#and they are so cute and silly with each other

[william-t-sickofyourshit]

William could barely hold back laughter. These two were too cute. Othello was so in awe when it turned out that Isa already agreed to his proposal. They hugged happily as if they were both absolutely thrilled by this new revelation. Adorable. 

He sipped his virgin drink, and looked over at Sebastian lovingly. “They are so cute. So cheesy. I bet we will be even worse once we get engaged.” William grinned.

He wanted to commemorate this moment, for Isa and Othello to remember, so he pulled out his phone and took a few photos of them being all lovey-dovey. They were being silly and hilarious, but gosh… William actually thought this was the cutest. They were so lucky to have found each other, they were clearly a perfect match. 

For I have sinned...

The principal cleared his throat, eyes scanning the notes that he had wrote down before this meeting. It already lasted an hour, and the teachers gathered in the faculty room were becoming restless and bored. But indeed there were some things to discuss, with the concert that the senior class was supposed to perform at the end of the semester, and with recent staff changes. 

William glanced down at his watch, sighing softly. His class was starting in 15 minutes, so at least, whether the meeting will be done soon or not, he will get to excuse himself. He looked out of the window, his mind wandering. Principal’s voice turned into white noise in the background. It was a pleasant day, late summer. But William was looking forward to a slightly cooler weather. Wearing all black could really be bothersome at times. 

“And lastly, I am pleased to announce that we have finally found replacement for the violin teacher. Dear Mr Tanaka, may he rest in peace, was with us for so many years that I’ve been concerned we won’t be able to find someone as good as to fill this position.” the principal spoke. “But Mr… Michaelis, was highly recommended to me, and he indeed has impressive references. He will be starting this week, so please welcome him warmly once he will arrive. Ah yes… about that. He will arrive today at noon, I need someone to pick him up from the train station and bring over for the tour around the school. Any volunteers?” 

William was barely listening, and definitely not paying much attention. He glanced at his watch again, and saw that it was time to leave, as his class was about to start. He raised his hand to excuse himself, and little did he know, he just volunteered.

“Father William! Excellent!” the principal exclaimed. “Just don’t be late, the train arrives at noon.”

“Train…?” William questioned, raising his brow. He had a feeling he was missing something…

***

Right after the meeting, William had to run for the class, so he had little time to clarify what exactly he had volunteered for. He was a piano teacher in this Music Academy, but also he served as a priest in local church. Well respected, and rather liked. So when he later found out it was about the new violin teacher, he didn’t refuse. Who, other than himself, would be a better choice to introduce a newcome to their community?

So even though he raised his hand by accident, he accepted this fate.

After classes, at noon, William took a taxi and drove to the train station, to pick up their new teacher. Wearing black trousers, and a black shirt with a thin tie, was absolutely dreadful in this weather, so William quickly found shelter under the roof of the station platform, that provided some shade.

The train had just arrived. William had no idea how Mr Michaelis looked like, but he figured he will just look for someone carrying a violin case with them. 

He was in for a bit surprise.

@crazyvik97

[geminorvm]

sunkissed || Phainon

Summary:

The warmth of the sun is a wonderful thing, yet, you have to be careful to not get burned. So, keep your distance and enjoy it from afar. That's what you tell yourself when you come face to face with seemingly the reincarnation of the sun: Phainon.

Wordcount: 22.5k

Read on AO3

Pairing:

Phainon / f!Reader

Tags/CW:

sfw, shoujo au, gendered terms as reader is fem (such as girlfriend, cute, pretty), strangers to friends to lovers, awkward situations (attempted blackmail), reconciliation, reader and phainon both love shoujo manga, i'm glazing orv in this one <3, accident during class, slight miscommunication, phainon literally forcing you to accept his help, silly antics (might be cringe depending on who you ask), study sessions (one time with his friends, one time just with him), reader affectionately bullies phainon, forced proximity, sun and moon mentions, reader slowly falls in love with him and realizes it much later, implied he falls first (she falls hard), putting some distance to avoid heartbreak, shopping arc, teasing of friends about it, implied social anxiety, phainon cares so much and helps with everything, puppy coded ofc, so much touching each other, confession in the rain, him giving reader his hoodie, handholding, borderline flirting, trying to keep the relationship lowkey but failing, mainly bc phainon is like That, so many hugs, cheek and forehead kisses with tension, movie date, clinging to each other during a horror movie, first kiss! and many kisses, this is fluff on fluff idk, this is just multiple scenes put together idk

Note:

this is a sfw and thus i dont mind minors interacting, but please, don't follow me, i post way too much nsfw and dc to be comfortable with that don't ask me anything, i dont know what this is supposed to be, this took way too much time, enjoy!

They tell you, do not directly look into the sun. Do not look directly into its radiance as its sheer splendor might end up hurting you, will end up hurting you. As a little kid, you didn’t quite understand why. Why would the sun bring you pain? Surely, it only wants to bring you warmth and light, surely it doesn’t truly mean you or anyone else any harm. Yet, despite scepticism, you listened and never dared to point your gaze directly onto the sun, simply enjoying its gifts from afar as one should, never close enough to feel more than its presence, never close enough to feel its touch, its kiss on your skin.

And you continue to listen to this piece of advice throughout your life. Never look directly into the sun. That’s what you follow, and that’s what you’re still doing as you avoid looking at the person standing in front of you. 

Phainon Khaslana. 

The personification of the sun. Someone who shines incredibly bright and is even warmer to everyone he ever sets his eyes on. Yet, being the sun means the chance of getting burned if you happen to get too close to him, the chance of getting hurt by these innocent rays of his. Especially because you doubt anyone has ever seen him without the same kind smile gracing his beautiful face. Not that you would know or have paid any attention, as you have been careful to avoid staring at him every single one of the few times you happen to cross paths with him. And until now, there truly never was a reason for you to see him in the first place; different classes, different social circles, entirely different lives. In a way, the two of you are akin to parallel lines; never meant to intersect under any normal circumstances. 

Yet, here you are, standing directly in front of the famous golden boy. The one some even call ‘Deliverer’ because he’s that one person who will always help you in times of need, no matter the place or the time. Something you have never considered even taking advantage of, you don’t need his help, as you’d rather rack your brain by yourself to find a proper solution on your own than rely on some apparently reliable stranger. If this were such a situation, you would refuse his help without a second thought. But this isn’t such a situation. None of you want help or offer help. You’re here by sheer misfortune. 

Classes change every year, the students mixing and mingling with different people every time, and it’s the norm to constantly have someone else by your side in the seating arrangement. And the school is big with multiple classes for each year, so, you really expected to never come face to face with him during your time at this school, the mere chance of ever meeting infinitesimal. Yet, this smallest of possibilities prevailed and came true. Phainon is in the same class as you. Which in itself wouldn’t be a big deal. You could simply ignore his presence as you beam your focus on more important stuff, such as classes and the stories you love to read. Something possible, something you could easily pull through. 

If it weren’t for the fact that he’s right next to you, that he’s getting ready to take over the seat right next to yours. 

You press your lips together in a tight line and turn towards your own desk to set your space accordingly. While doing so, you make sure to inconspicuously move your place as far away from him as the seating arrangement allows you to. This is the only thing you could do at the moment, as even exchanging seats with another person could prove difficult. Your homeroom teacher has forbidden it from the start to avoid any complications and fights. Probably because of your deskmate. You wouldn’t be surprised if many desired to sit next to him and would give up anything for this privilege. The amount of bribes you could have collected just for giving up your seat to someone might go beyond your expectations. But alas, this situation is unavoidable and you end up losing even your imaginary treats. 

Finally settling into your chair, you feel his eyes on you, almost like Phainon is waiting for you to say anything to him. But you don’t. You remain steadfast and instead direct your gaze towards the window to look outside or towards your open notebooks spread in front of you. 

Even during the ongoing classes, he continues to be relentless, his glances landing on you too often to attribute it to mere coincidence, and all you could do is furrow your eyebrows to radiate as much negative energy out of you as possible. A clear sign to leave you alone. 

Which doesn’t seem to work, because the moment the bell for the break sounds, Phainon begins to turn towards you, his mouth opening with the usual smile.

“They, pa–”

Before he could even get the second word out of his mouth, much less the whole greeting, you bolt out of your seat and leave the classroom with long strides, careful to not run and to attract any attention that way. Briefly glancing behind you, you notice how some people have started gathering around him, thus blocking his way if he ever intends to run after you. Which you doubt, because who would run behind a stranger in the first place. But if he happens to be such a weirdo, you would be long gone and tucked away in the crowd of students before he could even get the chance to look for you. 

You’re glad you got to get away in time, because you cannot imagine sitting there, practically surrounded by a horde of people chatting up a storm at Phainon while he simply entertains them. It would frankly grate on your nerves, so you may have to give them a nasty look in the future if it never truly abates and they continuously overstay their welcome. 

You use this short break to get some fresh air and to stretch your legs with a small walk, only getting back to the classroom just as the second bell rings to signify the end of said break. As you take your seat and pull out the materials necessary for the next class, you’re aware that you simply cannot do this every single break for the rest of the school year. But you’re prepared to do so for some time until Phainon gets the hint. If he ever does. Your peaceful last year practically hinges on him understanding social clues. Which he should know, right? Considering how well he gets along with everyone to ever exist. 

With this temporary plan, you return to your daily school life. At least that’s what you wanted. A normal day, no distractions, just getting through the day without any turbulence. Not whatever is happening right now. You barely understand the current situation as it is. 

It’s your routine to visit the library regularly. For various reasons; to rest in some peace and quiet, to study, to read the newest book you have been eagerly awaiting for some time, among other things. So, naturally, you have been spending more time there as a means to escape the borderline poisonous rays of sunshine Phainon gives off. That was the plan; to get away from his proximity and to calm yourself down with the presence of your beloved books and stories. 

But it seems as if the library itself is plotting against you. Because why else would you spy on Phainon through the gaps between the books on the shelves. There’s truly no reason for you to peek into what he’s reading. Besides the possible blackmail material, of course. 

Well, to be honest, that is your entire reason. If you had something to hold above his head, then he might possibly back off your back a little. And it would be fun to see him squirming every time you shoot him a look with the threat clear in your eyes.

You squint and try to look over his shoulders onto what he’s currently holding between his hands. And while doing so, you internally curse his build, because why are his shoulders so broad, there’s literally no reason for them to be so filled out with muscles. You think you might even see as the shirt is straining with the smallest movements. But there’s no time to grumble about his massive size and possible strength, because you just managed to catch a glimpse of the book he’s reading. Just one page, but that’s more than enough, as you’ve recognized it. Phainon is reading something unfitting for someone like him, he’s reading a shoujo manga. 

Reading a shoujo manga in itself isn’t such a big deal. You yourself are quite the enjoyer of shoujo. But for someone like him? This could easily tarnish the reputation he has built for himself. With this piece of information, you can easily expose him to everyone in this school and watch as he falls from grace with just one word of yours. Just the mere thought of him shutting up every time he remembers what you have on him, brings you inner peace.

With a satisfied grin, you tiptoe away from your watching place and out of the library. You’re already wondering how soon you can use your new weapon to your advantage.

Surprisingly, it did take some time until you actually decided to use this warning – it’s not blackmail, just a simple warning, you’re warning him against possible repercussions –, because for the first couple of days, you have taken on regular walks either on your own or with some friends to use this time to catch up with each other, all outside of his reach. And for some time, it seemed to you as if Phainon had begun to give up, because each time you slip away, his movements grew slower and more reluctant, until you didn’t have to hurry out of the classroom before he caught you. So, of course, at some point you thought it might be alright to just stay inside instead of getting away immediately; a chance to change it up and to read something in peace at your designated place. 

Ignoring the couple of people still swarming around Phainon – not without giving them a glare beforehand, though – you pull out your current reading and tap into the next chapter on your phone. You give the group one last glance before you focus your mind entirely on the familiar pages, the words in front of you drowning out their incessant chatter. Despite the noise, you feel comfortable and at ease, enjoying how the story is unfolding before your very eyes. 

You were so entranced in the writing before you, you almost missed the way Phainon has started to look at you, now that the people around him have left. You’re not sure if you can call them his friends. For some reason he doesn’t give you the feeling of truly trusting them if you compare it to his other friends from other classes such as Mydei and Aglea. Every time he’s with one of them, he seems to glow in an entirely different way. It’s akin to comparing the shine of the sun to the twinkle of a bright star. Entirely different categories. 

That’s something you have noticed, as for a year, Phainon and Mydei were in one class together, and apparently there was never a boring day with them around. Which would honestly suck for you, because you’d rather have a relaxing day than worry about two people almost starting fights every single day. But these days, in addition to the kindness they apparently show everyone, are the reason why both of them are immensely popular in the student body. 

Not that you cared. Popularity is something you have no use for, something fleeting and dependent on the whims of other people. To be loved by everyone is to be loved by none, in some way. Because how do you truly know who actually likes you and who likes you for what you stand for. But that’s honestly not your problem. It’s his. And it seems like he’s grown accustomed to it. 

Still, all these thoughts of yours won’t stop him from staring at you like he’s waiting to be noticed by his crush. So, with a sigh, you lower your phone just enough to look at him. Only to be immediately blinded by the boyish grin he gives you. Even as you’re squinting and frowning, you understand why people are so drawn to him. He truly gives the vibe of the perfect boyfriend, the perfect friend, the perfect partner, and so on and so forth. Still, you can’t be helped but be tempted to turn towards your phone and return to ignoring him completely. But alas, Phainon is not deterred by your facial expressions and begins to talk to you. 

“Hey, partner. Finally, I get to have a chat with you! I’m–”

“I know, I know. You’re no stranger to me or to anyone else, Deliverer,” you roll your eyes, keen on ending the conversation as soon as possible, so, you immediately take out your sharpest weapon. 

“Can you lean a little closer, though? Wanna tell you something real quick.”

Without question, Phainon complies until you two are almost cheek to cheek, but just far enough to avoid feeling the heat he radiates directly on your skin, just a whisper of it.

“Listen, Khaslana. I’d hate to do that, really, but lowkey, you don’t give me much of a choice here, partner,” you imitate the name he has given you in mockery. “But for some reason, you don’t seem to get the hint, so I'm gonna make sure it sits nice and tight, yeah?”

A pause, a tiny nod. 

“You surely don’t want everyone to know that you read shoujo manga, do you? Because it might be better if you back off a little and give me my space. Just so you know.”

With that done, you straighten up to put some distance between you and raise your phone to continue perusing where you have left off. You don’t particularly care about his reaction, but from his silence, you reckon your warning – not a threat or blackmail – has worked quite well. It seems that being so high above leads to some scary cliffs at one's feet. You hope he’s more carefully about whatever he does in the future, or at least be prepared to fall from grace in one sudden fell swoop. 

Either way, this isn’t your business, and you have gotten rid of yet another nuisance in life. 

But it looks like life doesn’t ever go according to your plans.

Nothing beats an outing with friends. Something simple yet filled with immense joy. That’s what this was supposed to be, going out with your friends, being silly and hitting some places to chill and chat. So, you don’t quite understand why you’re in your current situation.

The group consisting of you and your friends happened to meet another familiar group at the karaoke. And now, they have decided to hang out together, because one big room is apparently cheaper than two separate ones. Which isn’t a bad idea. The bad thing actually is the fact that the group consists of Phainon’s friends and him. You couldn’t even come up with an excuse to disappear in some hole in the ground before everyone rushed into the big rented room to share. In which, for some unfortunate reason, you happen to accidentally sit right by his side. 

You fidget with your fingers while stubbornly refusing to look towards him, the awkwardness choking the life and relaxation out of you. How could you face Phainon after practically threatening him? Yes, you admit, it wasn’t just a simple warning but straight-up blackmail, something no one in their right mind would do. You doubt you could ever have a proper and normal conversation after all of this. 

Watching your friends sing one by one, you rack your brain to think of a reason to immediately leave. A reason your friends would actually believe. Because they know you and your tendency to say anything to slip away and have with time grown a sense for these white lies of yours. So, that means you can’t just say anything. 

Deep in your thoughts, you almost flinch when Phainon stands up to readily take his turn, his laughter as he takes the microphone drilling into your head like the most beautiful melody. And you wonder if he can sing well with his soft and smooth voice. Only to practically get flashbanged by his performance. 

He’s an awkward singer, acting like he’s putting in the effort but his giggles resound too often throughout the song for that to be truly the case. His voice does sound nice despite everything, and you feel yourself shiver at the random thought of him whispering in your ear, low and slow. You immediately get rid of this thought, as the thing that truly shocked you the most is his song of choice. It’s the opening for a pretty well-known shoujo anime. Something even people who aren’t particularly fans would be aware of. And Phainon sings it by heart, word for word, not even embarrassed about the song itself, just about his singing skills. 

Rather, you’re the one suddenly feeling hot under your skin. You’re absolutely mortified. You can’t believe you have tried to threaten him with something he’s so open about. It seems like you have humiliated yourself for no reason, and he was kind enough to allow you this childish behaviour. 

The moment the song is over and everyone is scrambling around each other, trying to push the other to take over, you take this small chance to slip out of the room. You walk along the hall towards a random vending machine while pressing your hands against your cheeks, trying to get over your embarrassment. Now, you can’t ever look him in the eyes, even less than after your whole spiel at being intimidating; which turned out to be something of a shameful spectacle. 

With a sigh and some spare change, you order some random beverage from the vending machine. The coil slowly curls and releases the can before it falls down towards the opening with a clank. You lean down to reach towards it, but someone is way ahead of you and takes your drink into their hand faster than you could reach it. You immediately turn around with a frown pulling at your face. 

“Hey, that’s mine–”

And then you bite your tongue. It’s Phainon, and he’s rolling the can between his palms. 

“Hey, I saw you leave, is everything alright?”

This question feels like a gut punch. Why is he still kind to you, even after you tried to practically blackmail him for such selfish reasons? How can he care so much despite everything? You can’t believe someone like him actually exists.

You press your lips together and avert your eyes, contemplating if you should tell the truth or avoid the topic entirely. But you’re aware that this happened because of your constant avoidance, you’re aware you can’t run from him anymore, not after this. 

So, you pull your shoulders back and raise your head to face him head on. To look him into this stupid face with his stupid big eyes and worried frown, the usual almost-smile missing for once. 

“No. Nothing is alright. It’s– It’s getting to me, you know. You being all kind and stuff. Especially after what I’ve done to you, which– which in hindsight is so incredibly embarrassing, and I’m so ashamed… What I mean to say is… I’m sorry…” you blurt, the words which have been stuck in your throat suddenly dislodging at his simple question. 

Silence.Nothing but silence and you feel your face grow even hotter, something you didn’t know was even possible. Yet, you persist and keep holding eye contact with him, even if every cell in your body is screaming at you to look away, to run away.

For a moment, he just keeps looking at you as if there are many thoughts running through his head, which all need to be considered before he even begins answering you. And you worry. You worry that he might refuse you completely, that he might not want to try with you anymore – which would be understandable, who would want to be friends with someone who blackmails them –. you worry about fleeting stuff, the consequences and many other incoherent stuff, even to your own brain. Yet, all of that is more than enough to make your heart clench and tense. 

You’re not quite sure why you’re worried. If Phainon dislikes you, wouldn’t you have achieved your goal in getting him to leave you alone? But to you, that doesn’t matter anymore. This whole situation feels incredibly silly and childish to you and it’s your fault. And you genuinely feel bad. Despite your own feelings, you are ready to understand and accept his refusal of your apology. Your actions are incomprehensible, sometimes even to you; you can’t expect him to get it when you yourself might not. 

Suddenly, something cool presses against your cheek. ““Everything’s cool, don’t worry, I totally get it.”

“Huh? You do?”

“Well, yes. I’m aware of what the people talk about me, even if it doesn’t seem like it. And you wanted to avoid the crowd that comes with it,” he shrugs, as if it’s just something that happens. “I do wish that we could’ve instead talked about our favorite shoujo’s instead, but we can do that now, can’t we?” A smile pulls on his lips, genuine, instead of the one he wears around strangers. 

You bite the inside of your cheek, still on the fence and still in disbelief that it was this easy. But your guilty conscience prevails and you don’t have it in your heart to refuse him after he accepted your apology just like that. So, with a sigh, one of relief but also in surrender, you nod. “Sure, we can do that, whatever.”

“Great! Now, let’s get back.” Phainon wraps his fingers loosely around your wrist, enough to give you the chance to free yourself if needed, before dragging you back to the karaoke room. All while starting a conversation about manga as if you’ve been friends for a long time.

And with that, you understand why he’s so beloved to everyone. He truly is like the sun that warms your skin and your soul, blinding you only with his pure heart. 

Laughter bubbles up your chest as you enter the room following him. You only pause to close the door behind you, only to accidentally trap your own fingers between the frame and the edge of it. Whatever you were saying gets choked up in a small hiss as you shake your reddening hand. With the other you wave everyone who’s looking towards you off. 

“Nothing happened. Was just clumsy, don’t worry about it.”

Yet, when you sit back in your place, Phainon takes your hurt hand in his and presses a cool can against the aching spot. “You have to take care of yourself, alright?”

“It’s no big deal, really,” you smile with some hesitancy, still in some way unsure how to properly act towards him, but you have decided to keep yourself open to everything. 

He opens his mouth, his eyes suddenly serious, but before he could actually retort something, his friend, Mydei, you remember, calls him over, and soon the two of them are interlocked in a challenge of their own doing. 

You sigh as you lean back and decide to simply enjoy the rest of the day, pushing your worries aside for the moment, pushing the inevitable awkwardness aside for today.

The bell resounds, notifying everyone about lunch time. And instead of rushing out like you’ve grown used to, you allow yourself a minute to slump over your table and to release the tension in your back and neck. Now that you have to worry about Phainon, in more than one way, your heart feels lighter, unburdened. It seems like the dark life of blackmail and threats is not meant for you. 

Peace of mind and peace of heart. Peace in general. Or so you hoped. 

“Hey, do you want to eat lunch together?” you hear Phainon ask and raise your head slightly to look in his direction. Only to see how he’s laying over his arms and already at the same height of you, eyes meeting yours directly. 

