility of taking Dick away from him forever and he's terrified of such a future.

It wasn't originally like this though. In the beginning when Dick said, I'm gonna hang out with the Titans, Bruce'd be like "Sure, Chum, have fun!"

Teen Titans: The Silver Age Issue #1

But as Dick grew older, there was increasing animosity between the Titans and Bruce. It got so bad that Bruce gave Dick an ultimatum: Me or the Titans. Choose.

Nightwing (1996) Issue #101

"I know, I know...I'm late. Titans Business. We just shut down Brother Blood for...good.."

"Save it."

"Look, I don't know how many hundreds of people we rescued from Blood's cult, but it was a pretty important mission."

"I said save it."

Nightwing (1996) Issue #101

But here's where it gets worse. Bruce and Dick are too busy fighting that they both missed Clayface recovering, obviously in the end they defeat him but neither of them are happy for the oversight which leads to the final scene.

Nightwing (1996) Issue #101

Bruce literally fired Dick because he couldn't stand him staying with the Titans.

"Robin is my second...my lieutenant. Anything less that total devotion to this cause is simply wasting my time."

Devotion to the cause or to you, Bruce? He's freaking Batman. He's done solo runs and Dicks done solo runs as Robin just fine but for some reason whenever the Titans are involved, he loses his goddamn mind.

But hey. Bruce isn't the only one who gives Dick an ultimatum.

Titans (1999) Issue #15

Damn, Roy.

He came out swinging with a chainsaw.

Both sides want Dick for themselves. About 80% of the Titans problems with Dick lie in the fact that they want him to have nothing to do with Bruce.

Batman (2016) Issue #19

Titans (1999) Issue #15

They just want Dick's priority and loyalty to be to them, undivided. Unfortunately, Bruce expects the very same-only it's for himself.

The Titans get so angry at Dick for going back to Bruce and Bruce gets so mad at Dick for favoring the Titans. But Dick loves both of them so there's literally no winning for him. The successful periods for Dick are when both sides comprise for him.

They're willing to work together to protect him though.

Titans (2008) Issue #1

Outsiders (2003) Issue #50

The instant de-escalation at protecting the reputation of Nightwing and her girlfriend. Not to mention how it was Batman who wanted to keep the dirt off Dick.

But the issue is, like Victor said,

Titans East Special

Titans are family.

But Bruce can't bear for Dick to have a family of his own that's not him.

#dick grayson #nightwing #bruce wayne #batman #alfred pennyworth #roy harper #arsenal #victor stone #cyborg #dc titans #titans as family #cl anon asks #thanks for the ask!

[mouschiwrites]

HI POOKIEE IM BACKK WITH ANOTHER SILLY IDEA😋😋😍(lets ignore the fact that all my requests have been ninjago related)

Basically hc's with the ninja who have a little sibling(the reader) and they have these like witch powers that they're trying to control. The ninja of that scenario try to help the reader with various training sessions, leading them to be a mentor for them. When the reader gets the hang of their powers the ninja are reminded of a memory of their childhood where the reader helped the ninja as children in a really dark time and the ninja see the training sessions as repayment for the readers help all those years ago.

THATS IT HOPEFULLY IT MADE SENSE!!! ANYWAYS BYE POOKIE HOPE YOURE DOING GREAT AND REMEMBER ILYYYY😘😘😘😍😍😍👻👻👻

YAY you’re back!! Always good to hear from u <33

Ninjago - Being the Ninjas’ Little Witch Sister

Zane

When you first ask him to train you, he’s a bit surprised

Of course he agrees though

He proves to be a very patient teacher, both with you and himself as you both continue to learn

He reads up on magic extensively to better know how to help you

He also frequently consults master Wu

If there’s something he doesn’t know, he’ll just tell you to do something else while he researches it

He doesn’t want you doing anything he isn’t able to predict/help you with

Both for your safety and for the sake of your surroundings

As you master concepts, he moves on to progressively harder ones until you’re a skilled witch

His meticulous teaching would have rubbed off on you, so you rarely make mistakes, doing things by the book

Or should I say grimoire?

One day, when he’s watching you perform a healing spell on an old man, he remembers the first time you used your powers

It was when Dr. Julien fell down the stairs

Zane remembers hearing him cry out in pain; the sound still haunts him to this day

He was terrified that his father was fatally wounded

But when he rushed to his side, you were already there, holding his wrinkled hands with yours, which were glowing

You had unintentionally used a healing spell

If you hadn’t, Dr. Julien might have actually been seriously hurt

Zane’s forever thankful for that, and this forever thankful for you

Kai

He’s stoked that you want him to teach you

He always thought your powers were cool, and he’s excited to test their limits with you

He always pushes you hard, which can get a little exhausting

Eventually he’ll ease up a little as he realizes that you need rest

If there’s something he doesn’t know, he encourages you to try it anyway

Meanwhile he’s hiding behind a metal shield in the corner

You learn through experimentation, which leads to many, many failures

But Kai never stops encouraging you to keep trying, and eventually you master your powers

You start joining the ninjas on missions, and one time you used a spell that knocked an entire posse of attackers on their backs

Kai stared at you with wide eyes, flashing back to the time you used a similar spell

It was back at the blacksmith shop; a particularly obnoxious customer was insisting that he “test” a sword

He ended up snatching it and running at Nya with the clear intention of nabbing her

It was then that you used the spell, downing the assailant

Kai had stared at you with the same wide eyes back then

But now he smiled, feeling grateful that you were always there to help protect those closest to you

Jay

Much like Kai, he’s more than thrilled to mentor you

Most of his teaching consists of him insisting you try things he’s seen in movies and comics

Which makes lessons fun, but disappointing at times when you can’t figure things out

In his excitement sometimes he’ll insist you try your spells on him

This has led to the both of you getting hurt many times

Yet neither of you seem to learn your lesson

He’s quick in getting you out on the field

He wants you to be able to test more dangerous things, and he sees the battlefield as the perfect spot to do so

So he’ll take you along on missions pretty early on, making sure you stick to his side so he can protect you

But when your moment comes, he yanks you forward and pushes you towards the enemy like a rag doll

The slight panic this induces in you amplifies your spells

Once you used a spell that released a bright flash of light at the enemy, blinding them

Jay recognizes the spell

It was much smaller at the time, but you had used it when you were both kids

The power was out at the junkyard, and you were both alone while Ed and Edna went to fix the fuse

Jay was terrified in the dark; he was literally about to have a panic attack when your little cupped hands summoned a ball of light

Mesmerized, he forgot his panic, instead smiling hugely at you

He claps you on the back when he remembers that moment, silently beaming with pride at all the progress you’ve made

Cole

He thinks being a magic mentor sounds pretty cool, so of course he agrees when you ask for some lessons

He’s a really chill teacher; almost to an annoying extent

If there’s something he doesn’t know, he just shrugs and asks what you think

(Which happens more often than you’d like)

He won’t encourage you to try more dangerous things until you’re ready though

He always reminds you to be careful and not overwork yourself

Progress is slow, partly because you’re pretty much guiding your own training

He’s just there to support you

Eventually he decides that you’re ready for some real action

Well. Long story short you ended up falling off a cliff with him

But you used a spell that froze you midair right before you hit the ground

You both planted your feet safely on the ground, quaking from the adrenaline

Cole is reminded of a strikingly similar moment from your childhood

You were rehearsing a dance routine on stage

He wasn’t paying attention, and he ended up twirling right off the stage

But luckily you were there, and you froze him in the air when his face was mere inches from the floor

He had hugged and thanked you profusely that day, and he did the same now, lifting you off your shaky feet and kissing your cheek endlessly

Lloyd

He has some experience with magic, but not enough to make him a very competent teacher

He’s humble when he teaches you, always admitting when he isn’t sure

He’ll go with you to find out more when there’s something he doesn’t know

You always learn together :)

He makes sure you don’t push yourself too hard; he knows what that’s like, and it isn’t fun

So your training is a little slow but very steady

He lets you decide when you’re ready to go on missions

He trusts you to know your own capabilities, so if you think you can hold your own, then you can hold your own

That doesn’t mean he’s any less impressed when you turn your opponent into a ferret

He remembers when you pulled a similar move several years ago

You were both cornered by bullies, with Lloyd in front, trying to protect you

Suddenly you pushed past him, pointing your finger at the main culprit and turning him into a mouse

The effect only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough for you both to get away

Lloyd laughed aloud at the memory, ruffling your hair proudly

Nya

At first she readily agrees to help train you

But as time progresses, it becomes obvious how incompetent you both are in magical knowledge

She knows a bit, but not nearly enough to coach a fledgling witch

She gets almost as frustrated as you when you try and fail to learn spells

But she calls on her knowledge from her own training, and she realizes that first she needs to fix your attitudes

So you both adopt a more “go with the flow”-esque style, and the spells start clicking

You both glow with excitement at each new mastered concept

High fives all around!! :D

She’s eager to get you on the battlefield; she knows how much it sucks to have to wait

You come to a massive gorge on your first mission, one too big to jump across

You use your magic to create a bridge, allowing everyone to cross safely

As she crosses, Nya recalls seeing a similar miracle performed by you in the past

You had both gone out to pick flowers in the woods

There was a flash flood while you were out, and the little creek you had to cross to get home had become a raging cascade of impassable muddy water

But you had used your little bridge spell, and you both made it safely home

Nya remembers that day fondly, and takes much pride in knowing how far you’ve come since then

Thank you for your request my love!! And thanks for reading, take care little squirrels <33

(divider by saradika)

#ninjago #lego ninjago #ninjago x reader #ninjago headcannons #lloyd garmadon #cole brookstone #jay walker #kai smith #nya smith #zane julien #cole ninjago #kai ninjago #zane ninjago #ninjago cole #jay ninjago #nya ninjago

[our-blood-is-our-ink]

—✧ Day One: Villains ✧—

Wanda finds herself in Westview after her magic saved her from being crushed by Mount Wundagore

She wakes up to discover Agnes has been tending to her for a few days while she had been out cold

For a few weeks, she allows this to continue

But Agatha's voice has been steadily growing louder in her mind

So she releases the Agnes spell, after casting runes to prevent Agatha from immediately attacking her

I won't say I'm sorry, but I can promise to make it up to you, if you swear your allegiance to me.

Only if you swear the same to me, buttercup

They essentially married each other and neither of them have realized it

Agatha still has a lot of FeelingsTM and EmotionsTM about Wanda's treatment of her

She needs an outlet

Wanda, in a stroke of brilliance, points her in the direction of Dr. Strange

Your goals and my goals aren't mutually exclusive. I want my boys, you want to make up for your past mistakes. And he'll try to stop both of us.

Wanda doesn't think she's ever seen anything as hot as Agatha in midsts of magical battle

She actively decides then and there I want to make her worse

World domination, people. She plots world domination.

And for Agatha's part, there's just something oddly appealing about Wanda with a spark of cruelty and deviousness behind her eyes.

She wants to kiss her so bad

They're an unstoppable force, with Wanda's sheer magical power, and Agatha's hundreds of years of magical knowledge

The first time they fuck it's on a battlefield, they've just successfully decimated another country's entire military.

Agatha initiated, but she quickly finds herself on her knees

She had idolized the Scarlet Witch when she was younger, and now that she's older, she knows that she had been right to

Wanda is a proper goddess born of Earth and of humanity, but has ascended and become something more, something beyond. Something ethereal and eldritch, and Agatha craves her in a way she never has craved anything else

The destruction and chaos she wields... Is it any wonder Agatha has found herself as willing a plaything as she could be?

Wanda's expression always softens, just a bit, whenever Agatha submits to her

She knows that to control the dark being on her knees before her is a single found rarity that only she has been gifted with

They get off on being violent, and egg each other on to commit some the worst acts of inhumanity anyone has ever bore witness to

Their fingers stain darker and darker, until it's crept up past their elbows, until they live and breathe darkness

Unhinged dark wives fr fr

The Scarlet Witch's destiny is either to destroy or rule

Why not both? Agatha whispers in her ear. Why can't we have it all, after everything that has been taken and stolen from us?

Agatha's destiny is to stand side by side the most powerful being the universe has ever seen

They're hella possessive of each other too

Constantly marking the other up, constantly wearing hickies and love bites as badges of honor, of pride, of she chose me over everyone else

Their love for one another is twisted and warped, but it's stronger than anything the world or universe has seen

#wagatha week #wagatha #harximoff #wandagatha #agatha harkness #wanda maximoff #agatha harkness x wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff x agatha harkness #sky writes #sky's headcanons #c: agatha #c: wanda #c: wandagatha #c: harximoff #c: dark!harximoff #i am sorta burnt out in terms of writing so this has like #themes of villainy I hope #wagathaweek #wagathaweek2023 #wagatha week 2023 #wandagatha week #wandagatha week 2023 #wandagathaweek

[butterflybam]

Exo reactions: their s/o gets along with their mom

Requested by anon (I hope you enjoy it! And thank you again for the request 💖💖) I am so sorry for the wait! Also I'm sorry that some are shorter than others, I definitely wanted to make them as different as possible.

