The 13th annual international gender census, collecting information about the language we use to refer to ourselves and each other, is now open until 13th August 2026.
It’s short and easy, for most participants it takes 5 minutes or less.
After the survey is closed I’ll process the results and publish a spreadsheet of the data and a report summarising the main findings. Then anyone can use them for academic or business purposes, self-advocacy, tracking the popularity of language over time, and just feeling like we’re part of a huge and diverse community.
If you think you might have friends and followers who’d be interested, please do reblog this blog post, and share the survey URL by email or at AFK social groups or on other social networks. Every share is extremely helpful!
Survey URL: https://survey.gendercensus.com
The survey is open to anyone anywhere who speaks English and feels that the gender binary doesn’t fully describe their experience of themselves and their gender(s) or lack thereof.
Thank you so much!
[ Link to survey ]
PS: You can see some regularly-updated statistics about incoming data here, with lots of demography and graphs to peruse!
Inspired by Lana Del Ray's Ride. [Listen to the song while reading!]
A Part two to Taking matters into their own hands: Five, in the middle of the night on a empty desert road rethinks his decision, while reminiscing a night in a similar place.
A/N: Sorry it took so long for a part 2, I was working on another Five Hargreeves fic that is a lot bigger than these two. I'm not too sure how to feel about the ending, but I hope it's satisfactory. 1.4 K words.
The song was recognised before he could realise it. You’d hum it on long drives before missions, usually late at night. The mixtape, something he’d forgotten he still had, had started playing and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to turn it off. The song was too precious, held too much for dear aching heart for him to stop it.
Lana’s voice worked its way into the grooves of his Chevy Corvette, murmuring of late nights and lovers.
“I’ve been out on that open road…”
He stared at the dashboard of his car, hands gripping tightly to the steering wheel.Five missed you. Saying no to you was one of the worst decisions he’d made. He missed when you’d sit in the passenger seat, talking idly about how you hated how some guy at work wouldn’t stop bothering you, or how lonely it could get sometimes. The road beside him was empty, save for the occasional car. It was one of those old desert roads, with nothing around but sand and cacti for miles.
You had stopped somewhere similar once. It was late, like now, and you both were tired. However, that did not stop you from crawling across the centre console and into his lap, murmuring something into his mouth about the cold. He’d rubbed your sides with a gentle hand, fingers tracing the back of your t-shirt calmly, a small, thoughtful look on his face. You’d cupped his face in your hands, kissed him, lips pressing together as he pulled you closer, hands clenching on your waist. He smiled, pulling back, lips swollen but with this… content look on his face.
“You know you’re incredibly pretty, right? It’s quite hard to think of anything else, angel.”
You smiled, leaning forward ‘til your hair brushed the shoulders of his suit jacket. “Really?”
“Yeah,” He murmured, his eyes dropping to your lips once again. “Of course you are. The prettiest girl ever.”
He kissed you again as the song started to build in its chorus, Lana’s voice making the moment that bit more memorable. His hand traced its way across your shoulder blades, before tangling into the hair at the nape of your neck. His tongue liked his way into your mouth, as his hand pressed your head closer. Your arm went around his neck, as the arm around waist squeezed. You pulled back, coming up for ai, with a small string of saliva connecting you both. His eyes were almost black with how dilated his pupils were, a small ring of green encircling them.
You smiled, a grin overtaking your beautiful face.
“You’re a good kisser, Hargreeves.”
He came back to the present as the song ended. The car was still cold, but with no you to warm him.
Fuck, he missed you.
He leaned down, head knocking against the steering wheel. His phone went off, a notification lighting up the screen. It was from the family groupchat, so nothing to worry about, probably.
He could call you. Apologise. He hadn’t see you in weeks, and it had really shown. He couldn’t sleep, mainly just drank instead of eating, and was much more irritable than usual, to the point he’d snapped at one of his nieces.
If he did, what would he say? It’s two in the fucking morning, would you even answer? Would he even have the courage to ask you out properly?
His hands moved before he wanted to. Opening up his contacts, he had yours in front of him before he could blink. The photo was of you under a tree, in the sun, smiling. God, you were so magnificent, why couldn’t he be a better man? He wanted to spend the rest of the life with you, marry you, even, and cocks up and does-
Marry you?