You push your lips slightly forward, pondering. In truth, you’re inclined to decline and to spend your lunch either alone tucked away in some corner with eyes glued to a story, or with friends if they happen to be here. But at the same time, there’s some lingering guilt heavy in your chest and you can’t just go back to being mean to him with your whole being. So, there’s only one answer, really. 

With a sigh, you nod. “Sure, why not. But! I decide where to go.”

Without even pausing to consider your condition, he immediately answers. “Sure! Let’s go then!”

His bright smile – almost like he’s happy and even excited that you have agreed to eat lunch and to spend time with him – blinds you and you look away, acting as if you need to look for your lunch, rummaging through your bag, even if you know exactly where your food is located at. It’s just that you need to have a moment to prepare yourself mentally. Because you still don’t know how you’re supposed to spend lunch with him without going blind in all earnest. 

After intense mental preparation (as in, imagining a solar eclipse, which obscures the absurd amount of sunshine he gives off at all times), you stand up with your lunch in hand and lead the way out. And instead of going to the cafeteria – there’s no way you’re going there, a place filled with students, with the Deliverer himself, you don’t have a death wish –. you climb the stairs until you reach the highest floor, a small area in front of the doors to the open roof. For a moment, you contemplate if you really should go out there with Phainon, or if you should keep it safe and stay in this small space. 

But before you could come to a decision on your own, Phainon has already reached for the door and is holding it open for you, an almost mischievous grin on his lips. 

“What are you waiting for? C’mon!”

You raise your eyebrows but don’t say anything, instead you just step out to the roof with a small ‘thanks’ towards him. With quick and decisive steps, you make your way to the perfect corner, one where you’re in the shade, have a nice view of the field far away and hidden enough to avoid getting caught immediately. He takes a seat by your side and pulls out his own lunch. 

For some time, you both eat in silence, and you’re not quite sure if you’re enjoying it or if you’re actually feeling awkward. So, even if you’re not the biggest conversationalist, you put your brain through the wringer, trying to come up with a topic to talk with him about, something that couldn’t sour the mood, something normal–

“So, what are you reading currently?” Phainon beats you to the punch with a question of his own. And you realize with that that the powers of an extrovert cannot be topped no matter what. 

“Uhm, well, it’s–,” you tell him the name and immediately follow up with a small summary. 

It seems like he hasn’t read that particular shoujo, but he has read other ones, and soon, you’re exchanging names and favorites and recommendations. And if you happen to discover one you both have read and enjoyed, the conversation quickly delves into your favorite scenes and characters and their developments and so much more. 

“Man, I love shoujo. But I can’t lie to you, my ultimate favorite thing I’ve ever read is something called ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint. It’s so peak, absolute masterpiece. I actually need you to read it immediately.”

“Oh, I know of it. I think it’s even on my to read list. I guess this is a sign to start it now.”

“Yes! Absolutely, you’re not going to regret it, I promise. It’s soo good.”

In your excitement, you almost grab him to shake him, but instead of doing that, you just bump your fist in the air. And soon you devolve into an explanation of why ORV is the height of literature and Phainon only watches you with a small giggle, your excitement infectious. 

Lunch is over sooner than you expected, and with it your reading list expanded with new interesting prospects. The conversation between you and Phainon doesn’t halt just yet, it continues until you’re both at your seats, small whispers even when the teacher steps into the room to start the next class, until you both get reprimanded for talking and finally stay silent. But not without exchanging glances with a giddy grin. 

This short amount of time has changed a lot, and you only now begin to notice the warmth that spreads through you at his smile and at his words once it’s gone and left you cold. You realize why people tend to get attached to him so quickly. Phainon truly brings joy and sunshine with him wherever he goes with such ease. The Deliverer, the Sun. All of it makes sense the more you get to know him. You’re glad that everything had happened and you ended up friends with him (Even if you’re not sure what qualifies as his friend, but colleague or classmate just doesn’t hit the right spot, so you settle on ‘friend’; at least in your head).

A ball draws an arch in the air with a small whistle before it lands with a thump against the backboard of the basketball hoop. A cheer goes through the people sitting at the edge of the playfield and you join the excitement, high-fiving the girl who has made that amazing shot. There’s nothing better than the adrenaline of a game of basketball during your PE class. Frankly, you love the simplicity of it. The drilling, the throws, the blocks, the passes. It’s just the right amount of taxing and fun. And it’s an amazing bonding experience with the girls of your and of the other classes. 

Soon, you’ve landed in the middle of the playing field, the very same ball now flying towards you. With tense muscles you receive the pass and immediately turn around towards the hoop. A jump, a shot. And no one in sight to block its way towards the set goal. A clank as it hits the backboard, the hoop, before it fully falls into the net.

Your lips spread into a triumphant grin, and you feel your feet hit the ground. And then suddenly, you’re laying on the ground with a throbbing ankle. With a groan you slowly sit up and clutch your ankle, the skin beginning to feel hot and to swell under your touch. 

A group is already swarming around you, asking about your wellbeing and fretting over the obvious injury. You begin to swat them away lightheartedly. 

“I’m fine, it looks worse than it feels, believe me,” you assure them and scramble your body parts to try and stand up again. And despite your words, every move shoots pain through your ankle and you have to grit your teeth to stay quiet through it all.

You swallow before setting your injured foot onto the ground, readying yourself to put some weight onto it. But before you could do so, the ground completely disappears from underneath you. 

“H-huh?”

Straightening your head, you see that someone has grabbed you, slipping their arm underneath your knees and back. And you reflexively have put your arms around their neck. You immediately look up and have to blink a couple of times. It’s Phainon. 

“W-wait, I can walk fine on my own!” you squirm in his grasp, but his hold on you is firm.

He barely glances at you as he makes his way through the crowd, calling: “Excuse me, teacher, I’m going to get her to the infirmary.”

“Hey, listen to me, I can walk! Let me down!” you shake his shoulder while he’s walking through the halls with you in his arms. 

And finally, he looks down at you, a furrow buried between his eyebrows. “I won’t because you can’t walk. You can’t lie about these things without good reason. And you obviously don’t have one.”

The way he looks at you – not necessarily anger, but rather worry and some form of disappointment – shuts you up immediately and you stop your resistance entirely. 

Due to his long strides, it doesn’t take long until you arrive at the infirmary. Only, when Phainon enters the room with you in his arms, the place seems to be empty, the nurse gone for the moment, probably on a small break or something.

He carefully helps you sit down onto the free bed, and instead of waiting for the nurse to come back, he begins to rummage around the cabinets, pulling some random stuff out of them one by one. After it seems like he has gotten everything he needs, Phainon returns to you with his hands full of medical aid. They clatter onto the small table by the side of the bed and he takes a chair to sit right front of you, before grabbing your injured foot. Diligently, he takes off your shoe and sock, and you feel the heat rush to your face at the sudden touches and the sudden exposing of skin. You don’t have the time to stop him and to insist on doing it on your own before he’s already done and pressing an icing pack on your swollen ankle. You hiss but don’t move. 

“Uhm, you– you don’t have to do that, I can do it on my own…” you try to push his hand away and take over. 

But Phainon doesn’t budge. Instead, he grabs a compression bandage and starts wrapping it around the ankle to secure the icing bag properly in place.

“You can do it on your own, I know that. But you can allow yourself to be taken care of by other people, too, you know?” he murmurs as he cuts the bandage and attaches the end with tape so everything is fixed where it’s supposed to. 

He stands up and puts some cushions underneath the ankle to elevate it. “I’m going to get the nurse,” he doesn’t give you time to say anything before he leaves the room. 

An uncomfortable feeling is squirming in your chest. You have never seen Phainon act like this, and in some way it scares you. You’ve grown used to seeing him smile and bring laughter in his presence, one of pure radiance. And now, now he seemed different, seemed like he lost his spark, like he doesn’t even want to bring the usual sunshine with him in your presence. You’re aware that this is your own fault, you have pushed him away over and over again, and now you reap the consequences of your own actions. 

You should be happy. This is what you have wanted, isn’t it? Peace and quiet, no relations or interactions with Phainon at all. Even if you’re not on bad terms anymore. That would be the ideal situation for you, a neutral stance and barely any contact to keep your peace.

And yet, your chest is tight and your eyes sting, and you cannot explain to yourself why this might be. So, you only curl over yourself, clutching your own body with your arms, as you wait for the nurse to finally release you from your own thoughts.

As it turns out, your injury was more than a simple twisted ankle. It’s a pulled ligament, and now you have to use crutches for the foreseeable future. Which honestly sucks, how are you supposed to get anywhere like this. Especially if your school is just filled with staircases. You might as well be locked into the classroom instead. 

With a sigh, you begin your slow ascend. The school is still empty, because it’s way too early to be here, but you anticipated that it might take you some time to actually get to the intended floor. Still, you curse the reality of the classrooms of the graduation year being all the way to the top of the building. It just doesn’t make sense, especially not if you have to suffer like that. 

Suddenly, you feel the weight of your backpack disappear and you halt your climb to look around in confusion. It’s attached to your arms, there’s no way you just dropped it, that would be silly and stupid. But the answer springs into your eyes immediately, as you are met with a broad chest directly in your view, and you have to look up to meet with Phainon’s eyes. His hand has grabbed the handle of your bag and has lifted it just enough to release its weight from your body. 

You blink a couple of times. “Uh, good morning..?”

His eyes jump to your bandaged ankle and then back to your face. “Good morning, partner. Looks like the injury was not something you could do on your own after all, huh?” He takes a crutch from your grasp to release the straps from your shoulders, one after the other, all while making sure you’re still balanced and safe.

You push your lips forward in a frown. “Listen, how was I to know that it was this bad.”

He chuckles and then your bag is in his hold before you even notice it to be gone. “C’mon, let’s get you situated.”

“Hey, that’s my bag. What are you doing,” you hobble after him in a hurry, but he makes sure to always stay just far enough to avoid your reach. But there’s something he doesn’t seem to have accounted for when he made this nefarious plan of his.

“Ow! What was that?”

You grin and aim your crutch towards him, aiming for the next spot. “Vengeance.”

“That’s not the definition for venge– ow! Will you stop that?”

“You’re such a nerd. I will stop when my needs are sated.”

“Oh?” With a couple of steps, Phainon is upon you, trapping you between himself and the wall. You feel his breath warm against your face, his body overwhelming you with presence alone, and you swallow. 

You allow yourself to look up and you immediately meet his eyes, blazing and yet shadowed by something. A grin is spreading over his face, and you feel blinded. This makes you realize how pretty he is, even from this usually unflattering angle. Your heart beats fast in your chest and for some reason you feel nervous and hot. 

“You can’t do anything now, can you?” Phainon whispers and you almost shiver. Only to realize he means that you can’t use your crutches anymore because of the small distance between you. The space between you is barely there, his body is way too close to yours and you feel his heat radiating off of him, and it makes your insides squirm. You’re not sure if you find it to be pleasant or not, but it’s getting too much too quickly for your brain for sure. 

“I thought you were mad at me,” you suddenly blurt out the first thing on your mind. 

Oh, oh, damn it. That is obviously the wrong thing to say, why would you just mention it now out of all times. 

A sigh and his overwhelming presence disappears, as Phainon takes a couple of steps back. His hand drives through his hair. 

“I– I’m not angry at you. It’s just… It’s just, I wish you would take better care of yourself, you know? I’m aware, it’s not your fault, but your consequent behaviour was– was not how someone reacts to being hurt like that… just that…”

“Oh… Uhm… Okay… I’m sorry?”

“No, no, don’t apologize to me, just– just promise me you would take better care of yourself, okay?”

You swallow and blink a couple of times. That’s something nobody else has ever asked of you, you didn’t even know that it seemed that grievous from another perspective. And usually, you would not make any promises, as promises mean a certain amount of trust between the two parties. But Phainon is looking at you like a kicked puppy, shoulders slumped, eyes big, lips pushed forward into a frown. You can’t do anything but relent at this sight.

“Fine, I promise… whatever,” you sigh and roll your eyes dramatically. 

A smile immediately appears back on his face and his posture regains vigor. “Amazing! Let’s go, then.” He continues on his way towards the classroom, your bag still in hand. 

“Hey, wait up, you’re stupidly tall, what the hell,” you call out as you jump on one foot to catch up to him. 

Luckily, he does slow down and walk by your side at your own pace. You grumble.

“Couldn’t you have done that from the beginning?”

“Do what?”

“Walk at the same speed as me!” You raise your crutch and he raises his hands protectively over his body. 

“Okay, okay, sorry, sorry. It was just too fun watching you fumble around,” he giggles. 

“Funny? FUNNY? Oh, you’re going to get it, Deliverer.” 

You try to punch through his defenses, but he’s way too proficient in dodging every single one of your attacks, and you lose your breath before he even allows a gap in his protection. 

Acting as if nothing happened, you turn around and continue walking down the hall, huffing and puffing about him. Despite the hurried tempo you have taken on, it merely takes Phainon a small jog to catch up to you, his face practically glowing with a wide smile. Oh, how you wish to wipe that stupid grin off his face. But there’s nothing you can do, nothing you can beat him in. He has won.

With a defeated groan, you slump over your table. You have nothing on him, not even your grades. You joke about him being a nerd, but Phainon is in fact at the top of the class consistently, there’s no way you could win in that matter. And anything physical is a no-go, you’re aware of his build and stature, he’s nothing but lean muscle, and you’re obviously injured, not that you being on top of your game would have made much of a difference anyway. 

You gaze out of the window, only startling when the teacher mentions mock exams. There’s still enough time for the real ones, but it’s better to be prepared, so they’re pushing out multiple mock exams in regular intervals. You suppress a groan, how are you supposed to study under these circumstances. 

Then, you perk up. They say, to beat your enemy, join them. Slowly, you rip a piece of paper and scribble something in a hurry before you nudge Phainin and slide it over to him. He takes it and reads it intently, as if it’s something important. Then, he begins to write something on his own and pushes it back to you. 

You take it back and look at what he responded. But the first thing you notice is that his writing is insanely elegant. What an unfair world you live in. You huff before focusing again on the actual content. 

‘Yeah, we can study together :)’

Pumping your fist in your mind, you show him a thumbs up. You’re going to destroy him using his own methods.

“Ughhh, I can’t do this anymoreee,” you whine and your limp and heavy head falls onto your open book. You don’t even know what the current subject is, you’re tired and hungry and thirsty. This is torture. 

“Oh, are you tired? Do you want something sweet?” a kind, soft voice asks you and you glance to the side.

It’s Castorice. And she’s offering you a glucose candy. You purse your lips and nod slightly before taking it with a thanks. 

While letting the sugary treat melt in your mouth, you allow yourself to look around the table. Phainon has invited his whole friend group and everyone is huddled together in a study room. You wish he at least told you beforehand that it’s going to be a bigger group, then you wouldn’t have been as surprised as you were when you walked in on them, stumbling and almost breaking your face. You really can’t afford to break your face. It might be your last saving grace, considering how stupid you currently feel.

This was supposed to be a studying session, to study, to learn things for class. But it turns out, everyone in this group is way ahead of the curriculum, and currently discussing things you cannot even begin to comprehend. So, not only do you feel dumb, you also feel almost left out. If it weren’t for the lovely Castorice, you would truly be sitting in a corner, sulking. You decided to ignore Phainon for the rest of your life. Revenge is not worth it, you should focus on more important things. Such as–

“Cas, let’s run away together!” you say with a dramatic flair, akin to asking her to elope with you, and take her hand and press it to your chest. 

She giggles softly. “I would love to, but we really should study. It’s going to be good for us later.”

Castorice talks as if she’s on the same level as you, when you’re so keenly aware that you’re the one who desperately needs to study, not her. Like the rest, she’s on top of her game. You groan but relent. 

“Fine, whatever. I’m doing this just for you, though.”

You throw a dirty look in Phainon’s direction, but he’s too busy arguing about some technicality with Mydei. Their words are nothing but a disarray of technical terminology. Still, you see your chance, your chance to do something instead of worrying over your boring and headache-inducing studies. 

“I agree with Mydei,” you disrupt their discussion with your own opinion, albeit worthless because you have no idea what the topic even is, just that they’re both on two different sides, and nothing else matters. Because that way, you can get under Phainon’s skin. If you can’t win in any facet of life, you can at least make his much more annoying. 

“You do?” Phainon asks and whips his head towards you, eyes wide and eyebrows slightly furrowed.

You glance towards Mydei, who’s looking at you with a slight frown, almost like he can’t comprehend why you’re interfering in their intellectual fight. Then, you nod.

“Well, yes. His arguments ring true, if you look at it from a different basis and multiple perspectives. You have to take apart the implications and understand how they work together. So, he makes total sense.”

None of the things you have uttered have sense or reason. You’ve just jumbled some random words together to seem like you understand the topic completely, which you don’t, but that’s not something these two have to know at the moment. 

Your words seem to have some effect, because they both sit in silence and seem to ruminate over the implications and consequences of your opinion. Which again, in truth amounts to exactly nothing. But maybe they can make some rhyme out of nothing. Smart people are a whole league of their own.

For a moment, you keep a straight face, trying to uphold this facade of seriousness. But seeing them actually ponder so deeply about your nonsense inevitably makes you break and you giggle. Then you make eye contact with Aglea and Castorice, which both have caught up faster than the two boys. And you couldn’t hold yourself back anymore, bursting out in laughter.

“For a nerd you’re pretty stupid, aren’t you,” you wheeze between breaths. 

Only then does it seem to sink in and they both huff, one with a broader smile than the other, but amusement clear in both. 

“This is what you get for dragging me, a normal person, to a meeting of geniuses,” you press your fist against his arm and push him slightly. 

He sways and holds his arm dramatically, as if you have punched him with true force. “My heart dropped from your betrayal, how could you!”

“Hey, I can’t lie to you, I will always side with Mydei on everything,” you turn towards Mydei and show him a thumbs-up with a wink. He only clicks his tongue and rolls his eyes. You honestly take that as his approval. Despite his gruff facade, Mydei is much more emotionally mature than people give him credit for, even if you still struggle with reading his micro-expressions.  

Phainon gasps in shock. “I think I just felt my heart break in a thousand pieces!”

Laughter and bickering continued to fill the room until it started getting late. And as you probably need more time to get home due to your current disposition, you pack your things and decide to leave a bit earlier than the others. 

“Wait, I’m joining you,” Phainon hurries with his own stuff, scrambling and fumbling with everything and you watch him with a small chuckle, but you don’t tell him that he can take his time, enjoying his reaction to a little time pressure. 

Soon, he steps up to you and stretches his hand towards you. There’s no way he’s asking to hold your hand, you need to walk with your crutches, still, so what exactly does he want? With this question written all over your face, you look from his palm to his face. 

“Your bag, please.”

You sigh. At this point, you’re aware that he’s going to get your bag either way – the amount of times your stuff disappeared only to be in his grasp during the school day is almost outrageous –, so it might be for the best to just surrender peacefully. So, you shrug it off your shoulders and allow him to take it off of you and to sling it over his own shoulder. The clash of colors and aesthetics is funny and you giggle at this sight. 

Finally ready to go, you both leave the room with a loud goodbye and walk towards the exit. This time, he makes sure to walk at your pace. It seems he has learned his lesson and does not seek the wrath of your sticks. 

The two of you walk towards the station chatting about anything and nothing. And as it happens, you take the train into the same direction as him. So, you end up squeezing yourself with him into the full car. There wasn’t any place for you to sit, so you tried to lean against a post to hold your balance. If necessary, you would step onto your injured foot, as you’d rather do that than fall down completely. 

Suddenly, one of your crutches is gone and the lack of support makes you sway dangerously. But before you could either land on your foot or drop onto the ground, you feel a warm hand around your waist stabilizing you quickly.

“Ah, sorry, I thought you would notice, should’ve warned you beforehand,” Phainon apologizes and you imagine he would rub his neck if both of his hands weren’t occupied by holding either the post or you. “You can put your arm around me to hold yourself.”

You open your mouth, ready to retort something, maybe a refusal even, but the train begins to shake before the words even form in your brain and you reflexively clutch his shirt for some hold, your whole body practically falling against Phainon. Against your own will. And normally, you would immediately put some distance between you and laugh it off, but at the moment such moves were effectively impossible. You practically have to depend on him this very moment with no other way out of it, your body can’t handle the turmoil by itself even if you wanted to.  

So, you embrace the situation, even if you keep your body stiff, trying to ignore the warmth or broadness of his body. Or how gentle his fingers are against your body. You gulp and feel how shallow your breath has become, how his breath is grazing your forehead. 

“Is everything okay?” he asks you, and you could practically hear the frown in his voice. Only, you don’t want to look up, you really shouldn’t look up, there’s no reason for you to look up. 

To answer him, you reflexively look up to him. He’s leaning slightly closer to be able to talk to you at a proper volume and you meet his eyes directly, the stunning blue mesmerizing and his breath now warm against your cheeks. You suddenly realize how good he smells, tropical and slightly musky, something you wouldn’t expect of a boy his age. All of these things, his warmth, his soft eyes, his mellow smell, short-circuited your brain and all of your thoughts are gone. Still, you remember to nod, earning yourself a broad smile. One so bright, it feels like burning into your retinas and you almost choke on your own saliva from the ensuing shock. 

For your health, you sink your head back down and try to look anywhere else but him. Sadly, due to his frame obscuring a big part of your vision, you end up staring at his shoulder, the most normal part to stare at, opposite to your other choices, which all would have been either weird, risky or hazardous for your health. 

In some way, you wouldn’t mind, but being the only one feeling overwhelmed by this situation kind of sucks. But also, you begin to understand the shoujo mangas a little more, this is heart-race-inducing. You open your mouth to mention it to your fellow shoujo-enthusiast, but you remember that if you tell him, you might as well confess that he would be the perfect male lead. There’s no way you’re doing that, that’s ridiculous. 

You don’t even like him like that. 

You don’t like the way Phainon smiles filled with joy, how he’s able to banter with you at every opportunity, how he’s supportive in his own ways, how he shares your interests, and you definitely don’t like the way he looks. This situation is only affecting you because of the sheer proximity, nothing else. 

