#⚡late night lightning

[lazyjellyfish300]

lightning strikes twice 🖤⚡🎲

Synopsis: it all began with meeting Nanami Kento at a ruined MCR concert one night in Vegas that was as fleeting as it was passionate. But, sometimes fate has a funny way of repeating itself when he shows up as your blind date years later.

words: 11.8k

CW: x FEM! READER, READER IS SHORTER THAN KENTO WHO IS 6'0 AND HAS CURVES. College age emo!Kento, Post Shibuya scarred!Kento, SMUT(69, virginity loss(kento), protected p in v, elevator makeout), READER HAS SOCIAL ANXIETY, DRUNKENESS, ALCOHOL, SMOKING, ANGST, FLUFF.

a/n: written for @thesoftuglywrites for @unintentionalseductress blind date valentine's event. I profusely apologize for being late again.😭😭 I hope this is worth it!! 🫶🏽 I have two versions, this is the more general reader version and then there's the oc reader version based on your description.

No need to read both if you don't want to but I thought I'd include them both just in case. 🙂‍↕️Thank you so much for having me & reading in advance. 💕 dividers by @/saradika-graphics pics from Pinterest. My emo!Nanami inspiration as always: @actuallysaiyan.

@ambiguouslady42

Can lightning strike twice? Can the same piece of Earth be hit in such perfect succession as no coincidence of nature? Is such a formidable force destined to repeat itself despite the miracle of happening in the first place?

It is a rare occurrence, you would guess, and that is what many scientists would tell you. So, how can it be, as you stare, dumbfounded at the man across from you on a night like tonight, so similar to one you encountered him years earlier?

A face you knew once, intimately, similar, but the full weight of the time that had passed between you slowly became realized the longer you stare at one another, almost like he’s brand new.

A moment back then that was just like this one. A second strike of lighting landing directly in the same spot.

Maybe it can after all.

—---

Years earlier

It was spring break. When the temperature warmed up and the sun stayed in the sky a little bit longer. That trademark feeling of youth crept in the breeze that blew in your hair that felt like freedom with the weight of academics temporarily forgotten. You slowly worked up the bravery to take advantage of it while it lasted after a long, lonely winter of being frozen and cooped up in the same place.

That's how you found yourself on a plane to Las Vegas with a bunch of friends with unwise decisions brewing and holes burning in your pockets.

Every cell in your body was telling you that this was a bad idea. Normally the idea of going out would make your skin crawl and fill you with the exhaustion of running a marathon before you even stepped out of the house.

But FOMO would be an even more difficult force to contend with. Add the fact that My Chemical Romance was playing in Vegas, and that feeling tripled until you had no choice but to cave in and get through the vacation to the best of your ability.

As you got ready with your friends in your hotel room and jumped into the Uber, you prayed for the best and plastered on your best fake-it-til-you make-it-mask that you prayed would last the entire evening.

—-

Kento feels massively out of place in this endless sea of people. Doing his best to not let his attention linger on the strong stench of body odor, cheap liquor, and perfume, he absentmindedly bounced his knee as he surveyed the area around him, wondering how much longer he'd have to put up with the crowd before the show would finally begin.

This had all been Satoru’s idea, spending spring break in Sin City. He and Suguru were attached at the hip, of course, while Shoko and Utahime were in some kind of their own secret club, leaving him the odd man out. The fact that MCR was one of his favorite artists of all time was about the only factor keeping him here, aside from the unfortunate fact that he was effectively trapped since they were his ride.

“Nanamiii-PSSTT!”

Kento's eyes widened as he watched Satoru and Suguru roll like secret agents underneath the red ropes to the VIP section while Utahime giggled and looked around, holding them up as Shoko slid through, before following after.

“You've got to be fucking kidding me…” Kento grumbled and felt his stomach turn, looking quickly both ways to make sure the coast was clear before darting in as well before he could be seen.

—

It feels like an eternity that you've been standing in this same spot. You're excited for the show, but you were slowly being put to the test the longer you stood packed in like a sardine in an overheated and very loud tin can. Your friends are chatty with excitement due to the anticipation as well as the alcohol they snuck in, too preoccupied with taking selfies to notice your building distress.

As your social battery rapidly depleted, you feel yourself start to go nonverbal as you began envisioning how much better the air conditioned hotel room with some greasy food and a good nap sounds, and a sense of dread settles in your body because you don't want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to see MCR in all of their glory live.

“Give me one of those.”

You order one of your friends to hand you a mini bottle of Crown Whiskey, and they cheer you on as they watch you throw it back. The alcohol leaves a trail of fire down your throat and your body feels tingly, warm, and numb as it begins to work its impairing magic.

“Girl! This way!” Your friends call for you as they begin disappearing in a mischievous chain inside a random opening in the crowd.

Eyes watery, you grab the clammy hand of your friend who's bringing up the caboose right before she's lost in the crowd, letting them drag you to who knows where without a word of protest.

—--

Shit…oh, shit.

Coming to the realization that you and your friends illegally infiltrated the VIP mosh pit is not one you want to make while you're becoming more and more intoxicated. Judgement blurry, mind in a boozy haze where you couldn't think straight, you toss back one more mini bottle and that's when you clap eyes on each other.

“Sorry.” Kento mumbles as he feels himself stumble backwards into someone, and turns his head momentarily in half-hearted acknowledgement. He does a double take, and his pupils almost comically enlarge as the fact that the person he stumbled into isn't just some forgettable stranger, but a rather beautiful one, smacks him in the face.

The way that surprise was worn on your face as a sweeping dash of warmth spread across it that only complimented the sheen of the glow on your skin that was brought out by the stage lights, the way your hair fell around your face like petals framing the exquisite flower in the middle.

But, most of all, your eyes, the roaring depth of your irises echoed the other ethereal qualities about you that vacated his brain of all trains of thought like a vacuum of space.

An unexplainable force of nature that can only be likened to that first strike of lighting that smites him where he stands and his lips part a little.

The force does not go unexperienced by you, either. He's tall, and slightly lanky with skinny jeans and a black concert t-shirt to match. He has silky blonde locks with bangs that fall in his face that slightly cover one of his eyes that are subtly traced in eyeliner just around the edges that makes them pop. His gaze is gentle, contrasted with eyes an intense shade of amber brown like pools of darkened honey. He emitted an aura that was shy, reserved, and awkward even.

In a nutshell, he was absolutely perfect.

“Sorry,” he murmured again, the tips of his ears turning pink.

“It’s okay.” You reassure him. The alcohol has gone to your head, making you uncharacteristically chatty. “What's your name?”

The pink spreads to his cheeks as he leans in again for you to repeat your question over the noise in the venue. ���Hmm?”

“What's your name?” You repeat closer to his ear.

“Kento.” He answers you, a little louder.

You beam, and that first glint of your smile sends a shudder through him. You were trouble.

“Yours?” He asks, since it was only the polite thing to do.

You give him your name and then more questions slip out from your loosened barrier. “Where are you from?”

“Japan.” He answers. “Japan.” He repeats when you lean in to hear him better.

“No way?” You answer, an incredulous look on your face as you gave him another disarming smile. “Spring break as well?”

“Yeah.” He nods in the opposite direction. “I'm here with some friends.”

“You seem like you don't belong here either.” You tell him.

He can't contain his blush yet again and shrugs as though you saw right through him. “Big crowds aren't really my scene.” He pauses, slightly at ease by your statement. “Not yours either?”

You shake your head profusely, grinning as you fan yourself a bit with your hand. “Fuck no. I'm trying to fight the urge to get out of here.”

The corner of Kento's mouth twitches a little in sympathy. “I hear you on that.”

The silence lingers between you for a moment, but neither of you want the conversation to die just yet.

“I’d stay if I were you, since you probably spent a lot on a VIP ticket. I would imagine.’ He adds quickly, not trying to appear as though he was prying in his statement.

You throw your head back and laugh. “Uhm, I didn't, actually.” You lean in to divulge your secret. “Technically, I'm not really supposed to be in here, sooo…” You nod in the direction of security.

“Ha, me neither.” Kento confesses with a chuckle.

“Hey, I won't say anything if you don't.”

Kento looks down as you offer him your hand, blush appearing yet again on his face as he accepts in a clammy handshake. “Deal.”

The lights go out and deafening screams echo throughout the venue as fog fills the stage. The crowd surges forward and you and Kento cling onto each other as it sweeps you up like a treacherous wave. The drums pound in your ears as Helena starts to play.

You can't help the butterflies that erupt all over your body as you're thrust into Kento's space and he can't either. But, right now as the music plays, you figure you'll just blame the lack of distance between you on the crowd.

You both bob your heads as you sing every word. You sneak glances of one another every so often, looking over at him, carefree and the most bubbly state you've seen him in all night as the lyrics you both know and love tumble out like muscle memory, broadcasting that gorgeous elusive smile of his that he tried so hard to hide in the beginning.

He also looks over at you, lost in the music with your eyes closed, hands in the air as you move to the beat. You both might still be considered strangers, but he can't help but feel like whatever connection that was drawing you to him ran much deeper than just passing acquaintances at a concert. Even though you were shy, your disposition was sunny and kind, almost like someone he used to know.

You trade small talk where you can between songs. Slowly, you piece together that he's also in college, loves the same music as you do, although you both would much rather stay in the comfort of your rooms and not leave the house.

It's almost uncanny, you think to yourself when he reveals that he also adores reading, though he'd rather opt for historical fiction or classic literature as opposed to your preference for fantasy. Though, he hates to admit, some of the romance isn't all that bad.

About halfway through, your view gets a bit obstructed by some taller attendees that stand in front of you. Kento clears his throat, wondering if he should say something, his fists growing sweaty again as he wrestles with how to breach the silence.

“Oop, my bad.” You giggle and he goes breathless for a moment as you use him as a wall to lean against as you try to stand on tiptoe in vain.

“Need a boost?” He asks shyly, nodding in the direction of the stage.

Warmth spreads through your body when you realize what he's asking. “Oh no, no I couldn’t.”

“I insist.” He nods.

“I don't wanna crush you!” You mouth to him over another roar of the crowd.

“You won't.” He answers assuredly, scooping you closer without a second thought. He stands you in front of him, slotting you between his legs, letting you balance your heels on his feet as a built-in chair, enabling you to see much better from where he's standing.

For someone who was a bit lanky, he's actually quite solid, and he smells intoxicating, a new brand of electricity ebbing and flowing between you as you adjust to this closeness to each other in which your personal space has all but disappeared.

Kento's face burns with a fever, but it dissolves into relief when you're finally in his proximity. A feeling of protectiveness fills him from the warmth you emitted from standing so close, the very faint waft of your floral shampoo that still lingered in your hair.

“Hey!”

Dread seeps in both your expressions as you realize you're right next to security and not wearing VIP wristbands.

“Run.” You mutter to him and before you know it, you're darting through the crowd propelled by nothing but pure adrenaline and the impaired judgement of alcohol coursing through your veins.

“Oh shit!” Kento curses but has no option but to follow after you, his own adrenaline banishing all rational thoughts for the time being as you both bobbed, ducked, and weaved through the crowd like a sweaty obstacle course of chaos until you make it to the finish line.

“And don't come back!!” The head of security shouts as you make your great escape into the night.

You both stumble onto the street, panting and breathing heavily as your heartbeats slowly return to normal.

He looks at you and you can't help but burst into raucous laughter, holding your sides as you felt like they were being split open.

“What's so funny?” He huffs but he can't help his own fit of giggles that slowly overtake him. The sound of your laughter was funnier than the non-existent punchline, and soon you both have tears leaking out of your eyes and sore ab muscles as you laugh together in disbelief.

“I'm sorry.” You sigh, throwing your head back as you dab your eyes with the back of your hand. “I just, that shit was unbelievable… You should've seen the look on their face.”

“I didn't.” Kento scoffs ruffling his hair. “Because you practically yanked my fucking arm off.”

You seize in a fit of laughter again and he shakes his head.

“Okay, okay, I'm sorry.” You take a deep breath. “Really I am, cause I fucked up our night.”

“You think?” Kento asks you in mock disbelief.