The idea comes to him sooner than he wanted. What if he did? Sure, there was the (mental) age gap, but you were more than capable, and he thinks he might die if you end up with someone else. Besides, what’s stopping him? You’ve known him for what? Three years now? You ere fucking for one, and he knows you well enough that you loved the idea of marriage. The big poofy dress, the vows, the cake, the first dance, everything.
Maybe he should. Get you a ring, beg for your forgiveness, ask you to marry him, and hope everything goes well. The idea isn’t bad at all. He’d get to see you walking down the aisle towards him, your smile blinding bright, hands fidgeting on your bouquet nervously as you stared at him. Where would you have it? He remembers in passing you talking of a botanical garden, or maybe a church. He doesn’t care, as long as he has you.
He starts up the car again, tires screeching as he turns back around, heading back to the city. He doesn’t usually drive this fast, but by god, he’s hoping there’s a jeweller’s open at this hour.
You wake the next morning to knocking. It’s familiar, maybe it’s your neighbour or something. You pulled on your robe, tying it up haphazardly as you stumbled to the front door. You opened it, only to see… Five stood there, looking half dead.
Your face immediately twisted into an awful scowl, as you went to close the door.
“Look, I’m not here for some shitty apology. We're over, you said it yourself.”
He stuck his foot on the door, pushing it back open.
“Wait, [Name], can we please talk?”
You frowned. “What do you want now? To rub it in my face further? I get it, you don’t love me.”
He makes a face at that, drawling sarcastically. “Yeah, right, like I wanted to break your heart.”
Your scowled deepened, as you let out a breath.
“Look, just say what you want to say, and get this over with. Then I can go back to sleep.”
Five nods, letting out a shaky breath. He wipes his hands on his jacket, before shoving them in his pockets.
“Look, I want to apologise. I shouldn’t have said no to you. It’s just that- you deserve better than some idiotic old man who’s got a list of people he’s killed longer than a mile. But, fuck sake’s [Name]. I love you. I shouldn’t have broken your heart, or played around with your feelings. I should’ve just grown a pair and asked you out properly. Like a gentleman.”
Your eyes widened. He loves you? And he waits until now to say it? You go to say something, stepping forward, but he stops you with a hand on your arm. He then pulls out a small, black velvet box, getting down on one knee.
Your eyes widened further, before you yanked him up by the lapels of his jacket and dragged him into your apartment, hissing, “What the fuck are you doing?!”
e blinks, slightly stunned by your actions, a hand coming to rest on your waist automatically.
“I was, uh, um, how do I out this without being weird?”
He clears his throat, before grabbing your hand and turning your palm upwards and placing the box on it.
“This is for you. I got it last night, after some thinking.”
You gie him a confused look, before opening the box. You find inside a ring, THE ring, in fact. Ages ago while out with him, you’d pointed it out wistfully, saying that if you ever got proposed to, that wold make you say yes. It perfect, in your size and everything.
You look up at him, mouth agape, trying to piece together a sentence. He smiles slightly at your speechlessness, taking the box from you and holding the ring to your left hand. He then kneels again, looking you at you with some green eyes from before.
“[Name], I have something I need to ask you. Something I should’ve done sooner, and properly, not like this. Will you marry me?”
“Oh my fucking god.”
He smirks, another sarcastic drawl leaving his mouth. “Please, angel, give me an answer. You know I’m an old man.”
“You- I fucking- ugh, fine.”
“Fine?”
You drag him up again by the lapels, pulling him close and murmuring a, “Shut up, Hargreeves,”, before kissing him. He smiles into the kiss, cupping your jaw and tilting your head slightly. His other hand falls on your waist, as your arms wind around his neck.
You're friendly reminder that Alex had just turned 14 during Storm breaker. He was in year 9. He hadn't even picked his GCSEs yet. And everything in the series happened before he finished y11.
ⓘ katsuki bakugo x fem!reader x eijiro kirishima ⸝⸝ fluff, smut, angst, alternative universe (au: fantasy), polyamorous romance, action-adventure, mature themes
what if you were a princess from distant land sent to another nation to marry a barbarian they call a dragon king only to find yourself tangled in a dangerous court filled with brutal traditions, political unrest, betrayal, and two possessive men who slowly begin to claim every part of you for themselves.