Nothing else.

Nodding to yourself, you’re finally able to at least breathe a little easier. There’s nothing going on and no reason for you to feel so nervous around him. 

The rest of the ride is silent, a comfortable one, both exhausted and not keen on keeping up the conversation; both simply enjoying each other's presence. Soon, you arrive at your stop and you both get off. 

“Wait, why are you getting off here? There’s no way this is your stop,” you ask him with a frown.

“That’s true. But I couldn’t just give you your stuff back in an overfilled train, right?”

With this, Phainon helps you put your bag back on, one arm after the other, grasping your fingertips carefully with his to lead you through the handles, before he hands you your missing crutch back.

“Oh, thank you!”

“Now, it’s time to say goodbye. See you tomorrow, partner?” For some reason, his hand pats your head while he smiles. 

You nod, trying to ignore the sudden weight on your head, trying to ignore the possible reason for doing so. “See you tomorrow, nerd.”

Waving, you leave the station. But not without looking back at least once. Only to see Phainon not taking the next train, but rather watching as he comes out the other side to take the train towards the opposite direction, towards the direction you both came from. 

You frown. There’s no way he made this ride just to join you, right? But there’s nothing else to explain why he’s going back now instead of simply getting out earlier. Maybe that’s why he exited the train with you, to catch the other train instead of continuing the drive needlessly. 

Heat rises to your face at the mere notion that Phainon might truly have just wanted to accompany you and spent his time and put in the additional effort into this detour on his way home just for that, just for you. 

And, you definitely don’t like him, so there’s no reason for your heart to ache and to race and for your body to get tingly and mushy; there’s no reason for the heat rushing under your skin and for your chest to feel all light and airy. No reason at all.

Day to day life continues. And the endless pestering of Phainon continues. But you truly have grown to enjoy his company, even if the teachers have started to scold you more and more, because he just keeps making you laugh. Which is ridiculous in itself. Why would you constantly feel the urge to laugh and giggle around him? There’s no need for you to do that, but for some mysterious reason he just knows how to tickle that certain mirth out of you, and every time there’s nothing you would love to do more than to shut him up in one way or another, maybe even hit him to get him to stop. With him around, everything you do feels nonsensical. 

And it appears that it can only get worse. 

You slip a swear under your breath. “Fuck, I forgot my book.” With a groan, your head hits the desk, before you straighten up again with an absolute genius idea.

“Hey, hey, nerd, hellooooo, listen to me, give me your book. Khaslana, give me your book.”

“No. Our teacher reprimands everyone who forgets their book–”

“I know, it should be you, though. Give me your book.” You stretch towards him and try to snatch the book out of his hands. 

He shakes his head and clutches the book tightly against himself. “Why should I? It’s your own fault for forgetting the book.”

“Uhm, maybe because I deserve it? Because I entertain all of that,” you point at him.

“You just pointed at all of me?”

“Exactly. Aren’t you a smart puppy? Now, give it to me!” 

You lunge towards the book but his reaction is faster and Phainon manages to pull it away before your fingers grab it. Only, as you expected to get some hold with the book, you suddenly find yourself unbalanced in the air. And as gravity likes to pull things towards the ground, you topple over, expecting to hit the hard ground. 

But instead, you feel something soft underneath you. You open your eyes, which you have closed during the fall out of reflex, and are immediately met with the slightly flushed face of Phainon looking down at you. Why would he blush? You were fighting just a moment ago. 

It takes you a second to realize where gravity has dragged you to: You have landed on Phainon’s lap, your chest slightly pressing against him in a compromising situation. The heat rises to your head and you jump out of this positioning, only to hit your head against the table.

“Ah, fuck!” you groan and hold your head as you crouch down. 

You feel careful fingers slip underneath yours to feel out your skull. “Is everything alright? It doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a bump.” 

“No, nothing is alright. This is your fault. Now you gotta at least share the book with me,” you jut out your lips, trying to cool down by distracting yourself, and hopefully him, from the earlier situation. 

Phainon chuckles. “Okay, fine. But I’m not taking any blame.”

Pushing his desk closer to yours, he puts the book between them. While he’s doing that, you stand up again and take your place. Just in time for the teacher to enter the classroom. They immediately start walking down the rows to check every student for their books. And then they stop at your table.

“Look at that, which one of you forgot their book?”

You press your lips together before you open your mouth to admit your mistake.

“Good morning, teacher. I’m sorry, I forgot my book today,” Phainon answers before you could say anything. “But look, my partner allowed me to share this one. Aren’t you proud of our teamwork?”

The teacher frowns. “You’re on thin ice, Mister. But, I will allow it because it would be the first time for you. And you–,” they turn towards you. “I’m keeping my eye on you, next time there won’t be much leeway, got it?”

You nod. Of course the teacher realized who the problem is. Phainon has probably the cleanest record in the whole school, you not so much. Still, him shifting the blame onto himself meant that the teacher couldn’t really do much without any other proof, because Phainon is probably one of the most trusted students ever, even if a little annoying. He’s just prone to discussing things at every angle with the teacher, especially if he has another opinion. In some way, that only made him look more genuine with everything he does. 

Even if sometimes you wished nothing more than to shut him up for one minute. 

With a sigh, you lean towards the book, your forehead almost meeting Phainon’s. He grins and leans even closer. 

“Got lucky, huh?”

“I wouldn’t say taking the brunt of it ‘lucky’, but if that’s your definition,” you shrug and avert your eyes. 

He’s way too close again, and you wonder if Phainon knows anything about personal space and proper distance. You’re keenly aware of his warmth, his shoulder almost brushing yours as he’s focused on the book before you, his scent intermingling with your breath, even if your breathing grows stiff. It’s not fair that he can concentrate on the work while your heartbeat is drowning every single rational thought of yours. In some way, you start regretting sharing the book. Yet, your body feels at ease despite everything. 

And due to the smaller distance between you two, it’s easier for Phainon to whisper bad jokes and suggestions to you, making you cramp from holding back your giggles. But that also meant that it’s easier for you to jab your fingers between his ribs so you can watch as he twitches and squirms without being able to do anything against it at all. (And you’re totally ignoring the way he feels so firm underneath your fingertips, because at the moment, nothing else matters but making him burst at the seams.)

Soon, the lesson is over, and you have not listened, much less understood, a single word. That’s another thing you have to redo on your own later on. What matters now though, is trying to get away as fast as possible. 

The moment the bell rings, you stand up, your injured foot now able to carry some weight as long as you don’t overdo it, and you begin to limp towards the door of the classroom with the highest speed you can take on. Yet, you’re not fast enough, you will never be fast enough, as Phainon doesn’t even have to do anything but to stand up from his chair to grab you and to heave you onto the table.

“C’mon, you don’t have to–” you squeak when he traps you with his body. One arm on your side and his legs pressing up against yours. 

“Oh, but I have to.”

“I have done nothing to deserve this, this is outrageous–” you lean as far back as possible, escaping the swipes of the marker in his hand. “At least not on the face!”

He only grins and continues to move the colored marker towards you and you don’t stop moving to dodge every attack of his. Until he finally hits your skin and a long streak down your throat is made. 

At this, you both halt your movements and you pucker your lips slightly forward. 

“Ah, I’m sorry, I really didn’t–” He presses his thumb against the mark and swipes carefully on your skin. You’re almost worried he can feel the racing pulse at your throat and thus you act quickly. 

“It’s okay, it happens. But now, you have to let me have my retribution,” you grin and take the marker from his hand. 

You push him away to change places with him. Only is Phainon much taller than you. 

“Ah, no, don’t sit on the table. Are you stupid, how should I reach you like that? Sit on a chair like a normal person,” you shake your head and stem your hands on your hips, as if disappointed in him.

“Oh, yes, that makes sense,” he scratches the back of his neck and takes a seat on the chair instead. 

After he has settled down, you step to his side, tugging slightly at his collar and loosening it. It’s way too easy to expose him like that, and you notice how the veins run underneath his skin and how even his neck shows his physical capabilities. You grit your teeth once before saying anything.

“Now, be a good boy and hold still,” you murmur before leaning down and pressing the marker carefully on his skin, hesitating briefly as you feel him shiver slightly. Probably just a little ticklish – or scared.

With smooth motions, and a tongue peeking between your lips, you draw one line after the other. Your other hand has grabbed his chin carefully to tilt it up for more access and to keep him from doing any sudden movements. 

“Uhm, not to distract you, but that feels like a lot–”

“Shh, you’re disturbing my creative flow.”

“Creative flow..?” he murmurs with slight confusion tinting his voice, but he shuts up nonetheless. 

One final stroke and you lean back, satisfied, and wipe your forehead as if you just put in enormous effort into it. 

“Done! Looks great! Wait, let me take a picture,” you quickly look for your phone. Once it’s in your hand, you set the focus on him, bending your knees slightly to get the best angle possible. 

Phainon grins and holds up two fingers as a peace sign. After you took a pretty good picture – after many blurred or out of focus or made just for you –, you lean against the table by his side and show him the picture of your choice, showcasing your work to him as he leans slightly against you to get a better look. The yellowish marker has drawn a circle and some triangles, forming a stylized sun as a result. 

“Oh, this is pretty good,” he reaches over your arm to slightly zoom in. “Should I get it tattooed?”

You slap his arm lightly. “Don’t you dare. This is just a permanent marker. But a tattoo is probably for the rest of your life, don’t decide that on a whim,” you click your tongue. 

“Okay, okay. Can I at least fix my mistake?” he points towards the line on your own skin. 

You roll your eyes and hand him the marker. “Might as well, huh. And don’t you dare put something weird on me. Or you’re gonna get it,” you threaten him as you take a seat on the table.

Taking the pen from your hand, he grins at you. “No promises.”

There’s no time for you to do anything but throw a dirty glare his way before he has carefully grabbed your face to take his turn tilting it for more access. Soon, you feel the velvety tip over your skin, soft and steadfast. And you try your best to only focus on the movements of the pen, not on the warmth of his breath against your neck, or the gentle pressure of his fingertips against your jaw. You feel your heart racing in your chest and you’re worried Phainon might even see your pulse visibly beating in your throat. 

The time stretches endlessly. Every single stroke and every single breath makes your skin tingle and your insides squirm. It feels like forever has gone by when Phainon finally releases you from his grip and admires his work with a smile.

“Looks good, do you want to see?”

“Hello, of course I want to? What kinda question is this?” 

As if prepared for your answer, Phainon holds out his phone to take a picture of you, and you copy his earlier movements, grinning and holding out a peace sign. You doubt he only took one singular picture, because he keeps changing angles and positions, and you couldn’t help but giggle at his seriousness. 

“Okay, that’s enough, that’s enough, show it to me now.”

With one last flash, he returns by your side, leaning against the table you’re sitting on, one arm supporting him on its surface – conveniently positioned behind you – while the other is directing his phone to be in front of you, a picture of you on the screen. For a moment you were too distracted by the way his body hovers against yours, one wrong move and you would be touching each other and your skin feels warm at the thought of being between his pectorals, for some reason. But you shooed these thoughts away and immediately steered your focus towards the picture and the drawing he did on you.

It’s a crescent moon. Not a big one, just one using the stray line on your skin and accompanied by the tiniest of stars as decoration. 

“Ohh, it’s pretty! Should I get it tattooed?”

At this, Phainon giggles and bumps his shoulder against yours. “Hey now, remember what you said? Don’t decide that on a whim.”

“That was for you, I – on the other hand – am totally responsible and always think everything I do through, unlike naive puppies in my surroundings,” you huff and give him a cheeky grin. “Anyway, do send that picture to me, yeah?”

Phainon only rolls his eyes, even if the smile tugging at his lips is betraying him. Your eyes get stuck for a moment on his lips, soft and plush and filled with joy, before you rip them away and look at the drawing you have made once again; a realization dawning upon you.

You’re matching. Sun and moon. Of course, it’s purely coincidental. You have chosen the sun, as Phainon symbolizes the sun to you, simple as that. And you doubt he has put much thought into it, maybe just drew the first thing that came to mind to fit the stray line, and as he has just seen the sun on himself his first thought might have been the moon, nothing more. There’s no way Phainon would choose the moon with this particular connection in mind. 

Still, you couldn’t help but feel slightly giddy about it. Nothing beats a couple which are sun and moon coded, not that you’re a couple, you don’t like him that way, and even if you did, you’re sure he doesn’t either. It’s just the romantic aspect of it, you are an avid shoujo lover after all. Who would you be if you didn’t romanticise some stuff without reason occasionally?

But you don’t get enough time to ruminate over it further, as the bell rings once again and the teacher soon enters the room. And even if each of you has their own book now, your tables continue to stay close. 

A couple of weeks go by and you can now walk around without using your crutches. Still, to give the ligament more time to heal, you’re not supposed to join any strenuous activities just yet. But that means you can pick up the simple walks with your friends during the breaks again whenever you have the time and energy. 

While everyone is catching up with the news of each other’s lives, the path you take goes by the soccer field. Immediately, the pace slows down, almost coming to a halt. 

“Look, doesn’t he look so dreamy?”

“Who? Phainon? Absolutely, he’s soo boyfriend material. Almost feels like an idol in that sense,” your friend giggles and her shoulders push against yours. 

“Do you think I got a chance?”

“Huh? Does he even know you?”

There’s laughter, none of you are really taking this seriously. In that matter, he seems to be in a different world. Because it’s true, if Phainon weren’t your deskmate, you would have never met. For a moment, you watch him kicking the ball, a serious expression on his face as he shoots the ball, and scores. The very same expression breaks into a broad grin and you think to hear his laughter mixed in with the cheers of his teammates. 

You hear your name called out and turn towards your friends. “Hm? What?”

“I said, you know him, right? Is he the way he actually seems?”

“Uh, maybe? He’s kind and charming and funny, but also such a nerd. I’m so serious, borderline a loser if you know him…”

Your friends exchange glances and giggle with each other. At this, you feel slightly out of the loop and squint your eyes at them. “What.”

“Ohhh, you like him~!”

Your mind forms into a big question mark. “No I don’t? There’s nothing to like?”

“You totally do! Do you hear yourself?” she giggles and points at you. 

Your other friend puts a hand on your shoulder as if in consolation. “I fear we have lost you. We’re going to grieve for you, my friend.”

“I’m still here? You’re not gonna lose me to that nerd of all people, psh, please.”

Your friend shrugs at your words. “Oh well, then you surely wouldn’t mind this,” she nods her chin towards the playfield and you follow her lead. 

There’s a girl from another class carefully approaching Phainon. And she’s really pretty, you can’t lie. Yet, despite that, there’s an uneasiness squirming in your stomach when you watch as she talks to him, watch his ears and neck turn red – you wonder if his face turns red, too, you cannot see it from your position –, and see a letter being exchanged. 

You grit your teeth, for some reason feeling upset over this. But there’s nothing to feel upset about. Even if you did like him, and maybe it’s time to admit you do, you’re not entitled to any of his affection. In some way, you’re lucky you’re even friends with him in the first place. 

“Of course I don’t, why should I? His love life is none of my concern,” you huff, an attempt to continue denying your feelings, to avoid making them worry for no reason. Because it truly is none of your concern, he’s allowed to like whoever he wants. And you’re allowed to ignore the inner turmoil he seems to cause with his presence alone. 

Without another word, you simply hook up your arms with them and continue on your walk, keen on ventilating the stale air of your worries out of your head with anything else. And a last fleeting thought enters your mind: you should probably take a step back from Phainon, to respect his new girlfriend, or whatever. 

If only you knew how difficult it is to avoid the things you have gotten attached to. And you have an attachment to your deskmate, unfortunately. So, even if you have started putting some of your walls back up, to protect yourself mentally and physically, Phainon still manages to make them crumble with a few words, with a simple smile. His everything has you in such a grip, you haven’t realized how bad it was before. Still, you try to avoid him at least outside of the classroom, that’s the least you could do.

Or that’s what you tell yourself. Because you’re getting major déja-vu. Your group has met Phainon’s group out in the wild again, completely by chance. And of course, as everyone is already acquainted with each other due to the karaoke event, they immediately decide to join groups. Again. Akin to the first time, there’s nothing you could do to protest or to flee, so you just stay silent and relent without even trying. 

Everyone is chatting together chaotically, splitting up in groups depending on the needs of each individual, and before you know it, these groups are headed in different directions, catching you off guard by the sheer speed of it all, you barely had the time to adjust, much less join a group. 

“Well, I guess it’s only us now, huh?”

You startle and turn around with a quick step. Only to face Phainon. Your eyes take a quick glance over him and you notice that his whole vibe is different. It’s probably due to his normal life clothes. You’ve grown used to seeing him in the same uniform as everyone else. His outfit is simple, yet it fits him incredibly well. A white shirt tucked into loose pants and a black leather jacket complementing the look (and boots which make him even taller than he is, which in your opinion is absolutely ridiculous). You think to perceive an almost dainty necklace around his neck. Beyond that, there is a choker visible for all to see, and some bracelets, but you don’t have the time to look closer before you notice that you have been almost staring for a bit too long. And that you have been distancing yourself from him for some time and he probably noticed the lack of communication outside of the classroom. Your texts suddenly short, always taking a long time to get back to him, and never sharing anything with him on a random afternoon anymore. Who wouldn’t notice such drastic changes.

You feel your insides cringe. That’s exactly what you wanted to avoid, being alone with him. But you really can’t justify leaving him alone, even if you were to say that you’re going to follow a random group. And he is your friend after all, despite everything. So, you will go around with him, maybe indulging yourself the tiniest bit.

“Hm, looks like it. Let’s do this, Khaslana,” you nod and begin the tour through the shopping center. 

In truth, none of you really wanted to get anything specific, perhaps that’s why you both got left behind after all. So, instead of looking around with a set goal in mind, you simply enter any random shop to browse leisurely. 

“Do you think I should get that? Like, I watched all three movies, big fan of him, I reckon he deserves a place on my chest,” you randomly ask him while holding up a shirt with Lightning McQueen on it.

He looks at it and puts his hand under his chin in contemplation before he nods. “Totally, you should make it your trademark while you’re at it.”

“Right? Totally my vibe,” you also nod with a serious face. 

Until you make eye contact with him and laughter bursts out of you two. You put the shirt back. Not willing to fully commit to the bit and actually buying said shirt. Then, you just continue wandering around, until you stop in front of the jewelry stand and take your time looking at the different chains and bracelets. There are some cute pieces, but you really shouldn’t get more stuff than you actually need. Still, it’s fun enough to see what they offer in the first place.

Some steps sound and halt by your side. A shadow appears as Phainon leans slightly over your shoulder to look at the same thing you are. 

“Hm, there’s some nice stuff here, thinking of getting your girlfriend something?” you ask and point at a couple of stuff without looking at him, engrossed in some of the necklaces. 

“What girlfriend?”

This makes you stop in your tracks and you turn your head to finally face him. “Huh? You don’t have one?”

“No? What makes you say that?” There’s pure confusion on his face, and you can’t discern any lie from his words or body language. 

“Huh… I thought you did… Uhm, it’s just… I saw you get a confession and thought you accepted it?” You cringe at your own words and feel the situation get awkward with each thing you say. 

At this, Phainon frowns. “Why would I? I don’t even know her. And I already have someone I li–”

“Khaslana! What are you doing here, bro!” Some random guys approach him and clap him on his shoulder as a greeting, a familiar gesture. You watch as Phainon easily switches to his usual self to give them a broad smile.

While he’s catching up to his old friends, you suddenly feel mixed emotions. For one, you feel relief, relief that he’s not in a relationship. And yet, you can put together what he wanted to say before he got interrupted, and you can’t give yourself that kind of hope. Still, you’re glad you can at least continue being friends with him with no repercussions for the foreseeable future. Even if you might have to keep this distance between you and him, as your heart is bursting at the seams just by being in his warm presence, and you’re not sure you can ever move on if you continue to be this close to him. So, you will slowly take one step at a time, until your heart isn’t preoccupied by him only, until you feel like you can be normal friends with no stronger ties than that lingering in your own heart.

With this decision, you wait until Phainon is done with his conversation. But before that happens, some of your friends see you and make their way towards the spot you’re at. It seems like they have gotten their stuff and are slowly but surely collecting everyone else, as they’re thinking of ending this trip with a meal in some fast food chain. And you begin to converse with them and input your opinion as if you were never apart, as if you didn’t spend this time with Phainon all alone.

One of your friends hooks her arm with yours and leans close in. “So? Did you deal with it?”

“Deal with what?”

“Well, this whole awkward thing you’ve got on with Khaslana.”

“Uh, I guess? But it’s not going to change anything… Wait, did you leave me alone on purpose?”

She only grins at you.

“Oh, I understand, this is what our friendship is worth, huh? Stabbing me in the back like that?”

“Noo, it’s not like that, and you know that!” she whines but her giggles overpower her voice.

You can only roll your eyes and smile. They only tried to help you, and in a way, they did. You came to a very important realization.

Over the heads of the chatting group, you suddenly make eye contact with Phainon and he gives you one of his blinding smiles. You smile back. 

Yes, a very important realization.

“Oh no, did it drop during our swimming lesson?” your friend asks as she points towards her own ears to show you what she means. 

You raise your hand to touch your earlobe and notice how empty it feels. A curse slips between your lips. Then, a sigh. 

“I guess… Well, there’s nothing I can do now, and to be honest, I’d rather go eat lunch right now than take a dip into the pool again. It’s probably still going to be there later,” you shrug and interlink your arms with hers to make your way out of the classroom and towards your long awaited lunch break. 

In truth, it’s one of your favorite pieces of jewelry, something simple and yet, merchandise of your favorite shoujo in hiding. You would openly admit to liking shoujo, there’s nothing wrong with that – unless one is a popular boy, which would be deemed embarrassing by a lot of people, which is apparently not the case if your name is Phainon – but actively wearing merch of your favorite character is something you feel shy about, so, you tend to wear more inconspicuous stuff. Which is usually more difficult to get in the first place. So, this loss does sting, you cannot lie to yourself. You’re only acting nonchalant to avoid any particular suspicion from others. 

