#in my defense I argued for a long time trying to get them to drop the fee before I gave up

[fremulon]

what level of laziness is it that I just paid a fee on a book I returned but that the library claims they still don't have to get rid of the hold on my account just to avoid having to forever walk 2 miles to the library in the next city where I have a different, unblocked card in order to get a physical book

#in my defense I argued for a long time trying to get them to drop the fee before I gave up #and I spent more than a year doing the walk #still!!! I have a hard time accepting that sometimes it is just easier to pay money for something than to spend hours standing on principle

[42internetgirl]

boat ride — rafe cameron

summary: rafe making it up to you after arguing over his ex-girlfriend sofia.

warnings/notes: fluff, pogue reader but it's not like a big part of the plot, soft!rafe. genuinely think this might be the first time i’ve written something that isn’t sexual/suggestive for rafe 😭 i need help. but i’m trying to write more fluff for him :) if you have any requests please send them! <33 love u all sm. also thanks to @starkeysprincess, my baby, for giving me the idea of a cute boat date that inspired this idea in my head !!!! <3333

pairing: rafe cameron x fem!reader

“i just don’t get why you still need her in your phone, and why she still stays texting your phone!” you get defensive while sat in your boyfriend passenger seat. this was the second time you’d gotten in an argument over his ex-girlfriend, sofia. you trusted rafe, if you didn’t you wouldn’t be with him, but the thing was that; you didn’t trust her. her little texts asking rafe ‘how he was’ or ‘if he was busy and wanted to come over', you’d had enough.

“really? you’re going to genuinely get upset over this?”, rafe scoffed and pinched the bridge of his nose. part of him thought it was funny, only because the thought of you thinking that he wanted anyone else was humorous to him. he literally wanted to marry you, and some random ex-girlfriend in his phone was the last thing on his mind.

“yes rafe,” your eyes widened, waiting for him to say something. “yes i am.”

“s’fuckin’ stupid.” his right hand gripped the wheel, pissed off that you were so upset about his ex still being in his phone despite him always shutting her down. the thing that made you so upset about the whole situation was the fact that he let her down in the nicest ways possible. 'sorry, can't make it. maybe another time." sorry? what the fuck was he sorry for? maybe another time? does he want to see her?

“take me home.” you give up. you couldn’t be bothered to argue with him over this right now. your point always went straight over his head.

“are you serious?”

“does it look like i’m joking?” you pretend to scavenge for something in your purse, embarrassed that this was the second time you had to bring up this issue with rafe. did he not love you enough to just listen to you and block her?

rafe didn’t say anything, but instead put his truck in drive and made his way to your house, it was a silent 10 minutes.

your argument with rafe was long gone, you didn’t bring it up and neither did he. the ignorance was bliss for you, you liked to hope that after dropping you off at home and watching you silently tear up in his truck that night, that maybe he went home and blocked sofia.

you knew that wasn’t what went down, but the thought of anything else happening made you sick. so, you figured never bringing it up again would be more beneficial, even though you wanted to so badly.

“wanna go for a boat ride?” rafe let his phone fall to his chest and let out a yawn, both his hands making their way up your thighs that were rested on his legs. you two had tanneyhill all to yourselves, and sitting on the living room couch both occupied in your own tiktok for you pages was how you’d spent your time so far.

“sure,” you reply softly. one thing you loved about dating a rich kook was getting to ‘casually’ take a boat ride.

“cmon.” rafe pulled you out of your slumped position on the couch. "gotta surprise for you."

you smiled at him, wondering what the surprise could be. rafe wasn't always the best with surprises and such, but the bug smile on his made you think that maybe this time it would be different. his eagerness reminded you of a little boy on christmas.

"after you ma'lady," rafe chuckled and put his arm out, signaling for you to make your way out to the dock before him. he followed after you, "close your eyes." he took both hands and wrapped them around your face, covering your eyes.

"rafe!" you giggle. almost losing your balance, your grip onto his big arms, feeling safe when they're wrapped around you.

"hey! no peeking."

"i cant! with your big ass hands in my face!" the huge grin on your voice could be heard just through your voice.

"m'kay, ready?" rafe gets closer to you, his chest pressed up against back, he leaves a kiss on your ear.

"yes!" you couldn't contain your excitement anymore, you needed to know what your boyfriend had planned for you.

rafe dropped his hands from your eyes, but you kept one arm wrapped around his, not wanting to let go of him.

you were speechless. the string lights set up perfectly, complimenting the pink and blue sky, the wicker basket filled with all your favorite snacks, the white blanket laid across the floor of the boat, the pink and red (your favorite colors) colored gift boxes set up neatly, just waiting for you to open them.

no one had ever done anything like this for you before, tears welt up in your eyes, you buried yourself in rafe's chest, leaving a few tear stains on his grey t-shirt.

"i love you baby," rafe gave you a quick peck on the head. your tears and reaction almost getting a reaction out of him. seeing you with the biggest grin on your face had rafe literally doing cartwheels in his head. he swore he'd never love someone as much as he loved you, but there he was, spending all his money and time trying to make you happy.

"all this for me rafey?" you looked up at him with teary eyes. puckering your lips, waiting for him to give you a kiss, he does of course.

"well who else would it be for?"

rafe's ego would never let himself admit that this was all because he felt bad for arguing over his ex-girlfriend, but you knew it was. rafe had a soft spot for you and you loved it.

"i love you rafe."

#library #divider by v6que #rafe cameron #rafe cameron x you #rafe cameron x reader #rafe cameron imagine #rafe cameron fanfiction #rafe cameron one shot #rafe cameron fluff

[evie-sturns]

𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 - 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙩 𝙎𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙤

summary: you and matt had previously dated for a few years until him and his brothers grew famous, where matt became arrogant and self centered. fast foward to to present, a couple years later. you have moved on from matt completly until you run into him at an influencer party, what will unfold when you approach him? will you two rekindle or will the wall stay strong between you two.

contains: angst, arguing, swearing, fluff, making out.

—---------------└─── °∘❉∘° ───┘--------———

(2 years ago)

i lay on the couch next to matt, my head resting on his shoulder as the tv rambles. hes invested in his phone, typing every few seconds.

hes been filming videos with his brothers, chris and nick, for the past year or two, and they've just hit 3 million subscribers.

matt clears his throat before moving my head off him, "i gotta talk to you, yeah?"

my eyebrows furrow, i look over at matt who has an unreadable expression on his face. I nod slowly with a hum, "i don't know how to say this, but uh-... nick chris and i have decided to move to l.a with laura."

what?

"what?" i instantly reply, my stomach drops to my knees.

"gotta chase them dreams." he shrugs casually, picking up his phone.

anger starts to bubble inside of me, why the fuck is he being so nonchalant about moving across the whole country? what am i gonna do, just be left here and forgotten about?

"what the hell matt!" i say, raising my voice and slamming the phone out of his hand, he throws his hands up defensively. "are you being fucking serious right now?" i yell, "calm down bro?" he mumbles, picking his phone back up.

i stay silent, waiting for matt to speak, or atleast a solution. he just stays silent, looking around the room. "matt, what am i gonna do." i sigh, trying to contain myself.

"uh.. not sure?" matt leans back on the couch. "like you can come with if you want but i won't really.." he pauses for a few seconds

"have time for you..? i mean we're staying in lauras apartment which doesnt have enough space anyway but you could always sleep on the couch or something."

i scoff, "so this is it?" tears start to roll down my cheeks. "if you can't handle my fame and me moving then thats not my problem." he runs a hand through his hair before standing up.

without another word I'm upstairs and packing my suitcase, I'm leaving.

(Current time)

ever since matt and i's messy breakup ive been moving around alot, i spent the first month or so living with my parents, where i started content creating on various platforms. i would be lying if i said i didn't get popular, over the past 2 years ive gained a few million followers.

a year ago today i moved to l.a, where i've been thriving.

9:38pm

"y/n come on!" i hear yolanda, my roomate, shout from downstairs, today i've been invited to a party for influencers, i think. i run downstairs in my baby pink stiletto heels. yolanda is wearing a long shimmering black dress with a large slit up to the mid thigh. "hottie" i tease as i walk past her.

"shush" she replys with a wide grin, i walk outside to find our uber waiting patiently "yoyo!" i yell back to her as she scrambles around to find her purse.

i climb into the uber, "my bad, my friends coming now."

yolanda comes running outside, swinging open the door to the uber and crawling over me. i laugh slightly at her, she glares at me while applying lip gloss.

"you okay?" i ask her, "just nervous, its weird being a plus one to a party where i know famous people will be." she replies with a breath.

"you'll be okay gorg, i have no idea whos even going so we'll just stay together hm?" i say comfortingly, watching the lively streets of l.a outside the window.

the uber comes to a stop outside a large beachside mansion, i give him a quick thankyou before grabbing yolandas hand and approaching the house. the blaring music is audible from outside the house.

we walk up the stairs together, our heels clicking in sync on the marble steps. the doors to the house are wide open, the first person i see when i come inside makes my heart drop.

christopher sturniolo

my breath hitches in my throat, theres thankfully no sight of matt, i mean hes never really been one for partys. i feel physically sick when me and chris lock eyes, i guess i look different since the last time i saw him, 2 years ago.

I haven't really thought about matt since i moved to l.a, the last person i wouldve expected to see here is his triplet brothers.

i shoot yolanda a look, she looks equally has disturbed as me.

i decide to keep navigating through the various bunches of people, i look back and yolandas gone, flirting with some random instagram male model. i scoff with a smile.

i turn my body back around, an audible gasp escapes my mouth as matt sturniolo stands infront of me,

alone.

he smiles awkwardly with a wave, he looks me up and down while he clutches the cup in his hand so tight his knuckles go white. "you look different." matt says, his voice shaking from nerves

"charming." i roll my eyes.

"no!- no i meant in a good way, i mean in a platonic way, but you look different, sorry-.. how are ya doing.." matt rambles, stammering over every word.

a small smile forms on my face, which instantly drops when i remember the events of what happened the last time i saw him. "i've been doing really good actually." i reply, nodding my head slowly.

"yeah, i saw !thats awesome you got selected for that peoples choice awa-rds..." matt says before stopping himself, i laugh slightly.

has he been stalking me? that got announced an hour ago.

"thanks matt, how have you been?" i ask, he takes a small breath "i've been good, yeah.." matt says, he clearly doesn't think the world revolves around him like how he did 2 years ago.

another silence fills the air between us, but he breaks it. "do you wanna come with me?" matt asks abruptly, my eyebrows furrow "sure?"

he reaches out a hand subtly, i take it.

he guides us through hundreds of people, yolanda eyes me down with her jaw slack, i shrug my shoulders with a smile back at her. the night hair hits my revealed skin as matt lets my hand go slowly.

"should we go sit on the sand?" i ask quietly while we walk side by side on the footpath.

-

10:12pm

matt and i have been walking side by the shoreline for a few minutes, catching up on the past 2 years of no contact

"wait so you're at 6 million?" i laugh in shock, he shakes his head with a smile "shut up!!"

"no like, congratulations matt thats really awesome."

he shrugs it off with a playful nudge to my shoulder,

the past 30 minutes or so neither of us have brought up the last time we spoke, our last interaction, the final fight. i think we both don't want to ruin what we have going on right now.

a silence forms as the ripple waves crash onto the shore, my palms are sweating from the warmth from the night. "wanna go sit up there? in the dunes?" matt asks, pointing up the beach. "oh-..oh yeah!" i agree chirpily, snapping out of my somewhat 'trance'

he leads us away from the water up into the sand dunes, the mound of sand and grass behind us acting as privacy. he flops down onto his back, laying down on the sand. I lay down close beside him, our legs touching against eachother.

"i want to talk to you about what happened that night." i blurt out softly, just from the plain moonlight i can see matts cheeks are a deep maroon. he nods "yeah." with a shaky sigh.

"i was an asshole, like proper crazy." he says in a serious tone.

"honest to god i think the fame was making me go insane, i thought i was so much better than.. everyone? i never shouldve told you like that, or moved in general" he rambles, guilt painted in his voice.

"matt, moving was best for you." i cut him off, but he instantly snaps back

"i don't think it was? i miss you so much."

i sit up, the loose sand falling off my back "and i never really moved on, i'm so grateful i found you tonight 'cause the guilt has been eating away at me, and im so sorry, i am so fucking sorry." matt mumbles slightly.

i nod understandably "i think we needed the break, i can see you've changed a lot, for the better."

matt sits up too, sand grains scattered in his brunette locks as his tongue pokes out quickly to wet his lips. his eyes stare into mine before he reaches out a hand to grab my jaw, right under my ear.

"can I kiss you?"

i nod frantically "yeah-of course"

matt leans in, his body shifting on the sand while the calm waves crash onto the shoreline.

his lips meet mine, a distant familiar feeling that i hate to admit but ive really missed, even though ive forced myself not to.

his tongue asks for enterance, which i quickly allow. his tongue slips into my mouth,

i move my hair to one side before hooking one leg over his thigh, moving my body to straddle him while keeping our lips connected.

our kiss turns from gentle, to desperate. craving what we've missed for the past 2 years.

after a well-needed few minutes, we finally pull away from each other to catch our breath. panting fills the air before he pulls me into a tight hug his arms moving over my back as i stay seated on his lap. leaning onto his chest.

"i think we should retry, everything." he matt says into my hair as i rest my chin over his shoulder

"gotta agree with you on that one matthew." i laugh, joy overpowering me.

-

"matt there you fucking are!" a familiar voice yells from a few meters away. i look up, breaking matt and i's hug.

chris and nick are standing side by side with a shocked expression on their face. "holy shit!" nick laughs,

nick used to be one of my closest friends, but after the breakup with matt and i we were forced apart, i think after his brothers caught me ontop of matt it gave them the all clear to interact with me again.

i climb off of matts lap, running across the sand towards nick before leaping into his arms, the long fabric of my dress drowning nick.