Btw I won't be writing for Chen, I will only write platonic stuff for him.

Xiumin:

After a long day of practice, all Xiumin wanted was to collapse in bed with you. Once inside, he was taken back by the fact that his mom was there. She was sitting next to you with a cup of coffee in her hand. She was saying something that he didn't quite catch, but it caused you to laugh. Neither of you had noticed his presence yet. 

"Hey, mom." 

Giving him a warm smile, she motioned for him to come over to her. Walking over to her, he gave her a quick hug before leaning over to give you a quick kiss on the cheek. 

"If I had known you were coming over, I would have left early and made sure to make some dinner." He said as he took a seat on the opposite side of her. 

She waved it off. She explained, "It was more of a last minute decision." "I kept having to reschedule lunch dates with Y/N, and I felt bad. I also missed them. They're so lovely."

This definitely caught his attention. It was definitely news to him that you went out to lunch with his mom. However, it brought him comfort to know that you two got along. 

"How about I go make dinner and you two stay put?" He asked. Before either of you could refuse, he was up in record time and already heading to the kitchen.

At that moment, he was just so happy that two important people in his life were so close and getting along. 

Suho:

This holiday season, you weren't able to spend it with your family, but thankfully, your wonderful boyfriend invited you to spend it with him and his family. 

You had met everyone before and gotten along well, but this was different.

So many different possibilities swam through your head. What if you accidentally offended someone? What if you accidentally ruined a priceless antique? 

Suho tried to console you and brush off your worries. He constantly reminded you that everything was going to be fine and how much they adored you.

He was correct in this regard.

For the entire duration of the stay, you were stuck by his mom's side. She told you stories about Suho as a kid. She even taught you some of the family recipes.

Suho wanted to be upset that he didn't get alone time with you, but seeing you bond with his mom eased the annoyance. 

It especially made him realize that buying that engagement ring wasn't a mistake.

Lay:

Lay could sense that you were nervous about meeting his mom. He knew it from the moment you stepped off the plane. He wishes he could take your anxiety away. 

Once you had arrived, his mom warmly welcomed you into the home, as he knew she would. Small talk was made throughout the evening and you soon eased up. 

While Lay ran to the store for his mom, leaving you behind, she pulled you aside. 

"Thank you for making my son happy." He's told me so much about you that I already feel like I know you. " She squeezed your hand lightly. "And from what I'm seeing is that you're an incredible person." She smiled. 

Her words brought you so much comfort. Afterwards, she began telling you a bunch of embarrassing and cute stories about Lay from his childhood. Thankfully, you had some stories to share about your boyfriend as well. 

When he returned, he discovered you two in a fit of laughter. He wasn't sure what caused it, but seeing the two of you close made him happy. 

Baekhyun:

You and your boyfriend rarely had the same days off. You were both extremely busy most of the time, so when you did get together, you tried to spend as much time as possible together.

Baekhyun already had in mind what he had in store for you. A movie marathon, then a romantic dinner.

But when you came out of your shared bedroom all dressed up, he was caught off guard.

"Are you going somewhere?" He asked, making you look up from your phone.

Once you saw the living room set up for your movie marathon, you smacked your forehead. "I am so sorry," you said. You couldn't believe you forgot. 

"It's okay." He tried not to sound disappointed. "I just can't believe you got called into work." 

"I didn't get called in."

There was a brief hesitation from him, "Then why are you dressed up?" Unless you're going to see your friends? " He was trying to tread lightly and did not want to come off as him accusing you of anything. 

A smile formed on your face at this. "Actually, I'm going out to lunch with your mom." You explained it. 

"Oh, just out with my mom." But once he realized what was said, he stood up straight and a huge smile formed on his face. "You guys going out for lunch? Is this like a regular thing you two do? " 

Nodding your head yes, "we try to get together at least once a week." You shrugged.

You didn't know how much joy this brought him. He always wanted you two to get along, and to know you're close enough to do this made him so happy. To your surprise, he gave you a quick kiss before ushering you to the door.

"Don't keep my mom waiting. Have fun, you guys."

His reaction caused you to laugh, but you knew that he was just excited to know that you two were close. 

Chanyeol:

Chanyeol was sick. He didn't want to admit it, but he was. He hated being stuck in bed, but once you found out, he was not allowed to get up unless for emergencies.

He was bored and miserable.

What made it worse was that he was alone in bed. He couldn't even cuddle with you without the fear of getting you sick. 

All he could do was just lie there and mope. There was nothing he wanted to watch or read, so he was getting bored fast. Glancing at the clock, he realized you hadn't checked in on him in a couple of hours. He began to worry. As carefully as possible, he stood up from the bed. 

His body ached and he was tired, but he pushed that aside as he went to look for you.

Once he got to the kitchen, that's where he found you. Your back was facing him and you were doing something. 

He was about to say something, but he heard a familiar voice.

His mom

He was confused, but he saw you adjust your phone. That's when he realized that you were face timing his mom. It seemed like she was helping you cook something, and he remembered the soup his mom would make for him when he was a kid. She was teaching you how to make the soup to make him feel better. 

He felt a tug at his heart. Instead of interrupting the moment, he quietly made his way back to bed. 

D.O:

He simply desired a quiet and pleasant evening at home for his birthday. So when he came home and saw you and your mother in his kitchen, he was taken aback.

"Hi." He said, making you both stop what you were doing. 

His mom was the first one to reach him, and she pulled him into a hug. "Happy birthday, sweetheart." 

Once they pulled away, he gave you a quick kiss. "Happy Birthday." You smiled. You moved back into the kitchen to check on the food. 

"You guys shouldn't have done this." He said as he went to check what you two were doing. 

"Of course we did," his mom spoke up. Besides, I love cooking with Y/N. We've had so much fun. " She added

This broke off into small conversations about their days, and the two of you fell into a fit of laughter. 

There was some inside joke going on between the two of you, and he didn't dare to pry. D.o smiled at the sight of you two joking around and having fun. 

Kai:

Family was very important to Kai, so it meant a lot to him that you and his mom got along. You have met her countless times, so it has become normal to see her almost every day. 

She always made you feel included and always checked in on you. 

It made Kai feel at ease, especially since he was getting ready to go on tour. He was worried that you would get lonely, but his mom promised to check in on you. 

Even though he wouldn't be there personally for you, it made him feel better that his mom was going to be there. 

Once he left, to his surprise, you two literally spent every day together. When he called the other you, you two almost shared the same stories of what you had gotten up to. 

But this made him think about maybe proposing to you. He already had the thought in the back of his mind, but seeing how well you fit into his family definitely gave him the answer he needed.

Sehun:

Sehun knew from the moment you met his mom that you two were going to get along well. 

He was correct, of course, and he didn't let you forget it either. 

He loved seeing you come back from hanging out with her and having a bright smile on your face. You always told him all the jokes and stories she had told you. 

The only thing he couldn't get from you was what she would get him for his birthday or Christmas. That's when you were sworn to secrecy. 

He would always tease you, but your bond with his mom was definitely something he never teased about. It actually meant the world to him that you two were close.

#exo reactions #exo imagines #xiumin imagines #suho imagines #lay imagines #baekhyun imagines #chanyeol imagines #d.o imagines #kai imagines #sehun imagines #kpop reactions #kpop imagines

[hchollym]

Is there any way Percy/Sirius could work?

Oh wow, interesting question!

Well first of all, all things are possible through fanfiction, so jot that down. 🤣 Seriously though, I personally love crack pairings, so if you want to write/read it, then go for it whether it works realistically or not! 😊

Now back to your question...

Could it work in canon? No. I can’t see a time/opportunity where it would make any sense for it to happen. 

Could it work in a canon divergence? It's possible. I do think both characters are bi/gay, so that’s not an issue. 

There are two main canon divergence scenarios that I could picture for these two to work out (not well, but we’ll get to that): 

Sirius doesn’t die (which would completely change the outcome of the books, but let's pretend it doesn't).

Percy sides with the Order and never disowns his family. 

I’m going to put the rest of the explanation under the cut, because this is your warning for sexual content.  

If everything stays the same in the books except that Sirius lives, then I can definitely picture Percy & Sirius finding comfort in each other after the war. 

They both lost a brother that they feel like they abandoned/failed (because Harry would have told Sirius about Regulus by that point); they both made mistakes and regret them; they both feel like they didn’t contribute enough to the war; and they are both highly traumatized and grieving. 

I don't think it would be a super healthy relationship; they would likely use each other to “cope” which would lead to some rough codependency issues mixed with excessive alcohol consumption (based on the fact that Sirius had taken to drinking in Book 5 & this post about Percy’s drinking), but that kind of stuff happens. 

But if they get together in an AU where Percy never leaves his family, then that’s going to be even more problematic.

I explained in this post that Percy & Sirius wouldn’t get along well platonically, so if they did get together romantically, then it would probably start as a one-night stand (fueled by alcohol and frustration). On the plus side, they would likely have an intense and passionate sex life. On the other hand, they would also argue all the time (it would almost become a type of foreplay) and drive each other mental. 

Their relationship would be rife with daddy issues (from Percy), incestuous undertones (Percy reminds Sirius of Regulus while Sirius probably reminds Percy of the twins/Bill in many ways), and jealousy (on Percy's part because Sirius fits in with the Order/Order members much easier than he does & on Sirius' part because Percy gets to live a relatively normal life and not be stuck inside the house all day).

It's also my headcanon that they are both in love with someone else (Percy with Oliver & Sirius with Remus), which could also be another factor that pushes them together (because they can’t have the person they really want), but it would definitely lead to more jealousy and mistrust, especially since they're both best friends with the other person they have feelings for. It would turn into one of those relationships where they’re constantly accusing each other of something and checking each other’s phones (figuratively speaking), and neither of them realize (or acknowledge) how hypocritical it is. 

It would be dysfunctional and toxic, and neither of them would be satisfied emotionally, but they’d probably be satisfied sexually, so that would be just enough for them to stay together longer than they should. 

To summarize, if they did get together in this AU, it would still be a dumpster fire (like their platonic dynamic), but they'd be having sex too, so yay? 🤷🤣

Like I said at the beginning though, fanfiction gives you the option to write whatever you want, and I'm sure there's a lot of very AU scenarios where they would work much better!

Thanks for the ask. 😊

#Ask me #anon ask #percy weasley #sirius black #Percy x Sirius #Percy Weasley x Sirius Black #my thoughts #my opinion #my headcanons #AU #canon divergence #rarepair #Hp

[another-lost-mc]

can't help thinking about pervy!Levi finding out MC is a bigger perv than him😭 idk I find it funny lol

a/n: oh, a horny mc with no chill? I can dig it.

levi x gn!reader | nsfw | mdni | 0.7k words

cw: mutual pining, borrowing/stealing clothes, masturbation, voyeurism, scenting/cum marking, snooping, mention of sex toys, sending/receiving dirty pics and videos, jealousy/possessiveness

It's like mutual attraction, even if neither of you are aware of it at first. You catch on to Levi's little depravities easily enough, but Levi can't accept that you would fancy him enough to stoop to his level.

It almost becomes like a weird pervy competition. How far will each of you go, what risks are you willing to take?

Your actions almost mirror each other and it should be obvious to both of you what's going on, but the thrill of pushing the boundaries of decency and the hope fear you'll get caught is addictive.

It starts with small things, things that can be shrugged off as innocent mistakes: you borrow Levi's sweater and "forget" to give it back, you ask Levi for some of his drink or snack and you pop his straw or cutlery into your mouth instead of using your own.

Levi doesn't realize how noisy he can be sometimes. He whimpers or whines or moans when he's agitated or flustered, but you go to bed imagining him making those noises for other reasons.

(If you're lucky, you might even be able to record him making those yummy sounds of his – discreetly, of course.)

Sometimes Levi walks past your bedroom late at night. You listen for the familiar footfalls on the creaky stairs and when you touch yourself, the noises are loud enough to carry through the door when Levi presses his ear against it. At least Levi can pretend he was on his way to the kitchen and anything he might've heard was completely accidental.