You planned on retrieving it after school is over, hopefully in time before they drain the pool completely and making it unrecoverable. Only, when you slipped back into the empty classroom to collect something you forgot, it’s the moment you spot two different things: your lost earring twinkling on your table, and Phainon, buttoning up his uniform, the material sticking to his skin immediately – showing off way too much at once, and you have to avert your eyes immediately –, his hair dripping and darkened from the water it’s been soaked in. 

It doesn’t take long for you to understand what has happened, and a low sigh escapes you.

“Oh…”

You bite the inside of your cheeks. There’s something bothering you, a little voice telling you that he had done that for you, even after you have been so mean to him, after you have actively made the effort of ignoring him, after you befriended him and then began to distance yourself until you’re only barely talking during breaks between classes. Despite your behaviour towards him, Phainon still decided to get your earring for you. You can’t just do nothing while he’s literally sopping wet in front of you. 

Slumping your shoulders, you make your way towards your locker and open it, taking a small, clean towel out of it before you step in front of him. With a small move, you throw the towel over his head and push him to sit onto his table before you begin to carefully rub the wetness out of his hair, all while avoiding eye contact. 

“You didn’t have to do that,” you murmur after some time. 

A shrug. “It is important to you, isn’t it? Limited merch of that one shoujo…”

You press your lips together and let the towel slip onto his neck, tugging slightly from both sides. “You’re so lame, do you know that?”

The small piece of jewelry has found its way back into his hands, and he’s turning it between his fingertips. It seems like Phainon doesn’t want to react to your statement, rather, he looks up to you, drops of water clinging to his eyelashes and glittering in the rays of sunshine, highlighting his ethereal beauty once again. You have never noticed how beautiful Phainon actually is. How his face seems so soft and yet angled, how soft his lips look like – you know how blinding his smile is, but to see him without it feels entirely different –, how mesmerizing his eyes are, a small halo forming in them when the light hits them just right, giving him something out of this world. You suppose, that truly is how the incarnation of the sun would look like, and you understand why people would want to look at it despite everything, because you too begin to be too engrossed in taking in all the details that make him him without any external influence, almost missing his next words.

“Do you need help putting it on?”

No, you don’t. Putting an earstud back is one of the easiest things one could do. And yet, for some reason – definitely not because of the way his eyes seem so big and the way his eyebrows furrow – you slowly nod, not daring to even speak. 

Averting your eyes, you turn your head slightly to the side and give him better access to your ear. Still, you watch from the corner of your eyes as he raises his hand before you feel his fingertips grazing your earshell until he’s able to grasp the earlobe carefully. And as he’s looking for the puncture in your skin, his thumb caresses the soft and sensitive skin, sending small shivers down your back; and you swallow as you try to hold still. Suddenly, you’re overly conscious of him, of his every touch, of the way your knees hover close to each other, the way his breath caresses your throat, the way his body is putting a shadow over yours way too easily. You barely notice the earring hooking into your skin but rather the press of his fingers and the careful touches as he fastens it just right. 

After making sure that everything is in place, Phainon retracts his hand, his fingertips grazing your jawline and cheek, leaving a trail of cooling warmth behind. You straighten up again and glance towards him, only to meet his eyes directly as they look at you with something you cannot explain, something you don’t want to explain. So, you hurriedly say your thanks while putting some distance between you. And before you leave the classroom, you dare to give him a small smile. If you only knew what this small gesture would lead to. 

The sound of rain crackles against the ground and umbrellas. The weather is unpredictable, and you’re glad you have packed a compact umbrella just in case. Other people aren’t as lucky and thus are exposed to the unrelenting torrent. Most of the students either wait, use their bag as a shield or share an umbrella. The person you meet at the exit seems to be the first case. Seeing Phainon’s tall figure all alone, simply watching the rain without moving an inch, pulls at your heart. The same heart which still doesn’t want to let him go, despite the limited contact. On the contrary, it seems almost as if your heart hurts at the deprivation of this little sun in your life. So, to at least ease your own mind and soul, you step towards him and tap him on his shoulder. 

“Hi.”

“Oh, hey…”

You fiddle with the small umbrella before holding it out to him. “Here, you probably need it more than I do…”

He doesn’t take it from you, instead, he asks: “What about you?”

At his words, your heart wrenches, his kindness, his caring nature reminds you once again what you have done to him, and yet, he never dislikes you, rather, he continues to make sure you’re comfortable and well, despite everything. 

Pressing your lips together to pull yourself together, for some reason feeling close to tears. But this is your own fault after all, your own emotions got in the way of your friendship and that only hurt you both. 

“Uh, I can ask a friend to share it with me–”

“Let’s share it then.”

You pause. “What?”

An inhale, as if he’s collecting courage. “We can share the umbrella… right?”

“Uhm, if you want to? Sure…” You couldn’t get yourself to reject him. Not when his shoulders are slumped like that, not when he’s looking at you with big eyes filled with expectations. It seems like you’re still weak to him, still unable to deny him anything, still unable to deny yourself his presence. 

Almost immediately, Phainon perks up and a smile brightens up over his face. He then takes the umbrella carefully from your grasp, his fingers grazing your palm. For some reason, he halts his movements and makes eye contact with you, something flitting through them, before he finally pulls his hand away – taking his warmth away with him, leaving you cold and shivering – to open the umbrella. 

As it’s a compact umbrella, the space is small, and you have to step even closer to him so both of you are properly protected. This, in your opinion, is already too close. His body heat is practically radiating off him, and the only thing hindering the two of you from fully touching is the fact that he has raised his arm to hold the umbrella between you two. It’s yours, yet Phainon continues to insist on holding it instead. Which honestly makes sense, as he’s taller than you and thus can keep it above both your heads with little effort. 

Once you make sure that the rainshade is covering both of you properly, you begin to make the way towards the station. Silence permeates the situation, and you don’t know what to say to break the ice. This wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t put up a wall between you after everything. Still, what’s done is done, and you can’t change what has happened. Only, should you try to change it now? Is it still worth it? Do you want to risk the possible heartache? You’re unsure, and before you could decide properly, Phainon suddenly stops walking. 

Your own steps only halt a moment later, yet, the rain doesn’t hit your skin. On the contrary, Phainon’s clothes are starting to drench more and more with each second, as he’s firmly keeping the umbrella above your head despite his own situation. 

For a moment, he says nothing. Only looks at you, his face serious, lacking his usual smile, his brows furrowed, his eyes staring at you with burning intensity. You feel the urge to walk away, but you don’t want to disrespect him like that, when he obviously wants to tell you something. So, you stay and wait, not moving, giving him the time.

Then, Phainon says your name. Softly, syllables rolling off his tongue with ease, yet his tone seems tense in some way, straining. 

“I– I know you have been distant lately, and– and I want to know why. I want to know why, because your absence causes me a heartache… One I didn’t truly understand until– please tell me it’s not too late…”

Your hand wraps around his bigger one, and while you lead the umbrella back over his head, you step closer to him. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about–,” you have an inkling what Phainon is talking about, but you don’t want to think about it, don’t want to have hope until the words come out of his own mouth, “ –but I promise to listen, I promise it’s not too late if I can help it.”

His other hand grabs your free hand, his touch so gentle, as his thumb caressed the skin of its back. And his eyes focus on his movements for a moment, before he looks back at you. His eyes are resolute, almost glowing in the darkness of the rain clouds. He says your name again, almost a whisper, barely a pause before he says what’s heavy in his chest. 

“I like you.”

Oh. Your heartbeat stops and you feel lightheaded for a moment. This feels like a dream, like you fell asleep during the day and are having a vivid dream. One where everything you ever wanted suddenly becomes reality with such ease. But the sting of the wind and your racing heartbeat tell you otherwise. This is happening. Phainon is standing in front of you in wet clothes, with big eyes almost anxiously looking at you. So, for a moment, you were stunned, your brain stuttering, your thoughts incomprehensible as you’re slightly overwhelmed with your own feelings.

“Oh…” your mouth simply repeats your thoughts, losing all ability to think properly before speaking. He likes you, and you? You– “I– I like you, too…”

At this, Phainon stares at you with wide eyes and an open mouth, before his arms wrap around you entirely, enveloping you in his embrace. You stiffen up, but it doesn’t take long until you’re melting into him and putting your own arms around him, ignoring the cold water drops raining down on your skin in favor of his comforting warmth. 

After a couple of seconds, he releases you slightly to look down at you, hair dripping into his face and he has to blink the water away. Still, his smile persists and glows, even more radiant than you have ever seen him before, and you feel happiness coursing through your veins, filling you with the same sunshine he soaks you in. 

Until he opened his mouth. “So, will you be my girlfriend?”

“You’re so annoying. I take it back, I don’t like you,” you huff and turn your face away. Only to giggle when he bumps his forehead against your head. “Okay, okay, yeah. I will. But only if we get out of this rain.”

Reluctantly, Phainon fully releases you from his grasp to grab the fallen umbrella, and you’re glad the wind didn’t pick it up, or else you both would have been stuck under the rain for the rest of the way. 

After you’re both under the umbrella, this time less stiff and much closer, he hands you his hoodie. You take it, but not without looking at him in question. But he’s avoiding looking at you and you narrow your eyes at him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing! You’re just, uh, drenched, and your shirt…” There’s a blush dusting his face, ears and neck.

At this, you look down, only to realize that your shirt has grown see-through, and you feel the heat flood your skin. With hurried movements, you put his hoodie on. It’s warm, comfortable, and smells just like him. You can’t help but subtly sniff at it to inhale more of him.

Glancing back at him, you catch him looking at you and as you feel overwhelmed by his gaze, you pull the collar up to partially hide your face. 

“What are you looking at,” you grumble in an attempt to hide your shyness. 

Phainon only smiles at you. “Nothing, nothing!”

At this, you squint your eyes, but you let it go, for your own sake. “Whatever, let’s just go.”

On the way to the station, you decide to drop by a convenience store to get him an umbrella of his own. When you handed it to him, he looked at you like a kicked puppy, lips pushed forward, eyebrows frowning and eyes big. You roll your eyes.

“This is for when you go home, we don’t go the same way after the train station–,” you see him open his mouth and immediately add, “ –and no, you’re not going to get into the train with me, only to ride in the opposite direction afterwards.”

“How did you–”

“I’m not stupid, take it, loser.” You take his hand and push the new umbrella into his palm. Despite your words, you’d hate to know that he’s walking through the rain without any protection, especially if he had planned on taking yet another detour just for you. 

You leave the store and he immediately follows you with an open umbrella. This time, you don’t try your best to put as much distance between you, and the silence isn’t stiffening, but rather comfortable. Even if you feel his eyes on you way too often. 

“Eyes on the road, I’m not gonna warn you if you walk into a lamppost or something.”

He flinches at being caught staring but listens to you and pays attention to the way. Until you reach the train station and he hands you your umbrella back once you’re under a proper roof. 

“See you tomorrow, nerd.”

“See you tomorrow,” he nods and waves as each of you makes their way towards the right track. 

Only did you not say goodbye with this in mind. The very next morning, the moment you leave the train, you immediately see Phainon waiting there. Him standing there attracts many stares and whispers, and you’ve almost forgotten how handsome he actually is. The people are not gawking at him because they think he’s weird for just standing there, they’re in some way admiring him from afar. You would, too, if you weren’t so confused at his presence here in the first place. 

You walk up to him. “Uh, good morning, Khaslana, what are you doing here?”

Upon seeing you, he immediately brightens up, and you blink as a reflex, never truly growing used to seeing his blinding smile. “I wanted to walk with you to school,” he answers, as if it’s obvious. 

And truthfully, you have no retaliation for this one, because his eagerness is just so endearing and it’s easily breaking down all your defenses. So, you only sigh and give him a slight smile. “Okay, let’s get going then.”

With this, you exit the train station by his side and make your way towards the school. 

“Did you get home safely yesterday?” He looks at you and it almost seems like he’s walking the tiniest bit closer to you. 

You nod. “Hm, did you? I’m gonna return your hoodie after I wash it, no worries.”

“I did, and… You don’t have to return it… You can keep it…” Phainon rubs his neck and abashedly turns his head, and you almost miss his next words. “You look cute with it…”

Heat rushes to your face, and it seems like you’re not the only one, as you can see a pink color dusting his neck and ears, and his cheeks once he glances back at you. 

“Oh, okay…”

Silence permeates the situation, but not an uncomfortable one. You just keep walking side by side, your hands brushing occasionally. Each time it happens, you feel a small shiver, wondering if you should get over it and just hold his hand. But before you’ve gathered your courage to do so, Phainon hooks his pinky with yours. A small gesture, but more than enough. But apparently not enough for him, as he takes the absence of your rejection for encouragement, the rest of his fingers join and soon his hand is holding yours fully. His grip is gentle and warm. In comparison to yours, his hand is big, almost enough to envelop yours completely with ease. You manage to squeeze his hand and you feel the slightly rough skin and the callouses on his fingers, and yet, nothing has ever felt so filled with comfort as this before. 

With this, walking together feels much more harmonious, and the warmth of his skin slowly sets in your bones. Until you’re a street away from school. You stop and pull him to a halt. 

“Listen, would it be okay if we kept it lowkey? I don’t–”

“You don’t like the attention, I know. We can do that, even though I’m not sure I can hold back after how far we have taken it.”

You lightly kick him into his shins. “Don’t talk like that! You make it sound like– like we did more than hold hands!”

Phainon immediately doubles over dramatically, even if you know that your hit does not hurt. “You hurt my shin, and my heart. After everything we did together!”

“I’m leaving!” You pass him with stomps and finish the last stretch of the way. 

Despite the lead, he quickly catches up to you and thus you both enter the school together. And as your joined arrival is a new occurrence, you immediately notice the stares and whispers and hike your shoulders higher. Trying to ignore whatever they’re talking about, you only get bits and pieces. Something along the lines of how ‘he would never go out with someone like that, not after rejecting…’ and so on and so forth. 

You quicken your steps and make your way as fast as possible to the classroom without actually running; without caring if Phainon is actually behind you or not. Though, you’re pretty sure he is. He can be pretty relentless when it comes to pursuing you.

Finally at your seat, you allow yourself to simply lay on top of the desk for a moment. Barely a moment, as Phainon soon sits by your side, the same as usual. Only this time, he knows less about private space than before – not that you mind anymore –, and his legs are immediately pressing against yours; a silent support. 

You glance up at him and give him a smile, a thanks, before you begin readying yourself for the next class. And thus, the day proceeds as usual. There’s truly no difference outside of the shared glances and the way your heartbeat races with excitement each time you meet his eyes. And the fact that he’s using his ambidextrousness to continue to hold your pinky with his under the table. 

No difference, as Phainon, who occasionally goes out to the snack bar during the break to meet Mydei and his other friends, does the same today, too. You don’t join him, as you have never done so before. Rather, you have a small conversation with another classmate, nothing unusual. Until Phainon drops by to hand you a snack without a single word, pats your head, and disappears again to catch up to his friends outside. You have accepted the small offering because it took you by surprise, you barely had the time to catch up and to ask him what this is all about before he’s already out and about. Still, you’re not complaining, as Phainon actually got you one of your favorite snacks. So, you turn back to your conversation as you begin to pry the package open. 

“So, are you two finally dating?”

The packaging rips completely open and you stare at your friend, eyes wide and mouth open.

“Huh? Dating? Psh, why would I ever go out with Khaslana?”

Your friend puts her head into her hand with a small grin. “Really? Then why would he get you something to eat?”

“I don’t know, maybe he does that for all his friends?”

She raises her eyebrow. “I don’t think so, at least not with that look on his face…” She sees the confusion in your own face and gasps. “Don’t tell me you don’t notice the way he looks at you?”

At this, you feel your neck grow hotter, and you blink at her a couple of times, trying to gather yourself. In truth, you haven’t noticed any difference in the way he looks at you. To you, he’s only a bit more tactile with you, but nothing more. 

“How– How does he look at me?”

“Are you blind? He literally looks at you like someone admiring the moon or something, all wide eyed and filled with, I don’t know, admiration. Totally like a puppy. Everyone remotely close to him has noticed it.”

“Okay, okay, that’s enough,” you press your palms against your hot face. “I haven’t noticed anything, why didn’t you tell me?”

“Well, I’m not gonna start talking about how you look at him. Like he’s the sun itself–”

“No, stop, I know…” Now, you fully bury your face in your hands, embarrassment tickling your back in shivers. 

“So, are you dating?”

You peak from between your fingers and frown at her. “No.”

“You’re lying! I know there’s something there, I will know, you can’t run away from me, ever.”

At this, you can only sigh and try to steer the topic towards something else, which only worked partially, as she manages to connect everything back to Phainon and you had to fend off her not unreasonable accusations for the rest of this break. 

Still, her words stay in your mind, and you try to stay vigilant to notice the difference between the way Phainon acts with you and with other people. It should work. Because you’re technically hiding your relationship with him, so he can’t be acting that different than usual, right?

Wrong. Despite your agreement to keep everything lowkey, Phainon continues to look at you with big eyes and a constant smile, as if he’s doped up or something. At this point, you doubt he’s even trying to hide it, because one time he gently swiped a fallen lash off your face and even caressed your cheek with his thumb for some time afterwards, acting as if it’s the most normal thing ever. But friends obviously don’t do this. So, you have to intervene, even if you fear it might be already too late.

Once it’s time for lunch, you grab him by the wrist and drag him upstairs to the roof. Only you don’t go to the roof but rather push him against the wall and press your hand to the side, effectively trapping him between you and the wall, even if his physique is much bigger and he could easily escape. But you know that he’s not going to do that. Especially not with the flushed face of his. 

“Oh, I don’t think I’m ready, but–”

You slap his shoulder with your free hand. “Shut up. Didn’t we agree to hide our relationship? Why are you acting like that,” you pout with a frown. 

“I’m not doing anything differently, though…”

“Khaslana, you literally caressed my face earlier, nobody does that to friends.”

“But we’re not just friends,” there’s now a pout on his face and once again he looks like a kicked puppy. 

You groan and let your head slump against his shoulder. “You know what, it’s my mistake to even try. Do whatever you want…”

Immediately, his arms wrap around you and he presses you close as he buries his face into your neck. An embrace all-encompassing. 

A sigh. “You really don’t know how to take things slow, do you?” Despite your slight admonishment, you wrap your own arms around him and melt into his hug. 

In some way, you should have expected this. And truthfully, you don’t mind being affectionate with him. You just don’t want the attention attached to being together with him. But maybe you can cope with it in some way, because for you, this matters more. You have given him more than enough grief about this relationship between you up until this point. 

After some time, Phainon reluctantly releases you from his grip, but only to sit glued to your side to eat together, while now and then sharing some of his lunch with you to try. Of course you do the same as him, putting bits and pieces into his box (none of you feed the other directly, the mere thought of his lips touching your utensils makes your blood warm, you doubt you could survive actually doing that). 

The conversation between you two flows, there’s not a specific topic, but rather it just moves freely as you talk comfortably with each other. 

Until he mentions some of the homework you have. You groan. 

“Don’t remind me, I have so much to study, I don’t want to fall behind, much less fail anything…”

“Well, how about we study together?” and seeing your facial expression, a frown showing your skepticism towards his suggestion, he adds, “It’s not going to be like last time, I promise.”

In some way, you don’t have a choice. Well, you do, but you also know that you could achieve more in less time with his help, so, you end up agreeing. Phainon brightens up at your answer and tells you that he’s going to text you the address later. 

With this, lunch is almost over, and you both get back to the classroom. This time, you let him walk as close to you as he wants to, his sheer warmth and feelings towards you shielding you from the whispering and stares of everyone else, as you could only focus on him and him alone. 

The arrow on your phone slowly leads you towards the input address. Until you’re standing in front of the door, for a second hesitating on knocking. You’re considering turning back and to give him some weak excuse as to why you missed this study session. But you can’t. You really, really need this time to focus on schoolwork. So, you pull yourself together and let your fist meet the door in a couple quick knocks. And when nobody answers immediately, you shrug – Oh well, seems like nobody is here, what a shame – and begin to turn around. Only for the door to open shortly afterwards. 

“You’re here! Come in,” Phainon greets you and opens the door wider right away. 

But he’s still standing in the doorway, practically blocking your way. You narrow your eyes at him before you roll them and step in, and right into him, where he receives you with a hug, his arms immediately wrapping around you and squeezing you close to him. You pat his back, and only push him away when he puts his chin on top of your head, to you an indication that he’s going to prolong this hug for as long as possible. 

“I’m still practically outside, stop that,” you murmur, and you have to admit to yourself that if that weren’t the case, you would allow him to hold you for a while longer. But the circumstances aren’t ideal and you really don’t want the whole neighborhood watching how you two cling to each other. 

“Right,” he releases you from his hold and finally allows you to step inside. 

You take off your shoes and put on the slippers he has put out for you. Only when you enter the living room do you notice that the place seems empty. In some way, you have expected him to have invited other people to this session. 

“Is nobody else here?”

“Uhm, no. My parents work. We can hang out in the living room, you can make yourself comfortable. Do you want something to drink?”

Shaking your head at his question, you slowly take a seat at the table on the ground. Being alone with him in his place makes you tense. But as it turns out, you didn’t have to worry about everything, because as soon as Phainon took a seat by your side, he surprisingly kept his hands off you and simply helped you through with every single thing you struggled with. And he really pulled through with everything, not allowing you to slack off, while explaining everything carefully and thoroughly; until you actually understood every single topic.

When you finally finish going through everything, you allow yourself to slump against the couch behind you. “It’s over, I’m done.”

“You did well, I’m proud of you,” Phainon smiles and his fingers trail over your forehead, slightly pressing between your eyebrows where you have been constantly frowning while studying. 

“Acting like it’s not you who literally put me through the wringer,” you scoff, but still close your eyes and relax underneath his touch. 

His fingers continue to draw over your facial features, his touch ever so light, going over your eyebrows, your eyelids, following the line of your nose, over your cheeks, until he stops at the corner of your lips. 