"someone please fill me in" chris says cluelessly.

matt walks over to us 3, nick puts me down "uh yeah, we are retrying stuff after a chat, a really good one actually." he says, scratching the back of his head.

"oh my god thank you y/n, matt has not shut up about you for the past 2 years holy fuck." chris says after a dramatic gasp.

-------------

this took so long to write i hope u guys really like it!

#chris sturniolo #matt sturniolo x reader #sturniolo smut #sturniolo x reader #chris sturniolo x reader #sturniolo fanfic #sturniolo triplets #sturniolo #matt sturniolo #matt sturniolo smut #nick sturniolo #chris sturniolo smut #matt sturniolo imagine #christopher sturniolo #matt sturniolo fluff #matt sturniolo x you #chris sturniolo x you #chris x reader #nicolas sturniolo

[hs-is-loml]

Defending. (x.t)

PART ONE OF TWO

Pairing: Xavier Thorpe x Girlfriend!Reader

Summary: wednesday tells you about her suspicions about xavier but you come to his defense and are determined to find proof to prove her wrong

Warnings: mentions of making a small cut, very little like a drop of blood, hydes? (those ugly mfs) NOT PROOFREAD

a/n: this is going to be in two parts, but part two will be posted late 12/1 or early 12/2 depending on when i finish writing it! it's basically a smut fic for part two which is why i decided to split it up in case people are not comfortable with it!

masterlist - part two

“Now, this is too far,” you said to Wednesday as she told you about her suspicions about Xavier being the monster.

“All the evidence points to him.”

 “Wednesday, it’s not him.”

“You’re only saying that because you’re in a relationship with him,” the girl argued back with her.

“No shit, Wednesday. I know him enough to know he’s not. You think I wouldn’t notice by now if he were going around town killing people?”

“You’re letting this blind your judgment,” Wednesday stated. 

“NEWS FLASH WEDNESDAY HE’S NOT THE HYDE! WOULD IT KILL YOU THINK FOR ANYONE BUT YOURSELF?!” you yelled at the girl who just raised her eyebrows back at you.

“What are you going to do when you find out he is?”

“Nothing,” you answered softly you could feel a headache coming from yelling, “There’s nothing to find out.” You walked back inside from the balcony and exited the room before you felt like destroying anything, and Enid would get mad at the mess later.

You wandered around the school before you came upon the statute of Edgar Allen Poe. You sat down near the statute wanting to clear your mind for a second before you looked up and realized the mark beneath the book he was holding. You tried to recall what your mom would always tell you as a kid about the Nightshade Society. 

“He was notorious for his riddles. For it was not one alone, but each line was individual. One to remember is, ‘The answer will give a sharp cracking sound,’ that will help you once you find it,” was something she always mentioned when she talked about Nevermore. 

“A sharp cracking sound,” you repeated as you stood from your spot and it clicked, or more so snapped into place. You raised your right arm and snapped two times. “Thank you, Nightshade Society.”

You walked down the staircase into the dimly lit library. The portraits that hung on the wall of old members caught your eye as you looked about the room. At the end of the portraits you find your parents, they tell you to make a name for yourself, but how could you live up to them? 

“You put that bag over my head, I will choke you with that very rope in your hands,” you warned the people who stood behind you as you looked for your mom’s diary knowing that would be the only thing you could find answers in. “You should know to not mess with a witch with heightened senses.”

“Oh, come on, Y/n, we were just trying to have fun,” Kent joked causing the other to mutter in agreement. 

“I WASN’T GOING TO DO ANYTHING I SWEAR,” Xavier yelped once he notice it was you and threw the bag in his hands to Ajax.

“Someone’s in the dog house tonight…” Yoko teased. Kent and a couple of the others gave a couple howls joining in the joke.

“You know Xavier you could’ve told me about this,” you said as you finally found your mother’s diary. 

“Babe, if I could, I would’ve-”

“He’s sworn to secrecy,” Bianca pointed out as she gave you a dirty look when you walked to a desk with the diary in your arms.

You pulled it out to see she sealed it with magic though not any kind of magic, blood magic. “My family was a part of the Nightshades long before you, although I thought it to be disbanded.”

“Yeah, the group kind of lost its charter 30 years ago after some normie kid died,” Xavier explained which answered your thoughts as he walked up to you noticing that you were looking for something. 

“But we have a lot of wealthy alumni, so Weems looks the other way as long as nobody makes any waves,” Yoko added on. 

“What are you looking for anyways?” Xavier questioned you.

“If you’re trying to open your mom’s diary, you can’t,” Bianca told you cockingly. 

“Maybe you can’t,” you retorted just when you noticed a letter opener sitting at the corner of the table. 

You reached over and grabbed it seeing that it had a sharp edge. You noticed from your peripheral vision that the group was crowding around you to see what you were doing. Xavier was right next to you with his attention on the knife you held in your hand. You lifted your right hand over the book and took the knife to your palm just before it touched your skin you heard shouts from around the room.

“Y/N!”

“Woah, girl, no need to prove a point.”

“No need for bloodshed-”

“What are you doing?!”

“No, no, no, no, absolutely not,” you heard Xavier say as he tried to grab for the knife, but it was too late. “Oh my god, only you. Literally, you’re the only one who would do this.”

You sliced the inside of your palm and allowed for the knife to drop down onto the table as you felt the sting in your palm. You closed your fist and put it directly above the lock on the book. You felt the blood sweep down near the bottom of your fist before it dropped down into the lock. 

“Blood magic?” Yoko asked in amazement when she saw the lock unlatch and you opened to the front page that held your mom’s portrait along with her signature. 

“Only the very best for mother dearest,” you remark sarcastically.

“That explains a lot!” Kent said from behind as Xavier looked around for a first aid kit. “Bianca was trying to open that months ago and nothing would work!” right as the words left his mouth, Bianca smacked him in the back of the head causing him to groan in pain, “Well, ow.”

When Xavier finally found a first aid kit that looked like it could be decades old, he went back to your side and held out his palm to you. Putting your sliced palm in his hand without him even having to ask you. 

“I couldn’t find any actual alcohol to disinfect it, so vodka will have to do,” he unscrewed the bottle with one hand and looked back into your eyes before you gave him a slight nod telling him it was okay for him to do it. “This might sting.”

“Oh shit, I can’t watch,” Ajax gagged as the vodka was poured onto your palm and the blood washed away with it. 

“Makes the both of us,” another member said.

“Stop being babies, people would think you’re the one with the cut palm,” you told them off as taking in the pain with no reaction. “At least I have a hot doctor patching me up,” you smirked.

“Only for you,” Xavier muttered as he focused on wrapping the bandage around your hand. At this point, almost all the members already left not wanting to see what you and Xavier get up to.

“Thanks, babe,” giving him a kiss on the cheek before returning your attention back to your mother’s diary. 

“What was so important that you have to look into your mom’s diary?” he asked you. “You’re looking for answers, but for what?”

“Any information about hydes.”

“That’s the monster, Wednesday was talking about right?”

“The same one she believes you to be, yes.” you look up from the diary to see his confused expression.

“Wait, me?” he wondered aloud.

“I told her it wasn’t you though, but that girl is the most stubborn person I have ever met,” you informed him taking one of his hands in your non-injured one to give it a tight squeeze in reassurance. “You have to be careful, I know you’re not the Hyde, but she is going to do everything she can to prove her point.”

“I love you.” he blurted out to you. “You could’ve easily believed her, but you didn’t.”

“I know you, Xavier. There’s no damn way in hell, I’m going to let you be falsely accused for something you so obviously are not,” you stated. “And, I love you, that’s why I’m trying to see if my mother knew anything about Hydes during her time here,” you smiled at him.

You turned to put the diary back onto the desk as you hurriedly flipped through the pages scanning for any kind of information on the damn monster. You were about to turn to another page just before you noticed a name you’ve heard of before. Francois Sylvanne. Xavier moved to stand behind you leaning over your shoulder to read the diary as well. He placed his hands on your hips to steady himself causing you to lean back into him.

“Seems like Wednesday’s little boy toy just got way more interesting,” you pointed to the name on the page for Xavier to read. 

“Who is she?”

“His mother. The same one he goes to therapy for, I heard she died a while back, and apparently the sheriff isn’t only bad at his job but bad at parenting too,” you explained as you read more of your mom’s writing.

There’s something about this girl. She keeps to herself. Quiet. Distance. Truly an Outcast. I have a feeling something is going on with her or at least something will. I’m going to keep a close eye on her, but she is graduating this year.

“Weird, your mom always has good intuition, I wonder if she’s right about this one too,” Xavier said after he read your mother’s entry. 

You flipped through more pages of the book and found nothing. You looked at every line on the pages, and your mother never mentioned her once again. It wasn’t until you got to the last page of the diary to see a quite messier version of your mother’s writing.

THAT GIRL IS A HYDE. FRANCOIS IS A HYDE. HIDDEN AWAY WITH A NORMIE IN THE TOWN. 

“No,” you gaped as you turned to see nothing more and reached the end of the book.

“Do you think Tyler’s the Hyde?” he whispered into your ear.

“It’s the only way. It makes sense too,” you claimed, “But the question is why?” 

#xavier thorpe #xavier thorpe x reader #wednesday #wednesday series #wednesday netflix #wednesday addams #xavier thorpe fluff #xavier x you #xavier thorpe x you #xavier x reader #netflix #percy hynes white #xavier thorpe angst #bianca barclay #fanfic #witch

[saturnsycx05]

Tired of Lovin' From Afar (Sam Winchester x Reader)

Pairing: Sam Winchester x Fem!Reader

Song: "Car's Outside" by James Arthur

Warning(s): canon-level violence, swearing, sad Sam but then fluff

Summary: You and Sam have danced around each other for so long, and you're both tired of always leaving each other, so Sam proposes a solution.

>>>

"Y/n!" Sam yelled, freezing as he watched the demon pointing your gun at you.

"Not so tough now, huh?" The demon said to you. You raised your hands in surrender, staring it down rather than the barrel of your gun. "So stupid, you humans. Think a normal gun is going to kill me? Wrong."

"Well, no offense," you said. "But that one wasn't actually meant for you."

"This one is," Dean announced, clicking the Colt up the the back of the demon's head. "Drop the gun."

"You first, Winchester," it replied cockily.

Everyone was frozen. You were on the business end of a glock, Dean had the Colt on the demon's skull, and Sam couldn't move. He stood frozen in the doorway, his chest heaving up and down as he desperately tried to catch his breath. If anyone moved, even in the slightest, that gun in the demon's hand could go off and blow a bullet right through you. Sam held his breath as the demon chuckled and you squeezed your eyes shut.

Bang.

The demon sizzled into nothingness and you collapsed to the floor. All you felt was pain, then just barely, you felt a pair of arms lift you off the floor and into their lap. Sam. You couldn't gather the strength to open your eyes, so you just laid in his arms, limp.

"No no no no, Y/n. Stay awake, please. Just stay awake."

"Ow..." you grumbled, opening your eyes after a moment.

"Y/n..."

"Rubber bullets, Sam," you told him, sitting up. "I'm not an idiot. I f anyone else gets my gun, I'm not letting them kill me with it."

Without warning, Sam pulled you into a crushing hug, holding you so tight you thought you might shatter into a million little pieces. "Don't ever do that. Ever." He held you some how tighter, and you hugged him back.

"Alright, lovebirds," Dean said, clearing his throat. "Let's go back to the motel and then get the hell outta dodge."

>>>

"I call first shower," Dean said, racing to the bathroom and locking himself inside. You rolled your eyes and sat on Sam's bed rather than the pullout couch you'd slept on last night. You leaned back and rubbed your shoulder, which you had forgotten was still bleeding.

"Let me get the first aid kit," Sam said, reaching for his bag.

"Sam-"

"No," Sam interrupted. "Please, just let me patch you up."

For a moment, you both stared each other down, you trying to silently convince him that you were fine and him silently telling you 'no, you're not.' Finally, you looked away, letting Sam win. He pulled the small box from his bag and you slipped off your shirt.

You and Sam had danced around each other for so long. You'd met a few years ago on a hunt and had damn near instant chemistry. On more than one occasion, you'd made Sam look like a fool with everything you knew. But where you outmatched him in wits, he outmatched you in strength.

Sam was a giant, but a gentle one. He was unconditionally kind to you and always had your back. Several times, he'd even found himself arguing with Dean in your defense. Dean knew you were both in love with each other before either of you would ever admit it. But somewhere, somehow, something had to give.

>>> One Year Ago >>>

Dean had gone on a food run for the three of you, leaving you and Sam alone in the boys' motel room. You sat at the table, awaiting your inevitable scolding from Sam. He opened the fridge and pulled two beers from the fridge, popping them open and setting one in front of you. He took a silent sip of his before setting it down across from you, but he didn't sit down.

"You used yourself as bait? Really?" Sam asked rhetorically, suppressed rage in his voice.

"We caught the damn thing, didn't we?" You replied snarkily. You took a sip of your beer, avoiding eye contact with Sam.

"Y/n, you realize you could have gotten yourself killed?" Sam said, raising his voice and urging you to look at him.

"So? That's the damn job," you told him. You met his angered gaze, setting your beer back on the table. "I could get myself killed any damn day of the year, so what makes this time any different?"

"Dammit Y/n," Sam exclaimed, clearly frustrated. "We told you that you weren't gonna be bait for this damn thing!"

"No, you told me I wasn't gonna be bait," You stood up, pissed off. "You're not my fucking boss and I do what I've gotta do to catch the damn thing. We killed it, I'm fine. End of story."

"No, not end of story!"

