lily

18! i genuinely need a fucking break

[waltzingphantoms]

park the bike, wipe the sweat, what's it come to? early summer bike ride with yuuji itadori

The scorching sun was burning your shoulders in a way you knew would definitely end up read and angry at you for neglecting sunscreen. To be fair, you did put it on, but you couldn’t remember clearly if it was before leaving your apartment or after getting ice cream, both memories blending into each other.

Currently, you were sat near a tree, trying to shelter yourself from the dangerous 37º heat, as shown in a sign outside a pharmacy nearby. You had been running around all day, trying to enjoy to the absolute maximum the first day of summer after finals. Maybe you could’ve divided all the activities in different days, you think to yourself, but as soon as your thoughts began wandering away, a door chimed to mark the exit of the convenience store of someone.

As you covered your eyes with your hands, you squinted to see who it was, and the pink haired guy who just left the store began to make its way to you. Yuuji was wearing a dumb spiderman t-shirt you gifted him a couple of years ago for his birthday, combined with a pair of jorts that had some simple embroidery near the hem; the full outfit was pulled together with a pair of simple red converse and a basic black backpack that looked full to the brim.

While he was getting closer, you began to remember your side quests of the day. He first came to pick you up in the early morning to “fully take advantage of the day” as he said to you with a stupid grin (its 7 am on a Saturday, how is he even properly awake at that hour). You began to get ready, meanwhile, he explained the schedule for the day: a simple pool day to combat the heat, but not before going on a bike ride while the air still felt cool outside.

Agreeing to whatever he was saying without giving it second thought (it’s Yuuji, he always has great plans to hang out, and you could trust him to have a great time), you picked up everything you might need for the day.

Swimsuit? Check. Sunglasses? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Your everyday items? check.

Leaving your apartment, you went to get your bike ready, as he already came over riding his, and after giving it a proper review to make sure everything worked seamlessly, you two started your excursion trying to get away from the city. He was going in front of you while you were still in the actual city, but as soon as you began to see fields and flowers from the outskirts and villages nearby, he slowed down to get to your level to actually talk to you instead of filling the voyage with silence.

Despite seeing each other nearly every day, or at the very least, talking every day, the conversation flowed in a way you didn’t expect for the time of the day. Unsure where you were going, he did keep it a secret, yet he seemed a bit anxious or unsure if you were going to enjoy it as much as he did.

Riding without a care in the world, you made your way into a small forest, and you left your bikes in an opening of the trees where you could hear water running nearby. Yuuji began to guide you though the area with expertise, which made you wonder if he frequented this place, until you arrived at the place you understood he wanted you to know.

In a clearing of the forest, there was a waterfall surrounded by cherry blossoms that miraculously still had some remaining flowers, and a weeping willow that had branches that reached the floor and created openings like doors to enter under it.

You turned with a wide-eyed grin to the guy that brought you here, and he seemed to find the sky more interesting as he began to slightly blush and scratch at the nape of his neck while he began to overexplain why he had chosen that place to visit. Turns out, one day, overwhelmed with the city noise, he just left the same way you just did and found this wonderful place by mere coincidence. You gave him a quick hug that momentarily froze him on the spot and started to get near the nature filled environment.

Going and inspecting all the possible spots to hang out, you decided that under the weeping willow was ideal, as you would not get wet and get shelter from the sun, despite the fact that the clearing had a slightly lower temperature than the rest of the forest because of the waterfall. Sitting on its roots, you talked and talked for hours until your stomachs rumbled, making both of you aware of how much food is needed for the human body, and began to make your way to get your bikes and go to the pool.

On the way back, he spotted a convenience store and abruptly stopped to get both of you a snack before eating an actual meal at the restaurant near the swimming place, and that’s where you were waiting now.

After what felt like eternity, he reached you and gave you your favourite pick-me-up with a soft smile he seemed to save only for you, and he sat beside you on the shadowy part of the tree. The space was filled with comfortable silence as you ate, both lost in your own worlds, and after finishing, he wordlessly packed up the trash and got up to throw it away.

Suddenly overwhelmed with feelings, you got the urge to show him you appreciation for everything he did and was doing for you, and as he got back, you stood up and gave him a quick peck on his cheek. Turning as to not see his reaction to it, you went to get your bike, and when you were ready, you looked back at him to see how he was doing with his. The view left you stunned.