꒰ TABLE OF CONTENTS ꒱ ✶⋆.˚ ⌕
ⓘ one ⸝⸝ your a dutiful princess sent to marry the barbarian dragon king of the scarlet region for the sake of an alliance, only to find yourself caught between your terrifying new husband and the fiercely loyal dragon hybrid who slowly becomes just as possessive of you as the king himself. ﹙18.8k﹚
Five Hargreeves x fem!Reader, set in season four, a continuation of my other post - you guys seemed to like it so...
warnings: angsty-ish, creepy men, sexual tension, making out, swearing, romantic tension
THIS WILL BE A SERIES AND I WILL BE MAKING A PLAYLIST IF I REMEMBER
Basically, Five's family finds out about you, and decide to fix his (almost) relationship for him.
Five knew he was fucked.
He was just enjoying a solitary coffee after you left, when his doorbell rang.
“Fivey! Hello? You in there?”
To hear Klaus's voice through the door, knowing he hadn’t cleared up the last night’s drinks, or the bedroom, was one of the worst things he’d experienced this year. And it was April.
He sighed, placed the cup down on the counter, and strolled over, opening the door.
Klaus lit up the sight of Five’s messy and disgruntled face, clasping his hands together before gathering him up in a tight hug.
“Five! Good to see you!”
He pulled away, hands on Five’s shoulders, still smiling brightly.
Five couldn’t look more disgusted.
“What do you want, Klaus? I’m busy.”
“Just wanted to see if you were free tonight.”
Five frowned at that. What could it be? Another family gathering where everyone would either mock his single-ness, or offer shitty advice. Or another blind date. He did love his family, really.
But by god, those blind dates were a disaster.
He visibly shuddered, then sighed. “Why?”
“Well, i have this lovely girl for you t-”
Five immediately went to shut the door, while Klaus stuck his hand in the door, only for it to get slammed. Klaus swore, while Five winced.
“Fuck, sorry, i just- not again. Not after last time.”
Klaus waved a hand, grinning. “Awh, come on, Fivey, she’s really nice, I swear! And could I have some ice for my hand?”
Klaus saw Five visibly stiffen, and then step in the sightline of the coffee table in front of his couch. Klaus smiled slyly, then looked over Five’s shoulder, before pushing into the apartment.
On the table was a half drunk bottle of red wine, about four glasses of various alcohols, with two of them having lipstick smudges around the rim. Also on the table were your sunglasses, which Five needed to return. He’ll do it at lunch, probably take you to that sushi place you lied, and just hope that you wouldn’t think it was a date-
“I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.” Klaus blurted out, dragging the small dopey smile off Five’s face and him out of his thoughts. “Oh my god, you have a girlfriend! I’m telling Dave, I’m telling Lila, I’m telling Sloane-”
Five practically launched himself over, grabbed Klaus’s arm in a vice-like grip, and hissed, “You will not tell anyone about her.” He then seemed to remember himself, letting go of Klaus’s arm. “Sorry, i just- she’s not my girlfriend.”
“That reaction says otherwise. Besides, is that any way to treat your darling brother, Fivey?”
He rolled his eyes, grumbling, starting to clear up the table, collecting the glasses and the bottle of wine. He debated to himself for a couple minutes. If he did meet this other girl, he would get some respite from the constant thoughts of you that plagued his mind. And give you a chance to find someone better.
“Tell me about the girl.”
“No, you tell me about this girl.” Klaus snatched one of the glasses from Five’s arms and inspected it.
“She uses a good quality lipstick, I can tell that much.”
Five snatched the glass back, his ears going pink. “That’s none of your business. She’s… just a friend.”
“Sure, Dave is also just a friend.”
Five gave Klaus an unimpressed look, dumping the glasses in the sink.
“That’s different, he’s your husband.”
Klaus immediately fired back with; “And this is your girlfriend. You can’t cheat on her.”
“She’s not my girlfriend. We’re just sleeping together.”
“Oh. She’s your lover.” Klaus nodded thoughtfully, to which Five gave him a glare from the sink.
“Don’t put it like that. It’s just sex, really. Anyway, what’s going on tonight?”
“Oh! Yes, uh, me and Dave have set you up on a blind date.”