"Oh yeah?" You cocked your head to the side. "Then please, Sam, tell me else you have a damn problem with. I can do my damn job and I don't need a damn babysitter!"

"I'm starting to think that yeah, maybe you do," Sam yelled.

"God, what the hell is your problem?!"

"My problem is that I'm in love with you!"

Sam looked just as surprised as you did from what he just said. You both stared at each other, jaws clenched shut and eyes wide. The room was eerily quiet now, the only sounds being the air conditioner running and the pair of you breathing. You looked at him as if to ask, 'are you serious?' and he returned it with a look that said, 'I meant every word.'

"Sam-"

"You don't have to say anything," he said softly. "I shouldn't have."

"Sam," you insisted, gently put your hand around the back of his head and pulled him into a soft kiss. He returned the kiss, wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling your body against his. All he wanted was to be as close to you as physics would allow.

"About damn time." You both broke the kiss to see Dean in the doorway with a bag of fast food in one hand, keys in the other.

"Dude, ever head of knocking?" Sam asked.

"Dude," Dean mocked. "It's my room too."

>>> Now >>>

It wasn't a new thing for Sam to see you in your bra. You'd had plenty of make-out sessions on the hunts you wound up on together, though you'd never actually slept together. You were both scared that if you'd taken that step, it would become too dangerous for you to work together anymore because of 'feelings.' You even refused to sleep in the same bed to avoid the extra attachment.

Once your shoulder was stitched up and wrapped, you put your shirt back on as Sam put the first aid box away. He sat beside you and you leaned against him. He wrapped his arms around you, both of you knowing this would be your last night together for at least a few weeks.

"I love you, Sam," you said quietly.

"Come with me," Sam replied. You looked up at him, confused. "When we're out of here in the morning, come with us. Come with me."

"What?"

"I'm tired of never knowing when I'm gonna see you again. Y/n, I'm in love with you."

"I know-"

"Hang on, please," Sam insisted. "Just let me say what I gotta say... I'm in love with you. I have been for a long time. And being with you has been probably the only good thing I've had going for me in years. You make me so happy, Y/n. And I don't want to spend another minute without you. So please, come with me."

"Sam," you said, sitting up and turning your whole body to face him. "You and I both know how dangerous this job is already. And if we're together all the time, it's only going to make the job that much harder."

"I know, but I don't care," Sam replied. "I'd rather be with you and fight every damn thing that tries to hurt you than spend another day without you by my side. Be with me, Y/n. Stay with me."

You looked into his eyes with a look of uncertainty, but you couldn't deny that every word he spoke was exactly what your heart had been screaming for for the past year.

"Pack your bag and throw it in the Impala. Hunt with us. Please, just don't leave again."

You hastily pressed your lips to his, and he was quick to return the kiss. Sam wrapped a hand around the back of your neck, the other resting gently against your jaw. You held his head in your hands and pulled him closer as you leaned back.

He urged you further backwards until your head was on a pillow and he was fully over top of you. His large frame was pressed down on yours, his hand gliding down over your body rom your jaw to your waist. You reached down to the bottom hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head, running your hands over his chest. You reached for his belt, but his large hand stopped both of yours.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Sam asked, looking at you with gentle eyes.

"We've been avoiding this for a year because we didn't want to get too attached," you reminded. "I'd rather not die without getting to have sex with my boyfriend first."

"You're ridiculous," he chuckled.

"You know you love me," you smiled.

"Yeah," Sam smiled too. "I love you."

#sam winchester #sam winchester x reader #supernatural #fluff #angst

[cozzzynook]

Can we get some dratchrod cheering each tower up headcanons?

Ratchet being cheered up by Drift is comforting words and gentle touches. Soft kisses to his red finial and a chassis to lay on. He gets to listen to Drifts spark hum and spin and rest in the knowledge his conjunx is alive. Beside him. Loves him. Chose him.

Drift being comforted by Ratchet is soft. Ratchet uses realistic outcomes and doesn’t give false hope but he does promise to stay every step of the way through it all. He gives tender touches and kind smiles. Hopes he wishes to come true and possibilities for a future if they were to have one.

Rodimus comforting Drift was once trying to cheer him up with fun things like racing, a few cool and hopeful words followed by a cheesy, unsure smile. It became Rodimus being an audial that held no judgement no matter how dark the thoughts became or how depressing Drift felt to be around, Rodimus didn’t complain, didn’t try to change him, didn’t put on false airs or tell Drift he was wrong. Rodimus gave Drift an outlet for any and every emotion no matter how overwhelming or big and let Drift use him the way he needed be it a living diary, sparing partner or a chassis to sob on.

Rodimus comforting Ratchet was terrible in the beginning. Rodimus tried being more genuine only to have it thrown in his face plates. They bickered, argued, Ratchet threw insults and sarcasm and typical bitterness only a long life span of war could give. Making Rodimus defensive and brash, his temper getting the best of him as he yelled and balled his fists trying to keep his flames from sprouting. Rodimus was always the first to walk away because he knew the moment he started smoking from his exhausts things were becoming too much. It took some time, a lot of time, before Rodimus decided to hold his glossa and let Ratchet get everything off his chassis and finally ask with slightly gritted denta what the real problem is. Its then Ratchet gives a great big vent, drops into a chair and lets his shoulder plating droop before finally saying what was wrong. Things become easier after that.

Drift and Ratchet try to comfort Rodimus when they see things become too much for the young co captain but he simply gives a tired smile and says he’ll be fine. Rodimus at the beginning of their journey would’ve immediately found an excuse or took any opening to get out of his responsibilities that weren’t life threatening. In the early days he would jump at the chance to have a bot listen to his problems or complaints. But now the mech before them didn’t utter so much as a word of complaint for his responsibilities save for a sigh or looking tired. He didn’t complain anymore. He didn’t shirk off responsibility of any kind and he didn’t talk about his problems. Rodimus seemed to close off when it came to being comforted and the way didn’t know when it happened or why. What they could’ve done or said to make Rodimus think he couldn’t talk to them. But he didn’t.

It just made overhearing Rodimus half way break down before another mech hurt all the more. Rodimus may have pushed their servo and comfort away but the mech didn’t take no for an answer. They may not have tried to touch Rodimus frame again but they did sit beside him. Their digits brushing faintly along Rodimus’s.

It stung when the younger didn’t pull away and it broke a piece of them when they finally learned the best way to comfort this new Rodimus, was sitting besides him in silence, a digit laced with his own as he looked down deep in his own thoughts.

They hoped to one day be trusted with giving Rodimus comfort not knowing Rodimus felt unworthy of their comfort and comfort in general, since he’s failed so much and put them through far more than either ever deserved.

—

Is it obvious i love this ship but i like putting Rodimus through angst? Hope you enjoyed this 😊

Also tips are much appreciated but i also love getting asks in my inbox 🥰

#dratchrod #dratchet #driftrod #ratchrod #drift x rodimus #drift x ratchet #ratchet x rodimus #ratchet x drift #drift transformers #deadlock x ratchet x hot rod #drift x rodimus x ratchet #transformers headcanon #idw #lost light #mtmte #macadams #maccadam

[stormoflina]

you wont answer me cuz you know im right. i loved szobo in the early days but his drop off was huge and now he is just another hospital merchant. for all the hype of him being the next kdb he cant even score a solo goal and im yet to see a good pass from him in the final third

Well hello anon.

I didn't answer you, because

1. The last couple of days my head was moving in between the Moon and Mars, and I'm not sure if I would have been able to remain respectful.

2. I'm getting tired of all these anons coming to my infobox and, for the lack of a better expression, trying to take the piss out of me. If you read my posts you know that he's one of my favourite players, and that I'm not mindless hater about any of our players, but especially not towards him.

3. You were being very condescending and annoying.

But buckle up my dear salty anon.

Dominik, naturally, is an offensive minded midfielder. At Leipzig, he basically played as a wide 10 (or occasional RW) and for the most part he does the same for Hungary. In both teams he was a pressing monster, his pressing is arguably one of the best in the current Liverpool squad as well. The difference is, that in both teams he had other midfielders behind him. He still had defensive duties, but not this current caliber. In Hungary he plays one of the hardest and most taxing roles: he drops deep to collect the ball, helps the build up from deep, and he contributes a LOT in defense, but he also has freedom to roam around the pitch, and enjoys the other midfielders support when he appears in the final third.

In Liverpool, he is a box-to-box midfielder. A different role, and not just a different role in midfield, but he is a midfielder under Klopp, played in the RHS in a triangle with Salah and Trent. Salah is our main goalscorer, Trent is our main creator. His job is to provide a stable link up between the two, allowing them to express themselves freely, offer his support, keep the width when needed, etc etc. Without him doing this, that rhs can't function properly. And this is just one of his many responsibilities. When Trent inverts into midfield he drops back into either help out (Ibou), or takes up completely the RB position. A position he has never played, by the way. He's constantly pressing, constantly running, constantly covering/contributing in defensive duties. He is the 5th fastest player this season. Other than his pressing, his other great quality is his off-ball work. Again, arguably, his awareness and intelligence when it comes to that is one of the best in the current squad. I encourage you to watch back some of our recent matches and take notice of him instead of the one giving the assist/scoring, many cases, without his efforts it wouldn't get to the point of it being a goal scoring opportunity.

I'm not going to argue with you and say that his passing hasn't looked a bit off in certain matches, that he didn't have some bad first touches or unnecessary long shots. He did. But please also think about all these NEW and constant duties, (other than the pressing& off-ball work), doesn't come natural to him at all and how these can affect his performance in the final third. Yes, it's an excuse,but a reasonable one in my opinion, maybe not for you, whatever.

All in all, it's easy to fail when you have been shifted from a role of being supported to being the one who is the constant and many times only support. Mind it, this is happening in a much more physical, much more demanding and stronger league. It's no wonder fatigue and eventually injury caught up to him. Other than Endo (and he only had like 5-6 starters in the PL), all of our starting midfielders struggled with injuries throughout the season, Domi was the last one to go down.

Anyways, this is the last time I did this. I'm so sick and tired, especially now with all the hate towards him, having the same conversation again and again. You think he's a bad, selfish person with a big ego, who insults and makes fun of his teammates etc etc. I'm not here to change your mind. But maybe try at least watching football with your eyes open before you start accusing one of the team's most selfless and most hard-working players, who is literally out injured (and likely very upset and heartbroken about that) because he tried to give his everything for his club, manager, teammates and fans.

#dominik szoboszlai #lfc #liverpool fc #im so over this i might pin this ask on my tumblr

[percheduphere]

Something I'm curious on (And definitely not having fanfic writing problems *cough*) is how Mobius would react to people talking badly about or reacting badly to Loki when they have reason to. Like the Hawkeye duo or Coulson or Fury. Loki, I imagine, would probably be neutral towards or just accept their hatred/anger and move on. But how would Mobius react to it? He has been shown to try to defend Loki to others, but he also recognizes the fact that Loki was a dick. Your opinion?

From one fanfic writer (*cough* currently on hiatus *cough**cough*) to another, I'm so honored to be the recipient of this question!

If we're talking about how Mobius would respond internally, I don't think he would be offended. Maybe a bit tired of hearing the same response over and over again, but his patience is his second greatest strength after empathy. I think he would only get truly pissed (which we know is scary to bear witness to) if Loki has proven himself trustworthy in front of everyone repeatedly and he is still treated like crap. Oh, man ... now that you got me started on this, I think an angry Mobius, defensive on Loki's behalf, would dig REALLY deep into the person's insecurities and biggest flaws, slowly pull it out like disembowelment, and force feed it back to the person as poisonous truth and expose their hypocrisy. Mobius has the capacity to do that, but the threshold to get there is pretty high. Loki would need to be visibly distraught.

If we're talking about how Mobius would respond verbally, on first meeting, we should remember Mobius is an Analyst. He chooses how to act and what to say based on what he knows about the individual he is talking to and the current emotional state they're in. I don't think he would have a one-size fits all response. I think he would use the angle of highest benefit and interest of the person negatively affected by Loki's presence, then drill down into his Loki's value in increments.

He does this with Ravonna first by arguing Loki would be a useful tool to the TVA, then proving his argument is sound by explaining Loki's apocalypse theory is correct, and Loki should therefore be brought out into the field. Mobius feeds two birds with one hand in doing this: he gives Ravonna what he wants and he gives Loki an environment in which he can be himself and thrive. His selfish desires are rewarded for his efforts as well: he gets to spend time with Loki.

This is highly utilitarian, I know, but it's smart. Mobius knows what most people think about Loki. They don't care about him as a person, only his potential usefulness. Trying to make a humanitarian case is not going to work, at least not in the beginning. He knows it's more effective to go through the motions of proving, with a benefit to the affected person as a bargaining chip for Loki's immediate safety.

I am convinced that if Loki hadn't chased after Sylvie (and let's be honest, in the long run it was a VERY good thing for everyone involved that he did), Mobius would have presented the case to Ravonna that they shouldn't prune Loki once Sylvie is captured. He would argue: He's reformed. He's a good person. He's my friend. The humanitarian argument would then come out alongside the utilitarian argument to move the listener closer to compassion for Loki while also giving them a tangible benefit outside Loki's personhood. Eventually, Mobius would be able to drop the utilitarian aspect. Mobius is very cunning in this way and has the patience to play the long game for the big picture.

If time is an issue because of high stakes, then I would say that Mobius and Loki would mutually agree to have Loki restrained while Mobius performs a mini TVA infodump, which may include a crucial event about the timeline that is nearing actuation and how to best respond to it. The proving of his claim will verify the TVA infodump as truthful and his claim that Loki is good likely.

