#it will be an interesting couple of months

[onsomenewsht]

Helpless to the bass and faded light

About when she bribes you and you dance with her like a filled stadium isn't looking

》 Leah Williamson x Reader

》 words count: +1k

》 she took my arm / I don't know how it happened / we took the floor and she said

You don’t like football.

It’s quite a boring game if you stop to think about it for a moment. Two dozen and counting people running around a ball trying to kick it into a huge net.

Not something you look forward to sit through for almost two hours.

Despite your father’s best efforts, you being his only kid and his only hope to pass down his passion, the sport never managed to interest you long enough to care.

You even found yourself in the stands of your dad’s favourite club’s home more times than you’re able to remember, going beyond yourself and cheering when the other people around you did.

The things you do to make your parents proud.

How you managed to have the English captain wrapped around your finger, regardless of your well-known dislike for her biggest passion and purpose in life, is still a mystery for your families and friends.

“Pretty please, just this one”

“Oh, shut up!”, you hit her arm and push her off you, both still naked.

You can’t believe your girlfriend is actually trying to bribe you with sex, not even waiting for you to fully recover before asking to go to the game.

“No, you ruined the mood”, you state as the blonde tries to kiss you again.

The huge grin of her beautiful face is quite dangerous, she can win you over so easily and you both know it.

Leah rises off the bed to retrieve a warm cloth from the bathroom and a clean shirt from the closet. You accept her attention, she’s always caring when it comes to you, but you’re pretty sure the extra effort has a not-so-subtle second purpose.

“You can’t buy me so easily, Williamson”

She can.

“It’s a really important game, my love”

“For who?”

“For me?”, she tries as she slots herself under your open arm, a grin hidden between your neck and the pillow.

“I barely bear you playing”

“You love watching me play”

“I love you, period”

Leah knows how much you think the sport is boring, going way out of your comfort zone just to cheer her. She feels immensely supported when she finds your big smile in the stands, wrapped in one of her jerseys.

It’s not that difficult for you to sit and admire your girlfriend in her element, focusing more on her movements and attitude than paying attention to the actual game.

What you find quite annoying is enduring Arsenal’s men’s team.

The defender’s fingers on your side are slowly soothing you in a compromising position, too relaxed and smitten to keep denying her anything. You know she doesn’t need much more to lure you into her trap and, unfortunately for you, she’s perfectly aware too.

When the blonde’s lips find the particularly sensitive spot on the base of your neck, you’re doomed.

~

You’re glad your father is already dead or you’d have killed him as you take your seat in the Emirates Stadium, surrounded by the Gunners’ colours. Your girlfriend’s name on your back could be the final nail.

The things you do to make your lover happy.

“You know I love you, right?”

“You better never forget this”, you quip back.

The English captain has been looking forward to this game for weeks now, you couldn’t have been able to turn her down in spite of it all.

She doesn’t need to know though, that you didn’t accept to spend one of your date nights watching the North West London derby for free.

“Maybe you will enjoy it at the end”

Nice try, you will not.

“You know, my dad was a West Ham supporter”

“Could have been worse”, she smiles at you, reaching for your hand.

Talking about your father is getting easier as time finally moves forward and your grief keeps changing its shape. Compared to the abyssal black hole it felt like the first year and a half, of its progress.

Leah didn’t meet him, crushing in your life a couple of months after his passing, but she managed to find a space in your heart that keeps growing despite all your fears.

They could have hit so well, bonding over their shared passion for the sport and their never-ending determination to make you happy.

You told her some stories about him, mostly memories to make your girlfriend understand how stubborn and passionate he was about the thing he cared about.

The one thing you all have in common.

“Yeah, he used to gift me a West Ham jersey every year on Bobby Moore’s birthday”

Leah’s laugh managed to overcome the buzzing atmosphere of the stadium, making you feel like she was the reason all the people around you were cheering. You sure think so.

“He sounds like an incredible father”

“Football obsession aside, he was good”

When you turn to look at her, the blonde’s eyes are already on you and the smile on her face is enough to warm your heart.

~

The first goal coming within five minutes has you quite engaged in what’s happening on the pitch, you even drag your girlfriend in a kiss as you both rise from your seats to celebrate.

Your commitment declined quite easily after that, more entertained by Leah’s reactions than the actual game. You nod in amusement every time she tries to talk you through one of her analyses, placing a hand on her thigh to stop her from standing up every time the ball is somehow close to the box.

The second half is more eventual, at least that’s what you can understand by the excitement the defender and the people in the stands around you seem to radiate.

You’re not clueless, you’re perfectly aware a five-nil win against Chelsea is quite the result. You care enough to think you can’t wait to go home - Leah is always in the mood for a private celebration when her team triumphs, especially over another London club.

“Can we go now?”, you ask as soon as the referee whistles three times, declaring the end of your and the Blues’ torture.

Leah’s happiness is contagious, so you’re not mad when she drags you in her arms to join her cheers and enthusiastic dance. It takes you less than a second to indulge her, letting the blonde spin you around and matching her excitement.

When she dips you and seals the move with a kiss the laugh that rises out of you is genuine and loud.

At first, neither of you notice the stadium’s camera pointed in your direction, recording your little moment of pure bliss in each other’s arms.

Looking back at it, as all your friends sent you the viral video, you know Leah saw you two on the big screen and went along with her little cocky display of affection and excitement for the victory.

You’re sure your father could be laughing at it too, despite the colors you’re wearing.

fine.

#woso x reader #leah williamson x reader #woso fanfics #woso imagine #woso community #lw6 #woso #here we are #short and sweet #i hope you enjoy it

[wileys-russo]

hi! laura freigang, 'can i use a picture of you as my phone's background?', locker room please?

lockscreen II l.freigang

you woke up to a flash in your face, ducking your head beneath the covers with a groan. "go away lau!" you moaned kicking out at your best friend who only grinned, tugging the covers away from you.

"it was for the collection!" laura explained as if that was completely normal as you tiredly glared up at her. "get out of my room, its not even eight yet!" you realised with a groan, shoving her a little harder than intended as she went rolling backwards off the bed.

you sat up with a start, covering your grin with your hand as the blonde moaned clutching her head which had collided with the carpet.

"sorry?" you tried with an innocent smile as she sat up and fixed you with a venomous glare. "idiot!" she huffed unappreciative of your efforts. "in my defense i have warned you before about not waking me before nine unless its an emergency." you reminded with a shrug.

"i was waking you because i made breakfast but now i think i will go give it to that cranky lady next door, she would be more appreciative!" the blonde grumbled standing to her feet with a shake of her head, stretching out her back.

"no no, no need! thank you." you shot up from bed, kissing her cheek in thanks before racing off toward the kitchen too fast to see the way the girls face burned beetroot red at the tiny gesture of affection.

laura had been pining over you for months now, and it was painful that it was obvious to absolutely everyone but you, even her teammates teasings only causing you to roll your eyes and dismiss them with a wave when they joked you were secretly dating.

laura could only wish to be so lucky, and only wish you'd finally see that all the little things she did for you was because she was crushing on you hard.

ever since you'd moved to the club the girl felt her knees wobble a little when you were introduced to the team, the first to put her hand up to show you around and within a couple of weeks the two of you were thick as thieves and laura had offered you her spare room while you hunted for a place of your own.

it was an offer which beat the pull out sofa you were currently sleeping on in an old school friends one bedroom loft who'd moved to germany for university and just never come back.

you'd be lying if you said without laura you'd have lost your mind and probably quit to move back home. she helped you set up everything, get better at the language, offered friendship and a comfortable bed beneath your back, cooked everyday for you and showed you around new places each weekend between matches.

you hadn't realized it just yet but you were also crushing hard on the blonde, only you'd grown up with four older brothers and attributed nearly every strong feeling you had toward a woman as just a longing for friendship.

it was idiotic how blind you were really.

"so." you looked up from your spot at your cubby, training finished for the day as you were icing your ankle you'd rolled, most of the team having already left for the day laura was kindly waiting around until the physio came back to check you over, currently in a meeting.

"as you know i've been making my phone look nicer." laura started as you chuckled, amused by her sudden interest in aesthetics which was spurred on by a late night tiktok doom scroll as you lay together 'hanging out' in complete silence in her room the other night.

"i found a lockscreen-" she turned to show you a photo she'd taken at the markets on one of her film cameras, smiling at the familiar setting. "-but, can i use a photo of you as my phone background?" she asked hopefully as you groaned.

"what!" she huffed, a little offended by your reaction. "not if its one of those awful pictures you always take of me sleeping, or eating, or at that gross zoomed out angle but super close and-" you started to protest making her frown switch to a grin.

"no schatz, not a bad photo." she patted your knee reassuringly, sliding closer to you as your head fell to her shoulder, missing the way she tensed up a little, clearing her throat.

"i have nice ones. i will even let you choose!" laura promised as you hummed and she clicked into her camera roll, selecting an album with a little sun emoji.

"see? look these are all candid ones of you. at the farmers market, out at dinner, cooking at home, when we went to ikea, when we went to the night festival, getting coffee-" as she scrolled slowly through, something suddenly clicked in your mind.

in nearly all of these you and laura had been hanging out, but always just the two of you. you took turns paying for things, you were always laughing, she was always surprising you with little adventures or taking you to new places and forcing you out of your comfort zone.

but it was always just with laura, and then it clicked for you, it was laura, you loved laura.

the girl was too busy recounting the story behind one of the hundreds of photos in the album with a soft smile on her face to notice you pull your head away to look at her, finally seeing the slight blush on her cheeks and not missing the twinkle in her eye.

so maybe, just maybe, laura loved you too.

"lau." you interrupted, cutting her off mid sentence as she looked up and caught your eye, blush intensifying as she did. "was i rambling? oh god i was rambling wasn't i? i told you when that happens to snap me out of it or tell me to shut up or-" she started again making you smile.

"lau?" "yeah?" "shut up." you grinned as she did too, tips of her ears flushed pink which you found quite cute, suddenly now noticing a lot of little features you'd taken for granted.

"do you trust me?" you asked softly and the blonde nodded without a moments hesitation, but in her most wild of dreams she'd never expected what came next as your hand moved to settle on the back of her neck and you leaned in until you were barely a hairsbreadth away.

"is this okay?" you whispered, checking one last time as all the german could do was nod, dumbfounded and unsure if this was actually happening until you leaned in just that tiny bit further and pressed your lips to hers.

this was really happening, and as laura dropped her phone into her lap, tugging you even closer and kissing you back like you were her last breath of air, you realised that yeah, your laura did love you back, and this was the start of a brand new adventure together.