Klaus could see Five grip the countertop, and let out a tense breath. “What’s she like?”
“Uh, an actress. She’s doing some show or something.”
Y/N’s doing a show. Five thought absentmindedly, cleaning the glass with a cloth. He nodded, humming.
Klaus continued, waving a hand around. “Uh, yeah, she’s very hot, quite nice, and pretty good at golf.”
“Golf? How the fuck does that matter?”
“You’re going mini-golfing!”
- -
Dave had dropped off Five at six o’clock, giving him a small smile and a couple words of support while Klaus grinned and gave Five a thumbs up.
He sighed, then headed inside. The mini-golf place was some indoor area with a couple courses, a bar and restaurant at the front, with a sign overhead that read:
“Couples Night! Half off for dates!”
Five sighed, before heading inside the bar. He sat on a stool, then ordered a bourbon.
He wanted to not feel guilty. He did like you, he knew that now. But, he needed to move on, to give you space to find someone else. Someone better. Plus you’re coworkers, for christ’s sake! If anyone found out, that’s your career gone, his jeopardized, and then you hate him forever! He can’t let that happen!
He ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm down, when he heard a high pitched, bitchy voice call out to him.
“Oh my god! You must be Five! I’ve heard so much about you!”
Five looked over. Striding over was a brunette with pink heels, a short denim skirt and a cropped jumper. She was model level pretty, wearing a flirty smile as she sat on the stool next to Five’s.
- -
Across the bar, you were sat entertaining your date, a guy called Mark from finance. So far, you found out that his favourite topic was himself, and the fact he once was the quarterback for his high school football team. He had dark brown curly hair, a somewhat charming smile, but a sleazy attitude to go with it.
You had dressed up for once. A cute pair of jeans, a button up top, and chunky heeled boots. You’d spent, what? Ten minutes doing your eyeliner and almost screaming in frustration over it. But, hey-ho, you're here now.
While he was talking about how he once scored a touchdown that apparently won his team the tournament, you wondered what Five was doing right now. And whether or not he’d be free once you left.
You glanced around, only to see Becky, your not so friend from your show, sat with some guy in a sweatshirt and jeans. Since you were playing Lady Macbeth in the production, and she was just Lady Macduff she had decided to hold a grudge against you. And also probably because the actor playing Macbeth was hot, and you got to kiss him on stage and such, but still, it annoyed you. You didn’t have control over this, and you’d said multiple times, she could just ask him out if it bothered her so much.
And, of course, next to her was Five. What the fuck was he doing here? You gave a confused look, then got pulled out of your thoughts by Mark.
“You know, sweetheart, what’s going on with you and Hargreeves?”
“Hmm?” You looked back over at him, blinking. “What about him?”
“You two spend a lot of time together. I mean, you can’t just be friends, right?”
“Well, we aren’t dating.”
“Are you sure about that? You're awfully close.”
“I’m very sure, thank you.”
“Yeah, okay, sweetheart.”
“Right, I’m gonna go get a drink, then we’ll go, okay?”
“Sure, which course do you- speak of the devil.”
You frowned in confusion when Mark cupped his hands over his mouth and yelled across the bar, “Hey Hargreeves! How about you come and join me and Y/N?” You stared at him in horror, while Five stiffened and turned his head slowly.
To say you were both embarrassed was an understatement. Becky lit up and grabbed Five’s arm, and dragged him over, greeting Mark with a smile, and you with a glance and a muttered, “Oh, it’s you.”
Five gave a strained smile, while you had the most confused look on your face, because you thought he was a loner.
Mark stood up and clapped him on the shoulder, grinning widely. “Come on, it’ll be fun. Or are you just mad I’ve snatched up your girl?”
You went to protest, but Five just gave a fake smile and said, “Of course not, she’s not even mine anyway.”
Mark nodded triumphantly, like he’d won this or something. “Alright then, shall we get started? You can choose the course.”
“Very well, we can do the dino course.”
Mark grabbed your wrist and pulled you out of the bar, while Five walked alongside you.
- -
Mark insisted on paying.
Which was good for you, and Becky wanted to see what the golf clubs were like, so you and Five were stuck waiting around behind them both.
“So how’d you know Becky?” You asked while looking up at the price board rocking back and forth on your heels.
“Who?”