Now, if the issue is not immediate plot conflict but immediate emotional conflict, I think Mobius would be more subtle in how he gets people to pause before listening to him. No one can touch Loki without being harmed, at least that's the wisdom people have with pre-TVA Loki. Mobius might touch Loki's elbow, his shoulder, his back--points of contact that are casually intimate and normal for him and Loki, but shocking to anyone not-in-the-know given who is being touched. In that moment of shock, Mobius might say, with a sigh, "Y'know, we've heard this all before. We're not gonna argue with you. We get it. But do you really want to waste time going through three hours of backstory, or do you want to focus on figuring out how to deal with the bigger problem right now? Because I'll be honest with you: you dont have a lot of time. We've seen it."

The follow up to any of these initial responses would likely be a private moment between the character and Mobius, with Mobius hinting at or outright sharing the true nature of their relationship, and why he's stuck by Loki's side so long.

I hope this helpful, anon! Thank you for your question!

#asks #loki #mobius #lokius #loki meta #my meta #fanfiction

[narabea06]

Being friends with the creepypastas Nina addition? With reader being a scene kid like her? Something to bond over lol

So I didn't realize I didn't do enough with the specific request of the reader being a scene kid, but I did try my best- Hope you enjoy!

ALSO I'M SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG-

Being Friends With Nina the Killer [with GN! Scene Kid Reader]

Nina is absolutely ecstatic to meet you the moment you walked into her life and saw your energy. It's extremely easy to befriend her thankfully so as long as you and Jeff aren't close, y'all are friends in no time!

Nina constantly loves to share gossip with you all the time, and will tell you all about her day down to the tiniest details. You know all the drama and all the rumors about everyone, and both of you eat that shit up every time.

She is extremely physically affectionate with you whether it's wrapping an arm around you for photos, hugging you whenever she sees you, holding your hand whenever you're nearby, booping your nose when you're being silly- She's really platonically affectionate with you, unless you set up a boundary about touch.

Nina does have a lot of abandonment issues due to losing a lot of people in her life and may get a bit paranoid that you or her other friends are going to leave her. She tries her best to never show you her worries but once you guys get close, she does eventually open up to you. She does need a lot of reassurance that you won't die or ghost her, but she does try her best not to be too clingy if you set up a boundary.

She absolutely loves getting all kinds of charms, jewelry, bracelets, hair clips, pins, stickers- She even gets you guys a bunch of matching sets and accessories, and sometimes if you're lucky, she even makes you jewelry by hands. Additionally to this, she will let you borrow any of her makeup and clothes as long as you bring it back in good condition. On the contrary though, she WILL steal your clothes if she wants to wear them.

They love to paint your nails together, but will absolutely never let you touch her nail polish and will always paint her nails for you. She'll let you use any of her other makeup, but the moment you try to use her nail polish, she will lecture you for hours. Any time your nails chip or you bite your nails, she will drop everything to repaint them for you.

She is very clingy, and oftentimes may jokingly get jealous about you spending time with other people or will text you a lot asking if you need anything or you're okay. Again, this is from a long history of abandonment issues and worries that you will get tired of her.

Nina will teach you Spanish whenever she can because of her being Mexican and bilingual. Due to trying to teach Jeff growing up only for him to give him half way through, she is very determined to get you to actually see it through and become fluent. In return, if you know another language, she will try to learn it too.

Nina gets incredibly protective over you, and while she tries not to be overbearing, she can a lot sometimes. She will often refuse to leave your side and parties and will argue with Tumblr users online for hours if somebody even says a single negative comment in your direction. She is your ride-or-die, she will gut a man if she has to for you.

If you get along with Jeff at all, that will cause a rift in your friendship big time, and may even break it up completely if you're not lucky. Nina will probably never tell the full extent of why she hates Jeff, especially since she doesn't like opening up about her trauma, but will consistently try to throw him under the bus for petty things to get you to stop hanging out with him.

Nina rarely asks for help with anything unless it's small, which leads to her getting extremely defensive if you try to help her with something she can do on her own. This is due to her mother raising her to take care of herself for years, and unless you call her out on this behavior, she will keep getting frustrated with you trying to help her with her hair, makeup, or any other random task.

If you can drive, she will literally beg you to drive her places, whether it's the store Toby works at, or the gas station, or to the mall- She always promises to pay you back for gas and even oftentimes gets you your favorite drinks and snacks as payment for it. Because of this though, she will wake you up at 3 AM to drive her down to Circle K because she's craving gummy worms-

She gives you music recommendations all the time, specifically Melanie Martinez, ICP, and 6arelyhuman. If she sends you a song, she expects you to listen to it immediately to share your thoughts on it. In return, she always listens to and saves every song you send her into a playlist of sings she knows you enjoy.

She will often copy your stims and gets really excited whenever she sees you happy.

Nina often tries to give you hair tips and share what she knows about hair care, but no matter what, don't listen to what she says, her hair is so incredibly damaged-

She is extremely hesitant to introduce you to Toby and BEN, mainly because BEN is an absolute menace of chaos and can be a lot even for Nina, and Toby is still trying to go about his new life. Between the two though, she'd probably introduce you to BEN first, and if not either of them, she'd introduce you to Liu.

She introduces you to Mary and Jane probably immediately after meeting you and will talk about them for hours if you let her. She absolutely loves her girlfriends and will want you to meet them as soon as possible. Jane may be a bit standoffish at first due to her being a bit protective, but will relax once she sees how happy you make Nina. Mary will probably warm up to you almost immediately.

Nina absolutely loves to rollerblade and will try to teach her how to skate herself if you don't know how to. It's a lot of trial and error though since Nina isn't a great teacher, but any bruises you get from falling down, she cleans out herself and apologizes for profusely.

She loves sharing food with you a lot and will always make you a separate serving of food if you walk in on her making something. She also enjoys introducing you to new foods.

She hypes up you constantly, though she isn't as aggressive about it as Jeff is. She's very gentle about your insecurities and will help build up your confidence as best she can.

You two have sleepovers all the time, and will often stay up late together for hours, and have pulled multiple all-nighters together.

Nina did eventually officially come out to you as transfem a few years into your friendship as a milestone for how much she trusted you. She was incredibly scared and even started sobbing, but was just happy she met someone she could trust with her identity.

She is very hyperaware of your body language and triggers, and will try her best to never purposely upset you, and will keep track of your mannerisms. She gets really worried about scaring you or making you not like her, and does everything in her power to not poke at your trauma on accident.

As you guys got closer, Nina starts to feel more and more safe with you, but still often tries to hide her mental health from you due to not knowing how to be more open about it. There are times though that you do witness her meltdowns or panic attacks, and often have to be there to comfort her or get someone to help.

Nina picks up your boundaries extremely quickly and will follow those boundaries EXACTLY. She tries everything never to cross a line for you and always hopes you'll do the same.

You guys will match profile pictures all the time on your social media accounts and will work together on making your accounts look all nice.

Nina absolutely loves taking photos of you two together and has an entire photo album on her phone of the two of you.

#creepypasta #nina the killer #being friends with creepypastas #jeff the killer #platonic x reader #scene kid #toby rogers #ben drowned #homicidal liu #nina hopkins #mary vaughn #mary x jane #mary x nina #jane x nina #nina x mary #nina x jane #transfem

[jbuffyangel]

So Many Girlfriends: Arrow 1x17 Review (The Huntress Returns)

We were a little light on Oliver and Felicity content last episode, but “The Huntress Returns” makes up for it. A good deal of the episode is focused on how Oliver feels about Helena and McKenna, but ultimately shines a bright spotlight on how he feels about Felicity.

Let’s dig in...

Olicity, Helena and McKenna

Will Oliver Queen’s real girlfriend please stand up?

Just kidding. I think too much is made of how many women Oliver dated in Season 1. Technically it was only two… well three but we’ll talk about the third later in the season. This is not an exorbitant about of dating for a single man. That said, we’re juggling three out of the four in “The Huntress Returns” so things feel a bit crowded.

This episode primarily focuses on how Oliver feels about Helena. She’s back after discovering her father cut a deal and will be placed in witness protection for offering evidence against the east coast families. Helena will not allow her father to have any kind of life because for her there is no life after Danny.

Helena can’t go up against the Starling City Police Department alone and wants Oliver to help kill her father. We get sucked into another “revenge versus justice” argument between the two of them and honestly I am trying hang with my boy here. Oliver believes what he is doing is justice and not revenge, but he is splitting the thinnest of moral hairs.

I’ve done the mental gymnastics to follow his point in previous reviews, and I won’t repeat myself too much, but every time they argue about this I find myself agreeing with Helena. Oliver is dangerously close to the hypocrite line, but ok sir. You only kill when necessary (although I don’t remember every person crossed off the list being killed in self defense) and only when it serves justice (but Oliver has anointed himself judge, jury and executioner so it’s HIS kind of justice – that doesn’t actually make it justice.)

Moving on. Helen extorts Oliver into participating by threatening Tommy.

First, Tommy finds out Oliver is a superhero and then he gets beat up by a girl. This has been an emasculating couple weeks.

It’s Diggle that asks the all important and completely obvious question.

Diggle: Oliver if you didn’t still have feelings for this girl you would have thought of a different solution than letting her extort you into killing someone.

Oliver: What do you want me to do? You want me to kill her?

Diggle: I think you would have a long time ago if she looked more like me than the T-Mobile girl.

Diggle is never wrong. Exhibit A: the T-Mobile Girl

Normally John advises Oliver to stay his hand, but he’s worried Helena will drop a dime on both of them. A concern Oliver shares, which is why he hasn’t handed her over to the police.

Oliver does finally admit to his FEELINGS. He’s still holding on to whatever idea of Helena he has in his head. He believes this idealized version is the true version. This is a mistake Oliver makes a lot with women – Moira, Thea, and L*urel. Each of them have faults, some more glaring than others, but he stubbornly ignores them and believes in the Snow White version instead. It’s patronizing and keeps Oliver from seeing the women he loves as human beings – with imperfections just like him.

Oliver keeps telling Helena, “This isn’t you,” when it very clearly is her. Oliver’s hero complex means he believes everyone can be saved, but when a person refuses to change and chooses the darker road again and again, then you must believe them. Saving someone is an illusion. No one can be saved unless they want to be saved. We must all make that choice for ourselves. We must choose our salvation.

Helena’s return shines a glaring spotlight on how little we know about McKenna after several episodes. Oliver and McKenna haven’t progressed much past a few dates and some lukewarm kisses.

Arrow ramps up the heat with a love scene, but it feels very perfunctory - like they must have sex to count as a relationship. Something to check off the list before McKenna is shipped off to The Land of Forgotten Characters.

This is exactly what happens when McKenna gets caught between Oliver and Helena's show down. Helena shoots McKenna, which fractures her femur. She is moving to Ocean City to live with her sister and rehab for a year.

Oliver makes a valiant offer to visit and do the long distance thing. He cares for McKenna, but I couldn’t help but feel this offer came from a hefty dose of guilty. Of course, Oliver is going to blame McKenna’s injury on himself.  He even says he’s responsible for her – not that he loves her. McKenna can see that Oliver’s feelings are not long distance level and she dumps him.

And every heartbreak was a yellow brick road Pointing me straight, just taking me home I was never lost I was just passing through I was on my way to you

"On My Way" by Jennifer Lopez

Arrow does not let these failed relationships go to waste. They are pointing us to Oliver’s real destination point. “Return of The Huntress” has a couple of dialogue gems that Olicity vidders have used again and again. More often than not, the writers are not talking about the relationship Oliver is currently in. They are talking about the relationship he is headed towards.

McKenna: The first thing you do is you find yourself someone you never have to apologize to.

It’s interesting that McKenna says this to Oliver right before they make love, but by the end of the episode he is wracked with guilt over her. He actually has to steel himself before going into McKenna’s hospital room because he cannot show what he’s truly feeling. The offer to come to Coast City is one big apology.

This is Arrow’s version of “Love means never having to say you’re sorry” which personally I think is a load of crap.

If you love someone and you hurt them then acknowledging their pain and apologizing for it is a very important part of forgiveness. You do not get a successful relationship without forgiveness.

I think the sentiment Arrow is trying to communicate is that Oliver needs to find someone who understands who he is and all the various pressures in his life. Someone he doesn’t have to lie to (McKenna/L*urel), but won’t ask him to murder people (Helena). The only woman in Oliver’s life that fits in these categories is Felicity.

As I said before, this show has the subtly of a jackhammer. Felicity calls as Oliver and McKenna fall into bed together. The camera panning to Felicity’s face on Oliver’s phone while he is having sex with another woman is not accidental. They are very clearly saying which woman Oliver SHOULD be having sex with.

Oliver leaves McKenna’s bed the minute he finds out Helena has attacked Felicity. This is in my Top Ten if not Top 5 of Oliver rescuing Felicity scenes.

Source: https://gifyu.com/paigeota

Helena forced Felicity to hack the FBI database for her father’s safe house location.

Oliver arrives in a panic and calls out for Felicity. He finds her bound and on the floor. It is not often we see the Hood’s feathers ruffled, but they certainly are in this scene.

Oliver’s voice drops to that soft tone with an “I’m here” and “Hey” as he gently touches Felicity’s face to reassure himself she is okay.

There are limited circumstances where Oliver allows himself to touch Felicity. He sticks to shoulders for a looooong time, but allows himself something more intimate when Felicity is in danger.

Source: https://gifyu.com/paigeota

The real tell here is Oliver’s RAGE. He goes absolutely feral when he hears someone entering the office and almost throws a knife at Diggle.

Source: https://gifyu.com/paigeota

Helena has killed innocent people to get to her father. She knows Oliver’s secret which makes her a dangerous threat to Team Arrow. She subtly threatened Oliver’s family by showing up at the mansion and directly threatened Tommy by almost ripping his arm from the socket. NONE of these actions convince Oliver to kill Helena – until she threatens Felicity. Oliver’s carefully crafted façade which hides the anger simmering underneath is tossed aside immediately. He wants to rip Helena in half with his bare hands.