At this, you open your eyes and immediately make eye contact with him. You watch as the redness creeps over his neck, ears and face. At this, you feel your own skin heat up, and your lashes flutter as he slowly moves closer, his hand moving over your cheek to cup your face. And then his lips meet your cheeks. 

Your heartbeat races even just at this, the sheer proximity in the first place makes your insides squirm. You feel the need to touch him and it seems as if Phainon is feeling the same way, because he immediately buries his face into your neck, his arms wrapping around you and practically pulling you onto his lap, but still keeping some appropriate distance, so not quite as close as possible. But close enough. His heat permeates you, his breath tickles your skin, and you allow your fingers to run through his hair. 

“You make me feel crazy,” he murmurs, and you shiver when you feel his lips brush your skin. 

“You’re weird,” you retort in the same low tone. “And insane. What are you doing to me…”

His chest vibrates with a chuckle and his fingers draw circles on your back. “Hm, I like you a lot, do you know that.”

Your heart skips a beat, you doubt you could ever grow used to these simple words. “I do now…” 

“And?”

“And I like you a lot, too…”

At your words, Phainon giggles and nuzzles his cheek against your shoulder before he looks up to you. And on some impulse, you brush some strands of hair away from his forehead and softly press your lips against his head. 

There’s a weight and a push, and you’re suddenly laying on the ground and Phainon is hovering above you, arms on either side of you, face flushed and breath heaving. The look he gives you makes you hold your breath, something of a mix between his usual puppy eyes, big and open, and something entirely new, something almost needy. You see as his eyes catch onto your lips and you reflexively lick them. Which pulls a small whine out of him, before he simply slumps over you, face looking for your neck once again. But he doesn’t even give himself the time to find the usual place before he suddenly gets up and leaves the living room towards the kitchen. 

You hear the faucet running as you sit up again, suddenly feeling cold and a little bit confused. But at the same time, you’re glad, because you might have passed out from overheating if Phainon actually stayed on top of you with all of his body. You take this time to collect your disheveled self and to calm down your racing heart. 

After a short while, he finally returns with two cups of juice and plates with some sweet stuff. It seems like he has calmed down quite a bit, because he’s smiling at you as if nothing has happened. It would bother you, but you have seen firsthand how flustered he had gotten with each touch and each word (and you notice the small droplets of water still clinging to his skin). So, you allow both of you to move on and to enjoy the snacks together before it was time for you to go. 

Phainon actually decides to walk with you to the station. And immediately grabs your hand the moment he leaves the place with you, his thumb continuously brushing against the back of your hand while he accompanies you. Small conversations fill the space and you arrive way too soon at the station.

At the track where your train should arrive, you face him to say goodbye, only to be enveloped once again by his almost overwhelming embrace, his cheek nuzzling the top and the side of your head. 

“See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

You squeeze each other before you get on the train. In the car, you peek through the window and wave, wave until the train is getting on its way and he disappears from your view. You lean into your seat and suddenly feel the excitement melt out of you. Truly, nothing will beat the time spent together with him, you doubt you might ever forget this day, or any day with him. 

On a free day, one is supposed to stay at home and rot. What you’re currently doing is the complete opposite: You’re squeezed in a train car in between other people, almost suffocating. This only reminded you of the last time it was this full and Phainon was with you, shielding you from the borderline assault. And that was before you both were dating. You wonder how different it might be if you were to take the train together now. 

Speaking of Phainon, he’s the reason you’re even out of the house right now. The evening before, he had asked you to hang out with him today, more specifically to watch a movie. And you’re not that dense to realize that this was obviously a date. Your first date with him! You already feel your heart pumping excitedly in your chest. You even put a lot of effort into your clothing choices in hopes of seeing his expression at your sight. 

After the train finally spits you out, you take a moment to fix yourself to not look as disheveled as the ride has left you. While doing so, you step away from the tracks and look around, trying to spot Phainon. Which shouldn’t be difficult, he’s taller than most people, especially if he’s wearing those boots again. You notice a familiar mop of hair and make your way towards that spot with a smile. During that short walk, you watch as people stare at him and whisper, some even discuss something amongst themselves as they glance at him repeatedly. And once you’re close enough to fully see him, you realize why. 

Phainon is dressed casually, and similar to the last outing you’ve seen him in his normal clothes: a simple sweatshirt with a small, opened zipper at the collar with a shirt layered underneath, baggy pants and the same boots that make him even taller than he already is. Some bracelets, a small golden necklace, stud earrings. And is that a collar you’re spying? Either way, he totally looks so boyfriend, it makes you fangirl over him a little from afar (and who would blame you for taking a couple of pics of him looking like that).

Suddenly, you have an idea, and you lower your head and approach him. He barely notices you, busy typing on his phone, and you feel your own phone vibrating after that, as you receive a message, probably from him. But you had other plans than giving him an immediate answer.

“E–excuse me, could I have your number?” you ask him with a timid voice. 

At this, he doesn’t even lift his eyes before he responds. “No, I’m sorry, I’m waiting for my–,” he raises his head to give you one of his usual smiles, before he sees you and it morphs into one meant just for you, one crooked and dimpled and blindingly beautiful. “Girlfriend!”

Your name spills from his lips with his obvious excitement, and his arms immediately find their way around you and his cheek is nuzzling your head. “I missed you.”

You wrap your own arms around him and lean your head against him. “You’re stupid, we just saw each other yesterday…” you murmur. At your words he puts some distance between you – his arms never leaving you, though – to look at you with a small pout and frown on his face. So, you had no choice but to add with a giggle. “But I missed you, too.”

Only after you’ve said these words does the smile return and he releases you from his grip. His hand slides into yours as if it belongs there, and honestly at this point it might as well. But you don’t get moving, rather Phainon looks at you with big eyes before slightly leaning down, his forehead meeting yours. “You look so pretty today,” he whispers and averts his eyes, ears tinted red ever so slightly. 

Heat rushes under your skin and you smile shyly. “Thanks. You look handsome and so cool.” Your words only make the redness spread over his neck and cheeks and he rubs his neck as he straightens up again. 

“Thank you, shall we go?”

Once you nod, Phainon leads you out of the train station. The way to the cinema was short and sweet, filled with an ever-flowing conversation. 

Entering the building, stepping over soft, red carpet, you take a look at each current poster. Though you both have agreed beforehand on what to watch, you can’t help but be curious about the current movies. Until you stop in front of the one you were planning to watch. It’s dark, there is a shadowed rabbit with glowing red eyes hinted at at the edge of the drowning black, and one single ball pit at the center of it. It’s obviously a horror movie. You honestly should have expected that when you heard its name. And you’re not quite sure what to think of this particular movie. But you do know that in shoujos the female lead is scared and clings onto the male lead. You wonder if you should do that. It is a popular trope, because it leads to more physical affection between the pair. Which is not really scarce in your relationship, Phainon is pretty tactile and you end up in his arms more times than not. So, maybe you don’t have to overdo it, if you happen to get scared in the first place. 

There’s a pull on your arm and you look towards Phainon who nods towards the counter to finally get the tickets and the snacks. You let him drag you there.

“What do you want to eat during the movie?” he asks after getting a ticket for each of you. 

You hum as you stare at the menu of different snacks. There was such a big variety, you’re not sure what to get exactly. And of course Phainon notices your struggle. 

“How about we get one bag of popcorn and share it? We can get other complimentary stuff, too,” he suggests and immediately orders the popcorn once he has your agreement. He also takes your drink order and carefully crafts you both the perfect snack arrangement for the movie.

With all the food ready in hand, you finally get to the hall and quickly find your seat. Soon, the room darkens and silence covers everyone as the movie finally begins to play after some fitting ads. During which you had to slap his hand away from the popcorn, telling him to be patient and to wait until the movie starts before he wipes out most of it. Phainon pouts at your reprimand and instead grabs your hand before intertwining your fingers. This makes your skin heat up, because it feels much more intimate than the usual hand holding you have been doing. Still, you squeeze his hand and lean back into your seat comfortably. 

Unsurprisingly, your comfort doesn’t last long, as the moment something happens on screen, you tense and almost jump out of your seat. To avoid that from happening, you end up clinging to Phainon. Which would have been no big deal, but Phainon himself gets spooked at the same stuff, so you end up holding each other before slowly making eye contact. Looking at the other react similarly, you both have to hold in your giggles to not disturb the other movie-goers. 

In the end, his arm ends up around your shoulders while you lean against him, still holding each other's hands. That way, you could avoid jumping and sudden jerking, and are rather able to cling to each other immediately. Of course, the main reason is that you wanted to be as close as possible with him – and he as close as possible to you – and just needed a convenient excuse. That way, you could focus on the movie and enjoy his company at the same time. 

The movie is over before you know it and you let your head fall onto his shoulder, suddenly feeling the tension drain out of you. 

“That was a good movie, stayed pretty close to the source material,” you comment with your approval.

Phainon nods. “Yeah, I’m glad they obviously knew what they were working with instead of focusing on, I don’t know, aura-farming or using the actors for their popularity.”

“Exactly! That was refreshing to watch, I can’t lie, like the way they–” The discussion about the movie continues as you throw away your trash and exit the building, both of you still feeling the rush of it running through your veins. 

As usual, he has taken your hand once again, and almost like it’s the most normal thing ever, like he has always done it before, Phainon intertwines your fingers together with ease. You don’t complain. Rather, you like this growing comfort between you and the way he seems to be taking small steps to heighten the affection level between you two. 

Hand in hand, you simply take a walk down the road, enjoying the soft breeze of spring. Until something catches your eye in the window of a small shop. As you have entered a couple places before, you reckon it’s not going to attract much suspicion from him if you ask him to visit this one. And as expected, he readily agrees and even holds the door open for you as you step in. 

Inside, you walk along the rows with him in tow. Then you notice a gap in his attention as something seems to have grabbed it momentarily, and you use this small moment to slip away.

Once you’re sure you’re out of his view, you make haste in grabbing the very thing that has brought you to this store in the first place and quickly pay for it with no hesitation before you return to the aisle you have left him in. Only to find him gone. He’s probably walking around looking for you, and you doubt it would be of any help to try to walk after him, so you decide to stay in this spot, as he’s bound to return eventually. And you were right. After a few minutes, Phainon comes back with wide eyes and a frown.

“I thought I lost you.”

At this, you can’t help but giggle. “How can you lose me, silly, I’m not going anywhere. The store isn’t that big.” You step closer and press your hands against his cheeks, exaggerating his pout. He leans closer into your touch and sighs. 

“Still…”

“Okay, I’m never going to leave you, my good loyal puppy.”

Phainon grabs your wrist and acts as if he wants to dig his teeth into your soft skin. You squeal and manage to pull away. He only grins at your reaction and takes your hand in his once again, and you both leave the store. 

The path you take leads you to a hidden spot with one beautifully blooming sakura tree. There’s a bench directly underneath it and you decide to take a seat there for a small break.

Once sitting side by side, Phainon turns around to face you, saying your name softly. “Today was amazing, thank you so much. And I, uh, I got you something in that store where we lost each other. I hope you like it.”

He quickly takes out a small package and hands it to you, ears slightly red as he watches your reaction intently. You open it carefully and pull out what’s inside. A dainty chain with a small amulet; a beautifully crafted moon. The wire twists and turns to form the crescent with stunning intricacy. 

“It’s beautiful,” you breath, awed by it, and moved by his thoughts. 

And then, you rush to pull out a similar package from your bag. “I also got you something. That’s– That’s why we lost each other in the first place. I’m sorry…”

With big eyes and a slightly open mouth, Phainon takes the package and opens it in a hurry. To reveal a similar chain and a similar amulet, only was his a sun, made with the same technique as your moon. Almost like they belong to each other. 

An exhale, stuttering, stunned. 

Then, he looks up at you, speechless, but his eyes tell you more than enough, wide with blown pupils, almost watery, and just so filled with admiration and thankfulness. It seems as if Phainon feels overwhelmed, because he changes the topic. 

“Can I put it on you?”

The phrasing is different, yet, you get a strong deja-vu. And this time, there’s no need for any hesitation, you give him a smile and a nod before you hand the jewelry back to him.

Keeping your eyes at him, you lean your head slightly to give him better access to the back of your neck. You watch as he opens the claps and raises his hands to bring them behind you, and you feel his warmth radiating over your skin, feel his fingers and hand graze you ever so softly. There’s a small furrow between his eyebrows as he focuses on clasping the two ends back together, and he’s so close, so close you notice the small freckles over his face, barely noticeable from any bigger distance. You notice his breath on your neck, the way your knees are touching, the way his body is warming yours up with each move, bringing your heart to race so easily. You don’t pay attention to the connecting of the chain anymore, but rather focus on him right now, in front of you. 

Once the chain is properly attached, Phainon pulls back ever so slightly, letting his fingertips trail over your neck to your jaw and cheek. Warm skin on hot skin. His thumb caresses your cheek softly and you lean into his touch with a smile, meeting his eyes directly. Eyes which are filled with everything you know and want to know. Eyes which move towards your lips as he slowly moves closer and closer, at a pace as if he’s only waiting for you to pull back. But you don’t, you close your eyes with fluttering eyelashes.

His lips meet yours. Sweet, gentle. A wonderful touch, eliciting hundreds of butterflies in you, making your heart race and your head light. On instinct, your hands grab his arm and shoulder, your whole being melting into him. 

And time goes by too fast before he pulls away, his face, neck and ears flushed a deep red, and you yourself feel hot and almost bothered by the shortness of it. Until Phainon opens his mouth, a soft whisper leaves his lips, carefully, yet not hesitant, so sure of the weight and meaning of the words. 

“I love you.”

The breath in your lungs gets caught in between those words, and they easily turn your brain into pure softness as you barely register them and their meaning. They run through your veins, your heart, opening something in you. And you realize. Oh. That’s what it was. The happiness, the joy, the comfort, the excitement, the fluttering heartbeat in his presence. The answer is right in front of you, so incredibly simple.

“I love you, too,” you murmur and give him a smile, one of pure happiness.

There are many things flowing over his face, unbelief, almost shock, until it morphs into relief and blinding joy. And almost as if he cannot control himself, his other arm wraps around your waist and pulls you infinitely closer, the hand on your face caressing your skin as Phainon once again dives in to catch your lips with his. Over and over again. Never getting enough. And you melt into him, your whole body vibrating with your love, full and content. You giggle with each kiss and even dare to lean even closer to him. 

Drowning in his love and his kisses and his radiant warmth, you feel content with life. You could never wish for anything else, this is how you want to spend the rest of your life: in his arms, showering each other with your unbridled feelings, allowing yourself to do what nobody else dared before; to be sunkissed.

[ilovemarvel97]

Mangoes and Tajín

Elizabeth Olsen x G!P Singer Reader

Summary: What was supposed to be a silly fight led to something serious.

Word Counter: 4K+

Request: Yes

Warnings: angst, little fluff, cute, emotional

Series Masterlist || Main Masterlist

---

Toronto - 2016

Y/N’s POV

The dressing room was too quiet.

Y/N sat hunched over on the small couch, phone still in hand, Lizzie’s last message burned into her brain no matter how many times she blinked.

“I need space. I’m flying back to LA. Don’t follow me.”

Her thumb hovered over the keyboard again, useless. A half-typed message blinked, cursor pulsing like a wound.

What could she even say now?

What could possibly fix it?

It had been just a joke.

Right?

---

Two Days Ago - Flashback 

They’d been in the hotel suite’s kitchenette—barefoot, jet-lagged, but wrapped in that familiar intimacy. Lizzie held a small glass bowl of sliced mangoes in one hand, the other clutching a nearly empty bottle of tajín, the red cap worn and smudged from use.

“This is how I eat it, okay?” she said with playful defensiveness. “It’s sweet and spicy. It’s elite.”

Y/N laughed—too loud, too quick. “It’s fruit with chili powder, babe. You act like you invented gourmet cuisine.”

Lizzie smirked but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You eat hot sauce on ice cream—don’t even start.”

“Exactly. I know chaos when I see it,” Y/N teased, smirking.

But she missed the flicker behind Lizzie’s expression. The way her shoulders dipped. The quiet breath she took before setting the bowl down—just a bit too firmly. Juice splashed over the rim and onto the countertop.

Y/N frowned. “What? I was joking.”

Lizzie didn’t meet her eyes. “Yeah, well… sometimes it doesn’t feel like a joke.”

Y/N straightened. “Liz, what’s really going on?”

Arms crossed. Guard up.

“You’re just not present. Not like you used to be. And I’m tired of feeling like I have to fight for your attention.”

That hit harder than she expected. She blinked. “Liz, come on. We’re both tired. That’s all this is.”

Lizzie moved. Quick. Controlled. She grabbed her bag and zipped it without looking back.

“I’m going home.”

“You’re leaving over this?”

No answer.

“I need space. I’m flying back to LA.”

Y/N stood frozen in the doorway. “Don’t—please—don’t go.”

Lizzie stopped at the threshold. And with a voice too quiet to chase:

“Don’t follow me.”

---

Present

Y/N exhaled, a long and hollow sound. The kind that felt like it emptied her chest completely.

She knew she’d been busy. The tour was relentless. Shows every other night, cities blurring together. And Lizzie—God, Lizzie had her own chaos. Bouncing between sets, photo shoots, press interviews.

They’d been chasing each other across the country for weeks. Concert arenas by night, movie sets by morning. Always trying to find the in-between.

And maybe that was it. They’d gotten so good at finding each other… they stopped feeling each other.

Was it really just about the mangoes and tajín?

Or had she chipped away at something deeper without realizing?

She clenched her jaw, blinked away the sting in her eyes.

It wasn’t the fruit.

It was what it represented—Lizzie’s small, sacred things. The comforts. The little rituals she carried to feel like herself in the middle of all the madness.

And Y/N had laughed.

Not with her.

At her.

She dropped the phone onto the couch beside her and buried her face in her hands.

What did she do?

And more terrifying—

What if it was already too late to undo it?

---

The arena was buzzing. Lights pulsed. The crowd screamed her name. It should’ve been electric.

But for Y/N, it was all muted under the weight of one missing person.

Lizzie should’ve been here. Front row, tour hoodie too big for her, dancing like she always did when she thought no one was watching.

Instead, the VIP spot was empty.

Still, Y/N moved through the set. Each song a little harder than the last. Her smiles felt forced. Her energy felt borrowed.

And then the soft piano started.

That song.

The one Lizzie said would play at their wedding. The one she made Y/N sing to her during a thunderstorm in their kitchen. The one that sounded like forever.

Her fingers tightened around the mic.

She took a breath.

“You are the light I wake up to.

The calm in every stormThe laughter in my quiet 

The place where I feel warm”

Her voice wavered, just slightly. Her throat thickened.

“I don’t need the stars above

Or answers in the skyI only need your hand in mine

To know that I’ll be fine”

She couldn’t hold it.

The tears just started.

But she kept going.

“You’re the reason for my rhythm

The melody I humYou’re every note that finds its way

Back to where I’m from”

She didn’t fall apart.

But the tears streamed freely now, soft and silent as her voice swelled with everything she was holding inside.

“Even when you're gone, love

You’re with me in the song You’re in every breath I’m breathing

You’ve been with me all along”

The lights dimmed. The crowd stayed quiet—moved, holding their breath with her.

“So if you ever doubt it

Or feel like we’ve lost touch… Come find me in the music

You’ll know I love you—”

A final tear rolled down her cheek.

“Too much.”

And the crowd erupted—some cheering, others wiping their eyes, others holding up signs like “We love you, Y/N.”

But Y/N didn’t hear any of it.

She didn’t wait for the applause to fade or for the lights to dim.

The second the final note ended, she turned and walked off the stage.

Not the slow, graceful exit they rehearsed.

She walked fast—bordering on a run—microphone still in hand, hands shaking.

Backstage, the noise from the arena felt a million miles away.

And then, halfway down the corridor, just behind the black curtain—she broke.

Her knees hit the floor first. Then the sobs came.

Big, silent ones at first, like her body was trying to stay strong.

Then louder.

Uncontrollable.

She curled into herself, mic rolling out of her hand, hands over her face as her shoulders trembled.

“Y/N—hey—whoa,” someone said—her tour manager, maybe, or a stagehand. “She’s down, we need someone—get her water—”

She heard footsteps, murmurs, movement. A hand gently touched her back.

“Y/N, hey, you were incredible. Just breathe, okay? Just breathe.”

She couldn’t.

She couldn’t get the air in.

It wasn’t just about the song. It was her. The silence Lizzie left behind. The space in every moment where Lizzie should’ve been.

Another staff member knelt beside her, holding out a bottle of water.

“Take your time. You don’t have to move yet. We’ve got you.”

She nodded blindly, tears still pouring, forehead pressed to her knees.

She stayed there for minutes. Maybe more. The floor cold beneath her. The spotlight long gone. Her heart still stuck somewhere in the crowd.

---

The Next Morning (LA)

Lizzie’s POV

The sheets were wrinkled, the bed too big, and the only thing keeping Lizzie from falling apart was the worn black shirt she had curled herself into the night before — the one that still smelled like Y/N.

She hadn’t meant to fall asleep. Not really. She just needed space. Needed quiet. But sometime between crying into Y/N’s pillow and scrolling halfway through their old photos, exhaustion finally pulled her under.

Now, sunlight was streaming through the curtains. Her phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand, dragging her awake.

She blinked blearily at the screen.

Ashley (1:23 PM)

Lizzie groaned. She hadn’t meant to sleep in that long. Her body ached — from the crying, the plane ride, and maybe just the weight of missing someone you swore you’d never walk away from.

She finally answered, voice scratchy. “Hey…”

Ashley didn’t waste time. “Did you two fight or something?”

Lizzie sat up slowly, brows drawing together. “What? Why would you—”

“Wait—you haven’t seen it?”

“Seen what?”

“Liz.” Ashley’s tone softened. “I thought you knew. There’s a video going around from Y/N’s show last night. It's all over Twitter. Instagram. Everywhere.”

Lizzie’s heart stopped for a second. “What… kind of video?”

“She was singing a song and crying the whole time. Like—really crying. It wasn’t some dramatic performance. It was real. She walked off stage right after.”

