Paycheck raerex
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Am I the only one, who thinks that the scene in Invincible, where Shrinking Rae was eaten alive by that Komodo Dragon guy was directly based on what The Blob did to The Wasp in Ultimatum (aka eating her)?
If that’s the case, then thanks, Rogen and creators of Invincible, for referencing probably the most disturbing scene in comic history!
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“You’ve been a superhero since you were a kid.”
“Yeah, but not like this.”
Commissioned piece by artist Falterview, in which you can view here and find other amazing work.
https://x.com/faulty_view/status/2009976592102273511?s=46&t=AiPDhiN5J24rnWscYQeBOg
Based on my origins fanfic, Shrinking Rae: Growing Pains, which you can read in its entirety here. Perfect if you’re into biotech body horror, small town conspiracies, and found family all wrapped through a teen punk rock aesthetic.
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Working on a new cosplay for Portland Fan Expo, let’s see if I can finish it in 4 days!
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I SHUDDER to think of showing up to rob a house and Shrinking Rae is there to kick my ass.
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Redemption x Repose - Chapter 1 - Leone_Brion - Invincible (Cartoon 2021) [Archive of Our Own]
Chapters:
2/2
Fandom:
Invincible (Cartoon 2021)
Rating:
Mature
Warnings:
Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death
Relationships:
Rex Splode | Rex Sloan/Shrinking Rae | Shrinking Ray
Characters:
Rex Splode | Rex Sloan, Shrinking Rae | Shrinking Ray
Additional Tags:
Romance, Fluff and Angst, Rex Splode Being Rex Splode, Canon Divergence - Additional Character Death, Shakespearean Tragedy, Psychological Trauma, Author tries to be poetic about death and romance, The Invincible War, Hurt No Comfort, Love in Wartime, Mutual Pining, Character Study
Summary:
After the Lizard League attack, Rex struggles with memory gaps and survivor’s guilt, drawn again and again to Rae’s bedside as she fights her own battle to recover. Their shared trauma brings them closer—through quiet conversations, flashbacks, and moments of unexpected comfort.
As the Invincible War erupts, both heroes are thrust back into violence before either can fully heal. Fighting on opposite sides of the city, they each make the same impossible choice: to protect innocent lives at any cost.
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Immortal’s gonna open up his fancy wine cellar ten decades from now to see how everything’s fermenting and grumble, “Rex,” under his breath with disdain (and a bit of nostalgia).
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Shrinking Rae: Growing Pains
Ch. 4-Big Time Small Town Hero
Word Count: 2,424 Words
[[MORE]]While Rachel slept that night, her parents scoured their rooms for equipment, like Ray’s boxing gear and miscellaneous items in the garage, transforming them into an obstacle course for Rae. Debra, on the other hand, looked for her camera and began working on a social media page for Shrinking Rae, seeing the boom happening with the internet. By the time Rachel’s alarm went off, they were just about set, having everything laid out for her.
Ray
“Rae, get up and change, grab a granola, and meet me out back?” Ray nudged Rachel as she groaned out of bed, quickly donning her costume, and met him in the backyard. As Rachel chewed on her bar, her eyes barely adjusted to the morning sun, seeing the backyard filled with shoddily made obstacle courses and various boxing equipment, like a boxing mannequin.
“Today, we’re focusing on timing and speed. You ready?” Ray asked, having a stopwatch, thumb on the button. Rachel did some brief stretches, cracking her neck and knuckles as she leaned forward in a starting position. She stared at the hula hoops modified to various sizes.
“Should be easy.” Rachel thought, cracking a confident smile, as Ray triggered the stopwatch.
“Shrink and grow into the hoops,” Ray commands as Rachel runs into the hoops, shrinking into the small hoops before jumping into the bigger hoop, barely making it to the other side before tripping. Landing on the floor, Rachel groaned as Ray picked her up.
“You need to anticipate your steps before you react. Again.” He instructs, making Rachel go towards the beginning and repeating the process.
Debra
After another grueling day of training, Rachel opened the patio door, frazzled as she reached for a cup of water, sweating profusely. As Rachel sighed, quenching her thirst, Debra came in, ready to train her flexibility.