Source: https://gifyu.com/paigeota

It’s starting to add up this episode! Helena has been searching for the right pressure point and boy did she find it. Felicity is not just comedic relief. She is not just Oliver’s Girl Friday.  The writers are clearly writing their interactions with romantic undertones and this episode shines a very bright light on where Felicity ranks in Oliver’s life, how much he cares for her, and what he’s willing to do to protect her. Ok sure, Oliver has a lot of “girlfriends,” but there’s only one who truly matters.

Prepare yourselves. I don’t disagree with this statement.

Source: https://gifyu.com/paigeota

Happy is not Oliver’s goal right now and I don’t believe he’s anywhere near the vicinity of happiness. If Oliver somehow achieved whatever his current definition of happiness is (which is also in flux) he wouldn’t know what to do with it. Not unlike a dog chasing a car.

Oliver is trapped in a self fulling prophecy attempting a normal life while living his vigilante life. He laments that marrying the two is impossible because it continually blows up in his face when he tries to merge his love life with his crime fighting.

He couldn’t be honest with McKenna because she’d arrest him. Oliver was honest with Helena, but she desperately needs to be arrested (and requires a good dose of therapy). Whenever the puzzle pieces don’t fit, Oliver throws his hands up in exasperation and says, “SEE? I CAN NEVER BE HAPPY!”

There is a problem with his math. As Diggle said, it’s about finding the right person. McKenna, Helena, *cough*L*urel*cough* are not the right person, so of course it doesn’t work out. Oliver never really addresses the massive issues with each of these women on an individual level. He sort of just chucks them all into the same love is impossible category.

We know the answer. Hell, I think even Diggle knows the answer at this point. It’s a 5 foot 5 inch blonde ponytail swishing Oliver right in the face. Felicity knows the truth. Not only does she NOT want him arrested, she has joined his criminal enterprise. She is wildly intelligent, beautiful, empathetic, witty and just the right amount of sass and toughness to keep a pain in the ass like Oliver Queen in line. This is the girl you bring home to meet your mother, Oliver.

Just hold her hand my dude!!

Source: https://gifyu.com/paigeota

But Oliver refuses to allow himself to look at Felicity in that capacity for now, which brings us to the second issue with his math. Oliver doesn’t feel he can be happy. He doesn’t believe he’s worthy of love. He might be chasing after it, feigning some attempt at a normal life, but these relationships blowing up in his face is not completely unwelcomed.

There’s a sense of relief sinking back into the darkness of the bunker. He tried, it failed, and now Oliver can wash his hands of the whole “happiness” thing, which is fine because he doesn’t deserve it anyway.

So, no I don’t believe Oliver’s priority should be happiness right now. He’s nowhere near ready for that. Oliver needs to do an enormous amount of work mentally and emotionally before he is even in the realm of readiness for Felicity Smoak. What he needs desperately right now is a friend who understands him. Of course, Felicity will be the friend Oliver needs because he will never find a life with Felicity without her help.

But bring on all the shoulder touches in the meantime!

L*urel and Tommy

Source: https://gifyu.com/paigeota

Soooo Tommy is having some issues with Oliver’s identity.  I always giggle inappropriately when Oliver is so offended by Tommy calling him a murderer. He looks like he wants to say, “Am not! It doesn’t count if they were bad people!”

Tommy is not interested in a morality debate with Oliver because he doesn’t trust him anymore - a consequence from all the lying. We’re already on Team Oliver. We know his reasons for doing this. We watched Robert Queen kill himself. We understand our vigilante’s pain, so it’s natural to get a little defensive of him when Tommy is this unforgiving. 

But Tommy has a right to his anger. Oliver has lied. A LOT. He is a killer. This is a disquieting revelation about the kid you grew up playing t-ball with. Not everyone is as cool with murder as Diggle and Felicity. (Tommy does soften on Oliver a little by the end of the episode.)

It’s not all moral high ground either. Tommy doesn’t say it, but Oliver being the sexy and dangerous vigilante L*urel is obsessed with is not scoring him any best friend points.

Tommy is going through all the feelings this week, which means he’s not the most attentive boyfriend and doesn’t have the emotional bandwidth for the latest Lance drama. L*urel’s mother, the OG Dinah, is in town because she believes Sara is alive. Dun dun duuuunnnn!!

SPOILERS!!!!!!

This storyline just annoys the crap out of me. I hate that they introduce this in Season 1. I don’t know if it’s meant to be a red herring, dangle a hook or just to drive us crazy, but it lessens the emotional impact of Season 2.

The first thing Oliver did when he came back was state definitively that Sara was dead. Dinah's picture of someone who looks like Sara is pretty flimsy evidence to contradict the man who watched her die. It feels like the writers are trying to give L*urel and Detective Lance something to do and bring all the divorce drama with Dinah into the fold. Eh. Keep it.

What annoys me even further is L*urel immediately jumps up Tommy’s ass for being distracted and not fully invested in the dead-sister-is-possibly-but-probably-not-alive drama. Good grief woman. Can the guy have an off week? Calm down.

I’m 50/50 on whether Tommy really wants to tell L*urel  that Oliver is the vigilante. Yes, he wants to tell her because that tea is PIPING HOT and he has to be dying to tell SOMEONE. No, he doesn’t want to tell her because of the previously mentioned sexy leather pants problem. It’s really a toss up at this point.

The problem is Tommy is actually a really decent dude who is terrible at lying and L*urel knows he’s keeping something from her. Thanks a lot Ollie. She throws a hissy about Tommy being “a million miles away” and storms off. The seeds of distrust and disappointment are sewn and we shall wait for the impending jealousy implosion to come.

Stray Thoughts

Oliver and Slade are negotiating a flight off the island. Wake me if it’s not a foregone conclusion this plan fails. The dude was stuck there for five years.

Thea wants to get Roy a job. Nothing says love like gainful employment.

Is date number six significant? What happens on date six? I am old and have not dated for awhile.

Oliver ordering Felicity out of the room was HOT. He doesn’t want her within fifty feet of Helena. I like it when he’s growly and bossy. Source: https://gifyu.com/paigeota

Roy gets stabbed saving Thea. She kisses him because he’s scared of needles. First kiss cute factor is off the charts.

 “Why can’t you just admit that you still have feelings for me too?” Does anyone else feel like Oliver had sex with McKenna to prove he doesn’t have feelings for Helena? It felt oddly timed.

Listen to the Watchover podcast reaction to 1x17!!!

If you’d like to support the blog, please buy me a cup of tea!

Disclaimer: Any gifs on the blog are not mine. If you would like a gif removed from my reviews, please message me.

#arrow #olicity #arrow 1x17 #olicity 1x17 #arrow reviews #arrow review #arrow episode review #arrow episode reviews #arrow season 1 #oliver queen #felicity smoak #john diggle #anti laurel lance #tommy merlyn #merlance #anti lauriver #thea queen #roy harper #theroy #season 1 episode review #season 1 episode reviews

[anonymousad]

read MORE carefully when you feel attacked, not less

I honestly wonder about the reading comprehension of some people because some of the reactions to my posts seem to go like this:

me: I think pancakes are better than waffles other person: WHAT THE FUCK, WHY DO YOU HATE WAFFLES

and... no, that isn't what I said?

I didn't say people don't deserve to be compensated for their work, I said that you can't be trying to pay people like it's a salaried job without having that kind of stable and consistent business income. that's literally how businesses go bankrupt all the time.

I also didn't say that you can't/shouldn't be able to make money in audio drama, I said that you need to do it SUSTAINABLY. off the top of my head I can name several shows that do just that (WOE.BEGONE and Malevolent being two I've mentioned in the past), not to mention people like Lauren Shippen. timing and luck have a lot to do with success, absolutely, so that isn't to say it is easy or guaranteed if you follow in those kinds of steps, but it does show that it can be done in ways that are self-sustaining rather than constantly asking for large cash drops to stay afloat.

speaking of, I didn't compare Harlan to JK Rowling, I pointed out how "death of the author" has been deployed by people who don't want to face HER hatefulness while still engaging with Harry Potter (I know many people like this as we all do I'm sure) as an example of why you have to be cautious when throwing it around as an excuse.

and I definitely didn't say that a Black woman was hoarding resources by having a crowdfunding campaign with a high goal??? very weird assumption for you to draw from what I actually WAS talking about, person on Bluesky. almost like you didn't actually read and understand that whole section before trying to jump down my throat about it.

I have found, both in writing this blog and generally in life, that the more people feel defensive the less they are able to engage with what is being said. anyone who has ever tried to argue for trans or gay rights with a right winger has experienced this, it's the reason that "debate bro" types are so successful. you pick out the parts that make you feel angry and you go on a tirade about them, rather than stepping back and trying to synthesize the whole message.

not once has one of the people defensive about the crowdfunding stuff addressed my key point of it being "unsustainable" in their responses to it. that is literally the thesis, sidestepping it does not make it go away. it just reinforces to me and others that you are not thinking long-term about what will and won't work for us as a community.

I should also say that none of what I post comes just from me. every single thing I've said on this blog has come from at least a few different people. it is not a one-person opinion party, something I'm not sure I've ever said outright. especially with the crowdfund stuff I have had conversations with at least a dozen showrunners who all think the current methods do not work, are not sustainable, and are only benefitting the same people over and over. I have these conversations with my "colleagues" (because I can't think of another word) in the space because I find it interesting and important and valuable. I am engaging with these conversations outside of this blog because I have an emotional investment in us as a community figuring this out so that we can thrive.

I still regret not making this blog when I first desperately wanted to to talk about The Magnus Protocol campaign. (I do have thoughts on the TMA ttrpg though, as a general thing that exists and also based in some basic understanding of how the selected system was a bad choice for what people will be hoping to get from this thing so people will likely be disappointed once they actually play it)

anyway, that's all I have to say on that right now.

tldr: I know my posts are long and there is a lot to get through sometimes. but if you are going to fixate on one sentence and ignore the larger context you are setting yourself up to misunderstand the actual point being made. and yes, there is usually a point, one that I find important enough to bother writing about in the first place.

actually, I should also say that I would be more than willing to have a conversation with Tal or someone else from that part of the community who believes that the current crowdfunding model is working and will continue to work in the long run. seriously, if I am missing something obvious then explain it to me so I can understand what about this is working. and I don't just mean working for you, I mean working for the community and creators as a whole. because I still see a lot of campaigns fail for much less, even when following the vague tips being handed out about how to run a successful campaign.

#anonymous ad #anonymous #crowdfund don'ts #media literacy #critical thinking #reading comprehension #this isn't a callout because how do you even callout people who are unwilling to engage with the full text #and I'm not kidding about being open to conversation because I am willing to admit when I am wrong if that is the case

[wanderingjedi77]

The Armorer x Fem! Reader (Kar'ta)

Summary: Intrigued by a Mandalorian thief, the Armorer seeks answers and finds more than she bargained for in the process.

You grunted hard as the Mandalorian lifted you up against the cave walls, and your feet dangled. So maybe it was a bad idea to steal from a literal covert of Mandalorians. But you needed beskar and parts for your speeder bike. How would you have known they actually guarded these stupid caves?

"Where did you get that armor thief?" They demanded. Referring to the outfit you were already wearing.

"It's mine!" You argued. "I was just trying to get it fixed."

"That is no excuse."

You look up and take in a sharp breath at the tall, female Mandalorian in beautiful armor approaches you. She stands there with her hands clasped behind her back.

"I look...clearly I made a mistake. I do this all the time on different planets. I didn't think you would mind anything."

"And yet, you steal from your fellow Mandalorians?" The Armorer asks you. You look into her visor and can't come up with an answer.

"She's surviving."

You startled as Din appears at the entrance to the cave. Of course, he would be here. Din usually saved her skin 90% of the time

"Y/n? You could have come to me for help." Din offers, and you nod. "She has no one, Armorer. I ask you to please show some leniancy. She won't steal from us again, will you?"

"No...no.." You shake your head. "I won't. Thank you Din."

"I will show you leniancy this one time." The Armorer motions her hand, and they drop you, kneeling at her feet. "Leave."

You scrambled to your feet and almost ran out if the cave, nodding at Din as you went, half expecting to be shot in the back.

When you returned home, you breathed a sigh of relief. You never wanted to see them again.

Of course, fate had other ideas.

The Armorer was curious. She couldn't understand why you would choose to live alone. Away from a family or a clan. And she started to make inquiries every time she went to town. It didn't take long for people to point her in the right direction, a set of stairs leading to a small but well lit home.

The Armorer knocked and pushed the door in. Stepped inside. She wondered briefly if you were out. Before she felt something, someone slammed into her from the side and pushed her against the wall.

"Get out of my home." You demanded. The only reason she here was to take you away, and you sure as he'll weren't going with her.

The Armorer pushed you back and you stumbled, bringing your hands up in a defensive position.

"Enough. I didn't come here to kidnap you." The Armorer tells you. She moves toward you, and you take a swing at her, and the Armorer reacted, grabbing your arm and forcing you to the ground. "I just l want to ask you some questions."

You feel your helmet fly off as your head hits the ground and grunted hard as The Armorer pinned you, straddling you. Her armor was heavy, and you tried to do anything to get away. She grabbed your arms as you took a swing at her and layed them down next to your head.

"I am not here to hurt you." The Armorer repeats more firmly. "Calm down."

"No, I don't believe you." You say desperately. "Leave me alone."

The Armorer shushes you, and you lay there; trying to focus on your breathing and not the fact that the Armorer has you pinned down.

"It's okay. I'm going to get off of you now. I want you to get up and sit on the bench." The Armorer orders gently. "Do you understand?"