You gave him a look. “Your date?”
Five nodded in realization. “Oh. Yeah. She's a blind date set up by my brother.”
“I didn’t know you did stuff like that.” You sounded slightly surprised. And possibly… jealous? No, he’s probably just imagining things.
“Well, it’s not like we’re exclusive or anything. Anyway, Mark, really?”
Now, he was definitely jealous.
“I was bored, and he said he’d pay, so I was testing that theory.”
“Hmm. Alright. And what about us? What would you do if it went well?”
“Politely inform you that it’s over, and ask that we remain friends, since you are good company.”
“Okay, angel, no need to treat it like an assignment.” He chuckled and shook his head slightly. “Jesus, you are a saint, aren’t you?”
“Mhm. and what about you? What would you have done?”
“Probably the same.”
“Yeah. Lucky coincidence, huh?”
He smiled slightly at that, dimples denting his cheeks. “Yeah. Lucky.”
You smiled back.
- -
“How are you so bad at this?”
You looked up to glare at Five from where you were hunched over, trying to putt the golf ball into the hole. In your defence, this hole was really hard. There was a loop-de-loop leading to a tube that would hopefully lead to the hole, but you were struggling to just get it through the loop.
Becky had ‘gone to the bathroom’, with Mark ‘checking in on her’, not even five minutes later, leaving you and Five alone.
“I’ve been watching you do this for the past six minutes. Seriously, my six year old niece does better.” He quipped, leaning on his golf club.
You straightened, scoffing. “Oh, like you can do any better.”
He walked over, nudged you over with his hip, before putting his golf ball perfectly into the hole. You just blinked in shock while grinned.
“Want me to show you?”
“I-” You sighed, admitting defeat. “Fine, yeah.”
“Right, angel, so you want to…”
Five came up behind you and clasped his hands over yours, murmuring instructions in your ear while he mimed putting.
Of course, you went bright red, trying to focus on the task at hand and not the feel of Five’s body against yours. You totally failed.
Once you finally managed to get the ball in the hole, he murmured a, “Well done, angel,” before patting your hip and pulling away.
You cleared your throat, crouching down to pick up your ball before quickly striding over to the next hole.
“Do you want to come over to mine after this?”
Five paused from where he was crouched down, tying his shoelace.
“Sex? Really? We have a meeting at nine tomorrow morning.”
“And when has that stopped you?” You shot back, hands on your hips.
Five scoffed. “AH, yes, but if you remember, Miss L/N, this meeting will determine whether or not our case goes forward.”
“Well, I’ll always have you, won’t I?”
He goes quiet for a moment, the smile slipping for a moment, before it gets plastered back on.
“Yeah. You will.”
“Awh, Hargreeves, me and you together forever. Platonic soulmates.”
He smiled slightly at that. At least you thought he was your soulmate.
“Yeah, soulmates.”
You grinned, going to putt again, knocking the ball and getting a hole in one. You punched the air, letting out a “YES!” with the cutest smile on your face.
You were definitely his soulmate.
- -
The drive back was quiet, but not the uncomfortable kind. It was warm, slightly charged, and filled with the kind of late-night love songs that played on the radio of Five’s car. He loved his car, it was one of the first things he bought after you mentioned off-handedly that your friend was selling his. You would often joke that he liked it more than you. To be fair, it was his dream car, his corvette.
He kept his hand on your thigh as he drove, focusing mainly on the road. Every so often, he’d give an almost affectionate squeeze, glancing over at you to check your expression. You caught him looking over, and he quickly looked away, focusing on the car in front, which led him to gesture in frustration at it. You smiled to yourself, thinking, ‘what a dork.’
He pulled up outside your apartment complex, turning off the engine. He looks at you, dead in the eyes, with a strangely intense stare, which is honestly normal for him. You blinked at him, grabbing your purse from the footwell, and sitting up slightly.
“You sure it's okay? I don’t want to make you late or anything. For the meeting. Tomorrow.”
“It’ll be fine, I can survive.”
He rolled his eyes, getting out of the car, while you followed suit. You walked into the elevator, rocking back and forth on your heels while you waited.
It wasn’t awkward… so to speak. More like the calm before a storm.
However, the moment you unlocked your front door and stepped inside he pressed you up against the wall and kissed you. His hands slid down to your waist, while yours went around his neck, and into his hair.