There's no excuse for you to be lurking outside Levi's second-floor room in the middle of the night though. Most of the time, Levi's up late gaming on his PC. But if you're lucky, you can hear Levi fisting his cock and stifling his sounds when he bites his lip to try and stay quiet.

(One night he notices the shadow underneath his bedroom door and he stops - briefly - before he keeps going, and the sounds he makes are louder and more desperate than before. Later he tells himself it was just his imagination, no matter how many times he sees the same shadow darken his doorway.)

It's rare when you have the chance to visit Levi's room when he's not home, but you're determined to make good use of the limited time you have. Levi's scent is strongest in his tub, like salty ocean air and a hint of metal that reminds you of his scales. It's hard not to get riled up when it feels like you're drowning in his scent, and maybe you rut against one of his body pillows and leave a little mess behind. It's not like Levi's going to say anything about the stains he finds later anyway, right?

(If he sucks the cotton into his mouth to have a little taste of you, that's his shameful little secret.)

You snoop around on Levi's computer and find all the adult games he plays, and you're giddy to see how many characters he's made that look like you.

(There might be some stains left on his computer chair after that too, and he knows they're not his.)

You know Levi sneaks into your room when he feels especially daring, but you make it easy for him to find the treasures he looks for: a pair of your underwear conveniently left at the top of your hamper, the bedside drawer where you keep your toys and lube is open slightly so he can take a peek inside. Your thighs clench and rub together when you find fresh stains on your dirty laundry later, or when your favourite toy looks a little used. Your bedsheets smell like musk and the sea, and there are strands of dark purple-blue hair on your pillow.

But maybe appealing to Levi's sin is the best way to get his attention after all?

You pout and whine and cling to his side when other demons crowd around him or fawn over him at RAD. It doesn't feel like acting when something possessive rears its ugly head in your chest at the thought of him wanting someone else that's not you. He can sense the envy that surges through you, because of him, and he starts to look at you a bit differently.

Oops! Sorry Levi, that was meant for someone else. :)

And if all else fails, you can accidentally send him dirty pics or videos to see how long it takes for him to finally admit he wants you all to himself – as if you weren't his already.

read more: pervy!mc x pervy!levi (part two) | leviathan masterlist

#obey me #obey me leviathan #obey me leviathan x reader #leviathan x reader #leviathan smut #obey me smut #obey me x reader #x reader #gn!reader

[linkspooky]

TOJI AND MAKI

The parallels between the two outcasts of the zenin clan have already been pointed out plenty of times in canon, for example they're both incredibly buff. However, I thought I would take a deeer look at both characters, as they share both a role as the abused child that destroys the system that created them, and the same fatal flaw.

1. The Child Who is Not Embraced by the Village Will Burn it Down to Feel its Warmth

"The Ones who Walk Away from Omelas" is a 1973 work of short philosophical fiction, about a summer festival in the utopian ity of OMelas, whose prosperity depends on the perpetual misery of a single child. The idea is written around the idea of the scapegoat, a reoccurring trope in stories where someone innocent is blamed, or outcast for the mistakes of other characters.

All of this to say that both Maki and Toji represent the archetype of the scapegoats of their generation. Just like the child of Omelas, all of the problems in the Zenin household are blamed on one child.

This is something Ogi does to Maki directly, and also Naoya recognizes that the other members of the clan did to Toji. They were unable to face their own inferiority, so they blamed it on a scapegoat. Ogi blames his failure to become the head of the clan on his children. The entire clan is unable to recognize Toji's strength, because it would make them question their traditionally held notions of strength, Toji requires the use of weapons and can fight without cursed techniques, which means the cursed techniques they were born with don't make them inherently better with other people.

This is also related to Gojo's criticisms of Jujutsu Society at large, of which the Zenin Household is a very toxic microcosm of. Gojo's critique is that the previous generation will sacrifice the lives of the younger generation, to maintain their power, and in the name of pointless tradition. In the Zenin family "tradition" is the idea that inherited curse technique determines a person's worth.

Their entire system is built around one, keeping cursed techniques in the clan, and two, passing down inherited curse techniques from father to child. Which would go farther to explain the treatment of women by the clan, but we're not getting into that this time. Basically, the "peace" and the "superiority" of the household are built on the idea of marking and scapegoating an outsider, that is anyone who doesn't fit in with the clan's traditions. "If you are not of the Zenin Clan you are not a sorcerer, and if you are not a sorcerer then you are not even Human". That quote alone should explain how Maki and Toji were both treated as subhuman 'monkeys' by everyone around them.

However, the story shows us by both Toji and Maki snapping how terrible these abusive power structures are. One person cannot handle all of that alone, so they snap. Of course they snap. It's not a sign of who Toji and Maki are as people, but rather how no one deserves to be treated that way. A major reocurring theme in Jujutsu Kaisen is no one person alone, can take responsibility for everything, not even Gojo who is the strongest can save everyone he wants to save or be responsible for all of society he needs allies too. Toji, and Maki without allies, they snap and lash out against the same abusive power structure that created them. They are so thoroughly othered by everyone around them, that they embrace their own inhumanity, Maki becomes a weapon bent on killing her family even murdering her own mother, and Toji outright calls himself a monkey.

This is also why Toji is referred to as the "destroyer of destinies" there are two reasons for this. One, Gege is making a thematic point here. The abusive system built on othering and excluding children among other things doesn't actually provide the stability it promises. The center does not hold. The abuse of the system perpetuates and only leads to more destruction. Toji's outcasting isn't something that just hurt Toji alone, everyone felt the consequences of it because the abusive system proliferates and only causes further destruction. The second reason is a Jungian idea on which the story is based on. Toji himself is much like a curse created by the actions of his entire family. If Mahito is created from the fear humans have for each other and acts as the shadow of humanity representing their dark side, Toji metaphorically represents the combined shadow and dark side of the zenin clan. In Watch Man, Rorsarch monologues about how the accumulated filth of all of the abuses that happen in the city will one day rise up and affect everyone.

"This city is afraid of me, I have seen it's true face. The streets are extended gutters and the gutters are full of blood and when the drains finally scab over, all the vermin will drown. The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will form up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout save us and I'll look down and whisper no."

This is expressing the same Jungian idea, a society that ignores these problems will only cause the muck to rise up further and further until it affects everyone. The Zenin clan was a microcosm for the abuses of Jujutsu Society as a whole, they weren't the only ones affected by their abuse because abuse perpetuates. They endured it until they snapped and then acted out that abuse. The Jungian idea put forth is that this sort of reckoning was always going to happen, as long as the Zenin clan continues to create these outcasts in order to hold themselves up as superior, another Toji will happen.

2. Love is the Worst Curse of Them All

Toji and Maki also share the same flaw as people. Their abuse revolved around the idea of outcasting them from the rest of the family, othering them, continually putting them down and also most likely not even doing the job of raising them as children or providing them with the help they needed. We don't see much of it, but in the databook apparently Toji regularly had cursed spirits sicked on him to mock him, and Maki was locked in the cursed spirit room as punishment.

This taught them not only do they need to be strong on their own, but also in order to prove themselves they both thought they needed to be stronger than anyone else in the clan. Toji left Jujutsu Society as a whole, whereas Maki just left the house, both of them with the motivation of proving themselves stronger than the people who looked down on them.

This strong sense of individualism is their greatest strength, and also their weakness, as the situation is more complicated than being stronger than a bully. Maki and Toji are made to feel alone because of their abuse, however, neither Maki nor Toji suffer their abuse alone.

Mai was abused right alongside Maki, they were both outcasts due to being twins. There's no point in arguing which one of them had it worse, because Ogi was perfectly willing to kill both daughters right alongside each other. Maki does and doesn't remember that Mai is right alongside her in her abuse, it's... a bit complicated.

I mention this because Makiaated reason why is that she would have hated herself if she stayed inside that household with Maki. She put pursuit of becoming a stronger sorcerer above her relationship with her sister.

Maki later states "I can't create a place where Mai would feel like she belongs". I don't believe that was always her intention from the start that she secretly left the household for Mai's sake, and wanted to get stronger to create a place where Mai belongs, because Maki's always been really clear she was doing it for her own sake. I think rather after the loss she suffered in Shibuya, and also the fight she had with her sister in the school met, that she came to change her mind and realized she wasn't just in this alone. She changed her mind, that she wanted to be together with Mai, but she didn't change it in time and tragedy struck.

I mention this because Maki and Toji both share the same tragic flaw. Both of them have no idea how to be close even to the people they love, so they end up pushing away the ones they love the most. Maki continually shows behavior of pushing away Mai, and in Toji's case he does everything he can to try to show himself he doesn't love his son.

Maki continually pushes away her sister Mai. Mai reacts to getting pushed away in a not-so-healthy way. Toji full on deadbeats his son. He doesn't raise him or participate in his life to the point where Megumi can't remember his face or name at all. Toji did everything he could to try to give Megumi to someone else, anyone else other than him and avoided his responsibility as a father.

It doesn't come from malice on Toji and Maki's part, but rather it's a less savory aspect of their abuse. Both Toji and Maki believe themselves to be worthless, and that they can't be accepted or loved. They've internalized the way the clan has treated them. They are so isolated that this comes out in how they treated their closest loved ones, their response is to always push them away and isolate themselves further. Toji narrates this, he chose to throw his son aside because he wanted to affirm himself and prove that he was better than Jujutsu Society. Maki says to Mai that she left the house and left Mai because staying would have meant hating herself.

They are both trying desperately to prove themselves as individually strong, to the point where loving anyone else, or even requiring that love from someone is a weakness. They prove they are strong by avoiding the vulnerability of loving someone else. Toji and Maki both try to separate themselves from their heart in order to become even more physically stronger. For Toji his heart was his son Megumi who he did everything to distance himself, forgetting his name, selling him to the Zenin clan, while at the same time paradoxically believing that he was somehow protecting Megumi and arranging for things that would have been better than Toji just stepping up as a father and taking care of him.

At the same time Maki pushes Mai away when Mai does not want that, and believes that also she can return to the clan and make it a safe place for her sister by being individually stronger than everyone else.

They both approach their loved ones this way, because they were taught that one, they are unworthy of love, and they choose to try to get stronger by throwing away anything that might make them vulnerable.

TWhich is why Maki breaks so hard, and lashes out at everyone when Mai is gone, because Maki believed that keeping Mai separate from herself and protecting her was her way of showing love.

However, Mai and Megumi are like... people. They're people entirely separate from Maki and Toji and also affected by their actions. Megumi was neglected his entire lives, whereas Mai didn't get to have a relationship with her sister and felt like she was worthless and only holding her sister back. This is the central idea of Toji and Maki's abuse narrative, that abuse is complicated, and abuse proliferates and hurts people you don't even intend for it to hurt. It has consequences. Megumi suffers the consequences of the Zenin family's abuse because it turned Toji into such an unfit and emotionally immature father. Mai was being abused alongside Maki, and even ended up dying from her abuser's hand as her father Ogi beat her half to death and locked her in a room. Now, as a consequence Maki is lashing out at everything around her. That's also why the connection between Toji and Maki is drawn, to show that as long as the abusive institution still stands, it's just going to keep creating more outcasts like Toji and Maki.

#toji zenin #maki zenin #jujutsu sorcerer #jjk meta #jujutsu kaisen meta #jujutsu kaisen theory #zenin maki #mai zenin #zenin mai #megumi fushigoro #fushigoro megumi

[beetsandskzreads]

silent bright summer night

bang chan x gn!reader, y/n works with skz and became their friend (the ultimate dream haha)

genre: tooth-rotening fluff, slight angst with a happy ending

notes/warnings: nothing intense, this is very fluffy, there's brief mentions of cheating, long distance, y/n's exes, fear of abandonment, slight insecurities, deep talks, reader and chan are slightly wine drunk, y/n and chan are whipped, y/n makes it explicit they want to date someone very warm and caring (aka chan), i don't think that's a warning tho djsjs just saying

scenario: on a balcony, at a beach apartment on a summer night of vacation, y/n opens up to chan about their past and current lovers. what y/n doesn't know is why chan is so interested listening to it.

It was 1:01 am when chan and I found ourselves in the balcony that overlooked the city and it's bright lights on a summer night. Skz had gone to sleep right after all of us came back from a night out of lots of fun, buying stuff on stores by the beach, having ice cream, seeing the view of the city lights reflecting on the sea water, appreciating street artists...

The two of us had been talking the whole evening, we hung out as a group but mostly just spoke to each other and laughed at the members jokes, both of us having a sparkle in our eye every time we saw the group happy. There was this unspoken pleasantness, a bliss, calmness in the air but with a lot of excitement. Chan was so happy to be around the sea with "the kids" as he refers to them and being at the beach almost 24/7 this week, it was like his natural habitat, his home, a comfort place. It left you feeling even softer for him, and as you shared your love for the sea, your feelings were at a peak. You liked Chan, and you loved this place as much as he did.