“Finish your water, we’re gonna work on your stretching,” Debra instructs before taking her to the living room and putting on a yoga DVD. They start by stretching their legs on the floor, with Rachel barely able to reach her toes.
“Come on, you gotta push yourself! Push a little harder!” Debra commands, pressing Rachel’s back forward towards her foot. Rachel winced as she felt herself struggling under the pressure put on her, nearly tearing a muscle.
Drug Bust #2
Rachel took a hit to her face, but she brushed it off, and her vision was blurrier than usual, going off instinct. It had been some time since there was a crime report, just as she was about to celebrate her 10th birthday. Hearing the sharp gun fire, she shrank and lunged towards the nearby guard, grabbing him into a chokehold, straining his throat. His gun goes off, scaring off the other goons trying to avoid being caught in the crossfire. Some of the drugs get destroyed in the process.
“WATCH OUT FOR THE DRUGS, IDIOT!” One of the main goons shouts, seeing the money dwindling in front of his eyes. Rachel grows to normal size to bring the choked goon down before going towards the others, making one trip with a swift left kick. The goons slowly fall, with one of the remaining ducking towards a wall.
“HOW THE HELL ARE WE LOSING TO SOME SHRINKING KID?!?” He thought aloud, hearing the commotion. However, he felt a small thump on his shoulder, with Rachel going into his ear to pull her signature trick.
“You tell me.” She whispered confidently, crawling inside his ear as she made him gag and choke on his vomit. He collapses onto the floor as Rachel crawls out of his mouth, drenched in his saliva, gasping for air. She grows back to normal size, flicking off the residue from her, looking around the room.
“All clear!” Rachel called out as Ray and Debra came out, camera in hand, having taken as many pictures of her as possible.
“Great job, sweetie. Some mistakes, but your take-down technique has gotten better.” Ray notes, writing on a notepad. Debra instructs Rachel to stand by the body and strike a pose. Rachel followed suit, arching herself up as she put her hands on her hips.
“Smile, Rae. And this time, try not to puke.” Debra instructs, as it is a common problem every time Rae pulls that maneuver.
“You kidding, mom, I’ll be-” Before she could even finish, she couldn’t hold it in and hurled onto the floor, lowering her head.
Ray
Rachel lifted her head up from the water, eyes red, gasping and coughing, as Ray pressed his stopwatch. While Rachel adjusted, Ray looked at one of the checks the government had sent them, barely under three hundred.
“Time, 2 minutes and 15 seconds! Just a second over your previous record.” Ray notes.
“That’s good, right?” Rachel asked, fixing herself up.
“Yes, but it can be better. You need to keep practicing if you don’t wanna breathe inside someone. Can’t have you keep puking, Rae. It’s bad for the press.” Ray comments, with Rachel rolling her eyes.
“I can’t help it. It’s so dark, slimy, and smells awful in there.” Rachel complained.
“You’re thirteen now, Rachel. Gotta start growing up. Again.” Ray sternly notes before dunking Rae’s head back into the water for another test run.
Debra
“Do I have to do this?” Rae groaned, wincing as her mother combed her hair vigorously, donned in a green dress at a pageant for super-powered girls.
“Would you rather do another sewer run?” Her mom whispered harshly with a forced smile, with Rae shuddering at the mere thought of that experience, her nose numb for weeks.
“Most girls your age don’t get sponsored. They even sent us a complimentary suit to replace your other one.” Debra lectured about the luxury Rae has as she fixes her makeup.
“I know, it just doesn’t feel right, plus it’s itchy.” Rae looked underneath her dress at her new suit, scratching from the itchy spandex.
“It’s modern.” Debra crooked Rae’s head to her.
“You’re gonna go out there, do a little strut, and prove yourself to them, Rae,” Debra affirmed, placing her hands on Rachel’s shoulders.
“Okay, Mom.” Rachel nods as Debra leads her towards the back of the stage. She can hear a spokesperson introducing her next.
“-Utilizing the latest in Parvulus’ state-of-the-art micro particles, please welcome our very own Shrinking Rae!” The spokesperson announced as Rachel stepped forth into the modeling floor in her poofy dress. She was met with murmurs as she awkwardly walked down before taking a leap forward, shrinking out of the dress and into her black and green suit, striking a “ta-da” pose to the amazement of the crowd.