He pulled away, breathing heavily, pressing kisses down the side of your neck. He sucked a mark into your neck, making you gasp . He grinned up at you, kissing you again. The kisses became more desperate, as he fiddled with the buttons on your shirt while you tried to tug off his jacket. He pulled back, lips swollen and hair messy.
He leaned in close, and murmured in your ear, “Do you want to take this to the bedroom, angel?” In that stupid tone of voice that made you weak.
You shook your head, pulling back slightly to look at him in the eyes.
“I want to ask you something.”
You could feel yor heartbeat. Not just from making out with Five, but from what you wanted to ask him. Truth be told, you liked him. He was sweet, funny, and yes a complete opposite to you, but you adored the way he would compliment you and the way he’d treat you so nice. When you first slept together, about a year ago, you were fully expecting him to leave and never talk to you again when he’d left the room. Only for you to be pleasantly surprised when he came back with water and a damp cloth to clean you up with. It was the sort of tenderness that had captured your heart from day one.
Plus he was handsome. The kind of brooding, dark handsome you’d find on the cover of those shitty YA novels, spliced with actual life and sarcasm unlike those Ken dolls.
Even still, with all those terrible dates you’d go on, you still wanted Five. and you wanted him more than just a fuck-buddy. You wanted him to yourself, to love, hold and cherish. He was the kind of guy you wanted your parents to meet, to get married and settle down with.
You sounded crazy! Situationships should not go on this long.
You took a deep breath, heart pounding in your ears. “Will you be my boyfriend? Like, properly?”
Five took a small step backwards, looking almost… panicked?
“You what?”
“I want to date you. Properly, and we’ve been dancing around each other and doing those stupid ‘not dates’ and everything, and I really like you, love you, even, and I just- I want, like, a proper relationship-” You cut off yourself when you realised he wasn’t saying anything. You swallowed as he opened his mouth.
“I- i can’t. I’m sorry. You’re amazing, really, i swear! But i just- i can’t. Sorry.”
He mumbled, picking his jacket off the door and turning to leave. You heart shattered in your chest, stomach dropping to the floor. You grabbed his wrist, and he just pulled back and shook his head. He kissed your forehead, murmuring a small, “I’m sorry, angel. I’m so sorry,”
He quickly left, closing the door behind him.
You stared at the door for a couple moments. You felt hotness pricking behind your eyes, as you sunk to the floor. You hugged your knees to your chest, and began to sob.
What? What did you do wrong? Does he hate you?
You sobbed in the hallway of your apartment, burying your face in your knees.
You definitely weren’t going to be working with him anymore…
When fwb!Five Hargreeves realises he lovs you over the small things.
Fem!reader, Set in season four, implications of sex and swearing, an idiot in love, Y/N is implied to be a massive lover of plushies. Author is British, so you get my spellings, not yours.
- - -
Five had stayed the night. Not a rare occurrence, ever since starting the case with him, meeting over for ‘casework and drinks’ usually ends up with messy sheets, you needing a shower and some concealer.
However, this morning was different. Five had woken up like usual, gone to make himself a cup of coffee, only to stroll back into your room and find… you.
Splayed over your bed, hugging tightly to your chest, your build-a-bear weighted teddy, Theodore Roosevelt. The makeup under your eyes was slightly smudged, drool seeping from your mouth as you let out puffs of air. Your neck and chest was covered in bruises, and you had a slight curve to your lips, like you were content with the world right now.
A warmth in his chest blossomed, his heart skipping a beat. Of course, you were attractive, he wouldn’t be in your apartment at eight in the morning if this wasn’t the case. Yet, here he was, staring at you like a creep. This was different to lust, though. Not something hot and heavy, but something warm and fluffy in his chest, like the kind of thing he’d read in those romances he’d find in the scattered ruins of the apocalypse. He shook his head, trying to think of something else.
There were other toys scattered around the room. A massive sanrio Mocha build a bear sat in your armchair, a tattered cloth bunny, a round hedgehog, a sloth, IKEA shark, and a bear with a big body and small head. The picture of cuteness.
The pair of you were total opposites, sun and moon. Light and dark. Something happy, bright, cheerful. He was a moody asshole that had a shitty past and a bad attitude to everything. He shouldn’t be with someone like you. Why did you keep letting him in?