The night was so great, everyone was out like a lightweight as soon as we arrived to the vacation apartment we're in. Chan and I were testing the theory that a glass of wine would help us get drowsy and help us fall asleep as well, since we both have trouble falling asleep and felt nothing but a remaining excitement from the night out. It came to me especially because of the enthusiasm of talking to him, we were connecting so well, I didn't want this to ever end.

And so we drank (one glass quickly becoming the whole bottle) and we talked for what felt like hours on end, that neither of us wanted to cease.

- My ex best friend, she never quite knew how to choose guys, she always went for the ones that would never turn her way, the ones who obviously wouldn't care about her, not because of her, but because they were really careless guys, walking red flags. - I told him, I couldn't remember where exactly the conversation started but we were talking about nice people picking shitty people to date.

- What about you? - he asked

- Me? I barely even like guys, I mean I do, but I'm really picky actually, I don't allow myself to fall for cold people, I wouldn't forgive myself if I took interest in someone rude, I try so hard to take care of myself so I either stay alone that way or I find someone who makes me feel better, who knows how to take care of me, after all we chase happiness, I think a caring person could do that, someone gentle who isn't scared of emotions or who at least is open to face that fear with me by their side.

- I get it, it's hard to get by if you don't have emotional support, a partner should be able to provide that support, yeah. Did you ever... find someone like that?

- Yeah, in the past I did and even now I do know someone more than ideal... I guess my ex partners when I was young were going through a soft phase tho... I guess everyone has an emotional limit they were scared to cross... once I found that barrier the relationship stoped evolving, reached a dead end and so there was nothing left for me anymore and I left, plus, you know, cheating, long distance, a bunch of stuff really... it wasn't meant to be and I'm okay with that.

- What about that someone right now?

Silence ruled for about 3 seconds before I knew what to say. That someone right now is him. Ever since I've known him feels like he's the only man ever, but I don't think I'd tell him that, not soon anyways.

- What about 'em?

- What's that person like? What makes you trust they're any different from your exes?

- Sometimes I fear they're not, but I set the bar really high and I reset it constantly, to make sure I'm seeing it right, sometimes they seem so perfect to me that I wonder what good have i done in my past life to deserve to be around such a bright person. Of course they make mistakes too, but even the way they deal with them is so... mature, it's so easy to just solve things communicating, it's insane to me. Then I remember it's probably because they're eventually gonna leave me too, or just not reciprocate my feelings and after they break my heart I'll probably loose all hope in love, be heart broken for two years until I decide I'm gonna focus on myself again... it's a cycle after heartbreak, but with this person I'm really scared, because they mean more. I'm way too deep in before I've even expressed my feelings, it's gonna be devastating. - I'm rambling, the wine made me do it.

- What makes you think they wouldn't like you back tho?

- I'm not sure I just... it would be too good to be true and it's complicated... he's amazing and I'm just not sure if he'd be into me, I mean, I think I'm lovable and I think I'd be a great lover, I just don't know if I'm his type or if he'd consider me. We have a bit of an age gap, I'm not someone who's typically pretty or specially good looking, I have my charms but I have no idea if that's enough for him to be in love. It's complicated with each others work too... - I notice chan's gaze on me, he has his head leaned on his hand on the table and he's looking at me with bright eyes, eyes that look tired and a little drunk but somehow, he manages to look at me in a way that makes me feel adored, I don't know why you have to make me feel so much love, Bang Chan - Why are you looking at me like that?

- You have no idea how other people perceive you, do you? - he ignored your question, probably because of his drunk-ish drowsy state - Everyone I know likes you, see, you're a naturally kind and caring person, you're attentive to people's needs, you make sure everyone feels comfortable around you... that's so appreciated by everyone. I think you're exceptional y/n, you have this charismatic way of existing, a refreshing and comfy presence everyone can feel, but to me... it feels like home. You feel like home y/n. So... I have no idea who that person is but I sure as hell know they'd be more than lucky to have you as a partner and they're definitely dumb if they let you go.

- Are you dumb? - my heart's pounding quicker as I'm about to do something I didn't plan on doing ever.

- Huh? No, why w-

- Because that person is you... I like you, Chan. In a more-than-friends way - I interrupt him quickly before I lose my newly found courage.

Chan could've sworn his heart stopped for a few seconds. Suddenly sobriety hit him like a truck. It was the alcohol that made you say that, he thought, but he wished it was true and you didn't drink enough to be lying about this kind of stuff, you had a full on conversation and you seemed pretty sober.

- Y-y/n are you sober? - he tries to navigate through the situation.

- Oh my... yeah I am, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything, it just rolled out of my tongue. I'm sorry... - you said as you panicked and tried to go back inside, regret filling up all your organs.

"I messed up" your brain keeps repeating as desperation starts entering your body, until Chan grabbed your hand, stopping you from leaving.

- Wait! You don't need to apologize, I'm glad you told me... You didn't think I'd say all that about you if I didn't like you as well, did you? - he asks suggestively.

- I don't know - you blush as you realize what he's getting at - You're just so nice to everyone, I didn't make a big deal out of it.

- Well, you should've made it a big deal, the biggest deal actually because I've been trying really hard to show you how I feel these past few days and you were so clueless I thought you were purposefully ignoring the signs because you didn't like me back.

- I'm sorry Channie, I just didn't want to assume stuff and get heartbroken if it wasn't true.

-Well it is true, so you don't need to worry anymore. I really like you too, y/n. And I've wanted to say it for a while too, I was just wondering if it was a good idea since you work with us, but I can't contain my feelings anyways... you always treat me so softly and you look after the kids really well... It just feels like you were made to be by my side, you're the embodiment of the person I've always dreamed to be with, and these past few days with the kids and you... it just felt like we were the perfect family you know? I don't think I could be without you by my side anymore... - he stops, he's been staring at your eyes the whole time and now they're starting to water.

How could you not cry when he's saying the things you thought you'd only ever hear in dreams?

- Why are you crying sweetheart? - he whispered, as he wipes a tear with his thumb, the other hand holding your hand as he stands closer every second.

- It's just... I'm so... happy - you smile through your tears - I'm so happy to hear that, you said it in such a beautiful way too... I feel exactly the same, it's like I've gained a family with you guys but you... I've grown really attached to you, feels like some parts of you are tangled in my heart in ways I couldn't tear apart if I wanted to... I'm drawn to you and when I'm with you it's comfortable, blissful, it's right. You're so good to me, it's unbelievable, but it's true, and it warms my heart. - you say as your foreheads touch and your smile grows, his eyes showing so much adoration for you, you could melt.

Suddenly you share your first kiss together, a soft yet passionate mix of sensations, and it felt like everything you ever felt around Chan but better.

You stare into each other's eyes, smiling like the little lovely goofballs you both were, noses touching, ocasional little pecks filled with giggles because you were whipped for each other.

- So this means we're exclusive lovers now, yeah? - he asks with a blushing face, a very silent giggle and a huge, uncontrollable smile.

- Definitely, yeah - you answer biting your lip until eventually you let out the largest smile you ever had.

Needless to say, you didn't leave that balcony to go to sleep that evening. In fact, you two watched the sunrise kissing and cuddling, talking about the feelings you had for each other, when they started, why you liked each other, covered by a blanket, not wanting to let go of each other now that you were openly romantic.

Han found you both sound asleep, you on chan's lap, head on his neck as his arms wrapped around you gently, on a chair in the middle of the morning. He obviously called all the members to watch you two as they assumed you two finally got together. All of them saw it coming, Chan wouldn't shut up about you and had written what could be an entire album about you.

They were happy at least you'd be around more often to cook your delicious food. And you both blushed really hard once you woke up to lot's of teasing from the kids, it was fine tho, you liked it just like this, it was home.

#skz fluff #chan fluff #bang chan scenarios #bang chan oneshot #bang chan imagine #bang chan fluff #stray kids oneshot #stray kids fluff #bang chan angst #chan angst #skz oneshots #skz angst

[caizen]

shame on you | geto s. | fluff

reblogs appreciated lots <3

geto suguru isn't one to be bothered easily by little habits that other people deem as annoying, but seeing you peeling at the dry skin of your lips has him shifting in his seat.

he doesn't know how long you've been doing it today, but he's sure that it's been almost an hour that it scares him that your lips might just start bleeding after picking on it so much.

just as you're about to move onto another area on your lips, he finally gives in and calls your name to gain your attention.

"hm?" you blink, confused at the sudden intervention of your... studying. he kept telling you to focus, so what's he going to say now?

instead of talking, he shuts his lids tightly, heaving a heavy sigh while he tries not to crack into a small smile and make his blood rush up to his face. even if he tries not to, it's already done, and he looks—well, he looks adorable.

suguru always gave off a cool charm, both to you and everyone else, so to see this side of him—this side where he's acting like a shy pup—has your face heating up as well in the cold library.

there was no making up excuses for your faces when the air conditioner is literally just right above you two because the weather's too hot outside and you two are in need of cooling off.

gladly enough, neither of you are in need of explaining, understanding each other's situations without words. there was no blaming each other too since you two were just the same anyway.

still looking away, he reaches out his open hand to you, cherry flavored chapstick placed on it. "quit peeling at your lips."

suguru is a gentleman—he's the embodiment of chivalry. he treated everyone equally, no special treatment towards anyone—you suppose—but you don't think he's offered anyone a chapstick before.

(and he does treat you different. what kind of idiot would get his socks wet, clothes and entirety of his existence soaked in the rain just to return that pen you liked a lot and let him borrow?)

this was another small act of kindness. nothing more, nothing less, you think because getting the wrong assumptions was just going to hurt you.

"oh, you, you don't have to," you mutter, leaning back slightly because only then do you realize how close you're sitting to each other when you get a whiff of the cool mint in his clothes. "i'll stop if it's annoying. sorry, sorry."

he really is annoyed.

he finally faces you, face a shade of pink, clicks his tongue and takes off the cap.

at this point, suguru must have lost all self-restraint and sanity when he leans in a little too close.

(not a little too close for your comfort or his, because heaven knows how much you've wanted to hold each other close. you two are just—maybe a tad bit stupid and oblivious is all.)

((heaven, being shoko ieri. bless her for putting up with such (((lovesick))) fools that call her at night just to cry or scream about how the other looked wonderful that day when they're literally wearing the same clothes as yesterday, or giggle or smile endlessly because they're thinking of how the other noticed the little changes in them.))

(if anything, suguru has always been aware of his actions and feelings, so perhaps love really does change a person.)

you're locked in your place, though it's not as if you could move anyway. lean over and you'll be having your lips on his, lean back and you're falling off the chair you're in.

(the former didn't seem so bad now—shut up.)

suguru really has lost his sanity.

his breath adds even more warmth to your face. his hands are cold against your cheeks, and you're silently hoping that they're cold enough to be numb and not feel the heat in your face even though it's painfully obvious.

he swipes the chapstick slowly against your lips, trying not to make a mistake like how he's trying not to kiss you right then and there.

too bad he's lost all his self-restraint earlier though.

(it's probably just the chapstick, but your lips are sweet, suguru thinks.)

bonus; first kiss

("you..." your words trail off, and it hits him that this isn't a dream at all.

with wide eyes, an apology slips and stutters out of his lips while he's still trying to process what he's just done. all he knows—thinks—he should do is apologize.

there was no countering his apology and saying that you forgive him, because what was the point of it if you—if you—if you ((shamelessly)) liked it anyway?

"that was... my first kiss."

"...sorry."

"no! no- no, i'm glad it was you."

little do you know, ((he's glad)) his first kiss was you too.)

a/n: suguru giv me a kiss challenge i am touch and love starved thanks

also change my mind suguru becomes a little child when it comes to love bc i do too he's such a cutie i despise and loathe and abhor and detest him what a simp disgusting i vomit

#jjk x reader #jjk fluff #jjk scenario #jjk imagines #geto suguru scenarios #geto suguru fluff #geto suguru imagines #geto suguru x reader #geto x reader #geto fluff #geto imagines #geto scenarios #getou suguru x reader #getou suguru fluff #getou suguru imagines #getou x reader #getou fluff #getou imagines #ayo geto suguru #gimme a kiss #are u even herw #move the glass or speak into the mic #or just give me a kiss straight away

[one-piece-aus]

La Seine

Law x Skypiean!Reader | Music 100 Milestone Event

Law + Classical Music + Slow Burn + Love Connection | Requested by: @chocolate-n-cheese

2 weeks have passed since Law had escaped White Town. The boy had visited every hospital he could find, not one had a cure for his amber lead disease, and what made it worse had been the very fact he was treated like a monster. Cast out, chased down by authorities, and terrified everyone that crossed his path. Law couldn't even find a decent place for shelter, he didn't have cash but even if did it's not as if any inns would welcome him.