#woso community #woso #laura freigang x reader #laura freigang #woso x reader #woso fanfics #woso imagine #woso blurbs

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA For blocking my GF's soon to be Ex

My girlfriend (25F) and I (??? 25) are in a poly relationship. Mainly because I am asexual and she is allo. We've had many conversations about how our dynamic works as I am not someone who needs sex , however she does and it works for us.

A couple of months ago (3-4?) she met a guy (23 trans man) they hit it off to start. They got along, and we're compatible sexually.

Around a few weeks ago, it became apparent that his view of their relationship was, well not healthy and he kept crossing boundaries my gf was setting.

Well, to prevent any unwarranted messages to me, I blocked him, but it wasn't like he cared to get to know me at all, we met IRL and all hung out on SEVERAL occasions. Like; even for my birthday celebration (not on my actual birthday) he was there, but like, on my birthday, not a single happy birthday message. And we got along had a lot of similar interests but he never messaged me, I tried to message him a few times here and there but he wouldn't bother carrying the conversation so I was basically talking to myself

My GF told me that she was considering ending things with him (for a load of reasons I won't get into, very personal). So I went ahead and blocked him cuz I knew the fall out was going to be messy as he would message her long, basically multi page length essays to explain why he would keep crossing those boundaries, and that she was wrong for getting upset at him for that.

When I did block him, they hadn't broken up, but like dude never messaged me so I didn't think it wouldn't've been a big deal but he blew up at her.

So was I the asshole for blocking him. ?

#aita #am i the asshole

[rwpolls]

for reference, rain world was launched in march 2017 and downpour was launched in january 2023 (according to the wiki/wikipedia pages for both)

if i got anything wrong please tell me so i can re-make the poll, i have trouble with comprehending time frames

#rain world

[celestialglow24]

••• Sharing the Bed•••

Frank Castle x AFAB Reader

Reader is wondering how things will be with Frank now after asking him to be her fake boyfriend at her sister’s wedding.

3.9k words

Inspired by the faking dating prompts from @thelonelyempath https://www.tumblr.com/thelonelyempath/705043295893618688/fake-dating-prompts?source=share

Using prompt #25 “I kinda liked sharing the bed with you”

I’ve had such a writing bug lately and im taking advantage of it while i’ve got it! Enjoy xxx

You were nervous to see him again.

It had been a couple weeks since you’d convinced Frank to be your fake boyfriend for your sister’s wedding.

You had panicked when your mom called you at work, saying you had pushed it off long enough and she needed an answer right now if you were bringing a plus one or not.

You almost said no, but after she made a snide comment about already knowing the answer—she was just asking as a courtesy to your sister—you cracked and told her you’d been seeing someone for months now.

When she asked who, your eyes had landed on one of the few patrons left at the bar that night.

Frank Castle.

Surprisingly he agreed to go. It was probably the desperation in your voice and the pleading of your eyes—you didn’t have time to think about how pathetic you felt—but you were thankful nonetheless.

It’s been 14 days since you got back and you haven’t seen him since. Not that you were counting the days or anything.

No texts.

No phone calls.

Just silence.

Normally you wouldn’t think much of it. Even though Frank had become a regular at the bar and restaurant you worked at, he’d disappear for days and weeks at a time.

You’d try and make small talk when he came back. Hoping to get any kind of inclination as to what Frank Castle got up to in his spare time.

He was still such a mystery to you. A very attractive mystery at that. One that you were determined to figure out.

However, as much as you tried, you never got the answer you were searching for.

It was always “business” or ���nothing you’d find interesting, sweetheart”.

You never really gave it much thought when he offered those responses, you just accepted that Frank was not an open book. He was a locked book. One kept on the highest shelf that you’d probably never be able to reach.

And yet despite knowing all this you couldn’t help but wonder if your time away together had anything to do with his sudden absence.

You worried things would get awkward. Especially after having to share a bed together. He offered to sleep on the floor but you shot that down quick.

Not only would you feel enormously guilty having him sleep on the hardwood floor—he complained about his back a lot—but you were worried someone might walk in and your fake dating charade would unravel.

The silent crush you’d been harboring had only gotten louder after several days with Frank. Having to hold hands, talk sweetly to each other and even slow dance at the wedding had your mind all in a haze.

What was real and what wasn’t?

Did he feel anything? Or was he just a really good actor?

It was driving you crazy.

One thing was for certain, your family adored him. Especially your equally intimidating, hard-to-please father.

In fact, your dad liked him so much he invited him to go hunting in a few months.

It had taken years before he even extended an invite like that to your sister’s now husband.

You had to bite your lip to keep from laughing when you watched the way his eyes had widened and mouth parted when Frank agreed to go—your sister offering a reassuring pat to his arm.

You figured it had something to do with the fact they were both veterans. Your dad took an instant liking to anyone who could relate to the struggle and strength it took to serve in the military.

And your mother. The way she fawned over everything Frank said and did. His manners, how he consistently answered with “yes, ma’am” and “no, ma’am”.

She just about fell over when she came into the kitchen one morning to find he had managed to fix that pesky dishwasher that had been giving her trouble for months.

You smiled at the memory, but it disappeared as quickly as it came. Another thought had overshadowed it. One that caused a sudden pit to form in your stomach. How were you going to break the news to your family that things with Frank weren’t working out?

The plan was to give it a few weeks and then call to let them know you’d decided to take some time apart. You were both realizing you needed different things, but you would remain friends.

It sounded reasonable, but now? You didn’t think you could handle their disappointment.

You’d never seen them so proud of you. So happy for you. Pleasing your parents always felt like an impossible task. The closer you got there was always some dip in the road that caused that approval to move further and further away.

You finally bring someone home that they approved of only to rip the hope away from them. You were sure they’d find some way to blame it all on you.

You were starting to remember what it felt like when you told them you wouldn’t be going to college.

It didn’t matter that you were excellent at your job, managing both the bar and the restaurant on your own. It didn’t matter that you were able to make more than enough money to support yourself. And it certainly didn’t matter that you had helped exceed the profit goals of each quarter since you started.

It didn’t matter that you had been busting your ass to save back money to buy the place for yourself when the owner retired soon.

It only mattered that you didn’t have a “career” or a family to call your own.

Frank had picked up on the tension pretty early on. He did his best to talk you up. You found it sweet. Endearing even.

One night, while the two of you were dancing to some slow, sappy song your sister picked out, Frank called you out on your off demeanor.

You were surprised he noticed, you thought you had mastered the art of appearing fine when deep down you really weren’t.

“What’s on your mind, sweetheart?” he spoke lowly in your ear. One of his hands rested on the small of your back while the other held your hand close to his chest. His thumb ran back and forth along your hand and you tried to ignore the swarm of butterflies wreaking havoc on your stomach.

“I’m wondering how Uncle Steven has managed to go this long without throwing up. I thought for sure the cupid shuffle would’ve done it.”

Frank turned to look in the direction you were staring. Your Uncle Steven was somehow still performing the steps to the dance from 3 songs ago. Frank lightly chuckled as he watched Steven spill some of his beer on the couple next to him.

Though he couldn’t deny he was also wondering how the old man hadn’t crashed yet, he knew that’s not what you were really thinking about.

You were trying to deflect.

He was starting to learn just how stubborn you could be, but unlucky for you, Frank wasn’t gonna let you off the hook that easily.

“Nah that ain’t it.” he shook his head. “I can tell there’s a lot more going on behind those eyes.”

You were slightly relieved the lights were dim in the reception so he couldn’t see the deep blush heating up your face. You weren’t good at making eye contact with people you were crushing on.

“I think you’re imagining things.” you replied avoiding his gaze. “I’m just tired, I think this week is finally catching up to me.”

“Hm.” Frank hummed.

“What?”

“I think we’re about to have our first fight.”

You scoffed, ”Oh yeah? and what’s this ‘first fight’ gonna be about?”

“How you’re lying to your boyfriend.” he replied, speaking low into your ear again. It shouldn’t have caused the hairs on your neck to stand up but it certainly did.

“Look, you listen to assholes mope and complain all day long about their sad fucked up lives. I think it’s only fair to return the favor.” he shrugged. “So tonight i’ll do your job and you can let it all out right now. Minus the crude comments and shitty tips.”

You were about to laugh and lightly shove Frank for messing with you, but the look on his face made you pause.

He was being serious.

“Is it your folks?” he asked. “I saw your face when your dad gave that speech. That smile you were forcin’, it didn’t reach your eyes.”

You bit your lip and lowered your stare to the dress shirt he was wearing, playing nervously with one of the buttons to avoid looking up at him.

“That obvious huh?” you laughed sadly.

Frank felt bad as he watched the hurt wash over your features. He knew all too well the overwhelming pressure to please one’s family. He grew up with an overbearing father who never thought he’d amount to anything.

He knew how much that disappointment could eat you alive.

“It’s just, no matter what I do. I know my dad will never speak about me the way he does my sister. She’s an ivy league graduate who just got into med school. She’s married now, moving to a new city and probably going to be popping out kids before the end of next year. and me? In his eyes I'm just a bartender in a small town with no ambitious goal in sight.”

Frank nodded in understanding. He could see from the outside how the comparison could make you feel that way.

“Are you happy?”

You thought about it for a second. Even though the job had its ups and downs—managing a restaurant and a busy bar was no easy feat—you could honestly say you enjoyed what you did.

You got to know a lot of the locals well and it always made you feel good to know that you’d helped make their day or night a little better.

You loved the house you recently bought. It was a bit of a fixer upper but it was yours.

You loved how independent you were. How you could come home after a long day and you didn’t have to cook for a litter of kids.

It was just your dog, cat and you.

“Honestly? Yeah, I think I am.”

“Then fuck em.” he shrugged.

“Frank I-”

“Nah, nah.” he cut you off. “I know that’s your family but that don’t mean they’re always right. If you like what you do and you’re happy then who gives a shit what anyone else thinks.”

You processed Frank’s words and while you knew he was probably right, it didn’t mean it was easy to just tune out your parents’ criticism.

Frank seemed to know what you weren’t saying out loud because he followed it up with something that made your heart swell.

“All i’m saying is if they can look at you and what you’re doing and feel anything but proud there’s something wrong with ‘em. Not you.”

You could’ve kissed him right there but the song had ended and couples were clearing the dance floor.