He felt guilty. He had explicitly said at the beginning of this that it wouldn’t go anywhere, and you’d looked disappointed. Of course, if it did go anywhere, it’d crash and burn. He didn’t want to do that to you, not when you deserved someone better.
You deserved someone normal, not some guy that was mentally super old, survived four fucking apocalypses, was stuck in one for 45 years, had a helluva time trying to fix them, a mannequin wife, and just general asshole-ness.
He looked back at the teddy. It was clutched tightly to your chest, like a child or pet. You clearly cared for it, you’d given each and every one names. You treated him with the same kindness, even if he treated you like an asshole at first. An angel, really. That’s where the nickname came from.
You’d always greet him with a smile, your cheery disposition brightening his day somewhat. He wanted to find it annoying, but he couldn’t. There was something about, the way you’d tip extra to waiters when he knew you didn’t have the money, or how you always tried to buy a coffee for the homeless guy outside the local library. Or maybe it was the way you’d be as sweet as sugar sometimes, to the point it hurt his teeth, only to turn around and be a massive bitch when needed.
It was a massive turn-on to be honest.
One time, you both were out doing some field work, only for Five to trip over and almost get them caught, to which you gave him a withering glare and threatened to castrate him with rusty sewing scissors if he did something stupid like that again. It was so out of nowhere it took him by surprise. And it takes a lot for that. He was amused by loved the dichotomy of you, the way you could be the saccharine thing, and then a cutthroat bitch the next.
He went back into the kitchen, and made you a cup of coffee, trying to distract himself. Two sugars, one splash of vanilla syrup, another of caramel, and then the coffee, mixed to melt the sugar, then enough milk to make it latte coloured.
He padded back into the bedroom, and set the cup down on your bedside table. He went to grab his clothes off the floor and get dressed, when you sat up, blinking.
“Oh- uh, hey.” the small, tired look on your face was cute, he thought. He then shook his head and started to button up his shirt. “I made you coffee.”
Despite being tired, you gave a sly smile. “Trying to seduce me, Hargreeves?”
“Oh, please, I wouldn't be here if that wasn’t already the case.”
You rolled your eyes, shaking your head with a fond smile. Your fingers clasped around the mug, your lips wrapping around the edge.
“You going already?” You murmured, watching him get dressed almost disappointedly.
He nods, then sits on the edge of the bed, tying up his shoelaces. Shuffling over, you sat next to him, swinging your legs over the edge.
He looks over at you, almost intensely. You blinked, making a face.
“I know I'm hot, Five, but you don't need to stare.”
“Do you want to go to breakfast with me?”
“Breakfast?” You parroted, confused.
Five smirked, drawling sarcastically. “Youy know, Y/N, the meal at the beginning of the day, it’s quite important, you know.”
You shoved him, while he barked out a laugh. He stood up, offering a hand with a small smile.
“Come on, we can go to that diner you like on the corner, angel.”
“...ALright. But I need to get dressed.”
“Go on. I’ll wait.”
He’d wait forever if you asked. As you disappeared into the bathroom, he had a realization. He liked you. Like, like-liked you.
Fuck.
You frowned, popping your head around the door.
“You okay?”
He nods immediately, his ears going pink.
No he fucking wasn’t.
(I am so sorry if this is bad or ooc, i did try very hard and this is my first fic, so please be kind! although i wouldn't mind constructive criticism)
When fwb!Five Hargreeves realises he loves you over the small things.
Fem!reader, Set in season four, implications of sex and swearing, an idiot in love, Y/N is implied to be a massive lover of plushies. Author is British, so you get my spellings, not yours.
- - -
Five had stayed the night. Not a rare occurrence, ever since starting the case with him, meeting over for ‘casework and drinks’ usually ends up with messy sheets, you needing a shower and some concealer.
However, this morning was different. Five had woken up like usual, gone to make himself a cup of coffee, only to stroll back into your room and find… you.
Splayed over your bed, hugging tightly to your chest, your build-a-bear weighted teddy, Theodore Roosevelt. The makeup under your eyes was slightly smudged, drool seeping from your mouth as you let out puffs of air. Your neck and chest was covered in bruises, and you had a slight curve to your lips, like you were content with the world right now.