“Okay, okay, now I really do feel bad.” You kick a pebble, trying to wrack your brain for ideas.

Kento shrugs. “It's alright, I guess.” He thinks for a moment then shrugs again. “Wouldn't be the worst night I've ever had.”

“Yeah, what was that?” You ask, curiosity piqued.

Kento pauses as he recalls his past night-outs gone wrong, but then lingers on the haunting memory of his true answer, cold walls of the morgue and a stale smell under his nose, a wet towel splayed across his forehead.

“Never mind, don't answer that.” You raise a hand as you sense his mind traveling somewhere far off, and he nods quickly in agreement, shaking himself out of that dark place.

“Hmmmmm…” you tap your chin as Kento retrieves a cigarette from his pocket, cursing when he can't find his lighter Suguru must have taken for the umpteenth time.

“Got a light?” He asks.

“Yeah I got you.” You take out a purple one from your bra cup, and Kento does his very best to ignore how warm it still was as you hand it to him.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.” You reply with a thoughtful hum. “Well, there's always Fremont Street.”

Kento exhales a plume of smoke, and you do your best to hold his gaze, knees growing a little weak at how handsome he looked with the clouds of smoke around his honey eyes, cigarette balanced between two long, dexterous fingers.

“Fremont Street?”

“Yeah, I hear there's usually lots going on. We could wander, get some drinks. On me, of course, because I fucked up our concert.”

Kento shakes his head. “I can't ask you to spend money on me.”

“I insist! It's no big deal, really.” You state firmly, hoping he’d cave in. “Let me make this up to you so your trip to Vegas doesn't suck entirely.”

“Hm.” He pauses, looking around. Part of him was simply still in shock that someone as pretty as you took such an interest in someone as awkward and shy as him. Were you still tipsy from earlier?

“What about your friends?”

You sigh and shrug. “They'll be fine. To tell you the truth, they probably didn't even notice I was gone.”

Kento extinguished his cigarette against the side of the building, nodding in solemn solidarity before tossing it into a nearby receptacle. “Me neither, if I'm being honest.”

A part of your heart pangs a little with sadness at this revelation from him. How could anyone not find someone like him as a person they'd want to be around all the time? Besides, this whole situation was crazy and a little reckless, spending an evening in Vegas with some guy you barely know. But somehow, in its own odd, messed up, and chaotic way, it makes more sense to you than anything you've done on this entire trip.

“So, Fremont?”

That glimmer in your eye was so enticing, the spring breeze blowing wisps of your hair under the flashing neons. Was he really about to spend his last night in Vegas with some gorgeous stranger?

Well you know what they say: What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

“Fremont it is.” He agrees with a hopeful smile.

—-

Fremont Street, like the rest of the city, is alive as ever.

Flashy animated graphics illuminate the ceiling of the street experience, with cartoon bunnies and brightly colored flowers dancing across it in a hypnotizing light show in the spirit of the incoming Easter holiday in America. People mosey past, many of them intoxicated, with boisterous laughter and drunken yells. Street performers line the open space: contortionists, musicians, magicians, and scantily clad show girls with almost nothing left to the imagination.

There are several stages playing live music, small audiences built up around them while some patrons hollered and raised their glasses from their patio tables of the numerous outdoor restaurants and bars, a mixture of tobacco,marijuana smoke, and opulent lights pouring out of the open casino doors on every corner.

You and Kento stand there, mouths agape, fascinated by the display as you observe and take it all in for a few moments. You spy a vendor who sells frozen fruity alcohol slushies that come in the outrageously tall plastic cups and your mouth waters.

“Want a drink?” You nudge Kento and he looks where you're focused, his eyes lighting up at the fruity concoctions.

“Y-Yeah, let's do it.”

—

Kento feels like a kid in a candy store as he walks the street with you, peering into the numerous gift shops as he sipped his piña colada and mango tequila slush with a curly straw as he watched you sip yours(paid for him despite your protestations), unknowingly endearing yourself to him by the minute as the slush turned your lips and tongue red.

It was a feeling of being carefree that he hadn't felt in so long, something he only got to experience in fleeting doses ever since he started school at Jujutsu High and he had to take on more responsibility than the average person at his age.

And that happiness became all but foreign to him ever since tragedy struck a few years ago and he had to eventually start college, barely moving forward while his mind still lingered in that dark space. But here, in the flashing city lights of Vegas, somehow you make it all vanish.

He's ripped out of his thoughts as you hold up matching I love Vegas hoodies.

“Can we get 'em, Ken, please?”

And who is he to say anything but yes to any silly, wild demand you make of him tonight?

Maybe except to going on the zipline.

—

“No way.” He shakes his head as you stand in front of the large marquee that read: “Slotzilla” in green letters. “There's no way that we're doing this.”

“You scared?” You ask him, voice playfully laced in a teasing taunt. The alcohol was working both of you into a pleasant buzz, but such a proposal was crazy enough to make even Kento think rationally for a moment.

“I'm not scared. I just think you're bluffing.” Kento folds his arms defensively.

“But it's Spring Break.” You answer, and you can't deny there's just a tiny shiver of fear that pulls at you as you look up at the riders flying by above your heads on the ceiling, taking in how high up you'd really be.

There's no denying the booze was turning you into a whole different main character tonight, but by God if you'll let anything else ruin this vacation for you after you fucked up the MCR concert for both you and Kento.

“I'm sure. C'mon, let's do it once, just so we can say that we did it and we'll never do it again.”

Kento swallows, keeping his eyes on the towering zipline.

“Together?” You ask, offering him your outstretched hand. His expression is reluctant at first but a grin of mischief spreads across his lips as he accepts his fate with a solemn sigh.

“Together.”

—-

“Allllright, you'll wanna stand right here where my foot is, yep, right there in front of the sign so we can take a picture of you and your girlfriend.”

The attraction worker moves Kento right next to you. Butterflies fill your stomach first as he wraps an arm around your waist, and his second when you lean into him with your hands on his chest, even more so when you don't correct the worker at all when she refers to you as Kento's girlfriend.

“Cuteeee!” The worker beams and snaps a photo of you, and you can't resist pulling one another even closer so your arms are wrapped around his neck and his hold around you is even tighter, with his chin leaning against your forehead as you posed for a few more shots.

Soon, you and him are bobbing in midair, lightly suspended over the platform in your respective harnesses, hands still intertwined as your hearts raced in mutual anticipation for the go ahead.

“Last chance to back out.” You grin, giving his hand a squeeze.

“No way. You wish.” Kento huffs returning with a squeeze of his own. “I'm all in.”

“Okayyy lovebirds, you're gonna have to let go of each other's hand for just a moment. I know, ugh.” The worker announces over the loudspeaker.

You both give each other bashful looks as you let go, and speed off down the ziplines.

The flashing lights blur past your vision as you become weightless, gliding and flying across the dome of Fremont Street, wind in your hair as the air of the nighttime floods your senses, a wave of adrenaline that bleeds into a fleeting glimpse of eternity as you watch Kento, beaming wildly with freedom as you two zip across the buzzing street below.

“I'm flying!!! Whooooo!!” You cheer with elation and Kento giggles beside you, going breathless for a moment, the cause he can't trace exactly to the adrenaline, or to how stunning you look in this moment, just like the one at the concert, where every answer to every question he's ever had somehow lies in those bewitching eyes, sealed permanently in your lips that bore solutions to his every problem.

As you both come to a halt and catch your breaths as you walk down the stairs and back onto the street, you can't help but feel closer than ever as you walk hand in hand, as though you've been doing this for ages long before tonight.

“I'm hungry.” You state as you both come to a stop in the middle of the street.

“Hmm…” Kento can't deny the rumble in his stomach either, his eyes perusing the choices available until they land on a neon orange sign. “How about some White Castle?”

“Yes pleaseee.” And he beams as you both follow the trail of the distant smell of fresh french fries.

—-

Soon you're sitting across from each other in the burger joint, splitting a sleeve of mini cheeseburger sliders and some freshly salted crinkle cut fries, feet touching under the table, sharing some more meaningful conversation about the latest anime you're both into, sipping sodas until you've eaten so much you can barely move.

—--

The night feels like it's winding down a bit, but the tension has only amped up to undeniable levels. It almost hangs in a cloud around your heads, as you walk to a less busy corner and stop to stand in front of one another, too afraid to confront the obvious question about how it would end.

“Well then.” You sigh and Kento puts his hands in his pockets, nervously fiddling with the pack of cigarettes. “I um…I should probably be getting back.”

Kento can't deny the wave of disappointment he feels, but he clears his throat in a weak effort to keep it from showing on his face.

“Yeah, of course.” It was foolish of him and kind of a douchebag move after all to assume you would want to go back to his hotel room, despite this accumulation of events tonight that makes him feel like he's known you for much longer.

“But, I could make a detour…” You give him a shy smile and he can't stop the disappointment from turning into obvious excitement on his face.

“Really?”

God, he was adorable without even trying.

“Of course.” You smile as the spaces between his fingers find their way between yours. “I'm okay with it if you are.”

Kento swallows. It's probably a horrible time to drop the very teensy but extremely important tidbit about him that he's actually a virgin. But, he doesn't want to let this opportunity to spend more time with you slip him by. The reality that you'd have to go back to your separate lives tomorrow was one that he'd just have to contend with in the morning.

“Definitely, let's go.”

—--

The Uber ride feels like an eternity as you sit in the backseat, thigh to thigh. The intoxication from the alcohol earlier has now been replaced with intoxication of the late hour, and the tensions that were at a boiling point and threatening to spill over with the implications of what would happen when you got to his hotel room.

His lips part softly, pretending to stare ahead as he realizes the circles you're drawing on his thigh are brushing dangerously closer to a spot he really wants them to go.

You lean in, pressing your lips to the vein in his neck as your pinky meets the inside of his thigh, and he has to clench his fists and bite back a sigh when you run the expanse of your palm over the outline where his cock throbs under the fabric.

He pulls you out of the Uber with an urgency you hadn't seen all night, a smirk on his lips as he leads you to the elevator, almost as though he was stirring up a plan for revenge for all the teasing you did in the backseat.

But, it seems you're both on the same page. As soon as the doors close, you pounce on one another immediately, a passionate meeting of lips and soft groans, and hands sneaking under clothes as you grabbed and stroked one another as though the closeness alone wasn’t enough to sustain you, and you had to consume one another to get some semblance of completeness.

The taste of his lips surpassed anything you could have expected. They were soft and messy, with just a bite of chill lingering on them from the cold of outside you just emerged from. His mouth is so addictingly sweet, a mixture of the tobacco he smoked, and the lingering pineapple and tequila as you kiss one another deeply in the ascending elevator.

You taste just as perfect, he thinks. Your lips are still laden with the subtle gleam from your chapstick, the sweetness from your drink intermingled with the promise of so many possibilities, like stepping into the sun after years of living in a world where it hid behind unmoving clouds of grey, the smoothness of your skin and how it seemed to melt into silk underneath his touch, his mind slowly going delirious until nothing but you occupied it, doing his best to use what little function he had left to take a mental picture he could retrieve at a later time before it slipped away from his grasp.

“Kento, put your hands on me…” you pant, bringing his hands higher up under your shirt until they reached your breasts.

“Oh God…”

He groans at this permission as he feels your nipples harden and pebble. He watches your back arch responsively to his own doing, almost going faint from the heat of it all whose intensity that he had never encountered before, before he goes back to concentrating on kissing you while carefully kneading your breasts.

You notice the walls of the elevator are mirrors, and you feel your descent into lustful arousal needlessly deepen as you open your eyes intermittently during this heated makeout session, observing how far gone he was to the throes passion with his eyes closed and a look of pleasure spreading quickly across his face, this normally shy and quiet guy you met hours earlier as he allowed you to peel back all his layers, revealing how pent up and aching for you he really was.

The doors open with a ding and you almost topple over on each other when a stunned older couple is standing there, shell-shocked. The shade of red he turns is deeper than a tomato, and you both sweat profusely, doing your best to revert to normal, though both of your disheveled appearances aren't fooling anyone.