"Yes." You swallow. "I understand, Lady Armorer." You manage to get out, trying to figure out what game she was playing. But she wasn't being aggressive. Just...commanding.

You frown, and she tilts her head at you.

She gets off of you, and you sit up, winching as your leg cramps as you stand and sit down on the bench. You wonder what's going to happen now. You winch again as pain travels up your leg and tilt your head down.

"Here. Allow me." The Armorer steps closer to you where you sit on the bench. "I didn't hurt you?" She asks, and you wonder how someone so intimidating can sound so soft.

The Armorer moves her hands to your leg and gently moves them down, checking for injury. Satisfied, it's just a pulled muscle she pulls her hands back from you, and you feel like you can breathe again. Although your heart is beating dangerously fast.

"No. Not really." You reply as you look back up at her. "Are you...alright?"

The Armorer laughs, amused. "Yes. I'm afraid I escaped most of your wrath." She moves closer. "Hold still for me."

You shy away as the Armorer fixes the armor and cloth next to your neck, shivering when her gloved fingers press against the exposed skin. You swallow hard, and you're sure she's noticed, but doesn't say anything.

"You need new under armor as well." The Armorer remarks. She tilts her helmet as she moves to the front of your armor. "A new chest plate, too."

"Yes." You breathe out sharply. "But I can't pay for that right now."

The Armorer chuckles. "Oh? And your not going to steal from us again?"

"No...no?" You reply. "I won't steal from you or another Mandalorian again."

"Good girl." The Armorer remarks casually and you can't help the squeek that escapes your throat. Oh gods, you want to die. You think, blushing as the Armorer pauses in her inspection of your armor.

"You could help me in the forge to pay for it." The Armorer continues, moving away from you to pick up your helmet to inspect it. "Do you have any experience?"

You shake your head. "No. But I'm...I would work hard." You admit. And you would. You wanted to be better for her, at least. You felt awful for disappointing her, and you had only ever met once before.

"I'd like that." You finally say, and the Armorer hands you your helmet. You place it next to you again, and she holds out her hand.

You furrow your brow, confused, but take it and allow her to help you up. "Is something wrong?"

"No. I will be back with food and supplies for you soon." She brings your hands up and presses them against the mouth of your helmet. "If that is agreeable?"

"It is." You choke out. You feel more like a lady than a Mandalorian.

The Armorer nods and sweeps out of the room. "I will also repair some of your armor. Be patient for me."

You sit down hard when she leaves, and find yourself staring at the door long after she's gone.

True to her word though, The Armorer returns a few times. Asking you questions, explaining the tribe and the creed in more detail as you get to know each other. You find yourself enjoying her company. A touch on the knee here, getting her to help you with forging by having her show you how to do things up close, a squeeze of your shoulder when you do a good job.

You don't wear your helmet around her, which you think the Armorer enjoys. Especially when she insists on removing it from your head for you. It's...domestic. you wish you could remove hers to see the woman underneath, but settle for sweet compliments and gentle touches instead.

You're working on fixing your chest plate when you feel the Armorer come up behind you, and you turn to face her, putting your tools down. Instead, she takes your hand and leads you over to a nearby bench, quiet. Thoughtful. You wonder if you've done something wrong?

"I need you to listen to me for a moment." The Armorer commands, and you are about to pull away when she squeezes your hand in hers

"Okay. I'm listening." You reply.

"I wanted to apologise for judging you. When you were first brought before me I was angry. How could one of our own people steal from us? I didn't understand your situation until I came here and got to know you." The Armorer says, and you feel hot all of a sudden, because this wasn't what you were expecting at all.

"You are a capable fighter and are truly a survivor." The Armorer continues. "I am sorry, truly for acting the way I did. I would like to offer you a place in the Tribe. If you accept, I would teach you the ways of forge. More than what you are learning now. " She pauses. "But I would also like your permission to court you my Ka'rta. If you'll have me."

You couldn't have heard her properly, you think. She wants to marry you?

"I..." You struggle to form a sentence. Any sentence. "I've never courted anyone. Or been courted...I mean..."

The Armorer steps closer. "You are so sweet." She tells you. "But I will not make you do anything you do not wish to do."

"I'd like to be courted by you." You admit shyly. You blushing, you know she can see it, and she tilts her head in a way that you think is a smile.

The Armorer wraps her arms around you and sits down next to you, pulling you up on her lap. You dont have time to register this information properly before the Armorer is tilting her head towards you until your foreheads are pressing together. A Keldebe kiss.

You sigh contently and softly ask, "After we're married, may I see what you look like under the helmet?"

"Yes. As much as you want." The Armorer says softly. "As much as you need."

#star wars #the mandalorian #star wars mandalorian #star wars the mandalorian season 3 #the armorer #the armorer x fem!reader #the armorer x reader #star wars x y/n #star wars x reader #anon request #request answered

[wishitweresummer]

Tongue Tied (Dream x GeorgeNotFound x Sapnap)

Word count: 1195

Warning: KISSING there is a looooot of kissing. On lips and necks. Like in bed, it’s very intimate. This is sfw, but in this one the Dream Team are dating. Consider it “teen and up audiences on ao3”.

This one isn’t apart of my main AU, just a little ficlet.

Dream loved kissing. As soon as their three-way relationship starts, he was all over Sapnap. He had to wait a bit for George to move to Florida, but he bided his time with his lips on the younger.

Every night, Sapnap was a melting form underneath his lips as he sucked and nipped at his neck. Soft little noises filled the room as Sapnap tried to hold them back. It was addicting. Dream held him down as he kissed his lips. Dream always smiled into it, so so happy to have him.

On video call, he teased George. He watched him squirm in his chair as he described how he was going to kiss and lick and suck and bite at his neck. The older covered his bright face, giggling.

“Shut up Dream!!”. What a cute reaction. God, he couldn’t wait to get his hands on him, too.

~•~

“George comes home tomorrow.”, Dream murmured into Sapnap’s ear before he nipped it playfully. Sapnap squirmed under the affection. Dream’s love was overwhelming, always.

“I know baby…”, he said softly before Dream’s lips overtook his own. Sweet kisses, so sweet. Sapnap was pressed down into the bed as Dream hummed into the kisses. Soon, his mouth was traveling back down to taste his neck. Open mouth kisses made Sapnap gasp. He scraped his teeth against the sensitive skin to make him keen for more. Begging hands grabbed at his shirt, but Dream liked to tease.

~•~

Dream’s first kiss with George was shy and full of smiles. It wasn’t long before Sapnap spun him away and dipped him low, making him shriek just so he could shut him up with their own first kiss.

Things are so easy. They are perfect, really. George fit right into the routine. They all argued over what to order for food and then ate together in the living room. They laughed as they flipped through their friends’ streams. Dream watched them play chess with a kiss from him as the prize, but George pouted after Sapnap won so Dream had to give in to him as well.

They all squeezed into the same sink to brush their teeth at the end of the night. It was obnoxious. All elbows bumping and almost spitting on each other. Sapnap grabbed George by the neck and tried to strangle him, but they crumbled into each other laughing.

It was all so sweet and just…everything all of them ever wanted.

~•~

“Dream gets really lovey dovey at night.”, Sapnap whispered to George before getting rolled up in Dream’s arms with a squeak.

“What was that?”, he asked into his ear, nuzzling his nose in lovingly.

“Nothing!”. Dream giggled and rolled his eyes before pinning Sapnap down against the bed gently. He rubbed his nose up his neck before latching on and kissing it slowly. Sapnap choked, trying to hide his noises. He scrambled to cover his face and push Dream away.

“Embarrassed?”, Dream asked playfully. Sapnap blushed and giggled, overwhelmed.

They looked over to George to find him biting his lip and holding a pillow up in defense. Dream growled and scooted closer, making George drop the pillow and hide his face with both hands.

“Hi pretty.”, Dream purred, pulling George under him and pinning him down softly. “Can I kiss you?”.

“Yes, please.”, he peeped, revealing his face and adorable blush.

Dream kissed his pink lips and they sighed together at the feeling. George’s lips were soft and sweet. Dream’s, firm and strong. Strong like a foundation for their home. For their futures. The trust and love seeped through, lulling George’s lips to part and the kiss to deepen. He shivered as Dream’s tongue invaded his mouth, trailing against the roof and teasing his tongue. He whimpered at the feelings bursting out of every touch.

Dream pulled away and smiled down at him. George averted his eyes to Sapnap, who was grinning knowingly.

“You guys are hot.”, he blurted, making them all laugh.

When they calmed down, Dream got a firmer grip on George.

“I’m not done.”, he murmured, eyeing that pale slender neck. George bit his lip and nodded, suddenly nervous. Dream moved slowly so he could be pushed away, but George let him.

As soon as Dream teased his teeth against the side of George’s neck, he tensed and squealed loudly.

“George?”, Dream pulled away in concern. Sapnap sat up a little.

“That tickles…”, George giggled. Dream huffed in amusement and dove back in.

He latched onto the hot skin and trailed his tongue against it. Under him, George turned into a livewire. He burst into giggles, squirming wildly. Two little hands reached up to press against Dream’s chest as he struggled.

“Dream!”, he squeaked.

“Wow.”, Sapnap murmured, entranced by the scene.

Dream bit the sensitive skin and George squealed again, clawing at his shirt.

“You’re…tickling me!!!”, he struggled out through his helpless giggles.

It’s just too adorable. Dream took those hands hostage and dove back in to scout out more cute noises. He nudged his nose around and teased his teeth against whatever area made George squirm harder. Now this was addictive.

It wasn’t long before Sapnap got jealous.

“Let me try.”, he demanded. George took one look at Sapnap’s more-full beard and broke into a giggly panic. The younger bumped Dream out of the way and nuzzled right into George’s neck, making him break down into pretty high pitched laughter.

Dream couldn’t stay away for long; moving down to mouth playfully at George’s hot ear. The poor thing didn’t stand a chance.

George laughed, all high pitched like bells, as Dream and Sapnap nosed and kissed at both sides of his neck. Dream released his hands to see if he’d push them away, but he just grabbed onto their shirts uselessly.

Eventually, Sapnap’s playful hands went searching under the blanket to see if his sides were as sensitive as his neck. George screamed.

“Whoa!”, Dream laughed as he helped Sapnap get a hold of their squirmy boyfriend.

It wasn’t long before George found himself trapped in Dream’s arms. He laughed and begged for freedom, for mercy, for air, but his boyfriends were too consumed with finding exactly just how sensitive George was.

“Sapnap!!”, he cried out when the younger shoved his hands up under his shirt. “Dream!!”, he screamed when he felt a mean smirk on the back of his neck. There was nothing he could do but laugh, trapped between the two curious tickle monsters.

They explored his body, but it’s like every spot was more ticklish than the last.

~•~

“So, you’re crazy ticklish huh?”, Dream asked cheekily. George was still gasping softly for his breath as he slid his gaze over to his idiot.

“I wouldn’t say crazy ticklish.”. Sapnap burst out laughing.

Somehow, this was still their perfect. Soon, they were all on their backs staring at the ceiling as they thought about the future. The future where none of them would ever be bored again. Where laughter would fill the house. Always a pair of lips to kiss. Always a boyfriend to annoy…or to be annoyed by.

Dream giggled, happy.

“I love you guys.”.

#lee!georgenotfound #ler!dream #ler!sapnap #mcyt tickle #mcyt fluff #dnn tickle #dream team tickle #dream team fluff #dnn fluff

[thewitchandtheassassin]

Last First Kiss (Jean Grey x Reader)

Summary: Sometimes you wonder if he’ll ever learn.

Words: 921

Warnings: Mild violence, Jean’s unpredictable powers, maybe language?

A/N: There isn’t a version of Jean I haven’t loved. They did Sophie Turner dirty in writing but she put her whole heart into it and you can’t convince me otherwise.

Taglist: @natasharomanoffswife​ @natasha-danvers​ @aaron-despair​ @username23345 @xjiasx​ @nowthisisliving27 @higherfurther-romanova​ @summergeezburr @imnotasuperhero @miscmarvelwritings @captain-josslett @onlyafewfindtheway @hayleyokami @b-5by5  @evilcr0ne​  @everything201197​  @lostandsearching​ @marvels-writings​​

-X-

Rolling your eyes at Scott’s latest attempt to flirt with Jean, you studied the uncomfortable redhead inching away from the younger Summers brother from your perch on a tree limb a few feet away. Normally you’d step in before it got to such a point but Jean had begged you to let her handle him after you nearly beheaded him the last time he refused to take “no” for an answer. In your defense, he’d threatened to take his glasses off – “let’s see if you can walk off my powers, (Y/N), if you’re so special,” – so you simply reciprocated with a similar threat of your own except...

You were a woman of few words.

It sucked that it’d cost you an entire day rebuilding the marble statue he’d crashed into, but it was a fair price to pay. Especially since Peter had recorded Scott flying through the air, his screams turning more to shrieks as he neared the statue before dissolving into whines as he smashed through it.

And yes, you kept that video – and replayed it often.

Watching Scott grip Jean’s wrist roughly, you dropped to the ground silently. His voice was growing loud and she was clearly trying to break the hold without using her powers. Despite the control she’d gained over the years, she was still hesitant when it came to those in the mansion, fearing it would slip and hurt someone she cared for.

“Why do you always say no?! I know you like me, so why won’t you go out with me?” his question was posed jokingly but there was real heat beneath it. He was truly angry she kept turning him down, refusing to understand she wasn’t interested in him. “I get you, Jean. I know what it’s like having dangerous powers but that’s why we work! You know what I think? You say no because of (Y/N). Because she doesn’t like me.”