Unlike her last costume, her suit is made to shrink and grow with her with ease, now wearing a cowl to cover her head and green goggles to give her clearer vision. They were short sleeves, showing off Rachel’s biceps with a sleek “R” on her chest along with some rubber gloves for added protection. Rachel shrank and grew to demonstrate her abilities, posing as the audience cheers her on.
Robbery #3
Rae kicks her feet in the air, being able to flex her legs to knock out the robber.
“Come on, higher, Rae!” Ray muttered outside while Debra was recording with her phone.
Ray
Rachel sweats as she has to diffuse a live bomb, feeling the clock tick down to mere seconds before detonation.
“People are counting on you, Rae!” Ray continued to apply pressure.
Debra
“Can’t we please just have pizza for once?!? It’s my 16th birthday today!” Rachel begged as she was served a small plate of veggies.
“Which is why you need to watch your figure, Rae! Can’t have any noticeable fat sticking out.” Debra points out, with Rachel huffing on the verge of tears as she gets up from the table, losing her appetite.
Mr. Whiskers
Rachel wrestled with an aggressive cat on a tree, getting a few scratches and her hair frazzled.
“Agh, come on!” Rachel muttered, desperately keeping herself stable on the ladder as the cat scratched on her exposed bicep.
“Goddamn it!” Rachel winced as she was finally able to grab hold of the feisty kitty, tossing and turning in her clutches.
“This reward money better be go-.” As she sighed from relief, she barely had time to register that the ladder was leaning back. Rachel tried to stabilize, but the cat jumped back onto the tree, giving Rachel the boot.
“Fuck you, Mr. Whiskers!” Rachel curses out the cat as she falls back, trying to shrink to minimize damage before hitting the pavement.
Crime Bust #4
“I’m so tired.” Rachel thought, lying on the floor, all bruised up and blood trickling down her nose. Her ears were ringing as the bullets ripped through the air, barely able to see through her broken goggles.
“Back to it.” Rachel took a breath, hopping back up and rushing towards the remaining goons. It all became like clockwork for her, despite the crime rate being minimal between her training and actually fighting crime. She shrank down, closing her eyes, and let her instincts do the work as she flew through the air. She could remember the ballet lessons her mother trained her in, able to contort her body with ease. She could hear the ringing metal of a knife flying towards her, growing back in size and grabbing the handle, landing on her knees before sending it back to the goon’s leg. The goon screamed as the knife struck towards his thigh, not noticing Rachel going towards him for a knock-out.
On the car ride home, her parents were ecstatic about Rae’s performance tonight, with her flying in the air, stopping another crime bust, the usual fluff. However, Rachel was numb to the noise, leaning her head on the ice pack her mom had made and closing her bruised eyes.
As Rachel got home, she was all frazzled out from the vigorous training and crime-fighting the night had gotten her. She took off her cowl, letting her hair roam free as she collapsed on the floor from exhaustion.
Debra and Ray
Rachel groaned as she felt something nudging her shoulder, sleeping with her face pressed on the floor, drooling slightly. She barely got an hour and a half of sleep as she slowly adjusted to her surroundings.
“Rae, get up. You’re trending online!” Debra gleefully told Rachel, showing the notifications from the website, despite Rachel barely having her eyes open.
“And there are people who want to speak with you on the news!” Ray chimed in with greater news, with Rachel only groaning in acknowledgement. However, she quickly turned around and sat up, fully digesting the news.
“What?!?” Rachel’s eyes lit open, softly smiling from the news and disbelief.
“In just a little over ten years on the streets, we have our own heroine looking out for the little guy. Locals have come to know her for finding their lost pets, small favors, and eventually stopping gangs and robberies here in the county.” The news reporter announced, walking towards Rachel’s house as Rae in costume jumped and grew onto the frame.
“And here she is now, our Shrinking Rae. So tell us, how did you get your start being a hero?” The reporter asked Rachel as she softly smiled.
“Well, I-“ Before Rachel could deliver an answer, Ray and Debra approached the camera and took over the interview.