The woman is clutching her pearls, averting her eyes with a disapproving tsk of her teeth and grumbling under her breath. The man gives Kento a sneaky pat on the back and a thumbs up as they shuffle into the elevator and close the doors behind them.

“What just happened?” You ask, out of breath as you make the walk of shame hand in hand down the hall to Kento's hotel room.

Kento dismisses the humiliation of the incident that was still fresh in his mind, and he wraps an arm around your waist, turning a bright shade of cherry yet again. “Umm, let's just forget about it.”

“Good idea.” You chuckle.

—

You splash a bit of water on your face, staring at yourself in the fluorescents of the hotel bathroom while he waits outside.

You tapped your fingers on the granite countertop, shaking your head as you stressed over your hair, a bit mortified that you were in this less than ideal state for the majority of the evening, trying your best to fix it.

Somehow, you could deal with your fears of being in public, talking to this handsome stranger, yeeting yourself across a zipline over a hundred feet in the air, and making out with him in an elevator. But ironically, this was by far the scariest thing you were up against all night long.

Finally, you gain some semblance of a grip, and take a deep breath.

“Don't be a coward.” You mutter to yourself as you slowly consolidate whatever scrape of bravery remains.

—-

Kento bounces his knee, staring at his faint reflection in the black TV screen, almost jumping when you open the door.

You ditched your jacket, he notices, as you slowly make your way towards him, the shadows of your curves being hugged in all the right places in the dim light of the lamp on his nightstand. He swallows as he lets his eyes roam, mouth watering as his lips long to be on yours again.

“Hi.” You smile timidly, coming to a stop in front of him, standing between his thighs where he's sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Hello.”

His Adam's apple bobs as he cranes his head slightly to gaze up at you, tingles of warmth erupting on both your cheeks as you cup his face, those liquid pools of hazy amber with the power to submerge you from a simple glance. His hands tremble, a little uncertain as he brings them to your waist, already going a little numb at the feel of your softness he got just a glimpse of earlier.

“You can touch me, Kento.” You reassure him and his eyelids droop, his breath shuddering as you run your hands along his chest. “Can I touch you?” You check in with him, emotion welling inside his heart when you give him the sweetest kiss on the forehead.

“Course you can.” He answers softly, giving you a smile. You gaze down at him as you run your fingers through his hair, gently massaging the back of his neck, a hint of hesitation you can't help but notice still hangs between you.

“Are you sure?” You ask, leaning your forehead against his, as if to soak up any worries that were brewing in his mind. “You seem hesitant.”

Kento sighs, a bit of shame filling him. It's almost spooky, how well you can see through him. He silently dreads the truth that he knows he needs to come clean about, knowing there's a possibility he might lose you tonight before he even had a chance, not that he'd blame you one bit for backing out.

“Um, it's just that…I'm a virgin.” He says quietly.

You sit there for a moment in disbelief, taking a moment to process his words. “Really?”

Kento nods, the silence a bit unbearable as he holds his breath, unable to discern what you were thinking.

“Hey, that's okay it's just…”

He braces himself for the worst, averting his gaze to a spot on the carpet.

“Hey, it's perfectly fine.” You answer, turning his chin to look at you, your heartstrings tugging in response to his weary expression. You can sense the weight of the effort it took him to be vulnerable with you in this moment, something you won't take for granted. The implication of grave responsibility on your part in response to this new information is a lot to take in, but for him, you'll do your very best to rise to the occasion.

“That doesn't bother me at all, Kento. I just want to make sure that you're sure about all this. We don't need to have sex. But if we do, then I want to make sure that you're a hundred percent comfortable, and we can stop at any time.”

Relief floods inside of him like heavy rain, his heart immediately growing much lighter in his chest.

“I'm positive.” He gives you a reassuring grin. “I have protection too, just in case.” He blushes a little, all the anxiety quickly giving way to arousal at what was to come next.

“That sounds perfect...” You lean in and kiss him, the soft smack of your lips echoing in the empty space. You hold your face close to his, hearing him inhale softly as your lips linger closely together, not wanting to part just yet.

He makes the next move, leaning back in and capturing them again, his hand finding residence on the back of your neck. All bets are off now as you take that as permission to deepen the kiss, albeit slowly as you don't want to rush perfection, letting him soak in and experience his first time the way it was meant to be: tender and meaningful.

“Help me?” You gesture to your clothes. Your doe eyed expression sends him reeling, your lovely pout with wetted lips, the built up warmth between you only made the natural glow of your skin stand out even more like it was matter from displaced stars in the scarce light. The number of times you've rendered him speechless is practically innumerable by this point, but he nods earnestly again, not allowing himself to be derailed from his mission.

“Of course.”

The act of undressing you is slow, and a little shaky on Kento's part, but still every bit as sweet. You shudder a little as he gently peels your shirt from your body, entranced as your hair spills out of the opening, your bare breasts bouncing free from the cups of cloth in a hypnotic sway.

You can't remember the last time someone took their time with you like this. Hands that were usually impatient were replaced by his: tentative and nervous, but sweet in a way that was uniquely his own. Eyes that would devour you like a piece of meat with little regard to the soul underneath your exterior were replaced with the caring chestnut of his. His gaze was chaste, but only sensual when you allowed him to be. He looks at you like you were a piece of art to be appreciated first and foremost, and explored only second. From the invisible halo over your head, to your shoulders, to your breasts, to every curve and dimple that flowed to your voluptuous hips, now presented completely bare before him.

It's all you can do before your lips are immediately on his again with a newfound hunger, more strained under the building weight of passion you longed to burn inside this room together.

“Kento…” You whisper his name as your lips work their way away from his, leaving kisses in a heated path starting on the corner of his lips, to the juncture underneath his sharp jaw, and his throat that thrummed as your name left his lips in heady abandon.

He practically whimpers, his cheeks painted in that dusty pink you’ve come to adore so much on him. He was slightly embarrassed at how pathetic the sound was, but a low groan rumbles from the center of his chest, and his thumb grazes tenderly over the point of your chin when you don't seem to give a damn. If anything, you're even more aroused from his pleasure which is just as good as your own as you begin to slink lower down his body.

“Can I?” You purr as your hands pause at the studded belt buckle.

“Go right ahead.” His mind temporarily factory resets as he feels it unravel through the loops, the sound alone adding fuel to his fire as he scoots back a little more on the bed to allow you to straddle him, sliding his jeans down his long legs.

He's so hard in his boxers, and this preview of his size in just his underwear sends immediate warmth to your core. He blushes and can't help the feeling of self consciousness creep up on him as your eyes rake over him, wondering how on Earth all of him will fit if your eyes really weren't playing tricks on you.

Once he helps you strip away the confines of boxers, your suspicions are reaffirmed as his large erection bounces free, uncut and heavy, the tip a darker shade of pink than the one that so often showed up on his cheeks.

Despite his obvious well-endowment, the sight of him naked, laying there like a god, hairy in all the right places, a divine masterpiece of lean muscle with an even more dazzling soul underneath, didn't even begin to scrape the surface of wonderful things about him.

“You can touch, i-if you want…” Kento prays that he doesn't come off as perverted from this statement. Intimate touches like yours were a foreign concept to him. But, still he couldn't evade his desires and would often daydream about what such an experience would be like. It's all so surreal in this moment that might be coming true tonight.

“I'd love to.” You whisper, pulling another melody of moans out of him as you stroke. He's incredibly warm and responsive as he pulses and twitches in your hand, the evidence barely concealed in a blooming trail of precum flowing from the slit, coating your palm.

“But let me take care of you too.” He whispers sheepishly. “To be honest…I, I dunno if I'm gonna last so, s-so I wanna do what I can to make sure you get taken care of too…”

His honesty is endearing, and you can't deny that the pornographic image that his words conjured up in your mind is a deeply arousing one.

“You want me on top?” Your tone is sultry and the effect your mere words have on him are very apparent as his cock throbs again, leaking another bead of pearlescent precum from the bulky tip of his cock and drooling all over your fingers.

“Yeah…I mean, yes please.” Kento’s heart rate begins to accelerate, breath becoming irregular before it departs his lungs when a literal goddess is now on top of him, your juicy ass and glistening pussy spread to his hungry gaze.

He is equal parts enthralled and impossibly turned on as he gazes at the lewd sight in front of his face, followed by a low stirring of pride to his ego, knowing from the presence of your shiny slick that he could have that kind of effect on you.

It's an experience that almost borders on religion for him as he marvels in silent worship what you're so willingly offering to him in this precious moment.

“You're perfect…” He mumbles, as all other words seem to fail him at this time. Despite your numerous assurances, he still hesitates.

“And…I can touch, too?” He asks gently, swallowing a lump that he didn't realize had built in his throat, hands hovering over the globes of your ass.

“Yes, baby. I want you to.” You coo as you situate your mouth over his cock, pressing a dainty kiss to his tip that ripples in chills all over his body. Your first use of a pet name for him almost wrecked him on the spot. Getting used to the idea of being desired by someone was a concept he still had a long way to grasp. You can sense it, and right now, you want to do everything you can to make him utterly drown in it.

“Still okay?” You check in with him and he nods. You lean down, pressing little kisses in a circle around his tip, sticking out your tongue to caress and lick near his slit before you take him in your mouth.

The next moan that Kento makes is downright sexy, low and breathy as the plush, silky inside of your mouth swallows him whole.

“Fuck…me…”

Somehow, heaven for him appears just around the corner, his resolve crumbling exponentially every second that passes, his long fingers bruising into the soft flesh of your ass. It exceeded anything he could have expected, and he can only imagine how warm and perfect your pussy must feel if this delectable sensation was only from your mouth.

You lick and massage all along the forest of veins that run vertically along his cock before wrapping your entire mouth around his tip and bobbing your head in a rhythmic pattern, making sure you're not neglecting his heavy balls and the underside of his shaft you goad with your free hand, using the slick mess of drool and precum to keep him nice and wet.

He begins with slow, careful kitten licks to your syrupy folds, eager to deliver on his promise he made to you, before he lengthens his strokes and makes them more relaxed as he delves deeper into your drooling cunt, exploring the folds and crevices of your velvety warmth, wincing and groaning as he feels his balls tighten as his release creeps up on him even faster, his low husky sounds causing you to drip and leak more creamy nectar onto his tongue.

You feed off one another’s energy in lewd exchange, the more he savors your dripping cunt in prolonged fervid strokes of his tongue, the deeper you try and take him into your mouth, hollowing your cheeks as you suckle and swirl your soft tongue over every inch of him you can reach, relishing the tang from the wafts of his natural scent from his pubes.

“Shit..shit, I'm gonna…” His stomach muscles tighten, unable to hold back his release for much longer.

He decides to do something he saw in porn, using his fingers to rub and circle over your warm clit, alternating using his other fingers and tongue to fuck you. You stop dead in your tracks and moan like a siren, your rousing gasps intoxicatingly angelic.

“Ken…”

There was no way a guy as inexperienced as him could be so damn good at this on the first try. But then again, he was full of surprises as you came to discover tonight, this one being no different.

He's patient and a speedy learner, something you pick up on as he focuses on just you for the time being, curling his tongue in just the right squishy spot inside you, inhaling deep breaths of your slick as your honey coats his jaw and chin, your cunt clenching tightly and leaking more juices with every careful flick of his tongue and massage of his fingers on your clit.

“Cum for me.” He mutters and only seconds pass until you do, and your beautiful climax is the straw that breaks him, hot cum dribbling in warm trickles down his thighs.

He seizes up when he feels your smooth mouth envelop him again, practically dissolving into a fit of twitches as you lick him up, cleaning up the milky gloss and swallowing him down your throat.

He leans in and does his best to clean you up too, his tongue tracing in warm trails between your inner thighs, collecting and slurping your juices into his mouth.

You roll off one another in a shaky mess and he stumbles to the bathroom, returning with a few fluffy towels as you help one another wipe up.

—-

You're underneath the covers now tucked against his chest. You can measure the slow, calming thrums of his heartbeat where your head is resting, a cozy feeling settling inside both of your bellies as this eventful evening draws closer to a close.

“Stay the night?” He asks, fingers dancing featherlight across the smooth skin of your shoulder.