Lizzie’s throat tightened. “Oh my god…”

“She looked like she was barely holding it together,” Ashley added gently. “Liz, what happened?”

Lizzie didn’t answer right away.

She was already opening Instagram. Her name was trending. So was Y/N’s. Her feed was flooded.

The top video was shaky, filmed from the front row. Lizzie tapped it.

The song began.

And there she was.

Y/N. In the spotlight. Voice trembling but beautiful.

You are the light I wake up to

The calm in every storm…

Lizzie’s eyes burned almost instantly. Her breath caught when she saw the tears start.

Y/N didn’t falter. She didn’t fall apart.

But she sang through it. Sang through the heartbreak of being onstage without the one person she wanted most in the world.

Come find me in the music

You’ll know I love you—

Too much.

The crowd erupted in the video.

But Lizzie could barely hear it over her own pulse.

She brought Y/N’s shirt closer to her face, clutched the pillow tighter, her own tears rising now.

Ashley’s voice pulled her back. “Lizzie…?”

“I have to go back to Toronto,” Lizzie whispered, the words tumbling out before she could second-guess them.

There was a beat of silence on the other end of the line.

“Back?” Ashley asked, confused. “What do you mean? I thought you were already there.”

Lizzie closed her eyes, pressing the heel of her hand against her temple. Her voice cracked as she replied, “No… I told her I was flying to LA—I just—I didn’t want her to chase after me. I needed time. I thought... maybe if I had some distance, I’d be able to breathe again.”

She looked down at the black shirt balled in her lap—worn and soft, stretched out at the collar from too many washes. It smelled like safety. Like a million nights spent tangled up in each other. Like home.

“But I couldn’t breathe without her,” she admitted, her voice a broken hush. “Not even for one night.”

Ashley exhaled on the other end, gentler now. “Lizzie… you don’t have to explain it to me. I know how hard it’s been. You both live on airplanes. You barely get to exist in one place at the same time.”

“I know. But she still made time. Even when I felt like she was drifting, she kept showing up.” Lizzie blinked back tears. “And I… I pushed her away. Over mangoes.”

“Over mangoes?” Ashley ask confused.

Lizzie let out a breath that was somewhere between a laugh and a sob. She sank back onto the bed, eyes stinging.

“It sounds stupid when you say it like that,” she murmured.

Ashley was quiet for a second, then said gently, “I’m not trying to make you feel worse. I just… don’t understand.”

“It wasn’t just the mangoes,” Lizzie said, voice thick. “It was the way she laughed. Like I was being ridiculous. Like it was just a joke. But it wasn’t—at least not to me. That bowl of mangoes was the first thing I’ve had in weeks that made me feel like myself again.”

She wiped her nose with the sleeve of Y/N’s shirt.

“I’ve been running on empty, Ash. Every city, every flight, every interview—I was trying to keep up with her pace and mine. And that night, all I wanted was to share something small. Something I loved. And she made fun of it. Not cruelly… not even on purpose. But it hurt more than I expected it to.”

Ashley’s voice was quiet. “You needed her to see you.”

“I needed her to choose me,” Lizzie whispered. “And for a second, it felt like she didn’t.”

There was silence on the line. Then: “Liz, you know she’d never stop choosing you. She adores you. I watched that video. She was singing like her heart was breaking.”

“It is,” Lizzie whispered. “Mine too.”

Lizzie gave a small, bitter laugh. “I know.”

She stared at the paused video on her phone—Y/N mid-verse, face streaked with tears, gripping the mic like it was the only thing keeping her upright.

“I think she thought I left for good.”

A pause.

“Then show her you didn’t.”

Lizzie didn’t reply. She didn’t have to. She was already getting out of bed.

Her hand smoothed the shirt flat across the comforter for a moment, as if she was trying to memorize it, then she stood and moved toward the suitcase she hadn’t unpacked.

Lizzie had just zipped her suitcase when her phone buzzed again. She glanced at the screen, expecting Ashley.

Matt (Y/N’s Manager)

Her heart stuttered.

She hesitated—just for a second—then answered. “Matt?”

His voice came fast, breathless. “Lizzie. Thank god. Are you with Y/N?”

Lizzie’s brow furrowed. Her stomach dropped. “What? No. Why?”

There was a pause. Too long.

“She’s missing.”

Lizzie’s blood turned to ice. “What do you mean missing?”

“She never showed up for soundcheck. Her phone’s been off since late last night. No one’s seen or heard from her—crew, band, hotel staff, nobody.” Matt’s voice was tight with panic, trying to stay composed but clearly unraveling. “We checked her hotel room. Her stuff’s still there. But she’s not.”

Lizzie sat down slowly on the bed, her vision narrowing. “Wait. You’re saying she disappeared *after* the show?”

“Right after,” Matt confirmed. “She walked offstage and vanished. We thought she just needed a breather. But it’s been hours, Liz. Something’s wrong.”

Lizzie pressed a hand to her chest, the pressure doing nothing to steady the rising ache inside. “Did she… leave a note? Tell anyone where she was going?”

“No. Nothing. She looked wrecked, Liz. Like she was barely holding it together. And now—she’s just gone.”

Lizzie squeezed her eyes shut, heart hammering.

“I should’ve stayed,” she whispered. “I should’ve never left…”

Matt’s voice softened, but the urgency didn’t waver. “If she reached out to you—called, messaged—anything. Please tell me.”

“She didn’t,” Lizzie said hoarsely. “But I’m flying back now. I was already packing.”

“Good. We need you here.” A beat. “She’ll listen to you if you find her.”

Lizzie didn’t respond.

Because the thought of not finding her—

The thought of Y/N being alone, hurting, thinking Lizzie had given up on her for good—

It was too much.

As soon as the call ended, Lizzie yanked her suitcase upright and grabbed her coat.

Her hands trembled as she picked up her phone again—scrolling through her messages, desperate to find something. Some clue. A pin. A phrase. A breadcrumb.

Nothing.

Only silence.

And the memory of Y/N’s face mid-song, broken and brave and *reaching for her* with every note.

Where did you go, baby?

Please let me find you.

---

Lizzie was halfway through booking the next flight to Toronto when she heard it.

The doorbell.

She froze.

That… didn’t make sense.

No one used the front door. Not here. The house was tucked behind a private gate—only family and close friends had the code. And anyone who did have it wouldn’t bother with the doorbell.

Her heart picked up pace. Slowly, she rose from the edge of the bed, her fingers still curled around her phone.

For one irrational second, she hoped—prayed—it was Y/N.

But that made no sense. If Y/N was here, if she came home, why would she ring the bell? This was her house too. Her name was on the lease. Her favorite mug was still in the dish rack.

Lizzie padded quietly through the hallway, past the muted living room, toward the front entrance. She peeked through the side window, cautiously at first.

And there she was.

Y/N.

Standing just outside the door, hood pulled up over her head, hands shoved deep into the front pocket of her oversized sweatshirt. She was hunched in on herself like she was trying to disappear.

She wore sunglasses even though the porch was shaded, but Lizzie didn’t need to see her eyes to know they were red and swollen underneath. Her body language screamed one thing:

“I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to come home.”

Lizzie’s breath caught.

She didn’t wait another second.

The door was open in an instant.

Y/N flinched, just slightly, startled by how quickly it swung inward. She didn’t say anything. She just stood there—like she hadn’t made up her mind yet whether to run or beg for forgiveness.

Lizzie stared at her for a long, breathless beat. Her voice, when it finally came, was a whisper.

“…Why did you ring the bell?”

Y/N’s lips parted, and then pressed into a shaky line. She pulled the hood down slowly, but kept her glasses on.

“I didn’t know if you wanted to see me,” she murmured, voice raw. “I didn’t want to… assume.”

Lizzie’s throat burned. Her fingers twitched, aching to reach for her.

“You still have the code.”

“I know,” Y/N said softly. “But that didn’t feel like enough.”

Neither of them moved.

The silence stretched, heavy with everything they hadn’t said—everything they were still too afraid to say.

Then Y/N spoke, voice trembling. “I’m sorry.”

Lizzie blinked. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest.

Y/N swallowed hard. “For the mangoes thing. It was just a joke. I didn’t mean to make you feel small or dismissed. I didn’t know it mattered that much to you, but I should have. I should’ve seen how tired you were. I should’ve—” her voice cracked. “I should’ve shut up and just eaten the damn mangoes.”

Lizzie let out a shaky breath, eyes brimming.

“And I’m sorry for what you said—that I don’t choose you. That you felt that way. Because I do, Liz. I choose you every single day. I know I’ve been scattered lately. I know we’ve both been pulled in every direction. But not once did I stop wanting to be where you are.”

Y/N’s hands came up slowly, almost like she was afraid Lizzie would flinch away. “I don’t care about the shows, or the tour, or any of it—not if it costs me you. I’d cancel everything if I had to. Just say the word. I will.”

Tears started to spill past her glasses, catching on the curve of her cheek. She shook her head, helpless.

“Just—please don’t break up with me. I don’t want to do any of this if you’re not in it with me.”

Her voice collapsed into a sob at the end, and she covered her face with one hand, shoulders trembling.

Lizzie didn’t speak.

She couldn’t.

She was already pulling Y/N into her arms.

Y/N stiffened for half a second—then melted into her, like every part of her body had been waiting for permission to fall apart.

Lizzie held her tightly, fingers pressing into the fabric of that hoodie like she never wanted to let go.

“I’m not breaking up with you,” she whispered into her hair. “I just needed to breathe.”

Y/N nodded against her shoulder, choking on a sound that was part sob, part relief.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled again, voice muffled. “I should’ve known.”

“I should’ve told you,” Lizzie murmured, eyes closed. “I shouldn’t have made you guess how hurt I was.”

They stayed like that for a long time.

No stage. No cameras. No pressure.

Just the front door open behind them, and the sound of two hearts finding their way back.

---

They didn’t let go for a long time.

Lizzie didn’t care that the front door was still open. She didn’t care that her phone had just buzzed with another text from Y/N’s manager. All that mattered was the way Y/N clung to her like she was afraid Lizzie would disappear.

Eventually, with a soft murmur, Lizzie nudged her back a step and reached for her hand. “Come inside.”

Y/N nodded wordlessly, letting herself be led through the threshold. Her fingers stayed curled around Lizzie’s like a lifeline.

They ended up on the couch, close together. The quiet of the house pressed in on them, broken only by the hum of the fridge and the whisper of the air conditioner. Y/N sat hunched forward, elbows on her knees, hood bunched around her neck, sunglasses now resting on the coffee table. Her eyes were swollen and red, lashes still damp.

Lizzie watched her for a moment. Then, quietly, “You’ve been crying for hours.”

Y/N gave a broken laugh, wiped her face with her sleeve. “Yeah. I tried to calm down before coming home.”

Lizzie didn’t smile. Her heart cracked again as she looked at her.

“Why didn’t you come in?”

Y/N glanced at her, shame flickering in her eyes. “I didn’t think I deserved to.”

Lizzie’s breath hitched. “Don’t say that.”

“I made you feel like I didn’t care,” Y/N said hoarsely. “I made you think I wouldn’t drop everything for you—and that’s not just wrong, it’s the opposite of the truth. You’re the one thing I’ve always been sure of.”

She looked down at her lap, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. “I got so caught up in trying to do everything, to be everywhere, that I didn’t notice I was losing the most important person in my life.”

Lizzie’s hand moved before she could think. She reached out, laying it over Y/N’s, stilling her fidgeting.

“You didn’t lose me,” she said gently. “I just… needed you to stop running for a second. To see me.”

Y/N turned her palm up, linking their fingers slowly. “I see you. I swear to God, Liz. I see you.”

The silence after that was softer.

More forgiving.

After a few minutes, Lizzie tugged Y/N gently toward her, and Y/N didn’t resist. She laid her head in Lizzie’s lap, curling in like she was finally allowing herself to rest.

Lizzie stroked her hair slowly, her other hand never letting go of Y/N’s.

No more begging. No more apologies.

Just presence. Just skin and breath and love.

“You know,” Lizzie whispered, voice quieter than the AC, “I don’t care about mangoes either. I just wanted to eat them *with you.*”

Y/N let out a teary, exhausted sound that might’ve been a laugh. “God, I’m an idiot.”

Lizzie smiled for the first time. “You are. But you’re my idiot.”

Y/N’s fingers squeezed hers, tentative and trembling. “Still yours?”

Lizzie didn’t answer right away. Instead, she stepped closer, lifting her hands to cradle Y/N’s face. Her thumbs brushed away the tear tracks slowly, gently—like she was memorizing every part of her again.

“Of course,” she whispered, her voice catching. “I said yes to marry you, didn’t I?”

Y/N’s breath faltered, eyes searching hers for any sign of doubt. “I didn’t think you’d still want me.”

Lizzie exhaled shakily, resting her forehead against Y/N’s. “I was scared… and I was tired. But I see it now—this wasn’t just me carrying the weight. You were flying across oceans too. You were showing up every time. Even when your schedule was insane.”

She paused, her fingers brushing under Y/N’s jaw.

“I acted like I was the only one making sacrifices. But I wasn’t. You’ve been giving everything you could to make this work—and I was too wrapped up in my own fear to see it.”

Y/N swallowed hard. “I wasn’t perfect either.”

Lizzie gave a small, watery laugh. “Good. Then maybe we can be imperfect together.”

She pulled Y/N in and kissed her—soft, tear-soaked, and full of apology and promise. A kiss that said I’m sorry. A kiss that said I still want you. A kiss that meant home.

When they finally pulled apart, Y/N’s voice came out quiet. “So… we’re okay?”

Lizzie nodded, pressing one more kiss to her forehead. “We’re better than okay. But we go slow this time. No more pretending we’re fine just to keep up with the world.”

Y/N nodded. “As long as I get to keep you, I’ll go as slow as you need.”

And this time, when they held each other, neither one had anything left to run from.

---

Lizzie kept her arms around Y/N for a while, grounding herself in the feel of her. When she finally pulled back, she kept her hands on Y/N’s sides, eyes searching her face.

“Matt called me,” she said softly.

Y/N gave a small nod. “I figured.”

“He was freaking out. Said you vanished. No one knew where you were.” She exhaled slowly. “I was freaking out too.”

“I didn’t mean to scare anyone,” Y/N said, voice low. “I just… I needed to see you.”

Lizzie’s breath hitched, her gaze softening.

“I wasn’t thinking about anything else. Not work. Not the consequences. I didn’t even know if you’d want to see me. But I didn’t care—I had to try. I needed to look at you and know if everything was really over. Or if maybe… there was still something left.”

Lizzie’s expression shifted, a flicker of emotion behind her eyes.

“I get it,” she said gently. “Really. I do.” She brushed her fingers through Y/N’s messy hair. “And I’m not mad. Just… worried. You disappeared without telling anyone. You don’t do that.”

“I wasn’t running away,” Y/N murmured. “I was running to you.”

Those words made something inside Lizzie ache. She leaned in, her forehead resting against Y/N’s.

“You’re lucky I love you,” she whispered.

Y/N gave a weak smile. “I’m banking everything on that.”

Lizzie let out a breath of a laugh, brushing her thumb along Y/N’s cheek. “Next time… just tell someone where you’re going. Doesn’t have to be a whole thing. Just a text. A heads-up. Matt nearly had a meltdown.”

“Ugh,” Y/N groaned. “I’ll call him. Eventually.”

“You better,” Lizzie teased, her smile finally reaching her eyes. “Before he flies here and drags you back himself.”

“I’ll bribe him with concert tickets.”

Lizzie smirked, pulling Y/N into another hug. “You’re still an idiot.”

“But I’m your idiot,” Y/N mumbled into her shoulder.

Lizzie smiled against her hair. “Damn right you are.”

---

Bonus

At Y/N’s Mom’s Place

The sun was dipping low, casting golden light over the backyard as the smell of grilled food wafted through the air. Y/N’s mom had gone all out for the family gathering—ribs, veggies, lemonade, and a mountain of mango slices dusted with Tajín on the big patio table.

Y/N lounged on the bench with Lizzie curled beside her, their fingers loosely entwined as the chatter and laughter of family filled the yard. Jay, Y/N’s twin, stood at the grill, flipping burgers and watching them with an amused shake of his head.

Then he spoke, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“So… can we finally talk about how stupidly whipped you two are?”

Y/N’s eyes narrowed. “I feel a dumb comment coming.”

Jay pointed his spatula right at them. “You turned a fight over mangoes and Tajín into a global melodrama. Like. Mangoes. You cried. On stage. In front of millions.”

Lizzie nearly snorted her drink. Y/N groaned. “Can you not—?”

Jay barrelled on. “And not just any cry. The heartbreak ballad kind of cry. Fans were writing think pieces. Reddit threads. 'Did Lizzie leave her? Did she cheat? Is the baby okay?' All while the two of you were just in your feelings because someone ate the last damn mango slice.”

Lizzie giggled, then winced. “Okay, okay—but in our defense…”

Jay raised his brows dramatically. “You flew across the country.”

Lizzie nodded sheepishly. “True…”

“And you,” Jay turned to Y/N, “posted a tweet about heartbreak with no context. Then went on stage sobbing halfway through your set. Sobbing. You made mangoes look like the emotional core of your album.”

Y/N groaned and covered her face with her hand. “It wasn’t about the mangoes. They were just… the last straw.”

Jay blinked. “You’re telling me fruit triggered a global panic.”

Lizzie gave a soft laugh, nudging Y/N’s arm. “He’s not wrong.”

Y/N turned to her with a dramatic pout. “Excuse you—you’re the one who got mad when I joked about the mangoes.”

Lizzie narrowed her eyes playfully. “Because it wasn’t funny. Don’t act like you didn’t panic-text me twelve crying emojis the second I landed.”

Y/N grumbled under her breath, “Because I didn’t know if you were coming back.”

Jay held up his hands. “And there it is—drama. Fruit-fueled, world-shaking, tabloid-feeding drama.”

Lizzie laughed, reaching over to fix the collar of Y/N’s shirt. “We’re fine now. That’s what matters.”

Y/N leaned into her touch, still pouting but smiling. “Still not letting you fly off like that again, though. If you need space, I’ll give it. But not like that. Not with a disappearing act.”

Jay looked between them, then pretended to cry into the spatula. “God, I hate how sweet this is. Somebody get me a mango and break my heart.”

Just then, Natalie walked in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel, eyes dancing with mischief. “Do you want? I can go buy mangoes now,” she offered sweetly, raising a brow like it was a dare.

Jay laughed. “Woman, are you trying to start another global incident?”

Y/N groaned louder and dropped her head to Lizzie’s shoulder. “I hate this family.”

Lizzie wrapped her arm around Y/N, and kiss her cheek while giggling. 

---

[ikeu05]

husband diaries

eight — heejay help out ♡ wc 648

the next few days were a blur—a cocktail of sleepless nights, constant feeding schedules, soft lullabies at 3am, and whispered “you’re doing great”s passed between the two of them like lifelines.

yn hadn’t had more than two hours of continuous sleep since they got home. her body still ached in places she didn’t know existed. sitting up was hard, walking was harder. but she pushed through because every time shai whimpered, her instincts overrode exhaustion.

but sunghoon saw her.

he noticed the way her eyes fought to stay open even as she held their daughter. the way her hands trembled slightly when she adjusted the bottle. and so he stepped in—not because she asked, but because he wanted to.

he made it his job to wake up first, often before the first cries even began. he’d scoop little shai up from her bassinet, rock her back and forth until her tiny sobs turned into sleepy breaths. he learned how to swaddle her tighter than a burrito—watched five tutorials at 2:17am just to get it perfect.

and then he’d go back to the kitchen and cook. quietly. yn’s “breakfast baby” requests—toast with butter, warm tea, bananas with peanut butter—stacked neatly on a tray he’d bring to her bedside. sometimes she’d be asleep still, the soft rise and fall of her chest the only proof she wasn’t broken beyond repair. on other days, she’d be awake, eyes red but grateful.

“you didn’t have to,” she’d whisper, voice hoarse from the night before.

“i want to,” he’d reply every time, kissing her temple before placing the tray down. “you already made her. let me do the easy stuff.”

and then he’d kneel on the floor next to the bed, baby shai in his arms, narrating softly how she made a weird sneeze-noise that scared him to death but turned out fine. yn would laugh, tired but genuine, the sound low and warm.

things started to ease up once the boys returned from tour. the moment they landed, they came straight over, eager to meet the tiny human who had managed to steal all their hearts through blurry facetimes and mid-tour updates.

shai was sleeping in her bassinet when they arrived—swaddled tight, cheeks puffed and pink, one hand occasionally twitching like she was fighting a dream. the guys stood around her in quiet awe, whispering like they were in a museum or a sacred temple.

“she’s so small,” jungwon muttered.

“she has more hair than you,” sunoo whispered back.

“she’s literally you if you were soft and cute,” jake told sunghoon, who only grinned and looked like he might cry again.

that first night, jay and heeseung insisted they stay over. “we’ve got this,” heeseung said confidently, tossing his bag on the couch. “you two need rest. real, uninterrupted, no-baby-crying-at-4am rest.”

“you guys don’t have to—” yn started, but jay held up a hand.

“yn. we’re doing it. non-negotiable.”

sunghoon and yn exchanged a tired look—half gratitude, half guilt. “okay. but wake us up if anything happens. anything,” sunghoon said, serious.

heeseung rolled his eyes affectionately. “we’ll be fine. just go. sleep. cuddle. eat ice cream in bed. i don’t care.”

that night, the house was unusually quiet for them. yn got to lie in sunghoon’s arms without glancing at the baby monitor every two minutes. they watched something silly on tv for a while, laughing softly and lazily feeding each other whatever snacks were within arm’s reach.

down the hall, shai woke up twice—but jay was there with a bottle before her cries could even escalate. heeseung hummed lullabies off-key, rocking her gently, smiling through yawns.

when the sun came up, yn woke up to the faint sound of jay softly whispering, “okay okay, last burp and then i’ll give you back to your mommy, you tiny gremlin.”

and for the first time in a while, she felt rested.