The 6 ft, totally buff, pink haired boy still stood in the same place where you kissed him, touching his check, wearing a dumbfounded look on his face as his cheeks got redder by the second. Momentarily aware of what you had just done, you began to apologize for what you did, saying it was an impulse and a way to show gratification, that you did not know what had come over you, but Yuuji interrupted you by getting closer (when did he get that close? genuinely asking) and he engulfed you in his arms as he hugged you tightly, pulling you as close as possible to him.

Confused by his response or lack thereof, you hugged him back, and as if he could sense your worry, he pulled back with a grin in his face and a newfound sparkle in his eye that made you be the one blushing at the confidence in his expression. His hands lowered from your shoulders to your waist as he complimented something stupid that was just so you that made you open you mouth in bewilderment at how did he even realise that, and watching you struggle to get a coherent response, he quickly hid his head in the gap between your shoulder an neck, returning the peck you gave him there so swiftly that it made you wonder if you had imagined it, and he pulled back just as quickly as he got near you.

Both wearing stupid similes on your faces, you actually got on your bikes, constantly looking at the other, and your ride to the swimming pool began, trying to get the most of the summer and whatever you had going on with each other.

a/n: i’m tying to act soo nonchalant but i’m so fucking excited for summer and it shows lmao

[waltzingphantoms]

run away, it’s divine jason todd gives reader a ride around Gotham

“No.”

“Baby.”

“I already said no.”

“Come on, don’t you trust me?”

“Jason there is absolutely no fucking way I’m getting on that devil instrument”

“[Name]”

You actually turned to look at him directly after he spoke your name so emotionally. While on a walk around Gotham, the both of you saw a couple riding a motorbike, and since then, he had become genuinely obsessed with the idea of you backpacking. He had tried before, multiple times, all during the relationship, but you still didn’t falter. It was not a phobia, but you felt your knees wobble at the thought of surging through cars and ongoing traffic without any strong form of protection, so you could say you were a bit terrified at the idea.

In a way, you felt a bit sad because you truly did want to understand all the hype around those rides everyone seemed to talk about, but being afraid of bikes probably didn’t help. Jason always did try his best to involve himself in whatever hobby you decided to indulge in, so you started to quietly reconsider it some weeks ago, after doing some research of you own.

But you couldn’t give in so quickly. Yet.

He had eyes that were begging silently for you to trust him, because you were aware that he would rather have an accident or get shot rather than you being scared of getting on a vehicle with him. Nonetheless, they were sparking with a little mischief: little did you know that he had realised that you were, in fact, not scared of riding his bike with him.

So, this whole conversation was more of a game of who would give in faster than the other.

Luckily for him, you made up your mind and with false worry in your eyes, you silently agreed to whatever he had schemed. Understanding perfectly, a wide grin stretched across his face as he began moving quickly all over his apartment getting ready all the equipment he got you some months ago, “Just in case, you’ll never know when you might want to go, baby”.

He began explaining excitedly the basics, like grabbing onto his waist and leaning to the side with him when he turns, and you watched with a small smile how excited he got over something so mundane. What you didn’t understand at the moment is how important that was for him: going for a ride in the bike he fixed and improved himself right after he arrived in Gotham, with his girl he pined for during a long, long time.

After quickly getting ready, you arrived at an alley where he had parked his crimson pride and joy beforehand, and despite wearing a helmet, the excitement of you both could be felt just in the way you carried yourselves to the place. He helped you get on the back of the bike, and he followed right after, getting on in front of you.

The sensation felt unknown, as you previously had never backpacked before, and in a way, it was very exposed but personal. Safe, even, as you knew that there is no way something could go wrong when he is in control of his precious bike. The motor began to rumble, and you wrapped your arms a bit tighter, as you did feel quite nervous, and he quickly grabbed your hands, trying to wordlessly calm you down.

You began to move, leaving the dark alley, moving into the road that surrounded Jason’s apartment as he swiftly cursed through the little traffic that existed at that hour. People leaving work from overtime, you thought, or maybe students exiting libraries after studying countless hours during the day. He wasn’t going that fast, and you could tell he was worried for your enjoyment of the experience and your overall wellbeing, but it was still faster than you expected.

Cursing swiftly through cars and traffic lights, the wind blowed on your back, making you feel a rush that felt as if you began to comprehend why Jason loves this. The constant roaring of the engine, the strong current pushing you forward, and the euphoria surging through your veins, you came to a halt on a traffic light that interrupted your train of thought.

He turned slightly to check up on you, and as if he could feel how hyped you were feeling though the tinted helmet, he gave you a soft tap to your knee lying on his side. You could see he was having a good time because after that quick stop he began to get touchier, either by wrapping his hands around yours resting on his waist, or by directly grabbing your knees whenever he could.