So there he sat in an alley, wrapping himself in rags that were scattered around near the trash. The place he rested was damp from the specks of snow that managed to fall in the narrow area, and the temperature was low enough for him to be able to see his breath. Shaking like a leaf, he pulled the fabric closer to his body when laughter and music began to play from inside one of the buildings.

The sound almost made Law cry, it had been a long time since he listened to music and it reminded him of the festivals that White Town once held. He missed his home, his family-

"[Y/n] where do you think you're going?"

"I'm just taking out the trash."

A door to the back alley opened, a soft light shade poured into the outside and you stepped out, tugging a black trash bag behind you. Law sucked in a breath and slowly back-crawled, not wanting to be discovered. The boy was already out of energy from escaping the marines that hunted him earlier that day, he didn't want to run again. However, it's as if the world hated him because of a bag of bottles that chined against each other when he back into them.

You heard the noise and glanced over to where it came from. You were met with wide eyes staring into your, Law flinched and ducked down. Concerned, you placed a stone in front of the door so it wouldn't close, you cautiously crept towards the boy.

"Are you okay?" You asked, your voice softer than a pillow as to show you meant no harm.

"Go... go away." Law barked, burying his face into his arms so you wouldn't see the white spots on his face.

"Why?" You innocently inquired.

"Because... because I'm a monster, people like you are scared of me! You'll just scream and call for help."

Small giggles were heard, causing Law to look up with an irritated expression. Was this girl laughing at him? Before he could ask what was amusing, you spoke.

"If you're a monster then what does that make me?"

Law lifted his head to see what you were talking about when he thought an angel was standing in front of him. Easy mistake because you had white feathery wings on your back, at first Law concluded they might have been a fake prop but he scraped that when he witnessed the wings shake off the snow that collected on them. You smiled at him and one of your wings gave him a wave. Law stared at you in awe, having not seen anything like this before.

You held out a hand for Law, he glanced at it and back at you nervously. Hesitantly, he reached out and grabbed your hand. Quickly, he wiped his head to the side, not wanting to see the scared expression you'd give once you saw the little white spots on his hand.

Seconds passed and he didn't hear any gasp or horrified cry. Puzzled, Law looked at you wondering why you didn't say anything. He frowned his brows and pointed at one of the small white spots, he thought you might've not seen it because they were so small. Was it stupid to do that? Probably but he didn't want you to realize later and be given false hope.

"Don't worry, I have marks too," you reassured him and lifted the side of your shirt to show a bruised spot on your ribs. Law winced, seeing the discoloured spot on your skin. "Rocks hit hard, I think it's better when they're tomatoes." You looked back at Law, unfazed by what you showed him and kept your smile. "Come on, let's get out of the snow."

The boy took your hand a propped himself onto his feet. Carefully, you glanced around to make sure no one was around before taking Law under your small wing and leading him inside.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Law, psst, Law!"

The said boy blinked his eyes opened to see a little girl waving a hand in front of his face. Rubbing his eye to wake up, Law recollected what happened earlier in the night. You had snuck him inside to the attic where you stayed, a nice gesture though he was still worried he'd be found. Fortunately, you, and only you, discovered there had been a little hidden room in the attic behind a small door. That's was your secret hideout and now it's being used as Law's home.

"I managed to grab some food for you," you exclaimed in a hushed tone and held up a pouch. "I don't know about you, but I know I was hungry back when I was sleeping in alleys, so I figured you might be too."

"Yeah-uh... yeah, thank- thank you, [Y/n]-ya." Law didn't want to admit it but he was starving. A smile grew on his face when he opened it to see cheese and grapes.

It had become a routine the next few days; you left during the day and came back later in the evening with food you managed to snag for Law. Neither of you had to worry about water because you had a stash of bottled water in the attic. The evening would then be small talk between the two of you until one yawned and call it a night, you'd go back to your part of the attic and he'd snuggled in the makeshift fort of blankets & pillows. However, almost every night Law would wake up from a nightmare of his old town, he never told you about it... then one night-

Law jolted up, breath racing and tears falling from his eyes. He pulled his hat over his eyes and hugged his knees, sniffling and cursing the marines under his breath. The night slowly grew still as Law calmed down, yet he could catch the faint sound of something when he did.

Curious, Law crawled over and pressed an ear against the small door. He concentrated on the sound he had heard, but it wasn't a sound. It was a voice...

"She's resplendent, so confident~"

A voice of an angel.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

The singing was soft and soothing.

"I realize, I'm hypnotized~"

The voice intrigued Law, and slowly he opened the door.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

He peaked out, searching for the source.

"I hear the moon singing a tune~"

That's when his eyes landed on you, engulfed in the moon as she sat on the ledge of the attic window.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

Your gaze rested on the view outside the window, unaware of Law.

"Is she divine, Is it the wine~"

A small warmth filled in Law's chest and his cheeks became dusted with red.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

He watches in awe as he listened to the most beautiful thing he ever heard.

"I don't know, don't know, so don't ask me why

That's how we are~ La Seine and I

I don't know, don't know, so don't ask me why

That's how we are~ La Seine and I..."

The stinging memories of the past were now no longer on Law's mind, replaced by the angel he saw before him.

"Wow..." Law muttered unconsciously out loud, which caught your attention. You turned your head towards him, a blush erupted on Law's cheeks and he glanced away. "Sorry, sorry-"

"Uh- no I'm sorry," you apologized waving your hands in front of you. "I just sing when I... when I can't sleep. I didn't mean to wake you."

"Don't worry, you didn't wake me. I just... couldn't sleep."

"Oh..."

The room grew quiet, silence walking by the two who both averted their eyes from each other. Once it passed, you spoke up.

"Would you like to sing with me?"

"I don't know if I'll be as good as you," Law said and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Heh, singing isn't about being good, it's about what you feel in your heart."

When Law look back at you, you were now in front of him, a gentle smile on your face. Delicately, you grabbed his hands and lead him to sit by the window sill. From there you taught him the song you were singing moments ago. Law fell asleep on your shoulder that night, and for the first time in a while, Law was able to rest easy.

~~~~~~~ 11 Years Later ~~~~~~~

Arriving at Saboody, the Heart pirates had decided to visit a restaurant for something to eat. Entering the place, Law couldn't help but notice the stage and currents in the dining area. He turned to the waiter escorting him and his crew to their table.

"What kind of performances does this place have?" Law inquired as he sat down at the table.

"Mostly travelling singers," the waiter answered, handing out the menus. "Though we do have a few who perform regularly. Our most popular attraction is the infamous Angel [Y/n]."

Wait a minute, could it be? The same- no, it was impossible after what happened. Yet as Law became distracted by his thoughts and tuned the waiter out, his eyes drifted to a familiar set of white feathered wings going behind an employee-only door.

"I'll be right back," Law stated to his crew, abruptly getting up from the table and made his way to the door. Glancing around, he stealthy slipped in and found himself in a hallway. He didn't know what he was doing but, he felt as if a red string of fate tied around his hand and pulled him towards the direction of where the winged figure went off to.

Searching for the needle in the haystack, Law began to lose hope that you were actually here, though just as he passed by a door he heard a faint voice. Retracing his steps, Law pressed his ear to the door, listening carefully.

"She's resplendent, so confident~"

There it was, the singing angel he had been searching for.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

No other person could ever hold a candle to your soothing melody.

"I realize, I'm hypnotized~"

Law leaned back on the door, not ready to face you just yet.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

But his lips tugged up as he remembered the song.

"I hear the moon singing a tune~"

And he couldn't help but try to sing with her.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

He carefully wrapped his hand around the doorknob.

"Is she divine, Is it the wine~"

Mentally he braced himself.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

Slowly opening the door, he noticed you stopped singing to see who it was but that didn't stop him from continuing.

"I don't know, don't know, so don't ask me why

That's how we are~ La Seine and I

I don't know, don't know, so don't ask me why

That's how we are~ La Seine and I..."

"Law..?" you breathe, feeling as if this was a dream.

"It's been a while [Y/n]-ya," he replies, gazing into your beautiful eyes that stared at him in awe.

"This is real, right?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing," Law chuckles.

"I see you have tattoos instead of spots now," you comment, gently taking his hand and peering carefully at the ink design.

Law's cheeks become coloured with red as your delicate hands held his. Even after all this time away, the feelings he had for you still stir in his winter heart. You were one of the few people left in this world he was able to connect with and love, however, with you, the love he felt had been more than what he felt with family.

"But you're still someone with few words," you tease, glancing back into his silver eyes.

"And I still mistake you for an angel with those wings."

You giggle but a blush dusts your cheeks, feeling flattered by the tall man in front of you. He has certainly grown into a handsome fellow. You both smile, feeling content with the presence of each other, but that goes when he frowns.

"You don't have your marks, do you?" His voice was cautious, not wishing to remind you of any unpleasant memories.

"Um... there's still one left but I can't really do anything about it..." You subconsciously rub the back of your neck where the celestial symbol was burned into your back just below.

"Unless it gets cover..." Law tells you and takes your hand in his. "By a tattoo... or another mark."

"What would I even get?" You smile at him, wanting his opinion.

"My jolly roger," Law answers. "Join my crew [Y/n]."

This took way longer than I thought it would to make this, and most of the time it was spent on finding the song xD

Anyway, that side, I hope you enjoyed and thank you for your request and follow

#milestone event #one piece #law x reader #law x y/n #trafalgar d. water law #trafalgar d water law #trafalgar law #one piece scenario #one piece oneshot #one piece x reader #one piece x you #one piece x y/n #requested

[romeulusroy]

Peaky Blinders Preference: Being A Youger/New Blinder Calling Them Mom/Dad

Thomas is caught off guard, but he's had a lot of practice masking his emotions. He doesn't say anything about it, doesn't even react, at first you're not even sure he caught you. You count your lucky stars he didn't, wanting to move on as quickly as possible. He doesn't speak of it for a while. Then, when you're alone, he cracks, a smile you find hard to recognize spreading across as he laughs at you. Here he is, your big scary gangster boss, who is feared by many, giggling like a child. You can feel your face burning, and you try to explain yourself, but he doesn't want to hear it. He knows it was a funny mistake, an accident, a force of habit. But, being both an older brother and the one in charge, he feels obliged to pick on you a little. He keeps it between you, thankfully, but you know he'll never forget about it, nor let you live it down.

Arthur is initially shocked. Really, he's completely caught off guard. It takes a minute for it to click, and a minute for you to realize what you'd just said, completely mortified. You try to backtrack, to fixit, but you know Arthur has already ran with it. You get the jokes, the mocking, the laughter and humiliation. You swear you see a tear run down his cheek as he giggles to himself, hunched over, trying to catch his breath. As an oldest sibling in his family, he picks on his siblings, finding their embarassing moments absolutely hilarious. You might not be a Shelby, but you're a Blinder, and that's close enough. It doesn't matter how long it's been, or how unfunny you might think it is, he never grows tired of it. Everyone's heard how you called him Dad one time. You made sure never to say it again, not wanting to add fuel to the flames.

John doesn't even bat an eye. The name goes right over his head. He doesn't stop what he's doing, he doesn't look up, he merely sends you off as if nothing happened, drowning in his own work, not wanting to be distracted any longer. Outnumbered by his own gang of kids, he hears Dad more times than he count, especially when they're all saying it at once. Whining, or fighting with one another, after they've broken or spilled something. It's not an out of place thing for him to hear. Doesn't matter who's voice it is that's saying it, too. The family even tested it out, all of them calling him that through out the day in various pitches and tones. He even responded when Arthur said it doing his best extea-deep voice. You're grateful it doesn't turn into a joke or something he catches. You're embarassed enough, you don't need anyone else adding on to it. You slip up a few times, out of habit, but like the first time, he waves it off.

Ada rolls her eyes, moving on without another word. She's used to not being taken as seriously as her brothers, especially when it comes to Blinder business. Newbies are just the same, regardless of how much time they've spent on the job. Anytime she's giving the orders, it's never taken as seriously, often involving eye rolls and whispers, commenting on how they should go find their "real" bosses. When questioned by anyone else, they deny until their faces are blue. Many learn fadt not to do so, and not because they're scared of the boys, but because they're scared of facing angry Ada. A lot of Blinders slip up because they're not used to being told what to do by a woman. It's uncommon. She doesn't want to acknowledge it any further, knowing the jokes/mocking between the older ones who haven't learned their lesson yet will only worsen.

Finn tries to come back at you with a joke or a name. You called him that out of annoyance, accompanied by an eye roll or a jab to his side, something to show how eone you were with him and his superiority complex. You were new to the Blinders gang, but you weren't stupid and you weren't naive. There's a reason you were let in. Infact, sometimes you thought you were better at it than him, despite your short time working within it. Finn thought those were the same things, though. He gets an ego about a lot of things, especially when he's put in charge of you. He bosses you around like a little kid, using you more as an intern than a partner, despite being so close in age, often rewording the instructions you were given in simpler terms so you'd understand. You call him Dad to annoy him, but now it's become a part of your vocabulary, you don't even catch yourself doing it sometimes. At this point, neither does he.

Michael stops dead in his tracks. He can't help the face he makes, one of shock and a little bit of embarrassment. It's just not something he's used to hearing, or expecting to hear, especially not by a Blinder. He's been called a lot of names, a lot, most of them negative or crude, but never Dad. You didn't even realize. You were just taking orders, being told what to do, and as you walked out of the shop, you let it slip, the same way you often said "I love you" as you were hanging up the phone even to strangers. You booked it, realizing what you said, leaving him to deal with the jokes and mocking from his family. He's not sure how to bring it up. Michael isn't flustered often, nor is he stunned, but this really caught him off guard. He doesn't say anything about it, but you're extra careful about what you say around him, and avoid him for a few days after.

Polly has heard it just about a million times, especially from new, young Blinders. There's a running joke when you join them you automatically get another mother. Not only does she take care of business, but you'll get a lecture about a crooked cap or an untucked shirt, about saying please and thank you, no elbows on the table, even dating advice when you need it. At first, the name would have hurt her. She never let it show, but it was a reminder of her past, her mistakes, losing her children. Now, though, after so many slip ups, she almost expects it at one point or another with newbies. You apologize profusely, totalky embarassed, but she waves it off with an endearing smile and a head shake. In a way, she does see all of you as her kids. Stupid, reckless, impulsive, just like her own. In need of direction, of someone, most of the time her, to tell you to get your head on straight and make the right decisions.

Alfie just gives up. With a sigh and a shake of the head, he moves on without another word. You're helping him on a job with a couple other Blinders. He doesn't mind having to work with the new Blinders, doesn't even mind the young ones who look ten years younger than they are, but being called Dad at least once on the job is becoming more and more normal. Unfortunately. By the time you join, and slip up, all he does is shrug it off. He doesn't bring it up, he doesn't even act like he heard you. You know it's unprofessional, and that Alfie has a lot of people afraid of him for a reason, so you try to apologize. He doesn't mind though, explaining he knows it's a mistake and that it happens more often than you'd think. You're still embarassed, watching what you say, but you definitely say it a few more times. The jokes, the perspective, the way he acts, Alfie does and says everything every embarassing, out of date dad does.

#preference #headcanon #peaky blinders #peaky blinders preference #peaky blinders headcanon #thomas shelby #arthur shelby #john shelby #ada shelby #finn shelby #michael gray #polly gray #alfie solomons #ennasfavorites

[themoonlitsojourner]

Chapter 3: Come back home

Gar thought Raven didn't care. And he couldn't fault her for it after what happened when HE wore his heart on his sleeve. But now she's here with him. And he can't believe just how wrong he was.

In the dark room, lit only by fairy lights and the stars on the ceiling, Tara and Gar danced. They swayed back and forth, shuffling their feet in a pattern neither of them quite knew. The way they were dancing wasn’t important, after all. They were content just to be together, no matter what they were doing.

“How’s this for a dance?” Gar grinned. “It’s not exactly prom, but-”

“It’s perfect,” Tara reassured him. With a sigh, she leaned forward to rest her head on his shoulder. “Thank you.”

“Yeah.” He smiled down at her, running his hand lightly through her silky blond hair. “It’s no big deal, really. I’d do a lot more for you.”

When Tara looked up at him, tears shone in her ocean blue eyes. Tears he hadn’t understood at the time, mistaking them for happiness instead of sorrow. For affection instead of the dread of what was to come.

Leaning forward, she kissed him, so softly and sweetly he knew he’d remember that night forever. But like all the others they shared, it wasn’t long before the memory turned bittersweet.