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nessie 🗯️ will post another one today lmao this is too short LOL

taglist @i58ssj @hoszhe @hollxe1 @cherryteabae @luvchaew @axfyl @wenomakiluvr @gyuw1fe @multicolorfandoms @emisluvr @amatariki @miauumin @ohmygays0 @lalalalawon @br4ttybbygrl @jaysguitarstrings @rairaiblog @onlyywwon @1-itsneverthatserious-1 @tinyteezer @zoe1love @ikeuheartz @kirakun @nmurark05 @iwishyourosesxo @riwliane @ikeuwoniee @heekolazz @sunghoonsluv @seokjinthescientist @sadenchiladas @kimuranirisi

[mizuribbons]

YAAAAY SILLIES awawa rui's face he's so cute..........

THEY'RE SO SWEET THEY CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER SO SO SO MUCH I WILL CRY

wansho wansho wansho

[angelyuji]

Hey Izzi, how are you? I've been rereading your posts about Clark x Lois x Reader, and I love them!!

I just have a few questions: how did Clark and Lois meet Reader? In "Day in the Life of a Stay-at-Home Lover," do we know that Reader worked at the Daily Planet, and what exactly does Reader do?

And how did Clark and Lois start developing an obsession with Reader?

(Sorry, I'm just curious😅)

hi silly!!! i'm good <3 (studying and tired but good) how are you?

i'm so glad you like it!! im so happy that people love it so much cuz im sooo sooo in love with clois heehee

cw // yandere/toxic behavior, mentioned gaslighting/manipulation, suggestive content at the end

i didn't write too much about the initial meeting becuz i wanted to get to the real meat of it (domestic clois x reader) but i can give more explaination becuz i love you <33

i imagined that reader had just started out at the daily planet when they caught clois's attention. idk much about newspaper organizations, but i'd say like an intern/junior reporter type job. helping clois (and jimmy) with different projects and stories. (gonna start using "you" instead of reader from now on for simplicity)

clois initially thought of you as their sweet helper and the more time they spent with you, the more they started having more romantic feelings for you. you were similar to lois in that go-getter attitude and that sparked their need to protect you (which results in them forcing you to quiet and be a stay-at-home-partner)

very much a "omg they're so cute i wanna eat them" mentality from clois. clark likes you becuz you remind him of lois's courageous personality and lois likes you cause you remind her of clark's cute puppy side. you're like a combination of their favorite part of each other's personality. plus, you're very easily manipulated and they like that.

i'd like to think that you had no idea of their feelings toward you until one day they invite you out for drinks (w/o jimmy) and all of sudden, you're all drunk and they're taking turns making out with you. they act like you're a part of the relationship from then on and you're just forced to go along with it cuz... what else can you do :P

[pawcider]

⊹      ۪       ࣪     ꒰   🥯  〢    TICKLE MONSTER ⠀ 𓈒 𓈒 𓈒  ft. bachira, shidou, charles  ۪       ࣪ 

a/n canon ticklers and theyre three of my faves from bllk / no warnings, just fluffy and the teeniest sprinkle of suggestive in shidou's / ib a tiktok i saw the other day !!!

⠀ ♩ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ BACHIRA ⠀⠀⠀ is always clinging onto you one way or another, so naturally he figured out you were ticklish earlier on in your relationship. now, he tickles you any chance he gets ; in the morning as a way to wake you up, when you’re mad at him, or when you’re upset. sometimes he creeps up on you and straight up attacks you with his fingers, making you giggle even just by hovering them over your skin. “your fingers - were made- for-this, y’know,” you sputter between loud giggles as bachira mercilessly tickles every inch of skin he can gets his hands on - your tummy, arms, legs, neck. “so were you, babybee,” he giggles ecstatically alongside you, giving you a final set of tickles on your tummy (his favourite spot) before rolling you over to make space for himself on the bed, laying down so his cheek’s smushed into yours. also, bachira canonically blows sloppy raspberries on your tummy. his hands rest on your sides, lips pressed against the flesh of your stomach as your fingers rest on his scalp.

⠀ ♩ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ SHIDOU ⠀⠀⠀ well, he’s just a man of touch. bites, licks, kisses, you name it. tickles are a bit too tame for him, even, but he found out you were ticklish by accident whilst obviously, he was touching you. let’s just say, if shidou tickles you, it means something much worse is afoot. just a mini warmup before he goes absolutely feral on you. “you ready f’me, babes?” he chuckles manically, and before you even have the time to register his words, his hands slip under your shirt, strong fingers attacking soft skin like a predator to its prey. “RYUUUUUU, STOPPP!!!!!!” you yelp, struggling, trying your best to push his hands away. definitely didn’t work, because he takes advantage of you being a laughing mess and hauls you onto his shoulder with just one hand, settling it firm on your bottom. “ugh. you’re so undignified.” “wanna see how much more undignified we're gonna get, sweetie?”

⠀ ♩ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ CHARLES ⠀⠀⠀ is SUCH a silly lil boyfriend. super playful, and duh, he loves tickling you. sometimes, if you’re feeling down, he innocently offers to let you tickle him, hoping that’ll lift your mood. which you find so sweet, honestly. his tickles are brutal, though. and you didn’t have to wait for him to find out that you were ticklish, he just asked if he could tickle you beforehand. “mm.. can i tickle you?” he’d asked initially, hopeful eyes boring into your own. “huh? tickle me? why?” “dunno, seems fun.” you were hesitant, but agreed in the end. and now, he does it sometimes whilst you’re cosied up into each other, when you least expect it. you always try your best to pry his fingers off your skin, but they refuse to budge. he claims you’ve got the best spots for tickling ever, and even though you never notice it, the faintest pink dusts his cheeks every time he looks down to see you caged under his arms, cheeks flushed, laughing unstoppably. cute. he’s still getting the hang of how a relationship works, though, so you might have to subtly give hints that he should kiss you more than he tickles you.

[sabxhere]

YOUUUU, YOU EVIL EVIL MENACE, OH MY GOSH, CACKLING SO MUCH AT THE GRINCH SMILE, YOU GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK WITH YOUR LOVELY ANIMATIC RAI, YOU'LL SOON BE RECEIVING NEWS FROM MY DOCTOR, SMH SMH!!!/SILLY/VVVVVPOS

GIRL, I AM SO HAPPY YOU DECIDED TO LOCK IN FOR DOING THIS ANIMATIC, CAUSE I LITERALLY HAVE REPLAYED IT A THOUSAND TIMES AND I STILL SMILE WHILE LOOKING AT IT, OH MY GODDDDWVHWBWNWNW😭😭😭💖💖💖💖💖💖

THAT'S SO FUCKING CUTE, OH MY GOD, YES YESSSSSS, he would so do that, repeating out loud the words he wants to say to him while he's at home, doing his speech in front of a mirror, maybe even, in a sillier fashion, try to say the words to a photo of dogman, hehe. I love that despite how hard it is for petey, and how new he is to being vulnerable, he clearly put and is putting a lot of effort in wanting to show how much he cares for dogman, and dogman just being so starry eyed and in love with him, HHHHHHH😭😭😭💖💖💖💖💖

OMG IT WAS A REFERENCE, AHHHHH, SO HAPPY IT WAS, CAUSE I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU IN EVERY ASPECT, while a lot of emphasis is put on his relationship with grampa, dr dilbert's behavior towards him was absolutely horrid and downright abusive, I definitely perk up a bit whenever someone talks about it as well, cause it definitely played a big role in him deciding to be a super villain for sure, and most likely kicked his survival instinct to the max, always needing to look behind his back and have a hard time resting and feeling secure enough to open up, mhm mhm, I agree with you, Marceline and Petey for sure have that in common, and you portrayed it really well, especially the wonder at how things are different now for him💖💖💖💖

SAMEEEEEE, I LOVE DETEY, WAHHHHH, I love how at first their pairing seems really simple and "oh, opposite attract?? cool ig" BUT CAN CONTAIN SO MANY LAYERS. SO. MANY. LAYERS. They super deserve each other, ahhh!!!😭😭😭💖💖💖💖

WVWHENJWNWNWJWWJ AHHHH, SHUCKS, RAI, I'm so happy you like my yaps, literally makes me kick my feet and smile so big, it's so fun to analyze artworks and catch all the details, hehehe!!!!💖💖💖💖

Anotha one -that I hadn't finished lkshjgkls Don't mind the mess T0T, but we can all agree that "Monster" from Adventure Time is a detey song right? Right. Dedicating this one to @sabxhere for being such a cool supporter, you a real one uwu

[madamesimstress]

🎀 The Sanrio Legacy Challenge

A Multi-Generation Sims 4 Aesthetic Legacy Inspired by the Sweet, Spooky, and Chaotic World of Sanrio

Welcome to the Sanrio Legacy Challenge — a whimsical, dramatic, and emotionally rich journey through aesthetic generations inspired by your favorite Sanrio characters. From iconic cuties like Hello Kitty and My Melody to eerie final acts like Lloromannic’s Cherry & Berry, this challenge invites you to play with style, storytelling, and heart.

Each generation explores a new color palette, aesthetic theme, and gameplay focus. Some are soft and sleepy. Others are gothic and chaotic. Whether you love building, CAS, family gameplay, occult sims, or storytelling screenshots — there’s something here for you.

🌸 What to Expect:

Cozy cottagecore witches

Rebellious authors and dramatic lovers

Sleepy eggs, magical twins, and spooky soul bonds

A mix of sweet, soft, silly, and strangely sad

This isn’t just a legacy — it’s a scrapbook of moods, mishaps, and magical little lives.

📜 Rules of Play:

To keep the aesthetic and spirit of the challenge alive, try your best to follow these:

🎨 Match each generation’s color palette to their featured character (you can go bold or subtle!)

🏡 Align décor, outfits, pets, and aspirations with that character’s energy

💸 No money cheats — but inheritance, retail funds, or career rewards are fine

🖼 Keep a scrapbook, zine, journal, or screenshot archive for memories

🧶 Use heirlooms, keepsakes, or even in-game journals to carry the story between generations

📅 Complete all generation goals before moving on to the next

💌 You Can:

Skip or swap generations to fit your playstyle

Add your own Sanrio characters as generations! (See below 👇)

Play it soft & aesthetic or hard-mode chaotic — your vibe, your story

Use mods, pose packs, reshades, and CC as much or as little as you want

🎀 Legacy Completion Bonus Challenge:

So you made it through all the wild generations? Here’s how to celebrate:

🌳 Create a Sanrio Family Tree Poster with portraits and bios of each heir

📓 Make sure each generation passes down a diary, journal, or magical heirloom

🎊 Host a Sanrio Gala in the final generation — invite the entire family tree! Dress them in their gen’s colors and set up a screenshot/photo display of all past heirs

💝 Optional Legacy Wrap-Up:

After the final generation, give your legacy one last love letter:

🏛️ Build a Sanrio Museum — one room per generation, filled with heirlooms, portraits, and décor

📸 Use poses or storytelling screenshots to create family portraits

🎪 Host a Sanrio Festival — featuring activities or rooms inspired by your Top 5 favorite generations

🍓 A Note from the Creator:

There are hundreds of Sanrio characters, and not all have been included in this first wave! This legacy features carefully selected favorites to get you started — but I’ll be adding more over time.

Feel free to swap in your favorites, create your own gens, or even play a 5- or 10-generation version if that suits your style better.

This challenge is meant to be customizable, replayable, and filled with ✨chaotic sweetness✨ — just like the Sanrio universe.

🧷 Tag your challenge: #SanrioLegacy 🧁 Created with love by Madam Simstress

🌸 Generation 1: Hello Kitty – The Sweetheart Leader

You’re cheerful, loving, and always putting others first. You believe in kindness, cute things, and chasing dreams.

Traits: Cheerful, Good, Foodie Aspiration: Friend of the World Goals:

Max the Cooking and Charisma skills

Host 5 dinner parties

Maintain at least 3 strong friendships throughout life

Own a pink-themed home

🖤 Generation 2: Kuromi – The Rebel with a Diary

You’re misunderstood, chaotic, and dramatic — but underneath it all, you’re deeply loyal and secretly soft.

Traits: Hot-Headed, Creative, Loner Aspiration: Bestselling Author or Public Enemy Goals:

Keep a journal/diary (writing skill or screenshots with captions)

Have a rivalry with a sibling or best friend

Fall in love with your enemy

Max Writing or Mischief

Live in a dark, punky home

🍪 Generation 3: Cinnamoroll – The Shy Daydreamer

You’re a gentle, introverted soul who dreams of flying — or at least floating away into the clouds.

Traits: Neat, Shy (or Bookworm), Animal Enthusiast Aspiration: Animal Friend Goals:

Live in a tiny home

Own at least 2 pets

Max Veterinarian or Baking

Avoid public social events

Build a cloud-themed café

💙 Generation 4: Tuxedo Sam – The Stylish Clutz

Charming, fashionable, but low-key clumsy. You love clothes, friends, and a good party.

Traits: Goofball, Self-Absorbed, Outgoing Aspiration: Party Animal Goals:

Max the Style Influencer career

Host gold-level parties for each life stage

Always wear formal or fashion outfits

Collect all the ice cream flavors from Seasons/City Living vendors

Have a fashion rival

🧁 Generation 5: My Melody – The Quiet Guardian

Soft-spoken and sweet, you’re the emotional heart of the family. You live to protect what you love.

Traits: Loyal, Good, Music Lover Aspiration: Musical Genius or Super Parent Goals:

Have 3 kids and stay close to all of them

Max Parenting and Piano

Live in a pastel home with a garden

Never divorce

Always be there for your grandkids

💌 Generation 6: Pompompurin – The Cozy Buddy

You’re the golden retriever of the family — cuddly, comforting, and always down to nap.

Traits: Lazy, Glutton, Family-Oriented Aspiration: Master Chef Goals:

Own a dog and treat them like your child

Max Gourmet Cooking

Throw birthday parties with cake every time

Host 10 sleepovers or game nights

Build a home café

🎨 Generation 7: Keroppi – The Bright Adventurer

Smart, curious, and energetic, you’re a little ball of science, nature, and childhood wonder.

Traits: Genius, Loves Outdoors, Cheerful Aspiration: Renaissance Sim or Outdoor Enthusiast Goals:

Master 3 skills

Go camping at least 3 times

Max Fishing or Logic

Keep a bug collection

Build a riverside or jungle-themed home

🌼 Generation 8: Chococat – The Quiet Observer

You're clever and curious, watching the world with big eyes and big questions.

Traits: Geek, Clumsy, Creative Aspiration: Computer Whiz Goals:

Max Programming and Robotics

Have at least 1 failed invention

Live in a smart home (futuristic or tech-themed)

Stay single until Elder stage

Name your pet after a tech pun

Have Twins

🍓 Generation 9: Little Twin Stars (Kiki & Lala)

Born magical and inseparable. Whether it’s your twin, best friend, or soulmate — you shine brighter together.

Traits: Childish, Romantic, Good Aspiration: Soulmate or Spellcraft & Sorcery Goals:

Create a twin bond (live, grow, and play together)

Build a star-themed shared bedroom

Learn magic or create fantasy games

Move to a magical world or San Myshuno

Stargaze weekly

Twins stay together for life

Kiki (girl) gives birth to the next heir

🌟 Generation 10: Gudetama – The Existential Nap King/Queen

You’ve inherited the legacy, but all you want to do is not. You find joy in simplicity… and naps.

Traits: Lazy, Unflirty, Gloomy (or Snob for sass) Aspiration: Slacker (use Beach Life or Freelance Botanist) Goals:

Avoid all traditional careers

Garden, tan, or sleep for fun

Never marry

Inherit money from older generations

Build the coziest house with the least effort

🌈 Generation 11: Hangyodon – The Lonely Entertainer

You’re quirky, heartfelt, and always trying to make others laugh… even when you feel like you don’t belong.

Traits: Clumsy, Goofball, Gloomy Aspiration: Joke Star Goals:

Max Comedy and Acting

Always live near water (Island Living, Sulani, or Brindleton Bay)

Be best friends with someone who doesn’t love you back

Perform at a karaoke bar at least once a week

Make at least 1 enemy and 1 fan

🎀 Generation 12: Badtz-Maru – The Sass King/Queen

You’re a rebel, an icon, and a walking eye-roll. Deep down, you care—but you’ll never say it out loud.

Traits: Self-Assured, Snob, Mean Aspiration: Chief of Mischief or Fabulously Wealthy Goals:

Start a side hustle (Odd Jobs, Freelance, or Thief RP)

Own a black-and-white loft

Sabotage 3 relationships

Have one sim fall in love with you… and break their heart

Open an art gallery or “edgy” fashion brand

🎵 Generation 13: Pochacco – The Energetic Friend

Sporty, bubbly, and obsessed with your friends. You're loyal to a fault and always on the move.

Traits: Active, Loyal, Dog Lover Aspiration: Bodybuilder or Friend of the Animals Goals:

Adopt 3 dogs throughout your life

Max Fitness and Wellness

Live in a home with a huge backyard or rooftop space

Host jogging or dog meet-ups

Never spend a single day without a pet

✨ Generation 14: Wish Me Mell – The Gentle Dreamer

You’re shy but sweet, and your imagination is your escape. You craft your world to be as soft as a lullaby.

Traits: Shy (or Loner), Creative, Romantic Aspiration: Painter Extraordinaire or Dream Home Decorator Goals:

Paint every day

Live in a lavender or white cottage

Own a tea set and cozy reading nook

Have 1 slow-burn love story

Design bedrooms for all your friends

🐾 Generation 15: Monkichi – The Overachiever with a Sweet Tooth

You're curious, ambitious, and maybe a little hyper. You love snacks, spreadsheets, and proving yourself.

Traits: Ambitious, Genius, Glutton Aspiration: Academic Goals:

Get an A in high school and graduate university with honors

Max Research & Debate + Gourmet Cooking

Always carry snacks in inventory (for realism/fun)

Build a home office + snack bar

Try every food stall in the game at least once

✨ Generation 16: Pekkle – The Polite Wanderer

You’re gentle, well-mannered, and love traveling and water. You’re always searching for “home,” even if you don’t realize it.

Traits: Good, Loves Outdoors, Music Lover Aspiration: Outdoor Enthusiast or Beach Life Goals:

Live in 3 different worlds during your life

Max Fitness OR Guitar

Own a boat or build a home that’s dockside

Send postcards or write letters to long-distance friends

Adopt a duck or bird (use small pet mod or rename a pet)

🍡 Generation 17: Cogimyun – The Sad Flour Fairy

You're delicate, misunderstood, and constantly on the verge of crying — but still soft, brave, and trying your best.

Traits: Gloomy, Childish, Creative Aspiration: Painter Extraordinaire or Inner Peace Goals:

Live in a fragile-looking apartment or all-white pastel home

Keep a plushie collection

Burn food constantly in the beginning

Never have more than 2 close friends at once

Find strength by the end of your story (complete aspiration)

🐻 Generation 18: Marron Cream – The Cottage Seamstress

You’re classy, soft-spoken, and elegant — a lover of tea, lace, and everything handmade.

Traits: Neat, Perfectionist, Romantic Aspiration: Master Maker or Lady of the Knits Goals:

Max Knitting or Fabrication

Sell handmade items

Wear bows in every outfit

Run a home business or market stall

Have a long-distance love you write letters to

💘 Generation 19: Charmmy Kitty – The Pampered Princess

You were raised in luxury and you know it. But now, you want to define yourself your way.

Traits: Snob, Cat Lover, Self-Assured Aspiration: Mansion Baron or World-Famous Celebrity Goals:

Live in a lavish estate

Max Acting or Singing

Own multiple cats

Date someone from a “lower” social class

Start your own brand (fashion, music, or cat café)

🐸 Generation 20: Landry – The Shy Laundry Ghost

You’re kind, quiet, and always cleaning. You live in the background… but your story still matters.

Traits: Loner, Neat, Good Aspiration: Neighborhood Confidante or Eco Innovator Goals:

Max Wellness or Handiness

Always do laundry manually (no auto machines!)

Clean neighbors’ homes or help community spaces

Live in a laundromat-style microhome

Be remembered for small, beautiful acts of kindness

🕯️ Generation 21: Lloromannic – Cherry & Berry

Inseparable siblings born under a cursed moon. One is chaos and charm, the other silence and shadow. They are not twins — but their fates are twisted together. This is a story of bonds, secrets, and a pact that will outlive them both.

Cherry

Traits: Self-Assured, Hot-Headed, Ambitious Aspiration: Spellcraft & Sorcery or Villainous Valentine Goals:

Max Mischief and Charisma

Reach Rank 5 in Spellcaster (if Realm of Magic)

Win 3 magical duels or debates

Have at least 2 intense romantic entanglements but never marry

Be enemies with someone Berry likes

Start 1 fire (accidentally or intentionally)

Keep a locked or hidden room no one else can enter

Berry

Traits: Gloomy, Loner, Genius Aspiration: Renaissance Sim or Inner Peace Goals:

Max Logic and Research & Debate

Max Medium skill (if Paranormal Stuff installed)

Host at least 3 séances

Write and publish a nonfiction book (occult or scientific theme)

Become a Paranormal Investigator (optional)

Discover and befriend 5 ghosts

Reconcile with Cherry after a serious falling out

Shared Goals:

Live together for life in a haunted or cursed-looking manor

Adopt a black cat or spectral pet

Keep 1 shared “heirloom” from a previous generation locked away

Host a ritual or séance event every season

The Spirit Pact: one sister must die and ghost in the household with the next gen.

[saturns-peachy-honeymoon]

babygirlcurtis!reader headcanons

summary: life as the youngest curtis sibling.

content: babygirlcurtis!reader. platonic!gang x reader. mostly fluff with a hint of angst.

word count: 937

a/n: I just had a HUGE influx of babygirlcurtis!reader requests, so I thought we should take care of the basics first! 