After near an hour strolling around the city, you decided that it was time to go back home and made your way to the alley from before. Feeling your heartbeat pulse in your chest, he helped you get off the helmet and the gear, taking off his only after.

Hair a mess, sparkle in your eyes, you were still sitting on top of the scarlet bike while he took off his gloves. You made eye contact, acknowledging the fact that this was something between the two of you: overcoming your tiny fear and trusting him so much that you made an effort to understand his passion, you knew that something had shifted in your relationship.

It was not loud or life-changing, but the way he wrapped himself around you that same evening proved how incredibly thankful he felt for being able to show that side of him to the girl he loved.

a/n: tbh i am still terrified of backpacking but i also can’t deny how cool it feels

[waltzingphantoms]

i’ll remember you this way! tim drake meet cute in a comic shop

Ugh. Finally, exam season had ended. Nearly a month trying to wrap your head around whatever concepts your professors had decided were “extremely crucial to comprehend to pass this course”, but you both knew how much bullshit that was. Still, you had finished with higher grades than you ever expected, knowing how burnt out you tend to feel at the end of the school year.

So, with some days left until you had to return to your hometown for summer, you decided to stroll around Gotham, discovering new areas, finding constantly shade to stay under because of this horrible heat wave. Music blasting in your ears, you recently made a new playlist, and it was hitting all the right spots.

What an amazing day to be completely honest.

You found yourself standing near a neighbourhood you didn’t frequent and decided spontaneously to wander aimlessly in and out of some local shops. Totally not trying to find shelter from the blazing sun that was burning your shoulders and everything it touched.

After the fifth boutique in a row on the same street, a comic bookstore stood before you. Surprised but definitely not disappointed, you got closer to see if the store was actually opened or if it was a mere mirage from the heat. Bingo, open. You pushed the door trying to enter, and the heavy weight of the door came as a foreshadowing of the cool temperature finding refuge inside those walls.

As you closed the door behind you and muttered a small “hi” to the workers, the number of comics left you totally aghast. Flabbergasted, even. All over the walls, in big tables at the centre console, everywhere was decorated with some form of art, merch or an actual comic of thousands of different fandoms. Some people were wandering too through the aisles, but you paid no attention to them as you closed on the first cabinet filled to the brim.

Of course, during exam season, you did not have time to indulge in almost any of your niche interests, seeing that you were barely staying awake supported by copious amounts of caffeine. Seeing those shelfs decorated with almost everything you were interested in, you felt incredibly thankful of past you for having saved some cash over the past few months because you were in dire need of some serious credit card damage. Delayed gratification final boss you thought.

You first picked up some small merch of a couple of fandoms you were in for years, moving on to the manga section where you got some special editions they apparently were “only sold on this specific store”. Now the best but most tedious part: scrolling through the actual comic issues.

Thinking if it was actually worth it, you started circling the containers where they were stored, until you found a fandom you were very, very familiar with. Marvel. Ah, nothing like the classics. The selection was huge, classified with some of the most well-known heroes at the forefront. You quickly found the one you were interested in and picked up a rendition of one of the ogs, actually considering whether to buy it or not, when a voice beside you startled you out of your thoughts.

“That new one is really cool, the artists have totally overdone themselves after the shitshow that was the last run. I mean, I don’t want to sound like one of those guys that praise every issue that is released, but it is seriously really well done. In my very humble opinion, uh, of course.”

You turned your head towards the voice, and there stood a tall guy with straight-ish black hair, wearing a brown leather jacket that was way too big on him, as if he borrowed it from someone else, some simple dark wash jeans and a t-shirt of that one character whose logo was plastered on the cover of the issue in your hand.

He began to explain himself, out of fear of looking like a creep (which the situation actually fit the definition of what a creep is): the guy said that he had seen you wandering around the store without paying you any attention until he crossed paths with you on an aisle and saw you were carrying a lot of items from fandoms he was in too, and he mustered enough courage to say hello to you and start a conversation about those.

Despite being caught off guard, you didn’t mind his thoughts about the comic, as you actually haven’t read the last run yet was interested in the newer one. He gave a very simple summary of what was going on after asking how much you knew of the character’s lore, as to not spoil anything, and he didn’t mansplain it to you, which was a nice, refreshing breath of air.

Deciding to buy it, you two made your way through some other aisles while making small talk about the merch you were carrying, until you saw that one Funko Pop the dude on vinted refused to sell to you, and genuinely gasped. You made a bee line for it, plopping it in your arms, and as you turned around, the guy had a confused but not disgusted expression, almost looking amused by the whole ordeal.