~~~

Gar wakes up slowly. Why rush to return to his empty room and the aching hole in his chest? To the endless rain pouring down both outside his window and in his head?

But this morning is different. Today he awakens to cool jeans under his cheek and a gentle hand resting on his shoulder.

Gar’s eyes flutter open. No, he’s not still dreaming. He’s definitely lying with his head in someone’s lap. And when he cranes his neck to look, he can’t quite believe his eyes.

It’s Raven, of all people, who sleeps propped against the wall, head bowed and hair falling in front of her face, her hand resting on his shoulder. Her lips part slightly as she exhales quietly.

How does she do that? How does she find peace and control, the two things that have eluded Gar all his life? Especially now, when his world has shattered on the ground. He can’t imagine what the inside of his skull must look like right now. He doesn’t need to be an empath to know he’s a mess.

And yet Raven stayed. She pulled the pain from him, despite the havok it must have caused in her mind and the crick she’s totally going to have in her neck when she wakes up. She kept her promise.

Maybe he shouldn’t be so shocked. Maybe he should have a little more faith in his teammate. But honestly… Gar’d always thought Raven didn’t like him. That she only tolerated his presence. It’s why he can’t quite wrap his mind around it now that her actions say differently.

She could have decided to wait out the storm, could have let him push her away like the rest of the Titans. But instead she went miles out of her way to meet him in the dark hole he dug for himself.

When Gar closes his eyes, he can picture how she pulled his grief into herself, face creased in concentration. He can picture the single tear that rolled down her cheek, the first time he’s ever seen her cry. She hurt herself to help him. Why, he has no clue. It’s crazy. He’s lying with his head in her lap, for goodness sake!

I’ve gotta be a real mess if she’s letting me get this close. It’s all he can think of, that he looks so torn apart that she’s taking pity on him. Whatever the reason, he’s grateful.

“Rae.” She doesn’t stir. “It’s morning, sleepy-head.” Gar can’t help smirking. “And I think this is the first time I’ve ever been awake before you.”

“It’ll probably be the last,” Raven mumbles, still half asleep but falling easily into the familiar pattern of their banter. She pulls away from the wall, straightens, and immediately winces. Yup. Crick in the neck. Blinking against the light from the window, her careful gaze scans Gar’s face. Searching for the cracks.

“Are you okay?”

The world roars back to life around Garfield, the pictures and memories he’s desperate to forget flooding in.

“No.” He closes his eyes.

Raven lifts her hand from his shoulder. A pang shoots through Gar’s chest. Time’s up. She’s going to leave now, but he really shouldn’t be surprised. He is surprised she stayed this long though, that she answered a request he had no right to make. What was he thinking, anyway, asking the team empath to keep his chaotic mind company?

Gar’s about to sit up and let her go, and he knows she’s thinking the same thing, when he senses her hesitate. And instead of pushing his head from her lap, she pushes his hair back from his face.

As her cool fingers brush his forehead, Gar means to hold still, to listen to the part of him that’s afraid moving will make her stop. But the other side of him is so much stronger. It’s the part that needs to be reassured and held no matter who’s giving it, the part that’s been touch-starved by the hours locked alone in his room.

So Gar forgets who’s reassuring him and curls into it, seeking out more touch, more comfort. He presses his forehead into Raven’s side, letting her crisp cold wash away the muggy heat of his room.

Until he realizes what he’s doing. Never, in a million years, would Raven let him get this close. He’s totally making her uncomfortable.

You screwed up, you screwed, now she’s definitely going to leave.

But Raven doesn’t push him away. She stiffens, yeah, and she hesitates. Then she continues to stroke his hair. Her movements are awkward and unpracticed (he knows this is way outside her comfort zone), but there’s genuine care behind them. Gar tries not to purr when her fingernails scratch against his scalp in a way all the animal in him likes.

But it only takes a few seconds for reality to set in. Gar can’t ignore it any longer. Raven might be willing to stay and keep him company, but she can’t.

She has to go meditate so she can recharge. She’s told the team over and over that it’s not optional, and despite her incredible mental strength, Gar can feel the strain seeping in. The struggle to keep her mind level and calm after last night’s onslaught of emotions reflects in the tight control of her movements. She has to leave, and he can’t ask her to come back. Not after how much she’s given of herself just to be here.

Not when he isn’t sure if he’s even worth the effort.

“You should probably go.” Gar rolls off her lap.

Raven watches him for a moment, surprise altering her neutral expression and lifting her eyebrows a fraction. Does she think he doesn’t know how much of a toll her powers take on her? Maybe not. He doesn’t exactly act like he’s paying attention most of the time.

Raven’s mask falls back into place and she nods, rising from the bed. Gar looks away as she walks toward the door, unable to watch her go but too scared to admit he doesn’t want to be alone. Too ashamed to ask her to send Vic in. He’d never look at Gar the same way after seeing him like this.

Garfield hears the door swing open, but it doesn’t shut. He glances over to see Raven standing with her hand on the doorknob and studying him. Her eyes soften when he meets them, just the smallest bit.

“You’re not alone, Gar.”

Then she’s gone.

Gar stares at the closed door. You’re not alone. Just like he told her so long ago, back when they were still kids. Before their lives got so complicated and tragic.

What did he know then?

~~~

Garfield stays in his room all day. Despite the stubborn pessimist that she is, Raven hoped he’d reach out if given a little more time and space. That he would let his friends and teammates help instead of locking them out.

Apparently, she should have stuck with pessimism.

Raven has been reading the same line over and over when Victor flops onto the other end of the couch. She doesn’t need to ask where he was.

“This won’t last forever.” She lowers her book to give Victor her best attempt at an encouraging and understanding expression. “He’ll come around.”

Vic doesn’t even look at her. The frustration in his voice isn’t quite able to mask the pain. “You sure?”

Raven doesn’t have an answer.

~~~

It’s not her place and maybe it won’t change anything, but by the time night falls she can’t stand by any longer. If he won’t come out, then she’ll come to him.

Raven steps into Garfield’s room, edging around the pile of dirty laundry. “Victor misses you.”

They all do.

He’s lying in the same position as last time, on his side with his back to the door. Watching the rain that never seems to end. “I think I’ve figured it out.”

Though he can’t see her do it, Raven lifts an eyebrow. “Figured what out?”

“Why you like to be alone. Why you like the quiet. It numbs the pain doesn’t it? Calms the storm inside.” He crosses his arms and pulls his knees to his chest. “It makes it easier not to care. It’s safer that way, isn’t it?

Raven’s skin goes cold. But this time, it’s not because of her powers. It’s fear for Garfield and the way he’s talking. “This isn’t about me. And everything you just said? That’s not you.”

Gar rolls onto his back, cloudy eyes drifting to her face. “I just wanted to say I get it now. I’m sorry I didn’t before.”

This is not a time to freeze up, or wonder why in the world Gar chose to talk to the one person in the tower who is least equipped to help him. This is not a time to wish she’d learned something other than control and magic from Azar, such as how to interact properly with others. No, this is a time for action. To do something, to say something to help her friend. And maybe it won’t help. But Victor’s words echo in her mind.

Will it hurt?

Gar blinks, jaw falling open as Raven kneels beside the bed and lays her head on her arms, tilting it sideways so that she can meet his wide green eyes from the same angle. She needs to be on his level. See things from his perspective, both literally and figuratively.