“Absolutely.” You respond, turning to him and pouting your lips.

He smiles as he leans in to fulfill your request, giving you an adorable peck that lingers, once again begging to be more. He was tired, but now he figures he's got another good half hour or so in him if you're not opposed.

You take the lead, opening your lips and depositing the softest of moans into his open mouth that drip with sinful implications. He gets the message immediately as he rolls on top of you. The weight of his body, careful not to crush you and feeling of his cock lengthening and pressing against your belly makes you widen your thighs to welcome him, his tip oozing again already as you softly run the bottoms of your feet up and down his calves.

“Do you still want to try?” You gaze up at him from where he's positioned, long bangs falling in his face as he leans over you, caramel eyes somehow even softer in this moment if such a thing was even possible.

“I…I do. But only if you do.” He answers.

“I do.” You nod before puckering for one more kiss. He can't help his smile as he leans in again, the simple gesture feels awfully domestic, a simple demonstration of how comfortable you became with one another.

You bite your lip as he carefully slides the condom over his swollen length, taking the liberty of helping him out by playing with your pussy while you watch him in a trance, taking note of the smallest things about him: the tendons flexing in his arms, the spotting of freckles across his shoulder, the meat of his thighs, his strength that was ever present that made him look so majestic, so beautiful in this intimate setting despite his lean frame and dark clothes he had on earlier that concealed it. All of him, every inch of his beauty was plain as day as you inhaled him like the purest oxygen.

—

“Kento…”

He begins to push the tip of his cock into you, cradling your head in his hands.

“You okay?” He murmurs, the fog of lust was intoxicating, but not strong enough to not check on you, particularly after he knew it was a struggle for you to take all of him.

“I'm…perfect…” You whisper before your breaths bleed onto his lips in another stolen kiss.

“Fuck, you're good, so good… I'm gonna…gonna start moving…”

He mumbles haphazard words of praise as his body ripples slowly against you in a gentle dance. Both of you are long gone as you settle on a tempo together, hands intertwining against the mattress, cementing the memory of your hair and the way it looked against his pillow, that inimitable glint in your eyes like no other he's seen at the very moment you became one.

Time is a concept, a pest, a nuisance that has its place in the dreaded morning that you both pray never arrives. The things that currently matter inside this cocoon of warmth between you is pure carnality, absolution in the tender pace of his thrusts, euphoric release that fans the flames at the base of your spines as you stretch and clench warmly around him, his thumb thrumming in infinite circles on your clit to open you up even more when you struggle to take him, amorous moans and endless spilling of the others name, this piece of himself willingly, permanently, and hopefully entrusted to you.

“Gonna cum...”

His salty ropes eventually dribble into a final act of undressing his soul, filling the barrier between you, your cries swallowed into the hollow of his neck.

—--

The sun springs itself onto you without warning.

You sit straight up in a frenzy, heart sinking to your chest when you notice that the hour said you only had 30 minutes until you needed to leave for the airport, and had over 10 missed calls from your friends.

You dart around the room, cursing and seething the time that pulled the rug out from under you. Robbing you of the slow moments you were supposed to share with him this morning until there was nothing left, and you had no option but to leave him stranded.

You look at him when you're fully dressed, peacefully still asleep, trying to stifle the overwhelming sadness when the harsh pain of the cruel reality of living on opposite ends of the world becomes too much to bear.

As a final act of desperation, you jot your phone number on a stray piece of paper, folding it and leaving it on the desk.

You can't bear to look at him one more time, not noticing the wind from the closing door behind you sweeps the paper under the desk and out of view.

—----

He had never been in love, but somehow within the span of one night you brought him the closest to feeling it that he's ever been, while simultaneously depriving him of it in the same breath.

Sadness stings in Kento's chest as he sits on that long flight home, doing his best to hold back any tears as he replays the memory of you, which for now you'll remain, before it gives way to bittersweet gratitude. Whispering a silent “thank you” which he only hopes can reach you some way, wherever you are now.

He was grateful he was lucky enough to experience it, even if it was never meant to stay.

What happens in Vegas, stays there after all.

—-----

Years later-Japan

This bar that Shoko recommended is far too loud, but the drinks are fairly decent.

You tap your foot impatiently, staring at the clock on the wall that seemed to stay in place, taking out your phone to check the time as though that would make any difference.

Agreeing to a blind date felt so…juvenile. Almost desperate, even. Love was something you put on the back burner when negative experience after another slowly turned you off to the idea of it entirely.

But, there were good ones that were few and far between that had you holding out hope. Enough remained that led you to agree to this silly date, after all.

But you didn't like to linger on those memories, one in particular that was approaching the 10 year mark during one spring vacation in Vegas. Every now and then, you'll allow your self-restraint to slip and you'll daydream about that blonde man. The kind of lover you meet that's too perfect, that's almost doomed for failure because everything about him was too good to be true and too idealistic to fit into the ugly reality of a long term commitment.

You recall the tears you cried over him and the haunting of the phone call that never arrived. But, you made peace with the ending a long time ago, chalking it up to an isolated experience that was never meant to be long lasting. He didn’t owe you anything after that night, that, looking back, was honestly blurred with bad decisions.

It wouldn't have been practical in either case. Between you both starting college in opposite corners of the globe, you were only barely sticking your toes into the real world that you soon would learn was cruel, cold, and could spit you out as quickly as it swallowed you up.

You should be grateful you even had the opportunity to meet someone like him. Some happiness was better than none, no matter how much you wished at the time that things were different.

And, without even trying, you subconsciously looked for him in every person you saw, but it never came close to that first strike of lighting.

Sure, there were other storms, other wonderful people you met along the way that ignited feelings and taught you lessons, but none quite like him.

You shake yourself out of your thoughts, recognizing you're being led by the alcohol in this moment, setting yourself in the opposite direction before you're too far gone, knowing it would be unfair to your incoming mystery date to dwell on loves of your past that need to remain that way.

—---

Kento does his best to stifle his thoughts as he preoccupies himself with his tie, over and through, secured in his usual knot. Routine and order as always, a mere shadow of the young man he once was a long time ago.

He checks the time on the Heuer watch adorning his left wrist, marred in pink scars that peek from underneath his navy dress shirt layered under his tan suit coat. He still has plenty of time, just as he planned. He sighs and looks at himself in the mirror, thoughts somewhere far away as he ponders the true meaning of what exactly he agreed to tonight that was so unlike him.

Was he facing the onset of an early mid-life crisis? Was he in denial about how lonely he really was, causing himself to make decisions uncharacteristic of him in the name of finding some semblance of humanity after going down fruitless paths, chasing aloof ideals like money and honor that left him more hollow than before?

Maybe he was reverting to old patterns, like when he ran away from the world of jujutsu and tried to force himself into a societal standard that was never meant for him?

He can't play mind games with himself like this.

Whether the task at hand was a mission, or something as frivolous as a blind date like tonight, his way of reframing his perspective and focusing on the present moment came into full play.

He nods and studies himself one more time, gaze shifting to where an eye patch now covers where his left eye used to reside, before he turns and walks down the hallway, the quiet click of the door closing behind him.

—---

You had arrived a half hour early, because you knew the only other option for you was arriving a half hour late.

The gentleman you were supposed to meet, according to Shoko, had a preference for punctuality and order. In all honesty, you were probably his worst nightmare in that regard.

Your anxiety about the situation continued to nag you the longer you stayed seated amidst the chatter and bustle of the bar. You bounced your knee, once again daydreaming about curling up in bed and forgoing this ridiculous date altogether.

Just as you're about to bail, he walks in.

The same piece of Earth hit in perfect succession as no coincidence of nature. That formidable force statistically at odds to repeat itself, unfolding before your very eyes as he approaches.

You would not recognize him under normal circumstances. The left side of him has undergone some changes that rattle you to your core as you realize their extent.

His left eye is missing, now concealed behind a black eyepatch. The skin underneath is mangled and pink, but faded in such a way that would suggest that some time had passed since he received them. He walks proudly with a slight limp, an air of propriety and confidence he exudes that's both attractive and extremely jarring in contrast to the shy and insecure version of him you once knew.

It's clear as he takes your hand in his that the old Kento is long gone, but that space in your heart that he latently occupied ever since that night came bubbling, unscathed to the surface.

A night just like tonight, so similar to one you encountered him years earlier. He undergoes the same reel of emotions that zip through him like lightning. The unmistakable hue of your eyes that gripped him the moment he saw them and knew he needed to walk away that night with more than just your name. The promise of your kiss, the way that freedom ran in your hair that decorated his sheets. That happiness he thought was permanently out of his reach that you managed to restore in him that night, leaving him with hope if not anything else.

A face you knew once, intimately, similar, but the full weight of the time that had passed between you slowly became realized the longer you stare at one another, almost like he’s brand new.

A moment back then that was just like this one. A second strike of lighting landing directly in the same spot.

“Hello, my name is Kento Nanami.” He greets you nonetheless in ritual decorum that was instilled in his foundation. His voice is slightly deeper than before, a sign of the mature man he grew into from his twenties.

“Do you remember me?” You ask, trying not to make your tone sound emotional as you feel like you're speaking to the ghost of not quite someone you used to know.

“I do.” He answers honestly, possibly the faint glimmer of a fond look he gives you in the subtle crinkle of the crows feet by his eyes.

Both of you sit in silence while the bar around you carries on, him emerging from it momentarily to order his drink: whiskey on the rocks. You note that his preferences have also changed, hardly believing they belonged to this man who once sipped a fruity cocktail slush with you on the Las Vegas strip.

You ride a bitter tide of emotions, bearing a mixture of sadness, resentment, bitterness, and nostalgia.

Why did he never call?

Instead, you ask him, “How have you been?”

He almost scoffs, as such a simple question requires such a complex answer from him. He keeps it casual for now.

“I've been well. What brings you to Japan?”

“You know Shoko?”

He pauses, slightly confused at how this is relevant, but answers your question nonetheless. “Yes, I do know Shoko.”

“And she…she set me-us, up on this date.”

“That’s how it would appear.” He sips his drink.

You stare, confounded at him, a bit miffed at how…nonchalant he was about the entire situation. But a part of you also was slightly relieved that he didn't make it as awkward as it needed to be.

You narrow your eyes. “Are…you using sarcasm?”

“I'm not, I'm merely agreeing with your observation.” He raises a brow as he looks at you. He seems genuine and you blink, a little embarrassed now at your question that you hoped didn't come across as an attack.

“Sorry, I- it's just. There's just so many memories, and I'm still in disbelief if I'm honest with you.” You shake your head as you take another generous sip of your cocktail.

He sits in silence as he observes you out of the corner of his good eye, slightly bemused as it seems some things about you haven't quite changed.

“It's alright.” He answers. “It's quite a lot for me to take in as well.”

“Is it?”

“Well, yes. You're not exactly who I imagined running into here tonight.”

“Mm, then who did you imagine?”

He side-eyes you and you roll your eyes in response, much to his quiet amusement.

“Actually, please don't answer that.”

“I figured as much.” He hums and he leans back a little, and cocks his head while you're not looking. Your charm was certainly one of the things about you he missed. And this bite you possessed was something rather new.

“You know, I enjoy this bar quite a bit, but there's a quieter spot I know of that we could go to, if you're up for it.”

You pause, getting used to this initiative from him that you're experiencing for the very first time. His suggestion is a very welcome one, you can't deny and you nod.

“Very well.”

“Splendid.” He stands, allowing you to pass in front of him first, leaving the cost of both your tabs on the bar as he follows you onto the street.

------

The vinyl shop is nearly deserted as you enter, much to both yours and his relief. It's a pleasant surprise as you take in your new location, the premise of a record store telling you that there were things about him that stayed the same after all, taking you back to that night as one of the things you bonded over.

“This is nice.” You muse, eyes coasting over the abundance of albums available to peruse.

He nods in agreement, also satisfied that you're pleased with his suggestion. “It is. This one has a better selection than most I've been to.”

You browse, occasionally aware of his hand nearly brushing as you pass him in opposite aisles, enjoying the mutual silence as he gives you a moment to recharge and explore the selection of artists since it's your first visit.