Becoming aware of his existence behind you, you sheepishly explained how you hadn’t been able to find this one piece for months to add to your collection, and the vinted ordeal trying to buy it off of some random guy didn’t work either. Laughing about it all, the conversation between both of you flowed as if you knew each other for years and were just catching up.

You made your way for the cash register, and while you were setting down your items, he interrupted:

“Hey, so, and I hope this doesn’t sound weird or intrusive or anything, but I want to pay for the issue I recommended you, if you don’t mind. I had a really good time with you this little while and, um, you’re like, really, really pretty and we have a lot of things in common so far, and… ificouldgetyournunmbertogetacofeesomedaythatwouldbereallygreat.”

The last sentence jumbled up together and he had to repeat himself after you showed no signs of having heard him at all. You debated it internally, and you decided to agree to it after seeing him begin to blush at the top of his nose and picking at the hem of his jacket at the seeming lack of response from you. After all, you haven’t met any of your online friends or mutuals, so what harm could it be to give your number to a guy in person. Quite old-fashioned, you gave him credit mentally.

With a boyish smile, he paid for the issue and the rest of his items (he was carrying a lot of comics, now that you think back about it), and you made your way slowly to the exit and the blazing heat waiting for you outside, trying to drag out the moment when you bath had to part ways.

Sadly, you reached the door and after him opening it for you, you began to go your own way until you realised you didn’t even know his name, and called quickly after him, asking him his identity.

Blushing, again, and tugging at his sleeve, again (those really must be his mannerisms, you thought), he said clearly “I’m Tim, Tim Drake”. Without giving you a chance to reply, he left, but soon after, a ping on your phone let you know that a new number had texted you “hey :)”, interrupting the outro to “Mr. Blue Sky”, one of the songs played during the credits of the movie of the comic Tim bought you.

a/n: totally not self-indulgent lol

[writingdose]

recognizing a writer’s writing style is so intimate actually

[waltzingphantoms]

come and get your love! nerdy! ryomen sukuna in the early morning with reader

A ray of sunshine hit your face as you moved around in bed, trying to remember that one comfortable position you were laying all night in, to no avail. Grumbling nonsense, you started swatting your arm all over the surface of the mattress, looking for what was missing, yet still not fully awake to realise what that was. Giving up with a small grunt, you fell back down with a “oompf”.

A pen scratching. Huh. That should not be a normal thing to wake up to, considering you were sleeping in your dorm you did not share with anyone. You pried one eye open to look at your surroundings, carefully, as if you were about to find a curse or a monster that were ready to attack you at any moment, being fully aware those only existed in movies and whatever form of media desired to include them. However, the sight upon you was much, much better that anything your imagination could have created.

There, on your desk, sitting down on you chair as if it were his, was a shirtless man, also known as your boyfriend, doing God knows what at the crack of dawn. He was shirtless, probably because of that heat wave that hit the region the past few days, and his back tattoos were moving along with the movement of his arms. He was supporting his head with one of his hands, messing around with his pink hair, and the other was writing down something you couldn’t see, as his back was turned towards you.

It came back to you suddenly: last night, he came back after midnight after a long study session at the library and almost passed out from exhaustion had you not forced him to relax and do some self-care before sleeping. And so, as you forced guided him to put on some silly robin sweatpants he had at yours and a pink t-shirt that matched his hair, you made your way to the bathroom.

There, you did your nightly skincare, and he just went along with whatever moisturizer or face cleanser you used on him. It was at that point that he gave up standing like a human being and hugged you from behind so tight that there was barely an inch of space between the two of you. As you swaddled like penguins your way back into the dorm, somehow you managed to give him a yogurt with some granola you had, as to not fall asleep in an empty stomach. You crashed your way into your bed, and fell into a deep, deep slumber soon after, cuddling in some weird position that was too comfortable at the moment but left your limbs aching relentlessly in the morning.

Your memories came to a halt as you hear some soft mumbles that sounded too similar to a song you had been playing nonstop up to the point that Sukuna began to get playfully annoyed when you started singing the beginning melody:

“Hey (hey) nothin' the matter with your head

Baby, find it, come on and find it

Bear with it, baby, 'cause you're fine

And you're mine, and you look so divine”

Had you been more awake, you would have teased him for days, but you could not to anything but to stare at his back as he continued scribbling down something as he muttered the lyrics. It was not until the chorus that you decided to call him out:

“Come and get your love”

He turned back surprised that you were even awake, yet you saw nothing but pure love and devotion in his eyes as you began pestering him with questions about what he was doing at that hour, awake, and sitting at your desk doing some form of project. Resigning with a sigh, he answered patiently every single one of the: he was reviewing an assignment you had mentioned off-handedly that you were worried about, and he did not want to disturb your peace or wake you up, but he also had not realised that he had been singing very, very quietly, which lead to a very embarrassed, 6’4 tank of a man, blushing in your dorm.