“Quiet keeps the pain from getting worse. Solitude protects others from the storm.” She shakes her head. “But neither makes it better.”

~~~

Gar has never been this close to Raven before. Even when his head was in her lap she was still “up there,” her face a good two feet away from his. There’s always been a distance between them, both physically and emotionally, one that he could never figure out how to cross.

But now they’re equal, literally seeing eye to eye. Maybe that’s why Gar finds traces of... of feeling on the face he’s always thought battled Cinderblock’s for the title of stoniest. Or maybe the traces were always there. Maybe he just didn’t understand them until now. That’s true of a lot of things, actually.

He never thought of Raven’s distance as protection, both for herself and for her friends. But betrayal and loss really change a guy’s perspective on the world. So does a walk in his teammate’s shadowy shoes and even darker mind. Not that he’d ever tell her he could feel her emotions just as well as she could his when she used her powers to lessen the pain. She’d be mortified.

“I know it’s the last thing you want right now.”

Garfield’s attention flicks back to Rae, noticing the lavender color of her eyes as she speaks.

“But come downstairs. Please.” She drops her gaze, almost… embarrassed?

“Your friends miss you. They need you.”

Need… him? Gar can’t recall anyone ever saying they needed him. During a mission, sure, “Beast Boy, we need you to turn into a dinosaur,” but that’s Beast Boy. No one has ever needed Garfield.

He lowers his ears. “You need me?”

“Yes. We’re not a team without you.”

We. She’s saying we now. And he thought she’d prefer the team without him. Guess I was wrong about a lot of things.

Raven’s voice drops, and Gar knows what she’s about to tell him is important.

“What you said before, about not caring… I’m not supposed to care. It was the one rule I made when I joined the Titans, to protect myself and the others.” She tenses her jaw. “If I didn’t care, there would be fewer emotions to keep under control. And it wouldn’t hurt when the team told me to leave after they found out what I really was.”

As if we’d ever let you leave.

“Yeah. I understand that now.” Gar swallows past the lump in his throat. “It’s pretty smart, even though we’d never do that to you.” If I hadn’t cared about Tara, then I wouldn’t be hurting like this. My heart wouldn’t be shattered on the ground.

“No.” Raven shakes her head, frustration seeping into her voice. “No, it isn’t. That’s not what I’m saying.”

Gar scrunches up his nose, baffled, and she sighs.

“I’m not explaining this right. Garfield…” Her expression softens, and the mask falls away from her face. Completely and entirely. And for the first time, Garfield sees Raven, really sees her. No walls. No sarcasm or deflection. Just Raven, real and complete.

“I do care,” she confesses. “About you, Koriand’r, Victor, and Richard.” She looks away. “I care a lot. When it comes to the team, I’ve found it’s impossible not to.” Her brow furrows. “That means I’m going to get hurt someday, one way or the other. Something terrible will happen, or someone will walk away from the team, and I’ll feel like the world is ending.”

Just like I do right now.

“But it’s a price I’m willing to pay for my friendships.”

Raven pauses. Then she speaks slowly, as if realizing how she truly feels for the first time. “They’re worth it.”

Garfield’s mind whirls, set afloat in a strange new dimension where Raven makes eloquent speeches and shares heartfelt secrets. Where she cares about even him.

“You don’t hate me.” To Gar’s complete embarrassment, his voice cracks and the waterworks start. “I-I really thought-”

Raven’s eyes widen in complete horror. “Hate you? No! You… actually thought that?”

“You told…” Gar can’t say her name, images of blood soaked bandages flashing before his eyes. His hands tremble as he clears his throat and forces himself to continue. “Y-you said you used to.”

Raven falls silent. He can almost see her working through her thoughts. He had no idea how much went on behind her blank expression.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Sometimes I’ve been annoyed or irritated by you, especially during the first year. But I’ve never hated you.” She blinks and glances away. “It’s, um… kind of impossible, actually.”

For a moment, Gar forgets that Raven is Queen of No-Hugs and throws his arms around her neck. But this alternate dimension just gets stranger when she awkwardly pats him on the back in return.

Outside, the skies open up with a loud crash as the storm that the constant rain’s been threatening to bring all week finally breaks. Raindrops pound against the window in a steady rhythm while low thunder rumbles in the background. It sounds good. It feels like a release.

“I’m not going to lie.”

Gar lets go and pulls back, watching Raven’s face as she exhales.

“It will be hard at first. You’ll feel like you’re faking it every time you do something that makes you happy. But the joy will come back.”

“How do you know?” I want to hope, Rae. I want to so badly.

“Because you’re Gar.” She says it with finality, like that’s her whole answer. No hard logic or practical attempts to convince him. Just faith that he’ll come out alright because of who he is. Faith in him. “You’re stronger than you know.”

“Okay.” Garfield watches relief flood her eyes. She… she really was worried about him. “I’ll try.”

Five minutes later, Gar slips into the living room behind Raven, feeling oddly shy and self-conscious in his own home. But that only lasts the few seconds it takes for Kori to spot him.

“Garfield!” She flies straight at him like a rocket, stopping only inches short of running into him. Her eyes shine with unshed tears and she stretches out her arms. “May I give you a hug, please?”

“Why not?” Gar shrugs, blinking to hide his own tears. For once, he doesn’t mind how bone-crushing all Starfire’s hugs are. It’s never felt so good to have someone so happy to see him again. He’s never missed his friends this much.

The sound of Kori’s excitement brings Victor rushing in, Dick close at his heels.

A relieved grin splits the cyborg’s face. “BB,” he says quietly, holding out his fist. His soft brown eyes search Garfield’s face, still lined with concern.

With a start, Gar realizes how much he scared him.

“Cy.” He taps Vic’s fist with his own. “I’m… I’m sorry, dude.”

Stepping forward, Vic wraps him in a bear hug. “Man, don’t you dare apologize.” Is that… a sniffle Gar hears? “I’ve missed you, buddy.”

“Yeah,” Gar whispers into his best friend’s sweatshirt. “Me too, bro.”

After Vic releases Gar, Dick steps forward and wraps an arm around his shoulder, pulling him into a brief but sincere hug. “Good to have you back, Gar. Whatever you need, just ask. We’re behind you no matter what.”

Gar’s heart still throbs. The pain is still there. He has a feeling it will be for a long time. But as his gaze drifts from friend to friend, from teammate to teammate, he knows he’ll be okay.

His eyes land on Raven. The slightest corner of her mouth turns up and she nods, reminding him that he’s not alone. He never has been.

(Chapter 1) (Chapter 2)

(Previous fic in series: Slow dancing in the Darkness)

(Next fic in series: The Sound of the Sword)

#just use the link to read the first chapter and the previous fic in the series #bbrae #beast boy #raven #garfield logan #teen titans #teen titans animated #teen titans animated series #mine #fanfiction #fanfic #ao3 #writing #hurt/comfort

[evilwriter37]

Still Here

Commission for @howtowhumpyourhiccup!

Rated: teen

Warnings: none

Pairings: none

Word Count: 1,478

Summary: Hiccup and Toothless are flying back to Berk from a solo mission when they are caught in a thunderstorm. They're separated by the storm, with no hope of survival. Will anyone find them in time?

There was a storm brewing. Hiccup could tell by the way the clouds were rising up high in the sky, puffing out, creating an anvil shape when they hit the highest point. And they were turning dark. So very dark. Thunder rolled in the distance.

Hiccup had gone to Dragon Island to check that it was still there after what had happened with the Screaming Death, and was on his way back to Berk.

“Come on, bud, faster,” Hiccup urged. The storm was behind them, rearing up, ready to swallow them whole. They had to get back to Berk before it could consume them.

Toothless made a rumbling sound of affirmation, flapped his wings, trying to put on all the speed he could. Neither of them wanted to be trapped out here in this storm.

That didn’t seem to matter. The storm came upon them, the sky turning to charcoal. Freezing rain pelted them from above. It had been a very humid day, the sky white with it, so Hiccup wasn’t surprised that the rain was cool. It was from that of a cold front. Usually he welcomed these kinds of storms in the summer, but not now, when he and Toothless were about to experience the full force of it out in the open air.

Lightning flashed blue across the stretch of ocean and sky. Wind whipped Hiccup and Toothless, causing Toothless to careen to the side a little bit. Thunder boomed not too long after the lightning blast.

“Gods dammit!” Hiccup yelled, clutching tight to Toothless’ saddle, flattening himself to it to make flying a little easier. Toothless flapped his wings desperately. The tail fin flapped in the wind, making it hard for Toothless to stay up and fly straight.

“We can do this, bud! We can do this!” Hiccup hoped Toothless could hear him over the wind and rain and thunder. It was so incredibly loud experiencing it in the air like this, up close and personal with it. Just in case he hadn’t heard him, he patted him on the side of the head.

Letting go of the saddle was a dire mistake. Wind buffeted him from the side, and suddenly he was losing his grip on Toothless, being knocked out of the saddle. He screamed and Toothless shrieked. Hiccup tried holding on, tried climbing back up, but the saddle and Toothless’ scales were too slippery.

Toothless was able to glide for a moment, but not for long, especially with Hiccup dangling off the side of him.

Hiccup lost his grip and fell, plummeting towards the roiling ocean beneath.

“Toothless!” He reached his hands out for his dragon, and Toothless dove down to try to catch him.

But then lightning struck and blinded them both. Hiccup hit the water, and it hurt, felt like smacking into a rock wall. He went under, his last sight being Toothless spinning down into the ocean with him.

Hiccup hurriedly swam upwards, his clothes and prosthetic weighing him down. But still, he emerged among the waves, able to breathe now.

He couldn’t see Toothless.

“Toothless!” Hiccup swam frantically to where he thought he’d seen his friend fall, but it was tough when the whole sea looked the same and waves rose and fell.

Hiccup tried his best to stay afloat. He called for Toothless again, but a wave rose up and choked him with salt water. He spat it out, coughing.

Still, he tried in a broken voice to call for his friend. He moved his limbs frantically to try to stay afloat. He was a little buoyant, but not enough to just float there unimpeded, especially with the way the ocean rocked and swayed and rolled.

Blue lightning, crashing thunder, freezing rain.

Hiccup was scared. To be out in the middle of the ocean like this without being able to find Toothless? Bad. Very bad. Being caught in the middle of a storm with lightning? Even worse.

Oh gods… He could very well die out here.

The realization shocked him through with cold. His body tried to shudder and shiver even as he swam.

“Toothless! Toothless!” He was growing more frantic. He needed his dragon, needed something to hold onto. He was growing tired from keeping himself afloat.

Hiccup couldn’t stop looking for Toothless though, even as death loomed over him and flashed down into the water. He wouldn’t give up. He couldn’t.

“Toothless! Toothless, where are you, bud?!”

---

An hour later, or what must have been an hour later, thunder still roared from the sky. Hiccup was exhausted, trying his best to stay above the waves. His limbs felt like lead and his muscles burned.

No sign of Toothless. He was going to die out here. They both were.

Thunder boomed louder than it had before. Hiccup wished he could have blocked his ears.

And then he saw motion in the sky, a color he recognized, a man he recognized!

“Dad! Dad, I’m down here!” Hiccup choked again. He hoped he didn’t have any seawater in his lungs. He tried his best to wave his arms, kicking his foot and prosthetic to stay afloat. “I’m down here!”

Thornado must have sensed him, or Stoick had heard him, because then they were swooping down towards him. With one big arm, Stoick yanked Hiccup up and out of the water, putting him onto Thornado’s back behind him. Hiccup sagged against his father the instant he was out of the water, his body dying for some rest.

“Did you find Toothless?” Hiccup asked.

“No,” Stoick answered above the rumbling and rocking of the storm. “No sign of him.”

There was water on Hiccup’s face, so his father wouldn’t see his tears, but he couldn’t help crying in exhaustion and frustration. Where was Toothless?!

They flew onwards. It seemed like an eternity. The storm stretched on and on forever.

And then they saw a black shape in the water. It called out for them.

“Dad! It’s Toothless!” Hiccup cried, pointing. They dove down towards him.

“Can Thornado carry him?” Hiccup asked. “I don’t think he’s in any state to fly.” Nor am I.

“Thornado!” Stoick called to his dragon, though he was mostly deaf. He patted him to get his attention, then did a hand signal Hiccup didn’t recognize. Thornado grabbed Toothless with his claws and heaved him out of the water.

Carrying so much weight, Thornado would tire quickly. They had to get back to Berk.

But Hiccup had lost his sense of direction in this mess. Where was Berk?

Luckily, his father seemed to know, as he began flying in a specific direction. Thornado flew fast as lightning darted around them. Hiccup clung to his father, hoping that what had happened to him and Toothless wouldn’t also happen to his father. He didn’t want the same fate to befall all of them.

Land! Hiccup wanted to cry with relief when Berk came into view through the rain, but he was too tired. They approached quickly, and then Thornado gently set down Toothless and they landed at their house.

“You two get inside and get dry,” Stoick told Hiccup and Toothless. “I’ll see to Thornado.”

Hiccup didn’t have the strength to hug his father. Instead, after they dismounted, he pressed his head against him.

“Thank you.” Oh Thor, he was sobbing. “Th-thank you.”

Stoick hugged Hiccup. “I couldn’t leave you out there all alone.”

Hiccup nodded, and went into the house. A fire was going. He didn’t have the strength to change his clothes or get up the stairs to even do so. He sat heavily in front of the fire, and Toothless came up beside him.

Hiccup hugged him fiercely. Now that he had the strength for.