There's two elephants in the room, and neither will be easy to address. You still feel burned by him. But, if this was going to be a meaningful attempt at a new start of your relationship, then beginning it from a place of honesty seemed like a reasonable thing to ask of him.

“What happened to you?” You ask gently.

He looks at you. Questions about his looks used to bother him in the very beginning when they were still fresh. After years of healing, both physically and emotionally(which he would argue was the most difficult to recover from out of the two), he's taken emotion out of the equation. And in your case, given the intimate history between you two, despite it occurring almost a decade ago, he recognizes it's a reasonable thing for you to ask.

“Asking the hard hitting questions already?”

You turn your head quickly, a little horrified in case you offended him already, but the look on his face makes you sigh in relief when you realize he was being playful.

“No, I'm-”

“It's alright.” He reassures, resuming your walk along the aisles, putting his hands in his pockets. “For another time, though.” He promises you, and you nod in complete understanding.

“Of course.”

There is more, so much more to him now that he must have experienced that you can conclude from just his appearance alone. But, you understand that such an in-depth unraveling of him will need to take place in steps. You're at a loss of where to even begin. But, another issue begs both your attention.

“Do you have another one for me?” He prods.

“Yes, actually.” You state cautiously, doing your best to make your tone even, before you rip off the bandaid.

“Why didn't you call?”

He exhales softly through his nose as you continue your slow walk. “I wanted to.”

“But?”

“But you left me.”

You stopped, confused as you try to suppress your long buried anger that was attempting to resurface.

“No…” You correct him. “You left me.”

He experiences a bit of frustration as well. It was an old forgotten fling, after all, but delving with you headfirst into the source of your connection going cold overnight digs up all of those old, forgotten feelings of hurt, particularly over something that happened in his early twenties, it feels so childish, a fact he really doesn't appreciate.

“I recall the opposite.” He rebuffs, keeping himself calm.

“Well, I do too. So it seems we're at an impasse.”

“It would seem very much so.”

You pause together in stalemate, lost in the tangled mess of all things you long to say with no idea of how to say them. He recognizes you're emotional, and you sense the same from him. But despite the emotional charge behind your conversation, neither of you pick up on hostility from the other. Taking a moment to recognize that a passionate and short lived affair from your twenties ended badly for both of you, leaving a scar with no resolution, and now both of you simply want to use this rare opportunity to gain some closure if nothing else transpires from your meeting tonight.

“Please.” He gestures patiently. “You first.”

“I left you my number, and you never called.”

Kento raises his eyebrows. “I don't recall that.”

“Well, I did.”

“When?”

You scoff, a little frustrated by something that seemed so obvious. “On your desk! At the hotel right before I left! You were still asleep.”

Kento nods slowly, beginning to understand, “This…changes things.”

“What do you mean?” You respond, puzzled.

“Why didn't you wake me up?” He counters with a question of his own, leaning against a shelf.

“I didn't want to disturb you.” You look down meekly, the memory coming back to you all at once, including the rather intimate happenings that unfolded that night.

Kento remembers it too, similar feelings of warmth cascading throughout his body at the sensual recollection that would have made his younger self blush profusely.

“Well, I can assure you wholeheartedly, I did not get your message after you left. I was actually under the impression that you abandoned me, for some reason or another.” He shakes his head.

“I'm sorry.” You apologize softly, eyes full of regret.

“No need.” He replies firmly. “We were young, it was a misunderstanding. There's no harm done.”

“No harm done.” You echo with a hum.

“Precisely.”

Silence.

“Well.”

“Well?”

“Can we start over?”

He smiles, the first genuine one he's given you all night. “I'd like that.”

You both grin in mutual elation, slightly lost at first at how to transition into this fresh beginning.

“So.” You wrack your brain for ideas, meandering over to the section alphabetized, “M.”

“Do you still listen to MCR?”

He nods, offering you another closed lipped smile. “Every so often.”

“Really?” You finger through the vinyls, landing on Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. “Do you have this one?”

“I do, actually.” He muses, an idea popping into his head. “Why don't we get you started on your own collection?”

You shake your head quickly, stowing the vinyl back like it was on fire. “Oh, no. Kento, no, I really shouldn't…”

“I insist.” He glides next to you, retrieving it with a hum as he examines it before stowing it under his arm, moving on in search of the latest album from Modest Mouse.

And you can't help but accept defeat with an affectionate shake of your head. Definitely one of the things you remember about him that hadn't changed.

There was no winning when it came to debates over him doing you favors. So, in the spirit of starting fresh, you'd let him have this one for now.

—--

You stand outside of the vinyl shop, a new connection born between you, lots of old feelings mixed in with apprehension, yet hope for the future.

He studies you under the light from the city streets, noticing you're every bit as beautiful as the night he found you and lost you all at once.

He longs to close the space between you, reunite with what he had missed out on for so long that he was certain he'd never taste again, brought back to him by sheer coincidence, a gift of fate.

But, unlike last time, he knows he can't repeat his mistakes. And though you long to just as badly, you know you can't, either.

Instead, he sweeps you into a warm embrace. He smells different than you remember, but this new scent is every bit as intoxicating as the old one.

You stay like that, wrapped up in each other for the longest time, buying back some of it that had been robbed between you. This hug was the physical apology you owed to one another for everything that happened in the old chapter, and the cornerstone you needed to pass over into the new.

When you part ways, he doesn't allow his gaze to drift from you until he ensures you're safely aboard your bus, watching until it rounds the corner before he ventures in the opposite direction, mind full of you he has no plans to clear anytime soon.

And, just like that, lightning does strike twice. The clouds of the storm have receded to sunny skies, a rainbow of hope glimmering on the horizon.

He smiles as he walks away, your number tucked neatly in his breast pocket.

This time, he'll make sure he doesn't lose it.

---

[bones4thecats]

Hi I was wondering if you could do twst any characters x fem reader hurt/comfort love your work btw🫶🏻

❥· The Heartthrob, Twisted W. × F! S/O

Character(s): Riddle Rosehearts (❤️) and Sebek Zigvolt (⚡) (separate) A/N: Thank you so much for the compliment! I'm glad you enjoy my work, and I also hope you enjoy this work, Anon! ✎ Summary: It's been years since you graduated College, as did your boyfriend. Now, you both were married, plans being made for the rest of your lives together. But, not everything his happy all the time.

┍━━━━━━━━━━━━━☽【❖】☾━━━━━━━━━━━━━┑

❤️ A cold sweat dripped down Riddle's back, nerves took over him as he began to tremble in fear. What he was witnessing couldn't be true, his hands couldn't be this inky again. Why did he feel magic exiting his eye in a flame? Why were you in front of him on the ground... why was there a red liquid around you...?

❤️ "Dear...?" He called, kneeling down to brush his nails against your cheek. "Love? My Rose?" He then began to shake you, fear taking over his form as black tears began to fall. "Y/N?! Come on... WAKE UP!"

❤️ Riddle jumped, his head hitting the floor as he groaned, shaking breaths coming out as he looked around. You looked downwards at your newly-declared husband, eyebrows furrowed in worry. "Are you okay?" You asked as you jumped down to check him for any injuries.

❤️ The blue eyes of your lover met yours and he began to sob, slightly messy hair bouncing as he moved like a bolt of lightning Malleus would've summoned back in College when upset. His hands traveled over your body, checking for any bruises or any cuts that could produce what he saw.

❤️ You were concerned now. You knew Riddle had nightmares back in College and when he was younger, stretching back to when he was just a toddler. So, nightmares were more common than either of you would've liked, but they did start to slow down eventually. "Riddle, Honey, are you okay? What happened?"

❤️ "I saw you hurt... my hands- they were... they were covered in- i-ink... and your blood..." Your eyes widened in surprise, this was worse than the dreams when he just felt the overblot or had a memory of the overblot. But the nightmares never crossed into something as sinister as this!

❤️ Tears filled his eyes as he began to sob uncontrollably, it was obvious what he dreamt of. He dreamt of being in his overblot state once again and, in his blind rage, accidentally attacked and severely harmed you. You didn't feel upset that he dreamt this and that he thought you would fall that easy, no, you knew that wouldn't help.

❤️ Your arms wrapped around his shoulders, holding him close as you allowed him to cry his emotions out. You're sure that if you were back in your teen years, everyone in either your dorm or Heartslabyul would be able to hear his sobs, he was crying so loudly.

❤️ "Don't worry, I'm right here. I'm okay and you're okay." You said, a hand rubbing up and down his back as he began to slowly calm down from his emotional high.

❤️ Slowly standing up with your lover in your arms, you both went back underneath the sheets, limbs wrapped with one another's as you kept him close. No more words were shared that night, just subtle touches and gazes that shined with the deep connection you felt.

❤️ If his mother hadn't torn you two apart in the past four years, then a nightmare certainly wouldn't tear you two apart.

⚡ Looking at your boyfriend in confusion, he began to twitch in his sleep. You cocked an eyebrow at him. This wasn't normal. Sebek was the one who normally worked late-night shifts, you hardly had to do that. But, it seems that fate switched your roles that day.

⚡ As one of the members of the Royal Draconia Family Court, you were attending to Malleus and his grandmother whenever they needed it. You were a Duchess, specifically the Duchess of the Zigvolt and L/N Households. It was because of your rank that there were some issues in your marriage.

⚡ You were always away, attending meetings with Malleus and Maleficia, or even just making sure that relationships were still stable. Most of the members of the court wanted to claim the throne, or get close enough to pry the Draconia's away slowly, so, you had to stay back that night to confront them and watch their punishment.

⚡ It was hard. These were the people that you spent a majority of your life around, they were like family. But, what kind of family would go against the people you care about the most?

⚡ Shaking your head and pushing the memories of that day back, you looked down at your husband and smiled gently. He was perfect; everything you weren't. And you adored that.

⚡ Lightly shifting the male towards the couch's back, you cuddled up next to him. Your face dug into his chest, no shirt keeping your skin's away from touching, and you appreciated that.

⚡ Unknowingly, you had fallen asleep. And in that time, Sebek had awoken. He looked down at you and smiled gently, an expression that was rarely expressed by the half-fae. He hugged you tightly as he kept that same smile on his face.

⚡ Sebek's eyes trailed down your form and he noticed cuts that littered your arms and two on your legs. He knew what some of them were from; your dream issue back in College when Malleus overblot.

⚡ But, there were new ones. Ones that resembled the claw cuts from someone's hands. His pupils narrowed, thinning like a pin. A small growl came from his throat. Then, his phone buzzed. His pupils widened again and he grabbed it, moving slowly to not disturb you.

⚡ Looking at the notification, he saw it was from Silver. He clicked on it and unlocked his phone, then began to read the message.

Silver: Hey, Sebek. Something happened today that you might wanna know about. Message me as soon as you can. (Sent at 6:20 pm) Me: What happened? Is something wrong with Master Lilia or Young Master? Silver: No. They're dealing with some things in regards to the event. This has to do with Y/N. Me: What happened with Y/N?

⚡ Sebek's hand gripped your waist, fear coursed through his veins. Did someone harm you? Is that why you had new scars? Who in the name of the Great Seven would dare to harm you?!

Silver: One of the Stewards tried to sour relations between the Kingscholar Family and the Draconias. Y/N seemingly found out and told Malleus about it. Silver: When they confronted him, he tried lunging at Y/N. He managed to grab her arms and eventually her legs, scratching her up before being dragged away by the guards and sent to the dungeon for further punishment. Me: Which Steward? Silver: Steward Dolion Barnett. He's scheduled to be in front of the other Royals next week. Malleus wants you both to be there. Y/N as a witness to everything, and you to be there to guard her. Me: Understood. We'll be there. Thank you for notifying me, Silver. Goodnight. Silver: I'll tell Father and Malleus. It's not a problem notifying you of these things, you are Y/N's husband, after all. And Goodnight to you as well.

⚡ Sebek closed his phone and looked back at you. He hissed, angry at the sight of your cuts. He should've been there to protect you! Why didn't you call him?!