“When her shrinking powers kicked in as a child, I scooped her into my hand and said, ‘Rae, you are gonna be the greatest hero in the world! Even more than the Guardians!’ And here she is now, our little small town hero, grown up!” Ray gloats, placing his hands on Rachel’s shoulders, feeling proud and accomplished.
“Since then, we’ve raised her to be the best and to look out for our community, and might I say she’s been doing a great job keeping it crime-free!” Debra notes, hugging Rae, both of them smothering her with their affection and support. Both Rachel and the reporter softly laughed it off. However, Rachel felt a sense of entrapment from her parents but tried not to show it in the interview, awkwardly smiling at the camera.
“Well, there you have it, folks. On the screen below is more info on her various exploits and contact info across social media platforms and on the website-“ As the reporter talked, Rae and her parents cut into the frame once more.
“Shrinkingrae.com! With an ‘e’ at the end!” Her parents yelled out, with Rae cringing as the reporter continued.
“Well, that. This is Channel 6 signing off.” As the news fanfare plays out, the reporter heads back to their news truck, quickly changing their demeanor and making a phone call to an anonymous source. Opening her glove box, she looks to make sure the tied up reporter she had shrunk was still there before closing it.
“Did you get all that?” They asked in a serious tone.
Maryland
“Yes, marvelous performance.” The caller smiled, watching the interview on their small TV. He writes down some notes as he puts on his board. It was messy with red strings pinning all of Rae’s exploits down towards a small town outside of Brooklyn. On the board was also her father, Ray, and the Maryland factory accident from seventeen years ago.
“Should we grab her now?” She asked, grabbing a tranquilizer gun.
“No, we still need to run some tests and move our operation close before we can strike”. He notes, experimenting with a bootleg micro particle from Parvulus’ lab.
“More tests?” The fake reporter asked, as the real reporter in the glove box grows rapidly back to normal size. They tried to attack but were shot with a tranquilizer gun.
“Yes, more tests. Meet at the rendezvous, the rest of the team will meet you there,” The caller reaffirms, sighing from the failure.
“And the hostage?”
“Bring her in. We could always use another test subject.” He shrugs, thinking little of it. Reaching for his coffee, he made his way to another room, looking at his small crew tinkering in their small lab. They had a handful of subjects to test on, applying a gel that caused different body parts to shrink and grow at a painful rate. Others were moving equipment away into a moving truck, including a green prototype supersuit into a box.
“When the time comes, she’s gonna be our way back to the top.” He smiled, drinking from a cup engraved with a rusted “MicrOrganics” logo.
Up next: Rachel meets with an anonymous tip.
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Ranking chances of surviving invincible characters
Shrinking Rae: Imma touch her inappropriately. Just to let her know she’s still a little guy
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Shrinking Rae and Failure
It’s really sad that Shrinking Rae’s character as a whole is defined by the failures in her life. Whether it be her infamous near death of being eaten and crushed inside Komodo to her brief doomed fling with Rex, she can’t seem to catch a break. Like her one signature move worked against her and nearly costed her life, with Rex even cheering her on only to succumb to the pressure.
Even the slight hints of her childhood, from her vigorous training from her parents, strict diets, and isolated as the only hero from a 200 mile radius, the world was too big and she is simply too small.
Despite the hardship, she is still a competent member to her peers, surviving her comic death, ready to fight alongside them and embraces the companionship. Even when she was ready to quit being a hero, she still suits up during The Invincible War alongside Rex, no questions asked. I like to think she helped with recovery and street level fights.
I hope we get to see her grow past the tragedies and become her own person outside of her failed experiences. Poor girl endured so much and needs time to breathe.
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Excerpt from “Helping Help” chapter from my Shrinking Rae: Growing Pains fanfic
Fanart by Nozora
[[MORE]]“Do you want some leftovers?” Shirley asked, seeing how hungry Rachel was.
The two ate some leftover pizza from the lounge, bringing it to their room. She puts on a cartoon movie of her dolls to introduce Rachel to the characters. This one was about a girl trying to find her parents in a fairy-like setting. While Shirley ate her slice, she subtly observed Rachel’s response, being glued to the screen and gorging on the pizza. Rachel felt guilty eating past her deadline, but she felt a sense of satisfaction as the cheesy slices filled her stomach.