A warmth in his chest blossomed, his heart skipping a beat. Of course, you were attractive, he wouldn’t be in your apartment at eight in the morning if this wasn’t the case. Yet, here he was, staring at you like a creep. This was different to lust, though. Not something hot and heavy, but something warm and fluffy in his chest, like the kind of thing he’d read in those romances he’d find in the scattered ruins of the apocalypse. He shook his head, trying to think of something else.
There were other toys scattered around the room. A massive sanrio Mocha build a bear sat in your armchair, a tattered cloth bunny, a round hedgehog, a sloth, IKEA shark, and a bear with a big body and small head. The picture of cuteness.
The pair of you were total opposites, sun and moon. Light and dark. Something happy, bright, cheerful. He was a moody asshole that had a shitty past and a bad attitude to everything. He shouldn’t be with someone like you. Why did you keep letting him in?
He felt guilty. He had explicitly said at the beginning of this that it wouldn’t go anywhere, and you’d looked disappointed. Of course, if it did go anywhere, it’d crash and burn. He didn’t want to do that to you, not when you deserved someone better.
You deserved someone normal, not some guy that was mentally super old, survived four fucking apocalypses, was stuck in one for 45 years, had a helluva time trying to fix them, a mannequin wife, and just general asshole-ness.
He looked back at the teddy. It was clutched tightly to your chest, like a child or pet. You clearly cared for it, you’d given each and every one names. You treated him with the same kindness, even if he treated you like an asshole at first. An angel, really. That’s where the nickname came from.
You’d always greet him with a smile, your cheery disposition brightening his day somewhat. He wanted to find it annoying, but he couldn’t. There was something about, the way you’d tip extra to waiters when he knew you didn’t have the money, or how you always tried to buy a coffee for the homeless guy outside the local library. Or maybe it was the way you’d be as sweet as sugar sometimes, to the point it hurt his teeth, only to turn around and be a massive bitch when needed.
It was a massive turn-on to be honest.
One time, you both were out doing some field work, only for Five to trip over and almost get them caught, to which you gave him a withering glare and threatened to castrate him with rusty sewing scissors if he did something stupid like that again. It was so out of nowhere it took him by surprise. And it takes a lot for that. He was amused by loved the dichotomy of you, the way you could be the saccharine thing, and then a cutthroat bitch the next.
He went back into the kitchen, and made you a cup of coffee, trying to distract himself. Two sugars, one splash of vanilla syrup, another of caramel, and then the coffee, mixed to melt the sugar, then enough milk to make it latte coloured.
He padded back into the bedroom, and set the cup down on your bedside table. He went to grab his clothes off the floor and get dressed, when you sat up, blinking.
“Oh- uh, hey.” the small, tired look on your face was cute, he thought. He then shook his head and started to button up his shirt. “I made you coffee.”
Despite being tired, you gave a sly smile. “Trying to seduce me, Hargreeves?”
“Oh, please, I wouldn't be here if that wasn’t already the case.”
You rolled your eyes, shaking your head with a fond smile. Your fingers clasped around the mug, your lips wrapping around the edge.
“You going already?” You murmured, watching him get dressed almost disappointedly.
He nods, then sits on the edge of the bed, tying up his shoelaces. Shuffling over, you sat next to him, swinging your legs over the edge.
He looks over at you, almost intensely. You blinked, making a face.
“I know I'm hot, Five, but you don't need to stare.”
“Do you want to go to breakfast with me?”
“Breakfast?” You parroted, confused.
Five smirked, drawling sarcastically. “Youy know, Y/N, the meal at the beginning of the day, it’s quite important, you know.”
You shoved him, while he barked out a laugh. He stood up, offering a hand with a small smile.
“Come on, we can go to that diner you like on the corner, angel.”
“...ALright. But I need to get dressed.”
“Go on. I’ll wait.”
He’d wait forever if you asked. As you disappeared into the bathroom, he had a realization. He liked you. Like, like-liked you.
Fuck.
You frowned, popping your head around the door.
“You okay?”
He nods immediately, his ears going pink.
No he fucking wasn’t.
(I am so sorry if this is bad or ooc, i did try very hard and this is my first fic, so please be kind! although i wouldn't mind constructive criticism)