You’re a gentle soul - soft spoken, kind-hearted, and very sensitive 

You enjoy reading fairy tales, plays, and poetry 

A daydreamer - much like Ponyboy 

You're viewed as something fragile and precious in your household and the boys are dedicated to shielding you from the horrors of the world as much as possible

You share a room with Ponyboy, but the boys plan on moving you into your own room when you start high school next year  

There’s a corner in your room that’s full of your cute girly things: nail polish, perfume samples, ribbons you’ve saved from gifts (some to use in your hair, some to just admire)

Your bed is absolutely covered in plushies

You are Ponyboy’s baby: The second he held you in his arms, he very firmly said, “She’s MY baby sister,” and he stayed true to that 

Pony wants to be to you what Soda always was to him: someone safe and warm that you can always turn to and find peace with 

He’s the one who reminds you that your kindness is in no way a weakness

Pony’s your confidant, your protector, and the only one who truly understands your dreamy tendencies 

He feels comfortable confiding in you and sharing his silly daydreams 

Every time he finishes a book he thinks you’ll like, it will end up on your nightstand the next day 

If you’re really stressed out, upset, or just need some comfort, Pony will read poetry to you 

Pony teaches you to enjoy the sunset and the stars  

I also really feel like your room is covered in little doodles he’s drawn for you

Sodapop does everything in his power to keep you giggling

When a good song comes on the radio, he’ll twirl you around the kitchen

Soda always makes time for you

While Ponyboy is your person and you always go to him for dreamy stuff, Soda is your go-to person for friend drama and crushes 

He learns how to paint your nails, and on occasion, he’ll let you paint his toenails

Sodapop has definitely taken you out on his version of a daddy/daughter date to make you feel extra special (and show you not to put up with any shit when you do finally start dating) 

Darry loves you so fiercely, but he’s so very scared of losing you, which can make him overprotective 

His overprotectiveness bothers you a bit, but you know it comes from a place of love and try to deal with it the best he can

Darry is SO determined to keep you as a kid forever. He lost his youth, and he’ll be damned if you lose yours 

Not only are you not allowed to date until you're 17, but Darry can barely tolerate you having crushes 

Ponyboy takes you along with him and Johnny whenever he can, so it's simple to say you’ve always been close to Johnny 

You like that you can just sit with him in silence and feel at peace. You treat each other with a deep respect and never push one another to talk, but are always ready to listen

You cried so hard when you found out about his home life, and he felt awful. Later, you apologized and wrapped him in the tightest hug of his life 

You’re one of the people Johnny’ll let fuss over him without a fight 

He’ll bring you wildflowers from the lot for you to press and decorate your room with

All the boys in the gang are fiercely overprotective of you 

But Dally… Dally would kill for you in a second 

He takes care to curb his language around her and mind his behavior (as much as he’s capable, at least) if you’re out with him and the boys 

Two-Bit has decided that he’s an additional big brother 

He’ll swipe candy for you and little trinkets

Always tells you corny jokes to make you giggle 

Will pick you up and take you to the movies or something if you’re brothers can’t

If you ever fall asleep on his shoulder while the gang is hanging out, he’ll claim he’s the chosen one 

Steve doesn’t love when Soda or Pony bring you along because he feels like he has to be on his best behavior 

He’s always in your corner, tho, and would do anything for you 

He fixes your bike whenever it needs a repair and will drive you around whenever your brothers can’t 

Steve will also bring you a soda or candy bar from the DX whenever he comes over after a shift

You’re far too smart for your own good and understand way more about your situation than the boys want you to 

You dream of becoming a cheerleader when you get to high school next year

You’re friends with a lot of soc girls, and you feel guilty sometimes for how badly you want the cute sweaters and lip glosses they’re able to have

Darry sometimes struggles to understand your more feminine wants

“Why do you need lip gloss? Chapstick does the same thing.” 

Lord help you if you get your first period after your parents' passing. The house is pure CHAOS with the boys trying to figure out what to do and Darry panicking

You cannot stand when your brothers fight, and your presence in a room can do so much to help ease those tensions 

You’re super dedicated to learning how to cook and will usually help Darry cook sides 

Sometimes you’ll slip notes into your brother's pockets or lunches to make them smile 

You frequently fall asleep during movie nights (typically on Ponyboy’s shoulder) 

‪‪❤︎‬‪‪ ❤︎‬‪‪ ❤︎‬

Thanks for the request, love! I'm so happy you've been enjoying the Curtis sister series (I love getting to write it!) To everyone else who's sent babygirlcurtis!reader requests, I promise to start working on them soon - I've just got some other fics and hcs I need to finish first. Love love love y'all, and really appreciate your support <3 <3

[mwright30313326]

Character Acting Challenge

I did @actuallyrea 's character acting challenge with Huntrix!

I gave myself an extra space to draw their initial reactions just for fun

extra thoughts under the cut

Rumi

Rumi knows she can physically do any challenge but her initial reaction is unsure bc her mind has a hard time at first imagining letters in terms of her body vs on paper.

Also if English isn't her first alphabet this might also add to her uncertainty.

By the end she's very pleased with herself and ready to do it again--even spell other words!

She stays conscious of her tail hair not screwing up the silhouette and focuses on readability.

She thinks it's super fun and wants to add it into a music video.

Mira

As the lead dancer, Mira can easily imagine how to make letters with her body

Her only gripe is that she doesn't get time to tie her hair up for a more streamlined silhouette

Hers is definitely more of a dance than the others. She flows from one pose to the next elegantly

Mira has zero qualms about getting on the floor and loves how everyone gasps when she bounces up off the floor from "M" to "I"

Rumi is in awe of how fast she does it, and Zoey is super inspired by how Mira tackles the challenge

Zoey

After seeing the others do it, she is super excited!

Zoey calls out each letter as she does it -- both to direct herself and because I think it's cute

She successfully mimics Mira's flow-y dance style for the first two letters. Her transitional movements between letters are a little more bouncy than Mira's but the vibes are similar.

She gets a bit confused by the "E" but drops to the floor with zero hesitation once she gets the idea

bonus Bobby and Celine

Bobby is overjoyed to be included and absolutely slays. He is a bit confused by the lowercase "b" but figures it out quickly. I love Bobby so much.

Celine is NOT doing this in public. Rumi and Zoey begged her the next time they saw her after doing this challenge on a show. Celine is a seasoned performer so she understands the movements and shapes she needs to do, but she has reservations about going all out and being "silly" in front of the girls. She's favoring one leg from an old hunting injury so she can't bend as easily as she wants to for the "E". They all have a laugh rewatching clips of the girls' dances together.

[soradayone]

when i think back to one of my earliest and fondest memories, it was just me making stick figure comics with my elementary school classmates. we would just take turns bringing the pages home and then the next day in school we’d all see what they added. they were dragon ball z stick figures since that’s what played on toonami after school and looking back, its just so cute how we’d try to draw stick figures with monkey tails fighting each other.

i even remember in the extended day program, for us kids that wouldn’t be able to leave school until 7 or 8pm waiting for our parents that worked late, how much more creative freedom we got. i remember the older kids were working on a drawing of Trunks from dragon ball z and the drawing was 3 posters taped together because they were wanting to draw a life sized illustration of it. it wasn’t just one kid drawing, it was like 3-4, they had specific roles and responsibilities for this project that they were doing just for themselves. it was incredible how even at that age, these kids were out here making some of the most insane and awesome fan work.

anyway, that’s what it feels like now with me getting back into art and specifically just getting back into “fandom” at this point in my life. maybe i’m not drawing full fledge comics or illustrations the way i want to, not yet anyway, but sharing my silly little comics or sketches is just me kind of reliving that memory in a way. i just share these thoughts and illustrations out into the void only to be so excited for what other people out there share back.

i do miss the in person collaboration of it, the way we would go silent when we focused on a scene but we could easily break the silence to ask questions or get new ideas running. i’m not sure why i’m feeling so nostalgic this morning but maybe i just miss how easy it was to just create freely during a time where i wasn’t blocked as much to do so. sometimes the complications of my childhood cloud over the good that was there. but man, so much feeling goes into creating that i think a lot of people just don’t remember. or possibly that they don’t want to remember.

anyway this is just a very long way of me saying please create something today and have a blast! make silly things, laugh about them, and just get excited about creating for yourself!!

[rag-doggy]

Here's my designs of the main four in my little AU

These designs are essentially how they all look post Wizard of Oz and for Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, after the events of Return to Oz. This’ll also involve a good bit of info-dumping too. Some of the doodles here are either digital or hand-drawn.

Dorothy Gale

I based Dorothy’s design a lot off of her design in the "Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz" cartoon from 2017, simply cuz I thought it looked cute. For my design, though, I tweaked some things like the dress, and gave her a cute little bonnet.

My Dorothy is 8 years old, though she was 7 during the events of the Wizard of Oz. Personality-wise, she's just like Judy's portrayal of Dorothy, but occasionally gets rude like her original book iteration when someone deserves getting smacked (e.g. the Wizard).

As you see in the drawing, Dorothy is pretty small. Sometimes, either of her friends will simply carry her if she's starting to get tired or help her get up to higher places. For her relationship with the others, her friends remind her of Hunk, Hickory and Zeke back in Kansas, and admittedly, there are a lot of times where Tin Man and Scarecrow felt like dads she never had, with Lion being the uncle.

She’s also Princess of Oz (like in the og Oz books)

(These are older designs, btw. I plan on tweaking Glinda's design too)

The Cowardly Lion

Lion was more simple to design. I envisioned him and other Animals like Hungry Tiger as anthropomorphic in a way, though they can still run and walk on all fours if they wanted to. He’s actually way bigger than how I drew him here, mostly due to the size of the canvas and I wanted to have the details on each character visible enough. I actually headcanon him with gigantism, since I’m certain he’s illustrated as huge compared to the other characters, and yes, I know he’s a big cat, but if you look at the size of a lion compared to a human in real life, they’re smaller unless they’re standing on their hind legs. Plus, I gave him that darker part of a lion's mane.

Now for my version of Lion, he’s a little more brave than how he once was, but is still afraid and anxious around most things. I took a bit of Bert Lahr’s portrayal of the character as inspirationfor his mannerisms. He’d be considered a teenager in human years, roughly 16 or 17, so he’s the second youngest in the group, and never left the forest before Dorothy and the other two showed up.

He’s been there since he was a cub, and he can’t really fully remember how he got there, but he faintly recalls being saved from a scary cage by a young man and woman. The woman was an odd colour, he could remember. Just what colour? He can’t remember either.

As for his relationship with the others; he adores Dorothy, he’s good friends with Scarecrow but there’s something about him he just can’t put his finger on. He and Tin Man are friends, but in all honesty, he’s a little wary of him. Not because he’s made of tin or has an axe, it’s just…well, never mind. It’s silly.

The Scarecrow

For my Scarecrow’s design, I decided to make it look like a mix between John R Niiel’s depiction of him and Ray Bolger’s portrayal of the character. I even decided to add a little bit of Raggedy Ann-like features on his face, like the painted on eyelashes. Scraps also re-patched up his clothes since his body had an issue with straw spilling out.

He’s not that old, physically speaking. Physically, he’s 6 years old. As for his mental age, after being thoroughly analysed by Wogglebug, a conclusion came that if Scarecrow was a human, he’d be somewhere in his 20s, possibly around the same age as Glinda. Oh yeah, speaking of Wogglebug, Scarecrow DESPISES him. He’s sometimes a little vain about his brains, but not to a point it’s unbearable. He doesn't scare crows anymore, and had instead befriended a murder of them.

Although Scarecrow has no need to do so, he occasionally sleeps to give his brain some energy, and he has dreams too. Very weird ones. Like dancing in libraries, riding horses, and a couple occasional ones even involved that nasty old witch! Though she was strangely a lot nicer than how she actually was in real life.

He has a queerplatonic relationship with the Tin Man. They still occasionally live together and love each other’s company very much. He co-parents Dorothy, is good pals with the Cowardly Lion and despises Wogglebug. As for Glinda…he often go help Lady Glinda with her new Broadway musical about her time and relationship with the Wicked Witch of the West.

They even partake in the musical casts, with Tin Man as Glinda and Scarecrow as the Wicked Witch, and they essentially do drag for these roles:

The Tin Man

Okay, so I based Tin Man’s design a bit off of John R Niiel’s much like I did with Scarecrow, but gave him a couple features from Jack Haley’s Tin Man costume. I decided that much like John R Niiel’s design of him, I wanted him to look kinda lanky n’ stuff. I even gave him some eyeshadow. Jack Haley’s Tin Man kinda looked like he had eyeshadow on and I thought it looked good. As for the reason I gave him a tail was because his totally real creator based him off a Munchkin, and yes, Munchkins have tails. Do I think he looks kinda weird with a tail? Yes, but weirdness is what I want : )

My Tin Man personality-wise is mostly the same as he is in canon. He’s sensitive and empathetic despite lacking a (physical) heart, and very loyal to his friends. He likes reading dark romance novels, enjoys walking across the tulip-filled fields of Munchkinland to admire the sights, and if he ends up accidentally stepping on a bug, he’ll cry, and he’ll give you a 20 minute long scolding on trying to swat away a fly. The man can also be rather trigger-happy with his axe, and he's very well recognised by the wolf population due to the incident with the 40 wolves, and as a result, he legally has to stay in a 10 metres distance from a wolf. Does he feel bad about it? Yes. A lot.

As for his relationships, Dorothy feels like a daughter he never had, often frets over her and sometimes calls her “Sweetheart”. He and Scarecrow are very best friends, never had there been two queerly made men in Oz so fit for each other’s company! For Lion, he didn’t like him much the start, but became friends soon after. But what Tin Man couldn’t understand was why Lion sometimes seemed nervous and jumpy around him…was he doing something wrong?

Asides from the others, Tin Man is good friends with some of the Munchkin locals in Munchkin City, and one notable Munchkin he likes most of all is one of the Wicked Witch of the East’s former slaves: Nimmie Aimee, one of the many gardeners for the tulip fields. He finds her very pretty and kind, and...and brave. Gosh, she makes him feel so many things!

Toto

Toto. What can be said about Toto? He’s smarter than the averagely smart dog and a good boy. The Witch never really felt that threatening to him, if he told you his opinion on the Witch, he would tell you that she's literally just Ms Gulch but goth and with green skin. Asides from the magic, she was not that scary. Everyone in Oz is just too paranoid.

For his views on Dorothy and the others, to him, it isn't Dorothy walking him. It's him walking her. He personally likes to consider his leash a "safety leash" that he gets Dorothy to hold on to so she doesn't wander off.

As for Toto's opinion on Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, he labels them in his head as "Thing 1, Thing 2, and the giant cat". On the first trip down to Emerald City, he was okay with them and sensed that they all had meant well, though he was always a little wary around them. Dog forbid he feels a little wary when the 7 year old child is skipping along with three dudes she just met on the side of the road.

[dujour13]

Gotta submit Woljif for this one! 🍒

Thank you! and thanks to @fantastic-mr-corvid for the same ask 💕 Woljif my beloved as I see him:

Character questionnaire

off the top of your head: notes for characterization? what are the most essential traits of this character to you (personality traits, important connections/dynamics, voice)?

Woljif’s voice is an absolute joy to riff on. His slang, his tendency to chatter, his cynicism about some things and naiveté about others, his off-the-wall stories, his really immature sense of humor... He would be happy to know he’s a gold mine.

But what I always try to keep in mind as I write him is that underneath the greed and cowardice, what Woljif truly wants is love, and failing that, he’ll settle for some respect. (The nuance being that he’ll shamelessly abase himself if it furthers his goals, but only because that’s what others expect of him anyway. He has no shame because he has no self-respect.) What’s surprising is that means he hides a font of great hope in his heart despite the real trauma he’s lived through. He absolutely plans on getting rich and being treated like royalty. And secretly, he’d do anything for somebody who gives him sincere affection.

So in any interaction, he’ll be angling: on the surface for money, because that can buy most of what he wants in life, but on a deeper level, for acceptance. Anyone who offers a little of the latter has a chance at catching a rare glimpse of his better nature.

Clever as he is, he’s also not good at understanding his own and others’ emotions, so I like to write him cutely trying to rationalize his feelings.

adjacently—do you think fandom does the above traits justice? why or why not?

Boy this question really kicks the fandom hornet’s nest. Luckily I’ve rarely seen actual bad takes on Woljif, but then again I don’t venture out into the wider fandom much.

One thing I’ll say is that for Woljif, family is such an overtly important theme that whether your post-game headcanon is platonic found family or romantic family with or without kids, in all forms it’s totally valid and satisfying character development and I’m 100% behind it.

throw this character at any other character of your choice to bounce off each other as outsider pov to each other— regardless of timeline or logistics (crossovers allowed if you're interesting about it). why this combination? what insights would they have on each other?

Going to do this with Raqim because I’m still formulating his relationship with the different companions.

Raqim finds him immature, but that’s not something people can’t grow out of. He would never be caught openly laughing at a Woljif joke but I think his eyes twinkle sometimes.

Luckily, Woljif reminds Raqim of an enterprising kid he knew in the slums of Azir, so he’s not immediately ill-disposed toward him despite being lawful-inclined. He appreciates his resourcefulness and competence, and doesn’t yet believe he’s as much of a disloyal coward as he’s been warning him he is. Raqim’s soon to be very surprised and disappointed.

Still as a nascent Gold Dragon, Raqim will recognize Woljif’s true contrition and welcome him back into the fold, but not without a stern I’m watching you.

As for Woljif, he can respect a competent, no-nonsense guy who doesn’t fall for his tricks, and the gradual realization that Raqim actually values him will do wonders for his self-esteem—not to mention his loyalty.

how do you think you would react to this character in real life and vice versa? would you prefer be a million miles out of range, be amicable classmates, or fall desperately in love? (bonus: arrange a hypothetical date between yourself and this character. getting silly with it is encouraged (fakedate them! escape a dinner date through a bathroom window!))

I’m sorry Woljif but you’re a money-grubbing scam artist and I love you for it fictionally, but unfortunately we have enough of those in the real world. Robbing the rich yes... but not so you can become one of them. I hate to say it but he would buy a superyacht. It’s clear that the poor, helpless tieflings of the world are not his main motivation. Irl he would be on my naughty list.

ideal flavor of rotating for this character? crack them open and dissect them— do you want them tormented, pining, or being loved + comforted? do you have any specific scenarios you like to think about?

All of the above and he deserves every bit. I want him pining for love and affection. I want him in the grip of even the fleetest moment of guilt. I want him watching that wealth he craves slip through his fingers and having to admit to himself what he really wants. I want him facing death and realizing what a waste his life has been. I want him chained in Hell and thinking he deserves it. I want him mortally embarrassed by his own compassion.

And hugged and smooched and loved and appreciated for who he is by a certain azata commander.

weave a web of dynamics through the cast for this character: which dynamics are you most interested in? both canonically and through extrapolation/speculation— which dynamics are the richest to you, and why?

He and Seelah have a similar background but she’s a lightyear ahead of him in what he considers the wrong direction and it’s hilarious.  His “You’re tough and strong, why’d you give up a life of crime, are you crazy?” vs. her “Don’t embrace the stupid, stupid.”

But there’s a special place in my heart for his dynamic with Ember and how it evolves through the story on his human path. She’s the closest thing to a true sibling he has—with all that means to him—and yet he disdains her sincere affection until he’s finally secure enough to be vulnerable.

do you have particular niche takes on this character? defend those takes. (openly controversial takes are permitted, but also: hyper-specific headcanons which you believe in and no one else has considered enough to disagree with yet. pick a hill to die on.)

I have so many headcanons about Woljif that directly contradict canon one might ask whether it is really Woljif I love. FAIR

Here’s a little list of the ones that are explicitly contrary to canon:

he’s blue

he doesn’t touch alcohol

he isn’t a virgin

he isn’t Calistrian – more of a PF-flavor of agnostic* but becomes Shelyn’s little favorite

debatably - he's demi

The one I’ll actually attempt to defend despite being contrary to canon is that in my hc he’s a teetotaller. I feel like it makes sense considering what alcohol has done both to his Gran and indirectly to him – for example he mentions she sold the Moon of the Abyss for hooch. Woljif is sharp and knows he needs to stay sharp to survive, and I think he would be terrified of losing control under the influence.

*meaning ”I don’t think any gods are listening to me anyway, but if they are and they want to give me a little boost, I’ll take it.”

[writerownstory]

found family🫶🏼

kind of a Juke blurb, kind of JATP being a found family from a scene in a WIP I was working on & this no longer fits in the original WIP, but it’s too cute of a scene to never be shared. so here it is. happy juke jeudi!

~

“Oh man, I’m so excited to sleep in my own bed for a couple nights,” Reggie sighed, throwing himself down on the couch in the band’s dressing room.

“You mean you won’t miss sleeping in bunks with Alex and Luke?” Julie asked as she sat at the vanity to begin taking her stage makeup off.

“I mean I love cuddling as much as the next guy but nothing compares to my own bed,” Reggie said with a shrug before he braced himself for Alex’s incoming pillow.

“Julie is more fun to cuddle than you two anyway,” he said, pressing a kiss to Julie’s hair.

Alex looked unbothered as he carefully packed his drumsticks away. “Julie is a better cuddler than you anyway.”

Luke whipped around to meet his girlfriend’s gaze in the mirror. “Have you been cuddling other people that aren’t me?!”

His dramatics got another giggle out of her exactly as planned. “Sometimes they need a hug too,” she said innocently.

“They?! You’ve been cuddling Reggie too??”

“There’s a reason I didn’t object to either statement about Julie being the superior cuddle buddy of this band,” Reggie said from behind him.

Luke narrowed his eyes at her in the mirror again. “You’ve betrayed me.” He watched as she finished taking her makeup off and slowly shifted to get out of her chair. “Oh no you don’t!”

He pulled her up out of the chair despite her attempts to resist, and after a brief struggle—because Ray and Rose Molina did not raise a quitter—Luke threw her over his shoulder. “Say goodbye to your fellow traitors.” He turned so she could see Reggie and Alex.

“Bye fellow traitors,” she laughed. “See you in a few days.”

Reggie and Alex said their goodbyes before Luke stormed out of the dressing room with his girlfriend still giggling over his shoulder, only making feeble attempts to get down.

[sysig]

Permission to headbutt: Granted (Patreon)