The film reached its climax, with the fairy girl reuniting with her parents, embracing each other in a hug and positive affirmations of their love. Although Shirley watched this film multiple times, Rachel froze out of instinct, eyes watery and shaking. Rachel sniffled a little, her breaths stifled, and her mouth quivering.
She didn’t know why she was crying, but the movie triggered something inside that she had been bottling up, unable to seal it back. Rachel’s tears stained her suit, her body shaking, feeling herself shrinking and growing out of instinct. Shirley didn’t know what to say or do, but leaned towards Rachel to give her a tight hug. Rachel stabilizes, letting the emotions take the lead as she holds onto Shirley’s hand for support.
A few hours had passed since the movie, with Shirley and Rachel sleeping in bed. Shirley was underneath the covers while Rachel was over them, holding onto her to help with their nightmares. They didn’t talk much else after Rachel’s emotional episode. However, Rachel felt a bit of catharsis letting all of that out after bottling it up for years. Despite the day she had at school and getting hurt sneaking in, Rachel was glad to have spent some time with Shirley, something she had missed in her static childhood.
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Back to Me | Side B
Shrinking Rae x F!Reader (Part 2)
Summary: You visit your best friend Rae in the hospital after the Lizard League incident and recount memories and events leading up to your falling out; bringing up unanswered feelings and confusion.
TW: descriptions of a hospital, wuhluhwuh, feelings, specific feeling of falling in love with you best friend, and shes in love with you too, but you never talk about it. Explicit depictions of death!!
A/N: Thank you to @splodencible for pushing me to continue writing this. This is part 2 (side B). Thank you also to everyone who read the first part! ♡ Also, I couldnt figure out the images this time so I’m sorry they’re huge!!
[[MORE]]The silence is deafening, unusual for the two of you who’ve known each other for years. There was never anything you couldn’t talk about, but tonight was different; neither of you could find any words. When Rae texted you to pick her up at the HQ urgently in the middle of the night, you didn’t expect to be sitting in your car with tension so thick you could cut it with a knife, and Rae picking at her nail polish.
The rain falls on your car windows, casting shadows on the two of you. After a long while, Rae finally breaks the silence “I’m getting to the point in my life now, that I’m regretting every decision I’ve ever made…” she’s looking down at her lap, nervous. “Rae-” she cuts you off. “I’m so tired of being a tool for the GDA to use. I’m ready to step away and live my own life.” Her hand reaches out for your face, pulling you in close to her: unbearably close. It takes too much courage and way too much strength, not to lean into her.
You can’t.
“I’ve made so many mistakes, I don’t want to make this one too” Rae’s gaze into your eyes is piercing, and you can’t help but stare deeply into hers too. Her grasp on your cheek is soft, and her warmth is the kind of thing you need on a cold night like this.
Her lips part,
You lean in.
You shouldn’t.
You turn your head and attention to the street. The city lights are bright, and the rain pounds on your windshield, like drums, or your heartbeat. You couldn’t quite tell the difference between them and the tears welling up in your eyes. “Rachel, I-” tell her you love her “We’re too old for this” fucking idiot. You didn’t mean to say it, not in that tone, not in that way.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?!” her voice, almost cracking, brings your gaze back towards her. You reach out to grab her hand, but she hastily pulls away, “wait, this was a mistake-” you plead. “‘Sure as hell is”, Rae responds coldly. Before you could even mutter another word in, she’s out the door and into the rain: leaving you alone in the cold.
You’re really small now.
You hold Rae’s hand softly in yours, taking a good look at your work on her nails, the machine beeps; perhaps just a tiny bit faster than before. You pay it no mind. “Really. What I meant to say was…” You take in a deep breath, collecting pieces of the memory, basking in its warmth. Rae’s hand twitches in yours.
It is hot, the sun is burning your skin, and sweat is balling up under your chest. Shoulders are bumping against you as you push your way in between. A dull soreness settles in your cheeks as the muscle is pushed from by your grin and pulled by your eyes; shut so tight it hurts. It’s just her giggles and yours that you can focus on as she pulls you towards who knows where.