Instead you walked back to the table with Frank, your arm looped through his.

You couldn’t help but think about how this man was screwing with your heart and your head and he didn’t even know it.

That much was still true all these days later. At this point you were dying for him to show up again.

Even if he didn’t talk to you, you’d at least know he wasn’t avoiding this whole place because of you.

The night was winding down, the 2 am crowd had begun to disperse and your eyes were fighting hard to stay awake. You’d chosen to work a double today, one of the other bartenders had a family emergency.

In your 20s you could work shifts like this and bounce right back the next day but now? In your 30s you were lucky if you managed to wake up without an achy back and sore feet.

“Phil, I'm gonna run the last of the trash out and then I'm heading home. I left the keys to lock up in the front drawer.” you shouted to the line cook in the back.

You could see him mopping up the kitchen floor so you knew he wouldn’t be too far behind you.

“You sure you don’t want me to go with ya this time?” he shouted back, “I’d hate for a creepy critter to make you run like you’d seen a ghost again.”

You rolled your eyes as Phil roared with laughter. Referencing the one time a little group of racoons had taken up residence inside the restaurant dumpster and sent you running like Freddy Krueger himself was chasing you.

“I think i’ll manage this time Phil, thanks for looking out.” you replied playfully.

You picked up the large trash bags and backed into the front door to head out. It was really inconvenient but they recently had moved the trash compactor across the street.

Not only was it annoying during the day when the streets were busy but it was extra spooky at night.

Once you were out of the door you turned around only to gasp and drop the trash bags you were holding.

“Jesus, Frank.” you cried, “What the hell were you trying to do, give me a fucking heart attack?”

You were too distracted by the adrenaline coursing through your veins to realize the man you’d been waiting to see for the last two weeks was finally standing in front of you.

“My bad, sweetheart. Didn’t mean to sneak up on you like that. I tried to go by your place and you weren’t there so I figured you might be here.”

You blew out a puff of hair and a couple pieces of your hair went flying.

“You were looking for me?”

“Yeah, sorry I know it’s late. I wanted to make sure you got this back. Somehow I think it got mixed up in my things.”

Frank pulled out a pink phone charger from his jacket pocket and extended it out to you.

You had a million of these things scattered around your house so you honestly hadn’t noticed it was missing. It was sweet of him to bring it back to you though.

“Oh Frank, you didn’t have to worry about that.” you replied, walking forward to retrieve it. “But thank you”.

You beamed a genuine smile at Frank while holding up the charger in your hand and he thought his heart had grown 2 sizes. Just like the Grinch his kids used to watch.

There was something about your smile that always stopped him in his tracks. He would never get tired of seeing it.

“Nah it’s nothin’.” he shrugged. “May I?”

He gestured toward the garbage bags sitting on the ground and bent over to pick them up.

“You don’t have to!” you tried to stop him, but subconsciously you knew it would be pointless.

Frank was always a gentleman and while he knew you would have no trouble carrying them on your own, he wouldn’t feel right not offering a hand.

“Can I atleast carry one of them?” you asked sweetly.

There was that damn smile again. How could he say no?

The two of you walked in silence for a bit, it wasn’t awkward but it was clear you were both trying to think of what to say next.

How do two people that recently spent a week pretending to be a couple go back to normal?

You decided to break the silence as the two of you walked back toward the bar.

“I, um, never got to properly thank you for helping with my family. I know it was probably a bit weird but it meant more to me than you could ever know. I think my parents would’ve had us get married that same night if it were up to them.” you laughed, playing nervously with your hands.

“Is that right?” Franked looked down at you with an amused expression.

“God, yes. I think you’re probably gonna be the only guy I bring home that they will ever like. I actually feel bad for the next guy that has to live up to the great Frank Castle.” you nudged him as you walked and he let out the most glorious laugh you’d ever heard.

You wanted to hear that more.

“Well if i’m the measuring stick for all the future men in your life then it’s your parents I feel sorry for.”

“Hey!” you exclaimed, playfully swatting his shoulder, “What do you mean by ‘all the future men in your life’? You think I still got a revolving door of men to get through before I finally settle down?”

It was meant to be playful banter, but there was a look that settled in Frank’s eyes and the mood suddenly got a bit more serious.

“I sure hope not.”

You weren’t sure how to take his comment. Maybe you were over analyzing but there was a part of you that was hoping he said that because he wanted you.

Wishful thinking of course.

You cleared your throat to help ease the tension.

“So, you just get back from whatever mystery place you squandered off to?”

“Just taking care of some business, sweetheart.”

That famous phrase again. You simply nodded. Accepting once again that you would probably not get any further information than that.

“But you know it’s funny.” he smiled, shoving his hands in his pockets. “There I was, lying in bed in some run down roach motel off the highway, having a hell of time trying to fall asleep each night.

“It coulda been the state of the motel—that place was a real shitbox—but the more I laid there, the more I realized it felt like I was missing something.”

Frank started fidgeting a bit. Almost like he was nervous or something. It was strange. You didn't think a guy like him got nervous.

“I realized, I kinda liked sharing the bed with you.”

Your heart started hammering away in your chest. Did you hear him right? Frank Castle liked sharing a bed with you? So much so that it was keeping him up at night?

You had to be dreaming.

“Really?”

You tried to act nonchalant but the word came out all high and squeaky. You don’t think Frank noticed though.

“Yeah, believe it or not I’d gotten so used to having no covers at night, I just tossed the damn thing on the ground.”

You gasped and punched his shoulder slightly. “Hey, I warned you I would probably take all the blankets. You coulda pulled them right back.”

Frank laughed again.

“Nah, you were too cute wrapped up like a burrito. Besides, I was more worried if I tried you’d whack my head or kick my nuts. You sure do move around a lot in your sleep.”

You feigned hurt, placing a hand to your chest.

“And just why do you miss sharing a bed with me so much? It doesn't sound so pleasant based on what you’re saying.”

Frank looked off and smiled. “I don’t know.”

A comfortable silence fell between the two of you.

“Look, uh, I’m not really good at this. I’ve been out of the game for a long time so you’ll have to forgive me but-”

“Frank Castle.” you cut him off.

“Yeah?”

“Are you about to ask if you can sleep in my bed tonight?”

Frank’s eyebrows shot up and a panicked sort of look took residence on his face. “Shit, no I didn’t mean it like that. I was just-”

He stopped when he saw you throw your head back in laughter.

“What?” he asked, trying to fight off the smile that was beginning to form on his own face. Your laugh was just too damn contagious.

“I’m sorry,” you said between breaths,”You shoulda seen your face. I was just messing with you Frank.”

“Oh yeah?” he laughed, poking your side. “You think that shit was funny huh?”

Suddenly you felt yourself being lifted off the ground and over Frank’s shoulder. “I can be real fucking hilarious. How about I carry you home just like this?”

“Frank!” you screamed playfully, swatting at his back. “Put me down you asshole!”

“No, I think I like this view better.”

You continued to hit his back and laugh. You were just about to come back with your own smart comment when you heard a car pull up beside you.

“Is everything alright here?”

You turned to look, adjusting your hair so it was out of your face. It was an officer staring at you both with a confused expression.

You could’ve sworn you heard Frank growl a little bit.

“Uh we’re good officer!” you smiled, giving him a thumbs up.

“She had a bit too much to drink tonight. Tried to drive home. Just makin sure she gets home safe. She’s a stubborn thing.” Frank spoke up, making sure to pat your ass for dramatic effect.

The officer seemed to buy this story.

“Well miss, you got a good man there. You should probably listen to him more often.” he replied before rolling up the window.

You gasped and Frank roared with laughter.

“Thanks officer!” he shouted as the man drove away.

You poked his side hard and he finally released you, setting you down in front of him. Your faces were real close together now, and the smiles you both had slowly fell.

There was a quiet moment before you quickly leaned in and kissed Frank. He seemed surprised at first but thankfully responded and pulled you in tighter.

His hands roamed your body while yours held his face.

You pulled away gently, and he rested his forehead on yours.

“You know, I thought you’d been avoiding me.” you said quietly.

“Yeah?” he replied, moving a piece of hair behind your ear.

“I know you disappear sometimes but I thought this time was gonna be different.”

Frank nodded, running his hands down your shoulders before grabbing both of your hands in his own.

“You know, I got a confession.” he said quietly, “I swiped that phone charger before we left.”

You leaned back and looked up at him.

“What?”

He let out a soft chuckle. “I know it’s stupid but I wanted an excuse to see you again. Like I said, it's been a while since I’ve done anything like this and I didn’t think I could just approach you in the bar like before.”

“It’s not stupid.” you smiled, squeezing his hands. “It’s sweet.”

“So i’m sweet now? Just a second ago I was a asshole.”

“Both can be true.” you shrugged.

He scoffed. “Come here.”

Frank pulled you into him and you wrapped your arms around his waist. He placed a kiss on your head and it suddenly felt like it did when you were with your parents.

It just felt natural.

“Let me take you out.” he said, pulling back and tilting your chin up at him. “On a real date.”

You bit your lip and smiled, “I’d like that.”

“Good.” he replied before kissing you again.

“Now let’s go before that cop comes back around and you gotta act drunk for him.”

You rolled your eyes, “Whatever you say, Frank. I gotta listen to you more right?”

“Attagirl.” he smiled, before putting his arm around your shoulder.

#frank castle x reader #frank castle #the punisher #frank castle angst #frank castle x you #jon bernthal

[terry-perry]

Just Business?

Pairing: Alastor x Carmine!Reader

Part 2 to this imagine

Technically Part 3 if you wish to include these headcanons

Requested by @lokis-imaginary-friend: If you’re not averse to it I had a thought while reading this….what if y/n overheard this conversation and feels as though she’s being treated as a transaction. Idk I could just see some angst coming from this for y/n followed by whatever fluff you come up with.

Additional tags: @martinys-world

Fluff will come in a later chapter (hopefully). Enjoy!

You walked home with a spring in your step. You were happy to find the perfect set of pajamas for your boyfriend. Alastor didn't require much sleep, based on the nights you spent together and he'd spend most of them watching you, lurking among the swamp in his room, or tending to the hotel. Regardless, you knew he wanted to look his best even at more casual hours like bedtime. It was great then that you found the red silk pajamas that were perfect for him, especially since you found a matching robe that reminded you of his regular attire.