⚡ The feeling of you burying your head further into his chest snapped Sebek out of his anger. Even when you were unconscious, you knew when he needed comfort. You truly were Sebek's other half. The sunlight after his storm.

⚡ Sighing, Sebek hugged you. His face dipped into the crook between your neck and shoulder. He closed his eyes and began to try to sleep again. This conversation could hold off. You needed rest.

┕━━━━━━━━━━━━━☽【❖】☾━━━━━━━━━━━━━┙

🦴 Copyright © 2025 by Bones4thecats on Tumblr. All Right Reserved. 🦴

[mysticstarlightduck]

Character Introduction - Valen Cassidy (Scrapyard Boys)

⚡・・About/General Info ・・⚡

A street urchin despised by the government of New Omnium, Valen was once the son of a celebrated journalist - his mother was a woman who was on the verge of uncovering and exposing the true schemes going on under the surface of their city's elite, when she was suspiciously killed. Valen was then almost sent by the government to the mysterious Spectre Academies - a training ground for mutant youths, beloved by the public but which holds dark secrets within - but before they could, Valen managed to escape, utilizing his Electrokinesis powers to neutralize the agents and allow him to escape into the lower districts of the city, where he disappeared from the grid. Valen grew into a rebellious and defiantly angry young man, classified as one of the city's Top 10 Most Dangerous mutant outlaws, a target to be eliminated. With the help of his chaotic crew of other superpowered street urchins, Valen finds himself following his mother's footsteps - but this time through a vigilante route - to expose their city's dystopic regime and find out the truth behind the billionaire industries that built it. And slowly, they start to figure out that the origins of mutant powers in humanity was not quite what they were led to believe, and that the strange occurances happening all around the city were not mere coincidences.

⚡・・More Info ・・⚡

Pronouns - He/Him Current Role - Protagonist, Part of the Main Cast Appearance - Valen has very, very long, curly, and voluminous golden blond hair, messily styled and which he takes a lot of pride in. His eyes are a deep electric blue, like the color of lightning or electricity, which is fitting given one of his main powers is Electrokinesis. He is average height, though on the shorter end of the spectrum for someone in his late teens (when the main story starts), but he is very strong - freakishly so, for someone who is so lanky and whose powers have nothing to do with strength. He wears ripped-up denim vests with customized patches, an old, dark black shirt with the logo of his favorite rock band, also ripped-up jean pants and bright red long-neck sneakers, as well as tin rings and cheap necklaces. He has a menacing look that usually pushes others away, like a brewing lightning storm.

Personality Types:

✶ Enneagram: 8w7

✶ MBTI: ESTP

Occupation: Street Urchin, Vigilante, Rebel Powers: Eletrokinesis, Eletrical Conduction, Storm Manipulation, and the likes! Sexuality: Straight Alias: Thunderfall

⚡・・Extras・・⚡

✶ Character Playlist

Heathens - Twenty One Pilots

So Far Away - Staind

King For A Day - Pierce The Veil

overwhelmed - Royal & The Serpent

Break Stuff - Limp Bizkit

Here's To Never Growing Up - Avril Lavigne

Heat of The Moment - Asia

Buy The Stars - Marina & The Diamonds

And More!!!

・・・

✶ Tags:

#wip scrapyard boys #oc: valen cassidy #oc: thunderfall

Scrapyard Boys Taglist (-/+): @ray-writes-n-shit, @sarandipitywrites, @lassiesandiego, @smol-feralgremlin, @kaylinalexanderbooks,

@diabolical-blue @oh-no-another-idea

@cakeinthevoid, @clairelsonao3, @sleepy-night-child

@thepeculiarbird

@the-golden-comet, @urnumber1star, @ominous-feychild, @anyablackwood, @amaiguri, @lyutenw @finickyfelix

@thecomfywriter, @the-letterbox-archives @differentnighttale, @wyked-ao3

Let me know if you'd like to be added!

[estcaligo]

you said your yumekids names have deep meanings

care to share with the class?🎤

Yeah I like thinking about this kind of fun stuff! Thanks for asking💚💚

It's a bit long, sorry. I just care very deeply about it, so I pay a lot of attention to the details😌💚 ━━━━━━━━━━━━⚡🐊⚡━━━━━━━━━━━━

Alpherg

Parent's comment: "The brightest star of our union"

Named after Eta Piscium - the brightest star in the Pisces constellation. Since both Sebek and his wife are Pisces, they chose this celestial name for their firstborn son, as the fact that they met is a miracle and was predicted by the stars, according to them.

*In twst universe, the name Alpherg carries a positive meaning (different from the meaning in another world).

Alpherg was also the first child in Briar Valley to be officially blessed by Malleus after his ascension to the throne.

Short name is Al.

*(Since zodiacs are mentioned in characters' profiles, let's imagine zodiacs and constellations in twst are the same as in our world, but with different myths - like dosney stories)

━━━━━━━━━━━━⚡🐊⚡━━━━━━━━━━━━

Svetozar

Parent's comment: "Radiant light of love"

Ok, this got a bit longer, sorry, but I find this explanation funny😁😁

The second child was conceived unexpectedly and dramatically. During an extended royal assignment, Sebek had to be away from home for over two and a half months - the longest time he and his wife had ever been apart. Though they exchanged letters, the absence was deeply felt.

When Sebek finally returned home late one night, the couple's reunion was passionate, but after months of using his lightning powers in the field Sebek accidentally zapped her during the height of the act.

And she ended up with a lightning-shaped scar on her lower abdomen. Sebek was devastated, begging for forgiveness in tears, but she only laughed, finding the whole thing oddly romantic.

As a promise, Sebek swore she would have full say in naming their second child. She chose the name from her culture in the previous world:

Svetozar - combining "Svet" (light) and "Zar" (radiance, shining).

So it's a name born from longing, passion, and a literal spark⚡️

Short form is Svet.

━━━━━━━━━━━━⚡🐊⚡━━━━━━━━━━━━

Ibero

Parent's comment: "In honor of bloodline and guardian crocodiles, so you can always be protected by spirits of strong ancestors."

This name is born from theory and headcanon. Based on previous ideas about the naming patterns in Sebek's family (such as his grandfather being named Baur), I theorized that Sebek's mother's name could plausibly be Ibero. Please read the post.

Since her real name hasn't been revealed, I chose Ibero for her - not only because it fits the family pattern, but also because of its thematic connection to crocodiles, which she studies passionately. Also she is very close with 2 Guardian Crocodiles of the Zigvolt mansion. Whether it's because of the name or no is unclear.

I also just like how it sounds.

Short form is Ibi.

━━━━━━━━━━━━⚡🐊⚡━━━━━━━━━━━━

[ghoulishtomato]

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM KNOCKOFF MOVIE???

Under the "keep reading" tab, you will see a bullet list of my reaction to a movie I found at Half-Priced Books called Night at the Magic Museum. It'll be me pointing out things about the movie and what I enjoy and whatnot. I do my best to describe what happens in the movie but, again, it's mostly reactions, so not a reliable play by play of the movie's events.

First, the basic plot synopsis of the movie that they have in the back of the DVD case (which is completely true and accurate to the events of the film):

⚡ During a fierce electrical storm, lightning hits a museum creating a magical passageway between our world and the world within the museum's paintings. Ben and Kim (brother and sister) find themselves transported to a 17th century village under siege by Falco, an evil sorcerer learned in the ways of black magic. The kids learn that the evil Falco is in search of the village's most prizes possession: The Jewel of Polaris. With the Jewel, Falco will be unstoppable. Ben and Kim must save the village and return to our world before it's too late.⚡

Now, onto my actual (a little bit disjointed) commentary:

before the actual movie, there was a trailer that had some lovely 90s Fantasy Whimsy, and the scenes/compositions scratched my brain just right that now my hopes for NAT(M)M are probably way too high now. Also, the trailer was for something called The Tiny Kingdom, so ofc my NATM brain thought of Jed and Oct

LOVE the orchestra music that plays over a black screen as they list the credits. If they really wanted to rip off NATM tho, they coulda shown us B Roll of the magic museum. But it serves it's purpose and I love orchestra music so I'm not bothered.

We are now in 1632. A Sharp tongued British man named Falco is sneering at his subordinates (?) and my Red Dwarf brainrot has immediately projected Arnold Rimmer onto him.

Falco is kind of cunty actually. And also sounds EXACTLY like Rimmer.

Very obvious ADR for this one side character, but otherwise, not the worst production! I enjoy this!

This would fuck as an old anime, that's what the dialogue feels like.

It's probably impertinent that I tell y'all right now that I fuck with older shit and actively enjoy what people nowadays would likely call major flaws and "ruining the immersion".

hAHA ISTG THERE IS JUST SOME DUDE WHO ACCIDENTALLY FELL INTO THE SHOT WHEN HE DIDN'T MEAN TO, I LOVE LIVE THEATRE 💀

Some... Editing discrepancies... They say it is raining outside... No it's not 💀 And not enough for there to be flashes of blue lightning visible from inside. But luckily I possess a strong will for suspension of disbelief. And the blue lightning is just sort of a running motif through the movie as a reminder of the real world while they're in the painting.

Ben and Kim are mentioned in the plot synopsis, but they leave out the fact they have a little sister named Casey, who I argue is pretty important to the movie. Kim works at the museum and she has to bring Ben and Casey along with her.

Omg, Armour in a museum. Like Lancelot.

Okay VERY obvious ADR line that was supposed to be said by young teen Ben, but the ADR'd voice sounds like a grown ass man 💀? Quite a few noticable ADR moments that don't quite match up with what's on screen throughout the movie actually.

Alright, paintings can come to life because of lightning. No Egyptian magic here.

God, Ben is such a 90s teen boy.

Very clearly the draw of this movie is not the museum- like at all. It's this ONE painting functioning as a portal and the legit world it leads to. Not in any art style a la the black and white painting in Smithsonian, or the Escher painting in Secret of the Tomb. Just a straight up other world. Painting just sucks Ben and Kim in after lightning strike and spits them out into a hay pile in fantasy land.

There's a menacing guy who fell out of a painting and is now up and about in the museum (not important).

Older sister Kim is coming to ridiculous conclusions to blame Ben for the situation they're in (a la annoying big sister stereotype) but Ben's responses are so calm, candid, and reasonable that it's not annoying to me HAHA

Ben's so fucking funny actually HAHA. Everyone has had at least one surprisingly funny line actually

This Fantasy world low-key reminds me of The Legend of Zelda and I fuck with it. Just a little bit. (But everyone is basically human here; no fish people, or even fairies or hell, not even elves).

Falco is such a cunty asshole. Excellent villain so far oh my gAWD. He's so evil.

People keep mocking each other in this movie it's so funny.

HAHA, OKAY SO- They gave us a magician guy (M) who indirectly is responsible for Lincoln's assassination. This movie is so delightful. M is my new favorite.

M is there, btw, because Casey likes to draw, and he's basic her OC that they manage to get into the painting (in order to help Ben and Kim get home and whatnot) by sticking here drawing to the painting they're in. Yeah, Casey's just hanging in the museum with a security guard named Monty (who also play the magician M. The actor actually has some nice range in this movie!).

If you're like crazy about world building, I hate to tell you that s o m e of the stuff about this isn't real clear to me (like, it's implied the fantasy characters also existed in the real world or something but like??? That doesn't make sense here) so like 💀💀

Fun and creative puzzle moment near the climax :D Just one though. Also, Ben likes to roller skate, and that's helpful for this cave he's in to find some magic jewel to help him and Kim get home (and that he's gotta find before Falco).

Also there was a cave in this movie that Istg I saw in a dream...

There's this voiceover narration for some "Tests of bravery and intelligence" Ben has to do, and the narrator sounds like Crispin Freeman to me, heehee (it's def not him tho).

Btw, sister Kim has been delegated to prisoner waiting to be rescued but this is a late 90s fantasy movie so like... what do I expect.

The acting is kind of 1 Note, all on the same level for the most part. It's not bad by any means, of course, they've all been funny at least.

...... This movie had an extremely lackluster and borderline disappointing climax with all the fantasy land magic jewel shit... 💀 Falco deserved something more grand...