Your idea of celebrating Rae’s birthday was an escape to the fair. Ever since Rae discovered she could shrink, her training was scrutinizing, and you two barely had time to hang out anymore, let alone see each other at school. The scorching sun on your skin makes you rethink your whole plan, but being with her makes the sunburn worthwhile.
“Keep your eyes closed!” The bustling crowd closing in on you is loud, but her voice trumps over them all.
You squeeze your eyes tighter, your face is aching, “I am!”. It feels like the crowd is clearing. Rae’s grasp on your wrist is loosening, so you hold onto her like a lifeline.
She came to a halt so fast that you couldn’t stop your momentum. You trip, she catches you, and her hands make its way to your face, covering your eyes. You can finally relax your face, breathing hard to regain your composure. There doesn’t seem to be that big of a crowd here. You can freely hold your arms out, attempting to grasp Rae’s again. “Are you ready?” her voice is right behind you. Her hands loosen around your eyes “tada!”.
It’s a wedding booth. Suddenly, your heart is in your throat, and a cold chill runs down your arms. She grabs hold of you when she notices.
“Rachel?” You look at her, looking for answers behind her glasses. Her beaming smile almost falters as she notices your nervousness, but quickly replaces it with a soft and warm hearty one, “what’s wrong?” she asks, saying your name. A small quiver forms around her lips as she so desperately attempts to hide her growing embarrassment.
It’s warm. Not the sun, but your face.
“Nothing, nothing’s wrong!” You wave your hands, coming close to hug her tight.
This is your bestest friend, but you can’t help but wonder if she feels nervous around you, like you do around her.
“Come on, let’s do this! We never want to be too old.” You say as you pull her towards the booth, mustering up all the courage you have to talk to the man operating it.
That day, you got “married” to your best friend, with matching candy rings and all. There weren’t two ‘Mrs.’ signs available, so you’d settled for a ‘Mr.’. You’d both vowed to be together for life until the very end. It might not have been official, but something changed between the two of you that day.
“What I meant to say was…” you let go of her hand, “we’re a little too old for regrets now” The machine beeps noticeably faster, almost concerningly. You swear you see her move her eyes. Her mouth parts, almost as if to say something, taking in a deep, creaking, haunting breath as she does.
This doesn’t feel right.
The beeping picks up.
“When we stopped talking, Rachel… I lost a piece of myself. It never sat right with me how we left things.” Your words feel thick, like glue, stuck in your throat. Your hands are cold, so you reach out for hers.
But hers are cold too.
She doesn’t have any expression on her face. She’s still, with her mouth agape. She takes another shaky breath.
You take her hand closer to your mouth, breathe hot air on her, and rub it between your palms. “I came by the HQ later that night.” You scoff at yourself, “you know which” you pause, and gulp “I was scared to admit I lo-”
The machine kicks in, the constant beeping you’d chosen to ignore is deafening, and now accompanied by a loud screeching alarm.
Rae takes another labored breath in: scratchy, painful, rattling. Her mouth hangs, and her eyes shoot open.
“Rachel?” You barely muttered, not even a whisper. Your throat has gone dry, and a wave of horror washes over you. Your face is cold, but your cheeks feel hot. Your palms are freezing, but they’re sweating.
Nurses start piling into the room. Crowding over Rae’s bed.
You swear, you see her convulsing.
“We need you to step outside now, please.” A nurse pulls you aside, blocking your view from Rae. You’re speechless. All you could muster is a soft “no”. Your legs feel like they have no bone left in them. Your spine feels like it could collapse. All you could do is shake your head no as your vision blurs with tears: mouthing “no” like a prayer.
They pull you away, and you have no fight in you to resist.
The beeping slows,
Your memories wash over you.
The machine slows,
And each unbroken promise is left abandoned.
The doors close in front of you,
And Rae flatlines.
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A/N: I hope I didn’t traumatize yall too much! The wedding booth scene was almost supposed to be completely scrapped, this is something probably more prevalent in my culture than most? When I was in elementary school, we used to have wedding booths on campus every time there was a fair ♡♡
Tag: @toxicrelief