It'd been about six months since you'd been together and things were going well. Now that things were public too, you enjoyed your time more freely. The fact you two were going out interested many people, with gossip of it being all over the news. Thankfully, the paparazzi weren't stupid enough to film your dates. They must've heard the screams of that one photographer who was bold enough to sneak a photo of you on a picnic date by the Lake of Fire. Alastor was sure to broadcast his torment over a rendition of La Vie En Rose as a reminder not to intrude on your alone time.

You knew the kind of man/demon Alastor was before you became a couple. You heard the stories as well as his broadcasts. You were there during the sudden disappearances of various overlords and how it coincided with said broadcasts. No sane sinner would want to risk getting involved with someone like him. Due to how more curious than afraid of him you were and how touched and important you felt whenever Alastor threatened others who disrespected you, you had an inkling that your sanity wasn't all there. That was okay with you; you were already in Hell.

Your mother approved of him as did your sisters, which resulted in another reason you grew to love him. He enjoyed spending time with your family, too, judging from how he'd come to dinner, joke with Clara and Odette, and share light pleasantries with Carmilla. You could see they were really warming up to him and vice versa.

You might not have tamed the beast, but it certainly amazed you how much of him you got to have for yourself. It was almost too good to be true.

You were finally home after spending some time at the mall. You don't know why your mother needed you out of the house but you didn't question it. She was sometimes wary of those who did business with the family and would rather let herself handle things. If she was still talking with them, you'd do your best to sneak into your room.

Upon entering the manor, however, you heard your mother say some things that made your ears perk up:

"You won't do anything unless you know it'll benefit you. It's why you're with my daughter in the first place, right?"

Her daughter? Who exactly was she talking about, and to whom? Her voice was coming from the library it seemed. You did your best to creep over and stood outside to hear more. What came next was certainly a shock:

"Y/N is quite a lovely lady with a certain sweetness and intelligence that I find endearing. If she so happens to come from a powerful family, then who am I to not want to get closer to someone who can mean a lot to me?"

You felt sick to your stomach just then. What was that; did you hear that correctly? He made it sound like you were just a pet to him - a mere plaything with a purpose.

A humiliating desire to cry swept through you, along with a small hope that your mother would put him in his place. She wouldn't take someone using her daughter lightly.

"If I were you, I'd do the same, I suppose,"

Now that's what brought out the tears.

What the hell was going on?

"You'll continue to treat her well. You'll continue to meet her, talk with her, and if it gets to that point, marry her."

Breathing became difficult as this unexpected betrayal weighed on your broken heart. Was this all just a plan between Alastor and your mother? Was this all a big matchmaking con that would lead to good benefits for them?

"You're smart enough to know that you should treat this like any other transaction."

You never thought your mother would have the gall to sacrifice your happiness for business purposes. She was always the type to lay her life on the line for you and your sisters. She did just that during the last Extermination Day when facing a team of Exorcists. To hear that the woman you grew up admiring treated you like a piece of property was too much to handle.

Let's not forget about Alastor! You actually believed he cared about you. Were all those times you went out on lunch and dinner dates, spent time with each other's loved ones, and shared intimate dances just part of a ruse to get you to fall for him? The fact you were nothing but entertainment with benefits saddened and embarrassed you because what everyone said about him was right.

You were right; this was all just too good to be true.

You now were fueled with anger and decided to use it to confront the two traitors.

"A transaction?"

Upon hearing your voice, Carmilla and Alastor turned towards the doorway where you stood defiantly with the Carmine glare on your face. Your normally well-composed mother expressed more worry than you ever saw her with. Meanwhile, Alastor kept his large grin as usual, but you could tell he was shocked due to how big his eyes were, and it almost looked too painful for him to smile.

"Y/N-"

"Is that all I am to the two of you?" You asked, blinking back tears. "A business deal - just a prize to be won? Is that why you needed me out of the house Mom? To discuss my dowry?"

Carmilla's astonishment kept her from speaking. She wanted to explain that this was simply a way to assure you a good future if you continued things with Alastor and that no harm would come to you, but she was at a loss for words seeing how betrayed you looked.

"And you Alastor!" You rounded on him next. The man you loved for half a year but now don't even know what to make of him. He's practically a stranger now. "I knew you weren't a saint, but I didn't think you'd stoop so low as to only date me for my family. I can't believe you'd use me like that!"

"Y/N," he began, getting out of his seat to go towards you with more emotion than you ever saw him, even with his smile remaining. "Sweetheart, you misunderstand -"

"You saw me as nothing but a prize," you uttered quietly, backing away from him with your head down. "You already have connections to the throne, so it's best to protect it with your connection to the biggest collection of weapons in Hell, right?"

His silence spoke to you more than any clever words he could conjure up for you. His silence spoke the truth.

You didn't stay much longer, especially since neither could bother to give you a proper response. You ran out of the house, ignoring their pleas to stay. You needed to get away and reflect on everything.

Alone.

#alastor x reader #alastor x you #alastor imagine #hazbin hotel alastor x reader #alastor fanfiction #hazbin alastor x reader #imagine #request #sequel fic #carmilla carmine #x reader #angst #carmine!reader #hazbin #hazbin alastor #hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel alastor

[iwillneverforgiveyousunghanbin]

airp2ds

read part one of airpods here!!!

wc: 2k reader: femme!afab (matt calls reader a "pretty girl", is called a "young lady" by their uncle-- it's meant to feel derogatory ofc, reader is wearing a skirt, reader dances at a strip club in stilettos) warnings: smut 18+; MINORS DNI!!! -- specific warnings under the cut -- less of a bonkers scenario, but some really rich and fun plot development this time; funny & angst & fluff surprisingly-- stepcest obvi and we discuss it summary: after (y/n)'s little stunt a few days ago, their whole family gathers for an anything but peaceful dinner. rivalnewstepbrother!matthew has no interest in helping you out of this awful situation. or does he? yooooooo this only took 4 months to post, but it's perfect so hope you'll forgive me!! i TOLD you i'd do it eventually. and i did. missing organ and all. ilyyy thanks for bearing with me ੈ✩‧₊˚

ੈ✩‧₊˚

warnings: 18+ explicit smut, stepcest and we don't ignore it, p-in-v penetrative sex, brief heavy petting/fingering, not entirely safe cum destination lmao, unprotected obviously (do what you want, be smart), reader is a dancer at a strip club and their family is appalled, swearing... this one made me feel again yay

you stick your fork in a potato and pop it in your mouth, chewing and swallowing as you stare at your plate. your entire extended family converses around you at the long, glass dining table, celebrating your new stepdad’s birthday with your mom’s locally famous honey ham and roasted potatoes. 

everyone’s having a goodman ball.

everyone except... you.

after suffering such a devastating defeat a couple nights ago, you’d been avoiding matthew like the plague. tail between your legs, you’d stood up from your stepbrother’s bed after he left you high and dry— sulking all the way back to your room.

you’d been avoiding matthew so diligently since then that this dinner was the first time you’d seen him since his fingers were inside you. he’s eating a little too well and talking to all of your family members, oozing respect and likability. 

you’ve never hated anyone more.

“now matthew,” you grandmother starts, reaching out her hand to him, “please tell us more about what you’ve been doing abroad. it all sounds so important from what your father’s mentioned!”

matthew smiles humbly. “i’ve been pursuing a career in performance in seoul! it’s really not all that important in the scheme of things, but it’s definitely been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”

“don’t be too humble, matthew,” your stepdad calls from the head of the table. “he works tirelessly day and night to accomplish his goal! he’s such a great kid.”

“we’re so very proud. i never imagined having a child with such passion and drive!” your mom chimes in obliviously. her eyes widen when she realizes what she said and she clears her throat awkwardly. “i mean, a son, that is.”

you close your eyes, stabbing a roasted red potato and letting your fork clatter onto the fine china plate. 

“(y/n), how are you doing?” your uncle asks quickly. “have you found a better job yet?”

“i’m doing fine, thank you,” you answer through gritted teeth. “and i like my job. i’m not interested in finding one that society would categorize as better at this time.”

“but a young lady like you shouldn’t be—.”

“but what i am interested in finding a better version of,” you interrupt, picking up your glass of wine and downing the remaining contents, “is a family. one that doesn’t judge me or compare me to my new stepbrother— who, if i’m to judge from how you all indulge him, is jesus christ reincarnated! how divinely exciting!”

“(y/n),” your mother scolds, grabbing the empty wine glass out of your hand. “don’t be so cruel to your brother.”

“he’s not my brother,” you assert, snatching the wine glass back. in a flash, it slips from your fingers and shatters onto the dining room floor.

“you always do this,” your mother sighs, shaking her head in disappointment. she can’t even look at you. "you get so jealous when anyone is doing better than you are. i’m just so tired of your selfish immaturity.”

“perhaps it's time for you to get your own apartment and stop freeloading off of us,” your stepfather says with a sigh. “then you’ll find the motivation to stop working at that indecent bar and start making a proper living.”

your stomach flips at the threat. “i grew up in this house. you moved in a year ago after the mortgage was already paid off. doesn’t that make you as much of a fucking freeloader as i am?”

“(y/n), stop this right now,” your mom tries again to quiet you.

“you talk like that and you think you could ever be as well-liked as my son? the—”

“dad,” matthew says, trying to interrupt the rant that’s already begun. he should know by now it’s too late.

“—reason that no one here ever boasts about your accomplishments is because you have none. the reason no one ever praises how respectable you are is because it would be a lie. you—”

“dad,” matthew says again, louder this time but it still doesn’t reach the ears of the valentino-suited man turning red in the face.

“—are an ungrateful brat of an adult child that doesn’t even have enough vision for their life to stop working at a strip club.”

everyone at the dinner table gasps. so the truth has been set free: ‘bar’ had been the code word your ashamed mother and stepfather had been using in place of ‘strip club’ for the past year.

guess their resentment had finally outweighed their shame.

your gaze travels down the table, landing on matthew. he’s staring at his lap awkwardly.

“if you’ll excuse me,” you say, standing up from your chair and giving a big, facetious curtsy. “the whore will leave the table now.”

——

you slam your bedroom door behind you, storming over to your bed and picking up your favorite plushy— the one your dad had bought you for your high school graduation before he... it’s a baby fox, pink blush across his smiling face. usually the only aggression you feel towards him is that of cuteness, but suddenly you find yourself filled with rage.

how had you not noticed before just how much barnaby foxworth iii looks like your stupid fucking stepbrother!?

you turn around, hurling baby foxworth across your room with a scream. your eyes widen as the plushy lands in the hands of his human twin. you hadn’t heard him come in over the blood rushing in your ears. 

matthew looks at the plushy, brow furrowing as he studies it. “i feel like i’ve seen this face somewhere before.”