Btw, remember how I said there was a guy from a painting wondering around? Well he seemed to be after Casey for unknown reasons. But he was hardly in the movie 💀 He seemed to pose a threat near the end, but dispatching him was "super easy. Barely an inconvenience!" (A sword shot out of fantasy land painting for some reason and killed him before meeting him back into his painting).

So that's it. Literally NOTHING like Night at the Museum save for magic painting portal. Again, as mentioned in my previous post about the movie (and based on how the movie just looks and functions) it was made in like '99.

So what the fuck is the deal with the EXTREMELY NOTICEABLE Night at the Museum coattail riding???

Well, the company that released the movie (from what I can tell) is Moonbeam films, which wasn't founded until 2012- bUT it's parent company is Full Moon features, which was founded in 1988. So if I were to guess, perhaps Full Moon features made the movie, but Moonbeam released it on DVD.

NOW, THE ORIGINAL TITLE FOR THIS FILM WAS ACTUALLY Search for the Jewel of Polaris: Mysterious Museum. But when it was released on DVD in August of 2012, it was renamed to Night at the Magic Museum (it looks like it had a few other different names it could've been called as well, including just The Magic Museum or Mysterious Museum).

Both these production companies or whatever don't make like... The best films, I guess. Or at the very least, very tongue-in-cheek goofy ass movies that aren't trying to be cinema or anything (which is so valid of them). In fact, Full Moon features is known for shit like Evil Bong, Gingerdead Man, and Gingerdead Man vs. Evil Bong.

The point is- they're not particularly high quality or serious about their movies and productions if I were to take a lucky guess (cause I'm not gonna search THAT deep into this; I'm not a YouTuber who can get paid for it 💀).

SO- I THINK...

Moonbeam Films changed the movie title AND specifically designed the DVD case to match Night at the Museum as close as they possibly could (from the composition down to the font) YEARS after the movie was originally made/released, and a few years after Night at the Museum released it's sequel, Battle of the Smithsonian. Hell, the kid on the DVD cover doesn't even look like the movie's MC, Ben (left) 💀 They just grabbed some random white boy to pose SPECIFICALLY for this.

NATM had proven itself to be- like- EXTREMELY fucking popular among kids, families, and a bunch of gay people who want to see that tiny cowboy and Roman kiss. Like we see with lots of bootlegs, they were likely banking on riding the coattails of NATM's success in order to make money on their low budget crummy movie...

Except like.... Search for the Jewel of Polaris isn't bad? It's nowhere near the level Night at the Museum is production wise, of course. But it's got a homey feel to it. It's got an actual story it's telling, and the actor's do quite a good job! (Especially in the beginning of the movie). It is it's own, quaint little movie that I would like to watch a second time.

To ride on the coattails of another movie kind of shows insecurity about the movie's actual contents I think. I mean, that dinosaur, knight, pirate ship, and weird alien thing we see on the cover?? Not in the damn movie 💀 This attempt to be dishonest about what the movie has to offer while also maybe hoping people confuse it with another, successful movie in order to milk money out of it just looks bad on Moonbeam Films' behalf.

In conclusion: Search for the Jewel of Polaris is NOT a Night at the Museum ripoff, and could never have been, what with being made 6-7 years before the first NATM actually came out. It was rebranded in 2012 as Night at the Magic Museum for DVD releases by Moonbeam Films. It's a cute, simple little movie with it's own charming characters and concept, and you can feel the human touch/heart all throughout it 💛💛

Thank You for reading. ☺️✨ Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be thinking about Falco for forever til eternity.

[accidentally-in-fictional-love]

DD Emoji Ask Game

This is an emoji/ask meme just for DD's characters, which I reopen whenever my queue runs out. Included are all the popular ones (movies and TV only) I've seen in his tag with a whole ton of prompts that can be mixed and matched, so if you like my work and would like to request your own reader with one of his characters, then please shoot me an ask and take part with me 💗

Exception: I won't ever take Breck requests since I'm keeping him in his own strict universe and everything feels wrong for him and his reader (Bunny, inspired specifically by my sole requester) outside of it, same goes for Joshua after so long. Everyone else, even if they have their own series and you'd like something outside of it, is free game!

Type (Optional)

🤔 Headcanon(s)

📖 Drabble

Characters

🤹 Abner Krill (The Suicide Squad)

🎆 Abra Kadabra (The Flash)

🕸 Bob Taylor (Prisoners)

🧛‍♂️ Dr Fearless

🤡 Dwight Pollard (Gotham)

👁️ Gurathin (Murderbot)

😚 Hank (Virgin Alexander)

🦉 Jack Delroy (Late Night With the Devil)

👓 James Lewis (Teacher)

😷 Joe (Rosario)

🚬 Johnson (Reprisal)

🖌️ Joshua Whitmore (Cass, has his own series/world)

💻 Kurt (Ant-Man)

🥺 Lester Billings (The Boogeyman, also has a series/world)

⚡ Lightning (AfrAId)

🔧 Lonny Crane (The Belko Experiment)

🔫 Murdoc (MacGyver 2016)

🙏 Piter De Vries (Dune)

⛓️ Ray Watkins (The Rookie)

💣 Simon Lynch (Almost Human, also has a series/world)

🃏 Thomas Schiff (The Dark Knight)

⛵ Wojchek (The Last Voyage of the Demeter)

🥃 Wright (aka The Writer, Making Love)

🎲 Random

😶 Unlisted (Specify, can be pretty much anyone he's played)

Prompts

😢 Angst

😊 Cute

💭 Dreams

🍼 Family

😨 Fear

🐑 Fluff

🤝 Friends

❣️ Happiness

💔 Hate

⛅ Hopes

🩹 Hurt/Comfort

❤️ Love

🎵 Music/Dancing

🤗 Platonic

🥰 Romantic

🔞 Smut

🌶️ Spicy

🍭 Sweet

🎯 Random

✏️ Unlisted (Specify)

[build-a-pokemon]

Wanted to stop by and thank you for the first pack we requested! :3 Mesmerizer is able to fully form now!! /gen , excited!!! I was wondering if itd be ok to request another? ^^ ( we have so many pokemon ehre who need help fully forming BGFHJ ) We have a Luxray here who would like to flesh himself out some more! All we really know is that one of his names is Annex, masc-aligned, and very protective. If its ok, we'd like the shiny level pack again w/ accessories! ( front triggers, source things, songs ) and maaaybe a pfp or banner if you have the energy when you get to this!! :3c - 🧧🥮

So happy we could help, it's absolutely okay and encouraged, send as many rqs as you need!

The Professor has answered! Thank you& for the ask.

Packs can be edited as needed; and Headmates might not turn out exactly as described!!

Headmate Pack For: 🧧🥮 Anon!

Level: Shiny {5}

Add-Ons: Front Triggers, Source Info, Songs, Pfp & Banner!

[⛰️]

Name/s: Annex! Lyn, Tempest, Bolt

Pronouns: he/him, hey/hem, hx/hxm, ve/vir, ne/nim, ae/aer

Term/s: masculine! + neutral

Gender/s: paramaac, pocket gender, nonbinary, bxy, demiboy

Orientation/s: gay, homoromantic, demisexual, AroAce

Species: Pokémon - Luxray | #0405

Role/s: Protector, Guardian, System Protector, Battery, Guard Dog, Creature Carer

Face Claim/s:

Nickname/s: Tem/p, Ann, Nex, Nexi, Nexus

Noun Pronouns: light/lightning, storm/storms, dark/darks, moon/moons, cat/cats, paw/paws, claw/claws, bolt/bolts, ni/night, lux/ray

Xenogender/s: luxrayic, electrictypic, stormcoric, electrocattic

Age/s: 25-27, mid twenties, 29-32, late twenties-early thirties

Likes: thunder storms, rain, warm coffee, sour candies (ex. Sour Patch Kids)

Dislikes: mean ppl, unreasonable aggression, being cold

Sign-Off/s: ⚡🐾, ⚡🐅, ⚫⚡, 🌩️🐾

Emoji Pronouns: 🌩️/🌩️self, ⛈️/⛈️self, ⚡/⚡self, ⚫/⚫self, 🖤/🖤, 🌆/🌆self, 🌑/🌓s/🌕self, 🌙/🌙self, 🐾/🐾self, 🐅/🐅self

Typing Quirk/s: s = z, may uppercase pre-existing z's!

Ex. " Thiz iz how Annex typez, he likez ztormz! " {/normal text/ " This is how Annex types, he likes storms! " }

Kin/Theriotype/s: Luxraykin, lightningkith, thunder hearted, panther theriotype, lionkin

Personality: A little unpredictable but friendly! Annex is very protective of the ones he holds dear to hxm and will go out of ⚡s way to keep them safe!

Aesthetic/s: Goth, Emo, Dark Academia

Moodboard/s: [9]

Positive Front Triggers: rainstorms, incents (specifically vanilla & lavender), rain ambiance

Neutral Front Triggers: thunder/lightning, flashing lights

Song/s: Thunder - Imagine Dragons, Some Nights - Fun, Faster Car - Loving Caliber, Try - Pink

Banner/Pfp:

[We couldn't find one in the style we were looking for so we made it, this is our first time making a banner!]

Here are some others:

Source Information: was a protector for a group of wild Pokémon (as a Luxleo) prior to being caught by a trainer.

Extra Things as a gift! - (could be added to Source Info!)

[polkadotjohnson]

So we all know David is going to be in a film that comes out this week called afraid what about the other films that are supposedly supposed to come out this year like Rosie and the life of Chuck or whatever I heard it’s gonna have a release date but not a worldwide release so whenever we gonna expect to see it in theaters, is it gonna be a thing like with late night with the devil that premiered last year but it had a worldwide release this year i’m just confused 

There have been no news, no change in state for The Life of Chuck, Dust Bunny and The Cure. I think it will be a while before (if ever...) we see The Cure, or whatever title they'll end up going with, as the producer company still has a 2023 unreleased movie. Afraid comes out this week and the character name is "Lightning" apparently, and Rosario's release date has been pushed back :( Mexico December 2024 and Russia April 2025.

The Life of Chuck will release at the Toronto Film Festival September 6, so pretty close, and lucky will be those who'll get to see it, because Late Night first released on March 2023 in South by Southwest, and it only got worldwide release over a year later. So I think we'll be stuck with just Mr. ⚡ this year...

[ask-cinnavanillamelody]

To Lightning's room, Sagi!

Finally! There you are, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were avoiding me Lightning~

I-It's not like that- Well it kinda is but I can explain-! ⚡

Mmf-!? ⚡

No No, No more talking for you. You're going to listen got it? I have many other ways of keeping you silent if it becomes an issue

Er- That sounded lewder than I intended-...Just, keep quiet while I talk okay?

M-Mhm. ⚡

...I greatly value your companionship Lightning. I don't know what I'd do without you by my side. I've been having constant thoughts about you lately, your laugh, your smile, and your determined face when you solve cases. And...other thoughts I won't get into right now but, suffice to say I can't banish you from my head, you keep me up at night.

I don't fully understand this emotion yet but...I want to have it, and I want to explore it with you. I want to be closer to you, I never want to be apart from you...

I guess what I'm trying to say is...*squee* I love you...Lightning Flash, will you be mine?~

[studyfindsindia]

Your playlist deserves better...🎧💙

Meet the Noise Buds N1 – sleek chrome finish, 40 HOURS of non-stop vibes, crystal clear calls with Quad Mic + ENC, and lightning-fast Instacharge ⚡ (10 mins = 120 mins play).

Whether you're zoning into study mode or zoning out, these buds just get it.

Perfect for study sessions, online classes, and late-night music breaks 😌🎶

💡 Ice Blue. Ultra chill. Ultra premium.