“I don’t want to go out because I don’t see you like that,” Jean argued, the energy around them becoming unstable as her panic and anger rose. “The last time we did anything just the two of us, you kissed me. Without asking. And got mad when I said I didn’t want to be your girlfriend. I don’t like you like that, Scott. Right now, I barely like you at all.”

It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see her deteriorating control as Scott’s grip didn’t waiver despite Jean’s irritation, so you decided you’d stayed out of it long enough. Reaching for the scruff of Scott’s neck as you neared him – intent of dropping the man-child to his knees – a sudden screech echoed through your mind and he released his hold on Jean immediately, hand flying to his ear to try and block out the noise.

Eyes jerking to the redhead, you saw the familiar blankness wash over her features. You’d seen it too many times. In fights, during her training sessions…

“Hey, Jean,” you called out, forcing the hesitation and pain from your voice. “You’re okay. He let go.”

Emerald eyes flickered to meet yours, recognition fleeting as the screeching suddenly ended. You were the last person she ever wanted to hurt and everyone knew that. The professor often called you her anchor; the one tangible thing that kept her tethered to this plane whenever her powers overcame her. The one voice her mind sought after when all others fueled her misery and rage. You often teased her about it – joking that it clearly made you soulmates – but you were starting to believe there was something deeper there.

Either way, you were her safety when nothing else felt okay.

Despite noting your presence, the absence of “Jean” was obvious. Scott was stumbling away from her, trying to separate himself from the noise rattling in his brain but you were worried he might find himself in a worse predicament if she became anymore agitated. You couldn’t care less for his safety, honestly, but you knew she’d feel nothing but utter guilt if she hurt him.

Steeling your nerves, you cupped her cheeks and dragged her emotionless stare towards you. It was unnerving to see such a lack of warmth residing there but you remained steady. You could see bits of the mask fracturing but Scott’s whimpers were growing frenzied.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered, crashing your lips to hers.

Was it your best plan? No. Could it blow up in your face? Hell yes. Did you regret it? No…? Maybe…?

Did it work?

Yes.

Scott’s sudden gasp of air was almost heavenly as she yelped against your mouth, hands flying to your shoulders as Jean became Jean again, the energy lingering dissipating into nothingness once more. You could see the surprise in her eyes as she took in the current state of your actions before she melted against you, which truthfully surprised you in return. You tried to create a bit of distance – to explain or to apologize, you weren’t terribly sure – but her lips moved tentatively against yours, a silent plea that you were happy to fulfill.

It was shy, a gentle brushing of mouths, but it was the purest kiss you’d ever experienced. There was fire low in your belly but you didn’t think much of it, only savoring the embrace you’d never really thought you’d have.

Eventually separating, her head fell to your shoulder. Nose grazing your neck, she whispered, “You kissed me.”

Face burning, you nodded. “I did.”

“…I hope you are the last first kiss I ever have.”

#jean grey x reader #jean grey imagine #x-men imagine #x-men dark phoenix #marvel imagine #dark phoenix imagine #marvel cinematic universe #reader imagine #reader insert

[gracethyomen]

"Clear Cut Case"

Okay, so, I lied. This chapter is still mostly setup. But it was either two exposition parts or one exposition part that was over 5k words and I have ADHD so I can't read that much in one sitting without going crazy. So here's the second part of the first episode. I won't painstakingly go through every episode beginning to end like this, I promise, just setting us up for the organization of events following from here. There are gonna be skips every now and then for the sake of getting to what's important and this story still mostly being about Mattalie.

So bear with me, and if you're new, welcome! The first part of this story is on my page on the masterlist. If you're not new, welcome back! Thanks for coming, it means a lot. Either way, thanks for being here, and lets get into it.

Warnings: Mention of death, mention of blood, mention of homicide, SO MUCH PINING. Matt being a human disaster, Natalie being a simp. Matt also being a simp but quieter. These two idiots can’t express their feelings for the life of them.

Foggy was tossing a baseball between his hands. The hollow thumps punctuating the thoughtful air. 

"I'm friends with Gary Feinstein in the DA's office. I'll give him a call first thing in the morning, see where their heads are at?" He mused.

Natalie nodded, her heels kicked off next to her chair. "I'm guessing they're gonna puff their chests, but they have to know murder two's a risk. We end up with manslaughter... get the right judge,- maybe she's out in five to ten?" She suggested, running a tired hand through her hair. 

"We're not taking a deal." Matt said, hands on his hips and mouth set into a familiar line that Nat recognized meant that he wouldn't budge. 

"No, this is why they have deals, Matt." Foggy argued. The baseball held in one hand as he dropped his hands to his sides. "So the straightforward cases don't waste everybody's time." 

Matt pursed his lips, and Natalie sat back in her chair, waiting for him to make his argument. "I don't think she did it." He said simply. 

Foggy blew a breath out through his lips. "She's the sole suspect, found at the scene covered in blood, with the murder weapon and no defensive wounds. If they offer anything, it'll be a gift, and we will take that gift." 

Natalie winced, looking at Matt's stony expression. "Usually I trust your gut, Matt." Foggy confessed. "But we do not want this to go to trial." 

"Foggy's right." Natalie confirmed, and Foggy gave her a quick thumbs up. To which she waved him off irritatedly. "Not only do we not want this to go to trial, we can't afford for this case to go to trial. Pushing on a trial for a case this clear cut will be the end of our careers." She pushed. 

"Exactly." Matt said, causing Nat's brows to furrow. "They don't want this to go to trial either." He pointed out. "Why hasn't she been charged?" 

Foggy started to toss his ball again. "They have 24 hours to charge her, and it's the weekend. They're gonna take every last second to collect the evidence before they move." 

Natalie paused, starting to catch on to what Matt was trying to say. "They've got the evidence, you've just laid it out yourself." Matt continued. "This is a good arrest, Foggy. We should already be reading about it in the papers. There's something not right about this case. I can feel it." 

Natalie sighed, stuck between both sides of the argument. She tilted her head down, massaging the headache building between her temples. "You can feel it?" She muttered, quiet enough that she knew neither of them could hear her, especially as Foggy started up again. 

"All right." Foggy tapped his foot just once, again, pausing his throwing. "I'm just gonna say this once, and we can move on. You don't necessarily show the best judgement when beautiful women are involved, Matt." He took a long pause. "Except for..." He gestured vaguely at Natalie, and she looked up, sniffing at Foggy's attempt at not insulting her. 

"Except for?" Matt asked, tilting his head expectantly. 

Natalie rolled her eyes at the two of them. "He just...waved his hand at me." She narrated quietly for him. 

"How would I know that they- either of them- are beautiful?" Matt noted. "No offense, Nat." He added. 

"None taken." She said, not quite truthfully. 

"I don't know." Foggy shrugged. "It's kinda spooky, actually." He admitted. "But if there's a stunning woman with questionable character in the room, Matt Murdock's gonna find her. Which means Foggy and Natalie are going to suffer!"

Matt laughed, but Natalie felt that it sounded hollow. "All right... I don't disagree with anything you're saying." 

"Thank you." 

"But I need you to back me on this." Natalie sighed, rubbing at her temples harshly. The headache that had settled there made it all the more difficult to listen to their bickering. She let out a soft groan before responding. 

"Alright, fine." She interjected, stopping the banter. "Let's start with the obvious, then. If she didn't do it who did?" 

Foggy hung his head, nodding tiredly. "Right. She's right. We're dead in the water if we can't even give them an alternative scenario." He ran a hand through his gold hair, breathing out slowly. 

"Nat's right, as always." Matt murmured, placing both hands on his hips and tapping his foot almost soundlessly on the shitty floorboards. "We need more information. If Karen didn't kill Fisher who did, and why?" He proposed. 

Foggy nodded absently, pointing in Matt's general direction. "We need to take another run at our client. She may not be guilty, Matt, but that doesn't mean Ms. Page is telling the truth." 

Natalie opened her mouth to agree before the phone rang loudly into the suite. Turning all three heads to the noise. She picked up the receiver and held it to her ear, scratching the back of her head where her clip was digging too far into her scalp.

"Nelson and Murdock, how can I help you?" She rattled off, already tapping her pen nervously. Her gut already told her what the person on the other end was saying. A call this soon after the arrest never meant anything good. "Oh, dear god." She whispered. "Yes we'll be there in an hour. Thank you." She hung up the phone, sitting back in her chair in shock. 

"What was that?" Foggy pressed, shoving his hands in his pockets. 

Natalie looked up at him, mouth still agape. "That was the precinct." She explained, gaze floating between the two men. "Our client was just attacked in her holding cell." 

The sound of Matt's briefcase hitting the metal table echoed in the concrete room. Followed by the sounds of all three employees at Nelson and Murdock sitting in their rickety chairs. 

Matt immediately stiffened his posture and dropped his shoulders. If anyone else had looked, they probably wouldn't have noticed. But Nat noted the movement carefully, reading the tension rolling off of him in thick waves. 

"I'll make this easy for you detectives." He began sternly. "Get the ADA in here to release Ms. Page and we'll recommend to our charming, media-friendly client that she not plaster the airwaves with how she was nearly killed in your custody." The detectives shifted uncomfortably at Matt's words. No doubt imagining the hellfire that would rain down upon them if what he said did come to pass. 

Foggy took that moment to add on, with a self satisfied smirk. "And i'll agree not to make cooing noises for the rest of this meeting when I think of the civil suit that we have on our hands." Natalie fought the urge to kick him under the table. He never knew when to let things be. 

Detective Blake made a face at both of the lawyers that made Natalie grit her teeth. "How do you know they're not charging her?" He pointed out, fingers tightly woven together on the table to hide his frustration. Not very effectively, she might add. 

"Besides the fact that you were required to do so four hours ago if you were gonna do it at all?" Nat countered smoothly, raising a single brow at the detectives. "Along with how the security cameras on Ms. Page's detention area went on the fritz right before the assault." Blake glared at her, but she didn't move. She'd learned the hard way that if you give an inch officers like Blake would take a 5k. She didn't plan on budging. 

"Yeah, we'd like to speak to Mr. Farnum about that, as well as what-" Matt added on, adjusting his crimson glasses carefully on his nose as he spoke. 

"Get in line." Blake interrupted, furious. "He'll be arraigned in the morning." Matt's jaw clenched almost imperceptibly at the detective's tone. 

The room was quiet before Matt spoke again, in a tone that was enough to put shivers down even Natalie's spine. "Get our client released. Don't make me ask again." 

Natalie watched, rapt, as Hoffman whispered to Blake furtively. She didn't have to hear what he said to know he wasn't happy about it. 

Blake sighed through his nose after Hoffman sat back, settling his gaze on Matt. "I'll call the ADA." He conceded, standing from his chair to tower over her friend menacingly. "But you take that tone with me again?" He gritted out at Matt. "I don't care if you're blind. I'll kick the shit out of you." 

Foggy's eyes narrowed. All trace of joking manner gone. "Really?" He murmured. "We're gonna go there?" 

Detective Blake gave one more scathing look at the trio before he and Hoffman left the room. Leaving Natalie to finally let loose a deep, nervous breath. 

Foggy scoffed. "That was pleasant." He snarled. 

Matt scrubbed a hand over his permanent five o'clock shadow. Deep in thought. "It doesn't make any sense." He insisted. "ADA had everything they needed..." 

Natalie's face slackened as realization came. "Unless they had too much." She looked between Matt and Foggy. 

She could almost see the moment Matt connected the dots. Right as Foggy looked over at them both as he often did when they got going on something. "What? Am I missing something?" 

Natalie touched Foggy's arm. "What if someone else was in Karen's apartment that night? What if they have evidence?" She pondered. 

"That'd be Brady material." Matt pointed out. "They'd have to turn it over." Foggy's mouth popped open, leaning back in his chair. 

"Only if she were charged." He added. "She hangs herself in her cell, this all goes away." Foggy shook his head. "Clear cut case." He murmured mockingly. 

Natalie stood from the table, pulling the door open to usher both of the men out. "Come on. Let's get her some clothes and get her the hell out of here." 

Karen, Matt, and Natalie all sat at the faded, chipped table in what was meant to be the waiting area of the office. Karen wearing a hoodie and leggings Natalie had picked up from her apartment for her. She'd grabbed two of the items that were the biggest on her, but Karen's arms and ankles still dangled out of the ends. 

Why did she have to be so damn tall? Or, she realized - with no small amount of embarrassment - why did she have to be so damn short. 

She was brought out of her thoughts by Foggy entering the room holding a cup of still-steaming liquid. From the smell, she assumed it was tea. 

"Sorry, we don't have any milk." He told Karen softly, passing her the cup before sitting down with the group. 

Matt also seemed to smell the aromatic concoction because he turned to Foggy with a mixture of confusion and admiration. "We have tea, now?" He asked, bemused. 

"Stole it from the Financial Office next door." Foggy said by way of explanation. Looking at Karen comfortingly. 

Natalie also turned to Karen, trying to get a gauge on the woman now that she wasn't covered in blood and hysterical. 

"How are you holding up?" She asked gently, fidgeting with her fingertips nervously on the table. 

"Better." She gave a weak, grateful smile. "Thanks for getting me out." 

Foggy sighed, rubbing his face tiredly. "Don't thank us yet." He corrected. "Just because they released you doesn't mean they won't eventually bring charges." 

Matt nodded, tapping his fingers on the wood aimlessly. "Which is why it's crucial you don't speak to anyone but us about what happened that night." He explained, tone firm but caring. 

Karen laughed nervously, cradling her cup of tea but not taking a sip. Natalie wondered if she'd forgotten she was holding it. "I don't have anyone to talk to, anyway." She joked. Although it sounded hollow. 

"Do you have somewhere you can stay tonight?" Matt asked, clearly creating some plan in his mind that neither Foggy or Natalie would know about until he decided it was time. 