“get the fuck out of my room,” you growl, walking over to him and grabbing baby foxworth. you frown as matthew holds onto him, not letting you pry your own plushy from his hands. “let go of him! what the fuck is your problem!?”

“i distinctly remember you stealing something from me a couple days ago and making it quite the fucking challenge to get it back,” matthew argues, pulling a little harder. “besides, how much can you really want something that you just threw across the room?”

you continue a tug-o-war for your beloved baby fox until you hear a sudden ripping noise. matthew lets go instantly, fear splayed across his face. you take baby foxworth in your arms, finding the fabric tear at the base of his little neck.

“i’m so sorry,” he apologizes quickly. “i really didn’t meant to—.”

“you’re sorry?” you repeat, jaw clenching as you step towards him. “sorry for what? sorry that you mamed barnaby foxworth iii? sorry that you barged into my room without knocking? sorry that i’ve made yet another mess out of a family celebration?”

“(y/n)…”

“sorry that all you do while they ridicule me is sit there and stare at your plate? sorry that your dad married my mom?”

“wait, (y/n)—…”

“sorry that i work at a strip club? sorry for what we did the other day?”

“i—…,” he stutters hopelessly. “i—.”

suddenly, your lips are on matthew’s— his body tensing at the unexpected action. you pull back, eyes meeting his.

they’re wide, shocked, confused. his hand reaches towards your face quickly and you think for a moment he’s going to slap you with it, but instead, he cups your jaw.

holding you still, he brings his lips back down to touch yours again. it’s a slow, languid kiss that, in and of itself, feels like an apology. a genuine one. 

it’s overwhelming. it challenges everything you thought you knew about this stranger you were now forced to call family.

you step back, clutching baby foxworth tighter to your chest. 

“they were so impressed when you told them you’re a dancer,” you whisper, tears beginning to spill over. “why were they so disgusted when i told them i am, too?”

his face falls as he thinks about your words. “i think you know why.”

you press your lips together, a sardonic huff of a laugh escaping you. did you really think you’d get sympathy from him?

“but it’s not fair,” matthew continues. “it’s not fair that they treat you that way.”

you’re afraid to look up at him, eyes remaining fixed on the tear at your plushy’s neck. “i didn’t even think you’d noticed.”

“i’ll admit, i didn’t see it at first. it’s not like i’m here that often,” he replies with a sigh. “and i guess i did think you were the problem. and i do still think you’re part of the problem, don’t get me wrong.”

you roll your eyes, looking down at the floor.

“but maybe you’ve forgotten that no one knows what my dad can be like more than i do,” matthew says, wrapping his hand gently around your upperarm. “i thought maybe he’d finally changed for the better after marrying your mom, but i know now that’s far from the truth. and i can try my best to help you from now on, if you’ll let me.”

“thanks,” you say quietly as your eyes meet his. he smiles softly at you before you promptly brush his hand off your arm. “but i still don’t like you.”

your hostility just widens his smile. “i thought you’d say that.”

you turn, walking back to your bed and placing baby foxworth by your pillows. you think about what your family must still be saying about you around the dinner table. your thoughts are halted, however, when a warm, muscular chest is soon pressed against your back.

“i was just wondering,” he says softly against your ear, arm snaking around your waist. “there has to be something about me that you like, right? i mean, you're the one who wanted my face in your cunt. and don't think i haven't heard you call me perfect a few times now.”

“i meant it as an insult,” you breathe as a hand reaches underneath your skirt— fingers beginning to pad delicate circles over your panties.

“was screaming my name while cumming all over my fingers also supposed to be taken as an insult?” he asks, knee against the back of yours until you tumble gently onto your bed— his arms catching you and flipping you on your back to face him. “you must’ve really been trying to offend me.”

matthew shimmies your skirt and panties down your legs and you find yourself assisting to kick it off with your foot onto the floor. he laughs much too smugly as he unzips his slacks and discards them onto the hardwood. you hover your foot over his groin, brow raising in a threat.

“okay, okay,” he admits in defeat. as a grin stretches across your lips, he bites at your thighs hungrily and sighs. “god, i wish i wasn’t your brother.”

“matt!” you screech in horror and he takes the opportunity to sink himself inside you. you gasp at the sudden stretch, a protest turning to a whimper as he smirks at you. “matt...”

“no need to worry, baby,” he coos, tip of his cock reaching your backmost wall. “it’s pretty obvious there’s a divorce on the way. my dad’s already let it slip to me about how he secretly blew all the money in their joint savings on a third yacht.”

“my mom’s been fucking her tennis instructor for two months,” you reply, trying to hold yourself together as matthew increases his pace. “and her golf instructor. and her pilates instructor. and her business lawyer. and her—.”

matthew’s lips meet yours. “you’re so fucking hot.”

you run your hand up his chest, tugging at his shirt until he pulls it off over his head. it’s a shame to admit it, but... he is perfect.

“but if our parents get divorced, we’ll never see each other,” you say with a pout. you shake your head quickly, realizing what you just said. “which i’m totally fine with. but you’d probably be really upset.”

a particularly rough thrust sends you reeling— crying out in pleasure and totally blowing your act. 

“yeah, it’d be really hard for me,” matthew patronizes, mimicking your pout. “g’nna cum for me, pretty girl? hm?”

“fuck,” you whine, nearly at your peak. you honestly had no idea how good at dancing matthew was, but if he was half as good at dancing as he was at fucking, then even goddamn dick van dyke would be proud. your walls flutter around him, a chorus of moans as he pushes you over the edge.

“oh my god,” matthew rasps as you reach your climax, his thrusts growing more desperate and sporadic. “pussy’s so fucking perfect, baby. made me want you so bad, i—.”

he pulls out quickly, a few pumps before painting your cunt with his cum as he moans under his breath. he stares at the sight for a few moments before his head tilts thoughtfully and a smirk upturns a corner of his lips.

“something to share with the class?” you ask, one eyebrow piquing.

he laughs, shrugging at your prodding. “i was just thinking about how i definitely wouldn’t be the golden child anymore if anyone knew about this.”

“i dunno. i think somehow you’d still come out unscathed,” you say, shaking your head. “i must’ve tempted you. coerced you. blackmailed you.”

he smiles at you sadly. “listen, i know that... i know things must suck for you right now and—... i mean it when i say i’m gonna try my best to fix—.”

“matthew!”

you both freeze as the sound of your stepfather’s voice rings from downstairs. matthew clears his throat, calling back, “yeah?”

“come downstairs! aunt bethany wants to talk to you about visiting seoul.”

“okay!” matthew answers. he rolls his eyes. “i hate your aunt bethany.”

“you and me both, kid,” you reply, sitting up on your hands as matthew hurriedly gets dressed. “have fun.”

“come with me,” he requests, picking up your skirt from off the floor and holding it out to you. 

you consider it, but shake your head. “tell me if you hear any good gossip about me. i have to get ready for my shift anyway.”

“really? you’re gonna go strip after this?” matthew asks, lips parted in surprise.

“dance,” you correct. “i’m gonna go dance.”

he smiles. “when do you get back?”

“around one,” you answer, standing up and walking over to your vanity. “why?”

“my flight’s at midnight,” he says, biting his lip. your mascara clatters to the table as a tiny, annoying ball of disappointment forms in your chest. “so i guess i’ll catch you another time.”

you don’t say anything— just continue doing your makeup as you try to ignore that growing ball. 

“okay then,” matthew says finally, opening your door. “bye, (y/n).”

“my mom’s birthday is next month.”

the words slip out of your mouth before you can stop them. you don’t regret it.

“she likes you more than me, so,” you continue with as much nonchalance as you can feign. “she’d probably want to see you.”

matthew catches your eye through your mirror. he just smiles.

~ EPILOGUE ~

you clamber through your bedroom door in the dark, stilettos still on as you stumble into bed and flop onto it in exhaustion. you clap your hands— bedside light turning on as you reach for baby foxworth. you cradle him under your chin, squeezing him tight. suddenly, you remember the tear in his neck from when matthew had ripped him after dinner. 

you feel around for the hole, but are surprised when you find a crinkly, purple sticky note instead. on it, is written: 

told you i’m gonna try to fix everything.  — your favorite brother ;)

“disgusting,” you mutter under your breath, turning your attention back to baby foxworth’s neck hole. except...

there is no hole.

okay, matty, you think with a smile. let’s see what you’ve got.

#zb1 smut #zerobaseone smut #zb1 #zerobaseone #zb1 fics #zb1 imagines #zb1 x reader #zerobaseone fics #zerobaseone imagines #zerobaseone x reader #seok matthew #seok matthew smut #seok matthew fics #seok matthew imagines #seok matthew x reader #zb1 matthew smut #zb1 matthew #zerobaseone matthew #zb1 mtthew x reader #iwnfyshb

[literalite]

i dont rlly consider these spoiler shots (a quick look at the sims wiki will make this future couple obvious- i'm more interested in showing their evolving relo it's not really meant to be a surprise) but i was testing how they look together a few months ago. the answer is they look really fucking cute ToT

bonus kris looking mad as FUCK about them but it was because hes high maintenance and the sun was pissing him off dgfhjk. and lily leaving because she cannot fucking believe that two of her closest friends are into the same guy that she doesn't like very much

#ts4 #the collective xtras #avelina balderas #greg lunvik #kristopher volkov #seph.txt

[radical-shapeshifting]

MEDIAHOST

a mediahost is an alter that becomes a temporary host when either the entire system or the systems main host interacts with a specific type of media. this alter may only be the host for a couple of days, or may be the host for months. they may also become a co-host.

HYPERHOST

a hyperhost is an alter, usually an introject, that becomes a temporary host when either the entire system or the systems main host interacts with or develops a hyperfixation. this alter may only be the host for a couple of days, or may be the host for months. they may also become a co-host.