Tiredness seeping into your voices, you gently coaxed him back into your bed, trying to get more sleep for the both of you before the cruel and hard world of uni finals started to reclaim back your attention.

a/n: HEAVILY inspired by that one fanart of sukuna studying shirtless on a desk and the concept of nerd! kuna as a whole

[waltzingphantoms]

hi yes i fear I might be in need of fandom recs with a black haired loser to get into after finals thank you very much

[waltzingphantoms]

i can still recall jason todd dancing around with reader on a calm evening

The hot summer breeze felt like fire in your lungs as you struggled to breathe against the heavy pressure lying on top of your chest. Soft 70’s hits were playing in the background, harmonizing with the chirping birds outside your window. The sunset allowed the last bit of sunshine to enter your apartment before the nightfall swallowed all sensations and this seemingly perfect evening would be lost.

Lying near the windowsill in your apartment, it was one of those rare days when you apparently had nothing to do, so you could dedicate it to what you truly desired, so what better than trying to get out of your slump with your comfort poems. Windows wide open, the heat entered inside as if it had a mind of its own and it belonged within the comfort of your own home.

Through that same window entered your boyfriend two hours ago, tired eyes and an even more tired mind, after his own day of running around, making sure everything was safe enough. You worried often, it seemed to be taking a toll on his own mental and physical health, but seeing that sparkle after commenting on something stupid Dick said and the rude comment Damian made after to Tim, or talking about how a kid was lost on Crime Alley and couldn’t find his way back home so he made sure he felt safe until they found his parents; he enjoyed this, who were you to tell him not to keep going.

A book was resting heavy in your hands, one you have read over a million times, spine worn down to a thread, yet still holding up. Something from the romantics, what was once a mild interest became an obsession over the years, Keats and Wordsworth blending into one as you barely registered what you were reading. You had been trying to read the same passage for over an hour, but it was nearly impossible to concentrate on a single task with the ingoing situation inside your apartment.

Fading in and out of a deep slumber, a voice grumbled on your chest, and you laid down the book to pay attention to the words. Something about the song, and how much he liked it. Carefully threading your fingers through his hair, you mumbled in agreement, and he seemed content enough to nuzzle his head into your neck. He was laying down almost on top of you but making sure he did not crush you with his bodyweight. Blissfully mesmerized in the domesticity of it all, the song playing in the background changed.

“Listen, baby. Ain't no mountain high, ain't no valley low.”

Out of nowhere, Jason broke out of his slight slumber and started moving, trying to get up suddenly. Confused by his behaviour, you asked what he was doing, and he only looked at you with a half-smile, stretching out his hand, wordlessly inviting you to get up. You decided to comply, knowing he doesn’t usually play many tricks or jokes, and he pulled you up and out of the windowsill, straight into his arms.

Slightly humming along to the melody, he began swaying you mindlessly all over the apartment, laughing together as you stumbled all over the place, way too caught up in the moment to acknowledging how embarrassing it could have been otherwise.

You returned to the window in the living room, the sun beginning to set, and you mumbled into his chest about how silly that felt, but he still caged you in his arms, almost trying to crush the depression out of you. He looked at you properly for the first time since he took you dancing, the half-smile now a full-blown dopey grin, and he finished mumbling the lyrics to the song. Staring into each other’s eyes, a new song began playing, something by ABBA he loved, but you didn’t even remember the name, to engrossed into the moment as he gave you a kiss, putting into it everything he was feeling in that instant.

Softly singing along to the music, you two made you way into the kitchen, bickering about what to have for dinner (“If I have to keep centring my meals around protein, I swear Jay, I’m going to actually lose my mind. No, I do not want to have steak or beef for the third time this week, thank you very much”). Agreeing on a dish, music still playing, you began cooking, sneaking in a dance step or two in between ingredients.

After you went to bed, you knew that that evening would be one of those you will always recall when someone asked you how your perfect day would end.

a/n: long time reader, first time writer, kinda nervous

[waltzingphantoms]

man fuck this fucking shit i just want to go home and read my fucking fics in peace is that too much to fucking ask