Karen seemed caught of guard for a moment, mouth dropping open. "M-my apartment's not far." She shrugged. 

"You can't go back there." Foggy immediately interjected. Holding up a hand cautiously. 

Matt cleared his throat, adjusting in his chair. "Ms. Page, our immediate priority is to keep you safe." She pressed his lips together for a moment, and Natalie zeroed in on the motion, watching the pressure turn the pink skin white. "In order to do that, we're gonna need to have a frank discussion." 

Matt inclined his head at Natalie, who discreetly pressed the record button on the device in her lap. 

"Do you know who's trying to kill you?" Matt started, at Karen's 'No' he continued. "Do you know why someone would try to kill you?" 

There was a long pause where Foggy and Natalie looked at Karen, waiting patiently for her answer. 

"Yes." The blonde muttered. Natalie closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. Matt rolled his shoulders back as Karen began to speak.

And the hole they found themselves standing around became so much deeper.

a/n: I promise this is the last part before we return to the stuff I assume you guys came for. Wanted you guys to get a sense of not only the group dynamic and how these guys operate but also a tad of what Natalie is like. Yes, she's quiet for the most part. I promise that Matt brings her out eventually, but she's naturally reserved. Also, I don't tolerate Karen hate, she's badly written in a few places but I love her, and Nat does too.

Once again, thanks for reading, and if you liked this post consider leaving a note or following for more.

As always thanks to @abucketofweird consider this story dedicated to you and your initial interest. <3

Have a good day/night, whatever time it is.

-Sybil :)

#matt murdock x you #matt murdock x reader #matt murdock x oc #matt murdock x ofc #marvel #daredevil #daredevil x ofc #daredevil x oc #daredevil x reader

[urlocallesbiab]

ok folks, inspired by This Post (thank you for inspiration and ideas, @agent-p-94/@generalized-incompetence!), i present to you:

brotzly fake dating couple's therapy au; in the form of tumblr messages/a campfire story/an unwitten fic rundown

me: the thing is, they'd PASS

within 10 minutes of knowing each other they'd get so PISSED OFF it'd fill up an entire therapy session

just "YOU NEVER SHUT UP" and "YOU NEVER LISTEN TO ME" and "I'VE NEVER MET A DUMBER PERSON" and "I'M SICK TO DEATH OF YOU CRITIQUING MY MUSIC TASTE" and "YOUR DRIVING SKILLS ARE GOING TO GET US KILLED I SWEAR TO GOD" nonstop rapid-fire with therapist barely able to squeeze a "gentlemen, please!" inbetween

and then they'd stumble out of the building and LAUGH, laugh so hard they'd be clinging to each other near falling to the ground, todd croaking that this is the best stress-release activity he'd done in YEARS, dirk clutching his stomach and crying and highlighting the best of todd insults

both would admit this is the BEST first date ever and schedule the next therapy session

every time they'd spend like 10-30 minutes getting to know each other better, and then full 45 just kvetching, sometimes just YELLING at the top of their lungs to their hearts' delight at the therapist office

agent: The best of Todd insults!!! Omg

They just argue nonstop anyway it's just a space to do that

me: and one day dirk would bring in rings, just plain metal ones (but no one has to know), justify that well, if this is a marriage ruse we might as well up our game, right? but he'd be weirdly skittish and self-conscious about it, like he's overstepping an invisible boundary; but todd would be *down* for it — he would be down for most of dirk's stupid bullshit, it's been so long since he's done any proper good shenanigans, since his life was even half this fun!

and then he'd try on the ring and laugh again because it *doesn't fit*, and dirk would get half-jokingly defensive that he didn't know his size!!, and todd would let him take the measuremnts (bc for what purpose would he know his own ring finger size), and dirk's breath would catch holy and uncomfortably

next time, dirk would get him a good, fitting ring, and it'd make weird things shift in his stomach

agent: OR it would be the RIGHT size, holistically

And he's like well I have to wear it now

And maybe they actually stumble upon something real in the middle of it - Dirk is going full monologue about the dishwasher and he says something and todd stops yelling back and looks unusually affected and is like wait...really? And then they just stare at each other for a minute and Todd is like ...I never knew that. And then they stare some more. And then the therapist is like ummm our time is up? I'm just gonna... Go? And then they're really quiet on the drive home but the next morning they have a new understanding

me: DIRK LETTING HIS TRAUMA PEEK THROUGH AND TODD ACCEPTING IT WHOLEHEARTEDLY

it's silent the whole ride, but just before he drops dirk off (dirk had been BANNED from the wheel since their first date/session) he goes "so, this..... [dryly, as not to disturb, sums up dirk's thing] it's real?"

dirk, usually so talkative, just helplessly shrugs, then shakes his head at himself, then somberly nods a few times, confirming that yes.

todd puts a hand on his knee and goes "dude. this is messed up. i'm so sorry."

dirk just nods some more, tearing up, because even though the words are simple, he's never heard anyone say them, never dared to share, and it hits him so deeply and painfully to be finally validated

he stumbles home, and cries for the whole evening, and feels lighter than usual afterwards

agent: The tragicomedy of falling in love with your own husband...........

me: i think for WORST results they agree it's just a fun platonic thing for shits and giggles before they meet up for the first time

and like, in the therapist's office they're this TERRIBLE couple who HATES each other, and outside of it they're just two guys being dudes, and romance, even fake, exists only in glimpses and doorways, and when the pit of longing opens, there's utterly nothing to stuff in it but stolen glances.

farah is the same therapist's normal patient with actual mental health issues she's trying to work through, and when they meet her in the waiting lobby for the first time they UTTERLY FAIL to convince her that their shtick is real, so they resort to *begging* her not to sell them out, and even though she's really on the fence about the whole thing and is unsure if it's morally okay to do, she gives in to dirk's Professional Puppy Eyes

after a while she gets unashamedly invested and demands they fill her in on the newest lies

maybe in one of dirk's bluffs/"attempts to hone the backstory" he invites himself to todd's apartment to better learn his habits and where he lacks in his homesteading

("well, when do i get to learn what chores do *you* fuck up?" todd asks playfully

"oh, just all of them!" dirk answers nonchalantly

in truth, he just doesn't want todd to see his barely lived-in, depressinly dirty short-term rented apartment. in the time dirk's been here, this city hasn't started feeling any more like a home.

in truth, dirk posted that stupid craigslist ad on his first week here, drunk and lonely and in mood for hijinks and out of his mind desperate for human connection; todd was actually looking for some simple one-off jobs to earn some quick buck, but couldn't resist a Stupid Idea when it dangled itself in his face)

todd gives him a quick tour, dirk half-heartedly criticizes the 3 dirty dishes in the sink and the mildly overflowing laundry hamper, and then for most of the evening they drink beer and play card games with todd's trusty ratty 10 years old deck that misses a jocker and a two of hearts (they decide to forgo the twos altogether) but overall is fine, dirk teaches him a couple of weird local games he'd picked up over the years, then tries to do card tricks but gets half of them wrong, they laugh a lot, todd makes grilled cheese, dirk says that if they ever feel the need to add a dash of appreciation into their sessions — just for some contrast and zest — then he'll admit that he *adores* todd's cooking, todd smiles bashfully and says man that's just some grilled cheese it's not that big of a deal

they pass out on the couch together, and dirk wakes up with a sore neck, sour mouth, and entangled limbs, and feels so at peace and right, and doesn't move, wishes for todd to sleep for longer, just so they could stay like this

then they find out todd doesnt have a spare toothbrush, so dirk has to make do with some gum while todd apologizes profusely

todd's got a shift in the late morning, so they do an awkward half-hug with back-patting, and dirk leaves

when dirk's getting himself a late breakfast at the corner store, he almost buys himself a toothbrush to keep in todd's apartment; then discards the thought; then buys it anyway, but tells himself it's a spare one for his own home, for when he'll need to throw the old one out. he never brings up the toothbrush thing around todd.

also he thinks it's a shame he couldn't brush his teeth, because then he could've kissed todd without worrying about bad breath; he discards that thought even quicker and farther

during one of the sessions, todd accidentaly makes a comment that actually gets to dirk, that makes him feel self-conscious and inadequate and upset

after they've done for the day, dirk asks if this is how todd *really* feels about him?.. todd says no, of course not! all of this is in good fun, just a friendly yelling match. he'd never say *anything* with an actual intention to hurt dirk; now that dirk brought that comment up, todd's never going to repeat it

"you seem like a good guy, you know? i genuinely like you," todd says

dirk feels very very warm

and maybe they sometimes spend time after the sessions too, and sometimes even on free days, just hanging out, relaxed and having fun, enjoying the company

and maybe one day it goes a little too well, and dirk gets a little too brave, and admits to todd that he's started feeling some kind of romantic interest, and asks if he would maybe like an actual date some other time

todd snaps at him.

tells dirk that he's only seen glimpses of todd, that these joke-sessions and little hang-outs show almost nothing of the real him, that he's a *mess*, that dirk doesn't know what he's getting himself into and should back off, that todd's a horrible person who's not worth the trouble

dirk tries to get to him, but todd gets even more defensive, even more closed off, pushes him away, makes that awful painful comment he'd promised he wouldn't say.

they don't show up for the next session.

dirk mops by the building on the scheduled day anyway, because he dislikes his routines disrupted when it's not him doing that, and because he's got nowhere to go, and because he secretly hopes todd will come around anyway (he doesn't.)

he meets farah after her actual session: she's had a Bad one today and is distraught, and dirk suggests they get hammered together. farah thinks it's an unhealthy coping mechanism, but after all of 15 seconds of deliberating she agrees

then she cries into his shoulder about her family and expectations and failed police exams and that she's a *failure* and will never get better, and he shakes her by the shoulders and near-yells that she's AMAZING, and fuck her family, and all cops are bastards anyway! she gets affronted and mentions her brothers and father, then realizes those people Are fucking bastards, then laughs and agrees with dirk and cries some more

dirk spills his entire conundrum, start to finish, only 5 useless tangents for the length of the whole thing which is not too bad of a ratio by his own measures, and farah tells him that todd's bullshit is Bullshit, capital B! if therapy taught her *anything* is that any person is capable of change ("you don't need to change yourself though," dirk pipes up; "YEAH, IM FUCKING PERFECT!" farah answers triumphantly), that this is just stupid excuses for excuses! (yeah!) and if dirk thinks that *farah*, with All her failures and fuck-ups, is not a lost cause (of course not!), then neither is todd! (damn, you're making a point!)

they swap some more personal stories, farah almost has a lesbian crisis in front of him but decides to throw up instead, and they leave the bar mostly in good spirits

dirk sleeps all of it off, but the next morning, even though Severely Hangover, he is no less determined.

he stakes out todd's apartment building (he did drop him off the first time; and even though he doesn't remember the adress for shit after all this time, he Luckes Out [after stubbornly cruising the general area for two hours straight])

and confronts him. tells todd that their friendship has been meaningful for dirk, no matter how little todd might think of it. (todd winces. he doesn't say it, but all of this was close to his heart too; he never meant to come off like he did, save for coming clean as an asshole; he *does* care about dirk, rather unreasonably much.) that dirk doesn't ask todd to give *him* a chance, but give *himself* a chance. that no person is irredeemable.

todd is eerily quiet. he invites dirk in, makes him some tea. sits silently at the table for a few minutes. and then, it all spills out: what he'd done to his band, to his *sister*, to himself; what a true actual hopeless horrible Asshole he is. he gets almost angry halfway through, voice rising, — either at dirk or at himself, it's not clear. dirk sits it all out. tells todd that is isn't the worst it could've been. todd begins to snap at him, but bites his mouth, and just buries his head in his arms, hiding. his head is so very heavy. dirk gives him a small solemn lecture about how past perfomance is not a predictor of future results, how it's never late to just *stop* being an asshole. how he's dirk's friend, how he's been kind to him, and dirk trusts him to continue to be kind, to build his life forward. ("*kind* to you? after i'd said that [hurtful thing] — the second time, *deliberately?" todd is bitter and baffled. "i forgive you for it. that's what friends do." dirk says like it's obvious). dirk places his trust in todd. todd struggles to process all that, he just lies on the table neither crying nor breathing; dirk talks to fill up the space, and to make good use of his trust. he tells todd all about his childhood trauma, in great, visceral detail, like he's pulling his guts out; he starts crying halfway through. todd hugs him really, really hard, and doesn’t let go for a while.

todd promises he'll come clean to amanda. dirk promises he'll start looking into therapy for his cptsd. they promise to each other they're friends, best friends.

they come in for the last fake-session with that therapist, just to tie a pretty bow on this whole thing: to tell them they're finally getting divorced, and will not require their services anymore. poor person breaks with an actual heavy sigh of *relief*.

dirk starts seeing a new therapist — not this one, thankfully; farah recommends him an old one she used to work with. she couldn't quite find a good rhythm with him, but she thinks he might be a nice match for dirk. he ends up being exactly that.

todd isn't yet ready for therapy, and dirk is accepting of that. amanda's not talking to him anymore, and he's *not* taking it in stride, but he's holding up as best as he can, and dirk holds his hand through it.

they do have an Actual Date with Romantic Intenstions — it goes remarkably well, even though they bicker for half the duration of it. it's all in good fun <3

they don't wear the rings anymore, but keep them as a memento; both feel weirdly sentimental about them. dirk does finally buy a new toothbrush for himself to keep in todd's apartment.

farah does end up having a lesbian crisis in front of her therapist, the one that todd and dirk have been torturing. poor soul.

#dghda #dirk gently's holistic detective agency (tv 2016) #dghda au #writing #vika's personal dghda tag #vikarambles #dirk gently #todd brotzman #brotzly #farah black #<- only a bit tho; but she's plot-important! #long post #I Guess #fake couple's therapy brotzly au