SPINHOST

a hyperhost is an alter, usually an introject, that becomes a temporary host when either the entire system or the systems main host interacts with or develops a special interest. this alter may only be the host for a couple of days, or may be the host for months. they may also become a co-host.

if any of these terms have already been coined, then please consider these alt flags !! ^_^

#꩜ SAMUEL / TRAVIS ꒷꒥꒷ #✎COINS #🔪TERMS #radqueers please interact #radqueer please interact #pro radqueer #radqueer #radqueer community #radqueer friendly #radqueer safe #radqueer 🌈🍓 #radqueer 🍓🌈 #pro rq #rq safe #rq community #pro radq #rqc🌈🍓 #pro rq 🌈🍓 #rq coining #rq interact #rq please interact #rq 🌈🍓 #rq 🍓🌈 #rqc #rqc 🌈🍓 #rqc 🍓🌈 #transid #transharmed #rq #transid community

[nunalastor]

Hi! next part of Snow White + Tangled AU (still taking suggestions for a name, I'll probably end up writing a whole fic)

Alastor was losing his patience.

He never really cared about the "King of Hell", but ever since the little man arrived at the doors of Charlie's hotel, it's just been one disappointment after another.

And, of course, he trusts Roo not to give him valuable information! It's always the same with her, she will only give you enough information to work with, only to punish you if she doesn't like the results, or take credit if you somehow end up doing exactly what she wanted.

At least Charlie wasn't a relevant project for her. But it really would have been useful to know her origins, he could have gotten a lot out of that information. Anyway, it's not that that's important now, he's not going to be bitter about it. After all, so far the results of his decision have been satisfactory.

Honestly, there was a time when he thought Roo could be Charlie's mother, but he ruled it out as time went by. It's a relief, motherhood isn't for everyone, and Roo definitely shouldn't be on that list...just like Queen Lilith apparently.

The first time he saw the king was interesting, he tried to attack him as soon as he saw him after a brief conversation with Charlie. It was so fun to see his daughter putting the little man in his place. But then she explained who she had just kicked out of the hotel and it was just disappointment after disappointment.

In their second meeting, the king was no longer going directly to try to kill him, but that did not make him any less calm. He just kept accusing him of Charlie's kidnapping, which is fair, the king doesn't have to believe him and he doesn't have to justify himself.

He suggested to Charlie that, when the king returned with the supposed evidence he had gone to look for, it should be just her and the king. Charlie was just worried that this situation would change something between them, but he dismissed it, nothing has to change.

From that moment on, Alastor's patience has been tested. The king turned out to be like all the rich men of his time, buying people with trinkets, trying to dazzle everyone with their wealth and power, pampering their legitimate children and only throwing a few coins to their bastards if they remembered that they had.

Alastor has kept his distance. Not only does he want to respect Charlie's limits and her possible relationship with her biological father, he also wants to show her that, unlike the king, he can behave like an adult in this situation. On the other hand, the king, every time he sees him, has to make a conscious effort not to attack him either physically or verbally, and that makes Charlie nervous, which amuses Alastor a little, but mostly makes him uncomfortable. He knows that this whole situation makes Charlie tense, and the little king is not helping with his childish attitude (according to his height, honestly).

What ended his calm was seeing how the little king simply seemed to lose his patience just a couple of months later, dismissing Charlie's ideas and trying to take her away. Simply telling her that her whole idea of a charity hotel would be counterproductive because sinners would only take advantage of her, and anyway, it's not like sinners deserve better, they do horrible things after all, like kidnapping innocent babies and taking them away from them families.

And Alastor simply had enough. He doesn't really care what the king thinks of him, he doesn't want to meet him, and the feeling really is mutual at this point, but after all that talk, saying how much he missed his daughter, he hoped the king would take the time to meet to Charlie instead of just pretending like nothing had happened. As if Charlie had not spent almost 100 years, all of her life, living with sinners, as if she had not spent her entire life learning from him and from those who have surrounded her until now.

The king is not entirely wrong, many of those in hell deserve to be there, it is supposed to be punishment for their decisions, in fact, there are those who deserve worse, but he cannot just so easily dismiss the ideals that Charlie formed by seeing sinners up close.

And, of course, he is not a good person, he has never pretended otherwise. In fact, if he had found any other sinner the day he found Charlie, he would have put them in an oven with the same ease that he put Charlie in her crib every night. If he had found any other sinners, he would have boiled them in a saucepan with the same ease with which he put Charlie in the bathtub when she needed a bath. With any other sinner, he would have written a recipe book as easily as he wrote children's stories he remembered so he would have something suitable to read to Charlie. But the truth is that it was not just any other sinner, it was Charlie, a baby that he decided to take care of with the memories of his mother always in mind. The one he found in a basket was a baby, whom he accompanied, stayed by her side, held her when she screamed and cried because of a nightmare or a minor injury. Whom he educated and guided, who he encouraged to make her own decisions, who he taught how to be respected. Who he took to his friend Rosie to make sure she always had a safe place to go. Whom he watched from afar when she played with other children in the Cannibal Town square. Whom he saw grow up while being just as feared and respected as him by her own means. Who tried to defend him when someone who was his friend for 30 years betrayed him and tried to attack her, which immediately ended their friendship.

It is when he feels the presence of his daughter, hugging him from behind, that he realizes that he said all that out loud. It is when he realizes that the king is there, looking at him with a look that reveals confusion, surprise and horror. The king has not moved from his place next to the portal he opened when he tried to take Charlie, but he notices that he is shaking, while he seems to think of something to say.

Alastor sighs, regains his composure as he walks away from Charlie and approaches the king, and with a snap of his fingers he makes two thick books appear. They are copies of a photo album and a scrapbook. He also makes the basket in which Charlie came into his life appear, with the blanket and clothes included. He gives everything to the king and is firm when he tells him to take the time to get to know Charlie, to stop being a king (if he ever was one), to stop being a wallet and start being a father if it's what he really wants.

The king leaves without saying a word, with all the items held firmly in his arms. If among the pages of the books the king finds the note that told Alastor to take care of the baby, with a characteristic signature, well...no one can refute that Alastor could have simply forgotten that it was there.

Two weeks pass, and Alastor feels a chill down his spine, a chill that is supposed to be a caress, supposed to be a reward for a job well done. He's confused, but at least it didn't backfire on him.

A month passes for the king to appear again. He literally just appeared in Alastor's room, looking haggard, exhausted. Alastor supposes that he can let the impertinence slide just for the pleasure that such a pitiful image brings him.

"Can you tell me about my d...can you tell me about Charlie? Please?"

👀

#hazbin hotel #nunalastor asks #alastor #radioapple #lucifer #snow white #tangled #tangled au

[sleepboysummer]

mvery interested in how many ppl currently on rtc tumblr came from the 'resurgence' on tiktok (past couple months) and who have been here since 2022 or earlier i am curious

i know most of my followers are more ogs so id appreciate if u could reblg this so other people can see this poll !!

#rtc #ride the cyclone #jane doe rtc #constance blackwood #ocean o'connell rosenberg #mischa bachinski #noel gruber #ricky potts

[bullet-prooflove]

For John Nolan from your newest radio list:

#12 Not even tryin’, but damn I think it’s beautiful

Thanks!!!

John has always thought you were striking, ever since his first day as a rookie. He remembers catching a glimpse of you through the glass panes during roll call and he’d been unable to tear himself away.

“She’s out of your league.” Jackson had told him and John had smiled because his friend wasn’t telling him anything he didn’t already know.

It’s been a few of years since then and the only thing that’s changed is that John is now hopelessly in love with you. He thinks about that as he watches you amble around his kitchen in nothing but his LAPD t-shirt and a bird nest of hair from last night’s antics. How he’s fallen for you, how he wants to settle down, marry you.

This thing between the two of you it’s new, only a couple of months but John has known since the moment you met that he wants to spend the rest of his life with you.

Love John? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

Interested in supporting me? Join my Patreon for Bonus Content!

Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

@ravennaortiz @anime-weeb-4-life @trublu2u @hellostickerdoodle @kmc1989

#john nolan #john nolan x reader #the rookie #nathan fillion

[rebelliousstories]

Bounty

Relationship: Cooper “The Ghoul” Howard x Reader

Fandom: Fallout

Request: Yes by @silverose365

Warnings: Fluff, Strong Language, Mentions of Death and Killing

Word Count: 1,386

Main Masterlist: Here

Fallout Masterlist: Here

Summary: When a bounty comes in, Cooper is intent on cashing in. The caps they were offering were worth it. How in the hell does she stay a head of him?

The bounty that came in a little over an hour ago peaked The Ghoul’s interest. A very basic description of a female, but with a unique name; Kitten. Her real name was not known, or just not given. Although if it was known, that would have helped in finding her so maybe people just really did not know.

He waited around her last known location and watched the people move by. Cooper did not see anything out of the ordinary, but people were quick to offer up information to The Ghoul. Kitten was last seen heading west, towards Filly. He set out towards the city and kept an eye out for his target. Checking in different abandoned buildings for a clue, he found nothing.

The day trek to Filly meant he was getting there right as the sun set on the horizon and the lights lit up the city. Howard let his eyes rake over the crowd while people moved out of his way. Ducking into a shop was the hair of a familiar person. His target. The woman stayed in that shop for who knows how long, but Cooper was patient. He just waited for her to return, but when a second hour went by and she had yet to come out, he was starting to lose that patience.

“Hey, Ghoul!” The shopkeeper yelled, stepping out from the safety of his doors. Howard poked his head up and felt it was almost comical how people stopped at the call.

“Have a package for you.” Cooper made his way into the shop, with his spurs clinking, and ducked into where he found the girl he was hunting. A small box laid on the counter, and he examined it while the keeper eyes him wearily. Inside, there was a dozen vials of chems waiting for him. And a note that read;

~Must be a huge bounty to get you involved, Ghoulie. Enjoy your present.

He chuckled as he slipped the note and chems into his saddle bag and went to go leave through the back. There, Howard found her footprints and tracked them through the night. But eventually, sleep did call to him. So he tucked his hat over his eyes and laid down against a boulder he found alongside of the trail.

By month two, even Cooper was questioning his sanity. He had been tracking the target for a solid sixty days and was starting to purposefully hold himself back from capturing her. In the past eight weeks, The Ghoul had taken out two other people that wanted to collect on her bounty, only to be met with the big iron on his hip. And each time, the next day, he found a stash of chems along with a note.

~Thanks for keeping me safe Ghoulie.

~Love knowing I’ve got my own guardian ghoul watching over me from above.

Each time he tucked the notes in close to his chems as a reminder of what he was doing. A couple of times he got to catch a glimpse of her. Very few times though, as she somehow managed to stay a step ahead. Overtime, he thought of this less and less like an unruly and clever contract, but rather like a clever and interesting game to keep him sharp. More little gifts were left for him whenever he got close, or just because he “did not” catch up to her in town. In all honesty, this was the most fun he had in the last few years.