Tap to grab it now with 74% OFF – 📦🔥

Tap the link & treat your ears right👇

[usa2025store01]

Fargo Force Corgi Races Special Black Hoodie

Product link:https://flavorhauted.com/product/fargo-force-corgi-races-special-black-hoodie/

Store link:https://flavorhauted.com/

Fargo Force Corgi Races Special Black Hoodie: A Joyful Collision of Hockey Culture and Canine Charm

🐾 Where Ice Meets Adorable: A Hoodie for the Bold and the Playful

The Fargo Force Corgi Races Special Black Hoodie is not just another piece of sports merchandise—it's a celebration of community, charisma, and canine joy, wrapped in a high-performance design that balances the rough-and-tumble of hockey with the light-hearted delight of corgi racing. From the very first glance, this hoodie strikes a pitch-perfect chord between athletic pride and playful spirit, making it a standout in a sea of traditional sports apparel.

Dominated by a deep, matte black base, the hoodie serves as a strong canvas for bold graphic design and team branding. The unmistakable Fargo Force "F" lightning logo, sharply printed on the front left chest, electrifies the look with modern energy and intensity. But it’s the addition of the grinning corgis—adorably posed and donning mini jerseys—that elevates the piece from fanwear to fashion statement. These cartoon pups aren't just there for cuteness—they're a tribute to the fan-favorite intermission Corgi Races that have become a staple of Fargo Force culture.

⚡ Design That Balances Grit with Whimsy

Every detail of the hoodie is crafted with both functionality and flair. The sleeve striping, done in white and patterned with mini hockey sticks and paw prints, evokes traditional jersey aesthetics while tying in the theme of the event. This thoughtful blending of sports iconography with playful motifs transforms the hoodie into an item that appeals to both hardcore fans and casual spectators.

The back of the hoodie is where the celebration truly comes to life. Centered across the shoulders is the bold, collegiate-style typography of "CORGI RACES," flanked by three triumphant corgis sprinting across the ice in full Force gear. These pups aren’t just a gimmick—they’re an emblem of the team’s dedication to creating joy, building community, and embracing fun as part of the fan experience.

Flanking both sleeves is the Fargo Force crest, serving as a visual anchor and a proud reminder of the team’s presence in the USHL. The hoodie captures the team’s identity—serious on the ice, fun in the stands—with perfect balance.

🎽 Built for the Stands, the Streets, and Everywhere In Between

Comfort, quality, and durability define the Fargo Force Corgi Races Special Hoodie. Made from a premium cotton-poly blend, it’s designed to withstand cold arena nights while staying breathable and soft enough for everyday wear. The inside features a fleece lining that offers cozy warmth, making it ideal for midwestern winters and late-night post-game celebrations.

With a structured hood, kangaroo pouch pocket, and sturdy ribbed cuffs and hem, the hoodie ticks all the functional boxes. But what really sets it apart is its personality. It’s not just what you wear—it’s what you’re part of. When you don this hoodie, you join a movement of fans who don’t just love hockey, but love the experience, the mascots, the races, and everything that makes a Fargo Force game unforgettably unique.

Final Thoughts: A Hoodie That Races Ahead of the Pack

The Fargo Force Corgi Races Special Black Hoodie is more than a garment—it’s a celebration of joy, community, and fandom. It brilliantly bridges the gap between fierce hockey energy and lighthearted event culture, showing that true team spirit isn’t just about the scoreboard—it’s about the stories, traditions, and memories made along the way.

This hoodie isn’t trying to fit in—it’s racing ahead, paws first. Whether you’re a long-time Force fan or a newcomer charmed by the sight of corgis on the ice, this hoodie is an absolute must-have. It radiates spirit, humor, and style in equal measure, and there’s truly nothing else like it on the market.

[kreegan99x]

Wow! a late hatch of lightning bugs and there are "blinkies" everywhere! My favorite night sky companions! I'll even give them a pass when they ruin a frame! ⚡🦟

https://youtu.be/r6TuXHALzk8

[speedstershipping-archivee]

i started watching flash recently and every time hes on screen i go !! thats lyells boyfriend !!

HI ANON !!! sorry im probably late to answering this but 🥺🥺🥺 UR RIGUT !!! THAT IS MY BOYFRIEND THANK U SM !!!! ♡♡♡♡ its literally the highest honor when someone sees barry and thinks of me 😭 i hope u enjoyed the flash/ur day anon thank u for the sweet ask ♡

[mooncalf87]

⚡ and ❤, together in one or as individual snippets!

Okay! You didn't say a ship, so I'm just going to assume (and hope) you meant Remadora!! So let's dive into a fic where they are scared of thunderstorms and kisses.

-

Tonks sat bolt upright as a bright white flash shone through the curtains of Remus's room at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place.

She tried to lay back down, but as the thunder came a few seconds later she decided she couldn't deal with this anymore.

She quietly climbed out of bed, trying not to wake her love, but then she realized he wasn't there. The bed sheets were warm as if he had just left, but truth and all, he wasn't there.

She grabbed her wand from the bedside table, and tripped over the blanket as she stood. She grabbed her glasses off the table, as she had taken out her contacts and couldn't see, and put them on her face.

She left the room just as another flash of light peirced the night. It was mostly quiet, all the kids were sleeping, and Molly was spending the night with Arthur at St. Mungos, they had all been more edgy lately since Arthurs snake attack.

She slipped quickly and quietly down the many flights of stairs, and to the main library. She saw a light coming from inside, and heard the crackle of a fire.

She slowly opened the door, and let out a small, "eep!" As another big flash came.

"Dora?" Came Remus's voice. "That you?"

"Y-yeah." She said, her voice coming out more fragile then she had meant it to be.

"Did the thunder wake you?" He asked, holding out his arms for her. She shuffled across the floor, and sat curled up in his lap.

"Yes." She said. "And you weren't there. Didn't know where you went." She said, kissing his cheek.

"I will never leave you, love. I will always be within arms reach." Remus assured, wrapping his arms around her small frame and kissing the top of her head. "I like your glasses on you." He added at random.

"Than-" she gave a small wimper of fright as thunder, so loud it shook the house, came. "I dont like thunder."

"Me either." Remus said nodding. "Thats why I'm awake."

"It always reminds me of battles as an Auror." Tonks said. "I used to like it. Not anymore."

"I used to go play in the rain with my mother." Remus said. "It was raining one day at sunset, full moon, when I was four. I wanted to play outdoors so bad. . . I begged mother to take me outside. I got bit a few minutes after the sun fall. I don't remember it much, just a flash of lightning right when Grayback bit me."

"Thats. . . . Really scary." Tonks said, holding Remus close as if he could disappear.

"Yes, it was. But. . . . Im still here, aren't i?" Remus said.

"Yeah." Tonks agreed, kissing him. "And I'm glad to have you."

"My life wouldn't be the same without you Dora."

And they fell asleep, right there infront of the fire.

~•~

Tonks smiled as she looked at a photo of her and Remus snuggled together infront of the fire. The Weasley Twins had taken that in secret and then given it to Remus and Tonks as a wedding gift.

"What do you have there, love?" Remus asked, sitting down next to his wife. Teddy gave a small squeak in his fathers arms, and reached out for his mother.

"This photo the twins took of us." Tonks said, handing the photo to him and taking their two week old son in exchange.

"I remember this night." Remus said. "We had just begun dating."

Tonks laughed, but then gasped as a crack of thunder sounded in the distance.

"Dont worry, love." Remus said putting an arm around her waist. "Just thunder. I will always be here to protect you, it can't hurt you. I will always be here."

"Always."

[newvegascowboy]

🌷⚡🍃 for any or all of your OCs :)

oh, dealers choice 👀👀 hmmm i'll do a couple i don't usually talk about

🌷- How does this oc take their coffee?

Vera & Angela - black (Angela would be the type to slam a 5 hour energy after as well because she lives on the edge and also has adhd)

Killian - SO much cream and sugar

⚡- How well does this oc sleep?

Angela - tends to stay up far too late working. Tends to be a night owl, and then will sleep well into the afternoon. Takes a nap in the middle of the day either on her desk on top of whatever project she's working on, or the couch.

Killian - either sleeps like the dead or doesn't sleep at all.

Vera - poorly; she frequently has nightmares about the bomb and the war. Sleeps best when she's snuggling with Dogmeat.

🍃- Describe this oc in one word

Angela - lightning

Killian - manlet

Vera - blue

Bonus; Red - fruit

[the-bafflement-of-scotland-yard]

Okay lofe, imma tripple-request you <3 Electraboose, Greased Lightning, AND CBxDinah for ⛈, 🌹⛈, ⚡, 🎩, 🌈, 💟

Thanks lofe ;-; Here we go skdfhsdjkfhs

Greased Lightning

⛈ Do they enjoy dancing?

Well yes, because you would kill me otherwise skjfhsdkjfh Greaseball likes to show off by doing all kinds of fancy moves with Electra, sweeping them into the air and all that. This makes Electra feel all fuzzy inside.

🌹⛈ Who has the most nightmares and how do they deal with them?

Electra, because they're so out of touch with their emotions that they occasionally manifest at night. Greaseball did have a weird dream about Electra and Dinah once

⚡ What are their nicknames for each other?

Greaseball calls Electra brat, baby, my girl, good girl Electra calls Greaseball babe or lump

🎩 Who bothers the other person while the other person reads?

I can't really see either of them reading lol Probably Greaseball, he doesn't enjoy reading at all, Electra might still sit down with a fashion magazine occasionally.

🌈 What are their favourite colours?

Electra's is red. Greaseball has never thought about colours in his life.

💟 What do you think makes them perfect for one another?

They both know what it's like to be in the spotlights, albeit from completely different angles. But they share the pressure of having people look up at you, of having a lot of expectations put on your shoulders.

C.B./Dinah (what are we gonna name them? Dinahboose?)

⛈ Do they enjoy dancing?

Yep yep, they love doing funky little choreographies together, they did already as friends. Later they also really enjoy slowdancing, just arms around each other. Dinah leads lol

🌹⛈ Who has the most nightmares and how do they deal with them?

C.B. has. He has a hard time admitting it, but his career of crashing trains has left its marks on him. He tries not to show Dinah when he wakes from a nightmare, but she eventually learns to recognise the signs and will just hold him until he has calmed down again.

⚡ What are their nicknames for each other?

I love the idea of them calling each other Dee and Cee ;-;

🎩 Who bothers the other person while the other person reads?

C.B. bothers Dinah. He can stay focused on a book or something, but he likes spending time around her more. He's a lil starved for affection, poor thing ;-;

🌈 What are their favourite colours?

Dinah likes pastel colours the most. C.B. is obviously partial to red, but lately he's started to appreciate light blue a lot more.

💟 What do you think makes them perfect for one another?

They've been friends for years, both thirsted after someone who wasn't right for them, and in the process became very close. There's a really solid ground for them to be together, they know and accept each other as they are.

Electraboose

⛈ Do they enjoy dancing?

Yes! It's kind of difficult because Electra's over 30cm taller than C.B., but he loves to just wrap himself around them, laying his head against their chest. And Electra doesn't mind that they just have to look down to put their face into his gorgeous lil curls hrnnngggg

🌹⛈ Who has the most nightmares and how do they deal with them?

lofe are you trying to get me to spoil things?

⚡ What are their nicknames for each other?

Electra calls C.B. little criminal, C.B. calls Electra his superstar. They mostly use each other's names, though.

🎩 Who bothers the other person while the other person reads?

Both of them do cause Electra needs attention and C.B. is starved for affection, but Electra probably a little more often. C.B. is used to entertaining himself and has a little more focus than they do.

🌈 What are their favourite colours?

Electra likes bright red and electric blue, which is why they've chosen to be painted that way. C.B. loves the full rainbow, especially in that combination. He likes watching rainbows appear, gazing at the different colours of (wild) flowers, and he loves the iridescent effect of Electra's skin.

💟 What do you think makes them perfect for one another?

They're completely different, and yet similar. Both of them are outcasts: Electra because they're a superstar, forced from manufacturing onward to be on a pedestal, high above the crowd; C.B. because he's an old, beaten up part of a type of train that most of the railway already looks down on, abandoned by Control or anyone who might care about him. Electra is used to being taken care of, to being told what to do, and as such has a hard time handling responsibility. C.B., on his part, has looked after himself for all of his life. Being with him teaches Electra what it's like to be a little more independent, to step up when needed to instead of panicking or throwing a fit while others fix everything, and C.B. learns from them that being independent doesn't mean never to ask for or accept help.