“I love you, Toothless. I-I’m so glad I didn’t lose you.” The thought of losing him hurt too much, put a real ache in his chest. And he’d had to deal with the reality of not having him with him, the reality of impending death.

And it was horrible. So, so horrible. Hiccup didn’t have much strength left, but while he was alone with Toothless, he cried. He just hugged him to get through it, and Toothless rumbled and cooed. His sounds were so much softer than the harsh thunder up above.

Hiccup was done crying by the time Stoick returned. He took off his helmet, shook water out of his hair and beard. Hiccup was still shivering, still trying to get dry.

Without speaking, Stoick placed furs down in front of the fire, and Hiccup found the strength to take his clothes off, including his prosthetic. He’d have to make sure it wouldn’t rust from all the water.

Once undressed, he got down onto the furs, wrapped himself in one, and closed his eyes. Toothless curled up around him, and Hiccup could sleep easy knowing his dragon was still here.

#httyd #how to train your dragon #dob #defenders of berk #hiccup haddock #toothless #hictooth #stoick the vast #thornado #fanfiction #writing

[griff-us]

Title: Being So Normal Part: One Pairing: Black!Reader/Bucky Barnes Summary: Neither of them are very good at being normal. Good thing the spectrum of normalcy these days is anything but the definition of the word. In other words: two broken people mend together. Warnings: typical canon level violence, mentions of past abuse both physical and emotional, alcohol abuse and mentions of, drug abuse and mentions of.

Chapter Theme: Being So Normal, Peach Pit

Notes: Just a little self-indulgent series that's been sitting in the back of my brain that I have finally decided to work on after kinda scraping the previous one.

Sort of a Neighbors's AU mixed with a Coffee Shop Au. Lots of character introspection for the reader, and Bucky, and some fun and drama along the way. This will no doubt be a slow slow burn.

Hope yall enjoy and feel free to leave any comments or hit me with questions! Oh, mood board slapped together by me! Also, no Beta. Tbh I'm lazy and impatient so excuse any mistakes.

Saturday: 11:30pm

Sam was the one who convinced him to come---or maybe forced would be the better word. Life has been returning to somewhat normal for the two of them; Sam shouldering his mantle as Captain America, and James slowly easing into his role as Sergeant Barnes rather than The Winter Soldier. But, it’s not all easy, at least not for James. Normalcy is not his strong suit, not when the urgency of survival had been drilled into his skull for the past hundred years or so. Sure, he was comfortable, but not necessarily happy. James is lost, and no one can tell that more than Sam.

And that is how he’s found himself in this crowded club with flashing lights and a bass beat that he can feel in the pit of his stomach. It’s not that the environment is too much---it’s just that he feels so...odd out. After all, Jame’s idea of a night out used to be something more akin to a jazz bar and dancing. Not whatever gyrations and wiggling around the kids called dancing was these days.

God, he really is old.

“You gotta loosen up man, you’re killing my vibe.” Sam, as if on cue, shoulders into him. James scowls, making sure to keep a tight grip on his beer---if you could even call it that. The brewery it was from managed to pack so many damn spices and fruit in it that it tasted more like a cocktail than any beer he’s come to like.

“You’ve got a weird vibe then, Sam.” the other man laughs, elbows resting against the bar top behind them while he scopes out the scene. It’s a typical New York club; fashion being the forefront of it all, the entire reason anyone is out right now is to be seen and admired. Among other things.

“That cutie over there keeps tossing you looks, you should go say hi.” James follows Sam’s gaze across the bar. A gaggle of young women crowds around a booth, all of them eyeing them and whispering to one another. He rolls his eyes and takes a long swig of his beer.

“I think you mean they’re looking at you, Sam.” The super soldier turns back toward the bar to push his empty glass to the bartender who only nods his way and produces a refill without another word.

“Eyes up, Sergeant, they’re coming over.”

James doesn’t pay any mind to the coming onslaught; it’s always the same really. Sam is descended on by a group of gals excited to meet the new Captain America and even more enthralled when they realize he’s pretty damn charming. Not that he’s jealous in any way. Annoyed? Sure. See, he just isn’t one for new people---especially the kind that Sam tends to attract sometimes. The airheads, the young ones just waiting to hook up and never talk again. He just can’t vibe with it, can’t grasp it. Maybe he is too old for this modern age of love and romance.

James just turns his attention to the muted TV over the bar, his back facing the chatty group of women behind him while they flock to Sam like vultures starving for a meal. The news flashes between stories from all over; follow-ups on the last of the Flag Smashers, some weird disturbances in a tiny town somewhere far off, and a local story on a stray cat that is just “too cute to not have a home.” He snorts, lips smacking from the twang of his beer.

“Sorry about them.” The tiny voice from his left nearly makes him jump, and James can only blame the blaring music for his lack of attention.

“Huh?” He peers down to see an average height woman; with big brown eyes and skin a deep tan and sunkissed. By all accounts, she is stunning---and looks nearly as out of place in this massive club as he does.

“My friends---” her head jerks towards the group of women still fawning over Sam, who no doubt is loving all of the attention. “I tried to explain to them that you guys are just normal people too," she thinks they're normal? "but the alcohol made them all braver than they normally are.” The woman rolls her eyes but by the soft smile she wears he can tell she means no malice.

“And what about you?” James leans his full weight on the bar top now all the while inching closer to the woman. He can read the confusion on her face. “Are you feeling braver than normal?” she flushes at his clarification, and an easy shrug rolls from the shoulder.

“I’m just the mom friend trying to make sure my friends don’t end up dead, in jail, or worse.” James can’t help but laugh at that.

“A mom friend, huh?” gloved fingers pluck the pint glass from the bar and neither of them breaks eye contact while he swallows nearly half the glass.

“Yeah, kind of how I’ve always been; just an eighty-year-old woman at heart I guess.” James gives her a crooked grin: he could understand that.

“You’re too young to talk like that.” he elbows her gently, suddenly so comfortable with her presence that he can feel himself loosening up a bit.

“Then what’s your excuse?”

Brows cock high, that twisted little grin never once wavering from his face. He likes her---the idle and quiet wit, the way she matches his quips with equal stride.

“What’s your---” but before he can finish the group of girls are flagging her down, yanking her arm in one direction while they all gossip about how someone managed to snag Captain America’s number. James watches while she shoots him an apologetic smile while she is all but dragged back to their booth across the dance floor. Before he knows it, her face is lost in a sea of people.

“You would pick up the prettiest one.” Sam’s voice yanks James from his thoughts, and he looks up with narrowed eyes. “Don’t think I didn’t see that little flirt session. You get her number?”

“I’m going home.” James slaps a crisp bill on the bar top and Sam laughs, all loud and boisterous.

“You didn’t even get her name, did you, man?”

“Good night, Sam!” with hands shoved deep in his pockets, James turns heels and heads home.

Sunday: 8:am

The mornings were his favorite time to jog. Consider it a coping mechanism---not that he necessarily needed to go for mile-long runs or work out, what with the serum, but it was the only time his mind was truly quiet. So, James kept to a strict schedule of an hour or so run every morning followed up by a tall dark roast. Only today, he is late by nearly an hour to get to his usual coffee spot; which wouldn’t be terrible but James lives for routines. Without one, his entire day is skewed.

It’s eight in the morning when he strolls into the coffee shop, a tiny little place sat precariously on the corner of two streets only a couple blocks from his apartment. Clad in joggers and a simple black t-shirt, he strides up to the counter; eyes glued to the menu board for any new sweets that may catch his eye.

“Well hi again.” brows grow taught at their center---he knows that voice. James looks down to see the same woman from the night before. Black hair is piled high on her head and rather than the slim little dress from the night before she sports simple leggings and a graphic shirt of which the reference he is utterly lost on.

“Oh. Hi...uh....” blue eyes look for a name tag, and he finds none. Damn it.

“Y/N” she smiles wide at him, much like she had in the club only this time, with better lighting, he can make out the dimples that crease each of her cheeks.

“Y/N.” he repeats her name back slowly. “Uh, nice to meet you, or see you again. I guess.” he points to himself, “I’m Bucky.” said so lamely, so simply, he really can’t blame her for laughing at him.

“I know. What can I get for you, James?”

James.

That throws him; tosses him so off-kilter the man can hardly remember his order. Sure a couple people call him James, well really only his mother and his therapist when he’s in deep shit but…. To hear a name nearly forgotten to himself, and from her? Well, it turns his brain to static.

“Just a large black coffee and one of those brownies please.” She nods and starts to prep his order, all the while he stands there like an idiot with a ten-dollar bill in his hand and his heart in his throat. Finally, he finds a safe landing back on earth.

“How was the rest of your night with your friends?” Y/N groans while she pours him a fresh cup of coffee.

“Catty. I finally got the last one home around three in the morning. Got home just in time for a nap before I came in here.”

“That sounds---awful.” James trades her the coffee for the ten, and watches while she works the register.

“Wasn’t so bad. I don’t sleep much these days anyway.” Y/N offers the change back to James but only nods his head toward the tip jar.

“Sounds like you earned it. Did you just start working here?" he's never seen her working here before, and per his routine, James is here around this time at least five times a week.

"Covering for a friend, I usually work the closing shift if I'm not teaching." Teaching? James would assume she'd be on the younger side to teach.

"I'll have to come more often around that time then." he watches while round cheeks twitch, and flush.

“Deal. I’ll uh...see you around, James?”

“Y-yeah. See you around, Y/N”

#james bucky barnes #james barnes #reader insert #bucky/reader #bucky/you #james bucky barnes/reader #james bucky barnes/you #mcu fic #mcu reader insert #reblogs more than welcome #actually encouraged #thank

[luxshine]

I said I was going to talk about my Webcomic characters, so here I am. Self promo, doing it? Somehow?

So... this is Eryn, Horsewoman of War and Harbringer of Peace. In my universe, all the horsemen are a) Women, and b) hold both sides of their responsibilities, so War is also Peace, Death works as Life, Pestilence is also Health, and of course, Famine is also abundance. However, only Eryn has two distinct personalities, depending on which side of the coin she is at the moment.

When she's Peace (Right), she adheres strictly to the Status Quo. She hates anything that may create conflict, even if the conflict is justified, and will do everything in her power to maintain the appearance of peace. Yes, she's a bit of a 50's housewife, mixed with a Stanford Wife. And that means she holds certain old and outdated ideas about social justice because unfortunately, those movements include conflict and she doesn't do conflict. She prefers to bake and try to solve everything with pastries and cupcakes.

She sometimes comes out as evil, but that's not her fault. She was quite traumatized when Eryn disassociated into both her roles.

As War (Left), she is the absolute opposite. She is not, as she will explain to those who know her, the embodiment of Violence for the Sake of Violence. She is Conflict, yes, but she is Conflict for Change. She will only march with those who have a just cause, defend those who don't have voices, and do everything in her power to create peace that is truly just, and not just peace for the sake of not creating waves. Which means, yes, she actually was marching against the Vietnam War back in the Seventies and in fact, the jacket she wears is filled to the brim with patches from all the causes she supports, including Peace on Earth, LGBTQ+ rights, Gun Control, Social Equality, Marriage Equality for everyone and so on.

When they first separated (although they do still inhabit the same body. They're a system of two, who uses She/her pronouns to be easy on the mortals who interact with her) back in 1945, Peace got the control for a long time, because War was traumatized for the things done in her name and refused to come out for a long time as she blamed herself for the whole World War II. It wasn't until the end of the Korean War when War realized that she could still inspire people to fight as long it was for the right reasons. Then they had a very long time of fighting for control of the body, but now-a-days they are a bit more amiable, and while Peace doesn't agree at ALL with War's methods, at least they do talk to each other, either in their head-space or by leaving each other notes in their shared apartment.

As far as differences go? War knits and Peace bakes. War loves tea, while Peace enjoys coffee. War LOVES RPGs, specially Larping, while Peace prefers book clubs even when sometimes arguments break out and War has to come out to defend her. Both adore their little sister Joliot (Pestilence/Health), even if Peace wishes Joliot had better manners. Neither likes politicians as a general rule, but for different reasons. War hates that they will go out and look for conflict just for greed, while Peace thinks they don't do their job at keeping the status quo in place so that there's too much conflict keeping War awake at nights.

Both adore romcom movies, although War will threaten you with her swords if you speak about it out loud.

I will freely admit, I draw War more often than Peace (And yes, while in the comic both go by Eryn, when writing like this is easier to distinguish them by roles) because I made the mistake of making War's design a lot more fun. But one of my 2022's resolution is to design more cute sundresses for Peace.

#my characters #character bios #webcomic characters #building blocks characters #building blocks webcomic #horsewoman of war #harbringer of peace #my original characters #my art