But the small time bounties were drying up, and hers just ket getting bigger and bigger. It was time to close this off, as much as that made Cooper upset to think about. It was just the next day, day sixty-one when he caught a definitive sight of her. Unlatching his rope, and tying a knot, he twirled it round and round before casting the lasso out. It landed snugly around her shoulders and yanked her to the ground. Dragging her in closer, Cooper was puzzled by her lack of fighting the rope off. once she was close enough, he stood over her, with her body in between his feet and her looking at him upside down.

“Damn cowpoke. You just don’t know when to quit.” She giggled, resting her hands against her chest in a leisurely pose.

“You are a real pain in the ass, you know?” Neither one made a move to leave where they were or to do anything about it. That alone made The Ghoul cautious about what she had up her sleeve.

“That’s a kinda mean thing to say when I’ve been leaving you presents and thank you chems along the way.” Sitting up, Cooper scooted away as if she was a wild animal. She slipped the rope up and over her head, before holding a hand out so that Howard could help her up. Ever the gentleman, he reached his own hand down and dragged her up to stand in front of him. She dusted herself off, but made no move to run or hurt him.

“Well, I do appreciate the hospitality darlin’. Although I do have to wonder, since you know who I am, and what I’m here to do. Why you let yourself get caught?” Cooper questioned, eyebrow bridge raising as he quirked one of them up.

“Oh ya know. Just bored.” She replied, looking around. Before Howard could reply, she took off to a house that was no longer occupied.

“You comin’ Ghoul?” Turning around, she only stared at him for a second before going back to the house. It was then that Cooper realized that the sun was setting on the horizon, and he would have to take shelter anyways for the coming night. He followed after her, grumbling the whole way through. It was not too much longer that they were sitting around a campfire sharing some meat skewers that she had snagged from the previous town about half a days walk from where they were.

“What did you do to get such a high bounty, Kitten?” Cooper asked, teeth dragging the meat off of the stick.

“Stole a bunch of caps from some rich bastards that were taxing their people to hell and back. Seventy-five percent of what they made they had to pay to these men. So I just took their money and gave it back to them. They didn’t take too kindly to that,” came her explanation. She was also enjoying the meat. After being on the run for so long, it was the most time she had taken for herself in well over two months.

“Like some sort of damn Robin Hood.” He chuckled, stopping only when she had a confused look on her face.

“Who’s Robin Hood?” Her question made Cooper take a moment before responding.

“Ain’t that some shit,” he grumbled, “Robin Hood was a theif for the people. He robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Always on the run from the law and the king from which he stole.” Now it was Cooper’s time for an explanation. He watched how her eyes lit up at his mini story. They sat in silence after that for a while; the only sounds being the noises of the desert night and their eating.

“Hey,” she piped up, “what about us traveling together?”

“What the hell makes you think that’s a good idea, Kitten?” Cooper paused in between his pieces of meat to shoot her a ridiculous look.

“Well, you’ve been protecting me this whole time. And I can get you chems and RadAway faster and cheaper than you probably can cause I’m not a ghoul. It’d be perfect.” Now, she was excitedly staring at him over the fire.

“You drive a hard bargain there, sweetheart. What’s the catch?” He replied, finishing off his skewer.

“Forget about the bounty?” She asked hopefully, face scrunching together and voice going higher. Silence once more, but this time it was in thought. Howard thought through the pros and cons of each option; keeping her or turning her in.

“Alright, Kitten. We’ll stick together.” He concluded, watching her face light up in the warm orange light. As they dug in to more skewers, he was certain that he had made the right choice about this bounty. The bounty that came in a little over an hour ago peaked The Ghoul’s interest. A very basic description of a female, but with a unique name; Kitten. Her real name was not known, or just not given. Although if it was known, that would have helped in finding her so maybe people just really did not know.

He waited around her last known location and watched the people move by. Cooper did not see anything out of the ordinary, but people were quick to offer up information to The Ghoul. Kitten was last seen heading west, towards Filly. He set out towards the city and kept an eye out for his target. Checking in different abandoned buildings for a clue, he found nothing.

The day trek to Filly meant he was getting there right as the sun set on the horizon and the lights lit up the city. Howard let his eyes rake over the crowd while people moved out of his way. Ducking into a shop was the hair of a familiar person. His target. The woman stayed in that shop for who knows how long, but Cooper was patient. He just waited for her to return, but when a second hour went by and she had yet to come out, he was starting to lose that patience.

“Hey, Ghoul!” The shopkeeper yelled, stepping out from the safety of his doors. Howard poked his head up and felt it was almost comical how people stopped at the call.

“Have a package for you.” Cooper made his way into the shop, with his spurs clinking, and ducked into where he found the girl he was hunting. A small box laid on the counter, and he examined it while the keeper eyes him wearily. Inside, there was a dozen vials of chems waiting for him. And a note that read;

~Must be a huge bounty to get you involved, Ghoulie. Enjoy your present.

He chuckled as he slipped the note and chems into his saddle bag and went to go leave through the back. There, Howard found her footprints and tracked them through the night. But eventually, sleep did call to him. So he tucked his hat over his eyes and laid down against a boulder he found alongside of the trail.

By month two, even Cooper was questioning his sanity. He had been tracking the target for a solid sixty days and was starting to purposefully hold himself back from capturing her. In the past eight weeks, The Ghoul had taken out two other people that wanted to collect on her bounty, only to be met with the big iron on his hip. And each time, the next day, he found a stash of chems along with a note.

~Thanks for keeping me safe Ghoulie.

~Love knowing I’ve got my own guardian ghoul watching over me from above.

Each time he tucked the notes in close to his chems as a reminder of what he was doing. A couple of times he got to catch a glimpse of her. Very few times though, as she somehow managed to stay a step ahead. Overtime, he thought of this less and less like an unruly and clever contract, but rather like a clever and interesting game to keep him sharp. More little gifts were left for him whenever he got close, or just because he “did not” catch up to her in town. In all honesty, this was the most fun he had in the last few years.

But the small time bounties were drying up, and hers just ket getting bigger and bigger. It was time to close this off, as much as that made Cooper upset to think about. It was just the next day, day sixty-one when he caught a definitive sight of her. Unlatching his rope, and tying a knot, he twirled it round and round before casting the lasso out. It landed snugly around her shoulders and yanked her to the ground. Dragging her in closer, Cooper was puzzled by her lack of fighting the rope off. once she was close enough, he stood over her, with her body in between his feet and her looking at him upside down.

“Damn cowpoke. You just don’t know when to quit.” She giggled, resting her hands against her chest in a leisurely pose.

“You are a real pain in the ass, you know?” Neither one made a move to leave where they were or to do anything about it. That alone made The Ghoul cautious about what she had up her sleeve.

“That’s a kinda mean thing to say when I’ve been leaving you presents and thank you chems along the way.” Sitting up, Cooper scooted away as if she was a wild animal. She slipped the rope up and over her head, before holding a hand out so that Howard could help her up. Ever the gentleman, he reached his own hand down and dragged her up to stand in front of him. She dusted herself off, but made no move to run or hurt him.

“Well, I do appreciate the hospitality darlin’. Although I do have to wonder, since you know who I am, and what I’m here to do. Why you let yourself get caught?” Cooper questioned, eyebrow bridge raising as he quirked one of them up.

“Oh ya know. Just bored.” She replied, looking around. Before Howard could reply, she took off to a house that was no longer occupied.

“You comin’ Ghoul?” Turning around, she only stared at him for a second before going back to the house. It was then that Cooper realized that the sun was setting on the horizon, and he would have to take shelter anyways for the coming night. He followed after her, grumbling the whole way through. It was not too much longer that they were sitting around a campfire sharing some meat skewers that she had snagged from the previous town about half a days walk from where they were.

“What did you do to get such a high bounty, Kitten?” Cooper asked, teeth dragging the meat off of the stick.

“Stole a bunch of caps from some rich bastards that were taxing their people to hell and back. Seventy-five percent of what they made they had to pay to these men. So I just took their money and gave it back to them. They didn’t take too kindly to that,” came her explanation. She was also enjoying the meat. After being on the run for so long, it was the most time she had taken for herself in well over two months.

“Like some sort of damn Robin Hood.” He chuckled, stopping only when she had a confused look on her face.

“Who’s Robin Hood?” Her question made Cooper take a moment before responding.

“Ain’t that some shit,” he grumbled, “Robin Hood was a theif for the people. He robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Always on the run from the law and the king from which he stole.” Now it was Cooper’s time for an explanation. He watched how her eyes lit up at his mini story. They sat in silence after that for a while; the only sounds being the noises of the desert night and their eating.

“Hey,” she piped up, “what about us traveling together?”

“What the hell makes you think that’s a good idea, Kitten?” Cooper paused in between his pieces of meat to shoot her a ridiculous look.

“Well, you’ve been protecting me this whole time. And I can get you chems and RadAway faster and cheaper than you probably can cause I’m not a ghoul. It’d be perfect.” Now, she was excitedly staring at him over the fire.

“You drive a hard bargain there, sweetheart. What’s the catch?” He replied, finishing off his skewer.

“Forget about the bounty?” She asked hopefully, face scrunching together and voice going higher. Silence once more, but this time it was in thought. Howard thought through the pros and cons of each option; keeping her or turning her in.

“Alright, Kitten. We’ll stick together.” He concluded, watching her face light up in the warm orange light. As they dug in to more skewers, he was certain that he had made the right choice about this bounty.

#rebelliousstories #writing #cooper howard #cooper howard imagine #cooper howard x reader #cooper the ghoul howard #fallout #fallout imagine #cooper howard x oc #the ghoul x oc #the ghoul imagine #the ghoul fallout #the ghoul x reader #the ghoul

[jimpluff]

From Jimpluff's Japanese correspondent! While on a Golden Week stay in Shodoshima, now a minor tourist draw thanks to the 1954 film (just a couple months before Godzilla) Twenty-Four Eyes, they graciously stopped by a small Kaiyodo exhibit to photograph some items of interest.

I have just a handful from this exhibit, but please don't forget to check out my coverage of the full-fledged Kaiyodo Hobby Museum Shimanto and its incredible Evangelion Figure World exhibit from that time.

#godzilla #twenty-four eyes #evangelion #kaiyodo museum #evafig

[vampiricgf]

ALMOST HEAVEN \ PROLOGUE

› astarion x f!reader

› summary : with wedding plans in place, the day of the ceremony is quickly upon you. But does this have the ability to be a happy union?

› word count : 1k+

› warnings : arranged marriage, angst, he's mean

notes : arranged marriage angst!! lil short thing to kick it off but chapter one is already finished so I'll be posting it shortly ^⁠_⁠^

series masterlist | chapter one

It was a marriage of convenience.

That's what you told yourself, to keep the expectations grounded in your head. As a nobleman's child you knew it was more likely that your match would not, in fact, be found by you but would be selected by your affluent family for the singular purpose of furthering whatever aims or intrigue was most lucrative.

What you hadn't expected was him.

A High Elf, a most unusual candidate for such an arrangement given how elves are often even more serious about love and sacred bonds than humans are. But then again, it isn't uncommon for them to enter into serious relationships with humans given that the lifespan difference means the relationship lasts for about the same amount of time as it would take to master whatever interest caught their fancy.

It was nothing but a side path on the grand road of their lives.

And he was paving a grand road indeed.

Magistrate Ancunín had impressed your father, and had given himself an in with the most prominent of the partiar families.

Caldwell, and it's fortune built on the vast orchards to the south of the Gate. One may think, mistakenly, that an orchard family would be similar in temperament to druids. That was the placid facade the people of the Gate were familiar with, simply content to munch on Caldwell apples and pears.

In truth your father was more akin to a war ship than a man. Your family’s vast wealth had been accrued from underhanded dealings that allowed for a near total takeover of the lumber industry in both the city and surrounding area. It also helped your father had laid plans to poach some of the best minds behind timber treatment, leading to a proprietary process that forced most others out of business.

People like the Magistrate, however, were not so easily fooled. The interior of every patriar family was rotten through and through, black as pitch and stretching their slimy fingers across the city.

If ever they paid attention the fruit might just blacken in their hands, turned to nought but ash.

And for your part you were no naive fool. You knew about the rumors of corruption that swirled around him, but then again who among the upper echelon wasn't tainted by such whispers?

It was hardly a scandal even if it were true.

Still, as hard as you tried to keep your expectations realistic, the constant disappointment surrounding your wedding plans stung deeply. Of course he'd want little to nothing to do with the process, your family tittering and fluttering about making sure it would be a show of wealth and power - and you, a centerpiece of it clad in a dress that looked more like some puff pastry with a painted on, garishly made up expression of faux happiness.

You hadn't seen Astarion since the announcement had been made more than five months ago.

That wasn’t wholly unusual, given the arrangement, but you could only admit to yourself in secrecy how disappointing it was to have only your family and hired help to coordinate what should have been a joyous day. For an ordinary, plain couple it may have even been a joint effort.

Truly you worried for many weeks over how he felt about being tied to a woman he didn’t love for the rest of your life, at least.

Your mother had told you again and again that excitement was shared all around, abundant between your family and your soon-to-be groom. But there were no relieved sighs or elated smiles to be had from you.

The words were empty.

All you had been told concretely was that Astarion had consented to the match, and agreed to the date barring any complications or unseen circumstances.

In contrast the the made face and complicated hairstyle you sported there was a dour look upon your face.

“I wish we could have spoken before today, but his estate kept replying that he was unavailable.” You say to no one in particular, frowning down at your hands.

“Theres no need to worry about such things,” your mother said, not even sparing you a glance as she fussed over some discarded pile of tulle. “You’re both as ready as you can be. And remember, this is a fortuitous union. Do try to behave yourself.”

Annoyance cracked through the anxiety in your gut. Of course, behave yourself because you’re someone else’s problem now. Don’t make us look like blathering idiots.

An impossibility, you snort to yourself as your rise from the ornate vanity.

With a stomach full of knots you silently eye the older woman straightening your gown and fluttering about like some nervous hen. Had she always looked so… exhausted? Thick greying hair bundled back in a severe updo, jewelry, always tasteful, delicately adorned the thin skin of her hands and wrists. Her expression as serious as her hairstyle, one you don’t ever remember her breaking often.

If he could love you, would he still when you more closely resembled the women in front of you now?

~

Those knots had turned into complete rigging by the time even, heavy footsteps carried you through the crowd of revelers.

They may as well have been dolls made up of paper, barely seen even in your peripherals as you looked at him.

Standing at the far end, a vast distance distorted by nerves, was his figure in stark relief against the almost dreamy atmosphere. A purposeful mess of ivory hair, curls that fell in a purposefully effortless manner and barely brushed the tips of his ears. Tasteful jacket embroidered with a pattern of golden thread, every bit the image of a man marrying into prominence. Belonging to prominence already.

His features were enough to have your heartbeat immediately thrumming hard and fast in your chest, enough to make you momentarily question whether someone could lose consciousness if such a rhythm maintained itself for too long. You couldn’t help but wonder what he thought of you.

An organic couple would perhaps have feelings of overwhelm rise up upon seeing each other in a similar way, fond memories and beautiful shared moments. Nothing like that existed between you two. The only prior memories you held were of sitting like a demure piece of decoration in the parlor as you two exchanged perhaps a full sentence before he discussed details in private with your father.

He hadn’t shown much interest in you then, and it seemed to be the case now.

Despite the congenial smile adorning his face as he took your hand his eyes were distant. Far away and full of other things, even a hint of impatience that you didn’t care to explore further, rather you kicked yourself internally for expecting some sort of rapturous happiness. Ridiculous.

He remained impassive as the priest of Lathander began droning on, and it became clearer with every passing second that being here with you was hardly magnanimous for him. That realization seized something in your chest, a wild thought of stopping the wedding frantically pulling at the edges of your mind.

That isn’t something you could do though, no matter how wildly you wanted to - years of training and upbringing overrode the urge.

Do try to behave yourself.

The vows were hollow from both your lips, flowered words that, if they were said by any other couple perhaps they might have been moving, but from your lips they fell flat like overripe fruit to the ground, spotted with swirling shades of bruised plum and the too soft grayish shade of decay. Forlorn and quickly forgotten to rot.

The kiss was equally impassive and far away, despite being such an intimate act it was utterly substanceless. His warm lips met yours for only a brief second before pulling away,

It felt more like a kiss of death. The final seal on the entire circus. It was all real, all concrete now.

The ring on your finger felt as heavy as an ingot strapped to your hand as your smile stretched wide, feeling garish and insincere as your hands found one anothers.

“Ms. Caldwell, its an honor to dip my fingers in your familial purse.” The whisper as he wore a faux smile was cut through with a disgusting amount of smugness. It made you bristle.

“Perhaps we should've been selling tickets for the performance.” You say frigidly, making sure to keep the smile stretched across your own lips as you grasped his hand.

You could tell he struggled for a moment to contain a laugh before whispering again.

“You are refreshingly pragmatic, you know. Perhaps this isn’t the worst union in the world.”

Perhaps.

It devastated you all the same, feeling like some puffed up clown in the middle of the renewed revelry.

#astarion x reader #astarion x you #astarion x female reader #astarion #astarion bg3 #astarion series #txt ☆ˎˊ˗

[buddiebeginz]

Guys don’t let spoilers for new eps rattle you. We’re closer to Buddie now than we have ever been. Just have to let the story play out.

Remember these things:

They’re not really pushing B/T in the press they’re doing for the show. Like sure they’ve talked about them but go read all the articles and watch the interviews T*mmy is being talked about more as a mentor figure for Buck and not a long term love interest.

The show has very deliberately connected Buck’s bi awakening including B/T to Eddie and compared T*mmy to Eddie.

They’ve literally with dialogue pointed out Buck wanted Eddie’s attention twice (once when Buck was talking to Maddie after the game and once when T*mmy says “my attention” a clear indication he knew Buck wanted Eddie’s attention).

They’ve full on paralleled B/T scenes and Buddie scenes (call Eddie/call T*mmy)

Buck was talking about how great Eddie is moments before T*mmy kissed him.

Eddie was the character they chose to have crash Buck’s first date with a guy. They chose to have it be where Eddie announces that Marisol is moving in and after the date was over and ended badly the main thing Buck focused on wasn’t T*mmy it was the fact he lied to Eddie.

They’ve made it a point to say in interviews that Buck isn’t going to be having any more one on one coming out scenes this season. Yet they had both of Buck’s important coming out scenes involve Eddie. Buck ends up coming out to Maddie because he’s talking about the date and how he’s upset he lied to Eddie. They also had some very deliberate dialogue when Maddie said “I just think maybe you’re not sure of your own feelings yet. And if there’s something you need to tell Eddie you will. In your own time.”

They devoted a whole intense scene to Buck coming out to Eddie including with a hug.

They keep promoting Buddie in interviews and the press and almost all of the promo videos and pics this season have included them. They’ve also had Ryan and Oliver front and center during the press early on and both seem excited about Buddie’s storyline together this season.

They’ve even made Maddie and Chim’s wedding about Buddie to a large degree. All the promos for it are 98% Buddie. They’re also wearing a couples costume, partying with drag queens, and being more physically close than we’ve ever seen them be. Remember this is also happening at an event we saw Buck invite T*mmy to and we know Eddie has a gf who should presumably be his +1.

Marisol has barely been in this season. We don’t really know her as a person or even her last name. We don’t even know how a relationship between her and Eddie functions because we’ve barely seen them together. The one ep Marisol was heavily featured in the show treated her more like a punchline than a fully fleshed out character and certainly not like a long term love interest to a main character.

They’ve already had Eddie talking about how he’s a nester this season. But they also had a very emotional scene where Chris talks about Shannon and how everyone leaves. Eddie having Marisol move in with him so quick (even if she did move back out) just proves he’s repeating old patterns. He’s looking to replace Shannon in his life and for Chris. Instead of looking at what he has and what he wants.

Also remember that Ryan was included with all the other cast members who play queer characters on that episode of Family Feud that’s likely to air during pride month.

I know a lot of people are nervous about what the show is going to do with Buddie but remember there is more incentive for them to make Buddie canon now than ever before. They’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback especially in the press from Buck’s bi storyline. Tim and Ryan and Oliver and the rest know how much people want to see Buddie happen and how much attention they will garner the show when it does. They’re in the perfect position to finally move these characters in that direction and I think they are slowly and steadily. We just have to be patient. We’re likely to have parts of the story suck as we get closer to Buddie but it will be worth it in the end.

#911 buddie #buddie #911!